Less steamy than the first chapter but this was such a nice chapter to write. I like Allura being vulnerable because even she deserves to be after all she has been through. The Day 25 prompt for flufftober is 'First Dance' and I did put an odd spin to it, but I think it works. The whumptober prompt is 'Silence is Golden'. Enjoy!

2. Shelter

Allura had known that Keith knew first aid, but she hadn't expected him to be this good at it. A part of her had wanted to kick him where it hurts when his hand had dropped to her thigh, because it made her cheeks heat up even though she knew he would never take advantage of her. Her heart was racing so fast as his hand contacted physical skin but luckily, they were distracted by the upcoming battle. Her wound was not hurting her too much but at the same time, but it did twitch when she tried to move it and she winced when Keith tied it even though he seemed to know what he was doing.

Still, this wouldn't work. There were far too many fleets, and she could not see signs of the Blade of Marmora anywhere. They would need Voltron. It had been instinctive to lean into Keith when Black stumbled due to the attacks but now, she didn't want to pull away. This was a feeling that was foreign to her in so many ways. A feeling she had never felt even once since waking up after 10, 000 years. A feeling she could never spare even the thought. The main goal – the main feeling had been a desire to win this war, nothing else had ever come close.

But for the first time, a new urge – a new hope filled inside her, and she found herself drifting off. Maybe the injury was making her mind a bit hazy, but she could see a beautiful space, one where it was just Keith and she dancing to a music, a rhythm that only the two of them could hear and it felt right. It felt safe and for the moment, just for this one moment, was it wrong to forget and just simply remain in this bubble? His arms around her felt right for a reason she could not explain but she did not wish to know the reason – it didn't feel like it was needed.

"You're allowed to feel too."

Coran had told her this when she was struggling with her emotions regarding Keith being half-Galra because she cared but the past stung and ironically, again, it was Keith giving her the chance – the opportunity to truly feel. He never quite realised he was doing it, but he gave her the freedom to experience sadness but also joy and right now, warmth. A sense of security that she had once forgotten.

His hands draped around her waist as he twirled her in the air and she leaned closer, resting her head against his chest, it felt for the first time that there was something out there for her after the war ended.

"Allura."

A couple of tics longer, she wanted to remain here. She wanted to let go of everything – the war, the fight, the constant battles. She knew this was their destiny, but could destiny not wait a few more tics? Just so she could breathe, enjoy as her muscles eased out from the tension they had been in.

"Allura!"

The voice was firm yet still soft as Allura slowly raised her head to see the situation they were in. Keith was holding her, but his forehead was wrinkled, and she could see sweat beading down the side of his face. She must have zoned out but why? She wasn't that injured, was she?

"Sorry, I must have dozed off," Allura admitted half truthfully. It wasn't like she could tell him what she had felt. Their friendship was too precious, and her father had always said silence was golden. The saying fit perfectly to that, and Keith didn't seem interested in those kinds of things and even if he was, there was nothing to say she could be that special to him. It had not been a dream she wanted to leave but she knew it was a dream that could not become a reality right now unless they won and unless he felt something toward her too. "What's going on?"

"I know you're hurt," Keith said softly. "But I don't think we can win without Voltron. I'll go into Blue with you if you want and have your back, even pilot if you need me to, but you need to be there for Blue to let me in."

Allura had thought as much and while her leg still stung, they needed to survive. She nodded. "It's okay. I'll be alright. You stay with Shiro." She knew Keith would be more comfortable in the Black Lion anyway.

Keith shook his head. "Shiro can handle Black, right Shiro?" He looked to the older man who nodded as they knocked down another ship.

"Keith wants to go with you right now, Allura," Shiro explained gently despite not looking back at them. "He won't be able to be at ease until he makes sure you're okay."

Allura bit her lip. "Alright then." She stood up but instead of leaning too heavily on Keith, she pulled her weight off him and just took his hand. If she needed to pilot, she needed to support her own weight. He tightened his grip around her head, and she winced a bit as Black let them out into open air, the cold wind hitting her Paladin armour, but she didn't have to put up with it for long because Blue took them in soon after.

Letting go of Keith's hand momentarily, she took her place in the pilot seat, stretching her leg out so it wouldn't damage her leg further.

"I'm ready, guys," Allura said firmly. Keith's presence provided more support than she had expected it to, and she was reminded of the dream. While, they may be just friends, even as just that, his presence provided shelter.

"Alright team," Shiro said firmly. "Let's form Voltron!"

Allura felt the familiar pull of Voltron as she heard the others chorus in agreement and reached to take Keith's hand again. Whether he was the Black Paladin or not, he would always remain a part of Team Voltron. No one could change that.