Hephaistion looked into the mirror, seeing the reflection of his white-ghost like self, glancing down at the bowl in front of him. The swirling red of blood and bile mixed together, tipping backwards and forwards in the shiny container. He was feeling worse for ware, since arriving back in Babylon. Cassander had helped him in the times he could not walk, bringing him food and water, bathing him with a cloth. Now, as Alexander was getting better, his own health was declining rapidly, he could hear is jittery heart banging in his chest like a drum, he closed his eyes to stop the whirling sensation, but it failed.
"Hephaistion?" a voice called to him, and he turned slightly.
"Alexander" Hephaistion smiled, as a much healthier, happier Alexander approached him in the bathroom.
"Are you okay?" Alexander asked, Hephaistion nodded.
"Never better" he assured, Alexander smiled, a sigh of relief escaped across his face, flushing his cheeks.
"You must get ready for the celebration" Alexander told him, "They have planned a party to welcome us home… in a week, Roxane is due to give birth, and you my dearest friend will be richer than thieves along with the other men… the phalanx, Cassander you name it. All shall be beautiful at last"
Alexander said it with such enthusiasm; Hephaistion almost felt he could believe this happiness would last. He grinned, relieved that Alexander was thinking positively, and hugged him tightly. He felt his chest spasm awkwardly, it was a tight hug but it was appreciated.
"I know you were right, Hephaistion" Alexander said softly in his ear, "I knew I had to wait for you… for both of us to be ready for each other again"
Hephaistion sighed deeply, just listening to the joy in Alexander's voice made him want to cry.
"I am ready now, Hephaistion" Alexander said softly, " I am so very ready…"
Hephaistion bit his bottom lip to stop his tears, as Alexander let him go. He smiled at Alexander who patted his shoulder and asked him to come down when he was dressed.
As the door shut, with a violent heave Hephaistion threw up more blood in the bowl, and all the kindness and sincerest words from Alexander wasn't going to change it.
He was dying and there was no way Alexander could save him.