Chapter 23 12-5
The Hellcat cradled in St. Louis's arms purred, a faint vibration reverberated between her chest from where the little fighter lay, seemingly fast asleep.
"Got rid of your Kingfishers?!" Phoenix's outburst nearly woke the Hellcat from its nap.
St. Louis hushed the loud mouth as she stroked at the little plane's fuselage.
"S-sorry~"
"They're Bataan's," St. Louis chuckled back quietly, "I'm helping Biloxi look after them for a little while."
"And I greatly appreciate it," Biloxi adds, cradling her own Hellcat with several others buzzing around behind her.
"Aww~ look at you two~" Phoenix cooed in an exaggerated manner, "like one big happy family."
"T-that's a little-" a flustered Biloxi stammered out.
"Ufufu~" St. Louis giggled, a hint of pink appeared on her cheeks as she turned to Biloxi, "right?"
"I-I guess…" the braided bluenette quickly looked away, "b-but you're looking too deep into this."
"It'll be sad when we'll have to give them back, I've grown quite attached to them," St. Louis smiled warmly at the plane nestled between her chest.
"Yeah, I'll kinda miss these little ruffians."
"I'd like a little one of my own," St. Louis said with a giggle, as she rocked the plane gently from side to side, "you'll give me one, right?" Her smile widened.
"Y-you're still talking about a plane," a bead of sweat dripped from Biloxi's forehead. St. Louis's smile looked a little more than her normal teasing one "r-right?"
"Of course!" She laughed, "what did you think I was talking about?" Switching to a low, almost sultry tone, "unless…"
"E-either way!" A red faced Biloxi stammered out, "I-I don't think I'm entirely capable of that!"
Phoenix bounced looks between both Cruisers. Her mouth hung slightly open as if to say something, but her words were lost as she struggled to find a point to interject in. Stumbling away, she bumped into Boise.
"Phoenix!" The masked Cruiser exclaimed.
"W-were gonna be aunts!" She grabbed onto her sister's shoulders.
"What are you even saying~?" Boise cried as she was shaken rapidly.
Brooklyn and Val involuntarily held their breaths as they overheard the interaction.
"S-she's not talking about us?" Val whispered to her fiance.
"I don't think so…" Brooklyn replied back, not entirely confident.
o7
The sun dipped behind some wispy clouds, casting long shadows off the palm trees and lampposts. St. Louis trailed a little behind the group as they made their way up the path towards the dorms.
"You guys won't believe what we got cooked up for tonight!" Helena excitedly ran ahead of the group.
"A welcoming party for little ol' me?!" Phoenix bellowed with laughter.
"H-hey~ I'm here too," Boise pouted.
"It's a reunion party!" Helena corrected as she clung to Boise's arm.
"A long time coming if you ask me," Brooklyn adds, squeezing between her sisters.
"Well, look who's talking, Ms. Lone Wolf," Phoenix teased, "how's your first time on this side of the Eagle Union?"
Brooklyn rewards her with a swift punch in the arm.
"You're forgetting who helped set up this place." Brooklyn said with a huff.
"Okay, grandma," Honolulu chuckled, "gonna tell us how the world was like before electricity?"
"W-well, I do look pretty good for my age if I must admit," Brooklyn did her best to keep a level of confidence.
Her sister's were all such lovely girls, St. Louis thought, as their laughter bounced through the air. It's been too long since she's been able to enjoy their precious giggles all at once, Helena's especially. Her little sister used to hide away, in her own little cocoon she built around her heart, isolated from everyone else. In a way, she was just like Brooklyn, always taking care of things on her own, hardly relying on anyone to get something done.
She felt compelled to be useful, on a self destructive quest to make up for her past life. It took a number of years to finally break her out of her shell and she became such a pleasant girl afterwards so when Helena was brought back to this life, St. Louis was worried Helena would go through the same things as back then.
And in a lot of ways she did, but with Cleveland reaching out that helping hand and St. Louis already knowing how to deal with her little sister's insecurities she was back to smiling and enjoying herself in no time at all.
"Louis?" Brooklyn said, suddenly appearing at her sister's side.
St. Louis's eyes snapped open, startled by her older sister.
"Everything alright?" A concerned Brooklyn said with a tilt to her head.
"W-why yes," St. Louis said quickly. She was sure her smile had never left her face the entire time, but Brooklyn was still able to pick up something anyway. The rest of their sister's were a fair bit ahead of them by now so she figured that was probably how.
"Louis! Brooklyn! Hurry up!" Helena's faint voice echoed from up the path, as she waved excitedly, practically bouncing at the two of them.
Brooklyn waived back, as if to silently tell her to go on without them. That seemed to satisfy her as the rest of their sister's disappeared further up the steep path.
"C'mon," Brooklyn said, "Let's hurry, before we make them worry."
Her smile was calming, St. Louis thought, as a warmth began to spread across her chest. Building up to a point where it threatened to spill from her eyes. In a panic, she pressed her face into the back of Brooklyn's neck.
Stopping from the sudden contact, Brooklyn went to ask what was up, but the familiar feeling of short sobs at her back made her hold her tongue.
St. Louis tried to hold it in, but the tears broke free from her tightly closed lids. It wasn't any sadness she was feeling, far from it, she thought, so why was she crying?
Brooklyn let out a sigh as a memory popped into her head. One from a long time ago when her sisters were still relatively new to this world. It was a similar situation, but she had forgotten what had initially triggered it, probably a little argument St. Louis had with Helena. It was the first time the two had butted heads over something and she had caught St. Louis sulking around the perimeter of the base afterwards. It only took a little hug to get those tears to flow. Her sister wasn't the type to show her pain, in her own words, "I have to be strong, for Helena's sake." It was due to that overprotective nature of hers that led the other Shipgirls to look to her like a beacon of hope, with her ever present smile like a ray of light shining down through dark times. In peace time though, this made St. Louis difficult to truly understand, especially to those closest to her. But when Brooklyn held her little sister that day, she realized, as those tears flowed, she wasn't just crying over some silly little argument, but for all the things she kept bottled up inside.
It has been a number of years since Brooklyn last talked so closely with her sister, one on one. So much has happened between then and now, reintegrating Helena back into the wider world and coming to grips with her memory loss probably wasn't easy. Brooklyn would know, because that's why she ran away in the first place. She couldn't imagine just what St. Louis had to go through, and she had been the one to put that burden so selfishly on her shoulders.
