--Author: Dysis Nyx

--Author's Note: Oh my God! I am soo sorry about it being so late. There is no excuse, except that it was hard to get to a computer and when I did try to put it up the website said there was an error. Oh well, I think this is my favorite chapter with another major cliffhanger. At least this one isn't as frustrating as the last one. I like this chapter best because it us the best so far. The end will be nearing in a matter of two, three, or four chapters. Most likely in three at the most. I will warn you about this chapter that it contains LIGHT smut. You do not read about any certain body parts. I get embarrassed at writing those deep of moments.

--Disclaimer: I wanna own Hephaistion...no, I want to own Jared Leto. Never in my mind has one man been so perfect. ANYWAY! I do not own any of the cast, crew, sets, costumes, ANYTHING of the movie Alexander, no matter how much I beg.

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Looking into Hephaistion's breathtaking cerulean eyes Alexander could no longer fight what his body and heart had been telling him.

Placing his own hands on Hephaistion's shoulders Alexander voiced, "I have said this to you before, but...stay with me tonight, Hephaistion."

The pause Alexander had put in his words made Hephaistion nervous. The last thing he wanted was for any regrets or ill feelings between the two of them. For his curse was one that he could no longer resist his urges to tell Alexander his true feelings. No longer could he wait by his side as the quiet loyal soldier of the king. And no longer could he stop his hands as they intimately grabbed Alexander's shoulders. His hands rubbed fiercely back and forth, then back and forth in the continued motion. He stared intently at both shoulders, then his eyes shot up to Alexander's as he whispered bravely "I will do my great king's will to the end, Alexander. If Alexander wants me to Pella, I will go. If Alexander wants me to stay by his side...tonight, then I will. I first need Alexander's commands."

Now it was Alexander's turn to look up from the hands on his shoulders to the eyes that searched to gain his gaze. He was strong and proud, but was a little nervous. He could not help, but remember Aristotle's words about men who lay together. Every time he was in Hephaistion's presence those words rang loud and strong. It never effected him when he was with Bagoas. So, why all the worries with Hephaistion?

Before he could control his tongue Alexander blurted "Your king commands you to stay the night. That is King Alexander's final command to his Hephaistion."

The words lingered in Hephaistion's head and then on his lips "His?"

Only by a nod of his head and a small virile smile did Hephaistion realize the truth in Alexander's words. So, Hephaistion advanced before he could stop his body.

His fierce hands now clutched Alexander's face and kissing him hard with passion and the need taking over. His lips heated at the feel of Alexander's on his. His entire body started to swell with emotions running rampant and muscles both tensing and relaxing at the same time. It was as if the gods had allowed tiny explosions to go off everywhere in his body. The part of his system that reacted the most was his heart with his spirit.

At that moment as his lips fought in an endless battle with Alexander's lips his heart was pounding as if all of Hell was hot on its pursuit. It felt as though it would burst right in that moment. And Hephaistion could have cared less if it did. No heart should soar like his was during this single kiss.

Strong fingers pressed firmly up his back creasing their way up every vertebrae and muscle clinging to it. His body yearned for more of the touch. His hunger for Alexander was higher than it had ever been.

The warm, sweet, and fire flavor of Hephaistion's lips made Alexander surprisingly aware of nothing else. At this moment he only cared about this man's lips caressing his own in a fierce way that no woman or eunuch could have given. This kiss was raw. It was a pure, unadulterated hunger. He could taste Hephaistion's desire on the man's tongue as well as his own. This was one kiss that was unlike anything in their past together.

At that exact moment Alexander and Hephaistion knew that this night would not end with just this kiss. Oh no, both men would have that insatiable appetite fed temporarily.

Air! Hephaistion pulled away and Alexander complied only because he too had his breath taken away in those mere moments. They felt like a lifetime had flown by them, but in reality in was only a few short seconds. Hephaistion's forehead fell to Alexander's unintentionally as both of them breathed heavily. Of course both tried to hide their breathlessness by attempting to breath normally, but with the way their chests rose and fell it was impossible. It was in the way they breathed and stared deep into the others eyes.

