A Reason For Giving
By KittyLynne
Disclaimers: Voltron and all associated characters are owned and copyrighted by WEP. Original/new characters belong to the author.
Rating: PG-13 for suggestive dialog
Originally Published 2000 - Revised 2016
Rating: PG-13 for suggestive dialog
Originally Published 2000 - Revised 2016
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Snow fell in cascades of plump, sugary flakes that danced and circled with gusts of wind before floating down to cover the forests, fields, and the gardens surrounding the Castle of Lions in a soft blanket of white.
A tranquil stillness reigned, as if nature had wrapped the land in cotton to muffle the sounds of the creatures that lived there. The glimmering lake near the Castle was slowly becoming a crystalline sheet of ice, and the bridge over the lake sparkled with the frost that had collected on its smooth surface. Nature was spreading her frigid mantle with a liberal hand; even the majestic Black Lion reposing on the monument in front of the castle was draped in a cloak of colorless splendor.
Winter had come to Planet Arus.
A child's giggle and an adult's laughing response broke the hush. Then other joyous voices joined the solitary pair. Figures dressed in colorful parkas, caps and scarves appeared to dot the hilly landscape, several of them dragging sleds or gliding along on skis.
It was a truly magical time of year, for the cold season on this planet was quite brief; it stayed long enough for the citizens to enjoy the novelty of snow and ice, and disappeared before its drawbacks could become tiresome. Arusians, old and young alike, were going out into the snowfall to play with childlike abandon, or to just enjoy the crisp, moist air and the icy beauty that surrounded them.
And yet, as the majority of the Arusian people were reveling in the wintry weather, one of their most distinguished compatriots was not. Coran Elstad, Royal Advisor and Guardian to Her Royal Highness Princess Allura of Arus, was oblivious to the delights of the snowy afternoon. Instead he was hiding in his study, deeply immersed in the latest, best-selling Terran mystery novel. His dress coat was tossed to one side, his bow tie was undone, and his feet rested upon a small ottoman, in a rare concession to comfort over propriety. A pot of tea, a cup, and a small plate of baked goods sat on the table next to his favorite easy chair, and the middle-aged man only paused in his reading long enough to take quick sips of tea or grab a croissant when the mood struck him, although his avid gaze never left the pages of the tome for more than a few seconds at a time.
He had just reached a particularly exciting passage, when he heard the muted, chiming summons from outside the door to his study.
Coran glared at the closed and locked entrance to his refuge, willing whoever it was to go away and leave him to the one guilty pleasure he had left in his life; fictional literature. He had gotten this particular book over a month ago and was determined to finish it before someone on the castle staff could spoil the ending for him, since apparently all of them had more time for reading novels than he did.
He settled more comfortably into the plush reading chair and returned to the story, pointedly ignoring his unwanted visitor.
The summons came again, this time accompanied by quiet but insistent knocking.
The diplomat uttered a soft oath, then slammed the book shut and ran a hand over his thick, reddish brown hair and down to his neck, which he rubbed in a gesture of exasperation and defeat.
The complex, absorbing plot the author had penned deserved his undivided attention. He certainly couldn't do it justice until this distraction was dealt with; whoever it was apparently couldn't take the hint that his lack of a response to the summons meant that he was not keen on having company. It was a better plan to face the intruder, send them packing, and then return to his story in peace.
Decision made, Coran rose from the confines of the chair, strode over to the door, and stabbed at the intercom button beside it with an extended forefinger. "Coran here. Who is it?" He spoke in a brusque tone that bordered on rudeness, hoping to intimidate the caller into leaving.
"It's Allura, and I need to speak with you right away."
The Diplomat's well-groomed eyebrows shot up, as surprise etched itself on his sculpted features. It was a rare occurance that his Royal Charge sought him out in her free time. She spent hours with him doing her daily lessons, being quizzed on those lessons, and reviewing the volumes of rules and regulations that her vocation required of her. He was well aware that his presence usually was equated with drudgery and the loss of her highly prized freedom. It must be a very serious matter if she was seeking him out.
He quickly opened the door and the Princess marched in. She was wearing a high necked, form fitting pink jumpsuit- a negotiated compromise for her piloting duties- and a troubled expression on her beautiful features.
Coran sighed. “How can I be of service, Your Majesty?” He asked.
A tranquil stillness reigned, as if nature had wrapped the land in cotton to muffle the sounds of the creatures that lived there. The glimmering lake near the Castle was slowly becoming a crystalline sheet of ice, and the bridge over the lake sparkled with the frost that had collected on its smooth surface. Nature was spreading her frigid mantle with a liberal hand; even the majestic Black Lion reposing on the monument in front of the castle was draped in a cloak of colorless splendor.
Winter had come to Planet Arus.
A child's giggle and an adult's laughing response broke the hush. Then other joyous voices joined the solitary pair. Figures dressed in colorful parkas, caps and scarves appeared to dot the hilly landscape, several of them dragging sleds or gliding along on skis.
It was a truly magical time of year, for the cold season on this planet was quite brief; it stayed long enough for the citizens to enjoy the novelty of snow and ice, and disappeared before its drawbacks could become tiresome. Arusians, old and young alike, were going out into the snowfall to play with childlike abandon, or to just enjoy the crisp, moist air and the icy beauty that surrounded them.
And yet, as the majority of the Arusian people were reveling in the wintry weather, one of their most distinguished compatriots was not. Coran Elstad, Royal Advisor and Guardian to Her Royal Highness Princess Allura of Arus, was oblivious to the delights of the snowy afternoon. Instead he was hiding in his study, deeply immersed in the latest, best-selling Terran mystery novel. His dress coat was tossed to one side, his bow tie was undone, and his feet rested upon a small ottoman, in a rare concession to comfort over propriety. A pot of tea, a cup, and a small plate of baked goods sat on the table next to his favorite easy chair, and the middle-aged man only paused in his reading long enough to take quick sips of tea or grab a croissant when the mood struck him, although his avid gaze never left the pages of the tome for more than a few seconds at a time.
He had just reached a particularly exciting passage, when he heard the muted, chiming summons from outside the door to his study.
Coran glared at the closed and locked entrance to his refuge, willing whoever it was to go away and leave him to the one guilty pleasure he had left in his life; fictional literature. He had gotten this particular book over a month ago and was determined to finish it before someone on the castle staff could spoil the ending for him, since apparently all of them had more time for reading novels than he did.
He settled more comfortably into the plush reading chair and returned to the story, pointedly ignoring his unwanted visitor.
The summons came again, this time accompanied by quiet but insistent knocking.
The diplomat uttered a soft oath, then slammed the book shut and ran a hand over his thick, reddish brown hair and down to his neck, which he rubbed in a gesture of exasperation and defeat.
The complex, absorbing plot the author had penned deserved his undivided attention. He certainly couldn't do it justice until this distraction was dealt with; whoever it was apparently couldn't take the hint that his lack of a response to the summons meant that he was not keen on having company. It was a better plan to face the intruder, send them packing, and then return to his story in peace.
Decision made, Coran rose from the confines of the chair, strode over to the door, and stabbed at the intercom button beside it with an extended forefinger. "Coran here. Who is it?" He spoke in a brusque tone that bordered on rudeness, hoping to intimidate the caller into leaving.
"It's Allura, and I need to speak with you right away."
The Diplomat's well-groomed eyebrows shot up, as surprise etched itself on his sculpted features. It was a rare occurance that his Royal Charge sought him out in her free time. She spent hours with him doing her daily lessons, being quizzed on those lessons, and reviewing the volumes of rules and regulations that her vocation required of her. He was well aware that his presence usually was equated with drudgery and the loss of her highly prized freedom. It must be a very serious matter if she was seeking him out.
He quickly opened the door and the Princess marched in. She was wearing a high necked, form fitting pink jumpsuit- a negotiated compromise for her piloting duties- and a troubled expression on her beautiful features.
Coran sighed. “How can I be of service, Your Majesty?” He asked.
When Allura spied the book in her guardian's hand, his rolled up shirtsleeves and unknotted tie, she immediately winced. She knew all too well how little free time he had to pursue his own interests, as most of her guardian's time was spent with her.
"Oh Coran, you were reading! " She exclaimed. “It can wait. I'll come back later.”
She started to turn away, but a hand on her arm stopped her.
"Please stay, Allura. I can finish it later, I wasn't all that enthralled with the plot anyway." Coran said. He walked over to his desk and casually tossed the novel on top of a pile of papers.
Allura grinned as she saw his gaze linger on the book. "And as Lance likes to say, that's 'hogwash', and you know it! My dear Coran, you've been plugging away at that book for a good two weeks now. You have your nose buried in it every time I turn around! I am sure you are dying to know how it ends!"
Her guardian smiled ruefully as he turned to her, his mustache curling upwards for a moment. "All right, I must confess, it's been quite difficult, it seems everyone has read the confounded thing but me, and all of them want to give me spoilers, even Nanny! But if something is distressing you, Princess, then the mystery must wait."
"Thank you. It won't take long." She promised, giving him an affectionate smile.
"Please, have a seat," Coran indicated the chair opposite his own.
Once they had situated themselves, the Princess spoke. "I'm coming to you because I am worried about the morale of the team."
Anxiety crept into the light brown eyes of the man opposite her. "What has happened to cause it? The Voltron Force has been wildly successful in defending our planet and numerous others. I would think that is cause for celebration, not low spirits!"
"This is beyond Voltron and our battles with Doom, Coran." Allura told him firmly. “The boys have been on this planet for well over a year, and well... I think they are feeling homesick.”
Coran was silent, considering the information. "Are the communications from their families not getting through?"
"Yes, but letters and view screens are a poor substitute for a loved one's arms encircling you, as you and I both understand all too well."
Her guardian inclined his head in silent affirmation of the truth of her words.
The Princess shook her head sadly. "The boys have been so quiet; there's none of the usual joking and clowning going on. I would almost say they've been cranky, actually, and it only gets worse when they get a letter or a transmission from home."
"Now that I think on it, they have been a bit subdued lately. I thought perhaps it was a touch of battle fatigue.." Coran stroked his mustache thoughtfully. "What you are telling me now makes me realize I should have anticipated this, because if my knowledge of Terran traditions and customs is accurate, I believe this time of year would bring on even more strain from the separation."
The Princess looked puzzled, but then nodded slowly as she started to remember her lessons on Planet Earth's culture. "Of course! According to their calendar, it's December, a month that holds significant religious Terran holidays- Hanukkah, Ramadan, Kwanzaa..."
"And Christmas." The Diplomat concluded. "All holidays that are renowned for friends and families gathering together to celebrate a meaningful event. It's very understandable that Keith, as a native Terran, would feel melancholy right about now, but Lance, Hunk and Pidge, as graduates of the Space Academy, would certainly miss the traditions as well. The origin of the Christmas holiday is similar to our belief in the child of the Supreme Guardian of the Universe. A child was born of a virgin mother, sent to save the world from evil by becoming a savior and dying for its sins. The child was given gifts by both Kings and shepherds, even though he was born in a lowly stable."
"Kwanzaa and Hanukkah also have families and sacrifice and giving tied in with their origins. Maybe we could recreate a Holiday atmosphere in the Castle!" Allura suggested excitedly. "They have done so much for us, and it would definitely be in the spirit of the season for both our worlds to arrange a celebration for them."
"That's an excellent idea!" Coran responded warmly. "We'd have to do a little research so we get it right, of course, but I am sure we could do it all within the next week!"
Coran He rose and circled around his desk to grab a small laptop processor, then returned and reseated himself. "We haven't much time, so we must be organized to a fault. Allura, you must decide on the traditions you feel would be most appropriate for us to observe, and I will arrange with the staff for your wishes to be carried out. Do you have any idea right now of where you'd like to start?"
"We will need to have a big dinner, that's a given," the Princess mused. "From what I can deduce, every Terran holiday seems to have food as its centerpiece."
"All right, of course I will speak to Nanny about the menu." Her Advisor replied, adding the notation to his laptop's file.
"I think there should be a gift giving session, and games!" Allura went on, warming to the subject. "We will need a menorah, a kwansaa candle stick holder and a freshly cut evergreen tree. We will select a suitable room for it to be in, and oh yes, we will need some decorations to hang on the tree."
Coran keyed away with an intent expression.
"I am sure there will be other traditional details that I can add, but I really need to do some reading on them," The Princess concluded, her brow furrowing as she tried in vain to recall other facts about Terran holidays.
"Well, this is a good start. I will contact Nanny, if you will run to the library and look up the rest." Her Advisor said. “The sooner we have the information, the better it will be.”
Allura smiled. "I will, right this minute. Thank you Coran, I feel so much better, and I know the boys will too, once we surprise them!"
Coran nodded. "It is my fervent desire that this will bring them comfort and joy."
“As do I!” The Princess vacated her chair and moved to the door. She turned and presented her Royal Advisor with a radiant countenance while the panel slid open, then practically skipped out into the corridor. As she disappeared around the corner, a giggle of pure excitement drifted back into the room.
Coran smiled fondly as he pressed the switch to close the door. Allura was an enigma, with her delightful blend of childish enthusiasm and womanly concerns. But then, the workings of the female mind had always been mysterious to him.
Maybe that was why he preferred the Whodunit genre. At least he had a chance of guessing what would happen next.
A sigh parted Coran's lips. Once again, his afternoon of reading and relaxing was not to be. But strangely enough, he didn't mind. Arus owed everything to those young men. Giving them some yuletide cheer was the right thing to do, and the very least they should do. And it would be fun to plan something that was all about peace and love for a change.
Coran smiled, feeling his spirits lift.
Perhaps the spirit of the season was contagious.
"Oh Coran, you were reading! " She exclaimed. “It can wait. I'll come back later.”
She started to turn away, but a hand on her arm stopped her.
"Please stay, Allura. I can finish it later, I wasn't all that enthralled with the plot anyway." Coran said. He walked over to his desk and casually tossed the novel on top of a pile of papers.
Allura grinned as she saw his gaze linger on the book. "And as Lance likes to say, that's 'hogwash', and you know it! My dear Coran, you've been plugging away at that book for a good two weeks now. You have your nose buried in it every time I turn around! I am sure you are dying to know how it ends!"
Her guardian smiled ruefully as he turned to her, his mustache curling upwards for a moment. "All right, I must confess, it's been quite difficult, it seems everyone has read the confounded thing but me, and all of them want to give me spoilers, even Nanny! But if something is distressing you, Princess, then the mystery must wait."
"Thank you. It won't take long." She promised, giving him an affectionate smile.
"Please, have a seat," Coran indicated the chair opposite his own.
Once they had situated themselves, the Princess spoke. "I'm coming to you because I am worried about the morale of the team."
Anxiety crept into the light brown eyes of the man opposite her. "What has happened to cause it? The Voltron Force has been wildly successful in defending our planet and numerous others. I would think that is cause for celebration, not low spirits!"
"This is beyond Voltron and our battles with Doom, Coran." Allura told him firmly. “The boys have been on this planet for well over a year, and well... I think they are feeling homesick.”
Coran was silent, considering the information. "Are the communications from their families not getting through?"
"Yes, but letters and view screens are a poor substitute for a loved one's arms encircling you, as you and I both understand all too well."
Her guardian inclined his head in silent affirmation of the truth of her words.
The Princess shook her head sadly. "The boys have been so quiet; there's none of the usual joking and clowning going on. I would almost say they've been cranky, actually, and it only gets worse when they get a letter or a transmission from home."
"Now that I think on it, they have been a bit subdued lately. I thought perhaps it was a touch of battle fatigue.." Coran stroked his mustache thoughtfully. "What you are telling me now makes me realize I should have anticipated this, because if my knowledge of Terran traditions and customs is accurate, I believe this time of year would bring on even more strain from the separation."
The Princess looked puzzled, but then nodded slowly as she started to remember her lessons on Planet Earth's culture. "Of course! According to their calendar, it's December, a month that holds significant religious Terran holidays- Hanukkah, Ramadan, Kwanzaa..."
"And Christmas." The Diplomat concluded. "All holidays that are renowned for friends and families gathering together to celebrate a meaningful event. It's very understandable that Keith, as a native Terran, would feel melancholy right about now, but Lance, Hunk and Pidge, as graduates of the Space Academy, would certainly miss the traditions as well. The origin of the Christmas holiday is similar to our belief in the child of the Supreme Guardian of the Universe. A child was born of a virgin mother, sent to save the world from evil by becoming a savior and dying for its sins. The child was given gifts by both Kings and shepherds, even though he was born in a lowly stable."
"Kwanzaa and Hanukkah also have families and sacrifice and giving tied in with their origins. Maybe we could recreate a Holiday atmosphere in the Castle!" Allura suggested excitedly. "They have done so much for us, and it would definitely be in the spirit of the season for both our worlds to arrange a celebration for them."
"That's an excellent idea!" Coran responded warmly. "We'd have to do a little research so we get it right, of course, but I am sure we could do it all within the next week!"
Coran He rose and circled around his desk to grab a small laptop processor, then returned and reseated himself. "We haven't much time, so we must be organized to a fault. Allura, you must decide on the traditions you feel would be most appropriate for us to observe, and I will arrange with the staff for your wishes to be carried out. Do you have any idea right now of where you'd like to start?"
"We will need to have a big dinner, that's a given," the Princess mused. "From what I can deduce, every Terran holiday seems to have food as its centerpiece."
"All right, of course I will speak to Nanny about the menu." Her Advisor replied, adding the notation to his laptop's file.
"I think there should be a gift giving session, and games!" Allura went on, warming to the subject. "We will need a menorah, a kwansaa candle stick holder and a freshly cut evergreen tree. We will select a suitable room for it to be in, and oh yes, we will need some decorations to hang on the tree."
Coran keyed away with an intent expression.
"I am sure there will be other traditional details that I can add, but I really need to do some reading on them," The Princess concluded, her brow furrowing as she tried in vain to recall other facts about Terran holidays.
"Well, this is a good start. I will contact Nanny, if you will run to the library and look up the rest." Her Advisor said. “The sooner we have the information, the better it will be.”
Allura smiled. "I will, right this minute. Thank you Coran, I feel so much better, and I know the boys will too, once we surprise them!"
Coran nodded. "It is my fervent desire that this will bring them comfort and joy."
“As do I!” The Princess vacated her chair and moved to the door. She turned and presented her Royal Advisor with a radiant countenance while the panel slid open, then practically skipped out into the corridor. As she disappeared around the corner, a giggle of pure excitement drifted back into the room.
Coran smiled fondly as he pressed the switch to close the door. Allura was an enigma, with her delightful blend of childish enthusiasm and womanly concerns. But then, the workings of the female mind had always been mysterious to him.
Maybe that was why he preferred the Whodunit genre. At least he had a chance of guessing what would happen next.
A sigh parted Coran's lips. Once again, his afternoon of reading and relaxing was not to be. But strangely enough, he didn't mind. Arus owed everything to those young men. Giving them some yuletide cheer was the right thing to do, and the very least they should do. And it would be fun to plan something that was all about peace and love for a change.
Coran smiled, feeling his spirits lift.
Perhaps the spirit of the season was contagious.
After being ensconced in his quarters for the last three hours, Keith finally threw down the reports he had been reading with a groan of disgust.
Pressing against the straight back of his chair, he raised his muscular arms into the air in a deliberate stretch, and then lowered them to rest on the cluttered desktop in front of him.
The faint glow from his computer was the only illumination in the darkened room. He had drawn the draperies in an effort to concentrate on his task, instead of on the glorious snow that was falling outside his window. It hadn't helped much. He ached to be out in the white stuff, a potent reminder of his childhood home in Alaska.
His dark brown eyes, stinging and slightly bloodshot from staring at his PC, bitterly surveyed the stack of Garrison folders he had yet to peruse, and he stifled a brief but very strong impulse to sweep the papers into the wastebasket located next to his work area.
~I'm tired. Tired of reports, tired of endless red tape and ridiculous bean counting!~ He thought grumpily. ~Why the heck does Galaxy Garrison even need to know things like how many rolls of toilet paper we use in a month, or how many pairs of underwear we would go through in a year? What a joke!~
He sighed, and resigned himself to finishing up his report. It was with relief bordering on giddiness that he heard the door summons chime. In an instant he was out of his chair and triggering the opening mechanism.
The sheet of metal slid to reveal the disgruntled features of his second-in-command, who was clad in a t shirt and sweats that had been blue but now were a strange shade of lavender thanks to a laundering mishap.
"Hey, Lance."
"Hey Keith."
The Red Lion pilot shouldered past his leader and threw himself and his gym bag across the immaculate, rumple-free coverlet on the bed. He raised his head just long enough to turn down the sheet covering the single pillow, and then buried his face in the downy cushion with a long sigh.
"Come in, make yourself at home," Keith said, dryly. He didn't bother to close the door, but walked over and sat down at the desk once more, presumably to finish his work, but knowing that Lance wouldn't let him.
The thought made him smile for the first time that day. For once, he wanted- no needed to be distracted by Lance's acerbic wit.
But no repartee was forthcoming from his bed. He waited, certain that his irrepressible friend would eventually have something to say.
A minute, two minutes. Nothing. No movement from the bed.
After five minutes, Keith had had enough. "Do you have a reason for being here? If you're just going to nap, you can do that in your own quarters."
Lance's head lifted and his ice blue eyes glared at the Captain. "Not napping. Meditating."
"Well, try not to snore while you meditate, I'm trying to get these reports done." Keith retorted. He shot a hopeful glance over his shoulder, then looked down at his papers once more to hide the wicked smile playing around his lips, and waited for the first missile to be launched. Lance would rip into him for sure, since his best friend always hated what he termed Keith's 'clenched sphincter' tone.
"Yeah, whatever," was the only response he got.
The Captain's head whirled around once more to see his wingman bury his face once again in the combed cotton pillowcase. This was unusual behavior. Which was also a much needed distraction, so he went with it. "Okay, something's wrong. Care to share?"
"Not really." Came the muffled reply.
Keith, his ire rising, kicked back his chair and stood up. "Now look, I'm bummed out enough the way it is, so I didn't need you and your moods infiltrating my territory. So here are your options: fess up, entertain me, help me with these reports, or get the he-"
"Hey guys!" Hunk's gravely voice boomed from the doorway. The big man's grin faded as he took in the sight of the glowering Black Lion pilot and the apathetic form of the Red Lion pilot and he shook his head sadly. "Looks to me like you two have got a case of the 'the grinchies'. Care to join me for a piece of depression-curing cheesecake?"
Lance slowly rolled to one side. "Depends. What kind?"
"Raspberry ripple with chocolate sauce." Hunk informed him gravely.
Lance sat up. “I'm in."
They both looked at Keith, who threw down the folder he'd picked up.
"I'm in! Let me log off and let's go!"
"Yeah Chief, that's the spirit!"
Minutes later the three pilots were sitting on a row of barstools at a cleared off kitchen counter. Plates with huge helpings of the coveted dessert they had managed to wheedle out of a reluctant Nanny were sitting in front of them and silence prevailed as they savored the rich flavor of raspberry and chocolate.
Finally Keith spoke. "So Hunk, you mind telling me exactly what 'the grinchies' are?"
"It's a term I made up, based on an old American children's book by Dr. Seuss."
"The Grinch Who Stole Christmas?" Lance asked, while snagging another chunk of chocolate from his plate. "I know that one. It's an international classic."
Keith nodded, his mouth was full of raspberry filling. He swallowed. “Yeah, I remember that story.”
"Yeah, that's the one.” Hunk said. “If you both know the story, then you can probably figure out that having 'the grinchies' means you're not in good form; you're grumpy, bored, angry or whatever. Basically it just means you have no holiday spirit."
"That definitely applies to me," Lance muttered.
"Me too." Keith added somberly after washing down another bite of his cheesecake with a huge swig of coffee. "In our defense, it's hard to get in a festive mood when you're residing on an alien planet with totally different customs from your own."
"Plus never knowing when the next battle will have to be fought." The Red Lion pilot added glumly.
"And knowing all too well that your family is all together right now, except for you, in another galaxy, far, far away." Hunk grumbled.
The conversation dried up, as the three friends surveyed the remainder of their dessert with sudden disinterest.
A boyish voice cheerfully cut through the gloom that surrounded them. "Hey guys, did you save some for me? I'm hungry!"
Pidge joined them at the counter, wearing a bright smile, which dimmed a little, as he surveyed the downcast faces of his teammates. "Uh oh. What's put you guys in a funk?"
A round of shrugs was his response.
"C'mon, it's snowing outside! And it's December, the month of good cheer!" The Green Lion pilot coaxed, as he sliced a huge wedge of cheesecake from the half empty pan in front of him. “Where's your holiday spirit? We don't need the trappings to celebrate, right?”
"It's little Pidgey Lou-Who, come to give us an attitude adjustment." Lance smirked, as he stabbed at his dessert with his fork.
Keith gave a snort of amusement.
Hunk chuckled.
Pidge tucked into his cheesecake with gusto, not letting the sour mood of the others ruin his enjoyment of the treat.
Keith said kindly, "Don't mind us, we're just kind of down in the dumps right now, being away from family with it being the holidays and all."
The Green Lion pilot put down his fork, straightened, and pushed his glasses back into place with a blunt forefinger, he stared soberly at the sulking trio. "I don't even know where my family is, but I do know that if I can't be with them, I am happy to be with friends like you and the Princess."
“You're right, little buddy.” Hunk sighed, passing a hand over his eyes, as they started to water. He reached around Keith to tousle his little friend's unruly hair. "That puts it in persective.Thanks. "
"Yeah, we should be thankful for what we do have." Lance agreed.
Keith nodded, looking solemn. “We're lucky to be here.”
"Why don't we go outside for awhile and check out the snow?" Hunk suggested. "Fresh air will do us some good, and maybe Princess would like to go with us."
Lance grinned. "Now that's the best idea I've heard for days."
Hunk laughed. "Which one, going out in the snow, or getting the Princess?"
"Both!" Pidge happily interjected. "How about it, Chief? You're our leader, do you want to ask her?"
Keith deliberately speared another clump of cheesecake as he searched for a suitable answer. He could feel heat rising up his neck at the thought of spending some recreational time with Allura.
"If you don't want to perform that tedious duty, I'd be more than happy to have you delegate it to me," Lance told his friend, and grinned wickedly.
Keith shrugged. "Nah, I'll do it as a favor to you guys; it will give you an excuse to goof off and show off even more than you already do,"
The Captain might have convinced them of his indifference, except for the twin spots of color in his cheeks. No one commented, but meaningful glances were exchanged among the other three pilots.
"Speaking of family holidays, I feel like Allura is part of mine." Pidge remarked softly.
"Me too," Hunk agreed, as a warm smile lighted up his rugged features. "Okay, little buddy, if you're done eatin' why don't you and I see if we can't scare up some sleds?"
"That's a brilliant idea, let's go!"
The two friends left without further ado, intent on their mission to add fuel to the newly dubbed 'Operation Fun.'
"I think you'd make a great big brother for Allura." Lance needled his blushing friend when they were alone.
"Two sisters is enough for anyone, I prefer to think of Princess as my friend," Keith replied briefly. "How about you?"
“Friend...hmmm...” The Red Lion pilot chuckled. "That will have to do for now, 'cause I sure don't have brotherly feelings toward her! “ He eyed his best friend. “Pity there's not any mistletoe around this place, it would be a great excuse to teach her about Earth traditions."
Keith stood, rather abruptly. "I'll go find her now, there aren't many hours of daylight left. After we clean up, you'd better get going. We'll meet you at the front gate."
"Aye aye, Chief!" Lance, straight-faced, gave him a mocking half salute. He allowed himself a small grin only when Keith turned his back to stack the plates. His twitterpated friend definitely needed a shove in the right direction, and what better time to do it than in the Season of Love?
Lurking behind the pantry door, Nanny smiled as she watched the Commander and second-in-command of the Voltron Force bus their dishes.
It was awkward and wrong for her to listen in on their private conversation, but she was glad she had, even though she had had to restrain herself from rushing out and boxing that Lance's ears when he spoke of the Princess with such brashness. She didn't know what the tradition of mistletoe entailed, but it sounded highly inappropriate! Thank goodness Captain Keith was there to keep that randy one in line!
After the two men had vacated the premises, leaving no sign of their afternoon snack behind, she moved into the room, sat on a stool and thought some more about what she'd heard. They were such good boys, really, for all that she railed against their Terran ways, and their talk of family had gone straight to her motherly heart. She wondered what she could do to lighten their spirits.
The intercom on the wall buzzed and she rose to answer. “Hello Master Coran. How may I help you?”
"Nanny Manning, I am so glad I caught you. Would you be able to come to my study? I have good news, and something of great importance to discuss with you."
"Of course! I will come at once," Nanny replied, already whipping off her apron.
"Thank you, we need to get started right away! Coran out."
~Now what is this all about?~ The Royal Governess wondered. ~He almost sounds-excited? Vell, I guess I shall find out soon enough. Better get going, Hannah, you aren't as speedy a walker as you used to be!~
She left the kitchen at full speed, armed with a plate of cheesecake for her old friend, and a heightened sense of anticipation.
Pressing against the straight back of his chair, he raised his muscular arms into the air in a deliberate stretch, and then lowered them to rest on the cluttered desktop in front of him.
The faint glow from his computer was the only illumination in the darkened room. He had drawn the draperies in an effort to concentrate on his task, instead of on the glorious snow that was falling outside his window. It hadn't helped much. He ached to be out in the white stuff, a potent reminder of his childhood home in Alaska.
His dark brown eyes, stinging and slightly bloodshot from staring at his PC, bitterly surveyed the stack of Garrison folders he had yet to peruse, and he stifled a brief but very strong impulse to sweep the papers into the wastebasket located next to his work area.
~I'm tired. Tired of reports, tired of endless red tape and ridiculous bean counting!~ He thought grumpily. ~Why the heck does Galaxy Garrison even need to know things like how many rolls of toilet paper we use in a month, or how many pairs of underwear we would go through in a year? What a joke!~
He sighed, and resigned himself to finishing up his report. It was with relief bordering on giddiness that he heard the door summons chime. In an instant he was out of his chair and triggering the opening mechanism.
The sheet of metal slid to reveal the disgruntled features of his second-in-command, who was clad in a t shirt and sweats that had been blue but now were a strange shade of lavender thanks to a laundering mishap.
"Hey, Lance."
"Hey Keith."
The Red Lion pilot shouldered past his leader and threw himself and his gym bag across the immaculate, rumple-free coverlet on the bed. He raised his head just long enough to turn down the sheet covering the single pillow, and then buried his face in the downy cushion with a long sigh.
"Come in, make yourself at home," Keith said, dryly. He didn't bother to close the door, but walked over and sat down at the desk once more, presumably to finish his work, but knowing that Lance wouldn't let him.
The thought made him smile for the first time that day. For once, he wanted- no needed to be distracted by Lance's acerbic wit.
But no repartee was forthcoming from his bed. He waited, certain that his irrepressible friend would eventually have something to say.
A minute, two minutes. Nothing. No movement from the bed.
After five minutes, Keith had had enough. "Do you have a reason for being here? If you're just going to nap, you can do that in your own quarters."
Lance's head lifted and his ice blue eyes glared at the Captain. "Not napping. Meditating."
"Well, try not to snore while you meditate, I'm trying to get these reports done." Keith retorted. He shot a hopeful glance over his shoulder, then looked down at his papers once more to hide the wicked smile playing around his lips, and waited for the first missile to be launched. Lance would rip into him for sure, since his best friend always hated what he termed Keith's 'clenched sphincter' tone.
"Yeah, whatever," was the only response he got.
The Captain's head whirled around once more to see his wingman bury his face once again in the combed cotton pillowcase. This was unusual behavior. Which was also a much needed distraction, so he went with it. "Okay, something's wrong. Care to share?"
"Not really." Came the muffled reply.
Keith, his ire rising, kicked back his chair and stood up. "Now look, I'm bummed out enough the way it is, so I didn't need you and your moods infiltrating my territory. So here are your options: fess up, entertain me, help me with these reports, or get the he-"
"Hey guys!" Hunk's gravely voice boomed from the doorway. The big man's grin faded as he took in the sight of the glowering Black Lion pilot and the apathetic form of the Red Lion pilot and he shook his head sadly. "Looks to me like you two have got a case of the 'the grinchies'. Care to join me for a piece of depression-curing cheesecake?"
Lance slowly rolled to one side. "Depends. What kind?"
"Raspberry ripple with chocolate sauce." Hunk informed him gravely.
Lance sat up. “I'm in."
They both looked at Keith, who threw down the folder he'd picked up.
"I'm in! Let me log off and let's go!"
"Yeah Chief, that's the spirit!"
Minutes later the three pilots were sitting on a row of barstools at a cleared off kitchen counter. Plates with huge helpings of the coveted dessert they had managed to wheedle out of a reluctant Nanny were sitting in front of them and silence prevailed as they savored the rich flavor of raspberry and chocolate.
Finally Keith spoke. "So Hunk, you mind telling me exactly what 'the grinchies' are?"
"It's a term I made up, based on an old American children's book by Dr. Seuss."
"The Grinch Who Stole Christmas?" Lance asked, while snagging another chunk of chocolate from his plate. "I know that one. It's an international classic."
Keith nodded, his mouth was full of raspberry filling. He swallowed. “Yeah, I remember that story.”
"Yeah, that's the one.” Hunk said. “If you both know the story, then you can probably figure out that having 'the grinchies' means you're not in good form; you're grumpy, bored, angry or whatever. Basically it just means you have no holiday spirit."
"That definitely applies to me," Lance muttered.
"Me too." Keith added somberly after washing down another bite of his cheesecake with a huge swig of coffee. "In our defense, it's hard to get in a festive mood when you're residing on an alien planet with totally different customs from your own."
"Plus never knowing when the next battle will have to be fought." The Red Lion pilot added glumly.
"And knowing all too well that your family is all together right now, except for you, in another galaxy, far, far away." Hunk grumbled.
The conversation dried up, as the three friends surveyed the remainder of their dessert with sudden disinterest.
A boyish voice cheerfully cut through the gloom that surrounded them. "Hey guys, did you save some for me? I'm hungry!"
Pidge joined them at the counter, wearing a bright smile, which dimmed a little, as he surveyed the downcast faces of his teammates. "Uh oh. What's put you guys in a funk?"
A round of shrugs was his response.
"C'mon, it's snowing outside! And it's December, the month of good cheer!" The Green Lion pilot coaxed, as he sliced a huge wedge of cheesecake from the half empty pan in front of him. “Where's your holiday spirit? We don't need the trappings to celebrate, right?”
"It's little Pidgey Lou-Who, come to give us an attitude adjustment." Lance smirked, as he stabbed at his dessert with his fork.
Keith gave a snort of amusement.
Hunk chuckled.
Pidge tucked into his cheesecake with gusto, not letting the sour mood of the others ruin his enjoyment of the treat.
Keith said kindly, "Don't mind us, we're just kind of down in the dumps right now, being away from family with it being the holidays and all."
The Green Lion pilot put down his fork, straightened, and pushed his glasses back into place with a blunt forefinger, he stared soberly at the sulking trio. "I don't even know where my family is, but I do know that if I can't be with them, I am happy to be with friends like you and the Princess."
“You're right, little buddy.” Hunk sighed, passing a hand over his eyes, as they started to water. He reached around Keith to tousle his little friend's unruly hair. "That puts it in persective.Thanks. "
"Yeah, we should be thankful for what we do have." Lance agreed.
Keith nodded, looking solemn. “We're lucky to be here.”
"Why don't we go outside for awhile and check out the snow?" Hunk suggested. "Fresh air will do us some good, and maybe Princess would like to go with us."
Lance grinned. "Now that's the best idea I've heard for days."
Hunk laughed. "Which one, going out in the snow, or getting the Princess?"
"Both!" Pidge happily interjected. "How about it, Chief? You're our leader, do you want to ask her?"
Keith deliberately speared another clump of cheesecake as he searched for a suitable answer. He could feel heat rising up his neck at the thought of spending some recreational time with Allura.
"If you don't want to perform that tedious duty, I'd be more than happy to have you delegate it to me," Lance told his friend, and grinned wickedly.
Keith shrugged. "Nah, I'll do it as a favor to you guys; it will give you an excuse to goof off and show off even more than you already do,"
The Captain might have convinced them of his indifference, except for the twin spots of color in his cheeks. No one commented, but meaningful glances were exchanged among the other three pilots.
"Speaking of family holidays, I feel like Allura is part of mine." Pidge remarked softly.
"Me too," Hunk agreed, as a warm smile lighted up his rugged features. "Okay, little buddy, if you're done eatin' why don't you and I see if we can't scare up some sleds?"
"That's a brilliant idea, let's go!"
The two friends left without further ado, intent on their mission to add fuel to the newly dubbed 'Operation Fun.'
"I think you'd make a great big brother for Allura." Lance needled his blushing friend when they were alone.
"Two sisters is enough for anyone, I prefer to think of Princess as my friend," Keith replied briefly. "How about you?"
“Friend...hmmm...” The Red Lion pilot chuckled. "That will have to do for now, 'cause I sure don't have brotherly feelings toward her! “ He eyed his best friend. “Pity there's not any mistletoe around this place, it would be a great excuse to teach her about Earth traditions."
Keith stood, rather abruptly. "I'll go find her now, there aren't many hours of daylight left. After we clean up, you'd better get going. We'll meet you at the front gate."
"Aye aye, Chief!" Lance, straight-faced, gave him a mocking half salute. He allowed himself a small grin only when Keith turned his back to stack the plates. His twitterpated friend definitely needed a shove in the right direction, and what better time to do it than in the Season of Love?
Lurking behind the pantry door, Nanny smiled as she watched the Commander and second-in-command of the Voltron Force bus their dishes.
It was awkward and wrong for her to listen in on their private conversation, but she was glad she had, even though she had had to restrain herself from rushing out and boxing that Lance's ears when he spoke of the Princess with such brashness. She didn't know what the tradition of mistletoe entailed, but it sounded highly inappropriate! Thank goodness Captain Keith was there to keep that randy one in line!
After the two men had vacated the premises, leaving no sign of their afternoon snack behind, she moved into the room, sat on a stool and thought some more about what she'd heard. They were such good boys, really, for all that she railed against their Terran ways, and their talk of family had gone straight to her motherly heart. She wondered what she could do to lighten their spirits.
The intercom on the wall buzzed and she rose to answer. “Hello Master Coran. How may I help you?”
"Nanny Manning, I am so glad I caught you. Would you be able to come to my study? I have good news, and something of great importance to discuss with you."
"Of course! I will come at once," Nanny replied, already whipping off her apron.
"Thank you, we need to get started right away! Coran out."
~Now what is this all about?~ The Royal Governess wondered. ~He almost sounds-excited? Vell, I guess I shall find out soon enough. Better get going, Hannah, you aren't as speedy a walker as you used to be!~
She left the kitchen at full speed, armed with a plate of cheesecake for her old friend, and a heightened sense of anticipation.
Staff and officials that regularly used the extensive library of the Castle of Lions had abandoned it this day for the call of winter sport, and the room was devoid of occupants- save for the golden-haired woman sitting at one of the computer carrels under the room's towering, reinforced window.
The rapid clicks of the computer keys she pressed and the soft murmur of her voice as she read aloud were the only noises echoing throughout the grandiose, book-lined retreat. On occasion, the clicking and murmuring stopped and the old fashioned scratch of pen on paper could be discerned, if one listened closely enough.
And someone was.
The listener entered the library quite unnoticed by the industrious Princess, and he had been listening and studying her very closely for a few stolen moments, unable to deny himself the opportunity to observe without being observed. His gaze roamed over the sparkling circlet that anchored her bound up hair, lingered on her classically beautiful profile and then followed the graceful curves of her,from shoulders to feet, appreciating every inch of the woman whose golden silhouette stood out so strikingly against the rich, dark shelving behind her.
After long moments of indulgence, his gaze at last lifted to the window, which was covered with frost and a light dusting of snow, a reminder of why he was here in the first place. He felt a bit hesitant about interrupting her when she appeared to be so engrossed in her task, but time was a-wasting and the others would be getting impatient. He needed to let her know he was here, instead of staring at her without her knowledge. Still, something held him back from speaking to her as he approached her.
Allura, oblivious to the person slowly approaching her, set down her pen, picked up the sheet of paper she had been scribbling on for the last few minutes and carefully checked the list of items she had compiled.
~I had no idea of the wide variety of traditions Planet Earth observes. The diversity is simply astounding!~ She thought. ~Hope I've selected the ones that have personal meaning to my friends.~
Turning back to the PC, she touched the screen, scrolling and scanning the comprehensive site she had accessed for any important information that she might have missed. Nothing stood out until she noticed an odd notation to one side of the page. She clicked on it and a lengthy article appeared before her, accompanied by many illustrations. With a satisfied grin, she began taking notes.
~Here's a custom the boys might appreciate! I know I would! But I'll need to find someone suitable to take it on, hmm...~ She picked up her pen and added the word 'who', with a question mark beside her notes. ~That should do it, now all I have to do is give the list to Coran . Some of these items may be rather difficult to locate.~
She closed the cover of her notebook, clipped the pen to it, and was about to log off the Earth-based site when a single word caught her eye. ~Mistletoe? Doesn't sound very cheery. But it's associated with Christmas, so it has to be a good thing...~
She clicked on the link, and a picture of a leafy plant with white berries blinked onto the screen, along with accompanying text. ~A parasitic plant with poisonous berries, hung overhead and used as a traditional excuse for people to kiss under during the Christmas season.~ Allura gave an inelegant snort at the notion. But after a moment, her amused grin was replaced by a calculating smirk as she considered the possibilities that this unusual item presented.
"Uh-oh! I know that expression, and it spells trouble!"
The masculine voice came from nowhere. Allura gasped and jumped in surprise, instinctively clutching the notebook to her chest as she quickly looked up into smiling brown eyes. “Keith!”
“In the flesh!” He replied, a hint of laughter in his voice.
Of its own volition, her gaze lowered to a well-toned body, inexplicably dressed in a bulky cream-colored sweater and ski pants. The matching jacket, black with a red stripe, was
draped over his arm, a red ear warmer hung around his neck, and strong-looking hands clutched the matching gloves.
She blatantly stared back and forth from the handsome face, to unusual attire, and back again. ~What is Keith doing out of uniform? He looks...different...nice...and well, cute!~ Not that there was a time he didn't. She gasped again -now where had that little thought come from- and quickly said, “My goodness, you're as quiet as a mouse!”
"I'm sorry I startled you-" The Captain began, then stopped as he spied the picture on the screen behind her. "Hey isn't that mistletoe?"
A blush made a swift appearance on Allura's cheeks, as she realized she had been so enthralled with her visitor, she hadn't backed out of the mistletoe link. She shifted in her chair as Keith tried to look around her head, which partially blocked his view of the text. Where was that darn screen saver when one really needed it ? Hadn't two minutes gone by yet?
The rapid clicks of the computer keys she pressed and the soft murmur of her voice as she read aloud were the only noises echoing throughout the grandiose, book-lined retreat. On occasion, the clicking and murmuring stopped and the old fashioned scratch of pen on paper could be discerned, if one listened closely enough.
And someone was.
The listener entered the library quite unnoticed by the industrious Princess, and he had been listening and studying her very closely for a few stolen moments, unable to deny himself the opportunity to observe without being observed. His gaze roamed over the sparkling circlet that anchored her bound up hair, lingered on her classically beautiful profile and then followed the graceful curves of her,from shoulders to feet, appreciating every inch of the woman whose golden silhouette stood out so strikingly against the rich, dark shelving behind her.
After long moments of indulgence, his gaze at last lifted to the window, which was covered with frost and a light dusting of snow, a reminder of why he was here in the first place. He felt a bit hesitant about interrupting her when she appeared to be so engrossed in her task, but time was a-wasting and the others would be getting impatient. He needed to let her know he was here, instead of staring at her without her knowledge. Still, something held him back from speaking to her as he approached her.
Allura, oblivious to the person slowly approaching her, set down her pen, picked up the sheet of paper she had been scribbling on for the last few minutes and carefully checked the list of items she had compiled.
~I had no idea of the wide variety of traditions Planet Earth observes. The diversity is simply astounding!~ She thought. ~Hope I've selected the ones that have personal meaning to my friends.~
Turning back to the PC, she touched the screen, scrolling and scanning the comprehensive site she had accessed for any important information that she might have missed. Nothing stood out until she noticed an odd notation to one side of the page. She clicked on it and a lengthy article appeared before her, accompanied by many illustrations. With a satisfied grin, she began taking notes.
~Here's a custom the boys might appreciate! I know I would! But I'll need to find someone suitable to take it on, hmm...~ She picked up her pen and added the word 'who', with a question mark beside her notes. ~That should do it, now all I have to do is give the list to Coran . Some of these items may be rather difficult to locate.~
She closed the cover of her notebook, clipped the pen to it, and was about to log off the Earth-based site when a single word caught her eye. ~Mistletoe? Doesn't sound very cheery. But it's associated with Christmas, so it has to be a good thing...~
She clicked on the link, and a picture of a leafy plant with white berries blinked onto the screen, along with accompanying text. ~A parasitic plant with poisonous berries, hung overhead and used as a traditional excuse for people to kiss under during the Christmas season.~ Allura gave an inelegant snort at the notion. But after a moment, her amused grin was replaced by a calculating smirk as she considered the possibilities that this unusual item presented.
"Uh-oh! I know that expression, and it spells trouble!"
The masculine voice came from nowhere. Allura gasped and jumped in surprise, instinctively clutching the notebook to her chest as she quickly looked up into smiling brown eyes. “Keith!”
“In the flesh!” He replied, a hint of laughter in his voice.
Of its own volition, her gaze lowered to a well-toned body, inexplicably dressed in a bulky cream-colored sweater and ski pants. The matching jacket, black with a red stripe, was
draped over his arm, a red ear warmer hung around his neck, and strong-looking hands clutched the matching gloves.
She blatantly stared back and forth from the handsome face, to unusual attire, and back again. ~What is Keith doing out of uniform? He looks...different...nice...and well, cute!~ Not that there was a time he didn't. She gasped again -now where had that little thought come from- and quickly said, “My goodness, you're as quiet as a mouse!”
"I'm sorry I startled you-" The Captain began, then stopped as he spied the picture on the screen behind her. "Hey isn't that mistletoe?"
A blush made a swift appearance on Allura's cheeks, as she realized she had been so enthralled with her visitor, she hadn't backed out of the mistletoe link. She shifted in her chair as Keith tried to look around her head, which partially blocked his view of the text. Where was that darn screen saver when one really needed it ? Hadn't two minutes gone by yet?
Keith blinked in astonishment as he was able to spot certain key words that confirmed his suspicion. Why would the Princess be looking up mistletoe? Before he realized it was probably not a good idea to ask, he had verbalized the thought.
"Um...it was mentioned, and I didn't know what it was." She shrugged. “I was just curious, that's all. No biggie.”
Her choice of words triggered a deep suspicion within the pilot of Black Lion. "Has Lance been talking to you about it by any chance?" He attempted to keep his tone even, but his eyes gleamed as they pinned her to her chair.
"Why no," she replied, genuine bewilderment in her voice. "I came across it in a story I was reading, and it sounded so strange I had to find out more."
Keith relaxed. "So what do you think it was?"
She laughed, a little breathlessly. "I thought it sounded gruesome, until I found out what it's used for."
A smile played around the Captain's mouth. "Surprised?"
Her blush deepened, but she met his gaze without guile. "Yes! I thought it was funny that something parasitic would be used as such a talisman, but it's a very appealing custom."
She paused. "Depending on who it was, of course."
"I see," Keith murmured, arching an eyebrow.
The gesture seemed to fluster the Princess. "Have you ever been caught under the mistletoe, Keith?"
"I don't know that I should be giving out that sort of information," he demurred, but his smile gave him away.
"Why not? At least tell me who was the lucky girl?"
His lips twitched at her expression. "I wouldn't say lucky. And her name was Connie."
"Why wouldn't you say that?" The Princess blinked in confusion.
"She's my older sister's best friend, and she caught me under the mistletoe at one of our family Christmas gatherings. I was fourteen, and not into girls yet. She was two years older, and I'm sure she did it on a dare from my sister. It was a really sloppy kiss - I think she had one too many glasses of wine."
Keith grimaced, and Allura grinned. "It sounds like your experience with tradition was disappointing."
He shrugged, looking wry. "Yeah, it was. But that doesn't mean it had to be if the time and person was right. Never had the opportunity to reenact the tradition, though, because I was off to the Academy after that, and they banned mistletoe on the grounds that it might lead to sexual harassment lawsuits."
Allura frowned. "I get the impression from reading this that anyone standing under it was fully aware of the implications. If they know what happens, how can they object afterwards?"
"Because they weren't given the chance to say no. I guess there were unpleasant encounters from those who would secretly tack some up and jump any unsuspecting person who stood there."
"So it was misused." Allura looked thoughtful. "I understand, but it's too bad they had to resort to banning it. It would be better to hang it out in the open, and allow those who choose to participate of their own free will to do so."
"Exactly," Keith nodded. “It's a sweet tradition when it's done right.”
“Indeed.” The Princess smiled. “I think it sounds very nice.”
Silence fell.
"Um...Keith..." The Princess seemed hesitant. “You're here, so does that mean I'm needed?”
An innocent question, but Keith felt his blood coursing to his cheeks. He looked down into wide, thickly lashed blue eyes and forced an offhand tone. "The guys were wondering if you'd like to go on an outing with us. We were feeling a little restless and we thought the fresh air might do us some good."
"What did you have in mind?" Allura asked, sounding just as offhand as he.
"Just for a walk around the Castle grounds, maybe some sledding..."
"Sledding?" The Princess shot to her feet, her face aglow with enthusiasm. "Count me in! I haven't done that since Father was alive, and I know just the place! Give me fifteen minutes to get ready!"
Keith addressed her retreating back. "Where should we meet?"
Her voice drifted back to him as she disappeared into the hallway. "The outer corridor, in fifteen minutes!”
Chuckling, Keith reached over to push in The Princess' vacated chair, and his eyes fell upon the glowing computer screen, which she had forgotten to shut down in her haste to leave.
When he touched the keypad, the entry on mistletoe appeared, and he read it, telling himself that it was just a way to kill time, and not because the seeds of an idea had begun to germinate in his mind. But the more he tried to suppress it, the more it grew.
Finally giving in to the impish urge, he seated himself in the chair, and typed in an address.
The page he needed popped up with gratifying speed, and the Captain filled out the requisite information with practiced ease. As soon as he was done typing, he hit the send button before he could change his mind.
Then, with his mood lighter than it had been in some time, he logged off the PC and went to wait for the Princess at their agreed-upon meeting spot in the hallway.
"Um...it was mentioned, and I didn't know what it was." She shrugged. “I was just curious, that's all. No biggie.”
Her choice of words triggered a deep suspicion within the pilot of Black Lion. "Has Lance been talking to you about it by any chance?" He attempted to keep his tone even, but his eyes gleamed as they pinned her to her chair.
"Why no," she replied, genuine bewilderment in her voice. "I came across it in a story I was reading, and it sounded so strange I had to find out more."
Keith relaxed. "So what do you think it was?"
She laughed, a little breathlessly. "I thought it sounded gruesome, until I found out what it's used for."
A smile played around the Captain's mouth. "Surprised?"
Her blush deepened, but she met his gaze without guile. "Yes! I thought it was funny that something parasitic would be used as such a talisman, but it's a very appealing custom."
She paused. "Depending on who it was, of course."
"I see," Keith murmured, arching an eyebrow.
The gesture seemed to fluster the Princess. "Have you ever been caught under the mistletoe, Keith?"
"I don't know that I should be giving out that sort of information," he demurred, but his smile gave him away.
"Why not? At least tell me who was the lucky girl?"
His lips twitched at her expression. "I wouldn't say lucky. And her name was Connie."
"Why wouldn't you say that?" The Princess blinked in confusion.
"She's my older sister's best friend, and she caught me under the mistletoe at one of our family Christmas gatherings. I was fourteen, and not into girls yet. She was two years older, and I'm sure she did it on a dare from my sister. It was a really sloppy kiss - I think she had one too many glasses of wine."
Keith grimaced, and Allura grinned. "It sounds like your experience with tradition was disappointing."
He shrugged, looking wry. "Yeah, it was. But that doesn't mean it had to be if the time and person was right. Never had the opportunity to reenact the tradition, though, because I was off to the Academy after that, and they banned mistletoe on the grounds that it might lead to sexual harassment lawsuits."
Allura frowned. "I get the impression from reading this that anyone standing under it was fully aware of the implications. If they know what happens, how can they object afterwards?"
"Because they weren't given the chance to say no. I guess there were unpleasant encounters from those who would secretly tack some up and jump any unsuspecting person who stood there."
"So it was misused." Allura looked thoughtful. "I understand, but it's too bad they had to resort to banning it. It would be better to hang it out in the open, and allow those who choose to participate of their own free will to do so."
"Exactly," Keith nodded. “It's a sweet tradition when it's done right.”
“Indeed.” The Princess smiled. “I think it sounds very nice.”
Silence fell.
"Um...Keith..." The Princess seemed hesitant. “You're here, so does that mean I'm needed?”
An innocent question, but Keith felt his blood coursing to his cheeks. He looked down into wide, thickly lashed blue eyes and forced an offhand tone. "The guys were wondering if you'd like to go on an outing with us. We were feeling a little restless and we thought the fresh air might do us some good."
"What did you have in mind?" Allura asked, sounding just as offhand as he.
"Just for a walk around the Castle grounds, maybe some sledding..."
"Sledding?" The Princess shot to her feet, her face aglow with enthusiasm. "Count me in! I haven't done that since Father was alive, and I know just the place! Give me fifteen minutes to get ready!"
Keith addressed her retreating back. "Where should we meet?"
Her voice drifted back to him as she disappeared into the hallway. "The outer corridor, in fifteen minutes!”
Chuckling, Keith reached over to push in The Princess' vacated chair, and his eyes fell upon the glowing computer screen, which she had forgotten to shut down in her haste to leave.
When he touched the keypad, the entry on mistletoe appeared, and he read it, telling himself that it was just a way to kill time, and not because the seeds of an idea had begun to germinate in his mind. But the more he tried to suppress it, the more it grew.
Finally giving in to the impish urge, he seated himself in the chair, and typed in an address.
The page he needed popped up with gratifying speed, and the Captain filled out the requisite information with practiced ease. As soon as he was done typing, he hit the send button before he could change his mind.
Then, with his mood lighter than it had been in some time, he logged off the PC and went to wait for the Princess at their agreed-upon meeting spot in the hallway.
Thirteen minutes later, Allura was hurrying back to the library with a sense of accomplishment. Having seen to delivering her requests to Coran, she had then run to her quarters to change and grab some suitable outerwear for her unexpected outing with time to spare. The down parka she now wore was her favorite; a deep purple in color and the faux fur that surrounded the hood was a soft gray. Beneath the hood, her eyes sparkled with happy anticipation of the outing with her friends. Fleecy mittens covered her hands; likewise, her study boots were fleece lined and the leggings she wore beneath were of a thinsulate material.
No one would recognize the Princess of Arus, in such attire, and that was exactly why she had chosen it.
Keith straightened from the wall that had been holding him up as he spotted his companion-to-be thumping down the hallway in heavy white snow boots. He couldn't hold back a wide smile and little drop of excitement that tightened his abdominal muscles.
She looked blessedly common, yet gorgeous. And dangerously attainable.
He automatically lifted his jacket and shrugged into it as she approached, needing something to do to hide his nervousness.
"Here I am, ready to go, and in case you were wondering, I do have Coran's blessing to be with you." The Princess said, coming to a halt right in front of her escort. She was feeling very cheery; things couldn't have worked out better, because all of the men would be out of the castle and out of earshot while Coran worked his diplomatic magic for their benefit. "He says he trusts that you'll take good care of me," she added, knowing full well her smile was just a wee bit flirtatious.
Keith swallowed, his throat suddenly feeling dry. Friendly blue eyes were blinking up at him, and her lips were parted in a shy smile, invoking the mad urge to pull her into his arms and cover her mouth with his. Instead, he pulled up the zipper of his jacket with a violent snap of his wrist. The ear warmer was put into place next, and then he pulled his gloves up over his hands, partly in preparation for the cold, partly to deter him from touching the woman in front of him.
He realized, as he saw her gaze turn sharply questioning, that he hadn't responded to her statement and silently berated himself for acting like an ill-mannered fool. He quirked an eyebrow at her, while returning her smile. "That's great, Princess! Saves me having to call him. The guys are already waiting at the front gate, you ready to have some fun?"
“Of course I am!" Allura's tone was overly bright, and she felt her face heat up at the impact that smile had upon her pulse. What was happening? She was around Keith all the time in practice, and in meetings and she never felt as self aware as she was feeling now. Up until a few minutes ago he'd been a very dear friend, but now...
Maybe it was the casual clothes. Maybe it was because they had discussed kissing. Maybe it was because they were going on a sanctioned outing that had nothing to do with their jobs. Perhaps it was all of those things, but whatever the reasons were, she now felt a strangely intense kind of excitement just being with him, a sort of awareness of him - and not as a teammate and Commander.
The realization that she was attracted to Keith as a very handsome, very virile man hit her like a ton of bricks. She immediately averted her gaze from him, so he wouldn't see the embarrassing truth revealed in her eyes. She'd never had been good at disguising her emotions, but she had to try. Keith definitely didn't need a complication like her in his life, he had enough difficulties to deal with, thank you very much.
Keith frowned at the sudden constraint he could feel from the Princess. He knew he really hadn't done much to make her feel as if her company was wanted, except to ask her if she wanted to tag along. Had he been ungracious? Apparently so, as she was now refusing to look directly at him.
"So you've got some sliding experience? How did that come about?" He asked, trying to put her at ease as they turned their steps toward the stairway that would take them to the front gate. 'Women always like it when you show a personal interest in their childhood memories', Lance had told him once. He sent a silent 'thank you' to his female savvy friend as he saw his companion relax.
"I first went sliding during our annual festival that celebrates the return of the cold season," Allura replied, smiling nostalgically. "I was hooked from the very first death defying plunge down 'Castle Hill'."
Keith grinned. "Now this is something I've got to hear!"
As she told him about her adventures, Allura found that she was able to chat and laugh with Keith quite naturally as they strolled down the hall and took the main corridor to the castle entrance. It helped that Keith seemed genuinely interested in hearing about the Arusian Winter Festival and Day of Peace that was usually celebrated on December 30th, unless there was a lack of snow or a raid from Planet Doom.
"Sounds almost like our Terran Winter Solstice and Christmas celebrations," he remarked wistfully, and the Princess hid a smile as she inquired about his holidays, although she knew quite a bit from her research.
Keith related many of the customs she had already read about. However, it was so much more authentic and personal to hear his explanation of his world's customs. So engrossed was she in his monologue, that when they walked out into the brisk winter air, it was a complete shock to her system, and she shivered violently. They spotted and headed for the three colorfully garbed figures standing in the tree-lined front gardens.
Hunk was the first to see them coming. He yelled, "Woo hoo! All right, Princess!" Grinning broadly, he indicated the toboggans he had managed to unearth from Castle storage.
"The big hill awaits you, milady, if you're ready for it!"
"I'm more than ready!" She called back. "Bring it on, I'll have you guys screaming for mercy in no time!"
Lance yelled. "Gonna take more than a bitty hill to faze us big tough guys!" Lance yelled. His eyes fell on the diminutive Pidge. "And one little tough guy." He amended.
Pidge made a face and pelted the smirking Red Lion pilot with a snowball. This started an exchange of volleys, and soon the snowballs were flying fast and furiously between the three pilots, who looked more like overgrown boys at play, at this moment.
Allura laughed, feeling happiness warming her insides. This was more like it, seeing the true personalities of the friends she had gotten to know and love return with a flourish. She cast a sidelong look up at Keith and saw her pleasure reflected in the amused grin he wore, but the grin suddenly turned to a frown of consternation, as he glared at something, or someone in the distance.
"Oh no you don't!" She could hear him mutter under his breath. “Hit me with one of those, and your life is forfeit.”
She quickly turned her head to spot the unfortunate soul this dire comment was addressed to, but everyone seemed to have vanished, all she could see was a line of trees-
WHUMP!
A blinding, stinging, ice-cold pain dropped her in her tracks.
"Allura! Are you all right?"
She dimly heard the anxiety in Keith's voice and tried to turn toward it, but it was hard to move in the snow drift she'd dropped into. Strong hands grabbed her by the crooks of her arms and helped her gain an upright position.
"Oh my God! I'm so sorry Princess, I was aiming for Keith..." Lance stepped out from behind one of the massive oaks, and ran up to Allura, who was now busy trying, with little success, to wipe the remains of a slush ball from her eyes and nose. "You all right? Please say you're all right!"
"I'll be okay, once I can see," Allura asserted gamely, scrubbing at her eyes. Darn it, her lashes seemed to be sticking together.
"Nice going, Ace." Keith said dryly to the embarrassed Lieutenant who was trying to help his victim by feebly brushing at her slush covered hood and shoulders. “
"AVENGE THE PRINCESS!"
A gravelly voice bellowed. Keith instantly grabbed the temporarily blinded Princess and pulled her out of range.
WHAP! WHAP! WHAP! WHAP!
Now Lance was the one covered in slush. Clumps of snow clung to his eyebrows and chin, made him appear as if he'd grown a old man's white beard. Keith hooted at the sight.
Lance yipped, as snow slid down the inside of his jacket. "Oh Lordy, that's sooo cold!" He was hopping around as he tried to shake out the snow from under his outerwear.
"Whoa, that one went a bit too far," he half shrieked, grabbing the front of his pants and pulling them away from his body while shaking them in a little dance to rid himself of the remnants of slush.
The spectacle had Keith giving thanks that the Princess was still wiping her eyes while it made him shake with mirth.
"What's so funny? What's happening?" Allura asked.
"Trust me, you don't want to know," Keith informed her. “It's a guy thing.”
"Okay," she answered agreeably. The aftermath of getting hit in the face with a snowball wasn't fun, but she was liking how Keith's hands were still resting on her waist.
A few yards away, Hunk and Pidge roared with laughter and exchanged an enthusiastic high five. The Red Lion pilot stood fidgeting, desperately wanting to launch a counteroffensive at his attackers, but not wanting to leave the Princess in a state of disarray.
"Aw, go on, I'll take care of her." Keith told him.
"VENGEANCE WILL BE MINE!" Lance screamed, as he charged his now fleeing teammates, gleefully leaving his leader to deal with the mess he had created.
Keith looked down at the Princess whose slush-covered mittens were doing little to nothing to banish the coating of slush on her face.
"Here. Let me."
At his tone of command, Allura's arms automatically dropped to her sides, and she stood still, face upturned, looking like a small child waiting to have her face scrubbed free of
cookie crumbs.
Keith smiled at the picture she made, before releasing her to draw off his gloves. He crammed them in his jacket pocket. "Hold still now." He instructed, placing one hand on her left shoulder to steady her, while the other reached for her face.
Allura felt the touch of skin against skin, and realized that Keith's bare fingers were wiping the icy residue from her face. A small flutter of pleasure began in her belly and moved outward. He brushed the snow from her eyes and cheeks with gentle strokes of his roughened fingertips, and soon, too soon, she could see again.
Or maybe it wasn't too soon. What she saw now made her stomach flutter even more, and her knees go weak - Keith's eyes, full of emotion, and his beautifully formed mouth, were just inches away from hers.
The Captain looked down at the lovely face beneath his hand with fierce protectiveness, and then with a growing awareness of the intimacy of this gesture. Of their own volition, his fingers started to move over the smooth, cool skin, once again, this time purely for savoring its softness. He found himself looking deeply into eyes that held him transfixed; his heart pounded in response, and desire flowed through him, warming him as nothing else could.
Her lips parted slightly, an unconscious provocation to him to do what he wanted to do so badly; kiss the living daylights out of her. His fingers stilled on her cheek, and his other hand came up to join its counterpart, to hold her face between his palms. He made no move to step away, or to draw closer, although that impulse was uppermost in his turbulent thoughts.
Allura watched the play of emotions on Keith's face in dawning wonder. His lips parted as if to speak; she waited with bated breath, but soon it was obvious that words were not forthcoming. His gaze openly roamed over her dewy lashes, pink nose and cheeks, and settled on her mouth.
Her eyes darkened in response, and her breath caught in her throat. She didn't know a lot about men, but she knew enough to see that Keith was thinking of kissing her, and that she wanted that kiss more than anything.
Fueled by that unspoken wish, her chin lifted and her eyelashes lowered.
Face tilted at an accommodating angle, Allura waited for her first kiss.
No one would recognize the Princess of Arus, in such attire, and that was exactly why she had chosen it.
Keith straightened from the wall that had been holding him up as he spotted his companion-to-be thumping down the hallway in heavy white snow boots. He couldn't hold back a wide smile and little drop of excitement that tightened his abdominal muscles.
She looked blessedly common, yet gorgeous. And dangerously attainable.
He automatically lifted his jacket and shrugged into it as she approached, needing something to do to hide his nervousness.
"Here I am, ready to go, and in case you were wondering, I do have Coran's blessing to be with you." The Princess said, coming to a halt right in front of her escort. She was feeling very cheery; things couldn't have worked out better, because all of the men would be out of the castle and out of earshot while Coran worked his diplomatic magic for their benefit. "He says he trusts that you'll take good care of me," she added, knowing full well her smile was just a wee bit flirtatious.
Keith swallowed, his throat suddenly feeling dry. Friendly blue eyes were blinking up at him, and her lips were parted in a shy smile, invoking the mad urge to pull her into his arms and cover her mouth with his. Instead, he pulled up the zipper of his jacket with a violent snap of his wrist. The ear warmer was put into place next, and then he pulled his gloves up over his hands, partly in preparation for the cold, partly to deter him from touching the woman in front of him.
He realized, as he saw her gaze turn sharply questioning, that he hadn't responded to her statement and silently berated himself for acting like an ill-mannered fool. He quirked an eyebrow at her, while returning her smile. "That's great, Princess! Saves me having to call him. The guys are already waiting at the front gate, you ready to have some fun?"
“Of course I am!" Allura's tone was overly bright, and she felt her face heat up at the impact that smile had upon her pulse. What was happening? She was around Keith all the time in practice, and in meetings and she never felt as self aware as she was feeling now. Up until a few minutes ago he'd been a very dear friend, but now...
Maybe it was the casual clothes. Maybe it was because they had discussed kissing. Maybe it was because they were going on a sanctioned outing that had nothing to do with their jobs. Perhaps it was all of those things, but whatever the reasons were, she now felt a strangely intense kind of excitement just being with him, a sort of awareness of him - and not as a teammate and Commander.
The realization that she was attracted to Keith as a very handsome, very virile man hit her like a ton of bricks. She immediately averted her gaze from him, so he wouldn't see the embarrassing truth revealed in her eyes. She'd never had been good at disguising her emotions, but she had to try. Keith definitely didn't need a complication like her in his life, he had enough difficulties to deal with, thank you very much.
Keith frowned at the sudden constraint he could feel from the Princess. He knew he really hadn't done much to make her feel as if her company was wanted, except to ask her if she wanted to tag along. Had he been ungracious? Apparently so, as she was now refusing to look directly at him.
"So you've got some sliding experience? How did that come about?" He asked, trying to put her at ease as they turned their steps toward the stairway that would take them to the front gate. 'Women always like it when you show a personal interest in their childhood memories', Lance had told him once. He sent a silent 'thank you' to his female savvy friend as he saw his companion relax.
"I first went sliding during our annual festival that celebrates the return of the cold season," Allura replied, smiling nostalgically. "I was hooked from the very first death defying plunge down 'Castle Hill'."
Keith grinned. "Now this is something I've got to hear!"
As she told him about her adventures, Allura found that she was able to chat and laugh with Keith quite naturally as they strolled down the hall and took the main corridor to the castle entrance. It helped that Keith seemed genuinely interested in hearing about the Arusian Winter Festival and Day of Peace that was usually celebrated on December 30th, unless there was a lack of snow or a raid from Planet Doom.
"Sounds almost like our Terran Winter Solstice and Christmas celebrations," he remarked wistfully, and the Princess hid a smile as she inquired about his holidays, although she knew quite a bit from her research.
Keith related many of the customs she had already read about. However, it was so much more authentic and personal to hear his explanation of his world's customs. So engrossed was she in his monologue, that when they walked out into the brisk winter air, it was a complete shock to her system, and she shivered violently. They spotted and headed for the three colorfully garbed figures standing in the tree-lined front gardens.
