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Ernst, run away with me

Midnight

Vineyard

I love you x

There had not been a doubt in Ernst's mind about what to do that night. As he'd read the note, a huge balloon of relief and excitement had appeared and exploded in his stomach and he'd wanted to cry his rapturous yes to the heavens. Hanschen wanted to run away with him, he was serious about him, it was so perfect it was exhilarating. Midnight couldn't come quick enough.

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As soon as Hanschen had gotten home, as soon as he'd sent up to his room and as soon as he'd collapsed back on his bed, he'd wondered if giving Ernst the note was the right thing to do. Sure, he loved Ernst, sure Ernst loved him, and that really should have been all that mattered but what about the rest of the world? They couldn't, wouldn't understand the two of them, which would potentially ruin their future together. He couldn't think of a plan, but...

But?

He sat up.

Wasn't that just love? Brigitte had told him love was unpredictable, spontaneous and real, he had never believed those words more than he had now. Love didn't need a plan. As long as Ernst was with him, everything was going to be alright. And as for where they could stay, hadn't Ilse told him he was always welcome?

The clock said it was 11:30.

His heart said it was all going to work out.

(A/n: want some wine with that CHEESE?)

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Ernst was the first to arrive at the vineyard. He'd left early not only because he couldn't bear the waiting but because he didn't want to miss Hanschen. Nothing was certain, it could all change... Ernst had to see him. He sat down and started to wait.

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It wasn't long before Hanschen, as eager as his lover, arrived, a guilty smile on his face as he saw Ernst dozing against the fence. Although he was a sight for sore eyes, Hanschen approached him and gently stroked his cheek, slowly rousing him.

'Hanschen,' his eyes flickered open.

'Ready to go? As long as you can stay awake long enough?'

Ernst smiled weakly. 'Thank you, Hanschen, for...'

'Please, you don't have to thank me for anything. We should probably get going, though.'

'Yes...' Ernst took the hand Hanschen was offering and stood up. 'Hanschen, where are we going?'

'...I thought we could stay with Ilse tonight,' Hanschen bit his lip. 'And after that, well, we'll see how it goes.'

They set off.

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'Hanschen!' Ilse exclaimed as she spotted him approaching. She ran towards him. 'Did you find them? How did it go? Who was it?'

'Ilse,' Hanschen caught her in a hug. 'Ask him yourself.' They broke off the hug as Ilse spotted Ernst a few steps back.

'Ernst? Oh my gosh!' She ran up to him and hugged him as well. 'Hanschen, when you said you were coming back for someone special, I thought... but of course.'

Hanschen smiled at Ilse's behaviour and said 'When you've calmed down, Ilse, do you think Ernst and I could stay with you? For tonight?'

'Of course! Come on.' She took the boys hands and led them to her "camp." 'This is so exciting!'

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Next chapter is the last official one, followed by a kind of epilogue-y kind of one, I guess?

Man, it would help if I knew what it meant.

Reviews are love!

Charz

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