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hoonieistrash · 4 years

Text

ephemeral love

pairing: jack! taehyung x rose! reader (x fiance! jungkook)

synopsis: As an aristocratic young woman, you are to be wedded as soon as you set foot in Philadelphia. Boarding the Titanic, your mundane life started to get twisted with a handsome young artist who saved your life.

word count: 34.5k

genre: fluff, smut, angst, historical, titanic au!

warnings/tags: UNEDITED, misogynistic themes cus it’s 1912 what fun times, dark and obsessive themes, explicit language, SMOKING, cheating, A MESS, a lot and I mean a lot of bad puns and jokes throughout the stories I’m sorry, Jungkook is a fucking asshole, SMUT

author’s note: LET ME JUST CLEAR SOMETHING UP HERE, English is not my first language so this is probably shit or something also this is my first ever long fic and smut omg. I followed the Titanic’s storyline, My summaries are also shit. I L O V E Taehyung’s RED HAIR SO :))) But I still hope you enjoy reading this mess of a story. keep in mind though, I’m a fucking asshole :)) THIS IS UNEDITED, so thank you for your patience haha! its 2 AM right now and I have my prelims later :) i haven’t reviewed :)) wish me luck

The gleaming white superstructure of Titanic rises mountainous-ly beyond the rail, and above that, the ochreous-colored funnels stood against the sky like pillars of a great temple. Crewmen move across the deck, dwarfed by the sheer size of the steamer.

The streets were packed with crowds as the large ship was being ready to set sail for the first time today, April.10th,1912. People waved their handkerchief and said their goodbyes to loved ones and friends. The busy street was crowded with lower and middle-class citizens as the employees of the voyage checked their belongings and tickets.

On the pier, horse-drawn vehicles, motorcars, and lorries move slowly through the dense throng. The atmosphere is one of excitement and giddiness. People embraced in tearful farewells, or wave and shout bon voyage to friends and relatives on the decks above.

With sudden honks of the motorcars, the people looked and went out the way of the cars and carriages of the rich folks of the place. Their automobiles and carriages were adorned by expensive belongings and furnishings, their wealth being displayed for anyone to see.

“Coming through! Get out of the way!” The workers of the voyage shouted as they pushed the people away to give space to the large transportations. One by one, the rich folks have gone out their cars as employees greet them politely and with great care of words, contrasting to the way they treated the lower-class passengers. You went out of the car as the valet guided you out, your hair curled and neatly tied. You aura exudes elegance and beauty and your enigmatic (e/c) eyes shone in the light while your (s/c) skin glow beneath the sun.

“I don’t see what the fuss is all about. It doesn’t look any bigger than the Mauretania.” You stated, unimpressed while staring at the infamous Titanic.

Your large pale blue hat which was adorned by soft white feathers has hidden her face a bit. Your long silhouette pastel blue dress fits your body like a glove, showing your small waist. Red luscious lips curled into a small frown, sharp eyebrows furrowing a bit.

A handsome young man wearing a slick expensive black suit soon followed, exiting the car. The man, Jeon Jungkook, the heir to the older Jeon’s fortune. He was arrogant and rich beyond belief. Good-looks to brag along with it.

“You can be blase about some things, (Y/N), but not about Titanic. It’s over a hundred feet longer than Mauretania and far more luxurious. It has squash courts, a Parisian cafe, and even Turkish baths.” Jungkook said. He then turned to the side and gave a helping hand to your mother, (M/N) (L/N), who descends from the very same car.

“Your daughter is much too hard to impress, (M/N)” Jungkook stated, helping the older woman.

“So this is the ship they say is unsinkable,” (M/N) said, staring at the large ship which was the talk of the world for almost a year.

“It is unsinkable. God himself couldn’t sink this ship.” Jungkook said with pride, looking at the ship as he was the host for the (L/N) in this voyage.

You rolled your eyes when you heard your fiance’s words, your ‘indecent’ action hidden from them while you stared at the Titanic.

This entire entourage of rich folks is impeccably turned out, a quintessential example of the Edwardian upper class, complete with servants. Jungkook’s manservant, Spicer Lovejoy, is a tall and impassive, dour as an undertaker. Behind him emerge, two maids, personal servants to you and your mother.

The maids went and took the luggage of their mistresses as Jungkook’s valet helped with it. Suddenly, an employee stopped them with a smile.

“I’m sorry, sir, but we have to inspect your luggage.” The old male said softly. Jungkook put his hand inside his coat and took out a five paper bill and gave it to him, patting him in the back. The porter’s eyes dilated at the sight of it.

“I put my faith in you, good sir.” He said, walking away from the porter with you and your mother and towards the Titanic. From behind, Jungkook’s manservant, Lovejoy, gave the employee a list.

“Here, three of the brown baggage is for room 12A and the others with black markings are for 15A. While the leather with a crest is for room 19A. Got it?” The stoic assistant said fastly making the employee confused but before he could ask about it, the former left him with the car.

“My shawl?” You asked, looking behind you, your arm wrapped around Jungkook’s, gently. Your maid answered with a small smile, “I have it, Miss.” baggage in her arms

With that, they got in the Titanic, looking around the furniture and design of the large ship. The three aristocrats then went to their own rooms while you, well the maid, unpacked your belongings and put it into the right place neatly.

“Taehyung, I swear to God. If your cards are not good enough–”

“It’ll be fine, Jiminie!”

4 males sat at the table, in the middle, bills and coins from four countries were scattered. This has been going on for a while and sitting on top of the money are two 3rd class tickets for RMS Titanic

“I can’t believe you bet our entire money on this, Taehyung!” Jimin scolded, grasping his brown hair as the stress got to him and even more when he saw his own cards. Taehyung grinned at him, his fiery red hair framing his handsome face.

“There are two tickets for the Titanic! How can I not!” Taehyung exclaimed as the other two males in front of them argued in a different language.

Jimin sighed at his best friend’s actions, just hoping that he had a good hand of cards in him because he certainly did not. Taehyung took a card on the pile in front of him, looking at it with a small frown. They then heard the Titanic’s whistle blow, the final warning.

“This is it! The moment of truth boys. Somebody’s life’s about to change.” Taehyung said, looking at the 2 Swedish men.

The males showed their cards one by one, the highest one yet was a pair. Taehyung looked at Jimin who stared at him with expectancy.

“I’m sorry, Jimin. It seems you won’t be seeing your Ma for a while.”

The shorter male gaped and exclaimed at that, “What?! What do you mean?! Taehyung, you idiot-!”

Taehyung then laughed and slammed his cards on the table as it showed a full house, “Because we’re going to America!”

Jimin’s eyes widened and cheered when the reality finally sank in, hugging his best friend as he shouted the words, “We’re going to America!”

The two men in front of them shouted in disbelief and annoyance at the outcome. Taehyung and Jimin celebrated their win, hugging each other. The two then looked back to the Swedish men and Taehyung said, “Sorry guys. Three of a kind and a pair. I’m high and you’re dry and…”

“We’re going to America!” Jimin continued, smiling widely. Taehyung kissed the tickets, then jumped on Jimin’s back and rode him around the pub. It’s like they won the lottery.

The bartender then cleared his throat, getting the attention of the two young males. “No, you won’t if you boys don’t hurry, cause Titanic will set sail in 5 minutes.” He said

“Shoot!”

“Hurry! Hurry! Grab the money!”

The two grabbed the money and were about to run for it when Taehyung’s collar was grabbed by the large male who he was playing with earlier. The latter raised his fisted hand as Taehyung braced himself for the impact but none came, however, a groan was heard from beside him. He opened his eyes and saw that the male punched his other Swedish friend in the stomach

Taehyung smiled sheepishly at the large male then they made a run for it, kit bags on their shoulders, carrying everything they own in the world, and sprinted toward the pier. They tear through milling crowds next to the terminal. Shouts going up behind them as they jostle through slow-moving gentlemen. They dodge piles of luggage and weave through groups of people. Finally, they burst out onto the pier and Taehyung comes to a dead stop staring at the cast walls of the ship’s hull, towering seven stories or greater above the wharf and over an eighth of a mile long. The Titanic is monstrous, something Taehyung hasn’t seen before.

When Jimin noticed that Taehyung wasn’t following him, he ran back and grabbed him, as they sprinted towards the third class gangway aft, at E deck. They reach the bottom of the ramp just as the officer detaches it at the top. It starts to swing down from the gangway doors.

“Wait! We’re passengers!” Taehyung shouted, flushed and panting, he waved the tickets.

“Have you been in the inspection queue?” The snobbish employee asked

Taehyung nodded, catching his breath and pointed to his back where Jimin was, “Me and him just finished. We don’t have lice or any diseases” he replied, cheerfully. The officer looked at them, judging their rugged appearance and worn out bags and clothes. He then sighed and reluctantly took the ticket and reattached the gangway which gave way to them, inside. The two went aboard and stood, looking at the officer as he checked their tickets. The officer glanced at the tickets, then passed Taehyung and Jimin through to another worker. The latter looked at the names on the tickets to enter them on the passenger list. He raised a brow, “ Gundersen. And… Gundersen..”

The older male looked at them suspiciously while the two smiled at him, innocently, as he handed them their tickets back and gave them an ‘okay’.

Taehyung wrapped an arm around Jimin’s shoulder and they walked away, “Let’s go, Sven~”

The two raced inside, whooping in victory, running down the white-painted corridor of the ship while they grin from ear to ear.

“We are the luckiest sons of bitches in the world!”

Taehyung and Jimin burst through a door onto the aft well deck, running across the deck and up the steel stairs to the poop deck. They got to the rail and Taehyung started to yell and wave to the crowd on the dock like a madman making Jimin shake his head at his best friend’s antics, knowing full well that he doesn’t know anyone on the dock.

“Let’s go, you crazy man,” Jimin said, grabbing one of his lapels and dragged him away.

The two walk down a narrow corridor with doors lining both sides like a college dorm. Total confusion as people argue over luggage in several languages or wander in confusion in the labyrinth. They pass emigrants studying the signs over the doors and looking up the words in phrasebooks. The two males passed the people and finally saw the room they’re looking for, opening it as two other males were inside.

Jimin then raced and occupied the top bunk while Taehyung introduced himself to the two Swedish men.

“Hello there, I’m Kim Taehyung, nice to meet you.” He shook one of the men’s hands and turned to Jimin who was laying on the top bunk already.

“Who said you can be on the top bunk, you little-!”

The two Swedish men looked at each other, confused as hell, as one asked, “Where’s Sven?”

By contrast, the so-called “Millionaire Suite” is in the Empire style, and comprises two bedrooms, a bath, WC, wardrobe room, and a large sitting room. Also, there is a private 50-foot promenade deck outside.

A room service waiter pours champagne into a tulip glass of orange juice and hands the Bucks Fizz to you while you look through your newly bought paintings. There’s a Monet of water lilies, a Degas of dancers, and a few abstract works. They are all unknown paintings, lost works.

You grabbed one of the paintings with a small and contemplating frown, currently occupied by your thoughts, debating on where you’ll put it. The maid smiled at you, her mistress, as she unpacks your clothes and folding it neatly.

“Will you be putting the paintings on the wall, Miss?”

“Yes, this room needs more color,” You said, walking around the room and placed the painting on the wall.

Jungkook was out on the covered deck before entering through the doorway to your room, he then saw you in the sitting room. He frowned a bit when he saw the odd paintings on your couch and bed.

“Those mud puddles were certainly a waste of money.” He said, looking at it with a small scowl.

“You’re wrong. They’re fascinating. Like in a dream… there’s truth without logic. What’s his name again…? Picasso” You replied, looking at the cubist’s paintings.

“He’ll never amount to a thing, trust me, Sweetpea… Well, at least they were cheap.” Jungkook said, going towards you as you sat down in your vanity, feeling tired with Jungkook being in the same room as you. A porter then appeared, he wheels in Jungkook’s private safe into the room on a hand truck.

“Put that in the wardrobe.” He ordered and followed the porter towards the wardrobe, watching it be placed gently.

“The paintings smell so brand new. Like they built it all just for us. I mean… just to think that tonight, when I crawl between the sheets, I’ll be the first–” Trudy, your maid said but was cut off when Jungkook entered the room again.

“And when I crawl between the sheets tonight, I’ll still be the first.” He said, looking at you with a sly glint in his eyes, a faint sign of smirk on his pink lips. Trudy blushed at the innuendo and quickly excused herself out of the room.

Jungkook walked towards you and put his hands on your shoulders as he gripped it a bit, looking at you through the mirror. It was an act of possession, not affection.

He smiled, “First and only, forever.”

The warm and soft smile on his face did not match the tight grip on your shoulders. You winced a little at that as you frowned at his words.

“I’ll be seeing you later then, Sweetpea.” Jungkook bid, ignoring your obvious wince, and with that, he went out of the room. The heavy atmosphere which you only felt, thickens. It was always like this, tense, making it hard to breathe but it was almost as if you’re the only one feeling it. Or maybe they also feel it, they just don’t want anything to do with it.

Taehyung and Jimin leaned far over the railings, looking down at the sea. In the glassy bow-wave, two dolphins appeared, under the water, swimming fast like the ship, just in front of the steel blade of the prow. They do it for the sheer joy and exultation of motion. Taehyung watched the dolphins and grinned. The breach, jumping clear of the water and then diving back, crisscrossing in front of the bow, dancing ahead of the juggernaut. Jimin grinned and looked up ahead as he pointed to the horizon.

“I can already see the Statue of Liberty, albeit small though.” He said cheekily as Taehyung chuckled. The latter climbed up the railings, letting go of the ropes and cheered loudly as possible, “I’m the king of the world!”

“…and our master shipbuilder, Mr. Andrews here, designed her from the keel plates up.” An old handsome man, Ismay, talked but you didn’t listen. The table was surrounded by people of your kind, rich people.

Ismay seated with Jungkook, you, (M/N), Molly Brown and Thomas Andrews in the Palm Court, a beautiful sunny spot enclosed by high arched windows.

“Well, I may have knocked her together, but the idea was Mr. Ismay’s. He envisioned a steamer so grand in scale, and so luxurious in its appointments, that its supremacy would never be challenged. And here she is, willed into solid reality!” Andrews said, slapping the table, not used to the attention he was getting.

“Why are ships always being’ called “she”? Is it because men think half the women around have big sterns and should be weighed in tonnage?” Molly asked as the table laughed at that except for you, who awkwardly smiled.

“Just another example of the men settin’ the rules their way.” She added. After a while, the waiter came to take orders. You took out your cigarette holder, bored and anxious, you lit it, inhaling the smoke.

(M/N) glared at you and said, “You know, I don’t like that (Y/N).”

Jungkook stopped mid-sip of his brandy and narrowed his eyes at you, who ignored them.

“She knows,” Jungkook said firmly, taking the cigarette away and putting it out quickly. You glared at your fiance who was now ignoring you, talking to the waiter on their side.

“We’ll both have the lamb. Rare, with a little mint sauce.” He said, the waiter nodded and went back to give their order to the chef. Jungkook then finally turned to you and uttered out with a smile like nothing happened, “You like lamb, don’t you Sweetpea?”

Molly, who was watching the dynamic between them smiled sarcastically at Jungkook who caught her gaze.

“You’re going to cut her meat for her too there, Kook?” and before he could answer, she swiftly turned to Ismay and asked a question.

“Hey, who came up with the name Titanic? You, Bruce?”

Ismay nodded, “Yes, actually. I wanted to convey the sheer size. And size means stability, luxury, and strength–”

“Do you know of Dr. Freud? His ideas about the male preoccupation with size might be of particular interest to you, Mr. Ismay.” You commented while Andrews chuckled, trying to preoccupy his attention with the soup in front of him.

“My God, (Y/N). What has gotten into–” (M/N) said but you stood up and excused yourself, stalking away.

(M/N) looked back to the embarrassed man with a horrified look on her face, “I’m terribly sorry for that.”

Molly smirked and looked at Jungkook, “She’s a piston, Kook. Sure you can handle her?”

Jungkook smiled back at her, tense but he acted unconcerned, “Well, I may have to start minding what she reads from now on, Mrs. Brown.”

Taehyung sat at one of the benches in the deck, bathing in the warm glow of the sun, Titanic’s wake spreads out behind him to the horizon. He had his knees pulled up, supporting a leather-bound sketching pad, his only valuable possession which was filled with his pieces. With a Conte crayon, he draws rapidly, using sure strokes.

A man has his 3-year-old daughter standing on the lower rung of the rail. She leaned back against his beer barrel of a stomach, watching the seagulls, as he explains how the propeller works. The sketch captures them perfectly, with a great sense of the humanity of the moment. Taehyung is good. Really good. Jimin looks over Taehyung’s shoulder. He nods appreciatively, smiling.

Yoongi, a scowling young man watching the crewmember coming by, walking three small dogs around the deck. One of them, a black french bulldog, and Yoongi thought that it was among the ugliest creatures on the planet.

“That’s typical. First-class dogs comin’ down here to take a shit.” He growled with a deep scowl. Taehyung looked up from his sketch and smiled sarcastically at him.

“That’s so we know where we rank in the scheme of things.” He said making the blond man looked at him, his scowl faltering a bit.

Yoongi chuckled deeply from his chest at the poor reality, “As if we could forget.”

Taehyung replied with his own chuckle and introduced himself to the man, “Kim Taehyung, nice to meet you”

The pale and shorter blond male grasped his hand in a firm hold and shook it gently, “Min Yoongi. Likewise.”

Taehyung nodded with a smile, happy that he made a new friend. He then let his big brown eyes wander across the deck but he stopped. He stared at the beautiful young woman with softly curled (h/n) hair and a baby pink silhouette dress. Taehyung was unable to take his eyes off of the young woman, he continued his staring.

They were across from each other, about 60 feet apart, with the well-deck like a valley between them. You were on your promontory, he on his much lower one. You stared down at the water with an unreadable look on your face. Taehyung watched you unpin your elaborate hat and take it off. You looked at the frilly absurd thing, then tossed it over the rail as it sailed far down to the water and was carried away, astern, a spot of pink in the vast ocean. He was riveted by you. You looked like the main heroine in a romantic novel, sad and isolated.

Jimin taps Yoongi on the shoulder as they both looked at Taehyung who was enamored and in awe at the sight of the young lady on the upper portion of the ship. They both grinned, shaking their heads at the young artist.

You turned suddenly and looks right at Taehyung. He was caught staring, but he didn’t look away though his heart was beating a bit too wildly. You did, though, looked away but looked back at him after a while, your eyes met across the space of the well-deck, across the gulf between two different worlds.

Taehyung then saw a young man wearing a slick suit, complementing his looks, walking towards you, grasping your arm in his hand. You jerked away from him as you two argued in pantomime. The beautiful lady stalked away after a bit, leaving the man alone with himself for a second or so, looking agitated, but he goes after you, disappearing along the A-deck promenade. Taehyung stared after you, dazed.

Yoongi scoffed at the young man and said, “Forget it, boyo. You’d likely have angels fly out of your ass than getting next to the likes of her.”

You looked into empty space as you sat on the round table, flanked by people in a heated conversation. Jungkook and (M/N) laughing together, while on the other side Lady Duff-Gordon was holding forth animatedly. You didn’t hear what they were saying, staring at your plate, barely listening to the inconsequential babble around you. Beneath the table, you held a tiny fork from your crab salad. Poking the fork into your skin, harder and harder every time, drawing blood. Mind in chaos, your emotions all over the place.

After the party-dinner, you walked towards your room, smiling at the passing people politely. You were composed, nothing like what you were feeling inside. When you got to your room, you closed the door. Standing in the middle of the room, looking at your reflection. You stood there, just looking at yourself with hatred, self-hatred. And then–

A primal, anguished cry claws at your throat. You ripped off your pearl necklace, which explodes, the pearls flying across the room. In a frenzy, you tore at yourself, your clothes, your hair then attacked the room. You fling everything off the dresser as it flies, clattering against the wall with a loud sound. Hurling a hand mirror against the vanity, it cracked violently. You looked around the room, panting deeply, and glaring at the ruined room as it matches with your mind.

You ran out of the room, shoving the people away from you as tears rolled down your pretty face. You ran along the B deck promenade, disheveled, your hair flying and sticking out from the immaculate hairstyle you wore all evening. Your cheeks streaked with tears but you were also angry, furious even! Shaking with emotions you didn’t even understand… hatred, self-hatred, desperation. A strolling couple watched you pass them, shocked at the emotional display in public.

On the deck, Taehyung lay on one of the benches gazing at the stars blazing gloriously above him an ethereal pattern for everyone to see as he thinks artist thoughts. He smoked a cigarette, blowing a small mist into the cold air, slowly disappearing after a while.

Taehyung’s eyebrows furrowed when he heard footsteps nearing him, he sat up and looked around. You run up the stairs from the well-deck, you two were the only ones on the stern deck, except for Quartermaster Rowe, twenty feet above them on the docking bridge catwalk. You, though, didn’t see the red-headed male in the shadows and ran right past him.

You run across the deserted fantail, breath hitching in an occasional sob that escaped from your quivering lips, which you tried to suppress but to no avail. You slam against the base of the stern flagpole and cling there, panting. You stared down at the black water, voices whispering to you to do something, to end your misery.

The disheveled young woman started to climb over the railing, hitching your long heavy dress up and climbed clumsily, almost slipping. Moving carefully when you got out, you turn your body and getting your heels on the white-painted gunwale, your back facing the railings, facing out towards the darkness of the night. 60 feet below you, the massive propellers are churning them into white foam, and a ghostly wake trails off toward the horizon.

You straightened your arms a bit, leaning forward to the empty air, looking down. Your dress and hair were lifted by the wind of the ship’s movements. The only sound you heard, above the rush of water below, was the flutter and snap of the big Union Jack right above you.

“Don’t do it.” A deep and firm voice called out. You gasped and looked back, tears blocking your vision from seeing clearly.

“Stay back! Don’t come any closer!” You shouted, more tears welling up. Taehyung saw the tear streaks on your cheeks in the faint glow of the lights and frowned slightly at the sight.

“Take my hand, I’ll pull you back in.”

Your eyebrows furrowed at that and snapped back, “No! Stay where you are! I mean it! Or I’ll let go!”

Taehyung stared at your desperate eyes, screaming for help. He shook his head.

“No, you won’t”

The young (L/N) frowned, “What do you mean ‘no I won't’? Don’t presume to tell me what I will and will not do. You don’t know me.”

Taehyung shook his head again, his red hair swaying a bit at the movement, “You would have done it already. Come on, take my hand.”

You were confused, you couldn’t see him very well due to the tears and from the faint light. You were about to wipe your tears with one hand to see better but almost slipped so you went back to grasping the rail bars tightly, facing away from Taehyung.

“You’re distracting me, go away!”

Taehyun smiled softly at her, “I can’t. I’m involved now. If you jump, I’ll jump in after you”

You scoffed at the idea, “That’s absurd! You’ll kill yourself.”

Taehyung shook his head, taking off his jacket, “Don’t worry, I’m a good swimmer.” After that, he starts undoing his boot’s shoelace.

“The fall alone will kill you,” You jabbed

“It would hurt, I’m not saying it wouldn’t. To be honest I’m a lot more concerned about the water being so cold.” Taehyung replied making you look down to the dark waters, reality slowly sinking in. You looked back at him, a frown playing on your lips.

“How cold?” You stammered out, looking back at Taehyung

“Freezing. Maybe a couple of degrees over.” He said, unlacing his other shoe after removing the other one.

“Ever been to Daegu?” the male asked

You gave the man an odd look, the normality of the question perplexed you as you shook your head, “No…”

“Well they have some of the coldest winters around, and I grew up there. Once when I was a kid me and my father were ice-fishing out on lake… ice-fishing is where you chop a hole in the–”

“I know what ice-fishing is!”

Taehyung smiled sheepishly at you, “Sorry. Just… you look like more of an indoor girl. Anyway, I went through some thin ice and I’m tellin’ ya, water is that cold… like that right down there… it hits you like a thousand knives all over your body. You can’t breathe, you can’t think… least not about anything but the pain.”

He then sighed and continued, “Which is why I’m not looking forward to jumping in after you. But like I said, I don’t see a choice. I guess I’m kinda hoping you’ll come back over the rail and get me off the hook here.”

You stared at him with a confused and weirded-out look, “You’re crazy…”

“That’s what everybody says but with all due respect, Miss, I’m not the one hanging off the back of a ship here,” Taehyung replied. He then went closer to you slowly, testing the waters.

“Come on. You don’t want to do this. Give me your hand.” He said, offering his hand to the young woman. You stared at him as if he escaped from the madhouse but when you finally saw his eyes clearly, it seemed to fill your universe. There was pure warmth swimming within them, swallowing you whole that you almost forgot the cold air nipping on your skin.

“O-Okay…” You muttered, grabbing his hand gently. Taehyung held your hand firmly, feeling the soft cold skin on his.

“I’m Taehyung. Kim Taehyung”

You turned around with his help and with a quavering voice, you replied, “Nice to meet you, Mr. Kim”

The male smiled at you while you started to step out, now that you have decided to live, the height absolutely terrified you. Overcome by vertigo as you shifted your footing, climbing up. As you start to climb out with the help of Taehyung, your dress got in your way and one foot slips off the edge of the deck, making you lose your footing.

You plunge down quickly, letting out a piercing shriek. Taehyung gasped at the sudden movement but quickly grasped your hand firmer than before, the sudden weight made him jerked toward the rail painfully. You barely grabbed the lower rail with your free hand, gasping as your heartbeat wildly inside your ribcage. Looking at the male, your frightened look made Taehyung gripped you tightly.

“Help! PLEASE!”

The Quartermaster Rowe, up on the docking bridge heard the scream and headed for the ladder, alarmed.

Taehyung bit his lips, his arms straining at the pull of gravity on you two. He let out a tired, “I got you. Don’t worry. I got you…”

Taehyung holds your hand with all his strength, bracing himself on the railing with his other hand. While the man held you, you tried to get some kind of foothold on the smooth hull. Taehyung tries to lift your body over the railing as he felt his arms getting tired. You couldn’t get any footing in your dress and evening shoes, and you slipped a little from Taehyung’s grip making you scream, scared to death at the feeling of no solid ground beneath your feet.

