Klaus had left in the morning, under his care, the few letters that Armin had given to him. Armin had written one to his family. It was mostly about his current feelings and how he was doing in his new home. And he'd written the other letters to his good friends. He had also invited everyone to the big party that would be held next week.

Presently, it was almost afternoon, and Armin was busy painting. He started on Kristof's requested self-portrait, even though he wouldn't leave anymore. Right when he wanted to paint his eyes, he heard voices in the hallway.

After putting his brush down, he thought he could have a peek at all the commotion. When he opened the door, May was already standing there with her hand up, about to knock on his door.

"Oh, Sir..." she said, out of breath.

"Yes, May?"

"Sir Kristof has returned," she panted. She had come running up the stairs to inform the young master.

Armin didn't know how fast he could run. He found Kristof in the big hall, where he'd just arrived.

"Kristof!" Armin screamed while he was still up the stairs.

Kristof turned around and smiled as Armin came running down the stairs.

The younger hoped Kristof didn't notice he almost tripped over his own feet. When he was finally downstairs, he didn't really know how to say hello with all the servants watching them. Kristof, however, couldn't care less. He pulled Armin into a tight hug, just like he did when they said goodbye.

It hadn't even been a week since they separated, but it felt like an eternity. They were both so happy to be together again.

~~~

"So, everything is settled with the mine?" Armin asked while they ate lunch in the garden on this beautiful day.

"Yes. We have cleared most of the rubble and I have new workers coming over next week..." Kristof stopped talking for a while but went on again, "Tomorrow, all the men's funerals will be held together. Armin... Will you come with me?"

"Of course, we will go together," Armin answered.

"Thank you."

Now that the heavy subject was over, Kristof had something else he wanted to talk about. And Armin wanted the same thing.

"So... tonight..." Kristof began.

"Yes." Armin felt his stomach tickle. He knew exactly what Kristof meant.

"Are you really sure?"

"Yes, I want it. At least...if you want it to be tonight as well." Armin felt his ears turn red.

"I do."

~~~

After dinner, both men were taken to separate rooms, just like the first night of their marriage.

They were washed with the best smelling soap that softened the skin and dressed in ceremonial wedding clothes. They were made of heavy white satin with sage green embroidery, and in the same green color, a wide satin waist belt that was knotted in the front to keep the robe together.

Armin waited in his chamber, expecting Kristof to enter his room again, like the last time, but there came a knock and the voice of May asking for permission to enter. Armin granted it and she came in asking if Armin could please follow her.

He followed her outside, where the temperature was nice, and the sky was clear. The sun would set late tonight, so it was still bright for an evening.

He got in a carriage and after a fifteen-minute ride; he got out to meet Kristof, who was smiling at him as he arrived. They met in a familiar place.

"Kristof, what is the meaning of all of this?" Armin asked. He didn't understand.

"Well, I wanted our first time to be where we shared our first laugh and our first kiss." It astonished Armin when he saw it. Over by the lake was a special spot created just for them. Beautiful lanterns holding lit candles, flowers, and flower petals lay scattered everywhere.

"Kristof...wow... Did you do all of this?" Armin asked.

"As much as I would like to say yes, I can't take all the credit." Kristof hoped Armin wasn't disappointed, but he just had no time to do it all by himself today.

"It's beautiful," Armin replied.

Kristof walked to the special spot and laid a blanket down. "Do you want to have a glass of wine first?" he asked.

"Yes, please." Armin felt a little nervous.

They sat down on the blanket and talked a little first. Armin told Kristof about the theatre and how he found the play to be so sad.

"Yes, I could have warned you. I saw the play Romeo and Julien once myself. That ending-"

"Oh, God! Yes, that ending! I almost didn't sleep that night! I kept thinking about the sad story and missing you and-" he looked at Kristof when he felt his stare.

Kristof was smiling a wide grin. "I missed you too," he said.

(Part 2 right after this one cause Tapas only allows so many words.)