AN: My first ever Voltron fic! Now I originally wanted to have this story up for Kallura-Month but work and having returned to college threw a wrench into things, but here it is. I know there have been some holiday-themed Voltron fics already but hey, once an idea comes along it stays in your head until you write it out. So enjoy, and I hope everyone enjoys it!
Thanksgiving.
One of the ultimate in holidays for both kids and adults to endulge in as well as stuff themselves full of food. And while not all of planet Earth celebrates this kind of holiday, things had changed ever since Sendak's invasion. Now almost everyone was going for it in many ways.
Whether it was because the world had nearly ended or that visitors from other corners of the universe were just as curious about the holiday no one could really tell, but in the end most people figured it was all of the above, or at least to Team-Voltron and their friends/families anyways.
And right now while things were still plenty busy at the Galaxy Garrison that didn't mean the Paladins weren't taking some time to relax, and in the case of a certain Yellow Lion Paladin, relaxation meant cooking, and fortunately he had two certain ladies helping him out.
"Okay, that's good." Hunk said as Shay finished putting the last of the pineapple slices on the bottom of the cake pan. "Now we can put the cake batter in." He then reached for a nearby bowl with the batter and began to pour. Once that was finished Shay then took the pan and placed it into the oven which Hunk had opened up.
"How's it going over there Romelle?" Hunk asked after he closed the oven door.
"Well...I believe I have them all." Romelle replied as she looked at the cookie dough pieces she had laid out on the baking sheet. Needless to say, it was taking a great deal of restraint for her not to sample the dough again but Hunk was adamant for her not to do that, and that the real flavor will come once it's fully baked.
"Great. Now we can use the other oven and watch 'em cook."
"I have to admit, I did wonder why we had to have them cold for a varga before putting them in." Romelle wondered.
"It's to get more flavor." Hunk replied. "Granted, we could've put them in the oven right then and there, but given that we all have some free time right now, we can do this. Besides, I prefer it like that."
"I know you and the others have been busy these many...months I believe you call them?" Shay asked.
"Yeah, fortunately Keith isn't being too much of a hardass about it." Hunk remarked. "And I gotta admit - as much as I love flying around in Yellow and tinkering with any new machines - this is where I feel at home."
"Is that the only thing?" Romelle asked with a bit of a smirk.
"Well, that plus hanging with you two and...showing you guys how to cook some things." Hunk answered, beginning to stammer as a blush spread up his neck.
Romelle and Shay smiled back and they were about to say something when the door opened and in walked Krolia.
"Oh, hi Krolia!" Romelle called out.
"Hi everyone." Replied the Blade. "I was actually hoping to run into you." She said to the Yellow Paladin. "Have you seen Keith?"
"Yeah, I asked him to head over to Plaht City to get some supplies for the dinner tonight." Hunk answered. "Why? Is there anything urgent?"
"Oh no, not at all." Krolia said. "Just some progress reports, nothing serious. Now was it only a few supplies, or...?"
"Oh, it was quite a bit of stuff. But I don't think it's just him, because when Keith came in here he was asking about Allura, so I think once he's done talking to her he'll go get the stuff and come back.
"Oh," Krolia said as a small smile crossed her face. "Well then, in that case he can take all the time he needs."
Even though it's been several months now, it still felt weird being back at the Garrison.
But even despite that, it felt a lot easier getting into the groove. But then again being a Paladin of Voltron, then having a stint with the Blades, reuniting with his mom, and spending two years in a Quantum Abyss training and spending time with said mom and then returning back to the team as a Paladin again definitely did wonders for Keith. The fact that some high-ranking Garrison folks would now salute him in respect was very ironic given how he had been years back. But then again wearing his new Garrison outfit definitely helped.
I just hope my vlog got destroyed and that it didn't end up getting downloaded onto the device Commander Holt had. Keith thought as he walked down the corridors of the IGF-Atlas to his destination.
As he got to where the teleduv room was he then saw that the center part was empty, until he saw Allura huddled up against the wall with a bottle of water in hand, or at least what Keith hoped was only a bottle of water...
"Allura?" Keith asked as he cautiously approached the Altean Princess.
"Oh! Keith, hi." Allura replied as she glanced up at the Black Paladin before trying to compose herself and failing miserably.
"Are you all right?" Keith asked with genuine concern.
"No, of course I am. I'm just a bit exhausted, nothing more."
"Well I can imagine but still, you should rest up."
"The leader of Team-Voltron saying a teammate should rest?" Allura asked in a challenging tone.
Now Keith was really wondering if there was something stronger Allura was drinking.
"I know I've been having us train hard, but you gotta take time to relax too."
Funny you should say that of all people. Allura thought.
"As I said, I'll be fine. I just need to catch my breath."
"...Okay." Keith conceded as he began to make his way out, but then as he turned back to where Allura was and saw her get up and throw her water bottle across the floor in a very fierce way he then stopped himself from moving any further as he saw a crestfallen look on the Princess's face.
Now normally he would step away and give her as much space as possible but somehow...he just couldn't do it. While he had noticed Allura being somewhat distant from everybody during these many months, it wasn't until this month that she had really started to isolate herself from everybody, including Coran. While Keith was aware of Allura and Lance now dating - which he himself still felt uncomfortable with for some reason - he stayed out of it, respecting Allura too much to pry and not wanting to give Lance any reason to be insecure, although the Red Paladin wore his insecurities on his sleeves more often than not.
But that was neither here nor there, and if Allura was going to end up crying he would break and join her in crying as well.
And despite his experience as a Paladin, Blade and then Paladin again - this was something Keith couldn't figure out.
And before he could even think of anything else his own feet moved on their own as he walked towards the Altean Princess.
"Allura?"
The Pink Paladin didn't answer, but she turned to face him.
"I know this is probably gonna sound weird, but Hunk needs some more supplies for the kitchen - both for the Garrison HQ and the Atlas - and I could really use some extra help."
Man, that sounded a lot better in my head. Keith thought.
Allura looked down for a moment, not answering.
"But if you're doing something else that's okay, I was just...wondering."
Come on Keith, relax. Patience yields focus, remember?
Seeing that the Princess still wasn't answering Keith then took that as his cue to go but no sooner did he take a few steps away did Allura speak up.
"Keith!"
"Yes?"
"...Okay." Allura said, reluctant but yet feeling somewhat...relieved?
"Okay." Keith repeated.
"So which of the Garrison transports are we taking?" Allura asked.
"None, actually." Keith replied. "With what we have to do, we won't need it."
"Then what are we taking?" Allura asked.
"This." Keith answered as he gestured to his hoverbike off to the side. While the Black Paladin's cabin hadn't been touched during Sendak's invasion Keith didn't want to take any chances and once he was fully recovered from fighting the Komar RoBeast he headed back there and brought his hoverbike back to Garrison HQ.
