Once Tester was defeated it took roughly half an hour before the last and final enemy Siren ship was dealt with, the hulls of various mass production warships were now just floating hulks remains up in flames while others were in the process of slowly sinking and being taken to their watery graves. The starry skies and full moon that helped light the battlefield were now clear of enemy planes while the ones that belonged to the Azur Lane fleets flew back to their respective mother ships now that the battle was over.
Back aboard the Enterprise as the Commander and the carrier shipgirl herself stepped through an opened hatch leading them out of the 'island' that was the ship's main tower, and the two were now walking onto the flight deck as couple squads of Vanguards and several Mainline ships gather up and started to converse with one another ranging from checking on the condition of others, comparing kill counts or just general friendly banter among them in the lively group even if a few looked rather beat from the long operation they just endured.
Lips curled into a smile as Maxwell soon approached the group as he greets them. "Welcome back, ladies. How was the water?" Majority of the Eagle Union shipgirls perked up and turned to meet with the Commander with one of them, Baltimore, was the first to speak. "Well it was pretty rough out there, and the reception was horrible from the start."
"That's an understatement." Cleveland would be heard chiming in with her arms crossed to her chest as if looking a little disappointed even if it was just an act, a slight shake of her head to further portray her stance as she spoke, "Who do we have to talk to so we can give our complaints?"
"If you got any complaints, take it up with the Sirens." Was Maxwell's response, letting it linger for a moment before he faked having a sudden realization. "Oh wait, you already did. Guess that's a bust then." His comment brought out some soft laughs and giggles from his fleet, it alone made him smile a bit more seeing that even though girls were in various stages of appearing a bit bruised and the hulls of their rigging were a little scuffed up, they were still in good spirits from their victory as well as not having lost anyone in this operation.
They would converse a bit as well as giving a brief report to him on both their conditions and how their fights went, though he knows he'll have to go through a full proper report once he was back at the base and behind his desk again facing off one enemy he tended to dread back home; spending many long days fighting off paperwork with a pen. The things he has to do just to keep Azur Lane running smoothly and to make sure everyone is happy.
As the chatter among the group continued Maxwell started to notice that someone among the group was not accounted for and he slowly scanned around everyone to see if he could spot them. Enterprise likewise was watching her Commander's behavior and it didn't take long for her to surmise what he was doing, the corner of her lip lifting into a small smile as she reached over to give him a few taps on the shoulder to grab his attention before informing him, "Takao and Atago are waiting for you below deck in the captain's quarters, you might wanna go meet up with them."
He blinked looking very surprised. "What? Atago got here ahead of everyone?"
"Yeah. Once we were done checking on the rest of the squad and everyone was okay, we let her have a head start. Figured she'd want to start helping out Takao as soon as possible." Cleveland explained, a few of the other girls that were with her nodded their heads in agreement.
This made Maxwell let out quiet amused noise while he rubs at his forehead, of course Atago would put her big sister cap on once the battle was over and to check on her sister. One could always count on her to want to look after others and give them the "onee-sama" treatment, to help heal them and or pamper them till they felt better.
"Go on, Commander. We can handle things from here." Baltimore would say and making him look over with a raised brow giving her a curious look before asking, "You sure?"
His attention was then brought back to Enterprise as she joins in, "Commander, I am sure that we can survive for a little while without you needing to oversee everything. Let's have everyone get some rest before we worry about the debriefing."
Maxwell looked a little thoughtful before turning his head to look at the rest of the Eagle Union group to get a read on them and it looked like they were all in agreement and were practically ganging up on him at this point. Seeing as he wasn't going to win this and deciding to take them up on the offer he sighs softly before saying, "If you girls insist."
His words being more so a question than a confirmation and his slow scan over the shipgirls' body language and smiles told him they were indeed insisting.
With another small sigh yet a small smile on his face he held his hands up just above his shoulders signaling his surrender before resting them on his hips and turns his attention towards the carrier shipgirl. "Okay then. Enterprise? Soon as you hear that the other three fleets have regrouped and are prepared to leave, set a course and take us home."
