Melted Armour

by SerHavald

The battleship Tirpitz lived a long time at the port of the Azur Lane. Since the arrival of her sister Bismarck, she began to explore her feelings and began to interact with more persons at the port. So also with the Commander. Accompany Tirpitz and the Commander on their way to expirence the love for each other and on Tirpitz's travell through her emotions.

Melted Armour

a Port Story

By SerHavald#1939

Even in the raging seas,

our heart will find the eye of the storm.

Let it guide you,

it knows the right way.

For all the ones,

our heart belongs too.

Broken Ice

Late-autumn, great Hall of the Iron Blood dormitory.

Bismarck trumped herself again. It is the third time this year that the Leader of the Iron Blood conducted a banquet, and with every time they got more and more breath-taking. The whole hall is covered in brown, orange and gold. Autumnal oak-leaves decorated the pillars and pumpkins sat atop the tables and in corners. All of it completed by the remarkable looking Bismarck in her black and golden dress. She directed the whole event without a sign of indecision from her throne. Well, at least in the moments when Hood left her side, which did not happen very often as Hood demanded a lot of attention from her.

The Commander was tasked to attend these festivities. Secretly he enjoyed them as they distracted him from the war he fought. As usual he strolled around the banquet room, talking with some of the girls or trying some of the new recipes from Hiei or Eugen. It was a peaceful evening, an evening which did not occur that often in the past.

As he walked around the upper gallery later in the evening a single girl caught his gaze, Tirpitz.

Tirpitz had lived in the port for quite some time now. She in fact was one of the first ships from the Iron Blood who arrived at this port. Despite this she never tried to make friends with the other girls. Even her allies in the Iron Blood describe her as a lone wolf. That started to change ever since her sister Bismarck arrived at port. She began to go outside more and not just leaving the dorms for sorties or briefings anymore, she was often seen on walks with Bismarck outside the port and sometimes even at little social gatherings with the others from the Iron Blood. This however was the first banquet she ever attended.

The Commander found Tirpitz sitting out on the balcony alone in the howling wind, clothed in her jacket and hat as the lonely Queen of the North. As the Commander stepped out onto the balcony, he had to grab his hat before it was taken by the wind. "It's pleasant weather to sit outside alone, isn't it?"

"I don't mind the weather. In fact, I like it." Answered Tirpitz in her signature cold and monotone voice. "The cold wind and the bright stars of the night remind me of my home up in the north." As she talked her eyes looked up in the sky where thousands of stars sparkled bright in the night sky. "I never thought you were a romantic person, nor that I would meet you at a banquet like this." The Commander stood next to her at the parapet of the Balcony, watching the stars himself occasionally shivering. His gala uniform well looking pretty did not keep him warm. "I never thought to attend such festivities myself. I am used to being alone. Back then I was all alone in the cold. The other girls feared me, and I rarely got the chance to leave the Fjord. I adapted to it and now I am unable to make friends with others. But in the last few months, since Bismarck arrived…" She rested her hands on the parapet with a sigh. "Since Bismarck arrived, I feel more comfortable. It is like I got something back that was missing before." Her gaze wandered over to the calm sea of the port. "This feels like home now." A small smile of joy appeared on the Commander's face. "It makes me happy to hear that. You know what they used to call you? The ship with the frozen heart. Cold and unapproachable." He grabbed her hand, even through her gloves he can feel the warmth of her hand. No one with a frozen heart could have such warm hands in a storm like this one. "I hoped all the time that you were here you could find a place to rest. A place you can call home. A place to make friends. It brings me joy that you say this is your home now." He smiled at her. Their eyes met each other for a short moment before Tirpitz looked down at her hand. For a moment she stood still before she pulled her hand away, like the Commander was about to break it. Stepping back her eyes full of indecision falling on the Commander. With the sign of tears in her eyes, she rushed off the balcony and stormed down the stairs.

The Commander left the balcony into the hall in search for Tirpitz. From the upper gallery he spotted Tirpitz as she left through the hall's main entrance. Some of the girls followed her with their eyes. Z-23 looked around for help from Bismarck not knowing what to do.

Bismarck and Hood were sitting on the other side of the hall where Hood was trying to feed Bismarck some pumpkin cake. Both watched Tirpitz escape out of the hall from far. Before Hood could act Bismarck jumped up and followed her sister out of the hall.

Hood's eyes searched the hall for the Commander, fixing on him once she spotted him in the Gallery. Hood got up from her chair, classy and with elegance fit for a Lady like her and made her way to the Commander. The Commander and Hood had known each other nearly since the beginning of his service. Since then, Hood served him as his assistant and advisor. Naturally, she had lectured him before when he started to slack off but never because she was angry or anything like this, but now she was angry. There were two things that would set Hood off. The first one was when her lovely time with Bismarck was interrupted and the second one is when the Commander manages to make one of the girls cry.

The Commander knowing his fate was sealed stayed on top of the stairs and waited for his assistant.

"Would you mind explaining why I had to stop feeding my lovely Bismarck and why Tirpitz has run from the banquet crying? For your own sake I hope your explanation is rather good otherwise we have to have a long conversation." While talking she walked up in front of him with her fists on her hips. In this moment, the Commander had to restrain himself from hugging her right away. "Well, I don't even know myself what happened there. I just talked with Tirpitz outside on the balcony and the other moment she ran away. I can't explain why." The Commander said in an attempt at defending himself.

"And what did you talk about? If she had a reason to run away, I won't hesitate to hit you right here and now in front of the others." Hood was absolutely livid with the Commander. "Well, you see, she was standing out on the balcony by herself, so I went out to talk with her. She explained how she felt now that Bismarck was here and how she used to feel, and I told her what the other ships would say about her and who I couldn't see how any of it was true." The Commander explained what happened outside on the balcony. As he talked Hood's face lightened from moment to moment. Once the Commander finished her mood had completely shifted from a furious lover to that of a caring mother amused by the clumsiness of her child. "Oh my. Commander we have to have a talk, but not the kind I expected." As she said this, she hooked her arm onto the arm of the Commander and started to walk around the gallery pulling the Commander along.

"I know you didn't mean to be mean. You weren't mean at all. You just didn't understand how to talk with a girl like her." The commander tried to say something but got interrupted by Hood as she laid a finger of her free hand on his mouth. "Nah, nah, nah. Let me talk. Just listen. Tirpitz is not used to being confronted with her emotions nor with the emotions of others. She is just beginning to discover her feelings and when someone adds their own feelings to the mix it can quickly overwhelm her. Even if it's just joy. You must give her time to grow to her feelings otherwise she can't find herself. That does not mean you have to stand aside and watch from the side-line. In fact, it will be better to help her in this process. Stay at her side and be a support to her. She is a beautiful and kind person and deserves to be loved and cared for. Furthermore, she is the person who keeps Bismarck afloat. Should Tirpitz break under her emotions so will Bismarck. And I am not willing to accept that." Hood tried to stifle a giggle with her free hand. "Nevertheless, don't be too harsh with your approach. Be a support for her, not a guide. She needs to find her own way." As Hood continued to talk, she led them downstairs towards the main door. "I hope you understand what I wanted to say. Do not be upset in front of what happened. She just gets scared by her own feelings and does not know how to deal with them. She would never hurt you. She's just too kind for this."

The moment she finished, they both stepped outside of the door into the windy night. Hood immediately pressed herself close to the Commander.

Her dress provided the same amount of cold protection as the Commander's uniform.

Both need a moment to adjust their eyes onto the darkness outside the hall and there, at the fountain in front of the Iron Blood dormitories stood two figures.

Tirpitz had her face buried into the shoulder of her sister, her hand still on her chest. Bismarck carefully stroked the head of her sister while holding her in a protective embrace.

Hood stood on the tips of her toes and gives the Commander a slight kiss on the cheek. "I know you wouldn't let me down." With a satisfied smile she led the Commander back into the hall to further attend the banquet.

After the two entered the hall, Tirpitz lifted her head with a smile of unknowing joy and tears of emotions in her eyes to look after them.

Silent Night

A few weeks had passed since the banquet and the Christmas fever was affecting the whole port. The Royal Navy Maid core did their best to decorate the port in the colours of Christmas. A whole bunch of Christmas baubles decorated the great pine in front of the main building. Stars hung from the streetlights and candy canes were scattered all over the port, much to the enjoyment of the destroyers.

The head maid Belfast herself took the responsibility of decorating the Commander's office. As such, the office was filled with little packages, Santa Clauses and a little Christmas trees but just enough so that it didn't feel cluttered.

In this office, the Commander and his assistant Hood worked their way through the never-ending wave of paperwork.

The Commander sat back after finishing the commission reports from last week. Hood began to sort them into one of the many shelfs as the Commander spoke, "I'd like to ask Tirpitz out for a date."

