Chapter 5: Do You Remember?

As Hephaistion ran he suddenly realised he had no idea where he was going and stopped dead in his tracks.

Standing still he could hear the Queen's chariot leaving and The King and his generals follow on horseback. Still fuming, he turned back around scanning the neighbourhood. Hephaistion sighed knowing Alexander was on horseback and had a good head start.

Suddenly it dawned on him and he started running again, until he came to a small forest by a creek. Hearing rather then seeing Alexander he made his way into the little forest stopping at the clearing by the creek.

What he saw, was what he expected: a raving Alexander, and after everything that had happened the last six months and today, Hephaistion did not blame him nor did he try to stop Alexander from hitting the trees, throwing stones and yelling obscenities that would make even the toughest of soldiers blush.

Rather he stood still, knowing Alexander would not hear him in any case. Hephaistion did not have to wait long as Alexander suddenly stopped, breathing hard and body trembling. Before he could even open his mouth, Alexander spoke.

"Do you remember?"

"Yes, this is the place we first met." Nodded Hephaistion mostly to himself since Alexander has yet to turn around. How could he forget!

Hephaistion was running away, trying to hide from his mother, he did not want to take a bath and that was final. He wanted to play some more with his friends when his mother yelled for him to come inside, knowing what she meant, he ran. He had been running for some time when he came to the little forest by the creek. Hearing his fathers voice come closer, he quickly ducked into a nearby bush.

What he came in contact with, was not sand and twig but a body and he involuntarily yelped out loud, before he could curse himself a hand closed over his mouth and he panicked, struggling to break free when a voice stopped his struggling.

"Sssshhh, be quiet. I won't hurt you. But you must be quiet, otherwise we will both be discovered… If I take my hand away; will you be quiet?"

Hephaistion just nodded and the hand was removed, looking behind him, he saw a boy about his age with blond hair obviously trying to hide himself.

Before he could speak, the boy made a motion with his finger asking him to be quiet and pointing towards a man, trying to see who it was he recognized his father and he ducked.

"Boy, you better come out. Don't keep your mother waiting now or you won't have any dinner. You hear me boy?" Hephaistion kept his tongue and tried not to made a sound, he waited until he was sure his father left and all he could hear was the boys breathing.

After a few moment the boy behind him stood and walked away, wanting to know who he was Hephaistion ran after him and caught up with him in a clearing by the creek.

"Hey wait… " and the boy stopped. "… I wanted to thank you, you know for hiding me back there, I'm in your debt. If there's anything I can do just ask. My name is Hephaistion."

And finally the boy turned around, Hephaistion was immediately captured by the boy's eyes and he forgot to close his mouth. The boy smiled at his gaping, stepped closer and closed his mouth, leaving a tingling feeling were he touched, saying.

"I'm am Alexander. And I will not forget your promise."

"No,…." Whispered Alexander shaking his head and Hephaistion frowned feeling confidant this was the place but before he could argue Alexander continued,

"… this is the place… I fell in love… with my best friend… my soul mate… Do You remember?" Hephaistion came closer and put a hand on Alexander's shoulder finally understanding what his friend meant,

"I remember. I will always remember, my Alexander, always!"

At Hephaistion's words, Alexander sighed and fell to his knees sobbing. Quickly walking around his beloved, Hephaistion gathered the slightly smaller man in his arms and stroked his hair rocking him back and forth, much like a mother would comfort her child.

When the sobbing quieted down to sniffles, Hephaistion pulled Alexander up so he could see his face, he frowned slightly at the still bloody face of his friend and pulled him towards the creek, ripping a piece of his chiton, he made it wet and cleaned Alexander's face until he could look into his eyes again.

Stepping back he looked into his beloved face and smiled at the utter devotion and love shining in Alexander's eyes. He reached out touching Alexander's hair tugging a piece back behind his ear.

"Your hair has grown… I like it…" whispered Hephaistion as if afraid he might break some kind of spell and Alexander would disappear again.

A sudden change in Alexander's eyes was all the warning he got as Alexander suddenly cupped his face and slowly kissed him.

It was a slow and sweet kiss that showed love but it quickly changed into desperation as they clutched at each other as if wanting to make sure this was not a dream. The need for air became to great and the kiss ended leaving them both breathless.

Alexander started moving his hands over Hephaistion's face as if seeing it for the first time.

"I missed you so… your eyes…. your hair… your nose…. your lips…. I missed everything about you. I was afraid I lost you forever living in that hell for so long. You are the one that kept me going every day." He trailed of, thumbs caressing Hephaistion's face.

Hephaistion blushed slightly at Alexander's words but quickly recovered taking Alexander's hands in his.

"You will never lose me. No matter what you do, who you meet or where you are. I love you Alexander and you will always be right here…." He moved Alexander's hand over his heart whispering. "… forever!"

Alexander swallowed hard, tears in his eyes, taking Hephaistion's hands and placing them over his own heart.

"And you in mine."

They moved in unison as their lips touched again for a second kiss. The kiss quickly became heated as hands began to roam each others bodies. But a sudden intake of breath and a hiss coming from Alexander made Hephaistion stop. Taking a step back he saw he accidentally brushed the wound on Alexander's arm, cursing himself for forgetting Alexander was wounded he began to apologise but was stopped before he could utter a sound.

" Don't, it does not hurt much."

'Ever the brave man, refusing to acknowledge he was hurt so I would not worry….' Thought Hephaistion with a smile and when Alexander leaned back in for a kiss, Hephaistion stepped out of the way smiling sweetly, knowing if they continued Alexander's wounds would never be taken care off.

He took Alexander's hand in his, kissed the open palm and pulled his beloved towards his horse. Climbing behind Alexander, after making sure his friend was capable of riding with a wounded leg, they both rode of towards the rooms they were sharing at the learning compound (AN: I do not know how they called it back then, but I found the word 'barracks' kind of cold).

Hephaistion circled his arms round Alexander's waist and kissed his neck, feeling Alexander squeeze his arms in return.

Hephaistion smiled.

AN: I want to thank everyone for their lovely reviews. They were very sweet and made it able for me to write more. Thank you!