A/N: For everyone who was heartbroken and hating Dachs last chapter…well, you're probably going to be a little more heartbroken and hating Dachs even more this chapter. BUT, hopefully the last scene will make up for it somewhat.

Also, if anyone was wondering if Klaus and Kolya had a theme song? Why yes, yes, they do. "How Can I Not Love You?" by Joy Enriquez (several versions on youtube).

Thank you for all of the reviews and support-wow, getting close to 200!

Warning: rape, violence, sex (consensual).

PART 12

Sachsenhausen, Late Summer of 1936

The morning began as many others had in the homophile barracks of the Sachsenhausen concentration camp. Guards rushed in and, with a mixture of physical abuse and verbal threats, hauled the prisoners out of their bunks and herded them into the restroom to wash up and relieve themselves. Packed into a small room, dozens of men jostled each other to use the limited facilities.

Word spread quickly that six more had died during the night. Nikolai was ashamed that his first thought was to wonder who would get the two empty bunks. What had his life become that having a bed to himself was now a luxury?

That morning, Nikolai was quick enough and lucky enough to have time for a rushed breakfast-such as it was. After breakfast came the morning roll call. Nikolai helped the other "pink triangles" carry their dead to the Appelplatz to be counted as part of their unit before they could be taken to the morgue.

After they were dismissed from roll call, Nikolai and several others from his barrack were marched double time out of Sachsenhausen and taken to the Klinkerwerk brick factory. More than once, someone collapsed on the journey and never recovered. Nikolai held his own without complaint. Complaining led to harsher beatings. Or another lifeless body in the road. He followed the now familiar path down into the quarry. Twelve hours of mindless, backbreaking work lay ahead.

Twelve hours to remember a lover's promise kissed on his bare shoulder.

Twelve hours to dream of Moscow and might have beens.

Berlin, Late Summer of 1936

A day and a night had passed. Klaus was certain of that at least. How much more time might have passed beyond that, he couldn't say. The hours were lost to nausea and drug induced delusions.

He thought Nikolai had returned. He remembered calling his name at least twice. And he remembered the weight of another body covering his. No, not covering, pinning him down. Klaus frowned. The hands that had roamed possessively over his skin had been accompanied by Dachs whispering in his ear.

"Is this the way Kolya touches you?"

Fingers trailed a path from the back of Klaus' knees up to his thighs and then squeezed his ass.

"Or this?"

Dachs' lips nuzzled Klaus' neck. Klaus' eyes fluttered open, disoriented. He tried to move. Tried to act on his impulse to shove Dachs off of him but he felt dizzy and strangely disconnected from his own body. Dachs rolled Klaus onto his back. Klaus lay helplessly under him. He jolted when Dachs pinched one of his nipples and then brought it to his mouth, rolling his tongue across the hardened nub. Dachs glanced at Klaus' face and chuckled. Klaus felt the laughter vibrate against his chest.

"Do you like this, Klaus?"

Dachs kissed his way across Klaus' chest and was soon tonguing his other nipple. Klaus closed his eyes against the sensation. He could have endured pain if Dachs had taken that approach. But this…Klaus turned his head, biting his lip as he buried his face against the pillow, humiliated.

Dachs was breathing harder, his eyes dilated with pleasure, a thin sheen of sweat beaded on his bare torso.

"Say my name."

Klaus shook his head. Dachs grabbed Klaus' hair and jerked hard.

"Say it!"

What would Nikolai think of him if he knew?

"…kolya…"

Dachs backhanded Klaus, splitting his lip and drawing blood. Klaus spat the blood in Dachs face and laughed. Dachs drew back to hit him again then thought better of it. No, this time wasn't to be about forcing Klaus with pain. He smiled coldly. This time, Klaus would come from pleasure…and hate every minute of his body's betrayal. Dachs wiped his face on the bedding then leaned in and licked the blood from the corner of Klaus' mouth. Klaus made a noise of disgust.

Dachs kissed Klaus. His lips pressed softly against Klaus' mouth. His lips, his tongue, his hands caressed Klaus; sure, firm strokes stirring him to involuntarily respond. When Dachs finally entered him, Klaus was ready.

"…I will kill you…"

"You?" Dachs laughed. "You are nothing. And I am an SS officer!"

Klaus shook his head, blinking back tears as he felt Dachs' full length penetrate him. Dachs' fingers closed on Klaus' erection. He pulled out and pushed back in, timing his strokes with hand pumping Klaus. Against his will, Klaus' body arched to meet Dachs'.

