Here is my version of "You are nothing without me." Its been buried deep but I am finally bringing it out there. Just to clarify things before hand, it's a short and hopefully simple enough story (not long like my others) and it becomes almost dark humoured, my typical style (I guess that's not something that needs to be clarified) but nonetheless I hope you enjoy ^_^ - Stranger

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A Kingdom with no King

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The land about them was as quiet as the men shifting within it, they who refused to speak even one word. There were no deafening sounds to be heard and the recent uproar had died out just before everything turned into an unsubtle mute. The only other matter the locals felt comfortable with doing was breathing. But even that was unnerving as they awaited the king's next move.

Alexander, the king of the world, stood in his royal red garb strictly staring at livid blue eyes, his mind eternally thriving for explanation.

Hephaistion, the general of his heart, stood in his grungy armor glaring right back clad in grime and dirt from the recent skirmish with he and another general of the army, his heart beating heavily from adrenaline.

The kingdom has never seen it before. The companions never thought the day would come. To some it was the most thrilling event. To others, it was a nightmare…as for the King, it was a mistake.

He had already turned his attention away from his mighty general Craterus and now all concentration was on his beautiful loyal friend.

Hephaistion wasn't quite sure what he had just heard but apart of him didn't want to believe it. It would have been more likely to hear it come from some other in the army but coming from the king, his best friend? A chuckle could have come followed by a grin at the absurdity of it.

Alexander didn't have any clue or valid reason for thoroughly expressing what he had just told his lover, but anger and pride stood where he stood not letting his kingliness break apart in front of all, and especially himself.

Silence lasted for sometime and when unsympathetic eyes of the king watched a trifling smile grow upon the strong unhurt features of his once loyal general, he decided to break all silence.

"What's that grin for?" Alexander shifted to another foot after he jeered in an angry blow.

The men quietly doing their job, which involved not saying a word could feel the separate tensions growing mildly between the noticeably two parting lovers but as for the king it was rising like a fume from a fire burning down an entire empire.

The general bowed his head and chuckled a little. He removed a string of his wild auburn hair that had fallen in his eyes after the little fight. "It is so like you to ruin yourself Alexander." He then looked into the eyes of his king. "And may the gods find pity on your soul when you realize your mistake."

Whispers came from the men who were doing a well job being the innocent bystanders. Words never sounded so real. It was unlike him to express it with such valor and this bothered the king greatly.

"I've ruined nothing Hephaistion! How dare you!" he spat with hate towards the man he couldn't always call lover, but always call friend.

Hephaistion shook his head and smiled beautifully. "Yes my king you have. Everyone gathered here now is our witness. But you are your own. Think about what you said and then when you reach me we can talk about your behavior and what you've done."

All were astounded at how the general reacted to the shameful words, but to Hephaistion it became just a game.

Unbelieving bodies watched the worthy general turn his back on his unworthy King. Normally it would be Alexander turning his back and this became even more frustrating as he growled at his distancing lover.

"Where do you think you are going?" the king's face fell not understanding what Hephaistion was doing by turning away from him.

"I will slow down the time but try to keep up Alexander. Let's see how long it takes for you to catch up with me." The general strayed ahead not looking back.

"You will be waiting a long time! A very long time!" The king shouted out verbally while General Ptolemy put his hand on the king's shoulder before he charged after General Hephaistion.

"Alexander let him go. He will return." The curled haired general tried to reason.

Alexander hated confrontation within his own camp. He didn't like any disagreements against his own word and he sure as hell didn't like any one turning their backs on him especially someone who shared his bed, his secrets, his heart and once his throne.

Hephaistion would soon be gone and Alexander pushed Ptolemy away from him, and the general disregarded his attempt remembering what happened to Parmenion, Philotas and Cleitus. The king's behavior was almost close to being infectious. "Come back here now Hephaistion!" The king ordered an attempt. He breathed heavily watching his resolute lover leave and in the meantime convinced himself that he would turn right back to him apologizing.

"Where does Hephaistion even have left to go?" The king's voice became a little shaky realizing his lover never might return back to him. "Who is going to take care of him? He doesn't have anything but a sword with him, no food no water and no horse. How can one pretend to even survive with nothing?"

"Alexander Hephaistion is a soldier, not a stay at home mother." Ptolemy spoke up. "he is just as prideful as you my king. You are the one he's learned it from. Let him go for now."

