Title: First Impressions
Author: Qaddafi the Ripper
Summary: Sometimes friendships can be forged from unlikely encounters.
Pella was an impressive sight to a young boy. His own home was large enough, and the house of his uncle in Athens was even bigger. Neither place had forced him to look up and up and up the way the palace at Pella did. His father, watching him, laughed. "What do you think, Hephaistion?" he asked. "Perhaps Macedon isn't so uncivilized after all." Amyntor's eyes glittered playfully.
"It must be the biggest place in the whole world!" the boy exclaimed with awe.
His sister Ariadne gave him a disdainful look. "Of course it isn't, silly," she said. "There's much larger palaces in Persia. Don't you ever listen to Diomales?"
Hephaistion flushed. Ariadne had just turned thirteen and thought herself much older than Hephaistion then the four years that actually separated them. "Of course I listen to Diomales!" he told her staunchly. Diomales was an old friend of their uncle's. When they'd been visiting him in Athens not too long ago, Diomales had come and entertained the children with stories of the Persian empire. He'd traveled through lots of it, and gotten as far as Susa, as a merchant. Hephaistion wasn't sure how many of Diomales' stories he actually believed, but they were fun to listen to. He especially wasn't sure if he believed the stories about those what-do-you-call-them, eunuchs; Men with women's faces and voices who couldn't marry or have children but lived with women anyway, according to Diomales. Hephaistion was sure he'd made that up.
"If you'd listened to him," Ariadne continued mercilessly, "you'd know that there are much bigger palaces than Pella. Nothing in Macedon could ever equal Persia." She eyed the palace as if it were a particularly repulsive bug. She'd been very taken with Athens and had been crushed when she couldn't stay. She was planning to marry a man from Athens, if she could get their father to arrange it. Hephaistion missed Athens too - it was so much more magnificent than anything in Macedon - but he thought the way Ariadne sighed over Attica was rather silly.
Hephaistion glared at his sister but couldn't think of anything good to say to that. He wished he were more clever; it was embarrassing, being talked down to by a girl. He wished Ariadne was more like Danaë, their eldest sister, who was very sweet and kind and never picked fights. The family had come to Pella today because Danaë would be getting married soon. Amyntor had thought he should finally introduce his children to court life, since Danaë's fiancé was always in and out of Pella. Hephaistion dreaded the thought of Danaë being gone and leaving Ariadne as the oldest child in their house.
Ariadne smirked at him. "You're such a baby, Hephaistion. You'll never grow up to be like me." Ariadne liked to think herself very grown-up since she'd heard Danaë would soon be living elsewhere.
"I am not a baby!" Hephaistion said loudly. But he didn't yell, since she'd have said that only babies yelled. "You're just jealous because you're a girl and you'll have to do whatever your husband says you should do."
Ariadne's face darkened. "You little brat," she hissed and flung herself at him, fingernails extended. Hephaistion fled backwards, having learned long ago the danger of her fingernails and her willingness to use them. He ran to his father for help; it was less dishonorable, in his young mind, to get parental help, than to lose to his sister in their sibling warfare.
"Stop that right now, you two," Amyntor said grimly, giving both his younger children a cold look. He knew how often those two fought and he despaired that either one would ever grow up. It made him grateful for Danaë, who'd never given him any grief, and he wished she could remain a child for a few more years and not get married. "If you wreak your nice clothes, I'll send you both home without ever going inside."
Both children instantly fell silent and stood straight, trying to appear obedient. Even Ariadne was impressed by the thought of actually being inside a palace. Amyntor had fought under and become a good friend to King Philip, but the children had never quite understood what that meant until now. It meant that Danaë was getting a very rich and influential husband who was completely taken with her. It meant they were allowed to visit the palace to meet the groom and his family before the actual marriage. It meant the king himself wanted to meet Amyntor's family. It meant they might come back again to court if they were good this time. It meant, more immediately, that Amyntor's threat was completely serious and they had to be on their best behavior.
Their mother, who had been fussing over Danaë's gown, was finally satisfied and said that they could go in now. Amyntor relaxed, hoping his children would quiet down once inside the palace. He led his small family inside, knowing which way to go.
* * * * *
Ptolemy was ignoring him. He'd been so happy to see him when he arrived earlier. He'd seen his friend coming up the path in front of the palace and slipped out of his room before Leonidas came. His tutor would be furious when he finally found him, but Alexander hadn't cared. Seeing Ptolemy was worth it.
