There was light snow falling across the whole city, gentle and sparking, soft white clouds hovering overhead, filling all inhabitants with joy as they buzzed as Yule time approached faster and faster. It was only a week until it began, and decorations flooded the streets, sparkling lights in every shop.
Allura and Lance were dancing together in the shop, putting on a show for all the customers, as Lance's nieces and nephew copied them, also dancing. Lana and Thalia were dancing together, while Alyse danced with Percy, the small boy giggling joyfully at his older cousin.
"So, are you looking forward to later?" Lance asked Allura, twirling her with a smile.
"Yeah! It's been so long since I hung out with any friends, I'm so excited!" Allura grinned at him, before looking down. Lana was there, a grin on her face, her brown eyes sparkling joyfully.
Lance released Allura, who started dancing with Lana, picking up the small girl in her arms, bouncing her around as she giggled. Lance turned to Thalia, and the small blonde girl grinned up at him, before taking a seat at a nearby table. He sat opposite her, and she sat up on the chair, reaching her hands out across the table in front of her.
"Look!" She said, firmly. She held her hands a few centimetres apart, and focussed hard. He could tell she was trying to focus from the expression on her face; her eyes scrunched up in determination, her lips stuck out in a pout. He soon noticed what she was trying to show him. She had managed to make a visible spark of colour; a green colour, like that of the ocean. The blend of his eyes and hers, bright and calm.
The spark in her hand danced around joyfully, before it began to take shape, turning into a glowing bunny, which began to hop around the shop, before fading out. Percy stopped dancing with Alyse to reach for it, and Alyse turned to Lance questioningly, before realising that it was Thalia who had made it, instead. Her eyes turned wide with amazement.
"I've been practicing all week to try and do that! I tried to remember what you taught me about making shapes and what Allura taught me about control and what Keef taught me about how magic works! He said that you don't tell magic what to do, you ask it to do things, and you have to feel it in your heart." Thalia mumbled, thoughtfully.
"Right…" Lance muttered.
Shortly after that, Adrian and Mika arrived to pick up the small ones.
"Aunty Mika!" Thalia exclaimed, "Look what I can do!"
The once more made her bunny hop around the store, glowing brighter than it had before, bouncing over by the twins, who tried to catch it excitedly, before calling it back to her.
"Wow Thalia! You've been working so hard at magic! You're just like your Uncle Lance! He loved making illusions when he was your age, too!" Mika grinned at the little girl, messing up her hair as she walked over to the twins.
"Hey Allura, hope it wasn't too much trouble for you, watching over the five kids," She pointed her thumb in Lance's direction, receiving a exclamation of 'hey!' in response.
"Oh no! Don't worry about it, Mika! Lana and Percy are so small and cute and sweet! They just add to the joyful atmosphere around here! You know I'd be happy to watch them any time." Allura smiled softly at the taller girl, completely sincere.
"Ahhh! Allura, you might not want to say that. I jokingly said that when I was like 11, that if she ever had kids I'd watch them whenever she wanted, and now I see them more than she does!" Mika shoved Lance away, rolling her eyes at his dramatics.
"Hey Lancelot, thanks for watching the midgets again! I know Thalia can be a little bit troublesome with her magic obsession, but then, I guess you'd know all about that." Adrian gave Lance a pointed look, and the younger boy scratched his head.
"Sorry, when I showed her magic I didn't think it'd have such a strong influence on her… Alyse never really obsessed over it, never showed that much interest beyond simply liking the colours."
"You were the same, when you first discovered magic. Simply couldn't get enough of it. Learning everything you could from Mari. She's a lot like you, Thalia. I can trust you to help her with magic, right? You know Kira and I don't really know anything about it, and Mari is too busy to see the kids these days…"
"Yeah, don't worry. I'll be happy to teach her all I know, and Allura and Keith are happy to teach her what they can, too."
"Keith? Oh, the boy who babysat with you the other week. She mentioned him a few times when talking about magic." Adrian smiled at his younger brother, before calling over the two young girls. "Come on, it's almost Dinner, we should get home before your mother gets upset!"
Later that evening, at Altea House, which was owned by her father, Alfor Altea, Lance met up with the rest of his friends. Katie, Keith, Hunk, Allura and Lance had decided, since they were about to start their holidays, that they should all hang out. Allura suggested her place, since it was the largest, and had the most space for them to sleep, without disrupting the rest of the household.
