A/N I love this chapter. It was super fun to write. I hope it is as super fun to read. Sorry about not responding to individuals. A little pressed for time this weekend, but I wanted to get this up. I hope you enjoy!

Rated M for suggestion and innuendo, just to be safe.

Disclaimer: I don't own Voltron…

Chapter 4

Lance waited anxiously for the princess as she changed her clothes for the night ahead. Waiting in her sitting room, he bounced on his feet as he perused her pictures and knickknacks strewn around the room. Noticing a snapshot in a frame of the princess and commander, Lance thought back to the tenderness Keith showed toward the princess on occasion. Something was definitely going on. He would have the princess to himself for at least a little bit. Deciding that this would be the perfect time to interrogate her, he turned around as he heard her enter the room.

Dressed in a pair of heavy flannel, pink plaid pajamas, a thick terry cloth robe, wool socks, and pink fur lined slippers, Allura felt a lot more warm and comfortable than she had in just her flight suit. Grabbing a thick wool headband to keep her ears covered, she walked over to her closet to get out several blankets. "I'm almost ready, Lance. I just need to get a few more things together."

"No problem, Princess," Lance replied. "I'm just looking forward to getting some thermals and sweats on. I swear it's getting colder in here by the minute."

"I'm almost done," Allura promised. Talking to herself, she wondered aloud, "I wonder if I should bring some extra blankets for Keith."

Lance caught her mutterings and grinned mischievously. "Always worried about Keith, huh?"

"Well, yes," Allura stuttered slightly, immediately realizing her error. "He may be frozen by the time he gets back from patrol. I want to make sure we have enough blankets and warm clothes for everyone." She pulled several wool blankets from her personal linen closet and gathered them into her arms.

"Oh, I am sure you can find some interesting ways to keep our commander warm," Lance teased, "under the blankets."

Blushing furiously, Allura almost dropped the load in her arms. She stared at Lance's boldness. Sputtering, she tried to form words. "Lance, what the hell are you talking about it?"

Lance sobered slightly as he gazed at the embarrassed princess. The teasing glint in his eye and a slight smirk remained on his face. "So what's going on with you and Keith, Princess? Are you two sleeping together?" Opening his arms, he offered to take some of the blankets the princess held clutched in her arms.

Glaring in disbelief, Allura raised her chin in haughty defiance. "Lance, this line of questioning is completely inappropriate!" She shoved several linens at Lance to add emphasis to her statement.

"I know," Lance agreed as he accepted the blankets. "And Keith would kill me if he knew I was asking you. But inquiring Lance wants to know! Are you sleeping together?"

Allura turned away from Lance to look out her large picture window. She caught sight of a bright light streaking across the night sky. It was Keith in Black Lion making a sweep past the castle. Hugging the blankets tightly against her chest, she let her mind form a picture of Keith's handsome face. Her heart skipped a beat when she thought about her commander, and she smiled to herself. There was no point in trying to hide it from Lance. "No, we are not sleeping together."

"Yet," Lance finished for her.

"Yet," she repeated. "We are...involved. We have a somewhat physical relationship, but we haven't had sex."

"And you want to?" Lance asked, quirking an eyebrow.

Allura sighed. Struggling lately to deal with this on her own, she felt relieved to be able to talk to someone. "Yes, Lance, I want to very much. And I think he does to. We just can't seem to find time or opportunity to be alone. Our moments of intimacy are few and far between."

"Like the locker room?" Lance inquired.

Gasping, Allura fixed her penetrating gaze on Lance. How much had he seen? "What do you know, Lance?"

"Just that you two had enjoyed some time alone," the Red Lion pilot confirmed. Seeing her discomfort, he tried to reassure her. "Honestly, Allura, I didn't see much of anything. I just noticed that two were breathing pretty heavily and seemed really surprised when I walked in, like a couple of kids caught with their hands in the cookie jar. Whatever happened is between the two of you." Pausing for a minute, he looked at her seriously. "To be honest, I think it's about time that the two of you hooked up. It took you long enough."

"Hooked up?" Allura questioned. She shot him a look of confusion.

"Got together," Lance informed her. "The rest of us could tell for months that there was something between the two of you."

"Really?" Allura wondered. "How?"

"Well, first of all, it was the way you constantly stared at Keith. And you always got nervous and tongue-tied around him. Pretty uncharacteristic for a confidant planetary monarch," Lance explained.

"And Keith?" Allura asked.

"Oh, I know my best friend," Lance quipped. "I would catch him checking you out constantly, when he thought no one was looking. And his insane jealousy at the football game kind of confirmed it."

"Yes, he didn't really like the cheerleader outfit," Allura admitted, remembering Keith's outburst and demand that she change.

"Can't say I blame him," Lance agreed. "You looked amazing, Princess." He stopped and thought about what he was about to say next. "I wouldn't want the woman I love to be parading around dressed like that." Heading to the door, he waited while she digested his words.

"The woman he loves?" Allura squealed. "Seriously, Lance? You think Keith loves me?"

"I don't think. I know."

"Has he told you?" Allura implored.

"He doesn't have to. I told you. I know Keith." He stopped and smiled softly at her. "That man loves you, with every part of his being."

Smiling, Allura repeated the phrase in her head. He loves me. He loves me. He loves me. A wistful smiled appeared on her radiant face as she gathered the last of her blankets and headed toward her chamber door.

Lance chuckled at her smitten expression. "And I can tell you love him, too." Following behind her as she left the room, Lance fell into step beside her as they headed to the library. "Can I offer any assistance? I am king at sexual liaisons and keeping them secret."

Giggling, Allura looked adoringly at her dear friend. She thought about her original plan to involve Red's pilot, then thought better of it. Keith would never want such a private thing shared with anyone, even his best friend. Shaking her head, she resisted his offer. "No, that's ok. I think this is something Keith and I need to figure out on our own."

"Are you sure, Princess?" Lance coaxed. "Keith won't have to know. I could run interference or create a diversion to give you two time together."

His face shined with such sincerity and hope that she couldn't help but feel a rush of dearness and love for him. She grinned coyly. "You can run interference if an opportunity presents itself, but that's it."

"Ok, Princess," he agreed. "Don't you worry. Lance the love master will deliver." He proffered his arm again. "Now let's get to the library and get this orgy started."