Thorson swallowed heavily, reaching out for Cleveland with shaking fingers. The two of them took hold of the zipper of her blue sleeveless shirt and began to slowly pull. The sound was like a machine gun in the silence around them. A tantalizing preview of her creamy skin was laid bare to him. He could faintly smell strawberries. Thorson watched, spellbound, as her chest rose and fell. Her breathing was becoming heavier, quicker. The zipper parted and he saw the inner curves of her breasts and her well-toned abs.
"I take back what I said," Thorson whispered to her, looking up to find eyes full of fear and excitement gazing back at him as she shrugged her shoulders, letting the fabric fall away and allowing him to view all of her, save her socks and a skirt that was too short to hide much of anything. "You're radiant."
With a gasp of passion Cleveland tackled him to the floor, allowing her lips to do the talking as her long, strawberry blonde hair splayed around them like a protective aura, shielding their faces from everyone and everything as they touched and learned one another. Her lips were soft but precise, a bit like her guns, Thorson considered in the moment. Not much more considering was done as he became far too focused on stroking her tongue with his. "Commander," she huffed. "My cubes...they're burning up. It's almost painful. Kiss me more. Touch me more! I know I'm not usually like this but..."
Thorson could do nothing but indulge her, his reliable flagship from when his fleet was but a handful of ships. With him flat on his back, both hands were free to explore Cleveland's lithe and pert body. He felt smooth, warm skin beneath his fingers, drank in her gasps and moans as he tweaked and tugged at her budding chest, and felt immense satisfaction as he ran his hands over her back and shoulders. He could feel her lips relax and become more playful as he comforted and protected her, taking note of the surprising strength of her slim figure. They began to explore and wrestle, to vie for dominance as lips and tongues clashed. In no time she was on her back on his futon, looking up at him. His shirt, his pants, and her skirt were long discarded. With both of his hands resting just above her shoulders she was trapped, a most unenviable position for a warship but a very desirable position for a young woman. She reached out for him, touched his face.
"Commander…"
"Right now I think I'd prefer to just be Andrew, if it's all the same to you," he replied, kissing tenderly at the shell of her ear and the vital points of her neck. She squirmed beneath him, brushing her toned thighs and stockinged feet against his lower body.
"Andrew...I'm really, really happy right now," she told him earnestly, her face turning almost as red as her hair. He smiled, feeling some of his own nerves melt away in the moment. Unlike his battleships she was easy, approachable, a companion. There was something about Cleveland, something that made him yearn for her, something that scoured away all the trepidation he'd felt that morning atop the island. He reached for the base of her neck with one of his hands, gently stroking her rigging mark. She arched her back and cooed delightfully, her hand immediately running down his chest to his waist. He hissed in pleasure as her slim fingers played over the most sensitive portion of his anatomy, both of them attacking one another's weak points. Cleveland's gasping moans dripped into his ears. He wanted her to keep making those sounds forever. The duties of command meant nothing with her like that, under him. Only when she seemed liable to run out of breath did he stop attacking her mark. With tears of happiness in her eyes she looked up at him. "I'm also freaking out and...uh yeah, wow," she concluded, taking stock of his shape and feel underneath his rough cotton briefs now that he'd finally allowed her a moment of respite. "Nice dick, Comm- I mean Andrew. Care to put it to use?"
For a long while the two of them stared at one another, Thorson wide eyed and Cleveland looking for a moment like a virginal young girl worried she'd made a fatal mistake. Her fears evaporated as Thorson hung his head and chuckled deep in his chest. She joined in and soon the two of them were laughing and crying, hugging each other easily as they thought of battles past and future.
"I'm glad we didn't link tonight. I love you, you know that?" Thorson whispered.
"Me too, actually," she agreed, wrapping her arms around his broad torso. "It's a bit scary but...nowhere I'd rather be, Andrew, honest. Love you too, and not just because your physique is top notch." The feel of his body against hers was an utter delight. He was warm and she had bared so much skin to him. Every part of her felt connected to her Commander, soaking in the warm proof that he was very much alive. "No wonder normal women get such a kick out of this."
