Chapter Text
The celebration was long overdue. Several phoebs had passed since the death of Zarkon and the forging of the alliance between Lotor’s new Galra empire and the Voltron coalition. Resistance from Zarkon’s previous generals and power-hungry upstarts had kept both parties preoccupied. Despite the constant threat of attack, it could not be put off any longer. The galaxy needed to witness the turn of the tide. It needed to see that their resilience and the loss of comrades hadn’t been for not. Lance understood the importance of the gala, but that did not make seeing Allura on Lotor’s arm any easier.
The blue paladin kept to himself. He sat on steps off to the side and away from the crowd, wearing a blue vested suit with brown shoes and a matching tie. He had attempted to style his hair, but the gel Coran had lent him, worked more like glue and no amount of water seemed to wash it out. The front of his hair was pushed up and to the side… and stuck. He would have a few choice words with Coran and his eccentric mustache later. He was uncomfortable with the new look; it showed too much of his forehead.
For once he was not in the mood to celebrate and be in the spotlight. Lance cradled his untouched nunvill. He had grown accustomed to the Altean beverage but not even his mother’s homemade lemonade could wash away the heavy pit in his stomach. Lance sighed to himself. Homesickness and jealously seemed to follow him everywhere since the alliance had formed. His heart was in the cause, but he was feeling himself begin to unravel.
From his raised position to the side, he could see all the guests who entered the gala. Many of the faces were familiar leaders and citizens from the planets they had freed at the beginning of the resistance, while others were new and less familiar. Two forms entered the gala. Hunk was unmistakable despite seeming uncomfortable in his fine garb and yellow vest. By his side was much smaller figure. She appeared to be trying to calm Hunk’s flustering. Lance did not recognize her. She was petite with a head of auburn curls and garbed in a wispy green gown. She kind of resembled a fairy without wings. Had they freed a planet of fairy folk? The fact that he had to ask proved once again to himself that he was becoming a mess.
Lance turned his eyes towards the head of the room; towards Allura and Lotor as they took their place at the podium. Speech time. The party was about to officially commence. The room fell silent and Allura began with the proper greetings that were complimented by Lotor’s agreement. As their words progressed into appreciating how far they have come and hopes for the future, Lance’s mind wandered. He stared at the beautiful Princess Allura. She looked especially lovely in her pale blue gown with her white locks cascading around her shoulders. Her tanned cheeks held a glow that had been increasingly difficult to ignore. The glow had nothing to do with her Altean markings, but more from an overwhelming sense of happiness. Was it because the war was finally turning in their favor or was it something else? Lance’s eyes flicked over Lotor. He was the image of strength and confidence. His suit held a similar design to his normal armor but carried a sense of ceremonial formal flair. He was the new Galra emperor and Allura was an Altean princess. Of course, as leaders they would need to spend time together… was his mind just imagining there could be something more between them? Lance set his cup of nunvill down beside him and sighed. He was being pathetic. How long had it been since his life turned and he and his fellow paladins were entrusted with saving the universe? How long had he been gutlessly pursing the princess?
Beyond his blurred vision of intrinsic thought, he noticed the crowd as it began to move again. The speech had concluded and now the dancing, mingling and eating could begin. A tiny figure of green appeared in front on him. Lance looked up and was surprised to see the fairy-like girl from earlier. She appeared to be recovering from heavy laughter as her face was flushed and hadn’t yet tamed her grin. That crooked grin and freckled nose, was that Pidge?! He was stunned.
“Did you hear me? I said, check out Hunk! He is going to ask Shay to dance!” Pidge pointed out the pair as they fidgeted in their fancy garb, both clearly unaccustomed to formal wear. Lance’s mind was reeling. He inspected the tiny figure before him. Same size, same color hair, same eyes, same nose, same silly grin and voice… the girl before him was definitely Pidge, just unusually feminine.
“You look like a girl.” He uttered before he could stop himself. Pidge smirked.
“You are the only one who seems to forget that.”
“Was the dress your idea or did Allura force you?” He gave her a weak smile. He was trying to be like his normal self and was failing.
“I’ll have you know, I used to wear dresses all the time back on Earth. I guess between tricking the Garrison and with all our Voltron escapades I never switched back to my girl apparel. Besides, dresses are not very practical when it comes to fighting.” Pidge’s enthusiasm was met with silent acknowledgment. She was not satisfied. “What? Don’t you think it suits me?” She grabbed the hems of her dress and did a quick hop dance. Lance noticed a redness oh her bare toes.
“Where are your shoes?” He asked with a raised eyebrow. Pidge’s face ditched its glee for a pout.