Hunk was the first to see them coming. He yelled, "Woo hoo! All right, Princess!" Grinning broadly, he indicated the toboggans he had managed to unearth from Castle storage.
"The big hill awaits you, milady, if you're ready for it!"
"I'm more than ready!" She called back. "Bring it on, I'll have you guys screaming for mercy in no time!"
Lance yelled. "Gonna take more than a bitty hill to faze us big tough guys!" Lance yelled. His eyes fell on the diminutive Pidge. "And one little tough guy." He amended.
Pidge made a face and pelted the smirking Red Lion pilot with a snowball. This started an exchange of volleys, and soon the snowballs were flying fast and furiously between the three pilots, who looked more like overgrown boys at play, at this moment.
Allura laughed, feeling happiness warming her insides. This was more like it, seeing the true personalities of the friends she had gotten to know and love return with a flourish. She cast a sidelong look up at Keith and saw her pleasure reflected in the amused grin he wore, but the grin suddenly turned to a frown of consternation, as he glared at something, or someone in the distance.
"Oh no you don't!" She could hear him mutter under his breath. “Hit me with one of those, and your life is forfeit.”
She quickly turned her head to spot the unfortunate soul this dire comment was addressed to, but everyone seemed to have vanished, all she could see was a line of trees-
WHUMP!
A blinding, stinging, ice-cold pain dropped her in her tracks.
"Allura! Are you all right?"
She dimly heard the anxiety in Keith's voice and tried to turn toward it, but it was hard to move in the snow drift she'd dropped into. Strong hands grabbed her by the crooks of her arms and helped her gain an upright position.
"Oh my God! I'm so sorry Princess, I was aiming for Keith..." Lance stepped out from behind one of the massive oaks, and ran up to Allura, who was now busy trying, with little success, to wipe the remains of a slush ball from her eyes and nose. "You all right? Please say you're all right!"
"I'll be okay, once I can see," Allura asserted gamely, scrubbing at her eyes. Darn it, her lashes seemed to be sticking together.
"Nice going, Ace." Keith said dryly to the embarrassed Lieutenant who was trying to help his victim by feebly brushing at her slush covered hood and shoulders. “
"AVENGE THE PRINCESS!"
A gravelly voice bellowed. Keith instantly grabbed the temporarily blinded Princess and pulled her out of range.
WHAP! WHAP! WHAP! WHAP!
Now Lance was the one covered in slush. Clumps of snow clung to his eyebrows and chin, made him appear as if he'd grown a old man's white beard. Keith hooted at the sight.
Lance yipped, as snow slid down the inside of his jacket. "Oh Lordy, that's sooo cold!" He was hopping around as he tried to shake out the snow from under his outerwear.
"Whoa, that one went a bit too far," he half shrieked, grabbing the front of his pants and pulling them away from his body while shaking them in a little dance to rid himself of the remnants of slush.
The spectacle had Keith giving thanks that the Princess was still wiping her eyes while it made him shake with mirth.
"What's so funny? What's happening?" Allura asked.
"Trust me, you don't want to know," Keith informed her. “It's a guy thing.”
"Okay," she answered agreeably. The aftermath of getting hit in the face with a snowball wasn't fun, but she was liking how Keith's hands were still resting on her waist.
A few yards away, Hunk and Pidge roared with laughter and exchanged an enthusiastic high five. The Red Lion pilot stood fidgeting, desperately wanting to launch a counteroffensive at his attackers, but not wanting to leave the Princess in a state of disarray.
"Aw, go on, I'll take care of her." Keith told him.
"VENGEANCE WILL BE MINE!" Lance screamed, as he charged his now fleeing teammates, gleefully leaving his leader to deal with the mess he had created.
Keith looked down at the Princess whose slush-covered mittens were doing little to nothing to banish the coating of slush on her face.
"Here. Let me."
At his tone of command, Allura's arms automatically dropped to her sides, and she stood still, face upturned, looking like a small child waiting to have her face scrubbed free of
cookie crumbs.
Keith smiled at the picture she made, before releasing her to draw off his gloves. He crammed them in his jacket pocket. "Hold still now." He instructed, placing one hand on her left shoulder to steady her, while the other reached for her face.
Allura felt the touch of skin against skin, and realized that Keith's bare fingers were wiping the icy residue from her face. A small flutter of pleasure began in her belly and moved outward. He brushed the snow from her eyes and cheeks with gentle strokes of his roughened fingertips, and soon, too soon, she could see again.
Or maybe it wasn't too soon. What she saw now made her stomach flutter even more, and her knees go weak - Keith's eyes, full of emotion, and his beautifully formed mouth, were just inches away from hers.
The Captain looked down at the lovely face beneath his hand with fierce protectiveness, and then with a growing awareness of the intimacy of this gesture. Of their own volition, his fingers started to move over the smooth, cool skin, once again, this time purely for savoring its softness. He found himself looking deeply into eyes that held him transfixed; his heart pounded in response, and desire flowed through him, warming him as nothing else could.
Her lips parted slightly, an unconscious provocation to him to do what he wanted to do so badly; kiss the living daylights out of her. His fingers stilled on her cheek, and his other hand came up to join its counterpart, to hold her face between his palms. He made no move to step away, or to draw closer, although that impulse was uppermost in his turbulent thoughts.
Allura watched the play of emotions on Keith's face in dawning wonder. His lips parted as if to speak; she waited with bated breath, but soon it was obvious that words were not forthcoming. His gaze openly roamed over her dewy lashes, pink nose and cheeks, and settled on her mouth.
Her eyes darkened in response, and her breath caught in her throat. She didn't know a lot about men, but she knew enough to see that Keith was thinking of kissing her, and that she wanted that kiss more than anything.
Fueled by that unspoken wish, her chin lifted and her eyelashes lowered.
Face tilted at an accommodating angle, Allura waited for her first kiss.
The moment seemed frozen in time. The distant noise from their friends' good-natured horseplay faded away, leaving only the whooshing sounds of their breathing; rapid exhalations of vapor which intermingled, swirled and then billowed away in the frosty air.
The Captain's thumbs continued to tenderly stroke the cheekbones of the heart- shaped face encircled by gray fur as he solemnly studied the upturned features of the Princess of Arus.
Allura's lovely eyes were closed in supplication while she presented him with the luscious gift of her lips. Crystalline bits of ice were still clinging to her eyebrows and long lashes, her nose was a bright cherry red, and a violet-tinged blotch could be seen on the cheek that had taken the brunt of the snowball's impact, but yet he could not remember a time that she had looked more beautiful.
After the briefest of hesitations, Keith swiftly lowered his head to take a taste of what was offered. His eyes closed as he savored the sensation of yielding, feminine softness.
As Allura felt the initial caress of Keith's lips upon hers she began to shiver uncontrollably, though the sensations she was feeling right now were as far removed from cold as one could get. She had so far disregarded the soreness of her chafed cheeks and the dull throb behind her eyes that were the unfortunate side effects of the errant slush ball, but in next to no time, the warmth flowing from his mouth to hers took away these last vestiges of discomfort, allowing her to concentrate on the enthralling feel of his kiss. His lips were firm but giving as they slid gently across hers, coaxing a response that she was powerless to control. Allura felt herself straining toward him, and her mitten covered hands lifted to the solid wall of his chest so she could steady herself.
His mouth nudged hers, as if asking for something; her lips instinctively parted and she felt the exquisite touch of his tongue as it glided into her mouth for a few, but all too brief, moments before it slowly retreated, unsure if and how to proceed. She sent her own tongue forward, and their sighs intermingled as the two appendages touched and moved with increasing eagerness, kindling a blissful new sensation that was equal parts pleasure and frustration.
As her lips opened even more, Keith groaned, marveling at how quickly Allura had caught on; within the first few moments of tongue play she was responding to him with increasing confidence and an unexpected sensuality made all the more powerful for her not knowing its impact on him.
Her silky lips were amazingly facile, and the shy, tender touch of her tongue tip against his was making his loins ache, but he knew he could maintain some measure of control as long as he kept his hands on her face and away from the rest of her body.
Thus reassured, he gave himself up to the captivating experience of the Princess' kiss.
The Captain's thumbs continued to tenderly stroke the cheekbones of the heart- shaped face encircled by gray fur as he solemnly studied the upturned features of the Princess of Arus.
Allura's lovely eyes were closed in supplication while she presented him with the luscious gift of her lips. Crystalline bits of ice were still clinging to her eyebrows and long lashes, her nose was a bright cherry red, and a violet-tinged blotch could be seen on the cheek that had taken the brunt of the snowball's impact, but yet he could not remember a time that she had looked more beautiful.
After the briefest of hesitations, Keith swiftly lowered his head to take a taste of what was offered. His eyes closed as he savored the sensation of yielding, feminine softness.
As Allura felt the initial caress of Keith's lips upon hers she began to shiver uncontrollably, though the sensations she was feeling right now were as far removed from cold as one could get. She had so far disregarded the soreness of her chafed cheeks and the dull throb behind her eyes that were the unfortunate side effects of the errant slush ball, but in next to no time, the warmth flowing from his mouth to hers took away these last vestiges of discomfort, allowing her to concentrate on the enthralling feel of his kiss. His lips were firm but giving as they slid gently across hers, coaxing a response that she was powerless to control. Allura felt herself straining toward him, and her mitten covered hands lifted to the solid wall of his chest so she could steady herself.
His mouth nudged hers, as if asking for something; her lips instinctively parted and she felt the exquisite touch of his tongue as it glided into her mouth for a few, but all too brief, moments before it slowly retreated, unsure if and how to proceed. She sent her own tongue forward, and their sighs intermingled as the two appendages touched and moved with increasing eagerness, kindling a blissful new sensation that was equal parts pleasure and frustration.
As her lips opened even more, Keith groaned, marveling at how quickly Allura had caught on; within the first few moments of tongue play she was responding to him with increasing confidence and an unexpected sensuality made all the more powerful for her not knowing its impact on him.
Her silky lips were amazingly facile, and the shy, tender touch of her tongue tip against his was making his loins ache, but he knew he could maintain some measure of control as long as he kept his hands on her face and away from the rest of her body.
Thus reassured, he gave himself up to the captivating experience of the Princess' kiss.
Several yards away, Hunk took a break in his snowball production to straighten and looked around for the Captain and the Princess, who seemed to be taking a very long time to join the party.
Turned out they weren't that far away, and that he located their position just in time to see his leader's face disappear inside the Princess' hood and remain there.
~Oh ho, now here is an interesting development,~ Hunk thought happily. In his humble opinion, it wasn't healthy to keep love bottled up for too long; it tended to make one bitter, cranky and morose. It was about time that Keith did something about his feelings for the Princess, instead of suppressing them or taking them out on the hapless Prince of Doom.
Having completely forgotten about his mission, Hunk looked on in silent approval as the kiss between his commander and Allura went on and on. So engrossed was he in the spectacle, that he didn't even react when the icy-hard missile struck him. It rebounded off the brawny man's back with a loud whump, but still didn't have enough impact to divert his attention from something so much more important.
"Heads up there, Big Guy! There's a war going on!" Lance hollered.
"I prefer love," Hunk mumbled, still not turning around.
"C'mon, man, I need some back up here!' Pidge whined. "My ammo is all but gone!"
“Sorry, I'm on it!" Hunk replied, tearing himself away from the delightful sight he alone he'd witnessed. He had decided not to point out what was transpiring to the others. Keith and Allura deserved some privacy, and he knew from first hand experience that, although Pidge and Lance had hearts of gold, they could be merciless teases.
~Merry Christmas, Chief!~ He thought wryly. ~Best gift I can think of for ya.~
With that, the Big Man flew into battle, making snowballs with the speed of past childhood practice and carefully launching his throws so that his companions were kept facing away from the embracing couple in the distance.
Turned out they weren't that far away, and that he located their position just in time to see his leader's face disappear inside the Princess' hood and remain there.
~Oh ho, now here is an interesting development,~ Hunk thought happily. In his humble opinion, it wasn't healthy to keep love bottled up for too long; it tended to make one bitter, cranky and morose. It was about time that Keith did something about his feelings for the Princess, instead of suppressing them or taking them out on the hapless Prince of Doom.
Having completely forgotten about his mission, Hunk looked on in silent approval as the kiss between his commander and Allura went on and on. So engrossed was he in the spectacle, that he didn't even react when the icy-hard missile struck him. It rebounded off the brawny man's back with a loud whump, but still didn't have enough impact to divert his attention from something so much more important.
"Heads up there, Big Guy! There's a war going on!" Lance hollered.
"I prefer love," Hunk mumbled, still not turning around.
"C'mon, man, I need some back up here!' Pidge whined. "My ammo is all but gone!"
“Sorry, I'm on it!" Hunk replied, tearing himself away from the delightful sight he alone he'd witnessed. He had decided not to point out what was transpiring to the others. Keith and Allura deserved some privacy, and he knew from first hand experience that, although Pidge and Lance had hearts of gold, they could be merciless teases.
~Merry Christmas, Chief!~ He thought wryly. ~Best gift I can think of for ya.~
With that, the Big Man flew into battle, making snowballs with the speed of past childhood practice and carefully launching his throws so that his companions were kept facing away from the embracing couple in the distance.
After a few blissful minutes, Keith reluctantly lifted his head and gently drew away from the Princess. She opened her eyes, and the wordless protest her gaze contained made him smile warmly at her. His hands moved to rest on the tops of her shoulders, then curled around them, as if hesitant to lose contact with her body.
Allura looked up into his darkly handsome features, scarcely able to comprehend that only a moment ago their mouths had been pressed together. She ran a hand through the hair falling over his ski band, and yearned to feel the hardness of his arms wrapped gently around her once more. She mutely stared at him, acutely aware of her heart pounding painfully in her chest, and the rubbery feeling in her legs.
Her pulse increased even more when his sable eyes grew dark, but disappointment came crashing in when he still shook his head in denial.
"As much as I would like to continue this, Princess, I think we have some people waiting for us." He reminded her gently, obvious regret underlying his words.
"I suppose we do." Allura knew he was right, yet she didn't want to leave this special spot. Who knew if he would ever kiss her again? This could be it for her and the Captain, after they stepped out of their wintry cocoon into the real world. She hated the idea of that with a passion, but also knew it was much too soon for her to express it.
"Thank you for wiping my face," she blurted, then winced. Not exactly a memorable or stirring thing to say after that melt down of a kiss.
Keith grinned. "It was my pleasure."
Allura looked at him, and saw a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. “Really?”
"Yes. " He brushed the last remnants of ice off her hood. "A giant slush ball is much more effective than mistletoe, you know."
Her eyes were now sparkling. "So that means when you get hit with a snowball, I can wipe your face off?" She grinned at his visible surprise at her quick comeback, but to his credit, the Captain recovered almost immediately.
"You mean if I get hit." He drawled.
"I'm sure Hunk, Lance and Pidge are more than able to answer that challenge." She said, batting her eyelashes and smiling in a way that would have floored most princes in the Denubian Galaxy.
"We'll see." Keith maintained. "Bet I can go the next quarter hour without so much as a flake on me!"
She shook her head and laughed. "You're on!"
By mutual consent, they ran to join up with the others.
A cease-fire was called so that territories could be established. The Princess graciously declined her bit of real estate, prudently opting to be a spectator rather than a player. As their cries of protest, she teasingly informed her teammates that she had already paid her dues for the day. She shot a meaningful glance at Lance and he blushed.
"She's right, besides, it gives us a chance to show Princess what an Academy style snowball fight is really like!" Her friend said hastily, wanting to forget all about that little faux paux.
Allura smiled to herself. ~Little does he know that that snowball he decked me with was the best thing that has happened to me in a long, long time!~
The battle raged on for the next fifteen minutes, and no one seemed to be able to hit the elusive Keith, who moved like black lightning among the trees and behind drifts. A stymied Lance, Pidge and Hunk quickly decided to form an alliance against their commander.
~Get him- GET HIM!~ Allura cheered silently, as she watched Pidge creep daringly close to his fearless leader. She groaned aloud as Keith's quick reflexes foiled the covert attack. Pidge now lay buried in a snowdrift, bemused and laughing.
Hunk and Lance were puffing, panting, and muttering curses under their breath as the Black Lion pilot continued to thwart them.
As for the Captain, he shot triumphant looks at the Princess each time he successfully dodged an especially heavy barrage of snowy ammunition and continued to get in deadly accurate strikes of his own. Allura was torn between admiration for his skill and irritation that he was dodging rather than to take the opportunity to let her 'wipe his face'.
He didn't even seem to be tiring, was the man superhuman? Did Keith want to avoid her kiss that much?
As if sensing the Princess' perturbed thoughts, the Captain's gaze met hers once again. He winked and held his hands up, as if to say, 'what can I say? I'm just too good!'
Exasperated beyond belief, Allura rudely stuck her tongue out at him, which made Keith laugh. He then barely dodged a sneak attack from Lance, who had accurately sensed his leader was rather distracted at the moment. It was by far the closest anyone had come to pelting the invincible Captain, and Allura giggled at the near miss and applauded enthusiastically, as Lance sent a mocking bow in her direction.
From then on, the Captain stopped grandstanding, and tended to the business of winning their bet, which he did, quite handily.
"The guy's like a greased pig at the county fair," Hunk groaned, collapsing to his knees to get his breath.
"Aw, he's just a show-off," Lance scoffed, as he lobbed another snowball at his grinning friend.
"I don't know about you guys, but I'm thinking we need to change tactics," Pidge gasped.
Before the boy genius could expand on his plan, Keith reminded the team that they still had some serious sledding ahead of them before having to return to the castle. It was the only thing he could say that would stop an all-out illegal assault on his person, and it worked like a charm.
"Yeah, I guess we'd better get hopping, not much of the daylight left." Pidge panted.
His friends agreed, and as they gathered up discarded hats and gloves, and retrieved the tobbagans they'd brought, Keith sidled up to Allura.
"I win. Better luck next time." He murmured in a smug undertone, which nettled her.
She fixed him with an innocent stare. "What do you mean, Captain? As far as I'm concerned, I won!"
Giving him a deliberate wink, she walked away to assist her teammates.
Keith stood stock still, a comically thunderstruck look upon his face. Gads, he had just cheated himself out of an extremely pleasurable experience, to put it mildly. And while she didn't seem to mind, he was going to be mentally pummeling himself for his stupid male pride.
And had she just insulted him by implying she didn't want to kiss him?
"Captain Keith, are you going to come along with us, or stand there and freeze?" The Princess' mocking voice penetrated his self-recriminations.
His reply was to trot silently after his team as they turned and headed for the hills, his unblinking gaze fixed on the figure in the purple parka that now led the group with a triumphant march to her step.
Allura looked up into his darkly handsome features, scarcely able to comprehend that only a moment ago their mouths had been pressed together. She ran a hand through the hair falling over his ski band, and yearned to feel the hardness of his arms wrapped gently around her once more. She mutely stared at him, acutely aware of her heart pounding painfully in her chest, and the rubbery feeling in her legs.
Her pulse increased even more when his sable eyes grew dark, but disappointment came crashing in when he still shook his head in denial.
"As much as I would like to continue this, Princess, I think we have some people waiting for us." He reminded her gently, obvious regret underlying his words.
"I suppose we do." Allura knew he was right, yet she didn't want to leave this special spot. Who knew if he would ever kiss her again? This could be it for her and the Captain, after they stepped out of their wintry cocoon into the real world. She hated the idea of that with a passion, but also knew it was much too soon for her to express it.
"Thank you for wiping my face," she blurted, then winced. Not exactly a memorable or stirring thing to say after that melt down of a kiss.
Keith grinned. "It was my pleasure."
Allura looked at him, and saw a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. “Really?”
"Yes. " He brushed the last remnants of ice off her hood. "A giant slush ball is much more effective than mistletoe, you know."
Her eyes were now sparkling. "So that means when you get hit with a snowball, I can wipe your face off?" She grinned at his visible surprise at her quick comeback, but to his credit, the Captain recovered almost immediately.
"You mean if I get hit." He drawled.
"I'm sure Hunk, Lance and Pidge are more than able to answer that challenge." She said, batting her eyelashes and smiling in a way that would have floored most princes in the Denubian Galaxy.
"We'll see." Keith maintained. "Bet I can go the next quarter hour without so much as a flake on me!"
She shook her head and laughed. "You're on!"
By mutual consent, they ran to join up with the others.
A cease-fire was called so that territories could be established. The Princess graciously declined her bit of real estate, prudently opting to be a spectator rather than a player. As their cries of protest, she teasingly informed her teammates that she had already paid her dues for the day. She shot a meaningful glance at Lance and he blushed.
"She's right, besides, it gives us a chance to show Princess what an Academy style snowball fight is really like!" Her friend said hastily, wanting to forget all about that little faux paux.
Allura smiled to herself. ~Little does he know that that snowball he decked me with was the best thing that has happened to me in a long, long time!~
The battle raged on for the next fifteen minutes, and no one seemed to be able to hit the elusive Keith, who moved like black lightning among the trees and behind drifts. A stymied Lance, Pidge and Hunk quickly decided to form an alliance against their commander.
~Get him- GET HIM!~ Allura cheered silently, as she watched Pidge creep daringly close to his fearless leader. She groaned aloud as Keith's quick reflexes foiled the covert attack. Pidge now lay buried in a snowdrift, bemused and laughing.
Hunk and Lance were puffing, panting, and muttering curses under their breath as the Black Lion pilot continued to thwart them.
As for the Captain, he shot triumphant looks at the Princess each time he successfully dodged an especially heavy barrage of snowy ammunition and continued to get in deadly accurate strikes of his own. Allura was torn between admiration for his skill and irritation that he was dodging rather than to take the opportunity to let her 'wipe his face'.
He didn't even seem to be tiring, was the man superhuman? Did Keith want to avoid her kiss that much?
As if sensing the Princess' perturbed thoughts, the Captain's gaze met hers once again. He winked and held his hands up, as if to say, 'what can I say? I'm just too good!'
Exasperated beyond belief, Allura rudely stuck her tongue out at him, which made Keith laugh. He then barely dodged a sneak attack from Lance, who had accurately sensed his leader was rather distracted at the moment. It was by far the closest anyone had come to pelting the invincible Captain, and Allura giggled at the near miss and applauded enthusiastically, as Lance sent a mocking bow in her direction.
From then on, the Captain stopped grandstanding, and tended to the business of winning their bet, which he did, quite handily.
"The guy's like a greased pig at the county fair," Hunk groaned, collapsing to his knees to get his breath.
"Aw, he's just a show-off," Lance scoffed, as he lobbed another snowball at his grinning friend.
"I don't know about you guys, but I'm thinking we need to change tactics," Pidge gasped.
Before the boy genius could expand on his plan, Keith reminded the team that they still had some serious sledding ahead of them before having to return to the castle. It was the only thing he could say that would stop an all-out illegal assault on his person, and it worked like a charm.
"Yeah, I guess we'd better get hopping, not much of the daylight left." Pidge panted.
His friends agreed, and as they gathered up discarded hats and gloves, and retrieved the tobbagans they'd brought, Keith sidled up to Allura.
"I win. Better luck next time." He murmured in a smug undertone, which nettled her.
She fixed him with an innocent stare. "What do you mean, Captain? As far as I'm concerned, I won!"
Giving him a deliberate wink, she walked away to assist her teammates.
Keith stood stock still, a comically thunderstruck look upon his face. Gads, he had just cheated himself out of an extremely pleasurable experience, to put it mildly. And while she didn't seem to mind, he was going to be mentally pummeling himself for his stupid male pride.
And had she just insulted him by implying she didn't want to kiss him?
"Captain Keith, are you going to come along with us, or stand there and freeze?" The Princess' mocking voice penetrated his self-recriminations.
His reply was to trot silently after his team as they turned and headed for the hills, his unblinking gaze fixed on the figure in the purple parka that now led the group with a triumphant march to her step.
Five minutes later, Lance caught up with Allura, and matched his steps to hers.
"Hey Princess, that looks like a good one!" He pointed to a sizable snow covered mound to their immediate right.
"It is a good one, but it's not nearly challenging enough for the big, tough Space Explorers!" She replied, smiling wickedly at him.
"I dunno, it looks pretty high to me," Hunk chimed in as he drew alongside his friends. "It's bigger than any hill I've ever been on."
Pidge trotted up, with a sly grin. "What about 'The Blender Bender'? Remember that one?"
Hunk and Lance had both turned a little green at the mention of the Space Academy campus landmark.
"Don't remind me; that thing made me lose my lunch." The Yellow Lion pilot shook his head at the memory.
"Three or four lunches, if memory serves," Lance cackled.
Hunk grinned at Lance. “I wasn't the only one.” He pretended to think. “But for you, sliding after a few beers, wasn't it a case of not being able to hold your water...?”
"Ew!" Allura exclaimed, wrinkling her nose. She stopped walking, and gave her large teammate a dubious look. "If that's the case, maybe we should try Powder Puff Bluff. The hill we're going to is not recommended for queasy stomachs or weak bladders."
Lance and Hunk reddened.
"Are you kidding me?" Pidge cried. "If you're gonna slide, slide to the max! Otherwise it's just slipping around."
Keith walked up. "I'm with Pidge, we need to see the famous hill where Princess Allura made her sledding debut." He openly grinned at her, and she smiled back.
Presented with that knowledge, the rest of the men agreed, each privately thinking if the Princess could take it, how bad could the thing really be?
The answer was apparent the minute they rounded the bend and came out of the small forest behind the castle. At first sight, the men stopped in their tracks and stared.
Nope, it wasn't bad, not at all. Bad didn't come close to describing what they were seeing.
Horrific. Yes, that would be a better word.
They were standing at the midpoint of a slider's nightmare. The land dropped away from the castle base at almost a ninety-degree angle to the frozen moat below. Here and there, huge moguls dotted the path they would take, some of them taller than Pidge.
"Good Lord..." Lance's voice cracked.
“Humungous.” Hunk breathed. “Humungous Big.”
"You went down this hill?" Keith asked Allura, in an incredulous tone.
"Yes." She said proudly.
"And you survived?" His voice was hushed as he gawked at the terrifying angle of the landscape once more.
Pidge was ecstatic. "Higher and steeper than the good old 'Blender'! Lemme at it!" He chortled as he pulled out a flat, fiberglass tray.
"Pidge, that's one of Nanny's serving trays! You aren't thinking of-"The Princess shook her head in denial. "No, I forbid it. It's too dangerous without the proper equipment. Use the toboggan!"
"It has to be a tray, Princess. It's a matter of tradition and honor." The youth informed her soberly. "Back at the Academy I was the only one to conquer 'The Blender Bender' with one of these without puking, soiling myself or breaking a bone."
"An impressive achievement, to be sure," Lance mumbled, secretly envious of the feat, since he had tried and failed several times to duplicate it.
Pidge continued, ignoring his friend's sarcasm. "I have a reputation to uphold, I hope you understand."
He looked beseechingly at the woman who could make or break his day with one word.
Allura wavered.
"Plllleeeeaaassseee?" Pidge's large, hazel eyes had never looked so appealing.
Allura relented. "Okay, but please be very careful. Green Lion needs her pilot in one piece."
She expected the boy to let out a jubilant yell, but to her surprise, he just thanked her calmly and turned to start his trek up the hill.
"Don't worry, he'll be fine," Hunk patted her arm and spoke with more assurance than he actually felt. "My buddy knows what he's doing."
"I hope so, Hunk," Allura replied softly as her worried gaze followed the green jacketed figure as it made its way up the incline. "I really hope so..."
"Hey Princess, that looks like a good one!" He pointed to a sizable snow covered mound to their immediate right.
"It is a good one, but it's not nearly challenging enough for the big, tough Space Explorers!" She replied, smiling wickedly at him.
"I dunno, it looks pretty high to me," Hunk chimed in as he drew alongside his friends. "It's bigger than any hill I've ever been on."
Pidge trotted up, with a sly grin. "What about 'The Blender Bender'? Remember that one?"
Hunk and Lance had both turned a little green at the mention of the Space Academy campus landmark.
"Don't remind me; that thing made me lose my lunch." The Yellow Lion pilot shook his head at the memory.
"Three or four lunches, if memory serves," Lance cackled.
Hunk grinned at Lance. “I wasn't the only one.” He pretended to think. “But for you, sliding after a few beers, wasn't it a case of not being able to hold your water...?”
"Ew!" Allura exclaimed, wrinkling her nose. She stopped walking, and gave her large teammate a dubious look. "If that's the case, maybe we should try Powder Puff Bluff. The hill we're going to is not recommended for queasy stomachs or weak bladders."
Lance and Hunk reddened.
"Are you kidding me?" Pidge cried. "If you're gonna slide, slide to the max! Otherwise it's just slipping around."
Keith walked up. "I'm with Pidge, we need to see the famous hill where Princess Allura made her sledding debut." He openly grinned at her, and she smiled back.
Presented with that knowledge, the rest of the men agreed, each privately thinking if the Princess could take it, how bad could the thing really be?
The answer was apparent the minute they rounded the bend and came out of the small forest behind the castle. At first sight, the men stopped in their tracks and stared.
Nope, it wasn't bad, not at all. Bad didn't come close to describing what they were seeing.
Horrific. Yes, that would be a better word.
They were standing at the midpoint of a slider's nightmare. The land dropped away from the castle base at almost a ninety-degree angle to the frozen moat below. Here and there, huge moguls dotted the path they would take, some of them taller than Pidge.
"Good Lord..." Lance's voice cracked.
“Humungous.” Hunk breathed. “Humungous Big.”
"You went down this hill?" Keith asked Allura, in an incredulous tone.
"Yes." She said proudly.
"And you survived?" His voice was hushed as he gawked at the terrifying angle of the landscape once more.
Pidge was ecstatic. "Higher and steeper than the good old 'Blender'! Lemme at it!" He chortled as he pulled out a flat, fiberglass tray.
"Pidge, that's one of Nanny's serving trays! You aren't thinking of-"The Princess shook her head in denial. "No, I forbid it. It's too dangerous without the proper equipment. Use the toboggan!"
"It has to be a tray, Princess. It's a matter of tradition and honor." The youth informed her soberly. "Back at the Academy I was the only one to conquer 'The Blender Bender' with one of these without puking, soiling myself or breaking a bone."
"An impressive achievement, to be sure," Lance mumbled, secretly envious of the feat, since he had tried and failed several times to duplicate it.
Pidge continued, ignoring his friend's sarcasm. "I have a reputation to uphold, I hope you understand."
He looked beseechingly at the woman who could make or break his day with one word.
Allura wavered.
"Plllleeeeaaassseee?" Pidge's large, hazel eyes had never looked so appealing.
Allura relented. "Okay, but please be very careful. Green Lion needs her pilot in one piece."
She expected the boy to let out a jubilant yell, but to her surprise, he just thanked her calmly and turned to start his trek up the hill.
"Don't worry, he'll be fine," Hunk patted her arm and spoke with more assurance than he actually felt. "My buddy knows what he's doing."
"I hope so, Hunk," Allura replied softly as her worried gaze followed the green jacketed figure as it made its way up the incline. "I really hope so..."
Author's Notes: This chapter is dedicated with deep affection to all my fellow 'Oles', past and present, who have and will continue to 'tray' The Hill behind Old Main, voted one of the 10 best sledding hills in Minnesota. Fram, Fram, St. Olaf! Um Ya Ya! :)
"Why is he using a tray? Why can't he use one of the toboggans?" Allura wondered aloud as she watched Pidge drawing nearer to the pinnacle of Castle Hill.
"It's Academy tradition," Lance informed her, seriously. "Space Academy cadets never use conventional sleds, the Official Rule Book states quite clearly: 'Cafeteria trays only'."
"Hence the term, 'traying'." Hunk added. "You didn't slide on the campus hills, you 'trayed' them."
"I can't imagine that would be very comfortable or safe at all!" Allura exclaimed. "There's no way to steer, and fiberglass doesn't give an inch when going over bumps!"
"That's the idea," Lance smiled grimly. "It made for some dangerous runs, but if you wanted personal glory and enshrinement in the record books for that year, you had to follow tradition."
The Princess' eyes widened. "Record books? You mean the Academy's administration sanctioned events like this?"
"Not exactly," Keith answered. "Campus administration usually turned a blind eye, until the year when we were juniors, and 'traying' was banned by the Board of Regents in reaction to a first year cadet ending up in the hospital with a concussion after a late night run on 'The Blender'. They said it was too risky."
"Like we didn't take risks in combat training?" Lance asked his friend. "That still bugs me, what a bunch of hypocrites!"
Keith shrugged. "To them it was a clear case of overly competitive people taking needless chances, plus the added hassle of hikes in their insurance rates and spending a major amount on replacing cracked trays," he finished, wryly.
Lance grinned. "I remember the monitors frisking Hunk every time he left the cafeteria because he was one of the few people who were big enough to hide a tray under their uniform."
Hunk shook his head at the memory. "Yeah, that was a real pain. Cut down on my chances of sneaking out extra desserts, too."
His friends laughed at his peeved expression. Lance clapped a hand on his friend's shoulder and patted the rounded, but taut stomach under the gold parka he wore. "We really appreciated your sacrifices, Big Guy. You made an excellent decoy so that Cliff and Ginger, or Pidge and I could sneak by with a couple trays here and there."
“Aha, so you found a way!” Allura said laughingly, then asked, "So I surmise that the ban did not stop the 'traying'?"
Lance smirked. "Nope, it just made things worse. Now the challenge was even greater- to set records and not get caught!"
Keith laughed as the Princess eyed him. "So Keith, then you never went 'traying' after the ban?"
There was a silence as the men exchanged glances.
The Princess folded her arms.
"Um, I may have," Keith finally said, reluctantly.
Allura gasped. "You? You broke a school rule?"
Keith suspected he was being made fun of, but wasn't entirely certain. "Well, uh, I-"
"He did for the good of the team!" Lance defended his buddy. "You see, Princess, it was a matter of pride and honor. There were these obnoxious seniors who always said they were going to kick the sh-"
"Lance!" The Captain quickly cautioned his second-in-command. "Need I remind you that there are some things that are best left unsaid in mixed company?"
The Red Lion pilot looked embarrassed at his second snafu that day. "Oops. Sorry."
"Never mind," Allura told him kindly. "I get the gist of what was at stake. " Her mouth widened in a bright smile. “So Keith saved the day?”
Lance and Hunk tried not to snicker. It had been a very interesting experience to see their illustrious leader heaving his stomach contents into a snow bank every time he had finished a run. The invincible Captain had been more than vulnerable that day.
"No, I totally crashed and burned on the last run. Pidge was the one who saved our hides." The Captain admitted with a pointed glare at his fellow alumnus. His eye caught a flash of green, and silently giving thanks for the reprieve, he diverted their attention to his teammate. "Look, team, Pidge just reached the top!"
The Princess and the three men all focused on the slightly built figure now at the summit of the run, who waved in acknowledgment of their attention.
Hunk yelled, "Way to go, little buddy!"
Pidge gave him a brisk salute, then got down to business.
His audience of four watched in silence as Pidge surveyed the hill, and then decisively walked to a specific spot. He placed the saucer shaped tray on the ground, moving it back and forth for a few moments to test the snow's resistance. After completing the task to his satisfaction, the boy stood up and his friends saw him remove and then carefully pocket his glasses inside his jacket.
"Oh, he should leave them on, or he won't be able to see the moguls!" Allura fretted, while putting a mitten covered hand to her mouth. "And why is he getting rid of his hat? He'll get frostbite from the wind chill!"
Sure enough, the youth had discarded his multi-colored knit hat, and now was groping in his jacket's side pockets as if trying to locate something.
"I don't believe it," Lance breathed. "Are you guys thinking what I'm thinking?"
Keith shook his head in disbelief. "You don't suppose he would bring it all the way to Arus, do ya?"
"Bring what?" The Princess asked.
Hunk grinned. "I think he would and did! Look!"
The onlooking group did so, and watched as the diminutive Green Lion pilot pulled a wad of chocolate brown leather out of his left coat pocket, slid it over his unruly auburn hair, and carefully adjusted what turned out to be a close fitting type of cap. Allura could see that there were leather earflaps on each side of the boy's head, which tapered into what appeared to be chin straps. He left them loose, and they dangled to his shoulders in a jaunty fashion. Pidge reached up to the two knobs on top of the cap and slid them down over his eyes. Now the Princess could see that they were goggles of some kind.
"What in the world is he wearing?" She asked.
"It's an early twentieth century Terran aviator's cap he found in a pawn shop on Balto." Hunk informed her. "It's his good luck charm - last time he wore it, he conquered the 'Blender' and won the Golden Slippy Cup for our team."
"You know what this means, don't you, guys?" Lance asked, then continued gleefully, not waiting for an answer. "Gentlemen and Princess, may I be the first to announce the triumphant comeback, the long awaited return, the brilliant reemergence of the one, the only 'SPLAT BOY'!"
"ALL HAIL SPLAT BOY!" Hunk shouted in exultation.
To the Princess' bewilderment and growing amusement, the three men dropped to their knees, made circles with their thumbs and forefinger around their eyes as if to emulate Pidge's goggles, then flapped their extended elbows in time while loudly chanting:
"Hail Splat Boy, he's the best! He'll put your courage to the test! He'll stop at nothing, not even walls; he'll take on anyone, 'cause he has balls!"
Laughter bubbled up inside Allura's chest. She tried to contain it - because obviously the boys took this ritual very seriously - but despite her valiant efforts, it escaped in long, melodious peals.
The chanting stopped abruptly, and the heads of the three kneeling figures swiveled at the sound.
"She's laughing at us," Lance muttered to Keith.
"I know." His friend ruefully replied. Red tinged his cheeks, not out of annoyance, but because he realized how inappropriate the chant must have sounded.
"Women just don't get it," Hunk grumbled. "Traditions are essential for morale and building teamwork. Princess doesn't realize how important they are to us."
Allura had noticed the acerbic glares her teammates were directing her way. "I'm sorry," she choked out, a spasm of laughter threatening to overcome her good intentions. "That rhyme was so...so...and 'Splat Boy'...well, it just seems like such an odd name for a hero."
Once again she was overcome by the giggles. The men let her expend her hilarity while wearing slightly defensive expressions.
"Don't judge too quickly, Princess. 'Splat Boy' is a legend come to life!" Hunk admonished her, as her giggles subsided. "You really need to know a lot more about our customs to appreciate them."
The Princess instantly sobered. "You're absolutely right, Hunk. I am sorry. They are important, and I should do a much better job of studying them."
Allura's reply was apologetic, and it mollified the others, but there was a mysterious glint in her eyes and a slight smile hovered on her mouth that Keith didn't miss. His gaze silently questioned her, but she averted her eyes from his lest she give anything away regarding her secret.
The Captain noticed her avoidance of his gaze, and smiled to himself as he thought of his own secret.
Up at the top of the hill, Pidge was busily checking the wind and making his calculations for his descent. If all went well, he'd end up in the soft bank of powdered snow just to the left of the moat. To do that, he'd have to hit each mogul perfectly, which should be no problem for a person of his talent and experience.
After all, he was Splat Boy, Master of Moguls, King of the Hill. So let it be written. So let it be done.
He sat down, carefully positioning himself on the tray, adjusted his goggles once more, took a deep breath, and pushed off.
His teammates rushed to line themselves up at his approach. They hooted and hollered, egging him on as he gained speed.
"Dang it! If only I had a cowbell!" Hunk exclaimed.
Allura glanced at Keith.
"Another ritual, Princess." He smiled and shrugged.
"YI- YI -YI- YI- YI- YI- YI- YI !" Screamed Lance, as Pidge went cruising by them.
Allura just shook her head at that particular outburst, and then focused her concerned gaze on the green blur rocketing down the hill.
Pidge grinned broadly as he heard Lance's Swiss cheer fading away behind him, and immediately wished he hadn't, because his lips immediately peeled back with the G-force and stuck there, making his gums and bared teeth ache from the bitterly cold wind generated by his motion.
That same wind also buffeted his body, so he lowered his chest over crossed legs and held it there, an increasingly difficult feat as he gained more and more speed and his back began to feel the strain. His earflap straps were viciously whipping against the back of his head, adding to the overall discomfort, but at least he was used to that little inconvenience. What he wasn't used to was the extreme trajectory of this hill. There were no flat spots, it truly was downhill, all the way.
His gloved hands tightly gripped the slight lip of the tray as he braced himself for the thrill and the pain of the first mogul he needed to traverse. The hazel eyes behind the goggles gleamed with determination and more than a hint of fear as what seemed an impossibly huge mound of snow loomed in front of him. At the last second he shifted his weight and his tray careened off the side of the snow mass to point him in precisely the direction he had planned to go.
His confidence soared. One down, four to go!
"Beauty," Hunk breathed. "Did you see him take that bump?"
"Like poetry in motion, " Keith agreed. "He calculated the trajectory perfectly."
Lance grinned. "Splat Boy kicks butt!" He announced with satisfaction.
The next mogul went just as smoothly and Allura began to relax a bit. Pidge obviously not only knew what he was doing, he was a professional at it, it was so clear to her now. She could see why his teammates idolized him so. But that didn't explain why they would call him Splat Boy...
Noticing how absorbed the men were with the run, the Princess knew now was not the time to ask. Men never liked to be questioned at crucial times in athletic events, that much she had also learned from her comrades.
Pidge took the next bump at breakneck speed, became airborne, but kept his body low, and the tray solidly under him. He landed beautifully, his form looking as aerodynamic as a ski jumper's.
Allura gasped in admiration. It was pure poetry in motion, and poetry had always stirred her to the depths of her soul. "GO SPLAT BOY!! YOU CAN DO IT!!" The Princess shrieked suddenly, severely startling her companions.
They stared at her with various degrees of surprise.
"Why are you looking at me like that? I can get into the spirit as well as anyone when given a chance!" She sniffed at them.
Hunk grinned in approval. "You're all right in my book, Princess! Put 'er there!" He stuck out a huge, gloved hand, palm up and Allura slapped it once, then again as he raised it high.
She turned to a delighted looking Lance and he immediately wrapped her in a huge hug. She returned it enthusiastically, then felt the coldness of his ear against her cheek and yelped. "Lance, for goodness sake, put on your hat, or you'll get frostbite!"
"Not if I stay right here," he gravely informed her, tightening his arms, and pressing his ear against her.
"That's nice of you Lieutenant, but you're missing the end of the run!" The stern voice had Lance dropping his arms post haste.
Allura blushed as she saw the irritated expression on Keith's face. She avoided Lance's smiling gaze and turned back to watching Pidge just in time to see him sail cleanly through the fourth set of moguls. She thumped her mittens together in glee. He was almost there!
Out on the run, Pidge was feeling invincible. So far he had been right on in all his prognostications, and now the easiest part of the run was coming up. He was home free! A surge of jubilation shot through his extremities at the thought. It lasted all of five seconds, pulsing strongly, until he hit the icy patch he hadn't had any idea existed, and had not planned for at all.
He spun slightly to the right. He leaned right to compensate, and it worked until he hit the next patch, which turned him a full 180 degrees to the left.
His friends saw his predicament unfolding and gasped.
"Not good!" Lance bit out. "Not good at all."
"Think he can pull out of it?" Hunk asked fearfully.
"Maybe, but if he doesn't do it soon, he'll be hitting that last set of moguls sideways..." The Red Lion pilot grimaced.
"And it's goodbye, Pidge!" Allura finished his sentence, and then groaned. "Oh, I knew I shouldn't have let him do the tray, he has no way to steer!"
"But he has an excellent understanding of physics!" Keith tried to comfort her. "And he'll use it!"
But all the knowledge in the world couldn't overcome the obstacles Mother Nature had put in the Green Lion pilot's path. Pidge desperately worked to correct his spinning saucer, but to no avail. He could feel impending doom, and envision the intense pain of the thing he feared most, but had experienced too many times to count:
The Inevitable Splat.
~Oh my. This is going to be a doozy!~ Was his last coherent thought before he sacrificed his body for his art.
It was really quite spectacular when it came.
The tray hit the mogul dead on, flying off the top with amazing hang time. For a moment it looked as if the run could be salvaged, but then further disaster struck. An updraft caused Pidge's chest to bounce; his body straightened up for only a second, but that second sealed his fate.
It seemed to his on-looking friends that everything happened in slow motion after that. The tray went hurtling off to the right, and the uncoiled form of their teammate went left, head over heels. The tray stopped abruptly as it embedded itself in the side of a drift, but the rider kept on going, wildly turning cartwheels down the mountain.
"Oh my Lord, he's turned at least thirty of them so far, he's going to puke for sure!" Hunk gasped.
"Who cares about that? How is he going to stop?" Allura cried.
"My guess is that huge drift he's headed for will stop him," Keith stated grimly.
They all stared at the far away mass.
"Is it powder, or frozen?" Lance asked.
"Hard to tell. We'd better get down there, pronto!" The Captain replied tersely.
They started down the side of the hill, keeping a close watch on the cart wheeling youth, until mercifully, the aforementioned drift stopped his unplanned mode of descent with authority and a dramatically large poof of snow.
"Thank God, it was powder," Hunk breathed thankfully. "We've got to get down there, quick!" He tried to break into a run, but had to settle for fast hiking in the semi-deep snow. The others followed in his wake, stepping in his large boot prints.
Even with a trail being broken for her, Allura was struggling to keep up with the long strides of the men. She also was pulling the toboggan, and that gave her an idea.
Stopping, with no inkling to the others as to what she was planning, she expertly gauged how far it was to Pidge from the caner of his run. Since she was far enough down that her speed would be manageable, she turned to drag the sled out onto the course. She would be the first one down to help her brave but foolhardy friend, because she was the one who had allowed this catastrophe to happen.
"What do you think you're doing?"
She turned to see Keith right next to her, giving her a severe look.
"I'm going to help Pidge," she snapped back, starting to walk toward her starting point once more. She reached it, quickly set the sled down and clambered upon it.
She glared at the scowling Captain who had managed to grab hold of the front of the toboggan front from her right side. "Out of my way, Keith!"
"Not on your life! Which you will lose if you go down this hill alone!" He retorted.
"So come with me," she muttered, earning herself another dirty look. She childishly put out her tongue at him in response.
Ignoring her unseemly display, Keith started to walk in front of the sled but stopped when he figured out it placed him at a disadvantage, as she could easily push him backwards. Switching tactics, he straddled the sled so he was directly behind her. His intent was to grab her under the arms and bodily lift her off the sled.
That was the intent. It was a good intention. The best of intentions.
It failed miserably.
The sled started to move as he let go the front, and the Voltron Captain shot backwards, his bottom landing with a stinging thud on the wooden planks behind the Princess. His legs flew upwards, and the motion helped push the toboggan into an inescapable slide.
"Fasten your seatbelt, Keith, it's going to be a bumpy ride!" Allura yelled triumphantly.
Her passenger groaned loudly, but quickly resigned himself to his fate. He tucked in his legs on each side of the woman in front of him, and then wrapped his arms around her waist, desperately hoping he wouldn't lose his lunch on this run.
"It's Academy tradition," Lance informed her, seriously. "Space Academy cadets never use conventional sleds, the Official Rule Book states quite clearly: 'Cafeteria trays only'."
"Hence the term, 'traying'." Hunk added. "You didn't slide on the campus hills, you 'trayed' them."
"I can't imagine that would be very comfortable or safe at all!" Allura exclaimed. "There's no way to steer, and fiberglass doesn't give an inch when going over bumps!"
"That's the idea," Lance smiled grimly. "It made for some dangerous runs, but if you wanted personal glory and enshrinement in the record books for that year, you had to follow tradition."
The Princess' eyes widened. "Record books? You mean the Academy's administration sanctioned events like this?"
"Not exactly," Keith answered. "Campus administration usually turned a blind eye, until the year when we were juniors, and 'traying' was banned by the Board of Regents in reaction to a first year cadet ending up in the hospital with a concussion after a late night run on 'The Blender'. They said it was too risky."
"Like we didn't take risks in combat training?" Lance asked his friend. "That still bugs me, what a bunch of hypocrites!"
Keith shrugged. "To them it was a clear case of overly competitive people taking needless chances, plus the added hassle of hikes in their insurance rates and spending a major amount on replacing cracked trays," he finished, wryly.
Lance grinned. "I remember the monitors frisking Hunk every time he left the cafeteria because he was one of the few people who were big enough to hide a tray under their uniform."
Hunk shook his head at the memory. "Yeah, that was a real pain. Cut down on my chances of sneaking out extra desserts, too."
His friends laughed at his peeved expression. Lance clapped a hand on his friend's shoulder and patted the rounded, but taut stomach under the gold parka he wore. "We really appreciated your sacrifices, Big Guy. You made an excellent decoy so that Cliff and Ginger, or Pidge and I could sneak by with a couple trays here and there."
“Aha, so you found a way!” Allura said laughingly, then asked, "So I surmise that the ban did not stop the 'traying'?"
Lance smirked. "Nope, it just made things worse. Now the challenge was even greater- to set records and not get caught!"
Keith laughed as the Princess eyed him. "So Keith, then you never went 'traying' after the ban?"
There was a silence as the men exchanged glances.
The Princess folded her arms.
"Um, I may have," Keith finally said, reluctantly.
Allura gasped. "You? You broke a school rule?"
Keith suspected he was being made fun of, but wasn't entirely certain. "Well, uh, I-"
"He did for the good of the team!" Lance defended his buddy. "You see, Princess, it was a matter of pride and honor. There were these obnoxious seniors who always said they were going to kick the sh-"
"Lance!" The Captain quickly cautioned his second-in-command. "Need I remind you that there are some things that are best left unsaid in mixed company?"
The Red Lion pilot looked embarrassed at his second snafu that day. "Oops. Sorry."
"Never mind," Allura told him kindly. "I get the gist of what was at stake. " Her mouth widened in a bright smile. “So Keith saved the day?”
Lance and Hunk tried not to snicker. It had been a very interesting experience to see their illustrious leader heaving his stomach contents into a snow bank every time he had finished a run. The invincible Captain had been more than vulnerable that day.
"No, I totally crashed and burned on the last run. Pidge was the one who saved our hides." The Captain admitted with a pointed glare at his fellow alumnus. His eye caught a flash of green, and silently giving thanks for the reprieve, he diverted their attention to his teammate. "Look, team, Pidge just reached the top!"
The Princess and the three men all focused on the slightly built figure now at the summit of the run, who waved in acknowledgment of their attention.
Hunk yelled, "Way to go, little buddy!"
Pidge gave him a brisk salute, then got down to business.
His audience of four watched in silence as Pidge surveyed the hill, and then decisively walked to a specific spot. He placed the saucer shaped tray on the ground, moving it back and forth for a few moments to test the snow's resistance. After completing the task to his satisfaction, the boy stood up and his friends saw him remove and then carefully pocket his glasses inside his jacket.
"Oh, he should leave them on, or he won't be able to see the moguls!" Allura fretted, while putting a mitten covered hand to her mouth. "And why is he getting rid of his hat? He'll get frostbite from the wind chill!"
Sure enough, the youth had discarded his multi-colored knit hat, and now was groping in his jacket's side pockets as if trying to locate something.
"I don't believe it," Lance breathed. "Are you guys thinking what I'm thinking?"
Keith shook his head in disbelief. "You don't suppose he would bring it all the way to Arus, do ya?"
"Bring what?" The Princess asked.
Hunk grinned. "I think he would and did! Look!"
The onlooking group did so, and watched as the diminutive Green Lion pilot pulled a wad of chocolate brown leather out of his left coat pocket, slid it over his unruly auburn hair, and carefully adjusted what turned out to be a close fitting type of cap. Allura could see that there were leather earflaps on each side of the boy's head, which tapered into what appeared to be chin straps. He left them loose, and they dangled to his shoulders in a jaunty fashion. Pidge reached up to the two knobs on top of the cap and slid them down over his eyes. Now the Princess could see that they were goggles of some kind.
"What in the world is he wearing?" She asked.
"It's an early twentieth century Terran aviator's cap he found in a pawn shop on Balto." Hunk informed her. "It's his good luck charm - last time he wore it, he conquered the 'Blender' and won the Golden Slippy Cup for our team."
"You know what this means, don't you, guys?" Lance asked, then continued gleefully, not waiting for an answer. "Gentlemen and Princess, may I be the first to announce the triumphant comeback, the long awaited return, the brilliant reemergence of the one, the only 'SPLAT BOY'!"
"ALL HAIL SPLAT BOY!" Hunk shouted in exultation.
To the Princess' bewilderment and growing amusement, the three men dropped to their knees, made circles with their thumbs and forefinger around their eyes as if to emulate Pidge's goggles, then flapped their extended elbows in time while loudly chanting:
"Hail Splat Boy, he's the best! He'll put your courage to the test! He'll stop at nothing, not even walls; he'll take on anyone, 'cause he has balls!"
Laughter bubbled up inside Allura's chest. She tried to contain it - because obviously the boys took this ritual very seriously - but despite her valiant efforts, it escaped in long, melodious peals.
The chanting stopped abruptly, and the heads of the three kneeling figures swiveled at the sound.
"She's laughing at us," Lance muttered to Keith.
"I know." His friend ruefully replied. Red tinged his cheeks, not out of annoyance, but because he realized how inappropriate the chant must have sounded.
"Women just don't get it," Hunk grumbled. "Traditions are essential for morale and building teamwork. Princess doesn't realize how important they are to us."
Allura had noticed the acerbic glares her teammates were directing her way. "I'm sorry," she choked out, a spasm of laughter threatening to overcome her good intentions. "That rhyme was so...so...and 'Splat Boy'...well, it just seems like such an odd name for a hero."
Once again she was overcome by the giggles. The men let her expend her hilarity while wearing slightly defensive expressions.
"Don't judge too quickly, Princess. 'Splat Boy' is a legend come to life!" Hunk admonished her, as her giggles subsided. "You really need to know a lot more about our customs to appreciate them."
The Princess instantly sobered. "You're absolutely right, Hunk. I am sorry. They are important, and I should do a much better job of studying them."
Allura's reply was apologetic, and it mollified the others, but there was a mysterious glint in her eyes and a slight smile hovered on her mouth that Keith didn't miss. His gaze silently questioned her, but she averted her eyes from his lest she give anything away regarding her secret.
The Captain noticed her avoidance of his gaze, and smiled to himself as he thought of his own secret.
Up at the top of the hill, Pidge was busily checking the wind and making his calculations for his descent. If all went well, he'd end up in the soft bank of powdered snow just to the left of the moat. To do that, he'd have to hit each mogul perfectly, which should be no problem for a person of his talent and experience.
After all, he was Splat Boy, Master of Moguls, King of the Hill. So let it be written. So let it be done.
He sat down, carefully positioning himself on the tray, adjusted his goggles once more, took a deep breath, and pushed off.
His teammates rushed to line themselves up at his approach. They hooted and hollered, egging him on as he gained speed.
"Dang it! If only I had a cowbell!" Hunk exclaimed.
Allura glanced at Keith.
"Another ritual, Princess." He smiled and shrugged.
"YI- YI -YI- YI- YI- YI- YI- YI !" Screamed Lance, as Pidge went cruising by them.
Allura just shook her head at that particular outburst, and then focused her concerned gaze on the green blur rocketing down the hill.
Pidge grinned broadly as he heard Lance's Swiss cheer fading away behind him, and immediately wished he hadn't, because his lips immediately peeled back with the G-force and stuck there, making his gums and bared teeth ache from the bitterly cold wind generated by his motion.
That same wind also buffeted his body, so he lowered his chest over crossed legs and held it there, an increasingly difficult feat as he gained more and more speed and his back began to feel the strain. His earflap straps were viciously whipping against the back of his head, adding to the overall discomfort, but at least he was used to that little inconvenience. What he wasn't used to was the extreme trajectory of this hill. There were no flat spots, it truly was downhill, all the way.
His gloved hands tightly gripped the slight lip of the tray as he braced himself for the thrill and the pain of the first mogul he needed to traverse. The hazel eyes behind the goggles gleamed with determination and more than a hint of fear as what seemed an impossibly huge mound of snow loomed in front of him. At the last second he shifted his weight and his tray careened off the side of the snow mass to point him in precisely the direction he had planned to go.
His confidence soared. One down, four to go!
"Beauty," Hunk breathed. "Did you see him take that bump?"
"Like poetry in motion, " Keith agreed. "He calculated the trajectory perfectly."
Lance grinned. "Splat Boy kicks butt!" He announced with satisfaction.
The next mogul went just as smoothly and Allura began to relax a bit. Pidge obviously not only knew what he was doing, he was a professional at it, it was so clear to her now. She could see why his teammates idolized him so. But that didn't explain why they would call him Splat Boy...
Noticing how absorbed the men were with the run, the Princess knew now was not the time to ask. Men never liked to be questioned at crucial times in athletic events, that much she had also learned from her comrades.
Pidge took the next bump at breakneck speed, became airborne, but kept his body low, and the tray solidly under him. He landed beautifully, his form looking as aerodynamic as a ski jumper's.
Allura gasped in admiration. It was pure poetry in motion, and poetry had always stirred her to the depths of her soul. "GO SPLAT BOY!! YOU CAN DO IT!!" The Princess shrieked suddenly, severely startling her companions.
They stared at her with various degrees of surprise.
"Why are you looking at me like that? I can get into the spirit as well as anyone when given a chance!" She sniffed at them.
Hunk grinned in approval. "You're all right in my book, Princess! Put 'er there!" He stuck out a huge, gloved hand, palm up and Allura slapped it once, then again as he raised it high.
She turned to a delighted looking Lance and he immediately wrapped her in a huge hug. She returned it enthusiastically, then felt the coldness of his ear against her cheek and yelped. "Lance, for goodness sake, put on your hat, or you'll get frostbite!"
"Not if I stay right here," he gravely informed her, tightening his arms, and pressing his ear against her.
"That's nice of you Lieutenant, but you're missing the end of the run!" The stern voice had Lance dropping his arms post haste.
Allura blushed as she saw the irritated expression on Keith's face. She avoided Lance's smiling gaze and turned back to watching Pidge just in time to see him sail cleanly through the fourth set of moguls. She thumped her mittens together in glee. He was almost there!
Out on the run, Pidge was feeling invincible. So far he had been right on in all his prognostications, and now the easiest part of the run was coming up. He was home free! A surge of jubilation shot through his extremities at the thought. It lasted all of five seconds, pulsing strongly, until he hit the icy patch he hadn't had any idea existed, and had not planned for at all.
He spun slightly to the right. He leaned right to compensate, and it worked until he hit the next patch, which turned him a full 180 degrees to the left.
His friends saw his predicament unfolding and gasped.
"Not good!" Lance bit out. "Not good at all."
"Think he can pull out of it?" Hunk asked fearfully.
"Maybe, but if he doesn't do it soon, he'll be hitting that last set of moguls sideways..." The Red Lion pilot grimaced.
"And it's goodbye, Pidge!" Allura finished his sentence, and then groaned. "Oh, I knew I shouldn't have let him do the tray, he has no way to steer!"
"But he has an excellent understanding of physics!" Keith tried to comfort her. "And he'll use it!"
But all the knowledge in the world couldn't overcome the obstacles Mother Nature had put in the Green Lion pilot's path. Pidge desperately worked to correct his spinning saucer, but to no avail. He could feel impending doom, and envision the intense pain of the thing he feared most, but had experienced too many times to count:
The Inevitable Splat.
~Oh my. This is going to be a doozy!~ Was his last coherent thought before he sacrificed his body for his art.
It was really quite spectacular when it came.
The tray hit the mogul dead on, flying off the top with amazing hang time. For a moment it looked as if the run could be salvaged, but then further disaster struck. An updraft caused Pidge's chest to bounce; his body straightened up for only a second, but that second sealed his fate.
It seemed to his on-looking friends that everything happened in slow motion after that. The tray went hurtling off to the right, and the uncoiled form of their teammate went left, head over heels. The tray stopped abruptly as it embedded itself in the side of a drift, but the rider kept on going, wildly turning cartwheels down the mountain.
"Oh my Lord, he's turned at least thirty of them so far, he's going to puke for sure!" Hunk gasped.
"Who cares about that? How is he going to stop?" Allura cried.
"My guess is that huge drift he's headed for will stop him," Keith stated grimly.
They all stared at the far away mass.
"Is it powder, or frozen?" Lance asked.
"Hard to tell. We'd better get down there, pronto!" The Captain replied tersely.
They started down the side of the hill, keeping a close watch on the cart wheeling youth, until mercifully, the aforementioned drift stopped his unplanned mode of descent with authority and a dramatically large poof of snow.
"Thank God, it was powder," Hunk breathed thankfully. "We've got to get down there, quick!" He tried to break into a run, but had to settle for fast hiking in the semi-deep snow. The others followed in his wake, stepping in his large boot prints.
Even with a trail being broken for her, Allura was struggling to keep up with the long strides of the men. She also was pulling the toboggan, and that gave her an idea.
Stopping, with no inkling to the others as to what she was planning, she expertly gauged how far it was to Pidge from the caner of his run. Since she was far enough down that her speed would be manageable, she turned to drag the sled out onto the course. She would be the first one down to help her brave but foolhardy friend, because she was the one who had allowed this catastrophe to happen.
"What do you think you're doing?"
She turned to see Keith right next to her, giving her a severe look.
"I'm going to help Pidge," she snapped back, starting to walk toward her starting point once more. She reached it, quickly set the sled down and clambered upon it.
She glared at the scowling Captain who had managed to grab hold of the front of the toboggan front from her right side. "Out of my way, Keith!"
"Not on your life! Which you will lose if you go down this hill alone!" He retorted.
"So come with me," she muttered, earning herself another dirty look. She childishly put out her tongue at him in response.
Ignoring her unseemly display, Keith started to walk in front of the sled but stopped when he figured out it placed him at a disadvantage, as she could easily push him backwards. Switching tactics, he straddled the sled so he was directly behind her. His intent was to grab her under the arms and bodily lift her off the sled.
That was the intent. It was a good intention. The best of intentions.
It failed miserably.
The sled started to move as he let go the front, and the Voltron Captain shot backwards, his bottom landing with a stinging thud on the wooden planks behind the Princess. His legs flew upwards, and the motion helped push the toboggan into an inescapable slide.
"Fasten your seatbelt, Keith, it's going to be a bumpy ride!" Allura yelled triumphantly.
Her passenger groaned loudly, but quickly resigned himself to his fate. He tucked in his legs on each side of the woman in front of him, and then wrapped his arms around her waist, desperately hoping he wouldn't lose his lunch on this run.
Author's Notes: This chapter is dedicated with deep affection to all my fellow 'Oles', past and present, who have and will continue to 'tray' The Hill behind Old Main, voted one of the 10 best sledding hills in Minnesota. Fram, Fram, St. Olaf! Um Ya Ya! :)
Keith felt his heart going into his throat and his stomach dropping to his knees, two sensations that didn't bode well for him. Why he had issues with G-force on a sled went beyond his understanding of anatomy, but he needed to get it together. Total embarrassment in front of the Princess was not an option.
~Lord, please let me get through this without puking or otherwise disgracing myself.~ He prayed silently.
Allura felt two vise-like arms encircle her waist. Her apprehension about Pidge's condition faded for the moment, as she allowed herself a small grin at the unusual gesture. Whether Keith was being his typically protective self, or just uneasy about how truly steep this hill was now that he was getting a first hand look at wasn't clear, but she highly suspected it was due to the latter, if the yell he had let out and the way he was breathing was anything to go by.
Still, the idea of Keith actually being afraid of taking a spill was rather inconceivable, and Allura mentally shook herself at the fanciful notion. What could the fearless pilot of Black Lion possibly be dreading about a simple downhill slide on a toboggan?
No, he wasn't afraid. And yet, she still couldn't shake the notion that he was seriously ill at ease...
An jostling against the sides of her thighs distracted the Princess from her pondering; she briefly glanced down and noticed that the long legs that rested alongside her hips and legs from behind were bouncing and straining with the effort of staying on the sled.
She sighed; this was no time for being a gentleman, and there was only one thing to do to help him- she reached down and quickly hoisted booted, masculine feet up onto her lap so that they bracketed her hips, providing an anchor and more stable ride for her passenger. A smile curved her lips at the fleeting thought of what Keith might be thinking at that moment, then she turned her attention back to the hill.
Shock, amazement and acute tension were reflected on the Black Lion pilot's features, an expression at least one of his teammates would have dubbed 'priceless'. He stared over his sled mate's shoulder, eyes trained on the icy terrain in front of the toboggan, and tried to block out the unorthodox positioning and how sinfully good it felt to have a pert little backside pressed against the juncture between his thighs.
The thought had him loosen his hold on Allura, which almost caused them to overbalance.
In an instant, Allura had corrected the slide, and then pulled his arms so that they crossed in front of her. Keith forced himself to disregard the possible consequences of his position, knowing it was done purely for practical purposes, and that he needed to focus on staying put.
His arms tightened their hold and she patted them in approval. ~The heck with it.~ He thought wryly. ~Why worry. It's a ride worth losing my lunch over.~
Allura smiled as she felt Keith's tension ease. The chill wind and gusts of snow whipped against her cheeks, licks of cold flame against her tender skin, but she ignored the icy prickliness, reveling instead in glorious speed and the exultation that welled within her as she realized that she was the one that controlled their trajectory, and that, for once, Keith was only a passenger whose welfare was in her hands. That feeling was empowering, to say the least.
Under her expert guidance, they flew cleanly over and around the moguls, racing onward and downward, only having to make one adjustment in position when the toboggan happened to hit a huge, unseen bump with a resounding thud. A small groan emitted from the man behind her, and his arms and legs squeezed stunningly hard for a second before easing up. Allura drew in a deep breath; it really was true what they said about a pilot's legs being super strong- good thing her parka was thick and fluffy, or she was sure he would've have cracked her ribs!
She wondered if Keith's eyes were open or shut. They were getting close to their downed comrade, she could clearly see the huge drift with the Pidge-shaped imprint in its side, but didn't see his actual form. Allura gnawed at her bottom lip as she surveyed the oncoming situation, which was a trickier predicament than anticipated. Not knowing their friend's exact location, they couldn't risk ramming the same drift he had, but if they didn't stop there, the toboggan would end up way out on the lake, and worse, possibly in the lake. She swiftly decided the only recourse was for them to bail out into one of the smaller drifts on the opposite side of where Pidge had landed.
"Keith!" She yelled, turning her head to the left. Her words were whipped back to him by the wind.
He immediately leaned forward. "Yeah?" The answer was loudly spoken against her hood, in the vicinity of her left ear.
She shouted, "When I grab your hand, lean all the way to the right, as far as you can!"
"What are you going to do?" He yelled back.
Time was too short for explanations, and they must avoid the frozen lake at all costs. There were fresh springs here and there, which made for unpredictable thickness. Now was not the time to test the ice. "Trust me, and do it!"
"Right!"
She breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness for military training and discipline! He realized she had a good reason and it was no time for questions. It made things so much easier, and she gratefully resolved to do the same for him in future.
The target area was fast approaching. ~Almost there, come on, come on...~
“Now!” She yelled, grabbed hold of the Captain's interlocked hands and immediately they lunged right, tipping the toboggan on its side. Keith's arms tightened around her, correctly anticipating her next move as she kicked out, thrusting the sled away from them. Rider-less, it went shooting down the rest of the incline and clattered out onto the lake, as the two disembarked passengers were launched and tumbled towards a drift.
Before final impact, Allura got a glimpse of a green jacketed, brown-capped figure rising from the snow. The figure grinned and waved a feeble hand at their unconventional approach, before falling back into the deep confines of the drift.
Pidge was all right!
"He's okay, Keith!" She shrieked. She faintly heard a gasped out 'good!' before they hit the mound of snow that put an end to their wild trip with a muffled thud.
Dazed and breathless, the man and woman remained locked together as they took stock of their situation and their respective condition.
Allura found herself resting face down, on top of the body of the Captain, her forearms arms lying on either side of his torso. Tortured breathing ruffled the fur on her hood, but steely arms still held her close, effectively preventing her from moving. As her breath steadied and the world finally stopped spinning, the Princess lay still and quiet, even when a drizzle of snow kicked up from the impact floated down and covered her from head to toe. She rested without compunction, bemused, panting, and trying to get her bearings as her head rose and fell in time with the expansion and contraction of a broad, muscled chest.
Keith lay on his back, his unruly hair flopped over his dark eyes, which squeezed shut as he desperately fought to control his churning stomach. The ride down had been bad enough, but then to bail out like that- he moaned softly as he felt the acid tide starting to rise from his gut. No! Not in front of Allura, he just couldn't! He fought harder to keep the contents of his stomach down, fiercely willing his traitorous body to obey his brain. Despite the cold, he felt the sweat break out underneath his headband. His arms unlocked from the pillow-like burden on top of him, and lifted to his head to cover his eyes.
