Otto began walking towards the first class smoking room, hoping to drink away the sorrow, but he was stopped when the sound a familiar voice called his name: His Mother.

"Otto, You're father and I have been looking for you, we need to go meet Thomas Andrews for lunch" she said with a smile, her ego was up.

"Oh mother, certainly, please lead the way" he said being cordial, knowing that the booze could wait. They began heading down the grand staircase to meet for lunch, he was the ship's designer and architect, both were artists. As they headed to the room, they found Wilhelm, Thomas Andrews, Bruce Ismany and Margot Brown sitting at a table.

"Oh boy, there is that Brown woman" she whispered as she gave a small wave and Margot excitedly waved while giving a smile, Otto straightening his tie, mostly to make him feel more comfortable because he felt really uncomfortable despite how well he was acting otherwise.

"Nice to meet you guys, my name is Margot" she reached out her hand for anyone to shake, Marie hesitantly shook, Wilhelm gave a normal hand shake and Otto gave her a fair handshake and a smile. he had no quarrel with her or the circumstances in which she achieved her wealth, plus she seemed to be a nice lady. But those standing like them always had skeletons in the closet, some a little more on the nose with that type of imagery as well.

"It's a pleasure to met you Andrews as well as you Ismay" Wilhelm said "we met the night before Ismay"

"Well met Mr. Von Wolf" Andrews said smiling.

"Ah yes I do remember you Mr. Von Wolf, and your lovely wife as well" Ismay smiles as they all had sat down and were served tea.

"The ship is wonderful Mr. Andrews, very wonderful," Marie said, sipping her tea.

"Ja, it truly is a piece of art in its presentation sir" Otto said, fully meaning it.

"I am certainly pleased to hear that. It is as good as an art exhibit as it is on staying afloat upon even the roughest of seas. Truly a ship of its time, if you don't mind me being so full of myself haha" Andrews said as he stirred his tea.

"So who came up with the name Titanic? Was it you, Ismay?" Margot gave him a glance as the menus came.

"That in fact it was Miss, based upon the strong material she was forged in. Despite her hulking frame she can cut through the sea like no other, she truly is a new wonder for ocean liners"

Otto read through the menu, he didn't really find anything of interest for lunch, he settled on something he never had.

"I'll have the Hors D'oeuvre oysters please" Otto said to the waiter, and in perfect French. Margot was amazed.

"I have never heard someone pronounce that right, awesome job" She said

"Oh why thank you ma'am, I studied French for a little bit, but obviously I am mostly proficient with my English, despite my accent"

"If you didn't have an accent I'd say your a proper Englishman, your vocabulary is certainly refined, proper of a man of your standing" Ismay replied

"tell that to those homosexuals, they will never be proper" Wilhelm said, and completely out of nowhere

Ismay gave a scoff.
Marie gave a laugh.
Andrews gave a nervous laugh,
Margot didn't laugh at all, and neither did Otto.

"Can't say I've had the displeasure of meeting one fortunately. It is after all a disgusting sin" Ismay said

Andrews was uncomfortable, quickly changing the subject

"Yeah.. regardless, to your credit.. Otto is it? You do possess an impressive vocabulary for foreign learners, as do your lovely parent's" Andrews said, side eyeing his parents on the last part.

"Why thank your Mr. Andrew's we appreciate it"

As the food came, they continued to gossip and talk over, Otto picked at his plate after he was done eating, not paying attention to anything. Homosexual this, dirty that. He could tell that Ismay entertained this conversation, Andrew didn't seem comfortable with it whatsoever. And Otto and Margot were just completely detached. He had enough and stood up, he wanted to punch something.

"Excuse, me, I think the oysters might have been under cooked, I do not feel well, I'll be heading for a walk"

"Would you like me to join you Otto? I wouldn't mind getting to know you and your generation?" she stood up smiling, he knew what she wanted to talk about.

"That would be lovely Miss Brown" he smiled as they headed up the stairs to the Promenade deck

"God bless his soul" Marie said as she finished her tea.

"Don't be too hard on Miss Brown. She is only trying to fit in" Wilhelm said

—

As soon as they got outside, Margot spoke.

"I know what you are Otto, you have nothing to be ashamed about, I know it might be difficult now, but down the line, you will find someone like you" they began walking towards the stern.

