This is based on the movie Alexander, or more accurately, scenes I wish they had shown!
I do not own the story or any of the characters, though if I could...I would love to own the beautiful Hephaestion!
Ratings: T for first few chapters, M for later ones to just be safe.
Chapter One: The Challenge
Bored. He was absolutely, positively bored out of his mind.
Another stupid banquet.
Yes, they had earned their time off to relax and have fun. They had fought well and achieved a great victory, and they were all certainly entitled to reap the rewards.
Alexander sighed, looking around the room. His men were laughing and talking, most of them drinking too much and being loud. They looked happy, though, so he didn't begrudge them their fun. Some of them were being raucous and silly; others sat with goofy smiles watching the beautiful harem girls and dancers that were perpetually performing for them.
Even he had to admit they were stunning to watch. The whole place was stunning. The palace, his room with the balcony, the gardens and courtyards outside, the city itself…all were amazingly beautiful.
He noticed that a few of his men had adopted some of the Persian customs and dress. He himself loved the flowing silk robes and pants worn by the Persians, and chose to wear them most of the time. He absently fingered the edge of his own robe, a deep red with golden embroidery, which was paired with loose silk pants of a deep golden color. He looked very much the king that he was.
A few of his generals appeared quite drunk. A couple of them were singing, rather badly, and toasting only the gods knew what. Several of the men had paired up with women, who sat in their laps and giggled at whatever they had to say. A few men had chosen one of the beautiful eunuchs, with their ethereal looks and shy manners, to sit with, and seemed entranced by them.
He smiled as he caught the eye of a couple of his men and lifted his cup in a slight salute.
They earned it.
The fact of the matter was, however, that he was bored to death.
From his place on his couch, he scanned the room, taking it all in. His gaze came to rest on a sight that made his breath catch in his throat. Standing in one of the doorways, quietly observing everything, was Hephaestion. He was leaning against the doorframe, a slight smile on his face as he watched the chaos in front of him. Sweet Aphrodite….the man was beautiful beyond words. And he didn't seem to know it or, if he did, he accepted it with the quiet grace with which he handled most everything.
Alexander was struck speechless.
Hephaestion had also chosen the Persian manner of dress. His robe was of a deep, midnight blue silk run through with silver threads. His pants were the same shade of blue. He had a silver band around his head, holding his long hair out of his face. His hair was long and silky, with deep auburn highlights that shimmered in the light of the torches. His eyes, those amazing cerulean eyes, were lined lightly underneath with a touch of kohl, which only made the amazing blue color that much more striking. His robe was open to the waist, showing off his smooth, broad chest and a lean, muscular torso with well-defined abs.
Alexander chewed his bottom lip, taking in the sight before him. Hephaestion had not, as of yet, seen him, so Alexander took his time and soaked up the sight of his beautiful best friend and most trusted general. There truly was no other like him.
Hephaestion held a cup of wine, which he sipped from time to time, but he was not drunk like most of the others. As with everything he did, he maintained a quiet dignity and reserved manner. Alexander knew, though, that if Hephaestion was angered, or in the heat of battle…or passion…, he was every bit as fiery as the king himself.
Finally, Hephaestion's gaze met that of his King and best friend. He nodded his head slightly, acknowledging Alexander, then looked down with an almost shy smile.
He pushed off from the doorframe, making his way slowly across the room. The long silk robe billowed behind him as he strode towards the couch next to Alexander's. If he noticed the many pairs of eyes that followed his progress, he gave no indication of it. He was used to being stared it, with lust by some and with hatred by others. It no longer concerned him.
His smile widened as he reached Alexander.
"Joy to you, my King"
"Joy to you, Hephaestion" said Alexander, smiling broadly himself.
Several of the generals observed their interaction, as they always did. Ptolemy smiled to himself and thought they looked striking together. Cleitus frowned and rolled his eyes. "And it begins….", he thought to himself.
Hephaestion settled himself on his couch, stretching his long, lean legs out in front of him. He took a sip of his wine, and turned to Alexander.
"You're bored, aren't you" It wasn't a question; Hephaestion already knew the answer.
