Chapter Text
"Lance, don't you think you're overreacting a little?"
The prince' sigh echoed in the phone, sounding almost like a scream in her ears. "You don't get it, sis! It's not fair that Father gets to decide who gets my hand without my say. I don't even know the guy. Quiznak, I looked all over the archives for a picture of him, and I didn't even found his name mentioned anywhere." The Altean's voice pressed on the last word. "What if he's ugly?"
That earned a chocked laughter from the other line. Allura, Lance's older sister, knew that no matter what she said it wouldn't be enough to satisfy her brother. "Lance, your alliance will bring peace to the universe. You're not even giving him one chance to prove himself."
Lance's blue eyes rolled so hard she could almost picture it. "I'm not like you, sis, yes I care about bringing peace and all, but I would like to be at least allowed to choose one thing in my life."
And here Allura could hear the change of tone, the pain, and insecurities creeping into his brother's voice. She felt her heart ache; she wanted to take him in her arms and rock him gently like they used to do back when their duties weren't as important and time-consuming. "I understand little brother, but what if he is actually a good guy? Look at how well my marriage ended."
Lance scoffed. Loudly. "You can't do that to me. You knew Terminator ever since you two were kids." He heard her asking annoyingly not to call Shiro like that, but he opted to ignore her. "You remember what old Babaan used to tell us? Galrans have no manners, and if you lay with one, you will get hives all over your body. I don't want to get hives, Allura!" She could hear him rant about his so well cared for skin, and how an allergic reaction could ruin years of hard work.
"Listen, Lance; I know it is hard and scary. I know you don't like changes, but if you don't go out there and meet the prince, you'll never know if it will work out. You're a smart boy, and I know father would never put you in danger. Please trust his choices and at least give him a chance?"
There was a long silence. Then a sigh. "Okay. I will. But you better keep your phone next to you, and if I don't like him I want you to help me get out of this!"
Allura smiled, she was not sure how things were going to go, especially knowing how her brother was, but she was satisfied with his answer. "I promise. Now go and meet him."
The line cut and Lance was left staring at the screen of his talking device. The servants had made sure to make him look extra beautiful for today's ceremony. His jewelry reflected the glow of his Altean symbols, and while he loved his outfit very much, he had already decided to burn it down once the night was over.
Dragging his feet, he walked into the room where Galran and Altean meddled. At first, he kept to himself in a corner, observing the strangers faces and trying to figure out which one would be his soon to be. His eyes jumped from one face to another, his inner voice commenting on any flaws he could find. Too tall. Too ugly. Too much hair. Not enough hair. Too buff. Weird feet. Ew, what is that between his teeth?
He was so focused on his private hunt that he didn't notice someone stand next to him and jumped when the other commented. "Boring event isn't it?" Lance looked up to the person who had just spoken to him. A Galra, he noted. Short purple fur covered his body; ears perked up on his head that moved to catch as much noise as they could. Yellow eyes were staring ahead, observing the crowd impassively. The young man was tall, taller than Lance who always prided himself in being on the taller spectrum for Alteans. His hands were behind his back, and he stood straight.
And, oooh, Caliente.
That was a word he had read in one of those romantic novels from Earth; he found it particularly fitting when he looked at the nice muscles enveloped in the Galra's black armour. While it probably was padded, Lance was pretty sure most of what he could see was real.
And then he realized he was gaping in front of the stranger like a kid in front of a candy shop. Quickly, he straightened himself and acted unphased. "Yes. I quite dislike it." The comment brought the situation back to his mind. "If someone could take my hand and ask me to leave, I would run away without looking back."
He could feel curious eyes on him, but no words came out of the other male. At least, not until he looked back ahead. "Would it make things better if we took a walk in the gardens?"
Lance couldn't believe his ears. He wasn't sure if the Galra was flirting, or if he was genuinely caring about his well-being. The prince didn't know if this was some trap or prank, or if the man knew who he was and who he would soon become. But this was all in the future, and he wanted to enjoy the last bit of freedom he was allowed for now. "I would very much like that." The Altean smiled, accepting his arm to grab onto the other. The fur felt soft between his fingers, and somehow he had all forgotten about the possible allergic reaction.
They walked silently; the brouhaha of the party grew more and more deem until it became just a faint noise in the background. They looked at the moons and the stars, at the flowers blooming only at night and at the castle sparkling with so many lights. They spoke of various subjects, the Galra listened and asked him questions, and it made Lance feel valued. He laughed and laughed and laughed. Lance told him about his friends, about the things he wanted to see in the world. It was as if he was on one of his books, and this Galra had saved him from the harsh reality. Maybe if he asked him nicely, he would take him far away from his golden cage?
But reality dawned on him, and he couldn't help but look down. He was surprised no one was sent to search for him as he knew a Varga or two had passed since him and the stranger had stepped outside. Surely, they couldn't have forgotten about him, not this time. He was supposed to meet his soon to be a husband; he was supposed to spend that evening getting to know him and not some random guy who would probably get his head cut off if they were found.
Unless...
"What is it, Prince Lance?" He had told his name to the man at some point but never had he introduced himself. "You seem concerned."
"Tell me," the Altean prince started as wide blue eyes met yellows. "What is your name?"
A faint smile appeared on the Galra's face, and Lance felt his heart race the more ticks passed and the more the realization sunk in.
"My name is Keith, prince of the Galran and second to the throne. "