Disclaimer: WEP owns Voltron.

Warnings: (None that I can think of.) It’s my first attempt at Yaoi. Enjoy!

The Halloween Ball

            It was fall, and the leaves were starting to turn, painting the landscape brilliant shades of yellow, orange and red. Harvest was just winding up, and the focus had quickly turned towards the big Halloween ball that Princess Allura had planned.

Almost everyone had been invited. The castle servants and the pilots had been hard at work, setting up for the festivities. Only now, after a full day’s work were they able to sit and rest for a bit out in the Castle’s gardens. The day was fairly warm and inviting. Hunk had already chased Pidge beyond the first gates of the garden, into the huge pile of leaves sitting there. It was more than obvious, by the looks on both their faces that they had no intention of coming back for a while. Sven had gone off with Romelle into a more secluded section of the garden. Keith was left sitting on the bench alone, a little dejected, pretending to read a book, all the while sighing and stealing quick glances at Lance who was oblivious to his secret admirer.

            “Hey Keith!” Allura threw herself, practically on top of Keith.

            “Princess.” Keith sighed, putting the book down.

            “Are you still mooning over Lance?” She asked bluntly. Keith gestured for her to shush. “You know, you boys are worse than girls. Why don’t you just ask him?”

            “It’s not that easy.”

            “Sure it is, watch.” Allura got up and made as if she were going to walk over to Lance.

            Keith grabbed her hand, pulling her back down on the bench. “Don’t!” he hissed.

            “I take it you still haven’t gotten anyone to go to the ball with you.” Allura said.

            “I’m not going. I already told you that. What’s the point anyway? You’ll be too busy playing hostess for the evening, Sven’s going to hang with Romelle, Lance is going to be mobbed by ever single female who comes and Hunk and Pidge are going to disappear midway through the evening, back to their rooms anyway. And I get to stand at the side, sipping soda, like a geek. Besides, we need someone on watch.”

            Allura frowned. “That’s a poor excuse. You know, you’re hopeless. You really ought to learn to have fun once in a while.”

            “Yay.” Keith said flatly.

            Allura punched his arm. “Has is ever occurred to you that half your problem is the fact that Lance has no clue how you feel about him?”

            “If I tell Lance he’ll probably laugh right in my face, or never speak to me again. Lance has never given anyone any reason to believe he even swings that way.”

            “Hmm.” Allura looked thoughtful.

            “And don’t try to convince me otherwise. If Lance were gay, I’d know. He doesn’t keep secrets from me for long.”

            “Maybe he’s keeping this one for the same reasons you are...” Allura started to say, but realized she’d lost Keith’s attention.

            Keith looked up, hearing Lance chuckling at something his current girlfriend was saying.

            “God, he’s so beautiful.” Keith mumbled, watching the wind playing through Lance’s chestnut hair, his very full, tempting lips parted in a laugh.

            Allura looked over at Lance for a moment, before turning her attentions back on her lovesick friend.

            “What I wouldn’t give to just kiss him…” Keith said dreamily.

            Allura snapped her fingers. “That’s it!” she said, grabbing Keith by the arm, startling him from his revere of Lance.

            “What?”

            “You’re going to the Halloween Ball, and that’s final.”

            “Princess? What are you talking about?” Keith looked increasingly confused and a little apprehensive.

            Allura pulled Keith off the bench and dragged him into the castle, to her rooms.

            “Tell me what you’ve got in mind.”

            “Well. The ball’s tomorrow night, right?”

            “Yeah, so?”

            “I’m going to be your fairy godmother.” Allura giggled.

            “What?” Keith raised a suspicious eyebrow at her. “You’ve been at Nanny’s cooking sherry again, haven’t you?”

            Allura punched Keith’s arm again.

            “Ow.” Keith rubbed his arm.

            “I’m going to help grant your wish.”

            “What wish?” Keith grew increasingly agitated.

            “I’m going to help you score that kiss.”

            “What kiss…oh. That one.” Realization dawning on Keith. “And how do you propose to do that? Put me to sleep in some tower and tell him only he can wake me?”

            Allura sat Keith down and proceeded to explain her plan, at which he seemed to grow increasingly pleased about.

            “So what are you going as?” Lance asked, finishing off the last bits of food from his plate.

            “I’m not telling you. We’re supposed to guess, remember? And then everyone takes off their costume at midnight.” Pidge commented.

            “True, but you two will have more than the costumes off before then.” Lance smirked, taking in the sight of Hunk and Pidge blushing. “Oh well, you and Hunk always go as a pair, so you’ll be easy to pick out. Just don’t do the cow thing again.”

            At that Sven and Keith choked at the memory of the Cow costume incident.

            “The cow thing?” Allura looked curious.

            “It’s a two piece costume.” Keith informed, and chuckled.

            Allura looked clueless.

