Epilogue

Peaceful silence filled the elegant study before the soft click of ice cubes could be heard as the man sitting on a couch in the middle of the room lifted a glass to his lips, nipping at his favorite Cognac.

This room that smelled faintly of old books - as it harbored a lot of them – had always been one of his favorite places. The serenity it offered always calming his way too often stressed mind. He wondered how often he already had sat here, watching his new acquirement and every time finding something new, something he hadn't noticed so far, a brush stroke, a color, a movement.

But every time anew he imagined being the figure, clad in red that stood on top of these huge mountains.

"Here you are."

Alexander smiled as Hephaestion touched his shoulders, placing a soft kiss on top of his head, making his insides feel all warm and fuzzy as he sighed deeply.

The brown haired man walked around the couch, stopping in front of his painting before a gentle chuckle rumbled through his throat. "Will you grouch yet again that I didn't let you hang it in your office?"

The other only grinned before he pouted playfully. "It was really not nice of you to only give me that eagle pic." His expression turned serious again as his gaze wandered over the harmonic colors. "But I'm actually very happy that you decided to hang it here. It's as if you made it for this place alone, as if it was meant to hang here in our house."

Alexander watched the young man that now stood in front of him. He wore a grey beanie, his chestnut hair caressing his chiseled cheeks and jaw, his blue eyes shone like sun kissed water. He had turned into such a fine, handsome man. And yet, playful like this he looked like the adorable boy he once met next door.

The blond finally reached for him and pulled him on his lap, kissing him lovingly. "You're home."

Hephaestion's sensual lips spread into a lovely smile. "I'm home."

After a few months living in this crazy luxurious mansion it still felt like a reverent privilege and utterly joyful at the same time to refer this house as his home. It still felt like a dream and he had the feeling that this ambivalence would never go away completely. His life had changed so dramatically he still needed time to get used to all of the good things that had happened to him and still did.

Before he met Alexander again he had had no real plan; no place and no direction in life. He just lived from day to day, never knowing if he would actually be able to pay his costs of living.

"How was your day?" Alexander's breath tickled over his skin as he asked him during soft kisses.

"Wonderful! My new atelier is just an awesome place to be. With all these huge windows the light is perfect and I feel more inspired than I have in years." In his voice resonated pure happiness and joy and this emotions washed over Alexander like warm waves.

What more could he wish for? He declared it as his goal to make his Phai happy and he would do everything for that purpose. Though he made it kind of hard for him since Hephaestion didn't allow him to just buy every little thing he wished for. "You should have let me buy it for you." He nipped at the soft skin right under Hephaestion's ear and was rewarded with a silent moan.

As Alexander was sucking at his earlobe a shudder overran his whole body; that evil lion knew his soft spots way too well. "Nah, a man has his pride after all. I can afford that myself."

Hephaestion slid off of his lover's lap and ignored said one's disapproving grunt. "How was your day?"

Alexander grumbled as the comfortable weight of Phai's body left his lap, such a killjoy. To occupy his lonely lips again he took another sip of his drink. "As usual I guess. I had a few more or less important meetings and.. oh, wait! Ptolemy returned already back from china today."

The other man raised an eyebrow at that. "Already?" He slapped a playful hand at the other's arm. "You shouldn't have done that in the first place. They didn't deserve…"

Alexander's rough hand took his and squeezed it determined. "I already told you this. I didn't do it for you, I did it for me. I know you are no vengeful person. But I am and I don't forgive as easily as you do. The only one that actually has a life and family here is Ptolemy and he is back. Who misses the others? Cleitus' pack of dogs he took actually with him? Cassanders' third ex-wife? Perdiccas' three housewife affairs?"

This discussion always got on his nerves. They did something horrible to the most important person in his life and it was his right to do as he did.

"It's actually a good lesson for all of them. I pay them a way too high salary for the pitiful work they do. It does them good that they have to work properly for once in their life now."

He drowned his drink now in one gulp. "I would have sent this leeches there forever anyway; if it hadn't been for you and your wishes. Half a year is nothing! You're way too generous. Ah, this matter is not worth talking about." Right now Alexander didn't bother to mention that he actually planned to extend their foreign assignment for a few months.

Hephaestion rolled his eyes at that as always. "Come on. They were just silly spoiled teenagers, and it won't bring any minute ba…"

The blond man made him shut up as he abruptly pulled him closer and Alexander took a calming breath as he looked in the deep blue eyes of his Phai who was smart enough to stop talking about a topic they never would agree about. Alexander was right; these men weren't worth talking, let alone fighting about.

He slid the beanie off the other's head and threw it carelessly on the floor before he ran a strong hand through silky brown locks.

"You are so much better than me."

Hephaestion leaned in and kissed the blond softly. "I know," be breathed laughing before he stood straight up again before turning around, giving Alexander the opportunity to slap his butt hard.

"Little devil."

Hephaestion laughed loudly now, a melodious sound that still made Alexander's heart sing. Blue eyes found brown-green one's as he looked around sensually. "I'm going to take a shower. Care to join me?"

What a question! Alexander licked his lips as the predator was always ready to hunt and devour his prey.


A/N That's it (a little sappy but hey, we all need a bit fluff from time to time, right?)! Thank you guys for keeping up with me. Started this experiment 3 years ago and I'm kind of proud I actually DID edit and especially finish it . In my head the story was actually way longer, more dramatic and there would have been an actual plot. But I now can say I'm still happy with it somehow; it was a great practice for me. And for the ones that asked, I will think about writing one shots. Though I'm not sure if I actually will have time for that in the future; I plan to work on my career advancement… But that will include English lessons. Maybe I will have to practice a bit more ;) .

Everyone who let me know what they think about the story – you are awesome! I thank you so much and I'm happy that it was worth reading.