A/A First off, I am really sorry that I haven't updated in a while. I will try to not let it happen again. As always, thanks for the reviews. Now it's story time (insert "Ilse, story time.) Oh and I don't own Spring Awakening, though I'd be very, very happy if I did.
Melchior only lasted one day more at school. Our professors had gone through Moritz's things and found a copy of Melchior's essay. He was called into the office after class had ended. Since Ernst had some idea of what Melchior was experiencing he lagged behind next to the trees outside of the schoolhouse.
When Melchior finally emerged, he had all of his possessions and a look that contained both disappointment and anger.
"Melchior?" Ernst said as he walked in his direction.
"Ernst, what are you still doing here?" he asked, surprise registering on his face.
"I- I just wanted to make sure everything was okay."
"Everything is as okay as a classmate being dead and another being expelled can be," Melchior said bitterly.
"They expelled you?"
"For that stupid essay! What are we supposed to do? They teach us nothing! It is not like Moritz died because- because…" Melchior looked down at his shoes, unable to continue. Despite knowing that he was not to blame, he still felt the guilt.
"They just do not want to overwhelm us," Ernst reasoned.
"No! They want us to be their puppets!" Melchior snapped. "Really Ernst, if you're going to follow their lead, you share the guilt in what becomes of everyone they affect. Including Moritz." At this, Melchior stormed towards his home, leaving Ernst in shock.
Once the shock wore off, the guilt set in. If Ernst was the adults' puppet, then he was to blame for Moritz's death. Without thinking, he made his way towards the cemetery.
Once he arrived, Ernst sank down next to Moritz's grave stone.
"I'm sorry," he whispered to the air after sitting for some time, hoping Moritz's spirit could hear. "I never meant for this to happen. I promise from now on that I will not let them control me or harm anyone else." Tears began to stream down Ernst's face as he realized that Moritz's could be only the first of them to die.
"Making promises to the dead?" a familiar voice asked from behind him.
"Why must you always creep up at the most inopportune times?" Ernst said in an attempt to hide his tears.
"Because I am Hanschen. It is what I do," he said as he knelt down to look at Ernst. "You're crying." Concern registered on Hanschen's face. He was afraid that Ernst would end up like Moritz soon if no one tried to help him.
"That seems to be happening more frequently than usual right now," Ernst said in another attempt to hide his emotions.
"Ernst, you cry when you have reason to. Now tell me what the cause is this time."
"No. I am perfectly fine. Please leave."
"I am afraid I cannot. Your mother sent me to find you. She was becoming worried when you did not come home. I told her that I would find you and take you home."
"I know my way home. You can leave now."
"I will not leave you alone."
"Why the hell not?" Ernst turned on him. "I am a horrible person! Just leave me here with the dead!"
"Ernst," Hanschen said gingerly as he sat down. "You are not horrible. You are one of the best friends any of us has."
"Then why is Moritz dead and why do I feel the guilt?" he replied in hysterics.
"Ernst, we already established that no one could save Moritz. You should not feel guilty, but you do because you feel like you could have saved him. It is who you are."
Again Hanschen went to embrace Ernst. The familiar contact calmed the young boy so that tears were slowly trailing down his cheeks.
"Melchior told me I was a puppet," Ernst said, when he could not stand the silence any longer.
"Melchior is acting like an ass. And he is wrong."
"Thank you Hanschen. You always seem to know how to make things clear to me."
"It comes with all of the time we have spent together. Now, we had better get you home before your mother has a heart attack."
"Good point. I do not want her to worry," he said as they both stood up and headed down the lightly worn path that led to their homes.
"Ernst, remind me to tell you about my theory on how the world works. I think you will appreciate mine more than Melchior's idea of puppets," Hanschen said with a smirk.
"I'm sure Melchior is just upset. Between Moritz and getting expelled. And I would like to hear your theory sometime."
Hanschen walked Ernst right up to his front door, which was opened before they were even 10 steps from the porch.
"Where have you too been?" she asked wrapping Ernst into a hug. "Do not scare me like that again, you hear me?."
"Yes Mama," Ernst said, feeling bad for making his mother worry.
"Hanschen, your parents have come over here because you were gone so long. Why don't you come in and join us for supper?"
"It would be my pleasure, Frau Robel."
Both families ate in joyful conversation. Not once were the tragic events of the past week mentioned. When the time came, everyone was saddened by the departure.
"Please come again soon," Frau Robel insisted to Frau Rilow.
"We will. Especially since our boys seem to get along so well."
"Goodnight Hanschen," Ernst said feeling a little embarrassed. He wanted to give Hanschen a hug, but did not think that it would be appropriate.
"Goodnight little Ernst," Hanschen said, doing what Ernst wanted to and wrapping his arms around the lanky boy.
Ernst returned the hug and was saddened by the feeling that a piece was missing when their embrace finally broke and Hanschen was forced to leave with his family.
That night, Ernst dreamt of being lost in Hanschen's arms.
A/N So this chapter did not turn out like I thought it would, but it isn't horrible. I'm not entirely sure if they're completely right character-wise, but oh well. And I'm going to play with the time line again. And I have plans for the next chapter to include the wonderful vineyard scene! But I probably won't write it until next Fridayish because…
I FINALLY GET TO SEE THE SHOW IN WEDNESDAY NIGHT!!!!!!! SO EXCITED!!!!
And I already have a plan/reason to hug Blake (the tour Moritz, for all of you outside of the U.S.) Now all I need is an excuse to hug Ben (Ernst). Any ideas?
By the way, reviews are amazing and I love them. Almost as much as Spring Awakening. But not quite. Lol.