Well this is it - the final chapter. Thank you to everyone who has come along on this journey with me. I hope you have enjoyed the ride! I know I did!
WEP owns everything Voltron. Bryan Adams owns all the song lyrics at the end.
Allura stretches languidly as she starts to wake up from a restful sleep. As she moves, she recognizes that she's not alone. Slowly opening her eyes, she smiles when she sees Keith's sleeping profile next to her. She remembers snuggling up with him as he fell asleep, and realizes that she must have nodded off herself. Moving deliberately, she sits up carefully, trying not to disturb him. Satisfied with her new position on the bed, she leans down and gently kisses his lips. She smiles feeling his arms wrap around her as he returns the kiss. When she finally leans back, he grins and sleepily opens his eyes. Huskily, he whispers to her, "Yeah, I could definitely get used to waking up like this…"
Allura giggles and beams at him, still amazed at the recent events that led to her spending the night next to him.
"You sleep alright, Princess?"
"Better than I have in quite a while. I felt incredibly safe and secure."
"Good. You know I'd never let anything happen to you."
"Yeah, I think I've always known that." She smiles and feels herself flush. "So how did you sleep Captain?"
"Better once the meds kicked in. But even when I couldn't sleep, I was happy just lying here holding you." He answers grinning at her.
"So… Do you think that Coran was likely to have gotten anywhere with Nanny yesterday? I'm not really looking forward to having that conversation today…"
Keith frowns at her, "Me neither. Maybe we should try to convince Doc Gorma to allow an extra visitor when she comes so we can invite an ally." He smirks and winks at the princess. "Oh, that reminds me," he says glancing down at his bare chest. "We should ask Lance to stop and get me a pajama shirt on his way with breakfast. Somehow I don't think that Nanny will *appreciate* my current state of undress. Even if it does make it easier for the med staff to check my wound and change my bandages." He gives her a wry smile.
Allura giggles and then pouts as she runs her fingers slowly and delicately along his right pectoral muscle. "You're probably right, but I kinda like having you dressed this way." She reluctantly takes her hand from his chest and sighs, her cheeks turning light pink.
She is rewarded by his quiet chuckle. "Tell you what, Princess. After she leaves, we can *discuss* my wardrobe again." He reaches up and pulls her in for a kiss, his thumb and finger holding her chin. Releasing her, he gestures toward the nightstand. "Lance said that he left my communicator in the drawer. We should try to catch him before he stops to get breakfast if we want him to make that detour."
Allura finds the unit and Lance answers right away. "Hey, Cap, everything ok? I'll be over with breakfast in about 15 minutes."
"Hey Lance, it's Allura. We need a favor on your way with breakfast."
"Sure Princess, whatcha need?"
"Can you stop at Keith's quarters on your way and grab a pajama top for him please? We don't want to start Nanny out on the wrong foot because he's not wearing one…"
Riotous laughter comes pealing out of the communicator's speaker. The princess rolls her eyes at the device in her hand. After a minute, mirth still evident in his voice, Lance is finally able to speak again. "Heh, yeah, I'll grab one on my way over." Snickering can still be heard as the connection is broken.
"Well, he certainly seemed to enjoy that." Keith can barely keep the amusement out of his voice.
"Yeah, I think we made his day…" came the Princess's giggling rejoinder.
A short time later, the door opens and Lance walks in, shirt in one hand, tray in the other. He sets the food down and tosses the garment onto the bed still chuckling. "So, how'd you two sleep last night?" The Red Lion pilot waggles his eyebrows at his friends.
"Just fine, Lance." Allura rolls her eyes and smacks him on the arm. He looks at her in shock as he reaches up to rub the injured spot. She shrugs and bats her eyelashes innocently at him. "I'm sure that would have been Keith's response, but he's not in any shape to hit you yet." Keith hides a snigger behind his hand as he watches from the bed.
Lance can't do anything except laugh and give her a hug. "Great, you're already finishing each other's thoughts… We're all in trouble." He snickers and shakes his head. "Seriously though, Keith, how're you feeling this morning?"
"Still stiff, but not *quite* as sore. Certainly not ready to do much."
"Wow, you actually asked for meds last night and are admitting that you aren't up to activity today. Who are you and what have you done with Keith? You must be in some intense pain, man. Are you going to be able to sit up to get that shirt on?"
"Allura will help me, won't ya Princess?"
