The Persian Campaign Chapter 4: Confrontations, an alexander fanfic

Title: "The Persian Campaign"

Author: Baliansword

Chapter: 4, "Confrontations"

A/N: Thanks again for reading and reviewing. I hope the last chapter didn't shock anyone too badly. If it did I'm so sorry! I should have put a better warning then. Anyway, here is the next chapter. Derive joy from it.

Hephaestion took a bite of the apple as Alexander paced back and forth in front of the table. For some odd reason he didn't fear him in this moment. He just wanted Alexander to tell him he hated him and get it over with. Everything about his stride told Hephaestion how he felt. Angry, confused, furious at him. Hephaestion sat back and took another bite of the apple.

"You were with Cassander all night," Alexander asked, his face growing redder as he did. He really wasn't asking though. He knew that it was true. He just didn't know how to confront Hephaestion about it. "Well?"

"How was Bagoas?"

"Don't take that tone with me Hephaestion Amyntor!" Alexander quickly rounded the end of the table and pushed himself in front of Hephaestion. He put his hands to his cheeks, fingers digging into him, his face full of anger. "Were you with him?"

"If you mean did he visit my room last night, yes, he did. If you mean did I let him stay the night, yes, I did. But if you're asking if I did to him what you did to Bagoas, then no, I didn't."

"Damn you Hephaestion," Alexander said as he shoved his face away, releasing his grip on him. He whirled, screaming lividly now at the man he thought he loved. "What I do when you are not around is none of your concern."

"Fine," Hephaestion said, hiding the hurt from his answer. Only the mixture of anger and wine would make Alexander say such a thing. It didn't matter though, for maybe he even meant it. Hephaestion glanced at him, yes, he was king and would do as he wanted. He always would do as he wanted. "Then what I do has nothing to do with you."

"Did he touch you," Alexander yelled.

"I thought we had concluded we have separate lives now."

"Did he touch you," Alexander only screamed again as he came and took Hephaestion's face with his hands again. He looked at Hephaestion, his Hephaestion. He swore that if Cassander had touched him he would break every bone in his body before tearing the flesh from his body and letting the vultures tear him apart. Hephaestion looked away, and Alexander did the only thing he knew how to do. He slammed a fist into the side of his face, and then held his chin tight, so that he forced him to stare back at him. His nose began to bleed. "Did he touch you?"

"No."

Alexander sat upon him, straddling him, but forcing him back against the chair so that he couldn't move. The side of his face burned not from the hit but more from his reddened cheeks. So had it come to this? Alexander released him and then put his head on his shoulder. Hephaestion didn't move to hold him, instead he dropped the apple from his hand, and watched it as it hit the floor. Alexander drew back, putting his hand under Hephaestion's nose to catch the blood before it fell onto his Persian robe. He looked wonderful in it. On the other hand Hephaestion found it hard to wear anything but Persian clothes, especially since his had been taken from his room.

"I'm sorry," Alexander said softly.

"Forget it ever happened," Hephaestion replied as he pushed Alexander off of him. Alexander fell back, his back hitting the table, and fell to the floor. He would lie there for awhile. Hephaestion glanced down at him. He'd drunk so much the night before he probably would forget this had ever happened. Hephaestion left the room, and spotted him in the hall.

"Drag him back to his room," Hephaestion told Bagoas as he passed him. The Persian stopped and turned, watching the general pass. Hephaestion knew he stared so he decided to throw another comment at the eunuch, one far more truthful than anything he knew at the moment. "He gets rid of all of his whores."

Cassander had not slept so well in the last three years, perhaps more. He opened his eyes slowly and took in his surroundings. Not his room, he recalled, Hephaestion's. Cassander rolled over, hearing the soft sounds of someone behind him. Sure enough Hephaestion was looking into a smaller silver mirror, wiping blood away from under his nose with a wet cloth. Cassander sat up, confused.

"Did I do that?"

"No," Hephaestion said with a laugh. "You actually didn't move at all last night. You only moved when I crawled out of bed. You shifted your arm."

He glanced over at Cassander, then went back to wiping blood away from his face. By the time he'd reached the room it had even spilled down onto his lips, lower chin, and part of his neck. He knew that some slave would be cleaning the floors where the blood had dripped. Cassander watched him, and then knew exactly what had happened.

"Did Alexander do that?"

"No. I fell into his fist."

Cassander withdrew from the bed. He approached Hephaestion, taking the damp cloth from his hand. He then pinched the bridge of Hephaestion's nose and swatted his hand away as he tried to reach up. Hephaestion then let Cassander lead him to the bed. Before Cassander laid him down he put another pillow upon the one already closest to them. He then let Hephaestion lay back, his head elevated. Cassander didn't remove his fingers from his nose, but put the wet cloth under his nose.

Next he stood, took another strip of cloth from the pile on Hephaestion's dresser, and wet it in the bowel of hot water. He folded it a few times before returning and laying it over Hephaestion's eyes. Hephaestion let out a small whimper as Cassander pushed on the cartilage of his nose. Cassander then went back to the dresser, and picked up a small vile of a yellow colored powered. He poured the contents into the cup of wine Hephaestion had brought back with him. It made Cassander wonder if Alexander had hit him before.