A fresh wave of nausea came with the movement. This wasn't good.
~I will not hurl! I will not hurl!~ He thought with desperation.
"Keith, open your eyes! Say something!"
The sweet voice filled with concern washed over him, delivering enough distraction from his discomfort to allow him to actually gain some control of the acid reflux. Little by little, the unpleasant sensation passed, and he was able to draw deep breaths of clean, crisp air, which helped immensely, along with knowing. the ride was over and Pidge was okay.
Keith dropped his arms to his sides but kept his eyes shut. Now that he felt reasonably sure he wasn't going to heave, he found himself starting to notice and appreciate other interesting and much more pleasant sensations, like the soft, pillowy, warmth that was covering him from neck to toes, and the cool tickle of the powdery snow dusting his face.
All was still. Then the warmth above him suddenly shifted, leaving his upper body and settling itself comfortably around his pelvis and upper thighs. A hesitation, and then he felt the shy touch of dainty fingers brushing away the hair and snow from his eyelids and cheeks with gentle strokes. It felt wonderful, like being caressed by the wings of a butterfly.
He could hear his own pants of breathing and the pounding of his own heart, but around him silence reigned supreme; even the whistling wind had stilled for now. He found his taut muscles relaxing; the fluffy snow bank was just like a cushion beneath and around his body, so warm and protecting, almost like being in a cocoon.
His thoughts turned back to his lovely burden and where it rested. All sensations of impending sickness were gone, replaced by a slow course of heat flowing through his body from the area between his hips where Allura pressed intimately against him. He groaned quietly. She paused in stroking the snow off of his face and upper torso.
"Keith!" The exclamation was laden with anxiety. “Say something! Are you all right?”
He opened his eyes to behold the goddess perched on top of his nether regions as if she sat there every day of her life. Her eyes were an endless sky of blue, her lips rose red, her hair, freed from the confinement of its bun, spilled over her shoulders in a cascade of molten gold dusted with snowflake sprinkles. So beautiful. So close...
He sighed.
"You're hurt." She accused.
"Not hurt.” He denied.
“You took the brunt of my fall. I could have injured you.”
This brought a small smile. "No way. You're a featherweight, Princess! I just... had to catch my breath, that's all." His eyes narrowed. “What about you?”
“Perfectly fine.” She said brightly. “Not so much as a scratch.”
He nodded, pleased. “Good.”
An impish twinkle appeared in her eyes. “With that colossal wipe out, do you think I've earned the nickname 'Splat Girl'?"
He chuckled. "I'd say so, but given I was a participant, I can't be an impartial judge. Hunk and Lance will have to weigh in on that one."
“Fair enough.” She laughed. "As a participant then...what do you think of Castle Hill?"
"I give it five stars." He replied promptly, then couldn't resist adding, because she still didn't realize what a compromising position they were in, "an off scale six with you in the driver's seat!"
She eyed him suspiciously, clearly not sure if she should take offense. "I take it that's a good rating?"
“It's a top flight rating.” He assured her. “Trust me, this is the best ending I've ever had going down any hill I've been on.”
“Really?” She looked pleased. “Thank you. But I think you still need to be checked out.”
Keith's short laugh changed to a groan as she leaned forward to examine his head for any cuts or contusions and her groin inadvertently rocked on his gender. A telltale rush of blood to the area had him worried again; thick as they were, even ski pants wouldn't hide his arousal, and that was one secret he intended to keep.
His hands flew to her waist with the intention of lifting her away from him before he embarrassed them both.
"Hold still, I haven't finished checking you for injuries!" She ordered, pushing them away.
"Yes you have!" He stated, evading her pushing hands and grabbing her waist to keep her from wiggling. "We need to check on Pidge."
Allura opened her mouth, but the look in Keith's eyes halted the words that might have emerged. Suddenly, she was acutely aware of where she was sitting and how. With his hands at her waist and her straddling his hips-
A wave of scarlet doused her face. She scrambled to her feet, avoiding his eyes and mumbling an apology. With gaze still averted, she reached out a hand and helped pull Keith to his feet, and then busied herself with brushing his back off. How could she have been so unaware? She was as green as the spring grass, and her swipes grew more hurried as a fresh wave of mortification overtook her.
Keith stood motionless and silent as she efficiently cleaned him off.
"There, all set," she said, putting her mittens back on her reddened fingers.
"Thank you." Keith said. “I guess we're even in the clean up department now.”
She looked up at him, then away. “I guess we are.”
He reached out and ran a gloved finger over her bruised cheek. "It was a good ride, I'm looking forward to the next one.”
"M-me too," she answered, chagrined to hear herself stammer. She took a step back.
Keith frowned at her withdrawal. "Allura-" he began, when he was interrupted by a cheerful, boyish voice piping from across the way.
"Keith! Princess! You still alive?"
“We're here, Pidge! Be right there!” Keith shouted back, then reached for her hand, ignoring her feeble attempt to withdraw it. "Come on, let's go." He said softly.
A lovely warm feeling swept aside her embarrassment. She nodded.
They found Pidge ensconced within the drift, lying on his back, arms crossed behind his head and smiling happily. Hazel eyes behind goggles blinked up at them owlishly. “Hi guys. I'm fine, don't worry.”
“I'm not so sure...does he look a little off to you, Keith? " Allura surveyed the youngest member of the Voltron Force with a worried expression.
Keith grinned. "Not any more than usual.”
"Very funny," Pidge said, half-halfheartedly throwing a handful of snow at his leader. “No concussion or broken bones, probably a bruise or two from hitting the bump, but the snow gave me a really soft landing. But I guess know that too now, huh?”
His friends exchanged a rueful glance and laughed. Keith said, “That was a spectacular run, Pidge! Vintage Splat Boy, one for the record books."
The boy sat up. "You think so?" He asked eagerly. "I didn't hang on to the tray when I hit the drift, but I got to the required destination with it."
The Captain nodded. "Indeed, Lieutenant, you have followed the code and brought honor to our barracks this day. You'll be receiving a special commendation from me in your personal achievement dossier. " He smartly saluted the seated figure. “Congratulations and well done.”
Pidge scrambled to his feet and returned the salute. "Thanks, Captain."
Allura decided to give her own salute to Splat Boy. The youth's eyes widened as the smiling Princess stepped close to him. “Well done, Pidge. I am impressed.” She said, and bent down to peck her teammate's rosy cheek, which grew rosier under her brief caress.
"Th-thank you, Princess," the Green Lion pilot stammered. His smile was wide and rather dazed looking.
"It was my pleasure to witness your bravery and skill," she replied solemnly. "And I too will see that your achievement is recorded for posterity."
Keith glanced at her, eyebrows raised questioningly, but further inquiry on his part was waylaid as they were joined by the boisterous duo of Lance and Hunk, who dropped to their knees in front of Pidge and chanted:
"Hail Splat Boy, he's King of Slide; we speak of his noble feats with pride! Our praise to him will be unfurled, he took his lumps and didn't hurl!"
As the last line passed their lips Hunk and Lance glanced askance at their leader, who smirked and gave them a thumbs up. They grinned, silently congratulating Keith on his own impressive feat of self-control.
This time Allura didn't giggle at the chant; she was too busy watching Pidge with affection and delight as the youth grinned from ear to ear, his eyes shining as he graciously acknowledged his friends' sincere homage. It was a gift to see unfettered happiness in the face the pilot of Green Lion instead of the lurking sorrow.
As Keith, Lance, and Hunk hoisted the youth up into the air, set him on their shoulders, and paraded him around for a few laughing moments, just for a minute, the sole spectator to the impromptu parade felt like an outsider observing the rites of an exclusive club. This simple, silly, fun-loving Academy tradition had helped form an unshakable, unbreakable bond between these diverse personalities, one that had served the four friends well in the real world. Allura hoped what she had planned for them back at the Castle would and could do the same for the boys, herself, Coran and Nanny.
"Hey guys, we still have a little time left! Anyone ready for another run?" She called to them, wanting to be let back into their world as quickly as possible.
"Sure thing!" They exclaimed as one, with broad grins. After a final hurrah, Pidge was quickly lowered to the ground.
It took little time to retrieve the errant tray from its resting spot, and the other toboggan from the lake. Rotating passengers and equipment, the entire Voltron Force spent the next hour sliding down and taking spills on the lower half of Castle Hill, laughing baritone voices and intermittent feminine shrieks filling the wintry air with the warm sounds of simple pleasure.
~Lord, please let me get through this without puking or otherwise disgracing myself.~ He prayed silently.
Allura felt two vise-like arms encircle her waist. Her apprehension about Pidge's condition faded for the moment, as she allowed herself a small grin at the unusual gesture. Whether Keith was being his typically protective self, or just uneasy about how truly steep this hill was now that he was getting a first hand look at wasn't clear, but she highly suspected it was due to the latter, if the yell he had let out and the way he was breathing was anything to go by.
Still, the idea of Keith actually being afraid of taking a spill was rather inconceivable, and Allura mentally shook herself at the fanciful notion. What could the fearless pilot of Black Lion possibly be dreading about a simple downhill slide on a toboggan?
No, he wasn't afraid. And yet, she still couldn't shake the notion that he was seriously ill at ease...
An jostling against the sides of her thighs distracted the Princess from her pondering; she briefly glanced down and noticed that the long legs that rested alongside her hips and legs from behind were bouncing and straining with the effort of staying on the sled.
She sighed; this was no time for being a gentleman, and there was only one thing to do to help him- she reached down and quickly hoisted booted, masculine feet up onto her lap so that they bracketed her hips, providing an anchor and more stable ride for her passenger. A smile curved her lips at the fleeting thought of what Keith might be thinking at that moment, then she turned her attention back to the hill.
Shock, amazement and acute tension were reflected on the Black Lion pilot's features, an expression at least one of his teammates would have dubbed 'priceless'. He stared over his sled mate's shoulder, eyes trained on the icy terrain in front of the toboggan, and tried to block out the unorthodox positioning and how sinfully good it felt to have a pert little backside pressed against the juncture between his thighs.
The thought had him loosen his hold on Allura, which almost caused them to overbalance.
In an instant, Allura had corrected the slide, and then pulled his arms so that they crossed in front of her. Keith forced himself to disregard the possible consequences of his position, knowing it was done purely for practical purposes, and that he needed to focus on staying put.
His arms tightened their hold and she patted them in approval. ~The heck with it.~ He thought wryly. ~Why worry. It's a ride worth losing my lunch over.~
Allura smiled as she felt Keith's tension ease. The chill wind and gusts of snow whipped against her cheeks, licks of cold flame against her tender skin, but she ignored the icy prickliness, reveling instead in glorious speed and the exultation that welled within her as she realized that she was the one that controlled their trajectory, and that, for once, Keith was only a passenger whose welfare was in her hands. That feeling was empowering, to say the least.
Under her expert guidance, they flew cleanly over and around the moguls, racing onward and downward, only having to make one adjustment in position when the toboggan happened to hit a huge, unseen bump with a resounding thud. A small groan emitted from the man behind her, and his arms and legs squeezed stunningly hard for a second before easing up. Allura drew in a deep breath; it really was true what they said about a pilot's legs being super strong- good thing her parka was thick and fluffy, or she was sure he would've have cracked her ribs!
She wondered if Keith's eyes were open or shut. They were getting close to their downed comrade, she could clearly see the huge drift with the Pidge-shaped imprint in its side, but didn't see his actual form. Allura gnawed at her bottom lip as she surveyed the oncoming situation, which was a trickier predicament than anticipated. Not knowing their friend's exact location, they couldn't risk ramming the same drift he had, but if they didn't stop there, the toboggan would end up way out on the lake, and worse, possibly in the lake. She swiftly decided the only recourse was for them to bail out into one of the smaller drifts on the opposite side of where Pidge had landed.
"Keith!" She yelled, turning her head to the left. Her words were whipped back to him by the wind.
He immediately leaned forward. "Yeah?" The answer was loudly spoken against her hood, in the vicinity of her left ear.
She shouted, "When I grab your hand, lean all the way to the right, as far as you can!"
"What are you going to do?" He yelled back.
Time was too short for explanations, and they must avoid the frozen lake at all costs. There were fresh springs here and there, which made for unpredictable thickness. Now was not the time to test the ice. "Trust me, and do it!"
"Right!"
She breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness for military training and discipline! He realized she had a good reason and it was no time for questions. It made things so much easier, and she gratefully resolved to do the same for him in future.
The target area was fast approaching. ~Almost there, come on, come on...~
“Now!” She yelled, grabbed hold of the Captain's interlocked hands and immediately they lunged right, tipping the toboggan on its side. Keith's arms tightened around her, correctly anticipating her next move as she kicked out, thrusting the sled away from them. Rider-less, it went shooting down the rest of the incline and clattered out onto the lake, as the two disembarked passengers were launched and tumbled towards a drift.
Before final impact, Allura got a glimpse of a green jacketed, brown-capped figure rising from the snow. The figure grinned and waved a feeble hand at their unconventional approach, before falling back into the deep confines of the drift.
Pidge was all right!
"He's okay, Keith!" She shrieked. She faintly heard a gasped out 'good!' before they hit the mound of snow that put an end to their wild trip with a muffled thud.
Dazed and breathless, the man and woman remained locked together as they took stock of their situation and their respective condition.
Allura found herself resting face down, on top of the body of the Captain, her forearms arms lying on either side of his torso. Tortured breathing ruffled the fur on her hood, but steely arms still held her close, effectively preventing her from moving. As her breath steadied and the world finally stopped spinning, the Princess lay still and quiet, even when a drizzle of snow kicked up from the impact floated down and covered her from head to toe. She rested without compunction, bemused, panting, and trying to get her bearings as her head rose and fell in time with the expansion and contraction of a broad, muscled chest.
Keith lay on his back, his unruly hair flopped over his dark eyes, which squeezed shut as he desperately fought to control his churning stomach. The ride down had been bad enough, but then to bail out like that- he moaned softly as he felt the acid tide starting to rise from his gut. No! Not in front of Allura, he just couldn't! He fought harder to keep the contents of his stomach down, fiercely willing his traitorous body to obey his brain. Despite the cold, he felt the sweat break out underneath his headband. His arms unlocked from the pillow-like burden on top of him, and lifted to his head to cover his eyes.
A fresh wave of nausea came with the movement. This wasn't good.
~I will not hurl! I will not hurl!~ He thought with desperation.
"Keith, open your eyes! Say something!"
The sweet voice filled with concern washed over him, delivering enough distraction from his discomfort to allow him to actually gain some control of the acid reflux. Little by little, the unpleasant sensation passed, and he was able to draw deep breaths of clean, crisp air, which helped immensely, along with knowing. the ride was over and Pidge was okay.
Keith dropped his arms to his sides but kept his eyes shut. Now that he felt reasonably sure he wasn't going to heave, he found himself starting to notice and appreciate other interesting and much more pleasant sensations, like the soft, pillowy, warmth that was covering him from neck to toes, and the cool tickle of the powdery snow dusting his face.
All was still. Then the warmth above him suddenly shifted, leaving his upper body and settling itself comfortably around his pelvis and upper thighs. A hesitation, and then he felt the shy touch of dainty fingers brushing away the hair and snow from his eyelids and cheeks with gentle strokes. It felt wonderful, like being caressed by the wings of a butterfly.
He could hear his own pants of breathing and the pounding of his own heart, but around him silence reigned supreme; even the whistling wind had stilled for now. He found his taut muscles relaxing; the fluffy snow bank was just like a cushion beneath and around his body, so warm and protecting, almost like being in a cocoon.
His thoughts turned back to his lovely burden and where it rested. All sensations of impending sickness were gone, replaced by a slow course of heat flowing through his body from the area between his hips where Allura pressed intimately against him. He groaned quietly. She paused in stroking the snow off of his face and upper torso.
"Keith!" The exclamation was laden with anxiety. “Say something! Are you all right?”
He opened his eyes to behold the goddess perched on top of his nether regions as if she sat there every day of her life. Her eyes were an endless sky of blue, her lips rose red, her hair, freed from the confinement of its bun, spilled over her shoulders in a cascade of molten gold dusted with snowflake sprinkles. So beautiful. So close...
He sighed.
"You're hurt." She accused.
"Not hurt.” He denied.
“You took the brunt of my fall. I could have injured you.”
This brought a small smile. "No way. You're a featherweight, Princess! I just... had to catch my breath, that's all." His eyes narrowed. “What about you?”
“Perfectly fine.” She said brightly. “Not so much as a scratch.”
He nodded, pleased. “Good.”
An impish twinkle appeared in her eyes. “With that colossal wipe out, do you think I've earned the nickname 'Splat Girl'?"
He chuckled. "I'd say so, but given I was a participant, I can't be an impartial judge. Hunk and Lance will have to weigh in on that one."
“Fair enough.” She laughed. "As a participant then...what do you think of Castle Hill?"
"I give it five stars." He replied promptly, then couldn't resist adding, because she still didn't realize what a compromising position they were in, "an off scale six with you in the driver's seat!"
She eyed him suspiciously, clearly not sure if she should take offense. "I take it that's a good rating?"
“It's a top flight rating.” He assured her. “Trust me, this is the best ending I've ever had going down any hill I've been on.”
“Really?” She looked pleased. “Thank you. But I think you still need to be checked out.”
Keith's short laugh changed to a groan as she leaned forward to examine his head for any cuts or contusions and her groin inadvertently rocked on his gender. A telltale rush of blood to the area had him worried again; thick as they were, even ski pants wouldn't hide his arousal, and that was one secret he intended to keep.
His hands flew to her waist with the intention of lifting her away from him before he embarrassed them both.
"Hold still, I haven't finished checking you for injuries!" She ordered, pushing them away.
"Yes you have!" He stated, evading her pushing hands and grabbing her waist to keep her from wiggling. "We need to check on Pidge."
Allura opened her mouth, but the look in Keith's eyes halted the words that might have emerged. Suddenly, she was acutely aware of where she was sitting and how. With his hands at her waist and her straddling his hips-
A wave of scarlet doused her face. She scrambled to her feet, avoiding his eyes and mumbling an apology. With gaze still averted, she reached out a hand and helped pull Keith to his feet, and then busied herself with brushing his back off. How could she have been so unaware? She was as green as the spring grass, and her swipes grew more hurried as a fresh wave of mortification overtook her.
Keith stood motionless and silent as she efficiently cleaned him off.
"There, all set," she said, putting her mittens back on her reddened fingers.
"Thank you." Keith said. “I guess we're even in the clean up department now.”
She looked up at him, then away. “I guess we are.”
He reached out and ran a gloved finger over her bruised cheek. "It was a good ride, I'm looking forward to the next one.”
"M-me too," she answered, chagrined to hear herself stammer. She took a step back.
Keith frowned at her withdrawal. "Allura-" he began, when he was interrupted by a cheerful, boyish voice piping from across the way.
"Keith! Princess! You still alive?"
“We're here, Pidge! Be right there!” Keith shouted back, then reached for her hand, ignoring her feeble attempt to withdraw it. "Come on, let's go." He said softly.
A lovely warm feeling swept aside her embarrassment. She nodded.
They found Pidge ensconced within the drift, lying on his back, arms crossed behind his head and smiling happily. Hazel eyes behind goggles blinked up at them owlishly. “Hi guys. I'm fine, don't worry.”
“I'm not so sure...does he look a little off to you, Keith? " Allura surveyed the youngest member of the Voltron Force with a worried expression.
Keith grinned. "Not any more than usual.”
"Very funny," Pidge said, half-halfheartedly throwing a handful of snow at his leader. “No concussion or broken bones, probably a bruise or two from hitting the bump, but the snow gave me a really soft landing. But I guess know that too now, huh?”
His friends exchanged a rueful glance and laughed. Keith said, “That was a spectacular run, Pidge! Vintage Splat Boy, one for the record books."
The boy sat up. "You think so?" He asked eagerly. "I didn't hang on to the tray when I hit the drift, but I got to the required destination with it."
The Captain nodded. "Indeed, Lieutenant, you have followed the code and brought honor to our barracks this day. You'll be receiving a special commendation from me in your personal achievement dossier. " He smartly saluted the seated figure. “Congratulations and well done.”
Pidge scrambled to his feet and returned the salute. "Thanks, Captain."
Allura decided to give her own salute to Splat Boy. The youth's eyes widened as the smiling Princess stepped close to him. “Well done, Pidge. I am impressed.” She said, and bent down to peck her teammate's rosy cheek, which grew rosier under her brief caress.
"Th-thank you, Princess," the Green Lion pilot stammered. His smile was wide and rather dazed looking.
"It was my pleasure to witness your bravery and skill," she replied solemnly. "And I too will see that your achievement is recorded for posterity."
Keith glanced at her, eyebrows raised questioningly, but further inquiry on his part was waylaid as they were joined by the boisterous duo of Lance and Hunk, who dropped to their knees in front of Pidge and chanted:
"Hail Splat Boy, he's King of Slide; we speak of his noble feats with pride! Our praise to him will be unfurled, he took his lumps and didn't hurl!"
As the last line passed their lips Hunk and Lance glanced askance at their leader, who smirked and gave them a thumbs up. They grinned, silently congratulating Keith on his own impressive feat of self-control.
This time Allura didn't giggle at the chant; she was too busy watching Pidge with affection and delight as the youth grinned from ear to ear, his eyes shining as he graciously acknowledged his friends' sincere homage. It was a gift to see unfettered happiness in the face the pilot of Green Lion instead of the lurking sorrow.
As Keith, Lance, and Hunk hoisted the youth up into the air, set him on their shoulders, and paraded him around for a few laughing moments, just for a minute, the sole spectator to the impromptu parade felt like an outsider observing the rites of an exclusive club. This simple, silly, fun-loving Academy tradition had helped form an unshakable, unbreakable bond between these diverse personalities, one that had served the four friends well in the real world. Allura hoped what she had planned for them back at the Castle would and could do the same for the boys, herself, Coran and Nanny.
"Hey guys, we still have a little time left! Anyone ready for another run?" She called to them, wanting to be let back into their world as quickly as possible.
"Sure thing!" They exclaimed as one, with broad grins. After a final hurrah, Pidge was quickly lowered to the ground.
It took little time to retrieve the errant tray from its resting spot, and the other toboggan from the lake. Rotating passengers and equipment, the entire Voltron Force spent the next hour sliding down and taking spills on the lower half of Castle Hill, laughing baritone voices and intermittent feminine shrieks filling the wintry air with the warm sounds of simple pleasure.
The high-spirited fun couldn't last forever; soon they would have to go back to shoulder the heavy responsibilities of defending a planet.
No one in the Diamond Galaxy knew more about the meaning of duty and honor and no one took it more seriously than the members of the Voltron Force. Not one of the Lion pilots would ever surrender their right to fight for all that was good and just. Nothing could replace knowing that they were successfully protecting innocent lives.
In spite of all that, Keith, Allura, Lance, Hunk and Pidge found it difficult to contemplate returning to their official duties and the immense stress and complications they brought. For that reason they put off a return to responsibility as long as they dared and went for one last run down the hill, playing just as hard as they fought in their lions until, with a great deal of reluctance and a hint of melancholy, they finally yielded to the call of duty.
The sun hovered above the line of the horizon, waiting to stage a spectacular exit as its red-gold rays of light bathed everything in a warm glow and set the snow to sparkling with festive cheer. But night was lurking; the bordering tree lines were receding to huddled mounds of shadow, and Castle Hill doused its brightly lit hospitality to become a dark silhouette as they left it behind.
For a while, the light hearted magic of the afternoon lingered among the tired but content group of sliders, and they conversed cheerfully. The Princess found herself hiking along between Lance and Keith, who kept her laughing at their absurd verbal sparring. Pidge and Hunk trudged ahead of them, lugging the sleds and tray, absorbed in conversation. As the the imposing Castle spires loomed, however, the group became quiet, each of them privately mourning the end of such a perfect afternoon.
Keith stole covert looks from time to time at the Princess who blithely tromped along, oblivious to the fact that she had struck a match that had ignited the desire now burning inside him. It was frustrating and yet exhilarating to remember how good and right it had felt to have her against his body, and the delicious sensation of her tongue caressing his with abandon.
The Voltron Captain's eyes narrowed as he admitted to himself that he was looking forward to the next time he tapped into the ardor simmering beneath Her Majesty's tranquil exterior. It was a heady thing to realize that he alone had brought out the sensual woman lurking beneath her regal poise, proper manners, and innocence, and he regretted that he had taken so long to reach for her.
On the opposite side of the Princess, Lance was feeling remorse as he eyed the discoloration on Allura's cheek for the umpteenth time. She hadn't complained once, and that made it worse knowing that bruise had to be throbbing painfully by now, all because of his cursed lack of common sense and atrocious aim.
It occurred to him that he was lucky, that most women in that situation would have been hopping mad or worse. That wasn't the case for the compassionate Allura, who always was such a damn good sport, especially when it came to his antics. The Red Lion pilot sighed heavily as his eyes followed the curve of an otherwise perfect profile. Although she had graciously laughed it off as an accident and had even teased him about it, he hated knowing that he'd been the cause of her injury. Absolutely hated it.
As if she sensed his inspection, the Princess' head turned toward him and she regarded him inquiringly from withing the frame of gray fur around her hood.
"I'm really, really sorry about hitting you with that slush ball, Princess," he blurted. His distress was revealed in his tone, in the way he ran a gloved hand over wavy, chestnut colored hair, and in how his blue eyes shimmered with profound regret. “I wasn't aiming for you, but there's no excuse, I should have been more careful.”
To his amazement, she blushed. "Please don't apologize any more, Lance, it was all in fun, and I wouldn't change anything that happened this afternoon for the world."
No one in the Diamond Galaxy knew more about the meaning of duty and honor and no one took it more seriously than the members of the Voltron Force. Not one of the Lion pilots would ever surrender their right to fight for all that was good and just. Nothing could replace knowing that they were successfully protecting innocent lives.
In spite of all that, Keith, Allura, Lance, Hunk and Pidge found it difficult to contemplate returning to their official duties and the immense stress and complications they brought. For that reason they put off a return to responsibility as long as they dared and went for one last run down the hill, playing just as hard as they fought in their lions until, with a great deal of reluctance and a hint of melancholy, they finally yielded to the call of duty.
The sun hovered above the line of the horizon, waiting to stage a spectacular exit as its red-gold rays of light bathed everything in a warm glow and set the snow to sparkling with festive cheer. But night was lurking; the bordering tree lines were receding to huddled mounds of shadow, and Castle Hill doused its brightly lit hospitality to become a dark silhouette as they left it behind.
For a while, the light hearted magic of the afternoon lingered among the tired but content group of sliders, and they conversed cheerfully. The Princess found herself hiking along between Lance and Keith, who kept her laughing at their absurd verbal sparring. Pidge and Hunk trudged ahead of them, lugging the sleds and tray, absorbed in conversation. As the the imposing Castle spires loomed, however, the group became quiet, each of them privately mourning the end of such a perfect afternoon.
Keith stole covert looks from time to time at the Princess who blithely tromped along, oblivious to the fact that she had struck a match that had ignited the desire now burning inside him. It was frustrating and yet exhilarating to remember how good and right it had felt to have her against his body, and the delicious sensation of her tongue caressing his with abandon.
The Voltron Captain's eyes narrowed as he admitted to himself that he was looking forward to the next time he tapped into the ardor simmering beneath Her Majesty's tranquil exterior. It was a heady thing to realize that he alone had brought out the sensual woman lurking beneath her regal poise, proper manners, and innocence, and he regretted that he had taken so long to reach for her.
On the opposite side of the Princess, Lance was feeling remorse as he eyed the discoloration on Allura's cheek for the umpteenth time. She hadn't complained once, and that made it worse knowing that bruise had to be throbbing painfully by now, all because of his cursed lack of common sense and atrocious aim.
It occurred to him that he was lucky, that most women in that situation would have been hopping mad or worse. That wasn't the case for the compassionate Allura, who always was such a damn good sport, especially when it came to his antics. The Red Lion pilot sighed heavily as his eyes followed the curve of an otherwise perfect profile. Although she had graciously laughed it off as an accident and had even teased him about it, he hated knowing that he'd been the cause of her injury. Absolutely hated it.
As if she sensed his inspection, the Princess' head turned toward him and she regarded him inquiringly from withing the frame of gray fur around her hood.
"I'm really, really sorry about hitting you with that slush ball, Princess," he blurted. His distress was revealed in his tone, in the way he ran a gloved hand over wavy, chestnut colored hair, and in how his blue eyes shimmered with profound regret. “I wasn't aiming for you, but there's no excuse, I should have been more careful.”
To his amazement, she blushed. "Please don't apologize any more, Lance, it was all in fun, and I wouldn't change anything that happened this afternoon for the world."
As she spoke, Allura sent a sideways look to the right, curious to see what Keith's reaction would be to her bold statement. She saw a faint smile touch his lips, but she couldn't be sure what he was thinking.
She turned her full attention to her apologetic friend. “It's all right. And so am I. What is it that Hunk always says...'no harm, no penalty'?”
"Actually, that's 'no harm, no foul...' but it's not all right that I hurt you! I want to make amends. Just tell me what to do and I'll do it! " Lance insisted, giving her a look that she knew he reserved for the people that were most important to him.
Her heart warmed by her friend's concern, Allura returned the look and then chuckled. "Do you realize what you're getting yourself into by asking? Wouldn't you want to know what I would require before you offer your services-" Her voice broke off as she thought better of what she was going to say. Everything she uttered was taking on a double meaning since the kiss with Keith; Lance didn't know that, of course, but he was still bound to pick out the general innuendo behind her words.
As expected, her teammate had raised his eyebrows to his hairline, and was giving her a very mischievous smile that was a lot more commonplace than the frown preceding it.
“This is true, and a very interesting thought! I'd like to hear all about the requirements for my service to you." Lance said.
He looked at her innocently, but she suspected he was trying to make her blush, something that he enjoyed, and had become a daily challenge. She congratulated herself as her skin remained cool and blush free.
Keith spoke up. "I'd like to hear them too, Princess," he said, glints of humor flashing in his dark eyes as he met her gaze. "You know, just in case I need to atone for messing up.”
Lance snorted. “The only way you could mess up is on purpose.”
Keith shrugged and smiled. “Not true. Things happen.”
There was something in his tone, Allura thought. Something sort of...dangerous. And his smile had definitely taken on an edge. Her face was on fire.
"I'm a pilot and a member of the Voltron Force." She began, in a flustered tone. "I have wonderful friends and the honor of defending my people. And I live in a castle! What more could I need?"
Keith nodded. “So maybe the question isn't what you need, but what you want? Hm?"
Lance sent his friend a baffled look. ~Jeez, what's Keith up to? He sounds like a horn dog...smile has wolf written all over it!~ His speculative gaze turned to his Royal friend, who was red as a rose and had the look of a doe caught in the headlights.
Intuition told him that something had changed between Keith and Allura, and that he shouldn't interfere in whatever was transpiring. Getting to know Keith meant dealing with the intense emotions contained under the veneer of self control. At some point the Princess was going to need backup in dealing with the mass of emotion that was Keith, but for now, it was best to observe.
Allura could feel Lance and Keith both staring at her, and tried to shake off the effects of their combined scrutiny on her thought processes. "The penance isn't necessary. A sincere apology is more than enough for me."
"In other words, you don't think you should say what you'd want." Keith stated. His eyes crinkled with amusement as he took note of her prim, rigid posture and blatant avoidance of his gaze.
Allura reached up and pulled her hood forward to hide her face. This behavior wasn't what she was used to from the proper and polite Captain Keith. He was being a a tease right now. She wondered what would happen if she provoked him, and wasn't sure if she was glad or sorry Lance was there.
As if reading her mind, he leaned into her as they walked. "I bet I can think of something you want, " he murmured, just loud enough for her ears only.
"And what would that be?" She asked, just as quietly. As his shoulder brushed hers, the knowledge that he was touching her zoomed from her brain to her belly, triggering little explosions of physical awareness that was both pleasurable and terrifying.
"Ask me that next time we're alone."
She stumbled.
"Careful, Princess," Keith quickly steadied her with a courteous hand around her upper arm.
A wild urge to grab him and throw him down into the snow so she could sit on him and then kiss him, hard and long, welled up inside her. Her lips parted at the thought, and her knees felt weak, but she kept walking.
She turned her full attention to her apologetic friend. “It's all right. And so am I. What is it that Hunk always says...'no harm, no penalty'?”
"Actually, that's 'no harm, no foul...' but it's not all right that I hurt you! I want to make amends. Just tell me what to do and I'll do it! " Lance insisted, giving her a look that she knew he reserved for the people that were most important to him.
Her heart warmed by her friend's concern, Allura returned the look and then chuckled. "Do you realize what you're getting yourself into by asking? Wouldn't you want to know what I would require before you offer your services-" Her voice broke off as she thought better of what she was going to say. Everything she uttered was taking on a double meaning since the kiss with Keith; Lance didn't know that, of course, but he was still bound to pick out the general innuendo behind her words.
As expected, her teammate had raised his eyebrows to his hairline, and was giving her a very mischievous smile that was a lot more commonplace than the frown preceding it.
“This is true, and a very interesting thought! I'd like to hear all about the requirements for my service to you." Lance said.
He looked at her innocently, but she suspected he was trying to make her blush, something that he enjoyed, and had become a daily challenge. She congratulated herself as her skin remained cool and blush free.
Keith spoke up. "I'd like to hear them too, Princess," he said, glints of humor flashing in his dark eyes as he met her gaze. "You know, just in case I need to atone for messing up.”
Lance snorted. “The only way you could mess up is on purpose.”
Keith shrugged and smiled. “Not true. Things happen.”
There was something in his tone, Allura thought. Something sort of...dangerous. And his smile had definitely taken on an edge. Her face was on fire.
"I'm a pilot and a member of the Voltron Force." She began, in a flustered tone. "I have wonderful friends and the honor of defending my people. And I live in a castle! What more could I need?"
Keith nodded. “So maybe the question isn't what you need, but what you want? Hm?"
Lance sent his friend a baffled look. ~Jeez, what's Keith up to? He sounds like a horn dog...smile has wolf written all over it!~ His speculative gaze turned to his Royal friend, who was red as a rose and had the look of a doe caught in the headlights.
Intuition told him that something had changed between Keith and Allura, and that he shouldn't interfere in whatever was transpiring. Getting to know Keith meant dealing with the intense emotions contained under the veneer of self control. At some point the Princess was going to need backup in dealing with the mass of emotion that was Keith, but for now, it was best to observe.
Allura could feel Lance and Keith both staring at her, and tried to shake off the effects of their combined scrutiny on her thought processes. "The penance isn't necessary. A sincere apology is more than enough for me."
"In other words, you don't think you should say what you'd want." Keith stated. His eyes crinkled with amusement as he took note of her prim, rigid posture and blatant avoidance of his gaze.
Allura reached up and pulled her hood forward to hide her face. This behavior wasn't what she was used to from the proper and polite Captain Keith. He was being a a tease right now. She wondered what would happen if she provoked him, and wasn't sure if she was glad or sorry Lance was there.
As if reading her mind, he leaned into her as they walked. "I bet I can think of something you want, " he murmured, just loud enough for her ears only.
"And what would that be?" She asked, just as quietly. As his shoulder brushed hers, the knowledge that he was touching her zoomed from her brain to her belly, triggering little explosions of physical awareness that was both pleasurable and terrifying.
"Ask me that next time we're alone."
She stumbled.
"Careful, Princess," Keith quickly steadied her with a courteous hand around her upper arm.
A wild urge to grab him and throw him down into the snow so she could sit on him and then kiss him, hard and long, welled up inside her. Her lips parted at the thought, and her knees felt weak, but she kept walking.
Keith had heard the swift intake of air. He averted his gaze briefly to hide the primitive male satisfaction glinting in his eyes. "Are you all right, Princess?" He couldn't help making the title sound like an endearment.
"I'm fine." She replied briefly. His hand was still curled around her arm and his gloved knuckles brushed against the side of her chest. "Thank you, you can let go now."
"As you wish." He reluctantly released his hold.
The Lieutenant watched the entire exchange with avid interest. Those were some major vibes flowing between the Chief and Allura, and he'd swear they were sexual.
The Princess' pace had quickened. Both Keith and Lance had to break stride a little to catch up, but she didn't notice, and wouldn't have slowed if she had. Lance thought wryly that there were tons of women who would love and could handle being teased, but she wasn't one of them. The conversation had come to a screeching halt, and because the tension had just about reached the oppressive stage, he spoke.
"Princess, I still await my penance," he announced soberly, placing a hand over his heart, though his eyes danced with tender mischief.
"There isn't one to wait for.” Allura responded cheerfully.
Lance decided he needed an ally. Making eye contact with Keith behind her back, he jerked his head toward the unknowing Princess while giving his friend an intensely beseeching look.
The Captain shook his head. Lance clasped his hands together in supplication and rapidly mouthed 'please help me', but received a mouthed, decisive 'no' right back. But Lance was not so easily put off. And after enduring an extended and period of covert pestering, pleading and increasingly desperate pantomiming from the Lieutenant, the Black Lion pilot's resistance crumbled.
~Worse than my six year old nephew.~ Keith thought, as he watched Lance's face light up like a Christmas tree at his sigh of capitulation and affirmative nod.
“So what do you think, Keith?” Lance prompted him at once. “Don't you think I should make amends?”
"Yeah...in all seriousness, he's right, Allura. It's a matter of honor. Give Lance an opportunity to make things better before Nanny sees that bruise of yours. If you don't think of something to punish Lance, she will."
Allura turned her head and he saw the surprise and mild apprehension flickering in her eyes. "I hadn't thought of that..."
Lance blinked. He hadn't either. And he didn't want to think about it now.
"Better start," the Captain replied firmly, all the while privately wondering why he was buying into Lance's schlock. ~I guess it's okay, just as long as you don't ask him to kiss it better, Princess.~
"And you're really serious about this?" She asked, turning to look at Lance.
"Absolutely serious." He replied.
And he was, she could see it in his eyes.
"All right, then, I do have one request for you." Allura said, coming to a stop and looking Lance square in the face as he came to a halt and turned to face her. A small, slightly sly smile touched her lips as she uttered her request. "If you can obtain some mistletoe for me, I will absolve you of all wrongdoing."
Now Keith was the on that came to a stumbling halt. His thoughts zoomed back to Lance's comments about teaching Allura about mistletoe, and then to the library, the computer, and his own impetuous, special order...
If Lance accepted the challenge, and had any idea of how to procure the plant- which he was absolutely sure his well connected friend would- he knew with equal certainty that at some point his second-in-command would make sure he and Allura would meet up beneath it. And if that happened, he was as good as busted in regards to his feelings for Her Highness. And while that wasn't a catastrophe in itself, he just wasn't ready to share those feelings with the team, much less the rest of Arus...
The Captain cursed silently, envisioning the merciless teasing and stupid pranks he'd have to endure like during their days as Academy cadets all over again; no privacy, no holds barred. It wasn't an exaggeration to say that the outspokenness and sly pranks of his friends had been a hindrance to his love life. Which in honesty was mostly his own fault, because he hadn't cared enough about any of the girls who hung around to exert himself in putting a stop to the mischief and mayhem.
That wasn't going to happen this time. No way.
His mind raced. Garrison Quartermaster Howard would have already picked up his email by now. His only chance was to email again and tell Howard to send his order to Lance instead, under the guise of helping his friend out. Giving up the mistletoe he had ordered seemed the only way of doing that.
Lance was more interested in his own unexpected quest to deviate his focus. “Mistletoe, eh? Why would you want that?”
Allura shook her head. “That's part of the request.” She told him. “Mistletoe by tomorrow night , no questions asked.”
Lance knelt in the snow and crossed his arm over his chest in a classic knight's pose. “A difficult assignment, but I love a challenge and excel at doing the impossible. My Lady, I swear by the lions that you shall have your mistletoe, and on time! I stake my sterling reputation on it!”
Allura nodded regally, her eyes alight with laughter. “Then go forth, noble sir! I await your success with hope and joy!”
Keith opened his mouth, and then decided not to go there. “Yes, better be on your way.” He said dryly. “You need all the time you can get.”
Lance nodded and got to his feet. “Right.”
The three jogged to catch up to Hunk and Pidge, who had been fondly reminiscing about Pidge's past daring exploits on 'The Blender.'
After catching his breath, Lance filled the two in on the Princess' request.
"Good luck with that," Pidge scoffed. “I don't think there are any interstellar florists around here that carry native parasitic plants from Earth.”
Hunk agreed. “Hate to say it bro, but you're gonna have an extended stay in the doghouse.”
Allura looked troubled. “No he won't! Lance, really, it's all in fun. It's okay if you can't-”
Lance held up a gloved hand to stop her words. "The phrase 'I can't' isn't in my vocabulary, Princess. And all of you should know by now not to underestimate me.” He paused. “Rose of Lira, anyone?”
Allura shook her head, smiling. “We shouldn't doubt you. You've amazed us countless times.”
Keith looked at her. Did she mean 'we' as in all of them? Or was that 'we' in the royal, I refer to myself in the third person sense?
Lance thanked her, and then added with an offhand tone, "So, Princess, I presume you know about the tradition that goes with mistletoe?”
At the word 'mistletoe', Hunk and Pidge slowed their strides.
Allura looked coy. “Why yes, I have heard of it. Why do you ask?”
"Cause I was wondering if that was why you wanted it, and if so, if you had anyone in particular in mind to test it?" Lance asked, with a big sidelong wink at the Black Lion pilot. Keith smirked and rolled his eyes, but undeterred, Lance continued, “And I was thinking, when I succeed in my mission, I should have first dibs on trying it out.”
Keith's smirk disappeared as the Princess smiled brightly at Lance. "That's for me to know, Lieutenant, until you locate some and get it here in time!"
"There's no better motivation than that!" Lance responded with enthusiasm. “I'll have that mistletoe here by the crack of dawn!”
Keith was growing irritated, but tried to dismiss it; after all, Lance and Allura had always joked around and flirted. They were just good friends, it was nothing new, and certainly nothing to get worked up over. He just needed to ignore it like he always had, nothing had changed, there was no reason to think...
And suddenly, the unwelcome image of Allura standing under a sprig of mistletoe being swept off her feet and thoroughly kissed by his best friend broke into his train of thought.
Keith's jaw clenched, and his expression hardened, as the infamous green-eyed monster gleefully rushed in to stake out fresh territory. He suffered the invasion in silence, gamely containing his jealousy as his teammates continued to banter about Lance being under the mistletoe with the Princess.
But when he heard Allura laughing and telling Lance that he better not make any promises he couldn't keep, the Captain could take no more and cut in. "You'll get it, Princess. We know someone in the Garrison who can help."
"Oh! Well, thank you." Allura replied uncertainly. Keith's manner was controlled in every way, but the terseness of his words suggested he wasn't happy with her.
His second-in-command shot Keith a sharp-eyed look, detecting the irritation beneath his leader's words. The Captain's bland expression gave no clues to what was bothering him, but something was definitely amiss. Whatever it was, Lance figured he'd be hearing about it later. "Right! I'm on it as soon as we get back to the Castle."
Allura's expression turned rueful. "Today has been so much fun, I don't want to go back. That's what I'd wish for if I could-to be able to make this day last forever.”
Lance and Keith quietly agreed, and both felt the tension between them subside at her complaint. It had been a terrific outing. Neither of them wanted to spoil that.
Hearing her lament, Hunk turned around and walked backwards as he eagerly related the idea that had just popped into his mind. "Hey you guys, and Princess, I was thinking, if everything still checks out security wise and we're not needed yet, how about if all of us go for some hot chocolate? It would give us energy, and be right in keeping with the traditions of Barracks Number Five!"
"That's a wonderful suggestion!" The Princess exclaimed. Smiles had broken out all around, and a chorus of agreement followed her endorsement.
“You're on a roll, Big Guy.” Keith said. “The sledding was a great idea too!”
Hunk looked gratified at their enthusiastic response. "Just off the top of my head. No big deal."
"We appreciate it just the same." Allura told him. “This has been the best day ever. Thank you so much, Hunk.”
Hunk's face reddened, a direct result of a lovely smile and sparkling blue eyes. "You're welcome." He said, simply. “Anything for you, Princess.”
"I know another guy who wants to get caught under the mistletoe with Princess." Pidge teased.
“What?! C'mere you!”
As a red-faced Hunk grabbed Pidge under an arm and ground his knuckles into the top of his little buddy's noggin, laughter rang in the crisp, clear air.
"I'm fine." She replied briefly. His hand was still curled around her arm and his gloved knuckles brushed against the side of her chest. "Thank you, you can let go now."
"As you wish." He reluctantly released his hold.
The Lieutenant watched the entire exchange with avid interest. Those were some major vibes flowing between the Chief and Allura, and he'd swear they were sexual.
The Princess' pace had quickened. Both Keith and Lance had to break stride a little to catch up, but she didn't notice, and wouldn't have slowed if she had. Lance thought wryly that there were tons of women who would love and could handle being teased, but she wasn't one of them. The conversation had come to a screeching halt, and because the tension had just about reached the oppressive stage, he spoke.
"Princess, I still await my penance," he announced soberly, placing a hand over his heart, though his eyes danced with tender mischief.
"There isn't one to wait for.” Allura responded cheerfully.
Lance decided he needed an ally. Making eye contact with Keith behind her back, he jerked his head toward the unknowing Princess while giving his friend an intensely beseeching look.
The Captain shook his head. Lance clasped his hands together in supplication and rapidly mouthed 'please help me', but received a mouthed, decisive 'no' right back. But Lance was not so easily put off. And after enduring an extended and period of covert pestering, pleading and increasingly desperate pantomiming from the Lieutenant, the Black Lion pilot's resistance crumbled.
~Worse than my six year old nephew.~ Keith thought, as he watched Lance's face light up like a Christmas tree at his sigh of capitulation and affirmative nod.
“So what do you think, Keith?” Lance prompted him at once. “Don't you think I should make amends?”
"Yeah...in all seriousness, he's right, Allura. It's a matter of honor. Give Lance an opportunity to make things better before Nanny sees that bruise of yours. If you don't think of something to punish Lance, she will."
Allura turned her head and he saw the surprise and mild apprehension flickering in her eyes. "I hadn't thought of that..."
Lance blinked. He hadn't either. And he didn't want to think about it now.
"Better start," the Captain replied firmly, all the while privately wondering why he was buying into Lance's schlock. ~I guess it's okay, just as long as you don't ask him to kiss it better, Princess.~
"And you're really serious about this?" She asked, turning to look at Lance.
"Absolutely serious." He replied.
And he was, she could see it in his eyes.
"All right, then, I do have one request for you." Allura said, coming to a stop and looking Lance square in the face as he came to a halt and turned to face her. A small, slightly sly smile touched her lips as she uttered her request. "If you can obtain some mistletoe for me, I will absolve you of all wrongdoing."
Now Keith was the on that came to a stumbling halt. His thoughts zoomed back to Lance's comments about teaching Allura about mistletoe, and then to the library, the computer, and his own impetuous, special order...
If Lance accepted the challenge, and had any idea of how to procure the plant- which he was absolutely sure his well connected friend would- he knew with equal certainty that at some point his second-in-command would make sure he and Allura would meet up beneath it. And if that happened, he was as good as busted in regards to his feelings for Her Highness. And while that wasn't a catastrophe in itself, he just wasn't ready to share those feelings with the team, much less the rest of Arus...
The Captain cursed silently, envisioning the merciless teasing and stupid pranks he'd have to endure like during their days as Academy cadets all over again; no privacy, no holds barred. It wasn't an exaggeration to say that the outspokenness and sly pranks of his friends had been a hindrance to his love life. Which in honesty was mostly his own fault, because he hadn't cared enough about any of the girls who hung around to exert himself in putting a stop to the mischief and mayhem.
That wasn't going to happen this time. No way.
His mind raced. Garrison Quartermaster Howard would have already picked up his email by now. His only chance was to email again and tell Howard to send his order to Lance instead, under the guise of helping his friend out. Giving up the mistletoe he had ordered seemed the only way of doing that.
Lance was more interested in his own unexpected quest to deviate his focus. “Mistletoe, eh? Why would you want that?”
Allura shook her head. “That's part of the request.” She told him. “Mistletoe by tomorrow night , no questions asked.”
Lance knelt in the snow and crossed his arm over his chest in a classic knight's pose. “A difficult assignment, but I love a challenge and excel at doing the impossible. My Lady, I swear by the lions that you shall have your mistletoe, and on time! I stake my sterling reputation on it!”
Allura nodded regally, her eyes alight with laughter. “Then go forth, noble sir! I await your success with hope and joy!”
Keith opened his mouth, and then decided not to go there. “Yes, better be on your way.” He said dryly. “You need all the time you can get.”
Lance nodded and got to his feet. “Right.”
The three jogged to catch up to Hunk and Pidge, who had been fondly reminiscing about Pidge's past daring exploits on 'The Blender.'
After catching his breath, Lance filled the two in on the Princess' request.
"Good luck with that," Pidge scoffed. “I don't think there are any interstellar florists around here that carry native parasitic plants from Earth.”
Hunk agreed. “Hate to say it bro, but you're gonna have an extended stay in the doghouse.”
Allura looked troubled. “No he won't! Lance, really, it's all in fun. It's okay if you can't-”
Lance held up a gloved hand to stop her words. "The phrase 'I can't' isn't in my vocabulary, Princess. And all of you should know by now not to underestimate me.” He paused. “Rose of Lira, anyone?”
Allura shook her head, smiling. “We shouldn't doubt you. You've amazed us countless times.”
Keith looked at her. Did she mean 'we' as in all of them? Or was that 'we' in the royal, I refer to myself in the third person sense?
Lance thanked her, and then added with an offhand tone, "So, Princess, I presume you know about the tradition that goes with mistletoe?”
At the word 'mistletoe', Hunk and Pidge slowed their strides.
Allura looked coy. “Why yes, I have heard of it. Why do you ask?”
"Cause I was wondering if that was why you wanted it, and if so, if you had anyone in particular in mind to test it?" Lance asked, with a big sidelong wink at the Black Lion pilot. Keith smirked and rolled his eyes, but undeterred, Lance continued, “And I was thinking, when I succeed in my mission, I should have first dibs on trying it out.”
Keith's smirk disappeared as the Princess smiled brightly at Lance. "That's for me to know, Lieutenant, until you locate some and get it here in time!"
"There's no better motivation than that!" Lance responded with enthusiasm. “I'll have that mistletoe here by the crack of dawn!”
Keith was growing irritated, but tried to dismiss it; after all, Lance and Allura had always joked around and flirted. They were just good friends, it was nothing new, and certainly nothing to get worked up over. He just needed to ignore it like he always had, nothing had changed, there was no reason to think...
And suddenly, the unwelcome image of Allura standing under a sprig of mistletoe being swept off her feet and thoroughly kissed by his best friend broke into his train of thought.
Keith's jaw clenched, and his expression hardened, as the infamous green-eyed monster gleefully rushed in to stake out fresh territory. He suffered the invasion in silence, gamely containing his jealousy as his teammates continued to banter about Lance being under the mistletoe with the Princess.
But when he heard Allura laughing and telling Lance that he better not make any promises he couldn't keep, the Captain could take no more and cut in. "You'll get it, Princess. We know someone in the Garrison who can help."
"Oh! Well, thank you." Allura replied uncertainly. Keith's manner was controlled in every way, but the terseness of his words suggested he wasn't happy with her.
His second-in-command shot Keith a sharp-eyed look, detecting the irritation beneath his leader's words. The Captain's bland expression gave no clues to what was bothering him, but something was definitely amiss. Whatever it was, Lance figured he'd be hearing about it later. "Right! I'm on it as soon as we get back to the Castle."
Allura's expression turned rueful. "Today has been so much fun, I don't want to go back. That's what I'd wish for if I could-to be able to make this day last forever.”
Lance and Keith quietly agreed, and both felt the tension between them subside at her complaint. It had been a terrific outing. Neither of them wanted to spoil that.
Hearing her lament, Hunk turned around and walked backwards as he eagerly related the idea that had just popped into his mind. "Hey you guys, and Princess, I was thinking, if everything still checks out security wise and we're not needed yet, how about if all of us go for some hot chocolate? It would give us energy, and be right in keeping with the traditions of Barracks Number Five!"
"That's a wonderful suggestion!" The Princess exclaimed. Smiles had broken out all around, and a chorus of agreement followed her endorsement.
“You're on a roll, Big Guy.” Keith said. “The sledding was a great idea too!”
Hunk looked gratified at their enthusiastic response. "Just off the top of my head. No big deal."
"We appreciate it just the same." Allura told him. “This has been the best day ever. Thank you so much, Hunk.”
Hunk's face reddened, a direct result of a lovely smile and sparkling blue eyes. "You're welcome." He said, simply. “Anything for you, Princess.”
"I know another guy who wants to get caught under the mistletoe with Princess." Pidge teased.
“What?! C'mere you!”
As a red-faced Hunk grabbed Pidge under an arm and ground his knuckles into the top of his little buddy's noggin, laughter rang in the crisp, clear air.
Author's Notes: This chapter is dedicated with deep affection to all my fellow 'Oles', past and present, who have and will continue to 'tray' The Hill behind Old Main, voted one of the 10 best sledding hills in Minnesota. Fram, Fram, St. Olaf! Um Ya Ya! :)
The five Voltron Force members hurried across the Castle of Lions bridge, eager to get inside and warm up with the delicious Arusian chocolate brew that Hunk had suggested they consume.
The massive front gate to the Castle of Lions swung shut with the solid authority of a prison door closing behind a bunch of unsuccessful escapees; the group scattered when they entered the castle proper with the quickly agreed upon arrangement that they would meet in the recreation room near the pilot's quarters after the Captain had conferred with Castle Control and the others completed running errands of their own.
Lance set off at a brisk stride, wasting no time in going to deal with the business of procuring mistletoe. Allura wanted to ensure that her own secret undertaking was coming along, and the tray (gently tugged out of the grasp of a reluctant 'Splat Boy') gave her an excuse to go in search of Nanny. The grumbling Pidge set off to put the toboggans away, and Hunk, at loose ends now that he had been relieved of his sled, hurried to catch up to his Skipper with the intention of providing logistical support while checking in on the planet's security status.
Keith was relieved that the Yellow Lion pilot was accompanying him. Given the highs and lows of being far from home at the holidays, and the newer, tumultuous emotions regarding his relationship status with Allura, Hunk was far less demanding company than Pidge or Lance, and if asked, would provide an effective buffer against questioning while Keith sorted out the jumble of thoughts cluttering up his normally well-ordered thought processes.
The shrewd and speculative look the Red Lion pilot had given him after that witnessing that little moment of lunacy with Allura had spoken volumes, and he'd expected an all out interrogation that hadn't come to pass. A reprieve, yes, but playing the diplomat wasn't characteristic of Lance, Keith thought with a resigned sigh. Once his friend's infamous intuition had kicked in, it was inevitable Lance would be giving him the third degree in the very near future.
"Think anything major is going on with Doom?" Hunk asked, breaking into his leader's musings.
"I'm guessing not, I left orders for them to contact us immediately if anything questionable showed up." Keith replied. "It sure would be nice if things stayed quiet so we could keep some semblance of a holiday season going like we did this afternoon."
The Yellow Lion pilot grinned. "The return of 'Splat Boy' was pretty awesome, wasn't it?"
Despite the weighty matters on his mind, Keith's expression lightened. "Yeah. And the rest of the sliding was great, too."
"Yeah, it sure was. If you don't mind me inquirin', Chief, when you took that run, exactly what kept you from, uh...well..."
"My usual abdominal juice expulsion?" Keith finished wryly.
Hunk scratched the back of his head and chuckled. "Yeah. That."
"Sheer willpower, fueled by the thought that it'd be a severe breach of etiquette to heave my stomach contents onto the Princess."
Hunk chuckled. "Wooeee, that would have made for an interesting explanation...wonder what Nanbo would have said?"
"I don't know, and I'm glad I didn't have to find out." Keith shook his head.
"But you know the Princess would have been cool with it, even if it might have grossed her out a little.” Hunk added earnestly. “She's no shrinking violet, and she thinks a lot of you, Keith. I don't think you ever have to worry about that changing."
Keith sent a surprised glance toward the big man. "Thanks, but I don't think-"
"I saw you kiss her." Hunk said, matter-of-factly.
A breath hissed out of Keith. So much for his uncomplicated buffer. "I...see."
They were now directly outside the closed doors of the control center. Keith stopped, but didn't reach for the switch to open them. Instead, he trained his wary gaze on Hunk's rugged features. "So everyone else saw?"
"Nope. I made sure I kept the other two facing away from you." Hunk stated.
Keith relaxed. "Thank you. No offense, but I'm not ready to talk about it..."
Hunk held up a hand. "Hey, that's fine with me, Skipper! I just thought you should know." Reaching out, he patted the Captain's shoulder. "I'll keep my mouth shut, don't worry. Although I gotta say I'm all for you and the Princess gettin' together."
Keith's smile was genuine. "I appreciate that. Thanks."
"No problem," Hunk responded, then asked hesitantly, "Um, could I ask you one thing though? Just for my personal data banks?"
"Go ahead, but I reserve the right to refuse to answer the question once I hear it." His leader replied.
"I just wanna know...how was it?” The Yellow Lion pilot's eyes looked almost dreamy. “I don't mean that it a weird way... just that it's like something out of a fairy tale to kiss a real live Princess, right? I bet it was really special, huh?"
Keith reached up to yank off the ear warmers that were adding to the prickly warmth spreading over his face, and after pocketing them in his jacket, rubbed the back of his neck as he pondered his response. It was bad form to kiss and tell. But this was Hunk, he could be trusted. Would it hurt to answer? The Big Guy had done him a huge favor out there. And besides, it wasn't like he was talking about having a relationship with Allura-
"It made the world stop.” He blurted suddenly. “It changed everything.”
And there it was, Hunk thought, nodding. One humdinger of a kiss, one admission that life was never going to be the same for Keith. "Sky's the limit, buddy. You deserve the best."
"Uh...well...thanks. " Keith shook his head as if to clear it, then inclined it towards the doors. “Shall we proceed, Lieutenant?”
Hunk took the unsubtle hint; confession time was over. "After you, Captain."
The massive front gate to the Castle of Lions swung shut with the solid authority of a prison door closing behind a bunch of unsuccessful escapees; the group scattered when they entered the castle proper with the quickly agreed upon arrangement that they would meet in the recreation room near the pilot's quarters after the Captain had conferred with Castle Control and the others completed running errands of their own.
Lance set off at a brisk stride, wasting no time in going to deal with the business of procuring mistletoe. Allura wanted to ensure that her own secret undertaking was coming along, and the tray (gently tugged out of the grasp of a reluctant 'Splat Boy') gave her an excuse to go in search of Nanny. The grumbling Pidge set off to put the toboggans away, and Hunk, at loose ends now that he had been relieved of his sled, hurried to catch up to his Skipper with the intention of providing logistical support while checking in on the planet's security status.
Keith was relieved that the Yellow Lion pilot was accompanying him. Given the highs and lows of being far from home at the holidays, and the newer, tumultuous emotions regarding his relationship status with Allura, Hunk was far less demanding company than Pidge or Lance, and if asked, would provide an effective buffer against questioning while Keith sorted out the jumble of thoughts cluttering up his normally well-ordered thought processes.
The shrewd and speculative look the Red Lion pilot had given him after that witnessing that little moment of lunacy with Allura had spoken volumes, and he'd expected an all out interrogation that hadn't come to pass. A reprieve, yes, but playing the diplomat wasn't characteristic of Lance, Keith thought with a resigned sigh. Once his friend's infamous intuition had kicked in, it was inevitable Lance would be giving him the third degree in the very near future.
"Think anything major is going on with Doom?" Hunk asked, breaking into his leader's musings.
"I'm guessing not, I left orders for them to contact us immediately if anything questionable showed up." Keith replied. "It sure would be nice if things stayed quiet so we could keep some semblance of a holiday season going like we did this afternoon."
The Yellow Lion pilot grinned. "The return of 'Splat Boy' was pretty awesome, wasn't it?"
Despite the weighty matters on his mind, Keith's expression lightened. "Yeah. And the rest of the sliding was great, too."
"Yeah, it sure was. If you don't mind me inquirin', Chief, when you took that run, exactly what kept you from, uh...well..."
"My usual abdominal juice expulsion?" Keith finished wryly.
Hunk scratched the back of his head and chuckled. "Yeah. That."
"Sheer willpower, fueled by the thought that it'd be a severe breach of etiquette to heave my stomach contents onto the Princess."
Hunk chuckled. "Wooeee, that would have made for an interesting explanation...wonder what Nanbo would have said?"
"I don't know, and I'm glad I didn't have to find out." Keith shook his head.
"But you know the Princess would have been cool with it, even if it might have grossed her out a little.” Hunk added earnestly. “She's no shrinking violet, and she thinks a lot of you, Keith. I don't think you ever have to worry about that changing."
Keith sent a surprised glance toward the big man. "Thanks, but I don't think-"
"I saw you kiss her." Hunk said, matter-of-factly.
A breath hissed out of Keith. So much for his uncomplicated buffer. "I...see."
They were now directly outside the closed doors of the control center. Keith stopped, but didn't reach for the switch to open them. Instead, he trained his wary gaze on Hunk's rugged features. "So everyone else saw?"
"Nope. I made sure I kept the other two facing away from you." Hunk stated.
Keith relaxed. "Thank you. No offense, but I'm not ready to talk about it..."
Hunk held up a hand. "Hey, that's fine with me, Skipper! I just thought you should know." Reaching out, he patted the Captain's shoulder. "I'll keep my mouth shut, don't worry. Although I gotta say I'm all for you and the Princess gettin' together."
Keith's smile was genuine. "I appreciate that. Thanks."
"No problem," Hunk responded, then asked hesitantly, "Um, could I ask you one thing though? Just for my personal data banks?"
"Go ahead, but I reserve the right to refuse to answer the question once I hear it." His leader replied.
"I just wanna know...how was it?” The Yellow Lion pilot's eyes looked almost dreamy. “I don't mean that it a weird way... just that it's like something out of a fairy tale to kiss a real live Princess, right? I bet it was really special, huh?"
Keith reached up to yank off the ear warmers that were adding to the prickly warmth spreading over his face, and after pocketing them in his jacket, rubbed the back of his neck as he pondered his response. It was bad form to kiss and tell. But this was Hunk, he could be trusted. Would it hurt to answer? The Big Guy had done him a huge favor out there. And besides, it wasn't like he was talking about having a relationship with Allura-
"It made the world stop.” He blurted suddenly. “It changed everything.”
And there it was, Hunk thought, nodding. One humdinger of a kiss, one admission that life was never going to be the same for Keith. "Sky's the limit, buddy. You deserve the best."
"Uh...well...thanks. " Keith shook his head as if to clear it, then inclined it towards the doors. “Shall we proceed, Lieutenant?”
Hunk took the unsubtle hint; confession time was over. "After you, Captain."
In another wing of the Castle, Princess Allura hurried to enter her bedchambers, wanting to rid herself of her outerwear and tidy up, which would include a little cover up of the mark on her face; no sense putting Nanny's back up about her appearance straight away, especially since she needed to ask a huge favor from her high-strung governess.
She tossed the sliding tray on her bed, slipped out of the parka and boots, and then went to her vanity to brush her hair and straighten her circlet. Standing in front of the full- length center mirror, she eyed her ensemble; the long sweater and leggings were just as suitable as the pink jumpsuit, she firmly decided.
The purplish discoloration on her left cheek looked worse than it felt, but now she understood why Lance had felt so badly about the whole incident. A stellar makeup job better take care of it, or Nanny would never let her go outside to play with boys again, she thought humorously, reaching for her basket of cosmetics and expertly choosing the correct concealers for the task.
Five minutes later, and she viewed the results with satisfaction; the bruise was all but invisible. The only way anyone would notice if they got close enough to kiss her...
~Ask me again next time we're alone...~
The recollection of Keith's teasing remark sent a warm cascade of sensation spilling over her, and a second thrill went through her as she relived the kiss.
It was an understatement to say that her world had been well and truly thrown off kilter by experiencing this private side of Keith, a side that was far removed from the impassive, reserved, commanding and politely deferential persona he showed to her and others in public.
And then his mood had shifted abruptly again after she had flirted with Lance; at that point, she was sure he had been jealous of her paying attention to the Red Lion pilot. That realization had brought her an inordinate amount of satisfaction, but now...
The Princess turned away from the mirror at the thought, unwilling to look herself in the eye. Now, she felt badly for being petty enough to be so pleased to have the power to make him jealous that she'd done it on purpose. Game playing wasn't what she wanted in any relationship, and it was bound to adversely affect the team. She would do better for Keith next time, and if she would be so lucky to be kissed by him again, she wouldn't use that to her advantage.
Feeling a bit better for having made the resolution, she strode over to the bed, picked up the serving tray and looked at it in speculation. It was still intact...but as far as she was concerned, it shouldn't be returned to its old methods of use. It had carried Splat Boy, King of the Hills, in his successful quest to conquer Castle Hill. For that reason, it deserved a place of honor.
Allura rang for her chambermaid, when the young woman arrived, she received some precise and gleeful instructions from her monarch, who then swore her to secrecy. With a broad smile, the maid departed to happily do her mistress' bidding. Next, Allura was off to the kitchen to confer with her governess.
As she had hoped, Nanny was already in the midst of working on a special menu for the next day's celebration; the room was filled with bustling people and the heavenly scents of baked pastries and various other treats. The nearest kitchen staff stopped to curtsy or bow to their Princess as she walked in their midst before continuing with their assigned tasks.
As she approached the counter where Nanny presided from a high backed step stool, Allura was delighted to see that her governess actually smiling as she gave some instructions to the notoriously temperamental head chef, who beamed and nodded enthusiastically before returning to his post at the one of the three massive stoves.
"Princess, this is going to be a glorious meal! These Terran dishes sound absolutely delicious, and Jean Paul is so energized, he loves the challenge of creating something new, and making them as authentic as possible!" The older woman enthused after the two finished exchanging hellos.
"I'm glad he approves," the Princess smiled at the handsome chef, who rakishly blew her a kiss from his fingertips as he stirred a concoction. "How is Coran doing with finding the other items?"
"I believe he has obtained everything except the costume you vanted."
Allura felt her heart sink. "Oh no! That's the most vital part of the surprise!"
Nanny patted her arm consolingly as she stepped down from the stool to hand an ingredients list to a waiting maid. "I am sure we can think of something else to do for them."
"I don't know what else that could be. I wanted to have this particular tradition for the boys because it's so universal- the one who wears that costume is representing the spirit of giving. Every nationality on Terra has some custom related to that concept."
"I understand." Nanny murmured. "A lovely and noble thing, giving...so very appropriate for these young men, as they've selflessly given us freedom and hope.” She thought for a moment, then nodded decisively. “There must be something in this castle that we can adapt to the image Coran that has shared with me. I will go at once to find it.”
"You're the best!" Allura gave her governess an impulsive hug. “Thank you so much!”
"Tut, tut, child, no need to thank me, I haven't done anything yet!"
"You'll make it a success, I know you will!"
Nanny's eyes were moist, and she spoke with a bit less than her characteristic briskness. "I certainly vill do my best. I was going to talk to you about those poor boys and how badly they miss their loved ones; I hear things, you know, and it has made my heart ache. When Coran called me in and told me that you had noticed the problem, and he relayed your plan, I was so glad to be a part of it. Ve are quite excited about doing something for them."
The Giving Spirit is present in the Castle of Lions, Allura thought, smiling once again. Everything now depended on whether a costume could be found, but she had a strong feeling that her governess would turn the castle upside down to do it. “I have to check in with Keith and the others now, so I will talk to you later tonight, Nanny."
She gave her governess a final, grateful squeeze and the woman returned the hug before walking her charge to the door.
"Does this 'Giving Spirit' haf a proper name?" Nanny asked, as Allura went into the corridor.
The Princess turned to grin at her. “It's referred to by many names in many languages... but the one I liked best is... 'Santa Claus'."
She tossed the sliding tray on her bed, slipped out of the parka and boots, and then went to her vanity to brush her hair and straighten her circlet. Standing in front of the full- length center mirror, she eyed her ensemble; the long sweater and leggings were just as suitable as the pink jumpsuit, she firmly decided.
The purplish discoloration on her left cheek looked worse than it felt, but now she understood why Lance had felt so badly about the whole incident. A stellar makeup job better take care of it, or Nanny would never let her go outside to play with boys again, she thought humorously, reaching for her basket of cosmetics and expertly choosing the correct concealers for the task.
