Correcting a Mistake


Disclaimer: I do not own Voltron or any of its characters. Also, I didn't do a lot of proofing. I wrote this yesterday and this morning after watching the episode mentioned.

Rating/Setting: Rating is T. Setting is DotU: Episode 9- The Pretty Spy. Takes place after Allura kisses Lance instead of Keith but before Twyla returns to her home planet as is indicated in the closing moments of the episode.

Author's Note: Long time no see!

Written for a Challenge from Mylari in the Eternally KA group. Here's the scenario:

At the end of The Pretty Spy, Allura kisses Lance on the cheek and thanks him for saving her. He responds "It was really Keith, but who's keeping score?" This little mistake on her part isn't addressed during the remainder of the episode, so I want to know how you think she should have reacted to her gaffe and how she makes it up to Keith.

It's hard to believe I wrote only one Voltron story last year and just one in 2018. I guess my muse disappeared for awhile. But perhaps it's stirring up again. I have looked at two of my previous stories that I considered for sequels so who knows? Perhaps I'll take up the pen and continue my Chivalry arc or my Role Reversal story. We'll see. ;-D

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Keith, Lance, and Pidge were all on their way back to their shared room after defeating the Claw robeast. Hunk was out with Castle guards looking for Twyla. While she had betrayed them, it was possible that she had been spelled by Hagar and they couldn't fault her if she had been.

Pidge shook his head as they walked. "Imagine having your brother turned into a robeast and then watch him be destroyed. I can't imagine that happening with Chip and me. It would just about kill me."

"Yeah," Lance replied and then laughed. "And who thought the princess would kiss me? I mean, she specifically called for Keith to help her and he did. But then she gives me a kiss for the reward instead of Keith?"

Keith grimaced. "Yeah. Yeah. But who's counting right?"

Lance chuckled as he patted Keith on the back. "No hard feelings right? The main thing is that the princess is safe."

Keith turned to glare at him and then seeing the spark in his second in commands' eye, he let his face change to one of indifference as he shrugged and looked ahead. "Of course. The princess' health and well-being are top priority."

Keith would have been more concerned if he had seen the look that passed between Pidge and Lance at that moment.

.**********.

The next morning…

Keith sat in Castle Control reviewing the images of Twyla blasting the door open with her hands. He was suddenly glad that Hunk and the guards hadn't found her last night. She could wreak havoc throughout the castle with that kind of ability. Hunk, Lance and the guards were out again today.

Coran came into the room with a steaming mug of coffee and sat next to Keith. His eyes were on the monitors in front of him. "I need to apologize, Commander."

Keith remained quiet as he was uncertain what Coran was apologizing for.

"I fell asleep at the station. Allura woke me up and even then, I acted like no one could get into the missile room." Coran took a sip of the coffee and then continued. "I don't' think we have adequate staff trained for them to take my place yet. But maybe-"

"Coran," Keith interrupted. The minister's eyes turned to Keith and he could see the remorse in them. "We just need to change the scheduling. We don't need to take you out of the rotation. I will say we do need more staff trained. But not to replace you." Keith shook his head. "We all thought everything was lost but it was you and you alone who recognized the placement of the bomb on the missile launcher. It was you who saved us all."

"Thank you, Keith," Coran said solemnly.

Keith turned back to the monitor. "Well, don't expect a kiss like Princess gave Lance." Keith froze momentarily. He knew his tone had sounded petulant. Just why had he mentioned that anyway? I guess it's more on my mind than I realized. "Would you look at this, Coran, and tell me what you think of how she was able to do this."

Once again, Keith would have been concerned if he had seen the curiosity light Coran's eyes at the mention of that mistaken kiss.

"Of course," Coran replied and began to replay the video.

Keith thought he had dodged a bullet with that but he hadn't. Not really.

.**********.

When Keith left control at the end of his shift, Coran swiveled his chair around to watch the young man leave the room. The commander was a loyal and rule following man. The Force, as they were called now instead of space explorers, had only been on the planet for a few months. To be sure, none of them thought they were in love with the princess. He frowned. That was not an option for them… or her. He would speak to Allura about giving kisses as rewards. He turned back to the monitors. It was the duty of the Force to protect Princess Allura. They shouldn't need rewards.

.**********.

