Chapter 99

 

A/N: Well, this chapter, the whole chapter, is a futuristic dream, so if you don’t want to read it you can skip it

 

CHAPTER 99

 

- You will sleep here –said Hephaistion, showing Scipio the guests’ room.

 

The Roman entered, leaving his baggage at one side of the door, and he walked around, watching the spacious bedroom with curiosity. It had big windows that covered one side of the room entirely, giving him a magnificent view of the garden and the pool.

 

- Do you like it? –asked the Macedonian, cocking his head.

 

- Your “husband” has good taste –Scipio nodded, teasing him.

 

Hephaistion puffed his cheeks out. He dropped on the bed, face down, stretching slightly and his T- shirt rose, exposing the creamy skin of his back.

 

- I hate that word –the Macedonian complained, while the blue eyes of his friend wandered over his well-formed butt, that, thank to those jeans, looked ready to be bitten—I hated when my sister called Alex my “boyfriend” and now I hate when people called him my “husband”.  

 

Scipio smiled and sat on the bed, at his side.

 

- But that’s what he is –of course he knew how much his friend hated that word, but he was in the mood to tease him.

 

- I know –said Hephaistion, elbow on the mattress and his head on the back of his hand—But I don’t like it –they fell silent for a moment, hearing the sound of the TV, on in Achilles bedroom—I’m glad you came –he smiled.   

 

- So do I –the Roman lean his back against the headboard.

 

- Did you do what I ask? –the Macedonian wanted to know, and Scipio smiled.

 

- Oh, yes –said his friend, lacing his fingers on his lap—I must confess that your request caught me by surprise; I had to read your email twice –Hephaistion laughed softly—Gaius helped me with the reply, it was a little…explicit –the Macedonian laughed again—Why did you ask me to do that?

 

Hephaistion brushed his hair back.

 

- Because I think Alex is reading my email –up went Scipio’s eyebrows in surprise.

 

- Why would Argead do that?

 

- Why else?

 

- Does he think that you and I are…?

 

- I think he thinks that you and I do more than talk –Hephaistion explained.

 

- Tell me something –asked Scipio, leaning to the front—But I want the truth.

 

- Ask.

 

- Have you ever slept with someone else? Besides Argead’s sister, of course –somehow Hephaistion was expecting that question.

 

- No, I have kissed other people but I never have sex with someone else.

 

- Kissed other people…like me –said Scipio.

 

- Well, technically you kiss me –his friend reminded him, a half arrogant and lazy smile curving his lips.

 

- You've never been tempted to have sex with someone else?

 

- Just once –the Macedonian admitted—With Memnon, he was…he was very attractive –he smiled remembering his kisses— But if you ever tell Alex this you are going to traumatize him.

 

- I can imagine –the Roman fell silent, he wanted to ask him something but didn’t dare to, and for a moment he just stared at the window as if the garden were the most fascinating thing he had ever seen.

 

- What is it? –asked Hephaistion, perceiving his insecurity—You can ask me anything, we are friends. 

 

Scipio watched him in silence for a moment, one habit that sometimes unnerved the Macedonian. It was kind of awkward to have someone just staring at you for a long moment in complete silence. 

 

- Would you sleep with me? –he asked so suddenly and so serious that Hephaistion laughed, embarrassing him—I mean hypothetically –he tried to fix things.  

 

- No you don’t –said the Macedonian; he knew the Roman still liked him but that didn’t bother him at all—If I thought like you then I would have no problems in sleeping with you right now.  

 

The idea of having that gorgeous man jumping at him in that same moment made Scipio fell a slight tingling through his body.

 

- What’s wrong with my way of thinking?

 

- Publius, if it’s ok with you to date Gaius and, at the same time, have one friend with benefits, that’s your choice –said Hephaistion. He wasn’t judging his friend; he just didn’t share his point of view. 

 

- I don’t have a friend with benefits –the Roman defended himself.

 

- No, but you want me to be yours –that almost made Scipio blushed. That was true, he had been given the Macedonian hints from some time now, but he didn’t think Hephaistion would be so blunt. 

 

- Well, at least then Argead would have something to seriously worry about –Hephaistion laughed truly amused.

 

XXX

 

Alexander, Ptolemy, Kleitos and Perdikkas were at Julius’ house, sitting in his living room, majestically decorated with magnificent works of art, like scolded little boys after explaining to him what had happened at the old hospital.

 

Ptolemy and the rest were like scared sheep behind Alexander, who was the only one capable of holding Julius’ gaze. 

 

It’s so curious –thought Ptolemy—Alexander’s gaze is so unnerving because his eyes are of different colors and Julius has these blue eyes with a darker ring around them that makes him look so cold.

