The Greatest Gift Part Twelve
Christmas MorningHome, Fan Fiction, The Greatest Gift, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
The Greatest Gift
A Voltron Adaptation by MoiraOriginal story by Philip Van Doren Stern
Story adaptation for the big screen by Frank Capra
Further adapted by me, borrowing from both the authors’ classic tails.
This is a stand alone tale, not pertaining to any other story I have done.Legal Stuff
Voltron, Defender of the Universe and its characters property of World Events Productions, Ltd. ‘The Greatest Gift’ originally written by Philip Van Doren Stern. Story adapted for the big screen by Frank Capra. This story is for entertainment purposes only. Original characters and storyline are property of the author, please do not use, reproduce, or repost without permission.Rating NC17
The NC17 rating due to sexual situations, violence, drug use, and strong language.
So, if you don’t care for that kind of stuff, stop now! You’ve been warned.
And yes, even with all that, is really is a Christmas tale.So, if you dare, grab a fresh box of Kleenex, a cup of cider, dim the lights, and dive in.
The Greatest Gift
A Voltron Christmas Tale
Part 12
Christmas Morning
Keith’s slowly wakes up disorientated at first a dull throbbing ache in his wrist. He was dreaming he was in his house but it was different, Allura was there and… He slowly becomes aware that he is not alone, a warm weight is laying against him. Then, realizing his arms are wrapped around that person he pulls away sitting up a little. The body stirs, the disheveled blond mop of hair obscuring the face. “So much love…” the woman’s voice mumbles. He sits up stirring her awake. “Allura?” He pulls even further back. “Allura, is it you?”She groggily sits up looking at him, eyes trying to focus, still shaking sleep from her head. Then suddenly realizing he’s really awake lunges for him grabbing him up in her arms holding him tight. “I thought I lost you!”
He doesn’t return the embrace he pushes her back eyeing her curiously. “Allura? Is that you? I mean really you?” He then grabs her, flipping her to lay on her back along side him, propping himself up on his elbow to loom over her.
She is stunned at his sudden move, completely frozen, lying back against the bed looking up at him.
He studies her face intently, cautiously reaching out a hand to touch her cheek. It is not gaunt and hollow one but the smooth soft one he remembers. He lets his hand go to her shoulders. Not bone but muscle. His hand then traces down the side of her torso along her ribs, which he can only lightly feel now. His hand moves to her belly feeling the skin beneath the fabric of her gown, he runs his hand along where the scar should be only the flawless skin of her belly. Nothing but smooth soft skin over toned muscle. He holds his hand there for the longest time. He then blinks, snapping to his senses, realizing what he is doing. He blushingly looks up to her face, locking eyes with her, hand remaining on her stomach. “Ally, is it really you?”
She looks back to him eyes wide, body shivering, still reeling from his intimate touch. “Keith? What… is it?”
Could this really be his Allura, the one he left behind? Is he home? His lips barely hide a smirk as his mind thinks of the question that would give him his answer. “Allura, who should fly the Blue Lion?”
Allura’s face quickly grows angry. She then fights her way out of his grasp pushing him back against the bed as she twists around angrily, finally pulling herself up to kneel in front of him, every muscle in her body and face twitching, completely enraged. “You! How could you even ask such a thing?” Her whole body starts to quake. “I am the Blue Lion Pilot! It is my birthright to fly it and neither you nor anybody else is going to stop me! No matter the risks! Do you understand me?” The words spew from her mouth like venom.
The smile that grows across his face takes her completely off guard. He sits up reaching out his braced hand to her cheek. “I missed you, Ally.” He sends his other hand to her head to caress her hair.
She closes her eyes and nuzzles into his hand. “Keith?” Her eyes open to find his staring right back into hers getting completely lost in them. She covers his hands with hers holding them tight. “I couldn’t find you. You were here but I couldn’t find you.”
He drops his gaze from hers. “I’m sorry.”
She reaches out and raises his chin to her, he is looking much like the lost little boy from his dreams. She regards him a moment her eyes threatening tears. “I thought I lost you.” She closes the gap pulling him into an embrace holding onto one another afraid to ever let go, eventually puling back enough to get lost again in one another’s gaze.
Are you ready to risk, Keith? Are you ready to live? His angel’s voice asks him again as he looks at the woman in front of him.
“Ally.” He breathes as he ever so slowly reaches a hand to her cheek and into her hair lacing his fingers behind her head. He then pulls her to him, finding her lips and loosing himself there, as they completely melt into one another. Their hands and limbs so busy fighting to get closer to deepen the contact. Keith falls completely back against the bed Allura going with him, so lost in one another that they don’t hear the doctor enter the room.
Gorma clears his throat. The two freeze and then quickly bury their instantly mortified faces into one another. “I came to see why your vital signs had elevated so rapidly.” Allura then rolls off grabbing her blanket to wrap up in, perching on the side of the bed as Keith reaches down grabbing up his own covers to shield himself with, both completely embarrassed. Doctor Gorma rubs his chin, a sly grin on his face. ” Glad to see it’s not more nightmares.” He moves to the side of the bed. “Well Keith, it’s good to see you up and awake. Feeling alright are we?” Keith just drops his eyes. The doctor smiles at him. “Do you mind if I do a quick check.”
“Well actually I…”
“Only take a second.” The doctor moves up to the head of the bed. “Looks like your colors all back in your skin.” He shines a penlight into Keith’s eyes to check their reaction to the light. “Can you feel all your fingers and toes?” The Dr. moves to Keith’s feet flipping back the covers touching each digit. “Can you feel that?”
“Uh… yeah I can.”
“Good. And your fingers?” Keith holds up his good hand. The doctor takes it in his, touching each finger then moves to the bandaged and braced arm touching each finger. “Feel all that? No numb spots?” Keith nods. The doctor smiles. “Well you got really lucky. I don’t know how long you were lying out there. It’s amazing that you have no signs of frostbite on your extremities and are not suffering from exposure. And, how’s the wrist?” The Dr lifts Keith’s arm removing the immobilizing arm brace and gently puts Keith’s wrist through some rotations. “Still a little stiff and swollen but mending well.” He glances to Allura sitting on the side of the bed as he replaces Keith’s brace. “And, how are you doing? All… rested … I assume?” She blushes dropping her head. The doctor smiles again. “Well, I think then... “
A loud scuffling outside cuts the Doctor off calling their attention to the door and Lance soon stumbles into the room wearing bright red flannel PJs, caring a huge box in front of his face. “Hey Princess, we decided since…” He drops the box down then doing a sudden double take. “Cap! Hey guys Keith’s up!” Lance is then a wash of panic, spinning with the huge box and tossing it out the door adding to the chaotic shuffling noise outside.
“What Lance? You decided?” Allura grins, thankful for the diversion from the Doctors scrutiny.
Lance looks to Keith then back to her pleading with her to not ask. “It can wait. So Cap.” He moves to the other side of the bed as the rest of the team shuffles in all smiles all dresses in pajamas and lounge wear. “You feeling better? You were a little woo hooo when we found you.” he twirls a fingertip at his temple jokingly.
Keith looks to Lance confused. “What do you mean?”
Sven walks up behind Lance. “Well for starters, you wished the whole planet a Merry Christmas!” They all laugh at Keith’s now bewildered expression.
Lance crosses his arms. “Yeah, you wished it to me, Sven, … the Black…. “
“The castle” Sven adds putting a finger to his lips.
“What?” Keith shakes his head grabbing at his forehead.
“Alright you guys.” The doctor chuckles moving in. “Take it easy on the fella.” He turns to Keith. “He’s had a rough morning.” He smirks at Keith, raising a brow, bringing a flush of crimson to wash over Keith’s face. “I think he needs a little more… rest” He gives Keith a wink. “ and I know you all have lots to do with the party today.”
“Aw come on Doc.” Pidge wines. “We just got here.”
The Doctor shakes his head and begins trying to shuffle them out. “No, you guys go. I’ll let you see them later. I believe they both need a little more… quiet time.”
Keith wants to disappear into the bed. He turns to see Allura looking very much the same, locking in an ‘hide me’ eye lock with her that is not wasted on Lance or Sven who both turn to each other smirking.
“Yes, you’re right doctor we really should be going.” Lance smiles.
Sven moves to Allura looking at her intently, and then turns his scrutiny to the also flushed Keith. They both fidget under his eyes. He stares at Keith now giving him a critical glare making Keith pull away guiltily. Sven laughs. “So, did the princess wake you up… Mister Sleeping Beauty? Hmmm.”
Keith stammers. “No…I…NO!” Keith starts to twitch.
Lance grabs Sven pulling him away. “Come on buddy lets leave these two to their… quiet.”
Keith watches as the gang and doctor all leave together, Lance and Sven apparently really enjoying their little joke. Keith watches the door for a moment shaking his head. “They’re going to eat us alive.”
