Day 6: Date night. Shiro decides to ask Allura on a date and forgot to consider culture clashes...

Enjoy!

Shiro took a deep breath before knocking on the door of Princess Allura's room. "Come in," she said in a sweet melodic tone. She turned around and saw the black Paladin step in. "Oh hello Shiro," she said, "I'm about to give the mice a bath, do you mind helping me out?" The mice were in her arms, ready to make their way to their royal pampering session. "Sure, I don't see why not," he answered with a smile.

They made their way to her private bathroom where a blue bowl filled with soapy water, some bottles and towels were already installed on the counter. She placed the mice one by one in their makeshift tub. "Oh I forgot the brushes... Shiro, could you get me the little brushes in the top drawer on your right?" He looked inside and found found an assortment of toothbrush looking brushes. "These ones?" He asked with a puzzled look, showing the princess what he had found. "That's the one!" He took one for himself and brought another one for the princess. She showed him how to pick up a mouse, lay them in the palm of his hand and gently scrub their fur. "I know you didn't come all this way to help me clean the mice," she told him teasingly.

Shiro chuckled, realizing that he had been caught stalling. "I actually came to ask if you would like to go on a date with me tomorrow night." The princess, narrowing her eyes asked "what is a date?" Shiro was not prepared for that question. Silently cursing for not considering how Alteans had different customs, he attempted an answer. "How can I say this?" The doubt in his voice caught the mice's attention. "Where I'm from, when someone is interested in someone else romantically, they will ask them to go on a date. It's... it's usually private one-on-one time to learn more about an individual and..."

"Wait, did you say romantically?" She suddenly asked. Stunned into silence, Shiro couldn't hide from her gaze as his cheeks became redder every second. "Yes I did," he finally answered. She smiled. She stopped denying her feeling for Shiro long ago and made a thousand and one excuses to stop herself from acting upon those feeling.

She was glad to see that he wasn't as afraid as she was.

"What do you think guys?" She asked to the mice. "Should I say yes?" The mice, knowing her secret love, frantically started squeaking in delight and rushed towards Shiro's side to show him their support and congratulate him on making the big leap. "I'm not too sure I understand what they're saying but I'm guessing it's a yes?"

"It is, Shiro," she replied with the biggest smile on her face.

"Where are you taking me exactly?" She asked. "Just trust me," he replied.

The idea of the date came as soon as they landed on the jungle-like planet to rest out of Zarkon's sight before the next mission. After a quick scan of their surroundings to confirm its safety, the Paladins began exploring the area. Shiro's dicovery made him realize that not only it was the perfect date spot but that he had wasted enough time by not trying to pursue the Altean Princess. Something about maybe not having tomorrow, he thought to himself that day.

Allura, taking advantage of the warmer temperature, decided to wear a knee-length, sleevless blue dress and tied her hair in a single french braid. Shiro also switched up his look by wearing a simple black t-shirt he had found in the castle.

Shiro led the princess deeper in the jungle, holding her hand in one and the picnic basket in the other. Their walk only lasted a few minutes and soon, he led her through a curtain of purple leaves. On the other side, the large three truck was sitting footsteps away from what looked like a small pond. "Shiro... this is beautiful..." she whispered in awe. "I'm glad you like it princess."

"Please, just Allura," she corrected him. "Okay...Allura," he whispered. They layed the blanket near the trunk and Shiro began taking out food from the basket. "So what kind of conversations do humans have during these dates?" She asked.

"We can talk about anything... How bout we play a game? It's called '21 questions', the name is pretty much self explanatory." Allura nodded, happy to learn another game from his planet.

The questions started out simple, favorite colours, describing their favorite animals, childhood memory. But onc they reached the tenth question mark, things started to get more interesting.

"Can you sing?" She asked. "I think we both want to stay alive so I will spare you the pain," he replied while laughing.

"Are the marks on your face the only one you have?" He asked. Suddenly, her skin revealed a series of lines and v shaped marks all over her skin. "It's quite a lot to take in, I didn't want to hide them but also..." Shiro shook his head. "It's beautiful," he whispered. He gently too her hand and looked at the detailed swirl that made their way up her arms, dissapear in her dressed and reappeared on her legs. "I know it's your turn to ask a question but I had another one for you." She nodded, slightly dazed by the way Shiro was looking at her.

"Can I kiss you?" He asked. Allura tilted her head to the side. "What is a kiss?" She asked. Shiro brought his free hand to his face, trying to hide the creeping blush and making Allura laugh. She was going to be the death of him.

I meannnnnnn... they are different species hahah! Tell me what you think!