Reassurance Part 6
REASSURANCE Part 6 of ? (wip)
Raiting: R (hard?)
Summary: Hephaestion has a young lover, 'nough said.
Disclaimer: These characters belong to history, but these are MY CHARACTERIZATIONS!
Slash Pairing: Alexander/ Hephaestion, Alexander/OC, implied Alexander/ Bagoas
Warning: Love story, sex, angst, jealousy...
Part 6
When Hephaestion finally arrived at Ptolemy’s tent, the banquet was already in full swing. Hephaestion loitered in the doorway for a moment, surveying the room before he entered. There were couches arranged around in a large semi-circle and slaves were already swarming around trying, in vain, to keep all the wine cups full. The couch next to Alexander was empty, as was the usual, and Hephaestion saw that on the couch to Alexander’s left, sat Ptolemy and Thelios.
"Hephaestion!" Ptolemy boomed, tossing a bag of coins onto Hephaestion’s empty couch, "I believe I owe you some silver!"
Thelios looked up when he heard the General’s name and Hephaestion could tell immediately, the guest of honor was already well on his way in the celebration. Hephaestion smiled slightly at Thelios as he approached, then he looked to Alexander who was studying him intently. Alexander held out his hand and Hephaestion kissed it.
"I was wondering when you would get here¼" Alexander smiled his lover’s smile, and said, a little too loudly, "I hate celebrating without you, my Beloved."
After picking up the bag of silver, weighing it in his hand, he turned to Ptolemy, "I don’t have to count this, do I?"
"The insult!" Ptolemy bellowed, his face glowing merrily with wine, "you bet on a winner, I would not cheat you¼"
"Yes, I did bet on a winner." Hephaestion stated proudly, finally turning his eyes on Thelios.
"You never cease impressing me. You did well, today." Hephaestion said simply, holding the boy’s eyes. Thelios beamed, the wine had taken the edge off his inhibitions already.
"I knew you were watching, it would not let myself lose in front of you." Thelios stated boldly, but his eyes stayed glued to the ground. Hephaestion could see Alexander’s frown out of the corner of his eye, but he also saw Bagoas standing over Alexander’s shoulder, and he approached the boy and lifted his chin.
"Do not look down, Thelios, look up with pride. You are the victor and this is your celebration, humility does not suit you¼"
"The boy took a good thrashing today, he doesn’t slow down on the wine, he’ll make himself sick before the food." Ptolemy interjected.
"Ptolemy, leave him be!" Hephaestion commanded, "he has earned the right to be treated like a man, do not fuss over him like some boy."
Hephaestion barely stroked the boy’s jaw and then turned and sat at Alexander’s right, turning his radiant smile on his King. Alexander barely moved his chin, and Bagoas returned seconds later with a goblet of wine for Hephaestion.
The food soon arrived and the din died a bit as everyone ate. Alexander was served first and when they went to serve Hephaestion next, he shook his head, "Please, let the guest of honor eat, he has earned his appetite today."
Alexander shot him a dark look, but Hephaestion ignored him, watching the blush slowly creep up Thelios’ face as he turned his big, doe-eyes on Hephaestion. The boy had not stopped grinning since the feast had started, and he stared into Hephaestion’s face until the serving slave passed between them. Alexander leaned over, placed his hand on Hephaestion’s knee and squeezed slightly, but he did not look at his lover, instead his eyes were glued to Thelios. Hephaestion was not sure Alexander was aware of his hand. Hephaestion whispered gently in the King’s ear
"My King, we are in public, if you wish for my attention, I shall go find us a private place so we may be alone."
Alexander turned, looked at Hephaestion, then looked at his own hand and withdrew it, "No, no¼" then he turned his piercing grey eyes on the General, "but I reserve the right to claim you for myself this evening, despite your boy’s victory."
Hephaestion looked away from Alexander, trying not to show his anger. Alexander had not "claimed him" in months until last night, and now, he was being jealous and possessive. He stood, touched Alexander’s shoulder ever so slightly, then went and sat on the end of Ptolemy’s couch, close to Thelios. Alexander shot daggers their direction, but it would have been unseemly for him to make a scene. Hephaestion, emboldened with wine and weary of Alexander indecipherable demands, turned his attention to Thelios.
