Leaders of Macedonia Chapter 14: Controversies Part Two, an alexander fanfic

Title: "Leaders of Macedonia"

Author: Baliansword

Chapter: 14, "Controversies Part Two"

A/N: Thanks everyone for reading. Sorry this chapter took so long to get up. I was having some computer issues. Hope the next one is up soon!

Warning: Yes, second part of this chapter has sex, AH. Sorry. I just couldn't help myself. You know the drill. Skip it if it annoys you.

He sat, wondering for a moment if he was perhaps the bravest person he had ever known. There were not many that came to this wing of the palace. Let alone this room. However, he never had been scared, just had never gotten the full opportunity. He'd managed to pass through though. Yet it wasn't special because he sneaked through the entire palace. The last time he'd been through the hallways here, he'd gotten an earful. So now he sat, wind blowing through the room, playing with a cup he'd been handed. Glancing around, he saw a chamber pot and quickly dumped the liquid out of the cup.

"You could have drunk it," a voice then said. He paused and then sat back on the chair. Only then did he turn his head, smirking slightly at her. There were not many that could trust Olympias. Even Alexander had his doubts in her. So why would he have a problem not trusting her or any drink that was brought to him by her maids?

"I have learned to trust only three things in my life," he told her arrogantly, even though he was merely nineteen, and she was the Queen of Macedonia. As he counted them off the raised a finger for each, never waving his voice, keeping all the arrogance there that he could. "Myself, my sword, and words you catch others saying when they know you're not there."

"Interesting," she smiled back at him, eyes glittering. She came further around the corner and sat down before him on a chair. She carried with her a damned snake. If he ever saw her without one he would think it the end of the world. "To trust a sword could be dangerous. They break."

"So do men," he assured her.

"It is not often that I have a guest," she said as she poured herself a cup. She drank. That did not mean that he would though. There was nothing about her that could be trusted. That was why he felt like she perhaps was the only person in this palace with a mind. They would make perfect allies.

"Forgive me," he said as he sat up slightly. "I do not often have time to drop by, or perhaps I would."

"Perhaps," she agreed. "But tell me Cassander, what is it that you have come here for? I cannot say that I was not surprised when I was told you had requested to speak with me."

"I want to talk about Alexander. And Hephaestion for the matter. Do you mind if I speak rather frankly with you."

"You are bold, Cassander."

"Good, then listen to me," he ordered. He sat forward, picking up a grape and tossing it into his mouth. Olympias seemed to be listening. For that he was rather grateful. "Despite the fact that I really don't want to be in the middle of this, I have been drawn into it, so I might as well say what I have to say."

Olympias was intrigued. It was not everyday that she saw Cassander. However from what she knew of him she knew he was even more cunning than his father. He was strong in battle, so she'd heard, and knew how to get people to do what he wanted. She at first was going to interject as he began to speak. He had no right to speak to her in the manner that he did. Yet, she was very interested, and definitely wanted to see where his positions lay amongst her son and the kingdom of Macedonia.

"Alexander is your son," he continued. "But you forget that he is also Philip's son and in line to get the throne. Surely you know about Philip's new woman, you know, Attalus' beautiful daughter."

"She is a cow."

"Agreed," he quickly said to shut her up. "But nevertheless your husband is with her. Now. Alexander will not get the throne if Philip takes another bride and has another son. As his mother, you have the job of making sure that will not happen. Perhaps that is why you've aligned with the Persians that want to assassinate Philip."

"What?"

"Don't worry," he assured her. "I have said nothing and plan not to. You can do what you will with Philip. I am only interested in one thing. Because no matter what I do, I will still be here, no matter whom gets the throne. But I'd rather it be Alexander. So perhaps you need to think about more than just if his father will gift him the throne. You need to worry about what you're going to do if Alexander does ascend to the throne, and then perhaps, forgets about you."

"And why would he do that," she laughed.

"Hephaestion."

"Hephaestion would never tell Alexander not to speak with me."

"No," he interjected, cutting her off before she could continue her protesting. "But you would certainty tell Alexander not to speak with Hephaestion. Olympias, you are wise to make sure that Alexander strives. You are wise to use him as your political pawn. Philip does the same. You are wise to love him, showering him with what affections you can, but when it comes to his heart you are daft to try to keep if for yourself."

"Alexander," he continued after grabbing another grape, "will always be your son. Yet he is always going to love Hephaestion. You should be grateful for that. Hephaestion is a brilliant mind and he keeps Alexander leveled. To think that separating them is wise, is not your highness."

"How dare you…"

"What," he then laughed. "Tell you what you should know is right? Hephaestion and Alexander will not remain separated. They can try, but they love one another. So when Alexander ascends the throne, he'll have Hephaestion by his side no matter what, and then he'll look to you. Trust me Olympias. If you come between them then you come between the throne, and everything that you've been working for."

It was then that Cassander stood. He left Olympias there gaping at him. Before leaving he winked, grabbing a grape, and tossing it into his mouth. He then completely left, walking down the hallway, smiling all the way. Had he really just said such things to Olympias? Well, if he had he should be named a deity, and if not it was the best dream ever.

