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One crisp autumn afternoon, the leaves crunching beneath their feet as they walked through the forest next to the academy. The weight of unspoken feelings between them grew heavier. The sun cast a golden glow on the paths, and the world seemed to pause in anticipation of their conversation. Friedrich glanced at Albrecht, noticing the far-off look in his eyes. “Albrecht, you’ve been kind of different lately. Is something on your mind?”
Albrecht’s face became red in seconds which added a contrast to his pale skin. He played with the leaves on the path as he struggled to find the right words his gaze dropped to the ground and his fingers nervously entwining. “Friedrich, there’s something I wanted to tell you for a while now. It’s been… difficult for me to keep it to myself lately”
Friedrich stopped walking, turning to face Albrecht with a concerned and surprised expression, his heart began to beat so fast he felt he had no air in his lungs. He was afraid something might have happened, he hoped Albrecht will stay with him for as long as life can be and hoped he wasn't changing academies. Albrecht had the habit of bottling his feelings and not talking about them sometimes. Even though he wanted him to know he can always tell him everything. Especially certain things Friedrich only admitted to himself “You can tell me anything. You know that.”
Albrecht hesitated, his voice trembling slightly. “I’ve been trying to ignore it for a long time, to pretend it’s not real, but I can’t hide it anymore, I feel like I’m in love with you Friedrich.”
The confession was a fragile whisper, but the silence that followed felt like an eternity. Friedrich’s blue eyes widened in surprise, his heart burst out of his chest. He couldn’t believe this was real it was all too good to be. He felt the wish to take Albrecht, lift him in his arms and kiss him for hours without anyone bothering them. But he didn’t want to scare him off like that (especially not now), so he took a small step towards him, his hand reaching out instinctively. “Albrecht, I—” He stopped, searching for the right words to describe how he felt at this moment, even if he knew that Albrecht was better than him in using them. Friedrich knew he was more a man of action. “I didn’t know you felt this way.”
Albrecht looked up, his eyes blue eyes shimmering with a mix of glee and hope. “I didn’t know how to tell you. I was afraid you wouldn’t feel the same, that you would hate me or worse, I didn’t want my forbidden feelings to put us – you in danger. But I couldn’t keep it inside any longer. To see you so close but yet so far away, I thought I was going mad! He began to tear with relief. Friedrich’s expression softened, and a warm broad smile began to spread across his face. “Hey no..... Albrecht please don't cry, I’ve been feeling the same way. I didn’t know how to tell you either. I thought maybe you wouldn’t be interested or… or you would be scared and turn away. I thought it was just my own wishful thinking and that maybe I was wrong.”
Joy and delight washed over Albrecht’s delicate face. He took a shaky step forward, smiling playfully as he closed the distance between them. “So… you really do feel that way about me?” Friedrich nodded, he knew Albrecht need this validation, as he often questioned himself, and he was always willing to give it. He looked at him with his gaze tender and loving. “Yes. More than I can put into words.”
Albrecht’s heart swelled with a mixture of happiness and vulnerability. “You have no idea how glad I am, I was afraid I’d ruined everything between us by saying how I feel.” Friedrich reached out and gently took Albrecht’s soft hand in his rough one. “You’ve done nothing but bring joy into my life. I’m so grateful you're the brave one from us and you told me.” He really was glad, he never thought Albrecht would admit such feelings and he himself was scared to say anything. Even if he could see sometimes how Albrecht behaved differently in his presence, his shy smiles, the deep red blush which graced his cheeks every time they were together, the way he looked at Friedrich like he was the only one who mattered to him and always welcomes him to his editor’s room. Albrecht’s private world of literature and poetry, he let him into his life, something he never did with anyone. And in that moment, their world seemed to shrink to just the two of them, their breaths mingling in the autumn air. Friedrich’s hand cupped Albrecht’s face, his thumb brushing away another tear that had escaped from the corner of Albrecht’s eye. Now it was time for Friedrich to show Albrecht how he really wanted him. By doing it with the way he knows better. with action. “Can I… can I kiss you?” Albrecht’s eyes fluttered shut as he nodded, his lips parting slightly. “Yes, please.” They both came closer to each other, hearts beating, their breaths are hitched closing the gap between them and finally their lips met and a sweet kiss. The kiss was soft at first, a gentle exploration that quickly deepened as their emotions surged. Friedrich’s hands cradled Albrecht’s face, his touch tender and reverent. Albrecht’s arms wrapped around Friedrich’s neck, pulling him closer, their bodies pressing together in a warm embrace. Albrecht’s lips felt so tender, so soft and warm.
He felt like he never felt before, he kissed Albrecht passionately, with so much love and desire and he felt Albrecht returning the kiss with the same passion. Arms warped around Friedrich’s neck, standing on his tiptoes and Clinging to him tightly. Friedrich was surprised but couldn’t say he didn’t like that. He asked permission from Albrecht to slide a tongue in his mouth, a wish Albrecht happily granted. Friedrich, a little awed, noticed that Albrecht knew exactly what to do with his tongue, kissing him without any embarrassment or awkwardness. He himself did kiss girls before but it never felt as good and real as it was with Albrecht. He thought Albrecht probably learned how to kiss from the many academies he was forced to be in. He found himself feeling aroused by this little tongue action, and after hearing Albrecht moaning into the kiss and coming closer to Friedrich, he could feel that he wasn’t the only one turned on by it.