"You are a normal woman, Cleveland. You just happen to have a very sexy accompaniment of AA guns attached to you," Thorson joked, earning him her most fiery kiss yet. "If you ever need me to stop, just say so," he offered courteously. He didn't want to by any stretch of the imagination, but it was polite. She pulled back so she could meet his eyes again, smiling as she watched his gaze move down her cheeks to her neck and her gently sloped shoulders.
"And if I need you to keep going?" She asked with daring bravado and a wink. He had gotten her feeling very comfortable and very warm.
"You can say so too," he affirmed. Cleveland wrapped her hand around him, hard. He shut his eyes and gritted his teeth.
"Andrew, I need you to keep going. Please," she whispered, prompting the removal of her star spangled panties and another shared bout of laughter between the two.
"Long live the Union?" Thorson chuckled, feeling her hot and slick center for the first time as he lowered his body and brushed against it. She gasped.
"So long as you're a part of it, Andrew. I'm ready. Don't make me wait any longer! Being naked like this is still really embarrassing!"
With a silent nod, all necessary words having passed between them, Thorson took the final step into a world he wasn't sure he'd survive. He stroked Cleveland's rigging mark with gentle force to ease the moment of their joining.
That night the peace of the dormitory was shattered as Cleveland, hands clasped in Thorson's and pinned down to the futon, involuntarily performed an activation pulse as her body overloaded with sensations and she sought an outlet. With linked minds the two became one and the entire fleet was treated to her peak of ecstasy.
"ANDREEEEW!"
"Hey there beautiful, you alright?" Thorson asked as he turned to find Cleveland slumbering quietly next to him early Sunday morning. He had always been an early riser on Sundays and so he was treated to her face as contented and peaceful as he'd ever seen it. Her eyes fluttered open as he brushed a stray lock of hair out of her eyes.
"I'm...a little sore down there, Andrew," she admitted with a blush. "But if I can repair battle damage to my body in less than a day, something tells me I want to feel like this."
Thorson leaned over and kissed her gently, finding her most amenable to the gesture. "I have half a mind to just stay here and make love to you all day but...duty calls. How do you want to play this?"
"Feeling's mutual, Andrew. I think I'd prefer if you went down to the mess first," she replied. "It's not like I intend to hold back on anything when we're in private. It's just when we're around the others you're my commander again, right?"
"Yeah, agreed. Feels like I can tell you anything. You see why I trust you so much?" He asked affectionately.
"I felt why you trust me so much. You don't need to tell me," she whispered with a smile. "One more kiss before you go, Andrew?"
He was happy to oblige, caressing her mark and making her skin shiver with sensation before standing to dress himself. She watched appreciatively from his futon as he did so, allowing him to turn back and appreciate her naked form one last time before heading out as the comforter fell away from her upper body. Her long, silken hair draped over her breasts, rendering her in the image of a maiden from Norse mythology as her most private areas were concealed from him. "I know the others look how they look, Cleveland. But you have one hell of a figure."
"Yeah yeah, get out of here you flatterer! I'll go wash up and see you at breakfast."
"Are we alright?" He asked, momentarily worried.
"Better than alright, Andrew. Now go, Commander. You never know what sort of surprises this war might hold for us today."
When Thorson arrived at the mess, sun just rising above the eastern Pacific, he found Shiratsuyu and co. preparing for the morning's meal along with the bulin crew. They were enjoying their morning off over mugs of crude oil. All of them turned and waved happily when he entered.
"Buli, buli!"
"Yes, good morning to you all," Thorson called in return. All good?"
"Buli!"
"I'll take that as a yes. Carry on," he ordered, striding on into the kitchens. None of the three Sakura destroyers seemed willing to meet his eyes, in contrast to the mechanics that were likely spared Cleveland's orgasmic exclamations. "Ok, let's just get it out of the way I guess," her sighed.
"Was she good?" Yuugure demanded with her usual outgoing interest. Hatsuharu squeaked in embarrassment by proxy while Shiratsuyu seemed very absorbed with a frying pan.
"She was. Anything else?" Thorson asked in his best commander's tone. No one else spoke up. He made a peace offering. "Need a little help with breakfast?"
