Title: Flecks of White (1/1)
Author: Adsagsona
Type: Romance
Rating: R
Disclaimer: Nothing about the movieverse Alexander belongs to me, I don't own a thing, sadly enough. I believe the real Alexander the Great and his companions belong to history and themselves.
Warnings: None, really.
Beta: None.
Pairing: Alexander/Hephaestion
Archive: Right here.
Author's Note: One of my dearest reviewers, Lexy (Empressofwhispers) wanted to know how Alexander would look at Hephaestion with tiny snow flakes in his hair.
Spoilers: For the movie 'Alexander'
Summary: Alexanders army is moving east, behind the former King of Asia, Darius. Hephaestion returns from a mission of his own. Fluff, one-shot.
A world of white
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Alexander felt like he was standing on the roof of the world, where everything seemed beneath him. His army coming after him was so tiny as they struggled over the small paths leading up towards the camp. They had cursed him throughtout this journey because he wanted to hunt Darius. Why? He had Babylon now and he was King of Asia, what more did he want?
Clarity. It was as simple as that. He was only King in name until Darius was captured and he wanted to be real for his people, solid. So he had pressed on and made a speech to his soldiers that the only way they could find riches is to pursue their goals. Alexander knew like no other what could motivate his soldiers and they had agreed with brutal force, their spears rattling against shields, shouting out.
Then he had to issue a mission he did not want. Sending Hephaestion away so that he could check the provisions for the army, counting what they still had left and it it would be enough to last through the entire campaign. Alexander had a secretary, and one who was very worthy of that position, but he could use help for tending to an army of thousands.
Hephaestion had protested, but not for long and as always he wanted to tend to the needs of his King. They had embraced longingly that morning before the young man had to leave, which was now more than two months ago. He had told Alexander that he would come behind the army for as soon as he could. The young man had smiled then and mounted his horse, giving a soft and secretive wave towards his King. They did not embrace where the world could see it, didn't share more than common affection. Everyone knew about Alexander and Hephaestion, but the first to prove it still had to announce himself.
"My King!"
A loud shout came from a guarding standing at the foot of the small hill where he had perched himself. Alexander was packed from head to toe with all kind of fabrics to keep himself warm. He could have never imagined how cold these circumstances were. Alexander recognised the difficulties of the soldiers to adapt to this kind of weather, had let blankets divide under them, but still it had not been enough. People never ceased to complain.
"What is it?"
"Lord Hephaestion has returned, my King."
Light eyes finally gave some attention to the soldier beneath him and he made the gesture that he had heard it. Two months… They had been apart before, but never for so long. Would he still remember Alexander like he was? Did he find someone else perhaps? They had talked about this numerous of times, that Alexander needed to find himself a wife, no matter how much he loved Hephaestion. The young man had just said that he would always wait for Alexander, that he wished him all of the happiness in the world, a son, an heir… everything he wished for.
Alexander had never loved Hephaestion more.
In the same time he was absolutely terrified that Hephaestion would come with someone of his own. A girl, a wife, or a boy who looked up at him and admired him greatly. It was far from impossible that Hephaestion would leave him before it could be the other way around. But the young soldier would never truly leave his King.
Walking down the small hill, he spotted Hephaestion from far away. He was dressed in a long coat made out of different furs, some from animals they had never seen in Macedonia. Bright blue eyes shimmered with mirth as he bantered with Ptolemy and Leonnatus, whom had seen him enter the campment.
Alexander got stopped in his tracks by the mere sight of the young man, who had not noticed him yet. It had begun to snow softly, small flecks of white clung to Hephaestions long hair, which was draped over his shoulders. Alexander found him so beautiful at that moment it took his breath away. Then something happened he could never imagine in his life. Ptolemy seemed to say something to which Hephaestion intently listened.
The General turned his head and spotted Alexander. He smiled brightly, white teeth visible. Stubble graced his cheeks, the snow covering his shoulders and clinging to his hair and the Kings heart felt painfully tight in his chest. He could not believe how dearly he loved this man.
Taking a few steps he stood in front of him, while Leonnatus and Ptolemy quickly excused themselves. They just stared at each other for a long moment, before Hephaestion began to speak.
"Alexander." He greeted softly as those pools of blue slowly took in the sight of his King. For a moment Alexander felt like he looked unworthy for a king, that he should dress before he could see one of his Generals. The look full of love in Hephaestions eyes was enough to realise it had not been true.
"I shall bring you my report soon, after I've cleaned up."
"No… come." Alexander answered before taking him by the shoulder and leading him towards the large tent which served as Alexanders own. Soft protests came from Hephaestions lips, but he knew that his King could be more than a bit stubborn when he wanted to be. Alone at last, Hephaestion stood in the middle of the tent.
"Your army will have problems getting over the pass."
Alexander looked up and nodded. He had known that from the moment they had set on this journey. Pouring in a goblet of wine lined with water for both himself and Hephaestion, he handed it over to the grateful General.
"Please, sit down." The young man then said to his companion. Now that the report, which could not be giving over before Hephaestion had written it properly, was a matter for the future, they both looked shyly at each other.