            “You see it’s a costume where one person is standing up, he makes the head and front two legs and the second person makes the middle and the back legs.” Sven explained.

            “So?” Allura asked.

            “Pidge had Hunk’s cheeks in his face the entire night. You shoulda seen the look on Hunk’s face whenever Pidge got bored.” Lance commented.

            At that Hunk and Pidge both turned a bright crimson as Allura laughed.

            “This time you’re in front.” Hunk hissed at Pidge. Pidge tried to sink under the table.

            “So what are you dressing up at Keith?” Pidge tried to change the conversation.

            Keith glanced at Allura, who stifled a grin. “I’m not going. I’ve got watch duty tomorrow night.”

            “Ah figures.” Lance leaned back in his chair, resting it on two legs. “Mr. Conservative doesn’t do Halloween. You know, it’d be really cool if you did come out.”

            “So you can dunk him in the apple bucket again?” Sven asked.

            “No.” Lance looked offended. “It’s just that every holiday, Keith always takes duty. It’s not fair.”

            Keith hid his reaction to Lance’s thoughtfulness. “Oh, don’t worry too much. I’ll try and pop in later on.”

            “I hope so.” Lance commented. “It’s good to have fun once in a while. It keeps you sane.”

            Lance stood before the mirror, trying to fix the plumage of his hat from falling in front of his face. He was going to get Sven for this one. It had been his and Romelle’s idea that they should go as the Three Musketeers. As far as he was concerned he looked like an idiot with the fake glued on goatee and moustache. If Sven had given him more warning, he would have grown his own like Sven had. Three minutes later the fake facial hair was on the floor and stomped on several times.

            ‘Too bad Keith couldn’t come. It would have been fun being historically accurate, there were after all four musketeers, or was it five?’ Lance mused. No. There was more to it than that. He wanted Keith to be there for a reason. He sighed a little, surprised that he was feeling as depressed as he was knowing Keith wasn’t going to be there, yet again. It wasn’t like anything promising was going to happen.

“Maybe I should just tell him.” Lance said. “Yeah. Right. Hey Captain, I’ve been madly in love with you forever.” ‘Why would Keith want me anyway? He’s never shown any interest in me other than as a friend.’

He shrugged it off, determined to enjoy himself tonight, instead of getting pissed and sick like he usually did.

He pushed the feather out of his face and left to head towards the main hall where everyone else was.

            “Stop fighting. You look wonderful!” Allura said, pulling the belt around Keith’s waist, trying her best to get the knot done up properly.

            “Princess! I can’t breathe!” Keith wheezed dramatically to prove his point.

            Allura sighed. “Whatever.” She put the finishing touches on the obe and whirled Keith around, straightening out the kimono a little.

            “I feel like an idiot.” Keith said flatly.

            “You’re not allowed to speak anymore. You’ll give yourself away.” Allura said, bopping Keith on the head with the sparkle covered wand she held, as part of her costume. True to the theme of what was going on, she had dressed up as a fairy godmother, her iridescent wings falling a little lopsided after struggling with Keith for the last hour.

            “That’s the little mermaid.” Keith sighed. “She gives her voice up and has to get the Prince to kiss her.”

            “That doesn’t matter. You’ve got until midnight, okay? That way you don’t have to reveal who you are.” Allura said.

            “Yeah, yeah. Then I’ll turn into a pumpkin. Got it.” Keith said. He turned to look at himself in the mirror. “God, you did a good job. I barely recognize myself.”

            Lance stood beside Romelle and Sven, taking in all strange sights.

            “Has anyone seen Hunk and Pidge?” Sven asked, curious to see if they could top off the Siamese Twins costume from last year.

            “I think they did the cow thing again.” Lance said, gulping down the beer, trying to fight off the depression from Keith not being there. “Either that or they’re a horse this year.”

            “I think I see them.” Romelle squinted. “It that them?”

            Hunk looked quite dashing wearing a brown wig with the hair done up in two spiral buns around his ears, while wearing a white, flowing dress. Pidge emerged from behind, dressed in black pants, a white shirt with a black vest on.

            “It was his idea.” Hunk insisted, putting his arm around Pidge’s waist. “He’s the geek.” Hunk laughed and kissed Pidge on the cheek to show he was only teasing him. Pidge smiled.

            “But where’s your sidekick and co-pilot?” Sven asked.

            At that, Cheddar hopped up onto Pidge’s shoulder, wearing a furry costume, with a metallic sash around himself. He emitted a small, squeakish roar.

            “Hello!” Allura sang. “I hope everyone’s enjoying themselves.”

            “Yay.” Lance sighed. He looked up at Allura. “Did you convince Keith to come out?”

            Allura shook her head. Lance nodded, and the feathers fell in front of his face again. That seemed to have decided it for him. Lance stood up, taking the hat off with much annoyance. “I’m going to go and get him.”

