Kurt held on tight, his hands on a metal bar and his thighs clenched around the machine as it lurched forwards and backwards. Although it was quite new, it whirled and clanked loudly like each motion might be it's last.

Rolling his eyes and trying not to laugh out loud, Kurt looked over at Blaine. "Is this what riding a camel is like in reality? I pictured something much more...regal. Less noisy."

Blaine chuckled softly at Kurt's comment, looking over at Thomas, the trainer, to ensure he hadn't heard the comment about his precious machine. He was on a similar contraption, except his had stirrups and lurched up and down. Blaine tried to anticipate the machine's motions, raising and lowering his body off the saddle, posting to the trot gait. "How am I supposed to know what riding a camel is like? From the little you've deigned to tell me about yourself, I'd wager there's a better chance you've ridden one than I have."

Blaine looked over to Kurt, wanting to see his reaction to the comment, but Kurt's eyes were firmly trained on Blaine's hips. Watching as his strong thighs raised and lowered his body rhythmically, his gaze appreciative.

The look made Blaine lose his pacing, and he bumped awkwardly against the saddle, almost losing his balance. By the time he'd regained his seat, Kurt's hot look was replaced with the amused one he so often wore.

"Thomas, would you mind stopping the machine now? I think I've had enough of the electric horse." Blaine smirked back at Kurt, who was now sitting with one foot tucked under the opposite knee, looking quite at ease on his lurching electric camel.

Once Thomas had stopped the machine, Blaine dismounted. Kurt followed suit, slipping off his moving machine gracefully to stand beside Blaine.

“Show-off.” Blaine grumbled under his breath, and smiled when he heard Kurt’s chuckle. “What else would you like to try out in here?”

Kurt’s grey-blue eyes surveyed the large gym, taking in the stationary bicycles, the weights, medicine balls and other equipment. They landed on the rowing machine bolted to the center of the floor. He arched an eyebrow Blaine’s way.

Nodding, Blaine walked over and got in position, strapping his feet onto the foot plate, and took hold of his set of oars. Kurt settled onto the seat in front of him, both facing forward like they were really crewing a sculling boat like Blaine had in university. He could tell that Kurt wasn’t familiar with the equipment though, and it was interesting to watch as he quickly worked it out and was ready to go.

Following Kurt’s rhythm, Blaine bent his legs and pushed his hands forward and outward, and then pushed back with his legs as he pulled his hands towards his stomach. Blaine fell easily into the old familiar pattern, and it was almost hypnotic.

But then he raised his eyes to watch Kurt as he rowed. His technique was not perfect, but the motions showed his body well. The curve of his back when he bent over his legs, the muscles of his back and arms as he pushed back. The slimness of his waist and the way his ass shifted on the seat with the repetitive motions. So beautiful and strong.

Thomas came over eventually, watching their technique and making a few suggestions. “But I’m sorry, lads. You will have to leave shortly. I open for the ladies at 10:00 am.”

“Thank you for letting us in early, Tom.” Kurt said as he pulled his feet free of the straps and grabbed a towel to rub over his face.

Grinning, Thomas slapped Kurt on the back and walked away, getting the gym ready for his clientele.

Walking towards the men’s change room, Blaine put a towel over his neck. “How did you convince him to let us in here before it opens? And isn’t it supposed to only be for 1st class passengers?” He had been quite surprised when a steward had knocked on his door at 8:30 am and passed him Kurt’s note, asking Blaine to meet him at the gym at 9:00 am.

Smirking, Kurt held the change room door open for Blaine to pass through, and followed him in. “He was spending some time at the restaurant the first night when we weren’t too busy, and we got chatting about food preferences. It turns out he has quite the sweet tooth, so I got one of the cooks to make his favorite dessert for him the next day.”

“Funny that such a health-conscious man likes desserts that much. What’s his favorite?” Blaine took off the whites the gym supplied, and slipped his own pants back on.

Kurt flashed Blaine a little smirk as he pulled on his own pants. “Spotted Dick. He says he can’t get enough of it.”

Rolling his eyes, Blaine stepped closer to Kurt. “I know the feeling…but I prefer it without spots, thank you very much.”

Nudging Blaine out of the way, Kurt reached for his shirt. “It’s a British pudding, full of dried fruit. Served with a custard sauce.”

Wearing just his pants, an undershirt and the unbuttoned shirt, Kurt was far too tempting. Blaine stepped into his space, leaning closer to capture his mouth in a slow kiss. Kurt was still warm from their gym activities, smelling a bit of sweat and that special scent that was just Kurt. Blaine just wanted more. Wanted to touch and taste and explore. Wanted more than a glimpse of his body while he dressed. Wanted time to do it right.

Kurt broke away from their kiss. “Blaine, anyone could walk in here.”

“But only ladies are allowed in the gym until noon. We’re safe.” His mouth travelled down Kurt’s neck, and he flicked out his tongue to taste his warm skin, moaning at the flavor.

Unbidden, a yawn took him, pulling him back from Kurt.

“Am I boring you, Blaine?” Kurt laughed, buttoning up his shirt, much to Blaine’s dismay.

Pouting slightly, Blaine pulled on his own shirt, knowing that Thomas would likely check on them soon if they didn’t leave. “Well, I wasn’t expecting to be out of bed so early today, and then to be put through the paces.” Plus, he’d had a rather late night, running every moment with Kurt through his mind again and again. And had ended up groaning out Kurt’s name several times in the darkness of his chamber.

Kurt scoffed. “Poor little rich boy can’t keep up. OK, I’ll tone things down for you when I make plans in the future. Nothing too strenuous. Nothing too early in the day.”

