Despair; Sub Rosa

Author's note:

Hi guys. It's truly been a pleasure sharing this story with you! When I first started posting it, I was convinced that everyone would write it off as soon as they saw the word 'Titanic', and although I haven't gotten as much feedback on here as on LJ, I'm so glad people have enjoyed this story, and it makes me feel a little guilty that it's so short. D:

Short note: In the scene towards the end, where Naruto looks at his watch...I'm not entirely sure the time is right according to what happened. But I didn't have my references anymore when I added it, so I had to cope with what I did have. It should be fairly correct though. Sorry.

*****
4. No such thing as Destiny

Sasuke trailed after the rest of his family, heading for the dining room. His father had met some potential business partner and was busy sucking up, whilst his mother acted as the perfect trophy wife by his side. Itachi was speaking only when spoken two, walking two paces behind the others, playing the role of dependable elder son.
It didn't seem like anyone bothered with him actually being here, but he didn't feel like running off. There was no purpose to wandering the ship, brooding by himself. If nothing else, mindless conversation would keep his thoughts at bay.

The grand staircase was crowded as always, and movement had almost come to a stop with all the people that were making their way up and down, stopping to greet one another every two seconds.
Lazily he let his gaze wander, his chest tightening when he spotted Naruto over by one of the pillars at the bottom of the staircase.
His first instinct was to walk straight past him and leave him alone, but it seemed like the blonde had other plans; waving discretely at him, calling him quietly.
"Sasuke, over here!"

Disappearing into the crowd, Sasuke slipped from his family's group and headed over to the pillar, his pulse racing so hard in his ears he couldn't hear the buzz of voices surrounding them.
His mouth felt dry when he spoke; "What..?"
"I think we should talk," Naruto looked away, clearly embarrassed.
"Go ahead," the raven defensively crossed his arms over his chest.
"Not here," Naruto said, starting to walk away.
Without a word, Sasuke followed.

Minutes later he found himself standing in the corridor outside the first class cabins.
Naruto was standing opposite him, staring at him with those piercing blue eyes, seemingly searching for a way to begin the conversation.
"Look," Sasuke started, trying to help the other out by breaking the ice.
"No," Naruto said, biting him off, "You look... What you did back there..."
"Was reckless, I know."
"Reckless?" Naruto exclaimed, his voice turning high-pitched before fading, "It was more than just reckless it was-"
"Disgusting?" Sasuke glared at him, challenging, "If you think so, then why didn't you pull away straight away? Why did you drop hints the way you did?"
"D-drop hints?" Naruto looked at him, confused.
"You wanted it too, I could tell."
Naruto's gaze darkened, his cheeks reddening.
"Well...Even so...Even if I did, I didn't act on it!" he shrilled.
"But you wanted to," Sasuke urged, not knowing where this provoking tone came from.
"Shut up Sasuke!" Naruto fisted his hands at his side, "Please, stop cutting me off! Why do you need to turn this into an argument? You're making it so much harder!"
"What?" Sasuke was the confused one now.

Naruto swallowed.
His fisted palms felt sweaty.
"This," he said, taking a determined step over to the Uchiha, pushing him back against the door, pressing their lips together.

He'd tried to fight it. Tried so hard not to react to the impulses and urges that had been shooting through him. He'd fought against what had ignited in him when they were alone in the library, and then later in the linen closet.
But it was too late; the flame was lit, and it was burning stubbornly inside of him.
And didn't he deserve this?
Just for a moment, before all was back to normal?

He had no more time to think; Sasuke's hands went around his waist, clawing at the back of his jacket, the ravens tongue following the contours of Naruto's lips, probing gently to gain access and then finally meeting with his own in a needy, desperate dance.
There was no turning back now.
He'd expected Sasuke to be taken by surprise, maybe even reacting in the same way he had; pushing him away and preventing this whole thing, but instead the Uchiha had answered the kiss instantly, throwing him into a hurricane of emotions.
And now here he was; moaning softly into Sasuke's mouth, pressed so tightly up against him it was making him dizzy.

He pulled back slightly, to catch his breath.
Looking hazily up at the Uchiha he whispered against his lips, so quietly Sasuke could barely hear; "I think I know what happened in London..."
A hiss escaped Sasuke's throat, and then he silenced the blonde with his lips once more.

His mind was in chaos, just like his emotions and every part of his body, but even in his incoherent thoughts he managed to tell himself how dangerous this was; his hand falling from Sasuke's neck, frantically gripping for the doorknob behind them.
He grasped it with his shaking, sweaty hand and pushed the door open, the two of them tumbling inside, close to falling as the door slammed shut behind them.