Hood nearly threw the papers in her hand all over the place as she regained control over her expressions, "And why did you tell me?"

"I'm not sure if it's the right time also I don't know if I should ask Bismarck before." The Commander explained.

"And I thought you would never ask." She sat down next to the Commander's desk, "Yes, I know I told you to give her the time to come clean with herself, but you still need to take the next step and a date at this time of the year is an absolutely wonderful idea. Regarding Bismarck, she told me this morning that she needs to make some last calls before she comes over here to make a proposal. I don't know what she wants, so you can ask her if she comes over."

As she continued to sort the documents Bismarck entered the office, "Kommandant." A surprisingly cheerful Bismarck entered the office. "Kommandant I like to make a proposal. I talked with some of the other factions and we decided that it is time to show that the Royal Navy is not the only one able to conduct a Christmas banquet." She smiled at Hood. A smile that faded as soon as she realized that Hood will make her pay for this tonight. "A... anyways did I get your approval?" She started to stutter a bit before she regained her coolness.

"Well, I think it could be fun to celebrate Christmas a bit different from usual. Don't you agree Hood?"

"If you think that it is a splendid idea then it will be so. I am excited to see what Bismarck and the others prepare for the festivities." Her voice let him know that he will also pay for this. At some point, in some way. Both Bismarck and the Commander exchanged glances, knowing they were done for.

"N... nevertheless, I would like to ask Tirpitz for a date at the end of this week and I would like your approval before I go and ask her."

"A…and w…why do you ask me?" Bismarck got a bit flustered.

"You know her better than anybody else at this port. You are the only person here to tell if she is ready for such a thing or not. Also, you are her big sister. As such, you had sworn to protect her. I do not intend to hurt you nor her, so I want your approval so that I know that I don't hurt you in one way or another."

Bismarck's gaze wandered off in the distance and after a moment of silence she answered in a softly voice, "You won't." She stepped closer to the desk and leaned over it. "But if you hurt her in the slightest, I will let Hood make you pay for that."

His gaze wandered off to Hood as he gulped, "I promise I won't do her harm in any possible way. You have my word."

"Fine. Then you have my approval." She stepped back and crossed her arms before her chest. "I need to go now. There are many things to do. Have a nice day."

As she left the office Hood giggled, "I do not think I am the person you should fear if you mess this up."

She stood up and moved in the direction of the door, "I have … something to do now, so have a nice day and do not start slacking off." She left the office with a small grin on her face.

"You say to me I shouldn't slack off heh." He mumbled as he continued to work.

Later in the day, the Commander had made his way over to the Iron Blood dormitories. He found Tirpitz in the hall where the banquet took place not long ago.

He waved her over, "Good evening Tirpitz."

"Good evening Commander. I'm sorry but I don't know where my sister is. I didn't see her at all this evening."

The Commander smiled a bit as he heard that. He thought he knew where Bismarck was at this moment. "I didn't come to see your sister. I came to see you."

"Me?" Tirpitz looked like she could not comprehend what was going on. "What did I do to deserve such attention?"

"Nothing that matters for now." He scratched his head as he continued to speak, "I came to see you because… because I wanted to ask you if you would like to go out with me this weekend."

Now not only was the Commander red but so was Tirpitz. For a moment he thought she would run away like the last time but luckily not this time. She smiled slightly as she answered, "Yes. I would like to go out with you, Commander."

Now was it the Commander who smiled brightly. He took her hand and kissed it, "I await the day eagerly. Have a good night ... Miss Tirpitz."

As he turned around it was time for Tirpitz to blush and to hide her face in her hands. As he left, she turned around to go right back into her room that she just left.

In the shadows of the upper gallery stood two figures. Bismarck and Hood, covered in blankets standing there, watching from afar.

"Are you happy now?", asked Hood as the Commander left the hall.

"We will see."

"In that case…" Hood kissed Bismarck on the neck as she started to drag her back into the room they stood outside of, "… let us continue … where we stopped before."

The week had passed and the Commander picked Tirpitz up from the dormitories. She asked him where they were going but he wanted to keep it a secret. They wandered outside the port into the nearby forest and there in a clearing was a Christmas market. Warm lights flooded the whole area and caused the snow to sparkle. The wind brought the smell of mulled wine, roasted almonds, gingerbread and other Christmas sweets to their noses. They could hear the joyful laughter of some of the other girls and the steady tone of happiness.

Tirpitz's eyes glittered as she watched the scenery. She had never seen such or even visited a place like this before. Her heart skipped a beat as she realized what she missed in all those years. A small tear found its way down her cheek and a quiet sob escaped her mouth.

The Commander stepped a bit in front of her and held his hand out to her with a heart-warming smile. Tirpitz looked at the hand and hesitated. She looked back to the market and into the sky. She grabbed his hand and together, they stepped out on the clearing.

Tirpitz would never hesitate in battle. Every time she was leading her fleet from the frontlines without a sign of indecision or fear but now, she showed hesitation. She grabbed the hand of the Commander tightly to make sure he could not leave her alone. She stood close to him so that she could feel him at every moment at her side. With wide and sparkling eyes, the looked around her as they walked between the stalls.

A stall manned by Yamashiro and Fusou caught her attention. They displayed winter themed accessories like rings or necklaces. As they stepped closer Fusou greeted them. "My Lord, Tirpitz, I'd never expected to meet both of you out here. What a pleasant surprise." As she said this, Tirpitz's cheek got red and she tried to hide herself behind the Commander.

Yamashiro, seeing this, looked questing over to her sister. "I'll explain this to you later, yes?" Yamashiro nodded and began to ask. "When you two are already here, would you like to buy some of the stuff Sheffield helped us to make?" Her tail began to wag in excitement. The Commander looked behind him and raised his hand defensively. "Sorry but not now." As he said this Yamashiro's eyes went gloomy and her tail sank down to the floor. The Commander hurried up and said, "Maybe I'll come back later. You have some nice work here. Well done Yamashiro." She cheered and sat back next to her sister. As the Commander and Tirpitz left, she waved behind them.

After they left Yamashiro and Fusou, Tirpitz grabbed the Commander's arm, now with both of her hands like he could disappear if she took one off. They continued to stroll through the stalls with Tirpitz unable to comprehend all the impressions which were flooding her. The joyful and happy expressions of the people surrounding her, combined made her feel really uncomfortable but with the Commander at her side she could endure.

They entered the main square of the market. Chains of lights stretched over the square and bathed everyone in warm light. It also had begun to snow again. The Commander bowed down to Tirpitz and said, "I'll go and get us something. Just wait here and I'll be back in no time, ok?" She nodded slowly and loosen the grip on his arm. He gave her an encouraging smile as she let him go. She clasped her hands and held them to her chest as she followed him with her eyes as he went to one of the stalls.

"Oh, Tirpitz that's a surprise. I'd never expected you to see you here." Tirpitz looked for a short moment behind her to see Prinz Eugen and Admiral Hipper standing there. "Hey Eugen, didn't you and" As she turned back to the point the Commander stood a moment ago, he was gone. Panicking, she started to look frantically around to find him, but he was nowhere to be seen. Her lips started to tremble as she looked helpless around. As Eugen saw this, she stepped closer to Tirpitz and hugged the taller girl gently. "Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear." She stroked the back of her head. "No need to cry. I'm here for you. Just tell me what's happening." Tirpitz starts sobbing. At this moment, the Commander showed up in her back with two cups in one hand and some sweets in the other. As Eugen sees this, she turns a bit around. "See? I told you. There is no need to cry. He is back." She turned Tirpitz's head a bit around. The Commander, still looking questioningly at the scene in front of him, was completely surprised as Tirpitz tore herself from Eugen and threw herself at the Commander. Her head on his chest resting, she continued to sop. Eugen followed her and whispered in the Commanders ear. "If you ever let her alone again, I will find you." He nodded, hardly noticeable. "I don't think you need this anymore." She grabbed the cups and sweets out of the Commander's hand, smiled at Tirpitz and left with Hipper in tow. As they disappeared in the crowd, Hipper started to rant about this stupid Commander and how Tirpitz could feel something for a person like him and that she would never like him or such as she joyfully chewed on the sweets he brought.

"Oh Tirpitz. I'm so sorry. I never intended to let you alone. Could you forgive me?" He hugged her tightly.

She lifted her head and looked into his eyes, "I was all alone. I'm used to being alone but … but right now it has scared me. I understand if you don't like me anymore since I cried like this out here but …" Her head sank down as she tried to push herself away from the Commander.

He lifted her head back up and wiped a tear away. "Why should I don't like you anymore?" He wiped some other tears away and hugged her gently again. "Let's go back to the port. I think that was enough for an evening." She nodded silently and grabbed the Commander's arm again.