"T-that would be nice, Shikikan. Thank you," Hatsuharu replied, and so they all went about preparing scrambled eggs, cured bacon, coffee and tea. Rice was made for the Sakura table and toast for the western girls. Behind them, chatter and morning greetings filled the room as the fleet gathered at their own pace, solidifying the tradition of meals taken together.
"This is always my favorite time of day. Everyone together, always a surprise or fun conversation!" Yuugure declared as she fired up Akashi's machine and prepared plates for delivery.
"Today will probably be no exception," Thorson muttered as the neko destroyer smirked his way. True to his word, conversation in the mess hall seemed to die and suddenly restart as Cleveland walked through the front doors. Four battleships eyed her with jealousy and confusion while the rest of the fleet murmured about the prior night. Thorson looked at the kitchen staff. "I need to go. Two plates please."
"Here you are, Shikikan," Hatsuharu offered. "She looks nervous. You should go to her."
"I know. I'm going to try to ease that if I can," he replied, walking out into the space and nodding to her from across the room. He sat at the Union table as though nothing was amiss, passing her plate across the table as she sat. "Morning, Cleveland."
"Heya, Commander," she replied, feeling her raging heart settle a bit as he acted as normal as one could. That was until Pennsylvania spoke up as she buttered her toast.
"Sounds like you had an eventful evening, Commander," she said, voice dripping with accusation. Thorson closed his eyes and nodded, knowing something of that nature was bound to happen. He stood and walked over to her, joined to his great surprise by Tennessee.
"Remind me, Pennsylvania. I'm pretty sure yesterday we discussed the potential ramifications of such events and how you all would handle it. Maybe we are all wrong? Maybe it would be best if I practiced monogamy instead?"
"Oh my God. Me?!" Cleveland gasped with both shame and great affection. Pennsylvania looked at her lap, chastised as Tennessee returned to her seat with a nod at Thorson. Her presence not required in the end.
"They just can't handle the irony, or the fact you decided to not play favorites" the blonde battleship laughed, finding Downes to be her equal in finding the situation most humorous.
"I'm sorry, Commander," Pennsylvania replied sadly as Arizona looked at him. She was seated next to her sister.
"Did it bring you comfort?" She asked softly, resting a comforting hand on her sister's shoulder. Her face was one of both questions and understanding. Thorson gave her a true and compassionate nod.
"Yes, Arizona. Thank you, seriously. I think we should all return to breakfast for now," he advised. The two battleships nodded as Yamashiro and Fusou looked on. The elder was entertaining constant questions from the flavored kittens about what was happening, but the two of them seemed to be taking events in stride, perhaps on account of the life bond they shared with him."
"Commander," Pennsylvania called as he returned to his seat and patted Cleveland's knee under the table. "I would appreciate a moment of your time after breakfast."
"You'll have it Penny, of course."
That seemed to mollify her and the meal proceeded apace. Laffey, curiously enough, seemed uninterested in Thorson's nighttime dalliance. Despite her and her best friends sleeping next door, their main focus continued to be Zed. Both Cleveland and Thorson glanced at them with affection as they munched on toast and eggs, watching as a rare, genuine smile lit the Ironblood's face as Laffey snuck some bourbon into her coffee.
"I swear I have no idea where she keeps her stash," Cleveland laughed.
"She turned a siren mind control cube into some sort of plasma weapon, if the boiling ocean is any indication," Thorson stated, still awestruck almost a day later. "I'm not going to begrudge her an Irish coffee."
"And that, Commander, is why we love you," Cleveland declared, immediately blushing as Downes, Indy, Portland, and Tennessee began pounding the table. It was into that dynamic that Shiranui opened the doors to the mess, escorting Brooklyn, who had her arm interlocked quite lovingly with that of Captain Stevens. The room fell silent as she waved at him.
"Good morning, Commander! Did you miss us much?"
As Brooklyn and Stevens sat down next to Cleveland and Thorson respectively, the blonde shipgirl spoke up with a bubbly laugh.
"Given that just about everyone's staring at me, which question would you like answered first? This envelope in my hands or…" Brooklyn let her actions do the talking and leaned across the table to peck Stevens flush on the lips.
