The holiday hasn't been great to me. Something I never ever imagined happened and I lost my beloved dog of four years suddenly in an accident just days before Christmas. Writing has helped me cope. So... ah... Yep. This chapter happened. Merry Christmas. Also, thank you for being patient with this story. There have been a lot of things on my mind over the last month. As always, here's the next chapter.

Rhea ran, her giggles echoing down the halls. Flower petals she'd gathered with Hunk and Lance just an hour ago fluttered from the basket she held in one hand. Keith chased her, laughing, and phased ahead of her. He held his arms open, catching her when she threw herself into him, and fell backward. He tickled her neck with kisses, eliciting happy screams from his daughter. Keith squeezed her a final time before righting her basket and scooping handfuls of petals back inside.

"Mama's waiting, sweet heart. Time for your bath." Keith carried the basket in one hand and took her's in the other as they walked to the bathrooms of the residential wing. Rhea ran ahead to where Acxa, Allura, and Nyma were already bathing.

Acxa asked, "Coming in?" when Keith hesitated in the doorway.

Keith bit his lip and glanced toward Pidge's room. "I'll be back in a minute." He walked to the open door and leaned on the frame. Pidge stood before the wardrobe where a beautiful pearl dress hung. As he watched, she grabbed the edge of the skirt and the side of the bodice and held them to herself. Keith smiled and rapped his knuckles on the door. "May I come in?"

Pidge looked over her shoulder. She nodded, smiling, but there were tears in her eyes. Keith tilted his head and went to her. She bit her lip and hugged him. Keith held her until her nerves settled and she stepped back. Pidge wiped her eyes and whispered, "Thank you, Keith."

Keith ruffled her hair. "Anytime, Katie. How are you?"

Pidge ran a hand over the sleeve of her dress. "I'm nervous, I guess, but excited too. This is a day I've waited so long for... I only wish my parents could be here."

Keith slid his hand down to her shoulder and asked, "Where did you get this dress? It looks familiar."

Pidge leaned into him and answered, "Your dad helped me pick it out from your mother's wardrobe. Coran altered the length."

"It's beautiful, but I bet it'll look even better on you tomorrow."

"Aw, Keith, you big sap," Pidge teased. "Still, I haven't really had a final fitting. Help me into it?"

Keith took her hand and bowed at the waist. "How may I assist you, milady?"

Pidge laughed lightly and blushed. "Stop it, 'your majesty'."

"Alright, but a dress like that should be worn more than once. You'll wear it again on earth and your parents will see the woman you've become. They'll be even more proud than your brother and I." Keith lifted the dress off the hangar and held it out for Pidge. "I swear as soon as the war is over, we'll go home to Earth together."

Pidge lifted her shirt over her head and stepped into the dress. Slipping her arms down the sleeves, she held the front to her chest and looked over her shoulder. "Lace it up?"

Keith let the laces fall through his fingers until they were even and started stringing them through the eyelets. "I don't suppose my mother knows you're borrowing her dress?"

Katie answered, "I told her Hunk proposed... but I didn't give a date. I mentioned that it was a human tradition to wear your mother's wedding dress and that I couldn't wear my mother's because of obvious reasons... ... Krolia suggested, since we were like siblings, why not borrow one of her dresses? Your dad hugged me so tight to try to hide that we'd made him cry." Katie dropped her arms as the laces tightened. "I mean, we all love your dad, Keith, but I don't think he realized just how much he means to us... to me."

Keith finished lacing and hugged her from behind. "Thank you for taking care of him. I know the things Haggar did to him all those years still haunt him when he lets his guard down. He acts so strong all the time."

"Like you, Keith," Katie whispered. She turned in his arms. "When this is over, you need to let your guard down, too. We'll be here for you. We love you. You are my brother in all but blood. I love you, Keith."

Keith held the back of her head and kissed her curls. "I love you too, Katie. Never forget that... no matter what." Keith stepped back and held her shoulders. "Now let me look at you."

Katie grinned and spun in a circle. Holding her skirt, she asked, "How is it?"

Keith reached for her hand and led her in a few dance steps before spinning her into his arms. "You're as beautiful as you always are." He kissed the back of her hand. "Hunk is a lucky man, Pidge. You're going to shine brighter than all the stars at the reception. Save me a dance?"