Brooklyn felt St. Louis bury her face deeper into her back, with a slight wetness soaking at her hair. If St. Louis resented her for running away, she probably wouldn't be crying into her back right now. Val would get angry at her for letting this moment slip by, and just then, she recalled what Biloxi had said to her at the mouth of the Canal.
Brooklyn's hair was so soft, so comforting, St. Louis thought as she buried her face deeper into the back of her sister's neck. It made it that much more frustrating that she couldn't stop her tears from escaping.
She suddenly felt weightless as Brooklyn pulled away from her before she was caught by her shoulders. She was met with Brooklyn's face yet again, looking right into her tear filled eyes.
"D-don't look," St. Louis sniffled, as she tried to cover herself with her hands.
Wordlessly Brooklyn pulled her into a tight embrace. It was just like back then, with her not really knowing what triggered this cascade of emotions, but she held her sister closer regardless.
"Sorry," Brooklyn said as she stroked the back of her sister's head, "I know I haven't been there for you…"
St. Louis was quick to shake her head into Brooklyn's shoulder.
"It must've been hard…"
Louis shook her head yet again.
"But I promise… I won't leave you guys for as long as I did again."
"D-don't make a promise you can't keep~" St. Louis tried to tease, despite her tears.
"I-I swear!" Brooklyn's voice came out a little louder than intended, "I-I'll be there for you… if you ever need me…"
"Always so serious…" St. Louis sniffled as her sobs started to fade, "I'm not angry~," she tried to laugh before resting her ear on Brooklyn's chest, "far from it actually…"
The soft thumps of her heart soothed the younger Cruiser as she let herself linger a little while longer.
"C'mon," Brooklyn said again, tapping on St. Louis's back before holding her sister in front of herself, "Everyone's probably wondering where we are."
"Oh dear…" St. Louis panicked as she opened her compact mirror, the puffiness of her eyes apparent to anyone who would look closely, "I have to cover these up…"
Brooklyn chuckled to herself as she watched her sister mess with her makeup.
"You look fine~" Brooklyn said, taking the little brush from her, "let me at least."
St. Louis closed her eyes, the feeling of the brush tickled below her lids. A memory from many years ago came into her mind, one when all the newer Ship Girl's were still getting used to their current bodies, herself being one of them. Brooklyn played with her hair, tying it up to the style she's used ever since. She also did her makeup for her back then, when she first showed interest in the world of beauty and fashion. Things were so much simpler back then… before the Sirens… before the war… St. Louis felt her lip quivering once again as she stifled back another round of tears.
"Hey now~" Brooklyn teased, "if you start crying now, I'll have to start from scratch."
"S-sorry~" St. Louis laughed, "I'm just so happy right now…"
The brush stood still against her face before a kiss was placed atop her forehead. As her eyes snapped open, Brooklyn's smile greeted her once more.
"So am I…"
St. Louis reached out to grab Brooklyn's hand as she took up her side, before the two sisters resumed side by side up the path.
Louis couldn't remember the last time her and Brooklyn were alone together like this. But one thing was certain, she missed this.
Nuzzling her head in her sister's shoulder she gave her hand a little squeeze, grateful she was here, next to her.
o7
By the time the two sisters reached the base of the party venue, it had already kicked off to an energetic start.
"Wasted no time I see," Brooklyn said, hearing the music from down the hill.
"These girls aren't as hardwired for work as you~" St. Louis teased, "they deserve a chance to let loose every now and again."
"Yeah~ but when, every now and again, is every other week…" Brooklyn said back with a sigh, "it takes a toll on our bottom line."
"And I get that…"
"Look, I'm not saying you guys shouldn't ever let loose, just that… relax just a bit on the extravagance."
"The Commander's the one who gets left with the bill at the end of the day," Brooklyn added, "and I can already see the gray in his hair."
"Ufufu~" St. Louis chuckled teasingly, "Still looking after the Commander so closely I see."
"He's useless by himself," Brooklyn said with a huff, "s-so of course I do. And frankly if I don't, it just makes my job a lot harder."
"How's he doing these days?"
"He's getting older…" Brooklyn brushed her hair behind her ear as she looked out at the moon's reflection on the relatively calm seas, "but he's still the Commander. He won't shut up about the good ol' days whenever he gets drunk.
"He's still as handsy as before?" St. Louis said with a blush, holding a palm to her cheek, "he was quite bold back in the day~"
"Don't need to remind me…" Brooklyn said as she unconsciously held the back of her skirt down, "but thankfully he's pretty much stopped all that."
"Oh~" the busty Cruiser raised her brow, "really now? You think he's finally settled down?"
"Just rumors," Brooklyn was quick to deflect.
"Oh~" Louis leaned in with a teasing smile.
"We're not like that," Brooklyn tried to push her sister back but she wouldn't budge, "I assure you."
"Mhmm~" she hummed, not entirely convinced.
"Besides…" Brooklyn drew her arms tight around herself, "he's more like family at this point."
"Ms. Brooklyn!" The ever dignified Hood greeted with a curtsy, "it's always a pleasure."
Under the shadow of the giant, newly unveiled, statue of the Royal Navy's monarch, Queen Elizabeth, were some of the most important shipgirls on this base.
"Likewise, Madame Hood," Brooklyn and St. Louis gave a polite bow back.
"You never greet me like that~" Wales said with a playful pout.
"Cause I never felt the need to," Brooklyn smiled back.
"You always know how to wound me!" The Royal Navy Battleship feigned an over dramatic display of hurt before stumbling onto Eugen's side.
"She's had a bit to drink," a slightly exasperated Eugen said with a chuckle, all too ready to accept the drunken prince's skinship.
"Is it you I have to thank for this exciting evening?" Hood said.
"N-no!" Brooklyn tried to deflect, "I only provided the supplies, "Helena and her friends are the true masterminds.
"Anywho!~" Wales raised a glass of champagne in the air as a server Manjuu handed them out, "To our ever lovely Brooklyn!"
Everyone was quick to oblige in the toast as Brooklyn partook in a glass herself.
"May you find long lasting happiness! Oh, and… congratulations~" Wales added, though, that last part she said directly to Brooklyn herself.
