Title: Blazing fire
Prompt: fire
Word Count: 100

The wolf bore down on Hephaistion, eyes blazing fire, breathe coming in short bursts of puffy clouds brightening the cold night air. Lengthening his strides and pumping his arms, he dared to peek behind him at the stunningly beautiful animal that was Hades-bent on making him his evening meal. His thoughts fled to Alexander. The man had been right behind him but now he was nowhere to be seen.

Too busy considering Alexander's fate, Hephaistion didn't see the tree root that snagged his foot, sending him plummeting face first to the ground.

"Alexander," he gasped as darkness enshrouded him.

x x x x x

Title: Fearful fire
Prompt: fire
Word Count: 200

Alexander chastised himself for his clumsiness, embarrassment burning his cheeks as he struggled to regain his footing and climb out of the hole he'd fallen into. Hephaistion would surely make fun if he turned and saw Alexander unceremoniously sitting on the ground ... again. Alexander had been telling his lover for years that it wasn't his fault he'd never grown into his royal feet.

Brushing himself off, Alexander peered through the darkness in the direction he'd last seen Hephaistion. He was half expecting his beloved to jump out from behind a tree, mouth wide in laughter at the situation Alexander had gotten himself into. His brow furrowed in confusion when he realized Hephaistion wasn't going to do that. It wasn't like his lover to not turn back, not worry about Alexander's sudden disappearance.

He was just contemplating running into the night after Hephaistion when a gut-wrenching howl filled the air. His lungs burned as he sprinted towards the sound, his mind whirling in anticipation. Two shapes came into view in the clearing; two still, motionless heaps that he couldn't define from the distance.

Flames of fear took hold of him as he suddenly realized one of those shapes was Hephaistion.

x x x x x

Title: Joyous thanks
Prompt: Glee/joy
Word Count: 500

Alexander's stomach jumped into his throat. Hephaistion on the ground, not moving, no sign of breath hovering in the cold air above him. The king's feet moved before his brain even had time to absorb what was going on, sprinting at a dead run until he reached Hephaistion and the beast. There were no thoughts of danger in his head, no fear for himself, no hesitation in his steps or his heart, just pure and unadulterated panic for Hephaistion's welfare.

Bypassing the wolf, Alexander knelt over Hephaistion, pushing the long, bronze locks from his face. "Hephaistion," he gasped out, his burning lungs barely allowing any breath to enter his body. "Phai! Phai!"

Hephaistion's face was ashen, his mouth slack and blood-tinged. Alexander couldn't help pressing his lips to his beloved's, the icy coldness making him tremble. Hephaistion needed to wake up. He needed to be alright.

"Open your eyes, Phai," Alexander demanded, his voice cracking half-way through the simple sentence. "Please, love."

When the cloud of panic finally cleared from his head, he pushed the fur cloak from Hephaistion's body, shoving his hand under his beloved's chiton, fingers sliding over the broad, bare chest. He paused, willing his own heart to stop pounding the blood so violently through his veins long enough for him to feel the beat of Hephaistion's heart. He almost cried in relief when gentle thumping vibrated against his palm.

Alexander's own heart soared in his chest, an overwhelming feeling of joy bursting through the darkness of his worry and radiating relief throughout his body. His eyes welled with tears as he pulled Hephaistion into his lap, cradling his head against his chest and bending to press a soft kiss to his forehead.

His relief soared even higher when his beloved's dark eyelashes fluttered against his pale skin, and the miracle of Hephaistion's piercing blue eyes looked up at him. "Phai? I'm here, love."

"'Xander?" Hephaistion groaned through dry lips. "Wolf ... dagger ... dead?"

Alexander realized he hadn't given the animal a second look since he'd found Hephaistion. He wasn't even aware if the animal was still alive or not, the thought hadn't even entered his mind. He stole a look at the beast not five feet from where he held his beloved, considering the eerie stillness that surrounded the animal, and the blood that colored ground beneath it.

"I think it's dead, love." He kissed Hephaistion, again, stroking the hair from his face and saying a silent prayer of thanks . "Where do you hurt, Phai?"

"Shoulder," Hephaistion whispered.

"But there's blood on your lips."

"Bumped my head when I ... fell. Don't let it suffer ..."

"The wolf?"

Hephaistion nodded weakly. "I didn't mean to kill ..."

"It looks half-starved, Phai. Perhaps, you did the poor thing a favor."

Hephaistion groaned and shifted his body in Alexander's lap. "Thank you, Alexander."

Alexander knitted his brows in confusion. "For what? I wasn't there to help you, Phai ..."

Meeting Alexander's gaze, Hephaistion managed a weak smile. "It was your dagger."