Title: Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer

 

**********

With two weeks until Christmas, Keith was standing in the landing bay waiting for the shuttle that was bringing his grandmother to Arus. And he was dreading the moment that the shuttle would land. It wasn't that his grandmother was a bad person. It wasn't that he didn't love her. It was that he knew she would embarrass him.

 

Keith sighed when a shuttle appeared over the horizon.  Ready or not, here she comes.  Within moments, the craft landed in the bay and the doors opened.  A short elderly woman quickly bounced down the ramp.  She was smiling brightly, brushing several strands of shiny silver hair out of her bright black eyes.  The woman was dressed in a charming sky blue dress and her long hair was pulled up into a neat little bun on the top of her head.  She squealed in delight as she wrapped her arms around Keith.  "Keith!  How is my favorite grandson?"

 

"Grandma, I'm your only grandson." Keith laughed as he hugged his grandmother.

 

"So that makes you my favorite!"  Grandma laughed, kissing each of Keith's cheeks before stepping back to inspect him.  "Oh Kiki!  You've grown so much!  And so handsome and dashing too!  So much like my baby boy when he was your age."

 

"You promised not to call me that." Keith said with an embarrassed blush.

 

Grandma blushed.  "Oh I'm so sorry!  I forgot!  It just slipped.  After all, you are a grown man now.  But you will always be my little Kiki!"

 

"Let me help you with your bags, Grandma." Keith offered.

 

"Why thank you, sweetie."  Grandma smiled as Keith picked up her two bags.  "I'm really looking forward to meeting all your friends."

 

"Once we get you all settled in, I'll start introducing you to everyone." Keith said.

 

"I would like that so much, Kiki...oh I mean Keith."  Grandma laughed as she walked beside him.  "I'm especially interested in finally seeing this new love interest that you write so much about."

 

"And Lance is looking forward to meeting you." Keith smiled as he stopped in front of a door and pushed the button for it to open. "Here's your room, Grandma." Keith stepped inside and set the suitcases down on the floor at the end of the bed. The room was simple yet tastefully decorated to make it seem very nice. The walls were a muted red tone with a dark oak dresser and a matching nightstand and sleigh bed. The bedding was red and trimmed with black. The lamp that sat on the nightstand had a shade made of red stained glass. And lastly, two hand-painted pictures of Arus's landscape hung on the walls. "I hope you like it."

 

"It is perfect.  I already feel right at home."  Grandma smiled as she hugged Keith again.  "I've missed you so much!  So have your parents and sisters!"

 

"And I miss everyone too. I wish I could be home for Christmas." Keith said.

 

"Well, we all understand why you can't.  They all sent their love...as well as some pictures so you won't get too home sick."

 

"Pictures?" Keith asked nervously. "You mean recent pictures, right?"

 

"Oh both!"  Grandma grinned.  "But I can show you later.  Right now we need to get the rest of my luggage."

 

Keith sighed mentally, praying his grandmother didn't pull out these pictures when anyone else was around...last thing he need was for any of the others to get their hands on some prime blackmail material. "I can get your bags, Grandma. You can stay here and rest after your tiring trip."

 

"Alright.  Though you may want to get some help bringing them in.  All the rest are gifts from me and your entire family, as well as things your mother thought you may need being out here so far away from her."

 

"I'm sure I can manage. Besides everyone else is busy right now." Keith sighed, already wondering what everyone sent. "So just lie down and rest."

 

Grandma grinned as she kissed Keith's cheek.  "Just don't mess up your back or anything, Kiki.  I'll just unpack a few of my things."

 

"I won't." Keith said. He wanted to yell not to call him Kiki, but he could never yell at his grandmother.  So instead he said nothing.

 

"Such a good boy."  Grandma smiled before turning to her bags.  "We'll catch up more when you get back.  I've got so much to tell you!"

 

"I can't wait." Keith smiled. It took several trips but he finally manage to get the rest of the ten large bags into the room, completely exhausted by the time he set the last of the bags down in the guestroom his grandmother was using.

 

"I told you you'd need some help."  Grandma chuckled as Keith plopped down on the bed.

 

"Naw, I'm fine. I need the exercise anyway." Keith smiled.

 

"Just be careful not to over do it.  You're almost too skinny as it is."  Grandma grinned as she patted Keith's stomach.  "I'll have to make some of my delicious desserts before I leave."

 

"I'm not that skinny. But I like the sound of having some of your delicious homemade desserts." Keith chuckled.

 

"Well then, direct me to the kitchen and I'll cook you some good old fashioned meals!"

 

Keith stood. "I'm sure Nanny won't mind you using her kitchen."

 

"I'm sure she won't."  Grandma grinned brightly.  "So how about introducing me to your friends?"

 

"Sure thing, Grandma." Keith said. "I'm sure Hunk and Pidge are done working on the lions by now. You can meet them first."

 

"Just lead the way, honey."

 

Keith led the way down the long hallways, pointing out what some of the rooms were along the way. Finally they reached the repair bay at the same time Hunk and Pidge came walking out.

 

"I'm telling you, Pidge he is such a…" Hunk stopped mid-sentence. "Oh, hey Keith. That better be your grandmother or Lance will be jealous of you being with such a young and beautiful lady."

 

"Why thank you kind sir!"  Grandma grinned as Hunk kissed her hand.  "Such a gentleman and charmer too."

 

"He's something alright." Keith mumbled under his breath.

 

"It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Dales." Pidge said as he shook her hand.

 

"All of you boys can just call me Grandma. Keith has told me so much about all of you that it's like you're family."

 

Hunk grinned.  "Did you have a nice flight, Grandma?"

 

"It was very nice flight." Grandma smiled.  "Except for the food, of course."

 

"So Keith, has she met everyone yet or are we the first?"  Pidge grinned as Grandma looked around her.  "Or is this the tour?"

 

"You two are the first. And it is the start of the tour." Keith said.

 

Pidge nodded.  "There is definitely a lot to see.  And I'm sure the others are looking forward to meeting you, Grandma."

 

"I would like to see those lions you are always talking about." Grandma said.

 

"The repair bay really isn't too safe a place when you aren't used to getting around in there. But I can show you Black outside later." Keith said.

 

"Oh push posh.  The bay can't be any more dangerous than you were as a child, Keith."  Grandma grinned as she looked over to Hunk and Pidge.  "My little Keith could be a holy terror."

 

"I wasn't that bad." Keith mumbled.

 

"Keith is right, Grandma. It's not too safe in there. There is still other work being done in there. We can always have all the lions outside for you too see later." Hunk said, trying hard not to laugh at Keith's face.

 

"I would like that very much.  They sounds so impressive."  Grandma smiled before shaking her head at Keith.  "Not that bad?  Have you already forgotten all the times I had to tan that little hide of yours?"

 

Keith blushed slightly and shot glares as Hunk and Pidge both snickered. "Compared to Nicole, I was a perfect angel."

 

Grandma snorted.  "Nicole would've been just fine if you didn't put so many ideas in her head.  I mean seriously, daring her to try and flush your little sister down the toilet was a little much!"

 

"Well she put a dress on my G.I. Joe doll." Keith said in self-defense.

 

Hunk snickered some more. "I can't wait to hear even more stories about Keith as kid."

 

Keith turned his best death glare onto Hunk.  Grandma laughed.  "He was a devil, but he grew into a fine young man.  I'm very proud of him."  She beamed proudly as she wrapped an arm around his waist and hugged him.  "I still want great-grandkids from you someday though..."

 

"We'll see about that." Keith said, not saying it wasn't likely to happen. "Are you about ready to see some more of the castle, Grandma?"

 

"Of course!  Lead the way."  Grandma waved at Hunk and Pidge.  "It was really nice to meet you.  I'm looking forward to visiting with you two more later."

 

"Bye Grandma." Hunk and Pidge both waved.

 

"Such nice boys.  It's good seeing you with a nice crowd."  Grandma grinned as they walked toward the control room.  "Where are we going now?"

 

"To the control room." Keith said. He couldn't help but think it was going to be a very long month with his grandmother telling so many stories about him.

 

"What do you do in here?"  Grandma asked, smiling when she saw an older man and woman talking in the room.  "Hello."

 

"This is the room that runs the castle defenses." Keith explained it in the simplest of forms.

