April 12th, 1912. (10:45 PM)
As the Gala in the second-class library began to wind down, the vibrant energy of the evening slowly transitioned into a calm, contented hum. With a glass of ginger ale in hand, Nicholas stood slightly apart from the dwindling dance floor, his eyes roaming the room with satisfaction. He had expected to come to the Gala and stick to the sidelines, but instead, he arrived with a friend who helped him dive into social interaction, and then he danced not once but twice. One of those dances was with Sebastian, and the feelings of that dance still lingered in his mind. It was true it was not what he had expected, but he would not complain about it; it was everything he could have dreamt of. He quietly tapped his fingers as he looked over at Conner, who was still on the dance floor and sharing a lively dance with Lady Adelaide Thibodeaux. Their laughter rang clear across the room; their steps were mismatched yet full of joy. "He's certainly found his footing," Nicholas mused, a grin spreading at his friend's confidence.
He mused what would happen when they reached New York; all these newfound friendships and romances would fall to the wayside as people returned to their everyday lives. Many people in this room would never see each other again once they docked. The voyage was a now-or-never situation; He pondered whether he could find a way to keep in contact with certain people, though that would be challenging. His gaze drifted across the room, catching glimpses of the other gala attendees. Some were people he knew, and others he had briefly talked to. Sebastian, the epitome of efficiency and warmth, was busy helping to tidy up the space, though he still managed to share smiles and quick conversations with the departing guests. His energy seemed boundless, his spirit unwavering, even at the evening's end. "Always the perfect steward," Nicholas thought appreciatively.
Nearby, Basil, a second-class jovial businessman, entertained a small group with tales of his travels. His booming laugh filled the gaps in his stories, drawing chuckles from his listeners. Jonathan, a quiet academic type, listened intently, occasionally adjusting his glasses and nodding to Basil's adventures. The pair did not seem like the people who would interact normally; they appeared to be from different worlds, yet here they were. Titanic had a specific class system but was also ripped down boundaries between worlds. He wondered if first class was the same but pushed that idea aside quickly. Dora-Anne, a young schoolteacher travelling to America for a new job, was gathering her belongings but paused to scribble something in her journal. Her reflective nature had been a highlight of the evening for Nicholas, who had enjoyed a thoughtful conversation with her about literature earlier. And then Anthony, the ship's photographer, was making rounds with his camera, capturing the last moments of the gala. Those photos would almost certainly hit the newspapers when they got home.
All these people, all with different lives and reasons for going to america, were united in their enjoyment of the Gala. Titanic had an odd way of doing things like this. Finally, as the last music notes faded and the previous guests made their way out, Nicholas finished his drink and prepared to leave; he was getting tired. Before he went to sleep, he looked for Sebastian, wanting to share a final word before returning to his cabin. This night had been extraordinary, not just for the fun and dancing but for deepening friendships and perhaps starting something new with Sebastian. As he approached him, Nicholas felt a mix of excitement and peace. Sebastian smiled widely as Nicholas approached, sending a shiver down Nicholas's spine. He swore he had only ever seen Sebastian not smiling once. He wondered again if the smile was a part of his job, but this one felt genuine, especially after the dance earlier.
As Nicholas approached, he realised Sebastian was efficiently organising the last details of the evening, ensuring that everything was in place for the library to resume its usual function by morning. It had not dawned on Nicholas that this place would return to normal tomorrow. "What a night, huh?" Nicholas began, his voice full of genuine warmth. "It seems like everyone had a wonderful time." Sebastian returned the smile, wiping his hands on a cloth before tucking it away. "Indeed, it was quite successful. You also seemed to enjoy yourself—especially that dance with Lady Adelaide." Nicholas chuckled, the memory of the dance bringing a light blush to his cheeks. "Yes, that was something special, but so was our dance". Sebastian nodded, his eyes sparkling as he seemed to briefly recall the dance before he responded, "Glad to help make your evening something special, sir". Nicholas chuckled; you could never take the steward out of this man; he was almost inevitable.
As the last guests trickled out, leaving the space quiet, Sebastian glanced around, ensuring they were relatively alone before turning back to Nicholas with a suggestive grin. "Since the official festivities are over, how about we make our fun? Care to explore a bit of the ship with me?" Nicholas felt all the world evaporate in his throat as he looked blankly at Sebastian. Indeed, he was dreaming and would wake up in a moment, but time passed, and he was still standing here with Sebastian looking at him with a smile that could warm even the coldest of people. Nicholas took a deep breath, remembering that this night was the night of taking chances. Besides, he could not say no to spending time alone with Sebastian after the beautiful evening. "Lead the way," Nicholas said. Sebastian nodded and took his hand, leading him out of the second-class library.
He led Nicholas through the ship's winding corridors; their footsteps muffled on the thick carpets as they ventured deeper into the quieter parts of the Titanic. The opulence of the first-class hallways was insane to him as they slowly made their way through the ship. They passed sleeping cabins and storerooms, weaving through hallways until the murmur of voices and footsteps faded into silence. The vessel had entered an odd equilibrium; the late hour meant that people were either up in the smoking rooms playing cards or fast asleep, casting a bizarre but beautiful silence over the hallways only punctured by the soft rumble of the engines that never seemed to fade and offered a consistency in a tide of never-ending changes. The Engines were Titanic's song to the people who travelled with her. Eventually, they reached a door marked "Swimming Bath." Nicholas had only just learnt that it existed, for it was a room for first-class and first-class only.
