In Pella, a still, sunny autumn day was rising. Slowly, the army was falling back into their usual drill schedules as men returned from their families after celebrating their victory at Chaeronea with them. Hephaistion had been in Pella for just over a week but Alexander had never been so rushed as he was that day.

"Yes, did you tell Eumenes that I still haven't seen the treasury report?"Alexander was asking a servant. "If Parmenion comes up to me one more time and implies that I don't know what's going on in my own unit…"

Hephaistion smiled, looking down at his plate. Alexander was across from him, scowling while another servant pulled the laces on his cuirass. He crossed the room and picked up an apple from the table.

"I'll go find the secretary now, Alexander," the servant responded and left.

The other servant stepped back.

"All done? Right, we'd best go," Alexander glanced at Hephaistion.

The drilling ground was packed with soldiers and horses, more milling in from the outskirts. The smell of dew and dung was rife as men laughed and greeted each other.

"There's Harpalos," Alexander noted, walking towards the bench where he and Cassander were standing. "I don't know how long he'll be here for, though."

"Ah, Hephaistion," Cassander drawled as they approached. "Finally Harpalos will have the company he deserves."

Hephaistion smiled politely. Alexander frowned at Cassander. "We need to get started," he said. Looking at Hephaistion, he added, "I'll see you later."

Even though they were not at full manpower, the army was spectacular. The way they moved as units was extraordinary. Hephaistion had not seen a drill like it in years; in comparison, the Athenian drills seemed more like a show than a real military practice. There was nothing that accurately portrayed the power of Macedon the way the drills did. Not even all the gold and silver could have made King Philip seem more imposing. And he was magnificent, shouting commands from the front of the field and trotting along the lines to observe how they were carried out. When the infantry fought the cavalry or the army rushed forward together, he would join in. Hephaistion smiled, remembering the praise his grandfather Leonnatos had heaped upon the king when he had watched the drills with Hephaistion. What Philip had done was incredible; he was incredible. Mostly, though, Hephaistion couldn't take his eyes off Alexander as he, too, shouted orders and galloped at the front of the cavalry charges. He had never seen Alexander in drills before or so passionate with his arms waving madly around and charging Bucephalus down the cavalry formation. There was a confidence about Alexander that he didn't have elsewhere; similar to his easy-going nature when alone in bed with Hephaistion but not quite the same. Courage shone from Alexander on drilling ground, so much so that there was almost a sense of recklessness about him. Hephaistion felt bittersweet as he smiled, wishing Alexander could always feel so free as he clearly was here.

Beside him, Harpalos was dull company. He complained about the heat, although it was not hot. He complained about his lack of sleep and about the girl he owed it to. He complained about the maintenance team not keeping up with the amount of dung dropped on the grounds. Hephaistion just expressed polite interest, increasingly redirecting his attention elsewhere. He was relieved when he saw Alexander, Ptolemy and Philotas coming towards them.

"What did you think, Hephaistion? Worthy of Ochos shitting himself?"Ptolemy called.

Alexander and Philotas turned to their lefts and grinned at him.

"Definitely," Hephaistion replied, standing up. He looked at Alexander, his eyes smiling.

"When the last 3000 or so men get back, you will enjoy that," Philotas said.

Hephaistion smiled at him, trying to stop staring at Alexander's dusty breastplate and windswept hair. "When must you be back?"

"In an hour," Alexander smiled, his voice tired but energetic. Hephaistion instinctively looked at him and took in his flushed cheeks and felt his heart fluttering.

"You're coming to the barracks for lunch?" Ptolemy asked, already leading the way. Harpalos fell into step with them.

Hephaistion was surprised that they ever made it into the dining hall. Men kept stopping Alexander to praise him or give their opinions. Some had just come in from their homes and were eager to greet him. Eventually, Philotas' grin had started fading and he had led Hephaistion into the hall, leaving Alexander to laugh at a veteran's tale.

Alexander joined them at the table, his face still grinning. The fabric of his chiton brushed Hephaistion's arm as he sat beside him. Hephaistion felt like he was falling in love with him all over again.

"Alexander!" A man hurried towards the two of them as they left the hall.

"Hello, Amyntas, " Alexander smiled warmly, moving towards the passage hall to not block the doorway.

"I just got back yesterday evening," Amyntas, a weathered veteran, said. He held up a parcel. "My sister made it for you."

Hephaistion smiled in wonder as Alexander opened the package to reveal an embroidered cloak. Alexander grinned, "Doriska's very kind to think of me."

"Says she's kind to anyone who helped get me home," the veteran nodded.

"You got back all on your own, Amyntas," Alexander smiled at him and placed his hand on the man's arm. He turned to Hephaistion, "Isn't it splendid?"

Hephaistion agreed, "Very."

"This is Hephaistion, son of Amyntor, Amyntas," Alexander introduced them and Hephaistion offered his hand. "Amyntas was the infantry's star at Byzantium."

