Chapter 13

"Hey, what kept you all?" Cooper asked as San Francisco and the other late arrivals entered the wardroom. All heads perked as Kooper and San Francisco paused to take in the space with ornate carpets and several wooden shelves with decorative items, ranging from fine dinnerware to statues carved from precious stones.

Seems rather extravagant for a warship.

Cooper scooted over, inviting him to take a seat beside her. He did, giving a polite nod to Kaga and Akagi across from them. Akagi smiled and Kaga seemed to at least be making an effort to do the same.

"Don't mind Puddin'" San Francisco chortled. "He was just having a naughty moment."

"Bite me!" He snorted but could not help smirking. As embarrassing as it was, it was still somewhat funny; so long as the royal battleships didn't take his head for it.

Cooper gave a curious tilt of her head, looking like a confused cat. "Is that why your face is so red?"

"N-no! It's nothing!" Kooper muttered under his breath.

Cooper placed her hand to his forehead, causing him to go rigid.

"You're definitely warm. You sure it's not a fever?"

"Cooper, leave the diagnosis to the professionals, please." Vestal stated calmly from beside her. "He's just being subjected to San Francisco's preferred method of torment."

San Francisco sat down to Kooper's other side and wrapped an arm around his neck, pulling him into a tight sideways hug. "I don't think he dislikes it." She rubbed her cheek against his. "Isn't that right you naughty Puddin'."

Kooper bared his teeth and snapped at her, his teeth clicking inches from her face as she pulled away.

"O-oh, you do have some fight in you." She chuckled. "I like."

"I won't miss next time." Kooper snarked before lowering his voice. "And next time it will be hard."

San Francisco put on a sultry look and bit her lip. "Promise?"

"That will be enough shenanigans at the table you two." Belfast stated. "If everyone will take their seat, we may begin serving dinner."

Everyone did as the maid suggested, though Kooper noticed a moment of hesitation from Prince of Wales. Bismarck sat at the end of the table with the only open seat being between herself and Kaga. Bismarck removed her hat and stood, gesturing to the seat.

"Do you wish to trade?"

"It's fine." Wales said with a slow blink, her voice just barely above seething.

Bismarck lowered her hand as Wales took her seat and settled herself. Her eyes met Kooper's for a split second as she gave a curt turn towards Valiant at the head of the table. Kooper looked to Bismarck, but the battleship was already returning to her seat, interlacing her fingers on the table.

San Francisco caught his eye with a sidelong tilt of her head and gave a slow blink as if to say "later".

Dinner was a quiet affair with a savory roast with vegetables being a very pleasant change to Kooper's diet of bland hospital food for the past weeks. Beside him, Cooper seemed equally gleeful for a change in palette. By the time she had finished her dessert pudding, she was purring with delight.

"Happy?" Kooper asked, smiling at her.

She let out a deep sigh. "Sh-o go-od…"

"Manners, Cooper." Vestal reminded her.

Cooper straightened her posture with a roll of her eyes as the maids retrieved everyone's plates. Minutes later they returned with glasses and bottles of wine .

"A glass for you Mister Kooper?" Scylla asked, leaning close to him with that smile of mixed honesty and mischievous humor, like she was secretly playing a game with him.

"Please!" He nodded with a wide grin.

"Ahem!" Vestal leaned forward to raise a brow at him. "You, Sir, are not legally old enough."

Kooper gave her an exasperated look. "Vestal, I've technically been drinking since I was three. A little wine isn't going-"

"Excuse me?" Vestal's voice jumped a few octaves.

"You're kidding, right?" Warspite wore an awkward smile as though she were unsure if this were funny or alarming.

"I knew you were naughty, Puddin', but damn!"

Kooper rolled his shoulders. "It's not like that. My dad was at a company party, and he had been drinking a beer. Me not knowing what it was wanted to try it, despite his warnings that I wouldn't like it."

"I'm guessing he finally gave in?" San Francisco asked, an eager grin on her face.

Kooper smirked before making air quotes. "According to him I, made a face before handing it back to him and running off, sputtering all the way."

