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 on this one
Chapter Ten: Beauty
It was early afternoon when Alexander and Hephaestion arrived back at the palace. There were a few quiet murmurs as they passed on their way to the stables. Once they had the grooms come and care for their horses, they walked calmly to the great hall. As usual, the dancers were performing, and preparations were being made for another of the seemingly endless feasts they had. No doubt to greet some diplomat or something. Alexander sighed. He would have his men brief him on it later.
They made their way past the dancers and past their couches, heading up to Alexander's room. A few of the generals had been relaxing on their cushions and watching the dances, but they looked up at the two men who strode past them. Alexander had acknowledged them with a small nod of his head. Hephaestion had no reaction whatsoever. He was his usual reserved, quiet self. The generals said not a word.
As soon as the two had disappeared into Alexander's chambers, the generals looked at each other with wide eyes and gaping mouths.
"Holy shit!" Cassander muttered.
"Did you see that? Seriously?" Craterus asked.
"I think I'm fucking going to throw up" Cleitus growled, a disgusted look on his face and arms crossed over his chest. "It looks like they tried to eat each other!"
Ptolemy said nothing. He turned away so the others could not see his face, and smiled. "Good for them", he thought.
"Seriously?" Craterus asked again. "I could understand seeing it on Hephaestion, but how could the king allow himself to be treated that way? There are marks all over him!"
"I don't know how I'm supposed to look either of them in the eye right now." Cassander pondered this.
Cleitus snorted. "Well, it isn't proper. I mean, I am not hung up on all that "what is proper" shit, but THIS? This is too much! Everyone will think him a fool!"
"Everyone will wish they were one of them", thought Ptolemy. So many women, and men, drooled over those two. He would dare to say there were hundreds who have happily changed places with either of them. This, of course, he kept to himself.
A very disgusted Cleitus stomped his foot. "Well, I for one am going out for a while. I think I'll get good and drunk BEFORE the banquet. That way I just won't care."
Cassander and Craterus thought that sounded like a good idea and followed him out, leaving Ptolemy behind. He shook his head and smiled again. It was going to be an interesting night.
Hephaestion sat wearily on the edge of Alexander's bed, his head in his hands.
"I don't think I can deal with them tonight. Did you see their faces when we walked past? They are not going to leave it alone, either."
"They will say nothing. I will make sure of that."
"And just how are you going to accomplish that, Alexander? By the gods, they already hate me."
"Remember, Hephaestion, I am the king. I will make it clear to them that I will not tolerate such behavior from them, now or in the future."
Hephaestion glanced at his reflection in the mirrored glass. He looked like shit. His hair was mussed, his chiton dusty, his crimson cloak covered with grass stains and dirt from them rolling around on it. His neck, chest, and shoulders were covered with bruises and bite marks. "Take a look at yourself, Alexander."
Alexander studied his reflection. "I see what you mean. We look as if we have been fighting wild animals. Perhaps we should tell them we were hunting."
"Alexander, we did not leave with, nor did we return with, any weapons. Do you not think that answer would be a bit suspect?"
Alexander smirked. "Okay, Hephaestion. Let's just tell them we've been having wild, raucous sex for the last twelve hours, and they should see the marks on my butt!"
Hephaestion stared at him for a moment, then burst into laughter. Alexander followed suit until the both of them had tears running down their faces and could barely breathe.
"Oh, fuck it. Let's just get this over with!" Hephaestion grumbled.
Alexander sent for Bagoas. The eunuch wavered between excitement and dread, not knowing whether Hephaestion was still there, or if Alexander really wanted him this time. He brought the requested fruit, honey cakes, and wine, along with his bath oils. "You called for me?" he shyly to Alexander.
"Yes, Bagoas, please bring the tray here and prepare a bath please."
The smile on Bagoas' face faded quickly as he entered Alexander's private chambers. Hephaestion sat on the bed with what Bagoas took to be a smug smile. The general, it seemed, wanted him to know who was first in the king's heart.
Without speaking, he placed the food and wine next to the bed and went to prepare the bath. He watched Alexander and Hephaestion as they sat side-by-side, talking quietly, and laughing. Though it pained him to admit it, they really were striking together. He took note of their disheveled appearance and the liberal scattering of bite marks and bruises. There was no doubt how those had come to be there, and it saddened him to know that in all of his times with Alexander, none showed that kind of passion. He provided comfort and warmth, yes. But passion and love…no. Those belonged to Hephaestion alone. That much was clear. He smiled sadly.
"My king, the bath is ready. Would you like me to bathe you?" (Please do not ask me to bathe Hephaestion, he prayed).
"No, Bagoas. That will not be necessary. If you would please choose robes and pants for the banquet tonight and leave them on the bed, that would be perfect. And please choose clothing for Hephaestion as well. I trust you will find something for him that is as beautiful as the ones you always choose for me." He smiled at him.
Bagoas blinked slowly. There it was. He truly was shown his proper place in the order of things. He would finally have to stop clinging to a false hope and accept facts as they were.
"Yes, my Lord" he said softly. "I will find the most beautiful robes that I can for you both." He backed slowly out of the room.
As he turned to leave, Hephaestion noticed that the young eunuch was fighting back tears. Though he often felt jealous of him, Hephaestion found himself feeling empathy for the boy. "Yes, I know how you feel", he thought. Every time Alexander chose the company of another, or was too wrapped up in his own world to notice him, Hephaestion felt just like that. He made a vow to be a bit nicer to the boy.
The two of them shared the bath, comfortably washing each other and taking time out for a soft caress or gentle kiss. For this time, it was just the two of them again, and nothing else mattered. So wrapped up in each other were they, that they did not even hear Bagoas when he came in with their robes. He laid them out neatly on the bed, glancing down at the two men. They were beautiful, and obviously loved each other so much that it made his heart ache. He could only hope someday someone would feel that way about him. He left quietly, and they never realized he had even been there.
