Athenian Arrow

Chapter XXIX

Andreas and Alexi are lying in Andreas' bed next to each other, panting. They were trying to catch their breaths from the incredible session they just had. Sweat was dripping down their bodies as their chests kept rising and falling. Their eyes were fixated on the tent's shelter as they tried to come down from the high they were in. Andreas was the one who slowly reached for his partner's hand with all the energy he had left. Alexi turned to look at the sweaty sun-kissed man who squeezed his hand. The feeling of Andreas' hand on Alexi's made Alexi smile at the Spartan. Andreas smiled back, feeling pure love at that moment.

Alexi rolled over to his side, facing Andreas. He switched hands with Andreas so he was able to rest his elbow on one of the pillows and hold his head with that hand to admire his true love. "It still amazes me how incredible you are," Alexi says with a hushed tone. He lifts the Spartan's hand and brings it up to his lips. He kisses the knuckles that were forced to hit his own people. "For some reason, I always assumed you had more experiences with women than men," with how good Andreas could read the male body, Alexi felt as if his assumption was impossible.

Andreas giggles at how Alexi was admiring him. "No, you are correct. I have been with more women than men." The Spartan paused for a moment to debate whether to go into further detail or not. "Of course, as I was in school, I had those experiences but I do not count those as real ones. As I became older though, I did visit a few brothels but I only experienced two or three men from there. However, it was because of those men that I realized what I enjoy. But regardless of my experiences with those men and even women, they never felt the same as when I am with you. But in all honesty, I thought I was destined to end up with a woman before I met you."

This surprised Alexi. "What? Why?" He asked out of curiosity.

Andreas shrugged. "Just because I had more experiences with women. Though I don't have a preference for one gender over another, women were just more likely to approach me so I was constantly meeting more women than men which made me believe that I had a better chance of meeting a woman that the gods have chosen for me than a man."

"Are you upset that I am a man?" Andreas' answer made Alexi's insecurity vocal.

Andreas turned his whole body to look at Alexi with all of his attention. He sighs before speaking, "I'm upset that Greece still continues to choose sides, Alexi. That is what upsets me." Andreas pauses. He then tries to make light of the conversation by smiling and changing his tone of voice as he wants to enjoy the little time he has left with Alexi before he has to leave his tent. "Who am I to be upset that I'm in love with a very talented, army leader who in return loves me the same for who knows why?" Andreas laughs at the insult he just made about himself. "Women would sacrifice themselves to the gods to be in my position," he smiles as he looks into Alexi's eyes with a teasing gaze.

This made Alexi smile. He pushed Andreas' shoulder out of embarrassment from the compliment. Andreas laughed at Alexi's embarrassment.

"How about you? No woman has ever experienced the leader of Athens. So how about the men?"

"Well..." Alexi started. "Just like you, school of course. But outside of school... no, no man ever has," Alexi half-smiled from feeling insecure. He never told anyone about his sexual history, mainly because he didn't have one beyond the student-teacher relationship.

"Wait, really?" Andreas was actually surprised. He never thought that Alexi had been with numerous people but he did think that Alexi had experienced a few.

"I say the truth. There were moments when I was interested and I proceeded to take my chances but it was either because I was too pretty or too well respected that everybody felt too threatened to touch me in that sense." Every Athenian hoplite knew Alexi to be extremely talented, someone whom Nikolas respected very much. Everyone knew Nikolas saw Alexi as his own offspring and for that, no one dared to touch him. No one dared to touch the man whom Artemis blessed with everything good in his life.