Sunday at the Castle
Pidge trudged upstairs to meet Allie and everyone else, totally exhausted! After saying good night to Allie he had gone to his room, to sleep. However, the music from the party was reverberating through the walls until almost 2:00am. Just when he thought he was going to get some sleep, he heard Lance next door.
It wasn't just Lance either, but Lance and two women! Pidge knew everything there was to know about Lance, so it didn't surprise him. However, he soon discovered that he had never gotten around to putting sound proofing between their rooms. He spent the next couple of hours listening to Lance have various kinds of sex with the women, while he ran his mouth non-stop.
As Pidge had the pillow over his head his one thought was 'he can't even shut up when he's having sex!' It was also hard for Pidge because he wanted to be with Allie so much. His last thought before he finally fell asleep was how nice and quiet it would have been upstairs with her.
The next morning, Allie saw Pidge come into the hallway, and noticed right away how tired he looked. She went over to him and said "Didn't you get any sleep last night?" Pidge gave her a hug, and said "Hardly any! The music went on until 2:00am, and then our buddy had two guests in his room!" Allie looked at him with sympathy, and said "I thought you had sound proofed the wall between your rooms?" She also knew all about Lance, so it didn't shock her. Pidge shook his head and said "Somehow I overlooked it!"
Larmina and the cadets showed up then, so they all went off to Church. After the service, they decided to walk back; it was cold but the sun was out which helped. Daniel asked a lot of questions on the way back, about the service. When they got to the Castle, Allura invited them all up for lunch, being sure that Lance and company were still sleeping off the party.
Everyone met in the dining room after changing, and they had a nice meal. When they were finishing up Larmina said "I want to go ride that bull. Does anyone else?" Vince and Daniel wanted to, but Allura said "I think Pidge and I are going to watch a movie. But have fun!" This was news to Pidge, but it sounded good to him. Larmina had been pretty sure that her Aunt and Pidge wanted to be alone, so she left with the boys in tow.
Pidge followed Allie into the living room, which was peaceful and quiet. After she sat down on the couch, he cuddled up next to her. Lack of sleep, a long service, some fresh air, and now a full stomach were catching up to him. Allie asked him what he wanted to watch, but he didn't care. She put something on, but Pidge was already falling asleep.
Allie smiled as she realized, ten minutes into the movie, that Pidge was sound asleep against her. She had seen how tired he was, and knew that he needed a slow, quiet afternoon. She muted the movie, having seen it already, and adjusted their bodies to a more comfortable position. He didn't wake up, just moved with her.
She had made it a point to make sure the door from the dining room was shut tightly. It was an unwritten rule, in the family quarters, that if the door was shut, no one was to enter without permission.
It was wonderful to have him next to her, and she lightly ran her hand through his hair as he moved his head slightly against her chest. Her arms were around his shoulders, while his were wrapped around her waist. She remembered all those months ago, in the Dry Valleys, the night they spent together, and how good it had felt. Now, as Allie listened to his even breathing while she held him, she smiled very contentedly, closed her eyes, and dozed off too.
Pidge woke up several hours later, feeling much better. Not only did he feel rested, but it was wonderful to be with Allie, having her hold him close! He could smell her hair, as he raised his head and looked at her with half open eyes. She looked away from the tablet she was reading. "Good afternoon, sleepy head!" She said with a smile at him. He was still waking up, and said "How long have I been asleep for?" He moved his body, to stretch it some, and saw that Allie did the same.
"Over three hours, but you were tired." She told him, straightening up. She thought he looked so adorable, having just woken up. Pidge couldn't believe that he had spent three hours asleep with Allie; he looked at how soft and pretty she was, and wished he had not spent all that time sleeping. He said "I don't even remember what movie we were watching." She laughed and said "I don't think you made it to the opening scene. But it was one we had seen before. Are you feeling better?"
"Yes, I do actually. Thank you!" He looked at her gratefully, and then said "I hope it wasn't too boring for you." Allie smiled and said "It was nice for me too. I took a nap for a while, and then I've been reading a book I've wanted to get to." She paused, and then went on "I decided that today should be a 'no work' day for us! We just work so hard, and it has been nice to have a day to relax." He couldn't argue with her about that, and said "Maybe we should make this a habit?" Her response was an instant yes.