“Us?” Allura asks, looking at him quizzically, snapping Keith to look at her in total panic. Did he misinterpret her feelings? Did he totally screw up and… Her face cracks into a glorious smile and she starts to giggle, pointing at him. “If you could see your face right now…”
“Why You!” He grabs her and manages to flip her around, tossing her onto the foot of his bed, springing up to pin her there. “Oh you are going to pay!” He then restrains her arms in his good hand, gently attacking her ribs with the other, tickling her out of her skin.
“Keith!….ahh….” See laughs writhing beneath him. “Keith!… You!”
He stops his onslaught, growing quiet, his grip on her relaxing as he looms over her, taking in everything about her. His eyes then look into hers seeing the fire in them that is his Allura and now becoming aware that that connection he had lost was back he could truly feel her again. “You were gone to me, I… I had nothing so I…”
She pulls a hand free and reaches up a finger laying it on his lips. “Shhhhhhhhhhhh. Were both here now.” Her finger traces down from his lips to his chest. She studies him, a mischievous smile soon playing on her lips. “So tell me, how is it you were found in red leather? Hmmmmmm”
“I…. I was?” Keith’s mind is sent into a frenzy and he sits up looking at his body. Up until now he had imagined it has all be some intense dream and he was just knocked out and imagined it all. “You mean I wasn’t in my… I wasn’t?”
She sits up too shaking her head. “No, Sven said you were found in a different uniform and that it was all torn. Where were you?”
Keith suddenly not feeling well at all falls back into the pillows on his bed, his mind struggling with the idea that it all had really happened. His eyes then focus on the ceiling tiles. “I… was lost, you were gone and well I… went for a walk, a walk I had no intention of returning from.” His eyes shimmer a bit in the lights from the ceiling. “I met someone out there. He showed me this world, a dark world. What could have been. He helped me see again.”
Allura sits watching the play of emotions wandering over his face, as if he was reliving it all. She slowly lowers herself to lay against him, nestling into the crook of his arm, her head wedged into the hollow of his neck. “Who is this man so I may properly thank him?”
Keith begins to chuckle his arm wrapping around her. “umm, bout that… well he said his name was… Al, and that he was my… oh this is silly, he said he was my guardian angel.”
Allura starts to giggle. “Al?” she smiles against the skin of his neck. “Well, I thank your angel.”
Keith’s eyes drift shut as do Allura’s, each of their free hands seeking the touch of the other’s skin tracing slow circles. Keith then tells Allura the tale of where he had been, when done he pulls Allura tight. “I still can’t believe it was all real, that I was dressed in the uniform from that other place.”
Allura having traveled to other planes of existence really couldn’t argue whether it was real or not, and that he had returned to them in different clothes is enough for her to believe his tale. “Mmmmm, well you’re here now. Safe and whole. The strange thing was for me, you were always still here, I could feel your presence you were here yet not. The others all thought I was just crazed, well okay, I was, but did feel you.”
Keith rolls to his side to face her, hand brushing her cheek. “I promise you. No matter what happens today tomorrow, whenever, I’ll never do that again, to you or our friends. I’m sorry.”
She doesn’t answer him with words but instead leans in and finds his lips. The kiss a slow tender one, full of all the bottled up emotion each has been carrying. They fall asleep foreheads touching both finally able to relax knowing the other is safe.
The cool morning air meets Orla’s face bringing a rosy glow to her cheeks as she walks up the snow kissed hill that overlooks the valley below the castle. Reaching her destination she brushes the snow from a stone bench then reaching into a basket she was carrying she pulls out a blanket to shield her from the cold and then sits down upon it. She closes her eyes a moment then looks up upon the monument that stands atop the resting place of her younger sister.
“Merry Christmas”, she smiles into the morning sun. “It is truly a Merry Christmas.” She then entwines her hands bring them to her lips, closing her eyes she reaches out to the ether with her sprit and finds the smiling form of her sister looking as beautiful as ever, her long golden locks flowing all about her.
Orla slowly comes out of her trance her own eyes simmering. She smiles reaching into her basket and puling out a bouquet of Christmas flowers setting them on her lap and the reaches back in lifting out a bottle of sparking cider, her sister’s favorite label, and a glass. She opens the bottle and pours herself a glass. Lifting the glass to the monument she toasts her little sister and the legacy she has left in her wake. “Sister, I so wish you could be here and see the woman your daughter has become. She has the gift, stronger than I have seen in generations but this I suppose you already knew.” Orla smiles imaging her sister’s spirit most likely visits Allura often. “She has your kind and gentle soul with the tenacity of her father, she will be a wonderful queen. You did well.”
Orla’s eyes drift shut and she swallows. “Sister, Allura is a woman now...” Orla smiles, eyes still closed, a flush of color washing over her. “and she has found love.” Orla hugs herself . “He is everything you have you have always dreamed of for you daughter and more. I am so happy for her. Oh, how I wish you were here to see it.“ Orla stands up unwrapping the bundle of flowers then walks up to the monument and spins a breeze comes up out of nowhere as she releases the flowers and they each rise up into the air and are swept to the heavens.
“I love you my sister, and I miss you.” Orla whispers onto the air as she watches the flowers float away.
Allura slowly stirred awake nestled snugly in the arms of her captain, a content smile growing across her face. Her hand absently begins to wander along his chest still not quite able to admit that they are now so close and afraid to move too much and break the spell.“Your thinking.” His voice is soft, deep and very contented.
Allura smiles. “Perhaps.... “ She blushes. “I thought you were still asleep?”
He moves his hands to her sides and pulls her to lay fully atop him. “Well I’m still dreaming.” his eyes dance over her face.
She smiles down her hand moving to stroke his face. “Mmmmmm, lets not wake up, okay?”
He answers her by reaching to the back of her head and pulling her lips to his, he is lost to her and no longer cares to deny it.
Allura’s body molds into his as if they have always been this close letting herself be taken away to a new world of sensations.
Keith feels his body awaking as it has done may times before with his thoughts of Allura but now he no longer hides it instead his hands travel along her back to her hips, sprawling his fingers wide and into her flesh he pulls her firmly to him and lets out a gasp at the glorious sensation of their body’s pressing together. “I love you my Princess.” he breaths ”.. love...” she cuts him off with her lips.
Having come in from visiting her sister and wanting to check in on her niece Queen Orla looks into their room. Blushing for them with a glorious smile she silently gives a bow of respect and slowly turns to leave the room. Grinning and shaking her head she does not see the Dr heading her way and they almost collide into one another.
The doctor seeing the flush on he cheeks and noticing what room she must have come out of goes pale. “Queen Orla? I... I didn’t know you were here I… Ummm, You didn’t…Are they?”
“They’re fine doctor” She smirks. “They just have a little caching up to do.”
Doctor Gorma smiles back. “Is that what you call it?” He laughs.
Orla grins the grin that only a knowing mature woman can give. ”Indeed I do.” She winks at him. “Merry Christmas Dr, thank you for everything.” She takes his healing hands in hers and gives him a slight bow then takes her leave.
The doctor bows back and watches her go, then trying to get the smirk off his own face he pokes his head into the room seeing Allura laying atop Keith both obliviously lost in one another. He shakes his head and with a smile looks away clearing his throat.
Keith sits up pulling her up as well and she slides off partially to his side. They both keep their eyes down. The doctor then walks up and checks some readings on the computer readout by Keith’s bed . “Hmmmmmm,” The doctor studies the screen. Allura turns to watch the readout with concern as the Doctor keys through several readings. “Well since it is Christmas... and you two seem fit enough for…well…” He grins knowingly at the two and they both blush feverishly Allura turning and burros into Keith hair. Well I couldn’t possibly keep you locked in here all day. Now if you promise to take it easy you can go join the celebrations. Remember to call me if you have any problems.” He pops off both of their med bracelets, and takes his leave. Pausing at the door he turns to their stunned faces. “Merry Christmas.” He smiles with a wink and then disappears out the door.
“The party...” Allura breathes. “The Children, oh the Children!” Allura gasps, she looks to Keith to try and read any expression from him. “Keith, I.... understand now why you don’t want to go. Would you rather just stay away?” She drops her eyes.
Keith looks distant and then after a long silence. “Allura… Could I go with you?” He asks, slowly looking up.
Her face starts to grin. “You…really want to? It might be hard for you to…”
He touches her cheek. “I’d like to try. If you would help me.”
“Really? She smiles into his fingers, kissing them. He smiles back and nods and she throws her arms around him giggling, he can’t help but to laugh too. “Are you sure?”
He nods sheepishly looking exactly like the little boy she met in her dreams.
She takes his hands which suddenly to her seem so small, kisses his forehead then slides off the bed puling him to the edge. “Well, first thing we need to do is change.”
“What you don’t like this?” He grabs at his hospital gown with a grin.
She laughs shaking her head at him. She picks out a hospital robe from a drawer draping it around his shoulders and then pulls one on herself. She then helps him to his feet, steadying him till he finds his balance. “Can you walk?” He tests his legs shifting his weight a bit and nods at her. “Are you sure I can get you a chai…”
He holds a hand up to her and shoots her a dejected look with a smirk.
She giggles at him. “Alright Mr. tough guy, well come on, let’s find you something suitable.”
