Hi all!
Okay, so this is a fluffy chapter, but I had a bad day at work yesterday and what better way to combat that than to write a fluffy chapter. This story is coming to an end soon, I can see it just ahead, and usually by this time I have already started planning and writing my next story. However, I can't seem to come up with anything right now. I was thinking about doing something with Sven/Romelle. So to answer Black Knight 03's question, I don't know if there will be another story after this one. I have had so much fun writing these and I don't want to end, but I'm afraid this well might be drying up. If you guys want to throw some suggestions my way, I'll see if I can take one of your ideas and run with it.
Thank you for the wonderful reviews, I really do appreciate them all.
RedMirax~ I'm so glad you're enjoying my stories, and yes, I do have the freckles, more than I need :-)
RedLion2 ~ Your Shannon is such a great character, I can totally understand your strong pull to him. It's probably similar to the pull I've developed with my Lance and Darcy, I just love writing for them. It's funny, isn't it, the connection we have with the characters we create, but it's one of the fun side benefits of writing :-)
Craze, Anony, Black Knight 03, and Bell ~ Thank you so much! You guys rock!
Enjoy,
Failte
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Romelle stood anxiously beside Pidge and Keith, watching the three Lions descend on the planet. It had been a long ride home and she was worried about Sven, it was hard on him to sit in one position for such a long time.
"Sven, put Blue in the work room," Keith instructed. "I want Hunk to go over her, make sure she's clean."
"Yes, Keit," Sven's voice sounded strained and tired.
Romelle hurried to the door that led to the work room, not wanting to wait any longer than she had to to see Sven.
Blue glided down and walked slowly into the massive door connecting the work room with the meadow beside the castle. The giant cat lowered itself gently to the ground and the hatch opened. Chewing on her lip, Romelle watched as Sven slowly lowered himself to the ground. He waved off the mechanic who came to help him as he limped toward the door, his face contorted in an angry grimace of pain.
"Oh, Sven," she hurried to his side. "Are you okay?"
He grunted in response and allowed her to wrap an arm around his waist, supporting him as they crossed the room.
"Come on, let's get you to the hospital wing, I'm sure Dr. Gorma has something that will help with the pain."
"No, I just vant to lie down," he mumbled. "How's Allura?"
"She'll be fine with rest. I'm more worried about you, Sven, please talk to Dr. Gorma, there is no reason for you to suffer like this."
"I'll be fine, I just need to lie down."
Hunk and Lance were already in Castle Control, talking to Keith.
"Can we see her?" Lance asked.
Keith shook his head, "In the morning, she needs to rest."
"But she'll be alright?" Hunk inquired.
"Yeah, she'll be fine. I want you guys to all go get something to eat and then get some rest. The mechanics are going over Blue now, but first thing in the morning I want you, Hunk, and Pidge to go over her, make sure everything is as it should be." Keith instructed. He looked up when Sven and Romelle walked in, it was hard to ignore the fact Sven was in such obvious pain. "You alright Sven?"
"Ja, I'm fine," he replied tersely.
"Don't be so stubborn," Romelle whispered. "They only want to help, they care about you."
Sven pulled away from her, "I don't need dere help. I'm going to find someting to eat."
She watched him limp away.
"Romelle?"
She looked up to see Hunk standing beside her and the others watching her carefully.
"He is just so stubborn sometimes," she said quietly.
"He's only been out for a couple of weeks," Lance pointed out. "Dr. Gorma said he was going to need time to adjust."
"It's just…well, he's in a lot of pain and he doesn't want you guys to know," Romelle explained. "I'm afraid he thinks he's letting you all down."
"Well that's just silly," Hunk told her.
"I know that, you know that, but Sven, well…" she trailed off.
"He'll come around," Keith assured her. "If not, I'll take him out back and beat some sense into him."
She gave him a weak smile, "Thanks."
"Come on," Hunk slung an arm around her shoulders. "Let's go get something to eat."
