1Queen Elizabeth was all fire and brimstone the moment the Home Fleet left familiar waters, Warspite had noticed. That wasn't to say the blonde monarch wasn't normally mercurial-it just meant her temper became that much worse. Where on normal days Queen Elizabeth was content with barking orders and becoming red-faced and flustered when things didn't quite go as planned, failure to produce results while the maids were deployed lead to messy, oftentimes prolonged tantrums.
'Crash!'
Warspite sighed and combed a hand through tawny golden tresses. Belfast had chastised her for the habit, saying one day she'd pull all her hair out. Dealing with the Queen's moods did that to you.
The Queen's private chamber was located smack dab in the middle of the busy port offices rather than near the dorms where the other girls stayed. Elizabeth viewed all allowances, no matter how trivial, as preferential treatment and was therefore always making inane requests. Why she'd want to be amidst the hustle and bustle of shipgirl personel coming and going was beyond Warspite, but then she supposed that was why Elizabeth frequently invited herself over for the night...
Warspite knocked smartly before entering and closing the door behind her. Queen Elizabeth, the super-dreadnaught of the Royal Navy, had already broken a few knickknacks and her next victim was clutched in white-gloved hands.
"That was a gift, Your Majesty. Please treat it gently." Elizabeth's attention shifted and Warspite took that moment to move towards her and rescue the object in question. She set it gently on the Queen's bedside table then swivled and stood at attention, her hands clasped loosely behind her back. The room was Spartan, save a few pieces of furniture, and it was only slightly less immaculate than Sheffield had left it that morning.
The blonde monarch huffed. "Where have you been?"
"I've just returned from a commission. I had to report to the Commander."
"Tch! That peasant? You should report to me and only me."
"Yes, Your Majesty," she responded dutifully. There was no sense arguing seeing as they both answered to the Commander, but Elizabeth refused to acknowledge that fact.
"Hmph." Elizabeth turned her face to look out of the tall windows overlooking the bay. The wash of orange and pink that filtered in softened her irritated features even as she crossed her arms over her chest. It was in that new light that Warspite noticed the irritation masked a agitation.
"I understand that you're worried, Your Majesty," Warspite began delicately. Cool blue eyes flashed a warning and the blonde raised her hands in a placating gesture. "The Royal Maids have more than adequate combat skills to hold their own against any foe."
Elizabeth drew herself up to her full height, which wasn't much taller than the diminutive Warspite, and snapped, "I don't recall asking for your input."
'Crack!'
Warspite bit back another sigh. If Elizabeth threw a hissy fit now, Belfast and the others would have their work cut out for them when they returned. There had to be a way to head her off at the pass...
A prompt relocation was in order.
"Would you like to go for a walk, Your Majesty? We have a few hours of daylight remaining."
The duo made their way towards the city square. There weren't too many shipgirls out, likely because the canteen was serving dinner at this hour. Warspite managed to find a way to simultaneously lead the way and follow behind Elizabeth, who strode resolutely, her scepter in hand.
A cafe that the Queen happened to like came into sight. The sugary confections and strong, bitter tea within seemed like an adequate way to raise her spirits. "Are you hungry, Your Highness?"
"No."
So much for that...
Warspite's stomach chose that moment to make her own hunger known to them both and Elizabeth huffed. "I suppose we can stop. Just for a moment!"
Inside was quaint, warmed by a merry fire that crackled in a brick fireplace that contrasted with the stainless steel appliances. Warspite pulled out Elizabeth's chair and waited for the blonde to be seated before sitting down across from her. The waitress approached them and Elizabeth flushed with pleasure when the young woman perfectly recalled what they had ordered last time. The vain little thing loved being recognized.
While their treats were baked fresh, Warspite added tea leaves to a strainer and added it to the pot full of steaming water. She wasn't as skilled as Illustrious, but her efforts were appreciated nonetheless, it seemed, because Elizabeth released a satisfied sound after her first sip, and took another.
"What?" Elizabeth demanded when Warspite wasn't quick enough to hide her smile.
She was saved from responding by the arrival of a plate of petit fours. Pale blue eyes lit up as the monarch carefully selected a pastel pink puff. Warspite watched as the blonde popped the treat into her mouth, the way her tongue traced her lips to capture its lingering taste giving the diminutive warship pause. It was her duty to see to the Queen's happiness and well being and she would do anything to fulfill that duty.
