In Mary Renault's scholarly, fictionalized account of Alexander the Great's youth, 'Fire from Heaven', she depicts him connecting with his lover Hephaistion in their teens. Heph falls in love, heavily, well before Alex understands. One summer afternoon they climb a tree, up to the palace roof of Alex's father, King Philip of Macedon. After a gentle conversation in the sun, Heph timidly expresses the tiniest doubt about their friendship. Don't question the faith of someone like Alexander. "Look, you see that Victory statue, on the top gable of all? I know how to get there"... With his dearest friend holding him, out over the void, Alexander breaks two leaves away from Victory's wreath. Holding one gold leaf between his teeth, Alexander gives the other to his friend, a token of their commitment. "As they climbed down through the tall walnut tree, Hephaistion called to mind the tale of Semele, beloved of Zeus. He had come in human form, but that was not enough for her; she had demanded the embrace of his divine epiphany. It had been too much, she had burned to ashes. He would need to prepare himself for the touch of fire."