Getting off the elevator on F deck, Blaine walked towards the Turkish Bath, keeping an eye out for Kurt. 

Turning a corner, he spotted him, leaning casually against a wall as he read a newspaper. He was dressed in a dark suit that was nicely tailored, with a crisp white shirt and a maroon ascot. His black shoes were shined to a fine polish. His hair and posture were perfect as always. 

"Guten tag, Herr Anderson." He lowered his paper, his eyes glinting in excitement and happiness at seeing Blaine. "Wie geht es dir?"

"Gut, danke, Herr...?" Blaine held out his hand to shake Kurt's, acting like he didn't remember his name. He'd certainly never met this side of Kurt before. It was hard to keep from chuckling. 

Kurt shook Blaine's hand briskly. "Strauss, Ludwig Strauss. We met a few days ago at the Captain's table." He spoke with a thick German accent, and even his mannerisms were different. More stiff and formal. 

Nodding his head, Blaine walked towards the Turkish Bath entrance. An attendant gave them a quick look before intoning the admission price, looking a little sleepy. Paying for both of them, Blaine waved a hand for Kurt to proceed him inside. 

Another attendant led them through the moorish decorated rooms, pointing out the steam room, a hot room, a temperate room, shampooing room, and finally a cooling room. It was breathtakingly luxurious, with moorish tiles in bright emerald and sapphire shades covering most of the walls, finely carved wooden screens covering the portholes, and arabesque lamps attached to the walls. 

Blaine shared a surprised look with Kurt, who was slightly breaking out of character with a little smirk. 

"Um, Michaels, where is the bath? I thought Turkish Baths had a large hot pool for soaking in." Blaine asked the attendant. 

Michaels shook his head. "Ah, no sir. That is the style of a Roman Bath. Turkish Baths use steam and dry heat to warm the body. Some compare it to the Scandinavian sauna." He passed them some towels and urged them towards the change room. 

Once in the change room, they both started chuckling. 

"Why the hell do they call it a 'bath', when there is no bath here?" Blaine looked at Kurt, his eyebrows raised as he shook his head. "Do you want to stay to try this out? Or we could go to the swimming pool, if you want. It's on this floor and I heard the water is heated." 

Kurt shrugged, and started to take off his fine clothes. "We are here. Might as well get the full experience." He was still using the German accent, even though they seemed to be alone in the room. Once he was in character, he tended to stay in it.

Knowing it was going to be hot and sweaty, they stripped entirely, wrapping towels around their waists and putting on the ornate slippers provided. 

Soon, they were settled in the steam room. Blaine was glad he hadn't put pomade in his hair this morning, just wetting down the curls to tame them before coming down here.

There were some other men in the room, so Kurt and Blaine simply sat near each other, relaxing and feeling their skin beading with sweat in the humid room. 

When the other men left, Kurt stood with a twinkle in his eye, and poured water on the hot coals, making a big plume of steam that filled the room. 

Sitting next to Blaine again, Kurt leaned close and kissed him. "Mmmm... good morning."

Blaine was a bit shocked at the daring move, but also thrilled by it. It had felt strange not to kiss hello when he first saw Kurt in the hallway. Kurt's kiss now wasn't as long or as deep as Blaine was craving, but it warmed Blaine's heart that Kurt wanted a hello kiss just as much as Blaine had. 

The door to the steam room opened then, cooling the room. Blaine felt his skin prickle and looked up to find his father in the doorway. He froze in shock, and then scrambled to move away from Kurt. 

"Father, I didn't expect to see you in here." Blaine said almost breathlessly, the surprise making it hard to find the words. 

Kurt picked up a spare towel and draped it quickly over his head, rubbing a corner over his sweaty face. "Auf Wiedersehn." His thick accent was apparent as he stood and exited swiftly from the room. 

Charles watched him go with a glare, and then added more water to the coals to make the room steamy again. He settled on the wooden bench beside Blaine. 

"Blaine, what do you think you're doing? It could have been anybody, coming in here." Charles was clearly angry, his tone harsh like he was holding back from yelling. 

Sighing, Blaine used a spare towel to hide his face, pretending he was wiping up the sweat. "I'm sorry, Father." He had no excuses, or ways to get out of this. 

Charles let out a soft curse, and laid a heavy hand on Blaine shoulder, and giving it a firm squeeze before letting go. "Look, I know there are certain explorations, activities, that boys do when they are at school. It happens. But you are an adult now, Blaine. Those physical urges are normal, but you need to direct them towards a wife."

Blaine wanted to squirm in discomfort at this talk. How could he answer? Say he never felt 'urges' about women, any woman? That his feelings about men weren't going to change? He knew the truth about himself and knew there were other men like him and Kurt. But it was never talked about in polite company, always hidden away. It was how it was, and it was not going to change. 

"Yes, Father." Blaine could only agree, and hope his father dropped the topic.

