Part Four: Trouble

Jack

Jack Twist was a centimeter from Ennis's lips when the tarp above them was thrown back. He blinked rapidly to adjust his eyes to the sudden intake of sunlight and came face to face with the Master-At-Arms.

"Here is your fiance, Miss Beers," the man said.

"Arrested this delinquent," Alma said about Jack. Ennis was helped out out of the boat. He gave Jack an apologetic look that Jack returned.

"That won't be necessary, Miss Beers. I think banning him from first-class facilities will suffice," said the Master-at-Arms. He gave Jack a shove to get moving. Jack looked over his shoulder at Ennis.

"Wait," said Ennis. "This is just as much my fault as it is Jack's. It was my idea to hide from you, Alma. Jack just chose the location," Ennis said.

"Why would you hide from me, En?"

Jack cringed at her use of En. He could tell Ennis hated it. Jack watched them have a civilized debate infront of everyone. Jack was blown away. Where he came from there were no debates only arguments and fist fights.

"You're spending the day with me," Alma decided. Ennis looked defeated. Jack had never seen a man give into a woman quite so easily. Ennis caught Jack's eyes.

"I want Jack to come."

He reasoned with her that in marriage the man is the decision maker so she agreed to let Jack tag along. Jack followed them to tea and brunch where he endured the clucking of hens.

"What are they talking about?" He asked Ennis.

"Wedding dresses," Ennis said.

Jack rolled his eyes. He glanced down at this arrangement of utensils. He had three forks to eat a salad with. Jack glanced at Molly Brown who seemed to be guessing which fork to use. He grinned and did the same.

"I'm sorry," Ennis whispered to Jack.

"It's quite alright," Jack replied. He nudged Ennis with his elbow discreetly. Ennis massaged the back of Jack's hand with his own until their palms found their way to each other.

Jack felt his heart pulsating throughout his entire body from holding Ennis's hand under the table. Ennis had given him a look that could burn a hole through the hull of any ship.

Ennis

Jack's hand was comfortable in his own. He had never held another man's hand before, but there something thrilling about Jack's. Ennis felt something stirring deep within him that Jack's presence brought out.

It was unlike anything he had felt before. Ennis rubbed Jack's hand with his thumb. Jack looked at him with a tenderness that tore his heart down the middle.

"Come with me," Ennis said.

Ennis got up.

"Where are you going, En?"

"I am taking Jack back to third-class," Ennis said.

Before Alma could protest, both Jack and Ennis were gone. They nudged, shoved, and jostled with each other playfully until they reached Molly's suite.

"What are we doing in Molly's suite?" Jack asked.

"Alma is less likely to walk in on us," Ennis said.

"Doing what exactly?" Jack asked.

Ennis didn't answer. He didn't know what he wanted from Jack. He just wanted to be near him. Ennis faced Jack. He could see Jack trembling. Ennis touched his face and caressed the cheeks.

His skin is so soft like a woman's.

Jack leaned into Ennis and they sat down on the couch. Ennis held Jack. Jack held him back. Ennis's heart was beating so rapidly he thought it would never slow down.

"Do you want your jacket back?"

"No," Jack said. His breathing became heavy as Ennis held him tighter. Ennis looked Jack in the eye. A spark of electricity snapped between them. "Its sink or swim."

"Swim," Ennis said as his lips met Jack's. Their hands and legs entwined like a woven basket. Jack clung to Ennis, Ennis held Jack as both engaged in a synchronized dance of desire.

Holy shit.

Jack

Holy shit.

Jack ended the kiss. It felt too good to be true. He opened his eyes and examined the hair, eyes, face, and scent of the person touching him. All of it was distinctly Ennis. Jack swelled at the thought.

As luck would have it, Molly brought the women back to her suite for chitchat. The boys took off running. With no time to waste they hit the floor and crawled underneath the bed to hide.

Jack accidentally elbowed Ennis making both feel like giggling. Jack was on a high. He felt like he would float away if the bed wasn't above him.

"Where is that fiance of mine? I swear that Jack is trouble," she spoke his name with venom. Jack felt sort of proud of that. He glanced at Ennis who he was staring at him with a sappy look that made Jack melt into a puddle.

"He's harmless, Alma," said Molly.

"He's nasty. The Master-at-Arms said Jack was lusty for Ennis," Alma said.

The women all swore at once in a very unladylike way that made Jack smirk. Jack grabbed Ennis by the hand and kissed it causing Ennis to turn pink.

"Well, it ain't like it doesn't happen. Animals do that all the time and you never hear them bitch about it," said Molly casually.

"We are above the behavior of animals."

Jack stopped listening after that. Ennis was trying to escape. He slid out from under the bed and beckoned Jack to follow. Jack crawled out quietly. He took Ennis's hand and escaped out a different door.

"That was close," Ennis said.

"Your fiancée don't like me," Jack said.

Ennis caught his breath. Jack caught him staring again. Ennis looked around then pinned Jack against a wall. He stared him down until Jack's knees gave out.

Holy shit. I think I like where this is going.