May 21, 2016, 7 p.m.
A Drop in the Ocean: Paris
E - Words: 3,574 - Last Updated: May 21, 2016 Story: Complete - Chapters: 9/? - Created: May 21, 2016 - Updated: May 21, 2016 209 0 0 0 0
Blaine rolled his eyes as his father caught the server's attention and did a circular motion over their glasses, nodding in satisfaction when she smiled in acknowledgement. Really? Did they need more drinks? Already, he felt a bit embarrassed at seeing his father well on the way to getting drunk with his business friends, and couldn't relax enough to join in on their fun.
Sighing to himself, Blaine plastered on a smile and tried to look like he was enjoying the ribald jokes as he sipped his whiskey. They were getting raunchier, and Blaine was feeling more like cringing than laughing at most of them. And these were men he'd have to do business with in the sober light of day. Somehow he doubted he'd ever look at any of them, especially his father, the same way again.
"Blaine, have a couple drinks and relax...," his father leaned in to whisper in his ear, and turned back to his colleagues.
By the time the server brought the next round, he was able to pass her his empty glass and started sipping on the next. His father was right. A few drinks would loosen him up and he would laugh with everyone and not remember much the next day.
"La Femme Nikita is up next." Philipe gave a lecherous grin, and glanced towards Blaine.
The other men chuckled knowingly, and Blaine felt young and ignorant. "Oh, is she a good singer?"
His father shared the grin with his friends and nudged Blaine's shoulder. "She really is....something else. Just pay close attention."
Being almost done his third whiskey, Blaine was really starting to feel the effects of the alcohol. He knew something was going on, but his brain was too fuzzy to pin it down. Shrugging his shoulder, he turned towards the stage as the lights dimmed and a slow sultry beat started up.
The curtains pulled back, and there was a lone woman dramatically posed on a stool, her full length gown sparkling in the spotlight., her head tilted down. She was a vision, and there were many catcalls from the rowdy audience members in appreciation.
Shifting on the stool, knowing she had every man's attention, she crossed her long legs, and the thigh-high slit of her gown draped open to reveal pale, perfect skin. She was a pure tease.
Finally, she lifted her head, revealing high cheekbones and large blue eyes, dramatic make-up highlighting her beauty.
"You made me love you, I didn't want to do it, I didn't want to do it..." Her voice was soft and full of regret. "You made me want you, and all the time you knew it, I guess you always knew it."
It was those expressive eyes, that voice... Something he couldn't put his finger on... But Blaine couldn't look away, even when he heard the other men chuckling nearby.
Nikita got off the stool, moving slowly and gracefully as a cat, tall and lean. She wandered across the stage, singing about a past lover she was yearning for. And Blaine was thinking to himself that the man was stupid to not be with her.
By the time she got to the end of the song, it was quiet in the normally boisterous hall. "Give me, give me, give me what I cry for, You know you have the brand of kisses that I die for."
Those lines got a good reaction from the crowd, hooting from a few men that they'd give her anything she wanted.
The song ended and the audience was cheering loudly, many on their feet clapping. Blaine joined them, not afraid to give recognition to a great musical performance like that.
Nikita smiled out at the audience, and curtsied gracefully with flourish. And when she stood back up, she gave a little nod and pulled her wig of long dark hair off. Her hair below was short, styled back off her face. A severe haircut...
Realization dawned on Blaine's face and his father was laughing and grabbing his arm. "Oh my God, your face....!" The other men were just joining in and laughed harder when Blaine slumped back down into his chair. The performer onstage bowed and was soon off the stage.
"So, Nikita...Nikita...is a man?" Blaine knew he probably sounded like a drunk idiot, but he had to know.
Philipe thumped his shoulder. "Yes, his name is actually Nicky. Nicky-Nikita...it's a clever act, yes?"
Reeling from it and running the act through his mind, it was still so confusing. Nicky had totally seemed like a woman, in the way he dressed, sang, moved. Every little mannerism. Blaine had never seen anything like it.
"See, Blaine, this is the type of thing I wanted to show you on this trip. Our customers are well-travelled and will expect entertainment that will be novel and exciting like this." Blaine's father leaned in close to talk with Blaine as the rest of the table shared more jokes. "Plus I've never seen you take such interest in a woman before. You were certainly watching her quite closely right up until she took her wig off!"