"Keith, I'm not sure about this." Allura said.
"Allura, it'll be fine." Keith assured. "Besides, Hunk and I modified it to where it's better than before."
"But how are we going to able to transport the supplies?" Allura asked.
"With those." Keith said as he gestured to two large cargo pouches attached to the sides of the bike.
"Keith, I don't know..." Allura protested.
"Allura, even you need to step away from work for a little bit." Keith insisted. "Right now we're not going to be able to get anymore intel until the Altean wakes up from her coma, so for now all we can do is prepare as best we can and wait."
No sooner did Keith say that did Allura then sober up. After all, it was just a simple trip from Garrison HQ to Plaht-City, nothing like fighting a RoBeast or any other sort of galactic foe out there.
"Okay." Allura agreed. "So how do we ride this...hoverbike?"
"It's like riding the Lion-Speeders." Keith said. "Only in this case one person drives it while the other person hangs on."
"Okay."
The trip to Plaht City was a pretty uneventful one, although despite herself Allura couldn't help but catch notice of the sun in the horizon-something she hadn't been taking much notice of lately.
But then, even during the times she and Lance would "go out" as they would say on Earth-Allura could not bring herself to really take it all in, despite Lance's best efforts.
Eventually they arrived at the rebuilt city and once Keith found a place to park he and Allura disembarked from the hover bike and headed to their destination, which fortunately was at the outskirts of the city.
"Okay, this is weird." Keith noted. "Vrepit Sal's should be here."
"Did Hunk give you the right location?" Allura asked.
"Yeah, he did."
"Are you lookin' for Vrepit Sal's?" Asked a Unilu who was nearby.
"Yeah, we are." Keith answered.
"Well, he had to relocate to another spot in the city, so you two lovebirds will have to go quite a distance."
"Whoa!" Keith protested as he tried to fight the blush that was slowly forming on his neck. "We're not...a couple."
"Sure you two aren't." Said the Unilu sarcastically.
"We just want to know where Vrepit Sal's is!" Said Allura, trying not to get flustered. "A fellow Paladin of ours needed some supplies from them."
"Okay! Okay!" Relented the Unilu as he then relayed to the two Paladins the new location of the restaurant.
"Well, that was something." Remarked Keith a short while later.
"Quite so." Allura agreed as they walked through the busy streets.
But while they were both glad to be out of the Unilu's path - and his implicated questions - both the Princess and the former Blade/Paladin couldn't help but feel...uncomfortable and comfortable at the same time.
As they walked, they noticed that Plaht City had definitely undergone quite a change even with it being fully rebuilt. But then again with the influx of alien refugees coming to Earth-some of whom had a great deal of scientific/engineering expertise as well as being allies of the Voltron Coalition-that was to be expected. As such it was decided that the city would become both a haven for those escaping the Galra Empire's oppression as well as a hub for those looking to obtain supplies, whether those people were born on Earth or outside of it. As a result, all sorts of shops had popped up around the city. Even some spots had been setup as makeshift parks for kids to play, and not just human kids, but other sentient races as well.
As much as Keith and Allura tried to act casual and not attract attention to themselves - especially since they were wearing casual Earth clothes - just about everyone was taking notice of them and whispering in other's ears, and it seemed to become more obvious the further the two Paladins went.
Now while Allura had long since gotten used to people giving her attention of all kinds it still felt strange to her here on Earth. Whether it was because it was the homeworld of her friends she wasn't sure, but somehow...it just felt very alien to her.
Looking to her fellow Paladin she could tell Keith was also not used to this attention at all. But even with that he still managed to hold up pretty well.
Already sensing Allura's anxiousness Keith then whispered in her ear.
"Just give a small smile and wave a bit, but keep walking."
"You sure?"
"Not completely, but you don't want to come across as being cold. Besides, like Shiro says-"
"'Patience yields focus'." Allura agreed as she then stopped thinking about her own issues and slipped into her princess guise. No sooner did she smile and wave did some people blush, some turned their heads away and others looked like they were rooted to the ground.
Turning to Keith Allura noticed that when he waved at a small family a group of girls who were nearby began to giggle and squeal, which immediately Allura felt an urge to give those harpies a piece of her mind and she couldn't quite understand why.
A short while later the two then spotted Vrepit Sal's in the distance and were almost there when Keith quickly grabbed Allura and moved her out of the way when a kid on a skateboard came barreling through and said kid hit the backside of a nearby bench and fell backwards. Fortunately the kid was wearing a helmet and elbow guards.
"What the quiznack were you doing?" Allura called out to the kid as she and Keith came over.
"I'm sorry." Answered the boy as he tried to get up on his feet. "I didn't see you guys."
"Well, be more careful." Allura said to which the boy apologized again before locking eyes with the two people he ran into.
"Y...you guys...you're..." stammered the boy as he recognized who he was talking to, and specifically who he had nearly rammed into.
"Daniel!" Called out a voice.
Keith and Allura turned and saw another kid and a couple of adults coming up to them.
"Hey Vince." Daniel said sheepishly as he snapped out of his starstruck trance.
"Hey yourself." Replied the other kid. "Now are you done with your daredevil fix? 'Cause I don't think the clinic wants to see you back there again with yet another cast to put on."
"Oh, come on man." Daniel said. "I had it all under control."
"By nearly running into someone?" Asked the older man.
"Well..."
"It's okay." Keith offered. "In the end nobody got hurt."
"True." Agreed the older woman. "But still..." She then froze as she really got a good look at Keith and Allura.
"Oh my gosh." She stammered. "You...you're the Paladins of Voltron!" She yelled.
"Okay, okay, calm down." Keith said. "Yes, we are. I'm Keith and this is Princess Allura of Altea."
Immediately the two bowed as well as Daniel and Vince to which Allura blushed.
"Please, you don't have to do that." Allura said.
"Sorry, it's a custom some people do on Earth." Spike the older woman. "I'm Kimberly, and this is my husband Steven. And this is our son Vince and his best friend/wannabe pilot Daniel."
"Nice to meet you." Allura said. "Obviously you know who we are." She then gestured to herself and Keith.
"Only a lot." Steven said with a knowing tone.
"So what brings you two out? On a hot date or something?" Kimberly asked.
"No!" Keith and Allura said at once, both not really understanding why they were feeling flustered.
"We're here because a friend of ours ordered some supplies from Vrepit Sal's and asked us if we could get them for him." Keith explained. "We just didn't think he would move locations from where he set up shop."
"Oh, that's a coincidence, we're headed over there ourselves for our shift." Kimberly said as they all made their way to the restaurant.
"So you two work there?" Keith asked to which the couple nodded. "The owner hasn't tried to chain you guys up, has he?"