"I think my father's favorite word is homosexual at this rate, the fucking prick" Otto had his hands clutch "its so unfair how he treats us and says things like that, same with you, being called "New Money" ughh how do you deal with that, how do you not let that get to you?"

"I don't. I don't at all, they can call me any term they want, people will soon realize that not everything in life is just given to you, you have to earn it, one day. There are so many problems in this world, speciesism, racism, women not having any rights, one day, one day the world will learn to live in harmony" she said as they reached the end of the deck, Otto looked down at the poor passengers, he was sad, he shook his head.

"It is unfair to them too, the rich need to do something, get homeless off the streets, donate to charities, it breaks my heart seeing the lower class struggle" Otto looked from person to person, from anthro to anthro. And then. He noticed something, more so. Someone.

—

Foxy had came back from the bow a little while ago, leaning over the railing, watching the ship cast waves as people chat, the sun was getting lower, he leaned over a little more to see how long the ship from the side. As he looked, He noticed something, more so. Someone.

he looked closer, it was that wolf he saw when they left Southampton who was boarding, he was pretty kind to him. he thought about talking to him, but what if the nice man he saw was a facade and he shoos him, the "peasant" away? even if he wanted to, he wouldn't be allowed to go up there. They had gates that kept him and the third class away from them, so he gave him a wave. It didn't take long for him to notice. Otto waved back at Foxy, they both smiled. Foxy wondered if he remembered him, and if he did. would he catch on that he wasn't part of the ship's crew? why would a crew member with high power, be down here in steerage, wearing normal clothes, but thankfully, Otto didn't remember him. Or recognize him at least. From the distance and angle it was improbable for him to recognize his face.

"Lets head back Otto, your parent must be worried that I'm with you" she said as they both laugh and head back, but not before Otto looked back at the man, who was gone, Otto would hope that tonight would be different.

—

Otto ate the same thing over and over again, it was just the same, he saw his whole life as if he already lived it, an endless parade of parties, always the same assholes, and the same empty talk, All about money and prestige yet all of it meant fucking nothing. It was all pointless and mind numbing and crushed any semblance of creativity. and then of course, the homophobia, it was always the same, Homosexuals should be shot or in a hospital, Human beings, Anthros, being relegated to a lower level of existence. Ironically the describing traits are more implicant to those who insult them rather than the ones being insulted. But Otto never voices this out loud. He felt like he was on the edge of a cliff, with no one to help him, no one to care, or even notice. Who gave a fuck at this point. Otto was glad there was a cliff and a gust of wind that was a motivation to push him off.

Otto didn't finish his meal, he stood up, his father stared at him "Otto, what are you doing?"

"I forgot I had an arrangement made prior to this... please excuse me" Otto nodded and gave the same fake smile.

"What arrangement? Otto come back here" he raised his voice slightly, drawing attention to their table.

"I have no time to wait, father. I apologize, I must insist," Otto said, ignoring him, trying to act urgently and walking away. Wilhelm Stood up.

"Otto get back here now" Wilhelm asked again slightly raising his voice as Marie took his hand "Wilhelm, you are drawing a crowd, I'm sure he will be back, maybe he needs some air" Marie said, sipping her champagne as Wilhelm sat down.

"That boy has been "Needing air" for the past day, something is up, and I want to know"

—

"Drink up lads for a new world awaits!!!" an Irish man screams as everyone cheered and drank.

Foxy was on his 3rd pint, Everyone was having a grand old time. Leaving their shitty lives behind in the hope to work their asses off in the land of opportunity.

It was a great celebration, the next chapter, a new beginning, people were dancing on top of the cargo lid, tapping their feet to the sound of the bagpipes, violins and violas joined in too.

however for Foxy, he decided to head out to sleep it off as he wished everyone a goodnight. It took a few minutes for him to get to the stern where he would collapse on the bench immediately, he never had had this much alcohol.

—

Otto was going insane and at a breaking point where he was fairly certain he knew his fate. he took off his suit, jacket and tossed it on his bed. he wanted to be comfortable when he took his plunge, took one look in the mirror, a long look, this is what it had come to, he looked miserable, he couldn't bare it, he couldn't wait for it anymore, it would be an actual solution to the problem, not only that but a permanent one.