The young male awkwardly clutched you by whatever he can get a grip on as you flail, gravity pulling you down. Miraculously, he finally gets you over the railing. You two fell together onto the deck in a tangled heap, spinning in such a way that Taehyung winds up slightly on top of you as your breaths ragged because of the terrifying moment.

The Quartermaster Rowe got down to the deck and ran to the fantail then saw the tangled couple on the deck floor.

“Hey, what’s all this?!”

The Rowe ran towards you two and pulled Taehyung away from you, his eyes widening when he saw you, a disheveled and crying aristocrat. Your dress was torn from all the kicking, and the hem was pushing up above your knees, showing one ripped stocking. He looks at Taehyung, a shaggy steerage man with his jacket off, and the first-class lady clearly in distress, and started to draw conclusions. Two seamen chug across the deck to join them.

The Rowe glared at Taehyung and said, “You! Stand back! Don’t move an inch!” then looked at the two seamen and quickly ordered them

“You two! Fetch the Master at Arms” which the two men quickly did and ran back. Taehyung gaped at the Rowe and shook his head, “N-No! It’s not what it looks like!”

“Shut up, vermin!”

A few minutes later. Taehyung was being detained by the burly Master at Arms the closest thing to a cop on board the ship. He was handcuffing Taehyung while Jungkook was right in front of Taehyung, and he was furious. He has obviously just rushed out here with Lovejoy and another man, his friend and business partner, Jung Hoseok and none of them have coats over their black-tie evening dress. Hoseok, a businessman Jungkook was talking to earlier, a handsome man who still has his brandy snifter offered it to you, who was hunched over crying on a nearby bench, but you waved it away. Jungkook was more concerned with Taehyung, he grabbed him by the lapels, glowering at him.

Jungkook was absolutely furious! How dare this peasant touch his fiance! You were only his to touch, who does this rat think he is! The nerve of this poor man touching another man’s property, he should have his head on a plate for what he did!

“What made you think you could put your hands on my fiance?!” Taehyung ignored the male, observing you in the corners of his eyes. Jungkook noticed this and scowled at Taehyung.

“Look at me, you filth! What did you think you were doing?!” The young aristocrat shouted at Taehyung, his grip tightening on his lapels. The redheaded male pursed his lips in anger, trying to control his emotions, locking eyes with the glaring aristocrat

You frowned at that, exhausted. You stood up and moved closer to the two, trying to tug away Jungkook’s tight grip on Taehyung’s straps.

“Kook, stop! It was an accident!”

Jungkook turned to you and laughed sarcastically, “Accident? Really? That’s the stupidest thing I heard-!”

You bit your lip, your ears burning in embarrassment to what you will say next, “It is stupid but it’s true! I was leaning over and… I slipped”

The young woman made eye contact with Taehyung for a second before looking back at Jungkook.

“I was leaning way over, to see the… ah… propellers. And I slipped and I would have gone overboard… and Mr. Kim here saved me and he almost went over himself.” You explained making Jungkook loosen his grip on Taehyung’s lapels. The young aristocrat looked at you in disbelief.

“T-The propellers? You wanted to see the propellers?”

The Hoseok sighed at (Y/N)’s words, “Women and machinery do not mix well.”

The Master of Arms looked at Taehyung with an untrusting look on his face still, “Is that the way it is?”

Taehyung glanced at you, your eyes begging to not tell them what really happened earlier and nodded without hesitation, turning to the man.

“Uh-huh. that was pretty much it.”

Taehyung then looked back at you, eyes looking a bit longer, taking your features in. Now you two have a secret together.

The Hoseok smiled a bit and patted Taehyung’s back, “Well! The boy’s a hero then. Good for you son, well done!” He then turned to Jungkook who was staring at Taehyung with a hint of a small scowl on his handsome face.

“So it’s all’s well and back to our brandy, eh?” He added and Jungkook nodded a bit. Taehyung then was uncuffed by the Master of Arms while Jungkook held you in his arms, feeling your cold skin with his hands.

“Let’s get you in. You’re freezing.“ He muttered to you, leading you away and leaving without a second thought for Taehyung. Jung Hoseok looked back to Taehyung and called out to Jungkook, “Maybe something for the boy.”

Jungkook and you not getting too far away when the former heard what Hoseok said, he looked at Taehyung then to his personal servant, Lovejoy.

“Oh, right. Mr. Lovejoy, a twenty should do it.”

You frowned softly at him and said, “Is that the going rate for saving the woman you love?”

Jungkook raised a brow at that, looking at his fiance’s tired but still beautiful face. He stared deep into your eyes and pursed his lips a bit.

“(Y/N) is displeased. What to do…” Jungkook tutted and turned back to Taehyung. He appraises him condescendingly, a steerage ruffian, unwashed and ill-mannered. Born and destined die as a waste, nothing worthwhile.

“I know” He muses and smiled tightly at Taehyung. “Perhaps you could join us for dinner tomorrow, to regale our group with your heroic tale?” Jungkook added.

Taehyung was about to decline but then his eyes turned to (Y/N) and agreed without thinking.

“Sure. Count me in.”

Jungkook nodded, “Good. That’s settled then” Kook turned to go, putting a protective arm around you, walking away with Hoseok following and the other workers going back to their posts, leaving Taehyung and Lovejoy.

Taehyung turned to the manservant who was about to follow his master, “Can I bum a cigarette?”

Lovejoy smoothly draws a silver cigarette case from his jacket and snapped it open. Taehyung took a cigarette, then another, popping it behind his ear for later. Lovejoy lights Taehyung’s cigarette with an indifferent look. Jungkook’s manservant let his eyes trail the male and locked with his unlaced boots.

“You’ll want to tie those.” Taehyung followed where Lovejoy was looking and stared at his unlaced boots.

“Interesting that the young lady slipped so mighty all of a sudden and you still had time to take off your jacket and shoes. Mmmm?” Lovejoy retorted as his expression was bland, but eyes, cold. He turned away to join his master. Taehyung sighed, arching his neck and holding it with one hand while blowing a cloud of smoke out, tired.

You sat in your vanity, looking at yourself and changed clothes for bed. In the corner of the mirror cracked, you saw Jungkook enter the room. The male looked at the disarrayed room with a frown. Your fiance slowly walked towards you.

“I know you’ve been melancholy, and I don’t pretend to know why,” Jungkook whispered, unexpectedly tender. From behind his back, he handed you a large black velvet jewel case, you took it, numbly.

“I intended to save this until the engagement next week. But I thought tonight, perhaps a reminder of my feelings for you…”

You slowly opened the box, your eyes widened at the sight of the necklace inside, in all its glory. It was huge, a malevolent blue stone glittering with an infinity of scalpel-like inner reflections.

“My God… Jungkook. Is it a–”

Jungkook smiled at your reaction, happy with it, and nodded. “Yes, it is a diamond. 56 carats.”

He takes the necklace and places it around your throat. He turns you to the mirror, staring from behind you.

“It was once worn by Louis XVI. They call it Le Coeur de la Mer, the–”

“Heart of the Ocean… Jungkook, it-it’s overwhelming.”

Jungkook stared at your reflection in the mirror, admiring the way the necklace complimented your soft (s/c) skin.

“It is for royalty. and we are royalty, (Y/N)” His fingers caressed your neck and throat. He seems to be disarmed by your elegance and beauty. His emotions, for the first time, unguarded. The wall he built for years crumbling in your presence.

“There’s nothing I wouldn’t and couldn’t give you. There’s nothing I’d deny you in this world. Just open your heart to me, (Y/N).”

You looked at yourself, the necklace heavy on your neck. In your eyes, it was not a necklace but a dog collar. Something that will bind you more to Jungkook. A collar that proves his ownership of you.

As the next morning came, you walked into the sunlight right in front of the deck. You were stunningly dressed and walked with purpose. You carried yourself with dignity and elegance. You unlatched the gate to go down into the third class. The steerage men on the deck stopped what they were doing and stared at you, confused and in awe of your beauty.

The social center of steerage life was stark by comparison to the opulence of the first-class, it was a loud, boisterous place. There are mothers with babies, kids running between the benches, yelling in several languages and being scolded in several more. There are also old women yelling, men playing chess, girls doing needlepoint and reading dime novels. There was even an upright piano and Yoongi was playing around it.

Three boys were shrieking and shouting, scrambling around to chase a rat under the benches, trying to whomp it with a shoe and causing general havoc. Taehyung was playing with a 5-year-old girl, drawing funny faces together in his sketchbook. Jimin on the other side was struggling to get a conversation going with an attractive Norwegian girl sitting with her family at a table across the room.

“English? Maybe Korean?”

The Norwegian shook her head and said with a heavy accent, “No, no. Norwegian. Only.“

The woman’s eyes caught something in the room, looking at it with surprise. Jimin followed where she was looking and did a double-take. Taehyung who saw Jimin’s expression also followed, curious, and saw you, coming toward them. The activity in the room stops, a hush falls.

You suddenly felt self-conscious as the steerage passengers stared openly at this princess, some with resentment, others with awe. You spot Taehyung and gave a little smile, walking straight to him. He rises from his seat to meet you, smiling.

“Hello Taehyung”

Jimin and Yoongi were floored. It’s like the moment when the slipper fits Cinderella. The two did not believe that this princess was here in the third-class deck and talking to Taehyung.

“Hello again” Taehyung soothed. You then looked around, the people never removing their eyes on you. You smiled sheepishly and turned back to look at him.

“Could I speak to you in private?”

Taehyung tilted his head, confused, but nonetheless nodded, “Of course. After you.”

He motions you ahead and follows. Taehyung glanced over his shoulder, one eyebrow raised, meeting the eyes of his friends as he walks out with you leaving a stunned silence behind.

Taehyung and you walked side by side in the A-deck. Passing people reading and talking in steamer chairs, some of whom glanced curiously at the mismatched couple. He feels out of place in his rough clothes. They are both awkward, for different reasons.

“So um. You got a name?”

You looked at him and nodded. “(Y/N) (m/n) (L/N)”

Taehyung stared at you, joking a bit, he said “That’s quite a mouthful. Gotta write that down later.”

You, though, did not laugh nor looked amused, looking nervous. The air was filled with an awkward silence.

“Mr.Kim–” You started but Taehyung cut you off

“Taehyung” He corrected

“Taehyung… I feel like such an idiot. It took me all morning to get up the nerve to face you.”

The male smiled at you, trying to ease some tense air around them, “But here you are.”

“Here I am. I… I want to thank you for what you did. Not just for… for pulling me back. But for your discretion.” You recalled as you two walked through the open hall.

“You’re welcome, (Y/N)”

You sighed, frustrated. “Look, I know what you must be thinking. Poor little rich girl. What does she know about misery?“

Taehyung stopped walking and looked at you with furrowed brows making you stop too.

“That’s not what I was thinking. What I was thinking was… what could have happened to hurt this girl so much she thought she had no way out.“

You bit your lips at his reply, trying to blink tears away, and turned around. “I don’t… it wasn’t just one thing. It was everything. It was them, it was their whole world. And I was trapped in it, like an insect in amber.” You walked away making Taehyung follow.

“I just had to get away… just run and run and run… and then I was at the back rail and there was no more ship… even the Titanic wasn’t big enough. Not enough to get away from them. And before I’d really thought about it, I was over the rail. I was so furious. I’ll show them. They’ll be sorry!”

Taehyung sighed at your words, “Uh-huh. They’ll be sorry. You’ll be dead”

You stopped and lowered your head. Eyes tearing up, trying to suppress it.

“Oh God, I am such an utter fool.” You lamented, Taehyung going up beside you.

“That penguin last night, is he one of them?” The red-head asked with a quirk of his eyebrow. It was then your turn to furrowed your brows, looking at the male who was waiting for your answer.

“Penguin? Oh, Jungkook. Yes, he is one of them.”

Taehyung hummed, “Is he your boyfriend?“

You chuckled humorlessly, “I’m afraid it is something worse.” and showed Taehyung your engagement ring, the sizable diamond shining in the light. The male whistled lowly at the sight of it.

“God, look at the size of that thing! You would’ve gone straight to the bottom.” He let out but you did not laugh, still in your thoughts. A passing steward scowls at Taehyung, who is clearly not a first-class passenger, but you just glared at him and he walked away.

“So you feel like you’re stuck on a train you can’t get off ‘cause you’re marryin’ this fella.“ Taehyung stated, after clearing his throat when the awkward silence won’t disappear, which you agreed to.

“Yes, exactly!”

“Then don’t marry him.”

You sighed at Taehyung’s blunt answer and shook your head.

“If only it were that simple.” You let out

The male replied with a, “It is that simple.”

The young lady looked at Taehyung and frowned at him then looked down to the floor.

“Do you love him?” He asked another question making the lady glared at him

“That’s rude. You shouldn’t even be asking me this. Do not judge me. You haven’t seen my world.”

He raised a brow at that and muttered, “Why can’t you just answer the question?” You laughed nervously and fakely as you tried to get away from the male who followed you.

You then looked back at him and said, “This is absurd! You don’t know me and I don’t know you and we are not having this conversation at all.”

“You are rude and uncouth, and presumptuous. And I am leaving now.” You added, anger and embarrassment filling you.

Taehyung stared at the rumbling woman in front of him with amusement, a teasing smile on his face as he got the answer to his question.

“Taehyung… Mr.Kim. It has been a pleasure.” You bid, emphasizing on Mr.Kim and shook his hand.

“I sought you out to thank you now I have thanked you–”

“And you’ve insulted me.” Taehyung cut off, with an amused look. You smiled tensely and replied, “Well you deserved it.”

“Right” Taehyung mused out

“Right.” You repeated with furrowed brows. Your hands still connected and shaking. Taehyung looked down at their moving hands with a small smile and looked up back again.

“I thought you were leaving?”

You realized and removed your hand away from him, clearing your throat, turning back around to walk away.

“I am.” With a tight smile still on your face, annoyed.

You turned around to face Taehyung, stopping on your tracks to go back to him, and said, “You are so annoying.”

Taehyung chuckled at your words as you started to walk away again. You then realized something and looked at Taehyung who was just standing there, watching you pace around with an amused smile as his hands were in his pockets.

“Wait.” You said a frown present on your beautiful face. You walked closer to him.

“I don’t have to leave. This is my part of the ship. You leave.” You argued, pointing to the other side as you faced Taehyung who looked down at you, smile still intact.

Taehyung laughed sarcastically at you and leaned against the rope beside him, “Oho-ho-ho! Well, well, well. Now who’s being rude”

You opened your mouth to retort, shocked at the male’s words. You chuckled out in disbelief. The topic annoying you, wanting to change it immediately. The brown leather sketchbook caught your eye and you took it from him.

“What’s this stupid thing you’re carrying around anyway?” You asked, agitated making Taehyung look at his sketchbook and shrugged.

You flipped through the pages and paused, looking up to Taehyung who stared down at you, the height difference between you two showing.

“What are you? An artist or something?” You asked, flipping through more of the pages and walked to the benches.

“Well… These are rather good…” You commented with a softening voice, admiring his works. Taehyung followed and sat next to you, watching you while you scanned through the pages.

“They’re very good actually…” You added. Taehyung’s sketches were each one an expressive little bit of humanity: an old woman’s hands, a sleeping man, a father, and daughter at the rail. The faces are luminous and alive. His book was a celebration of the human condition.

The young lady looked back up at Taehyung and said, “Taehyung, these are exquisite works” with awe in your voice

“Well, they didn’t think too much of 'em in Paree,” Taehyung replied, a small smile in his pink lips.

“Paris? Huh, you do go around for a poor–” You stopped your words, looking at Taehyung with shame on your face.

“I mean… For a person with limited means–”

Taehyung chuckled at your words, “It’s okay, you can say it. A poor guy.”

You didn’t reply, ashamed of yourself though Taehyung seemed to not mind it one bit. You flipped through the pages of his sketchbook when…

“Well well”

You came upon a series of nudes. You transfixed by the languid beauty he has created. His drawings of these naked women were soulful, real, with expressive hands and eyes. They feel more like portraits than studies of the human form almost uncomfortably intimate. You blushed, raising the book as some strollers go by, hiding it from their view.

You cleared your throat, “And these were drawn from life?“

Taehyung nodded, amused at the young lady’s reaction.

“Yup. That’s one of the great things about Paris. Lots of girls are willing to take their clothes off.“

You didn’t reply to his words but continued to flip on the pages of the sketchbook.

“You liked this woman. You used her several times.”

Now it was Taehyung’s turn to turn bashful, stumbling on his words at first as he tried to explain it to the young aristocrat

“N-Nothing like that. You see, she has beautiful hands.” Taehyung said, pointing to the drawing of her hands to emphasize his point. The lady just hummed in response, teasing the young artist.

“I think you must have had a love affair with her…“ You teased, smiling at him cheekily. Taehyung laughed at that, shaking his head at the sudden playfulness of the young lady.

“No, no! Just her hands.“

(Y/N) looked down at the drawings as Taehyung explained further, “She was a one-legged prostitute, you see”

He flipped to another page as you ‘ugh’-ed ghastly at the image, Taehyung laughing at your reaction.

“Oh…”

“She has a good sense of humor, though” He added. Then he seemed to remember something and turned the page once again, “Oh and this lady”

“She used to sit at this bar every night with every piece of jewelry she owned, just waiting for her long lost love” Taehyung explained as you looked at the drawing of a ragged woman with fancy jewelry on her clothes and skin.

“Called her Madame Bijou,” He said making the (h/c) haired lady look at him.

“Look how her clothes are all moth-eaten” the artist added. You chuckled at that. Taehyung was quiet for a bit, admiring the woman beside him as you admire his drawings and with a whisper, you uttered out,

“You really do have a gift Taehyung. You can see people.”

You looked at him with a small smile. Taehyung gazed at you in return, a smile on his lips.

“I see you”

That stare his eyes magnetic and pulled you in without warning. Your eyes, though, turned coy and rivaled his magnetic stare with your own.

You smirked a bit and asked, “And?”

Taehyung stared at you with a serious look, “You wouldn’t have jumped”

Your smirk fell at his words, your face turning sour as thoughts rapidly run into your mind.

You and Taehyung strolled down the aft, passing people who were relaxing on the deck chairs, bathing in the soft glow of the sunset.

“You know, my dream has always been to just chuck it all and become an artist… Living in a garret, poor but free” The young lady muttered with a soft voice, a wistful smile on your pink lips.

“You wouldn’t last two days. There’s no hot water, and hardly ever any caviar” Taehyung teased, a smirk appearing, but you got angry, spinning around to face the male.

“Listen here, buster. I hate my caviar! And I’m sick and tired of people dismissing my dreams with a chuckle and a pat on the head” You said out with a small glare.

Taehyung’s eyes widened at that, not meaning to upset you, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.”

You softened your glare when you saw Taehyung’s face and nodded, “Well, alright. I don’t know what it is but there’s something in me, Taehyung. Whether I should be an artist, or, I don’t know…. a dancer. Like Isadora Duncan…. a wild pagan spirit…” You trailed off, looking at the beautiful sunset. It was a magical moment, the glow making you look more ethereal than ever as Taehyung gazed upon you with a soft look.

“Why can’t I be like you, Taehyung? Just head out for the horizon whenever I feel like it.” You smiled, looking shortly to the male to smile at him before going back to admire the setting sun.

“Well it wasn’t easy at first but you’ll get used to it and it was beautiful. There was this pier and I always sell my artworks there for 10 cents apiece.” Taehyung replied, breaking his daze, now looking at the sun. You looked back at him, a smile on your face as dimples appeared on your cheeks ever so softly.

“Say we’ll go to that pier. Even if we only ever talked about it.” You said with a grin and Taehyung thought for a moment, a soft smile on his face

“No, we’ll do it. We’ll drink cheap beer. We’ll ride on a rollercoaster till we throw up” Taehyung listed down, You giggled at his ideas.

“And we’ll ride horses on the beach, right on the surf. But we have to ride it like a real cowboy. None of that sidesaddle stuff!” He added making you look at him in disbelief as big and bright smiles rest on both of your faces.

“You mean, one leg on each side?” You asked in astonishment. Taehyung nodded with a laugh.

“Can you show me?” You asked with a bashful smile.

Taehyung nodded easily, returning your shy grin, “Sure… If you like.”

You then have this determined look on your face as you exclaimed, “Teach me how to ride like a man!”

The male couldn’t help but laugh, “And chew tobacco like a man,” He said with this adorable western cowboy accent you ever heard. You giggled, adding, “And spit like a man!” Copying his accent

“They didn’t teach you that in finishing school?” Taehyung asked sarcastically with a teasing quirk of his dark eyebrow.

You laughed at his words, “No”

He smirked and grabbed you, pulling you with him.

“Come on, I’ll show you!”

Your eyes widened in fear and thrill while he pulled you along the side, walking to the railing.

“What?! Taehyung, no!”

“Come on!”

“Taehyung–!”

“It’s easy!”

“I couldn’t possibly–”

Taehyung looked at you and smirked, “Watch closely” and spit, it arched over the water. You were impressed, disgusted, but also wanted to laugh so badly when Taehyung looked back at you with the cutest smile as if he did not just spit on the water

“That’s disgusting!” You exclaimed but your smile did not waver

“Alright, your turn!” He chirped a boxy grin still intact on his face.

You looked around to see if anyone was watching then turned to the railing and spit, quite pathetically.

“That’s pitiful! Come on, you really have to hawk it back. Get some leverage to it!” Taehyung instructed, facing forward as he demonstrates it with you following his actions

You hawk and spat, a little arch going at it as it fell in the water. Taehyung nodded, “Well that’s better but you really have to hawk it out”

“Really? That’s better?”

Taehyung nodded, a smile on his face when he heard your hopeful voice. You turned to him, your face alight but suddenly you blanch. He saw your expression and turned around. (M/n), a Countess and Molly Brown has been watching you two hawk out spit to the water. You became composed, instantly, looking at your mother and stepping away from Taehyung a bit, smiling to the women.

“Mother… May I introduce, Kim Taehyung”

An awkward and tense silence filled the air while (M/N) studied Taehyung with a disgusted look on her aged face.

“Charmed, I’m sure” (M/n) replied after a while still looking at Taehyung. Taehyung has a little spit on his chin which he quickly wiped off, Molly grinned at him. (M/n) did not look amused and looked at him as if he was a bug, a dangerous one that should be squashed immediately.

“Well, Taehyung, it sounds like you’re a good man to have around in a sticky spot–” Molly said but was cut off by the bell of their meal call.

“Why do they insist on always announcing dinner like a damn cavalry charge?” She added making you smile a bit tightly.

“Shall we go get dressed, Mother?” You asked your mother then you turned to Taehyung, “I’ll see you later, Taehyung”

They walked away to the other side, Taehyung heard (M/N) scold her daughter “(Y/N), look at you! Out in the sun with no hat! Honestly!”

The Countess exits with (M/N) and you leaving Taehyung and Molly on the deck. Molly looked at Taehyung and said, “Son, do you have the slightest comprehension of what you’re doing?”

Taehyung looked at the older woman after he finished gazing at your fleeting back, “Not really” he said, cheekily. A smile, still prominent on his handsome face.

“Well, you’re about to go into the snakepit, I hope you’re ready. What are you planning to wear?” Molly asked as Taehyung looked down to his clothes then back at her, his smile faltering.

“I figured. Come on” Molly sighed out as she grabbed his arm and dragged him away

Men’s suits and jackets and formal wear are strewn all over the place. Molly, having a fine time. Taehyung was dressed, except for his jacket, and Molly was tying his bow tie.

“Don’t feel bad about it. My husband still can’t tie one of these damn things after 20 years… There you go.”

She picks up a jacket off the bed and hands it to him. Taehyung put on the jacket with Molly’s help, “I was right! You and my son are just about the same size” She said, smiling at Taehyung who returned it gratefully, looking at himself in the mirror.

“Very nice~,” He said, admiring the entirely different man in the mirror. He turned to Molly and smiled at her, gratefully.

“Thank you, Miss Molly” Taehyung uttered

Drifting strains of classical music were heard even from a couple feet away from the main entrance. By Edwardian standards, Taehyung looks stunningly beautiful and blended in with the stuck-up crowd. Dashing in his borrowed white-tie outfit, right down to his pearl studs.

A steward bows and smartly opened the door to the First Class Entrance, “Good evening, sir.”

Taehyung played the role smoothly, nodding at the steward with just the right degree of disdain.

The handsome, newly well-dressed male steps in and his breath were taken away by the splendor spread out before him. Overhead is the enormous glass dome, with a crystal chandelier at its center, glowing a beautiful golden light. Sweeping down six stories is the First Class Grand Staircase, the epitome of the opulent naval architecture of the time.

And the people, the women in their floor-length dresses, elaborate hairstyles, and abundant jewelry and the gentlemen in evening dress, standing beside their women with one hand at the small of the back, talking quietly.

Taehyung descends to the A-deck, several men nodded a perfunctory greeting. He nods back, keeping it simple. He felt like a spy, on an important mission, to save his lady from the villain.

Jungkook comes down the stairs, with (M/N) on his arm, the two covered with expensive jewelry. They both walk right past Taehyung, neither one recognizing him. Jungkook nodded at him, one gent to another, but Taehyung barely had time to be amused. Because just behind Jungkook and (M/N) on the stairs was you, a vision in red and black, your low-cut dress showing off your neck, that was adorned by a shiny necklace, and shoulders, your arms sheathed in white gloves that come well above the elbow. Taehyung was hypnotized by your beauty, stealing a breath from him.

You saw Taehyung, his usual messy red hair was slicked back as it showed his handsome face. You smiled at the man, walking towards him, one hand hitching your dress a bit. He imitates the gentlemen’s stance, hand behind his back and stretched out the other to you. You extended your gloved hand and he takes it, kissing the back of your hand. You were flushed, beaming noticeably. You can’t take your eyes off him. Your heart beating strangely faster with him.