"I probably look like a pig and smell worse." Hephaestion softly whispered then as he looked down at himself. The snowflakes which had clung to his hair slowly fell down upon his lap, melting there. Alexander smiled at his General.
"You never seemed more beautiful to me."
It stopped Hephaestions motions and he looked up to Alexander, who sat opposite of him but not in arms reach. Standing slowly, Hephaestion slid the heavy cloak from his shoulders, revealing a purely Persian kind of tunic, in a faint red which contrasted with his now dark blue eyes.
Small pieces of glass clung to the hem, Hephaestion did not want to dress up like a Prince, but Alexander made him when they were together.
"Get out of those damp clothes, my love. There are other ones for you in that chest." Alexander gestured towards the wooden box in the corner, which sometimes served as a low table, but where he kept his own clothing. Hephaestion blushed and nodded, walking towards the wooden chest and opening it. Pure riches flowed through his fingers in silks and wool. Kneeling beside the chest, he took the first garment he had laid his hands on. It was of a soft green and appealed to him.
There was not much room for modesty in the tent, but he turned his back towards Alexander. Two months had been enough to make thim slight strangers from each other and his shyness did not dissipate knowing he had to disrobe. The small gasp as he dropped the large tunic to the floor made him look over his shoulder.
Alexander stood at a few feet from him and he beckoned his King to come closer.
"You have become so thin."
It was true, under the tautness of Hephaestions skin it was easy to count the ribs. Not unhealthy so, but compared to the General who had left him two months ago he was skinny. He looked a little pale in comparison too, but those had been happy times.
"These are dire times for everyone involved."
The young man gave a soft smile and nodded, his General was right as usual. Alexander took one step so that he stood in front of Hephaestion. Silently he brushed the hair of the young man out of his face, laying it softly upon his shoulders. Thin and paler than before, the General still looked utterly beautiful.
Hesitatingly he leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss on Hephaestions lips, before wrapping his hands around the slightly older male.
"Alexander? It's cold here… let me get dressed." The General uttered softly into the shoulder of his king, shivering. Standing naked in just a tent was enough to catch a cold or worse. In response Alexander wrapped his cloak around the both of them, his own body heat warming up the other young man.
"I don't think I'm letting you get dressed any time soon. I've missed you." He lapped at Hephaestions lips hungrily, who finally seemed to answer the kiss fully, opening his mouth and letting Alexander explore him once again. His lover felt solid and warm, real against the memory he had carried with him for over two months. There had been no letters, no messages… Utter silence on both parts.
Now he was standing right in front of Hephaestion, both of his hands on the lower back of the General and pulling him closer to his body. Not caring about the cold any longer, he wrapped his arms around Alexanders neck and kissed Alexander with abandon. Barely feeling that he was being coaxed towards the small field bed, the back of his knees bumped againt it and he fell down with a soft 'oof' on his part.
His lover loomed over him, but barely for a moment. Pulling his legs up so that they rested on the bed as well, he waited for Alexander to follow him. The King did so swiftly, tucking the both of them under the blankets. He waisted no time in divesting himself, moving towards Hephaestion, kissing and touching.
"Need you, missed you."
"Yes… aahh… so much." Hephaestion answered him as he answered the kisses, his hands seeking support on Alexanders upper arms, tracing a few of the tiny scars scattered there.
It did not take long before he wrapped both arms and legs around Alexander to receive him, moaning softly and closing his eyes at the sensation. Unlike his king, he did not frequent others when alone. He did not blame Alexander because he did so, he just chose not to. "Alexander, please…" He whimpered softly before the other obliged him. Soon after the both of them lay spent and relaxed on the small bed, kissing softly.
"Did I hurt you?"
"There was nothing that I could not handle. I wanted this as much as you." The young man answered before pressing a tender kiss on the lips of his king. When Alexander pulled back to look at him, Hephaestion glanced back a little uneasily.
"What is wrong?"
"Nothing." Alexander answered softly before brushing a strand of hair away from those brilliant eyes and tucked it behind the Generals ear. Fingertips brushed over the stubble on his cheeks and finally rested on his chest, where his heart beat.
"I was just wondering about the moment I saw you again today. Your eyes looked like the most precious jewels in the world… and I would give anything to see those snowflakes twirl about your hair again."
"Snow in my hair? It melts and it's wet, Alexander. There really is nothing about it which makes it attractive." Hephaestion muttered as he raked a hand through his wet hair himself.
Laughing softly, Alexander shook his head.
"You can make anything attractive, Phai. Even those white flecks in your hair."
Hephaestion smiled at the endearment and let one of his hands rest posessively on Alexanders hip. "Then I'll stand in the snow more often, if I always get a treatment like this afterwards."
"Oh, there is no doubt about that. Sleep, Phai… I want that report of you tomorrow."
"Don't worry, my King, you'll get it swiftly."
Hephaestion turned around and Alexander wrapped his arms around him, settling his hands on his stomach. Burying his face in Hephaestions hair he sighed softly. He had missed this thoroughly.
"I love you, Phai.
Hephaestion, barely awake, felt the soft kiss on his hair.
"Love you too, my Alexander."
In their little cocoon, away from the world, they slept soundly through the night.