            Allura made a move to stop him, but was too late. Lance had already started towards the doors when something caught his eye.

            In the doorway, the most beautiful woman Lance had ever seen stood, dressed as a geisha wearing a deep red kimono with white flowers accenting the sleeves and the sides. She blinked shyly at Lance who just stood there, mouth agape.

            “Uh. Hi.” Lance managed to say once his mouth worked again.

            The geisha fluttered her fan a little, and only smiled back, her dark eyes looked at Lance with interest.

            ‘Gods, she looks so familiar.’ Lance thought to himself. Lance noticed that the geisha was the same height as him, and strangely that attracted him further.

            Allura caught up with Lance and smiled. Her plan was working.

            “Lance, this is, um… Cindy.” Allura giggled. ‘Cindy’ rolled her eyes and looked as if she were going to comment, but wisely stayed quiet.

            “Cindy?” Lance said, taking in the site of her. “I’m honoured to make your acquaintance, that is, unless, we’ve met before?” Lance was positive he’d met this mysterious woman somewhere.

            Cindy shrugged, and continued to smile at Lance.

            “She doesn’t talk much.” Allura said.

            “She doesn’t have to.” Lance smiled and offered his arm to Cindy. “Would you like to dance?”

            Cindy nodded and allowed Lance to take her out onto the dance floor.

            Allura watched them leave, satisfied that things were going to turn out just as Keith wanted them to.

            A few hours had passed, and Allura found Sven and Romelle in the sea of people, standing near the bar.

            “I see Lance has found someone to keep him busy.” Sven noted, watching Lance and Cindy seated nearby, Lance undoubtly talking her ear off. “Who is she anyway?”

            “She seems so familiar.” Romelle commented. “Is she related to Keith?”

            Allura tried to stifle a smirk, but her cousin caught on to it. “What’s so funny, Allura?”

            “Oh, I just thought of something funny.” Allura’s subtle tone made it clear to Romelle she’d tell her later.

            Sven noticed the interaction but decided against questioning it, lest he get an earful about women’s secrets that men are not supposed to share in, like the last time. “So has anyone seen the two lovebirds?” Sven changed the subject.

            “Pidge and Hunk’s been gone since the first hour.” Allura said, the look on her face explaining all that Sven wanted to know.

            “Anyway…” Sven said, not wanting to picture too much. “Do you think Lance’s lady friend needs rescuing? I’m sure she’s bored to tears with all his banter about all the dangerous missions he’s been on.”

            Allura didn’t want to disturb them, but she was dying to know how things were going. “Let’s go see.” She said after a moment’s hesitation.

            “…and so there I was, surrounded by at least five Doom ships, right? Things were looking pretty grim, you know, with the Keith down, and the rest of the team barely managing to fight….” Lance was telling Cindy when his friends approached.

            Cindy shot Allura a ‘thank-you’ look as she came over.

            “That’s not how I remember it.” Sven said.

            “Hey. It’s my story, I’ll tell it like I want to.” Lance said. “Oh. Um. Cindy, this is Sven and this is Princess Romelle.”

            Cindy nodded to both of them.

            “She doesn’t talk much.” Lance said.

            “Probably because you haven’t given her much of a chance!” Sven laughed.

            As Lance got distracted by Sven teasing, Allura pulled ‘Cindy’ aside.

            “So?” Allura sounded eager.

            “You know, I never knew he was co-captain of the Force until today.” Keith whispered, laughing a little.

            “But, how’s it going otherwise?”

            “I don’t know.” Keith sounded a little disappointed. “He really hasn’t made a move yet. He just keeps talking about me, actually.”

            “You mean Cindy?”

            “No, me.” Keith said. “Like how he and I have been best buddies forever, how we’ve saved each other’s lives numerous times, how much he really cares for me…” Keith grew silent.

            “I told you so! He does like you.”

            “You think so?”

            Allura slapped her forehead. “You know, you men can be really dense sometimes. Why else would he be talking about you?”

            “Maybe he knows it’s me.” Keith looked a little worried.

            “How can he? I barely know you’re you.” Allura hissed. “Maybe you should stick around at midnight and reveal yourself to him.”

            “But what if he just laughs it off, you know how he gets when he’s embarrassed. He’ll just say he knew it all along and was just playing around and he’ll probably never talk to me again.” Keith said.

            “So the little lady does speak.” Sven said, turning his attentions back to the whispering Allura and Cindy.

            Allura stood up. “Lance, I have a task for you.” She said simply.

            “Oh, anything for you, Princess Fairy Godmother.” Lance winked at her.

            “I want you to try and guess who Cindy is.” Allura said, ignoring the desperate gasp from Keith.

            “Huh?”

            “You know her. You’ve met her before.” Allura said simply. Keith sighed, defeated.

