[Author's note: I was completely surprised when my demon muse woke up suddenly and decided to continue this particular story, which I always thought of as a one-shot. Since my scatter brained muse didn't really give me a full story, I tried to adapt it to this week's prompt. Not too successfully I'm afraid so I apologize up front. As always, please comment.]
Chapter 2 – The Man in the Shadows
Warning: angst, angst and a side of angst
Prompt: I'm Sorry
Word count: 202
Hephaistion's POV
I had never minded being in the shadows. Alexander presence was so magnetic and commanding, that he left a broad shadow around him. Unlike others who sought glory and honors, I never needed any of that. I was perfectly content working in the shadow, carrying out Alexander's wishes, sometimes even before he knew it himself.
I never minded because Alexander had always found a way to show his appreciation. It might be a rare night dinning alone together, a piece of honey cake delivered on the behest of the King, or a small token of affection. As the years past, those acknowledgement of his appreciation dwindled until I'm left with scraps of his attention. He had truly relegated me to the shadows.
For months now I've been slowly coming to the realization that Alexander never needed me as much as I do him. I've been attempting to lance the pain deep in my heart, but the sorrow there seemed endless. I wish one day that all the regret, heartbreak, and grief would drain and for me to finally be free. However, I knew that with just one simple 'I'm sorry' from Alexander, I would willingly fall back into the shadows once more.