I make no claims to Voltron or any other WEP characters.

Enjoy Chapter 8

Mertz

Lance sits in the dining room the next morning enjoying his cup of coffee as he waits for the others to file in and breakfast to be served. He smiles at Hunk and Pidge as they enter; bantering back and forth about the pretty women they managed to dance with the night before.

Soon Romelle and Sven join them and Lance asks, "Is Allura alright?"

Romelle smiles at him, "I haven't seen her yet. But since Keith stayed with her last night, I'm sure she is fine."

Lance's eyebrows go up at that statement but before he can comment Keith leads Allura into the dining room with his arm around her waist. He keeps watching them as Keith leads Allura to her place at the table across from Lance. Finally catching her eyes, Lance smiles at her, "Good morning Princess."

Allura flushes as Keith sits next to her then mumbles, "Good morning." She looks at Keith briefly before facing Lance again, "I'm sorry."

Still smiling at her, Lance sits back in his seat, "Don't worry about it Allura…I've had worse done to me." He smiles wolfishly, "I've done worse to others…"

Keith arches his brow at Lance as Allura looks at him confused, "What…" stopping as Coran enters the room and addresses the group, "Good morning all."

He takes a seat at the head of the table and smiles at them before continuing, "I came across an interesting sight last night…" He looks pointedly at Lance, "Seems Prince Perry somehow fell off the balcony last night into the garden pond."

Coran picks up his cup and fills it with tea before continuing, "Do you know how that could have happened Lieutenant?"

Smiling from ear to ear, Lance sets his cup down, "Perhaps he insulted the wrong person." He picks up the carafe off the table and refills his coffee cup before he continues, "He was a bit of a smug bastard."

Keith looks from Lance to Coran and back before asking, "Lance…what did you do?"

Hard eyes meet Keith's as he lounges back in his chair before responding, "Not half of what you would have done had you heard what that asshole said to Allura."

Allura gasps and Keith swivels his head toward her, "What did he say to you Allura?"

She shakes her head at him and Coran clears his throat to regain everyone's attention. Keith reluctantly looks away from Allura to face Coran. He smiles at Allura before turning his attention back to Lance, "Lieutenant, the next time you decide to "teach someone some manners" make sure you don't have any witnesses." A devilish grin crosses Lance's face as Coran continues, "And if it is someone rude enough to insult the princess make sure you knock a few teeth out of their mouth before throwing them off the balcony."

Coran smiles at the shocked looks on the faces of everyone around the table as he chuckles, rises and leaves the room with his tea cup.

Keith finally shakes his head and looks over at Allura as she erases the look of shock off her face. He smiles at her when she finally looks up at him. Reaching over he grasps her hand, "Alright?"

Allura nods at him then turns back to her plate as a maid places her breakfast in front of her. Lance clears his throat gaining Keith's attention, "So practice after breakfast?"

Keith swallows a sip of coffee before answering, "No."

Another round of shocked looks circle the table as Keith smiles at the reaction, "I'm taking Allura out in Blue lion this morning." Allura turns in her seat to face Keith shocked, "What?"

He reaches over to caress her cheek and says softly, "You have to do it sometime Allura." She turns away from him and casts her eyes down onto her plate. Lance clears his throat and stands, "Guess I will go check on a couple of things." and leaves the room.

Pidge knocks Hunk in the arm, "Hunk, come help me fix the weapon upgrades on Yellow lion."

Hunk looks ready to argue then stops as Pidge glares at him. Hunk grabs a stack of toast and follows Pidge out of the room. Sven runs his hand down Romelle's cheek as he rises from his chair. She smiles up at him and takes his hand while he wraps his arm around her waist and leads her out of the room.

Keith sighs as he watches the last of the people leave the room. He turns in his seat and pulls Allura's chair around to face him. He whispers, "Allura?"

She keeps her head down as he says her name again. When she fails to respond, Keith sighs as he reaches up and lifts her chin with his fingers, "Allura…look at me."

Sad blue eyes finally meet his dark ones. He caresses her cheek, "Don't you want to fly anymore?"

She starts, "What…" then stops as she looks away again. Keith takes her hand in his, "What Allura?"

Taking a deep breath, she looks back up at Keith to whisper, "What if I freeze?"