“I always wanted to do that since I was just a lad” Taehyung informed, a bright boxy grin on his lips. You returned the smile, just as bright, giggling a bit

You cleared your throat a bit, remembering something, “Kook, surely you remember Mr. Kim”

Jungkook looked back at (Y/N) then at Taehyung, caught off guard at the male’s different appearance, looking more of a human being than a dirty rat on the streets, the young aristocrat thought.

“Kim! I did not recognize you.”

Jungkook studied him and nodded condescending, “Amazing, you could almost pass as a gentleman.”

(M/N) stared at the man, still with an unimpressed look as she and Jungkook walked away with (Y/N) and Taehyung following. They walked towards the reception room at the D-deck as the party descends to dinner. They encountered Molly Brown, looking good in a beaded dress, in her own busty broad-shouldered way.

Molly grinned when she sees Taehyung as they are going into the dining saloon, she walks next to him, speaking low: “ Ain’t nothin’ to it, is there, Taehyung?”

He nodded, “Yeah, you just dress like a pallbearer and keep your nose up.“

The older woman chuckled at the truth of it and said, “Remember, the only thing they respect is money, so just act like you’ve got a lot of it and you’re in the club.”

As they enter the swirling throng, Molly left them for a while and socialized with the other who came up to talk. (Y/N) leans close to him, pointing out several notables.

“There’s the Countess Rothes. And that’s Jung Hoseok… the richest man on the ship. His little wifey there, Madeleine, is at my age and in a delicate condition. See how she’s trying to hide it. Quite the scandal, ain’t it.” You whispered to Taehyung who listened in amusement at your words.

You nodded to another couple and began again, “And over there, that’s Sir Cosmo and Lucile, Lady Duff-Gordon. She designs naughty lingerie, among her many talents. Very popular with the royals.”

Jungkook becomes engrossed in a conversation with Kim Seokjin and Colonel Kim Namjoon, while (M/N), the Countess and Lucille, Seokjin’s wife, discussed fashion. (Y/N) picots Taehyung smoothly, to show him another couple, dressed impeccably.

“And that’s Benjamin Guggenheim and his mistress, Madame Aubert. Mrs. Guggenheim is at home with the children, of course.” You told Taehyung everything you know because, in your life, that’s a habit rich people like to do, ruining and gossiping about others.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Jungkook was accepting the praise of his male counterparts, who were looking at you like a prize show horse, nodding and gazing up and down at you.

“Jeon, she is splendid.”

Jungkook nodded, liking the fact that these men know who you belong to but hate that they were staring at his wife fiance, “Thank you.”

Namjoon then commented, “Jungkook’s a lucky man. I know him well, and it can only be luck.”

(M/N) stepped over, hearing the last. She takes Jungkook’s arm, somewhat coquettishly and said, “How can you say that Colonel? Jeon Jungkook is a great catch.”

The entourage strolled towards the dining saloon, where they ran into Jung Hoseok going through the ornate double doors.

“Mr. Jung, Madeleine, I’d like you to meet Kim Taehyung.” (Y/N) introduced, Hoseok grabbing his hand, shaking it with a smile while his wife nodded at them.

“Nice to meet you, Taehyung. Are you one of the Kims of Seoul?” He asked, remembering his partners, Kim Seokjin and Kim Namjoon.

“No, the Daegu Kims, actually,” Taehyung replied.

Hoseok nodded as if he had ever heard about it then continued to look puzzled. Madeleine leaned closer to you and whispered girlishly with a coy smile, “It’s a pity that we’re both spoken for isn’t it.” then turned to smile at Taehyung, straightening up.

Like a ballroom at the palace, alive and lit by a constellation of chandeliers, full of elegantly dressed people and beautiful music from the small orchestra. As you and Taehyung entered and moved across the room to their table, Jungkook and (M/N) beside you. They sat down at the large table filled with rich people.

“Tell us of the accommodations in steerage, Mr. Kim. I hear they’re quite good on this ship.” (M/N) said, looking at him from her place.

Taehyung was seated opposite to you, who is flanked by Jungkook and Thomas Andrews. Also at the table are Molly Brown, Ismay, Colonel Namjoon, the Countess, Kim Seokjin, Madame Aubert, and the Jungs.

“The best I’ve seen, ma'am. Hardly any rats.” Taehyung replied, making the table laugh. You then motion surreptitiously for Taehyung to take his napkin off his plate.

“Mr. Kim here is joining us from third class. He was of some assistance to my fiance last night.” Jungkook informed the people at their table. He then looked at Taehyung and said to him, as if talking to a child, “This is foie gras. It’s goose liver.”

Whispers were heard around the table, Taehyung becoming the subject of furtive glances. Now they’re all feeling terribly liberal and dangerous.

Seokjin leaned to Madame Aubert to whisper in her ear, “What is Jeon hoping to prove, bringing this… bohemian… up here?”

The waiter then came over to Taehyung, “How do you take your caviar, sir?“

Jungkook intervened, “Just a soupcon of lemon… it improves the flavor with champagne.” smiling arrogantly at him

Taehyung smiled back then turned to the waiter, “No caviar for me, thanks. Never did like it anyway.” looking at you who smiled at him, knowingly. Jungkook noticed Taehyung looking at his fiance and with a furrowed brows watched you smile at your lap, with confusion and anger as he gripped his fork.

“And where exactly do you live, Mr. Kim?” (M/N) asked

Taehyung looked at her and said, “Well, right now my address is the RMS Titanic. After that, I’m on God’s good humor.”

The salad was then served, Taehyung reached for the fish fork. You gave him a look and picked up the salad fork, prompting him with your eyes. He changes forks.

“You find that sort of rootless existence appealing, do you?” The older (L/N) asked

“Well… it’s a big world, and I want to see it all before I go. My father was always talkin’ about goin’ to see the ocean. He died in the town he was born in and never did see it. You can’t wait around, because you never know what hand you’re going to get dealt next. See, my folks died in a fire when I was fifteen, and I’ve been on the road since. Somethin’ like that teaches you to take life as it comes at you. To make each day count.” Taehyung said, you gazed at him with a look, eyes softening.

Molly Brown raises her glass in a salute, “Very well said, Taehyung”

Colonel Kim Namjoon raised his glass, “Here here” and (Y/N) followed, looking at Taehyung

“To making it count.” You said with a smile.

(M/N), annoyed that Taehyung has scored a point, pressed him further.

“How is it you have the means to travel, Mr. Kim?”

“I work my way from place to place. Tramp steamers and such. I won my ticket on Titanic here in a lucky hand at poker. “ He trailed as he looks at you with enigmatic eyes

“A very lucky hand” He added

Namjoon nodded, agreeing with Taehyung and said, “All life is a game of luck.”

Jungkook looked at his friend with a stern look, “A real man makes his own luck.”

Namjoon shaking his head at his long time friend but nonetheless continued to talk to Taehyung.

Dessert has been served and a waiter arrives with cigars in a humidor on a wheeled cart. The men start clipping the ends and lighting it.

“Nest it’ll be brandies in the Smoking Room.” (Y/N) said lowly to Taehyung as Namjoon stood up

“Well, join me for a brandy, gentlemen?” He invites

(Y/N) then added, “Now they retreat into a cloud of smoke and congratulate each other on being masters of the universe.”

Taehyung stifled a smile at you and straightened up when he heard Namjoon call him.

“Joining us, Taehyung? You don’t want to stay out here with the women, do you?”

Taehyung actually does, but…

“No thanks. I’m heading back.”

Jungkook stared him down and nodded, “Probably best. It’ll be all business and politics, that sort of thing. Wouldn’t interest you. Good of you to come.” with that, the gentlemen exited.

(Y/N) looked at Taehyung who stood up, brushing his suit, “Must you go?”

Taehyung smiled at you, holding your hand as he slipped a paper on your hand sneakily.

“It’s time for my carriage to turn back into a pumpkin.”

(M/N), scowling, watched him walk away across the enormous room. (Y/N) surreptitiously opened the note below table level. It reads: “Make it count. Meet me at the clock”.

You smiled and quickly hid the paper, waiting a bit before following Taehyung, excusing yourself.

You crossed the A-Deck foyer, sighting Taehyung at the landing above. Overhead is the crystal dome, he had his back to you, studying the ornate clock with its carved figures of Honor and Glory. It softly strikes the hour.

The (h/c) haired lady goes up the sweeping staircase towards him. He turns and sees you, he smiled.

“Want to go to a real party?”

The crowd was led and alive with music, laughter and raucous carrying on. An ad hoc band is gathered near the upright piano, honking out lively stomping music on fiddle, accordion, and tambourine. People of all ages are dancing, drinking beer and wine, smoking, laughing, even brawling.

Yoongi hands you a pint of stout and you hoisted it. Taehyung meanwhile dances with 5-year-old Cora or tries to, with her standing on his feet. As the tune ends, you walked up to them and leaned down to the little girl and said, “May I cut in, miss?”

Taehyung smiled at you then at Cora, “You’re still my best girl, Cora”

Cora scampers off while you and Taehyung faced each other. You were trembling as he took your right hand in his left. His other hand slides to the small of your back. It is an electrifying moment, their hearts beating wildly.

You looked at Taehyung and whispered, “I don’t know the steps.”

He smiled at your practical mind, “Just follow my lead. Don’t think”

The music started and they were off, dancing with each other for the first time. A little awkward at first but you then started to get into it. You grinned at Taehyung as you started to get the rhythm of the steps.

“Wait, stop!” You bend down, pulling off your high heeled shoes, and flung them to Yoongi who caught them with a shake of his head and a small smile. Then you grabbed Taehyung and they plunge back into the fray, dancing faster as the music speeds up.

The scene was rowdy and rollicking. A table got knocked over as a drunk crashes into it. And in the middle of it, you were dancing with Taehyung in your stockings. The steps were fast and you shined with sweat. Space opens around them, and people watch you, clapping as the band plays faster and faster.

Jimin and Helga danced ignoring the need for a common language and just enjoyed each others’ presence. He whirled her, then she responded by whirling him too. Jimin’s eyes went wide when he realized that she was stronger than him.

The tune ended in a mad rush, Taehyung stepped away from (Y/N) with a flourish, allowing you to take a bow. Everyone cheered and applauded. You were suddenly a hit with the steerage folks, who’ve never had a lady party with them.

They moved to a table, flushed and sweaty. You grabbed Jimin’s cigarette and took a big drag. You were feeling cocky. Jimin was grinning, holding hands with Helga.

“How are you two doin’?” Taehyung asked Jimin who smirked at him.

“I don’t know what she’s saying, she doesn’t know what I’m saying so we get along just fine,” He said, smiling at Helga

Yoongi walked up with a pint for each of them, You chugged yours down, showing off.

“You think a first-class girl can’t drink?“ You asked, a growing smirk on your pretty lips. Yoongi shook his head at you, a smile playing on his face. He grew fond of you, it was almost like you were his long lost sister, who was richer than him anyway…

Everybody else was dancing again, and a man crashes into Yoongi, who sloshes his beer over your expensive dress. You gasped then laughed, not caring one bit, but Yoongi lunges, grabbing the man and wheeling him around.

“Fuckin’ bastard! Watch where you’re going!”

The drunken man comes around, his fists coming up and before anything happened, Taehyung leaped into the middle of it, pushing them apart.

“Boys, boys! The lady’s alright, don’t get all pissy!” He said making Yoongi looked at you which you replied with a reassuring smile, he relaxed a bit and sighed. Yoongi stood there, all piss and vinegar, chest puffed up. Then he grins and claps the man on the shoulder.

“So, you think you’re big tough men? Let’s see you do this.“ (Y/N) said. In your stocking-feet, you assumed a ballet stance, arms raised, and goes up on point, taking your entire weight on the tips of your toes. The guys gape at your incredible muscle control. But then you came back down, your face screwed up in pain. You grabbed one foot, hopping around.

“Oooowww! I haven’t done that in years.“ You complained as Taehyung caught you before you lost your balance with everyone laughing.

The door to the well-deck opened a few inches as Lovejoy watched through the gap. He sees Taehyung holding you, both of you laughing. Lovejoy closed the door then retreated back to report back to his master.

The stars blazed overhead, so bright and clear you can see the Milky Way. (Y/n) and Taehyung walks along the row of lifeboats, still giddy from the party and they are singing a popular song “Come Josephine in My Flying Machine”.

“Come, Josephine in my flying machine and up she goes! Up she goes! In the air, she goes. Where? There she goes!”

You both fumbled the words then broke down laughing. You two reached the First Class Entrance but didn’t go straight in, not wanting the evening to end. Through the doors, the sound of the ship’s orchestra wafts gently. You grabbed a davit and leans back, staring at the cosmos.

“Isn’t it magnificent? So grand and endless,” you asked, going to the rails and leaned on your arms on it.

“They’re such small people, Taehyung… my crowd. They think they’re giants on the earth, but they’re not even dust in God’s eye. They live inside this little tiny champagne bubble… and someday the bubble’s going to burst.”

He leans at the rail next to you, his hand just touching yours ever so slightly. It is the slightest contact imaginable, and either one of you can only feel the square inch of skin where your hands are touching.

“You’re not one of them. There’s been a mistake.” Taehyung said making you look at him with an amused raised brow

“A mistake?”

He nodded, ”Uh-huh. You got mailed to the wrong address.“

You laughed and nodded in agreement, “I did, didn’t I”

Then at the corner of your (e/c) eyes, you saw a bright light pass above. (Y/N) looked up and pointed with a smile, “Look! A shooting star!”

Taehyung also looked at the magnificent sky and with a quirk of his lips, “This was a long one but my father used to say that whenever you saw one, it was a soul going to heaven”

(Y/N) twinkled like the stars above, “I like that… But aren’t we supposed to make a wish?”

Taehyung looked at you and found that you were suddenly very close together. It would be so easy to move another couple of inches, to kiss you. Oh, how Taehyung wants to do it but it would be wrong. You seemed to be thinking the same thing, looking down briefly at his lips then up back to his eyes. Taehyung’s breath hitched as he saw the brief flick of your eyes.

“What would you wish for?” He whispered

After a beat, you moved away, smiling sadly at him and said, “Something I can’t have…”

“Goodnight, Taehyung. And thank you.” You whispered to the night and left the rail, hurrying to the First-Class Entrance. Taehyung looked at you go, feeling conflicted.

“(Y/N)!” He called out but it was too late. The door shuts and you were back in your world while he was left in his.

It was a bright clear day the next morning, sunlight splashing across the promenade. (Y/N) and Jungkook were having breakfast in silence in their private area, the tension is palpable. Trudy, in her maid’s uniform, poured the coffee and went inside, leaving the two alone again.

“I had hoped you would come to me last night.” Jungkook started, not looking at you, eating his breakfast.

You looked up but went back to staring at your plate and cut the food into small pieces, “I was tired.”

Jungkook stopped his movements, stopping mid-cut and looked up, glaring at you. “Yes. Your exertions below the decks were no doubt exhausting.”

You stiffened at his words but switched back to your usual unbothered facade, “I see you had that undertaker of a manservant follow me.”

The man growled, his dark eyebrows arching into a glare as his eyes screamed, anger.

“You will never behave like that again! Do you understand? And I don’t want you hanging around that dirty little rat again, you hear me!”

You glared back, matching his anger and said, “I’m not some foreman in your mills than you can command! I am your fiance–“ In one swift and alarming movement, Jungkook exploded and swept the table making the breakfast china and all of its contents fly as it crashed unto the wall and floor at the sheer force. He moved closer to you in one shocking moment, glowering over you and gripping the sides of your chair, so you were trapped between his arms. Leaning to you, his eyes were wide with fury and teeth grinding against each other.

“Yes! You are! As my wife… in practice, if not yet by law. You will honor me! As a wife is required to honor her husband! I will not be made a fool of! Is this in any way unclear?” Jungkook glowered as he stared deep into your eyes. You were trembling, heart, beating fast but not the same rhythm when you were with Taehyung, no. It was pure fear.

You shrink into the chair. You see Trudy, frozen, partway through the door bringing the orange juice. Jungkook followed your eyes and straightened up when he saw the maid. Without any words, he stalked past the maid, entering the stateroom, leaving you with tears threatening to escape your (e/c) eyes.

Trudy quickly went to the mess and tried to fix it. You followed her actions, crouching beside her, still trembling.

“I’m sorry, Trudy. We had a little accident…”

Trudy looked at her mistress and frowned, stopping you from touching the broken china.

“It’s okay, Miss.” but you did not stop. Trudy tried again, “Miss, please don’t touch it. You might cut yourself”

You finally snapped back to reality as you slumped to the floor and tears freely flowed down your soft cheeks. You hid your face in your hands. Trudy looked at you, a deep frown on her face, worried deeply.

Inside (M/N)’s suite, You were being dressed for the day and is in the middle of wearing your corset with your mother’s help. The tight bindings on your corset showing (M/N)’s fury.

“You are not to see that boy again, do you understand me (Y/N)? I forbid it!” She blurted out.

“Oh, stop it, Mother. You’ll give yourself a nosebleed.” You muttered and gasped slightly when you felt the harsh tug of the corset. (M/N) turned you around, making the younger look at her.

“(Y/N), this is not a game! Our situation is precarious. You know the money’s gone!”

You scoffed, “Of course, I know. You remind it to me every day.”

(M/N) glared at her daughter and said, “Your father left us nothing but a legacy of bad debts hidden by a good name. And that name is the only card we have to play.”

(M/N) turned you back around and continued to lace your corset up. You glanced down to your feet, sucking down on your waist, a frown present on your pretty face.

“I don’t understand you. It is a fine match with Jeon, and it will ensure our survival.”

“How can you put this on my shoulder” You muttered, feeling angry and sad at the pressure of your mother.

You turned around again to say something but stopped when you saw the pure fear in your mother’s eyes.

“Do you want to see me working as a seamstress? Is that what you want? Do you want to see our fine things sold at an auction, our memories scattered to the winds? My God, (Y/N), how can you be so selfish?” (M/N) asked, tears burning her eyes.

“I’m being selfish? Me?! You are being unfair, mother–!”

“Of course it’s unfair! We’re women. Our choices are never easy.” (M/N) uttered out, pulling the last lace and tied it securely. The maids then went inside the room, placing the dresses the two will wear on the bed. For the rest of the time you were being dressed, it was quiet and tense. Neither of you two was talking, only the thoughts running on your mind occupied you.

At the divine service, Captain Smith was leading a group in the hymn of “Almighty Father Strong To Save.” You and your mother sang in the middle of the group, looking at the pamphlet in your hands.

Lovejoy stood at the back, keeping an eye on you. He noticed a commotion at the entry doors and quickly gone out. Taehyung has been halted there by two stewards. He has dressed back in his third-class clothes and stood there, hat in hand, looking out of place.

“Look, you-you’re not supposed to be in here.” A steward said, pushing him back.

“I was just here last night… don’t you remember?” Taehyung pleaded. He saw Lovejoy walking towards them and looked at him hopefully, pointing at him.

“He will tell you!”

Lovejoy went out and stood in front of Taehyung, “Mr. Jeon and Mrs. (L/N) continue to be most appreciative of your assistance. They asked me to give you this in gratitude–” He held out two twenty-dollar bills, which Taehyung refuses to take.

He shook his head, “I don’t want money. I–”

“-and also to remind you that you hold a third-class ticket and your presence here is no longer appropriate.” Lovejoy continued as Taehyung sighed in annoyance. He looked past Lovejoy and saw (Y/N) but you did not spot him.

“I just need to talk to (Y/N) for–”

Lovejoy cut him off and turned to the stewards, “Gentlemen, please see that Mr. Kim gets back to where he belongs.” as he gave the twenties to them. “And that he stays there” The tall servant added.

The stewards nodded, “Yes sir!” and turned to Taehyung, “Come along” as they dragged the male away who struggled, shouting for you. Inside the room, the younger (L/N) did not see it, singing in the choir but your mother did, nodding appreciatively to Lovejoy who made eye contact with her, smirking ever so slightly.

Taehyung, walking with determination, is followed closely by Yoongi and Jimin. He quickly climbed the steps to B-Deck and stepped over the gate separating 3rd from 2nd class.

“She’s a goddess amongst mortal men, there’s no denyin’ that. And I like her too, she’s like a sister to me but she’s in another world, Tae. She’s closed the door.” Yoongi said, looking at the young artist. Taehyung moved furtively to the wall below the A-Deck promenade, aft. Jimin agreed with Yoongi.

“Yoongi is right, Taehyungie. (Y/N)’s an angel but sometimes we just have to move on. Haven’t you think that she may also don’t want anything to do with us?”

“It was them, not her.” He said firmly and looked around.

“Ready?… Go.” Taehyung said, ignoring their words.

Yoongi shook his head resignedly and puts his hands together with Jimin in the same position, crouching down. Taehyung steps into Yoongi’s and Jimin’s hands and got boosted up to the next deck, where he scrambles nimbly over the railing, onto the First Class deck.

“He’s crazy I tell you,” Yoongi said as he watched Taehyung run

“Love makes you do crazy things, Yoongi…” Jimin commented as a small smile on his face but a bit worried about his best friend.

Taehyung sneakily walked in the deck, looking around for any workers he has to avoid. He then saw a lone coat jacket on one of the benches. He swiftly took it and run off, searching for you.

On the other side, a 21-year-old Junior Wireless Operator hustles in and skirts around Andrews’ tour group to hand a Marconigram to Captain Smith.

“Another ice warning, sir. This one from the “Baltic”.”

“Thank you, Sparks.” Smith glanced at the message then nonchalantly put it in his pocket. He nods reassuringly to you and the group.

“Not to worry, it’s quite normal for this time of year. In fact, we’re speeding up. I’ve just ordered the last boilers lit.” He reassured the group.

Andrews leads the group back from the bridge along the boat deck, seeing the lifeboats. “Mr. Andrews, I did the sum in my head, and with the number of lifeboats times the capacity you mentioned… forgive me, but it seems that there are not enough for everyone aboard.” You said, worrying.

“ About half, actually. (Y/N), you miss nothing, do you? In fact, I put in these new type davits, which can take an extra row of boats here. But it was thought… by some… that the deck would look too cluttered. So I was over-ruled.” Andrews said, a frown in his face.

Jungkook scoffed and slapped the side of the boat with his cane, “Waste of deck space as it is, on an unsinkable ship!”

Andrews smiled at Jungkook’s faith in his work, “Sleep soundly, young (Y/N). I have built you a good ship, strong and true. She’s all the lifeboat you need.”

As they are passing Boat 7, a gentleman turns from the rail and walked up behind the group. It was Taehyung. He tapped (Y/N) on the arm and you turned, gasping when you saw him. He motioned to follow him and you quickly cut away from the group toward a door that Taehyung held open. You two duck into the gymnasium. Taehyung closed the door behind you and glanced out through the ripple-glass window to the starboard rail, where the gym instructor is chatting up the woman who was riding the bike. You and Taehyung were now alone in the room.

You looked at Taehyung and remembered your mother’s words and your fiance’s outburst, you frowned.

“Taehyung, this is impossible. I can’t see you anymore.” You reasoned, trying to move away and exit the room.

He shook his head and held you by the shoulders, looking deep into your eyes and breathed out, “(Y/N), I need to talk to you”

You furrowed your eyebrows with a sad frown, “No, Taehyung, no” And looked at the window with a worrying glance, “Taehyung… I’m engaged. I’m marrying Jungkook and I love him.” you added, glossy eyes hinting your sadness. Your tone makes it seems like you aren’t even trying to convince Taehyung but yourself.

Taehyung wore a skeptical grin, “(Y/N) you’re no picnic… you’re a spoiled little brat even, but under that, you’re a strong, pure heart, and you’re the most amazingly astounding girl- woman-I’ve ever known and–”

You frowned once again, “Taehyung, I–” and moved away but Taehyung stopped you before continuing quickly.

“No, wait. Let me try to get this out. You’re ama…” He stopped for a bit, breathing deeply.

“I’m not an idiot. I know how the world works, I got 10 bucks in my pocket and I know I have nothing to offer you, (Y/N). I know that. But I’m too involved now. You jump, I jump, remember? I can’t turn away without knowin’ that you’re goin’ to be alright. That’s all I want” Taehyung said, his last words almost a whisper, looking at you with the utmost sincerity that it made your eyes gleam with tears.

The male was open and real, unlike anyone you have known.

“Well, I’m fine. I’ll be fine, really” You whispered, Taehyung leaning closer to you.

“Really?” He asked again as your gaze shifts uneasily

“I don’t think so. They’ve got you in a glass jar like some butterfly, and you’re goin’ to die if you don’t break out. Maybe not right away, 'cause you’re strong. But sooner or later the fire in you is goin’ to go out.” Taehyung caressed your cheek, you looking up at him, swallowed hard and with a quiet voice, “It’s not up to you to save me, Taehyung.”

He nodded

“You’re right. Only you can do that.” Taehyung said, leaning a bit closer than before but you stopped him with your hand touching his.

The young aristocrat stared at him, eyes hiding what you really felt, “I’m going back, leave me alone. Please, Taehyung, for both our sakes, leave me alone.” and tear yourself away from him, going out the room. Taehyung’s sad eyes followed you and after you were out of sight, he hung his head in defeat, jaw clenched.

The most elegant room on the ship, done in Louis Quinze Versaille style. You sat on a divan, with a group of other women arrayed around you. (M/N), the Countess Rothes and Lady Duff-Gordon are taking tea. You were silent and still like a porcelain figurine while the conversation washes around you.

“Of course the invitations had to be sent back to the printers twice. And the bridesmaids’ dresses! Let me tell you what an odyssey that has been…” (M/N) informed the other ladies.

In your thoughts, you saw yourself when you were a four years old girl, wearing white gloves, daintily picking up a cookie. Your mother correcting your posture, and the way you held the teacup. The little girl was trying so hard to please the woman, her expression serious. A glimpse of (Y/N) at that age, and the relentless conditioning, shows the pain in becoming an Edwardian geisha.

Finally, you have decided. You nonchalantly spilled the tea unto your immaculate dress, stating, “Oh, looked at what I have done.”

In the dusk light of the sun, as if lit by the embers of a giant fire, the ship looms, Taehyung was there, right at the apex of the bow railing, his favorite spot. He closes his eyes, letting the chill wind clear his head. His emotions in ruins.

