Prinxiety Short Stories.

You Jump, I Jump

AU: Titanic AU
Ship(s): Prinxiety
Type: Angst/Fluff
T/W: Suicide attempt, smoking
Notes: I have no clue how I came up with this honestly but now I'm obsessed with it. Also I have no clue about historical accuracy money-wise please don't come for me. I might do a part 2 bcuz I love this so fuckin much.

~~~~~

      Virgil shivered as the bitter wind nipped at his face and hair. He couldn't take this anymore. His engagement to a woman he didn't love, his father, all the expectations, all the rules. For once he was controlling his own life. He was ending it. He ran to the edge of the third class deck.
      Virgil had been staring at the black water churning under the ship for about half an hour now. He gripped the rail so tightly that his knuckles turned white and swung his body the other side. If he let go of the railing now, he would be sent into the waves, never to be seen again.
      "Hey," A calm voice interrupted Virgil's thoughts and he whipped his head around. There stood a young man, he couldn't have been much older than Virgil. He had warm green eyes, tan skin that glowed in the moonlight, and messy auburn waves. He was very clearly not of high class, not that Virgil was surprised.
      "D-Don't take another step!" Virgil stuttered. "You get any closer and I'll... I'll let go!" The man simply laughed putting his hands in his pockets.
      "No, you won't," The man said matter-of-factly. He pulled out a cigarette and lit it, taking a long, slow drag.
      "Who are you to tell me what I will or won't do! You don't even know who I am!" Virgil yelled, gripping the rail of the ship tighter.
      "I know you won't let go, because if you really wanted to die, you would've done it already." Virgil stared in disbelief as the man took another drag.
      "I'm Roman Prince."
      "Virgil Underwood." Roman's eyes widened slightly.
      "Railroad tycoon's kid." Roman chuckled as he shook his head.
      "I know. 'Poor little rich boy. What's he know about pain?'," Virgil laughed but there was no humor in it. Tears stung his face in the cold night air.
    "Actually," Roman a small step closer. "I was thinking, 'damn. What's happened to this poor guy to think he's gotta jump into that cold, cold water?'" Virgil paused and looked down at the dark water beneath him.
     "I remember me and my pops used to go ice fishing. You know what ice fishing is?" Roman waited for a response but Virgil stayed quiet. "It's when you-"
      "I know what ice fishing is!" Virgil snapped.
      "Well, one day we were out and the ice was thin. I stepped wrong and I fell right in. Let me tell you, Virge, that feeling, it's beyond painful. It stings your lungs and eyes, it feels like a billion tiny needles are just stabbing you over and over... besides... that's about a two story drop. You'd break at least a few bones on impact." Virgil considered this.
      "Anything is better than living like this." Roman sighed sadly, throwing his cigarette over the deck.
      "Well, you've made your choice. Guess that means I'm gonna have to jump in after you." He took off his jacket, tossing it to the side.
      "What?!" Virgil exclaimed, staring back at Roman, who had started unlacing his boots.
      "Yeah. You jump, I jump." Roman removed his hat, tossing it to the side with his other discarded clothing items.
     "You're willing to risk your life for someone you just barely met?"
      "Seems like human decency to me." Roman shrugged, crossing his arms and taking a step closer. "But," he held a hand out to Virgil. "You could always come back on deck and spare me the trouble," Virgil examined Roman's hand for a moment before carefully and reaching out and grabbing it. It was work-worn and rough but still managed to feel comfortable and safe.
      Roman smile was bright and relieved. He had not wanted to watch this young guy, only a little younger than himself die, nor had he wanted to jump in after him. He started to pull Virgil back over the rail when Virgil's dress shoe slipped and he nearly fell out of Roman's grasp. Roman held onto his forearm with both hands, feeling a wave of panic wash over him.
      "You're okay, you're okay! I've got you, I won't let you fall!" Roman tried to assure Virgil as he screwed his eyes shut and his breathing quickened. Roman pulled Virgil back onto the deck and back to safety falling back with a thud, his arms wrapped tightly around Virgil.
      "You're okay... you're okay... you're safe now, Virgil, I've got you." Roman assured him softly, rubbing gentle circles on his back. Virgil was shaking like a leaf, partly from adrenaline and partly from the freezing air. The two men laid like that for some time, just holding each other. That is, until a shrill voice called out.
     "Virgil!" Roman quickly released the other man, turning to see a small woman, her dark ringlet curls tied up neatly, her hazel eyes shining with tears, and dressed like she just stepped out of a palace. Roman contorted his face in disgust as she ran to embrace and kiss Virgil. She was followed by an intimidating looking man. He had one brown eye, one green, and a large birthmark covering the majority of the left side of his face. Virgil's father.
      "Marissa! Father, what are you doing here?" Virgil asked, going paler.
      "You skipped dessert and I missed you! What on earth are you doing down here?" Marissa asked, the disgust evident in her voice as she examined the third class deck. Roman felt heat rise in his cheeks, suddenly hyper-aware of the stains and holes in his clothes compared to the pristine white of Virgil's shirt and Marissa's gown.
      "I just... I came to get some air." Virgil lied, assuring his fiancée.
      "And who's this?" Marissa turned to Roman, an obviously fake smile on her face that made Roman want to vomit.
     "This is Roman Prince." Virgil smiled, a real genuine smile, a stark contrast to Marissa's. "He, uh... he saved me."
      "What?!" Marissa exclaimed, placing a hand to his chest. Virgil's eyes widened and he looked to Roman in a panic.
     "He was looking out over the water and he leaned too far over as I was walking by. I heard him yelling and pulled him back over." Roman lied, thinking quick on his feet. Marissa whined, clearly distressed.
     "Oh my poor Virgil! You must've been so scared." Roman hated this woman and he'd known her for five minutes.
      "Well, thank you for saving my son, Mr. Prince." Mr. Underwood's voice was just as fake and sickening as Marissa's. He pulled a pouch of coins out of his "Twenty pounds for reward." Roman took the pouch gratefully but Virgil interjected, looking angry.
      "Twenty pounds? For your son's life?" Mr. Underwood scowled at his son.
      "Twenty pounds and you may join us for dinner tomorrow night." He corrected. "Now Virgil, come along." Virgil smiled at Roman who saluted, pocketing the coins. He watched Virgil leave with Marissa on his arm and his heart sunk a little.