AN: King Alexander find himself on the brink of war with one of his most respected enemies. He tries to find comfort with his beloved friend Hephaestion, who tries to do the right thing. The fluff and nothing but the fluff, people.

King of my heart 1

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A nineteen year old lad who was to conquer the entire known world, it had never been seen or done before. And although the reign of Alexander, son of Philippos had begun early, he seemed to be more of a strategist than his father. All Macedonians had hailed their mighty King and had in the beginning loathed his weaker son… but in the end they had no choice but to recognise him, as the new wife of Philippos served to be too weak to bare the dead king a child.

Now, the army marched on Persia. A dream of Alexander, to be greater than his father, with his life still laying in front of him. To be greater than Philippos at life, he would outlive him in legend after his death. That was the ultimate goal of the youth, become a legend himself, after his great heroes of old.

"Sometimes I wonder to where your thoughts stray all the time."

A soft voice could be heard by his side, a shoulder brushed against his own and soon he was walking together with one of his Generals through the camp. No, not just one of his Generals, it was the slightly older Hephaestion. The young man whose one glance could inspire a poet to write for days on end and a single sweep of his hair was enough to let women linger for his presence. Still, he now walked together with his King.

"To war."

"You fear tomorrow?"

It was a question, although more of a statement. Nobody knew Alexander better than Hephaestion, but many pretended it to be not true. The young General sometimes heard them speaking behind his back, but he did not care for the great love he could spot in the eyes of his King was enough to sport any kind of mockery directed at him.

"No, I do not. My strategy, although daring, is well thought of."

The answer came without hesitation, like it had been repeated over and over again, but the young King looked at his friend in the same manner. No hesitation was present, a victory would rise out of this tomorrow, he was certain. They neared the tent of the King, well out of sight from the main camp, such as it should be.

"I know it is, Alexander, I do not doubt you."

A small smile played about the lips of the king and he nodded. No, Hephaestion did not doubt him, nor would he ever. It was probably his strength and his only weakness, the so quiet General just cared too much for his King, beyond reason… beyond the victory the young Alexander would bring him.

"I bid you goodnight then." Hephaestion said in a soft voice as he gave a slight bow towards Alexander, but the king would have nothing of it.

"No."

A frown apparent on his face, hell blue eyes were directed squarely at Alexander. Soon, a smile broke through, showing perfectly white teeth. The young man bowed his head for a moment, the long tresses of his dark hair flowing about his face, which was kept perfectly well hidden in that manner.

"No?" He asked softly again.

Sometimes, quite often lately actually, Alexander got frustrated with the behaviour of others in general. It seemed like everyone surrounding him was merely talking to him, agreeing with him because of his rank. Who would dare to speak against his King? It was there for he sighed, did his greatest friend think of him of no more than his king as well?

"Must I command you to enjoy your company these days, Hephaestion?" His voice sounded tired and weary for one so young.

"War will be upon us tomorrow, my King."

It was difficult to get a simple yes or no from the General. Although a man of battle, he had paid a lot attention to his teacher Aristotle in his childhood. Alexander had been the one who discussed with the philosopher, Hephaestion the one who listened and made his own conclusions. The cryptic answer was typical for him, who would not be looked into neither mind nor heart.

But as Alexander decided that he would give up on Hephaestion for the night. Had the one who never regarded him as a prince would now start seeing him as a king?

"Alexander."

A soft whisper barely reached his ears as he took one step at the direction of the tent. For all of Hephaestions determination, he would not want Alexander mad at him. The blonde haired man turned then, to discover nothing in those nightly eyes. Only one of the reasons why the only slightly older man in front of him made such a good General.

"Do not think I do not care."

"Why do you then act like you indeed do not?"

Alexander sounded annoyed an more than a little hurt. Here he stood, on the eve of what was to be his largest battle to his date and perhaps even the greatest victory this world had ever seen. Still, the one whom he trusted the most, too much according to his mother although also she had been sure of the loyalty of Hephaestion as well, would now turn his back on him. What was his victory worth then, if the could not share it with those he loved?

"Because this is war, Alexander."

The young General gritted his teeth, why did Alexander fail to understand that not everyone could ride out into battle like he? Hephaestion rarely showed himself at the night before a battle, so this was an exception on itself.

"I know that very well, Hephaestion. I am the one who brought us this far, or do you not remember?"

The young King reacted angrily. Why wouldn't he understand what was at stake here, in this forsaken desert? This would ensure him a place in history and Hephaestion dared to say that he did not understand.