He began walking out, and went down the Grand staircase and into the B-deck promenade, slowly walking over to the edge, looking down into the cold water beneath. Inviting him in, however, passengers were walking by, he couldn't do it here, they would try to stop him, or try and get a search and rescue operation for everyone, it would waste everyone's time, he wasn't worth the waste. He kept following the edge of the ship, trying to find a point where he could jump. He reached the end of the deck and found a gate that went down onto another deck that went up to the stern, he began walking towards it, still no one in sight, he kept walking towards the end.

—

Foxy had suddenly woken up, surprisingly he didn't feel drunk anymore, he didn't feel the need to puke or anything, but what had woken him up. He was dreaming and that there were footsteps in the dream before he woke up. He sat up to see if anyone was walking around him, his eyes adjusted to the surroundings, and his eyes fell upon someone. He had to rub his eyes, it was that wolf he had kept seeing, was the wolf stalking him? Was he the police?

He stopped questioning it when he saw the wolf starting to climb over the rail, his eyes widened Foxy got to his feet and slowly walked over to not scare him.

Once Otto reached the other side, holding onto the rail from behind him, he looked down as the waves from the propellers made huge, white and loud waves, was he going to get cut up? What did it matter, he slowly began to let go.

"Don't do it" Foxy said, reaching his hand out as Otto looked behind him, they were 10 feet away from each other as Otto's eyes widened.

"Stand back! Don't you come any closer!" Otto said as he hung a bit further out as Foxy walked a little closer.

"Come on, just give me your hand, I'll pull you back ov-"

"I SAID STAND BACK! This doesn't concern you! What happens to a rich miserable prick like me shouldn't concern a commoner like yourself!"

Foxy stopped in his tracks, still having his hand up, hoping Otto could take it. That was when Otto noticed him, he greeted him at the gates, wearing white star line crew clothing, but now, he was wearing poor clothing. His eyes widened again, Otto definitely remembered him. "Hey.. I recognize you.. weren't you a worker!?

"Umm, uh funny you say that" Foxy wanted to have him talking, just keep talking to him and slowly go into convincing him to not jump.

"I recognize you, I also saw you the earlier up on the boat deck, I give a little wave"

"Yeah you were that worker.. So what are you then? A thief? A con man?!" Otto didn't know why it mattered, he was going to jump anyway.

"No, I'm just someone running away, someone who wants to escape to a new world and start new, to not look back"

"Yeah well so was I. Then I realized nothing is going to change. So what's the goddamn point!"

"Well, what happened to you, what happened to you to make you think that you have no way out?"

"I'm going to be surrounded by the same homophobic asshole in America as I do now. For I'm stuck to this same set of restrictive people who suffocate the meaning out of life and instead go for money. So to this world, when I jump nothing will be lost"

Foxy took notice of the word homophobic, he thought if this guy was a homosexual like him, would that mean he wouldn't be alone? "So you're a Homosexual?" He took a step closer to him.

"Since you're the last person I talk to, I guess there's no secrets. Yes I am, and in a twisted sense of fate my father talks all the time about how he'd shoot people like me like rabid dogs. I'm just making the job easier for him whether he knows it or not"

"Well. you're father is a prick who can go screw himself, you don't need to be alone" Foxy took another step "Cause I am too"

Otto's eyes widened as he didn't jump. Not yet "Y-Your lying, you're just saying that so you can get me back over the ledge!"

"You think I'm lying to you? what? you think I'm just going to take you into the police? I don't think a ship even has any"

"I don't know, I don't care! You're not going to convince me to come back over!!"

"If you think I'm lying, then why don't you kiss me, huh?" Foxy gave a smirk, Otto looked back at Foxy, he really was serious, this fox was just like him, Otto had found someone like him, slowly, he started to have second thoughts, but quickly they went away.

"What would that even matter..??" Otto said looking down at the water, panting, the second thoughts came back.

"You are not alone, there are so many people out there that you will meet, so many things to do, so many things to see, I want to travel the world. get my name out there... besides, jumping in water like that. it won't be quick, you probably won't hit the propellers, but i think it will be painful"

Otto now really was second guessing and sweeting, his sweaty hands dripping below the railing.

Foxy turns around and closes his eyes, while shrugging his shoulders. "but hey, what do I know about misery, I'm just a commoner"

Otto thought hard about it, he realized this was stupid, he heard Foxy walk up behind him, reaching his hand over "Is this really something you want to do? throw your life away, when it hasn't even started?"

