Disclaimer: It would be sincerely awesome to own this movie. I mean, think about it, I could get to meet Collin Farrell, Jared Leto, Rosario Dawson, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, that hottie who played Cleitus... Not Angelina Jolie, though. I'll pass on that one. xD Okay, so point is, I don't own any of these characters. K? K. The line at the end is from "When 'You're' Around" by Motion City Soundtrack.

Author's Note: Chapter 5 already! You've all been so sweet with you reviews (angstman, silent.destiney, Mimilafee, MasterTabby), I'm so grateful.3

I wanted to address something Mimilafee said... I know Alexander has been portrayed as violent so far as that will change. Remember, Hephaestion hit him first, and supposedly Alexander had a pretty hot temper. But I actually think he would've been pretty gentle, for the most part.

Okay, now that I've gotten that out of the way, on with the story! As always, enjoy!

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"So if we secure the western border, I believe... Alexander! Are you even listening?"

The king blinked, turning his attention back to Ptolemy, "Hm?"

"Alexander," his trusted general rolled his eyes, exasperated, "Will you please focus? This is important."

"Forgive me, Ptolemy," Alexander apologized, "I have been a bit... distracted lately."

"So I've noticed," Ptolemy agreed, "It wouldn't, by any chance, have anything to do with a certain Athenian boy, would it?"

"He won't come to me," Alexander shook his head, a troubled look on his face, "I've sent for him countless times. He refuses."

Ptolemy remained silent, sensing it wasn't his turn to speak.

At length, Alexander confided, "I don't know what it is about him, Ptolemy. I want him, all of him. I can't stop thinking about it. He hates me, and I should despise him as much. But...He is the most magnificent being I've ever laid eyes on."

"Then perhaps, Alexander, you should go to him," Ptolemy suggested, "It has been a week, surely he has had time to adapt. Perhaps his feelings towards you have softened."

Alexander nodded, "Perhaps..."

"After all, it couldn't hurt to try," Ptolemy added.

Alexander laughed cynically, "With this boy, it might. Tell me, Ptolemy, do you think me a fool?"

It was Ptolemy's turn to laugh, "Alexander? A fool? Never. May I ask the reason as to your inquiry?"

"I've heard what the other generals are saying," Alexander explained, "They think me mad. They say only a fool would have let Amyntor off so easily."

"Perhaps the decision was foolish," Ptolemy agreed, "But all men are known to do foolish things in the wake of beauty. I, for one, was skeptical at first. But it seems to me that Amyntor would do nothing to endanger his only son, and so he will not stage a revolt while you hold Hephaestion captive."

"Let us hope that is the truth," Alexander murmured. With a sigh, he asked, "Well, then, what were you saying?"

"The western border; if we could just..."

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Hephaestion sunk down into his hot, relaxing bath, enjoying the aromas that floated up from the water. He gave a sigh of contentment. For the past week, life in Babylon had proved to be better than expected. He had spent most of his time exploring the palace and its many gardens and secret passages. The king had called on him several times, but never actually forced him to show up. The boy was free to do as he liked, as long as he remained in the castle, and, presumably, celibate. This wasn't a problem for Hephaestion, who found no one to his liking. He had always been strangely detached from bodily urges and needs for someone his age. Besides the obvious lack of need for sex, he had barely slept since he'd arrived, and he had eaten nothing. If his servants had noticed, they had neglected to tell the king (much to Hephaestion's relief).

After a half hour or so, the water began to turn cold. And so, Hephaestion reluctantly got out, drying his hair a bit, and toweling himself dry. Wrapping the towel around his waist, he went to the mirror and brushed his hair.

He jumped when he heard the door open.

Spinning around, he half expected it to be a servant. Instead, his eyes were greeted with the unwanted sight of King Alexander, dressed in a maroon robe. The brush slipped out of his hand, and clattered to the floor.

Alexander's eyes traveled over Hephaestion, almost ravishing the boy with his gaze. It drove the king mad, seeing him with his wet locks, in nothing but a towel. Even though the kohl had washed off his eyes, they still looked striking.

"You look good enough to eat," Alexander told him with a grin.

"What are you doing here?" Hephaestion answered with a glare.

"You have been denying me the pleasure of your company," The king replied simply, "As your erastes, I think it is appropriate that I spend some time with you."

"Call yourself what you want," Hephaestion snarled, "But this was not a situation I chose, and I refuse to treat it as such."

Alexander clucked his tongue disapprovingly, "Such strong words... Careful, my little prince. I am not known for my patience."

Hephaestion laughed, "Threats? Is this what the women mean, when they speak of King Alexander's charm? I don't fear you."

It was a lie. As he said this, his heart was beating so quickly he thought it might explode. And yet, it was a challenge, to Alexander.

Alexander merely smiled, however, and closed the space between them, "No, I suppose you shouldn't be, either. I would find it very hard to cause you pain." He murmured these words, as if he had been thinking them, and only accidentally said them aloud.