"How about the glasses, four eyes?" Cleveland replied with a wink. "Gotta say, it really brings the look together."
"Well if you insist," Brooklyn tittered with a loving look across the table as Hatsuharu arrived with breakfast. "Oh thank you, my dear. It's good to see you again."
"You as well, Brooklyn-san. Enjoy." As the cat-like destroyer left them Brooklyn began her tale.
"There have been some nights when we weren't sure if we were being pursued. Sometimes it was surface ships, sometimes submarines. The pieces are moving rapidly in the Pacific, Commander," she advised, motioning to the sealed manila envelope on the table. "In any case, during the evenings sometimes reading was a bit hard on a dark bridge. I acquired these and got quite used to them. One day I went to return a novel to the Captain and, well…" she blushed.
"What can I say? When she looks and acts that smart?" Stevens offered apologetically.
"Don't look at me," Thorson laughed. "She may be my ship but it's her body."
"Hmm, quite so Commander. And Captain Stevens has been very good to me...and it," she related with a devilish lilt to her voice. "I do hope you're not too broken up about it, Commander?"
"I've got more than enough on my hands, Brooklyn."
"Marvelous! I heard the rumors but wanted to be sure. Congratulations," she winked at Cleveland. "I will enjoy my monogamy instead. So, shall we get to business?"
"Damn, news travels fast. But yes, let's get down to business. I think you've answered everything else," Thorson agreed before looking a warning to his left. "Take good care of her, Stevens."
"Your advice has been solid, Commander. Treat them like your wife or daughter, you said? Well if my wife or daughter commanded a ship, I mean!" The bear of a man laughed before taking a sip of coffee. "You get results, Commander. I have no reason to doubt you and young Miss Brooklyn here has made all of our lives easier. High Command is coming around too."
"What?" Thorson demanded, looking between Stevens and Brooklyn. She winked playfully over her wire rim frames at him.
"Oh Commander, you didn't think your heroism would go unreported with me travelling around, did you?" Brooklyn asked with mock affront. "How better than to draw the rest of the Union brass to our side than to tell them of your conquests? I can see that even Lady Warspite and her retinue are staying here. I'll be sure to add that to my next report along with that darling little Ironblood."
Thorson and Cleveland looked at one another, noticing that most of the more mature ships at the table were also listening in for news of the war. Downes was among that number until the doors to the hall opened once more to reveal a sleepy, slim figure wiping morning sleep from her eyes as she searched for food.
"Sis!" Downes yelped excitedly, leaping up from the table and practically tackling her after a long sprint down the table.
"You're always too energetic in the morning," Cassin replied. Downes was completely unperturbed.
"How you doing, sis? How's the war going? Is escort duty alright? How's the arm and leg? How's the eye? You mack it with any cute sailors? My new buddy Vampire did. She says it was great while it lasted!"
Cassin blinked twice at her sister. "Can I have a cola?"
"One oxy-cola coming right up!" Akashi suddenly called from the Sakura table, rushing to the fridge. "It is Akashi's own sugary, oily sweet creation that is definitely not for humans, nyaa!" Soon Cassin was seated with the chilled beverage in her hands, popping the top with her rigging. Akashi waited nearby eagerly as her first 'test subject' sampled the carbonated beverage.
"It's good. Thanks kitty," Cassin replied in her devil may care voice.
"Akashi is pleased, nyaa! She will give you a few for your next trip!"
"Never thought I'd see the day," Stevens admitted. "Sakura and Union acting like the best of friends."
"We share a common enemy," Thorson insisted as Brooklyn joined in.
"And soon the admiralty of the Union may see it that way as well, sir. My most recent report to them included your rescue of Yamashiro and Fusou...from their own perspective. Hello you two! Doing well?" She called out. The sisters waved politely as Fusou replied.
"We have a new home, a new fleet, and new duties. There is little more we can ask for." They patted the little ones on the head as Brooklyn smiled sweetly.
"It was quite the story, Commander. They didn't believe me at first."
"Who are they?" Thorson demanded.