Together, they wandered off, back to the port. It had stopped snowing, leaving the night sky clear. The stars twinkled above, and the moon shined bright on them as they wandered through the silent night with just the sound of snow crunching under their feet.

Tirpitz's scared and sad face faded away to make room for a small, warm smile. As they arrived at the dormitories of the Iron Blood a shooting star flew above them, and Tirpitz followed it with the reflection of the stars in her blue eyes.

"Please, close your eyes." Asked the Commander gently. She closed her eyes. She could feel the cold of the wind on her face and the warmth of his hands as he moved her hair aside. Her body shivered full of expectation. "Now open your eyes."

As she opened her eyes, the Commander stood in front of her with a warm smile, anticipating her reaction. As she looked down, there was a thin, silver necklace with a single, filigree worked, silver snowflake on the end. "I hope you like it. I thought it would fit the queen of the north."

Tirpitz whispered. "Yes, yes I do." She could not look up from the fine work she got gifted with.

"If you allow…?" He stepped closer and has she looked at him he gave her a kiss on her right cheek.

"It was a beautiful evening. Good night … Tirpitz." He looked her in the eyes and smiled happily, he turned around and went back in the direction of his dorm, waving.

Tirpitz, too perplexed to speak, and could only whisper after him. "Good night … Commander." With her right hand, she touched the cheek he just kissed, it felt like she could still feel the touch of his lips. She blushed and hurried to enter the dormitories. Once inside she went into her room and sat down, leaning on the door. She clasped her hands in her face and started to cry. She cried tears of happiness and love. Tears she did never expect to cry. A warm feeling started to grow in her chest. A feeling that would never rest.

Last Dance

Christmas eve dawned and everyone was busy finishing the last preparations. Everyone? No, the Royal Navy Maid Core and most of the other members of the Royal Navy kept their feet still since they were not allowed to organize the festivities this year. Instead, they kept to their daily routine.

Since Bismarck was more and more involved in the preparations, she was not seen that often at the side of the Commander, instead Hood was on his side more than usual.

"These are the last reports for this week. After this we have to schedule the training plan for next week and allow the new clubs." She smiled at the, already under paper burrowed, Commander as she put the last pile of paper onto the desk. "I'm sure we are done in no time."

"Where did she get this motivation from?" The Commander sighed and started to work on the next set of reports, as the door flung wide open. Bismarck entered the room.

"Good morning Commander and Hood." She was definitely in a good mood and so she jumped on the chair on the other side of the desk, opposite to the Commander. Resting her head on her hands, she continued to talk, "I'm nearly done with the preparations. I just need a few last pieces of information to finalize the seat order and I'm done. And one of this information is, if you intend to bring someone along with you?" With a smug smile she looked at him. The Commander, unable to think fast enough starts to struggle with his word, "So, until now I didn't intend…" He got interrupted by Hood. "Of course he does. He wants me to be his companion tonight's evening."

"I do?"

"You do."

"He will?"

"He will."

After a short moment of silence the Commander spoke, "It seems like I will attend the banquet with Hood." Bismarck's happy mood was flushed away. With a troubled face she stood up and moved to the door. "I see. I need to rearrange some of the seats. Thanks for the information."

"Bismarck! Before you leave, could you tell your sister that she doesn't have to attend the banquet? I'm worried about her and after what happened at the market … I didn't want to see her like this back then. I was scared because I couldn't help her. I feel sorry for what happened back there. Please tell her that if she doesn't want to come, she doesn't have to, I understand that."

Bismarck smiled a bit and nodded. "I will tell her that."

The Commander was really worried about Tirpitz. Since back there on the market he had not seen her that often. She did not attend the briefings or the exercises. Sometimes he saw her from afar, but the moment she saw him she turned around and left. Everyday, he thought about what he had done wrong and how he could apologize for it, but he had no clue how he should do it.

"Wasn't that a bit rude?" The Commander looked at Hood. "I do not know what you mean." She smiled and continued to work.

In the Iron Blood dormitories, Bismarck knocked on Tirpitz's door. No answer. She hesitated a bit and bit her hand before she opened the door. A lonely Tirpitz sat on her bed in dimmed light. Her hair looked like it hadn't see a comb in two days. Just clothed in a long pullover she sat there with her dress on her lap, where she tried to fix a loose thread.

Bismarck realized what terrible crime she had done as she saw the red eyes of her sister. She was so busy with the preparation, that she hadn't found the time to see her. Something she regretted on the spot. She betrayed her sister. She failed her.

She had to restrain herself from crying on her own. She grabbed a comb from the bedside table and sat behind Tirpitz. As she began to comb her hair, Tirpitz started to relax. Her shoulder sank down and her tensed hands loosened. After a few minutes, Tirpitz fell asleep. She leaned back and rested her head on Bismarck's shoulder. Bismarck stroked her head gently, "So ist gut. Ab jetzt bin ich wieder für dich da." She kissed her parting and wiped some hair out of Tirpitz's face. Her beautiful, sleeping face. No sign of the sorrow or trouble which covered her face before were in sight.

Just the face of her sister she left so many years alone. With a trembling hand, she continued to stroke her head as her sight fell on a thin silver necklace with a silver snowflake on its end. "Oh, you terrible, terrible stupid Commander." She kissed her sister again and whispered, "You will see. Soon, all will be fine again." A few moments later, she fell asleep like her sister.

A few hours later, Tirpitz woke up and as she began to move, Bismarck woke up as well. Before Tirpitz could stand up, Bismarck caught her and pulled her back on her lap. Then due to the unpredictability, a perplexed Tirpitz stared upwards, waiting with surprised eyes for her sister to say something. Bismarck instead started to play with one of Tirpitz's strands of hair.

"I am a stupid big sister and he is a stupid Commander." She smiled. "I met him at noon. I wanted to ask him some last question as he asked me something to tell you. He wanted me to ask you if you really want to attend this banquet. He feels sorry about what happened back there on the market and didn't want you to force yourself to this. He really worries about you." Carefully, she picked the snowflake up and held it a bit up in the air. Enough that Tirpitz could see it. "But I think, it is not a question if you want to attend the banquet," she looked down to the floor where Tirpitz dress lay, "It's more a question how you want to attend it."

With a sign of panic in her eyes Tirpitz sat up. Bismarck began to laugh. "Keep calm. All is fine. It is more than enough time for it. You get yourself under the shower and I'll care for your dress. Sound good?" Tirpitz cheered up and hugged her sister.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you. You will see, I will give a performance, both, you and the Commander, will never forget." With that she stood up and went into the bathroom.

As Tirpitz left the room, Bismarck's face went gloomy as she picked up the dress. Silently she said, "Hood, if you mess this up, I swear to the gods, I will thorn your bloody swimsuit apart."

In the other room, Tirpitz got herself ready to shower. Normally, Tirpitz showered cold. In fact, the cold could not harm her, and she never felt the cold at all but not now. As the cold water started to rain down on her body, she jumped out of the shower. "What was this? I never felt this cold in before. It never bothered me before but right now…" Unintentionally, she grabbed her necklace. The necklace the Commander gave her. The necklace that gave her that indefinable feeling of warmth she felt over the last days. A warmth she never wants to miss again. A warmth only someone on her side could provide. The warmth only the Commander could give her. Full of determination Tirpitz turned the handle of the shower around and warm water started to flow. "I will make the Commander stop worrying about me. I will make him see me and rely on me. I will make him happy today. I will be his partner tonight" With an anticipating smile stepped Tirpitz into the shower.

The hours progressed and both got themselves ready for the great event. Meanwhile, on the other side of the port, the Commander made the last finishing touches before he moved over to the Royal Navy dormitories to pick his surprise date Hood up. The dormitories where more quiet than usual, mostly because of the fact that most of its inhabitants were over at the banquet and the few that were not were about to go there. He found Hood in a tearoom in the ground floor.

"It is not the fine manner to keep a Lady waiting, Commander."

"I'm terribly sorry about that. The work kept me occupied so I gave all I could have to make it as fast as possible. Could you forgive me?"

Hood stood up and smiled. "Of course I forgive you. How could I not forgive my lovely Commander?" She hooked herself onto the Commander, "Let us go before Bismarck starts without us."

On the way over to the Iron Blood the Commander asked Hood, "Why did you have to treat Bismarck the way you did? She would be really happy to have you at her side right now. She may not show it all the time, but she still likes you and I felt like you broke her heart back there and I feel that you are also not happy with your decision."

Hood sighed. "I know I had made a terrible mistake back there. I was just too angry at her."

"Was it still because she wanted to organize this evening?"

"No, if it just were this all would be fine. It is just that she didn't ask me at all. She just assumed that I would accompany her." Her voice began to tremble.