This received a burst of laughter from San Francisco and giggles from Cooper and Vestal. The others chuckled good-naturedly, save for Bismarck. The battleship's stoney expression softened ever so slightly as a smirk tugged at her cheek.

"You'd have fit in with many of our younger destroyers. Many of them have the same initial reaction to bier."

"You let your destroyers drink?" Cooper gaped at her, eyes wide and sparkling.

Bismarck bobbed her head, her smile growing a little. "Ja. So long as they're responsible and their sisters are there to look after them."

"How very interesting." Akagi's soothing voice drifted on the air like a pleasant melody. "The Sakura Empire only allows such freedoms during special events where everyone is gathered." Her eyes met Kooper's. "At least that way we can all tend to one another should anyone get a bit too tipsy."

Kooper's face began to prickle with heat yet again. "I-interesting… I didn't know that."

Akagi smiled with a gentle coo. "I'm sure the Sakura Empire would love to host you some day. Kaga and I would be more than honored to introduce you to the local customs."

Kooper's gaze drifted to Kaga who seemed to be biting her cheek somewhat and avoiding his gaze.

"I may take you up on that." Kooper replied without thinking. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted San Francisco slide a hand into view from under the table before making an obscene gesture. He kicked her foot, and she kicked him back.

"I can't say I approve of your father's methods." Vestal's voice was stern but her expression showed she was more amused than cross. "And if he were still around, I would certainly be having a word with him."

Kooper huffed. "And he'd tell you he never let me go anywhere near alcohol unless he was there to watch me."

Vestal did not look impressed.

"You don't trust me Vestal?" Kooper feigned a hurt look.

"Don't you pull that stunt on me, young man!" She pointed a punishing finger at him. "It's not about trust."

"Oh come on Vestal." San Francisco chimed in. "Leg fetishes aside he's an upstanding citizen of the Eagle Union. I think we can give him this." She swirled her glass for emphasis.

Vestal's features turned scarlet, and she scooted closer to the table, hiding her legs. Kooper had to force himself not to break eye contact with her.

"Fine!" She huffed after another moment of contemplation. "But I'll be watching you."

"You're the best Ves." Kooper chirped, his grin returning.

The nurse snapped a finger up like a gun to point at him in warning. But the stern look vanished when Kooper blew her a kiss and she turned away to sip her own wine in embarrassment. San Francisco chuckled and clinked glasses with him before taking a drink.

"Does this mean I get some too?" Cooper piped up, looking expectantly at the bottles.

"No!" Vestal snapped. "You're too young for that."

"What? That's not fair!" Cooper whined and jabbed a finger in Kooper's direction. "He's younger than I am!"

"You, missy, are still under my supervision because of your condition. And what I say goes until I release you back into active duty."

Cooper groaned in protest, her cheeks puffing in a cute pout as she slumped with her chin on the table.

"Manners." Vestal reminded her.

Cooper grumbled and lifted her chin but proceeded to slouch with arms crossed over her chest. Kooper watched her eyes track his glass as he lifted it to his lips to take another sip of the sweet juice. Her stare lingered on him as he smacked his lips with exaggerated delight.

"Good stuff." He whispered.

Her pouting increased in cuteness tenfold as she glared up at him with a look that said, "I'll get you for this".

Kooper smirked, but subtly shifted just a tad closer to San Francisco.

"I have a question, Val- I mean, Your Highness."

Valiant lifted her attention from her own glass which was decorated with ornate filigree. "Something on your mind all of a sudden?"

Kooper nodded, rubbing his thumb over the rim of his wine glass. "I wanted to ask what the plan was."

Valiant cocked her head. "Plan?"

Kooper swallowed, suddenly nervous. "Didn't Essex request help from me?"

"Ah! Yes!" Valiant coughed and straightened in her seat. "That plan. Um…" She looked at Warspite, then down the line of seated occupants. Kooper followed her gaze, noticing the fox women's tails wilt, while Wales and Bismarck's expressions grew stern.

"What?"

