A Civilian's heart

Yorktown and the Quiet Bond

It was a warm, breezy afternoon at the Eagle Union naval base, where the world of Azur Lane's shipgirls and ordinary civilians often intertwined. Visitors came to see the legendary shipgirls who protected humanity, to witness the embodiment of historical ships now standing proud as living, breathing heroes. Among them was a young civilian named Liam, a quiet man with a love for history but no military background.

Liam had always admired the stories of the ships and the courage of the shipgirls who defended the world against the Sirens. Yet, standing among the crowd at the base, he felt out of place. The others seemed in awe of the power and grace of the shipgirls, but for him, it was something deeper—he felt a connection to the legacy they represented. Especially one shipgirl.

USS Yorktown, the dignified and graceful aircraft carrier, had always stood out to him. There was something about her calm, noble demeanor that drew his attention. She seemed different from the others, carrying herself with a quiet elegance, her silver hair flowing softly like the sea itself. But Liam also noticed something in her eyes—a subtle weariness, as though the battles she had fought had taken more than just her physical strength.

That evening, after the base had quieted down and most of the visitors had left, Liam found himself lingering near the docks. He gazed out at the horizon, lost in thought, when he saw a figure standing alone near the water's edge. It was Yorktown. She was gazing out at the sea, her expression serene but contemplative.

Liam hesitated, unsure if he should approach her. After all, she was a shipgirl—a warrior who had fought countless battles—and he was just an ordinary civilian. But something about her solitude made him feel like she needed company, so he took a deep breath and walked over.

"Excuse me, Miss Yorktown?" he called softly.

She turned her head slightly, her gentle eyes meeting his. "Yes? Can I help you?" Her voice was calm, yet there was a kindness in her tone that put him at ease.

"I... I just wanted to say thank you," Liam said, feeling a bit nervous. "For everything you've done—for protecting everyone."

A soft smile tugged at Yorktown's lips. "It's my duty," she replied humbly. "But it's always nice to hear gratitude."

Liam nodded, his hands fidgeting slightly as he searched for the right words. "I've always admired you, you know. Not just for your strength, but for the way you carry yourself. You've been through so much, yet you always seem so calm."

Yorktown's smile faded slightly, her eyes lowering to the water. "Calm, yes... but not unburdened." She sighed softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "There are things I carry with me—memories of battles, of losses... of those I couldn't protect."

Liam was quiet for a moment, sensing the weight of her words. "It must be hard," he said, his voice gentle. "But you've saved so many lives. You've made a difference."

Yorktown glanced at him, her expression softening. "Sometimes, it's hard to see the difference in the midst of it all. But thank you." She paused, studying him for a moment. "You're different from most visitors. They usually come for stories of glory and battles, but you seem... quieter."

Liam chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "I've always been more interested in the people behind the stories, I guess. The battles are impressive, but I think the people—or shipgirls, in your case—are what really matter."

Yorktown tilted her head slightly, intrigued. "And what is it about me that you find interesting?"

He blushed slightly, not expecting her to ask. "I think it's your strength... but not just in battle. It's how you carry the weight of everything, even when it's hard. I guess I admire that."

For a moment, Yorktown was silent, her eyes reflecting the setting sun. "That's a rare sentiment," she said quietly, "but I appreciate it. Sometimes, it feels like I'm just one ship among many, all fighting for the same cause. It's easy to feel lost in it all."

Liam shook his head. "You're not just a ship, though. You're Yorktown. And even if the world only sees you for the battles, I see you for who you are. And I think that matters."

Yorktown looked at him, her expression softening further, touched by his words. She had always been seen as the dutiful leader, the protector, but rarely had anyone acknowledged her as simply herself. The burdens she carried felt a little lighter in that moment.

"Thank you," she said softly. "I'm not used to hearing that, but it means more than you know."

They stood together in comfortable silence for a while, the sounds of the waves lapping gently against the shore. There was something peaceful about their quiet connection—a bond that formed not out of duty or battle, but out of understanding and shared humanity.

As the evening deepened and the stars began to dot the sky, Yorktown turned to him again. "Would you like to walk with me?" she asked, a rare hint of vulnerability in her voice.

Liam smiled, feeling honored by the request. "I'd like that."

Together, they walked along the shoreline, speaking not of battles or missions, but of simpler things—of the beauty of the sea, of memories from their pasts, of hopes for the future. For once, Yorktown wasn't the brave aircraft carrier leading her fleet into battle. She was simply herself, sharing a quiet moment with someone who saw her for more than just her title.

And in that quiet moment, a bond was forged—not between a shipgirl and a commander, but between two people who, despite their differences, found understanding in each other. For Yorktown, it was a reminder that even in a world filled with conflict, there were still peaceful moments worth cherishing. And for Liam, it was the start of a friendship that would grow stronger with each passing day.

In the end, it wasn't the battles that mattered most to Yorktown—it was the connections she made, the people who saw her not just as a weapon of war, but as someone with a heart, a soul, and a story of her own. And in Liam, she found someone who understood that, perhaps better than anyone else.

Thanks for reading the first chapter of this collection of stories, I hope your hungry for more of these stories.