Disclaimer: I don't own Alexander! I don't own the line at the end of this story ("Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" by KT Tunstall)! But I do, however, own the shoe I'm about to throw at my annoying older brother. Does anybody else have one of those (brothers, not shoes)?

Author's Note: Late update today! But better late than never, right? This chapter is just plain fun, really. The next chapter will more the plot forward more. Thanks for the reviews, Dide, Mimilafee, angstman, SPEEDIE22! Enjoy!

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A few days went by before Alexander paid Hephaestion a visit again. Alexander had been busy with dealings with Darius, and had not found the time to seek out the youth. But one day, he was walking among one of the palace gardens, with its exotic plants and cleverly hidden areas, when he found the young prince lounging by one of the shallow ponds. He was lying on his side, a finger trailing in the water. His hair was strewn around his face haphazardly, and caught in between a few tendrils were flower petals. His electric blue eyes stared distantly out into space, once again lined with dark kohl.

He heard Alexander approaching, and immediately straightened up into a cross-legged sitting position. His gaze switched over to the king, now wary and hateful.

The conversation from the other night had stuck in Alexander's mind, and he decided that he would follow Ptolemy's advice, no matter how much Hephaestion provoked his temper.

"Oh, no, please," Alexander begged, "Don't move. You looked so relaxed."

Hephaestion did not answer, but remained rigid, and continued to eye him with distrust.

Alexander sighed, and asked, "May I join you?"

"I'd rather you didn't." Hephaestion spoke for the first time, his tone indicating that he knew he couldn't the king from doing as he pleased.

Ignoring the boy, Alexander sat down next to him, leaving about two feet of space between them. Hephaestion did not look happy, but remained silent.

"I've given up, you know," Alexander told him, at length. When Hephaestion did not ask what, he continued, "It's clear sexual advances won't work on you. Nor do I wish to become a man like by father, ruled only by his carnal instincts. I hope to win your heart, before your body."

Hephaestion snorted.

"Good luck."

A small smile crossed Alexander's face, "You truly believe it impossible?"

"You threatened my family and my country. You tore me away from all that I love. I know it impossible."

How strange, Alexander wondered to himself, that we can sit here conversing in tones acceptable for a discussion between friends, and yet our conversation can be so far from amicable. He seems to be slightly subdued.

"I am sorry about that. I am sorry about everything I have done to you. But I won't reverse it," Alexander admitted.

"And I shall never forgive you," Hephaestion replied, words laced with icy undertones. Still, his words were not as sharp as they usually were. It was then that Alexander realized how thin the boy looked, and the dark circles under his eyes, which in turn, weren't shining with the intensity he remembered.

The silence stretched onwards as the king contemplated the boy, until finally, Alexander remembered something. He reached into the pocket of his silk pants, and pulled out something small wrapped in colorful confetti paper.

"Persian candy," He explained, holding it out to Hephaestion, "I bought it in the market."

Hephaestion didn't look much like he cared, but he eyes the candy with uncertainty.

"Take it," Alexander urged, "It's not poisoned, I assure you."

Still, Hephaestion made no move to accept the gift.

Alexander rolled his eyes, exasperated, "You'd think even this could be simple."

Hephaestion's eyes flashed angrily, as if to ask how the king dare assume he would make anything easy for him. Ignoring him, Alexander unwrapped the candy and put it in his own mouth, "You see? Harmless." Then, the king leaned in, and pressed his lips to Hephaestion's, prying them open slightly, and slipping the piece of candy in with his tongue.

It all happened so quickly, Hephaestion had no time to react. But his first action was to spit the candy out on the ground next to Alexander. A moment later, he regretted it. Although the kiss was vile, the candy had tasted delicious, and somewhat comforting. Still, he said nothing of it to the king, who in turn frowned and remarked, "A pity. I, for one, though they were quite pleasant."

Alexander stood, brushing off his pants, "Will I have the pleasure of your company tonight?"

