Songs that fit the vibe of the chapter:

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Thirty Seconds To Mars - Dangerous Night
"I, I am a man on fire
You, a violent desire"
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"EHRENFRAU / EHRENMANN"

can literally be translated as "gentle(wo)man" or "(wo)man of honor"

Ehrenmann has already been a word for a long time in German;
however Ehrenfrau only recently became part of the language.

The terms were introduced back into common usage thanks to German rap music
and while they sound a bit old school in the English version,
 it's a commonly used term among young people in Germany.
It's actually been voted the teen word of the year 2018 in Germany.
(Yes, we have a yearly voting for that. Do any other countries do that, too? lol)

It is basically a more trendy way of calling somebody a good, honorable person.

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Your sneakers shuffle across the gravel as you and Jacob walk along the beach. "Yeah, I finally ended things", you breathe thoughtfully and take a sip from the wine bottle. You cut yourselves off from Bene and Tim a few minutes ago and neither of you really pays attention to where you are going.

"I heard about it," Jacob replies honestly, and you give him an unsure look before you hand him the bottle again. "You know about the story?" "No, not like that. I just noticed you weren't together anymore." "Oh", you answer, thinking about it, "Yeah. It was really just a matter of time." Jacob nods thoughtfully.

"Tell me about it.", he leaps onto the wall behind you that surrounds the beach section, "We haven't really talked since your exams, actually." You climb a little less elegantly next to him, since you have a significant disadvantage in terms of size, before dangling your legs, contemplating. A comfortable breeze is blowing and you can hear the calming rush of the sea in front of you when you finally have time to talk undisturbed for the first time on this trip.

He's right.

You talked a lot before your exam phase.

About everything under the sun.

And unfortunately, from the beginning Jacob witnessed more of your toxic relationship than you cared for.

"Oh well ...", you reply overwhelmed and stare at your sneakers, which are dangling in the air. Where should you even start? Jacob notices the uncertain expression on your face and the corners of his mouth drop in concern. "I'm sorry", he whispers , "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to" "No, that's not it.", You respond gently, "Well. The breakup was just a bit ugly, that's all."

Jacob hesitates and examines you from the side before he asks you, "How?" You think about how to phrase it for a moment. "Well it took a good while until he left me alone.", You admit and Jacob frowns, "He made a huge drama and wouldn't accept that I ended things with us. Wrote a letter and flowers and all that stuff", you sigh hard, "Just put me under so much pressure and made me feel guilty"

Jacob runs his hand through his hair in frustration, "Fuck" as he looks out to sea before looking at you again, "Why didn't you say anything? I would've had your back for sure." You smile a little sadly but gratefully. "I kinda had to manage this on my own", you explain to him and he nods thoughtfully.

"How are you now?" He asks you, examining you. His knee moves a little closer and nudges yours cheerfully. Your face becomes a little more relaxed again when you start to smile and look at him. His features also become softer once he realizes how genuinely relieved you seem.

"Fucking good.", You admit, "Honestly. I finally feel like myself again... And I haven't felt like that for a long time." Jacob smiles sheepishly when he lets his gaze wander again, thinking. "I mean even the fact that I'm on this trip with you.", You honestly admit, "Haven't done something so spontaneous in ages."

"Should I tell you something?", You hear him ask in amusement and look into his grinning face, "Neither have I." You giggle and you both lean forward and let your feet dangle. Then you feel his arm wrap around your back and you let yourself be pulled towards him until you land with your head on his lap and lie on your back and he looks down at you happily.

"No kidding", he says thoughtfully, "I feel that. It wasn't a relationship for me, but not being myself anymore... Feels good to unwind for a few days and just enjoy life." You let his words sink in and then nod thoughtfully. "You mean because of social media?" He looks down at you and nods.

"Do you also feel like you had to be somebody you're not?", You look up at him and examine his distinctive jaw as he looks thoughtfully into the distance. "A little, yeah." You just nod.

"Me too. I mean in the relationship... I was just so badly locked up and not myself anymore." "Yeah that's how you can tell it was toxic", Jacob thinks aloud, looking down at you with a frown, "You should always be able to be yourself in a relationship"

You hold his gaze and can't help but smile a little.

There it is again, that beautiful, deep side of him.

You missed having these kind of conversations with him.

"You're right", you mumble and your hand finds his arm, which is holding you on his lap. Jacob smiles a little and raises his hand to your face, where he combs a strand of hair behind your ear that has come loose from your braid before he lets his gaze wander off in thought again.

