Title: Royal Slave

Author: Adsagsona

Type: Romance/Drama

Rating: R

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: Light slash.

Beta: None.

Pairing: Alexander/Hephaestion

Archive: Right here.

Author's Note: This is a sequel to the story 'By my side'. AU, Hephaestion has come to Philips court as a slave, but found a place as the loyal companion of Alexander.

Summary: Alexanders army stumbles upon the land of Lord Amyntor. Suddenly Hephaestion reacts strangely and reveals something about himself which had not been forseen.

Royal Slave – Chapter 14

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Despite himself, Hephaestion had fallen asleep right next to Cassander, while the other was watching him. Exhaustion and the days events had done this to him. How he lay there now, with a small bruise forming on his right cheek, those dark lashes resting against it and his body only half way covered by the sheet, he looked like a fallen angel. Of course, Macedonians did not know of these Christian things… but if not an angel, Zeus would surely mistake Hephaestion for his own son.

Cassander casually brushed a few strands of the long hair from Hephaestions mouth, accidently touching his lower lip. At the soft sigh from the other he feared that might have awoken the young man, but as the General slept on, he was relieved. For the first time since Hephaestion joined the army, he was not on guard when he was around Cassander. He had made it very clear from the beginning that he did not like the dark-haired General. His words were too swift and witty, his tongue and weapons too sharp… and he felt Cassanders jealousy.

It did not seem to be directed at him personally, but at the bond he had with the King. Cassander wished to be the man Alexander confided in, told the secrets to, but he had never stood a chance against Hephaestion. Although lately, he felt an interest beyond just the common jealousy towards the former slave. If even the King saw something in him, Hephaestion must be quite special. Perhaps he had good qualities in bed, perhaps it was just the fact that he was always so quiet and reserved and did not speak before spoken to. His beauty of course helped matters.

Thinking this over silently, he decided to take matters in his own hands. Hephaestion was shaken from the attack and it was dark. Would he be able to pose as Alexander? Brushing his knuckles over Hephaestions cheek, he waited for the others eyelids to flutter.

"No, don't open them." He whispered in a tone which he hoped Alexander used against his General when they were in intimate moments. The smile of the other told him everything he needed to know. It wavered slightly however and the young man disobeyed, opening his eyes again.

"Cassander? What do you want?"

His voice sounded sleepy, but he was quite alert.

"Go back to sleep, Hephaestion. You were dreaming and I woke you, that's all."

The young General squinted his eyes and shook his head. It was not the truth, but Cassander could lie through his teeth when he wanted to. Wrapping a hand around the other Generals lower arm, he looked into those light eyes.

"I think I know what you want." He said then in a clear voice.

"You don't know the first thing about me, Hephaestion. Just be glad that I saved you tonight instead of letting you rot there at that hill. I could have easily done that you know, and then you would have never seen your Alexander again."

"He is not my Alexander."

The answer came so swiftly that it threw Cassander off. The young man even seemed to mean what he said, that the King was not his, like others always claimed. Cassander leaned closer to Hephaestion, his face only inches from the other. "Ah, he has hurt you, I know. He should have never put this stupid war before you. Fighting for a land of rock and sand is not even worth it."

Hephaestion did not answer, just looked away from the other. Or tried to, because Cassander took hold of his chin softly and made him look up to him. Gently pressing his lips upon those of the young General, he sighed. It only lasted for a few seconds, leaving Hephaestion as confused as ever.

"I… I'm not a whore." He whispered finally.

"I know you aren't."

"Then why do you look at me like I am one?" Hephaestion asked softly as he seemed to shy away from the other. Cassander sighed and shook his head.

"Tonight everything is different… I felt so useless when I went out for a walk and then I found you. It was good to feel needed again after Alexander left me behind."

This seemed to hit home. Hephaestion had been left behind as well, numerous times in his life already. So helpless at times, so lonely… and now Cassander was telling him that exact same thing. He did not know how to handle this kind of confession with someone he had despised for all of his duty for the King.

"I'm… I'm glad I could help."

"Good. Go to sleep then."

Again he felt those soft lips brush over his, but he did not let go of Cassander. Wondering why he didn't, he knew that he had seen that same loneliness that he felt reflected in the eyes of the dark haired young man in front of him. Perhaps he had lied to him, but his eyes did not.

"We're not enemies tonight, Cassander… Stay. Hold me."

The young man hesitated for a moment, not knowing what to say against such a request. This was Hephaestion asking him to spend the night in the same bed. Then, he nodded. It took him five more minutes to disrobe himself, and against that time Hephaestion was fast asleep again. With a soft smile, one which was rarely seen by others, he crawled into bed with the young man.

He wrapped his arms around Hephaestions waist from behind, his fingers folding together across the others stomach. The young man whom he held sighed softly in his sleep and seemed to seek the source of such comfort, snuggling closer to Cassander. Sleeping on soundly, he did not seem to worry about a thing.

Cassander, quite proud of himself for his accomplishments, brushed aside some of Hephaestions long hair and made himself comfortable. If the other felt the hard length brushing against his thigh, he did not react to it.

"Cassander, I…"

A male voice gave the call that someone was about to enter the tent. Cassander looked up in dismay, before utter terror came over him. Almost completely covered in blood, Alexander stood in the middle of the door opening of the tent. He stood completely still now, his mouth agape. He had wanted to ask something about the horses of Cassanders cavalry.

"It is not…" He began.

"Kidnapped? Is this why I fight this war!" Alexander shouted.

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Nelia: Hephaestion is only human, and that maybe is his flaw. I've always thought that Alexander expects so much of his soldiers and of those close to him.

Kitten: I fear that Cassander becomes a replacement.

Queendel: Tenderness you wanted, that is what you receive… although I fear it won't be for long.

Fanfic Fish: What Cassander really wants? Power. In the same time he is a confused young man raised in a court full of secrets. Tends to mess with your head.

Baliansword: Cassander is jealous of what Alexander and Hephaestion have, in a way he wants it himself. He's a strange man.

Angstman: I have a whole future for Hephaestion, but it'll not be what you think. ;)