Angry Words Spoken
It had started as a silly disagreement and escalated from there. The normal lines that were unspoken had been crossed. Rarely did he and Hephaestion argue, though they 'debated' all the time. This time, though, things had gotten out of hand and went too far. This time it hurt.
What made matters worse was the departure of Hephaestion. It had been planned for many weeks for him to go to a distant country and work his diplomatic charms. The trip was necessary to assure safe passage for the army through the territory. But the timing of the angry hurtful words and the separation couldn't have been worse.
His words came back to haunt Alexander as he waited for Hephaestion to return. He was due back this very day and Alexander was making plans to greet him and welcome him back. He wasn't sure of the reception he would receive from his best friend and that worried him even more. Every day he had replayed the scene and every night it had haunted his dreams. He had long forgotten Hephaestion's angry words but he remembered what he had spit out at Hephaestion in every detail.
The letters that passed between them at the beginning of the separation had been simple, to the point and void of much emotion. As the number of days grew the anger began to diminish, replaced by hurt and then guilt. But letter can't see into the eyes, to see the emotions running behind them. Alexander had never longed to look into those blue eyes that he loved more than he did now.
He was giving orders for the private dinner he planned on having with Hephaestion tonight when he felt his presence before he saw him across the room. He looked up to see the man in the doorway as if he wasn't sure whether to come in or go back out. He had on his helmet and armor and was covered in road dust. Alexander knew he had come directly here from the stables and it made his heart lurch at the thought. Their eyes locked and everyone else disappeared from the room for both of them.
Alexander dismissed the few servants scurrying around the room and walked towards Hephaestion. Taking off his helmet, Hephaestion shook his head to get a wayward strand of hair out of his eyes, though they never left Alexander's.
Hephaestion took a couple of hesitate steps towards Alexander and they met a few feet from the now closed door and stopped about a foot apart. How long they stood and looked into each other's eyes neither could have told you later. Tears welled up and began to trickle down each of their cheeks. Alexander made the last step and empted the space between them. He pulled Hephaestion to him and held him tightly.
Hephaestion returned the embrace with equal care.
They stood there like that momentarily until the sobs began, first from Alexander and soon joined by Hephaestion. The kiss they shared moments later was mixed with tears.
He was back…now the healing and comforting words of forgiveness could begin.
Hephaestion was home.