Enterprise smiled and gave a quick nod of her head in response. "Gladly."
"Alright. I'll take my leave then. Excellent work as always, ladies." Maxwell would comment in praise of his fleet before ending it with a salute. Feet shuffled and click heels onto the flight deck as each shipgirl including Enterprise stood at attention followed by a sharp salute as well before everyone would soon stand at ease as he turned and started to walk towards the Island, only to slow his pace when he heard Cleveland call out for a, "Good night Commander. See you in the morning."
Looking over his right shoulder to glance at the group, holding up his right hand up flashing everyone a peace sign before tucking his hands into his pockets and focused on his journey of entering the metal structure, traversing down some flight of steps going further down the hull of the ship. The hum of the engines and other machinery within becoming slightly more audible as he moved about, with no battles taking place the sound of the internal workings of a warship can be soothing once one becomes more accustomed to it.
As he was getting closer to his quarters he could start to make out a pair of voices from it, the tones of each of them made it easy to identify who was who and even more so when one could be heard giving a sharp hiss of breath followed by an audible groan, no doubt the sounds of someone receiving some medical care as their wounds are being treated.
"Oh come now, it's not that bad. Honestly Takao-chan, you are lucky that the worst of your injuries are a couple of sharp cuts. Like this one right around here…" Atago casually comments as she goes about to clean another cut which earned a sting-like yelp from Takao who would soon quietly whines in protest. "Is… it over yet?"
"Almost there." Atago hums a soft melody while she works to help calm her sister while she works. "Just a bit of ointment here… And there… we…"
Maxwell walks up to the partially closed door, pressing a hand onto it and slowly swings it open just as Atago was applying a one final bandage onto Takao's wound. "Go~" Atago announced with a soft chime in her voice, lightly rubbing over the bandage making sure it was secure on her sister before standing straight and gives a once-over seeing if she had missed anything and soon being satisfied with her inspection as she smiles. "All done~"
It didn't take long for him to quickly note that while Atago was still in her uniform but with some visible signs of battle still shown on her. Takao on the other hand was half naked in just her bra and panties and yet despite various patches of bandages covering her from head to her thighs, it looked like she was helped getting the soot and blood washed off her body.
A small sigh leaving Takao's lips, shoulders sink as she sat on the bed as she was being tended to and now could finally relax and allow her aching body a moment of peace. Her eyes which were closed for a moment cracked open when she heard the door swinging that she turns her head to it, a quick yet quiet breath of surprise upon realizing who was standing there. "M-Max?" She called him out by his more personal name.
Her years of training clicked in as she was about to get up from the bed and stand at attention, however that process was quickly halted when she saw him gesturing to 'settle down' while he told her,
"At ease." And she did so as instructed, settling herself back onto the mattress if with just a slight embarrassed on her face given her current state.
Atago in the mean while was just finishing up closing and setting the medical kit aside when her canine ears perked up upon hearing the Commander's arrival that she spun around to face him, her golden-brown eyes lit up and her smile grew seeing he was indeed there. "Max~" Her high heels tap the floor as they carried her forward and she strolled her way up to him and the two embrace each other.
Satisfied 'Mmms' came from the pair as they held and squeezed one another tightly as well as a form of relief now that they were together again after the many hours apart. After a little while of their hug the two finally loosened up and hw quickly scans her over before looking her in the eye and gave her a soft smile as he spoke, "Well, you are still looking lovely as always."
A soft giggle left Atago followed by her giving a few soft pats to his chest. "Ara~ Charmer~" She answered with a loving smile of her own. As much as she would of loved to remain in his arms for a little while longer she knows that there were matters to tend to so she finally releases him. She would however offer to take his officer cap off his head and sets it on the desk before she turned to her sister.
