A/N: So, I apologize profusely for not updating in forever, but I DID get to go to Chicago and finally see the show!!!!!! That's what I'm using as my excuse. Lol. And I moved back to school, but I'm going to try to update every week until the story is finished (5 more chapters or so!)

I sadly don't own Spring Awakening otherwise Ben and Blake and Steffi and Andy and Krista (who is really nice) and the rest of the cast would hang out with me and I would travel with the show.

Two days later, the boys were given minimal homework. Hanschen had to rush home to finish a few chores, so Ernst decided to go sit in the vineyard and wait for Hanschen to finish so he could finally learn the blonde's theories on life.

As he was sitting there, a familiar girl with long hair came into his view.

"Ilse?" Ernst asked.

"Ernst," Ilse said, turning around and seeing him. Her eyes were heavy with sadness, but a hint of her old sparkle returned when she saw him.

"What are you doing here? I thought you ran away," Ernst asked, glad to see his friend again.

"I came back," she said coming over to sit beside him.

"Do you know about…"

"I know," she said shortly. "I was with him just before he…"

St this, Ilse looked at the ground and Ernst saw a tear hit the ground.

"I saw him too," Ernst said in desperation to console her. He knew she had been great friends with Moritz in their childhood.

"I always assumed he would be the one I would marry."

"You would make a good match. You always have. It was like you parts of one whole."

"Yes. The plan was for Moritz and I to marry and for Melchior and Wendla to marry. But now, so much has changed."

"Not that much has changed," Ernst argued with her, knowing he was probably wrong. A dead friend was a massive change.

"Moritz is … gone. Melchior was sent away and now Wendla" Ilse stopped herself short when she mentioned Wendla.

"What is wrong with Wendla?" Ernst asked, concerned that another tragedy would hit them.

"She's with child," Ilse said quietly.

"How?" Ernst asked astonished.

"Her and Melchior…" Ilse began.

"I-I understand." Ernst said, stopping her. "Does Melchior know?"

"No. Wendla did not find out in time to tell him and she told me when I went to visit her just now."

"This is problematic. We should tell someone or find a way to tell Melchior."

"No. Wendla should tell him and no one else needs to know."

They sat there in silence for a few moments, consumed with their thoughts. It wasn't until Ilse saw Hanschen in the distance that either of them stirred.

"I should go," she said. "Father will want me home." She began to walk away.

"Ilse?" Ernst called after her.

She turned to look at him.

"Please be careful. And my window is always open for you to seek shelter."

Ilse walked back to Ernst and bent to kiss him on the cheek. "Thank you Ernst."

With that, she turned and walked away, passing by Hanschen as she went.

Hanschen approached and seated himself beside Ernst.

"What were you discussing with Ilse?" he asked, with an edge of concern mixed with curiosity in his voice.

"Nothing. How were your chores?" Ernst said, determined to keep his new-found information to himself.

"Boring as usual, but I am glad to be here now," he said with a smirk.

"As am I," Ernst said, reciprocating with a shy smile of his own.

They sat in silence, just enjoying being in each other's company and absorbed in their thoughts. It wasn't until the bells tolled that either of them spoke.

"Those bells… bells, so peaceful," Hanschen said, breaking the silence.

"I know." Ernst said. He decided to spill his guts to Hanschen about what his plans for the future were. "Sometimes, when it's quiet, in the evening like this, I imagine myself a country pastor. With my red-cheeked wife, my library, my degrees… Boys and girls who live nearby give me their hands when I go walking…" Ernst sighed as he voiced his future out loud for the first time.

"You can't be serious," Hanschen replied turning to face Ernst. "Really, Ernst, you're such a sentimentalist! The pious, serene faces you see on the clergy, it's all an act – to hide their envy." Hanschen scooted closer to Ernst, as if to emphasize his point or draw Ernst into his idea. "Trust me, there are only three ways a man can go He can let the status quo defeat him – like Moritz," Hanschen said, careful at mentioning Moritz. "He can rock the boat – like Melchior - and be expelled. Or he can bide his time, and let the system work for him – like me."

