Happy Sunday (Monday) everyone! This has been (and will continue to be) a crazy week...all of your feedback has really brought some sunshine into my day, so... Thank you to all those who continue to read/follow/review/PM! xoxo
Cubbie and Chris: That Nanny...grrrrr... Yeah...the media will continue to be a pain in our lovely couples behinds...for sure! Hope you enjoy this little installment :-)
Guest: Thank You!
JustLucky05: (-: with everything she's experienced with him already, poor Allura will have to be patient...but our studly Captain may be just as eager to get rid of "the husband"...Keith is just as determined to win her over...so- hang on! *wink*
Achangel Wolf: She's ready and determined, for sure...but so is he!
Feli3: And so the plan begins...Thank you!
Disclaimer: I do not own or profit from Voltron or its characters..all OCs are mine...
"Whatsername"
Chapter 9
The following morning, Princess Romelle made her way down the expansive hallway toward the main dining room, knowing that Coran and the others anxiously awaited for her to fill them in. After dinner the previous evening, the Polluxian princess ventured to her cousin's quarters with a tray of food, hoping that she would open up about what had happened. Allura was not too forthcoming about the details; however, she did answer some of Romelle's questions. She knew one thing for sure, the Arusian monarch was definitely holding back and as truly heart-broken over whatever had happened. It was obvious that she cared deeply for the man she'd met. Allura…I hope you know what you're doing…
Romelle paused in front of the dining room, taking a deep breath to mentally prepare herself for the bombardment that was to come- especially once she related Allura's decision. Upon entering, she was greeted by six anxious pairs of eyes. Throwing her own toward the ceiling, she turned to close the door behind her and took the empty seat next to Sven.
"Well?" asked Coran, hesitantly.
Romelle let out a puff of air. "She's married."
Lanced slammed his hand upon the table and got up "Fuck!"
Coran closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. "Oh my. Well, I guess I should begin the annulment process…"
"She doesn't want an annulment." Romelle interrupted.
It was Coran's turn to shoot up from his seat. "What? Has she lost her mind? He's not here! Nor will he ever be! She can't even prove it!"
"I explained that to her Coran, but she wouldn't listen."
Once again, the room erupted in utter chaos. Everyone began yelling, debating what the princess should do next.
This is crazy thought the captain as he listened to the insanity around him. Lance is her best friend and, if he's right in all the shit he's told me over the last few months, there's no way she could possibly have fallen so hard for this guy! Keith pushed himself up from his chair and made a quick exit. He needed to find the princess and talk some sense into her, or at least find out what was really going on in her pretty little head. He made his way out to the garden, knowing her well enough to know she'd be out there. He wasn't disappointed.
As he entered the Queen's garden, Keith found Allura sitting on the marble bench in a pale blue sundress with her golden hair flowing loosely around her. His heart clenched at the sight, reminding himself, once again, that he may have waited too long. Like hell…Pushing the thought out of his mind, he approached and sat next to her.
"Hey" he said.
Looking ahead she responded. "Hey."
"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked.
Allura sat quietly for a moment. She closed her eyes and tilted her head toward the sun, enjoying the warmth it brought her. With a deep sigh, she relaxed her shoulders and spoke. "Do you like sushi?"
Keith flinched "Um, what?"
She slowly turned toward him. "I said…do you like sushi."
"That's what I thought you said."
"Well?"
"Are you serious?"
"Of course."
Keith arched a brow at her "Let me get this straight, you get sucked through a portal, only to reappear two months later, in a wedding dress of some sort no less…and you want to talk to me about…sushi?"
Allura looked away and shrugged her shoulders. "Hmm, I guess not." She bit her bottom lip and turned her gaze to him once more "Hot Dogs?"
"Allura!"
"Sorry…I was just curious, that's all. I guess I just realized that I know nothing about you."
"Sure you do." He chuckled.
Allura slightly narrowed her eyes. "No…no I don't."
Keith held her gaze for a moment before he continued. "What's going on, Allura. Talk to me. Why are you refusing this annulment?"
The princess looked down at her hands that she'd gently placed in her lap. Focus…"I can't explain it, Keith. I'm just not ready to let go…not yet. You of all people should understand."
The captain shifted his body to face her. "Why's that?"
"It's been over two years and you still can't let go of Whatsername…you can't even talk about her…how am I expected to let him go after less than a day?"
