_ * _

In a fortnight Hephaistion was back at the Stoà. This sort of solved the hereditary charge issue, since, like the orphan said to his colleagues, military life would never suit him.
"I could only spoil my father's memory, should I try to take his place. He was a great General, and I want people to remember and respect him for this."

His first lesson after the break was held in unexpected tranquillity. When his pupils questioned him about his early return, Hephaistion just smiled, doing very well at hiding his heartache. "I believe something more than grief comes with the death of someone we love, and that is the chance to honour them by learning from their life." He explained, casting affectionate glances at each youth. "Father and I were very different, and often disagreed, but I have always admired his straight mind. He stood up for his values and ideals all the time." After shifting uncomfortably on the seat, he relaxed again and ended in a quiet sigh: "Believe in what you do and do what you believe in, he used to say. That is why I could stay far from this Garden no more. My whole life and all my beliefs revolve around this temple and what it represents for many Athenians, just like you."

With this speech, Hephaistion sparked different reactions in his audience. The strongest and less predictable one, however, came from his most affectionate pupil, and would eventually lead him to take strong measures.

The lesson was over, and the boys were preparing to leave, when Philotas approached him out of earshot. "Excuse me for stealing some more of your time, Master, but I really feel like there is something I ought to tell you. When is it possible for you to grant me one minute, so we can discuss it?"

Caught off guard, Hephaistion watched more attentively. The blonde youth was clearly troubled: feverish anxiety reflected in his eyes and gestures, making him look like ready to burst. What on earth was with him? The master intended to prolong his torment no longer: "Right now is just fine by me. What has you so worked up?"

Philotas waited until they were completely alone, then lowered his gaze and uttered: "It's… it is about… what you said before. About… believing, and doing what we believe in." He let out a frustrated growl. "I am not sure how to say this."

"Take a seat." Hephaistion instantly offered, picking an armchair for himself. "You know you do not have to tell me if you are not certain you want me to help."

"I do!" The kid heatedly replied, lifting his head in an abrupt motion. "I am, I mean. Just…" He was silent for a long moment. "Just, what happens when you no longer know if what you have spent your life believing is true? What if you feel like something big has always escaped your eyes, despite being there all along?"

Something close to relief washed over Hephaistion, though he knew better than to show it. "You are confused. It happens all the time, Philotas. And how do we usually handle uncertainty?"

Somehow the rhetoric in his question was lost on the nervous boy, who promptly answered: "We interrogate ourselves to find a way out. But this time, I doubt meditation will be of any help."

"Then it must be important." Hephaistion conceded. Secretly, he knew he was not paying much mind to the boy's problem: a stoic faith could be very unsteady, and it was perfectly normal for the youngsters to stray, every now and then. Surely such a matter wasn't worth half the trouble it was causing.

"I met a person." Philotas suddenly blurted out. His cheeks went redder as he spoke, and his fists clenched in his lap.

It felt like the crucial point had been unfolded. "A person?"

"A young man."

Hephaistion waited patiently for the pupil to continue. He still had little clue where their conversation was going, and saw no reason to panic.

"We first spoke at… at General Amyntor's funeral." Philotas said cautiously, visibly sorry to bring up a sensitive subject. "Neither was expecting to get acquainted in such an unpleasant situation, but we… he said things to me I…" There was a long pause, and the youth covered his eyes with a hand, looking worn out. "He is different, alright? He makes me feel different."

There was a plea to the announce Hephaistion couldn't ignore. He felt his blood run cold, and the urgency to shut the kid up became overwhelming. "Be quiet now, boy. Do not rush into speaking your heart like that. It truly is a foolish thing to do in front of others, even more so in public places. Besides, you are currently incoherent. Shall we delay this until…?"

"Please, no!" The answer was immediate, and more than slightly alarmed. "I fear if I do not say it now, I won't be able to anytime soon." Philotas stood up and started to pace around the circular room, his arms defensively crossed. "I figured you were the only one I could open up freely with, so if this does not settle things, I am afraid nothing will." He stopped to gaze at the master with begging eyes: "Will you please listen?"

Surely there was little else he could do now. Hephaistion slowly rubbed his temples, praying every deity known to man for Philotas not to be in that kind of trouble he was starting to picture. "I will. Tell me about this friend of yours."

"He is not a friend of mine. Which is part of the problem, actually."

Hephaistion frowned. "Then who is it?"

"It is… He's…" The blonde youth lowered his head, mortified, then muttered something unintelligible.