His voice was soft and the others could not hear, "You impressed me today, Thelios. You are becoming a very promising soldier"
"You being there helped, I would not let you down," he murmured, his eyes fuzzy from the wine.
"It wasn’t just impressive Thelios¼" Hephaestion whispered illicitly, "you were so beautiful."
"I did what you told me, I just wore him down¼"
"I didn’t think you were listening," Hephaestion laughed, "conversation was not on your mind that night."
Thelios smiled innocently, "I listen to everything you say."
"I am so proud of you¼" Hephaestion said again, his voice thick with desire.
"That means more than this entire banquet. I would sacrifice my victory for your pride¼" Thelios whispered, his eyes locked on Hephaestion’s mouth.
"Oh, Thelios¼ I wish we were alone, I would love to show you how proud you have truly made me."
A hopeful expression spread over the boy’s face, "Will anyone notice if we steal away for just a moment?"
Hephaestion chuckled, "I am pretty sure we would be noticed, but later, once everyone has drank their fill, I am sure we won’t be missed if we make it quick¼"
The banquet continued, the food was cleared and more wine was drunk. Alexander was drunk by now, and although he seemed unaffected, Hephaestion was wary when he turned to Thelios and raised his glass. His booming voice soon silenced the room.
"Lets all raise our glasses in celebration of our future soldiers, who proved themselves today and especially to our victor. To Thelios!"
"To Thelios!" The room echoed, a particularly loud cheer coming from his cluster of friends. Alexander called the boy before him and Thelios prostrated himself, Alexander looked pleased.
"Well, congratulations are in order. I watched you compete, I wasn’t sure Demus was beatable¼"
"I just tried to stay out of his way until he got too tired, then I took my chance¼" Thelios stated, his bravery due to the wine.
"Well, cunning and intelligence usually make a better soldier than brute force."
"It was General Hephaestion’s advice, I owe him my victory."
Alexander looked over at Hephaestion, his eyes giving nothing away, "Well his cunning and intelligence are renowned¼"
Hephaestion interjected, "Your win is your own, you owe me no gratitude¼"
Thelios’ response was drowned out by another raucous cheer from Ptolemy. Wine went round again and the general level of intoxication increased. Well after dark, when everyone was up and moving around, the prostitutes had entered, the music was loud and the dancers had began, Hephaestion looked over to Thelios, trying to meet his eyes. As if he felt the General’s stare, he looked up and saw a barely perceptible movement of Hephaestion’s head. Thelios waited a few moments, then quietly excused himself and walked out of the room. Hephaestion knew where the boy was heading and waited a bit before leaving. Bagoas was dancing now, and an inebriated Alexander was watching him with heavy eyes.
Ptolemy’s tent, like all the generals’, was a many-chambered building with rooms, hallways and sitting areas. Hephaestion found Thelios in an empty alcove off the main sleeping chamber, leaning against a post, tipsy from the wine. It was dark and Hephaestion could barely make out the boy’s face as he leaned down to kiss him. They were both drunk and their kissing was rough as Hephaestion moved down to Thelios’ neck, biting and sucking violently. His hands were under the boy’s chiton, cupping his buttocks as his finger brushed over the cloth covered pucker. Thelios moaned loudly, pushing back into Hephaestion’s hand. Hephaestion did not bother shushing the boy; many corners were filled with groaning shadows with several arms and legs. His hands made fast work of the boy’s loincloth.
"Turn around," the General commanded as the boy’s under-clothes hit the ground. Thelios, with a sigh of relief, gladly complied. Hephaestion’s hands roamed up the boy’s chest, he was licking and sucking the back of his neck, a spot he knew was especially sensitive. Thelios arched, grinding his ass into Hephaestion’s crotch and his neck into his mouth. He pulled one of the general’s hands to his mouth and sucked two of the fingers into his mouth, sending fire through the older man’s groin. Thelios, impatient in his drunkenness, pushed Hephaestion’s hand down, what the boy wanted was obvious.