The Commander had not seen his secretary like this ever before. "But is this not the case? Every time you made something, you never asked her to accompany you. You assumed it every time and now is it wrong if she does the same?"

"I know, I am a terrible person. It felt really wrong the way I said it back in the office, but I couldn't resist. I'm not used to being the person who gets ordered around. I felt wrong and I got angry about her."

"And why didn't you apologize later?"

"I didn't want it to be true. I didn't want to be such a horrible person who gets angry over such pettiness." Her grip tightened as she spoke, and the trembling of her voice grew stronger. "I don't deserve Bismarck if I couldn't even apologize to her. Maybe it would be better if you go alone."

The Commander stopped and put both of his arms around her. "Don't say such. You're a beautiful and magnificent person. Everyone would be happy to have you at their side. Your problem is the same as the difficulties Tirpitz is confronted with. You are not used to having someone at your side who's deciding stuff without you knowing because they believe they know you. The fact that Bismarck didn't ask you was her sign of love for you. For her you are a part of her life, she couldn't even imagine to miss you at some point. It might sound a bit weird but to not ask you if you want to be her date on the ball was one of the greatest signs of love from her because she couldn't even imagine to not share this evening without you. If you go to her now and ask for forgiveness, I couldn't even imagine any sort of situation where she wouldn't forgive you."

"You think so?" Her trembling voice was gone.

"Yeah. I think so." Her eyes began to shine again as they were about to break out in tears. "Thank you, Commander. I will do this." She smiled and gave him a slight kiss on the cheek.

"Are you really ready?"

With new resolve Hood nodded and answered, "Yes. Yes I am. Now, don't let the others wait for us. We still have something to do today." With steps, far as it would fit a Lady, Hood went in the direction of the Iron Blood great hall with the Commander at her side.

Inside the great hall, the others stood around a small stage at the lower end of the stairs up to the upper gallery, waiting for Bismarck to do the opening speech. Meanwhile in a shadowy corner of the gallery, Bismarck and Tirpitz watched the door, waiting for some one special to arrive. "He didn't arrive yet, right?" A little fear could be heard in Tirpitz's voice. "What if he doesn't show up at all?" Bismarck tried to comfort her sister,

"Hood didn't arrive also. They are just a bit late. Nothing to worry about, right?"

Tirpitz looked irritated at her sister, "Why is her arrival so important for the arrival of the Commander did you know some…" As she said that the door opened, and the Commander and Hood entered the hall. The fear came back into Tirpitz's face, "Did you know that? Did you know that he wanted to attend with Hood in accompaniment?" Bismarck had to comfort her sister again, otherwise she would break out in tears.

"I don't think that is the case. I think he just wanted to escort her over, like the gentleman he is." Bismarck had to lie to her sister. She couldn't bring it over her heart to say her the truth about what happened this noon in the office. "You will see. Everything will be alright at the end." She gave her sister a last hug and moved to the stairs. "Hood please don't do this to me. I beg you."

As she stood on the top of the stairs, the light dimmed, and a single spotlight illuminated Bismarck. As she began to walk down the stairs, she started to speak, "Ladies, Commander. My fellow allies and friends. My comrades in arms and family. We got all here together, to celebrate. Not just to celebrate the birth of Jesus or Christmas. We came together to celebrate our friendship and the family we all got over the past few years. I don't want to just celebrate Christmas, I want that all of you celebrate each of your friends, each of the persons next to you, your sisters, your friends, maybe even your loved ones. We grow stronger with every bond we make, every bond of every kind makes us stronger. That is the thing I want to celebrate, that Christmas is the celebration of the family. The family we all got. I know, some of us have differences with each other but that won't stop us from being one family. I see in everyone of you a sister. An older sister, a younger sister, a big sister, a little sister and I would be glad if you could call me also sister."

In the moment of silence following her speech you could hear U-556 sobbing somewhere in the background. Her Lord Bismarck had called her sister, an honour too much for her to comprehend at once. U-81 had to stop her from just running up the stage. "To celebrate our family, I allowed myself to organize a special music act, capable of celebrating all of us."

As she ended, her spotlight faded away and two new ones illuminated two smaller, elevated stages aside from the stairs. On the left one sat South Dakota on a piano. On the other platform stood a slightly nervous Aurora with a violin.

South Dakota started to play. A slow melody which was made to catch the thoughts of the listener and drive them away until they could just listen to the purity of the melody itself. Aurora's violin began to play. Together, both melodies send you on a trip, a trip to the ones you love and you like. The Commander's heart filled with grief as he thought about Tirpitz. The one person he wants to have at his side in this moment, the one he loves. He still had not seen her yet. Did she follow his request not to attend the ball? With his heart full of grief he was about to leave the hall, as a third spotlight lit up. All the grief and sorrow in his heart faded away as he saw Tirpitz on top of the stairs in her white dress. His lips began to tremble as all his happiness and joy let a single tear run down his face. Hood seeing this put her arm around his hip and pulled him closer. "See it's fine. Let it all out. To keep your emotions just for you won't benefit nobody." He could not hear her as he was purely focused on the beautiful being on top of the stairs.

Tirpitz could not see what happened outside of her circle of light, the spotlight blinded her. She could not see the Commander out in the crowd, how he fights with his own emotions. But she had to believe that he was there, watching her. She closed her eyes for a moment and allowed herself to become one with the music. As she opened them again, she began to sing. With a crystal-clear voice that nobody expected from her, she sang an old slow passe song, about the loss of a friend, the fear of loneliness and the shelter of a loved one. Her voice reached far and sounded warm throughout the hall. The voice harmonized with the sounds of the instruments and together, they sent the listener on a journey through their heart. They remembered what they were fighting for, not just for the sake of their lands, not for the purpose of defeating the Sirens, they fight for the people they love. On many of the faces appeared tears and not so few started to cry quietly in the arms of their sisters.

The Commander stood among all of that. Unable to see what was happening around him, only the shining Tirpitz in his sight, he lost himself in her voice. As Tirpitz ended and the last sound of the piano faded away, silence fell over the hall. The lights turned up again and a slightly uncomfortable Tirpitz, not knowing what to do with her hands, stood on the stage, looking in the eyes she watered. Bismarck stepped slowly on the stage and hugged her sister deeply. The crowd began to wake up from the slumber Tirpitz sent them and they began to cheer. With thunderous applause they applauded the musician and thanked for the journey they were sent off on. Tirpitz had not the eyes for them, she was by looking at the Commander how he gently smiled in her direction and her heart performed a jump.

The girls needed a while to calm down. As they finally finished, Bismarck took Tirpitz by her hand and spoke to them. "I hope this song could remind all of you for what we are fighting for and that it's equal where we are since we are one family. So please … enjoy the party and celebrate whatever you want." On a sign of her tables and chairs would be brought in and the crowded cleared to attend the festivities. The last ones standing in the place they had listened to the song where Hood and the Commander. Bismarck left her sister and went to direct the banquet as she does every time. Tirpitz looked after her for a short moment before her eyes searched back to the Commander and Hood. Her heart fell down again.

As the crowd began to clear, neither Hood nor the Commander intended to move. Both were busy with watching their loved ones on the stage. As Bismarck left the stage Hood grabbed herself a heart and gave the Commander a slight kiss on the cheek, "I think we both have something to do now, right?" She left his side and rushed over to Bismarck.

Tirpitz was about to leave as Hood left the Commander and he stepped towards her. Her heart jumped again and the warm feeling of happiness spread throughout her whole body. He helped her from the stage, and both looked at each other.

"You have a beautiful voice." The Commander spoke silently, because his throat was still closed from her performance, but still loud enough for Tirpitz to understand him.

"I never thought that you could sing in such a manner. You're truly a magnificent person." Tirpitz wiped blushing a strain of hair behind her ear. "I had time back there in Norway. I was all alone so I needed a hobby. The fjords have fairly good acoustics you know?" A shy smile rushed over her face.

"I would like to hear your voice more often. We can't allow to let such training go to waste." Tirpitz blushed harder.

"I-I don't know if that is such a good idea. I'm not sure if they liked my voice this much." She ducked her head a bit.

"I won't force you to anything, but I would make me happy if you could sing, at least for me some time. It made me happy to see you here today." She looked amazed for a moment before she blushed again.

"R-really? I thought you don't want to go with me here because you didn't ask me if I want to accompany you, and then you arrived with Hood here and I thought you didn't want to see me again after the last time." She let her head and shoulders sink.

"No! I wanted to go with you here. But you avoided me the last few weeks, so I thought you didn't want to see me. I'm terribly sorry if I have done you wrong." He dragged her into a hug which she returned joyfully.

"And why did you come with Hood today?" Tirpitz asked that in a shy voice as she knew that that's a thing she probably is not allowed to ask.