"Admiral Delancey and his staff, sir. He was promoted to fill the position left vacant by Admiral Hawkins' untimely death. I don't mind telling you, he has his hands full," Brooklyn related with some satisfaction. "The Sakura are on the move. Enterprise is doing her best closer to home but is more or less operating independently and Pearl Harbor is a bit of a circus."
"This ought to be good," Cleveland cut in.
"Oh yes. California has made quite a stink since learning the Commander and her sister survived." Perhaps unsurprisingly, Tennessee shot to her feet and walked silently up to Thorson. He rose to meet her.
"Commander," she said sternly.
"I know. I'll put in a transfer request ASAP." No further words needed to be said. As usual, Tennessee's face was a mask, only letting slip the emotions she wanted. In that moment it was concern for her sister. Brooklyn politely retook control of the conversation.
"I would be happy to submit that request for you upon our return to Hawaii, sir. In the meantime, I have orders for you." Brooklyn slid the envelope across the table. Thorson found it unopened.
"You could have looked at them," he advised.
"That would have been against protocol," she said.
"I trust you," he replied, opening the envelope and reading the single sheet of paper within. "I guess all we got is a weekend."
"Sir?" Cleveland inquired.
"Captain Stevens, it says here that this island is now your westward terminus. After the sinking of the Repulse and Prince of Wales, Southeast Asia is too hot. Apparently Enterprise's group has spotted troop convoys as well."
"So what are we going to do about it?" Pennsylvania asked, having been eavesdropping intently all the while. Thorson shook his head.
"Await further orders until the objective of the Sakura becomes clear," he said with mild anger. "Apparently we're still waiting to go on the offensive."
"Commander, we have Sakura on the base. If we put our heads together I'm sure we can think of something? Do you really want to sit here?" Cleveland asked.
"No, of course not. Captain, how is your crew?"
"They're fine, Commander. We figured we wouldn't interrupt your breakfast. But if you wouldn't mind a meal later in the day I think we'd all appreciate it," Stevens replied.
"Understood. I'm sure we can arrange it. For now, everyone eat up and enjoy yourselves. We'll have a war meeting after breakfast. Everyone who wishes to attend may do so. Fusou and Yamashiro, I'll be needing both of you. You as well, Warspite."
"Aye, Commander."
"As you say, tono-sama."
It warmed Thorson's heart to see almost every ship under his command wishing to stay for the council. The only sticking point was the flavored kittens, Mutsuki, Kisaragi, and Mikazuki. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Ark volunteered.
"Don't worry, Knight Commander," Ark assured him, the title drawing a most curious glance from Brooklyn. "I'll get what I need from Warspite. What do you say, you three? Wanna hang out with auntie Ark?"
"Um, will we get candy?" Mutsuki requested. Ark procured a lemon drop from her sleeve.
"I have one for each of you if you behave," she emphasized kindly. "It's Sunday, so why don't we go spend some time at the beach, hmm?"
The idea of splashing about in the tropics seemed well taken, and before long the three of them in their matching hats were following Ark in a polite line out the door.
"I will never understand how she's so good with them," Javelin remarked as they all took their seats. Akashi and the kitchen staff had moved some tables to clear space for an auditorium like setting, where rows of chairs faced a map of the Pacific and Thorson as he stood beside it. "So what's the plan, Knight Commander?"
"The plan is to develop a plan," Thorson replied with a small smile. "Union command has acknowledged this base's existence and, at least at arms' length, given its approval for our continued operation since we've been designated as an official port of call for Merchant Marine convoys. The problem is that the Sakura and Union navies have been dancing around one another since Pearl Harbor. And while Enterprise continues to score minor victories against Sakura installations within the sphere of Union influence, the Sakura have not been idle. We all know now that they have been active in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia. The admiralty has essentially told us to sit tight until further orders are delivered. I don't much like that idea."
"You can say that again," Tennessee piped up. "Every day those alien-loving Sakura are allowed to exist is a day they get more powerful!"
"While I would prefer my people keep existing," Fusou joined in. "I am in agreement with Tennessee-san. To wait is to allow Akagi and Kaga to consolidate their influence and increase their power."
