Added note: November 9, 2014:
FEARLESS PART TWO may have strong language with cursing, sexual innuendos and possible sexual scenes in future chapters. Also, for the very first time, I have included antagonists' POV (groans) in this fanfic. I am once again moving my comfort zone, challenging myself to write something a bit edgier, stronger story versus my other KA fanfics. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
Author's Notes
We are so finally happening! We got chapters! *phew* (wipes brows)
Thankyou for your patience. I had to finish "Kogane: Prophecy and Legacy" And then, I have currently ongoing "Heal Thy Nexus" too. All part of the Fearless Arc, which looks like I'm writing the arc / series in a backwards-sort-of-way (sheepish blush) It's the same Keith and Allura, just a different timeline in their lives.
Thankyou to my Aussie editor Emily for taking time from her busy teaching load to edit my fic chapters. (hugs)
Adding the standard disclaimer clause that WEP owns Voltron and Voltron Force,
here's...
Chapter 1 – Day One
He finally reached his goal. He thought he would never attain the position that he wanted so badly, but Herbert Wade had time on his side. He just needed to be patient. Good things come for those who wait. And wait he did. He has been waiting ever since his mid-twenties; all of his calculated and astute planning had nearly come to fruition.
By this time, Wade had amassed the right business contacts thanks to his inheritance. Coming from a tremendously opulent family, Herbert Wade came from 'old money' as the old folks used to say. Rich. So filthy, friggin rich, he got everything he wanted and needed ever since he was just a child. As the sole heir to a business magnate's fortune, Herbert got the best training and the best teachers. Not only did he have the brains and intelligence to make his affluent parents proud, he also had the right combination of suavity and charisma to get whatever he wanted. All, except the very one thing he desired that eluded him ever since that unfortunate day: To pilot Voltron's Black Lion.
"Sky Marshal Wade," Wade enjoyed how his new rank as Sky Marshal rolled off his tongue. His pet lion cub purred in equal agreement. Smiling to himself, he straightened his unblemished uniform in front of his full-length mirror. He proudly admired his gleaming, well-earned medals and pins.
Under his leadership as Sky Marshal, a new era for the Galaxy Alliance was about to begin.
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"You land Black like you've done this a thousand times." Allura remarked proudly as she watched Keith deftly land his lion in its new den inside the spire of the newly renovated Castle of Lions for the very first time.
"Because I'm showing off to my fiancée and I'm also holding her with my other hand." Keith smoothly palmed her well-toned, flat stomach, to her side, just below her breasts.
"You are such a tease." She could feel his warm lips on the shell of her ear. She laughed softly.
Away from prying eyes, in the comfort of each other's presence, they were relaxed, playful even.
Pulling down her black tee which she borrowed from Keith, she stood up from his warm lap and tugged his hand, "We better go. I am badly in need of breakfast and a bath."
Keith grinned when Black let out a satisfied growl as they stepped out of its great maw, onto the orange platform. Placing his hand at the small of her back, they walked along the steel scaffolding walkway high above the spire's floor space and headed to the nearby elevator. Despite her shapeless clothes of loose, hanging grey yoga pants and his black t-shirt on her, Allura walked with practised, fluid grace. She's so beautiful no matter what she wears.
"Fascinating..." Allura looked at her new surroundings in awe as the transparent doors of the glass tube elevator closed, quickly descending to the lower levels. Her castle looked very different from when she left three days ago. Her home had a new, fresh look, like some newly unwrapped present.
Stepping outside the elevator Allura marvelled at the high-ceiling, residential floor, with its large hallway windows, the morning sun streaming into the alcove.
"A kitchen-pantry alcove on the residential wing?" Allura asked, chuckling. Why didn't they think of this before? They could've saved many hours of going up and down to the castle's main kitchen. A faint whiff of cooked breakfast greeted her senses, her tummy started grumbling.
Pidge, Lance and Hunk greeted them. They were all seated on barstools at their new breakfast island counter. They were enjoying their bacon, eggs and sourdough loaves.
"Check this out, Princess. Everything's colour-coded." Pidge jerked his thumb, pointing to the space behind him.
Along the concave wall were five sets of coloured shelving and cabinets that matched their robot lions, showcasing each pilot's favourite healthy snacks.
"There's even a bar fridge for each of us. This means no one's going to steal my chocolate milk!" Pidge's eyes narrowed, looking at Hunk and Lance.
"Don't look at me. I have all my favourite food stuff all stacked up." Hunk swept his arm, boasting his shelf, which well stocked with his favourite cereals. "What's in yours, Keith?" he asked.
