The Mediterranean Sea has a charm all its own. Beautiful, calm, with a gentle breeze that seems to never stop, a vast blue swath surrounded by beautiful islands and rolling green hills. On the few times I'd managed to sail out here during peacetime, it never failed to put me at ease. This trip, however, was a little different.

"I don't see why High Command has us back out here," I grumbled as I leaned against the railing, staring out at the gently rolling seas. "Didn't we already sign a treaty?"

"We did," Enterprise confirmed as she stoically stared out at the ocean beside me. "But that was just a cease-fire agreement. This is to allow us to resupply at ports controlled by the Crimson Axis."

"That'd be a nice change if we could resupply in Kiel or Dakkar after fighting off Sirens right on their doorstep," I admitted with a quiet sigh. "So who else is coming?"

"The Royal Navy is sending Hood, and Warspite, the Iron Blood is sending Prinz Eugen, and the Sakura Empire has declined to send a delegation this time." Enterprise scoffed and shook her head. "The official line is that since they don't have any ports on the Atlantic, there's no point in coming to sign a treaty to open them. Unofficially, they're up to something."

I grinned wryly and shook my head. "They're always up to something. I get the feeling they're going to advance their own agendas while the rest of us are off playing at politics. Didn't we get reports of one of their fleets in the Atlantic not too long ago?"

"Nothing confirmed," Enterprise answered. "Possible sightings of kansen, but they were moving through a thick fog so we were unable to get a positive identification."

"Alright. Just have the other fleets on alert, just in case. I don't think they'll attack us, not with the ink on the treaty still dry, but I don't want any misunderstandings cropping up if one of our fleets bumps into them while they're...doing whatever."

"Already done, Commander."

I smiled thinly as I glanced over at her. Her taciturn nature aside, Enterprise has been an invaluable help as my secretary and second in command ever since I assumed command what felt like a lifetime ago. "What would I do without you, Enterprise?"

"You'd manage just fine, I'm sure," she coolly demured.

I grinned and thought about making another glib retort, but I let it drop as something else just occurred to me. "Speaking of managing things, shouldn't we have run into our Sardegnian escorts by now?"

Right on cue, we heard the ship's alert that a new contact had appeared on radar. Enterprise stared into the distance as she gathered data from her shipboard systems before turning to face me. "She's a bit late, but it would seem we have our escort. Fourteen miles out and closing."

I checked my watch, noting it was five minutes past the rendezvous. "Almost on time. Guess whoever they are likes to be fashionably late," I prophetically quipped. "Let's get ready to receive visitors."

A half-hour later, we were receiving our escort in the aft hangar. Like all kansen, she was beautiful in her own unique way, but there was something else about her. Something more. Confidence and charm seemed to radiate from her like the sun radiates light and heat. As soon as I laid my eyes upon her, I could barely tear my gaze away from this breathtakingly beautiful creature.

She graced me with a proud smile as she dramatically threw her cape open, revealing the dazzling uniform beneath, and proudly declared, "I am Littorio, Vittorio Veneto-class battleship number two; the Mediterranean's mightiest battleship. It is my supreme honor to escort you to the jewel of Apulia, Taranto harbor. And you are?"

I did my best to match her confidence and charm, giving her the best smile I could muster, but I felt it fell far short of her magnificence. "Admiral Inigo Vian, of the Eagle Union, Commanding Officer of the Azur Lane," I answered, holding out my hand.

Her eyes, a deep, dark red, glanced down at my outstretched hand, a bemused grin on her face as she languidly reached out to take it in her own. "A pleasure, Ammiraglio...Inigo, was it? That's a very Sardegnian name for one from the Eagle Union." she remarked, eyeing me up and down.

"My family was from Sardegna, but moved to the Eagle Union when my grandparents were still children," I explained, still noting that she had my hand in her grip.

"I see. In that case, welcome back to the land of your ancestors, Comandante," Before anyone could say anything further, she suddenly pulled me into her arms and gave me a quick kiss on each cheek before stepping back. "There, a much more appropriate greeting, wouldn't you say?"

I could only numbly nod my head as my brain tried to catch up with what just happened. I could still feel her lips on my cheeks, cheeks that now felt flush as blood rushed to them. Littorio's grin became larger for a second before her eyes glanced over my shoulder and it quickly transformed into a disappointed scowl.

"Now, now," she chided. "No harm done, relax. I was simply greeting him in the classic Sardegnian tradition." I turned around to find Enterprise, still tensed and poised as if she were going to engage Littorio in hand-to-hand combat.

