Title: By my side (19 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: Slash.
Beta: None.
Pairing: Alexander/Hephaestion
Archive: Right here.
Author's 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 19
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"Get in! Get in, quickly!"
Alexander ducked into the cave just before the cold of the winter got to them. They had rode through snow and ice to get there and they had just made it in time. Another young man almost bumped into him as he hurriedly had followed Alexander. The Prince laid his hand on Hephaestions arm before lighting the branch they had brought with them. There was nothing inside the cave… it was big enough for their horses to fit inside. They would have thought a bear slept here, and were glad to find it empty.
"I'll take in the horses."
Hephaestion had developed in to a certain young man, who did not have to be ordered around to do something. He made his own decisions and acted like the free man he had been from the moment he had taken up his voyage with Alexander. The Prince had seen the whole of this transformation and often smiled secretly, that he was the one partially responsible for this change.
Lighting the fire, one of the many things he had become better at in the past few weeks, he waited for Hephaestion to return. He had put the fire a bit to the side, so that the other young man would be able to pass with the animals without putting it out. The former slave returned swiftly and installed both horses in the back of the cave with the little food they had left for them.
"What will we feed them?"
He asked this while he sat down next to Alexander, shivering because of the cold outside. The Prince immediately wrapped his arm around the other young man, pulling him close. Hephaestion had learned that he better not resisted. Not that he wanted to, but when they had been in public, he always pulled back from Alexander. He understood that the Prince still needed to learn that a display of affection was not meant for the crowd. Rumours could be harmless for the crown prince, but the truth was not.
"We will find ways to feed them. Everything will be alright."
Alexander answered in a murmur as he wrapped his arms around the slightly older man, who laid his head on the others shoulder with a soft sigh. They loved spending time in each others arms, just holding and being held.
"That is what you say every time we are in such a mess." Hephaestion mumbled under his breath.
"We are not in a mess. This cave will provide us with enough shelter for the coming few days and then we'll move on." He sometimes wondered if Hephaestion had his doubts about this journey, but the other never expressed them. As they now sat together, Alexander feeling the shiver of Hephaestion, he doubted himself.
"Was I wrong to leave the palace, Hephaestion? Should I have stayed and receive my punishment like a good son? Should I have left my mouth shut?"
Hephaestion looked up with bright blue eyes. They shimmered with all kinds of emotions, but the overwhelming love he saw there almost took his breath away. The former slave cupped the cheeks of Alexander so that the other had no choice but to look him in the eyes.
"You have been brought up as a Prince, to take what you can. Your father is a warlord and he will understand that your pride has driven you this far. Although he will not show it, he will be glad for such a son like you."
He pressed his lips to the others cheeks, softly and sweetly, although his lips were cold and made Alexander shiver in his turn.
"By the gods, Hephaestion, you are cold! Let's get you out of these clothes so they can dry."
So swiflty the subject was dropped again. He just needed the reassurance that he had been the good one in the story, that he had not done anything wrong. He had just defended himself, that he had done.
He helped Hephaestion as he got out of his tunic and laid them by the fire, where they would only dry and not burn. Naked underneath the blanket he had wrapped around him, they only posessed two of them, he clattered his teeth.
"Hephaestion… do not be so stubborn."
The soft voice directed him back to the arms of his lover, where he was held tightly. The blanket was unfolded and Alexander crawled underneath together with him, he felt the skin burn against his own. Strong arms wrapped around Hephaestion and Alexander laid against his back, laying his head on his shoulder.
"Try to get some sleep, there will be a long day ahead."
He was still cold, but he would warm up quickly. Ample fingers brushed against his nipples and he gasped softly. He felt the smile Alexander produced on his shoulder, before lips pressed on the soft skin.
"I couldn't resist. Your body is so beautiful, I couldn't… I needed to."
"Ssshhh, Alexander." He rested his hand on top of the other, the one resting over his heart. He silently stroked it for a while before he turned back slightly, so that he could at least look at the other.
"It is okay, I need it as much as you. But it has nothing to do with just a body.. it's because it is you."
"I feel the same way."
It was so that they found each other again, after days of endurance. They had suffered through some great ordeals, but now they were at peace for the remainder of the night. Perhaps they could even steal part of the morning.
"Alex… Alexander."
"Ssshhh… it is alright, my love."
The hushed sounds spoke for themselve before a harsh cry broke the silence. Hephaestion and Alexander lay panting, before they settled for sleep. They kissed leisurely and slowly, taking their time. Hephaestions longer hair covered most of Alexanders chest as he laid down upon it. Soon they were vast asleep.
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Nelia: Ah, I decided to skip rather fast over the wilderness bit. Well… I hope you like this anyway. –smiles-
Xzanayu: Into the caves they went! –laughs-
Lexy: No worries, luv. Hope you like this chapter.
Rhia: Alexander can be very sweet when he wants to be ;).