Alexander and Hephaestion joined the men relaxing under the trees for a bite to eat and a little wine, and Alexander sent one of his pages to collect the garlands from the old man. As soon as the boy returned, they would get ready for their race. As they waited, they sat back and relaxed, talking and laughing with their friends.

"So, Alexander, we all have to get naked, right?" Ptolemy made a face and shook his head. "Perhaps you should reconsider that. I mean, must we all be subjected to the sight of Craterus' hairy ass?"

That drew laughter from all around and a rude remark from a laughing Craterus.

Nearchus grinned. "That will be a sight. The whole lot of us running naked. Someone should warn the villagers to avert their eyes!"

Ptolemy seemed to be in a teasing mood. "Tell me, Hephaestion…who gets the honor of oiling you up?" He winked at Alexander and grinned. "Alexander, what about you? Or will you be oiling each other?"

"Gods, no!" Philotas laughed. "If they did that, they would never make it to the race!"

Hephaestion actually blushed at that, much to his chagrin. While their closest companions knew full well of their relationship, they didn't openly flaunt it, and Hephaestion wanted to keep it that way.

Alexander shook his head, smiling. "No, Philotas. That, my friend, is why we have slaves and pages. They will attend us and prepare us for the race." He turned to see his page approaching them with the garlands in his arms. "Speaking of that, I do believe it's time to get ready."

Hephaestion caught Alexander's eye and smiled. His heart was racing and he actually felt nervous, though he wasn't quite sure why. This was so important to Alexander, and Hephaestion wanted everything to be perfect. Beyond that, though, there was a much deeper meaning to this…one that warmed his heart and made him feel deeply honored. He climbed to his feet and reached his hand out to help Alexander up. They stood for a moment, their eyes conveying a message that only they understood, before Hephaestion stepped back slightly. "I will go and prepare, Alexander" he said softly. "I shall meet you back here shortly." He turned on his heel and walked to where his pages and slaves had been patiently waiting.

Alexander watched him walk away, deep in thought for a moment. Finally, he turned to his men. "Well, gentlemen, shall we?" With a smile, he walked in the opposite direction that Hephaestion had gone, pages and slaves in tow.

The rest of the men stripped down in preparation for the race, joking and making rude remarks to one another, all in the spirit of fun, of course. Spirits were high all the way around.

Hephaestion was nervous. There was no denying it, and it annoyed him that he felt that way. He removed his clothing, handing it to one of his pages as one of his slaves unlaced his sandals and removed them. Another slave retrieved a vessel of fine oil from his pack. Hephaestion stood patiently still as his body slave applied the oil to his skin, gently rubbing it in until his tanned skin glistened in the sunlight. A page placed a golden fillet around his head and stepped back. Hephaestion looked down at himself and then nodded to his attendants. "Thank you. Remain here until I return."

Alexander was ready, his skin oiled and slick, a golden fillet matching the one Hephaestion wore around his blonde curls. After giving instructions to his pages, he turned around with the intention of walking to where Hephaestion had gone to prepare. He didn't get far before he froze in his tracks, all the air suddenly leaving his lungs. Hephaestion was walking towards him, smiling. The sun brought out the bronze highlights in his flowing hair, braided neatly at the sides the way Alexander loved it. Hard muscles rippled under tanned skin that glistened with oil as he approached. Alexander let his gaze wander down the lean length of Hephaestion's body, giving a low hum of approval. He noticed with a sense of alarm that his body had begun to react to the vision before him, and he quickly raised his eyes to Hephaestion's face. He swallowed hard and blinked, trying to compose himself.

Hephaestion chuckled slightly, seeing Alexander's obvious reaction to him. He could tell that Alexander was having a difficult time making certain parts of his anatomy behave. Hephaestion knew exactly how he felt. Alexander looked every bit the son of a god that he claimed to be. He held Alexander's gaze steadily, not daring to look at the splendidly sculpted, oiled body of his beloved. A smiled curved his lips as he moved to stand in front of Alexander. His heart was racing and he took a deep breath and released it slowly to calm himself.

Alexander finally found his voice. "You look…you look incredible, Hephaestion. You put Ganymede himself to shame." He reached up and laid a hand gently on Hephaestion's shoulder. "Are you ready, love?"

Hephaestion nodded slowly. "I am." He paused slightly, searching for the words he wanted. "Alexander, I cannot begin to tell you what it means to me that you are sharing this with me. It is truly an honor."

"No, Hephaestion, it is I who am honored. The gods have given me a great gift, and I intend to offer my thanks for that gift. You are my Patroclus, and I am nothing without you." He smiled softly. "And I don't mind if they know that."

