"I don't know Shawn. Why would you want to go explore the third class floors? It's so beneath us."
"Kevin, once we get to America we won't have anything either. We should get used to it don't you think?"
The older man shrugs and follows his young blonde lover down the stairs into the deeper recesses of the large ship. They bump into Sean and Scott on the way down and the two younger men grin and hug each other in greeting. Scott and Kevin shake hands and smile indulgently at their young lovers.
Shawn leads the way down the dark, dank halls as Kevin and Scott discuss what their plans are once they reach America. Sean holds nervously onto the older man's hand and darts his eyes around. "Are you sure we can be down here?" The young brunette whispers softly.
Shawn laughs lightly. "We're from the first class section. They won't dare ask us to leave."
Sean loosens his grip but doesn't drop the older man's hand.
Shawn squeezes the smaller hand held in his own as they explore the third class hallways. After a few hours of exploration, Shawn leads the way up to the higher decks. "That was actually kind of boring. There was no one around."
Sean smiles. "But that's a good thing right? I mean they probably don't like us much."
"True. But I wanted to see some form of life down there." Shawn shrugs. "Oh well. It's no big deal. Kevin?"
The tall blonde smiles at his younger lover. "Yes dear?"
"Can we go get something to eat? I�m hungry."
Scott smiles as his lover scoots to his side and snuggles against him. "So am I Scotty. Can we order some food and eat it in our room?"
Scott smiles indulgently down at the small brunette. "Anything you want Sean."
Sean beams back up at him and Kevin laughs. "How about it Shawn? Does that sound good to you?"
Shawn frowns. "Sorta. But I was kinda hoping that Sean and Scott would eat with us."
Sean's grin widens. "That sounds like a really good idea. Can we Scotty?"
Scott smiles again at his younger lover. "Of course baby. We can do anything you want to."
Kevin and Scott exchange soft smiles as the two younger men lead the way. They pause as they reach the turn for the cabins. Shawn speaks up. "Our cabin or yours?"
Sean shrugs. "How about yours?"
They nod at one another and lead the way down the hall to Kevin and Shawn's room.
Once there Scott excuses himself to go to the bathroom and heads out of the room to use his own supposedly. Instead he heads directly for Stone Cold's room. Knocking three times the door is answered quickly by Steve's lover. "Yes?"
Scott smiles at the younger man. "I need to speak with Stone Cold."
Kurt nods his head and opens the door revealing the bald man lying on the bed deep in thought. Scott clears his throat causing the other man to look up. "I found out his room number. If I give it to you, you have to promise me you'll leave my Sean alone from now on."
Steve rolls his eyes but nods his head in acquiescence. "Just tell me the room number and I'll forget you ever existed."
Scott frowns but knows this is the only way to let his lover go free. Feeling like the worst kind of traitor, he tells the two men his friends room number and warns them not to attack during the day. Stone Cold nods his head and shoos the other man out the door before grabbing his lover. "See bitch. That's how you get things done."
Scott makes his way back to the three men who are enjoying a small lunch already. He smiles sadly at his lover who frowns. Sean had known about the plan all along and never agreed. Kevin notices the looks and immediately asks what's wrong.
"Nothing Kevin. I'm just�" Scott trails off never having been able to lie properly to his friend.
Kevin glares at him. "You bastard. What did he offer you in return?"
"Freedom. For me and Sean."
"So you sold me out to save your own ass?"
Scott nods his head knowing he can't lie.
Kevin growls at him and all but forces the other couple out the door before turning to his lover who is looking confused and explaining what's going on.
Shawn pales. "No. Sean wouldn't do that to me."
"Baby, I don't think Sean had anything to do with it. It was all Scott's doing."
Shawn frowns and leans on Kevin. "But� He's your friend. Why would he betray you?"
"To save himself and his lover. Shawn, we need to get out of this cabin and get your stuff out of yours. But I don�t' know where we can go to now."
Both men look up in fear as the door to Kevin's room opens up. They sigh in relief when they see it's just Sean. "I am so sorry about what Scott did. But I have an idea." Sean goes on to explain his idea and while it bothers Kevin a little he agrees with the plan to keep his love safe from harm.
