As Alexander walked into Babylon's humungous golden doors, he felt a rush of relief overcome him like a giant wave on the roughest sea. He was standing at the precipice of his kingdom, of his creation. He glanced to his side and saw Hephaistion, his beautiful companion, the one who convinced him of his greatness; yet he looked frightened, a bit pessimistic of their surroundings. Alexander gripped his shoulder, Hephaistion smiled at him.
"Alls well, Hephaistion" Alexander told him, his eyes were bright and full of life, but his companions were dark and worried,
"Yes, there's no need to give off such a bad face!" Ptolemy announced laughing, and the others all joined in. It was fun to laugh at another's concerns, considering that there was no obvious cause for it. It was subtle to Hephaistion that there was something very wrong about Babylon, something very, very wrong.
Alexander lay down on a beautiful gigantic bed as he blonde hair tangled up between the royal blue and red pillow slips, he looked immediately relaxed, at home and content. He was smiling more than ever, his eyes were sparkling with excitement, as he beckoned Hephaistion to his side, as the other men all played with things around the gigantic room.
"This shall be our quarters, Hephaistion" he whispered, stroking Hephaistion's thigh, as Hephaistion tried not to laugh at the giddying sensation of Alexander's touch,
" This room is beautiful, Alexander" was all Hephaistion could answer his King, as Alexander closed his eyes briefly, a healthy glow spread out across his face, like a golden light had just escape from his soul out onto his skin.
"There are other matters…" Hephaistion said finally, breaking the smile on Alexander's face, "Other things we need to talk about, your mother for instance?"
"That isn't a concern" Alexander snapped back quickly, Hephaistion almost jumped out of his skin it was that quick,
"Surely you'd rather have her here, than in peril?" Hephaistion asked him, Alexander grew cold to the question and sat up, turning away from him.
"When I was younger, I always said to her, that I would protect her no matter what. In my youth I did pay for such acts of courage, and she remained alive and well. With my father gone, there is no threat to her life, she doesn't need me anymore"
"She is your only family, Alexander" Hephaistion paused briefly, reflecting over his conversation with Alexander's mother, "It's not a matter of needing; it's a matter of love. Do you still care for her?"
Alexander bit his bottom lip, "I don't know"
Hephaistion eyebrows rose slightly at Alexander's distant answer, "she is your mother?"
"What of your family? Or Cleitus' family? Cassander's?" Alexander retorted bitterly, "Do they not matter? Do they not need you, or Cleitus, or Cassander?"
Hephaistion glanced at Alexander, "your family wants you… my family, doesn't know what they want, and doesn't care half as much as yours"
Alexander laughed, "Care? My mother's only concerns are for herself, she may say she cares for me, but all along she has deceived me"
"Alexander she hasn't been deceiving you, you know that these men you hang around with are the liars"
"Does that include you? Are you lying to protect my mother?" Alexander asked, his gaze narrowed on the bridge of Hephaistion's nose,
"What would I hide from you?" Hephaistion protested, "There is nothing to hide"
Alexander sighed; he put a hand to Hephaistion's face, his fingers spayed out across the soft skin of his cheek,
"I think… you and I, should spend less time together" Alexander choked out each word, as Hephaistion's eyes widened,
"As much as I adore you, as much as you have done for me, I fear it is time for us to find our happiness … elsewhere" it was with that cold, heartless word that Hephaistion froze under Alexander's hand. He couldn't move, he couldn't speak, was he serious? Only a few hours ago Alexander said he was needed… and now, now he wasn't?
"But my King…" Hephaistion began,
"Save it Hephaistion" Alexander said softly, letting go of Hephaistion's cheek, "It is for the best"
Hephaistion was crying a little as Alexander turned and left him alone. Hephaistion still followed Alexander, but he would walk meters behind, and wouldn't look at Alexander for more than a few seconds. As they embraced the beauties of this foreign land, and Alexander would succumb to more then one.
The first was a beautiful Persian Boy by the name of Bagoas. Intriguingly delicate, yet had features of carved masculine stone, Alexander delighted in looking at him, and wanted to feel the skin of this man under his fingers, long forgetting, to Hephaistion's dismay, the touch of cream for the taste of chocolate.