Chapter 205

 

CHAPTER 205

 

— Phai, you know I love you, and all that crap, but how long are you planning to stay on my couch? –asked a half sleep Nikandros that morning. Hephaistion had been here for a week since his fight with his lover, refusing to go home, something that was driving his big brother nuts and not because he did not like to have his brother the writer around, but because he refused to even talk to Alexander and God knew the blond could be insistent. It was a good thing Achilles was on a school trip or the situation would have been even worst.

 

That or maybe the boy would have help these two to see reason and sit down to talk –thought Nikandros, scratching his head. He was in robe and pajamas, standing over his couch, watching his also half sleep brother while his wife got the twins ready for school.

 

— Why do you ask? –Hephaistion stretched and rubbed his eyes— Do you want me to go? –he yawned while taking a seat, hearing Vashti’s voice hurrying the girls.

 

— I didn’t say that, but I truly think you should talk to Alex –Nikandros sat down at his side— This madness has to stop. He has been sending you flowers the entire week and my place looks like a bloody greenhouse. I can’t eat in peace because everything tastes to roses! He calls all day because you had the brilliant idea of refusing to answer your damn phone. Did you know Alex called mom? –Hephaistion’s expression clearly told him he had no idea— He called mom, Lys, Eni, Vashti, Leon and me every freaking day asking for you. Even our dog knows Alex is crawling like a worm asking for your forgiveness; and last night he stayed for hours outside my house waiting for you.

 

— That’s his problem, I told Alexander I did not want to see him –it was a childish answer but that was all he got.

 

— It was raining, the man stood waiting in the rain for hours.

 

— So?

 

— How old are you, Phai? –the question took Hephaistion successfully aback.

 

— What?

 

— You are acting like a teenage girl –his brother scolded him— Alex insulted you, yes, and you have all your right to be angry but he already apologized, more than once actually, and all you do is hide here feeding your indignation.

 

— I am not hiding.

 

— You are –his big brother scolded him— What do you want of the man?

 

— The problem, Nick, its that this is always the same –said Hephaistion— He always does something wrong, apologizes and everything is cool. And I am sick of it!

 

— Why?

 

— Why what?

 

— Why are you sick of it? –asked Nikandros and his brother saw him in disbelief.

 

— Now you sound like Alexander –Hephaistion puffed his cheeks out, brushing his hair back with his fingers.

 

— Phai, tell me something. Has Alex always been like this? –asked Nikandros with calm.

 

— Yes, but…

 

— So, we can say that, when you agreed to marry him, you knew in what you were getting into, right? –Hephaistion began to see his brother’s point— Phai, you can’t ask an apple tree to give you oranges. You knew how is Alexander and you agreed to live with him.

 

— I know but…—Hephaistion made a pause— It’s so difficult.

 

— Nobody said marriage was easy –Nikandros patted his back— Besides, your lover always screws things up when he is angry but he loves you, I have never doubted that because –his brother moved closer, caressing his cheek— If I thought he doesn’t deserve you, I would have never let him closed to my dear brother… —Nikandros kissed his eyelid— Talk to your lover. 

 

XXX

 

When Julius woke up that morning, he had planned a very different day from the one he got. That week had been a torment, he was sure God was punishing him because he had had to deal with his cousin Marcus Antonius, his scandalous life and his great idea of having a lion pulling a chariot for one of his parties. Also now he had a teenager named Cleopatra with an insane crush with him, one of his friends, Crassus, had been killed in the Middle East, and he had suffered another wittiness from Cicero, whose mouth, he was convinced, would be the end of that man one day.

 

That day he was praying to have peace and, had just sat down, in front of his Macbook, to work on his book about a war in what is today France, when his perfect peaceful day was interrupted by a very upset blond…

 

— Julius you have to help me –that was all Alexander said when he arrived at his study.

 

— Good day to you too –the Roman, lifted his head and frowned— You look horrible.

 

— I feel horrible –the Macedonian paced around— Phai and I had a fight –he told Julius everything of what had happened at the party and at the parking lot and…—I know, I screwed things up, ok? I have begged all week for his forgiveness but he doesn’t answer my calls and refuses to see me. What the hell should I do?

 

— First –Julius leaned his weight back against the chair— Let me tell you one thing: you are moron. You humiliated Hephaistion in front of all your friends and, now you are offended? You have serious problems.

 

— But I apologize! –the blond exclaimed like a child making a tantrum.

 

— And that solves everything, doesn’t it? –the Roman rubbed his temple with his thumb, another of his famous headaches was threatening to start— Your problem is you think Hephaistion will always be at your side no matter what you do.  