 

"You must be Keith's grandmother." Coran said as he stepped over to them.

 

"Yes.  And call me Grandma.  Everyone does."  Grandma smiled.

 

"It is a pleasure to meet you.  I'm Coran, the princess's advisor, and this woman is Nanny, her governess."

 

Nanny smiled and nodded her head.  "Nice to meet you.  How was your trip?"

 

"It was a very fine trip." Grandma said. "It is nice to finally be able to met the both of you."

 

"So is Keith showing you around?  And did you get settled in?"  Nanny asked, eyeing the captain.

 

"Yes he did.  He always treats his grandmother well."  Grandma smiled brightly.  "The real question is, is he behaving?"

 

"He behaves quite well. Always taking his duties quite seriously." Coran grinned.

 

"He needs to be more of a gentleman though." Nanny snorted.

 

"Well, boys will be boys."  Grandma chuckled before winking at Keith.  "Being rowdy every once in a while is good for them."

 

"Well it's not proper." Nanny said, her hands on her hips. "Those boys need to learn to act like proper gentlemen. They put such bad ideas in the princess's head."

 

Grandma laughed and waved her hand.  "I don't see what you are so worried about.  I hear you do a great job with the princess, despite the boys."

 

"Do you really think so?" Nanny asked with a smile.

 

"Of course I do."  Grandma chuckled as Coran sat down in his chair, sighing in relief.  "Keith's messages always say how the princess is such a lady and strong ruler.  You had to have done a wonderful job to get my grandson to notice!"

 

"I am so glad to hear that." Nanny grinned proudly.  Keith breathed a silent sigh of relief that Nanny hadn't tried to start a fight with his grandmother over something so trivial.

 

"Such polite and friendly people.  I'm relieved to see that you are in such good hands."  Grandma grinned, winking at Keith again.  "So where are we going now, grandson?"

 

"I'll show you around the castle some more. There are still many more rooms to see." Keith said.

 

"Good.  It was really nice meeting the two of you."  Grandma said before smiling at Nanny.  "And I hope to exchange recipes with you sometime.  I hear you are a wonderful cook."

 

Nanny's smile grew even brighter. "You can join me in my kitchen anytime."

 

"Thank you.  I'll talk to you later."  Grandma poked Keith in his side once they were out of the control room.  "Looks like I've got access to your kitchen now."

 

Keith laughed. "At least it's easy to see where I learned to smooth talk from."

 

"I'm glad you inherited something from me.  So where to now?"

 

"I'll show you the grand library." Keith said.

 

When they reach the grand library, Keith pushed the door open. It was two-story room, with a spiraling staircase leading up to the second floor. Tall windows that came to peak with stained glass images of the family crest reached from the first floor all the way up to the second. There was a fireplace on one wall with several plush chairs near it. All the rest off the walls were filled with books, far too many for one person to even read in a lifetime.

 

"This is fabulous!  I know you must love it in here!"  Grandma gasped in amazement.  "You were always such a book worm."

 

"I don't have too much time for much reading though." Keith said regrettably.

 

Allura stood up from one of the chairs by the fireplace and stepped over. "Oh, hello Keith.  This must be your grandmother." Allura held the edges of the dress and did a curtsy. "It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am."

 

"Such a lovely and charming young lady.  The pleasure is all mine."  Grandma grinned as she curtsied back.  "You must be Princess Allura."

 

Allura smiled. "Yes, I am. I hope you had a pleasant journey and enjoy your stay at my castle."

 

"Oh I'm sure Keith will take good care of me."  Grandma chuckled.  "He is such a good, fine looking boy."

 

"Yes, he is." Allura agreed quickly.

 

"Maybe we should continue our tour now, Grandma." Keith said, beginning to fidget nervously.

 

"We are still not done yet?"  Grandma asked, tilting her head up at her grandson.

 

"There are still many more rooms to see. And then there is the garden." Keith said.

 

"A garden?  Oh I love gardens!"  Grandma smiled brightly before curtsying Allura again.  "I hope you don't mind.  Your castle is absolutely lovely."

 

"Thank you." Allura said with a smile. "I hope you enjoy the gardens."

 

"I'm sure I will.  I hope to talk with you again."  Grandma said before following Keith out of the room.  "She is such a sweet young lady."

 

"At times. Other times she's something else." Keith said.

 

"Oh?  I take it she can be quite a hand full."

 

"And then some." Keith chuckled. "It all depends what mood strikes her."

 

"Well, she is a little to girly for you.  I think your sister, Rachael, would like her though.  She was always into ladies and pink dresses."  Grandma shrugged.  "I've always preferred spirited men, like your grandfather."

 

"Allura would definitely be Rachael's type. At times I have thought about shipping Allura off to her just to get her out of my hair." Keith laughed.

 

Grandma laughed.  "I'm not sure Nanny would like that very much.  Rachael would love it though."

 

Keith nodded in agreement, stopping before one of the studies. "We can see if Sven is done with that paperwork yet. He agreed to do it today because I was waiting for you to arrive. Normally I am the one stuck doing the mountains of paperwork."

 

"Oh good.  I've been wanting to meet him.  You speak about him so much in your letters."

 

Keith opened the door and looked in to see Sven sitting at the desk.  "You about done?" Keith asked.

 

"Just finished actually." Sven said as he stood up and walked towards the door.

 

Grandma poked her head into the room and smiled.  "Hello there, young fella."

 

"I assume you are Keith's grandmother. It's nice to meet ma'am." Sven said, with a slight nod of his head.

 

"Nice to meet you as well.  You don't look scary at all."  Grandma smiled, tilting her head as she looked up at Sven.  Then she reached up and pinched Sven's cheek.  "You're very cute!"

 

"Oh please tell me my grandma didn't just hit on my friend." Keith sighed. He looked very much like he wanted to crawl away someplace and die of embarrassment.

 

Sven blushed slightly. "Um, thank you ma'am."

 

"Hey, just because I'm an old woman doesn't mean I can't recognize a cute man when I see one."  Grandma chuckled as she glanced at Keith.  "What's the matter, Kiki?  Your face is flushed."

 

"Kiki?" Sven questioned with one eyebrow raised.

 

"This just keeps getting worse and worse." Keith sighed.

 

"Oops.  Sorry Keith.  Habit."  Grandma grinned sheepishly before turning back to Sven.  "So Sven, do you have a girlfriend or a boyfriend?  I'm sure you must have several."

 

"Actually I am more interested in hearing about this Kiki name." Sven grinned at Keith.

 

"NO!" Keith said firmly.

 

"Oh there really isn't much of a story about it."  Grandma chuckled.  "But we can talk about it later.  Tell me about yourself.  And is my little Keith happy here?"

 

"Um…" Sven really wasn't sure what to say. It wasn't everyday a friend's grandmother made a pass at him.

 

"I think we should continue the tour now, Grandma." Keith said. He could tell Sven looked to be at least half as embarrassed as him and thought it was best to take his grandma else where before she killed them both with embarrassment.

 

"Do we have to?  I'd really like to get to know your friend better.  After all, you speak so highly of him."  Grandma pouted slightly.

 

"Yeah, we should definitely go now." Keith said. "Besides you haven't met Lance yet."

 

"Oh yes!  I really want to met him!"  Grandma grinned before waving to Sven.  "Talk to you later, okay?"

 

"Um, yes ma'am." Sven said, his cheeks reddening slightly.

 

"C'mon, Grandma. Let's go find Lance." Keith said.

 

Grandma winked at Sven before letting Keith pull her out of the room.  "My...you're in a hurry today."

 

"Just anxious to show you all around the castle." Keith said. 'And trying to keep the embarrassing moments to a minimum.'

 

"Sure."  Grandma smirked slightly.  "So what is left?"

 

"Dinning room, rec room, gym, gardens…there are a lot of rooms in this old castle." Keith said.

 

"So where to next?"

 

"We'll try to find Lance. He was doing weapons inventory today." Keith said.

 

Grandma clapped her hands before reaching up and patting Keith's cheek.  "Goodie.  I can't wait to see him, Kiki."

 

Keith opened his mouth to complain about the name but decided it didn't really matter now. Sven had already heard it so everyone else would know by the end of the day and not a single one of them was ever going to let him forget it. "He's looking forward to meeting you too."