Breathing heavily, he pressed his forehead against Sasuke's, slowly looking up at him, awaiting his reaction.
"Your cabin?" Sasuke simply asked, his voice sounding close to normal.
Naruto nodded, trying to appear calm.
What was he thinking, doing this?
This was bound to get out of hand....but wasn't that what he'd wanted?

"Did you plan this?" the Uchiha asked, an almost teasing tone playing in his voice.
Strong arms snaked around Naruto's waist once more, pulling him close for another kiss that rendered him unable to reply.

When Sasuke broke the kiss, he continued to speak in that low, dangerous voice.
"You're crazy..." he whispered, lips brushing over Naruto's cheek, "Bringing me here..."
His hands moved along Naruto's jacket, playing with the buttons, slowly opening it.
"What if someone walks in?"
"They won't..." Naruto whispered hoarsely, gasping slightly at the sensation of Sasuke's breath against his ear, "Everyone's at dinner...and after that they're smoking in the lounge or chatting in the salon..."
"Won't they ask for you?"
"I told them I was sick."
It sounded like Sasuke was laughing quietly against his neck; his breath felt hot on Naruto's flushed skin.
Chills ran down his back.

Was this what people meant by 'live for the moment'?
Naruto was unsure of the expression, but fairly certain that given the chance, he'd want to experience this moment over and over again.

Without hesitation he reached for Sasuke's tie, dragging him by it across the floor, all the while kissing him softly on the lips; teasingly, playfully, until the Uchiha had enough of his games and pushed him back on the bed, only to lower himself on top of him and capture him in a mind-numbing kiss.
*****

Piece by piece they removed each other's clothing.
Naruto felt like he was in a dream; like he wasn't the one doing these things, like he wasn't the one who was led step by step into seduction's embrace by Sasuke's skilled lips and touches.

In reality he had no idea what was going on, or how he could feel so strongly about someone he had just met.
The only explanation was the feeling of desperation they both shared; the notion that they were both stuck on this ship, heading for a new country and a new life; their destinies already sealed with the two of them unable to do anything about it.
They shared the feeling of their lives spiraling downwards, like a rollercoaster ride they couldn't get off, and the only thing they could do to slow it down was to give themselves over to these impulses; allow themselves to experience this sheer pleasure and freedom for just a little while before they would return to their everyday prisons, unable to chase the feeling of despair away.

So he welcomed every kiss, every touch and returned them just as fiercely; biting, kissing, licking and whispering in a raw, hoarse voice against Sasuke's shoulder as the man buried himself inside of him; pain shooting through his entire being. He arched back, briefly catching a glance of the painting on the wall; a rose painted in deep, blood red.
He could taste the blood; on his lips, from where he'd bitten himself when Sasuke entered. A ragged gasp escaped his lips as he tried to breathe normally; trying to push the pain away.
But he endured it.
The pain made him feel alive, much like the pleasure that gradually took over as the initial shock of penetration subsided and the pain turned into nothing more than a dull throbbing inside of him.

Sasuke's moans; throaty and lustful, fueled Naruto's own pleasure and desire.
He clawed at the raven's back, urging him to go deeper; tightening around him as he did.
Dizzying kisses left him breathless, and every thrust had his head spinning.

Never in his life he'd imagined that anything could feel like this, and he begun to understand why it was forbidden; something that felt like this could only be illegal.
He'd explode and die. He was sure of it.
And when he was finally too overcome with pleasure to breathe, but still found himself able to call out Sasuke's name, he exploded; but he didn't die. He rode on an euphoric wave, forgetting where he was and what he was doing, existing only for that brief moment when everything was hot and bright and Sasuke was hissing against his lips, trembling on top of him.

***


Sweaty chests lowered and rose against each other, with each heavy breath that echoed in the cabin. Chapped, dry lips met with softer, fuller ones, as a pale, slender hand let go of golden tousles, and fell to a tanned chest.
Outside a gull was crying.
It was a cry of despair, and something the two young men could easily relate to, but the sound of their heartbeats was drowning it out.

"Sasuke..." the blonde whispered, bringing their lips together.
A sigh sounded from the Uchiha as he answered the kiss, not letting go of the blonde's lips even when he rolled off of him, landing sideways on the mattress.

"Did we just do that...?" Naruto mumbled hoarsely, lips brushing against Sasuke's.
"Mhm..." Sasuke replied.
Naruto uttered a soft laugh, pulling the covers tighter around them both. His skin was flushing, with pearls of sweat clinging to his body, but the air was already turning chilly again.
"Do you regret it?" Sasuke mouthed against his ear.
Naruto shook his head, about to deliver a quick line in reply when there was a knock on the cabin door.

