#alignedhearts

Keith was sitting in his room, running a hand through his hair. He was frustrated if he were honest with himself.

Lately, all of his thoughts had been distracted lately by Allura. He knew he shouldn't think of her so much. He had a team to lead. He had missions. They needed to restore peace to the universe. He didn't have time for any of whatever it was going on between him and her.

So, then why...? Why, despite all of his attempts to chase her out of his mind, did he keep thinking about her?

All of the soft looks she'd given him lately made his chest feel warm and fluttery. Her smiles seemed to practically light up any room she walked into.

Had Allura always looked so... beautiful?

The current Black Paladin let out a low growl. "What the hell is wrong with me...? Why am I acting like I have a--"

He then abruptly froze up, eyes widening as it finally clicked.

Oh.

He liked Allura.

Like...he really fucking liked Allura.

Oh no.

Oh no.

Oh shit...!

Keith paled before sinking his head into his hands. This was bad. Really, really bad. He couldn't have feelings for her!

Lance had feelings for her!

It wasn't like the younger paladin ever hid that fact from anyone.

Keith couldn't tell her how he felt. If Lance knew, he'd be devastated. Watching Lotor pursue Allura in front of him was bad enough, but if Lance had to watch him do it too...?

Allura may have also made Pidge some coffee.

It was a warm, sunny afternoon when the rules for the year-long equine expedition had been clearly explained. Each rider was now being assigned to their four-legged partner for the length of the trip.

One by one, each person was led to a different paddock where their equine partner was waiting, and sent to get to know them for the rest of the day. The last to be assigned was the young Princess of Voltron, though of course she certainly was not least.

One of the young cowboys walked over to her with a warm smile and motioned for her to follow him to one of the nearby paddocks, though upon finding it empty, he couldn't help but frown. The gait from the paddock that went into the nearby pasture was open, so maybe they had yet to walk the horse down. "I don't get it, your horse was supposed to be here. Please, wait here a moment, I'm sure they just haven't brought it out here yet. We do have a lot of people going out this year, just...Wait here a sec. I'll go see if your horse is in the barn, keep an eye on the barn door. If I get the horse you'll see it coming."

And with that, off he jogged, leaving Allura alone to stand by the paddock gait for several long moments. Yet while he was gone, a shape moved towards the paddock from the nearby field.... Unbeknownst to anyone else.

It wasn't long before a soft, velvet nose brushed against the back of Allura's shoulder, followed by a soft puff of breath from a curious and apparently friendly admirer. She'd caught the attention of a little red horse, smaller in stature than most of the others on the property, but large enough to carry a rider without much trouble.