Okay, I wasn't in the mood for angst or smut, so I present to you...mindless fluff. Don't worry, the next one will not be the least bit fluffy.

Alexander woke very early, at first light. He smiled instantly, feeling the warmth beside him and the arm draped across his chest. Hephaestion. Gods, how he loved this man. His smile grew as he thought about their lovemaking of last night. Hephaestion had given him everything he had asked for, and more. He wondered what he would do without his best friend beside him, and doubted he would do very well at all. If Hephaestion knew how much he was truly needed, he was not sure. If he knew how much he was loved, he wasn't sure either. Things were so hectic most of the time that he rarely got to spend any alone time with his beloved, regrettably.

He reached over and brushed a strand of hair away from Hephaestion's face. His face looked so serene in sleep. Long eyelashes hid the cerulean eyes he loved so much. His lips were slightly parted, and a bit swollen from their previous night's activities. A small bruise adorned the tender spot where his neck and shoulder met. Alexander had marked him. He knew Hephaestion would probably get teased about it, but he doubted he really minded it. To Hephaestion, and to himself, love bites and marks were tangible proof of their love for each other. If others had issue with that, it was their problem. He knew that Hephaestion had marked him as well. He was proud of it. He leaned over and pressed a gentle kiss to Hephaestion's brow.

Hephaestion mumbled something in his sleep, and turned and buried his face in the pillow.

Alexander eased carefully out from under Hephaestion's arm and got out of bed. He took care of his personal needs and slipped on a robe, intending on going to get them some breakfast. As he opened the tent to leave, he nearly ran head first into Bagoas. That certainly didn't surprise him. The eunuch followed him like a shadow most of the time. No doubt the boy had been waiting nearby for him to wake up.

"Joy to you, Bagoas. It is a beautiful day. Are you feeling well? You look better."

Bagoas blushed slightly and smiled at his king. "Yes, Al'skander. I rested and ate as 'Phaestion asked. I do feel better today, thank you for asking. Would you like me to bring some breakfast for you? 'Phaestion, too?"

Alexander chuckled. "Get out of my head, Bagoas; I was getting ready to ask you that very thing."

Bagoas beamed, thrilled to please his king. "I will return shortly." He bowed slightly and trotted off towards the kitchen.

Alexander went back into the tent to find Hephaestion lying on his side, his head propped on his hand. "Joy to you, my love. I trust you slept well?"

Hephaestion yawned, and then flashed a brilliant smile at Alexander. "I did. I think you wore me out."

Alexander arched an eyebrow and smirked at him. "Complaining, Phai?"

Hephaestion laughed. "Gods, no! Last night was amazing!" His voice dropped slightly, his tone more serious. "Truly, Alexander, it was amazing. Thank you for sharing yourself with me in that way. I have missed this so very much. We have so little time together anymore."

Alexander's eyes twinkled with mischief as he made his way to the bed and sat down on it. He grinned at Hephaestion and ran a finger down the general's nose to his lips. "Then perhaps we should take advantage of the time we have now, hmmm?"

Hephaestion captured the finger at his lips in his mouth, sucked it in and nipped at it, drawing a startled gasp from Alexander.

"Ooww! You bit me! You will pay for that, my love." Alexander leaned over and pinned Hephaestion's shoulders to the bed. "What is the proper punishment for biting the king I wonder?"

Hephaestion thought for a moment. "Hot sex?"

Alexander laughed. "That is not exactly a punishment, but I do like how your mind works…I am sure that can be arranged." He winked at him. "Would you like me to call for Nearchus or Perdiccas?"

Hephaestion growled at him, grabbed him and flipped them over so that he was sitting on Alexander, his thighs straddling the king's hips and his hands pinning his arms to the bed. It happened so quickly that Alexander wasn't sure how he even did it.

Alexander wiggled, trying to free himself. "Damn it, Hephaestion! Let me up!" He tried to look angry, but didn't really succeed.

Hephaestion squeezed his thighs tighter, holding him in place. "I think not, Alexander. You forget that I will always come out on top here, no pun intended. Besides…I rather like you here." He could feel Alexander becoming aroused and chuckled. "I think you like it as well."

Just as Alexander opened his mouth to respond, Bagoas entered the tent with a tray of food. He froze when he saw the men tangled around each other on the bed.

Alexander laughed at his expression. "Relax, Bagoas. We are just playing around. Come in, bring us our breakfast please!"

Bagoas set the tray out on the table and poured fresh pomegranate juice into golden goblets for them. He had brought warm bread with honey, figs, dates, boiled eggs, and roast fowl. A breakfast fit for a king to be sure. After he finished laying everything out for them, he turned to Alexander. "Is there anything else you require, my king?"

"No, Bagoas. This is perfect. You may go. If I need you again, I will send for you. Otherwise, take the day to rest and enjoy yourself. You have earned it." He glanced up at Hephaestion and smiled seductively. "Oh, and Bagoas…if anyone comes looking for me this morning, tell them I am busy. Just tell them that…something came up."

Hephaestion laughed out loud at that. Bagoas blushed and quickly left. Hephaestion was still laughing. "I think you embarrassed the poor boy!"

Alexander grinned and wiggled his hips against Hephaestion's bottom. "Well, am I lying?"

Hephaestion leaned down and captured Alexander's lips in a kiss that left them both breathless. "No, my love, you were not lying. Perhaps we should do something about that. Breakfast can wait a bit I think."

Alexander wrapped his arms around Hephaestion's neck, pulling him closer. "Like I said, Phai, I like the way your mind works."

They did eventually get around to eating breakfast…much later.