Titanic Bound by Destiny

Chapter 16: The Discovery

April 14th, 1912. (7:00 AM)

Nicholas's sleep was alive with a vivid dream. He and Sebastian were walking hand in hand along the expansive decks of the Titanic, utterly alone under a star-strewn sky. The ship seemed to sail on endlessly into a twilight that fused the colours of sunset with the first hints of night, creating a surreal, otherworldly glow that bathed everything in a soft, ethereal light. This strange dream world had no rules, barriers, or fear of discovery. They spoke openly and laughed freely, their conversation flowing as smoothly as the calm seas that stretched infinitely around them. The ship was no longer just a vessel crossing the Atlantic; it was a floating sanctuary where the constraints of their natural lives could not reach them. They danced, talked and loved openly. The dream versions of Sebastian and Nicholas were even more open and affectionate than they dared to be in reality. It was a world Nicholas wished he could live in forever. But as all dreams do, this one, too, began to fade. The music slowed, the stars dimmed, and a sense of melancholy crept in as Nicholas slowly but indeed began to slip out of the dream world and back into reality, where the vividness of the emotions and the clarity of the setting started to blur, dissolving into the soft light of dawn that now seeped into his real cabin.

Nicholas shifted in the bed as he slowly adjusted to the golden glow of the morning sun that blanketed the cabin in warmth. The Hum of the engines and the gentle swaying of the ship assured him he was back in reality, not in the dream world. Nevertheless, the dream was memorising. He spent the night dancing with Sebastian and then enjoyed his company afterwards. But as he turned and saw the peaceful, sleeping figure beside him, reality snapped into sharp focus. It was not a dream. With his tousled hair and the slow, even breaths of deep sleep, Sebastian was very much real and here. Nicholas braced himself carefully so as not to fall out of the bed in shock. Truthfully, last night was a blur, and he was not sure what had gone on between them, but considering he was laid next to him, now he could make some educated guesses on what had happened. He wondered for a moment where his cabin mate was; he wasn't here and had not returned in the night. It was odd but reassuring.

The sight of Sebastian, so close and vulnerable in sleep, struck Nicholas with exhilaration and anxiety. For a fleeting moment, he felt an urge to escape back into the safety of dreams, where consequences were few and actions reversible. But as he watched Sebastian, the gentle rise and fall of his chest, a profound sense of connection anchored him to the moment. They had crossed a threshold last night that had felt both inevitable and right, yet the morning light brought the weight of reality and its potential complications. The drink had worn off, and this was no dream. Nicholas's heart raced as he contemplated the implications of their actions. His mind was a whirl of emotions—happiness at the intimacy they had shared, fear of the repercussions for Sebastian, and a deep, nagging worry about whether their relationship could withstand the rigid structures of their society. His breath quickened as he wrestled with these thoughts, the joy of the night tinged with the sobering light of day.

Nicholas, however, needed more time to digest what had happened, time he did not have as Sebastian seemed to be wakening. He stirred, his movements slow and unenergetic as he awoke. His eyes opened, and a soft, sleepy smile spread across his face upon seeing Nicholas. "Hey," he murmured, his voice gravelly from sleep, his hand reaching out to touch Nicholas's arm gently. "You okay?". Well, one thing seemed to be certain. Sebastian showed no regret or worry on his face. His hair was unkempt, but that warm, intoxicating smile still shone brightly, even if he still seemed groggy. Nicholas initially responded with a nod, but the truth was more complex and must have shown in his eyes. "I... yes, I think so," he stammered, his voice a mix of emotions. "It's just... this is all very new to me. I wasn't sure if it was a dream." Sebastian's smile grew more assured. "It's not a dream," he reassured, propping himself up on one elbow to be at eye level with Nicholas. "It was real, Nicholas. And it was wonderful." Nicholas was sure he was about to wake up again as he heard Sebastian speak, but a sudden shock happened. This was, in fact, all very real.

