I must say that of all chapters, I like this one best. I know, it's not an original message but just the truth lol. I love Hephaistion too much…
To Nelia: Crying… no, not Hephaistion. Not yet anyway… :)
To Valo: Oh are we demanding now are we:P I should just punish you and not post this… but… you are lucky, that is not in my nature. ;)
To annakas: Yes, they are so sweet together. If they want to be, anyway. And I'll soon feel better I hope, the fever dropped… thanks.
To Lyndsay: Thank you, thank you.
To Annie: Alexander is on the brink of becoming an adult, but not quite there yet. And Philip… ah Philip what will he do? ;)
To mamanchat: No it's me having the flu lol. Though perhaps Phai got it from me, we've been spending so much time together. Oh wait, I promised him not to tell anyone… :P
To Gabo0: I truly do not mind it if you feel like writing fanfiction on my fanfiction lol, as a matter of fact it I think it is the highest honour one could give any writer. So, I should say thank you!
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There was always a new day. And this day started with rain, pouring down from the sky, endless rivers of water soaking the dry earth and streaming by the window, blurring the outside world. Washing away all imprints left on it. The monotonous humming of the rain dulling all other sounds. The light was vague, even though Hephaistion felt that it was already halfway through the morning. He had slept soundly after Alexander had taken him to bed, tiredness of all the previous nights overwhelming him and leaving him warm and safe in Alexander's arms. Until he had woken up, alone in bed, his friend standing a few meters away.
Alexander stood motionless, gazing outside, but Hephaistion knew his eyes were not focused on anything in particular. He recognized that look for he had seen it often enough – his friend's mind was elsewhere. Conquests. Dreams. Alexander had told him once that his mind would drift away and he jumped into another time and place, leading an army of a size that the world had never known, thinking out great battles and leading his men into them without fear. That dream world had always been part of his life. Already, Hephaistion was sharing his lover with his future king, but he had accepted it. A bit of a melancholy smile touched his lips, but his heart was filled with the unmistakable love he felt whenever he looked upon his friend's proud figure.
Suddenly aware of the fact Hephaistion had awoken, young, dreaming Alexander turned his head and their eyes… met… Alexander was staring through him again, still looking into that other world and… the rain blurred the background, turned his curls into… longer and darker, his eyes deeper and browner and his face turning… older, and there was this different Alexander staring back at him and Hephaistion wished to reach out and touch, run his fingers over that pained forehead… ease his pain… those eyes who had seen so much more…
Oh Alexander, who will you be? Is this what time will make of you? Will I be there for you still? Will you trust me like you do now?
A worried voice breathed over his face. "Phai, is everything alright?" Alexander was kneeling beside his bed, young brown eyes with a slight frown above them asking for reassurance. His own Alexander again.
"Of course." Hephaistion gave his friend a short smile and sat up, leaning back on his arms, diverting his eyes as Alexander came to sit next to him. Of course he was alright. He had nearly been raped the night before, was now having delusional visions. Perfectly fine.
A hand came up to brush his cheek. "I have water ready for a bath, if you wish. Even though it looks sweet, you're rather dirty."
Dirty. Hephaistion looked up. "Wrong choice of words, Alexander."
After a short moment of confusion, the blond boy's eyes turned large. "That's not what I meant! I meant that you… there's grime on your face."
"Yeah, I suppose I should wash it off," Hephaistion replied dully. He did not understand the sudden annoyance coming over him, but now that the worries were gone for a moment he just wished to be left alone. He did not feel like going through the coming day.
"There's also breakfast, in case you are interested," Alexander pointed out hesitatingly, motioning for the bed stand on the other side.
Alexander was pampering him. Did the other not understand he could not have that right now? "I'll bathe first," he replied softly, waving the other's presence away and climbing off the bed. Without looking back he walked over to Alexander's personal bathroom, where the hot water was waiting for him. It was just what he needed.
It took some time pouring the water in the tub, then he let himself slide in, closing his eyes, the warmth surrounding him. A fragrance had already been added to the water, some smell he could not quite place but was pleasant. He dipped his head under water and rubbed his cheeks. Alexander was right, he probably was really filthy.
He stiffened. Alexander was right, he was dirty also. He breathed in deeply trough his nose. Oh, he needed to get rid of that feeling.
Hephaistion knew that his friend was watching him from the door, but chose to ignore it. Could now hear him move closer, soft bare feet upon the tiles, then halt.
"Phai, you're not the only one upset you know."
In surprise, Hephaistion looked up and realised the other was biting back tears. "'Sander…" Breathing out a soft sigh, he stretched out his arms and rose partly from his warm bath, to press his younger friend to his chest. He had almost forgotten that he was indeed not the only one in this mess, that being alone would from now on mean, being with Alexander. Their future was one and the same.
He looked up and smiled at Alexander, who smiled back through his tears and then angrily wiped them away. "I'm sorry to be so weak when you are being so strong. As if all of this happened to me, not you."
"It did happen to you," Hephaistion whispered, and kissed him on the cheek before asking: "Join me?"
With another grateful smile as an answer, Alexander ridded himself of his chiton and came to sit on his lap, resting his head against his shoulder, pulling Hephaistion's arms around him. The water surrounded both of them, welcoming them home. "Love you…"
"Love you as well, Achilles," he breathed into the other's ear, suddenly feeling the urge to smile brightly and not suppressing it. All dark thoughts left.
His friend's brown eyes glanced up at him and a soft chuckle left his mouth. "Patroclos! That was a good one, wasn't it?"
"I could've sworn I heard Achilles," Hephaistion agreed, slowly letting his hands glide over his lover's stomach, chest, arms.
Alexander settled back, enjoying the feel of the calming touches. Everything went quiet as they both relaxed, just being together. Yet after a while, he suddenly sat up and turned around. "Let me wash you."
Their eyes met, and they both knew just what was going on in the other's head. Hephaistion nodded slowly, leaned forward to press their lips together in a gentle kiss, then a short touching of foreheads. "Go ahead, Alexander."
