April 13th, 1912. (8:35 AM)
Nicholas stood in his cabin, his reflection staring back at him from the modest mirror on the wall. His best suit, a sharp charcoal grey that he'd carefully chosen for this evening, felt like armour as he adjusted the fit and smoothed down the fabric. The suit was simple yet elegant, ideally suited for blending the lines between the classes aboard the Titanic. He straightened his tie, ensuring every detail was in place, his nerves tingling with anticipation. He was unsure what to expect; he had never ventured into third class. He pondered if they were as rigid as a first class appeared to be; he wondered if they would care that people from other classes were attending this party. He looked at himself in the mirror and let out a smile. For once, the man looking back at him was not someone Nicholas felt ashamed of being; he was happy and looking forward to something for once. Today had been a ride of emotions, about to crescendo with what would hopefully be a fun party. He couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation about the party, wondering how it would unfold and what experiences it would bring.
As he readied himself, Nicholas
felt a surge of hopeful energy. He was keen to immerse himself in the
infectious rhythms of Irish folk music, and the spirited dancing he had heard
could last well into the night. More than anything, he looked forward to spending
time with Sebastian outside the stiff framework of their daily interactions. Tonight, freed from them for the roles they had been bound to, a final act of
liberation for Nicholas and Sebastian. It was a glimpse of what their future
would be like when they did reach New York City, but for one night only,
Nicholas refused to think about the future. He wanted to immerse himself in the
now; the worries of the future could wait until tomorrow. Nicholas hoped the
pair could enjoy each other's company as two individuals drawn together by
genuine affection. Nicholas also eagerly anticipated strengthening the
bonds he had formed with others like Connor and Lady Adelaide, who had become
important figures in his journey on the Titanic. He knew others would also gather;
Irene, Edward, Johanas, and Basil would likely be there. All his friends were
in one place, together at last, and could let go of the rules the city expected
them to follow. The thought of sharing laughs, dances, and perhaps a few drinks
with them brought a genuine smile to his face.
With a final glance in the mirror, Nicholas felt ready. Stepping out of his cabin, he made his way towards the third class, his steps quick with anticipation. As he walked, Nicholas's heart was light, his mind filled with the possibilities of what the evening could bring, and his spirit uplifted by the promise of joyous, unrestrained celebration. His conversation with Lady Adelaide echoed in his thoughts—her words about taking risks and living without regrets had struck a deep chord.
Nicholas arrived at the third-class open space, the lively strains of a fiddle and the rhythmic tapping of spoons against bodhráns guiding him to the heart of the festivities. The area was alive with energy, the air thick with laughter and the earthy aroma of spilt beer and sweat. Titanic's lights cast a warm, inviting glow over the revellers. As he passed families and partners, he was greeted by warm, welcoming smiles, causing the warmth in his heart to expand tenfold. Nicholas immediately spotted Connor and Lady Adelaide, affectionately known as Addie, seated at a bustling table surrounded by a festive crowd. They were caught up in laughter, their faces illuminated by the joyous ambience of the party. Catching sight of Nicholas, Connor waved him over with a broad, welcoming grin. Connor seemed to be more in his element than he ever had been. Well, Addie blended in almost perfectly despite being from another class. The boundaries between their worlds had been torn asunder for one night only.
"Nicholas! Over here, mate!" Connor shouted over the music, his voice buoyant with excitement. Navigating through the dense crowd of dancing passengers, Nicholas felt a surge of exhilaration. He reached the table, greeted by Addie's elegant smile and sparkling eyes. "You made it! We were beginning to think you weren't coming," she teased gently, her tone light and playful. "Wouldn't miss it for the world," Nicholas replied, his earlier resolve firming up as he relaxed into the comfort of being near friends. As he settled into a chair, Connor slid a pint of beer across the table toward him. "Here, try this—first one's on me," Connor said, raising his glass in a toast. "To new friends and good nights!". Nicholas looked down at the beer; truthfully, he had never drunk anything like this. He had drunk wine and whisky before but never bore, but there was a first time for everything. Nicholas lifted the glass, the frothy head of the beer tickling his nose as he took his first tentative sip. The beer was robust, with a hint of bitterness that was surprisingly refreshing. He nodded in approval, the cool beverage washing away any remnants of hesitation. Conner cheered as Nicholas took a drink, and Addie soon joined in. Their Cheers boosted Nicholas's courage to a whole new level.
