Drabble – Rough
Hephaestion walked towards the tent in the distance, each step he took lifted the weights around his shoulders and head. He left the woes and worries behind him as he began to smile.
The tent had become his haven, his place to come when the rest of the world came crushing in on him. It became his place away from Alexander.
He left it at the doorway, the feeling of neglect, the tugs to his heart for being a fool and the torments from his 'so called' friends. Whenever it became too much, he came to his special place and his special people.
He entered without letting them know he was there, he knew he was always welcome. He was immediately surrounded by love and affection. Smiles and giggles filled his eyes and ears making him feel so very loved.
The woman finally let him go when two set of arms wrapped around his legs and held on tight. A big hug and smile from the older man made his heart warm even more.
He reached down and pulled the two precious little girls up into his arms and smothers them with kisses. Giggles of delight filled the tent as they held him tight, little fingers already wrapped around his long strands of hair.
This is what he needed, what he craved, being made to feel wanted and loved. How he loved these special moments. He savored them and stored them up for all of the times outside of the tent till he could come and regenerate again.
The older man was a sword maker by trade, one of the best in the army. His wife of many years was a warm and loving woman and an amazing cook. They had had one daughter, a beautiful young girl full of life. She was attacked at one of the many stops Alexander's army had made and became pregnant. Hephaestion had never really forgiven himself for her abuse and had taken full responsibility for her and her wonderful family. She had died giving birth to the twin girls now sitting on his lap.
He thought of them as the family he would probably never have himself. They in turn loved him back with an equal amount of love and respect. They were exactly what each other needed. They opened their arms to him whenever the rest of the world began to come in around him. He became the son they never had.
After several hours of pure joy, Hephaestion left with a smile on his face and a full heart once again. He knew that no matter how rough the future got for him, he could come home if he needed too, to be just Hephaestion again.
He found Alexander in his rooms when he returned. Alexander sat in a chair and glared at him. "Where have you been? I needed you."
Hephaestion took off his cloak and sat down. "I was getting some much needed love, Alexander, but I'm back now."