He laughs “Yes Nanny.” as she comes to his side pulling his arm over her shoulder to support him as he finds his legs and the head down the halls.
The party was in full swing, kids running around everywhere. Playing many varied games everyone was dressed in either their PJ’s or loungewear as is royal tradition on Christmas day. ‘No pomp at Christmas’ was long ago decreed and Allura’s mother set the trend of the super casual Christmas in the castle the children absolutely loving it, actually getting to run around in their comfy clothes and not the stuffy ones, the team truly enjoying it too.
In the weeks before Christmas the castle was transformed into a Christmas wonderland. Christmas on Auras was for the Christians living on Arus a true religious time, but for those of other faiths it had become a celebration of giving and that sprit of giving is what tied all of Arus’ faiths together at this time and the decorations truly reflect that diversity of belief. Many of the earth holiday standards were present, Christmas trees, boughs of greens, and to a certain Red Lion pilot’s glee even mistletoe, who amusingly always seemed to end up under with someone.
A dinning hall and its adjoining lounge was where the main festivities were to be held. Allura preferring the coziness of the smaller room to the lager expansive grand halls of the castle. ‘Were having a family party not a grand ball!” She would always say every time someone suggested moving it to a larger location. And that is where the team was, along with the families of the castle staff who did not take a leave or had no other family.
There was a very large tree standing in its center, beneath its branches had been piles of presents since distributed to all the family in the castle, now all that remains is piles of rumpled paper and ribbons. Several large overstuffed sofas and chars were brought in from throughout in the castle creating sitting groups that surround the tree and along the walls were tables overfilled with all sorts of holiday confections. The stage had been set and all that was missing from the beautiful picture was Allura.
All around were groups, laughing and smiling, they all had heard the news that both Allura and the Captain were going to be fine and the joy of that news was palpable on the air, but it did not make up for the obvious absence of their hostess. With a commanding view of the tree was the large oversized sofa on which Allura would have been perched, and in front of it sat a table laden with gifts for her highness. Allura had always asked for no presents but the people would not accept that wish and made gifts for her anyway, It was well known, like her mother, the gifts she loved the most were the handmade ornaments made by the loving hands of her people, and their for that is what most of the packages contained. Also around the table were two more sofas and two large chairs and all of those were intermittently occupied by Allura’s closest… Coran, Romelle and Sven sitting there now. The Teams seats were also there but for now those spaces were where the gifts they had received sat piled. Each member of the Voltron team was busily going around the room and visit with all the others, especially the children.
Coran not being as sturdy on his legs did not do the rounds but instead sat in one of the chairs. He was clad in royal blue silk pajamas, brown slippers and a lusciously thick red robe that Allura herself had given him for Christmas years ago. Atop his head sat perched an askew Santa hat, which a toddler had placed there. He just laughed and let is stay there. On the sofa to his side perched Romelle and sitting on the floor in front of her was Sven. Romelle was in a simple long cotton longing gown of blue a white shawl wrapped around her shoulders, her feet in socks tucked beneath her. Sven was in all black, black sweatpants and a black long-sleeved tee shirt. All were engaged in the game of Snakes and Ladders being played out between Sven and four children on the table, all laughing riotously when Sven rolled a four and has to take the loooong ride to the beginning of the board.
Lance, Hunk and Pidge were all in different areas of the room talking to the families and playing with the children. Lance in his outrageous red flannel PJs his hair flowing free inviting many of an admires fingerers to run trough it if and when Lace caught them under the mistletoe. Pidge was in the same only green his head caped with a red and green striped elf cap. And Hunk, who knows were from, managed to get a full set of yellow feetsee pajamas in his size and was strutting around in them with pride with he crowning touch of a light up reindeer hat on his head.
The only one that should have been there but wasn’t was Nanny, but in the bustle and excitant, everyone had just assumed she was busily working behind the scenes making sure everything was just so as she normally would.
It had been a frenzy in the entry hall when Keith was brought in by Lance and Sven in the middle of the night, The whole team was there with Romelle, Coran, and many of the castle staff even the mice. The Doctor’s triage team was immediately on the scene wanting to assess his condition as soon as possible and not wait for him to be taken to the medical wing. As Keith’s vitals were being taken, IVs were being inserted and heating blankets tucked around him Nanny had stood on the periphery of it all praying the boy was going to be okay. She had a hanky held to her nose and the pangs of guilt over what she had done to him were washing through her like waves. That was when the delirious boy’s eyes locked onto hers and he stared at her for the longest time ... Then, in the briefest moments of lucidity with words just barely more than a whisper he spoke, “Merry Christmas, Nanny.”And with those three words, words of love, words of forgiveness, she melted. After all she had done, he forgave her. How she had misread him all these years. Those words were the most noble thing she had ever heard.
He soon slipped back into unconsciousness, Keith’s body was lifted onto a gurney and he was wheeled away to the care of Dr Gorma.
Now on the table in her workroom rests Nanny’s old carpet bag, personal effects laid out aside it as she goes about removing them from the room. A picture of infant Allura in the arms of her father, a scrap of fabric from Allura’s first formal gown. a book of hand scrawled recipes, a box filled with snaps...
She spies in the box a favorite snap from last years Christmas party and lifts it out. Everyone in it is all huddled tightly together in their causal clothes all hamming it up for the camera, Allura in the middle of them with two of the castle children sitting on her lap joyously laughing. But now to her eyes one of the castle’s family is glaringly absent from the photograph. Her breath catches as she finds a seat. Sitting down she studies the photograph, fingering the place in the picture where he belonged, where he always was, by Allura’s side, always watchful, always protective, always willing to lay his life down to save her. Nanny closes her eyes holding the picture to her breast and weeps. How wrong she was.
Keith waits sitting on the sofa in his room, legs a bit more tired from the walk that he’d ever admit, and watches while Allura looks for something ‘suitable’ for him to wear. He lets out a sigh. “What do you mean I can’t wear my normal clothes?” He watches her intently as the snow white cotton sleeping gown she changed into when they stopped at her quarters caressed her every curve as she moved.
She continues to go through his closet. “We don’t dress up for Christmas. It’s a family tradition.” She pulls out a red jumpsuit. “Is this it?” She pulls out another. “Is this all you have in here?”
“Well is saves time in the morning.” He shrugs his shoulders with a chuckle. “Anyway, I’d hardly call that dressing up.”
She shakes her head laughing at him. “Nothing else? Nothing… casual?”
“Well in the drawer I have my old workout clothes but they…”
She tosses the jumpsuits aside diving into the drawer. “This is perfect!”
“Oh no! There is no way…”
She pulls out an old worn pair of gray sweatpants. “What do you wear these for?”
“Those! Ally, I just sleep or read in these, never go out.”
“Perfect!”
“Perfect? I can’t…”
“Oh yes you can. And with this shirt. Come on off with the robe.” Allura moves up to helping him out of the robe tossing it aside then holding up the white long sleeved tee shirt she had found in front of him.
“Allura I don’t know I…” Their proximity allowed her thigh inadvertently rubs against his, making him bashfully drop his eyes from hers, they instead inadvertently land on her chest which is now at his eye level just inches before him. Catching himself in a less than gentlemanly gasp he panics, tuning his head, and pulls away.
Allura looks down at him reaching out a hand to comfort him. She places it on his shoulder. “Keith? Are you alight? What’s wrong? Do you not want to do this?”
“No I…” He stammers blushing slightly, slowly looking up to her belly, ”it’s just you…”
“Are you afraid… of me?”
“Not of you… of me.”
“Keith?”
“Allura…” He slowly looks up to her. “You’ve been my Apple.” He tentatively reaches up a finger to touch her lips. “Forbidden to eat… yet so tempting. So tempting.”
Her lips part. “Forbidden? Forbidden by who?” She reaches out to touch his cheek. “Keith, can you let yourself be loved?” Her finger runs along his lip. “Can you let me love you?” Her hand then fully caresses his face. “Can you let go of some of your guilt and let love in?” Her hands then both move into his scalp and she can feel him move into her touch. “Keith, I love you.”
“Allura I…” He leans forward and burrows into her. “hmmm…I….I love you too…I…” They slowly pull back and lock eyes, their eyes soon dancing between eyes and lips, breath labored. They then explode into one another into a frenzied and fevered kiss, both grabbing at each other in desperation to continue the kiss. Keith falling back leaning on the back of the sofa and Allura falling atop him, instinctively straddling him, lips and tongues continuing their dance.
Allura finally manages to break free, with great effort on her part, she makes herself pull back off of him a bit, eyes locked in his deep dark dilated ones. It takes everything she has to not drown in them. She slowly sits up still perched atop him, his chest heaving with every labored breath.
She watches him as he watches her with all the wonder in his eyes of that child she met in his dreams his arms dropping to her knees. She then becomes very aware of his body beneath hers. How warm he is, how strong he is. How much she wants to truly know him. How if she just moved forward a little further their most intimate secrets would be shared. She reaches out a hand to his chest brushing her fingers lightly along the thin fabric of his hospital gown. His whole body shudders beneath her at the touch. “Keith?” She whispers as her hand travels over his chest. ”Let me love you.” . In silent response, dropping his head back, he closes his eyes, his chest heaving as much as her own.
