Before we start, I want to say that Bel and Enty are my main couple on Azur Lane. Of course, writing them with others is not something I outright reject. I've thought about stories with Enterprise and Akagi, or Enterprise and Zuikaku. This story was written mostly during the night when I stumbled upon a wholesome fan art pic that bloomed a small story to tie with it. I never thought of the pairing between Enterprise and Illustrious but was pleasantly surprised to see a sizable fan art section dedicated to them. I hope you enjoy this story.
Summary:In a twist of fate, Illustrious was the one who was sent to keep a watchful eye on Enterprise. An interesting turn of events since The Eagle Union's strongest and Unicorn grew much closer; practically sisters after she rescued the light carrier.
Illustrious made it her mission to aid the pain Enterprise harbored and throughout the events that concluded the Siren threat, Enterprise and she realized their feelings for each other. For Enterprise, falling in love with the one that she shared countless talks with. And for Illustrious, falling in love with the one who saved her kid sister from certain doom. With help from the royal maiden, Enterprise was able to connect with her fears of the ocean and settle them once and for all. Her journey now brings a calm and radiant blue ocean where she wishes to tell the one she loves the truth.
Illustrious is deeply proud of the Eagle ace for being able to change and ease her pain. One who was once a troubled soul had found something to make her feel happy, and she believed that Unicorn was the reason, however, there is another reason that the silver-haired carrier hasn't disclosed.
[Every Day is an Illustrious Venture]
The ocean waves rushed to shore, and the seagulls sang their shanty nature song. It was another warm and peaceful day on base. A day so peaceful and perfect that one could mistake it for a dream. The base tended to have that effect as many shipgirls felt a magical feeling that no turmoil or burdens from the wide world could bother them there. It was indeed a perfect home away from home.
The energetic pattering and clacking steps from both Unicorn and U-chan brought things into focus. The young shipgirl dashed with her best friend against the white concrete sidewalk that overlooked the sandy shore. The purple-haired light carrier laughed carefreely as she danced and skipped along with U-chan, her faithful "stuffed" companion.
Her playful energy and overall happiness stemmed from seeing the two most important people tagging behind her. "Sis. Miss Enterprise! Would it be all right if I play with U-chan near the waves?!"
Illustrious came into focus and shielded her eyes from the sun. She shot her sister a nod and that was all the young light carrier needed to frolic without worries. "Just don't get your dress wet, we're getting something to eat, remember?" Reminded Illustrious, trying to pull a serious older sister tone that realistically came out flat.
Unicorn innocently beamed at them and hyperactively raced down the concrete stairs to the rushing shores with her small U-chan tagging along.
A soft chuckle resounded, pulling Illustrious from her sister's direction, and gazing beside her.
Enterprise was dressed in her bon voyage outfit composed of a black turtleneck, blue naval jacket, black jeans, and aviator sunglasses that rested on her silver hair. The eagle carrier turned to the royal and smiled at her, shrugging defeatedly at their small delay.
Illustrious melted from the other carrier warmly noticing her. That enough caused her heart to beat faster and make her adjust the light off-shoulder white jacket she had on. She was dressed elegantly, befitting of a royal. She wore a dark blue long skirt that ran down to her legs where white boot heels resided, and she wore a white shoulderless top, complementing her light jacket. She retired her white opulent sun hat to allow herself some more sunshine and considering she never left home without it, felt rather exposed to both the elements and Enterprise.
"It was a very excellent idea in taking a more leisurely pace rather than driving to the restaurant," said Illustrious, darting her gaze away to conceal her flustered face and timid smile.
Enterprise blushed, noticing the woman's endearingly shy face. It was already bad enough for her poor heart that the royal dressed in a stunning outfit that encapsulated the refined and elegant maiden that she was. The ace carrier forced her composure and cleared her throat. "Actually... I'm glad you agreed to join us on going for dinner. Unicorn had been adamant about me trying out the sticky toffee pudding the last time we went there."
Illustrious darted her eyes back to the silver-haired beauty before her. Her eyes sensually softened, a response to feeling a bit confident to tease the carrier. "Really now? I feel conflicted because I was not aware that the base's shopping district had my favourite type of dessert on site. Oh, Unicorn will certainly have my words to hear for keeping it to herself," she said spiritedly.
Enterprise remained silent for a second, taking in the new information like a fine wine. "So, that's your favorite dessert, huh? That's good to know. Sadly, I'm not much for sweets so I'm a bit afraid that I'm going to let Unicorn down if my response is less than genuine," joked Enterprise with a bit of honesty.
