There was a knock at Engelbert's bedroom door.
"Hans?" His mother's voice called through the wood. "Conrad is here to see you. He said you had wanted some help with an assignment before school."
Engelbert groggily opened his eyes and lifted his head from it's place on the desk. He had fallen asleep writing. It was then that he looked down at what he had been writing and saw it was a pamphlet. His eyes grew wide and he quickly dashed to hide the evidence. He would have to be more careful!
"Hans?" His mother repeated.
"Ja Mutter, Im coming!" Engelbert replied and quickly dressed himself in black slacks and a white collared shirt before opening the door.
"My goodness, darling, you look a mess!" Frau Engelbert exclaimed upon seeing the blond. There was someone behind her, however, who her son was more interested in speaking with.
"Conrad, please, come in." Engelbert offered. his friend stepped forward and followed Engelbert into the latter's bedroom. The door was closed with a soft bang.
"we are each meeting with half the group tonight, ja?" Conrad asked.
"The cafe is under close inspection right now." Engelbert confirmed.
"Mein freund... What about Gerhard?"
"was? What about it?" Engelbert asked.
"We hadn't included him in the original group. Should I take him with me, or with you?" Conrad explained.
"With me." Engelbert said after a short pause. Conrad's gentle nature would be unable to get the man to be quiet.
"Alright." Conrad nodded.
"Mein Vater has already seen him. It would be suspicious if I didn't invite him over as friends do." Engelbert added.
"Heilmar should be going over there now. What was he like when you found him?" Conrad asked as he walked over to Engelbert's bed and sat down.
"He was very drunk. He fell out of his chair in an effort to see me." Engelbert said and sat beside Conrad.
"And you took him home, ja?"
"Yes, I took him home, but it took a great deal of effort and I stank of wine and filth by he end of it. Thankfully, my parents were already in bed. It seems they had a long day." Engelbert said distantly.
"Engelbert," Conrad put a hand on Engelbert's shoulder. "You look exhausted. Did you sleep last night?"
"Ja, I slept."
"Where?"
There was a pause before Engelbert admitted, "at my desk. Conrad, I left the pamphlet I was working on out. I must be more careful. This is twice I could have been caught now."
"You shouldn't work so late." Conrad reasoned gently.
"that's the best time because my parents are asleep." Engelbert argued.
silence passed between them until Conrad looked at a clock.
"We should go." He said. Engelbert nodded and the two stood.
"Engelbert!" Frederik called. Engelbert turned to look at him. Frederik wore brown knickers, a white collared shirt, and a cap, but most eye-catching thing about the man was his expression of fear. It was almost as though he were trying to hide his fear, but he was failing terribly.
"what is it?" Engelbert asked.
"They're digging." Frederik said simply. He winced when he saw the look in his leader's eyes. "I'm sorry, I don't want to worry you, I just thought you'd like to know and..." He trailed off. Engelbert put a hand on his shoulder.
"I understand. I'll figure something out."
"Nein!" Frederik said firmly. "Engelbert, I wouldn't want... I do not ask for help, I just thought you should know. Thank you for your understanding, mein Freund." and with that, the poor student turned to leave.
Engelbert watched the red-head walk away and sighed. So that was it then. One of his friends was likely going to be shipped away because his birth parents were Jewish. No, Engelbert wouldn't allow it. He walked with long strides over to Conrad and took his arm gently.
"Conrad, how are you?" He asked.
"I'm well enough. How're you?" Conrad replied with a small smile. Engelbert nodded.
"I'm fine, thank you. I have about fifteen minute before my first class. Would you like to get a cup of coffee with me?" The blond asked civilly.
"sure." Conrad agreed. The two walked to the nearby cafe - across from the one they had met at previously - and opened the door. A bell above it sent a soft little ring through the small building and alerted someone to their arrival.
Engelbert lead the way to a table on the side. He hoped that they would be hidden in plain sight there and not draw attention to themselves.
"why have you brought me here?" Conrad asked, keeping his voice and expression casual while speaking quietly.
"When we were studying with Frederik the other night, you brought him home, ja?" Engelbert asked in the same casual manner. Conrad's opened a little wider and he nodded.
"Was anyone upset with how late he got home?" Conrad asked and looked at Engelbert knowingly, trying to convey that he understood that Frederik was in trouble because of his birth parents.
"If they find out, he could be." Engelbert agreed. "Next time, we should be sure to get him home on time."
Conrad could pick up that Engelbert wanted to help Frederik, but how? They could hide him, but where?
"Ja," Conrad agreed and took a sip of coffee as a segue. "How is Gerhard?"
"He's well enough." Engelbert said and found it difficult to hide the disgust from his voice.
"Perhaps someone should stay with him to make sure he's alright." Conrad suggested. Engelbert looked at Conrad in surprise but nodded and grimaced a little. He knew Conrad had a reasonable idea. Gerhard lived alone, unlike most of their friends, but could he keep a secret? He was a drunk and to Engelbert's experience, most drunks had a loose tongue.
"I'll find someone who's willing to do that." Engelbert agreed and looked at his watch. "My class is about to start. I'll talk to you later, ja?"
"Ja, alright." Conrad agreed.
That night in Engelbert's bedroom, Engelbert looked at the small amount of men gathered.
"We will continue to print pamphlets and try to bring the people to our side, but we must do more. Hitler is gaining more power and control over our country every day. His progress must be stopped! Although it is a terrible thing, the time will come when it will be necessary to fight against them with weapons and not only words. We must wage war with our corrupted leaders, as they do with the rest of Europe!" Engelbert said with quiet passion.
Gerhard watched as cold fire danced in the blond leader's eyes, his hips swaying just slightly as he walked, and his hands clenching in righteous anger. The man was remarkable, but terrifying. Even in trying to free their country, would he bring them all into a worse sort of oppression? Would he bring them all to endless pain and death?
The others did not seem to share the cynical fears he felt. They seemed inspired by Engelbert's words. Why couldn't they see?
Once the meeting had ended, Engelbert crossed the room and put a hand on Gerhard's shoulder.
"You have a spare bedroom, ja?" He asked. Gerhard felt his heart skip a beat. What was the Greek god asking him?
"Um, I do, ja. Why?" Gerhard asked in response.
"Could Frederik stay with you? It would...it would have to be a secret. Could you keep a secret for me?" Engelbert requested in a soft musical voice that was unjustly attractive. Gerhard had to fight hard to focus on the meaning behind the angelic voice.
"why? What has he done?" Gerhard said cautiously.
"Tell me you can keep a secret first!" Engelbert hissed.
Gerhard smirked. "What will you give me as a reward?" Engelbert stared coldly at him and Gerhard shivered under the scrutiny.
"You require a reward for keeping a friend safe?"
"You forget, dear Apollo, this is not a game. If I'm caught, I'll be tortured and killed. You've got to give me something more than human decency." Gerhard replied.
"What do you want?" Engelbert asked after a pause.
"A kiss?" Gerhard asked. Engelbert recoiled and snarled at him.
"I am no whore. I don't sell my body." Was the cold reply.
Gerhard found that answer both beautiful and painful. He loved Engelbert for saying no. He loved the virtuous man that Engelbert was. He was something Gerhard could never be. Still, Gerhard longed to touch his lips against his Apollo's and run fingers through the silken curls. He wished for other things as well, but he shouldn't think of those with Engelbert so close by - it could lead to disaster.
"I wouldn't wish you to." Gerhard said and turned away. "I'll do as you ask. Goodnight, Apollo."
