"Why didn't you come when I called you?" Phillip asked pouring some wine in the goblet that had been placed in front of Hephaistion.
Hephaistion was sat all tensed up and very alert, he had to be since Phillip was stood behind him, he tried and failed not to flinch when Phillip put the jug down and placed a hand on his shoulder.
When a letter had arrived saying the King wished Hephaistion to attend to his needs Hephaistion had tore it up and dared to defy it by choosing to leave the palace grounds and go for a walk in the hills only to return a full hour after the time Phillip had given. On his return he found a heavily armed guard waiting for him outside his door. He gave Hephaistion two opinion that Phillip had told him to give to Hephaistion when he finally returned, to come quietly and all would be forgiven or if he had to be taken by force Phillip would have him punished for defying a direct order from the king, not wanting to cause a scene Hephaistion went quietly, Philip had stayed true to his word and forgive Hephaistion's defiance but it didn't stop him asking.
"Well!" Phillip asked with a bit more force and adding a squeeze on his shoulder to show that he was waiting.
"I went for a walk and simply lost track of time." Hephaistion replied a half truth at best but it seemed to keep Phillip happy.
"Well you are here now, that's the main thing." Phillip said as he eased his bulk on to the couch opposite.
To stop his nerves showing Hephaistion picked up his goblet and had several long sips looking over the top of the rim he could see that Phillip was watching him.
"Come here."
Phillip was patting the empty space next to him and with trembling limbs Hephaistion did what he was asked sitting down slowly next to the King.
"You forgot your drink." the King told him.
Hephaistion nervousness amused Phillip and he couldn't help by smack the young man's bum when he stood up and lent over to pick up his goblet. He stoked Hephaistion's cheek as he took several more long sips. Hephaistion was holding the goblet so tight his knuckles were white he tried to keep hold of it when Phillip started to take it from him to place on the table leaving nothing to hind behind.
He sat there while Phillip began to paw all over him, starting at his cheek, down his neck to his shoulder where he lifted up and fingered the hair that fell there, out of the corner of his eye Hephaistion could see what Phillip's other hand was doing, to his horror Phillip was lifting up his chiton and exposing himself while the other hand was tangling in his hair so that he could pull his head down towards it. He refused by pulling his head in the opposite direction but Phillip had his hand in his hair in such a way that it hurt and the outcome only went one way, Phillip's.
The small mercy was that Phillip placed his head on his stomach stroking his hair.
"Go on then." He encouraged when Hephaistion just sat there eyes squeezed shut and breathing heavily.
His eyes had snapped open when Phillip had spoke, he found that his face closer now.
"Remember what I told you, do it willing or punishment." Phillip told him pushing his head down.
Signing and with a heavy heart Hephaistion turned his head so that he could reach. He stared slowly by flicking his tongue before giving it his full attention by coving it with his mouth guided by Phillips's hand in his hair.
Afterwards they just sat there; Phillip's head was lent back, his hand had let go of Hephaistion long ago but before he could go anywhere Phillip's arm shoot out and pulled him back down and told him to stay.
So Hephaistion sat there still pressed against the king while tears fell freely, Phillip moved let him finally letting him up.
"Why do you cry?" Phillip asked "there is no need for the king's lover to cry."
"I…" Hephaistion began "What?" he asked unsure if he had heard properly
"The King's lover." Phillip repeated "You have considered my offer."
It had been a week since that letter, it's pieces long gone and Hephaistion had tried not to think about he pushed it further and further back in his mind until now, he hadn't excepted Phillip to ask him so soon.
When he didn't responded Phillip said "You've had plenty of time to think it over, perhaps I can persuade you."
In perfect timing the door opened and in came a servant carrying a huge chest, he put it on to the floor with a loud thud before reaching over and lifting up the catch.
Inside were a collection of things, Solid gold and sliver jewellery decorated with stones from rubies to sapphires, highly detail and fine looking clothes, really expensive wine and olive oil from the palace's vineyard and silver wear.
"I'll send all this and more to your family if you agree." Phillip told him
Hephaistion didn't know what to say, he slide off the couch and crouched down beside the chest picking up random objects. His family were simple but respectable people these would be too much for them. Philip joined him despite his bad leg he could see the doubt in the young man's face.
"You'll want them to be happy don't you?" he asked "You want to make them proud that their son can provide for them."
Of course Hephaistion want them to be proud and happy, that's all he ever wanted since he arrived at the palace but not like this. He was staring at the stuff in the chest he hardly heard Phillip's words.
"Yes." he found himself saying in a whisper "Yes." he said louder when Phillip asked him to repeat what he had just said.
"I said yes, but on one condition."
"Name it."
Hephaistion felt stupid for asking but if he did them he would feel like he had some control.
"They must never know," he changed his position so that he was kneeling before the king " Please."
At first he thought that Phillip was going to say no, hi9s face was so natural. Then he broke into a smile.
" Of course they will never know."