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Allura knew Lance loved hugs. He was more than eager to scoop up anyone, all the way from strangers to Keith. She had assumed this was just a “Lance” thing. He loved curling into the sides of the other paladins no matter where they were. Tonight he was curled into Keith's side as they had their regular movie night. Lance suddenly perked up with excitement.
“Let’s have a sleepover! My siblings and I used to sleep on the couch together with air mattresses and stay up way too late. It’ll be so fun! Please Shiro!”
The older paladins sighed fondly. “Alright, we’ll have a sleepover tonight and a rest day tomorrow. Everyone, go put your PJ’s on.” Lance eagerly grabbed Keith’s hand dragging him as he chased after Pidge and Hunk. Shiro chuckles watching them leave.
“Are we all to join? Or is this a human only ritual?” Allura asked, ever intrigued. Shiro smiled, “of course you can join. Sleepovers are for everyone.”
“What is a sleepover?” Coran asked, stroking his mustache. Shiro paused for a moment.
“Basically, a bunch of friends or family gather together and sleep in one area with everyone. It’s typically a way to get closer and have fun with friends. And like Lance said, you basically stay up all night giggling. You and Coran are more than welcome to join! Just make sure you put your pajamas on, get your pillow, and grab your favorite snuggle buddy.”
“Oh! So you are nesting species!” Allura gasped, horrified that the paladins did not have adequate items to nest. Her heart ached for her poor paladins.
Shiro quickly shook his head. “No, humans are just very social. And sleeping with someone in the same room is kinda like a sign of trust. We also just like snuggly things. You’ll love it.”
Around 20 minutes later all the paladins curled up in the living room. The paladins were in various stages of pajamas, from Keith who still wore his boots to Lance who had already donned a face mask. Pidge was curled up with their computer on the couch while Hunk was already dozing on an air mattress. Allura looked around at everyone, curious where she was supposed to sit.
“Allura! Come sit! We’re going to play truth or dare!” Lance exclaimed, waving her over. Allura sat next to him, straightening her nightgown.
“What is truth or dare?” She asked softly, looking at Lance. Pidge answered before he could. “Basically, you either have to do a dare, like an action you don’t want to do, or a truth, which is answering a question you don’t want to. For example, Lance, truth or dare?”
Lance perked up, “dare!” Pidge smirked. “I dare you to lick Hunk.” Lance laughed and crawled over, licking Hunk’s face. “C’mon, we’ve been best friends for years, that’s easy.”
He settled back into his spot before turning to Keith. “Ok Keith! Truth or dare?” Keith shrugged, sliding his boots off. “Truth, I guess.” Lance smirked and leaned over to him.
“Have you ever made out with someone?” Keith’s cheeks turned bright red. “No, I haven’t.” Lance wiggled his eyebrows, “really?”
“There will be no making out.” Shiro said loudly as he walked into the room. He laid his blanket on the couch and sat on top of it. Lance huffed dramatically and flopped down onto the makeshift bed. Pidge cackled from the couch.
Allura looked at Shiro. “What is making out?” This only caused Pidge to laugh harder while Shiro pinched the bridge of his nose. “It’s a form of kissing that none of us are going to do.” Before Allura could ask more questions, Coran burst into the room with an armful of snacks.
“Number 2 told me we need snacks for a successful sleepover!” He eagerly dropped the armful of food onto the coffee table. Lance and Pidge immediately scrambled to grab their favorite snacks. Hunk lazily grabbed his own.
Lance laid on his stomach, opening his snack. “Since Shiro’s a party pooper should we just tell stories instead?” Shiro let out an indignant ‘hey!’ while Pidge lit up. “One time Matt tried a sip of my dad’s beer and was immediately like “oh my god…I’m drunk” and fucking tripped over the dish washer and broke his nose.” Pidge smiles brightly as they recount the story.
“When I was 16 I blacked out and woke up in a field.” Lance chuckled, especially at Shiro’s horrified face. Hunk sighed, running a hand down his face, “I know, I was the one who had to drag your skinny ass into my car.”
“Oh my god, you are degenerates.” Pidge mumbled in shock, Lance just shrugged. “I was a quote unquote “teenage dirtbag.” Made life fun.”
“Once when I was a girl I stole my mother’s makeup!” Allura perked up, her cheeks flushing at the memory. “She found me covered from head to toe in lipstick and eyeliner.” The paladins smiled at Allura’s light story.
They spent the evening telling stories, Coran and Shiro tutting like concerned parents. Slowly one by one the team fell asleep until it was just Allura. She looked out the large windows, the stars flickering before her eyes. She couldn’t help but tear up. She loved her new family, but did miss her old one.
“Can’t sleep?” She jumped, looking at Keith who had also sat up, looking at her with his head tilted like a puppy. She quickly wiped her face and awkwardly giggled. “No, just winding down.”
Keith slowly stood, pulling away from Lance who had snuggled close to him in his sleep. He dropped his sleeping bag next to Allura and laid next to her. He gently took her hand, making her also lay flat. His purple eyes met her blue ones.
“I know you miss them. The hurt never really goes away. I don’t think it ever will.” He swallowed shakily before looking at the team. “But you find people who make the pain quieter.” He squeezed her hand, his own tears collecting on his lashes.
“And if the hurt is too much, I look at the stars. Because if something that beautiful can exist, it can’t be bad forever.”
Allura smiled wetly as she let her eyes close. She felt her body relax as her mind was flooded with the paladins. They’re smiles are blinding and their laughs ringing like bells. The sleep numbed her mind with one last thought.
They could be her beauty.