I want to thank again my readers, reviewers and those following this story. But, I need to tell you that towards the end of this chapter, there is some intimate interaction, and although does not contain actual sex, it may make some readers uncomfortable. You'll know what I mean when you get further into this chapter ;) So, please consider yourself warned!
Theme song of this chapter is "Never Been in Love" by Randy Meisner.
Awakened, Lance stretched out on the ground while opening his eyes and then gazing up at the tree branches high above of him. Unaware of how long he had been lying supine and napping, he rubbed his eyes and found himself staring at blue sky with large, white and grayish clouds poking through the tops of the Arusian ash trees. The temperature had plunged in the afternoon, so it felt a bit chilly to him, thus he had thrown on his leather jacket. Keith, Hunk and Pidge had decided to head over to the desert valley earlier that morning to test out new upgrades on Yellow while Lance had gotten called in to assist Coran in the control room. Lance was able to get off early from duties. He couldn't have been more relieved, as earlier he had looked out one of the spacious control room windows and had seen Allura with Romelle and some other gal Keith and he had met earlier that day. The three were having tea and lunch. Allura had been on his mind constantly and he sighed drowning in his thoughts of kissing her, holding her and tasting her. He clenched his eyes shut trying not to think of what else he wanted to do. After his shift ended, he went to look for her, but she was nowhere to be found.
Slowly rising to his feet, he brushed off blades of grass, dirt and brush before popping the collar of his leather jacket up. He was thinking he would stroll down by the fountain, maybe throw in a coin or two in for good luck. Moving away from the trees and down the hill, he followed a narrow, cobblestone path that led from the back of the castle and wound around to the large pond with the fountain spewing forth a spray of white.
Stopping just at the top of the hill, he thought he imagined it, a soft whimpering wail. Looking up in the massive trees in search of a bird, he found nothing and so he walked further on the path getting closer to the fountain hearing the whirling sound of water louder, but also the faint mourning. Then, he spotted her. Allura was in tears and slumped on a bench near the pond in front of the fountain.
"Allura, what's wrong Honey?" he asked as he dropped down beside her on the wooden bench.
She barely glanced up, but managed to respond, "Everything Lance!"
"Like what?" It was tearing him apart to see her in distress like this.
"Lotor is making threats. Keith won't talk to me. Coran and Nanny.." she started, but the sobs overpowered her and she couldn't finish her sentence. Lance took her hand gently and just held it before he pulled her close to him in an embrace, letting her cry on his strong shoulder.
"It's gonna be okay. Nothing is worth getting so upset about," he said softly. "Allura, you're so cold Sweetheart." He then offered her his leather jacket and wrapped it around her before pulling her close to him. Instantly she was warm and her sobbing eventually subsided as she vented to him. After placing a soft kiss on her cheek and then one on her forehead, he continued to be silent, just holding her. As she pulled away slowly, she took out a small hankerchief that she dabbed her eyes with and then blew her nose quietly. Lance studied her amazed at truly beautiful she was with her golden hair in a side braid and tiny daisies woven into it. Unable to see the true blue of her eyes because of the tears, swelling and redness, he still knew she was lovely. After a deep breath, her sobs had lessened down to just a few. Finally she seemed calmer and more composed as she was more quiet. "Feel better now?" he asked.
Her response was a nod before stating, "I was going to see my father in the crypt, but I was just so exhausted that I had to sit down here." She looked around a bit at the fountain and then the trees before turning to him. "It's usually so peaceful, so magical and calming, but I don't feel that way right now."
"So, tell me what's got you so worked up?" he asked feeling impatient. The fact that Keith also had her upset raised his ire and he gritted his teeth.
"Coran and Nanny want me to marry a prince. His name is Lord Paxton and he's my friend Francine's uncle from the Circinus galaxy. I've never met him and I really don't know much of him. Francine told Romelle and me at lunch today that I'm suppposed to marry him and that he has some immunity against Doom."
"Princess, are you serious about this? How could any planet or colony have any 'immunity' against Doom?" What the fuck? Lotor and Zarkon signing peace treaties? Like that would ever happen." Lance narrowed his eyes and wondered what it would be like to confront this Lord Paxton and afterwards he'd give Nanny and Coran a piece of his mind. Both he, and the other boys had always thought it was ridiculous that Allura should have to marry a prince and have no say in it.
"I know. I plan on meeting Lord Paxton, but that's it!" Allura exclaimed pounding her fist on the bench beside her. "There will be no promise of marriage even though I know I am obligated to marry a prince." She gave a sigh, but then jutted her chin before adding, "As long as it's not Lotor."
