Part 4
Thad gaped in awe. This was the biggest and most beautiful room he had ever seen. It was much bigger than the room he shared with Hunter and Sebastian. Wes smiled at the awestruck look all three of them had and his smile turned even softer when Thad got his sketchpad out and started to sketch what he was seeing. Thad was a person that thought that if he stopped looking he would forget everything. So he drew pictures so that he would always remember. Hunter watched him fondly, Sebastian curiously and Wes in amusement. Hunter and Sebastian looked around the room.
"I was supposed to stay here with my parents and brother", Wes explained. "I even got all their things sent here but they never arrived. I got a telegram stating they've all suffered from some flu and were not able to make it in time. So I'm alone in these big rooms… and I'm going crazy in here without no one to talk to. The people in first class are too stuck up for my taste."
"So you rather hang out with us", Sebastian asked. "Excuse me for saying it but I don't think you're our type of guy."
Wes snorted and handed him his wallet. Sebastian opened it and got out a picture. It was of a small boy and he looked like any boy from third class… with other boys from the same class.
"That's me", Wes said and pointed at the boy in the middle. "With my best friends since childhood. The boys in that picture are sons of my parents' servants. We called ourselves the Warblers. I was the oldest in our group of friends so they called me Big Brother Warbler. The blonde and the tiny brunette are Jeff and Nick. The boy with dark skin is David. The boy that looks like a true sweetheart is Trent. And the boy that looks like some kind of fairytale or woodland creature is Blaine."
"So why aren't the Warblers here with you", Hunter asked.
"They 'belong' to my parents", Wes said and made a face of disgust. "My parents wanted our most experienced people to go to the states with me and Jerry but… I sent them home. I rather have friends to spend time with… And I can't have my old friends so I have to make new ones."
"You mean us", Sebastian asked.
"If you want to of course. My door is always open."
"So you are just feeling lonely and want some company", Hunter asked.
"Yes and no. I am feeling lonely but I don't just want some company. I want friends I can trust and that aren't spending time with me just because of my name and title… that's first class for you. Everyone's always trying to get higher up on the ladder. And how do they do that? Marry their daughters off to people higher up and richer not caring about what said daughter or son thinks."
Hunter and Sebastian shared a look. They had never thought of things like this before. They always thought life in first class was paradise.
"Anyway", Wes said. "I think that everyone should be allowed to enjoy the great food aboard the Titanic so…" he turned to the two big wardrobes. "Let's find you some stuff to wear. Thad I think you can use some of my stuff."
"Huh, what, when, how, who?"
Wes smiled, Sebastian snorted and Hunter chuckled.
"Some clothes", Hunter said. "Now, with Wes' help, you."
"Oh", Thad said and put down his sketchpad. "Sorry."
"It's okay", Wes said and put an arm around Thad's shoulders and lead him towards a door. "Seb, Hunt you can have a look in the wardrobes in here. Maybe stuff my dad and brother has suit you better."
Sebastian felt jealousy build up in him as he watched Thad and Wes walk into a room on their own. Hunter felt… protective. They didn't even know this guy. Both of them glared at the door until it closed. When it did they turned to the wardrobes.
"Well let's see what he's got in here", Hunter grumbled and opened the door and gaped. "Wow."
"Shit not even my whole house was worth as much as these clothes", Sebastian said looking at the brands of the suits. Hunter snorted.
"What kind of place did you live in then?"
"A worker's shack, you?"
"On the street…"
"So you moved from city to city or something, to get the money I mean?"
"Yeah… Thad helped. We did some jobs, he refuses to tell me exactly what he did but I have my hunches and it makes me feel guilty."
"For what?"
"For letting him let people do that to him… use his body. Thad is a sweetheart he doesn't deserve the life as a… prostitute…"
Sebastian froze and looked at his feet. He had always looked upon himself as a fair and good man, a man of courage and nerve… but against Thad Coleman… he was nothing. The boy had the world's biggest heart if he let people do that to him just so his best friend/brother would get a better life.
"You care a lot about him don't you", he asked lowly.
"Yes", Hunter said. "Thad is my everything, I'd be nothing without him and I wouldn't be here. He's my anchor. I may have gotten drunk a few times and been about to end my life or doing something stupid… but Thad always pulls me back and keeps me grounded. Once I was about to end up in this fight with a guy twice my size. The guy had been bugging Thad and had picked him up and hung him onto a hook on the wall… by his collar. Everyone was laughing and I pushed the man away. We yelled at each other and I punched him. He gripped a crowbar and came at me… then he fell to the ground with a bang."
