AN: For Jared's birthday! Happy birthday, Jared! Now, I was late in starting a story this year because I had no idea what to write, so this is very last minute and probably not my best story and may not make much sense, but I had to write something, so I hope you all enjoy this anyway. Enjoy!
Alexander snuck into his and Hephaestion's rooms, where his lover sat in silence, working diligently at their writing desk, writing letters or some kind of inventory. Alexander was not sure, and frankly it did not matter to him at the moment.
He crept in on silent feet, reaching around Hephaestion to over his eyes, giggling as Hephaestion paused at the sudden darkness he found himself in.
"Alexander? What are you up to?" He was only answered with another giggle, his lover not removing his hands even as Hephaestion carefully pushed back his chair and stood up, not wanting to accidentally hurt his Sun in any way, "Alexander, what have you done?"
There was one more giggle, and the hands that he loved so much did not move yet, but Alexander finally spoke, whispering in Hephaestion's ear, "My dearest Love, do you remember the first gift I ever gave you on the anniversary of your birth the year we met?"
"Of course, Xander. You had begged your mother and father to help you find a dove of some sort to tell me you loved me. But even they had trouble finding it. You were awfully upset that you had to get me a carved one. Why? And what is this game you insist on playing?" He sighed, lovingly exasperated, "Why can I not see you?"
"Because," Alexander laughed silently against Hephaestion's back, and Hephaestion was so tempted to just melt into his love's closeness, "Just trust me."
"I trust you Alexander."
In response, Hephaestion felt lips brush the back of his neck, and sighed in absolute ecstasy, causing Alexander to smile against his skin, sending shivers down Hephaestion's spine.
By this point, they had left their rooms and were almost to the end of the corridor that led into the larger common area. Then Alexander spoke up.
"On three, Bagoas! One," Hephaestion felt a sudden stab of fear in his belly, and clutched at Alexander's chiton once his hand had reached behind him and found purchase in the folds of cloth, "Two- Tilt your head up, my love- Three!"
Suddenly, the darkness was gone and when Hephaestion could see once more, looking toward the ceiling of the large room, he found out why Alexander had been so secretive.
"Doves? Real doves? Alexander!"
It was true; a pair of white doves soared high above their heads, and had Hephaestion mesmerized.
"I finally found them, my love! The most beautiful pair of Aphrodite's creatures ever put on this earth, just like you. Happy birthday. I love you."