"Of course"
"Yeah but I don't think she can hold you up and put the shirt on you at the same time. Let me help you before I go." He gently helps get Keith into a sitting position while Allura situates the top on him before carefully reclining him back. "Well I'm on duty in a few minutes, so I better get going. My commanding officer can be a bear if I'm late." He waves and saunters out of the room chuckling to himself.
Keith shakes his head at his retreating second in command, then buttons the front of his shirt while Allura adjusts the bed to a sitting position more suitable for breakfast. As they finish eating, there is a tentative knock on the open door.
The princess looks up and sees Nanny standing in the doorway. "Come in Nanny. We were just finishing up breakfast."
Nanny sits in one of the chairs near the bed. "Are you feeling better, Captain?"
"A little, thanks for askin'"
The governess takes in the sight of her charge sitting on the bedside of the injured commander with a raised brow and waits for them to bring up the reason for her visit. She doesn't have to wait long.
Allura, wringing her hands, looks at Nanny. She takes a deep breath and clears her throat. "I'm sure you are wondering why we wanted to see you…"
The older woman answers with a stern look and nods silently.
"Well, there is something we wanted to discuss with you in the hopes that you'll give us your blessing…"
"Go on…"
Keith reaches out taking one of Allura's hands in his and begins rubbing her palm with his thumb. She smiles at him and draws strength from his touch.
"Well… Umm… How can I explain this to you?" She pauses and tries to find the right words. "The last few days have made me realize something, Nanny."
"And what is that Princess?"
Allura sighs and looks down at her hand resting in Keith's. "Do you think that I deserve love?"
"Of course, why would you ask such a silly question?"
"Because I don't think that I will find love if you limit my potential suitors to royal princes… Almost losing Keith made me realize just how much I have come to care about him and just how devastated I would be without him." She squeezes his hand and smiles at him with tears in her eyes.
"I see…"
Keith returns the princess's gaze and states quietly but firmly, "And I feel very strongly for you too Princess…"
"Unacceptable! He is not of a noble bloodline. It is out of the question!"
"Nanny, I really was hoping you'd understand, but if you can't find it within you to accept this, it won't make a difference." Allura's voice grows tight and cold.
"Princess, what are you saying?!"
Allura bites her lip as she holds back the tears glistening in her eyes. "If I have to choose between being with Keith or gaining your approval-"
"Don't you finish that sentence young lady!"
Keith reaches out and pulls Allura into his embrace as she loses control and begins sobbing. "Shhh…" He murmurs to her as he rubs her back gently. His dark eyes are filled with sadness and accusation as he looks over the princess's shoulder at the angry woman before his bed.
Nanny watches as the captain works on soothing the despondent woman in his arms and is taken aback as he is able to slowly calm her hysterics. She stands up without another word marching from the room, as her charge burrows further into Keith's embrace.
Coran looks up at the sound of pounding footsteps entering his study. Before he can react, he is cornered behind his desk by one of the angriest glowers he's ever been subjected to. "HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?"
"Nanny, calm down. How did *what* happen? What's wrong?"
"THEM!" She spits the word like an epitaph.
Understanding dawns in the royal adviser's eyes. "You've been to see Keith and the princess…"
"You were right! She was willing to choose him over following proper royal behavior!"
"I told you, they have developed a deep bond and King Alfor has already given his approval…"
Nanny sighs and shakes her head. "Ach, if the late King has approved, I have no choice, I will go back, but I don't have to like it. I don't know what her father is thinking!" She leaves the room muttering under her breath.
Keith finally manages to stop Allura's crying and lifts her chin with his finger. "Hey, it's gonna be ok. We'll work it all out. I promise." He searches her eyes, giving her a lopsided half smile. Leaning his head forward, he kisses her in an effort to chase some of the sadness from her. She eagerly returns the kiss, hungry for the comfort and love that she feels flowing through it. He reaches up and runs his fingers through her hair, cradling her head as he pours his heart into the embrace. Her hands reach down and begin undoing the buttons on his shirt causing him to gasp as she runs her nails lightly across his chest before she reaches up to ease the fabric over his shoulders. She helps him free his arms from the sleeves and then tosses the garment behind her. He ignores his instinct to stop her, knowing that his injury will prevent them from going any further. Reaching behind him, she explores the muscles of his back, simultaneously pulling him to her and pressing herself to him. She can't get close enough, wanting nothing more than to be enveloped in his protective embrace. He feels her trying to get as close as physically possible almost as if she would burrow beneath his skin if she could. All the while her mouth never releases his, her need to join with him overwhelming.