"That had no meaning. Hood got angry about Bismarck and as Bismarck asked me if I wanted to come with someone else, she interrupted and said that she wants to go with me. I felt that something was wrong, but I didn't dare to ask. I'm sorry again if I had hurt you with that. Should we see if we can manage to get two seats together?" He started looking around.

Tirpitz held tight on his chest. "Don't you think we should talk with them? Maybe we can help then?"

He laughed a bit. "I don't think that will be necessary. Look." She followed his finger with her eyes and there she discovered Bismarck and Hood. Hood was on and about to feed Bismarck some sweets as she always does. "And I think our problem with the seats is also off the table. If I see that right, this is your name sign in front of her seat, right?"

Tirpitz had to giggle a bit as Hood wiped some crème off Bismarck's face like a mother would do. "You're right. We don't need to talk with them over that."

The Commander grabbed Tirpitz by her hand. "Let's go. Let us enjoy the dinner together. Your performance made me hungry." Tirpitz followed him happily.

They spent the rest of the evening together and enjoyed the presence of the other. After the dinner music started to play and most of the guests started dancing but not them. They sat there and held hands while they got closer to each other. From time to time, the Commander was pulled away to dance with some of the girls and Tirpitz awaited his return eagerly. But not only the Commander got asked. Tirpitz got asked too. At first, Bismarck took Tirpitz out for a dance, something which both seem to enjoy. The second time, the battleship Alabama asked her out. Alabama was not known for being very interested in socializing but somehow, she got something for Tirpitz. Tirpitz, not able to comprehend what was happening, agreed and both danced together. Later it will be told that they could be seen more often together. It was the beginning of a good friendship.

As the Commander watched Tirpitz and Alabama dancing together, Bismarck and Hood approached the Commander from behind. With each of them on one side, the Commander felt a bit uncomfortable. "S-so what can I do for you two?"

"Oh nothing. We're just here to see how you two get along together."

"We get really good along. I think we got everything out of the way that stood between us. There are no problems left."

"And why don't you two dance together in that case?" It was time for Hood to speak.

"We don't feel in the mood for it. That's all. We are happy as it is."

Now was it time again for Bismarck to speak, "She seems really happy with Alabama. I think she likes it to dance. Maybe you should try it too."

"Don't you two have something else to do instead of questioning me?" He got a bit flustered.

"Maybe. Maybe not." Hood's voice was amused. "Just give it a try ok?" Both kissed him simultaneously on one cheek. He got beet red.

The music ended and Tirpitz came back. "I have to say, I didn't expect her to be such a good dancer." Tirpitz seemed to be heated up. The Commander hesitated a bit but then he asked her,

"Do you want to give it another round?" Tirpitz's eyes extended. "Yes, I would like to."

They moved to the dance floor and a slow waltz began to play. They began to move slowly, in a deep embrace and didn't stop until the evening ended. Both used the time to feel the other's body and remember the other's scent. A scent, both would never want to forget again.

As the music stopped for the last time the Commander asked Tirpitz, "Do you want to have a proper second date?"

She answered with watering eyes and a trembling voice, "Yes, yes I do."

Unspoken Feelings

It was late January, after they had promised their second date, both Tirpitz and the Commander had their hands full with work. Because of that, they had to reschedule their second date multiple times. But not his time. Both were eager to make it happen today.

"Today we will make it happen!" Tirpitz repeated this several times this morning as she was making her hair ready for the day.

On the other side of the port, the Commander made his last preparations before he went out for work, "Today we will make it happen!"

The Commander left his quarters just to get greeted by Shangri-La.

"Good morning Commander. Hood asked me to take her place today. She didn't feel well so she wanted to take a day off."

The Commander asked, shocked, "Is she alright? Can I do something for her?" Hood had never taken a day off.

The Commander was really concerned. "She said she will be alright. I just have to make sure you do your office work and she will be back in service in no time."

The Commander heaved a sigh of relief, "I'm glad to hear that. I have some plans for this evening so let us start to finish as soon as possible."

Shangri-La cheered as she heard that. "Very good. Then let us start right now."

She took some papers from her clipboard and handed them to the Commander.

"These are the reports of the night. Please check them first. After this I have the new mission documents prepared, you have to read and sign them. Further, the training reports from the last tournament are here so you can check them and …" Shangri-La did not get tired of telling the Commander what his tasks were for this day and she did not stop even after they arrived in the office.

On the other side of the port, Tirpitz was about to leave her room. She wanted to get some breakfast before she started her daily training. Well, at least that was the plan. The first part of it got screwed as a happily smiling U-556 intercepted her on the floor.

"Good morning Lady Tirpitz," The way the little girl spoke confused Tirpitz every time.

"My Lord Bismarck, your lovely sister tasked me to wait here for you and bring you to her as soon as you leave your room." She delivered her report conscientiously. It amused Tirpitz how serious the little girl is about her task. She patted her head.

"Am I allowed to get some breakfast before I go to her or do I have to get to her immediately?" Uncertainty spread on the face of the little girl.

"I-I don't know. Lord Bismarck didn't say something about this." Tirpitz felt that U-556 was not comfortable so she decided to make the move. She crouched beside her and whispered.

"Suggestion, we go to the canteen now, I get my breakfast and I get you something nice too, ok? And we don't have to tell my sister about it ok?" Tirpitz could see the war fought in U-556 head as she was about to decide if she wanted some treats or if she wanted to fulfil her task from Lord Bismarck immediately. At the end, the chance of getting some nice sweets won the battle.

"Ok but we don't have much time. We can't let your sister wait!"

She grabbed Tirpitz by her sleeve and moved with her over to the canteen. Tirpitz grabbed herself a freshly made wrap and some coffee. U-556 got rewarded with a waffle, made by Belfast herself. Happily, on her waffle chewing, she led Tirpitz over to the place Bismarck was waiting for them.

As they came around the corner where Bismarck was waiting, U-556 quickly chewed the rest of her waffle to destroy every evidence. Tirpitz did not feel the urge to do so and kept her coffee. Bismarck turned around as U-556 saluted and reported in.

"Lord Bismarck, as you ordered, I brought Lady Tirpitz along." Bismarck smiled amused, whipped a handkerchief out, crouched down and began to clean the mouth of the little girl. U-556 got beet red. "You've done very well. I know I could rely on my knight of the sea." As Bismarck crouched down Hood revealed who was hidden behind Bismarck.

"Good Morning Tirpitz, I'm happy that you will join us today." Tirpitz got a bit confused, normally at this time, Hood would work with the Commander together to get the paperwork done.

"Don't worry, we will explain in a moment, just…" She looked down on U-556. Bismarck was about to wipe the last crumbs of the waffle away.

"So it's better. I heard U-81 and the others want to go and try to get some sweets from Dunkerque. Do you want to join them?" She ruffled the hair of the U-boat. U-556 looked a bit sad as she would like to spend more time with Bismarck.

"If you want, we can play this evening but now I have work to do, ok?" A smile decorated 556 face again. She nodded and turned around. The possibility of getting some of Dunkerque's sweets and playing with Bismarck in the evening was just enough.

As U-556 disappeared around the corner, Bismarck and Hood hocked themselves onto each side of Tirpitz and began to walk down the quay. Tirpitz got the indistinct feeling that the two of them planned something.

"What do the two of you want? I know you two planned something."

It was for Hood to speak first, "Oh nothing special. We just thought that the three of us haven't talked in a long time, just the three of us."

"We have never done such before." Hood ignored her interruption.

"So, we wanted to have a talk with you. Especially since you have the date with the Commander today." Now was it for Bismarck to speak.

"Further, Pola invited us to visit her cosmetic studio she just opened." Tirpitz did not feel well about that.

"I don't have the time for such. I got assigned for training and missions today. I can't just skip them." She tried to get herself off from the two, but they will not let her go.

"No, you don't have any missions today. I arranged one or other things. There is no need to worry." Hood giggled. Tirpitz realized that she was screwed. They had her in their fangs and the only way to escape is to play their game.

Meanwhile, the Commander was caught in a similar desperate situation. His secretary for the day Shangri-La was a fearsome foe. Her sense for order was unmatchable, her work moral unbreakable. Every mistake made was detected by her and every sign procrastination was immediately punished. The Commander wished Hood was back, at least she liked to have some tea breaks but not Shangri-La. Around noon, Shangri-La went out to get some snacks for herself and the Commander. In this moment of peace, the Commander laid back on his chair and thought about his date with Tirpitz in the evening. He got really excited since this was the first time that he could spend time with her alone.

His excitement faded as his gaze came back to the pillar of papers on his desk.

"If I don't finish them, Shangri-Lawon't let me go this evening. This is a ton of work." He sighed and went back to work or at least he was about to as Shangri-La came back.