"By the gods, yes! I think I'm going to go mad if I don't get out of here and do something…anything…but this."
"What is the custom here? How long must you stay and not be considered rude for leaving?"
"Too long, that's all I know. Besides, I am the king. I may do whatever I wish! And I wish to leave!"
Hephaestion chuckled lightly. "And what is it that you wish to do once you leave here, my king? There isn't much going on anywhere else, and we have no battle details to deal with at present. You…we…are supposed to be resting and enjoying ourselves, are we not?"
Alexander sighed. "Yes, this is true. But I am not one to sit idle for any length of time. You know this."
"You will get no argument from me, my king," Hephaestion agreed.
Alexander turned to look at Hephaestion, his head cocked and his eyes narrowed slightly. "Being awfully formal, aren't you Hephaestion? What's with the 'my king' stuff tonight?"
Hephaestion's eyes sparkled with humor. "Simply showing my admiration and respect...my king."
Alexander rolled his eyes. He knew Hephaestion was playing with him. He liked it when he was in this sort of mood. Playful Hephaestion was one he didn't get to see all that often.
They sat in companionable silence for a while. Alexander reached over and picked an imaginary piece of lint from Hephaestion's shoulder. Yeah, okay…so he just wanted to touch him. Hephaestion glanced sideways at Alexander, not wanting to stare. With the red and gold robe, and the golden curls he was famous for, he practically glowed in the torch light. He really is quite breathtaking, thought Hephaestion. Alexander caught his sideways glance with one of his own. They exchanged smiles again.
Again, Cleitus frowned and rolled his eyes. "Get a room", he thought.
After a short while, Alexander grabbed Hephaestion's arm and said "I've got it!"
Hephaestion turned to study Alexander's face. "Got what, my king?"
"I know what we can do to have some fun, and get out of this place! And stop saying 'my king'!"
"Yes, my king" Hephaestion smirked at him.
Alexander smacked his arm.
"Tell me, Alexander," he said with emphasis on his name, "what is this idea of yours?"
Hephaestion was almost afraid to ask. A bored Alexander was trouble indeed.
There was a look of naughty mischief in Alexander's eyes. They danced with humor.
"Let's wrestle! You know, like we used to!"
Hephaestion didn't know what to say. He looked at Alexander as if he had two heads or something. He paused before speaking.
"Have you lost your mind, Alexander? You can't be serious!"
Alexander laughed at Hephaestion's horrified expression.
"Oh, but I am, Hephaestion. What is the matter? Are you afraid I will beat you?"
Hephaestion gave an undignified snort. "Hardly! Do you not remember our youth, Alexander? If you recall, you never once beat me."
"Ah, yes…but we are older, stronger, and wiser than we were back then. I would think we would be equally matched at the least. So…are you afraid of me?"
Hephaestion sighed. "Alexander, we are not 15 any more. And I would think it unseemly for a King to wrestle one of his generals, or anyone for that matter."
Alexander crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes in a challenge. "Coward".
At this, Hephaestion stood up, hands on his hips, head held high.
"I am not now, nor will I ever be, a coward!"
Alexander stood up as well, arms crossed, nearly nose to nose with his most trusted friend.
"Prove it then. Wrestle me."
By now, most of the other generals were staring at them, wondering what in the world was going on between them. It looked like a disagreement of some sort.
Ptolemy frowned.
Cleitus grinned. This could get interesting.
Craterus and Cassander quietly hoped that Hephaestion would finally be put in his proper place, which did not include being the king's whore, as that is how they thought of him.
Alexander had that look on his face; the one where he had made up his mind and no one was going to change it for him. Even Hephaestion's gentle reasoning would not matter once he reached this point.
Hephaestion threw his hands up in defeat. "Fine", he said in an exasperated tone. "If that is what you wish, my king, I will comply." His eyes narrowed, glittering in the torchlight. "Be prepared, Alexander, for I will not lose."
Alexander studied him briefly without comment. "Come", he said, then turned and walked out of the palace, a reluctant but determined Hephaestion on his heels.
"Oh, this is going to be good", thought Cleitus. All the generals clambered to their feet and followed the pair out into the night.