A/N: This is more of a filler chapter, but I had fun writing it. Plus it let's me put a lot of things out there that wouldn't be originally discussed.

Sidenote, but some explaining. Now fair warning, I have no idea how the ages and years or anything with time works for Alteans except for a few words, like quintants. I researched for Allura and Coran's age to help, Allura is described as teenager by the staff and Coran is actually six hundred years old. We know that a thousand deace-phoebs is ten thousand years. One year to Alteans is ten for earth, at least in translation. So, Allura is around 130-140 years, 13-14 deac-phobes and Casimir is only nine in the first flashback. I'm still working out the ages, anyway I'll address that soon enough.

Alright enough chat, here's the next albeit really short chapter. For the Americans, I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving tomorrow!

Chapter Eight

"Casimir, if you don't get down from there right this instant!"

"Or what," taunted Casimir with an impish smile, "Please enlighten me, what will you do? Mother and father have told me to continue practicing my abilities, I am certain uncle would approve as well."

Allura narrowed her eyes at him, "I can guarantee that neither father or mother would approve of their youngest climbing around the chandelier, get down."

"I'm inclined to agree with your sister my prince, your parents would not approve of this," commented a new voice, belonging to Zarkon.

Allura sighed as she faced the Galra family friend, "Please get him down from there uncle. As you can see I'm not having any success."

Zarkon chuckled heartily, "Not to worry. I'm sure he'll be down in no time without a scratch. Isn't that right Casimir?"

An exasperated sigh escaped the nine deca-phoeb old boy. He peered through the glass pieces of the chandelier to look at his sister and mentor below. There was no harm in what he was doing, it wasn't like he was going to break the chandelier or injure himself. No, no, he was training, preparing. Just like he was taught.

"Why must I," questioned Casimir, "I am simply being prepared. Should an attacker come, I will be able to effectively hide here or take them by surprise."

"We have training areas and classes for that exact purpose," hissed Allura, her eyes alight with annoyance.

Casimir growled, "We won't always be in the safety of training room."

"Enough you two," Zarkon interrupted before either sibling could send another retort, "While it is good to use your environment to your advantage, it is also good during an exercise to know when to stop. You've done enough for now, come down here. That is an order."

Casimir sighed heavily again, but did as he was told. He slipped through the chandelier until he was hanging from one of the bars in place. Once his entire body was dangling from there, much to Allura's horror and Zarkon's amusement, he swung back and forth to gain momentum. He released hold after a few swings and landed gracefully onto the balcony not far away. He leaned over the railing to look at his relatives below.

"I got down," said Casimir.

Allura shook her head, "I cannot take watching you any longer. I'm getting Coran to do it."

Casimir rolled his eyes, "Whatever. I don't need a babysitter."

"You practically are a baby," said Allura with her nostrils flared, "Not even the age of maturity yet."

Casimir felt his cheeks grow hot, "Hey! Who cares, I'll get there eventually. Besides, you're only a few deca-phoebs ahead of me!"

Zarkon sighed as the two continued to go back forth. Though he would have loved to have a child, he was unsure how he would cope with the noise. It seemed far too much of a hassle, he would have to ask Alfor how he accomplished this feat.

"Okay okay, break it up," Zarkon ordered looking between the pair, "Both of you apologize to each other."

A chorus of no's and no way's filled his ears.

"Fine, I guess that means we won't go out for nunvill and shoom pie," Zarkon said with a dramatic sigh, "Such a shame too. You both are doing so well with your training and studies. It only seemed fitting to reward you, but if you cannot even act maturely with one another..."

Casimir and Allura could only stare at Zarkon with wide eyes before apologizing profusely to each other. This made Zarkon smile triumphantly, and Honerva always said he was terrible with children.

Lance jerked himself awake as the center of his forehead began to throb. The memories would come and go, but every time they did it was more immersive when he went in and painful when he came out. He hated how he couldn't stop the memories from taking over, he feared that one would happen in the middle of battle and he wouldn't be able to help his team. Or worse he cause some problem because he wasn't paying attention.

It was lucky that he was just flying to a destination now and that they were still far away, but even then it wasn't good. Especially if a surprise attack came and he wasn't ready. Not to mention the possibility of returning to the age of thirteen was daunting. He hoped that theory was nothing more than a crazy idea, but at this point he knew anything was possible.

Lance, are you alright?

Lance looked around the cockpit at that, Pidge and Shiro were in one of the rooms down below doing who knows what. The voice sounded like it was next to him, but more echoey and distinctly like Allura, which slightly freaked him out.

"That you Allura," Lance asked tentatively.