Despite his reassurances, Nicholas couldn't thoroughly shake off his apprehensions. "It was, wasn't it?" he agreed, a tentative smile forming as he recalled the depth of their connection. "I just... I worry about what this means for you, for your job." Understanding the gravity of Nicholas's concerns, Sebastian's expression sobered. "I know the risks," he acknowledged softly. "But remember what you Told Me Yesterday. I don't want to let fear dictate our choices. We'll find a way to make this work. Together." Nicholas looked at him with a deepening smile as he rubbed his hand through Sebastian's hair. The word together had never held more weight. "Together," Nicholas echoed, his voice more robust now, bolstered by the promise in Sebastian's words and the certainty in his eyes. Under the covers, Sebastian grasped Nicholas's hand as he leaned in, bridging the small space between them with a gentle kiss that sealed their promise.

As the gentle sway of the Titanic cradled the early morning quiet, Nicholas and Sebastian lay wrapped in the tranquillity that only the dawn could bring. Their conversation was soft, filled with the tender nuances of a shared vulnerability, the kind that flourishes in the quiet moments before the world wakes. They spoke of inconsequential things—snatches of dreams remembered, the gentle sway of the ship, the distant hum of the engines—a mundane conversation that cloaked the deeper currents of emotion flowing between them. Neither of them wanted this to end. However, the inevitable approach of day and its obligations could not be held at bay forever. Reluctantly, Sebastian swung his legs out from beneath the warm covers. Sebastian methodically buttoned the shirt, his fingers brushing against the fabric with a gentleness born of the tenderness they had shared. Each button was fastened deliberately, securing the shirt from the bottom up. Nicholas watched a sense of melancholy watching over him as he realised their time would soon be over, at least for now.

As Sebastian buttoned his pants, he paused, looking over at Nicholas with a tender, grateful expression. "Thank you for last night," he said sincerely, the warmth in his voice enveloping Nicholas like a comforting blanket. That blanket of comfort, however, was ripped away a few seconds later. Just as Nicholas was about to reply, a sudden rattling at the door handle cut through the moment's serenity. Both men froze, their eyes locked on the door as it shook again, more insistently this time. The reality of their situation, which they had momentarily forgotten, crashed around them as the door swung open. Nicholas watched in horror as he realised they had finally been caught; fear washed over him. Sebastian hastily attempted to finish dressing, but it was too late.

Chester, Nicholas's cabin mate, stood in the doorway, his expression shifting from casual indifference to shocked realisation as he took in the scene before him. Suddenly, the room felt impossibly small, as if every breath and movement were amplified. "Oh—I... I'm sorry," Chester stammered, his eyes darting between Nicholas and Sebastian. Without another word, he turned and quickly exited, closing the door behind him with a soft, damning click. And with that, he was gone, but the feeling of terror lingered in the cabin. The silence that followed was heavy, charged with a mix of fear and mortification. Sebastian, drained of colour, looked at Nicholas with wide, horrified eyes. He moved towards Nicholas, his actions hurried and shaky as he finished dressing. Leaning down, he gently kissed Nicholas's forehead—a gesture filled with apologies and unspoken worries. "I have to go," he murmured, his voice strained. With that, he hurried out of the cabin, leaving Nicholas alone amidst the tangled sheets.

Nicholas was still frozen as the cabin emptied, the hum of the engines puncturing the deathly silence. Nicholas lay back, his heart pounding with the fear of discovery and now with the heavy weight of uncertainty and regret. The joy and closeness of the night seemed a distant memory, overshadowed by the reality of their precarious situation. His mind raced with the possible repercussions as he stared at the ceiling. Could Chester be trusted to keep this to himself? What would happen to Sebastian if word got out? The cabin walls felt like they were closing in, and each creak of the ship reminded him of the instability of his current happiness. The questions that haunted him were relentless. For once, however, he was reinforced by the words from his friends and the encouragement he had been given the previous day, but that did not make this situation any easier.

"Can I do anything right?" Nicholas murmured to the empty room, his voice a blend of frustration and despair. The weight of the challenges before him felt overwhelming, and for a moment, doubt clouded his hope. Yet beneath the fear and uncertainty, a stubborn spark of resolve lingered. Nicholas knew the path he and Sebastian had chosen would not be easy, but the depth of what they shared in the quiet before dawn was not something he was ready to relinquish—not without a fight. The resolve hardened within him; whatever the future held, he would face it head-on for the chance at a happiness that, however fleeting, had illuminated the darkest parts of his world. He lay there looking at the cabin roof, wondering. Whatever happens next, would Sebastian be okay?