Chapter Text
The air was crisp, the chill of winter given way to the spring wind. Crowds were lined up to see the marvel docked at the port. However, it could be seen for miles.
In the crowd, staring up in awe at the ship was a man, young and in his prime. “Look at the size of it, Logan, can you believe it?”
His partner, Logan, nodded in agreement. “It truly is a sight to behold. I suppose it is called the Titanic for a reason.” His tone held a hint of teasing, to which the man ignored.
“Roman, get over here. We’re about to board,” a woman, his mother, snapped at him, breaking him from his reverie.
“Too bad Mother will be hounding me the whole trip,” Roman muttered to Logan as he followed his parents with a sigh.
Logan smirked at his friend. “Most likely. I honestly won’t be surprised when she inevitably finds the first marriageable woman on the ship and brings you to her.”
“You are lucky, my friend, no one to breathe down the back of your neck about women and marriage .”
For two years, ever since he turned eighteen, Roman’s family had been trying to get him to settle down. But none of the suitors ever interested him, at least not in the way they were intended to. Women simply didn’t interest him. If his family learned that he’d been more content to watch the baker’s son work, they may not take too kindly to it. Even Logan seemed to be a better suitor than any of the girls his mother brought in, and they joked about running away together.
Roman was impatient as they stood in line to give their tickets, wanting to see the ship and all of the boasted luxuries. Logan nudged him with his elbow as Roman’s foot tapped, leading Roman to sigh dramatically.
“I wanna see the ship already,” Roman complained.
Logan rolled his eyes, “Patience is a virtue.”
Roman shrugged before grinning at Logan. “I don’t need virtue.”
Logan simply rolled his eyes and adjusted his glasses, ignoring Roman’s continued prods to entertain him.
After what seemed like an hour to Roman, they were finally at the steps. A crew member took their tickets and looked over them, signaling for a valet.
“Which bags for which room, ma’am?” the valet asked as he began taking their cases and trunks.
“These two are for me and my husband, the other two for our son and his attendant.”
Roman and Logan handed their bags to another valet who had come over to help, and the crew member welcomed them aboard. Roman ducked ahead of his parents and began running up the stairs, excitement getting the best of him. He heard his mother telling him off and Logan chasing behind him as he stepped aboard the deck. He slowed to a walk, taking it all in as Logan panted beside him.
“Can you at least warn me when you are about to run off?” Logan asked, huffing.
“That would take the fun out of it,” Roman said with a wink as he stared up at the giant smokestacks.
His gaze fell downward, to a man standing not far off, possibly a couple years younger than himself. Logan’s words sounded like gibberish as Roman stared at this beautiful man, taking in his delicate features and pale complexion. The man turned from his friend, meeting Roman’s gaze. Time seemed to stop for a moment as their eyes met, as the man’s cheeks tinged red as he quickly looked away. Then as suddenly as it had started, the moment was over, and Roman’s mother had grabbed him by the arm to drag him over to a young woman. He turned back to find that the man was gone.
Perhaps he’d see him again.
Roman sighed as he watched his champagne swirl in his glass. Logan stood beside him, observing the party around him.
Usually, Roman loved parties, but watching his mother attempt to barter him off to a group of bachelorettes had put a damper on his mood.
“Are you alright?” Logan asked, an unusual sincerity in his voice.
Roman shot a glance at him, turning his gaze back to his mother.
“If she had her way, I’d be married before the ship docked again,” he muttered darkly.
Logan sighed, “You know she simply worries for you.”
“Yes,” Roman begrudgingly admitted. “But I’m still young, still wanting to explore the world! I don’t want to be tied down to a woman I barely know in some fancy house and forever having my parents watching my every move.”
Logan hummed in agreement, unsure of what to say.
As Roman watched his mother invite yet another girl to the conversation, he turned.
“I’m going to get some fresh air,” he said.
“Do you want me to come?” Logan asked.
Roman simply shrugged in response as he walked to the door. Logan followed behind.
The air had a sharp chill, but Roman felt it more pleasant than the stuffy air from the lounge. Unfortunate, as it was a beautiful place. Roman was simply overwhelmed. He simply began walking, Logan following him silently like a shadow.
He found himself at the bow of the ship, but they weren’t alone. Two figures stood at the railing, and before he could turn around, one had turned to face him. It was the man he’d seen earlier. All words left him momentarily as their gazes met and he saw recognition flicker in the other man’s eyes.
“Oh, my apologies, I- I did not mean to intrude,” Roman stammered.
“You have a shadow,” the other man said simply, glancing at Logan, who had come stand just behind Roman.
“Ah, yes, this is my friend Logan. He brings no harm, nor do I,” Roman said.
The other man let out a breath of laughter.
“I wasn’t expecting you to.”
A silence fell over all four of them.
“My name is Roman,” Roman said, stepping forward slightly.
“Virgil. And this is my friend Patton,” the man said.
Patton waved. Another pause, and then Patton walked over, past Roman and to Logan.
“It’s chilly, isn’t it? Would you like to join me inside?”
Logan blinked in surprise, but made a noise of agreement. Patton hooked his arm in his and walked him away. Roman couldn’t help but laugh at Logan’s face as they disappeared. He turned back to Virgil, suddenly realizing that they were quite alone now. Even in the moonlight, Roman could see the flush in Virgil’s cheeks.
“Patton is bold, I’ll give him that,” Roman said with a smile as he stood beside Virgil.
Virgil chuckled, shaking his head, “Bolder than me, that’s for sure.”
Roman smiles at that, staring out into the wide expanse of the ocean for a moment. He realized that Virgil had a soft Irish accent, less prominent than Patton’s had been.