 

- Let me get this straight –said their manager at last, his unsettling eyes on the group—You went to the abandoned hospital to see if it was haunted, and you –he turned to see Alexander directly— Stumbled on the stairs, hurt your shoulder and now you have to use a sling and can’t play the guitar in next week concert at Egypt.

 

There was something in Julius’ voice that made the entire ghost hunting adventure sound like the biggest stupidity in the history of stupidities. Kleitos looked away, Perdikkas crossed his arms behind his head, and Ptolemy watched his feet wishing with all his might that the earth would swallow him in that moment. Only Alexander faced his manager. He knew it had been a mistake to go to the hospital; Hephaistion had scolded him all the way to the ER and after that, all the way to their house, giving him a very long speech of why it had been a bad idea to go to the abandoned hospital.

 

- Do you have something to say? –asked Julius, he was not judging them but he wanted to be very clear with the boys that this was serious.

 

- Em…sorry? –said Perdikkas tentatively, like a little child.

 

- It was an accident –said Ptolemy.

 

- Of course it was –said their manager, smiling that charming smile that could throw women at his feet, trying to relax the tension, and he leaned against the back of his sofa—But now we have to find someone who play the guitar in next concert. I trust you can sing –Alexander nodded—Good! I will schedule something and let you know when can we choose whose going to play with you.

 

XXX

 

- I thought Julius was going to be furious –said Ptolemy, once they were at the garden of Julius’ magnificent house.

 

- I have never seen him angry –said Kleitos, his dark eyes on the house—But he wasn’t happy.

 

- Alexander, what do you think? –asked Perdikkas, but his friend didn’t answer, he was reading something on his cell phone—Alexander?  

 

- What? –asked the blond absently.

 

- What are you doing? –Perdikkas was curious.

 

- Nothing, just checking an email –said Alexander, returning his attention to his cell phone.

 

- Yours or Phai’s? –asked Ptolemy laughing, but when his friend didn’t answer he knew he was reading Hephaistion’s email again.

 

Slowly, they saw how Alexander’s expression started to change: from confusion, to surprise, to incredulity and finally to blind killer fury. He didn’t say a word, ran to his car and rushed to his house among the squeak of wheels, leaving behind his very confused friends. 

 

- What the hell is wrong with him? –asked Perdikkas, watching the black car at the distance.

 

- When it comes about Hephaistion, everything –said Kleitos.

 

It was a miracle that Alexander didn’t crash, he arrived in record time to his house, after almost killing an old lady who was trying to cross the street, never before a woman of 75 years old had moved so fast. The blond ran to the door and once inside, he stopped for a moment until he heard Hephaistion’s laugh coming from the kitchen. He ran again and, when he stepped inside and found Scipio there, he stopped thinking and threw himself against the Roman with all the intentions of killing him with his bare hands...or hand, after all his right should was injured. 

 

If it hadn’t been for Scipio’s excellent reflexes, the blond would have smashed his head against the wall.

 

- What is wrong with you? –asked Hephaistion angry, hurrying to stop his enraged lover.

 

- YOU! –Alexander tried to hit the Roman again, but his beloved managed to hold his good arm tightly—I will kill you!

 

- No you won’t! –his beloved raised his voice, and then he felt as if a ray of light fell upon him; suddenly he knew why was the blond like this—You read my email again, didn’t you? 

 

Alexander turned to look at him redefining the meaning of frenzy, but Hephaistion was calm again.

 

- He slept with you! –that choice of words did not go unnoticed for Hephaistion: “he slept with you” not “you slept with him”…interesting—I left you for 6 months and he didn’t lose time jumping into your bed. 

 

- Alexander, next time you read my email, read it more carefully –his beloved released him.

 

- More carefully? –the blond couldn’t believe his ears, how was that suddenly he was the bad guy?—I think that email was more than explicit about the things you 2 did last month in Rome.

 

Hephaistion laughed, successfully confusing Alexander.

 

- Alex, I haven’t left the country since our honeymoon, and if you don’t believe me you can always check my passport –what had Scipio write in that email? He had to read it—If you had read the carpet of “sent messages” you would have found an email I sent Publius asking him to write me a very hot and explicit message as if we had had sex.

 

Scipio almost laughed when he saw Alexander’s expression: from fury, to confusion, to realization. 

 

- Why did you do that? –the blond wanted to know.

 

- To teach you a lesson and to know if you were still checking my email –said Hephaistion, crossing his arms and holding his gaze—Now, give your word that you are going to stop spying on me.

 

Alexander sighed.

