Drabble – Too Darn Hot
Hephaestion couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right. The meeting with the diplomats seemed to be going well, they were smiling and agreeing to all the terms Alexander had proposed and the wine was flowing freely. Everyone seemed happy and content but there was an undercurrent that Hephaestion could feel radiating from Alexander's direction.
Every once and awhile Hephaestion would catch Alexander glances and it made him very uneasy. He had been with Alexander long enough to know when something was bothering his friend. This was one of them, he was sure.
The meeting finally ended and the diplomats left with smiles of satisfaction and happiness. In fact, everyone was happy, except Alexander. Any pretense of cheerfulness was nowhere to be seen on his handsome face. He glared at Hephaestion and made his way out of the room.
Hephaestion followed him quickly and when Alexander suddenly stopped, he almost ran into him. Before he had time to speak, Alexander turned to him getting right in his face.
"How could you? You knew how important this meeting was to me, to the entire army. I can't believe you did that."
Hephaestion stood in front of Alexander with a look of complete surprise and confusion. He tried to think of what he had done to bring on this ire from Alexander but his mind could think of nothing.
Finally he found his voice, "What did I do?"
"You have no idea, do you?"
Hephaestion shook his head from side to side.
Alexander got directly in his face and said, "The next time I have such an important meeting you are ordered to look less beautiful, make that as ugly as you can, so I can concentrate on the task at hand and not how absolutely darn hot you are!"
Hephaestion stood even more stunned than before.
"What?"
"You heard me. The next time I want you to think ugly, hideous, anything that will make you less attractive than a man has a right to be."
A small smile broke out on Hephaestion's beautiful face and he laughed nervously.
"You're joking, right?"
"I have never been more serious about anything in my entire life."
Alexander starting walking quickly away, suddenly stopped, turned around and walked back to the stunned Hephaestion.
He then dragged Hephaestion to his room where he proceeded to show him exactly how very hot he thought he really was.