Alexander's POV
"Would you like me to let you win, Alexander?"
Up until that point, the boy with the clear blue eyes had been silently grating on Alexander's young nerves. He had never quite encountered someone like him, someone as decidedly passionate and as magnificently stubborn. Not even bold Cassander - who was by far his most vocal critic - ruffled his plumes as much. There was something about this newcomer, whose lineage was said to have hailed from Athens, that challenged Alexander's interest more than he cared to admit.
Ever since his father, Philip, had the boy brought to Meiza to study under Aristotle with him and the other children of the Macedonian aristocracy, his first impressions have not yet been proven untrue. His quiet, stand-offish demeanor, for one, rubbed off on Alexander as arrogance, and it seemed that the other boys were of the same opinion as well. They would taunt him, provoke him, but it seemed that the more they tried, the more they saw of the boy's seemingly infinite patience and tolerance.
The only time he spoke was in class, and he proved himself a clever, witty adversary that further stirred the other students' interest in varying degrees. But to Alexander, the boy always had a calm resonance that he found infuriating and alluring all in one beautiful package. The deeper they bit into their discussions, the more it seemed that this boy could best him at anything.
But if there was something that belied the boy's calm exterior, it was his eyes. Orbs as blue as the Aegean blazed like the rich indigo shade of a fading sunset whenever emotion took over. Alexander, having the same intense passion when it came to conveying his beliefs, could sympathize with this despite his young pride rejecting it. And the more the prince learned how to read those subtle changes in the hopes of outwitting him, the more brilliant and impeccable his rebuttals became.
But today, Hephaistion - as the boy was called - was quiet. Even uncertain. Alexander couldn't quite put his finger on it, but there was something that was making those eyes dull like the rain.
And then came that question; it was almost a resigned sigh, even. Despite Hephaistion's victory in the wrestling match, his confidence - or lack thereof - flickered in his eyes. Alexander's interest was piqued, and he inwardly vowed to find out what it was. If such knowledge could lead to the boy's weakness (and of course his own subsequent bragging rights), he wasn't about to entertain an oversight.
"You're right. But I will beat you one day, Hephaistion." The young prince declared.
At that time, his confidence in himself was absolute.
A/N: First drabble dedicated to Yumemakura. It's by no means complete, as I *kinda* feel it needs a little more elaborating, but this will have to do for the moment.
Thank you, Jun, for inspiring me to start on this magnificent quest!