It was very early the morning after Alexander's night of sickness that the lovers awoke, only to get ready for a meeting with the army to discuss tactics for the next battle as well as other such things. While this was a time of relative peace, it had always been Alexander's philosophy to always be ready for whatever came one's way. Strangely enough, that philosophy had not at all applied when he had told Hephaestion that he was with child.

As the blond whirlwind of energy known as the king of the known world rushed out the door that led to their chambers, Hephaestion followed quickly, fearful that his lover would injure himself after the rough treatment the night that put them both through.

"Alexander, wait!"

"I can not wait, Hephaestion! War waits for no man!"

Finally, Hephaestion caught up with his single-minded lover and stepped in front of him, forcing him to stop walking down the corridor.

"Dammit, Hephaestion! Move!" Alexander spoke to Hephaestion's chest rather than looking up at him.

"Alexander. Look at me Love, please look at me," finally, Alexander's stubborn gaze lifted, although he remained stonily silent. Hephaestion resigned himself to getting just that reaction out of his lover and told himself to be happy with that, "All right... Look, Love, last night was hard on both of us. You've got to let yourself rest or you will make yourself much sicker than you were last night. And I don't want that. And neither should you. You have to put Little Alexander's wants and needs ahead of your own now, as do I. He comes first, and rushing off to discuss a nonexistant war with your entire army does not serve his needs."

"But Phai! What if a war breaks out?" Alexander stood with his weight on his right leg, and with his hands on his hips. Hephaestion was extremely glad to see that Alexander's stance had changed minutely to accommodate the child he was carrying.

"If a war does break out, then I shall do everything in my power to protect you and our child. You, however, will not go rushing off into battle like you are prone to do. You will let me handle it and you will rest, do you hear me?"

"'Like I am prone to do?' 'Like I am prone to do?' Oh, I could just smack you! I am the king, if you've forgotten, and I can do whatever I damn well please!"

"No, you can not. Think of Little Alexander, Love. I know you are set in your ways, but you must think of him. Please think of him. Any little error you make could harm him. And I know for a fact that you would never wish harm on him. So please, let's just go back to bed and worry about war when there is truly a war to fight."

Alexander saw the pleading in Hephaestion's eyes and sighed heavily, turning around slowly and with a heavier footfall than usual due to the child and started to go back to their bedroom.

Hephaestion chuckled lightly as he walked beside him, "Love, I'm not punishing you."

"Then why can't I be outside, in the world, with people?" Alexander turned to him, and he saw tears sparkling in his multicolored eyes.

"This is the first time I've ever said "Let's stay in the bedchamber, Love-"

"No. If I'm remembering correctly, it was you who pleaded with me to stay with you the night Little Alexander was concieved. In fact- yes, you did reach for me as I began to dress the morning after. And you said-"

"All right, all right, there's no need for that," Hephaestion acquiesced with a dark blush coloring his cheeks, "The point is, you did not get your sleep last night, and I want to be sure you get it."

Alexander grinned mischievously, knowing what he was doing to Hephaestion, "If I asked, would you make love to me again like you did that night?"

Hephaestion, although knowing exactly what his lover was doing, blushed even deeper than before and bowed his head, trying to push Alexander along, "No."

"What if I pleaded, would you do it then? If I said "Oh Phai, I need you, take me, we are one soul in two bodies, find your soul within me and take me-!"

By this point, they had reached their bedchamber door once more, and Hephaestion fumbled for the handle before roughly pushing the door open and rushing a cackling Alexander inside.

"Shut up, just shut up," Hephaestion whispered in a menacing tone.

Alexander glowed with his teasing, grinning from ear-to-ear and laughing bodily even as his lover advanced on him, "You're aroused, are you not? Hey!" suddenly Hephaestion had grabbed Alexander around his middle and they wrestled briefly, taking care of Alexander's still flat belly.

"How dare you..." Hephaestion growled in his lover's ear as they lay on the floor, Hephaestion positioned over Alexander.

"You love me," Alexander grinned again, breathing coming slightly faster than normal.

"You are my weakness," Hephaestion agreed with a smile, "Come here, Love. I didn't hurt you, did I?"

Alexander shook his head against the floor, his fanned out golden hair becoming even messier as he did so, "No. And if you had, I would have told you so."

"Good. Come, into bed. You do not have to sleep if you don't want to, I only want you to rest. And I will lay right here with you," Hephaestion settled on his side of the bed after making sure Alexander was comfortable.

"Now, that sounds like a deal I'd be willing to make."

Hephaestion smiled as he began to card his fingers through Alexander's hair, an action that never failed to make the latter relax, "Rest, my Love."

And this time, Alexander did as he wished without a fuss.

AN: Just so you guys know, I made Alexander's tease to Hephaestion sound kind of ridiculous on purpose. After all, it is a tease. :) Hope you enjoyed this chapter.