He hears your voice, calling out to him.

“Hello, Taehyung” He turned around, shocked as he saw you. You bit your lips and gave a sheepish smile, “I changed my mind.”

A broad warm grin expanded on his face, looking at you with a soft glint in his equally warm eyes. Your cheeks were red with the chill wind, and eyes sparkling like diamonds. Your hair blew wildly about your face.

“Jimin said you might be here–”

“Shhh… Come here”

You walked up to him as he put his hands on your waist. Like he was going to kiss you. “Close your eyes.”

And you did, and he turns you to face forward, the way the ship is going. He presses you gently to the rail, standing right behind you with a soft smile. Then he took your two hands and raised them until you were standing with your arms outstretched on each side. You were going along with him and when he lowers his hands, your arms stayed up… like wings.

“Okay, you can open them now” He whispered to your ears, his deep voice affecting you deeply.

(Y/N) gasped. There is nothing in your field of vision but water, it’s like there was no ship under them at all, just the two of them soaring. The Atlantic unrolls toward you, a hammered copper shield under a dusk sky. There were only the wind and the hiss of the water 50 feet below. You grinned.

You leaned forward, arching your back. Taehyung puts his hands on your waist to steady you, leaning his cheek to the side of your head.

“Come Josephine in my flying machine…” Taehyung sang softly beside your ear, the same song you two sang when you left the party making you giggle gently.

You closed your eyes, feeling yourself floating weightless far above the sea. You smiled dreamily, then leaned back, gently pressing your back against his chest. He pushes forward slightly against you.

Slowly he raised his hands, arms outstretched, and they meet yours… fingertips gently touching then their fingers intertwined. Moving slowly, their fingers caress through and around each other like the bodies of two lovers.

Taehyung tips his face forward into your blowing hair, letting the scent of you wash over him.

You turned your head until your lips were near his, you lowered your arms, turning further until you found his mouth with yours. He wrapped his arms around you from behind, and you kissed like this with your head turned and tilted back, surrendering to him, to the emotion, to the inevitable. Kissing, slowly and tremulously, and then with building passion. You slowly caressed the back of his neck, pulling him into you to deepen the kiss.

Taehyung and the ship seemed to merge into one force of power and optimism, lifting you, buoying you forward on a magical journey, soaring onward into a night without fear.

Like in a dream, the beautiful woodwork and satin upholstery were designed expertly. Taehyung was overwhelmed by the opulence of the room, he sets his sketchbook and drawing materials on the marble table. You giggled at his nervous face and said, “This is quite proper, I assure you”

“Will this light do? Don’t artists need good light?” You asked the young artist

Taehyung looked back at you with a sly grin after he admired the place and with a really bad French accent he said, “Zat is true, I am not used to working in such 'orreeble conditions.”

You giggled, shaking your head. Taehyung then saw a painting on the wall, going towards it in awe, “Monet!”

He crouches next to the paintings stacked against the wall. You followed him and asked, “You know him?”

“Yes, isn’t he great… the use of color? I saw him once… through a hole in this garden fence in Giverny.” You nodded, smiling at him. You then went into the adjoining walk-in wardrobe closet. He saw you go to the safe and start working the combination. He let the other paintings fascinate him.

”Jungkook insists on lugging this thing everywhere.”

Taehyung frowned a bit that the mention of your fiance, he looked around to distract him from the jealousy he felt.

“Should I be expecting him anytime soon?” He asked and you walked towards him with a velvet case on your hands.

“Not as long as the cigars and brandy hold out.” You opened it and removed the necklace, then held it out to Taehyung who took it nervously.

“What is it? A sapphire?” He asked, studying the necklace.

“Diamond. A very rare diamond.” You said then looked at him with a nervous glint in your eyes. You licked your lips.

“I want you to draw me like one of your French girls. Wearing this.” Taehyung turned to you.

“Wearing only this” You added with a smile. The man’s eyes widened at your declaration. He nodded slowly, gulping, “I-If that’s what you want”

Taehyung arranged the couch where you will lay on later while you get ready. You draw the butterfly clip out of your hair. You shook your head and your hair falls free around your shoulders. In the sitting room, he was laying out his pencils like surgical tools. His sketchbook is open and ready. He looks up in his seat when you came into the room, wearing a silk robe and your hair laid down, framing your face.

“The last thing I need is another picture of me looking like a china doll. As a paying customer, I expect to get what I want.” You instructed, acting as one of the snobbish rich folks which made Taehyung smile.

You hand him a dime and steps back, parting with the robe. The bluestone laid between your breasts. Your heart was pounding as you slowly lower the robe and Taehyung’s situation wasn't any better, in fact, his heart was pounding at his ribcage that he thought, it’ll jump out any second. Taehyung looked so stricken, it was almost comical. The robe drops to the floor.

You laid on the divan, “Tell me when it looks right to you.” you posed, settling like a cat, one arm beside you and the other outstretched.

Taehyung’s dark eyes scanned you and snapped out of his thought when he remembered, “Uh… just bend your left leg a little and… and lower your head. Eyes to me. That’s it.”

Taehyung started to sketch but when he looked up and meets your eyes, he almost dropped his pencil as you stifled a laugh.

“I believe you are blushing, Mr. Big Artiste. I can’t imagine Monsieur Monet blushing.” You teased a smirk present on your beautiful face

Taehyung sweats as he grinned shyly, “He does landscapes.” Despite his nervousness, he draws with sure strokes, and what emerges is the best thing he has ever done. Your pose was languid, your hands beautiful, and your eyes radiate energy.

When he finished, he signed the drawing. You, wearing your robe again, leaned on his shoulder, watching him. You gazed at the drawing, marveling at the piece of art. Taehyung is, with no doubt in your mind and heart, was a brilliant artist. He has X-rayed your soul.

“Date it, Tae. I want to always remember this night” You whispered making Taehyung gulped, the nervousness he felt earlier, coming back, he nodded. He dates it and gave it to you, looking up at you as you stared at him. You leaned closer and pecked his lips, sharing a soft kiss.

You, meanwhile, scribbles a note on a piece of Titanic stationery and crosses to the safe in the wardrobe.

You put the diamond back in the safe, placing the drawing and the note on top of it. Closes the door with a clunk

Inside the smoking room, Lovejoy enters from the Palm Court through the revolving door and crosses the room toward Jungkook. A fire is blazing in the marble fireplace, and the usual fatcats were playing cards, drinking and talking. He sees Lovejoy and detaches from his group, going to him.

“None of the stewards have seen her.”

Jungkook scowled at him, “This is ridiculous, Lovejoy. Find her”

Back to your suite, the (L/N) was fully dressed now, returned to the sitting room. They heard a key in the lock. You quickly take Taehyung’s hand and leads him silently through the bedrooms. Lovejoy enters by the sitting-room door.

“Miss (Y/N)? Hello?” He then hears a door opening and goes through Jungkook’s room toward yours.

You and Taehyung came out of your stateroom, closing the door. You lead him quickly along the corridor toward the B deck foyer. You were halfway across the open space when the sitting-room door opens in the corridor and Lovejoy came out. The valet sees Taehyung with you and ran after them.

“Come on!”

You and Taehyung break into a run, surprising the few ladies and gentlemen around. You led him past the stairs to the bank of elevators. They run into one, shocking the hell out of the operator.

“Take us down! Quickly!” You ordered. The Operator scrambles to comply, Taehyung even helped him close the steel gate. Lovejoy runs up as the lift starts to descend. He slams one hand on the bars of the gate. You raised your middle finger to the annoying servant of your fiance, sniggering, Taehyung gazed at you oh so fondly, chuckling at your actions as Lovejoy disappears above while the operator gaped at you.

Lovejoy emerged from another lift and runs to the one Taehyung and you were in. The Operator was just closing the gate to go back up. Lovejoy ran around the bank of elevators and scans the foyer… no Taehyung and (Y/N). He went to the stairs that goings down to F-Deck.

A functional space, with access to several machine spaces (fan rooms, boiler uptakes). Taehyung and you were leaning against a wall, laughing.

“Pretty tough for a valet, this fella.” Taehyung rasped out

“He’s an ex-Pinkerton. Jungkook’s father hired him to keep him out of trouble… to make sure he always got back to the hotel with his wallet and watch, after some crawl through the less reputable parts of town…” you explained with a smile, gazing at Taehyung

“Kinda like we’re doin’ right now– uh oh!” He cut himself off when he saw Lovejoy.

The valet spotted them from a cross-corridor nearby. He charges toward them. Taehyung and you run around a corner into a blind alley. There was one door, marked CREW ONLY, and the male flung it open.

You two entered the roaring ran-room, with no way out but a ladder going down. He latches the deadbolt on the door, and Lovejoy slams against it a moment later. Taehyung grins at you pointing to the ladder.

“After you, m’lady~”

You two came down the escape ladder and look around in amazement. It is like a vision of hell itself, with the roaring furnaces and black figures moving in the smoky glow. Running the length of the boiler room, dodging amazed stokers, and trimmers with their wheelbarrows of coal.

You run through the open watertight door into the boiler room as Taehyung pulled you through the fiercely hot alley between two boilers and they wind up in the dark, out of sight of the working crew. Watching from the shadows, you saw the stokers working in the hellish glow, shoveling coal into the insatiable maws of the furnaces. The whole place thunders with the roar of the fires.

Back with at the smoking room with amid unparalleled luxury, Jungkook sat at a card game, sipping brandy.

“We’re going like hell I tell you. I have fifty dollars that say we make it into New York Tuesday night!” Namjoon said, with his own brandy. Jungkook looks at his gold pocket watch, and scowls, not listening.

The furnaces roar, down at the boiler room, silhouetting the glistening stokers. Taehyung kissed your face, tasting the sweat trickling down from your forehead. You two kissed passionately in the steamy, pounding darkness.

They entered and run laughing between the rows of stacked cargo. You hugged yourself against the cold, after the dripping heat of the boiler room.

They come upon Kim Seokjin’s brand new touring car, lashing down to a pallet. It looks like a royal coach from a fairy tale, its brass trim, and headlamps nicely set off by its deep burgundy color.

You climbed into the plushly upholstered backseat, acting very royal. There were cut crystals bud vases on the walls back there, each containing a rose. Taehyung jumps into the driver’s seat, enjoying the feel of the leather and wood.

“Where to, pretty lady?”

You smiled, “To the stars”

Your hands then came out of the shadows and pulled him over the seat into the back, making Taehyung laugh. He landed next to you, and his breath seems loud in the quiet darkness. He looks at you and saw you smiling. It was the moment of truth.

“Are you nervous?” He whispered

You smiled a bit at Taehyung, “I am more than okay, Taehyung”

He returned your smile, caressing your soft cheek. Taehyung studied you for a moment, how the faint glow of the light shined on you making your eyes glow with warmth swimming inside it.

“You’re so beautiful, (Y/N)”

You took his hand and kissed his fingers, “Put your hand on me, Taehyung…”

His eyes narrowed at your words, looking deep into your (e/c) eyes as he saw the desire behind it. He leaned closer, brushing his lips against yours. You leaned forward, catching him off-guard while you deepened the kiss. The cold lips of yours made Taehyung shiver, desire started to creep upon him. He laid his body on top of you which you welcomed, enjoying the weight and warmth he offered.

One of his large hand trailed up to your chest, squeezing the soft breast which earned a whimper. You broke the kiss, a thin string of saliva connecting you two as you panted, “Tae…” You called out. The soft and needy voice made Taehyung crazy.

“Fuck, love…” He uttered out, connecting both of your lips together once again in a more frenzy manner than before. Taehyung licked a soft stripe on your lips, asking for permission which you granted willingly. The warm appendage met yours in a swirl as you moaned at the contact.

“Mhhmm~”

Taehyung groaned in satisfaction at your lovely mewl, wanting to hear more. He broke off the kiss and went straight to your neck, kissing it with his wet lips. His hands trailed up and down at your body, making you burn in desire. You ground your hips up, the dull ache you felt made you impatient and the feeling of his hardening length pressed in his thin pants against you were not making it better for you. Taehyung tilts his head in pleasure, closing his eyes at the sudden movement.

“Ahh..”

You heard his deep voice, his moans were definitely a new favorite for you. Taehyung opened his eyes, looking deeply into you with half-lidded eyes, licking his lips.

“You’re so pretty, Taehyung” You whispered against his lips, he smiled and shook his head, playfully.

“I guess you haven’t seen yourself, love”

You giggled, Taehyung nuzzling his face against your cold skin once again then begun to kiss down to your body. Your breath hitched, watching him slowly go down on you.

“We really need to get you out of these clothes…” You heard the male say impatiently, gathering it up in his hands and sliding it off you.

The heavy dress was off you in seconds, you didn’t know how he did it or how he managed when you needed multiple hands just to fix it. Taehyung gazed at your half-naked body, a thin layer of white undershirt was all you wore. Your nipples peaked against the thin white fabric, Taehyung gulped at the sight as he raised a hand. He ever so slightly touched the hardened bud making you gasp in surprise. He groaned at your reaction, the sight making his blood go straight south.

“You’re killing me here, (Y/N)…” He groaned out, leaning against you to gain some friction. You bit your lip at his words and action, the unfamiliar pleasure washing over you.

“Please touch me more, Tae…” You whispered back to him, raking your soft hands through his red hair, Taehyung relishing at your touch.

Noticing his unfocused attention, you let your hands wander around his body, trying to memorize every detail in him. You touched his back to his chest and then down to his torso. You let your hands stop just before going to his hips, giggling softly at Taehyung’s small impatient whine.

You took pity on the young man above you and touched him. Your eyes turned half-lidded at what you felt, he was definitely not small.

God, he was huge and so fucking hard. You gulped, the outline of his cock against his pants made you hungry and made you want more.

You caressed his cock through his slacks, Taehyung’s pants and small moans made you wetter. You pressed your thighs together, trying to ease the throbbing heat.

The red-haired male noticed it, he raised a warm hand to your thigh and squeezed it then moved it, making you open your legs wider. You blushed at the sudden movement and tried to close your legs but Taehyung gripped your thighs, pinning it down against the rough surface of the car’s leather.

“You should see yourself from this view, love. You look like a masterpiece, so ready to get fucked by my cock” Taehyung’s lust laced voice made your throbbing heat ache even more.

You clenched at nothing when you heard his words, you bit your lips and lifted your hips at meet his.

Taehyung sighed, his cock was so hard that it was actually painful. How can you be so perfect…

He removed one of his large hands off your thigh and to his crotch, palming himself as he watched you through his slightly wet bangs due to his sweat. You panted at the intensity of his eyes, you couldn’t help but copy him. You let your hand wander around your body, tweaking your hardened buds while you tried to hump Taehyung but ended up humping nothing but air as he moved a bit to watch you more carefully.

Taehyung growled at your desperate actions, slamming his hands back to your hips, gripping it tightly.

“This is all mine, mine to touch, mine to play with.” He massaged your body, going over you as he left nothing untouched. Taehyung leaned closer to you, attaching his lips to your neck again and marked you. You felt one of his hands go lower, going to your pubis as he stroked your mound lightly.

You moaned, closing your eyes tightly. Taehyung touched your clit against your underwear, fondling at it as the fabric gotten wetter with every stroke. The press of the wet fabric and Taehyung’s finger, rolling slowly against the bud, was making you crazy.

“D-Don’t be such a tease, Taehyung..”

He smirked against your bruised neck, bitting at it again, leaving the already red skin turn violet-ish. His long fingers passed through the band of your underwear and touched your wet lips.

“A-Ah…”

“Fuck, you’re so wet…”

Taehyung quickly ripped the underwear of you and throwing it on the car’s carpeted floor.

He brushed against your lips then opened, you felt the sudden gush of air making you shiver. Taehyung’s middle finger made contact with your clit again, pressing and kneaded it more harshly. After a bit, you felt his fingertips prodding your entrance, wiggling itself inside slowly.

“Fuck–!”

He chuckled at you, “My, my~ What a dirty little mouth you have, love”

You let out a whimper at the intrusion, Taehyung prepping you for something bigger later. His long finger settled inside your heat, waiting for you to adjust. You nodded, cueing that he can move. Taehyung groaned at your tight heat while he pumps his finger slowly. He added another when he saw you adjusting and whining for more. His speeding fingers made noisy squelches that it embarrassed you at how wet you became, you grasped his hair and pulled in into a kiss.

Long fingers pumped in and out of you in a frenzy motion that it made your body rock with the rhythm. Your one hand went to his wrist, feeling the frantic movement of Taehyung. You looked at him and saw him looking so impatient and the subtly twitching of his cock inside his pants was so delicious.

“Taehyung, take me already”

He groaned at that, he removed his fingers out of you. Your juice coating his hand and in a swift, he raised it to his mouth and sucked on his fingers, never breaking eye contact with you. He removed his fingers with a soft pop, he licked his lips. You were enthralled at the wet appendage, oh how much you want to feel it against your clit but that’s for next time. You need him to fuck you right now.

“You taste so good, love. I’ll eat you up like my last meal–”

“Tae, just fuck me!”

Your little outburst shocked the male but he smiled after a while, kissing your nose. The soft affection is definitely different from how his hard cock pressing at your pussy. You both moaned at the contact. Taehyung quickly got out of his pants and boxers, leaving him naked in front of you.

He held his cock with one of his hand and positioned it to your entrance, he looked at you through his lashes with small uncertainly.

“You ready?”

“Yes”

You let out a deep breath, waiting for Taehyung to move. Taehyung entered your heat, hissing at the tightness. He laid his forehead against your collarbones, eye tightly shut, relishing at the feeling. The slow entry of his cock was painfully pleasurable, the burn of the stretch made it addicting.

You felt really good, a soft squelch echoed as Taehyung entered you and the tight grip of your pussy to his dick was too much. He groaned in surprise when you clenched down on him. His eyes opened widely at that, not expecting it.

“Move, Tae…”

He nodded against your neck, kissing the closest skin. Taehyung slowly pulled out half-way then slammed back at you with a firm pump.

“Fuck…”

“Mhmm”

His cock was hot and throbbing against your walls. As he fucked you, the wet sounds of your pussy swallowing him back in eagerly reached his ears. He groaned, the fact you got so wet for him made him go even harder. He leaned down and took one of your nipples into his mouth, rolling it with his skilled tongue, making you gasp at the added pleasure. Your breasts bounced in time with his thrusts, Taehyung watching you, mesmerized, but his thrust never flailing. He then angled his thrust, hitting your soft spot making you cry out, your back arched at the burst of pleasure. Taehyung chuckled against your wet skin.

Your walls clenched around his cock, the pleasure too much for you. He grunted, he doubled his speed and began to fuck you roughly.

The blunt tip of his cock hitting your g-spot every hard thrust he made your pussy fluttered around him in anticipation.

“T-Taehyung…” You whimpered out, your hips arching to meet his hard thrust, eye-rolling back at the white pleasure he offered. He then reached between your thighs and found your clit with his thumb. The bud was hard and swollen, making it easier to roll with his fingers. The way his long fingers toyed with the bundle of nerves, his thumb stroking it back and forth, has you hurtling over the edge.

“A-ah. Ah! Tae-Taehyung,” you choked out, his name falling from your lips over and over again like a mantra. Suddenly, you gush around him, your cum coating his cock. Clenching tightly against him and the gush of wetness was enough to send Taehyung to his own orgasm.

“(Y/N)–!” He moaned out, eyes shut as his eyebrows furrowed at the pleasure raking his body, making his body twitch involuntarily. He kissed you, lips smacking loudly against yours.

Fingers fondled roughly at your clit as his thrust became sloppy, letting you ride your orgasm along with his. His shaft pulses inside you before you feel him shoot rope after rope of white cum into you. A soft sigh of pleasure leaves your lips, his warmth filling you up from the inside as he coats your walls white with his cum.

Taehyung let his body rest against you, you smiled tiredly at that. Your soft hands caressing his hair and back, feeling him still shiver at the aftereffect of his orgasm.

You looked at him, pulling his face towards you to let him face you. You looked at his flustered face, sweat coated his hair and forehead slightly.

“You are trembling… Are you okay?”

Taehyung kissed your hand that was close to his lips, smiling against your skin. His big brown eyes staring deeply at your (e/c) ones.

“I am more than okay… I love you, (Y/N)”

You smiled shyly at him, bringing him closer to kiss him softly. He smiled into the kiss, his own hand caressing your face. You hugged him close to you, fearing the time where they will take him away from you but for now, he is here. Taehyung’s with you.

Inside your suite room, Jungkook entered inside and looked for you. He scowled at the empty room, looking at the moved divan with suspicion.

He walked towards the wardrobe where the safe is, his tall figure gliding confidently across the room. Jungkook glared at the open safe. He walked closer when he saw a piece of paper on top of the velvet black box. He got the paper out and stared at it with fury bubbling inside of him. He gripped it tightly, crumpling it a bit.

The drawing of you mocked him and your little letter sends him hurling to the edge,

Darling, now you can keep us both locked up in your safe.

-(Y/n)

Jungkook crumpled the note then moved to the drawing, hands taking it as if to rip it in half, with a vice grip on the paper. He stopped himself though, looking at the drawing. He smirked evilly, looking straight at your realistically drawn eyes.

“No no. I have a much better idea.”

You two got dressed after calming your wildly beating hearts and resting your tired bodies. Taehyung kissed your cheek, helping you button your dress up. You giggled at the affection as you buttoned the last one and nudged him to the door, the male opening it and went out. Taehyung faced you, offering his hand with a small bow with a smile.

You smiled, grabbing his hand and went out of the car with his help, “Thank you, good sir, ~”

Taehyung bowed his head a bit with his charming boxy smile, closing the car door behind you, “Anything for the pretty lady~”

The two of you laughed at your antics then Taehyung held your hand with a comforting grip, guiding you two out of the place still giggling under your breaths. People and workers watched the couple with raised brows and a small disapproving frown at their actions, blatantly showing affection in public.

Taehyung stopped when you two reached the deck, moving closer to you with small chuckles escaping him. His nose bumping against yours lovingly, his smile warm and contented. You returned his smile, arms wrapping around his torso. You two swayed to the unheard music, basking in the warmth of your two bodies offered.

You and Taehyung stood in the corner of the deck in each other’s arms. Breaths of clouds around you in the now freezing air, but neither of you even feel the cold, too caught up in each other’s loving eyes.

“Once this ship docks, I’m running away with you” You whispered against his lips.

Taehyung smiled playfully, “Are you sure? It might just be your adrenaline talking” He teased. You nudged him a bit, his playful smile turning softer.

“I know. It doesn’t make any sense. But that’s why I trust it.” You replied, smiling up at him.

“Then we’ll run away, far from anyone you know. We’ll live in a small house. Just the two of us and that will be our new beginning” Taehyung muttered then pressed both of your lips together. You smiled through the kiss, hand going up to his hair to deepen the kiss. You two kissed each other with passion, ignoring your surroundings and focused on each other.

In the crow’s nest above you two, a male saw you two. He nudged his co-worker with a small smirk.

“Hey Cor, would you look at that”

The other male looked at where the other was looking and scoffed, rubbing his hands together for warmth, “They’re bloody warmer than we are that’s for sure”

“Well if that’s what it takes for us two to get warm, I’d rather not, you’re one ugly bugger”

The two laughed at that, but then the former’s expression fell. Glancing forward again, he does a double-take. The color draining out of his face. In about 500 yards away, a massive iceberg right in their path.

He reaches past the other male and rings the lookout bell three times, then grabbed the telephone, calling the bridge. He waits precious seconds for it to be picked up, never taking his eyes off the black mass ahead, terrified.

“Pick up, you bastard!”

The phone was then picked up and the male explained everything. It was there where everything went to shit.

Workers dashed through the halls in frenzied motion, the urgency of the moment thickening the air. In the steerage, Jimin walked out, looking at what’s the commotion was all about. He yelped when he saw dozens of rats running towards him. He jumped out the way and watched in surprise as it runs past him to the corridor.

In the stateroom where Yoongi was sleeping, he rolls over his bunk bed and drops into cold water.

“What the fuck-!” He shouted angrily, feeling the cold water sip into his thin clothes but then stopped, looking at the ground where he sat. 3 feet of ice-cold water flood into his room and was steadily rising up.

He pulls the door open and stepped out into the corridor, which was also flooded. Jimin was running toward him, yelling something in Busan dialect.

“What the hell is happening, Jimin?”

“I don’t know! The portmen are in a rush outside and there were rats running out of here!”

Yoongi groaned at that and told Jimin to alert everyone. The two started pounding on doors, getting everybody up and out. The alarm spreads in several languages. After getting everyone up, Yoongi and Jimin were in a crowd of steerage men clogging the corridors, heading aft away from the flooding. Many of them have grabbed suitcases and duffel bags, some of which are soaked.

“If this is the direction the rats were runnin’, it’s good enough for me,” Yoongi muttered, Jimin shaking his head at his words.

In the forward deck, you and Taehyung looked at the dark. Leaning to the railing, gazing at the large iceberg. The red-haired male noticed your distress and grabbed your shoulder, pulling you close to him.

“Hey, it’s going to be okay. It looks nothing to me”

You looked at Taehyung, a frown playing on your lips. “Has it damaged the ship?…” You asked, remembering the limited lifeboats in worry.

Taehyung smiled reassuringly at you, “It didn’t seem like much of a bump. I’m sure we’re okay.”

You nodded, wanting to believe Taehyung’s words but the anxious feeling was getting to you.

Inside the B-deck, Ismay, dressed in pajamas under the topcoat, hurried down the corridor, headed for the bridge. An officious steward came along the other direction, getting the few concerned passengers back into their rooms.

“There’s no cause for alarm. Please, go back to your rooms.” He said but was stopped in his tracks by Jungkook and Lovejoy.

“Please, sir. There’s no emergency–”

Jungkook scoffed at that, “Of course there is! I have been robbed, call the Masters at Arms.”

The steward stopped and stared at Jungkook, shocked at the news. Jungkook glared at him, “Now you moron!”

“Y-Yes, sir!”

You and Taehyung came up the steps from the well deck, which were right next to the three men. They stare as the couple climbs over the locked gate.