The king watched unscarred until he realized that Ptolemy was right. But letting him go was harder than he thought.

His friend had disappeared down the path and knowing him for a long time, there was no way Hephaistion would come back to him like some lap dog.

He eventually frowned in puzzlement. "What have I just done?" he asked general Ptolemy.

The event might as well have not even happened. Uncomfortable time flew by and the men finally spread out, leaving the scene unnoticed. Ptolemy sighed loudly and walked up next to Alexander placing a comforting hand on his tense shoulder again. "Don't worry old friend, Hephaistion just needs time. He's pretty stubborn but he will be back."

"I am not apologizing Ptolemy. I meant what I said." The king sniffed, already feeling the sadness started to emerge.

Ptolemy shook his head at his hardheaded king. "No you didn't Alexander. You are much better than that. You didn't mean one word of it."

"Then why did I say it." Alexander's eyebrows knitted as he concentrated hard towards the direction he saw his lover disappear.

"That's a question you have to answer for yourself." Ptolemy answered considerately.

"Will he come back?" It was noticeable to Ptolemy that the king was already overwhelmed with this one bad decision.

"He will. Just give it time." Ptolemy assured. He then turned to leave but realized the kings only focus was on the destination of his lover. "Alexander," the general chuckled. "It will be alright, he'll return."

"How can you be sure? I just distanced myself from the only one who was ever close to me. I already feel this loneliness and even though he isn't that far, I feel like we are miles apart, I isolated my world from his world."

Ptolemy bowed his head feeling his own sympathy for his young king as he listened to him with compassion. It was clear Alexander made stupid mistakes when it came to his lover but the only reason why he did make them is because he loved him. "Everything he owns is still here. I doubt he will leave it behind Alexander. If I ask you to rest on it you are probably going to answer no?"

"Ptolemy I won't rest until he's back!" Alexander uttered in agonizing grief as he pulled at his long golden hair in frustration.

The general smiled. He knew he would answer like that. "Would you like me to keep the guards on the alert for his arrival and to notify you when they see him return?"

"Yes." Alexander said lightly. "Thank you."

Ptolemy nodded. "What of Craterus. Shall I send him to your tent?"

The king nodded so unconscientiously it was hard to tell if that was an actual response.

Alexander thought about going after his friend but decided it was too late for apologies and too early for forgiveness. It would take much more time for Hephaistion to enter into his quarters and tell him that everything is fair between them.

Ptolemy stopped before he went through with the orders and turned back towards the lost king with now his own doubts. "What if I am wrong and he doesn't return. What will you do then?" the question was meant to be taken to heart and it calmed the general that Alexander actually considered the question instead of going off on his famous outbursts. Ptolemy wouldn't know what to do if Alexander lost it completely.

The king closed his eyes for a bit thinking of a way to answer. He didn't like the idea of Hephaistion never coming back home. He didn't like the idea of never seeing him again. He opened his pained eyes slowly.

"If he doesn't come back, then, then, I have to chase him and get him back myself. I believe it's what he wants." he spoke softly like a whisper to himself.

Ptolemy grew a small smile. "A kingdom without its king? It's uh…unheard of." He rubbed the back of his frizzy head almost nervously; knowing damn well Alexander was capable of pulling reckless stunts when it involved Hephaistion.

The king looked back at him. "A kingdom with no king is not of any concern to me. Alexander without his Hephaistion is." He then turned back towards the trail daring to stand there all night waiting for Hephaistion to return.

oooOooo

"Hephaistion!"

He calls out his name while he runs opposite of the world in search for him.

I thought we would last forever…But you are so far ahead of me, now I know nothing ever does. That is why I am chasing you, killing my own breath, ripping out my own air in my lungs, just for you.

…Can you believe me now? You want me to hunt you and so I am. I will chase you, track your footsteps and play this little hide and go seek game with you because it is what you want and I will do it all until I have you back in my arms and in my heart...

Before I am dead and shattered lying pale in my own blood, sweat and tears that pour from my body, you will hear those words. I promise it. I will say it as loud as I can. I will say it for the mighty gods to hear over the thundering heavens in which they slumber. I want them to know that their king they have favored over the years is surrendering to you. All for you. Just for you. Because I love you.

Hephaistion, I am so sorry. I never meant to hurt you. And since I did, this is the price that I am paying.