She can still feel so much tension in every muscle of him. She slowly leans forward to him now hovering over him as she lowers her lips to his ear. She whispers. “Relax my love.” Her lips dropping to skim along his neck earning her a shuddering breath from him as he firmly grabs onto her thighs on either side of him. He then lets out an epic breath, relaxing into the sofa below.
His hands then slowly begin to travel up her legs pushing her gown up with them eventually reaching her hips, pausing there to move beneath the light fabric he then lets his hands explore the soft yet firmness of her skin which soon rises with goosebumps at his touch. Her mouth moves to his nape as her hands reach around to loosen the fastener holding his hospital gown at his neck. Sitting perched on his upper thighs she slowly pulls his gown up away from him. She holds it to her breast as she lets her eyes take him and he watches her intently. She reaches out one hand to touch what she sees. Tracing the line of his pecks and his nipples which stiffen at the attention. She then traces a finger along his abs tracing each ridge of his defined muscles which all move at her touch. Her fingers then find his bellybutton which is softly surrounded by dark hair which she lets her fingers run through and around his belly button enjoying the guttural sounds she’s is getting from him and the writhing of his body beneath her touch. Her hand then brushes up against him beneath the soft fabric of his briefs, causing them both to catch their breath.
She swallows hard then dares to let her eyes look upon him. He bits his lip as he watches her, afraid to move dropping his hands away. But his body does move as he involuntary pulses to meet her. Her eyes are full of wonder as she lets her hand move down to meet him, lightly brushing against him again. She is amazed at how he reacts to her every touch.
She eventually looks up to his face, surprised to see his head now tossed back, eyes clamped shut, as his hands are digging deeply into the sofa. She smiles at him reaching up to his cheek she brushes her hand along it bringing his eyes to meet hers. She moistens her lips still in an eye lock with him then reaches down slowly grabbing hold of her gown and pulling it up and over her head. He lets his own eyes roam over the expanse of flesh now before him. His eyes land on her swollen breasts, full with desire and his lips soon follow, tasting every inch of her, all she can do is writhe and moan under the onslaught of his kisses. After giving every inch of her flesh its due, he grabs the back of her head and buries himself in her lips, her arms falling over his head and grabbing onto his hair. He lets his hands travel down to the small of her back and lower now poised to pull her to fully meet him. Then, in one swift move he does just that, pulling her up to rest upon him, now fully feeling each others beckoning warmth.
Her eyes snap open to meet his liquid depths. She reaches up placing a hand on ether side of his jaw. “Will you let me love you?”
His eye shimmer looking back to hers as he reaches to caress her face. “Forever…”
Tears start to flow down her cheeks. “What is forever?”
He moves his finger to catch a tear, his own eyes liquid. “As long as we have, my love. As long as we have.”
She pulls back a bit to fully look at him. “Will you let me love you...Forever?”
He regards her; eyes now letting his own tears fall. “Yes.” They look at one another for the longest time then again dissolve into a kiss now also pushing against one another, bodies seeking out the connection their souls most desperately seek. They soon are spun around, bodies instinctively finding what they need, completely loosing themselves in one another, finding all new places and pleasures that only together they can find.
Dreamily Keith lays with his Allura draped over him, deciding that from now on this is always how he wants to wake up he smiles and stokes her hair, mmmm she purrs at him. He chuckles. “So, do you still want to go to the party?”Allura nuzzles in. “mmmmmmmmmmmm”
Keith laughs wrapping his arms around her possessively. “Whatever is your wish, my Princess.”
Allura inhales to speak when a loud clatter makes them both jump. Allura squeals as an access panel of Keith’s ceiling comes crashing down to the floor. Allura’s eyes boggle when just as quickly Keith’s good arm is outstretched, a blaster from who knows where now in his hand, pointed squarely at the opening. His other arm wraps firmly around her puling her off him and behind him on the sofa as he sits up cat like ready to defend.
Then, three familiar small faces peer into the room from the opening and both Keith and Allura let out epic breaths, Keith lowering his gun. All three are frozen at the sight they see and Cheddar is so transfixed he starts to sway. The mouse soon looses his balance, the other two scrambling to grab him but its to late and he falls. Keith springs out to catch the mouse, landing with a thud against a chair across the way. He sets the mouse down and then reaches around to rub his now stinging bare rump from the impact with the hard floor.
Cheddar looks to Keith then Allura, to Keith, to Allura, to Keith, to Allura and then gets the biggest cheese thieving grin and starts to laugh. The other two make their way down joining Cheddar all three now happily squeaking amongst themselves.
Keith sits up arms crossing across his bare chest. “You three mind telling me what was so impotent for breaking and entering?”
All three stop and turn to Allura and race for her leaping into her outstretched hands they begin anxiously squeaking.
“Oh no!” Allura breaths. Looking pale as a ghost she looks up to Keith. “Its Nanny, they said that she’s leaving!”
“What? Why?”
The mice animatedly squeaking acting out what Nanny had done to Keith but both Keith and Allura fail to understand. Allura listens again. “They said Nanny hurt you? And that she thinks I’m better off with you than her, What?... No Squeak...Nanny would never...”
Keith lifts up his restrained wrist and it all starts coming back to him, Nanny unleashing her rage at him. “Ally?” he looks at his arm. “I think Nanny did this to... no no... no that doesn’t make sense...” He grabs at his now throbbing head, not knowing what was real and what was the other reality.
The mice start jumping up squeaking, pointing and nodding their heads. ‘Allura’s jaw drops. “N....Nanny broke you arm? NANNY BROKE YOUR ARM!!!!!” Allura stood to her feet grabbing her cloths and starts pulling them on. “Oh no she Didn’t!” She mutters as she angrily dresses growing redder than she’s ever been and she storms out the door.
Keith finally looks up to see her just leave the room. “ALLY! WAIT! ALLY!!!!” Keith scrambles to his feet almost to the door when he realizes he is buck naked. He quickly doubles back to the clothes Allura had pulled out for him yanking on his drawers and the sweats then just grabbing the tee and socks in hand. “Well what are you waiting for?” He barks at the mice. “Go after her!”
If anyone had been in the halls it would have been a sight to see, the cool Voltron commander chasing three mice down the halls looking completely disheveled only clad in a pair of faded gray sweats.
He hears the exchange well before he sees anyone. Allura’s voice echoing down the halls. “YOU HAVE NO RIGHT! How could you! After all he has done for us! YOU YOU YOU!...”
Keith overshoots the last turn scrambling back and then down the last hall. “Ally!...” He bends over bodily gasping, the tee and socks dropping to the floor. “Ally stop.” He looks up from his bent over position half squatting to rest his arms on his legs. His vision blurs unable to focus. He can barely make out Allura back as she is boldly standing in front of Nanny blocking her path. Nanny looks exactly as she did the first time he saw her, dressed in her traveling clothes, bag in hand.
“You will not stop me, I can come and go as I please.” Nanny huffs and tries to push Allura aside.
“Oh I’m not going to stop you I just want answers!” Allura yells “How could you!”
Nanny looks away unable to meet Allura’s eyes.
“Nanny!” Allura grabs the elders shoulders giving her a shake. “Look at me!” Allura shifts trying to catch Nanny’s gaze but the woman evades. “How could you do that to him? Him! Keith!”
“Well you won’t have to worry about that anymore because I have submitted my resignation.” Nanny pulls away pushing off Allura’s hands.
“Stop.” Keith’s firm word stops them both cold. He staggers a bit as he finds his feet and then approaches the two women even in his state of undress looking every bit ten feet tall.
“You.” He moves to Allura pulling her to him. “You love this woman as your own family. Can you look me in the eyes and tell me you really want her to go? Yes she is annoying, and controlling, and an utter pain in the ass...“ he smirks “but is spite of all that, you love her. Tell me now if you really want her to go.”
Allura sniffs, gradually looks up into his eyes and slowly shakes her head, eyes wet.
He smiles at her “Now for you” he slowly turns to fix his gaze onto Nanny. ”You have absolutely no authority over me or Allura and the sooner that is understood the better.” His jaw twitches. “I understand fully why you did what you did to me but that does not excuse it.” He steps away from Allura and strides toward Nanny to loom over her shorter form. “This power struggle ends here and ends now.” His voice is firm and forceful. “You will know your place. You will honor Allura in all of her choices…” He glances back to Allura voice softer… “No matter what path she chooses.”
Allura’s eyes shimmer and she looks on him with so much love he can’t help to flush from it and turn his head away, an exchange so palpable and heated it is not missed on Nanny whose lips part at the sight.
He then turns back to Nanny, the flush of being loved still gleaming from his skin. He slowly closes his eyes reopening them his jaw again set firm. “You will treat every member of my team with the respect they have long since earned. And if the unimaginable happens...” Keith swallows again... ”If one of us... ”, his face and voice soften and he glances back to Allura again... silent for the longest time... “then you will not blame... but grieve with us... as one of us....” he slowly turns back to Nanny.... “because you are family.”
