So, I am rewatching VLD for multiple reasons but as I'm doing that, I want to do more of Kallura week. This is for Day 3 which is 'Apologies'. It is set just after the episode Crystal Venom in season 1 but before the two final episodes. Hope you enjoy!

Losing a parent was never easy but Keith had never been too good at comforting. So, when he was headed to get a glass of water from the kitchen, he had planned to initially ignore the sound of soft sobbing. What could he do anyway? Shiro was the gentle, comforting one or even Hunk who would have given the princess a hug and reassure that she still had them. He didn't do either of those things – what if he made her cry more? Despite all of these thoughts, Keith could not turn away from the sound of crying.

It couldn't hurt to try, could it? Shiro was the one who had helped him be able to grieve the loss of his father – to tell him it was okay to be sad and cry about it. If it was anyone else, he may not have cried but his brother was different. It was easy to be vulnerable around him. But could he really do the same for someone else? Ignoring everything else – ignoring all the doubts and the nagging voice that told him he would just make it worse and knocked on the door slightly. The sobs stopped even though Keith could still hear the sounds of weak sniffles as there was small movements before the door opened. Allura's eyes were rimmed a light pink and though it was clear she had attempted to rub the tears away, her cheeks still contained light tear tracks.

"Keith, is everything alright?" Allura asked, trying to sound composed and put together but the slight crack in her voice spoke otherwise. Keith opened his mouth to speak before closing it. What had he exactly been planning to say anyway? He hadn't even thought of an excuse on why he was creeping around by her room since that probably wouldn't make any female open up to him, let alone a princess. Really, Keith? It only now occurred to you that this could come off as creepy?

"Keith?" Allura said softly, her voice becoming a bit alarmed, and Keith realised he hadn't answered her question.

"I…are you okay?" Keith managed to get out although his voice stammered a bit and he flushed, face forming a scowl at how difficult this was. The mix of expressions looked very strange. "I was going to get some water and I heard you…well crying."

Allura frowned, averting her gaze. "I apologise for having disturbed you."

Shit. That had not gone according to plan. He knew he would make things worse.

"No," Keith said quickly. "I just…I wanted to know if you…if you wanted to talk about it." He still sounded a bit nervous, and his fist clenched and now he averted his gaze. "I lost my Dad too." He hadn't meant to tell anyone else this part, but he wanted to help her – he had help so he wanted to try at least even if it made her never want to speak to him again. It wouldn't be the first time he screwed up with someone else.

Allura went quiet for a moment at that, and he didn't speak either. He wouldn't push her, but he wanted her to know he was there, even if he was probably the worst person to come to about it.

"I shouldn't," Allura said quietly. "I mean, it was the right thing to do, I know but he's still my father, it wasn't his fault his AI was corrupted. There's never really a choice."

Keith didn't know what to say to that. Should he promise that Voltron would make sure they always did have a choice in the future? No, that was far too optimistic and maybe not even all that realistic. It was what Shiro might have said – maybe Hunk too so he could try but it didn't feel right to give false hope as it felt to him.

"I know what happened isn't easy," Keith admitted. "And I'm really sorry it happened. I can't promise we won't have any more sacrifices but…" He flushed a bit. "You don't have to deal with it alone."

Silence fell between the two of them again, but Keith wanted to let her say whatever she needed to. She didn't but after a minute or so passed, she wrapped her arms around him, closing the distance between them. His face flushed even more and for a moment, he didn't know how to respond. He had never been hugged by a girl before – let alone an alien princess so what was he supposed to do? Did he hug her back?

"Thank you," Allura's words were barely above a whisper but because there was so little gap between the two of them, he was able to hear her, and he slowly wrapped his arms around her too.

"You're welcome."