Title: Panic
Prompt: air
Word Count: 100

Hephaistion's lungs were burning, his whole body cold and aching. All he could see were spots, black dots before his eyes, floating in the air, circling his head. He tried to bring a hand up to swipe at his eyes, but it was as if he were being held in place by invisible arms. He shouldn't be laying on the ground, shouldn't be flat on his back. Where was Alexander? He needed to get to Alexander. His mouth opened and shut, frantically trying to suck in enough air to stave the panic threatening to claim him.

"Easy, Hephaistion. I'm here."



Title
: Free as a bird
Prompt: air
Word Count: 400

"Have you ever thought about what it would be like to be a bird, Alexander?"

The king looked down lovingly at his general, not entirely sure where the randomness of Hephaistion's question had appeared from. Alexander was usually the one who made unusual, out-of-place statements that Hephaistion never even batted an eye at, or questioned him about.

Hephaistion lay on his back in the tall grass, arms stretched out wide, brilliant cerulean eyes matching the blueness of the clear morning sky. The sight of Hephaistion reclined and relaxed always gave Alexander pause, always made him take a deep breath to control the excessive beating of his heart. He knew one day he would surely hyperventilate from one look at the man who had followed him around the world without hesitation and loved him despite all his faults and shortcomings, the man Alexander always selfishly wanted to keep to himself.

"Are you asleep, Xander?" Hephaistion questioned, eyes still focused intently up into the vastness of the sky.

"Hardly. How do you suppose I might be sleeping while I'm sitting up, Phai?"

Hephaistion smirked and let out a small chuckle. "I'm not the one to be asked that specific question since I have, on more than one occasion, seen you do exactly that."

Alexander had to chuckle back. Hephaistion was right. He had fallen asleep in some strange places and positions, and yes, sitting up sleeping was not that far-fetched for him at all. He shuffled his body so he was parallel with Hephaistion, moving his lover's arm so it rested on his chest. "I do not see any birds, Phai? Are you having problems with your eyes?"

"No. Just imagining what it might be like to spring up into the air without a care in the world, to fly beyond the confines of the ground and see only clouds in my view."

"I am not certain birds do not have any cares."

"Alexander," Hephaistion replied in his best reprimanding tone. "Can you not allow me my dream for a few moments before you pluck me from the air and plunge me head-first into the dirt."

"I did that?" Alexander sat up, suddenly serious as he moved Hephaistion's hand to rest over his heart. "That was not my intention."

"I know, but just for a moment, Alexander, let's fly through the air together; free as birds and happy as larks."