"What did you just say? I could not hear you."

"I said he's a foreigner, alright? One of those guys from Sinope, in fact." Philotas looked on the verge of crying.

Now he got it. Hephaistion felt himself grow colder, as his stoic mask fought to stay on. A sudden feeling of outright rage struck him hard, then morphed into strong unease mixed with something he could not quite grasp yet…

"He is one of those cynics who usually cause havoc in town. I believe you even confronted him on occasion. We began to talk about General Amyntor, whom he claimed to know fairly well, and from there on I just forgot who it was in front of me. You could say he has his way with words, and I felt charmed from the start. Everything…"

"Philotas, boy." Hephaistion cut him off abruptly. He had to know. He had to know right now, before the extraordinary fury he was experiencing took over and blurred his sight. "What is the lad's name? Tell me."

The blonde youth stopped dead in motion, looking the tiniest bit surprised at his usually imperturbable master's urgency.

"It is Ptolemy. Why would you ask?"

Hephaistion was seriously wondering whether he'd been this grateful to the Gods before. Even now, despite the perspective of what he was about to do, relief was soothing and gave him the strength to go all the way with his plan.

Philotas's words… he'd been frightened to find out who were they referring to. He'd prayed with all he got for it to be anyone but Alexander. The reasons why were obvious: the blonde smartass was no doubt the head of the pack and the most dangerous among the other dogs. He was indeed charming, and could have people take his side a little too easily for his own good. Was young Philotas to fall into this net, he would have few chances to be rescued.

Visibly reassured, Hephaistion had asked his pupil for Ptolemy's whereabouts, and was right on his way to the stream those dogs used to bathe in. The moment he caught sight of several naked forms parading around by a small river, he knew he'd found the spot.

Originally, his intentions had been to just find Ptolemy and have a chat in private. This purpose was quickly forgone when none other than his living nightmare acknowledged his presence and settled for having some fun.

"Well, if it isn't the youngest philosopher in Athens we have the privilege to welcome! Could it be you got lost on your way to the acropolis? Otherwise I fail to see a single reason for you to merge with us scum."

Alexander was on him in no time. His tone was mocking and his eyes amused, but all this Hephaistion had a hard time noticing: he was far more focused on the young man's nude, lithe body, wet like it had been that time at the Stoà. More specifically, his manhood – he was sporting quite an impressive boner, which stood up proudly against the flat stomach and abs. The Athenian tightened his lips in spite and embarrassment. Had he no shame at all, for crying out loud?!

The insistent glancing wasn't lost on Alexander, who rarely missed a chance to tease. "Oh, wait. You seem to enjoy the view quite a lot. Then maybe you're not here by accident, after all."

The blonde smirked and raised an eyebrow. Hephaistion did his best to convey every possible ounce of disgust in his answer. "I really do not make a habit of ogling the private bits of soaked dogs. But you are right, I did not just happen to visit the slums. Can you tell me where to find Ptolemy?"

"Ptolemy?" Came the blonde's mirthful reply. "Oh boy, what did he do now?! He's the worst of us lot, really. Say, beauty, was I not enough to mess your little perfect life up? Why did you have to go and find another bitch to pursue? Feels like you've cheated on me."

Alexander pouted in the most pathetic way ever. The stoic Athenian couldn't believe his own ears. "Pursue?! How I beg to differ. It is rather you who follows me around like a puppy, showing up in anyplace I am." He was rapidly getting angry – again, Gods forbad him. "And you know absolutely nothing of my life, so shut your mouth and stay out of it!"

Alexander watched the other growing scarlet as he raised his voice. Fascinating, was all it could be described as. True, Amyntor's son had always been fair-looking, but the blank expression he wore all the time kind of deprived his beautiful features of their real appeal. Right now, with his cheeks flushed and his eyes sparkling in aggravation, he looked just stunning. Alexander felt a pleasurable jolt in his lower abdomen and moved closer to his opponent. "It's not me who shows up, it's you chasing around. As for your life, well, I know your father's just died, so maybe it's not so perfect anymore. But no doubt your holy and mighty stoic faith was all it took to heal your wounds and have you up and kicking again."

"Once more, you know nothing!" Hephaistion spat, his chest colliding hard against the other's. "You are nothing."

"Thought I was your bitch?"