Illustrious giggled contently. "You'll like it. I've seen that dessert make a sweet enthusiast out of the most bitter of people—not saying you're bitter or anything!" In her effort to relax, she mentally wanted to hit herself over the head now for seemingly offending the Eagle Union woman.
The royal wasn't known to have much of a poker face as Enterprise could see the squiggly frown she formed for wishing to take back her words. "You don't say. I didn't think of that until you brought it up, hehe."
"Way to go, Illustrious..." Mentally commented the busty carrier to herself with a half-smile of humility.
Enterprise leaned on the railing and folded her arms. "I'll give it a shot regardless. By the way... feel free to also order anything you'll like."
Illustrious was pulled out of her internal chastising mindset when she heard the generous offer. Worth noting that she also eased up when the archer hadn't been hurt by her comment. "You're very kind but I'm okay paying for myself."
Enterprise tenaciously shook her head. "Nonsense. I invited you and I'm already paying for Unicorn, too."
Illustrious could have retaliated on the matter and proclaimed that she would gladly pay, yet she could feel that paying was a principle for Enterprise. Also, the more she gave it thought, the more this was looking like a date. The fact that they weren't in their usual naval-related attire spoke incredible amounts of volumes. It revealed more of the notion that she should be thrilled that Enterprise was seeing this as a date or maybe she should be on the defensive. "I see. Thank you for that. I've noticed that you and my sister eat out together a lot. I should warn you that she does get an allowance both from me and her Majesty. Her coffers are not entirely empty if she ever so happens to state otherwise."
Enterprise warmly laughed that once again causing the royal carrier to grow dizzy with joy. "I don't mind, Illustrious. The truth is... well... I also wanted to thank you for our talks. All of our therapy sessions helped me immensely. While I don't feel avidly in tune with the holy light, I can't say that it hasn't been a great source of comfort to me during this time."
The royal carrier snapped back to reality. She exhibited a stern frown from hearing that she needed a reward when it was simply unnecessary. "Goodness, there's no reason to thank me, Miss Enterprise, and please refrain from calling it therapy—I never did like framing talks under that term. Sure, the queen ordered me to be your personal counselor, but talking with you has meant more to me than just a job. I dare say... more than just a patient." The honest to god truth rolled out of her tongue like the softest of velvet. The same heat similar to a spotlight burned through her skin and soul while she could sense the elated levels rising from Enterprise.
Visibly taken aback, Enterprise pushed away from her relaxed position on the railing. "Really? That makes me feel rather happy." Those words that drew a line on the sand and spelled out a deeper feeling of hopefulness offered deliverance from the reservations that held Enterprise back.
Illustrious's panic began to sore, and she quickly contemplated if she should try and dig herself out of the proverbial hole of feelings she knowingly created. She shouldn't feel this way, but it was undeniable that the Eagle ace had a hold of her heart like some kind of puppeteer. Ignoring her scared logic of what might come next, she continued to listen to the heartbeat in her chest. "Y-You're a dear friend, Miss Enterprise. You saved my sister from the attack from the Sakura Empire and have been there as a wonderful friend to her. I was worried that she wouldn't be comfortable on this base, but I can see that my assumptions were happily wrong."
It pleasantly warmed Enterprise to hear the other carrier speak about something that they never found a good time to speak about. It felt unneeded as Enterprise had felt the gratitude from Illustrious via her actions and friendliness. "She's a great kid and she's shaping up to be someone who can protect the ones she loves. It's good to find something worth protecting. You helped me realize that my duty isn't from blind loyalty reminiscent of a machine, but because I don't want anyone else to get hurt like my older sister." She boldly decided to bite the proverbial bullet despite the pounding in her ears. For too long she held back what she felt while noticing that the royal would show exposed moments where she revealed the possibility that she could very well reciprocate the same feelings.
Her next move caused Illustrious to jump like a black cat encountering a stranger in the dead of night. All she did was reach out to her and tenderly grasp her hand. "You helped me realize a lot of things. Like... how you and Unicorn give me strength to endure the pain that the sea brings me. While you both also help ease it away when I return from a mission. That's why I never feel bogged down by the toils of war."
"Miss Enterprise." She couldn't help but take a step back and let a prideful giggle invade her throat. To be the one to help heal a tortured soul was sweeter than any sticky toffee pudding.
"What I'm trying to say is you both mean a lot to me. I see Unicorn like a sister and you... it frightens me how deeply my feelings for you go." There it was. The Eagle Union's strongest meekly darting downward in red hot embarrassment yet smiling in a self-satisfied way. She had just confessed her feelings and Illustrious felt like she had been cleanly blasted out of the water.