“They were evil, so I may have had to blast them. Now the universe if free from their treachery.” Lance finally cracked a smile when Pidge put her hands together to enact the shooting of the shoes that had wronged her. Same ol’ Pidge.
“Allura did help me though. Even on Earth I never really used makeup or styled my hair. I’m not sure if this look really suits me. It’s a little over the top, huh?” She flicked a curl and pinched the fabric of her dress. She was uncomfortable being dressed up too. When had their paladin armor become more comforting than actual clothing?
“Hunk bet me a dozen rolled cakes that I would trip over my dress before the night ends. Dumb lug can’t even ask a girl to dance and he is gonna say I can’t walk.” She crossed her arms in mock annoyance before giggling. Lance could not match her energy and Pidge noticed his sigh. “This is a party, isn’t it?” She extended a hand to her teammate. “Dance with me.”
Lance wasn’t sure he heard her correctly. Dance? With Pidge? The puny tomboy tech geek of the crew was asking him to dance? That was his role. He was supposed to be the smooth ladies man. When had he lost touch with himself?
Pidge saw the confusion and conflict flash over Lance’s face. She groaned. “Ughh, come on. No more moping; it’s unbecoming of you.” Before Lance could respond, Pidge grabbed his arm and pulled him to his feet. His face flushed in surprise and stumbled when she tugged him down the steps towards the dance floor.
The music was upbeat and required enthusiasm that Lance currently lacked. Pidge released his arm to begin dancing out of step with the beat; she didn’t seem to care. Her arms were raised in little fists above her head and grinned up at him. There were yellow and blue shimmers glinting at him with each sway of her dress. He hadn’t noticed it earlier. Before he had assumed it was just a plain lime colored dress. Pidge really did look like a fairy.
Lance did not know when it happened, but he realized he was grinning. The ache in his chest had softened and slowly, he began to match his groove to the music’s tempo.
“There he is!” Pidge grinned. Lance looked around and realized she was looking at him.
“What do ya mean? I’ve been here this whole time.” Lance didn’t miss a beat.
“No, you haven’t.” The music faded and a slow song softened the room’s energy. Dancers began to exit the floor or pair up. Lance moved to leave and catch his breath when he felt a light jab to his turned shoulder. “You are gonna leave a girl to slow dance on her own?”
Pidge’s comment had Lance taken aback. Pidge was his teammate. Sure, she was a girl, but he never thought of her as one. Wasn’t slow dancing something you did with someone you like? He fought the urge to find Allura in the crowd. Lance turned back to Pidge. Despite her disheveled curls and a faint shimmer of perspiration, she appeared calm; not one echo of the uncertainty that plagued Lance. He felt lost. Pidge smirked and grabbed up his hand and slid her other up to his right shoulder. Lance gulped back his embarrassment. His free hand hovered over Pidge’s back, unsure of where to place it. As she began to lead them, Lance regained control of his nerves and calmly rested his hand above her waist; careful not to go to low. Their movements were occasionally off beat, but Lance could not deny the ease that had finally settled over him.
“So, What’s up with you? Why are you all mopey lately?”
Lance smiled to himself. She may be in a dress, but she was still the same ol’ Pidge. “It’s nothing – Ow!” Pidge had flicked his ear with her fingers.
“I’m not an idiot. What’s bothering you?” Her eyes were soft, but there was a sternness that Lance felt compelled to obey. He sighed in defeat.
“I guess I’m just really homesick. I don’t even know how long it’s been since I last saw my family. I know our job is important and I have the best teammates a guy could ask for, but I still feel lonely. Plus, everyone seems to have their niche. Keith has the Blades, Shiro is our leader and has been distant lately, Coran has the entire castle to keep tuned, you and Hunk have your tech and Allura has Lotor now.” Lance scanned the crowd for the Princess and found her smiling up at Lotor. Lance grimaced when Lotor gave her a fanged smile in returned; the ache returned to his chest. “Where does that leave me?” He turned his gaze to his feet and the shimmering flares of Pidge’s dress.
“You are the right hand of Voltron; Shiro’s right hand. You are one of Allura’s trusted teammates and not to mention a member of the infamous Garrison trio of trouble. Keith can’t even claim that title.” She smirked, but Lance was unfazed and didn’t meet her eye. “Look,” she sighed. “If your libido has taken a hit, I can’t help you there. Allura and Lotor are out of our hands. It’s a good move, politically speaking, and I can see why she is taken with him.” Pidge saw the gloom deepen in Lance’s face and gave his shoulder a light squeeze. “We all know you have been pining for the princess since we first came on this crazy adventure, but did you honestly think she would take your passes seriously when you flirt with every girl you see?”
