Hephaistion was not really given a choice in the matter as Cassander wrapped an arm around him and began leading him away. Alexander waited until they were far enough so that Hephaistion would not notice him and then followed them. Cassander walked until they had come to the far side of the pool, where there were surprisingly not many people (and those who were there were likely not paying attention), and sat down. Alexander retreated to a close pillar and sat behind it, ensuring that he could not be seen.

Hephaistion dipped his hand in the pool, slowly dragging his fingers through the clear water. "How are you, then, Cassander?" He asked.

"I'm quite well tonight, although I should say much better now that I have a sober friend to talk to."

Hephaistion grinned, looking down. "I do not believe you know me well enough to determine whether I am completely sober or not."

Cassander returned the grin, his being a bit more feral. "You could have fooled me, dear Hephaistion, with the way you carried on with that dancer."

A faint blush rose on the blue-eyed general's face. Alexander secretly smirked. "Yes, well, that was simply-"

He was cut off by a laugh from Cassander. "There is no need to explain anything to me, Hephaistion! On the contrary, I thought you quite able. You managed to imitate him perfectly. If you should tire of following this damn army, then I daresay you would make a fine-"

"Thank you, Cassander, but you seem to forget that it is not this army that I follow."

Alexander nodded in approval as Cassander's face wavered from being overly confident to slightly unsure of his self. Almost warily Cassander dared to ask, "If not this army, then just what do you follow?"

Hephaistion smiled warmly. "It is Alexander, of course." He answered softly.

Alexander nearly called out with glee, 'that's right, you bastard, and don't you dare forget it!', but held himself back just as his mouth opened.

Cassander had apparently expected this answer, for he sighed dramatically and stared at the opposite man with pity. "No one could ever claim that you were unfaithful to our dear king, Hephaistion- but is our dear king so faithful to you?"

So he would try this approach again? Alexander listened intently.

"What are you referring to?" Hephaistion questioned, concern carrying in his tone. Surely he would not believe anything this snake hissed!

Cassander seemed to be calculating in his head. Calculating what-Hephaistion, himself, the bet? Alexander didn't know.

"Hephaistion, please, I think we both know exactly what. To Alexander's rather large collection of lovers."

"What about them?"

"Do they not make you jealous? Does the idea of Alexander having them time and time again not make you feel alone, rejected?"

Hephaistion looked down, at a loss for words. He certainly hadn't expected to talk about this.

Cassander helped him. "I ask only out of concern, my friend. I know we are not the closest of companions, but-"

"Why?" Hephaistion had looked up again. His tone gave away annoyance, his look merely looked questioning.

"Why…?"

Hephaistion chuckled bitterly. "Why do you care now? Why not the first time Alexander had another? Why do you care at all? You and the other generals detest me; I always feel like you'd love nothing more than for Alexander to cast me aside completely. Is that not true?"

Alexander wondered happily how Cassander would answer this.

Cassander shrugged. "I won't deny what you clearly know already. It is true that we've never held you with the best regards, Hephaistion."

Hephaistion's expression showed surprise at his blunt response.

Cassander went on. "But I've found it admirable that you would still remain so loyal even when he does not."

"Because I know that physical attraction is not love."

"Do you ever want another with you at night?"

"No."

"Why?"

"Because I love Alexander."

"Then should he not feel the same way? Why does he stray?"

Hephaistion had no answer.

Cassander tread lightly. "If it is not too bold of me to ask, do you and Alexander ever…?"

Hephaistion's eyes widened slightly and he glanced about as though one of the inanimate objects would answer for him. His lips parted, and it was a moment before he stuttered, "Well, I, no-that is…not since-"

Not since they were younger, shortly after Alexander had been named King of Macedon. Alexander closed his eyes and remembered.

Their hair had been shorter, and not as many scars had marked their bodies from the rage of battle. The candle lit room, the crimson silk of the bed spread, their clothes heedlessly discarded on the floor, he could still see it all vividly. The scent of incense had only added to their heightened senses, to their innate cravings and needs for each other. Stolen kisses, labored breathing, sweat slicked bodies…Hephaistion's eyes had been so clouded with love and lust-what had his looked like? Their murmured words of sweet nothings and moans of gratification that drove each other mad, a pair of strong legs wrapped around his waist and he had gasped so fiercely, nearly being blinded with the sinful bliss that it was to be buried inside such a tight, hot-

With a start Alexander opened his eyes, breathing harder, and remembered where he was. Then with a silent curse he realized that he was incredibly hard. He tried to concentrate on their conversation, but with Hephaistion so scantily dressed and the way he would lick his lips and shift positions…concentrating on anything else had become too complex a task. He was only able to catch maybe every other word, and even then stringing them together to form their meaning was impossible.

