Author: Baliansword
Chapter: 10, "Persia's Changes"
A/N: Thanks everyone for your concern. I'm going through some hard times with my boyfriend at the moment. So I had to take a break from the writing for a few days. So sorry! Hope this chapter isn't too late!
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He leaned over him, kissing his forehead lightly. There was not response at first, but he kissed him again, heart fluttering and mind racing. After a moment Alexander turned his cheek. Slowly opening his eyes he smiled up at Hephaestion, who was obviously in the greatest of moods. Hephaestion kissed his forehead once more before crawling onto the bed next to him. There was something different about him, something changed, and as he looked at the spark in his eye he already knew what it was. So Persia had changed him too.
"Well," Alexander said as he, still rather tired, positioned his head on Hephaestion's chest. He waited for a moment, breathing lightly on Hephaestion's exposed flesh. Hephaestion's mood seemed to lessen for a moment as he ran his finger's through Alexander's golden hair. For a moment the king thought that he had angered Hephaestion, and was about to say something, but Hephaestion merely drew in a breath.
"She's not you," he said faintly, toying with his hair to soothe his mind. It was hard to utter the words, for there had never been another, apart from Cassander. And even that was recent. Alexander, however, was usually the one that would tell him of his extravagant nights with others. It hurt, sometimes, but never too much, because he always came back to him. Yet for him to be the one detailing the previous night, it was different. Part of him felt as if he'd let Alexander down and the other piece of him told him that it was fine, it was needed, just like it was needed for Alexander to wander from time to time. It took him a moment to settle his nerves, he'd been so excited to tell him, but now he was not sure.
"Go on," Alexander encouraged him though. He reached up, pressing a hand over Hephaestion's, and kissed his palm. Hephaestion laughed for a moment, quietly, and then continued.
"There was something different," he told him, sharing his soul with a smile. He paused, thinking. "Ah, Alexander, it was wonderful. Different from you and I, but fragile, passionate, still blissful. It was as if for just a moment I knew everything would be fine. Like…the time in Pella, in the caves, when we were younger. Do you remember the time I speak of?"
"I do," Alexander said as he curled up further upon Hephaestion's chest. He was warm even though it seemed cold in the room. It was likely from the breeze. Alexander kissed his chest softly, blowing his breath faintly upon him, wishing he would continue. He'd done the same many times before. It should not have been so hard for Hephaestion.
"It was like that," he said, "new and exciting, but terrifying at the same time. I was afraid at first, but somehow, things just made since. Like they did with you."
"Oh Hephaestion," Alexander said as he pushed himself up and rolled out of bed. He threw a robe on and went to the water basin to wash his face. His next words were bitter, even though he did not mean for them to be. "You've always been good at anything you set out to do."
Hephaestion sat up, glancing down at his hands. He said nothing, just glanced up at Alexander. His cerulean eyes hid nothing from the other though. Alexander sighed as he splashed water upon his face. It need not be said that he did not mean the words as they came out. In truth he was worried for him, unsure of what was going to happen here, and overall he loved him. Sharing him was something he was going to have to do. He could not live by a double standard. Yet, it was easier said and thought, than seen and done.
"I told Ptolemy that I would meet with him this morning. Parmenion and Nearchus are joining. You're welcome to come," Alexander told him as he began to dress. He usually never dressed himself when Hephaestion was present but for the first time in a long time Hephaestion just sat and watched him. It was amazing how the fabrics seemed to melt upon his skin and mold to him as if he were born with them. There was something perfect about everything he did to dress, each movement, each lacing put perfectly in place. Yet silence never lasted long with Alexander.
"However," he continued, "I ran into Cassander last night. He was looking for you. I told him where he could find you, since the matter seemed pressing. Did he manage to deliver his message?"
"No," Hephaestion responded as he rose from the bed. He paused, glancing at Alexander, wondering again if he'd done something wrong. However there was this whisper in the back of his mind, telling him to be regretful for nothing, for he was not merely Alexander's. "Go ahead and meet with Ptolemy, there are things I must attend to. The supplies inventory has to be checked."
"You don't have to start that yet," Alexander assured him, meaning it. But then again this was Hephaestion. If there were anything that needed to be done, it would be done as soon as he heard of it. Hephaestion said nothing more. He instead left the room, definitely not in the same mood he'd entered with. Alexander watched him go before lowering his voice, but looking up at the gods. He whispered, "Aphrodite, I beg of you My Lady, protect him. Give him what his heart desires, yet keep him from pain, and re-gift him back to me."
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A/N: Short….I know. But it is something to fill the time while writing the next chapter. I promise to try to quicken the pace again. However, you know how bratty boyfriends can be. They ruin your Muse! Anyway, sorting that out, but realizing you are all my favorites! I write to keep you pleased, so review if you have time, forgive me for being a slow updater.