"Oh ja!" Wales' words jogged Eugen's memory, "Herzlichen Glückwunsch!"
"Ooo~" an excited Hood looked around a little lost, "what exactly are we congratulating?"
"Yes…" St. Louis mirrored the old Battlecruiser's reaction, "I'm quite curious myself…"
Brooklyn cursed in her mind, as she took her time to find the right words to say without stuttering. She hadn't expected the two prince's of trouble to have found out so quickly. Now she wonders if the Commander leaked the info.
"I will announce it at a later date," Brooklyn smiled, willing the sweat at her forehead not to succumb to gravity, "for now… I can't quite say~" she gave Hood a wink.
"Top secret, huh?" The old Battlecruiser pouted, "not even a little hint?" she said, a little hopeful, "it's alright dear, I won't push any further. I'll just have to fight my curiosity for the time being. But look at me, you're here to spend some time with your sisters, so there's no need to keep humoring this old ship for conversation."
After a lengthy goodbye, Brooklyn and St. Louis continued through the party looking for where the rest of their sisters had gone.
"Is that…?" Brooklyn stood on her tiptoes as she spots a a pair of red twin-tails in the crowd with a hat nestled between.
St. Louis mirrored Brooklyn as she peeked over the crowd, she spotted the familiar twin-tails as well, but her hat didn't entirely match, "I don't think that's-" but she didn't have time to finish as her sister had pulled her along.
"T-t-thanks… but…"
Brooklyn could've sworn she heard Val's voice the closer they got.
"Sorry if I frightened you." Brooklyn recognized the voice of another troublesome individual, "but I must know the name of this unknown beauty before me"
"Great…" Brooklyn sucked through her teeth, pushing through the crowd with renewed determination, steeling herself for the inevitable encounter, "Littorio!" She practically shouted as she presented herself before them.
Kneeling before Val, about to place a kiss atop her hand, the second in command of the Sardegna Empire, Littorio, stared back at the two Cruisers who appeared suddenly with a look of shock and excitement.
"Do my eyes deceive me?!" The green-haired beauty stood up, quickly closing the distance, "Brooklyn?! To think you would come to me!"
Brooklyn braced herself for what was about to come as the Sardegna Battleship grabbed hold of her arms, pulling her into a tight embrace. She had narrowly avoided Littorio's puckered lips, redirecting to her cheek at the last second. That didn't seem to faze the Battleship in the slightest as she continued to pepper Brooklyn's cheeks with a plethora of kisses.
"It's good to see you again," Brooklyn said through her forced smile.
"Oh how I missed this lovely face" The Battleship growled, tracing Brooklyn's chin slowly with her fingers.
"Wish I could say the same," Brooklyn said as she pulled Littorio's hands away.
"So that night we spent together meant nothing to you?" The Battleship reversed Brooklyn's grip before placing a kiss atop her hand.
Val's ears perked up upon hearing that. She knew coming to this base would expose her to Brooklyn's past relationships and probably some of her secrets and all she had to do was keep an open ear.
"As much as it meant to you I'm sure," Brooklyn scoffed, "gone the next morning to your next conquest I presumed, the rose on my pillow was a nice touch though."
"My love cannot be contained by just a single person," Littorio said, looking deep into Brooklyn's eyes, "but for tonight… I could make an exception."
"And I'm sure there are plenty of girls here to sate your appetite," Brooklyn turned away once again, "as for me, I'm not interested."
"So outspoken~" the Battleship's voice went low, venturing back into Brooklyn's personal space yet again,"but that's what I've always loved about you."
"She already said she's not interested," a twin-tailed Cruiser pulled Littorio back by her collar, "so give it a rest."
The Battleship finally relented as she took a step back, "alright, alright…" she said with a laugh, "so what did bring you to me?"
"I was looking for my sister…" Brooklyn said, shooting Zara a thankful smile. "But I found my friend in your crosshairs instead," she hooked her arms around Val's waist drawing her closer.
"So she's your plus one?" Littorio said, scanning Val up and down, a discerning look in her eyes, "I know when I'm defeated," she shrugged, with an amused smirk.
Clearing her throat, the Battleship knelt before Val took her hand yet again, "Please forgive my rudeness, I am Littorio, of the great Sardegna Empire, and this is my darling associate Zara."
"V-Val…" She blushed at the green haired beauty's more knightley demeanor.
"Where you girls looking for Honolulu?" Zara let out a giggle, "you weren't the only ones to have mistaken me in the crowd."
Brooklyn felt her cheeks warm as her blunder was exposed.
"You too?!" Val turned to Brooklyn, "I got lost in the crowd and thought I saw her."
"Y-yeah…"
"I tried to tell you~" St. Louis teased.
"There was another girl looking for her earlier," Zara said, trying to recall the girl's name, "A Sakura Empire carrier I believe…"
"Even I don't have confidence I could bed that one… she seemed… pretty intense… like an uncontained phoenix!" Littorio chimed in.
"No one asked you," Zara said with a huff.
"While I know you ladies would love to stay and chat with me, I know you have somewhere you would rather be." Calling forth a little manjuu waiter, Littorio grabs hold of its tray of champagne, "but before you do, would you do me the pleasure of sharing a drink with me."
Humoring her request, Brooklyn and Co. each took a glass.
"May your reunion be a pleasant one!"
"thank you…" Brooklyn stared down into her glass, this is the second of many, she said to herself before downing another glass.
Zara pointed to where she saw Brooklyn's sisters before they left to mingle with the other guests.
The journey to her sister's table proved longer than anticipated as the trio were stopped at every step by other Shipgirls looking to catch up or share a drink or two.
"Hey Brook~!" Biloxi waved as she ran up to the trio, "we were wondering where you guys went. Everyone's looking for yo(u."
"I know…" Brooklyn sighed as she scratched at the back of her head, "got caught up with everybody wanting to say hi."
Just then, another group of voices called out her name, "Brooklyn!" Fletcher waved, wanting to say hi, "get over here you~"
"That's what happens when you make yourself scarce for a few years, Ms. Star of the party." Biloxi laughed before glancing at St. Louis.
"Lou!" She took the older Cruiser's hand suddenly before brushing a finger below her slightly puffy eyes.
"I'm fine~" St. Louis laughed as she held Biloxi's hand to her face, nuzzling into her palm.
