Chapter Text
Shiro lay there next to Sarah, smiling softly as he watched her sleep. He had been in this position before; they had made love the previous night, and now he just held her, listening to her soft breathing, savouring the quiet, peaceful moment. She had been held captive for three months, and he had almost forgotten how much he had missed her touch, how much he need to feel her against him, moving in sync, their bodies on fire.
Sarah shifted in her sleep, nuzzling his bare chest as hair fell into her face. Shiro gently brushed her brunette locks behind her ear before caressing her cheek. He held so much love for her he thought he might burst. He felt like he was in a dream, holding his beautiful, little wife as she slept soundly, her bare legs wrapping around him as she unconsciously curled up. She naturally slept in an almost-ball shape, making her even smaller and cuter than should be legal.
“Mmnnhhh….” she murmured, slowly waking up.
“Hey…” he said softly, smiling wider as Sarah opened her eyes groggily.
“Hi…” she whispered, smiling as she blushed.
“Have I told you how much I love you?”
“Not sure if you have today….” she said, quoting him from loving moment they had shared several months ago. “I could use a reminder.”
“Let’s see…..my love for you is so vast, all the stars and galaxies and other celestial bodies could not compare. I love you more than trees love the sun, more than birds love to sing. I love the way your eyes sparkle, I love your laugh, I love everything about you.” Sarah giggled, making Shiro chuckle. “I love how cute you are…” he murmured, leaning in to kiss her. The two smiled into the kiss, savouring the quiet intimacy. “I love you, Sarah.”
“And I love you, Shiro,”
“So, this is Il’rea.” Shiro said, as he and the rest of the team left the castle to join the High Generals in their dining hall. He held Sarah’s soft, delicate hand, watching her take everything in. Just as he had imagined, she was adorably excited, entranced by the beauty of the planet and the temple they were entering.
“This place is so cool!” she almost squealed, turning in a circle so she could gaze around at the interior. “Can I hire them to make me a house? Do they do that?” she joked, making the others laugh.
Everyone was in a good mood with Sarah back in their midst. Everyone was smiling and laughing-even Keith, whose natural expression was what Sarah referred to as “resting emo face”.
As they approached the dining hall, he felt Sarah get nervous and thought he knew what the issue was. “Hey, don’t worry. I told them about your food preferences. Hunk and Coran joined their kitchen staff to help out.”
She beamed at him and for that small moment, the world was perfect. Her smile drove away all the darkness and evil and suffering in the world, replacing it with her light, with her pure goodness. “You’re always so good at taking care of me,” she giggled, rising on her toes to kiss him.
“That’s part of my job, princess. And it’s the best job in the world.”
Sure enough, there was a selection of food at the banquet table specially made for Sarah. Shiro, Sarah, Kayla, Allura, Coran, and the Paladins joined the High Generals at their dining table, all chattering amicably.
“Oh, we didn’t fully introduce ourselves.” Arkh said after a while, addressing Sarah. She smiled good naturedly and pulled Sarah into a tight hug as if they’d known for years rather than literal minutes, “I am Arcadia, but please, call me Arkh. It is a delight to finally meet Shiro’s lady love. And this…”, Arkh shifted to gesture towards her sister, who was casually eating her food over the head of the small child in her lap, one of about 40 Sarah noted, “…is my twin sister, Selena, and Marcelle, one of our various children. I won’t introduce them all, but worry not, they know who you are and will introduce themselves as needed.”
Selena tossed her curly hair at the mention of her name and waved curtly before returning to her own conversation, much to Arkh’s chagrin. Arkh turned back to Sarah and removed her arm from Sarah’s shoulders, “Apologies for my sister’s rudeness. She’s still mad at Shiro for yelling at her for not getting the transport faster.”
“I had to go into Galra territory alone, take out an entire ship and make it back alive, all without alerting Galra High Command!”, Selena hissed, “I can be pissy if I want to.”
“None of this is your fault of course”, said Arkh.
“Obviously.”, Selena sniffed.
“Please, don’t mind her. We are both quite thrilled you are safe and sound.”
“And happy you were able to give Haggar some troubles.” Selena shot Sarah and wink, her own way of letting her know she harbored to ill will.
“Indeed,” Arkh shot Sarah another dazzling smile, “Please, if there is anything we can do for you, let us know. You are our esteemed guest and we are determined to treat you so.”
“Oh, um, th-thank you,” Sarah said, flustered. “Oh! Thanks for uhm…not harbouring ill-will towards me and my sister for….ya know….our brother.” she said, bracing herself. She understood these women could be quite terrifying if they wanted to be and she didn’t want to bring any of that out. But she did want to thank them for not holding her brother’s actions against the sisters.
“Of course! I should know better than anyone that one is not responsible for a siblings’ actions.” Arkh shot her sister an amused look while the other carefully avoided her gaze before turning back to Sarah, “However, know that this works both ways. If we catch young Krisox, we will take what we are owed.”
“Find comfort in the thought that it won’t be from his flesh”, Selena added, “His relation to you has earned him the right to remain…whole.”
Sarah beamed. “That’s what I was hoping we could come to.” She gave Kayla an exaggerated look and the girls giggled. “He owes me one for this, dontcha think?”
“So…what next?” Sarah asked tentatively after they all finished eating.
“What do you mean?” Shiro asked, draping an arm around her shoulder.
“I mean…where do we go from here? What do we do next? What’s the plan?”
“Well, I suppose before we leave we should get Unipeace in contact with the alliance here.” he began after thinking for a moment. “And then i definitely think we should go to Stiea K2, see the kids and your parents. Maybe rest there for a bit, until you get your strength back?”
“Oh that sounds wonderful!” she gasped excitedly.