"Exactly," Thorson approved. "But orders are orders. Which means if we are to, let's say, wander around Java during a 'training exercise' and encounter a Sakura fleet, we'd better be ready and we'd better come back victorious. Otherwise...well, let's not consider that just yet. Brooklyn."
"Yes, Commander?"
"In your estimation, what is Union high command's evaluation of the siren threat?"
"They are still focused on the war with the Crimson Axis, sir. While they are impressed with your handling of...us," she gestured to the various shipgirls around the room. "They still view the sirens as uninvolved or as observers."
"And the advances of the Ironblood Navy?" He pressed.
"From what I gather, they view it as the result of German engineering and science. Given your own results with us, sir, I cannot blame them for this view," Brooklyn concluded.
"Understood. So there you have it, everyone. We're on the front lines of the war with the sirens, one where the opening shots have just been fired. Our primary objective, for now, is to whittle away the strength of the Sakura in the hopes of eventually invading and capturing the Sanctuary, along with Akagi and Kaga. That means taking our best guess as to how the Sakura Empire, and its navy, will move. Any ideas?" A most unexpected ship raised her hand. "Zed? You have something to say?"
The young Ironblood looked quite intimidated as many eyes rested on her, but Laffey and Javelin took her hands as they sat on either side of her. She spoke up. "Ja, Kommandant. Before I fled I heard rumors, joint plans and coordination among the Axis. They called in Project C, or Plan C perhaps. All I know is that we made a request to the Sakura Navy for specific actions. What or where I don't know."
"Thank you, Zed," Thorson said as she finished. He was proud that she was able to speak up in such a setting, but she had given him very little to work with. "But without further information I'm not sure we can use this intel."
"Don't be so sure, Knight Commander," Warspite said confidently. "If the Ironblood are sending a request to the Sakura, it stands to reason they'd want them to do something that directly benefits their war with us."
"I don't disagree," Thorson replied. "What did you have in mind?"
"They want the Sakura to finish what they started," Warspite declared bitterly. "They want to drive the Royal Navy from this theater. Devastate our admittedly thinly stretched forces and place naval high command in an impossible position: reinforce the theater with ships we simply cannot spare from the Atlantic, or suffer total defeat and turn over all of Southeast Asia and much of India to the Sakura."
"We can't reach India from here," Thorson muttered, making the assumption that he would no longer find any friendly resupply to the west of his base.
"Maybe not, Commander, but I doubt the Sakura will only look that far afield," Stevens spoke up. "The area around Java is lightly defended by the Allies. It's fertile land and is one of the major oil producing sites in the world."
"What's not to like?" Arizona asked.
"Not much," Thorson agreed. "So the Sakura move troops in. Convoys require naval support."
"Which we will promptly blow into a thousand little pieces!" Downes shouted triumphantly, a fist in the air. "Uh...assuming they don't surrender first?"
"Atta girl," Thorson smiled, reviewing the distances at hand. "Well, this is going to be a long one. Alright then. All those in favor of a raid into Java?"
The ayes were resounding, most of his ships itching for a real brawl. "That's what I like to hear. Yamashiro, Brooklyn, Cassin, Akashi, Shiranui, Hatsuharu, and Yuugure, you all will stay here along with the three little ones. I'll issue each of you specific order before departure. The rest of you, work with the bulin crews to ensure your ships are loaded and fueled. We depart tonight. Dismissed."
"Yes, Commander."
"By your orders, Knight Commander."
"Hai, tono-sama."
"Ja, Kommandant."
A/N: Those of you familiar with my other work might be asking why I decided to treat Thorson and Cleveland this way, with an omission of explicit sex. There are a few reasons. First and foremost, I want this story to be about the siren war first and Thorson's harem second. If I were to make every intimate scene a full blown piece of written smut, I would not be fulfilling that goal. Second, I see this as a challenge and opportunity for me to write passion and emotion without relying on sex as a crutch. Third, I would like to keep posting on r/azurelane for the sake of continuity, and while that subreddit has its fair share of NSFW material, it never dips into the explicit. For now, this story will reflect that. In the future, in particularly poignant moments, I may go full blown boat porn. We will have to see. As always, thanks for reading and supporting my work.
-SB