Nanny Just looks at him dumbfounded.
“Now...” he grabs her bag from her in his good hand. “You are not leaving this castle, you are going back to your room to change, and you are accompanying Allura and I to the party. Understood?” He looks at her unwavering, one brow raised.
Nanny stands dumfounded, eye shimmering her mouth twitching as if it is trying to remember how to make words.
“UNDERSTOOD?”
Nanny blinks a few times then straightens herself formally. “Yes Captain.” She looks him over a few times almost as if seeing him for the first time her line of a mouth slightly tugging up into a smile.
“Good.” Keith smiles back at her. Keith then turns and with a sweep of his arm gestures down the hall to Nanny’s quarters. “After you.”
Nanny bows respectfully, lifts her skirts and heads to her room.
Keith then bows to Allura. “My lady?”
Allura positively beams at him, curtsies and then sprints up to Nanny’s side taking her arm and snuggling into her side. “Come on Nanny,” Allura looks Nanny up and down. “You are way overdressed for today, you know the rules. Let’s find you something more, suitable.”
Keith almost chokes, then coughs through his laughter, then shaking his head at Allura as she turns to meet his bemused eyes for a brief loving exchange. The two women then sprit down the hall, the mice following behind.
Keith pauses to watch them a moment and has a chuckle at the picture they make. He then bends over to pick up his wadded up tee he tosses it and his socks over his shoulder and then chucking heads down the hallway after them, Nanny’s bag in hand.
Keith awaited in Nanny’s main room while the two were in the bedroom area finding Nanny something to wear. Keith finding it impossible not to continually smile at that. As he was pulling on his socks and tee-shirt He couldn’t help letting his eyes wander to the now open bag on Nanny’s worktable. Upon returning to the room Nanny had to rummage around in it to fid some things leaving much of its contents scattered about on the table. As his eye traveled over Nanny’s most treasured positions he took in the one unifying theme, they all were ties to Allura. Keith bit his lip as he picked up a swatch of silk and let his fingers caress it. With his eyes closed he could have identified it, it was the pink silk of Allura’s gown. He let his eyes drift closed and moved the fabric to his lips to let the sent and feel of it wash over him. He then thought of his ties to Allura the Black and how he would feel if some upstart was to come along and take from him the things that defined is purpose of existence.
Allura’s faint cough snapped his eyes open to find the two women standing in the doorway looking at him, Nanny now clad in her dressing gown, floor length robe and bedroom slippers. He flushed a bit and tried to hide it with a gentlemanly bow. Keith approached them silk still in his hand handing it back to Nanny. “It must be hard to give up something so precious.” I do not think I would react so well if something that precious was to be taken from me.” He drops his head. “I know I wouldn’t.”Keith instead of waiting for an answer wraped his arms around the elder woman pulling her into a caring hug, he drops his head to whisper to her. “Thank you for loving her.” And with that Nanny let loose and wept, soon hugging him back, Allura moving over to wrap herself around the two.
Nanny finally straitens up whipping her tears. “Ohh look at this mess.” She sets about adjusting Keith’s t-shirt as if it were a dress uniform, bringing a giggle from Allura.
Keith has a chuckle and then bows most regally to the women. “May I have the pleasure of escorting you two ladies to the Christmas party?”
Allura’s pride swells and with a gasp looses her voice and has to look away.
Nanny looks on just then putting the pieces together that Keith himself after many years was for the first time going to be making an appearance at one of the castles and Allura’s most beloved annual events. Nanny then smiles at him taking Allura’s hand in her’s extending them out to him. “We would be delighted.” Keith extends an elbow to each Nanny crossing sides with Allura to gently take his bandaged side.
The three walk down the halls to the party, Keith in the center with a lady on each arm, Allura on his left arm leaning against him as they walk, Nanny on his right arm motheringly stroking his bandaged wrist.
They soon arrive at the doors to the dining hall where the party had been in full swing for a while now. Keith pauses there, both women looking to Keith, watching the play of emotions drift over his face. They each give him a reassuring squeeze. He then swallows and takes that last step forward that activates the motion sensor sending the doors swooshing open.The sounds of holiday music, children’s laughter and happy conversation pour from the room in waves that Keith can actually feel. He closes his eyes and lets the waves of sound wash over him.
“Are you okay?” Allura whispers softly, her hands both enveloping his.
He nods and slowly opens his eyes hoping to slowly take it in only to be met with the sound of Keith! Keith! Keith! From a dozen children who race out of the room to hug him. All the eyes in the room shift to the three figures arm and arm at the door.
A bit woozy and so many little voices and bodies on him at once Keith wobbles under the onslaught, the ladies on his arms now his main means of support help him stay upright as he lowers himself to his knees. Once there he smiles and gives each child their hug several of them talking at once telling him all about what they got for Christmas. He then looks up through the throng seeing the smiling faces of his team each also dressed in causal comfort standing in front of him.
Lance, in his bright red flannels lets loose a chuckle to match his grin, “Well he ain’t much for walking but he still managed to get two dates! Whoa Keith, so are two women to much for you? He waggles his eyebrows at Allura, “I could take one off of your hands.”
Nanny shoots Lance one of those famous Nanny looks as she and Allura help Keith back up to his feet. “Such impertinence! Speaking to your superior in that way!” She then fusses over Keith making sure he’s okay.
Keith smiles to Nanny then turning to Lance. “I don’t know Lance, Princess Allura? Nanny? Would either of you rather spend the rest of the afternoon with Sr Lancelot?”
The two ladies both comically give Lance the brush, fling their noses into the air and escort Keith into the ballroom. Keith lets out a chuckle. They make their way to the heart of the room where a giant fir stands. Allura holds back a bit, not wanting to push him, but Keith presses on, soon standing in front of the grand tree. Nanny takes note of the concern on Allura’s face and excuses herself to make a round of the room to see that all is in proper order. The rest of the team knowing of Keith’s discomfort runs interface engaging in conversation with or redirecting anyone who was heading Keith’s way. But curiosity makes them all keep one eye on the Captain as he looks at the tree.
Keith smiles as Allura gives his had a squeeze as his eyes dare dance over the tree. As his eyes wander over it for the first time he actually really looks at it. He is surprised to find the ornaments instead of reflecting the common things found on earth are more reflective of Arus. Even the Lion ships are represented there, the royal seal also an ever recurring theme of the tree. “Where’s the Black?” He asks her.
Allura grins and points up higher on the branches, “There’s one.” His eyes flowing. “and there’s one” she points off to the left… oh and down there are two…and there’s a glass one…” She glances to him. “It’s good luck to have a Black Lion on your tree.” She winks at him.
He smiles and then does the one thing he thought he could never do. He lets out a breath and closing his eyes he inhales deeply letting the smell of pine penetrate him.
“New memories.” She whispers. “We’ll make new memories, my love.”
A flush creeps up his face at her words and his lips part but he dare not look at her. She watches him with bemused adoration. And then purrs into his ear bringing a flush of bright crimson and his jaw to snap shut. “New memories.”
The rest of the team couldn’t hold back the tied of partygoers for long soon the line of defense is broken and Keith an Allura are surrounded with both children and adults and are soon spirited away into the children’s game. Allura always staying close to make sure Keith could see her and know that she is there watching him if he needs a rescue. Keith found a comfortable place on the floor to play with the children, whenever he felt the urge to bolt coming on he would just look up and she was near him, watching over him, and somehow that was reassuring enough for him to stay composed.
Orla, having gone to her quarters to rest then freshen up and change after her outing, picks up her basket full of gifts she has for others and continues on her with her Christmas ritual, one more visit before she joins the others. Orla makes her way to the deepest places of the castle, to the door of King Alfor’s Tomb. She slowly opens the cool door bring a beam of light to shine into the dark space. Setting her basket down she lifts out a smallest bouquet of Christmas greens. She walks up the stairs to his resting place to leave the bouquet but stops upon reaching it finding an exquisitely wrapped present. She studies it a moment rich green paper wrapped in a red silk ribbon. She reaches out to read the tag attached to it, ‘To Keith and Allura, with all our love.’ She brings her hand to cover her mouth as tears come to her face. “Its beautiful.”She sets the bouquet down upon the King’s sarcophagus as deep voice floats along the air. “Please take it to her with our blessings.” A breeze picks up from nowhere. “Arus is born anew on this day. These are happy times!” and the crypt fills with something it never has, the late King’s joyous laughter.
Orla moves to take the gift, tears poring down her face, but pauses closing her eyes a moment to soak up the radiating energy of the crypt. She finds that in between place and settles there. When she opens her eyes she is no longer standing in the crypt but in a lush green grassy field, and running up to her is her sister, “SISTER!” Orla calls, and their spirits collide into a spinning hug. They stop to look at one another, as Orla looks up she sees the King approaching and she smiles at him but then behind him two more figures, a man and a woman materialize, walking side by side towards her. The woman is cradling the green box in her arms, the man’s focus is totally on the woman at his side, his arm tightly wrapped around her, both are in tears.
