Title: "After Ecbatana"

Author: Baliansword

Chapter: 7, "Comfort"

A/N: Still own nothing but my words. There is slash in this chapter, so if you have a problem with that, I suggest you skip this chapter.

Hephaestion looked up as the doors to his room opened. Alexander entered, clearly distressed. It did not surprise him that Alexander was here. When he was angered he often found his way to him. Hephaestion glanced down at Aryse, who was still arranging his clothing, and tilted his head towards the door. She knew what this meant and left the room quietly.

"How is she," Hephaestion asked as Alexander crossed the room.

"I despise her," Alexander insisted. He was close enough now that he was able to throw his arms around Hephaestion. He let out a deep breath into Hephaestion's shoulder. Hephaestion wrapped his arms lightly around Alexander and held him, knowing that in doing so it soothed Alexander more than a thousand kisses could have.

"I love only you," Alexander told Hephaestion as he drew back so that he could put a hand on his cheek and stare into the depths of his cerulean eyes. To him there was only one person in the world that loved him, and would protect him, and would never dream of hurting him in any way. Hephaestion was that man, and he loved him truly, as Hephaestion loved him. They were the same, but at the same time, so very different.

"Alexander," Hephaestion said as he took a lock of Alexander's blond hair and tucked it behind his ear. He then kissed him lightly on the forehead. "You know that I love you more than anything. I hate seeing you like this. Tell me what I can do."

Hephaestion did not have to wait for an answer. Instead, he brought his lips to Alexander's. He kissed him lightly, and told Alexander in doing so that he loved him and would never stop loving him. He would never hurt him, only love him. Alexander put a hand on Hephaestion's hip, the other he put on his neck. He then let his lips part to Hephaestion's and felt Hephaestion's tongue slide into his mouth, bringing passion and fire with its warmth.

Alexander let his hands find Hephaestion's robe, and he pushed the silk away. He just wanted to touch him, to know that he was truly there and not dreaming. He let his hands wander, one to the back where he felt the grand muscles in his shoulder. The other he placed on Hephaestion's chest, and he felt the warmth there, and it seemed as if it were only for him.

Meanwhile, Hephaestion continued to kiss him deeply. He let their lips part so that he may kiss his neck, and his shoulders, and then his pectoral muscles. Alexander shivered as Hephaestion drew him close and began to slowly pull at the tie to his robe. His fingers were delicate, soft, not like those of a man in the army. But somehow he had managed to keep his body delicate, yet perfect, if for only Alexander's sake.

Alexander's robe fell to the ground and Hephaestion brought them to the bed. He sat Alexander down, and then let Alexander slowly lower his silken trousers. Alexander kissed his hip, his lips like fire, before Hephaestion put a hand on his shoulder and lowered him onto his back. Alexander pulled himself further onto the bed, and let out a small gasp as Hephaestion began to pull his pants away from him. His fingers were light, barely touching his skin as he lowered the silk away from him. His light caresses sent shivers down the king's spine.

Hephaestion brought his lips back to Alexander's neck. As he trailed down to his chest Alexander wrapped his arms around Hephaestion's back. He dug his fingers into Hephaestion's flesh, knowing that he would not mind. Hephaestion continued to kiss him, sliding further and further down his chest. Alexander found himself gasping for breath when Hephaestion slid further, and took him in his mouth.

Hephaestion's hair was spread out on his chest, and was covering the sweat that was beading upon the both of them. Alexander wanted to reach down, and touch him, but could only reach his head. He wrapped his fingers in Hephaestion's head, and held him, as Hephaestion took him even deeper in his mouth.

"Phae," Alexander whispered his name. He knew that he would reach his climax in a matter of moments. He wanted to scream but couldn't find the breath for it. He arched his hips slightly before he came. He gasped out Hephaestion's name once more. He tried to reach out for him, to beckon him to come to him, but Hephaestion didn't come. Instead he continued to lap at him.

Finally he felt Hephaestion's lips come back to the hardened planes of his stomach. Alexander drew in a breath. He was reaching for Hephaestion again, and as Hephaestion's kisses came further up his chest, he found his hands on his shoulders. Hephaestion's lips came to his neck, and then to his lips. Alexander kissed him, as if he were desperate and would never see him again. Hephaestion did not mind Alexander's fervor, instead he kissed him passionately back. While he did, Alexander spread his legs, wanting to make sure that Hephaestion could comfortable position himself above him.