**********

"I hate doing this."  Lance mumbled as he glanced at their handheld inventory computer.  Some of these weapons were so old, he seriously doubted that they even worked!  But Coran insisted that everything be inventoried.  "It wouldn't kill them to get rid of some of this junk."

 

Lance coughed as he opened up another cabinet and a cloud of dust came out.  "Someone should really clean up in here, but it sure the hell isn't going to be me!  Okay...let's see...twelve rifles...five laser blasters...three..."

 

"What's this?"  A sweet female voice asked from behind him.

 

"It's an ion disrupter."  Lance said before freezing in his tracks.  Who was that?  He quickly turned around and yelped in surprise at an old woman smiling warmly at him.

 

"That's not a very nice way to great my grandma." Keith said, smiling at Lance.

 

"Wasn't expecting a granny sneak attack."  Lance chuckled, smiling at Keith before turning to Grandma.  "You must be Grandma.  Nice to meet you."

 

"Very pleased to meet you."  Grandma grinned as she shook Lance's hand.  "Are you taking good care of my little grandson?"

 

Lance laughed.  "I try, though at times it's the other way around."

 

"Lance takes very good care of me, Grandma. So you don't have anything to worry about." Keith said.

 

"We'll see." Grandma said. She pulled a small booklet out of the pocket of her red cardigan sweater.

 

"Oh, no. Not the list." Keith looked panicked.

 

"Huh?"  Lance blinked, not sure what was going on but Keith's expression was making him nervous.

 

"Let's see. I guess we have enough light in here for me to make the evaluation." Grandma said.

 

"You really don't need to do the list, Grandma." Keith said.

 

"Oh hush, Kiki. Of course I need to do the list." Grandma laughed.

 

"List?"  Lance eyed the pair strangely.  "Kiki?"

 

"You'll forget you ever heard that name if you know what's good for you." Keith growled.

 

"Eep.  Okay."  Lance smiled sheepishly.  "So...what is this list?  Am I supposed to take a test or something?"

 

"Let's see first on the list is...job. Dangerous. Minus ten." Grandma said, marking off in her notebook.

 

"It's the same job as me, Grandma." Keith argued.

 

A nice sweat drop was forming on Lance's head.  "I never dreamed I would get deducted points for loving to fly.  Never dreamed I was going to be graded either!  Why?"

 

"It's a dangerous occupation." Grandma said firmly. "Let's see. Body Fat." She stepped forward and pinched the sides of his belly. "Not too bad, a little thin. You boys don't eat right. Five points."

 

"Grandma please…this isn't necessary.  I am not eighteen anymore.  You don't have to do the list." Keith pleaded, a nice hint of embarrassed blush coloring his cheeks.

 

"She's done this list before?"  Lance asked nervously.

 

"Every time she meets one of my boyfriends. Or my sisters' boyfriends or girlfriends." Keith said.

 

Lance blinked.  "I thought only your sisters did this to you."

 

"They are worse about it." Keith sighed.

 

"I have to be sure my grandchildren are with acceptable people.  Next are the eyes." Grandma leaned in closely as she looked at Lance's eyes for a moment. "Good color. Five points. Honest looking...twenty points."

 

"Points for eye color?"  Lance made a funny face.  "So I'm going to have to go through this with every one of your sisters?"

 

"Not once they see Grandma's list. They'll only ask two other things." Keith mumbled.

 

"I could ask to save him having to answer later." Grandma offered.

 

"No. Oh please no." Keith said with a real dark red blush.

 

"Oookkkaaayyy."  Lance mumbled.  He prayed that the questions didn't get too personal!

 

"See Kiki, he is willing to cooperate." Grandma smiled.

 

"Please do not ask him those questions." Keith said.

 

"Uh...what questions?"  Lance's face paled slightly.

 

"No. If you know what's good for you Lance, shut up now!" Keith said firmly.

 

"Be good, Keith. There is no call to be losing your temper." Grandma said sternly.

 

"Uh...I think I should maybe get back to work."  Lance said softly.  He wasn't sure who scared him more...Grandma's questions or Keith's temper!

 

"No, you don't. Uncooperative minus fifteen points." Grandma said firmly. "Hair is too long, just like Keith's...minus five." She reached out and touched Lance's hair. "But soft so plus ten."

 

"But Grandma, Keith's my boss.  I sure don't want to make him mad at me."  Lance said nervously, not sure how thin the ice was that he was standing on.  "If he wants me to take your test, then I won't mind."

 

"He has no choice." Grandma said firmly. Her tone left no room for argument. "Do you boys understand?"

 

"Yes, Grandma." Keith said with a defeated sigh.

 

"Yes, Grandma."  Lance said softly.  He wasn't sure he wanted to know what happened if he didn't pass the test.

 

"Now be a good boy and turn around in a slow circle." Grandma ordered Lance.  Once Lance started to turn around she continued to grade him. "Nice ass...plus ten."

 

Lance suddenly turned bright red!  He never had his ass approved by a grandma before!  "Uh...any more questions?"

 

"You don't want to know." Keith sighed.

 

"Overall appearance...twenty-five points." Grandma said.

 

"You never gave me a test when we met, Keith."  Lance mumbled.  He really wanted to get back to weapons inventory...something he never imagined he would want!

 

"I didn't have to." Keith grinned.

 

"Attitude seems to need improving...minus five points." Grandma said. "Do you want the sister questions now?"

 

"How many questions are there anyway?"  Lance asked, his eyes wide.  He knew how many sisters Keith had, and that was too many!  "And I like my attitude just fine, thank you very much."

 

"Minus five for talking back." Grandma frowned.

 

"Lance please just…be quiet." Keith sighed.

 

Lance growled softly but he kept quiet as he leaned back against a wall, crossing his arms over his chest.  And he thought his parents were bad!

 

"Minus five for unwillingness to cooperate." Grandma said while marking on her sheet. "Now the extra questions…"

 

"No. Save some embarrassment for the rest of the family." Keith said. He looked like he wanted to run away and hide.

 

"What's the next question, Grandma."  Lance sighed and rubbed his eyes.  He hoped this was over soon.  He was starting to get a headache.

 

"Since Keith refuses for there to be any sex questions, it is on to part two." Grandma pulled a small device out of her pocket.

 

"I thought...I thought the lie detector no longer worked." Keith paled slightly.

 

"Your sisters bought me a new one for my trip here." Grandma smiled.

 

Lance paled.  "Why do I have this feeling that your family is out to get me, Keith?"

 

"We have to be sure you are right for our boy. I don't want my sweet little Kiki with the wrong kind of boy. Nothing personal." Grandma smiled sweetly.

 

"Sure.  Nothing personal."  Lance smiled weakly.  He was sure glad only Keith's grandmother came.  Now he really didn't want to meet all of Keith's family at once!

 

"Now sit." Grandma pointed to a chair. Once Lance sat down she hooked the machine to him and asked basic questions to get a proper reading. "Five questions. Question One...have you slept with many people?"

 

"I've slept with a few."  Lance said, hoping that she didn't ask for details.  He really didn't want to remember some of those.

 

"Hm." Was Grandma's only comment. "Question two...did you sleep with any of these others while dating Keith?"

 

"No!  Of course not!"  Lance said firmly, somehow managing to hold back his growl.  He really didn't think this was any of her business.  Besides...he and Keith had already talked about their past relationships.

 

"Question three...have you ever been arrested?" Grandma asked.

 

"But, I have been arrested." Keith said.

 

"I know and that was all because that nasty boy Darrell. Which is why I have question three." Grandma said.

 

Lance looked over at Keith.  "You've been arrested?"

 

Keith nodded. "For vandalism when I was fifteen."

 

"You never told me that."  Lance shook his head in wonder.  "Never would've imagined that.  Wrong place at the wrong time, huh?"

 

"Yeah considering when the cop came by I was the slowest runner." Keith chuckled.

 

"It was that Darrel boy's influence, he's serving five years for grand theft auto now." Grandma snorted. "Now Lance, have you ever been arrested?"

 

Lance sighed.  He was hoping that she would forget about that questionnaire.  "No ma'am." 

 

"Question four...have you ever committed a crime but weren't caught?" Grandma asked.