"One of many. You're right, though. This dress should be worn many times. Even after my parents see me walk down the aisle," Katie curtsied, "Prince Keitaran."

Keith rolled his eyes. "It's decided, then. Turn so I can let you out?"

Katie pranced in a circle and held her arms out. When she was free of the dress, she grabbed Keith's hand and dragged him to the bathroom. Keith wasn't sure what she was doing when suddenly she wrapped her arms around his waist and suplexed him into the bathtub. Keith screamed and then they were submerged.

When he came up, Katie was laughing and leaning on Allura's shoulders. Acxa smiled and released Rhea who wrapped her arms around her father's neck. Keith lifted her higher in the water and slid in between Allura and Acxa. "So ladies, what did I miss?"

Keith sat on the bed with one leg bent watching Allura and Nyma finish dressing Pidge up in their finest jewelry and makeup. Rhea ran in circles in the flower girl's dress he'd bought for her in the mall. Acxa walked in then wearing a tea length dress. Her feet were bare. Keith stood and asked, "Are they ready?"

Pidge and the others turned to him. Keith knelt by Rhea and said, "Stay with mama. I'll be waiting downstairs."

Rhea nodded happily. "Okay, daddy." She resumed running wildly.

Keith kissed Acxa's temple and whispered, "She's going to take a long nap later."

Acxa smiled and returned, "Go on, my love. The men are waiting for you."

Keith smiled around the room, winking at Pidge. "I take my leave. See you at the alter."

Lance and Hunk waited at the bottom of the stairs in the main hall where Hunk paced the distance. He pulled at his bow tie. Lance caught Hunk around the chest when he passed. Keith trotted down the stairs. Hunk looked up expectantly. Keith grinned and nodded. "She's ready for you, mate." Hunk's lip twitched into a nervous smile and he hugged Keith, lifting him off the last stair. Keith laughed and gasped, "Alright, big guy." When Hunk finally let go, Keith looked him over and straightened Hunk's shirt. "I don't think I've seen you in formal wear since the garrison soiree our junior year. You've even removed your hair band."

"Hey, I know how to dress up!"

"I know how to dress you up," Lance corrected throwing an arm over Hunk's shoulders "And you look more handsome than ever."

Keith and Lance led Hunk through the manor to the back garden. Alphonse sat on a stone bench near the gazebo. Keith's guitar rested on his knee crossed over the other. He plucked out a few tuning chords before glancing up. "I didn't hear you approach. Is everything prepared?"

"Yeah, yeah, the bride is on her way," Keith confirmed.

Alphonse sat up straighter and grinned. "Hunk, it's time, son."

Lance grinned and hugged Hunk once more, patting him on the back. Keith squeezed Hunk's shoulder as Lance went to find the maid of honor. Hunk looked down at Keith, eyes shining with nervous energy. Keith winked and said, "You'll do great, Hunk. Just like we practiced yesterday. I'll be here to help you both through your vows if you need me."

Hunk nodded and hugged Keith with much more care a second time, whispering, "Thanks, man. This wouldn't be the same without you. Pidge was so happy when you said you'd come."

Keith squeezed Hunk and replied, "I wouldn't miss this for anything." He saw Allura nod from where she stood beside Lance just inside the manor. "They're waiting on us, Hunk." Keith stepped back and stood straight. Acxa stood beside Kolivan on the opposite side as Alphonse. "Dad, when you're ready."

Alphonse smiled and began to strum the guitar. He picked a few chords and several runs before the song settled into an easily noticed melody. Keith watched as first Lance and Allura paced down the garden path to the gazebo. Lance's pants cut off mid calf and Allura's pastel pink dress flowed around her knees with a split halfway up her thigh. They were all barefoot. Allura paused to embrace Hunk with an easy smile before moving to her place beside Alphonse. Lance stood beside Hunk, a hand rubbing between Hunk's shoulders in steadfast reassurance.

Next came Nyma walking hand in hand with Rhea. Rhea grinned as she practically skipped down their outdoor aisle, the petals flowing from her basket and blowing with the light breeze to swirl on the stone. Nyma released Rhea's hand when Rhea started running toward Acxa. Keith's cheeks hurt from smiling as his wife picked up their daughter, her tipped basket falling forgotten on the ground.

