After Hephaestion touched Alexander intimately on the knee, his progress elevated quickly. Each week, it seemed like he could go just a bit more. Which he did, because every week, when Hephaestion was having a bath, Alexander would accompany him and disrobe, sitting at the edge of the tub. Then by the end of the bath, Hephaestion's hand would crawl just a bit higher on his thigh.

However, once there was no more thigh to touch, Hephaestion's progress that was a year or more in the making halted. Alexander was patient, and said nothing, although it hurt him to see Hephaestion fold in on himself emotionally once more.

But Alexander was hopeful, and often joined Hephaestion in the washroom, nude, letting him get used to having a person around him who could be in any state of dress or undress and have no cruel intentions toward him.

It was succeeding, until one night, after Khalis was asleep, when Alexander walked into the washroom while aroused. Hephaestion stared at him from the bathtub, and Alexander could see that he was shaking slightly. When he sat by the tub in his normal place, Hephaestion flinched.

"Phai, look at me," when the man refused, Alexander took his chin in hand and gently turned Hephaestion's gaze upward, "I will not hurt you, I swear it. My blood just runs hot today, okay? It does not mean that I will touch you, nor does it mean that you have to touch me, all right? You deserve to make your own decisions on your own terms."

Hephaestion only nodded slowly in answer, staring down at the water. But not minutes later, a curious hand lifted out of the water and inched it's way over to Alexander.

Alexander took the questing fingers gently in his own, "Phai, are you sure? Look at me," Hephaestion silently raised his head, meeting his lover's gaze, "Are you sure? You don't have to do this. I won't force you."

Hephaestion was quiet a moment before answering in the quietest of whispers, "I'm sure..." and then his voice gained strength, spurred by desperation and impending tears, "I need to touch you, Alexander. I need to know that you're here, and that you still love me-"

"With or without touch," Alexander interrupted soothingly, lifting Hephaestion out of the water and onto his own lap, which momentarily caused the man to tense in fright before he took a breath and forced himself to relax before opening his eyes to look directly into Alexander's as the blond man continued, "With or without touch, I will always love you. Now, I am going to ask you this one more time just to make sure you want this; are you sure?"

"Yes."

Alexander smiled, "Fine. How will you be comfortable?"

Hephaestion knew that he meant to ask how far he could go, and so answered meekly, "I can touch you. I think..." he was hesitant.

"You can do whatever you feel most safe with," Alexander's voice was hushed as he gazed at his uncertain lover.

Hephaestion was gazing intently at Alexander's full lips as he talked, taking a moment before voicing his true wish, "I want to kiss you..."

Alexander grinned, "Whatever you wish, my love. Come here."

Very, very slowly, with hesitant pauses on Hephaestion's part, they came together. Hephaestion gave a loud gasp at the contact, his muscles stiffening as he almost pulled away. But then he seemed to realize that it was not Darius he was kissing, but Alexander, and that he was in control.

For this first time in a very long time, they kept the kisses light and close-mouthed. But each man was happy and smiled when they came apart, Hephaestion's shy smile accompanied by a light blush.

After the kiss, Alexander leaned forward until their foreheads were touching.

"I love you," he said, "Are you tired? That took a lot of courage, and I'm sure you're exhausted."

Hephaestion nodded, and then cuddled into Alexander's chest as he was taken to the bedroom and tucked in, mumbling, "I love you," before his eyes closed and he fell into a peaceful sleep.