As Nicholas sipped his bear, the music grew louder. More energy flowed freely into the room. Johannes, a young Swedish man Nicholas had met earlier that day, rose from his seat as he turned and moved to the dancefloor, clearly infected by the spirit of the tune. He caught Nicholas's eye and gestured wildly for him to join in. "Come on, Nicholas! Show us what you've got!" Johanas bellowed, his feet already bouncing to the rhythm, his attempts at Irish dancing more enthusiastic than skilled. Laughing, Nicholas shrugged off his jacket, draping it over the back of his chair. He felt a liberating rush of adrenaline as he stepped into the makeshift dance circle, the eyes of the third-class passengers on him. With a playful grin, he mimicked Johanas's moves, his body moving awkwardly at first but soon finding the rhythm. The music swirled around him, a pulsing beat that drove away any lingering doubts.
The other passengers clapped and cheered as he danced, encouraging his spirits. He felt a part of something larger than himself—a community that thrived on joy and resilience, starkly contrasting the structured layers of society above decks. Here, in the throes of dance and laughter, Nicholas found a freedom he hadn't known he'd been missing. He did not want this night to end. The dance ended in applause and raucous laughter, and Nicholas, breathless and exhilarated, returned to his seat. He picked up his beer again; the cold liquid was particularly welcoming now. As he took a long drink, he caught sight of Sebastian, who stood arms crossed once again, not wearing his Steward's uniform. He had just arrived but had seen Nicholas dancing. A massive smile was plastered across his face. Their eyes met across the room, a silent acknowledgement passing between them. Tonight, Nicholas decided, was about living in the moment, about embracing life with all its unpredictability and joy.
As Nicholas enjoyed the lively atmosphere and sipped his beer, he saw Sebastian weaving through the crowd toward him. The anticipation bubbled inside Nicholas as Sebastian approached, a tentative smile playing on his lips. The noise and cheer of the party seemed to momentarily fade into the background when their eyes met, acknowledging the significance of this less formal, more freeing environment. "Sebastian!" Nicholas called out as he stood to greet him, his voice brimming with genuine warmth. "I'm glad you could make it!" Sebastian's smile widened as he reached the table, his eyes briefly scanning the festive surroundings before settling comfortably on Nicholas. "I Promise I will be here," he replied, his tone carrying a mix of excitement and a hint of nervousness, adding to his charm. This kind of party was new to them, yet Sebastian seemed oddly relaxed.
Nicholas turned to Connor and Addie, who were engaged in a lively conversation but paused to welcome Sebastian. "You remember Sebastian. We've met him upstairs a couple of times," Nicholas said, bridging their formal interactions into the casual setting of the party. "Of course," Connor replied with a warm nod, offering a hand, which Sebastian shook. "Good to see you again, Sebastian, and this time not just passing by with trays." Addie smiled graciously. "Indeed, it's nice to see you joining the festivities. This is quite different from the usual, isn't it?" Her tone was friendly and inviting, encouraging Sebastian to relax in the informal atmosphere. Watching Sebastian interact with his friends, another connecting bridge between their worlds, sent shivers down Nicholas's spine. The gaps between them were closing thick and fast. To anyone else looking at the four of them right now, they would have guessed they had known each other forever. The four of them sat down, and the conversation flowed easily. They shared stories and laughed over observations about life aboard the Titanic, the conversation marked by a camaraderie that blurred the lines of their usual interactions. They discussed everything from the quirks of shipboard life to their plans once they reached New York, each story punctuated by bursts of laughter and reflective pauses.