Keith felt a stab at his heart as he looked into her eyes. I'm not in love with Whatsername…I'm in love with you…damn this! "Allura, you've only known the guy for a couple months…how can you possibly…"
"How long did you know her?" she said, cocking her head to the side.
The captain ran a hand through his hair. "What difference does that make? We're not talking about me…"
Allura reached out and grabbed his hand. "Keith, please…you're the only one who can understand what I feel. Besides, I can still get an annulment down the line if need be."
Keith looked down at her delicate hand upon his. Taking his other hand, he placed it over hers. "Where were you, Allura?"
The princess couldn't tear her eyes away from him. Ugh…Ariella give me strength to be patient…no…I cannot bite those lusciously full lips…not yet…damn it!. She focused on the fact that his hand was upon hers and a shiver travelled down her spine. "Earth." She sighed, relaxing her shoulders and turning away from him. "I was on Earth."
"Well, that's an interesting twist. What were you doing all this time?"
The princess actually allowed herself to giggle. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
Keith arched a brow "Try me."
She bit her lip and smiled. "I was a waitress."
To that, Keith let out a laugh that made her stomach flutter. She had never heard a sound like that come from her captain…a certain cadet on the other hand…it was as though she was discovering him all over again. Yes! That's it! Start from the beginning!
"What's so funny, Kogane?"
The captain actually wiped away a tear as he tried to contain his amusement. "Yeah, the Guides were testing you for sure. So, what…this 'quest' was to help you determine the difference between regular and decaf?"
The princess swatted at him "That's not funny you jerk! I'll have you know I made pretty good tips."
"Only because you're hot." Allura's eyes widened and her jaw dropped. Keith, realizing what he'd said began to apologize. "Oh god, I'm sorry! I don't know why I said that…"
The princess smiled. "Don't be. After all…" she winked "it's true."
The captain tilted his head. "I see…found yourself a little spunk while you were away did you?"
"I can assure you, Commander…that's not all I found." She said, leaning in closer until she was just a breath away.
Keith was captivated by her proximity to him, her lips so close he felt he could taste them. What was she doing? Was she coming on to him? NO…it couldn't be…she'd married someone after only two months of knowing him, she must be in love…then why is she looking at me like that?
Without backing away, he dared ask "Do you love him?"
"Yes" she breathed, struggling against the urge to fist her hands through his thick raven hair.
"…and you're sure he feels the same?"
The lack of distance was getting to be too much for her so Allura slowly leaned back "I'm not sure of anything anymore."
"Why…" he asked, slowly shaking his head to relieve the haze he was in.
"He fell in love with a waitress, Keith…a simple girl…he had no idea who I really was…am…or all the baggage that comes along with me."
"Why would it matter if he truly loved you?"
"You tell me…"
He flinched "What?"
"Men like him tend to be too honorable for their own good, Keith. He would have backed off knowing my status and back ground, in fear that he wouldn't be worthy of my love…settling for loving me from a distance…denying what he felt in his heart for the sake of the greater good."
"Really?" he chuckled "Ah…I get it…you've been reading those books Geni sent you…"
Allura crossed her arms in front of her "Why, Captain? You don't think it's possible for a man to be so sacrificially romantic?"
"A Terran?" he snickered "No…I don't….he was probably trying to get you into bed…"
A crooked grin tugged at the side of her lip as she playfully bit at it.
"Oh God…he did…didn't he…." Keith looked as though he would pass out as he tried to get up from the bench.
Allura reached out and grabbed his arm, forcing him to stay seated. "You know, Keith…I'm not as naïve as you think I am. I may not have been 'around the block' as much as you boys have but I certainly can tell the difference between real love and …well…'Lance love'."
The captain arched a brow- amused by her use of common American phrases and jabs at Lance. States…she was definitely in the States. He did not remain amused for long. Keith continued to look into her eyes as he slumped his shoulders…devastated by the idea that she loved someone else enough to give herself to him.
"Allura, he didn't…push you…did he?"
The princess smiled softly "No…of course not."
"I just…something like that…I mean…two months, Allura…you only knew him for two months."
"I'm a twenty year old woman, Keith…not a child. Besides, I can assure you that I knew him better than he knew himself."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah…it is…"
Gently shaking his head, he continued "You know….if Coran or Nanny find out…they will lock you in that room of yours until you're old and gray."
"Nah…I'd be rescued way before then." She said with a wave of her hand.
"Really? By who? Don Juan?" he snarled.
"No…you…" she began, looking in his direction once again "…you always rescue me."