"Ok Keith, Katie! Glad you could make it!" Allura greeted them with a smile, as she saw them waiting as the three of the Ethereal employees arrived, having finished their shifts. "I hope you haven't been waiting long."
"Nah," Katie brushed it off, "Keith lives in one of the rentable apartments here anyway, so we've just been chilling out there."
"So!" Lance exclaimed, catching everyone's attention as he rubbed his hands together, in an attempt to warm them up, "Shall we get this party started!"
The five went indoors, and all but Lance were amazed by the interior. Lance had been to Allura's home once before, and had stood amazed by the high ceilings and archways, seemingly impossible considering the exterior, but he of all people, being an expert in illusion magic, or so he considered himself, knew that none should judge a book by its cover, because with a simple charm, the interior could be increased endlessly, so the possibilities were endless. It was almost pointless building large houses, since their exterior was mostly just for the aesthetic, and could easily be corrected by charms, but many preferred the traditional type of housing, where the size of the exterior matched that of the interior. Lance was sure he would never understand the benefits of that. It just made building take longer, and use more resources. Though, on the other hand, hiring someone to extend the interior could be costly too, and the quality of the spell could strongly affect the longetivity.
"Wow Allura… This place is massive! I knew you were rich, but damn! So, where do I set this up?" Katie examined her surroundings in awe, before she moved her thoughts back to her tech, and turned her focus to the games console Lance could see peeking out of her bag.
Oh, you can set that up in the movie theatre, if you'd like! The screen is nice and large, and uses a projector so everyone will be able to see it easily!"
"Sweet!"
"What game did you bring?"
"Legendary Defender."
"Sweet! I'm Blue!"
"I'm totally playing as Red."
"OoH! Ooh! I wanna be yellow!"
"I think we unlocked another Paladin after the last level, so Allura can join as the new character! Since obviously I'm green."
"I have no idea what you all mean by these colours, but I'm totally up for whatever it is you're suggesting!"
"Welcome to the team, fellow Paladin. I'm Lance, the Blue Paladin. I'm the leader, regardless of the fact that the Black Paladin is in command and Red in second. This here is our Red Paladin, Keith. Swordfighter, hothead, didn't do much against Sendak. Then we have Hunk, the Yellow Paladin, the Cannon. He's wonderful. Then finally, Katie. Green Paladin, Midget, Tech nerd. That's our team. Plus the NPC, Sven, the Black Paladin."
"Lance… I know who you all are… You didn't have to reintroduce everyone…"
"Cmon, Allura! You're ruining all the fun! Let's get this game started!"
Three hours later, after they managed to pass through a few more levels, they decided to take a break from the game. Keith, who had assumed role of the leader of the team after Sven died, was having trouble leading the team, and Lance was a little put out that he still wasn't the leader. Allura had progressed from the Princess to a Paladin, taking Sven's place as the 5th after he died.
"Hey, Allura? Is it cool if I bring the kittens over? Jade is round at Keith's place, with Red and Azula, but I don't like leaving her alone too long?" Katie looked over to Allura hopefully, and the girl's eyes lit up with joy.
"Kittens! Of course! Please, I want to meet them all! I've always wanted a kitten…"
"Hey, Allura, do you want me to cook up some food for dinner? I'd be perfectly happy to!" Hunk grinned at the white haired girl, and she beamed.
"That'd be lovely, Hunk! Oh, Katie could I come with you to see the Kittens!"
Hunk, Allura and Katie all left the room, off on their various tasks, leaving Lance to claim all of the sofa for himself, Keith sat on the floor in front, leaning against it.
"So, uh, Keith."
"Yeah?"
"What are you up to over the Yule time?"
"I, uh, don't know. Probably just stay at home reading most days, work on my book a little more… Why?"
"Well, uh…" Lance scratched the back of his neck, laying down and staring up at the ceiling, a flush on the flustered boy's face, "I was wondering if you want to come spend it with me and my family?"
Keith turned his head up and left, resting it on the sofa as he looked at Lance.
"Why?"
"Well, uh, my family, well," he stuttered, "Since I'm the only one of my siblings without a partner or kids my mum likes me to bring a friend with me when we all get together? Usually I would bring Hunk but he's busy and so is Allura and you're my friend too and so I thought you might want to come? It's only for a few days, not too long, but it'l be fun, I mean, two of my nieces already love you?"
