Chapter 5

 

Hyukjae was just finishing to put his black coat on when the sound of soft hits came from his door.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me.” Emily’s sweet voice sounded from the other side.”Are you presentable?”

“Get in.”

She opened the door, only to meet Hyukjae grinning at her.

“What if I wasn’t presentable?”

“I trusted your word.” She smiled.

“Stop giving me the trust coin.”

“Never.” She grinned amused. “Why aren’t you still ready when I am? You’re always so quick… And you’re smiling too much. Is this all because of Donghae?”

Hyukjae lost his grin.

“What? Why are you talking about him?”

Emily rolled her eyes.

“Oh please. I never saw you so interested in getting ready for dinner.”

“I can’t?”

“You must. But I know it’s his fault. What else could it be?” she grinned. Hyukjae scoffed, denying her words with every fiber of his being.

Donghae was not that important.

He couldn’t be…

“Maybe because I’m having a second chance. I want to enjoy it.”

“Because of Donghae.” She reasoned. Hyukjae only sighed.

“Yes.”

“And you want to look good for him.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” He warned. She only laughed.

“Come on, I’ve seen the way you look at each other.” She attacked, her British accent turning more obvious every time she got excited.

“Stop making stories.”

“Me? Making stories?!” she laughed, Hyukjae throwing her an upset look the entire time.

She sighed.

“Alright. I’ll drop it. But my eyes will be huge this night.” She warned, widening her blue eyes and giving him no chance but to laugh.

***

 

Donghae only truly realized the difference a suit made when the garcon in the first class salon’s door invited him in like he was some rich man although obviously he had never seen him in his entire life.

Donghae could feel a small spark of importance creeping up his body. It wasn’t everyday that a poor guy was treated like royalty without the smallest suspicion.

The first saloon was starting to fill with numerous types of men, young and old, all hearing the same kind of black ceremonial suit and bow tie. The ladies, on their side, were very different from one another, hearing different types of dresses and decorating jewels in every possible color.

Donghae went down the clock’s staircase, trying to find a very well known red hair or even a long blonde hair but none of them were visible.

He was starting to get nervous, noticing how he had no idea how to stand or act like the royalty. While the unknown people greeted him like old friends, the brunette took a close look at their body language imitating them in the most perfect way he could.

As he did that, he finally noticed the Bouquet young man and the lady Hyukjae had called mother a few moments prior, descending the imposing staircase but the couple took no notice of the brunette, frustrating him slightly.

Was he looking that different that they wouldn’t notice him?

 

Hyukjae met the big staircase, Emily grabbing his arm, and started descending it calmly as he noticed a familiar face in the end of the stairs, quite lost in the saloon, and he couldn’t stop a small smile from creeping at his lips.

The young man was indeed looking good with some suit he bet Molly Brown was guilty of.

 

Not that he didn’t look good in his usual clothes to tell the truth…

 

Emily shook his arm with a smile.

“Isn’t that Donghae?”

“Yes.”

“He looks so charming… Where did he get those clothes?”

“He’s full of surprises…” Hyukjae sighed with a collected pose.

As they ended the staircase, Donghae took notice of them, his eyes growing big and Hyukjae could have said he was drowning at Emily’s light blue dress and shiny golden hair that brought up all her beauty like all the other men but, in fact, his eyes hadn’t left Hyukjae’s for a second. 

“Good evening.” The redhead smiled, trying not to laugh at Donghae’s behavior; the younger boy his dry lips and coughing his dry throat before speaking.

“Good evening.” He smiled too. “I’m feeling quite lost without a lady to hold my arm…” he joked, making Emily laugh. Hyukjae only chuckled softly.

“Well I would, but I’m afraid my husband-to-be would be jealous.” She smiled.

Hyukjae scoffed.

“I wouldn’t be jealous of Donghae.” He reassured but Emily only smirked, teasing at his ear.

“I wasn’t referring to that sense, was I?” she whispered in a way that only Hyukjae could hear. The redhead cleared his throat quite embarrassed.

