Hephaistion's Homer

Author: Lysis/Selket – Revised March 2012 (Originally written 2006)

Summary: A story about birthdays, Hephaistion's sixteenth and Alexandros' fifteenth and the very special gifts they give one another. This is complete and utter fiction. There is some quoting of erotic Greek poetry, exchanging special gifts, some war stuff and, yes, a little fooling around (in the erotic sense) on the part of certain parties involved.

Chapter Four

**Hephaistion receives another, very special gift for his birthday.

Hephaistion turned his attention to the two horses. Boukephalas was so well trained that he would not venture from where Alexandros left him, unless Alexandros called him. Then he would fly to his side.

"What did he do Boukephalus? Please the gods, it wasn't something ill." Hephaistion laid his forehead against Boukephalas' neck, and stoked the stallion. Boukephalas stood calmly, serene as though he had knowledge that Hephaistion had not.

He eyed the white stallion, it was glorious. Like Boukephalas, Xenophon's perfect horse. He could just imagine the two of them riding into battle side by side, Alexandros on his black Boukephalus, and he on this blaze of lighting that right now was licking his fingers.

Silently Hephaistion invoked Rhesos the Rider, the horse god, begging for intercession. He wanted this animal, but he did not want Alexandros to be in any trouble. He leaned in close resting his cheek against the animal's smooth flank. It had strong legs, a wild free spirit, and would carry him through many a charge, but it was an expensive beast, he could see that.

He looked up at the sound of voices as they came closer. Alexandros was trying not to smile, but he couldn't keep the glow from his face. It was like the sun rising over a stormy ocean. Hephaistion knew then the horse was his.

"Very well, Hephaistion I should say you are a lucky and fortunate lad. 'Tis a kingly animal, I know of only one to match it." They all laughed when Boukephalus neighed loudly and nudged Alexandros who was standing near him. Amyntor turned to Alexandros again, "This will be the end of such expensive presents for the year, now. We have an understanding, Alexandros?"

Again the pais appeared his voice a respectful paean in response to questioning by his elder. Amyntor chuckled merrily and grabbed Alexandros ruffling his hair as he crushed him against his chest with one arm. "If you are the quiet, obedient lad your demeanor pretends to I'll sell you my lands north of the river! I've seen that twinkle in your eye too long now and too often. You need not play me for a fool any longer. Relax my boy! You are among friends here, I'll not tattle to Leonidas if you forget that in the cold a smart man puts on a cloak to stay warm or eats a bit more when he is hungry and there is plenty to go around. Come, lad, let your guard down, you are among friends!"

Amyntor turned toward his son, and pulled both boys tight in his arms hugging them. "Never forget the truest gift is beyond all cost, for it is given with purity of heart. This is what you are receiving, Hephaistion, I hope you will honor it. See to your horse, boy." Hephaistion burst out laughing while he watched his father pat Alexandros on the head as though he were a small boy and passed on into the house.

Hephaistion and Alexandros were leading the horses toward the stables when Amyntor's voice caught them, "Hephaistion, what will you name your new companion?"

"I hadn't time to consider yet, father. Have you a suggestion?"

"Homer might be appropriate." He laughed loudly and Hephaistion caught a look pass between Alexandros and his father. His curiosity was peaked when he saw the approving expression in his father's eye when it passed over Alexandros.

Frowning Hephaistion watched his father's receding figure. "Some private joke - will you share it with me?" He glanced at Alexandros who didn't reply, but only smiled widely as he led the horses into separate stalls and prepared a bucket with water and another with oats. "No, I thought not, well, perhaps in due time."

"What will you call him?" Alexandros smiled in pleasure watching Hephaistion and the white stallion nuzzle one another.

"Helios, I think for he is as beautiful as the white horses that guide Apollo's chariot each morn. Oh, 'Xandros!" He hugged his friend. "Truly this is beyond all thought, you needn't have, but I am glad you did!" They both laughed "Just to have you here with me, is cause for celebration enough. I cannot live more than a few days without sight of you, my mind goes awry." He laughed again, to cover his embarrassment, but he meant the words. "I'll not forget my sixteenth year soon, I am sure."

