A/N: To Valo: I'm glad you love it, and I'm glad you so faithfully keep reviewing! But I'm afraid Alexander won't be apologizing just yet…
To GaBo0: Saw the movie again, hm? Lucky you! I'm afraid that's not really in it for me… My friends don't like the movie that much. And yes, it did seem like Alexander dismissed Hephaistion at Gaugemala, it puzzled me as well. As for Hephaistion's temper… More, more! :))
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It was still dark in the royal bedroom, but Hephaistion felt dawn was near. He had no desire to go back to sleep again. In fact he thought he had already slept way too long, since there was also the option of laying there, revelling in the feeling of Alexander's sleeping presence against his chest. They both laid on their sides on the soft mattress, as close together as possible, Hephaistion's hand on his lover's stomach, his nose in the other's hair, their legs intertwined. There was nothing better, and it was good to have it back. It seemed he had fallen from one dream into another.
A deep sigh from his bed mate told Hephaistion that Alexander had found consciousness as well. Hephaistion gently kissed his neck, and smiled at his lover as he turned around in his arms. "Good morning."
"A good morning indeed." Alexander smiled back at him, then tucked his head under Hephaistion's chin. "If you have any idea how much I've missed you…"
The gesture was one from long ago, when they had been teens, and warmed Hephaistion's heart. The words, however, did not. "It was your choice, Alexander."
Alexander moved away and looked up at him. Hephaistion could read it all. Hurt, that his voice had sounded so cold, accusation, that he had brought this up first thing in the morning while they finally had found peace again, but also guilt, because he knew Hephaistion's words to be true.
After a while, Alexander spoke: "Sometimes pride and triumph over my conquests gets the better of me. But my kingdom is second in my heart only to you. I won't forget that again."
How often did he need to hear it? Often enough, perhaps, to erase all memories of the past week. But there was no need for this to be taken further than that, no need to make Alexander lose face in front of his men. "I know your dreams are important to you." Hephaistion sighed and turned on his back. "You really don't have to apologize in public. I was just… testing how much I was worth to you."
Alexander's voice dropped to low and passionate, a sound Hephaistion knew so well. "I will do it nonetheless, you are worth a thousand kingdoms to me. Yes, in my dreams I conquered the world, found the great sea in the east, but in those dreams you were always beside me. We do it together, or I won't do it at all."
"Then what if I say I don't want this anymore?"
"Testing my love again?"
"Alexander!"
"They already say that the only thing that has ever beaten Alexander the Great were your thighs." Alexander chuckled and gently kissed Hephaistion's cheek, and added in a whisper: "As you proved again last night." A hand stroked his abdomen, then followed a path upwards.
Hephaistion closed his eyes, memories of panting and whispers of love beneath him flying by.
Alexander sighed against his ear. "You are already part of the legend, Hephaistion, my Patroclos. Don't be the end of it, I beg you."
Hephaistion hardened his heart and his words. "I won't be, not as long as I still live and won't be killed by your foolishness. Which brings me to another thing." He turned back on his side, swapping Alexander's hand away from his chest and meeting his eyes. "There is no excuse for what you did to Bagoas." He hoped Alexander could see just how serious he was about this. He was not sure he was ready for another fight – not so soon, not while he had just gotten his Alexander back.
Alexander looked amused. "Bagoas? Oh you mean-"
"I mean Bagoas. He is a person, a persons with feelings and a name." Hephaistion felt anger rise in his chest when his friend rolled his eyes. "Alexander…" The word was spoken as a clear warning.
He had caught Alexander's serious attention now, and his lover's face grew darker, his brown eyes clouded by suspicion. "Do you love-"
Hephaistion sat up in an abrupt, angry movement, and looked down on Alexander with smouldering fire in his eyes. "For all that our love means to you do not finish that question, Alexander! I'm getting sick of your arrogant, jealous behaviour!" Hephaistion's hands trembled. When had this man, who he thought he knew so well, who claimed to respect all, who had claimed to love him, turned into this? "Apologize to Bagoas, Alexander. Those are my terms. Let go of your arrogant pride for once!"
A heavy silence followed.