Belfast, now beside Valiant, leaned over to whisper in her ear. Valiant flinched, before shooting a look in Kooper's direction. After a moment, she nodded. "There's…" She drew in a shuddering breath. "Essex radioed in early this morning. The expeditionary fleet stationed at the island has made… What I mean is…"

"You're doing him no favors by trying to sweeten your words." Bismarck chided. Her seat creaked as she leaned back and crossed her arms under her chest. "If you don't want to tell him-"

"He asked me, Lord Bismarck." Valiant's eyes locked onto the other battleship and for a second, Kooper thought she was about to bare her teeth in anger. But Valiant's tone and expression were ones of warning.

"Kooper… What I… The information we have, is not what we in the Royal Navy call dinner table appropriate."

"Oh…" Kooper's shoulders slumped.

"But Lord Bismarck is right. It's not fair for me to treat you like a child. But after the fun we had earlier, I find myself not wishing to inflict pain upon you, not matter what form it may come in."

Kooper could only stare at her, his lips pursed but jaw slackened.

"She found someone…" He barely recognized his own voice as the words passed his lips. "Didn't she?"

Valiant drew in a breath but nodded. "And she needs your help to... hopefully identify the remains."

Kooper let out the breath he had been holding, a cold chill of dread washing over his neck. "Was there anyone else? Anything else?"

"They're still searching." Wales spoke up. "On top of identifying the remains, Essex hopes that your more intimate knowledge of the city might help expedite the search along with our investigation."

"Investigation?"

"The city was attacked by sirens, remember?" Warpite leaned forward to arch a brow at him.

Kooper shuddered as the image of a dark mass of writhing tentacles flashed across his mind. "Yeah, but why…" He paused and blinked curiously. "Wait… are you telling me the sirens… those… things might still be there?"

"It's a possibility." Wales nodded and glanced at Akagi and Kaga. "Among other things."

Both fox sisters looked as though they had been stabbed in the gut by Wales' words.

Kooper gaped at Wales as the reality of the situation began to sink in. "You're expecting a fight, aren't you." He looked from Valiant to Bismarck. "That's why you're all going. You're all… um… command ships?"

"Capitol Ships." Bismarck corrected. "And you are correct. I will not lie to you and say that we do not expect a fight. But that does not mean we cannot hope to avoid one."

Everyone fell into silence for a long moment, exchanging glances of worry and determination. It was only when a soft rattling filled the room that Kooper realized he was trembling, and his wine glass was clinking against the table.

San Francisco placed a reassuring hand on his arm to steady it, bringing the shaking to a halt.

"Kooper…" Vestal's voice was gentle but laced with concern. "We're doing everything we can to find and help your people. But we also need to protect ourselves. Otherwise, who will protect you?"

"I can handle that." Cooper piped up, sitting up straight in her seat and turning to him with an enthusiastic grin. "Any siren dumb enough to show up will have to face the fury of the Allen M. Sumner class!"

Kooper stared at her for a moment before San Francisco nudged him with her shoulder. "Remember, big battleship energy that one. We got you."

"What do I do if trouble does show up?"

"We will confer with Essex upon our arrival." Wales continued. "As she's the flagship for this operation, she will likely already have a plan to issue a security detail."

"You're not my security detail?"

"We're simply your escort." Bismarck answered. "And once we arrive on station, we will be maintaining a perimeter around the island while your friends there will take you the rest of the way." She gestured towards the Eagle Union girls.

"Is any of this putting your mind at ease?" Valiant asked, a look of genuine worry crossing her features.

"A little…" Kooper murmured, staring into the dark crimson liquid in his glass. "It's just…"

"Un familiar." Warspite spoke up.

Kooper nodded.

"That's not a terrible thing, you know." She continued. "Feeling anxious I mean. We all experience it. Isn't that right, Lord Bismarck?"

"Ja."

"I'd find it odd if you weren't scared."

"Why is that?"

"Because then I would have to wonder what you went through before we met that would make something like combat come across as nothing more than an inconvenience."