Keith watched as his team filed out the door. They had been away for nearly four days and it had been clear, but he still wanted to go over all the information the guards on duty had put together. It was really just unnecessary busy work, but he needed to keep his mind and hands busy.
The door slid open and Keith looked up to see Koran enter the room. The two men stared at each other for a moment before Koran slowly crossed the room.
"I just spoke to the Princess."
"How is she?" Keith asked stiffly.
"I didn't upset her, if that's what you're thinking," Koran sighed. "I need you to try and see it from my point of view, Captain. Princess Allura is like a daughter to me, the only family I have. A group of young space explorers come to her planet, they are her first real interaction with men her own age and they sweep in to rescue her and her people. I am not putting the Princess down, I am fully aware of how intelligent and strong she is, but she is very inexperienced in the ways of love. She has never dated, she was put into a very important position at a very young age and she was forced to grow up quickly, skip over the things many young people get to enjoy. How was I to know this wasn't just a silly crush? Hero worship. This was not a decision she could make quickly or lightly. She is a romantic person at heart, she believes in happily ever after and white knights on horses. Her father filled her mind full of such stories when she was a little girl, but unfortunately the King and Queen did not live long enough to teach her the realities of life, that was left to me and Nanny."
Koran paused and swallowed hard before continuing, "She is the most important person in my life and I only want what's best for her. Princess Allura really feels you are what's best for her. She says she is in love with you and you love her."
Keith nodded.
"It's really difficult for me to give her to someone else, to give someone else the job of watching over her. But both the Princess and Nanny feel that you're the right man for the job and who am I to argue with two very determined women."
Keith smiled, "Koran, I love her, I really do, and I am willing to spend the rest of my life showing her how much. I will protect her with my life and do everything in my power to make her happy."
Koran nodded and extended his hand, "I'm sure you do, but if anything happens, you'll have to answer to me."
Keith took his hand in a firm shake, "You're the second person to tell me that today."
"I'll assume the first person was Nanny and I think you have more to fear from her than from me."
Keith laughed, "Thank you Koran, your approval means a lot to both of us."
**************************************************************
"Lance, I need your help," Keith said, finding his friend alone in the kitchen.
"What?" Lance asked through a mouthful of peanut butter sandwich.
"I promised Allura a first date and I'm not sure what to do, there isn't any place I can take her. What do you do with your dates?"
Lance raised an eyebrow.
"Okay, maybe that was the wrong question to ask."
"You know what has worked for me?"
"I'm not sure what worked for you will work for Allura and me."
"Have a little faith in me, Keith, I was thinking along the lines of a picnic. Quiet, romantic, just the two of you."
Keith thought for a moment, "That's not a bad idea."
"Some romantic music, maybe some candles."
"I'll have to talk to Nanny, see what she can do to help me with the food."
"Nanny's alright with this?"
"I don't know what Allura said to her, but apparently she approves. And Koran gave us his support as well."
Lance choked on his sandwich.
"No, really."
"When did that happen?"
Keith shrugged, "We talked, he had a valid point, but I think he's beginning to finally understand how Allura and I feel for each other."
Lance sighed, "You know, I can't help but feel a little jealous of you and Sven."
"Why? You've never had a problem getting a girl to go out with you."
"To go out with me, no, but to find that special someone, I'm beginning to think that won't happen."
"You're still young, man, you have plenty of time."
"How will I know?"
Keith smiled and stood, "Don't worry, you'll know."
{{ "Yeah, I knew," Lance said, pulling Darcy back so she was leaning against him. "It hit me like a freight train."
"How come you didn't try to woo me with a picnic?" Darcy asked.
"Couldn't really find the time to do that. I had to work so hard to get you to pay attention to me and when I wasn't doing that, I was visiting you in the hospital," he nuzzled her hair.
"Smartass, the only way I could get you off my back was to get Dr. Gorma between us."