"…no…"

Klaus shook his head again even as his hips rocked against Dachs, moaning with each stroke as Dachs rode him harder and deeper until Klaus shuddered and came. He felt Dachs tense and cry out as well before collapsing on top of him.

"So good…". Dachs murmured against Klaus' throat. He gazed at Klaus as he ran the back of his fingers along Klaus' jaw. "I think I could almost love you." Kisses followed the path of his fingers.

Klaus, eyes closed, was weeping openly now, ashamed. Even though Nikolai had left him, still, Klaus felt he had betrayed the young Russian. He would give anything to hear Nikolai call him Little Gosling again.

"...kolya…"

Dachs stiffened. And then his anger exploded. He grabbed Klaus up and slammed him against the headboard.

"Kolya?"

Dachs punched Klaus and Klaus, still drugged, couldn't react fast enough to defend himself. Dachs punched him again. Klaus cried out. Dachs shoved him out of the bed, threw him to the floor and kicked him. Then he dragged him through the apartment, stopping to punch or kick or shove him into a wall as they moved from the bedroom to the living room to the kitchen.

Finally, a knock at the door interrupted Dachs.

"What?" He yelled through the locked door.

"Sir, staff meeting is in two hours."

Dachs looked at Klaus unmoving on the kitchen floor.

"I will be out shortly."

Dachs hurriedly washed off the blood, dressed and shoved Klaus once more with his boot before leaving.

Bertram Hummel found his son unconscious on his studio floor. Shortly after he had cleaned him up, changed the sheets and settled him into bed, Elfi and Sofia returned. Bertram sent for a doctor. While the doctor examined Klaus, Elfi found two empty syringes. Klaus slept heavily for several hours then began to stir.

Soon enough over the next few days, Klaus recovered and, haltingly, told them about Dachs and his attack. And then one day when he was almost completely well, Klaus was surprised by a visit from Nikolai's father.

Cautiously, Klaus opened the door when he heard the knock. Herr Karofsky stood there, obviously worried.

"Please, my son…Nikolai…is he here?"

"Nikolai left for Sachsenhausen some time ago." Klaus frowned. "Surely he told you this."

"No." Nikolai's father shook his head. "No, no, he changed his mind. I spoke to him. I showed him the coat. He was coming back to see you."

Klaus paled. If Nikolai had come back when Dachs was there… He stepped aside and motioned for the elder Karofsky to enter and have a seat. Bertram, Elfi and Sofia looked up in surprise as the Russian tailor entered.

"This is Nikolai's father."

Immediately, Elfi went into the kitchen and put water on for tea. She came back and sat at Klaus' side.

"I do not understand. Nikolai is not here. He has not been to Frau Klein's bakery. Where is he?"

"Sachsenhausen." Klaus answered quietly.

"No." Herr Karofsky's head dropped to his hands and he wept. "No."

"Klaus…" Bertram looked at his own son, knowing what he was thinking.

A look passed between Klaus and Elfi, she knew him well enough to know his thoughts, too.

"When will you leave?"

"Dachs was right. He is an SS officer and I am nothing. I cannot go to Sachsenhausen as a civilian with no protection for myself or Kolya." Klaus squeezed Elfi's hand. "I have arrangements to make first. Major Kruger offered me the rank of Sergeant if I joined the SS to work on…a special project." Klaus had almost let Operation Bernhard slip out.

Bertram's eyes widened in shock. "You would join the SS?"

Klaus laughed uneasily, "Father, some of your closest associates are SS, yes?"

"That is business, Klaus!" Bertram looked away. "Do not do this. Please."

"I cannot leave him any more than I cannot draw another breath."

After his meeting with Major Kruger, Klaus had another visit to make. He arrived at Sgt. Dachs Schultz's office and, after being forced to wait for nearly an hour, finally Dachs' secretary escorted him in.

Dachs rose from behind his desk to greet Klaus.

"Herr Hummel-."

And stopped when he saw Klaus dressed in a dove gray SS uniform.

"Sgt. Hummel." Klaus corrected coldly, subtly emphasizing his new status as an SS officer. "First class. I outrank you."

Dachs laughed. "Barely!"

Klaus smirked. "Perhaps. Still, I do outrank you." He slammed his fist into Dachs' faced then grabbed the blonde officer up, shoved Dachs into a bookcase and punched him again.

"The first time, I was drunk."