"I guess…" Kooper shrugged and took in a large gulp of his wine. The tingle it left behind settled his thoughts and he let out a sigh. "I put myself in your safe hands then."

Sleep did not come easy for him that night.

Kooper tossed and turned in his quarters, "graciously lent to him" by Valiant. The petite battleship had practically insisted on him staying in her quarters with a bed big enough for three or four and thick blankets that were all too inviting. But after some harsh words from Warspite about decency, and Scylla's gentle reminders that he was a guest and not her personal plushie, Valiant relented. However, that did not mean he was to be far from her quarters.

He half expected her to try and sneak him in when the maids were preoccupied or vice versa.

Even at this late hour he could hear the clicking of the maids' shoes on the floors as they went about whatever business they had. The occasional soft murmur in the hall and a distant creak of a door were all the noise he heard over the gentle rumble of crashing waves.

It would have been peaceful, were it not for the constant reminder that he was in the midst of a fleet of warships.

Kooper sighed and placed a pillow over his forehead, whishing it were cooler. He had gotten so caught up in the fact he'd been lucky to survive the siren attack that he forgot that these girls were quite literally soldiers, no matter their mannerisms or attire. They were fighting a war, and now he was smack dab in the middle of it; or would be soon in the next day and a half.

"What am I even thinking?" He sighed to the ceiling.

It was too easy to fall into a routine with them. To think that it could be a good life on a military base, surrounded by friendly faces and feeling surprisingly secure with how carefree he'd been. It had been a good distraction, but reality was quickly rearing its head to remind him that there were people who relied on his help.

He rolled onto his stomach and buried his face in his pillow as he tried to think. What could he do to help? Yes, he knew the general layout of the city and the surrounding area near the port surprisingly well despite having only been there a few days at the time. But right now, he struggled to recall landmarks, buildings, and anything else that might help him get his bearings once they arrived.

Maybe it was just stress. It was nothing new. He could handle a little stress, even a lot of stress. Nothing had even been quite so stressful as the base evacuation which he now learned may have been a mirror sea, with little to no working equipment. But that incident was only contested by the dozens of abandoned cities with all manner of homeless, lost and warlords being the only occupants left.

No, this would not be like those times. People may be hiding still or injured. But no one, hopefully, would be trying to rule over the island, demanding the relief group's supplies for themselves.

I suppose it will be nice to have bigger guns for once.

He sighed into the pillow as a delicate pressure rested against his bare back. He hummed into the softness, feeling the weight leave his body. He wondered if Essex had found any of the sirens during her search so far.

Perhaps not?

He imagined that Wales might have sounded more concerned had they found sirens, rather than… remains.

Kooper gripped is pillow as new questions flowed through his mind.

Whose remains were they? How had they died? Had those things caught them? Or had it mercifully been something else?

He stared into the darkness of his pillow and thirteen yellow eyes stared back. Kooper blinked as his heartrate spiked. The eyes narrowed before a seam split its form to reveal rows of sharp teeth smiling hungrily at him.

For a long minute the two just stared at one another, a dizzying feeling of déjà vu tugging at the edges of Kooper's mind. He recalled being on a boat, an abandoned commercial ferry, heading towards the island several miles off the coast, just barely visible as a dark shadow on the water. The dark grey clouds overhead rumbled with the beginnings of thunder.

"It better not rain before we get there." Amanda grumbled. The two of them were leaned against the railing of the upper deck, the wind blowing their long hair about their faces.

Kooper chuckled. "You and I both know your dad will tell you to get inside where it's warm and you won't catch a cold."

Amanda shoved him in the shoulder, turning away to hide her smile and blush. "You know how he is. Always being the protective parent."

"Can't blame him. Especially not after the Corpus Christi incident."

"But that didn't even happen to me." Amanda sighed, straightening to turn away. "It feels like I've been less of a team member and more of a… tag-along."

Kooper frowned as he stared at her back. He couldn't deny that he had noticed the change in her dad's behavior. The entire incident had spooked them all; and rightfully so.

