There is not enough letters in the alphabet to tell you how much I love you

Emerald

Keith can't get over how pretty Pidge looks tonight.

*******

She seemed uncomfortable.

Standing there, amongst all those diplomats, kings, queens, princes, princesses, dukes, duchesses, or whatever their alien equivalent is.

It was so oblivious she felt out of place.

Every time she tried sneaking away from all this attention to a calmer corner, someone demanded her focus on them once more. Allura had ordered all of them to be on their best behaviour, a smile was to be constantly plastered on their faces for the entire duration of the night. So Pidge had no choice but to give it to them.

He had spent most of his time observing her, so really, it wasn't surprising when their eyes found each other. Keith could see she was trying hard to look in her element, but he knew her so well. Her eyes said it all.

This was it, the moment the red paladin of Voltron would be ultimately defeated.

She was beautiful in that emerald dress

Staring at him with the same wonder-struck look. It was like she understood him perfectly. The feeling when you long to be close to someone so badly, the one that gives you the impression your heart is going to jump out of your throat every time. All you want to do is keep that person close to you, scared it will be the last time you'll ever see each other.

When she first entered the reception with the altean princess after their teammates did, she caught the attention of many others, including him.

And yet, it was in his direction she smiled shyly.

Not those arrogant princes who thought everyone should like them for a reason as stupid as their title and how filled their pockets were.

How could a human be so mesmerizing?

Maybe it was a bit selfish, or even possessive, but deep down, Keith hoped he would forever be the only one Pidge gazed at like she was currently doing.

The green dress was about two shades darker than her lion and armor. Nevertheless, the colour was perfect on her skin, which adored war scars. The open back of the floor-length gown revealed the now partially white mark. How she acquired it still left him shameful. He had failed to protect her by making sure no one approached her while she was attempting to hack a Galra cruiser.

Keith had felt so guilty, watching her staying by her side the entire time she was in the healing pods, refusing to leave her alone even at night.

After she fell out of the pod, he waited until she was aware enough of where she was before she started to apologize profusely, his arms still around her.

She had only laughed, saying she was fine and that neither of them expected so many foes to show up. It was an honest mistake and she forgave him.

Maybe it was when she grinned at him that he realized how much he truly loved her.

A slower song was beginning to play in the ballroom. Both knew many would attempt approaching the paladins in hopes of stealing at least a dance with them. Keith could see Lance already enjoying the attention on the other side of the room.

There was no way the red paladin was going to stand there and watch Pidge being taken from his grasp.

Ignoring anyone who tried talking to him and those surrounding the green paladin, he offered his hand to her.

"May I have this dance?"

For the first time that night, she smiled brightly, obviously struggling to stop herself from laughing as her teammate bowed in front of her. "Of course you may."

She deposed her calloused hand from working constantly and all the fights they survived in his similar one.

Allura had meticulously put the top half of Pidge's hair in a messy but stylish braid, which she had then placed in a bun. The bottom was slightly curled, successfully managing to tame the young girl's wild hair. She had let her hair grow a bit but never more than five centimetres past her shoulder after four years in space. She said it would be too much of a hazard to take care of.

From up close, Keith noted the princess somehow convinced the younger girl to let her apply some light makeup on her face. A simple pink blush on her cheeks, what appeared to be glitter on her eyelids, and some mascara. There was also a red tint on her lips that made them look so... kissable.

If only he could confess, maybe she would let him-

Quiznack, Keith could feel his face heating up.

Would it be crazy to wish only he could see how gorgeous she was, like that, no one would even try to steal her away from him?

This was unlikely to happen and he knew it. She was simply that pretty.

The song was already over before he could savour the moment. Shit, he was so lost in her beauty he had no idea for how long they danced. Judging from her equally confused expression, she was in the same situation.

Soon, the guest began leaving.

*******

After Allura, Shiro and Coran congratulated them on the successful impression they gave, Keith and Pidge were the only ones left on the bridge.

Just because he yearned to be close to her as much as he could, the red paladin offered his dearest friend (and hopefully more in the nearest future possible) to walk her back to her room. A simple act of courtesy.

They didn't talk much, but it was more than fine. Their silence was far from awkward, on the contrary, he loved them more than anything. Well... less than he adores her.

And just like their dance, the pleasant moment ended far too quickly.

Instead of immediately bidding him goodnight and entering her room, Pidge hesitated to leave him in the quiet and empty hallway, her hand immobile in front of her door.

Keith saw her shoulder go up and down as she took a big breath before she swiftly turned, facing him with determination in her eyes. That expression was usually reserved as she piloted her lion in a fight.

With her hand, Pidge signalled him to lean down at her level. Keith thought she had something important to say when she seemed to get closer to his ear. Useless to mention he was utterly surprised when she placed a gentle kiss on his cheek.

"Sleep well, and thank you for tonight."

Keith didn't even have time to respond, hell, he didn't have the chance to register what she had just done before the door was closed as he stared stupidly at it.

Pidge just kissed him. Who cares if it was only on the cheek? His heart was beating at a dangerously fast pace.

Oh God. Without even having to look in a mirror, the boy knew his face was probably as red as his lion.

*******

As he lay wide awake in his bed, his fingertips were delicately touching the place she had graced with her soft ruddy lips. A smile was plastered on his face, stubbornly refusing to go, preventing him from falling asleep, making his jaw ache. Only one thought in his mind.

Maybe he did have a chance with her.

*******

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