A moment later Captain Smith rounds the corner, followed by Andrews and Carpenter Hutchinson. They have come down from the bridge by the outside stairs. The three men, their faces grim, crush right past Taehyung and you. Andrews barely glances at you.

“Can you shore up?”

“Not unless the pumps get ahead.”

The inspection party then goes down the stairs to the well deck. Taehyung looked at you with a small frown, “It’s bad…”

You looked at Taehyung with alarm, “We have to tell Mother and Jungkook”

The male sighed, “Now it’s worse…”

You smiled sadly, “Come with me? You jump, I jump, right?”

Taehyung smiled back at you, he couldn’t say no to his girl, “Right”

The two of you then run through the door, going inside the ship. When you two cross the foyer, entering the corridor. Lovejoy is already there waiting for you in the hall as you two approach the room.

Lovejoy looked up from his pocket watch, nodding a greeting to you and ignoring Taehyung, “We have been waiting for you, miss”

He let the two of you walk ahead of him, and from just behind Taehyung he walked. He smoothly slips the diamond necklace into the pocket of Taehyung’s overcoat, expression never changing.

Inside your and Jungkook’s suite, you two saw him and your mother along with the Masters at Arms and two other stewards. Your eyebrows furrowed at their presence but shook it off, wanting to tell them the news about the ship. You cleared your throat, “Something terrible has happened”

Jungkook nodded, a glare playing in his handsome face, “Yes, two things dear to me have disappeared this evening. Now that one is back” He stopped for a moment to look at your directly at your eyes then scowled at Taehyung who’s beside you.

“I have a pretty good idea where to find the other.” Jungkook nodded to the Master at Arms, looking at Taehyung.

“Search him”

The Masters at Arms gone to Taehyung with a hard glare, remembering him from the incident a couple of days ago. “Coat off, mate.”

Lovejoy who was still behind Taehyung pulled on his coat roughly. The red-haired male scoffed at that and shrugged his coat off, reluctantly. The Masters at Arms then begun patting him down. Taehyung glared back at the young aristocrat who sat in the divan.

“This is bullshit”

You watched the scene with shock then turned to Jungkook who watched it with a stone-cold face, “Jungkook, you can’t be serious! We have something bigger happening and this–”

“Is this it?” The man cut you off, showing your diamond necklace to everyone in the room. You gaped at the sight in disbelief. Taehyung looked at it, shocked, then shook his head.

Jungkook smirked and nodded, standing up, “Yes, that’s it,” he said as he went to you.

The bulky male turned to Taehyung, “Now don’t make a fuss” and started to cuff him.

Taehyung struggled and looked at you with wide eyes, “No! (Y/n)! Don’t you believe it! It’s not true!”

You were silent for a moment but then you looked at Jungkook, who looked down at you as if you were a fragile porcelain doll, “He-he couldn’t have” You said uncertainly.

“Of course he could. Easy enough for a professional. He memorized the combination when you opened the safe.” Jungkook explained, tucking a stray hair behind your ear.

“But I was with him the whole time.”

Jungkook gripped your face with a cold and hard glare and said lowly for her to only hear, “Maybe he did it while you were putting your clothes back on.”

Taehyung struggled and looked at you with desperation, “They put it in my pocket, (Y/n)!”

Lovejoy scoffed and looked at the tag of the coat, “It’s not even your coat. Property of A.L Reyson” He read and gave the coat to the Masters at Arms. There is a label inside the collar with the owner’s name.

“This was reported stolen today”

Taehyung looked at him then at you with anguish, “I was going to return it! (Y/n)–!”

You looked away from Taehyung, feeling betrayed, hurt, and confused. You moved away from him and closer to Jungkook. Taehyung shook his head, frowning at your action. He started shouting for you as Lovejoy and the Master at Arms drag him out into the hall. You can’t look him in the eye.

“(Y/n)! Don’t listen to them! I didn’t do it! You know I didn’t do it! You know it!”

You were devastated, hearing his voice made you want to believe Taehyung but the evidence being displayed right in front of you was too much. Your mother walked towards you, laying a hand on your shoulder. You cried, hiding your face in your hands. Jungkook placed a warm hand on the small of your back, making you flinch a bit.

“It’s a good thing Jungkook was quick on his feet or you’ll just fall even more for that rat’s tricks, (Y/n)”

For a couple of moments, you have been sat down, tired from all the crying and happening altogether. From the inside, you could still hear all the shouting and fumbling outside. (M/n) looked at you then to Jungkook as she stood up.

“I better go get dressed. Jungkook look after her for me.” With that, your mother went out of the room. Jungkook’s grip on you tightened, you winced. He suddenly stood up, facing you as you looked up at him in confusion. A sudden force made you look to the side, the sharp sting on your cheek burned. Jungkook has slapped you. You cradled your cheek and looked at him, he was fuming. Eyes colder than anything you saw.

“If you haven’t been such a little slut, this wouldn’t have happened! If you just honored me–!” He cut himself off then gripped your shoulders tightly.

“This is all your fault, (Y/n).”

Before Jungkook could continue, there was a loud knock on the door and an urgent voice. The door opened and their steward puts his head in, looking at Jungkook.

“Sir, I’ve been told to ask you to please put on your lifebelt, and come up to the boat deck.”

Jungkook glowered at him, “Get out. We’re busy.”

The steward persisted though, coming in to get the lifebelts down from the top of a dresser.

“I’m sorry about the inconvenience, Mr. Jeon, but it’s Captain’s orders. Please dress warmly, it’s quite cold tonight.”

He then turned to you and gave you the lifebelt, “Not to worry miss, I’m sure it’s just a precaution.” The steward said

Jungkook snatched the other lifebelt from him and scoffed, “This is ridiculous.”

After it, Jungkook’s entourage comes up to the A-deck foyer. He was carrying the lifebelts, almost as an afterthought. You were dazed like a sleepwalker, following Jungkook.

“It’s just the God damned English doing everything by the book.” The young Jeon hissed out, looking around. (M/n) looked at him and scolded, “No need for such language, Mr.Jeon.” then turned to Trudy, “Go back and turn the heater on in my room, so it won’t be too cold when we get back.”

The maid nodded and went back to the room. Andrews entered, looking around the magnificent room, which he knows was doomed. You, standing nearby, saw his heartbroken expression. You walked over to him and Jungkook goes after you, an untrusting look on his face.

“I saw the iceberg, Mr. Andrews. And I see it in your eyes. Please tell me the truth.” You said to the older man. Andrews looked at you with such sad eyes.

“The ship will sink.”

Your eyebrows furrowed, the truth still hard to swallow even if you knew it.

“You’re certain?”

“Yes. In an hour or so… all this… will be at the bottom of the Atlantic.”

“My God.” Now it is Jungkook’s turn to look stunned. The Titanic? Sinking?

“Please tell only who you must, I don’t want to be responsible for a panic. And get to a boat quickly. Don’t wait. You remember what I told you about the boats?” Andrews said, a small sad smile on his face

Yes, I understand. Thank you.”

Andrews goes off, moving among the passengers and urging them to put on their lifebelts and get to the boats. Jungkook grabbed your arm, pulling you to him. Now that he knows that the ship will sink, he became anxious.

“Let’s go, (Y/n)”

On the side of the deck outside, the violinist raised his violin to play, looking at his fellow musicians.

“Number 26. Ready and–” The band has reassembled just outside the First Class Entrance, port side, near where the steward was calling for the boats to be loaded. They strike up a waltz, lively and elegant. The music wafts all over the ship.

Jungkook, you and your mother came out of the doors near the band and saw the stewards lowering the boats.

“Right! Start the loading. Women and children!” The appalling din of escaping steam abruptly cuts off, leaving a sudden unearthly silence in which his voice echoes.

“Ladies, please. Step into the boat.” He ushered.

Finally, one woman steps across the gap, into the boat, terrified of the drop to the water far below. One woman from the crowd scoffed at the action and spoke to the person beside her

“You watch. They’ll put us off in these silly little boats to freeze, and we’ll all be back on board by breakfast.”

“My brooch, I left my brooch. I must have it!” Your mother remembered, about to go inside.

She turns back to go to her room but Jungkook takes her by the arm, refusing to let her go. The firmness of his hold surprised her.

“Stay here, (M/n)” Jungkook said

Your mother saw his expression and knows fear for the first time.

Lovejoy and the Master at Arms were handcuffing Taehyung to a 4-inch water pipe as a crewman rushed in anxiously and almost blurts to the Master at Arms–

“You’re wanted by the Purser, sir. Urgently.”

“Go on. I’ll keep an eye on him.” Lovejoy said and pulls a pearl-handled Colt .45 automatic from under his coat. The Master at Arms nods and tossed the handcuff key to Lovejoy, then exits with the crewman. Lovejoy flips the key in the air, catching it.

Taehyng sat, chained to the water pipe, next to the porthole. Lovejoy sits on the edge of a desk. He puts a .45 bullet on the desk and watches it roll across and fall off. He picks up the bullet.

“You know… I believe this ship may sink.” He said, walking closer to Taehyung.

“I’ve been asked to give you this small token of our appreciation…” Then suddenly landed a hard punch on his stomach, knocking the wind out of Taehyung.

“Compliments from Mr. Jeon Jungkook.“ Lovejoy flips the handcuff key in the air, catching it and put it in his pocket. He exits the room leaving Taehyung gasping, handcuffed to the pipe.

The Lightoller was filling up the boat closest to Jungkook and you as you two watched the commotion.

“Women and children only! Sorry sir, no men yet.” This scared the people on the ship, muttering among themselves.

You watched the farewells taking place right in front of you as they step closer to the boat. Husbands saying goodbye to wives and children. Lovers and friends parted. Nearby Molly was getting a reluctant woman to board the boat.

“Come on, you heard the man. Get in the boat, sister.”

“Will the lifeboats be seated according to class? I hope they’re not too crowded-“ (M/n) started

“Oh Mother, shut up!” (M/n) freezes at your words, looking at you with surprise.

“Don’t you understand? The water is freezing and there aren’t enough boats… not enough by half. Half the people on this ship are going to die.” You continued, glaring at her.

Jungkook rolled his eyes at your outburst, “Not the better half anyway.”

His words struck you like lightning. Taehyung was in the third class, Jimin and Yoongi too. They don’t stand a chance. You glared at Jungkook and spat out, “You unimaginable bastard.“

“Come on, (M/n), get in the boat. These are the first-class seats right up here.” Molly said, practically hands her over to Lightoller, then looks around for some other women who might need a push. She then turned to you, “Come on, (Y/n). You’re next, darlin’.”

You looked at Molly then to your mother but all that occupied your mind was Taehyung. You shook your head making your mother stand up in disbelief and anxiousness.

“(Y/n), get in the boat this instant!” (M/n) shouted, her eyes screaming of fear in what you will do next. She can’t lose you too.

“Goodbye, mother.” You said running back. Jungkook grabbed your arm but you pulled free and walks away through the crowd. Jungkook though catches up to you and grabbing you again, roughly.

“Where are you going? To him? Is that it? To be a whore to that gutter rat?” Jungkook mocked, a scowl appearing on his face.

You stood your ground, glaring back at him, “I’d rather be his whore than your wife.”

He clenched his jaw and squeezed your arm viciously, pulling you back toward the lifeboat. But you pulled out a hairpin and jabs his hand with it. he lets go with a curse and you run into the crowd.

“Lower away!” The Lightoller said

“(Y/n)! (Y/N)!” (M/n) shouted, seeing you run back inside the ship.

“Stuff a sock in it, would ya, (M/n). She’ll be along.” Molly reassured, pulling her back to sit down.

You run through the clusters of people, wanting to lose Jungkook. You looked back and a furious Jungkook coming after you, your eyes widened. You ran breathlessly up to two proper looking men.

“That man tried to take advantage of me in the crowd!” You said, pointing to Jungkook.

Appalled, they turn to see Jungkook running toward them. You ran again as the two men grab Jungkook, restraining him. You run through the First Class entrance.

When Jungkook broke free, he runs after you again. He reached the entrance but runs into a knot of people coming out. He pushes rudely through them.

Jungkook got in, and down to the landing, pushing past the gentlemen and ladies who are filling up the stairs. He scans the A-deck foyer but you were already gone.

Taehyung pulled on the pipe with all his strength but it was not budging. He hears a gurgling sound, he looked down and saw water pouring under the door, spreading rapidly across the floor.

“Shit”

He tried to pull one hand out of the cuffs, working until the skin was raw… but to no good.

“Help!! Somebody!! Can anybody hear me?!” He shouted, looking at the closed door with a scowl.

“This is going to be bad.” He muttered to himself.

The corridor outside was already deserted. Flooded a couple of inches deep. Taehyung’s voice comes faintly through the door, but there was no one to hear it.

In the first-class corridor, Andrews was opening stateroom doors, checking if the people are out.

“Anyone in here?” He called out then you appeared, disheveled.

“Thank God, Mr. Andrews! Where would the Master at Arms take someone under arrest?!”

The older male looked at you like you were crazy and by the looks of it, it was no where far from it.

“What? You have to get to a boat right away!”

“No! I’ll do this with or without your help, sir. But without will take longer.” You said, looking at him hopefully. The older man sighed, beat.

“Take the elevator to the very bottom, go left, down the crewman’s passage, then make a right.”

“Bottom, left, right. I have it.” You said, running off

“Hurry, (Y/n)!”

You run up as the last Elevator Operator who was closing up his lift to leave. The man saw you rush towards him and said, “Sorry, miss, lifts are closed–”

Without thinking, you grabbed his collar and shoved him inside. “I’m through with being polite, goddamnit!! Now take me down!!”

The operator nodded, scared, and quickly closed the gates and started the lift.

Through the wrought-iron door of the elevator car, you can see the decks going past. The lift slows. Suddenly ice-cold water is swirling around your legs. You screamed in surprise and so does the operator.

The car has landed in a foot of freezing water, shocking the hell out of you. You clawed the door open and splashes out, hiking up your floor-length skirt so you can move. The lift goes back up, behind you, as you look around.

“Left, crew passage” You muttered to yourself. Spotting it and you slogged down the flooded corridor. The place is understandably deserted. You were on your own.

“Right, right… right.” You turned into a cross-corridor, splashing down the hall. A row of doors on each side.

“Taehyung?! Where are you! Taehyung!”

Taehyung who was hopelessly pulling on the pipe again, straining until he turns red. He collapses back on the bench. realizing he was screwed but then he hears you through the door.

“(Y/n)?… (Y/N)!! I’m here!”

You heard his voice behind you. As you spin and run back, locating the right door, then pushing it open, creating a small wave. You splashed over Taehyung and wrapping your arms around him.

“Taehyung! Taehyung, I’m so sorry!”

Taehyung nuzzled his face on top of your crown, sighing in relief. He then moved a bit away from you and looked at you, “That Lovejoy guy put it in my pocket”

“I know.. I know, Tae”

He smiled at you but then the gurgle of water snapped him out of it. Looking at the rising water then back at you, “See if you can find a key for these. Try those drawers. It’s a little brass one.”

You kissed his face and hugged him again, then started to go through the desk. Looking around the desks and drawers.

“So… how did you find out I didn’t do it?”

“I didn’t. I just realized that I already knew it.”

You two shared a look, then you went back to ransacking the room, searching drawers and cupboards. Taehyung sees movement out the porthole and looks out, a lifeboat hits the surface of the water, seen from below.

You stopped trashing the room, and stood there, breathing hard. Looking at Taehyung and said, “There’s no key”

They look around at the water, now almost two feet deep. Taehyung has pulled his feet up onto the bench then looked back at you, “Go find help”

You nodded, “I’ll be right back!”

“I’ll wait here…” Taehyung said, looking at the swirling water then at the cuffs. You run out, looking back at him once from the doorway, then splashes away, water hindering your movements.

You splash down the hall to a stairwell going up to the next deck. Climbing the stairs, your long skirt leaving a trail like a giant snail. The weight of it was really slowing you down. You ripped at the buttons and shimmied quickly out of the thing. You bound up the stairs in your stockings and knee-length slip, to find yourself in a long corridor, part of the labyrinth of steerage hallways forward. You were alone here. A long groan of stressing metal echoes along the hall as the ship continues to settle. You run down the hall, unimpeded now.

“Hello?! Somebody!”

You turned into the corner and runs along another corridor in a daze. The hall slopes down into water which, shimmering, reflecting the light. The margin of the water creeps toward you. A young man appeared, running through the water, sending up geysers of spray. He pelts past you without slowing, his eyes crazed…

“Please help me! We need help!”

He doesn’t look back. It is like a bad dream. The lights flickered and gone out, leaving utter darkness. A beat. Then they come back on. You find yourself hyperventilating. That one moment of blackness was the most terrifying of your life.

A steward then runs around the nearest corner, his arms full of lifebelts. He was upset to see someone still in his section. He grabs you forcefully by the arm, pulling you with him like a wayward child.

“Come on, then, let’s get you topside, miss.”

“Wait! I need your help! There’s–!”

“No need for panic, miss. Come along!”

“No! We’re going the wrong way!”

He wasn’t listening to you and he didn’t let his grip falter with every step. You grind your teeth in anger. You shouted in his ear making him look at you and when he turned around you socked him straight in his nose. Shocked, he lets you go and staggered back, cradling his bleeding nose.

He glared at you, “Oh to hell with you!”

“See you there, buster!”

You spat after him as he runs away, holding his nose. You spat at him, just like how Taehyung taught you.

You turned around, saw a glass case with a fire-ax in it. You broke the glass with a battered suitcase which is lying discarded nearby and seizes the ax, running back the way Taehyung is. At the stairwell, you looked down and gasped. The water rose and flooded the bottom five steps already. You went down and had to crouch to look to the corridor to the room where Taehyung was trapped.

You plunged into the water without hesitation, the water up to your waist… and powered forward, holding the ax above your head in two hands. You winced at the pain from the literally freezing water.

Taehyung has climbed up on the bench and was hugging the waterpipe. You waddled in, holding the ax above your head. Taehyung would’ve laughed at the sight of you but now was not the time.

“Will this work?”

“One way to find out”

You two were both terrified but trying to keep panic at bay, he positioned the chain connecting the two cuffs, stretching it taut across the steel pipe. The chain is of course very short, and his exposed wrists are on either side of it.

“Try a couple practice swings.”

You heft the ax and thunks it into a wooden cabinet. Heaving as you pulled it off.

“Okay, now try hitting the same spot again,” Taehyung instructed. You nodded and swings hard. The blade thunked in four inches from the mark. Taehyung nodded and gestured you to the cuff.

“Okay, that’s enough practice”

He winced, bracing himself as you raised the ax. You had to hit a target about an inch wide with all the force you can muster, with his hands on either side. You gulped, looking at Taehyung with worry.

“You can do it, (Y/n). Hit it as hard as you can, I trust you.” Taehyung said, trying to sound calm. He closed his eyes and so does you as you swing down.

THUNK!

You opened your eyes, gingerly and saw Taehyung smiling at you with two broken cuffs. You dropped the ax, your strength leaving you because of the terrifying moment.

“Nice work, there, Paul Bunyan. But next time let’s not close our eyes before hitting, yeah?” Taehyung teased with a smile. He climbed down into the water next to you. He can’t breathe for a second.

“Shit! Excuse my French, love. But that’s cold!” Taehyung winced at the cold water. You sighed in relief then he grabbed your hand in his, “Let’s go”

You two wade out into the hall. You started toward the stairs going up, but Taehyung stopped you. There was only about a foot of the stairwell opening visible. “Too deep. We gotta find another way out.”

The widest passageway in the ship, it is used by crew and steerage alike and runs almost the length of the ship. Right now steerage passengers move along it like refugees, heading aft. The wooden doorframe splinters and the door bursts open under the force of Taehyung’s shoulder. Taehyung and you stumbled through, into the corridor. A steward, who was nearby herding people along, marches over.

“Hey, you! You know you have to pay for that! That’s–”

“Shut up!” You two yelled at him, running off.

Taehyung leads you past the dumbfounded steward. You two joined the steerage stragglers going aft. In places, the corridor was almost completely blocked by large families carrying all their luggage. A woman gave you a blanket, more for modesty than because you were blue-lipped and shivering.

“Here, lass, cover yourself.”

Taehyung rubs your arms and trying to warm you up as you two walk along. The woman’s husband offers you a flask of whiskey.

“This will take the chill off.” He said as you took the flask and gulped down quickly. You then offered some to Taehyung who grinned down at you and follows suit. Taehyung tried numbers of doors and iron gates along the way, finding them all locked, he cursed under his breath.

With Jungkook, he scanned the crowds for any sign of you. He grinds his teeth at that then looked at Lovejoy who rushed towards him through the aisle connecting the port and starboard sides of the boat deck.

“She’s not on the starboard side either,” Lovejoy informed.

“We’re running out of time. And this strutting martinet… And they’re not letting men in” Jungkook muttered, watching the Lightoller.

“The other side is letting men in, sir”

“Then that’s our play. But we’re still going to need some insurance. Come on” Jungkook said, going to the other side with Lovejoy following him.

Below the deck, Jimin was with Helga and her family, waiting for the stewards to open the damn gate. Yoongi was also waiting on the stairs. After a while, Jimin heard Taehyung’s voice calling out.

“Jimin! Jiminie!”

Jimin stood up and saw Taehyung with you running towards him. He met Taehyung halfway and embraced him like his brother.

“Where were you? I was worried sick!”

“Jimin we have to get out or we’ll be gurgling salt-water in a couple of minutes. Where’s Yoongi?”

Jimin pointed to the stairs and Taehyung saw him, pushing the iron-gates with a glare. The stewards went up to him and shouted, “Women and children only! No men!”

The terrified men who did not understand what they were saying pushed the gates. The stewards closed it, with a huff.

“Lock it!” One ordered as they locked the iron-gate. Yoongi growled at them, “What the fuck are you doing, ya bastard! There are children down here! Let us up, so we can have a chance!”

But the crewmen are scared now. They have let the situation get out of hand, and now they have a mob. Yoongi gave up and pushes his way back through the crowd, going down the stairs. He rejoins Taehyung, you and Jimin.

“It’s hopeless that way.” Yoongi huffed, glaring at the direction he was at earlier.

“Well, whatever we’re goin’ to do, we better do it fast,” Taehyung said. Jimin turned to Helga and gestured to him and his group, hoping the young woman understands him

“Helga, come with me. I am lucky, I can get you out of here along with your family” He said but Helga shook her head, kissing him one last time she then moved back to her family. Jimin looked at her sorrowfully, “I’ll never forget you.”

He turns to Taehyung, who leads the way out of the crowd. Looking back, Jimin sees her face disappear into the crowd. He looked face forward again, focusing on getting out.

In the suite of Jungkook and you, Jungkook opens his safe and reaches inside. As Lovejoy watches, he pulls out two stacks of bills, still banded by bank wrappers. Then he takes out “Heart of the Ocean”, putting it in the pocket of his overcoat, and locks the safe.

“I make my own luck.” He muttered. Jungkook turned to Lovejoy who nodded at him and put his .45 revolver in his waistband, “So do I”.

Jungkook smirked at his loyal servant and nodded, putting his money in his pocket.

Taehyung, you, Jimin, and Yoongi were lost, searching for a way out. You four pushed past confused passengers… past a mother changing her baby’s diaper on top of an upturned steamer trunk… past a woman arguing heatedly with a man in Serbo-Croatian, a wailing child next to them… past a man kneeling to console a woman who is just sitting on the floor, sobbing… and past another man with an English/Arabic dictionary, trying to figure out what the signs mean, while his wife and children wait patiently.

You all came upon a narrow stairwell and gone up two decks before you were stopped by a small group pressed up against a steel gate. The steerage men are yelling at a scared steward.

“Go to the main stairwell, with everyone else. It’ll all get sorted out there.”

Taehyung watched the same scene and loses it, “ God damn it to Hell son of a bitch!!”

He grabs one end of a bench bolted to the floor on the landing. He started pulling on it, and Yoongi and Jimin pitched in until the bolts shear and it breaks free. You figured out what they are doing and cleared a path up the stairs between the waiting people.

“Move aside! Quickly!”

Taehyung and Yoongi run up the steps with the bench and rammed it into the gate with all their strength, it rips loose from its track and falls outward, narrowly missing the steward. Led by Taehyung, the crowd surges though. You stepped up to the cowering steward and says in your most imperious tone:

“If you have any intention of keeping your pathetic job with the White Star Line, I suggest you escort these good people to the boat deck… now.”

The scared steward nodded dumbly and motioned them to follow. You all burst out onto the boat deck from the crew stairs just aft of the third funnel. You looked at the empty davits.

“The boats are gone!”

You then see Colonel Namjoon escorting two scared women out of the room. You quickly run up to him, “Colonel! Are there any boats left?”

Namjoon looked at your bedraggled state with wide eyes and nodded, “Yes, miss… there are still a couple of boats all the way forward. This way, I’ll lead you!”

Taehyung grabbed your hand as you all run out. Outside the band was still playing music on the side of the deck. They run by them with Yoongi looking at them weirdly, “Music to drown by. Now, I know I’m in the first-class.” He said sarcastically

The crowd is sparse, with most people still aft. Jungkook slips his hand out of the pocket of his overcoat and into the waist pocket of Murdoch’s greatcoat, leaving the stacks of bills there.

“Now, we have an understanding then?”

Murdoch nodded curtly, “As you’ve said”

Lovejoy then moved up to Jungkook and whispered to his ear, “I have found her. She’s just over the portside She is with him”

Jungkook’s eyes widened and looked at Lovejoy then to Murdoch. The latter was looking around fakely, “Any more women and children? None?” He said and looked at Jungkook as if hinting that he can go to the boat now.

Jungkook looked at his boat longly. This was it. He can be saved. This was his moment of truth.

“Goddammit to hell! Come on!” He growled and walked away from the boats and to where you were. He and Lovejoy head for the port side, taking a short-cut through the bridge.

On the port side, Lightoller is getting people into the boat. He keeps his pistol in his hand. Twenty feet below them the sea is pouring into the doors and windows of B deck staterooms. They can hear the roar of water cascading into the ship.