 

"Could you be more specific?"  Lance asked nervously.  He never committed a crime, but it all depended on one's definition of crime.  He did cause a lot of trouble as a kid.

 

Grandma looked at Lance with a disapproving stare. "You know what I am asking, young man so answer the question."

 

"Oookkkaayyy."  Lance sighed.  "I caused some trouble, just like all boys do, but I've never committed a crime."

 

"Now for the final question. If you fail this question I will personally make sure you never come within a hundred yards of my precious little Keith again." Grandma said, her tone leaving no room for arguments.

 

Lance frowned but said nothing.  He just nodded.  Like he was going to let anyone, Grandma included, keep him from being with his lover.  Fat chance!

 

"Do you love Keith?" Grandma asked.

 

"Wha..." Eyes wide, Lance could only stare at the woman.  "Of course I do!  What kind of question is that?"

 

"It is a very important question." Grandma said. She looked up from the lie detector feed out with a smile. "And you passed."

 

Keith breathed a sigh of relief. This had all actually gone far better then he had feared it would go, which meant that Grandma actually like Lance.

 

"Okay."  Lance blinked.  This whole ordeal made absolutely no sense!  At least she didn't ask the more 'personal' questions.  Though Lance was willing to bet that the old woman saved those for Keith's sisters to ask.  He just couldn't win! 

 

Grandma unhooked the machine and stood up. "Such a sweet boy." She patted Lance's cheek.

 

"Thanks...I think."  Lance touched his cheek.  At least she didn't pinch it.  Then he glanced over at a smiling Keith.  Did he really want to meet the rest of Keith's family?

 

"Welcome to the family, Lance." Keith grinned.

 

"I am so happy to see that you have such nice friends here, Kiki." Grandma said.

 

"I guess there is no use in asking to not be called that." Keith sighed.

 

"I think it is cute, Tiger."  Lance smiled.  "How did you get it?"

 

"Well when he was four…" Grandma started.

 

"No. Please, no. Having anyone else hear the name is bad enough, nobody needs the story." Keith said.

 

"Oh, alright." Grandma said. She leaned in closer to Lance and whispered. "I'll tell you later."

 

Lance smiled and winked at her before looking back over at Keith.  "Am I going to get the questionnaire bit when I meet the rest of your family?"

 

"Yeah but the questions from my sisters will be far worse." Keith chuckled slightly. "I told you my family was strange."

 

Grandma chuckled and shook her head.  "We are perfectly normal, Keith.  I don't know why you keep saying we are strange."

 

Lance blinked.  "Do I have to meet everyone?"

 

"You don't have any choice." Keith said. He could see his Grandma was thinking up something more to say. "Let's say we finish touring the castle now, Grandma."

 

"That sounds like a wonderful idea." Grandma said.

 

As they headed towards the door, Keith turned his head and mouthed the words 'sorry about that' to Lance.

 

"I'll see you later."  Lance smiled weakly as he watched them leave.  Then he collapsed into his chair.  This was going to be a long four weeks!  "I'm never going to complain about doing inventory ever again!"

**********

That night as they were all sitting down at the dinner table. Grandma suddenly spoke up. "I think it is time to get this place ready for Christmas. A good old fashioned Christmas is just what everyone here needs. We will start tomorrow."

 

"What will we do?"  Allura asked from where she sat on one side of Keith while Grandma was sitting on his other side.  The only reason why Allura managed to grab the spot was Lance was still not sure if he was allowed to sit next to Keith when Grandma was there!  That and she managed to get there first.  Lance was sitting across from Keith, nervously glancing up from his plate to look at the older woman.

 

"First thing tomorrow we will go out into the woods and find the perfect Christmas tree. We will bring it back here and decorated it." Grandma said.

 

"I don't think we really have…" Keith started to say.

 

"Nonsense. There will be an old fashioned and proper Christmas here." Grandma said.

 

"Um...what's a Christmas tree?"  Allura asked.

 

Grandma looked in complete shocked. "Oh dear child how could you not know what a Christmas tree is?"

 

"Maybe Arus calls it something different." Hunk said. "It's a tree all decorated with lights and decorations."

 

Allura frowned slightly.  "It kinda sounds like a winter blessing tree.  My people decorate trees around this time a year to please our winter goddess so that she will bless the land for a fruitful spring."

 

"Sounds close enough." Grandma smiled. "We'll start with the tree and then work on all the rest of the things that are going to need to be done before Christmas."

 

"I see now where Keith got the whole take charge attitude from." Hunk mumbled.

 

"Sounds like fun, Grandma."  Pidge grinned as he elbowed Hunk sharply in the side.  "We had different customs on Balto, but I've always heard about Christmas.  I would really like to see what it is like."

 

Grandma smiled. "It will be a wonderful family Christmas."

 

"How scary." Keith mumbled.

 

"What was that?" Grandma asked.

 

"How wonderful." Keith smiled. He knew if this was anything like a Christmas with his family, it was truly something to be afraid of but he refused to say that to his Grandma.

 

"It does sound like fun."  Lance smiled.  He was currently debating if he was even allowed to sleep with Keith while Grandma was here.  Lance glanced over at Sven and had to muffle a snicker.  Poor Sven was sitting way at the other end of the table, as far away from Grandma as he could.  Lance couldn't tell if Sven was scared of the woman or not, but it was funny.

 

"Then it's decided. First thing tomorrow morning we will started getting everything ready." Grandma said.

 

Everyone just nodded their heads, no one wanting to say no to the woman.  Allura looked excited.  She had heard the guys talking about Earth Christmas and always wondered what it would be like. 

************************************************************************

It was bright early the next morning, so early that the regular morning practice seemed to be a late in the morning by comparison. Grandma herself woke each of the Voltron team members, including the princess. She would've made Coran and Nanny come as well, but Coran said he needed to keep watch on the monitors and Nanny said she would stay behind to make breakfast.

 

It was a cold morning so Grandma insisted they all wear their winter coats, scarves, gloves, boots and hats…the whole nine yards of winter wear. She refused to use any of the vehicles, saying such things defeated the purpose of an old fashioned Christmas. So they trudged through the snow and cold to find the perfect Christmas tree. Hunk carried the large axe and Keith and Lance carried ropes. Everyone, except Grandma, tiredly trudged along through the woods. They made a few attempts to pick out a tree but Grandma found a problem with each and every one, from too short to too tall to not enough branches.  Though they were cold and tired nobody dared to argue with Grandma, so they continued through the woods. Finally after nearly an hour and a half of walking, Grandma stopped before a nine and a half foot tree.

 

"This is the perfect tree." Grandma said with a smile.

 

Lance's eyes were large as he gazed up into the tree.  "It's huge!  And wide!"

 

"Well of course it is. That's what makes it the perfect tree." Grandma said. "Now we need to cut it down and drag it back to the castle."

 

"It's going to take forever with this axe." Hunk mumbled. "We should've brought a chainsaw."

 

"That wouldn't be proper." Grandma said.

 

Allura smiled brightly.  "I think the tree is lovely!  Are you sure we can get it back to the castle without damaging it to much?"

 

"Not sure."  Lance frowned slightly as he walked around the tree, helping Hunk find a good angle to cut from.  "It was a long walk.  But we might be able to do it."

 

"Well of course we will be able to get it back. It just requires a little care, but that is all a part of finding a Christmas tree." Grandma said confidently.

 

"A part of the twelve pains of Christmas that is." Keith mumbled too quietly for his Grandma to hear.

 

"After this I will never complain about you making us get up early for practice...we'd only just be getting up now on a normal day." Pidge said quietly to Keith.

 

"I think this angle would be best, Hunk."  Lance said and patted the tree truck.  "I don't think we will hit anything and the snow is soft, so maybe we won't mess up the tree too much.  Though Allura and Grandma may want to get out of the way."

 

Grandma looked over the angle Lance decided to cut the tree. "Yes that angle would work."  Then Grandma and Allura stepped over by Keith and Pidge.  Sven wasn't too far away, standing back and leaning against a tree while quietly watching.

 

"Alright.  Time to get to work."  Hunk grinned as he rubbed his hands before gripping the ax handle firmly and taking a swing.

 

As Hunk slowly chopped at the tree, Lance moved over behind Keith and wrapped his arms around the captain's waist.  "I hope we don't have any practice today.  I think we are going to get enough of a workout pulling that tree back to the castle and setting it up."

