Vacationing in Athens Chapter 3, an alexander fanfic

Title: Vacationing in Athens

Author: Baliansword

Chapter: 3 of TBA

Rating: As always, for anyone who wants to read, but there very well could be some mature, adult situations. I trust you to regulate yourself, but you're probably mature enough to handle anything I write.

Pairings: Alexander/Hephaestion

Summary: After admitting their love for one another, Alexander and Hephaestion are separated when Hephaestion returns to Athens with his father, Amyntor, on Philip's business. When Alexander finds himself in Athens for a short visit Hephaestion takes him on a tour of the city. However fascinating the sights may be, it is what the two learn about one another that is most important.

Notes: This is just something that the Muses decide to give me right in the middle of my other story, "Arrows". Some of it coincides with some flashbacks that occur in "Arrows" but it is rather expanded into its own story. As always, read, review, and (hopefully) enjoy.

Athenian Guest Palaces

Temporary residence of Amyntor and his men.

The stresses of the trip had drained him and despite his best efforts to listen to Hephaestion describe an Athenian temple of worship Alexander had fallen asleep. It was not the reunion that he had desired. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes he began to sit up but found himself hampered by several damp clothes. He gathered the cloths and bandages from his forehead and shoulders first. After throwing them into the nearby basin he removed the fabric that Hephaestion had placed over his chest. Once he'd pushed himself into a sitting position be began untying the gauze the covered his thighs. Twice he stole a glance at the door, hoping that the footfalls he heard in the hallway belonged to Hephaestion and not guards. When Hephaestion did not enter he finished unwinding the gauze and tossed it into the basin. At first he'd thought Hephaestion's attempts to lessen the affects of the sun's rays were going to be frivolous. Yet as he surveyed his skin he noted that Hephaestion had weakened a majority of Apollo's assaults, almost as if he were working in unison with Poseidon. There were minor blisters left on his shoulders and a reddened patch of skin on his left thigh, and they ached when touched, but were nothing to fret over.

Twenty minutes passed before Alexander heard Hephaestion in the hall. As he listened to the conversation just beyond the door he leaned back, interested in the confidence that Hephaestion radiated in Athenian halls. His voice was firm as he told the guards to keep their distance, firmer still when he reassured them that he could protect the Macedonian prince should there be a sudden attack. His ability to command them was a combination of instantaneous authority and an underlying kindness, an acceptance of their position, and even an honest respect for their uncertainty and refusal to initially trust him. It was a technique that Alexander was not used to. However, he heard the guards move away from the door and watched as Hephaestion entered the room. He did not seem to notice the feat he had accomplished.

Hephaestion offered no greeting as crossed the large room. He did not know that Alexander watched him so keenly. His movements were simple, powerful even though he was unaware of how much attention he drew. His cerulean eyes were focused on the floor both because of his upbringing and his initial inability to be outwardly friendly with others. He was reserved but that only made him more gorgeous. In truth Hephaestion made no sense to Alexander when he attempted to define him. There were too many contradictions. He had the power to command but at the same time had tended to Alexander's burns as a diligent Andromache had tended to Hector's wounds. It would be easy for him to kill yet there was an inherent softness about him. Muscles of a warrior covered his body but his lips were soft, tender. As he sat down beside him Alexander blinked for the first time since he'd entered the room. Humble as ever Hephaestion had still not noticed that he was being meticulously studied. Instead he revealed the small jar that Alexander hadn't noticed.

"Ointment," he said, setting the lid down and lifting the jar to his nose. He didn't seem repulsed by the smell but Alexander knew that when it came to courteousness Hephaestion could hide his truer thoughts. When he held the jar closer to Alexander the concoction wafted to his nose. Alexander instantly coughed and pushed the jar away.

"What is that?" Alexander asked.

His friend did not answer. Instead Hephaestion stuck a finger in the thick lavender colored balm and coated the blistered skin on Alexander's shoulder before he could complain. Even as Alexander attempted to squirm away Hephaestion finished rubbing the remedy into the burned skin. Alexander's first instinct was to move away from the smell, which did not mirror its color, but Hephaestion's hands had always been able to firmly ground him in reality. He would have fought harder had he not enjoyed Hephaestion's touch upon him. His hands were soothing as he worked the ointment in. When he came to the worst piece of skin, which had already begun to bubble up, his fingers seemed to glide over the injured flesh. Alexander let his head fall back as Hephaestion moved to the opposite shoulder. He was oblivious to pain by the second shoulder. His body was responding to an entirely different sensation. Unabashed he let his imagination run wild as Hephaestion finished his shoulders and began working on his legs.

