Author's Note: Meant to get this uploaded earlier, but my internet has been down! So glad that everyone liked the last chapter!
Turning Ticks - Thank you for the accolade - I am flattered!
E.M - Bandor comes into play, but not quite as you might expect. Of course Hunk could not stay mad at Pidge, and Allura still needs to be slapped up the side of the head. Don't worry though, because I have that written already, and it won't be who you think who does it. You will though, have to wait a couple of chapters to find out! Yes, Vince got quite the eyeful.
KathDMD - Hope the Ciroc was good! I'm going to have to try some.
The Discovery
It was early in the morning, and Larmina was snuggled next to Pidge, who was still asleep. She inhaled his scent, as she had her face in his chest. Occasionally he gave a light snore, which for some reason made her smile. It had been six weeks since they got back from Dradin, and things had been wonderful. She and Pidge had been able to be together almost every night, and by now if he wasn't with her, she didn't sleep well.
Larmina knew that they had some extra time this morning, as her Aunt had left early yesterday for a trip to one of the outlying dominions. She wouldn't be back until around lunch, so that meant that they had more time to cuddle.
Last night they had snuck down to the kitchen, in the middle of the night, because they were hungry. Larmina had been a little nervous when she realized that she was naked under her bathrobe. As they were eating ice cream Pidge had said 'if we were married and had our own place we could eat naked in the kitchen.' The remark had made her giggle at the time, but as she thought about it now, Larmina knew he probably wasn't joking.
After he had made that remark, he had suggested other things they could do in their own kitchen. Pidge had gone into detail about the various ways and positions they could use. He managed to get her so hot that they barely made it back to the bedroom!
Larmina did admit, to herself, that it would be nice to have somewhere of their own. She wished that Coran would find somebody for her Aunt to marry. She had decided that since neither Lance nor Keith had made any type of move before, they probably wouldn't by now.
Thinking about her Aunt made her wonder what would happen when her Aunt found out about them. Larmina was surprised that she hadn't found out by now, since all the team knew. She was pretty sure that most of the household servants had an idea something was going on, as well as Count Fredericks.
She smiled as she remembered the conversation with the Count. He had run into her in the garden, and started talking about her Mother having been 18 when she married, and that it wasn't too young. Larmina thought about that now, and sighed.
She must have sighed loudly, because Pidge shifted a bit as he adjusted his arm. He murmured "What is it Mina?" She liked the nickname he used when they were very close, and as he said it she moved against him. "I wish my Aunt would get married, and I wish she didn't think I was too young for a relationship."
"Count Fredericks doesn't think you are too young!" Pidge said, as he played with her hair. "He talked to you?" Larmina asked in a shocked voice. "Yes, we had a nice talk! He called me Darrell and told me that I was going to be getting a title in return for all my work on Arus. He then told me that your Mother was 18 when she married, and that there would be no problem if I wanted to, how did he word it, pursue you!"
Larmina giggled and said "Did you say that we were rather past the pursue stage?" He shifted some and said "I told him that I had tried to propose to you, but that you wanted your Aunt married first." She went to sit up, but Pidge kept her close. "What did he say?" She asked him.
"He asked me what was going to happen if she never got married. And I think it is a valid question." Pidge moved so that he could look her in the eyes. "Honey, I say to hell with it! We tell her that we are in love, and if she kicks you out it won't matter! She has no jurisdiction over Voltron, so you could still fly. And I can take care of you! I love you!"
Larmina looked at him, and saw love, concern, and tenderness in his eyes. She understood what he was saying, and what he was offering. He would stand by her even if her Aunt wouldn't. Larmina burst into tears, and said "Oh Pidge, I love you!"
It was after lunch, and they were in the rec room, watching the news feed as they talked. Everyone but Pidge was there. He was up in the control tower, running some scans. Allura was back from her trip, and was telling them about how she couldn't get the bottle to break on the ship she was supposed to christen.
Larmina was sitting with Daniel and Vince on the sofa. Keith and Lance were sitting in chairs, with Hunk sprawled out on the floor in front of them. Her relationship with Daniel was good, they were friends again, but Vince was still a little weird around her. She would catch him staring at her, but she never knew why.
She and Hunk were on good terms again, after a rather awkward two weeks. Pidge had told her all about the conversation they'd had, and while she had felt bad, was glad that Pidge had told him. After their trip to get pizza, which was way too much fun, they had been good. The other day they had all been talking about a music festival they wanted to go to.