“Women and children! Only women and children! Step back, sir!” The Lightollet said, pushing the men away from the boat. Even with Taehyung’s arms wrapped around you, you were still shivering in the cold. Taehyung looked around the place, frowning at the porters. His eyes then met Yoongi’s and Jimin’s.

“You better check out the other side”

Jimin frowned a bit but the two nodded. “Once this is over, let’s not ride any more ships, Taehyungie.”

Taehyung smiled a bit at Jimin as the two-run to the other side, leaving you and Taehyung alone with the other people.

You looked up from his arms and said with a frown, “I’m not going without you.”

Taehyung shook his head, “Get in the boat, (Y/n)”

“Yes, get in the boat, (Y/n).” The familiar voice of your fiance called out from behind you. You gasped and whipped around and saw Jungkook glaring at Taehyung with Lovejoy not far behind him. Jungkook’s eyes went to you and it widened at your appearance. You were there standing, shivering in your wet slip and stockings, a shocking display in 1912.

“My God, what happened to you. Here..”

Jungkook pulled you to him, removing his coat and draped it around you. Taehyung frowning at this but did not say anything.

You let him put his coat on you, the cold air was not something you welcomed right now.

“Hurry, ladies! Step into the boat! Hurry!” The Lightoller shouted again.

“Go on. I’ll get the next one.” Taehyung said. You shook your head, looking at him

“No! Not without you!”

You didn’t even care that Jungkook was there. He watched you two with clenched jaw, fury, and jealousy swirling inside him. Jungkook leaned down to you and whispered lowly so you three were the only one can hear it.

“There are boats on the other side that are allowing men in. Taehyung and I can get off safely. Both of us.”

Taehyung smiled reassuringly at you and nodded towards Jungkook, “See, I’ll be alright. Now get in the boat, we have our own boat to get to”

“Get in. Hurry, it’s almost full” Jungkook ushered you, looking at the boat.

The Lightollet grabbed your arm and pulled you in the boat. You reached out to Taehyung, your fingers brushing against his for a second then you found yourself stepping inside the boat. Everything was blurry and time felt too fast.

“Lower away!”

The two men watched you as the boat descended. You looked up at them with tears streaks in your cheeks.

“You’re a good liar” Jungkook whispered lowly at Taehyung

“Not as good as you” Taehyung replied, still looking at you.

Jungkook looked at Taehyung from the corner of his eyes then back at you, “I always win, Taehyung. One way or another.” Then he fully turned to him with a smile.

“Pity I didn’t keep that drawing. It’s going to be worth a lot more by morning.” Jungkook added, sneering at him and went away.

Taehyung didn’t reply, still looking at you. He didn’t want to waste any second looking away from you. This was his last sight of you, he wouldn’t waste it. The ropes going through the pulleys as the seamen started to lower. All sound going away. Lightoller giving orders, his lips moving, but you only heard the blood pounding in your ears… this cannot be happening… a rocket burst above in slow-motion, outlining Taehyung in a halo of light making him look painfully ethereal… Your hair was blowing with the wind as you gaze up at him, descending away from him… you saw his hand trembling, the tears at the corners of his eyes as he gazed at you with such sadness, and you just couldn’t.

Your tears rolled down your cheeks, you continued to look at him. Then you suddenly lunges for the railing close to you, getting out of the boat. The people screamed at you, scared and surprised at your actions. You scrambled to go over the railing as the boat you were just in descended without you. You were back in the Titanic.

“No, (Y/N)! No!!” Taehyung shouted and quickly run towards the A-deck you landed. Jungkook also saw you jump and he was absolutely furious and in disbelief. You were so willing to die for this man, that gutter scum. He was overwhelmed with rage, all thought going away except for that one fact.

Taehyung runs quickly as possible to the A-deck, banging through the doors and sprints to the stairs. He saw you, also running towards him.

You two met at the bottom of the stairs as you collided into a tight embrace. Taehyung pulled away, grabbing your face with his hands, looking at you with tears in his eyes. He kissed you repeatedly, scolding you at the same time.

“Why did you do that, (Y/n)? You’re so stupid! You’re so stupid…” Taehyung kissed you, you felt the desperation and tears in his kiss. You looked at him, breaking the kiss. You smiled through your tears.

“You jump, I jump, right?”

Taehyung leaned his forehead on yours, the adrenaline still kicking in his body, “Right.”

Jungkook came in and runs to the railing. Looking down, he sees you two locked in an embrace. Lovejoy comes up behind Jungkook and puts a restraining hand on him, but he whips around, grabbing the pistol from Lovejoy’s waistband in one swift move.

He ran along the rail and down the stairs. As he reaches the landing above them he raised the gun. Screaming in rage, he fired the gun.

The carved cherub at the foot of the center railing exploded. Taehyung pulled you towards the stairs going down to the next deck. He fires again, running down the steps toward them. A bullet blows a divet out of the oak paneling just behind Taehyung’s head as he pulls you down the next flight of stairs.

Jungkook steps on the skittering head of the cherub statue and tripped, going down the floor with the gun clatters across the marble floor. He gets up, and reeling drunkenly goes over to retrieve it.

The bottom of the grand staircase is flooded several feet deep. you and Taehyung came down the stairs two at a time and run straight into the water, fording across the room to where the floor slopes up until you two reach dry footing at the entrance to the dining saloon.

Jungkook reels down the stairs in time to see Taehyung and his fiance splashing through the water toward the dining saloon. He fires twice. Big gouts of spray near them, but he’s not a great shot.

The water boils up around his feet and he retreats up the stairs a couple of steps. Around him the woodward groans and creaks. He whipped his head to where you two were running off, “Fine! Enjoy your time together while you can!”

Lovejoy arrives and stopped beside Jungkook. The latter then remembered something and laughed angrily. Lovejoy watched him with surprise, “What’s so funny?”

Jungkook sneered and looked at him, “I put the diamond in my coat. And I put the coat on her!”

Then he got an idea, he looked at Lovejoy with a sick look on his face, he grinned, “If you can get it, I’ll give it to you”

Jungkook handed the pistol back to Lovejoy and went back upstairs. Lovejoy thought about it for a moment then dove into the water. Water up to his waist.

Lovejoy moves among the tables and ornate columns, searching… listening… his eyes tracking rapidly. It was a sea of tables, and they could be anywhere. A silver serving trolley rolls downhill, bumping into tables and pillars.

He glances behind him. The water is following him into the room, advancing in a hundred-foot wide tide. The reception room is now a roiling lake, and the grand staircase is submerged past the first landing. Monstrous groans echo through the ship.

The two of you crouched behind a table, somewhere in the middle. You see the water advancing toward you two, swirling over the floor. The two of you crawled ahead of it to the next row of tables.

Taehyung looked at you and whispered, “Stay here” He moves off as Lovejoy moves over one row and looks along with the tables. Nothing.

A cart rolls toward you and it hits a table and the stacks of dishes toppled out, exploding across the floor and showering you. You scrambled out of the way and Lovejoy spins, seeing you. He moves rapidly toward you, keeping the gun aimed– but Taehyung tackled him from the side, they slammed into each other then towards the table. Crashing over it and toppling to the floor, landing in the water.

Taehyung and Lovejoy grappled in the icy water with Taehyung ramming his knee down on Lovejoy’s hand, breaking his grip on the pistol, and kicks it away. Lovejoy scrambles up and lunges at him, but Taehyung punched him in the gut, right in the solar plexus, causing the taller man to double over.

“Compliments from the Daegu Kims.” He said, panting then slammed Lovejoy to the ornate column, making him slump into it, stunned.

“Let’s go!” Taehyung grabbed your hand and you two run off. You two run through the galley and you spot the stairs. You started to go up but Taehyung grabbed your hand and leads you down.

You two crouch together on the landing as Lovejoy runs to the stairs. Assuming you have gone up (who wouldn’t?), he climbs up two at a time.

You two waited for the footstep to disappear. A long creaking groan. Then you hear it, a crying child. Below you, then you two gone down a few steps to look along the next deck.

The corridor is was awash, about a foot deep. Standing against the wall, about 50 feet away from you was a little boy, about 3. The water swirls around his legs and he was wailing.

“We can’t just leave him,” You said and Taehyung nodded. He scooped up the kid and they run back to the stairs but there was a torrent of water coming out, pouring down the stairs rapidly. It was too powerful for them to go against.

“Come on” Taehyung gestured to you.

Charging to the other way down the flooding corridor, they blast up the spray with each footstep. At the end of the hall are heavy double doors. As Taehyung approached them he sees water spraying through the gap between the doors right up to the ceiling. The doors groan and start to crack under the tons of pressure.

“Back! Go back!” He said, alarmed. You pivot and go to where you came from, taking a turn to the cross-corridor. You saw a man coming the other way. He sees the boy in Taehyung’s arms and cries out, grabbing him away from Taehyung. He started cursing him in Russian. He then runs to the side with the boy–

“Wait! No, not that way! Come back!” You shouted after them. The double doors blasted open, a wall of water thunders into the corridor. The father and child disappear instantly.

You two run as a wave blasts around the corner, foaming from floor to ceiling, racing towards you. It gains on you two like a locomotive. The two of you made it to a stairway going up. You two go up the stairs, the white water catching up to them. On top of the stairs was the iron-gate, Taehyung slammed against it. It was locked.

A terrified steward standing guard on the landing above turns to run at the sight of the water thundering up the stairs.

“Wait! Please help us! Unlock the gate!” Taehyung called out but the stewards ignored him, running up the stairs.

The water wells up around you and Taehyung, pouring through the gate and slamming you two against it. In seconds it is up to your waist.

“Please! Help us!” You called out, stopping the steward on his tracks and looked back at you two, the water pouring in rapidly.

“Fuckin’ hell” He muttered and raced back down. He pulls a key ring from his belt and struggled to unlock the padlock as the water fountains up around them. The lights shorted out and the place was plunged into darkness. The water rose over the lock and the steward was doing it by felling through it.

“Come on! Come on!” Taehyung shouted, looking behind them. Suddenly the gate swings open and they were being pushed through by the force of the water. You made it to stairs on the other side of the landing and followed the steward up to the next deck. You two run-up to the seemingly neverending stairs.

Murdoch, at the other side of the ship, was no longer in control. The crowd was threatening to rush the boat. They push and jostle, yelling and shouting at the officers. The pressure from behind pushes them forward, and one guy falls off the edge of the deck into the water less than ten feet below.

“Give us a chance to live, you fucking bastards!” Yoongi shouted but Murdoch fired his Webley twice in the air, then points it at the crowd.

“Stand back! I’ll shoot any man who tries to get past me!” He shouted back, looking at the crowd. Jungkook sneered at the man and stepped towards him, “We had a damn deal!”

Murdoch pushes him and points his gun to Jungkook and shoved his other hand in his pocket, throwing Jungkook’s money towards him, “Keep your damn money! Get back!”

The man behind Yoongi pushed him, shoving him forward. Muldoch saw the movement and shoot blindly, hitting Yoongi right in his chest. He collapsed, Jimin grabbing him before he can hit the ground. Jimin looked at Muldoch with disbelief and a hard glare, tears threatening to spill.

“You fucking bastard! How could you!” Jimin yelled as he hugged Yoongi close to his chest. The younger man looked at him, his tears hitting Yoongi’s cheek. Jimin watched as Yoongi’s life slowly fade away from his eyes.

“Yoongi… Yoongi-hyung…” Jimin called out, his sobs escaping him. Yoongi used his last strength and laugh lowly, “You finally called me hyung, you little brat…”

Jimin watched as his friend slowly dies in his arms, the latter’s blood staining his skin. Jimin tried to deny reality and shook Yoongi softly, “Hyung?… Please no… You have to wake up, you shouldn’t sleep here. We have to go… I’m going to be a millionaire and I’ll get you the fanciest bedroom… s-so please wake up.”

But Yoongi didn’t answer him.

Jungkook and Muldoch watched the scene in horror as the latter turned to his men and saluted smartly. With a swift press, he shot himself in the head. He drops like a puppet that it’s strings got cut and topples over the edge of the boat deck into the water only a few feet below. Jungkook stared at nothing in horror because the man was just a couple of feet across him, his blood splattered across the air, the smell filling him.

Jungkook’s eyes looked down at the water, fear, and dread filling him as he watched Muldoch’s body bobbing in the dark water. The crew then rushes the last few women to the boat, trying to push past the reality to the back of their brains.

“Any more women or children?”

Jungkook snapped out of it and looked around. He then saw a lost young girl who was crying in the middle of the chaos. He ground his teeth and scooped her up in his arms.

“Here’s a child! I’ve got a child! Please I’m all she has in this world” Jungkook said to the steward and he nodded, pushing them boat onto the boat. He sat down with the child in his arms. Jungkook looked at Jimin and Yoongi still on the floor, ‘too bad, you have such terrible luck’

Thomas Andrews stood in front of the fireplace, staring at the large painting above the mantle. The fire was still lit in the fireplace.

The room was empty except for Andrews. Behind him, You and Taehyung run into the room, out of breath and soaked. They run through, toward the aft revolving door… then you recognized him. You saw that his lifebelt was off, lying on a table.

“Mr. Andrews? Won’t you even make a try for it?” You asked softly. A lone tear slips to his cheek. The older man smiled bitterly, “I’m sorry I didn’t build a stronger ship for you, young (Y/n)”

“It’s going fast. We have to go” Taehyung whispered to you and you nodded. Andrews then gave you his lifebelt and smiled.

“Good luck to you, (Y/n)” You hugged him and said, “And to you too, Mr. Andrews”

Taehyung pulled you away and you two went out of the room through the revolving door. You two run out and into a dense crowd. Taehyung pushed his way to the rail and looked at the state of the ship. The bridge was underwater and there is chaos on deck. The red-haired male helped you put your lifebelt on. People stream around you, shouting and pushing.

“Okay… we keep moving. We have to stay on the ship as long as possible.” Taehyung said and dragged you with him after securing you into the lifebelt. You two moved past through the panicking crowd.

On the port side, collapsible B was picked up by water. Working frantically, the men tried to detach it from the falls so the ship won’t drag it under. Colonel Namjoon hands the Lightoller a pocket knife and he saws furiously at the ropes as the water swirls around his legs. The boat, still upside down, was being swept off the ship. Men start diving in, swimming to stay with it.

Jungkook sat next to the wailing child, whom he has completely forgotten. He watched the water rising around the men as they work, scrambling to get the ropes cut so the ship won’t drag the collapsible under.

Jimin looked at the rising water and tried to carry Yoongi with him, moving away from the water. He slumps and saw a stray lifebelt and quickly put it on as the water raised around him.

The part of the ship then plunges to the water, partially swamping the boat, washing it along the deck. Over a hundred passengers were plunged into the freezing water and the area around the boat becomes a frenzy of splashing, screaming people.

As men were trying to climb into the collapsible, Jungkook grabbed an oar and pushed them back into the water.

“Stop! Get away! You’ll swamp us!”

Jimin, swimming for his life, gets swirled under a davit. The ropes and pulleys tangle around him as the davit goes under the water, and he was dragged down. He struggles to free himself and then kicks back to the surface. He surfaces, gasping for air in the freezing water. He then looked around, alarmed.

“Yoongi-hyung?! Where are you?!” Trying to swim in the cold water, he looked around the freezing ocean.

Collapsible A is whirled like a leaf in the currents around the sinking ship. It slams against the side of the forward funnel. Jungkook growled at the people.

“Row! Row, you bastards!” He shouted to the crew on the boat. Jimin was drawn up against the grating of a vent as water poured through it. The force of tons of water roaring down the ship trapped him against it, and he was being dragged down under the surface as the ship sinks. He struggles to free himself but cannot. Suddenly there was a concussion deep in the bowels of the ship as a furnace exploded and a blast of hot air belches out of the ventilator, ejecting Jimin. He surfaces in a roar of foam and kept swimming, tired and cold.

You and Taehyung clambered over the A-Deck aft rail then, using all his strength, he lowers you toward the deck below, holding on with one hand. You dangled for a bit, then falls. Taehyung jumps down behind you. They join a crush of people literally clawing and scrambling over each other to get down the narrow stairs to the well deck… the only way aft.

Seeing that the stairs are impossible, Taehyung climbs over the B-Deck railing and helps you over. He lowers you again, and you fall in a heap. Seokjin, now three sheets to the wind, happens to be next to you. He hauls you to your feet. Taehyung drops down and the three of you push through the crowd across the well deck. Near you, at the rail, people were jumping into the cold water.

The ship groans and shudders, scaring the people on board. The man ahead of Taehyung was walking like a zombie.

“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death–” Taehyung heard and tried to walk past him

“You wanna walk a little faster through that valley, fella?” He scoffed and squeezing through the man, dragging you with him

The stay cables along the top of the funnel snapped, and they lash like steel whips down into the water. Jungkook watched as the funnel topples from its mounts in shock. Falling like a temple pillar twenty-eight feet across it whomps into the water with a tremendous splash. People swimming underneath it disappear in an instant.

Jimin, a few feet away, was hurled back by a huge wave. He comes up, gasping… still swimming. The water pouring into the open end of the funnel draws in several swimmers. The funnel sinks, disappearing, but hundreds of tons of water pour down through the 30-foot hole where the funnel stood, thundering down into the belly of the ship. A whirlpool formed, a hole in the ocean, like at enormous toiler-flush. A man, just a couple of feet away from Jimin, swims in a frenzy as the vortex drew him in. He was sucked down like a spider going down a drain.

Jimin, nearby, swims like hell as more people were being sucked down behind him. He manages to get clear. He’s going to live no matter what it takes. He swam up to the boat where Jungkook was, he tried to get himself up. Jungkook was about to push him off but Jimin looked up at him, lips blue and cheeks covered by frost-bites.

“Please help me…” Jimin whimpered out. Jungkook scowled but decided to be the bigger person. Jungkook took Jimin’s cold hands in his and pulled him up to the small boat where not many people were in anyway. The wet male shivered and coughed, some of the other people gave Jimin some dry clothes to wrap himself around

“T-Thank you…” Jimin uttered out, trembling at Jungkook’s feet. The younger male scowled once again and tutted, not saying anything.

You and Taehyung struggled to climb the well deck stairs as the ship tilts. Seokjin, a bit drunk, puts a hand squarely on your butt and shoves you up onto the deck.

“Sorry, (Y/n)!” Seokjin shouted through the screaming people

Hundreds of people were already on the poop deck, and more were pouring up every second. Taehyung and you clung together as you two struggled across the tilting deck. As the bow goes down, the stern rises. In the boats below, which is just off the stern, passengers gape as the giant bronze propellers rise out of the water like gods of the deep.

People were jumping from the well deck, the poop deck, the gangway doors. Some hit debris in the water and were hurt or killed. On the poop deck, you and Taehyung struggled as the angle increases. Hundreds of passengers, clinging to every fixed object on deck, huddle on their knees around. Pulling himself from handhold to handhold, Taehyung tugs you along the deck.

“Come on, (Y/n). We can’t expect God to do all the work for us”

You two struggled on, pushing through the praying people. A man lost his footing ahead and slid toward them. Taehyung helps him up. The propellers were twenty feet above the water and rising faster.

Taehyung and you made it to the stern rail, right at the base of the flagpole. You gripped the rail, jammed in between other people. It was the spot where Taehyng pulled you back onto the ship, just two nights… and a lifetime… ago. The lights flickered, threatening to go out. You gripped Taehyung as the stern rises into a night sky ablaze with stars. Around you, all you saw were faces beginning to accept their doom. On to your left, you saw Helga. She looked at you briefly, her eyes infinitely sad.

Passengers lost their grip on to whatever they were holding on to and slid down the wooden deck like a bobsled run, hundreds of feet before they hit the water. Trudy, your maid, slips as she struggles along the railing and slides away screaming.

The propellers were 100 feet out of the water and were still rising. Panicking people leap from the poop deck rail, screaming and hit the water like mortar rounds. A man falls from the poop deck, hitting the bronze hub of the starboard propeller with a sickening smack.

The swimmers look up and saw the stern towering over them like a monolith, the propellers rising against the stars. 110 feet. 120.

On the boat, your mother watched the scene with horror and dread remembering you. Were you safe? Please let my daughter be safe.

The stern of the ship, almost four hundred feet long, falls back toward the water. On the poop deck, everyone screamed as they felt themselves plummeting. The sound goes up like the roar of fans at a concert

Swimming in the water directly under the stern was a few unfortunates shriek as they see the keel coming down on them like God’s bootheel. The massive stern section falls back almost level, thundering down into the sea and pushing out a mighty wave of displaced water, slamming to the people below.

You and Taehyung struggled to hold onto the stern rail. They feel the ship seemingly right itself. Some of those praying taught it is salvation.

“We’re saved!”

Taehyung shooked his head, grimly. Pulled down by the weight of the flooded bow, the buoyant stern tilts up rapidly. They feel the rush of the ascent as the fantail angles up again. Everyone is clinging to benches, railings, ventilators… anything to keep from sliding as the stern lifts. People start to fall, sliding and tumbling. They skid down the deck, screaming and flailing to grab onto something. They wrench other people lose and pull them down as well. There is a pile-up of bodies at the forward rail.

“We have to move!” Taehyung shouted. He climbs over the stern rail and reached back for you. You were absolutely terrified to move. He grabs your hand.

“Come on! I’ve got you!” He said, pulling you over the rail. It was the same place he pulled you over the rail two nights earlier, but going the other direction. You got over just as the railing was going horizontal, and the deck vertical. Taehyung grips you fiercely, afraid to let go.

The two of you gripped each other and the rail side by side, looking straight at the black water, waiting for anyone to slip. one the corner of you guys, you saw Seokjin gripping the railing. He nodded a greeting, “One hell of a night, huh”

You nodded back, unsure. You then looked back at Taehyung. “Take a deep breath and hold it right before we go into the water. The ship will suck us down. Kick for the surface and keep kicking. Don’t let go of my hand. We’re gonna make it (Y/n). Trust me.” He said and you nodded, gripping his hand tighter.

“I trust you” then the deck started to descend in a rapid motion. The screaming of people slowly went silent as they were sucked into the ocean. Bodies were whirled and spun, some limp as dolls, others struggling spasmodically, as the vortex sucks them down and tumbles them.

Roiling chaos of screaming, thrashing people were all there was. Over a thousand people were now floating where the ship went down. Some were stunned, gasping for breath. Others were crying, praying, moaning, shouting… screaming.

You two surfaced among them but barely had time to gasp for air before people were clawing at them. People were driven insane by the water, 4 degrees below freezing, a cold so intense that it was indistinguishable from death by fire.

A man pushes you under, trying to climb on top of you, senselessly trying to get out of the water, to climb onto anything. Taehyung punched him repeatedly, pulling you free.

“Come on! Swim, (Y/n)!”

You tried, you really did. but your strokes were hindered by the lifebelt you wore. It was heavy, pulling you a bit. You two broke out of the clot of people with Taehyung pushing you to safety. Taehyung looked around, searching for any type of floatation. He has to get you out of this cold water. Taehyung stroke rhythmically, the effort keeping him from freezing to death.

“Look for something floating… Anything, wood, or some debris. Just anything…” His stuttered because of the cold, shivering.

You whimpered, “It’s so cold, Tae….”

He frowned and answered softly, “I know, I know… Help me, here. Look around”

His words kept you focused as you looked around you. Just a couple of feet away, you see something. You pointed at it, shivering, “W-What’s that?”

Taehyung turned to you and looked at where you were pointing at. You two went to it. It was a piece of wooden debris, intricately carved. He pushes you up and you slithered onto it belly down. But when he tried to get up onto the thing, it tilted and submerges, almost dumping you off as you yelped at the sudden motion. It was clearly only big enough to support you. He clings to it, close to you, keeping his upper body out of the water as best he can. Your breath floats around you two in a cloud as you two pant from exertion. A man then swims toward you, homing in on the piece of debris. Taehyung glared at him and warned him.

“It’s just enough for this lady… you’ll push it under.”

“Let me at least try… or I’ll die soon”

“You’ll die sooner if you come any closer”

The man stopped at Taehyung’s words and nodded as he swims off, “I see. Good luck to you”

The boats were overloaded and half-flooded. Men cling to the sides in the water. Others, swimming, were drawn to it as their only hope. Jungkook, standing in the boat, slaps his oar in the water as a warning.

“Stay back! Keep off!” He shouted. Jimin shivered in the boat, looking at Jungkook slam his ore in a man’s head, splitting it open. He looked at him, seeing the younger man wasn’t even guilty for it. He thanked God that he arrived earlier on the boat or that would’ve been his fate. Jeon Jungkook was definitely a demon in a tuxedo.

You and Taehyung still floating amid the chorus of the damned. He sees the ship’s officer nearby, he was blowing his whistle furiously, knowing the sound will carry over the water for miles.

“The boats will come back for us, (Y/n). Hold on just a little longer. They had to row away for the suction and now they’ll be coming back.” Taehyung muttered quietly. You nodded, gripping his cold hands in yours. His words helping you, as you shiver uncontrollably, your lips blue and your teeth chattering.

“Thank God for you Tae…”

You and Taehyung drift under the blazing stars, the water was glassy, with only the faintest undulating swell. You can actually see the stars reflecting on the black mirror of the sea.

Taehyung squeezed the water out of your long coat, tucking it in tightly around your legs. He rubs your arms. His face was turning white because of the frostbite but he paid no attention to it, focusing on you instead.

“It’s getting quiet…” You said

“Just a few more minutes. It’ll take them a while to get the boats organized…” Taehyung muttered back to you, looking straight to your eyes.

You were unmoving, just staring into space. You knew the truth, there won’t be any boats. Behind Taehyung, you see an officer has stopped moving. He was slumped in his lifejacket, looking almost asleep. He has died of exposure already. Taehyung noticed where you were looking and started again, “I don’t know about you, but I intend to write a strongly worded letter to the White Star Line about all this.”

You chuckled weakly at his words, forgetting the cold for a bit. Your laugh was like a gasp of pain, you found his eyes again in the dark.