"No, fortunately he hasn't." Steven replied. "And I think that's a credit to Paladin Hunk."
The two Paladins smiled as they knew that that was typical of their friend.
"Plus we're just thankful to have a job after Sendak's invasion." Kimberly added.
"What did you two do before?" Allura asked.
"I was the co-manager of a restaurant and my wife was a quality-control director for a photo studio." Steve explained as he gestured to both himself and Kimberly. "But of course, when Sendak invaded, well..."
"We're sorry." Keith said.
"You and the rest of Team Voltron did what you could." Kimberly assured. "I just wish Daniel's parents were as lucky."
Immediately Keith and Allura turned with a surprise.
"They were in one of the cities when those Galra ships opened fire. We had been out of town at the time and Daniel was with us." Kimberly answered as she looked at Daniel and her son Vince walking and the former trying to be a charmer to some girls nearby. "He's always tried to keep going and keep a smile since, but at times during the night...Steven and I can hear him crying even recently. Of course, he never admits it."
"We were fortunate enough to be found by the resistance early on during the occupation, and hearing Takashi Shirogane's speech was definitely an inspiration and a rallying cry for all of us."
"Yeah, Shiro's good like that." Keith replied in admiration for his surrogate brother.
Throughout all this Allura stayed quiet. While she was always someone who took her time to listen, this was something a bit different. But then again it might have been because of a memory that was triggered by what Kimberly said.
"Hey, there you are!" Called out the owner of Vrepit Sal's. "I was wondering where you had gone off to. Oh! And two of our conquering Paladins as well!" To which Keith and Allura waved with smiles.
"Hunk told us about the supplies." Keith said.
"Oh yeah, I got 'em all set up for ya." Replied the owner. "The only thing though is that some other things I ordered for the restaurant also showed up and given that today is one of those popular holidays a lot of my usual crew called in for today so I am short several helpers."
"I take it it's those over there?" Steven asked as he gestured to the number of boxes all across the wall opposite them.
"Yep." Answered the owner.
Kimberly and Steve then looked at each other, shrugged and they along with Vince and Daniel headed off to get the nearby hand truck before getting to work. The two Paladins saw this but even they couldn't just sit back and do nothing so they went over to help the small family. In Keith's case he went to go help Steve, Vince and Daniel while Allura went with Kimberly to help check off the boxes.
"So, what do you think of Earth?" Kimberly asked.
"It's been...good so far." Allura replied.
Usually most who hear this would just leave it at that, but being a wife and mother does give one more insight into how people think, particularly when it comes to kids and teenagers, and Kimberly was no exception, plus while the latter knew that this was a Princess she was talking to, the way Allura was carrying herself at the moment conveyed someone who was anything but, which made Kimberly wonder just how young the Princess was.
"Are you sure?"
Allura wanted to try and shake the whole thing off but talking to this person wasn't helping her resolve at all.
"I'm sorry." Kimberly said. "I didn't mean to intrude."
"No, it's not that." Allura said. "It's just that things have not been...easy these many months."
"Well, I know Earth may be a bit different than what you're used to, but..."
"No, I mean..." Allura then found herself stammering as she tried to find the right words.
"Boy troubles?" Kimberly asked.
Allura didn't answer.
"I'm sorry, it's just that looking at you two you both seemed very comfortable with each other."
"Keith?" Allura asked. "No, he and I aren't courting."
"Oh."
Kimberly then wondered if she might have overstepped but stayed quiet as she signed off another box the guys had brought to them.
"It's just that I'm not used to this. Altean courtships are understandable to me, but Earth courtships are another matter entirely." Allura confessed. "And sometimes I just find myself more confused. Much more than when Lance would just try hopelessly to get my attention." Allura then tried to compose herself. "Sorry, I shouldn't be telling all this to a stranger."
"It's okay." Kimberly assured. "Sometimes we all need to vent."
"Vent?"
"Bringing things out in the open, as opposed to just keeping it all inside."
"Oh."
"But let me ask you just one thing though: Are you happy with the guy you're dating right now?"
Allura didn't answer at first but then she spoke after a few minutes.
"He was there for me at a time when I needed it the most. After an ally - or rather, someone I thought was an ally - ended up lying to and betraying us..."
"But are you happy?"
Allura couldn't say anything at first but then replied with an answer that gave all the confirmation Kimberly needed.
"I care for him."
Sighing in resignation Kimberly then decided to drop it. "Okay."
"Okay, that should do it." Steven said as he and Keith with some help from Daniel and Vince finished moving the rest of the supplies for the restaurant.
"Hey Keith, you got a minute?" Daniel asked.
"Yeah, sure. What's up?"
"Noting much. I just finished making this 3D model of a hoverbike and I was just wondering if you could take a quick look at it."
"Okay." Keith said as he walked over.
As the Paladin and Daniel were going over the latter's design with some input from Vince Steven watched the three with a warm smile on his face. While he knew Daniel wouldn't admit it outright, Steven knew for a while that the younger boy idolized the leader of the Voltron Paladins a great deal since he and other Paladins saved Earth from Sendak. So much so that at one point Daniel had tried to grow his hair out but couldn't due to Kimberly's insistence that he keep it short. Nevertheless the couple never dissuaded the younger boy from looking up to the Black Paladin. The fact that the latter learned from Takashi Shirogane was only a big plus.
Later...
"I really can't thank you enough for this." Said the Vrepit Sal's owner.
"Just glad we could help." Keith said as he shook the owner's hand.
"Well, come on! Let's get the stuff you and the princess need." Said the owner as he and the others went to retrieve Hunk's order, Daniel and Vince having already gone to meet the other kids at the makeshift cafeteria for dinner.
"He thinks the world of you, you know that?" Steven remarked to Keith as the duo carried a parcel.
"Who?" Keith asked.
"Daniel."
"Oh yeah." Keith realized. "He's a good kid."
"He really is." Steven agreed. "If I could count the number of times Kim and I had to keep him from acting like a daredevil..."
Keith gave a chuckle as he remembered all too well his own antics some years back.
"He won't say it, but I think he hopes to one day fly the Black Lion."
"Well, anything's possible." Keith said.
In time the supplies were loaded up and Keith and Allura were able to hop on board the former's hover bike and bid everyone goodbye before heading off.
As they took off Allura couldn't help but take notice of the sunset. Just the mixture of color was enough to enrapture her and make her forget about her own issues for a moment. That plus as she pressed against Keith's back she also couldn't help but feel...not just safer, but...home?
"Did everything go all right?" Hunk asked as he, Romelle, Shay and Krolia helped out with unloading the supplies from the Hoverbike.
"Yeah." Keith replied. "The owner was the same as back in the space mall-annoying, but fair."
"As usual," remarked the Yellow Paladin.