So many anomalies. So much chaos. And the bodies.

He shivered and followed her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders in a sideways hug. "I get where you're coming from. But don't be too hard on your ol' man. He's just…" His voice trailed off as he thought back to his parents.

Amanda, sensing this, leaned her head against his shoulder. "I guess I should be grateful he's around to worry about me."

Kooper smirked. "Well if it wasn't him then I'd have to pick up the slack in that department."

Amanda poked his stomach with a finger. "Don't you dare. You're cute but not when you're a worry wart."

Kooper smirked. "Oh, so I'm cute huh?"

Amanda rolled her eyes and pressed her head into him more. "I suppose, I can admit that you have a puppy-like charm to you."

Kooper let out a "pffft".

"Puppy? I'll have you know I'm a big dog, thank you."

"Nah." She wrapped an arm around his waist. "You're cute. And puppies are cute. You're a puppy."

Kooper snickered. "Wouldn't mind being your puppy." He said under his breath.

"What?"

"Nothin'."

A warm softness pressed against his back and Kooper hummed into the pillows as the anxiety alleviated itself. The sensation slid up to his shoulders like hands caressing his muscles. He shivered and let out a throaty moan as the sensation of fingernails tickled his spine. The tingle settled into the small of his back and he let out a hot breath into his pillow.

And then he stopped.

This wasn't a dream.

Kooper's muscles locked as he slowly realized that someone was touching him.

"Fran? Is that you?"

The movement stopped, and Kooper could have sworn he heard a sharp inhale.

Slowly, Kooper lifted his head to find his quarters bathed in a ghostly blue light. Confused, he finished turning around to see a figure looming over him, blue tongues of fire dancing on the tips of her fox tails.

"K-K-Kaga?" He wheezed, eyes wide.

The carrier was kneeling on the mattress beside him, her own eyes wide and cheeks a noticeable pink in the firelight as she stared down at him. The two of them stared at one another for a long minute before Kooper's eyes drifted down her form and his own face felt as though it would melt.

"Wh-why are you wearing just… a robe?"

The light of the flames shone through the thin fabric, leaving little to Kooper's imagination.

"I…" Kaga swallowed hard, her ears flicking uneasily. "I'm tending to your needs."

Her explanation caused Kooper to furrow his brows in confusion. "Tending to my… What are you talking about?"

"Don't be shy, Kooper-sama." Akagi cooed, stepping into view, having been blocked by Kaga's tails. "You were clearly distressed earlier. Seeing as how it's our duty to take care of you, we thought it appropriate to provide you with some means of relief." She leaned against her sister, sliding a hand around her waist, and pulling her in close. "I did say that you could rely on us, did I not?"

Kooper's throat felt as though it was about to implode. "I… I mean… you don't have to do that." He gave a nervous laugh, sitting up and scooting back towards the headboard. "But it's… kind of you to offer."

Akagi looked disappointed. "Are you sure?" She moved away from Kaga who watched her with a growing look of apprehension.

"Sister Akagi-"

She was cut off when one of Akagi's tails flicked in front of her face.

"You shouldn't be made to worry or suffer anymore, Kooper-sama." Akagi reached out, her fingers caressing his cheek before dragging down his neck to his chest. "We're here to serve you as you see fit. After all…" Her fingers curled as her nails dragged down his chest. "Too much stress isn't good for your health. Especially for one such as yourself."

Akagi's eyelids drooped as her warm breath caressed his face and her fingers teasing and caressing his stomach. His muscles clenched on reflex and Kooper was momentarily hypnotized by the enticing glow of her eyes.

They were drawing closer as if in slow motion. Kooper blinked as his mouth hung open, his lips tingling in anticipation. His first thought, his most primal instinct was to go for it. She was offering. Why not? What was the harm?

But after another slow blink, the logical side of his brain kicked in.

Why? Why is she doing this? Is this normal? What is going on?

"A-kagi…" He managed to whisper.

Her lips were centimeters from his and her hand had slid up to rest over his heart. His breath caught in his throat as she gave the muscle a gentle squeeze.