The older boy had grinned when he ran up to him and clapped him firmly on the shoulder. Ptolemy then leaned over and asked, in a conspiring whisper, if Alexander could help him with something very important and dangerous. Alexander agreed, of course, and soon he and Ptolemy were slipping into his mother's garden to steal some of the prettier flowers. Alexander hadn't thought to wonder why Ptolemy wanted flowers. He wished now he had.
Apparently, last time he'd been here, Ptolemy had seen a pretty girl who had proved impervious to all the grand things he said to her. It came out, only now that Alexander had already helped him, that the only reason Ptolemy was here today was to try wooing the girl a second time. And he'd talked to Alexander just to get the flowers, ignoring him as soon as he found them.
Alexander crouched behind a bush and watched as Ptolemy handed the flowers with a flourish to the blushing girl. She giggled and let him stand closer to her. Alexander scowled fiercely. Ever since he'd discovered girls, Ptolemy never had time for him any more. He wondered how much longer it would be before Ptolemy stopped noticing him entirely.
And why did Ptolemy ignoring him make his chest hurt? It'd been over two months since Ptolemy's last visit and he'd been waiting impatiently the entire time. Old Lysimachus was a good friend too, but it was nice to have someone closer to his own age, and right now Ptolemy was the youngest person who called Alexander friend and was called friend by Alexander.
It was a weakness of his, surely, that made him hurt when Ptolemy ignored him. Leonidas would say so if he found out and scold him firmly for it. He rubbed at a bruise on his arm distractedly at the thought of his tutor's scoldings. A man, a soldier, a king shouldn't feel miserable just because his dearest friend only wanted his help to steal flowers in order to court some dumb girl.
Telling himself that didn't make it hurt any less, though. How long had Ptolemy been eyeing the girls here anyway? He should be used to it by now. But he couldn't help imagining what it might be like to have someone who came just to see him.
Ptolemy had his girl by the arm and was leading her off to a secluded groove that everyone knew about, though all the youths here thought they were the only ones who knew of it. Well, he knew perfectly well what would happen next, and he had no interest in hanging around to listen in on it. It must be annoying, having to say so many things to a girl for just one tumble. Disgusted with the whole in general, Alexander turned and went back in the castle. He'd go slowly, in the hopes of avoiding Leonidas. No need to be scolded any sooner than necessary.
* * * * *
The king hadn't there to greet them in the large room Amyntor led them to. He was far too busy for that. Amyntor had known that in advance and wasn't insulted. They were greeted by Iphicles the bridegroom and his family, as well as other important men of the court. The families exchanged long and formal introductions which, after he was introduced and after realizing there were no children his own age, bored Hephaistion terribly. He lay down on his back and stared at the ceiling. It had been carved of wood and painted brightly and stopped being interesting to look at almost right away.
He sighed and tried not to fidget. His father would be horribly embarrassed if Hephaistion didn't behave himself, so he tried to be good. He glanced sideways and saw that Ariadne was grinning at him in a way he knew meant nothing good for him. "What?" he asked her, keeping his voice down lest his parents should hear.
"Nothing," she whispered back, though it was clear from her expression that was a lie. "I was just thinking that it's good you're behaving."
Hephaistion scowled. He was very tempted to tell her that she caused just as much trouble as he did, but if he said that they'd start arguing and then they'd both get yelled at and maybe sent home early. "Why is it good?" he asked instead, knowing he'd regret it.
Her grin turned more evil. "Because if they knew what kind of boy you really were, Iphicles would never marry Danaë. He'd be scared that his children would be as naughty as you are."
"I am not naughty!" he cried. Too loudly, because every head in the room turned to look at him, and his parents were frowning.
"Hephaistion," his father said severely, "what did I say about behaving yourself?"
Hephaistion hung his head. "Sorry," he mumbled. Ariadne was smirking and he had to try hard not to sniffle. The adults eventually stopped paying attention to him, and even Ariadne got distracted when Amyntor spoke of living in Athens. Hephaistion was the only one too miserable to want to enjoy remembering the only place he'd ever been happy in. Seeing that no one was noticing him, he got up and slipped out of the room.
He hardly saw where he was going and it wouldn't have made a difference if he did, having no knowledge of how to get anywhere in the palace. Eventually, he saw a little cubby hole in a corner, half hidden by a large chest in front of it. He slipped inside of it, finding there was room to spare.