Ernst was so intrigued and captivated by Hanschen's musings that he did not notice that their legs were now touching.

"Think of the future as a pail of whole milk," Hanschen continued. "One man sweats and stirs – churning it into butter – like Otto, for example. Another man frets, and spills his milk, and cries all night. Like Georg. But, me," Hanschen paused, letting his words sink in. "I'm like a pussycat, I just skim off the cream…"

"Just skim off the cream…" Ernst repeated in an uncertain tone.

"Right," Hanschen replied with his air of certainty.

"But what about the?..." Ernst began but stalled when he saw Hanschen's eyes fill with laughter. "You're laughing. What - ? Hanschen?" Ernst asked, desperate not to lose Hanschen too.

Before either of them could realize what was happening, Hanschen leaned over and kissed Ernst on the lips. A jolt of electricity passed through them both as did the shock. But not before an "Oh God…" escaped Ernst lips.

Being Hanschen, he recovered quickly and responded with, "Mmm, I know. When we look back, thirty years from now, tonight will seem unbelievably beautiful."

"And in the meantime?..." Ernst asked, only knowing that he did not want this to end.

"Why not?" Hanschen said as he leaned towards Ernst again.

Knowing what to expect, Ernst closed his eyes to savor the kiss. Hanschen wrapped his arms around Ernst to pull him closer and Ernst did the same, though one of his hands was a little lower on Hanschen's torso than he anticipated. Hanschen noticed this and only pulled Ernst closer, deepening their kiss by forcing his tongue gently into the other boy's mouth. Ernst had to repress a sigh of desire and happiness as he gladly reciprocated the gesture.

A moment later, Ernst's brain finally woke up and caused him to pull away slightly. "On my way here this afternoon, I thought perhaps we'd only… talk," he said, trying to catch his breath and clear his head all at once.

"So, are you sorry we - ?" Hanschen began, a flicker of doubt and sorrow flashing across his face.

"Oh no – I love you, Hanschen. As I've never loved anyone," Ernst responded, taking hold of Hanschen's shoulders as he realized how true this statement was. He had never been closer to any than he was to Hanschen, with the exception of maybe Ilse.

"And so you should," Hanschen responded, his confidence returning.

Ernst leaned into Hanschen again, resting his head on the other boy's broader shoulder. He was not entirely sure what Hanschen meant, but he was pretty sure that he would find out soon enough.

"What do you say to a study session and slumber party combination, Ernst?" he asked moments later.

"But we have so little homework tonight," Ernst remarked.

"That is the point," Hanschen said, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "I'm finding it harder and harder to keep my distance from you Ernst. I would miss you too much if I had to wait until school tomorrow to see you again."

"I suppose I could use some extra help with our homework tonight," Ernst teased. He knew that very little work would be accomplished now that he knew what kissing was like, especially with Hanschen within a foot of him.

Hanschen kissed Ernst on his forehead. "Why don't we get started then?" he suggested. "I will race you to your house."

"Deal," Ernst said as he jumped up. "Loser has to do whatever the other asks," he called behind him.

With that they raced off to what would no doubt be a very memorable night for them both.

A/N: So… there it is. The lovely vineyard scene. Did you enjoy it? Lol.

So, seeing the show was beyond AMAZING!!!!! I wrote out every detail I could remember on my livejournal, so for the sake of everyone who doesn't want to hear me ramble, go there to read all about it! But I will tell you all that I DID hug BOTH Ben and Blake!!!! It was glorious!!!!!!!!!!! And I just flat out asked them if I could hug them. *sigh* I wish I had some kind of proof of this, but I sadly do not. I have many more insight/trivia facts that I could share, but I will save those for later chapters (of which there will be maybe 5 more, depending on how far I want to write past the musical). Sorry if you think this many chapters is too long, but thanks for reading anyways!!!!

Oh, and reviews are almost as lovely as seeing the show!