Pidge said "What should we do now?" He was still happy here on the sofa, and was all set to put his arms around her and kiss her. Allie stood up and stretched, which gave him a good look at her figure, in spite of the sweater and long skirt. She looked over at him, and saw how he was looking at her; so much of her just wanted to sit back down on the couch with him, but she knew it would not be a good idea. She said instead "I was thinking that we should go downstairs, see what is happening, and get some tea."
He was disappointed in her suggestion, but decided it was probably for the best. He was even more annoyed with Lance now, for having kept him up all night. Allie excused herself to go brush her hair, and then when she came back they headed downstairs.
Everyone was sitting around the rec room, with the exception of Larmina and the boys, who were still riding the bull. They were in the next room, but could still be heard as they yelled and laugh. As Allura and Pidge walked in, Lance had his head in his hands saying "Will someone shut them up! My head hurts!"
Pidge took pleasure in seeing how miserable Lance looked, and made it a point to say in a cheerful voice "Too much party, Lance?" Lance looked up and saw them, and said "So what have you two been up to?" He was surprised he could even manage that, considering how he was feeling. Allura smiled and said "We went to Church, had lunch, and watched a movie." She wasn't going to say anything about how they just took a nap, wanting to keep that between her and Pidge. Lance, who had just accepted a glass of Andre's hangover remedy looked at her and said "Really? That's all? You're as hopeless as he is!" Then he put his head back in his hands.
Daniel' sisters were there, and they said to her "Thank you so much for the trays this morning! We didn't get up to our room until after 2:00am." They were staying in one of the guest rooms on the third floor, and Allura had left instructions for them to call for food when they got up. Melissa was looking with interest at the Princess and Pidge.
This morning her sister had told her all about them, and what Lance had said regarding their relationship. Melissa looked at the Princess in her old fashioned clothes, and had to admit that the red sweater was becoming on her. Her skin was flawless, and she was pretty sure she had never seen the Princess wear any makeup. She and Melinda had discussed it, but she was still amazed by it.
They both thought the Princess was the most beautiful woman they had ever seen. For almost the last year Daniel had been telling them stories about her, but they had had a hard time believing anyone could be as wonderful as their brother thought she was. They were impressed when they met her, and found out everything he had told them was true. Not only was she beautiful, but she was smart, accomplished, a great pilot and warrior.
The twins were also impressed with the fact that she was the ruler of Arus, and wasn't much older than they were. The girls admitted to each other that couldn't imagine at their ages, running a whole kingdom! Melinda had marveled at how every man seemed to be totally in love with her. Daniel had told them the whole saga with Keith, Pidge, and Lotor, and when Melinda had told Melissa about Lance, well that really blew her away.
Melinda couldn't imagine anyone choosing Pidge over Keith, who in her opinion was so tall, dark, and handsome! Melissa though, looking at Pidge now could understand the Princess' choice. He was only half a head taller than her, but was good looking and well built. She thought that with his reddish brown hair and rather pointed features, he resembled a fox. When he didn't have his computer glasses on he had wonderful hazel eyes.
When she had first met Pidge, she thought he was a little boring, with his lecture about the Castle Defense System. However, after spending more time with him, Melissa discovered that he had a goofy sense of humor, and knew a lot about music. She could see why the Princess, with a Kingdom to run, would appreciate someone who wanted to keep it safe. The fact that Pidge was crazy over the Princess, and vice versa, had not escaped her attention either.
Having watched them last night, when they were together, she had been surprised to learn that they weren't sleeping together. She couldn't imagine being that crazy over a guy, and not doing anything about it. Melissa was sure that the Princess must have iron will power.
After Andre had given Lance a glass of his special hangover remedy, he started setting up food for everyone. Coran and Fredericks came down, to see what was happening. Coran smiled, as it had been Fredericks idea to come down and say hello. He was enjoying watching his old friend have a good time with Daniel's sisters. It was good for Fredericks to laugh, he thought as he looked on.
Coran was still amazed at how well everything was working out, and how Fredericks had done a wonderful job of helping it along. When he had first decided to explore the avenue, he didn't know whether it would work out or not. 'Thank goodness for the Dry Valleys' he thought to himself. Looking over at Keith, watching Pidge and Allura, Coran knew that he should be a little bothered about how he had gotten Keith to go along with promoting the romance, but he too pragmatic to do so.