 

- Fine, you have my word –he said reluctantly.

 

- And you owe Publius an apology, by the way –Alexander looked as if he had swallowed a rock.

 

- An apology for what? –sometimes, Hephaistion thought that, for someone so intelligent Alexander was very good playing the fool.

 

- For trying to kill him –the blond puffed his cheeks out. He turned to look at the Roman and found him with his arms crossed and an amused expression on his face that only served to make him angry again.

 

When Alexander didn’t say a word Hephaistion cleared his throat. 

 

- I’m sorry –he said at last through clenched teeth, but his beloved kept staring at him—For trying to kill you –he added.

 

- I accept your apology –said Scipio and Alexander had to take a deep breath and not try to hit him again.

 

XXX

 

The dinner was the most awkward moment of that day. Nobody talked, and Alexander just ate and looked at Scipio with undisguised hatred; they were eating Italian food, undoubtedly in honor of their guest, and Alexander would have complained if it weren’t because the food was exquisite, and he was with his fifth portion of Capesante Gratinate.

 

- Mm! This is delicious! –exclaimed Achilles, licking his lips. He was the only one there who didn’t understand and didn’t pay attention at the tense atmosphere.

 

- I’m glad to hear that –said Hephaistion, smiling—Do you like dinner, Alex?

 

- I love it; you would have to tell me where did you buy it –the blond smiled like a kitten who enjoyed the most delicious milk of his life.

 

- Thank you, Argead –said Scipio—I’m glad you enjoy my cooking.

 

Alexander almost spat out his white wine.

 

- You cooked this? –he asked with choked voice, but the big smiled on the Roman’s face told him everything.

 

- Wow! Can you stay and live with us? –asked Achilles impressed—Dad can’t cook.

 

- I can cook –said Alexander, torn between his desire to continue eating and his pride.

 

- No, you can’t –said the boy with that honesty so characteristic of children—Last time I wanted pancakes you took me to the Pancake House.

 

Hephaistion laughed.

 

- The Pancake House, Argead? –asked the Roman and the blond tried his best to not throw him his knife.

 

- Why did you call dad by his last name? –asked Achilles with curiosity—I have 2 last names, Argead-Amyntoros; daddy told it’s a compound last name.

 

- I too have a compound last name –said Scipio—Cornelius Scipio.

 

- What’s that delicious smell? –asked Hephaistion.

 

- That would be the dessert –Scipio stood up—I’ll get it.

 

- I don’t like your friend –the blond complained, through clenched teeth.

 

- I know –his beloved lick one of his fingers slowly—But you have to admit his cooking is superb –Alexander grumbled something.

 

Hephaistion was going to take another bite of his food when he closed his eyes in pain.

 

- What is it? –asked the blond concerned, but his beloved shook his head, taking his hand to his cheek.

 

- Nothing.

 

- It’s your tooth again? –asked Alexander, caressing his cheek with care.

 

- Yes –his beloved sighed.

 

- And when are you planning to go to the dentist?

 

- Alex, I don’t have time…

 

- You always say that, but if it weren’t for your friend here you would have time –Alexander scolded him—I’m taking you to the dentist tomorrow and that is final.

 

- Daddy you shouldn’t eat candies and you have to brush your teeth 3 times a day –said Achilles very serious—If not you can get a cavity.

 

- I’ll remember that –Hephaistion smiled at him.

 

- Here –Scipio came back—I hope you like my Cannoli, Argead.

 

The blond was going to say something nasty but one look at his beloved’s face made him close his mouth.

 

- Publius, did you know that dad is nominated in the MTV Music Awards? –said a very excited Achilles.

 

- No, I didn’t –the Roman served the dessert and Alexander smiled with self-sufficiency.

 

- And I was also nominated as the best new metal band of the year –he said proudly— At this rate my band is going to be the most popular metal band of all time.

 

- Oh! I suppose that’s good…I really don’t like metal music –said Scipio, and if looks could kill Alexander would have struck him in that moment.

 

XXX

 

It was 3 a.m. and Alexander couldn’t sleep, Hephaistion was still in the guests’ room talking with Scipio. The blond had watched TV until late, a marathon of Dexter, the serial killer who killed serial killers, wishing that Dexter made home visits to get rid of his “Roman” problem. After that he had been rolling for hours, remembering the very explicit email from Scipio: “I can’t forget your creamy skin and hard body under mine in that warm night in Rome…” Even if it was a joke he didn’t like the idea of Scipio imagining this things…the email was like a fan-fiction of what the Roman would have loved to do to his beloved and that had him with insomnia, after all they were alone in the guests’ room, probably on the bed...he shook his head.

