Fake Mistletoe | Plance

3 (Shiro)

The journey had been going smoothly, and Veronica set up a team to decorate the Atlas accordingly to the time of year. I was certainly glad of Allura and Coran's readiness to aid with the festivities, even if they were still slightly in the dark about the whole concept of Christmas. As for New Year, they had had a similar celebration on Altea and requested to incorporate some of Altea's traditions, to which I agreed wholeheartedly.

One of the MFE pilots, Rizavi, as I believe her name is, and one of the commanders, Curtis entered to decorate in the bridge.

"Good afternoon, sir," Curtis greeted me and the few others who were operating. "Do we have permission to put up some decorations?"

"Permission absolutely granted," I smiled. "And please, just call me Shiro." Curtis looked away bashfully for a moment and turned back with a nod, and he and Rizavi set to work. As they left, Curtis glanced quickly over and I gave him a quick nod in acknowledgement.

Around half an hour later, Pidge and Lance came blazing in, armed with strings of fairy lights and a cacophony of noise. By the time they were done in the bridge, it was festooned in sparkling lights, which, being painfully truthful, did not look awful.

They left soon after, Lance blowing me a kiss, which I shook my head at most disapprovingly. The silence in the bridge after the pair's departure was deafening. Even with bright ornaments and glimmering lights, morale was low and nobody in the bridge seemed to feel anything in the way of Christmas spirit.

Christmases with Adam and Keith in the years before Voltron had been bright, fun and most of all, filled with love. Cheesy, certainly, but enjoyable and warm. The kind of Christmas that made my heart go gooey inside. And Adam was gone, but he'd want me to move on. He'd want Keith to be happy, want us both to feel that again. And I'd need to find a way to help everyone feel it.

"Sam, do you mind taking control for a bit? I need to speak to Keith." I requested. Sam nodded, and I turned to leave and seek out Keith.

*

I found him in one of the training rooms, practicing sword work with James Griffin. I'd remembered them to be a problematic pair from before I left for the Kerberos mission. It was nice to see them getting along... somewhat.

"I hope you don't mind if I steal Keith for a tick," I spoke, ducking into the room. James looked up, the inclination of his head allowing me. I gestured to the door, and Keith locked his eyes with mine, agreeing to come outside.

"So Griffin, huh?" I teased him.

"It's not like that at all, actually. We're both working off our tempers."

"Okay," I chuckled. "Anyway, I came to speak with you because, well, morale is low, to say the least, and-"

"Shiro, what makes you think I'd know how to boost it? I'm the last person to ask." Keith grumbled.

"Not quite. You remember the Christmases you spent with Adam and me?" Keith gave a dismal nod. "Attitude, Kogane. Don't forget, you're below me in this situation. I am your captain." Keith straightened his back and shot me a glare. "I'm hoping to get everyone's spirits up. I was hoping you might have ideas, considering the number of Christmases and traditions that you've seen."

"Well, you always liked the drinking side of it," Keith grinned. "And I guess, in that, the parties." I allowed the idea to enter my conscious thoughts. Memories of dancing with Adam at Christmas parties surfaced, the Garrison formals, plucking up the courage to ask Adam and leaving Keith with a babysitter.

"That's it," I finally spoke. "We're going to have a traditional Garrison Christmas formal." Keith's eyes widened in realisation of what he'd said to make me come to the decision and began profusely disagreeing. "I'm going to talk to Sam and see what he thinks. Have a good time with Griffin," I winked. Keith glowered in reply, but returned to the training room regardless.

*

After conferring with Sam and Colleen, Veronica and Curtis, we'd come to the conclusion that a dance was definitely a good idea. Sam and Colleen were enthusiastic about the idea of Pidge 'putting herself out there!' and Veronica expressed her delight at the mere thought of Lance at a dance. Curtis seemed to just nod along with what the others had been saying, but a certain glint in his eyes told me he wanted it as much as they did, likely for different reasons.

So that was that. We began planning as we confined ourselves into the bridge for the entire evening, except Colleen.

"I'm going to check on my plants. Make sure they're okay," She stood to exit. "Veronica, I'm trusting you. Don't let these men plan everything themselves." She grinned. Veronica nodded reassuringly in reply.

*

After a full evening of planning, and a morning of checking everything was in order and deciding who would be on the team to decorate the large space in which the party would be held, make the playlists and food, we were done, and ready to announce it.