"Stand down, Enterprise," I reassured her, holding my hand up to her. "I don't think she'd try anything stupid like harming me when she's in the middle of our fleet. Not to mention it would be rather unbecoming as our host and guide."

"Ah, so glad to have someone who understands, Comandante," Littorio quipped with a proud grin as she strode past us. "If you will show me to the bridge, I will make sure we get you docked safely and quickly." I rushed to catch up with her, shooting Enterprise an apologetic look as I passed by. The white-haired kansen looked none too pleased, but I heard her footfalls falling in behind me.

Littorio didn't slow her pace, striding along as if the ship were hers, running a gloved finger over the wingtips of a parked SBD before inspecting it for dust. She nodded satisfactorily to herself and let her hand fall back to her side. Just as I fell in step with her, she spoke, almost to herself. "Such interesting planes the Eagle Union has. Utilitarian, but they have their own rugged charm. There is no denying that, though battleships once ruled the seas, aircraft have ushered in the beginning of a new era. This is a fact that not even I can refute. Perhaps you would care to give me a tour, Ammiraglio?"

"I'm afraid not," I flatly stated.

That brought her to an immediate halt, and she turned to face me, that bemused smile on her face, although I could see the irritation and surprise in her eyes. "Mi scusi?" she asked, eyeing me up and down. "Not even in the interests of fostering cooperation and goodwill? If our positions were reversed, I would be more than happy to give you a tour of Littorio."

I put on my best diplomatic smile and tone as I replied. "And one day, should you deem me worthy to view the splendor and glory that is the Littorio, I would be honored to come aboard. But given our fledgling, and, to be frank, still tenuous new treaty, we're going to have to skip the tour today."

She stared at me, sizing me up as I stared impassively back, keeping my expression as neutral as possible. Her eyes narrowed as she tapped a finger to her lips, a sly smirk crossing her face. "Yes, I think I know where we'll go first," she cryptically declared and spun on her heel, resuming her purposeful stride.

"That sounded somewhat...ominous," Enterprise muttered over my shoulder as we both watched her go.

"Mmm-hmm," I absentmindedly agreed. "Is it bad that I'd still probably go just out of sheer curiosity?"

"A little."

"Fair enough."

We caught up with Littorio(again) and led her up to the bridge, making sure to bypass any sensitive areas. Once we were once more at the helm of the Enterprise, and Littorio had given us the correct bearings to ensure our safe arrival at Taranto, she took a look around the bridge, examining the room with a judgemental eye.

"Are all of your ships this...spartan?" she asked, catching both Enterprise and myself off-guard. We shared a confused look before I answered Littorio.

"It's a warship," I said slowly, not quite sure where she was going with this.

"Yes, of course, of course," she replied with a pout, "But you don't even have a couch up here."

I was beginning to wonder if she was putting us on. None of the reports about her mentioned her being a prankster. "Why would we have a couch up here?"

"To sit on, silly," she laughed. "To relax while you're on watch by yourself, or to lovingly gaze into the eyes of your companion if you are so fortunate to have one."

"You'll have to forgive me, but I can't say that I find the bridge to be an ideal spot for a romantic moment."

Littorio nodded and gestured at the metal walls around us. "When it looks like this, certainly."

I quickly put two and two together as I realized what she was getting at. "Hold up," I said, my tone disbelieving, "Do you mean to say you have a couch on your ship?"

She smiled that radiant smile and nodded, leaning against the holotable with a flourish, her cape fluttering as it settled over the deactivated screen. "Of course, Comandante. A charming little couch, with throw pillows and just big enough for two people. It doesn't have the best view, admittedly, but when I'm entertaining someone, I'm not paying attention to what's outside."

At this point, my curiosity was well and truly piqued. "So...what else does your ship have in the way of creature comforts?"

"You'll have to see that for yourself, my dear Commander," she teased.

"Is that an invitation?"

She paused, thinking it over before she nodded once. "Of sorts. Although, there were other places I would rather take you first."

"Such as the treaty negotiations?" Enterprise interjected, catching me off guard. I had been so captivated by Littorio, I had forgotten we weren't alone on the bridge.

Littorio, to her credit, gave Enterprise a winning smile and waved her hand dismissively. "Of course, the negotiations will take priority, but there's more to life than simply doing one's job like a robot. One must relax, live a little while one can."

Enterprise scoffed, but let the matter drop, turning her attention back to bringing the ship safely into port. Littorio turned back to me and gestured for me to follow her as she headed out onto the weather deck.

I waited for her to walk out of earshot before I turned back to Enterprise. "Will you be okay to pull in on your own?"

