First Kiss - Lotor/Allura

NOTE: Another uploaded here.

 There was little enough room for affection within the ranks of the Galra empire, especially for those of rank and consequence. It had always struck him as odd, but for those who were mere civilians and foot soldiers, love could come freely. They risked nothing by opening their hearts and allowing themselves to enjoy affection. But a prince, even an exiled prince, could not afford to let anyone too close. There was always potential for betrayal.   

He had first realized the impossibility of a romantic entanglement, however brief, during a missing on Takur. He had been welcomes in the way many welcomed a conqueror, by attempting to supplicate him with feasts and willing (or as willing as one could be in such a scenario) persons draped over him. Their closeness had not put him at ease. As he tried to watch the dancers, Lotor had felt his skin prickle as the way the person clinging to him had touched his shoulders.

Her hand had slipped behind his back, he had grabbed her wrist and swung her around, fracturing it in the process. He had suspected a knife to his spine. She had merely been playing with his hair sweetly.   
 
That was the last time he had let someone touch him, until today.
 
He had not meant to let Allura take his hand, but her excitement was infectious. It was not until after, when he could still feel the warmth of her presence radiating under his skin, that he realized how strange it had felt to let another person's skin meet his own. For hours after, Lotor touched the palm of his hand, wondering if the heat would linger had he held onto her a little longer. He tried not to stare at her now, but whenever he smiled, he could feel a warmth flush over his cheeks.   
 
Now they were working in the newly created alchemy laboratory. Together. Alone for hours at a time as they attempted to unlock the secrets of Altean alchemy that had been lost to the millenia. Even feeling her near to him made him uncomfortable in a way he did not wish to see depart. He began finding excuses to brush up against her. Reaching for an item, 'helping' to steady her fingers as she tried to awaken the latent energies in a crystal. Anything just to touch her.   
 
A part of him felt quite intrusive at this. Unlike Alteans, who were rumored to be an expressive, physical race who embraced one another openly, Galra were keen observers of personal boundaries. Initiation of physical touch without enthusiastic and polite affirmations before hand was considered to be highly impolite. Lotor began to feel he was taking advantage of her giving nature, which only created a sense of guilt in his belly that he did not find pleasant at all.
 
“Stop being such a chicken.”
  
At the time, Lance had been arguing with Hunk over the prospect of a space walk without a tether. But once he had begun to grasp the meaning, the phrasing stuck in the young prince's mind. Chicken. A term to denote one behaving in a cowardly manner despite the lack of any real danger. Yes. He felt he was most certainly behaving like a 'chicken.' And no one was going to have a reason to call Lotor, now emperor of the Galra empire, a 'chicken'!

“Allura?” She turned to look at his and he found words moving from his brain to his mouth at a snails pace. “Will...walk.” Lotor coughed and tried again. He had spoken to her with such ease only yesterday! Why was this suddenly such a conundrum? “Will you take a walk with me?”

It was clear she didn't understand why, but she nodded none the less. “Why not? We've got to let the new decoction brew for at least half a cycle. We're camped off Nova Majora right now. Have you ever seen it? The colors are said to be spectacular.” 

“I have and they are.” He tried to smile in what he hoped was a charming manner. He had been told his smiles often looked like he was baring his teeth. “It comes from the collision of molecules happening at a hyper-accelerated rate. They flare up and dissipate quickly, making a beautiful if somewhat tragic display.”

“So I've read. Not dangerous so long as we stay afloat at a respectable distance.” She walked along side of him towards the viewing bay, her eyes glistening at the sight of the rainbow of space dust swirling into vortex of color. The stars glittered in among the prismatic effects, and she sighed happily. “It's good to know there is such beauty in the galaxy.”

“Indeed. It is very easy to forget when we are so often faced with the ugliness that the Galra empire has created.” He tried to think of something to say, to make her aware that he had begun to feel something towards her which was on a level different from friendship or camaraderie. “Princess Allura?” He coughed, eyes looking away from her so he could form words. “One of the things which I find so very endearing about you is your ability to look for beauty in dark places. You open yourself up to the possibility that things can be better. You are an optimist. It is one of your most attractive qualities.”  
  
“Thats...very kind of you to think so. I have often wondered if I seem naive in my approach, wanting to believe the best of others.” 

“Not at all. Even when we are let down, it is the hope that others will be their best self that lets us believe in them. I myself am a pragmatist. I think of the world as it is and sometimes I think it leads me to never be surprised by things anymore.” He considered, then decided to let her know. “When I was exiled, it hurt, but it did not shock me. Given the way Galra view themselves as racially superior to other species, it seemed to only make sense that my father would wish to distance himself from me. When Hagar called for my return, I was not that she tried to manipulate me into her bidding as she did my father. When my own team betrayed me, I was not shocked. They are not Galra. The only way they could hope to gain mercy was to turn me in. Even when the paladins and you eventually accepted my help, I was not surprised. It was only practical. I had the information you needed and could help you achieve your goals of peace and stability. I have always operated on the premise of people acting according to their basic nature.  But you, Allura?” He smiled and felt that warmth spread across his face once more. “You believe people can be better.”    
  
Allura gazed up at him, then smiled in a very tender way. “Your markings are glowing, Prince Lotor.”

He blinked, then touched his face. “Are they?”

“Indeed. There are many reasons for this. Most often when in touch with ancient Altean magic. But as we are not currently in the vicinity of any such thing, I can only say that it must be from some kind of affection.” Her smile grew a bit wider and her lips pinched in a knowing way.
“Towards me?”

Lotor felt like he'd swallowed a stone. “I admire you a great deal.” Was all he could think of.  
  
“And I you.” She returned and looked back at the colors in the night sky. Her hand reached out and took his, fingers closing around his touch as her shoulders relaxed. “Perhaps we shall be a good influence on one another.”  
  
“You have already been an exemplary influence on me.” He felt like his arm weighed a thousand pounds! Her hand was so soft. Lotor closed his eyes and let out a shuddering breath at this realization. This touch. Her touch. He never wanted it to leave him.    
  
“Lotor?” She took a step closer, her blue eyes more brilliant than a sky. “If I were to kiss you, is that something you would welcome?”  
  
“Are...we speaking strictly in the hypothetical, or is this a ploy to see if I would like to be kissed at all?”    
  
She looked like she was holding back laughter. “It is a little of both. I understand that Galra do not often view affection as desired. I don't want to offend.”

Lotor knew his marking had to be glowing! He could see the halo of light from under his eyelashes. “I would say that I would welcome your affection in any form you chose to display it.”    
  
“Thats good to know.” She said sweetly, and stood there next to him, edging closed. “Though I admit, I will need to do something for it to work out logistically.”

“I beg your pardon?” Lotor asked and felt a decisively sharp pang in his chest as Allura grew, letting herself gain a few inches in height so they could look at one another face to face.    
  
“Is everything alright?”

“Y-yes. Why do you ask?”

“Well, your markings are still glowing, but your cheeks are a very deep purple as well.” She leaned in closer. “Does this embarrass you?” 

“Embarrass would not be the correct term.” Lotor admitted candidly. “I...I believe...attracted in a precise manner would be closer.” She was leaning in closer, and their hands had now drifted towards one another's elbows. Lotor cooed behind his lips at the closeness of her. It was more wonderful than a blanket on a cold night. He parted his lips as she did, mimicking her so he would not make a fool of himself.    
  
“Arousal.” She informed him as their lips began to touch. “I think that is the word you are looking for.”