 

"There's no practice today but before the day is done you'll be wishing you could be practicing and not decking the halls with my Grandma." Keith said quietly as he leaned back against Lance.

 

Lance chuckled softly as he lightly kissed Keith's cheek, when Grandma wasn't looking of course.  "You may be right.  But I can handle physical torture better than that mental torture she gave me the other day."

 

"Like I told you before, that questioning was gentler then some of the ones she came out with when I was a teenager. Because, she actually likes you." Keith smiled.

 

"Remains to be seen."  Lance grinned before whispering softly in Keith's ear.  "But no matter what your family thinks of me, you're going to be stuck with me.  Whether you like it or not."

 

"The thought terrifies me." Keith said with a grin.

 

Lance laughed and lightly spanked Keith's butt with his hand.  "Behave.  I'm going to see if Hunk needs a break."

 

"No you aren't. You are staying right here to keep me warm." Keith said. He glanced over at Sven. "Go take over for Hunk."

 

"Why me? Why not Lance?" Sven asked with a smirk.

 

"Because you've got more strength in your arms.  And it's an order." Keith smirked back.

 

"You shouldn't order your friends around like that." Grandma said firmly.

 

"I'm the captain, it's my job to order them around." Keith said.

 

"It's not polite." Grandma said.

 

"Alright. Sven would you please go and help Hunk." Keith sighed, giving Sven a look that told of great harm if he said no.

 

"Certainly." Sven chuckled. He walked over and took the axe from Hunk and worked at the cutting down of the tree.

 

"Thanks buddy.  My arms were getting sore."  Hunk grinned as he rubbed his arms.  "This is one tough tree."

 

"It looks like it is going to take forever to take this thing down. Should've brought some explosives. Would have it down and back to the castle all in one blast." Sven chuckled.

 

"Would definitely be interesting."  Lance laughed at the shocked look on Grandma's face.  Then he hugged Keith tighter.  "Very interesting.  What do you think?"

 

Keith chuckled. "It would indeed be interesting."

 

"Well I don't think so. I think doing it the proper way is such a good idea." Allura smiled sweetly.

 

"Why don't you kiss up a little more, Allura?"  Lance whispered softly into Keith's ear, making him chuckle. 

 

After awhile Hunk took back over the cutting of the tree. It was almost an hour later before the tree came crashing down to the forest floor. They carefully looped the ropes around it and Hunk, Sven, Keith, and Lance all began to pull it back towards the castle as Grandma gave directions on where to and how to pull the tree.

 

Lance grunted as he struggled with Sven to keep the tree steady as Grandma and Allura debated the tree's and a slope's angle.  "Will you two please hurry up and make up your minds!  This is heavy!"

 

"We have to get just the right angle or we'll lose too much of the tree." Allura said.

 

"Have a little patience.' Grandma added.

 

"Don't argue, please." Keith said quietly to Lance.

 

"I'm trying!"  Lance mumbled under his breath.  "But if they don't make up their mind soon, this tree is going to fall and you're going to have a few flatten pilots!"

 

"If that happens, just be sure you flatten me." Keith responded.

 

"I don't know.  Not sure if I want to get beaten up by your grandmother."  Lance chuckled.

 

"A little more to the left, guys."  Allura said, tilting her head as she studied the tree.

 

It took nearly two and a half hours to drag the heavy tree back to the castle. They were all tired and sore from all the hard work, and Keith knew it wasn't nearly over yet. The tree did manage to arrive back at the castle in good shape despite Lance constantly murmured threats to let go of the rope when Allura and Grandma took too long in deciding where they should go. It took another half hour for them to get the tree into the room and set up where Grandma wanted it.

 

Lance sighed as he plopped down on the floor.  "Finally!  I'm ready for a break."  He paused as he glanced at the other pilots.  "It doesn't look like I'm the only one either."

 

"Now we can have some breakfast and then get the lights on the tree and decorate it." Grandma said.

 

"Did I forget to mention finding the tree was the easy part?" Keith chuckled quietly as he leaned against Lance.

 

Lance rolled his eyes.  "So...who is the worst in your family?  Grandma or is it someone else?"

 

"I refuse to answer that on the grounds it may incriminate me." Keith chuckled.

 

"Let's go boys. It's time for breakfast." Grandma said as she clapped her hands together, making the reluctant pilots stand back up.

 

"I hope there is a lot to eat. I'm starving!"  Hunk sighed as he and the others head for the dinning room.

 

"Me too."  Lance smiled as he helped Keith stand up.  "And I don't think I'm going to any of your family reunions after that remark, Keith."

 

"You don't have any choice. If I have to go to them, so do you." Keith grinned at Lance. "Now let's go eat. I'm starved."

 

"I think I have a better chances attacking Doom by myself than facing all of your family at once."  Lance mumbled as he followed Keith.

**********

After a hearty breakfast, Grandma ushered everyone back to the tree.  Allura was getting more and more excited each passing minute.  "So what decorations do you suggest, Grandma?"

 

"Lots of lights. You can never have too many lights on Christmas tree." Grandma smiled.

 

Lance plopped back down on the ground as Grandma and Allura discussed decorations.  "I hope Grandma realizes that Arus won't have the same stuff that they have on Earth."

 

"She came prepared." Keith pointed out a couple boxes. "She brought some decorations from home."

 

"What else did she bring from home?"  Sven mumbled.

 

"Way too much." Keith sighed.

 

"Uh oh guys.  They stopped talking."  Hunk said nervously as Grandma and Allura walked back over to them.

 

"Enough sitting around boys. It's time to get some work done." Grandma said.

 

With Christmas music playing, they began to string the lights onto the tree. Surprisingly many of the lights and decorations they had for trees on Arus were like the ones used on Earth.  Grandma and Allura were busy admiring each other's decorations as the boys worked on getting all the hundreds of tiny sparkling lights onto the tree.

 

After two hours of stringing and restringing lights, Grandma and Allura seemed to be satisfied.  Lance sighed but couldn't help but smile as he looked at the tree.  "I have to admit, it looks pretty good."  He said as he stood behind Keith and draped an arm around the captain's neck.  "Not as beautiful as you, but then again nothing can equal to that."

 

Keith blushed slightly. "It's not done yet, though another four hours or so and we should have all the decorations on the tree."

 

Hunk rolled his eyes and shook his head in amusement.  "It would probably go faster if you two would stop talking and start helping."

 

Keith stuck his tongue out at Hunk, after being sure his Grandma wasn't looking.

 

It did take another four hours to get all decorations on the tree but in the end everyone had to admit that the tree looked beautiful.

 

Pidge grinned as he wiped his sweaty brow.  "It looks awesome guys!  Now what do we do?"

 

"Get something to eat." Hunk said. "I am starving."

 

"You're always hungry." Sven said.

 

"Well we did miss lunch." Hunk whined.

 

"True." Sven smiled.

 

"Aren't you hungry too?" Hunk asked.

 

"Yes." Sven said.

 

"Well then I rest my case." Hunk smirked.

 

"Food does sound good."  Pidge grinned.  "I wonder what Nanny is cooking."

 

Lance laughed.  "I'm surprisingly not that hungry.  So I think I'm going to grab an apple and go to bed early."

 

"You are not going to just eat an apple, young man. You are going to join the rest of us for dinner." Grandma said firmly.

 

"Alright."  Lance sighed in defeat.  He was too tired to argue with the woman.  "But I'm serious about not being hungry.  So don't expect me to eat much."

 

"You are going to eat a proper meal." Grandma said.

 

"Don't bother arguing, you aren't going to get out of eating." Keith whispered to Lance.

 

Lance mumbled under his breath as they walked back to the dining room.  "Fine.  But no one said I had to eat."

 

"You're losing it, lover.  She said you were going to eat." Keith grinned to Lance. "And this time you are sitting next to me. If I have to sit next to Allura for one more meal…you'll regret it!"

 

"Not my fault she beat me to the table."  Lance pouted.  "And I'll eat, but I'm not going to eat much.  I meant it when I said I was not hungry!"

 

"Just eat something or you'll never hear the end of it." Keith warned.

 

"I said I would."  Lance mumbled but got silent as soon as they reached the table and took their seats.  Somehow he managed to grab the seat next to Keith before Allura.  No small feat, but he managed.

