Alexander sat in front of his tent nearly fuming in total frustration. Life could be so complicated sometimes. It is supposed to get easier the older you get, not more confusing.
The biggest problem he was having was with relationships. More precisely, close relationships, two of which were driving him crazy. His wife and his lover...
They were complete opposites in almost everything. What he needed was someone who was somewhere in the middle of both of their personalities. That would be the perfect solution to his dilemma.
Take his beautiful lover, Bagoos. He was attentive to a fault, spoiled Alexander shamelessly and never gave him any problems of any kind. He smiled at all of his jokes, was always pleasant and happy and provided everything he wanted, sometimes even before he realized he wanted it. How could you not be happy with that?
And then there was Rozanne, Bagoos' complete opposite. Bullheaded, loud and demanding, she could turn a perfectly good conversation into a full-blown fight in two seconds flat. Never shy to let him know how wrong she thought he was – well, it seemed he was always wrong. It gave him a headache just thinking about her sometimes. Very challenging, both Bagoos and Rozanne, but each in their own ways.
What he needed was to take parts of both of them and meet somewhere in the middle.
His thoughts started to wander as he watched riders approach. They soon separated and one lone rider continued in his direction.
Returning his attention back to his problems, he decided to make a mental list of what his ideal person would be like.
He decided it would be someone that really listened to him and talked to him, and was interested in what he had to say but was also smart enough to argue with him and give their own opinions, whether they agreed with Alexander or not. What he definitely didn't want was one who would just sit and smile and never voice how they felt. But they also had to be someone who would talk, not just yell and criticize all the time. A companion who challenged him and shared their ideas with him also. A person who would help him follow his dreams and wouldn't try to talk him out of reaching them – or the opposite, someone who didn't say anything about his dreams at all.
The perfect person would be beautiful, as both Bagoos and Rozanne were, but not into their own beauty. And being very attractive physically was a definite given; after all, he was the King.
Most importantly, though, they had to love Alexander first and then the King.
Life would be so much simpler and enjoyable if he could only find this elusive being.
The rider arrived before Alexander and dismounted, his long legs swinging gracefully over his horse. He turned to Alexander and gave him the smile he saved for only his King. A smile that came not only from his face, but straight from his heart.
Alexander mentally went through his list in his head while gazing at the beauty in front of him. Loyal, smart and stunningly beautiful – all he wanted and needed – and more. Hephaestion made him laugh at himself when he got too serious, and was his most ardent follower. He could calm him with just the sound of his voice.
Alexander swallowed the lump in his throat and returned the smile. He knew he didn't need to look farther than the blue eyes sparkling in front of him. The perfect solution – person – for him was right in front of him and had been for many years already. And would likely remain there by his side for as long as he needed him. Of this, Alexander was most certain.
Problem now solved, all he had to do was make sure Hephaestion knew all that he felt and how much he meant to him. His mind had a plethora of ways to convey these feelings, all of which would be very enjoyable to them both.
Yes, Hephaestion was his solution. Always had been and always would be. How had he not seen it before?
Just... perfect.