Blaine glared at Kurt playfully. “I can take anything you can dish out, Kurt.”

“Oh please. You have always been in your pampered little bubble, travelling around the world with your every need taken care of for you. I’m a little surprised you aren’t asking for my help to dress.” Kurt teased as he walked over to the mirror with his comb, putting everything back in place.

Knowing Kurt was trying to get a rise out of Blaine didn’t stop him from acknowledging to himself that there was a grain of truth to what Kurt was saying. What did he know about the real world?

Taking Kurt’s hand, Blaine gave it a squeeze as he held his gaze. “Show me then, Kurt. Show me your world, your side of things.”

Raising his eyebrows in surprise at first, Kurt seemed to look closely at Blaine, trying to judge if he really wanted this. And after a moment, he nodded in agreement. “OK, Anderson. You’re on. Can you meet me tonight after work?”

Blaine nodded, excited to find out what Kurt was already planning. He would have to have a nap this afternoon, make sure he was well rested and alert for later on.

----

"Young people today have no sense of decorum." Mrs. Wilde tsked disapprovingly, stirring her cup of tea. "Even on this ship, Mrs. Prescott heard some uncouth youth screaming 'I'm the King of the World' at the top of his lungs as we went to sea."

The older woman had pale blond hair and pale blue eyes that seemed a little cold to Blaine. She was wearing a navy dress with a matching hat, tuffs of dyed ostrich feathers on the brim bobbing slightly as she shook her head.

"Oh Mother, I wish you would lighten up. This is 1912, not 1812." Her daughter, Miss Kitty Wilde placed a hand on her arm, shaking her head in disagreement. "Society is relaxing a lot of those ridiculous, stiff dictates."

Blaine watched the interchange as he sipped his tea, surprised that he agreed with Miss Wilde's statement and impressed she spoke up about her opinion. Not many young women would in mixed company.

Miss Wilde was quite lovely, her blond hair perfectly styled in curls, pinned into an elaborate updo. Her day dress was a light lilac colour that complimented her fair complexion and brought out her intelligent hazel eyes. Blaine liked that she was petite, a few inches shorter than he was, but still did not seem shy or frail. She was confident and carried herself well.

Charles served himself a slice of cake, and chuckled. "I'm afraid I agree with your mother, Miss Wilde. We need to preserve the old ways, and behave according to our station in life. If we relax that, what's to stop a footman or a steward from being overly friendly with you?"

Miss Wilde chuckled along with his comment. The idea of the beautiful heiress demeaning herself by getting involved with a penniless servant was ludicrous.

As they chatted on over their tea, Blaine smiled and contributed the odd comment, but his thoughts were on Kurt, like they had been so often since that first incredible night in Paris. What would happen if he blurted out to his father and these ladies that he was getting 'overly familiar' with a lowly server? How shocked would they be if he said he tempted to give up everything to be with Kurt?

But instead he played his role of dutiful son. Smiled and was his charming best to avoid a scolding later from his father.

Over the course of the late afternoon tea, he realized Miss Wilde shared many of his opinions and she wasn't as scary as he had thought. Could he let things develop between them? Eventually marry her to please his father? Would it be fair to Miss Wilde to ask her to be part of a loveless marriage? Was it fair to him?

"That went quite well." Charles chortled, as they walked back to their cabins afterwards. "I think we should ask to dine with them at lunch tomorrow. I'll occupy Mrs. Wilde's attention while you engage Miss Wilde in a private conversation. I want you two to get to know each other more."

Internally, Blaine squirmed at the thought, but he nodded dutifully. "Yes, Father." And he soon escaped to his own quarters.

Flopping down on the bed, he smiled to himself thinking about Kurt. What did he have in mind for tonight, to prove that Blaine couldn't handle the 'real' world? Blaine was fit and intelligent, and he felt reasonably sure he could handle most things that came his way.

Pulling out a piece of paper, Blaine started writing down questions he had about Kurt, things he would happily earn with dozens of deep kisses. Would they find a way to be alone to share them? Blaine's cabin was a risk, as Jacobs or his Father could stop by without notice. And how would he get Kurt there without arousing attention? A third class passenger wasn't allowed near the first class cabins.

They had to find a way. They must. The more he was around Kurt, the more he wanted him, needed him. That quick date in the gym this morning had only been a tease, making Blaine want more, more, more.

He'd never felt like this before. Yes, he wanted to kiss and touch and sink into a sea of pleasure with Kurt, but he would almost be content just to hold Kurt's hand and cuddle against his side as he talked. Just being near him, in his space, in contact. Hearing him talking about anything. He loved the way Kurt teased him and was so playful. Loved hearing his stories, learning more about his past and trying to figure out what made Kurt so fascinating.

Only five hours, ten minutes until he would see him again. Blaine got off the bed and paced restlessly around the room. It was no use. He was a ball of energy, too excited to keep calm.

Leaving the suite, Blaine headed down to the G deck in the elevator. Perhaps a hard, fast game of squash would help settle him down.

---

-Disclaimer: I own nothing.

-A/N: Sorry this is a shorter chapter, but the next one will be a long, fun one. :)

-The gym on the Titanic was on the top level (boat deck) and was run by Thomas McCawley. It featured an electric horse and an electric camel, stationary bicycles, a rowing machine, and other equipment. It was open 9-12 for ladies (I changed this slightly in the story), 1-3pm for children and 2-6pm for men.

-The squash court was located on the G deck (near the bottom of the ship), and there was an attendant who supplied racquets and balls, and could act as an opponent if necessary.