 

Alexander finally rested on his back, watching the ceiling in the dark. His shoulder hurt and he couldn’t lay as he wanted. The blond was seriously considering the possibility of going to look for his beloved when the door opened.

 

- Phai?

 

- I didn’t mean to wake you up –Hephaistion whispered, climbing to bed.

 

- I was already up –his beloved rested on his side.

 

- Why?

 

- I couldn’t sleep.

 

- I can imagine why –Hephaistion smiled and kissed his lips, cuddling against the blond.

 

- What were you two doing? –asked Alexander with curiosity.

 

- Alex, don’t go there…—whispered his beloved with his eyes closed.

 

- Fine…I’m just saying that you talked for hours, what was so important that you have to talk for that long?

 

- Good night, my love –sighed Hephaistion.

 

The blond’s uneven eyes were on the ceiling again; he couldn’t sleep. He moved his good arm under his beloved’s body to embrace him, and slid his hand inside his pajamas’ pants.

 

- Alex…what are you doing? –Hephaistion still had his eyes closed.

 

- I can’t sleep –said Alexander with all honesty.

 

- And you are planning to make me love at 3 am? With your wounded shoulder –his beloved opened one eye.

 

- I don’t need my shoulder for what I’m planning… —the blond whispered when…

 

- Dad! Daddy! –Achilles came running, as if someone were chasing him, with his pillow embraced. Alexander puffed and moved away from Hephaistion. 

 

- Aki, what are you doing here at this hour? –his beloved sat and turned the lamp on. The boy looked very scared, holding his pillow as if his life depended on it.

 

- Can I sleep with you? –asked Achilles—I’m scared. 

 

- Scared of what? Aki we already talk about this, there is nothing under your bed and the boogieman doesn’t exist no matter what Perdikkas told you –said Hephaistion patiently. His friend had made them the favor of telling Achilles that, if he didn’t behave, the boogieman, which lived inside the trunk of his car, would eat him. That had been the end of Perdikkas career as a babysitter.

 

The boy looked at him with big pleading eyes.

 

- What scared you, son? –asked Alexander, straightening himself.

 

For a moment, Achilles didn’t say a word, he didn’t know how to explain this and not been grounded in the proces, but his fathers kept staring at him, until he had no other choice but to say the truth.

 

- I…watched a horror movie on TV –he said, without looking at them—And…I’m afraid that a woman with long black hair would come out of my TV.

 

Hephaistion sighed.

 

- Aki, you know you can’t watch TV at night, even less a horror movie –he was planning to scold him and send him back to his room alone as a punishment when he saw his expression of guilt and fear—Fine, but this is the last time you do this, understood?

 

Achilles moved his head up and down and climbed the bed, resting exactly between them. Now, it was Alexander’s turn to sigh, this wasn’t what he had planned.

 

XXX

 

- Phai! Phai! –Alexander called his beloved next morning; he had spilled ink on his pajamas while trying to open a small bottle with one hand to see if it was still useful. He couldn’t change his cloths alone with his injured shoulder and needed Hephaistion’s help, but his beloved wasn’t anywhere around. 

 

The blond arrived at the living room and found Achilles happily eating on the sofa while watching cartoons on TV.

 

- Aki, have you seen your father? –he asked, watching the mess he had done with the ink.

 

- No dad –the boy took another bite, without looking at him.

 

- What are you eating? –asked Alexander with curiosity.

 

- Publius made me pancakes –answered the boy with his mouth full. 

 

- Of course he did –said the angry blond under his breath and went to the kitchen, where he found the Roman washing the dishes, wearing Hephaistion’s apron.

 

- Scipio –he spat the name—Where is Phai?

 

- Good morning Argead –said Scipio with calm and Alexander frowned—Hephaistion received a call from his office and he had to leave.  

 

- Why he didn’t say anything to me? –even if the blond hated him with the same intensity the computer AM hated humans (1), he had to admit that his kitchen smell deliciously.

 

- I’m not your secretary Argead, but I think it was because you were asleep –said the Roman, drying his hands on a towel. 

 

The blond’s eyes settled on a pile of pancakes on the table.

 

- You made breakfast.

 

- Have a problem with that?

 

- I know what you are trying to do –said Alexander suddenly serious, as if he were accusing him of mass murder—You are in your seduction mode.

 

That made the Roman laugh, and usually Scipio wasn’t the type that burst in tears or roars in laughter, but this had been so funny.

 

- Seduction mode? Don’t flatter yourself Argead, you are not my type –the blond clenched his jaw.

 

- Don’t play the fool with me, you like Phai.