Coran called for Allura to meet him in his office later that afternoon. She arrived, still in her Voltron uniform having joined in the search for Twyla. She wiped the back of her hand across her sweaty brow. "Well, we found Twyla, and whatever spell Hagar had on her seems to have worn off. She was sobbing and apologizing." Allura looked out the window behind Coranto view the setting Arusian sun. "It's really sad. We were like her planet once. We could be again if it wasn't for Voltron and the Force." She shook her head and looked back to Coran with a smile. "I'm sorry. You asked to see me for a reason."

Coran gestured for her to sit. He was touched by her words which were absolutely true. However, no matter how much they owed the Force, they couldn't let things get out of hand with unneeded personal contact. "You know, you could have showered and changed, my dear. This could have waited."

Allura's smile brightened. "No time like the present, Coran. I have plenty of time to get ready before we dine tonight."

Coran nodded. "I know how much you appreciate the Force and the… care they take of you, especially in battle." He saw her nod and continued, "I wanted to speak to you of the kiss you gave Lt. McClain yesterday-"

Allura's laugh broke Coran's flow. Her checks were slightly pink as she answered. "Yes, I know. Not quite the thing for a princess to do and I can't believe I kissed Lance when it should have been Keith."

"Yes, well. The mistake isn't so much the mistake in who you kissed. It's the mistake that you kissed at all," Coran said seriously.

A puzzled frown marred Allura's lips. "Coran, they have become like family to me-"

"They are common off-worlders, Allura, who have only been here a few months. They are young men of your age with all the desires that go with that stage in life."

Allura's face turned a darker shade of pink. "Coran, it was a harmless kiss on the cheek! Lance even laughed about it!"

Coran was still serious as he leaned forward, "And what of Keith who was the one who really saved you?"

The pink color stayed in the princess' face as she answered, "Keith is the Commander. He's always so serious. I'm sure he didn't even care about the kiss."

Coran leaned back and crossed his arms across his chest. "What would you say if I told you the Commander did care. At least enough to mention it today to me."

Allura's mouth dropped open. "He told you he was upset I kissed Lance instead of him?"

"No, of course not. He just made a passing remake about Lance getting a kiss."

"What did he say?" Allura persisted.

Coran threw up his hands. "It doesn't matter exactly what he said. It just seemed that he was disappointed that he didn't get a kiss." He leaned forward again. "The Force are incredibly important to us Allura. You have adapted quickly to operating the Blue Lion, I don't think anyone else on the planet could do that without training. You have a tie to the Lions through your father. The Force has ties due to their expert training." His voice dropped. "Just what would happen if Lance and Keith got into a fight over who you kissed? What if one of them left because of it?"

Allura looked at him in shock. It was something she hadn't thought about. She didn't think that Lance or Keith thought of her that way. They were used to the sophisticated women of Earth. "Of course, Coran. I hadn't thought of that. I… I shall try to be more circumspect."

Coran nodded. "Thank you, Allura."

She stood and left the room thinking on what Coran had said. She would go shower and change and then she would find out just what Lance and Keith thought.

.**********.

Thankfully, it hadn't taken much time to find Lance as it was almost time for the evening meal. She wanted to talk to him before they were all together and then she would try to talk to Keith afterwards. She entered the recreation room where most of the Force gathered during their down time. Lance was at the pool table and he glanced her way when she entered.

She scanned the room. Pidge was in Castle Control. Hunk was still talking with Twyla. And Keith was in his office. She wouldn't get a better chance. She walked over to the table and he stood with the pool stick in his hands.

"Want to play?" he asked with a smile.

She returned the smile but shook her head no. "I need to ask you something and I hope you don't think I'm ridiculous."

Lance laughed and leaned a hip against the table and rested the thick end of the pool stick on the floor casually. "Never, Princess. What's up?"

Now that the moment was here. She did feel ridiculous but she still had to know. "Coran spoke with me about being too affectionate and giving you boys the wrong idea-"

Lance's loud laugh stopped her. "Too affectionate?" He laughed again. "Definitely spoken by an old guy."

Allura frowned and Lance held up a hand to stop her. "What is this about? That kiss you gave me yesterday? Just one kiss to one of us in the months we've been here? That's too affectionate?" He laughed out loud and waved his free hand in the air. "It was on the cheek for heaven's sake!"

Allura started playing with the material of her gown. A smile of her own starting to show through as she sighed. "That's what I tried to tell him. I think of you like family."

Lance continued to smile and responded, "We are."

"I was going to talk to Keith as well." Allura paused, "Coran is worried that you and Keith might break up the Force because I kissed one of you and not the other."

Lance's face went from smiling to shocked and then he started laughing really hard.

