#i lost him when i was 19 and my greastes regret is that he did not live to see the person i became

[amoraart]

- A short Henry x Hans fanfiction -

"What hurts the most, I think, is that they were taken before I ever amounted to anything," said Henry, wistful eyes watching the gentle fire, "the last they've seen of me, I was a lazy brat, oversleeping, skipping work due to nightly little adventures." He gesticulated, " I just wish they could've seen it."

Hans, intently looking into Henry's eyes, so far off, kept silent, listening, for once.

"I wish they'd seen my bravery, my strength," he held a breath as if it could hold all of himself together, "how I fight, with all my might, to protect their memory, to avenge their loss,"

Henry looked up, locking eyes with Hans,

"And yet, if not for the horrors they went through, if not for the horrors I've seen, I would still be a lazy, spoiled brat. How I wish it wasn't so, how foolish of me to want them to bear witness to something that could only exist through their demise,"

Henry broke the connection of their eyes, looking down to the side - what a sight, Hans realised, for even if only for a moment, he saw Henry for what he truly was: a frightened young boy, so soon deprived of his mother's kindness, his father's wisdom. So soon thrown into a world of cruelty he did not yet know of.

One truly must put their faith in God, lest they be taken by the fear and grief that plagues this world.

"You're the best man I know, Henry," said Hans after a pause, eyes still locked on his distressed friend . "Not only for your unparalleled strength and bravery, of course, but for your cunning, your wisdom," Hans stretched his hand to touch that of his friend's, "your kindness, Henry. "

Hans brought his other hand to Henry's face, ever so slowly, ever so lightly, and turned his friend to face him and, in the dim light, Henry hugged Hans.

For the first time since it all began, Henry let himself weep.