Hephaistion hunched down in his hiding place, miserable. He hated Ariadne. She wreaked everything. He'd been looking forward to meeting the king far more than she had been. And she'd made fun of him because she knew it too. He wished he'd never come to the palace and that he'd never see it again. He wished most of all that Ariadne would get married soon and leave so she couldn't ever tease him again. He was sure that there was no other child as miserable as he.
He crouched in that cubby hole for what seemed to him like a very long time. People, whom he guessed were servants from their clothes, walked past, never even glancing in his direction. He wondered if his parents would miss him soon. He didn't want to go back, since Ariadne would only call him a baby again.
As he sat in his hiding place, miserable, he saw a boy, younger than himself, sneak quietly down the hallway. Hephaistion watched the boy, thinking that the boy reminded him of himself. He kept looking around, obviously fearing to be caught and just as obviously wanting to get away. Hephaistion considered his excellent hiding place and wondered if he should help the boy. There was more than enough room in here for two.
Maybe the boy was running away from someone as horrible as Ariadne. He decided to help. He stood up just enough to be seen, if one was looking the right way. "Hey!" he hissed. The boy jumped and looked around. Hephaistion waved his hand. "Over here!" The boy finally saw him and his eyes widened. He hurried over to Hephaistion. "Are you hiding too?" Hephaistion asked. The boy nodded. "There's enough room here for two."
The boy's face lit up and he scurried into the nook after Hephaistion. They fit next to each other easily. Hephaistion finally took a close look at the boy. He was a few years younger than he, maybe six. He had bright blond hair and large gray eyes. His tunic was dirty and frayed at the edges, slipping off one very thin shoulder. The boy, in turn, studied Hephaistion. "Who are you running away from?" Hephaistion asked quietly.
The boy scowled. "I'm not running away from anyone," he hissed angrily.
Hephaistion rolled his eyes. "Sure you aren't. I run away and hide often enough that I know when someone else is doing it." The boy hesitated, but still didn't answer his question. "Here, I'll tell you first. I'm hiding from my sister."
"Your sister? How come?" The boy didn't sound impressed.
It was Hephaistion's turn to scowl. "You don't know my sister," he argued. "She's really smart and she doesn't like me at all. But I can't beat her because she's older and smarter than me and if I try to hit her, she claws me." He held out his arm for evidence, displaying marks Ariadne had left behind the day before.
The boy looked impressed. "Wow, I've never heard of a girl clawing her brother. My sister isn't like that."
"Then you're very lucky." Hephaistion paused. "My name's Hephaistion, and now it's your turn."
"I'm Alexander," the other replied. "I guess I can tell you. I'm hiding from my tutor." He looked embarrassed at this.
Hephaistion nodded sympathetically. "I hide from my tutor sometimes too. Normally I like learning, but he can be a pain sometimes. He's says mean things to me in Macedonian."
Alexander looked interested. "You talk funny. Aren't you from Macedon?"
"Well, kind of." Hephaistion explained, "I was born here, but my parents are both from Athens like the rest of my family. My sister - my nice sister, not the one who scratches me - she was born in Athens. I have an accent because both of my parents do. I know a little Macedonian, but not much."
"Have you ever been to Athens? My father says it's the greatest city in the world."
Hephaistion grinned. It was nice to know more than someone else for a change. "I've been there a few times. We visited my uncle there just recently. It's a beautiful city with tons of history. Everyone's so smart too; philosophers stand around on street corners talking. I wish I could go back there," he added miserably.
"Why?" Alexander asked.
Hephaistion was surprised that he wanted to tell his new friend. He'd tried to tell his parents, but they patted him on the head like a baby and ignored him. He'd tried to tell Danaë, but she was so caught up in getting married that she had no time for him anymore. He'd never thought to tell Ariadne and he didn't have any close friends at home. "Because I'm happier in Athens. None of the other boys my age make fun of the way I talk. My uncle is old friends with their fathers and he didn't mind if I played with them. My sister, the mean one, ignored me so she could look around, and that's better than when she pays attention to me. And it was cleaner and smarter and more civilized. I hate Macedon!" he finished with a passion, forgetting to keep his voice down. He peeked out, but no one had been close enough to hear, so their hiding place was still safe.
"I wouldn't make fun of how you talk," Alexander told him. Hephaistion gazed at him warily, not sure if he believed him or not. "You talk different, sure, but I kind of like the way you talk. You sound smart. Besides, it's not as bad as my problem," Alexander said.
Hephaistion blushed. No one had ever called him smart before, especially not Ariadne or his tutor. "Thank you," he said. He decided right then and there that Alexander would be his first friend in Macedon. "What's your problem?" he asked.
