Hephaestion had passed on into Elysium days ago, and Alexander had yet to leave his side. The distraught king seemed to have aged several years in the span of days. If you passed the bedroom that that he and his Moon had shared for so many years, you would more than likely see Alexander curled against Hephaestion's body in the bed, whispering his hopes for them as if the man beside him could still respond, kissing his gray-tinted skin in moments of silence.
After a month of trying to convince his king to allow Hephaestion's funeral to go ahead, Ptolemy entered this room one last time to find his king and brother sitting at the bedside and simply holding Hephaestion's hand in his own, his head bowed until he heard someone enter the room.
"Oh, Ptolemy, it's you," he tried to smile, but Ptolemy could see that it did not reach his eyes, and he suspected it never would again, "How are you, Brother?"
"I am well, but do not worry about me. It is you that I am worried for, Alexander. We must really put Hephaestion to rest. We can not wait much longer."
"But- he is still warm… I swear, Ptolemy, he is still warm."
"Alexander…" The older brother sighed deeply, seeing just how affected Alexander was by his soulmate's death, "How long has it been?"
"It has not been and a day. And you… It has not been a day and you are taking him from me!"
Ptolemy was quick to go to his king and kneel beside his chair, "Alexander… My dearest brother… It is all right. Shh, shh…"
"He is still warm, I swear to you!" Alexander began to hyperventilate as Ptolemy took him in his arms and held him close, shushing in his ear.
"We need to do something, Dear. Hephaestion is not at rest."
"No…" Alexander moaned, "Please, Ptolemy, please do not take him from me. I am nothing without him… Please… Please…"
"I know, Dearest, I know… It is all right, it will be all right…"
"I love him…"
He loves you, I know. And one day soon you will see him again in Elysium."
"Promise?"
"I promise. And until that day, I will be with you. You will not be alone. Never."