Alexander's friends had been surprised to learn that Hephaistion was moving to Pella, and even more surprised that he was joining the army. They'd exchanged glances when they thought Alexander wasn't looking, taken aback by what they now saw as a serious relationship. If it had been surprising to see the prince fall in love with an Athenian, it was more so to see the Hephaistion moving to Macedon because of it.

Perdikkas had taken the news well and had quickly become the closest of Alexander's companions to Hephaistion.

"Did you check with Ideannatos which scouting trip you're on?" Perdikkas asked as they dismounted at the barracks stables.

"Yes," Hephaistion smiled. Perdikkas had taken it on himself to mentor Hephaistion and it was both touching and annoying. "He said he thinks I'll only go in a fortnight since next week's is full. I can't believe there are so many new recruits that they need two trips."

"The army's always popular,"Perdikkas replied as they walked through the barracks hall and up the stairs."But they only do the trainee scout trips every few months."

They walked into their room(since Perdikkas' last roommate had been promoted a few weeks ago, Hephaistion had been able to share with him). Hephaistion poured them wine.

"Do you want to go with me to the agora?"Perdikkas asked, untying his breastplate.

Hephaistion pulled his own off and collapsed on the bed. He shook his head, feeling all his muscles ache, his head spinning slightly and his eyes slamming shut.

When he woke up it was early evening and Alexander was sitting on a chair beside the bed, still in armour and with a soft smile.

Hephaistion yawned and then winced slightly as he stretched. Alexander pulled a sympathetic face and kissed his lips gently,"It'll get better."

Hephaistion looked disbelieving as he wrapped his arms round his lover's neck,"How long have you been here?"

"Not that long, about an hour,"Alexander said against his lips. "I was going to ask you to join me for dinner."

"Mmm,"Hephaistion smiled. "So you can seduce me?"

Alexander chuckled,"I was just thinking a romantic dinner and a bath but if you're up for it..."


As the weeks went by, Hephaistion's muscles ached less and he could wake up at dawn without Perdikkas or Alexander's prodding. The army had no immediate battles on hand; for the first time in Macedonian history, the country was at peace without being dependent on any other state-for now. Philip was increasingly spending the days indoors, in council or negotiations, as he reviewed alliances to keep the country's borders safe and strategised about the upcoming Persian invasion. Alexander, as his assumed heir and the commander of the Companion Cavalry, was there as well, though it was by no means clear he was to be included in the Persian expedition.

Hephaistion, at first, was relieved at his lover's absence on the training grounds. He was fit and he could ride almost as well as Alexander but he had only ever fought once: when he had been Philip's page and had killed an Illyrian at a border skirmish. He was aware, however, that the border skirmishes were no battles and had always regarded the one casualty he had been responsible for as a result of sheer survival instincts. He had trained with the pages but it had not been a fight involving much skill- on his part or on the Illyrian's part- and he knew he would have to improve if he wanted to survive a real battle, never mind not embarrass his lover.

His commanding officer, Ideannatos, was a fair man, though unrelenting. It was his responsibility to oversee Hephaistion's training: the scouting trip, the days spent learning with the phalanx or or the hypaphists, the overnight march to Aegae, the hunting trips to Gythea. In addition, he was Hephaistion's main fighting partner and it was Hephaistion's swordwork that worried him the most. The training was comprehensive and it often annoyed Hephaistion that he had to learn the basics of an infantryman's role as well; the adaptability of the Macedonian army was legendary and it depended on every soldier's ability to improvise. From dawn till dusk, Hephaistion barely had a chance to rest and on general rest days, he often had parts of his training to do. It was exhausting and there were many times Hephaistion simply fell asleep when he got into bed with Alexander.

"I thought it was getting better,"Alexander laughed as he was pushed away by Hephaistion. "You said your muscles don't ache any more."

Hephaistion ignored him briefly and fell back against the pillows on Alexander's bed, unable to keep his eyes open as Alexander kissed his way up his legs. When he didn't respond, Alexander sighed dramatically and lay on his back next to him.

"Are you going to Gythea tomorrow?" He asked.

Hephaistion nodded and put his hand in Alexander's. "My muscles don't ache anymore,"he said slowly, with effort."That's because they're too exhausted to feel anything. I don't know how you do it."

Alexander rolled his eyes and kissed Hephaistion's head,"You'll see soon enough."

It was still early evening. Alexander spoke again,"You don't want to go to Philotas' banquet?"

