A/N: So... the new event skins/ships have been revealed. And, safe to say, I'm a tad intrigued. And by a tad I mean I've got a list of ideas for each skin and a couple for Musashi. I'll have a Musashi one up on the 18th and another event-related one on the 20th; the rest will have to wait until there's a free space in the schedule~

That aside, enjoy some wholesome Helena-Noshiro love~

Our Moment

The time had come for the usual anniversary party held across the Azur Lane.

As per customs the location of the party swapped on a yearly basis on rotation. This year it was the Royal Navy hosting the celebrations; located in the southern ports and glittered up with so many lights it could be seen from the Europa continent across the channel. Ships from all nations attended, indulging in the festivities whilst their higher-ups made alliances and trade deals – but for the Ship-Girls, it was a time to relax and unwind.

Helena found herself doing just that as she stood next to one of the buffet tables, a light smile on her lips as she twirled some blue hair around her finger. She was all dolled up in her party dress, the dark blue of the upper section contrasting the frilly white that tickled her thighs. Her sister-ships were all gathered before her in their own outfits, from Honolulu's black evening dress to St. Louis's sparkling silver one with a rather daring plunging neckline, her dress just-fitting enough to be presentable but leaving very little to the imagination. Helena envied her sister's confidence.

''Mm. So I asked Hood about what it was like being a Battlecruiser.'' Brooklyn remarked languidly, dragging her finger along the rim of her glass. ''She compared it more to being a heavily-armed cruiser than a true Battleship, interestingly. I'd have thought it was the other way around, but apparently not, at least for her.''

''How'd she know what it's like to be a cruiser though?''

''Mm... fair point. I suppose just by using examples as points of reference, maybe. She's a lot faster than her peers like Warspite and Queen Elizabeth, so maybe that's why?''

Helena only listened partially to what her sisters were saying, peeking around herself in truth – and was soon rewarded for her efforts as she caught a head of black hair mingling through the crowd with seemingly no direction. Noshiro, a cruiser from the Sakura Empire. With silky black hair falling down her back and framing her heart-shaped face she looked beautiful regardless of dress, but dolled up in a flowing dark blue dress she seemed even more so; her long lithe legs clad in some black pantyhose, emphasising her slender figure.

Noshiro met her eyes a moment later, flashing her a slight smile and nodding towards the exit. Helena's heart leapt up into her throat and she mouthed an 'okay' before turning back to her sisters, downing the rest of her glass – the alcohol strong on her tongue and burning her throat, not that it stopped her in that moment.

''I um...'' Helena spoke up just before St. Louis could. ''I'll be back in a bit.''

''Hm? Alright?'' St. Louis looked a bit puzzled, doubly so considering she wasn't the most outgoing person in their group, but she didn't stop her either.

Helena was thankful for that, doing her best to hide her excitement as she excused herself and disappeared into the crowd – side-stepping passing Ship-Girls and squeezing past groups with soft apologies. It was easy to lose Noshiro in the chaos of it all but Helena made her way to the exit all the same, the crowds growing a little sparser due to the cold winds slipping in through the wide double doors that led out into the gardens beyond.

Stepping outside Helena drew in a refreshing breath; staring up at the full moon high overhead before lowering her gaze. The gardens were grand, full of colourful flowers in neat flowerbeds broken up by winding stone paths. Tall hedges were erected and provided privacy, and even as she descended the steps she could spot tables-and-chairs already set-up, complimented with at least four glasses each and two bottles of alcohol for any guests that might want to relax outside.

Meandering out onto the path Helena looked around, sweeping past the few guests that stood outdoors – before she caught sight of a head of black hair disappearing behind some hedges.

'There you are.'

Unable to hide the smile that curled at her lips Helena calmly followed, making no rush – not that she dared in such high heels – as she followed the walkway curving to the right. Her gaze was drawn down to the beds of flowers, the purples and reds still seeming bright under the full moon; some of them cast in shadow as she neared some hedges. It was like a little maze almost, forming a box but branching off into different area. There was no hint where Noshiro had gone.

Helena however was familiar with this little game now. It had started back when the anniversary party was held in the Sakura Empire, when they first met. She'd mentioned her use of radar, so Noshiro had challenged her to a light-hearted game of hide and seek. Her stealth versus Helena's detection. It was harder than she had anticipated, as even in an open field with seemingly nowhere to hide, Noshiro was able to blend visually and physically; minimising her radar signature to the point Helena couldn't adequately find her.