"Commander I told you that we have much work to do. There is no time to procrastinate. I wanted to suggest a break but since you didn't work while I was away you have to eat while working. I have to talk with Hood about this. How did you manage all this with such work moral?" She put a wrap on the Commander's desk and sat down on her chair. With her own wrap in one hand and reports in the other she continued to work. The Commander hurried to do the same, otherwise he would get lectured again.

As they continued to work, three women crossed in front of the office. Hood, Bismarck and Tirpitz came back from the bathhouse where they enjoyed a steam sauna and the hot pools.

Tirpitz had to admit that she enjoyed the time. At first, she feared that she would not enjoy it but in the end, she felt relieved to have a day off. Till they were in the bath, Tirpitz did not realize how tense she was in front of the date with the Commander.

She thanked the two of them silently to take her to this day. Now they were about to go to the studio Pola opened a few weeks ago.

A little bell rang as they entered. Pola looked up from her customer she has right now, Bremerton.

"Oh Bismarck, I'm with you in a moment. Just need to finish the highlights." Bremerton turned around to see who came in.

"Ohhh, you three here? I'd never thought you girls were the type for such. What is the reason for that?" Bremerton asked, curious. In response, Tirpitz blushed. Bismarck took the task to answer.

"You know, Tirpitz and the Commander, they have their date today." Tirpitz hid her face behind her hands.

"Oh, it is time for that? I made a bet with Baltimore when it was time for that. Seems like she won this time. Pola, we have more important stuff to do then my nails. We have to get this girl ready for her date!" As she said that, she jumped up and pointed her finger at Tirpitz. Hood had to keep Tirpitz in check, so she didn't run away. Bremerton grabbed Tirpitz by the hand and moved her over to the seat she just sat in a minute ago.

"First off all we have to get rid of this stuff." She took Tirpitz's hat, cape and her jacket and handed them over to Bismarck. During this, Pola took Tirpitz's hands and inspected them. "Dear! When did someone last see these?" Tirpitz felt really uncomfortable in this situation.

"Well, I guess never." Pola breathed heavily.

"Then it is good that I can get my hands on them now." She took some of her files and started to work on Tirpitz nails. Meanwhile, Bremerton bowed from behind Tirpitz and began to talk.

"So where will the date take place?" Tirpitz needed a moment to get her thoughts away from her nails.

"T-the Commander talked about how he got a table in the new pizzeria at the port."

"I see." Bremerton sank in her thoughts and viewed outside the window. "A pizzeria for a second date huh? I have to say he knows what is good. So not to chick. A bit comfier and more casual. It might snow later so it wouldn't hurt if it is a bit thicker." She looked at Tirpitz's body. "I may have something lying around. I need to take a phone call." She took out her phone and called someone.

"Hey Balti, are you in the dorm? Anyway, you need to bring me the sweater of yours. The dark white one, you know? I don't care what you are doing right now. It is about Tirpitz's date. I know that would get you on your legs." The longer she spoke the redder Tirpitz got. She looked over to her sister and Hood. Both sat in some chairs in the corner and seemed to enjoy themselves.

"Don't worry. Just relax now. Pola and I will do everything." She began to massage Tirpitz's shoulders.

"Do we want to start with your hair now?" Unsure what to say Tirpitz just nodded.

"Perfect!" Full of energy, Bremerton started to work on her hair. A few minutes later, Baltimore arrived with a warm and comfy sweater. She sat down with Bismarck and Hood and the three put their heads together. Tirpitz was not able to recognize anything of that. She faded in to a light sleep as Bremerton started to work on her hair. It was the first time in a long time where she relaxed. It felt really good not to have to watch over everything.

A few hours later Tirpitz woke up as Bismarck stroked her cheek. She sat in the chair the other sat before.

"Hey my little Queen. I'm terribly sorry to wake you up but it is not much time left and we have to make the last preparations." Tirpitz was suddenly awake.

"Keep calm. We have time. But we need to make sure that the clothes Bremerton brought along fit." Tirpitz looked around the room and discovered the pile of clothes on a table with a cheery Bremerton at its side.

"Where did you get all of those?" Tirpitz walked over to the table.

"Not important. Had them laying around and I'm happy to help you with them for such a special occasion." Bremerton got really excited.

"Ok, let's start with this one. It should be your size." Tirpitz got handed a sweater by Bremerton.

"I have to change here?" She looked slightly uncomfortable around.

"Hey, we are all girls," Bremerton moved Tirpitz in front of a tall mirror, "and you have a beautiful body. There is no need to be shy. In fact, you can be proud of it. I know some girls who would kill for such a body. So now let's get you changed. We don't have much time and I need to finish your makeup." Tirpitz looked in the encouraging faces of her sister and Hood. With a sigh, she pulled up her t-shirt and started to change.

Half an hour later, Tirpitz stood in front of the mirror with a completely new set of clothes. A dark white sweater, tight trousers, boots, a long coat and gloves that match the scarf. On top came a woolly hat. All in all, Tirpitz felt warm and the sweater was really comfy. It felt good to wear something else then her uniform. She looked happily at herself in the mirror.

"I hope the Commander likes it too." Bremerton hugged her from behind.

"I knew you would like this. You can rely on sis Bremy." Tirpitz smiled.

"Thank you. I really like it."

"If you need anything else just call me. I can help you with everything. Oh frick! It's so late already. You have to hurry. The Commander is probably waiting already." Tirpitz looked at the clock. She had no time left. She ran past the other girls and out in the snow.

While Tirpitz was busy getting new clothes, the Commander had other work to do. Shangri-La went out to get some documents from Akashi and while she was away, he fell asleep over some reports. He woke up as Shangri-La shook him by his shoulder.

"Commander, why are you still here? Didn't you have your date with Tirpitz? You're going to be late." Shangri-La looked a bit concerned. The Commander needed a moment to realise what she said.

"Damn it! How late is it? I have to call her." He jumped up and was about to run out of the room. Shangri-La holds him at his sleeve.

"Not so fast. We have to do something first." She said that with a cold voice while not looking in his face. Now was it time for the Commander to look concerned.

"Was she about to keep him here since he hadn't finished the work?" Shangri-La hurried to say something as she saw his face.

"That is not what I meant!" She stuttered a bit as she realised how that had sounded.

"I meant to say that you can't go like that to your date." The Commander's face cleared.

"Now come. We have to get you ready." She dragged him into the night duty room.

"Wash your face. You look terrible. I'll look for something you can wear." The Commander thought about where she wanted to get clothes from but did not have the courage to ask. As he came back from the bathroom, he spotted Shangri-La by closing the last drawer.

"I didn't know you had something like this in here." Shangri-La smiled.

"You thought Belfast would let me sit here in the cold if something would happen? It was all here all the time." He looked over the stuff she had laying out. A jacket, a pullover, a comfy trouser and shoes.

"You're right. Belfast thought about everything." His assistant cheered.

"I'm glad to hear that. If you hurry up, you can still manage to be on time. I'll wait outside and look over the stuff still laying around, alright? I'll sort them and put the documents that needs your attention on top." She left the room and the Commander changed into the clothes she had prepared.

As he left the night duty room she sat on his chair and worked on some documents. He rushed over to her and gave her a slight kiss on her cheek.

"Thank you." He rushed out of the room. Shangri-La blushed from his suddenness.

Both Tirpitz and the Commander rushed over to the pizzeria they were supposed to meet. Both tripped more than one time on the snow as they ran along but in the end, both arrived safely at the restaurant. They arrived without breath from running.

"Sorry, I'm late." He caught her as she ran into him.

"No, I have to be sorry. I forgot the time as I was out with Hood and Bismarck." The Commander laughed a bit as he heard that.

"So, you were out with Hood?" He shrugged his head.

"Is something wrong with that?" Tirpitz was really concerned and thought she had done something wrong.

"No, all is fine. Come let us go inside and you can tell me what you girls have done today." He opened the door and stepped in. Tirpitz followed him happily. Sitting down at a table they talked about what Tirpitz and the others had done over the course of the day and how Shangri-La tortured him at work. While this went on, they got served a pizza made by some of the girls from the Sardegna Empire. Both laughed as the Commander said that Hood faked to be sick to get the day off.

After they enjoyed their dinner, they decided to take a walk in the snowy park of the port. The snow weighed heavy on the trees and the little lake in the centre was frozen. Both hugged the other tightly to keep him warm. Their feet crunched in the snow. Except that, the night was silent.

"You know how long I waited for this day?" Tirpitz laid her head against his shoulder.

"Me too. I hope this was not the last time that we experienced such a day." Now was it time for him to lay his head against hers. Together, they watched the reflection of the moon on the frozen lake. Tirpitz was reminded of her home back in the fjords, a feeling she never thought she would enjoy. Yes, this is now a place she would like to call home. A home for her and the Commander.