"I'm short," Alexander sulked. "Everyone thinks I'm younger than I am."
"How old are you?"
"Eight," came the defiant answer, as if Alexander was daring him to think he was making it up.
Hephaistion decided not to tell him he'd thought Alexander was six. He tried to steer the conversation back to a safer topic. "You'd like Athens," he told his new friend.
Alexander looked sad. "I don't think I would. I haven't got any family there and I don't think people would like me. I met a man from Athens once, and he didn't like me at all."
Hephaistion stared at him for a moment, thinking that was a very odd thing to say. But he shrugged it off when his stomach rumbled loudly, reminding him he it was time for dinner. "I'm hungry. Do you know where we could get something to eat?" he asked.
Alexander thought for a moment. "There's food in the kitchen we could take, but..."
"But what?"
"But I'd get in trouble for that," Alexander said with a frown. He rubbed a bruise on his arm. Hephaistion wondered if he'd fallen down and hurt himself.
"You'll only get in trouble if you get caught," Hephaistion pointed out. "Please show me the way! I'm so hungry. We can sneak the food out with us, so it's less likely anyone will catch us."
He gave Alexander the look that usually caused his mother to cave in. Alexander giggled at his face. "Well, all right. But only because you asked so nicely."
"Thank you!" Hephaistion replied brightly. He poked his head out, checking to see if the coast was clear. Seeing no one in sight, he slipped out of his hiding place, Alexander on his heels. Alexander then led the way to the kitchen, checking around corners for anyone who might be searching for a wayward boy. They made it safely to the kitchen, where the scent of cooking sent Hephaistion's mouth watering.
Alexander hesitated at the door, but Hephaistion slipped confidently inside. He'd nicked food often enough from the kitchen at his home and his uncle's home. The cooks - of which there were far more than Hephaistion was used to, which he supposed was because the king and his guests lived here - had their backs to him. He slipped over to a counter and snatched a loaf of warm bread and then promptly fled with his prize.
He showed the bread to Alexander as they hurried away from the kitchen. Alexander was thoroughly impressed. "I can't believe you really did it!" Alexander said, awed.
Hephaistion grinned and skipped a bit, feeling pleased with himself and pleased with Alexander's praise. "It was easy," he bragged. "Maybe I'll teach you how."
"You will do no such thing," an angry adult voice interrupted him. Hephaistion and Alexander whirled around to see a man with streaks of gray in his hair glaring down at them. Alexander scowled fiercely when he saw him and Hephaistion guessed this was the tutor he'd been trying to escape. "What have I told you about sneaking snacks, Alexander?"
Alexander looked liked he was going to explode in anger, so Hephaistion decided to intervene. "He didn't sneak anything, sir," he said. Both Alexander and the man seemed surprised that he'd spoken up. "I'm visiting here today but I missed dinner. I got hungry and Alexander took me to the kitchen so I could get something to eat."
The man was clearly suspicious, but Hephaistion put on his best innocent look. "I should get back to my parents now before they worry about me," Hephaistion continued. "But I don't remember where I left them. Alexander was going to help me find them." And he took Alexander by the arm and pulled him off with him, leaving the scowling man behind.
When they'd gotten away from the old man, Alexander turn to him, amazed. "You tricked Leonidas!" he exclaimed.
"I didn't trick him," Hephaistion protested. "Everything I said was true. I'm sure my parents are worried about me by now. I think I left them in a large room with a fireplace and a painting of Herakles on the wall."
"I know what room that is," Alexander said distractedly. "But you said that to Leonidas, and he believed you! He never believes me."
"It wasn't that big of a deal," Hephaistion muttered, taking a bite of bread. He offered some to his new friend, but Alexander shook his head.
"I think you were wonderful," Alexander breathed.
Hephaistion blushed fiercely. "Thank you," he mumbled around a piece of bread. Alexander led him to a door he recognized from when he'd deserted his parents. He made to go inside, but Alexander grabbed his arm in a surprisingly strong grip.
"Will you come back?" Alexander asked anxiously.
"I hope so," Hephaistion said seriously. Alexander gave a look that was wretchedly hopeful; it reminded Hephaistion of how he'd surely looked when he'd asked his parents if he could stay in Athens. "I'll ask my father," he added with more surety. "I want to see you again too."
The smile Alexander gave him was the widest, brightest smile Hephaistion had ever seen. He had to blink his eyes as if he'd looked directly at the sun. He entered the room still dazzled. His parents fussed over him and Ariadne mocked him, same as always, but Hephaistion barely heard them. All he could think of was the wonderful smile Alexander had given him. He would definitely make sure he came back here to visit Alexander again soon.
