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: 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 24

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bTwo months later/b

Hephaestion woke up with difficulty, his head swam and he didn't know what was wrong with his eyesight. Then he realised it was still much too soon to be up and about, he probably only had been sleeping for about an hour or two. Sapphire eyes squinted and revealed a form in his bed, way on the other side, curled up into a ball. He sighed and shook his head. He probably had a nightmare again and Bagoas had come to hold him so that he would sleep. He had caught him one day when he had been awake sooner than the young man had expected.

About a day or two after his arrival and his recogntion as the new Lord Amyntor, he had declared that he would renounce slavery. In stead of being slaves, he would hire the people as servants or workers. He had ordered the rich citizens to do the same with their slaves, although he probably would not have the follow up that he would have liked. Many had praise for his decision however and only few had found him not fit for the throne. Bagoas, who had been freed upon that day as well, had plainly refused. There was nowhere he could go, being a Persian in Greek territory. From that day on he had become the personal servant, in stead of the personal slave, of Hephaestion.

"Bagoas."

The young man startled and dark eyes looked at him with hesitation. He recognised so much of his young self in him that he almost had to weep for the youth he had lost. However, he reached out a soft hand towards him and brushed his cheek.

"You do not have to do this for me, it is not one of your tasks. Go to your own bed and spend the night. I will be fine."

"But, my Lord… if you have another unpleasant dream…" Bagoas had heard him cry out about his father, something which happened about every single night. He dreamed about killing his father and then screamed, cried… wept. He still felt incredibly guilty, although he had saved the one he loved with his action. Much good it had done him.

"I'll live. Thank you for your help, Bagoas."

Bagoas didn't seem to want to step out of the bed, but just kept looking at his master. He grapsed of Hephaestion, who found this quite odd, but said nothing about it. The young man had quite great liberties under the rule of Hephaestion, and they talked about every subject. It was unusual that the other would touch him with anything other than professionalism however.

"Bagoas?"

"I want to take care of you, master… Is there a reason why you won't let me? Am I not pleasing you?"

"By the gods, no." Hephaestion gasped softly as he shook his head and squeezed the hand of Bagoas. "You are much too good for me and you know it. Why have you become so hesitant all of a sudden?"

Not even hesitant, but shy. The dark skin of the young man seemed flushed underneath Hephaestions gaze and he looked down at the sheets. He shifted so that he lay closer to his master and managed to look up again. "Why have you then always refused me, my lord?" He asked softly.

Hephaestion had found out quite quickly that Bagoas had been more than just a personal slave to his father. This young man had all the tricks of a pleasure slave and it had disgusted Hephaestion at first. Not Bagoas himself, but his father for doing this to him. Although he knew that he had probably been taught before buying.

"Because you would do it against your will, Bagoas." And he did not want another than Alexander to touch him, although he knew that it could take an eternity before they would see each other again. Even then, he would be there as Lord Amyntor, never again as Hephaestion.

"No, my lord, no." Bagoas said rapidly and softly, snuggling close to him, pressing his body against that of his master. "It would please me greatly, knowing that you are happy with me. Perhaps it could grant you pleasure and rest afterwards." It was just a simple suggestion, but it made Bagoas blush. Hephaestion lifted his head and pressed a kiss on the cheek of his servant.

He had wanted to say that it was alright and that he did not need it, but Bagoas turned his head so that his lips rested against those of the other young man. The servant used his excellent skill to coax Hephaestion to open his mouth and soon he was scorched by the kiss of the Persian. He gasped softly and he found himself quite responsive. Alexander was not the only one to arouse him after all. Althoug his mind was telling him this was wrong, he knew that he was going to keep Bagoas in his bed and by his side.

Swift hands undid him from his robe until he lay naked and vulnerable before Bagoas, but the yougn man just gave a soft smile and kissed his lips. "You are so beautiful, master." He whispered softly, which made the breath catch in Hephaestions throat. He had scars from battle, he did not have the slender body of a youth but the hardened one of a soldier, and still Bagoas called him beautiful.

As they embraced each other, he could hear Bagoas whisper faint words of love, together with some Persian words he could not understand. He would ask them later, but he knew that he would have to disappoint his servant. His heart belonged to another and had been in that mans posession for years now. He could not turn his back to Alexander.

They lay closely together underneath the bed sheets, Hephaestions arm heavily upon the stomach of Bagoas, caressing the dark hair with his fingers of the other.

"What did you say just then, in Persian?"

"It means 'blue eyes'. I have called you that in secret for these two months." Bagoas blushed again and Hephaestion gave a soft smile. "You may call me that when we are alone, it does not matter."

Just then, a knock came to the door and Hephaestion frowned. It was not yet morning and still dark outside. "Enter." He said towards whomever stood at the other side of the door. One of his guards came in and didn't even look twice when he saw his master lying in bed with one of the slave boys… eh… servants. They were used to it from the old master, although he preferred women to young boys mostly. He had his weak moments however.

"There is a messenger at the gate, my Lord." He said in a neutral voice as he looked upon the dishevelled and sleepy Hephaestion. "He claims that he is from King Alexander. He wishes to speak only to you… Could I send him in?" He asked.

Hephaestion bit his bottom lip softly and nodded. Alexander needed him or he wouldn't have sent a messenger. Bagoas had looked at him as he received the news and wanted to make his way out of the bed. "No, Bagoas… stay." Hephaestion whispered.

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Nelia: Hm, Cassander stays who he is, I'm afraid. But I still love him –winks-

Queendel: Hephaestion takes another lover, Alexander will get what he deserves.

Koalared: Cassander was just waiting for an opportunity. I always have thought of Alexander the greater soldier and warlord, but a lesser man. In his relationships he has been quite the bastard. Hehe, yes, 'Daddy wuffs you' gets updated together with this story. Glad you like it!

I Heart Wolf: This is an all Hephaestion chapter for you ;) You can beg and plead, love, but I fear your prayers will not be answered very soon.

Baliansword: I was hoping that I still had some surprises up my sleeve to leave you stunned ;) And I have even more lol.

Diane: Thank you, love. Although I absolutely adore Hephaestion, Cassander has a special place in my heart.