Late into the night, The Commander's room had noises of skin on skin, heavy breathing, and light moaning. Akagi was scheduled to leave for West Pacific Operations tomorrow morning and they decided to fill the love guage a bit before she left. Akagi had mounted him and was gleefully in the moment. She was practically purring while her tails swished excitedly. The moment was somewhat soured when she noticed his hands went slack on her hips. It was then that The Commander had apparently spaced out, his gaze pointlessly extending beyond the ceiling into infinity.
"Ehem, John," Akagi drew the sharp point of her finger nail over him to get his attention.
"Ehck" The Commander snapped back to reality, refocusing on her.
"You've been staring at the ceiling, and not at me," Akagi said with an annoyed glare. Her tails now flicking with irritation.
"What?" he said squeezing her hips. "I'm good now, position change?"
Akagi raised an eyebrow, "I don't think I believe you."
The Commander let out a defeated sigh, "I'm sorry, I've just been thinking about upcoming stuff."
Akagi's expression softened. She took her hands off his shoulders then sat up straight, "What's on your mind my commander?"
"I've been thinking about my secrecy concerning my personal information, ya know, my name." The Commander said.
"Do you want to tell everyone now? You don't have to, although I would like it if you did, keeping it a secret is… acceptable at the least," Akagi said. She had surprising enthusiasm at the thought, putting on a smile quite quickly.
"I could but I think I also owe it to the fleet at this point. Some of these girls have known me for over two years now, yet don't actually know who I am."
"You're saying you want them to know? I don't think it's a bad idea," Akagi said. She unconsciously started gyrating her hips on him, it wasn't really something The Commander felt the need to stop.
"Well, you know the story. Don't want them looking me up, knowing who I am. If they do then what are they going to think of me? Some weakling that couldn't get up just to save his sister," The Commander said.
"John, there's nothing wrong with your past!" Akagi said with unexpected intensity. "Even then no one is going to look you up. You say we don't know you but that isn't true. Regardless of names we know you as a person, a great commander. You didn't have anything to do with what happened that day."
He remained silent, looking off to the side. Akagi leaned forward, grabbing his head and kissing him. When they pulled away he saw that she looked ready to cry, "Johnathan Hector Lockee. I love you, and I think you should tell everyone your last name at least. It will help ok? You need to move forward and this will be an important step. You've been like this for a while and I think you… I think we can do better."
The Commander didn't give himself much time to think but he got the intention. He hugged her tight, "Ok, I'm sorry Lily, my dear Akagi. I can't promise that I'll get my name out to everyone, but I will think about it, Takao and Louis are going to be back soon after you leave, I'll talk to them."
"Good, I'm sure they'll be very helpful," Akagi smiled. Her smile quickly faded when it seemed like The Commander was pondering further. "Is something else wrong?"
"Switch position?" John asked.
Akagi nodded "Switch."
Saint Louis breathed a sigh of relief as she stepped off Takao's ship. The unexpected siren attack caught everyone by surprise but thankfully not off guard. Her tired expression turned to a jubilated smile when she saw The Commander standing on the docks, giving a pleasant wave. She practically skipped over to him.
"Bonjour darling!" she called.
"Hey you. Is everyone alright, I heard you had an unexpected encounter," The Commander said.
"We did but we handled it well, I assure you that we are all fine," Saint Louis said.
"Good, how was your trip to East Pacific Operations?" The Commander asked.
Saint Louis looked at him expectantly, "I haven't seen you in over two weeks give me a kiss."
"Hmm, demanding aren't we? I'll grant you that," he said.
As they leaned in The Commander suddenly stopped with a look of worry on his face.
"Is something wrong darling?" Saint Louis asked.
"What happened to your hair?" he grabbed a chunk to inspect it. Her normally soft shiny locks were tangled and matted with dried saltwater.
"Just the normal weathering of seafaring, I don't see the issue," Saint Louis said.
