The Promenade was mostly empty at this time of night, a little cool wind that felt good against their warm skin.

They had pulled on long coats of Blaine's over their clothes and didn't get any second looks as they walked along.

At the far end they stopped, looking at the trail of churned up water of the Titanic's wake, both deep in their own thoughts. Kurt had his hand on the railing, and Blaine stood next to him in the quiet of the late evening.

Turning after a few minutes, they moved to a wooden bench, and sat back, feeling the light ocean breeze as they looked up at the starry sky. The moon had waned until it was hardly a sliver of light.

Blaine turned to Kurt, taking in his enchanting profile. The high hair, big eyes with such long eyelashes, the strong nose that was slightly turned up at the end, and those full lips. He was beautiful, but Blaine was also entranced by Kurt himself. His adventurous spirit, humor and intelligence. Being around Kurt was always exciting, and Blaine never wanted it to end.

Kurt caught the look, and smiled back, looking relaxed and happy. Blaine loved seeing him that way. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Scooting as close as possible, Blaine reached over and took Kurt's hand. Their thick dark coats practically hid their linked hands, lost in the voluminous folds of fabric. "Know what I think when I look at you, Kurt? The same thing, repeating in my head, over and over. ‘I love you, I love you, I love you...’"

Kurt's eyes widened in surprise, as he searched Blaine's expression, trying to tell if he was serious. But Blaine's heart dropped when Kurt slowly shook his head and looked down. "Blaine, that's sweet of you to say, but it's just all the champagne talking. It's being together so much, on this ship. Once you go back to your normal life, your memories of me will fade soon enough. Let's just enjoy what we have for now."

“I know we haven’t known each other that long, but it doesn’t mean my feelings for you aren’t going to last, Kurt. This isn’t just a shipboard romance.” Blaine squeezed his hand lightly.

Sighing, Kurt looked out to the sea. “I don’t know if relationships actually work, Blaine.” He turned to face him, the easy happiness gone from his expression. "We come from such different worlds. I do care about you, but I just don't see how this could last."

Blaine nodded. “Kurt, you were hurt badly by Paul, and I can understand why you feel that way. But just because one relationship didn't work out, that doesn't mean they will all fail." He squeezed Kurt's hand, never wanting to let go. "My biggest fear is that in a few days, we will get off this ship, and you'll slip away like sand through my fingers. I would regret it for the rest of my life if that happened."

Kurt looked so lost and unsure. His eyes were large and seemed to sparkle with unshed tears. He blinked fast, and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "I don't know, Blaine. Your words are so beautiful and you make me feel so much. Make me feel things I thought were burnt out of me long ago. It's so confusing. It excites me, but also scares me."

With a little squeeze of his hand, Blaine got Kurt's eyes to meet his. "You say you have feelings for me, Kurt. Do you love me?" It was scary to ask, but Blaine had to know.

Kurt blinked slowly, his eyes a jumble of emotions. Blaine just kept gazing at him, his eyes warm and loving, hoping and praying that Kurt shared his feelings. If Kurt didn't love him, this was all for naught.

Biting his lip, Kurt gave a little nod, and then a more decisive one. His lips twitched, and then tilted up into a tiny private smile. "Yes, yes I do, Blaine Anderson. I do love you." His voice was soft and a bit breathless, like his own words were surprising to him too.

Blaine gave him a giddy smile back, his heart soaring at those words. He wanted to kiss Kurt right there, but held back. Barely.

"Kurt, I know this has happened incredibly fast, and you are worried that our feelings won’t last. Also worried that we are too different to have a lasting relationship. It won't be easy, and we will have to work together to build a life that works for both of us. Only time will tell if we can do this." Blaine said softly, feeling like he was on the edge of a huge cliff, about to take a step off into the unknown.

Blaine put a hand on Kurt's arm. "Would you give us a chance, Kurt? Would you handfast with me? Swear an oath with me to give us a year and a day? Give us time? And then, if either of us doesn’t want to continue this, we can part. But at least we won't have any regrets." Blaine held his breath, his eyes intent on Kurt's.