"So how long will the whole feast take?" Allura asked.
"Well, it's a big one. Bigger than even what my family does, but I can manage." Hunk said. "Besides, I've got the whole Garrison cooking staff on hand, so give me two hours, and I'll have a Thanksgiving feast to end all Thanksgiving feasts."
"All right, you're the expert." Keith said.
In no time at all the supplies were unloaded and Hunk and the others went on their way, with Allura heading off to her own quarters, leaving Keith and his mom to themselves.
"She looks a little...off." Krolia remarked.
"Yeah, she's got a lot on her mind." Keith said. "Though I don't know what."
"Then I think it might be up to somebody to help with that." Krolia suggested.
"Whoa, hold on." Keith said as he took a step back. "Me?"
"Well, there's only one person here besides me."
"Mom, I don't think so."
"Why not?" Krolia asked.
"Because whatever it is Allura's dealing with, it's not really my business." Keith said.
"Really? Because I think it more than is." Krolia pointed out.
"Mom, I don't think it's anything professional. More like...personal."
"Then all the more reason to go talk to her."
"It's just that...the last time she and I had a chance to talk, I said some things about her father I shouldn't have said. Granted, we were all drifting out into outer space with no Lions and we were barely able to sleep during that time, but still..." Keith sighed before continuing. "Plus, if it's personal then I think Lance should be the one to talk to her, not me."
"Well, with all due respect to Lance, he's not here." Krolia said. "And come to think of it, why is he not here? If he and Allura are courting then why the quiznak is he not doing what a boyfriend should be doing?"
"...I don't know." Keith said, already feeling exasperated, and not really sure whether he was exasperated with Lance or the whole situation.
"Keith," Krolia began, "I know I've been busy with Blade/Coalition work as have you, but the few times I've been able to 'hang' with you and the other Paladins I've noticed that Allura has been pretty distant from everybody, and I'm willing to bet you've noticed too, unless there's something else I'm missing."
"No, you're not missing anything." Keith agreed as he began to recall the Altean Princess's attitude since they all became situated here on Earth after Sendak was defeated.
"Then, like I said - this is all the more reason to go talk to her." Krolia insisted in a firm maternal tone. "That way you two can clear the air given how you left things last time. Plus, if she's been feeling out of place since you all got here then I don't think things between her and Lance are as good as they're letting on. Which means that right now, she needs a friend. Not a leader, not a fellow Paladin, but a friend."
Keith looked at his mom before glancing in the direction Allura went before he felt a gentle yet firm hand on his shoulder and saw his mom giving him a look of silent encouragement before smiling and walking off, leaving the Black Paladin alone with his thoughts.
But no sooner did Krolia leave did Keith glance one more time at where the Altean Princess went that he made a decision.
Solitude.
Something that most people need every now and again, especially to be able to "recharge the batteries". Sometimes that it isn't always the case, but when one is able to, it is quite the relief.
But in the case of one Altean princess, that relief in solitude never comes. Instead it only causes the emptiness to become more pronounced.
As Allura stared out into the desert and into the sunset she felt that ever present feeling creeping up on her, and for the first time in a while she was now wondering what was she even doing at all.
"Allura?"
The Princess then turned and saw Keith standing at a distance with a concerned look on his face.
"Shouldn't you be at a meeting?" Allura asked.
"Well, nothing's going on plus Hunk barred me from going into into the kitchen." Keith replied half-jokingly. "But how about you though? I thought you said you were going to your quarters."
"I am." Allura said.
"Okay." Keith said as he walked over to the balcony next to the Princess, but keeping his distance.
Although they were both looking out into the sky, it didn't take a prodigy to see that the tension between the two was getting thick.
Realizing that waiting for Allura wasn't going to speak up Keith decided to, though part of him hoped he wasn't putting his foot in his mouth.
"Allura, I know I asked you this earlier, but are you sure you're okay?"
"I told you before, I'm fine." Allura answered a bit tersely. "Besides, what concern is it of yours?"
"Well, you're my friend Allura, that's why." Keith said.
"Are you?" Allura asked sarcastically.
At that moment Keith wasn't sure what was bringing this on but he kept his focus. "Yes."
"Well, you have a funny way of showing it given how easily you left us once Shiro came back, or who we thought was Shiro." Allura retorted.
Keith inwardly flinched as he realized that Allura hadn't really let that little detail go, let alone the entire dispute.
"Allura, I didn't know. Heck, there was no way any of us could've known the Shiro we found was a clone, or that Haggar was using him as her mole." Keith said, trying to stay calm and keep his own guilt at bay, but it wasn't working.
"Perhaps if you had stayed around long enough you would have noticed!" Allura said, unable to keep her own frustrations held back any more. "But no, it was all about you and your lone wolf solitude!"
"The team was complete!" Keith shouted back. "I didn't think you guys needed me!"
"We did need you!" Allura yelled. "I needed you!"
If there was a lava pit underneath Keith he would've fallen in without even realizing it. "What did you say?"
"I..." Allura said before steeling herself. "No. It doesn't matter now."
"What doesn't matter?" Keith asked, trying to get past the shock of what he just heard and trying to get to what had Allura so worked up.
"Nothing." Allura said insistently, "You, Lotor...the Altean colonists...nothing."
"Allura, what's going on?" Keith asked in a calmer tone.
"What's going on? Everything and nothing! That's what is going on!" Allura shouted. "Perhaps it would've been better off if I had died along with my father and my people. At least things wouldn't..."
"Allura, don't talk like that." Keith said.
"Talk like what? How it feels like no matter what you do, how much you give of yourself, it is never enough?" Allura asked disparagingly. "How even people may revere you, that does not mean they respect you as a person? How it feels to be..."
"Completely alone?" Keith asked.
Allura didn't say anything, but she lowered her head as she did her best to hide her tears.
"Here." Keith said as he pulled out a pack of tissues and gave them to Allura.
"Thank you." Allura said as she blew her nose, letting out a honking sound, causing the both of them to laugh.
"Better?" Keith asked.
Allura didn't say anything but she nodded with a small smile, a smile that the Black Paladin hadn't seen in a while.
And for some reason, Keith couldn't help but notice how that smile made Allura look more...beautiful?
After throwing away the tissue Allura and Keith looked out into the sky some more.
"It was a few months ago." Allura said after a while.
Keith turned as he listened.
"Lance and I had just exited a 'movie theater' when we were stopped by some families that wanted us to give them 'autographs' I believe they are called." Allura continued. "And while it was a bit overwhelming it was okay. But then someone stepped out from the small crowd and asked us what we were doing there. Specifically what I was doing there..."
"We were just greeting some families, that's all." Allura answered to a woman who looked like she was in her mid/late-30s.
"As if you could even come down to our level." Retorted the woman with a stern look.
