Title: Masks
Author: Qaddafi the Ripper
Summary: A short companion piece to Homecoming. After his friends are exiled, Alexander vents his frustration to Thettalos.

Thettalos leaned back languidly on the couch, stretching slowly. He rubbed his wrists, inspecting them carefully. They were still red and raw, but he didn't think there'd be any permanent mark.

He shuddered, remembering his captivity. Simply awful, to drag any man halfway across Greece in chains, but that it had happened to him was worse. He'd thought Philip civilized enough not to lay hands on him, a sacred person to Dionysus.

"How do you feel?" Alexander asked him. Thettalos looked up at the young man for whom he'd been willing to be put in chains and smiled reassuringly.

"Not to worry, I'll be fine. Thanks to you and your father, I had the chance to give one of the best performances of my life."

Alexander scowled. "You shouldn't have had to," he said angrily. He turned away form the actor and started pacing. "Nothing's turning out the way I'd hoped."

Thettalos raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure about that? Philip did tell you that you were still his heir, did he not? That's something."

The prince whirled on him. "That's nothing! Even if I'd still been his heir before, now that I've gone and made a fool of myself, who knows what he'll decide!"

"Calm down," Thettalos said, sitting up with a frown. "You won't do yourself any good working yourself into a fit like that." He tried to grasp Alexander's hand as the young man walked past, but Alexander moved too swiftly.

"It's all my fault," Alexander growled. He paced faster, and Thettalos merely watched him. He was used to seeing Alexander composed and thoughtful; this was completely new to him. He found it strangely fascinating, as if he'd just seen behind the mask that Alexander wore.

After watching Alexander for a long time, he reached over and poured out two cups of wine. "Calm down and come have a drink," he invited the other. Alexander stared at him for a moment, then obediently came over and took one of the cups. He took a large swallow and Thettalos smiled. "Now sit down. I'm getting tired just watching you."

Reluctantly, Alexander sat on the couch beside him. He twisted the cup around and put his other hand on his forehead. "I'm so tired I can hardly think straight," he mumbled.

Thettalos placed a comforting hand on the boy's shoulder. Sitting this close, to Alexander, he easily noticed how good looking the prince was. A flicker of warmth shot through him. He knew well why he had agreed to deliver Alexander's letter to Caria. He'd been entranced with the boy since he first met him a few years ago, but he'd never had a chance to act on his desire.

At first, Alexander had been too young. Then he'd taken up with his friend, Hephaistion, and never gave anyone else a second glance. At some point, Thettalos had resigned himself to merely looking and not touching. But now, he realized with a start, Hephaistion was gone, exiled by the king along with most of Alexander's friends. This could be his chance.

Trying not to sound eager, he said, "Lean against me, Alexander. Things won't feel so bad if you face them with a friend."

"All of my friends are gone," Alexander replied dispiritedly.

"Is that any way to talk? What am I to you then?" Thettalos asked, stung.

Alexander looked up at him. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it. You know I consider you a friend, Thettalos, now more than ever. I just..." he trailed off.

Thettalos rubbed gentle circles in Alexander's back. "I know what you mean. I'm here for you." "Thank you," Alexander murmured, finally leaning into his embrace. They sat that way for a while, comfortably silent. Thettalos closed his eyes and enjoyed the prince's nearness. After a long time, Alexander asked, "Do you think he'll back angry at me?"

"He who?" Thettalos inquired, confused. Surely he didn't mean Philip; he already knew the king was angry.

"Hephaistion," Alexander said. The part of Thettalos' mind that had been planning how to seduce Alexander went mute. "It's my fault he got exiled," Alexander continued. "Will he be angry with me?"

The actor was incredibly tempted to tell him Hephaistion would be angry with him. Not only angry, but that Hephaistion would hate the prince for his exile. In the state Alexander was currently in, he'd probably believe it. And then Thettalos would comfort him and eventually bed him.

But Thettalos didn't like to lie. He could change masks readily, play any part he was given, win the love of his audience effortlessly. But behind the masks he wore, the real Thettalos was a kind, simple man, and he didn't like the idea of playing Alexander's emotions in order to satisfy his own wants.

He sighed; he was far too noble for his own good. "No, I don't think he'll be angry," he said. "I don't know him as well as you, but I don't think Hephaistion would blame you for this." He patted Alexander on the back, platonically this time.

Alexander smiled at him. "Thank you. Thank you listening, and for being such a good friend. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Thettalos smiled back, trying not to look sad. "I'm glad that you're my friend too." Alexander slipped out form beneath his arm and stood up. "One last thing, before you leave," Thettalos said, stopping him. He stood up and kissed Alexander on the lips. Alexander froze for a moment, then kissed him back.

It was sweet and gentle and everything Thettalos had dreamed it could be. But he didn't try to take any more than the kiss. He liked to have his lovers in his bed voluntarily, not because he'd tricked or seduced them there. He drew back and gazed sadly at Alexander's face. "Good night, Alexander," he said. "I hope good will eventually come of this."

"So do I," Alexander agreed. Then, to Thettalos' surprise, he gave him one more fleeting kiss before slipping out of the room. Thettalos placed a hand over his mouth. When he retired to bed, there was a soft smile on his face.

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