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Strangers

Author: Lysis & Hyakinthos the Cat (because he insisted and suggested the idea in the first place), January 2012

Friendship/Comfort/Angst and more….and yeah, some sex.

******In this chapter Jared is a little shy about seeing Hephaistion again, and Alexandros has something he needs to tell him.

CHAPTER TEN

It was close to four o'clock in the afternoon, and as Jared walked toward Alexandros' room he stopped and for a moment almost turned around. Thank god that he gotten into the hospital with little trouble, no fans had been clustered nearby. Marcus had called earlier concerned about this, as he'd been spotted, but so far he'd gotten in undetected. Of course, the sunglasses and hat helped. He smiled.

He'd awakened little over an hour ago. He could still smell the sandalwood from Hephaistion on his skin, or at least he liked to think he did. They'd showered together and afterward Jared had lain down for a quick nap. He recalled Hephaistion leaning over him to place a kiss on his lips just before he'd left. As long as he lived he knew he would never forget what had passed between them, the sensuality, yes, but also the incredibly pleasure of simply being the presence of such a being.

He'd known Hephaistion wouldn't stay with him his first allegiance was, of course, to Alexandros. That was why Jared was on his way toward the hospital on a busy Saturday afternoon, he hadn't seen him since yesterday and then he had been deep in the throes of the drug that bastard Greg had given him.

Even though Marcus had called and told him a little later all was well, they'd been able to bring him out the drugged state, he still worried. He didn't think he would ever forget the man went he first met him vulnerable and so alone, his blood seeping out from the terrible wound in his head pooling around him.

Jared stopped to get a bottle of water from a vending machine and as he opened it and took a sip he realized he was nervous. The thought made him smile, he who made a living out of appearing in front of the camera and thousands of screaming fans when he performed with his band, he was suddenly stricken with a bad case of nerves.

He could do this. He wanted to see Alexandros, and Hephaistion. Hephaistion…he could feel the blush rising on his face as images ran through his mind. His body's temperature rose as he played again over each moment of their encounter. He was certain that this very moment his face was the color of the pink and red roses scattered throughout the bouquet of orchids he held in his hands.

He felt guilty as though he had abandoned Alexandros. Then he felt doubly guilty for not only had he abandoned him he had done so and made wild, insane crazy love with Hephaistion, his lover.

"I wonder if that would have been treasonable in Alexandros' day." The thought brought a smile to his lips when he recalled some of the books he'd read about the homoeroticism surrounding Alexandros' court. What would Alexandros have done to him or even Hephaistion if he'd found out? He shrugged nothing to Hephaistion, he was pretty sure of that, Hephaistion clearly did as he chose, but who knows what Alexandros' would have done to him. Probably slit my throat, Jared decided.

He was still somewhat bewildered by it all. He had actually made love with another man. If someone had ever said this he would, in truth, do such a thing he would not only have laughed at them. He would have said such a thing was not something he could be enticed into even if the most beautiful man in the world were to offer himself at his feet.

Well, the most beautiful man (or one of them, he thought still thinking of Alexandros) had done that and he, with one kiss had fallen like a lamb to the priest's knife, bleating with hardly a protest. Hephaistion…would any man or woman is able to resist him? He had fallen prey to those famed thighs, and oh, how he envied Alexandros his lover. The man…God, Jared, wiped his forehead, recalling their lovemaking… the man was astounding. It wasn't just the sex or the sensuality of it. It had actually been fun, the wrestling, their laughter as they talked afterward, his kindness, wit. Hephaistion was equal to Alexandros, certainly different, very much his own man, but his equal. There was also certainly not effeminate about the man, at all. He recalled their wrestling, it had been fun, but he knew in seriousness, the man would be deadly if he was your enemy. To consider or call a man like him gay would be like comparing a lion to parakeet. Hephaistion was clearly all man, in every way. And he suspected Alexandros was much the same way. They came from a time that had no issue with a person's sexuality the way present day society seemed so hung up on it. It wasn't that big a deal, what seemed to be much more important was what a man was inside, his courage, bravery, loyalty, honor, honesty, love of family…all those things.

Now, he would have to face the music. Could he walk into Alexandros' room and not let his face show what he'd done? He was certain Hephaistion would be there. Could he sit near him again and not want to touch him?

Gulping down a bottle of water Jared leaned against the wall near the vending machines Ok, he told himself, he had to do this. He wanted to see Alexandros. He had a longing to that he still couldn't explain. There was something about the man that drew him, in a different way than Hephaistion's physical attraction, it was more powerful, almost…well, he just knew he had to see him, again. He was good at playing roles, Hell, he was an actor, and Alexandros loved actors. What had he read about one that Alexandros had honored? He'd have to find out. He smiled, yes, could do this, he told himself.