Nyma stepped into her place beside Allura and squeezed Allura's hand conspiratorially. The music morphed, increasing in volume as Alphonse stood, and Keith picked out the main theme of Canon in D. When Katie exited the manor, Keith knew what to expect.

She was beautiful, her pearl pink dress shimmering in the sunlight, her bare feet kissing the cobblestones. The skirt split down the side revealing gems and lace and all manner of fine galra attire. Pidge's hair had grown out and her handmaidens had piled it in curls that framed her face and trailed down the back of her neck. Her hand rested in the crook of her brother's arm, so plain and ordinary compared to her.

Keith knew then why the girls were giggling and looked from Pidge to Hunk. And Hunk was speechless. His eyes were wide with awe and silent wonder while his bride, his beautiful blushing bride, walked to meet him.

Before they wished, she'd stopped beside her bridesmaids and Matt cradled her cheek in one hand, his eyes shining with tears. He hugged her, careful not to ruffle her dress or mess her hair, and kissed her forehead. Fighting back his emotions, Matt smiled to Hunk and offered Pidge's hand. Hunk was shaking when he took her hand. She smiled up at him and took her place in front of Keith.

Keith smiled at both of them and began, "Dearly beloved, friends and family, we gather here today to join this man and woman in the union of matrimony. Who here blesses Hunk Garrette and his proposal of marriage?"

Lance and Allura answered in unison, "We do."

Keith asked, "And who here blesses Katie Holt and her acceptance of marriage?"

Matt and Alphonse spoke as one, "We do."

Keith nodded, pride and happiness making his chest hurt. "Just so we're all on the same page, we all agree Hunk and Pidge belong together, right?" A chorus of agreement and laughter broke out. Keith continued when they quieted, "I think today is one we've all looked forward to for a long time. Katie, you've been my sister for more of my life than not, and I have never seen you happier than you are with Hunk. And Hunk, we didn't really have much in common back in our Garrison days.

"So when we all met up in my dad's desert shack, and you went through Pidge's diary, I waited for the sparks to fly. But they didn't. Katie, my short, quick-tempered little sister simply clutched her diary to her chest. I doubt you were able to decipher her code back then, but if you'd done so, you would have discovered what a crush she had on you." Keith grinned as Pidge blushed. Keith turned that smirk on Hunk. "Which is why I took the first opportunity to find your diary. You didn't deem it necessary to hide your feelings for our favorite green gremlin behind a complex polynomial algorithm, for which you have my immense thanks."

Hunk's jaw dropped in amazement. Keith winked at him and continued, "So I don't think I need to drag this out any longer. Lance, the rings."

Lance reached into a pocket and pulled out a small black cloth wrapped into a square. Keith took the precious package and unfolded it to reveal two rings made from gold and green metals, braided together with a strand of silver. Keith smiled at them both and explained, "These two rings are a pair. Bonded from the same metals. Matt looked everywhere for them when Hunk asked for his blessing to marry you, Katie. He'd heard of metals both gold and emerald. He refined them to their most pure, something that the miner who sold them to him said was impossible.

"That refining, that process that draws out the best features, is symbolic of what you two have done and will do for each other and everyone around you. Katie, Hunk, as long as you two are together, I doubt there could be anything wrong in the universe." Keith put a ring in each of their hands. "The gold and emerald represent the two of you while the silver, the blending of those two minerals, represents the bright future the two of you will share. Hunk when you're ready."

Hunk smiled down at his bride and took her other hand in his. "Pidge, I love you. I have for almost as long as we've flown together, even back in the simulator. We were bad, barely a functioning team, but I wanted to figure out how to fix that. Because I'm an engineer. It's what I do. But no one would have ever been able to convince me that you were going to be the one doing the fixing. You brought so much light and happiness and," he started tearing up, "order to my life that I hadn't even known I was missing. So here goes.

"Katie Holt, I, Hunk, take you as my wife on this day, before our friends as witness. And I swear to be faithful to you. To love only you in sickness and health. In war and peace. In joy and pain. Every day will be yours, until death do we part." He finished his vows by sliding Pidge's wedding ring onto her left hand.

