Chapter 27: Morning After

"...Oh god, what did we do last night? Easy answer? Each other. Harder answer? What does this mean for us moving forward?"

Snapping back to full awareness as his internal clock informed him that it was now time to get his ass up Alexander belatedly realized that he'd only gotten a few hours of sleep or so...he and the Ironblood had been at it for a long time.

"Christ, she wasn't kidding when she talked about how Ironbloods were the superior breed of women. Then again I've never exactly fucked a shipgirl before, maybe they're all this energetic?"

Gazing down he felt his lips quirk upwards into a smile he had no control over, Eugen snuggled deep into his chest with her hair splaying wildly across the mattress, everything from her shoulders down covered by the insulated blanket as her features were lax and at ease, no sign of the tension and grief present from last night.

Wincing as his smile was easily wiped out by a pang of loss and regret lancing through him as the memories of the past few days announced themselves the young man found that while they were still sharp and raw...some of the crippling sense of failure and inadequacy had been blunted, done away by the warmth and affection he and the Ironblood had shared.

Maybe their union hadn't been for the best reasons...but it had done wonders for his state emotionally, that the male would freely admit.

"Of course, that just raises the question of what she and I are going to be moving forward...was this just a one night thing, both of us pretending it never happened? Or are we going to be, you know...something more permanent? Or at least possibly permanent."

It was honestly hard for Alexander to come to a decision in that regard. Sure, the emotions they'd shared through the bond had been pretty intense and definitely more meaningful than a simple desire to bone each other's brains out...but was that actual romantic attraction or just a close friendship escalated a few notches through the desire for mutual comfort?

"You'd think the bond would make it easier to figure out stuff like this but noooo."

Heaving a quiet sigh and settling for simply pulling the slumbering woman closer to his body - and privately enjoying the way her ample bust massaged his skin - the male Siren rested his head against the soft and pleasantly cool pillow-

"Wait...pillow?"

Tilting his gaze upwards the man came face-to-face with none other than Observer Zero while Purifier leaned against a nearby wall, the pale-skinned women gazing down at him with a smirk as Zero intoned, "Did you sleep well, Alexander Curtis~?"

Fighting down his initial reaction to yelp in shock he instead settled for narrowing his eyes...and felt a rapid onset of doom as Prinz Eugen stirred, eyes of vibrant orange fluttering before peeling themselves open, the shipgirl's lips curving into an affectionate smile as she saw his face, lazily remarking, "There are less pleasing faces one may awake to than yours, herr Alexander...now do you perhaps feel ready for round-SCHEISSE!"

Rolling out from under the blankets in a sudden display of incredible athleticism - especially when one considered the fairly frantic pace she'd maintained all night - the shipgirl's rigging burst to life, snapping and whirring with ominous intent as she warned, "Back away, this Siren is...eh?"

Blinking as her brain caught up with her instincts the cruiser stared, uncomprehending, at how Alexander's head rested in one of their enemy's lap with no adverse effects, jaw parting in shock.

The male took a few seconds to appreciate the utterly erotic view that was the Ironblood with her hair down, completely nude and flanked by highly destructive implemnets of war before deciding to face the music, stating, "Before the munitions start flying, how about I take a moment to explain everything that's actually happening here?"

Eugen affixed him with a volcanic gaze as he removed himself from the Siren's lap, the mental bond between them flaring with such a sharp sense of anger, betrayal and hatred that Alexander physically flinced, feeling like a kicked dog-

-and the instinctive burst of negative feelings faded just as quickly, the Ironblood sucking air through her teeth before letting it go in a laborious exhale, lovely orange-red orbs affixing him with an icy glare.

"I suppose you have earned yourself the courtesy of the chance to explain, if nothing else...your idea of a pleasing morning after is, to use a rather apt descriptor, kot."

Feeling his lips purse in equal agitation he affixed Observer Zero and the silently grinning Purifier - now healed of any lingering scars or injuries - with a murderous expression, growling, "Not my fault. I thought I told these two to stay out of sight and out of mind until the afternoon, not the morning."

"The time is currently 12:01, we have followed your instructions to the letter."