Alexander didn't enjoy feeling controlled by his own body. The faster he could get rid of this need, the faster he could get back to watching Hephaistion refuse anything Cassander was attempting to offer. So he unfastened his robes, exposing the front of his torso and the chiton that went from his waist to below his knees.

Slowly, and not without some embarrassment at not being able to control his urges- but, gods, this torture had to end!-, he allowed a hand to slink below the fabric, skin brushing across soft blonde hair. As that hand wrapped around his arousal, Alexander imagined it being Hephaistion's lips, engulfing him inside his hot, wet mouth, and he shuddered at the new wave of longing that washed over him.

Several minutes had passed, and when Alexander was able to look up again his fists clenched tightly. Cassander was sitting next to Hephaistion and had an arm wrapped around his shoulders. How much could he have possibly missed?

Hephaistion had pulled his knees to his chest and had his own arms around them. He'd never really thought about this before. Sure, he'd thought about it, but never really asked himself the questions that Cassander did. Why couldn't Alexander deny his body like he did? And, when he couldn't deny it, why didn't he come to Hephaistion? Yet his king was so possessive of him.

"You know, Hephaistion, you are not unpleasant to look at…far from it, actually. No matter what us as generals think, as men none of us deny that."

Hephaistion stole a glance at Cassander and, when he saw that Cassander was watching him, blushed. To secretly assume from the various looks you receive from others that they are attracted to you is one thing; to hear it confirmed is another.

"You are not unpleasant to see either, Cassander." He said humbly. He meant it, though; Cassander was an attractive enough man.

Cassander chuckled. "Alexander does not realize the value of the gem he keeps hidden from the rest of the world."

Hephaistion turned his head to grin at the other general. "And you do?"

"I do. You deserve better than what Alexander shows you. You deserve freedom in all of its aspects."

Hephaistion could only shake his head, which wasn't a very convincing response. Cassander gently took hold of his chin so that he couldn't look away.

"Don't you miss companionship, Hephaistion?"

Hephaistion's head was spinning with conflicting emotions. He didn't want to hurt Alexander, but he felt so hurt himself. When Alexander took others to his bedroom Hephaistion would feel unwanted but always told himself that it meant nothing, that he was being selfish.

But what about Alexander? Cassander was offering him something Alexander hadn't in so long…He nodded. There was nothing wrong with admitting he missed something, or rather someone.

"Then why don't you ever give yourself…" Cassander kissed him, and that really made Hephaistion's thoughts go.

Alexander felt his heart drop. He didn't know whether to give in to his rising distress or anger. Maybe both. Was this how Hephaistion felt every time he was with another? It was terrible. His world was completely crashing down.

Oh, Hephaistion…I'm so sorry…

Why didn't he ever give himself? Why didn't he? Hephaistion thought of this as he kissed Cassander. If Alexander were here…Suddenly Hephaistion thought of something else. He was not Alexander. Their thoughts didn't work the same way, despite how smoothly they worked together. Alexander simply placed a much lower level of emotional connection with sex than Hephaistion.

And because he linked emotion and sex so closely together, that was why Alexander was so possessive. If Alexander were to give someone else a flower, or hug them, or confide in them before he did Hephaistion, he would be extremely upset; those were the things Alexander showed intimacy through. Innocent things. And the opposite was true for Hephaistion.

It all made sense. He didn't give himself to anyone else because he didn't want anyone else. He wanted Alexander. Only Alexander.

He pulled away. "I can't do this."

Cassander and Alexander looked at him in alarm, but for different reasons. One was filled with anticipation, and the other hope.

"Why not?"

"Because I love him, Cassander. To do this would be to betray him…and to betray him would kill me as much as it would Alexander."

Cassander frowned. "I fear that I will never understand the two of you. Or love."

Hephaistion thought of Alexander and all they'd been through. He thought of the way Alexander would tilt his head to one side and the way his brown eyes lit up when they looked his way; of how Alexander would confide in him before all others; of his lust for the new worlds; of how he felt so calm, warm, and content when they'd embrace each other…nothing seemed to matter except the two of them…

When he noticed Cassander regarding him wearily, he realized he was smiling to himself. His smile widened despite himself and Cassander.

"I wish I could explain it…love is when, to you, a person's perfections greatly out-weigh their flaws; love is when you have everything with them and nothing without them…love is something to be experienced, not understood." He looked down, then back up. "But I truly hope you experience it someday, Cassander."