Before Elizabeth could question her again, Warspite tucked into her curry. She tried her best to keep the conversation centered around trivial things, but Elizabeth was less than receptive and so they sat in silence.
"Is something wrong?" their waitress inquired when she stopped by one final time with the cheque. "You two are usually the life of the party."
Well Elizabeth was, anyway. Warspite often had to remind her to use her inside voice and not to treat random passerby like her servants.
After paying their bill, Warspite followed Elizabeth out into the cooling night air. Before the blonde could steer them back towards the port offices, however, Warspite caught her by the arm and drew her under the low hanging eaves at the side of the establishment.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Wordlessly, Warspite wrapped her arms around the taller girl. Elizabeth squirmed, but the struggle was half-hearted and she sighed before resting her chin on Warspite's shoulder.
"I'm only allowing this because I'm cold."
"Of course, Your Majesty." Warspite chuckled. "Forgive my impudence, but it seemed like you could use this."
"Hmph."
They stayed like that for a small eternity during which Warspite could feel the monarch's heartbeat, they were pressed so close, and her own heart mirrored the pace. She would have been happy to remain this way, her beloved Queen in her arms, but something more urgent encouraged her to speak. Elizabeth smelled good and the soft warmth of her form was a siren's song. "May I be selfish, Your Majesty?"
Elizabeth stirred, but she didn't raise her head. Her voice was a soft, warm exhale against Warspite's ear. "... I will allow it."
Stubborn to the core.
Warspite reached up, cupping Elizabeth's cheek and turning her face so that their lips were mere centimeters apart. She felt Elizabeth's pulse quicken as she traced her thumb along a protruding bottom lip and sincerely wished she hadn't been wearing gloves. Did Queen Elizabeth even realize how cute she was? Warspite waited a heartbeat for the blonde to respond to the silent askance in her gaze. When pale blue eyes flicked downwards, a pink tongue coming out to wet parted lips, Warspite closed the gap between them.
The kiss lasted all of a few seconds and Warspite was careful to draw away before the moody blonde remembered herself. Elizabeth preferred things on her own terms, but when she was being so adorable, Warspite couldn't help herself. She was surprised when Elizabeth grasped the lapels of her cropped purple overcoat, preventing her from placing distance between them. She didn't say anything, though Warspite waited patiently, nor did she meet her vassal's searching gaze.
Finally, Warspite asked, "Is something wrong, Your Majesty?"
Perhaps she had overstepped her boundaries. She had for certain, but perhaps this time Elizabeth had actually minded. The thought made her stomach flip flop anxiously, but she didn't let it reflect on her features.
Elizabeth said something, so quietly Warspite couldn't hear it, her face a wicked shade of crimson.
"Lizzy..." The monarch scowled at the nickname, but she didn't pull away when Warspite kissed the tip of her nose. "Talk to me."
With a frustrated cry, Elizabeth grabbed Warspite by the front of her clothes and planted a firm kiss on her subordinate. When Warspite released a quiet sound of surprise, a quick tongue pushed past her lips. What Elizabeth lacked in skill, she made up for in fervor and Warspite's body heated eagerly as their tongues danced. When the monarch pulled away, she was breathing hard and pale blue eyes were wild.
"Gah! I hate that you're so... So...!"
Rather than finish the sentence, she threw up her hands and stormed off in the direction of the Royal Navy Dormitory. Warspite shook her head, incredulous and more than a little titillated, and followed suit.
Half of Warspite's room was war memorabilia, maps, an overstuffed leather chair that saw more use than the four poster bed pushed into the corner, and several wooden shelves overfilled with books on a wide variety of topics. The other half belonged to Elizabeth, if the assortment of objects that had built up over time were anything to go by. Dresses, stuffed toys, a crown-one side of the room was methodically organized and the other was chaos.
It seemed Queen Elizabeth was hapless without her maids.
Warspite picked up the dress that Elizabeth shed in a pool of satin and hung it in its proper place, studiously avoiding looking at her half-naked mistress lest she be called a pervert. She went into the half bathroom and washed her face and brushed her teeth, chuckling when she realized she'd have to wake Elizabeth early so that they could shower before greeting the maids. A sleepy Queen Elizabeth was ornery as all get out.
"I'm ready," Elizabeth announced.
Best not to keep a lady waiting. Warspite stripped down and tossed her clothes into a hamper. Dressed in only boy shorts and a sports bra, she rejoined the Queen, who had already tucked herself into plush sheets.
Elizabeth's face was an alarming shade of red. "I-I hardly think that's proper attire."
