Here's part 2!
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Hephaistion was not really given a choice in the matter as Cassander wrapped an arm around him and began leading him away. Alexander waited until they were far enough so that Hephaistion would not notice him and then followed them. Cassander walked until they had come to the far side of the pool, where there were surprisingly not many people (and those who were there were likely not paying attention), and sat down. Alexander retreated to a close pillar and sat behind it, ensuring that he could not be seen.
Hephaistion dipped his hand in the pool, slowly dragging his fingers through the clear water. “How are you, then, Cassander?” He asked.
“I’m quite well tonight, although I should say much better now that I have a sober friend to talk to.”
Hephaistion grinned, looking down. “I do not believe you know me well enough to determine whether I am completely sober or not.”
Cassander returned the grin, his being a bit more feral. “You could have fooled me, dear Hephaistion, with the way you carried on with that dancer.”
A faint blush rose on the blue-eyed general’s face. Alexander secretly smirked. “Yes, well, that was simply-“
He was cut off by a laugh from Cassander. “There is no need to explain anything to me, Hephaistion! On the contrary, I thought you quite able. You managed to imitate him perfectly. If you should tire of following this damn army, then I daresay you would make a fine-“
“Thank you, Cassander, but you seem to forget that it is not this army that I follow.”
Alexander nodded in approval as Cassander’s face wavered from being overly confident to slightly unsure of his self. Almost warily Cassander dared to ask, “If not this army, then just what do you follow?”
Hephaistion smiled warmly. “It is Alexander, of course.” He answered softly.
Alexander nearly called out with glee, ‘that’s right, you bastard, and don’t you dare forget it!’, but held himself back just as his mouth opened.
Cassander had apparently expected this answer, for he sighed dramatically and stared at the opposite man with pity. “No one could ever claim that you were unfaithful to our dear king, Hephaistion- but is our dear king so faithful to you?”
So he would try this approach again? Alexander listened intently.
“What are you referring to?” Hephaistion questioned, concern carrying in his tone. Surely he would not believe anything this snake hissed!
Cassander tread lightly. “If it is not too bold of me to ask, my friend, do you and Alexander ever…?”
Hephaistion’s eyes widened slightly and he glanced about as though one of the inanimate objects would answer for him. His lips parted, and it was a moment before he stuttered, “Well, I, no-that is…not since-“
Not since they were younger, shortly after Alexander had been named King of Macedon. Alexander closed his eyes and remembered.
Their hair had been shorter, and not as many scars had marked their bodies from the rage of battle. The candle lit room, the crimson silk of the bed spread, their clothes heedlessly discarded on the floor, he could still see it all vividly. The scent of incense had only added to their heightened senses, to their innate cravings and needs for each other. Stolen kisses, labored breathing, sweat slicked bodies…Hephaistion’s eyes had been so clouded with love and lust-what had his looked like? Their murmured words of sweet nothings and moans of gratification that drove each other mad, a pair of strong legs wrapped around his waist and he had gasped so fiercely, nearly being blinded with the sinful bliss that it was to be buried inside such a tight, hot-
With a start Alexander opened his eyes, breathing harder, and remembered where he was. Then with a silent curse he realized that he was incredibly hard. He looked up and tried to concentrate on their
conversation, but with Hephaistion so scantily dressed and the way he would lick his lips and shift positions…concentrating on anything else had become too complex a task. He was only able to catch maybe every other word, and even then stringing them together to form their meaning was impossible.
Alexander didn’t enjoy feeling controlled by his own body. The faster he could get rid of this need, the faster he could get back to watching Hephaistion refuse anything Cassander was attempting to offer. So he unfastened his robes, exposing the front of his torso and the chiton that went from his waist to below his knees.
Slowly, and not without some embarrassment at not being able to control his urges- but, gods, this torture had to end!-, he allowed a hand to slink below the fabric, skin brushing across soft blonde hair. As that hand wrapped around his arousal, Alexander imagined it being Hephaistion’s lips, engulfing him inside his hot, wet mouth, and he shuddered at the new wave of longing that washed over him.
Several minutes had passed, and after much debating Cassander was not getting very far.
“But, Hephaistion, my reasoning hardly leaves room for argument! Do you not understand what I am saying?”
Hephaistion wanted to laugh but held his tongue. “Of course, I understand very clearly.” “Then why? Alexander lies with numerous people and feels no remorse, even for you. He is easily distracted and stubborn and arrogant- what is it that keeps you from turning to another?” “You mean from turning to you?” “If that’s how you wish to put it, fine. Yes.” Hephaistion sighed. He’d already told Cassander this, but the other general would just not let it sink in. “Because I love him, Cassander.”
Cassander looked as though he would love nothing more than to bang his head against a wall. “Perhaps you could be so kind as to explain to me the obvious thrill of love?”