As they desperately cling to one another, they don't notice Nanny reentering the room until they hear her scream. They immediately break apart, eyes wide in shock. "I came back to tell you that I spoke with Coran and was willing to support you, and this is what I FIND! RUFFIAN! HOOLIGAN!" She stabs her finger towards Keith with each insult. "How DARE you! You just wait for me to leave the room and attack her? And WHERE... IS... YOUR... SHIRT!?"
Allura grows pale. Her lips press into a thin, tight line; her eyes hardening as they catch her governess's glare. Her words come out as a barely controlled, strangled hiss. "*He* didn't do this. *He* is still weak and recovering. This was all *me*…"
Keith looks at Allura, concern on his face, not liking her stance or tone. "Allura… stop… calm down…" He has to stop this before it escalates into something she will never forgive herself for.
"No Keith, I'm a big girl. I can run a planet, protect it as pilot of the Blue Lion, and if I choose, I can be with you!" She feels something inside of her break as sobs overtake her again. "Why can't she just let me be happy?"
He pulls her back into his embrace, once again stroking her back and murmuring soothing sounds into her hair. "I know. I know. You can do anything. You're an amazing woman. It's ok… It'll all be ok… Shhhh… I'm here… I've got you…" He glares at Nanny as he attempts to lull the hysterical woman bawling in his arms yet again.
Nanny suddenly deflates and falls heavily into a chair. Her eyes lose their focus as she grasps what is going on before her, realizing how close she is to truly alienating her young charge for good. She begins speaking, her words barely audible. "Coran was right… even King Alfor saw what I refused to see… I'm so sorry Princess… I will resign if you want me to…"
Allura pushes back from Keith who releases her from his embrace. She wipes her eyes and nose with the back of her hand as she stands up to face her governess.
Nanny starts to comment reflexively about the undignified gesture she just witnessed, but bites it back. This isn't the time for etiquette. It's time to accept that her charge has grown into a fine young woman and has found someone who appreciates her for who she is. She has to undo what she has just done before the rift cannot be mended.
Allura reaches out and hugs Nanny. She speaks calmly and quietly. "I don't want you to leave, just trust and support me…" She looks back at Keith and smiles. "us…"
Nanny hugs her back, tears streaming down her face. "My baby is all grown up…"
Over the next few weeks, Keith recovers from his injury and life in the castle returns to what passes for normalcy. The biggest change is the glow that seems to radiate from the princess and the Voltron captain encompassing all who encounter them.
Author's end notes: This story was inspired by 80s Lion Force episode #47 Summit Meeting. Originally it was meant to be a one off, stand alone story encompassing what is now chapter 2. Thanks to the support and encouragement found here and on KAEX, it took on a life of its own and became much, much more than originally intended. Additional inspiration was found in songs from the album Room Service by Bryan Adams.
she got the brains - she got the looks
she knows all the right people - reads all the right books
she's got my name - she's got my number
but what she sees in me - i sometimes wonder
shes a little too good for me
she's gonna change me if i let her
shes a little too good for me
but i'm getting better
She's a Little Too Good For Me - Bryan Adams 2004
This song helped me to channel some of Nanny's feelings about Keith and Allura. After all she thinks her baby is too good for him...
i met a girl that talked in rhyme
i met a girl who took her time
i saw the ocean in her eyes
i saw myself unrecognized
and all the stars up in the sky
fell down like rain and made me cry
i held the world right in my hands
i held her close but i was...
i was only dreamin'
i was only dreamin'
visions in my head
talkin in my sleep
turning in my bed
life was so complete
but I was only dreamin'
I Was Only Dreamin' - Bryan Adams 2004
This song helped me to envision Keith's coma dreams
ya were flying feels just like flying
were such a long way up – from the ground
just u and me flying so high n
im never gonna come down
every time you turn around and wanna run oh come to me
when every little dream comes undone oh dont worry
lets just make love all night
lets just hold on so tight
lets make it last for life
i wont let you go
Flying - Bryan Adams 2004
you don't know what you got – until you lose it
i can testify that that's the truth
i had it all and didn't know how to use it
i was so stupid – it was right before my eyes
i've been looking all my life
waiting for the perfect time
never knew that i would find it
right back where i started from
Right Back Where I Started From - Bryan Adams 2004
ya you've always been the only one
the only one to make me run
anytime you call
let's not talk about the future
let's not talk about the days gone past
all this time - we've been runnin round in circles
i can feel a change a comin'
and i know we're gonna make it last
from now on - we'll be goin somewhere slowly
instead of going nowhere fast
Nowhere Fast - Bryan Adams 2004
These songs just helped me channel the KA love ;-)
Until next time!