Titanic Bound by Destiny

Chapter 14: The Promise

April 13th, 1912. (4:15 AM)

Nicholas checked his watch as he departed from the stern. He still had a few hours before the Irish party, enough time to eat and wash up, so he was ready, for he was uncertain of what to expect. But before all that, he had one thing in mind. He needed to find Sebastian, and so that was the goal he set out to achieve. More than ever, he was ready to clear the air and share his renewed confidence and determination to live more freely, irrespective of the daunting societal boundaries they faced. His heart pounded with anticipation and nervousness as he navigated the ship's bustling corridors. There was still the chance that Sebastian could reject him again, but Nicholas had been bolstered by his conversation with Lady Adelaide; he was ready to assert his feelings and desire for a real chance at something deeper with Sebastian. He had yet to figure out what that future could be in a world that saw them as sick, but right now, his mind was not thinking about the possibilities of what could go wrong. It could only think about setting things right after the morning's events.

As he navigated the intricate passageways of the ship, his mind raced with what he would say to Sebastian, how he would express his feelings without the burden of fear that had cloaked their previous encounters. One thing was sure: finding Sebastian was going to be difficult. The ship was a small city, with the stewards being its busiest inhabitants. He had checked the second-class library, once again bathed in the orange glow of the late afternoon, but had not found Sebastian there. He had exchanged a brief hello with Mr Hartley, but time was of the essence, so he could not stop. He checked over locations but soon found that no matter where he seemed to look. He could not find Sebastian; it seemed fate had decided to hand him some lousy luck for once on this voyage. After trying to find him and failing, Nicholas returned to his cabin dejected but still looking forward to the party later that night.

Nicholas returned to his cabin, slowly winding through the corridors and avoiding walking it to anyone else again. Hope struck him like lightning in a storm as he turned one corridor. It was not Sebastian; that would have been too easy, and Nicholas knew that, but it was someone who surely could help him find where Sebastian was. That man was Gawain Arthur Keith. He had never met the man before but overheard others talk and speak to Sebastian. Nicholas knew Gawain was a first-class bedroom steward. That would explain why he had never seen him before. He was also Sebastian's close friend, and if anyone knew where he had vanished, Gwain would. The look on his face must have betrayed him, for the steward stopped in front of Nicholas with a look of worry on his face. Like most other stewards he had come across, Gwain's outfit was pristine even at this late hour. "Excuse me, Mr Goodwin, right?" Gawain said, steadying Nicholas with a friendly hand on his shoulder. His tone was warm, and his smile was accessible and approachable. "Is there something you need? Can I help you?".

In a time before the Titanic, Nicholas would have wondered why someone was so keen to help, but the ship had changed that forever. Besides, it was their job to help, and it was a job they never seemed to fail at. He briefly wondered what training someone would undergo to become a steward before he snapped back to reality and Gawain's question. Nicholas smiled back. "Just looking for someone. But how are you, Gawain? Busy Day?" Gawain nodded, brushing a hand through his hair, which had become slightly dishevelled in the hustle of his duties. "Always busy, but good busy. The guests seem happy, and that's what counts, right?" "Yes, absolutely," Nicholas agreed, appreciating the brief respite from his swirling thoughts. They exchanged a few more pleasantries, discussing the ship's journey and the clear weather they had been enjoying. As Gawain made to continue, Nicholas felt a surge of urgency.

"Gawain, wait," he called out, stopping the steward in his tracks. Nicholas's mission resurfaced in his mind. "I was looking for Sebastian. Have you seen him around?". Gawain stopped and then turned to look at Nicholas again. A smile appeared on his face, and he seemed to understand somehow. "I see. Well, you might find him in the Maids' and Valets' Saloon Pantry. He's likely wrapping up his work," Gawain informed him, pointing to Sebastian's probable location. At least twice, Nicholas realised he had already passed the place Gwain was pointing to. "Thank you, Gawain," Nicholas said, his relief palpable. Before Gawain could move to continue on his way, Nicholas felt compelled to add, "And, um, thank you for being a good friend to him. I think he might need that." Gawain paused, his smile warming. "We all need good friends, don't we?" he replied, acknowledging the unspoken context of their conversation. With a respectful nod, he continued down the corridor, leaving Nicholas to proceed independently. Now he knew where Sebastian was; it was time to take that leap.