 

— Of course I think so! –Alexander exclaimed before thinking— He loves me.

 

— And because he loves you he has to bear with whatever you do to him?

 

— I did not say that! –he complained— You make this sound as if I beat him or something. 

 

— Do you truly believe Hephaistion is less than you? –the Roman questioned him.

 

— NO!

 

— Then, why did you say that?

 

— I was angry!

 

— And we should all forgive you because of that? –Julius questioned him—Alexander your problem is you cannot live without Hephaistion but you don’t want to admit it –he made a pause— Sit down, you are worsening my headache. 

 

The Macedonian took his time, as if he did not know if sitting down was or not a good idea but, at the end, did as he was told.

 

— I think you are so overprotective and jealous with Hephaistion because you know he, contrary to you, can live without you –the Roman continued— I have seen you 2 together and, even if the first impression you gave is of being the strong one, you are more vulnerable. What I don’t understand is, why do you insist to hurt him? First marrying Roxanne and now this. 

 

— I…I…—Alexander made pause and took his time. He did not want to hurt his beloved, he wanted Hephaistion to be happy, that was what really mattered to him, to see him happy. Why had he said all those things to him, then?— Sometimes I wonder why Phai loves me. He is…amazing –he smiled, speaking with calm this time— He could be with whomever he wanted but he is with me. I have a terrible temper, I know, and I cannot control it. I really love him. 

 

— Want an advice?

 

— Mm?

 

— Go to anger management therapy.

 

XXX

 

— Leon, for the last time, I am not in the mood –said Hephaistion. He and Leonnatos were buying a coffee at their usual Starkbucks when his friend had asked for the 10th time that week for the same thing.

 

— Phai, please –his brother-in-law begged, he was at one step of kneeling in front of him in the middle of the coffee shop, his dignity not important anymore, if he could convinced him, Leonnatos was ready to dress like a bunny and jump in the street— You like cosplay. 

 

— Yes, but not now  –after what had happened with Alexander he was not feeling very well. He was sad, even if he did a great job hiding it, and missed the blond. Hephaistion did not like to argue with his lover but what Alexander had done needed to have consequences of he would never learn. He paid the coffee and, when he smiled to the girl attending him, she blushed savagely.

 

— Phai, think of it for a moment –Leonnatos insisted— Is a huge party and they will give a prize to the best group costume.

 

Hephaistion stopped and turned to look at him.

 

— Leon, I don’t want to dress like Loki –he said slowly but firmly— Your theme is the Avengers, right? Loki is not an Avenger.

 

— Precisely! It’s original. Phai, please, please, pleaseeeeee –his brother-in-law put his puppy eyes, the same eyes that could get almost whatever he wanted from his wife— I want to get the prize, you have no idea how difficult was to gather the whole group, I practically had to pay Lys to come as Hawkeye, one of my friends from work will be Nick Fury, Ptolemy has Captain America, Perdikkas agreed to be Thor, even Eni agreed to come.

 

Those were news.

 

— You convinced my sister to attend to a costume party dressed like a super hero? How? –Berenike hated comic books, anime, video games and sci/fi movies. How was that Leonnatos had accomplished such feat?

 

— Well… —his brother-in-law twisted his hands nervously— Eni said she would only go if we had match disguises, you know, of a couple –answered a little uncomfortable when his friend’s cell phone rang.

 

— What’s your costume? –Hephaistion checked his phone and found 15 messages from Alexander. He rolled his eyes and ignored them. He was not going to answer him. Period.

 

— Ironman.

 

— So, Eni is going as Pepper Potts?

 

— Not exactly…she er-…she will be Black Widow –Hephaistion saw him confused. Black Widow was not Ironman’s significant other— I know! I lied to her, ok? But, I really want to go as Ironman and I need her to be Black Widow. Phai please, I have everything ready, I just need Loki and you are a perfect Loki.

 

Hephaistion sighed. He really wasn’t in the mood for this but…

 

— Fine –he was sure he would regret it but Leonnatos was so happy that he jumped, embraced him and almost kissed him, making the girls at the Starbucks laugh.

 

— Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. You are my savior Phai –said his brother-in-law embracing him with overwhelming force. 

 

— I… can’t… breath…—Leonnatos released him, still jumping and shouting completely unable to stop smiling.

 

Groove slam, work it back

Space Cowboy just play that track

So starstruck, baby could you blow my heart up?