Some might argue she could just put more energy into it, make the radar sweeps a bit stronger like she would on the battlefield – but this wasn't said battlefield. No need to act so serious over a light-hearted game of hide and seek.

Thus, with a thoughtful hum, Helena looked for clues. Sweeping her gaze over the cobblestone path underfoot she searched for mud imprints, a crushed leaf, or even something as simple as a discarded crumb of food. She found none, but she wasn't disheartened; deciding to walk further down the corridor of hedges before her. An opening was present to her right but she doubted Noshiro was there so kept moving, passing by,

When she paused, then smiled. She turned towards that same opening, scanning it – the pathway inside curving like an L-shape. If she stood perfectly still, her breath exhaled and leaving the air totally silent, she could hear gentle rustling. Not of leaves, but of fabric.

Thus without losing that pleased smile of hers Helena turned the corner, revealing a small square-like section with a table and chairs... and in the corner, shaded by the hedge, stood Noshiro.

''Found you.'' Helena couldn't quite keep the pride out of her voice.

Noshiro smiled wryly all the same. ''What gave me away?''

''I could hear your dress moving with the wind.'' Helena answered, pointing to the hem of her dress.

Noshiro frowned a little at that, but didn't seem all that bothered. ''Hm... I didn't account for that. Next time I'll wear something less... fluttery.''

''Don't. It looks good on you.'' The blue-haired cruiser responded.

And she meant it. The dark blue bordering on black, in direct contrast with her pale, unblemished skin – she almost looked like a doll, such was her porcelain grace. Noshiro blushed a faint pink at the compliment and thanked her, a small smile on her lips as she sat down in one of the wooden chairs and gestured for Helena to do the same; the two of them side-by-side as the horned cruiser plucked up the wine bottle and refilled their glasses.

''Mm... it's a bit bitter, isn't it...'' Helena noted after tasting.

''Yes. Pleasantly so though, I feel.'' Noshiro answered idly. ''How have you been?''

''Fine. I've mostly just been doing patrols for the last few months, so outside of a couple battles not much has happened.'' The blue-haired cruiser hummed. ''You?''

''Had a couple run-ins with the Sirens who launched some offensives, but it wasn't anything our carriers couldn't handle.'' Was Noshiro's light response.

There was a brief pause between them, one they filled by sipping on their wine.

''Helena-''

''Noshiro-''

They both flushed, Helena being the one to speak first. ''You first.''

''No you.'' Noshiro was quick to answer... before in sync both of them broke out into light giggles. ''Sorry.''

''It's fine.'' Helena warmly assured, glancing briefly back at the mouth of their little haven. ''What were you going to say?''

Another moment of silence, and when Noshiro spoke it was in a softer tone. ''...I've missed you.''

Helena's cheeks tinted red at that. ''I missed you too. It's been a while since we've seen each other, huh?''

''It has.'' Noshiro sighed, gazing up at the stars above. ''Though they say absence makes the heart grow fonder, I can't help but want to see you more often, you know? It's... liberating, being with someone who I can talk to freely.''

''You don't have anyone like that in the Sakura Empire?'' Helena asked softly.

Noshiro shook her head slightly. ''Not really. There's some I would consider myself close to, but it's... just not the same. They have preconceived notions of me, standards, expectations. I fear if I don't conform to them then they'll grow apart from me. I don't want that.''

Helena felt her heart pang in sympathy. Though she undoubtedly didn't suffer the same burdens as Noshiro, she felt like that sometimes too. Always the good little sister of the Brooklyn class. Anytime she tried to be adventurous or bold it was treated with shock and surprise, as if her growing and changing was an unexpected possibility. She didn't begrudge people for it, heck she was guilty of doing the same to others, but that didn't meant the pressure didn't weigh on her sometimes.

Silently Helena slipped her hand into Noshiro's; earning a glance, then a smile. Helena returned it, breaking off the stare-off first and sipping away at her drink, the silence more comfortable now. She stubbornly refused to admit how fast her heart was beating, nor how many butterflies danced in her stomach, flustered by the sinful act of holding hands with someone else. With someone she cared about.

''...your sisters are probably worried about you. Being gone so long.'' Noshiro murmured under her breath, her words almost a whisper.

Helena just smiled. ''It'll be fine. And besides... I don't think they'll find us here, right?''

