A/N: To Valo: Thanks for your support!!
To GaBo0: I actually disliked Alexander more than Bagoas in the movie. It's Alexander who should've been with Heph but left him alone… I guess that's why Alexander is always more or less the 'bad guy' in my fics. ;)
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His touches were like silk. It was a strange feeling to have these soft whispering fingers touch him, this hesitance where usually were the sure and wanton hands of Hephaistion. Alexander sighed, moaned, as the slave's presence on his body moved closer to its goal. The boy was a miracle. Oh yes he was… An undemanding, unknowing, shy, obedient miracle. King Darius had taught him well.
The hands lingered on his thighs, were then suddenly gone. Alexander held is breath in anticipation. The boy hovered over him… What was he doing? Lips came down on his, not ungentle, but demanding nonetheless. It felt so familiar.
No… Hephaistion? He suddenly realised who he smelt, who he tasted. He wanted to protest, to make the other leave, but how could he stop this? How could he ever stop Hephaistion? He hesitantly slid an arm around the body above him and pulled it down on him. Everything about his lover was perfect.
A hand was on his chest, on his neck, on his jaw, then he was kissed with an intensity that he had not felt in a long time. Hephaistion loved him.
Finally, when he thought he'd have no breath left, the lips left him. "Sweet gods, Hephaistion…"
But his lover did not answer, and when Alexander opened his eyes he saw Hephaistion's serious face in the flickering light of the candle next to his bed. He looked so beautiful, a beauty that radiated from within as well as without.
"Who have you become, Alexander?" A soft voice pleaded him.
"I…" Alexander knew of nothing to say. How could he explain this? "Hephaistion…"
Hephaistion lowered his head and slid a warm tongue between Alexander's lips, to then quickly withdraw, as if to pull the answer along. "Tell it to me. Do I not deserve at least that?"
"Oh Hephaistion…" Alexander turned his head away. "You desired the boy."
He gasped as a hand settled itself in his hair and painfully pulled his head back. Hephaistion's light eyes burned brightly. "This is not about him, you know that just as well as I do. Tell me, Alexander, what fear has driven your wild actions?"
And fear he knew. When he looked upon Hephaistion's face, so full of pain and anger, his heart filled itself with the worst fear he had ever felt. What if he lost him? What if he already had? His voice was hoarse. "You will bring me down, Hephaistion. If only with the power you have over my heart."
Distress filled his lover's eyes. "Why would I bring you down? You have the same claim on my heart, why would I bring myself down? Who has put this into your thoughts, Alexander?"
Alexander did not respond, but stared up at Hephaistion's face.
Understanding came over it. "It's your mother, isn't it?! It's always her! Alexander…" His voice trailed away into the dark. He moved away from his lover, sat straight upon the bed and stared to something hidden in the quiet room.
Alexander quickly sat up as well. "I'm sorry, Hephaistion…" he begged quietly, "but she seemed so right. She said I would lose you to another sooner or later, that you would betray me and bring me down, ruin everything I had achieved, all my dreams, and then I saw you staring at the boy… I saw my whole future crumble before my eyes."
"Why? Why do you always trust her over me? Has she not proven again and again that she is a snake, just as much as her pets? Why do you trust a snake's advice?"
"My love, I'm sorry… I… didn't want to hurt you… I just realised that you were the only one that I consider equal to myself, the only one who had every opportunity to destroy me… My one weakness…"
Hephaistion's voice had become even. "You embarrassed me in front of everyone. What is more important to you? Our friendship or your kingdom?"
"Hephaistion, I was way out of line, I'm sorry…"
"Answer!"
Alexander swallowed. "Our love and friendship."
"Then apologize to me in public."
"I can't! Hephaistion, I can't just-"
With a sudden anger, Hephaistion turned his head towards Alexander again. "You can, Alexander, you can if you love me."
Alexander could not evade Hephaistion's eyes, that told him just exactly what would happen if he'd say no. What choice was there? "Alright," he whispered. "Alright, I'll do it."