Pidge's cheeks twitched as she smiled and her eyes sparkled with joy. "Hunk, I love you. Every night, I wrote in my diary things I wanted to tell Matt when we'd find him. Stories about the day, things you'd said and done to make me laugh. The way your smile could light up a room." She paused and wiped a tear off her cheek. "And then we kissed in the dark at the back of a movie theater a million miles from earth and I knew, wherever you were was good enough. We were home wherever we were together.

"Hunk Garrette, I, Katie, take you as my husband on this day, before our friends as witness. I swear to be faithful, to love only you. In sickness and health, war and peace. In joy and pain. Every day I honor you, til death do we part." Her hand slid his ring onto his hand.

Keith said, "Take a candle. As the silver unites your lives, light the unity candle and set a fire in your hearts. One that is full of love, unquenchable by natural means." Keith stepped aside to let them up to the makeshift 'altar' where three candles, one unlit, and Matt's handwritten marriage license waited. While everyone's focus was on the couple, Keith cast a glance to the second story window where a familiar figure watched the proceedings. He made eye contact before walking on.

When Keith looked back at the beautiful couple, Katie was setting down the pen, her name alongside her husband's. Keith took a deep breath and finished, "You may now kiss the bride."

Their friends erupted in cheers as Hunk took Pidge into his arms and kissed her. Alphonse started playing a recessional on the guitar. The entire wedding party went back down the aisle inside. Keith watched Rhea run up and grab Nyma's and Matt's hands before turning to blow out the candles.

A hand on his shoulder brought Acxa close. Keith kissed her cheek and asked, "So what did you think of the ceremony?"

"It was lovely. Is it true that all couples do this on Earth?"

Keith made sure the ink was dry before folding the license. "Yeah, unless you elope. That's only for couples who aren't approved of by their family." He wrapped an arm around her waist and led her into the manor. "We should hurry. I doubt they'll start the reception without us."

Ten hours later, Keith's feet hurt from dancing. Acxa had taken Rhea to bed hours ago and hadn't returned. He'd been worried, but his dad had told him his mother had been tired like that this late to term. Lance and Allura had left almost an hour earlier and Matt and Nyma were sleeping on a duvet. Pidge and Hunk were slow dancing to the last song of the night. They were barely moving, her head resting on his chest. Keith whispered, "I wish mother could have been here."

Kolivan sipped from his cup and hmmphed. Alphonse didn't say anything either. Kolivan stood and said, "Don't drink too much, Keith. Your flight is early tomorrow."

Alphonse stood as well. "Kolivan, may I have a few moments?"

Kolivan nodded and gestured Alphonse to follow. Keith poured the rest of the bottle of vino into his cup and drank. The wedding couple wasn't even aware as he took his leave of the dining hall. Instead of the residential wing, Keith wandered through the vacant darkened halls. He didn't even realize he was following the faint sound of music until he was in the ballroom.

Keith took a deep breath and looked around the room. The shiny floor was dull with dust. The chandeliers hung with cobwebs. And yet, he could see what they were truly meant to be. He could hear the sound of laughter and the tap of glass as toasts were made. He could imagine the music that was meant to be played. He took another drink and put the nearly empty cup on a low table in passing.

Inhaling, Keith felt his posture shape up. When he exhaled, his arms were lifted in proper form. With a small sigh, he began to pace out the footwork, him and an empty room of memories. The harp played lowly in the light of the moon and stars. Keith picked up his pace, the dance becoming more complicated and intricate with every turn. His breaths came fast and shallow, his chest rising with his emotions. Closing his eyes, he reached the point of the dance where his partner would lift him.

Familiar, rough hands gripped his waist and one hand. Keith didn't open his eyes as Lotor's scent enveloped him. As though no time had passed, Keith repeated the steps and felt Lotor lift him, spinning twice while Keith draped himself backwards over Lotor's shoulder before slowly regaining the floor beneath his bare feet. Keith opened his eyes and met his dark prince's loving gaze. Their footwork continued through the dance until they came to a stop.

Keith was breathless and it wasn't from the vino. Lotor was panting too, his hands still holding Keith's waist and hand. At last, he bowed and placed a kiss on Keith's knuckles. And still Keith did not pull his hand free. Instead, he closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around Lotor's waist, leaving a small noticeable gap between them.