Alexandros was out of bed, standing by the room's only window and dressed in dark blue velour sweat suit with a white t-shirt.

"Alexandros!" Without thinking Jared ran to him and hugged him. Then he pulled back as he saw Hephaistion's eyes on him. Hephaistion got up and came over and hugged both of them.

"The Gods have blessed us. Here he stands before us, as though he were never harmed." He grinned and gently rubbed Alexandros' shoulder and smiled at Jared and tugged on a lock of his hair with such a warm grin that Jared felt all of his fears dissipate.

"You are well?" Jared blinked rapidly, when he heard Alexandros talking to him. He still couldn't quite believe he and Alexandros could "converse" now. "Jared, you are well? You do look quite well, indeed." He peered at Jared's face and stroked his hair gently.

"Hmm….ah, yeah aren't I supposed to be asking you that? You're the one who has the hole in his head. Here," Jared thrust the flowers into his arms feeling suddenly shy. "I brought you these. It's a custom, you know when someone's sick, you know..." Then he stopped and began to laugh. "I'm sure such customs were the same in your day."

"Oh, yes, they were, and I thank you for your kindness." Alexandros bent over the bouquet to sniff at the flowers. "I love flowers and these are quite lovely and fragrant." Hephaistion got up and took them. "I will seek out a pitcher for them." With a smile at them both he left the room.

"Come, let us sit, we have much to discuss." He led him toward the suite and settled himself on the couch. Before them on the table again lay a tray with a pot of tea and platter with fruit, cheese and breads lay out. Alexandros leaned forward, eyes closed as he sniffed the steam from tea pot. "I love this mint. It is most delicious, yes?" Jared watched him shyly as he lay back lazily on the couch peeling an orange laughing as he licked the juice as it rolled down his hand. His eyes were bright and his skin aglow with health. He had not known the man only days ago to have been so badly injured he would not think they were the same person. "Come drink, eat." Alexandros gestured with a hand, "Surely you must need nourishment, yes?"

This was a different Alexandros than the man he had come to know over the last few days. This was a man used to being in control. Then again, Jared realized, he's healing, no longer bleeding to death, heavily drugged. He looked at him and gave a great deep sigh of relief and pleasure.

"I am so happy you're better, Alexandros, you really had me worried there for a while."

Alexandros leaned over and patted a spot on the couch next to him. Come, sit here. I know of your concern and I thank you for your many kindnesses to me." Then he took Jared's face in his hands and kissed him tenderly, but firmly on the lips. Jared could feel the blush as though it rose from the tips of his toes and flooded up through his hairline.

Keeping his hand on Jared's long hair, Alexandros grinned a bit, "My two Hefestions." He teased at which Jared flushed and again felt there was something unknown to him about everything that had happened, he had begun to feel that none of it was co-incidence.
"I notice you and Hefestion no longer argue with one another. I did notice or heard your words when you did shout at him before."

"I…" Jared swallowed, "I…"

"I too, as I am sure you no doubt know as also helpless against his manly charms." Again, Alexandros' hand stroked softly through his hair. With each stroke of his hand Jared felt a little shiver run down his spine. "Jared, we owe you an explanation. What has occurred was not meant to be the way…." With a laugh he touched his head which still had a smaller bandage on it. This time it seemed it was his turn to blush and he looked down while Jared watched the white skin flush sweetly "I, I, it was my doing." Jared watched him surprised; Alexandros was indeed blushing and his hand trembling.

"It was my desire to meet you." Jared was taken aback at hearing this.

"How could you have met….I don't understand." He shook his head slowly and looked up as Hephaistion entered the room bearing a large plastic water pitcher in his hands with the flowers set in it. He smiled at them both as he set the makeshift vase on the table near the bed.

"Have you told him?" Hephaistion looked expectantly at Alexandros who bit his lip and nodded slowly.

"I've just begun."

"What the…wait," Jared held up a hand, "Is, was this all a joke." Suddenly he felt angry, and hurt. "Are you fans who made this whole thing up?" He got up starting toward the door when before him appeared Hephaistion again the Macedonian warrior.

Jared's jaw dropped, "How on earth did you…"

"We came from Elysium to search you out." Jared felt dizzy and again, he felt the strong arms of Hephaistion about him leading him toward the couch. Alexandros held a cup to his lips. "Drink, come drink slowly. Now, lie back and just breathe slowly." He pushed him down and put a pillow under his head. His hand was gentle on his head stroking his long hair. "Just close your eyes. 'Tis too much a shock for him, Hefestion I feared this."

To be continued….