Kurt's eyes were locked on Blaine's, reading every emotion in them, seeing the love this sweet man had for him. He knew how unlikely it was that they had crossed paths in a Paris music hall and then on this ocean liner. Knew that what they had was special and unique. And he knew what answer to give.

He nodded, his heart pounding. "Yes, Blaine, I will take that oath with you."

Blaine's eyes widened, and he looked almost overcome with happiness. It took everything they had to hold back from hugging and kissing.

Blaine grabbed Kurt by the elbow and dragged him down the promenade, just desperate to get Kurt back to his suite now.

Kurt giggled as they tore past an older couple, the woman tsking in displeasure and muttering "Hooligans" under her breath.

It wasn't long before they were safe behind Blaine's door, kissing each other deeply. Kurt felt a bit breathless and dizzy from the run, Blaine's kisses and pure happiness.

"How do we do this?" Blaine chuckled, kissing along Kurt's jaw.

Kurt giggled. "I have no idea. Do we need witnesses to make it official?"

Blaine shrugged. "I only know what Seamus said in the common room. But I don't think we need witnesses. It's our oath, just between us."

Nodding, Kurt pulled away, looking down at his server uniform and Blaine's unbuttoned coat. "Well, I'm not going to make an oath dressed like this. We should try to make it special."

Blaine looked around the room. "We have candles and dessert." He picked up the champagne bottle. "But nothing to drink to celebrate."

Kurt nodded. "I'll go back to my room to change into some better clothes, and to grab a few things. I won't be long."

He almost turned to go when Blaine pulled him back for a quick, hard kiss. "Don't forget to bring your toothbrush, because you're staying here for the night."

Kurt gave him a wide smile and nodded before he slipped out the door.

---

Blaine sighed in relief as he opened up his door to Kurt's soft knock. It had seemed to take forever for him to return.

But seeing how brightly Kurt's eyes were shining with excitement and happiness, Blaine knew it had been worth every second he waited.

Kurt had a small valise with him and he set it down. He unbuttoned Blaine's coat and pulled it off. He was still in the server uniform.

"I thought you were going to change." Blaine said, looking down at his own clothes. He'd changed into his favorite suit, a dark grey with a light pinstripe. He had daringly paired it with a mustard colored bow tie.

Kurt nodded. "I brought the clothes to change here. If I'm staying the night, it will be less rushed in the morning if I leave for work from here."

He lifted the valise to the table to open and rustle around. "I brought a bottle of wine, and some cheese. It will go nice with the grapes."

"Mmmm....part of your daily wage." Blaine looked at the delicious food on the table with a smile.

Picking up the valise, Kurt walked into the adjoining bathroom. "I won't be too long."

---

When Kurt finally emerged, he took Blaine's breath away.

It wasn't so much about the actual clothing, but the style and grace he had in the way he wore it. He wore a well-tailored vest and dress pants in a deep brown, with a crisp white shirt and a coordinating ascot with small polka dots. His hair was coiffed high and his skin seemed to glow. He looked slim and tall and perfect.

Kurt gave a little smirk at Blaine's expression, and then dropped a light kiss on his mouth. "You look wonderful too." His hands smoothed along Blaine’s shoulders, loving the way the suit showed off his muscular, trim frame so well. 

Looking around, Kurt could see the candles were all lit, the wine poured, the food set out for them. Blaine had been busy, and it meant a lot to Kurt to see it.

Blaine was a little tongue-tied, his heart beating a little faster in excitement and nerves. "Um, where should we stand?"

Kurt thought for a minute, and moved to stand near the candles on the table. "How about here? I have an idea." He moved all the candles to the far side of the table, except for three of the tallest ones. He snuffed one out.

Blaine stood facing him, standing tall and proud, unable to keep from smiling.

Passing Blaine a lit candle, Kurt took the other one. "These candles represent us, and this other candle represent our union. Let's light that candle together."