Five minutes later, and she viewed the results with satisfaction; the bruise was all but invisible. The only way anyone would notice if they got close enough to kiss her...
~Ask me again next time we're alone...~
The recollection of Keith's teasing remark sent a warm cascade of sensation spilling over her, and a second thrill went through her as she relived the kiss.
It was an understatement to say that her world had been well and truly thrown off kilter by experiencing this private side of Keith, a side that was far removed from the impassive, reserved, commanding and politely deferential persona he showed to her and others in public.
And then his mood had shifted abruptly again after she had flirted with Lance; at that point, she was sure he had been jealous of her paying attention to the Red Lion pilot. That realization had brought her an inordinate amount of satisfaction, but now...
The Princess turned away from the mirror at the thought, unwilling to look herself in the eye. Now, she felt badly for being petty enough to be so pleased to have the power to make him jealous that she'd done it on purpose. Game playing wasn't what she wanted in any relationship, and it was bound to adversely affect the team. She would do better for Keith next time, and if she would be so lucky to be kissed by him again, she wouldn't use that to her advantage.
Feeling a bit better for having made the resolution, she strode over to the bed, picked up the serving tray and looked at it in speculation. It was still intact...but as far as she was concerned, it shouldn't be returned to its old methods of use. It had carried Splat Boy, King of the Hills, in his successful quest to conquer Castle Hill. For that reason, it deserved a place of honor.
Allura rang for her chambermaid, when the young woman arrived, she received some precise and gleeful instructions from her monarch, who then swore her to secrecy. With a broad smile, the maid departed to happily do her mistress' bidding. Next, Allura was off to the kitchen to confer with her governess.
As she had hoped, Nanny was already in the midst of working on a special menu for the next day's celebration; the room was filled with bustling people and the heavenly scents of baked pastries and various other treats. The nearest kitchen staff stopped to curtsy or bow to their Princess as she walked in their midst before continuing with their assigned tasks.
As she approached the counter where Nanny presided from a high backed step stool, Allura was delighted to see that her governess actually smiling as she gave some instructions to the notoriously temperamental head chef, who beamed and nodded enthusiastically before returning to his post at the one of the three massive stoves.
"Princess, this is going to be a glorious meal! These Terran dishes sound absolutely delicious, and Jean Paul is so energized, he loves the challenge of creating something new, and making them as authentic as possible!" The older woman enthused after the two finished exchanging hellos.
"I'm glad he approves," the Princess smiled at the handsome chef, who rakishly blew her a kiss from his fingertips as he stirred a concoction. "How is Coran doing with finding the other items?"
"I believe he has obtained everything except the costume you vanted."
Allura felt her heart sink. "Oh no! That's the most vital part of the surprise!"
Nanny patted her arm consolingly as she stepped down from the stool to hand an ingredients list to a waiting maid. "I am sure we can think of something else to do for them."
"I don't know what else that could be. I wanted to have this particular tradition for the boys because it's so universal- the one who wears that costume is representing the spirit of giving. Every nationality on Terra has some custom related to that concept."
"I understand." Nanny murmured. "A lovely and noble thing, giving...so very appropriate for these young men, as they've selflessly given us freedom and hope.” She thought for a moment, then nodded decisively. “There must be something in this castle that we can adapt to the image Coran that has shared with me. I will go at once to find it.”
"You're the best!" Allura gave her governess an impulsive hug. “Thank you so much!”
"Tut, tut, child, no need to thank me, I haven't done anything yet!"
"You'll make it a success, I know you will!"
Nanny's eyes were moist, and she spoke with a bit less than her characteristic briskness. "I certainly vill do my best. I was going to talk to you about those poor boys and how badly they miss their loved ones; I hear things, you know, and it has made my heart ache. When Coran called me in and told me that you had noticed the problem, and he relayed your plan, I was so glad to be a part of it. Ve are quite excited about doing something for them."
The Giving Spirit is present in the Castle of Lions, Allura thought, smiling once again. Everything now depended on whether a costume could be found, but she had a strong feeling that her governess would turn the castle upside down to do it. “I have to check in with Keith and the others now, so I will talk to you later tonight, Nanny."
She gave her governess a final, grateful squeeze and the woman returned the hug before walking her charge to the door.
"Does this 'Giving Spirit' haf a proper name?" Nanny asked, as Allura went into the corridor.
The Princess turned to grin at her. “It's referred to by many names in many languages... but the one I liked best is... 'Santa Claus'."
All had continued to remain quiet in the space around Planet Arus, so the team gathered together once more to enjoy some additional, very precious down time.
The Princess was the last to arrive, with a smile that grew as she looked around at the handsome, sweater and jean clad men. "Hi boys!"
A chorus of masculine voices responded to her greeting, along with some flattering remarks about her appearance from Lance, Hunk and Pidge.
“Thank you.” She said, blushing and trying not to glance at the one man who appeared not to notice her arrival.
Hunk was in the lounge's small kitchen, concocting his special drink. "It'll just be a couple minutes," he announced.
Pidge, who was standing next to his large friend inhaled appreciatively. "I hafta say, Hunk, you always made the best cocoa in the barracks, hands down. Hope you still remember the recipe."
"I may forget my manners, but I never forget a recipe." Hunk said with cheerful assurance. “It's a traditional mix handed down from my grandpa, I hope you're gonna like it, Princess.”
“I know I will.” Allura responded, her eyes shining as she thought of the tradition still to be revealed.
“You seem in an extra good mood, Princess. " Lance observed from the sectional he was sprawled upon. “What's up?”
She shrugged. “Nothing much. I'm just glad to be here.”
"Uh huh, right. And that's why you look like the cat that just got the canary. " Lance turned a smile to his friend sitting opposite him, who had been intently perusing a printout. “I say something's up. What do you think, Keith?”
Keith looked up, dark eyes seeming to take in everything in a glance.
"I think Princess looks great, as usual," he replied gruffly. He didn't add that the clingy red sweater and black leggings suited her and that her smile was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. Instead, he politely stood up to let her scoot between him and the long low table in front of the sectional.
"Thank you Keith." Allura sidled past him and sat down, centering herself precisely between the two lounging men. Lance, on her left, immediately noticed another aspect of her changed appearance that distracted him from his teasing.
"Your bruise is gone!" He exclaimed, sliding over to take a closer look.
"I put on some makeup to hide it," she admitted. "Just in case. I didn't want Nanny to get upset with you."
Lance winced. "Thanks," he mumbled uncomfortably.
"She'll never hear about it from me," Allura told him. “Please don't worry about it.”
Lance sighed. "Now I really owe you! My source better come through with that mistletoe!"
Keith folded the printout he held in half. "It'll be here."
Lance eyed his leader. Keith had insisted on messaging the supply guy as well, saying it would help speed up the process. Something was definitely odd about that, Keith wasn't one to throw his rank around, but as it was to his benefit, who was he to argue? "You sound pretty certain."
"It'll be taken care of, trust me."
The Red Lion pilot gave a thumbs up. "All right."
As Lance let the subject drop, Hunk brought out the steaming mugs of cocoa. “Brew's here. Come and get it!”
Soon the five pilots were seated around the table, mugs in hand.
"So who would like to give a toast?" Allura asked.
"I will," Pidge offered, and stood up. The others held out their beverages as he held the large ceramic mug up in front of his face and spoke in clear, sure tones.
"For friendship, fun, and good clean living, I offer deepest, humblest thanksgiving.
Through thick and thin, good and bad, here's to the greatest friends a guy could have!"
"Hear, hear!" His teammates answered, clacking their mugs together.
"This is wonderful, Hunk!" Allura exclaimed, after sipping her cocoa. The chocolate flavor caressed her taste buds, along with an unknown but very pleasant favoring. "There's something else in there...I'd say mint, but it's a bit stronger...?"
“Definitely stronger.” Hunk said, grinning. "That would be peppermint schnapps." He turned to Pidge. “Sorry, little buddy. Yours is only double chocolate.”
Pidge pouted. “Jeez. I'm old enough to defend the universe, you'd think I could have a splash of schnapps-”
"What is schnapps, anyway?" Allura asked, after taking a second, larger sip.
“It's a liqueur made on Earth.” Keith told her. "And I'd like to know how Hunk managed to get it here without anyone finding out.” He raised an eyebrow at the Yellow Lion pilot.
“Yeah, to think that you've been holding out on your best buddies...” Lance said, regarding Hunk with an expression of mock hurt.
“It just so happens that I also have a go to guy.” Hunk said defensively. “An' I wasn't holding out! Just savin' it for a special occasion!”
“You're an extraordinary, marvelous man for sharing this, Hunk! ” Allura declared, as she hoisted her mug aloft with enthusiasm. “This is heavenly! SKOL!”
“So much for the good clean living!" Lance chortled, raising his mug. “Let the fun begin!”
The Princess was the last to arrive, with a smile that grew as she looked around at the handsome, sweater and jean clad men. "Hi boys!"
A chorus of masculine voices responded to her greeting, along with some flattering remarks about her appearance from Lance, Hunk and Pidge.
“Thank you.” She said, blushing and trying not to glance at the one man who appeared not to notice her arrival.
Hunk was in the lounge's small kitchen, concocting his special drink. "It'll just be a couple minutes," he announced.
Pidge, who was standing next to his large friend inhaled appreciatively. "I hafta say, Hunk, you always made the best cocoa in the barracks, hands down. Hope you still remember the recipe."
"I may forget my manners, but I never forget a recipe." Hunk said with cheerful assurance. “It's a traditional mix handed down from my grandpa, I hope you're gonna like it, Princess.”
“I know I will.” Allura responded, her eyes shining as she thought of the tradition still to be revealed.
“You seem in an extra good mood, Princess. " Lance observed from the sectional he was sprawled upon. “What's up?”
She shrugged. “Nothing much. I'm just glad to be here.”
"Uh huh, right. And that's why you look like the cat that just got the canary. " Lance turned a smile to his friend sitting opposite him, who had been intently perusing a printout. “I say something's up. What do you think, Keith?”
Keith looked up, dark eyes seeming to take in everything in a glance.
"I think Princess looks great, as usual," he replied gruffly. He didn't add that the clingy red sweater and black leggings suited her and that her smile was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. Instead, he politely stood up to let her scoot between him and the long low table in front of the sectional.
"Thank you Keith." Allura sidled past him and sat down, centering herself precisely between the two lounging men. Lance, on her left, immediately noticed another aspect of her changed appearance that distracted him from his teasing.
"Your bruise is gone!" He exclaimed, sliding over to take a closer look.
"I put on some makeup to hide it," she admitted. "Just in case. I didn't want Nanny to get upset with you."
Lance winced. "Thanks," he mumbled uncomfortably.
"She'll never hear about it from me," Allura told him. “Please don't worry about it.”
Lance sighed. "Now I really owe you! My source better come through with that mistletoe!"
Keith folded the printout he held in half. "It'll be here."
Lance eyed his leader. Keith had insisted on messaging the supply guy as well, saying it would help speed up the process. Something was definitely odd about that, Keith wasn't one to throw his rank around, but as it was to his benefit, who was he to argue? "You sound pretty certain."
"It'll be taken care of, trust me."
The Red Lion pilot gave a thumbs up. "All right."
As Lance let the subject drop, Hunk brought out the steaming mugs of cocoa. “Brew's here. Come and get it!”
Soon the five pilots were seated around the table, mugs in hand.
"So who would like to give a toast?" Allura asked.
"I will," Pidge offered, and stood up. The others held out their beverages as he held the large ceramic mug up in front of his face and spoke in clear, sure tones.
"For friendship, fun, and good clean living, I offer deepest, humblest thanksgiving.
Through thick and thin, good and bad, here's to the greatest friends a guy could have!"
"Hear, hear!" His teammates answered, clacking their mugs together.
"This is wonderful, Hunk!" Allura exclaimed, after sipping her cocoa. The chocolate flavor caressed her taste buds, along with an unknown but very pleasant favoring. "There's something else in there...I'd say mint, but it's a bit stronger...?"
“Definitely stronger.” Hunk said, grinning. "That would be peppermint schnapps." He turned to Pidge. “Sorry, little buddy. Yours is only double chocolate.”
Pidge pouted. “Jeez. I'm old enough to defend the universe, you'd think I could have a splash of schnapps-”
"What is schnapps, anyway?" Allura asked, after taking a second, larger sip.
“It's a liqueur made on Earth.” Keith told her. "And I'd like to know how Hunk managed to get it here without anyone finding out.” He raised an eyebrow at the Yellow Lion pilot.
“Yeah, to think that you've been holding out on your best buddies...” Lance said, regarding Hunk with an expression of mock hurt.
“It just so happens that I also have a go to guy.” Hunk said defensively. “An' I wasn't holding out! Just savin' it for a special occasion!”
“You're an extraordinary, marvelous man for sharing this, Hunk! ” Allura declared, as she hoisted her mug aloft with enthusiasm. “This is heavenly! SKOL!”
“So much for the good clean living!" Lance chortled, raising his mug. “Let the fun begin!”
Author's Warning: adult situations/conversation.
"So what's bad about schnapps?" Allura inquired, as she took a healthy sip of what Hunk had just termed a 'Peppermint Patty'.
"Nothing at all, when taken in moderation," Keith informed her dryly. "It's a kind of liquor."
The Princess looked down at her mug. Alcohol? That certainly explained the increasing warmth inside her. As she took another healthy swallow, a thought struck her. "What about you, Pidge? Don't tell me you were drinking liquor when you were at the Academy!"
The boy grinned. "Don't worry. I didn't and don't! Hunk always makes mine a virgin."
As Allura turned scarlet, a general smile of embarrassment was exchanged between the others.
Pidge gulped and quickly added, "That means mine doesn't have any alcohol in it, Princess. I'm sorry!"
She smiled and nodded, and quickly took another swallow of cocoa to hide her discomfiture.
"Real smooth, twerp," Lance murmured to the mortified Green Lion pilot.
"At least I didn't smack her one!" The youth retorted. His teammate lost his smile and sat back, vanquished for the moment.
Hunk snickered loudly, earning a glare from both Lance and Pidge.
Ever the diplomat, Keith quickly changed the subject. "So what were you smiling about when you came in, Princess? It looked like you were quite happy about something."
She blinked at him uncomprehendingly, and then an amused but wary look crept into her eyes. "Oh, I was just thinking of some things I have to do."
"Oh?" The Black Lion pilot asked innocently. "Anything we can help you with?"
"Nope!" She said cheerfully. "It's all under control." As Keith raised an eyebrow, she covered her mouth and giggled. "Whoops! Pardon my rudeness. I should have said, no thank you, it's all under control."
"What's under control?" Hunk asked, smiling at the Princess.
She just shook her head and wagged a finger at him. "Nuh-uh, it's girl stuff. I'm not telling." She laughed a little more, leaning back against the sectional in a manner Nanny would have found unbecoming to her charge's royal status.
~Everything's under control but you, Allura!~ Keith thought in amusement, seeing the flush on her face and the sparkling eyes. "Maybe you'd better slow down on the cocoa," he suggested, carefully.
That sobered her for a moment. Eyes flashing, she stared at him. "Don't worry Captain, I can hold my liquor. Just. Fine." She waved the mug for emphasis on the last two words, almost baptizing the chuckling Lance in a river of chocolate. Keith hid a grin at the sudden consternation on her face as she helplessly watched the mug slipping from her grasp.
"Whoa!" The Red Lion pilot quickly grabbed the mug before it could tip. "Hunk, why don't you go make her a straight cup, huh?"
"Right!" The big man rose and left them to do just that.
"Is he going to get me a 'virgin'?" Allura asked Keith, her expression very serious.
Lance clapped a hand over his mouth and turned away as spasms of silent laughter shook his gut. Pidge inelegantly spit out his last mouthful of cocoa.
Keith bit down on his tongue, hard, to keep from chuckling. She was just too cute. Not out and out drunk, just a little...uninhibited. "Uh, yeah. If you're not used to drinking schnapps, the effect of it can really sneak up on you. It's best to go slow and easy your first time."
"You are speaking from personal experience?" She asked solemnly.
He felt himself flush. "Uh...well..."
Lance laughed heartily at the innuendo, and winked at Keith. Having had consumed more than his share of schnapps, he also was feeling quite loose. "Of course he is, Keith is an expert when it comes to-"
"Shut up, Lance!"
Keith's bark and fierce glare told his best friend the storm clouds were brewing. "Aye aye, Captain!" Lance mumbled, turning away from Allura.
"No tell me!" Allura said, looking from man to man to Splat Boy, whose boyish face was red from suppressed laughter. "When it comes to what, Pidge?"
As the Captain's steely gaze turned upon him, the Green Lion pilot was no longer so amused. "Ah, nothing. Nothing worth mentioning," was his disappointing reply.
The Princess trained her eyes on Lance, who looked like he was dying to reveal the information.
"Speak, and regret." Keith said to him, with a smile that was more of a baring of teeth.
"Sorry. Don't look at me, I value my life!" Lance said to Allura.
"Keith?" The limpid blue gaze turned to him, playfully cajoling. "Come on. You must have some stories you can share!"
"Nothing you would find interesting, " he told her firmly.
The Princess' smile was warm and expansive, as was the hand she placed on his knee. "Captain, I find everything about you fascinating."
Keith felt his mouth hanging open and shut it with a snap.
Lance smiled into his cup. "My, my...that's a pretty fascinating statement! Maybe we should leave you two alone to discuss it." He took another swig of his brew.
Hunk, who up until now had stood by and observed the scene without comment, decided to interrupt. The Chief definitely looked like he needed backup.
"Here you go, Princess." He handed her a new mug, with a flourish. To Keith's relief, Allura's hand was now holding a mug instead of his knee.
The Princess smiled up at her brawny friend. "Thank you! You are so sweet, Hunk. And may I say, really cute, too." She scrunched her face up in a puzzled look." Why hasn't some lucky woman snapped you up yet?"
He ran a hand over his blush, and chuckled. "I don't know, guess no one knows a good thing when they see it."
"I do," Allura said, smiling impishly as her eyes ran over his ruggedly handsome features and broad shoulders.
Hunk's eyebrows shot up to his ever- present headband. He ran a nervous hand through his tousled hair. "Gee, Princess...I...don't know what to say. Thanks for the compliment."
He shot a wide-eyed look at his Captain.
"Okay, I think maybe we had better think about going over the workout itinerary for tomorrow," Keith suggested uneasily. Nothing in his training had prepared him for dealing with a tipsy, flirtatious Princess. She was a definitely loose cannon right now, fully loaded and ready to shoot. He had to stop her. "Shall we start with the morning shift?"
The rest of the men hastily agreed after he tossed them a pleading glance.
The Princess pouted prettily, but grudgingly complied.
As he had hoped, the routine conversation seemed to put a damper on Allura's hi-jinks. She sat quietly and even asked some very pertinent questions at one point. Evidently she wasn't as far gone as they had thought.
After the discussion, it was almost time for the party to break up.
The Princess waved off Hunk and Pidge when they started to collect the mugs. "I'll clean up, it's the least I can do after you guys included me in your fun. You go and enjoy the rest of your down time. I know you must have letters to write."
"Thanks Princess," they said, with broad smiles, and followed her order.
"I'd help, but I need to go and finish some paperwork," Lance informed her with regret. He had fought off the effects of three cocoas but was feeling rather sleepy. "Then I think I might take a little nap before supper." A huge yawn split his face and he wobbled a little.
Allura grinned at him. "Yes, sleep it off before Nanny finds out."
Lance made a face at her, laughed quietly, and gave Keith a sly nudge of the elbow as he walked by. "Better stay and make sure she's okay, Chief. Demon alcohol has this affect of making women lose their sense of propriety."
The Captain nodded, his expression impassive. Nevertheless, the Red Lion pilot was smiling as he exited, making sure he shut the doors behind him.
Keith rolled his eyes at the sound of the closing panels. Subtlety was never one of Lance's strong points.
Allura bent down to load the serving tray, for the moment unaware there was one person that hadn't left. She hummed a nameless tune under her breath as she gathered the mugs, one by one, and then wiped the table with a soft cloth Pidge had brought her from the kitchen.
She smiled in satisfaction as she worked. At last, she could really get rolling on decorating this place, it had just occurred to her upon entering this room that it was their refuge, their home away from home, and therefore, a perfect place for the gift opening and the tree. After she cleaned up, she would call Coran and tell him to have the tree brought down here, and then...as thoughts whirled around in the scheming Princess' head, she automatically bent to lift the large platter off the table. She immediately gave a loud gasp upon hoisting it upward; the mugs were heavier than she had thought! Her arms shook with the effort of keeping it aloft.
"Here, let me carry that," a husky voice said, close to her ear.
She gave a violent start and the mugs clattered together as her body jerked in surprise. Two strong arms came quickly around her to steady and level off the sliding tray.
"Keith, I thought you left with the others." She puffed, freezing in place as his body's warmth wrapped around her.
"Sorry, I just wanted to hang around to make sure you were all right." He replied, his words caressing the hair at her temple. "I've got it, you can let go."
Allura slowly released the death grip she had on the tray and ducked down and out of his arms. "Thanks, but I can handle this." She informed him, while reaching out for the dishes. "Believe it or not, Nanny has seen to it that I'm not lacking in skill when it comes to household duties."
Keith smiled blandly in response and walked right past her toward the kitchen, carrying the burden is if weighed next to nothing.
"I said I can do it," she repeated, following him. "Contrary to what you may think, I am not drunk."
"I know." He set the tray down on the small counter and began unloading the mugs into the sink. Discarding the tray, he opened the cupboard below, and located dish soap. " I just wanted to help."
"Don't you have some reports to write?" Allura asked him, somewhat rudely. How was she going to get anything done for the celebration while he was around?
"Already did them." He replied with infuriating calm, while turning on the tap. He set the plug in the drain and squeezed in a generous amount of soap; then stepped back to wait for the sink to fill. His warm brown eyes finally met hers, and his expression was one of mischief. "What's the matter Princess? I thought you'd like it if I stayed, since you find me so...fascinating."
Oddly, a very slight rise in color was the only reaction he got to his teasing.
"Well of course I do, but I am sure you have better things to do with your time than washing dishes, Keith." She replied coolly.
Her lack of response brought out his wolfish side. "I can't think of anything I 'd rather do at the moment." His gaze lowered to her mouth. "Well, maybe one or two things," he amended silkily.
Allura looked away, swallowed hard, and wiped suddenly damp palms along her thighs. She could was aware of his eyes tracing her profile, and she tensed as she sensed them lowering to trail down her body. Yes, that was better. She was definitely aware of him now.
"I see." She murmured.
"No, I don't think you do," he said, his tone suddenly ragged. His arm lifted, making her jump; he crooked an eyebrow at her skittishness as he reached right past her to shut off the faucet. The silence between them was deafening when the gush of water was stopped.
She finally risked turning to look at him. He faced her, one lean hip resting against the counter, his arms folded across his muscled chest. Her eyes rose to his face and took in the strong jaw line, the classic shape of his nose and mouth, the long, glossy hair, black as a raven's wing.
"So what don't I see?" She asked, as their eyes made contact.
"This," he answered, uncrossing his arms. Gently he reached for her hands and placed then on his chest, over his heart. Beneath the cream cable knitting, Allura could feel the warmth of his skin and the rapid pounding of his heart. She closed her eyes and her breathing became stilted.
"Every time you're near me, this is what happens." He informed her in a deep voice. "I'm not sure what to do about it."
"Me either," she half-whispered. Her eyes opened, and he could see the longing that she didn't even try to hide. "Maybe if you..."
Before she could finish the thought, his mouth was on hers.
"Nothing at all, when taken in moderation," Keith informed her dryly. "It's a kind of liquor."
The Princess looked down at her mug. Alcohol? That certainly explained the increasing warmth inside her. As she took another healthy swallow, a thought struck her. "What about you, Pidge? Don't tell me you were drinking liquor when you were at the Academy!"
The boy grinned. "Don't worry. I didn't and don't! Hunk always makes mine a virgin."
As Allura turned scarlet, a general smile of embarrassment was exchanged between the others.
Pidge gulped and quickly added, "That means mine doesn't have any alcohol in it, Princess. I'm sorry!"
She smiled and nodded, and quickly took another swallow of cocoa to hide her discomfiture.
"Real smooth, twerp," Lance murmured to the mortified Green Lion pilot.
"At least I didn't smack her one!" The youth retorted. His teammate lost his smile and sat back, vanquished for the moment.
Hunk snickered loudly, earning a glare from both Lance and Pidge.
Ever the diplomat, Keith quickly changed the subject. "So what were you smiling about when you came in, Princess? It looked like you were quite happy about something."
She blinked at him uncomprehendingly, and then an amused but wary look crept into her eyes. "Oh, I was just thinking of some things I have to do."
"Oh?" The Black Lion pilot asked innocently. "Anything we can help you with?"
"Nope!" She said cheerfully. "It's all under control." As Keith raised an eyebrow, she covered her mouth and giggled. "Whoops! Pardon my rudeness. I should have said, no thank you, it's all under control."
"What's under control?" Hunk asked, smiling at the Princess.
She just shook her head and wagged a finger at him. "Nuh-uh, it's girl stuff. I'm not telling." She laughed a little more, leaning back against the sectional in a manner Nanny would have found unbecoming to her charge's royal status.
~Everything's under control but you, Allura!~ Keith thought in amusement, seeing the flush on her face and the sparkling eyes. "Maybe you'd better slow down on the cocoa," he suggested, carefully.
That sobered her for a moment. Eyes flashing, she stared at him. "Don't worry Captain, I can hold my liquor. Just. Fine." She waved the mug for emphasis on the last two words, almost baptizing the chuckling Lance in a river of chocolate. Keith hid a grin at the sudden consternation on her face as she helplessly watched the mug slipping from her grasp.
"Whoa!" The Red Lion pilot quickly grabbed the mug before it could tip. "Hunk, why don't you go make her a straight cup, huh?"
"Right!" The big man rose and left them to do just that.
"Is he going to get me a 'virgin'?" Allura asked Keith, her expression very serious.
Lance clapped a hand over his mouth and turned away as spasms of silent laughter shook his gut. Pidge inelegantly spit out his last mouthful of cocoa.
Keith bit down on his tongue, hard, to keep from chuckling. She was just too cute. Not out and out drunk, just a little...uninhibited. "Uh, yeah. If you're not used to drinking schnapps, the effect of it can really sneak up on you. It's best to go slow and easy your first time."
"You are speaking from personal experience?" She asked solemnly.
He felt himself flush. "Uh...well..."
Lance laughed heartily at the innuendo, and winked at Keith. Having had consumed more than his share of schnapps, he also was feeling quite loose. "Of course he is, Keith is an expert when it comes to-"
"Shut up, Lance!"
Keith's bark and fierce glare told his best friend the storm clouds were brewing. "Aye aye, Captain!" Lance mumbled, turning away from Allura.
"No tell me!" Allura said, looking from man to man to Splat Boy, whose boyish face was red from suppressed laughter. "When it comes to what, Pidge?"
As the Captain's steely gaze turned upon him, the Green Lion pilot was no longer so amused. "Ah, nothing. Nothing worth mentioning," was his disappointing reply.
The Princess trained her eyes on Lance, who looked like he was dying to reveal the information.
"Speak, and regret." Keith said to him, with a smile that was more of a baring of teeth.
"Sorry. Don't look at me, I value my life!" Lance said to Allura.
"Keith?" The limpid blue gaze turned to him, playfully cajoling. "Come on. You must have some stories you can share!"
"Nothing you would find interesting, " he told her firmly.
The Princess' smile was warm and expansive, as was the hand she placed on his knee. "Captain, I find everything about you fascinating."
Keith felt his mouth hanging open and shut it with a snap.
Lance smiled into his cup. "My, my...that's a pretty fascinating statement! Maybe we should leave you two alone to discuss it." He took another swig of his brew.
Hunk, who up until now had stood by and observed the scene without comment, decided to interrupt. The Chief definitely looked like he needed backup.
"Here you go, Princess." He handed her a new mug, with a flourish. To Keith's relief, Allura's hand was now holding a mug instead of his knee.
The Princess smiled up at her brawny friend. "Thank you! You are so sweet, Hunk. And may I say, really cute, too." She scrunched her face up in a puzzled look." Why hasn't some lucky woman snapped you up yet?"
He ran a hand over his blush, and chuckled. "I don't know, guess no one knows a good thing when they see it."
"I do," Allura said, smiling impishly as her eyes ran over his ruggedly handsome features and broad shoulders.
Hunk's eyebrows shot up to his ever- present headband. He ran a nervous hand through his tousled hair. "Gee, Princess...I...don't know what to say. Thanks for the compliment."
He shot a wide-eyed look at his Captain.
"Okay, I think maybe we had better think about going over the workout itinerary for tomorrow," Keith suggested uneasily. Nothing in his training had prepared him for dealing with a tipsy, flirtatious Princess. She was a definitely loose cannon right now, fully loaded and ready to shoot. He had to stop her. "Shall we start with the morning shift?"
The rest of the men hastily agreed after he tossed them a pleading glance.
The Princess pouted prettily, but grudgingly complied.
As he had hoped, the routine conversation seemed to put a damper on Allura's hi-jinks. She sat quietly and even asked some very pertinent questions at one point. Evidently she wasn't as far gone as they had thought.
After the discussion, it was almost time for the party to break up.
The Princess waved off Hunk and Pidge when they started to collect the mugs. "I'll clean up, it's the least I can do after you guys included me in your fun. You go and enjoy the rest of your down time. I know you must have letters to write."
"Thanks Princess," they said, with broad smiles, and followed her order.
"I'd help, but I need to go and finish some paperwork," Lance informed her with regret. He had fought off the effects of three cocoas but was feeling rather sleepy. "Then I think I might take a little nap before supper." A huge yawn split his face and he wobbled a little.
Allura grinned at him. "Yes, sleep it off before Nanny finds out."
Lance made a face at her, laughed quietly, and gave Keith a sly nudge of the elbow as he walked by. "Better stay and make sure she's okay, Chief. Demon alcohol has this affect of making women lose their sense of propriety."
The Captain nodded, his expression impassive. Nevertheless, the Red Lion pilot was smiling as he exited, making sure he shut the doors behind him.
Keith rolled his eyes at the sound of the closing panels. Subtlety was never one of Lance's strong points.
Allura bent down to load the serving tray, for the moment unaware there was one person that hadn't left. She hummed a nameless tune under her breath as she gathered the mugs, one by one, and then wiped the table with a soft cloth Pidge had brought her from the kitchen.
She smiled in satisfaction as she worked. At last, she could really get rolling on decorating this place, it had just occurred to her upon entering this room that it was their refuge, their home away from home, and therefore, a perfect place for the gift opening and the tree. After she cleaned up, she would call Coran and tell him to have the tree brought down here, and then...as thoughts whirled around in the scheming Princess' head, she automatically bent to lift the large platter off the table. She immediately gave a loud gasp upon hoisting it upward; the mugs were heavier than she had thought! Her arms shook with the effort of keeping it aloft.
"Here, let me carry that," a husky voice said, close to her ear.
She gave a violent start and the mugs clattered together as her body jerked in surprise. Two strong arms came quickly around her to steady and level off the sliding tray.
"Keith, I thought you left with the others." She puffed, freezing in place as his body's warmth wrapped around her.
"Sorry, I just wanted to hang around to make sure you were all right." He replied, his words caressing the hair at her temple. "I've got it, you can let go."
Allura slowly released the death grip she had on the tray and ducked down and out of his arms. "Thanks, but I can handle this." She informed him, while reaching out for the dishes. "Believe it or not, Nanny has seen to it that I'm not lacking in skill when it comes to household duties."
Keith smiled blandly in response and walked right past her toward the kitchen, carrying the burden is if weighed next to nothing.
"I said I can do it," she repeated, following him. "Contrary to what you may think, I am not drunk."
"I know." He set the tray down on the small counter and began unloading the mugs into the sink. Discarding the tray, he opened the cupboard below, and located dish soap. " I just wanted to help."
"Don't you have some reports to write?" Allura asked him, somewhat rudely. How was she going to get anything done for the celebration while he was around?
"Already did them." He replied with infuriating calm, while turning on the tap. He set the plug in the drain and squeezed in a generous amount of soap; then stepped back to wait for the sink to fill. His warm brown eyes finally met hers, and his expression was one of mischief. "What's the matter Princess? I thought you'd like it if I stayed, since you find me so...fascinating."
Oddly, a very slight rise in color was the only reaction he got to his teasing.
"Well of course I do, but I am sure you have better things to do with your time than washing dishes, Keith." She replied coolly.
Her lack of response brought out his wolfish side. "I can't think of anything I 'd rather do at the moment." His gaze lowered to her mouth. "Well, maybe one or two things," he amended silkily.
Allura looked away, swallowed hard, and wiped suddenly damp palms along her thighs. She could was aware of his eyes tracing her profile, and she tensed as she sensed them lowering to trail down her body. Yes, that was better. She was definitely aware of him now.
"I see." She murmured.
"No, I don't think you do," he said, his tone suddenly ragged. His arm lifted, making her jump; he crooked an eyebrow at her skittishness as he reached right past her to shut off the faucet. The silence between them was deafening when the gush of water was stopped.
She finally risked turning to look at him. He faced her, one lean hip resting against the counter, his arms folded across his muscled chest. Her eyes rose to his face and took in the strong jaw line, the classic shape of his nose and mouth, the long, glossy hair, black as a raven's wing.
"So what don't I see?" She asked, as their eyes made contact.
"This," he answered, uncrossing his arms. Gently he reached for her hands and placed then on his chest, over his heart. Beneath the cream cable knitting, Allura could feel the warmth of his skin and the rapid pounding of his heart. She closed her eyes and her breathing became stilted.
"Every time you're near me, this is what happens." He informed her in a deep voice. "I'm not sure what to do about it."
"Me either," she half-whispered. Her eyes opened, and he could see the longing that she didn't even try to hide. "Maybe if you..."
Before she could finish the thought, his mouth was on hers.
Keith felt his discontent and reserve melt away as Allura's mouth yielded sweetly to the pressure of his. He was perfectly content to take his time, to savor her taste, texture and the moment. Her lips were partially closed, but at his coaxing, they opened. As his tongue tip sought hers, he released her hands, his fingers and palms found the curves of her waist, moved around to the small of her back. With gentle insistence, he exerted pressure, pulling her forward until their bodies were touching from shoulders to thighs, softly blending as if someone had come by and erased the lines that defined where his body began and hers ended.
Without a jacket and parka as barriers, the feel of their bodies making contact was intoxicating. Allura's fingers fanned out over his chest, and then slid upwards to his shoulders where the ends of his hair teased her fingertips. She played with the silky strands while reveling in the warmth of his parted lips, and the very nearness of him.
Powerful thighs brushed against hers, and then pushed slightly forward to maintain the connection; Allura gladly returned the pressure, while she curled her fingers into the soft bulkiness of his sweater. Keith's stance widened, and almost instantaneously she felt his most intimate parts nestled against her. Blood running hot, she gasped and pressed even nearer; his torso was hard, yet inviting, and felt so good against hers that she let out a throaty moan.
She felt him smile against her mouth, then clutched at his shoulders for dear life as he swiftly deepened their kiss by sliding the full length of his tongue against hers. His head moved in time to the strokes of his tongue, and she paralleled the motion, while her fingers burrowed into his sweater, holding on as her knees started to give way. Hard muscled arms locked behind her back to keep her in his embrace and he turned, bringing the two of them around so that his backside rested against the counter top, and she was leaning into him. Never once did their lips part as he did this. Due to the changed angle of contact, Allura could feel the deliciously rough sensation of stubble grazing her chin and the sides of her mouth. She shivered, loving the tactile contrast with the smooth glide of his tongue against hers.
Long moments ticked by as they kissed, again and again, unmindful of anything or anyone that might trespass into that refuge.
The noisy shifting of the mugs floating in the soap and water filled sink finally sliced into heedless bliss. Allura tried to gently withdraw, giggling softly as his mouth pursued hers and maintained a connection by virtue of his tongue, which curled upwards to touch and delicately trace her upper lip.
Regretfully she angled her head away from those entrancing male lips, knowing that she had work to do, but hating herself for remembering that she did. Somehow, she forced her vocal cords to perform, though the bedroom eyes gazing imploringly down at her did their best to rob her of the power of speech. "Keith, I'm afraid I must- oh!"
A soft gasp forced its way out of her throat when he lowered his head and his seeking lips trailed across her cheekbone to find her ear and the hollow below it, before burying his face in the curve of her shoulder. His glorious hair brushed lightly against her cheek; powerless to resist temptation, she turned to hide her mouth and nose in the soft black mass that had slipped forward between his neck and shoulder. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply; the sleek strands smelled of fresh air and a deliciously spicy scent that she felt sure was pure Keith. With a contented sigh, she slowly tipped her head back, acutely conscious of the hot mouth that was now exploring her jaw line, and the persuasive hands that firmly pressed into her back. Her arms slid up and crossed behind his neck as she surrendered to sensation, all thoughts of duty banished from her mind.
"Your skin is so soft," he murmured against her jaw.
"So is your hair." She breathed.
"The Garrison says I need to cut it." He confessed, as he nuzzled her other ear. "It's not regulation."
"Don't you listen to them," she moaned, as his tongue caressed her earlobe. "It's perfect the way it is."
"I dunno. It's a lot of work. And it's always mussed up." He chuckled. "I was thinking a hair cut might actually be a good thing."
Allura stilled. Her eyes flew open, and her hands suddenly delved into raven black strands, using them to tug at his head until they were face to face and she was glaring into amused brown eyes.
"I forbid you to cut it." She said, in her most Princess-like tones.
His gaze held amusement, but it had sharpened. "That sounds an awful lot like like a royal command."
"Not a command." She denied. "It's more of a strongly worded request."
He smirked. "Forbid isn't used in a request, Princess. Ask politely, like your Nanny taught you."
She tried to pull away then, but the muscular arms locked around her held steady, preventing an escape. Giving up the brief struggle, she stared at a point somewhere beyond his left ear. After a dramatic pause, she asked in a sticky-sweet voice, "Captain Keith, I confess that your mane of flowing, lustrous hair pleases me greatly. Would you grant me the favor of not cutting it?"
"You forgot to say please." He reminded her.
"All right! Would you please grant me the favor of not cutting off your hair!" She huffed.
"I'll have to think about it and get back to you." He drawled.
She opened her mouth, and shut it with a snap when she saw the broad grin on his face. Her indignant expression and puckered up mouth caused Keith to shake with laughter. "You can be the most aggravating man..." She sputtered, and pushed ineffectively against his chest, making him laugh harder. Really, he was too much- kissing her passionately one minute, laughing at her the next!
"Go ahead! Laugh all you want!" She informed him, eyes bright with mischief. "You're going to have to let me go, you can't hold on to me forever!"
Her words had the effect of flipping an off switch. Keith had stopped laughing. A frown creased his brow and his arms tightened. Allura reached down to tug at the bands of steel that were holding her captive. "Keith? Are you all right? You're squeezing me a bit too hard..."
Remorse flickered in the dark depths of his gaze as it turned to her, but he was silent as let her go.
Now that the warmth encircling her body was gone, she felt sharp the pang of loss and wished she hadn't complained. "Keith? Is something wrong?"
His mouth was a straight line as he looked down at her. "I'm sorry for hanging on to you like that. It's just... there have been so many times I've had to let you go when I didn't want to."
"Oh Keith." On impulse, she went on tip toes, and kissed him on the cheek. "I'm not going anywhere. I'll always be here for you, whenever you need me."
A smile had reappeared in his eyes, and she breathed a sigh of relief. Calloused hands tenderly cupped her face. He bent his head, and with half-lowered eyelids, she waited with bated breath for the touch of his mouth. Instead, he softly rubbed his nose back and forth across hers, once, twice, three times, before drawing away.
"There."
Her eyes opened wide. "What...was that?"
"You've just been given an authentic Eskimo kiss."
She blinked up at him in mystification. "Eskimo kiss?"
"You knew I'm from Alaska." He reminded her.
She nodded.
"Well, I have Inuit ancestry...and the Inuit were often referred to as Eskimos. It's sort of a tradition among the Inuit to rub noses to express affection..hence the term, 'Eskimo kiss'."
"It's a lovely tradition-" Allura began, then broke off. Tradition! The celebration! She had to get moving or it would never come together the way she wanted it to! "Um. I just remembered something."
Realizing their romantic idyll had ended, Keith released her hands. "You have to go?"
"I'm so sorry. I've been working on something with Coran and we're supposed to meet." Her words and expression reflected the depth of the regret she felt in having to call an end to their fun.
"Don't worry!" He assured her. "I have some paperwork to finish, stuff I left hanging to go play in the snow."
"Are you sorry you did?"
"Heck no." He replied, smiling. "I needed a morale boost." He eyed her mischievously. "And since you have to leave, how about a little booster shot to tide me over?"
His eyes glinted as she skillfully avoided his grasp. "Better say please." She teased, laughing as she allowed him to rope her in with an arm. "All right. A little boost... it has to be quick, Coran is going to be looking for me-"
Right on cue, the door to the lounge slid open, and an unmistakable voice calling out a greeting announced the presence of Allura's guardian. Although Coran couldn't see them until he came around the corner, Keith and Allura guiltily jumped apart and began to busy themselves with the dishes.
Allura glanced at Keith, and did a double take of alarm as she noted the broad streak of foundation on the shoulder of his cream colored sweater. She wordlessly pointed at the telltale smudge.
He looked down, and his brow furrowed as he took stock of the problem. Reacting quickly, he lunged to grab a nearby dishtowel, flinging it over his shoulder to hide the stains.
"Keep washing!" He whispered urgently.
Without a jacket and parka as barriers, the feel of their bodies making contact was intoxicating. Allura's fingers fanned out over his chest, and then slid upwards to his shoulders where the ends of his hair teased her fingertips. She played with the silky strands while reveling in the warmth of his parted lips, and the very nearness of him.
Powerful thighs brushed against hers, and then pushed slightly forward to maintain the connection; Allura gladly returned the pressure, while she curled her fingers into the soft bulkiness of his sweater. Keith's stance widened, and almost instantaneously she felt his most intimate parts nestled against her. Blood running hot, she gasped and pressed even nearer; his torso was hard, yet inviting, and felt so good against hers that she let out a throaty moan.
She felt him smile against her mouth, then clutched at his shoulders for dear life as he swiftly deepened their kiss by sliding the full length of his tongue against hers. His head moved in time to the strokes of his tongue, and she paralleled the motion, while her fingers burrowed into his sweater, holding on as her knees started to give way. Hard muscled arms locked behind her back to keep her in his embrace and he turned, bringing the two of them around so that his backside rested against the counter top, and she was leaning into him. Never once did their lips part as he did this. Due to the changed angle of contact, Allura could feel the deliciously rough sensation of stubble grazing her chin and the sides of her mouth. She shivered, loving the tactile contrast with the smooth glide of his tongue against hers.
Long moments ticked by as they kissed, again and again, unmindful of anything or anyone that might trespass into that refuge.
The noisy shifting of the mugs floating in the soap and water filled sink finally sliced into heedless bliss. Allura tried to gently withdraw, giggling softly as his mouth pursued hers and maintained a connection by virtue of his tongue, which curled upwards to touch and delicately trace her upper lip.
Regretfully she angled her head away from those entrancing male lips, knowing that she had work to do, but hating herself for remembering that she did. Somehow, she forced her vocal cords to perform, though the bedroom eyes gazing imploringly down at her did their best to rob her of the power of speech. "Keith, I'm afraid I must- oh!"
A soft gasp forced its way out of her throat when he lowered his head and his seeking lips trailed across her cheekbone to find her ear and the hollow below it, before burying his face in the curve of her shoulder. His glorious hair brushed lightly against her cheek; powerless to resist temptation, she turned to hide her mouth and nose in the soft black mass that had slipped forward between his neck and shoulder. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply; the sleek strands smelled of fresh air and a deliciously spicy scent that she felt sure was pure Keith. With a contented sigh, she slowly tipped her head back, acutely conscious of the hot mouth that was now exploring her jaw line, and the persuasive hands that firmly pressed into her back. Her arms slid up and crossed behind his neck as she surrendered to sensation, all thoughts of duty banished from her mind.
"Your skin is so soft," he murmured against her jaw.
"So is your hair." She breathed.
"The Garrison says I need to cut it." He confessed, as he nuzzled her other ear. "It's not regulation."
"Don't you listen to them," she moaned, as his tongue caressed her earlobe. "It's perfect the way it is."
"I dunno. It's a lot of work. And it's always mussed up." He chuckled. "I was thinking a hair cut might actually be a good thing."
Allura stilled. Her eyes flew open, and her hands suddenly delved into raven black strands, using them to tug at his head until they were face to face and she was glaring into amused brown eyes.
"I forbid you to cut it." She said, in her most Princess-like tones.
His gaze held amusement, but it had sharpened. "That sounds an awful lot like like a royal command."
"Not a command." She denied. "It's more of a strongly worded request."
He smirked. "Forbid isn't used in a request, Princess. Ask politely, like your Nanny taught you."
She tried to pull away then, but the muscular arms locked around her held steady, preventing an escape. Giving up the brief struggle, she stared at a point somewhere beyond his left ear. After a dramatic pause, she asked in a sticky-sweet voice, "Captain Keith, I confess that your mane of flowing, lustrous hair pleases me greatly. Would you grant me the favor of not cutting it?"
"You forgot to say please." He reminded her.
"All right! Would you please grant me the favor of not cutting off your hair!" She huffed.
"I'll have to think about it and get back to you." He drawled.
She opened her mouth, and shut it with a snap when she saw the broad grin on his face. Her indignant expression and puckered up mouth caused Keith to shake with laughter. "You can be the most aggravating man..." She sputtered, and pushed ineffectively against his chest, making him laugh harder. Really, he was too much- kissing her passionately one minute, laughing at her the next!
"Go ahead! Laugh all you want!" She informed him, eyes bright with mischief. "You're going to have to let me go, you can't hold on to me forever!"
Her words had the effect of flipping an off switch. Keith had stopped laughing. A frown creased his brow and his arms tightened. Allura reached down to tug at the bands of steel that were holding her captive. "Keith? Are you all right? You're squeezing me a bit too hard..."
Remorse flickered in the dark depths of his gaze as it turned to her, but he was silent as let her go.
Now that the warmth encircling her body was gone, she felt sharp the pang of loss and wished she hadn't complained. "Keith? Is something wrong?"
His mouth was a straight line as he looked down at her. "I'm sorry for hanging on to you like that. It's just... there have been so many times I've had to let you go when I didn't want to."
"Oh Keith." On impulse, she went on tip toes, and kissed him on the cheek. "I'm not going anywhere. I'll always be here for you, whenever you need me."
A smile had reappeared in his eyes, and she breathed a sigh of relief. Calloused hands tenderly cupped her face. He bent his head, and with half-lowered eyelids, she waited with bated breath for the touch of his mouth. Instead, he softly rubbed his nose back and forth across hers, once, twice, three times, before drawing away.
"There."
Her eyes opened wide. "What...was that?"
"You've just been given an authentic Eskimo kiss."
She blinked up at him in mystification. "Eskimo kiss?"
"You knew I'm from Alaska." He reminded her.
She nodded.
"Well, I have Inuit ancestry...and the Inuit were often referred to as Eskimos. It's sort of a tradition among the Inuit to rub noses to express affection..hence the term, 'Eskimo kiss'."
"It's a lovely tradition-" Allura began, then broke off. Tradition! The celebration! She had to get moving or it would never come together the way she wanted it to! "Um. I just remembered something."
Realizing their romantic idyll had ended, Keith released her hands. "You have to go?"
"I'm so sorry. I've been working on something with Coran and we're supposed to meet." Her words and expression reflected the depth of the regret she felt in having to call an end to their fun.
"Don't worry!" He assured her. "I have some paperwork to finish, stuff I left hanging to go play in the snow."
"Are you sorry you did?"
"Heck no." He replied, smiling. "I needed a morale boost." He eyed her mischievously. "And since you have to leave, how about a little booster shot to tide me over?"
His eyes glinted as she skillfully avoided his grasp. "Better say please." She teased, laughing as she allowed him to rope her in with an arm. "All right. A little boost... it has to be quick, Coran is going to be looking for me-"
Right on cue, the door to the lounge slid open, and an unmistakable voice calling out a greeting announced the presence of Allura's guardian. Although Coran couldn't see them until he came around the corner, Keith and Allura guiltily jumped apart and began to busy themselves with the dishes.
Allura glanced at Keith, and did a double take of alarm as she noted the broad streak of foundation on the shoulder of his cream colored sweater. She wordlessly pointed at the telltale smudge.
He looked down, and his brow furrowed as he took stock of the problem. Reacting quickly, he lunged to grab a nearby dishtowel, flinging it over his shoulder to hide the stains.
"Keep washing!" He whispered urgently.
The Royal Advisor of Arus heard the sounds of splashing water and the clattering of dishes. He advanced far enough into the room to see the back of the Princess, who was standing in the galley style kitchen, busily swabbing a large mug with a pink sponge. On the opposite side of the Princess, he could see the broad shoulders and raven black hair that could only belong to the pilot of Black Lion.
He scanned the room. No one else was there; presumably, the two of them had been completely alone for an extended amount of time. He frowned. "Princess? Are you here?"
"Hello Coran!" Allura called back. "I was just straightening up after the team's snack. Keith is here too, he offered to help me."
"I see that." Her Guardian was standing in the entrance to the kitchen now. She carefully avoided his eyes, scrubbing at a mug as if her life depended on it.
"Hello Coran," Keith tossed the greeting over his shoulder. "We've just about finished."
"Thank you, Captain. But there wasn't any need, you know...we do have a domestic staff."
It was clear Keith wasn't sure if he was being mildly chastised or teased. Before he could decide, Allura interjected hastily, "It was my idea. I rarely get the chance, and cleaning relaxes me."
"I see." Coran repeated, thinking of the Princess' bedroom, which Nanny had often stated looked like a cyclone had hit it. "I had no idea. Please carry on, then."
Thankful for the mustache that hid the uplifted corners of his mouth, the older man leaned upon the wall to the kitchen entrance and surveyed the two young people as they carried out their mundane task, noting how careful they were not to touch each other in any way as they moved around in the narrow space.
When Allura finally handed Keith the last mug, their fingertips brushed. For a second or two they gazed at each other, before hastily looking away. A less observant person might have missed it; a less astute person might have shrugged it off. But not the Royal Adviser and Legal Guardian to Her Royal Highness. The situation was clear to him, and was pretty much what he had suspected he'd find the minute Pidge innocently told him where he could find Allura and Keith.
~It's happened.~ He thought. ~It started the day they first laid eyes on each other, but only now have they recognized it for what it is. Lions help me. What do I do now, Alfor? I could use some fatherly advice....~
"If that's all, I guess I'd better be going." Keith said, as he hung the mug its proper hook in the cupboard above them. He swung the wooden door shut with an air of finality.
"That's all. Thank you for helping." Allura's reply was stilted, and she kept her face in profile, obviously conscious that her guardian was watching their every move, Coran thought wryly.
"Anytime, Princess," Keith responded.
The Black Lion pilot moved around her, the dishtowel still draped over his shoulder. Once he was past Coran, he turned and tossed the towel back to Allura. "I suppose I'll see you two at supper?" He said, with a quick smile and backwards glance at the older man.
"Most assuredly." Coran replied, with a smile and a nod.
"Yes, we'll see you then." Allura answered, with ill-disguised eagerness.
With a smile and casual salute, Keith took his leave. Allura watched him until the door had closed, then stood staring down at the towel he'd thrown to her.
It wasn't hard to see what she was thinking about. But now was not the time to tackle that subject. Coran told himself. They were on a tight deadline, after all.
"Princess, now that the Captain is safely out of the way, it's time for us to get to work on the surprise." He prompted, breaking into her reverie. "We have a lot to go over and not much time."
"Of course!" She exclaimed. "I'm ready whenever you are!" Turning, she faced him for the first time since he had entered the kitchen, her expression brightening at the reminder of the pleasant task ahead. "I thought we could go over the schedule, what do you think of-"
The Princess's voice faltered. Coran wasn't paying attention - he was staring at her in shock.
"By the Lions, Allura! What has happened to your face?"
He scanned the room. No one else was there; presumably, the two of them had been completely alone for an extended amount of time. He frowned. "Princess? Are you here?"
"Hello Coran!" Allura called back. "I was just straightening up after the team's snack. Keith is here too, he offered to help me."
"I see that." Her Guardian was standing in the entrance to the kitchen now. She carefully avoided his eyes, scrubbing at a mug as if her life depended on it.
"Hello Coran," Keith tossed the greeting over his shoulder. "We've just about finished."
"Thank you, Captain. But there wasn't any need, you know...we do have a domestic staff."
It was clear Keith wasn't sure if he was being mildly chastised or teased. Before he could decide, Allura interjected hastily, "It was my idea. I rarely get the chance, and cleaning relaxes me."
"I see." Coran repeated, thinking of the Princess' bedroom, which Nanny had often stated looked like a cyclone had hit it. "I had no idea. Please carry on, then."
Thankful for the mustache that hid the uplifted corners of his mouth, the older man leaned upon the wall to the kitchen entrance and surveyed the two young people as they carried out their mundane task, noting how careful they were not to touch each other in any way as they moved around in the narrow space.
When Allura finally handed Keith the last mug, their fingertips brushed. For a second or two they gazed at each other, before hastily looking away. A less observant person might have missed it; a less astute person might have shrugged it off. But not the Royal Adviser and Legal Guardian to Her Royal Highness. The situation was clear to him, and was pretty much what he had suspected he'd find the minute Pidge innocently told him where he could find Allura and Keith.
~It's happened.~ He thought. ~It started the day they first laid eyes on each other, but only now have they recognized it for what it is. Lions help me. What do I do now, Alfor? I could use some fatherly advice....~
"If that's all, I guess I'd better be going." Keith said, as he hung the mug its proper hook in the cupboard above them. He swung the wooden door shut with an air of finality.
"That's all. Thank you for helping." Allura's reply was stilted, and she kept her face in profile, obviously conscious that her guardian was watching their every move, Coran thought wryly.
"Anytime, Princess," Keith responded.
The Black Lion pilot moved around her, the dishtowel still draped over his shoulder. Once he was past Coran, he turned and tossed the towel back to Allura. "I suppose I'll see you two at supper?" He said, with a quick smile and backwards glance at the older man.
"Most assuredly." Coran replied, with a smile and a nod.
"Yes, we'll see you then." Allura answered, with ill-disguised eagerness.
With a smile and casual salute, Keith took his leave. Allura watched him until the door had closed, then stood staring down at the towel he'd thrown to her.
It wasn't hard to see what she was thinking about. But now was not the time to tackle that subject. Coran told himself. They were on a tight deadline, after all.
"Princess, now that the Captain is safely out of the way, it's time for us to get to work on the surprise." He prompted, breaking into her reverie. "We have a lot to go over and not much time."
"Of course!" She exclaimed. "I'm ready whenever you are!" Turning, she faced him for the first time since he had entered the kitchen, her expression brightening at the reminder of the pleasant task ahead. "I thought we could go over the schedule, what do you think of-"
The Princess's voice faltered. Coran wasn't paying attention - he was staring at her in shock.
"By the Lions, Allura! What has happened to your face?"
"Princess! Your makeup is-"
The Royal Guardian bit off his exclamation, but his eyes reflected his shock and concern as to what the origin of her bruise might have been.
He watched as his charge nonchalantly glided over to the plush sectional in the corner of the room and flopped down upon it. "What about my makeup?" She asked.
"It's smeared. There's a mark beneath it."
Allura lifted a hand to her cheek, with a look of mild surprise that was almost but not quite convincing. "Oh, you mean here?" She echoed, clearly trying to buy time to locate a plausible excuse.
"Yes." Coran retorted succinctly. "It's well and good that young men enjoy youthful hi jinks, but they still have a responsibility to see that you are protected at all times. There's no excuse if one of them has been careless and injured you!"
~He's not going to let this go.~ Allura thought ruefully, as she blinked at her Guardian's forbidding tone. Her cover up had failed, but maybe that was for the best. Seeing the mark had diverted Coran's attention from the subject of herself and Keith and what they'd been up to in the kitchen.
"There's no need to sound vengeful." She declared cheerfully. "As it happens, it's my own fault! I wasn't paying attention, or I wouldn't have been struck by a falling chunk of ice when I was sledding." She ignored a twinge of conscience; there was truth in that statement, she had been wrapped up in thoughts of Keith when the slush ball had found its target.
"Has Dr. Gorma seen to it?" Coran dropped onto the sectional directly opposite her. His gaze was stern, but anxious as well.
She shook her head. "There's no need. He's far too busy to bother for a minor scrape!" She stated firmly. "And honestly, we both know I've had nastier contusions than this one!"
The Royal Guardian bit off his exclamation, but his eyes reflected his shock and concern as to what the origin of her bruise might have been.
He watched as his charge nonchalantly glided over to the plush sectional in the corner of the room and flopped down upon it. "What about my makeup?" She asked.
"It's smeared. There's a mark beneath it."
Allura lifted a hand to her cheek, with a look of mild surprise that was almost but not quite convincing. "Oh, you mean here?" She echoed, clearly trying to buy time to locate a plausible excuse.
"Yes." Coran retorted succinctly. "It's well and good that young men enjoy youthful hi jinks, but they still have a responsibility to see that you are protected at all times. There's no excuse if one of them has been careless and injured you!"
~He's not going to let this go.~ Allura thought ruefully, as she blinked at her Guardian's forbidding tone. Her cover up had failed, but maybe that was for the best. Seeing the mark had diverted Coran's attention from the subject of herself and Keith and what they'd been up to in the kitchen.
"There's no need to sound vengeful." She declared cheerfully. "As it happens, it's my own fault! I wasn't paying attention, or I wouldn't have been struck by a falling chunk of ice when I was sledding." She ignored a twinge of conscience; there was truth in that statement, she had been wrapped up in thoughts of Keith when the slush ball had found its target.
"Has Dr. Gorma seen to it?" Coran dropped onto the sectional directly opposite her. His gaze was stern, but anxious as well.
She shook her head. "There's no need. He's far too busy to bother for a minor scrape!" She stated firmly. "And honestly, we both know I've had nastier contusions than this one!"
Though what she said was true, Coran was skeptical; how could a chunk of ice make a mark like that, unless it had been deliberately thrown? "I don't recall seeing any like this one."
Allura smiled. "They were in less observable locations."
Coran gave her a perplexed look, then glanced down and fumbled with the folder he had brought, opening it and paging unnecessarily through its contents, as he avoided direct eye contact with his Princess. Up until now he felt the team, and especially the Captain, had exercised care and good judgment. Keith had always put her well being as top priority, but ironically had not done so today when the team was only fooling around. Obviously, she was protecting someone, and all his past misgivings about letting Allura hang around with the 'rough and tough' Space Explorers returned.
"They were mostly from bad landings," she added, "and I assure you that they healed just fine on their own."
Coran winced, and kept his eyes fixed on the papers in his hand. "I'm pleased to hear that...about the healing, I mean. And I am quite certain you would use proper judgment in making these types of medical decisions, Princess, it is just that I am...was...worried about you, that's all." His hands now gripped the papers as if he were in a hurricane. "And of course, there is no need for me to know about what I won't see, unless you choose to tell me. I do not wish to offend you by asking."
He felt his face heat up as his charge's blue eyes regarded him with unblinking sincerity, and lowered his fierce gaze to the papers in his grasp.
Allura smiled. "They were in less observable locations."
Coran gave her a perplexed look, then glanced down and fumbled with the folder he had brought, opening it and paging unnecessarily through its contents, as he avoided direct eye contact with his Princess. Up until now he felt the team, and especially the Captain, had exercised care and good judgment. Keith had always put her well being as top priority, but ironically had not done so today when the team was only fooling around. Obviously, she was protecting someone, and all his past misgivings about letting Allura hang around with the 'rough and tough' Space Explorers returned.
"They were mostly from bad landings," she added, "and I assure you that they healed just fine on their own."
Coran winced, and kept his eyes fixed on the papers in his hand. "I'm pleased to hear that...about the healing, I mean. And I am quite certain you would use proper judgment in making these types of medical decisions, Princess, it is just that I am...was...worried about you, that's all." His hands now gripped the papers as if he were in a hurricane. "And of course, there is no need for me to know about what I won't see, unless you choose to tell me. I do not wish to offend you by asking."
He felt his face heat up as his charge's blue eyes regarded him with unblinking sincerity, and lowered his fierce gaze to the papers in his grasp.
Allura smiled fondly at her most loyal and steadfast adviser. Coran tended to avoid discussion of subjects that he deemed 'awkwardly personal in nature' when they arose, and conversation about her body and its workings definitely fell under that category. He could be exceedingly old fashioned- but she wouldn't want it any other way. The man was an absolute treasure just the way he was and because of what he stood for: chivalry, honesty and honor.
"Thank you." She said with warmth. "Please be assured that I will never take offense over your expressions of concern. Please believe that this bruise will look bad for a short time, then it will heal like the others. And it hurts so much less, because I got it having fun with people I care for."
He simply nodded in silent acknowledgment. As her gaze ran over his studiously bent head, Allura noted with loving concern the spots where the reddish-brown waves were now liberally streaked with gray; gray that had not been there one short year ago. The lines marking the classically sculpted features had deepened, and once ruddy skin had taken on the unhealthy pallor of one who worked too much and enjoyed life far too little.
Her guardian had sacrificed so much for her and for Arus, Allura thought. Though it was Coran's sworn obligation to see to her welfare, she knew without doubt that his concern went far beyond duty. That was just the kind of man he was; he cared profoundly about whatever he undertook to uphold and sustain. There were no half measures; never once had he distanced himself from his charge, never had he faltered in putting her before his own life.
Deeply tender feelings flooded her being for the man who had willingly become a surrogate father and trustworthy protector to a forlorn, shell-shocked orphan after the heart-rending loss of his own wife and child. As she gazed at the noble, selfless man in front of her, Allura suddenly felt the urgent need to express what she felt in her heart.
"Thank you." She said with warmth. "Please be assured that I will never take offense over your expressions of concern. Please believe that this bruise will look bad for a short time, then it will heal like the others. And it hurts so much less, because I got it having fun with people I care for."
He simply nodded in silent acknowledgment. As her gaze ran over his studiously bent head, Allura noted with loving concern the spots where the reddish-brown waves were now liberally streaked with gray; gray that had not been there one short year ago. The lines marking the classically sculpted features had deepened, and once ruddy skin had taken on the unhealthy pallor of one who worked too much and enjoyed life far too little.
Her guardian had sacrificed so much for her and for Arus, Allura thought. Though it was Coran's sworn obligation to see to her welfare, she knew without doubt that his concern went far beyond duty. That was just the kind of man he was; he cared profoundly about whatever he undertook to uphold and sustain. There were no half measures; never once had he distanced himself from his charge, never had he faltered in putting her before his own life.
Deeply tender feelings flooded her being for the man who had willingly become a surrogate father and trustworthy protector to a forlorn, shell-shocked orphan after the heart-rending loss of his own wife and child. As she gazed at the noble, selfless man in front of her, Allura suddenly felt the urgent need to express what she felt in her heart.
Coran gave a start when the Princess reached over and took hold of his free hand.
He set down the file, viewed her solemn expression, and the lines across his forehead deepened as she grasped his other hand as well. She looked as what she had to tell him was of great importance, and he could sense her internal struggle to form the proper words.
So she was distressed about something. The dashing young Captain, perhaps?
Unraveling the complexities of Allura's moods by the time she had turned sixteen had been a formidable task, but achievable given her headstrong bluntness in expressing her displeasure. At twenty-one, she was much less volatile, more given to tact than tantrums, and more of a enigma with the riddle of would she do next to establish autonomy from himself and Nanny.
A frowned-upon (at least by Nanny) romance with the Captain was the most plausible theory. Having no insight on that situation or the scope of her feelings, he simply regarded her with a kind, steady gaze and a patient demeanor as he waited for her pronouncement.
"My dearest Coran, I would like to acknowledge my gratitude for all you have done for me." She said, in a voice full of tenderness. "You have given my family more than half a lifetime of loyal and devoted service. You've been a trusted friend. I think of you, and I admire you, as daughter would a father. I have given you naught but headaches and worries in return for all that you've done for me. I am truly sorry for that, and I hope to do better for you in the future."
The Royal Guardian was taken unawares by the deep emotion in his charge's words. He cleared his throat, looked down at their clasped hands, and then back up at her earnest expression. His eyes crinkled, and a smile curled beneath his luxuriant mustache.
"What you give me, and have given me, Allura, is no less than what any man would expect from his own daughter." He told her gently. "You have given me the pleasure of seeing you grow into a fine young woman. You have given me purpose and a priceless gift. You have given me hope for the future."
He paused, squeezing her hand and noisily clearing his throat as he saw that her eyes were now welling with tears. His own gaze was a little misty; mercy, it wouldn't do to turn into a blubbering fool right now, there was too much work to be done! He gave her hands a final squeeze, and then released them, picking up the folder once more. "Hmph. Well, there it is, then. Shall we go over our checklist now?"
A laugh bubbled out of the Princess as she reached out for the list he handed her. "I love you, Coran. You know that, don't you?"
"I did know." The mustache turned up and the weary hazel eyes sparkled at her once more. "And I love you. Now, to work! There is much to be done!"
He set down the file, viewed her solemn expression, and the lines across his forehead deepened as she grasped his other hand as well. She looked as what she had to tell him was of great importance, and he could sense her internal struggle to form the proper words.
So she was distressed about something. The dashing young Captain, perhaps?
Unraveling the complexities of Allura's moods by the time she had turned sixteen had been a formidable task, but achievable given her headstrong bluntness in expressing her displeasure. At twenty-one, she was much less volatile, more given to tact than tantrums, and more of a enigma with the riddle of would she do next to establish autonomy from himself and Nanny.
A frowned-upon (at least by Nanny) romance with the Captain was the most plausible theory. Having no insight on that situation or the scope of her feelings, he simply regarded her with a kind, steady gaze and a patient demeanor as he waited for her pronouncement.
"My dearest Coran, I would like to acknowledge my gratitude for all you have done for me." She said, in a voice full of tenderness. "You have given my family more than half a lifetime of loyal and devoted service. You've been a trusted friend. I think of you, and I admire you, as daughter would a father. I have given you naught but headaches and worries in return for all that you've done for me. I am truly sorry for that, and I hope to do better for you in the future."
The Royal Guardian was taken unawares by the deep emotion in his charge's words. He cleared his throat, looked down at their clasped hands, and then back up at her earnest expression. His eyes crinkled, and a smile curled beneath his luxuriant mustache.
"What you give me, and have given me, Allura, is no less than what any man would expect from his own daughter." He told her gently. "You have given me the pleasure of seeing you grow into a fine young woman. You have given me purpose and a priceless gift. You have given me hope for the future."
He paused, squeezing her hand and noisily clearing his throat as he saw that her eyes were now welling with tears. His own gaze was a little misty; mercy, it wouldn't do to turn into a blubbering fool right now, there was too much work to be done! He gave her hands a final squeeze, and then released them, picking up the folder once more. "Hmph. Well, there it is, then. Shall we go over our checklist now?"
A laugh bubbled out of the Princess as she reached out for the list he handed her. "I love you, Coran. You know that, don't you?"
"I did know." The mustache turned up and the weary hazel eyes sparkled at her once more. "And I love you. Now, to work! There is much to be done!"
In another part of the castle, a mystery was unfolding.
"Hey! Big Guy! What's that awesomely delicious smell?"
Pidge's boisterous question and sharp prod immediately roused Hunk from his comfortable, schnapps- induced stupor. "Huh?" His nostrils flared as he inhaled deeply, and his dark head lifted from the well-placed indentation in his recliner's headrest.
He considered the aromatic evidence for a moment, accessing his memory banks, trying to place the delightful aroma that had wafted into their quarters.
He sat bolt upright as his internal sensors identified the source.
He inhaled again, just to sure- yes, there was no mistaking it.
He grinned as his salivary glands went into overdrive.
He sent a delighted look over to his little buddy.
"You know, don't you?" Pidge asked eagerly, upon seeing the joy in his best friend's wide smile and the anticipatory glow in the dancing brown eyes.
Hunk nodded silently.
"Don't just sit there wearing that derpy grin!" The boy snapped impatiently. "What is it?"
The two words that flowed from Hunk's lips were infused with awe. "It's gingerbread!"
"No way! How would they even know about-" Pidge stopped, breathed in the spicy fragrance permeating the air and looked back at his friend who was cackling in glee. "Holy Mother of Lions! You're right! It is gingerbread!"