"You should take Louis with you, to the table," Brooklyn said with an amused look as she shoved her sister into Biloxi's arms. "So I'll meet you guys in a sec."
"But don't get too crazy you two~" Brooklyn said behind her to the pair of Cruisers before grabbing hold of Val's hand to where Fletcher and a few of her sisters were.
"Sorry," Brooklyn said, "mind if I keep you with me?"
"N-no not at all," Val laughed, "I don't mind meeting all your ex's, as long as they don't try whisking me away like that last one."
Brooklyn's words came out in a stutter, "t-they are not my "ex's"!" Brooklyn didn't really lie, she thought, a one night fling didn't really have enough substance to be labeled as an ex.
"Uh, huh…" Val nodded, not entirely convinced, "so anyone else I have to be aware of?"
"I already told you!" Brooklyn groaned, "t-there's no one like that!"
"So in all your many years, you've never slept with any of these people?"
"T-thats…" A flustered Brooklyn stammered, "I've never asked you how many women you've shared a bed with!"
"Yeah well~" Val scratched at the back of her head, "sorry… it's just that, after Littorio…"
"What about her?"
"I've known already…" Val lowered her head, "that you're way too good for someone like me, and I just wanted to know what I was up against…"
"Really?!" Brooklyn flicked hard at Val's forehead, "stop worrying about that!"
"You think I would've said yes if I didn't think you were worth it." She continued with her hands at her hips. "And as far as I'm concerned, you're leagues above anyone else I've slept with."
"I know~" Val whined as she rubbed at her forehead, before doubling back on Brooklyn's words, "wait… so you have slept around?!"
"D-don't say it like that?!" Brooklyn huffed, a little red in the face.
o7
By the time Brookly had finished her rounds greeting everyone, she had been more than a few drinks in, and that was enough to lower her inhibitions. She didn't seem to mind Val clung to her arm like a little koala bear as they made their way through the party. Shipgirls were everywhere, talking over each other and the music blaring over the speakers. That little birth/launch day picnic they just had was completely blown out of the water.
Val thought she had met some interesting and unique characters already, but with seemingly every off-duty Shipgirl in attendance, she really only just scratched the surface.
"Frau Brooklyn!" A bespectacled girl with a distinct Iron-Blood accent threw herself onto Brooklyn, dangling off her shoulders.
"K-Köln!" Brooklyn said back in surprise as she held the Iron-Blood Cruiser at arm's length. She had flushed cheeks and her breath reeked of alcohol.
"I hope ze Commander isn't working you too hard~ *hic* Like they do to me!" Köln's words came out like a slurry of wet concrete.
"Y-you wouldn't believe it…" Brooklyn laughed, humoring the drunken Cruiser, "but more importantly! "What in the world happened to you?!"
"That Ficker!" Köln weakly slammed her fist into Brooklyn's shoulder, tears forming on her eyes.
"W-whoa~ hold on. Calm down and tell me what happened."
"I-I…"
"She lost a drinking competition to one of her students!" A familiar voice said, trying to hold in her laughter.
Emerging from the crowd after their little sister, Königsberg and Karlsruhe supported her from behind, offering apologetic smiles.
"H-how does she do it?!" The drunken girl cried, "w-where does it go?!"
"Schwester, please. You're embarrassing yourself…" Königsberg attempted to pry her sister off from Brooklyn.
Just as Brooklyn was about to ask who she was talking about, she spotted a familiar metal bunny-eared Destroyer standing with one foot planted on top of a table holding a large blue bottle in the air. Her little band of friends clapped as they celebrated her victory, though Z23 did not look amused in the slightest.
"Yay!" The collective voices of the destroyers raved.
"No homework for a week!" Javelin cheered as they raised Laffey above their shoulders, parading her through the party.
"T-that's our Laffey for you…" Brooklyn could only offer a guilty chuckle, "you gotta learn how to pick your fights," she said, handing Köln over to her sisters.
"Who was that?" Val asked, hooking her arm with Brooklyn's.
"An instructor here on base," the Cruiser replied as she waded through the crowd, " she's also one of Wales' Secretaries."
"Sounds like a lot of paperwork."
"And you'd be right…"
"How come you never let loose like that?" Val asked tugging on her fiancé's arm.
"I don't think that was entirely her choice."
"Don't dodge the question," Val pouted.
"I dunno," Brooklyn disparaged, "never really felt the need to… I guess." Her statement sounded more like a question.
"How come?" Val asked again.
Brooklyn let out an exasperated groan, "maybe it's because I already have someone who helps to relieve me."
"So I'm just a stress ball to you."
"Are you not?" Brooklyn said back playfully.
"Hey~ I'd never object to a squeeze or two?" Val pulled Brooklyn closer to herself.
"Mind if I do more than just squeeze," Brooklyn said, lingering by Val's ear, as she snaked a hand under Val's dress.
A shiver shot up Val's spine as Brooklyn's breath tickled at her ear. She could feel her legs almost give way as she leaned into Brooklyn's side. It's been days since she's had any chance to be intimate with her fiance. Being in the same suite as Honolulu didn't really help much in that regard.
"H-hey~" Val giggled as Brooklyn nibbled on her ear, "s-stop~ anyone can see us."
Brooklyn groaned in frustration, settling for a perch on Val's shoulder. She knew keeping up appearances was important, but more than a couple of days sleeping in the same bed as Val and not having experienced a single intimate touch in that time, was starting to make her lose her mind.
"Hey!" Val said suddenly as an energetic song came on, "How bout a little dance!" She quickly led Brooklyn by her hand to where a few shipgirls had already begun vibing.
o7
Jean clutched at her single long stocking under the table, trying her damnedest to avoid eye contact with the two South Dakota Battleship's that suddenly took up her flanks. She hardly had room to breathe as her shoulders were squished from either side, despite the abundance of free space elsewhere at the table.
"This food is great!" South Dakota enthused, "dontchu you think 'Bama?"
"Quite." The youngest Battleship said, in her usual deadpan voice, "Helena really out did herself this time 'round"
If Jean stared any harder down at the table, a hole would probably start to form any second now.
"S-sis…" Massachusetts stammered from across the trio, "I think you guys should give-"
"Oh~ you wanted a bite?" South Dakota, interrupted, happily reaching over the table, giving her little sister a spoonful of blackened chicken and rice.