The words surprised Hephaestion, and he did not immediately react when Alexander pressed his lips to his own. It only took a moment, however, for him to attempt to push the king away.

Unfortunately for Hephaestion, Alexander was much stronger than he. The king held his shoulders firmly, holding him still. Realizing there was no way out, Hephaestion stiffened, and stood motionless.

A length, after having received no reciprocation, Alexander pulled back, sighing, "Oh, Hephaestion, what am I to do with you?"

"Kill me." Hephaestion requested, his voice hard. He then looked straight into his eyes, and wiped his lips against the back of his hand.

Insulted, Alexander scowled, "I could've done it a long time ago. I could've killed you and your family; sacked you village. Who would stop me? And yet, I took mercy; gave you and your people another chance at life. Even after this, you still act like a petulant child."

"You call this a life?" Hephaestion shot back angrily, "Being forced to be slave to a tyrant's urges? I would rather be dead that submit to your will."

Alexander laughed harshly, "You have been taking that foolish father of yours words much too seriously. Have you never thought to perhaps form your own opinions? I have tried my best to treat you with the utmost respect. Think long and hard, Hephaestion, and then tell me whether I am really the monster you have been taught to believe I am."

Without missing a beat, Hephaestion answered, "I don't need to think. I know who you are. And I hate you with every ounce of my being."

The words hurt Alexander, even thought he mentally tried to deny it. Angrily, the king growled, "So you say, and still, I own you. So adjust to the idea; I promise it will not change."

And with that, Alexander stormed out of the room.

Once in his room, he sat on his head, and massaged his temples. This was affecting him more than it should. What was it about this boy...?

Shaking his head, he poured himself some wine. If anything, he could still drown his sorrows.

An hour later, Ptolemy strode into the room, "Alexander, an envoy from Darius just arrived... Alexander?"

"Out here, Ptolemy," Alexander's soft voice came from the balcony area of his room. Immediately, his friend could tell something was wrong.

Ptolemy found Alexander hanging half over the balcony, a goblet hanging loosely from his hand.

"Alexander!" Ptolemy exclaimed, "What on Earth...?"

"Shhh...!" Alexander silenced him, "Do you hear that? It is Eros, laughing. He has shot me with an arrow of love, and Hephaestion with an arrow of indifference. He mocks me, now."

"You're drunk." Ptolemy stated, eyebrows raised.

"Now, that, is a lie," Alexander attempted to straighten up, but ended up tripping over a fern, and landing on his back, "Ouch. When did that get there...?"

Ptolemy sighed, "You need some water, Alexander, give me your goblet..."

"No, what I need," Alexander answered matter-of-factly, slurring slightly, "Is some more wine. Bagoas! Bagoas!"

"Shh!" Ptolemy leaned over, and helped the king up, "He is asleep now. Calm yourself; follow me..."

He helped the younger man to his bed, and lied him down. Once he had settled, Ptolemy sat beside him, and gave him a worried glance. He had known Alexander since he was a small boy, and they had always thought of each other as brothers. Never before had Ptolemy seen Alexander act this way, so disoriented and unstable. Even as a child, he had been clear-headed and determined. In a way, he seemed to be being defeated by some invisible assailant.

"Alexander, what has happened?" Ptolemy asked gently.

"He hates me, Ptolemy, he hates me. He wants nothing to do with me. If I died tomorrow he would celebrate. I want nothing but him, nothing. What am I to do? He responds to neither threats, nor force, nor bribes...""Alexander's ramblings trailed off with a choked sob. Alchohol had a way of bringing out the sensitivity in the man.

"Have you tried being gentle with him?" Ptolemy inquired.

"Yes, I--" The king paused, thinking. Slowly, he answered, "No... I suppose not."

"Obviously, this boy isn't going to let himself be forced into anything," Ptolemy explained sternly. Then, an idea came to him, "Do you remember how Bucephalus was? He wouldn't respond to harsh treatment; it only made him rebel. But when you offered kindness, and patience, he was tamed. Perhaps instead of being forced, he must be coaxed into being your eronomous."

Alexander was silent, and for a moment, Ptolemy though he'd fallen asleep. But then, the king slurred sleepily, "You are right, of course. Thank you, intelligent Ptolemy. You truly are the best brother one could ask for."

Ptolemy smiled, and in another five minutes, the king was asleep. He stood, and exiting the room, shaking his head.

All in a day for one of Alexander's closest generals.

All I could do was close my eyes and cross my arms and hope to die, 'cause you don't fucking listen when I'm around. The least you could do is take it back; all the vicious remarks and verbal attacks. 'Cause I can't fucking stand it when you're around.

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Author's Note: I feel super bad for Alexander after this! How can I be so cruel? xD Unrequited love's a bitch. Will things get better for these two? (Duh, I'm not that mean.) But either way you'll all keep reading and reviewing, right?

xoxo