Blinking at Zero's cheery response the male huffed out a breath, electing not to get into a dispute over the matter right now. Instead he turned to Prinz, handing the shipgirl her clothing as she raised an eyebrow at the action.

"What? I'm not going to explain all of this while you're naked."

"Oh? Would it perchance be too distracting for you?"

"That's exactly it, actually."

The slightest of smiles briefly came to the shipgirl's lips before she mastered herself once more, slipping on her bodysuit while leaving the rest folded nearby, rigging still primed and at the ready as Alexander slipped on his own articles...not that he had very many, actually. Something he realized he was going to have to fix in the near future.

"Very well...now talk."

Understanding the 'request' for the order it was Alexander responded, "Truth is Observer Zero here has been with me since the start, she was the one who initially gave me this body and the Bakunawa after I attempted to destroy her during the showdown at the harbor. It's only with the conclusion of this last battle that rather than a passenger she's actively thrown in her lot with me. And Purifier is the same, she was the one leading the enemy fleet against us."

Prinz's fingers slowly curled into fists.

"So she is the one responsible for all of our comrade's deaths?"

"Yup, that was me~! Feel like getting into a fight over it? I'm down for that."

Eugen looked ready to rip the woman limb from limb, one step forward causing the Siren to perk with excitement...and the heavy cruiser grit her teeth, turning to Alexander as she asked, "I assume they are still under the limits of how they were programmed, merely following orders?"

"They are."

An aggravated hiss of breath left the Ironblood but she subsided nonetheless, Purifier appearing massively disappointed as she complained, "Hey come on now, we can still go a few rounds if you really want to!"

"An offer I think I'll be more than happy to take you up on...but at a later time, not now."

The Siren looked far more gloomy than she had previously at the response, grumbling, "Fine...but you better have an arm as good as the boss's over there."

At Prinz's raised eyebrow Alexander shrugged, mumbling, "I wasn't in the best state of mind last night...I may have let loose a little bit."

"You don't sound particularly proud of that."

Eugen gave him a confused look, no doubt wondering why he was remorseful to any extent at all.

"I realized that I was brutalizing someone just for doing what they were born and created to do."

He had to avert his gaze from the Ironblood's.

"It made me think of all of you, if someone was doing what I had been about to do."

"...I see."

Prinz's words were far softer than he'd expected them to be, the male Siren running a hand through his hair before announcing, "Zero, Purifier, meet back here in three hours. We'll go over our next moves then."

"Oh, a specific time? How responsible of you, Alexander Curtis."

"Ugh, more waiting…"

Thankfully the pair of Sirens left without further comment, Eugen raising an eyebrow as her bare foot idly tapped on the floor, Alexander sighing at the unspoken request for further clarification.

"I didn't tell any of you because my position was still so unsure and shaky that I was worried any suggestion of there being an actual Siren aboard the ship and inside my head would have all of you throwing me in a brig or executing me on the spot."

"Ah. That would certainly explain your early outbursts, that was not the Bakunawa but the Siren herself."

"Yeah."

An awkward silence - at least for the male - descended, unsure of what to say or do as the Ironblood remained silent, lost in thought as she stared off into the distance...and eventually heaved a titanic sigh, affixing him with a soft and genuine smile.

"Given all that you have done and gone through for Azur Lane and us in particular...I cannot bring myself to blame you. You made the best decisions you could given what you knew. Or at the very least the most understandable ones."

Feeling like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders Alexander's shoulder sagged a bit, Eugen of course spotting it before mercilessly teasing, "Aww, did the big, bad Siren with a cock like a horse trouble himself over what little old me was thinking and feeling~?"

"Kindly show yourself out."

The pair shared mutual smiles of camaraderie as Prinz began to fully dress herself, Alexander suddenly blurting, "So does last night make us...something? Anything?"

The cruiser paused in tying her hair into its usual style, cautiously replying, "I...do not honestly know. We are no longer simply mere companions and comrades but I would hesitate to describe us as liebendes. Besides!"

Some of the uncertainty was tossed aside in favor of a cheshire grin.

