Lotor twisted onto his stomach and huffed into his pillow. His long white mane spread over his shoulders in rare disarray. Allura's pale locks intermingled with his own, spreading her heavenly scent across the sheets.

The princess slept tucked beside him on his bunk. He watched the tiny, yellow blinking light just beside the bed. It signalled the ship was in standby, floating freely through space. He felt like that, unanchored and sincere. It physically slowed his body. If he concentrated, Lotor could feel every single contusion and scratch on his skin. He closed his eyes, listening to his own breathing. It mingled with her light snoring. Her body warmed his ribcage.

He enjoyed the seconds passing by till he almost fell asleep again. Then he turned to spoon the princess and invite all the new sensations the change provided.

She woke in his arms. It was not the first time, but somehow it felt different. A flash of panic came over him and he swallowed. A distinct feeling of standing on the edge of a precipice washed over him. His logic fell silent, abandoning him. For a moment, he was drowned in emotion that made no sense to him. It terrified him and electrified him simultaneously. Somehow, it petrified him more than the wraith of the netherworld.

She must have sensed his uncertainty. He briefly wondered if she felt the same way as him. He felt her aura push the envelope of his personal bubble. The serene energy was intoxicating to a degree. His conviction returned.

Her eyes darted to his mouth. He realised that he was leaning closer, licking his lips nervously. Her sapphire gaze returned to him. He retained the shared contact till their lips met.

The kiss felt momentously altered. Her mouth moved the way it had when they had shared their first pash in the cave on that planet whose name was abruptly lost to his mind, yet the energy passing between them was charged. She opened up to him, deepening the kiss. Another flavour of quintessent force flowed over him. It was raw and unguarded. A brief spark of vision passed through his trembling body; the glimpse of pure power dwarfed his previous encounter that the wraith had shown him. At once, he understood what the experience had gained him. The distraction killed the fervour. His logic returned, cooling his passion.

Lotor pulled away slowly, feeling guilty but smothering any sign of it on his face. He stifled the blip with humour. "So much for talking." He propped himself on his elbow, grateful for the dim light hiding his self-inflicted scars.

She giggled, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear in a futile attempt to tidy herself. "I like this better." She eyed him, searching for agreement.

He gave it to her easily. "As do I, princess." He stole a quick kiss and grinned, showing his sharp canines.

Allura's eyebrows shot up and a mischievous glint shone in her eyes. She hesitated before asking, "Can I say something?"

His stomach squirmed but Lotor nodded.

"Do all Galra have sharp teeth like yours?" She blushed. Hearing the nature of her question out loud invited embarrassment. "I mean…"

Lotor touched her hand and chuckled. He was beginning to love this other side to her. The thought that he was able to bring it out was even more amazing. "Most of us do. Thankfully, I inherited less… unwanted galra traits than most half-bloods."

The princess knew she was treading on thin ice. It was evident in the tentative hint to her voice. Lotor committed himself not to betray her trust. "Like what?"

Lotor said what came to mind first. "Like scales." He snorted defusing the tension in the air. "Or an abundance of fur. Thank the gods, I never grew fur."

She laughed. Lotor watched her, feeling lighter than he had in ages. It warmed him throughout every fibre of his being. He laughed too, letting the weight of the past few days roll off him. For several idyllic seconds their rich voices mingled in mirth and anyone walking by the door would hear the two. When she touched his forearm to catch her breath, he could sense the ease present in her demeanour. It was a clear victory.

"I would love to see that!" She said, smiling.

Lotor grimaced and kissed her again, softly. "No, you would not."

The image reminded himself that he had never gotten the chance to shower. He allowed the laughter to subside naturally. His mouth inched up in a half smile. "On the topic of managing a mane… I think we best clean up."

She nodded and grinned, her face flushed with joy. "Agreed. If anyone else saw you, they'd probably shoot you."

He raised an eyebrow in mock hurt. Playfully, carefully, Allura punched his shoulder. "Go on, stinker!"

Lotor forced himself to get up but dipped down quickly to take another kiss. She let it continue for a dozen long ticks, enjoying his powerful body sloping over her and the ghosting of his hair swaying against her skin with sensual movement.

He broke the pash with difficulty. The wheels of merriment were running at almost full speed and he was finding it difficult to dial back his enthusiasm. The smile on her beautiful face was infectious. He rose and rubbed the back of his neck.

"I better get back too," she said. Allura stood up, leaving the warm bed. "Shiro would… what was that saying... have kittens?" She quipped, stretching her gorgeously toned arms high above her head.

Lotor shrugged, failing to supress his frown. "He certainly seems vexed over our… relationship."

"I think so too. He seems different," she said worriedly.

"Perhaps it is merely stress. I hope that I am given the opportunity to prove myself before everyone else."

She looked up into his eyes and smiled tenderly. "I hope you are right."

He kissed her one last time. "Go, Allura." She obliged him with one last glance.

The room was so cold without her. The change was almost palpable. His mood eclipsed when he took in the state surrounding him. His eyes rested on the shirt thrown into the corner. He sighed. All these lies are going to catch up with up you. "I know." He answered himself.

Reality was grounding and depressive. He carefully tidied the room, sweeping up the broken bits of décor into a drawer with his hand. The wall was wiped once more with his shirt which was subsequently stuffed into another drawer.

Finally, he lit the washroom and started a hot shower to let the water wash away the physical remnants of the damned place he had barely escaped merely hours before. It is amazing how she still trusts you.

Lotor pushed the thoughts away. It was difficult with the calming rush of water sending rivulets down his back. The sensations loosened his grip on emotions. They always did.

You cannot avoid what has forged you into iron. Deceit has saved you. That is all that makes you.

He felt his stomach flutter with anxiety. Not this again. "Quiet. Stop," he whispered to himself. Paranoia lit the backburner of his mind. "Can't you just let me enjoy one second?" He growled whilst forcefully turning off the rain tile. It pattered to a halt like his resolve.

I let you tarry with the woman. You should be focused yet I do not halt your advances.

"Shut up. She is not just a 'woman'."

Focus.

Lotor silently got dressed whilst mental threads and connections intertwined. He attempted to do just that.