They walked a little further down the beach to an area that was secluded on two sides by some smooth boulders. Alexander removed his cloak and spread it on the soft sand. He looked up to find Hephaestion watching him quietly. Stepping forward, he reached for the clasp that held Hephaestion's cloak in place and released it, the heavy red fabric sliding from his shoulders and onto the sand. "Be still" Alexander whispered.
Hephaestion stood obediently still as Alexander slowly undressed him. The pins holding his chiton were removed, and the garment dropped from Hephaestion's shoulders, gathering around his waist by his belt. Alexander knelt down in front of Hephaestion and began unlacing the sandals that he wore, finally removing them and setting them aside. He then stood, running his hands down Hephaestion's smooth chest until they came to rest on his belt. Holding Hephaestion's gaze steadily, Alexander unfastened the belt, and the chiton slid down, baring Hephaestion's body completely. Alexander took a step back and took in the sight before him. Smooth skin and hard muscles, highlighted by the glow of moonlight, took his breath.
"By the gods, Hephaestion" Alexander spoke, almost reverently. "You are so perfect."
Hephaestion smiled softly. He slowly undressed Alexander, dropping his clothes and boots to the side.
Wordlessly, they came together, arms wrapped around each other and pulling their bodies flush. Their kisses were unhurried…long, slow and deep. Hands roamed gently, mapping each curve and contour of each other's body almost as if it was the first time.
Alexander stepped back from Hephaestion's embrace and sat down on the cloak, reaching a hand up in invitation.
Hephaestion took Alexander's hand and sat down beside him. He lifted the hand that he held and tenderly kissed each knuckle, his eyes locked on Alexander's. In the moonlight, he thought Alexander was truly breathtaking. With a soft smile, he lay down and pulled Alexander down with him.
Alexander leaned over Hephaestion and captured his lips in another kiss, this one a little more passionate than before. He felt Hephaestion's arms wrap around him and hands gently stroke his back and shoulders. With a playful nip at Hephaestion's lower lip, he began kissing his way down the tender column of Hephaestion's neck. He licked and nibbled his way to the sensitive spot below Hephaestion's ear, chuckling softly as Hephaestion shivered and goose bumps broke out over his body. He continued his journey down, softly kissing his way down the strongly muscled chest, pausing to tease each sensitive nipple, nipping at them gently and then soothing them with the flat of his tongue.
Hephaestion squirmed and moaned softly, his fingers carding through Alexander's soft curls. He sucked in a sharp breath as a playful tongue dipped into his belly button, and he couldn't suppress the laugh. "Alexander!" he breathed, "stop that! You know that tickles!"
Alexander simply grinned at him and continued his exploration. He kissed his way down, to the side of Hephaestion's hip and down one of those thighs he was so teased about. He kissed his way down to a slender foot with its long toes, then moved his attention to the other foot and began his journey back up. He reached Hephaestion's hip again and paused, looking up to see Hephaestion watching him, biting his lip. He knew that look. He knew Hephaestion was having hard time being still. Alexander ran his hand up the hard length of Hephaestion's arousal and leaned over him, letting his warm breath ghost over the heated flesh.
Hephaestion shifted his hips impatiently. Alexander's slow exploration of his body was torture, but he forced himself to remain still. He felt the tip of Alexander's tongue swipe out to taste him, and he shuddered. He felt a great need to touch Alexander, so he tugged gently on a curl. "Come up here, Alexander. Please."
Alexander smiled at Hephaestion and crawled slowly up the length of his body, letting his own body rub teasingly over the one beneath him. He felt Hephaestion's hands grip his shoulders, and he suddenly found himself on his back with Hephaestion leaning over him.
Alexander's wide eyed expression made Hephaestion laugh. "You know you never could beat me."
"Who said I was trying?" Alexander grinned.
Hephaestion smiled down at him, then lowered his head and claimed Alexander's lips in a passionate kiss. He shifted his body and wrapped a leg around Alexander's, pulling their bodies closer. He broke the kiss and began kissing his way down Alexander's neck, working his way down just as Alexander had done to him. He gently suckled at each dusky nipple until they were tiny, hardened peaks before continuing his journey down the flat planes of Alexander's stomach.
Alexander moaned softly as Hephaestion's fingers curled around him, and gasped as a warm wet mouth enveloped him and drew him in. His breathing quickened as Hephaestion continued to devote his full attention to the heated column of flesh in his grip. He fisted one hand in Hephaestion's long hair, and gripped the cloth of his cloak with the other.
Hephaestion didn't let up until Alexander was a squirming, panting mess beneath him. He moved slowly back up Alexander's body, rubbing himself against him as he went. He kissed his way back up Alexander's jaw line before claiming his lips once more in a deep kiss. Finally breaking the kiss, he nuzzled Alexander's neck, breathing softly in his ear. "I want you, Alexander."