The flames of their candles danced together as one until the wick of the third candle was burning again. Kurt set his candle down beside it, and Blaine followed suit.

"I, Blaine Devon Anderson, enter into this oath a free man with no other claims on my heart." Blaine said softly, taking Kurt's right hand in his.

Kurt took Blaine's other hand. "I, Kurt Elizabeth Hummel, enter into this oath as a free man with no other claims on my heart."

Blaine looked down at their clasped hands. "We need something to wrap around our hands. I can get a tie or something."

Kurt shook his head, and let go of one hand to reach into his pocket, pulling out a long floral silk scarf. "This was my mother's." He wrapped it around their clasped right hands, looping it in a figure eight pattern over their wrists, the infinity symbol. When he was done, he took Blaine's other hand again.

Blaine smiled and nodded at Kurt, feeling really touched at the symbolism of that. "This bond between us will be strong enough to keep us together, but flexible enough to allow us to grow as individuals. As our hands are bound together, so are our lives."

"On this day, my hand is yours to hold, my heart forever yours to keep." Kurt said softly, squeezing Blaine's hand. This felt right. Their hands were meant to hold each other’s.

Taking a deep breath, Blaine let it out slowly, his eyes on Kurt's. "I love you, Kurt Elizabeth Hummel, and I swear this oath today to do everything I can to support our love. I will love and cherish you, do everything within my power to bring you joy and happiness. And if after a year and a day, we decide to part, we will do so knowing that we have honored this beautiful love we share. The love will carry on, forever, even if we must part." He spoke from the heart, knowing that Kurt meant everything to him now. 

Kurt was blinking back tears, and it was making Blaine's eyes dampen as well.

"I love you, Blaine Devon Anderson. Today I make the oath that for a year and a day, I will do everything under my power to honor our bond. Feed it with kind thoughts and tender kisses. I will love and cherish you, thank the lucky stars that have brought us together, and make your happiness my ultimate goal. Our love will carry on, even if we must part." His voice wobbled a bit at the end, but he was able to complete his oath. As he said it, he felt like the words struck a chord deep inside. They just felt right. 

Blaine leaned down to pick up a glass of wine, holding it out to Kurt.

Kurt took a sip with a small smile, and then took the glass from Blaine for him to repeat the action.

Leaning forward over their bound hands, Kurt's mouth touched Blaine's lightly, and then it deepened into a full, deep kiss. When they pulled back, they were both a bit breathless.

"Can I untie this?" Blaine said softly.

Kurt nodded, watching as Blaine unwound the silk scarf from their wrists. When Blaine held the fabric out to Kurt, Kurt reached out to close Blaine's fingers around it. "I want you to keep it with you as a remembrance of today."

Blaine gave a little smile, and put the scarf into his pocket. He pulled out his pocket watch, and put it into Kurt's hand. "I want you to have this. I've had it ten years." He opened it up, and his initials were engraved inside. "When we get to New York, we will add your initials to this and today's date. And whenever you look at the time, I want you to think of us."

Kurt clasped it in his hand like a fragile bird and gave Blaine another light kiss. "Thank you. I will keep it close to my heart." He tucked the watch into his vest pocket.

After all the important words they had shared that evening, they felt almost overwhelmed. Sitting on the chaise, they shared the wine and fed each other the cheese, fruit and dessert, cuddled close. But they shared long, lingering looks, the real impact of what they had done tonight sinking in. 

When the food was gone, Blaine stood, holding out his hand to Kurt. Taking Kurt’s hand, he pulled him up to gather into his arms to hold tight. “I can’t believe you are mine.” He whispered, and kissed the sensitive spot below Kurt’s ear. 

Kurt chuckled. “You are mine, too.” With his long fingers, he tilted Blaine’s face up, looking deep into his hazel eyes. Dipping down, his lips were light and teasing, soft brushes against Blaine’s. Kisses that made Blaine hungry for more.

“Please, Kurt…” Blaine groaned, already so affected by Kurt’s nearness and their earlier cuddling. 