Fire met ice as Hephaestion pressed his cool hand and even cooler balm over his thigh. He sucked in a breath and flinched, momentarily stilling Hephaestion's hand. It did not take long for Hephaestion to go back to his work. Within seconds Alexander felt a conflicted feeling in his thighs, the sensation shooting back and forth between tingling and singeing. Matters were only made worse when Hephaestion had to lean over him to reach his opposite leg. Alexander could feel Hephaestion's breath on his skin as he lightly blew against his reddened skin before applying the ointment. Aware of what was to come he balled his hand into a fist and bit down on a finger. It was a valiant effort but there was nothing that could keep Alexander from moaning. As soon as he came he felt his entire body go limp. Swallowing the breath he'd been holding he tipped his head up to gauge Hephaestion's reaction. Hephaestion set the jar of balm onto the nightstand but said did not say anything for several breaths.

When he did he smirked, asking, "Stressed?"

"Unintentional."

"I could have stopped," Hephaestion admitted.

"And I thank the gods that you didn't."

Alexander sat up and in a swift motion slipped a hand behind Hephaestion's neck. Once Hephaestion was near he kissed him. He was not greedy as he savored the taste of Hephaestion. He kissed him deeply, tipping his head back so that he could have better access to his lower lip. Pulling Hephaestion's lower lip into his mouth he sucked lightly, drawing a quiet gasp from Hephaestion. Hephaestion put a hand on Alexander's back and began to push him back. As soon as Alexander's head hit the pillow the unmistakable sound of a knock echoed through the room. Hephaestion leaned back and slowly shook his head, motioning for Alexander to remain on the bed. Alexander did his best to cover himself with a blanket while Hephaestion made his way to the door. When Hephaestion reached the door he did not pull it open. Instead he placed his hand on the door, as if he could see beyond it through touch. Deciding there was no threat he unlocked the door and frowned. Hephaestion had four very different frowns and Alexander knew the one that he wore in that moment very well.

"You won't even see me," Alexander muttered.

Trusting Cassander was equivalent to trusting an asp. As he entered the room he offered Alexander a raised eyebrow. Clasping his hands behind his back he looked from the prince to Hephaestion.

"Am I interrupting something?" he asked.

"Its all you're good for," Alexander answered.

Hephaestion returned to his more distrusting nature when others were present. He allowed Cassander to approach Alexander and remained further back, eyes continuing to go back and forth between the prince and the snake. One of Hephaestion's many talents was blending in to the shadows when needed. Yet Alexander knew that he was doing far more that making himself invisible. Hephaestion was as calculative as Olympias in many ways and in others as imaginative as well. He could imagine the ways in which Cassander could strike and was preparing for each. Alexander could only assume that this was why his mother trusted Hephaestion above all others. In no way attempting to hide his disappointment Alexander turned his attention away from Hephaestion and scowled at Cassander.

"What do you need?" Alexander asked.

"I'd like to see Athens but the Greeks will not lend me any of their men for protection. And Amyntor's men are either with Amyntor, outside of your door, or standing outside of Hephaestion's room where they claim he's sleeping."

Alexander allowed a quiet chuckle to escape. It was not unusual for Hephaestion to sneak through the halls of Pella and Mieza. Alexander was not surprised that he had the same abilities in Athens. Cassander, on the other hand, was not yet interested in biting his tongue and remaining cordial. He wrapped his arms around his chest and narrowed his eyes at the young prince.

"I thought you came to be diplomatic. How will the Athenians view you disappearance?"

"Who are you to council Alexander?" Hephaestion asked. He remained behind Cassander but the warning in his words was clear.

There were many moments when the back and forth bickering between Hephaestion and Cassander entertained Alexander. There was a certain fire within both of them that attracted Alexander to their arguments. When nights were boring in Pella Alexander could hardly stop them from fighting at times. Mostly their arguments would end in a few sudden choice words and each parting and going in the opposite direction. In confined quarters Alexander could not be sure of the results. Before their words could become heated Alexander interrupted, sitting up and forcing his legs over the edge of the bed.

"Did you have dreams of visiting the whores of Athens, Cassander?" Alexander asked.

"I've already found Hephaestion."

"Watch your tongue," Alexander interjected. "If you're worried about politics pretend to enjoy one another's company for the remainder of this trip. I don't want whispers of dissent clouding Athenian minds."

