This ship may sink!

Dinner in the first class dining room was just as Gerard expected.
Lots of rich snobs, talking about lots of dull things.
Robert dragged him around the pre-dinner reception, greeting everyone with a fake smile, and introducing Gerard as his son.
Gerard smiled softly and shook people's hands, quietly answering questions that were put to him about school, and what he planned on doing in America.
When they were seated, Robert ordered the lamb for himself, and a small salad for Gerard.
The others at their table had accepted Gerard as Robert's son, so the action was not unexpected, although it was slightly unusual with a boy of Gerard's age.
Robert dominated the conversation, talking about the cost of property, as Gerard sat and quietly ate his greens.
The meal was actually quite nice, though there wasn't enough of it, and Gerard was left hungry still at the end. But then, he was used to that.
A lady to Gerard's left asked him what he liked to do in his free time, and he quietly told her that he enjoys to paint "He's not very good though!.." Robert interjected, loudly ".. I've seen better pictures painted by children!" He laughed as Gerard lowered his head, hiding his burning cheeks behind his curtain of hair.
Once the meal was done, Robert partaking in a Waldorf Pudding, while denying Gerard any kind of dessert, Robert stood with the other men "It was a pleasure ladies.." He bowed to the wives before turning cold eyes toward Gerard ".. I suggest you go back to the cabin and get some sleep. I will likely be joining these gentlemen in their late night poker game, after we have had brandy and cigars, so do not wait up"
Gerard nodded "Yes sir" he murmured, quietly, his head hung low.
Robert squeezed his shoulder a bit harder than necessary, almost certainly leaving further bruises on Gerard's pale skin, then turned and walked away.
Gerard sighed in relief.
He quickly excused himself, thanking the women for their company and conversation, then he left the dining room, and headed out onto the Promenade deck.
Walking aft, he quickly made his way down onto the second class promenade. Glancing around the cold, moonlit deck, he saw that he was alone. The air was crisp and chilled, and everyone with an ounce of sense was inside in the warm right now.
Gerard walked slow, but determinedly over to the railing. He placed his hands on the rail and looked over. He looked down, down into the deep black ocean. The smooth surface was broken by white water around the massive propellers, and Gerard knew that in all likelihood, he would probably hit the large spinning curls of steal on the way down.. But if he was going to die anyway, what difference did a little pain matter to him?
Gripping the rail tightly, Gerard lifted one foot up onto the bottom rail, and then the other.
His heart was thundering in his chest and he was so very afraid right now, but he really didn't see another way out.
Stepping up again, Gerard heard a distant blast of laughter as someone opened a door. It went quiet again as the door was shut.
Gerard reached up with his left hand to grab a pole for support, and swung his right leg over the top railing, carefully placing his foot on the second railing from the other side.
He was just about to complete his transition, by lifting over his left leg to join the right, when a voice spoke out in the darkness "Gerard?.. Please don't?"
Gerard turned his head slowly, tears flooding his pale cheeks, to see who had interrupted his plans "F..Frank?.." He stuttered out ".. Why are you here?"
"I came out for a smoke!.. Real glad I did now!.." He stepped a little closer ".. I don't know what's made y' want to do this.. But it ain't worth it!"
"You don't know my life!.." Gerard spat out ".. Just leave me alone Frank"
Frank took another step forward "Yeah! I could do that.." He stepped again ".. Or I could take you to a party!"
Gerard looked at the other man, his tears suddenly forgotten "A party?.. What kind of party?" The last one Gerard had attended, was a garden party when his parents were still alive. He'd stolen a bottle of whiskey and hidden behind some bushes. That was the first time he ever got drunk.
He'd been caned for it, of course, but it was still a good memory.
Frank saw the spark in Gerard's eyes, and knew that he could save him "A fun party!.. One with music and dancin' and lots and lots of booze!.." He grinned, offering Gerard a hand ".. You up for that?"
Gerard looked at Frank's hand, then down at the freezing waters below him. Suddenly his resolve to end it started to slip. What would one more night hurt? He could always jump tomorrow.
Gerard met Frank's hopeful gaze "Ok Frank.." He said softly, taking the other man's hand, and allowing himself to be helped back over the rail, and onto the deck ".. Take me to a party!"
Frank grinned and headed back inside. Both men noticed that they were still holding each other's hands, but neither did a thing to change it.

Notes

Hi there chipmunks.. GeesCLUELESSgirl here!..

Sorry it's been a while, but I've been struggling a bit with general writer's block across most of my fics. I'm back now, and hope to get nearly everything updated soon.. Thank you for baring with me.

Anyway.. Please comment, stay safe, and peace out babies!
<3 Love ya!