Over the course of the next hour the two lovers gather all of their stuff and head for the third class cabins sure that no one will find them there. They manage to find someone willing to talk to them and Kevin explains the lie that they had made up with Sean's help. The two blondes nod their heads. "Of course we will exchange rooms with you sirs. But only if you are sure it is what you want?"
Kevin smiles at them. "What are your names?"
"I'm Adam and this is my� my brother Jason."
Shawn smiles at the two blondes. "It's a pleasure to meet you and we're positive we want to exchange rooms. Thank you so much." He and Kevin follow the two young men back to their cabin where they throw all of their belongings into one suitcase before heading up to Kevin's room.
Shawn looks over at his lover who is frowning. "Kevin? What is it?"
"I have to find Stone Cold before he finds us. I can't keep doing this. If they don't find us on board here then they'll find us once we reach land. I won't go back and I won't let my father hurt you anymore."
The blonde man nods his head and sits next to his love, wrapping an arm around his waist. "As long as I have you nothing and no one can hurt me."
Kevin smiles at his young lover and kisses him softly. "If they allow such a thing in America will you marry me?"
Shawn stares in shock at his long time lover. "Are you serious?"
Kevin nods waiting for an answer. Shawn grins and starts nodding his head. "I'd be honoured to marry you. I love you so much Kevin."
"And I love you Shawn."
The younger man tries to cover his yawn but Kevin sees it anyway. He gets to his feet and strips out of his clothing before turning his attentions to his lover. He undresses him carefully as if undressing a flower and lays him on the bed before lying next to him. "Sleep my love. I'll search for Stone Cold in the morning."
Shawn nods his head slowly already falling asleep. Kevin tucks his lover in and sits in the only available chair. He sighs unhappily. "I don't know why Shawn but I know that one of us isn't going to reach America. I can only pray it's me. I won't be able to live without you but I know you will be able to keep going without me."
Day 4
April 13th
Shawn wakes up and frowns when he discovers his lover gone. He climbs out of bed and pulls on a pair of pants before stepping into the hallway. He smiles softly at the small child playing in the hallway. "Have you seen a tall man with long blonde hair recently?"
The child shakes her head and smiles. "The only people I've seen is two mean men roaming the halls."
Shawn smiles at the light Irish accent in the little girls voice. "Can you describe them for me?"
"Aye. One was about your height stocky like my da and he had brown hair. He wasn't as mean as the other one. I think the bald one called him Kurt. The bald one was about the same height but he wasn't as muscular looking but he was muscular and he had mean eyes."
Shawn forces a smile to his lips. "Thank you sweetie. What's your name?"
"I'm not supposed to give me name to strangers."
Shawn smiles for real this time. "My name is Shawn and your parents are very intelligent. Giving your name to strangers is a bad thing. But now that you know my name I'm not really a stranger am I?"
The little girl smiles. "Me name is Lara. I'm seven. How old are you Shawn?"
"I'm an old man in comparison to you Lara. I'm twenty eight."
Lara smiles. "That's not old. My da is older than you."
"I should go back to my room. If you see the tall man I describe earlier and he doesn't come into my room will you come tell me?"
Lara nods and waves as Shawn heads back into his room. He slides back under the covers and sighs before falling into a troubled sleep.
Later that day
Kevin smiles at his younger lover and leans over kissing him softly. "Hey baby. Wake up."
Shawn wakes up slowly yawning. "Where have you been Kevin?"
"Hunting for Stone Cold. I found him."
Shawn frowns at the gleeful tone in his lover's voice. "What did you do?"
"He won't be bothering us anymore. And I made sure to put the fear of god in that little bitch he called his lover."
"What did you do Kevin?"
Kevin smiles at his lover and pins the young man to the bed. "So sexy baby. I want you."
Shawn struggles against the older man. "Stop it Kevin. I mean it stop right now."
Kevin pulls back frowning. "What? What did I do wrong?"
"Did you kill him?"
Kevin shakes his head. "I didn�t kill him. I maimed him a little. Well, more than a little but the bastard deserved it."
Shawn climbs off the bed and puts as much room between himself and his lover. "I can't believe you. Why didn't you just try to bribe him?"
"What's the fun in that?"
Shawn shakes his head and gets dressed before gathering his belongings up. "I'm going back to my own room. If you decide to start acting like a human being again then you know where to find me."
Kevin watches in disbelief as the younger blonde walks away from him.