"You only did that to get my attention and to get me to wait on you."
"Whatever it took," she whispered huskily.
"After hearing what Koran said, it's hard to be mad at him for putting up such a fight," Becca spoke up, trying to steer the conversation away from her sister and brother-in-law who were now making out on the couch.
"Yeah, we should have known," Keith said, throwing a pillow and watched as it bounced of Darcy's head. "Break it up, guys, show a little self-control. Koran's a smart man, he wouldn't have fought us without a good reason."
"How was the first date?" Paton asked.
"Wonderful," Allura grinned at her husband. "But I always thought the picnic was your idea, now I know you got it from Lance."
"Keith isn't much of a ladies man," Lance explained, wrapping his arms tightly around his wife. "I thought it would be alright to let you think he came up with it. Whatever it takes to impress the lady."
"Well, I was properly impressed," Allura assured him.
"You know, I don't think you and I ever really had a date," Darcy said.
"Sure we did. We got together all the time to watch movies."
"I mean a real date, where you would come and get me and take me out somewhere for dinner and dancing."
"We've gone out," Lance insisted.
"Yeah, after Schuyler was born."
"You mean after Lotor was killed and Alforia was rebuilt."
"Why couldn't you have come up with something sweet and romantic like a picnic for the two of us? Even Pidge took Becca out on a proper date when they first started seeing each other and Hunk and Paton went out all the time."
"The night you agreed to start seeing me, we were in town and when we all went back to Terra, we all went out."
"Group dates don't count!"
"Alright, enough!" Becca interrupted. "We are not here to hear you two argue about your screwed up relationship."
Darcy stuck her tongue out at her sister.
"We want to hear about your first date," Becca told Keith and Allura.
Allura smiled, "It was really sweet. Keith came to my room the day after we got home…}}
Allura was feeling restless. Dr. Gorma had allowed her to move back to her room, but she was to rest. The guys had been wonderful, Lance had shown up with some movies, followed soon after by Hunk and Pidge with some board games. Romelle came and went all day, just to check on her. But there had been no sign of Keith or Sven. Romelle had confided in her that Sven wasn't feeling well and he was spending the day in bed.
"He has work to attend to," Lance explained when she asked him about Keith. "He was away for four days, he has some catching up to do."
Allura pouted, "I have work to do too, even though Koran won't let me do it."
"Because you need to take it easy," Lance chided as he rolled the dice.
He and Allura were playing a board game with Hunk and Pidge. The game was spread out on her large bed with Allura sitting up against a pile of pillows and the guys were sprawled out around her.
"Yeah," Pidge piped up. "Don't push yourself to hard, we need you."
She smiled sweetly at him, "I'll be fine."
"Not if you don't keep your strength up," Hunk pointed out. "You're supposed to be drinking."
"But it tastes bad," she whined, wrinkling up her nose.
"It can't be that bad," Lance picked up the glass of juice on her bedside table and took a sip. "Ugh, what is this?"
"It's some kind of juice that Nurse Helene said contains all the vitamins and minerals I need to build up my strength."
"It tastes like grass," he grumbled setting it back on the table.
"Do you eat grass often, Lance?" Hunk asked.
"You'd be surprised what he does when he drinks too much."
Allura's face lit up when she saw Keith standing in her doorway. "It's about time, I was beginning to think you had forgotten about me."
"Never," he crossed to the bed and pushed Lance aside so he could sit beside her. "How're you feeling?"
"Bored."
"Hey," Lance called with mock irritation.
"Well, not since these guys came to visit," Allura quickly corrected herself. "I'm just sick of being in bed."
Lance wiggled his eyebrows at the two of them, "But there is plenty of fun you can have in bed."
"Alright, that's it, Lieutenant, leave, now," Keith pointed to the door.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Lance stood. "We can take a hint, come on guys."
Pidge and Hunk started putting the pieces of the game away while Lance stretched and avoided any work. "Are we allowed to leave you two without a chaperone?"
