AN: This chapter was actually a chapter from the previous version of this story that has been added to a tiny bit. Enjoy!
"Darko, my love," Hephaestion knelt at his son's level a month after the bath incident, "since you've been so good lately, Father and I thought you deserved a little reward. We're going on a picnic, Love. Would you like that?"
Darko nodded his head, his fingers once again in his mouth.
"All right. You're such a good boy for Mama," Hephaestion kissed his son's forehead, "Do you want to help me pack the basket?" Darko nodded again and Hephaestion took his son's hand to lead him into the kitchen, where they spent the morning making food for their lunch.
Alexander, Hephaestion, and Darko were outside for a family picnic when Darko wandered off, chasing a butterfly. Hephaestion called out to his pride and joy to remind him to stay close by before turning back to Alexander and feeding his love a strawberry.
Darko watched from his place on the blanket as his father tipped his head back to accept the strawberry, and then copied him. Hephaestion humored them both, giving strawberries and kisses to both his men until Darko became bored of the game and tapped his mother on the hand to get her attention.
"Chase me, Momma," he begged in signs.
"You want me to chase you?" Hephaestion started to get up.
His father made an "Uh oh," noise.
"Love, won't you excuse me?" Hephaestion turned to his husband briefly.
"Run, go, now," Alexander whispered to his son. Darko took off, and Hephaestion ran after him.
The reproach of "Alexander!" was heard a few seconds later.
"You're excused Love!" he called back.
On the way back to the house after lunch, Alexander called to his son.
"Since you've been so good lately, Father has a gift for you. He's in the stables, do you want to see him? at his son's eager nod, he laughed, "All right, let's go see him."
When the dog came into view, Hephaestion whispered warningly to his husband, "Alexander, that dog is too big for a toddler."
"Nonsense. A strong boy needs a strong dog. I only wish Peritas was here."
The mentioned dog had lived with Alexander for seventeen years, and had passed away only a few years before.
"Xander..." Hephaestion hugged his lover tightly, waiting until Alxander took a deep breath to let him go, "I miss him too. It's okay to mourn. Think of Darko's dog as a new beginning, a second chance. Peritas would want you to move on and start fresh. Darko Darling, time to go home!"
The young boy giggled and ran ahead with the dog chasing after him, a mirror image of Alexander and Peritas years before.