Getting up, Charles paced around the steam room. "You say that, but I can tell you are placating me. But you will see I'm right once you are married. So, I want to see you married soon."

Blaine's eyebrows rose, but what could he do? "How soon?"

"The sooner it happens, the less chance you will get seen by someone acting in an inappropriate manner like I saw today. So, I'm going to say you have until the end of June to be engaged. Pick a woman yourself by then, or I will pick one for you." Charles' tone was serious and final. He meant what he said. "And I don't want to see you anywhere near that German man for the rest of this voyage."

He left right after that, leaving Blaine with his face in his hands, trying not to cry at the unfairness of it all. 

Well, at least his father hadn't walked in on them kissing. His father's wrath at that would have been unimaginable, and Kurt could have ended up hurt even. Blaine shuddered at the idea of that scene.

At least it had been in a very steamy room, making it a little hard to see. Also, Kurt's hair had been soaking wet with sweat and the steam, hanging limply around his face. Both were probably good in preventing Charles from really getting a good look at Kurt. Plus, Kurt had covered up with the towel and left pretty quick. 

Charles would be watching for Blaine being around a slim, young German first-class passenger. He doubted Charles would identify Kurt as the server at the restaurant or as Ludwig if they saw each other in passing.

Even though it was a massive ship, they would still have to be careful. Because there was no way he was going to give up spending as much time as possible with Kurt for the rest of the voyage. They just had to find a way to make this work. 

He cared too much not to.

---

Blaine nodded along as Miss Wilde chatted about city versus country life, taking small bites of his chicken even though he had no appetite. 

Across the table, his father had Mrs. Wilde talking about her prize winning roses, and she was quite happy to prattle on and on. He was very attentive to her, but also snuck warning glances to Blaine to keep him in line.

The lunch finally ended, and just as Blaine was about to escape, Miss Wilde suggested a walk on the Promenade to settle their stomachs. 

"Um, why yes, Miss Wilde. That is a lovely idea." Blaine said with a pinned-on smile. 

He rose and moved behind her chair to pull it out. When she stood, he held out his elbow and she looped her arm through his. 

Many other people had the same idea, and they all strolled along, making polite conversation. His father and Mrs. Wilde were about ten feet in front of them. 

When the older couple had turned a corner, Miss Wild drew Blaine to the side, sitting down on a deck chair and waving Blaine to the nearest one. There was no one else close by. 

"Did you hear me at all at lunch, Mr. Anderson?" Miss Wilde was looking intently at Blaine, her direct manner and tone grabbing Blaine's full attention.

Blaine's eyebrows rose a little, and he scrambled to remember their conversation. He had been thinking about Kurt, wondering how he felt about the steam room incident. 

"Um, well, of course. You were talking about how much you enjoy riding your horse in the country." Blaine was glad he was able to recall that much of the banal fluff.

Miss Wilde chuckled, surprising Blaine completely. "I'm shocked you even heard that. You seemed a little preoccupied." She sighed, leaning closer. "Look, Mr Anderson, we don't have much time before our parents get back, so please listen this time."

Her behaviour was so odd, Blaine had no trouble staying in the moment. "OK, Miss Wilde."

"I was stressing during lunch how much I prefer the country, being outdoors and riding for hours every day. Whereas you seem much more a city person, going out to the theatre, fine dining and musical performances." Miss Wilde's intelligent hazel eyes were intent on Blaine's, but she also kept an eye out for their parents returning. 

Blaine nodded. "I would agree. I like to ride, but prefer the groomed parks in the city compared to the wild countryside."

Miss Wilde nodded in satisfaction. "So, you can see how we are quite opposite in many of our interests then?"

Realization dawned, and Blaine was surprised to feel a twang of disappointment. Out of the many women he'd been around lately, at least Miss Wilde was intelligent and had similar values. "I understand what you are hinting at, Miss Wilde. Excuse my frankness, but you are saying we would not suit each other in marriage."

He was shocked when she smirked back a little, a twinkle in her eyes as she leaned closer. "Actually, Mr. Anderson, exactly the opposite. May I call you Blaine?"

This was extremely forward for a young, unmarried woman to ask, but he was almost too flabbergasted to do anything but nod. 

She looked pleased. "Good. Please call me Kitty." Glancing around again, her voice was even softer. "Blaine, let me just say that I saw you, on the boat deck, a few nights ago."

Blaine's brows furrowed, trying to make out what she was getting at. She didn't mean... She couldn't have seen... 

She gave him a few moments, seeing the expressions flashing across his usually composed face. 

"Blaine, I know you have formed, let us say, an attachment to someone your parents wouldn't approve of." She rushed on, knowing their time was short now. "Let's just say I have as well. Let's just say I am immensely found of riding, and if we were to marry, I would insist on having a country estate where I could bring my horse. And, of course, I would need to bring my groom, as he's the only one I fully trust with her care."