"Yes," Allura smiled up at him. "As long as you don't tell Nanny."
Keith slid his arm around her shoulders and pulled her toward him. With his other hand, he pushed her hair aside, cupped her cheek and brought her mouth to his in a sweet kiss. At first Allura was shocked and quite embarrassed that he would behave like this in front of the guys, but she quickly forgot they were in the room with them. She wrapped her arms around him and deepened the kiss, pulling Keith back against the headboard with her.
"Alright, alright!" Pidge shouted. "We're leaving."
Lance covered his eyes with his hands, "None of us want to see that, Captain."
Keith broke away from the Princess long enough to growl, "Then leave." Before returning to the task at hand of bringing a smile to his bruised love's face.
"That's one way to clear the room," Allura smiled as the door shut behind their friends.
"I tried subtlety, but it just doesn't work with Lance."
"I've missed you," she whispered, leaning her head on his shoulder as Keith turned and sat up beside her.
"I've missed you too, but I had some work to do."
"What is it?"
"Nothing much, it was clear while we were gone. Blue is in good shape, Hunk couldn't find anything wrong with her and Sven said she flew beautifully."
Allura nodded, "Good. How's the rebuilding going?"
"Well, that kind of fell to the wayside while you were missing."
She looked at him sharply, "We can't allow the rebuilding of the plant to fall to the wayside for any reason. My people need their homes back."
"I know that, Allura, but getting you back was our top priority."
"No, rebuilding Arus is always our top priority, you know that."
"Maybe that's your top priority, but you are my top priority."
Allura smiled softly, "That's a sweet sentiment, Keith, but
if you're going to some day rule with me, you need to understand that the
people of Arus always come first."
"Nah," he shook his head and tightened his arm around her shoulders. "You can worry about that, I'll worry about you."
She rolled her eyes, "How about I take care of myself and we take care of my planet and my people?"
"Nope, sorry, I can't help myself," Keith brought his other arm up and hugged her tightly to him. "But I didn't come here to argue with you."
"Why did you come then?" Allura asked, leaning her head against his chest.
"I was wondering, Your Highness, if you weren't doing anything tomorrow night, if you would like to go out with me?"
A small smile crossed her lips, "Why Captain, I'll need to check my schedule."
"I'm pretty sure it's clear."
"But will Dr. Gorma allow me to leave my bed?"
"I spoke to him, everything is all set."
"What if I said no?"
"Then I'll go ask Euclida."
Allura tilted her head back to look at him, "Not funny, Keith."
He grinned down at her, "Is that a yes?"
"Where are we going?"
"It's a surprise."
"You still don't know where we're going, huh?"
"No, I have it all planned out."
She turned to wrap her arms around him and laid her head on his shoulder, "It feels so good to be here right now."
"I was just thinking the same thing," he pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
"Do you wear cologne?"
"What? No. Where did that come from?"
"I always wondered, you smell good," she whispered, stroking his back.
"Why thank you, you don't stink yourself."
Allura laughed and looked up at him, "Was that a compliment?"
"I think so." Keith brought his hands up to frame her face, "You are so beautiful."
"Now that's more like it."
Unable to stop himself, Keith lowered his mouth to hers, savoring the feel and taste of her.
"Princess, I was just talking to…ach! Captain, what are you doing in here?"
They broke apart quickly when Nanny burst into the room. "This is totally unacceptable! You should not be in the Princess' room alone, if you are going to court her, you will court her properly."
Keith stood and winked at Allura, "I'll see you later, love, get some rest."
She stuck her bottom lip out and pouted, "Like I have a choice."
He leaned down so only she could hear him, "Don't worry, I'll make it up to you tomorrow night."
Allura smiled, "I'm going to hold you to that."
"I'll see you later," he gave her a quick kiss before turning to leave.
Nanny stood beside the door, her arms crossed over her chest and her foot tapping impatiently.