This girl would be his death.

 

“Mother.” He called, ignoring the wide grinning blonde. His mother and Andrew Bouquet both looked back, facing the trio. “I believe you remember Donghae Lee.” He smiled politely. Both people stared at the blonde with big eyes.

“Donghae?” Andrew laughed, impressed. “That’s amazing! You could almost pass for a gentleman.” He grinned with a surprised look.  

Donghae shrugged.

“Almost.”

“Extraordinary.” The English man smiled, grabbing Mrs. Lee’s arm and making his way to the buffet area. Hyukjae could sense the jealousy radiating from the man but he couldn’t care less. He smiled reassuringly to Donghae, both staring at each other, when a new arriver finished their little silent moment.

Molly Brown greeted the young people and grabbed Donghae’s arm.

“Care to a lady to dinner?” she smiled at the short young man. Donghae smiled back.

“Certainly. Now I’m feeling someone.” He shared making the engaged couple laugh.

The two couples started walking, staring around at the various royals.

“Ain’t nothing to it, is there, Donghae?” she smiled, knowing from self experience how royalty was different from the other classes. “Remember, they love money, so just pretend like you own a gold mine and you’re in the club.” She shared with knowledge making the trio chuckle.

Hyukjae observed Donghae as he never stepped back or faltered while people greeted them.

He could be nervous but he never showed it or even lied to be accepted.

People just assumed he was one of them, a royal fortune’s heir, perhaps.

New money, obviously, but still part of the club.

Not the same could be said about his mother. But he was starting to be able to ignore it seeing that Donghae wasn’t affected at all by her attacks; so he only smiled when she struck at the dinner table.

“Tell us of your accommodations in steerage, Mr. Lee. I heard they’re quite good on this ship.”

Donghae stared at her for only a second before answering promptly.

“The best I’ve seen ma’am. Hardly any rats.” He responded, stealing a few laughs from the present people in the table. Still, some people was quite lost in the conversation or disgusted by the idea (the refined idiot ladies, obviously).

“Mr. Lee is joining us from the third class. He was of some assistant to my sister’s fiancé last night.” Andrew Bouquet explained.

“Actually, Mr. Lee is quite a fine artist. He was kind enough to show me some of his work this evening.” Hyukjae talked right after, trying his best to make him look the best he could.

“Hyukjae and I differ somewhat in our definition of fine art.” Andrew sighed, irritating the redhead slightly. “Not to impugn your work, of course.” He reasoned looking at Donghae.

“That has not even crossed my mind.” He reassured with a smile.

Hyukjae cleared his throat, signaling Donghae to take his napkin from the table so that people could serve him, and forced himself not to laugh playfully at Donghae’s lost behavior.

He was so damn cute.

Donghae stared at the number of porcelain for him to use.

“Are these all for me?” he whispered in panic to Molly Brown, sitting next to him.

“Just start from the outside and work your way in.” she whispered back.

“He knows every river in her, don’t you Thomas?” Mr. Ismay quietly smiled to Mr. Andrews who was sitting next to Hyukjae, people not able to stop talking about the wonderful ship.

“The ship is a wonder, Mr. Andrews. Truly.” Hyukjae smiled to the man beside him. He looked at him like a hero. He wished he could be as a great architect as him.

Thomas Andrews smiled back.

“Thank you, Hyukjae.”

“How would you like your caviar, sir?” an old employee stopped next to Donghae, wanting for his word. Donghae waved a hand.

“No caviar, thank you. Never did like it much.” He answered, making Hyukjae smile.

Mrs. Lee gave him a look.

“And where exactly do you live, Mr. Lee?” she attacked once again; Hyukjae only not throwing a fit because Emily, right beside him, gave him a hand to hold.

“Well, right now my address is the RMS Titanic. After that I’ll be visiting my family for a while until I feel like belonging to the world again.” He shared with a cheerful tone.