"What happened", Sebastian asked while taking out a suit, checking it over and hanging it back in again. Hunter smiled fondly at the story he was telling.
"Thad was hung up beside a shelf with whiskey bottles", he said. "He gripped one and smacked it over the guy's head. I got him down and we ran for it."
Sebastian laughed.
"You mean to tell me", he said. "That Thad took down a guy twice your size on his own?"
"Thad's stronger and greater than he looks", Hunter mumbled and checked out the suit he'd found. "Hey Sebastian I think Wes' brother was more in your body type than mine… maybe we should switch wardrobes?"
"Okay", Sebastian said and they walked past each other. They looked in quiet for a bit before Sebastian mustered up his courage and asked:
"Would you be very mad if I asked Thad to dance with me at this party?"
Hunter who had finally found a suit stopped taking off his own shirt and stared at Sebastian. Sebastian grinned sheepishly and rubbed his neck before he sat down on a chair to remove his shoes.
"Look", he said. "I understand that you are protective over the guy but as you said, he is stronger and greater than anyone thinks. If Thad doesn't want me I'll back off but if he wants me you better stop trying to kill me with your glares."
"Look Sebastian", Hunter said as he continued to get undressed. "Thad is the only one I have and if you are planning on taking him from me you are mistaken."
"I'm not going to take him from you", Sebastian said sounding offended. "I'm sure Thad will still want his best friend around."
"We're more than that."
"Oh?"
"Thad's my little brother. I won't just let some guy we just met take him from me!"
"Even if he wants to himself?"
"Thad doesn't know what you are trying to do or what your intentions are! Haven't you noticed that he isn't always exactly aware of his surroundings?"
"I have and I find it very… endearing. Look I understand that he's an artist and a bit… cuckoo like all of them. But I wouldn't change that for the world. If I get him I want all of him, strange little quirks and all."
"You are no good for him."
"Oh please you know I would be perfect for him."
"No."
"Oh come on Hunter! Thad can't stay under your wing forever and I'm not sure he wants to! You must've noticed that he is attracted to me!"
"It's just a silly crush. It will pass. He'll find someone better."
"What a nice girl?"
"No, he doesn't want girls. I am sure there is a nice boy waiting for him."
"Yeah and he's standing right in front of you."
"There's nothing nice about you."
"Oh like you're such a saint", Sebastian spat. Hunter was about to say something when Wes and Thad reentered the room. Sebastian felt his breath hitch because Thad in one of Wes' suits... wow he looked so handsome and beautiful and cute and... just wow. Hunter had to smile too because Thad had never looked so comfortable with a stranger as he did with Wes. Maybe Thad could fall for him and not Sebastian? Wes and Thad were talking and laughing, but Thad stopped when he saw the other two only half dressed. Hunter was wearing a shirt and socks only. Sebastian only wore pants.
"Honestly", Thad said and rolled his eyes and walked up to Hunter. He removed the boys cap from his head and fixed his hair. "You can't even get yourselves dressed on your own."
Hunter smiled as Thad helped him with the bowtie and buttons of his shirt. Hunter got his pants on by himself but Thad helped him with the suspenders. Hunter smiled at him and Thad smiled back. Hunter kissed his forehead and Thad smiled wide before turning to Sebastian. He was struggling with the bowtie. He already wore the trousers, shirt and shoes and his hair was a mess. He gave Thad a sad puppy look and held up the bowtie. Thad chuckled and hurried up to him to help him. This brought a death glare from Hunter and a smile from Sebastian. Thad tied the bowtie and then reached up to fix Sebastian's hair.
"There", he said when he was done. "Practically perfect."
Sebastian smiled and held his arm out to Thad.
"May I escort you to the dining room good sir", he asked and Thad laughed and looked at Hunter. Hunter was about to object when he caught Wes looking at him. Hunter had never met a person that could intimidate him. But this little lord was doing just that. Hunter sighed and nodded. Thad beamed and took Sebastian's arm. Wes smiled.
"This way gentlemen", he said and walked out of the door. The three third classers followed. All of them nervous to meet the world of first class.
TBC