This is something that's been bouncing around in my head for a while now. I love the interaction between Alexander and Hephaestion, and I would like to think that, when they weren't at war, they had a little fun sometimes.
This is based on the movie Alexander, or more accurately, scenes I wish they had shown! I do not own the story or any of the characters, though if I could...I would love to own the beautiful Hephaestion!
Summary: A Bored Alexander is a dangerous thing. Trouble ensues.
Ratings: T for first few chapters, M for later ones to just be safe.
Chapter Three: Victory
When Hephaestion returned to the courtyard, all but Alexander were gone. He was standing facing away from him. His hands were behind his back and his face tilted up towards the now brightly shining full moon. The torchlight cast glowing shadows and highlights in his hair, and the light sheen of sweat on his skin made him shine like bronze. He seemed relaxed and at peace, a rarity for him these days. Hephaestion smiled and thought back to when they were children. Sometimes he truly wished things could be so simple again.
He observed Alexander quietly from the shadows. The man had no idea how striking he really was. The golden curls and intense eyes commanded attention wherever he went. His manner of carrying himself spoke of strength and passion, yet he had a gentle side. People everywhere were drawn to him. Hephaestion, too, was caught in his snare. Like moth to a flame, he had never been able to escape the pull since the day they met as children. He did not want to, either. This was HIS Alexander, the one most people never got to see. Just as well. He didn't really want to share that part of him.
As if by instinct, Alexander sensed the presence of his friend and turned to face him. His breath caught in his throat at the site of Hephaestion standing before him clad only in the loincloth he had gone to retrieve. The stunning beauty of the man never ceased to leave him speechless. He looked so beautiful and so perfect. Brilliant blue eyes sparkled in the moonlight, full of affection.
They stood facing each other, the tension in the air palpable.
Hephaestion smiled at him. "Still want to go through with this, Alexander?" he said softly.
"Do you want to?" Alexander asked.
That mischievous gleam reappeared in Hephaestion's eyes. "That depends, my king. That depends on how willing you are to accept defeat." He fixed a brilliant smile on his face.
That snapped Alexander out of his trance. "Oh, it is SO on! Let's see how cocky you are when I force you to yield to me!"
Hephaestion winked at him. "Bring it! I'm ready!"
They assumed a starting stance and began circling each other, looking for an advantage. Both reached out and grasped the shoulders of the other, fighting for dominance. Smiling, Alexander leaned over slightly and blew in Hephaestion's ear. Startled, Hephaestion's grip loosened slightly. Alexander pressed the advantage and managed to snake his arms up under Hephaestion's and lock his hands behind his head.
A panting, struggling Hephaestion growled under his breath. "You cheat, Alexander!"
Alexander laughed softly. "All is fair in love and war, Hephaestion."
"And which might this be, Alexander?"
Hephaestion managed to break the hold on him, spin around, and put a headlock on Alexander. "That's more like it" he grinned.
"Like hell it is!" Alexander grunted with exertion as he squirmed and fought, finally managing to hook his foot around Hephaestion's shin, pulling him off balance just enough that he could escape.
Alexander smiled triumphantly. Hephaestion frowned. "Don't get too cocky, my friend. This is not over."
They circled each other again, each taking measure of the other and catching their breath. Their slick bodies glistened in combined light of the moon and the torches. Anyone observing them might mistake them for gods.
Again, they lunged at each other, vying for an advantage. Hephaestion dropped his hand and "accidentally" let it brush the front of Alexander's loincloth. A sharp intake of breath and a jerk backwards were his reward. He pressed the advantage to flip Alexander around and get him in a headlock again.
"Now you cheat, Hephaestion!"
Hephaestion chuckled. "All's fair…."
Alexander, with a burst of strength, managed to get his leg behind Hephaestion's leg and force his knee into the back of it. Hephaestion's knee buckled, and down they went. They ended up both kneeling in the dirt, with Alexander still in a headlock. They were panting from exertion, and a few bruises were starting to show on both of them.
Hephaestion maneuvered his body around so that he was kneeling behind Alexander. He shoved forward, flattening Alexander face down in the dirt. He then wrapped those famous thighs around Alexander's hips and stretched his legs out behind him, pulling Alexander's legs with him.
Alexander was basically lying face down, stretched out in the dirt, held down by Hephaestion's arms around his neck, and thighs holding his legs down. He couldn't move. He groaned in frustration, but he could not budge.
Hephaestion leaned down and breathed in his ear, giving Alexander goose bumps all over his body. "Do you yield, my king?"
"No!" he snorted. "I will not!"
"Well", Hephaestion laughed, "I guess we can lay here like this until you get tired of being face down in the dirt." He pressed his hips into Alexander's backside. "I can see there might be another advantage here for me."
Alexander groaned again, but for an altogether different reason this time.
"Fine!" he grumbled. "I yield to you, General Hephaestion. You have defeated me, yet again."
"Would you rather that I let you win, Alexander?" Hephaestion remembered asking that same question of Alexander when they were children.
"No….I would not. I yield to you. Now please let me up!"
Hephaestion released his hold on Alexander and climbed to his feet. He extended a hand, pulling Alexander up with him. The two men silently appraised each other for a moment, then grabbed each other in a hug.
"Well done, Hephaestion, well done." Alexander smiled at him. "You have the winner's rights now, you know. You may ask anything you like of me from now until tomorrow evening." His eyes shone brightly in the moonlight as he fixed his gaze on the blue eyes before him. "What is it you wish of me?"
Hephaestion's heart skipped a beat and he swallowed hard. He ran a finger up Alexander's wrist, up his shoulder and the side his neck, before resting his palm against Alexander's cheek.
"Let us go and get cleaned up and properly dressed. I will give the matter some thought."
Hephaestion's mind was swirling, so many things he really wanted, many of which he was hesitant to ask. How he could be so fearless in battle, yet feel like a shy school boy around Alexander frustrated him to no end. He took a deep breath and gathered his courage.
"Alexander…." He hesitated.
"Hephaestion, would you stay with me tonight?"
Hephaestion chuckled slightly. "Get out of my head. I was going to ask it of you. If you would allow it."
Alexander's dark eyes searched the brilliant blue eyes of his closest friend. He smiled warmly. "I would be honored, Hephaestion. Come."
Alexander led them both back to his large room, where Bagoas had been preparing the bath.
"You may have the evening off, Bagoas. I will take my own bath. Go, enjoy yourself."
Bagoas bowed and backed away, but not before flashing a brief but jealous glance at Hephaestion. He left the room, closing the heavy door behind him, leaving the two men alone.