Nicholas stood looking at the pool from where he was stood outside the room. It was another impressive feature of this ship, and even though it was reserved for first-class passengers at this late hour, it was deserted. The pool room was dimly lit, the water's surface still reflecting the moonlight that seeped through the windows, creating a memorisation glaze. Nicholas stepped forward into the pool room. The stillness of the water was calming him after the bustling energy of the gala. Sebastian stopped at the entrance, allowing Nicholas to take in the sight. "Not many second-class passengers get to see this", he whispered, as if sharing a secret. He imagined some passengers, like Conner, could have sneaked in here to take in the wonder, but otherwise, this room was off-limits to the other classes. The fact that he was here now in what was a room that was supposed to be forbidden to him was exhilarating. Sebastian entered and removed his jacket, carefully placing it on a chair in one of the changing rooms.
The pair stood silently for a moment, taking in the tranquil surroundings. The room took Nicholas aback, and Sebastian was enjoying his reactions. Eventually, Sebastian moved over to Nicholas and said, with a soft smile. "You know, for a passenger, you're quite good at keeping up with the crew." Nicholas laughed gently. "Well, someone has to ensure you're taken care of, right?" Their laughter filled the empty room, mingling with the soft lapping of water against the tiles. Here, in this secret corner of the Titanic, away from the eyes and expectations of society, they could be themselves. Nicholas looked down at the pool, wondering how cold it was; he had no intention of finding out, as cold water was not the most pleasing thing to deal with. He knew that all too well.
"You know," Sebastian began, his voice echoing softly in the quiet, "we never really finished our dance earlier." He extended his hand with a playful grin, inviting Nicholas for another turn, this time in the more intimate setting of the empty pool room. Nicholas took a deep breath, excited by the suggestion but terrified as he entered uncharted territory. He took Sebastian's hand and nodded. With that, they stood and moved into a gentle sway, no music but the rhythm of their soft humming filling the air. They danced slowly, the echo of their steps mingling with the soft lapping of the pool water. It was a surreal moment, dancing in the dim light, surrounded by the grandeur of the Titanic's pool. Nicholas certainly wanted to be closer to Sebastian, but never in his wildest dreams could he have pictured this. He expected to wake up from this dream soon.
They eventually pulled away from each other, but their eyes remained locked for a second before Nicholas turned to look at the pool. He sat down by the edge and removed his socks and shoes. He then slipped his feet into the cool water. Sebastian followed suit, sitting by him and pulling his boots. They sat side by side, their legs gently kicking, creating ripples that broke the stillness. Nicholas had expected the cold to jolt him awake from the dream he was having, but it dident. What happened tonight and what was happening right now was so real. Nicholas laid his head on Sebastian’s shoulder. The warmth radiating from him was keeping Nicholas warm.
"What do you see for yourself after this voyage?" Sebastian asked, his voice low and reflective. Nicholas looked up at him as, for the first time, his mind returned to his life beyond the Titanic. A life that would be forever different now. "New York is a fresh start for me. A whole new world to explore", Nicholas explained as he looked down at the pool, his reflection looking back up at him. Sebastian nodded, his gaze lingering on Nicholas's face. "I dream of not having to say goodbye," he confessed. "Life at sea means always leaving, never staying long enough to build something lasting." Nicholas turned to look at Sebastian again, their eyes locked.
Nicholas was almost sure the air in the room turned colder. Slowly, almost hesitantly, Nicholas leaned in and kissed Sebastian. It was a gentle, questioning touch, seeking affirmation. Sebastian responded in kind, but his surprise at the bold move caused him to shift back suddenly, almost tumbling into the pool. Nicholas caught him by the arm, steadying him, laughing at the close call. He had no idea how they would explain things if they had fallen into the pool. "Maybe that's enough excitement for one night," Sebastian joked, his heart racing from the kiss and the near fall. "Let me walk you back to your cabin." Neither dared speak about what had just happened, though, as Titanic often did. It set them down a new path.
Nicholas agreed, his heart full of feelings—excitement, anticipation, and a deepening affection for the man beside him. They collected their shoes and walked back through the quiet ship, their bond more robust and promising than ever. Sebastian's grip on his hand did not loosen throughout their trip back to his cabin. Nicholas had never felt safer nor as relaxed as he did right now, though the implications of the kiss began to creep into his mind. As they reached Nicholas's cabin door, they exchanged a look that said everything about the night's revelations and possibilities. For now, the worries of social norms only lurked at the back of his mind.
"Goodnight, Sebastian," Nicholas said softly. "Goodnight, Nicholas," Sebastian replied, his smile lingering as he turned to leave, marking the end of a night neither of them would soon forget. Nicholas entered the cabin; he had many questions, thoughts, and worries that cascaded into his mind. Now, he was alone, but they would have to wait. Meeting Conner, finding him a suit, the gala, the dances and the kiss with Sebastian had left him shattered. He kicked off his shoes, staggered to his bed, and collapsed. He was falling into a restless, broken sleep. Tomorrow would be the time to face the music.
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