"Its not broken," Cassander informed him, pushing Hephaestion's hand back down as he tried to reach up to his nose. He then swirled the cup of wine and watched as they yellow powder dissolved. Then he carefully put the cup to Hephaestion's lips and began to tip it. "Drink of I'll drown you."

Hephaestion did as he was told, drinking all of the contents of the goblet. Cassander tossed the goblet across the room and heard a satisfying clang as it hit the hard floor. He hoped that it had bent. He then glanced down at Hephaestion. The bleeding was slowing and hopefully the powder would stop his nose from swelling, which would cause his eyes to blacken.

"I'll be back to check on you in a little while," Cassander informed him as he stood. He knew that he didn't have to. In fact, that was the first thing Hephaestion told him. It didn't matter though. He actually wanted to. But he didn't tell Hephaestion this. "Just stay still. Don't try to get up. I put enough powder in the wine to keep your head spinning for the next two days."

"I don't feel it."

"You will, don't worry." Cassander quietly picked up the dagger he had put on the stand next to the bed the night before. He didn't remember setting it there. But it didn't matter. It was good that he had it. It meant he didn't have to stop at his room. Hephaestion heard him pick it up though, heard the sound of the hilt scraping against the tabletop, and heard Cassander put it at his hip.

"Where are you going," Hephaestion asked, not thinking to worry much, but he did know that Cassander was not afraid of Alexander's wrath. Cassander didn't answer though. Instead he began to leave the room, but stopped when he heard Hephaestion try to sit up.

"Lay back Hephaestion," Cassander told him. "I'm just going to get something to eat, and I may bathe before I change my clothes. Try to sleep, will you."

Bagoas didn't know how to stop the Macedonian as he shoved past him into the room. He tried to reach out and grab him but was only rammed into the wall. The Macedonian, the general he'd noticed before, then made his way into the center of the room. Alexander looked up from his maps, and once he noticed it was Cassander, he scowled. Before he could react Cassander lunged at him, grabbing him by the shoulders, and threw him back. Alexander's back collided with the table and he let out a surprised gasp of pain. Before Alexander could even begin to defend himself Cassander gripped the dagger at his side, pulling it away from his waist, and dug the tip of the sharpened blade into the soft flesh of Alexander's throat. If he gulped the blade would pierce his skin.

"I swear to the gods," Cassander said as he pushed the blade just a little deeper, making a dot of blood appear. "I care not if you are a king, or a son of a god, I avow this. If you ever lay a hand on Hephaestion again, I will slit your throat and watch you writhe on the ground as you gasp for air."

Cassander shoved him as he pulled away. He replaced the blade at his side before leaving the room. He knew that Alexander would not send anyone after him. He couldn't. His guilt was so great a burden that even as king he could not punish Cassander, for he knew his mistake.

Cassander dropped down on the edge of the bed next to Hephaestion. He didn't worry about waking him for he knew that he was awake. Instead he pulled the damp cloth away from under his nose and over his eyes. He was slightly red around the nose but there was no swelling, at least not yet. Hephaestion opened his eyes and stared up at Cassander. For the oddest reason he could not remember why he had ever hated him in the first place.

"Feeling dizzy yet?"

Hephaestion reached up and put a hand on the side of his head. How did Cassander know? Everything had spun until he opened his eyes. Now it spun, but inside of his head, and there was a humming noise that wouldn't go away. He couldn't even speak. Instead he just nodded. Cassander reached out and put a hand on Hephaestion's forehead. Hephaestion liked the feeling. He liked the feeling of everything right now.

"You gave me too much," he said faintly. It only made Cassander laugh. He took the cloths and wet them again. The water was still warm. He wondered how the Persians pots kept things so warm. He brought the cloths back and put one under Hephaestion's nose, and the other on top of his nose. Meanwhile, everything was still swirling around his head.

"You're fine," Cassander said as smiled evilly. "I haven't given you enough to make you sick. By the way, did you get that from Olympias before we left Pella?"

"Yes," Hephaestion said as his hand fell from the side of his head. It still spun but it hurt as well. The only thing he liked was Cassander's closeness. He wondered for a moment if it was poison. Olympias had told him that it was for swelling, incase he was injured in battle. He'd believed her, because he'd even seen Alexander take it on campaigns to Illyria and Thrace from time to time. But maybe she'd just poisoned him. Finally he had to ask. "Do you think there was poison in it?"

"Just a strong opium her people have passed on from generation to generation. Don't worry, if you start getting sick I'll bring the chamber pot over. You're fine though, not even sweating yet. Two viles may have made you sick. This is just how it feels."

"Everything feels different."

"You mean everything feels better," Cassander said with another laugh. He reached out with a finger and ran it down the center of Hephaestion's forehead, to the tip of his nose, and then down to his chin. It caused Hephaestion to let out a soft moan, and he turned his head. Cassander smiled as Hephaestion squeezed his eyes closed. "Everything feels better when it feels surreal. That's why the Persians are addicted to their concoctions."