 

Not only did Grandma check to be sure Lance ate a proper meal, she filled the plate for him.  Lance sighed and rubbed his forehead.  He was starting to see where Keith got his stubbornness.  And Lance knew Keith was going to use this to his advantage.  The captain was always bugging him to eat more.  "I'm not going to be able to eat all of this, Grandma."

 

"You will eat every bite of it. No excuses." Grandma said firmly.

 

"If I eat all of that, I'm going to get sick."  Lance mumbled under his breath.  He saw Keith snickering in the corner of his eye.  "Shut up."

 

"Enough silliness.  It is time to eat this fine meal that Nanny has prepared for us." Grandma said.

 

"Yes Grandma."  Everyone said in unison before starting to eat.  The food was delicious.  And Nanny beamed with pride as Grandma praised her. 

 

Part way through the meal Grandma spoke up once again. "Tomorrow we will decorate more of the castle and make Christmas cookies. We will start with sugar cookies since I know you kids will have so much fun with those."

 

"And they have to be nice sugar cookies, Sven.  No horror ones."  Pidge smirked, making everyone laugh while Sven glared at the smallest member.

 

Hunk grinned.  "It has been a long, long time since I've had any sugar cookies.  I hope we get to eat some of them."

 

"Of course we will eat some.  That is all apart of making Christmas cookies." Grandma chuckled.

 

"It sounds like so much fun. I can hardly wait." Allura grinned.

 

"It is fun Allura though I haven't made any since I was a kid."  Lance smiled.  Though he really didn't want to think about food right now...he managed to eat about half of his meal, but he was so full that he knew he wouldn't be able to eat another bite.

 

"After the sugar cookies are done we will make gingerbread men and houses." Grandma said happily. "Since we are starting the baking so late, we have to make several things each day of baking."

 

Keith discreetly grabbed Lance's plate and dumped the leftovers onto Hunk's plate, as Hunk was busily looking for seconds and while Grandma wasn't looking.  Then he quietly set the plate back in front of Lance. Even if Grandma saw, she said nothing.

 

Lance smiled gratefully at Keith as he squeezed the captain's thigh.  "I owe you one."

 

"You'll have to make good on that promise later tonight." Keith whispered into Lance's ear.

 

"Don't worry.  I intend too."  Lance chuckled softly.  "If your Grandma doesn't kill us before then."

 

Keith just chuckled, knowing Lance could be right.

**********

After dinner, everyone went into one of the castle's dens for some hot chocolate and S'Mores.  Much to Keith's dismay, Grandma began telling stories about Keith when he was little.  Lance smiled as he rested his head on Keith's shoulder where they sat on one of the sofas.  "It's okay, Keith.  We all have to suffer through this at one time or another."

 

"Not as bad as this." Keith sighed as Grandma pulled out a large photo album. "Think she'd notice if I grabbed the book and ran out of the room screaming?"

 

Lance chuckled as the other guys gathered around her and began 'ooohh'ing and 'awww'ing.  "Afraid she would.  So just grin and bare it."

 

"This is one my favorites." Grandma pointed to a picture that had Keith and all his sisters around a small table with a little white and pink tea set on it. They were all dressed up for the tea party. Keith, who was about five, was wearing a large blue dress that pooled on the floor around his feet, a large floppy hat, and lots of costume jewelry from clip on earrings to necklaces and bracelets.

 

"Awww...you were such a cute little girl, Keith."  Hunk smirked as he looked at the picture.  "And blue definitely looks good on you."

 

Pidge chuckled.  "I agree.  And I love the hat."

 

"I should've burned the book." Keith mumbled. "Not my fault I was the only boy and got stuck playing tea party with my sisters."

 

"I wish I had someone to play tea party with when I was a little girl." Allura sighed.

 

"You did look cute as a kid."  Lance grinned.  Then he leaned closer and whispered in Keith's ear.  "But you are sexy now."

 

As Keith blushed, Grandma proceeded to find more embarrassing childhood pictures of her grandson.  Sven chuckled.  "We are learning so much more about you, Keith.  Some of this would make wonderful blackmail material."

 

"If you even think about it you will suffer horribly." Keith glared at Sven.

 

"Now might be a good time to go to bed."  Lance whispered softly to Keith, hoping to stop a possible explosion.  "Besides, I am very tired."

 

"Yes. Maybe it is time for bed. Seems some of you are getting a little cranky." Grandma said.

 

Pidge chuckled.  "Gee...I wonder who is getting cranky."

 

Grandma closed the photo album. "We can look at more pictures another time. Right now everyone needs to go to bed and get some rest. We will have a busy day again tomorrow."

 

"That we do."  Lance sighed as he stood up and stretched.  Then he helped Keith up, pausing to whisper in his ear.  "Should I go ahead and go to your room or wait until Grandma is asleep again?"

 

'Now.' Keith mouthed to Lance. He stepped over and hugged his grandma. "Goodnight Grandma."

 

"Goodnight Kiki." Grandma said as she hugged him.

 

"Goodnight Grandma."  Lance smiled, bowing to her slightly.  "See you in the morning."

 

Everyone else said goodnight to Grandma and they all left the room heading to their bedrooms for some much needed sleep...or at least something that would eventually turn to sleep.

************************************************************************

The next morning came as early as the last, with the sun barely peeking over the distant horizon. She dragged all of them into kitchen and set out the recipes for the sugar cookie dough and gingerbread dough. In groups of two, half were assigned to making the dough for sugar cookies while the others made the dough for the gingerbread. Grandma walked around the kitchen keeping close watch on everybody to be sure her recipes were being followed.

 

Lance chuckled as Pidge and Sven worked on making gingerbread dough.  "Pay close attention to what they make, Keith.  That way you won't accidentally eat it and I won't have to take you to the emergency room again."

 

"I wish Grandma would've believed that even with a recipe Sven's cooking is dangerous." Keith laughed.

 

"Sven's not the only one dangerous when it comes to cooking."  Lance shook his head as Allura and Hunk struggled with the sugar cookie dough.  "I don't think any of these cookies are going to be eatable.  Well, except for yours...as long as I don't touch them!"

 

"Sugar cookies are simple. Don't stress so much." Grandma said as she stepped over to Hunk and Allura. She careful explained the directions, making it so simple that even a five year old would be able to understand.

 

"I've never tried to bake anything before."  Allura said nervously.

 

"Well this is a simple thing to try for the first time. All my grandchild helped make these since the time they were five." Grandma boasted.

 

Pidge smirked.  "Did you make these in a dress too, Keith?"

 

"If you don't drop the wearing a dress jokes, you'll be wearing a body bag." Keith threatened.

 

"Alright, alright."  Pidge held his hands up in defeat.  "I won't mention a dress again, Kiki."

 

"Somebody wants a month of lion cleaning duty." Keith threatened.

 

Pidge paled and immediately turned his attention back to his dough.  Sven chuckled.  "How did you get that nickname anyway, Keith?"

 

"I am not answering that question." Keith said. He glanced at Grandma. "Nobody is answering that question."

 

Lance shook his head and smiled.  "Stop punching the dough like it was a punching bag, Tiger.  It never did anything to you."

 

"Yes it did." Keith mumbled before adding in a quieter voice. "I had to get up early because of it."

 

"Yeah, I'm tired too."  Lance said before he smirked evilly.  "But it was well worth it."

 

Keith chuckled and grinned at Lance. "You are a bad, bad boy."

 

Finally all the cookie dough was done, though how much of it was going to be edible was still debatable. The dough was all placed into the fridge to chill before it could be rolled out and cut into shapes.

 

"Now we will work on decorating more of the castle as we wait for the dough to be ready." Grandma said.

 

Hunk sighed.  "I'm gamed as long as I don't miss lunch again."

 

"We won't as long as everyone works hard and doesn't play around." Grandma grinned.

 

They were just starting to work on the decorations when the sirens began to blare signaling that Arusian airspace had just been breached by a Doom ship. They all rushed to the control room to assess the situation. Lotor appeared on the vidscreen.

 

"I demand that you hand over the princess to me at once." Lotor said firmly.

 

"How dare you come here and make such a demand, young man!" Grandma snapped.