He voiced his thanks to her, running a hand along the top of his short blond hair to look more natural again before his attention was now focused on Takao. He'd stepped around till he was standing in front of her and the two locked eyes. Breaking the silence between them with a soft yet warm, "Hey." while he smiled at her who returned the gesture with a soft smile of her own as she nodded to him. "Hey."
Silence lingered for a moment again as he looked her over seeing the kind of damage she had sustained in her goal of saving him. He soon broke the quiet once more as he comments, "I don't recall giving you an order to come to our aid."
A slight shake of her head was her answer followed by her saying, "No, you didn't. However when we all heard the report about Tester and her attempt in going after you, Cleveland and her sisters assured me that they had everything under control on their end and insisted that I head back to protect you."
He raised a brow. "Did they now? Well then, I'll have to give them my thanks next time I see them." A soft laugh followed from him as he just smiled to her again.
"Although knowing you, Takao-chan? You likely would of split off from the group just to come to our Shikikan's aid even if they didn't insist." Atago would chime in while she slowly walked over till she stood beside the Commander.
It was Takao's turn to raise a brow giving her sister a questioning glance. "Are you implying I would of willingly abandoned everyone just to protect him?"
"No, of course not. Not unless you were certain they would of safely handled it by themselves." Atago assuredly stated while she smiled. "And besides, I'm sure Cleveland and the others would of understand given the circumstances at hand."
Her words helped push back any doubt in Takao's mind who just nodded her head before looking back to Max as he asked, "That being said, are you sure you are okay?"
This time her smile went upside down as she started to pout when it looked like he was being concerned over something so trivial. "Yes, I am perfectly fine. Damage like this isn't enough to take me down so easily."
"Come now, Nee-chan, you know exactly what he meant. You know how much of a worrywart he can get at times." Atago quickly counters her sister as if pointing out something obvious to her. She then looked to Max and gave him an assuring smile along with a soft giggle. "After all, it is part of his duty as our Shikikan and our husband to be just a little worried about us~"
"I know, I know…" Takao responded followed by a deep sigh followed by a deep breath to relax herself, but her sister was right. While he does tend to get a little too worried at times, it is just part of his compassionate nature as he always puts everyone's health and concerns first before he considers his own needs.
Once she cleared her mind and gotten more calm she looks up to him again this time with an apologetic smile. "Not that I don't appreciate your concern, but I am okay. Nothing some proper rest and downtime won't fix."
He just smiled and nodded showing that he understood her. Soon he would hold his arms out towards her and a few quick gestures with his hands hinting of his invitation for a hug. It took Takao only a moment for it to click in her head to recognize the invitation, her lips spreading into a more genuine smile as she stood up and stepped into his waiting arms before wrapping her own around him as the two cling to each other in a tight yet warm embrace.
Her head rested against his chest as she lets out a soft yet loving sigh of contention, she could never grow tired of a moment like this as it was one of many things that brought her the most peace in her life and feeling his love in the hug filled her heart to near bursting. She slowly nuzzled his chest affectionately while she spoke out in almost a whisper. "My apologizes for making you worry."
"Hey, it's alright. I had faith in you. Besides, I still think back to what you vowed to me." Max would say before pausing. Takao's eyes opened to thin slits and her smile widens, her drooping dog ears twitch as she listens to him repeating the same words she had once said to him,
""No matter how badly I'm injured, I will make sure to always return to your side."" She quietly mmms once he was done and to this day she has done just that, even when things had gotten dire in the past she had kept fighting and winning just to be with her Commander again.
After hugging each other for nearly a minute the two finally loosened their hold but didn't completely break from the other, merely just starring at each other when he cracked into a smirk and said; "You were amazing today. Nice moves by the way, even if they were a bit risky."
A small laugh came from the heavy cruiser along with a slight shake of her head before she commented, "Thank you, though sadly I doubt I would be able to repeat it for the next battle even if I wanted to try, especially if I were to fight Tester again."
He nodded in agreement, the Siren likely would be more prepared next time when ever they cross paths again, but that concern was pushed back for later. For now though, there was one thing he had to do; as much as he'd like to enjoy seeing one of his wives in just their undergarments, this was certainly not the time or the place for it.