“And how is it you have means to travel?” she curved an eyebrow, soft voice but defiant eyes.

“Ahm, I work my way from place to place. You know; tramp steamers and such… But I won my Titanic’s ticket on a lucky hand on poker. A very lucky hand.” He emphasized giving a look at Hyukjae, who discreetly smiled behind his champagne glass.

“All life is a game of luck.” One of the royals shared with confidence. Andrew disagreed, shaking his head.

“A real man makes his own luck, right Lee?” he gave a look at Donghae who nodded with his usual kitty smile.

“And you find that kind of rootless life appealing?” Hyukjae’s mother asked slowly with a mock tone, sick of that entire joke. Molly Brown curved an eyebrow on his direction.

Oh, how that woman pushed her buttons…

Donghae stared at her like he was reading her.

“Oh yes ma’am, I do.” He smiled. “I’ve got everything I need right here with me. I’ve got air in my lungs, food and a few blank sheets of paper…” he reasoned, catching Hyukjae’s attention. “I mean, I love waking up in the morning without knowing what’s going to happen or who am I gonna meet.” He shared, staring at Hyukjae’s passionate eyes. “Where am I going to end… Just the other night I was sleeping god knows where and now here I am: on the grandest world’s ship having champagne with you, fine people.” He smiled, bringing his cup up; a few royals laughing amused at his words. “I figured life’s a gift and I don’t intend on wasting it. You never know what hand you’re gonna get dealt next. You must make each day count.”

Molly Brown nodded with confidence.

“Well said, Donghae.”

“Yes, yes!” the same confident royal from before screamed.

Hyukjae grabbed his glass of champagne up, locking his gaze with Donghae’s cute one.

“To make it count.” He smiled.

“To make it count.” People cheered.

Donghae lifted his glass too, eyes never leaving Hyukjae’s.

 

The royal band happily played in the buffet as the dinner time started to come to an end. Hyukjae’s table was completely lost in laughs and happy chats; Molly Brown making everyone laugh hysterically with her and her husband’s stories. 

“Next it’ll be brandies in the smoking room.” Hyukjae shared with Donghae with a low voice, the information going across the dinner table and making Donghae smile.

“Well.” The confident royal got up from his sit. “Join me in a brandy, gentlemen?”

“What a good idea.” Other man responded, making Hyukjae hold his laugh.

“Now we retreat into a cloud of smoke and congratulate each other for hours on being masters of the universe.” He shared with knowledge, making Donghae laugh.

“I don’t want to be part of that.”

“It’s okay. Me neither.”

“Ladies, thank you for the pleasure of your company.” Mister Ismay shared with a huge smile, getting his coat on.

“Hyukjae, are you coming?” Andrew rested a hand on Hyukjae’s chair.

“No. I’ll stay with Emily.” He answered.

Donghae got up from his seat, giving discreetly a pen back to Molly.

“Are you joining us, Donghae?” the confident royal smiled amused.

“No thanks, I’ve got to be heading back.” The blondish brunette explained.

The old man nodded, turning to keep on his affairs.

“Probably best.” Andrew made his way to him. “It’ll be all business and politics. You wouldn’t enjoy it. But good of you to come.” He smiled before going away, Donghae never returning the smile.

He didn’t like or trust that guy a bit.

“You need to leave?” Hyukjae smiled at Donghae, getting up from his seat; His mother and Emily with attentive eyes on the two young boys.

“Time for me to go row with the other slaves…” Donghae explained with a sad smile, all sarcasm, making Hyukjae smile in amusement. His mother gathered her attention in the ladies talking but Emily kept an eye on them.

“Good night, Hyukjae.” They both bowed smiling and Donghae offered his hand that Hyukjae promptly shook in farewell.

Still, the moment he held Donghae’s not very soft hand, was also the moment he felt a strange object between their shake. When Donghae left, he made sure to leave the small paper in the redhead’s hand, looking back a few times before leaving the salon. Hyukjae was quick to understand the whole situation and hide the paper but he was even quicker to discreetly read it under the table after sitting again.