The Yellow Lion pilot exercised another deep inhalation, and ran both hands over his tousled hair. "This bears investigating, I mean, where in the world would Nanny get the idea or the recipe for making gingerbread?"
"Who cares where? Let's just go get us some!" The Green Lion pilot exclaimed.
A scant five minutes later found them approaching the inviolable domain of the Princess' governess, all senses on full alert.
An all-too-familiar figure immediately headed them off at the pass, arms folded uncompromisingly across her middle, as she blocked the entrance into gastronomic paradise. The large steel ladle hanging from a side loop on her apron either made her look like a benevolent domestic goddess, or a warrior woman preparing to do battle with her trusty mace, depending on one's point of view.
"Go back where you came from." Nanny informed them tersely. "No free samples today, by direct order of Her Majesty!"
But instead of blustering a protest as she'd clearly expected, Hunk bowed to her, a bow that showed surprising grace and deepest respect.
Nanny and Pidge both gaped at this unusual and brilliant display of proper etiquette as the Big Man spoke.
"Forgive us. I completely understand that as guardian of the Royal Domicile, you must follow orders. And I confess, I have often challenged your will. And yet, I would still dare to request a favor from you, good lady."
His smile was one of charming apology as he paused. Upon seeing that he had an open mouthed, attentive audience, the Yellow Lion pilot took that as leave to continue.
"If my olfactory nerve has properly served me, I have deduced that you are baking gingerbread, a treat I haven't had since my Academy days, and that I remember with great joy." The big man sank to one knee, reaching for the governess' hand. He tugged it free of the arm it was tucked under, and held it in a courtly manner, while giving the woman the most powerfully beseeching look she had ever seen. "Please, my lady, could you spare just a scrap?"
Nanny blinked. Her lips moved, but soundlessly. Sensing a weakness, Hunk moved in for the kill, giving her his most winning smile. "I don't deserve your consideration, but I can't help myself. It smells heavenly, exactly like the highly touted gourmet bread I was fortunate to acquire and consume back on earth. The smallest sample would bring me untold happiness."
Pidge stared at the kneeling figure and then turned his gaze to the woman who was the recipient of this tribute. He adjusted his glasses, hardly daring to believe his eyes. Nanny blushing? And smiling?
"Very well. Since you have asked me properly, Master Hunk, and with good form, I shall grant your request." She said with a decisive nod. "A small piece for each of you, on the condition that you return to your quarters to eat it."
"Yahoo!" Pidge blurted, then covered his mouth as Nanny turned to him with a mild frown. "I'm sorry." He added quickly, with a small bow. "What I meant to say was, thank you so very much ma'am."
"Dear lady, I'm forever in your debt." Hunk brought her work-roughened hand to his lips before releasing it and getting to his feet.
Nanny's stunned gaze lifted with him as he stood. Finally, she gathered her scattered wits and turned, mumbling that she'd return in a moment.
When she did, it was with two slices of gingerbread the size of a small plate.
"Here you go. Enjoy, and don't let me see you back here again today." She asserted, in a pale imitation of her usual stern tone.
"Yes ma'am!" Pidge acknowledged, his eyes shining behind his glasses as he accepted his plate.
"Your wish is my command." Hunk added. "And thank you."
The two pilots turned and strolled down the hall, inhaling their fragrant treats, but exercising restraint until they'd gotten back to their quarters. A promise was a promise, and they would keep it.
"Just where did you learn to talk like that, Hunk?" Pidge asked his friend.
"Oh that? I guess from watching old movies. And from observing Coran- he wrote the book when it comes to etiquette."
Pidge gave his large buddy a sidelong smirk. "I thought you'd say Keith, cuz he always does things by the book."
Hunk groaned. "That was bad, little buddy."
"Puns are supposed to be bad! Otherwise, what's the point?"
Hunk grinned. "True. And since I'm dying to dig into this hunk of gingerbread, I say let's get booking!"
"And you said I'm bad!"
Hearty laughter drifted back to the ever vigilant Nanny, who had remained outside the kitchens to ensure the intruders left. ~That was too close. They almost discovered the fixings for the feast, and if they return, it'll spoil everything- ~
But then Nanny shook her head, banishing all negative thoughts. Once given, those mischievous boys would keep their word. There would be no more excursions to the kitchen, which meant it was time to be moving on to the next thing on her list.
~I must find something for making the costume that Allura wants. Perhaps the surplus storage would have some material that would serve.~
After depositing her apron in the kitchen, Nanny set off on her quest.
"Hey! Big Guy! What's that awesomely delicious smell?"
Pidge's boisterous question and sharp prod immediately roused Hunk from his comfortable, schnapps- induced stupor. "Huh?" His nostrils flared as he inhaled deeply, and his dark head lifted from the well-placed indentation in his recliner's headrest.
He considered the aromatic evidence for a moment, accessing his memory banks, trying to place the delightful aroma that had wafted into their quarters.
He sat bolt upright as his internal sensors identified the source.
He inhaled again, just to sure- yes, there was no mistaking it.
He grinned as his salivary glands went into overdrive.
He sent a delighted look over to his little buddy.
"You know, don't you?" Pidge asked eagerly, upon seeing the joy in his best friend's wide smile and the anticipatory glow in the dancing brown eyes.
Hunk nodded silently.
"Don't just sit there wearing that derpy grin!" The boy snapped impatiently. "What is it?"
The two words that flowed from Hunk's lips were infused with awe. "It's gingerbread!"
"No way! How would they even know about-" Pidge stopped, breathed in the spicy fragrance permeating the air and looked back at his friend who was cackling in glee. "Holy Mother of Lions! You're right! It is gingerbread!"
The Yellow Lion pilot exercised another deep inhalation, and ran both hands over his tousled hair. "This bears investigating, I mean, where in the world would Nanny get the idea or the recipe for making gingerbread?"
"Who cares where? Let's just go get us some!" The Green Lion pilot exclaimed.
A scant five minutes later found them approaching the inviolable domain of the Princess' governess, all senses on full alert.
An all-too-familiar figure immediately headed them off at the pass, arms folded uncompromisingly across her middle, as she blocked the entrance into gastronomic paradise. The large steel ladle hanging from a side loop on her apron either made her look like a benevolent domestic goddess, or a warrior woman preparing to do battle with her trusty mace, depending on one's point of view.
"Go back where you came from." Nanny informed them tersely. "No free samples today, by direct order of Her Majesty!"
But instead of blustering a protest as she'd clearly expected, Hunk bowed to her, a bow that showed surprising grace and deepest respect.
Nanny and Pidge both gaped at this unusual and brilliant display of proper etiquette as the Big Man spoke.
"Forgive us. I completely understand that as guardian of the Royal Domicile, you must follow orders. And I confess, I have often challenged your will. And yet, I would still dare to request a favor from you, good lady."
His smile was one of charming apology as he paused. Upon seeing that he had an open mouthed, attentive audience, the Yellow Lion pilot took that as leave to continue.
"If my olfactory nerve has properly served me, I have deduced that you are baking gingerbread, a treat I haven't had since my Academy days, and that I remember with great joy." The big man sank to one knee, reaching for the governess' hand. He tugged it free of the arm it was tucked under, and held it in a courtly manner, while giving the woman the most powerfully beseeching look she had ever seen. "Please, my lady, could you spare just a scrap?"
Nanny blinked. Her lips moved, but soundlessly. Sensing a weakness, Hunk moved in for the kill, giving her his most winning smile. "I don't deserve your consideration, but I can't help myself. It smells heavenly, exactly like the highly touted gourmet bread I was fortunate to acquire and consume back on earth. The smallest sample would bring me untold happiness."
Pidge stared at the kneeling figure and then turned his gaze to the woman who was the recipient of this tribute. He adjusted his glasses, hardly daring to believe his eyes. Nanny blushing? And smiling?
"Very well. Since you have asked me properly, Master Hunk, and with good form, I shall grant your request." She said with a decisive nod. "A small piece for each of you, on the condition that you return to your quarters to eat it."
"Yahoo!" Pidge blurted, then covered his mouth as Nanny turned to him with a mild frown. "I'm sorry." He added quickly, with a small bow. "What I meant to say was, thank you so very much ma'am."
"Dear lady, I'm forever in your debt." Hunk brought her work-roughened hand to his lips before releasing it and getting to his feet.
Nanny's stunned gaze lifted with him as he stood. Finally, she gathered her scattered wits and turned, mumbling that she'd return in a moment.
When she did, it was with two slices of gingerbread the size of a small plate.
"Here you go. Enjoy, and don't let me see you back here again today." She asserted, in a pale imitation of her usual stern tone.
"Yes ma'am!" Pidge acknowledged, his eyes shining behind his glasses as he accepted his plate.
"Your wish is my command." Hunk added. "And thank you."
The two pilots turned and strolled down the hall, inhaling their fragrant treats, but exercising restraint until they'd gotten back to their quarters. A promise was a promise, and they would keep it.
"Just where did you learn to talk like that, Hunk?" Pidge asked his friend.
"Oh that? I guess from watching old movies. And from observing Coran- he wrote the book when it comes to etiquette."
Pidge gave his large buddy a sidelong smirk. "I thought you'd say Keith, cuz he always does things by the book."
Hunk groaned. "That was bad, little buddy."
"Puns are supposed to be bad! Otherwise, what's the point?"
Hunk grinned. "True. And since I'm dying to dig into this hunk of gingerbread, I say let's get booking!"
"And you said I'm bad!"
Hearty laughter drifted back to the ever vigilant Nanny, who had remained outside the kitchens to ensure the intruders left. ~That was too close. They almost discovered the fixings for the feast, and if they return, it'll spoil everything- ~
But then Nanny shook her head, banishing all negative thoughts. Once given, those mischievous boys would keep their word. There would be no more excursions to the kitchen, which meant it was time to be moving on to the next thing on her list.
~I must find something for making the costume that Allura wants. Perhaps the surplus storage would have some material that would serve.~
After depositing her apron in the kitchen, Nanny set off on her quest.
Back in the lounge, Allura stretched contentedly. Coran had already left to see to the tree and decorations. Almost everything she needed to do was taken care of; all that was left for her was to wrap the gifts and get an outfit for Santa Claus.
~So far, so good.~ She thought happily, getting to her feet. ~Have to keep a straight face until tomorrow night and pray that there's no trouble from Doom.~
~So far, so good.~ She thought happily, getting to her feet. ~Have to keep a straight face until tomorrow night and pray that there's no trouble from Doom.~
Entrenched in his quarters, Keith was finally finishing off the last of his reports. They had gone surprisingly quickly now that he'd been able to focus. A little R and R had been very beneficial for him. Not that he'd ever directly admit it to anyone.
Clicking on the preview button, he thoroughly spellchecked and proofread his work. Satisfied with the results, he clicked 'send' and leaned back with a satisfied sigh as an envelope materialized on a starry background, along with a lion avatar; grabbing the envelope in its mouth, it bounded off the screen, leaving huge tracks that spelled out the missive 'your message has been sent' in its wake.
~Pidge is a graphics genius~ Keith thought, smiling. ~I wonder if Princess has seen his newest upgrade~
His smile grew and his eyes reflected tenderness as he thought of the woman who had a grip on his heart. Would she keep it, and run off with it, much like the cyber lion had run off with his email?
An image of a tiny Allura avatar catching a heart from a tiny Keith avatar and prancing away brought out a sound that had him reflexively clapping a hand over his mouth as he recognized it as a giggle.
Great. Alone and staring at an inanimate lump of circuits and wires, giggling and thinking of romance with Allura. Could he get any more sappy?
And as the impulse to write something struck him hard, Keith realized the answer was yes. He was going to compose something. Something not work related. Something personal. A gift, if it was good enough.
He opened a file, and stared at the inviting, brand new document waiting to receive his thoughts. Reaching over he flicked on his stereo. As the strains of a intergalactic love song filled the air, he began to type.
Clicking on the preview button, he thoroughly spellchecked and proofread his work. Satisfied with the results, he clicked 'send' and leaned back with a satisfied sigh as an envelope materialized on a starry background, along with a lion avatar; grabbing the envelope in its mouth, it bounded off the screen, leaving huge tracks that spelled out the missive 'your message has been sent' in its wake.
~Pidge is a graphics genius~ Keith thought, smiling. ~I wonder if Princess has seen his newest upgrade~
His smile grew and his eyes reflected tenderness as he thought of the woman who had a grip on his heart. Would she keep it, and run off with it, much like the cyber lion had run off with his email?
An image of a tiny Allura avatar catching a heart from a tiny Keith avatar and prancing away brought out a sound that had him reflexively clapping a hand over his mouth as he recognized it as a giggle.
Great. Alone and staring at an inanimate lump of circuits and wires, giggling and thinking of romance with Allura. Could he get any more sappy?
And as the impulse to write something struck him hard, Keith realized the answer was yes. He was going to compose something. Something not work related. Something personal. A gift, if it was good enough.
He opened a file, and stared at the inviting, brand new document waiting to receive his thoughts. Reaching over he flicked on his stereo. As the strains of a intergalactic love song filled the air, he began to type.
The conspiring women met before supper in a linen room close to the royal dining room to survey the treasures unearthed for the plan now dubbed as 'Operation Elf'.
After receiving a secret message by way of a guard, Allura had taken great pains to make her face look flawless before going to meet up with her well meaning, eagle-eyed nanny. For a second time, the unsightly bruise on her face had been covered by make-up, this time with meticulous precision and thoroughness that ensured that it would take a hard scrub for the layers to be removed.
She also had donned the obligatory regal pink dress, and her unbound hair was pulled back from her face in the braided style Nanny favored.
Upon entering the area, Allura was relieved at seeing the governess's approving nod.
"Now, Princess- here it is. What do you think?" Nanny asked, as she quickly unzipped a voluminous blue garment bag. Her eyebrows, the only thing about her that could be described as slim, arched over merrily twinkling eyes, and her round rosy cheeks shone with the excitement of her find.
Upon seeing what was offered for her purpose, Allura was astounded. Somehow the woman had procured a Santa-like outfit in the form of red velvet breeches and a matching luxurious red velvet coat trimmed with white fur; clothing that had once belonged to her father. "Nanny! That looks just like St. Nicholas's suit!"
Nanny's smile was proud and wide. "I thought so! Do you recognize it?"
Allura simply nodded. She couldn't think of anything more appropriate than these garments for clothing the cherished saint of giving, considering the past owner of this suit had been a spiritual man who'd given everything he had for his people.
She remembered well the occasions when her father had worn it to the Winter Festival processions and numerous other cold weather activities in Arusian towns, both big and small, in which he dispensed gifts to the children of every citizen. Participating in all of the local festivals had allowed him a good opportunity to reach out and connect with his people on a personal level, and they had loved him for it. It also had been a rare chance for a shy young Princess to emerge from behind the shelter of castle walls to have some fun with children her age, as well as to learn what her heritage was all about.
It had been many years since those processions had been able to be held. In thinking of them, Allura's eyes misted and her smile turned wistful as she recalled the cheerful revelry that had been so much a part of those parades. They had gone away with the death of her father, and the advent of endless attacks by their enemies on Planet Doom.
Keith and the boys would have enjoyed all of those festivals. So maybe it was time to renew the old traditions now that Voltron had secured the possibility of a future! She would love to give Keith a perspective of the holiday traditions that had shaped her upbringing, much like celebrating Christmas had shaped his. It was too late for this year, but maybe next winter season…
After receiving a secret message by way of a guard, Allura had taken great pains to make her face look flawless before going to meet up with her well meaning, eagle-eyed nanny. For a second time, the unsightly bruise on her face had been covered by make-up, this time with meticulous precision and thoroughness that ensured that it would take a hard scrub for the layers to be removed.
She also had donned the obligatory regal pink dress, and her unbound hair was pulled back from her face in the braided style Nanny favored.
Upon entering the area, Allura was relieved at seeing the governess's approving nod.
"Now, Princess- here it is. What do you think?" Nanny asked, as she quickly unzipped a voluminous blue garment bag. Her eyebrows, the only thing about her that could be described as slim, arched over merrily twinkling eyes, and her round rosy cheeks shone with the excitement of her find.
Upon seeing what was offered for her purpose, Allura was astounded. Somehow the woman had procured a Santa-like outfit in the form of red velvet breeches and a matching luxurious red velvet coat trimmed with white fur; clothing that had once belonged to her father. "Nanny! That looks just like St. Nicholas's suit!"
Nanny's smile was proud and wide. "I thought so! Do you recognize it?"
Allura simply nodded. She couldn't think of anything more appropriate than these garments for clothing the cherished saint of giving, considering the past owner of this suit had been a spiritual man who'd given everything he had for his people.
She remembered well the occasions when her father had worn it to the Winter Festival processions and numerous other cold weather activities in Arusian towns, both big and small, in which he dispensed gifts to the children of every citizen. Participating in all of the local festivals had allowed him a good opportunity to reach out and connect with his people on a personal level, and they had loved him for it. It also had been a rare chance for a shy young Princess to emerge from behind the shelter of castle walls to have some fun with children her age, as well as to learn what her heritage was all about.
It had been many years since those processions had been able to be held. In thinking of them, Allura's eyes misted and her smile turned wistful as she recalled the cheerful revelry that had been so much a part of those parades. They had gone away with the death of her father, and the advent of endless attacks by their enemies on Planet Doom.
Keith and the boys would have enjoyed all of those festivals. So maybe it was time to renew the old traditions now that Voltron had secured the possibility of a future! She would love to give Keith a perspective of the holiday traditions that had shaped her upbringing, much like celebrating Christmas had shaped his. It was too late for this year, but maybe next winter season…
"My dear, vill this be suitable for the celebration? Will you find it difficult to see on another?"
Receiving no answer, Nanny looked from the garments to the young woman, and her shrewd gaze took in the girl's pie-eyed expression as she stared into space, a smile hovering upon her lips.
There was just one thing that could bring out an expression like that one for a young woman, the older woman concluded ruefully, as much as she didn't want to acknowledge that fact.
~It will haf to vait! There's no time for foolishness and woolgathering! We haf vork to do!~
Quickly zipping up the garment bag containing the coat, and holding it in one hand, Nanny reached out and tapped on her Royal charge's arm. "Allura! Child, you must pay attention!"
Receiving no answer, Nanny looked from the garments to the young woman, and her shrewd gaze took in the girl's pie-eyed expression as she stared into space, a smile hovering upon her lips.
There was just one thing that could bring out an expression like that one for a young woman, the older woman concluded ruefully, as much as she didn't want to acknowledge that fact.
~It will haf to vait! There's no time for foolishness and woolgathering! We haf vork to do!~
Quickly zipping up the garment bag containing the coat, and holding it in one hand, Nanny reached out and tapped on her Royal charge's arm. "Allura! Child, you must pay attention!"
The Princess jumped at the touch on her arm, and her attention returned to the present to find her companion regarding her with a half indulgent, half exasperated look. Realizing she'd been inattentive to the point of rudeness, Allura blushed. "I'm so sorry Nanny. What were you saying?"
"I vanted to know if this ensemble vould be too difficult for you to see on someone else?" The governess asked, to the point as usual, but with kindness in her voice. As Allura bowed her head, Nanny added, "If this could help you, I can say vit assurance that His Majesty would have greatly enjoyed providing a costume for your 'Santa Claus'."
"Of course he would have!" Allura proclaimed, looking up. Her smile was joyful, and her platinum circlet reflected the single light in the room with a glow that her nanny found reminiscent of a halo. "I remember him wearing it on his trips to the festivals. It's perfect! You're amazing!"
"I'm just a good finder," The governess said, winking hard to banish the moisture in her eyes. Giving her charge's arm an affectionate squeeze, she went to hang up the garment bag on the edge of a nearby shelf. "I also found some black boots, mittens and a wide black belt, and oh yes, the headpiece that the Queen made herself for your father's winter robes."
As she spoke, the governess knelt down to open a large gray storage chest that she'd single-highhandedly squirreled away with the help of a dolly. She reached into its depths, unfolded some stiff packing paper, and withdrew a stunning red and white chapeau which she held out to the Princess.
Allura smiled in wonder as she took it from her, her long fingers caressing the velvet, the bobble of fluffy white fur hanging from the elongated top, and that which covered the bottom rim of the hat. "This is just wonderful, Nanny! You're the absolute best!"
"A trip to storage is hardly vorth such praise," her governess' scoffing response was belied by delighted expression as she surveyed her discoveries. "I took the liberty of ordering the hair and beard from Lady Marin the hairdresser. In the old days, she used to be the most sought after costumer for the masquerade balls- she has a flair for such things."
"Marvelous!" Allura enthused. "Mother had many of her creations."
"And so, I am left with one last task for whomever is going to be vearing this outfit- I shall need a name and do a sizing, in case it needs a bit of altering to fit them." Nanny concluded.
The Princess hesitated, and nervously cleared her throat. "Um, of course. About that..."
"You do have someone in mind, yes? Master Coran, perhaps?" Nanny prompted, hiding a smile at the thought of the sensible, unassuming Royal Advisor wearing the furry stocking hat and lavish red coat.
"Well no, it's not him. I was actually hoping..." taking a deep breath, Allura made her request, "I was hoping you'd do it."
For a moment Nanny stared at her beloved Princess, who bravely maintained a steady gaze, and then said, her voice weak with incredulity, "Me? As the Santa Claus? Wearing the King's suit?"
Allura nodded vigorously.
"But, but...but that's preposterous!" Nanny's hands fluttered in agitation. Finally, they came to rest on the impossibly frilly cap on her head, the stout fingers interlocking so that her elbows made perfect arrows in either direction. "Vhy? Vhy do you ask this of me?"
"Because you have the generosity and spirit for the role and you care deeply about the boys," Allura responded warmly, ticking off the reasons on her fingers. "Where Coran is low key, you are full of energy. You don't hold back-when you take on a cause, you delve into it with verve and gusto!"
The governess nodded reluctantly. "This is truth. But-"
"Don't you remember how you used to dress up in costumes to entertain me when my parents were visiting heads of state and I was left alone?" Allura broke in, coaxingly. "You actually became the characters you played for me! You made me so happy!"
Nanny's up-thrust arms helplessly dropped to the sides of the plain gray gown she wore. Then,in a most unusual breach of etiquette, she turned her back on the Princess, trying to escape the hopeful, pleading expression of the younger woman. "Dressing up for your entertainment was one thing. Dressing up in front of those boys is quite another!"
"Why do you think that?"
"Dignity is the boundary that commands respect, and therefore, discipline! Once you've abandoned it, you cannot get it back!"
"I see." Allura murmured. "Well, I don't see! How will anyone know it's you? I won't tell, Coran won't tell! You'll be in disguise!"
Nanny turned back to confront her. "You know very well those clever hooligans vould figure it out! I am not here to play, but to take care of you and keep them in line. Taking part in such a charade as this vould undermine my authority with the staff! And if they don't respect my position, and yes, even fear me a little, how vill I ever keep order in this place?"
The Princess shook her head. "I disagree that showing kindness and having fun while doing that would undermine your authority, Nanny. Even if your role wasn't one that commands respect in its own right, isn't it reinforced by giving them an example of faith, compassion and good humor? I mean, haven't our struggles with Zarkon shown you that respect can't be forced?"
The older woman snorted. "There's no parallel between dealing vit that...that...beast, and this situation at all!"
Allura folded her pink-covered arms across her chest, and stared thoughtfully at her flustered governess. After a moment, she quietly replied. "All right, let me put it another way. Do you think Zarkon would let you refuse such a request if he asked you to play a part?"
"Of course he wouldn't!" Nanny sniffed. "Not that he'd ever think of having a Santa!"
"True." The Princess acknowledged with a half smile. "But if not for the boys bringing Voltron to life, we would all be working for Zarkon. Assuming he kept us alive to revel in our misery, we'd be slaves to his whims. He'd command our respect by force. And we would never dare show our caring human sides again for fear of endangering those we love and appearing soft. Our people all know this, every one of us knows this! With that in mind, do you really think this costume and providing a few happy moments would really make our people see you as unworthy of your post? Do you think so little of them that you'd refuse to do a kindness that you fear makes you a little less dignified?"
The older woman bit her lip, thinking that Allura had certainly taken a page from her old Nanny's book in ploys for getting her way; reason mixed with a sizable dollop of guilt was an effective tactic.
"Nanny dearest, I hope you know I wouldn't ask you to do anything if I thought it would harm you or your standing in the castle. Quite the opposite, this is something I strongly believe will serve to greatly improve relations and morale within our ranks." Allura said. Holding out the hat to her governess, she concluded, "I'm not giving you an order. I'm asking you...as a personal favor to the crown, and for a Princess who will consider herself forever indebted to you. Please, won't you be our Santa?"
At that, the governess heaved a sigh. Any attempt at sternness with the young woman in pink, whose loving countenance was that of an angel's with the sweetest of smiles, was futile. Even as she fretted over the logistics of acting like a man, her resolve crumbled. ~It's highly unorthodox...but certainly a laudable endeavor. Those young men...boisterous and unthinking of manners, are heroes and great friends to our people. Traditions are important to make them feel more at ease. Bringing smiles like Master Hunk's and Master Pidge's when I gave them the gingerbread is a very good thing.~
Decision made, Nanny grabbed the garment bag, folded it over her arm, took the hat from her darling Princess, and gave the answer that good King Alfor would have heartily approved of.
"I shall need some bells. Santa must have sleigh bells."
"I vanted to know if this ensemble vould be too difficult for you to see on someone else?" The governess asked, to the point as usual, but with kindness in her voice. As Allura bowed her head, Nanny added, "If this could help you, I can say vit assurance that His Majesty would have greatly enjoyed providing a costume for your 'Santa Claus'."
"Of course he would have!" Allura proclaimed, looking up. Her smile was joyful, and her platinum circlet reflected the single light in the room with a glow that her nanny found reminiscent of a halo. "I remember him wearing it on his trips to the festivals. It's perfect! You're amazing!"
"I'm just a good finder," The governess said, winking hard to banish the moisture in her eyes. Giving her charge's arm an affectionate squeeze, she went to hang up the garment bag on the edge of a nearby shelf. "I also found some black boots, mittens and a wide black belt, and oh yes, the headpiece that the Queen made herself for your father's winter robes."
As she spoke, the governess knelt down to open a large gray storage chest that she'd single-highhandedly squirreled away with the help of a dolly. She reached into its depths, unfolded some stiff packing paper, and withdrew a stunning red and white chapeau which she held out to the Princess.
Allura smiled in wonder as she took it from her, her long fingers caressing the velvet, the bobble of fluffy white fur hanging from the elongated top, and that which covered the bottom rim of the hat. "This is just wonderful, Nanny! You're the absolute best!"
"A trip to storage is hardly vorth such praise," her governess' scoffing response was belied by delighted expression as she surveyed her discoveries. "I took the liberty of ordering the hair and beard from Lady Marin the hairdresser. In the old days, she used to be the most sought after costumer for the masquerade balls- she has a flair for such things."
"Marvelous!" Allura enthused. "Mother had many of her creations."
"And so, I am left with one last task for whomever is going to be vearing this outfit- I shall need a name and do a sizing, in case it needs a bit of altering to fit them." Nanny concluded.
The Princess hesitated, and nervously cleared her throat. "Um, of course. About that..."
"You do have someone in mind, yes? Master Coran, perhaps?" Nanny prompted, hiding a smile at the thought of the sensible, unassuming Royal Advisor wearing the furry stocking hat and lavish red coat.
"Well no, it's not him. I was actually hoping..." taking a deep breath, Allura made her request, "I was hoping you'd do it."
For a moment Nanny stared at her beloved Princess, who bravely maintained a steady gaze, and then said, her voice weak with incredulity, "Me? As the Santa Claus? Wearing the King's suit?"
Allura nodded vigorously.
"But, but...but that's preposterous!" Nanny's hands fluttered in agitation. Finally, they came to rest on the impossibly frilly cap on her head, the stout fingers interlocking so that her elbows made perfect arrows in either direction. "Vhy? Vhy do you ask this of me?"
"Because you have the generosity and spirit for the role and you care deeply about the boys," Allura responded warmly, ticking off the reasons on her fingers. "Where Coran is low key, you are full of energy. You don't hold back-when you take on a cause, you delve into it with verve and gusto!"
The governess nodded reluctantly. "This is truth. But-"
"Don't you remember how you used to dress up in costumes to entertain me when my parents were visiting heads of state and I was left alone?" Allura broke in, coaxingly. "You actually became the characters you played for me! You made me so happy!"
Nanny's up-thrust arms helplessly dropped to the sides of the plain gray gown she wore. Then,in a most unusual breach of etiquette, she turned her back on the Princess, trying to escape the hopeful, pleading expression of the younger woman. "Dressing up for your entertainment was one thing. Dressing up in front of those boys is quite another!"
"Why do you think that?"
"Dignity is the boundary that commands respect, and therefore, discipline! Once you've abandoned it, you cannot get it back!"
"I see." Allura murmured. "Well, I don't see! How will anyone know it's you? I won't tell, Coran won't tell! You'll be in disguise!"
Nanny turned back to confront her. "You know very well those clever hooligans vould figure it out! I am not here to play, but to take care of you and keep them in line. Taking part in such a charade as this vould undermine my authority with the staff! And if they don't respect my position, and yes, even fear me a little, how vill I ever keep order in this place?"
The Princess shook her head. "I disagree that showing kindness and having fun while doing that would undermine your authority, Nanny. Even if your role wasn't one that commands respect in its own right, isn't it reinforced by giving them an example of faith, compassion and good humor? I mean, haven't our struggles with Zarkon shown you that respect can't be forced?"
The older woman snorted. "There's no parallel between dealing vit that...that...beast, and this situation at all!"
Allura folded her pink-covered arms across her chest, and stared thoughtfully at her flustered governess. After a moment, she quietly replied. "All right, let me put it another way. Do you think Zarkon would let you refuse such a request if he asked you to play a part?"
"Of course he wouldn't!" Nanny sniffed. "Not that he'd ever think of having a Santa!"
"True." The Princess acknowledged with a half smile. "But if not for the boys bringing Voltron to life, we would all be working for Zarkon. Assuming he kept us alive to revel in our misery, we'd be slaves to his whims. He'd command our respect by force. And we would never dare show our caring human sides again for fear of endangering those we love and appearing soft. Our people all know this, every one of us knows this! With that in mind, do you really think this costume and providing a few happy moments would really make our people see you as unworthy of your post? Do you think so little of them that you'd refuse to do a kindness that you fear makes you a little less dignified?"
The older woman bit her lip, thinking that Allura had certainly taken a page from her old Nanny's book in ploys for getting her way; reason mixed with a sizable dollop of guilt was an effective tactic.
"Nanny dearest, I hope you know I wouldn't ask you to do anything if I thought it would harm you or your standing in the castle. Quite the opposite, this is something I strongly believe will serve to greatly improve relations and morale within our ranks." Allura said. Holding out the hat to her governess, she concluded, "I'm not giving you an order. I'm asking you...as a personal favor to the crown, and for a Princess who will consider herself forever indebted to you. Please, won't you be our Santa?"
At that, the governess heaved a sigh. Any attempt at sternness with the young woman in pink, whose loving countenance was that of an angel's with the sweetest of smiles, was futile. Even as she fretted over the logistics of acting like a man, her resolve crumbled. ~It's highly unorthodox...but certainly a laudable endeavor. Those young men...boisterous and unthinking of manners, are heroes and great friends to our people. Traditions are important to make them feel more at ease. Bringing smiles like Master Hunk's and Master Pidge's when I gave them the gingerbread is a very good thing.~
Decision made, Nanny grabbed the garment bag, folded it over her arm, took the hat from her darling Princess, and gave the answer that good King Alfor would have heartily approved of.
"I shall need some bells. Santa must have sleigh bells."
The supper hour had come, and peaceful camaraderie held sway over the diners at the royal table.
If the male members of the Voltron Force noticed that Nanny seemed preoccupied and disinclined to speak as she served them their food, none of them questioned it- they just appreciated a respite from critiques on their etiquette. In contrast, Princess Allura's pink cheeks and extra sparkle were also appreciated and attributed (with only a bit of guilt) to lingering affects of imbibing schnapps.
Seated to the Princess's left, Keith caught himself paying attention to her over the scrumptious roast beef and potato dinner placed before him. Between dainty bites and sips, she was maintaining a running conversation with Coran, who was seated in his usual place on her right. Unlike their companions, who were content to shovel in the food, the two of them were chatting away.
With a twinge of pique, he wished he could hear what they were saying, they seemed to have a great deal to talk about; Coran has the focused air that spoke of planning. But judging by the man's relaxed, almost amused expression, the topic at hand wasn't worrisome.
It was nice to see Coran and her getting to have a stress free supper conversation for a change. Yes, it had been anticlimactic to the point of disappointment that apart from a friendly smile, Allura hadn't said more than two sentences to him since the meal began, but he wouldn't feel put out.
Allura...she was laughing, a wonderfully contagious sound that brought a smile of pleasure to all who were lucky to hear it. As her hand lifted to brush back and curl strands of her shining golden hair behind her ear, Keith's eyes were drawn to long, elegant fingers and the graceful curve of throat that rose smoothly above the pointed shoulder of her gown.
Seeing her now, in the same place they ate every day, dressed in official 'Princess' garb, absorbed in conversation with her advisor, it was difficult to fathom that he had teased her. Or ridden on a sled with her, his legs wrapped around her hips. That he'd held her close. That he'd kissed her with reckless abandon.
But he had done those things. All of them. Just the thought of it was stirring up his most passionate feelings for Allura, which predictably brought on physical signs of that excitement. He adjusted his napkin and reached for his water goblet, seeking to alleviate the dryness in his throat. Then, keeping his gaze lowered to his as yet filled plate, he speared a piece of roast beef with his fork, scooped up some potatoes along with it, and stuck the delicious repast in his mouth, chewing and then repeating the action with an avid concentration that rivaled Hunk's.
Lance, on Coran's immediate right, had been watching Keith watch Allura. When the Captain shifted uncomfortably and began to tuck into his food with uncharacteristic gusto, a speculative gleam appeared in the Red Lion pilot's eyes. There was a vibe here that was unmistakable. The way Keith was staring, and the way Allura was not looking at Keith...well, he'd bet a month's salary that something all icky sticky gooey happened between the Princess and Keith in the lounge after he'd left.
~Dude is eyeing her like she's his favorite new dessert. So will it be 'Princess pie a la mode' tonight? Or perhaps, Cherries Jubilee?~
While the Red Lion pilot contemplated that particular scenario, increasingly risqué euphemisms continued to come to mind, he chortled out loud.
Hunk, in the act of taking another helping of mashed potatoes, stared quizzically across the table at his grinning teammate. "Care to share the joke?"
"Your face," Lance replied, not missing a beat.
Pidge, sitting next to Hunk, groaned and eyed his friend. "You taking that burn sitting down?"
"Wasn't a burn." Hunk said calmly, through a mouthful of potatoes. "Tepid. Losing his touch."
"Whatever." Lance shrugged. "I'm thinking about things."
The Green Lion pilot snagged another roll. "What's with the introspection? Do I really have to stir the pot of conversation? I mean, I'd be glad to tell you all about this great application I'm working on to calculate the variants of temperature in the-"
"Hey Keith," Lance interrupted Pidge. "What did you end up doing after we left you this afternoon?"
"You should've stuck around if you wanted to know."
"Wow. Maybe Princess will be more social." Lance turned his head toward Allura, who had ended her dialogue with Coran and had been listening to the exchange. "What did you do with your down time?"
"I really don't have anything to report." Allura replied. Lance looked like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth, which was a sure sign that he was setting someone up.
The Red Lion pilot gave her a bright smile. "Did you get back to your room for a nap?"
"That wasn't necessary. I just needed some help with-" The Princess broke off. "I cleaned up the lounge and I relaxed. That's all I can tell you."
"Bet Keith was a big help."
"As a matter of fact, yes! He did help!"
Allura's smile widened as Lance blinked. He hadn't been expecting that admission, and she knew he wasn't sure what to do with it.
"How about you, Lance? Did you get a line on that mistletoe you were going to order?" The Black Lion pilot asked pointedly.
"Ah! Mistletoe. A parasitic plant found on Earth." Coran said, who sensed mischief was afoot and had decided it would be prudent to divert it. "Why would you want that?"
"Lance can tell you all about it," Keith assured the older man. "The Princess is interested in our holiday traditions, and Lance has offered to get some for her perusal."
"I see." Coran's eyebrows lifted as he regarded the Red Lion pilot with studied interest. "Do tell me more about this tradition."
Keith glanced at Lance, who gave him the 'you're dead meat' stare the moment their eyes met. "Yes, Lance, tell us more."
If the male members of the Voltron Force noticed that Nanny seemed preoccupied and disinclined to speak as she served them their food, none of them questioned it- they just appreciated a respite from critiques on their etiquette. In contrast, Princess Allura's pink cheeks and extra sparkle were also appreciated and attributed (with only a bit of guilt) to lingering affects of imbibing schnapps.
Seated to the Princess's left, Keith caught himself paying attention to her over the scrumptious roast beef and potato dinner placed before him. Between dainty bites and sips, she was maintaining a running conversation with Coran, who was seated in his usual place on her right. Unlike their companions, who were content to shovel in the food, the two of them were chatting away.
With a twinge of pique, he wished he could hear what they were saying, they seemed to have a great deal to talk about; Coran has the focused air that spoke of planning. But judging by the man's relaxed, almost amused expression, the topic at hand wasn't worrisome.
It was nice to see Coran and her getting to have a stress free supper conversation for a change. Yes, it had been anticlimactic to the point of disappointment that apart from a friendly smile, Allura hadn't said more than two sentences to him since the meal began, but he wouldn't feel put out.
Allura...she was laughing, a wonderfully contagious sound that brought a smile of pleasure to all who were lucky to hear it. As her hand lifted to brush back and curl strands of her shining golden hair behind her ear, Keith's eyes were drawn to long, elegant fingers and the graceful curve of throat that rose smoothly above the pointed shoulder of her gown.
Seeing her now, in the same place they ate every day, dressed in official 'Princess' garb, absorbed in conversation with her advisor, it was difficult to fathom that he had teased her. Or ridden on a sled with her, his legs wrapped around her hips. That he'd held her close. That he'd kissed her with reckless abandon.
But he had done those things. All of them. Just the thought of it was stirring up his most passionate feelings for Allura, which predictably brought on physical signs of that excitement. He adjusted his napkin and reached for his water goblet, seeking to alleviate the dryness in his throat. Then, keeping his gaze lowered to his as yet filled plate, he speared a piece of roast beef with his fork, scooped up some potatoes along with it, and stuck the delicious repast in his mouth, chewing and then repeating the action with an avid concentration that rivaled Hunk's.
Lance, on Coran's immediate right, had been watching Keith watch Allura. When the Captain shifted uncomfortably and began to tuck into his food with uncharacteristic gusto, a speculative gleam appeared in the Red Lion pilot's eyes. There was a vibe here that was unmistakable. The way Keith was staring, and the way Allura was not looking at Keith...well, he'd bet a month's salary that something all icky sticky gooey happened between the Princess and Keith in the lounge after he'd left.
~Dude is eyeing her like she's his favorite new dessert. So will it be 'Princess pie a la mode' tonight? Or perhaps, Cherries Jubilee?~
While the Red Lion pilot contemplated that particular scenario, increasingly risqué euphemisms continued to come to mind, he chortled out loud.
Hunk, in the act of taking another helping of mashed potatoes, stared quizzically across the table at his grinning teammate. "Care to share the joke?"
"Your face," Lance replied, not missing a beat.
Pidge, sitting next to Hunk, groaned and eyed his friend. "You taking that burn sitting down?"
"Wasn't a burn." Hunk said calmly, through a mouthful of potatoes. "Tepid. Losing his touch."
"Whatever." Lance shrugged. "I'm thinking about things."
The Green Lion pilot snagged another roll. "What's with the introspection? Do I really have to stir the pot of conversation? I mean, I'd be glad to tell you all about this great application I'm working on to calculate the variants of temperature in the-"
"Hey Keith," Lance interrupted Pidge. "What did you end up doing after we left you this afternoon?"
"You should've stuck around if you wanted to know."
"Wow. Maybe Princess will be more social." Lance turned his head toward Allura, who had ended her dialogue with Coran and had been listening to the exchange. "What did you do with your down time?"
"I really don't have anything to report." Allura replied. Lance looked like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth, which was a sure sign that he was setting someone up.
The Red Lion pilot gave her a bright smile. "Did you get back to your room for a nap?"
"That wasn't necessary. I just needed some help with-" The Princess broke off. "I cleaned up the lounge and I relaxed. That's all I can tell you."
"Bet Keith was a big help."
"As a matter of fact, yes! He did help!"
Allura's smile widened as Lance blinked. He hadn't been expecting that admission, and she knew he wasn't sure what to do with it.
"How about you, Lance? Did you get a line on that mistletoe you were going to order?" The Black Lion pilot asked pointedly.
"Ah! Mistletoe. A parasitic plant found on Earth." Coran said, who sensed mischief was afoot and had decided it would be prudent to divert it. "Why would you want that?"
"Lance can tell you all about it," Keith assured the older man. "The Princess is interested in our holiday traditions, and Lance has offered to get some for her perusal."
"I see." Coran's eyebrows lifted as he regarded the Red Lion pilot with studied interest. "Do tell me more about this tradition."
Keith glanced at Lance, who gave him the 'you're dead meat' stare the moment their eyes met. "Yes, Lance, tell us more."
Allura stifled a giggle at Lance's obvious annoyance and Keith's smug expression as Lance began to give a clinical yet colorful explanation of mistletoe for his attentive audience.
Well, mostly attentive. Having read all about the mistletoe, Allura found her attention wandering...to Keith, as she was no longer able to resist the opportunity she had denied herself since the Captain had arrived in the dining room.
She'd felt his eyes upon her the entire time she'd been talking to Coran, knew he was aware of everything she did, every move she made. The worry of giving away their secret or the surprise she was concocting had kept her from conversing naturally or including him in conversation; she'd latched onto Coran like a lifeline, who'd cleverly recognized the pitfall she was avoiding and used hushed tones honed in delicate political negotiations to convey information to her regarding progress on the planning of Christmas.
Keith had changed clothes; he was back in his flight suit, and she wondered if he'd gotten the stain out of his beautiful sweater. Thinking of what had happened to put it there brought on a wave of heat that made her feel as if she'd never be cold again. She eyed the material stretched over his chest, his shoulders, and then allowed her gaze to move up the strong column of his throat to rest on his mouth. She felt intoxicated again, knowing what the press of those lips felt like, how wonderfully firm and yet facile they were.
This would not do. She was getting too warm and fluttery. It was difficult to look away, but she managed to switch her gaze to her plate for a moment of reprieve. But like a bee to a flower, they soon returned to the man at her side.
And now, Keith was looking at her, brown eyes as hot and welcoming as a early morning cup of coffee. There was flicker of something primal in their depths too, an emotion that she instantly responded to with longing.
When his gaze boldly dropped to her mouth, she had to fight not to cover her lips.
Leaving her fork on her plate, she folded her hands in her lap, clutching her napkin for dear life, the food in front of her all but forgotten as Keith leaned forward. He spoke, careful to keep the words under cover of his friend's answers to Coran's questions as to how a parasitic plant with poisonous berries had come to symbolize such a romantic tradition. "Do you really think Lance will come though with the goods?"
She had a feeling, and her feelings were usually right. "I know he will." She replied with certainty.
A sidelong glance caught Keith's look of skepticism.
"Would it stop you if he doesn't?" She asked.
Well, mostly attentive. Having read all about the mistletoe, Allura found her attention wandering...to Keith, as she was no longer able to resist the opportunity she had denied herself since the Captain had arrived in the dining room.
She'd felt his eyes upon her the entire time she'd been talking to Coran, knew he was aware of everything she did, every move she made. The worry of giving away their secret or the surprise she was concocting had kept her from conversing naturally or including him in conversation; she'd latched onto Coran like a lifeline, who'd cleverly recognized the pitfall she was avoiding and used hushed tones honed in delicate political negotiations to convey information to her regarding progress on the planning of Christmas.
Keith had changed clothes; he was back in his flight suit, and she wondered if he'd gotten the stain out of his beautiful sweater. Thinking of what had happened to put it there brought on a wave of heat that made her feel as if she'd never be cold again. She eyed the material stretched over his chest, his shoulders, and then allowed her gaze to move up the strong column of his throat to rest on his mouth. She felt intoxicated again, knowing what the press of those lips felt like, how wonderfully firm and yet facile they were.
This would not do. She was getting too warm and fluttery. It was difficult to look away, but she managed to switch her gaze to her plate for a moment of reprieve. But like a bee to a flower, they soon returned to the man at her side.
And now, Keith was looking at her, brown eyes as hot and welcoming as a early morning cup of coffee. There was flicker of something primal in their depths too, an emotion that she instantly responded to with longing.
When his gaze boldly dropped to her mouth, she had to fight not to cover her lips.
Leaving her fork on her plate, she folded her hands in her lap, clutching her napkin for dear life, the food in front of her all but forgotten as Keith leaned forward. He spoke, careful to keep the words under cover of his friend's answers to Coran's questions as to how a parasitic plant with poisonous berries had come to symbolize such a romantic tradition. "Do you really think Lance will come though with the goods?"
She had a feeling, and her feelings were usually right. "I know he will." She replied with certainty.
A sidelong glance caught Keith's look of skepticism.
"Would it stop you if he doesn't?" She asked.
Twenty minutes later, the members of the Voltron Force filed out of the dining area and into an adjoining lounge, to discuss and confirm the next day's agenda. But just as the Princess found a seat, an animated Nanny appeared to whisper in her ear, and then whisk her away again, beckoning to Coran to follow them as well. With an apologetic shrug, and a slight bow, the Diplomat took his leave of the rest of the team.
A strained hush fell over the room after the Arusians had departed.
"Somethin's up." Hunk observed. "Anyone have a clue?"
"Maybe Nanny thinks we've corrupted her baby enough for one day," Lance offered, giving the Captain a meaningful look.
Keith gave a noncommittal smile and said nothing. He was still thinking of Allura's provocative comment. Had that streak of mischief always been there? Or was it the last dregs of schnapps talking?
Had he corrupted her?
"You were the one who gave her schnapps, Hunk!" Pidge said accusingly.
"I suppose I'm in for it, if she noticed the Princess was extra happy." The Big Man conceded glumly. "No more kitchen treats for me."
"Oh I dunno about that.." Lance said. "She was happy, but not...happy."
"Maybe Nanny saw the bruise." Keith observed, with a sidelong look.
"No way! She covered it well." Lance scoffed, but looked uneasy.
"I couldn't see it at all." Hunk added. "Maybe she was more made up looking, but that's all."
Keith smiled. "Which is the point. Nanny notices those little details and starts to wonder..."
The Red Lion pilot spit out an expletive and slumped back in his chair, chin buried in the familiar blue turtleneck. "God help me, I hope not. Both Nanny and Coran would have my hide for that one, not to mention Allura being banned from sliding!"
Keith's smile flat-lined. "Hey, there's really no need to worry! I'll shoulder the blame- accidents happen, but I should have had better control over the situation."
"Thanks, but I don't think I'll let you open that can of beans." Lance said, staring at his best friend. "Not unless you're sure that's all he'll blame you for."
Keith blinked at his second-in-command, who bore no traces of humor in his features. "What do you mean?"
"It means that if I have the distinct feeling there's something hot and heavy going on with you and Princess, so does he. He's her advisor, but he's also the nearest thing to a dad she has, and just as protective."
"That's not a concern for you, though." Keith said mildly.
"Yes it is. Princess is on our team. She's one of us. I don't want her getting in trouble."
"That bruise is already healing. Again, no reason to be concerned."
"What about her heart and her future? Who's looking out for them?"
Keith's eyebrows lowered. "What do you mean? What are you getting so worked up about?"
Hunk glanced from one man to the other. He'd determined to stay out of it, but this was not good. Keith was looking very peeved. "Aw Lance, you know the Cap cares for-"
"Enough, Hunk. I got this." Keith said. "You have a very active imagination, Lance. Why would you think I'd hurt her like that?"
"The way you look at her screams you want to jump her bones every time she's near you." The Red Lion pilot said bluntly. "Too intense to miss, man. And the tension- it hangs in the air. Never seen you look at any woman like that before."
Keith's jaw tightened. "Again, no need for concern. I respect her."
"So you're going to court her?" Lance pressed. "If that's the case, as your friend and wing man, I should be in the know so I can run interference if things get out of hand."
Keith shook his head. "It's time to drop the subject."
Pidge, who'd kept quiet to this point, let out a sigh. Why had he thought he should start a table conversation? He couldn't fathom what Lance was blathering on about, or why Keith was being so stubborn about the Princess. What was the big deal? Heck, they all admired her. They all had crushes on her!
It was pointless to argue. If Lance saw them kissing, making out, whatever, why was he bugging Keith? If Keith were kissing the Princess, that meant she would be getting a kiss from a great guy instead of that Batwing wearing creep, and Keith was getting to kiss the woman of all of their dreams. What was the big deal?
And if Keith was hiding something, why? Stupid regulations regarding who the Princess could be with? Ha! Love could not be dictated or forced- if the foundation was there, it happened. It could be hidden, but not denied. Why be touchy about admitting that to anyone, especially your best buddies?
Beyond that, Pidge found that after the terrific day they'd had, this kind of ill will between friends was unacceptable and unpalatable to him, not mention it being this time of year. Even if he wasn't on Earth, the season of love meant something to him.
"Hold up, guys." He spoke in a quiet, firm militaristic tone that commanded attention, and his friends turned to him with frowns. "Before you say things you might regret, will you just let me ask you something? And will you hear me out?"
"Of course we will, buddy!" Said Hunk.
Aware that his hands had curled into fists, Keith forced himself to relax. His gaze was warm as he addressed the youngest cadet to graduate with full honors from the Academy in its history. "Go ahead, Pidge."
"What is it, squirt?" Lance asked.
The youth nodded. "All right. First thing, do you happen to remember what tomorrow is?"
Blank glances were exchanged.
"You mean, the day of the week?" Lance asked.
"No. The date."
The Red Lion pilot thought for a moment. "Don't remember. Is it special or something?"
"Yes." Pidge looked at Hunk who shrugged, and then Keith, who simply shook his head. Not hiding his consternation, the youth gave them the answer.
"It's December twenty-fourth! Christmas Eve!"
There was silence. Then Lance hissed like a balloon losing air.
"Yep," Hunk acknowledged wearily. "It is."
Keith looked pained. "I can't believe I lost track..."
"Okay. So now that you know, you should know that since it's almost Christmas, I'm going to be asking Santa for a present," Pidge continued.
"Of course." Lance said, as Keith smiled.
Hunk chuckled indulgently. "And what would you like for Christmas, little buddy?"
"This year, I'm asking Santa for a favor to help my surrogate family here on Arus. I'd like him to help give perspective, so we can see the value of diversity and brotherhood. I'd like us to spend every day together appreciating what we have, encouraging rather than complaining, and to accept that we all follow our bliss in our own ways."
The Green Lion pilot paused, and leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed behind his head. "Whether Santa can deliver remains to be seen. He may need some help." The boy said, while contemplating the ceiling. "The speculation and the needling around here lately has been bothering me. Does it matter who the Princess is with as long as she's happy?"
Keith fidgeted. "It's not that simple-"
"Yeah,I'm just a kid, I know." Pidge interrupted. "And maybe I'm too idealistic in thinking that we can simply take what life gives and not stress about it not turning out exactly what we wanted. But I know today was a great day. We dropped our guard, allowed ourselves to quit thinking and just have fun! We laughed! No one got pissed!" Pidge reached under his glasses to rub his eyes, then pushed them back into place. "For all of the times I've seen my life flying in front of my eyes, I want more memories like today's! Those memories, they're what will sustain us when bad times hit! So I'm asking if we can set aside the agendas and appreciate that we're traveling this life together. It's perspective, people! One blessed family! Is that too much to wish for at Christmas?"
For a moment, the men of the Voltron Force took great interest in their boots. When they lifted their heads, they exchanged looks that conveyed profound resolve.
As one, Keith, Lance and Hunk turned to the boy who had experienced a lifetime of horrors and heartbreak in his twelve short years, and vowed to grant Pidge's wish.
A strained hush fell over the room after the Arusians had departed.
"Somethin's up." Hunk observed. "Anyone have a clue?"
"Maybe Nanny thinks we've corrupted her baby enough for one day," Lance offered, giving the Captain a meaningful look.
Keith gave a noncommittal smile and said nothing. He was still thinking of Allura's provocative comment. Had that streak of mischief always been there? Or was it the last dregs of schnapps talking?
Had he corrupted her?
"You were the one who gave her schnapps, Hunk!" Pidge said accusingly.
"I suppose I'm in for it, if she noticed the Princess was extra happy." The Big Man conceded glumly. "No more kitchen treats for me."
"Oh I dunno about that.." Lance said. "She was happy, but not...happy."
"Maybe Nanny saw the bruise." Keith observed, with a sidelong look.
"No way! She covered it well." Lance scoffed, but looked uneasy.
"I couldn't see it at all." Hunk added. "Maybe she was more made up looking, but that's all."
Keith smiled. "Which is the point. Nanny notices those little details and starts to wonder..."
The Red Lion pilot spit out an expletive and slumped back in his chair, chin buried in the familiar blue turtleneck. "God help me, I hope not. Both Nanny and Coran would have my hide for that one, not to mention Allura being banned from sliding!"
Keith's smile flat-lined. "Hey, there's really no need to worry! I'll shoulder the blame- accidents happen, but I should have had better control over the situation."
"Thanks, but I don't think I'll let you open that can of beans." Lance said, staring at his best friend. "Not unless you're sure that's all he'll blame you for."
Keith blinked at his second-in-command, who bore no traces of humor in his features. "What do you mean?"
"It means that if I have the distinct feeling there's something hot and heavy going on with you and Princess, so does he. He's her advisor, but he's also the nearest thing to a dad she has, and just as protective."
"That's not a concern for you, though." Keith said mildly.
"Yes it is. Princess is on our team. She's one of us. I don't want her getting in trouble."
"That bruise is already healing. Again, no reason to be concerned."
"What about her heart and her future? Who's looking out for them?"
Keith's eyebrows lowered. "What do you mean? What are you getting so worked up about?"
Hunk glanced from one man to the other. He'd determined to stay out of it, but this was not good. Keith was looking very peeved. "Aw Lance, you know the Cap cares for-"
"Enough, Hunk. I got this." Keith said. "You have a very active imagination, Lance. Why would you think I'd hurt her like that?"
"The way you look at her screams you want to jump her bones every time she's near you." The Red Lion pilot said bluntly. "Too intense to miss, man. And the tension- it hangs in the air. Never seen you look at any woman like that before."
Keith's jaw tightened. "Again, no need for concern. I respect her."
"So you're going to court her?" Lance pressed. "If that's the case, as your friend and wing man, I should be in the know so I can run interference if things get out of hand."
Keith shook his head. "It's time to drop the subject."
Pidge, who'd kept quiet to this point, let out a sigh. Why had he thought he should start a table conversation? He couldn't fathom what Lance was blathering on about, or why Keith was being so stubborn about the Princess. What was the big deal? Heck, they all admired her. They all had crushes on her!
It was pointless to argue. If Lance saw them kissing, making out, whatever, why was he bugging Keith? If Keith were kissing the Princess, that meant she would be getting a kiss from a great guy instead of that Batwing wearing creep, and Keith was getting to kiss the woman of all of their dreams. What was the big deal?
And if Keith was hiding something, why? Stupid regulations regarding who the Princess could be with? Ha! Love could not be dictated or forced- if the foundation was there, it happened. It could be hidden, but not denied. Why be touchy about admitting that to anyone, especially your best buddies?
Beyond that, Pidge found that after the terrific day they'd had, this kind of ill will between friends was unacceptable and unpalatable to him, not mention it being this time of year. Even if he wasn't on Earth, the season of love meant something to him.
"Hold up, guys." He spoke in a quiet, firm militaristic tone that commanded attention, and his friends turned to him with frowns. "Before you say things you might regret, will you just let me ask you something? And will you hear me out?"
"Of course we will, buddy!" Said Hunk.
Aware that his hands had curled into fists, Keith forced himself to relax. His gaze was warm as he addressed the youngest cadet to graduate with full honors from the Academy in its history. "Go ahead, Pidge."
"What is it, squirt?" Lance asked.
The youth nodded. "All right. First thing, do you happen to remember what tomorrow is?"
Blank glances were exchanged.
"You mean, the day of the week?" Lance asked.
"No. The date."
The Red Lion pilot thought for a moment. "Don't remember. Is it special or something?"
"Yes." Pidge looked at Hunk who shrugged, and then Keith, who simply shook his head. Not hiding his consternation, the youth gave them the answer.
"It's December twenty-fourth! Christmas Eve!"
There was silence. Then Lance hissed like a balloon losing air.
"Yep," Hunk acknowledged wearily. "It is."
Keith looked pained. "I can't believe I lost track..."
"Okay. So now that you know, you should know that since it's almost Christmas, I'm going to be asking Santa for a present," Pidge continued.
"Of course." Lance said, as Keith smiled.
Hunk chuckled indulgently. "And what would you like for Christmas, little buddy?"
"This year, I'm asking Santa for a favor to help my surrogate family here on Arus. I'd like him to help give perspective, so we can see the value of diversity and brotherhood. I'd like us to spend every day together appreciating what we have, encouraging rather than complaining, and to accept that we all follow our bliss in our own ways."
The Green Lion pilot paused, and leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed behind his head. "Whether Santa can deliver remains to be seen. He may need some help." The boy said, while contemplating the ceiling. "The speculation and the needling around here lately has been bothering me. Does it matter who the Princess is with as long as she's happy?"
Keith fidgeted. "It's not that simple-"
"Yeah,I'm just a kid, I know." Pidge interrupted. "And maybe I'm too idealistic in thinking that we can simply take what life gives and not stress about it not turning out exactly what we wanted. But I know today was a great day. We dropped our guard, allowed ourselves to quit thinking and just have fun! We laughed! No one got pissed!" Pidge reached under his glasses to rub his eyes, then pushed them back into place. "For all of the times I've seen my life flying in front of my eyes, I want more memories like today's! Those memories, they're what will sustain us when bad times hit! So I'm asking if we can set aside the agendas and appreciate that we're traveling this life together. It's perspective, people! One blessed family! Is that too much to wish for at Christmas?"
For a moment, the men of the Voltron Force took great interest in their boots. When they lifted their heads, they exchanged looks that conveyed profound resolve.
As one, Keith, Lance and Hunk turned to the boy who had experienced a lifetime of horrors and heartbreak in his twelve short years, and vowed to grant Pidge's wish.
Later that night, Princess Allura lay in her bed, unable to sleep. Her thoughts were a pendulum, swinging back and forth between heart thumping excitement over exchanging soulful kisses with Keith, to a giddy childlike glee over the wonderful surprises in store for those most precious to her.
After an intensive review of the persona and characteristics of Santa and some rehearsal, Nanny had practiced her part, with Coran giving timely pointers and opinions. Allura grinned. Her Guardian had certainly put his diplomatic skills to excellent use in keeping a straight face while encouraging her governess to 'be jolly'. And Nanny had followed his coaching to the extent that Coran had applauded in sincere admiration while laughing out loud, a rare and wondrous treat for the ears and the eyes of the two women who adored him.
If there had been one disappointing thing about their preparations, it was making sure she kept away from Keith and the rest of the boys for the night. She knew they were wondering why she'd left supper so quickly. They were all very in tune to any sorts of plots, and Lance was adept at exposing them. She could make up a story, but she was notoriously bad at fibbing, and Keith had a way of looking at her that made her yearn to tell him whatever he wanted to know. It was better not to put herself and the surprise in that precarious position.
As it happened, it had been a simple task to avoid them. Coran was standing guard, using his castle lookouts to ascertain that Keith had retired to his quarters to finish his reports, and to ensure that someone else made sure Lance, Hunk and Pidge happened to find more old action adventure shows that they'd not seen since their academy days. As of last report, the three were engrossed in viewing them in the recreation room.
The Princess's sigh held impatience tempered by contentment. Everything was in place for the next day. The only unknown was if the mistletoe could be found in time. Knowing the Red Lion pilot as she did, he'd try everything in his power to get it- but if it didn't work out, she wasn't going let that put a damper on the festivities.
~St. Nicholas, if you're listening, please help him succeed! Getting caught under the mistletoe by Keith would be a beautiful remembrance of the day...~
With a sleepy murmur, Allura turned on her side. Snuggling her golden head deeply into her pillow, she drifted into a dream where visions of sweet treats waltzed in her head, intermixing with swirling snowflakes, Santa hats, and a fairy tale Princess rubbing noses with an Eskimo.
After an intensive review of the persona and characteristics of Santa and some rehearsal, Nanny had practiced her part, with Coran giving timely pointers and opinions. Allura grinned. Her Guardian had certainly put his diplomatic skills to excellent use in keeping a straight face while encouraging her governess to 'be jolly'. And Nanny had followed his coaching to the extent that Coran had applauded in sincere admiration while laughing out loud, a rare and wondrous treat for the ears and the eyes of the two women who adored him.
If there had been one disappointing thing about their preparations, it was making sure she kept away from Keith and the rest of the boys for the night. She knew they were wondering why she'd left supper so quickly. They were all very in tune to any sorts of plots, and Lance was adept at exposing them. She could make up a story, but she was notoriously bad at fibbing, and Keith had a way of looking at her that made her yearn to tell him whatever he wanted to know. It was better not to put herself and the surprise in that precarious position.
As it happened, it had been a simple task to avoid them. Coran was standing guard, using his castle lookouts to ascertain that Keith had retired to his quarters to finish his reports, and to ensure that someone else made sure Lance, Hunk and Pidge happened to find more old action adventure shows that they'd not seen since their academy days. As of last report, the three were engrossed in viewing them in the recreation room.
The Princess's sigh held impatience tempered by contentment. Everything was in place for the next day. The only unknown was if the mistletoe could be found in time. Knowing the Red Lion pilot as she did, he'd try everything in his power to get it- but if it didn't work out, she wasn't going let that put a damper on the festivities.
~St. Nicholas, if you're listening, please help him succeed! Getting caught under the mistletoe by Keith would be a beautiful remembrance of the day...~
With a sleepy murmur, Allura turned on her side. Snuggling her golden head deeply into her pillow, she drifted into a dream where visions of sweet treats waltzed in her head, intermixing with swirling snowflakes, Santa hats, and a fairy tale Princess rubbing noses with an Eskimo.
Light peeped beneath the veil of midnight blue sky that clung to the horizon. The few stubborn stars still holding court in the sky took the hint and abdicated to the sun, allowing long, translucent fingers of light to lift the veil and crown the spires of the Castle of Lions, bestowing a blessing over the realm.
As the sky grew bright and sunbeams splashed color over the blank canvas of snow that had fallen in the night, sentries and other early risers rejoiced that there were no hulking masses of Doom waiting to darken their day. Within the Castle of Lion's fortified walls, Keith was wide awake after a scant three and a half hour's sleep. He'd showered, shaved and dressed in his uniform, while grumbling under his breath about the ridiculous amount of prep time he was indulging in for the sake of looking good. Given the amount of time they'd spent in the squalor of war, it wasn't like she hadn't seem him unshaven and unkempt before...
Still. He'd dreamed about and then awoken still thinking of her, how good and right it had felt to hold and kiss her. On top of that, was the knowledge that today was Christmas Eve, which brought on a feeling of anticipation and a need to look his best. If Allura realized how much today meant to him...
Quite possibly she did. Why else would she have been looking up the meaning of Christmas on the computer? She hadn't said anything specific about it, but he felt sure her research of Terran religious customs indicated her empathy for his spiritual beliefs. Never before had he felt comfortable enough to broach the subject of religion with her, but as far as religious differences went, it had always been apparent to him that Allura's faith in a Higher Power was equal to his. Although they spoke of and celebrated that belief in different ways, it was likely she would be very sympathetic to a request for a small celebration marking the holiday.
Even for something as basic as a nativity scene, it was just not his way to ask for favors. Besides, even if there were no trappings of the season around him, the things that mattered most were love, faith and joy, gifts that far surpassed the man made kitsch that came with celebrating the date. To experience the holiday without glitz would hopefully help him focus squarely on the reason that this holiday was celebrated.
Keith smiled, thinking of the promise made the night before. He would take a page from Pidge's book of life lessons; the Baltonian definitely had the proper perspective on what was important. The crux of any spiritual celebration was sharing religious traditions. His smile lessened at the thought at the thought of missing sharing those spiritual rituals with his Earth bound family members...and ceased altogether at the remembrance of how many on this world had lost that chance forever.
The Captain's gaze fell on his personal computer. He'd sat in front of it for several hours last night, composing page after page of observations and stories about the Princess in a letter to his older sister, who still lived in their childhood hometown of Juneau, Alaska. As he wrote, something inside him insistently prodded him to tell his sibling the whole truth. Granted, he had absolutely no intention of sending Sarah this particular letter, but candidly explaining his emotions to his childhood confidante in this way had helped him almost as much as if she were there to listen.
Keying in his romantic confessions had laid bare the profound feelings he held about Allura that he'd avoided contemplating; the desire to protect her that he'd felt from the start, his admiration for her resolve and the unconditional warmth and compassion she exuded that deeply touched anyone who came in contact with her. He reflected upon the immense hatred he barely held in check every time Lotor spoke to her, the passionate conviction he held that he truly belonged at her side even if it could only be in the capacity of a friend, and his resolution to give up his life if that what was needed for her to survive.
As he reread the body of evidence for his devotion to the Arusian monarch, he admitted that he had been suppressing his feelings ever since he had taken the lead in kneeling to kiss her hand and swear an impromptu oath of allegiance to her and her embattled planet. Just over a year after making that vow, he was writing about being in love with the woman who inspired it as the best thing that ever happened to him, even if the same was setting him up for the biggest downfall ever. Self-preservation be damned, he just couldn't summon the angst or the apprehension over loving someone beyond his means.
Writing down the truth had brought peace, and with it, a tenderness that gave him a feeling of great fulfillment. The desire generated by the heated kisses he and Allura had exchanged were added flashes of bliss, stoking the fires of a strong and growing emotion.
He had leaned back in his chair, and thought more about the woman who held his heart in her gentle hands.
It amazed him that she didn't realize how beautiful she was, or that he drew strength from her stalwart and courageous demeanor, when so many around her had crumbled and given in to despair. It amazed him how optimistic she still was about finding the good in people, though her compassionate heart had been broken countless times by betrayal and the horrific things she had seen during the course of this war. It amazed him that she still knew how to have fun! Was there anyone he would rather be with on Christmas Eve than Allura, Crown Princess of Arus?
Keith's melancholy spirits lifted at the thought; he grinned and mentally answered his own question with a forceful, 'no way, not a chance'! And that's when inspiration had hit. He had closed the letter, opened up another secret file, and began typing away with fervid purpose. He had found himself greatly wanting to tell the Princess, instead of Sarah, that every Christmas from now on would be a special day for him for so many reasons, not the least of which because it was the day that he had realized his heart eternally belonged to a very remarkable woman.
But as the minutes had slipped by, elation at his discovery was soon replaced by confusion that she'd avoided him after supper, and apprehension that she might regret what had happened. It was plain that she was physically attracted to him, but that was really all he had to go on. Even if she felt the same as he did, she was no longer the naive, headstrong young woman he had met in the regal ruins of a great civilization. Allura had grown up suffering many devastatingly personal losses- the implications of loving someone who had Doom's target on him, who could be snatched away from her at any time by military machinations could be a trigger for traumatic emotional stress, or at the very least, give her second thoughts.
This was no time to go barreling in with trumpets blaring and his heart on his sleeve. First, he needed to find out-in the most tactful way, of course- what had made her disappear the night before. If it regrets toward what they had shared the day before had anything to do with it, he needed to be patient, give her assurance that love was always worth the risk. Then he needed to kiss her again just to make sure that she would respond when not under the influence of shared danger or alcohol.
If acknowledged and reciprocated by Allura, his feelings would run hot and unrestrained, something that might shock her if she weren't ready for the physical demands he knew he was sure to make on her in a relationship. He had to give her time, avoid rushing them into things with the brashness he often displayed in battle. It was going to be torture to hold back; as Sven had told him after meeting Romelle, love was simply an unstoppable force, conquering everything, including good judgment and common sense. But somehow, he'd do it.