Blaine laughed along with his father. "You guys should have warned me!" He joked around with the other men, but inside he was still reeling from the performance. He had been drawn in by Nikita's beauty and sultry singing, admiring her talent and the way she worked the crowd. To find out the end she was actually a man was a surprise, but Blaine was even more intrigued by him now. Not that he'd admit that to his father.
After another round, Blaine excused himself and wove his way through the sea of drunk men to find the washroom. The room was quiet, and as he finished up at the urinal, another man entered who looked familiar somehow. Blaine took his time doing up his pants, sneaking quick glances to try to identify the other guy without seeming too obvious.
He was a couple inches taller than Blaine, slim but muscular, wearing a brown tweed suit. Even the quick look Blaine could give it revealed that it was of inferior quality. This man was not likely one of the patrons. Why was he here? His hair was coiffed in a tall style off his face, revealing fair skin, and delicate features for a man.
"You really shouldn't stare at another man in the washroom. It's unseemly." He spoke with a light french accent, but his English was clear. The man did up his pants and sauntered over to the sink to wash his hands.
Blaine followed, washing his hands and looking at the man, searching for words. "Um...I'm sorry...it's just that you look familiar somehow..."
The man gave Blaine a laughing glance, his blue eyes fully on Blaine for the first time, and Blaine gasped.
"Oh! You're Nikita.....um Nicky, I mean." Blaine's eyes were travelling over Nicky's face, trying to picture it with all the eyeshadow and lipstick that he'd worn on stage, and marvelling at the transformation. The man before him, dressed in a plain brown suit, his face scrubbed clean, was just an ordinary man you would pass by on the street any day.
Nicky gave a small close-lipped smile, his eyes looking Blaine over carefully. "Did you like the performance?"
Blaine gave a delighted laugh. "Oh yes! You sang so wonderfully and performed it so well! You had the whole audience eating out of the palm of your hand. And the surprise at the end...well, I bet it's an act they will be talking about for days."
Nicky's eyes warmed under Blaine's enthusiastic review. "I'm glad you liked it. You'll have to come back another night. I'm singing "Some of These Days" tomorrow night and have this great red gown for it."
Shaking his head regretfully, Blaine pushed his hands into his pant pockets as they left the washroom. "I wish I could see that, but I leave with my father for England tomorrow."
Giving a little shrug that was somehow still graceful, Nicky paused in the hallway. "That is too bad."
Blaine should head back to the table, rejoin his party, but he didn't want to end his time with this fascinating man. "Um, could I buy you a drink? I'd like to talk with you some more."
Nicky gave Blaine a long look, so long and thorough that Blaine could feel his skin warm with a slight blush, and his heart was beating fast. Just being near this attractive man was affecting him, and he hoped it wasn't too obvious. He was used to pushing these feelings of attraction down.
Nodding decisively, Nicky stepped closer. "As a performer, I'm not supposed to drink with the patrons unless I'm in costume. But if you want, we could go backstage. I have a bottle stashed back there."
Blaine was surprised by the offer, and very tempted by it. But his father's warnings from birth were there, arguing against the idea, knowing it could be unsafe to go to a private area with a stranger. He could be robbed or worse. "Oh, Nicky, thanks for the offer... But I should get back to..."
His words got stuck in his throat at the sign of disappointment in Nicky expressive blue eyes. It was a fleeting look, before his armour came into place, and he pulled back a step.
"No wait....I changed my mind. Let's get that drink." Blaine stepped closer, tempted to put his hand on Nicky's arm, but held back. Maybe he'd had a few too many drinks and wasn't reading the signals right. You had to be so careful.
Nicky's eyes had a spark of happiness that made Blaine glad of his decision, and he didn't hesitate to put his hand on Blaine's arm. He dragged him down another corridor, and paused, listening, before he pulled a curtain back a little and led them inside.
They were in the backstage area, and it wasn't well lit. Blaine glanced around, trying to get his bearings, but Nicky sped them along. His eyes were scanning the hallway, obviously on the lookout for others, and Blaine tried to keep his footsteps as quiet as Nicky's. He got the feeling he wasn't supposed to be back here, and it was exciting to be swept along by Nicky's firm grasp.
Nicky pulled him into a little dark alcove, and in the dim light, Blaine could see the dress Nicky had worn earlier on a hanging rack with many other costumes. Shelving nearby was stuffed full of boxes and containers, and Nicky was digging into a box on a lower shelf before he pulled out a bottle.
Taking the cap off, Nicky took a long swig of the alcohol, and then held it out to Blaine, his eyes a little challenging, daring him to take a drink.