"T-that's not what I…" Massachusetts said, as she was forced to chew the delectable food. Not letting herself be distracted, she quickly swallowed. "Y-you should give her s-some space…" she said, fidgeting in her chair.
"But she's having so much fun with us," South Dakota smiled before turning to the Iris Battleship, "right, Jean?"
"Right?" Alabama parroted as well.
"R-right," Jean Bart said, as she gave the two sisters a polite smile back.
"Geez~" Massachusetts pouted, embarrassed for how her sister's were acting.
"It's not fair~" Massachusetts wanted to whine, she wanted to be the one sitting that close to Jean, but her sisters beat her to it.
"So~ Jean," South Dakota found a way to scoot even closer to the former Vichy Flagship, "we never got a chance to talk before..."
"N-no," Jean nervously shook her head, "I believe not…"
"When you visited New York… y'know after the war…" South Dakota started.
"Yeah! New York," Alabama parroted again.
Jean remembered her good will visit to the Commander's base of operations well, there really was no way she could ever forget. But she wondered why they were bringing it up now. It couldn't be? She panicked, shooting Massachusetts a desperate look for help, but she was just as stuck in this as herself.
"I heard you got to know my little sister very well…" South Dakota spoke directly into Jean's ear.
Crap… Jean chewed at the insides of her cheek. She was proud of what she did on her brief visit to the Eagle Union. To finally defeat your foe so utterly that she couldn't muster the strength to lift a single finger, though it was in a different kind of battle. It was cathartic, standing over her spasming body, basking in the sweet afterglow of her actions. But this wasn't exactly something she could openly tell anyone, let alone said someone's big sister.
"S-she was a most gracious host," trying to regain her usual composure, Jean sat upright before taking a sip from her wine.
"I see…" South Dakota rubbed at her chin, "so she saw to your every need and want?
There was hardly a dignified way to cough up your wine, but Jean almost found it.
Alabama slapped at the former Flagship's back as gently as gently as she could, attempting to clear whatever was lodged in her throat, but a couple of bruises was all she contributed too.
"Sis!?" Massachusetts shot up from her seat, her face as red as a tomato. She marched over to the other side of their table before abruptly pulling Jean up from between her sisters.
"Let's go!" She said, pouting, unable to bear the embarrassment any longer.
"W-wait…" Jean barely had her legs freed from under the table before Massachusetts had started leading her away.
o7
"Hey… sis?" Alabama cocked her head at South Dakota as they found themselves alone, "why's Mamie acting so weird?"
"You'll understand one day 'Bama," South Dakota ruffled her little sister's hair as she watched Massachusetts and Jean Bart disappear through the crowd towards the center of the party.
o7
"Do you even know how to dance?" Jean said as Massachusetts stopped by the edge of the dance floor. The Manjuu had started another classical piece after alternating between wildly various genres. Something for everyone, the Iris Battleship thought.
"I-I've seen others…"
"So that's a no," Jean crossed her arms over her chest.
"Bataan said a duel is like a dance." Massachusetts looked down at the ground, twiddling her fingers.
"I guess you could say that,"
"Y-you don't happen to know how?" Massachusetts kicked at the dirt by her feet.
"Of course I do!" Jean, with her nose upturned, huffed, "what? Want me to teach you?"
No sooner she asked that, Massachusetts grabbed at her hands, nodding furiously.
"F-fine!" Jean let out, as she led the way to an open spot on the dance floor, "if you step on my toes-"
"I won't!" Massachusetts said back happily.
Jean couldn't recall the last time she danced, or in actuality, she didn't want to. It was her sister she was locked step into step with. Richilue's smile that night hurt to look at, knowing what she would have to do the very next day. There was a pain behind that smile, like her sister had already known of the revolution Jean had planned.
"Ow!" A sharp pain at her feet snapped the Iris Battleship out of her head.
"S-sorry!"
Massachusetts flinched as Jean's eyes snapped open. She kept her head down staring at their feet as they clumsily stepped through their motions. Her shoulders were tense, like she was waiting for some kind of reprimand.
"Just relax," Jean barked as she pulled Massachusetts closer by her waist.
The Eagle Union Battleship caught herself, nearly stumbling over her own feet.
"Regardez-moi." Jean said softly as her fingers brushed under Massachusetts' chin. Tilting her head upwards she spoke again, "Look at me."
"O-okay." Massachusetts stammered. Their closeness was intoxicating, as she found herself completely enraptured with Jean's sharp, wine red eyes.
"Now," Jean said, as she started to move, "follow how I do."
Despite her rough start, Massachusetts was overjoyed as her steps slowly started to mirror Jean's.
"I'd be discontented if my self-proclaimed rival couldn't handle something as trivial as a simple dance." The corner of Jean's lips turned upward slightly.
"This is fun!" Massachusetts giggled, as they danced in a circle, their movements nearly in sync with the other shipgirls around them.
Jean didn't know when she had gotten so used to Massachusetts' smile or why the Eagle Union Battleship even did so around her to begin with. When she first laid her eyes on her would-be rival, she looked as if she was entirely incapable of it. Like she was some sort of stoic, cold-blooded machine. Psychopath, also came to mind the first time she had seen her fight, and coincidentally, also the first time she saw her smile. The sight of it made Jean shiver, and not for the same reasons as it did now. No. Skin-crawling was a more accurate way to describe it.
But in the end, she was no different herself.
As the current song slowly came to a close, their bodies still swayed to the dying rhythm.
Lingering in each other's arms, their bodies swayed a little while after the current song came to a close.
"Not bad… for a novice," Jean said, amused at Massachusetts's smug smile.
The music shifted drastically as a bombastic somba erupted from the band of Manjuu.
"N-no!" Jean said in a panic as Massachusetts's face lit up to the energetic beat, hoping to squash whatever idea she had drummed up.
"I won't do that to you," Massachusetts was quick to laugh as she hooked her fingers with Jean's, taking her side by the edge of the dance floor. "Unless…"
"Still a no." Jean refused yet again before she was bumped from behind.
Pushing through the crowd, another pair emerged. That civilian girl from the other day with Brooklyn being pulled along right behind her. Without missing a beat, the two began. Brooklyn was almost thrown into a wild twirl before stopping perfectly in time with the crash of the instruments.
