Title: "You are my weakness" Chapter 10: "Here we are together."
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: NC-17
Category: Historical AU so some personages will appear to serve the purpose of this story.
Disclaimer: I don't know the people involved; A&H belonged to themselves and to History, if not Hephaestion would be still among us, living under my "protection".
Warning: m/m explicit sexual intercourse, but you should know that by now.
Author's notes: the text in capital letters belongs to the script of "Alexander" by Oliver Stone. The scene in my balcony is what I wish it took place outside Alexander's tent the night before Gaugamela battle.
No beta so all mistakes are mine.
I want to thank in advance to all of you for reading and commenting on this story, which was supposed to be a one-shot and ended in ten chapters. Your hearty comments, your unconditional support made it possible; I really don't have enough words to express my gratitude, Marielina. Now to the last chapter!!!
Hephaestion reappeared in the dinning room two hours later, his head was hanging so much that his chin nearly reached his upper chest, his shoulders were together and his footsteps were not as light as usual; his hands were closed in tight fists and his whole body could show that something really important and serious had happened.
He went on walking, trying to reach his old chamber when a warm hand touched one of his, he lifted his head, knowing who the owner of that hand was, he would always identify his lover's touch above others; and he tried to smile but he failed.
"Hephaestion, what's the problem?" an anxious Alexander asked.
"Nothing, my Prince, do not worry" Hephaestion answered. It was not very common that Hephaestion addressed Alexander as prince so the golden youth knew for sure that something was tormenting his lover's mind.
"Talk to me, love, please don't leave in the shadows, look at me and let me lighten your heart, which is heavy with sorrow" Alexander said while coming to a halt in the middle of the statues hall.
"I need some time alone, Alexander, there are many things I must think about before I take a decision" Hephaestion answered seriously.
"Does it have to do with the meeting you had with my father?"
"May be, but … I really should be going" and saying that Hephaestion left a puzzled prince standing in the hall.
The brunette youth went directly towards his secret spot in the furthest garden of the palace, when he needed a time alone, this was the perfect place to think and brood. He knew that everything that King Philip told him was true, he also realized that the king didn't want to be harsh on him but that he needed an answer and he needed it soon. Three hours later, Hephaestion had reached to his decision and went back to communicate to his king.
He saw surprise in his King's face but then a little smile appeared on that old face and Hephaestion dawned on he had taken the correct decision.
-"Arrange everything so you can set off soon" the king said.
- "Yes, Sire" and he turned round, walking towards the door.
Hephaestion entered the chamber he shared with Alexander since coming back from death, and found his lover laying on the bed with his arms above his head and staring at the ceiling.
He went to his chest, opened it and took out some clean chitons, under garments, a pair of leather boots, two cloaks and a fur cloak, gifted by Alexander two winters ago. He also looked for his pouch of money, his dagger and two well worn books; finally he took a wooden box with his writing utensils, clean scrolls and some writing papers. He knew that Alexander was following all his movements but he hadn't dared to look at his lover's direction. When everything was set inside two leather bags, he left them by the door and called one of the royal pages and asked him to take those bags to the stable and asked the groom there to prepare his mare because he was leaving soon.
Hephaestion turned round and saw Alexander sitting on the bed, looking at him with so much pain in his two coloured eyes that it was just painful looking at him. He approached the prince and took his face between his hands, he rubbed his slender thumbs over the prince's cheeks and brought his face closer till he brushed his soft lips onto his, it was a butterfly kiss, he knew that if he deepened it, he wouldn't be able to leave his Alexander.
Hephaestion lifted his head and looking into Alexander's eyes, he whispered:
"I love you, only you, and I am coming back"
"Don't leave me, Phai" Alexander pleaded.
"I must" and saying that he ran to the door and disappeared.
Three months had passed and there were no news about Hephaestion's return, Alexander was getting desperate, he knew that the talks with the Athenians had been successful and that Hephaestion and his diplomatic skills had worked perfectly; the peace had been signed a month ago but the brunette youth hadn't come back to him. Rumours were coming and going around the palace, some said that Demosthenes had tricked Hephaestion to join him as a lecturer and had become his lover; others said that Hephaestion would not come back because he had found his real place in Athens and that he didn't want to come back to his rustic companions.
Alexander didn't believe any of them but his heart was in constant pain. What if his Phai had found another to give his love to? What if he hadn't been clear enough in showing his real feelings to the brunette and because of that he had sought comfort in someone else? What if something bad had happened on his way back and he had no one to help him? What if ….? So many What if questions were around his mind that he didn't notice the door opening. He was standing in the balcony of their chamber – he loved thinking it was still theirs- with his hands resting on the rail, looking at the horizon and daydreaming, he released a loud sigh and whispered : "Phai, my love, where are you?" .
Two strong arms circled his waist and someone kissed his nape.
"Phai?" the young prince asked.
"Of course, who else could do that to you?" a happy voice asked.
Alexander turned round in his arms and saw the man he was dreaming about, right there, next to him, and he couldn't help laughing. Hephaestion looked at him and asked:
"Alexander, are you feeling fine?"