Alexander shivered at the feeling of the warm breath on his neck, and the sound of Hephaestion's husky, baritone voice in his ear. When Hephaestion raised his head to look down at him, Alexander smiled softly. He reached up and brushed a stray lock of hair from Hephaestion's eyes. "Then claim what is yours, my beloved."
Hephaestion kissed him again, and then raised himself up on his arms, looking down at Alexander. He tensed up slightly and paused.
Alexander noticed the hesitation immediately. "What is wrong, Hephaestion?"
"We don't have any oil, Alexander. I won't risk hurting you."
Alexander smiled. "Look in the pouch that I was wearing around my waist."
Hephaestion rummaged around under Alexander's discarded clothing until he came across a small leather pouch. He pulled it open and pulled out a small vial of oil. He cocked an eyebrow and smirked at Alexander. "Do you always carry this with you?"
Alexander laughed. "Well, you never know when such an opportunity will present itself. Best to be prepared."
Hephaestion shook his head and smiled. "I like the way you think." Hephaestion kissed him again until he was breathless. Breaking the kiss, he rolled off Alexander's body and sat up. "Turn over, Alexander."
Alexander knew exactly what Hephaestion wanted, so he obediently rolled onto his stomach. As much as he loved watching Hephaestion's face as he came apart, there was something about this position that he loved. Only Hephaestion would ever see him this vulnerable. Only Hephaestion did he trust enough to offer this most intimate of gifts.
Hephaestion poured some of the oil onto his fingers and set the vial aside. He leaned over Alexander, tenderly kissing the back of his neck and shoulders while gently preparing them both. "I want only you, Alexander. No other. Always, only you."
Alexander bit his lip and tried not to cry out as Hephaestion slid into him, not in pain, but in pleasure. He felt Hephaestion shift slightly and lay the full length of his body against Alexander's back. Feeling the warmth of Hephaestion's breath on his neck made him shiver.
Slowly and carefully, Hephaestion began to move…long slow movements, wanting to draw their pleasure out as much as possible. He raised his upper body up on his arms, changed the angle, and pushed in a little harder. He was rewarded with a rich moan from the man beneath him.
Alexander saw stars as Hephaestion hit that spot over and over. He squirmed impatiently, pressing back against Hephaestion's hips, needing more. "Please..." he breathed.
Hephaestion slid his hands to Alexander's shoulders and pulled, raising himself to his knees and pulling Alexander up with him so that Alexander was on his hands and knees. He gripped Alexander's hips as his movements increased, a little harder and a little deeper. He wanted more contact with Alexander than this, so he sat back on his heels, pulling Alexander upright so that he was sitting in Hephaestion's lap, straddling his legs with his back pressed against Hephaestion's chest. He nipped at Alexander's neck and shoulders as he pushed up into him.
Alexander moaned softly as Hephaestion slid a hand around his waist and took him in hand, stroking him.
Alexander moved his own hips, pressing back against Hephaestion. He felt Hephaestion tremble beneath him and knew he was struggling to keep control. He turned his head just a little and kissed Hephaestion's jaw, speaking softly against his cheek. "Let it go, Hephaestion."
Hephaestion pushed in hard a couple times and shattered, biting down on Alexander's shoulder to keep from screaming. His release sent fire shooting through his veins and he shook with the force of it. He was vaguely aware of Alexander's own soft cry and the pulsing of the hard length in his grip as Alexander found his own release. He stroked Alexander a few more times and then slid both his arms around Alexander's waist, holding him tightly as their ragged breathing began to slow and their heart rates returned to normal.
Finally, Alexander pulled free of Hephaestion and turned to face him. He reached up and took Hephaestion's face in his hands, kissing him tenderly. Pushing a sweat dampened strand of hair from Hephaestion's eyes, he smiled softly at him. "I love you, Hephaestion. I don't say it enough, but I do. With everything that I am, I love you."
Hephaestion smiled in return. "And I, you, my Alexander."
They looked into each other's eyes a moment and then reluctantly pulled apart. "I suppose we need to get back to camp, Hephaestion. Tomorrow will be a busy day." Alexander stood and reached out a hand to Hephaestion.
Hephaestion took his hand and allowed Alexander to pull him to his feet. He embraced him and kissed him gently before backing away. "We should get dressed and go. We need to be well rested for tomorrow." He gathered his clothes and began dressing, glancing over at Alexander who was doing the same.
Quietly, they finished dressing and made their way back up the beach to their camp. They stopped at the entrance to the royal tent and turned to face each other. Hephaestion took Alexander's hands in his and smiled. "Rest well, Alexander. I will see you in the morning."
Alexander shook his head. "No, Hephaestion. Stay with me."
Hephaestion hesitated only a moment before nodding his head in consent.
Once inside, they quietly undressed and washed before climbing into the bed, drawing a light covering over themselves. With a brief kiss good night, both men fell asleep almost instantly.