Author's note: This fic is a short, fun, little spin-off of one of my own fics,namely the end of Ch.6 of "Past Endeavors" where Keith proposes to Allura. Chronologically, it falls between "Past Endeavors" and "Arus Dawning. Rating is Y-14 for my usual, uh, innuendos. ;P

The two princesses stood on the balcony overlooking the serene Arusian landscape. Such a clear, starry night put the two regal ladies into a pondering sort of mood. Since Keith's proposal to Allura, she could not hold in the news of detail any longer. Now that the planets Arus and Pollux were once again on friendly terms, Allura had found a sister and confidant in Romelle. She could tell her ANYthing.

"So, he got down on one knee and flat out proposed?!" Romelle asked in utter shock.

"Uh-huh. I'd never seen him so nervous! There was even a definite hitch in his voice."

"I can't believe it! Sven and I had a rolling bet that Keith would never pursue his interests in you...that he'd place duty ahead of his heart."

"And?"

"And I lost. I should've listened to Sven. He knows Keith a lot longer than I have."

"And Keith lost the bet with me in regards to you and Sven."

"What'd you have him do?"

"I made him kiss the ground that I walked on."

"You did?! But doesn't he do that already?"

"Not literally. And he did it willingly and in front of the team, Coran, AND Nanny."

"That boy worships you Allura. He's 100% prime time in love with you. You can't get 'em wrapped any tighter than you have him."

"And Sven isn't with you?" Allura teased.

"Hmmm....I wonder if that's a Terran trait?"

"Can't be...look at Lance."

"Oh right...guess not. Still, it seems kinda strange to have two young, studly stallions arrive on the same little ship, eh?"

"Coincidence, Rommie?"

"Nah! We just have all the luck cousin!"

"Wonder where we'd be if they didn't pop into our lives..."

"Lotor and Zarkon's slaves. Of course you'd be Lotor's bride."

"Oh...yeah. Guess we owe them everything. Don't know why they are stuck on the lowly pilot thing. Geesh! It is us who are indebted to them!"

"Try convincing Nanny or Coran of that."

"No thanks Rommie! I'd rather kiss a fish. Keith's better at debate than I."

"So when you two get married, mighty Queen, he's gonna do the talking?"

"Heck no! He's gonna do the speech writing so I can do the talking!"

"You're a cruel, cruel girl, Allie!"

"Not quite. I'll reward him if it's a gooood speech."

"Why Allura, did your mind just go where I think it did?"

"Hey! It's not easy being a twenty something virgin with a stud like Keith right under my nose!"

"So you're gonna convince Nanny and Keith's gonna convince Coran?"

"Keith's gonna convince Nanny too."

"Coward."

"Uh-huh. Keith is more unfamiliar to her. It's an advantage."
"So when're you and Sven gonna tie the knot?"

"Dunno. Kinda fun as it is. He's got the cutest sense of humor and I love all the attention he gives me still thinking he has to prove himself to me."

"Hmmmm...Keith seems more confident and even slightly conceited and cocky now that we're 'for certain.'"

"Conceited? Keith?!"

"A little."

"Wow! I never would've thought it. Keith?"

"He's had a lot of practice--first in the academy, son of two prominent Alliance Admirals, what he's been doing with the Voltron Force... geesh, it'd go to my head too!"

"And we must add his looks, eh cousin?"

"I suppose."

"Allie, do I detect a hint of jealousy even now that you've nabbed him all to yourself?!"

"Of course not!"

"Liar."

"Well...to think of all those girls swooning and drooling over him at the Academy, at victory gatherings, and so forth...I can't help but wonder..."

"Wonder what?" Romelle probed, knowing full well what Allura was implying.

"Weeelll...if he...uh...got to know any beyond simple friendship?"

"Why cousin...I do believe you're curious about his uh, sex life???" Romelle jaunted."Well, from what Sven tells me, the boy's no virgin, but he's no Lance either. 1.5, Allura."

"1.5? What's that supposed to mean?"

"How many times Keith has done the deed."

"Huh?"

"Least as far as Sven knows."

".5???"

"A time where he hadda leave suddenly cause the girl's daddy was coming home and was well known to him."

"Really?"

"Space Marshall Graham's only daughter. But apparently Keith never made the connection until he saw the face of her daddy."

"Gosh, really?!"

"Sven said he locked himself in the dorm room, praying that the Space Marshall didn't get a good look at who's naked butt was flying out his little girl's bedroom window."

"I wish I could've been a fly on the wall then."

"He confided in Sven,but I couldn't get any more out of him about it. Sven made some 'promise' to Keith. But,anyway, you can be assured that Keith has abstained since he's been here on Arus."

"Assured? How can you know?"

"Because cousin, I have NEVER seen a guy more in need of some uh, 'relaxation' in all my life! Uptight, anal, driven to duty, workaholic..."

"Rommie!"

"Well he is. Don't deny it."

"I can't, it's all true...but tell me cuz, Sven's any better?"

"At least he can joke around. Officer training didn't effect him quite so seriously as it did Keith."

"You know, that little prince, Bandor isn't gonna give up until he sees you two at the altar."

"And actually, I'm loving it. It's Sven who seems a little uncomfortable."

"Lemme guess...the princess/pilot thing again."

"Gee, wonder how you could guess."

"Hey cuz?"

"Hmm?"

"More experienced than Keith?"

"Definitely." Romelle replied with a smug grin.

"And how do you know that, eh Rommie?"

Romelle blushed.

"But I thought the princess/pilot thing..."

"It is, but he must have less of a barrier to uh, what do they call it on Earth...fooling around than Keith does."

"Hmmmm...."

"No Allura, DON'T even think about it! You have a purely different situation and I do stress the 'purely' part. Besides, the time will be soon enough. Keith's proposed, you've accepted, now just set a wedding date and well...the honeymoon follows soon after."

"Can't I just take him at the altar after I say 'I do?'"

"Allura!!!"

"I know...too sacreligious?"

"Allie!!!" Romelle gasped in disbelief.

"Sorry. Guess I sound pitifully desperate."

"That's an understatement."

"Okay, so let me guess...as the old Earth cliche goes...'patience is a virtue?'"

"And its rewards will be that much grander."

"Still sucks though. I am dying to rub my hands on his bare chest, caressing those beautifully hard,but smooth muscles..."

"Allura! My, those boys are rubbing off bad on you cousin!"

"Hmmm....rubbing..."

"Allura, I think you need a cold shower! Where'd you learn all this stuff...surely Nanny would never..."

"Ginger gave me some novels and magazines once when the vehicle team visited."

"I don't even---"
Just then the door swooshed open. Allura and Romelle turned to see their intruders and glared.

"Uuhhh, good evening, your royal highnesses. We were just uh...(notes amusing glares on the ladies' faces)...are we intruding on something?"

Both princesses looked the intruders up and down, making them feel extremely uncomfortable and self-conscious. One intruder followed their eyes and instinctively checked to see if his zipper was undone. Nope. He simply rubbed the back of his head in confusion and obvious discomfort as he stole a glance at his buddy, who had already taken several steps back towards the door.

Both Allura and Romelle broke out in hysterical giggles.

"Okay...we're definitely intruding on something and I DON'T wanna know what. We will take our leave now."

"Um yes, ve vill check the veather elsevhere."

"Right. *weather?!* Let's go. Uh, Good evening ladies."

Neither of the young princesses could stop laughing quickly enough to stop the two young men from their rapid departure.
So much for an opportunity under the stars.

END.