He smiles at her as he intertwines their fingers, "I will be with you the whole time Allura." He leans into her and places a light kiss on her cheek then whispers in her ear, "Remember…I promised I wouldn't let anything or anyone hurt you."

Allura wraps her arm around Keith, hugging him close to her as she whispers, "I love you…"

Wishing he could take Allura into his arms and kiss her, Keith thrusts away the desire as he pulls back from her to smile at her once more, "Let's go flying Allura."

She lets out a deep sigh and nods at him. Keith rises and holds a hand out to Allura as she slowly rises from her chair to take his hand. Wrapping an arm around her, Keith leads Allura out of the room.

xxxxxxxxxx

Allura nuzzles Keith's neck as the Captain's chair rises into Blue lion. As the chair finishes locking into place, Keith loosens his grip on Allura. When she doesn't move he sighs, "Allura?"

She finally pulls away from him and lets her eyes drift around the lion. Turning she lets her feet fall to the floor. Keith moves to help her stand so he can get out the seat but stops when she says, "No…" quietly.

Allura turns in his lap so she is facing forward. She puts the key in the lion and watches as the systems light up inside the lion. Understanding her need, Keith sits back in the chair as Allura sits in his lap and takes the controls.

As the lion flies up into the air, Keith wishes he could see her face as she performs loops with Blue. She pushes the lion up into the stratosphere then lets Blue dive to the ground, pulling up at the last moment to spin through the air.

Feeling free for the first time in a long time, Allura truly smiles as she pushes Blue to the limits of speed the lion is capable of. She laughs lightly as she pushes Blue into the water and flips the lion around in the water to swim upside down.

Keith grimaces as he feels himself harden at the sound. Trying to shift slightly to ease the pressure, he withholds a groan as Allura's buttocks brush against it.

Allura freezes in the seat as she feels him. She turns her head slightly to look back at him as fear fills her and murmurs, "Keith?"

Keith sighs as he grabs Allura's waist to push her further down his legs, "Sorry Allura."

Taking the lion out of the water, Allura lands then quickly rises out of Keith's lap like she was being burned. Keith grimaces as she keeps her face turned away from him. He reaches out for her hand, "Allura look at me."

It takes a few moments before Allura finally looks at him. He smiles slightly at her, "Allura, I know I just scared you and I'm sorry." He squeezes her hand, which she keeps stiff within his, "I can't help the way my body responds to you Allura but I will never force myself on you."

She studies him for many moments before nodding at him. Keith tugs on her hand and Allura slowly sits back on his lap, crossways. Keith turns his head to kiss her forehead, "I love you Allura." He smiles at her as she lays her head on his shoulder, "Do you want to fly some more or return to the castle?"

He hears, "Return…" whispered into his ear as she tightens her arms around him. Keith takes the controls and returns them to the castle.

xxxxxxxxxx

Romelle laughs quietly as Sven nuzzles her neck while fondling her breast through her dress. She sighs deeply as he nips her neck then licks the spot, "Sven…"

Sven chuckles in her ear and begins pushing Romelle back onto the mattress when there is a knock at the door. He mutters, "If we ignore it, they will go away."

As they hear the knock again, Sven groans then rises to go answer the door. He opens the door ready to tell the person to go away but stops when he sees Allura standing there. He manages to smile at her, "Princess, can I help you?"

She smiles shyly at Sven as she wrings her hands, "I was looking for Romelle…"

Noting her nervousness, he signals her to come into the room. Sven smiles at Romelle, "Allura needs to see you." He walks over to the bed to whisper, "We will finish this later…" kisses her cheek then smiles at Allura before walking out of the room.

Romelle watches him until the door closes then shifts her gaze to Allura finally taking note of her appearance. She sits up straighter, "Allura, what's wrong?"

Rubbing the area between her eyes to relieve her tension, Allura joins Romelle on the bed, "I need your…help." She finally looks over at Romelle, "Keith told me he loves me…"

Romelle smiles brightly at her, "What wonderful news!"

Holding up her hand to stop her Allura sighs, "Romelle, Keith kissed me and I panicked. I shoved him away from me because I suddenly saw…him…again."

"Lotor Allura…you saw Lotor again." Romelle watches Allura shudder as she says the name.