"I... I had no idea you felt that way. This... this changes many things and... holy light forgive me, but I can't possibly feel right in returning those feelings. You are essentially my patient, and I can't be for sure if my influence as a counselor has warped your perception of me as some grander figure in your eyes." The tender hold that Enterprise held with hers tightened reassuringly.
"No, it's not like that. Illustrious... I... thought of you as such from the moment I first saw you when you shielded me from Zuikaku. My eyes looked toward you, yet I kept from entertaining what I felt due to everything that was going on with the conflict surrounding the Sirens and the Sakura Empire betraying us. Things have calmed down and Sakura Empire has agreed to a truce. Some are even on the fence about whether departing was the right choice but will leave it there. Right now, I feel in a place in my life to say what I feel is genuine and real."
"Miss Enterprise..." She choked in her throat, wanting to let out tears of happiness yet a bitterness lingered in her mind.
Enterprise playfully and disapprovingly shook her head as that title felt too small for her. "Call me Ent. That's what those close to me call me."
Illustrious's resistance chipped away, feeling her legs grow weak like spaghetti. "I... no... I mustn't. It wouldn't be fair."
That sparked a rebellious surge inside Enterprise. What Illustrious said and what her eyes held were a massive discrepancy that she couldn't allow to stay in conflict. "You deny me with things like it wouldn't be fair and asking forgiveness to the holy light. Yet, you haven't given me a stern rejection toward my feelings."
From the distance, Illustrious could hear her kid sister happily playing with her best friend with the waves rushing toward them. She could imagine not just her happiness but also Unicorn's happiness where all three could carefreely have days like this. Alas, her duty, and her heart couldn't find a balance at least, not with her power alone. Her heart earlier had won when she told but a small truth that reflected her overall feelings. This time, she needed to speak from a logical place that left her mouth with a bitter taste. "I'm holding out to a selfish desire then. My queen would call me back to her side and I'll be forced to leave the base soon. For us to have this relationship... not only is our patient and doctor relationship a factor but... it wouldn't be right to do a long-distance relationship. I would rarely be able to visit either here or the Eagle Union—"
Enterprise paused her with a kiss on her hand that helped accelerate her beating heart. Both of their hearts were now in chaotic harmony with the sheer thumping that both could hear. "Did you forget I'm an archer? I can do long distance... Lusty. Besides, once you leave, that means I'm no longer your patient."
"Lusty...?! B-Be still my beating heart." She adored the nickname coined by this woman that seemed to have no limits to her love. The joke about her enduring a long-distance relationship also brought a calming smile to her.
Enterprise was close. She had managed to ware down the harsh walls of logic that Illustrious built up to cast her gaze away from who she liked. In the span of a few minutes, the eagle ace learned that her feelings were reciprocated, and she wasn't going to lay face down with a whimper. "Hey, we can make this work. Please, just offer this chance for us to see where this road can go. You're a busy woman, so I don't mind coming over to see you. Even if we have to launch our planes on a journey toward each other just to feel close, that would be enough for me." Her statement was an exaggeration yet only carriers could understand the level of that connection. A fighter plane was essentially a part of them so for both of their planes to meet at the center of the North Atlantic Ocean would be no different than them physically holding hands. Of course, in this day and age, a quick video chat or e-mail could instantly fill that empty longing without having to risk losing airplanes in the middle of the NA Ocean due to fuel limitations.
The extreme declaration regardless made the royal carrier feel incredibly special and honored. What the future held If they did become a couple terrified her. She once loved someone else, and it brought pain when they were torn apart by the world. She thought she would never love again until she encountered the tormented heart of Enterprise which was like a rose wrapped in barbed wire. Or even worse, an eagle unable to fly. She thought she was being selfless for rejecting a relationship that would be long distance, yet she now realized she was being selfish for only unanimously— her, herself, and I, being the sole decider of denying a future that they both wanted. To get even more technical, Unicorn would be the third who would wish for their future together. The last thought made her laugh softly, making Enterprise tense slightly due to the ambiguity of the laugh. "Well, Unicorn does adore you..." She innocently and playfully contemplated.
Enterprise let out the greatest sigh of relief she ever felt and went on the playfulness. "Is that really all there is?"
Illustrious fixed her gaze boldly at Enterprise and moved forward until their lips connected. Enterprise settled her alarmed mind and began to reciprocate the kiss delivered with honesty and love. Illustrious moaned soundly, sending off her vibrations toward the ace carrier who reached behind the white soft hair of the royal's head. Fingers dug intimately until reaching down the tangling side locks of hair that framed the stunning red face of the royal maiden.