After that, he'd redoubled his efforts, finished his 'project', proofread it with a fine tooth comb, and then printed it out on his best stationary, after which he had gotten up, walked over and collapsed onto his bed, energy more sapped from writing than it was after a grueling tae kwon do session with Lance.
But sleep still was elusive...
As awareness of the present time returned, Keith jerked in surprise. A glance at his watch said he'd been standing in the middle of his quarters, daydreaming, for a good ten minutes. There was no reason to worry, though, he was plenty ahead of schedule. He rubbed his neck, massaging the tension away from the taut muscles.
Was this the way love always felt? Heart pounding, yearning, fantasy-like, churning desire, the agony of anticipation, possessiveness and protectiveness all rolled up into one being? It was certainly a new occurrence for him to be so distracted by emotion! He had always enjoyed the company of women on a cerebral basis, and one or two he thought he had loved, on a physical basis, but none had fully engaged both his mind and his body the way Allura had. As a commander, it didn't bode well if he became all soft and sentimental that he'd found true love...
He turned to look at himself in the full-length mirror next to built-in armoire, and the love-struck expression on his features changed to a scowl. ~Get it together, head-over-heels or not, you have a job to do!~ He straightened his posture, took a slow, deep breath, exhaled slowly. That was better; his focus was there, his pulse was at a normal rate. He could now proceed with the day's business.
However, as his eyes turned away from the mirror they fell on the make up stained sweater, and the giddy, churning sensation quickly resumed. He supposed he'd eventually have to wash away the proof of a dream come true. But for now, he savored the sight, and the memory of how awesome it had been to finally hold her the way he had always wanted to-
Dammit! Another distraction!
Keith strode over to pick up the offending garment and returned to the dresser to thrust it into an open drawer, which he then shut with more force than necessary. Out of sight, out of mind. He'd figure out how to remove the spot later.
Gathering up his flight plan specs and his scattered composure, the Voltron Captain headed out the door of his quarters and down to the Lion ship shuttle launch area at a brisk clip, keeping his excitement bottled and a sphinx-like expression plastered on his face.
As the sky grew bright and sunbeams splashed color over the blank canvas of snow that had fallen in the night, sentries and other early risers rejoiced that there were no hulking masses of Doom waiting to darken their day. Within the Castle of Lion's fortified walls, Keith was wide awake after a scant three and a half hour's sleep. He'd showered, shaved and dressed in his uniform, while grumbling under his breath about the ridiculous amount of prep time he was indulging in for the sake of looking good. Given the amount of time they'd spent in the squalor of war, it wasn't like she hadn't seem him unshaven and unkempt before...
Still. He'd dreamed about and then awoken still thinking of her, how good and right it had felt to hold and kiss her. On top of that, was the knowledge that today was Christmas Eve, which brought on a feeling of anticipation and a need to look his best. If Allura realized how much today meant to him...
Quite possibly she did. Why else would she have been looking up the meaning of Christmas on the computer? She hadn't said anything specific about it, but he felt sure her research of Terran religious customs indicated her empathy for his spiritual beliefs. Never before had he felt comfortable enough to broach the subject of religion with her, but as far as religious differences went, it had always been apparent to him that Allura's faith in a Higher Power was equal to his. Although they spoke of and celebrated that belief in different ways, it was likely she would be very sympathetic to a request for a small celebration marking the holiday.
Even for something as basic as a nativity scene, it was just not his way to ask for favors. Besides, even if there were no trappings of the season around him, the things that mattered most were love, faith and joy, gifts that far surpassed the man made kitsch that came with celebrating the date. To experience the holiday without glitz would hopefully help him focus squarely on the reason that this holiday was celebrated.
Keith smiled, thinking of the promise made the night before. He would take a page from Pidge's book of life lessons; the Baltonian definitely had the proper perspective on what was important. The crux of any spiritual celebration was sharing religious traditions. His smile lessened at the thought at the thought of missing sharing those spiritual rituals with his Earth bound family members...and ceased altogether at the remembrance of how many on this world had lost that chance forever.
The Captain's gaze fell on his personal computer. He'd sat in front of it for several hours last night, composing page after page of observations and stories about the Princess in a letter to his older sister, who still lived in their childhood hometown of Juneau, Alaska. As he wrote, something inside him insistently prodded him to tell his sibling the whole truth. Granted, he had absolutely no intention of sending Sarah this particular letter, but candidly explaining his emotions to his childhood confidante in this way had helped him almost as much as if she were there to listen.
Keying in his romantic confessions had laid bare the profound feelings he held about Allura that he'd avoided contemplating; the desire to protect her that he'd felt from the start, his admiration for her resolve and the unconditional warmth and compassion she exuded that deeply touched anyone who came in contact with her. He reflected upon the immense hatred he barely held in check every time Lotor spoke to her, the passionate conviction he held that he truly belonged at her side even if it could only be in the capacity of a friend, and his resolution to give up his life if that what was needed for her to survive.
As he reread the body of evidence for his devotion to the Arusian monarch, he admitted that he had been suppressing his feelings ever since he had taken the lead in kneeling to kiss her hand and swear an impromptu oath of allegiance to her and her embattled planet. Just over a year after making that vow, he was writing about being in love with the woman who inspired it as the best thing that ever happened to him, even if the same was setting him up for the biggest downfall ever. Self-preservation be damned, he just couldn't summon the angst or the apprehension over loving someone beyond his means.
Writing down the truth had brought peace, and with it, a tenderness that gave him a feeling of great fulfillment. The desire generated by the heated kisses he and Allura had exchanged were added flashes of bliss, stoking the fires of a strong and growing emotion.
He had leaned back in his chair, and thought more about the woman who held his heart in her gentle hands.
It amazed him that she didn't realize how beautiful she was, or that he drew strength from her stalwart and courageous demeanor, when so many around her had crumbled and given in to despair. It amazed him how optimistic she still was about finding the good in people, though her compassionate heart had been broken countless times by betrayal and the horrific things she had seen during the course of this war. It amazed him that she still knew how to have fun! Was there anyone he would rather be with on Christmas Eve than Allura, Crown Princess of Arus?
Keith's melancholy spirits lifted at the thought; he grinned and mentally answered his own question with a forceful, 'no way, not a chance'! And that's when inspiration had hit. He had closed the letter, opened up another secret file, and began typing away with fervid purpose. He had found himself greatly wanting to tell the Princess, instead of Sarah, that every Christmas from now on would be a special day for him for so many reasons, not the least of which because it was the day that he had realized his heart eternally belonged to a very remarkable woman.
But as the minutes had slipped by, elation at his discovery was soon replaced by confusion that she'd avoided him after supper, and apprehension that she might regret what had happened. It was plain that she was physically attracted to him, but that was really all he had to go on. Even if she felt the same as he did, she was no longer the naive, headstrong young woman he had met in the regal ruins of a great civilization. Allura had grown up suffering many devastatingly personal losses- the implications of loving someone who had Doom's target on him, who could be snatched away from her at any time by military machinations could be a trigger for traumatic emotional stress, or at the very least, give her second thoughts.
This was no time to go barreling in with trumpets blaring and his heart on his sleeve. First, he needed to find out-in the most tactful way, of course- what had made her disappear the night before. If it regrets toward what they had shared the day before had anything to do with it, he needed to be patient, give her assurance that love was always worth the risk. Then he needed to kiss her again just to make sure that she would respond when not under the influence of shared danger or alcohol.
If acknowledged and reciprocated by Allura, his feelings would run hot and unrestrained, something that might shock her if she weren't ready for the physical demands he knew he was sure to make on her in a relationship. He had to give her time, avoid rushing them into things with the brashness he often displayed in battle. It was going to be torture to hold back; as Sven had told him after meeting Romelle, love was simply an unstoppable force, conquering everything, including good judgment and common sense. But somehow, he'd do it.
After that, he'd redoubled his efforts, finished his 'project', proofread it with a fine tooth comb, and then printed it out on his best stationary, after which he had gotten up, walked over and collapsed onto his bed, energy more sapped from writing than it was after a grueling tae kwon do session with Lance.
But sleep still was elusive...
As awareness of the present time returned, Keith jerked in surprise. A glance at his watch said he'd been standing in the middle of his quarters, daydreaming, for a good ten minutes. There was no reason to worry, though, he was plenty ahead of schedule. He rubbed his neck, massaging the tension away from the taut muscles.
Was this the way love always felt? Heart pounding, yearning, fantasy-like, churning desire, the agony of anticipation, possessiveness and protectiveness all rolled up into one being? It was certainly a new occurrence for him to be so distracted by emotion! He had always enjoyed the company of women on a cerebral basis, and one or two he thought he had loved, on a physical basis, but none had fully engaged both his mind and his body the way Allura had. As a commander, it didn't bode well if he became all soft and sentimental that he'd found true love...
He turned to look at himself in the full-length mirror next to built-in armoire, and the love-struck expression on his features changed to a scowl. ~Get it together, head-over-heels or not, you have a job to do!~ He straightened his posture, took a slow, deep breath, exhaled slowly. That was better; his focus was there, his pulse was at a normal rate. He could now proceed with the day's business.
However, as his eyes turned away from the mirror they fell on the make up stained sweater, and the giddy, churning sensation quickly resumed. He supposed he'd eventually have to wash away the proof of a dream come true. But for now, he savored the sight, and the memory of how awesome it had been to finally hold her the way he had always wanted to-
Dammit! Another distraction!
Keith strode over to pick up the offending garment and returned to the dresser to thrust it into an open drawer, which he then shut with more force than necessary. Out of sight, out of mind. He'd figure out how to remove the spot later.
Gathering up his flight plan specs and his scattered composure, the Voltron Captain headed out the door of his quarters and down to the Lion ship shuttle launch area at a brisk clip, keeping his excitement bottled and a sphinx-like expression plastered on his face.
Two hours and forty minutes later, an extremely perturbed Keith stood silently seething as he waited with the rest his team for the Princess to show up in Castle Control. Where the hell was she?
The Arusian officer in charge of Ops turned and handed a message to him. As Keith read it, he clenched his jaw in frustration. First Allura had avoided him last night, then she had missed breakfast, and now she was going to be late for practice. Was this the way things were going to be run if they were romantically involved- always on her terms with no respect for his position? Did she really think he wouldn't say anything about her noncompliance with the rules since they had kissed each other?
She had a lot to learn about the military way of doing things, romance or no romance. She might outrank him in matters of state, but he was still her commanding officer when it came to the VF, and he was going to make damn sure she realized it!
The Arusian officer in charge of Ops turned and handed a message to him. As Keith read it, he clenched his jaw in frustration. First Allura had avoided him last night, then she had missed breakfast, and now she was going to be late for practice. Was this the way things were going to be run if they were romantically involved- always on her terms with no respect for his position? Did she really think he wouldn't say anything about her noncompliance with the rules since they had kissed each other?
She had a lot to learn about the military way of doing things, romance or no romance. She might outrank him in matters of state, but he was still her commanding officer when it came to the VF, and he was going to make damn sure she realized it!
She was late- so very, very late!
Allura sprinted down the corridor to Castle Control, feeling flustered and dismayed. She'd forgotten to reset her bedside alarm clock; If Cheddar and Cheesy hadn't come in to waken her by tugging on her hair and squeaking in her ears, she would have slept right through the final rehearsal for the party!
As it was, Nanny's displeasure was vented with a few well chosen words when the Princess had blown into the festively decorated lounge almost twenty minutes late. Coran had simply shook his head and looked disappointed. This was even more of a rebuke; her Guardian's thoughts at that moment clearly ran along the lines of: 'just when I thought she had grown up, she regresses to her childhood habits'. And he was absolutely correct; she was far too old to expect that Nanny should wake her.
She tried to make up for her faux paux by being extra cooperative and cheerful in accepting their suggestions regarding the presentation, even if she didn't agree with them as being authentically Terran.
Unfortunately the effort to appease her guardians had taken a great deal of extra time that she did not have to spare. After minutes of questions and directives about her part in the festivities, Nanny had finally given her leave for Allura to go change into her uniform. Now she was terribly late for lion practice, and her happy anticipation at seeing Keith was now tempered by anxiety. The fastidious Captain hated his troops to be tardy, an offense for which he was known to assign disciplinary measures.
She'd sent a message regarding her delayed arrival to the Control center officer, in the hopes that the boys would go on ahead without her and she could just catch up to them in Blue Lion with no repercussions.
Her stomach fluttered when she heard the murmuring of male voices as she approached Castle Control. They had waited for her, darn it! Despite her increased anxiety, she couldn't ignore the thrill running through her when when she picked out Keith's smooth, confident tones. Even if he was ticked off at being kept waiting by a unruly Princess, even if she'd said to go ahead without her, she was absurdly happy he and the team had waited for her.
His back was to her as she entered the control room, giving her time to collect her composure. The launch chutes had already been deployed, and the boys were waiting and ready to go just as soon as she showed up. She soundlessly tiptoed forward and stopped at the back of the group. Lance and Hunk, standing directly behind the earnestly chatting Keith and Pidge, turned simultaneously to impishly give her the universal 'shame, shame' gesture with their fingers.
"You're really going to get it; the Fearless One has a thing about being on time, you know!" Lance said to her, sotto voice, as Hunk nodded emphatically.
"It was official business! I'll just have to throw myself upon his mercy!" She whispered back, and did her best to give them what Lance termed 'sad puppy eyes'. As her teammates grinned, she followed up with hands clasped in entreaty, while batting her eyelashes in the exaggerated manner of a damsel in distress.
This elicited snickers, which attracted Keith's immediate attention. His unsmiling gaze pinpointed the absurdly pantomiming female with deadly accuracy.
Allura froze in the middle of her 'performance', her head tipped back, her arm now pressed to her forehead and her eyes going wide as they looked askance at the commander. She blushed furiously. Now she really did look like a 'damsel in distress'.
"Uh oh! Busted!" Hunk said, unnecessarily.
Lance just giggled.
Pidge grinned at the sight of the dramatics. "Poor Penelope! Was Snidely Whiplash up to his old tricks again?" He asked Allura impishly.
The reference to Dudley Do Right made Lance and Hunk roar with laughter, and Allura joined in, albeit uncomfortably.
Keith was not amused. His eyes met Allura's, and all she saw in their depths was the cool glimmer of displeasure. She dropped her arm immediately, straightened her posture and wiped the amusement from her face as he walked up to her, not stopping until he towered above her petite frame. Putting his hands on his hips, he glared down at her.
"You're late." He stated.
She fought off the impulse to step back. "I know, did you get my message? I was unavoid-"
He cut her off with uncharacteristic rudeness. "I got it."
Pidge, Lance and Hunk stopped laughing so they could better hear the tense exchange between the two leaders, wondering if Keith would actually have the temerity to dress down Her Highness. Pilot or no, she was the Princess for gosh sakes!
Allura found herself chafing under the controlled, dispassionate professionalism Keith was displaying. He had shown this same demeanor ever since she started to fly Blue Lion, and it had never bothered her one iota. But now, given what had happened, it was much harder to bear. Had she really dared to kiss this inflexible man? Did he really have to make such a major issue out of this? She spoke, in a sharp tone intended to hide the hurt that sliced through her at his coldness towards her. "Why didn't you just go ahead and start without me like I told you to in the message? I could've caught up to you!"
Allura sprinted down the corridor to Castle Control, feeling flustered and dismayed. She'd forgotten to reset her bedside alarm clock; If Cheddar and Cheesy hadn't come in to waken her by tugging on her hair and squeaking in her ears, she would have slept right through the final rehearsal for the party!
As it was, Nanny's displeasure was vented with a few well chosen words when the Princess had blown into the festively decorated lounge almost twenty minutes late. Coran had simply shook his head and looked disappointed. This was even more of a rebuke; her Guardian's thoughts at that moment clearly ran along the lines of: 'just when I thought she had grown up, she regresses to her childhood habits'. And he was absolutely correct; she was far too old to expect that Nanny should wake her.
She tried to make up for her faux paux by being extra cooperative and cheerful in accepting their suggestions regarding the presentation, even if she didn't agree with them as being authentically Terran.
Unfortunately the effort to appease her guardians had taken a great deal of extra time that she did not have to spare. After minutes of questions and directives about her part in the festivities, Nanny had finally given her leave for Allura to go change into her uniform. Now she was terribly late for lion practice, and her happy anticipation at seeing Keith was now tempered by anxiety. The fastidious Captain hated his troops to be tardy, an offense for which he was known to assign disciplinary measures.
She'd sent a message regarding her delayed arrival to the Control center officer, in the hopes that the boys would go on ahead without her and she could just catch up to them in Blue Lion with no repercussions.
Her stomach fluttered when she heard the murmuring of male voices as she approached Castle Control. They had waited for her, darn it! Despite her increased anxiety, she couldn't ignore the thrill running through her when when she picked out Keith's smooth, confident tones. Even if he was ticked off at being kept waiting by a unruly Princess, even if she'd said to go ahead without her, she was absurdly happy he and the team had waited for her.
His back was to her as she entered the control room, giving her time to collect her composure. The launch chutes had already been deployed, and the boys were waiting and ready to go just as soon as she showed up. She soundlessly tiptoed forward and stopped at the back of the group. Lance and Hunk, standing directly behind the earnestly chatting Keith and Pidge, turned simultaneously to impishly give her the universal 'shame, shame' gesture with their fingers.
"You're really going to get it; the Fearless One has a thing about being on time, you know!" Lance said to her, sotto voice, as Hunk nodded emphatically.
"It was official business! I'll just have to throw myself upon his mercy!" She whispered back, and did her best to give them what Lance termed 'sad puppy eyes'. As her teammates grinned, she followed up with hands clasped in entreaty, while batting her eyelashes in the exaggerated manner of a damsel in distress.
This elicited snickers, which attracted Keith's immediate attention. His unsmiling gaze pinpointed the absurdly pantomiming female with deadly accuracy.
Allura froze in the middle of her 'performance', her head tipped back, her arm now pressed to her forehead and her eyes going wide as they looked askance at the commander. She blushed furiously. Now she really did look like a 'damsel in distress'.
"Uh oh! Busted!" Hunk said, unnecessarily.
Lance just giggled.
Pidge grinned at the sight of the dramatics. "Poor Penelope! Was Snidely Whiplash up to his old tricks again?" He asked Allura impishly.
The reference to Dudley Do Right made Lance and Hunk roar with laughter, and Allura joined in, albeit uncomfortably.
Keith was not amused. His eyes met Allura's, and all she saw in their depths was the cool glimmer of displeasure. She dropped her arm immediately, straightened her posture and wiped the amusement from her face as he walked up to her, not stopping until he towered above her petite frame. Putting his hands on his hips, he glared down at her.
"You're late." He stated.
She fought off the impulse to step back. "I know, did you get my message? I was unavoid-"
He cut her off with uncharacteristic rudeness. "I got it."
Pidge, Lance and Hunk stopped laughing so they could better hear the tense exchange between the two leaders, wondering if Keith would actually have the temerity to dress down Her Highness. Pilot or no, she was the Princess for gosh sakes!
Allura found herself chafing under the controlled, dispassionate professionalism Keith was displaying. He had shown this same demeanor ever since she started to fly Blue Lion, and it had never bothered her one iota. But now, given what had happened, it was much harder to bear. Had she really dared to kiss this inflexible man? Did he really have to make such a major issue out of this? She spoke, in a sharp tone intended to hide the hurt that sliced through her at his coldness towards her. "Why didn't you just go ahead and start without me like I told you to in the message? I could've caught up to you!"
Keith sucked in a breath, his only reaction to impertinence bordering on insubordination. "We waited for you, Princess, because we're a team, and we take practice together.” He informed her calmly, though a thread of steel ran through his words.”When a person or persons makes a commitment to defend and protect something, they stick to the game plan. Everyone else was on time. The rest of us take these rehearsals seriously, so seriously in fact that we are working to better defend your world on a very special day on which most Terrans are given time off to be with family."
Allura winced, but he wasn't finished.
"It's very disappointing to me you don't share our dedication to duty, Your Highness. If you did, you wouldn't be joking around about being tardy."
Allura's mouth opened, then closed, her soft lips folding into a tight line. She was fighting back tears, but she was determined not to let a single one of them fall.
"Aw Cap, that's a bit harsh, don'tcha think? She had to have a good reason, or Princess wouldn't be-" Hunk broke off as flashing dark eyes skewered him with a look of dire warning. "Sorry, Skipper. Shutting up now!"
The Yellow Lion pilot's warm brown eyes sent his white faced teammate a look of silent sympathy before lowering to study his boots. Allura swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. She felt cold and shaken. Nevertheless, she raised her chin and stared straight ahead, drawing her body to attention. Keith was right, she had overstepped her bounds and there was no excuse, no matter how worthwhile, that could change that fact. She had misjudged and mishandled the situation.
Squaring her shoulders, she spoke in a low, but steady voice.
"I am very sorry that I was late, Captain. I care deeply about my role on this team. It was incredibly thoughtless of me to keep you waiting, and it won't happen again."
A gleam of admiration appeared in the Captain's eyes, unseen by the chastened Princess who had fixed her gaze on the Ops control panel as if were her duty to memorize the sequence of switches on its console. She was taking the scolding very well, Keith thought. A wave of tenderness welled up in him, but he firmly tamped it down; he couldn't go soft now.
"Since it is a first offense, a reprimand and a small punishment will suffice." He told her, still looking stern, but stepping back and letting his arms drop.
"Thank you, Captain." She crisply replied, her countenance now abnormally blank. That expression bothered Keith immensely, especially since he was the cause of it. He fervently hoped never to see it again. Just for a moment his eyes softened as they scanned her set features, then he addressed the rest of his wide-eyed, open-mouthed team.
"Okay, let's get this show in the air. You three go ahead, the Princess and I will follow."
Without a word, the pilots of Yellow, Green and Red lions whirled around and sprinted for their respective tubes. Each of them felt as if they were abandoning their gentle Allura to the tender mercies of a rogue lion, but no one wanted to make it worse for her by protesting any punishment the Captain was choosing to dish out.
Keith waited until they all had zipped out of sight, and then faced the Princess, who still hadn't moved a muscle. He silently surveyed the perfect profile for a moment before speaking.
"Allura, I hope you realize that I have to maintain discipline on my team, no matter who it is, or how I may feel about them."
She finally turned her head to look at him, and her eyes shimmered with an emotion he was surprised to recognize as shame.
"I understand, Captain. I hope you believe me when I say that I am sorry for my lapse of good sense as well as for being so late. I am willing and able to take whatever punishment you deem fit."
Keith felt his gut twist at her subdued tone, but forced himself to follow through with the procedure, hating himself for doing so. "The locker rooms need to be scrubbed and disinfected. You can report at five a.m. tomorrow."
She nodded, her expression bland.
He hesitated, then said, in a gentle tone, "that's all, you can go now."
She turned and walked to her chute, her regal posture serving her well in this moment. The Captain didn't move, but his eyes followed her every step of the way, filled with a naked longing to kiss her until everything was all better. Suddenly she stopped at the entrance and looked over her shoulder, her blue eyes serene and smiling as they met his. "Keith? May I say something personal?"
"Sure. Go ahead." He said gruffly.
"I wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas!" She said, with unaffected sincerity. A lovely smile lit up her fair face. "I believe that it the correct salutation, is it not?"
He nodded wordlessly. Before he could collect himself enough to thank her or even return the wish, she had launched herself into the tube and coasted out of sight.
Allura winced, but he wasn't finished.
"It's very disappointing to me you don't share our dedication to duty, Your Highness. If you did, you wouldn't be joking around about being tardy."
Allura's mouth opened, then closed, her soft lips folding into a tight line. She was fighting back tears, but she was determined not to let a single one of them fall.
"Aw Cap, that's a bit harsh, don'tcha think? She had to have a good reason, or Princess wouldn't be-" Hunk broke off as flashing dark eyes skewered him with a look of dire warning. "Sorry, Skipper. Shutting up now!"
The Yellow Lion pilot's warm brown eyes sent his white faced teammate a look of silent sympathy before lowering to study his boots. Allura swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. She felt cold and shaken. Nevertheless, she raised her chin and stared straight ahead, drawing her body to attention. Keith was right, she had overstepped her bounds and there was no excuse, no matter how worthwhile, that could change that fact. She had misjudged and mishandled the situation.
Squaring her shoulders, she spoke in a low, but steady voice.
"I am very sorry that I was late, Captain. I care deeply about my role on this team. It was incredibly thoughtless of me to keep you waiting, and it won't happen again."
A gleam of admiration appeared in the Captain's eyes, unseen by the chastened Princess who had fixed her gaze on the Ops control panel as if were her duty to memorize the sequence of switches on its console. She was taking the scolding very well, Keith thought. A wave of tenderness welled up in him, but he firmly tamped it down; he couldn't go soft now.
"Since it is a first offense, a reprimand and a small punishment will suffice." He told her, still looking stern, but stepping back and letting his arms drop.
"Thank you, Captain." She crisply replied, her countenance now abnormally blank. That expression bothered Keith immensely, especially since he was the cause of it. He fervently hoped never to see it again. Just for a moment his eyes softened as they scanned her set features, then he addressed the rest of his wide-eyed, open-mouthed team.
"Okay, let's get this show in the air. You three go ahead, the Princess and I will follow."
Without a word, the pilots of Yellow, Green and Red lions whirled around and sprinted for their respective tubes. Each of them felt as if they were abandoning their gentle Allura to the tender mercies of a rogue lion, but no one wanted to make it worse for her by protesting any punishment the Captain was choosing to dish out.
Keith waited until they all had zipped out of sight, and then faced the Princess, who still hadn't moved a muscle. He silently surveyed the perfect profile for a moment before speaking.
"Allura, I hope you realize that I have to maintain discipline on my team, no matter who it is, or how I may feel about them."
She finally turned her head to look at him, and her eyes shimmered with an emotion he was surprised to recognize as shame.
"I understand, Captain. I hope you believe me when I say that I am sorry for my lapse of good sense as well as for being so late. I am willing and able to take whatever punishment you deem fit."
Keith felt his gut twist at her subdued tone, but forced himself to follow through with the procedure, hating himself for doing so. "The locker rooms need to be scrubbed and disinfected. You can report at five a.m. tomorrow."
She nodded, her expression bland.
He hesitated, then said, in a gentle tone, "that's all, you can go now."
She turned and walked to her chute, her regal posture serving her well in this moment. The Captain didn't move, but his eyes followed her every step of the way, filled with a naked longing to kiss her until everything was all better. Suddenly she stopped at the entrance and looked over her shoulder, her blue eyes serene and smiling as they met his. "Keith? May I say something personal?"
"Sure. Go ahead." He said gruffly.
"I wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas!" She said, with unaffected sincerity. A lovely smile lit up her fair face. "I believe that it the correct salutation, is it not?"
He nodded wordlessly. Before he could collect himself enough to thank her or even return the wish, she had launched herself into the tube and coasted out of sight.
Lion practice went far better than expected, considering its inauspicious beginning. Although nothing was said, Allura was gratified by the way Lance, Pidge, and Hunk offered extra encouragement and patient support as she tried to master each new maneuver.
Keith, all traces of his previous irritation wiped away, was in full instructor mode, offering helpful suggestions, and occassionally complimenting the Princess on her improved piloting skills. Hearing his quiet words of praise greatly soothed her raw feelings. Still, there was none of the lighthearted banter that usually accompanied this type of practice. The awkward scene in the control room had cast a pall over what should have been the happiest of mornings, and everyone was relieved when the Captain ordered them to head back to the castle.
The Lion ships split formation, each feline headed for its resting place.
As Blue Lion skimmed over the forests that stretched all the way to the lake where it made its home, Allura cast a practiced eye over the landscape as she prepared for descent. She was appreciating the way the green of the numerous evergreens stood out against the pure white snow, when a sudden flash of light caught her attention.
The Princess stared at the clearing from whence it came, and the flash came again, this time in a sequential pattern, as if someone were trying to signal her. She punched in the coordinates and waited for her scanning systems to do their job. A single life form, no indication of robots or that an enemy craft had landed. She immediately cut back on her thrusters and circled the area as she radioed her Captain.
"I've stopped what appears to be a distress signal in the northeast quadrant of the Itasca Forest, Keith. Someone may have gotten lost and could need assistance. Request permission to check it out."
His voice crackled back to her. "I read you, Princess. I'll be there in a minute to back you up. Go ahead, land, but sit tight in Blue Lion until I get there. Lance, you, Pidge and Hunk head back to the castle just in case this is a trick and one of Zarkon's lovelies happens to show up."
A chorus of affirmatives followed his instructions.
Allura landed Blue Lion in the clearing and waited, her eyes scanning the surrounding landscape for any signs of life or trouble. Was the person too weak to walk? Every second could be vital to survival if they were lost and out in the cold.
She almost cried out when an all too familiar white haired, blue-skinned figure emerged from a nearby copse of trees and waved enthusiastically. Worry was quashed by feelings of fear and revulsion- thank the Lions she'd not disobeyed Keith's directive!
She sat, ready to blow the invader away. Vigilance and caution abounded, but a morbid curiosity did arise as Crown Prince Lotor of Doom indicated to her that he was unarmed, before carefully advancing into the clearing. She noted with incredulity the absence of laser sword and his usual swagger, along with the plain green jerkin and leggings of an Arusian commoner that had replaced his usual attire of battle armor and bat winged helmet, and wondered where he'd found their unwilling donor.
She tensed as he cautiously approached her lion's position, holding his hands up to show her he meant her no harm, a sincere looking smile on his cold features that didn't fool her one bit.
Her forefinger was poised over the button that launched her ion darts. Darts that would obliterate her tormentor. It would be so easy to end it now. He was ony a hundred yards or so from her ship.
Lotor dropped to his knees in the snow, and calmly stared up at the lion as he held his arms aloft in an unmistakable sign of submission. He then bowed his head as he waited for her response.
Allura blinked in astonishment. What on Arus was going on here? Apparently, he accepted whatever her decision was, be it death or undeserved mercy, his life was unmistakably hers to do with as she pleased. Her finger twitched over the trigger…
She couldn't do it! Curse the conscience and sense of honor that wouldn't let her flip the switch that would kill an unarmed, helpless man!
This had to be a trick. But there was no sign of any other hostiles in the vicinity. Everything remained still and peaceful.
Lotor hadn't moved.
Quickly she opened the emergency secure channel and contacted Black Lion. "Keith, I found the source of the signal- it's Lotor! H-He's alone and unarmed... and I think, I mean, i-it appears that he's surrendering!"
Keith, all traces of his previous irritation wiped away, was in full instructor mode, offering helpful suggestions, and occassionally complimenting the Princess on her improved piloting skills. Hearing his quiet words of praise greatly soothed her raw feelings. Still, there was none of the lighthearted banter that usually accompanied this type of practice. The awkward scene in the control room had cast a pall over what should have been the happiest of mornings, and everyone was relieved when the Captain ordered them to head back to the castle.
The Lion ships split formation, each feline headed for its resting place.
As Blue Lion skimmed over the forests that stretched all the way to the lake where it made its home, Allura cast a practiced eye over the landscape as she prepared for descent. She was appreciating the way the green of the numerous evergreens stood out against the pure white snow, when a sudden flash of light caught her attention.
The Princess stared at the clearing from whence it came, and the flash came again, this time in a sequential pattern, as if someone were trying to signal her. She punched in the coordinates and waited for her scanning systems to do their job. A single life form, no indication of robots or that an enemy craft had landed. She immediately cut back on her thrusters and circled the area as she radioed her Captain.
"I've stopped what appears to be a distress signal in the northeast quadrant of the Itasca Forest, Keith. Someone may have gotten lost and could need assistance. Request permission to check it out."
His voice crackled back to her. "I read you, Princess. I'll be there in a minute to back you up. Go ahead, land, but sit tight in Blue Lion until I get there. Lance, you, Pidge and Hunk head back to the castle just in case this is a trick and one of Zarkon's lovelies happens to show up."
A chorus of affirmatives followed his instructions.
Allura landed Blue Lion in the clearing and waited, her eyes scanning the surrounding landscape for any signs of life or trouble. Was the person too weak to walk? Every second could be vital to survival if they were lost and out in the cold.
She almost cried out when an all too familiar white haired, blue-skinned figure emerged from a nearby copse of trees and waved enthusiastically. Worry was quashed by feelings of fear and revulsion- thank the Lions she'd not disobeyed Keith's directive!
She sat, ready to blow the invader away. Vigilance and caution abounded, but a morbid curiosity did arise as Crown Prince Lotor of Doom indicated to her that he was unarmed, before carefully advancing into the clearing. She noted with incredulity the absence of laser sword and his usual swagger, along with the plain green jerkin and leggings of an Arusian commoner that had replaced his usual attire of battle armor and bat winged helmet, and wondered where he'd found their unwilling donor.
She tensed as he cautiously approached her lion's position, holding his hands up to show her he meant her no harm, a sincere looking smile on his cold features that didn't fool her one bit.
Her forefinger was poised over the button that launched her ion darts. Darts that would obliterate her tormentor. It would be so easy to end it now. He was ony a hundred yards or so from her ship.
Lotor dropped to his knees in the snow, and calmly stared up at the lion as he held his arms aloft in an unmistakable sign of submission. He then bowed his head as he waited for her response.
Allura blinked in astonishment. What on Arus was going on here? Apparently, he accepted whatever her decision was, be it death or undeserved mercy, his life was unmistakably hers to do with as she pleased. Her finger twitched over the trigger…
She couldn't do it! Curse the conscience and sense of honor that wouldn't let her flip the switch that would kill an unarmed, helpless man!
This had to be a trick. But there was no sign of any other hostiles in the vicinity. Everything remained still and peaceful.
Lotor hadn't moved.
Quickly she opened the emergency secure channel and contacted Black Lion. "Keith, I found the source of the signal- it's Lotor! H-He's alone and unarmed... and I think, I mean, i-it appears that he's surrendering!"
"Lotor?" Rage billowed in Keith's gut at hearing the most hated name in the galaxy. "Of course it's a trick-"
The Princess interrupted. "I've run every scan in the book. From what my readouts are telling me, he's unaccompanied and unarmed. He's wearing civilian clothing and has prostrated himself in front of Blue Lion. It appears he's waiting for me to make the first move."
Keith's jaw clenched and a muscle jumped in his cheek as he considered the information. Though unarmed, Lotor being in close proximity to Allura had jump started his adrenaline. The Doomian prince had no idea how lucky he was that the Captain of the Voltron Force was able to keep his thought processes coolly analytical despite his physical and emotional responses to having a clean, uncontested killing shot at his worst enemy.
Of course it was totally preposterous to think that Lotor would allow himself be killed in that way, and it was even more implausible that the evil Prince would ever risk being held captive or locked away from his favorite obsession. The depraved bastard's 'seize the Princess' hoaxes were getting increasingly desperate if he was willing to risk all and do the dirty work himself.
~Figures the creep would turn up on Christmas. Wonder if he heard about mistletoe?~
Smiling mirthlessly, the Black Lion pilot radioed the other members of his team, informing them of the imminent danger and instructing them to notify Castle Control and Coran of their situation at once. "Allura needs backup ASAP, I'm going in. You three stand ready; no sense all of us being pinned down on the ground if his fleet or one of Hagar's monstrosities shows up."
"Don't let your feelings overrule your head." Lance advised, upon seeing the expression on his best friend's face; the Captain's eyes were like two chips of obsidian, and his features were set in the uncompromising lines of a warrior about to do battle to the death. "You despise the guy -we all do- but be sensible! Don't engage without us there to back you up!"
"I'll let you know if we need you. Black Lion out!" His leader replied tersely, before severing visuals and the audio link.
Lance exchanged worried glances with Pidge and Hunk. "What happened to the 'we are a team' concept?"
Pidge grimaced. "Yeah, really. Keith's calm and collected when it comes to dealing with Zarkon and Hagar and their ilk. Beats me how this pompous overbearing blowhard gets under his skin that badly. Why do you think that is, Hunk?"
"Well little buddy, I think with Lotor, it's way more personal. You know that Prince Pissy Eyes is determined to get Princess for himself, right? Well, the Skipper is just as determined to protect her, the woman he-" Hunk broke off, not wanting to cross that boundary. It wasn't his place or the time for it.
Unfortunately, Lance was tuned in; one look at the Yellow Lion pilot, and Hunk's guilty, worried expression confirmed his suspicion. "Sheist!" The Red Lion pilot exclaimed. "Something happened between them in the lounge, didn't it? Ally was a little tipsy, and she was avoiding us earlier...oh jeez, man! You better tell me if you know something!"
"What about the lounge? What happened?" Pidge asked, his eyes shifting back and forth between his teammates' on screen visages.
The other two ignored him.
Hunk shrugged. "Keith isn't one to talk about that, and if he did happen to share something with me, I won't betray his confidence."
"About what?" Pidge inquired impatiently.
Lance glared at the Yellow Lion Pilot, mentally wishing away titanium hulls and a whole lot of airspace so he could get right in the Big Guy's face. Hunk stared back, his expression one of resolute stubbornness. The stare down lasted for a few seconds, then the ire faded from Lance's expression and he sighed wearily.
"The signs were there. Can't say I'm surprised he wouldn't share it. I do make things rough for him, don't I? Always did, especially when it came to the women he's dated. That's why he doesn't confide in me."
Hunk gave a solemn nod. "It's not easy being in love with a Princess to begin with...lots of problems that romancing an everyday gal wouldn't have."
"And I'll not make it more difficult for him," Lance vowed. "For starters, he gets first crack at the mistletoe! And I'll do whatever it takes to make sure those two get together! It's only right, considering Christmas is about love and brotherhood!"
"That's kinda beautiful, Lance," Hunk said gruffly, "you're a good friend."
"You're a good friend to him, Hunk, a better one than I've been."
"Now, c'mon, you know that's not true. He woulda told ya!"
Fed up with being overlooked, Pidge cut in. "I am now demanding to know what you guys are yapping about!"
"Uh." Hunk hated to leave out his little buddy, but telling Pidge was different than Lance making a lucky guess. "Well...it's complicated."
Lance came to his rescue. "It's nothing you'd care to know. Icky sticky adult stuff."
The pilot of Green Lion shook his head in disgust; where was the logic in being considered old enough to fly a lion ship, but too young for discussing romantic liaisons? "Okay. I get it, you don't want to tell me! And I will remind you that this kid and you adults have a job to do, so let's can the chat and scout for RoBeasts!"
"Right!" Hunk agreed, wanting to put an end to the awkward moment.
The Red Lion pilot concurred. "Good thinking, Green Lion. I'm on it!"
The Princess interrupted. "I've run every scan in the book. From what my readouts are telling me, he's unaccompanied and unarmed. He's wearing civilian clothing and has prostrated himself in front of Blue Lion. It appears he's waiting for me to make the first move."
Keith's jaw clenched and a muscle jumped in his cheek as he considered the information. Though unarmed, Lotor being in close proximity to Allura had jump started his adrenaline. The Doomian prince had no idea how lucky he was that the Captain of the Voltron Force was able to keep his thought processes coolly analytical despite his physical and emotional responses to having a clean, uncontested killing shot at his worst enemy.
Of course it was totally preposterous to think that Lotor would allow himself be killed in that way, and it was even more implausible that the evil Prince would ever risk being held captive or locked away from his favorite obsession. The depraved bastard's 'seize the Princess' hoaxes were getting increasingly desperate if he was willing to risk all and do the dirty work himself.
~Figures the creep would turn up on Christmas. Wonder if he heard about mistletoe?~
Smiling mirthlessly, the Black Lion pilot radioed the other members of his team, informing them of the imminent danger and instructing them to notify Castle Control and Coran of their situation at once. "Allura needs backup ASAP, I'm going in. You three stand ready; no sense all of us being pinned down on the ground if his fleet or one of Hagar's monstrosities shows up."
"Don't let your feelings overrule your head." Lance advised, upon seeing the expression on his best friend's face; the Captain's eyes were like two chips of obsidian, and his features were set in the uncompromising lines of a warrior about to do battle to the death. "You despise the guy -we all do- but be sensible! Don't engage without us there to back you up!"
"I'll let you know if we need you. Black Lion out!" His leader replied tersely, before severing visuals and the audio link.
Lance exchanged worried glances with Pidge and Hunk. "What happened to the 'we are a team' concept?"
Pidge grimaced. "Yeah, really. Keith's calm and collected when it comes to dealing with Zarkon and Hagar and their ilk. Beats me how this pompous overbearing blowhard gets under his skin that badly. Why do you think that is, Hunk?"
"Well little buddy, I think with Lotor, it's way more personal. You know that Prince Pissy Eyes is determined to get Princess for himself, right? Well, the Skipper is just as determined to protect her, the woman he-" Hunk broke off, not wanting to cross that boundary. It wasn't his place or the time for it.
Unfortunately, Lance was tuned in; one look at the Yellow Lion pilot, and Hunk's guilty, worried expression confirmed his suspicion. "Sheist!" The Red Lion pilot exclaimed. "Something happened between them in the lounge, didn't it? Ally was a little tipsy, and she was avoiding us earlier...oh jeez, man! You better tell me if you know something!"
"What about the lounge? What happened?" Pidge asked, his eyes shifting back and forth between his teammates' on screen visages.
The other two ignored him.
Hunk shrugged. "Keith isn't one to talk about that, and if he did happen to share something with me, I won't betray his confidence."
"About what?" Pidge inquired impatiently.
Lance glared at the Yellow Lion Pilot, mentally wishing away titanium hulls and a whole lot of airspace so he could get right in the Big Guy's face. Hunk stared back, his expression one of resolute stubbornness. The stare down lasted for a few seconds, then the ire faded from Lance's expression and he sighed wearily.
"The signs were there. Can't say I'm surprised he wouldn't share it. I do make things rough for him, don't I? Always did, especially when it came to the women he's dated. That's why he doesn't confide in me."
Hunk gave a solemn nod. "It's not easy being in love with a Princess to begin with...lots of problems that romancing an everyday gal wouldn't have."
"And I'll not make it more difficult for him," Lance vowed. "For starters, he gets first crack at the mistletoe! And I'll do whatever it takes to make sure those two get together! It's only right, considering Christmas is about love and brotherhood!"
"That's kinda beautiful, Lance," Hunk said gruffly, "you're a good friend."
"You're a good friend to him, Hunk, a better one than I've been."
"Now, c'mon, you know that's not true. He woulda told ya!"
Fed up with being overlooked, Pidge cut in. "I am now demanding to know what you guys are yapping about!"
"Uh." Hunk hated to leave out his little buddy, but telling Pidge was different than Lance making a lucky guess. "Well...it's complicated."
Lance came to his rescue. "It's nothing you'd care to know. Icky sticky adult stuff."
The pilot of Green Lion shook his head in disgust; where was the logic in being considered old enough to fly a lion ship, but too young for discussing romantic liaisons? "Okay. I get it, you don't want to tell me! And I will remind you that this kid and you adults have a job to do, so let's can the chat and scout for RoBeasts!"
"Right!" Hunk agreed, wanting to put an end to the awkward moment.
The Red Lion pilot concurred. "Good thinking, Green Lion. I'm on it!"
As the rest of lions commenced their patrol, the Captain of the Voltron Force was addressing the situation at hand with the Princess of Arus, in a tone that brooked no resistance.
"I don't care what it looks like he's doing, Allura, you do NOT get out of your Lion! Don't even talk to him! Maintain silence and vigilance! Do you copy?"
"I copy. Stay put. Not a word." She repeated dutifully.
"Good! I've alerted Castle Control. I'm nearing your position, hang tight!"
"I read you, Black Lion!"
Allura severed the secure communications channel with unsteady fingers. Help was on its way, all she had to do was remain calm, keep her eyes on the intruder and not do anything rash.
All scans were still showing clear skies and no ground threat other than the Drule kneeling in front of her. Her eyes zeroed in on the Doomian prince. He still hadn't moved or attempted to communicate with her. Her brow furrowed with anxiety; what new game was he playing now? Why was he here on this day of all days? Why couldn't he take no for an answer and go find someone equally wicked as he who was willing and able to appreciate him?
Looking down at the Prince from this angle, she couldn't help but notice that his muscular bulk seemed much less intimidating, and without his armor, almost human. With no helmet to secure it, his hair hung loose, its tips lying on the snow as he bent his head. His arms were extended, hands open, fingers splayed in a pose of subjugation. In every respect, he appeared to be submissive. So why, even though she sat in a gigantic, lethally equipped mechanical cat, did she still feel like a mouse cowering from the swiping paw of evil?
The simple truth was that Lotor would always have power over her as long as she was afraid of him. Would she ever get over that? It was so all-encompassing; a fear so great, so strong, that she'd been willing to do herself in, rather than to let him touch her...
She groaned and rubbed her suddenly throbbing temples. When Keith's ship roared into view, she breathed a huge sigh of relief. Lotor lifted his head, and was watching the Captain's arrival on the scene with an expectant expression on his blue-hued features. There was no malice, no calculation. Just a benign acceptance of fate.
"Do not be fooled." Allura told herself. "Patience is not his strong suit. His intentions will be made clear very soon."
"I don't care what it looks like he's doing, Allura, you do NOT get out of your Lion! Don't even talk to him! Maintain silence and vigilance! Do you copy?"
"I copy. Stay put. Not a word." She repeated dutifully.
"Good! I've alerted Castle Control. I'm nearing your position, hang tight!"
"I read you, Black Lion!"
Allura severed the secure communications channel with unsteady fingers. Help was on its way, all she had to do was remain calm, keep her eyes on the intruder and not do anything rash.
All scans were still showing clear skies and no ground threat other than the Drule kneeling in front of her. Her eyes zeroed in on the Doomian prince. He still hadn't moved or attempted to communicate with her. Her brow furrowed with anxiety; what new game was he playing now? Why was he here on this day of all days? Why couldn't he take no for an answer and go find someone equally wicked as he who was willing and able to appreciate him?
Looking down at the Prince from this angle, she couldn't help but notice that his muscular bulk seemed much less intimidating, and without his armor, almost human. With no helmet to secure it, his hair hung loose, its tips lying on the snow as he bent his head. His arms were extended, hands open, fingers splayed in a pose of subjugation. In every respect, he appeared to be submissive. So why, even though she sat in a gigantic, lethally equipped mechanical cat, did she still feel like a mouse cowering from the swiping paw of evil?
The simple truth was that Lotor would always have power over her as long as she was afraid of him. Would she ever get over that? It was so all-encompassing; a fear so great, so strong, that she'd been willing to do herself in, rather than to let him touch her...
She groaned and rubbed her suddenly throbbing temples. When Keith's ship roared into view, she breathed a huge sigh of relief. Lotor lifted his head, and was watching the Captain's arrival on the scene with an expectant expression on his blue-hued features. There was no malice, no calculation. Just a benign acceptance of fate.
"Do not be fooled." Allura told herself. "Patience is not his strong suit. His intentions will be made clear very soon."
In mere seconds, Black Lion had come to rest a little ahead and to the right of Blue Lion. As its worried pilot switched on his visuals, he studied Allura's face with open concern. "This is Black Lion. Are you doing okay, Princess?"
His calm tones flooded into the Princess' cockpit, her visor covered gaze turned to her screen. Warm brown eyes met hers, reassuring her without saying a word. Allura glanced toward their enemy, and then back at her commander as a mocking inner voice scolded her.
~It's Keith to the rescue once again! When are you going to learn to stand up for yourself, Allura?~
"Allura?" His voice had sharpened with concern.
"Sorry," she replied, her voice revealing her nervousness, "I'm great now that you're here!"
The Captain's eyebrows went up, and he flashed her a mischievous grin. "It's reassuring to know you still prefer my company to a Prince's."
Allura blinked at him. Was he flirting? Joking? This was an inappropriate time to do either! They were facing danger!
"A prince by birth, not by deed!" She stated, her eyes flashing through the blue tint of her visor.
"Minus the Doom gear and the sneer, I can almost see where women might find him handsome." Keith said, in a matter of fact tone.
"What? Are you serious?" Before she could let loose more of the tirade building up within her, he waylaid her.
"Feeling a bit better? Feistiness back in place?"
She stared at him, nonplussed. Then, very reluctantly, a smile came to her lips. Keith knew her so well; getting her temper up always helped take away her fear and self doubt. "Yes." She admitted. And it was the truth; she was focused on the entire situation instead of just her anxieties about Lotor.
"Good!" He was all business now. "I'm going to ask our visitor why he's here. Okay with you?"
She gave a decisive nod. "Ready when you are."
Keith switched on his two-way P.A. system and brusquely addressed the Doom Prince, his voice echoing around the clearing. "All right Lotor, no one is fooled that you're here to give yourself up. Why are you here? And did you know green isn't your color?"
For a moment the Crown Prince of Doom stared at Black Lion. Then he looked down at his garments, back up at the Lion, and threw his head back, laughing with what appeared to be genuine amusement. "And they say you don't have a sense of humor, Captain!" The evil Prince shouted, grinning into the face of Black Lion, his yellow eyes bright with mirth. "Clearly, you've been underestimated."
"I repeat, why are you here?" Keith barked, no answering humor in his voice.
"I wanted to talk to the Princess, and to you as well," was the relaxed reply.
"Here's an idea: send us a space-gram, it's safer, cheaper and won't get you killed or thrown in the slammer!"
Once again their unwelcome visitor laughed. "Your wit is a razor, Keith. I would gather that Red Lion pilot of yours has been an influence."
Despite her antipathy toward the arrogant Prince, Allura felt her lips twitch, and carefully kept her face turned away from her view screen. No need for stirring things up with Keith, or for thinking that Lotor was being truly friendly. If the Prince knew what she and Keith had been sharing lately, he would not be so amused.
"I would like to speak with you both," the Doom Prince politely repeated his request, looking back and forth between the two Lion ships. "Your technology should have verified that I've come here alone, with no weapons or any sort of hidden cache of artillery. I have no escort of any kind. And despite its unbecoming hue, I have dressed in Arusian green, as a symbol of the peace and new life I would bring."
"You've tricked us before," the Captain stated curtly. "Why should we believe you?"
"Because I am the best chance for making peace with Doom that you will ever have," Lotor stated, in clear, ringing tones. "I have had this on my mind for months. Zarkon and I will never agree on what's best for Doom and so I have taken the risk to come here and forge my own future. I have tricked my father and Hagar into thinking I am on Mora so that I could do this without inciting their meddling or treachery. At this moment my men are on their way to Santo 3 for a week's R and R, thanks to their generous Prince. If you do not believe what I have said, you can verify with your spy satellite space transmissions...or just blow me away now, I'm at your mercy."
"Why act now? Why not six months ago when you and I first fought?" Keith asked. "A fight, by the way, in which you cheated."
"Yes, well..." Lotor almost seemed uncomfortable. "I was in a precarious position at the time. Had to look good for the old man, he expects that sort of thing. You must understand wanting to win your father's approval."
Inside Black Lion, Keith snorted with derision. "Cut to the chase. What's your so-called offer?"
In response, the Doom Prince turned to face the Blue Lion. "Princess Allura, I offer Arus a chance for permanent peace by renouncing the throne of Doom and all claims to the Doomian empire. I will not follow in my father's footsteps. Instead, I will fight by your side to defeat Zarkon, and to help install a good and just ruler of your choosing in his place."
Allura felt her mouth falling open and shut it with a snap. She turned to meet Keith's astonished expression. Too good to be true? Very, very likely. But she couldn't help hoping for a miracle...
Clearing her throat, she carefully addressed her nemesis.
"Lotor, let's suppose for a moment I believe that you would consider doing this and we became allies. What's in it for you?"
"A fair question, given our history. I know better than to try to make you believe it's out of the goodness of my heart, or even a Christmas miracle." He turned back to address the Black Lion, yellow eyes gleaming with sly humor. "My mother was Terran, Captain, so I know all about your quaint rituals, such as the exchanging of gifts to celebrate the season. But I digress..." he turned back to face Blue Lion, "Allura, to answer your query, what's in it for me is a full pardon from the Alliance and the Garrison -that's where you come in, Captain- and a new home on a world of my own choosing where I can be protected from any reprisals or vendettas."
Allura blinked in astonishment. "That's all? Sanctuary?"
"No way!" Keith bit out, his face hard. "I'm sure that's not all of it, you'll be mentioned in there somewhere."
"Well said, Captain- you are correct, there is one more detail..." The Prince of Doom slowly rose to his feet and faced Blue Lion once more, an earnest look pinned to his features. "In my sanctuary, I would desire some companionship, preferably a wife, as I'd like to start a family. My dearest Allura, if I give up my evil ways, get a pardon and a grand new home, surely there is nothing stopping you from marrying me, is there?"
Keith exhaled in a rush. ~Knew it. It's all about having Allura, he doesn't care about anything but that. I hope she doesn't agree, just to make peace. Can't trust this guy. He'd use her, abuse her and throw her away just as he did to Romelle...~
He turned blazing eyes to the Princess. She gazed back at him, as she spoke, her distress evident in her expression, though her voice was steely as she addressed her enemy.
"Are you actually giving me a choice this time, Lotor? What if I refuse?"
The Prince smiled; a reflexive movement that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Of course you have a choice, my dear." He paused and reached into a pocket of his jerkin, pulling forth a blood red orb. "There are always options."
Suddenly a translucent bubble of light appeared, expanding to encase the green-clad Prince. It lifted him into the air to hover in front of the eyes of Blue Lion, sparkles of light dancing and falling gently in a shimmering shower around Lotor, giving the illusion that he stood in the midst of a snowglobe.
"What in the world?" Allura breathed. How could something wicked be so pretty?
"Are you impressed, my lovely Princess?" Lotor chuckled. "This bauble was made for me by Hagar; it was sort of an early Christmas gift." He paused, chuckling at the absurdity of the notion, and then continued. "You should know that while I am in this sphere I can deflect any weapon discharge, magnify it ten fold and send it shooting directly back to its source. I would rather not harm you, so please refrain from firing your weapons."
"Big surprise, the nice guy routine was fake!" Keith declared, his anger barely held in check. "Get off this planet! Now!"
The Prince ignored the order, instead focusing on the cockpit area of the Lion ship in which the woman he so feverishly desired now sat as if frozen. "Your options are as follows, Princess- either we join forces, defeat evil and then leave this galaxy behind to enjoy the harvest of peace while we start our new life together...or, in one week, I come back with my armada and obliterate Arus for good, after saving you for myself, of course. You'd have to live on Doom then, unfortunately. Not a pleasant place for someone who's so...shall we say, virtuous. The choice is up to you."
Allura felt sick, but kept her voice cool. "A week isn't enough time to arrange anything. And what about your arma-"
"My armada is on Santo 3, but another one is in the last stages of completion on Doom, along with a particularly nasty new breed of RoBeast. I'm all set. However, I concede that you might need some additional time to deal with that notorious Alliance red tape...I will add a few days just because thirteen is my lucky number. That gives you plenty of time to contact the Garrison and make arrangements, Captain. And time for you to assemble a trousseau, Allura." The Prince smiled. "Not that you'll need much in the way of clothing where we'd be going..."
"She's not going anywhere!" Keith shot back. "Tell him where he can go, Princess, and I'll be happy to make sure he gets there!"
"Allura, does this underling always speak for you?" The Doomian sneered. "Are you not the supreme authority here?"
"He is my Commander and my friend!" The Princess stated icily. "I value his opinion, and if he speaks impulsively, it is because he cares so much." Her voice softened unconsciously as she continued. "And it is because I deeply care about him and my people, that I tell you that I will give this offer my full attention and consideration."
Keith's eyes went wide with shock. "No! There's nothing to discuss! Tell him no!"
"It's my decision." Allura said steadily. "I must consider what's best for everyone."
Lotor was equally as surprised at her lack of immediate rejection of his plan. The handsome Black Lion pilot didn't have as much influence over Allura as he had thought, which elevated her even higher in his esteem. It was obvious how the human whelp felt about her, and she'd most assuredly take him as a lover if given a chance. But at least she had the good sense to be practical when it came to affairs of state. No matter her dalliances, she'd have to marry to forge an alliance. And she'd need a prince to breed royalty; an heir for her own throne.
A triumphant grin lit the Prince's face, but only for a second as he recovered his suave demeanor. "A wise and gracious decision, my lady." He said, with a courtly bow and nod.
"She's not your lady!" Keith informed him tightly, as he cast another incredulous look at the Princess, who avoided his eyes.
"I have heard your request, Lotor. Now please leave us in peace to enjoy the day." Allura commanded regally.
"As you wish," the Prince of Doom acquiesced. "I swear that I will prove that I am serious about giving up the throne, and destroying my father's reign for you, once you have chosen wisely, and accepted this gift of lasting peace that I wish to give to you."
"As I said, I will consider what you have proposed and give you an answer after the time allotted me." Allura said coolly. "But there is some knowledge I would very much like to impart to you right now, Prince Lotor."
Lotor's visage exuded confidence. "I await your wisdom with great anticipation, my lady."
"You said your mother was Terran, and she may have taught you about the traditions of the Terran Christmas holiday. I too, have studied and learned much about them, and it's clear to me that you do not grasp the point of them."
Lotor looked amused. "They are meant to please and curry favor. What else?"
"Christmas is a holiday full of love shared with those around us, a time where people do good deeds and give of themselves to make others happy. The true joy of giving comes in giving happiness without expecting anything in return. In contrast, what you are describing is an exchange of sorts, but to offer something and demand compensation for it is not giving a gift at all. It is merely bartering."
Lotor blinked. As the Princess's meaning sunk in, his skin slowly darkened to a vivid shade of indigo. Whether it was from anger or embarrassment, she couldn't be certain, because he still maintained the poise of a card player who knows he has a winning hand. "Call it what you like, it makes no difference to me. You have thirteen days until I return. Whatever you decide, you'd best set about saying your farewells!"
Raising his arms, the Doomian Prince muttered an arcane incantation, most likely taught to him by Hagar. When he finished, the orb abruptly de-materialized, along with Lotor.
When they had ascertained he was truly out of range, Allura finally turned to look at Keith.
"Wow," he said softly. "You really told him. That was awesome!"
She reddened slightly under the warm approval of his stare, but kept her poise. "Shall we contact the others and return to the castle, Captain?"
"Right away." He made short work of the communication, then turned to her once more. "You're not going to really consider this asinine scheme of eloping with His Creepiness are you?"
She looked somber. "It should be given every consideration. The safety of an entire world depends on me."
He gaped at her. "But-"
"We'd better get going, Keith." She gently cut him off as she re-inserted her lion key. "I'll see you back in the Control room, okay?"
"You can bet on that!" He answered grimly, also inserting his key.
The two Lion ships roared to life and leaped for the heavens, Black protectively flanking Blue, not leaving its side until it had dived beneath the waves of its watery home. Black flew on for a short distance until it arrived at and then came to rest on its gigantic pedestal at the castle gates. It froze into its majestic, eternally vigilant position in front of the Castle of Lions, as its human heart and soul hurriedly departed the beast's innards to find and confront the Princess of Arus.
His calm tones flooded into the Princess' cockpit, her visor covered gaze turned to her screen. Warm brown eyes met hers, reassuring her without saying a word. Allura glanced toward their enemy, and then back at her commander as a mocking inner voice scolded her.
~It's Keith to the rescue once again! When are you going to learn to stand up for yourself, Allura?~
"Allura?" His voice had sharpened with concern.
"Sorry," she replied, her voice revealing her nervousness, "I'm great now that you're here!"
The Captain's eyebrows went up, and he flashed her a mischievous grin. "It's reassuring to know you still prefer my company to a Prince's."
Allura blinked at him. Was he flirting? Joking? This was an inappropriate time to do either! They were facing danger!
"A prince by birth, not by deed!" She stated, her eyes flashing through the blue tint of her visor.
"Minus the Doom gear and the sneer, I can almost see where women might find him handsome." Keith said, in a matter of fact tone.
"What? Are you serious?" Before she could let loose more of the tirade building up within her, he waylaid her.
"Feeling a bit better? Feistiness back in place?"
She stared at him, nonplussed. Then, very reluctantly, a smile came to her lips. Keith knew her so well; getting her temper up always helped take away her fear and self doubt. "Yes." She admitted. And it was the truth; she was focused on the entire situation instead of just her anxieties about Lotor.
"Good!" He was all business now. "I'm going to ask our visitor why he's here. Okay with you?"
She gave a decisive nod. "Ready when you are."
Keith switched on his two-way P.A. system and brusquely addressed the Doom Prince, his voice echoing around the clearing. "All right Lotor, no one is fooled that you're here to give yourself up. Why are you here? And did you know green isn't your color?"
For a moment the Crown Prince of Doom stared at Black Lion. Then he looked down at his garments, back up at the Lion, and threw his head back, laughing with what appeared to be genuine amusement. "And they say you don't have a sense of humor, Captain!" The evil Prince shouted, grinning into the face of Black Lion, his yellow eyes bright with mirth. "Clearly, you've been underestimated."
"I repeat, why are you here?" Keith barked, no answering humor in his voice.
"I wanted to talk to the Princess, and to you as well," was the relaxed reply.
"Here's an idea: send us a space-gram, it's safer, cheaper and won't get you killed or thrown in the slammer!"
Once again their unwelcome visitor laughed. "Your wit is a razor, Keith. I would gather that Red Lion pilot of yours has been an influence."
Despite her antipathy toward the arrogant Prince, Allura felt her lips twitch, and carefully kept her face turned away from her view screen. No need for stirring things up with Keith, or for thinking that Lotor was being truly friendly. If the Prince knew what she and Keith had been sharing lately, he would not be so amused.
"I would like to speak with you both," the Doom Prince politely repeated his request, looking back and forth between the two Lion ships. "Your technology should have verified that I've come here alone, with no weapons or any sort of hidden cache of artillery. I have no escort of any kind. And despite its unbecoming hue, I have dressed in Arusian green, as a symbol of the peace and new life I would bring."
"You've tricked us before," the Captain stated curtly. "Why should we believe you?"
"Because I am the best chance for making peace with Doom that you will ever have," Lotor stated, in clear, ringing tones. "I have had this on my mind for months. Zarkon and I will never agree on what's best for Doom and so I have taken the risk to come here and forge my own future. I have tricked my father and Hagar into thinking I am on Mora so that I could do this without inciting their meddling or treachery. At this moment my men are on their way to Santo 3 for a week's R and R, thanks to their generous Prince. If you do not believe what I have said, you can verify with your spy satellite space transmissions...or just blow me away now, I'm at your mercy."
"Why act now? Why not six months ago when you and I first fought?" Keith asked. "A fight, by the way, in which you cheated."
"Yes, well..." Lotor almost seemed uncomfortable. "I was in a precarious position at the time. Had to look good for the old man, he expects that sort of thing. You must understand wanting to win your father's approval."
Inside Black Lion, Keith snorted with derision. "Cut to the chase. What's your so-called offer?"
In response, the Doom Prince turned to face the Blue Lion. "Princess Allura, I offer Arus a chance for permanent peace by renouncing the throne of Doom and all claims to the Doomian empire. I will not follow in my father's footsteps. Instead, I will fight by your side to defeat Zarkon, and to help install a good and just ruler of your choosing in his place."
Allura felt her mouth falling open and shut it with a snap. She turned to meet Keith's astonished expression. Too good to be true? Very, very likely. But she couldn't help hoping for a miracle...
Clearing her throat, she carefully addressed her nemesis.
"Lotor, let's suppose for a moment I believe that you would consider doing this and we became allies. What's in it for you?"
"A fair question, given our history. I know better than to try to make you believe it's out of the goodness of my heart, or even a Christmas miracle." He turned back to address the Black Lion, yellow eyes gleaming with sly humor. "My mother was Terran, Captain, so I know all about your quaint rituals, such as the exchanging of gifts to celebrate the season. But I digress..." he turned back to face Blue Lion, "Allura, to answer your query, what's in it for me is a full pardon from the Alliance and the Garrison -that's where you come in, Captain- and a new home on a world of my own choosing where I can be protected from any reprisals or vendettas."
Allura blinked in astonishment. "That's all? Sanctuary?"
"No way!" Keith bit out, his face hard. "I'm sure that's not all of it, you'll be mentioned in there somewhere."
"Well said, Captain- you are correct, there is one more detail..." The Prince of Doom slowly rose to his feet and faced Blue Lion once more, an earnest look pinned to his features. "In my sanctuary, I would desire some companionship, preferably a wife, as I'd like to start a family. My dearest Allura, if I give up my evil ways, get a pardon and a grand new home, surely there is nothing stopping you from marrying me, is there?"
Keith exhaled in a rush. ~Knew it. It's all about having Allura, he doesn't care about anything but that. I hope she doesn't agree, just to make peace. Can't trust this guy. He'd use her, abuse her and throw her away just as he did to Romelle...~
He turned blazing eyes to the Princess. She gazed back at him, as she spoke, her distress evident in her expression, though her voice was steely as she addressed her enemy.
"Are you actually giving me a choice this time, Lotor? What if I refuse?"
The Prince smiled; a reflexive movement that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Of course you have a choice, my dear." He paused and reached into a pocket of his jerkin, pulling forth a blood red orb. "There are always options."
Suddenly a translucent bubble of light appeared, expanding to encase the green-clad Prince. It lifted him into the air to hover in front of the eyes of Blue Lion, sparkles of light dancing and falling gently in a shimmering shower around Lotor, giving the illusion that he stood in the midst of a snowglobe.
"What in the world?" Allura breathed. How could something wicked be so pretty?
"Are you impressed, my lovely Princess?" Lotor chuckled. "This bauble was made for me by Hagar; it was sort of an early Christmas gift." He paused, chuckling at the absurdity of the notion, and then continued. "You should know that while I am in this sphere I can deflect any weapon discharge, magnify it ten fold and send it shooting directly back to its source. I would rather not harm you, so please refrain from firing your weapons."
"Big surprise, the nice guy routine was fake!" Keith declared, his anger barely held in check. "Get off this planet! Now!"
The Prince ignored the order, instead focusing on the cockpit area of the Lion ship in which the woman he so feverishly desired now sat as if frozen. "Your options are as follows, Princess- either we join forces, defeat evil and then leave this galaxy behind to enjoy the harvest of peace while we start our new life together...or, in one week, I come back with my armada and obliterate Arus for good, after saving you for myself, of course. You'd have to live on Doom then, unfortunately. Not a pleasant place for someone who's so...shall we say, virtuous. The choice is up to you."
Allura felt sick, but kept her voice cool. "A week isn't enough time to arrange anything. And what about your arma-"
"My armada is on Santo 3, but another one is in the last stages of completion on Doom, along with a particularly nasty new breed of RoBeast. I'm all set. However, I concede that you might need some additional time to deal with that notorious Alliance red tape...I will add a few days just because thirteen is my lucky number. That gives you plenty of time to contact the Garrison and make arrangements, Captain. And time for you to assemble a trousseau, Allura." The Prince smiled. "Not that you'll need much in the way of clothing where we'd be going..."
"She's not going anywhere!" Keith shot back. "Tell him where he can go, Princess, and I'll be happy to make sure he gets there!"
"Allura, does this underling always speak for you?" The Doomian sneered. "Are you not the supreme authority here?"
"He is my Commander and my friend!" The Princess stated icily. "I value his opinion, and if he speaks impulsively, it is because he cares so much." Her voice softened unconsciously as she continued. "And it is because I deeply care about him and my people, that I tell you that I will give this offer my full attention and consideration."
Keith's eyes went wide with shock. "No! There's nothing to discuss! Tell him no!"
"It's my decision." Allura said steadily. "I must consider what's best for everyone."
Lotor was equally as surprised at her lack of immediate rejection of his plan. The handsome Black Lion pilot didn't have as much influence over Allura as he had thought, which elevated her even higher in his esteem. It was obvious how the human whelp felt about her, and she'd most assuredly take him as a lover if given a chance. But at least she had the good sense to be practical when it came to affairs of state. No matter her dalliances, she'd have to marry to forge an alliance. And she'd need a prince to breed royalty; an heir for her own throne.
A triumphant grin lit the Prince's face, but only for a second as he recovered his suave demeanor. "A wise and gracious decision, my lady." He said, with a courtly bow and nod.
"She's not your lady!" Keith informed him tightly, as he cast another incredulous look at the Princess, who avoided his eyes.
"I have heard your request, Lotor. Now please leave us in peace to enjoy the day." Allura commanded regally.
"As you wish," the Prince of Doom acquiesced. "I swear that I will prove that I am serious about giving up the throne, and destroying my father's reign for you, once you have chosen wisely, and accepted this gift of lasting peace that I wish to give to you."
"As I said, I will consider what you have proposed and give you an answer after the time allotted me." Allura said coolly. "But there is some knowledge I would very much like to impart to you right now, Prince Lotor."
Lotor's visage exuded confidence. "I await your wisdom with great anticipation, my lady."