"And have to endure his teasing over my exhaustion?"Hephaistion snorted."Not to mention everyone else's? No, thank you."

"They haven't been that bad, have they?"Alexander frowned.

"No,"Hephaistion opened his eyes and manged a smile."It's just Philotas that bothers me. And Cassander, too. Harpalos occasionally."

Alexander smiled and rolled onto his side, his hand sliding down Hephaistion's chest. He shook his head when Hephaistion asked if he was going,"You're going away tomorrow for three days, of course not!"

Hephaistion shifted to look into Alexander's eyes,"Do you want to have sex?"

"You make it sound like such a chore,"Alexander's lips tightened. "If you're tired, you're tired. Don't bother."

"Oh, Alex."

"Rest, don't worry,"Alexander soothed, his face looser.

"Really?"Hephaistion said. "It's not a disappointment? You weren't imagining us having sex all over the place when I said I'd move here? Because I kind of did."

Alexander laughed,"Well, a bit, maybe, but mostly I just wanted to fall asleep with you every night and wake up with you every morning."

Hephaistion's eyes darkened and his breathing slowed. He leaned in to kiss Alexander tenderly. "I'm sorry I'm not as tough as you," he said with a dry smile when they broke apart."And that all you're getting is a warm body to sleep with."

Alexander rolled his eyes again,"I don't mind, Phai, I don't. Plus, you are tough. It's tough to keep getting up every morning when you're dead exhausted and do everything that made you exhausted all over again each day. "

He smiled at Hephaistion, "I'm a bit sorry for getting you roped into it but it'll be worth it, I promise you. And soon."


Although tired when he returned from the hunting trip to Gythea, Hephaistion felt more energetic than he had in the last three weeks. He was used to hunting and though the training trip had not restored his energy, it had not taken too much of the little he had left either.

Alexander was waiting for him after dinner and they kissed passionately in the prince's quarters. On the bed they caressed each other while Alexander kissed Hephaistion's neck.

"Are you up for this?" Alexander murmured.

Hephaistion spread his legs slightly in response, though it took some effort from his drained muscles. Alexander only pushed his chiton upwards and removed his loincloth, his fingers brushing Hephaistion's enlarging manhood.

"Alex,"Hephaistion sighed longingly; thinking if he turned onto his stomach it'd take less effort.

Alexander had other ideas, though, and ran his tongue up Hephaistion's shaft.

Hephaistion gasped and was speechless until Alexander again licked him and he felt a thrill run through him. "You don't have to,Alex,"he murmured, his hands caressing his lover's head, secretly thinking it'd be great.

"Don't copy what I said to you in Crete,"Alexander teased him and then lowered his mouth onto Hephaistion's throbbing erection.


As the training finished, the drills did get better and Hephaistion finally had something recognisable as free time. His friends and family had inundated him with mail since he had arrived in Pella and he could finally catch it all up. The training had kept his mind busy but it was difficult to recognise that his life had changed so drastically and he found himself melancholy.

I long to float on the gentle waves near Athens, to taste the salty water and feel my skin dry out from the blue Aegean. I miss burying my feet in the sand or hearing the pebbles rattle under my feet. Those beach days are another world away now, although it's really only been weeks since I was last there. Alexander's so sweet and promises we should go to the coast, out past Methone, near the Three-Finger coast, so I can have a real beach day since the beaches nearby aren't that nice,he wrote in a letter to Kallos, managing a smile at his lover's latest suggestion to cheer him up.

This is a rather dull letter and I'm sorry but I can't really be honest with anyone else entirely. I miss home, and that's Athens for me, and I don't think that's going to change for months, at least.

Don't stop writing to me about life in Athens because of it. I want to hear everything and everything that is happening with you! I think Kyros is right, when last did you participate in a horse race? It'll be fun and will certainly win you a following of lusty men and women! And besides, that estate is so beautiful in autumn. But I want you to come up to Macedon, too! I am hoping to get leave to go with my family to Crete but my parents and sisters are coming up in about six weeks. Lycania might stay and then we'd go to Crete together. So I'll have company from home while I'm here and could always see you in Crete, hopefully.

He signed the letter, rolled it up and sealed it. Out of the window, he could see two youths laughing in the street below. In the past he would have gone with to the estate out near Sounio and cheered Kallos on. It was a sombering thought as he contemplated what he had lost and he got up to sacrifice to Hermes and Zeus that he would get to see his friends soon.