Finally breaking the hug up he took a step back to give himself more room to work with unbuttoning his dress jacket, this making both of the Samurai warships watch him closely looking a little confused with Takao's voice coming up, "Max…?" She was about to question him on his intention but it quickly became clear he once slipped the jacket off and brought it around presenting it to her that it became apparent that he was offering it for her to wear.
The realization showed on her face that no other words were given other than a nod from Takao as she turned and went about slipping her arms down one sleeve then the other, once it was on her he buttoned it up. It might have been just a little big in certain areas not counting her chest, but at the very least it did a decent enough job of covering her up completely.
She ran a hand the front of the jacket while she looks herself over with it on her now, it felt nice but it still puzzled her so she gazed up to him as if asking why for which he quietly chuckled before offering her his answer. "Figured you'd need it until we can grab you a new uniform back home."
Of course, Takao thought, he was helping her out as always. Not that she was going to complain about this as the jacket retained some of his warmth and with his scent all over it it made it feel like she was constantly being hugged by him. She crossed her arms under her chest and lightly squeezes to hug herself enjoying the moment, she'd raise her head to look at him with a loving smile before saying, "Arigato."
Max returns her smile with a short yet sweet, "My pleasure."
They smiled and stared at each other for a little while before they were broken out of their trance by the muffled sound of a yawn from Atago, turning their attention to her as she was finishing. Realizing what had happened she'd quietly laughs with a sheepish smile. "Mmm… Sorry… I don't know about you two, but I think it is time for everyone to get some shut eye."
Now that she had mentioned it, Takao was feeling a bit tired. While it didn't feel like much it was only a matter of time before today's mission would finally catch up to her and the need for rest would make it difficult to do much of anything. "No arguments here." She would comment with a small, tired smile.
Atago nods before gesturing to the bed. "You two go on ahead and get all nice and cozy. I'll join you once I've freshened up a little bit." Before either Takao or the Commander could even say anything, Atago just smiles and waves to the two of them before she walked out of the room.
The pair turned to glance at each other, both having a slight mused of a laugh as they speak at the same time in a humerus tone. "Atago."
Once they were done with their little laugh Max would ease himself down to sit on the bed and works on his shoes, loosening them up to easily get them off earning himself a bit of relief. He'd bring his arms together then holds them above his head, groaning during his stretch and holds it for a moment before letting his arms finally down and onto the bed.
He had barely felt the shift in the bed till the pressure of someone against his back and arms wrapped around him alerted him of his bed partner. Looking over his shoulder to spot the pair of pretty golden-brown eyes and a loving smile greeting him, Takao gives him lil squeeze during the hug before she lets him go but gives him a few tugs towards herself.
With a nod he soon obliges her, lifting his legs up so he could get himself fully onto the mattress then rolls to his left side finding Takao mirroring him as they laid there and she soon scoots herself closer till they were hugging each other once again. No words were exchanged between them, not that anything needed to be said when their eyes alone could tell them everything they needed to know.
Well, almost everything as after a minute of them laying there together that Takao quietly giggles. This made him give her a questioning look, although he couldn't help but quietly chuckle due to her giggles before he asks her, "Heh. What? What's so funny?"
"Nothing, it's just that…" Takao shakes her head as she spoke at first before pausing, taking a moment to gather herself before she looks to him once again with that soft loving smile. "I think that each and every day we spend together is a blessing."
'Ah', he thought, and she is right. Things had been very different for him long ago, before he met Takao and Atago, before the war with the Sirens or between Azur Lane and the Crimson Axis when it all started, or him becoming the Commander of Azur Lane.
Before all of this he was an infantryman for the Eagle Union during the war in Central Asia for several years, so he was no stranger to war or the pain and hardships that came along with it, couple of close calls with death or watching many of your brothers and sisters in arms falling in battle, rarely does anyone ever come home unscathed both in mind and body.