Keith closed his eyes and grinned, sighing a snicker through his nose "Apparently not this time…"
She reached out and placed her hand over his, leaning in close once more. "Don't be so sure…" she whispered.
Keith furrowed his brow, but his heart and soul quickly fell under her spell…his mind, however, continued to race with questions. Why is she doing this to me? She loves someone else…she gave herself to him…married him. What am I? Her friend…you idiot! Yeah…a friend who wants nothing more than to grab her an kiss her senseless right now…show her what a real man is…make her forget that loser real quick…two months…I've known her…loved her…for two years!
Allura arched a brow "Keith?"
"Huh?"
Um…are you alright?"
"Uh…yeah…why wouldn't I be?"
"Well…the vein in your neck is pulsing."
Keith grimaced and grabbed at his neck. "Sorry, I was just…"
"Thinking…yeah…I know…you're always thinking." Allura huffed and spun around on the bench, facing forward once more.
"You say that like it's a bad thing."
"It is! Seriously Keith….have you always been this uptight?"
"Wow….you really have gotten bold on your little excursion. I'm not uptight, Allura…I'm just cautious…I need to be…"
"There's a time and place for caution, Commander. Sitting out in my mother's garden on a beautiful day is not the time or place for your over-analytical mind to kick in. Just once…can't you just let yourself go? I wasn't kidding before when I said that I really don't know you…Keith Kogane…not Captain Kogane…I'm all too familiar with him…" she snorted.
Getting up from the bench, Keith turned to stand right in front of her in his known 'commander stance'. "Why the sudden need to get to know me?"
"See? There you go again!"
The captain threw his gaze and arms up "Alright, alright….will it make you happy?"
"Yes…it will"
He ran a hand through his hair and sighed as he plopped down on the bench next to her once again. "OK…what is it that you want to know?"
"Do you like sushi?"
"Again with the sushi!"
"Well?"
Black's pilot narrowed his lips and lightly wet them while giving her a challenging look. "Yes…I like sushi…a lot…better?"
"Why haven't you ever mentioned it before?"
"Not really important in the grand scheme of things, Princess…you know…war and all."
"Bullshit, Keith"
"Seriously? Who the hell were you hanging out with?"
"…Nanny specifically asked you guys so that she can make being here more comfortable for you…a little piece of home in this…war."
"I didn't want a little piece of home, Allura…I wanted to forget home…"
"Well that's a shame" she said, standing up from the bench. "I'd never had sushi until…hmm…what shall I call him…" she asked as she playfully tapped her chin.
"…Casanova sounds about right…" he snorted
"Perfect" she smiled "Well, then, Casanova introduced me to sushi- his favorite I might add…such a shame I had to be sucked through a portal to discover how amazing it is." She sighed, mockingly.
"We are still talking about sushi, I hope…"
She arched a brow and giggled at his discomfort. "Will you take me? I heard there's a new place in Altea that specializes in it…and by it, Captain, I do mean sushi…"
Keith smiled and lightly bit his bottom lip to stifle a chuckle before crossing his arms "You want me to take you to Altea for sushi?"
"Yes you…who else?"
"I thought Lance was your best bud"
"Lance isn't here…and if he were…he wouldn't be giving me such a hard time…besides, you just said that you like sushi a lot…" Keith rolled his eyes. Allura sighed dramatically and continued "I guess that's a 'no' then, I mean…wouldn't want you to actually eat something you enjoy…the shock may send you to MedTec."
"I'm not sure I like this snarky new side of you" Yes…yes I do…
"Well, it appears that the Guides felt I needed a bit of snarkiness…amongst other things." She winked, stifling a mischievous laugh while Keith squeezed one eye shut and grimaced once more.
"Fine…I'll escort you to Altea for sushi." He resigned.
"You'll escort me? No…you will not escort me Captain Body-Guard…you will join me in an unofficial capacity, Kogane! Just two good friends having sushi!"
"Is that an order?"
Allura huffed in frustration. Thinning her lips into a straight line she said "Yes, it is…"
The monarch moved toward the garden exit. Looking over her shoulder she said "Are you going to escort me back, or will you just sit out here and sulk all day over the torturous task of having fun that I've just inflicted upon you?"
Keith closed his eyes and shook his head as he grinned. The princess was obviously latching on to him for comfort, or at least that was how he viewed it. He was happy that she was reaching out to him instead of Lance for a change. While she'd been away, he'd made a decision that he wasn't going to fight his feelings for her. What do I do now? She's married for God's sake…well…technically… He couldn't help but feel that she still felt something for him. Sushi, huh? How can I say no to sushi?
