My Darling Lies Over the Ocean (YouTubers AU)

10. Never let fear decide your fate.

The cruise liner seems to buckle again at Tyler's shouts. The last of the lifeboats are being cast faster as what's left of the crew scatter to grab the last of the passengers. The small redhead is fast footed and clearly confused as Tyler screams. He turns frantically between the remaining lifeboats, searching for one to board.

Evan moves fast, his small size an advantage in this type of chaos, aiming for one of the last lifeboats. This one only has a handful of terrified people, and he sees a pathway fairly clear. Suddenly, a young woman slams hard into his side and he topples over, the wind gone from his lungs as he hits the ground hard. Hazel eyes streaming with tears, he gets up shakily before realizing that the last of the lifeboats are being lowered. A terrified scream rips from his throat, desperate for one of the boats to return to the deck.

Tyler's blue eyes, wide and frightened, scan the railing of the boat again. He hears voices behind him, some calmer than others, but he pushes all of his concentration into looking for the bright red hair of Evan. He was just there. Where could he have gone? The last lifeboats are almost falling into the inky water, the panicking voices cut through the air.

Cry is calling for order as loudly as he can, leaving Ken to take care of calming down Tyler. The slender brunette can only vaguely understands the screaming man's plight. The terror in his eyes tell Cry that it is best for someone with a bigger build to take care of him. Cry gives a knowing look to Ken, who stands up and grabs at Tyler's arm. Ken tries his best to understand what happened to Tyler's husband, but he has no idea who the man is, let alone the predicament he finds himself. Tyler is in no condition to do anything but scream Evan's name and push towards the edge of the boat closest to the sinking ship.

"Buddy, hey, you need to stay in the boat," Ken says, his voice stern and calm as he places a large hand against Tyler's broad chest. "Just let me know what is going on, and I'll try my best to help you, ok?"

Under any other circumstances, Tyler would've listened to Ken. Yet, right now with the sirens blaring and the ship slowly sinking in brilliant flames, he hates the man with every fiber of his soul. He is already starting to take off his life jacket, deciding the best spot to jump into the chilly water. He will punch this man keeping him in the boat if he had to do that. Evan is the only one who he needs to be with now.

A large bang echoes from the ship, and there is suddenly more fire. The scream are getting louder and more desperate as people in lifeboats scramble away from the sinking ship. Tyler pulls his eyes away from Ken's grizzled face to see Evan, in just able the same place he was before Ken spoke to him. Evan is frantic at this point, his small frame trying to find a way to just get off the ship. The large boom of something exploding in the kitchen area sends him into a full panic attack.

Tyler screams out his name, but at this point with the noise and the commotion, he is very sure that Evan can not hear him at all. Ken turns around to see who Tyler is looking at. He spots Evan as well, his red hair vivid even with the added glow of the raging fire.

Ken's dark eyes connect with his husband's blue eyes, who is looking startled back him. Ken raises his dark eyebrows in mild confusion.

"I know that man," Cry mouths back.

Tyler recognizes the way Evan is pacing, his head turning back and forth wildly. He knows that Evan will try to do something crazy, just to get away from the noise. Then Tyler screams, his voice so loud that it burns his throat and lungs.

"Tyler," Cry says loudly, and Tyler turns instantly at hearing his name. "Just please give us time. We'll get your husband to you. For now just please sit down."

The noise is too much, and Evan is alone. He needs to get off the ship. Even the cold water is better than being trapped here on the cruise liner to die. He takes a deep breath and runs towards the railing.