I much enjoy a clever Hephaistion. Not a fan of Bagoas, but largely because I'm one of those who don't think he existed, or if he did, it was only a lesser courtier.

aww, i LOVE Hephaestion's personality in this fic! it's so much fun, but also... i don't know how to put it, deeply-explored, i guess.

WOW!

I LOVE how Heph is't jealous of Bagoas yet Bagoas is jealous of him at the start!

That was so wonderful! I love the idea of Alexander acting so childish around Hephaestion, even if he was a warrior-king he was just so cute sometimes. lol
Your Hephaestion was /awesome/, very diplomatic, yes. XD Plus I didn't mind Bagoas, who usually sends me into a complete rage, so that's quite a feat. lol
And of couse, the last line was hilarious. Awesome fic. :)

I must say, it rather pains me to say it(as his presence in history has always been a bit of a thorn in my side), but you manage to write one of the few portrayals of Bagoas I can read and not feel like gagging or pulling a rather sour face while doing so XD

As always, your ability to bring Alexander and Hephaestion to life through your words is admirable. I'm currently quite happily devouring all your stories, and I really hope to see more soon 3

A beautiful tale. *Your* Bagoas is a realist and pragmatist, he always does the best of situations, and he is put into his right place. Hephaestion is a good judge of character, he gives Bagoas several important and difficult assignments, knowing that he is reliable regarding Alexander's wellfare.

What I like the most in this tale is Alexander's pleasure in seeing his True Steadfast Friend returning, and of course their time together towards the end. :)

All the best wishes and many thanks for sharing,

/ NorthernLight

Lovely.

“I have had to harden myself. I have to doubt so that Alexander can trust. I have to be cruel so that Alexander can be merciful. If necessary I have to lie and cheat so that Alexander can remain honest. I have had to stay awake so that Alexander can continue to dream. His dreams are mine, so only one of us needs dream them. Do you see?”

That's a witty way of rendering the "other half" of Alexander... this story is so sweet and wistful... and the "bathe" so sensual and... relaxing _

I'm beginning to love you (as a writer, of course!)

Oh Heaven's, Alexander taking lessons from Bagoas and then using his knowledge on Hephaestion? LOL, very, very good. Wonderful story.

I don't believe it! I've discovered another story by you I hadn't read. This is wonderful! And this one is a bit racier than some of your others, and with a different perspective on Bagoas, but that's good. He is a complex character, contrary to what most people think. I liked this story quite a bit, esp. where you describe Alexander as reaching up with his arms towards Hephaistion as a baby reaches to be picked up. That was cute, and perhaps a little approp. I think Alexander let his guard down a lot with Heph. Another to add to my collection, yes! I have to admit that I look first for new stories by you. Can't you just quit your job and write Alexander stories? Please? It would be so nice.

I think I've read all of your stories now, but I have decided that this one is my favourite as I absolutely LOVE it ! So fluffy and racy - I want a continuing sequel - in fact I demand it ! Well done

xx

Hello moon71!

I'm following through on my reading, see? I'll still be unreasonably slow, but like a turtle, I get there eventually!

I really like your take on Bagoas here: Alexander "has my life. Must he have my heart as well?" I haven't seen this slant on his view of the whole thing before, that he respects and cares for Alexander (having expected a much worse fate from this new Great King than he actually got) but doesn't actually love him in the romantic sense. I like it very much, and I think it's the most likely, historically. He's smart and prepared and guarded, too, just like how I imagine he'd be having had to live in Persian courts - and his rivals are very funny, trying to make him miserable by telling Bagoas all about "him." (Makes me wonder what the Macedonians were saying to Hephaestion!)

Alexander's way of telling Hephaestion about Bagoas, mixed "defiance and remorse" and "sulking, defending his behaviour and apologising by turns" is just what I think it would be! And then, "Bathe with me!" (laughing uproariously!) But of course, he's got his own tricks too, and though his emotions are intense, Hephaestion's observation that "Alexander could be a fine actor when he wanted, and knew how to play many parts at once" is so right - he had the whole army so devoted to him for all those years, for one thing!

I rather like Hephaestion as the head of his own Gestapo! (wicked grin) Especially when he gets people in his network who are so loyal to him that they tell him things that he didn't specifically order them to (i.e. Hyacinthus) - even about the King! (And by the way I adore all of Hephaetion's proteges, from the disciplined Iason to super-motivated Hyacinthus and Admetus. Actually, now I think about it I kind of envy them too, but that's beside the point.) With the Macedonian history of backstabbing and political maneuvering I'm glad Hephaestion's so adept at watching out for things (and choosing people to watch out in his stead - Hyacinthus, and now Bagoas).

When Hephaestion complimented Bagoas on being able to do well in complicated courts, then said, "Again, we're impressed" - I'm very happy about the "we" there - it shows he and Alexander are really as close as was demonstrated when they walked "with heads bent closely" (nice, nice image!), that they're almost one entity; also reminded me of the royal use of plural first person - which isn't what Hephaestion meant it as (I only know the royal plural 1st person was used in European monarchies etc.), but still the suggestion to the reader is there, which really suggests something of Hephaestion's confidence in himself! Also you show how analytical he is, all through the "interview" with Bagoas, and even with Alexander - how he projects just enough appearance of "jealousy" to make Alexander perfectly happy!

And once again, you throw in something that completely floors me, and humanizes Hephaestion from being uber-cool all-knowing master spy (even "cruel," and lying and cheating as he himself says): Hephaestion's words about the first price he has to pay, ending with "His dreams are mine, so only one of us needs dream them." Of course Hephaestion would have it no other way, and even takes joy in doing all these things because he's doing them for Alexander - but (sorry, but you know my bias for Hephaestion by now) that's heartwrenchingly beautiful.

Whe-e-e-e-e! Another story that's great in so many ways!

Brilliant story! This is one of the first Alexander fics I've read, and I really really liked it. LOL, I just hope my newfound A/H obsession doesn't get in the way of my HP fics. :P

Anyway, I really liked the way you wrote this. I liked Bagoas, and your Hephaestion is just... perfect!

Looking forward to reading more of your fics!

This is an excellent story, very well-written and showing a depth of understanding of the central characters. I particularly like the way you portray the relationship between Alexander and Hephaestion as an equal one, with Bagoas occuping an important but subsidiary role.

I was disappointed when it ended as I wanted to continue reading this story!

What a great story, and the last lines an absolute zinger! Very nice!