OH MY GOODNESS! Ok, so this chapter I believe to be epic!!! Enjoy!


Hanschen's POV

I sat up in my bed extremely quickly. I thought I had just woken up from the most magnificent dream; but when I turned and saw Ernst lying in my bed asleep like the little angle he was I was assured that what happened the night before was no dream. It had really happened. I lied back down next to Ernst and pulled him close to me and kissed his shoulder. He stirred and looked at me; he smiled and turned to face me.

"Good morning," he said quietly.

"Good morning to you too," I kissed him on his forehead, "last night was fun wasn't it, Ernst." A blush painted his cheeks. Even after what had happened last night he still blushed at the thought that we did what we did.

"Well yes-I mean- I, um- enjoyed it. Wait did you-?" I laughed quietly to myself, he stopped his incessant stuttering.

"I enjoyed it very much, Ernst." I kissed him again, but then he pulled back and his eyes turned down, like he was worried or something. "What's wrong?" I asked him, he didn't answer for a while.

"Hanschen, I- last night- I heard someone at the door." He looked scared now; I attempted to keep a calm face. If I started to become worried Ernst would be too. In my mind, everything shut down at once, and then restarted with thoughts ripping my head in two like fire. Amalie was fast asleep! Mother and father weren't even home yet! And then it hit me like a ton of bricks Celeste. I didn't want to worry Ernst.

"It's ok Ernst, you probably imagined it. You needn't worry." He nodded and tried to give me a smile though it was unsure and scared. Once again a knock at the door startled us both. I grabbed my night shirt that was lying near my bed and threw it on before opening the door just enough to see outside, not wanting to expose Ernst who was quite without clothing. Much to my surprise, it was my mother who stood outside my door, rather than the servant I needed to talk to.

"Hanschen, breakfast is ready when you two are." She gave me her award winning smile that apparently was the reason was the reason my father married her. Ah yes, the bond of love over a simple facet of beauty was a truly remarkable force to be reckoned with. My parents had been married for around 20 years, and yet my father insisted that it was that smile that won his heart. I certainly didn't buy it. My mother was an extremely kind and understanding woman; though if she found out what I had been doing with Ernst while her back was turned I don't think she would be as kind and understanding.

I nodded and shut the door and turned back to Ernst who looked at me worried. I smiled at him as if to say, "don't worry about it." Sitting on the bed, I kissed him softly then laughed quietly to myself.

"What?" he asked now giving me a real smile. I glanced down his naked body lying in my bed.

"Do you plan on going down to breakfast dressed like that?" I asked him smiling. He glance down realizing his lack of pants, blushed for about the 10th time this morning and shook his head violently. "You can borrow one of my night shirts." I walked over to my dresser and pulled one out to give it to him. He threw it on and stood up. It was way too big for his small frame. But I'm not going to lie; I liked the way he looked in my clothing. I grabbed his hand and gave him a smile. We walked to the stairs together, hand in hand. Until we got to the top of the stairs, then we had to let go of each other's palms, we didn't want anyone to suspect anything. I grabbed him just before he took his first step down and kissed him. After last night I didn't want to let him go. Not ever.

"Good morning Mother, Good morning Father." I sat down at my place at the breakfast table, Ernst sitting next to me.

"Good morning boys," my mother said. My father grunted his greeting; he never was the sociable one in the family, especially when we had company over, it really bothered my mother. "How did studying go?" My mother questioned as Celeste put food in front of her and Amalie. Celeste didn't seem any different than she had been every morning; maybe Ernst really was imagining the gasp. Still, you couldn't be sure.

"Studying went very well. I think we will both be able to pass now." I dropped my hand to my side and grabbed Ernst's hand; silently giving it a reassuring squeeze. Ok, so we didn't study all night, but we did study. And with all the stress that we both relieved the previous night, I had no doubt that we could pass.

Celeste's POV

I set down food in front of Amalie and Frau Rilow and began walking back to sit in the corner to work on another drawing I had in mind. This one was little Amalie's music box. I had seen it when I was helping her put away her clothes. It was very ornate and had a little gold key that wound it up. That was what I drew red.

