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A few days later, Hanschen and Ernst were walking home from school together, back to Hanschen's house. Frau Robel had given Ernst hell (a/n: say that out loud, it rhymes!) for being late home the other day, but had allowed him to go to Hanschen's today to study.

They walked in to the Rilow household after a 15 minute walk spent deep in conversation, heads tantalisingly close but not nearly as close as either would like, meaning they wanted to get straight up to Hanschen's room. As soon as they got in, Hanschen led Ernst upstairs, pausing only when he heard the shrill voice of his younger brother calling his name. He sighed, wincing at the piercing voice. 'You know where my room is,' he said, stepping downstairs.

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Hanschen walked back into his room, rolling his eyes. 'Sorry about that,' he said. 'Franz misplaced his school notebook, insisted I help him find it.' He noticed Ernst standing awkwardly by the bed. 'Don't be shy,' he closed the door and walked over to his bed, taking a seat and swinging his legs up. 'So, how are we?' Ernst took the hand Hanschen was offering him and moved on to the bed. 'Well...'

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'...and Madison is still being as annoying as ever,' Ernst finished, letting his head loll back on to Hanschen's shoulder.

Ernst had been sitting in Hanschen's lap, lazily drawing slow patterns on the sides of Hanschen's legs with his fingertips. Hanschen's arms were locked firmly yet affectionately round Ernst's waist while he punctuated the smaller boy's sentences with gentle kisses up and down his neck.

'Wow.' The blonde said, exhaling slowly. 'I asked how you were, not for your life story.'

Ernst sat up and turned his head to look offendedly at him. 'Pardon?'

'Kidding, Ernst,' Hanschen laughed, hugging Ernst close. 'You actually have a very soothing voice.'

The smaller boy wasn't sure what to say. 'I...'

'Hanschen!' A shrill voice came down the hall. Hanschen tutted and Ernst shifted off his lap, seating himself at the very end of the bed. The blonde stood up and grabbed a book off his dresser, pretending to read it as the door opened and his older sister Heidi poked her head through.

'Hanschen, Ernst has to go now,' she said. 'Mother and father want to speak to us in the dining room.' She disappeared, closing the door.

Ernst looked crestfallen. 'I'll see you tomorrow, then.' He stood up.

Hanschen followed him to the door. 'Farewell.' He clasped Ernst's hand and kissed him.

Ernst kissed back shyly, a smile creeping on to his face. 'Don't your parents need you...?'

'Yes.' Hanschen kissed him again. '

I should go...'

'No-ones stopping you.' Another kiss.

Ernst gave in, leaning up eagerly and parting his lips to intensify the moment. Hanschen smirked arrogantly into the kiss, bringing a hand up to the side of Ernst's face and maintaining the dominance he had.

The door burst open. 'Hurry up- What are you doing?'

The boys jumped apart to see Heidi standing in the doorway.

'Heidi! Um...' Hanschen started, his face wracked with guilt and looking ominous.

'I... er,' she took a step back, still looking shell shocked.

Thinking quickly, Hanschen grabbed his sister's wrist and hurriedly pulled her inside. He shut the door and turned to her. 'Heidi...' he started. 'What, er... what did you see?'

'I - I saw you... you and Ernst,' she gestured wildly with her hands as if she couldn't think of the words to describe what she had just seen. 'Kissing!' She mashed her palms together to illustrate the action.

'Okay. Look, Heidi, I know what you think, I know what you are going to say, but please,' he spoke as if Ernst wasn't even there. 'Please don't jump to conclusions about something I'm not even sure about myself. I need you to please go with me on this one, just... help me. And say nothing.'

Heidi nodded slowly, silently, raking a hand through her long blonde hair.

'Perhaps you should leave now, Ernst.' Hanschen said softly. The smaller boy shifted his gaze from where it had been fixed on the floor and looked up at Hanschen, who just stared away. Without another word, he crept out.

'Hanschen?' Heidi said her voice a barely audible squeak. 'Do you... do you love Ernst?'

Hanschen bit his lip. 'Mother and father are waiting for us.' He said quietly, before leaving the room.

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"They do not love that do not show their love. The path of true love never did run smooth. Love is a familiar. Love is a devil. There is no evil angel but love."

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There you go =)

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Charz

Xoxox