Chapter Nineteen

Allura stepped into her still-new quarters. It had been several days since the announcement of her engagement to Keith. After spending the past few days bottled up in paperwork, plans, and Royal decree, she was getting extremely worn down. She and Keith had very little escapes since Lance's race. Even their nights were spent simply in each others' arms rather than displaying their love.

Allura spotted a form on the chaise lounge. She leaned over to view Keith's face, perfectly asleep. His head had tipped back along the edge of the small couch. Some regulations and ceremonies book was lying open in his lap. He was clothed simply in linen pants and a tank top. Allura took a moment to appreciate his appearance. Even though Keith had more drive, endurance, and strength than anyone in her world, he too grew weary. She reached out and gently brushed his hair off his face, the action causing him to stir. His eyes slowly drifted open.

Allura smiled gently at him. "Hey," she whispered.

"Mmm…hey," he mumbled softly. He tilted his head up and winced slightly at the tension in his neck. He lifted a hand to rub it out. "How are you holding up?"

Allura laughed lightly. "Apparently about as well as you are. It's funny really. You have the military training to conserve your strength, and I have the stamina to endure boring procedural speeches. Combine us together and we'd be an unstoppable force."

Keith couldn't resist adding, "Kind of like Voltron, huh?" Allura gave a giggle. After a quiet handful of minutes, a solemn look came over her face.

"Can I ask you something?" she said.

"Anything," he replied. She began to fidget with her hands again, a sign she was nervous.

"Do….do you miss it?" She looked down.

"You mean, combat?" Keith guessed. Allura gave a nod. Keith sighed. "Yeah, sorta." Allura looked up at him. "Don't get me wrong," he added. "I love the peace that we've had and will continue to have. But it seemed like once the war ended, I didn't really have a meaning here. That's when I realized I had you." He smiled at her.

Returning the smile warmly, Allura leaned forward and gave him a tender kiss. "I'm glad I'm not the only one. I want nothing more than peace for the planet…but I miss the adrenaline I got from flying." She looked back down at her hands.

"Hey," Keith gave her chin a nudge with his finger. His eyes were glinting with desire. "There's other ways to get an adrenaline rush," he smiled devilishly and pulled her down on the chaise with him.