"They're certainly eager," Jean said, unable to look away from the pair's increasingly spicy dance.
"T-those two are pretty good…" Massachusetts chuckled weakly with flushed cheeks, recollecting the events that transpired aboard Brooklyn's ship shortly after this similar sight.
"What happened to your previous excitement?" Jean teased.
"I-it's a long story…" Massachusetts turned away, the blush on her face deepening.
o7
"Ha! You should've seen it!" Phoenix slapped at her knee after recounting another embarrassing story about Boise's engagements with the men at their base, which usually ended with some having a lengthy visit to the infirmary, "I sent that guy flying!"
"H-he was just saying hi!" Boise added with reddened cheeks as she covered her chest, "he didn't mean to trip! It was just an accident!"
"Still doesn't give him the right to put his hands all over you!" Phoenix punched at the air, leaving a visible trail of vapor from her fist.
"Yeah. Yeah." Honolulu waved dismissively as she continued to scan the crowd, "always the brute."
"I would've done the same for you~" Phoenix whined as she attempted to give her younger sister a hug.
"W-ha? What are you-" Honolulu planted a firm hand on her sister's face, struggling to keep her at a distance, "c-cut it out!"
"Just one little~" Phoenix said, still muffled into her sister's palm, "-hug!" Her voice came out quickly as she suddenly shot forward.
Still scanning the party, Honolulu finally spots what she was looking for, a head of Blonde with a big blue bow adorning its side, but it had a head of brown tangled up with it, "Brooke?" She said under her breath as she let her arm holding Phoenix at bay go limp.
An audible thud made even Boise wince as the two redheads collided.
"Ow~" Phoenix rubbed at her forehead, "why'd ya-"
"Do you see that?" Honolulu whispered back as she winced.
"I dunno, see what?" Phoenix pressed her cheek against her sister's as she aligned herself with her view.
"Brooklyn!" She whispered harshly.
"Whatabout her?" Phoenix's brow furrowed, still confused, but as their name ship turned around, with her arms wrapped tightly around that civy from earlier, she sort of had a better idea.
Brooklyn was usually the target for that sort of skinship, and it never ended well for whoever tried initiating. So it was a little surprising to see her normally uptight sister being the touchy one.
"She's all over that girl." Honolulu said incredulously.
"Val…Was her name? So what?" Phoenix shrugged, "maybe Brook's finally got that stick outta her ass?"
"S-she has been a bit… huggy lately…" Honolulu's cheeks blushed at the thought of the other night and the incident in her room.
"Ha! You're tellin' me!"
"T-that's good, right?" Boise tried to smile through her mask.
"Y-yeah…" Honolulu adjusted her hat to hide her face, "I don't really mind it…"
There was a sudden explosion of laughter and cheers from the table next to theirs as a game of beer pong came to a head.
The sound of Wichita's cackling grew louder as she sunk the little ball in the other team's last remaining cup.
"Hell yeah!" Cleveland cheered as she gave her partner a high-five.
With one last chance to take back the game, Takao, with a ping-pong ball in hand, narrows her eyes at her target.
"Swift death!" The ponytailed Cruiser yelled as the ball left her fingers.
With a clunk, the ball ricochets off the cup's rim, coming to a rest on the grass below.
Wichita planted her boot atop the table, toppling over the remaining cups, "sorry girls! But your luck ran out the moment you challenged me!"
With drunken tears streaking down her face, Takao reached for the katana on her hip, "Onee-sama! I-I have disgraced you!"
"Takao-chan!" Atago grabbed at her sister's arm in a panic, "There's no need for that! T-there's always next time~"
"Alright!" Cleveland gestured to the crowd, "who's next!"
Helena, who had been watching the game closely, jumped at the opportunity.
"Boise!" Helena grabbed at her sister's arm, pulling her from her table, "let's go! Me 'n you!"
"Y-you sure? O-o-okay~" Boise's voice trails off as she's dragged away.
"Oh~" Wichita chuckled. A bead of sweat dripped from her forehead as their next opponents took their positions.
"W-we ain't goin' easy on ya," Cleveland steadied her trembling knees as she lowered herself into a ready stance.
"We got this!" Helena clenched her fist, "you ready Boise?"
"Y-yup!" The masked Cruiser squeaked as their game began.
Honolulu and Phoenix shared a laugh as they watched the game for a few minutes before turning their attention back to Brooklyn and Val, who at this time, had made their way to the edge of the dance floor.
"Still though…" Honolulu fidgeted in her seat, "don't you think she's being a bit too… friendly?"
"And? Maybe Brooklyn got a little too deep into that blue stuff. Need I remind you what happened last time you guys drank… I still don't know how you managed to rope Brooklyn into your little ménage à quatre with the Com-."
Another hand in her face quickly shut her up.
"Q-quit bringing that up!" Honolulu whined as her whole face burned red, "a-and that was all Louis's fault!"
"Aww~ you looked like you were enjoying yourself that night, "St. Louis had popped in from nowhere.
"Louis?!" Both redheads said, startled.
"Didn't mean to eavesdrop," Louis squeezed her head between her two sisters, "but I heard you girls talking about Brooklyn?"
"Y-yeah…" Honolulu grumbled to herself, as she side eyed her sister, "say… Louis?"
"Mhmm?"
"What do you think?" Honolulu pointed her chin towards their name ship, "about Brooklyn and Val?"
"I dunno Lulu," Phoenix answered out of turn, "they look kinda chummy to me."
"I wasn't asking you!" Honolulu spat.
"Now now Lulu~" St. Louis rested her hands atop their heads to calm them down, "but to answer your question…"
Honolulu could see her younger sister's face turn a bit serious as her usual smile disappeared for a second, her eyes closed, seemingly deep in thought.
"Something does feel strange about the two of them…" St. Louis spoke up, "Val seems like a good girl… and Brooklyn does seem happier around her…"
"Am I sensing a bit of jealousy with you two~" Phoenix teased, stifling a giggle behind her hand, but a sharp pain at her sides quickly put a stop to that. As she rubbed at her waist, she could've sworn she felt two hands that pinched her.
"Why dontchu guys just ask her?" Biloxi said, her patience for the situation running thin. She had been standing behind the trio after accompanying St. Louis back to their table.