"Excuse me, is there some kind of problem?" Lance asked as he stepped in front of Allura.
"Yeah." Replied the woman. "I'd like to know what this Princess is doing over here. Doesn't she have better things to do than mingle with us mere mortals?"
"Okay, first off, I was the one who brought her here to see a movie, so if anything I'm the one you have a problem with, not her." Lance said.
"Well, I doubt that she would find '10 Things I hate About You' as something entertaining." Sneered the woman.
"Look, if it bothers you that much we're leaving now." Allura said, already feeling uncomfortable.
"Please do."
"Okay, you know what-what's your problem, lady?" Lance asked the woman. "Because in case you forgot, Princess Allura is also a Paladin of Voltron. She helped us fight Sendak's invasion and save this planet and your ungrateful life!"
"That doesn't obligate me to like her, Mr. Lance McClain." Retorted the woman as she recognized the Red Paladin. "What could she possibly know about what we had to go through at the hands of those Galra?"
"More than you realize." Allura said, her tone becoming steeled. "The Galra Empire have oppressed many worlds across the universe, and in ways much worse than what Sendak did to Earth. His Emperor Zarkon had killed my father, slaughtered my people and then my entire planet. So believe me, I know."
The woman seemed to calm down but her eyes then narrowed more. "So while your old man and his soldiers went to go fight, you stayed behind like a spoiled little girl?"
"Hardly." Allura said as she stepped forward. "I wanted to fight, but my father put me to sleep and sent me and his retainer away from our planet before it was destroyed. I didn't find out about what really happened until 10,000 years later."
The woman then started to take a few steps back as she slowly started to realize that she may be provoking a lioness. However, she wasn't about to give up completely.
"All right, so you know a little bit about the ugly side of life, but let me ask you - have you ever tasted desperation? And I'm talking about the kind you get when you lose not just your way of life, or the town you live in, but two people closest to you? One being the love of your life, the other being someone who just came into the world and had so much to live for, only to have both lives snuffed out by the Galra? And then for what feels like a lifetime you find yourself being hunted down like an animal on your own planet by outsiders who think Earth belongs to them now? To where you find yourself barely hanging on until a resistance group ends up being your saviors, not the 'Paladins' of Voltron despite Commander Holt's little speech? Tell me, do you know anything like that?"
"...No." Allura said, backing away as it all clicked for her why the woman was upset.
"Exactly." Said the woman as she savagely slapped Allura across her face.
"Hey!" Lance yelled, having had enough of this person belittling Allura.
"Lauren!" Called out a voice.
The three turned and saw a man walking through the crowd and made his way over to them.
"What the hell is this?" Demanded the man.
"Just putting someone in their place." Lauren replied.
"The hell you are." Retorted the man. "Come on."
"Why should I?"
"Are you even hearing yourself right now?" Asked the man with a surprised look on his face.
"Tim, they're the reason Anthony and Jason aren't here!" Lauren yelled as she pointed an accusing finger at the two Paladins.
"So they were the ones who pulled the trigger on Anthony?" Asked Tim. "Were they the ones who blasted a building, making it collapse on the daycare Jason was in? Sendak and his forces were the ones responsible, not them."
"And where were our 'Defenders of the Universe' while it was happening?" Yelled Lauren.
Tim just shook his head as he saw the brewing storm of anger and especially grief in Lauren's eyes.
"Sis," spoke Tim. "You lost a husband and a son, but I lost a brother-in-law and a nephew. You're not the only one who's hurting. But blaming the Voltron Paladins isn't going to help."
"Well, it makes me feel better." Lauren said bitterly.
"Will it bring them back?" Tim asked, already at his wit's end with his sister.
Lauren said nothing but she kept her stern look.
"Look guys." Tim said as he approached Lance and Allura cautiously. "I'm really sorry about my sister."
"It's...okay." Allura said.
"Not it's not." Lance said.
"Lance..." Allura began.
"Well, the least she could do is apologize." Lance pointed out.
"Ha! Not happening." Lauren said.
"Excuse me?" Lance demanded.
"Lauren," said Tim.
"All right." Lauren said grudgingly. "But before I go, let me give one little pearl while you're here Princess. You can go ahead and dress like us, go to movie theaters and restaurants like the rest of us, but that doesn't mean you'll be one of us no matter what this idiot here tells you." She gestured to Lance as she finished. "You don't belong, and you never will."
"Lauren, that's enough!" Tim yelled.
"Lady, you don't know a damn thing about Allura or me!" Lance said, clenching and unclenching his fists.
"I used to be a journalist in my past life, McClain." Lauren retorted. "I've done my homework. And aside from Shirogane I'm not impressed. Plus I knew plenty of guys like you back in high school: You talk big, but you don't have any real confidence to back up that bravado. It's all smoke and mirrors."
Lance's face went tight as he then made to take a step but then he felt a hand grab his arm.
"Don't Lance." Allura said.
"Let go of my arm Allura." Lance warned.
"I said don't." Allura said sternly.
Lance then looked at Lauren for a few seconds before he turned and walked away with Allura following along until they made their way to a van Lance was borrowing from the Garrison.
"She had no right saying that quiznacking garbage." Lance remarked coldly as they both got in. "None."
Allura said nothing as they headed back to Garrison HQ. However, her blue eyes were glassing over as she looked out the window...
"...I'm sorry." Keith said. "I had no idea."
"You have nothing to be sorry for." Allura said. "I was the one who didn't say anything about it." She finished as she lowered her face.
"More stuff happened after that night though, didn't it?"
Allura didn't say anything at first but then she sighed before speaking again.
"A few weeks later I was eating dinner at Lance's house. Everyone was great and welcoming, but...it just felt strange. Even later when Lance and I went for a walk I said when we were out there in the Castle-ship it didn't feel like we were alone since we were all together. But since arriving here on Earth and seeing everyone with their families...it just made me wonder about my own future. Lance told me that I wasn't alone and that he would make sure I wouldn't be if he had anything to say about it. He even said that Earth can be my home or anywhere else I wanted to be. I know he wasn't lying about any of that but when he said that Earth could be my home...it just brought the memory of that night back and I just told Lance that I wanted to go back to the Garrison. He asked me what was wrong and if it was something he had said. I told him no and to just take me back to the Garrison which he did. I know he wasn't trying to upset me, but..."
Keith stayed quiet as he let Allura vent, not really knowing what to say. Aside from his own shock at Allura's admittance that she needed him, here he was trying to wrestle his own feelings with the entire thing. Not only did his mother's suspicions turn out to be right on, but Allura had been feeling like the odd one out the moment they arrived on Earth.
But then again, from Sanda's remark to the Princess about leaving "the matters of Earth to the people who live here" to another person's misplaced anger at Allura and regarding her as a foreigner in the worst way, to Lance's own "love declaration" which only made Allura feel more isolated instead of comforted...it was very clear now why Allura had been feeling the way she has.