The couple on the bed winced, staring at the door; horrified, both thinking the same thing; "Is it locked?!"
Instinctively Naruto threw the duvet over Sasuke's head, as if that would help.
"Y-yes?" he inquired, shakily.
"Naruto?" it was his mother.
"Yes?" he heard himself saying again.
"Are you feeling better dear?"
"A little..." he stuttered, "I just went to bed..."
"Do you need anything?"
Inwardly, Naruto prayed that she wouldn't come in and that she'd take her leave.
"No, I'm fine. I just want to sleep thanks..."
"Alright, your father and I will be going to bed then."
He nodded silently.
"Good night, Naruto."
"Good night."
Her steps grew fainter as she walked down the corridor, Naruto exhaling in relief. He plopped back down onto the mattress, sighing.
Sasuke's lips pressed against his shoulder.
"Scared you, didn't it?" the Uchiha smirked.
"Yeah it did!" Naruto replied, turning over on his side grinning.
Sasuke chuckled softly, bringing their lips together. Naruto laughed quietly as well, pressing closer to him; noting how their bellies were both still sticky, and more importantly , that the other was hardening again; his need twitching against Naruto's hip.
He hissed, running his tongue over Sasuke's lips, slipping his hand down in between them without any shyness and then finally gave into desire and pulled Sasuke back on top of him for the act to be repeated.

****

Naruto's eyes flew open.
He turned to Sasuke, who was already sitting up in the bed, looking around, just as confused.
"Did you feel that?"
The Uchiha nodded.

They'd fallen asleep after cleaning themselves off, and had been sleeping peacefully up until now when a violent shake had gone through the ship, accompanied by a sound that reminded Naruto faintly of vague thunder.

"What do you think it was?"
Sasuke shrugged.
"We may have lost a propeller..." he chewed on his lip, "It happened to a ship we were on back in England, and the feeling was the same."
"Oh, you want to go check it out?"
"Why?" Sasuke looked over at him.
"I don't think I can sleep anymore right now," Naruto admitted, "I heard the captain say that we're doing full speed, and that we'll be in New York before schedule..."
Sasuke knew where he was going.
"Ok," he said, "Let's go back up on deck."
The raven tossed aside the covers and Naruto quickly turned away, not to look directly at him.
"What?" Sasuke seemed amused, "It's not like you haven't seen it before."
Naruto pursed his lips, but didn't turn to him.
He reached for his pants on the floor, quickly slipping into them.
"I thought you weren't ashamed?" Sasuke asked, coming up from behind, sliding strong arms around his waist, whispering into his ear.
"I'm not," the blonde croaked, attempting to get out of the other's embrace.
Sasuke smiled against his ear, biting down on his earlobe.
"This isn't some love at first sight fairytale..." he mumbled, "When we arrive in New York we may never see each other again. Are you okay with that?"
His words were provocative.

Naruto's hands went up, closing around Sasuke's wrists, still allowing him to hold him.
"That's why," he said hoarsely.
"That's why you did this?"
Naruto gave a half nod, "I wanted to be honest with myself, for once in my life and just do what I wanted to. No regrets. And I'm running out of time."
"Me too," Sasuke said quietly, touching his lips to the nape of Naruto's neck, sending shivers down the Uzumaki's spine.
"Just one last taste of freedom, right?" he said, "To do something you'll never be able to do again."
Naruto nodded.

Slowly, he turned around, burying his nose in Sasuke's hair.
"But..." he whispered, "I wouldn't have done it if I hadn't met you."
Sasuke made a sound like a snort.
"Do you think that maybe if we'd met-"
"Don't go there," Sasuke warned him, "Don't think about it. We couldn't. That's not how the world works."
Naruto didn't reply, merely clenched around Sasuke's shoulders a little harder.
Sasuke was right of course; they were strangers. What was he thinking?
And besides, wasn't this just one last adventure before he settled down?

"Hey," Sasuke pulled back, gazing at him with a small smile playing on his lips, "The ship has stopped."
Naruto looked confused.
"It'll take a while before they've fixed it, so that gives us more time right?"
Naruto smiled back, leaning in for a kiss, and what little comfort he found there.

"Now get dressed," he pushed Sasuke back on the bed, "Or are you planning on wearing that?"
He pointed to Sasuke's underwear.
"I've got nothing to be ashamed of," Sasuke smirked.
"Wouldn't it be cold?"
"As I said-"
"Get your kit on," Naruto bit him off, imitating Sasuke's accent.