"Now I am" and he crushed his lips with his lover's. The kiss ended when both young men needed some oxygen and it was followed by a trail of other kisses, small but as tender ones as the first one.
"By Zeus, how much I missed you" whispered Hephaestion with his lips still onto Alexander's.
"Same feeling here but why didn't you come back straight forward the treat was signed?" a serious Alexander asked.
"Because I had some thinking to do and I couldn't do it here" Hephaestion confessed.
"Why not?"
"Because my feelings for you could cloud my mind very easily and I didn't need that" Hephaestion answered.
"Is your thinking over?" Alexander asked with fear in his voice.
"Yes, it is" the brunette assured him.
"And …?"
You once told me that FEAR OF DEATH DRIVES ALL MEN AND IT IS THE CAUSE OF ALL OUR MISFORTUNES and I have come to believe that we are getting in something SO MUCH BIGGER THAN we have supposed.
"But Hephaestion, DID PATROCLUS DOUBT ACHILLES WHEN THEY STOOD SIDE BY SIDE AT THE SIEGE OF TROY?
"No, my Alexander, but PATROCLUS DIED FIRST and I had just done that" a serious Hephaestion answered.
"IF YOU DO … IF YOU WERE TO FALL again, HEPHAESTION, EVEN IF MACEDONIA WERE TO LOSE A future KING… I WILL AVENGE YOU … AND FOLLOW YOU DOWN TO THE HOUSE OF DEATH" Alexander said looking at those cerulean eyes.
"No! Take that back!! You won't do anything like that, if I die, you will go on living" Hephaestion shouted desperately.
"No! I won't, life will have no meaning for me without you, you were born to be my soul mate as I was too, you are the best part of me" Alexander confessed.
"Don't say that, not tonight when a real battle is waiting for us tomorrow" Hephaestion said.
"Will you go into battle with me, side by side, as Patroclus and Achilles did?"
"Of course, I can't think about a better way to die" Hephaestion replied.
"FEAR NOT HEPHAESTION, WE ARE AT THE BEGINNING of our adventure together" Alexander assured
"ON THE EVE OF BATTLE, IT IS HARDEST TO BE ALONE" Alexander said while hugging his lover tightly.
"THEN, PERHAPS, THIS IS not A FAREWELL … MY ALEXANDER … but as you said just the beginning." And saying that he kissed his prince strongly on his lips.
The brunette man took his lover's hand and headed inside the chamber, he stopped next to the big bed and looked at Alexander with love and lust; many months had passed since they had spent a night together and if he were to die the following day in battle, he would make this night worth an eternity.
Hephaestion lifted Alexander's chin, making his friend look straight into his blue-violet eyes and pulled him into another soft but hungry kiss. They stood there, chest to chest and both waists were enfolded by the other's arms.
Both youths rested their foreheads against each other and their hands started to wander over the other's body. The touch was gentle, caressing the skin as if they were discovering their bodies for the first time.
Hephaestion shivered with anticipation and Alexander soothed him whispering sweet nothings in his ear and assuring him that everything would be fine.
The prince led his friend to his bed and helped him get rid of his chiton and sandals. The moon was full that night and a ray was illuminating the chamber, Alexander's eyes stayed glued to Hephaestion's frame because it was gorgeous, and it was all his to enjoy it. The brunette youth caressed Alexander's cheek and he rested his face on that warm hand, while with his free hand, Hephaestion unclipped Alexander's chiton. After some more kisses, which were quite hungry, Alexander leant over to the bedside table and got a phial with sandal oil, he coated his fingers and slipped one oiled finger into his tight hole, Hephaestion made a forward movement and so a second and finally third finger was added and he started pumping, flexing and scissoring the tight entrance until Hephaestion was panting and begging for more. Alexander slipped his fingers from Hephaestion and the brunette moaned from the loss but it was quickly forgotten when the prince positioned himself and aligned his manhood with his entrance. Hephaestion started moving in time with Alexander's thrusts with his legs onto his prince's shoulders. Wave after wave of pleasure washed over them, making them pant and moan. The thrusts became quicker, deeper and harder.
Sweet nothings and incoherent phrases could be listened in the clear night and they knew they were reaching their climaxes. Alexander found Hephaestion's sweet spot and made him moan loudly and come over their chests. Alexander followed him seconds later, coating his inside with his seed.
Alexander collapsed on top of Hephaestion, trying to catch his breath while listening to Hephaestion fast heartbeat. Alexander clung tighter to his lover who was lying sated under him and kissed his chest reverently.
Alexander looked at Hephaestion's blushed complexion, his swollen lips and eyes full of love and he thought he had never seen his Phai look as handsome and relaxed as he was in that moment. He knew that the following day was going to be a difficult one, it could also be their last one on earth but he was sure that he would never regret his life because he had everything he wanted, and all he needed was just resting by his side, and even though he knew his Phai was his weakness, he would never mention that again, he had leant his lesson and he wouldn't like to suffer it all over again.
The end.