To that, Noshiro could only smile an agreement and sip at her drink, the two of them chatting the evening away.

X-x-X

One glass became two. Two became three.

Somewhere along the line Helena lost count of how many glasses she'd had, only that the of them had emptied the two bottles of wine on the table. That, coupled with the several glasses they'd already had back at the party, and both could barely walk straight and were slurring their words.

Naturally they decided to head back to their temporary dorms not too far from the party hall, and had reached Helena's easily enough. Only for one of them to get their legs tangled, trip... and end up on the bed together.

Everything was blurry after that. So blissfully, confusingly blurry.

''Mn... ah, Noshiro...''

Helena's words came out as a laboured whimper, a shudder racing through her as Noshiro's lips planted themselves firmly on her neck, sucking. The sensation was a an entirely new one for Helena and left her insides tying themselves into knots, soon coaxing a giggle out of her. She reached down blindly and pawed at Noshiro's jaw until she found her cheek, cupping it and pulling her up, their eyes meeting.

And then they kissed. It was a sudden, passionate sort of thing that absolutely melted Helena's mind, a moan arising from the back of her throat as she reciprocated wholeheartedly. She could taste wine on Noshiro's lips as they mashed against her own, tempting her to slide her tongue out and lick them. Noshiro didn't miss a beat, humming something under her breath even as her own tongue slithered out past her lips and pushed against Helena's own, their wet appendages tangling and wrestling between their mouths.

''Mmph... hehe~'' Helena was the first to give up, giggling drunkenly as she withdrew her tongue. ''Noshiro, you taste nice~''

Her words were lilted, drunken even, but Noshiro just smiled down at her – eyes half-lidded and something burning in her eyes that left Helena panting heavily, excitement curling in her stomach. Whether Noshiro noticed or not the Sakura woman wasted little time in diving back down, their mouths crashing together in another passionate kiss that stole Helena's breath away. Their tongues got involved against in moments, pushing and curling in Helena's mouth and leaving the blue-haired cruiser moaning with arousal.

Then they parted, and Noshiro buried her face back into her neck. Helena moaned and reflexively tilted her head to one side, staring at the bed sheets and shuddering as she felt Noshiro's lipstick-covered lips kiss along her jugular, undoubtedly leaving a string of marks where she went. However Noshiro went lower, kissing down to her shoulder and then down her front, coaxing a soft, startled breath from Helena.

And then a moan as Noshiro's lips touched the top of her tits. The horned cruiser moved faster, alcohol giving her confidence as she peppered the top of her tits with smooches, some light and loving whilst others were firmer and more passionate – never biting her, but leaving lipstick marks all the same. Tilting her head Helena met Noshiro's aroused gaze and held it, shivering when the dark-haired woman curled her fingers under the front of her dress, and then pulled it down.

''Mm... Noshiro...'' Helena breathed her name out, cheeks aflame as her breasts were bared – the strapless bra she wore tugged down with her dress.

Noshiro replied by way of groping her breasts; both hands cupping them from below and giving them a firm squeeze. Helena mewled at the feeling, heat curling in her stomach as she was touched so lewdly – said heat blazing into something hotter when Noshiro took her left nipple into her mouth, sucking upon it. The warmth of her mouth contrasted the nippy chill of the air, eliciting a gasp from Helena, but without missing a beat her partner started pinching and rolling her other nipple, teasing it too.

Then moments later she popped her lips off and swapped over, giving her right nipple the same treatment – spicing it up with some quick, if uncoordinated licks, her tongue missing several times and just licking her breast instead. Not that it did much to deter Noshiro; the horned woman going for her nipple with a mix of lust and want in her eyes; perhaps more of one than the other. Helena didn't mind one bit.

''Myn, kiss me...'' The blue-haired cruiser mumbled out, grabbing Noshiro's horn.

A little tug was all it took to coax her friend, her partner – her lover up, their mouths mashing together in a forceful, clumsy kiss; both of them grunting and then groaning into it as they shifted a little, getting more comfortable. Grasping the back of Noshiro's head Helena dragged the kiss out, her heart thundering in her chest as their lips remained connected. How long had she wanted this exact moment? In her drunken state of mind she couldn't remember, only that doing this felt right.

