Title: "Nine full Moons" – Chapter 4: Third to Fifth Moon: Changes and Revelations.
Author: too_beauty
Feedback: yes, please any kind of them will help me to improve my writing or leave it forever.
Pairing: Alexander & Hephaestion.
Rating: PG.
Category: Historical AU.
Disclaimer: I don't know the people involved; A&H belonged to themselves and to History, if not, Phai would be living in BA…
Warning: this is a MPREG fic, it means it will deal with male pregnancy, if this is not your cup of coffee, don't drink it.
Hephaestion was having a bath as usual very early in the morning, he was scrubbing his chest and rubbed over a nipple and he could feel it slightly tender and very sensitive; in fact both were the same and this time the feeling was not connected to a sexual need, in fact, he hadn't got laid since Alexander left two months ago, not because he didn't have offers but he felt as if his desire were dormant. He had the same feeling when he washed his lower stomach, the skin was like getting thinner or stretching and he was developing a protruding little belly.
"I should stopping eating LadyLight's sweet treats, she is an excellent cook and her sweet bread and caramel apples are the best, apart from that I am getting lazy and I haven't done any physical exercise lately."
Hephaestion dried himself but his nipples were still bothering when he put on a light chiton. He went back to his chamber and saw his breakfast ready, and among the things, the tempting sweet bread was there again, even though he tried hard, he couldn't resist eating three thick slices.
"You should stop eating so much, General, or you will get fat" the small woman said smiling.
"I know, but I can't resist this, and I am always hungry all the time and I don't know why" he said pouting.
"Maybe it's just nerves; did you send word to your King?"
"Yes, I answered the letters and sent them early, before my bath."
"And why is that scroll still there unopened?" she said frowning.
"Don't start again, sunshine; I won't answer any personal stuff."
"But he deserves at least that, just once, forgive him and maybe you will also feel better" she advised.
"No, and you can't answer either. Forgiveness takes time, sunshine"
"But you still love him, Phai" she said, and the brunette Chiliarch didn't know what to answer.
That evening Hephaestion received some ambassadors and a small banquet was held at the palace. One of the ambassadors had always had a crush on the brunette General and he didn't miss any opportunity to let him know that he was still desired. Knowing that, Hephaestion paid special attention to his attire that evening, maybe he could get laid that night and forget his sadness. He really didn't know what he wanted or what his heart wanted, either.
He had chosen a sky blue chiton and a night blue cloak but the chiton was a bit tight around his belly and he felt unhappy.
"You should stop eating Hephaestion" he said to himself.
The banquet was a success and the ambassador let him know that he was more than willing to spend some more time with him. The opportunity was just perfect, Hephaestion was alone, the king was on a long campaign and they might have so enjoyable time together.
Both men retired to the General's chamber and the ambassador got really amorous, kissing and caressing the brunette, who was still a bit quiet. The man lifted Hephaestion's chiton and a smirk appeared on his face.
"What are you laughing at?" Hephaestion asked when Lysander stopped his caresses.
"You are loosing your slender figure and getting plump, Hephaestion. You must stop eating or you will end up as fat as old Parmenion." Lysander said smiling.
"Sorry but I am not in the mood anymore. Health to you" said Hephaestion seriously and fixing his chiton again.
"You sound like an angry woman, Hephaestion" Lysander said regretting his words at the same time he glanced and saw the furious expression of the man in front of him.
"I am a man, more man that you think but if you find my body so disgusting, I will have to dismiss you" he said while pushing Lysander towards the door.
"But Hephaestion, it was just an observation …" the ambassador said stammering.
"Health to you and happy return to your land, ambassador" Hephaestion said and slammed the door on his face.
Hephaestion went back to his inner chamber fuming but Lysander's comment was still going around his mind. He got the silver tray where his water bottle was, lifted his chiton and placed the tray near his belly and he could clearly see it reflected on the shinny surface, a nice rounded little belly. He set his hand over it and caressed it without knowing why. He went to bed with a nice but strange feeling inside his heart.
His sleep was invaded by dreams, strange images, a bit blurry at the beginning but then getting clearer. He saw a woman telling him things which were a bit disturbing but pleasant at the same time.
He woke up feeling and looking different and LadyLight saw his change overnight and …. She was happy because her General was feeling and looking better than she had seen him in the last months.
"I must thank Ambassador Lysander for putting that big smile on your face, Hephaestion." LadyLight said smiling.
"Don't be bold, my lady, the ambassador is not the reason of this smile" he said looking into her hazel eyes.
"So, has your King returned?" she asked hopefully.
"No" he replied with sadness "but I had a nice dream."
"What did you dream about?" she asked curiously.
"I can't remember well but it left me with a sensation of happiness and serenity."
The General was getting ready for his daily duties when Stephanos announced he had a visitor who had requested an urgent audience with Alexander's Chiliarch.
Hephaestion asked the page to let the visitor enter and when it was at the entrance, Hephaestion looked at her with his mouth wide opened.
"So you recognized me, my son" the woman said.
"You are the woman in my dream" said Hephaestion while sitting.
"Yes, I am, my son, and I've come to talk to you" she said with a warm voice.
"Please, take a seat and tell me how I can help you."
