April 1912

Eric checked his pocket watch for the fifth time during this ride. His mother pretty much forced him to go on a cruise on "the unsinkable Titanic and take Heidi with you. You have to get to know each other if you're to be married." Heidi was next to him, making sure her make up was proper and her hair perfect. She asked "Sweetie, how do my curls look? Do you think the stylist did a good job?" He grumbled as he saw the gigantic ship come into view. "It looks great hon." Hedi smiled. "Oh Eric you're so sweet. I can't wait to start our vacation. It's going to be so romantic-" She kept taking but he tuned her out.

Right now his mother is a hair away from declaring bankruptcy and this marriage to Hedi is supposedly going to save his family. She put so much money into this trip and he hated it.

He hated having to go on this stupid ship. He nearly hates Heidi but feels pity for her, knowing she's in the same boat as him, being forced to marry him but she seems to have been groomed for it. He had a choice, until now. He didn't think much about marriage, he didn't think much about girls. They just didn't appeal to him. He wondered if he was gay but he always put it to the back of his mind, too scared to give it a voice.

His driver stopped the car, getting out and opening their doors. He sighed as he got out, looking at this gigantic ship. Even he has to admit it's a feat of engineering and beautiful to look at. As the driver was getting their suitcases out Heidi held his hand, adjusting her hat. "Oh Eric it's wonderful! I can't wait to see our room!" He sighed, feeling nothing but dread. "Yeah, I'm sure it'll be fun." He said rather unenthusiastically. He'd be stuck in the middle of the Atlantic with nothing but the rich snobs his mother "services" along with being forced to get to know a girl he has no interest in marrying let along dating.

Yeah, this was going to be so much fun.

"Kyle can you help your father with the bags?" "Sure thing Mom." His father was bringing a few bags of theirs into their room in lower class on the ship. The room smelled of urine and mold and the beds could barely be described as beds. His mother was taking care of his baby brother Ike. He was only about four but they're only two twin beds and few blankets. He was glad his mom thought to bring some. They made a small nest for Ike and Kyle had to figure out something but he didn't fret. His father smiled to him. "Thanks son." When the bags were all in his father dug in his pocket, handing him some money. "Why don't you explore the ship while your mother and I take care of things here." Kyle frowned. "Are you sure? I can use this and buy us some food." His father smiled.

"I've saved enough for that. Go have some fun." Kyle nodded as he walked out their door, memorizing where it is.

As he walked he got many a sneer and dirty eye from the high class individuals. He hated it but he understood. He was not only lower class but Jewish. He doesn't want to think of the comments his father got, wearing his yamaka. His father thankfully didn't force him to wear one but kept encouraging him. He was still too scared of becoming even more of an outsider.

He explored the ship, ignored people's comments and dirty looks. He felt the movement of the ship, seeing everyone wave goodbye as the ship was leaving its dock.

Kyle felt a lump of anxiety in his stomach.

He was stuck on this ship. No friends, no one to play with or talk to. He was alone.

While he was walking and enjoying the scenery he didn't know he walked into someone, making him fall with a thud. He looked and saw it was a man, about his age, large with brown hair and gorgeous blue eyes with a girl of equal beauty next to him. The young man sneered. "Dirty Jew, should have known better than to get in my way." The girl nudged him. "Ignore him Eric, let's go. I hope we get to see a dolphin in the waters." Kyle just glared at the young man named Eric as he walked.

Goddamn rich people.

He tried to find something fun but most people snubbed him off or wouldn't let him buy from their vendor. He sulked, sitting on a bench, staring at the ocean. It was a beautiful sight. The sun glittered as it became dusk but he felt more depressed than he ever felt. He wondered if that rich kid is having a good time. He hated how cute he actually was, until he opened his mouth, now he wishes he never met him.

He heard laughter not too far from him. He looked, seeing that young man. Eric and his girlfriend and a few other people. All drinking fine whiskey and vodka, laughing a little too loud and Kyle couldn't help but feel so incredibly jealous. Eric must have a great goddamn life while he barely can get by.

Goddamn rich people.