Hephaestion thought he would lose it when his fingers entered the boy. Thelios let out a low, keening moan and Hephaestion moved his fingers in and out.
"Please, please¼," Thelios begged, pushing himself back onto Hephaestion’s hand so much the older man had to hold the boy’s hip with his other hand to still him. Thelios did not have to ask twice and soon the fingers were replaced by his throbbing erection and the boy gasped in pain as Hephaestion pushed all the way into him in one thrust. He willed himself to remain still until Thelios began to squirm. He pulled almost all the way out, and then pushed back in slowly, grazing the boy’s sensitive spot purposefully, pulling a deep groan out of the young soldier. They had soon found their practiced rhythm and, both knowing they didn’t have much time, were oblivious to the festivities going on around them.
Thelios reached down to stroke himself in time with the other man’s thrusts, but Hephaestion’s iron grip held his hand, "Let me enjoy you for a little bit longer¼"
The boy said nothing, he just groaned almost painfully, hanging his head and grasping the post in front of him. Neither heard the foot steps approaching or noticed the presence of another person, both were lost in their lusty haze.
Alexander had noticed Hephaestion leaving and when he saw the page was gone as well, he excused himself. He did not know why he followed or what he expected to find, but his stomach jumped into his throat when he saw the coupling and recognized Hephaestion. He was stunned speechless and stood in the shadows watching. He wasn’t sure they would even notice him if he did speak.
"Gods, you feel so good¼" Hephaestion growled, running his hand up the boy’s back to his neck, looking down to the juncture of their bodies to admire his work.
"Hephaestion¼," the boy cried, "I need¼" he couldn’t find the words, but struggled to free his hand from the older man’s. Hephaestion released the boy’s hand, but before the boy could touch himself, the general had wrapped a hand around the Thelios’ cock and began stroking it, agonizingly slowly.
Alexander listened to the boy whimper, and he knew Hephaestion was close when he threw his head back, grasped the boy’s hip with one hand and sped up his thrusts, blowing out forceful breaths each time he pushed in. His hand matched his thrusts and soon the boy arched his back and Hephaestion had to wrap his arm around the boy’s waist to hold him up. Hephaestion pounded into the limp body in front of him several more times before he climaxed, letting out a deep, rumbling groan and clutched Thelios to him until he had released all of his seed inside the young man’s body.
Alexander stood frozen in the shadows, watching the clandestine lovers cling to each other while they caught their breath. He did not make his presence known, but turned and reentered the banquet.
A few moments later, Thelios walked back in, teetering drunkenly and Alexander counted the moments until Hephaestion returned. When he did walk in, he walked directly over to his King and did not sit down on his own couch, but sat right next to Alexander. Bagoas was rubbing the King’s neck and shoulders, which, the eunuch noted, had tensed more as the evening had progressed. Hephaestion reached for his empty cup as a slave appeared to fill it and turned his lazy smile on Alexander.
"Where did you slip off to?" Alexander asked, his hand going to Hephaestion’s cheek. Hephaestion held his gaze and pressed his face into Alexander’s hand.
"I had something I needed to do¼" Hephaestion whispered, laying a feathery kiss on the King’s wrist.
"Or someone?" Alexander questioned and when Hephaestion looked into his eyes, he knew Alexander knew where he had been.
"Yes, Alexander¼ The boy did well today¼" Hephaestion laughed, then leaned in, right by Alexander’s ear and whispered just loudly enough so Bagoas would hear, "but you may still claim me, if you so wish."
Alexander lowered his voice until it was almost a hiss. "I wondered where you went, I went to find you."
"Well, Lover, I am here now¼" Hephaestion murmured, his mouth still close to the King’s ear.
"Yes and covered with the boy’s scent." Alexander forced out, his mouth and lips barely moving with the words. Hephaestion pulled away from Alexander, trying to make sense of things through the cloud of alcohol and sex. He caught Alexander’s eyes and held them for what seemed like an eternity.
"Have I done something to upset you?"