He landed another blow. Dachs staggered, recovered and charged Klaus who easily evaded him. As he passed, Klaus landed another blow to Dachs' side.

"The second time, you drugged me."

Klaus rammed his fist into Dachs' gut.

"This time, I am neither drunk nor drugged."

He landed two more blows in quick succession.

Klaus grabbed a fistful of Dachs' hair and jerked his face up to see him. Dachs' eye was almost swollen shut. He futilely wiped at the blood running down his nose and the bleeding on his lip.

"No one pushes a Hummel."

When he arrived back at his studio, Klaus was surprised to see Nikolai's younger sister, Zarya, waiting for him.

"Zarya?"

"You are going to save Kolya?"

Klaus smiled. "I am going to try. It may be a while."

Zarya nodded. "I brought some of his things for you to take to him."

"That was very thoughtful of you."

Klaus blinked when Zarya handed over the forest green wool coat he had commissioned.

"I will leave that with Elfi until the weather turns."

"And…this." Zarya handed over a leather journal. "Please, it is very important to him. Can you get it to him, Klaus?"

Klaus flipped through the journal, immediately recognizing it as Kolya's diary. Immediately seeing entries with references to "Little Gosling".

"I will put this in Kolya's hands myself." Klaus promised, touched by the what little he had read of Kolya's words.

Sachsenhausen, Late Summer of 1936

Arbeit Macht Frei.

Klaus Hummel passed through the main gates of Sachsenhausen and entered a world unlike any other. He followed Commander Lippert and Major Kruger into the open roll call area of the Appelplatz. The Master Printer August Petrich was next to Klaus.

Once through the gates, Klaus' eyes were drawn to the gallows set at the far end of the Appelplatz where a body swung. Klaus noted that he wasn't wearing a prisoner's uniform.

"Who was he?"

"Your predecessor."

Klaus glanced over to see if August Petrich was making a joke, but the printer's face was somber. Klaus noted the prisoner barracks on either side of the gallows. He wondered if that gruesome sight was the first thing Nikolai saw every morning and the last thing he saw every night. Klaus quickly looked away, taking in the rest of the Appelplatz.

Several prisoners in blue and white striped uniforms with pink triangles appeared to be marching quickly around a circular track. From what Klaus could see, the surface of the track was uneven and the prisoners' boots ill fitted. They stumbled often. And when they did, the guards watching over them were eager to punish. Klaus' heart quickened when he thought he saw one or two men who might be Nikolai.

Commander Lippert and Major Kruger turned left, following the edge of the Appelplatz until they reached the Infirmary Barracks and the Pathology building. Here, the commander paused briefly to identify the area for Klaus. As Commander Lippert outlined the experiments being conducted in the Infirmary and explained their benefits, Klaus nodded appropriately and kept his face carefully neutral.

They turned right, following the angled wall of the triangle shaped compound until they reached Block 19. Klaus took in the building's painted over, barred windows and barbed wire netting. This, then, was to be his workplace while at Sachsenhausen. August Petrich nodded to the two guards at the door, Herbert Marok and Heinz Weber, and introduced them to Klaus.

Once inside, Master Printer Petrich updated Major Kruger on changes that had been made since his last visit. The changes mostly concerned new equipment that had been installed and new prisoners that had been reassigned to Operation Bernhard.

Klaus listened to the conversation as much as he could but Commander Lippert drew his attention away.

"From civilian to sergeant so quickly?", Commander Lippert scoffed as he took in Klaus Hummel's new status.

Klaus lifted his chin slightly. "You have my papers, Commander Lippert. Everything is in order."

"My men will never accept you."

"They do not need to accept me, they need merely to leave me alone to do my work."

Commander Lippert's lips thinned, displeased with Klaus' attitude.

"You are very close to being insubordinate."

"My apologies, Commander." Klaus gave a self-deprecating smile. "I am an artist with, unfortunately, an artist's temperament. I mean no disrespect. I am merely anxious to devote myself to my work."

"Hmph." Commander Lippert seemed placated by Klaus' words. "Do you have any experience which would serve a military installation?"

Klaus started to say he was an expert marksman but caught himself.

"I am fluent in Russian."

"Indeed?" The commander looked Klaus over more thoughtfully. "I understand there is a prisoner here you wish reassigned to Block 19."

Klaus glanced at Major Kruger and August Petrich, still deep in their own conversation. He didn't want to overstep his bounds but if the commander knew about Nikolai, then surely the major or master printer had mentioned him.

