Philip watched his son ride the big black horse. He had never felt such a surge of pride in the boy before.
“Perhaps he will make a soldier, heh?” Philip grinned at Cleitus.
“If he’s anything like you, Philip, you know he will.”
The boy dined with his father that night, his dark eyes taking it all in. He was careful to keep his mouth shut and not upset his father. Philip was bawdy as ever and drank lots of unwatered wine after dinner. Cleitus and Parmenion sat by either side of him, all three of them talking and laughing loudly.
He stared as Cleitus leaned close and whispered something in his father’s ear. Philip looked at him and nodded, his color even higher than it was a few minutes before.
“I have to put the boy to bed first. He has made me proud this day,” Philip was talking as much to Alexander as he was to Cleitus.
Cleitus waited in the King’s chambers. He had been only a few years older than young Alexander when a teenaged Philip had noticed him. He had been bigger than the other boys his age even then. He had stayed in Pella, still a child, when Philip had gone to Thebes as a hostage.
Philip came home to Pella and a teenaged Cleitus, a big, brawny youth who worshipped the ground he walked on. In Thebes, Philip had met the Sacred Band and became enamored of their way of life, tasting the joys of loving one of his own sex too. Young Cleitus had been his perfect companion when he returned, Parmenion having found his own young man while Philip was gone.
Cleitus rose when Philip entered the chambers. The King waved him down. He poured them both a goblet of wine and sat in the other chair.
“I am relieved that she has not managed to turn him into a girl yet, or worse, a pet like those damned snakes of hers. He does have some backbone.” Philip laughed. There was no doubt which *she* he meant.
“Perhaps he takes after his father,” Cleitus countered, knowing how his words sounded even to himself.
“Now Cleitus, when have you ever needed to flatter me? You know how I feel about you. That boy is finer than this old goat herder could ever be, though it would not do to tell him. He might not try as hard if he knew. And that bitch of a mother of his would be sure to take all the credit. Now stop talking and come here.”
The king’s one good eye shone with lust as his companion stood and with a wicked grin, dropped his chiton and stood naked before him.
“Gods, but you are a delight for the eye.” Philip pulled the large man into his arms and did something that he very rarely did. He kissed him, enjoying the taste of the wine on his lips.
Cleitus helped his lover disrobe. Philip was not as tall or as well built as Cleitus but his body was still strong and showed little sign of age yet. Cleitus’ hand circled the King’s thick arousal and he stroked him slowly, whispering obscenities in a voice made more hoarse than usual by his own passion.
Philip had never been subtle or patient and he wasn’t now as he shoved Cleitus to his knees. Convention said only a slave performed such a task for his Master but Cleitus and Philip had never cared for convention. Cleitus sucked him into his hot mouth, using his tongue to weaken the King’s knees.
“Ah, Cleitus, you try that every time… over to the
bed with you. I want to ride you like my son rode that black horse!”
Cleitus laughed and got on all fours. “I think I’ll throw your
ass like that bastard of a horse threw me!”
Philip smacked his naked behind soundly, leaving a large handprint and exciting them both enough that they stopped bantering. Philip found grease and greased himself hastily. He pressed into Cleitus, not wasting time. The big man growled as he slammed back to meet the King’s thrusts and soon, the only sounds heard were those of skin slapping skin and grunts, punctuated with an occasional obscene word.
Cleitus balanced on one elbow so he could reach his hand beneath himself to handle his own cock as Philip pounded into him. He didn’t know what other men did with their lovers; he only knew what he did with the king. He never held back with Philip. He gave him all his passion and desire. There were no taboos between them; there was mutual respect, friendship, and trust. Cleitus had Philip’s back and Philip knew it.
“You will watch him for me if something were to happen?” Philip asked breathlessly, the odd conversation not unusual for them.
Cleitus came hard, his seed spurting out onto the King’s bedding as he answered. “Of course I will. He is as dear to me as my own children.”
Cleitus shuddered around Philip, causing him to cry out in pleasure as he filled his friend with his seed. He smacked the other side of Cleitus’ bottom as he pulled free.
“You are a good friend, Cleitus. I tried to tell the boy that; that a man can’t depend on women… or gods. He has himself and his friends. I hope he has a friend like you. Now get dressed. I’m hungry again and want some more wine.”
Alexander slipped out of his hiding place after they had gone. He was young but not innocent. It wasn’t the first time that he had watched men together though it was the first time he watched his father with anyone. He touched his fingers to his lips, wondering at the kiss.
He hoped he had a friend who liked him as much as Cleitus liked
Philip when he was a man. He slipped away unseen and went to his own little
bed.
THE END