He could feel Kurt’s smile against his lips. “Please what, Blaine?” 

Smiling, Blaine stepped back from Kurt. “Please, let me undress you.” He wanted to take his time, appreciate every part of Kurt. Get him just as aroused and needy as Blaine already was. 

With an arched brow, Kurt nodded and stepped back, dropping his hands to his sides.

Blaine’s hands went to the buttons of Kurt’s vest, undoing each one slowly. Strange how he dressed himself everyday, without even thinking about it, but here, undressing Kurt, it was such an intimate, caring act. To stand close and feel the heat of his body below the fabric. Glancing upwards, to see Kurt watching Blaine’s hands undoing the buttons, being in his space, feeling his breath against his cheek. He drew off the vest, and laid it gently over the chair.

Squatting down, he untied Kurt’s shoes, and felt Kurt’s hand on his shoulder to brace himself as he raised each foot to remove his shoe and sock. Looking up at Kurt once he was barefoot, Blaine could tell Kurt was showing some response to having Blaine touching him, even in this non-sexual way. The memory of their first night in Paris came into Blaine’s mind, how he had squatted down in front of Kurt then. Felt his hand on his shoulder and the back of his neck as he had pleasured him. Blaine ran his hands up Kurt’s thighs to his waistband, and then stood back up again. 

Kurt’s eyes were darker with desire, and focused on Blaine’s mouth. It was tempting to kiss him then, but Blaine moved to stand behind Kurt. Nuzzling his face into Kurt’s back, he reached around with both arms to undo his shirt buttons, his hands working down his chest. When they were all undone, Blaine carried on with Kurt’s fine trousers, his hands quick on the fastenings. He could feel Kurt’s quickened breathing, the way he was responding to the light brushes of Blaine’s hands over his body.

Sliding the trousers off, Blaine braced Kurt as he stepped free, and draped the pants neatly over the other chair. Stepping back behind Kurt, he drew the unbuttoned shirt over his shoulders and down his arms. Again, he took the time to arrange the shirt over the chair to keep it from wrinkling. 

When he turned back, Kurt’s hands were working on his ascot. Blaine tutted reproachfully, stepping closer to brush his hands away. “Please, sir, that is my job.” 

Kurt chuckled. “Oh, is it now? Are you my valet?” He dropped his hands, letting Blaine pull the fabric from his neck. 

Blaine’s lips twitched at the question. In a way, he was doing the role, but he’d laughed at the thought of Jacobs touching his father as intimately as he’d been touching Kurt the last few minutes. “I just took an oath to love and cherish you. Consider this part of that.” His hands went to the hem of Kurt’s undershirt, and he pulled it over his head, leaving him in only his underwear. 

“So you are going to dress and undress me everyday for the next year?” Kurt smirked, his bare skin glowing in the soft candlelight. 

Taking his hand, Blaine kissed the back of it. “No, just on special occasions like today.” He led him over to the curtained bed, and encouraged Kurt to lie down. 

“Wait, don’t I get to undress you also?” Kurt shifted the pillows beneath his head as he stretched out on the sheets. 

Blaine shook his head, his hands flying over the buttons of his shirt. “You undressed me slowly last night. And frankly, my dear Kurt, just seeing you lying in my bed like that is making it very difficult to maintain my composure.” He was stripped down to his underwear quickly, his clothes just tossed onto the chaise in his haste. 

He stepped towards the bed, but Kurt held up a hand. “Wait. Would you bring me my valise?” 

Raising his eyebrows, Blaine nodded and found the mostly empty leather case on the floor, and passed it to Kurt. Kurt sat up, digging around in the case a little. The candlelight was a little far away to help him with his task. 

Giving Blaine a small smile, Kurt pulled out a few items and passed the valise back to him. Very curious now, Blaine crawled into the bed beside him, lying on his side. 

Setting the pillow to be up against the wall, Kurt leaned back against it and took Blaine’s hand. “Perhaps I was a bit presumptuous, but when you told me that I’d be staying the night, I took the liberty of bringing a few things. Things we don’t have to use unless you want to.” 

