TITLE: Hephaestion's wish.
PAIRING: Alexander & Hephaestion.
RATING: PG.
CATEGORY: Historical AU/ Supernatural.
DISCLAMER: I don't know the people involved, they belong to History and to themselves but I wouldn't mind sharing my life with Phai *sighs*
WARNING: DEATH FIC.
NO BETA so all mistakes are mine.
FEEDBACK: comments are love!
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Don't ask me why I wrote, just read that quote somewhere and needed to pour my soul out.
Ecbatana, 324 BC.
Alexander was numb, all his senses were really shattered; Ptolemy had forced him to leave his bed and have a bath; in fact he had been bathed and dressed by one of his pages; Bagoas was no longer at his service, he had been sent to the Queen's Chamber since Hephaestion's death.
The King had also been forced to eat and when he refused they had used again the same phrase: "Hephaestion wouldn't like to see you like this" and so Alexander sighed and did as he was asked.
Day after day, pages and close friends followed the same routine, trying to bring the young King back to his senses, but day after day they failed. The great King had aged in these two months and looked as if he were an old man, his short hair had lost his glowing golden colour, his eyes were always red rimmed and clouded by pain, his body had lost his royal posture and his shoulders were hunched, his steps were heavy as if he only could drag his feet on the marble floors.
Winter had come early this year, thought Alexander, of course who wants to feel warmth when he is so cold and alone. Alexander wiped his tears and threw himself again on the big bed, he rolled in a fetal position while hugging a deep night blue pillow between his arms and nuzzling it he whispered Your smell is fading away, love and he fell asleep cradling Hephaestion's favourite pillow.
His sleep was jumpy as usual, but in a moment a silver glow appeared to cover him while soothing his soul. The king's breathing was calmer and even his forehead lost his eternal frown. Alexander saw a bright sliver light on his side of the bed and opening his eyes he asked:
"Phai, is that you?"
"Yes, love, it's me."
"But you are dead"
"I know, but you need me."
"Is it a dream?"
"Yes, a beautiful dream indeed."
"How are you, Phai?"
"Fine, missing you, but I am really worried"
"Why? Is it painful?"
"No, Xander, it is not; you are the one who worries me."
"I know but I cannot help it, I cannot live without you, take me with you, please."
"Your time is not due yet, you haven't achieved your dreams yet"
"My dreams are meaningless if I cannot share them with you, please Phai, take me back with you"
"I can't, my love. I must be going now."
"Please, stay a bit longer. Will you be gone when I open my eyes?"
"Yes, I am only a dream"
"So I won't open my eyes again, in that way I won't lose you again because you will be with me forever"
"I will be with you forever but now you must wake up, Alex"
"Don't make me wake up, I want to see you"
"I promise you that whenever you fall asleep, I will come to you and stay until you wake up"
"Will you do that for me, Phai?"
"Have I ever broken a promise to you?"
"Never, love."
"So open your eyes and live, my strong Alex."
"It is hard and painful."
"Will you promise me something?" asked Hephaestion glowing brighter.
"Anything!" assured Alexander with a deep voice.
"Live for me when you are awake and live with me when you are asleep"