A Unique Relationship (Long Island, Azur Lane)

A Pleasant Surprise

"Morning sleepy head!" A high pitched voice called out with glee, causing the Commander to jolt awake and shoot up in bed.

"Ah... Long Island?" He asked with a confused expression as his eyes were still a bit squinted, adjusting to the light.

She giggled at his response, "I made you breakfast~"

"You did?..." He spoke again with a questioning tone as he sat up straight and looked down at the tray with a plate of food on it before him.

"Why?..." He asked with a nervous tone.

"Because you spent so much time with me the other day so I thought I'd pay you back~"

"Huh..."

(Commander in head) "I would've sworn this is because she wants something from me..."

"Well thank you, I appreciate it" He responded with a smile, reaching out and patting her head lightly.

As he did so Long Island's eyes slowly raised in her head towards his outstretched arm, her face turning red as she stuttered in response.

"I-It's f-f-fine"

The Commander chuckled at this and began to eat the toast from the plate.

"Would you like some?" He asked as she sat to his left, watching intently as he ate.

"I'm fine~"

"Are you sure? It's really good"

"W-Well..." She muttered slowly.

"Here~" The Commander then said, holding a piece of toast to her mouth which she subconsciously took a bite of. Something that caused him to chuckle once again as she turned away in embarrassment.

"D-Did you just?..."

"Yes I did, is it a problem?" The Commander asked in a teasing tone as she refused to make eye contact with him despite looking back in his direction.

"N-Not at all!"

"Then try some of this too~" He then added gleefully, adding some jam to another small piece of toast and holding it towards her once again.

This time she shifted her gaze to meet his eyes with hers for a moment as she took another bite.

"I-It's good..."

"I think so too, you did a good job making it"

"Thank you Long Island" The Commander then added sincerely, lifting a hand up to her face and cupping her cheek lightly.

"A-Ah..." She muttered quietly as she shifted her gaze back into his eyes, biting her lip as she did so.

"Y-You're welcome Commander, I-I... J-Just wanted to um... Show you h-how much you mean to me..."

"W-Well um..." The Commander stuttered in reply, feeling his heart rate shoot up as he noticed her face was much closer to his than it was before.

"D-Do you um... L-L-Like m-me C-Commander?..." She then asked, looking at him with an expectant expression as her lip quivered slightly.

Upon seeing how nervous she was his expression softened slightly.

"Of course I do~", he said with a smile as he slowly moved his face closer to hers.

"Mhm!" Long Island let out a high pitched whimper as the Commander leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers.

The kiss lasted for a few seconds before the pair parted, upon which time Long Island fell forward slightly and buried her face in her Commander's chest.

Seeing this, the Commander instinctively put his arms around her and pulled her closer while rubbing her back slightly.

"It's alright~" He whispered as he rested his head on hers.

"D-Did I... D-Do it... R-Right..." She muttered as she reached around and tightly gripped the back of his shirt.

He laughed at her words, feeling a lot of his nerves dissipate as things began to feel a little more like usual.

"Of course you did"

"I-I know you p-put up with me... A-And I'm a p-pain sometimes... But I j-just want you to know I really um... I've always ah..." Upon realising her failure to say the words she felt in her heart she let out a saddened whimper, at the same time the Commander could feel the front of his shirt begin to get slightly wet.

"Hey it's okay" He whispered, squeezing her tightly again.

"You're not a pain, you're my favorite person in the world to have around and spend time with"

"R-Really?..." She asked with a sniffle.

"I love you" He then added, causing her breathing to become quickened as she pulled back slightly and looked up at him with tears still falling from her eyes.

"Y-You d-do?...."

The Commander reached out and wiped her tears away with his right hand, using the other to rub her back.

"I do" He responded with a slight chuckle.

"Commander..." She said before leaning forward again quickly to hug him.

"I-I l-l-love you t-too..." She whispered back as he closed his eyes and held her close...

"Hey Commander! Are you up yet!" A familiar voice then called out. "I hope you're decent because I'm coming in and-"

"Hey Hornet" The Commander greeted as Hornet entered the room, a surprised expression forming on her face as she saw Long Island on top of the Commander on his bed hugging him tightly.

"Well it's about time!" Hornet announced with a smirk.

"Hey guys guess what?!" She then called out as she left the rom and headed off towards the cafeteria.

The Commander laughed at this as Long island pulled away from him for a moment.

"She's gonna tell everyone..." She then spoke with a monotone voice, clearly processing the prospect of everyone knowing about her and the Commander.

"It'll be fine~" He said with a smile as he patted her head.

She smiled as he did this, wiping away what was left of her tears as she let out a slight giggle.