Disclaimer: I do not own Voltron or any of its characters.

2nd Response to Mylari's "Sports Team" Themed Challenge for August 2014. I am NOT a swimmer, so forgive me if I use some wrong terminology. And suspend reality a little as I know that it is unlikely that men that haven't been devoting themselves to swimming would be able to complete in our style Olympics. However, I think that the other worlds participating in these games might have also been devastated by Doom and therefore, not at their best with athletes and training. If you can think in this way, I think you'll enjoy the story.

Rating/Setting: Rating is T. Setting is DotU at the time of the infamous "Space Olympics" episode… you know, the one with the shower scene. *wink, wink*

Chapter Six

With Coran's help, the group was able to continue their swim practices in the lake until the swim facility was finished. Surprisingly, the royal advisor didn't seem to have a problem with the princess 'consorting' with scantily clad men below her station. In fact, he winked at Keith once when Nanny was giving them all a lesson about decorum one evening at dinner. It seemed like things might finally be going Keith's way.

With the natatorium complete, the group moved practices there and a month before the games, representatives from other planets began to arrive. Everyone wanted a chance to practice in the competition facilities before the actual events. Luckily, Coran was handling all the scheduling along with a couple of the provincial governors.

Two weeks before the competition, the delegation from Pollux arrived. As expected, Sven and Romelle were attending. In addition, Sven and Bandor would be competing on the swim team for Pollux. A friendly rivalry was sure to break out with some fun betting on the parts of the two royal princesses.

At dinner on the night of their arrival, Sven pulled Lance to the side. "Tell me."

Feigning innocence, Lance asked, "Tell you what? Does it look like anything is going on?"

Turning his gaze to back to where the group was standing and talking, he noted that Allura was standing next to Keith and holding his arm. "Yes. Yes it does. She's holding his arm and he's not moving away. Tell me."

Laughing at Sven, he said, "Amazing what swimming can do for a relationship isn't it?"

Pointing at the pair, the former Blue pilot asked, "This is because of swimming?"

Draping an arm across Sven's shoulder, Lance began to expound. "Yes. That and Allura seeing a picture of us on that California beach in our swimwear…and then Allura seeing Keith in that same type of swimwear, and him loosening up and joking, and then best of all- Allura saying that Keith looked sexy while Nanny was lecturing all of us."

"And he heard her?"

"Roger that Norwegian buddy." Dropping his arm from Sven's shoulders, he said, "Could be that pretty soon you might not be the only Lion pilot engaged to a beautiful princess."

"You think it might go that far?"

"If he keeps being Commander Sexy Beast and not Commander Ruin It, I think it definitely will go that way."

"Brother, where do you come up with your descriptions?"

Lance shrugged and said, "What can I say, it's a gift." Swirling the drink in his glass, he casually asked, "So what leg are you swimming in the meet? You swam backstroke in the finals with us, are you doing the same with Pollux?"

"Since you'll know soon enough anyway," Sven said with a smile, "I'll be swimming the backstroke in individual competition, but I'll be swimming the freestyle in the relay."

"Oho! Taking on Keith in the final anchor leg are you?" He took a swig from his glass. "Think you can catch him?"

Crossing his arms over his broad chest, Sven shot back, "I expect Pollux will already be in the lead when I dive in."

Lance only smiled back. The competition was going to be one to remember.

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That evening, Romelle joined Allura in her chambers for some girl talk. The two of them had changed into their pajamas and robes and were sitting with their feet curled up beneath them on Allura's couch.

Romelle reached out and grabbed Allura's hand. "Enough cousin! What is going on between you and Keith?"

Allura leaned her head back and laughter bubbled out. "Is it that obvious?"

"Yes, to people that have been around the two of you enough. He's never been comfortable with being too close to you in public, much less to allow you to hold his arm for as long as you did. And he was enjoying it, I could tell!" Romelle saw the joyful smile on Allura's face. "Has he kissed you?"

The large joyful smile changed to a smaller smile as she sighed. "No." Drawing a pattern on the pillow in her lap, she added, "I haven't wanted to push anything. This is all so different and I don't want to do anything to change his mind."

Romelle smirked. "If he kisses you, it will only help him make up his mind."

"Maybe."

Knowing she wouldn't convince Allura of that tonight she moved on to another topic. "So, does the team wear some version of those ultra-sexy swimsuits?"

Putting a hand up to her mouth to stifle a giggle, Allura responded, "Yes, they do and you can't possibly know how happy I am that the guys decided to participate in the swim competition." She laughed some more. "Nanny wasn't happy when we were practicing in the lake as all work around the castle practically stopped for that time period. The female staff were always trying to get a look at them going out, practicing, or coming back in."

Romelle's eyes went wide. "Ooooo, Nanny! What did she say about the suits?"

Waving her hand in a dismissive gesture, Allura snorted. "Exactly what you'd expect. But she didn't stop me and Coran has been supportive."

"Ahhhh."

"Ahhhh, what, Romelle?"

"Coran knows and he approves."

Stopping for a moment, a serious expression came over Allura's face. "I think… I think you could be right."

Patting her cousin's hand, Romelle responded, "I think I am, cousin. He knows you too well." She watched as Allura's smile grew. Now was the perfect time to make her wager. "So, back to the games. How about a small wager on the relay swim? What would you like if Arus wins the relay?"

Allura's brow wrinkled and then smoothed. "If we win, I'd like for you to come back in a few months and spend two weeks with me on Arus."

"Done." A mischievous smirk replaced Romelle's smile. "And if Pollux wins, you kiss Keith."

"Romelle!"

"Come on Allura, I don't think you'll mind losing."

Allura stared at her cousin for a moment and then smiled herself. "I'll do you one better cousin. I'll kiss him even if we win."

Leaning forward to hug Allura, she said, "Now that's a win win scenario."

Both sat back laughing, but Allura was already thinking about the kiss.