This was inspired by the movie Alexander, with a big dose of inspiration from Mary Renault's "Fire From Heaven". (If you have not read that book, I highly recommend it.)
I do not own the story or any of the characters, though if I could...I would love to own the beautiful Hephaestion!
Summary: Springtime in Mieza, when a young man's fancy turns to...well, all sorts of things.
Rating: T
Spring had returned to Mieza. The boys felt like they had been sprung from their cages now that they were able to get out without bundling up in furs or huddling in their tents. They wanted to run in the grass, soaking up the warm sunshine, and burning off pent up energy.
Ah, but they had lessons to attend still.
Aristotle was having a difficult time holding their attention this day. It was one of the first really warm days, and their focus was anywhere but on him. Ptolemy was studying a bug that crawled over the stones at his feet. Nearchus and Leonnatus were poking at each other and trying not to be caught laughing. Cassander, for once, was smiling as he stared off in the distance. Who knows what he was thinking, but it was probably something evil. Most of the others pretended to listen, but he could tell he lost them a while ago by their blank expressions. Alexander stared up at the sunlight filtering through the trees, smiling and lost in his own thoughts. Hephaestion, of course, was watching Alexander's every move with a look of intense longing. Poor boy, Aristotle thought. He's got it bad.
Aristotle could see that mathematics was not a good subject for this day. He decided to move on to natural sciences. They had been studying botany and zoology, bringing specimens to be studied. They had a whole collection of plants, bird's eggs, stags' antlers, furs, flowers, and much more. He decided to move on to a subject he felt sure would capture their attention.
"Gentlemen", he began, "I have a new assignment for you. This is one you might actually find interesting." He smiled at them. "As you know, this is the time of year that the animals begin mating and having young. Your assignment is to observe the mating habits of the various animals. Record their mating rituals, nesting or denning practices, any offspring they have, which parent cares for the young, that sort of thing. Write down all your observations. If you can bring specimens for us to learn from, all the better. Try not to disturb the creatures you study. We want to observe their normal behavior. Do you have any questions?"
He heard snickers all around and rolled his eyes. Perdiccas spoke up. "So….you basically want us to go around and watch animals…you know…do it!" Laughter erupted from all sides.
He waited until they had calmed down a bit. "Really, boys….if you are quite finished… Yes, that is pretty much what I am telling you to do. Do you think you can manage to complete this assignment with some sort of sense? Or do we need to go back to mathematics again?"
A collective groan and some mumbled answers were his only response.
"I will take that as a 'yes' then. I would like you to pair up. Both partners will observe. One of you will be responsible for recording your findings. The other will present your finished report to the class at the end of the assignment. Do you understand what you are to do?"
The boys all nodded their consent.
"Now, do I need to assign partners, or can you manage this on your own without squabbling? I would think that at your age you should be able to handle everything from here. I will leave you to work out the details. We will go over what we have observed so far in a couple days. Now get busy!" He walked away, shaking his head. Boys will be boys, he thought.
Alexander and Hephaestion exchanged shy smiles. There was no question as to who their respective partners would be. No one would have dared suggest otherwise. The rest managed to pair off without too much trouble.
"Well, Phai, it seems we have quite a project ahead. Do you want to record, or present?"
"That is easy, Alexander. We both know that you are the more articulate of us, and you are a very persuasive speaker. I have an eye for details, so I think I would be the best one to record our observations. Would you agree?"
Alexander squeezed his friend's shoulder lightly. "Wise as always, my Phai. Agreed."
Hephaestion shivered slightly at the contact and looked away so that Alexander would not see the flash of hunger in his eyes. He had just turned 16, with Alexander being slightly younger. At this age, he was a walking hormone. He was careful not to let Alexander see too much.
Alexander lifted Hephaestion's chin with a gentle touch, and brushed his lips with a very light, friendly kiss. "We shall set out first thing after breakfast. I know of a fox's den where we might start our project. Let us go and have our supper now."
Hephaestion missed the slight trembling of Alexander's body when they had kissed.
The other boys were certainly not surprised that Alexander and Hephaestion had paired off. None of them knew for sure, but there were bets placed as to whether or not those two were doing anything.
Cassander smirked. "Perhaps we should observe the mating practices of those two! I for one would love to write a paper on that!"
"You just want to watch, you perv!" Ptolemy said, laughing.
Philotas grinned at Cassander. "I think you are just jealous because you have a crush on Hephaestion!"
Cassander frowned. "Do not!"
The other boys all snickered. They knew perfectly well that he did, but he had a snowball's chance in Hades of being noticed by the beautiful brunette. He only had eyes for his Alexander.
"All of you have a crush on Hephaestion, so leave me be. Could we please move on to something else now?"
They decided to head over and get some dinner and make plans for their new assignment.
Hephaestion lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling. Alexander's cot was just a few feet from his. He looked over at his friend. Alexander was sleeping peacefully, dead to the world. Hephaestion sighed. His mind was racing and his body ached. He so desperately wanted to tell Alexander how he felt, that his love was far beyond simple friendship, but was afraid of losing what he did have if those feelings were not returned. He would sooner die than lose Alexander completely. He finally got up, pulled his blanket around himself, and walked out to the edge of the woods. He leaned against a tree, hoping the cool night breeze would cool his blood as well. It wasn't working, so he slipped into the trees to find some relief. His soft cry carried on the breeze as he found his release. He wasn't sure how much more of this he could take.