"Yes, my apprentice."

"Name?"

"Nikolai Petrovich Karofsky."

"A Russian?"

"Yes."

"Why was he imprisoned? Well?"

"He is a homophile."

Commander Lippert considered this information carefully, weighing it in his mind. A slow smile spread across his face.

"There is a special guest from St. Petersburg State University who will be arriving soon. He is a doctor of behavioral conditioning and studied under Ivan Pavlov."

"I am sorry, sir, I am not familiar with Ivan Palov."

"He conducted several interesting experiments with dogs." Commander Lippert smiled tightly. "It is of no concern. The Russian scientist would like very much to study our methods of treating homophilia. Specifically, he would like to speak with a prisoner and I am under orders to accommodate his request."

"I am certain I can convince Nikolai to cooperate with such an interview, Commander." Klaus quickly grasped the opportunity this presented.

"I would like you to be present as well."

"Of course."

"If the two of you were to impress upon our Russian guest the success of Sachsenhausen's homophile program, I would be very pleased." Commander Lippert eyed Klaus. "Do we understand one another, Sgt. Hummel?" He stressed Klaus' new rank slightly.

"I understand."

Nikolai barely noticed the guards patrolling his area any more. He lost himself in the familiar rhythm of work and no longer felt their eyes watching his every move. Until two of them came to a sudden halt in front of him. Nikolai tensed. A rifle butt slammed into his shoulder. Nikolai staggered back but didn't fall.

"You, Russian dog, what is your name?"

"Karofsky, Nikolai Petrovich, sir."

"Follow us."

Nikolai did as he was told. The guards led him out of the quarry, up to the street level and a waiting car. The driver took one look at Nikolai's appearance and spit on him. Then he yelled at the two German guards, cursing them as he gestured at Nikolai, clearly disgusted by the young Russian's dirty clothes and skin.

The driver spoke very fast. Nikolai understood enough to know he was complaining about putting a "filthy butt-fucker" in his car. After some debate, one of the soldiers found a reasonably clean tarp and laid it across the back seats of the car. Nikolai was shoved inside. One of the guards climbed in next to him, rifle pressed to Nikolai's side.

Nikolai said nothing. The feel of the cool wind on his face as they drove was worth any insults the driver and guard said of him.

"Such a pretty young boy." The driver made kissing noises.

"He rides now but soon he will be the one being ridden, yes?"

The last remark left both Germans laughing. Nikolai opened his eyes and watched the scenery pass. When he had first arrived, such vulgar comments left him shocked and blushing-much to the amusement of the other men. Nikolai had learned that outside of his own barracks, many of the kapos had favorites they kept as lovers. Often they were youths of Nikolai's age or slightly older. He wouldn't be surprised to find the practice extended to the guards and officers as well. Ironically, it seemed the only place where homophile sex wasn't tolerated was among the pink triangles.

When they arrived at Sachsenhausen, Nikolai was handed over to another pair of guards. These two were quieter, focused on their duties. They took Nikolai first to be shaved and then to the showers. To Nikolai's surprise, he was given a full bar of soap and ordered to be generous in using it. After the shower, a towel to dry off and a clean uniform. And, Nikolai sighed, the uniform fit.

Nikolai's initial misgivings began to give way to fear. No prisoner was afforded the attention and luxuries he was being given. Certainly not a prisoner who wore the offensive pink triangle. Perhaps he was being groomed to become some SS officer's plaything. If so, Nikolai considered how he should react. If he fought, he would probably be killed or at the very least, tortured. If he gave in-Nikolai hesitated to consider that option. Still, if he gave in, perhaps he would gain some leverage. Nikolai bit his lip. He refused to cry. Not before the German soldiers. His one comfort was that if he submitted, Klaus would never know his shame.

The guards hurried him away from the barracks, across the Appelplatz and to the entrance gates of Sachsenhausen. Nikolai hesitated. The guards ordered him to keep going. Nikolai wondered if he would be shot once he stepped through the gates. It was not unheard of. And even though it seemed absurd that he would be permitted a shower and new clothes only to be killed, still, Nikolai could not completely dismiss the depths of depravity the guards would explore.

Finally, the guards shoved Nikolai through, laughing at him when he froze a second time, waiting to feel the bullets cut through him. He blushed, embarrassed at his reaction. The guards walked him towards the smaller gate. Nikolai expected they would go through that gate and across the street to the green building that housed the officers' quarters. To his surprise, the guards turned, directing him towards the commander's house.