Not knowing why he was doing it Keith walked over to Allura and gave her a hug, to which Allura surprisingly enough reciprocated.
For how long they stood there neither one knew, only that for Allura this was something she desperately needed. While a small part of her was wondering why wasn't she ever this at ease with Lance, she also didn't feel uncomfortable. And what was stranger still was that she didn't find herself caring all that much.
Plus, as she felt her own tears stain Keith's undershirt she couldn't help but pick up the scent of leather and fresh earth from her friend. A scent that felt not just comfortable, but...enticing?
For Keith part of him was asking himself why was he doing this - hugging Allura just outside the Garrison building. If anyone saw them - particularly Lance - things would get awkward if not ugly real fast. However, despite that he couldn't help but feel...alive? Like it was perfectly natural for him - the most socially inept guy in Team Voltron - to be hugging not just a woman, but Princess Allura? Something had to be wrong with this picture!
Yet as he looked at Allura, as he held her...something in Keith broke. As if the years of building an emotional wall around his heart were beginning to really crack, and for once Keith was not feeling inclined to patch up that wall.
Either that or the scent of vanilla and lavender from Allura's hair - or the Altean equivalent - was messing with him.
Listening to rationality Keith let Allura go. And as he looked at the Princess's eyes he couldn't help but be transfixed by them. While he has talked to Allura eye-to-eye before, this felt like he was truly looking at Allura for the first time.
Torn between wanting to just look at her eyes and also wanting to help a friend in need Keith then tried to get himself back into focus, although looking at Allura was making that more difficult now.
"Have you told Lance about any of this?" Keith asked.
"No." Allura replied. "To be honest I don't know how he'll react."
Keith sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. "Allura, I'm not going to tell you what you should do, but...Lance needs to know."
"I know." Allura agreed. "I just...need the proper time when to talk to him."
"Just don't wait too long." Keith said with a small smile. "After all, the Atlas could be finished by tomorrow or the Altean could wake up."
"True." Allura said. "Or a Weblum could appear near Earth."
At that moment both Paladins couldn't help but share a laugh. During this Keith then remembered something.
"Allura,"
"Yes?"
"When I saw you out here I wasn't just walking by." Keith then took a deep breath. "It was also because I wanted to talk to you about some things, namely what happened back up in space."
Allura was at first confused but she nodded. "Okay."
"When we were drifting out there, no lions, nothing - I said things I shouldn't have said. Namely in regards to your father."
"Oh," Allura said in realization.
"Your father didn't give up. I know I apologized up there but I didn't apologize to you. And I should have, on top of leaving you guys and not really questioning how Shiro ended up on that Galra transport after he disappeared."
"Keith, my father wasn't perfect." Allura pointed out. "He made a decision that he thought was the right one but it turned out not to be. And as for the whole Shiro clone ordeal-no one can catch on to every single detail. Yes, it is easy to know that in hindsight, but not at that moment."
"All the same." Keith said. "I'm sorry Allura."
The Altean Princess smiled and then hugged Keith again.
"I forgive you Keith."
At that moment tears began to form in the Black Paladin's eyes as he reciprocated the hug. In a lot of ways it felt like a huge weight was finally lifted off his shoulders.
As the two Paladins released each other their wrist communicators sounded off. Revealing a message from Hunk letting them know that the Thanksgiving feast was ready.
"So...hungry?" Keith asked.
"Yes." Allura answered. "I admit, I wasn't before, but now..."
"All right, then let's go. Otherwise Hunk might just eat it all." Keith finished to which both Paladins laughed.
Hunk was as true to his word when he said that he was planning on making a Thanksgiving feast to remember he was not joking. With some help from Garrison personnel Hunk was able to transform the cafeteria as well as one section of where people would eat into a total setup worthy of a high class hotel. Plus having Shay and Romelle help out was also one heck of a bonus.
And as Keith and Allura entered the look on both of their faces said it all.
"Hey, there you two are." Shiro said as he walked up to them. "We were wondering what happened to you guys."
"We were actually just catching up." Allura said with a warm smile. "Although I will admit Keith had to drag me here." She finished with a small smile.
"Good. Well, you're just in time. Hunk just unveiled the entire cuisine and everyone's about a hair's breadth away from taking everything."
"Okay, then let's go." Keith said as he and Allura joined the former Black Paladin at the main table, where the other Paladins were waiting for them, as well as Krolia, Kolivan, Colleen, Sam, Pidge, Matt, Iverson, Griffin, Rizavi, Kinkade, Leifsdottir, Veronica and Lance's and Hunk's families. Other Coalition leaders were there as well, but others were waiting outside some open doors, where Shay and Romelle had taken the liberty of having more tables and chairs set up.
"All right everyone, listen up!" Hunk called out to the assembled crowd. "We are about to begin soon, but before we do, I believe Shiro has something to say. Shiro?"
"Thank you Hunk." Shiro said as he stepped forward with a microphone in hand.
"So...can everyone hear me?" Shiro asked.
Everyone nodded.
"Great. Now before we begin I just wanted to say something given what today is. Now I know many here don't celebrate Thanksgiving and that's fine, but you don't have to celebrate a holiday to be thankful. Especially with what we all have had to go through at the hands of the Galra Empire months back. Now I do wish me and the rest of Team Voltron could have gotten here sooner before Sendak invaded but I am glad we were able to get here to Earth before he completely succeeded. I know that for some out there that probably isn't enough and you would be right about that, and I know that even with the progress we've made since - even with extra help - it still doesn't feel like it's enough. However, I do want to say this: You're right - it might never be enough and things aren't going be the same as they were. But they can be better. All it takes is taking it one step at a time which I know is hard. And it may mean having to cry a thousand more tears before you can even remotely stand up - but in the end what matters is that you try. Regardless whether you believe that you being here was for a reason or not - try to be thankful for the fact that you are here. Because as we know - there are many who aren't with us and should be. For myself I too lost someone very important to me during Sendak's invasion." Shiro tried to choke back his own tears as he continued to speak. "But yet...despite all that, on top of everything I went through at the Empire's hands - I was able to find hope again when Keith and a few other cadets here broke me out, to say nothing of what we would find later on with Blue Lion and then the Castle Ship with Princess Allura and Coran, and all the adventures that would follow. And through those adventures, I was able to find purpose, and help prepare this team as best I could. And one in particular who is more of a leader than he would ever dare give himself credit for." Shiro then gestured to Keith who couldn't help but feel bashful.
"So for myself I would like to say that I am thankful to not only be alive but to be here with my friends who aren't just colleagues or fellow pilots/Paladins, but family. I'm thankful to to them for not giving up on me and that I am able to be here and celebrate being together with them." Shiro finished as he handed the microphone to his Paladin successor.