He went back to his room to sulk. His parents barely left it other than dinner or to take Ike sight seeing. It was dark when they came back. He had to wipe the tears from his eyes, not wanting to seem ungrateful for this trip. His father saved so much for it. He stood from the bed. "How was sight seeing?" His mother spoke first, holding Ike. "Wonderful bubblah, I wish you would have come with us." Kyle frowned. "I know, I'm just not feeling very well. I must have eaten something bad." His father replied. "Maybe getting some air will help. It's not too cold tonight." Kyle nodded, thinking there might be less people and he can enjoy this trip without being glared at. "I think I will, that sounds nice."

Kyle made sure to take a light coat with him. He was right, there was a lot less people. Nearly everyone is retired to bed. He made sure to bring his sketchbook, picking a small scene where the one walking area was alongside the ship, the lights glittering off the hardwood floor.

It was peaceful as he sketched, feeling as if the snide comments and dirty looks never happened.

Then he heard what sounded like whimpers, someone crying a small distance away. He looked for the sound, seeing down at the very end of the ship was a young man he couldn't make out. He hated how empathetic he was. He sighed, putting his stuff down and walking over.

As he got closer he saw it was Eric, the young rich man that glared at him while he was down, called him a dirty Jew. The young man that was laughing too hard and drinking too much with the others he saw.

He swallowed his pride and walked a little closer. "Excuse me? You're that guy from earlier, I ran into you." Eric let out a shocked breath, still holding himself to the ship,the water a certain and terrifying death below him. "What the fuck do you want? Here to rob me, greedy Jew? Just like you people, rob a person when they're down." Kyle glared softly, feeling Eric was in genuine pain and ready to jump over the side of the boat.

This Eric might seem like a bad guy but Kyle couldn't have it on his mind if he let him die. "I'm trying to help you you idiot. What could be so wrong in your life that you have to kill yourself? Surely your money can buy some sort of happiness." Eric let out a humorless laugh. "That's where you're so wrong. I never wanted to step foot on this boat let alone with her. I can't stand her." "Can't stand who?" "My betrothed, Hedi." Eric said bitterly.

He continued. "My family's company is a hair away from bankruptcy and apparently me marrying her is the only thing to fix it. Why does it have to be me? Why can't I have a choice? I don't even like her let alone love her enough to marry." Kyle took a breath, walking closer, wanting to be close enough to attempt to catch him if he falls. "Maybe you should tell them that. Maybe let your families company go into bankruptcy, it's not your problem, you should live your life the way you want to." Eric but his lip to keep it from trembling. "And what? End up like you? A street rat?"

Kyle shrugged, now next to him on the safe side of the ship, looking up at him. "It's not so bad. Why don't you come over this side and we can talk more." Eric shook his head but still gripping the rail so tightly. "No way. There's nothing for me on this ship. No one wants me, my own mother never wanted me." Kyle frowned, risking touching the boys hand. "Theres me. Please, come down from there and I promise you won't regret it. You're still so young. You can tell your mother and her company to fuck off and you have so much life ahead to do what you want to do. What do you want to do?"

Eric was quiet before speaking, his face wet from tears. "I don't know. I've never been given that choice." Kyle dared hold his hand out to him. "Then how about we find out, huh?" Eric looked at the hand offered and wasn't sure what to think but took the hand offered.

Kyle held tightly, helping the larger man over But Eric felt panicked when he slipped and managed to fall to the wooden floor.

He was gasping and crying as he curled up. "Oh god! I don't want to die!" "Hey it's ok! Just take deep breaths! Breath with me ok?" Eric managed to listen, calming himself, feeling so weak for his breakdown. He wiped his eyes, looking at the red head. "Why did you help me?" Kyle frowned, still kneeing on the floor with him. "Why wouldn't I?" Eric looked away before standing, fixing himself a bit. "Uhh thank you.." "Kyle. My name is Kyle." Eric nodded. "Thank you Kyle for saving me." Eric got defensive. "But don't think this Changes anything between us." Kyle rolled his eyes but accepted. "Didn't think it would." Eric nodded as he walked away, leaving Kyle alone feeling oddly disappointed that this doesn't change anything between them.