"I'll be fine, Commander," she answered, her eyes flicking towards the other kansen leaning against the railing outside the window. "Just...be careful. I get the feeling she's trying to play you."

"I think she's just a shameless flirt, from the reports I've gotten on her," I said, quickly adding, "but I'll be careful all the same."

Enterprise relaxed somewhat and nodded once. "Good luck with her."

"Thanks," I grinned and finally stepped back outside, Littorio's hungry eyes on me as soon as I put my foot out of the hatch.

"Trouble, Ammiraglio?" she asked, her tone innocent.

"Just making last-minute docking preparations," I lied.

"Ah." There was a beat as she glanced at the bridge windows. "She doesn't like me, does she?"

I shrugged as I leaned against the railing next to her. "She doesn't trust you. She's pretty standoffish under the best of circumstances, and with the way you're coming on, it's only raising her defenses even more."

"Ahhh, I see now," she said slowly. "I thought it might have been jealousy. You and she aren't together?"

"Of course not. She's an excellent second in command and a valuable member of my fleet, but anything between us is purely platonic."

"So she's single, then?"

I couldn't help but laugh at her implications as I shook my head. "Good luck on that front. If she hasn't picked up on all of Essex's fawning, I doubt you're getting very far."

Littorio rubbed her chin thoughtfully as she peered at the white-haired girl through the window, eyes narrowed in thought. "I do enjoy a good challenge, though. Who would you say has been the biggest challenge in your fleet, Comandante?"

I peered over at her, somewhat lost. "Challenge for what?"

"To romance, of course!"

"Oh, I would have no idea," I responded with another shrug. "I haven't dated anyone under my command."

Littorio looked at me as if I'd turned into a Siren. "Comandante, I'm shocked! You've been surrounded by so many beautiful signorinas, and you haven't so much as dated one of them?"

"Nope."

"Why not?" she practically exploded.

"I've been a little busy with the whole 'war for the survival of the human race' thing," I replied with a little more snark than I probably intended. "Tends to eat into my time." I paused for a moment, realizing just how sarcastic that came across and I did my best to soften the blow by following up with, "Well, that, and I've really never found anyone I clicked with."

That seemed to mollify her a bit, and she regarded me with more curiosity than consternation as she looked me up and down. "Never? Not even a spark, a hint, a tiny candle flame of desire?"

I shook my head.

"Ever?"

"Nope. Well, not in the fleet."

"I pity you," she said as she gave me a sympathetic look. "To not have the likes of such beautiful creatures such as Illustrious in your fleet must be a terrible burden."

"She was my first secretary, actually."

And we were back to Littorio sizing me up as if I just admitted to being an escaped mental patient. "And still, nothing?!"

I thought back and shook my head. "Not really, no. Don't get me wrong," I clarified, "She is absolutely gorgeous, and a pleasure to be around. But there wasn't any real romantic connection between us. We remain good friends, but that's all that it'll ever be, I think."

She continued to peer at me as if I were mad until something flashed behind her eyes and she got a playful look on her face. "Does that mean you will be able to put in a good word for me?"

I laughed, shaking my head at her brazenness. "If I think you warrant it," I finally answered, "but that remains to be seen."

"Littorio always warrants it," she confidently grinned back, "but if that is the game you wish to play, Ammiraglio, so be it. By the time you leave, I will have that good word."

"I'm looking forward to what you have in store," I replied, returning her grin with one of my own.

"By the way, will she be part of the delegation from the Royal Navy?" she asked with a hopeful tone in her voice. "Or one of her other equally radiant sisters?"

I gave her a sympathetic smile and shook my head. "Afraid not. The Royal Navy is sending Warspite, and Lady Hood."

As I listed off the names, Littorio looked more and more disappointed until I got to Hood, which seemed to perk her back up, but only slightly. She sighed heavily and gazed out at the city that was beginning to peek up over the horizon. "A shame, I had hoped they would send her back out this way once more."

"I think they haven't sent her out for these meetings specifically because they want you to stay on point and focus on the negotiations rather than flirt with the visiting delegations."

Littorio grinned rakishly and threw her hair back. "I would do that with almost anyone they sent. Besides, my sister will be the one doing the negotiating."

"So you're more the...frontman, well...frontwoman, of these deals? The charming face of Sardegna meant to help people lower their guard so you can swing things in your favor?"

She thought it over, tapping her chin with a fingertip before nodding. "In a way, yes," she answered and grinned playfully at me. "And I'm glad you think I'm so charming, Ammiraglio."

I opened my mouth to object before I realized I'd been caught and promptly shut it, my cheeks burning hot. Clearly, I'd need to watch myself around her.