"Thanks Shiro." Keith said sincerely. "Now I know I'm not that articulate, but you are right. Even with what we all have gone through - however big or small - there is at least one reason to be thankful. And for myself I was always the one who never really let myself open up, though I know there were many times that you would try, and I'm glad that you never gave up on me. Not even once. And while I still have a ways to go, I'm glad that I met you and my fellow Paladins here." He then gestured to the rest of Team Voltron. "Even everybody else we met along the way, to say nothing of Pidge finally reuniting with her brother Matt, her father Commander Holt and me finally meeting my mom again." He then rubbed a tear from his eye before continuing. "And while I don't have the slightest idea of what's coming down the road, I'm glad that I don't have to face it alone."
People then applauded at Keith's words before the Black Paladin handed the mic over to Lance.
"Thanks Keith." Lance said. "Like you and Shiro, I got a lot to be thankful for. Not the least of which being able to be with my folks again." He looked at his family before glancing at Allura with a feeling of melancholy. "Has everything been perfect? No. But it's a lot better than what could have been. And...I hope it only gets better." He then handed the mic to Hunk.
"Like Lance, I'm the same way." Hunk added. "And beyond being able to cook Uncle's pork lau lau I'm just glad to be able to be with my folks and tinker in the garage and in the kitchen. Now granted, part of me does wish the war was already over but until it is, I'm glad that I'm here and that I'll be there with my teammates and friends to the end of this."
"For me..." Began Pidge once she took the mic. "When I first went into the Galaxy Garrison it was just to try and uncover the truth of what happened to my brother and my dad. Nothing else mattered. But then I met Hunk and Lance, and then later on we met up with Keith and Shiro, and things just went more than out this world. And I didn't just find my brother and save my dad, but I found out things about myself that I didn't know before. And I can honestly say that you guys aren't just my colleagues or friends, you're my family too."
This continued with Coran taking up the mic and waxing on his own thankfulness Altean style before giving it to Allura.
"Although we do not have a holiday like this..." Allura began. "I am glad that at least myself and Coran were able to partake in it. And I have to admit, Shiro is right about having a reason to thankful despite everything. And at least if I had to be here on Earth, then better to be with my fellow Paladins than no one at all."
"Here, here." Remarked the rest of Team Voltron.
This continued with some voicing their own thanks while others politely declined to speak.
"All right everyone," Hunk began as he rubbed his hands together before raising them like a showman. "Now it's time for the feast to begin!"
The Yellow Paladin then laid out how the line would go and where everything was. Once he was finished everyone followed what he said.
Once Team Voltron got their plates they all sat down together and began feasting themselves. During all this Keith chatted with Shiro and his mom but every so often he would see Lance try to talk to Allura but with no success. The Black Paladin was tempted to say something but he knew this was something Allura and Lance had to work out on their own. Plus, what could he say?
After a while Allura finished and she then whispered something in Lance's ear. Instead of smiling, a solemn look crossed the Red Paladin's face before he sighed and got up, throwing away his own plate before joining Allura in leaving.
"Where are those two going?" Pidge asked, looking a little perturbed.
"Maybe just to talk." Hunk suggested.
"They didn't seem too thrilled about it." Romelle noted.
No. Keith agreed as he reached for another drink of soda.
The rest of the feast went by as usual, with everyone chatting in some way, shape or form. Then some time later Keith remembered he left something of his father to give to his mom in his hoverbike so he walked out onto the hangar where said hoverbike was, only to find Allura standing off into the distance where two vans were driving away from the Garrison.
Torn between wanting to leave Alllura to her own devices yet remembering his mother's words Keith then slowly walked over to where the Altean princess was.
"I feel as if though this is a constant habit with you." Allura remarked.
"Well, I could lie and say I only needed some air, but..." Keith began as he walked closer with Allura turning to face him.
"I spoke to him." Allura said.
"How'd it go?" Keith asked.
Allura sighed before turning away from Keith and faced out into the night sky.
"Lance then began to wonder if it was because of you." Allura explained. "And he kept on with that for quite a bit until I explained things. Although it took some effort to get him to listen."
"Even after I explained everything Lance once again said the same thing he told me before, and I was just getting frustrated with him because he wasn't understanding where I was coming from, and he then asked me as to what did I want and I told I didn't know. He didn't take that well, and he turned away for a moment and then he looked back at me, and...I saw tears coming down his face. I wanted to say something but I just didn't know what. He then asked me if I loved him or not, and I just...I just couldn't answer." Allura then tried to compose herself before continuing. "It's not that I don't care about him Keith, I do. It's just..."
"You don't love him in that way." Keith surmised.
"Why do I keep doing this?" Allura asked. "Why is it that when I try to open my heart it turns out wrong? With Lotor he turned out to be a manipulative bastard, but now it feels like I am the one toying with someone's feelings. What kind of person am I?"
"Allura, none of us are perfect. I know I'm not." Keith said.
"Yes, but...I'm supposed to be better." Allura insisted.
"Allura, look at me." Keith said.
The Princess turned to Keith, failing at holding back her tears.
"Don't put yourself on a pedestal and be somebody you're not just because you're expected to." Keith said. "I did plenty of that when I was first picked by Back Lion. Remember when I had placed a tracker on Lotor's ship and I later said, 'This is how I lead.'?"
Allura gave a small smile.
"Yeah, not exactly me at my best." Keith admitted. "To be honest I was trying to mimic some of Shiro into myself and we all know how that worked out."
"But then you figured it out." Allura pointed out.
"Almost." Keith said. "And then we found Shiro - or I guess we could say 'not Shiro' and well..." Keith said as he then felt all he did was throw out a jumble of words that sounded better in his mind.
"What I'm trying to say Allura, is that none of us hold you to that idolized version of you. Maybe we did at first, but we don't now. I know I don't."
"Lance seems to think otherwise."
"Well...when he has his head on straight even he doesn't hold you to that." Keith said with a resigned sigh.
Allura gave a small chuckle.
"Keith, if you don't mind me asking, do you and Lance really have a rivalry?"
"Even I've been asking myself that." Keith admitted.
"You mean you really don't know?" Allura asked, perplexed.
"I know it kind of seemed that way, but the truth is I never really gave him or anybody much thought back during the Garrison days." Keith explained. "But then again I was off in my own little world. I know he would act pretty cocky a lot of the times, even when he made it to cargo pilot. I still didn't know why he seemed to think I was his rival so I brushed it off." Keith then gave a self deprecated sigh. "Funny, looking back on it now I didn't encourage it, but I didn't exactly discourage it either."