"... Get me over this ledge..." Otto said as he was really scared now. He didn't want to die. Not now, he took his hand, they were face to face, they already both found each other attractive, they both smiled.

"Phew, I'm Foxy Piratson"

"Otto Von Wolf.. pleasure to meet.. if not under these circumstances..."

"Come on, let's get you out of here" Foxy took Otto's hands and began to pull him over carefully, Otto took a step, but unknown to him, he stepped in some of his sweet, the slippery railing cause Otto to slip and fall, still hanging on to Foxy's arm.

"OH CHRIST!!" Otto had screamed out as Foxy grabbed as hard as he could.

"SHIT!! HANG ON!!" Foxy screamed as he tried to pull him up. Otto dangled over the ship, he didn't want to look down, still screaming for help from Foxy. the screams had caught the attention of other passengers, 2 crew members began running to the screams.

"LISTEN TO ME, I GOT YOU, I WON'T LET GO!!" Foxy pulled with all his might, slowly pulling Otto up as Otto grabbed the railings, pulling himself up more "YOU'RE ALMOST THERE OTTO!!"

"NNGH AAAHHH!!" and with their combined strength, Foxy hoisted Otto back over and on the other side of the railing, they both fell on top of each other, both breathing heavily.

"Huff... Huff... You... Ok...Huff..?" Foxy asked, on top of him.

"I... Huff... I'm fine... Huff... huff... you have... pretty eyes..." Otto said under Foxy and blushing, and so was Foxy, finally, the two crew members reached them.

"What is going on?!" one of the crew members asked, taking it the wrong way, thinking that Foxy was trying to take advantage of Otto.

"YOU STAND BACK AND DON'T MOVE A INCH" He yelled at Foxy as he got up, his hands in the air "fetch the master at arms!"

Otto stood up and collected his thoughts. That's when he realized that they thought Foxy was doing "W-Wait, there's a bit of a misunderstanding here!!" Otto said.

"Tell us when the master at arms comes, they will take your report"

Foxy thought to himself, guess there was police on ships.

—

"Otto, son, are you ok?!" Wilhelm said hugging him.

"Ja.. I was.. I was trying to get a closer look at a whale in the ocean! And I had slipped over the railing, if this man here didn't save me I would have fallen.."

Wilhelm turned to Foxy, the man who saved his son, he looked at Foxy with judgement, looked him up and down, he scoffed "you? You saved my son?"

"That is correct, sir, it is the truth, as much as these men think" Foxy side eyes the 2 crew members.

"Well, Thank you sir, come on Otto, let's get you inside, you must be freezing" Wilhelm said as he began to walk Otto back, Otto turned to look at Foxy, Otto had a sad look, thinking he would never see him again, Foxy took note.

"Goodnight. I shall stay here like always" he winked as Otto smiled as everyone left, Foxy went back to lay down on the bench and look at the sky full of stars. "Otto, his name is Otto" he closed his eyes, he remembered Otto's face, his blue eyes, his warm smile, he looked so soft and understanding, he hoped that Otto would come back, he wanted to know more about him.

—

"Otto, I was so worried about you" Marie hugged him tightly as Otto hugged back"

"I'm glad you weren't their mother. A man saved me from falling overboard!"

"Did he, well I would love to meet him, I'm sure he is a fine gentleman" she let go "I'm glad you're ok, do you need anything sweetie?"

"Nein. I'm good thank you"

"Well, you get some rest, you must be exhausted" she gave him one last hug before he headed back to his room and close the door, Marie and Wilhelm began to talk, he didn't bother listening in, he had someone on his mind: Foxy. he was so sweet, so understanding, and he was just like him, a homosexual, he knew they would meet again, at the stern. and what did he say he was going to do? travel the world? That sounded amazing, instead of seeing the same city back at home, the same people, eating the same food, there was much more to explore. He gets away from his boring life and his parents, despite them caring for you now, they were going to find out anyway.

Otto laid down, he closed his eyes.. and found it hard to sleep because of the near death experience and that man Foxy in his mind, but he found comfort in that man, he could feel him holding him tightly.

Otto's Body relaxed.. For the first time in a long time, he made a real smile.