“I love you, Taehyung”

Taehyung shook his head at your words, “No, (Y/n). Don’t say your goodbyes. Don’t give up now. Don’t do it”

“I’m so cold…”

“You’re going to get out of this… You’re going to go on and you’re going to make babies and watch them grow and you’re going to die an old lady, warm in your bed. Not here. Not this night. Do you understand me?” Taehyung said, firmly as he can with his stuttering voice.

“I can’t feel my body…”

Taehyung gripped your hand making you look at him, “(Y/n), listen to me. Listen… Winning that ticket was the best thing that ever happened to me.” His breath hindering him from talking. It was too painful now but he continued.

“It brought me to you. And I’m thankful, (Y/n). I’m so thankful.” His voice was trembling because of the cold water which is working his way to his heart. But his eyes were unwavering, looking straight at you.

“You must do me this honor… promise me you will survive… that you will never give up… no matter what happens… no matter how hopeless… promise me now, and never let go of that promise.”

You stifled your tears, nodding, “I promise”

“Never let go”

“I’ll never let go, Taehyung. Never” You gripped his hand and you lie with your heads together. It is quiet now, except for the lapping of the water.

The stars reflect in the glassy surface, and the two of you seemed to be floating in interstellar space. You were absolutely still. Your hands were locked together. You were staring upwards at the canopy of stars wheeling above you. The music was transparent, floating… as the long sleep steals over you, and you feel peace.

Your face was pale as the faces of the dead, you knew you were dying, the cold numbing you. You parted your lips, barely moving them as you sang Taehyung’s song

“Come Josephine in my flying machine”

The stars looked beautiful above you, the Milky Way a glorious band from horizon to horizon. Then a shooting star flares across, a white line on the dark sky. Your hair was dusted with frost crystals, your breathing was so shallow, you were almost motionless. Your (e/c) eyes track down from the stars to the water. On the water, there was a silhouette of a boat crossing the stars. You saw men in it, rowing so slowly the oars lift out of the syrupy water, leaving weightless pearls floating in the air. The voices of the men sound slow and distorted.

Then the lookout flashes his torch toward you and the light flares across the water, silhouetting the bobbing corpses in between. It flicks past your motionless form and moves on. The boat is 50 feet away, and moving past you. The men looked away. You lifted your head to turn to Taehyung, your hair frozen to the wood.

“Taehyung…” You gasped out so quietly that it was slightly inaudible. You lifted your free hand and shook the male slightly. He didn’t respond. You gently turned his face toward you. It is rimed with frost.

He seems to be sleeping peacefully, still looking as ethereal. But he was not asleep. You can only stare at his still face as the realization goes through you. Your tears bubbled in your eyes, the burning of your eyes contrasted to the cold.

“Oh, Tae…” you breathed out, feeling all of your hope, will, and spirit leave you. You looked at the boat. It was further away now, the voices fainter. You watched them go. You closed your eyes, all reason to try seemed to leave you. And then… your eyes snapped open. You raised your head suddenly, cracking the ice as you ripped your hair off the wood. You called out, but your voice was so weak that they don’t hear you. The boat is invisible now, the torchlight, a star impossibly far away. You struggled to draw breath, calling again.

You struggled to move. Your hand, you realized, was actually frozen to Taehyung’s. You breathed on it, melting the ice a little, and gently unclasps your hands, breaking away a thin tinkling film.

“I’m sorry, Taehyung… I promised you and I’ll see you again someday.” You choked out, releasing his hand. You watched sadly as he slowly sinks down to the water. He seems to fade out like an angel returning to heaven where you can’t go just yet.

You rolled off the floating wood and plunges into the icy water. You swam to the officer’s body and grabbed his whistle. You started to blow the whistle with all the strength left in your body. Its sound slaps across the still water.

The search party whipped towards the sharp sound and ordered the men to row back, “Row back! Row!”

You kept on blowing as the boat comes to you. You were still blowing when the officer hauls you to the boat, taking the whistle from your mouth. You slipped into unconsciousness and they scramble to cover you with blankets…

On the afternoon of the 15th, Jungkook was searching through the faces of the widows lining the deck, looking for you. The deck of Carpathia is crammed with huddled people and even the recovered lifeboats of Titanic. On a hatch cover sits an enormous pile of lifebelts.

He keeps walking toward the stern. Seeing Jungkook’s tuxedo, a steward approached him.

“You won’t find any of your people back here, sir. It’s all steerage.”

Jungkook ignored him and continued to search among the people, huddled in the benches.

You were sipping hot tea. Your eyes focused on him as he approaches you. He barely recognizes you. You looked like a refugee, your matted hair hanging in your eyes.

“I’ve lived. How awkward for you”

Jungkook sighed, “(Y/n)… Your mother and I have been looking for you–” You held up a hand, stopping him.

“Please don’t. Don’t talk. Just listen. We will make a deal since that is something you understand. From this moment you do not exist for me, nor I for you. You shall not see me again. And you will not attempt to find me. In return, I will keep my silence. Your actions last night need never come to light, and you will get to keep the honor you have carefully purchased.” You glared at him, cold and hard like the ice which changed your lives.

“Is this in any way unclear?” You asked. After a long silence on Jungkook’s behalf, he started.

“What do I tell your mother?”

“Tell her that her daughter died with the Titanic.” You stood up, turning to the rail, dismissing him. Jungkook’s face was stricken with emotion that never even appeared on his face until now.

“You’re precious to me, (Y/n)” Jungkook whispered. You scoffed at him.

“Jewels are precious, Mr. Jeon.” You said harshly. Jungkook stared at your back with such sorrow and emotion. It can be seen that in his own way, the only way he knew, he did truly love you.

After a moment, he turns and walks away.

On the 18th you have sailed to America on your own. You looked at the Statue of Liberty, welcoming you home with her glowing torch. It is just as Jimin saw it, so clearly, in his mind.

Several hundred police kept the mob back. The dock is packed with friends and relatives, officials, ambulances, and the press– Reporters and photographers swarm everywhere… 6 deep at the foot of the gangways, lining the tops of cars and trucks… it was the 1912 equivalent of a media circus. They jostled to get close to the survivors, tugging on them as they pass and shouting over each other to ask them questions.

You were covered with a woolen shawl and walking with a group of steerage passengers. Immigration officers were asking them questions as they come off the gangway.

“Name?”

You looked at him and said, “Kim. Kim (Y/n)”

This was your new beginning. The new beginning that was robbed from you by time. It was supposed to be you and Taehyung… Doing all the things he promised you, all the things he told you about. Doing all the things all normal couples do.

You sighed, breathing the air. You smiled a bit, looking around. It was okay. You’ll see him again, someday. But for now, you have to do the things you promised him.

You opened your eyes and you saw the familiar design of the Titanic, the echoing sound of music in the distance was nostalgic. The music was vibrant now, and the room is populated by men in ties and tails, women in gowns. It was exquisitely beautiful just like how you remembered it.

The crowd of beautiful gentlemen and ladies turned as you descend toward them. At the bottom, a man stands with his back to you… He looked so familiar, so heart-achingly familiar. The man turns and it was Taehyung, smiling, he holds his hand out toward you.

“I see you’ve kept your promise, love.”

“I have so much to tell you, Tae”

“I’m here, (Y/n)”

166 notes · View notes

maczazind · 7 years

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Film Diary 2017: August AKA "The Month Where I Crossed A Lot Off Of My Watchlist"

I found myself playing a major round of catch up last month, cramming three months worth of detailed movie reactions into one massive film journal post. But finally, I’m back on track with quite the larger month so far in 2017 as I cross off some highly notable titles from the past year off of my watchlist.

As always, the following reflects MY OWN OPINION. If you’d like to see these entries in full as the year progresses, each installment is given the tag “Film Diary 2017” so feel free to follow along! To see which movies I’m watching in real time prior to these posts, various ratings on a five star scale for assorted journal entries, likes and more, you can take a peek at my personal Letterboxd here & maybe even give me a follow there.

Each entry includes how every feature was primarily seen and an asterisk which denotes that viewing was the first time I’ve seen that movie in its entirety, despite possibly having seen pieces of the film previously or having a general knowledge of it. Numbering reflects the year’s overall total, not the monthly total.

89) August 1st: The Accountant* - DVD (Rental - Library); This first entry of the month I admittedly gained some new interest towards when news arrived that a sequel is reportedly in early development. Driving it home even more so was a glowing review from family members, as it had just arrived on HBO weeks prior. So having watched it, I can say I enjoyed it though I did manage to guess at least a few of the larger twists that seemed to have a impact towards others’ experience of the narrative. The story, when it irons itself out and gets rolling, ultimately can feel spiritually similar to that of Jack Reacher; both being solidly-crafted mystery thrillers centered around a man with an impressive set of skills. But where Tom Cruise delivers a military-trained badass, Affleck presents a character a bit more complex due to a high-functioning form of autism coupled with a number of interesting factors that I wouldn’t want to reveal for spoilers’ sake. Because of this, Affleck brings out a unique performance that’s demanded of him while its the supporting characters surrounding him who help define it and push it into new directions. Anna Kendrick is charming opposite Affleck as she finds a way to connect with him and ultimately gives the film a decent part of its emotional side underneath the mystery. Jon Bernthal is absolutely the scene stealer you wish was given more screentime, with his final scene in the film shining his talents wonderfully and his prior moments presenting a sly counterbalance to Affleck’s focused demeanor. Director Gavin O'Connor (who also helmed the incredibly moving feature Warrior that I highly recommend, along with the based on a true story Miracle) presents a thriller that certainly takes a novel approach, as it does feel like the tight style you see in various books brought to life on screen. As I stated, some of the larger surprises I was able to guess before their reveal; however, that doesn’t rob them of their overly satisfying and slick feeling when officially presented. In fact it actually adds more intrigue into the world, if anything. The Accountant is a good mystery that I certainly walked away from with more pros than cons. And if a sequel is to be made, I’m definitely intrigued by how Affleck, O'Connor and more will elevate the foundation laid out here.

90) La La Land* - DVD (Rental - Library); If you had asked me last Winter which of the contenders to emerge out of awards season caught my eye, I absolutely would have said La La Land. My hopes were definitely high as an impressive cast and the idea of a musical came forward under the direction of Damien Chazelle, who brought us the incredible Whiplash. As awards season took off, though, La La Land dominated to the degree of annoyance, resulting in many parodies, screen time, thank you speeches and ultimately a major downturn in my expectations. Six months later and far removed from the height of awards recognition, I can say that it absolutely deserved its praise & yet not everything presented shines as brightly as word of mouth would have you think. Chazelle crafts a great homage to classic Hollywood musicals of the past, heartfelt and passionate but perhaps a bit too predictable. Sebastian and Mia are both great individual personalities, equal parts charming, frustrating, and inspiring. They each come from very different worlds with very different passions, and it’s clear where that path will eventually lead them. I did, however, appreciate that 95% of what was presented in trailers and commercials as this sweeping love at first sight is given a twist to first time viewers with their origins and the songs sung at the time not painting the perfect picture. Seeing their relationship bloom is an interesting journey, with Emma Stone easily delivering the best performance of the film. And it all results in a finale that is both touching and oddly satisfying. Chazelle’s vision is presented with memorably shot scenes, and what helps boost the musical is a soundtrack from Dear Evan Hansen’s Pasek & Paul that will keep the catchy original songs stuck in your head for days to come. At the same time I feel it gets a bit too lost in the Hollywood love letter to give it a true edge, ultimately resulting in me gravitating more towards the intriguing exploration of themes in Whiplash as opposed to the spectacle of La La Land. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy nor believe La La Land is a great film; it absolutely is and I’ll wind up owning it on Blu-Ray someday for sure. But in the quest to measure up to the great musicals of the past and reinventing it for the present, a premise similarly presented just a few years ago in the award winning The Artist, it’s just too heavy of a task at times.

91) August 2nd: Big Night* - DVD (Rental - Library); Watching as much Youtube as I do, the hit cooking channel Binging with Babish landed this feature on my watchlist after his episode in which he crafted the film’s signature dish. It took awhile to hunt down the movie, but I finally managed to get my hands on it and ultimately found it to be an enjoyable little gem. The story at the center made me laugh plenty, with characters that were fun to watch, music and food that demanded your attention, interesting relationships to watch as they jump their respective hurdles, and even an ending that is more poignant with a message to deliver than it is overly satisfying.

92) Arrival* - DVD (Rental - Library); Continuing to close out my watchlist of films I missed in 2016, this sci-fi feature arrived last year and caught my eye due to director Denis Villeneuve who previously impressed me with thrillers Prisoners and Sicario. An alien invasion story that unfolds the more we discover what’s going on alongside the characters, Arrival has an absolutely gripping first act that evokes a tense feeling reminiscent to Signs and The Day The Earth Stood Still. To see the scope expanded beyond just what our cast is doing and take into consideration how the perspective of the invasion differs in countries around the world is an intriguing concept that helps drive the hurdles to the exploration at large. The second act tends to drag as really we somewhat plateau with the characters getting a bit too comfortable for the intrigue to really continue. However, this results in a third act with a surprise that I absolutely adored as it tends to reflect on the film in an entirely new angle. As for performances, Amy Adams really holds scenes strongly on her shoulders while similarly working well opposite most of the supporting cast. At the end of the day though, Villeneuve pulls off a memorable original sci-fi entry that makes me excited for his upcoming turn with Blade Runner so long as he can shake that mid-movie halt present here.

93) August 3rd: Ouija: Origin Of Evil* - DVD (Rental - Library); I’m attempting to keep a majority of my horror movie queue until next month as we start to move into the Halloween season. But as this one became available, I decided to take a shot. I’d yet to see the original Ouija as so-so reviews mostly kept me at arm’s length and in the years since it never really emerged as a must-see entry in the genre. However the prequel gained my attention last year when after a large marketing campaign, and its stance as the only horror themed outing for the 2016 Halloween box office, it intriguingly gained a positive reception. And after seeing it I can certainly see the appeal. At it’s core is a 60s-set haunted house movie driven by the title game that perhaps I enjoyed less for its scares and more for its plot. A fan of the Paranormal Activity franchise, the skeleton underneath it all felt like quite the similar set-up with a family you’re set to care for, demons, and all of the supernatural happenings taking place under one roof as the small nods ramp up into a bigger climax. What elevates it even more is director Mike Flanagan’s visual style. Flanagan pulls off something impressive by managing to fully immerse the story in a setting that truly does feel like the 1960s in nearly every aspect. Furthermore, there are quite a few shots in this movie that actually made me walk away impressed because they gave off a unique look that wound up sticking with me. The cast, likewise, is strong and plays in the world well; the younger actors are impressive in their delivery of the material (so much so that one of them is continuing the horror prequel haunts in Annabelle: Creation this month). My minor gripes are that while I found everything compelling enough, it didn’t offer too much in outright scares for myself; though I strongly admire that Flanagan goes for an overwhelming sense of creepiness and awe over what’s unfolding as opposed to a cheap string of jump scares. Additionally the CGI - while not used overwhelmingly - isn’t up to snuff thanks to the film’s low budget, as the few scenes it’s utilized in come across as late ‘90s level at best and SyFy original movie level at its worst. In the end, Ouija: Origin Of Evil was a solid watch that managed to now not only put Flanagan’s recent horror release Oculus on my watchlist but also possibly the original Ouija, as from what I briefly glanced I now have the perfect set-up towards it.

94) August 5th: Big Eyes* - Streaming (Netflix); I’m honestly not sure what compelled me to turn on this Tim Burton directed feature from a few years ago. Perhaps it just struck me as the right time to finally check it off my watchlist? Regardless, what transpires is a solid story that doesn’t quite emerge as one of the director’s finest films but manages to at least tell an intriguing true story. Burton manages to put his own unique spin on a biopic, not to Ed Wood heights however, as this art tale comes off quite different thanks to the central romance and Christoph Waltz’s character. Certain shots definitely evoke an early Burton feel through the visuals presented, such as the way he plays with color in a certain way on screen. But likewise, the story never manages to overly wow you beyond your personal fascination of the key struggle, and I think part of that has to do with Waltz as well. A strong actor, his initial take in which his role is supposed to be alluring and comforting in the first half comes off just too over the top, to the point you know that you shouldn’t trust this guy, even if a more effective outcome in the grand scheme of things demands you to. And it’s that mismatch that left me wanting something more in that execution, honestly, as the failure to be as swept away as Adams’ character had led to a disconnect for me that followed throughout. When things reach their peak, there is an empowering feeling to Adams that really emerges until the credits roll, despite an ending that can be a bit too comedic but at the same time satisfying as well. Far from an absolute hard hitting biopic, Big Eyes at least manages to do something different with the genre for a take almost as different as its interesting story, even if it’s not the cleanest brushstrokes.

95) August 6th: T2 Trainspotting* - DVD (Rental - Library); Back in January (when my journal posts weren’t so finely detailed), I had seen Trainspotting and walked away with an impactful reaction towards the film of entertaining and heartbreaking proportions. At the time, I knew a sequel was on the horizon but distanced myself from the initial word of mouth because I had no nostalgic attachment that many others have had. Seeing the sequel, my take is that it’s a fine expansion that doesn’t hit nearly as hard as the original but still manages to have a damn fun time with the characters. This go-around feels less about the overall theme of addiction and more about the aftermath of the first film’s climax, despite a great handful of our leads still being addicted to various things and even some trippy imagery in the middle of it all. The thematic focus this time is the impact of the original’s ending and the friendship divide it led to, in addition to whether or not those bonds can be repaired or not. In that respect it certainly works, with your intrigue as to where these characters are at and your compassion for them driving a good deal of the movie. Similarly it’s a change up that gives it a thankful new focus instead of simply being another sequel dealing with the same exact skeleton for a quick cash grab, as most non-blockbuster sequels tend to turn out. In doing this, director Danny Boyle tends to turn the attention inward for all these characters as they confront their current state and where they should be going after their dreams didn’t necessarily wind up going according to plan. Boyle reflects this in various ways, perhaps most notably a scene in which the lyrics for Queen’s “Radio Gaga” tend to relate rather fittingly. But as I’ve said, this is all well and good as long as you’re expecting more fun than you are another hard hitter. Character driven, I never quite felt like the situations at large were ever out of their controls nor that the conflict would result in any major surprises. At the same time, there’s a “dynamic” that’s cooked up that the film feels it needs to adhere to in order to give the plot one little left turn at the end that doesn’t really feel as grand as it wants to be. If you enjoy these characters and are looking to have simply a fun night out with them all these years later, absolutely take the chance.

96) August 8th: Ouija* - DVD (Rental - Library); Ugh. I had to. I really had to go and let the mythology get the better of me. After seeing the prequel the previous week I decided to go back and watch the first installment that originated the story, despite terrible initial critical reception trying to convince me otherwise. That being said, I can’t accurately put into words how much I disliked this movie. Where Origin Of Evil has a thematic motif of a haunted house film, it’s almost as if Ouija is confused as to what it wants to be. In some parts it’s recognizable modern-horror fare with a demonic mystery, which doesn’t kick into high gear until halfway through the film, and then a lunge into full on supernatural confrontation. In fact, the haunting scenes leading into the overly supernatural half of the film feels more like it would’ve worked better as a slasher feature surrounding the teen characters. But the way it unfolds is in a frustrating blend of bizarre character choices, lack of any emotional reactions to twists, confusing time placement to put the prior into context, and more. There’s dumb horror thinking - such as simply accepting the stovetop turned on and proceeding to bed upstairs - and then there’s just absolutely bizarre, unexplained horror thinking - such as the parents’ of one of the victims vaguely “going away” IMMEDIATELY after their daughter’s death and leaving our lead character in charge of housesitting. And that’s just in the first 20 minutes. 95% of the horror in this movie builds up to a cheap jump scare; characters dying are barely given any kind of emotional reaction by our leads as they just go on with their lives; time in between scenes is even more abstract as dialogue to let go of their grief seems shockingly too soon. It’s just a mess. I’m willing to pay the film a compliment in that the CGI presented here is noticeably better than its prequel, even despite this entry having less of a reported budget. Additionally, Olivia Cooke does her damn best with what she’s given as her turn as Laine is perhaps the strongest of the cast. Origin Of Evil is certainly an effective evolution of whatever Ouija attempted to do, and I still absolutely recommend it. But if you’re looking for a chronological extension, it’s best to stay in the ‘60s because boy oh boy this script is ultimately what drags the whole movie down.

97) August 9th: Live By Night* - DVD (Rental - Library); This gangster film adaptation managed to come and go quickly from theaters, also managing to break Ben Affleck’s critical momentum as a director in recent years. Live By Night certainly has a visual flair about it, but easily this is my least favorite film directed by the Argo visionary. The pacing is slow as all hell, managing to change gears half an hour in and repositioning itself as a potential revenge-driven story, but never quite managing to find a strong a focus on that. Likewise, I find that Affleck’s performance following this shift leads to him mostly stone faced, leaving me wishing that we could have seen more behind his persona that peeks out but never quite gives him a beating heart. Supporting characters help add personality to that leading man though; Zoe Saldana is great, sly and lovable, Elle Fanning’s character has a great turn that I actually liked as her actress dreams finally grant her an audience she craves. But it never impressed as much as it should. The building of this new empire lacks the power it should easily exude because there’s always a threat in the way that never allows us to bask in the glory, and even lacks the confidence of strength to squash said menace at the same time. Characters all play in this muddled sandbox of conflicting motives and ideals with a drawn out ending that goes for poetic rather than satisfying, and ultimately while there are cogs to admire as the story machine pumps along, it’s far from well-oiled.

98) August 10th: Hell Or High Water* - DVD (Rental - Library); Going from one outlaw tale to the next, I’m happy to say Hell or High Water is one film I walked away in awe of, as it presents a charming, entertaining thriller that I absolutely adored. The plot immediately drops you in the thick of things, allowing much to be discovered by these characters that drive the events that transpire, leaving a slow, unfolding motive to interest you throughout. The tone brushes with western noir in quite a few ways, but at the same time has a lot of fun with the chemistry between our two central pairs; Chris Pine and Ben Foster play off each other fantastically for a dynamic yin & yang type of performance, while Jeff Bridges and Gil Birmingham share a very similar relationship posed on an opposite moral side. And what easily helps is a well-rounded script from Taylor Sheridan, that manages to make you laugh one moment, feel shocked the next, and marvel at plenty of tense encounters. I felt like director David Mackenzie’s feature was a longshot earlier this year to take home the title for Best Picture, and yet I walk away many months later feeling as if it would’ve deserved that underdog fight. Easily one of the best impressions of the month and the year at large.

99) Batman: Return Of The Caped Crusaders* - DVD (Rental - Library); As someone never overly attached to the late Adam West’s portrayal of Batman, I still give it a great amount of respect. I grew up in a time lucky enough to be swarmed with Batmen on television through The Animated Series, Beyond, Justice League and even Nickelodeon reruns of West’s version as well. Released last Fall, Return of the Caped Crusaders continued the fun of that original campy era with a number of original voices in tow, with the return of West, Burt Ward and Julie Newmar. What results is a harmless, well-crafted love letter that is campy as always. The comedy is great, with the story and tone more in line with the original show for both its highs and lows. If anything, the film feels best described as being of the same spirit as the classic Hanna Barbera cartoons. The script is packed with plenty of fantastic homages and fourth wall breaks that only gain even more of a spotlight having built up over the years thanks to internet culture. Where it really finds a hard time is with pacing and balance. The first half hour follows the original show’s storytelling method almost verbatim for a straight half hour that once the charm of experiencing the classic atmosphere fades, it really starts to drag. Thankfully the plot manages to find a second wind afterwards to propel the second half, but at the same time can’t build anything quite serious enough to stand on confidently. For die hard fans of the original, unlike myself, this is absolutely a movie made for them. And though I see the flaws which led towards a more shaky reception, there’s still some fun to be had amidst everything else.

100) Get Out* - DVD (Rental - Library); For my 100th movie of the year milestone, I finally was able to see easily one of the most acclaimed and my most anticipated films of 2017 in Get Out. And man did it live up to the hype. Director Jordan Peele not only manages to create a creepy atmosphere all the way around while at the same time tackling major social issues, but does so with an incredible cast top to bottom led by breakout Daniel Kaluuya. Much like Ouija: Origin of Evil, what it lacks in outright traditional scares it makes up for in genuinely eerie and skin crawling tension. There are even some visual representations of the film’s main theme of racial & social divides and injustices that will have you rewatching the film over and over again. Even if you guess some of what transpires, the third act manages to squeak out some real surprises. The ending managed to evoke a real gut-drop of an emotional reaction from myself only to sophisticatedly subvert it in a way that has left a very lasting impression. A must-buy-on-Blu-Ray from me, and I’m happy to finally add to the number of voices praising this original feature that deserves said praise.

101) August 11th: xXx: Return Of Xander Cage* - DVD (Rental - Library); Vin Diesel has easily come back to the top of the box office thanks to the return and retooling of the Fast and Furious over the past decade. But truly, that’s been his only series of films go score a hit with audiences lately (unless you consider his turn as Groot in Guardians). When it was announced he would be returning as Xander Cage in another xXx film, I mostly had mixed feelings. The first entry was never my cup of tea, and I easily watched the sequel with Ice Cube more when I was younger (one of the few films I owned on UMD for the original PSP). So heading into this movie, I didn’t quite know what to expect. But ultimately I received an entertaining, endearingly over the top, big dumb fun action movie. The best way I can describe it is Return of Xander Cage feels like a film plucked out of that early-to-mid 2000s action genre where it also originated, for both its strengths and flaws. Diesel presents a performance that is definitely a change of pace from Dom in Fast and Furious; he really seems like he’s having plenty of fun in all his quippy charming pleasure. And honestly, there’s a good chance the feature would’ve crumbled without his presence. The story isn’t nearly as complex as they want it to be, with any real twists being seen from a mile away thanks to the classic “oh hey I kinda recognize that guy from somewhere” tactic spelling out importance later on down the road. Most of it has to do with a macguffin chase that is the only thing driving the plot forward. A great number of characters are introduced in a Suicide Squad manner that I’m sure many out there will roll their eyes over. Ruby Rose and others are awesome badasses, while others lean a bit too far into their roles; Toni Collette’s hard-ass company woman lacks the back & forth to come off as anything but blandly annoyed, and Nina Dobrev’s Becky is there for an overly comedic infusion that can feel really off balance compared to the tone of the rest of the action and one liners. As the team is assembled and the plot comes to a close, I just couldn’t help but feel as if the set up for another feature ultimately had more potential than this entry, as it had finally laid down the foundation for something bigger. The action gets better the longer the film goes on, but if I’m being honest the most sly and impressive action set piece occurs halfway through the film with a private island party setting. Additionally, when the action looks practical it really hits well; those assisted by CGI do not and simply take you out of it due to its highly stylized appearance. In the end, Return of Xander Cage requires even more extension of disbelief than your typical Fast and Furious entry, but is packed with some truly genuine charm and world building that is still pretty fun. If they can execute their ending set-up right and develop a story that’s both better and WAY less goofy, there’s potential we could see this series elevated beyond this chapter teetering the line of enjoyable and stupid.