"You said your mother was Terran, and she may have taught you about the traditions of the Terran Christmas holiday. I too, have studied and learned much about them, and it's clear to me that you do not grasp the point of them."
Lotor looked amused. "They are meant to please and curry favor. What else?"
"Christmas is a holiday full of love shared with those around us, a time where people do good deeds and give of themselves to make others happy. The true joy of giving comes in giving happiness without expecting anything in return. In contrast, what you are describing is an exchange of sorts, but to offer something and demand compensation for it is not giving a gift at all. It is merely bartering."
Lotor blinked. As the Princess's meaning sunk in, his skin slowly darkened to a vivid shade of indigo. Whether it was from anger or embarrassment, she couldn't be certain, because he still maintained the poise of a card player who knows he has a winning hand. "Call it what you like, it makes no difference to me. You have thirteen days until I return. Whatever you decide, you'd best set about saying your farewells!"
Raising his arms, the Doomian Prince muttered an arcane incantation, most likely taught to him by Hagar. When he finished, the orb abruptly de-materialized, along with Lotor.
When they had ascertained he was truly out of range, Allura finally turned to look at Keith.
"Wow," he said softly. "You really told him. That was awesome!"
She reddened slightly under the warm approval of his stare, but kept her poise. "Shall we contact the others and return to the castle, Captain?"
"Right away." He made short work of the communication, then turned to her once more. "You're not going to really consider this asinine scheme of eloping with His Creepiness are you?"
She looked somber. "It should be given every consideration. The safety of an entire world depends on me."
He gaped at her. "But-"
"We'd better get going, Keith." She gently cut him off as she re-inserted her lion key. "I'll see you back in the Control room, okay?"
"You can bet on that!" He answered grimly, also inserting his key.
The two Lion ships roared to life and leaped for the heavens, Black protectively flanking Blue, not leaving its side until it had dived beneath the waves of its watery home. Black flew on for a short distance until it arrived at and then came to rest on its gigantic pedestal at the castle gates. It froze into its majestic, eternally vigilant position in front of the Castle of Lions, as its human heart and soul hurriedly departed the beast's innards to find and confront the Princess of Arus.
Author's Note:
Warnings: cuss words and tipsiness.
Warnings: cuss words and tipsiness.
Keith burst out of Chute Number One, his dark gaze fixed on the retreating figure of Blue Lion's pilot. He ignored the amazed stares of the dozen or so castle militia personnel that manned the control center as he angrily strode toward his target.
"Allura, stand down! That's an order, commander to pilot!"
The Princess halted her flight, stiffening at his authoritative tone. "I have business to take care of, Commander."
"You owe me an explanation before you go on your merry way." He stated as he drew near. Bewilderment laced his words.
"Keith, could it possibly wait until later? Lance informed me before he left Ops that Nanny is in urgent need of my assistance," the Princess explained, while she turned to face the inevitable. "She's already upset about my unexpected encounter with Lotor, I don't want to distress her any further."
The Captain had come to halt directly in front of the Princess, his height and muscular physique making her look even more petite in this close proximity. "I'll make it short, but this can't wait."
As Keith looked down into thickly lashed blue eyes and delicate face framed by glorious golden hair, he thought of the even bigger bulk of Prince Lotor and the damage it could inflict on this proud and lovely woman. Even if her body withstood the onslaught, what living with the evil Prince could eventually do to her spirit concerned him even more. Allura would never be a companion for Lotor, only a receptacle for his desire. She deserved more than that. Far more. The intensity of that conviction revealed itself in the ferocity of his glare, a glare that made the Princess blink and shift uncomfortably, as she smoothed back some escaping tendrils of hair floating free from her tightly bound chignon.
"Allura, stand down! That's an order, commander to pilot!"
The Princess halted her flight, stiffening at his authoritative tone. "I have business to take care of, Commander."
"You owe me an explanation before you go on your merry way." He stated as he drew near. Bewilderment laced his words.
"Keith, could it possibly wait until later? Lance informed me before he left Ops that Nanny is in urgent need of my assistance," the Princess explained, while she turned to face the inevitable. "She's already upset about my unexpected encounter with Lotor, I don't want to distress her any further."
The Captain had come to halt directly in front of the Princess, his height and muscular physique making her look even more petite in this close proximity. "I'll make it short, but this can't wait."
As Keith looked down into thickly lashed blue eyes and delicate face framed by glorious golden hair, he thought of the even bigger bulk of Prince Lotor and the damage it could inflict on this proud and lovely woman. Even if her body withstood the onslaught, what living with the evil Prince could eventually do to her spirit concerned him even more. Allura would never be a companion for Lotor, only a receptacle for his desire. She deserved more than that. Far more. The intensity of that conviction revealed itself in the ferocity of his glare, a glare that made the Princess blink and shift uncomfortably, as she smoothed back some escaping tendrils of hair floating free from her tightly bound chignon.
Her uncertain gaze left Keith's, and ran over the raven-colored hair that showed no signs of being held captive or flattened by a helmet. Indeed, it was sticking out at all angles, as if he had been yanking at it in frustration. She hid a smile. On anyone else the unruly locks would have been comical, but on Keith, messy looked sexy.
Her eyes locked with his once again, a certain warmth in their depths that she now reserved just for him. For a moment they stood staring at each other, a myriad of emotions ebbing and flowing between them.
Allura was torn; she wanted to make time for Keith but if she didn't leave soon, their wonderful surprise would be ruined by Nanny's sudden stage fright. But how could she leave to see to a party when he obviously was so upset? Didn't he realize why she had said what she said? Didn't he understand her reasons for considering what the Doom Prince had proposed?
The light of battle in his eyes told her that he didn't understand, and that he was ready to do whatever it took to change her mind. She shivered involuntarily. Right now, even confronting Lotor seemed less dangerous than facing an irate Captain Keith.
A discreet cough behind them from one of the eavesdropping Arusian officers prompted her to break the silence before something untoward happened.
"You had something to say to me?" She prompted softly.
"I want to know why you'd even consider his offer." Keith said with forced calm, his eyes holding hers hostage. "He can't be trusted to keep his word, not even to you."
"You object to my way of handling Lotor's request," she replied carefully.
"I don't want you to 'handle' him at all, dammit!"
Allura stared at Keith in amazement, wondering if he realized the implication of what he had said. There was no humor lurking in the dark eyes, so apparently he wasn't kidding.
Did he really think she wanted to touch the Prince the way she had touched him?
Apparently the stoic Captain was thinking with his heart instead of his mind for once. She found that rather worrisome, and also very, very... sweet. A small glow of happiness flickered inside her breast and suddenly she was no longer troubled by his displeasure.
He sensed her softening, and a small glint of satisfaction sparked in his eyes. "I knew it, you weren't seriously thinking about marriage to him, I mean, how could you be?" He said softly, and a bit arrogantly.
That arrogance irritated her, and made her determined not to give in so easily.
"Well...it's not like I've had any other offers, you know. I'm a marked woman with a price on her head, which does tend to discourage suitors. He may be my only chance for matrimonial bliss," she replied pertly, her eyes wide and innocent.
He gave her an annoyed look. "How can you make light about this? You know as well as I how he'd treat you, and that he'd never keep his word about deposing his father."
"But what if he does mean it? He did come alone, our systems confirmed it, and also that he was telling the truth about his armada." She retorted, some devilish instinct urging her on. "Besides, there aren't too many men willing to give up everything for a woman these days."
Keith's lips compressed for a moment as he tried to keep a rein on his rising temper. " 'What if' isn't a good enough reason to sacrifice yourself, Princess!" He suddenly reached out and placed his gloved hands on her shoulders. Electricity seemed to snap between them at the touch.
"I can certainly give you much better reasons to stay than he can give you to go." He added quietly, his expression softening, his thick dark brows lifting slightly.
The intense fierceness in his gaze dissipated, leaving only a lingering passion of a different kind. He almost smiled at the way her pink lips fell open in astonishment and at the eagerness flashing in her eyes. It wasn't the time or the place he would have chosen to tell her about how he felt about her, but what the hell. It was Christmas...
The Ops workers had given up all pretense of working now, and a dozen pair of eyes avidly followed the tableau being enacted in front of them.
"Y-you c-can?" Allura stammered, and then blushed guiltily under his tender expression. Her heart turned over at what she saw and she swallowed hard. As much as she hated to admit it, it wasn't fair to use this situation to push him into a declaration Keith probably wasn't ready for, although she wished to hear it with every particle of her being. She had to put a stop to this teasing; she wanted him to tell her how he felt, but it had to be without coercion of any kind, or there would always be doubts in her mind.
She spoke up quickly, her voice trembling slightly from repressed feeling.
"Keith, I want to say, I mean, I must tell you before you go on, that the only reason I am considering this offer is because it buys us time. I do not intend to accept Lotor. I will never accept him." She bowed her head. "I'm sorry if you misunderstood my motives, or if I led you to think that I- how could I when-oh, please, just forgive me."
A chorus of disappointed sighs echoed in the background, masked by the lowering of the launch chute cylinder. The Castle staff returned to their duties, knowing that nothing monumental was going to happen from this particular encounter between the handsome Captain and their Princess.
A wave of intense relief washed over the pilot of Black Lion, soothing him with its cool caress as he heard her confession. He supposed he ought to be ticked off, but he was too happy at what she had said to bother with misguided anger. "Princess- it's okay, I guess I jumped to conclusions, and actually I should apologize for not giving you enough credit..."
She looked up, her face brightening. He wasn't upset! He was smiling?
"...for having good taste in the men you choose to touch!" He finished, his eyes twinkling impishly at her.
She gasped, gave him a mock glare, then grinned. "For your information, Captain, my decision was based on the fact that I just didn't want to elope with someone who dresses and looks like 'Jingles the elf'! All that was missing was the pointy shoes and a cap with a bell!"
Keith gaped at her and then started to shake with laughter. "All hail Lotor- the Elf From Hell," he gasped, between chuckles.
Allura laughed with him. "And Santa's worst nightmare," she added.
Keith looked at her in surprise, his laughter fading away. "Been doing some reading on Christmas again?" He asked warmly.
Her eyes went wide as she realized her error. "Um, yeah, a little. This reminds me- I really don't know why though- Nanny really needs to see me right away. I must go."
"Okay," Keith reluctantly lifted his hands from her shoulders and let drop to his sides. "See you later at lunch?" He called, as she moved away.
"Oh yes!" She smiled brightly, turned and made a hasty exit.
Keith stood staring after her, wondering why she was so jumpy, when a soft step behind him made him turn around. He groaned mentally at seeing the distinguished figure standing behind him. He didn't need to ask, he was certain Coran had been listening in, from start to finish.
"Don't you think Lotor will at least keep his word on the thirteen days?" Coran asked quietly, confirming Keith's assumption that he'd tracked the entire encounter over the comm systems and its aftermath in the control room from atop his usual perch on the launch chutes. "He can afford to appear generous, if he feels it's an offer Allura cannot refuse."
The Captain gave the older man a defensive look, then relaxed at seeing the kindly, inquiring expression on the careworn face. "It's possible if he thinks he has the upper hand."
The Royal Adviser nodded. "He has a contingency plan to prevent her turning him down."
"Of course he does," The younger man replied grimly. "But even with that, I think we shouldn't count on him being patient."
"All too true."
Keith turned a determined gaze to the Princess' guardian. "I'll never let anything happen to her. I'll keep her safe at all costs."
Coran clapped a fatherly hand on the young pilot's shoulder. "You're even more worried about her than I am, aren't you?" He asked, and smiled at Keith's startled look. "No need to answer. Your devotion to her is something I know I can count on."
Her eyes locked with his once again, a certain warmth in their depths that she now reserved just for him. For a moment they stood staring at each other, a myriad of emotions ebbing and flowing between them.
Allura was torn; she wanted to make time for Keith but if she didn't leave soon, their wonderful surprise would be ruined by Nanny's sudden stage fright. But how could she leave to see to a party when he obviously was so upset? Didn't he realize why she had said what she said? Didn't he understand her reasons for considering what the Doom Prince had proposed?
The light of battle in his eyes told her that he didn't understand, and that he was ready to do whatever it took to change her mind. She shivered involuntarily. Right now, even confronting Lotor seemed less dangerous than facing an irate Captain Keith.
A discreet cough behind them from one of the eavesdropping Arusian officers prompted her to break the silence before something untoward happened.
"You had something to say to me?" She prompted softly.
"I want to know why you'd even consider his offer." Keith said with forced calm, his eyes holding hers hostage. "He can't be trusted to keep his word, not even to you."
"You object to my way of handling Lotor's request," she replied carefully.
"I don't want you to 'handle' him at all, dammit!"
Allura stared at Keith in amazement, wondering if he realized the implication of what he had said. There was no humor lurking in the dark eyes, so apparently he wasn't kidding.
Did he really think she wanted to touch the Prince the way she had touched him?
Apparently the stoic Captain was thinking with his heart instead of his mind for once. She found that rather worrisome, and also very, very... sweet. A small glow of happiness flickered inside her breast and suddenly she was no longer troubled by his displeasure.
He sensed her softening, and a small glint of satisfaction sparked in his eyes. "I knew it, you weren't seriously thinking about marriage to him, I mean, how could you be?" He said softly, and a bit arrogantly.
That arrogance irritated her, and made her determined not to give in so easily.
"Well...it's not like I've had any other offers, you know. I'm a marked woman with a price on her head, which does tend to discourage suitors. He may be my only chance for matrimonial bliss," she replied pertly, her eyes wide and innocent.
He gave her an annoyed look. "How can you make light about this? You know as well as I how he'd treat you, and that he'd never keep his word about deposing his father."
"But what if he does mean it? He did come alone, our systems confirmed it, and also that he was telling the truth about his armada." She retorted, some devilish instinct urging her on. "Besides, there aren't too many men willing to give up everything for a woman these days."
Keith's lips compressed for a moment as he tried to keep a rein on his rising temper. " 'What if' isn't a good enough reason to sacrifice yourself, Princess!" He suddenly reached out and placed his gloved hands on her shoulders. Electricity seemed to snap between them at the touch.
"I can certainly give you much better reasons to stay than he can give you to go." He added quietly, his expression softening, his thick dark brows lifting slightly.
The intense fierceness in his gaze dissipated, leaving only a lingering passion of a different kind. He almost smiled at the way her pink lips fell open in astonishment and at the eagerness flashing in her eyes. It wasn't the time or the place he would have chosen to tell her about how he felt about her, but what the hell. It was Christmas...
The Ops workers had given up all pretense of working now, and a dozen pair of eyes avidly followed the tableau being enacted in front of them.
"Y-you c-can?" Allura stammered, and then blushed guiltily under his tender expression. Her heart turned over at what she saw and she swallowed hard. As much as she hated to admit it, it wasn't fair to use this situation to push him into a declaration Keith probably wasn't ready for, although she wished to hear it with every particle of her being. She had to put a stop to this teasing; she wanted him to tell her how he felt, but it had to be without coercion of any kind, or there would always be doubts in her mind.
She spoke up quickly, her voice trembling slightly from repressed feeling.
"Keith, I want to say, I mean, I must tell you before you go on, that the only reason I am considering this offer is because it buys us time. I do not intend to accept Lotor. I will never accept him." She bowed her head. "I'm sorry if you misunderstood my motives, or if I led you to think that I- how could I when-oh, please, just forgive me."
A chorus of disappointed sighs echoed in the background, masked by the lowering of the launch chute cylinder. The Castle staff returned to their duties, knowing that nothing monumental was going to happen from this particular encounter between the handsome Captain and their Princess.
A wave of intense relief washed over the pilot of Black Lion, soothing him with its cool caress as he heard her confession. He supposed he ought to be ticked off, but he was too happy at what she had said to bother with misguided anger. "Princess- it's okay, I guess I jumped to conclusions, and actually I should apologize for not giving you enough credit..."
She looked up, her face brightening. He wasn't upset! He was smiling?
"...for having good taste in the men you choose to touch!" He finished, his eyes twinkling impishly at her.
She gasped, gave him a mock glare, then grinned. "For your information, Captain, my decision was based on the fact that I just didn't want to elope with someone who dresses and looks like 'Jingles the elf'! All that was missing was the pointy shoes and a cap with a bell!"
Keith gaped at her and then started to shake with laughter. "All hail Lotor- the Elf From Hell," he gasped, between chuckles.
Allura laughed with him. "And Santa's worst nightmare," she added.
Keith looked at her in surprise, his laughter fading away. "Been doing some reading on Christmas again?" He asked warmly.
Her eyes went wide as she realized her error. "Um, yeah, a little. This reminds me- I really don't know why though- Nanny really needs to see me right away. I must go."
"Okay," Keith reluctantly lifted his hands from her shoulders and let drop to his sides. "See you later at lunch?" He called, as she moved away.
"Oh yes!" She smiled brightly, turned and made a hasty exit.
Keith stood staring after her, wondering why she was so jumpy, when a soft step behind him made him turn around. He groaned mentally at seeing the distinguished figure standing behind him. He didn't need to ask, he was certain Coran had been listening in, from start to finish.
"Don't you think Lotor will at least keep his word on the thirteen days?" Coran asked quietly, confirming Keith's assumption that he'd tracked the entire encounter over the comm systems and its aftermath in the control room from atop his usual perch on the launch chutes. "He can afford to appear generous, if he feels it's an offer Allura cannot refuse."
The Captain gave the older man a defensive look, then relaxed at seeing the kindly, inquiring expression on the careworn face. "It's possible if he thinks he has the upper hand."
The Royal Adviser nodded. "He has a contingency plan to prevent her turning him down."
"Of course he does," The younger man replied grimly. "But even with that, I think we shouldn't count on him being patient."
"All too true."
Keith turned a determined gaze to the Princess' guardian. "I'll never let anything happen to her. I'll keep her safe at all costs."
Coran clapped a fatherly hand on the young pilot's shoulder. "You're even more worried about her than I am, aren't you?" He asked, and smiled at Keith's startled look. "No need to answer. Your devotion to her is something I know I can count on."
Minutes after leaving her discussion with Keith, Allura located her frustrated governess, who was hiding in her suite of rooms in the staff wing. Upon entering the room, the Princess tried in vain to stifle the delighted laugh that escaped her.
The red suit had been temporarily altered to fit a feminine form, while added extra padding disguised any hints of curves. Stout black boots reached to Nanny's knees and a broad, black leather belt cinched the coat. From the neck down, the outfit was a very close approximation of a Santa suit.
"I look ridiculous!" The older woman wailed, waving the mound of white curls clutched in one hand. "And vhen I put on this beard and that outlandish hat, I vill be a laughingstock!"
"But Nanny, if you're wearing the beard, blue contact lenses and the hat, people won't recognize you!" Allura encouraged. "I guarantee it! I'll help you arrange everything; no one will even suspect your identity!"
"But then I vill have to speak, and that vill ruin everything. I haf tried, but I cannot completely rid my voice of the accent." Nanny protested.
"Speak in a low, hearty tone. The beard will muffle most of your accent," The Princess suggested.
"Oh Allura, I am just no good at this!" The governess plopped down on her bed, for once not caring that the pretty floral coverlet was wrinkling beneath her round bottom. "I am clumsy, too high strung and-"
"Nonsense, all you need is a little confidence!" Her ward replied, bracingly. "And I know just the thing! Wait here, I will return in a moment."
"Vhere else vould I vait?" The governess murmured wryly as the Princess ran out of the room. "It's not like I'm going to prance around the Castle in this get-up!"
A few minutes later Allura was back, carrying a flattened glass bottle and a large shot glass.
Nanny suspiciously eyed the glass as the Princess poured some liquid from the bottle and handed it to her governess. A strong scent of peppermint filled the air.
"Go ahead, drink it. You'll feel better."
Nanny inhaled the glass's contents, and remarked, "It smells very good. Vhat is it? Is it medicinal?"
Without waiting for a response, she took a tentative swallow.
The fresh, clean taste of peppermint exploded on her tongue, followed by the unmistakable tangy backlash of alcohol. As she gasped and coughed, Allura pounded her back while replying,
"It's a liqueur. Terrans call it 'peppermint schnapps'."
"You vould give me liquor?" The older woman bounced off the bed, her eyes fiery, and her red clad body quivering with indignation. "I bet it belongs to one of those young scoundrels! How dare they bring their illicit foreign alcohol into my-"
"Nanny, may I remind you that Hunk, Lance, and Keith are all past the age of consent, as am I." Allura interrupted with as bland an expression as she could muster. "I have been learning a lot about Terran customs lately, and I am sure this will help you. It's good for sour stomachs, pains and general anxiety after a battle."
"Hmph." Nanny huffed. A nice, warm glow had started to build inside her. As she focused on the sensation, she did feel herself starting to relax. "I guess just one or two vouldn't hurt, Coran is always telling me I should haf a drink once in a vhile to calm my nerves."
She took a deep breath, tossed back the reminder of the liquid and inclined her head in a wordless request for more. Allura refilled her glass to the top, and she drained it, with a small shake of the head afterward, as the scent of the liquor tickled her sinuses.
"Is that better?" Allura asked, smiling. The tranquil expression that was replacing her governess' earlier distress said without words that it was, and she sent a silent thank you to the forgetful Hunk, who had left the bottle in the lounge after the previous day's repast.
"Yah, it's better. Why don't ve get to vork? This beard isn't going to stick itself to my face!" Nanny replied with a girlish giggle.
Setting the glass down on a nearby night table, she thumped her way over to her small vanity, where all the supplies for attaching a beard were neatly laid out, along with a white haired wig. Picking up the hairpiece, she pulled it on over her gray-flecked brown curls, and looked in the mirror. Her face was flushed and her eyes were bright with hilarity.
"I am the bearer of Christmas cheer!" She declared in a very credible baritone while grabbing her middle. "Ho ho ho!" She glanced back at the Princess. "How is that?"
"Wonderful!"
"Yah!" Nanny nodded. "All I need is the beard and a big bag of boy toys!"
~She's definitely loose, maybe too much so,~ Allura mused, wryly noting the way her giggling Nanny almost missed the stool as she plopped down in front of the mirror. ~It'll be okay. By the time I get her ready, she'll have her wits about her.~
A little over an hour later the Princess had finished applying the beard and makeup to her governess's round face. Nanny insisted on inserting the specially colored contact lenses herself, and made a good job of it, despite not having worn them before. Allura then powdered her eyebrows a snowy white and put a few last touches to the draping of the long and curly white wig, and stepped back so they could survey the results.
"Well, Nanny, I say you make a right jolly old elf! What do you think?"
After an long, incredulous stare at herself in the reflecting glass, the older woman acknowledged to her grinning charge that with the white wig, facial hair, and blue contact lenses, and the padding under the bulky robe concealing her proportions, even those who knew her best would be hard pressed to tell who it was under the costume. "I barely know myself!" She said in wonder.
"I knew you were the perfect choice!" Allura chortled. "All you have to do is say a few 'Ho-ho-ho's' and Merry Christmases, hand out the gifts, and leave. No one will be the wiser!"
"Won't they be wondering where the real Nanny is?" The older woman asked, then hiccoughed. "Oh dear! Excuse me!"
The Princess leaned in close to dab a tissue over the rouge on the already rosy cheeks of her governess, blotting away excess powder. "Coran is going to tell them you are supervising the banquet to follow and will be along a little later."
"That is good." Nanny's eyes narrowed; at these close quarters, she'd caught sight of the bruise. "Allura, child, vhat is that mark on your cheek? I thought you didn't see combat today! Did that fiend hurt you? Coran said it was only an exchange of vords!"
The Princess blanched as she realized her proximity to the governess had given her a clear view of the slush ball imprint. For a moment she was tempted to use the excuse provided- why not blame the villain - but for some reason she found herself unwilling to tell an outright lie.
"There was no fight. I got it when I accidentally slipped and fell when the boys and I were out sledding," she said, then fell silent after the partial truth, waiting for the inevitable tirade about the unsuitability of a Princess gallivanting around out in the snow like a common schoolgirl.
"Well, you had better make sure to apply more cover up to it before Coran sees it and has a fit," was the disgruntled yet astounding advice. "No matter if it was an accident, 'tisn't proper for a Royal to appear as if they've just been in a brawl, you know."
Filled with elation, Allura simply smiled and nodded dutifully. "Yes, Nanny."
"So I am finished, and you need to prepare yourself. Not much time before the performance," Santa Nanny added grandly, flapping her arms and swaying just a little as she rose from the vanity stool.
"I don't know if I should leave you." Allura said, steadying her with a hand. "Will you be all right-"
"Tut tut, child! I feel fine, thanks to that Terran concoction." The rotund figure made shooing motions with her now black-gloved hands. "Schkeddadle! Make yourself present-able! Ho ho ho, a little Santa joke just for you!"
With a final laughing glance at her beaming, tipsy governess, Allura obeyed. As the door swished shut behind her, the patron saint of Christmas continued to practice her jolly demeanor. With no audience play to, however, some self consciousness began to creep back into her delivery.
~This vill not do! I must be jolly at all costs!~
She looked around, and her gaze fell upon the bottle that the Princess had left behind.
~Ah. The antidote for stage fright.~ The Royal Governess thought. ~One more would be a good idea.~
She reached for the schnapps.
The red suit had been temporarily altered to fit a feminine form, while added extra padding disguised any hints of curves. Stout black boots reached to Nanny's knees and a broad, black leather belt cinched the coat. From the neck down, the outfit was a very close approximation of a Santa suit.
"I look ridiculous!" The older woman wailed, waving the mound of white curls clutched in one hand. "And vhen I put on this beard and that outlandish hat, I vill be a laughingstock!"
"But Nanny, if you're wearing the beard, blue contact lenses and the hat, people won't recognize you!" Allura encouraged. "I guarantee it! I'll help you arrange everything; no one will even suspect your identity!"
"But then I vill have to speak, and that vill ruin everything. I haf tried, but I cannot completely rid my voice of the accent." Nanny protested.
"Speak in a low, hearty tone. The beard will muffle most of your accent," The Princess suggested.
"Oh Allura, I am just no good at this!" The governess plopped down on her bed, for once not caring that the pretty floral coverlet was wrinkling beneath her round bottom. "I am clumsy, too high strung and-"
"Nonsense, all you need is a little confidence!" Her ward replied, bracingly. "And I know just the thing! Wait here, I will return in a moment."
"Vhere else vould I vait?" The governess murmured wryly as the Princess ran out of the room. "It's not like I'm going to prance around the Castle in this get-up!"
A few minutes later Allura was back, carrying a flattened glass bottle and a large shot glass.
Nanny suspiciously eyed the glass as the Princess poured some liquid from the bottle and handed it to her governess. A strong scent of peppermint filled the air.
"Go ahead, drink it. You'll feel better."
Nanny inhaled the glass's contents, and remarked, "It smells very good. Vhat is it? Is it medicinal?"
Without waiting for a response, she took a tentative swallow.
The fresh, clean taste of peppermint exploded on her tongue, followed by the unmistakable tangy backlash of alcohol. As she gasped and coughed, Allura pounded her back while replying,
"It's a liqueur. Terrans call it 'peppermint schnapps'."
"You vould give me liquor?" The older woman bounced off the bed, her eyes fiery, and her red clad body quivering with indignation. "I bet it belongs to one of those young scoundrels! How dare they bring their illicit foreign alcohol into my-"
"Nanny, may I remind you that Hunk, Lance, and Keith are all past the age of consent, as am I." Allura interrupted with as bland an expression as she could muster. "I have been learning a lot about Terran customs lately, and I am sure this will help you. It's good for sour stomachs, pains and general anxiety after a battle."
"Hmph." Nanny huffed. A nice, warm glow had started to build inside her. As she focused on the sensation, she did feel herself starting to relax. "I guess just one or two vouldn't hurt, Coran is always telling me I should haf a drink once in a vhile to calm my nerves."
She took a deep breath, tossed back the reminder of the liquid and inclined her head in a wordless request for more. Allura refilled her glass to the top, and she drained it, with a small shake of the head afterward, as the scent of the liquor tickled her sinuses.
"Is that better?" Allura asked, smiling. The tranquil expression that was replacing her governess' earlier distress said without words that it was, and she sent a silent thank you to the forgetful Hunk, who had left the bottle in the lounge after the previous day's repast.
"Yah, it's better. Why don't ve get to vork? This beard isn't going to stick itself to my face!" Nanny replied with a girlish giggle.
Setting the glass down on a nearby night table, she thumped her way over to her small vanity, where all the supplies for attaching a beard were neatly laid out, along with a white haired wig. Picking up the hairpiece, she pulled it on over her gray-flecked brown curls, and looked in the mirror. Her face was flushed and her eyes were bright with hilarity.
"I am the bearer of Christmas cheer!" She declared in a very credible baritone while grabbing her middle. "Ho ho ho!" She glanced back at the Princess. "How is that?"
"Wonderful!"
"Yah!" Nanny nodded. "All I need is the beard and a big bag of boy toys!"
~She's definitely loose, maybe too much so,~ Allura mused, wryly noting the way her giggling Nanny almost missed the stool as she plopped down in front of the mirror. ~It'll be okay. By the time I get her ready, she'll have her wits about her.~
A little over an hour later the Princess had finished applying the beard and makeup to her governess's round face. Nanny insisted on inserting the specially colored contact lenses herself, and made a good job of it, despite not having worn them before. Allura then powdered her eyebrows a snowy white and put a few last touches to the draping of the long and curly white wig, and stepped back so they could survey the results.
"Well, Nanny, I say you make a right jolly old elf! What do you think?"
After an long, incredulous stare at herself in the reflecting glass, the older woman acknowledged to her grinning charge that with the white wig, facial hair, and blue contact lenses, and the padding under the bulky robe concealing her proportions, even those who knew her best would be hard pressed to tell who it was under the costume. "I barely know myself!" She said in wonder.
"I knew you were the perfect choice!" Allura chortled. "All you have to do is say a few 'Ho-ho-ho's' and Merry Christmases, hand out the gifts, and leave. No one will be the wiser!"
"Won't they be wondering where the real Nanny is?" The older woman asked, then hiccoughed. "Oh dear! Excuse me!"
The Princess leaned in close to dab a tissue over the rouge on the already rosy cheeks of her governess, blotting away excess powder. "Coran is going to tell them you are supervising the banquet to follow and will be along a little later."
"That is good." Nanny's eyes narrowed; at these close quarters, she'd caught sight of the bruise. "Allura, child, vhat is that mark on your cheek? I thought you didn't see combat today! Did that fiend hurt you? Coran said it was only an exchange of vords!"
The Princess blanched as she realized her proximity to the governess had given her a clear view of the slush ball imprint. For a moment she was tempted to use the excuse provided- why not blame the villain - but for some reason she found herself unwilling to tell an outright lie.
"There was no fight. I got it when I accidentally slipped and fell when the boys and I were out sledding," she said, then fell silent after the partial truth, waiting for the inevitable tirade about the unsuitability of a Princess gallivanting around out in the snow like a common schoolgirl.
"Well, you had better make sure to apply more cover up to it before Coran sees it and has a fit," was the disgruntled yet astounding advice. "No matter if it was an accident, 'tisn't proper for a Royal to appear as if they've just been in a brawl, you know."
Filled with elation, Allura simply smiled and nodded dutifully. "Yes, Nanny."
"So I am finished, and you need to prepare yourself. Not much time before the performance," Santa Nanny added grandly, flapping her arms and swaying just a little as she rose from the vanity stool.
"I don't know if I should leave you." Allura said, steadying her with a hand. "Will you be all right-"
"Tut tut, child! I feel fine, thanks to that Terran concoction." The rotund figure made shooing motions with her now black-gloved hands. "Schkeddadle! Make yourself present-able! Ho ho ho, a little Santa joke just for you!"
With a final laughing glance at her beaming, tipsy governess, Allura obeyed. As the door swished shut behind her, the patron saint of Christmas continued to practice her jolly demeanor. With no audience play to, however, some self consciousness began to creep back into her delivery.
~This vill not do! I must be jolly at all costs!~
She looked around, and her gaze fell upon the bottle that the Princess had left behind.
~Ah. The antidote for stage fright.~ The Royal Governess thought. ~One more would be a good idea.~
She reached for the schnapps.
Once she was back in her chambers, Allura decided to forego a maid's assistance as she hurried to get ready. She stripped off her uniform, removed her circlet, redid her make up to completely hide her bruised cheek, and unpinned her hair, brushing it with swift but thorough strokes. She had decided to leave it loose and flowing, and crown it with a traditional gold tiara, whose center point was adorned with a single large emerald, a gift given to her by her beloved Aunt Orla.
She had decided upon a forest green velvet dress that she had been saving for a peace festival on Lyra; the style, color and fabric was in keeping with traditional Christmas dresses she'd researched. It was long sleeved, and had a high waist, with a scoop neck that revealed the upper curve of her breasts without displaying too much. She slipped it on, loving the feel of its rich folds and the way the circle skirt followed the lines of her hips before falling softly to her feet.
With the additions of silk stockings, green velvet pumps, a gold necklace of red and green gems to match the tiara, and one of her mother's rings bearing the Royal Crest of Arus, she was ready.
She left her quarters and headed for the pilot's favorite recreation room, feeling as if her feet had wings.
~The stage is set!~ She thought with glee, as she entered the festively decorated room. She paused a moment to admire the staff's handiwork. The tree and the decorations were perfect, as were the wreaths, garlands and the platters of food that sat on the coffee tables. The scent of pine mixed deliciously with the aroma of fresh gingerbread and Allura inhaled with delight. She walked over to the stereo console and flicked a switch. Soft music spilled into the room, with a blend of male voices singing about being home for Christmas.
~This looks just like the pictures I've seen. All that's left is to get the boys to the lounge without them suspecting anything!~
She went to the communications panel and contacted Coran. "Operation Kringle is ready to proceed, Coran."
"Understood. I'll have them there within fifteen minutes."
She had decided upon a forest green velvet dress that she had been saving for a peace festival on Lyra; the style, color and fabric was in keeping with traditional Christmas dresses she'd researched. It was long sleeved, and had a high waist, with a scoop neck that revealed the upper curve of her breasts without displaying too much. She slipped it on, loving the feel of its rich folds and the way the circle skirt followed the lines of her hips before falling softly to her feet.
With the additions of silk stockings, green velvet pumps, a gold necklace of red and green gems to match the tiara, and one of her mother's rings bearing the Royal Crest of Arus, she was ready.
She left her quarters and headed for the pilot's favorite recreation room, feeling as if her feet had wings.
~The stage is set!~ She thought with glee, as she entered the festively decorated room. She paused a moment to admire the staff's handiwork. The tree and the decorations were perfect, as were the wreaths, garlands and the platters of food that sat on the coffee tables. The scent of pine mixed deliciously with the aroma of fresh gingerbread and Allura inhaled with delight. She walked over to the stereo console and flicked a switch. Soft music spilled into the room, with a blend of male voices singing about being home for Christmas.
~This looks just like the pictures I've seen. All that's left is to get the boys to the lounge without them suspecting anything!~
She went to the communications panel and contacted Coran. "Operation Kringle is ready to proceed, Coran."
"Understood. I'll have them there within fifteen minutes."
While the Princess awaited their arrival with anticipation, the four Space Explorers, back in civilian garb, were glumly and silently filling out incident reports after Keith's debriefing them all on Lotor's offer, which had cast a pallor of Doom over a day meant for joy.
All was calm until the simultaneous chirping of four pocket communicators filled the air. Lance, Pidge, Hunk and Keith gave a collective start at the beeping, and again as the door chime sounded.
"I'll get the door," Lance said, rising.
"I'll get the summons," Hunk said, reaching for his communicator and looking at the screen. "Uh oh. It's Ops." He flicked on the channel. "This is Hunk. What's up?"
"It's Coran, Hunk. I'm very sorry to disturb you, but I need to meet with the Voltron Force right away. Are the others with you?"
"Yeah, the guys are here." The big man turned a puzzled gaze to Keith, who shrugged in bafflement. "I've got you on speaker. We were working on some reports."
"Excellent! All of you, don't worry about those reports for now. It is imperative that I speak with you all in the Pilot's lounge as soon as you can get there!"
The Yellow Lion pilot raised a questioning brow at Keith, who nodded. "We'll be right there, Coran! Hunk out." He closed the link, frowning. "Telling us not to finish our paperwork? Something's got the old boy excited!"
"What do you suppose it is?" Pidge asked. "It can't be an emergency, otherwise the claxons would have gone off."
"Maybe he's come up with a plan to counteract Lotor's threat," Keith suggested.
"That'd be nice." Hunk looked from Keith and Pidge to Lance, who had just signed for a small package held by one of the young Castle pages.
"Thanks kid," Lance said with a wink, slipping the youth a coin dug out of his pocket. "I know I'm not supposed to do this, so let's keep it just between us, okay?"
"Thank you, sir! A very Merry Christmas to you, sir!" The boy exclaimed.
The Red Lion pilot automatically returned the greeting, then stood in the open door, staring after the youngster as he ran off, and wondering how the young Arusian knew it was Christmas. His speculations were short-lived, however, interrupted by the sight of his friends striding past him into the corridor. "Hey! What's going on?"
"The summons! We're meeting with Coran, stat!" Hunk threw over his shoulder.
"Wait for me!" Lance hurried after them, package tucked securely under his arm.
All was calm until the simultaneous chirping of four pocket communicators filled the air. Lance, Pidge, Hunk and Keith gave a collective start at the beeping, and again as the door chime sounded.
"I'll get the door," Lance said, rising.
"I'll get the summons," Hunk said, reaching for his communicator and looking at the screen. "Uh oh. It's Ops." He flicked on the channel. "This is Hunk. What's up?"
"It's Coran, Hunk. I'm very sorry to disturb you, but I need to meet with the Voltron Force right away. Are the others with you?"
"Yeah, the guys are here." The big man turned a puzzled gaze to Keith, who shrugged in bafflement. "I've got you on speaker. We were working on some reports."
"Excellent! All of you, don't worry about those reports for now. It is imperative that I speak with you all in the Pilot's lounge as soon as you can get there!"
The Yellow Lion pilot raised a questioning brow at Keith, who nodded. "We'll be right there, Coran! Hunk out." He closed the link, frowning. "Telling us not to finish our paperwork? Something's got the old boy excited!"
"What do you suppose it is?" Pidge asked. "It can't be an emergency, otherwise the claxons would have gone off."
"Maybe he's come up with a plan to counteract Lotor's threat," Keith suggested.
"That'd be nice." Hunk looked from Keith and Pidge to Lance, who had just signed for a small package held by one of the young Castle pages.
"Thanks kid," Lance said with a wink, slipping the youth a coin dug out of his pocket. "I know I'm not supposed to do this, so let's keep it just between us, okay?"
"Thank you, sir! A very Merry Christmas to you, sir!" The boy exclaimed.
The Red Lion pilot automatically returned the greeting, then stood in the open door, staring after the youngster as he ran off, and wondering how the young Arusian knew it was Christmas. His speculations were short-lived, however, interrupted by the sight of his friends striding past him into the corridor. "Hey! What's going on?"
"The summons! We're meeting with Coran, stat!" Hunk threw over his shoulder.
"Wait for me!" Lance hurried after them, package tucked securely under his arm.
As the four pilots drew near to their destination, an eerie quiet seemed to fall over the Castle.
"Where is everyone? I haven't seen any staff at all in the last few corridors," Pidge half-whispered to Keith.
"Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse." Lance quoted.
Hunk chuckled. "Good one, Red."
They halted outside the lounge, wondering why its perpetually open door was closed.
"Not sure what to make of this, guys." Keith said. "He did say the lounge, right?"
"Yes." Pidge confirmed. "Maybe it's a secret meeting? But then how do we let him know we're here?"
Hunk was sniffing the air. "I smell gingerbread!"
"Gingerbread?" Lance and Keith chorused in disbelief.
They sniffed the air.
"He's right!" Lance exclaimed. "They know how to make gingerbread here? Why weren't we informed of this sooner?"
He and Keith cast accusing looks at Hunk, who looked both sheepish and guilty.
"Um yeah, about that. Me and Pidge happened to be around the kitchen when Nanny-"
Just then, the door to the lounge flew open and Coran stepped out, sparing Hunk the necessity of further explanation. The four pilots gawked at his vastly changed appearance. Gone was the ornate coat, vest and tie of a Royal Diplomat; in their place was a finely knit blue woolen tunic and dark breeches. The informal attire was a rarity, and dropped years from his appearance.
"You made very good time," the smiling older man informed them, bowing slightly. "Merry Christmas, and welcome! The Princess is already inside, waiting for you."
"What's going on?" Lance hissed in Keith's ear as they moved forward. "Merry Christmas, welcome to our lounge? Coran in casual duds? Something weird is going on here! I think-"
But whatever Lance was thinking died on his lips as he and his teammates entered the lounge and saw the beautiful holiday decor and tables laden with treats that awaited them. The scent of gingerbread was strong, soft strains of holiday music played in the background.
Beyond the tables, in the very center of the room, stood a fourteen foot Arusian pine decorated with multicolored strings of lights, crystal icicles and snowflake ornaments, with a majestic golden lion seated at its top. Kneeling beneath its branches was a radiant Princess Allura. Her tiara cast a golden glow in the light, adding a beatific quality to the beaming, joyful face beneath it.
She was an angel, the young men from Earth thought, as they stood staring, their mouths agape as Allura exclaimed, "Merry Christmas boys!"
"Where is everyone? I haven't seen any staff at all in the last few corridors," Pidge half-whispered to Keith.
"Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse." Lance quoted.
Hunk chuckled. "Good one, Red."
They halted outside the lounge, wondering why its perpetually open door was closed.
"Not sure what to make of this, guys." Keith said. "He did say the lounge, right?"
"Yes." Pidge confirmed. "Maybe it's a secret meeting? But then how do we let him know we're here?"
Hunk was sniffing the air. "I smell gingerbread!"
"Gingerbread?" Lance and Keith chorused in disbelief.
They sniffed the air.
"He's right!" Lance exclaimed. "They know how to make gingerbread here? Why weren't we informed of this sooner?"
He and Keith cast accusing looks at Hunk, who looked both sheepish and guilty.
"Um yeah, about that. Me and Pidge happened to be around the kitchen when Nanny-"
Just then, the door to the lounge flew open and Coran stepped out, sparing Hunk the necessity of further explanation. The four pilots gawked at his vastly changed appearance. Gone was the ornate coat, vest and tie of a Royal Diplomat; in their place was a finely knit blue woolen tunic and dark breeches. The informal attire was a rarity, and dropped years from his appearance.
"You made very good time," the smiling older man informed them, bowing slightly. "Merry Christmas, and welcome! The Princess is already inside, waiting for you."
"What's going on?" Lance hissed in Keith's ear as they moved forward. "Merry Christmas, welcome to our lounge? Coran in casual duds? Something weird is going on here! I think-"
But whatever Lance was thinking died on his lips as he and his teammates entered the lounge and saw the beautiful holiday decor and tables laden with treats that awaited them. The scent of gingerbread was strong, soft strains of holiday music played in the background.
Beyond the tables, in the very center of the room, stood a fourteen foot Arusian pine decorated with multicolored strings of lights, crystal icicles and snowflake ornaments, with a majestic golden lion seated at its top. Kneeling beneath its branches was a radiant Princess Allura. Her tiara cast a golden glow in the light, adding a beatific quality to the beaming, joyful face beneath it.
She was an angel, the young men from Earth thought, as they stood staring, their mouths agape as Allura exclaimed, "Merry Christmas boys!"
The sounds of a Spanish guitar player strumming soulful renditions of Christmas hymns filled the room, a lovely background accompaniment to the ambiance and the feminine vision who knelt before four surprised young men.
Allura's smile was one of pure delight. Her eyes sparkled as her gaze traveled eagerly from face to astonished face, her cheeks pink with excitement, (and with no sign of a bruise, a sight an amazed Lance took note of with relief).
The young men regarded her with masculine admiration bordering on reverence, noting the way the delicate pink glow extended along her graceful throat to the expanse of smooth skin above the velvet bodice of her dress, the skirt of which formed a soft pool of deepest green velvet around her form.
To a man, the Space Explorers' thoughts were transported back to the day they had first laid eyes on the valiant young beauty who'd been all but buried alive in the stony ruins of a deserted, war-ravaged castle. Although impossibly fragile looking at first sight, as the days rolled by Allura had proven herself more than equal to the task of defending and rebuilding her world, earning her new teammates' deepest respect and devotion. In their time here on Planet Arus, her people and her ruler had come back from the brink of total extinction.
And now here they were, about to celebrate the holiest of days in Christendom with someone who epitomized personal sacrifice and the triumph of good over evil.
Someone they'd grown to love.
Only one thing was missing from the festive picture; the lion pilots thought of Sven, and the bleak hours spent grieving when they all thought he had been killed. Thankfully he was alive, well, and helping to defend Planet Pollux with his beloved Princess Romelle. Thinking of what all of them had endured together in a few short months made the peaceful and festive tableau before them seem even more of a miracle.
Allura's smile was one of pure delight. Her eyes sparkled as her gaze traveled eagerly from face to astonished face, her cheeks pink with excitement, (and with no sign of a bruise, a sight an amazed Lance took note of with relief).
The young men regarded her with masculine admiration bordering on reverence, noting the way the delicate pink glow extended along her graceful throat to the expanse of smooth skin above the velvet bodice of her dress, the skirt of which formed a soft pool of deepest green velvet around her form.
To a man, the Space Explorers' thoughts were transported back to the day they had first laid eyes on the valiant young beauty who'd been all but buried alive in the stony ruins of a deserted, war-ravaged castle. Although impossibly fragile looking at first sight, as the days rolled by Allura had proven herself more than equal to the task of defending and rebuilding her world, earning her new teammates' deepest respect and devotion. In their time here on Planet Arus, her people and her ruler had come back from the brink of total extinction.
And now here they were, about to celebrate the holiest of days in Christendom with someone who epitomized personal sacrifice and the triumph of good over evil.
Someone they'd grown to love.
Only one thing was missing from the festive picture; the lion pilots thought of Sven, and the bleak hours spent grieving when they all thought he had been killed. Thankfully he was alive, well, and helping to defend Planet Pollux with his beloved Princess Romelle. Thinking of what all of them had endured together in a few short months made the peaceful and festive tableau before them seem even more of a miracle.
Coran had not moved from his station near the door, preferring to stay in the background so he could enjoy the effect of the surprise. It was the proper diplomat's way; work behind the scenes, observe, offer some well chosen words, and then retire to privately reflect on a job well done.
But as he gazed at the wondering expressions of the young men standing before him, tears sprang to his eyes and a lump formed in his throat. The utter joy he saw in their faces- faces that, at least for a little while, no longer showed the strain and stress of constant battle- was a priceless reward.
If he were truly honest, this night was about so much more than courtesy and morale building. It was about caring for his family. No one could ask for finer sons than these young men, or a better daughter than Allura. Nanny felt that way too, whether she would admit to it or not, a thought which reminded him of other surprises yet to come...his cultured voice interrupted the introspective silence.
"Gentlemen, Merry Christmas to you all!"
"Merry Christmas, Coran!" They echoed, sounding a bit awestruck.
"What is your verdict on our decorations? Have we gotten it right?"
"Yes!" Pidge exclaimed at once. "Especially the tree...it's amazing!"
"All I can say is, someone pinch me, I think I'm dreamin'," Hunk added, and then yelped as his little buddy quickly obliged him. "OW! Jeez, it was just an expression, Pidge!"
Everyone laughed as Hunk rubbed his arm and gave the Green Lion pilot a mock glare.
"It's beautiful." Lance said, his awestruck gaze fastened on the magnificent tree. "Just like home..." His voice caught on the last word and a suspicious shine appeared in his eyes. He turned away abruptly, swallowing hard. "This was a fantastic idea! A tip of my hat to whoever thought of it!"
Coran cleared his throat. "Princess Allura realized the significance of this time of year for you, and thought celebrating it would be a way to bring you joy. She enlisted my aid in obtaining what you see here. The credit should go entirely to her."
Allura felt her face growing warm as her friends cheered and enthusiastically expressed their appreciation for her work as they walked around to observe the details. In the hubbub, her gaze connected with Keith's; the Captain was looking right at her with a smile that was somewhat rueful.
"Is everything to your liking?" She asked, a bit anxiously.
"It's amazing." He said quietly. "I should've known that you were..." He shook his head, laughed softly. "I'm speechless. I can't express how much this means to us. Thank you."
"Please- you deserve so much more." Allura's eyes welled with tears. "You boys never complain to me, but I know that it's very difficult for you all to be away from the people and traditions you love. Your own and your families' unselfish, personal sacrifices have given us a gift we can never repay."
The look she cast towards her Royal Guardian held gratitude and affection, and she raised her voice to add, "I couldn't have done this at all without Coran's and Nanny's help. I researched and planned, and they ran interference so you wouldn't find out what was up. They took care of all the preparations, and in a unbelievably short amount of time, too!"
Hearing this, the four pilots turned to Coran. A chorus of fervent 'thank you sirs', were acknowledged with a gracious nod and smile.
"But where is Nanny?" Pidge asked suddenly. "We'd like to thank her for the treats!"
"She had a few last minute matters to attend to for the Christmas dinner." Coran explained. "She'll be along later."
"You mean, there's more food comin' besides this?" Hunk asked incredulously, as he looked from the smiling Royal Advisor to the tables of goodies and back again.
Allura laughed. "Of course! A Christmas needs a traditional meal, and the kitchen staff is putting the finishing touches on. smoked salmon, green bean casserole, cranberry relish, ham, roast turkey and sweet potatoes, scones, Cornish game hen and wild rice-"
"This is too much!" Hunk interrupted, as the Princess paused for breath. "You people are just the best!" A single tear trickled down his cheek, and others were threatening to follow.
His teammates murmured their agreement.
"You boys are the best of the best!" Allura responded warmly. "And what are you waiting for? Please help yourself to the appetizers and a beverage, and join me by the tree."
She and Coran laughed as their guests of honor bumped and jostled one another in getting into line.
"Princess should go first!" Pidge announced.
Coran walked over to Allura, assisting the Princess to her feet, and the four pilots stepped back to let her select a few treats, then followed suit, chatting excitedly.
"Chips and dip! And cream cheese and ham wrapped pickles!"
"A chocolate Yule log with a robin on top!"
"Omigosh, how'd they know about sandbakkels?"
"More gingerbread, yeah!"
"Here are the sausage stuffed maple doughnuts my Nana used to make!" Keith exclaimed, as he and Lance loaded food on the holly embossed china provided for their use. "I caught Princess on galaxy-net reading up on Earth based holiday customs in the library yesterday, but I never suspected... " he shook his head. "A simple thank you doesn't cover it."
Lance shifted his gaze to the package that he had temporarily set on a nearby chair. "I know how you can thank her personally." He said slyly. "That package I signed for is the mistletoe I ordered." He glanced at the smiling Princess, who was helping Pidge and Hunk by holding their soft drinks as they settled themselves. "I'll give it to you. Open it up, and use it the way man intended it to be used."
Keith gazed at Allura, before turning a enigmatic smile to his grinning best friend. "Thanks, but you were the one who promised her that you would find it, and you did. I wouldn't dream of taking that away."
Before the Red Lion pilot could summon an argument, his Captain was off to the beverage table.
"You can't escape that easily, my friend," Lance muttered, following in his friend's wake.
There was no further discussion of mistletoe, however, as Coran came over to fill their cups. The two friends each accepted a cup of wassail and joined Hunk and Pidge, who had disdained the couch in favor of sitting on a cushioned rug spread at the foot of the tree.
Coran filled his own plate, sitting on the small sofa while Allura joined the others in sitting on the floor.
The Terrans ate and drank with gusto, while reminiscing about Christmases past. Allura and Coran encouraged every recollection, and offered humorous anecdotes of their own Arusian celebrations. For several minutes, the room resounded with laughter and cheer.
It was when Hunk was going back for thirds and Lance was moaning about having to have his pants re-sized that they heard the tromping of boots and a distinct jingling sound out in the corridor.
"What the heck?" Lance asked inelegantly, sitting bolt upright. "Are those sleigh bells?"
He turned to stare at the Princess who shrugged as a deep, booming voice echoed down the hallway.
"HO! HO! HO!"
The four Space Explorers exchanged wide eyed looks. It couldn't be...could it?
Seconds later the owner of the voice appeared in the doorway carrying a large brown suede sack. His hair and beard were white, his belly was round, his blue eyes were twinkling, and his nose and his cheeks were a bright cherry red. The crimson velvet robe he wore and his hat were opulently trimmed with white fur, and the broad black belt that cinched his stout waist held a cluster of sleigh bells that jingled gaily with the visitor's movements.
"HO! HO! HO! A MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!"
Hunk almost dropped his plate at the first sight of their visitor. Grinning from ear to ear, he set the goodies down, all thoughts of eating forgotten. "Now there's a sight for sore eyes!"
"IT"S SANTA!" Pidge yelled, up and running to the door. "Cookies and milk for the man, a.s.a.p!"
"Ho Ho Ho!" Santa chuckled. "Very kind, but refreshments can wait, dear boy! I've got a job to do!"
Santa looked around, and nodded at Lance, who simply mumbled and gawked, unable to come up with a clever remark. Keith shook his head, grinned, and turned to the Princess, who had moved to stand next to him.
"Where'd you find Santa?"
"I have my ways." She replied, just a bit smugly. "But it's not hard when you believe in the spirit of giving. Plus Pidge hasn't had the luxury of being a kid; I thought it might make him happy."
And Pidge was happy. His excitement was apparent from his ear to ear grin to his bouncing feet, and permeated his voice as he welcomed Santa to the celebration.
Allura watched with tender amusement as 'Santa' ruffled the Green Lion pilot's hair and then swaggered into the room with an undeniably manly air, his gift pack slung over his back. ~Nanny's doing a great job! If I didn't know it was her under all that hair and cheery bluster, I wouldn't ever guess it was a woman!~
Santa's identity apparently was uppermost in Lance's mind as well. He leaned over to the Princess. "So who's that under the suit? My bet is Haraldsen from Maintenance, dude is short and walks with that squatty little strut- just like Santa there!"
"It's not Haraldsen," Allura said, taking a dainty nibble of gingerbread.
"I see." Lance frowned. "McCready from Supplies?" He asked. "No, check that! It's gotta be Alby Fenster from Ops! Alby has the belly for it!"
"Wrong and wrong." The Princess retorted. She glanced at Coran, who was smirking at Lance's visible chagrin at not being able to discern who Santa was. "You may as well stop guessing, no one is going to tell you."
Lance appealed to his grinning leader. "C'mon Keith, help me out here-"
His plea was interrupted by a loud, booming laugh.
"Well of course Santa smells like peppermint! My favorite treats are candy canes!"
Santa quickly reached in pulled said treats out of one deep pocket, and then tossed them out to everyone, one by one.
As Allura caught hers, she used the cover of the gesture to give Nanny a nod and a wink, the signal for her to start handing out gifts. To her surprise, the disguised governess waved off the signal, giving her charge a broad wink in return.
Allura exchanged a bemused glance with Coran. Nanny had been so worried about the length of her visit, begging them to keep it to a few words and a simple drop off of the gift sack. Apparently she'd had a change of heart. She showed no signs of being in a hurry to drop the pack and beating a hasty exit, and in fact had every appearance of being as jolly as Santa in high spirits should be. Even more wondrous was that the woman had somehow lost her accent...
Unwrapping her candy can, the Princess inhaled its scent with appreciation, and then gasped and froze in place as an unwelcome recollection struck her.
~The schnapps! I left the bottle...hope she didn't drink the rest-!~
"Is something wrong Allura?" Keith asked softly from her right. "You look worried."
She schooled her expression into one of unconcern. "Everything's fine. I just remembered I forgot to have them send up some eggnog."
Keith laughed. "With all the food and other drinks you have here, it probably won't be missed."
"Good point. We'll save it for later," she replied, her eyes still following Santa's expansive gestures and incessant tummy patting, as 'he' chatted with the enthralled Pidge.
"I have some gifts for you, but Santa has to do this right," The Jolly One was saying, "Ah, this will do nicely!"
Santa made a beeline for a an overstuffed chair, with the Green Lion pilot trailing along behind, carrying the sack of gifts. Santa seemed just a bit unsteady, but was it because the boots were too big? Allura couldn't tell, but hoped that was the case.
Amidst numerous 'ho-ho-ho's' and 'hee-hee-hee's', Saint Nick seated himself in the chair with a resounding plop, while Santa's helper set the bag down within easy reach, and then ran to get Santa a cup of punch and some cookies. "Thank you young man, you're a great help to Santa!"
"I try my best, sir!" Pidge grinned.
His response seemed to delight St. Nick. "Ho ho ho ho! That's what this old man likes to hear!"
"You're not old!" Pidge protested. "You're ageless! Everyone knows that!"
Hunk nodded his approval. "My little buddy makes a good point."
"Kid would make a seriously good elf." Lance observed. "I'd hire him on the spot."
"Now Pidge." Santa said, setting the cookies and mug on a small table, "don't be shy, come sit on my knee!"
Allura gaped at the unexpected issuance of the invitation, then took a huge bite of gingerbread to stifle the loud giggle that was threatening to erupt from deep inside her. Maybe she should relax about whether Santa had had schnapps- no matter the reason for her high spirits, Nanny was throwing herself into the role, enjoying herself and doing a terrific job.
The youth didn't wait for a second invitation; he swiftly clambered onto Santa's lap. "I've been super good this year, Santa," he said earnestly.
"Just don't ask him about the haunted house, getting hung inside a big bell with the children and the tadpole incidents!" Lance added helpfully.
"Mere miscalculations!" Pidge asserted. "There was no intent to be bad...they were mistakes!"
The Red Lion pilot opened his mouth, then subsided as Santa gave him a blue eyed stare, one that was eerily familiar.
"It's not nice to interrupt, Lieutenant." Santa said. "Kindly wait your turn, Santa has one lap and it's occupied at the moment!" Amidst snickers from the onlookers, Santa continued, "there's a special elf I have at the North Pole...well, more of a goblin, really... who makes sure I have lumps of coal and switches for the naughty children. I'd rather give everyone a real gift. But in your case..."
"No need for threats, Santa!" Lance broke in hastily. "Shutting up now!"
Everyone was laughing again, and Coran was having a tough time composing himself. Nanny was certainly outdoing herself in going the extra mile for the boys, he thought; at times like this, her strong spirit served her brilliantly. And who'd have thought she was a master of disguise...no way anyone would guess her identity unless she chose to share. But was she herself? And would there be hell to pay in the morning?
At that moment, Santa met his gaze. A slight inclination of his head, a wink, and 'his' attention returned to Pidge, leaving the Royal Advisor with no fear of reprisals or indiscretions.
What was that line from Clement Moore's poem, The Night Before Christmas?
'A wink of his eye, and a twist of his head, soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread...'
His reserve broke, and Coran let out an unrestrained belly laugh.
Santa Nanny was now reaching into her sack to present Pidge with a brightly wrapped gift. "This is for you, young man. Santa believes you, but already knows you've been very good! The Princess told me so in her report."
"Sweet! Thanks Princess!" Pidge give her the thumbs up and smiled happily at Allura, who winked in return. After he accepted a rectangular box of average size, the Green Lion Pilot hopped off the well-cushioned lap, shaking and tapping the box in an effort to guess what was in his package as he returned to his place near the tree.
"It's your turn, Lance of Red Lion!" Saint Nicholas announced. "Come over here and tell Santa if you've been a good boy this year."
"Depends on your definition of good." Pidge wisecracked, eliciting more laughter.
With a sheepish smile playing about his lips, Lance got to his feet and walked over to the merry old elf. "I'll be honest. I'm a bad boy sometimes," he said meekly.
As Santa shifted in the chair, uncrossing his booted feet, Lance's gaze was drawn down to big black boots, which, he noted with interest, appeared to have balled up tissue stuffed in the toes, judging from the bumps. That meant whoever Santa had small feet, for the boots themselves were of an average man's size.
So intrigued was he at this discovery, Lance failed to anticipate Santa tugging hard at his arm, putting him off balance, and making him fall square into the middle of Santa's lap.
"Sit right here and give your confession to old Santa Claus!"
Coran almost choked at the sight, as did Allura. The rest of the room's occupants howled with laughter.
Lance struggled to sit upright, finally succeeding. Was the man stuffed with fluff? Except for the bony knees, it was like sitting on memory foam...
Stuffing. The person wasn't as round as he appeared. Interesting.
"Comfortable are we?" Santa asked cheerfully. He bounced Lance with his knees a little, earning more laughs.
"Uh, sure! Real comfy!" Lance said, giving private thanks that a surprise meant his buddies had no chance or thought to bring a camera.
"Good, good! Now, let me see. When you said you were sometimes a bad boy, Lieutenant, was that referring to the incessant teasing you inflict on your friends or the reckless flirting with the maids? " Santa asked, his questions punctuated with laughter from the others.
Lance shook his head, smiling in spite of himself. "Now, Santa, that's not a fair assessment of good-"
"Quite right!" His jolly inquisitor interrupted. "Those are quirks of personality. I bet what you're thinking of is the grief you have given the Royal Governess!"
"What? Nanny? I haven't given her that bad of a time!" Lance protested, looking guilty as sin.
"So you haven't smart talked her in deportment class? Or ever tied her apron strings to a frying pan while her back is turned? Drawn rude pictures of her on the teleprompters? Tripped her while she tries to serve you dinner?"
Lance cast an appealing look at his friends, who collectively gave him a thumbs down as they continued to laugh. Allura was laughing so hard, she had to lean against Keith, and he unobtrusively slipped an arm behind her back on pretext of supporting her.
Hunk, sitting across from them, noticed the gesture and smiled to himself. It was a good thing Nanny wasn't there, or his Skipper would be getting a lump of coal on his noggin.
"Fine," Lance said ruefully, his voice jiggling a bit as Santa continued to bounce him. "If I'm nicer to her, will I be back in your good graces?"
"Ho, ho, ho! A scalawag you are, but Nanny Manning has reported to me that you are also a caring, courageous young man!" Santa stated heartily. The knees stopped their bouncing. "She said that beneath the immature jokes and backtalk lies the pure heart of a champion. And so, here's a gift for you."
Lance found himself feeling oddly emotional as he looked down into the twinkling blue eyes and rosy cheeks. He accepted the small box, and his thank you to Santa was serious and sincere.
He had a feeling that he knew, and knew very well, the person behind the beard. And it had to be someone who was acquainted with Nanny- how else would they know about his little foibles? ~Short, round, small feet, deep voice, blue eyes.~ He thought, mentally accessing the index of castle work staff. ~Deep voice, but not exactly what I'd call a baritone. And the dude reeks of peppermint breath mints. Who is it?~
The voice was kind as it disrupted his train of thought, but there was an unmistakable ring of authority. ""Lieutenant, by no means are you a large person. But Santa's legs are getting numb, and so I will send you on your merry way."
"Right! Sorry!" Lance immediately vacated his perch. "Thank you for the present and Merry Christmas to you, Santa!"
Santa beamed. "Merry Christmas to you, young man! Be good so I'll see you next year!"
"My turn now!" Hunk exclaimed. He strode over to the chair and loomed over the diminutive figure ensconced within it, while Santa regarded him with widened eyes.
"I fear my lap size is unequal to the task, young man. You are a good boy, but a very large boy, and I think I will simply say Merry Christmas and hand you your gift."
Hunk chuckled as he received a large package from the depths of Santa's bag. "Oh wow! What could this be? Thanks Santa, Merry Christmas!" He returned to the tree with a broad grin as he sat down.
"And so, last but not least, we have the Captain, who looks like he could be my helper in his red suit, ho ho ho!"
Keith stood up. "Anytime, Santa! Just say the word!" He walked over to the chair, and perched on an arm. "I'll sit here, it's easier on you."
"Thoughtful young man." Santa said approvingly. "And yet I have received no report on your behavior, Captain. Perhaps someone could vouch for you?"
Allura spoke up before anyone else could say a word. " Keith has been exceptionally good this year, Santa! He's done so wonderfully in protecting me and our planet... "
Keith fidgeted as his face heated up under the smirks of Lance, Pidge and Hunk.
"...as have all the boys." Allura finished quickly, not wanting anyone to feel slighted.
"Excellent! Your gift, Captain Keith, with my personal thanks for taking such good care of Arus and our Princess." Santa said jovially. "Merry Christmas!"
"Thank you and Merry Christmas." Keith replied, relieved to be able to focus on the box that was handed to him. It was surprisingly heavy. He accepted it with a small bow and returned to his seat, shooting a quick, wry look at the Princess who smiled in response.
"And that is all I have brought. It's time to open them!" Santa urged, with an expansive sweep of his arm. "Youngest first! Pidge?"
"Finally, a perk to being the youngest!" The Green Lion Pilot cheered. The sounds of tearing paper filled the air as he opened his gift, followed by a box top being hurled aside and the crinkle of tissue paper.
"A bomber jacket and neck scarf to go with my hat and goggles!" He shouted. "Sweet!"
"Lined with the warmest, softest wool, to keep you warm on your runs down the hill." Allura told him. "And...there's something else that goes with those!"
All package opening activity ceased and all eyes followed the Princess as she leaned over and reached beneath the sofa next to her. When she drew back, she'd pulled forth a large circular tray covered with a network of unusual scratches that polishing couldn't hide.
"This is the tray that helped you conquer Castle Hill, and so it now belongs to you, Pidge!" Allura proclaimed. Holding it aloft, she showed everyone that a brass plate that had been affixed to its center before handing over the gift. "A memento of your victory, and I took the liberty of having an inscription plate put on it to commemorate the event."
"What's it say?" Hunk asked, and an awed looking Pidge accepted the tray from the Princess. "Read it out loud, buddy!"
"Presented on Christmas Day to Pidge, with deepest admiration for a courageous and stellar championship run. I officially dub you the King of Castle Hill. Long may Splatboy reign! With love and admiration, Princess Allura."
"I hope you like it," Allura said softly.
"It's fantastic!" Pidge responded. "All of it...the best gifts ever! And all for me!" His shining eyes went to Santa, Coran and finally, the Princess. "Thank you so much!"
"And we thank you for being you." Allura said, and blew him a kiss. Pidge blushed, looking even more jubilant.
"Way to go, Splatboy!" Hunk thumped his best friend's back, almost planting his face in the floor. "We'll find a proper hanger for it and put 'er up on a wall as a testament to your greatness!"
"It's a new sledding tradition right here!" Lance said, grinning. "Just like we had at the academy!"
"Except that this is way better than a sled made of beer cans and twine!" Pidge declared, and his academy classmates laughed.
"Displaying it is an awesome idea, Hunk!" Keith said. "A remembrance of Splatboy's greatest run," he paused, "that is, his greatest run to date."
"Hear hear!" Lance approved.
"I think I would like to have it hung in this lounge." Pidge said shyly. His gaze went to the Royal Advisor. "If that's okay."
"Consider it done!" Coran said, smiling.
"Awesome...thank you...means a lot..." The Green Lion pilot looked as if he were going to cry for a moment, but then quickly turned to Hunk. "What did you get from Santa, Hunk?"
Seeing his friend needed a reprieve from attention, the big man wasted no time in ripping the rest of the paper off his gift and opening the box. When he saw what was inside, his mouth fell open. "Snowshoes! Top notch ones too! How the heck did you know, Santa? I went snow shoeing all the time at the Academy- loved it!"
Santa chuckled. "You'll have to ask my helper." The red hat bobbed in the direction of the Princess.
"Actually, I didn't know that." Allura admitted. "I did notice yesterday how hard it was for a bigger man like yourself to wade through the deep snow. My father had the same problem, and these were made by hand, especially for him. All that needs to be done is have you fitted for bindings, to replace the old ones."
Hunk stared at her. "These snowshoes were King Alfor's?"
She nodded, smiling. "And before you say you can't accept them, please know Father would want you to have them so you could enjoy them as much as he did."
"Yes, our King would have approved." Coran urged, when the Yellow Lion pilot still looked uncertain. "Take them! Use them! Enjoy, with his blessing!"
Slowly, Hunk nodded. His brown eyes were watery, and he quickly looked down to examine the shoes' superior craftsmanship. "Wowee, I literally will be walking in King Alfor's shoes!" He informed the room at large.
Everyone chuckled appreciatively.
But the Big Man wasn't done. "I'll treasure and take excellent care of them. They will be with me always, not just because they were the King's, but because they are from his daughter!" He declared.
Rising to his feet, he went to Allura, he took her hand, bending over it as he executed a graceful, highly proper bow. "I thank you from the bottom of my heart, Princess, which is yours to command."