Romelle pulls Allura close to her, "Honey, you have to work past this and not be afraid of him." She pulls Allura's chin up, "Being afraid of Lotor gives him power over you."

Allura manages a nod as a tear slips down her cheek. She pulls her face away from Romelle as she wipes at the tear. She takes a deep breath before turning back to her, "How did you work through it so you could be with Sven?"

Reaching out to rub Allura's arm, Romelle sighs, "It took a while." She smiles slightly at Allura, "Even though Sven and I share a healthy relationship now there are times if he comes up from behind and startles me, the fear comes back. Once I realize it's Sven I am fine again."

Allura's brow furrows, "But how did you get there?"

Letting out another deep sigh, Romelle looks at the wall, "It came down to trust…" She looks back at Allura, "I loved Sven and trusted him not to hurt me." Smiling slightly she continues, "We went slowly at first. Kisses here and there…soon I let him touch me in different places. If anything bothered me all I would have to do was pull back slightly and Sven would stop."

She reaches over and takes Allura's hand, "The most important part is the trust…if you love Keith, then you have to trust that he won't hurt you." Allura studies Romelle's eyes for several moments before nodding. She rises from the bed to walk to the door but stops just before to turn back to Romelle, "Thank you Romelle."

Romelle smiles at her as Allura turns and walks out the door.

xxxxxxxxxx

Allura wanders down the hall deep in thought. Finding herself outside of Keith's office, she knocks lightly on the door and enters when bidden. Keith smiles at her when she walks through the door, "Hi sweetheart…" She smiles at him as she walks around his desk.

Keith pushes the chair back from the desk as Allura sits down in his lap and wraps her arms around him while pushing her nose into his neck. He sighs with contentment as he wraps his arms around her, "Are you alright?"

Nodding, Allura sits back slightly as she studies him. Tentatively reaching up with her fingers she lightly touches Keith's cheeks, then his chin before teasing his lips. She watches Keith's eyes darken with desire as he presses his lips against her finger tips as his grip on her tightens slightly.

Keith murmurs her name against her fingers. Closing her eyes, she leans in and places a kiss on his cheek. She opens her eyes to watch him as she kisses a spot closer to his lips as her fingers drift down his chest.

Moaning slightly, Keith turns his head and lightly presses his lips to hers. Feeling the panic coursing through her body once more, Allura pulls back from him but is unable to rise as Keith keeps his grip on her, "It's alright Allura…I'll stop."

Allura takes several deep breaths as the panic slowly ebbs before she raises tear stained eyes to Keith, "I'm sorry…"

Keith smiles at her tenderly as he pulls her in close for a hug, "You have nothing to be sorry for sweetheart." Allura continues to cry against his chest, "I wanted to…"

Sighing, Keith turns his head to kiss her forehead, "I know love…it isn't your fault." He moves a hand to wipe the tears from her cheeks, "In time Allura…"

Allura sits up against him before asking, "But how can I marry you Keith when I can't even be a proper wife?"

"Allura…" Keith caresses her cheek, "Marriage is about more than having sex with your partner."

Allura pulls her face away from his hand, "But it is part of it Keith…an important part." She tries to get off of his lap only to have Keith tighten his hold on her.

He grabs her chin and forces her to look at him, "Allura, I love you and would be willing to marry you this minute. A part of the vows are about taking your partner for better or worse. It doesn't matter what is going wrong Allura, as long as we face it together, we will overcome it."

She pulls her face away from his hand, "But you deserve a real wife Keith…"

His body shaking with anger, Keith growls out, "Enough Allura…even if we live together for the rest of our lives and never make love, I would be happy. Do you understand me? I would be happy because you are in my life. That is what I want and what I feel I deserve.

Shaken by the fierceness in his eyes, Allura pulls back slightly. Grimacing when he notices, Keith calms himself, "I'm sorry Allura. I didn't mean to frighten you."

She nods at him and then curls into his chest, closing her eyes as he holds her close to him.

xxxxxxxxxx

Later that night, Keith walks Allura back to her room for the evening. He smiles at her as she hesitates by her door, reluctant to release his hand. She raises her gaze to his and Keith reaches out to touch her cheek, "Yes my love?"

Allura flushes slightly and lowers her gaze once more before stepping to Keith and wrapping her arms around his waist. With her face close to his chest, she whispers against him, "Can you stay with me?"

