Disclaimer: Voltron and its characters are owned by WEP. I make no claim to them. Other characters and the story belong to me.
Rated T/M Innuendo and naughty thoughts :)
Enjoy!
Chapter 9: Panic
The morning's parade and afternoon's festival were attended by thousands of people from all over. Keith and Allura loved getting lost in the crowd. It was very rare that they could enjoy anonymity and be like everyone else. They were just like every other young couple enjoying the food, rides, and carnival games. Most of all, they were just enjoying each other.
They headed back to the castle in the early afternoon. The grand ball was in a few hours and they were both hoping to catch a nap before the night's big event. Allura had an evening of bathing and primping to get to, and without her Nanny's help. Keith was hoping to find some time to call Arus and check on things before he also had to start getting ready for the ball.
They decided to head to separate bedrooms to rest, to prevent anything from detracting them from their naps. Allura was asleep the minute she stretched out on the king-sized bed, her head spinning with happy memories from this morning. Keith returned to the sitting area with his touchpad to call Arus.
"Castle Control, Planet Arus," Hunk's beefy face filled the computer screen. "Hey, Cap! How's your trip?"
"Hi, Hunk!" Keith greeted his friend with a smile. "It's great. How are things on the home front?"
"It's been quiet; no problems," Hunk replied. He cracked a smile. "Unless you count Nanny who has been wandering around the castle the last couple of days muttering to herself about impropriety and 'What will people think about the Princess?'" Hunk chuckled.
"I'm sure that has nothing to do with me," Keith grinned at Hunk.
"Nah!" Hunk responded. "Don't worry about it, Keith. She'll get over it. Just have a great time and tell Allura I said hi!"
"Will do, Hunk. Thanks," Keith said. "We should be home late tomorrow afternoon."
"Will do, Cap," Hunk said. "Arus, signing off." The screen went black. Keith rubbed his face with both hands and then glanced over at the clock. He had a couple of hours before he really needed to start getting ready. A little nap won't hurt, he thought. Keith put his feet up on the table and laid his head back on the couch and he zonked out immediately.
Keith looked around groggily a couple of hours later. The sound of water running and then a door slamming pulled him from his sleepy haze. He opened his eyes and tried to focus. It was late afternoon and he was sitting on the couch of the suite that he and Allura shared. The sound of a blow dryer started behind Allura's closed door.
He stood and walked to the door. He knocked and waited. When she didn't answer, he gently pushed the door open and walked into the room. She was standing in front of the vanity mirror with her head hanging upside down. She was attempting to dry her mass of golden curls. His eyes widened as he realized that she was wearing nothing but a towel. He gulped and tried to back out of the room without her noticing him.
Too late! Either she sensed him or caught his reflection in the mirror. She whirled around to face him, a look of panic on her face.
"I can't get my hair to do anything!" she cried, unshed tears glistening in her eyes. She had the blow dryer in one hand, the brush in the other, and her hair was covering half of her face. She looked a little like cousin It from the old Addams family show. "I have never had to get ready for a ball without Nanny before. Look at my hair; it's a mess!"
Keith walked over and put his hands on her shoulders. He turned her so that she faced him. "Allura, stop," he said. "You're always beautiful." He tried to reassure her. "Why don't you keep things simple? What are you wearing?"
"That," she replied, pointing to a fluffy poof of turquoise fabric hanging on the closet door. Keith couldn't make heads or tails out of the dress, but he knew Allura would look amazing in the color.
"Why don't you just pull your hair up into a French braid?" Keith suggested. "You know I love it like that." He planted a small kiss on her lips, keeping his eyes level with her face. He was trying to keep his eyes up so he wouldn't be tempted to rid Allura of her towel.
Allura looked thoughtful for a moment and then turned back to the mirror. "That's a good idea," she murmured. "I can do that myself." She returned to the mirror and began brushing the knots from the golden strands.
Keith's eyes moved up and down her form again. He groaned as he felt his body react in anticipation of things to come. "Excuse me," a musical voice brought him back to the present. "Do you mind? I need to finish getting ready," Allura coaxed. "And so do you."
Keith smiled as he left the room. He headed to the bathroom to take yet another cold shower.
An hour later, Keith stood pacing in the sitting room, fidgeting in his dress uniform. It was just about time for the ball to start and Allura had yet to emerge from her room.
Keith turned suddenly at the sound of the door opening. Everything stopped for him in that moment. Standing in front of him was a vision in turquoise. The color was perfect for Allura's creamy complexion. Her eyes glowed as they seemed to pick up the color from the dress. The bodice was strapless; it revealed her slender shoulders and toned arms. A glimpse of cleavage rose above the sweetheart neckline. The mermaid silhouette hugged the curves of her lithe frame before the skirt flared out just below her knees. Her hair hung in a thick rope of a French braid, a few loose curls framing her beautiful face. His Princess was dazzling.
Allura smiled at Keith's obvious gawking. She loved that his mask was gone and that he allowed her to see his emotions play out on his face. She took a moment to take in her dashing commander standing in front of her. His black pants hung straight down from his narrow hips. His black boots gleamed with the perfect shine. Keith's white jacket was heavy with medals and insignias earned during his years of military service. He would outshine any prince attending the ball tonight.
"Shall we go, your Highness?" he offered his arm.
"We shall, Commander," she answered as she took his proffered arm.
