Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in Alexander! Boohoohoo. The line at the end is from "Populace in Two" by From First to Last.

Author's Note: As I promised, there is a little action in this chapter! But don't get too excited, Hephaestion still hates Alexander's guts. Who could blame him? When my parents made me move I was a bitch for like two years. And I wasn't even becoming someone's sex slave! Actually I probably wouldn't have minded if it was Colin Farrell... Oops, I'm rambling. Ignore that. On to the story! I hope you all enjoy it very much.

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Alexander was in the dining hall, which, in Babylon, was even larger than the one in the palace at Pella. But even more spectacular, was the after-party room, or the "Room of Desires" as the men had dubbed it. It was gigantic, with stone pillar wrapped with vines blooming exotic flowers. Couches were scattered all around the room, and there were various stone basins where fires could be lit. At the head of the room, on a stone platform, was the king's throne. There were alcoves and passages where lovers could steal away. There were two heated baths lined with rocks, which generally had water lillies floating in them. Tapestries and vines hung from the ceiling. Servants brought fresh fruit to and fro, waiting on everyone. There was always some form of entertainment; music or dance the most common form. And, to top it all off, the wine flowed freely.

It was here that Alexander received the news that Hephaestion had arrived.

He had been seated at the throne, sipping wine and smiling complacently at the festivities. Presently, Bagoas had approached his chair, and prostrated. Alexander nodded, "Rise, Bagoas."

The boy obeyed, and addressed Alexander with his eyes to the ground, "I was told... Hephaestion is here." He struggled a bit with the name, which was unfamiliar to him. All in all, his Greek was improving impressively quickly. Still, he was no great orator when it came to the foreign language.

Immediately, Alexander was alert. It's about damn time! It was well into the fifth week since he had left Athens, and he had been becoming anxious. He was itching to see the beautiful boy, although he knew the feeling was not mutual.

Standing, Alexander swept out of the room, thanking Bagoas as he left. Bagoas, in turn, followed a few paces behind, lest his king should need him.

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Most of the journey had been a blur for Hephaestion. He had been swallowed by a chasm of despair, which he had only been pulled out of when a few Persian servants ushered him out of the carriage, and led him into the grand palace.

Then, he was overtaken by conflicting emotions of fear and defiance.

The slaves led him to what he guessed to be his room, because they were gesturing and saying "yours". Then, they stripped him of his clothes, and led him to his bath, which was filled with sweet-smelling water. Having had servants all his life, this didn't bother Hephaestion. Once he was done bathing, the slaves brushed his hair, and dressed him. Then, they applied a black paint-like substance to his eyes.

Once finished, they stepped aside, and allowed him to view himself in the full-length mirror next to his bed. He couldn't help but stare. He was wearing a deep purple silk tunic with intricate black woven designs. His eyes were sharpened by the kohl, so that with his long hair, he looked almost feminine. He wasn't sure if he liked it or not. It was all very new to him.

"My lord," One of the servants said timidly, his accent thick. Hephaestion turned. The servant motioned for him to follow.

Once outside his room, two guards appeared around the corner. They each seized Hephaestion, and led him into a room next to his, the very last one in the hallway. Then, they closed the doors and stood in front of them, arms folded, faces blank. Hephaestion hesitated.

"What room is this?" He inquired.

"The king's room," One of the guards answered.

Hephaestion froze.

The guards seemed to notice this. One of them shook his head, "No use worrying your pretty little self over it. There's nothing you can do about it now."

"Lie down, get some rest," The other guard agreed, "I'm sure you'll need it."

"L-Let me out," Hephaestion demanded. The guard laughed, as if to say the chance of that was slim. He tried running at them. They simply picked up the flailing boy, and set him back down in front of the bed.

Dejected, Hephaestion sat on the bed. He fidgeted nervously. From the other boys in Athens, he had learned of the relationship between an eronomous and an erastes. And from this knowledge, he knew what was to be expected of him when it came to his relationship with the king.

Hephaestion shuddered in disgust at the thought.

He edged back onto the bed, until he was in the center. He curled up, hugging his knees, and closing his eyes.

I wish I was home. I wish I was home. I wish I was...

The guards glanced at each other, and slipped out of the room, returning to their normal duty of guarding the king's quarters.

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Alexander strode up to his room doors with authority. His guards stood to attention, and greeted him, "My lord."

Alexander nodded, "Good evening. I was told the Athenian prince has arrived."

"Former prince, my lord," One of the guards asserted, "A fine win it was, against the Athenians."

"He is inside," The other guard added.

"Thank you, Lenaos, Kroske," Alexander offered a smile to the guards. They stood aside and let the king through.

Once inside, Alexander shut the door behind him. Turning, he beheld a truly entrancing sight. Hephaestion lay on the bed in a deep slumber. His position was that of a fetal position that has been relaxed by sleep. His long eyelashes brushed his rosy cheeks, and his tunic had slid up to reveal a smooth, tanned thigh.

Alexander's heart skipped a beat.

Quietly, not wanting to disturb the sleeping beauty, he inched forward and stood in front of the bed, looking down on the boy. He lips curled up in a small smile.

"To me, you shall always be a prince," Alexander whispered. Gently, he brushed a tendril of hair out of the boy's face.

Hephaestion awoke with a start.

The first thing he saw was Alexander's smirking face, and he scrambled back until his back hit the pillows in front of the headboard. His breathing became more labored, as if frightened.

Alexander's smirk grew wider.

"Get out." Hephaestion let the first thought that came to his sleep-addled mind fall from his lips.

Alexander cocked an eyebrow, "This is my room."

"Well, then, let me out!" Hephaestion demanded.

"I'm afraid there isn't a chance of that," Alexander replied bluntly, moving to kneel at the edge of the bed. Hephaestion attempted to press his back farther into the headboard.

"Why do you fear me...?" Alexander questioned, drawing nearer.

"G-get away," Hephaestion warned, barely able to keep his voice from breaking.

Ignoring him, Alexander moved closer, until he was sitting directly in front of Hephaestion, whose eyes were searching desperately for a way out.

When Alexander raised a hand, Hephaestion froze. Slowly, the king began to stroke his cheek.

"Such beauty..." The king murmured.

Then, he drew his hand back with a hiss. The boy had bit him.

"Zeus!" Alexander swore, shaking his hand. The boy bit hard! Hephaestion sat still, glaring at him.

Once again, Alexander directed his attention to Hephaestion. He smiled cruelly, "So that's how you want to play? So be it."

Without warning, he grabbed Hephaestion, flattening the boy against the bed, and pressing their lips together. Hephaestion made a muffled noise of protest, and began to struggle, but the king was stronger. He began grinding his hips against the prince, who gagged, mortified.

A great struggle began between the two. Limbs flailed and fought. In the end, Hephaestion bit Alexander's lip, and punched him in the stomach. Angered, Alexander grabbed Hephaestion hair, and flung him from the bed.

Hephaestion landed on the hard floor, stunned and dazed. Alexander was already turning away in disgust.

"You may go."

Not needing a second urging, Hephaestion scrambled to his feet, and managed to wobble out of the room. He wasn't badly hurt, only a bit bruised and rattled from the whole experience.

In his room, he collapsed on the bed, and sobbed; hating himself for acting like a girl, and yet unable to stop it.

To put it nicely, I hope you choke.

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Author's Note: I told you it wasn't gonna be happy. But, it's something, right? Okay, well, reviews are appreciated!

xoxo