Keith kisses her forehead and sighs as he runs his hands up her arms, "Do you want me to spend the night?"

Raising her face to meet his gaze Allura replies, "I don't want to be alone. I feel safe when you are there."

Keith smiles at her, "Then my love I will happily stay with you. I'll go down to my room, get some pajamas and will be back shortly."

Allura shakes her head at him, "I'll come with you."

Keith smiles and turns to walk down the hallway, leading Allura to his room. Allura stays near the door as he walks around gathering things he will need for the night and to dress for the next morning. She watches closely as Keith bends over to grab something out of a lower dresser drawer, her gaze intently studying the firmness of his buttocks.

Drawn to him, she walks across the room and lightly runs her fingers along his backside. Keith stands quickly and turns around to face her, "Allura?"

She raises her gaze to his face and reaches up with her fingers to caress his cheek. Keith sets the things in his hands down and pulls her tight to him. Keith touches Allura's face lightly, his finger tracing her lips while he stares into her eyes. She shivers as he lowers his head and lightly presses his lips to hers. Allura closes her eyes but can't handle it and pushes herself away from Keith, "I can't…" She opens her eyes to see Keith watching her as tears run down her cheeks. She hugs herself as she cries, "I want to…but I can't."

Keith sighs as he holds his hand out to her, "It's alright Allura, come here."

Allura steps back into his arms, wrapping her arms around him as he rests his chin on top of her head. He rubs her back, "How can I help you Allura?"

He hears her sniffle before she whispers, "I don't know…I'm scared…when I feel you touch me like that, I get scared." She looks up into his face as tears run down her cheeks, "I know it is you and not…" unable to say his name, "but I can't help it."

Keith nods as he runs his hands up and down her arms while watching her. He sighs, "How about when you touch me?"

A bewildered look crosses Allura's features, "I don't understand."

Smiling a comforting smile at her, Keith touches her chin, "I think we are going about this the wrong way. Can you touch me without getting scared?"

Allura gazes into his eyes as she thinks about it, "I don't know."

Pushing her hair off her shoulders, he smiles at her once more, "Care to try?"

Allura nods at him, "Where?"

Keith raises his eyebrows at her, "I'll sit on my bed Allura and you can touch me where ever you wish. I promise not to touch you at all." A small look of fear crosses her features as she looks over at the bed. He touches her cheek, "If it will make you feel better you can even handcuff me to the bed to ensure I can't touch you."

She shakes her head at him, "No…I trust you." Keith smiles at her then releases her to walk over to his bed. She watches as he removes his boots and adjusts the pillows before sitting against the bed rest. He says nothing as he sits there, waiting for Allura to come to him.

Allura watches him for a moment longer before she slowly approaches the bed. She sits down near the end, away from him and just looks at him for a while. Keith smiles at her but says nothing as her gaze moves over his body. She finally reaches out and touches his lower leg, her fingers lightly moving along the side against his pants. She raises her gaze to meet his and he smiles reassuringly at her.

Feeling bolder she slides up the bed, her fingers running along his muscular thigh before she stops close to him. She gazes into his eyes as her fingers move up along his stomach and then up his chest, feeling the rigid muscles underneath the shirt.

She looks away from his eyes as her finger continues to explore his chest and Keith takes a deep breath as she pauses, her fingers near the buttons. She looks back into his eyes and Keith nods his permission. Allura looks away again as she slowly undoes a few of the buttons exposing his upper chest.

Keith keeps himself still as Allura finishes unbuttoning his shirt then sits back and looks at his upper torso. He watches her as she takes a deep breath then lifts her hand and gently runs her fingers over his chest. Holding his breath, he feels the feather light touch move over his nipples before her fingers drift down along his abdomen. He releases the breath and watches as she leans into him and places her face against his chest. Moments later he feels her lips as they lightly kiss him as her fingers continue to move along his waist almost tickling the skin. Keith closes his eyes as Allura's lips continue to move over the skin of his chest, Don't react…dammit keep it under control and don't react… He opens his eyes when he feels her fingers drift along the button to his jeans.

Allura lifts her head and looks into Keith's eyes as her fingers pause. He sighs deeply, "It's alright Allura…anywhere you wish to touch me. I just can't guarantee my body won't react. But my hands will not touch you."

