A linen cuirass hit the floor, followed by greaves and a leather wrist guard, cavalry boots were unlaced and kicked aside, until Hephaestion stood dressed in the simple white tunic he had worn under his armor. He stripped himself of his armor so quickly that Alexander had barely had time to pull off his own cuirass.

Alexander laughed and shook his head. "In a hurry, Hephaestion?"

Hephaestion grinned. "As a matter of fact, I am. Do you need some help, Alexander?"

"I'm good." Alexander quickly stripped his own armor off, pausing when he was down to his tunic. He cocked an eyebrow at Hephaestion and winked. "Get naked, Hephaestion. Now." He stripped off his tunic and loincloth and bounced down onto the bed, smiling up at Hephaestion.

Hephaestion chuckled. "Yes, my king." He quickly finished stripping off his clothing and stood beside the bed. He licked his lips and smiled seductively.

Alexander's eyes were wide and he felt his heart rate speed up as his gaze raked up and down the lean length of Hephaestion's body. Perfect. The man was perfect. His mouth practically watered at the sight. "I want you" he said in a low voice.

Hephaestion climbed onto the bed next to Alexander and lay down on his side, facing the king. He trailed his fingers down Alexander's chest. "Then you shall have me."

Hephaestion leaned over and kissed Alexander's chest, his lips and tongue following the path that his fingers had taken. He flicked his tongue over a nipple, laughing softly at the hiss of breath that he heard from Alexander. His teeth gently nipped at the hardened bud before he began kissing his way over to devote equal attention to the other nipple.

Alexander felt a chill run down his spine, straight to his groin, and he groaned softly. His fingers carded through Hephaestion's hair. Almost without realizing he was doing it, he pushed gently against the top of Hephaestion's head, encouraging him to move lower, his hips lifting slightly.

Hephaestion raised his head and looked at Alexander's flushed face. He chuckled. "Oh, very subtle Alexander. Is there something you want me to do?" He dipped his head and ran his tongue down Alexander's body, pausing to poke at his belly button. He knew Alexander was ticklish there.

Alexander jerked and swatted at the back of Hephaestion's head playfully. "Damn it, Hephaestion! You know that tickles!"

Another low chuckle from Hephaestion as he gave Alexander's belly button one more flick of his tongue before dragging the tip of his tongue down the soft line of hair that led down, and down… With agonizing slowness, he moved closer to where Alexander obviously wanted him to be.

Alexander realized he was holding his breath and released it slowly. He was about to open his mouth to speak when he suddenly felt Hephaestion's fingers wrap around his hard length. He gasped. Another attempt at speech was quickly forgotten when the wet heat of Hephaestion's mouth drew him in, taking him all the way down. "Oh gods…" was all he managed to choke out. His hips bucked up off the bed and his fingers tangled themselves in Hephaestion's hair.

Hephaestion pulled back slightly, smiling at Alexander's enthusiastic response. His head lowered again, his tongue swirling over the tip teasingly before he slid the full length of Alexander's erection into his mouth again.

Alexander was going wild under him, his hips jerking involuntarily. He released his hold on Hephaestion's hair and gripped the bed covers in his fists. "Hephaestion, you're killing me…oh gods…if you don't stop that…I'm never going to last…" he panted.

Hephaestion raised his head, releasing the hard column of flesh from his grip, and crawled up Alexander's body on his hands and knees. "That won't do, Alexander. You can't come yet." He lowered head and claimed Alexander's mouth in a passionate kiss, leaving them both breathless. He felt his own hard length pressing down against Alexander's and groaned. "Gods you feel good, Alexander. So good."

Alexander's hands slid down Hephaestion's sides, coming to rest on his hips. He gripped Hephaestion's firm buttocks in his hands and ground himself against him. He drew in a ragged breath and nipped at Hephaestion's lower lip, tugging gently. "I want in."

Hephaestion rolled over, pulling Alexander on top of him as he did so. His legs parted slightly, allowing Alexander to settle between them. "Then do it."

"On your side, Hephaestion" Alexander ordered, his voice low and breathless. He rolled off Hephaestion and sat up.

Hephaestion rolled onto his side, facing away from Alexander. He was so hard he ached. He glanced back over his shoulder to see Alexander retrieving a small silver bottle from the bedside table.

Alexander lay down on his side, spooning behind Hephaestion. He chuckled, a soft warm sound, when goose bumps broke out all over Hephaestion's body as he kissed the back of his neck and shoulders. Hephaestion loved that. His arm draped over Hephaestion's shoulder, he let his hand wander down the general's body, down the strong chest, down his tight belly, over his lean hips, before curling his fingers around velvet covered steel of Hephaestion's erection.

Hephaestion sucked in a breath and bucked into Alexander's grip. Strong, calloused fingers caressed him, stroking firmly. He nearly lost it when Alexander rubbed his thumb over the tip, drawing a bead of moisture with it. He knew he wouldn't last very long no matter what they did. He pushed back with his hips, grinding his ass against Alexander's erection. "Do it. Take me."

Alexander dipped his fingers in the oil, gently and carefully preparing Hephaestion. It had been a very long time since they had done this, regrettably, and he didn't want to risk hurting him. He continued to kiss and nip at the tender skin on Hephaestion's neck as he stretched him further. Once he thought Hephaestion was ready for him, he pressed against the tight entrance. "I don't want to hurt you, Hephaestion."

Hephaestion pushed back impatiently. "You won't. Just do it."

Slowly and carefully, Alexander eased himself into that hot, silky passage until he was buried deep. He was still for a moment, taking in the nearly overwhelming feelings…and not just the physical ones. That Hephaestion loved him, trusted him, wanted him…it was a humbling feeling. He reached to brush the hair from Hephaestion's face and then wrapped his arms around him from behind.

"Move, Alexander. Please." Hephaestion reached his hand back to grip Alexander's hip.

Alexander shifted behind him, slow and steady strokes in and out, his body moving against Hephaestion's back.

Hephaestion's head was lowered and he shifted his weight forward to give Alexander better leverage, allowing him to hit that spot…that perfect spot…again and again. Hephaestion bit his lip and sucked in a breath as Alexander reached around and wrapped his hand around Hephaestion's hard length and began stroking in time with the sure and steady thrusts.

Their bodies moved together, their movements becoming quicker and more erratic. Hephaestion could not hold out any longer. "Alexander!" he gasped, "I can't….I'm going to…ah, gods…" He lost it, thrusting forward into Alexander's grip and his whole body shuddered with his release.

The feeling of Hephaestion's muscles contracting around him sent Alexander over the edge as well. He thrust once more, buried as deeply as he could, and came hard, biting down on Hephaestion's shoulder to keep from shouting.

They lay like that, Alexander still spooning behind Hephaestion with his arms wrapped around him, as they tried to catch their breath. Finally, Alexander pulled out and rolled onto his back. Hephaestion rolled over as well, and they both lay, staring at the roof of the tent over their heads.

Alexander reached for Hephaestion's hand and twined their fingers together. "That was…incredible. I don't say it often, Hephaestion, and for that I'm sorry, but I love you."

Hephaestion smiled, stifling a yawn. "I love you, too, Alexander." He yawned again. He felt his eyelids growing heavy. "I should go, Alexander. I should go back to my own tent and let you rest."

Alexander gripped his hand tighter. "No, Hephaestion. Stay for a while. You can leave later. Right now I just want to be with you." He sighed contentedly and closed his eyes.

Within moments, both men were asleep.