Wriggling into his tweed suit he regarded the other male as he reached for his tie.
It really was odd how different the him of today was, in comparison to the one of just yesterday. And he'd thought he'd foreseen his entire life already.
Destiny was a strange thing.
Almost as strange as how nice this felt.

****

The air up on deck was freezing.
Naruto stuffed his hands into his pockets. He looked over at Sasuke; the other didn't seem like he was affected by the cold, but with each breath he took, a cloud of white smoke filled the air.
They were practically the only ones out on this side of the ship; most of the passengers still awake keeping inside due to the cold. But from the ships bow, loud voices and laughter could be heard.

Sasuke stepped over to the railing, leaning over it, staring down into the ocean.
"I can't see anything," he said, turning back to Naruto.
"Well, are you an engineer?" Naruto teased.
"No." Sasuke played along.
"Then don't pretend," the blonde stuck his tongue out.
"Come on," Sasuke jerked is head to the side, beginning to walk down the deck, towards the bow.

"It sure sounds lively over there," Naruto commented, upping his pace as they came around the bend, and reached the bridge deck.
Sasuke nodded, looking down on the deck below them, where a group of passengers he assumed belonged to third class, were kicking something about on the deck.
"Ice," Sasuke said, noticing how he went cold.

"Hey!" one of the men called, "You two wanna join?"
Naruto looked at Sasuke. The look on the raven's face worried him.
"Well?"
"No, we're fine!" Naruto called back to them.
He turned to the other.
"Why is there ice on the deck?"
"Something's not right here," Sasuke muttered, grabbing him by the hand, dragging him back up on the Bridge Deck and inside.

The atmosphere was still fairly calm and quiet, at least in the corridors; apart from the occasional maid jogging up and down the halls.
In the staircase on the other hand, and the area around it, outside the dining room was buzzing with life; several of the passengers had been stirred by the noise, and had gotten up to find out what was happening.
White Star Line staff was coming to and fro, answering question and calming down anxious women and the occasional nervous man.
Most people just seemed annoyed though; because a stop would mean that their arrival would be delayed, and besides, they'd gotten up for no reason.

"What do you think is going on?" Naruto asked, nudging Sasuke gently in the ribs.
"Ssh, listen;" Sasuke ordered, listening in on a conversation between a woman he recognized as Mrs. Ryerson and a crewman. She'd just asked him the same question.
"There's talk about an ice berg, ma'am." he replied, "We've stopped to avoid hitting it."

Naruto's hand briefly brushed against Sasuke's own.
It felt cold.
"Then why was there ice on the deck?" Naruto whispered to him, "You think it could have fallen down from one of the ice bergs nearby?"
"It's possible..." Sasuke whispered back, trying to stay calm.
"But not likely, right?"
Sasuke's reply was a single squeeze of his hand.

****

It seemed like most people received different answers, based on who they asked and on their position in society.
But most of the passengers seemed to believe the theory that everything was fine; heading back to their cabins, or up to the salon.
After all, not even the Lord himself would be able to sink this ship, so what was there to worry about? People told each other.

Sasuke and Naruto returned to the staircase after another trip up on deck, asking whoever they could find, receiving a different answer every time, and not seeing anything special up on the outside.
But coming back inside, it seemed the situation had changed yet again; maids were being sent down the corridors to the first and second class cabins, knocking on doors, and in the staircase, people were being told to put their lifebelts on 'just in case', and that the women were to assemble on deck.

The two of them exchanged glances and shot up the staircase again.
People were standing in groups on their respective decks, according to class. They were patiently awaiting orders, quietly talking amongst themselves, regarding each other. Mostly they were studying how the others were looking in their lifebelts.

There were still women who were refusing to put their lifebelts on, claiming it was unfashionable.

Naruto spotted a man to his left fastening a lifebelt on a woman he believed was called Vera.
"Try this model," he said, "It's all the rage; everyone'll be wearing them now."
The Captain walked past, smiling at her; "And if you don't have to put it to use, at least it will keep you warm!"
Seeing the captain acting cheery and calm relaxed the passengers gathered on deck.
A man that passed by Naruto mumbled in his direction; "Lifebelts! On a ship that can't sink! What a waste!"
Naruto offered him a brief glance, and then looked back over at Sasuke.
"Look," Sasuke said, nodding towards the railing further down, where a few officers were starting to lower one of the sixteen wooden lifeboats.
As soon as it was readied, they begun ordering women and children into the boat before finally lowering it down on the starboard side with no more than maybe twenty people inside.