"I believe there are three other of my sisters that may wish to have a greater claim to your heart, I would hesitate to step between them and the target of their affections~."

Alexander paused, mind scrambling to catch up with the words the shipgirl had just uttered.

"What?"

His mouth didn't quite make it.

"You heard me, horse boy. Dearest Warspite, Vampire and Kawakaze are all fairly enamored with you."

The cruiser condescendingly patted him on the cheek, playfully remarking, "Do be a gentlemen and avoid snapping them in half when they come to warm your bed, yes?"

"What?"

Giggling at his stupefied demeanor the Ironblood hesitated, considered her next words...and laid a kiss across his neck, quietly murmuring, "Danke, freund. For not leaving me alone last night."

"I...yeah. Anytime."

Obviously reeling from the shift in moods at the drop of a hat Alexander merely stood there gormlessly as Eugen departed without another word, the male's mind simultaneously running at maximum speed while not actually going anywhere.

"...What the fuck was that?"

Belfast slowly awoke to bright sunlight, panic briefly settling into her nerves at the head maid having overslept her morning duties-

-and instead relaxed as Enterprise's warm arms encircled her from behind, the Royal Navy cruiser reflecting that perhaps once in a blue moon it was acceptable to be slovenly and lazy.

A notion that was only increased in attractiveness as a soft mumble left the carrier, burrowing even deeper into the maid's smooth back as Belfast felt her partner's warm and plentiful chest - almost a match for her own - push deeply against her.

"She's always rather adorable when she sleep talks. A far cry from her usual taciturn self."

Gently maneuvering herself so that she was resting on her back without waking the other shipgirl the head maid let her eyes drift closed in contentment, one hand intertwining with Enterprise's while the other - in a fit of bold behavior not common to the maid - tenderly cupped the carrier's butt, lightly kneading the warm flesh and causing the Union woman to girlishly giggle in her slumber.

"Adorable indeed."

Resting her ahead atop the carrier's own Belfast decided that a few extra minutes wouldn't hurt anyone-

-and her bright blue eyes snapped wide as a shadow fell over their bed, one cruiser's eyes meeting another as Eugen grinned down at them, a finger carefully tapping the side of her head in a request for mental communication.

"And just how was your night, head maid~?"

Keeping her cool the pale-haired shipgirl calmly replied, "Just as fulfilling as yours, I imagine. We could feel your and master Alexander's 'activities' quite keenly, after all."

A mild bit of sheepishness briefly appeared on Prinz's features, the Ironblood playing with her hair in a rare gesture of bashfulness as she responded, "Ah, yes, well, one thing lead to another, he was very understanding and neither of us were in the best state of minds...our privacy 'filter' might have slipped at points."

Deciding to milk the uncommon shyness of the perpetually teasing Ironblood for all it was worth Belfast mused, "Indeed it did. Lady Nagato and her majesty actually wish to speak to you about this slip in discipline…"

A brief surge of chastisement echoed across their bond...and Belfast allowed her grin to show, Eugen promptly scowling and pinching the maid's cheek.

"Refined and demure my steely ass, since when has the head maid become the snarking type?"

"One must seize any and all opportunities when they present themselves."

Rolling her eyes the cruiser relented, asking, "So…"

"No, your lovemaking with master Alexander did not cause trouble. We were actually quite relieved, that you had found someone to provide companionship during such a trying time. And it lead to one thing after another, as you can no doubt see."

Affectionately stroking the still slumbering Enterprise's hair the head maid watched the briefest dustings of pink appear on Eugen's fair skin, her tone dry as she asked, "Is lovemaking perhaps not too strong a word?"

"I do not believe so, the emotions emanating from you two felt quite genuine."

Pinching the bridge of her nose the Ironblood quietly sighed, stating, "Be that as it may we should meet as soon as possible and discuss something important that relates to herr Alexander...I have little doubt that the next stage of this war will require us to go our separate ways soon enough."

Nodding in acceptance Belfast replied, "Agreed, I shall begin waking the others."

