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Oh, you're the best friend
That I ever had
I've been with you such a long time
You're my sunshine
And I want you to know
That my feelings are true
I really love you
(Ooh) Oh, you're my best friend.
- You're My Best Friend by Queen.-
Chapter 7: Friends & Promises.
After that incident, Alexander and Hephaistion barely looked at each other any more, let alone speak. When the other classmates noticed Alexander's black eye and observed both boys behaviour, rumours spread of a fight between two boys.
A rumour that soon reached Aristotle's ears, when confronted both boys denied the accusation and since no one else saw what truly happened Aristotle had no choice but to let them go with a severe warning.
Hephaistion, who felt truly horrible for the way he handled things, wanted to apologise to Alexander and tried to explain, but could never find him alone or even present in the complex. Alexander too felt horrible for the way he yelled at Hephaistion, not giving him the change to explain things but his pride was still hurt when Hephaistion first kissed him and then hit him, he did not know what possessed the boy to do those things or which feeling was genuine. He wanted to talk to Hephaistion but found it impossible since both his father and mother continuously requested his presence, before, between and after classes. Since his performance of taming his horse, they found him ready to take on more duties.
Philip, decided, after having heard of their performance of the games Leonidas organized, decided Alexander and his closest companions were ready to proof themselves in a Lion hunt. They were all to be divided in groups of two, having to trust their partners to watch their backs, communicate on their own level and work together to catch the lion. Philip, talked to Aristotle and Leonidas to see who should be pared with whom.
"Now, you all know why I am here. Have you given it some thought, who the pairings should be on the lion hunt this afternoon?" asked Philip sitting down with a big sigh staring at both teachers, who nodded and took a scroll reading the names.
"First we have, Cassander and Philotas…" started Leonidas while Aristotle nodded, scratching his chin, "… for the simple reason, both their fathers are Generals in your army, sire, and they have been brought up in the same way, both having dealt with the danger of being a General's son and the possibility of losing their father. They seem to have some kind of understanding."
"I agree. Those two will work quite fine together, just like their father's did." Nodded Philip showing is approval. Then waved his hand for them to continue, Aristotle spoke next,
"Next we have Ptolemy and Perdiccas. Both on the silent side but both very smart. They also have the ability to calm a fight down that may occur between some of the boys.…" Philip raised an eyebrow not needing to ask who was mostly in a fight, being quite aware of Alexander's temper, he nodded and Leonidas continued.
"This was slightly harder but we think Nearchus and Leonatus. They are quite the opposites: Nearchus is broad and crude at times and Leonatus, is more slim but more refined. Both have scored excellent in the physical tests though and seem to like wrestling together. I think they will do fine together." Finished Leonidas sitting back and sipping from his wine, when Philip did.
"Now, my son….. Who did you pair Alexander with, I wonder?" smirked Philip as he switched between the two teachers, who swallowed hard.
"We must admit sire. This was quite the task…" muttered Aristotle making Philip laugh,
"I'll bet…" he shouted drinking some more wine, gesturing for them to continue,
"We think Hephaistion should be paired with your son, my King." Said Aristotle,
"Hephaistion? He's Amyntar's boy, isn't he?" asked Philip and both teachers nodded, "Why him…?"
"Um, it's hard to explain, sire. They don't seem to like each other very much, Hephaistion has a tendency to argue with Alexander and Alexander does not let his lie quietly…" Philip laughed again, "… but I noticed whenever I put them together for a assignment, they seem to work quite well together and always finish first…."
"Hephaistion was always a close second to Alexander during the games, they both seem to work harder and better when they compete, just imagine what they could do when they are put together?" stated Leonidas when Aristotle seem to have stopped talking.
"But do you think they will work together outside of the classroom?" asked Philip with a frown, when both teachers stayed silent, he nodded,
"I see.."
"I bet they will do fine, my King. Besides isn't this part of this hunt, learning to work together as a team?" said Aristotle carefully, watching Philip who was still frowning, he took another swing of his wine and said,
"It will have to do. Inform them." And with a great turn, cape billowing behind him he left the complex again. Both teachers sighed in relief and asked a page to gather all eight boys in the courtyard. Both drank their wine, until the page returned to say everyone was present and accounted for. They both stepped outside seeing the boys waiting anxiously,
"Boys, I know you have all heard of the Lion Hunt, you will participate in this afternoon. I… We… have confidence in you that you will succeed. Do not worry, just remember what you have learned and you will do fine." Shouted Leonidas for all of them to hear, most boys sighed in relief. Alexander just kept his eyes trained to the front, feeling eyes watch him, knowing who it was he ignored it for the moment.
"The king had decided to split you up in pairs…" started Aristotle, seeing the shock on most boys, he decided to continue, "… he has asked us to divide you all up in pairs, he has agreed with our choices thus you will follow our decision."
Alexander watched as his friends got paired one by one, fairly happy with their partners. He had hoped to be paired with Ptolemy, since they had already hunted small fowl together, but when he got paired up with Perdiccas he could forget about his plans. When he heard his name he stood more upright,
"Alexander and…" everyone watched Alexander as Aristotle said the second name, "…Hephaistion." Alexander stiffened for a moment but nodded. He cast a quick look around seeing Hephaistion blue eyes trained on him. But when Leonidas continued he turned back.
"Get yourselves ready, get your swords and bows. Eat enough, for you will need the energy this afternoon. Get some rest and we will meet here in three hours. Good Luck!"
Everyone scattered, talking exited. Alexander watched them leave for a moment, before springing into action, walking to his room. He entered his room, leaving the door open and opened his wooded chest, sorting his bow and arrows. Checking if they were still in order. He was suddenly aware of a presence in his room.