Hephaistion thought of Alexander and all they’d been through. He thought of the way Alexander would tilt his head to one side and the way his brown eyes lit up when they looked his way; of how Alexander would confide in him before all others; of his lust for the new worlds; of how he felt so calm, warm, and content when they’d embrace each other…nothing seemed to matter except the two of them…
When he noticed Cassander regarding him wearily, he realized he was smiling to himself. His smile widened despite himself and Cassander.
“I’m sorry, Cassander, but I find that I really can’t…love is when, to you, a person’s perfections greatly out-weigh their flaws; love is when you have everything with them and nothing without them…love is something to be experienced, not understood.” He looked down, then back up. “But I truly hope you experience it someday, Cassander.”
Cassander said nothing, seemingly lost in thought. This had certainly sobered him. Hephaistion wanted no one but Alexander- the lucky bastard. With a sigh of annoyance, he excused himself from the other cheerful general.
Hephaistion chuckled at Cassander’s random paying attention to him- and wanting to take him to his bed, no less! Alexander would be most amused when he heard this. Well…perhaps amused was not the right word, knowing Alexander.
Getting up, he began walking away. But before he could get very far a hand reached out and grabbed him from seemingly no where. Alexander wasted no time in pushing Hephaistion against the pillar and kissing him ravenously. The general made a small sound of surprise, but upon realizing who he was with he closed his eyes and lifted his hands to bury them in those golden locks, pulling slightly as if to fill any nonexistent space there might have been between their mouths.
Alexander was now an extremely happy man. Hephaistion was just as aggressive as he was, if not more so. And who could blame them? It had been so long…Gods, it had been so long-too long…
Without warning he pulled away. “Come to my room, Hephaistion. I need you.” He pleaded breathlessly,
closing his eyes and letting his forehead rest against his general’s. He inhaled deeply the intoxicating scent that was Hephaistion and suddenly wasn’t sure he could even make it to his room.
"What are you doing back here?"
"Pining for you." There was that…and the fact that Alexander had been spying to make sure his bet went the way he wanted. Whether or not Hephaistion believed him entirely, he didn’t push it.
“Well then not stay here, love, there is no one watching…”
Alexander’s eyes immediately opened to see completely serious blue ones. He was barely able to contain his grin. “And what if someone did come? What then?”
Hephaistion’s eyes lit up challengingly. “Then they would certainly enjoy the show.”
Alexander shuddered at the boldness of his statement. And while he felt like he would go mad if he wasn’t able to ravish the beauty before him soon, he also didn’t want to do it in a spot where anyone could come and witness what should be seen only by those involved. He especially wished to keep the sight of Hephaistion’s exposed body known only by him. Alexander no longer cared whether he was being selfish. He felt torn between abandoning thought and holding on to what little self control he had left as he looked into blue, blue eyes.
Hephaistion abruptly pushed him back gently, if only a few inches. His hands went from Alexander’s hair to his shoulders and gave them a light squeeze. “We will go to your chambers if you wish it, Alexander.” He said with a smile.
Alexander had frowned in confusion at being pushed, but very quickly returned the affection by placing his hands over his general’s and rubbing them. Hephaistion had sensed his uncertainty and had gladly given in to his request to leave. He was always doing these sorts of acts without complaint and the king felt his chest suddenly ache with overpowering love for Hephaistion. It was all he could do not to pull their bodies together and show him how much he meant to Alexander right then and there…but he wanted to do that with ensured privacy that they deserved as lovers.
“You will go now. Give an excuse for retiring and go to your room. I will follow you.” Hephaistion continued.
Alexander gazed at him intensely. “I will be waiting, Hephaistion.” He said softly. He brought Hephaistion’s hand to his lips and placed a lingering kiss to it. He noticed the general’s faint blush as his body slightly tensed. Smirking, he released his hold on Hephaistion and was finally able to walk away. Walk away briskly for fear that he would lose control and run right back.
He announced to the rest of the generals, at least those that remained sober, that he was retiring for the night. This was met with pleas for him to remain in the midst of all the merriment, but he paid them no heed. He then gave strict orders for no one to enter his room, nay- no one to even enter the hall his room was located in, for any reason, for he was suffering from an excruciating head ache and simply wished to sleep it off.
Pleased with his lie, he hurried to his room, checking to make sure that his orders had been followed and that there was not another soul present. He was especially pleased that he had been able to keep his arousal to a minimum so that he hadn’t had to walk through that large room with a hard on for all to see. He hadn’t noticed if Hephaistion was able to, and with only that skirt he was wearing…Alexander had to laugh aloud at the idea of Hephaistion walking through there like that, just as calmly as he would any other day. The thought was appealing as well and soon it was with impatience that he awaited his lover to come into his arms again.
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The next (and final chapter) has the sex scene, so...be warned? Just kidding. Enjoy reading guys.