Coupled with even a not so pleasant previous love life before he had even considered enlisting, while it didn't leave him devastated before and after his deployments nor did he have a miserable life afterwards, it did leave him having some self doubt about his worth in the world.
All that changed when he was picked as part of the Azur Lane initiative and would ultimately be chosen to be in charge of the whole operation. No longer was he being thrown into the front lines, and while he wasn't always out here at sea with the fleets, he wasn't in fear of his own life but in charge of the lives of countless others under his command was what he feared now.
These shipgirls, these "Kansen" as they've been officially dubbed, while they are the physical and living representations of old naval warships from the past, who can traverse the seas and bare the might of their powerful strength and weaponry all with their little humanoid forms? They are indeed strong and tough, some might even consider them the most powerful beings that currently walk the Earth… But that doesn't mean that they aren't indestructible.
A few had already been lost at sea before the war with the Sirens even began, and while thankfully they were able to bring back those that had been lost, some of which having become more stronger than they originally were back then, it still leaves a lot of weight on the Commander's conscious. Worrying that every mission he sends these women out to fight in this war could very well mean it would be their last if he is careless.
It also didn't help matters that damn near all of them have put their hopes and faith in him to see this through, sometimes he wandered if he was even worthy of their trust and faith. But the fact that they haven't given up on him when he came close to doing just that on himself a few times showed him that even if it was just from these shipgirls that he had found his value and worth in this world.
When it came to love? He hadn't considered it to be possible, let alone while leading Azur Lane.
War isn't usually a good spot for romance, let alone to find one's significant other especially when seeing the next day isn't always guaranteed while in the constant dance with death itself.
The fact that he found unconditional love and admiration from two of these shipgirls, let alone from another country, was no small feat.
Snapping back to the here and now as he laid there with Takao, he would raise a hand up to palm and rubs at her cheek who in turn closed her eyes and happily nuzzles to it, making him quietly muse at how cute she was behaving. The two of them would slowly lean towards each other till they pressed their foreheads together, enjoying the peaceful moment they had together.
Their tender moment would however be cut short as the sound of foot steps entering the room along with an audible giggle, a quick glance from the two as they found Atago had returned and was smiling. "Well don't you two look so cute together~"
Both Takao and the Commander let out a soft amused noise, he would soon smirk over to the other heavy cruiser before telling her, "Alright, Atago. Just make sure the door is closed and dim the lights before you join us."
A quick nod from Atago, she turns to grab onto and swings the door closed making sure it was secure before walking to the bed with a little skip in her steps. Once there she carefully slips out of her high heels, but before she could join the two she gestures for them to make some room for her. Even though the bed might not of been ideal three people they did what they could to make it work some how.
"Yosh~" Atago quietly cheered as she joins the two, having opted to cuddle up behind her sister for the night and after some shifts and adjustments were made they were all tightly snuggled together. They didn't go to sleep right after, instead passing the time with some banter or catching up on some things, wanting to bask in their time together for as long as they could till their eyes started to feel heavy.
Eventually they would all lose their fight against sleep and were about to let themselves drift into their deep slumbers, but before they did Atago's voice gently calls out, "Max?" Eyes cracked open, struggling to keep them up as he reacted, "Yeah?"
Even though he couldn't see it, Atago's tired smile widens as she tells him something that he has heard many times over and yet never grows tired of hearing, "I Love you~"
A soft chuckle was his reaction along with a pleased look on his face, his eyes drifted down to meet Takao's all while she had a soft bashful smile on her face, a hand on his chest giving it some light rubs as she follows suit after her sister. "And I love you."
"Love you too, ladies." He responded in kind. Takao's smile brightens just slightly but it was still enough for him to see how happy she was and how she kept her smile, even if it softens a little bit, as her eyes slowly closed up succumbing to sleep. He on the other hand fight it just a little while longer, taking in the view of her sleeping peacefully for as long as he could manage before he finally gives in and joins the two in their deep slumber.