Commander Michael Lippert's pinched face and thin lips gave away nothing as he studied Nikolai. Nikolai swallowed hard. He wondered if this was the man who intended to bed him, the commander of all of Sachsenhausen, until Commander Lippert's next words stilled Nikolai's heart.

"I trust you remember Sgt. Klaus Hummel?"

Nikolai looked up in disbelief, his eyes immediately sought and-incredibly-found Klaus' eyes steadily gazing back at him. Sergeant. Klaus. Hummel. Nikolai took in Klaus' dove gray uniform. The weary yet slightly amused look on his face. It was as if Klaus couldn't quite believe he had joined the SS, either.

To Klaus' relief, Nikolai looked much better than he had dared hope. A little tired. A little thin. Definitely darkened by the late summer sun. But overall he seemed somewhat whole and healthy.

"Yes, sir." Nikolai finally found his voice and answered Commander Lippert.

"Good. The sergeant has business to discuss with you. Tomorrow, you will be reassigned to Block 19. You will answer to Major Kruger, Sgt. Hummel and Herr August Petrich as you would to me. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir."

Commander Lippert nodded to Klaus. "A guard will take you to your quarters. For now, you will be temporarily assigned to the VIP guest quarters until construction is completed in the officers'area." Commander Lippert's lips twitched. "It will reinforce your status to the other officers. You do not have their rank, but they will understand that you are involved in a special project. I do not think there will much trouble for you."

Klaus inclined his head. "Thank you for your consideration, sir."

"I expect my consideration to be well and fully compensated, Sgt. Hummel. As we have discussed."

"Yes, sir."

"Dismissed."

Nikolai followed the conversation with keen interested, wondering at the unexpected change in his situation. He thought he remembered Block 19 as the labor area inside the camp. He suddenly released that Klaus was standing before him expectantly. Nikolai flinched, wanting to reach up and touch Klaus' face to make sure he was really there. But he saw Klaus' slight frown and realized they both had to be very careful.

"Come." Klaus commanded firmly and Nikolai followed him.

Klaus and Nikolai followed the guard out of the commander's house, through the small gate and to the green building across the street. The officers' living quarters. They passed through the main dining area. Nikolai saw several prisoners there serving food. And several others being served up as entertainment for the raucous German officers. Nikolai swallowed hard and looked away from the prisoners that were being tormented. Situations changed quickly in Sachsenhausen. Tomorrow he could find himself in their places. He caught Klaus looking at him with a mixture of sympathy and concern.

Klaus stopped the guard to inquire about food for himself and Nikolai. The guard offered to bring a tray to the room after they were settled. Apparently Commander Lippert's favorable treatment of Klaus had registered with the guard and he was eager to make a good impression. Klaus gave the guard a satisfied nod.

They continued to the living quarters until they reached Klaus' room and the guard led them inside. Klaus' engraving tools and belongings had already been brought from the car and were waiting to be unpacked. The guard excused himself, leaving the door open. Nikolai took a step towards Klaus but Klaus shook his head. The guard returned shortly with a tray of bread, cheese, meats, pickles and butter.

"That will be all." Klaus said dismissively. He had started to add "thank you" but stopped himself, realizing that as an SS officer, he shouldn't be thanking the guard for performing a duty that was expected of him.

Once the guard left, Klaus closed the door and locked it. He sighed with relief at finally being able to take his hat off and loosen his collar. And, finally, to be alone with Nikolai. Klaus smiled softly.

"Are you hungry, Kolya?"

Nikolai grabbed Klaus and kissed him, hands moving along his jaw, fingers caressing his cheeks, tongue seeking his as if Nikolai could never taste Klaus deeply enough. Nikolai whimpered as he pressed his body against Klaus', forcing them both against the wall.

Klaus' fingers fumbled with the buttons on Nikolai's shirt. He couldn't seem to unfasten them quickly enough. Couldn't get his hands under the fabric and slide his palms possessively over Nikolai's bared chest soon enough.

Nikolai lifted Klaus. Klaus locked his thighs around Nikolai's waist, feeling the Russian's sturdy hands gripping his ass to support him. Feeling Nikolai's hips rocking against his.