"I would hope not. It started out most fortuitously. I am glad to see you are healing well and 'tis a good thing - I want nothing to happen to you, Hephaistion."

"Nothing shall it, Alexandros." Hephaistion said jauntily and then turned when Alexandros caught his arm. Hephaistion's face softened and his eyes grew warm as he studied the concern in his friend's face. "Truly, 'Xandros, I am well, do not fret. Now, having you here, why how can I be anything but new again?"

Alexandros shook his head in agreement, "Aye, you look well enough. I just… I cannot… I would worry, and I…"

Hephaistion smiled and leaned in close for a moment, knowing the fears Alexandros might allow himself to become prey to. "Fear not, 'Xandros, I am well by the grace of the gods and we've these two fine horses to ride, so set your mind at rest."

"They seem content enough." Alexandros observed as brushed Boukephalas down. "After the noon meal let's take them riding. I'll not be satisfied until I've seen you on your Helios. I want it to be perfect for you."

Hephaistion eyed the two animals. Helios' white tail was twitching away a fly and Boukephalus neighed loudly every so often, but for the most part they stood calmly allowing themselves to be groomed. The old stable was quiet and welcomed them warmly into its cool shadowy walls, as though it were an old friend. Hephaistion looked around it seemed he had grown up in this stable. He knew every crevice in its wooden walls, some of them he had pounded into place working alongside his father, repairing the roof, helping to build the horses' water trough and making a large room for the grooms to sleep in. Every footstep was fragrant with memories. The upper loft had been a comforting retreat to hide away with a couple of apples and his thoughts when he was younger. Many a night he and Alexandros had slept up there, gazing up into the starry heavens when they were younger pondering their future and reliving the Trojan War in their dreams on warm mid summer nights.

"Two stallions, Alexandros, do you not wonder that they can stand side by side and do not attack one another as stallions are wont to do?"

"Ah, do you forget so soon whose horses they are, Hephaistion?" With this Alexandros turned and much to Hephaistion's surprise and delight kissed his long, perfect nose quickly. Feeling playful Hephaistion attempted to nip at the tip of his nose with his teeth. Alexandros tried to pull away but Hephaistion caught him and began to tickle him, but Alexandros was quicker and slid from his reach laughing wildly as he threw the wet grooming brush at Hephaistion. As he picked it up, passing it back over to Alexandros, Hephaistion reflected thoughtfully on the other changes in his friend.

Alexandros, always attentive and affectionate, had become even more so. While they were still at Mieza, Hephaistion found himself waking many a morning to the sight of Alexandros peering at him concernedly, as he perched on the side of his bed often with a piece of fruit or some small oddment for him. At night he would come over and lie on Hephaistion's bed, and play with the bedcovers, pulling them back until Hephaistion snatched them away. Then he would launch himself at Hephaistion tickling him relentlessly and finally finish the attack off with a flurry of kisses. Once, just days ago, Alexandros had even hidden his tunic after bathing and told him he didn't need it. The gods had gifted him with such beauty that it was shameful to cover it. Hephaistion had chased him around the bathing chamber and was only able to regain it after launching his own counter attack which involved holding Alexandros down and tickling him until he was weak from laughing and then allowed some gentle stroking. It had not lasted long as Alexandros had suddenly become shy and concerned someone would discover them and had leapt up and run from the room quickly.

The interlude in Thrace had proven to Hephaistion that Alexandros did indeed feel the same desire for him, but upon their return Alexandros seemed to revert back the less aggressive manner he had been in before Thrace. Hephaistion knew he was at odds with something in himself. To Hephaistion it almost seemed that when filled with the heat of battle, Alexandros forget his shyness and became much bolder. Much as he longed to consummate this deeper affection between them, Hephaistion listened, observed and waited. He knew the time would come.

Later that night, Hephaistion snuggled under the warm blankets on his bed. The cool linen of the sheets felt good against his bare skin and he shivered. He was waiting for Alexandros who seemed to taking an uncommonly long time coming to bed. He had been restless moving about at random, first with some excuse to check the horses. Then he must go and speak once more with Hephaistion's mother and thank her for the wonderful meal and her excellent hospitality. Finally, Hephaistion practically dragged the seemingly reluctant Alexandros into his chamber and all but pushed him onto the bed opposite his. Alexandros had lain there for what Hephaistion was sure was not even the time it took to let a long breath out and had been up, hopping about with the excuse wanting to read him something that had caught his attention in Xenophon's Anabasis.