"We didn't do anything wrong, Nanny, we were only alone for ten minutes."
"You just behave yourself, Captain."
He saluted, "Yes, Ma'am."
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"You'll want this one, trust me," Lance handed Keith a compact disc.
"What is it?"
"A collection of the most romantic music I own, trust me."
Keith rolled his eyes, "Fine. So I have the stereo, the music, Nanny helped me put together some food Allura's allowed to have. I set up the Observation deck and you guys are not to bother us unless it is an extreme emergency, got it?"
Lance grinned, "I got it."
"I don't know why I'm nervous, I mean she's told me she loves me and I know I'm madly in love with her, I shouldn't be this nervous," Keith wiped his palms on his pants.
"It's natural," Sven spoke up from where he was sprawled on Lance's bed. "Romelle still has de ability to make me nervous just by smiling at me."
Lance snorted, "You are so whipped, man."
"You vish you vere vhipped, Lance."
"Hardly, I am loving my freedom."
"Liar," Keith muttered.
"Don't you have a date or something?" Lance asked. "Don't make me take my stereo back."
"How do I look?" Keith asked, holding his arms out.
Sven studied his friend dressed in khakis and a red oxford shirt, "You look fine, Keit."
"You look pretty," Lance added.
Keith scowled at him.
"Did I say pretty? I meant pretty damn sexy."
Keith smacked him upside the head, "Alright, I'm going."
******************
"You look beautiful," Romelle breathed.
"Thanks," Allura muttered, standing from her vanity. She wore a casual pink dress and her hair was pulled back into a thick French braid with a few tendrils escaping around her face. She was still feeling weak, but nothing was going to keep her from this date.
"How are you feeling?"
"Sick to my stomach."
Romelle grabbed her arm, "Do you want me to get Dr. Gorma?"
Allura smiled and shook her head, "No, it's the good kind of
sick to my stomach."
"Ah, nervous."
"A little."
"How did we get here, Allura? After everything we've been through, we've both been lucky enough to find wonderful men who love us as much as we do them." Romelle sighed, sitting on the edge of Allura's bed. "I don't know what I would do without Sven."
"Keith is the most amazing man I've ever known, he makes me want to be more, to do more. I know that he will help me build Arus back up to it's former beauty and he is such a good man, hard working, kind, smart, and funny. My life is better for having known him."
Romelle raised her eyebrows, "Wow."
Allura bit her lip, "Yeah, that about sums it up."
A knock at the door caused Allura to jump.
"I'll get it," Romelle smiled as she crossed to the door.
Keith stood on the other side holding a single yellow rose, "Hello, Romelle, is Allura ready?"
"Why yes she is, Keith, I'll go fetch her," Romelle turned around to find Allura right behind her. "And here she is. If you'll excuse me, I have to go find Sven." She slipped out past Keith.
"You look beautiful," Keith said looking her up and down.
"Why thank you," she replied pirouetting in front of him. "I took your advice and went with something pink."
He held out his hand, "M'Lady, may I have the honor of escorting you to our little rendezvous?"
"Yes, you may, sir, thank you." Allura laced her fingers through his and accepted the rose with her other hand.
"How was your day?" He asked as they walked down the hall, ignoring the whispers and comments from passing guards and maids.
"Uneventful, although Koran finally brought me the reports on rebuilding. I'm glad to see they've finished a couple of more houses. I can't wait to get back into that."
"There's no need to rush, Allura."
"I know, but I want to be back in the thick of things, I want to have my hands on the rebuilding."
"I heard Koran say something about a meeting next week with the town planners."
"Oh yes, they're talking about building a theater and a library, I am so excited about that, we'll bring more in from other planets to further expand the education of our people. The Observation deck?"
Keith grinned when they stopped outside the door, "Close your eyes."
Unable to stop the smile from spreading across her face, Allura closed her eyes. She listened as the door slid open and allowed Keith to lead her into the room by the hand. After the door slid shut behind them, she heard the quiet beeps as he entered the code to lock the door.