It was a lot more chaotic up on deck now; people chattering nervously; thinking that the lowering of the first boat must mean something was seriously wrong, others insisting that it was only a drill, children complaining about being cold and tired, and some worrying about the jewelry they'd left in their cabins.


Naruto turned his gaze from the lowered lifeboat, to Sasuke.
The raven was staring at an officer who was readying what seemed to be a rocket.

Minutes later the first white distress rocket exploded in the sky above them.
The crowd on deck winced, some gasping out loud, others admiring the 'fireworks'.
The orchestra that normally played during dinner was playing cheery tunes to help passengers keep their hopes up, something that made a lot of them continue to think that everything was alright even as another lifeboat was being readied.

"Distress signals," Sasuke said, his voice calm but slightly shaky, "This ship's going to sink."
Naruto's eyes widened. The thought had pretty much occupied his mind constantly since he saw the lifebelts, but now that Sasuke actually spoke the words out loud it seemed real.

Another lifeboat was being lowered.
"Women and children only!"

"There's no way they're going to save everyone," Naruto mumbled.
"Not in a long shot," Sasuke shook his head.
"We need to find my family," Naruto sounded distressed.
Sasuke nodded.
"They should be out here somewhere," Naruto continued, "I saw that they were bringing out all of the first class people..."
Sasuke nodded again.
Naruto's family obviously meant a lot to him, even though they had put him through so much crap.
"Maybe they're on the other side," he said calmly, "Let's go."

They rushed across the deck, to the other side; Naruto frantically looking for one of his mother's big, feathered hats, something that was easier said than done, as virtually every modern woman of this day and age wore that kind of hat.

He finally spotted her, and dashed over to where she was standing.
His father was there as well, seemingly making a deal with one of the officers who was lowering the boats.
"Mother!"
"Naruto!" she cried, throwing her arms around his neck, "Where were you?!"
"With Sasuke," Naruto huffed, trying to catch his breath, "I went to see what the noise was, and ran into him."
Sasuke nodded from behind him.
"We're sinking," he continued, looking into his mother's deep blue eyes; mirrors of his own, "You have to get on a boat. There's not enough for everyone, so you need to get on one, okay?"
"Don't worry about it honey," she said, smiling bravely, "Your father has already arranged everything. There's room in the next one for all of us."
"I thought they were only allowing women and children..." he started.
"They are, but they're making certain exceptions. So just stay with us."
Naruto looked from his mother, to his father, who was keeping his hands on her shoulders, and then finally to Sasuke.
"No." he said.
"What?"
"Naruto!"
"Sasuke helped me find you guys, so I need to help him look for his family. I'll come back, okay?" he smiled.
Sasuke was staring holes in his back, but Naruto ignored him.
"If they start loading that boat before I get back, you have to get on it. Don't wait for me," he squeezed his mother's hand tightly, looking her straight in the eye. His voice was stern.
She opened her mouth to protest.
"Please," he cut her off, "For my sake."
"Naruto this is ridiculous!" his father's voice was trembling.
"I owe him this much," Naruto said stubbornly. "And I promise I'll be fine."
He gave his mother's hand one last squeeze, kissed her on the cheek and turned, dragging Sasuke along.
"Naruto!" he saw his mother in the corner of his eye, trying to chase after him, but his father was holding her back.
Rather than feeling worried, a wave of relief came over him.

"You should've stayed with them," Sasuke said, pushing past the crowd on deck, struggling not to loose sight of the blonde.
"Maybe," Naruto replied, dodging a woman clad in a fur coat, "But you helped me out, and I should return the favor."
He reached out, gripping gently at Sasuke's coat.
"And time's limited, right?" he forced a smile, but didn't get one in return.
The words had a new meaning now.

In the distance they saw more people getting into lifeboats.
Naruto caught himself thinking that maybe Sasuke's family had already gotten in one and left. They certainly had enough money to pull that stunt off .
But they couldn't possibly have done that, regardless of what had happened in London.

Sasuke searched the A Deck with his eyes, thinking the same.
It was highly likely that they'd taken off without him. It'd be the perfect cover-up wouldn't it? The tragic loss of their youngest son at sea.
A much better story to tell than how he had been caught with another man and disgraced the entire family.
He shuddered.
It probably would be for the best if they left him behind.
He didn't care much really; without them he'd be nothing, and with them he'd be miserable.