From the far, a distant sound from a piano filled the air, quiet but still able to be heard. The Commander grabbed Tirpitz's hand and looked her in the eyes. Unsure what she should do, she just smiled back to him and lost herself in his eyes.

He took one of her hands and dragged her behind him down to a place in front of the lake. He took her and started to dance. Surprised by his move, Tirpitz had no other choice then to follow his lead. They danced a waltz.

He led them all over the place, spinning around in tone with the music. The reality faded and just the two of them exist with the sound of the piano. Their heartbeats synchronised and even time seemed to freeze.

Tirpitz could live forever in this moment. Engulfed in his present and hold in his arms. She wished this moment could last until the end of time. She looked up and her eyes met his. A deep bond formed between them and for a moment both could feel the feelings of the other. Their hearts began to race and as the last note faded, the Commander kissed Tirpitz on her lips. An explosion of emotions occurred in her head and she returned the kiss thankfully.

They just stood there, holding each other. For Tirpitz, years passed before their lips separated from each other again. Her heart kept racing and she wanted to experience those emotions again.

"Tirpitz, I love you."

The words burned into her mind. They echoed back and forth in her head. Her heart fulfilled one jump after the other and she had struggles to restrain herself to not cry out immediately. She rested her hands on his chest and buried her face on his shoulder. A wide smile of happiness formed on her face.

The Commander pulled her closer in a tight hug and leaned its head against her.

The tight embrace of the Commander made Tirpitz happy and made her feel. warm. The pure feeling of love ran through her veins. Small tears of joy appeared on her face and a quiet sob escaped.

The Commander lifted her head to look her in the face again. Seeing the tears, he kissed them away.

With each kiss, her heart skipped a beat and she felt her strength fading. She was glad that he held her. His warm smile made her mind go blank.

Even with her warm feelings and his warm arms wrapped around her, a shiver got to her, followed by a little sneeze.

She never had to struggle with the cold before. Even as she was in Norway, in the frozen fjords, she never felt cold or got a cold. That is why she never bothered to think about the fitting clothes for this weather before.

The Commander giggled a bit as she sneezed and pulled a strain of hair out of her face which found its way there. "Looks like our Ice Queen is a bit cold. Come, let's go back before we catch something serious."

She nodded embarrassed and he pulled her close to him as they walked back to the dorms.

Back in the dorm, he helped her to get out of her clothes and draped them on a chair. He sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled the blanket over her to make sure she was warm. Tirpitz had the eyes closed already and her breath went slowly.

Her sleeping face was just magnificent. Her smooth skin was slightly red and her lips were slightly opened. He stroked her soft cheek skin which made her rub her head against his hand slightly. A loving smile appeared on the face of the Commander and he gave her a kiss on the forehead before he left.

Once he was gone, Tirpitz opened her eyes and whispered, "I love you too."

Molten Snow

Mid-February. The birthday of Bismarck was close. Most of the Iron Blood ships were busy finishing the last preparations. Not so Tirpitz and the Commander. After their date in January, they nearly met each other daily. Whenever they got the time, they met.

Today, they intended to visit a restaurant, but the weather seems to disrupt their plans. A strong blizzard occupied the whole coastline and snow piled meters high up.

"Commander, the fourth fleet will arrive later today." The secretary of the Commander, Hood, came over to his desk with a sad face. "The snowstorm forced them to take another route. They won't arrive before evening."

"Is fine. Tell them they have to stay safe. It is not important that we get those resources immediately. If Intrepid thinks that they won't make it safe, they should turn and sit it out in another harbour." The Commander took the report papers from Hood. It seemed like they had gathered all the resources they needed.

"I bring more bad news." Hood hesitated for a moment. "The bridge got closed. We can't get over it on land and the storm makes it impossible for the small transporter to cross the channel. I fear that Tirpitz and you can't have your dinner at this little diner."

The Commander sighed and laid back. "I feared that too. Well in that case we have to think about something else. Maybe we should cook something on our own?"

Hood nearly jumped up. "You won't make your Mac & Cheese again! You remember last time you cooked it?"

The Commander smiled as he remembered the time back. He had cooked his Mac & Cheese for Hood and himself to thank her for her hard work as his secretary. After this Hood had to stay in the med bay for three days. Even Vestal forbade him to chook this for any shipgirl again. "I promise that I won't cook this for her. Maybe she knows some recipe we could try?"

"Oh dear. You are really a lost cause. You cannot invite a proper woman for dinner and ask her if she knows any recipe you could cook. Come, let the work end for today. The weather does not allow any training and commissions tomorrow so we can continue the work then. Let us see what you have in your dorm to cook. Aside Mac & Cheese." She took his papers and put them aside.

The Commander happily agreed on this suggestion and followed her outside the office. As they made their way over to his dorm they had to work their way through the thick falling snow.

As they stumbled through the snow, they came across Z-19. "Oh hey 19! Could you do me a favour?" The Commander waved over to the little destroyer. The girl came over, a little shivering.

"N-naturally, Commander."

"Could you tell Tirpitz that we can't go to the diner this evening and that I will cook for us tonight?"

The destroyer nodded. "I-I can do that for you C-commander." She shivered even harder.

"Don't stay too long out here. The storm won't calm in the next few hours. You get yourself a cold if you stay too long outside." The Commander looked really worried and even Hood seems to feel that something is not alright.

"I-I will go in-inside. I just came o-over from the canteen." She clasped her arms around herself. The Commander patted her head. "Be quick. I don't want you to get sick, you hear?" She nodded again and the Commander and Hood turned around to go to the Commander's dorm.

"Uhmm, C-commander." She went behind the two. "C-could you show me, me the w-way to the dorm? I got a b-bit lost in this st-storm." She looked down, full of shame.

"Naturally, I will help you." He crouched down and put his coat around her. "I won't ever get someone lost." He grabbed one hand of the girl and Hood grabbed the other. Together they went back to the Iron Blood dorms.

As they arrived in the dorms, the Commander crouched down in front of Z-19 again. "Next time we don't go outside if there is a snowstorm alright?" She nodded and hugged the Commander.

"I promise."

The Commander took his coat back as he spotted Tirpitz over on top of the gallery. He smiled up to her and she waved back at him. Z-19 saw this and felt bad. She hoped to make the Commander proud of her by fulfilling his task but now did she just not could not deliver the message, the Commander also had to bring her back home. There is no way he would be proud of her.

The Commander saw the sad face of Z-19 and bowed down to her. "Don't you have to deliver a message?"

The face of the destroyer cleared as she cheered. She hugged the Commander again and ran up the stairs and towards Tirpitz. From the lower floor, the Commander watched how his loved one bowed down and listened to the important message of the little girl. As she had finished Tirpitz patted her head and nodded towards the Commander accompanied with a warm smile. Z-19 stood on top of the stairs and looked down to the Commander in hope to get some appreciation from him. He gave her a thumbs up before a quiet sneeze shacked the girl. Tirpitz stepped at her side and grabbed her hand to bring her to her room where she could rest.

As both were out of sight the Commander and Hood turned and picked up her way to the dorm of the Commander.

After Tirpitz made sure that Z-19 got into her bed and some sleep, she went back to the main hall where she made sure that Hood and the Commander had left. As she could not see them anywhere, she ran over to the dorm's kitchen where she caught Graf Zeppelin putting on a kitchen apron.

"Graf, you need to teach me how to cook."

The aircraft carrier looked irritated at Tirpitz and held in her movement. "Huh, why all of sudden?"

Tirpitz pointed her index finger together and answered a bit embarrassed. "You know, the Commander invited me over to a self-cooked dinner tonight and I don't know if he expects me to cook with him."

Graf Zeppelin sighed and handed a second apron over to Tirpitz. "I might despise the existence of this world, but I can't allow my comrade to get swallowed by it. You can assist me with making Maultaschen for the others."

Tirpitz cheered and hurried to put the apron on. Under the guidance of Graf Zeppelin, they started to make some Maultaschen. Before they put them into the boiling bouillon, Tirpitz compared hers with the one of the aircraft carrier. Disappointed, she had to see that Graf Zeppelins look like real cushions while hers look like weird shaped boxes. The carrier stepped on her side and pressed one of them in form.

"This world does not care about beauty. All that count is the hate you throw at it… or in your case I guess, the love you feel for it." Tirpitz felt very touched from her words, in a weird way but a one that made her feel better.

Together, they boiled their Maultaschen and prepared them for the other girls. Somewhat before noon, they finished, and the others arrived. It pleased Tirpitz to see that they liked the food she prepared.

"Don't bother with what they put in your way. Stay close to your path and you won't get overwhelmed at any time." With that Graf Zeppelin returned into the kitchen, whistling an old tale.

