Hipper-class bedroom, Ironblood HQ, around about bedtime.
"It was Spee's idea, can't blame her for trying, really," Eugen sat upside-down on her bed, her silver hair dangling on the floor with her legs propped up against the wall. Hipper was on the other side of the room, sitting on her bed reading a German women's fashion magazine. The two of them had retired for the day and were winding down. For almost an hour now, Eugen had been rambling to herself with Hipper making the odd noise or remark.
"Eugen, do you ever shut up?"
"Hm? What, is all my talk of romance making you jealous, big sister~?"
"Hah! Sure, keep dreaming. I'm trying to read and you're prattling on about whether the Kommandant has feelings for you or not," Hipper sighed and flipped a page in her magazine.
"Well... I'm pretty sure he does, but maybe he's considering how it will affect all of us, you know how he is,"
"Right, and it will probably only affect like... two people,"
"Who would that be?" Eugen sat upright on her bed, crossing her legs.
"Seriously? Roon, obviously. If she finds out she has competition for the Kommandant, you're going to have to fight hard for him - that is of course if you really like him," the older sister closed her magazine and laid it down beside her, seeing as she was now properly part of the conversation she couldn't focus anymore.
"And the second?"
"I've seen how the Kommandant and Bismarck get along, they've been getting muuuuch closer recently. The other night they were up on the roof alone together,"
"I don't want to make a rival out of Bismarck... but I don't want my feelings going unanswered either,"
"Look, Sis, just talk to her about it. See how she feels about the big man and if she loves him then... I don't know? Do whatever, I don't care." With Hipper's final words, she got under her blankets and picked up her magazine again.
"Thank you, Hipper."
"I don't care, shut up, go to sleep," with a loud groan, Hipper put the magazine on her bedside table. She pulled her sheets further up herself and turned away from her younger sister. Eugen chuckled and laid down in her bed, thinking about what she could do with the Commander the next day. Eugen considered asking the Commander out on a date, but that would fall short due to the extreme lack of things to do. They could drink together, sure, but that would mean other girls would be in the beer hall with them too. The silver-haired cruiser sighed and stared up at the ceiling, soon falling into a deep sleep, probably dreaming about the Commander (in a family friendly way).
Herr Kommandant's Office, Ironblood HQ, 8.a.m the next morning
After waking up almost two hours ago, the Commander was already digging into the work that was ready for today. Surprisingly, and thankfully, there wasn't much to be done. There was only a small pile of things to sign, some tests to mark and he was supposed to accompany a few commissions too.
The commissions seemed promising, he was to accompany cruiser and destroyer training to observe and advise on tactics, formations and general ship-cohesion. It wasn't often he got to catch the fresh ocean air anymore since he was confined to staying in his office, either sleeping or doing paperwork. Sometimes when he couldn't leave to eat, Eugen or Nimi would bring his meals for him. Eugen would tease him first then feed him second, as it always has been, Nimi would simply just give him the food and leave.
The Commander's mind drifted off for a moment, remembering Eugen's actions the other day almost vividly. The suppleness of her pink lips and her smooth gentle hands placed on his shoulder and his cheek. It was a breath of fresh air for him, he hadn't been so personal with another woman for almost two decades. The main reason was because of his dedication to his work, he couldn't find time to be with his partner. Now, it's different, since the two potential partners are people he engages with every day.
"Herr Kommandant," a quiet voice called out, breaking the Commander from his reverie. He blinked quickly and looked towards the source of the voice. Z46 was standing in the doorway to his office, holding a steaming mug in her hands. She didn't seem exactly excited to be here, she seemed bored with half-lidded eyes. Nothing different there.
"Ah, Viersechs, guten Morgen," The Commander watched as the white-haired destroyer approached his desk with the mug in her hands. Z46 stayed almost emotionless as she replaced the empty coffee mug that was already on his desk with a renewed mug, piping hot with a strong, fresh smell.
"Herr Kommandant, Bismarck requested from me to ask if you would have lunch with her later, in her dormitory. It seems she has something to talk about." Z46 took a step back from the Commander's desk, her hands held together in front of her.
"Alright, thank you Viersechs. Tell her I'd be obliged. One o'clock should be fine." The Commander nodded gratefully at the destroyer, and she reciprocated the nod. The white-haired girl swiftly turned and quietly left the room. The Commander pondered why Bismarck didn't invite him herself, but she must be busy with her own tasks.
Especially after arriving here, everyone was working around the clock, so there wasn't much time for relaxation and recuperation. It was only until recently, approximately a few weeks after moving, that things were relaxing. The Commander finally had time to himself and to spend with his ship-girls. It was a rare commodity, but he savoured every moment away from his desk and the paperwork. Even if he was working outside, it was better than the stuffy confines of his office - where, eerily, a few portraits of previous naval officers stare down at him from the walls, like they judge every move of his.
When the commander returned to his work, he realised his to-do pile was gone, and the done pile was quite tall. He was glad he started work early, and finishing the papers early was even better. He raised his right wrist to look at his watch; there was a little less than five hours until his lunch with Bismarck. That meant he had time to get other things out of the way so he could save more time for r later.