"…clothes…off…"

"…yes…"

Nikolai set Klaus down but they couldn't seem to stop kissing and touching long enough to undress. Finally, growling with frustration, Nikolai shrugged out of his shirt, tossed it aside and started in on Klaus' uniform. Unfortunately, without much success. Giggling, Klaus stepped out of Nikolai's hands long enough to remove his uniform and carefully set it aside so it wouldn't wrinkle. Then he attacked Nikolai's pants, yanking them off and setting them aside as well leaving them both naked.

Nikolai cupped the back of Klaus' neck and pulled him in for another kiss. Klaus squirmed, pressing every inch of his body against Nikolai's with a contented whimper. They fumbled their way to the bed. On the way, Nikolai grabbed the butter from the food tray. Klaus eyed him with a raised eyebrow.

"You have plans for that?"

Nikolai grinned mischievously. "Definitely."

He playfully tackled Klaus onto the bed, pinning him there with his body. He held Klaus' wrists above his head and stole another kiss.

"…yes…"

Klaus breathed against Nikolai's skin, loving the feel of Nikolai's body so completely covering his. He lifted up to lick Nikolai's nipple. Then laughed when Nikolai groaned against his mouth.

Nikolai scooped some of the butter onto his fingers and began working it into Klaus, stretching him as he slipped his fingers in and out, making sure he was slick and ready. Meanwhile, Klaus grabbed his own handful of butter and began stroking Nikolai as well.

After several moments, when Nikolai felt Klaus relaxed and ready, he eased himself in. He held himself still for a moment, feeling Klaus warm and tight against him. Then he started moving, slowly pushing in and out.

They fell into a familiar rhythm, Nikolai alternating deep strokes with shallow ones. Klaus trembled. Nikolai knew him. Knew what a caress of fingers here, a brush of lips there or a firm, wet tongue against that sensitive skin would do. Klaus cried out against the pillows as Nikolai started deepening each stroke until Klaus held all of him inside. Klaus' hands on Nikolai's shoulders stilled as he paused, eyes closed, overcome with emotion.

Nikolai leaned in to place gentle kisses on Klaus' eyelids. Then his temple. And finally trailing back down to fiercely claim Klaus' mouth again. Klaus was making small, desperate noises as his hips arched to meet Nikolai's.

"…kolya…please…"

Klaus opened his eyes and Nikolai saw that his blue eyes were shading to green as they always did when he felt something strongly.

"…fuck me harder…"

He wanted this new memory of Nikolai to erase everything of that night with Dachs. Nikolai's lips. Nikolai's hands. Nikolai pumping into him, sliding across that sweet spot; a pleasure that bordered on torment with every delicious thrust.

Nikolai grabbed more of the butter and rubbed it along Klaus' erection. Klaus jerked, raising off the bed with a gasp. Nikolai chuckled, the sound rumbling low in his throat as he rimmed his thumb around and over Klaus' head.

"You like that, yes?"

Klaus, past the point of being able to form words, fell back on the bed and nodded. He moaned, wriggling to thrust into Nikolai's hand. Nikolai almost climaxed himself. Watching Klaus move under him, his eyes fluttering close, those whimpering, pleading noises…he knew they were both getting close.

Klaus wrapped his legs around Nikolai's, thighs tightening against his waist. His hands gripped Nikolai's ass.

Nikolai watched the flush of color spread across Klaus' cheeks and shoulders. Heard his breath hitch. Quiet, frantic gasps. Klaus' fingers bit into Nikolai's skin.

"...come for me…"

Klaus stiffened and cried out and Nikolai was there, covering Klaus' mouth with his own, feeling the young German's body buck once more against his before surrendering with a shudder. Klaus thrust against Nikolai's hand as he released. Nikolai came, too, one hand still gripping Klaus through his orgasm even as he climaxed and felt a warm rush leave his own body.

He eased out and collapsed into Klaus' embrace, content to lie where he was, head on Klaus' chest, catching his breath. Klaus sighed, fingers tracing lazy circles on Nikolai's shoulders. Nikolai snuggled against Klaus.

"I love you." He raised up enough to kiss Klaus lightly. "In this moment and in every moment after."

Historical Notes:

Chapter 11 correction: Initially, I wrote the last chapter with Nikolai being tattooed at Sachsenhausen. However, Ella Greggs (awesome writer-go read her fics!) kindly pointed out that prisoners were only tattooed in Auschwitz.

Klinkerwerk Brick Factory was established in 1938.

A civilian who was a master craftsman and had skills the German army needed could start immediately as a non-commissioned officer at the rank of Staff Sergeant. After a year as a Staff Sergeant, a soldier could move up to the position of Sergeant First Class.