Blaine looked down at the items in Kurt’s lap. There were a few facecloths and a towel, and nestled with them was the small bottle of olive oil Kurt had used on his pomade. His eyebrows drew down for a minute, and then he realized what the items were for. He looked up at Kurt. “Oh, I’ve never…” And he was glad the candlelight was fairly dim as his face heated. 

Shifting the cloths to under his pillow, Kurt put the small vial of oil up on the wooden ledge of the molding above them. He cuddled down next to Blaine, facing each other side by side, and gave Blaine a small kiss. “OK, never…but would you like to try?” His gaze was caring and watching Blaine closely.

Biting his lip, Blaine looked up into Kurt’s large eyes, so close to his. This was scary, but also exciting. It was something he had been curious about, but never had a partner he felt comfortable enough to explore. He trusted Kurt, loved Kurt, and wanted to share this with him. He nodded slowly. “Does it … um… hurt?” 

Taking his hand, Kurt pressed a kiss against it. “Not if your partner takes a long time to prepare you. The oil helps.” 

“Would it be me… or you…?” Blaine pushed his face into Kurt’s chest, feeling a little embarrassed, but he was also harder than ever. Clearly his libido was in favor of the idea.

Planting little kisses along his jaw, Kurt was far too close and tempting. “Well, seeing as we have all night…I was hoping both of us…” 

Blaine’s eyes met Kurt’s in surprise. He just assumed that Kurt was experienced in this, having been with Paul so long. “You mean you haven’t…?” 

Kurt was the one to look a little embarrassed now. “I’ve only done the one thing, but not the other. I’d like you to be my first for that. It was what I was picturing when I packed these things.” 

Cuddling Kurt close, Blaine gave him kisses that deepened, until they were both panting with need. Nodding, Blaine pushed his underwear off, and watched as Kurt mirrored his actions. Blaine’s bed wasn’t as big as the one he had at home, but it was wide enough they could lie side by side comfortably.

Moving over Blaine, Kurt touched and kissed all over, arousing him, but also helping him relax under his touch. By the time his slick fingers were giving Blaine sensations he had never experienced before, Blaine’s shyness was gone and he was grasping Kurt to him. And seeing Kurt shifting into position, being so careful not to hurt Blaine, putting his needs before his own, made Blaine feel even more connected to this man. Hot kisses and whispers were shared, moving their bodies, finding a rhythm. Finding their shared pleasure.

---

-Disclaimer: I own nothing.

-A/N: Thanks for reading & your comments. They made me happy.

-Fun Facts Time!

-They go to the 3rd Class Promenade on the poop deck (B deck) was on the aft part of the ship (back), and had wooden benches. Blaine’s suite is one floor below on C deck. His father’s suite in on the B deck, but in the centre of the large ship, and it’s very unlikely he would ever go into a 3rd class area. 

-Hooligans: A term usually used for the English football (soccer) fans who run amuck, caused mayhem or went on rampages. But the word’s source may have been an ancient Irish family name, that became a byword for comedy and later on, violence. There were music hall songs, like ‘The O’Hooligan Boys” popular in 1891, featuring the doings of a rowdy Irish family. There were comic routines, cartoons and other places the name appeared. Like another song, ‘The Hooligans’ with lyrics “Oh, The Hooligans! Oh, the Hooligans! Always on the riot, Cannot keep them quiet.” Some gangs adopted the title, and over a few years the press adopted the word for any group of abusive or violent youths. 

-Handfasting: ‘…in former times…it was the custom for the unmarried persons of both sexes to choose a companion, according to their liking, with whom they were to live till that time next year. This was called hand-fasting, or hand in fist. If they were pleased with each other at that time, then they continued together for life; if not, they separated, and were free to make another choice as at the first.’ The [Old] Statistical Account of Scotland (1791-99). The sources for this practice vary widely, so it’s not very clear how much handfasting was practiced in the past.