Hephaestion flushed slightly. This was as close to a public declaration of their love as either of them would ever give, but the message was clear enough to those who knew them well. He would give thanks to gods himself. His role would be to love, support and defend his Achilles, no matter what the cost. It was a charge he accepted willingly. "Well, then, Alexander, let's get to it. We will honor our heroes, and each other."

Alexander gave Hephaestion's shoulder a gentle squeeze before releasing him and backing away . "Come, Hephaestion, let's do this."

They walked together to where the rest of the companions stood, casually chatting and laughing amongst themselves. Philotas was the first to notice them, and elbowed Ptolemy in the ribs. "Would you look at them? They are practically glowing."

Ptolemy smiled and nodded his agreement. "Yes, they are. It makes you believe that Alexander's claim to be the son of Zeus just might be true. His notion of Achilles and Patroclus reborn seems entirely plausible."

Alexander smiled in greeting at his companions as he approached. "Well, gentlemen, are you ready for this?"

Ptolemy glanced around, seeing nods of affirmation from the others. "I believe we are, Alexander. How do you want to do this?"

"I would like all of you to run your race around the tombs first. Let's see which of you is the swiftest!" Alexander grinned, then his expression softened as he turned towards Hephaestion. "Hephaestion and I will run our own race afterwards."

Craterus stepped to the front of the group and gave a lopsided grin. "Be prepared to lose, you sorry lot! I'll give you a lovely view of my 'hairy ass', as Ptolemy so nicely put it, as I leave you in the dust."

Perdiccas laughed. "Go right on thinking that, old man. I doubt you can keep up with us!"

Alexander laughed and shook his head as the trash talk went back and forth between the men. He was pleased to see them all so relaxed and in such good spirits. "Okay, men, time to back up your bragging. Line up and get ready."

Alexander's friends and companions lined up and looked at him expectantly. Alexander raised his arm and smiled at them, then dropped his arm forward with a shout. "Go!"

Hephaestion stood back and chuckled quietly as he watched the pack of them take off, running as fast as their legs would carry them down the well-worn path that circled around the tombs. Even at their breakneck speed, they managed to elbow each other and shout teasing insults at one another. He glanced at Alexander and smiled. Alexander was laughing, his eyes sparkling with humor and happiness, and when he turned his gaze to Hephaestion, Hephaestion felt his breath catch in his throat. The joy Alexander felt radiated from him, and the smile he directed at Hephaestion was breathtaking.

Alexander winked at Hephaestion and then turned his attention to his rapidly approaching companions. They had circled around the tombs and were heading back towards where he and Hephaestion stood waiting. Ptolemy and Perdiccas were at the front of the pack, followed closely by Cleitus and a rapidly gaining Craterus. They rounded the last part of the turn and, much to everyone's astonishment, Craterus kicked in a last burst of speed and crossed the finish line a half step ahead of Perdiccas. The others all crossed the finish line in short order. Some of them collapsed on the ground, laughing and trying to catch their breath. Others bent over, hands on their knees, breathing hard.

Craterus turned and watched the last of them cross. He grinned and walked up between Perdiccas and Ptolemy, throwing an arm around each of them. "A good race. An even better finish!"

Alexander and Hephaestion exchanged a look and a smile, and then Alexander walked to over to congratulate the winner. "Good Craterus, well done!" He held out a laurel wreath that the villager had sent along with the garlands for the tomb, and he placed it on Craterus' head. He smiled at all of them. "Well done, all of you! And now…" he turned again to Hephaestion, his expression softening, "now Hephaestion and I will run and pay homage to the mighty Achilles and his brave and loyal Patroclus." He took a step towards Hephaestion and laid his hand gently on Hephaestion's cheek. "Are you ready, my beloved?"

Hephaestion was momentarily surprised by the term of endearment, something they typically didn't do in public. But then again, they were among friends here…friends who knew how close he and Alexander were. He smiled softly and turned his head, pressing a kiss to Alexander's palm. "Lead on, my Achilles."

They stepped together towards the starting line, turning their heads towards each other with a silent exchange that spoke volumes. Alexander turned to Craterus. "Craterus, as the victor of your race, I ask, would you do the honor of starting our race?"

Craterus smiled and came to stand in front of them, just off to the side. "I would be honored, Alexander."

Hephaestion's heart was racing and he had to remind himself to breathe. It was a very rare thing for his nerves to get the better of him, but this…this was different. He watched Alexander as he spoke with Craterus and noticed that, despite Alexander's bright mood and air of confidence, there was a slight hitch in his breath. No one but he would have even noticed it, but it was there. Alexander was nervous, too.

Alexander turned his attention to Hephaestion again, a small exhale of breath escaping his slightly parted lips. Finally. This was it. This race meant so much more to him than any of them could imagine. Except Hephaestion, and he understood perfectly. With a small smile he faced forward and took a deep breath.

It was time.