            “I do?” Lance carefully scrutinized the figure seated behind Allura, who was now looking quite upset. “I don’t think she wants me to.”

            Allura reached behind herself and bopped Keith on the head with the wand she was holding. Keith looked up and smiled weakly at Lance.

            “You have until midnight, and if you don’t guess, then you won’t ever know.” Allura said simply. “She’s gotta go before then.”

            “But why?” Lance sounded upset. “Cindy, you don’t have to leave then, do you? Don’t tell me you have a curfew or something.”

            “No she doesn’t, it just makes the game a little more interesting.” Allura laughed and walked away, Romelle beside her, whispering to her, demanding to know who Cindy really was. Sven looked helplessly at Lance, and shrugged before following Romelle.

            Lance looked at Cindy who was staring at the ceiling, looking a little distressed.

            “How come you don’t want me to guess who you are?” Lance asked, standing next to her.

            Cindy started, not having noticed Lance coming up to her. She looked at Lance innocently and shrugged. Lance sighed, and smiled a little. “So is Cindy short for Cinderella? The Princess is obviously your fairy godmother, so that means you’re turning back into your normal self at midnight and the coach you came in turns into a pumpkin, right?”

            Cindy let out a small laugh, which was non-descript enough that Lance couldn’t place it. “Look. If you don’t want me to guess, I won’t okay?”

            Cindy shook her head.

            “So you want me to guess?”

            Cindy nodded.

            Lance looked her over carefully for a few moments, before throwing up his arms in defeat. “I don’t know. I’ll figure it out later. Do you want to dance again?”

            Cindy strained her ears to pick out the music that was being played. It was something slow, and romantic. She smiled and offered Lance her hand.

            Lance took Cindy out, holding her close to himself. Through all the fabric of the kimono, he could feel how well developed she was. He laughed to himself. ‘She’s in better shape than I am!’ Whoever she was, he had really grown to like her, and was very attracted to her, as intensely as he was towards Keith. He couldn’t figure it out.

            “So can we play twenty questions?” Lance asked. “I mean, it would help if I had some clues.”

            She nodded.

            “Are you from Arus?” Lance asked, and Cindy shook her head.

            “Earth?”

            A nod.

            “Are you at least part oriental?” Lance asked.

            Another nod.

“Are you related to Keith?” Lance asked, as they danced.

            Cindy nodded, a smirk crossing her full, brightly painted lips.

            “Well, obviously you’re not his sister. I’ve met her.” Lance commented. He decided to push in another direction. “Do you like me?”

            Despite the white make-up over her face, he could tell she was blushing.

            “Well, I really like you.” Lance whispered. At that, Keith had to look away, not wanting to look too eager. Lance placed his hand under Cindy’s chin and lifted her head up, so she was looking at him again. Lance gazed at her, taking in her lovely dark eyes. He moved closer to her, wanting so badly to taste her pouty lips.

            A pang of guilt hit Keith. ‘I can’t do this to him…’ and he pulled away from Lance. Lance looked a little startled, then annoyed. Before he could react, Keith had taken his hand, leading him away from the party. They passed a confused Allura, at which Keith just gave her a look not to follow.

            “Where are we going?” Lance asked, recovered from his surprise.

            Keith continued guiding him away, until they were far enough from anyone interrupting them. Keith then proceeded to undo the rather complex hairstyle, and gave his head a quick shake, his raven hair returning to its usual unruly style. He looked up at Lance who was just starting to comprehend what was going on.

            “Keith?” Lance looked very surprised.

            “Great. You guessed.” Keith finally spoke, sounding very disappointed.

            “But…?” Lance sputtered, utterly confused.

            Keith took a deep breath. “Lance, I’m just going to confess, alright? I did all of this,” Keith held his arms out, referring to the costume, “because Allura figured I’d be able to score with you. I really like you Lance. I have for a long time. But when you were about to kiss me out there, I couldn’t do that to you. I couldn’t use you like that. You’re my best friend first. I didn’t want to humiliate or embarrass you. I’m really sorry.” Keith turned away, upset with himself.

            What seemed like an eternity of silence, for Keith, followed.

            Lance blinked, the implication of all of this just beginning to sink in.

            “Keith?” Lance finally said.

            “What?” Keith remained with his back to Lance, scared to see Lance’s reaction. Keith started when he felt Lance’s arms wrap around him.

            “It’s not midnight yet. And believe me, if you had revealed to me then, I would be just as pleasantly surprised as I am now.” Lance whispered in Keith’s ear. “I’ve felt the same away about you for years.”

            Keith turned to face Lance, utter joy in his heart. “Really?”

            “Really.” Lance said. “Now about that kiss you so rudely interrupted…” Lance began to say but was stifled by Keith’s lips meeting his own.

End.

Cheers to all, and Merry Halloween. AK-47 (Fennylaise St. Lawrence)