Hymn From the High Seas (Azur Lane x Commander Male Reader)

Black Dragon

New Jersey jumps the gap between the Resonant Verity and the pier, landing right beside me. She smirks down at me upon seeing the resignation on my face; there's no escape now. I owe her some time together for all she's done, anyway.

"Right... date time," I check the time on my phone and start walking to the tram, "After this, it's back to the office. Ice cream or gelato?"

"There's a difference?" New Jersey watches a flock of seagulls pursuing an unfortunate pair of destroyers trying to keep their food safe.

"One's tastier," I shrug, wincing when my arm finds another reason to ache.

New Jersey huffs, "Whaddaya feel like gettin', then?"

I look up at her, "Whatever you want."

"What a cop-out answer," she frowns, ducking into the tram before pulling me over her lap when the doors close, "Finally, some alone time! We were supposed to have a date weeks ago! How come ya skimped out on me, huh? Well?"

Grunting against her knuckles on my scalp, I whine, "I was busy!"

"Uh huh, busy cuddlin' up to other girls, which isn't part of your job description!" she says, continuing to dig her knuckles into my skull.

Arriving at the town, New Jersey lets me go and greets Baltimore and Bremerton, who guide Anchorage onto the tram. The torture happening moments before, hidden under New Jersey's grin, remains unbeknownst to them as I rub my head and don my cap.

The tram whirs along the rails behind us as I mutter, "That hurts, you know."

"I know, Honey, I know," New Jersey glances down at me, "It comes with bein' shorter than me."

"I can count the people as tall as you on one hand," I mumble as we walk down the road with Trento's gelato shop in sight.

"What can I say?" she shrugs, "They don't make 'em like me anymore."

"Yeah, the Leviathan-class is taking over," I tease as New Jersey pulls the door open for me.

She follows me in, "Alright, now you're payin' for me."

"Yes, Honey," I smile faintly as I reach for my wallet.

"Buonasera!" Pola smiles from the counter while Zara peeks her head over the ice cream stall.

I sit down at the counter with New Jersey, "Where's Trento?"

New Jersey mumbles something about English as Pola answers sweetly, "She's attending a tea party with the Royal Navy. Oh, my, don't tell me you weren't invited!"

"I didn't even hear about it," I remark until I feel New Jersey jab her finger into my waist.

Pola watches me jerk sideways and flinches at my outburst, "Comandante?"

"My arm's aching again. It's nothing!" I explain only for New Jersey to jab me again, "I'll just have vanilla," I jerk from her fingers, "Yes! Vanilla!"

"Poor thing. That broken arm is really doing a number on you, hm?" Pola frowns with pity and turns to her sister, "Zara, make sure to give him an extra scoop!"

The red-headed sister nods behind the stall as New Jersey stifles a laugh and orders her own. I slide some cash across the table, already exhausted. I hope Arizona and Roon aren't too busy without me. How rude would it be to find out you got extra work because your boss was busy with a girl?

Pola hands me and New Jersey our cups of gelato. Mine has two sticks of cinnamon on top to turn the sprinkled dessert into a cannon battery. New Jersey takes a bite of hers as I eat with one arm.