Hi... I can't escape the feeling that I've overstayed my welcome with this story, so this will be the last chapter =] Ah well, let's get on with it =p

'...then they found us in the field and...' Hanschen glanced down anxiously and started playing with the strap of his bag. When he'd woken up the next morning, Ilse had asked him what had happened after he'd come back, and he was finding it harder than he'd imagined to explain it.

'Do you think you always loved him?' Ilse asked, closely examining a daisy she'd just picked.

Hanschen opened his mouth to reply but stopped. He glanced down at Ernst, who was still sound asleep between the two of them, who were sitting cross legged facing each other. 'I think I used to be stupid,' he said eventually. 'I did, but I didn't want to.'

Ilse nodded knowledgably. 'If it helps, I think you two deserve a great future.'

Hanschen smiled and started toying with a lock of Ernst's hair. Ernst stirred slightly, rolling closer to Hanschen and his stomach gave a short rumble. Ilse giggled but Hanschen looked a bit stricken. He knew Ernst would never ask for it, but he had to take care of him.

He started rummaging through his bag until he found the 20 marks his sister had given him.

'Where's the market in the next town?' he asked Ilse. Ilse gave him directions, and he headed off.

I should have sent Ilse, Hanschen thought as he exited the market, paper bag in hand. Having been catered to all his life, he hadn't been exactly sure what to get. And he had been in a rush, of course. Whatever he'd gotten, he hoped it would be alright.

He started down the road.

Suddenly an arm came out and grabbed him, pulling him behind a wall. He made a noise somewhere between a gasp and a yell and braced his fists at his sides, until his eyes adjusted and he saw his cousin standing in front of him.

'Franziska!' he said,, surprised (a/n: had you worried there!). 'How have you been?'

'Excellent, thank you. I just moved into Viktors house.'

'Oh, of course, your husband. How is he?'

'Great too, thank you. I don't think I need to ask how you are.'

Hanschen bit his lip. 'Really?'

'I'm afraid I heard your mother seeking advice from mine about your situation. Yet I couldn't help but want to lend a hand.'

'How so?' Hanschen smiled slightly in anticipation.

'You are aware of my house up on Motzstrasse, the one in which I lived alone?

'Yes...'

'I think the house could go up quite a bit in value in the future, so obviously I would like to hold on to it. However I do need someone to keep it in as good a condition as possible, take care of it, live in it?' she looked at Hanschen pointedly. 'That's where you come in.'

'Me? Live in it? Are you serious? Franziska you're amazing!'

'I know. You'd be doing me a favour anyway. And don't worry,' she winked. 'I won't tell.' She smiled as Hanschen hugged her tightly.

'I will be forever in your debt,' he promised.

'Careful, I might hold you to that,' she grinned. 'As long as you and your... friend are happy.'

'Thank you.'

'Now, Viktor is waiting for me, so...'

'Yes, I should get back...'

'Farewell.'

Hanschen gave a small wave and walked off.

A while after Hanschen disappeared, Ernst woke up. He looked around, dazed, seemingly having forgotten the past night. He looked up at Ilse and it flooded back to him. 'Good morning, Ilse,' he smiled. He glanced around once more. 'Where is Hanschen?'

'Market, don't worry.' There was a pause as Ilse watched him sit up and rub his eyes. 'Anyway...' she started, grinning. 'You and Hanschen!'

Ernst grinned back. 'I know.'

'What's it like?'

'I... can't really explain it,' Ernst said thoughtfully. 'I haven't got the words. It's...' He shrugged happily. 'It's everything.'

'You're adorable,' Ilse smiled. She looked up and saw Hanschen approaching. 'Hansi's back.'

A smile appeared on Ernst's face as he watched Hanschen come up.

'Morning all,' he said cheerily, sitting next to Ernst and kissing his cheek.

'You're very happy all of a sudden.' Ilse noted.

'Well, you would be too,' he replied, setting the food down. 'Listen...'

He proceeded to tell Ernst and Ilse what his cousin had told him, relishing the sound of hearing it again.

As he finished, Ernst glomped him (a/n: jumped on him in a massive hug) and Ilse said 'I can't believe it! You two!'

'I know,' Hanschen grinned, slipping an arm round Ernst. 'Ilse, you must stay with us.'

'No, thank you,' Ilse said politely. 'I keep better on the road. And anyway... I wouldn't want to intrude on your love nest.'

Hanschen and Ernst glanced at each other and embraced powerfully again.

They were everything.

And everything was good.

I am SO sorry. That wasn't as good as it could have been. I think I got bored?

Anyways thanks for continued support throughout the story, without you I couldn't have kept writing it (well I could have but it wouldn't have been as fun).

Thank you!

Charz

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