I can't believe that worked.

"What worked, you talking in my head," Lance asked leaning back in his chair, "If you wanted to talk, you could have radioed in the comms."

I could have, but when I saw that memory from you, I had to try something.

Lance blinked in surprise, "Wait, you saw that? Us and Zarkon?"

Yes, yes I did. I remember that day. You were being such a brat, you were always getting into trouble.

"I think you mean I was being fun," Lance corrected with a smile.

Allura's face appeared before him on the monitor, she scoffed, "That was not fun. You were a troublemaker, both of us had our moments I will admit, but you more so. I grew out of it, you never did."

Lance shrugged, "That sounds right… Did you really see that same memory?"

Allura's expression turned somber, "I was trying to get a read on you when I was drawn into the memory. I forced you out instead of letting the rest play."

"Why, I thought I was supposed to let them play," Lance questioned a bit suspicious.

Allura inhaled, "I know."

"What are you hiding," Lance decided to ask.

"I wish I could hide our past relationship with Zarkon from you," Allura admitted with a defeated look, "Him and Honerva were like family. I know I shouldn't keep things from you-"

"You just want to help, I get it," Lance interrupted with a soft grin, "Why don't you show me some memories?"

Allura's brows rose in surprise, "What?"

Lance shifted in his seat and glanced away, "You know, you got drawn into my memory. Maybe you could draw me into some of yours and show some things from before..."

When Lance looked back Allura, he was a little shocked to see tears forming in her eyes. He wasn't sure if those were sad or happy tears. However the smile that grew on her face told him what he needed to know.

"Yes, I'd love to," Allura answered honestly, "I know the perfect place to start. Close your eyes, follow the tug when you feel it."

Lance nodded once. He closed his eyes and leaned back waiting for the tugging feeling in his stomach. Once he felt it, he let it lead him through the darkness until he was enveloped in a memory.

When Lance opened his eyes, he saw a field of magenta flowers, with green grass everywhere along with clear blue skies. The breeze ruffled his hair as he took in a breath, the air was smelled sweet and floral, like honeysuckles.

"You'll never catch me, hahaha!"

"Just you wait until I get my hands on you!"

Lance spun around to see two children, both with matching white hair on their heads. A little girl who looked around the age of twelve and a boy who looked around the age of seven, or perhaps younger. Lance made the connection, it was himself and Allura. Seeing the memories from this angle was weird for Lance, but Coran mentioned it was an Altean thing that had to do with quintessence. It made no sense to him, but he didn't care enough to ask more.

"Mother and father brought us here all the time when we were younger," said Allura beside him.

Lance jumped, but quickly recovered when he looked at her.

"This was the place where we could all escape the pressures of being royalty," Allura said wrapping her arms around her stomach, "Where we could be a regular family."

"You miss it a lot, don't you," asked Lance even though he knew the answer.

Allura looked at him with a weak smile, "I do miss it more than I could ever describe. Wishing it to be the present will not change that this time is gone."

Lance looked back at the laughing children. How the boy had tackled the girl to the ground, both laughing hysterically as they fell into the grass. A wry smile formed on his face. They looked happy, this whole other life looked amazing. Yet he could remember hardly any of it.

"Allura," Lance started hesitantly.

"Yes," answered Allura, moving to stand in front of him she continued, "What is it?"

Lanced swallowed the lump in his throat, "I-I. Do you think we'll be okay? Like, like that?"

Allura glanced at the laughing children with a forlorn expression as she thought over Lance's words. It had crossed her mind whether or not she and Lance would grow close to each other again. However she was not certain and did not want to focus on the idea in case it never happened. Nothing would make her happier than to have her brother be close to her again, but she knew that it may not occur and she would make peace with that. The princess looked back Lance, a gentle smile on her face.

"Maybe not like them," Allura said softly, "but I do believe we are on a good path."

Lance said nothing in response to her. He closed his eyes, memories of running around with his siblings on earth filled his vision. He could see his sisters and brothers, he saw his parents on the side laughing with each other at the antics of their children. His grandparents were there too, all sitting and chatting with each other. The lump in his throat seemed to thicken at the thoughts of them, he missed them so much it hurt his heart to be so far away. What would he say when he saw them again? If he ever saw them again.

"I've got to go," Lance said suddenly, he stepped away from Allura, "There could be an attack at any moment."

Allura tried to hide the hurt she felt, but was unsuccessful, "Oh well, okay. Good luck."

Lance thought about apologizing for the sudden change, but after the blink of his eyes, she was gone and he was left alone in the cockpit of the Blue lion.

Lance sighed heavily, what a mess.