Pidge was right. He never thought he had a chance so he had hid his insecurities by playing the stud. Had he hoped to make Allura jealous? He really was a fool.
“While Allura may not look at you romantically, you still have her heart. You have all of ours. We are a team. We may not be your blood, but we are all still family. Don’t ever feel like you are alone.”
Lance’s heart glowed at her words and turned his eyes up to meet hers. The sincerity caused his throat to constrict. When did this tomboy learn how the inner wirings of his heart worked? It was terrifying, but he was grateful.
They continued to sway in silence until the song faded. As upbeat tunes filled their ears, Pidge led Lance off the dance floor. “Let’s go check on Hunk and Shay. I’m worried his nerves will drive him to eat himself into a coma.” Lance saw his hand was still in hers but did nothing to remove it; she did that on her own the moment they reached their teammate’s table. The yellow paladin welcomed them and Shay waved in greeting.
***
“Paladin Pidge, how lovely you look!” The sparkle in Shay’s illuminated yellow eyes had Pidge blushing. She scratched the back of head in awkward bashfulness.
“You think? I feel so strange. It feels like a million deca-phoebs since I last wore a dress.”
“Dress? Is that the name of the garment you wear? It suits you well.” Pidge’s flush deepened. The balmaren’s compliments on her appearance were not something her ears were use to hearing. As a distraction, she observed Shay. A flower carved from what she guessed was a blue Balmeran crystal had been attached to one of her horns. Her typical stone-like earrings were now that of the same crystal. The glossy blue complimented her yellow balmaren formal garb lined with green. Pidge’s eyes flashed to Hunk. He too was wearing yellow; at least his vest was. Had they planned on matching? She flushed again at the thought.
“Thanks Shay. You look lovely too. Is that a flower carved out of crystal? It’s beautiful.”
“Yes. It belonged to my mother. My brother, Rax worried I would lose it if I wore it tonight, but I assured him I would be careful.”
“I’m sure Hunk will help protect it for you.” She threw her teammate a mischievous grin.
“Ahhh, yeeah. Of course! Though I doubt Shay needs protecting. She could crush me if she wanted.” Pidge frowned. While true, Shay’s Balmeran strength was nonnegotiable, no girl wanted to hear that. “You have no tact –“ Pidge noticed Lance looking at her with glossy eyes. It was several ticks before he realized he had been staring.
***
“Uhhh,”
“Oh man, Pidge! Lance! You have to try this!”
Lance sighed in gratitude for the save. There were seven dishes laid out on the table; all offering a diverse collection of grub. It was as if Hunk had brought a sampling of the entire buffet to his table. He began to point out the winning dishes, encouraging Lance and Pidge to taste.
The night passed and Lance melted into his friend’s company, worries temporarily forgotten. Seeing his two teammates and Shay laugh as they cringed or gushed over the food made him question why he ever felt alone in the first place. Hunk did finally ask Shay to dance. She worried her Balmeran style would not match his own. Hunk assured her that he had none, so it really didn’t matter. That earned him a chuckle.
The duo left Lance alone with Pidge. He wondered if she would pry again, but she didn’t. They made small talk and joked about Hunk's two left feet before Shiro stopped by their table. For the moment, he distant attitude that had been growing between Lance and their leader seemed non-existent.
Eventually they decided to join Hunk and Shay on the Dance floor, but while making their way over, Pidge did indeed trip over her dress. Lance caught her by the arm and saved her from kissing the floor. She made Lance cross his heart and swear not to tell Hunk. With a chuckle he obliged and made an X over his chest. It hadn't mattered; Hunk saw the whole thing. His teasing and joy for the promised rolled cakes persisted for the rest of the night. Pidge accepted her loss with as much gace as her walking would have been if she hadn't blasted her heels.
The end of the evening had arrived and the paladins made a group appearance to thank all who attended. As the five paladins stood before the leaders of freed worlds and fellow allies, the future appeared bright; and not just for the universe but for Lance’s lonely heart. This wasn’t Cuba or Earth, but it was a home. These quirky paladins were his family and he loved them. He made a promise to himself that he would quit being an idiot. He would focus on his missions. He would be the best paladin he could be… and if he won the heart of a princess along the way, that would just be a perk. Lance shook the thought from his head; he was already digressing. A shimmer of light stabbed at his eyes. It was from Pidge’s dress. He gave Allura another glance then turned his eyes back on his petite teammate. Pidge had been the one to acknowledged his funk… perhaps she would be the one to make him right again.