"Yeah, anyone's better than that ugly ass. He's bothering you too?" Lance asked with his hazel eyes filling with anger.
"No more than usual," she replied while rolling her eyes. She clenched her fists tightly which showed Lance that she was didn't wish to speak further of Lotor. They discussed Romelle and Sven's engagement. Sven had met with the boys via satellite that morning to announce the engagement and asked them to be in the wedding. Allura was unsure what the status of her involvement in the wedding was, but maybe it was indicated in the note that Romelle had left her. She showed it to Lance who encouraged her to open it up and read it. Unfolding a light pink piece of paper, she read to herself,
Allura, I'm so terribly sorry you had to leave us. I understand you needed to urgently meet with Coran about Lord Paxton. I just don't understand Francine sometimes. Please meet up with me this evening in the parlor of the castle. I have some more exciting news to share with you. I surely hope you can attend.
Allura's smile brightened and she told Lance what it stated. He couldn't even tell that she had been sobbing profusely only moments earlier. He told her he figured Romelle was asking her to be in the wedding. They talked of it and Lance brought up about all the potential single ladies he could meet. Allura found herself squirming in her seat slightly and then thought to test how he felt about girls in general and Francine, until Lance asked her about her tea party.
"I was hoping to crash it, but you were already gone," he said with a huge grin on his face and Allura knew he was being facecious.
"So, what do you think of Francine?" Allura blurted out looking him straight in the eye. Sitting there beside her, she thought of how handsome he was with his sandy brown hair, rugged features, the smattering of freckles across his nose and cheeks and the stubble of reddish brown facial hair on his chin and upper lip. Those hazel eyes of his always seemed to give away his mood from flirtatious, to joking, to anger or rage. When that occurred, they seemed to almost take on a reddish hue. Taking a deep breath, she asked, "Think she's your type?"
Lance jerked his head to her suddenly, his eyes large. "Francine? Look Princess, no offense, I know she's your friend and all, but that chick is bat-shit crazy!" Allura's mouth dropped open, but she then gave a laugh at Lance's way of words. "Before we were introduced to her, she was rubbing up against one of the guards and the next thing we see, she's smacking him across the face! He didn't do a damn thing to her to deserve it, I swear!" Observing Allura's confused look, Lance elaborated. "She's got these huge green eyes that stare right into your soul. It's creepy. Both Keith and I got hit on by her. Believe me, I don't have any interest in her, neither does Keith."
"Keith?" Allura asked, her voice suddenly rising.
"Especially Keith," Lance replied. "So," he decided to change the subject. "What's been going on with you and Keith. Have you had that kiss yet?" Startled, Allura jerked slightly. She was shocked that Lance would ask her this.
"Yes," she finally admitted.
"Well, did he enjoy it? Did you?"
"Yes, but he hasn't talked to me since. It's like he's avoiding me Lance."
Shaking his head in disgust, Lance cursed Keith. Dammit Kogane. He previously would've encouraged Allura to not give up and he would've been eager to hear about a kiss with Keith, but now no longer. He felt a stab like a dull knife hitting his heart with jealousy and he couldn't stand hearing of her sharing a kiss with Keith, even more that Keith was playing some sort of game. Lance thought he caught a glimpse of sadness cross Allura's features, and he turned his head away from her to stare into the fountain for a moment. He couldn't stand it any longer hiding his feelings for her from her.
"Allura, It's pissing me off that Keith's playing chicken shit with you," he stated while standing up with his voice beginning to shake. Beads of perspiration formed on his forehead as he turned to her and picked her hand up with both his hands. "I can't hide it any longer, my feelings for you. I, I'm falling in love with you." It felt like he had been suspended in the air by his arms, then finally released to drop to the ground and to be free. But, he didn't know now how she would take it. He knew how she felt about Keith and that it was he was up against.
"Lance, I can't stop thinking about you and that kiss we shared. It was incredibly amazing." Her eyes fluttered. "I'm, I'm falling in love with you, but Keith.." He then stopped her from talking further by placing a finger against her lips.
"Please, please," he begged. "I know how you feel about him too, but dammit I can't help myself!" He took her face in his hands and leaned forward as his lips sought hers. Her arms wrapped around him as her thoughts of fear, anxiety and anger dissipated as their kiss deepened and she melted into him. He pulled back for a breath of air as his passion-glazed eyes searched hers. His hands were still on either side of her head and he lightly brushed back wisps of her blonde hair that pulled out of her braid. Allura looked equally dazed when she opened her eyes to gaze at him.