I glanced over from my drawing at Hanschen, who was holding Ernst's hand under the table. I don't think he noticed me looking at them. It was weird, I honestly never thought of two guys being together like that. I just didn't trust Hanschen at the time. In my mind he was only in it because Ernst was so easy to control, and that's what he really craved. There was no way, no way in hell, that this sadistic devil child could possibly feel love. Behind that smirk he was just a brick wall; no feelings and no emotion. It bothered me to see someone so innocent manipulated into fake emotion. I secretly hoped that Hanschen wouldn't pass his midterms.

As the weeks progressed things began to change. Ernst came over for more "study dates", and the weather became colder and colder as Christmas approached. Until one day Hanschen burst through the door at an incredible pace. He rushed passed the wash room where I was doing laundry at a speed I didn't know he could go; I almost dropped the basket of his laundry. His mother was helping my mama polish some silver pieces in the dining room when Hanschen rushed in. I walked over to the door, curious to see what he was so eager about.

He stood tall next to his mother and handed her a piece of paper with a smile on his face. She gave him an odd look and accepted the folded piece of paper. She opened it slowly and with care, reading over it her expression became more and more excited. She let out a small scream and enveloped Hanschen in a big hug.

"Mother- I- Can't BREATH!" she stepped back allowing Hanschen to take in a large breath. Herr Rilow rushed into the room with a worried look on his face.

"What is it? What's wrong? Are you two ok?" His eyes flashed from Frau Rilow to Hanschen and back to Frau Rilow.

"Everything is fine dear; in fact it's better than fine. Hanschen here got A's on all of his middle terms!" She eagerly handed the piece of folded paper to her husband who glanced over it with excruciating detail, to make sure it was really true. He then looked at his son and gave him the first honest smile I had seen in months.

"Congratulations my boy," He extended his hand for a hand shake; sons and fathers just didn't hug here. It was considered improper; you treated your son like a colleague, an ally in the siege of war. Hanschen firmly shook his hand and gave him a contented smile. Herr Rilow turned on his heal and headed back to his office. Hanschen started out of the room passed me as well.

"Did he pass?" I asked him clutching the laundry basket in my hand. He looked at me confused.

"Did who pass?"

"Ernst Robel." Hanschen nodded. His face was blank, but in his eyes I saw a smile. He rushed up stairs. He would be home a lot now that his midterms were over and his Christmas break began.

Hanschen's POV

I fell back on my bed with the largest smile on my face. I had passed my middle terms with flying colors, as had Ernst. It was just all to perfect for me! For the first time in my life, things were working out. I was not compared to any one, I was not struggling in school, and for the first time I had someone who truly loved me. It was… too good.

I was planning on meeting Ernst that afternoon. He had some chores to run around town. Dropping off produce at some vendors, buying some things for his mother; the usual chores. I was set to meet him at the book vendor, but when I arrived there Ernst was nowhere to be found, until I heard someone talking in the alley next to me in a hushed voice. Then more voices, followed by laughter. After that, I heard a voice I knew all too well pleading; Ernst. I turned the corner to the ally way to see Ernst pressed up against the wall by his shirt collar by a tall boy with red-ish hair, who seemed to be threatening him.

"So little, Ernst was it?" Ernst looked extremely frightened, but nodded none the less, "Well little Ernst, now what are you doing here all by yourself?"

"Maybe he's waiting for his boyfriend, Rupert!" said another short boy with closely cropped black hair, obviously the first one's friend.

"Too true, Ulbrecht, maybe we should teach him a lesson about what happens when boys like this overstep their boundaries." A tall boy with frizzy blond hair stated pounding his fist into his hand.

"No, there is no we here Dieter," Said the red-head whom I guessed was named Rupert, "if anyone is going to teach this faggot where to watch his step its going be me." He pushed Ernst further into the wall and had a threatening grin on his face. My hands that had been at my thighs gripped tighter and tighter into fists. I couldn't stand it any longer.

"I-I didn't mean to run into you! I'm sorry. Just p-please let me go." Ernst whimpered eliciting a chuckle from the group of boys harassing him.

"No, I don't think we will." Said Rupert with a laugh, I couldn't watch this anymore. I stepped into the alley way casting a shadow.