"Keith's snack collection is boring." Lance rummaged through Keith's food items. "Cup ramen, kale chips, organic granola bars and muesli, whole grain loaf bread? Who eats this crap?"
"Hey!" Keith protested, grabbing a box of muesli from Lance and placing it back on his own set of shelves. "You failed to mention my coffee beans and sencha green tea."
Shuffling towards Allura's food shelf, Lance began his inspection, "Almond milk, raw honey, soy milk, dried fruit, carob bars, kale chips and pickled Arusian anchovy? Who eats this...cra...uh...stuff? You're as boring as our Fearless Leader." Lance grimaced, mouthing 'yuck' and pretending to gag.
Hunk laughed, "Two peas in a pod. They're definitely made for each other."
Keith and Allura, pleasantly ignoring their friends' jibes, quietly made their breakfast and settled in the vacant barstools in front of their three friends and quickly began eating their breakfast.
In companionate silence, Allura breathed everything in, relishing the moment of quietude among her best friends. In the new peace, inside a newly renovated Castle of Lions, she wondered what her 'new normal' was going to be like. Her new life was about to unfurl and she couldn't help but feel...excited. With all the changes happening, her thoughts shifted to Keith.
Fiancé.
He proposed to her last night and promised that whatever and wherever their journey was going to take them, they would do this together.
And they did do things together last night; things she could only dare dream in her most romantic of daydreams. Being one with Keith was so much more than she could ever feel or even dared to imagine. Her sensuous thoughts made her all warm inside, warmth that began pooling between her legs. Oh heavens! Such thoughts at breakfast time...
She glanced sidewards and fleetingly looked at Keith while he ate his bowl of muesli with soy milk. He was wearing a snug, black tee with khaki board shorts. She suddenly had the urge to run her fingers underneath his shirt, feel his sculpted, rock-hard abs; and slide her hands down to his lean hips. Suddenly hyperaware of Keith, her breath hitched, realising how intimately close they sat side-by-side, how his leg brushed against hers…
Focus...Allura...Focus…
Trying not to blush, Allura shifted her delicious daydreams of Keith to other more important things. "So, where's my new room?" Her voice squeaked, sounding slightly high-pitched. Great going, Princess Gutter-brain! I had to ask about bedrooms.
Flicking his cereal spoon, Keith pointed towards the room that was left of the alcove, "That single separate room's yours, princess." He then pointed on the right side of the alcove, "That's my room. Opposite my room across the hall is Lance's while-"
"-Opposite this kitchen pantry is my room." Hunk interrupted, beaming proudly.
"And beside Hunk's room is Pidge's?" Allura asked.
Keith nodded, wiping his mouth with a serviette.
Having the entire team's residential quarters within the same floor and wing was a strategic team decision. As the owner of the castle, Allura insisted that members of the Voltron Force should have equal sized residential quarters, including hers. She did not want any preferential treatment, even if she was the Crown Princess of Arus.
Keith stood up and placed their empty cereal bowls and utensils inside the dishwasher behind the island breakfast counter. :: Are you okay, Allura? You seemed flushed. ::
Pidge noticed that the couple were already tidying up, "What's the hurry, you two? Our meeting's not til couple of hours."
:: I'm fine, Keith :: Allura grabbed their used tea cups, placed them inside the dishwasher as well. She stepped sidewards and washed her hands in the sink. She shifted slightly and gave room to Keith. "We're meeting Coran shortly, before he leaves for Earth. I'm assuming Sven and Romelle are in the guest floor two levels above us?"
"Yep, we gave them a buzz, inviting them for breakfast, but Viking's still asleep," Hunk replied, who was still demolishing his big breakfast.
"They're running on Pollux time." Keith dried his hands with the nearby glass-plated hand-drier.
Stepping outside the pantry-kitchen alcove, Allura sauntered towards the direction of her room. Pausing, she looked over her shoulder. "See you outside Coran's office?" she asked Keith.
"Yes." Keith smiled and watched Allura enter her new residential quarters.
As soon Allura disappeared into her room, Keith turned and to his surprise, his three friends started snickering.
"What?" He arched his brow and set his hands on his lean waist.
"Nuthin'" Hunk chuckled as he gobbled up the last forkful of scrambled eggs.
Pidge stifled a chuckle.
"Good." Keith said, He was about to walk off until a scrunched-up serviette hit him in the head.
"Twitterpated." Lance snickered.
Nonchalantly waving off his friends' teasing, Keith didn't bother to turn around. He continued to march to his quarters. His mind was already locked on to their upcoming meeting with Coran. But first, I need a very cold shower.
(TO BE CONTINUED)
Serviette - Aussie / British word for paper napkin