Chapter 124: Laska a Cute

There were times when large cruiser Alaska wished her breasts were just a little more filled out. Not because she was insecure or anything, though. The large cruiser was honestly quite contented with her distinctly svelte silhouette. It made her stand out next to the other cruisers—and even the Kagerou triplets—she served with, and she had a much easier time finding clothing that fit.

Alaska knew that because Atago had shown her all the websites while trying to coax Alaska into buying something 'sexy' for her beach 'date' with Cameron. The large cruiser hadn't so much refused as she'd sputtered with an increasingly red face at the increasingly minimal amount of fabric she was supposed to wear until Atago gave up. But that was beside the point, which was that Alaska was perfectly happy with her current figure.

She didn't want bigger breasts for her.

She wanted them because… well, because resting your head against Atago's cleavage was like taking a nap in a giant pile of fluffy kittens who'd been basking in the sun all afternoon. It was warm and soft and the gentle rhythm of Atago's heartbeats combined with the steady swell of her breathing was a better lullaby than anything short of Texas' singing.

It was Alaska's opinion that everyone should snuggle her best friend's bosom at least once in their lives. Or at least have a busty friend to take naps on. That was why Alaska wished her upperworks were a bit more built up, she'd like to be that friend for her friends.

Hamakaze and her sisters worked so hard… the deserved someplace softer than her lap and tummy to curl up on for their midday nap. Nachi too. She knew the old cruiser had a prickly exterior, and usually kept to herself. But… well, Alaska just couldn't believe that she wouldn't like a little nap every once in a while.

And then…

Then there was Cameron.

Alaska wasn't sure if it was ever going to happen, but… but every time she thought of her boyfriend's messy hair resting against the soft cushions of a bosom she didn't actually have she smiled. She hadn't done much with him, beyond a little bit of cuddling on the truck after their date, but…

But every time he touched her a shiver shot down her spine, and a dopey smile she couldn't hide for the life of her bubbled up onto her face.

She liked Cameron, and she would like to cuddle him sometime. And, even though she knew this was years in the future and probably never going to happen, she sometimes caught herself daydreaming about her wedding.

Atago would be her maid of honor, of course. Even if Alaska could think of someone, her best friend had already claimed dibs for Alaska's eventual wedding. Atago seemed very certain that Alaska would eventually a husband, which confused the large cruiser to no end.

The Kagerous had all offered to be her bridesmaids too, and Alaska'd even gotten an e-mail from Eldridge—a destroyer escort based on the East Coast—asking if the spot of flower girl was already taken. Alaska wasn't quite sure how ships so far away knew so much about her idle daydreams, but she was pretty sure it was Atago's fault.

Not that she minded. After all, it got Akron to volunteer as DJ for the reception. Alaska thought that was a splendid fit. The cheery airship had the best taste in music.

And…

Alaska felt silly for even thinking about it…

But…

Well…

A small, tiny, almost non-existent part of her would sometimes daydream about living with Cameron. And… having… getting…

Alaska wanted kids, dangit!

It made her blush every time she thought about it, but the large cruiser really, really wanted babies. She'd love them and play hot-wheels with them, and… And honestly, that was the extent of her plans.

Alaska would not be a very good mother.

But… maybe she could be a good friend.

Which brought her back to her original topic.

No, not her breasts. The topic she'd started pondering her breasts in a frantic effort to distract herself from.

The cell phone resting in her hand. The phone into which she'd dialed the number of her boyfriend. The man she loved and wanted to—as unrealistic as it might be—spend the next portion of her life with. She'd got her swimsuit all picked out, it was supposed to be nice and sunny at the beach… she just had to push that button and ask him.

Just… had to push it.

The button.

Push it.

But Alaska couldn't silence the little voice in the back of her head that worried he'd say no. She'd never asked anyone out before, and… And the large cruiser was painfully aware that she wasn't anyone's first choice. She couldn't gunfight as well as a real battleship could, and anything else she could do a Baltimore or Des Moines could do cheaper. It was one of the reasons she and her sisters had such a short life.