"I remember how frustrated I was when we met."

You can't help but smile a bit. "Why?"

"'cause you really deserved better.", he replies obviously and a bit dissatisfied, "I was hoping the entire time you'd throw that guy out, no kidding."

You can't help but giggle a little.

Jacob couldn't stand your ex from the beginning.

"But then I kind of admired it.", his calm voice adds thoughtfully and he takes a sip from the bottle. You don't quite understand. "Admired what?"

He puts the bottle next to him on the wall. "Well you."

You sit up straight from his lap to look at him. Unsure and interested about what he wants to say to you. He returns your gaze sincerely before letting it wander over your face.

"You and your fucking loyalty", he breathes honestly, "Even though he treated you like shit, you were just fucking loyal.", he looks into the distance, "You didn't say a bad word about him. And I was just thinking ... fuck. What a woman of honor" He can't help but smile, embarrassed, and you can tell he's not just casually saying it. It really means something.

You examine him from the side. His so beautiful profile. His nose, which is slightly curved upwards, his full lips and his prominent jaw, which is tensing up right now. Suddenly he's acting a little different. Kind of shy.

"Jacob", you breath and it sounds like a question. He finally turns his head back to you and examines your face before he smiles a bit. "Timing sucked for us, huh?" your gaze wanders to his eyes and you start to really look him in the eyes. "So what", you admit, sheepishly, "timing doesn't always have to suck."

You can tell by his eyes that the wheels are turning in his head before he finally smiles. You feel your stomach twisting with happiness. You're already leaning towards him and Jacob meets you in the middle when he takes your face and presses his lips firmly to yours. You close your eyes and touch his jaw with one hand as you slowly break away from him, only to press your lips to his again shortly afterwards.

You taste the wine on his tongue and feel how his fingers press into your neck and hold you tight. And you relax into him when the both of you find a common rhythm and you start to only focus on his lips.

This time you're not as fiery as last time. You have plenty of time and you don't need to prove anything to one another. And it's the first time the both of you share a really long kiss and you can totally let yourself go. It doesn't feel as much like a thrill anymore, but instead it just feels really good.

» ---- «

(Flashback)

(TRIGGER WARNING: Contains slightly violent scenes)

Jonas clears his throat "Okay, I think I'm out for today", he sits up from the couch. "Yeah, me too", Alex says, grabbing your arm, "Come" "What the fuck Alex what if I wanna stay?" Alex doesn't care, though, when he basically carries you away from your friends before he pushes you in front of him.

"You always have to exaggerate," he mumbles more to himself than to you. "Wow, really now? It was just a game", you cross your arms in front of your chest and your heels clack on the concrete floor while you're walking out of the building. You were playing truth or dare and you just wanted to have a fun evening with your friends. But apparently Alex didn't like how much fun you were having.

"Just shut up now", he growls in frustration. You inhale in surprise and make a mocking noise. "Disrespectful", you mumble and he presses you against the wall of the house, "What did you just say?". You look at him defensively "You heard me". His hand grabs your chin a little roughly. "I'm disrespectful, yeah? You acted like a fucking child all evening "

You open your mouth to say something when suddenly an unfamiliar voice interrupts you. "Hey man, you good?" Alex lets go of you a little when your eyes fall on a boy with dark hair who neither you nor Alex seem to know and who suddenly stands right next to you. He looks at Alex with a serious expression before his eyes wander down on him, examining him "Don't grab her like that, Bro. Not cool at all." he comments sincerely and you freeze up and watch the situation speechless.

"Sorry but do I know you?" Alex asks him puzzled and you're wondering the same thing. Who is this unfamiliar boy? And why does he intervene in one of your fights as if it were a matter of course? Physically, he seems to be superior to Alex by far anyway. He's a little taller and visibly fit. "No", he simply replies, "But slow down a bit. That's not how you treat a woman" You can't believe that this is actually happening and your stomach turns nervously.

"Listen, I don't know how that's your business", Alex turns in his direction and makes himself taller, "You don't know her and you don't know me so kindly fuck off and let us handle it in peace." "Not if that includes you getting physical", the boy retorts determined.

"Alex!", You finally interfere and put your hand on his shoulder to hopefully prevent worse things from happening. The situation is uncomfortable enough for you. Your boyfriend is unpredictable when he's drunk and you don't want to cause a scene at this party, let alone be involved in one.