Xxxxx
Keith remained exceptionally quiet during Lion practice and Lance suspected that it had something to do with his 'talk' with the princess. He noticed that Allura was a bit more laid back in her speech and behavior during lunch. What the hell happened in that portal? Although they all felt her demeanor was fun and refreshing- especially compared to how devastated she'd been less than twenty-four hours before, Lance found it all to be a bit peculiar. He didn't bother knocking when he reached his destination- not that Keith was surprised.
Black's pilot looked up at his friend and sighed. "What can I do for you, Lance?"
The smug pilot of Red plopped down in the chair in front of Keith's desk and threw his legs upon it. "Anything you'd like to share with me, buddy?"
Keith's lips tugged into a straight line "No, not really."
"Interesting. Boy, that princess sure has changed, hasn't she? Certainly gotten a lot bolder over the last two months. Wonder if this mystery husband has anything to do with it?" Red's pilot tapped his chin. "He's obviously brought out a new side to her…wonder what else he's exposed her to?" Lance couldn't help but notice Keith's fleeting flinch. "Hot damn! She told you didn't she?"
"Not sure what you mean exactly"
"Come on Keith…it's me…spill it! Did she give it up for this guy?"
Keith sighed and threw his pen on the desk before running a hand through his hair. "I'm not a hundred percent sure, Lance. She insinuated that they had though." He paused and looked down at his hands "she must really love him."
"She loves you." Keith snorted and threw his head to the side while Lance continued. "Come on man, I know Allura…there's no way she would just forget about how she feels about you…"
"Lance, the princess and I had nothing going on…it's just like you said…I waited too long…although…"
"Although…what?"
"She wants me to take her to Altea for lunch tomorrow…sushi"
"What, like a date?"
"No, you idiot! Apparently this frickin Don Juan Casanova she married took her out for sushi. Probably just a comfort thing…something to remind her…"
"Sounds like a lunch date to me…"
"Rebound is more like it..." Keith snorted under his breath.
"Who's the idiot now?"
"Excuse me?"
"Remember what I told you, Kogane? He was probably the rebound…"
Keith looked at Lance and bit the inside of his cheek Huh…could he be right? "Something's not adding up, Lance…it just doesn't make sense…why is she not agreeing to the annulment?"
"…and what's with the fucking sushi?" added his second.
"Gotta say…I'm kind of glad about the sushi" Keith snickered while Lance threw him a disgruntled look. The captain shook his head "I am surprised at how comfortable she is talking to me all of a sudden…I thought for sure she'd turn to you instead"
Red's pilot leaned back and clenched his hands behind his head. "Yeah, I was kinda offended"
"All joking aside, I'm happy I can be there for her. I get how she feels…really. I think that's why she came to me instead…she even compared what she's going through to Whatsername..."
Lance shot up in his seat "She did? What did you say?...Wait! I know…you changed the subject…"
"It's not about me, Lance…it's about her…I can help her work through this…I want to help her…. She just needs time is all."
"Where the hell was she anyway?"
"You're gonna love this…she was on Earth…waitressing." he smiled
"I'm sorry…what?"
"Yeah…you heard me right. She didn't actually say so, but I think she was State side."
"What the hell would she need to discover there?"
"Your guess is as good as mine."
"What kind of waitress? The regular-or-decaf kind, or the coffee-tea-or-me kind?"
"You're an ass".
Lance meowed in response, then furrowed his brow. His mind began to race through various scenarios. Why in hell would the guides send her to Earth? He couldn't help but feel that something was off and made it his personal mission to find out exactly what was going on. Time to snoop around. His pensive look did not go unnoticed by his best friend.
"Don't even think about it, McClain…"
"What ever are you referring to, Kogane?"
"You know damn well what I'm referring to…leave it alone!"
Lance rolled his eyes and pushed himself up off the chair. "You do know what they say about 'assuming', right?"
"I mean it, Lance…"
"Oh relax, would ya? Besides, shouldn't you be researching this sushi place?" he chuckled. Keith snarled at him which caused Lance to laugh even more. "Get some rest, Chief…you're going to need it to handle the media frenzie when you show up in Altea with the princess on your arm…or maybe it's Allura who needs to prepare herself." He winked.
Keith picked up a magazine and whipped it at him as he ran out the door.