Illustrious took part in their feeling of each other and placed her hands on the chest of Enterprise, feeling the warmth and pounding of her heart. Their kiss was too small for them but for now, it was enough to clearly explain to them where they both stood.
The royal maiden smiled pleasantly at her after parting their lips. She then threw her head against the pounding heartbeat of Enterprise. "You deserve my honesty... Ent. Yes, I'm more than looking forward to where this path will lead us. May the holy light guide the two of us into this journey."
"Lusty..." Enterprise gazed at her with love and adoration. While she never had any experience with this, she was eager to experience her life with the carrier that lifted her from her troubles.
"Sis! Miss Enterprise! U-chan climbed up a tree and doesn't know how to come down!"
They quickly pulled away, nervously grinning at each other but breathing a sigh of relief when Unicorn shouted before going up the stairs and making initial contact with them. Turns out U-chan had raced up the stairs and climbed the nearest tree that was a few meters from the steps.
"Oh my, what did you do to provoke him up there, Unicorn?" Illustrious composed herself and smoothed out her hair. At best, she could explain that the wind had messed it up if Unicorn mentioned it. She quickly grinned at Enterprise, conveying for her to follow her.
Enterprise agreed, that, and also agreed that everything had its time and place. Telling Unicorn that they were now romantically involved would be the top priority after a month or so getting the swing of things. "Not to worry. If the gentle approach doesn't work, I can always shake the tree down." She confidently stated.
U-chan fearfully disliked that prospect and hugged the tree branch for all it was worth.
Illustrious giggled and softened her gaze at the other carrier. She could already hear the talks that would soon arise from the base when they found out about their relationship. However, she was more concerned about Her Majesty, preparing herself for her Majesty giggling like a schoolgirl and grilling her for details.
"Um… I didn't mean to hurt his feelings, but I told U-chan that Miss Enterprise gives better rides than he does." Illustrious jolted unsteadily from the response she hadn't been ready to hear from her kid sister. She worriedly tilted her head with a shadowy aura producing from her held smile. That smile was nothing more than a placeholder for the odd thing she heard.
Enterprise caught on quickly and comedically turned to face Illustrious, her nervous confusion manifesting as a sweatdrop. "Eheh, she meant like piggyback rides—ah, long story. I'll just say that I lost a bet with her and had to pay the piper."
Illustrious was grateful for the clarity and felt guiltily silly for her mind going there first, despite Enterprise also venturing into that shameful mindset.
The moment passed and she watched Enterprise happily lift Unicorn from the ground and place her over her shoulders. Unicorn acted like she was at the top of the world while resting on the sturdy shoulders of the Eagle ace. "U-chan look! I'm closer to you now, so just jump to me."
The small creature angrily emoted from seeing the silver-haired carrier holding Unicorn up. It was bad timing indeed and Enterprised sighed tiredly. "Good grief, this is only temporary, buddy. She has her arms stretched out for you, and you're clearly better suited to be her ride."
Unicorn agreed wholeheartedly as she smiled apologetically at U-chan. "I'm sorry for saying what I said. I like when we ride together and how you can take me higher than Enterprise's arms can reach. She can't fly as you can."
Enterprise meekly gazed away, letting out a muffled laugh. "Technically, I've learned to float somewhat but nothing fancy. Anyway, who needs flying when you got windsurfing on top of a plane," she said in a low murmur.
Despite the mild quarrel between the two friends, U-chan happily leaped into his owner's arms after hearing the praise from the purple-haired girl.
They all laughed happily and Illustrious knew she had met someone special. Someone who loves the two of them and would drop everything at a moment's notice to be by their side.
THE END
I really enjoyed writing this story which felt like a wonderful breath of fresh air. In my humblest opinion, I still prefer Enterprise and Belfast, but seeing that wholesome fan art of Enterprise and Illustrious taking a walk painted a story in my mind. This story reflects that. As I mentioned, I toyed with a what-if scenario that instead of a maid to care for Enterprise, Illustrious was the one who played the role of a guidance counselor. It brought a level of maturity to their relationship— at least to me, compared to the maid theme. For now, this story is technically a one-shot but I'm not going to label it as completed. If I feel motivated and depending on the reception of the story, I wouldn't mind doing small stories that follow up their relationship. Things like Unicorn and Enterprise being sisterly, Enterprise meeting the rest of the Illustrious-class sisters, and even diving into some of the sessions she and Illustrious had kind of like flashbacks. We'll leave the story for what it is for now, and I hope you all enjoyed it.