"Over my dead body."

"No, I doubt I'll have to go that far to obtain you..." Alexander mused aloud. Hephaestion shuddered inwardly at the implications set by the king's tone.

Once Alexander was gone, silent tears began to slip down his cheeks. He had cried so many times already, it no longer affected him; he did not even shut his eyes. He just stared, unseeingly, into the pond, wet trails forming from his eyelashes to his chin; droplets hitting the water and scattering the small fish inside.

Why? He silently implored Aphrodite, Of all men, why him, my dear goddess? I am only a boy; I am too young for all I have been faced with.

The prince had barely slept in days, let alone eaten anything. Exhausted, he passed out next to the pond.

He dreamt Aphroditecame to him, and kissed him on the cheek. "It is difficult. I know, little one. But you will see how it all ends. Have faith in me, child. You will find your happy ending."

It grew late, and worried, the prince's servants went searching for him. After a short while, they found him in the garden and carried him back to his room. Once he was in bed, the three of them discussed quietly in Persian what to do with him.

"He hasn't eaten at all since he got here," Falkos reminded them, "If he dies, the king will blame us."

"How can we tell the king, though?" Pioras shook his head, "The boy's been through enough. The king might force feed him, or beat him."

"Oh, come now, Pioras," Falkos argued, "He is not Darius. Look at his treatment of Bagoas. No, I think this king is more compassionate than most."

"Perhaps that is the solution, then," Capulis decided, "We tell Bagoas, and he can find the best way to inform the king."

Falkos and Pioras thought for a moment, and then both gave murmurs of assent.

"It is the least we can do," Falkos agreed.

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Not the next morning, but the morning after that, Hephaestion awoke to a delicious smell. He opened his eyes, half expecting to see Falkos with the breakfast he would not be eating.

To his dismay, it was not his Persian servant, but instead, Alexander.

Hephaestion groaned.

"Good morning to you, too," Alexander remarked sarcastically.

"Must I deal with you so early in the morning?" Hephaestion almost whined. He had meant for it to come out as more of a growl, but he had gotten about three hours of sleep, and he was far too exhausted to articulate emotions properly.

"Is that any way to greet your king? I brought you breakfast," Alexander offered him the plate he was carrying.

Hephaestion turned his face away, "I'd rather eat horse manure than anything you brought me."

He half expected the king to go into another fit of rage. But instead, Alexander only smiled complacently at him, "Doubtful. How did you sleep?"

"Fine."

"That's a lie. You look as tired as a mule after farming season."

Hephaestion did not answer.

Alexander sighed, putting the plate down on the bed, "Well then, if you won't eat, get dressed. We're going to market."

Hephaestion fixed a glare on his captor, "I won't be going anywhere with you."

"I thought you might say that," Alexander nodded knowingly, "But unfortunately for you, it wasn't a request." He turned to Falkos, who was tidying up the far end of the room, "Get him ready, please, Falkos."

Surprised to have the king address him so suddenly, the servant hurried to bow, "Yes, my king."

"Wonderful." Alexander flashed Hephaestion a dazzling smile (which he returned with a scowl), and strode out of the room, humming.

"That egotistical son of a harpy thinks he can--?" Hephaestion huffed indignantly, but was cut off by a very apologetic-looking Falkos holding a green tunic, with black and silver embellishments, in front of him, "Is it to your liking, my lord?"

Hephaestion stared at him incredulously, "Oh, Falkos, you don't expect me to do as he says?"

"Please, my lord," Like a respectful servants, he kept his eyes averted as he pleaded, "If you do not do as he says, he might blame me."

"... Fine" Hephaestion sighed, frustrated, but allowed Falkos to dress him, brush his hair, and fix his eyeliner.

Once finished, Falkos advised him, "Best hurry, my lord. The king doesn't like to be kept waiting."