They broke apart a second later, gasping in some air, and with sudden haste Noshiro moved back. For a moment Helena felt confusion, blinking slowly and watching as her partner shuffled back, the darkness of the bedroom doing little to hinder her sight – and her face went scarlet as Noshiro flipped her dress up. She didn't even get the chance to squeak before the horned cruiser had her face between her thighs, nose pressing against her panties and pushing a soft moan out of Helena's lips, her back stiffening into a slight arch.

''A-Ahh... Noshiro...'' She breathed the name for what felt like the umpteenth time.

In response she felt fingers curl into her underwear and pull it to one side – and Helena moaned into her palm as a tongue stroked her slit. Pleasure spasmed up her spine and made her thighs close but Noshiro merely pushed them apart a second later, her hot breaths washing over her crotch as she licked her again, then again. Helena's toes curled at the feeling, breathing suddenly so much more difficult as electric warmth spasmed its way through her stomach, a strangled sort of moan soon escaping her.

Noshiro was emboldened by the noises, two fingers landing on her folds and spreading her open more, allowing her dark-haired partner to eat her out with ease. Her tongue, slick with spit, slapped against her sex or stroked along it with evident want, tasting her hungrily. Her drunken state made her motions clumsy but in that moment neither of them cared, certainly not Helena; moans freely tumbling from her lips as Noshiro went down on her.

''Ahn~'' Screwing her eyes shut Helena reached down and grabbed her lover's horns, pulling her into her crotch more. ''Don't stop...''

Noshiro hummed lightly in return, tickling her sex with an exhaled breath. Her tongue stroked circles upon her sex now, eagerness propelling it and sending jolts of pure pleasure down her thighs and up her stomach, her lower half aflame with bliss. Whether Noshiro knew that or not she ate her out all the same, her tongue aiming a little higher and flicking at her clit – the mere contact heightening the pleasure Helena felt, her voice catching in her throat even as she let out a strangled sort of whine.

Running her fingers along Noshiro's horns Helena was rewarded with a slew of moans from the Sakura woman in turn, enticing her to rub the tips a lot more. They seemed to be the most sensitive spots, and even as she started stroking them she was careful not to be too rough, peripherally aware of how slender they felt in her hands. The texture was like bone but with a faint warmth to them – but any attempt at analysis melted away as Noshiro brushed her nose over her clit, her tongue going back between her nether lips once more.

''Ah... yes...'' Tugging her horns a little Helena pushed her her back into the bed, panting heavily. ''Almost there, almost t-there...!''

Unable to speak when nose-deep in her crotch Noshiro just hummed once again, tilting her head as she wiggled her tongue side-to-side and coaxing a whimpering moan from Helena herself, the knot in her stomach growing so much more intense. She released the cruiser's horns and grabbed onto the sheets instead, gasping into them and losing vision; her mind focused solely on the wet, spit-covered tongue that dragged itself along her pussy, making her feels things nobody else had done before.

Until soon that knot inside her came undone, and Helena shrieked into the sheets as she orgasmed. The sound was partially muffled but Helena couldn't care less in that moment, explosions behind her eyes even as she screwed them tightly shut – riding out the wave of burning bliss that soared up her torso. Even when it passed the simmering aftershocks lingered, spasming through her lower half and leaving her mind fried.

Then slowly Helena came down from her climatic high, mewling shakily. ''N-Noshiro~''

The way she whined her name out left the aforementioned Noshiro red-faced, her expression cutely demure as she raised her head from between her legs. Giggling breathlessly at that Helena beckoned her close, their lips soon meaning in a passionate kiss that sapped the air from her lungs. Even when it had though Helena kept the kiss going; at most breaking it off for a few seconds before invariably reconnecting their lips in a kiss, relishing the contented hum she coaxed out of her lover.

Breaking off the kiss Helena rode the wave of excitement that rushed through her; pushing against Noshiro and flipping their positions. She knew what she wanted to do in her mind but her body was slow to respond; her hand groping and grabbing at Noshiro's hip and thigh for a second before she found her crotch, feeling the smooth, silky pantyhose that covered it. Noshiro moaned softly at her touch; the sound muffled when Helena reconnected their lips in yet another kiss.

''You're so pretty.'' Helena mumbled against Noshiro's lips, gripping and pulling – forming a small hole in her lover's pantyhose.

