Alexander awoke in his bedroom. His eyes were puffy and swollen, his nose was clogged up with a wooden cast surrounding the broken structure, cuts and bruises completely covered his face. He wanted to scream, the pain was so blinding but he lay still, not moving an inch. Fearful, fearing his father would come and call him a baby, fearing he wouldn't be able to stop himself again from the fate of his fathers' fists.
He looked to his bedside, and there was Hephaistion. Alexander couldn't breathe for a moment. He didn't want Hephaistion there, seeing him so weak and fragile. Hephaistion knew all of Alexander's weaknesses, and some of his strengths. As his head pounded and his eyes snapped in and out of blurry vision, he tried to sleep but the pain was too great. He convulsed, sitting up, as Hephaistion felt his jerk, and he jolted awake and held Alexander's hand.
"Alexander, you're awake" Hephaistion smiled, Alexander could not. He didn't say anything; his eyes were locked firmly on the roof.
"I'm sorry for your fathers beating" Hephaistion sighed, stroking his hand, "you didn't have to protect me"
"I didn't do it for you" Alexander thought bitterly, but he didn't speak.
"All will be better when your father leaves for Persia, perhaps his mood will be better in time"
"I couldn't care less about him" Alexander coughed, turning over.
"Alexander, talk to me" Hephaistion asked him, concerned Alexander was ignoring him.
"Nothing to say, you can go" Alexander said shortly. Hephaistion, feeling a bit shell shocked by the news, nodded and stood up,
"Again I'm"
"Sorry? Everybody is…" Alexander replied gruffly, it was then Hephaistion knew it wasn't about him; it was about Alexander's shaming in front of everyone, and his father.
"I'll wait outside" Hephaistion said, turning around.
"Wait forever" Alexander mumbled, just as Hephaistion closed the door.
-