"No, just find a way to get that smell off of you before you come to my bed." Alexander’s eyes were red and unfocused, but Hephaestion could not tell if it was the alcohol or the rage.
It was closer to dawn by the time the banquet wrapped up. Thelios’ friends had carried him to bed when he was too drunk to stand. Hephaestion returned to his tent, changed his clothes, and washed up a bit before making his way to Alexander’s tent. He knew the King was upset, but until they were alone, he could only guess what had set him off.
The night was cool with a sharp breeze and Hephaestion was chilled in his light robes by the time he made it to Alexander’s tent. He pushed the flap back on the inner chamber and peered in. Alexander was splayed out on a couch, a cup of wine in his hand and Bagoas was snaked up beside him, rubbing Alexander’s neck and thigh, as if he could caress away all his King’s troubles. Alexander put his arm around Bagoas and pulled the eunuch closer, bringing their lips together. Alexander was drunk and troubled so his kisses were demanding, but Bagoas kissed back fervently. When Bagoas’ hand crept up the King’s thigh, Hephaestion cleared his throat. Bagoas jumped a little, but he did not move.
"Please leave us." Hephaestion said to Bagoas, who looked at his King questioningly. Alexander nodded, leaned in and kissed the boy deeply one last time, then patted his bottom and told him to scoot.
When Bagoas had disappeared, Hephaestion spoke, "you seem rather drunk tonight, are you going to be any use to me?"
Alexander said nothing; he just crooked his finger, beckoning Hephaestion towards him. As Hephaestion settled by Alexander, his fingers reached out to touch his face, but Alexander moved away from the touch. The general’s hand dropped to Alexander’s crotch, cupping his flaccid cock and slowly rubbing. Alexander tried to move away, but Hephaestion would have none of it, he just pressed his body against Alexander’s and flicked his tongue across the King’s ear, his hand still working between the other man’s legs.
"I saw you¼" Alexander barely said.
"What?"
"I saw you!" Alexander snarled like a dog giving a warning, "I saw the two of you¼"
"So that is what is wrong¼" Hephaestion said pulling away from Alexander, "you don’t want me here to make love, you want me here so you can claim me?"
Alexander did not respond to Hephaestion’s words, as if the other man had not spoken, "I want you to give the boy up, Hephaestion."
"Absolutely not, Alexander." Hephaestion swore, his words were hard and pronounced.
"I am your King, you do not get to tell me no."
"It is the middle of the night, Alexander. We are both drunk, we will discuss this tomorrow."
"We will discuss nothing. You will end it with the young man or I will ship him back to Greece within the week."
"Why? Why are you doing this?" Hephaestion demanded, his voice rising.
"I don’t need a reason, Hephaestion."
"The King needs no reason, but, from my lover, I demand a reason." Hephaestion was furious by now.
"You want a reason?" Alexander finally made eye contact with Hephaestion, his grey eyes were wet and anxious, "I saw you¼ I though I was going to be sick¼"
"You are jealous? That is your reason?"
"I cannot, will not, lose you to some child! I want you to end it." Alexander demanded again, his belligerence after drinking was well known.
"So I can lay in bed alone, knowing what you are doing in here¼" Hephaestion blurted out, his temper flaring.
"It is not the same! You know it is not the same¼"
"I will not give up the boy Alexander, do what you must, but I can only give you so much¼"
Alexander spanned the space between them and was inches from the other man’s face, his tone deadly serious, "I will have the boy woken up and arrested right now. Do not force my hand, Hephaestion, you will live to regret it."
Hephaestion echoed the King’s tone, whispering, "Do not threaten me, Alexander. Please do not, in your drunken stupor, mistake who you are speaking to. I am not your pleasure slave or your wife, and I do not respond well to your ultimatums."
"You are my General, you will do what I command you to do, or you will be punished," Alexander responded.
"Fine, punish me, but leave Thelios alone."
Alexander spun around, his pain had morphed into rage, "I will have the boy flayed alive if I so wish. Is that all you are concerned about? That boy?"