"Okay."
"Okay you'll come?"
"Yeah."
"Okay! Awesome! I'll, uh, text you the information when I get the chance! Awesome!" Lance grinned up at the ceiling, his face flushed red in embarrassment from asking.
"We're back!" Katie shouted, "And we have Kittens!"
"Keith! Azula is so cute! How is her fur so soft! It's so pretty and clean!" Allura gushed to Keith, babbling on about how much she loved Azula, who had curled up in her arms as she talked, the lazy kitten purring contently.
Red followed Katie and Jade into the room, before jumping up onto the sofa and climbing across Lance to take a seat in the centre of his stomach.
"Oi, Lance, move up! I wanna sit!" Katie commanded, before spotting Lance's expression.
"Can't. I have been chosen." Katie noticed red, and sighed resignedly. "Red, boy, you're causing me trouble. I know you don't like me… but really?" Katie took a seat elsewhere. "Alright. So, how about we play a little game."
"I'm not sure I like where this is going."
"Keith, chill! It's nothing dangerous or life threatening! Just a little game of truth or dare!"
"That sounds like fun!"
"Nice."
"Oh no… We're all doomed…"
"So, who wants to go first!"
"I'll do it?" Allura looked at Katie nervously, after Keith's expressions of horror at the suggestion were brought to her attention.
"Truth or Dare?"
"Truth?"
"How old were you when you first started learning magic?"
"Nine. My father started teaching me the basics, and from there, I taught myself the rest. Lance! Truth or Dare?"
"Truth!"
"Have you met your soulmate?" Allura looked at him inquisitively, and Lance figured that she had heard snippets of the conversations between himself and Hunk.
"Yes? I mean, I think so? But also, no? I've met them, but I don't know who they are."
"Well, that's cryptic." Katie rolled her eyes, and Lance turned to her with a smirk.
"Katie, truth or dare?"
"Dare."
"I dare you to ask out every person you see tomorrow until someone says yes." Katie's eyes turned cold, and Lance knew that he had sparked the evil inside her. She was out for revenge.
"Keith. Truth or Dare."
"Truth?" Keith was nervous. He knew Katie, and he knew that she was up to something. He just hoped that whatever she was planning didn't involve him. He really didn't want to be involved.
"Who was your first kiss?" Keith looked at Katie suspiciously. He knew that she wasn't interested in anything romantic or to do with relationships, so clearly, she was up to something.
"Someone at a party."
"Keiiiith," Lance complained, "You've gotta specify. Otherwise it's not a truth!"
"I don't know who it was! It was dark, and we were dressed up."
"Then what about a second one?"
Keith flushed red, and looked down at his feet.
"Keith hasn't kissed anyone else," Katie stated passively, certain what she was saying was true by the boy's silence. Lance looked at Keith curiously, as though he expected the boy to correct her. He didn't.
"Allura! Truth or Dare!"
"Truth."
"Most awkward moment."
"That would probably have to be when I told my boyfriend that I was a lesbian? I think that qualifies? There was a very long awkward silence… and then I had to confirm that I was breaking up with him. It was very awkward."
"That was Shiro, right?" Lance looked over to Keith, who had spoken up once more.
"Yeah. How do you know Shiro?" A confused expression was plastered across Allura's face.
"Matt and Shiro were pretty close when they were growing up, but they had an argument and stopped talking and we didn't really hear much after that, except random things about him from Matt, who was still in the same classes as Shiro. He was dating a 'beautiful, dark skinned girl with the most amazing blue eyes and silky white hair'. I think Matt had a crush on you. Then he later came back with the news that his girlfriend had broken up with him by coming out. Matt seemed to find that rather entertaining. Not sure why. They drifted apart when they were like, 16 though. Don't know why."
"Huh, weird."
"Anyway, Lance! Truth or Dare!"
"Dare?"
"Go make me a hot chocolate." Lance rolled his eyes and headed to the kitchen, thankful that Kaatie had given him a fairly easy dare, rather than something that would be embarrassing for him. He heard the game continue without him, but wasn't particularly bothered.
"Hey buddy, how's the food coming along?"
"It's coming along pretty good. What are you up to in there?"
"Truth or Dare."