I'm so starstruck

(Lady Gaga. Starstruck)

 

Hephaistion froze when he heard the song playing. He knew that song, his sister had been close to obsess with it a couple of weeks ago, driving them all mad. One night, she had forgotten her ipod at his house and Alexander had found it…

 

— You know, Phai –had said the blond, the pink ipod in his hand— I could do us all a favor and just erased the track.

 

His beloved, sitting on his favorite sofa in the living room, laughed.

 

— I don’t think that may help –Hephaistion answered, leaving aside his book— Eni can always download it again.

 

A mischievous smile curved Alexander’s lips, one that clearly said something naughty and absolutely crazy had crossed his mind.

 

— I have an idea –he said, running to their ipod speaker dock.

 

— Oh, no. I know that face and nothing good ever comes out of your brilliant ideas –his beloved laughed.

 

— Wait and see.

 

Alexander’s great idea was to play Starstruck, again for the millionth time that week, and give Hephaistion a striptease show. Climbing on the coffee table in front of him, and taking off his cloths at the rhythm of the music making his beloved laugh like crazy. At some point Hephaistion had and idea, took one dollar from his pants to tuck it in the blond’s underwear making both of them laugh until their stomachs hurt. They were having the time of their life until…

 

— Gross! Can’t you do this in your bedroom? –exclaimed Achilles, coming back home in that precise moment, looking as if he had seen a decaying corpse instead of finding one of his fathers in underwear making a striptease for his other father.

 

That had been truly awkward, for a moment Hephaistion was sure he was going to die for overexposure to embarrassment…even if that was not possible.

 

He smiled sadly remembering that night—And everything changed in 5 minutes –he sighed.

 

— Phai, by the way –Leonnatos took him out of his memories— Have you spoken to Alexander?

 

— No, and I really don’t want to talk about this –they both took their coffees but, on their way out, Hephaistion crashed with a young girl of 20 years old, long black hair and big sweet eyes. 

 

— I am very sorry –Hephaistion apologized.

 

— No, no, no. It’s my…fault –she opened her mouth when she saw who was in front of her and almost started screaming— Oh. My. God! You are Hephaistion Amyntoros the author of Chaos. I…I…you have to sign me my book, I mean, of course you don’t have to but…

 

He smiled at her.

 

— It will be my pleasure –she blushed so hard that it wouldn’t have surprised Hephaistion to see smoke coming out from her ears. She was so nervous that couldn’t find the book in her handbag, her hands trembling badly, so, she gave up and emptied her handbag on a table.

 

— What’s your name? –he asked, taking the copy of his first book. 

 

— Drypetis Achaemenid –that name made Hephaistion lift his head. 

 

— You are Cyrus Ochus’ sister?

 

— Yes –Drypetis nodded excited.

 

— I am…very sorry for what happened to your brother. He was a good boy.

 

— Thank you, you are very kind –she smiled, a little sad this time— It was very hard for us, especially for our grandmother but…we have to move on.

 

XXX

 

— Do you know her? –asked Leonnatos once they reached the street. 

 

— Well, not her but I knew her little brother. He was Aki’s best friend, remember?  –Hephaistion explained— He died a couple of years ago in a car accident. Aki was devastated.

 

— I can imagine…she is really cute, by the way…but please don’t tell Eni I said that –his brother-in-law pleaded and Hephaistion shook his head smiling— Phai, I know this is none of my business, and I am really sorry to insist but, Alexander looks really bad –said Leonnatos— You should talk to him. I mean, think of it this way, what do you think your other self in a parallel universe would do? Maybe in a parallel universe you already forgave him.

 

— Ok, that’s enough Dr. Bishop. How many times do we have to tell you? Stop watching Fringe –said Hephaistion, enunciating— This is the X-files all over again.

 

Years ago, when Leonnatos became a fan of the X-files, he was so convinced that there were aliens out there that he used to spend hours on the roof of his house at night trying to find an UFO.

 

— Whatever. The point is you 2 have to talk.

 

Hephaistion sighed. He knew he had to talk to him but did not want to.

 

— I will think about it.

 

XXX

 

Next day Hephaistion received the most unusual invitation and, despite the fact that he had a pretty good idea of why Julius wanted to talk to him, he had to admit his curiosity was stronger. The Roman invited him to have lunch with him and it did not surprise Hephaistion to find himself in one of the most elegant restaurants in the city.

 

— Usually, I wouldn’t interfere in this because there are very few things I dislike more than lovers’ quarrels but, you have to talk to Alexander –said Julius. Lately that was the only thing people had to tell him. 

 

— Why? –alright that was childish but he was tired of this situation.

