Title: "After Ecbatana"

Author: Baliansword

Chapter: 10, "Truths"

A/N: This story is taking all of twists and turns. I hope everyone is enjoying, and that no one minds what the characters are doing as of now. Please read and review. Happy holidays!

Alexander had been with Roxanne for some time. As his mother had said, she was due within the week. Alexander entered his room, rather tired of Roxanne's constant complaining. He had left Bagoas with her. He felt rather bad for the poor thing, having to sit with Roxanne, but he did not seem to mind. Instead he seemed rather glad to have a purpose.

As soon as he entered the room he knew that Hephaestion was there. He could sense his presence, not to mention the candle burning by his bed. Alexander came closer, and saw Hephaestion, and his heart stopped. Hephaestion stared at the wall, looking at nothing, and was as white as he had been when he was sick in Ecbatana. The king froze, fearing what could be wrong, and then snapped out of it. He rushed forward, and dropped to his knees in front of Hephaestion.

"Hephaestion," he said, seeing a far off look in his eyes. He put a hand to his cheek. He was cold, but not sick. It was something else that was bothering him. "Hephaestion, tell me, what is it?"

Hephaestion seemed to notice him then. It was as if he had not before. He looked at Alexander, his eyes still holding that far off look. He then glanced at Alexander's arm, which extended to his face. After a moment he merely shook his head and let tears fall onto his cheeks.

"Phae," Alexander pleaded with him now, his worry for him growing. "Tell me, what has happened. I need to know."

"Alexander," he said as his tears fell. Alexander leaned close to him and wrapped his arms around him. He just held him, and felt him shake in his clutches. Hephaestion could not even find the strength to wrap his arms around him. Instead he tried to choke out what he had to say. He was doing a terrible job. "Alexander, I'm sorry. I love you…only you…but I just…I don't know what I wanted…or what I was thinking…but I love you. I love you Alexander, more than...anything…I love only you."

"Phae," Alexander said as he drew away so that he could look at him. With his thumbs he wiped the tears away from under Hephaestion's eyes. He stared at him, and already knew what had happened. He knew because it was the one thing he had feared for some time now. He felt his own eyes well with tears, and he began to cry as well, but wrapped his arms around Hephaestion all the same. "Its alright Hephaestion. I love you, only you. Nothing can come between us."

"But," Hephaestion began. However, Alexander silenced him quickly by putting a finger to his lips. He then kissed him, softly, knowing that it would soothe Hephaestion. For the first time, Hephaestion wrapped his arms around Alexander, and held him closely.

"I love you Hephaestion," Alexander said again. He said it firmly. It was concrete. He knew that he loved Hephaestion, and knew that this would not be enough to come between them. "It is fine Hephaestion. I love you, only you. You could never have my anger towards you."

"I'm sorry," Hephaestion choked out through his tears. It had hurt so badly when Alexander had taken Bagoas. Yet, at the same time, he had just done the same thing to Alexander. How could he have done such a thing, knowing how it felt? "By the gods, I am sorry."

"Do you love me," Alexander asked, his own tears beginning to flow more freely. He took Hephaestion's face in his hands and looked at him. Hephaestion took his hands and put them on Alexander's wrists. "Tell me that you love me Hephaestion, and all will be well. If you don't then I will understand, because I have forced you to do this with my neglect. I was a fool to think that I could have you without working for it. I was a fool to assume that you did not have desires. Just tell me Hephaestion, do you love me?"

"More than anything," Hephaestion said.

"Then," Alexander said as he wiped more of Hephaestion's tears away, "that is all that I need to know. I love you Hephaestion, only you."