Kristof and Adam were both ready to leave on their few day's journey, their filled bags already placed in the carriage.

Today, they would go to the nearest mining community to gain new workers. It had to be done as soon as possible, for the mine could not function without its workers.

After saying goodbye to all the servants, they turned to the carriage, where Armin and Klaus were waiting.

"Please take care of him. And I'm sorry I couldn't spend more time getting to know you," Kristof told Klaus.

"I am capable of taking care of myself, Kristof," Armin replied. He was in a bad mood. He didn't want Kristof to leave!

"I will." Klaus smiled at Kristof, ignoring his friend’s hissy fit.

The servants and Klaus went inside and Adam waited in the carriage so the two men had time to say goodbye to each other in private. The older hugged Armin. He hugged him with everything he got.

"Kris, you're crushing me."

Kristof let go and smiled. "What did you say?"

"I said you're crushing me."

"No, the other word."

Armin blushed a bit. "Kris..."

It was the first time that Armin gave Kristof a nickname.

"I like it." Kristof leaned in for a kiss. He gave a small peck on Armin's lips and said, "I'll miss you."

They pressed their foreheads against each other.

"I will miss you too."

Armin found that Kristof looked so tired. He didn't want the other to travel when feeling so tired.

Kristof rubbed his nose back and forth against the tip of Armin's. Then, he gave him a big kiss. "Thanks for last night, Armin. You made me feel really good. And I'm not just talking about -- uh -- what you did... I felt like you really were there for me and that means a lot to me."

"I liked taking care of you," Armin replied, blushing at the compliment.

“When I get home, I want to return the favor to you. I want to make you feel good like you made me feel good. I want to give you the most precious wedding night anyone could ask for."

Armin swallowed when his throat got a little tighter. "Uh, okay..." he shyly answered.

"Have fun with your friend and I will be back before you know it."

"Please, be safe," Armin said.

"I will." Kristof gave one last kiss that made Armin feel weak at the knees before he got in the carriage.

Armin watched them drive off till he couldn't see the carriage anymore.

The way he felt now, was surely the downside of being in love. He felt like crying.

~~~

Klaus and Armin decided to go into town to visit the theatre. There was a play to be seen of a man called William Shakespeare.

"I've never been to the theatre before," Klaus said.

"Me neither."

Armin never had enough money to go to the theatre. But now, he was rich. That still felt so weird. However, he thought he could treat himself and his friend on a good night out. He deserved it after the heartbreak this morning.

Thankfully, Klaus was here with him. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to survive these next few days! He knew he was acting a bit dramatic, but he couldn't help himself.

The doors of the theatre opened and Armin and Klaus went inside. The interior was unbelievable. Armin never expected it to be so big!

There was a young man selling items that people could buy as a souvenir. Armin decided to buy the book that the play was based on. Romeo and Julien was the name of tonight's play. It looked promising and Armin could use a good love story to brighten up his day.

They got two of the best seats in the theatre, close to the stage. When everybody was seated, the thick red velvet curtains opened up...

~~~

Armin was wrong to believe this play would brighten up his day! It was a love story, indeed, but not a happy one! It was about a love that could not be.

The final scene played.

Julien had taken a potion that made it look like he had died, but he was only in a long sleep. He had even written a letter to his great love, Romeo, to explain everything. But Romeo had never received the letter! So he believed that Julien was really dead.

With a cup of poison in his hand, Romeo visited the church where Julien lay seemingly dead. Romeo was going to kill himself with the same poison because he could not live without his Julien.

Armin watched the play nervously with tears in his eyes.

Romeo took in the poison.

No, you idiot! He is not dead! Armin internally cursed.

"And with a kiss, I shall die and join you," Romeo said and then he kissed his Julien for the very last time. But right at that moment, Julien woke up!

"What is this here?" Julien asked. "It's a cup in my true love's hand? It's poison and it must have been the cause of his death." He took the cup out of the other's hand.

"Armin, are you alright?" Klaus asked after he had seen his friend's lips tremble.

"Yes. Shhhh!" Armin wanted to watch, even though he only felt more miserable because of it.

"I will kiss your lips. Perhaps there's still some poison on them, to kill me with a medicinal kiss." Julien kissed Romeo. "Your lips are warm," he said. He could not live without his great love either. But the poison was too little to kill him. So Julien looked around and saw a knife. "Oh, good, a knife! Rust inside my body and let me die!" While Julien said it, he rammed the knife inside his body, before he fell on top of his great love.

The final sentence of the play was, 'There was never a story more painful than the story of Romeo and Julien.'

Well, that didn't make Armin feel better at all! Why must it end like this? Why must they die? What if something would happen to Kristof? What if Kristof would die one day? What must he do then?

Once again, the way he felt now, was surely the downside of being in love! He felt like crying!

~~~

In the evening, he and Klaus played some chess.

"Have you seen my parents and brothers and sister in town lately?" Armin asked.

"Yes, two days ago."

"Were they okay? Did they seem happy?"

"Yes, I think so. Are you still angry with them?"

His father had lied to him and Kristof, that was horrible. But without the man, Armin would have never met Kristof. So, maybe it was time to forgive him.

He decided he would write his father a letter that Klaus could take with him if he would return home again.

"I think I'm not mad anymore."

"That's good. I'm happy about that." Klaus replied. "Checkmate," he then said.

"Ahggg...why do you always beat me?"

"You don't practice enough, I guess. Want to do another round?"

"No, I'm sorry Klaus."

Armin once again wondered what Kristof was doing. Would he be asleep already?

The rest of the evening he and Klaus talked and laughed. It did take Armin's mind off of all the other things going on right now. They gossiped and laughed about their other friends while they recalled old memories. And so it became somewhat of a pleasant night after all.

✧══════•❁❀❁•══════✧

After a twelve hours long carriage ride, it was past midnight. Adam had checked in at the tavern he and Kristof would spend the night. They slept together in one small room with two beds. With all his fortune Kristof could easily rent entire hotels, but he liked it this way. Adam did too.

The men had already slept in the carriage during the journey. That may have been a little stupid because they were feeling wide awake at the moment.

"You did good yesterday, Adam. I mean the way you handled it all." Kristof praised his friend.

"Thank you. It was all that I could do. I hope I can sleep a little tonight."

"Me too… How did you sleep last night?" Kristof asked.

"I did not. And you?" Adam asked

It made Kristof think about his own night. He had felt so bad. He still does...But Armin made him feel better. His heart skipped a beat when he thought about his husband.

"I had trouble at first, but around four o'clock, I fell asleep for the rest of the night."

"I wonder how the families are faring," Adam said, softly.

"Me too."

Though Kristof could imagine how they felt. They were broken.

All he could think of was Armin. Armin's lips on his. How he had called him Kris, that was so sweet. He knew it was selfish of him, but right now, that was what was on his mind.

And what he would do to Armin when he would get home again...

~~~

The next evening, they arrived at their destination, where the deal was sealed quickly. It was settled that fifty new men were going to start next week.

He and Adam agreed to stay with the community for the night, and in the morning, they would begin their journey back home again. Kristof would be with his Armin within forty-eight hours. He couldn't wait.