Don't Ask About My Demons

Call to Arms

"Another comm, Princess!" Coran called.

"That's the fifteenth comm today."

"Sixteenth, actually." Shiro said, stepping into the control room. "There was a comm from the Bulmarans during breakfast.

Allura rubbed her temples and stepped off the platform. "Answer them for me, Coran." She called over her shoulder. "I need a moment."

"Sure thing, princess!" Coran saluted before returning to the comms.

"Princess?" Shiro's curious eyes followed her movement.

Allura shook her head in frustration. "This is more than a mere coincidence." She continued walking, leaving Coran to juggle the incoming comm calls.

"The Bulmarans said something about an uprising."

"So did the others."

Shiro lengthened his stride to follow Allura's quick pace. "A war that unites the universe as we know it..."

"...Or tears it apart at the seams," Allura added. "And we don't have Voltron. If worse comes to worse--"

Shiro stopped her and took Allura's hands in his own, rubbing small circles on her knuckles. "Hey, it's okay."

"No it's not, Shiro! I don't know what to do anymore. We don't have Voltron without the Red Paladin--without Keith. We--I should have listened to him. Even if he is part Galra. But I don't know anymore! Maybe it was the right thing or maybe it wasn't. My father would have known what to do. I'm never going to be as good a leader as he was!"

Shiro pulled Allura close to press his forehead against hers. "Princess, you make one heck of a fighter." He said in a soothing tone. "...And an even better ruler. Which is saying something considering the fact that you could probably kick me through a wall in three ticks flat."

Allura tried to hold back a small laugh.

Shiro brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I never knew your father, but I don't think he could be anything but proud of you."

Allura took a deep breath. "I just don't want anyone else to lose their lives to this merciless war."

"Neither do I."

"This war has gone on long enough."

"Ten thousand years too long, I'd say." Shiro smiled softly.

Allura nodded, returning the smile. "You think such a thing could be done?"

"With you leading us? There's no doubt about it."

Allura leaned close until their noses touched. Shiro grinned as they nuzzled their noses softly against one another. Allura had explained to Shiro long ago that this was the way Alteans kissed, though she didn't mind the human way.

"I think Lance has something to do with all of this." Allura said almost to herself.

"I think you're right, princess."

"I know I'm right," she responded.

"Of course, princess." Shiro laughed quietly. "Always right."

"Unless I'm wrong," she added. "I know  now that it was wrong to drive Keith away. I owe him the highest of apologies."

"Don't beat yourself up, princess. Keith wouldn't have wanted that."

"That's another thing."

Shiro cocked his head. "What do you mean?"

Allura hesitated. "There's word about him. They say he could be alive."

Shiro stiffened.

"It may only be rumors," Allura added not wanting Shiro to get his hopes up. She couldn't bear to see his heart break again. It had been weeks before she could get him to speak after Lance tried to reach the Red Paladin.

"Right." Shiro composed himself. "If he's alive, we'll find him."

Allura furrowed her brows with stern determination. "And end Zarkon's reign of tyranny, ending the war once and for all."

Shiro's eyes twinkled as he gazed down at her.

"What is it? Is there something wrong?"

"No, of course not. I just... I love it when you talk that way."

A light dusting of pink spread across Allura's cheeks.

Shiro cleared his throat. "We should really be getting back to the control room."

"Oh, right. Yes. Of course," Allura replied. "I'm sure Coran could use some help."

The pair turned back, walking side by side. Their fingers brushed against one another as if begging to feel the warmth of the other's hand clasped against their own, but that could wait. For now, both of their minds were preoccupied. Such intimacies were a luxury that they, as leaders, could not allow themselves to get distracted by. While the war raged on, they were required to have their full attention on the issues at hand. Relationships were a concept reserved for peace. They could not afford to fall in love. However, no matter how hard they tried, they couldn't avoid it either.