Lance was talking to Keith about the news they had received earlier, that Lotor had escaped several weeks ago. He was annoyed because no one had thought to tell the Voltron Force about it. Everyone's attention was caught by what came across the news feed.
This is Entertainment Tonight, the galaxy's most watched source for entertainment news. Do we have a scoop for our viewers today! The Arusian royal house has always been known for seriousness, but Lady Larmina is proving to be a breath of fresh air!
Don't forget, she had Stereolatic at her 18th birthday party, and now she has been seen in Dradin looking hot!
Larmina blanched when she saw a picture of herself, in the black dress, on the news feed! She looked around the room, and saw everyone staring at it open mouthed. The announcer went on with his spiel.
Lady Larmina and an unknown companion were seen having cocktails and appetizers at the Ghost Bar, 'Lady Larmina are you old enough to drink?' After that they were seen at several clubs, including the very exclusive 'Xenon Lounge'. According to our source, Her Ladyship and her escort were all over each other most of the evening. All we can say is that he is a lucky man!
"Wow, you look amazing! You should wear your hair down all the time!" Daniel said, looking at her in awe. Lance smiled and said "That is some dress! I bet you didn't buy that on Arus!" He was enjoying watching the horrified look on Allura's face. She was trying to say something but nothing came out.
Hunk was still staring open mouthed at the picture, thinking how sexy she looked. He thought about Pidge being with her, and decided that his friend was one lucky guy! He also thought that if Allura did kill Pidge, he would be first in line to comfort Larmina! Vince thought to Daniel 'do you think we could get a copy of the picture?' Daniel thought back 'I bet Allura gets a gag order! Look at her!'
Allura looked at the picture of her niece, in that dress that barely covered anything, and couldn't believe it. This was worse than what she had worn at the birthday party! "Larmina, you are in so much trouble! What were you thinking? And who were you with?" Allura said in an angry voice.
"It is none of your business, Aunt Allura!" Larmina said, deciding that she would meet fire with fire. "Oh, young lady it is so my business! You are underage! What does this say about our family? I could have that man you were with arrested!"
By now, Larmina was standing opposite her Aunt, while Daniel and Vince had gone over to where Keith, Hunk, and Lance were. Keith looked at the picture had to admire how good Larmina looked. Lance said "It is too bad that Entertainment Tonight is not here. You know that this is just the opening act? The main one, when she figures out who took Larmina to all those places will be the show stopper."
They were talking in low tones, while Allura and Larmina were still going at it. Keith said "I'm rather surprised that she hasn't figured it out by now?" They were startled to hear, from behind them, Count Fredericks saying "I'm afraid that Her Majesty is rather high minded, so she misses a lot!"
Vince thought to Daniel 'what do you think she will do to Pidge?' Daniel though was thinking about all the places Larmina had gone 'wow, Pidge took her to all the best spots! I hope she'll tell me about them!'
The boys heard Larmina say "Oh, I'm too young to go out on a date, but old enough to be married off to my cousin!" Allura said "Where did you hear that from?" Larmina said with disdain "I overheard Coran talking about it!" Allura looked furious and said "I have told you before that eavesdropping is a disgraceful habit!" Larmina said in a snide tone "We live in a castle! Eavesdropping is what we do!"
The boys watched them go back and forth, and Lance said "She has point about the eavesdropping around here. No one ever has a private conversation." Daniel thought to Vince 'or private moments either' which made Vince cringe. Hunk asked "Which cousin is she referring to?" Keith snorted and said "Bandor!" Just then they heard his name from Allura.
"You'll be lucky if Bandor will have you! Who is going to marry you now?" Allura was practically screeching. Pidge came into the room just then and walked over to Larmina "I'll marry her Allura. She was with me, and I took her to those places. We're engaged!"
Larmina looked at him and said "We are not engaged!" Pidge declared "You told me you would marry me after your Aunt got married. Since you said you would marry me that makes us engaged." Allura was looking at Pidge like he was a robeast.
"You can just keep quiet! I will deal with you in a minute!" Allura said, looking at him hatefully. Larmina got in her Aunt's face and said "Don't you dare talk to him like that! I love him!"
When Pidge had come into the room Daniel said "Now, we will get the good action!" Lance said "This is high drama! I'm glad I stuck around." Hunk said "You should be taking notes for your Mom. This could be her next book!"