* * * * *
Hephaistion was dreaming of Athens. He remembered its slopping streets and large gathering places. He remembered its ornate fountains and statues. He remembered his uncle's house, the nice garden in the back, the comfortable beds, the birds that sang outside his bedroom there. Most of all, he remembered his friends there and wished bitterly that he'd never had to come back to Macedon.
Without Danaë at home, the house had become so much more lonely and annoying, just as he'd known it would. Ariadne held uncontested eminence within the wing of the house devoted to the children. Even their tutor would only scold her if she and Hephaistion started yelling at each other. Mother wouldn't help him with his battle - she thought he should learn to stand up to Ariadne on his own - and father was far too busy to be bothered by children's quarrels.
He wondered if he's live out his whole life in this house, miserable and scared and lonely. No, he knew that wasn't true. Two more years, maybe three at most, and Ariadne would get married and then he could finally be free of her. That wouldn't be the end of his problems though; he would still be lonely and friendless. By then, he'd be eleven or twelve and he'd need to start becoming a man. He wondered if he'd have an easier time making friends once he was older. He didn't think so; Macedonian men, from what he'd seen, could be just as bad as Macedonian boys. They all held him in contempt, just because his parents were from Athens.
Except for one boy. Hephaistion smiled as he remembered. It had been two months since he'd been to the palace at Pella and he hadn't been able to go back yet. He'd told his father he'd made a friend while he was missing, and Amyntor had been glad of that, but in the busyness of Danaë's wedding the incident had been forgotten. If he asked again to go back to Pella, would his father allow it?
He considered it for a long time and decided that it certainly couldn't hurt to ask. He planned the conversation out carefully. First, he had to get his father alone; he didn't want to be interrupted by Ariadne nor did he want her coming with him to Pella if Amyntor said yes. Second, he had to get his father in a receptive mood, make him think Hephaistion really needed this. He'd start by saying how much he missed his friends in Athens and when his father looked sympathetic, he'd mention Alexander. Third, he had to make sure a visit wasn't inconvenient for Amyntor, so he'd suggest visiting whenever his father next needed to go to Pella. He grinned; that should take care of everything.
He caught his father shortly before dinner, sitting as his desk and reading a letter. He put on a sad face and walked slowly into the room. Amyntor glanced up and frowned when he saw his son. "What is it?" he asked.
Hephaistion shook his head. "Nothing. I just wanted to talk to you." He sat down of the couch next to Amyntor and leaned against him.
Amyntor smiled fondly and ran a hand through Hephaistion's hair. "Shouldn't you be outside playing?" he asked. It was past the time his son got tutored, and what child moped around the house on such a nice day?
"No," Hephaistion mumbled.
"Why not?" Amyntor asked, frowning. He hoped the children hadn't been fighting again. It was strange, watching his two youngest; he'd never fought like that with any of his siblings.
"I haven't got anyone to play with," Hephaistion said sadly. He didn't have to try to sound sad, because thinking about it really did make him miserable.
"There are plenty of children here," Amyntor said. Between the servants' children and the small village nearby, there should have been more than enough company for Hephaistion.
Hephaistion said, "They don't like me. They don't want to play with anybody from Athens."
Amyntor sighed at the old argument. Neither of his daughters had had problems making friends, but he supposed boys could hold a grudge longer than girls. "We're not going back to Athens any time soon, Hephaistion," he said patiently. "Try and make friends here. You're Macedonian now."
"I made one friend," Hephaistion offered shyly.
"Then why aren't you out with him now?"
"Because he doesn't live nearby."
Amyntor sighed again. "I said you needed to make friends in Macedon, not just in Athens." It could be trying, dealing with children.
"He is in Macedon. He lives in Pella," Hephaistion explained.
A frown wrinkled Amyntor's brow. Hephaistion had only been to Pella once. "You met him while you were hiding from your sister," he guessed.
Hephaistion nodded. "I told you about him, remember? He didn't mind that I talk different."
He did remember hearing that, vaguely. He smiled, glad that Hephaistion had finally managed to make a friend. "I suppose you want to visit him?" he asked.
Hephaistion's face lit up. "Oh, yes! But I can wait till you visit Pella," he added quickly.
His expression was so hopeful that Amyntor couldn't help but laugh and hug him tightly. "I'll be going to Pella in three days," he said. "Ask your mother for permission and be ready to leave early."