Alexander searched for time, while Hephaistion searched for answers. In silence they stood till Hephaistion broke those unsaid moments by apologizing "If anything I did just this moment was wrong I will leave now,...Alexander."

Grabbing his companion's wrist Alexander led the man over to the bed to sit on the floor in front of him. He stared deep into the blue orbs as he sternly said "Must you always take that breath or pause before finally saying my name. It drives me wild! And what you do is not wrong, because if it was then, my Hephaistion, Achilles was wrong in his feelings for Patroclus."

Hephaistion looked up into Alexander's face and gave him one of those smiles that were all his own. That same smile that caused some people to go crazy with lust. As he smiled his lips gently kissed the exposed knee of Alexander, then slowly made its way up the leg further. All the while he never let his eyes or his smile leave Alexander. From the knee to the thigh until it reached the very edge of the man's chiton. From that point he stopped and just looked up at his king with a smile that would make any woman swoon. Hephaistion could think of no greater pleasure than being with Alexander right at this moment.

Looking down into Hephaistion's face as the man rested his chin on Alexander's own knee Alexander watched those eyes and that smile. He couldn't help, but feel over-joyed at the thought of all the bonds between him and Hephaistion. No longer was his body his own, it was Hephaistion's. In one flawless swoop Alexander had grabbed Hephaistion by the elbow and pulled him onto the bed and pinned him down.

The two bodies just laid there staring into the other's eyes as though they were the only truth out there. Alexander's hard, lean body loomed over Hephaistion's tight, toned one with a gentle force. His legs just between Hephaistion's with just grazing by them as he lowered himself to Hephaistion's lips.

For the first few seconds Alexander teased his friend with just barely touching the lips with his own and smiling evilly between the slight touches. Not till Hephaistion captured Alexander's lips forcefully did the game end. Both men were hungry and more than willing. For some reason this time was much more different and significant than any other night they had shared eachother's company. This time was much more tender, so very passionate. It almost burned the two men to touch.

Alexander's hands touched every muscle of Hephaistion and Hephaistion to him. Their hands memorized every inch of the other's body till they knew it better than their own. It was a test on them both to do their best to represent their love in actions, in touches, in a single kiss because both of them knew that morning would come and neither of them would know what to do. From this night there would be no rest.

Babylon, palace, Alexander's room

just before sunrise

Alexander drew lazy circles into Hephaistion's disrobed back as he laid silently on Alexander's chest. He did not expect the man to talk when he did, because he thought Hephaistion was fast asleep. The man's eyes may have been closed, but he was not asleep. Alexander looked down as Hephaistion called him.

Once his attention was caught Hephaistion continued "You once asked me if I thought you were weak or divine. I was too intimidated to tell you what I thought at the time, but now, Alexander, I know."

He stopped as if that was the end and Alexander couldn't help, but laugh at his dear friend's abrupt statement "Is that all, Hephaistion? Or shall I find other methods to get the answer out of you."

He watched delighted as Hephaistion perched himself up onto his elbows and was looking Alexander directly in the eyes "You, my Alexander, are complete divinity with weaknesses. The gods themselves are not perfect as the holy men would like us to think. They are vindictive and competitive. You may have your weaknesses, but you are divine in my eyes. I do not fight for Macedonia, or Greece, or any of Asia, but I fight for Alexander solely."

The young king's eyes filled with a masculine glow that made him Alexander all alone. He swallowed any restraint and cleared his voice of any hesitation as he said, "Thank you, Hephaistion."

For a moment Alexander just stared at him with mixed emotions running through him. Guilt. Confusion. Joy. Anger. Love. All these were battling it out for Alexander's feeling. Finally the great king pulled his most beloved general into an embrace and whispered "I am sorry, Hephaistion. I am sorry for all the times I doubted you."

The morning sun stretched across Hephaistion's bare back and Alexander's naked stomach. It called the men to go on about the day.

Letting out a groan of frustration and rage Alexander cursed the sun god for his cruelty. Of course Hephaistion just laughed off Alexander's spoiled nature. Though the man didn't act like it often he sometimes got fits where one could tell he was raised a prince. He would throw, what Hephaistion called, manly spoiled tantrums. Rolling out of the bed Hephaistion left Alexander to the bed his own. Not the smartest plan alive.