Prinz inclined her head, making to leave the small dorm room the pair had commandeered for the night so as not to disturb their fellows...and grinned, slipping Belfast a wink as she playfully slapped Enterprise on the arse, the carrier yelping as she awoke with a start, inadvertently kissing her partner on the cheek in a facsimile of a good morning kiss, Prinz blowing Belfast a smooch of her own that clearly said 'thank me later' as the Royal Navy cruiser rolled her eyes at the action.

Inwardly she was just glad that her sole remaining Ironblood sister was alive and in as good a spirits as could be expected.

"Ah, thank you, Belfast."

"Of course, Lady Nagato."

Passing off her latest cup of tea to the Sakura empress the head maid took up position behind her majesty's chair, the eleven surviving shipgirls all gathered in the common room of their dorms and holding an impromptu meeting, the mood quiet, subdued and still possessing a slight sense of unreality...but they were holding strong nonetheless, their moods even somewhat upbeat as Kawakaze, Warspite and Vampire kept sending Prinz Eugen surreptitious glances that weren't missed by anyone, least of all the heavy cruiser who made a show of rubbing and stretching her legs with tiny moans, arching her back to pop her spine while playing with her hair in a manner that was more than slightly feminine.

Belfast couldn't help but smile at the interplay, something she knew her majesty reciprocated.

Despite all that they had lost, all they had gone through and would still likely experience...somehow the grief and crippling void left by countless sisters now absent from their lives was a dull ache, rather than an open, bleeding wound.

Perhaps it was just as simple as them having a goal to fight for, a certain path to victory rather than an uncertain fight to survive just one more day...the promise of their comrade's deaths being for a worthwhile cause rather than a nebulous endgame yet to be discovered.

"Now that we are all gathered, I believe Prinz Eugen has something she wishes to share with all of us?"

Elizabeth's words were echoed by Essex, the carrier remarking, "Preferably not the exacting details of your night of passion, I hope? I don't think Warspite, Kawakaze or Vampire would be able to listen for the entirety of it."

Aforementioned trio of shipgirls gained a light dusting of pink on their cheeks but otherwise didn't comment, Eugen smirking as she responded, "A tempting proposal...but alas, matters are a bit more complicated than that."

Her features settled into a mask of cool composure, continuing with, "All this time herr Alexander has had an actual, living Siren accompanying him aboard the Bakunawa. Two, actually. With the conclusion of this latest siege."

Her arms crossed, rightmost finger idly tapping against the leftmost limb.

"That accounts for some of his behavior when we first met, the sporadic twitchiness, evasiveness and random outbursts. It wasn't the ship itself that was speaking to him, it was the Siren herself, one Observer Zero."

The room was silent for a time, various expressions and emotions raging until Nagato remarked, "Judging by your composure and tone, sister, you do not find this something to be overly concerned about?"

Shaking her head in the negative Eugen replied, "Had I been told this at the start of all this I would have possessed a far different answer, but…"

Enterprise sighed, rubbing her temples as she grumbled, "After all that has occurred I find it hard to suspect Alexander of even the smallest infraction...and I was of the far more wary faction when we first encountered the Bakunawa."

I-13 hummed thoughtfully, placing her hands on her chin from where she was perched on Essex's lap, remarking, "So do these Sirens work with us now or are they completely subservient to whatever he wants them to do?"

"From my understanding they follow his orders without complaint."

Eugen's response caused Akashi to excitedly flap her sleeves around, proposing, "So we could grill them for everything they know, right?! That means all sorts of technology and weapons and shields, nya!"

Kawakaze frowned slightly in thought, remarking, "But didn't he say that he already had all of the knowledge provided by the Sirens? What use will they actually be to us?"

Akashi blinked, calming down slightly as she chuckled, "Eh heh heh...kinda forgot about that, nya…"

The sole remaining Ironblood shrugged, stating, "We still are not certain of their capabilities and I believe that will be a matter for herr Alexander and the Commander to discuss in more detail when the time comes...for now, there are two additional topics that bear addressing in relation to our erstwhile wild card."

The Ironblood suddenly frowned, remarking, "We had best begin brainstorming a means of introducing Alexander, the Bakunawa and the two Sirens now under his command to the world at large. This secrecy cannot go on forever."