Alexander could not believe this. What had Hephaistion realized that made him so suddenly stubborn? It didn't matter; he couldn't be happier that it happened. He couldn't wait to show Hephaistion how much he needed him. He'd show him tonight.

Cassander said nothing, seemingly lost in thought. This had certainly sobered him. Hephaistion wanted no one but Alexander- the lucky bastard. With a sigh, he stood up, offering Hephaistion his hand.

Hephaistion took it, and when he had stood up they hesitantly shook hands.

Cassander grinned. "I'm going to get hopelessly drunk now."

Hephaistion didn't know what to say. He smiled warmly; Cassander returned it before walking away.

Hephaistion chuckled at everything that just happened. Alexander would be most amused when he heard this. Well…perhaps amused was not the right word, knowing Alexander.

He began walking away, intent on finding his lover. But before he could get very far a hand reached out and grabbed him from seemingly no where. Alexander wasted no time in pushing Hephaistion against the pillar and kissing him ravenously. The general made a small sound of surprise, but upon realizing who he was with he closed his eyes and lifted his hands to bury them in those golden locks, pulling slightly as if to fill any nonexistent space there might have been between their mouths.

Alexander was now an extremely happy man. Hephaistion lost himself in the kiss, loving the way Alexander held him as if he'd disappear if Alexander's grip loosened for a moment. It had been so long…Gods, it had been so long-too long…

Without warning Alexander pulled away. "Come to my room, Hephaistion. I need you." He pleaded breathlessly, closing his eyes and letting his forehead rest against his general's. He inhaled deeply the intoxicating scent that was Hephaistion and suddenly wasn't sure he could even make it to his room.

"What on earth are you doing back here?"

"Pining for you." There was that…and the fact that Alexander had been spying to make sure his bet went the way he wanted. Whether or not Hephaistion believed him entirely, he didn't push it.

"Well then why not stay here, love, there is no one watching…"

Alexander's eyes immediately opened to see completely serious blue ones. He was barely able to contain his grin. "And what if someone did come? What then?"

Hephaistion's eyes lit up challengingly. "Then they would certainly enjoy the show."

Alexander shuddered at the boldness of his statement. And while he felt like he would go mad if he wasn't able to ravish the beauty before him soon, he also didn't want to do it in a spot where anyone could come and witness what should be seen only by those involved. He especially wished to keep the sight of Hephaistion's exposed body known only by him. Alexander no longer cared whether he was being selfish. He felt torn between abandoning thought and holding on to what little self control he had left as he looked into blue, blue eyes.

Hephaistion abruptly pushed him back gently, if only a few inches. His hands went from Alexander's hair to his shoulders and gave them a light squeeze. "We will go to your chambers if you wish it, Alexander." He said with a smile.

Alexander had frowned in confusion at being pushed, but very quickly returned the affection by placing his hands over his general's and rubbing them. Hephaistion had sensed his uncertainty and had gladly given in to his request to leave. He was always doing these sorts of acts without complaint and the king felt his chest suddenly ache with overpowering love for Hephaistion. It was all he could do not to pull their bodies together and show him how much he meant to Alexander right then and there…but he wanted to do that with ensured privacy that they deserved as lovers.

"You will go now. Give an excuse for retiring and go to your room. I will follow you." Hephaistion continued.

Alexander gazed at him intensely. "I will be waiting, Hephaistion." He said softly. He brought Hephaistion's hand to his lips and placed a lingering kiss to it. He noticed the general's faint blush as his body slightly tensed. Smirking, he released his hold on Hephaistion and was finally able to walk away. Walk away briskly for fear that he would lose control and run right back.

He announced to the rest of the generals, at least those that remained sober, that he was retiring for the night. This was met with pleas for him to remain in the midst of all the merriment, but he paid them no heed. He then gave strict orders for no one to enter his room, nay- no one to even enter the hall his room was located in, for any reason, for he was suffering from an excruciating head ache and simply wished to sleep it off.

Pleased with his lie, he hurried to his room, checking to make sure that his orders had been followed and that there was not another soul present. He was especially pleased that he had been able to keep his arousal to a minimum so that he hadn't had to walk through that large room with a hard on for all to see. He hadn't noticed if Hephaistion was able to, and with only that skirt he was wearing…Alexander had to laugh aloud at the idea of Hephaistion walking through there like that, just as calmly as he would any other day. The thought was appealing as well and soon it was with impatience that he awaited his lover to come into his arms again.