But Blaine had come this far, and he was excited by this adventure. Without even reading the label, he took a big swig of the liquid, and coughed after he swallowed it down. It was strong, cheap alcohol. Purely existing to get the drinker drunk, and not to be savoured for its flavour.
After taking another sip, Nicky put the bottle down and took a step closer. His eyes seemed dark and enormous in this shadowy space, and Blaine's breath caught at the expression in them. Heat. Wanting. Feelings he definitely returned.
Another step closer, and Nicky was almost pressed against Blaine, sharing the same breaths. It was too much for Blaine to resist, and he put a hand around the back of Nicky's neck as his mouth pressed against his lips firmly. Nicky's hand went to Blaine's shoulder, clutching and needy, and Blaine opened his mouth to deepen the kiss. Oh shit. This was happening. And it feels so good.
They kissed hungrily, deeply, tongues sliding together as they pressed closer, bodies flush against each other. Blaine gasped as he felt Nicky's hands going to the small of his back, only the thin dress shirt between his skin and the warmth of his fingers. He was pulling at the fabric, and soon digging his hands into Blaine's bare skin.
Fuck. What he wouldn't give for a night in a nice hotel with this man. Time to strip him bare and savour every inch of his pale, beautiful skin. But they only had a few stolen moments, trying to be quiet in the shadows, stifling their moans and heavy breathing. Getting naked was out of the question, not when they could be discovered, interrupted, at any second.
Beyond shyness now, Blaine moved a hand to the front of Nicky's pants, tracing over the hard length that he'd felt pressing against his stomach. It was still so exciting and new to touch another man like this, and he felt a surge of pure want as he heard Nicky's moan against his neck. He undid his pants, pushing the fabric away until he cupped him, bare and beautiful, in his hand. Stroking experimentally, he felt rewarded at Nicky's shudder against him.
His own cock was hard and aching in his pants, and even more so when he caressed Nicky, circling his thumb over the damp tip, rubbing the pre-cum over the head.
Only seconds later, he squatted down, grabbing Nicky's strong thighs to keep his balance as his mouth found that tip, sucking it greedily. Nicky gasped, his hand on the back of Blaine's neck and the other of his shoulder, clenching tight. Knowing they didn't have long, Blaine bobbed his head, sucking hard and fast, wanting Nicky's pleasure. It was quick, hot, dirty. He loved it. Soon, Nicky's hands were clenching against him as his body tensed, and Blaine stayed where he was, heart pounding in excitement as he swallowed.
He pulled back and Nicky fumbled to close his pants before urging Blaine to stand up. They kissed hotly, and Blaine groaned against Nicky's mouth as his long fingers found their way into Blaine's pants.
"Shhhh.... You need to be quiet." Nicky whispered with a bit of a chuckle, his breath hot against Blaine's ear.
Blaine tried to be quiet, but Nicky's hand felt so good, so perfect. Dropping his head to Nicky's shoulder, he nuzzled his open mouth against his shirt, the warm skin only a thin barrier of fabric away. And when his orgasm took him, he bit down to stifle the noises he wanted to make.
Chuckling, Nicky reached over and grabbed a towel. He wiped up his hand, and Blaine, tucking him back into his pants. Blaine wrapped his arms around Nicky, hugging him close as his breathing slowed down and he cooled off.
"You better get back to your group." Nicky said softly.
Sighing, Blaine nodded and pulled back. These quick encounters were exciting and satisfied some urges, but they always left him wanting more. What would it be like to wake up to Nicky's beautiful blue eyes each morning? To share breakfast and steal some kisses? To cuddle up together in front of a fire while they each read their own books?
Nicky chuckled as he straightened Blaine's clothes and grabbed a comb from the shelf to tidy his hair. Finally, he stepped back, giving Blaine a satisfied once over. "There, all signs of me are gone."
"Thank you, Nicky." Blaine said softly, not sure if he meant for making him presentable again or for the whole tryst. It had been unexpected and wonderful. A fantasy that would carry him through many lonely nights.
With a soft kiss goodbye, Nicky pushed Blaine towards the exit. He felt mostly sober now, and as he stepped from the curtain back into the public hallway, the music and revelry just seemed like too much.
At the table, he told his father he wasn't feeling well and he'd take a cab back to their hotel. Everyone bugged him that he couldn't hold his liquor and he let it be a convenient excuse for his early departure.