Orla takes a step from her sister as they reach her. They are so imposing even when shedding tears Orla feels the need to bow deeply before them. Upon arising she takes them in, both strong of sprit and the woman breathtakingly beautiful, her dark raven locks flowing softly around her face setting off the deepest emerald green eyes Orla has ever seen.
The woman’s shaky hands then reach out the gift to Orla. “My Angel...” The woman’s words are more felt that heard. “My sweet sweet Angel.”
Orla takes the gift and the woman turns to the man at her side, his arms wrapping protectively around her. He then looks up and meets Orla’s eyes in an imposing stare, not one to be feared, but one of strength, of heart, and of sprit. And in those eyes Orla knows who exactly this man is, because she has seen those very eyes and that look in them so many times before. She widens her focus from his eyes to take in his face, his hair, his stature... all exactly the same. She is moved to bow again, Keith’s father having all the power and bearing of a King. Eyes to the ground Orla finally finds the air to speak. “I would be honored to deliver this.” When she arises from her bow she is back in Alfor’s crypt, all is still, the gift now in her hands, the flowers she had left gone.
As the afternoon went on the castle’s party soon settled down as the families left, and the team decided it was time to retire to the rec room for their own private gathering for the evening. Allura asked Nanny if she could gather her gifts so that she could keep and eye on Keith.Stealing looks from one another they laughingly made their way to the rec room, Keith feeling better having been out of his hospital bed for most of the afternoon. Allura was pleasing enjoying this new view of the Captain clad in just a white long sleeved t-shirt, worn in grey sweats and white socks. He felt silly at first but soon was growing more comfortable in the relaxed skin even taking the opportunity to let his inner 5 year old slide on the slickly waxed floor whenever the opportunity presented itself bringing the musical sound of Allura’s laughter to ring out in the halls.
He finally did one final long slide down the hall coming to a smooth halt in front of the Rec room’s door. “My lady.” And took a mocking bow. She just laughed at him, loving to see that little boy she had be so smittened with in her dreams now standing right before her. She laughed and ruffed his hair. The door swooshed open and he slowly turned to see inside, the room he had avoided completely since thanksgiving.
He cautiously entered the empty rec room slowly looking around taking it all in, he has been avoiding it since the decorations went up, so this was the first time he had actualy gave it more than a passing glace. The rec room too was decorated to the hilt for Christmas, but Keith could tell that this tree was different. It seemed every ornament on it was hung with extreme care, and the ornaments themselves were much more exquisite then the rest. When he asked Allura about it he almost lost it as she told him what he was looking at was her mother’s collection and that Allura herself decorates this tree every year, in honor and in memory of her mother. He personally had destroyed his own mother’s Christmas memories and this tree now brought fourth a deep regret for that loss.
“Are you okay?” Allura came to his side seeing his shift in mood. “Keith?” Her hand went to his arm. And once seeing the look in his pained eyes she took him into her arms.
He let himself lean into her, just able to hold back the tide of emotion. “I miss her, Ally” he then reaches out to finger a carved bobble with a fingertip, “and I miss her Christmas. All those silly little things she’d do, all the decorations each with its own story, I miss that.”
Allura smiles, leaning her head against him. “Well that one there was made in Funan by a farmer. My father used to take me to the farm to pick fruit in the fall. One year the tree that grew the apples father swore were the best in all the land was hit in a lightning storm. My father was so sad, but then later that year at Christmas the farmer presented my father with this ornament, carved from the very wood of that tree. So when I see this one, I remember being a little girl, picking apples with my father.” She smiles at him.
Keith gasps, it was like being sent backing time, listening to his mother’s stories of all the ornaments. “They all have stories don’t they?”
“mmmhmmmmm”
“Will you tell me them, I want to hear them all.”
She reaches up to brush his cheek. “I would love too.”
He then drops his eyes to the floor. “I didn’t get you anything for Christmas.”
“Yes you did.” Allura cups his cheek. “You gave me you. And that is something I will cherish, forever.”
He leans into her, lips drawing towards hers, “Forev…” The sound for the doors swishing open pulls him back.
“Hey Hey Hey!” Pidge enters the room, still in his flannel PJ’s in the color of his lion, flowed by Hunk, and carrying large sacks.
“That HO HO HO you squirt!” Hunk laughs.
“Hey Hey HO HO what’s the difference, and for your information, I’m not a squirt!” Pidge laughs as he upends his bag under the tree.
“I think the big red guy will disagree with you there!” Hunk retorts as he upends his bag.
The doors swished open again and Coran stepped in, he too with a sack over one shoulder and on his face the most surprising thing of all, a beaming smile. Merry Christmas everyone!” He greets them all passing his bag to Hunk to empty.
Lance then skipped in arm and arm with Romelle, he caring both their sacks. Lance grinning ear to ear, “I found my date! Sven got abducted!”
Romelle, just laughs at him. Pidge pipes in, “Ya better not let Sven hear that or you’ll end up wrapped up like a present with a bow in you mouth AGAIN this year!”
The whole room sans Keith who didn’t know the story erupts in riotous laughter, Lance, looking quite dejected, puts on a pout, “HA… HA… HA”
Pidge add “No, it’s HO HO HO”
Nanny with Sven in tow, he caring the largest sack of all, the presents for Allura that she missed unwrapping earlier, they arrive in the heat of the laughter. Upon Sven’s entrance Lance cringes and the room explodes again, fingers pointing at Lance who is standing in the middle of the room. Hulk then walks up to Lance and slaps a bow on his head.
The wickedest grin spreads across Sven’s face “Already up for round twelve are we, Lance?” Sven cracks his knuckles.
Keith was watching the exchange with a lost detachment, having avoided every Christmass he now feels the part of the interloper. Allura notices the change in his stance and puts a reassuring hand on his arm. “Alley, I’ve missed so much.” He whispers to her, “I don’t know if I belong…”
“Shhhh” She silences him with a wave of her hand. “Just because you weren’t here with us doesn’t mean we didn’t all know you were watching over us, protecting us. You are loved here, and don’t you EVER forget that.”
He gives her a weak smile. She smiles back and shakes her head at him grabbing him by his good wrist and leads him over to the sofa and steers him to sit down. She leans over and whispers, “If it gets too much you can always leave. But know this, we all love you, and we all want you with us.” She then sits beside him covering his hand with hers his fingers spreading beneath hers so she can lace hers with his, she does and gives him a reassuring squeeze. And he closes his fingers under hers, trapping her digits.
Soon the group settles in most choosing the plush carpet of the floor in front of the sofa over the furniture, Coran and Nanny it the large chairs across the table from them. Coran then clears his throat calling their attention. “I wish to take this time to thank each and every one of you for the personal sacrifices you have made and continue to make for one another and for this planet. It is an honor to have you here and on this day you are all, children of Arus. Thank you, and Merry Christmas.” He then closes his eyes and points his finger randomly at the group sitting across from him. “You!” He opens his eyes to see he has pointed at the big man of the team, Hunk.
“Hunk is Santa!” Everyone yells and cheers. Hunk then goes about is duty of passing out the gifts and chaos erupts. Keith eventually has to reluctantly let go of Allura’s hand as the presents began to pile up around her threatening to bury her completely. He even has to catch a few before they topple to the floor.
Keith, with no gifts for himself or none to give then plays the spectator, watching them all as the paper and bows fly across the room, ohhs and ahhs ring out form everyone. Among the many gifts, Nanny got a new Apron from Hunk. Coran got a vintage magnify glass from Romell and Sven. Hunk got a new rod and reel from Allura. Lance got some magazines of questionable taste in a care package from the Explorer. Pidge, blushing profusely, got the magazines Lance got last year from the Explorer. Romelle and Sven received matching hand kitted scarves from Nanny.
As for Allura, The gifts just kept on coming, Keith had never seen such a thing before. But each one was the same thing, a new bobble or decoration, celebrating the Christmas spirit Arus style. And each one has some meaningful card explaining it’s origin. Allura was in tears more that she was not. Nanny being prepared for this had several royal hankies at the ready, passing them across to Keith to pass too Allura as needed and to his surprise he truly enjoyed being the royal handkerchief boy smiling with her at every one as she read the cards aloud. Ornaments, figurines, wall hangings and every other knick knack imaginable was represented soon the low table in the room in front of the team was covered in them.
Eventually the last gift was opened, it was Lance’s of course, he ALWAYS hid one so that he would be the last to open a gift, and made a huge show about it dragging it out. Unfortunately this time he forgot to completely read the card, he read to Lance, but skimmed over the from part. By Nanny’s chuckling Keith knew who this one must be from. Lance finally peeled off the last piece of tape to the exasperated gasp of the rest. And then slowly went about unwrapping the paper going in the exact revise order as it was wrapped. When the gift was finally revealed last he grinned “It’s a Book!” and then he read the title. Lance blanched and tossed it, it landing square on Allura’s Lap. Allura picked it up and burst into laughter. Between laughs she blurted out the title. “Proper Etiquette for the Arusian Gentleman. A courtly guide to Arusian customs and traditions, XVII Revised.” The whole room exploded in laughter and woots for Nanny.