"It feels good," Hephaestion said weakly. He felt like sleeping, even though he didn't want to. It was becoming harder and harder to open his eyes. So he didn't open his eyes. Instead he just listened to what he was still able to hear. Cassander hadn't left him and there was something comforting in that.

Peculiarly enough Cassander wanted to touch him more. He wanted to touch him, knowing that it would bring Hephaestion pleasure, and he likely wouldn't remember it tomorrow. Slowly he reached out and ran a finger over Hephaestion's brow. He barely let the tip of his finger touch Hephaestion's skin. Hephaestion moved his head again, smiling as he did so. Cassander remembered someone doing the same thing to him when he'd taken this potion. Not only did it stop swelling, it took away your pain, and it gave you only bliss.

"Cass," Hephaestion whispered, unable to even finish his name as Cassander continued to run a finger over his face lightly, "does everything feel incredible like this?"

"Possibly. I'm barely even touching you," Cassander told him. He hadn't even moved from his face even though he wanted to. He watched as Hephaestion tried to open his eyes but found it impossible. Cassander felt like laughing, just because he was so weak it was rather precious. "Why, is it frightening you? From time to time the drug will make you panicky. Tell me if you want me to stop."

"No," Hephaestion said weakly. "I wanted you to do something more."

"Why? You won't remember this when you wake from the long sleep you'll have tonight."

"But I'll feel it now," he said breathlessly. Cassander found it hard to deny him anything. He even found himself attracted to him. He ran a finger over his lower lip and thought for a moment. Hephaestion wouldn't remember this tomorrow morning, so why not lean forward and kiss him? Even if he thought he recalled it happening Cassander could deny it. Giving in Cassander leaned closer to him.

Cassander brought his lips to Hephaestion's and began to kiss him. Hephaestion tried to kiss back but his reaction was slow, but none the less it was perfect. Cassander kissed him softly, taking all of his mouth with his own. He sucked on his lower lip after a minute, waiting before he went back to Hephaestion's mouth. He then slowly slid his warm tongue between Hephaestion's lips, entering his mouth heatedly. Hephaestion's tongue clashed with his and Cassander took him even fuller in the mouth. He drew Hephaestion's tongue into his mouth and held it there, sucking lightly at him with his lips. Warmth was placed between the both of them.

Cassander released Hephaestion's tongue, drawing his own lips back for a moment. He then went back for more, pulling at Hephaestion's lower lip again. He slid a hand under Hephaestion's neck and drew him closer, holding him in place as he continued to take his breath away. Slowly Cassander stopped the kiss, lightly pecking Hephaestion's lips as he drew away. Hephaestion law back, breathless, but obviously in a place of euphoria.

"Cass," he said as he tried to slow his breathing. He still couldn't open his eyes. It felt as if Cassander had put weights above his eyelids. Everything felt so stimulating, but the feeling was gradually fading, and he was beginning to feel drowsy and knew he was about to pass out. "Don't leave here till I pass out."

"I won't," Cassander promised.

"Will you…be here when I…wake up?"

Cassander ran his finger from Hephaestion's forehead to his chin again. He liked touching him as much as Hephaestion liked being touched at the moment. He knew that Hephaestion would never have aloud this if he hadn't poured all of the powder into his drink. So in a way he was taking advantage of him. For that he felt slightly depressed about it, knowing that Hephaestion truly didn't want this from him, he just thought he liked the feeling at the moment. At the same time he knew he'd never have this opportunity again, so he might as well write it off as bad judgement. It was the only kiss he'd ever receive from Hephaestion Amyntor.

He couldn't help but smile, for the great general couldn't even form sentences at the moment without having to pause. There was something about his vulnerability that Cassander couldn't help but find adoring. He was used to seeing the masked version of Hephaestion. The Hephaestion that was presented in public was a general, a great one, but one that tried so very hard to feel nothing. It was his weakness though, that heart that lay beneath his breast. It was the only thing that could hold him back in life because hearts broke. Alexander was good at breaking them too.

"I'll be here," he finally answered. Whether or not he lied he did not know. It would be interesting to see him awaken with a slight headache. It would be interesting to watch him try to figure out what had happened after he'd drunk from his goblet of wine. There were thousands of things that Cassander could tell him when he awoke if he wanted to be terrible and cause him a great deal of suffering. He couldn't do that though, at least not after kissing him.

Cassander watched in silence as sleep claimed Hephaestion. He stared at him for some time before he decided to leave the room. He still had not taken the bath he'd wanted to. So he returned to his own rooms where he had two slave girls draw him a bath. He sunk beneath the warm water and held his breath for as long as he could. He opened his eyes, still submerged, and watched as bubbles rose to the surface. Finally, after at least a good two minutes, he broke through the surface of the water. He wasn't afraid of drowning himself. It would be poetic justice he though, because he was drowning. He was drowning in those cerulean pools that he'd vowed as a child to hate. He was drowning in Hephaestion.