"You, a Macedonian King, are threatening to have your proven-best royal page arrested for no reason and then either sent back to Greece or flayed alive. You should not be questioning my reasoning, Alexander."
Alexander directly returned to the couch and sank down into it, rubbing his hands over his face as if it might make things clearer. He was drunk, very drunk. He had drunk all evening, as usual, but then, when he had found Hephaestion with Thelios, he had tried, unsuccessfully, to drown the image from his mind.
"What is it about him...? What is it; just tell me what it is?" Alexander yelled, his voice shaking with anguish.
"I don’t understand why you are so upset... I spent all last night proving to you I still desired you, this morning you asked me what I wanted most in the world and I said all I wanted was us to remain lovers," Hephaestion had knelt in front of Alexander, his eyes wild and bewildered, "you know I love you most in the world, you know I am completely devoted to you, yet you still rage at me..."
"You love the King, you are devoted to the King..." Alexander trailed off.
"Beloved, where does this insecurity come from? I fell in love with Alexander when I was still a boy and I remain in love with Alexander, not the King." Hephaestion said emphatically, "you do not touch me for months at a time and now this. I do not know what you want from me; I have already given you everything..."
"Then why have you started up with Thelios?"
"By Zeus, Alexander, I grow tired of answering the same questions over and over! You have an entire world that adores you; everyone fights and vies for your attention. I have left all I know in Macedonia, my friends are few, all I have is you and I have to share you with so many others," Hephaestion had lost his composure, his voice was raw and harsh, "I used to spend almost every night in your bed and now I play second to some castrated Persian slave-whore. I shouldered my pain for years, silently, out of love for you; and now, when I finally have some peace, something of my own, that I do not have to share, you demand I give that up as well! I can give no more Alexander, I have nothing else, you have taken it all, my King..."
"Are you really so unhappy? Is that why?"
"I am not unhappy¼" Hephaestion mumbled, he laid his head in Alexander’s lap, trying to hide his tears.
"Then why do you cry my Hephaestion?" Alexander begged for an answer.
"I swore I would never burden you with these things¼ I was weak to do so¼"
"No, no, no¼ I want you to tell me. I don’t want you to confide in others, I want you to tell me, not some boy¼," Alexander was petting Hephaestion’s hair, soothingly, but his voice was still demanding, "Do you love him?"
"I guess, in a way¼, but, Love, you are not going to lose me, ever."
"That is the one thing I could not take¼ it would destroy me." Alexander vowed passionately, holding Hephaestion’s face in his hands.
"I know, and me as well¼" Hephaestion whispered, another tear slipping down his face.
"When we did we grow so far apart?" Alexander’s eyes welled, "Tell me how I fix this, please."
"This is why I don’t tell you, it is nothing," Hephaestion soothed, "I love you, that will never change."
"No, it is not nothing. I have not seen you cry since we were boys, how can you say it is nothing." Alexander voice quivered, "tell me what to do¼"
"I told you this morning¼" Hephaestion, his eyes downcast.
"Is that all it will take?" Alexander asked, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly. Hephaestion did not respond, he just stood, walked over to Alexander bed, let his robe drop at his feet, and then laid himself across the bed with a great sigh.
Alexander followed him and stood for a moment before taking off his own clothing and lying down beside Hephaestion on the bed, "what do you need from me, my Beautiful Hephaestion?" Alexander’s hand trailed across the general’s cheek and down to his chest. Hephaestion still did not speak, but closed his eyes, forcing droplets to spill down his cheeks. Alexander raised himself so he could kiss these tears away, laying himself on top of the other man.
"Will you let me take you?" Alexander whispered, laying light kisses on the tracks of Hephaestion’s tears, "I want to claim my Hephaestion, my most loved¼"
Hephaestion nodded, allowing Alexander to settle between his thighs. Alexander began kissing his neck, finding all the places he knew better than his own body, and then kissed down his chest. His tongue flicked across each nipple before Hephaestion opened his eyes with a moan. Alexander smiled broadly, and looked to Hephaestion for reassurance. His mouth then moved back up to his lover’s neck, but only paused briefly before finding Hephaestion’s mouth.