The music shifted to a slower, more melodic tune as they chatted. Addie, ever the instigator of dance, stood and pulled Connor up. "Come on, let's not waste a good song," she said with a playful tug. Her laughter was infectious, and Connor, though slightly unsteady on his feet, allowed himself to be led to the dance floor. He was never a man who would refuse any challenge. She winked at Nicholas as she dragged Conner into a dance. The man was slightly drunk, but watching him try to dance was ever so amusing. Left alone at the table, Sebastian turned to Nicholas, extending his hand somewhat across the table. "Would you like to dance?" he asked, his voice low and inviting. Left alone at the table, Sebastian turned to Nicholas, extending his hand slightly across the table. "Would you like to dance?" he asked, his voice low and inviting. He was momentarily shocked that Sebastian was taking the lead now, for Nicholas had to ask for the dance at the Gala. How times had changed ever so fast?
Nicholas nodded, and both men stood, moving towards a less crowded corner of the dance floor. As they positioned themselves for a slow dance, Nicholas felt Sebastian's hands settle cautiously on his waist while his arms draped loosely around Sebastian's shoulders. "This feels like a dream," Nicholas whispered, barely audible over the music. "It does, doesn't it?" Sebastian responded, his eyes reflecting joy and a profound depth. "Being here with you, like this... it's something I didn't think we could have." Their dance was a gentle sway, the movement's simplicity allowing them to be present with each other, savouring the closeness and the rare freedom it offered. They whispered, sharing thoughts and smiles, the rest of the party fading into a soft blur around them. The Steward and the lawyer, nobody could have expected it, but here it was before them.
The party wore on into the late hours of the night. The music never entirely stopped as the party slowly dwindled, people slowly drifting away to continue the party elsewhere or to head to sleep in their cabins. Now visibly tipsy, Connor was lying on a bench laughing heartily at something Addie was animatedly describing, her cheeks flushed with merriment. Sebastian sat nearby, watching the room with Nicholas resting his head on his shoulders. Sebastian glanced at Nicholas, a silent conversation passing between them. "Perhaps we should call it a night?" he suggested, his gaze shifting towards Connor and Addie, who were now debating whether to have one last dance. The pair were just friends, but the flirting was highly amusing. Nicholas truthfully did not want this party ever to end, but he knew it had to at some point. He sighed.
"I suppose we should", Nicholas said in sad agreement. As they said their goodbyes, Addie, ever the caretaker, looped Connor's arm over her shoulder, steering him towards his cabin with a laugh. Conner was drunkenly fumbling with his belt; somehow, during the party, it had come loose, and now his pants threatened to fall to the floor Addie trying to move him away from the room was like a mouse fighting a bear; it was a funny sight Nicholas was sure that Conner would feel the effects of tonight when he woke tomorrow Nicholas and Sebastian walked together in comfortable silence towards Nicholas's cabin, each step echoing softly in the now quiet corridor The intimacy of the shared night lingered around them, a delicate yet undeniable bond that had strengthened in the dim lights and music of the third-class party As they reached the door to Nicholas's cabin, both knew that tonight had changed something fundamental in their relationship, a shift both were eager yet cautious to explore.
The late-night hush of the ship enveloped them. The Hum of the Titanic's engines was a reminder of Titanic sailing ever onwards across the mighty ocean; New York was now four days away, And with the weather they had, maybe they would reach port sooner than expected Titanic seemed to be pushing herself faster Nicholas leaned against the wall, his posture relaxed yet reflective, as he absorbed the events of the evening "Thank you for tonight," Nicholas said, his voice low and sincere, breaking the comfortable silence between them "It meant a lot to me, having you there." Sebastian, standing close, gazed into Nicholas's eyes, a soft smile playing on his lips. The warmth and closeness of the evening had drawn them even closer, melting away the last vestiges of formality that had lingered from their earlier interactions. Without a word, Sebastian leaned forward and kissed Nicholas, a gentle yet decisive gesture that conveyed more than words could.
The kiss caught Nicholas off guard, his eyes widening in surprise and deep emotion. For a brief moment, he was frozen, caught up in the unexpected intensity of the moment, But as the initial shock faded, a profound affection and desire took over. He reached out, his hand finding Sebastian's, his grip firm and inviting. With a look that mixed surprise with earnest affection, Nicholas pulled gently on Sebastian's hand, leading him into the cabin. The door closed softly behind them, sealing off the outside wo. d The world outside, with its rules and roles, faded away, leaving only the truth of their connection in its w. e Ahead, titanic ploughed into the never-ending darkness. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?
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