Stargazing

There was a lot to be said about the western state of Arizona. Despite what it may seem like from afar, the state was more than just sand and rocks. There were bustling cities and breathtaking natural wonders that made the state a unique place to call home, but above the canyons and deserts was the real state's treasure. Away from the man-made lights and fumes that polluted the air, one could look up and find themselves lost in a sea of twinkling stars and vast darkness, with the brilliant shine of the moon at its center.

Lance missed a lot of things about Earth, but nothing was quite like the planet's midnight sky. As a cadet at the Garrison, he had to memorize the different constellations that appeared in Arizona's clear skies, and although he had spent the past few years flying around in that mysterious beyond, there was still something comforting about seeing the familiar planets and stars from afar.

"You were right, Lance." A voice as smooth as silk and a clear as the sky before them whispered into his ear. "Earth at night really is a remarkable sight."

The dark-skinned Cuban boy tilted his head for a better look at the beauty curled up at his side. Her curly white hair that reminded him of puffy clouds, covered the arm he had bent so that she could use it as a makeshift pillow. By tilting his head, his mouth was met with her unruly locks, but it only made him smile more. He took a deep breath, enjoying the sweet scent of flowers that came off her naturally, then placed a firm and lingering kiss on the spot. The woman smiled at the gesture, but her ocean gaze stayed on the open sky.

It was funny really, how she could have grown up on a planet so far from here and yet still feel so close to it just by looking up. She knew not many would understand how the vast and endless void known as space could make her feel so at home, but there was just something about looking into that void knowing that it was full of so much life. Life that needed her protection. Life that depended on her. It was that sense of responsibility that made her feel connected to the universe. Which, in an odd way, made her feel connected to the home she had lost.

A long, mournful sigh escaped her lips, then she scooted closer to her partner until she was nearly on top of him and buried her face in his shirt. The man's free hand that had been resting on his stomach moved up to take one of her own hands that she had placed on his chest. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, then rubbed small circles around her knuckles with his thumb.

She didn't need to say a word. He already knew of the turmoil stirring in her heart. It had been there since General Holt discovered the dead Altean that had been used to power the monstrous machine that had nearly killed them too. He had no idea what it must feel like to be in Allura's shoes. His own family had been kept safe during the invasion of Earth by the Galra and his planet had been liberated thanks to the amazing work of the Garrison and his friends. It pained him that he could not say the same for her. He wished things had been different. That he and their other teammates had been around 10,000 years ago, as paladins of the famous Voltron. Maybe then, he and the others could have saved Allura's family and the planet as well, but that was not what density had in stored for them. Still, he hoped that by bringing her out here, he could make her feel at least a little bit better.

Although, it was her that flew them to this spot. He knew they would both feel more comfortable around the Blue Lion since they each shared a bond with her. Not to mention, the Red Lion wasn't a fan of romantic star-gazing. So since Blue currently belonged to Allura, she was the one to fly them away from the buzzing Garrison, but Lance was the one who suggested it and he was the one who guided her to this spot. Surely, that counted for something?

"Do you know what constellations are, Princess?" He asked her softly as he continued to stroke the back of her hand. Her response was a fit of giggles that had the red paladin confused for a moment before the irony dawned on him.

"Yes, Lance, I am well aware of what constellations are." She answered in a teasing tone, then rolled herself over so that she could see his blushing face. "Do you know what they are?" She asked him with a playful gleam in her eye and a smirk.

The young man chuckled at her and rolled his eyes. "Okay, I'll admit that was a dumb question." His eyes landed back on her and he couldn't fight back the dreamy look that was beginning to occupy his facial features more and more each day. Their relationship was still new and fragile, with still plenty of territory for each of them to explore. They had agreed to take things slow and right now, just relishing in each others company was enough to satisfy them. Lance couldn't speak for Allura, but he somehow knew that she was enjoying this thing between them just as much as he was. Each step further into their relationship brought with it a whole new sense of emotion. Every Time they passed a boundary, he felt a fresh wave of adrenaline come crashing down on him. What they had was fun and exciting, but after they would cross one line, they would linger there, soaking up the pleasure of it for all it was worth, before moving on to the next great milestone. If Lance was being honest though, no matter how far this relationship went, he would never be used to how beautiful she was.