102) August 12th: Silence* - DVD (Rental - Library); Upon awards season heating up last year, there was a little bit of talk behind Martin Scorsese’s latest film Silence that didn’t reach the crescendo of other competitors alongside it. Regardless of this, I still wanted to give it a look and see if it lived up to the hype. And while it definitely needs to overcome an incredibly long runtime, it’s when the movie switches gears following the first hour that a truly impressive outing is presented. Slow paced at first, it’s after that aforementioned time passes by we truly get to the meat of our tale and with it a story that rests firmly on the shoulders of Andrew Garfield. In that focus, Garfield gives an absolutely powerhouse performance that is just captivating to watch as he is put through an emotional ringer. I have yet to see Hacksaw Ridge, which he was nominated for, but a case easily could have been made for a nomination here as well had he failed to secure the nod originally. It’s in this stage as well that the film gains its true depth as we see a test of faith in many forms for our protagonists throughout; faith in their missing mentor, faith in their guide who they don’t fully trust. And Scorsese visually astounds as he ties in thematically to various parts of The Bible, with the allegories losing subtlety the longer the film goes on. For some reason, I originally didn’t think Silence would be as overwhelmingly religious in its nature as it was, despite its premise, but it is and it may turn off some audience members in that exploration. But I also saw the artistic side of it in terms of relating the ongoing plot to that of the classic text and simply found myself impressed at what Scorsese accomplished. In the end, if you can endure the slow burn introductory act and are set to see the story through, there is plenty to capture your attention later on that will leave a longer lasting impact well after the credits roll.

103) August 13th: Selma* - TV (DVR - FX); Sitting on my DVR from earlier in the week, I found this to be the right time to watch this film in light of recent events. And Selma is as amazing as people have said, reaching the right tone of powerful and heartbreaking to examine the Civil Rights movement and their marches. At the heart of it all is David Oyelowo leading a great all-star cast, with Oyelowo presenting a stunning, moving performance that absolutely should’ve been nominated for awards at the highest level. Through his heart and emotion as Martin Luther King Jr., the narrative reaches deeper emotional depths beyond those already presented that even managed to make me misty eyed at one point. Definitely an important feature to watch.

104) Justice League: Dark* - DVD (Rental - Library); My second WB-animated outing of the month, this entry falls more in line with the ongoing DC animated film canon that I’ve been very touch-and-go with in recent years. The latest entry from the studio to get an R-rating, I had anticipation for this outing as it not only featured the return of TV’s John Constantine in Matt Ryan but was also a preview of what may hit the big screen sooner rather than later in live action. And overall, I have to say it was solid but felt far more at times like a pilot for a television series than a standalone feature. The main plot feels a bit so-so in its slow build up, introduction of team members, assembly of said team and more, until a very late third act results in a memorable showdown with some true strength. Did it deserve an R-rating? While I don’t believe it grasps as dark of a tone as The Killing Joke, it does feature some undoubtedly dark moments and creepy imagery that certainly makes a case for the rating, but debatable. As for the voice work, I’ll admit it took a bit of warming up to, especially in the realm of Ryan gaining his spark as Constantine the longer the film goes on, having to shift his role from the usual portrayal to behind the mic. Notably, Camilla Luddington is absolutely fantastic as Zatanna and boosts the material incredibly well, while Nicholas Turturro is very entertaining as Deadman. It wasn’t the strongest of the DC Animated Original Movie canon thus far, however it’s far from the weakest. If anything, a solid foundation into the more mystic side to present further adventures rather than an overly satisfying standalone.

105) August 15th: Disney’s Beauty and The Beast (2017)* - DVD (Rental - Library); Before I begin this reaction, I feel I have to tackle the subject of the recent Disney remakes to indicate my headspace. I was grown up strongly on Disney from a very early age and there are various films from their history that hold a special place. In recent years, Disney has unleashed a number of live-action remakes that in my opinion take the base story of the originals and attempt to elevate them beyond the iconic scenes that you can never ever replace in animated form. So far some of the remakes (The Jungle Book) have achieved this much better than others (Maleficent). This year it was Beauty and The Beast’s turn and while admittedly the original was a well-remembered feature, it is far from my personal favorite. But now that I’ve seen the remake, I have to say how absolutely impressed I am. Taking the original story, the live action version manages to expand in key areas that wildly impress; Belle emerges far more independent and self-sufficient, Maurice is granted a much more emotional side that deepens his relationship with his daughter and is woven into the plot in bigger ways. Josh Gad sheds a more comedic and goofier typecasting for a Le Fou that is given depth, attempting to serve as a well-calculated conscience for Gaston while still delivering sharp-witted humorous lines and subtle emotional intentions as well to fantastic effect. Backgrounds for both our main leads are explored to heartbreaking success, though I do wish The Beast was still given more beyond a single flashback for additional sympathy (and a freakin’ human name would STILL be nice). Everything else either matches well with the original as classic scenes and songs are brought to life, while the supplemental songs are just as catchy and provide more emotional context (such as “Evermore” or “Days in the Sun”, the latter of which reads as a more somber yet satisfying replacement to the extended cut’s “Human Again”). The acting is strong from all fronts; the enchanted castle inhabitants did take a little bit of getting used to on my end and don’t necessarily hit the same iconic look of the animated version. There are even some surprising developments as the film’s story goes on as well that adds more for the plot and characters to gain from. Personally, I adored this version despite whatever shortcomings it may have and Disney manages to prove that updating their classics can still be a worthwhile endeavor. If you haven’t, definitely check this out when it hits Netflix for U.S. subscribers in the coming weeks.

106) August 16th: Phoenix Forgotten* - DVD (Rental - Library); The popularity of the found footage style in film has continued to simmer down, following its resurgence courtesy of the phenomenon that was the first Paranormal Activity. The horror genre has produced plenty of entries using the method in the years following, but a few additional found footage sci-fi narratives popped up to notable intrigue in that time, such as 2012’s Chronicle. Earlier this year prior to my screening of Kong: Skull Island, a trailer played that caught me completely off guard for a new sci-fi found footage film called Phoenix Forgotten that is based around the mysterious real life Phoenix lights event of 1997 and looked almost to be the alien/sci-fi version of The Blair Witch Project. The feature arrived quietly in some theaters one month later and has now arrived on home video just a few weeks ago. And while the concept is intriguing, the pacing comes off as wildly sluggish as it attempts to balance two timelines. The film is packaged as a documentary that admittedly at times had the exact quality look of real life docs that have impressed on Netflix in recent years. In this fictional doc, though, we are told a story between present day and 1997 as the now-grown-up younger sister of our subject in the 90s footage attempts to piece together what happened to her missing brother. The present day set-up helps support the other plot, sure, but once the 90s footage starts to grow intriguing its that storyline you ultimately want to stick with. However, it’s when the present day interlude pops its head in at one of the most inopportune times that it almost halts any momentum the handheld “shaky cam” portion attempted to build. We’re taken through various bridges before we can ultimately get to the real climax of the film in the 90s material, and even afterwards when perhaps you need answers the most, all we get is some text on screen as opposed to any type of continuation or conclusion from the present day story. And it’s this off balance that left me cold to Phoenix Forgotten as I couldn’t help but feel that it was stunted in its growth. It’s the constant stopping that bored me and after the most interesting part of the movie arrives thankfully uninterrupted, the other side of the movie simply refuses to carry the torch any further as we head to credits instead of build on its own momentum as well. I understand that I am part of a massive divide on this movie, as internet comments throughout have been pretty evenly mixed between people who hate it and people who adore it. While I loved the concept and the ideas presented in various moments do have a great deal of interest, this UFO simply couldn’t beam me up.

107) August 17th: The LEGO Batman Movie* - DVD (Rental - Library); The LEGO universe is rolling forward quite hard this year, with The LEGO Ninjago Movie arriving in theaters soon. The original The LEGO Movie was a quick-witted, hilarious, and charming endeavor with Batman being a standout character in a supporting capacity. This spin-off certainly received positive reception, and I enjoyed it well enough. It’s nowhere near as smart in its humor as its predecessor, but presents an impressive deconstruction of the entire Batman legacy by exploring his core role and relationships, especially including the ones with the Bat family and The Joker. There are wonderful nods to other incarnations of the hero, as well as his universe, while the climax of The LEGO Movie helps enhance the more absurd elements that pop up, even in terms of pop culture crossover. The inclusion of a key piece from Superman’s stories actually brings something different not seen in this corner of the Dark Knight’s films. It still skews overall younger in its demographic range, and I would argue even more so than The LEGO Movie did, but is still fun. It’s not the most satisfying or groundbreaking animated feature, and yet a worthy second installment in the brick-filled franchise.

108) August 19th: Inferno* - DVD (Rental - Library); I was never one that particularly gravitated towards the phenomenon that was The Da Vinci Code at the height of its popularity. I had seen the previous two films and thought they were solid but short of the top tier blockbusters or thrillers they strived to be. After a seven year gap between films, the franchise continued with little fanfare last year in the third installment Inferno, which in my opinion was fine but ultimately felt like a dull next chapter against a sharp ongoing narrative. The main premise of this adventure immediately puts lead character Robert Langdon at a disadvantage, left to discover exactly what is going on, and yet in the progression of that journey he still feels outpaced. At one point there are seemingly three different factions working against a Langdon not at his full strength, which is increasingly overwhelming the longer the story switches their morality around, and leaves a bit of a mess in its wake because of it. The script at least presents a mystery in the middle of all the clutter to latch on to, and wisely explains a variety of plot threads that manage to come-and-go by the time credits roll. Action sequences can feel slow paced at times, bundled with some CGI that stands out as well. In the end, perhaps this was better left to the page, as the complex mystery thriller can wind up more forgettable than captivating this time around.

109) The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe - Streaming (HBO Go); It’s been awhile since I traveled to the fantasy world beyond the wardrobe. A notable feature upon its release and a story largely taught to me in school for its thematic focuses & allegories, I never got around to falling for anything beyond this initial adventure. As one of my best friends made her way through the trilogy, I decided that perhaps it was time to revisit the saga before it undergoes a planned reboot of sorts in Hollywood. First up is the most notable entry in the saga that still holds up for the most part. The acting from our core four actors really differs, getting a bit better as it goes on but leaves a bit to be desired. Likewise, some smaller shots with green screen backgrounds notably stand out 12 years later as the technology has advanced. Early career James McAvoy is still an absolute scene stealer; Tilda Swinton stands strong as does Liam Neeson’s voice performance as their titular characters. The end battle is still a blockbuster climax that captures your attention as much as a similar faceoff in Game Of Thrones would. I don’t know if it was the fact that I’ve gone through the central story multiple times before, but ultimately I wound up feeling as if the film felt lighter to me and I wasn’t as sucked in as I may have been the first time around. At the same time, with my determination to finally see the trilogy through, that may have been because upon this rewatch I see it simply as a reintroduction and the first act of the films to come.

110) August 20th: The Space Between Us* - DVD (Rental - Library); This sci-fi feature seemed to come and go rather quickly earlier this year, sneaking under the radar as more high profile fare made its way to theaters. Curious due to the cast involved, I was interested in whether or not the original story would come as a pleasant surprise. And for awhile, it actually did. The first act of the movie I thought was fantastic, filled with a interesting concept, themes, and relationships that are set up which could easily be explored for a powerful emotional undercurrent. In fact, it’s at this point that I thought perhaps the marketing of an overly young adult romantic adventure and cheesy title pegged it wrong. Asa Butterfield comes off great here as the lone teenager of Mars, a dreamer of a life beyond his highly isolated one, and even sharing a promising dynamic with his surrogate mother (Carla Gugino). However, it’s halfway through when the film loses its edge as a fish out of water tale by changing gears towards Earth. It’s here the central romance is pushed aggressively towards the front, with the adults shoved to the side until late in the third act, left to simply chase our lead around as it’s reduced to a road trip movie instead. That being said, Britt Robertson does a great job as an individual with her own dreams, which syncs her up with Butterfield not only in tone but in dynamic as the more grounded of the duo to present a yin and yang repertoire. Here, though, the romantic dialogue seemed to get more cringe-inducing as it goes on, with quite a few eye rolling moments in tow, a plot twist that didn’t sit well with me, and an ending that similarly landed way too flat. And it’s that second half that disappoints me the most, as so much potential is set up early on just waiting to be explored thanks to it’s unique premise. Instead of focusing on the complicated bonds, his very hidden existence, an entirely different culture, the loss of his mother & more, it’s the magnification of the cutesy star-crossed lovers that leans too heavily into cliché and left a lesser impression as a result.

111) August 21st: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian* - DVD (Rental - Library); Going into the second installment of the Narnian trilogy, I recalled seeing a portion of this film many years ago but never finishing the entire outing as I didn’t like the drastic time jump at first. Rewatching it now, I can state it’s my favorite of the three entries thus far. That’s not to say it doesn’t have a small share of problems, such as its bloated runtime, and it not being as allegorically deep or thematically satisfying with a focus more so on an action template. But in that note there’s also a lot to be explored in that length. At the close of the last film, our core four characters lived into adulthood as the royalty of Narnia, only to be reverted back to their childhood selves upon rediscovering their original portal into the world. An abrupt ending at that point left much to be desired, and Caspian absolutely enjoys delving into that as we see not only the toll its had on the four of them but a new sense of maturity in the quartet as well. It’s there we get into a generally more mature outing, where the stakes are even higher for the fate of Narnia itself as opposed to strictly its leadership, and likewise the actors present better performances as a reflection of all these combined elements. While half of our key siblings are destined to not return in the sequel in a leading capacity, the ending here gives a heartfelt conclusion that grants us a better close than the previous entry, capitalizing on our time spent with the Pevensies and more confident in their road ahead.

112) Now You See Me 2* - DVD (Rental - Library); The previous Now You See Me managed to impress me enough as a sly magic-fueled thriller and capitalized on the atmosphere with a twist ending that’s a nice touch despite not quite being spelled out narratively beforehand. It’s not the greatest, but certainly an entertaining outing. The sequel, however, steps in a completely different direction for a handful of reasons. For starters, I feel as if the trailers were a bit misleading, as the direction seemed to indicate that perhaps this time around the magic would have some reality to it (spoilers: no it doesn’t). Additionally the secondary tone underneath the primary thriller goes way more comedic, which is better when contained in a surprisingly great relief character such as Lizzy Caplan, but is presented too widespread here and is an odd contrast to the foundation laid out by the first film. Having to tackle the first film’s aftermath is intriguing enough, attempting to widen the scope beyond our core group and similarly exploring the true identity of one of our leads. But with some in-fighting mixed with the lack of being the ones on top this time around, the engine isn’t exactly firing at full steam. And when it’s mixed with that aforementioned comedic slant in tone, the tricks fail to astonish and amaze as much as it did the first time around.

113) August 22nd: The Chronicles Of Narnia: Voyage of The Dawn Treader* - DVD (Rental - Library); I conclude my viewing of the Narnia trilogy with Dawn Treader, the entry that in my opinion seemed to have an uphill battle. Not only is this the first film in the series without Disney behind it nor director Andrew Adamson, it’s the first without two of the major four characters traveling to the title land due to the conclusion of Prince Caspian. And honestly with all of the changes, it’s my least favorite of the trilogy. Easily the shortest of the saga, it somehow feels the longest as the pacing is a bit weird. The opening reintroduction into Lucy and Edmund’s lives are barely driven home on an empathic level before we’re whisked away to Narnia. While Ben Barnes is back as Caspian and awesome as one of our leads, the massive change of accents between films proves a bit distracting. Additionally, the lack of a major villain for the first time in the series adds to the pacing problem despite a clear objective painted out. It just feels a bit listless and as if there isn’t much resistance to the flow of the story. That being said, somewhere in the thick of it all Lucy and Edmund’s personal stories are concluded rather well; even if I would argue Lucy’s is given more attention than Edmund’s. The acting may be the best of the three, especially when Will Poulter steals scenes as the infuriating yet enjoyable newcomer Eustace. And while the allegories come off less subtle this time around, it’s hard to knock Dawn Treader for it, as this leads towards easily the most emotional ending thus far; highly memorable, heartfelt, definitive and satisfying. All the behind the scenes shuffling may have prevented this installment from reaching bigger heights, but it’s a handful of character moments, a new dynamic, and that incredible ending which you cannot rob the third entry of.

114) Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame - Blu-Ray; Looking to shift my mindset from the Narnian conclusion, I at random decided to revisit a mid-90s animated feature that in my opinion only gets better the older you become. Hunchback is easily one of Disney’s darker and more mature outings, which as a kid I always liked for its visuals and songs but always felt a disconnect with. As I’ve grown older, though, the film has absolutely climbed my personal charts not just for its incredible songs (one of the greatest of which “Hellfire” accurately displaying an internal conflict for our villain) but for all its complex themes of religion, mass persecution based on class, morality through perspective, temptation, subverting your idea of the key romantic subplot to respect the platonic, and more. What hinders some of the maturity, though, is the more slapstick comedic moments filled with wacky sound effects, an example of which includes a chase scene in the middle of the main festival. And while yes The Gargoyle Trio are those goofy sidekicks that show up all throughout Disney’s animation, they do raise a very interesting purpose in serving as this intriguing outlet for Quasimodo that also reflects not only his isolation but his mentality in these three being simply a figment of his imagination created in his loneliness (before that’s seemingly thrown out the window as they fight back in the climax, but I digress). Going back now, there’s plenty to love about Hunchback that’s easily worth a revisit and may manage to impress those who haven’t seen it in awhile.

115) August 23rd: Dawn Of The Dead (2004)* - TV (DVR - IFC); This zombie-action reimagining from the mid-2000s has been notable over recent years not only because it’s grown a strong following, but also for its director Zack Snyder and writer James Gunn. Having caught bits and pieces over the years on cable, I finally sat down to watch the full film and while I admire it for the subversion of the iconic rules & perception of zombies from Romero’s original outings, it didn’t overly wow me. The factors leading to my timid reaction I believe are perhaps a bit of over hype from a vocal fanbase for the flick, but also the exhaustion of the genre in this post-Walking Dead culture, where there are certainly echoes of a similar dynamic in regards to a group focus and competing dynamics within. That being said, the more agile undead come across as terrifying, threatening antagonists that certainly lean into the film’s more general action-over-horror feel as to how they are dealt with by our core characters. Speaking of which, there are some solid entertaining arcs for a handful of the members, especially Michael Kelly’s C.J. and a highly memorable close to Mekhi Phifer’s Andre, that add a bit more substance beyond their initial first impressions in which they seem to fill a respective role in the crowd. It’s the farthest thing from what I’d define as a bad film; I just wish I had seen it before the over-saturation that’s emerged in the last decade, where it may have astonished me before zombies achieved another massive popularity boost.

116) August 25th: John Wick: Chapter 2* - DVD (Rental - Library); The original John Wick managed to impress me with badass action and a gritty, ruthless feel against a rather simple yet unique revenge story. And though the sequel lacks as big of an emotional undertone underneath it as its predecessor along with some pacing issues, the sequel still manages to surprise in new ways as the previously mysterious background of John’s prior assassin profession is explored and cracks the previously smaller scope wide open. The action remains as awesome as ever, with plenty of fantastic build up, tension in certain scenes, and intriguing matchups presented once the core narrative truly hits its stride. How exactly you anticipate the face-off between John and supporting characters certainly drives intrigue with the rest of the plot, as in the meantime we’re given a villain with a bit more mythology behind him, and plenty of rules in regards to the assassin organization that fuels the underbelly of the entire film. Additionally, this second installment sets up a third entry with such ease, anticipation and captures the imagination of what they could do now that they’ve painted themselves into a corner. Another enjoyable outing that I may have liked more than its first, despite any flaws.

117) August 26th: Split* - DVD (Rental - Library); It’s no secret that M. Night Shyamalan has let me down before. Hell, I went to go see The Happening and The Last Airbender in theaters for who knows what torturous reason. Regardless, I had yet to see Shyamalan 2.0 in action as The Visit has not made its way up my watchlist and this outing was quite the hunt as a physical rental. I can finally say I’ve seen Split, despite knowing full well what the “twist” extra scene at the end was well in advance, and it was a tense, well-acted thriller that overcomes some early sluggishness to work quite well. The first act tends to be where I saw the most faults, with standoffish dialogue between characters that left them initially cold and a general odd tone of lesser films from the director, which left me worried. But once more about our primary protagonist and antagonist are revealed, the plot takes off as an edge of your seat battle ensues. James McAvoy is absolutely astounding as the key player in all of this, afflicted with multiple personality disorder and making sure to convey each identity uniquely that will just leave you appreciative of his performance. Likewise, our lead on the other side of things Anya Taylor Joy gives a performance that grows heartbreaking the more you understand her, thanks to a backstory that breaks down her initial highly guarded walls. It’s the dynamic between these two that plays well to drive the set-up forward and has me intrigued in exactly how it may shift upon the addition of new cast members in the upcoming sequel. Mentioning that, the spoiled extra scene really didn’t hinder my opinion of the movie as a whole. In fact, it helped enhance some minor dialogue throughout, especially in regards to Dr. Fletcher’s psychological theories. When all is said and done, though Get Out easily takes the cake this year with its artistic subtleties bubbling under the surface, Split is a well crafted entry in the thriller category that lands Shyamalan back on my good side.

118) August 29th: A Cure For Wellness* - DVD (Rental - Library); I’m willing to admit this wasn’t one I was completely eager to see earlier this year, and yet upon its theatrical release I remember positive reactions from friends. So, I decided to give the film a try and found a visually stunning psychological thriller with a compelling mythology that unfortunately doesn’t move quick enough. That’s not to say I felt the film’s two and a half hour runtime felt overly dragging compared to other features this past month. In that regard, the movie manages its screentime and pacing rather well. But to me where A Cure for Wellness tends to lose some points is the second half in its failure to execute its reveals at quite the right time. The story articulates its mythology so well that I felt I knew exactly what was going on for awhile before Lockhart (Dane Dehaan) did, or before we reached the major unveiling in one of the film’s final set pieces, almost as if it was underestimating its audience in a way. And that’s disheartening as not only is the mythology a large part of what helps this story work, but what separates some good chunks of the film from also just being weird for weird’s sake. That being said, I actually liked A Cure for Wellness despite all its flaws. Dehaan does strong as the audience vehicle; Mia Goth is compelling as the complex patient whose innocence is a stark contrast towards a lot surrounding her; Jason Isaacs is an absolute scene stealer as the director of the facility. In the end, I feel that this is a movie that will easily divide people as its something many can perceive different things from. Some will see an overly creepy and intriguing mystery thriller; others will see the subtext of a life over analyzed and over medicated. For me, I found a blend of both but still wish there had been less of a beating around the bush in regards to the mythology, and more of an outright focus on exploring of the deep central themes.

119) Jackie* - DVD (Rental - Library); Another awards season contender, it seems I chose to end my month with two features with grief at their core. First comes the mourning of JFK, with a film that focuses on Jackie Kennedy and the days following the death of her husband. Natalie Portman delivers a strong portrayal of the former First Lady, showcasing not only immense strength but exceptional poise amidst the chaos of it all, managing arrangements her way, dealing with her brother-in-law, political factors, her children and so much more amidst a very heartbreaking loss. All of this is explored wonderfully and thematically as I sat in awe of how much Mrs. Kennedy had to endure. Storywise, I have to admit that I didn’t really get into the film until after the first act, which comes off non-linear as we jump across multiple timelines, until we finally settle on just two. From that point on we get to see the true emotional and thematic meat of the movie emerge and it can be quite intriguing. It didn’t knock me on my ass as much as it did other people, nor did it crack my top films of the month either, but it’s still a strong entry if you’re interested into the material.

120) August 30th: Manchester By The Sea* - DVD (Rental - Library); And finally, we have my last awards contender of the month. With only trailers and tv spots to go on, I didn’t quite know what to expect from Manchester By The Sea except for the wide consensus that it was sad. Imagine my surprise when I found myself chuckling early on at the odd charm the film presents, while at the same time intrigued as the story begins to uncover exactly what’s behind the lead character of Lee. Seemingly off-kilter, especially in his reactions towards his brother’s death, it’s when Lee’s story is revealed the film reaches deeper lengths in its grief theme as each of our characters are experiencing it in one form or another. The ending may upset people, but honestly I dug it as the reasoning is very prominent in the film through Lee’s actions, supporting characters’ examples, and it never robs the central story from its character development that it does build, especially between Lee and his nephew Patrick. Lucas Hedges steals the show in his breakthrough performance, and likewise Affleck works well to present a lead whose complexities are unveiled the longer the film continues. A strong watch that works on both an entertaining and artistic level, similar to that of Hell or High Water.

And that concludes my incredibly packed August! I expect the next month to be a rather slow one because I’ll be converting a good deal of my free time towards Destiny 2 as it’s released. But there are certainly some big films landing on my radar as we inch closer towards Halloween, including the remake of It and the sequel to Kingsman. Additionally, I’ve already begun to plan a horror-themed list of features, including an experimental rewatch of the Paranormal Activity franchise but in chronological order of events. Until then Guardians, I’m grabbing my Ghost, going to see Ikora Rey, and I’ll see you next time.

#film diary 2017 #movies #film #text post

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