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The commander took a deep breath as he put the finishing touches on the last part of his gift for Mikasa. It was her birthday, and he looked over it carefully, searching for any imperfections. He knew that she would notice them if they existed, so he had to ensure that everything was flawless and correct. Once he finished, he placed the items in their respective boxes, all four of them, with great care. He then loaded them onto a small hand trolley that he would push. The boxes were somewhat heavy, but they were also delicate, so he had to handle them with caution as he transported them to where Mikasa would be at that moment. She was in her room, which was located down the hall from his own. He felt nervous, not wanting to make a mistake with this perfect gift for someone who was so very important to him. As he walked up to her door, he knocked carefully and waited for Mikasa to open it.
Mikasa opened the door cautiously, her demeanor reflecting her usual composed and disciplined self. She regarded the commander with a polite nod, her expression serious. As her eyes fell upon the carefully wrapped gifts, her curiosity was piqued, but she maintained her composure. Mikasa was not one to show immediate excitement, even on her birthday.
The commander, with a hint of nervousness, extended the gifts towards her. He said, "Mikasa, happy birthday. These are for you. I hope you find them to your liking."
Mikasa accepted the gifts gracefully, her eyes fixed on them. She took a moment to inspect them closely, looking for any imperfections, just as she had expected the commander to do before. After a brief silence, she finally spoke, "Thank you, Commander. I appreciate your thoughtful gesture."
Although her response might have seemed reserved, it was a clear indication of her gratitude and respect. Mikasa rarely displayed her emotions openly, but the commander knew that his effort had not gone unnoticed.
The commander pushed the hand pulley into her room and put the large boxes on a table of hers. He knew she was going to love this; he knew that this was not what she was expecting either. He smiled looking at the beautiful brown-haired veteran, her beauty and refinement won his heart long before this moment. Her determination, bravery, wisdom, and even lack of technical know-how was just too endearing, and the old vet was beautiful as beautiful or more so than any other ship girl on the base.
"Go ahead, you earned it, Mikasa," the commander said, his voice warm and encouraging as he watched her open the first of the gifts. He smiled, observing her reaction with anticipation. Inside the box was a flawless model of the Mikasa, her pre-dreadnought battleship intricately recreated. Beside it, there was a small model of both of them standing together on the bridge.
Mikasa's eyes flickered with a mixture of surprise and appreciation as she examined the meticulous craftsmanship. Her fingers traced the delicate details, and for a moment, a subtle warmth touched her gaze. She continued to open the other gifts – Shikishima, Fuji, and Asashi – all ships that had played crucial roles in her greatest battle, the Battle of Tsushima. Each model was a perfect replica, a testament to the commander's attention to detail.
The commander knew how much Mikasa cherished her models, and these specially crafted gifts spoke volumes about his feelings for her. It was his way of expressing the depth of his emotions and showing her just how much she meant to him. Though Mikasa remained composed, the commander could sense the depth of her gratitude in her eyes, and that was all he needed to know his gift had been truly appreciated.
"Well, keeping it a secret from everyone was hard, but I hope you enjoy it," the commander said, his voice laced with a touch of relief and satisfaction. He gently placed his hand on Mikasa's back, a gesture of reassurance and support. Mikasa, though not one to openly express her emotions, acknowledged his effort with a small, appreciative smile.
"Thank you, Commander," she replied, her tone soft but sincere. Though her words were few, her eyes conveyed a depth of gratitude that words couldn't capture. In that moment, the unspoken understanding between them spoke volumes, reaffirming the bond they shared.
“I do have one more gift for you if you want it,” The commander teased playfully.
Mikasa regarded the commander with a hint of curiosity, her disciplined demeanor showing a flicker of interest. "Oh? Another gift?" she inquired with a subtle hint of amusement; her tone still measured. While she was not one to readily show excitement, the playful tease had piqued her interest. "I would certainly like to see what you have in mind," she added, showing her willingness to entertain the surprise.
As their lips met in a deep and passionate kiss, the world around them seemed to fade away. The commander's arms gently embraced Mikasa, and for a moment, time stood still. It was a gesture of love, a silent proclamation of their affection for each other.
When they finally pulled back, their eyes met, and the room seemed to come back into focus. Mikasa's expression remained composed, but there was a newfound warmth in her eyes. She placed her hand on the commander's cheek, her voice soft but filled with genuine emotion. "Thank you, Commander," she said, her gratitude and affection evident in her words.
The commander smiled; his heart filled with contentment. "You're welcome, Mikasa. Happy birthday."