"Oh, for Gods' sake!" The Athenian moaned in frustration, shutting his eyes tight. Then it hit him. Whatever had he been thinking?! It didn't matter it was Ptolemy causing trouble this time. It was always and still Alexander. Every one of those dogs – he cast a surreptitious glance to the naked, loud and foul youths gathered by the stream – was none other than Alexander himself, so they could not be destroyed while the alpha stayed up. How could he be so blind? Hephaistion's eyes flared open as he spoke through gritted teeth. "You know what, you are the very reason I am here! I just had not realized it until now."

The stray looked dumbstruck for a moment, before joyfully grinning. "Well, better late than never, I suppose. So, where shall we meet? I'd offer my place, but I have none, so those bushes will have to do."

Hephaistion didn't even bother with an answer. "It's all your fault! It is your fault for everything that struck this city as of late. You and your fellows bring debauchery everywhere you go. Even the most sensible youths in Athens were corrupted." He added, as pictures of the upset Philotas crowded his mind. "It is your fault our children are no longer free to play outdoor. It is your fault people from other countries poke fun of us. It is your fault a glorious town has started to decay!"

Beautiful. Alexander could think of nothing else, as he pressed up against that gorgeous, utterly handsome man, feeling heat rising from every cell of his body. He licked his lips, only partly unaware of the throbbing erection the Athenian would surely be able to register poking his hip because of the close proximity. "Is it my fault you want me, too?"

Hephaistion froze. He realized all of a sudden he was face to face (but any other part of their anatomies could fill in, which was kind of the problem actually) with his enemy – the man who'd spoiled his lessons, insulted his father, ruined his pupils, lied, tricked and desecrated all he came across. It didn't make it any better that said man was currently stark naked and unashamedly aroused, not to mention breathing raggedly in his ear. Like the bloody dog he was, Hephaistion reminded himself. "Deluding yourself over something that absurd will do no good to your already compromised cerebral sanity." He groaned, rolling his eyes.

At least, he tried to. No words came out after something that absurd. Such aphasia held its proper explanation in a sudden inability to move his lips or articulate any sound.

For Alexander kissed him. Right on the mouth, hard, hot and demanding, his fingers curling spasmodically around Hephaistion's forearms. The Athenian was prevented from struggling, and could only turn his head in panic at the feel of an insistent tongue probing through his lips. Had he been more prepared, he'd have happily bitten the bastard and sent him lying on the dirt with a well-aimed kick; caught off guard, he simply moaned and set for the complex task of pushing the intruder away.

Alexander didn't step back until he was satisfied. Although, at the sight of the just-snogged and visibly outraged beauty before him, it was all he could do not to strip him of his chiton and take him right there and then against the nearest tree.

Few moments passed as both regained their breaths. Eager to anticipate Hephaistion's outburst, the blonde stray precipitously urged: "Tell me. Tell me this didn't make your blood boil in your veins and your hands shake like mad."

Because shaking he was, no denying. The young philosopher had to acknowledge it himself, though his justification did differ from Alexander's hopeful one. "My blood boils for the effort I'm making not to punch you on the nose, and my hands shake for the desire I have to do just that." He growled, slow and low at the back of his throat. Odd enough, no flaming rage threatened to spring free: a livid coolness had kicked in and would consume him from the inside during the many sleepless nights to come. "Give your friend Ptolemy a warning on my behalf. If I ever see him around my school, or my scholars for that matter, I will personally report to the Assembly and do everything within my power to have him expelled. Needless to say, the same goes for you."

The blonde gulped, though not exactly out of fear. More likely, he was fighting to repress the aching need in his belly.

"I am not laying a single finger on you, but as Zeus is my witness, should you ever try something like this again I will make you regret it until the day you die." Hephaistion went on. There was a clarity to his eyes that made them shine brighter than daily skies, and Alexander was drawn to them yet one more time. His burning body and increasing heart-rate paid little attention to threats, that much was sure.

"Wouldn't have it any other way." The blonde muttered under his breath, but hardly credible in his peak of smugness. His kiss-red lips were trembling too much, as did his fists as the dazzling Athenian turned to leave. Knowing he wouldn't be back in a short while, if ever, stung Alexander's pride as well as his – heart? libido? Well, the former couldn't be mended anyway, and had never been of much importance before. As for the latter, surely Cleitus wouldn't deny his prince (fine, almost so)? That way at least one problem was taken care of.

It was Alexander's turn to be left behind, puzzled and with his own fair bit of thinking to do.

_ * _

First kiss, yay! =D

Thanks to Troilus, Nerdvi and Classyblue for commenting *__* hope you liked this upturn.