"I think I see them!" Naruto tore him out of his thoughts.
He was pointing to a crowd full of odd-looking people almost all the way at the stern. Odd because alot of them looked like they were dressed up to go to the Opera or a fancy party, but with lifebelts on and frightened expressions on their faces that could be spotted from far away.
But he could most definitely see them down there; his mother in her white fur coat, with a large hat bought in Paris tied to her head with a red silk scarf, his father standing with his back to them, and Itachi, just standing there, staring into nothingness, occasionally running his hand down their mother's back.

"Alright," Sasuke said, nodding at Naruto, "Come on. But stay calm, alright?"
A plan was forming in his mind, as they made their way down deck.
On each side of them people were yelling and crying; looking for their families, for their lovers or children. A woman was begging an officer to let her husband go with her as they lifted her into a lifeboat.
A child was crying hysterically, begging not to be taken from his father.
People were bumping into them from all sides while struggling to get to a lifeboat.

The deck was starting to tilt forward, making it slightly difficult to walk straight. And with the two of them making their way in the opposite direction, it rendered it even worse.

Sasuke stopped before they were all the way there, remaining standing close to the wall, in case he'd have to hold on to something.
He could clearly see his brother from there, but Itachi couldn't see him.
It struck him that it was probably the worst person to confide in, and that he was definitely sending the wrong guy to do so, but he swallowed hard and spoke calmly;
"Naruto, pull Itachi aside for me, okay? Don't let my mother see you..."
Naruto looked uncertain, his eyes seemingly asking what he was thinking, but he nodded, taking the order.
Like a shadow he moved from the wall, to Itachi; pulling carefully on his sleeve.

Itachi turned, his eyes falling on the blonde teen.
"Naruto?"
"Could you come with me for a moment?" the Uzumaki asked. He sounded nervous. But who wouldn't in this situation?
"What do you want?"
"It's important," Naruto insisted.
Itachi sighed, but without protesting.
He turned to his mother.
"Stay with father, I'll be right back. I just need to talk to someone..." he mumbled into her ear, assuring her that he'd be back.
Naruto smiled with relief, taking the lead, heading back to the wall where Sasuke was waiting.

Another rocket exploded above their heads.
Sasuke's pale face was illuminated from the white light. He looked worn. Tired, but determined.

"Sasuke."
Itachi's voice was a whisper.
"What are you doing?! Where have you been?"
"It's not important." Sasuke looked his brother straight in the eye.
Naruto kept his distance, but didn't dare to leave them alone.
"You're all okay?" Sasuke asked, sounding more worried than he probably wanted.
"Yeah," Itachi replied, "We're fine. But father is saying that he doesn't want to use his influence to get in a boat. He wants to wait until the women and children are saved."
"Figures," Sasuke snorted.
He sobered; "Then you need to take care of mother. It's all the more important if he's set on staying."
"What about you?" Itachi's eyes were dark.
Naruto tried to read if there was fear written in them, but Itachi was just as hard to read as his brother.
"I have something I need to do."
"Don't be silly Sasuke, if this is about what happened-"
"Listen!" Sasuke snarled, "Forget all about London, ok? Let it go! There's something I need to do, and I need you to take care of Mother while I'm doing it."
"You really want to make another mistake?" Itachi's words were harsh.
"It's not a mistake. It's what I'm supposed to do." the younger countered. "I need to do this. So please, do this for me."
Itachi looked away.
Was he struggling with himself?
Naruto chose to believe that he was.
Someone was crying hysterically nearby again; he tried to block it out.

"Stay with Mother, alright? They're letting men on the boats if there's not enough officers nearby. And you have money, so you should be alright, right?"
"That's pathe-"
"So what?! It doesn't always have to be about honor!" Sasuke glared at him, "Do what's right for once! Take care of her, and don't tell her you've seen me. It'll only make her worried."
"Sasuke..."

The ship was tilting even more, people stumbling along.
Naruto wobbled, but remained standing, gripping on to a latch in the wall. The faint smell of paint still hung in the icy air.
Someone next to him was praying silently.

"Please..." Sasuke spoke softer now, "Forget what I did. Just....be the big brother you want to be for once, not the role model you're expected to be."
Itachi hesitated.
Hesitated, sighed and then finally looked at his brother with a pained expression; "Fine...Do whatever it is you need to do."
The brothers exchanged glances.
"But..." Itachi started, fumbling with the words, "You're my little brother...so be careful...okay?"
Sasuke nodded, but was unable to hold the gaze.
How could he, when he was lying?
"Try to find us again?"
Itachi seemed so small all of a sudden.
Sasuke nodded insincerely.
"Alright," Itachi stuffed his hands into the pockets of his coat, "I need to get back to Mother..."
"Okay," Sasuke offered a small smile, "Promise you won't wait for me."
"If that's what you want."
Sasuke nodded again.
"Take care of yourself," Itachi almost whispered, he looked at Naruto "And you too."
Naruto smiled flatly.
"Take care," Sasuke replied.

