Lance's POV

Lance staggered into the barracks. Dancing could really tire you.

I'm going to have a little nap, Lance thought, crashing on his bed. He had only just closed his eyes though, when the door opened again.

Everyone was coming back from guard duty.

"Hey, Lance!" Hunk said, coming over to give him a hug. "Where were you today?"

"Hi guys," Lance tried for a smile. "How was duty today?"

"Boring like always," Keith replied. He pulled his long hair back and tied it up in a ponytail.

"What about you?" Hunk asked again. "Why weren't you at duty today?"

Lance sat silent, trying to come up with an excuse in order to avoid talking about Allura. Everyone waited, listening.

He took a deep breath. "I was... with the princess."

Everyone gasped, but Keith was the first to react.

"You were WHAT?" he shouted.

"You've been seeing the Princess?!" Hunk yelled. "For how long?"

"Woah," Lance put his palms up. "It's not like that."

He let his friends calm down before continuing. "I have to dance with her at the anniversary ball," Lance whispered. "I've been practicing with her all day."

"Is that why you were with Shiro yesterday?" Keith asked.

"Yeah, he was telling me about some Altean tradition. I have to practice with Allura all week," Lance confessed.

No one knew how to respond to that.

"Well, how about we let you get some rest?" Hunk offered. "You must be tired."

"Thanks you guys." Lance was finally able to sleep.

Allura's POV

Allura and Melenor lingered in the throne room, even after the music stopped.

"Are you ready for the ball, my dear?" Melenor asked her daughter.

"After one day of practice?" Allura laughed. "I don't think I'll ever be ready."

"Give it time, Allura," the queen said. "You and Lance just have to take it at your own pace."

Allura smiled. "You know, this tradition isn't that bad."

"That's what I want to hear!" Melenor gave Allura a hug before walking out of the throne room. "Your father wants to see me," she called over her shoulder.

The large doors closed, and Allura stood alone in the Throne Room.

•••

The second day of rehersal came quick. Allura stood in the garden pavilion, where she and Lance were to practice that day.

Melenor couldn't be with her daughter that day. She and King Alfor were off visiting planet Daibazaal.

Lance arrived a few minutes after Allura did. Officer Shirogane wasn't with him either.

When Lance reached the pavillion, he frowned. "Where's Queen Melenor?" he asked.

"She's visiting a neighbouring planet," Allura explained. "Where's Officer Shirogane?"

"He had a meeting to attend," Lance said.

"Did you see the dance director on your way here by chance?" Allura glanced around.

"No..." Lance said warrily. "I thought he was already here?"

"I guess we just wait then." Allura sat down on the steps to the pavillion. Lance sat next to her.

They waited... and waited...

After 10 minutes of sitting in silence, Allura stood up. "Maybe we should go back to the castle."

Lance stood up too. "Let's go." He held out his hand to help Allura up. Allura took it.

They started walking back to the castle, still holding hands.

After so many minutes of silence, Allura wanted to start up a conversation.

"So... how did you come to be captain?" she asked Lance.

Lance's eyes lit up. "Well, you see..."

He went on to explain how he enrolled in a millitary school back on his home planet, Earth. He had signed up to go to other places, though he had no idea that would include other planets. He got transferred to Altea 2 years ago with his friends Keith and Hunk. From there, he made his way up to the rank of captaincy.

Allura didn't have to pretend to be interested. She had always known that Lance wasn't Altean, because of his ears, but she had never known how he had arrived on Altea.

"And your family?" Allura asked. "Are they here with you?"

Lance looked down. "No, they weren't aloud to come." His voice was suddenly quiet.

Allura put a hand on his shoulder, but he didn't seem to mind.

"I'm sorry, Lance," she said. "I didn't know you had to be seperated."

Lance wiped a tear from his face. He had been silently crying. "Thank you, Princess."

Allura smiled. "There's no need to be formal. Call me Allura."

"As you wish."

Lance's POV

Lance ans Allura talked the entire way back to the castle. Even though they had been recently intorduced, they talked like friends. And Lance was beggining to think that they were.

When they reached the castle gates, the gaurd on duty stepped forward.

"Lance?" the guard took off his helmet to reveal Keith's face.

"Keith?" Lance quickly pushed Allura's arm away, since they had still been arm-in-arm.

"What are you doing with the Princess?" Keith asked. "I thought you said you guys were practicing for the ball."

Lance could feel his face getting red. "We were."

"Then why were you holding her hand?" Keith kept asking.

Lance didn't know how to respond, but Allura stepped forward.

"Any good man would when walking a lady," Allura said.

"Oh. Well... um..." Keith stuttered. "Please come in, Your Highness." He bowed and opened the castle gates.

Lance and Allura walked through. He knew Keith would question him further back at the barracks.

When they were out of earshot, Lance faced Allura.

"You didn't have to do that you know," he said.

"Yes, I did," Allura persisted. "You're my friend, and he shouldn't have teased you."

"I'm your friend?" Lance asked.

Allura hugged him, and walked away. Lance felt himself blushing, wondering if she was too.