Azur Lane One-Shot Romance (X-Reader)

Z23

Before I begin, even though Z23 or Nimi is labeled as younger with her friends Javelin, Laffey, and Ayanami, I had a cute idea. This isn't an X Reader chapter. Just thought about two teenagers in love. Not puppy love for something I have later planned. 

In this scene we do have the party yet again. And in this I have planned a teenaged laborer that Nimi runs into.

It was dark and dusty as workers were shoveling coal into the furnace to make it the comfortable temperature. It was going to be a chilly night it was important for all guests to stay at a reasonable heat. Nothing too hot, but allowing guests in pretty dresses to be cold was no acceptable to the people in power.

Stefan was a teenager that jumped about giving a hand in multiple departments. He saw the fire roar and then put down his shovel. Wiping the sweat off of his face. "Should that do it?" He asked the foreman.

"That should be plenty for the time being. We got it started. I release you from your duties here. Paul in inventory I know could use a hand." Boomed the foreman.

Stefan grabbed some of his drinking water and used a cloth to wipe the coal dust off of his head and neck. Then taking a little drink before moving on. He walked down the hall and took off his filthy jacket that needed to be well dusted outside. On his way down the hallways to Paul the inventory manager in the opposite wing he saw someone that caught his eye. A little shorter than him and about his age. Not thinking what he was doing he called to her.

"Excuse me." Referring to the girl in the hallway in a pretty black dress. 

"Hm?" She turned around. 

"I just want to say you look beautiful. Are you heading to the dance this evening?"

"Yes. I am seeing how my friends are doing. Are you going after you get clean?" She asked him. 

"Currently not. The dance isn't my place to be. I am not a nobleman."

She shook her head. "I am not a noble. I am not attending."

"Remember Cinderella. Every eligible maiden. Which I am not. My name is Stefan and I work on this floor as a coalman and stock hand."

She smiled. "Z23. They call me Nimi."

"Nimi. That's a beautiful name. But I won't hold you. Please enjoy yourself." He nodded.

"Nein. Stefan you get cleaned up and I am overriding the decision and having you come. Understood?" She glared at him while he was beside himself.

"Ummm, I think I have a suit. But how do I get passed inventory?" He asked.

"I shall take care of it. It is only honorable that I can call in a favor. That said, I will meet you at the dance."

"Okay..." Am I really going to potentially get in trouble to put on my suit for a girl for one night? Well... Stefan was nervous. Though he thought once would he okay if Nimi helped him. If Arthur drinks whiskey until he falls asleep on the job then one night with a pass works.

It's rare when the girl asks out the boy. Though there is nothing wrong with it. The only thing wrong is Stefan had work to do. The smell of coal, ash, and sulfur was latched onto him. He was rushing home with a full head of steam. Running home and getting soap and a lot of scrubbing in. The shower floor was going to be turning into a dark gray at the rate he was going. The coal when airborne gets everywhere. Even places like the hair and chest that a worker doesn't think too much about.

Stefan was scrubbing all over and could still smell some work substances on him. "Drat. I may never get rid of that. Oh well." He got out of the shower and used two towels to dry off quickly. Then went to the sink and behind the medicine cabinet. "Never thought I would be using these for a while but that's why I always kept it."

Stefan was dry enough to head to his closet and pulled out his suit. I will let you all pick. Come on men, pick your choice. Standard penguin, a little color, flower and hat, have some fun with it. The last occasion was for a job interview. And ever since, it has been hanging up. The teenager put it on and did a mirror check before adding his aftershave and cologne.

"You Sir are labeled as a man. You work like one, talk like one, and need to act like one." He patted his face with the aftershave and rubbed it in. "You got asked by a lady to accompany her. And you're going to give it to her the way she likes it. You be yourself, treat her with respect, and make sure she is in good hands." Stefan applied the cologne and made sure his hair was done. "Luck be a lady. Let's hope Hans had luck with that maid he had his eyes on. The boss deserves it."

Stefan walked down to the dance and no one knew who he was. No dust all over his face and wearing a proper suit. When a dirty working man wears a suit it is nearly a disguise.  Now it was a matter of finding Nimi.

Over to Z23 and her friends, they were happy to get Bismarck (or in this case Bis-milk) a chance to get dolled up. And after asking the woman she wanted for a dance, the four girls of Nimi, Javelin, Laffey, and Ayanami were looking around for the boy that Nimi was talking about.

"I wonder." Nimi seemed worried.

"So you found him covered in coal dust and you invited him?" Asked Javelin.

"Why do you think I asked Bismarck for a favor?" Replied Nimi trying to be positive.

"Excuse me." Stefan walked over.

"Hello. I'm Javelin." Javelin was happy to see someone more relatable join them.

"St-Stefan." Gasped Nimi.

"Good evening again Nimi. I apologize it took me so long. And I hope I'm not in trouble after this."

"I barely recognized you." Nimi was overjoyed. She seemed to invite someone who really cleans up nice.

"It's been some bit of time since I've worn this suit and wasn't dirty within the hour after work. But I'm here. And, sorry of my dancing needs a bit of work." He smiled at her.

The music played as everyone turned their attention to a couple dancing as the man was singing a nice tune. It was Formidable and her partner was a graceful man in a standard penguin suit.

"Well then. Hans is succeeding." Stefan smiled.

"Who is this Hans?" She asked.

"That's my boss. Yeah, I can't sing and can't dance like that. But if we take things slow I think we can do fine." Stefan held her hand.

"I don't know it well either. Thank you." Nimi hugged him. "Thank you. Oh, and you smell so good."

"I tried very hard. Thank you for noticing. You don't have any idea." Stefan grabbed her by the waist and made the first step.

"Thank you for being my partner." She blushed.

"Thank you for appreciating me. To us. Let us enjoy the night."

Wow. Amazing what has happened. How quick someone falls for such a charm.

~~~~~

Hope you enjoyed this one. A little different.

-Rel