---
At the hotel, he was glad to have quiet time to himself, away from his father. They had been away from New York for over a month now, and he was relieved they were heading back next week. He'd be happy to be back in his own office, doing his own work, and away from the constant scrutiny of Charles Anderson.
It was strange being with his father so much during this business trip. Growing up, he had been in an all boys boarding school and in a dorm during university. But since he graduated, he had been working at his father's hotel. He was learning it from the ground up, taking on more and more responsibilities. Usually, he only saw his father in meetings at work, and at dinnertime. Always with people around them.
This trip, they had often dined and travelled alone, and they had gotten to know each other more. And Charles had not been reserved about sharing his plans for the business. The hotel was doing well, and he wanted to buy another one in Boston in a few years, wanted to have Blaine ready to run it. So, he had a few years to learn the business, and then he would be running his own. It was a daunting prospect, but he had taken well to the work and felt he could get there. But there was one aspect to his father's plan that had given him sleepless nights.
By the time Blaine would take over this future hotel, he was expected to have a wife at his side.
A wife. Blaine sighed. He knew it was normal, expected. But it was terrifying. He had hardly been around women or girls. He had grown up with a much older brother, who had moved away to California to make his own fortunes when Blaine was a teen. Blaine had been to an all-boys prep school and the university was mostly men. When friends dragged him out to parties or bars to meet women, he found a quiet corner and watched them chat and flirt. He felt alien and alone. Not part of that world at all.
Somehow, in the next few years, he needed to learn the business well enough to run one himself, and meet and marry his life partner. How the hell could he do this?
Well, he just needed to find a woman who could fit the role. Someone who wouldn't mind a distant husband as long as she had a comfortable lifestyle. Someone who would put up with having just enough marital 'relations' to have a heir and a spare, before he would vacate her bed completely.
Blaine's thoughts flashed back to Nicky's amazing blue eyes. If only he lived in New York, so Blaine could see him again, touch him again. He let fantasies flow, ideas of going out to restaurants and theatres together, as a couple. Just enjoying each other's company. Maybe even setting him up in a nice place that Blaine could come visit a few times a week. Stolen moments of happiness in a life of duty and expectation.
---
Breathing a sigh of relief as the train pulled into the station, Blaine gathered up his briefcase. Soon they would be on the ship, heading back to New York. In about a week, he'd be finally back in his own bed.
He'd heard this new ocean liner was luxurious and huge. He could use the excuse of exploring thoroughly to be away from his father as much as possible. Aside from meals, he would likely have a lot of time to himself.
Charles had hinted that some very eligible young women would be on board, so he would have to play at being the charming young businessman around them over meals. But he was used to that role. Used to being polite, feigning interest when they prattled on about Parisian fashion or gossiped about the love lives of their peers.
Quite quickly, they were at the Southhampton docks, and Blaine looked up in wonder at the huge ship. Her name clearly suited her, as she was the biggest ship Blaine would have ever been on.
Already, attentive stewards from the ship were talking with his father's man, arranging for their baggage to be loaded.
Another steward stood nearby, attentive and perfectly presented in a dark uniform. "Please, sirs. If you will follow me, I will get you settled in your first class suites and order some tea and refreshments. The ship will be sailing at noon."
Travelling first class on this fantastic ship's maiden voyage was going to be an exciting end to this Europe trip. Blaine smiled broadly as he stepped onto the gangway, following the steward onto the RMS Titanic.
---
-Disclaimer: I own nothing.
-A/N: Holy F*cking Hell!! What have I gotten myself into here? The idea came to me Friday night and grew from there.
-I've never written a period piece before and I'm looking forward to the research and will endeavour to make it as historically accurate as I can. Please let me know if I make any errors & I'll fix them.
-Warnings about character deaths. It's the Titanic, so you know it doesn't bode well for a large majority of the people. However, once the ship is sinking, I will be skipping to the aftermath. I won't be writing any detailed descriptions of anyone dying or the ship breaking up.
-This fic is not an adaptation of the movie. There will be some similarities, but it will be Blaine and Kurt's love story.
-The Title is from Ron Pope's song of the same name.
-The music hall scene takes place in Paris. It was inspired by the "Shady Lady From Seville" scene from the musical 'Victor Victoria'.
-The song "You Made Me Love You" was written by James V. Monaco, the lyrics by Joseph McCarthy. The song was recorded by Al Jolson in 1913, so please forgive my artistic license by using it in 1912.