She let her robes fall down her shoulders, but his eyes remained locked on hers. "Shhh…" She gave a slow, seductive blink. "Let us handle your needs. We are in your service."

"N-no…" Kooper moaned as she slid her hand up to stroke his neck.

God, it felt amazing.

Kooper had never felt skin on skin contact like that, and it was intoxicating. Akagi was so close. Kaga as well. He should give in. There was no need to fight it.

He raised a trembling hand. "Y-you don't…"

Akagi paused, tilting her head to give him a perplexed look with one of her ears giving a quick flick.

Kaga, who had been watching them intently, took hold of her sister's arm and shook her head when Akagi shot a questioning look at her.

The brunette hesitated a moment before looking back to Kooper. She brushed a lock of his hair out of the way before smiling, the glow in her eyes intensifying. Then she leaned in, pressing her lips to his forehead and Kooper felt as though he had been lifted on an invisible breeze. He could feel the swirling current of the wind as it carried pink flower petals around in a majestic dance.

The world fell away as his eyelids became heavy.

"W-wait…" He reached out as the fox-women seemed to fall farther and farther away. "I'm… not… read-"

His eyelids closed; then opened.

Close.

Open.

Close…

What just happened?

His eyes snapped open, and he bolted upright in bed with a startled gasp; clutching at his chest as his heart threatened to expel itself. His hand clapped against his forehead to find he was dripping in sweat.

It took him several minutes to be able to get his bearings and not fall out of the bed. His room was empty save for the beam of moonlight coming from outside the porthole. He checked his sheets and looked at the floor, searching for signs of footprints or fur left behind.

It wasn't a dream. He was certain of it.

Rolling out of bed he peered through the porthole at the dark sea beyond. The light from the half-moon cast a soft blue streak across the waves intersected by a silver wake. Cooper was out front, taking point as she had called it. But none of the other girls were visible so far as Kooper could see.

It was another minute before Kooper willed himself to move, slowly moving towards the door and prying it open with a faint creak. Warm light poured in from the passageway and he listened for the sounds of the maids' footsteps.

Silence.

Kooper slid into the hall, closing the door behind him. It took a couple minutes to reach the deck where a cool wind greeted him with a spray of salty mist. Looking around, Kooper could make out the silhouettes of the other warships, illuminated only by the moonlight. Vestal trailed along behind Cooper, likely keeping a watchful eye on her, with San Francisco cruising close by. Just beyond them, he could see the looming form of Bismarck, and what looked like a ghostly mist trailing being her, and Kooper wondered if that was natural.

He walked towards Valiant's stern, his hand steadying himself against her superstructure. The cool dampness on her deck was refreshing and helped to settle his racing thoughts. That is until he reached the rearmost turret, taking cover in the shadow of one barrel.

Kooper froze as he stared off into the night as the dark forms of two aircraft carriers trailed behind in Valiant's wake. Out on the flight decks he thought he caught sight of two figures. But when he blinked and squinted again, they were gone. In that moment, the darkness of the night seemed to close in around Kooper like a smothering cloud.

"Kooper?"

He jumped with a startled squeak and hit his head on barrel. He fell on his rump, clutching at his head and groaning in pain.

Valiant let out a pained sound and was at his side in a heartbeat. "Move your hands!" She ordered. "Let me take a look."

Kooper groaned and cursed under his breath for another minute before the small girl pried his hands away. She muttered to herself as she ran her fingers through his hair and felt around for any bumps. He hissed when she touched the sore spot.

Valiant ignored him, humming contemplatively. "I don't feel any bump forming, but I will have the maids check on you."

"I'll be fine." Kooper groaned, trying to hide his irritation.

"Piffle!" Valiant huffed. "You could have brained yourself on one of my guns! While as humorous as it could have been, I don't find any humor in my guests getting hurt aboard my vessel. Furthermore, my sisters would never let me hear the end of it!"

"Fair enough." He replied through clenched teeth.

Valiant stood. When she did not say anything, Kooper looked up at her. She was barefoot with her red cape draped over her shoulders, protecting her from the breeze.