With those shocking statements, Kitty rose off the chair and strolled over to the railing, looking out over the miles of empty, calm ocean. 

It took Blaine a minute to collect himself and join her. He could see his father and her mother had almost completed their circuit of the deck and were heading back their way. 

"So, you imagine you would be spending most of your time in the country, while I am mostly in the city, working and such. It sounds quite lonely, Kitty." Blaine said softly, still trying to understand it all.

She smiled at him sweetly, pouring on the act now that their parents were getting closer. "I'm sure you have a close friend or two that could stay with you, for months at a time if they so desire." Her lips gave a tiny wicked tilt at the last word, before they smoothed back into her pretty neutral expression. 

"Well, did you two just stay here chatting while we walked?" Mrs.Wilde looked delighted to see them standing so close together.

"I must confess to finding your daughter more and more intriguing, the more I get to know her." Blaine lifted Kitty's gloved hand, and bent over it to deliver a light kiss. It was an old-fashioned flirty gesture, sure to please both her mother and his father.

----

Blaine needed quiet time on his own after that shocking lunch. After everything that had happened today. This week. This month. His whole life felt like a puzzle, the pieces all shaken up and out of order. He just needed some time to look at each piece and figure where they would go. Would they all fit together? Could they? The talk with Kitty had given Blaine a glimmer of hope for a life he never imagined to be possible. 

His father was, of course, extremely pleased. He saw the way Blaine had been with Kitty, and thought an engagement was eminent. Thought his ultimatum had pushed Blaine to take a good, hard look at Kitty and realize she was a good potential match. And in a way, he might be right. Blaine told his father he would have dinner alone later in his suite to think things over.

Needing peace and quiet for his thoughts, Blaine headed back down to the F deck, but this time to the swimming pool. The attendant supplied the swimming costume, and Blaine had the space to himself. 

After tiring himself out with laps, Blaine just floated on his back, staring up at the ceiling, thinking. 

Blaine tried to imagine what his life would be like if he married Kitty. She would be living in the country mostly, while he was in the city, both discreetly pursuing their own romantic interests. He liked her and thought they would get along when they had to be around each other as a couple. It would be a comfortable life, with more freedom to be himself than he ever thought he'd get. It was an exciting concept. 

But would Kurt be interested in being involved with Blaine in that setting? Staying with Blaine as a 'friend', or letting Blaine rent him a nice place nearby they could just be themselves in? It would be so great to continue things between them, giving this exciting beginning time and space to grow. 

What did Kurt want? He'd mentioned that he was going to visit family in Ohio, but didn't seem to have plans after that yet. Could he be persuaded to live with or near Blaine? He seemed interested in Blaine now, but would he be after they got off the boat? 

Maybe Blaine was just being a romantic fool, letting his feelings run away with him. He hadn't know Kurt that long, but already he was imagining a future with him. 

They came from such different backgrounds, but Kurt was well-read, educated and had travelled widely. He spoke French fluently and knew good food, good wine. Blaine knew if Kurt was around Blaine's friends, he would fit into the conversation as easily as Blaine had with Kurt's friends. 

He'd never had feelings so fast, so strong for anyone before. Blaine just loved his company, just being around Kurt. Loved how he looked, and the way he flawlessly took on whole other personas. Loved his teasing and flirting, the way his eyes glinted with happiness and humour, or the way they darkened with arousal. Loved his responsiveness to Blaine's touch, and the way Blaine reacted just as strongly to his. He just loved….Kurt. 

Blaine closed his eyes, still floating on his back in that pool, alone.  I love Kurt. He repeated the thought in his mind, over and over, testing it out. And it didn't scare Blaine. Instead, the thought warmed him, spreading outwards from his chest. His heart thumped, and he could feel it was true. Right.

He wanted to scream or ...something... All sorts of emotions were swirling inside him. But he just dove down in the water, feeling like he might float away. Coming back to the surface, he tried to stop grinning like a fool. Surely it was too soon for real love. They had only seen each other a handful of times. 

He argued with himself, trying to find something to pierce the thought, the feeling, but it was taking root and spreading. 

Now, it was even more important to see Kurt, to talk, to see what he wanted. Did he feel the same? It was heaven and hell, imaging the two ways that question, the most important question Blaine would ever ask him, could be answered. 

It was so new and overwhelming. And there were so many things he needed to know. Needed to talk about with Kurt. They needed hours alone, time and space to talk it out. 

Kurt had mentioned his roommate would be in the cabin tonight, so they wouldn't be able to go there. How could he get Kurt to his cabin? Then Blaine got a wonderful idea. 

---

-Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Fun facts: - The Titanic had it's own on-board newspaper, called the Atlantic Daily Bulletin. This is what Kurt was reading while he waited for Blaine.

Turkish Bath: This was a surprise in my research. Like Blaine & Kurt, I expected the Turkish Bath to have a large heated pool. Haha