 

"Wh…what?" Lotor stammered. The Doom prince looked shocked that anyone would dare speak to him in such a manner.  So did the rest of the Voltron force!

 

"Turn your ship around and don't come back here until you can conduct yourself in a more civil manner." Grandma said firmly.

 

"You can't tell me what to do old woman." Lotor said, still not quite over his initial shock.

 

"Well somebody needs to tell you what to do. You need to learn to behave like a proper gentleman. I should turn you over my knee and give you a spanking." Grandma snapped.

 

Lotor just stared, his mouth opening and closing like a fish as he tried to think of what to say.  As for the Voltron team, some were looking like fish as well...others were too shocked to do anything!

 

Grandma glared at the prince some more before speaking again.  "Now, I demand that you apologize for this intrusion."

 

"Me? Apologize?" Lotor spoke the word as though he didn't know what it meant...which he probably didn't.

 

"Yes. You should apologize, because of your interruption it will take us longer to finish decorating for Christmas. And that's another thing...how dare you try to stage some kind of attack so close to Christmas!" Grandma lectured.

 

"Sorry." Lotor said as Grandma's lecturing began to unnerve him.

 

"That is a sorry excuse of an apology. Now try saying it like you mean it." Grandma ordered.

 

"I am sorry that interrupted your decorating." Lotor said meekly.

 

"And?" Grandma prompted for more.

 

"And for making such an uncivil demand." Lotor said, slowly turning red.

 

"Very well.  Now go home and think about what you have done." Grandma said, nodding her head firmly.

 

"Yes, ma'am." And with that Lotor turned his ship around and left.

 

The rest of the team could only stare at the monitor in complete and utter shock...except for Keith.  He was too busy moaning and shaking his head in his hands.  Allura blinked a few times before finally speaking.  "Um...thank you, Grandma."

 

"That young man really needs to learn some manners." Grandma said firmly. "Just who was he anyway?"

 

"That would be Lotor." Keith sighed.  At Grandma's still clueless expression he continued. "The prince of planet Doom."

 

"Oh. Well I still say he needs a good spanking." Grandma frowned.

 

"Among other things."  Sven mumbled.  "Lance does too sometimes."

 

Lance glared at Sven.  "HEY!"

 

"Well that is enough of that nonsense. Let's return to what we were doing. Those decorations won't put themselves up after all." Grandma clapped her hands.

 

"Yes ma'am."  The team said dejectedly as they followed behind the old woman.  Lance leaned over and whispered in Hunk's ear.  "Though I'm impressed on what she did with Lotor, something tells me I better die young cause if Keith is so much like his grandma, I won't get away with shit when I get older!"

 

"I wouldn't worry too much.  I have the feeling that woman never put up with shit even when she was young. So you should be safe with Keith." Hunk whispered back.

 

"I don't know."  Lance mumbled.  "I barely get away with anything now!"

 

"Yeah but you're a bad influence, so by the time you two are old he'll be as bad as you." Hunk grinned.

 

"HEY!"  Lance yelled, hitting Hunk in the arm.  When the others turned and glanced at him, Lance smiled sheepishly.  "Nothing."

 

"I don't believe that. But I also don't want to know." Keith said.

 

"I'm serious.  It's nothing!"  Lance said.  When the others turned back around, he growled softly at Hunk.  "I'm not that bad!"

 

"No, you aren't. You're worse." Hunk smiled.

 

Lance snorted.  "Watch it buddy.  Don't make me test that!"

 

"You mean prove it." Hunk said.

 

Before Lance could make a come back, they had reached the main hallway.  Allura's eyes widened.  "We are going to decorate the entire hallway!?"

 

"Of course we are! We need to decorate as much of the castle as possible." Grandma laughed.

 

"But Grandma, I don't think there are enough decorations to get even half of the castle!"  Pidge whimpered.

 

"We will get more decorations if we have to. Now, it is time to get to work." Grandma looked at her watch and set a timer. "We will work until noon. As long as we get enough done we will have lunch. Then we will finish the cookies. And then work more on the decorations."

 

Hunk sighed.  "And I thought boot camp was difficult."

 

For the next few hours they worked at decking the halls, until Grandma's watch chirped a happy Christmas melody. "Well I think we all deserve a break. It's really starting to look Christmasy in here."

 

"It is starting to look very nice."  Allura panted slightly.  She had never worked so hard before in her life!  And judging by the expressions on the other guys, they hadn't either!

 

"Yeah.  But I wonder if we'll be awake long enough to enjoy it!"  Lance muttered from where he stood on a ladder.  It took him over thirty minutes to get the holly wreath in just the right position for Grandma.  His arms were killing him!

 

"Everyone get cleaned up for lunch. We will have grilled cheese sandwiches and soup.  I except everybody to be at the table in ten minutes." Grandma said before turning and walking off towards the kitchen.

 

"You heard the lady.  Let's get going."  Pidge sighed, picking himself off the floor and heading toward his room to get cleaned up.

 

"You got that right!  I'm really hungry now!"  Hunk somehow tapped into some hidden strength and ran to his own room.

 

Allura seemed to have the most energy as she skipped down the hallway. Sven just walked along at a normal pace.

 

"Get your ass off the ladder. When she says ten minutes, she means it." Keith said.

 

"I moving, I'm moving.  Give me a minute."  Lance snorted.  "I don't want to fall off and break something!"

 

"Move a little faster." Keith said impatiently.

 

Lance smirked as he glanced down at Keith.  "I thought you liked looking at my ass."

 

"While I do love the sight of your ass, I do not love the sight of my Grandma angry. And if we are late she will be." Keith said.

 

"Good point."  Lance chuckled as he finally got down.  He grabbed Keith and twirled him around before pulling him close again and kissing him.  "Alright.  Let's go get cleaned up then."

**********

Everyone arrived at the table before the ten minutes were up, as nobody wanted to get Grandma angry. There wasn't much talking at the table, everybody was too busy eating and too tired to engage in much conversation...especially when they knew there was even more hard work coming after lunch.

 

It seemed all too soon and lunch was over. Grandma had everyone back into the kitchen to begin working on the sugar cookies. They needed to be rolled out or decorated with sprinkles before they were baked. And other ones were to be left plain to be iced after they cooled.

 

Pidge growled as he tried to open a container full of red sprinkles.  "Why do these things have to be so hard to open?"  Suddenly the lid came off, and before the younger pilot knew what happened he had spread red sprinkles all over the table...Lance too.

 

Lance growled as he tried to brush all the sprinkles out of his hair.  "Thanks a lot!  I'm not a cookie, Pidge!"

 

"I don't know, you can be as sweet as one at times." Keith grinned. He picked a sprinkle off Lance's cheek and popped it into his mouth.

 

Lance blushed brightly while the others laughed.  Hunk smirked.  "More like a pain in the ass.  I never knew your taste buds were that messed up, Keith."

 

"HEY!"  Lance growled, quickly grabbing a tube of green frosting and squirting it into Hunk's face.

 

"Like I said pain in the ass." Hunk growled.

 

Grandma quickly came over. "Enough of that nonsense."

 

"Yes ma'am." They all said in unison.  Grandma stood watching as they decorated the cookies until she was sure they were going to remain good before walking away again.

 

"Save the frosting for more interesting purposes if you want to squirt it on someone." Keith whispered into Lance's ear.

 

"Well...since you put it that way..." Lance smiled slyly before kissing Keith's cheek. 

 

"I don't know what you two are whispering about…and I don't want to know." Sven said. "All I do know is that if Lance is any kind of a cookie, it's the burnt kind that got left in the oven too long."

 

"You mean like the kind you make." Keith smirked.

 

"Worse." Sven smirked back.

 

Lance snorted.  "At least I'm still edible.  Unlike the stuff you make, Sven.  That shit could melt the lions!"

 

"We could use it as weapon against Doom. One taste of that and they'd never come back." Hunk laughed.

 

"You better watch it fat boy." Sven threatened.

 

Allura blinked.  "Is Sven's cooking really that bad?"

 

"No. Not all. It's ten times worse." Keith grinned.

 

Pidge nodded.  "Definitely.  Let's just say that though the dorms required each room to cook a meal for the others, the dorm supervisors always skipped Sven's room."

 

"Pure toxic waste." Keith laughed.

