Title: By my side (10 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: -gaspeth- Angst.
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 10
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"Bring him to my room… right now. If I see you do anything else first than to obey my order, I will see to it personally that you are whipped until there is nothing left of your skin. Do you understand?"
"Yes, my Prince."
With deep bows they picked Hephaestion up, who struggled in their grasp but in the end seemed to relent and let them do their jobs. Ptolemy did not know what to think of this obvious display of affection, but the Prince of course always knew better. Walking with Alexander out of the slave quarters, he was quickly discharged by his friend to go wherever he pleased.
Arriving in his room he found Hephaestion already placed in his bed. The covers had been quickly placed at the foot of the bed, as if the young man would soil them simply laying in it. Even a few hours with the other slaves had been enough to render him to a dirty heap of rags, but Alexander feared there was more to it.
"Hephaestion? You are safe here… Hephaestion. Please say something."
He knew very well that the other was awake but simply refused to speak to him, just like the first time they had met. He simply laid there, tossed like a pillow which could not be used anymore and it seemed like he had not even found a more comfortable position for himself. Perhaps he did not dare to.
Walking closer to the bed, Alexander sat near Hephaestion and tucked a strand of dirty hair behind the ear of the slave. It was enough to make the young man flinch and open his eyes. The reaction must have sent pain through his entire body as he gritted his teeth and stared venomously at Alexander.
"Don't touch me." He whispered lowly as he pulled away. "Leave me be, toss me back into the corridor so I can be at peace."
Although Alexander had anticipated this kind of reaction, it threw him that so much had changed in such a short time. Did Hephaestion think he had something to do with this?
"It was not of my doing, Hephaestion. You have to believe at least that. Are you wounded?" He asked in concern as he tried to get a good look at the other, who cowered away.
"I believe you, Alexander, but it doesn't do much good." Hephaestion finally whispered softly as he looked up to the young man. Pain could be read in his gaze, but also sadness, that he had to give this up. "You should have left me there, it would be better for the both of us."
"No… How many times have I told you that I need you here with me?" Alexander answered in the same type of voice as he continued to stroke the others hair. A tear ran down Hephaestions cheeks as a small smile appeared. "She is very powerful." He said then, meaning the Queen. Alexander shook his head. "She does not know what I'm capable of when I really want someone."
Hephaestion made an attempt to sit up and face his master, and he did so, but not without pain. This got Alexander even more worried and he demanded that he could see the wounds. Although the other refused numerous times, the Prince insisted and Alexander himself pulled off the garments which the slave wore.
"By the gods, Hephaestion… why did you not tell me?" He gasped as he noticed the red marks, some still bleeding, upon the back of the slave. He heard how the young man sniffled slightly.
"This should be taken care of properly." Alexander said as he made a motion to stand up, but got held back by a Hephaestion who had gathered all of his courage.
"I do not want anyone to see me like this, it would be a victory to them. Let me be, Alexander, let me alone for only a while if you must… please."
Alexander turned back to him, a hand softly cupping the cheek of his friend. "If I leave you out of my sight, you will be killed, Hephaestion. Until I convince my mother that you are loyal to me and not a threat, you are not safe. I will see to your wounds myself then…"
"No! My Prince, you can not!"
It was unheard of, why would Alexander do such a thing? Hephaestion paled at the mere uttering of the words. The young man would have none of it though, as he made the slave turn around onto his stomach.
"Nobody can see us here, who will know? Just you and I… and I know that you can keep a secret, my dear friend."
He kissed the other faintly on the cheek before walking to the bath area where he found a bowl which he could fill with water. He had to search for everything as he was not used to tending for something himself, but he managed it and was quite proud. Finding a cloth he sat down on the bed again, a shivering Hephaestion waiting for him.
"This is going to hurt, Phai, I'm sorry."
It did hurt, but Hephaestion proved to be quite hardened when he wanted to be. Gritting his teeth and biting the bed linnen, he managed to only utter small moans of discomfort. Making it relatively easy on Alexander, who had tended to battle wounds before as a part of his lessons, it was quickly taken care of.
"All done." Alexander smiled proudly as Hephaestion turned on his back again, much easier now because of the bandages. Of course it still hurt, but the young slave seemed to be more at ease now than before.
"Are you truly sure that I should stay here?"
"Hephaestion…"
"No, your wish is my command, my Prince." Hephaestion said softly as he gave a gentle nod of the head, stretching out his hand so Alexander could catch it. The prince laid down beside him, just gazing into his eyes.
"This morning I thought that I would never see those night skies again." Alexander whispered as his fingers brushed against the cheek of the other. A soft smile played about his lips before he bent forward slightly and pressed his lips to those of Hepaestion. He had wanted to make it only brief, because of the pain the other had to endure. The young man however, saw it differently and followed Alexander as he pulled back, making the kiss last longer.
"Mmm, I know there was a reason why I should keep you by my side." The young Prince laughed as they finally parted. "Sleep, make up for the time you have lost; I won't be needing you today."
As if he was waiting for this, Hephaestions eye fluttered closed.
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Nelia: See, making it all better!
Lexy: Just like I promised, luv, don't want you threatening me. ;-)
Arax: Thank you, luv!