AN: Hey, everyone! New chapter, yay! First though, something I want to address: Over the last few weeks, ever since picking this story back up and continuing it, I have gotten a handful of bad reviews. Now, if they were jut standard bad reviews I wouldn't even say anything; a person's opinion is a person's opinion. However, telling me that this story doesn't belong in this fandom and to get rid of it, is not just standard bad reviews.

I understand that everyone in this fandom is writing fanfictions based on books and a movie which center around historical characters. If someone chooses to stick more to the historical context and write that way, that's fine, I have no problem with that. I however do not tend to write that way. I write to better understand things and process things. Right now, I am going through something that is major for me, so I chose to write about it using Alexander and Hephaestion in a modern context to be able to process and make sense of what I am currently working through.

You will also notice that I have not stopped writing this fanfiction despite the bad reviews. There are two reasons for this. One, I already explained above. And two, I want any person who is figuring out who they are or who is struggling with anything similar to any of these scenarios to be able to see this fanfiction and see these characters and know that they are not alone, regardless of where they are in their own process and journey.

One last thing: Please remember that there are people who read the messages that you send, and are affected by them in some way. Thank you.

That being said, I ordered my first binder yesterday, so I decided to write this. Enjoy!

Alexander led Hephaestion into the store by the hand, coaxing them along with gentle words as Roxana and Ptolemy waited patiently behind the pair, knowing that Hephaestion's anxiety would ease a little once they got inside and saw it was safe.

"I can't Alexander, I can't!" They hissed in his ear, low enough to be heard only by the quartet, "It's embarrassing! What if I get laughed at?!"

"You won't, my love. This is a private business; you need appointments. And I will be with you the entire time, we all will."

"Scott was very considerate when I came in for my breast forms…" Roxana offered, her voice below a whisper. Ptolemy nodded to confirm her story. They had been with her for her appointment.

"You promise?" But Hephaestion was only focused on their boyfriend and what he had said.

Alexander took this in stride, knowing that Hephaestion wasn't purposely ignoring their friends; it was their anxiety, "Yes, my love, I promise. You are safe. Scott understands."

The only person in the store, Scott by his name tag, had noticed them as soon as they came in the door but had been letting them have a moment, but came forward to offer help now. Hephaestion tensed upon seeing his approach, "Everything all right?"

Alexander was the one to answer him, "Scott, hi. I'm Alexander. This is my datemate Hephaestion. We're your next appointment, I believe?"

Scott smiled, but it was kind and gentle, "Yes. Nervous? How can I help?"

"Give us a moment, please. We just need to take this slow."

Scott nodded, then reached out to Hephaestion, "Hello, Hephaestion. I'm Scott. Would you like to come inside and explore the shop a bit?"

Alexander thought Hephaestion might say no and bolt, but they took Scott's hand after studying his face for a long moment and Alexander stepped aside to let them through, smiling proudly after them. He followed them, and so let Roxana and Ptolemy in as well.

They all simply went to the consultation area of the shop and watched Scott patiently guide Hephaestion around until their body relaxed and they seemed much more comfortable. When they had relaxed, Scott brought them over to a seat and invited them to sit down.

"So Hephaestion, Alexander told me a little bit of what's going on and what you're looking for, but I would like to hear it from you."

"W-well… I'm nonbinary and transmasuline and I started testosterone a few months ago, but I really don't like what's left of my chest…" They winced, afraid of being laughed at or kicked out. Alexander reached over to take their hand and give it a comforting squeeze, though they didn't turn to look at him as Scott nodded.

"That makes perfect sense to me. Would you like to go get measured now? After that, we can try on binders."

Hephaestion tensed again, fear clear on their face, "Can- can Alexander come?"

Scott just smiled as Alexander stood up from his seat, "Of course."

Getting measured was hard because Hephaestion was nervous about their chest, but it was over quickly and then the choosing part began. And within the next hour, Hephaestion had their first binder. When it was all said and done, they couldn't stop smiling, and Alexander knew just by looking at them that their whole world had been changed by this small, great experience.