"Commander, if you are done with Saint Louis I am ready to give my report," Takao said. She had been patiently waiting there for their entire exchange.
"Report's gonna have to wait for later Takao, I have more important business to attend to right now," The Commander tossed his clipboard to her.
Saint Louis yelped in surprise as he leaned down and picked her up by the legs, throwing her over his shoulder in a fireman carry.
"Commander, what are you doing?" she asked in a mild panic.
"I'll just write it down for later!" Takao called.
"Takao!" Saint Louis called out in desperation. Takao just smirked back, knowing exactly what was in store for her.
Saint Louis resigned to whatever The Commander planned for her. It was a little embarrassing being carried through the base like a sack of potatoes but she figured resistance wouldn't amount to much.
"Where are you taking me commander?" Saint Louis asked as they walked into the office, past a confused Suruga.
"The shower, we're getting you cleaned up, missy," he said.
"What are you going to bathe me?" Saint Louis asked with a slight chuckle as they walked into his bedroom. "...Oh God you're going to bathe me. Commander put me down!"
Saint Louis started to wiggle in his grip but he held strong, "Nope, I cannot let the world defile your beauty like this."
"I can handle myself," Saint Louis said.
He put her down on the edge of the tub, turning on the faucet then walking to a cabinet. Saint Louis watched as he drew up a bubble bath for her, smiling at the kind gesture. Her smile changed when the commander removed his shirt.
He was in the middle of taking off his belt when he noticed her weird expression, "What?"
"Are you planning on joining me in the tub?" Saint Louis asked.
"How else am I going to wash your hair?" he asked.
"You're going to wash my hair for me?" Saint Louis asked.
"Yeah, clothes off, get in," The Commander patted her on the back, then continued removing his own.
"You are an odd one John, may you forever remain that way," Saint Louis followed his lead. It took a moment to get everything off but eventually they sat together in the tub.
"I missed you," The Commander said. He put his hands on her waist and drew her back so she leaned on his chest.
"John, save it for later," Saint Louis said.
"I know, I'm still on work hours anyways," The Commander sat up more, lowering Saint Louis's head so that she floated in the water.
Saint Louis was still a little wound up from the siren encounter hours ago but when she stared up into his sky blue eyes glistening with the reflection of the bubbles it put her at ease. He held the sides of her head, brushing her cheek with a thumb. He then leaned forward, letting their lips meet in a moment of passion. After several seconds The Commander drew away without warning, leaving Saint Louis confused and a little disappointed.
"Hold on, I brought you in here so I could fix your hair, not to make out with you," he grabbed a brush off to the side.
Saint Louis pouted at him, "You did that on purpose."
"You can't prove anything. Sit up," The Commander smirked.
She sat up straight, throwing her hair behind her shoulders. So The Commander got to work, very calmly and patiently pulling apart the knots and working out any matted areas. It was a very serene moment with no noise but the echoes of splashing water. Saint Louis's breathing steadied to a normal rhythm and any discomfort she felt was replaced by a blissful peace. She felt like she might fall asleep. When Takao mentioned The Commander spoiling and pampering Akagi, and how it would likely be directed to her as well, she figured this must be what she meant.
The Commander broke the silence. Maybe it was just the acoustics of the bathroom or possibly just her own sated mind but he sounded like an angel.
"Lou, I have a little question that's actually pretty important," The Commander said.
"And what might be?" Saint Louis asked.
"So you and Akagi know my full name, which at least in terms of me being a commander here is quite personal information. Most commanders in Azur Lane leave a lot of their personal information out in the open. I think that after so much time with everyone here I owe at least a bit of myself to them."
"Hmm, do you believe your choice of secrecy has ties to the effectiveness of the fleet?" Saint Louis asked.
"I don't but that isn't what this is about. So many here don't know anything about me. They don't know I have a sister, they don't know my older sister died, why I signed up for Azur Lane… why I don't have much of a life outside of this base. It's going to sound really silly but I hid my name because I didn't want anyone to look me up, to possibly see my past. Now that I think about it, it's kind of ridiculous. I mean, there's so many people named John out there."