 

- Of course I like him, but he is in love with you –said Scipio with calm—You should take better care of him and trust him more –the Roman’s blue eyes settled on the stained pajamas—What happened to you? Do you need a hand?  

 

- I prefer to choke in my own blood before letting you help me –said Alexander lifting his head proudly.

 

- That is just fine with me.

 

It was taking ages for Hephaistion to come back, and when Scipio walked in front of Alexander’s bedroom he heard the sound of things falling and the blond angrily cursing.

 

- Are you ok? –the Roman didn’t give a damn about him but he knew that Hephaistion would be concerned if something happened to Alexander in his absence.

 

- Do I sound ok to you? –the blond answered rudely from the other side.

 

- Fine –he was about to leave when Alexander called him.

 

- Scipio!

 

- What?

 

- Come in –he ordered as if Scipio were his servant. 

 

The Roman entered and found the blond on the floor trapped in the T-shit of his own pajamas. He had tried to change and had dropped the lamp on the night table before falling on the carpet. For a second Scipio considered the possibility of leaving Alexander there, but he dismissed the idea.

 

- That was why I asked you if you needed help –said the Roman, helping him to take the T-shit off. Now that the blond was half naked he could see the bandage covering his shoulder—Does it hurt?

 

- What do you think?

 

- Hephaistion told me you were playing the ghostbuster part when you fell from the stairs –said Scipio embarrassing him.

 

- It wasn’t like that –Alexander protested, when they heard the door opening.

 

They turned at the same time and found Hephaistion standing at the door looking very amused at the half naked blond and the Roman standing in front of him.

 

- If I didn’t know you better I would swear you were “having fun” in my absence –Alexander and Scipio turned to look at each other and jumped away, disgusted with the sole idea of what was Hephaistion insinuated. That made the newcomer laugh.

 

XXX

 

- Where are you going? –asked Alexander that night, when he saw his beloved getting ready, dressed in a way that had made him sighed until he noticed he was planning to go out without him.

 

- I told you, I’m going to drink with Publius –the blond clenched his teeth—Do you have plans?

 

- As a matter of fact I do –he lied—I’m going to Julius’ house –the truth was that he had no plans but he knew how much his beloved hated his manager; it was childish but it was his little revenge.

 

Hephaistion tried his best to conceal how much he disliked that idea, but it didn’t passed unnoticed for Alexander’s amusement.

 

- Great, have fun then –said his beloved, taking his car keys.

 

- Sure I will –the blond waited until Hephaistion was gone and hurried to call his manager, he only hoped to find him or his little revenge would end in a fail attempt.

 

XXX

 

- Why do you hate Argead’s manager? –asked Scipio after 6 drinks that night.

 

- Because he is it’s too perfect –Hephaistion brushed his hair back, he, the same as his friend was a little drunk, feeling the strong effects of the alcohol crumbling his defenses and disinhibiting his system—And I don’t want him around Alex…

 

- Do you think he is sleeping with his manager?

 

- No…I don’t know…do you think so? –asked the Macedonian stupidly.

 

The Roman shrugged.

 

- I should start reading his emails –Hephaistion took another gulp—You know what? You are right.

 

- Am I? –Scipio was confused; his messy straight hair covered slightly his eyes.

 

- We should be friends with benefits –the Macedonian had no idea of what he was talking about. His friend laughed.

 

- You are playing with me –said the Roman, finishing his drink.

 

- I’m not…here, I’ll show you –and without another word, Hephaistion kissed him, sending sparks through Scipio’ body, who felt he was going to touch the sky feeling those lips against his.

 

Soon, they were kissing as if the world was going to end in the next hour, the Roman thought he was dreaming, and before he woke up, he would make the most of this, touching his friend as if he wished to cover all his body at once. They headed back to the Macedonian’s car still kissing all the way there. The Roman fell over Hephaistion on the back seat, taking his T shit off to kiss the Macedonian’s chest and enjoy his creamy skin.

 

Hephaistion threw his head back, moaning softly while spreading his legs feeling Scipio body on him. In that moment he wasn’t thinking, he just wanted to feel, and, for his bad luck, alcohol always had the same effect on him: it made him horny. Scipio was handsome and intelligent; he was his friend and that made this easy for the Macedonian, to let his friend do as he had always dreamed, because he trusted and cared for him. 

 

But then, his cell phone rang. At first both of them ignored it, but it rang so insistently that Hephaistion looked for it, reading the text message while the Roman kissed his neck. He paled.

 

- What’s wrong? –asked the Roman sliding his lips over his naked shoulder.

 

- My father died –said Hephaistion without voice.

 

XXX