"You're starring again, loverboy." She teased him again and tapped his nose with the tip of her finger for good measure. The poor boy shook his head clear of his thoughts as he came back to reality.

"Sorry Princess, you know I can't help it sometimes." The way he uses her royal title combined with his boyish smile made her stomach knot and her chocolate skin flush. She hoped he would never find out how much that darn look affected her.

"Was your question leading somewhere?" She asked in an attempt to put the conversation back on course.

"Oh, right!" His eyes lit up as he recalled what he had meant to ask her. "Do you know any Earth constellations? Because if not, I can try to show you a few."

Her smile widened as she marveled his excitement and eagerness. It was one of the traits that she admired most about him. His ability to be so easily amazed with a childlike wonder. It felt…refreshing compared to her more serious nature. He was a constant reminder of how to value the smaller things in life. "I would love that."

She turned herself back over so that her body faced the stars. The hand he had tangled in her broke free and lifted up over their faces as he used his finger to trace the imaginary lines that connected the pictures made by the twinkling lights.

"This little guy," He began by pointing to a tiny dot that gave off a reddish glow, "is a red star named Betelgeuse." He then dragged his finger over another set of dots, forming what almost looked like two boxes. "He sits on the shoulder of what we call Orion, a mythical hunter." He then traced his finger over a row of more stars, and Allura could then see the shape of a man holding a bow and arrow.

The Altean titled her head again looked up curiously at the shape. "Is that really how humans hunt?" Her question held a hint of judgment, which made her boyfriend laugh.

"Not anymore, of course." His answer made Allura hum in approval as she waited for him to show her the next one.

His hand traveled further upwards and then traced a V-pattern with his finger. "These stars make Taurus, a bull."

"A bull?" She echoed, the term foreign to her tongue.

"A male version of Kaltenecker." Lance quickly explained.

Allura made an "oh" sound, but then her brows twisted in confusion. "But that does not look like Kaltenecker?" She said with disdain at the poor representation.

Lance squinted his eyes and thought about what she said. "Huh, I guess it doesn't." He finally settled on.

Now Allura was officially perplexed. "So why is it called a bull?"

Lance snorted a little, finding her scrutiny over the silly name quite funny. Memories of Pidge and Hunk trying to help him learn these same stars played back in his mind and he remembered having a similar reaction to them. "I don't know. I didn't name it." He shrugged it off.

"Who did name it?" Allura pressed, her curiosity bubbling within her.

The mood took a sharp turn and Lance suddenly found himself to be very self-conscious. Allura could feel his spirits take a hit and now she wondered how her question could have made him feel so down.

"I-uh…I don't know that either." He said the words quickly and his smile fell to a frown. Now realizing her mistake, Allura reached over and grasped his hand again.

"That's alright, I can ask Pidge later." She said kindly as she rubbed his forearm.

"Yeah, okay." He agreed halfheartedly. She knew Lance had always been his own worst critic, that was a flaw they shared, but ever since their meeting with Bob, the powerful being that judges the universe's heroes, she had noticed he became more upset when he didn't have all the answers. She was not pleased with how Bob had treated Lance during his little game show. Constantly calling her beloved friend "the dumb one." It caused Lance to constantly question his intelligence, and even though she has told him time and time again how wise he has become, little things, like not being able to answer her questions, easily made him feel unworthy. At least that was how he had phrased it to her last time they spoke of it.

Not wanting to see him grovel over something so minor, she thought of a pleasant story that she believed would bring him back to his cheery self.

