A rainy, dismal night on Planet Arus.
Princess Allura, wise beyond her young and tender years, stared at the rain as it meets the full-length window in her private chamber, beating a soft yet relentless rhythm. She let out a sigh as she contemplated where the love of her live was at this moment. Her mind wandered slowly to their last moments together, only a few hours ago.
'There's not a lot of things to do
I wouldn't rather do with you
Guess I'm funny that way'
~*~
"Don't worry, Ally, hon. I'll be fine. This is something that's got to be done, regardless of anything else," Keith said before entering the chute leading to the Black Lion.
"It's just... just--" Allura stammered, tears beginning to well up. "We just realized our feelings for each other, and now this has to happen... and-- oh, Keith, I wish there was something I could do to make you stay," she sobbed.
Keith held Allura tightly in an embrace that both wished would last forever. "Ssssshhhh," he comforted. "I'll be gone for four months. Just be strong and before you know it, I'll be back. And you know I'll write and contact you whenever I can. You've got a planet depending on you. I know you can do it," he whispered as he pressed a gentle kiss to the forehead of his beloved.
~*~
'Lately I just sit and stare
I talk to people who aren't there
To get through one night a day'
"Why do I feel like this?" Allura asked no one in particular. "You would think I'd be able to handle this a lot better than I am now," she said dismally.
"It's simple, child," Nanny replied, heavily accented. "You are in love, and you can't stand to be separated from him. You might not be able to imagine it, but I was once that way. It hurts more than anything. Now it's time for bed, Your Highness; your early-morning practice is still going on, even with Keith gone."
'One night a day
One step away
From leaving you behind'
'I sit up with the radio
Sing along with ones I know
To get through one night a day'
As Allura climbed into her bed, Nanny hummed a traditional lullaby, which helped Allura fall asleep in spite of her wandering mind, which kept wandering back to Keith.
'I'm calling every friend I've had
Wake 'em up, and make 'em mad
Let 'em know that I'm OK'
'I used to sit and talk to you
They're all just a substitute
To get through one night a day'
As the days progressed, Allura seemed to resolve herself to carrying on her normal tasks as much as possible. But it was only a front, as her close handmaidens could easily see. It wasn't rare for Allura to wander the halls of the Castle at all hours of the night, talking to the assorted staff members as she waited for Keith to call. She clung to his every word as if it were his last, and even if Keith had the best of news, when they couldn't talk anymore, Allura was crushed. It was a cycle that kept repeating itself, night after night.
'I stay up with the late late show
Just another way I know
To get through one night a day'
Allura was on her turn for third-shift watch. She absently gazed at the screens when she heard a familiar sound.
The click clack that could only belong to Keith's trademark white boots.
She turned around, her eyes met his. Everything around the two seemed to slow to a halt. They ran to meet each other halfway between the control console and the main door, holding each other tightly, and tears running down both their cheeks. It was such a wonderful feeling for Allura to have her only love in her arms once again.
"You don't know how I've waited for this moment," Allura said. "I love you so much.
"I love you more," was all Keith could reply.
~owari~
Princess Allura, wise beyond her young and tender years, stared at the rain as it meets the full-length window in her private chamber, beating a soft yet relentless rhythm. She let out a sigh as she contemplated where the love of her live was at this moment. Her mind wandered slowly to their last moments together, only a few hours ago.
'There's not a lot of things to do
I wouldn't rather do with you
Guess I'm funny that way'
~*~
"Don't worry, Ally, hon. I'll be fine. This is something that's got to be done, regardless of anything else," Keith said before entering the chute leading to the Black Lion.
"It's just... just--" Allura stammered, tears beginning to well up. "We just realized our feelings for each other, and now this has to happen... and-- oh, Keith, I wish there was something I could do to make you stay," she sobbed.
Keith held Allura tightly in an embrace that both wished would last forever. "Ssssshhhh," he comforted. "I'll be gone for four months. Just be strong and before you know it, I'll be back. And you know I'll write and contact you whenever I can. You've got a planet depending on you. I know you can do it," he whispered as he pressed a gentle kiss to the forehead of his beloved.
~*~
'Lately I just sit and stare
I talk to people who aren't there
To get through one night a day'
"Why do I feel like this?" Allura asked no one in particular. "You would think I'd be able to handle this a lot better than I am now," she said dismally.
"It's simple, child," Nanny replied, heavily accented. "You are in love, and you can't stand to be separated from him. You might not be able to imagine it, but I was once that way. It hurts more than anything. Now it's time for bed, Your Highness; your early-morning practice is still going on, even with Keith gone."
'One night a day
One step away
From leaving you behind'
'I sit up with the radio
Sing along with ones I know
To get through one night a day'
As Allura climbed into her bed, Nanny hummed a traditional lullaby, which helped Allura fall asleep in spite of her wandering mind, which kept wandering back to Keith.
'I'm calling every friend I've had
Wake 'em up, and make 'em mad
Let 'em know that I'm OK'
'I used to sit and talk to you
They're all just a substitute
To get through one night a day'
As the days progressed, Allura seemed to resolve herself to carrying on her normal tasks as much as possible. But it was only a front, as her close handmaidens could easily see. It wasn't rare for Allura to wander the halls of the Castle at all hours of the night, talking to the assorted staff members as she waited for Keith to call. She clung to his every word as if it were his last, and even if Keith had the best of news, when they couldn't talk anymore, Allura was crushed. It was a cycle that kept repeating itself, night after night.
'I stay up with the late late show
Just another way I know
To get through one night a day'
Allura was on her turn for third-shift watch. She absently gazed at the screens when she heard a familiar sound.
The click clack that could only belong to Keith's trademark white boots.
She turned around, her eyes met his. Everything around the two seemed to slow to a halt. They ran to meet each other halfway between the control console and the main door, holding each other tightly, and tears running down both their cheeks. It was such a wonderful feeling for Allura to have her only love in her arms once again.
"You don't know how I've waited for this moment," Allura said. "I love you so much.
"I love you more," was all Keith could reply.
~owari~
