Aristotle shook his head in amusement. Hephaestion seemed to be making up for Alexander's absence by constantly trying to draw him into philosophical discussions that had nothing to do with the day's lessons. Those two really were one soul in two bodies.

"Hephaestion, you have spent entirely too much time with Alexander. You are as bad as he is!" He grinned at Hephaestion. "I'm not sure I can handle two of you. Now….if you don't mind, can we get back to geography please?"

The other boys groaned. Nobody wanted to study geography. It was more fun to watch Hephaestion and Aristotle banter back and forth, even if most of them couldn't have cared less about what they were discussing.

Hephaestion nodded. "Of course, Master Aristotle" he said, his blue eyes twinkling and a lopsided grin on his face. "Please….carry on."

Aristotle laughed at Hephaestion's expression. No wonder people tended to fall all over themselves around him. Who could resist that face? Hephaestion, of course, was fully aware of that and knew Aristotle would forgive his interruptions.

"Now, where were we? Oh yes, geography…."

The rest of the day had flown by and the boys were now relaxing and playing games after their evening meal.

Hephaestion had gone off alone to a small grove of olive trees where he and Alexander would often go to spend time together and talk. He lay on his back, staring up at the clouds, fluffy and white against the brilliant blue of the sky. He missed Alexander. He had been called back to Pella by Philip to accompany him to some sort of diplomatic meetings with…well, Hephaestion couldn't remember the details. Alexander had grumbled unhappily about having to go, knowing that he would most likely be bored out of his mind, and not really sure why his father insisted on him going In the first place.

Hephaestion had merely smiled at him and reminded him that as prince, regent, king, or whatever title he happened to have, his life would be full of boring meetings, administrative tasks, negotiations, and the list went on. Alexander had smiled at him and simply said "That's what I have you for". Hephaestion had a feeling there was a lot of truth to that statement.

Alexander wasn't sure how long he would be gone, so they had stayed up all night making sure that they each had something to remember the other by. A bleary eyed and slightly sore Alexander had gingerly mounted up after their breakfast the next morning and ridden out. Hephaestion had a lovely bruise on his shoulder where Alexander had bitten him in a moment of passion. No doubt he would be teased about it, but he really didn't care. It was well worth it.

Now Alexander had been gone nearly two weeks, and Hephaestion thought he would go crazy if Alexander didn't return soon. Oh sure, he could have taken matters in hand himself, but that was no cure for the fire that burned in his blood for Alexander. He would wait. And gods help Alexander when he got back. That thought made him smile, and he closed his eyes and dozed off in the cool grass.

His nap was disrupted by the sensation of someone pressing their lips gently to his forehead. Without opening his eyes, Hephaestion smiled and reached up to touch the face of the one leaning over him. He sighed happily. "Mmm…Alexander. I am so glad you're back. I've been going crazy without you here. I'm going to drag you to our room and take advantage of you. Repeatedly."

Just then he heard snickering and his eyes flew open. Perdiccas was leaning over him, making a kissing noise while Nearchus and Ptolemy stood behind him, laughing.

"Hephaestion!" Ptolemy teased. "Is that any way to talk to your prince?"

Nearchus grinned. "Tell us, Hephaestion, just what do you plan on doing to him? We want details!"

Hephaestion jumped up and glared at them, though the slight twitch of his lips showed them that he was trying not to laugh himself. "You guys are so dead!"

The others turned and ran, laughing like crazy, and sprinting down the hill towards their quarters with Hephaestion in hot pursuit.