Hunk let out a low whistle, before smiling.
"Glad I'm in here cooking, surprised Keith didn't try to make an escape, though."
Lance looked around the kitchen for the supplies for the hot chocolate.
"Why?"
"You don't know Katie like we do. She's always plotting and scheming, and I bet she's trying to figure something out, or got some kind of plan going on. I'd rather not get involved in that. Katie uses her truths and dares well, making each one count. Why are you in here, anyway?"
"Katie dared me to make her a hot chocolate… How would that be part of a plan?"
"Well, I suppose if she wanted you out of the room, that'd be a good way to do it. I don't know what she'd be doing with Keith and Allura though. Honestly, I try not to figure out what she's thinking, it can be very counterproductive, and usually, its best if I don't get involved."
Lance sighed, and quickly made the hot chocolate, before returning to the living room, leaving Hunk to his cooking.
When he re-entered the room, Katie was sat smugly on the sofa, Allura was gone from the room, potentially off on a dare like he had been, and Keith was sat with his face in his hands, refusing to look up.
"What happened while I was gone? Please tell me you didn't kill Allura?"
"Oh, you know, just revealing some embarrassing truths, eh Keith."
Keith looked up to glare at Katie, his face flushed a deep red, before turning his attention to Red, who was brushing against him, purring gently.
"Well, I'm done with my torment now! I'm going to go see what Allura's up to, let's take a break from the game for now." Katie took the hot chocolate and left the room, leaving the two boys alone.
"You alright, Keith, buddy?"
The dark haired boy huffed in response.
"You look pretty embarrassed, what, did she force you to reveal a crush or something."
Keith's head snapped up, flushing deeper. He didn't seem to notice.
"I do not have a crush." He glared up at the ceiling, resting his head back on the sofa, next to where Lance had taken a seat. "I don't."
"Sounds fake, but okay…"
"I don't! She's just doing her thing of trying to confuse me! I don't get what her interest is, anyway. She hates all romance things, and I'm not exactly that big on it either."
"What is there to dislike about romance? Finding your soulmate, the person in this world who is the perfect fit for you?"
"I thought you said your relationship with yours is complicated, so how would you know you're a perfect fit. Surely if you were, you'd already be together. No, soulmates aren't that great."
"Well yeah, it is complicated, but that's the thing. If it's fated, it'll happen anyway, whether we like it or not. If it isn't? Well, no point worrying about what isn't going to happen, right? If you don't want to try and find your soulmate, don't. Maybe they'll find you. Maybe you won't have one. I say just let life take its course."
"It's hard to let life play out with Katie trying to interfere with every affair. How does she seem to know everything. She might not be right, but still. Do you think she's secretly a mind reader?"
Lance laughed at the other boy, grinning down at him, as he smiled up. "I'm sure she is, maybe that's why she's so freakishly smart. Studies by reading other people's minds and downloads all the information."
The two boys grinned at each other, and came up with silly theories and concepts until Katie, Hunk and Allura returned, bringing food with them.
That night, the group, who decided to name themselves the Paladins, in honour of their successful Legendary Defender team, continued to play various games, make jokes and thoroughly enjoy themselves.
A/N Edit- I merged part 1 and 2 so the below A/Ns probably make less sense but i don't want to delete them,, oh well.
A/N
Sorry it's short, this is part two of the previous chapter. I've been kinda ill today, had a fever and slept in, missing my first lesson and assembly, which may be the fault of my own for staying up till 4am, but when you're reading fanfiction and you're tired, there is no such thing as rational thought. And when it's a 145K fic? It was totally worth it. Even if I only attended one lesson, and slept through it anyway.
Will try and get some better content for you guys soon. I'm still on track, less than before, but still a little on track. So I will keep working, I have a goal for this, and I'm around half way there now.
-Later
A/N
Okay so this is kinda part one of the chapter, but i said i'd have something posted and it had been a few days. I'm kind of unmotivated to write and im approaching the 'romance' section of this slow burn fic. Most of you don't know this but im actually Aromantic. So romance isn't easy for me to write. Because I don't understand it or experience it really. So sorry if my romance writing sucks. Anyway, I'd really appreciate any reviews given, they really help build up my motivation and I really do want to write this for you all. I'm almost half way through this fic atm! Goal is 50k. Hopefully it'll be done by December!
-See ya next chapter!