“Ha Ha, very funny!” Lance pouted.
Nanny then tossed Sven a piece of ribbon she had left around her neck, “Hang onto that, Sven. You may just find a use for it.” Sven took it and smiled and added it to the growing collection at his feet.
Shortly they all settle and sit quiet drinking various warm holiday drinks enjoying the quiet and having everyone together. They sit reminiscing of the day’s events catching Allura up an all the antics that she had missed. Allura laughs and smiles at the stories but she doesn’t seem disappointed at all that she missed it brining a grin to a few of the faces as they muse at what could have been better than being at the party on her favorite day of the year.
“Hey, wait a minute…there’s still a present left over there!” Romelle exclaims.
“What?” Hunk turns. “We already opened everything.”
“No, I see it too,” Lance points. “Behind the tree.”
“Let me see.” Pidge crawls under the tree. “Got it.”
“Who’s it for?” Several voices ask at once.
Pidge shakes his head. “Ummmm, It’s for.... Keith.”
“But no one ever gets anything for him. He hates…uh sorry cap.” Hunk flushes.
Everyone exchanges dumbfounded looks, not only is it known not to get Keith anything, everyone is vigilant to keep an eye out for anything that may have his name on it and they remove it so as not to create an awkward situation.
“It’s alright Hunk.” Keith smiles apologetically. “Let me see it.”
Pidge passes it to Keith and everyone moves in to see, all casting suspicious glances around the room wondering who did it.
“It’s heavy.” Keith says as he inspects it.
“Well open it already!” Lance blusters.
Keith smiles at him. “Okay, geesh no patience.” Keith painfully slowly peels the paper from the package, shooting Lance a sly look.
Lance lashes out grabbing hold of the paper and ripping it free. “There! It’s open. Now what is it?”
“A book.” Keith lifts it up to read the spine. “The Great Legends of Arus. A collection of legends compiled by… King Alfor?”
Allura’s eyes go wide. “My fathers book! But… he…he never finished it. I remember him reading parts of it to me as he was writing it but.”
Keith sets it down on his lap, fingers lightly lingering on the fine leather binding. “It looks new, Ally.” Every eyebrow in the room raises at Keith using her nickname so casually. Keith runs his hand over the book. “Did he give it to someone to finish for him?”
“No, I don’t think so.” Allura’s brow furrows.
Keith picks the book up and opens the cover seeing an inscription and reads.
‘Keith,Don’t take for granted God’s greatest gift.
Live and Love while you can.Alfor
Keith smiles as he reads the words.“Can I see?” Allura asks.
“Sure.” He lifts up his arm on her side to give her room and she moves in to see the book better moving much closer than necessary. Keith allows his lips to brush against her hair. Lance shoving Sven and kicking Pidge calling their attention to it. Keith lets his arm then rest on the sofa behind them but not for long. It snaps to Allura’s shoulders when she sees the handwriting and she audibly gasps. “Keith! This is my father’s hand. He wrote this!”
“Don’t be silly, Allura.” Coran speaks, reminding the couple to keep a more respectable distance. Coran pushes himself out of his chair, taking the few steps to take the book. Flipping it open he reads. He quickly drops back into his seat, stunned silent for the longest time... “Oh my.”
Lance stands up waving his arms. “Wait a minute, wait a minute…So your saying, that Allura’s father, who passed before we got here, gave Keith, the Christmas Scrooge, a copy of his book, that he never finished, and personally inscribed it to him?”
Coran holds the book up to him. “Looks like it!” Lance takes the book and looks over its binding thoroughly.
Sven laughs. “What’s the matter Lance? Have you forgotten that we’re on the planet with magical Lions, visiting ghosts, transforming castles and talking mice?”
“Oh yeah. How silly of me.” Lance rolls his eyes then hands it back to Keith. Crossing his arms across his chest. “Exactly what happened to you the last two days?”
Keith hugs the book to him and motions with his hand zipping his mouth and tossing the key.
“Oh thanks.” Lance drops his arms in exasperation.
Keith laughs. “If I told you Lance, You would all have me committed.”
Everyone eventually settles back down knowing not to push Keith on the subject and begin to bring up the fanciful things that had they heard of them before they were on Arus would have been unbelievable but now to them are commonplace.
As everyone is reminiscing Keith starts to flip through the book reading the titles of all the chapters as he flips. It seems to be in chronological order. Some of the names he has heard before, others are new. Then he gets to the chapter on King Alfor and he turns white as a sheet.
Allura notices his face and leans over speaking softly not to interrupt the main discussion. “What is it?... Ohhhhhhh, Yes” She smiles with pride. “That was my father around twenty-five before he grew the beard. Wasn’t he handsome?”
Keith whispers to her. “That’s... Al…”
“Al?.... Wait… your Al? Keith, are you okay?”
Keith keeps flipping and reaches the end of the chapter. But the book still has pages left. He tentatively turns the page and reads.
‘Admiral Keith Paladin of Planet Earth.
Commander of Voltron and
King of Arus…’Then in the same handwriting as the inscription…
‘The rest of the chapter you can fill in yourself, Son.
Al’
Keith snaps the book shut before Allura can see it, his eyes growing wide, all the other eyes in the room jumping to him.“Keith?” Allura reaches out touching his arm.
“Merry Christmas everyone!” Queen Orla enters the room carrying her basket, everyone turning to greet her. She makes her way to the group and steps amongst them handing out her gifts to Keith’s relief making everyone forget about him. Orla smiles, I’m sorry I was late I had several things I had to attend to fist.” She sits down on Allura’s other side as they all begin to open their gifts. Orla’s gifts tended to be keepsakes featuring various Arusan artists and poets work that were always particularly poignant to the one receiving them. Allura’s a small miniature egg ornament with a hand panting of the castle on the inside.
“And lastly, and not to forget.” Orla reaches into her bag one last time pulling out the green box and turns to face Keith and Allura. The box in her hands all too familiar looking to Keith, distracting him completely from the book. “Someone told me to give this to you two, Allura.”
“Us?...but who?” Allura smiles, taking the package. Keith’s eyes remain locked on it the whole way to Allura’s lap.
Orla just smiles. “It’s from a couple I met who love you two very much.”
“Is it safe?” Coran asks his brow furrowing as he regards the package.
“Yes.” Orla smiles, the former King himself assured me.”
“Father?”
Orla bows her head
“Well that’s weird.” Lance leans back on the sofa. “Wonder what it is. Go on Allura, open it.”
Keith hasn’t taken his eyes of the box, he has seen it before but where?
Allura regards the exquisite handwriting on the tag, a hand unfamiliar to her. ‘To Keith and Allura, with all our love.’ She slowly tugs at the red bow pulling it free then begins to slowly release the paper so as not to damage it.
Pidge springs up, “Hurry! Open it!” grabbing at the package.
Allura laughs, “Okay, okay.” And tears it open, earning a laugh from the team. She then opens the top of the box to peer down into it and gasps, then she looks up at Keith with tears growing in her eyes.
He smiles at her but then as she lifts out an exquisitely carved crystal angel his jaw drops. Her other hand then went into the box and pulled out another, a matched pair.
“Ohhhhhhhhh, those are beautiful Allura.” Romelle gasps.
Both Keith and Allura sit staring at one another stunned. They are exactly the crystal angels from Keith’s dreams the ones his father gave his mother, symbols of her little Christmas angels yet to be born. Keith reaches out his hands to tenderly touch one of the statues in Allura’s hands, the box tumbling from her lap to Pidge on the floor.
“Hey, there’s a note!” Neither Keith or Allura seem to hear as Pidge reads.
Dearest Allura,
We give you these two Christmas angels in honor of the two new ones our Christmas Angel has just given you.
Love them as we love ours.All our love
K & A
“Well that’s a mystery isn’t it? You to sending yourselves gifts?” Lance smirks. “Hello? Are you to there?” They all start to laugh at the couple who are now staring at the angels in their hands. “KEITH! ALLURA! HELLO! Anyone home?”
The both snap too “What?” Keith looks to Lance utterly confused.
“The note geesh you still out of it or what?” Pidge laughs handing Allura the note which she takes in her hand giving Keith the figurine to hold.
She reads it and re-reads it and re-reads it, only being able to gain one conclusion. She glances over to Keith who had also been reading it. His eyes now shimmering, touched by the gift from his parents, and also in aw of what it meant. He whispers aloud. “…in honor of the two our Christmas Angel has just given you… in honor of the two I have given you? I…Allura?” Keith gasps suddenly pulling her into his arms and into a tight embrace. His lips find her ear out of sight of the rest and he whispers. “I love you my Princess. This is more than I could have ever… “ He feels Allura’s body trembling in his grasp. “Ally, are you okay?”
She pulls back slightly her eyes wet with tears. “This it the best Christmas present I could have ever dreamed of.”
Gee if I had now she’d get a gushy about some figurines I would have gotten her that.” Hunk grins.
“Allura, can we see?” Romelle asks.