 

«Make it count. Meet me at the clock!»

 

The simple phrase was written in a handwriting Hyukjae remembered from Donghae’s signature and notes in his drawings. He stared at the salon’s doors with wondering eyes. He wanted to go. He really did. But how could he? He couldn’t leave Emily.

“Hyukjae. Could you take me to my suite? I’m a little tired.” Emily voiced with a smile, getting up from her seat. “I’m going to my resting, ladies.” She explained and the present women smiled and nodded. Hyukjae got up in a jump, adrenaline running through his spine.

He escorted Emily who was grabbing his arm delicately and together they left the buffet.

Still, when the restaurant’s entrance doors closed Emily turned to the redhead with a knowing smirk.

“I’m going alone now. You don’t want to make him wait, do you?” she teased and Hyukjae knew she had seen the whole thing. She smiled.

“I was the only one spying, don’t worry. Now, go.”

Hyukjae smiled and hugged her.

“Goodnight. Sleep well.”

“Goodnight and have fun.” Emily winked and made her way to the suites while Hyukjae made a quick way to the stair’s clock wall.

He quickly found Donghae dressed in those foreign clothes from the elite.

The boy smiled when he saw him. He looked like a cute kitty every time he did it and the redhead could feel his heart skip a few beats inside his body.

“So… You want to go to a real party?”

 

***

The third class’ saloon was small for so much happiness and, well, drunkenness. Irish and East Europe’s instruments were being wildly played as traditional and funky songs did the décor of the environment. Everyone was loud, dancing and drinking without shame. 

A new song had started rambling around the small festive hall and Donghae grabbed the little girl’s shoulders, turning her to Hyukjae. He had been dancing with the small child since he loved kids and she was just amazing but Hyukjae was way more exciting to be with.

“I’m gonna dance with him now, all right?”

The girl obediently agreed and made her way next to her father.

“Come on.” Donghae called the overjoyed boy who was sitting in front of him, clapping his hands to the new song. Hyukjae stared in haw.

“What is it?”

“Come!” Donghae laughed grabbing his hands, leaving the redhead in panic.

“What? No! Donghae, we can’t! We’re both-“ he tried in shock but Donghae only laughed, grabbing his hands.

“It’s okay. See there.” He pointed to a pair of guys dancing with each other in the center of the small stage in the middle of the room. “There’s not such a problem down here. You’re free in here Hyukjae.” Donghae assured with a lovely smile and Hyukjae could only laugh in shock and excitement. He hadn’t danced for ages.

“I don’t know the steps.” He pleaded trying not to look at Donghae’s lips. They were too close, too sweaty and once again, Donghae’s puppy eyes had a power on him that turned his stomach into mud.

“Neither do I. Just go with it.” The young blonde laughed grabbing Hyukjae against him and leading him to dance.

“Don’t think!” he asked starting to jump around with the music. A few jumps around the other couples and trios and soon they were laughing and screaming in excitement, the loud music pumping with rhythm and they were jumping around each other, interlacing their elbows, swirling around with clasped hands and Hyukjae couldn’t really tell the last time he had so much fun like he was having right now. 

Fabrizio jumped to the small stage with his blonde friend and Donghae didn’t think for a moment before dragging Hyukjae with him also to the same spot, jumping around like a little kid. Hyukjae would have found it adorable if he was not so uncomfortable for being dragged to such a spot light. Donghae, on his side, looked like he was on his little world, feeling home as he let go of the taller man and with hands on his pockets he gave a defying stare before starting to tap-dance.

Hyukjae was looking at him with admiration. He was really good at it. Still… He had just called the dance inside Hyukjae and the man couldn’t say no to a fight. With a small laugh and a slanted smile he didn’t wait for a request when Donghae ended his small number before starting to clog with pride and defiance in his smile. Donghae stopped to stare at the guy.