Lotor gasped, the sound startlingly loud in the quiet of night. Keith swallowed the fear in his throat. Then, Lotor closed the gap. Keith sighed in relief and put his cheek to Lotor's chest. Lotor's hand rose to play with Keith's hair behind his neck. After a long minute, Keith pulled free to lean into Lotor's side. They walked side by side out into the moonlight of the veranda.

At the balcony, they watched the night sky together. The castle hovered, a white beacon to rival the glow of the stars. Keith leaned into Lotor's shoulder, his previous lover's hand circling his waist where it once had so frequently. "This feels like a dream, Lotor."

"I know what you mean. I keep expecting to hear voices from a soiree... or Talias to call me back to the dance floor." Lotor tightened his hold on Keith and took a shaky breath.

Keith kissed Lotor's neck, emboldened by alcohol. "I still see her, my love. In my dreams, she visits me and I doubt my sanity. I feel like perhaps, Haggar was right. Maybe... maybe the mental instability of the druids was always part of me and..." He buried his face in Lotor's chest. "I don't want this. I don't, Lotor. I never did."

Lotor held him with one arm, his hand rising to hold the back of Keith's head. "I... saw her also, beloved. I thought it was my parents illness infecting me as well." He sniffed and cleared his throat. "Clear as I remembered her, she appeared out of my darkness like a beaming light. I broke when she was there."

Keith felt a drop of water hit his hair and looked up to see Lotor in tears. He cupped Lotor's cheek before the imperial prince collapsed in on himself. Keith lowered Lotor to the ground and pulled him to his chest. He tucked his lover's head under his chin and held his shaking shoulders. Lotor clung to him with a desperation Keith wished he'd been able to help relieve deca-pheobs ago.

Keith finally pieced together what Kolivan had hinted at two days ago when he'd asked why they'd put Lotor through the trials. How cruel. Of course the suit would have created a mind-scape around Talias, Lotor's most desperate wish... and his own. One they could never fulfill. Keith ran a hand over Lotor's hair and soothed, "Lotor, dearest, there is nothing wrong with you. What... terrible fate befell your mother and father has not cursed you. Their strength, their love, is with you. But not that. Never that. Lotor, you would never let that happen... because I know you. I love you enough to know that you are my other half. In my heart-" Keith choked up and squeezed his eyes shut against his own tears. "My heart weeps, Lotor. One half would shred itself to be with you while the other bleeds for a second life I never imagined I would be given. I... I..."

Lotor's lips, hot and wet with tears, found their way to his in the night. Keith sighed and surrendered completely in a heartbeat. His lover's body curved into his and he opened his mouth with a low moan. Their tongues met in hesitancy and a heated breath. Then Keith held Lotor's head in his hands, all restraint gone.

He guided Lotor against the railing and straddled his thighs. Their hands quickly worked to remove their clothes, Lotor fumbling with the buttons instead of the laces like he was used to. Chest to bare chest, they kissed, mouths and hands remembering each other as neither had expected. Lotor lowered his mouth to Keith's collarbone and Keith bit his lip not to moan too loudly.

Lotor breathed against his skin, "Do not hold back, dear heart. Let me hear you." He once again sucked and nibbled Keith's flesh while his hands dug lightly into Keith's hips.

Keith threw his head back gasping as his hips responded by thrusting into Lotor's waist. His hands ran and pulled at Lotor's hair before he bent to steal another kiss. "Fuck me, Lotor." He moaned louder, his pitch rising erotically. "Give me everything."

Lotor responded by tearing Keith's pants off of him. In one motion, Lotor lifted and laid Keith down on the warm veranda. Keith caught his breath as Lotor quickly removed his own pants. Lotor lowered himself over Keith and rubbed every sensitive place whispering, "I can't hold back any longer, Keith. Forgive me."

His scream was cut off as Lotor's tongue entered his mouth and fuck him harder if everything Lotor was doing didn't feel incredible. Keith's breaths came fast and shallow, matching Lotor's as their motions synced up. It was rough and Keith knew he'd regret everything in the morning for multiple reasons. Maybe it was the vino. Maybe it was his lack of self control. But for one night, they would have what the universe had been denying them.