"Well?" She asked expectantly.

"Well, what?"

"I'm waiting for an explanation."

"Oh…" Kooper looked back towards the imperial carriers. "C-couldn't sleep."

"Couldn't sleep? Or bad dreams?"

Kooper paused and gave Valiant a look of surprise. "Something like that…"

Valiant's lips twisted into a frown. "Tell me what's on your mind."

Koper blinked, surprised by the order, but shook his head after a moment. "It's nothing Val. It's fine."

"That was an order from the Queen of the Royal Navy! By that alone, you must answer!"

Kooper gave her a deadpan look and an arched brow. The two stared hard at one another, neither backing down from the staring contest. It was only when a light breeze came by and threatened to blow away Valiant's cape did she squeak and break her lock to tuck it around her tight.

"Look, I'm just trying to get you to open up!" She snapped, stepping in front of him to block his view of the carriers. "I want to help! But I can't if you're going to be closed off about it."

Kooper stared up at her, as she glared down at him, unable to speak for a long time.

Valiant eventually let out a sigh and crossed her arms under the cape. "Is it about finding your friends?"

Kooper shook his head. "Yes… somewhat… but not specifically."

"Is it the idea of being near danger?"

Kooper sighed and averted his gaze. "Who wouldn't be?"

Valiant remained silent, waiting for him to be out with it.

How could he tell her about what had just happened? What would she think about it? Would she even believe him when he could hardly make sense of it himself?

"Move." She ordered and gestured for him to scoot backwards. He shifted and felt his back touch cold steel. Valiant turned and plopped down into his lap, leaning her back against his chest.

"Uh, Val?"

"I can tolerate stubbornness, and unwillingness to answer my inquiries. But I will not tolerate you catching a cold."

Kooper's face grew warm as she shimmied in his lap.

Behave, behave, behave, behave!

"I will wait here until you can answer."

Kooper tried to sit up to roll her off but Valiant countered his movement, shifting her weight so it was harder for him to move before giving him a subtle elbow. He grunted in annoyance at her pushiness but made no move to shove her off, less it land him in Warspite's brig.

One minute passed.

Then three.

Then five.

For someone wanting the throne so badly, she's so childish!

Valiant gave a small shiver and tucked her exposed feet beneath her cape.

And she's probably too stubborn to admit she's cold.

Kooper sighed in defeat. "Where are Akagi and Kaga?"

She turned to look between him and said carriers. "Are you trying to jest?"

Kooper's expression fell, and the earlier feeling of helplessness returned like a blow to the gut. "I'm serious, Val…"

She blinked, did a double take, then shifted in his lap. "They're right behind me as you can see." Her voice was stern, but earnest. "Why do you ask?"

Kooper swallowed the lump in his throat. "So… neither of them was on board a little while ago?"

"No, they left at the same time as everyone else."

"Are you sure?"

"My maids saw them off personally."

"And they're sure they went back to their ships?"

"Yes, for god's sake! What are you on about?"

Kooper's throat felt like a desert as his breathing became labored. "I… I don't know… I just… I…they were in my quarters earlier."

Valiant's irritated expression hardened. "What?"

Kooper shook his head. "I don't know why… Akagi was saying something about… it was their duty to tend to my needs? And there was blue fire and I… they were…"

Valiant gave a slow uncomprehending blink. But a moment later, her mouth fell open and her eyes widened in shock. Her head snapped back around to the carriers, her eyes giving angry little twitches as she presumably scanned their decks.

Empty.

After a tense silence, she let out her breath and turned to face him again. "I… I will look into this matter…"

Kooper gave her a doubtful look. "You think I'm crazy, don't you."

"I made no such claim."

"You didn't have to."

Valiant's eyes narrowed. "The reason for my doubt, David, is because this is My ship. Meaning I know everything that always goes on with my hull." She leaned in towards his face and he recoiled, hitting his head on the turret behind him. "I feel your body pressed against my armor. The waves brushing my hull. The footsteps of my maids in the kitchen and passageways right now. The way you were tossing and turning in your sleep-"

"Which is how you knew I was awake…"

Valiant nodded before her eyes became glossy. "Which is why it hurts when you say I'm not aware of what goes on… I would have sensed them were they on board."