"Let. Him. Go." I said my fists clenched at my sides. All boys turned to look at me and Rupert dropped Ernst to the ground. He almost crawled away before Rupert grabbed him by the back of his shirt collar. He let out a menacing laugh.

"So Ernst, is this your little boyfriend?" Rupert said close to Ernst's ear with a grin. Ernst didn't answer, he just looked scared beyond all belief, "Ok, you can have him." Rupert tossed Ernst toward me. I extended a hand to help him up off the ground.

"Go home, Ernst." I said calmly, Ernst began to walk away and I followed in suit until Rupert spoke up again.

"Of course," he began, "I never said you could have him for free." Not two seconds had I turned around then I felt Rupert's fist collide with my jaw. Then I felt another fist collide with my back; a kick to my side and I was suddenly pushed up against the wall. I glanced down at Rupert's jacket and at all the boys jackets. The small crest on the front said Saint Michael's School of Reformation. Well all angels be damned, it was the reformatory school that Melchior had been sent to. I was snapped out of my trance when another punch was thrown at my stomach and a cool blade was pressed against my skin, "Careful, razor burn." He said and pushed me further into the wall, the uneven brick dug into my back painfully. Rupert laughed. He thought he'd won, "What? You're not going to fight for the little whelp that we let go? Well we're just going to have to find him again!" the other boys around us laughed along with him. I couldn't let them hurt Ernst. I suddenly found my strength.

I sent a hurdling kick into Rupert's groin and he dropped me immediately. The other boys came after me with all they had. It was a blur. Angry punches being thrown in every which way. My fists collided with a few people, but not many. Rupert came after me with his razor, I wretched it from his hand and tosses it across the alley. No sooner had I let go of the razor then a punch landed me in the eye. I fell to my knees and more punches followed. Punches, kicks, everything came crashing down on me painfully. Finally, and with mercy, Rupert spoke up.

"I think he's had enough boys. Let's get out of here before someone sees." The one called Dieter gave me one firm kick in the side and then they took off down the alley way.

I tried to sit up; my head was pounding with pain in my skull. Then far away I felt a warm hand on my shoulder and a voice.

"Ernst!" It was Celeste talking, "Ernst, he's hurt, help me get him back home." I felt another pair of hands help me up and put my arm around their shoulder. I suspected it was Ernst considering Celeste was much shorter than me. I "woke up" in the servants' quarters, though I wasn't sure exactly how I got there.

Celeste POV

Ernst came running up the hill worried and scared. He rushed over to me out of breath, grabbed my hand and started pulling me towards town.

"Ernst, ERNST! Calm down what's wrong?" I pulled my hand out of his grip and he turned to face me with a frightened look in his eyes.

"It's Hanschen," I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, "Some boys from the reformatory school up north are here for their Christmas break. I accidentally ran into their leader and spilled some milk I was carrying on him. Then they pushed me up against the wall and started threatening me," I had no idea where he was going with this, "Hanschen stepped in to help me. But-but they started punching him! Celeste please, you have to help." I stood there wide eyed. Sure Hanschen was a complete ass, and one that was apparently owned by Ernst, but he had given my mother and me a steady life. So I felt some obligation to help the poor boy. Ernst finished talking; I grabbed his hand and started running toward town.

I saw a group of boys in black jackets run out from an alley way with grins on their faces. I sped up a little bit towards the alley they had just come from. There was Hanschen, on the ground struggling to get up. I rushed over to him worried and called back to Ernst, "Ernst! Ernst he's hurt, help me get him back home." He came over and put Hanschen's arm around his shoulder and helped me get him back to the servants' quarters.

Hanschen woke up lying on my bed, he groaned in pain. Ernst, who was sitting in the corner on a chair waiting for him to wake up, stood and looked so worried for the boy who saved him. Hanschen opened his eyes. Well one of them at least, the other one had turned black and swollen. He looked at me, eyes burning.

"Where am I?" He asked me.

"Where do you think you are?" I replied.

"If I knew I wouldn't have asked." Venom rang through his voice, it was subtle but it was there.