When the time for meeting with Bismarck came, the Commander made sure everything was neatly put away in his office. He couldn't turn up empty-handed, so he had bought some gingerbread from the café after finishing the commissions. When he left, he made sure the door was locked and asked Eugen if she could take any appointments or calls for him, if there were any, and let him know on his return. Although she wanted to know where the Commander was going, there was a feeling she had that it had something to do with Bismarck.
"Treat her nicely, Herr Kommandant," Eugen called out to him before he left the room. There was a twinge of guilt in him when he heard this, knowing exactly how Prinz Eugen felt about him but still going out to meet with another woman. The Commander nodded, smiled at her and left, but no matter what, he'd feel guilty. If he were to choose one over the other, there would be adverse effects.
However, a polyamorous relationship never came to mind until he crossed this conundrum. Would it be alright for something like that to happen? Would the other girls think he was greedy for having two at once? He'd never considered it before, but it wasn't in him to do such a thing.
On one hand he had Prinz Eugen, who had openly stated and expressed her attraction and her feelings toward him. She may hide her feelings behind teasing jokes and actions, but it is meaningful and it's her way of showing her love.
On the other hand, Bismarck, the pride of a nation and the would-be ruler of the Seven Seas. She was stoic and would never publicly express her feelings because she feels she has an image to uphold, so if she were to express her feelings it would be in private. That may be because she's embarrassed to show her true self or not want those who look up to her to think she was 'weak' for having emotions.
It was difficult to decide, and the Commander would have to decide soon, because he couldn't keep them waiting forever.
On the dot, the Commander arrived at Bismarck's door. He sucked in a deep breath of air and firmly knocked on the door. He waited for only a second before the door was swiftly opened. Bismarck stood behind it in her usual uniform, just without the cap and the mantle.
"Hallo Herr Kommandant, please come in and make yourself comfortable." The blonde haired woman stepped aside and pulled the door open further, allowing the Commander to step inside.
"Vielen dank, Bismarck," taking a look inside, the Commander wasn't surprised at how immaculate the room was. Bismarck had asked to be in a room on her own, so there was only one bed. It was queen-sized though, and the red and black sheets on it seemed factory-new with how pristinely smooth it looked. At the far end of the room was a small table below a small window with two small, dark-oak chairs either side of it. On the table was a red tablecloth, a vase of flowers that the Commander didn't recognise and a coffee strainer with two mugs accompanying it. There was also a hearth on the right side of the room, fitting the old Germanic look that Bismarck seemed to be trying with her room.
"Kaffee, Kommandant?" Bismarck had closed the door after he entered and walked over to the table with the coffee strainer on it.
"Oh, yes please, if you wouldn't mind. I brought some gingerbread, I didn't want to come empty-handed," The Commander sat on one of the chairs, glancing around the room before peering out fo the small window. It was a calm day on the base, but still cold. The Commander almost regretted agreeing to moving the headquarters all the way north so they could keep an eye on Siren activity, with the cold and all, but it was a necessary move. There are other headquarters, like the fake mirror sea that Peter Strasser is in charge of and shared ports by the Crimson Axis.
Bismarck picked up the strainer and poured the hot black liquid into the mug closest to the Commander, once it was filled she made herself a mug of coffee. Taking his coffee black with no sugars, the Commander sat and waited for Bismarck to make herself comfortable too. Remembering the biscuits in his coat pocket, he retrieved them and placed them on the table.
"So," Bismarck began once she had sat down and held the mug in her hands, her eyes looking anywhere but at the Commander, "you're probably wondering why I asked you here?"
"I'm curious, yes, but I'm in no rush." The Commander gave the blonde woman a reassuring smile, leaning back in his chair. Bismarck caught and reciprocated the smile, her nerves seeming to slowly fade away. The Commander could begin to assume why he was here in her dorm, but no assumption has gone without some form of repercussion.
"Alright, well..." Bismarck took a deep breath and seemed to fortify herself. Her icy blue eyes looked deep into his forest green eyes ones, they were hard and filled with determination and strength. "I'll get straight to the point, there's no use in pleasantries; I'm in love with you, Kommandant." Bismarck held her back straight and the two of them didn't break eye contact. There was hardly any emotion between the two of them, but through their words they could easily read what they were feeling.
"I understand, thank you for letting me know-" The Commander wasn't quite sure where to go from here, but Bismarck quickly cut him off.
"I know Eugen holds similar feelings for you, so I didn't want my feelings to go unheard while you and Eugen... do things together."
"Eugen..." The Commander paused, took a sip of his coffee and set the mug down. He nodded and looked at Bismarck, who, probably for the first time, had rosy cheeks and a reserved look in her eyes. "I have not accepted nor denied Eugen's feelings, I needed time to think about it. I don't want to disappoint ether of you, but you must understand that I will make the ch ice that would best suit the three of us and for the Ironblood. I must also take the opinion of my superiors before making a final decision. I apologise if this is not the reply you were expecting, but family comes first."
"I agree, family always comes first, Kommandant." Bismarck leaned forward and placed a hand over the Commander's. "If you would have me, could we be a family?"
A/N: hi guys, I'm sorry this took so long, but I'm finally done with my a-levels and will continue with higher education in September, so I have tons of time to write for my stories (I say hopefully). I will make no further promises on updates, but be reassured that they will all be updated in time. Please look forward to the next issue of this story :)