Allura now sobbing hands her one of the glass figurines, Keith then passing the other to Pidge. Allura again moving to nestle into Keith’s arms.
“Man you’d think he gave em to her.” Lance grins approvingly at the couple, elbowing Sven. They all move in and hover around Pidge and Romelle taking in the fine detail of the figurines. Sven turns one over and regards the maker’s mark beneath. A rare and exclusive earth label made them. And explains to the others the significance of the mark. They are all so caught up in what Sven is telling them they don’t see the scene playing out behind them.
Allura pulled back again from Keith’s arms her eyes wet but smiling at him. Keith lips slightly part as his mouth to starts to curl up into a smile. He puts his hands on her cheeks to brush away her tears with his thumbs and whispers.
“Everything… so fast… everything I ever dared dreamed of …” His hand then dropping down her to find her belly. He cautiously reaches out to caress it.
Allura’s eyes drift closed at the feel of his touch her hand moving to cover his. Still not quite able to believe that it could be true but somehow knowing in her heart that it is, that in this day they had conceived life. When they reopen she finds his eyes just inches from hers and closing. “Forever, my Princess.”
Allura breaths back to him. “Forever, my love.”
Keith pulls back to Allura’s then inquisitive eyes, he smiles at her and breaths out “Marry me.”
She blinks at him with a quick inhalation of air.
“Marry Me Allura.” He says again in his normal volume.
“What?!?” The whole room collectively questions and gasps with her.
Keith cocks his head with a whiley grin, then asks again in a clear almost laughing voice. “Princess Allura, will you marry me?” He watches her amused as her mind takes it in and her emotions play across her face.
Her mouth moves tying to speak but she can’t find the air, she gigglingly tries and tries to answer but just can’t. Keith starts to chuckle at her when the team finally yells out on her behalf, “YES!”. She then blushes and fully laughs. “Yes!”
“Tonight.” Keith adds.
“Tonight? Tonight? Are you…?” Allura laughs.
“I’ve denied what I’ve wanted for to long, please, I don’t want to waist another day, another moment… a moment that could be a last.”
Allura nods and then falls into his arms, as everyone else closes in on them joining the hug, laughing, crying and cheering.
Coran’s loud clearing of his throat caught everyone’s attention snapping the group instantly apart all eyes looking on him confused.
Coran then standing to loom over them all shoots the couple a serious scowl as he strokes his mustache. “I wish to speak with the Captain and the Princess... alone. He slowly moves to the door. “Will you come with me?” The others all exchange uncertain looks glancing between Keith, Allura and Coran wondering what’s up. “Queen Orla, will you attend?” He holds a quieting hand up to Nanny to stop her from getting up.
Orla looking concerned stands, smoothing her skits and goes out to the hall followed by Coran. Keith swallows and slowly stands offering his good hand to Allura and helps her to her feet and they make their way to the door following Coran’s lead into the hall.
The door closes behind them leaving the four of them alone in the quiet of the hall.
Coran regards the couple a moment. Orla takes Allura’s hand in hers and moves to protest but Coran waves her silent with a firm hand. “I see you two are feeling better? Yes?”
Keith just gives a slight nod avoiding the man’s scrutinizing gauze. “Coran…I…you see we uhhh…”
“I can see and hear well enough…” Coran continues to groom. “And you miss?”
Allura can’t look at him either. “I was just so happy Coran that I…”
“Hmmm, I see, well it’s understandable I suppose considering what you two have been through the last few days…hmmm?”
“Yes, Coran. I…” Allura answers robotically still keeping her eyes on the floor.
“And I suppose after more rest you will be back to your normal selves?”
Allura sighs. “Yes, Cor..”
“No.” Keith interrupts Allura as he looks up to face the royal advisor. “Coran,... Allura and I…”
But before Keith can finish his thought he is silenced a deep royal bow from Coran, the bow not aimed at Allura but at himself. Coran slowly arises with a smile, and a wink. Orla’s hands snap to cover her mouth as she begins to tear up.
Coran then reaches out his hand to Keith who reciprocates but instead of shaking it Coran pulls Keith into a bear of a hug, the elder openly weeping now holding on to Keith more for support as his emotions wash over him. “You are the reason we are all still here and can celebrate such wonderful holidays as today. You are our blessing and our savior.” He pulls back and glances over to Orla. “Allura’s father entrusted me with his daughter I herby officially pass that trust on to you.”
Keith looks on to his elder as the words slowly sink in eventually managing to say a strangled “Thank you.”
Orla steps in to take Keith’s hand. “It is we who thank you.”
Allura leans into Keith, also taking his hand in hers, her free arm wrapping around his waist as she watches Keith’s face, everything sinking in. She then turns to Coran who is whipping his eyes with a handkerchief. “Coran I don’t know what to say… I…”
“Shhhh” Coran laughs, “Will you three get out of here before I come to my senses! You’ve only got an hour until the moon crests!”
Orla smiles broadly at Coran and mouths ‘Thank You’.
“Goooooo!” Coran laughs again giving them a shove. Orla then pulls at their hands, “Come, Hurry. We have much we need to prepare!”
They make it halfway down the hall when Keith stops and turns to Coran with a smile. “Merry Christmas, Coran.”
Coran smiles back “Merry Christmas, Son.” Then laughs and waves them off.
Coran then takes a moment to gather his composure and regal bearing and heads back into the rec room. Upon re entering he is met with many worried faces and when they see the calm look on Coran’s face they grow more confused.
Coran looks on their faces and then laughs. “Well what are you all still doing sitting there? Get changed! We have a wedding to go to!” He laughs.
The room erupts bodies flying every which way as hugs are exchanged. Nanny springs up in a tizzy, “We have to get the hall ready, and the room! Her dress!!!!!”
Coran Grabs her by the arms. “Nanny stop. Just go get changed, you are going as a guest and ONLY a guest.”
Nanny looks on him confused. “But Coran, we have to…”
“No Nanny, we’ll have time for the official buiness later, tonight is just for them, now go.” He smiles at her. “Our little princess is all grown up now. Lets give her this one night.”
Nanny tries to scowl but soon starts to grin, “Our baby.” She shakes it off and turns on the throng still hugging in the room, clapping her hands loudly. “Well get going! We need horses and a sled prepared, and plenty of warm blankets for everyone! NOW!!!” They all jump to attention and the run out the room, she then turns to Coran, curtsies. “Well someone has to organize this lot!” and with a fake Nanny style grimace takes her leave.
The room goes quiet. Coran relaxes for a moment and sits back down, a huge grin on his face. He slowly leans forward to reach for the book written by the hand of his former best friend and begins thumbing through it. “Alfor, your girl’s done good. She has managed to tear down the walls and win the heart of our Capitan. It is a good match. Keith will make a fine King. He is everything these men were. Apparently you see that too or you wouldn’t have given him this book.” He skims over the chapter on Alfor. “Ahh it is good to see it finished and... ” Coran eyes reach the first page of the last chapter “Alfor you sly…” Coran’s grin grows wider as he reads the chapter’s title.
Admiral Keith Paladin of Planet Earth.
Commander of Voltron and
King of Arus…’Then in his friends own hand…
‘The rest of the chapter you can fill in yourself,
Al’
“Ha ha ha ha ha…” So gave him a little shove yourself. I approve hahahaha.”
Later in the moonlit night close to the stroke of midnight a group of gray cloaked figures silently watch in a semi circle as two other figures on a blanket kneel holding hands before one another. A third figure is standing over them in a silent prayer all three lost in a trance. The snow all around them seems to glisten surreally with a light of its own, the energy on the air is palpable as it buzzes with the power of kings and queens past swirling around them. When they come out of their trance the two lean in to one another and their lips meet in tender loving kiss arms coming around pulling each other close.
Queen Orla who was standing over them slowly takes her leave and walks towards the group of onlookers She motions for them to remain quiet and they do except for the odd sniffle and whimper from each of them as each in turn to piles into a large sled that was waiting off to the side. Sven wraps his arms around a still crying Romelle, he too wiping a tear. Lance hunk and Pidge all sit huddled together each pointing a teasing the other for being such softies. And Coran and Nanny sit side by side both trying to restrain grins to ill effect. The sled quietly pulls away into the winter’s night leaving silhouetted in the moonlight a lone horse and a couple lost in time and place.
When they come up for air they are alone with the sprits, and it that moment four shapes shimmer into being around them. The generation before takes hands and blesses the union.
“My Son… a deep voice echoes out and Keith and Allura turn to it, seeing a man the image of Keith before them. He pulls his wife’s spirit to his side… “Remember to love…” the two sprits reach out to the couple smiling and then dissolve into the glistening snow. “And be loved…” Alfor’s deep voice adds, before his image and that of his wife’s dissolves away.
And in the silence a lone church bell chimes out into the crisp night, twelve times. Allura looks up into Keith’s eyes. “Merry Christmas, Keith.”
Then, just catching the moonlight a snow white feather slowly falls from the heavens, Keith delicately reaches out and plucks it from the air. He examines it closely then looks up with a smile. “Merry Christmas, Al.”
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