Hephaistion hugged him back exuberantly. "Thank you, Father!" he cried and hurried off to ask his mother if he could go.
* * * * *
Pella hadn't changed. It was busier today than it had been last time; Hephaistion barely managed to avoid getting run down by a woman rushing past with a large basket in her arms. His father left him standing forlorn in the courtyard and he realized he hadn't the slightest clue how to find Alexander. He wondered how he forgotten about that. He supposed he could just wander around the palace, hoping he'd run into his friend, but he knew just how large the palace was. Even if he did manage to find Alexander, it would take hours at least.
He slumped dejectedly. He'd spent all this time and effort trying to get to Pella and now he might not get to see Alexander at all. He slunk off to the side, moving out of the way of other people, and sat down against a wall near a large tree. This wasn't anything like he'd hoped. He rested his elbows on his knees and dully watched the people passing him by. They were oblivious to him. He wondered if he should ask someone to help him find Alexander, but they all seemed so busy he didn't want to bother them. Besides, Alexander was a common name, so even with adult help there was no guarantee he'd find his friend soon. He made a note, that if he did ever find Alexander, to discover how he could locate him again in the future.
"Hephaistion!" The cry came form behind him; Hephaistion whirled around. Alexander was hurrying across the grass, smiling broadly. Hephaistion jumped up, melancholy forgotten. Alexander skidded to a stop just in front of him, slightly breathless; Hephaistion wondered if he'd run very far. "You came back!"
"Of course. Didn't I say I'd come back?" A broad grin covered his face as he spoke.
"You took so long I thought you wouldn't come back," Alexander said, momentarily becoming sad.
Hephaistion's stomach twisted strangely. "I'm sorry," he apologized. "I didn't mean to take so long, but a lot's been happening. My sister getting married took forever."
Alexander was smiling again, and Hephaistion's spirits revived. "It's all right. You're here now." Alexander looked around cautiously. "I'm supposed to be with Leonidas right now. I know a place he won't find us." He tugged on Hephaistion's arm and Hephaistion followed him willingly.
He led them behind the stables to a place when the wall was crumbling enough to provide questionable handholds. Without hesitation, Alexander scrambled up the wall and on top of the stable. Hephaistion paused, the wall didn't really look safe to climb, but he couldn't just be a coward when Alexander had already climbed it. His climb up was slower and more deliberate than Alexander's had been, but he reached the top safely. He sat down next to Alexander, looking at the field where the horses were grazing, and made a face. "It smells," he said.
"Horses do smell," Alexander pointed out with a broad grin.
"I know that," Hephaistion countered with a frown. He looked at Alexander out of the corner of his eye, and Alexander turned to him with another smile that made Hephaistion momentarily forget to breathe. Nervously, he averted his eyes from Alexander's face and noticed that Alexander had ever more bruises than he'd had last time. His friend must be very clumsy, though he hadn't seemed it while walking or climbing with Hephaistion. "Did you fall down?" he asked, pointing.
Alexander's hands rose and made as if to hide the marks. "I'm fine," he said. Then, quickly, "How was your sister's wedding?"
He gazed at the horses, most of which were placidly eating. "Busy," he said. "I never thought getting married could be that complicated. Very emotional, I suppose. Danaë and Mother cried the entire time. And there's this one weird lady - my sister's new aunt or something, I think - who keeps pinching my cheeks." He grimaced and rubbed his face at the memory. "Are all weddings that strange?" he wondered aloud.
"My father's wedding last year took three days," Alexander offered. "He got drunk every night, but he was very happy about it. Mother was angry the entire time." A shadow seemed to cross his face and he didn't say anything else. Hephaistion firmly ordered himself not to ask why Alexander's father was marrying some other woman. He could tell the question would only hurt Alexander. He thought hard about something to say to make his friend smile again.
"I like you better than any of my friends in Athens," he blurted out. "I mean, I hardly know you, but I just like being near you. And I really like the way you smile." He blushed hard when he realized what he's rambled aloud. It was true though. He felt already that Alexander was the greatest friend he could ever have and that he'd do anything to make Alexander happy.
"I like you too," Alexander told him. "You came all this way just to see me. No one's ever done that before." He leaned over and pecked a kiss on Hephaistion's lips. "We'll be friends forever, I just know it."
Hephaistion tried not to think of what Alexander had just done, lest his face burn off from blushing too hard. "Forever," he agreed, an absolute solemn promise. Of such simple things are the strongest bonds sometimes forged.
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