"You know something!" Honolulu pointed an accusatory finger at the younger Cleveland.
"I can't say that I do," Biloxi shrugged nonchalantly, but after seeing St. Louis's pouting face, made her rethink her stance, "i-it's not my place to say! Okay? But after spending time with them… I'll just say… they're really good friends."
"Oh…" Phoenix looked like she figured it out, "so they're fucking!"
St. Louis was slow to react as she almost failed to catch Honolulu who had fallen halfway off her chair.
"Y-you shouldn't be saying such things out loud," St. Louis chastised, helping her sister back up.
"Aw c'mon! Look at 'em!" Phoenix gestured to their name ship on the dance floor, where Brooklyn had her hands on the back of Val's hips, trailing ever so slightly lower by the second, "There's totally something going on there!"
Honolulu and St. Louis were quiet as they carefully watched every intimate movement in their dance. The style of dances most of the Brooklyn sisters were proficient in, were fairly sensual by nature due to their abundant time spent in the Southern America's. Every point, every touch, every lift, every time their eyes met. Phoenix was right, there was indeed something going on there. Through all they've seen between Brooklyn and Val, especially these last couple of days, their brows furrow as they try to connect the dots.
"Arghhh!" Honolulu scratched at her head roughly, "and they're sleeping together in my room!"
"So~ have you heard anything?" Phoenix wiggled a lecherous brow.
"N-no!" Her cheeks now matched her hair, "n-nothing like t-that!"
"Maybe they're quiet?"
"Ha!" Biloxi let out an involuntary laugh, "the walls here are pretty thick, there's little chance you could hear them. And there's no way any of you Brooklyn's could keep your voices in!"
"A-a-and how would you know?" Phoenix blurted back, partly offended, mostly flustered.
"Well I-" Biloxi caught sight of St. Louis staring directly at her, her smile unmoving with narrowed eyes. A chill went up her spine, knowing she better chose her words carefully.
"I-I was… kidding?" Biloxi began to chuckle nervously as she slowly backed away from their table, "yeah! All in jest."
"Can we please change the subject? Honolulu said with a huff.
"You're the one who brought it up!"
"I know~" Honolulu groaned as she slammed her forehead on the table. She couldn't bear to watch the increasingly intimate way Brooklyn and Val were holding each other any longer.
Another round of cheers erupted from the table next to theirs as Wichita's frustrated cry reverberated through the party, despite the music.
Cleveland collapsed to her knees, holding on to her table for support, "Damn it!" She slammed her fist down as the last cups spilled onto the floor, "they're too strong!"
"Congrats…" Honolulu greeted as Helena made her way back to their table carrying Boise piggyback.
"Hehe!" Helena chuckled, flashing a smug smile.
"We kicked their butts!" Boise tried to do a Kung-fu pose, nearly losing her balance on Helena's back.
"Good!" Biloxi said, "those two were getting a bit too cocky lately."
A round of applause rang from the dance floor as the previous song came to an end.
"Aww man~" Helena pouted, "I missed Brooklyn's dance!"
o7
Sweat dripped down Val's face as she pressed her forehead against Brooklyn's. It was easy to get lost in her almost red eyes. The way they glimmered like a dazzling fire, reflected the fiery passion she normally kept hidden inside her. It was times like these that Brooklyn's passion would be on display for all to see. In her dance, her footwork was smooth and sharp and the way she moved her hips dripped heavily with her sensuality. It took everything Val had to keep up with her, but she's hardly had so much fun doing anything else.
Val's eyes fell to Brooklyn's lips as she resisted every urge to dive in and taste them, but she found her resolve quickly failing. With pursed lips, Brooklyn closed her eyes, drawing closer and closer.
At this point, neither cared if everyone found out this way.
A roar of applause broke the two out of their trance.
"Wowza!" The party's DJ spoke enthusiastically into the mic, "quite the performance from our guest of honor!"
Jumping down off the stage a short, twin-tailed red-haired shipgirl which Val recognized from those energy drink commercials approached the pair, "how 'bout a little word from our lovely Brooklyn!"
"S-Sandy…" Brooklyn said quietly, trying to shove the mic away from her face.
"Aww someone's a little shy!" San Diego teased, playing up the crowd. Pointing the mic towards Val she spoke again, "so… how'd you two learn to dance like that? Those were some hot moves you girls were pulling off!"
"M-many parties back home," Val answered.
"So you two party together often?" Sandy exclaimed, shooting a look of surprise at Brooklyn.
"H-hey, even I like to let off steam from time to time," Brooklyn said back with a huff, "a-anyway, interview is over."
"Aww~ don't be like that Brooke~" San Diego pouted as the pair hurried away. "Anyway!" She quickly switched back to her ever cheery tone as she turned back to the crowd of Shipgirls , "let's hear it again for that stunning performance! And now~ who's ready for the next song!"
o7
Val tried to enjoy the food laid out in front of her, but she could feel the eyes of nearly everyone at the table.
"Say~ Brooke?" Honolulu said, breaking the awkward silence.
"Yes, Honolulu dear?" Brooklyn smiled through her teeth.
"Do you two party together often?"
"To answer your question…" Brooklyn cleared her throat, "yes… yes we do."
"Uh huh…" Honolulu hummed with narrowed eyes.
Helena sat stiff as another uncomfortable silence fell between the Brooklyn sisters.
"I-i-it's a shame I missed your dance," the youngest Cruiser let out a nervous chuckle, "I would've really liked to have seen it."
"It was quite the sight," St. Louis added, "a very intimate display."
"B-Brooklyn's incredibly passionate when it comes to dance," Val finally spoke up, "s-so I tend to get caught up in the moment."
"Our dead fish of a sister?" Phoenix laughed, "you're still talking about Brooklyn here?"
"H-hey~"
"S-s-she's not like that!" Val unintentionally raised her voice, "Brooklyn's a very warm and passionate person…"
"Val…" Brooklyn grabbed hold of her fiancé's hand as she attempted to calm her down.
"And now she comes to her defense," Honolulu raised an eyebrow as her suspicion grew more concrete.
"C'mon guys…" Boise said, trying to defuse the situation, "you're being a little unfair…"
"Well if our dearest sister was a bit more honest…" Honolulu said under her breath.
"That's hilarious coming from you," Phoenix couldn't help but add.