Littorio laughed softly and shook her head, her emerald hair waving with her. "Don't be ashamed, Comandante. Few people can resist my charms, and it would seem that you are no exception."

She was probably right, but at that moment, I didn't want to give her the satisfaction. I knew if I did, the door would be flung wide open and I'd be at her mercies for the rest of the trip. Best to make her work for it a little bit. "Maybe," I smirked. "Maybe I'm just humoring you…"

Delight and mischief sparkled in equal measure in her dark red eyes. "Oh? So you're saying I should try even harder to woo you, my flustered Comandante?"

Uh-oh.

It occurred to me that I may have overplayed my hand and I now found myself with two sub-optimal choices. I could back down and admit defeat, which would give her the upper hand immediately, or I could double down on my hard to get routine and hope I would survive her charm offensive.

In the end, I opted to double down and hoped she didn't call my bluff. I gave her my best, most confident grin and declared, "I'd love to see you try."

"Oh ho!" Littorio laughed, her eyes wide with surprise as she eyed me up again. "I do enjoy a good challenge. Very well, then. We begin tonight!"

Without waiting for a reply, she swept past me, her cloak billowing behind her as she stepped back inside the bridge, leaving me alone outside.

"Uh….w-what happens tonight?"

Pulling into port is either one of the most careful, delicate, and intensive demands on your attention or an utter bore, a perspective that is defined entirely by your station. If you're part of the crew who is actively tasked with mooring the ship, hooking up the umbilicals, and the like, it's the former. If you're a passenger or not engaged in those tasks, it's the latter. And since kansen have always been able to handle the task entirely on their own, it left me in the latter category.

As we pulled in, I used the ample time on my hands to take in the view of the harbor. Sadly, as it was dusk, and the base was on the southernmost tip of the harbor, I didn't get much of a view, aside from the twinkling lights of a bustling city one would expect. I'd have liked to spend time with Littorio discussing the upcoming negotiations with her, but she had gone off to make a few calls. Calls about what, I wasn't sure, but she wasn't using our radio room or asking for our encryption, so I didn't push the issue. So instead, I simply waited and enjoyed the twilight as best I could.

After what felt like a lifetime(but was probably about thirty minutes), Enterprise was safely moored and the gangplank lowered, leaving the three of us free to leave. Waiting for us at the bottom of the gangplank was a small welcoming committee. A destroyer in eighteenth-century soldier's garb, complete with a musket and tricorn hat, a red-haired girl, a cruiser if I had to guess, who looked eerily similar to Honolulu, and Vittorio Veneto herself, who I recognized from her dossier. As we stepped onto the pier, the destroyer snapped to attention and saluted smartly, holding it until I gave her one in return. The girl relaxed, barely, and stepped over to Vittorio's side, keeping a keen eye on Enterprise and myself.

Littorio likewise swept past us to stand by her sister, smiling at her sibling as she introduced us. "Ammiraglio, my I present to you my sister, Vittorio Veneto, Eternal Flagship of Sardegna. Vittorio, this is Ammiraglio Inigo Vian of the Eagle Union, and commander of Azur Lane."

Vittorio Veneto smiled politely and held out her hand. "A pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise," I smiled back and gave her hand a firm shake. For a moment, I tensed, waiting for her to pull me into another hug and kiss the same way her sister had. But she withdrew her hand and I let out a little inward sigh of relief. "I apologize for missing the previous conference, but I was regrettably tied up with our operations in the North Atlantic."

"No apologies necessary, Commander," Vittorio cheerfully replied. "I understand things can get busy during major operations, and this new venture seems to have had some benefits for both our countries. But that can wait until later, I'm sure you're tired from your long journey. Carabiniere here will show you to your quarters so you can get settled and get some rest."

"Thank you, Lady Veneto."

"Although I wouldn't get too comfortable, Ammiraglio," Littorio interjected with a sly smirk. "I still have plans for you tonight." When Vittorio suddenly looked uncomfortable and began to object, Littorio leaned over and whispered something into her ear. I couldn't hear what was said, but whatever it was, the Eternal Flagship visibly relaxed and nodded.

"Well then, at least you'll know where your quarters are so you can get some rest once my sister is finished with you."

Now I was really concerned about what Littorio had in mind for me…

A/N-And we're back! Been working feverishly on this and at long last, it's ready to roll out the door! As has been the trend, this is going to be a longer fic, with an endpoint of somewhere about 8-11 chapters long(currently skewing towards 11). In the meantime, hope you enjoy and until next time, fair winds and following seas!