Title: By my side (8 of ?)

Author: Adsagsona

Type: Romance

Rating: PG – PG 13

Disclaimer: Nothing about the movieverse Alexander belongs to me, I don't own a thing, sadly enough. I believe the real Alexander the Great and his companions belong to history and themselves.

Warnings: Mild slash.

Beta: None.

Pairing: Alexander/Hephaestion

Archive: Note: It is a slight AU from the Alexander movie verse. Hephaestion is not the son of Lord Amyntor, but a slave.

Spoilers: For 'Alexander'

Summary: At a young age, a slave gets captured by the soldiers of Philip. Alexander needs someone to wrestle with, because his friends always let him win. Too stubborn for his own good, the slave causes problems.

By my side – Chapter 8

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"I really should pack now." Hephaestion mumbled between kisses, pushing the none relenting arms of Alexander away finally. It seemed like the young man could not get enough of him and Hephaestion was not protesting, but his work needed to be done.

"I'll help you, it'll not take long."

The young man smiled softly and kissed Alexander, but shook his head and gestured for the other to sit down and just watch.

"I will not find anything once in Pella if you help me, Alexander, just sit there."

He suddenly realised that he had almost given an order to his Prince and that he had called him by his name. Hephaestion was about to apologise but Alexander was there first and shook his head.

"No, don't you dare apologise. I like it when you say my name… it sounds sweet coming from your lips."

Heaphaestion smiled in response, glad that his forwardness would not be punished. Hesitatingly he took a step towards the bed and kissed Alexander softly on the lips in gratitude.

"Who are you, Hephaestion?"

The question was asked in a quiet voice and actually not meant for the young slave to hear, but he had not been out of range. He paled visibly and turned back to his Prince. What had Alexander learned about him? The young man on the bed found blue eyes staring at him.

"You were not born a slave, were you?"

Hephaestion shook his head in answer.

"Perhaps, one day, I will tell you my story, my Prince. But now is not the time and there are much preparations to be done."

Although it irritated the young Prince, he knew that Hephaestion was right. He would not let the subject rest however, this he thought to himself as he nodded.

"I'll go and leave you to it, alright? I have to say my goodbyes, we will be gone for about a week." The young Prince answered as he stood and caught the slave by the arms. "I'll see you when we leave."

"Am I going with you?"

The puzzled look on Hephaestions face made the other young man laugh. He cupped the slaves cheek and nodded softly.

"Of course you are, I wouldn't miss you for the world."

When had he crossed the line, where this young slave became dear to him? He actually did not know, he just wished that he could take him wherever he went. Even onto the battle field, but he would probably worry too much. Plus, he was not allowed to go near a battle either from his father. He kissed Hephaestion softly, sweetly, before leaving him and closing the door behind him.

The young slave did not know where he had it. The Prince actually wanted him there and not just because he was a slave. He cared for the boy Hephaestion… or was it just because this way he could get what he wanted? The young man frowned for a moment, but then shook his head in decision. No, Alexander could get anyone, he would not put in the extra effort for him.

While Alexander was saying his goodbyes, the slaves packed everything for him and his friends, so that they only had to mount their horses to get on the road to Pella. It was a whole caravan and one would think that one of the High Kings was on his way. It took them a long while however until they would get to the royal palace. After they had reached the palace, Alexander immediately got called away to his mother. He had not seen Hephaestion, him being somewhere at the end of the row.

Olympias waited for her son in her private apartments. After her son had been sent to Mieza, to be educated in the way her husband wanted, she had pulled back out of the formal life of Pella completely. She lived for her son, or that she was telling herself. Alexander was the son of a god and he would be the greatest King of all time, even if she and he had to make enormous sacrifices for that.

"Alexander."

She went to him and opened her arms, the young man quickly enveloping her in his. He smiled, although he still remembered how they had parted.

"Mother, I'm glad you are well."

"And I am happy that you are back. Your father shuns me, but at least I have you."

Alexander sighed, but said nothing against her. She would be at the feast, that much he knew.

"Come and sit, I want to talk to you."

That never sounded good, Olympias always had advice for her son, her pupil. He had made sure that she would not tell him again that the first born had to reach the throne, that she had great plans for him.

"Yes, mother, what is wrong?"

"I have heard some awful rumours, Alexander, I hope they are not true. They say that you call a slave to your apartments… that you stay loyal to him."

"Where did you hear this?"

He was angered by the way she spoke. Although he was young, he knew very well what he was doing with his life. She did not answer him however.

"Hephaestion is dear to me, yes, but that does not mean a thing. He is not a threat to me, he would never do anything to hurt me."

"Ah, and he even has a name?"

"Of course he does." He grumbled as he looked away from his mother. She always could feel him less like he truly was. The son of a king. But he would not let Hephaestion fall because of her.

"He is a danger to you, Alexander. He just sleeps with you for a warm bed at night. He can turn to you in a second."

The young man glared at his mother.

"You don't know what you are talking about, you don't know him. I don't even know why I am listening to you." He stood and made a motion to walk out of the apartments, but her voice held him for a moment.

"Because you know that I am right, my son."

Doubt settled in his mind.

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Nelia: Thank you, luv. Another fluffy chapter is up :-)

Xzanayu: Alex will kiss and make it better.

Queendel: Hephs past will not be for immediately. Philips wedding feat however will not take long anymore.

Lexy: I'm so glad I made you squeal! Hopefully this will do it as well ;-)