The knot in Kooper's throat tightened. "I… I'm sorry… I just…"

"I know…" Valiant raised her hand to cover his mouth. "I just... want to be a good queen when I take the throne one day... so I try and… I want to be a queen all of Azur Lane admires."

"Like your sister?"

Valiant averted her gaze. "I've watched her ever since our creation. Learned from her. She's rash but not without calculating. She's firm but compassionate. And it gets results."

"What does that have to do with-"

"Because I'm not going to just dive headfirst into an issue I know nothing about!" She barked. "I have no reason to distrust you, but at the same time there are factors to consider."

"Such as?"

"One being our relationship with the Sakura Empire."

Kooper arched a brow. "I don't follow."

"I'm not at liberty to discuss such matters with a civilian."

Kooper frowned, but she continued.

"Just know that relationships between our factions… have not always been… favorable."

The word felt loaded, like one of her barrels aimed in his direction.

"Maybe…" Kooper sucked in a ragged breath, letting the salt air fill his lungs. "Maybe I did just dream all that."

"Maybe…" Valiant nodded solemnly, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye.

"But it all felt so real."

Valiant watched him for another moment before blinking and turning away. "I will look into it. But this may require… time and subtlety." She glanced at him. "If... If by chance you're not with us, should I discover anything…, would you…"

She left the question hanging in the air and Kooper picked up on her meaning a heartbeat later.

"I… I suppose… Maybe keep it simple… If I was in any danger or not?"

Valiant's lips twitched as a thought crossed her mind but did not voice it. She simply gave a nod and rose to her feet.

"Will you return to your quarters now?" She extended a hand to him. "It would look bad if you caught a cold on my watch."

Kooper blinked at her before giving a tired smile and exhaled. "In a little bit… I…I would like to clear my head for a bit longer if you don't mind."

Valiant studied him for a few breaths before sighing. In a graceful sweep of her arm, she removed her cape, and draped it cover him. Kooper gave a series of rapid blinks as he stared at her pink, frilly nightgown.

"It's rude to stare." She scolded, pulling the hem down to cover her thighs.

"I wasn't… ugh, forget it." Kooper sighed and pulled her cape closer, burying his face into the soft material. It had a faint sweet smell like what one might expect in a field of wildflowers after a light rain. It was comforting.

"I order you again!" Valiant pointed a punishing finger at him. "Do not stay out any longer than ten minutes. I will send the maids to drag you back to your quarters if you don't heed my command!"

Kooper took another inhale and sighed. "I promise, Your Highness."

Valiant must have expected some resistance because she blinked in surprise. "Uh, well… Good! A subject should always listen to their queen. Especially when it's in their best interest."

Kooper just rolled his eyes.

Valiant gave a contented nod, confident she had come out on top of this exchange. Kooper nestled into the fabric but was interrupted by a hand on his head. Valiant proceeded to pet him gently until he rolled his head to look up at her.

"J-just checking for a bump." She stammered, removing her hand, and backing away a step. "Remember! Ten minutes!"

Kooper gave her a thumbs up and returned to smothering the garment. It really did make him feel mildly better. He listened to the soft patter of Valiant's footsteps moving away from him, to be replaced by the steady thrum of breaking waves.

His eyes drifted out across the water at the two silhouetted flattops. It must have been a dream, brought on by anxiety. If Valiant and the other kansen were so attuned to their ships, then…

"I'm only human."

He blinked and, in that moment, he thought he spotted two figures out on top of their respective flight decks.

Kooper swallowed hard as the image of scarlet eyes and blue fire flashed across his mind again. A chill ran up his spine and he jumped to his feet, ducking to avoid hitting his head again on the barrel.

"Val?" He called. "Wait up!"

There was no way he was staying out here for ten minutes alone.