Hephaistion, who was both glad and nervous to be paired with Alexander, followed Alexander to his room, wanting to talk to him first. He noticed the door was open and saw Alexander sitting on the floor, checking his arrows. He looked around and saw the room, though quite large, was supporting nothing but the essentials: a bed, a closet, a desk and chair and a wooden chest that clearly held his weaponry. Not what he expected at all.
"Can I help you with anything?" asked Alexander standing up, laying his arrows on his bed, without looking at Hephaistion. Hephaistion looked up surprised,
"How did you know I was here?" asked Hephaistion in wonder, quite sure he didn't make any noise. This time Alexander looked in his direction but frowned confused,
"I… I don't know. I just knew." Alexander confessed, blushing slightly, Hephaistion felt touched and stepped closer,
"Alexander, I…" started Hephaistion, stopping next to the bed, "I wanted to apologise for…" Alexander looked up in wonder, "…hitting you. I don't know what came over me. I never meant to hit you…." Hephaistion stopped in front of Alexander, who had stopped moving around and stared in Hephaistion's eyes. Hephaistion stared back, seeing Alexander fading black eye, he raise his hand, slightly touching it.
"Does it hurt?" whispered Hephaistion,
"In the beginning, yes…" replied Alexander honestly but seeing Hephaistion's guilty look he quickly added, "…but it doesn't now." Hephaistion smiled slightly moving his hand down Alexander's face, slowly caressing. Instinctively Alexander slightly turned his face in Hephaistion hand, when he realised what he did, he blushed slightly. Hephaistion smiled again, staring in Alexander's two coloured eyes, seeing the look in Alexander's eyes, he felt his knees go weak.
"Do you think…" whispered Hephaistion, stepping closer, feeling Alexander breath on his face, "… we can be friends?" Alexander looked up, seeing all kinds of emotions in Hephaistion blue eyes and nodded slightly. Unconsciously laying a hand on Hephaistion's chest, feeling his heart beat rapidly in sink with his.
"Friends? I'd like that…" replied Alexander softly feeling Hephaistion's hand move over his arm, moving slowly over his shoulder and stopping at his neck, just below his ear. Then as one, they started to move closer, until their breaths mingled, their eyes closed and then…
"Excuse me, my Prince, but…" hearing a voice cut into their world they both sprang apart looking guilty, their faces red. Either the page didn't notice or he chose not to react, either way they felt grateful. They looked anywhere else besides each other. Alexander had to clear his voice twice before he could trust his voice to speak at a somewhat normal tone.
"Yes, what is it?"
"Sorry, to disturb you my prince, but The King requests your presence for lunch this afternoon." Explained the page with a slight bow.
"Now?" asked Alexander as he and Hephaistion shared a quick look.
"Yes, my Prince." Replied the page politely,
"Alright I'll come…" muttered Alexander, clearly disappointed. He looked at Hephaistion before he left and they shared a quick smile before Alexander left. Hephaistion groaned to himself, not believing, he almost lost control again but there was just something about Alexander that made him lose control. He fell on Alexander's bed face down, cursing himself for his stupidity, he was lucky enough to be forgiven, Hephaistion saw it in Alexander's eyes that he was, but he couldn't belief he would risk their new found friendship due to his uncontrollable lust. Strangely enough he was blinded to see Alexander had the same problem. Suddenly a voice echoed trough the room,
"Hephaistion? What are you doing in Alexander's room? What are you doing on his bed for that matter?" Hephaistion jumped up to come face to face with Ptolemy, who regarded him with a strange look in his eyes.
"I was um…" stuttered Hephaistion, "….talking to Alexander…." Ptolemy looked around seeing Alexander nowhere he raised an eyebrow in question, Hephaistion turned red, "… he just left. Philip, um… The King requested his presence."
"And what are you still doing here if Alexander left?" asked Ptolemy with a smirk, knowing exactly what was going on, but loving to see Hephaistion squirm.
"I um…" Hephaistion didn't know what to say and looked down embarrassed.
"You like him don't you?..." at this Hephaistion looked up shocked, "…More then you should as well…" added Ptolemy with a sad sigh. Hephaistion knew there was no point in denying but kept silent in any case.
" I just hope you know what you are doing. Many people love Alexander and would do anything to be his priced loved one…."
"I do not want…" protested Hephaistion.
"Do no deny it, I have seen the way you look at him when you think no one is watching. It's the way he looks at you as well."
"Really?" asked Hephaistion, hope in his eyes. Ptolemy sighed and nodded,
"Yes, you are both in to deep already. But be careful Hephaistion. Alexander may not show it but he is hurt very easily, especially by those he loves. You must be more then just a friend and lover…"
At the last word Hephaistion shook his head, not believing this was happening,
"We are not lovers…"
"I know you aren't… yet." Hephaistion blushed again, "Watch Alexander's back but watch yours as well. Protect him from the world, help him when you can. Stand by his side. And above all, love him like no other can. If you cannot do this, then please stop now before he gets to attached to you. I fear, if he does and then loses you, he will not survive long."
Hephaistion mulled over Ptolemy's words, staring in his eyes thinking about all the possibilities. Suddenly he saw Alexander face smiling sweetly at him and he squared his shoulders, saying,
"I can do it and I will. I promise you that."
Ptolemy stared in his eyes for awhile, seizing him up before sighing.
"I believe you will." Then turned and walked out without a backwards glance.
Hephaistion sighed, before going to his own room. Preparing his armour and weapons before going to the mess hall and eating some bread and soup.
Soon, it was time for them to leave.