 

— Well, I can think a myriad of answers but, I guess the more appropriate in this case is that, he loves you and has no idea of how to live without you –said the Roman with calm and without sentimentalism.

 

— I did not know you were prone to exaggerate –said Hephaistion with a half smile.

 

— That is because I am not –Julius was serious— Alexander doesn’t know what to do if you are not there. Haven’t you noticed that he always gets in trouble when you are not around?

 

— He should have thought that before humiliating me –that was a visceral answer but the Roman’s words made him angry. Now was it his fault that the blond was a mess?

 

— I think you are right to be angry –said the Roman after a long moment of silence— But he is truly miserable without you.

 

— I don’t want to hurt him but…—Hephaistion fell silent, trying to arrange his thoughts. He was so confused.

 

— Fine, what do you want then? –asked Julius bluntly— Do you want the divorce?

 

— No.

 

— Do you want a new lover?

 

— No. 

 

— Then, what do you want?

 

Hephaistion puffed his cheeks out.

 

— I don’t want to forgive him so easily so, next time, he would think it twice before screwing things up –said Hephaistion and Julius smiled.

 

— I think I may have an idea of how to achieve that –Hephaistion blinked innocently confused.

 

XXX

 

By the time Alexander got back home it was late, very late, and, truth to be told he would not have come at all if it weren’t for the tiny detail that he needed fresh cloths. It depressed him to arrive and find the place in utterly silence, Hephaistion’s study completely dark instead of finding that familiar light telling him his beloved was working— In these moments, I don’t know if it’s good or bad Achilles is not home, it wouldn’t be bad to have him around.

 

He had spent the week in his friends’ houses… or drinking, he did not want to be alone in the house, but here he was. He left his car outside and was about to open the door when he saw Hephaistion walking on the street.

 

His heart jumped in joy seeing his beloved there, this was his opportunity to talk to him, try to solve this mess and apologize and admit everything was his fault, as Achilles always advised him to do; but, before he could do as much as to open his mouth, say something or run at his side, he saw Hephaistion was not alone, he came with Julius and both were…—Holding hands! –for a moment he thought he was drunk, then he remembered he hadn’t drink that night so, he considered the possibility that he was hallucinating because, Hephaistion never liked Julius and Julius did not like men so, why would they be laughing together and holding hands and why would Julius bent over him to…

 

— What the hell is going on here? –he asked, striding to them and making them turn at the same time.

 

— Alexander? What are you doing here? –at least Hephaistion had the decency of looking ashamed, or surprise? He did not know but, what he did know was that he did not like how close were these 2.

 

— What are you doing here? –the blond looked first at his beloved and then at Julius— Together?

 

— I came for cloths –Hephaistion answered, brushing his hair behind his ear but still holding the other’s hand. Alexander could feel his eyebrow twitching— Julius drove me here.

 

— You take me for a fool? Why are you so loving with my manager?

 

— Why do you care?

 

— We are married, have you forgotten? –the veined popped out— Why are you 2 together? Answer me!

 

—  I spent the night with him, ok? –Hephaistion spat and Alexander’s expression was comical.

 

— Wha…Whe…—the blond chocked with his own words— You are joking –he looked at the Roman– You don’t even like men!

 

— Yes, but I have to admit you were right and Hephaistion is not a common man –Julius kissed his beloved’s head and he felt his blood boiling.  

 

— Ok, I get it –Alexander’s mind tried desperately to find a reasonable explanation to all this that wasn’t the obvious one, that his precious beloved had shared his bed with a man he had wanted to bed himself time ago— You are punishing me; I deserve it. Now stop.

 

— Alexander, we are not joking –said his beloved dead serious— And, by the way, I have to apologize. Now I know why you kissed Julius, he is a great lover –he lifted his head looking for his lips but before they could kiss…

 

— STOP! –Alexander shouted— You can’t be serious! Julius, I thought you were my friend. You knew what I was going through and still, you bedded Hephaistion?

 

— I asked him to –said his beloved.

 

— Why? –the blond felt trapped inside a very bad episode of the Twilight Zone. All this had no sense and he felt lost.

 

Maybe Leon is right after all and there are parallel universes –he thought.

 

— I was horny –it was such a simple blunt answer that, for a moment, all Alexander could do was stare at Hephaistion— Now, if you excuse us, I need fresh cloths.

 

Hephaistion turned and walked with the Roman to his house. He was sure Alexander was going to shout, ran after him, grab his arm or hit Julius...or a combination of all the previous ones. He was prepared for this, after all, his lover always reacted in the same way but, nothing prepared him for what happened next.

