Authors note: in answer to the question raised by a reviewer, my Alex and Heph are always the same cause that's how I see Alex and Heph personally. Colin Farrell inspired my Alex in many ways. He was utterly beautiful.

Also just to point out what a bastard Philip is, I made him have another wife during Alexanders 17-19 year old stage.

Alexander dressed in red with gold trimming, laced down the floor. His blonde locks were let loose and curled around his ears; he stared at himself in the mirror as Hephaistion came over to him, putting his arm around his shoulders.

"Your eyes… they sparkle with all those jewels" he smiled, kissing Alexander's neck.

"Hephaistion please, I am not so good at controlling my urges" Alexander admitted, Hephaistion laughed.

"Never one for losing, never one for containing ones excitement" Hephaistion played with a big golden ringlet at the base of Alexander's neck,

"Don't make me want you even more" Alexander mumbled, trying to fix his necklace.

Hephaistion recoiled a little, "Why not? You're not going to that party… are you?"

Alexander looked at Hephaistion for a moment, before glancing back at the mirror,

"My mother was right. I cannot hide in my bedroom…" he sighed, Hephaistion looked devastated but of course he would never say anything. He just nodded in agreement.

"I know, we could hide away all day Hephaistion, but… to let my father see my weakness only proves him right"

"I know Alexander; I just fear that he will harm you again"

"Maybe, but it's a risk I have to take" Hephaistion could tell Alexander was scared, he put his hand to his, Alexander's fingers entwined Hephaistions,

"If I am ever mad with you…. Know that it isn't you" Alexander told Hephaistion, the adoration in his eyes for his companion was undeniable.

"I know, Alexander" Hephaistion smiled, "It is okay…"

Alexander nodded and let go of Hephaistions hand. Like so many other times in Hephaistions life he was watching Alexander walk away, walking away and becoming a man.

Hephaistion watched Alexander go and sit in the middle of his fathers friends. Cleitus a very close friend to Philip watched Alexander for quite a while. They all started chatting away, ignoring the fact that the young prince's face was mangled, Hephaistion waited in the corner of the room, silently perusing the festivities.

It was just an announcement, not a party. Philip knew he couldn't marry her until she was pregnant, than the marriage would be valid, another heir to the throne, a replacement for his bastard Alexander, born out of wedlock, a mistake.

"Nice of you all to come" Philip smiled at the crowd, who were so drunk that they applauded everything. "It's wonderful you all came out to support your king"

The men roared, Alexander didn't do the same. His father's eyes washed over Alexander as if he wasn't even there. He smiled and laughed and shared his joys of becoming a father with everyone, which was of course until his expectant lover came in, tears streaming down her face, shaking terribly.

"Eylesses?" he looked at her, she glanced at him but turned away embarrassed. Her mother came to her side then, and hugged her, looking fearfully back at Phillip.

"What is the matter?" Phillip asked impatiently,

"She lost the baby" her mother said it so quickly; Philip couldn't bring his mind around it. Alexander looked at his father and than at the girl.

"Have her removed from my sight" Philip muttered angrily, as the girl was dragged away kicking and screaming, Alexander did what Alexander was always bound to do, protest.

"I certainly hope you mean to her home, and not to be put to death?" he asked, staring his father right in the face. All of a sudden people noticed the severity of his bruising, of his broken jaw, of his swollen cheeks. They all gasped at him, like he just come from Hades.

"When did I ask you to speak?" Philip growled, his voice was low and husky. Alexander still stood defiantly, as a petrified Hephaistion tried to get to his side to pull him away, but was held back by Clidus.

"When have I ever needed your permission?" Alexander snapped, Philip's one eye seemed to pop out of his skull, the thought of Alexander still defying him made him sick, as the others all looked at him.

"Alexander!" Hephaistion cried out to him, Philip turned around to look at Hephaistion who was being held up against the wall by Clietus, Clietus was pulling at Hephaistions' draw strings.

"Hephaistion!" Alexander exclaimed, the mahogany of his eyes became deep and frightful, as his father laughed. Always laughing at him, always finding his love for Hephaistion humorous.

"Poor, Poor Hephaistion. Now he has to pay… maybe this time you will learn, and learn well" his father mocked him, Alexander was sick of being mocked.

He ran towards him but his father stood in his way. He glared at his battered son,

"I could hurt you more Alexander"

Alexander smiled, "Oh, I know you can"

"Don't you fear me?" Philip asked him, Alexander shook his head.

"I cannot run from you all my life" Alexander muttered, watching as Hephaistion was being held by the throat,

"I won't allow you to help him, Alexander" his father said, his one eye was so cold,

"I wouldn't expect it, but I don't expect a lot from you" Alexander said defiantly, the others all glaring at him, this boy dare defying his king? His own father?

"You are just like your mother… only stupid" his father muttered, smiling. "She was smart enough to stand down"

"My mother hasn't been in love yet" Alexander said, as he watched his poor Hephaistion being tied up, "Move out of my way, or I will make you regret it"

His father laughed so loud it almost deafened him. With the last snort of laughter, Alexander's fist hit his father, and hit him hard. He flew backwards against the table, Alexander marvelling at his strength for a moment, as his father was aided to stand again.

Distracted by the punch, Clietus had let go of Hephaistion. Hephaistion pulled free and as Alexander ran to him they both escaped from the jaws of the beast. Resting up against a pillar, Hephaistions head on Alexander's shoulders; they listened as his father tried to tell the crowd it was merely a play that they were acting out. The crowd obviously had their doubts but applauded all the same.

"Oh Gods if you ever do that again…" Hephaistion said, eyeing Alexander whose face dripped with sweat.

"My Hephaistion" Alexander smiled, seeming to enjoy his brush with another beating, "I do believe you have just been angry with me"

Hephaistion bit his lip but Alexander smiled as he put his lips to Hephaistions forehead he giggled, Hephaistion's face reddened.

"I'm sorry…" Hephaistion began, but Alexander put a hand to his mouth.

"That girl, Hephaistion" Alexander suddenly said, Hephaistion sighed,

"It's out of our hands, Alexander" Hephaistion muttered, Alexander's gaze drifted to the ground.

'They would've killed her, right?" Alexander asked, Hephaistion didn't want to tell him the truth.

"Yes, but that is the way of our world"

"Never let me be that way, Hephaistion. If I ever threaten a woman, cut my tongue out and blind me, for I would be committing one of my fathers' acts"

Hephaistion smiled, holding in a laugh. Not possible he thought, but he accepted it.

"This is why it is better to love a man, Hephaistion" Alexander said relieved, "I don't know what I would do if you were a woman and lost our child"

Hephaistion's eyes gleamed a little,

"I'd hope you'd still love me" Hephaistion whispered into Alexander's ear, Alexander smiled and lifted his chin to Hephaistions,

"Of course, I'd be lost without you" Alexander admitted and they kissed each other.