"Haides take Xenophon, Alexandros!" He caught him and grabbed the scroll from his hands and it was then he noticed their shaking. "What troubles you that your hands shake so?"

Alexandros would not meet his eyes, but Hephaistion could not fail to see the blush rise in the face he had come to know as well as his own. "'Tis a thing of no great occurrence," he said softly and then confused Hephaistion even more when he wrapped his arms around his neck and rested his head against his shoulder.

"'Tion, how would…ah," he began softly and then stopped. Hephaistion looked down at him smiling, Alexandros was tugging on his bottom lip with his teeth, a clear sign he was conflicted over something.

"What is it, Alexandros? Surely, it can wait till the morrow." He pushed him over toward their beds. "Let us enjoy the night ahead of us. Read some of the Iliad to me."

Alexandros shook his golden head slowly as he sat gingerly on the edge of the bed and pulled Hephaistion down by the hand. "Ah, no…we must talk." Hephaistion frowned. "'Xandros, speak what troubles you so? Has something happened?"

"Yes, you see I, I…" Hephaistion was amazed to see a vivid flush of color flooding through the white skin of Alexandros' throat, chest and face as he removed his chiton. "I thought, 'tis your birth day on the morrow, and I wanted to give you one final gift."

Alexandros' blushes and his sudden shyness caught him off guard suddenly there was a sense of expectation between them. His voice growing husky Hephaistion teased and nudged his bare shoulder as he pulled the chiton from Alexandros' hands. "Is this gift something my father would approve of? Ought I go and ask him to come so we can discuss it?"

"Hephaistion!"

"'Xandros!" He was startled when Alexandros pulled his head down and kissed him on the lips hard and long. For a moment he swayed overtaken by the intensity of Alexandros' searing kiss. He knew his patience was about to be rewarded when Alexandros slowly began to draw a finger along Hephaistion's arm that lingered lower coming to rest on the strong line of his thigh. He shivered at the sensations arising in him and sucked in a breath as the finger continued to travel deliciously along his inner thigh.

"Oh, Gods!" He groaned and caught his breath as his wits were stolen as Alexandros' fingers began with the great tenderness to stroke him. Without hesitation Hephaistion pushed him beneath him down onto his bed returning his caress a good deal more boldly.

"Your mouth tastes warm like the sun." Hephaistion whispered as Alexandros wrapped his sun browned arms around Hephaistion's neck and moaned softly with pleasure.

"I'll bring you a horse everyday if you will do that, again." Alexandros' sighed as he shifted to allow Hephaistion's legs between his. "I'll have more reverence for your thighs than Akhilles had for Patroklos'." He whispered the words softly as he patted Hephaistion's buttocks lovingly with his hands.

"Is this my other gift, Xandros?" Hephaistion murmured as their legs locked together catching the heat of their young, rising bodies between them.

"I...oh, yesss," Alexandros' hissed caught in this new pleasure that he had wanted for so long but been uncertain of. "To be lovers," He panted out. "To be as as Akhilles and Patroklos were would give me the greatest happiness."

"Then we shall. Ought I lock the door in case we are disturbed?" Hephaistion began to tease and shivered as Alexandros fingers caused his head to spin in the most delightful way. He retaliated by rubbing sensuously against him until Alexandros was breathing hard and trembling in his arms.

"I have…placed…a brick…against it." Alexandros mumbled breathlessly. "I could tak…take no..."

"You talk too much, 'Xandros." Hephaistion cut him off with blistering kiss that was followed by a wicked little laugh as he began a bold stroking that only stopped when Alexandros let out the longest sigh Hephaistion had ever heard from him.

In the small, cool hours before the morning star rises Alexandros leaned over the sleeping form of Hephaistion and whispered softly as he kissed his sweetly curving lips. "Many blessings on this day, maybe all your birth days be as happy as this." Hephaistion sighed contentedly and pulled Alexandros closer as he snuggled into his welcoming arms.

To be continued.