Day 5
April 14th
Sometime that night
Shawn sighs as he snuggles under the covers of his bed. 'I miss Kevin. I know what he did was wrong but he only did it to protect me. Shouldn't I forgive him? I can't remember the last time I slept alone.' The blonde sits straight up as he feels the ship shudder beneath him. Grabbing his clothes and pulling them on he rushes to the hallway only to be told to go back to bed.
Shawn grabs the first person that comes close to him. "Young man. What happened?"
The obviously young blonde shrugs. "I don't know sir. All I know is that I was told to keep everyone in their rooms."
Shawn rolls his eyes and heads down the hallway intent on heading for the third class compartments. He's stopped along the way by another steward. "Sir, please go back to first class. There's been an accident and we need you to get your life jacket on."
Shawn frowns even more intent on seeing Kevin now. The steward steps back as a tall man steps behind the blonde. Shawn turns around and frowns at Scott. "He's down in third class. We need to go get him."
Scott sighs knowing he has to help his friend. "I'll go. You go be with Sean. He's frightened out of his mind."
Shawn nods his head and ducks back down the hall to Sean and Scott's room. his young friend jumps into his arms and starts crying muttering something about an iceberg and he and Scott saw the ship hit it. Shawn's eyes open slightly wider. "Oh my god. Kevin. I have to go get him."
Sean stares at Shawn in complete fear. "Where's Scott?"
"He went after Kevin."
Sean starts crying harder and grabs the lifejacket Scott had thrown on the bed earlier. "Here put this on. I'm faster than you and I can find them quicker."
Just then a knock sounds at the door. Both men jump to their feet eager to see their respective lovers and they frown in disappointment when it's a steward. "Sirs we are asking that all first class head to the decks."
The two Sean's stare at one another in horror before the younger man runs out the door set on finding his lover. Shawn heads after him and grabs him by the shoulder. "No Sean. We mustn't. We have to wait here. That way they can find us."
Sean nods his head rapidly and the two sit down to wait for their lovers.
Day 6
April 15th
"OH god they aren't coming are they?"
Shawn frowns at the younger man. "Sean knock it off. We have to go to third class and see what's going on. I know there aren�t enough lifeboats to hold everyone. We must help them."
Sean nods his head and they start for third class.
About halfway there they are quickly ushered back up the stairs to the deck. "Sirs we must ask that anyone who is in first class proceeds to the deck. Please sirs we insist."
Shawn growls low in his throat but finds himself unable to fight back against the extremely large man in front of him. They head towards the deck unwillingly. Once there they are shocked to find the utter chaos. Having been below deck they hadn't really noticed the tilting of the ship. They are ushered to one side where the crew members are putting men women and children onto lifeboats while being assured it's just temporary and that everyone will be back in their beds come sunrise. Both Shawn's are grabbed. "Sir you and your son may board this boat here. I'm assuming your wife is on one of the other lifeboats. You'll be reunited with her shortly."
Both men protest rather loudly only to be shoved onto the boat. When it's about half full the boat begins to lower prompting both men to shout out that it isn't full and there are many others who should be on board. They are ignored as the boat hits water and the crew member on board makes every effort to row away.
April 15th 2:20am
The Titanic has sunk and there are several lifeboats floating around. Sean and Shawn are desperately encouraging their rower to head back and save as many lives as possible. No one is listening to them though. They can see the other boats in the distance but no one approaches anyone else, perhaps fearing that they will see the true horror of the events on those around them. Sean huddles against his older friend and cries silently. Shawn watches the place where the boat had been sadly, knowing without knowing how he knows that his lover is dead.
Epilogue
So my dear sweet lover lies dead on the bottom of the ocean while I and several others made it to safety. So many people could have been saved who weren't. I've heard horror stories about third class passengers being locked downstairs and I wonder if they are true. I guess it doesn't matter. Once we got on the ship that came to rescue us, I looked for Kevin desperately as Sean did for Scott. There was no trace of them. Sean didn't make it. He couldn't handle the stress and as soon as we reached America he killed himself. I don't know why we survived but I can guarantee one thing. My love's death will not be in vain. He died protecting me wanting me to have a future free of hatred but I've noticed that the same sort of hatred prevails here in this land of so called freedom. It may take a while but on Kevin's name I swear I will make people see gay men and women as equals.
THE END