After Tirpitz made sure that the others were all well served, she returned to her dorm and made herself ready to meet the Commander. As she watched herself in the mirror a last time, the necklace he gave her on their first date sparkled on her clothes. Her hand reached out to it and the warm feelings she experienced since then waved through her body. She smiled happily as she remembered the first time he kissed her. The butterflies in her stomach as he took her in his arms. She did not want to miss those memories ever. With the hope to get more of those feelings, she grabbed her jacket and left into the direction of the Commander's dorm.

"Thank you, Commander, that I can take what we prepared. Are you really sure that I can take it? Not that you start making Mac & Cheese after I leave." Hood stood near the door with a bowl which contained the food they had prepared in the past hours.

"I promise I won't chook that for her." He opened the door for her. "You showed me some really good things I could make out of the noodles I have in stock."

"I think I have to tell Shiranui that she has to stop selling noodles to you. You have way too much of them, but I'm glad that I could help you." As she left, Tirpitz came across her. "Good evening Tirpitz. I wish both of you fun today." She stepped closer and whispered in her ear. "Whatever happens, do not eat the Mac & Cheese he cooks. It is better that way." She went past her and into the direction of the Royal Navy dorms.

Tirpitz stood there for a moment and answered into the void. "Thanks … I guess?" She shook her head and knocked at the door.

"Oh, hey Tirpitz, I'm happy that you are here." The Commander poked his head a little out of the door. "Come in. I know you like the snow, but a blizzard is a bit too much for me." He opened the door wide and Tirpitz stepped in.

"I met Hood outside and she talked something about Mac & Cheese. What is this all about?"

The Commander giggled a bit as he took her jacket. "That is a story for another time. I hope you have a good appetite. Hood gave me some good ideas we can try out." He took her by her hand and moved into a big open room.

She had never saw his dorm before. A single big, open room with an open kitchen, a dining table with chairs and relaxing area with a tv, a sofa and some chairs. There were two doors. Approximately one for the bathroom and one to the bedroom. He had some shelfs there with some pictures and models on it.

As he started to make some preparations in the kitchen, she took herself time to look at them. There was a picture of Hood and the Commander where they stood aside each other on top of the cliffs surrounding the port. There was a group photo with him in the middle and all the other girls surrounding him. There were more pictures of him and some of the girls but one however, caught her eyes. It was a close-up photo of her, smiling and laughing. She took it carefully in her hand and looked at it.

"I should have asked you if I can make this picture. I'm sorry. It was just, you were so happy on this day, a moment, which I wanted to save for eternity." The Commander went over as he saw that she took the picture from the shelf.

"You don't need to be sorry. It felt like years since then." She stroked the photo gently.

"Yeah, it felt like it." He hugged her from behind and rested his head on her shoulder. "You and Bismarck were so happy as you two reunited. I was not less happy as you two."

She put the photo back in his place. "As I can see those photos are not the only things you collected?" She nodded in the direction of a model of a Bismarck-class battleship. He laughed a bit.

"Mikasa made them for me. She gave me this one for my last birthday." He pointed at an Admiral-class battlecruiser model. "I got this one from her for my second anniversary as Commander here at the port. I got the other ones over the time of my service."

She rested her head against his. "I like them. Mikasa is quite skilled with that."

"Indeed, she is." Both stood there for a moment and looked at the collection of the Commander.

"Come let us prepare dinner. I have a murder hunger." He grabbed her hand and led her to the kitchen.

He had already some water boiling and put some spaghetti into it. "I thought about a noodle salad. We could make some steak too. They accompany each other really well."

"Ok and what should I do?" Tirpitz looked slightly nervous over the ingredients he laid out.

"How about you roast the pine kernel and I clean and cut the rocket?" He held a bowl with pine kernel in her direction. "Don't worry. Just make sure they don't burn. There is nothing that could go wrong. A pan is over there." He pointed at one of the kitchen drawers.

She walked over and got the pan out. She put it on the stove and waited a bit so that the pan could heat up as Graf Zeppelin told her before. As she was sure the pan reached a certain heat, she put half of the kernel into it, not knowing how much they would need at the end. The task seemed not too difficult, so she looked over to the Commander. He washed the salad with routine and cut the strong parts out of it.

Suddenly the air was filled with the smell of something burning. The Commander jumped over and took the pan off the stove. As he waved the pan the kernel rolled around and revealed their black sides.

"At least we have some more of them." He threw the burned ones into the garbage and handed the pan back to Tirpitz. "You have to stir them all the time. They burn really fast. Here try with this." He handed her a wooden spoon.

A little ashamed, Tirpitz tried again. Without being distracted this time, the kernel got a nice brown colour and did not burn at all. Meanwhile, the Commander finished his work with the rocket and took the noodles out of the pot.

"I will prepare the steak now. Could you mix the salad? Just put all together and add some oil and salt to it. If you want, you could also put some garlic into it." He pointed at a shelf with some bottles and garlic.

Tirpitz did as she was told and mixed the salad together.

The time they were busy cooking, the blizzard took on strength and the howling wind could be heard even inside the house. As both finished their work, the Commander took out two plates and prepared the dishes.

They sat down at the table and began to eat. Tirpitz was it equal that they did not talk much at this time. For her was it enough to spend time with the Commander.

Suddenly the lights went dark. All lights, even out on the streets, went out, except for the few candles he had lighted. Tirpitz let her fork fall out of fright.

"Looks like a power shortage. The snow has to have damaged one of the cables." He took one of the candles and moved into the direction of the main door.

"I have to see if everything is ok in our dorms." Tirpitz went to get her jacket.

"I don't think you will go." The Commander came back, his candle blown out, some snow still sticking on his sweater. As he saw Tirpitz questioning face he continued. "The snow lays more than one and a half meter high in front of the door and falls thick like a wall. You would get lost out there."

He took the jacket out of her hand and put it back where she got it from. He pressed her hand and talked to her. "Don't worry. Bismarck and Zeppelin are over there. They can manage it." He smiled at her to give her some heart.

"You are right. My sister is more than capable of handling this situation. But what are we doing now?"

"At first, I get us some blankets. The heaters will be dead too." He moved over to one of them and touched it. "As I thought. And since this building has not the best isolation it will become really cold in here." He went and came back with two blankets.

They sat down in the living area and chatted about what happened in the last few years. After a while both fell silent and began to follow their own thoughts.

Tirpitz watched the Commander. The Commander, that made her heart pound. The person, she wants to spend the rest of her life with. The necklace weighs heavy on her neck. She wanted to feel him again. His lips on hers. She wanted his hands engulfing her. She wanted to feel his love again. But right now, she just felt the cooled crawling up her body. A cold that could be stopped by him.

"Commander, I feel cold." She shivered and pulled the blanket tighter around her. He smiled at her and stood up.

"Come. Let us go to the bedroom. It will be a bit warmer in there." He reached his hand out and she grabbed it. Together, they went over in the bedroom where he sat down on the bed so that she could lay at his side.

Tirpitz accepted this offer thankfully and laid at his side. Her head rested against his chest. She felt warm, even before he covered both of them with the blanket. He began to stroke her head. It was a wonderful feeling.

Warmed by the other, both fell asleep quickly. The Commander woke some hours later up. Right as the lights turned on in front of the window. His movement woke Tirpitz up.

"The power is back. I have to see…" He was about to get up as Tirpitz reached out to him and held him at his sweater.

"Please, don't go. Just … stay a little longer." She looked at him with wide eyes.

"Shouldn't we…" Her head reached forward and kissed him on the mouth. He resisted for a moment but then he flowed towards her. It was like the first time they kissed. His lips burned full of passion on her own. Warmth spread through her body and her mind got lost in the moment.

As their lips separate from each other the Commander reached with his hand towards her cheek. Tirpitz rubbed her head against it. Him this close to her, this is all she ever wanted.

"Commander, I love you." She felt relieved as she said that. It was all the time in her and now she had spoken it.

"I love you too." The Commander's lips reached out to kiss her again. She came happily towards him.

"I will never let you alone. I swear that. Would you like to do the same?" The Commander asked this as he looked deep into her sparkling blue eyes.

Tirpitz answered with tears of joy. "Yes, yes I will never leave your side."

The Commander hugged her tightly and she held his neck tightly in her arms. In this embrace they stayed together, loving and feeling each other. The hours progressed but they will not let the other go.

As the day began, the sky cleared, and the rising sun melted all the snow away and the first flowers of the spring began to bloom.

The End.

Many thanks to the guys from the sharing stories server which helped me much getting this story done. Their advises where very valuable for this and future stories.

A special thanks goes to Throcky. He was the one correcting the stories for me and gave me unmeasurable valuable feedback how to do stuff in my story. A big thanks for your help.