The pain was unlike anything Hephaistion could recall experiencing before. He had spent days moving about like an old man, bruised and battered from a day in the wrestling pit. There had been many cuts and gashes while still learning the finer points of swordsmanship and still more when he had seen his first battle. The pain that he felt in this instance was entirely new. It was not unwelcome. Shifting about, Hephaistion attempted to place as little pressure on his buttocks as possible, eventually resigning himself to the fact that he must change position entirely and roll onto his side. The one fault with his was that Alexander's head still rested on his chest. He could not move without risking the possibility of waking his lover. It was no hardship as Hephaistion was content to enjoy the moment as it existed despite his discomfort.

There was just enough of a tilt to Alexander's head that Hephaistion could glimpse the contours of his face. Dark lashes brushing the upper swell of cheeks, narrow sharp-edged nose, lips relaxed in slumber. Alexander was truly beautiful in sleep. Every care gone, every ambition forgotten. Sleep granted Alexander a peace he could not find waking. A peace that Hephaistion was honest enough to admit that he could not grant.

"I am afraid that I will love you too much and that you will be taken from me" Alexander murmured, his eyes still shut.

Hephaistion furrowed his brows. "Why would I be taken from you? I certainly would not leave you of my own free will."

"No, but others could try to take you from me" Alexander clarified, his eyes slowly blinking open. "My mother is one who would see you gone. My father as well, I am certain."

"I matters not" Hephaistion answered simply. "I will not be parted from you. Taken or not."

Alexander lifted his head so that he was able to rest his chin on Hephaistion's shoulder in order to see his face. "I believe you would try, Phaistion."

Hephaistion furrowed his brows. "You doubt my ability to succeed"

"I fear that our lives will mirror those of long past" Alexander corrected him. "Neither Achilles or Patroclus was lacking in ability and still one was torn from the other."

"You are destined to be greater than Achilles. Of that I have no doubt. You will be a king greater than your father and any of those who came before him" Hephaistion insisted, believing fully every word he spoke.

Alexander merely smiled, touching his forehead to Hephaistion's. As their eyes held, an array of emotions passed between them. Messages that would be undecipherable to any save themselves.

"My mother cannot know of this" Alexander said sometime later as sleep came to claim them both. "She would remove all those she deems a threat to her power over me... I will not be her puppet."

"I will not allow it either" Hephaistion swore, his eyelids heavy, but his voice adamant. "If it takes my life's breath I will keep you free from her control."

On the very edge of sleep, Hephaistion could not be entirely certain, but he heard a half whispered reply of"Nor will I allow you to fall for my sake. Not if it is in my power to prevent it."