He slowly stepped out onto the balcony. He then crossed his arms and glanced up at the night sky. The chill in the air lingered over his skin as his lips parted. He knew not what to say so instead he stared up at the night sky. For the first time he realized how bright the stars were on this night. They reminded him of Hephaestion's eyes. In fact, everything reminded him of Hephaestion while he stood there. The night was calm, soothing, just like Hephaestion. After staring up for some time he looked down, leveling his eyes, staring at Hephaestion's back.

The words still would not come so he released a breath and then came closer. He put his hand over Hephaestion's, which was placed over the railing. Hephaestion quickly pulled his hand away yet still said nothing. Alexander did nothing for a moment but then put his hand back over Hephaestion's. Hephaestion pushed his hand away with his own then moved away from him. He moved to the corner of the balcony, as far away as he could get from Alexander, and crossed his arms over his chest.

"So are we never speaking again," Alexander finally asked. There was a mixture of pain and anger in his voice. He stared at Hephaestion, who said nothing. He continued to stare at him though, and found that he could not be angry with him, just pained at the fact that they may never speak again. He looked good in the light of the moon. His eyes shone even brighter and he looked even godlier.

"Hephaestion," he pleaded this time, turning to face him, coming closer to him. He stopped a few inches away from Hephaestion's shoulder. He wanted to tell him. He wanted to tell him that it was his mother that said they could not be. He wanted to tell him that he was afraid, not because he did not trust him, but because he was afraid to love him completely. But most of all he wanted to tell him only that he loved him. He would always love him.

"I will leave," Hephaestion then said. As he turned Alexander wrapped his fingers around his wrist, stopping him instantly. Then he pushed him back. Hephaestion defiantly faced him, leaning his lower back against the stone railing, crossing his arms again over his chest.

"Don't leave," Alexander begged of him. He didn't want him to leave. He didn't want him to move even. Slowly he reached out, resting his hands on each side of Hephaestion, pinning him in place. In order to do so he closed the space between them. His chest was pressed against Hephaestion's arms. "You said you would never leave me."

"You left me," Hephaestion said as his arms fell. Alexander didn't have the nerve to close that space though. Instead, he remained where he was, pain creeping onto his features. It was true though. Perhaps that was why the words stung so much. "Let me go."

"I can't," Alexander whispered. He then instantly closed the space between them. His lips met Hephaestion's forcefully, not because he had the intention of forcing him into anything, but instead because he held that much desire for him. As he kissed Hephaestion, lips tugging desperately on his, he tasted wine on his lips. Kissing him, he didn't mind it, but knew he'd think about it later. At first Hephaestion barely responded, trying to stay mad at him, but before long he was kissing Alexander back in the same needing manner. Instantly their lips burned, fire racing through them both.

Hephaestion tried not to move, tried to keep his mind clear, pretending to still be angry with him. Alexander on the other hand wasn't holding anything back. He pressed a hand to the back of Hephaestion's neck, pressing his lips against his even harder, letting that same hand wind in Hephaestion's hair. The other hand grasped the back of Hephaestion's buttocks and he pulled himself closer to him. As he fiercely kissed him he ground urgently against him as well. Giving in, Hephaestion put an arm around Alexander's neck, holding his shoulder. The other he pressed on the small of Alexander's back, pressing himself against him.

Alexander roamed Hephaestion's mouth with his tongue. As he felt Hephaestion wrap an arm around him he felt himself smile slightly, even amid the kissing. He then moved a hand, resting it on Hephaestion's thigh, as he continued to brush up against him. Slowly his hand crept up, however, Hephaestion didn't try to stop him. Soon Alexander's hand was pressing against Hephaestion's arousal, along with his body. With each touch there was more burn, more fire streaking through his body, each touch sending shivers over him.

While his hand pressed against him, Hephaestion's lips broke away from Alexander's. He rested his cheek against his though, breathing hard, in short gasps. Continuing to touch him, Alexander was driving him mad. With a breathless whisper he said his name, his breath resting against Alexander's neck. Only as a gust of cool air swept past them did he remember that he wasn't in the clouds, but instead on a balcony, and they could be caught at any moment. The thought excited Alexander, he could guess as much for it truly did excite him as well, but he knew at the same time they were playing with fire with what they did at this very moment.

"Alexander," he whispered, a soft protest about to escape from his lips. Yet at the very same time he was letting his own hand slide up Alexander's thigh. He could say no more. Instead, he kissed Alexander again, then moved his lips lower. He traced with his lips the pulse at Alexander's neck. Continuing down, he kissed Alexander's shoulders and at the same time let one of his hands run across Alexander's chest, sliding under his chiton, and roaming over the toned flesh beneath.

"You are the sun to my stars," Hephaestion whispered, breath lingering on Alexander's skin. Alexander touched him further, as he did him, and within a few moments they were both gasping for air. Alexander wrapped his arms around Hephaestion, still kissing him. They held each other, just kissing and holding one another, staring up at the stars. Never could they leave one another, for the stars always would chase the sun, and the sun would always be chasing the stars.

A/N: Next chapter will be up tomorrow hopefully. Looking forward to getting some reviews. And I'm sorry for some people that I post so fast and you have to catch up. I really do appreciate that you put up with me! Queen and Karone, I love you both, can't wait to see what you think of this chapter. See you all soon!