Drabble – Surprise
Alexander was giddy and felt like a ten year old again. Today was his birthday and he could hardly wait for the party. But he was even more anxious to see what Hephaestion was giving him.
Hephaestion's gifts were always the best. From everyone else he received gold, silver and expensive trinkets, material things. But Hephaestion always gave him something from the heart.
The little boy in him could wait no longer and sheepishly knocked lightly on Hephaestion's door.
"Enter."
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything?" Said Alexander, his eyes darting around the room.
"Not at all."
Alexander smiled at Hephaestion and received a warm smile in return. His heart did a somersault.
"What are you doing?" Asked Alexander.
"Working on the reports you wanted. Is there something else you need done?"
"No." Alexander said, his eyes looking in every nook and cranny for anything that might conceal his surprise.
Hephaestion watched Alexander's eyes with amusement and then began writing again.
"Are you looking for something?"
"What? Um.. No. Why do you ask?"
"You are acting like you are trying to find something. You also seem nervous about something."
"Me? No, I'm fine." Alexander said as he dropped into a chair in front of Hephaestion's desk.
Hephaestion nodded and went back to his work. Alexander's lower lip began to droop a little. It was silent for a while in the room with only the sound of the quill scratching on the scroll.
"Um, Hephaestion?"
"Hum."
"Do you have any plans on this special day?"
Hephaestion shook his head. Alexander's lower lip came out more.
"Do you?"
"Other than attend the party, no I don't."
"Party? Oh, that's right, it's your birth day today. Happy birth day Alexander."
'Thanks, I'm glad you finally remembered."
Hephaestion could hardly suppress his smile at the look on Alexander's face.
"We could have our own private party now before the big one tonight and you could give me my present when it is just the two of us?"
"If you wish, I can order some food. But I didn't get you a gift this year."
"What?" Alexander squeaked out.
"I finally listened to what you tell me every year, that I shouldn't have, that you really didn't what anything and that all you really need is me. So this year I didn't buy you anything."
"Oh." Alexander looked stunned and crushed all at the same time. He didn't move as Hephaestion moved from his desk and didn't notice when Hephaestion slipped out of his clothes and onto the bed behind him.
"Alexander."
When Alexander finally turned and saw where the voice came from, he swallowed hard.
"Will I be enough for you?"
Hephaestion most certainly must have been enough if the next couple of hours were any proof. But Hephaestion didn't let Alexander in on the other surprise right away. They arrived together later at the party with a beautiful new ring adoring Alexander's finger.
And Alexander never again told Hephaestion that "he shouldn't have".