The brothers remained looking at each other for a few more seconds, Itachi's hand resting on Sasuke's shoulder. Then he turned and left.
No emotion involved. But Naruto sensed the pain the two of them were sharing.


Sasuke was already on his way back. Naruto had to run to keep up with him, something that was increasingly difficult on the slightly askew , slippery deck.
Someone pushed him, rushing to get to a lifeboat that was already being swamped by desperate people.
"Sasuke!" Naruto grabbed him by the coat.
The Uchiha turned around.
"What now?" Naruto inquired.
Sasuke continued to walk quickly, heading for the door to the verandah cafe it seemed.

The Uchiha was prevented from answering; a sudden, loud bang sounded, cutting through the crisp April night, followed by despaired, horrified screams.
"Gunshot?" Naruto stuttered, feeling cold all of a sudden.
"Let's move!" Sasuke pulled him in the door, through the verandah cafe, and smoke room, towards the staircase.

The air was colder in here now, like there was a chilly draft coming from the floor, rising up from the deck under them.
But people were still sitting around there.
Naruto found it spooky. It was as if they were waiting...
As Sasuke dragged him towards the corridor, he heard someone say that they wanted to 'go down as gentlemen'.
It made a cold shiver run down his back. And slowly it dawned on him what Sasuke was planning.
His blood turned to ice, but he continued to follow the raven. He followed him down the corridor, and through the door to a cabin without asking questions.

And now here they were.
The room was slightly askew as well, just like the deck; the paintings on the walls hanging in odd angles, furniture standing awkwardly.

"Sasuke...?" he let himself fall down on the majestic bed; the only thing in the room that was still in the right place.
"What did we come here for?" he asked, already knowing the answer, and his own calm scared him.
"Did you forget something?"
"You know why we're here, don't you?" Sasuke's voice was calm, flat. He sat down next to Naruto.
The blonde nodded.
"You can go back up if you want to."

Naruto smiled.
He'd somehow made up his mind already, without thinking about it.
The desperation from before was gone. And now that didn't hear all the screams anymore he felt calmer, almost solemn.

"Tell me what happened in London," he tilted his head to the side, tentatively leaning it on Sasuke's shoulder.
"There's not much to tell," Sasuke sighed, "Only that I always I knew I was different...and when I acted that out, with this guy who worked for us...It wasn't love but...I felt free. And guilty. I felt bad about being me. But I couldn't help myself."
He sounded different, Naruto noted. Honest, and hurt.
"Then...they caught us... He was sacked, and I was accused of ruining our reputation; they froze me out of the family. My father practically disowned me, and then arranged for a marriage. You know the rest..."

Naruto waited.
He digested Sasuke's newfound honesty and the words he had spoken.
"I'm sorry," he finally said.

"They're the ones who should be sorry," Sasuke looked out into the lopsided room, "And me, for mixing you into all of this."
"Idiot," Naruto pushed him gently, "I got mixed up in this because I wanted to."
Dark eyes stared at him.
"You know why I'm still here?" he asked, "And why I didn't say anything against you?"
"Tell me," that odd smirk was back on Sasuke's face.
"I believe in destiny..." Naruto started, "And I don't think that my destiny is to survive this thing and go on living my miserable, joyless life..."
Dazzling blue eyes turned to Sasuke.
"And neither is yours."
"So...?"
"I'd rather have one day of freedom than living my life in a cage."
"Me too..." Sasuke placed his hand over Naruto's.
"So, we wait then, huh?" Naruto's voice was shaky, but determined.
"Yes," Sasuke replied, squeezing his hand gently, "We wait."

The room fell silent.
Outside people were still yelling and crying. Another rocket exploded.
A dog was barking somewhere.
The lights blinked.

"How long do you think...?" Naruto asked, looking at his pocket watch. It showed 01:41.
"I heard someone say the water is about ten feet under us right now...." Sasuke said, "So not too long."
"Alright. Might as well get comfortable, right?" he kicked off his shoes and leaned back on the bed.
Sasuke smiled crookedly.
He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small bottle.
Then he reached for the glass of water on the nightstand, briefly dwelling on the fact that it hadn't tipped, dripping a generous amount of light yellow fluid from the bottle into the glass.
"Here," he reached it to the blonde, "Drink half of it."
Naruto eyed him cautiously.
"What's that?"
"It's my mother's; Laudanum."
"Opium drops?" Naruto furrowed his brow.
"She uses it to get to sleep," he explained, "We drink half each."
"To soothe the pain?"
Sasuke's lip twitched.
"To ease the process."