 

— Phai –the blond called him and, when his beloved turned, he found Alexander standing there, looking like a wet puppy— I am sorry –that was the most moving, sincere and honest apologize he had ever heard and that broke his heart.

 

XXX

 

— Are you sure it wasn’t true? –said the blond once they were alone in their house. Hephaistion smiled and gave him another tea to calm him down. Apparently the impression of hearing that his beloved had slept with Julius had shaken him more than Hephaistion had imagined.

 

— Yes, I swear it. I never even kissed Julius –said his beloved, sitting at his side— You should have seen your face.

 

— It was not funny –the blond sipped his tea. 

 

— I was necessary –Hephaistion brushed Alexander’s hair back, tenderly caressing him— But next time you do something like you did at that hotel, I swear by the memory of my late father, that it will be true.

 

— I know…I swear I won’t do it again.

 

— Good.

 

…

 

…

 

…

 

…Where am I? –Hephaistion found himself thinking. Was he dreaming? He knew he was dreaming, at least a moment ago but now…

 

He opened his eyes and found himself standing in the middle of a room, or he thought it was room, everything was so dark he could not even see his own hands—There is someone here –he turned and then, it was as if someone had lit a lamp, slowly the shadows gave way to a figure, sitting on a chair. He was curious, who could it be? Now, he could almost see his face… yes, his, it was man, but, when the light became stronger enough to let him see this person…

 

XXX

 

Hephaistion woke up when he felt cold fresh water running down his face, such a wonderful sensation that, for a heartbeat, he thought he had died. The arch of his eyelashes trembled and, when he opened his eyes he was surprised to find a ceiling over his head instead of an intense, immense, blue. There was a woman he had never seen before standing at his side, deliciously running a sponge with fresh water through his face, over his lips, letting him taste that wonderful thing that was water.

 

The commander lifted his hand and, clumsily, tried to take the sponge and drink the water but the woman moved away.

 

— No, don’t go –his voice sound strange in his ears, huskily and weak, he tried to sit but found himself unable. He was too weak, feeling like a rag doll. The woman paid him no attention and left the room quickly, taking with her the basin with water and the sponge.

 

Where am I? –he looked around but found only a small room, well ventilated and fresh, but nothing that could answer his question. He tried to sat down again but couldn’t, too weak to accomplish this alone, and felt immediately dizzy by the sudden movement. Hephaistion closed his eyes and took a hand to his forehead, resting his weight against his elbow.

 

— Phai? –he opened his eyes and found Lysanias there, a very thin and brown version of his brother who smiled happily at him— Oh thank you Zeus! You are awake –he approached the bed and helped his brother to sit against the pillows. Hephaistion was so thin that it was easy to help him.

 

— Where are we?

 

— At Pura, can you believe it? We made it! –exclaimed a very excited Lysanias.

 

— Water –asked Hephaistion and his brother ran to fetch a cup.

 

— Drink slowly, the doctors said its bad if you try to drink all at once –but despite Lysanias warning the commander emptied the cup in 2 gulps.

 

— More…

 

— I’m sorry, Phai. I can’t or Alexander would cut my head –his brother explained, leaving the cup aside— We have been giving you just one cup at a time –Hephaistion nodded, his throat was still dry but that sensation of having sand in his mouth was disappearing— How do you feel?

 

— Tired and…disorientated.

 

— They said you would feel like that. You’ll be fine –Lysanias sat down on a chair at his side— You scared the hell out of us. Alexander had to carry you all the way here –that made Hephaistion opened his eyes big and round— We tried to convince him to let us help, me and Nick, but he did not listen –his younger brother shook his head— I’m sure that if Pura hasn’t been so closed Alexander would have collapsed too.  

 

Crazy fool –thought Hephaistion, smiling.

 

— How do we get here?

 

— We were close, really. It took us 2 more days and we reached the city. I heard that, of 85, 000 only 25,000 survive –Hephaistion felt a knot in his stomach— It was only luck that Eni stayed behind with Leonnatos, I’m not sure if she would have been able to survive all this. Alexander is furious with the satrap, by the way. I think he is going to kill him –said Lysanias.

 

— And Nearchos? Is there news about the fleet? –his brother’s expression was all the answer he needed.

 

— I am sorry, Phai –said Lysanias— We know nothing about them. Nick is hysterical and Alexander…I heard he is really worried. We have no idea of what happened to them.

 

No sign of the fleet? –asked Hephaistion silently. Was Nearchos indeed a traitor or had the fleet being destroyed?– Aki, where are you?

 

XXX