After everyone had ate, and visited for a while, both Coran and Fredericks decided to call it a night. Allura said that she wanted to go upstairs, so Pidge offered to escort her. As they were walking out, they heard Lance ask someone "How many nights are there in six months?" Allie heard Pidge sigh when he heard that, and felt him get rather depressed.
When they arrived upstairs, Pidge headed to the living room, so she followed along. It would be nice to spend some time with him, before he left tomorrow. He had told her earlier that he had to go out to Lansdowne House, the seat of the Duchy. Pidge had been working on restoring the house, which had been unoccupied for a long time. He needed to be onsite for some work that was going to be done this week. She had not seen it yet, because he wanted it in a better state before she saw it.
After she shut the door, she went over to him and put her arms around him, saying "What's wrong Pidge?" Today had been so nice, she thought, and she didn't want to see it end with him upset. He looked her, noting the concern in her eyes. He said "It's just another of Lance's remarks, and they're beyond tiresome by now!"
Allie could relate to what he was saying; she said to him, "What was it about that remark that bothered you so much?" Pidge replied "Lance was kind enough to point out to me that even after we get engaged it will be almost six months before we can get married!"
She looked at him in shock, and burst out laughing, saying "Six months! I don't think so, try six weeks!" Pidge looked at her in disbelief and said "The wedding of the Crown Princess is going to be the social event of the galaxy! Fredericks is going to need at least that to pull off the whole thing!"
Allie smiled and said "Fredericks has been planning my wedding since I was seventeen! He also has my funeral planned, which I know because he let me see the plan when he was trying to talk me out of flying!" She stepped closer to him and said "On Arus, a marriage is a Sacrament, not an excuse to throw an extravagant party! Fredericks will understand that."
Pidge was still not believing what she was saying, knowing the old Court Marshall too well. He said as much, and added "Allie, at the end of the day it will be the Sacramental event of the galaxy, but it will still be the event of the galaxy." She shook her head, and said in a determined voice "Fredericks will give me what I want, because I am going to give him what he wants!"
He looked at her warily, not sure about the note he was hearing in her voice; he said "What do you mean?" Allie looked at him coolly, and said "Who is the one person that has, for years, made the Count's life miserable?" Pidge didn't have to think too hard on that one, and said "The Archbishop, of course. Who, by the way, has to perform the wedding!"
She continued on "One of my titles is 'Defender of the Faith', which means I get to stick my nose in religious matters of the Kingdom." She looked thoroughly pleased with herself. Pidge, still not making the connection said "What does that have to do with getting Fredericks what he wants?" He was tired, and his brain was not working properly.
Allie said "I have the authority to get the Archbishop to retire! And you know that his successor is the Count's nephew, correct?" Pidge was looking at her with amazement, and said "You can really do that?" She smiled a sly smile and said "Yes, of course I can!" He thought about that for a moment, thinking about how many bad moments the old gentleman had caused, and said "How come you have not done it before now?" She giggled, and said "I really didn't have a pressing need until now! Fredericks will be so glad to have his nemesis gone, that he'll give me what I want!"
As she said that she cuddled up close to him, letting him enjoy the way her body felt against his. He groaned in response, and put his arms around her. He said "Really, only six weeks?" She reached up to his ear, and breathed lightly on it for a minute, and then whispered into it "Only six weeks of being kept awake by Lance!" She nuzzled against the side of his face, and then said "Of course, after that you will probably be kept awake for other reasons!"
Pidge's body was being flooded with need, in response to what she was doing with her lips, her body, and what she was saying. He growled slightly as he said "Allie, you are supposed to make this easier, not harder!" When she heard him growl it created a sharp spasm of desire in her body, that almost caused her to throw caution to the wind; only the thought of what everyone would say if she did stopped her. She stepped back from his arms and smiled at him, saying "I just wanted to give you something to think about." Allie tossed her head as she did so, causing the light to reflect off her gold hair.
"When I get back on Friday, do you think you could sneak away for a picnic at Green's den?" Pidge said, and watched her eyes light up as she said "I think I can fit it in my schedule!" He laughed, and then said "Allie, you are incredible!" Pidge said, kissing her good night. It was hard to go back downstairs, but knowing that the end was in site made it doable.