"I don't think it is ridiculous Commander. You are allowed to have secrets." Saint Louis said.
"But what do you think? I can afford to let out my last name right?" The Commander asked.
"Of course you can. Everyone here trusts you, thinks of you as worthy of commanding them. They will not think less of you for having personality. And if anyone makes an issue of it, I will deal with them personally."
"Deal with them personally?" The Commander echoed.
Saint Louis didn't give him time to dwell, "What does Akagi think of this?"
"She thinks I should let everyone know. Something about 'Taking a step forward' whatever that means."
"I don't think you should make an announcement of it. This is a small base and word will get around quickly. Just start using your name, or asking everyone to address you as Commander Lockee, it will come easier that way."
He took a deep breath, "Very well, you and Akagi should start calling me Commander Lockee, I'll start signing my documents as such instead of Central Pacific Operation's Commander. It'll be easier in fact."
Saint Louis could tell he was wavering on the idea, "You sound nervous."
"I am, I don't know if I can do this," The Commander let out a resigned sigh.
"Commander Lockee, where is that confidence you are always wearing? The kind that lets you give grand speeches on a whim and allows you to sweep a woman off her feet.
"Well, hearing you say it has a nice ring to it. But who do I tell first? Laffey? Maybe Suruga?"
"John, you are overthinking this. I do not speak from experience but I have faith that it will come naturally," Saint Louis said.
"You're sure?"
"Commander, when I say faith, I mean it," Saint Louis said.
"Right, I can't challenge that. At the very least, I'll do it for both of you," The Commander said.
"You are doing it for you as well Commander. I believe you will find peace in this action." Saint Louis said.
"If you say so… no, I will. Thank you for the help Lou. So now my name is Commander Lockee to everyone, or just Lockee works too. You know, I think that makes me sound pretty sexy, right?" Commander Lockee said.
Saint Louis giggled, "There is that confidence."
"It has been so long since I've seen someone's hair this messy. Did you even wash it while you were out?" Commander Lockee said.
"I didn't. I planned on doing so once we reached East Pacific Operations but we spent a lot less time there than expected. I wanted to see San Francisco a bit more."
"You and me both. But really what went on that you couldn't rinse your hair a bit?"
"I was with Takao, when I wasn't sleeping I was remaining vigilant in areas where I could see the ocean around us. I also did not think only that many days without washing it would result in such a poor condition."
"Well that's sea water for ya. It wouldn't hurt to at least rinse your hair out and maybe even give it a few brushes. I was afraid I'd have to cut through the knots. At any rate, I'm almost done, and I need to get back to work soon. Takao probably isn't too pleased that I just left her with the report like that."
"This was very kind of you John. Merci beaucoup."
"You're very welcome Lou, now that should be the last of it," he said, holding up locks of her hair to check his work. "I'll get out of your hair now and let you dry off. There's a hairdryer in the cabinet over there and plenty of towels," Lockee started to get out of the bathtub.
Saint Louis had a brief moment of realization then laid back against him, pinning him back against the tub, "Wait a second now, John."
"Oof. Uhh Lou, I was planning on leaving, can you move for me?" he said, nudging to try and get her off of him.
"Non, John I err… five more minutes?" Saint Louis asked. She tilted her head back, looking up at him with pitiful desperation John wasn't used to from her.
"Oh, I see. Alright you win this time, hopeless romantic," he said, relaxing.
Saint Louis tentatively grabbed his hand, she couldn't see it but he had an eyebrow raised in curiosity as she guided him to her chest, laying his hand over her heart.
Lockee smiled, "Hehe, cute."
So for those five minutes, they relaxed and melted into each other, feeling each other's heartbeats. Saint Louis closed her eyes and let the world around her vanish, pretending that there was nothing but her and John, resting together.