They had to pulled away, didn’t want to go overboard especially near the academy, where preying us could see them. They were both out of breath smiling frantically. Two boys completely in love. Their foreheads rested together, their breaths mingling in the chilly air. Friedrich’s arms encircled Albrecht’s waist, holding him close as if afraid to let go. “I’ve never felt this way before,” Friedrich murmured, his voice filled with joy. “Neither have I,” Albrecht admitted, his voice barely a whisper. “But it feels so right. Being with you feels so natural.” Friedrich smiled, his eyes shining with a mixture of relief and love. “We’ll face whatever comes together, Albrecht. I promise.”
As the golden hues of the setting sun gave way to the deepening twilight, dinner at the academy was about to begin. The long wooden tables of the dining hall were set, the scent of roasted meat and freshly baked bread filled the air, mingling with the sound of clinking cutlery and animated conversations.
Friedrich and Albrecht entered the dining hall together, they walked next to each other like they always did, only this time something was different between them, happier and better. The change in their demeanor was subtle but noticeable. Friedrich’s usual easy-going personality seemed even more radiant, while Albrecht’s shy smile held a new, glowing warmth. As they took their seats, their roommates couldn’t help but sense that something was different.
Christoph, always quick to notice the nuances of those around him, leaned over to Friedrich with a mischievous grin. He nudged Friedrich, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. “So, Friedrich, you look kind of different. Did something exciting happen?” Friedrich, caught off guard, blushed slightly but couldn’t suppress his smile. “Oh, I don’t know what you mean, Christoph. Maybe I’m just in a good mood.”
Wilhelm, or “Hefe” as everyone called him, looked up from his plate with a mouthful of mashed potatoes. “What’s going on? Did you have a good practice? You look like you’ve won a match or something” Christoph’s eyes darted towards Albrecht, who was sitting next to Friedrich, his cheeks still flushed with excitement and embarrassment. “Orrrrr maybe Friedrich here has been hiding something from us? Oh, I think Albrecht can tell us why you’re so happy like that today?” Albrecht, his face turning redder, shot Christoph a shy and slightly surprised glance. “You know…Friedrich is usually a happy guy in general.”
The constant teasing of Christoph was light-hearted. Everyone who knew him never took his friendly jabs too seriously (maybe part from Hefe of course). But regrading this situation he just had to know. For a while he suspected something is going on between those two. Especially after his serval attempts to talk with Friedrich about girls or intimacy. Seeing Friedrich uninterested looking around the room and then shifting the conversation about Albrecht again. It was just too obvious! How they constantly were next to each other, in class, at trainings, Friedrich going to spend time in Albrecht’s editor room, the way they looked at each other. But of course, the rest were too dumb to notice anything, He was simply smart he couldn’t help it. Siegfried eating and smiling to himself quietly, than glared at Tjaden. Both realized they had to stop Christoph from making things all too weird like he always does “Christoph people can just be happy you know”. “Yeah, yeah” Christoph added in a sarcastic tone, we are all so happy!! especially after days of morning training with Peiner!!”.
After a quiet laugher of agreement, Hefe, taking advantage of the moment, leaned over to Christoph with a grin. “You just try to shift the conversation, we all know Katharina is more into me than you”. Christoph laughed, giving Hefe a mischievous smile. “Oh really? So, I think you’re just jealous because Katharina’s been spending more time with me lately. The only reason she came to talk to you because your father is the cook. But you should be grateful. It’s what makes you so lovable.” Hefe rolled his eyes but couldn’t help but laugh along. “Yeah, yeah. If you say so. Just don’t start talking about your ‘special connection’ with Katharina again.”
The conversation shifted to light-hearted banter and jokes, but the atmosphere around Friedrich and Albrecht remained noticeably warmer. As they ate, the friends continued their playful teasing and friendly jabs. As dessert was served, Christoph leaned closer to Friedrich, a more serious expression now on his face as he quietly added. “Seriously though, if there’s anything you need, or if you want to talk about anything” he glanced at Albrecht with a knowing look “I’m here for you.” He said with a wink. Friedrich nodded softly as he laughed, “Thanks, Christoph. It means a lot.”
Friedrich and Albrecht exchanged glances, their eyes reflecting a shared sense of relief and happiness. Friedrich could never imagine Christoph finding out about his and Albrecht’s feelings for each other, maybe he was just too obvious? Regardless of how it turned out Friedrich hoped that he could trust him to keep his and Albrecht’s secret. As the students began to drift away from the dining hall, Friedrich and Albrecht stayed behind, looking at each other with gleaming eyes and savoring the recent moment of their time together.