Alexander quickly grabbed his wrist and protested, "Where are you going? Does the sun startle you off by its rays?"

A smile stretched across Hephaistion's tantalizing lips as he rebutted, "Any moment now Bagoas will be coming in here for your bath. Followed by Ptolemy to give you the day's report. I do not think it would be wisest for me to be in the room when that happens."

All reasons given Alexander let go of Hephaistion so the man could get his chiton and other clothing on. Alexander couldn't help but watch as Hephaistion dressed. His eyes scorched Hephaistion's body as each muscle tensed, then relaxed as they reacted to the motion of moving. The way his body flexed at each action as if he was training. Then Hephaistion said those words.

"I am going to go check on Dianthe. If you need me I will be there."

Of course the man realized his mistake instantly and knelt in front of his king "I shall see you later in the day. Or at the very instant you call, Alexander."

"Go on, man! I am not some weeping girl who you are sneaking out before her father comes. I am king. And probably stronger than you'll ever be."

He said the last words with that air that only belonged to him. Of course, Hephaistion would have to let this pass...for the moment anyway.

He walked towards the doors, then stopped right before exiting. He turned his head only slightly "Yes, of course, Alexander. That is why I have beaten you nearly every time we wrestle. That is with all respect, Your Highness."

On that note he walked out to leave Alexander to prepare for the day ahead.

Something he shouldn't have done. Hephaistion later would have wished to stay a few more minutes. Maybe then he could have prevented what was about to happen next. If he could then life would have been right at that point.

Alexander watched with a smile as the door closed. He himself left the warmth of the bed to get ready for the day. As he was putting on a fresh chiton with armor and a pair of sandals the curtain that blocked from the balcony billowed in the wind. A strange occurrence true, but Alexander was very prepared. His hands were already prepared on the hilt of his sword. Silently he listened to the noises around him. Even the tiniest noises that surrounded him were important. A soft, cold hand touched his should sending sudden chills up his spine.

In a single action he grabbed the wrist twisting it behind the culprit's back. No matter who it was they had clearly spied on the incident. Watching. Waiting. Anything they could see.

Much to Alexander's horror and surprise Roxane was writhing in his grip with the force of a snake. She was like a panther caught by the hunter, willing to do anything to escape. So he let her go.

Threw her to the floor with the force of a drunken fool. Just seeing her made him enraged. Here she had the gall to come back to him and to spy further. Before he could grab her again she explained "It is I, Alexander! Your wife. Your queen. I have come to warn you of the real snake that plans to usurp you."

Now his blood boiled over. "How dare you, woman! I see but one snake and is no general of mine! It is but a woman I see. A female snake willing to do whatever in her power to destroy a man she openly loathes."

"Tis true. I hate Hephaistion, but why would I pay your enemies to kill you. I see by the look on your face it has not happened yet. Soon Anker will gather his remaining men. He will come for his daughter and his partner. He comes to kill you under Hephaistion's plan."

"You lie! Hephaistion would not betray me so! He has been nothing but a loyal friend and servant of mine since childhood. He is the only person I trust truly."

Now Alexander's anger was exactly where Roxane wanted. She would deal the final blow immediately. "Then why was there no struggle when he was taken? No one heard anything. No one saw anything. Not a hay or dust was out of place by the horses. Why no struggle? Unless there was none."

No, it couldn't be! Alexander wouldn't believe. He shouldn't believe it, but he did. Roxane had made a good point and now he was on edge. Over what to do or what to think. No more could she tell him to make him positive over Hephaistion's betrayal. He would always be unsure. At least, until she continued.

"Tell me, Alexander. Do you want to know what I found out? I will tell you. My sources told me that Hephaistion told Anker he could manipulate you. He said all he had to do was to ask you and if that did not work, that there was always seduction. He told Anker of your trust and love for him and he told the old pig he could use that to help their plan. He called you weak, Alexander, weak!"

to be continued