AN: Sorry for the delay. Season six got me thinking and thinking... XD
MB
MB
MB
Allura sipped from her cup as Coran talked.
The mice were still asleep in her bedroom so she left them where they were. From the dining table she could smell some delicious concoction being made by their residential chef prodigy. Hunk had brought over some tea and something he called 'biscotti' to abate their hunger until breakfast was ready.
"How has the training been?"
"Very good, if I do say so myself," Coran rubbed the corner of his moustache with pride. "Number Four and Five have been showing marked improvement in duo exercises despite the bickering." He grabbed a green biscotti to dunk in his tea. "Number Two is still shooting Number Three on accident."
"Poor Lance," Allura shook her head.
"As for Number One...well, to be honest I cannot find any specific area that he needs to work on."
"Everyone needs improvement," she softly scoffed. "There is no perfect fighter."
"No. But if there was anyone that was close, it'd be our own Black Paladin."
She looked into her cup. "...There is one area he could work on..."
The royal advisor put his cup down. He looked around first and then leaned in to speak quieter.
"Is that wise?"
"He's been piloting without his full equipment. If his bond with the Lion is strong enough, perhaps he could call it to himself."
"...Allura." He sighed long. "As a leader you have good instincts." He put a hand on hers. "And as a trainer, I have good instincts."
"You do not think he is ready."
"I don't."
"Despite finding no areas that require improvement?"
"...It's contradictory, I know." He paused when he thought he heard someone coming in. To be safe, he switched to Altean. "But there are technically two Black Paladins. I still can't believe the Lion accepted a second one while the first still lives. Who knows what the ramifications would be if Shiro were to attempt to call the bayard from him."
Her eyes glinted with steel.
"It sickens me to think that that monster still has it." She closed her eyes for a couple of ticks. "But you are right. Four of our five paladins are still in need of serious training.We cannot afford to call attention to ourselves."
The dining door slid open. The duo straightened up from their hushed talk.
"Morning Coran, Allura."
"Hello Shiro," Coran smiled.
"Morning," Allura murmured into her cup.
Shiro sat across from her. "Mind if I pour myself a cup?"
"Please, by all means," the older Altean laughed. "I've had three already."
He poured a cup for himself. Then refilled Allura's when he saw that it was near empty. She looked up at the gesture and then quickly back down. It was the fourth quintant since 'That Night.' Neither one brought it up and she was tempted to just leave it that way. She glanced back up at him and knew...I cannot.
"Thank you."
"Of course," he gave a slight nod.
Coran stretched his arms and then stood up. "I'd best be getting to my endless list of tasks. Shiro, I'll let you know when I've fixed a couple of the flying pods. But be warned, it won't be this quintant."
"That's fine Coran."
Once Coran left Allura tilted her head curiously. "You want to fly one of the Altean pods?"
"A good pilot knows how to fly everything in his arsenal." With a serious face he added, "The castle is next."
"I'd sooner let the mice fly my castle, Paladin."
He lightly grinned when he heard her no-nonsense tone.
"How possessive of you."
She let out a hum. "And you are not?"
He let out a sigh, knowing exactly what she was referring to.
"Slippers are personal."
"But to wash them three times?"
"Lance wore mine bare footed."
"Three times," she emphasized. "For footwear that was worn for a mere moment." She looked at him over her cup's rim. "That suggests something."
"Good or bad?"
She shrugged. "You tell me."
"Your tone suggests bad." He leaned forward a little. "But I wonder if it is merely circumstantial."
"What situation would it be good?" she lightly laughed.
"Pillows."
"What?"
He picked up a biscotti. "I have not washed mine."
Her confusion was shortly lived. And here I thought I would bring it up first. He was the Black Paladin, however. The decisive head. She watched as he bit into a biscotti and then sit back expectantly. She took another sip of her tea before looking back at him.
"You have yet to apologize for that night."
He let out a sound. "Apologizing suggests taking back my actions."
"...Which you do not?"
"No."
"Even if I were to apologize for my response?"
"Despite whatever you say to me," he easily answered.
She was stunned silent for a moment. He finished his tea and then stood up.
"I need to drag Keith out of the training room."
"...Paladin."
He paused before the door, not turning around. "Princess."
"You may wash your pillows."
He shook his head. "The scent will disappear."
"Not unless the source returns."
He turned his head to look over his shoulder. She was refilling her cup without looking at him.
"I'll make room in my drawer."
He left the dining room. Her cheeks were touched with a faint rosy color. Such presumption. She did not say for more than one night. Her finger lightly traced the rim of her cup.
Not that she herself knew.
Allura let herself in.
"I do not sleep as well," she explained as she stuffed clothes into the top drawer. "That's all."
Shiro stayed leaning against the wall near her, already in his sleeping clothes.
"And my quintessence is comforting."
"Yes. I am mostly recovered but it is important I heal as soon as possible, hence good sleep." She slid her robe off and hung it in the closet. "I merely point this out so there are no misunderstandings."
He watched the mice settle on the pillow first before Allura slid under the covers.
"We can't have misunderstandings."
"Exactly," she flashed him a quick smile and then turned onto her side so she faced the wall. "The majority of problems arise when one or both parties are unaware of the situation occurring. Why, my own father was almost engaged to a blob princess because they each misunderstood the other's actions."
He laid down on the covers next to her.
"Wise words."
"I am so glad we are on the same page."
He closed his eyes. "Good night Princess."
Not even a full two minutes passed by when he felt her move. He opened his eyes, seeing her half sitting up above him. Her expression was blank. He frowned as he made to sit up.
"Princess, what's -"
Her hand went on his shoulder. "Drop the quiznaking formality."
He was only partly surprised when her lips met his. His left hand went to her cheek and his right lightly rested on her hip. She shivered as his thumb brushed her facial marking. She broke off the kiss, putting her forehead against his cheek.
"I'm not good at this," she quietly mumbled. "I've had a total of two admirers and only one of them that I actually liked."
He lightly smiled. "You like me?"
"Why else would I have kissed you?" She lifted her head to stare at him in confusion. "Or do earthlings kiss for other -" She cut herself off when he grinned at her. "You and your teasing."
"You're the one that came here."
She leaned back down with him on the pillows. "I did not sign up for mockery."
"No," he answered with closed eyes, "you came for sleep."
She lightly pinched his side. "I can still leave."
"Yes you can." Pause. "But you won't."
"...I misspoke."
"About...?"
"The Black Paladin is the cockiest."
He chuckled at that. "Maybe. But not more than Lance."
She shuddered at that. "Thank the heavens."
There was a brief moment of silence.
"Shiro?"
"Yes?"
"Do you feel you have a strong bond with the Black Lion?"
"I suppose. But without the bayard I'm not certain how far I can go."
"...That is a valid point."
"Why do you ask?"
"Something Coran said." She put her face against his shoulder. "Forget I asked."
"...Alright."
MB
MB
MB
AN: Shorter than some other chapters but the next one will probably make up for it. XD