Naruto accepted the glass, drank half of it and offered it back to the Uchiha. Sasuke finished the glass, leaving it on the nightstand.

Naruto's arms snaked around him, pulling him back on the bed.
"What are you doing?"
"Enjoying my freedom," the blonde purred against Sasuke's ear.
"Hn," Sasuke smiled, turning on his side, pressing his lips to Naruto's forehead.
It was strange to be this intimate with someone he didn't really know. But it was nice.
He wasn't worried.
It could just be the opium taking it's effect; numbing him from the world's cruel reality.
He searched for Naruto's lips, meeting them in a deep kiss.

Naruto kissed back, his insides burning.
The drug Sasuke had given him was beginning to work; soothing him, like a velvet blanket draping itself around his thoughts. A pleasant warmth spread inside of him along with a drowsiness that was like no other.

Sasuke was there, holding him tightly, whispering something, but he didn't catch it.
Their legs were entwined, foreheads pressed together.

Naruto felt like he was drifting in and out of consciousness, no longer hearing the terrible cries from the outside.
He didn't feel the cold drifting up from the floor.
And neither of them noticed the water that was steadily rising in the corridors, having already smashed the grand glass dome over the staircase. It steadily flowed in under the door, filling the room inch by inch, without them paying much attention.

It was just that euphoric, sleepiness caused by the opium and the warmth of each other's bodies that existed.
Even when the water reached the bed, washing over their feet and then their bodies.
He felt cold for a brief moment, and then a vague stinging in his chest when the water rose so high they couldn't breathe.
But he wasn't scared.

He peered his eyes open; huge blue orbs staring into dark ebony ones.
Sasuke was smiling. At least he thought so.
And he grabbed his hand.
The raven nodded at him. He nodded back.
Their grip on one another tightened as they both looked into each other's eyes, and took a deep breath.
For a brief moment there was an intense pressure, then an intense feeling of peace washed over them both.
And then darkness.

*****

The two of them never got to see all the people that went into the water on that fateful April night. Nor did they get to see the faces of their surviving families when they received the news.
Simply because destiny had wanted them to be free till the end.


Uchiha Itachi had spent his every waking moment thinking about it, since they set foot in New York, and he finally understood what that meant now.
His parents were still in denial; telling everyone the tragic story of how Sasuke had gone missing, leaving out that they probably knew what they had driven their son into. While the Uzumaki's had been seriously grieving the loss of their only son.

But he knew, and only he understood, that Sasuke had wanted it this way.
And he was the only one able to smile when he thought about it; when he went to the symbolic grave, and promised to keep his word and stay true to who he wanted to be.
For him, Titanic's maiden voyage was a nightmare, but also an important lesson, and something he came to be grateful for, for the rest of his life.

******

Footnotes:
That last part is actually the epilogue, but it looked lame by itself, so I left it as part of the last chapter.
Thanks for reading. And comments are as always, absolute love

Replies:

ChaliceofBlood: Woah, you are FAST! XD Thanks for your continous reviews! :3 And yeah, while it was clear that they were both attracted to each other...the timing was awful on Sasuke's behalf, and considering the time they lived in...I doubt Naruto would have reacted much differently straight away. While I love me some fluff...It definitely wasn't the time and place for it.
Thanks for reading. *3*

Dragon: XD Thanks. I'm sorry the story is so short; the moment it becomes promising it's over... but I hope you enjoyed it anyway!

MeLaiya: I guess he was just afraid of Naruto reacting like...like he did basically xD I didn't want to rush it, although this chapter moves very fast compared to the other three.
I hope I didn't take too long to update, and that you enjoyed the chapter. Thanks for reading!

Kuno: See, that metaphorical clock you're talking of...I was picturing that all along when I was writing this! I think it added to the drama and feeling of reality, but I know it's also really frustrating xD
As for Itachi...As I tried to portray in this chapter, he's not really that much of a jerk. He just didn't know how to deal with everything, and I think he just did what he thought was best for his brother.
And Sasuke..I guess he was scared of a repetition.
I'm sorry I didn't reval 'who' Sasuke's lover was, but I never really bothered to think of that. It's in the past, and yeah.
Also, lol, I'm sorry that 'frequent' in this case meant 'one more update', but I hope you enjoyed the final chapter!
Thank you very much for reading and reviewing! ^-^