"You're in the servant's quarters." He turned his head as much as he could and lay back down on my pillow. I took a bottle of alcohol that I had gotten from his father's cabinet of supplies and poured some on a piece of cloth, cleaning the scrapes he had up and down his arm and the small cut he had on his neck. The alcohol hit his wound and he hissed in pain. He looked terrible. His eye was black and swollen shut, he had a lot of scratches, his lip was split; those boys had really done him in. It was a little awkward for me, sitting in a room with the two boys I had seen together just a few weeks ago. It didn't feel good keeping a secret for them. Since I had seen them I hadn't told a single soul. I took a deep breath and spoke up, ready for any reaction I got, "I know you two are together." I stated bluntly, resting the alcohol and cloth in my lap. I only heard silence, though the tension in the room increased dramatically.

"What?" Hanschen asked, his voice calm but his body language tense.

"I saw you two, um- kissing," This couldn't possibly get more awkward, "a few weeks ago when Ernst came over to study." All that followed for quite some time was a very awkward and heavy silence.

"I knew I hadn't imagined it." Ernst muttered quietly to himself.

"I beg your pardon?" I looked over my shoulder at the raven haired boy.

"Ernst apparently heard you when you saw us," Hanschen clarified, "I didn't want him to worry, so I told him he imagined it." Hanschen's eyes were closed and Ernst's were turned to the floor. Then Hanschen took a deep breath and spoke again, "Ernst I need to talk with Celeste for a bit, can you please go outside." Ernst nodded and looked at his broken love with solemn eyes. Hanschen grabbed his hand as Ernst began to walk passed him, "I'm going to be ok, you don't have to worry." Ernst gave him the best smile he could muster. Hanschen let go and allowed Ernst to walk out of the room. The door shut and Hanschen turned to me, eyes full of fire, "Celeste, if you tell anyone so help me I will-"

"I'm not going to tell anyone, Hanschen." I reassured him, "Why would I? You have given me and my mother the only steady life we have known since my father died. Ernst has been a friend to me from the moment I met him. And you honestly think that I would ruin the only stable life and the only friendship I've ever had by letting your little secret slip?" I laughed, "That would just be idiotic."

Hanschen thought about it for a while then smile. Just as quickly as it had came, the smile disappeared, "You don't understand what would happen if anybody were to find out about me and Ernst." I looked at him a question written on my face. He spoke again, "three years ago, two of the town boys were discovered to be like me and Ernst. They were expelled from their houses, damned by the church and hung in the town square." I gasped, "That's why we can't tell anyone."

"But if they loved each other, why would they're parents expel them from their houses?" In my mind, love was a bond that was meant to be understood and accepted despite lines of differences. And carrying out such a medieval task as a hanging for love seemed morally wrong.

"If love does not entail a man and a woman, then it is not considered love. It's considered a crime against God and must be dealt with as such." He sighed, "If anything like that were to happen to Ernst I wouldn't forgive myself." He looked as though he was telling the truth.

"But, why Ernst? You two are so…."

"Different?" Hanschen offered. I nodded, he chuckled quietly to himself, "we keep each other in balance, I suppose. He's my angel; I'm his devil." And with that he called Ernst back into the room. Hanschen used most of the strength he could muster to sit back up in my bed. He motioned for Ernst to sit beside him; Ernst obeyed. Hanschen wrapped an arm around Ernst's waist and told him calmly, "Celeste is going to tell anyone Ernst; don't worry."

"I'm not worried about that. Are you ok?"

"I told you I was, and I am. It's just a few scrapes and bruises."

"And a black eye that would make the night sky look pale," I added. I earned a laugh from Ernst and a glare from Hanschen.

"Ha, you're funny." He said sarcastically. I began cleaning the cut on his neck again, "Ouch! Do we have to do this now?"

"Do you want to have to explain to your parents why you look like this?"

"Touché." He said and let me resume cleaning his cuts. Ernst seemed to make his pain go away more.


Wow, that was dramatic was it not??

ok, because they had the same actors as Hanschen, Ernst, Georg, and Otto playing the reformatory boys I had control over what they looked like! oh and I made Rupert a Ginger kid because they're evil. Ha ha.

R&R, more to come later!