Hephaistion smiled pleasantly and nodded. Alexander turned towards the entrance where they could see the sunlight draped across the barrack courtyard, " We should get back. Thank you very much, Amyntas."

The man grinned in reply and seemed to want to walk with them to the drilling ground. Alexander looked at Hephaistion as they reached the street gate and asked lowly, "Are you coming back with us?"

"Just three more hours, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"I'll wait," Hephaistion glanced at him warmly.

Amyntas caught his eye, "You're not in the army, then, son?"

Hephaistion shook his head, "No. I thought I'd just watch today, though."

"Hephaistion's visiting," Alexander said. He paused briefly, "From Athens."

Hephaistion could see Amyntas speculating on why an Athenian was in Pella.

Alexander's mouth was tweaking gently at the corners, "What do you think of his Macedonian, Amyntas?"

"Alexander!" Hephaistion laughed, his eyes flashing in surprise.

Amyntas smiled good-naturedly, more at ease, "The accent could be better but you speak well."

Hephaistion thanked him. Alexader added, "His mother's family is Macedonian but I think he's spent too much time in Athens."

When the day's drills were over, Hephaistion accompanied Alexander back to the palace.

"I have the report," the servant from the morning, Aristion, rushed forward. "It's on your desk, Alexander."

Alexander thanked him, steeling himself for a long couple of hours reading the treasury's restrictions on his ambitions for the cavalry.

The servants poured them wine and then left. Alexander leant back against his desk, "It's going to be a long afternoon."

Hephaistion looked on him sympathetically, seeing him put down his cup and sink into his chair.

"Do you mind if I read it today?"Alexander's eyes met his regretfully.

"Of course not," Hephaistion replied, crossing the room to stand before him. "But surely you need a rest first."

Alexander shook his head laughingly, "Exercise gives you energy. I'm just fine."

"I'll see you later then."

"You don't have to go, "Alexander said hurriedly. "You can stay here if you like."

Hephaistion smiled, "Doing what?

"Reading?"

"Alright, "Hephaiston agreed softly and leant down to kiss Alexander's lips tenderly. Their eyes smiled at each other.

Alexander exhaled gently, tilting his head back to see his lover's face in the light. He reached up a hand, resting it on Hephaistion's right waist as he leant above him. "How did you find the drills?"

Hephaistion smiled slightly, almost shyly, "Very magnificent." He cupped Alexander's cheek.

"And how did you find the cavalry commander?"Alexander couldn't resist asking.

Hephaistion's smile twisted across his face, amused. "Even more magnificent," he whispered.

They kissed tenderly, Hephaistion's arms draped around Alexander's neck. His back was beginning to twinge uncomfortably. He pulled back before sitting on Alexander's lap, his legs draped under the armrest. They kissed again and feeling a desire to face Alexander, Hephaistion moved his leg to straddle his lover. After a long, slow kiss, Alexander pulled back and sighed contentedly. He ran his hand through his lover's hair and placed a gentle kiss on the reddish lips, "You're a wonderful distraction, you know."

Hephaistion smiled and leaned back, "I should leave you to your work now."

"Later," Alexander breathed, his eyes smilingly contemplating Hephaistion.

"Definitely," Hephaistion replied. He gave Alexander a final, gentle kiss before getting up.

Alexander brushed the back of his hand with his lips.

"I always knew you were rather handsome and charming," Hephaistion murmured against Alexander's bare shoulder, his fingers tracing shapes on his lover's lean stomach, "but I never realised just how many people fall under that spell."

Alexander's breath puffed out in a short laugh, his stomach pushing against Hephaistion's fingers, "Oh, really? Until when, is that?"

"Until today," Hephaistion grinned, looking up into Alexander's sparkling eyes. It was late in the night and warm in Alexander's bed "So many other men vying for your attention."

"You mean in the army?" Alexander seemed genuinely confused. "I've never been with another man, I told you that. You have nothing to worry about."

"No," Hephaistion laughed. "Not like that. I mean all the soldiers– how much they adore you. I don't think I've seen any other leader so loved."

Alexander turned his head to look at Hephaistion's profile, now resting against his chest. Hephaistion raised his head to share his gaze and smiled, "Or rather, I don't think I've seen any leader return their love so honestly."

He raised his hand to Alexander's shoulder and shifted, "I couldn't be prouder of you."

Alexander felt his throat clouding up. He smiled slightly and brushed Hephaistion's lips, "Thank you."

Hephaistion returned his smile more radiantly, " Don't worry about Eurydike or any other wife's sons; your mother won years ago."

Alexander paused and then burst out laughing. He hugged him close, "I wish she and I could believe that."

Hephaistion sighed smilingly, "You should; even if she doesn't. Your father is lucky in you and I think he knows it. He loves you; I could tell this afternoon when the drills were over."

"Things are better on the battlefield, I'll admit that."

"Cling to that then when you doubt the rest. It's just a reflection of his own insecurities that it isn't elsewhere like that. But it does count for something."

"I suppose," Alexander breathed in reply.