"You are always so generous, my son, and because you are pure of heart, we have decided to give you a gift."
"Who are we, if I may ask? Is there anybody else with you?" he asked hesitantly.
"Oh, many people are with me but right now I need your answer" she said.
"What's your question?" Hephaestion asked with calm.
"Let me tell you a story before: many years ago, a young boy, who was truly in love with another, went to Hestia's altar with a wish, very dear to his heart, there he confessed his love for his male lover and wished he could have children with him. This boy grew up and turned into a fine and brave man and, even though he was still in love with his childhood lover, he had to marry to a woman, but whenever he was with her, he wished his lover were there because he truly believed he was the only one who could bear his children. This man never told his lover about his wish but his continuous prays along the years were finally heard by the gods. This boy and now man's wish is about to be true but I need your answer, noble Hephaestion: will you bear your King's child?"
Hephaestion looked into the goddess's warm eyes and without hesitation, he said:
"It is my most hidden and dear wish; of course I will do it."
"Will you tolerate all the difficulties and problems this decision may bring you?"
"I love Alexander more than my life itself, I'd do anything for him" Hephaestion replied, realizing in that moment that he would never be able to stop loving his king, no matter what life had decided for them.
"So I have another request, and this is also on Aphrodite's name: write to your King and tell him that your health is fine but still weak and due to that you won't be able to carry out your duties as Chiliarch; you will delegate your authority to Perdicas who had been by your side and he can do it with your help, at least before it begins to show up." Hestia explained.
"Must I resign because of the baby?" Hephaestion asked with a bit of sadness in his voice. He loved doing things for his king and his empire.
"You must do it to keep your son safe and alive. Can you imagine how many enemies would like to have power over him or worst get rid of him as soon as he is born?" she said.
A cold shiver ran along Hephaestion's back and he automatically crossed his arms around his stomach as if they were a shield to protect the tiny life inside, even though he didn't know yet.
- "But if it is so dangerous, why will we risk his life?"
- "Because Roxane will never give him children and when the moment is correct, your son will be the legitimate heir."
- "Can you explain me how it is possible? I've been feeling ill for the last three months, maybe it isn't the right moment now. Apart from that, I am a man …" Hephaestion said.
- "You are not ill, my son and we know that you are a man" she said giggling.
- "Do you mean that I am …" Hephaestion couldn't finish his question.
- " Yes you are! Your body has been getting ready; Aphrodite and I knew that you'd accept so we have being doing some magic, but don't worry, your body will be the same when the baby is born. Now you have the necessary organs to keep him in there and make him grow big and healthy" she said smiling.
- "What do I do? I know nothing about pregnancies or babies." Hephaestion said, panicking just a little.
- "Don't worry, you have friends that can help and when the time comes, I will visit you to help with the delivery. You will go under surgery because your body is not prepared for a natural delivery but you must not worry, this baby boy is the Olympians' gift to his two favourite sons so everything will be fine."
- "Why don't I panic? Why am I taking this so calmly?" Hephaestion said while rubbing his stomach softly.
- "Because he is the baby of love, your Alexander didn't leave you voluntarily; he did it to protect his Kingdom, that's why you can't tell him about the baby yet."
- "What about my wife?" he asked.
- "Well, you know you will never love her as any woman deserves, you just married her to please your king and now it is just a burden for you, she's unhappy here. What about sending her back to her family?" Hestia suggested.
- "Yes, that seems fair for her but I want to leave Ecbatana, go back to Babylon or to Pella." Hephaestion said daydreaming.
- "Babylon, but in the outskirts, it will be the best place to raise your son."
- "So Hestia, will you stay for a while?"
- "No, my dear, but I won't ever be far. I leave you with the Olympians' blessing. Be careful and enjoy this gift!" she told him and disappeared.
Hephaestion was feeling so happy that his face was shinning, he threw himself on his bed and set both hands on his belly caressing it and whisperingly lovingly:
"Don't be afraid, I will take care of you and protect you with my life."
A month later, Hephaestion got a letter from his King in which he allowed him to leave his position and asked him to look after his health and recover his strength because he was still very dear to him. Alexander poured his heart in that letter and Hephaestion cried while reading it; he missed his King, his lover and the father of his son.
Four people knew about his condition: Ptolemy, Perdicas, Stephanos and LadyLight; the last three were always following him as his shadow and were the ones in charge to move Hephaestion and the precious bundle to the farm house.
Hephaestion lost his slender thighs and waist, his belly got bigger and round shaped. Fortunately, any other changes were there because as Hestia had told him, he was a man so he wouldn't suffer all of them, just the necessary.
Hephaestion used to walk a lot nowadays as he was not allowed to ride anymore and in one of his walks, he discovered a nice spot to build a school in which he would be able to teach his son and other children. He knew he would have to leave the army to look after his child and keep him away from any danger that might arise.
LadyLight used to accompany him in his walks, sometimes by his side, sometimes from the distance and she could see how sometimes his oceanic eyes were teary, his chest moved up and down with gentle sobs and his hands covered his belly protecting his unborn son, she knew that in those moments, his General's heart was very far away, flying to find his partner's who was still in exotic lands, unaware of the miracle that was taking place in a remote Babylonian farm.
TBC.