Allura had been livid before Pidge came in, about Larmina sneaking out to those places. Finding out that Pidge had taken her there was just stroking her anger. "You went out in public, dressed like that?" Allura said to Larmina, and then turned to Pidge "And you let her? And took her to a bar!"
Pidge was standing beside Larmina, and put his arm around her shoulder as he said "It was completely fine. She was with me!" He delivered it in a tone that demonstrated that he would protect Larmina against anything.
"Oh please, like that is a recommendation! You have shown no judgment at all with her!" Allura exclaimed, thinking about the whole DJ Prong thing at Larmina's birthday party! Larmina was not having any of her Aunt's allegations, and said "Pidge loves me, and cares about me! And it is a lovely dress!"
Allura looked at the picture and was horrified all over again. "What were you thinking? It doesn't cover anything! I would never wear a dress like that!" Larmina said emphatically "Maybe you should! You might get a date! When was the last time you had a date?"
Over at the sofa Lance said "Wouldn't you like to see Allura in that dress?" They all sighed, and then Lance went on "Wow, I'd take her to Dradin, or anywhere she would want to go!" Keith was having no problem seeing Allura in the dress, but he said "I'd want to just stay in and have dinner alone."
Count Fredericks, remembering his younger days said "Oh, no Commander Kogane, when a woman is dressed like that they want to be shown off!" Lance looked at the old guy and remembered Coran's comments about him. "The Count is right Keith; they want to be shown off. Plus, every guy will know that you are the lucky bastard who gets to take her home and have hot, wild, sex." Lance said, and then looking at Pidge said "It is rather hard to think of Pidge having hot, wild, sex."
Daniel laughed and said "He slept all the way back from Dradin!" Vince was thinking about the hot springs, and knew what kind of sex Pidge was getting all the time; he cringed again. Lance laughed and said "I bet Larmina was glowing, right?" Hunk, thinking about how good she looked, nodded his head.
"Always goes that way! You can barely walk and they are full of energy after that kind of thing." Lance sighed, and then looked over at Allura "I think it would be good for Allura to have hot, wild, sex." That put a certain picture into all their minds, and the Fredericks muttered "It would be good for Her Majesty just to have sex!"
Lance and Keith both heard it, and had different reactions to it. Keith was shocked that the old gentleman would make a comment like that about Allura! She was queen and not to be trifled with. He had been studying the Knights of Arus, ever since he had found out about his great-grandfather. The knights' main purpose was to honor and protect the royal family.
Keith had thought about Allura constantly while he was gone, but would never make a move unless she indicated it. There were times, since he had been back, that he thought she might say something. Unfortunately, that had never happened. Keith looked at Allura now, and at the picture with that dress. He wondered if maybe he should approach her and say something.
Lance had smiled when he heard Fredericks comment, completely agreeing with him. He remembered how much fun he and Allura used to have, when he would visit on breaks from teaching. They had even talked about taking some trips, so that she could see other parts of the galaxy. However, ever since Keith came back and she had taken on the queen role, there had been no talk of that at all.
Lance looked at Allura, and had no problem imagining her in the black dress. He also thought about what Pidge had asked him, when he was giving him a hard time about Larmina. Lance was not a patient person, and now, he decided, he wasn't going to sit by and do nothing! 'Hell, I've been told no before, and if so I can handle it!' Lance thought, and then watching her lecturing Pidge and Larmina thought 'having sex would do wonders for her!'
"She is 18 years old! You took her to a bar, let her drink, and took her to night clubs!" Allura had turned on Pidge, fury in her voice. She then turned to Larmina and said "I had a very specific conversation with you that you were too young for a relationship, and if he." She indicated Pidge, and continued on without taking a breath "If he approached you, YOU WERE TO TELL HIM THAT YOU WERE TOO YOUNG! WHAT PART OF MY MESSAGE DID YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?"
Before anyone could continue the castle alarms started going off, and a holoscreen popped up. The defense officer from the tower was indicating an incoming robeast attack. Just then his image was gone and Lotor's was there.
"Hear me Voltron Force! I am back and I am going to destroy Voltron!" Lotor was glowing purple as he said it. Keith said "We need to launch the lions! NOW!"
As they started to leave Allura said to Larmina in a loud tone "We are not done with this conversation, young lady!" They could see that she was quivering with rage, and she turned to Pidge "And you! I will deal with you also!" Pidge, taking one last look at her realized that if she'd had her crossbow, he would have been impaled on an arrow by now.