Just Allura

by (Kitty)Shannon

Disclaimers: Voltron and all associated characters are owned and copyrighted by WEP. Original/new characters belong to the author.

Rating: PG - Mild Language and Innuendo

Chapter 8

At breakfast the following morning, Lance took one bite after the next, emptying his plate of its contents, but he was barely aware of the delicious meal. His concentration remained focused on two of his best friends, Keith and Allura.

Allura, it seemed, was doing her best to attract Keith's attention, resorting to spilling a glass of juice all over the white linen tablecloth when nothing else seemed to work. This, of course, elicited a series of discontented remarks from Nanny, but was unsuccessful in gaining Keith's attention. In fact, it seemed the Captain of the Voltron Force didn't even notice that the Princess was in the room.

After the display, Lance looked down at his plate and studied its floral pattern in silent contemplation while simultaneously pushing his remaining food around with his fork. This was not what he thought he'd see this morning. After accidentally witnessing the two sharing a passionate lip-lock out in the Princess's garden, he'd expected a lot of grinning and blushing.

He heard someone clear their throat and looked up to find a maid waiting to take his plate away. He sat back, giving her room and heaving a sigh as he returned his attention to the goings-on around him. It looked like he had more work to do than he'd originally thought.

"Princess," Nanny's voice rang out over the room's morning clamor. "Do not forget, you have a fitting for your new gown this morning. Do not keep the seamstress waiting."

"Yes, ma'am," Allura said with a sigh. Her disappointment was evident. She had hoped to get Keith alone this morning so that they could talk about last night. But it looked as if that would have to wait. Especially if she wanted to avoid making Nanny, or anyone else, suspicious. She glanced back over at Keith just as he stood up and mumbled an excuse about something important that he needed to take care of right away. Within a seconds he had disappeared from the room.

Lance watched the display with renewed interest and decided now was the time to act. He chugged down the last of his coffee and tossed his napkin on the table. Following Keith's example, he made a quick excuse so that he could go find his Captain.

:)

:)

"Hey! Wait up!"

Keith turned around and groaned. Just what he needed. Lance and his questions. Nervously, he ran a hand through his hair and waited for his little brother to catch up.

"I forgot to tell you something."

"Well, what is it. I have a lot to do." Keith's response was a little too sharp.

"Ya know, sometimes you sound a lot like Nanny," Lance joked, then decided with the look on Keith's face maybe this wasn't such a good time for humor. "Nanny had one stipulation for the party. She said she'd let us have it un-chaperoned if we all wear our dress uniforms and they Princess has to wear a formal gown. She said 'none of our running around in improper attire would be tolerated, especially on a night we are to honor Her Highness.' " Lance knew it was a lie, but he was sure that he'd be able to talk Nanny into it. "I thought it was a small price to pay to not have Nanny and Coran and who knows who else looking over our shoulders all night. So, what do you think?"

"I'll make sure all of our dress uniforms are cleaned and pressed," Keith grinned. "But, how do you propose we get Al-, um, the Princess to wear a gown? You know she hates it more than anything."

Lance caught Keith's slip, but chose not to say anything. "You just leave that to me. I sent a message to our baby sister and had her send some designs for new Terran dresses. I think when the Princess finds out her dress won't be anything like the ones she usually has to wear, it won't be a problem."

"Yeah, well just make sure it's respectable."

"Aye, aye Captain!" He gave Keith a cockeyed salute and quickly disappeared down the hall.

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:)

Allura jumped at the sudden knock on her study's door. She immediately thought of Keith and her heart fluttered with hope that it was he who stood outside. After taking a quick gulp of air in an attempt to compose herself, she called to her visitor.

"Come in."

The door slid open and Lance stepped through. Allura felt a wave of disappointment thread through her, but she pasted on a bright smile. "Lance, I wasn't expecting you."

"I know, I hope I'm not interrupting."

"Not at all. What can I help you with?"

"Well, I actually need to make sure we can talk privately and openly."

"Of course we can. Is everything okay?" There was something in his demeanor that set her on edge, as if he had some top-secret information and he was worried that she would somehow get it out of him. Her smile widened as she concluded that her guest's visible discomfort must have something to do with the surprise Keith had mentioned the night before.

"I talked to Keith late last night and I wanted to make sure everything was okay with you." As he spoke, he gave her a knowing look.

"Every-everything's fine with me." Her cheeks turned a vibrant shade of red and her words were somewhat mumbled. Even to her own ears, she sounded uncertain.

He raised a questioning eyebrow, his look communicating his disbelief. He truly hated making her think that Keith was one to kiss and tell, but he wasn't sure how much she would offer on her own.

Allura put on her best 'Princess of Arus' face and tried to stare him down but found that she was so embarrassed she simply couldn't do it. She folded her hands on top of her desk and looked down at them in defeat.

"I was thinking that maybe Keith needed a push in the right direction," Lance offered.

Her head shot up, her mouth hanging open; a betrayal of her shock. She recovered almost immediately, shutting her mouth with an audible snap.

While he had the opportunity, Lance pushed forward. "To tell you the truth, Keith didn't say anything. I saw you two kissing in the garden last night. I didn't mean to - I was looking for Keith and... I didn't tell him I saw anything. You know your secret's safe with me."

Allura's cheeks darkened even further as she stared at him in uncertainty. Instead of becoming angry, like they both thought she would, she began to cry. "I feel so relieved to be able to talk with someone about this," she smiled through her tears.

"Wow. I was afraid you were gonna be really mad!"

"I'm just so confused right now, Lance. Keith was so sweet last night. He said all the right things and when he kissed me..." Her eyes softened at the memory.

Lance really wasn't too sure he wanted to hear this. It was kind of creepy. But, he thought of Allura as a kid sister and, if she needed him, he'd be there. Besides, he knew his brother was in love with her and Lord knew Keith needed his help.

"Well, all of us guys have been planning a surprise for you. I sent a message to my sister on Terra, asking her to send some designs for the recent styles of gowns there. We already talked to Nanny and she's okay with you having one made up. I'm not supposed to be telling you this. I thought maybe I could help you pick one of them out, one that I think Keith would really like. Ya know, give you a guy's perspective."

She smiled so brightly that his heart beat a little faster and he almost couldn't think straight. "Oh Lance, that's so sweet of you. And I promise I won't tell anyone that I know! Thank you!"

He returned the smile and wondered what he'd just gotten himself into. He gave a mental shrug, it was a good cause so he really didn't care, whatever trouble he might find himself in, he'd be able to talk his way out of it. He pulled several sheets of paper out of the folder he'd been carrying. "These are all the designs she sent. Let's get started picking one out."

"Oh Lance! This is going to be so much fun!"

"One last thing, Allura."

"Yes?"

"If you tell anyone about me helping you with this, I'll tell Nanny I saw you and Keith kissing late at night in your garden." He gave her a cheesy grin.

She paled at first... then realized that, surely, he was joking. Or was he?