Allura studies his eyes a few moments more before she nods and lowers her head once more. She drifts her fingers over the fabric of his jeans and listens to Keith suck in a deep breath when her fingers brush over the bulge of his manhood. He releases it a few moments later when she moves her fingers away. She closes her eyes as her head rests against his chest listening to his heartbeat, I want to be with Keith… He loves me and would never hurt me…

She opens her eyes once more and slowly unbuttons his jeans and pulls the zipper down. She feels Keith stiffen a bit as her fingers drift over him once more, this time through the fabric of his underwear. She feels him harden under her fingers and listens as Keith's breathing becomes ragged. She looks to his hands to see they are clenched into fists in the blankets.

Allura takes a deep breath, closes her eyes and slides the fabric back to touch him. She hears Keith gasp as she pulls him out, her fingers lightly moving along the hard shaft. She opens her eyes to study his engorged manhood and feels her own body begin to respond, not with fear, but desire.

She continues to touch him as she pulls back to look into Keith's face. His eyes are closed as if in concentration. Allura tilts her face up and lightly presses her lips to Keith's. He opens his eyes to gaze into her eyes as he responds to her kiss, his lips moving lightly over hers.

Allura releases him and moves her hands up around Keith's neck, pressing her body against his. Keith can't help releasing a groan and lightly strokes her lips with the tip of his tongue. When Allura opens her mouth he deepens the kiss, his tongue lightly stroking hers until she tentatively meets his part way.

Keith breaks away from the kiss and breathes in deeply, "Allura…I can't…"

She looks into his eyes for a moment before her eyes drift back down to see his knuckles are white from gripping the blankets. She reaches down and takes his hand into hers and lifts it to her lips. She listens as a groan leaves Keith's throat then almost moans herself as she feels her nipples harden and a heavy feeling settles between her legs at the sound.

Allura looks back up into Keith's eyes as she releases his hand and lightly touches his lips, "Please Keith…I want you to make love to me."

Keith eyes widen slightly before his arms come around her as he tilts his head to kiss her. She whimpers against his mouth wanting more as she feels him unzip her dress and then feels him push the fabric off of her shoulders.

Keith slowly undresses Allura, her shift following her dress until she only has her underwear on. He shifts her so she is lying down on the bed. He quickly removes his own clothes and lies down beside her. He kisses her tenderly as his fingers drift her over breast, lightly teasing the nipple as it puckers underneath his fingers.

He pulls up to look into her eyes as his fingers tread over the top of her underwear, "Are you sure Allura? We can stop at any time."

Allura smiles tentatively at him, "Please Keith…just don't give me time to think, only feel."

Keith smiles warmly at her and lets his fingers drift into her underwear and begins teasing her slit. Allura gasps as feelings of pleasure and desire flow through her body. She pushes her hips up at Keith as his lips find hers again. Keith continues to pleasure Allura with his fingers as she pushes her hips at him. He watches as she pulls away from the kiss, throwing her head back as she reaches climax.

As her body relaxes Keith sits up and removes her underwear. He settles himself between her legs and kisses her again before looking deeply into her eyes, "Are you sure?"

Allura reaches up with her hand to caress his cheek as she smiles at him, "Yes…"

Keith turns his head to kiss the palm of her hand before looking back at her, "I'll be gentle."

Allura nods at him, then arches her back as she feels him push into her. A brief moment of fear fills her at the entry but it soon dissipates as Keith slowly moves within her, his gaze locked with hers. Allura closes her eyes as the pleasure mounts and moans as she feels Keith's lips along her neck.

Allura wraps her legs around his hips as she feels herself reaching climax and arches up into him while throwing her head back and crying out his name. Keith sighs against her neck and allows himself to come as he continues to feel her climax.

He raises his head when he feels her body relax and smiles at her, "I love you Allura."

She returns the smile as she pulls him down to her for a hug as she whispers against his ear, "I love you too Keith…thank you for loving me." She places her lips against his cheek, "I think I can be your wife now…"

Keith pulls up to see tears running out of her eyes as she smiles at him. He smiles softly at her as he wipes them away before shifting them around so Allura is resting on his chest. He strokes her hair as she rests her head on his chest, falling asleep to the sound of his heartbeat. Keith sighs contentedly as he holds his love close to him before he too falls asleep.