Noshiro just smiled up at her; one of loosened inhibitions and adoring want. Helena shivered when faced with such a cute yet aroused look, and replied by pushing Noshiro's unseen underwear to one side, allowing her to rub her finger's along the Sakura woman's blossom – her clumsy yet earnest fingers rubbing past her clit and between her folds, coaxing a moan out of Noshiro, one so soft yet oh so sweet.

Relishing the sound Helena pushed her face into Noshiro's neck, closing her eyes and just inhaling her scent even as she kept moving her fingers back-and-forth, rubbing her lover off. Noshiro moaned at that and wrapped an arm around her, kissing her on the cheek and letting out a moan into her ear nary a second later, the shiver-inducing sound tempting Helena to lean up a bit – allowing their lips to reconnect in a kiss.

''Mmph~'' Moaning into her mouth Helena clumsily fumbled about until she managed to grab Noshiro's free hand, guiding it to her right breast.

Noshiro groped it without missing a beat, both of them shuddering as they touched each other so lewdly – fingers and palms working as they pleasured each other, albeit one more than the other. As if acknowledging that point Noshiro drew back from the kiss first, staring into Helena's eyes even as a shudder rippled through Noshiro; the Sakura woman slowly reaching down and nudging Helena's hand back. Curious she obliged.

''Scissor.'' Was all Noshiro managed to murmur, blinking away the inebriation as best she could as she shuffled back a bit.

Blushing Helena took the hint, just-barely managing to balance herself on her noodley arms and shuffle herself directly in front of her lover, her leg over one of Noshiro's own and vice versa. Noshiro took the lead, shuffling in closer and pressing her crotch against Helena's own – and Helena let out a soft gasp as the friction set her loins afire, the friction on her clit so sharp and intense it made her stomach suck in before she relaxed in the next moment; a moan rolling off of her tongue.

Noshiro wasn't immune to the pleasure, biting her bottom lip and moaning as she continued to rock her hips, scissoring with her. Spasms jolted up her shoulders and her head soon lolled back, her lips parting to let out a throaty moan that rung throughout the bedroom. Her head lolled back down a second later and met Helena's equally-aroused eyes, their hips working on auto-pilot and grinding their sensitive, slick parts together.

''Mn... ah...'' Slowing her hips slightly Noshiro grasped one of Helena's legs and raised it up – allowing her to lick her foot. ''I want to taste every part of you...''

''Ah, that's lewd...'' Helena managed to speak, but a drunk giggle laced her words – turning them into near-gibberish.

Noshiro heard all the same, a small smile on her lips as she kissed the top of her foot more, pushing herself against Helena and slowly shifting their position so Noshiro was on top – Helena left on her side and helpless to resist as Noshiro worked her hips the most, grinding her pussy against Helena's own, their thighs seeing some action too and coaxing moans from them both. The sensation left their lower lips tingling with pleasure, warmth spasming its way up their pelvises and only enticing Noshiro to work her hips more, grinding herself against her lover passionately.

Even as the pressure rose, a knot tying itself in Noshiro's pelvis, neither slowed nor stopped – moans abundant as they chased after their high. Pleasure quivered through their aching muscles yet neither slowed, the burning heat within them begging for a final release, for that explosive high that was ever so close. Heat spiked, gasps rose in pitch, shudders and spasms rippled through their bodies – until practically as one, they climaxed.

''Mmph~!'' Burying her face into the sheets once more Helena orgasmed, eyes screwing tightly shut as she rode out the orgasmic waves that rolled over her crotch, the untold amount of relief that accompanied it enough to turn her mind into putty.

Noshiro was in the same boat, her face buried in Helena's raised leg as she gasped, eyes open but unseeing as she rode out her orgasm. How long it lasted she didn't know; only that at some point the intense waves of bliss slowed and then stopped, leaving her gasping and panting heavily. When they too subsided Noshiro lowered Helena's leg and shuffled back a step, wobbling dangerously as a sudden light-headedness overcame her.

''Mm... Helena...'' Noshiro breathed, turning her gaze onto her lover...

...only to pause as she noticed Helena was completely out of it; eyes fluttered shut and a small smile curled at her lips, some blue hair stuck in the corner of her mouth.

''...hehe.'' Noshiro giggled faintly, shifting close and laying next to her lover. ''I'm glad I got to spend this night with you, Helena...''

Leaning in she gave her date a kiss and cuddled in – and within a minute Noshiro too passed out, the toll of the night's activities coupled with alcohol enough to knock her out until the morning.

[END]