"Lance! Lance! I'm serious! Well, Coran was serious. The Force and Voltron mean more to Arus than a silly kiss!"

Lance straightened and placed the pool stick on the table so he could wipe at both eyes that were streaming tears. Then he drew a breath and said, "Even if Keith and I had feelings for the same girl, we'd never desert Arus. Never."

Allura heaved a great big sigh. "I didn't think you would, but Coran doesn't spend as much time with you all as I do. He almost convinced me that something bad would come from that little kiss."

Lance shook his head no. "Keith and I are fine."

"So Keith wasn't bothered that I gave the kiss to you instead of him?"

When Lance didn't answer right away, Allura asked, "Did it bother him? Coran was thinking it might have. Was he right?" Allura was picking up speed.

"No. No. Nothing to worry about. He's not looking to pick a fight with me. He wouldn't have gotten to Commander if he let his emotions get carried away all the time." Lance paused and looked at Allura. "But, yeah, I think he was disappointed." He raised a hand when she went to speak again. "Disappointed isn't the same as angry or spoiling for a fight." His hand dropped. "Allura, you're a beautiful girl. What guy wouldn't like to have a kiss from you? I would have been envious myself if you had kissed him in front of us all. I wouldn't have been angry, but I have to say, that I'm glad I got the kiss."

Allura smiled, "Well, you are welcome. But don't expect anymore. Not with Coran watching."

Lance laughed and asked, "How about when he's not?"

Allura smacked his arm because she knew it was joke.

Then Lance picked up the pool stick and returned to the game but as Allura was turning away, he said, "Well, I guess Keith missed his one chance."

Allura stopped for a moment and then continued out of the room. There was still time before dinner….

.**********.

Allura stood outside Keith's office and then pressed the buzzer. Lance's words were ringing in her ears. Missed his one chance…. It just didn't seem right.

"Come in."

The door opened and Allura stepped inside. She had been in Keith's office numerous times but this time she felt awkward.

Keith stood hurriedly, "Princess." When she didn't speak, he asked, "Did you need something."

Allura stepped into the room so that the door closed and they were alone. She felt even more awkward but she would follow through. Lifting her chin, she said, "Coran thinks I'm being too familiar with the Force." She smiled. "I consider you like family but Coran, he…." Her voice trailed off remembering Coran's comments about the boys and then her faced reddened.

Keith chuckled, "I can imagine what Coran feels about a bunch of off-worlders being familiar with the Crown Princess of Arus."

Allura was pleased that Keith was so understanding. But what did that mean regarding the kiss? She tilted her head to the side as she said, "Well there's that and then Coran is concerned that you and Lance might get in a fight over me and one of you leave Arus; leaving us without Voltron."

Keith's mouth dropped open. "No way, Princess! We would never do that!" and then he sputtered slightly. "I mean- I mean, Lance and I don't- I mean we wouldn't-!" Keith ran a hand through his thick black hair. "Man, am I making a mess out of this!"

Allura couldn't help but giggle. "Well, Lance did a little better," she paused, "once he wiped the tears of laughter from his eyes." Keith looked back at Allura. She could see he was relieved.

"Then you aren't worried about that happening?"

She shook her head no. "No. I'm not worried."

Keith stepped around his desk so he could lean back against it, his hands resting on the edge of the desk. "Well, I'm glad you trust us, Princess. Was that all you wanted to talk to me about?"

Allura once again began playing with the fabric of her skirt. "Well…"

"It's okay, Princess, you can tell me anything."

And as she looked at him, she thought she could… in time. There were still a lot of unknowns with the Lions… and Zarkon. But that wasn't what she came to do. She came to fix a mistake. "I realize that Coran will be watching my behavior more and what I consider just friendly behavior he considers too affectionate." She paused and then continued, "I came here to correct a mistake. You were the one who saved me, not Lance."

Keith smiled and shook his head. "I didn't do it because I might get a reward."

"I know, but still. I think that I should thank the proper person."

"Princess, don't feel like you have to-"

Allura laughed. "I don't feel like I have to." She stepped up to Keith's side and planted a soft gentle kiss on his cheek. She could see the wonder in his eyes and she considered that he might just have feelings for her. She stepped back. "Thank you, Keith, for everything." As she walked to the door, she said, "I'll see you at dinner."

"I'll see you then," he answered after a moment.

.**********.

Allura exited with a swish of her skirts and the door closed.

Keith stayed where he was leaning against the desk and then he raised a hand to touch his cheek.