With a kiss, Bataan set the last Hellcat onto her workbench before getting up and taking a shower. She shrugged into her pajamas afterwards, touching the little bear ears on the hood and giggling. She went back over to the bench and picked up the lone Hellcat.

"You'll be lonely like this… why don't you join me for a movie?" She cradled the little plane in her arms, sitting down on the couch, her legs tucked up under her as she leaned against the pillow.

A knock at the door signalled the arrival of her expected company, and Bataan smiled warmly at Centaur as the other light carrier entered, "Hi, Elder Bataan… I brought a movie, if that's ok."

"No need for that Elder business here, I'm just Bataan, ok? That's wonderful, I was having a hard time deciding…" Bataan patted the couch next to her, and Centaur had a seat after loading the cassette.

Centaur looked at the plane Bataan was cradling, "Why do you have one of your planes here? Is that your workbench?" Centaur peered across the room, her interest piqued at the well stocked repair bench.

"I take care of all my little ones. This one was hurt today… do you like my pajamas?" Bataan felt shy, feeling that they were a bit too childish.

"They're so cute! They fit you perfectly," Centaur's honest smile boosted Bataan's spirits. She was happy Centaur made time for her, despite being one of the Commander's wives.

"Do you want to hold this little one?" Bataan offered Centaur the Hellcat. Centaur accepted it and gently ran a finger along its axis, admiring the workmanship. Centaur sighed.

"I wish it were this easy all the time…" She said, her face darkening for a moment. The ads had finished and the opening credits were rolling.

Bataan raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

"Bataan… would you want to marry the Commander?" Centaur asked, thumb reflexively fidgeting with the ring on her finger.

"Mhmm… who wouldn't? We've spent some time together, but never enough to, you know…" Bataan blushed. Centaur did as well, remembering her first time… and the many, many subsequent times she had spent time with him.

Centaur put a hand on Bataan's, "He's… wonderful, and so loving. Some of the girls make things difficult, but Wales sorts them out, and if all else fails, one of the really powerful battleships steps in. Bloody carriers…"

Bataan giggled, "But, we're carriers…"

"Not us, the damn… hehe… would you like to spend time with the Commander?" Centaur changed tack.

"Mhmm… very much," Bataan said, fiddling with the sleeve of her pajamas. Centaur handed back the Hellcat.

She cradled it, leaning against Centaur as the Royal Navy carrier spoke again, "I'll make sure to wear that swimsuit he likes so much… us light carriers need more love. How's Long Island?"

Swimsuit he loved so much? Oh, she must mean… hehe… Bataan felt she was a little lacking in appeal, but then again, she felt so many others overshadow her… (She is also completely wrong, Bataan is absolutely amazing!)

"Long Island is… as cooped up as usual. I tried to get her to come here, but she said she's busy. She said something about a 'raid with her guild…' does that mean anything to you?"

Centaur shrugged, "No idea. Now, how about we relax? I think you'll like the movie~."

Bataan rested her head on her fellow light carrier's thighs, smiling as Centaur stroked her hair. She felt at ease with the allied carrier and treasured their time together. Her sisters weren't the easiest kansen to be around, but she finally had a best friend…

"You feeling ok, Bataan?" Centaur's voice was so gentle.

Bataan hugged her Hellcat tightly, "Better… the crying isn't so bad now… I'm sorry for being this way…"

Centaur patted her head, "We're friends, Bataan, this is what we do… and I like to see that cute smile of yours. You're such a sweetheart, and he does think highly of you."

Bataan nodded. She felt such affection for her little ones, and she wanted to show it to the Commander as well… sometimes she felt buried by the sheer press of other shipgirls, but Centaur…

Bataan nestled deeper into Centaur's lap, watching the movie with her as the two of them went silent. She was proud, and had served well prior to her rebirth as a kansen, but… she harbored a sadness she never really understood.

Bremerton was always trying to talk to her. Maybe she should talk to the heavy cruiser after all. For now, though, Centaur's lap was making her so sleepy…

Hi there! Hope you've been enjoying the fic~ A big thank you to my supporters, and if you'd like to know more about my discord server, feel free to reach out to me on discord at delusionalcookie#1414! You can also find me on reddit at r/ or u/delusionalcookie~