"Wow," she replied shrugging her shoulders with glee and then sighing with pleasure. "I want more kissing, just you and me, but not here," she stated while glancing around the pond, the fountain and the trees. Lance also looked behind them noting the steep hill and the trees atop of it. He hoped no one had seen them kissing. "I know a perfect place we can go where no one will disturb us," she said eagerly and breathing heavily with excitement as she took his hand.
"Um, are we going to your father's crypt?" Lance asked feeling rather confused, yet still excited while he accepted her hand and they left the bench. Her answer was a shake of her head with a laugh. Making a quick wish, he threw a coin into the fountain hoping his wish would come true. She led him further on the cobblestone path past the hill and past a couple of blooming cherry trees. Their pink blossoms matched Allura's gown, but their scent was no one near as enticing as hers, he thought. They walked partially into another forest with a small clearing, and after crossing between two very large oak trees, he saw where she was leading him to and he froze in place at the sight. It was a tiny pink house.
"It was my playhouse when I was a little girl. My father built it for me, and Romelle and I used to have tea parties in there. Now I just come here to relax or get away from Nanny." she giggled. Pulling her hand away from his, she walked up closer to the house and pointed at the shutters. "The house was damaged in the Drule war, but Coran was able to fix it up and do some repairing." She glanced up at the dark pink shingles of the roof as they glittered in the sunlight. "I don't think he knows I still come here." Then, turning back to Lance who had stepped closer to her, she asked, "Well, what do you think?" before taking his hand again and leading him inside the house.
He looked around a bit at the pink-painted walls with gold flecks sparkling in the sunlight after Allura had pulled back curtains to illuminate the room. There were two large velour wing chairs on either side of a rectangular-shaped wooden table in the middle of the room. The table was hand-carved oak with intricate designs in it, and on it sat a miniature china tea set with beautiful, tiny flowers painted on each little piece. Allura placed Lance's leather jacket onto the back of one of the chairs and continued to watch his expression as she showed him around. The house being so tiny, had only the one room, a small closet and a bathroom containing a vanity, sink and toilet. A full-sized bed covered with a bedspread ornately embroided with pink and gold designs, was in the corner. Next to the bed, was a wooden basket with a variety of antique dolls in it. Some of them had their eyes half-opened as they laid there and others appeared to be staring right at Lance which caused him to feel the hair on the back of his neck stand up. He tried not to look back at the bed, but studied the room which was mostly pink and gold, and oh so feminine. He couldn't help but feel oddly out of place and that it was as though he had entered a doll's house.
"It's you," he finally replied with a smile and a shrug. Allura moved closer to him and took his face in her hands. Her lips then pressed against his to resume their kissing. Soft moans emanated from her and he pushed his body against hers allowing his roaming hands to slide from her back down to her firm buttocks. He was impressed at how firm they were from all the lunges and squats she used to complain about having to do in the gym. He was wanting more and more from the kiss, but aware of blood rushing to certain areas and he wished that wasn't happening. Still locked in a passionate embrace with her, he stepped back a bit, so his hips weren't so engaged with hers. However, she moved her hands down to his lower back and buttocks pulling him closer to her. She stiffened suddenly for a moment as she felt the hardness between his legs. Pulling her lips from his, she left a path of wet kisses up his jaw that ended towards his ear.
Breathing heavily, she began to whisper, "Lance, are you.."
"Yes, yes, I'm sorry," he replied, his cheeks reddened with embarrassment. "I can't help it."
"It's okay," she replied slightly shy and embarrassed, not ever experiencing a man aroused by her.
Holding her still, he stated,"Allura, I don't want to make you feel like we should." She pulled back from him, her face with an expression of innocence mixed with nervousness.
"Thank you. I'm, I'm not sure that I'm ready for that." He wanted her so bad and he wished his erection would go away quickly.
He sat down in the wing chair with his leather jacket on the back of it and tried to strike up a conversation about the house as he looked around. But, this was put to an end when Allura sat down on his lap. Oh Allura why? he thought. He laughed nervously, but she continued her kissing and then trailed more wet kisses down to his neck. It took him a lot of strength and self-control to pull himself away from her, but he did and stood up with graceful ease. Gazing longingly into her sea-blue eyes, he kissed her again gently. "Sweetheart, I probably should go now or I'll never want to leave. That could be dangerous," he added as he gave her a wicked teasing smile that caused her to laugh.
He rested his hands on her shoulders for a moment as her eyes searched his. "We have to be careful to keep this a secret. We can't let the others find out about this especially Coran, Nanny and Keith."
"I know," she whispered as she led him to the door before leaning up to give him one more kiss.