"Open your eyes," he whispered so closely she felt his breath caress her cheek.
"Oh, Keith," she whispered.
He had pushed the chairs back against the far wall and laid a blanket out on the floor. Spread out on the blanket were plates of fruit and baked chicken with wine glasses of juice, all food on the diet Dr. Gorma had put her on to build up her strength and not upset her sensitive stomach. Rose petals were sprinkled over and around the blanket. Music played quietly and the room was lit by two small lamps and candles set out around the room. The sun was just starting to set and it cast a romantic glow over the dimly lit room.
Allura turned to look up at him, "Keith this…this is amazing. I…don't know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything, Angel, I just wanted to do something special for you."
"I like it when you call me that," she admitted, walking slowly over to the blanket, taking in everything he had done.
"It suits you," he said, following her.
They sat down on the blanket and the conversation came easily. They shared stories from their youths, laughing at the stupid things young people do. They steered the discussion away from his work with the Force and planet defense and away from all the work she needed to do, trying to keep it light. For a couple of hours they were able to forget that she was the Princess of an injured planet and he was the Captain of a powerful Force and they were just a couple in love spending time together.
"You amaze me," Allura whispered as she sipped her juice.
"I haven't done anything amazing."
"You have no idea what you've done."
Keith met her gaze and everything stopped, they became wordlessly lost in each other. Sky blue met chocolate brown and they saw something deeper.
Allura broke the trance, suddenly embarrassed under his intense scrutiny. She picked up a stray pink rose petal and rubbed it between her fingers. "I don't know if I ever told you how much I love those rose bushes, that was so sweet of you."
"I'm glad I was able to do it for you."
"Oh," Allura lifted her head when a familiar song came on. "I love this song, I've heard Lance play it."
Keith stood and offered her a hand, "Care to dance, Princess?"
"Oh, you don't have to, I know you don't really dance."
"How do you know that?"
"I've never seen you dance, not even at the ball held for the princes."
"First of all, Allura, don't ever mention the princes to me again, and second, I was working, not socializing."
Allura took his hand and allowed him to pull her to her feet, "Sorry, Keith, I won't mention them again as long as you never again mention Euclida."
"Who?"
"Exactly."
With a smile, Keith took her right hand in his left and laid his right hand lightly on the small of her back. In all honesty, he wasn't much of a dancer, so they just swayed to the music.
"Didn't know I was so light on my feet, did you?" He asked as he dipped her backwards until the tip of her braid touched the ground.
"You're full of surprises," she laughed.
He righted her and let go of her hand, wrapping both arms around her while she clasped her hands behind his neck and laid her head on his chest. They stood like this in one spot, gently swaying. The music was all but forgotten as Allura listened to his heartbeat beneath her ear and Keith felt her relax against him.
"Because you're sweet and lovely girl, I love you."
"Hm?" Allura murmured.
"Sorry, it's an old song that popped into my head, it reminds me of you."
She tilted her head back and looked up at him with heavy lidded eyes, "How's it go?"
He shrugged, "I just remember the one line: Because you're
sweet and lovely girl, I love you. I'll
have to ask Lance, I'm sure he knows what it is."
"I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders and, even with everything that's going on, all is right in my world," she told him, staring directly into his eyes.
He brought his hand up and tugged on one of her curls, "I know what you mean, I was holding all this in for so long, it feels good to finally have it all out in the open. I love you, Angel."
She laid her head back on his chest, "I love you too."
Keith gently stroked her back and watched through the window over head as the stars came out. They now knew that Lotor and Haggar were back on Doom and Lotor was not happy. Sven had become more withdrawn as he fought the demons that came with his memories and pain and Romelle continued to make excuses for him. But right now, at this moment, all of that was pushed to the back of their minds. He felt Allura lean more heavily against him and he smiled. Yeah, everything was right with the world.