Even the navy in all its wisdom couldn't find something useful for her to do.

What if—

"'Laska?"

"AH!" Alaska shrieked as her best friend's sing-song voice shattered her already frayed nerves. She jumped off the floor in fright, only to slam down hard on her sneakers and fall squarely onto her stern. "'Tago! Don't DO THAT!"

Atago just giggled, and bounced through the half-open door into Alaska's room and flung herself on the large cruiser's messy bed. "Did you call him yet?"

"Um…" Alaska glanced at her phone. Her shock-induced twitches must've hit the button for her. "A-apparently?"

"'Laska?" Cameron's voice crackled through the phone's speaker so quietly the large cruiser could barely hear it. But barely wasn't the same as didn't, and Alaska still heard enough of his kind southern accent to send a giddy shiver up her spine and a blushing smile across her lips.

Unfortunately, that also delayed her reactions long enough for her best friend to swoop in and steal the phone right out of her hands.

"Panpakapan!" Atago giggled and put him on speaker. "'Laska's office speaking, how may I help you?"

"Oh. Hey, 'Tago." Cameron chuckled through the phone. If Alaska hadn't already been sitting with her legs splayed all over her carpeted floor, she knew her knees would've given way. "what's up?"

"Oh, nothing," Atago ruffled Alaska's snowy hair with a smile. "Alaska's trying to ask you out."

"Oh is she now?"

"Tagooooooo," Alaska moaned.

"Mmmhm!" said Atago. "But she's really bad at talking to boys."

""Tagooooooo!"

"Let me guess," Cameron's laugh sounded like how Texas' honey-drizzled cornbread tasted, only somewhat less destructive to Alaska's waistline. "Now she's pouting that you won't give her her phone back."

"Ta—" Alaska blushed, and buried her nose in the furry collar of her parka. "Not pouting."

"She says she's not pouting," said Atago.

"Uh huh. Put me on with her."

Atago beamed, and squished the phone against Alaska's snowy cheek. "Say hi."

"Uh…" Alaska coughed. "Hi, Cameron."

"Hey, 'laska," said Cameron. "How's my very favorite snowball doing?"

"I'm doing fine," Alaska chose to ignore her hours-long moment of indecision. "I, um… are you free this weekend?"

"Yeah, actually. I, uh…" Cameron coughed. "We're— my family and a few of the neighbors are having a barbecue if… if you want to come. 'Tago can come too if she wants."

"Oh…" Alaska thought for a second. She really did want to go to the beach, and… maybe having people around would keep Atago from trying to play matchmaker. "I.. I'd like that."

"Awesome!" Cameron let out a breath of relief that crackled through the phone. "Is 'tago coming? "

"Um," Alaska held her phone against her chest. "Tago!"

"Stop pouting!"

"I'm not pouting!" pouted Alaska. "Cameron wants to know if you're coming to the barbecue this weekend."

"Barbecue?"

"Mmm," Alaska nodded. "On the beach."

"On the beach you say?"

"Mmhm."

Atago bounced to her feet, her upperworks lagging behind just enough to set them jiggling like jello cups only less tasty. "I'll need a bathing suit!"

Alaska held her phone to her ear. "She says she'll need a bathing suit."

"Oh Lord."

"I know…" Alaska winced as her best friend tore over to her closet and started tearing ever skimpier bits of swimwear out of drawers. "I think this was a bad decision."

"Probably," admitted Cameron. "You, uh… should bring a swimsuit too."

"Oh," Alaska smirked at the cute little black and blue number hanging up over her collection of hotwheels and legos, "I have one."

"Well…" Cameron coughed. "Uh. I'll look forward to seeing you in it."

"Kay." Alaska had figured out travel allowances to get her and 'tago down to the beach—two cruisers are heavy—and hung up before she realized just what he'd said to her.

He was waiting to see her.

In a swimsuit.

She didn't stop giggling for hours.