Since when? This was what she always wore to bed... Warspite amended the supposed problem with an oversized white T-shirt and then she climbed into bed, next to Queen Elizabeth. She didn't make any move to close the few inches of distance between them, but rather waited patiently for the monarch to approach her. Sure enough, the bed shifted and a tentative hand found her shoulder in the dark. There was a soft sound as Queen Elizabeth snuggled into her side, her head replacing her hand.
"Shall I read to you, Highness?"
"Mm-mm." She sounded sleepy.
Warspite reached up, easing her fingers through golden tresses. "Rest."
...
Long after Queen Elizabeth's breathing had evened out Warspite lay awake, staring up at the ceiling. She tried not to think about the warm, round breasts pressing into her arm, the only separation between their skin a thin nightgown. The task was made infinitely more difficult by the way Queen Elizabeth cuddled her like a teddy.
A high pitched beeping caught Warspite's attention and she nearly threw her legs over the side of the bed in her haste to go to the telegraph receiver on her desk. She detangled herself, careful not to rouse Queen Elizabeth, and padded over to the device, her heart in her throat. Belfast didn't usually contact them mid-mission unless something was amiss.
She watched the wavering needle and released a relieved sigh. Belfast had repeated the transmission for good measure:
Will be gone longer than intended.
Please take care of things in my absence.
How is she?
"She" could only be the Queen.
Warspite tapped out her response quickly:
Worried.
She won't like the news.
There was a lengthy pause. Then,
I trust she's in good hands.
Warspite glanced over her shoulder, and smiled.
I'll do my best.
Take care, old friend.
Before Belfast could say her farewells, the bed springs creaked and Warspite tensed. Her absense was noticed almost immediately and Queen Elizabeth's voice wasn't as sleepy as it should have been when she asked, "Is there news?"
"I couldn't sleep," Warspite said. It wasn't a lie and she couldn't bear to upset the woman further.
Queen Elizabeth crossed the distance between them, eyes narrowed, and Warspite prayed the device would remain still and silent. The monarch glanced around her desk, searching for anything out of place, and Warspite swore an oath under her breath when the instrument sprung to life. Queen Elizabeth's Morse code was rusty, but she still understood enough of Belfast's teasing to demand, "Who the hell are you corresponding with?"
Warspite was no slouch as a military tactician, but no matter how many hypothetical verbal battles she ran through, she couldn't find one that wouldn't end up enraging the monarch. She was pinned down-doubly so when Queen Elizabeth stood over her, shoulders thrown back and hands on her hips. The posture, though meant to be intimidating, only served to make the swells of her breasts more evident. Was it cold in here? Her nipples were erect...
"It's nothing that is worthy of concern," Warspite croaked, her eyes refusing to heed her brain.
If Queen Elizabeth leaned forward just a little...
"I demand an explanation."
She could see why the tail end of "Don't pull your hair out while you await my return" might make Queen Elizabeth think she was up to something less than respectable. She had also never given the monarch any question her loyalty-in all facets of their relationship-during her years of service to the Crown.
"Your Majesty-"
"Have you tired of me already?"
Warspite's jaw went slack. She almost released a bark of laughter, she was so incredulous, but her mistress's expression gave her pause. Queen Elizabeth turned to flee, but Warspite leapt to her feet and caught her by the arm. She pulled the monarch in, holding her face between deceptively delicate hands.
"To serve a ruler as just, wise, and beautiful as you has been nothing short of a dream, Lizzie." Queen Elizabeth tried to squirm out of her grasp, but she held firm. "Would you deem it necessary, I would not hesitate to give my life for your sake."
Pale blue eyes were shiny. "I-idiot..."
"If I am a fool, I am a fool for you," Warspite responded gravely. A smile begrudgingly made the corners of Queen Elizabeth's lips quirk upwards and Warspite kissed her. "I'm yours, Highness-body and soul."
Certain the blonde wouldn't run off, Warspite trailed her hands lower, lingering, and Queen Elizabeth gasped. It didn't take much to slip the nightgown from her shoulders and onto the floor where it pooled at their feet.
"Warspite..." Queen Elizabeth whimpered.
"Allow me to prove my dedication," Warspite husked, nipping the shell of Queen Elizabeth's ear.
When she didn't hear any protest, Warspite began kissing her way down Queen Elizabeth's slender frame, her fingers finding warm, wet heat within polka dot bloomers.
She'd tell the Queen the news in the morning.