So after all… He could dance. Not really waiting for the redhead to stop, the smaller man started a new motion of shoes and pavement, alongside with the music. Hyukjae shook his head with an amused smile and started tap-dancing with the same cocky style Donghae had, hands on his pockets and sly smile. Still, Donghae needed to admit it did look goddamn y on him maybe because he had that irresistible tall body; and he knew he wasn’t the only one checking him out since most of people had their eyes on him even dancing around. He was just so graceful and powerful on his movements that Donghae could have sworn he was born in some Latino country if he didn’t know how Asian and English the guy was.

So Donghae just gave up and the moment Hyukjae looked at him he just grabbed his elbow again turning from one side to another with the taller guy, smiles and laughs on both boys. Then Donghae decided to go even further and he grabbed the redhead’s hands with strength starting to rotate around in the same place.

“Donghae! No!” the older screamed in panic but the other only laughed closing his eyes to not get dizzy and Hyukjae was trying his best not to be hysteric.

That was ing fast! Oh my god, what the hell were they doing?!

 

Two floors above, Brandies and cigars were wasted as men congratulated them on being masters of the universe, immersed in a cloud of smoke and soft music.

 

Tommy Ryan and other Irish men were arm wrestling in one of the tables full of gelid drinks, when Donghae stepped in the middle of the confusion and stole two beers for him and Hyukjae.

The older was all grins and sweat, grabbing the beer from Donghae in a quick move and starting to drink it with all his need.

Donghae stared at the redhead in haw as he gulped the liquid in almost one go.

Hyukjae eyed him confused.

“What?!” he grinned. “You think first class can’t drink cheap beer?!” he laughed and the next moment some drunk guy was bumping against him and throwing a beer against him. Donghae grabbed the man away from Hyukjae, obviously upset and yelling one “Hei! Get out of here!”, but when he eyed the older he found him laughing, his gummy smile shinning and taking his breath away.

“You okay?”

“I’m fine!”

Tommy Ryan had just lost against his adversary, whimpering for a two out of three.

Hyukjae rolled up his sleeves and left his cup on top of their table.

“So! You think you’re so tough?” he curved an eyebrow, stealing the blonde’s cigarette to his own lips. “Let’s see that!” he raged playfully and shoved the unknown guy from his place, staring at Tom. “Try to beat me!” he defied showing his hand.

Tommy laughed.

“You can arm wrestle?”

“You seriously don’t know me, my friend.” He smirked and Donghae eyed him confused. He could see that the redhead had really good muscled arms but was he that strong? He was first class… How could he train his body that way?

Hyukjae grabbed Tommy’s hand and the battle began; both men groaning and making faces in demonstration of their suffering. Hyukjae kept hold of the other’s hand, investing with all his strength and after a few minutes of struggling from the two sides, he finally beat up Tom.

Everyone was staring at him in shock and laughing and screaming in joy, bumping and hitting his back in brotherly gestures.

The redhead got up with a smile, hugging Donghae against him, the beer hitting his nerves and letting him too free and happy for his own good. Donghae eyed him in shock.

“How did you learn that?”

“I had personal training and martial arts until recently. Men must be strong and have a good record of hobbies to find a good wife, you know. At least for them.” He shrugged eyeing the ceiling. Donghae laughed.

“I had no idea you were that skilled.”

“Yeah, I wasn’t expecting to win to tell the truth.” He laughed, Donghae joining him.

 

As they laughed in each other’s arms, a dangerous pair of eyes observed them, before leaving the room again.

 

A new song with even more rhythm started and people became euphoric, starting to make a snake while running and jumping with holding hands. Donghae laughed and grabbed Hyukjae’s hand when Fabrizio grabbed his and pushed him to the snake.

Hyukjae laughed with the younger, jumping with the crowd.

He was happier than he believed he had ever been. 

 

____________________

 

Just admit it. You must love Emily. 

Seriously, she's a boss.

Hope you enjoyed! More EunHae greatness to come!~