Delphi IV by Kizzykat
The Stadium
Inside the stadium at the top of the mountainside, Alexander stopped behind the starting blocks and stared at the length of the deserted stadium, mist beginning to curl down the stone seats.
"Race with me, Hephaestion," Alexander said in his clear voice. He began to strip off his clothes, Hephaestion following his lead, as the bodyguards took their clothes for them and the priests looked on in bewilderment. Leonnatus and the other bodyguards smiled amongst themselves at the priests' incomprehension. They knew Alexander's love of dramatic gestures, his romantic ideals, and loved him all the better for his proud commitment to them.
Alexander and Hephaestion took their positions on the starting blocks, and Leonnatus started them off on the long sprint.
"Hephaestion," said Ptolemaios speculatively. Hephaestion's legs were longer than Alexander's and he was lighter built, but Alexander had the strength for sustained sprinting, and the reputation of a runner, like swift Achilles, his mother's ancestor.
"No, Alexander," said Arybbas. "I've seen him run before. Nobody beats Alexander. Go, Alexander!" he cried.
"Hephaestion! Go, boy, go!" cried Ptolemaios, and they all began shouting loudly, their voices echoing hollowly around the empty stadium.
Alexander won by a hand's length, touching the far wall a moment before Hephaestion. Panting heavily, his naked chest heaving, Alexander leant against the wall, turning with a breathless laugh to Hephaestion, his eyes dancing with joy, knowing Hephaestion had not let him win.
Hephaestion, his breath burning in his lungs and throat, barely had the strength to grin ruefully back at Alexander as he held himself up with an outstretched arm. "I almost had you," he said hoarsely after a moment, grinning at Alexander.
"Never, my Patroclus," Alexander said with a laugh, catching Hephaestion in a loose hug to let them both breathe.
Hephaestion hugged him back and Alexander said fervently, his chin against Hephaestion's shoulder, "The victory is for Achilles, Hephaestion. May he bless our endeavours in Asia and always grant me the victory." He stole a quick kiss to Hephaestion's cheek.
"The only thing that can stop us, Alexander," Hephaestion said devoutly, "is the envy of the gods that we will outshine their deeds."
With a breathless laugh, Alexander drew back from Hephaestion's chilling body to smile at him. "Let's get dressed," he said, "or we'll both catch our death of cold first."
Hephaestion returned his smile and together they trotted back the length of the stadium. They dressed to the congratulations of the bodyguards as the priests stood about in uncertain dignity.
Alexander smiled engagingly at the priests. "Gentlemen," he said, wrapping his cloak about himself. "Thank you for the use of your excellent stadium. My father will be well pleased to know that though the god's sanctuary is bare of ornament, its upkeep has not been neglected. I am sure he will make a victory dedication shortly. Now, I should like to visit the Castalia spring and the lower sanctuary before we ride back down to the harbour."