His insides were fire, his skin frozen, and nowhere could he find comfort within his own body. He arched against the mattress, pushing at the sheets that were bunched at his waist. In the next instant he was chilled and wanted the blankets back. Hephaestion cried out softly when a wet cloth was touched his forehead.

"Hush, love."

Moaning, Hephaestion attempted to turn into the hand that was now pressed to his cheek. It was as much of a struggle to open his eyes even enough to glance out under his lashes. He saw a glint of red and gold and then a hand. With every ounce of will he possessed, Hephaestion struggled to lift his own hand, searching out Alexander's fingers. Alexander caught up his hand before he was able to lift it from where it lay on his stomach.

"Rest, Phaestion. You will not become well if you do not rest," Alexander murmured, leaning in close so that his lips brushed against Hephaestion's cheek. "I mean to leave for Arabia in a few months and I need you by my side."

"Xand..."

"Hush." Alexander's lips ghosted across his own. "Glaucus says that you need to rest. So please rest. Sleep. I want you well."

Hephaestion did not even have it in him to nod. His eyes had already drifted shut again. He tried to remain focused, listening to Alexander's voice as he began to recite passages from the Iliad. Hephaestion could hear Alexander's voice catch when he spoke of Achilles' love for Patroclus and wished for all the world that he wasn't the cause.

He slept for much of the next few days and whenever he awoke Alexander was there. Filling cups of water for him to sip from, touching his forehead, and speaking softly to him, more urgently when pain racked his system. At other times, when he was still mostly asleep, Hephaestion was aware of Alexander's angry shouts directed at the doctor, demanding that he make Hephaestion well.

All of the lights were very dim when Hephaestion came awake long enough to be aware of what was occurring around him. Shifting uncomfortably, he glanced around and immediately saw Alexander dozing on a chair next to his bed.

"Xander..."

The word had not yet died on the air when Alexander bolted to attention, scrambling from the chair to instead sit on the edge of the bed. In his hands was a cup of water which Hephaestion drank from greedily, his throat afire with dryness. "Gods, Hephaestion. When they could not tell me when you would waken again I could not help but fear the worst."

"I am feeling better," Hephaestion whispered, his voice scratching.

"You look it."

Coughing from the continued dryness in his throat, the left corner of his lips twitched upwards momentarily. "I look affright. As do you, though your excuse is lacking."

"I would not have been anywhere else," Alexander insisted, his fingers ghosting over his hairline. "The city can function a few days without my interference. I would have been of no real use in any case."

"What of the games you planned?" Hephaestion asked, furrowing his brows.

"This afternoon, but they are of"

"No," Hephaestion forced out, coughing once again as a result. Once started he could not stop and the tightness grew across his chest. His chest continued to spasm, his body hitching, even after the coughing had stopped. Hephaestion was utterly exhausted when he was at last able to lie still and could not coax out any words to assure Alexander.

"If you had meant to convince me of going to the games, you have just undone your argument," Alexander murmured, leaning in close.

Hephaestion managed a brief shake of his head. "Go."

"Rest then. I will have Glaucus come and check you over in a few hours and if he deems you well enough I will attend the games," Alexander conceded with a sigh.

Hephaestion relaxed further into the pillows and cushions, unable to keep himself awake any longer. He woke briefly later when Alexander returned with the doctor, insisting once again that his friend should attend the games he'd organized.

"I will come to you as soon as I can manage."

"I will be waiting here."

His appetite returning, Hephaestion had his young page fetch him something to break his fast. It had been several days since Hephaestion could remember having eaten and he had been ill enough over the years to know that food in his stomach would help him to regain his strength. There was a feast planned for later in the week and he intended to be there.

The chicken went down easily enough, but after an hour or so, Hephaestion felt a fire burning in the pit of his stomach. He tried to sleep it off, but it was not working. He could not sleep for the pain. He could not even think, his entire body enveloped in it. In a few, desperate moments, he regretted having sent Alexander away to the games. Trying to relax availed him nothing, and soon, remaining conscious was a difficult challenge. He was dimly aware of a great deal of commotion in the room, shouting and panicked voices. But no sign of Alexander.

He tried calling for Alexander, but no one seemed to hear him. Then he was gasping for breath, his chest tight and his limbs leaden. When it had been more than a minute since he had taken a full breath, Hephaestion began to share in their panic. He scanned the room frantically for any sign of Alexander, but saw only a flurry of motion. Then he could not keep his eyes open, the sounds blurring together in the darkness.

"HEPHAESTION!"

Hephaestion no longer fought against what he knew was inevitable.