"Who are you anyway, dude? Guess you like to play hero, don't you?", Alex spits in his direction and you notice how two other guys come into view behind the stranger, watching the situation just as tense as you, as if they were ready to intervene.

However, the boy with the dark, full hair and black button up remains surprisingly calm. He seems to notice how uncomfortable you are with the situation. "I don't want any trouble", he just says to Alex and gives you another look, "Is everything okay?" You are a little overwhelmed when he speaks to you. You briefly look into his brown eyes and just nod at first.

"Thank you," you whisper shyly at him. Somehow you feel embarrassed and vulnerable after this complete stranger witnessed such a personal argument from you in action. "I'm calling us a cab", Alex huffs annoyed and withdraws from the situation when he obviously notices that he is inferior, "This is getting stupid. Come with me or stay here. Your decision" he doesn't even look at you and stomps towards the street and you sigh and lean your back against the wall.

"Yo, is he always like that?" another unfamiliar voice asks you, amused and unsettled at the same time. It belongs to a boy with fairly broad shoulders and long, upwards styled hair, who looks at you a little worried. "Not really", you defend Alex embarrassed, shaking your head, "But when he's drunk, he sometimes has a short fuse"

You look into three similarly handsome faces, and each of them looks worried. You really wonder where the three of them come from so suddenly. "Everything's fine, really.", You assure them, sheepishly, "But thanks for, uh... asking" "Don't mention it", the dark-haired boy replies and then once more glances in the direction of your boyfriend, who is standing on the roadside with his iPhone in his hand. "Usually I don't butt into stuff like that, but your fight was a bit intense. I didn't wanna watch him hurt you in any way" he explains seriously and looks at you again.

Somehow his gaze makes you sheepish. The way he looks at you seems like he's trying to stare right into your soul. He seems genuinely compassionate even though he doesn't know you, and somehow you feel like you can trust him. You nod "I know," you breath, "You really caught us on a bad night. Usually he's not that rough." You run your fingers through your hair a little overwhelmed and look back over to Alex, who is now on the phone.

"Okay, I'll go back in", the third boy comments a little curtly, "You've got it under control" he pats the dark-haired boys shoulder. "Was nice to meet you, uh ..." "Y/N", you finally reveal your name and the dark-haired boy looks from his buddy to you. "Cool Y/N", the curly haired replies and briefly holds out his hand to you, although you haven't actually exchanged a single word before, "I'm Bene. See you again some time for sure" You smile a little amused when you shake his hand "Sure. Take care Bene "

"I'm coming with you, Bro", the one with the broad shoulders says to him, before he also demonstratively holds out his hand and looks you in the eye, "Tim.", he has a firm handshake, "If your boyfriend's causing trouble again, we're inside", he grins at you somewhat flirtatiously and nods towards the door before he is fraternally pulled away by Bene "See you later, Jacob!". You are perplexed and don't really know what's happening. Did his friend just flirt with you even though you have a boyfriend? Then your head filters out another piece of information. Jacob. So that's his name.

And then only the two of you stand there and the boy sighs and looks a little annoyed by his friends when he leans against the wall next to you and runs his hand through his dark hair. "Sorry 'bout that.", And you can't help but giggle about the weird situation. "No worries."

For the first time since the fight you laugh a little and he notices it, too when he looks at you and smiles in relief. "Tim's girlfriend broke up with him a week ago and well... whatever it doesn't matter," he interrupts himself, "What are you doing now?", he asks you, checking on you, "are you going home or are you gonna-" "Taxi is here!", Alex interrupts you with the perfect timing, "You coming or not?!"

You both face the street and then look back at each other and you give Jacob an apologetic look as you straighten up from the wall. "Yeah, sorry, I have to go", you tell him honestly and admittedly a little sadly. You won't let Alex drive home alone and you don't want to end the night in an argument without resolving things between you. "But thank you." you add, "Take care. Jacob. Was nice meeting you" He nods as you slowly move away and head towards the taxi. "See you, Y/N. ", He replies with a smile and raises his hand in goodbye, "Take care of yourself."

(End of Flashback)

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Authors Note:

Hello again :)

a whole chapter of fluff for you guys 🖤

and a bit of backstory 😁

I hope so far everything makes sense to you and if you ever have any questions regarding the plot/story, ask me anytime :) 

As always, vote, comment & let me know what you think :)

See you soon with a new translated part ☺️🖤