Allura then looked at Keith with a growing interest. While she had taken some notice of the changes he went through from being in that Quantum Abyss as well as whatever happened between him and Not-Shiro when the latter took off with Lotor, this was the first time she was really seeing Keith in a new light.
Not really sure what to make of this new feeling that was coming with this revelation Allura then tried to refocus herself.
"At least you two have come a long way, you especially." Allura said.
Wait, why did I sound like that? Allura thought.
"Well, meeting my mom and getting a better understanding of why she left when I was a baby helped." Keith said with a small smile.
"So why did she leave?" Allura asked.
"It's a long story." Keith replied.
"I have time." Allura offered.
"You sure?" Keith wondered. "I mean, Coran doesn't...need you for anything...?" Why did I just stammer all of a sudden?
Allura giggled. "No, and knowing Coran he'll be fine...eventually."
This led to a well-needed laugh between the two Paladins before Keith then gestured them to a picnic table with chairs off to the side of the hangar. Once they sat down Keith began his tale.
A long while later...
"Wow." Allura remarked.
"Yeah." Keith agreed.
Allura exhaled as she finally took Keith's story in. It definitely explained a lot of things and why Keith was as much of a brooder as he was growing up. Between his mother leaving him as an infant to then losing his father years later - yes, most would put a wall up around themselves, but not because they were cold-hearted. Rather it was to protect an open, soft heart that could break all too easily. The fact that Shiro was able to break those walls down when the latter first met Keith was truly a testament to the former Black Paladin's own kind heart. It almost made the Princess wonder if perhaps Shiro had also been a lot like Keith at that age, hence the former's patience.
Speaking of which...
"Keith, I don't mean to bring this up, but what exactly happened between you and the Shiro clone when you caught up to him and Lotor?"
Keith sighed.
"That's...a story for another time."
"Sorry, I didn't mean to intrude-"
"No, not at all." Keith assured. "It's just that it is getting late."
"Oh. Right, of course."
Then Keith and Allura's wrist communicators went off again.
"Hmm. Hunk and Shiro need us back at the cafeteria." Keith said as he read the message.
"I thought Hunk said he had all kitchen responsibilities taken care of." Allura noted.
"Well, hopefully no food fights happened." Keith remarked.
"One never knows." Allura said as she remembered one specific team-building exercise some time back...
"Hey guys!" Hunk said as the two Paladins entered.
"Hey Hunk." Keith said. "So did something happen?"
"No, I had it all under control." Hunk replied proudly. "But the reason for the message is because..." he then gestured to Shiro, Pidge, Krolia, Kosmo, Romelle, Sam, Colleen, Iverson, and Matt Holt all seated around a large table, with Coran standing with some familiar-looking tablets. Or at least to Allura.
"Finally!" Said Coran. "Now we can begin!"
"Begin what?" Keith asked, still very much confused.
"It's 'Monsters and Mana'." Allura said.
"Oh yeah, that's right." Keith said as he remembered Shiro telling him about it during their "road-trip" to Earth.
"So please, have a seat." Coran said. "I was just about to hand these out to everyone."
"And Coran convinced you all to play too?" Allura asked.
"Well, he didn't seem to want to shut up about it, so we figured what the heck?" Iverson answered.
"Plus, it doesn't sound too different from some of our tabletop games here on Earth." Sam said. "Plus, not to brag but I was quite the D&D player back in the day."
"Only when I was playing with you, and not when I was the DM." Colleen pointed out.
"Oh, yes that is true." Sam admitted bashfully.
"And from what you guys have been saying about it I didn't want to miss this." Matt said.
"So do you know what you have to do?" Coran asked Keith.
"A little, but not much." Keith admitted.
"Don't worry, I'll explain everything. You'll get it in no time."
"Shouldn't Lance be here too?" Matt asked.
Keith and Allura felt awkward for some reason until Shiro spoke up.
"He and his family left early. I guess he wanted to spend as much time with them as he could."
"My own folks headed off too, they wanted to get some shuteye but I did promise them I'd spend the whole day with them. Plus they...want to get to know Shay and Romelle more." Hunk added, blushing at the latter part of his sentence.
"Well, hopefully next time then." Matt noted.
Pidge nodded in agreement, although a sad look crossed her face.
As Coran began his introductory spiel Keith then looked at his tablet as closely as he could but he couldn't help but give a glance Allura's way every so often. While he had hoped to talk to Allura and clear the air in more ways than one, he hadn't realized that Allura also needed someone to talk to, from feeling alienated on her fellow Paladin's home planet to stumbling with a "relationship" that really wasn't going anywhere with Lance - it was amazing she hadn't cracked early on. Until today. And even despite their own arguments Keith didn't think any less of Allura than he did before. Instead he only felt more admiration for her. And he only wished he could've stayed with the team earlier if for no other reason to just try and be that support for her like after that incident with the Alteans from the Alternate Universe. That, as well as do something about the Shiro clone before he went full Winter-Soldier on everyone.
But Keith also realized there was no point in dwelling on what might have been or what he himself could have done differently. In the end, he grew and learned from his mistakes - or at least Keith hoped so - and was able to come back just in time to rally the team together when they needed it the most, and as such Keith proved that the Black Lion did not make a mistake in choosing him to succeed Shiro. And with Earth now in the mix everyone would be looking to the Paladins - specifically Keith - to lead the charge. And with everything he had gone through, come to terms with, and overcome - Keith now knew he had what it took to lead his fellow Paladins and by extension, co-lead the Coalition.
Granted, this didn't mean he knew everything, but then again neither did Shiro in the beginning. But that's what being part of a team was about - helping each other out when things get tough and pulling together to overcome the bigger obstacle.
Despite his own misgivings about Lance and Allura Keith still wanted to try and help Allura out. Heck, as annoying as Lance was he did have a big heart, if he didn't let his insecurities get the best of him a lot of the times. However, based on what Allura had said earlier Keith did wonder if Lance really understood Allura at all, or if the Red Paladin was so caught up in finally being with the princess that Lance wasn't realizing what he was getting himself into.
But Keith also realized that either way Allura and Lance had to work it out on their own. Plus he didn't really want to risk getting into a fight with Lance anyway.
But whatever may happen from here on, the Black Paladin was sure of this - whether as friends, or something more...however Allura needed him, Keith would be there. No matter what.
And especially now - having her in his life, as well as his mom, his surrogate brother Shiro and everybody else in the Voltron Coalition - Keith couldn't be more thankful.
"So Keith, have you decided on your character?" Coran asked. "Everyone else is set."
Keith then looked from his tablet to Shiro, his mom and then...to Allura before looking at the Royal Altean Retainer with a warm smile.
"Yeah." Keith answered as he made his final selection, thus allowing Coran to begin a new adventure for the heroes - new and old - of Monsters and Mana...
AN: To all Kallura fans the world over - thanks for the inspiration!