"Lulu… Phoenix…" St. Louis chastened. She had her own suspicions but decided to side with Boise.
"S-sorry…" Helena said shakily as she balled up her fists, "but… I don't know what's going on…" The youngest Brooklyn had her expectations for tonight betrayed. After working so hard to prepare everything for this moment, none of her sisters seemed to be enjoying it.
Everyone at the table went silent for a different reason as a guilt spread in their chests.
"Helena…" Brooklyn was the first to speak up. She felt Val squeeze at her hand below the table as she gave her a little nod. A sign to spill the beans. Brooklyn didn't know if she was ready, but she didn't really know any other way out of the situation.
"Everyone… I haven't been forthright with you…" Brooklyn lifted her hand, still intertwined with Val's from below the table, before resting it where everyone could see.
"You could've fooled me…" Honolulu said, rolling her eyes.
"So… you two are… dating?" Phoenix finally said what most were thinking.
"Well… we're… kinda past that…" Brooklyn said, lifting her and Val's hand into the air once more.
All her sisters went silent as they took a second to observe the pair's hands more scrupulously. Everyone was quick to spot the glimmering gemstone atop their sister's finger, but St. Louis would be the first to speak up.
"You're engaged…" she said as she covered her mouth in shock.
"Y-yes…" Brooklyn finally confirmed. She thought she would feel relief when she had to inevitably reveal the news, but the weight on her heart didn't quite disappear as an anxiousness quickly began to replace it.
Honolulu slammed down on the table as she stood from her seat. Her eyes darted in every which way as a dozen emotions began to flood her all at once.
"Y-you can't be serious!" Honolulu stammered out with balled fists, falling back on her default state, "i-is-is that why you finally decided to show up?!"
She quickly withdrew her arms close to her chest. She knew she was being unfair but that didn't make it hurt any less.
"Lulu… I-" Brooklyn reached out her hand but was quickly slapped away.
"Save it!" Honolulu didn't know why she was reacting so harshly, but she couldn't help it. Like all the pent up frustration over the years was finally coming out in a way she couldn't control. Seeing the hurt on Brooklyn's face as she nursed her hand was too much. Seeing no other way out, Honolulu ran from the table, pushing through the party before leaving it entirely.
Boise and Phoenix were quick to stop Brooklyn from giving chase as they grabbed hold of her shoulders.
"Don't," Phoenix said sternly.
"We should let her process it on her own…" Boise said as she pushed Brooklyn back down on her seat, "y'know how she is…"
Val thought she was prepared for this moment. She originally pictured hugs, tears, and fanfare when the news finally broke, but that quickly changed after finding out about Brooklyn's strained relationship with her sisters. She was fully expecting a harsh reception, but it didn't help to dull the pain in her chest any less when Honolulu ran off. As if sensing her anxiety, a pair of warm arms wrapped themselves around her from behind. Two soft pillowy mounds cushioned the back of her head.
"It's okay, dear…" St. Louis spoke softly, placing a kiss atop Val's head, "sorry for not being so welcoming before, but… rest assured, we're happy to have you in our family."
"While I don't really know you all that well yet," Phoenix began as she held out her hand towards Val, "let's change that soon, yeah?"
"Yes!" Val shot up as she took the redhead's hand, the grip on her fingers nearly crushing.
"Heh!" Phoenix chortled, "hey Helena! You ain't the runt of our litter anymore!"
"Uh… y-yeah!" Helena's eyes darted around, blinking a mile a minute as she tried to process everything that happened within the last minute.
Even Boise felt compelled to greet their newest addition to their little family, but as she approached Val her anxiety hit in full force as she stayed staring at the ground at her feet, fiddling with her fingers. "C-c-congrats!" She squeaked out quickly.
Val took Boise's hands into her own suddenly, squeezing tightly, "t-thank you!"
Val felt a pressure build up in her eyes as tears began to fall. She was grateful for Boise's and Phoenix's kind words but finally being able to say thanks to her saviors, despite them not knowing who she was at all, was like a burden being lifted off her heart, "for everything!"
"Ah…ah…" Boise panicked as Val began to cry into her hands.
"Look what you did~" Phoenix teasingly slapped her sister's back.
"But I-"
Boise's words were cut short as Val's arms wrapped around both sisters.
"So this is what Wales and Eugen were congratulating you for?" St. Louis said to Brooklyn.
"They definitely didn't hear it from me," Brooklyn said with a furrowed brow, "I really wanted you guys to be the first to know."
"I was wondering what made the Commander transfer Phoenix and Boise so suddenly."
"I know it's selfish of me…" Brooklyn cast her head downwards, "and I've been nothing but for the last few years."
"And that's okay…" St. Louis hugged her older sister, "because you deserve to be a little selfish, after everything you've done for us."
"Louis…" Brooklyn felt tears well up in her own eyes as she returned the hug even tighter.
o7
"Damn it, Helena!" Cleveland cursed as she and her sisters stormed Brooklyn's table, "I'll get my revenge! Just you wait!" But just as she approached, she was met with a distraught Helena clawing at the front of her cloak.
"W-wha?" Cleveland stood, dumbfounded at the bizarre sight. On one side, Brooklyn was bawling into St. Louis's chest as Val was doing the same to Phoenix and Boise on the other.
She looked over to Biloxi who had been there the whole time but all her younger sister gave her was an exasperated shrug.
"B-Brooklyn!" Helena stammered as she hung from Cleveland's cloak, "S-s-she's… getting married!."
The party around them went quiet as everyone turned in their direction. The silence only broke when Columbia's bubblegum popped right in her face.
"What?!" The collective voices of the Cleveland sister's rang through the air.
o7
Well… sorry for the late update. Things always get crazy for me during November, both at work and at home, which leaves little time for me to work on this fic.
This time around I was actively working on 3 different versions of this chapter which I ultimately combined into one. So, sorry that things are a little disjointed and not having a beta doesn't help things either.
Next chapter might take place before and/or during this one, featuring our favorite yandere phoenix, and possibly what happens with Honolulu at the end of this one.
Side note - I just finished watching Godzilla Minus One, and I must say, it was a fantastic movie. I felt like a total nerd after guessing what exact plane was going to show up at the end before they showed it. And I also suddenly want to give Takao a larger role than a cameo all of a sudden.