Eeevil cliffhanger ahead...

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It had been long since he had ridden a horse this strong and eager. Somewhere in the back of his mind it reminded him of Bucephalos and his younger days, and there was something in the stallion's strong canter pace and the urgency of his mission that made Alexander want to glance back… He could see his companion riding half a pace behind him, the way he had done so many times, his face serious and his eyes focused on the road ahead.

You're not there. You're not real! He had no need for a young Hephaistion to be riding with him now, or ever again. It was all gone, gone from the moment his friend and lover had decided that some things were more important than what they shared.

When Hephaistion noticed Alexander was looking at him, he flashed a smile, and for a moment it threw Alexander of guard. He took a sharp breath. "Go away!" He swung the sword, still secure in his grip, blindly behind him while he steered Cloud in the right direction. The way a lonesome set of other hooves had made its way on the moist ground.

A large leap almost made him loose his balance.

"Too late, Alexander, it's too late for you."

He knew, he knew, no one had said those words. They were always fake.

His attention was drawn by another sound, something unmistakably more real, yet seemingly out of place here on the quiet river bank. But the clatter of weapons meant it was not over yet. The horse nearly reared when he pulled the reins sharply and took in the situation. A breath, then he spurred it forwards again.

Hephaistion was standing with his back towards him. The assassin had a dark look on his face. His gaze wavered for one moment as Alexander approached, enough to break his concentration and the other man took his chance to twist away, out of his reach. The alertness of Hephaistion's motions told Alexander that he realised the danger was coming from two sides now.

It all happened too fast. Alexander raised his sword and struck out with the blunt side against the dark hair. Something cracked.

For a moment, everything was silent except for Alexander's own heavy breathing and the small gasp from the other man's mouth as he looked down upon the figure lying limp on the ground. He knelt down, his fingers searching for a pulse. Two startling blue eyes flashed up, dark with anger. "You killed him!"

Alexander looked at him, slightly confused, and gave a small shrug. His breathing was still harsh between his parted lips as he replied: "I…did." He smiled a little.

Hephaistion took a deep breath, closing his eyes for one moment, then rose. Fresh blood stained his torn left sleeve but he hardly seemed to notice.

The king took the reins in one hand and slipped off his horse. "He tried to kill you," he explained.

He received a sarcastic look, but to his surprise Hephaistion's eyes were shining with tears. "And he thought of that by himself? Come now, Alexander!"

"Does it matter? He's gone now." The dead man was the last thing on his mind. Everyone was replaceable, he liked to think, the point was that there was one person who didn't seem to be. Which was the reason he was here…with a mind full of thoughts and without a clue what to do.

"Of course he's gone!" The other bit at him. "Which one of your most loyal subjects have you not tried to kill by now? What's wrong with you!" Hephaistion's voice was desperate, as were his questioning eyes. Still hoping for an answer…

Everything's wrong, don't you see, Hephaistion? Alexander shook his head. "It doesn't really matter."

"Nothing matters anymore, does it? You planned all of this…" Hephaistion's voice dropped to a whisper, but his eyes never left Alexander's. "Why did you stop it?"

Yes, why did I? He remembered large brown eyes that looked at him in desperation. He spoke slowly. "Because you can't leave me."

Hephaistion was silent for a while, stared straight ahead. Finally he looked up. "So now you want me to stay again? Have you not learned yet I am not your puppet?"

His hands clenched to fists, and the handle of the sword still in his hand seemed to burn. "Oh I've learned." Alexander's voice was dark. "I have no choice, I can't let you go." Hephaistion would have to go back with him.

"Why? Do you love me?"

The question caught him off-guard, and he stared at Hephaistion in shock. This man… "Oh please!" he snapped. "I hate you for what you've done to me. I… hate you for opposing me at every opportunity. You promised you'd be there, but you were just…" He realised that this was not what he had wanted to say, as unwelcome tears burned behind his eyes. I can't let you stay! But if you go…

"I was there! I always was!" Hephaistion's voice broke and he coughed, then he bowed his head and laid his fingers on his own temple. Completely vulnerable.

But to his surprise, Alexander didn't have the urge to hurt him any longer. This was all beyond that. They felt like just Alexander and Hephaistion again, who were caught up in a situation beyond what either of them would have ever thought…and he was tired of this, and he knew he was not the only one. But it was not, had never been, his fault. "You lie, and you know it! You always disagreed with me! You never tried to understand how hard it is to-"

Hephaistion's head shot up. "We've been through this before! Why do you refuse to understand me?" He dropped his hand, and let out a deep, frustrated sigh. "You can't… this can't be about that still. Tell me it's not."

Alexander's eyes said all that needed to be said. "I don't ever want to deal with you again. With the way you make me feel." It was quiet for a moment, as Alexander pondered the truth of his own words. Somehow, it all seemed so unavoidable.

"Then kill me." Hephaistion took a long, slow breath, his face showing exactly how tired he really was.

Alexander didn't resist as the other gripped the hand that held his sword, then lifted it to rest the blade against his own neck.