Okay, so I have been having a crappy day and honestly, a kinda crappy month. December is usually that way for me, sadly. So, what's my cure for anxiety? Writing, of course! This story is inspired by the prompt 'reverent' even though the actual word was not used within the story. This is set after the episode 'Journey Within' but before 'The Last Stand, Part 1' so before they get the distress signal for Earth and rush back.
If one looked at their friendship from a distance, they would think the two of them weren't close. But Allura knew – she understood it was because of the way both her and Keith analysed things. How they spoke without running things through an internal filter. Still, as she closed the gap between them, she took his hand causing him to turn his body towards her, his eyes locking with hers.
"Allura, is everything ok?" Keith asked her seriously.
Allura averted her gaze for a moment. Where was she supposed to begin? Keith had already apologised for the things he had said when they were all stuck in space together. Would it seem like she was holding a grudge?
"I did not intend to allow Lotor in that close," Allura said stiffly before her cheeks flushed and she realised that came across a little harsher than she had intended so she quickly continued before he could reply. "He was convincing, yes but after we supported him at the Kral Zera, he would talk about our fathers and it was…a moment of weakness, I'll admit but- "
"Allura, stop," Keith interrupted her before she could continue. "I don't blame you about Lotor."
Allura blinked at this. "You don't?"
"No," Keith admitted honestly. "I was the leader of Voltron. You were right. I shouldn't question someone else's leadership when I left."
Allura could not find a reason to disagree with this but given they had all lashed out at one another earlier, there was no reason to bring it up again. Still, she felt as if there was something that needed to be said right now.
"I said it back then, Keith and I will repeat it again, we need you," Allura said softly. She had meant to leave it at that, a subtle reminder that they needed him, but the next words slipped out anyway. "I need you."
Keith looked as if he had been about to reply but his eyes widened slightly at her next words, and he went quiet. Allura felt her cheeks flush a bit more now, but she didn't want to take those words back. It might cut through the silence but a voice in the back of her head told her that if she took them back, she may regret it, so she didn't say anything. The silence between them was almost uncomfortable and a part of her felt as Keith may pull away, but his cheeks flushed slightly, and he averted his gaze to the floor.
"I need you too," Keith's voice was so soft that if she had Earthling hearing, she may have not been able to hear the words. They sounded so awkward and almost shy, but they made her heart lift and all thoughts fled from her mind. He needed her – just as much as she needed him and for now, for today that was enough.