"Of course..." Hephaestion muttered angrily, practically storming out of the room. Any plans he might have had of escaping at the last minute were dashed when he found Alexander standing outside, waiting for him. Alexander flashed him a grin, "I like that color. It brings out your gorgeous eyes."

"Let's just get this over with," Hephaestion snarled.

"You know," Alexander began, leading the prince through the hall, "For someone who hates my company so much, you do little to make it less enjoyable or less frequent."

"What?" Hephaestion fumed, "First of all, your company could never be enjoyable. And secondly-- I fail to see how I could make it less frequent! I've already told you to leave me alone."

"If you had only given me what I'd wanted in the first place..." Alexander gave him a wink and a roguish smile, only succeeding in infuriating the boy more.

"Contrary to your belief, I come from a noble family, not a brothel!" Hephaestion exclaimed angrily. Alexander simply laughed aloud.

By this time they were reaching the front of the palace. A huge, black stallion was standing near the front steps. It nickered when it saw Alexander. Alexander smiled genuinely, and stroked the horse's muzzle, "Good morning, Bucephalus. You'll be carrying more than usual today."

This caught Hephaestion's attention, "More than--?"

Without warning, Alexander vaulted onto his steed, and just as quickly took Hephaestion's hand, and hoisted him up. He urged Bucephalus into an easy canter, causing the prince to have to wrap his arms around the king's waist to keep from falling.

"Put me down!" Hephaestion demanded.

"Has anyone ever told you you're extremely endearing when you're upset?" Alexander inquired.

"You bastard!" Hephaestion hissed.

"Stick and stones, darling," Alexander responded with a shrug. He always had trouble getting mad when riding. It was a relaxing activity for the king. It also helped that he could revel in the feeling of Hephaestion's arms around him.

Before long, they had reached the heart of Babylon, where the market was. Hephaestion dismounted first, apparently relieved to be able to put distance between himself and Alexander.

Alexander turned to a soldier seated outside the market, "Hermias, good day."

"To you as well, King Alexander," Hermias returned.

"Is it alright if I leave Bucephalus in your care?"

"Of course," Hermias agreed.

"Thank you, Hermias," Alexander handed the reigns to the soldier, and turned to Hephaestion, "Shall we?"

Hephaestion shrugged unhappily, apparently deciding to give Alexander the silent treatment. He didn't protest when Alexander slung an arm around his shoulders, and began to lead him through the market (thought he did tense, noticeably).

They walked through the market, Alexander pointing out various things to the Athenian prince. A word never passed Hephaestion's lips, and his body language remained cold. Still, his expressive eyes were filled with wonder.

At length, they came to a corral, where a man was selling horses. Hephaestion noticed that Alexander's eyes lighted up considerably at the sight of the majestic animals. The Persian horses were beautiful, more elegant and graceful than any Hephaestion had ever seen before.

There was one in particular that caught the prince's eyes. It was a chestnut stallion with a cream mane and tail, tied to the fence. Hephaestion approached it cautiously, hand raised. Slowly, he ran a hand down the horse's neck. The horse snorted, and nuzzled his shoulder. Despite himself, a small smile spread across Hephaestion's face.

Alexander watched amazed. This must've been the first time he'd seen the boy genuinely smile. He approached Hephaestion, "Do you like him?"

Hephaestion turned, surprised, as if he'd forgotten Alexander was there. He didn't answer, but the look in his eyes was enough. Alexander called for the horse's owner, and before Hephaestion could protest, he negotiated a price in swift Persian.

It had been several hours, and Alexander declared it would be wise to head back. As they were leading the horse away, Hephaestion told him, "You can't bribe me into liking you, you know."

Alexander laughed, "I am aware of that, prince. I just thought you might want your own ride back."

And this, Hephaestion most definitely couldn't deny.

Well, my heart knows me better than I know myself, so I'm gonna let it do all the talking.

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Author's Note: Next chapter, an OC is introduced! Hopefully you all like her... She's a plot device, I'll admit, but a good one in my opinion! Reviews? Thank you!

xoxo