"You know, Altean constellations were odd as well. My father used to take me to the astronomy tower and he would make up different names for the constellations. Most of them were very funny. My favorite was Coran's Mustache." When she finished recounting her tale, they both shared in a fit of laughter. It was nice to laugh alongside him. It always made her feel light as air.

"That's awesome!" Lance laughed as he wiped a joyful tear from his eye.

"Yes, it was awesome." She repeated the term she had found humans to be quite fond of as she absentmindedly played with her snowy-white hair. Tugging and twirling the fluffy mane.

"Hey, here's an idea," Lance called out eagerly, alerting Allura's full attention, "how about instead of a bull, we'll give it a new name too!" His excitement at the prospect reminded her of her younger-self many, many deca-phoebs ago.

"That's a lovely idea, Lance." Her praise only made him beam even more.

"Oh! Oh! We should call it Shiro's Arm!" So proud of himself for thinking of what he considered to be a very clever name, Allura had to try to stifle more laughter.

"But it looks nothing like Shiro's Arm." She exclaimed, the humor in her voice obvious.

"Sure it does! See, there are his fingers, and his hand, and then lastly his arm!" Lance used his finger again to trace over the gleaming dots in question.

As he tries to describe what he sees to her, she can't hold back her giggles any longer. She whole body shakes with laughter and the sound of it pulls Lance in to join her. Since they began spending more intimate time together, laughing fits like these happened regularly. Neither could remember a time when they laughed as hard or as often as they do now. It made the transition from friends to something more much smoother. It was laughter that always broke any awkwardness or unpleasantness between them.

Coming off of her giggled-fueled high, the alien princess slowly pushes herself up into a sitting position. Concerned by her movement, Lance copies her.

"You alright 'Lura?" He inquires with worry laced in his voice. The way her name sounded from his lips made her skin flare up in goosebumps and sent a shiver down her spine. She twisted her neck to meet his steady gaze and the corner of her lips twitched up in a ghost of a smile.

"Yes, Lance. I'm feeling much better." She spoke honestly, then deepened her smile. "Thank you for this."

The way she spoke made his legs quiver and he could feel the blood rush to his face. "Hey, anytime." He deadpanned as he looked away shyly.

She loves how bashful he has become. The Lance she first met deca-phoebs ago was bold and arrogant. She could see through his facade right away, but perhaps that's what bothered her most. How he felt the need to pretend he was something he wasn't. It was as if he were lying to her and she despised it. Now, however, he freely shows his true colors around her and it this Lance that has stolen her heart.

In an act of boldness on her part, she carefully caressed his cheek with her hand and pulled him closer so that their lips closed the gap between them. The kiss was slow and passionate as their lips moved in sync. Up until now, their kisses have been mostly short and tentative or hot and eager. This kiss was more than a gesture of gratitude or a product of a lustful encounter. Allura backed this kiss with all her love she felt for him and she could feel his own wash over her as well. When she finally pulled away in need of air, she rested her forehead over his and all they could hear were the sounds of their panting.

"I love you, Allura." He whispered to her, his deep blue eyes reflecting his words. It was not the first time he had said them, but it was the first time she felt ready to say them back.

"I love you, Lance."

The words felt like a prayer and like a key they opened up her heart. All the worry, loneliness, and fear that had been stored away suddenly rushed out of her as if she had opened a dam. She didn't stop to see his reaction. Instead, she leaned forward again and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. She buried her face in the crook of his neck and allow her tears to flow freely down her cheeks. Without hesitation, he pulled her closer, closing the embrace.

He held on to her for what felt like half a varga, before his neck felt dry again and her breathing calmed. Her grip on him loosened as she slowly pulled away.

"I'm sorry, Lance, I didn't mean to -"

"Hey, hey, hey," he interrupted her, giving her arms a light squeeze. "You have nothing to apologize for."

She flashed him a small, yet sincere smile. "May we continue are stargazing now?"

He returned her smile with a large, loving grin. "You bet!"

The two warriors laid back down on the cool metal surface of the Blue Lion's head and returned to their fun.