Rising from the bath, Hephaestion stepped out and dried himself on a thick towel. He smiled at Alexander and offered his hand, helping him out. He took another towel and lovingly dried Alexander, ruffling his hair and smiling at him when he was finished.
"You're spoiling me, Hephaestion" Alexander chuckled softly.
"I would spoil you more, beyond words, if I were able…my Alexander. I love you more than I can ever express, and I would do anything for you, including lay down my life."
Alexander placed his hands on Hephaestion's shoulders and smiled warmly. "As I would do for you, my Hephaestion." He sighed. "Well, let's get dressed and get this over with. I am not looking forward to spending another night out there, pretending to be interested in the mindless chatter and loud, obnoxious comments. I am bored with dancers and harems. And, if I know you, the only thing you are interested in down there is the food."
Hephaestion grinned. "I am hungry…"
"Big surprise there, my love." He noticed the robes neatly laid out for them on the bed. "I didn't even hear him come in here, did you?"
"No, he is as quiet and stealthy as a cat. It is a bit unnerving. My attention was elsewhere at the time, I admit." Hephaestion smiled and winked. "Come…let us get ready."
Alexander lifted a robe of rich purple with gold embroidery and gold edges, paired with a pair of gold pants. A gold headband was set beside them. "I am assuming this one is mine. It is beautiful. Bagoas does have immaculate taste in clothing." The attention to detail was impressive. A gold cuff bracelet set with amethysts was placed next to the headband.
"I have to agree", Hephaestion nodded. The robe chosen for him was a deep emerald green trimmed in gold, gold pants and headband like Alexander's with it, along with a gold bracelet set with emeralds. "These are beautiful!"
They dressed and turned to look at each other.
"Wow"…Hephaestion breathed. "You look stunning, Alexander."
Alexander was momentarily speechless. When he found his tongue, he answered, "As do you, my beautiful Hephaestion." He moved towards his friend and placed a soft kiss on his lips.
"There is an added bonus to these clothes, Alexander, if you had not noticed. The robes cover our shoulders, and most of the marks we have on us will not show. Thank the gods for that!"
"Good, perhaps we won't have to listen to so many snide remarks that they think we won't hear. Come, my love, let us go."
The two men made their way to the banquet hall, descending the steps side by side. Their silk robes billowed behind them as they walked. Most conversation in the room quieted down. The servants and dancers bowed down, as was their Persian custom. The generals and the rest of the men raised their cups in salute to their king.
Alexander smiled at them and made his way to his couch. Hephaestion, still beside him, moved with his usual elegance and grace. There were many admiring glances and comments, as the two of them together were truly stunning. There were looks of envy, and looks of lust from both the women and the men.
They settled onto their couches and toasted each other with a cup of wine. "To us, my friend" Alexander smiled warmly.
"To us" Hephaestion agreed.
A servant brought trays of food to set before them, and the hungry men dove in to roasted fowl, roast boar, fruits, fresh breads, honey cakes, and of course, plenty of good wine.
"Would you look at that?" Cleitus grumbled. "Hephaestion has the nerve to walk in as an equal, dress as an equal, be served and treated as an equal! He is but the king's whore, yet people fawn over him almost as if he were king, too."
"Well, at least their robes cover most of the embarrassing marks they have all over them. Can you imagine the gossip in this place if they saw them as we did earlier today? Like everyone doesn't already know they are lovers, at least it isn't being advertised quite as boldly." Cassander curled his lip in distaste.
"I still think it is not right. Who does Hephaestion think he is? Is he so arrogant that he honestly believes himself to be an equal to Alexander? And Alexander seems to be content to let him think it. I mean, what is up with the 'He, too, is Alexander' comment to the princess? Give me a break."
Craterus nodded. "I would like to kick his ass, but Alexander has basically threatened us with severe punishment if anything at all happens to Hephaestion, even if it is only crude words spoken about him. Sad that he needs his king to protect him."
Ptolemy had heard enough. "I will tell you men one thing", he spoke in a strong voice, "any of you would be so lucky as to have a relationship such as theirs. Very few can say that they have someone who is their best and most trusted friend and confidant, someone who loves them for who they are, someone who doesn't want anything from them or have some agenda, someone who would die for them. Together, they are beauty and grace defined. They are one soul in two bodies, and nothing can defeat that, no matter what the circumstances or changes in their lives. Alexander is like no other. He is strong and brave, fierce and powerful, yet he is gracious, compassionate and caring. No wonder so many love him. And Hephaestion, who you love to hate, is the most loyal, trustworthy, caring soul that I know. He is quiet and dignified, not conceited as you think of him. He would gladly die for Alexander and will fight to the death defending him. He is a strong general, great in his command, and one of the best diplomats I have seen. Only he can calm Alexander when he flies into a rage, simply by saying his name. I think that perhaps your hatred of Hephaestion is nothing but jealousy because you yourselves do not have that relationship with our king, And I know for fact that Hephaestion does not speak of the rest of you with that sort of disrespect. He speaks of no one like that. It is no wonder to me that the king chooses him over any of you. If they are lovers as well as friends, where is the harm? Hephaestion keeps Alexander grounded. He keeps him from being impulsive and irrational when he is angry. I will be as bold as to say that Alexander would be lost without him. I think one cannot function without the other. Your endless need to tear him down and destroy him is inexcusable and pointless. You should all be ashamed of your behavior. That is all I have to say on the matter." With that, he turned on his heel and left the room.
The other generals stared after him in stunned silence. Ptolemy had never spoken up like that. They looked at each other, shocked and feeling a small twinge of guilt. They all sat down on their cushions and sipped their wine. For once in their lives, they had nothing to say.