Even after the sun had set in Babylon it was still too hot to endure lying beneath the almost gossamer thin sheets of what had formerly been Darius' bed. The writhing bodies atop it were even less likely to require the use of the sheets. Gasps and moans echoed throughout the airy room, a new setting for a love that had existed for many years already.

Halting the movements of his hips momentarily, Hephaistion stared down at Alexander's flushed features. Sluggish eyelids were fluttering over dark eyes that Hephaistion knew saw more than what existed in the visible world. With his nostrils flaring, mouth open and panting, Alexander looked every bit the debauched youth. In truth he was the emperor of Greece and Persia, Darius' continued existence but a mere annoyance.

"You are teasing me, Phai," Alexander moaned, arching his hips plaintively.

"I am savouring you, Alexander."

The expression on Alexander's face was strange. Almost disbelieving. For the life of him Hephaistion could not decipher that look. Alexander should have no reason to doubt his love after all they had endured together.

"You are my sun, Alexander. My sun, my moon, and my stars," Hephaistion whispered, thrusting his lower body into Alexander's. "I will follow you until the end of my days."

"And I will follow you to Hades afterwards."

Many years of exploration had granted each man intimate knowledge of one another's bodies. Scars, blemishes, the movement of limbs and points that brought the greatest pleasure; Hephaistion knew all. Just as he was certain that Alexander knew the same of his body.

A short time later as they lay sated in each other's arms, Hephaistion trailed his fingers through Alexander's damp hair. Despite the heat at Babylon the two continued to lie pressed tightly together, legs entwined, breath mingling. It was almost by way of an afterthought that Hephaistion was aware of Alexander's toes brushing the lower part of his shins.

"I thought we had established that it was too much drink that brought on the laughter," Hephaistion yawned, winding his legs more securely about Alexander's to still the movement.

Alexander seemed startled by this and shook his head. "Your legs are longer than mine."

Hephaistion ducked his head down so that he was able to peer into Alexander's face. "A man's physical stature matters not for even the strongest might be brought down by a single arrow. It is the mind of the man that truly matters."

"Achilles was brought down by a single arrow," Alexander mused aloud, his gaze drifting away from Hephaistion's.

"My point exactly. You are strong because you will yourself to be so and not because you have the physicality of a titan. And because of that you will endure throughout history alongside Achilles."