Elizabeth arched an eyebrow, appearing intrigued as she grandly motioned for Eugen to continue with, "An interesting topic of debate, do continue."

To everyone's surprise it was Warspite who carried on the conversation, proclaiming, "Eugen is right, Alexander was already revealed to admirals Harrison and Elias alongside some of their staff. And while they took the reveal about as well as could be expected - circumstances being what they were - a secret shared remains not a secret for long."

Vampire took up the narrative with, "Lady Warspite speaketh the truth. Should the war cometh to a close or morale needeth a boost, would not news of a Siren allied with our goals be a beacon of hope, were it presented in the proper light?"

Essex slowly nodded, remarking, "I think there's an argument that could be made there, not to mention the thought of Alexander having to hide from the rest of humanity for the rest of his days doesn't sit right with me."

I-13 nodded, crossing her arms while definitely stating, "Yeah, what would happen to him if we won tomorrow, for example? Either disassembled or locked away in some research facility because no one but a few people would trust him. No carrier - sort of - left behind, I say!"

The assembled shipgirls all noticed Akashi frown in thought before hurriedly grabbing one of her many sketch pads, scribbling something down on it with a frantic pace as they elected to let her imagination and inquisitive brain do its thing. Instead Nagato raised her hands, calming everyone with, "While I agree most definitively with your desire to aid him we cannot simply rush into this decision without giving it due thought. Any plan enacted in haste without due consideration may merely make the situation worse."

A sad expression appeared on the diminutive battleship's features, tone soft as she reminded them, "The scars of this war run deep and not many may be able to see Alexander for who he is, rather than the Siren he became."

That sobered up the gathering a fair deal, Elizabeth stating, "Let us consider various means of integrating the young man into Azur Lane through an official capacity and present such musings to the Commander, we shall come to a complete consensus then. Now, Prinz Eugen, I believe there is one more matter you wished to speak of?"

The Ironblood played with a lock of her hair, hesitating for a moment before releasing a tiny sigh, meeting her sister's gazes with a mildly sheepish expression.

"How shall we deal with the matter of pursuing herr Alexander's affections, when so many among us desire his attention?"

A few sudden intakes of breath lead to much coughing or awkward blushing, Warspite protesting, "D-do you have to put it so bluntly, Ironblood?!"

Dully meeting the battleship's gaze Eugen remarked, "This is a matter that needs addressing now, before it turns into some Eagle Union soap opera, blöd interpersonal conflict included."

"They're not that bad."

Essex's protest was met with a variety of wry gazes, even one from Enterprise.

"...Okay, maybe they are that bad."

Kawakaze's tail lashed in bashful agitation, soft tones carrying far in the unsure silence as she muttered, "I...I still do not know how I feel, so this conversation need not concern me-"

"Sister, while I well understand your desire to push such an unsettling and unfamiliar topic away...you are deceiving no one but yourself with such a blatantly false statement."

Nagato's chiding but gentle statement caused the destroyer to flush, ears and tail drooping.

Belfast - doing her duty as mediator and assistant to all - spoke up with, "Perhaps clearing the air and establishing who among us actually feel the inclination to pursue master Alexander as a target of romantic interest will make such a situation more simple for all involved?"

Elizabeth nodded with a grand smile, announcing, "Well it is quite evident that dearest Warspite, Vampire and Kawakaze have had their hearts stolen by our newest ally...yet I would also like to proclaim my interest in this gentleman and throw my most proverbial and royal hat into the ring!"

The bevy of shocked stares sent her way - even by Belfast - caused the tiny queen to cough in embarrassment, protesting, "W-what?! His bravery, kindness and courage under fire despite being naught but a civilian for much of his life is quite the attractive set of qualities!"

Her gloved fingers nervously played with the tip of her scepter.

"A-and his occasional spot of vulnerability is fairly enticing...a mixture of hard and soft, if you will?"

Nagato shook her head, fox ears twitching slightly before she slowly announced, "Then in the spirit of honesty...the aid he has tendered my fellow sisters - Zuikaku and Shoukaku spoke quite highly of him - as well as the conversations we have shared thus far are...intriguing. And what Empress is complete without an Emperor at her side? Having a potential ruler such as he may go a long way in improving the world's view of our allied Sirens!"

