Hephaestion was upset to find that his father was called away on business and would not be back until the following afternoon. He nearly got the nerve to go and talk to King Philip, but decided he would be overstepping himself by doing so. The King had never been anything but kind to him, but he thought perhaps it was not his place to ask him directly. He would wait until his father got home tomorrow to ask.

He sat unhappily on the edge of his cot, knowing full well that he would not be able to sleep.

Alexander, as usual, bounced in cheerfully and flopped down on his cot next to Hephaestion's. He sighed and stretched contentedly, then noticed that Hephaestion looked unhappy. He grew uneasy. "Hephaestion? What is wrong? Please tell me you did not receive bad news from your father? Please tell me you are going to Mieza with me!"

Hephaestion frowned and looked at the floor. "I would that I could, Alexander. My father was called away and will not be home until tomorrow afternoon. I will have to wait and speak with him then."

Alexander came over and sat next to his friend, putting his arm around his shoulder and squeezing lightly. "I am sure it will be okay, Phai. My father knows you are my best friend, and I do not think he would leave you behind. I know that Ptolemy, Leonnatus, Nearchus and Perdiccas are going. There are others, too, though I don't know all of them yet."

Hephaestion groaned. "Please tell me that Cassander is not one of them."

Alexander laughed. "I am sorry my friend. Cassander is going as well."

"Great" Hephaestion mumbled.

Alexander hugged Hephaestion tightly and rubbed his back. "Relax, Phai. I will protect you from Cassander."

That made Hephaestion laugh, and he snuggled his face into the crook of Alexander's neck. He felt the tension leave his body and relaxed into the embrace.

"All will be well, Phai. You will see. I will make sure of it."

Feeling Alexander's warm breath in his ear suddenly made Hephaestion feel funny again. That little flutter in his stomach was back and he felt flushed. Why was he feeling this way? He did not understand. All he knew is that, lately, Alexander's touch made him feel….different. Not bad, just different. He felt like there was something he wanted to do but was not quite sure what that was. He did know that he wanted that touch and wanted it more often. It both relaxed him and excited him at the same time.

Alexander felt his friend tense up and figured it was because he was worried. He lifted the covers on Hephaestion's cot and slid under them. "Come on, Phai. I will sleep next to you tonight. Do not worry. I will be right here."

The fluttering in Hephaestion's stomach got worse, but he forced himself to relax and lie down next to Alexander and let him pull the cover over both of them. They had slept like this many times, so it should not have been a big deal. Something felt different this time. He had vague longings for….what? He did not know. He took a deep breath and snuggled back against Alexander, pushing his odd feelings aside to simply enjoy his friend's company. "Good night, Alexander" he said softly.

Alexander leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Good night, Phai."

He hesitated briefly before speaking. "Alexander?"

"Yes, Phai?"

"I love you."

Alexander grinned and snuggled against him. "I love you, too. Go to sleep."

He soon felt Alexander's steady breathing on his neck and let Hypnos claim him as well.

Hephaestion woke early before it was even light and was vaguely aware of something tickling his nose. He reached up to see what was there and felt soft curls. He sighed and smiled to himself. Alexander lay sprawled on his belly, one arm lying across Hephaestion's chest and his head tucked under his chin. His breathing was slow, deep and even against Hephaestion's collar bone. He loved how that felt. Sometimes Alexander could drive him crazy, but truth be told he needed him. He made him laugh, made him feel safe, and he couldn't imagine his life without him. He kissed the top of Alexander's head and snuggled closer. He wanted to stay like this forever. He knew his feelings for his friend were changing; he just wasn't sure what to make of it yet. Alexander mumbled something in his sleep and slid his hand down Hephaestion's chest, coming to rest just above his belly button. Hephaestion felt his stomach muscles tighten involuntarily and that tense, fluttering feeling was back. He felt that tingling feeling in his groin that he had begun to get from time to time. He slowly eased himself away from Alexander and sat up. He had an idea what that meant, but he didn't want to think about it just now. Alexander was his best friend, and he couldn't allow himself to think of him in any other way.

Alexander opened his eyes slowly, noting that the warm body next to him had moved and was sitting on the side of the bed. He yawned and stretched. "Good morning, Phai. You are up early!"

Hephaestion shook off the strange feelings and smiled down at Alexander. "Good morning, Alexander. I just woke up."

Alexander buried his face in the pillow. It smelled of Hephaestion, and he breathed in the warm scent of his friend. It always made him feel secure and calm. He lifted the thick blanket. "Come back to bed, Phai. It is early, and I am cold."

Hephaestion hesitated. "I do not know if I should, Alexander..." He had never hidden anything from Alexander and did not want to start now. "I just….well...lately I have been feeling…strange. Different. I do not know how to explain it."

Alexander studied his face carefully for a moment. "Like butterflies are in your stomach?"

Hephaestion gasped. "Yes! That is it exactly! How did you know?"

Alexander smiled shyly and looked away. "Because I have been feeling the same way sometimes. Whatever it means, Phai, you are my dearest friend and we will figure it out together. Do not worry. Now come back to bed. Please?" he said with a smile.

Feeling much relieved, Hephaestion crawled back under the covers and snuggled up to Alexander. He kissed him gently and returned the smile.

The boys fell asleep again, wrapped around each other, warm and content.