“I hope you don’t mind my company,” Roman said. “I had to get away from that damned party and clear my head.”
Virgil snorted, leaning over the railing. “What kind of problems could a guy in first class be having to need to clear his head?”
Roman could sense his sarcasm, but answered seriously. “My mother is trying to marry me off to every woman on the ship.”
Virgil cocked his head, nodding. “Okay, fair, I guess that is stressful. Why not just pick one though? I’m sure a good-looking young guy like you could have your pick of the lot.”
“Yes, but I’m not very interested in women.”
Virgil froze, and Roman momentarily panicked, wondering if he’d thought wrong about this boy.
“Oh…” Virgil said softly. “Yeah, I get that…”
Maybe he hadn’t.
There was another pause before Virgil spoke again.
“Why talk to me though? I’m sure there’s plenty of other… suitable people you could approach.”
Roman shrugged, meeting Virgil’s glance. “I think you are very handsome, and I am intrigued by you.”
Virgil flushed and bit his bottom lip, looking away from Roman.
Roman leaned on the railing, closer to Virgil’s face. “I hope you don’t mind that I am also bold.”
“N- Not at all,” Virgil stuttered, his whole face red.
“So, Virgil… what is your story? How’d you end up on this ship?” Roman asked softly.
Virgil glanced at Roman before turning back to the railing, looking out at the ocean.
“Well… I’ve been living with Patton for a few years. He’s a few years older than me and had a place of his own when my mom died, and I was on my own. He helped me on my feet. I got a job as a tailor’s apprentice and he worked in a bakery. It was a decent living, although certainly not glamorous by any means. Our skills combined meant that we were always warm and fed. But Patton had always wanted more. And so when he won two tickets to a ship heading to America, we decided we could start a new life in New York.”
Roman stared in wonder at Virgil. Virgil met his gaze with nervousness.
“It’s an admirable dream…” Roman sighed, looking out at the ocean. “I wish I could start a new life as well.”
“What’s stopping you?” Virgil asked, keeping Roman’s gaze when he turned back to him.
“I… I suppose you are right.” Roman paused, thinking for a moment before smirking at Virgil. “Are you suggesting I run away with you?”
Virgil jumped, spluttering. Roman laughed softly.
“Because I would.”
“You are barking mad,” Virgil said, fighting to keep a smile off of his face.
“Maybe so,” Roman grinned, leaning into Virgil once again. “But is that so bad?”
“I’m not sure…” Virgil said, a soft smile on his face as he leaned in as well. “Maybe I should find out.”
Roman could see the faint freckles dusting Virgil’s cheeks in the moonlight, like stars just beginning to come out. He softly cupped Virgil’s face in his hand, tracing his fingers along his jawline. Virgil’s eyes shut, a shiver running through him that had nothing to do with the cold air.
Suddenly, everything clicked into place. Roman knew what he wanted from this life. As he pressed his lips softly against Virgil’s, everything seemed right. As the kiss deepened, Virgil clutched onto Roman’s jacket like his life depended on it. Roman’s hands found his way from Virgil’s neck to his waist, pressing him closer.
They pulled away, and Roman fluttered his eyes open to take in Virgil’s face. Virgil softly looked up at him, his lips parted slightly and his face beautifully flushed, framed perfectly by the moonlight.
“We’ll both be in a lot of trouble if we are caught, you know,” Virgil said softly.
Roman smiles softly at him. “Then we don’t get caught.”
Approaching footsteps made them jump apart quickly, before realizing it was just Logan and Patton.
“I hope you quite enjoyed yourselves,” Logan said sarcastically. “Roman, your mother is looking for you.”
Roman sighed, looking once more at Virgil.
“Will you meet me again? Same place, same time.”
Virgil nodded, smiling bashfully. “Of course.”
Roman laughed out of glee, planting a quick kiss to Virgil’s cheek before he ran off to join the party again, filled with renewed energy.
“Patton, perhaps we could…” Logan started, unsure of what to say.
“We’ll figure something out, just meet me where we were,” Patton said with a smile.
Logan couldn’t help but return it before he turned and followed Roman back to the ballroom.
After the two had retired to their room, Roman laid in bed, staring at the ceiling with restlessness.
“If you are going to say something, just say it,” Logan said, and Roman could practically hear the eye roll accompanying it.
“It’s just…” Roman sighed dreamily, his heart still at the bow of the ship. “It was so wonderful, and he’s so beautiful and everything was so perfect. Logan, I think I’m in love.”
It was a moment before Logan responded. “As happy as I am for you, I can’t help but point out that your family would not approve of him. Not only is he lower class and poor as dirt, but he’s also a man.”
“What does that matter? They can’t stop my heart. I’ll run away with him,” Roman said, half dreaming, half determined.
There was another pause, and Roman heard Logan sit up.
“You are referring to how they are starting a new life in America,” Logan said, more of a statement than a question.
“Yes, why not?” Roman questioned, also sitting up.
“You have no idea how to survive under such conditions, you’d end up killing yourself on accident,” Logan said, deadpan.
Roman laughed, “Then you come with us. After all, it is your job to make sure I don’t kill myself on accident.”
Logan sighed, “If I must…”
Roman thought for a moment. “Anyways, what were you doing with Patton?”
Roman heard a strange choking sound come from Logan’s direction, covered by a nervous cough.
“Well, we talked for a while about our lives and such…” Logan finally said.
Roman hummed in disbelief, “I think you did more than talk .”
“Well…”
Roman laughed in victory. “It’s perfect! Me and Virgil, you and Patton, running away to New York to start anew!”
Logan let out a sigh. “Goodnight, Roman.”
Roman heard him lay back down, and followed suit. “Goodnight, old friend. Tomorrow night we can see our loves again…”