Alexander knew that it was not Alexander he needed to worry about. It was in Cassander's being to be difficult. Yet despite his interruption and his ill-conceived attempt to be personable Cassander had brought up a valid point about Alexander's activities. In truth he cared nothing for his father. Had there truly been rumors spreading through all of Macedon and Greece about Philip's reign Alexander would not mind. For what rumors were spread of his father were often not incorrect. But if he remained in his room, burnt skin or not, he would not be able to tell his father that he had done anything diplomatic. He'd chosen to lie and now he had to continue to live with the lie –at least for a day or two. Rising from the bed he sauntered towards a nearby chest and began searching for something appropriate to wear. The dirt and sweat soaked chiton he was wearing would not do.

"Hephaestion, where would my presence be most noted?"

After a second's hesitation Hephaestion answered, "That depends on your goal. There will be orations throughout the city. I believe my father plans on attending a few of them on behalf of your father before he returns to discussions behind closed doors."

"I'm already friends with your father," Cassander interjected. "Would you mind if we cut our ties with him? I'd much rather see the city for what it is, not what your father pretends it to be. What else is there?"

"Philosophy…"

"No," Alexander and Cassander protested in unison, silencing Hephaestion's suggestion. Alexander instantly regretted the harshness of his words. Hephaestion released a breath and shifted his weight to his other foot. Alexander knew that Cassander did not note these changes. A thousand men would not notice the minute details of Hephaestion's changes in mood but Alexander, having watched him in anticipation for months, knew precisely what Hephaestion was now feeling. Anxiety. Uncertainty. The desire to remove himself from the situation but an inability to trust Cassander to remain alone with Alexander was also written plainly on his face. Once again Alexander had spoken too quickly. Yet, as always, Hephaestion did not turn from his company. Hephaestion quickly changed the subject, but whether or not he internalized the sting of Alexander's words the prince could not tell.

"There are unsanctioned fights, a visiting oracle, a gathering in honor of Dionysus in the evening," Hephaestion began.

"An oracle?" Alexander asked.

"I want to see the fights," Cassander chimed in.

"The oracle requires coin in exchange for her prophecies from the gods," Hephaestion explained, deciding to address Alexander first. He had no desire to watch the fights and did not care if Cassander enjoyed his day in the slightest. "Many say that her skills are legitimate but she's not from Delphi. If you're interested she's easy enough to find. Many are trying to barter for their futures."

"Does she look the part?"

"Based on what, Alexander?" Cassander scoffed. "Has Hephaestion seen a great many oracles that I missed in Macedon?"

Hephaestion continued, not pausing long enough for Alexander to come to his defense. "She's young, not older than anyone in this room. Fair hair, poised…she draws attention."

"Virgin?"

"You can ask her yourself," Alexander told Cassander. Now dressed in suitable attire he motioned for Cassander to move to the door. "Tell the guards outside the door that they can accompany us into town. But we don't need more than two. And Hephaestion speaks fluent Greek, so we won't need an interpreter."

"I'm not entirely fluent," Hephaestion noted.

"Fluent enough. Cassander's right, we don't need to have the entire palace following us. I'd much rather have you than another interpreter anyway." When Alexander saw that Cassander had not moved he added, "Do you still wish to go?"

Cassander nodded and made his way to the door without another word. As he stepped into the hall Hephaestion glanced in Alexander's direction. Alexander didn't waste a moment. He closed the gaping space between them and pressed his lips over Hephaestion's. The smell of cardamom filled his nostrils and he could taste its lingering presence on Hephaestion's lips. Knowing that Cassander could enter at any moment Alexander kept the kiss brief. It took all of his strength to pull away but as he did he paused briefly, noticing the change in Hephaestion's eyes at such a close distance. From afar they were a breathtaking cerulean, but up close he could see each fleck of cobalt and even a few spots of sapphire. Kissing his forehead he took a step back. He couldn't help but smile.

"Tonight," he whispered.

"Tonight," Hephaestion agreed. He then asked, "How did Cassander manage to make it to Athens?"

"Antipater heard about my plans and insisted that if Philip was going to send his son then he would do the same. I thought about protesting but it would have caused an unnecessary delay. Besides, I didn't know he'd want to spend all of this time together. I assumed he'd find his way to a gaggle of young women and we wouldn't see him until our return."

"I don't trust him."

"I know," Alexander said as the door began to open. Taking a step away from Hephaestion he nonchalantly approached Cassander. "Are we ready?"

"As long as Hephaestion knows his way around Athens."

Hephaestion said nothing. He stepped past Cassander and led the way. As he did so he could not help but wonder if he'd miss Cassander should something terrible occur in Athens. As he glanced over his shoulder and scanned Cassander's person he shoved the thought from his mind. Cassander had faults. But as a whole he was still better than many of the men in Macedon.

A/N: As always, feel free to review if you get a chance! I also owe all of my readers another big thank-you. You're my large, large support group and without you I'd crumble.