Drabble – Spy
Hephaestion had been sent ahead into the meeting room to meet with the diplomats. Alexander and he had done this many times in the past with Hephaestion 'softening up' the audience before the King arrived to take over. As he usually did, Alexander stayed hidden from view but listening to every word and gesture that was made.
The diplomats had come to the meeting armed with requests and lists of demands. Only the best had been sent with years of experience at getting exactly what their leader wanted. They may waver in their demands but would not fail in their negotiations.
But they had never negotiated with anyone quite like Hephaestion before.
Alexander had seen their faces as they had entered the room, stern and determined. He had watched the resolve waver as they got their first looks at Hephaestion. Alexander never doubted that they had ever seen anyone that looked like Hephaestion before because he himself had never come across anyone more appealing to the eyes than his friend. He could almost read their thoughts as their eyes took in every inch of Hephaestion's physical attributes.
Hephaestion let them look, saying nothing, until their eyes settled again on his face. He knew his features were appealing, though he himself did not see that he was very different from anyone else, but on occasions like this, he used it to his advantage. Now that he had their complete attention, he began to speak softly but with authority.
Alexander watched hidden as all of the defenses around the others in the room dissolved little by little. They soon found out that they were dealing with not only a beautiful man, but a very intelligent one too. All of their arguments were met with sounder ones from this disarming man in front of them. His soft but very commanding voice spoke words of wisdom. When one of them did finally find a voice to argue, Hephaestion listened intently and then gave them another idea to ponder and think about.
One by one, the plans he and Hephaestion had discussed before the meeting were brought up and discussed. Alexander marveled again at the ease at which Hephaestion had accomplished all of them.
Every once in awhile, Hephaestion would smile at them, making Alexander chuckle, as the diplomats emitted a soft moan, their minds going completely blank of the conversation they had been engaged in.
Hephaestion got up from the couch he was sitting on and went fill his glass with more wine, looking straight at Alexander as he did. He could barely make out the King through the curtain that separated them. He winked at Alexander and smiled broadly before he returned his attention to the diplomats, who had their attention firmly planted on Hephaestion's backside and longs legs.
Alexander smiled to himself as he told them silently to look all they wanted, but Hephaestion was all his, only his.
Alexander was also eternally grateful and thankful that Hephaestion was on his side.