Hephaestion continued to kiss him as he shifted, positioning himself over Alexander. Alexander pulled at Hephaestion's back, wanting him to completely cover him. Hephaestion was careful though, as he lowered himself only a few inches closer to Alexander. He continued to kiss him, moving back to his shoulder, where he lightly bit Alexander.

Alexander began to move so that he would be on his chest. Hephaestion helped him do so, touching him lightly, and calmly. Alexander took Hephaestion's arm and pulled him so that he would be forced on top of him. Hephaestion let out a surprised gasp as Alexander reached back and pulled him to him. Alexander felt Hephaestion's erection pressed against him, and he wanted him, he wanted him more than he had any other night before.

"Phae," he seemed to plead. Hephaestion entered him, kissing his back, and letting his hands roam over his chest. He'd never heard Alexander seem so desperate in wanting him before. Yet he knew that Alexander loved him, only him, and needed him tonight more than ever.

Hephaestion put a hand on Alexander's back, and drew his fingers down his spine. Alexander let out a gasp as Hephaestion pushed himself further into him. He could feel him inside of him, and his sacs rubbing against him. Alexander called out his name again, this time a faint whisper, and Hephaestion reached his climax. Hephaestion, breathing hard, put his forehead to Alexander's back. He just breathed on him for a moment, kissing his back, before he could move.

They both lay there afterward, Alexander on his chest, Hephaestion on his back. There was a silence as Hephaestion pushed himself onto an elbow. He then lightly let his fingers wander over Alexander's back. He moved his hair off of his back and touched the hairs at the base of his neck. Alexander turned his head so that he could watch Hephaestion as he touched him fondly.

"You seem different," Hephaestion whispered quietly. "Tell me what is wrong. Tell me anything Alexander, I want to listen."

Alexander pushed himself onto an elbow so that he could look at Hephaestion. He reached out pulled a lock of hair away from Hephaestion's face. The hair was damp from perspiration. Alexander then touched his thumb to Hephaestion's lips. He was beautiful, and he was his.

"For the first time," Alexander quietly poured out his soul, "I felt scared. When you were ill, I was scared. Life isn't for us, is it Hephaestion? Is it all just the games of the gods, them pulling us around, wanting us to brake eventually? I feel broken, because I fear for what will happen to us, to you and I."

"Alexander," Hephaestion said quietly, "you yourself are the only god I have ever known. You have the world because of what you have done, not what others have done. You cannot worry about what happens around the corner. What is meant to happen, will happen. There is nothing you can do about life or death. Just live life, live it now, and nothing will separate us. Not even death.

"I have begun to wonder about Arabia."

Hephaestion's lips parted, as if he were going to speak. But he did not. Instead, he let out a soft breath of air. He then smiled softly. Leaning forward, he kissed Alexander lightly on the lips.

"You are Alexander," Hephaestion stated. "You are the sun, and no one can take that away from you. Fate can only get us so far. What you, you alone, chose to do makes you who you are. If you do not wish to go to Arabia, do not go. But if you want Arabia, it should not matter what any others say. Take Arabia. Let it be yours."

"You are the only one that has ever believed in me."

"No I'm not," Hephaestion said as he traced Alexander's jaw line with his fingers. It was true. There were others that believed in him, at least for the most part. But to say that he was the only one to believe was false. Others believed in Alexander just as much as he did.

"You have never questioned me, never asked why. You just believed Hephaestion, as if it were meant to be. I love you Hephaestion, you and no other."

"I love you as well Alexander."

"Phae," Alexander said as he put his hand over his lover's on his face. "Tell me, promise me, that you will let me know if I am being an idiot. If I ever purpose an idea that is idiotic, tell me. And if I ever neglect you, ever, tell me Hephaestion. You never say a word. Please, be honest with me."

"Your ideas are never idiotic," Hephaestion said with a soft smile. He laughed softly then. "Perhaps at times they seem insane, but even in the face of an elephant army, your ideas work."

Alexander laughed. He then leaned forward, kissing Hephaestion, and pushing him back so that he was flat on his back. Alexander kissed his chest. He then put his forehead to Hephaestion's chest. Hephaestion put his hand on his head, gently brushing his hair with his fingers, and waited for Alexander to sleep.

Within a few moments, Alexander was asleep. Hephaestion just listened to his slow breathing for a moment. He just stared, wondering what had gotten into Alexander. But he could not complain. He was in Alexander's arms, and that was all that he had ever wanted of him. Hephaestion then lay back and closed his eyes, and drifted off to sleep.