The chivalrous gesture and the fact that it was performed without a hint of clumsiness or awkwardness amazed all who saw it. All except for Santa Claus, whose smile of pride for her star pupil was hidden beneath her beard.
"Having your friendship is the true gift." Allura murmured. "Thank you so much, Hunk."
But as he gazed at the wondering expressions of the young men standing before him, tears sprang to his eyes and a lump formed in his throat. The utter joy he saw in their faces- faces that, at least for a little while, no longer showed the strain and stress of constant battle- was a priceless reward.
If he were truly honest, this night was about so much more than courtesy and morale building. It was about caring for his family. No one could ask for finer sons than these young men, or a better daughter than Allura. Nanny felt that way too, whether she would admit to it or not, a thought which reminded him of other surprises yet to come...his cultured voice interrupted the introspective silence.
"Gentlemen, Merry Christmas to you all!"
"Merry Christmas, Coran!" They echoed, sounding a bit awestruck.
"What is your verdict on our decorations? Have we gotten it right?"
"Yes!" Pidge exclaimed at once. "Especially the tree...it's amazing!"
"All I can say is, someone pinch me, I think I'm dreamin'," Hunk added, and then yelped as his little buddy quickly obliged him. "OW! Jeez, it was just an expression, Pidge!"
Everyone laughed as Hunk rubbed his arm and gave the Green Lion pilot a mock glare.
"It's beautiful." Lance said, his awestruck gaze fastened on the magnificent tree. "Just like home..." His voice caught on the last word and a suspicious shine appeared in his eyes. He turned away abruptly, swallowing hard. "This was a fantastic idea! A tip of my hat to whoever thought of it!"
Coran cleared his throat. "Princess Allura realized the significance of this time of year for you, and thought celebrating it would be a way to bring you joy. She enlisted my aid in obtaining what you see here. The credit should go entirely to her."
Allura felt her face growing warm as her friends cheered and enthusiastically expressed their appreciation for her work as they walked around to observe the details. In the hubbub, her gaze connected with Keith's; the Captain was looking right at her with a smile that was somewhat rueful.
"Is everything to your liking?" She asked, a bit anxiously.
"It's amazing." He said quietly. "I should've known that you were..." He shook his head, laughed softly. "I'm speechless. I can't express how much this means to us. Thank you."
"Please- you deserve so much more." Allura's eyes welled with tears. "You boys never complain to me, but I know that it's very difficult for you all to be away from the people and traditions you love. Your own and your families' unselfish, personal sacrifices have given us a gift we can never repay."
The look she cast towards her Royal Guardian held gratitude and affection, and she raised her voice to add, "I couldn't have done this at all without Coran's and Nanny's help. I researched and planned, and they ran interference so you wouldn't find out what was up. They took care of all the preparations, and in a unbelievably short amount of time, too!"
Hearing this, the four pilots turned to Coran. A chorus of fervent 'thank you sirs', were acknowledged with a gracious nod and smile.
"But where is Nanny?" Pidge asked suddenly. "We'd like to thank her for the treats!"
"She had a few last minute matters to attend to for the Christmas dinner." Coran explained. "She'll be along later."
"You mean, there's more food comin' besides this?" Hunk asked incredulously, as he looked from the smiling Royal Advisor to the tables of goodies and back again.
Allura laughed. "Of course! A Christmas needs a traditional meal, and the kitchen staff is putting the finishing touches on. smoked salmon, green bean casserole, cranberry relish, ham, roast turkey and sweet potatoes, scones, Cornish game hen and wild rice-"
"This is too much!" Hunk interrupted, as the Princess paused for breath. "You people are just the best!" A single tear trickled down his cheek, and others were threatening to follow.
His teammates murmured their agreement.
"You boys are the best of the best!" Allura responded warmly. "And what are you waiting for? Please help yourself to the appetizers and a beverage, and join me by the tree."
She and Coran laughed as their guests of honor bumped and jostled one another in getting into line.
"Princess should go first!" Pidge announced.
Coran walked over to Allura, assisting the Princess to her feet, and the four pilots stepped back to let her select a few treats, then followed suit, chatting excitedly.
"Chips and dip! And cream cheese and ham wrapped pickles!"
"A chocolate Yule log with a robin on top!"
"Omigosh, how'd they know about sandbakkels?"
"More gingerbread, yeah!"
"Here are the sausage stuffed maple doughnuts my Nana used to make!" Keith exclaimed, as he and Lance loaded food on the holly embossed china provided for their use. "I caught Princess on galaxy-net reading up on Earth based holiday customs in the library yesterday, but I never suspected... " he shook his head. "A simple thank you doesn't cover it."
Lance shifted his gaze to the package that he had temporarily set on a nearby chair. "I know how you can thank her personally." He said slyly. "That package I signed for is the mistletoe I ordered." He glanced at the smiling Princess, who was helping Pidge and Hunk by holding their soft drinks as they settled themselves. "I'll give it to you. Open it up, and use it the way man intended it to be used."
Keith gazed at Allura, before turning a enigmatic smile to his grinning best friend. "Thanks, but you were the one who promised her that you would find it, and you did. I wouldn't dream of taking that away."
Before the Red Lion pilot could summon an argument, his Captain was off to the beverage table.
"You can't escape that easily, my friend," Lance muttered, following in his friend's wake.
There was no further discussion of mistletoe, however, as Coran came over to fill their cups. The two friends each accepted a cup of wassail and joined Hunk and Pidge, who had disdained the couch in favor of sitting on a cushioned rug spread at the foot of the tree.
Coran filled his own plate, sitting on the small sofa while Allura joined the others in sitting on the floor.
The Terrans ate and drank with gusto, while reminiscing about Christmases past. Allura and Coran encouraged every recollection, and offered humorous anecdotes of their own Arusian celebrations. For several minutes, the room resounded with laughter and cheer.
It was when Hunk was going back for thirds and Lance was moaning about having to have his pants re-sized that they heard the tromping of boots and a distinct jingling sound out in the corridor.
"What the heck?" Lance asked inelegantly, sitting bolt upright. "Are those sleigh bells?"
He turned to stare at the Princess who shrugged as a deep, booming voice echoed down the hallway.
"HO! HO! HO!"
The four Space Explorers exchanged wide eyed looks. It couldn't be...could it?
Seconds later the owner of the voice appeared in the doorway carrying a large brown suede sack. His hair and beard were white, his belly was round, his blue eyes were twinkling, and his nose and his cheeks were a bright cherry red. The crimson velvet robe he wore and his hat were opulently trimmed with white fur, and the broad black belt that cinched his stout waist held a cluster of sleigh bells that jingled gaily with the visitor's movements.
"HO! HO! HO! A MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!"
Hunk almost dropped his plate at the first sight of their visitor. Grinning from ear to ear, he set the goodies down, all thoughts of eating forgotten. "Now there's a sight for sore eyes!"
"IT"S SANTA!" Pidge yelled, up and running to the door. "Cookies and milk for the man, a.s.a.p!"
"Ho Ho Ho!" Santa chuckled. "Very kind, but refreshments can wait, dear boy! I've got a job to do!"
Santa looked around, and nodded at Lance, who simply mumbled and gawked, unable to come up with a clever remark. Keith shook his head, grinned, and turned to the Princess, who had moved to stand next to him.
"Where'd you find Santa?"
"I have my ways." She replied, just a bit smugly. "But it's not hard when you believe in the spirit of giving. Plus Pidge hasn't had the luxury of being a kid; I thought it might make him happy."
And Pidge was happy. His excitement was apparent from his ear to ear grin to his bouncing feet, and permeated his voice as he welcomed Santa to the celebration.
Allura watched with tender amusement as 'Santa' ruffled the Green Lion pilot's hair and then swaggered into the room with an undeniably manly air, his gift pack slung over his back. ~Nanny's doing a great job! If I didn't know it was her under all that hair and cheery bluster, I wouldn't ever guess it was a woman!~
Santa's identity apparently was uppermost in Lance's mind as well. He leaned over to the Princess. "So who's that under the suit? My bet is Haraldsen from Maintenance, dude is short and walks with that squatty little strut- just like Santa there!"
"It's not Haraldsen," Allura said, taking a dainty nibble of gingerbread.
"I see." Lance frowned. "McCready from Supplies?" He asked. "No, check that! It's gotta be Alby Fenster from Ops! Alby has the belly for it!"
"Wrong and wrong." The Princess retorted. She glanced at Coran, who was smirking at Lance's visible chagrin at not being able to discern who Santa was. "You may as well stop guessing, no one is going to tell you."
Lance appealed to his grinning leader. "C'mon Keith, help me out here-"
His plea was interrupted by a loud, booming laugh.
"Well of course Santa smells like peppermint! My favorite treats are candy canes!"
Santa quickly reached in pulled said treats out of one deep pocket, and then tossed them out to everyone, one by one.
As Allura caught hers, she used the cover of the gesture to give Nanny a nod and a wink, the signal for her to start handing out gifts. To her surprise, the disguised governess waved off the signal, giving her charge a broad wink in return.
Allura exchanged a bemused glance with Coran. Nanny had been so worried about the length of her visit, begging them to keep it to a few words and a simple drop off of the gift sack. Apparently she'd had a change of heart. She showed no signs of being in a hurry to drop the pack and beating a hasty exit, and in fact had every appearance of being as jolly as Santa in high spirits should be. Even more wondrous was that the woman had somehow lost her accent...
Unwrapping her candy can, the Princess inhaled its scent with appreciation, and then gasped and froze in place as an unwelcome recollection struck her.
~The schnapps! I left the bottle...hope she didn't drink the rest-!~
"Is something wrong Allura?" Keith asked softly from her right. "You look worried."
She schooled her expression into one of unconcern. "Everything's fine. I just remembered I forgot to have them send up some eggnog."
Keith laughed. "With all the food and other drinks you have here, it probably won't be missed."
"Good point. We'll save it for later," she replied, her eyes still following Santa's expansive gestures and incessant tummy patting, as 'he' chatted with the enthralled Pidge.
"I have some gifts for you, but Santa has to do this right," The Jolly One was saying, "Ah, this will do nicely!"
Santa made a beeline for a an overstuffed chair, with the Green Lion pilot trailing along behind, carrying the sack of gifts. Santa seemed just a bit unsteady, but was it because the boots were too big? Allura couldn't tell, but hoped that was the case.
Amidst numerous 'ho-ho-ho's' and 'hee-hee-hee's', Saint Nick seated himself in the chair with a resounding plop, while Santa's helper set the bag down within easy reach, and then ran to get Santa a cup of punch and some cookies. "Thank you young man, you're a great help to Santa!"
"I try my best, sir!" Pidge grinned.
His response seemed to delight St. Nick. "Ho ho ho ho! That's what this old man likes to hear!"
"You're not old!" Pidge protested. "You're ageless! Everyone knows that!"
Hunk nodded his approval. "My little buddy makes a good point."
"Kid would make a seriously good elf." Lance observed. "I'd hire him on the spot."
"Now Pidge." Santa said, setting the cookies and mug on a small table, "don't be shy, come sit on my knee!"
Allura gaped at the unexpected issuance of the invitation, then took a huge bite of gingerbread to stifle the loud giggle that was threatening to erupt from deep inside her. Maybe she should relax about whether Santa had had schnapps- no matter the reason for her high spirits, Nanny was throwing herself into the role, enjoying herself and doing a terrific job.
The youth didn't wait for a second invitation; he swiftly clambered onto Santa's lap. "I've been super good this year, Santa," he said earnestly.
"Just don't ask him about the haunted house, getting hung inside a big bell with the children and the tadpole incidents!" Lance added helpfully.
"Mere miscalculations!" Pidge asserted. "There was no intent to be bad...they were mistakes!"
The Red Lion pilot opened his mouth, then subsided as Santa gave him a blue eyed stare, one that was eerily familiar.
"It's not nice to interrupt, Lieutenant." Santa said. "Kindly wait your turn, Santa has one lap and it's occupied at the moment!" Amidst snickers from the onlookers, Santa continued, "there's a special elf I have at the North Pole...well, more of a goblin, really... who makes sure I have lumps of coal and switches for the naughty children. I'd rather give everyone a real gift. But in your case..."
"No need for threats, Santa!" Lance broke in hastily. "Shutting up now!"
Everyone was laughing again, and Coran was having a tough time composing himself. Nanny was certainly outdoing herself in going the extra mile for the boys, he thought; at times like this, her strong spirit served her brilliantly. And who'd have thought she was a master of disguise...no way anyone would guess her identity unless she chose to share. But was she herself? And would there be hell to pay in the morning?
At that moment, Santa met his gaze. A slight inclination of his head, a wink, and 'his' attention returned to Pidge, leaving the Royal Advisor with no fear of reprisals or indiscretions.
What was that line from Clement Moore's poem, The Night Before Christmas?
'A wink of his eye, and a twist of his head, soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread...'
His reserve broke, and Coran let out an unrestrained belly laugh.
Santa Nanny was now reaching into her sack to present Pidge with a brightly wrapped gift. "This is for you, young man. Santa believes you, but already knows you've been very good! The Princess told me so in her report."
"Sweet! Thanks Princess!" Pidge give her the thumbs up and smiled happily at Allura, who winked in return. After he accepted a rectangular box of average size, the Green Lion Pilot hopped off the well-cushioned lap, shaking and tapping the box in an effort to guess what was in his package as he returned to his place near the tree.
"It's your turn, Lance of Red Lion!" Saint Nicholas announced. "Come over here and tell Santa if you've been a good boy this year."
"Depends on your definition of good." Pidge wisecracked, eliciting more laughter.
With a sheepish smile playing about his lips, Lance got to his feet and walked over to the merry old elf. "I'll be honest. I'm a bad boy sometimes," he said meekly.
As Santa shifted in the chair, uncrossing his booted feet, Lance's gaze was drawn down to big black boots, which, he noted with interest, appeared to have balled up tissue stuffed in the toes, judging from the bumps. That meant whoever Santa had small feet, for the boots themselves were of an average man's size.
So intrigued was he at this discovery, Lance failed to anticipate Santa tugging hard at his arm, putting him off balance, and making him fall square into the middle of Santa's lap.
"Sit right here and give your confession to old Santa Claus!"
Coran almost choked at the sight, as did Allura. The rest of the room's occupants howled with laughter.
Lance struggled to sit upright, finally succeeding. Was the man stuffed with fluff? Except for the bony knees, it was like sitting on memory foam...
Stuffing. The person wasn't as round as he appeared. Interesting.
"Comfortable are we?" Santa asked cheerfully. He bounced Lance with his knees a little, earning more laughs.
"Uh, sure! Real comfy!" Lance said, giving private thanks that a surprise meant his buddies had no chance or thought to bring a camera.
"Good, good! Now, let me see. When you said you were sometimes a bad boy, Lieutenant, was that referring to the incessant teasing you inflict on your friends or the reckless flirting with the maids? " Santa asked, his questions punctuated with laughter from the others.
Lance shook his head, smiling in spite of himself. "Now, Santa, that's not a fair assessment of good-"
"Quite right!" His jolly inquisitor interrupted. "Those are quirks of personality. I bet what you're thinking of is the grief you have given the Royal Governess!"
"What? Nanny? I haven't given her that bad of a time!" Lance protested, looking guilty as sin.
"So you haven't smart talked her in deportment class? Or ever tied her apron strings to a frying pan while her back is turned? Drawn rude pictures of her on the teleprompters? Tripped her while she tries to serve you dinner?"
Lance cast an appealing look at his friends, who collectively gave him a thumbs down as they continued to laugh. Allura was laughing so hard, she had to lean against Keith, and he unobtrusively slipped an arm behind her back on pretext of supporting her.
Hunk, sitting across from them, noticed the gesture and smiled to himself. It was a good thing Nanny wasn't there, or his Skipper would be getting a lump of coal on his noggin.
"Fine," Lance said ruefully, his voice jiggling a bit as Santa continued to bounce him. "If I'm nicer to her, will I be back in your good graces?"
"Ho, ho, ho! A scalawag you are, but Nanny Manning has reported to me that you are also a caring, courageous young man!" Santa stated heartily. The knees stopped their bouncing. "She said that beneath the immature jokes and backtalk lies the pure heart of a champion. And so, here's a gift for you."
Lance found himself feeling oddly emotional as he looked down into the twinkling blue eyes and rosy cheeks. He accepted the small box, and his thank you to Santa was serious and sincere.
He had a feeling that he knew, and knew very well, the person behind the beard. And it had to be someone who was acquainted with Nanny- how else would they know about his little foibles? ~Short, round, small feet, deep voice, blue eyes.~ He thought, mentally accessing the index of castle work staff. ~Deep voice, but not exactly what I'd call a baritone. And the dude reeks of peppermint breath mints. Who is it?~
The voice was kind as it disrupted his train of thought, but there was an unmistakable ring of authority. ""Lieutenant, by no means are you a large person. But Santa's legs are getting numb, and so I will send you on your merry way."
"Right! Sorry!" Lance immediately vacated his perch. "Thank you for the present and Merry Christmas to you, Santa!"
Santa beamed. "Merry Christmas to you, young man! Be good so I'll see you next year!"
"My turn now!" Hunk exclaimed. He strode over to the chair and loomed over the diminutive figure ensconced within it, while Santa regarded him with widened eyes.
"I fear my lap size is unequal to the task, young man. You are a good boy, but a very large boy, and I think I will simply say Merry Christmas and hand you your gift."
Hunk chuckled as he received a large package from the depths of Santa's bag. "Oh wow! What could this be? Thanks Santa, Merry Christmas!" He returned to the tree with a broad grin as he sat down.
"And so, last but not least, we have the Captain, who looks like he could be my helper in his red suit, ho ho ho!"
Keith stood up. "Anytime, Santa! Just say the word!" He walked over to the chair, and perched on an arm. "I'll sit here, it's easier on you."
"Thoughtful young man." Santa said approvingly. "And yet I have received no report on your behavior, Captain. Perhaps someone could vouch for you?"
Allura spoke up before anyone else could say a word. " Keith has been exceptionally good this year, Santa! He's done so wonderfully in protecting me and our planet... "
Keith fidgeted as his face heated up under the smirks of Lance, Pidge and Hunk.
"...as have all the boys." Allura finished quickly, not wanting anyone to feel slighted.
"Excellent! Your gift, Captain Keith, with my personal thanks for taking such good care of Arus and our Princess." Santa said jovially. "Merry Christmas!"
"Thank you and Merry Christmas." Keith replied, relieved to be able to focus on the box that was handed to him. It was surprisingly heavy. He accepted it with a small bow and returned to his seat, shooting a quick, wry look at the Princess who smiled in response.
"And that is all I have brought. It's time to open them!" Santa urged, with an expansive sweep of his arm. "Youngest first! Pidge?"
"Finally, a perk to being the youngest!" The Green Lion Pilot cheered. The sounds of tearing paper filled the air as he opened his gift, followed by a box top being hurled aside and the crinkle of tissue paper.
"A bomber jacket and neck scarf to go with my hat and goggles!" He shouted. "Sweet!"
"Lined with the warmest, softest wool, to keep you warm on your runs down the hill." Allura told him. "And...there's something else that goes with those!"
All package opening activity ceased and all eyes followed the Princess as she leaned over and reached beneath the sofa next to her. When she drew back, she'd pulled forth a large circular tray covered with a network of unusual scratches that polishing couldn't hide.
"This is the tray that helped you conquer Castle Hill, and so it now belongs to you, Pidge!" Allura proclaimed. Holding it aloft, she showed everyone that a brass plate that had been affixed to its center before handing over the gift. "A memento of your victory, and I took the liberty of having an inscription plate put on it to commemorate the event."
"What's it say?" Hunk asked, and an awed looking Pidge accepted the tray from the Princess. "Read it out loud, buddy!"
"Presented on Christmas Day to Pidge, with deepest admiration for a courageous and stellar championship run. I officially dub you the King of Castle Hill. Long may Splatboy reign! With love and admiration, Princess Allura."
"I hope you like it," Allura said softly.
"It's fantastic!" Pidge responded. "All of it...the best gifts ever! And all for me!" His shining eyes went to Santa, Coran and finally, the Princess. "Thank you so much!"
"And we thank you for being you." Allura said, and blew him a kiss. Pidge blushed, looking even more jubilant.
"Way to go, Splatboy!" Hunk thumped his best friend's back, almost planting his face in the floor. "We'll find a proper hanger for it and put 'er up on a wall as a testament to your greatness!"
"It's a new sledding tradition right here!" Lance said, grinning. "Just like we had at the academy!"
"Except that this is way better than a sled made of beer cans and twine!" Pidge declared, and his academy classmates laughed.
"Displaying it is an awesome idea, Hunk!" Keith said. "A remembrance of Splatboy's greatest run," he paused, "that is, his greatest run to date."
"Hear hear!" Lance approved.
"I think I would like to have it hung in this lounge." Pidge said shyly. His gaze went to the Royal Advisor. "If that's okay."
"Consider it done!" Coran said, smiling.
"Awesome...thank you...means a lot..." The Green Lion pilot looked as if he were going to cry for a moment, but then quickly turned to Hunk. "What did you get from Santa, Hunk?"
Seeing his friend needed a reprieve from attention, the big man wasted no time in ripping the rest of the paper off his gift and opening the box. When he saw what was inside, his mouth fell open. "Snowshoes! Top notch ones too! How the heck did you know, Santa? I went snow shoeing all the time at the Academy- loved it!"
Santa chuckled. "You'll have to ask my helper." The red hat bobbed in the direction of the Princess.
"Actually, I didn't know that." Allura admitted. "I did notice yesterday how hard it was for a bigger man like yourself to wade through the deep snow. My father had the same problem, and these were made by hand, especially for him. All that needs to be done is have you fitted for bindings, to replace the old ones."
Hunk stared at her. "These snowshoes were King Alfor's?"
She nodded, smiling. "And before you say you can't accept them, please know Father would want you to have them so you could enjoy them as much as he did."
"Yes, our King would have approved." Coran urged, when the Yellow Lion pilot still looked uncertain. "Take them! Use them! Enjoy, with his blessing!"
Slowly, Hunk nodded. His brown eyes were watery, and he quickly looked down to examine the shoes' superior craftsmanship. "Wowee, I literally will be walking in King Alfor's shoes!" He informed the room at large.
Everyone chuckled appreciatively.
But the Big Man wasn't done. "I'll treasure and take excellent care of them. They will be with me always, not just because they were the King's, but because they are from his daughter!" He declared.
Rising to his feet, he went to Allura, he took her hand, bending over it as he executed a graceful, highly proper bow. "I thank you from the bottom of my heart, Princess, which is yours to command."
The chivalrous gesture and the fact that it was performed without a hint of clumsiness or awkwardness amazed all who saw it. All except for Santa Claus, whose smile of pride for her star pupil was hidden beneath her beard.
"Having your friendship is the true gift." Allura murmured. "Thank you so much, Hunk."
"What ya got there, Lance?" Hunk asked as he sat down.
Lance smiled. "Can't wait to find out!"
Despite his declaration of impatience, the pilot of Red Lion opened his gift with surprising care, saving the lion-printed paper, which he designated as 'too cool to shred', after removing it from the gift box.
He teased his audience for a moment by peeping beneath box lid, closing it again, and peeping again. When the protests grew loud enough, he laughed and threw back the lid to reveal a music player and a series of packaged flat disks which were grabbed and held up with a loud hoot of approval.
" 'The Complete CD Anthology of Louis Armstrong?' Are you kidding me?" He exclaimed, looking with astonishment at the grinning Princess. "Thank you! How in the universe did you get these?"
"As you would say, I know a guy," Allura replied happily. It had taken months to track down the collection and have it delivered on an Alliance cargo drop off. She'd originally intended it as a birthday present for Lance; thank the lions it'd arrived in time for her to give them to him for Christmas! "I hope you'll enjoy listening to them!"
"They rock, and so do you!" Lance declared. He reached into an inner pocket of his jacket. "And I think this is the perfect time to give this to you, Princess!"
When he withdrew his hand, he held a small box which he set on the floor. Producing a small pocketknife, he neatly sliced through the taped bindings on the package, folded back the flaps, and drew out a piece of paper. After reading the paper, he folded and stuck it in his pocket, and then reached carefully into the box and withdrew a cellophane-wrapped mass of leaves and berries.
Getting to his feet, he moved over to Allura. "Your Royal Highness," he began, bowing formally and with the proper amount of solemnity, though his eyes glimmered with mischief as they met hers, "I am pleased to present to you the successful result of my quest."
"Mistletoe!" The Princess exclaimed in delight, as he placed it in her hand.
Lance dropped to his knees before her, hands clasped in entreaty. "Please accept it with my deepest apologies for my carelessness. I don't deserve your forgiveness, but it is my humble hope that you can find it in your heart to look upon me with favor."
"Oh boy." Hunk said to Keith. "He really knows how to ham it up. Guy should have gone into show business."
Keith snorted. "Would never have made it. Too blunt."
Lance smiled. "Can't wait to find out!"
Despite his declaration of impatience, the pilot of Red Lion opened his gift with surprising care, saving the lion-printed paper, which he designated as 'too cool to shred', after removing it from the gift box.
He teased his audience for a moment by peeping beneath box lid, closing it again, and peeping again. When the protests grew loud enough, he laughed and threw back the lid to reveal a music player and a series of packaged flat disks which were grabbed and held up with a loud hoot of approval.
" 'The Complete CD Anthology of Louis Armstrong?' Are you kidding me?" He exclaimed, looking with astonishment at the grinning Princess. "Thank you! How in the universe did you get these?"
"As you would say, I know a guy," Allura replied happily. It had taken months to track down the collection and have it delivered on an Alliance cargo drop off. She'd originally intended it as a birthday present for Lance; thank the lions it'd arrived in time for her to give them to him for Christmas! "I hope you'll enjoy listening to them!"
"They rock, and so do you!" Lance declared. He reached into an inner pocket of his jacket. "And I think this is the perfect time to give this to you, Princess!"
When he withdrew his hand, he held a small box which he set on the floor. Producing a small pocketknife, he neatly sliced through the taped bindings on the package, folded back the flaps, and drew out a piece of paper. After reading the paper, he folded and stuck it in his pocket, and then reached carefully into the box and withdrew a cellophane-wrapped mass of leaves and berries.
Getting to his feet, he moved over to Allura. "Your Royal Highness," he began, bowing formally and with the proper amount of solemnity, though his eyes glimmered with mischief as they met hers, "I am pleased to present to you the successful result of my quest."
"Mistletoe!" The Princess exclaimed in delight, as he placed it in her hand.
Lance dropped to his knees before her, hands clasped in entreaty. "Please accept it with my deepest apologies for my carelessness. I don't deserve your forgiveness, but it is my humble hope that you can find it in your heart to look upon me with favor."
"Oh boy." Hunk said to Keith. "He really knows how to ham it up. Guy should have gone into show business."
Keith snorted. "Would never have made it. Too blunt."
As the Princess blushed and giggled at Lance bowing and scraping to her, Coran had discreetly moved over to converse with Santa Claus, who appeared to be ready to vent an opinion about the gift. Without an invitation, he sat on the arm of the chair as its occupant glared up at him with indignation. "May have a word?"
"It's that parasitic kissing plant, Coran!" Santa hissed back. "I do not think-"
"It is indeed mistletoe. And on this festive occasion, it's my considered opinion that it's perfectly acceptable to observe the tradition of showing affection for one's friends. A tradition, as I recall, that was once the normal protocol for royalty and staff during Winter Carnival?"
Santa looked away from the older man's knowing gaze. "That was then. Things were more clear. Less....precarious."
"It was a wonderful and prosperous time." Coran stated gently. "But need for expressions of affection is even greater in uncertain and troubled times. Sometimes it's all we have to sustain us."
A thoughtful silence followed, then Nanny sighed. "Very well. I trust in your judgment, and that Allura will not allow it to turn into an unseemly display. But I will step in if that is what it becomes!"
"As you should, but that won't be necessary, I'm certain." The Castle Diplomat said, putting a hand on her shoulder. "And if I may be so bold, I for one wouldn't be adverse to a traditional kiss from a lovely long time friend I care for very much."
Santa turned in her chair and stared up at him, mouth opened, eyes rounded, rosy cheeks growing even rosier.
Coran simply smiled, and returned to his place by the tree.
"It's that parasitic kissing plant, Coran!" Santa hissed back. "I do not think-"
"It is indeed mistletoe. And on this festive occasion, it's my considered opinion that it's perfectly acceptable to observe the tradition of showing affection for one's friends. A tradition, as I recall, that was once the normal protocol for royalty and staff during Winter Carnival?"
Santa looked away from the older man's knowing gaze. "That was then. Things were more clear. Less....precarious."
"It was a wonderful and prosperous time." Coran stated gently. "But need for expressions of affection is even greater in uncertain and troubled times. Sometimes it's all we have to sustain us."
A thoughtful silence followed, then Nanny sighed. "Very well. I trust in your judgment, and that Allura will not allow it to turn into an unseemly display. But I will step in if that is what it becomes!"
"As you should, but that won't be necessary, I'm certain." The Castle Diplomat said, putting a hand on her shoulder. "And if I may be so bold, I for one wouldn't be adverse to a traditional kiss from a lovely long time friend I care for very much."
Santa turned in her chair and stared up at him, mouth opened, eyes rounded, rosy cheeks growing even rosier.
Coran simply smiled, and returned to his place by the tree.
"You have earned my favor, most noble knight!" Allura intoned, waving the unwrapped plant like a scepter. "Go forth, knowing that you have done well this day."
"So kind, and as wise as you are beautiful! I am but a lowly man, your humble servant, smitten by your charms, and graced by your words...."
Lance bowed more deeply with each compliment, while Allura giggled and Keith rolled his eyes.
"Don't forget to keep the mistletoe berries away from the mice," Pidge advised with unromantic practicality as Lance finally seated himself. "They're poisonous, ya know."
"Not to worry, Princess!" Hunk assured Allura, who looked alarmed. "Regulations forbid the berries being left on when it's harvested for sale. The ones there are synthetic tie ons."
She nodded, relieved. "Thank you, Hunk."
"Knowing those mice, they're somewhere stuffing themselves too full of cookie crumbs to bother with berries anyway," Pidge added.
"So now that you have the means, would you care to observe another tradition, Princess?" Lance asked her with a smile. Upon seeing the glare Keith was directing at him, he added, "What? I was just going to say that Santa over there looks like he could use a big smoochie!"
Allura gasped and looked aghast, then inexplicably started to laugh as her teammates looked on in confusion. Santa's reply, a 'ho ho ho, thank you, no' had an definite edge to it, and Coran hastily spoke up. "The mistletoe tradition will have to wait, Keith must open his gift!"
"A rain check then." A grinning Lance took up the shipping box to put it aside, then stopped and peered into it. "Hey wait a minute! What have we here? An extra?" He lifted the other plant out. "Sure enough, there's a spare!" He held it out to the Princess. "Here you are, milady! A second sprig!"
She shook her head. "I only need one. Why don't you keep it?"
Lance's response was drowned out by a loud chorus of denials.
"She knows not what she says," Hunk said to Pidge. "Talk about your Lance unchained!"
The boy snickered. "For sure the Space Academy record of kisses in a day would be smashed! The squadron was one thing...an entire Castle, he'd be needing a whole case of lip balm!"
Allura looked amused. "You're exaggerating, I'm sure." She eyed Lance. "They are, aren't they?"
The Red Lion pilot smirked, but didn't answer. "Why don't we put it to a vote?" He turned to address the room at large. "All right...the Princess has relinquished her claim to this sprig, on my cue, point to the someone you think should receive this extra mistletoe! I shall be the deciding vote, if needed. Ready? Go!"
Allura immediately pointed at Lance. Hunk and Pidge pointed at Keith. Keith pointed at Coran, who shook his head and pointed at Santa, who immediately pointed back at him.
"As the tie breaker, I cast my vote with Hunk and Pidge," Lance announced, "which makes three votes for Keith!" Keith began to protest, but his friend cut him off. "Irrelevant! We have a majority, and whether you use it or not, Captain, you must accept the result!"
Keith sighed. "Fine. Hand it over."
But Lance had decided to make it a formal presentation. "My dear Captain Keith! On behalf of the entire team, I bequeath to you this mistletoe, a treasured symbol of Christmas tradition from Planet Earth, flown here with every good wish, and the sincerest hopes that it will bless you and the object of your affection with the happiness you deserve!"
"Hear, hear!" Chimed in Hunk and Pidge.
Allura, who had been looking back and forth between the two men, put her hands over the blush blooming in her cheeks. Keith, who had been doing his best not to give himself away by sneaking a look at her reaction, took the mistletoe with a brief bow and word of thanks.
"Here's the invoice too, in case you have to make a note of this gift due to some obscure Officer's regulation." Lance added dryly, digging it out of his pocket and handing it over.
Upon receiving the it, Keith couldn't help glancing at it to make sure it was in order. Then he took a closer look, eyes widening with every word he read.
Lieutenant Hartwell, by a stroke of good fortune I was able to procure two sprigs of mistletoe. Could you please extend my apologies to Captain Powell, and if you can, pass it along to him with my compliments as he told me to cancel his order and fill yours?
Raymond Howard
Alliance Quartermaster, Diamond Galaxy, Arus Division
Lance was wearing his best poker face. "You gave it up for me, I gave it back to you. We good?"
Lifting one eyebrow, the Captain stated, "We're good. Thank you, Lieutenant."
Lance smiled and sketched a small salute.
"Keith, open your gift from the Princess now!" Pidge prodded. "I want to see what you got!"
He had a reason to glance at her now, and he did. She was watching him with unconcealed intensity as he turned his attention back to the package and began removing the lion paper as carefully as Lance had done.
A highly polished wooden box was revealed, fitted with a clasp similar to one on a treasure chest. Lifting the lid, he removed a small velveteen cloth to reveal carefully aligned figurines.
He drew forth one figure, an angel, and sucked in a breath. With fingers that suddenly seemed unsteady, he set it on the floor next to him and fished one figure after another from the box, until he had several exquisite wooden statuettes lined up beside him, ranging in size from five inches to one inch, human and animal representations of those who'd been present at the Nativity.
The final figure was of the baby Jesus , lying in a manger. The wood had been lovingly burnished, and the baby's face was filled with joy and tranquility. Keith held it up for the others to see, his expression a myriad of emotions.
As the guitarist played 'O Holy Night', the others were silent.
"Gristuusaaq suu' ug," Keith murmured, "Christ is born."
When he finally looked up, his gaze sought out Allura. "How did this come to be? I've never really talked about it..."
"From Sven, soon after you boys arrived. He told me the Christmas Story, and how much your faith means to you, and I helped him make the set."
Keith nodded. The blond colored wood and the smooth simplification of complex details on the figures spoke of Scandinavian craftsmanship. "But when did you get the chance to do this?"
She smiled. "It wasn't easy, but Sven carved the figures-he's quite knowledgeable about it- and I did the finishing. We'd just completed and were going to make a present of it to you , but when Sven was badly hurt, it just didn't happen. I was going to wait for him to be here in person to give it to you, but...my heart tells me that he'd want you to have it on this occasion." She looked at him, her eyes hopeful but anxious. "Is that all right? Do you like it?"
Keith briefly closed his eyes. The emotions within him were a battering ram; the wall of control cracked, and a tear escaped, wending its way down his lean cheek. Despite the thickening in his throat, he managed to speak in a surprisingly steady voice. "It's going to be my most cherished possession. "
His eyes opened to see Allura still looking concerned. "It wasn't my intention to make you sad about Sven not being here...I thought maybe it would bring him closer?"
Her expression changed to one of surprise as Keith moved to her side, grabbed her hand in both of his, and pulled her close, looking straight into her eyes.
"He is here with us, I can feel it, and you are an amazing woman. Thank you for this precious gift." He said, and kissed her firmly on the cheek.
"So kind, and as wise as you are beautiful! I am but a lowly man, your humble servant, smitten by your charms, and graced by your words...."
Lance bowed more deeply with each compliment, while Allura giggled and Keith rolled his eyes.
"Don't forget to keep the mistletoe berries away from the mice," Pidge advised with unromantic practicality as Lance finally seated himself. "They're poisonous, ya know."
"Not to worry, Princess!" Hunk assured Allura, who looked alarmed. "Regulations forbid the berries being left on when it's harvested for sale. The ones there are synthetic tie ons."
She nodded, relieved. "Thank you, Hunk."
"Knowing those mice, they're somewhere stuffing themselves too full of cookie crumbs to bother with berries anyway," Pidge added.
"So now that you have the means, would you care to observe another tradition, Princess?" Lance asked her with a smile. Upon seeing the glare Keith was directing at him, he added, "What? I was just going to say that Santa over there looks like he could use a big smoochie!"
Allura gasped and looked aghast, then inexplicably started to laugh as her teammates looked on in confusion. Santa's reply, a 'ho ho ho, thank you, no' had an definite edge to it, and Coran hastily spoke up. "The mistletoe tradition will have to wait, Keith must open his gift!"
"A rain check then." A grinning Lance took up the shipping box to put it aside, then stopped and peered into it. "Hey wait a minute! What have we here? An extra?" He lifted the other plant out. "Sure enough, there's a spare!" He held it out to the Princess. "Here you are, milady! A second sprig!"
She shook her head. "I only need one. Why don't you keep it?"
Lance's response was drowned out by a loud chorus of denials.
"She knows not what she says," Hunk said to Pidge. "Talk about your Lance unchained!"
The boy snickered. "For sure the Space Academy record of kisses in a day would be smashed! The squadron was one thing...an entire Castle, he'd be needing a whole case of lip balm!"
Allura looked amused. "You're exaggerating, I'm sure." She eyed Lance. "They are, aren't they?"
The Red Lion pilot smirked, but didn't answer. "Why don't we put it to a vote?" He turned to address the room at large. "All right...the Princess has relinquished her claim to this sprig, on my cue, point to the someone you think should receive this extra mistletoe! I shall be the deciding vote, if needed. Ready? Go!"
Allura immediately pointed at Lance. Hunk and Pidge pointed at Keith. Keith pointed at Coran, who shook his head and pointed at Santa, who immediately pointed back at him.
"As the tie breaker, I cast my vote with Hunk and Pidge," Lance announced, "which makes three votes for Keith!" Keith began to protest, but his friend cut him off. "Irrelevant! We have a majority, and whether you use it or not, Captain, you must accept the result!"
Keith sighed. "Fine. Hand it over."
But Lance had decided to make it a formal presentation. "My dear Captain Keith! On behalf of the entire team, I bequeath to you this mistletoe, a treasured symbol of Christmas tradition from Planet Earth, flown here with every good wish, and the sincerest hopes that it will bless you and the object of your affection with the happiness you deserve!"
"Hear, hear!" Chimed in Hunk and Pidge.
Allura, who had been looking back and forth between the two men, put her hands over the blush blooming in her cheeks. Keith, who had been doing his best not to give himself away by sneaking a look at her reaction, took the mistletoe with a brief bow and word of thanks.
"Here's the invoice too, in case you have to make a note of this gift due to some obscure Officer's regulation." Lance added dryly, digging it out of his pocket and handing it over.
Upon receiving the it, Keith couldn't help glancing at it to make sure it was in order. Then he took a closer look, eyes widening with every word he read.
Lieutenant Hartwell, by a stroke of good fortune I was able to procure two sprigs of mistletoe. Could you please extend my apologies to Captain Powell, and if you can, pass it along to him with my compliments as he told me to cancel his order and fill yours?
Raymond Howard
Alliance Quartermaster, Diamond Galaxy, Arus Division
Lance was wearing his best poker face. "You gave it up for me, I gave it back to you. We good?"
Lifting one eyebrow, the Captain stated, "We're good. Thank you, Lieutenant."
Lance smiled and sketched a small salute.
"Keith, open your gift from the Princess now!" Pidge prodded. "I want to see what you got!"
He had a reason to glance at her now, and he did. She was watching him with unconcealed intensity as he turned his attention back to the package and began removing the lion paper as carefully as Lance had done.
A highly polished wooden box was revealed, fitted with a clasp similar to one on a treasure chest. Lifting the lid, he removed a small velveteen cloth to reveal carefully aligned figurines.
He drew forth one figure, an angel, and sucked in a breath. With fingers that suddenly seemed unsteady, he set it on the floor next to him and fished one figure after another from the box, until he had several exquisite wooden statuettes lined up beside him, ranging in size from five inches to one inch, human and animal representations of those who'd been present at the Nativity.
The final figure was of the baby Jesus , lying in a manger. The wood had been lovingly burnished, and the baby's face was filled with joy and tranquility. Keith held it up for the others to see, his expression a myriad of emotions.
As the guitarist played 'O Holy Night', the others were silent.
"Gristuusaaq suu' ug," Keith murmured, "Christ is born."
When he finally looked up, his gaze sought out Allura. "How did this come to be? I've never really talked about it..."
"From Sven, soon after you boys arrived. He told me the Christmas Story, and how much your faith means to you, and I helped him make the set."
Keith nodded. The blond colored wood and the smooth simplification of complex details on the figures spoke of Scandinavian craftsmanship. "But when did you get the chance to do this?"
She smiled. "It wasn't easy, but Sven carved the figures-he's quite knowledgeable about it- and I did the finishing. We'd just completed and were going to make a present of it to you , but when Sven was badly hurt, it just didn't happen. I was going to wait for him to be here in person to give it to you, but...my heart tells me that he'd want you to have it on this occasion." She looked at him, her eyes hopeful but anxious. "Is that all right? Do you like it?"
Keith briefly closed his eyes. The emotions within him were a battering ram; the wall of control cracked, and a tear escaped, wending its way down his lean cheek. Despite the thickening in his throat, he managed to speak in a surprisingly steady voice. "It's going to be my most cherished possession. "
His eyes opened to see Allura still looking concerned. "It wasn't my intention to make you sad about Sven not being here...I thought maybe it would bring him closer?"
Her expression changed to one of surprise as Keith moved to her side, grabbed her hand in both of his, and pulled her close, looking straight into her eyes.
"He is here with us, I can feel it, and you are an amazing woman. Thank you for this precious gift." He said, and kissed her firmly on the cheek.
Nanny sat bolt upright. What did that young man think he was doing, kissing the Princess in such a casual way?
But there wasn't anything casual about the gift, and the way Keith was looking at Allura. There was no denying the strength and purity of the emotions the Captain felt for her dear one; they were all in his gaze, and as palpable as if one could reach out and touch true love.
"That is how the vind blows," she murmured to Coran. She couldn't say she was surprised, of course.
"Yes." He nodded.
Nanny thought a moment. "He's a good man," she finally offered.
"A very good man." Coran agreed. "One might even say...a true prince."
Nanny averted her head. "I regret the harshness of what I said about commoners marrying royalty... but Coran, ve both know it's not just about blood!" She looked up, her gaze earnest. "Keith is a proud man who is used to being in charge, and as Consort, that will be difficult to maintain at best. He's a cut above in every endeavor...but he'll not be able to fly away when he needs to. He'll be in a fishbowl, the magnet for all eyes, with duties more vexing than he can imagine..." Her beard moved to and fro as she shook her head. "How will it be? Vould they make it vork?"
"They are a good, strong match." The Royal Diplomat stated quietly. "Keith will be raw at times, but he has the confidence, the quick wit and the compassion to be an excellent consort." He smiled a little. "With young love, it's far better to let them have time together to figure it out. They'll be under our watchful gaze, rather than sneaking around, much better, don't you think? We provide guidance, but not interference....yes?"
"Spoken like a true diplomat." Nanny's chuckle was wry. "Very well. It's getting to be time for the meal, so it would seem that my first act of non interference vill be to retire Santa for the night and leave them to the mistletoe."
While speaking, she gathered up the now empty sack and rose to her feet, drawing the attention of the others in the room.
"Ho, ho, ho! As you all know, this night is a busy one for the elves and me, and so I must be on my way!" Santa said heartily. "Count your blessings, enjoy your time together, and be good to each other."
Allura stood up and escorted Santa to the door, putting an arm around the padded shoulders and speaking to her governess under the cover of affectionate and appreciative farewells for the Jolly Old Elf.
"Dearest Nanny, how can I ever thank you enough? You were absolutely magnificent!"
"My child, you have done me a great service. Happiness is a gift I'm so happy to have given." Nanny whispered back. "And you are welcome, but do mind your manners with that plant! They are heroes, it's true, but they're still men! And oh, I almost forgot!" Santa Nanny dug out the bottle from her sack, and handed it over to her charge, "here’s the bottle of schnapps you left to ease my nerves. It vas tempting, to be sure, but I thought Santa should be sober!"
With that, and a last and extra hearty 'ho ho ho, Merry Christmas!' Santa jingled off down the corridor, leaving Allura to grin and shake her head in wonder at the retreating back of the woman wearing her father's robes.
"She was great." A voice said from behind her.
Allura turned swiftly to see Keith. "Who was great?" She asked warily.
"Santa." He stated. "Or rather, Nanny was a great Santa."
"What are you saying?" Allura exclaimed, then lowered her voice. "I don't know what you mean..."
"Sure you do! It was a terrific disguise, and she did a great job covering her accent. For a while, she even had me thinking she was a guy." Keith told her, grinning. "But her reactions to Lance and the appearance of the mistletoe were awfully familiar...and hearing her tell you to mind your manners just confirmed it!"
"Phooey!" Allura said grumpily, and Keith couldn't hold back a laugh. "Please, you won't tell the others, will you? I promised her that no one would tease her." She looked around, then unobtrusively set the schnapps bottle down on a nearby shelf inside the door. "She really went all out for you boys, I don't want her to have any regrets."
"Hey, give me some credit! I happen to love that crotchety, misguided woman, even if she does tick me off at times." He eyed the schnapps bottle. "And you know, even if it's a secret, it's going to help a lot to know that underneath that harried and bossy exterior there's fun loving party girl just waiting to be let out..."
Allura laughed. "That's a promise?"
He crossed his heart. "I give my word."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. And now it's time to take a little stroll."
She suddenly noticed he was carrying the wooden box with his mistletoe and nativity figurines placed inside it. Her eyes filled with disappointment. "Do you have to go? All shifts are covered, you're not on duty-"
"Oh, you're coming with me!" The Captain said, interrupting. "I have a gift for you, but I am not giving it to you here-" this said with a meaningful look back toward the chattering group behind them.
"It's rude for me to leave-"
"I've cleared it with Coran. He knows we've stepped out and will be returning once we've taken care of unfinished business. In the meantime, he'll keep the guys entertained. They're going to watch a Christmas movie on the big screen." His expression was calm, but his eyes held an unwavering intent that sent delicious little tingles through her body. "They're in good hands, and having fun. They'll be just fine."
"All right then, I'll just pop in to say good-"
"No time," he said briskly, and cut across further objection by commandeering her elbow and hustling her down the hall, the box tucked under his other arm.
Allura bristled a bit at his high handedness, but hostess duties were all but forgotten as she wondered where they were going, and what he had planned.
When Keith finally steered her into the corridor wing that led to the pilot's quarters, her heart began to beat a little faster.
"We're going to your room?" She asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
"I'm not going to make any improper advances, if that's what you're wondering." Keith said. The amused glance he gave her was irrationally maddening.
"And here I thought you were going to put the mistletoe to good use," she shot back. "I had some rather creative ideas..."
He leaned back against the door. "I'm listening."
The look he gave her made her feel as if she were on fire. "Um...well..." she stammered, gulped, and then gave him a toothy smile, "never mind. I'm-I was only joking."
Smirking, he straightened and punched in the code to his door. "Wait here," he said, as it slid open.
The Princess managed to get a glimpse of the bedroom within, which was as orderly as she had always imagined it would be. Keith had carefully set his Nativity gift in the middle of his bed, and was now at his desk. Opening a drawer, he withdrew a ribbon bound roll of parchment, shut the drawer and turned, meeting her gaze.
At once, she sensed his mood and demeanor had drastically changed; he was deadly serious now, and even seemed a little nervous as he rejoined her out in the hallway.
"Next stop is your study lounge." He said, taking her arm.
But there wasn't anything casual about the gift, and the way Keith was looking at Allura. There was no denying the strength and purity of the emotions the Captain felt for her dear one; they were all in his gaze, and as palpable as if one could reach out and touch true love.
"That is how the vind blows," she murmured to Coran. She couldn't say she was surprised, of course.
"Yes." He nodded.
Nanny thought a moment. "He's a good man," she finally offered.
"A very good man." Coran agreed. "One might even say...a true prince."
Nanny averted her head. "I regret the harshness of what I said about commoners marrying royalty... but Coran, ve both know it's not just about blood!" She looked up, her gaze earnest. "Keith is a proud man who is used to being in charge, and as Consort, that will be difficult to maintain at best. He's a cut above in every endeavor...but he'll not be able to fly away when he needs to. He'll be in a fishbowl, the magnet for all eyes, with duties more vexing than he can imagine..." Her beard moved to and fro as she shook her head. "How will it be? Vould they make it vork?"
"They are a good, strong match." The Royal Diplomat stated quietly. "Keith will be raw at times, but he has the confidence, the quick wit and the compassion to be an excellent consort." He smiled a little. "With young love, it's far better to let them have time together to figure it out. They'll be under our watchful gaze, rather than sneaking around, much better, don't you think? We provide guidance, but not interference....yes?"
"Spoken like a true diplomat." Nanny's chuckle was wry. "Very well. It's getting to be time for the meal, so it would seem that my first act of non interference vill be to retire Santa for the night and leave them to the mistletoe."
While speaking, she gathered up the now empty sack and rose to her feet, drawing the attention of the others in the room.
"Ho, ho, ho! As you all know, this night is a busy one for the elves and me, and so I must be on my way!" Santa said heartily. "Count your blessings, enjoy your time together, and be good to each other."
Allura stood up and escorted Santa to the door, putting an arm around the padded shoulders and speaking to her governess under the cover of affectionate and appreciative farewells for the Jolly Old Elf.
"Dearest Nanny, how can I ever thank you enough? You were absolutely magnificent!"
"My child, you have done me a great service. Happiness is a gift I'm so happy to have given." Nanny whispered back. "And you are welcome, but do mind your manners with that plant! They are heroes, it's true, but they're still men! And oh, I almost forgot!" Santa Nanny dug out the bottle from her sack, and handed it over to her charge, "here’s the bottle of schnapps you left to ease my nerves. It vas tempting, to be sure, but I thought Santa should be sober!"
With that, and a last and extra hearty 'ho ho ho, Merry Christmas!' Santa jingled off down the corridor, leaving Allura to grin and shake her head in wonder at the retreating back of the woman wearing her father's robes.
"She was great." A voice said from behind her.
Allura turned swiftly to see Keith. "Who was great?" She asked warily.
"Santa." He stated. "Or rather, Nanny was a great Santa."
"What are you saying?" Allura exclaimed, then lowered her voice. "I don't know what you mean..."
"Sure you do! It was a terrific disguise, and she did a great job covering her accent. For a while, she even had me thinking she was a guy." Keith told her, grinning. "But her reactions to Lance and the appearance of the mistletoe were awfully familiar...and hearing her tell you to mind your manners just confirmed it!"
"Phooey!" Allura said grumpily, and Keith couldn't hold back a laugh. "Please, you won't tell the others, will you? I promised her that no one would tease her." She looked around, then unobtrusively set the schnapps bottle down on a nearby shelf inside the door. "She really went all out for you boys, I don't want her to have any regrets."
"Hey, give me some credit! I happen to love that crotchety, misguided woman, even if she does tick me off at times." He eyed the schnapps bottle. "And you know, even if it's a secret, it's going to help a lot to know that underneath that harried and bossy exterior there's fun loving party girl just waiting to be let out..."
Allura laughed. "That's a promise?"
He crossed his heart. "I give my word."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. And now it's time to take a little stroll."
She suddenly noticed he was carrying the wooden box with his mistletoe and nativity figurines placed inside it. Her eyes filled with disappointment. "Do you have to go? All shifts are covered, you're not on duty-"
"Oh, you're coming with me!" The Captain said, interrupting. "I have a gift for you, but I am not giving it to you here-" this said with a meaningful look back toward the chattering group behind them.
"It's rude for me to leave-"
"I've cleared it with Coran. He knows we've stepped out and will be returning once we've taken care of unfinished business. In the meantime, he'll keep the guys entertained. They're going to watch a Christmas movie on the big screen." His expression was calm, but his eyes held an unwavering intent that sent delicious little tingles through her body. "They're in good hands, and having fun. They'll be just fine."
"All right then, I'll just pop in to say good-"
"No time," he said briskly, and cut across further objection by commandeering her elbow and hustling her down the hall, the box tucked under his other arm.
Allura bristled a bit at his high handedness, but hostess duties were all but forgotten as she wondered where they were going, and what he had planned.
When Keith finally steered her into the corridor wing that led to the pilot's quarters, her heart began to beat a little faster.
"We're going to your room?" She asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
"I'm not going to make any improper advances, if that's what you're wondering." Keith said. The amused glance he gave her was irrationally maddening.
"And here I thought you were going to put the mistletoe to good use," she shot back. "I had some rather creative ideas..."
He leaned back against the door. "I'm listening."
The look he gave her made her feel as if she were on fire. "Um...well..." she stammered, gulped, and then gave him a toothy smile, "never mind. I'm-I was only joking."
Smirking, he straightened and punched in the code to his door. "Wait here," he said, as it slid open.
The Princess managed to get a glimpse of the bedroom within, which was as orderly as she had always imagined it would be. Keith had carefully set his Nativity gift in the middle of his bed, and was now at his desk. Opening a drawer, he withdrew a ribbon bound roll of parchment, shut the drawer and turned, meeting her gaze.
At once, she sensed his mood and demeanor had drastically changed; he was deadly serious now, and even seemed a little nervous as he rejoined her out in the hallway.
"Next stop is your study lounge." He said, taking her arm.
They entered her private lounge, a favorite retreat for the Princess, as it had large windows that framed a panoramic view of the countryside beyond the castle bridge, as well as the reassuring sight of the majestic Black Lion keeping watch at the gates. The setting sun provided a striking backdrop for the noble sentinel, and bathed the room itself in hues of softest yellow and orange.
Keith walked her over to a long, low settee, making sure she was comfortably seated before kneeling in front of her. Allura stared at him, wondering why he'd do such a thing until he took one of her hands and gently placed the ribbon tied roll of paper within it, folding her fingers over it. "What is this?"
"Something I'd not normally have had the courage to give you just yet, but when you gave me that crèche...I knew it was a sign that now is the time." He said, in a low voice. "The facts are that I've crossed a line. I kissed you, and I've been thinking about what that meant to me, and what you mean to me."
He paused to clear his throat, and continued. "So, the thing is, orders come easy for me, confessions not so much. Thought it was a good idea to write it down so everything was clear. And...you can open it now."
She smiled at his commanding tone as she untied the ribbon and unrolled the parchment. "A poem? Oh Keith, I've never had anyone write a poem for me before!"
"And I've never written one before." He said wryly. "How about that!"
Blue eyes regarded him with humor and warmth. "A shared first time is extra special."
He shook his head and half smiled.
"Would you mind if I read it aloud?"
"It's yours to do with as you wish."
"All right." Allura flattened the scroll on her lap, looked down at the page and began to read the passage.
Keith walked her over to a long, low settee, making sure she was comfortably seated before kneeling in front of her. Allura stared at him, wondering why he'd do such a thing until he took one of her hands and gently placed the ribbon tied roll of paper within it, folding her fingers over it. "What is this?"
"Something I'd not normally have had the courage to give you just yet, but when you gave me that crèche...I knew it was a sign that now is the time." He said, in a low voice. "The facts are that I've crossed a line. I kissed you, and I've been thinking about what that meant to me, and what you mean to me."
He paused to clear his throat, and continued. "So, the thing is, orders come easy for me, confessions not so much. Thought it was a good idea to write it down so everything was clear. And...you can open it now."
She smiled at his commanding tone as she untied the ribbon and unrolled the parchment. "A poem? Oh Keith, I've never had anyone write a poem for me before!"
"And I've never written one before." He said wryly. "How about that!"
Blue eyes regarded him with humor and warmth. "A shared first time is extra special."
He shook his head and half smiled.
"Would you mind if I read it aloud?"
"It's yours to do with as you wish."
"All right." Allura flattened the scroll on her lap, looked down at the page and began to read the passage.
A Reason For Giving
The first kiss I gave you, from bended knee
A wide-eyed promise, a pledge of fealty
To champion a Princess, her cause noble and just
With Voltron's five keys, you gave strangers your trust
The heart of five lions, united as one
A sword and a shield of blazing sun
Embarking on a quest to save and defend
The people we sought to reassure and befriend
Thence the long battle began, of righting the wrongs
We learned to be champions, steadfast and strong
Awkward at first, our lions we mastered
Before Voltron's mighty sword, our enemies scattered
But victory harbors heartache in decisions made
The cost is in tears over losses that have to be paid
Misgivings erode confidence, faith sometimes feigned,
In believing good always triumphs over evil insane.
We were five united, and then we were four
With our dear friend a casualty, Voltron no more
But you refused to give up, you snuck out in Blue,
That's when I realized there was much more to you
Stubborn, determined, a wounded swan in disguise
Taking flight with urgency, seeking the skies
A lion-hearted Princess, a teammate of fate
Passionate survivor of the tempests of hate.
Everyone was against you, you struggled and were battered
But you persevered and proved what really mattered
You could fight and still reign, be just as friendly and warm
A golden haired warrior in the midst of a storm
In the days we've flown together, apart and as one
Peril and practices have left us no room for fun
Growing closer as teammates has brought into view
Feelings once kept dormant, now unfurled and true
The second kiss given, an unexpected embrace
No thought of duty, just finding my place
Hearts beating in tandem, a promise entwined
A moment to last until the ending of time
And so today, reflecting on reality and what's an illusion,
After three kisses, there's an honest conclusion
About why I walk through the fires of Hades
Going the distance for my heart's crusade
You are the reason I endure and don't break
You are the reason I do whatever it takes
The touch of your hand, that shy little smile
Brings grace and restores faith that it's all been worthwhile
My weaknesses fade, become power and light
You bring those to me, us together feels right
Every moment I cherish, I'm thriving and living,
Because I love you, I have a reason for giving.
The first kiss I gave you, from bended knee
A wide-eyed promise, a pledge of fealty
To champion a Princess, her cause noble and just
With Voltron's five keys, you gave strangers your trust
The heart of five lions, united as one
A sword and a shield of blazing sun
Embarking on a quest to save and defend
The people we sought to reassure and befriend
Thence the long battle began, of righting the wrongs
We learned to be champions, steadfast and strong
Awkward at first, our lions we mastered
Before Voltron's mighty sword, our enemies scattered
But victory harbors heartache in decisions made
The cost is in tears over losses that have to be paid
Misgivings erode confidence, faith sometimes feigned,
In believing good always triumphs over evil insane.
We were five united, and then we were four
With our dear friend a casualty, Voltron no more
But you refused to give up, you snuck out in Blue,
That's when I realized there was much more to you
Stubborn, determined, a wounded swan in disguise
Taking flight with urgency, seeking the skies
A lion-hearted Princess, a teammate of fate
Passionate survivor of the tempests of hate.
Everyone was against you, you struggled and were battered
But you persevered and proved what really mattered
You could fight and still reign, be just as friendly and warm
A golden haired warrior in the midst of a storm
In the days we've flown together, apart and as one
Peril and practices have left us no room for fun
Growing closer as teammates has brought into view
Feelings once kept dormant, now unfurled and true
The second kiss given, an unexpected embrace
No thought of duty, just finding my place
Hearts beating in tandem, a promise entwined
A moment to last until the ending of time
And so today, reflecting on reality and what's an illusion,
After three kisses, there's an honest conclusion
About why I walk through the fires of Hades
Going the distance for my heart's crusade
You are the reason I endure and don't break
You are the reason I do whatever it takes
The touch of your hand, that shy little smile
Brings grace and restores faith that it's all been worthwhile
My weaknesses fade, become power and light
You bring those to me, us together feels right
Every moment I cherish, I'm thriving and living,
Because I love you, I have a reason for giving.
As she read, Keith noticed Allura's voice had gotten softer and less steady. When she finished the last stanza, her gaze remained fixed on the paper bearing lines of his firm, neat handwriting.
"So...what do you think?" He asked in a hesitant tone, when the extended silence became awkward.
Allura, her eyes downcast, still said nothing, and he knew a moment's panic. Then she raised her gazes to meet his, and though her eyes were swimming with tears, her radiant smile made everything all right with his world once again.
"It's beautiful and amazing and the most precious thing I've ever received, Keith." She declared. "You’ve summed up everything that is in my own heart... I will cherish it, and love it as much as I love you-oh!"
Her declaration broke off as he yanked her into his embrace and kissed her with a ferocity that she welcomed with parted lips and open arms.
"Tell me now!" She commanded when they broke apart.
"I love you, Allura of Arus." He said, softly stroking her cheek with a fingertip. "There aren't any guarantees, I don't know what the future holds, but whatever happens, I want to live mine by your side."
She leaned forward and kissed him deeply, with a love that blazed on her lips.
This time they were breathing even more rapidly when they drew apart.
"Don't know why you need the mistletoe...I'd follow you anywhere for another one of those!" Keith teased.
Allura giggled. "That would include Castle Hill on a rickety toboggan?"
"Oh yeah." He laughed. "And that reminds me, Princess...I think we've now settled the matter of your turning down Lotor."
She blinked, and looked crestfallen. "But I agreed I need to at least con-"
"What you need, " he interrupted firmly, "is to accept the fact that I've sworn you will never belong to him, and that vow is not negotiable!"
Allura regarded him solemnly. "It would be churlish and wrong of me to make you break your vow."
"Yes it would." His grin was tight. "I know very well Bluebell Elf-ears isn't going to be happy about his intended ditching him for a commoner. "
"Bluebell Elf-ears?" Allura laughed at that. "An elf gone very bad, I'd say!"
"Ha! For sure! But we'll deal with him and win, as we always do!"
"And we do have a few days to enjoy before we deliver the bad news." The Princess sighed. "Of course he's probably not going to stick to his word about waiting, but I believe the spirit of Christmas will hold him off at least for today..."
"Believe it. There's no evil that can defeat the power of love." Keith said, before gathering her even closer and covering her mouth with his.
"So...what do you think?" He asked in a hesitant tone, when the extended silence became awkward.
Allura, her eyes downcast, still said nothing, and he knew a moment's panic. Then she raised her gazes to meet his, and though her eyes were swimming with tears, her radiant smile made everything all right with his world once again.
"It's beautiful and amazing and the most precious thing I've ever received, Keith." She declared. "You’ve summed up everything that is in my own heart... I will cherish it, and love it as much as I love you-oh!"
Her declaration broke off as he yanked her into his embrace and kissed her with a ferocity that she welcomed with parted lips and open arms.
"Tell me now!" She commanded when they broke apart.
"I love you, Allura of Arus." He said, softly stroking her cheek with a fingertip. "There aren't any guarantees, I don't know what the future holds, but whatever happens, I want to live mine by your side."
She leaned forward and kissed him deeply, with a love that blazed on her lips.
This time they were breathing even more rapidly when they drew apart.
"Don't know why you need the mistletoe...I'd follow you anywhere for another one of those!" Keith teased.
Allura giggled. "That would include Castle Hill on a rickety toboggan?"
"Oh yeah." He laughed. "And that reminds me, Princess...I think we've now settled the matter of your turning down Lotor."
She blinked, and looked crestfallen. "But I agreed I need to at least con-"
"What you need, " he interrupted firmly, "is to accept the fact that I've sworn you will never belong to him, and that vow is not negotiable!"
Allura regarded him solemnly. "It would be churlish and wrong of me to make you break your vow."
"Yes it would." His grin was tight. "I know very well Bluebell Elf-ears isn't going to be happy about his intended ditching him for a commoner. "
"Bluebell Elf-ears?" Allura laughed at that. "An elf gone very bad, I'd say!"
"Ha! For sure! But we'll deal with him and win, as we always do!"
"And we do have a few days to enjoy before we deliver the bad news." The Princess sighed. "Of course he's probably not going to stick to his word about waiting, but I believe the spirit of Christmas will hold him off at least for today..."
"Believe it. There's no evil that can defeat the power of love." Keith said, before gathering her even closer and covering her mouth with his.
When the time arrived for the Captain and the Princess to rejoin the others for the Christmas dinner, smiling and holding hands, it was obvious that a momentous change in their relationship had occurred.
Midst the cheerful clamor of greetings, Keith pulled out a chair and proudly seated his beloved, and took his place at her right side. Their teammates exchanged nudges and meaningful grins, but for once no one teased, and discretion was the order of the day.
At the request of the Princess, Coran recited a short table prayer. Then everyone picked up their forks and joined the feast while a recording of timeless jazz great Louis Armstrong played in the background, defining the moment with gravel voiced warmth.
Nanny, who'd exchanged her Santa outfit for a flattering burgundy velvet evening dress, had relinquished her role as hostess at the insistence of Coran and was seated at his left. After a moment of gazing at Allura, she set down her fork and delicately dabbed at her tear filled brown eyes with a lace embroidered handkerchief.
"Why Hannah, whatever is the matter?" Coran asked, leaning forward, his brow furrowing.
"Nothing will be the same now that my baby has fallen in love." Nanny sniffled a little. "They do look happy. I can see he cares deeply for her, and she for him."
Coran nodded. "I see that Allura has given you your Christmas gift."
The governess brightened and put a hand over the ruby rose pendant that hung around her neck. "This is a lovely gift she has given me. She knows how much I love roses, and it has the inscription, 'your love makes life worth living.'"
Coran smiled. He was just as pleased with his gift from Allura; an audio version of the entire mystery series he had been unsuccessfully trying to read for so long. "She's an exceptionally thoughtful young woman."
"Indeed." Nanny smiled. "It's a sentiment that I vill remember whenever I am vexed."
"Yes! Remember the simple pleasures...as this song says, it's a wonderful world." Coran picked up his glass of wine, and held it aloft. "A toast. Hannah. To Christmas, true love, and a world that needs saving."
"Salud!" Nanny responded, clinking glasses with him. "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night."
THE END
Midst the cheerful clamor of greetings, Keith pulled out a chair and proudly seated his beloved, and took his place at her right side. Their teammates exchanged nudges and meaningful grins, but for once no one teased, and discretion was the order of the day.
At the request of the Princess, Coran recited a short table prayer. Then everyone picked up their forks and joined the feast while a recording of timeless jazz great Louis Armstrong played in the background, defining the moment with gravel voiced warmth.
Nanny, who'd exchanged her Santa outfit for a flattering burgundy velvet evening dress, had relinquished her role as hostess at the insistence of Coran and was seated at his left. After a moment of gazing at Allura, she set down her fork and delicately dabbed at her tear filled brown eyes with a lace embroidered handkerchief.
"Why Hannah, whatever is the matter?" Coran asked, leaning forward, his brow furrowing.
"Nothing will be the same now that my baby has fallen in love." Nanny sniffled a little. "They do look happy. I can see he cares deeply for her, and she for him."
Coran nodded. "I see that Allura has given you your Christmas gift."
The governess brightened and put a hand over the ruby rose pendant that hung around her neck. "This is a lovely gift she has given me. She knows how much I love roses, and it has the inscription, 'your love makes life worth living.'"
Coran smiled. He was just as pleased with his gift from Allura; an audio version of the entire mystery series he had been unsuccessfully trying to read for so long. "She's an exceptionally thoughtful young woman."
"Indeed." Nanny smiled. "It's a sentiment that I vill remember whenever I am vexed."
"Yes! Remember the simple pleasures...as this song says, it's a wonderful world." Coran picked up his glass of wine, and held it aloft. "A toast. Hannah. To Christmas, true love, and a world that needs saving."
"Salud!" Nanny responded, clinking glasses with him. "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night."
THE END
Author's Notes
I would like to acknowledge and thank Shannon for her beta and helpful commentary on this story, Zejan for sharing a perspective and the suggestion of thriving and living that allowed me to finish Keith's poem, and Caro for her unflagging encouragement and support.
I dedicate "A Reason for Giving" to my husband and my daughter,
my lights and my joy, my reasons for giving.
~Lynne (aka KittyLynne)
I would like to acknowledge and thank Shannon for her beta and helpful commentary on this story, Zejan for sharing a perspective and the suggestion of thriving and living that allowed me to finish Keith's poem, and Caro for her unflagging encouragement and support.
I dedicate "A Reason for Giving" to my husband and my daughter,
my lights and my joy, my reasons for giving.
~Lynne (aka KittyLynne)
Advisory
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Please Note
"The Lion's Keep: The Next Chapter" is the most recent version of the "The Lion's Keep",
and was originally established November 08, 1999
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I can't help it... I ❤ love ❤ Voltron!