The last bit was said in such a way that it sounded almost desperate, Belfast trying to hide her amusement as she could see exactly where this was going, Enterprise's emotions more along the lines of fond exasperation.

Essex and I-13 shared brief glances, both seeming to communicate at a rapid mental pace...and the submarine puffed out her chest, announcing, "Big sis Essex and I would really like to try dating him! It's nice to have someone that chats with us about engineering stuff but also doesn't mind going into other topics."

The Union carrier shrugged, mild blush on her skin as she added, "What I-13 said...his interest in what we wanted to do with our creations outside of the war seems genuine and he professed an interest in going along for road trips and the like. We don't get that too often and maybe that's a start?"

Next in line was Akashi, the cat girl still scribbling away at her paper and not fooling anyone that she hadn't been listening, ears twitching and face blushing.

"...I remember his lap being really warm. And he was always worried about me feeling guilty over the things I have to do as an inventor, umm...ear scratches also felt really good?"

With growing resignation all eyes fell to Prinz Eugen, the Ironblood merely sighing and massaging her temples with her fingers.

"Hells above and below, doth all of mine sisters hold affection within their hearts for Alexander?!"

Vampire's half amused and half dismayed shout was answered by Enterprise clearing her throat, Belfast raising a hand to her mouth to hide her smile as Warspite hung her head, mumbling, "Only nine other competitors...how lovely."

Belfast and Enterprise shared a uniquely amused glance, knowing that this was going to be an interesting series of events to watch play out...and it wasn't as if they held no affection for the man himself either, just not of the romantic sort reserved for each other.

They distinctly remembered the moment shared atop of the Bakunawa as they awaited the Siren's siege of the island...neither was adverse to a sense of intimate companionship. After all, if last night between just them had felt amazing, how would it feel with a third?

Both shipgirls snapped back to current events as Elizabeth banged the point of her scepter against the floor, confidently proposing, "Well then the matter is quite simple, we need merely ensure that the few of us left all partake of the target of our affections. Does anyone object to this arrangement?"

Belfast resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of her nose at her queen's usual bullheaded approach to sensitive matters, the rest of the shipgirls releasing a collective noise of surprise.

"W-wait, all of us?! Is...is that not a harem, your majesty?!"

Warspite's words coincided with Enterprise cautiously remarking, "Most of our cultures have not practiced polyamorous relationships for quite some time...doing so might raise certain questions and controversy."

Elizabeth released a haughty 'hmph' and crossed her legs, imperiously stating, "I refuse to allow societal norms decided simply by the herd mentality to dictate what happiness may or may not be. And should it prove unacceptable, we will merely make such an arrangement not available to the public eye!"

This time the head maid didn't bother hiding her sigh, wryly commenting, "Only you would propose a devilishly bold solution one moment only to shift towards one of clandestine efficiency should the first not go your way, your majesty."

"Why thank you, Belfast."

The shipgirls awkwardly shifted and mused about the battleship's proposal, giving a cautious sort of consideration to it once the shock value wore off-

-and Akashi abruptly stated, "Umm...I think I have a way to make the world look at Alexander in a good way."

At her sister's curiosity and grateful expressions for providing a distraction the minty kitty flipped around her sketch pad, revealing a tall man clad in futuristic and imposing looking armor, colored black and gray with portions where multi-colored lights could be implanted.

"Sirens are the bad guys, right? So having them be the heroes is too much of a leap in logic for most people but what about antiheroes, nya? Batman is really popular so I kind of just borrowed that idea...maybe Alexander could show up as some kind of masked avenger or altered soldier?"

Her sisters looked at her for several long seconds, long enough for the Sakura to wonder if maybe her idea wasn't as good as she had thought it was...and Nagato murmured, "This may very well be a possible solution."

Elizabeth boldly laughed, grinning as she proclaimed, "A most splendid idea! Come, let us begin plots of turning Alexander into a world-renowned superhero!"

The rest of the group exchanged wry glances, knowing that the young man was going to be in for some interesting times ahead.