 

Before Sven could utter a retort, Grandma stepped over by Allura. "It seems the boys are behaving themselves now and I have an errand for you and I to run. It's a surprise for tomorrow."

 

Allura smiled brightly.  "That would be great!  And I would love to hear more stories about Keith, if that is okay?"

 

"No. It would not be okay." Keith growled.

 

"Oh, don't listen to him. I'll tell you lots of fun stories." Grandma laughed.

 

"I give up. I think I will eat Sven's cooking. Guaranteed death." Keith sighed.

 

Lance snorted and pinched Keith's ass.  "Hey!  Watch what you say!"

 

"It's better then having her tell one more story about me." Keith said after Grandma and Allura left the room.

 

"I think they are great stories." Hunk chuckled.

 

"So because of her stories, you'd want death over me."  Lance's hands clutched over his heart in mock shock.  "Life is so cruel."

 

"You got that right. Life's a real bitch." Keith grinned.

 

Lance sighed dramatically and gave Keith the saddest puppy dog eyes ever.  "So what am I supposed to do after you keel over from Sven's food?"

 

"Follow me into death by taking the poison as well. True Romeo and Juliet style.' Keith laughed.

 

"I don't know..." Lance smirked at Sven.  "Knowing him, the food would send you to heaven and me to hell!"

 

"Then I would search for you there my love." Keith smiled.

 

"Oh please. You two are sickening!" Sven rolled his eyes at the lovers' antics.

 

Lance chuckled at Sven's reaction and decided act it up.  He batted his eyes at the captain.  "Really?  I'm so honored."

 

Sven stepped over to the sink and picked up the sprayer, quickly turning it onto Keith and Lance who were kissing.

 

"HEY!"  Lance yelped as he pulled away from Keith and ducked.  "What's the matter, Sven?  Too sweet for a sour pickle like you?"

 

"None of us want to watch the two of you going at it." Sven snorted.

 

"I don't know about that. I wouldn't mind seeing them getting it on." Hunk chuckled.

 

"Pervert." Keith said as he threw a handful of green sprinkles at Hunk.

 

"Hunk could watch, he just can't touch.  Sven probably should watch too and get some pointers.  After all, I think Grandma really likes him.  She was asking if Sven had any girlfriends."  Lance smirked, throwing some chocolate chips at Sven's scrawling face.

 

"This means war." Sven growled.

 

The words had more then left Sven's mouth when sprinkles, chocolate chips, and wide range of other sugar cookie toppings began to fly. Everyone grabbed weaponry and dashed for a good place to attack from. There was a barrage of sprinkles raining down across the room. As ammo began to run low, the 'warriors' ran around the kitchen in search of other weapons to attack with. Sven rolled across the counter Lance was hiding behind, quickly dumping a bag of flour on Lance's head.  He was gone before Lance could form a counterattack or even know who committed the act.

 

"HEY!"  Lance yelled.  He rushed to the refrigerator and jerked it open, grabbing anything before taking cover once more.  He smirked evilly at what he had...a carton of eggs...which he began throwing at Hunk and Sven.

 

Some of the eggs hit their intended targets while others messily smashed onto the walls and on floor. Hunk charge Lance, knocking him to the floor and sending him sliding across the messy floor to where Sven was waiting with a bottle of maple syrup, which he poured on Lance's head.

 

Pidge sat on the floor in front of the sink making water balloon out of small plastic bags. Keith had a similar idea, except his makeshift balloons were filled with molasses and not water. Both water balloons and molasses balloons began to fly across the room, all aimed at Hunk, Sven, and Lance.

 

Lance yelped as cold water from something splashed over him, unfortunately doing little to get rid of the sticky syrup in his hair.  Grabbing a bag of sugar, he ripped it open and threw it in the air, covering everything in range before he dove under the table.

 

Meanwhile Hunk got a molasses balloon in the face.  Temporarily blinded, he tripped into Sven before crashing into the table, causing several bowls and other utensils to fall to the floor with a loud crash.

 

"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE!"  Grandma yelled from the doorway.

 

There was several uh-oh's from throughout the room as they slowly peeked out from their hiding places to look at very angry Grandma.

 

"Um...the Baltonian way of making cookies?"  Hunk said weakly, earning a glare from his boyfriend.

 

"You boys are going to clean all of this up! And then go to your rooms! Your own rooms!" Grandma said, her voice was so deadly calm now that it was scary.

 

"Yes ma'am."  All five men said meekly.  Lance couldn't help but stare wide-eyed at the woman.  Her anger was so similar to Keith's that it was frightening!  "Keith definitely takes after his grandmother."  Lance said softly to no one in particular.

 

Grandma stood in the doorway, with her hands on her hips watching as they cleaned up the kitchen. It was no easy task to clean up the mess...every inch of the kitchen seemed to be a mess. They found sprinkles in the strangest of places and the strangest of all was on some of the cookies.

 

Of course they didn't mention if they found anything else on those cookies.  By the time they were done, the cleanliness of the kitchen surpassed even Nanny's expectations!  The men stood slightly in attention as Grandma inspected every inch of the room.

 

"Good. Now, go to your rooms. And I expect you to be in your own rooms. There will be no sharing a room." Grandma ordered.

 

"Yes ma'am!"  The men said in unison before running out of the room as if all of Doom was after them.  And while Lance usually questioned orders, this was one command he had every intention of obeying!  He may be rebellious, but he wasn't suicidal!

 

Grandma checked each room to be sure they had gone to their own rooms before going with Allura to do some decorating and work on what they had planned for tomorrow.

 

At dinnertime Grandma refused to let them out their rooms and their meals were brought to them, letting them know the punishment still stood and they were to remain in their own rooms that night.

************************************************************************

The next morning started as early as the last two. The Voltron force, along with Grandma and Allura, were gathered in one of the sitting rooms. The boys all looked exhausted as they stood watching Grandma and Allura, wondering what horrors Grandma had planned for today. Grandma was holding several paper books and Allura was holding a red velvet bag. Finally the two women stepped over to them with big smiles. Allura opened the bag and pulled out the first Santa Claus hat, handing it to Lance.

 

Lance stared in shock at the red hat.  "You've got to be kidding!"

 

"Not at all. Grandma and I made these hats yesterday." Allura said. She pulled out another hat and handed it to Keith.

 

"Why's that?" Keith asked worriedly. If Grandma made these hats specially for today it meant she had something planned besides decorating...something that would probably make the long hours of decorating seem like an easy chore.

 

"You need to wear Santa hats for caroling." Grandma said. She handed a book to Lance and one to Keith.

 

Lance sighed as he watched the looks of horror on the other guys' faces when they got their hats.  "Trust me, you don't want me to sing!  I nearly got kicked out of my dorm for singing in the shower!"

 

"Caroling is not about how good or bad you sing. It's about spreading good cheer." Grandma laughed.

 

"Well then have some ear plugs handy.  My singing will not be bringing any good cheer."  Lance mumbled.  "It will more likely cause a riot!"

 

Pidge was too busy staring at the hat as if it had teeth and was going to eat him.  "Why do we have to wear these to sing?"

 

"Because it's festive." Grandma said.

 

"And why would that make a difference?"  Sven asked.  He knew wearing the stupid hat would ruin his image.

 

"Stop acting so silly and put the hats on. Now." Grandma said in a firm tone.

 

"Yes, ma'am." Keith said. He instantly put his hat on, not wanting to face the wraith of Grandma. An act of disobedience two days in a row would mean certain disaster.

 

Sven, Hunk, and Pidge immediately followed.  Lance sighed and stared at the hat for a moment, but soon did the same.  Allura clapped her hands and smiled brightly.  "They look great on you!"

 

"Yeah sure." Keith said, trying hard to keep all sarcasm out of his voice and actually succeeding.

 

Grandma finished handing the books out. "All the songs we are going to sing are in the book. As are the lyrics to each song in case any of you don't know them."

 

"I definitely don't know any of them."  Pidge said as he looked over the words.  "But the rhythm of some look familiar.  I must have heard them from you, Hunk."

 

"Probably. I do own a Christmas CD I listen to on Christmas day." Hunk said.

 

Lance smirked and winked at Hunk.  "I'm sure you've taught Pidge many things!"

 

"You mean the same things you taught Keith?" Hunk asked with his own smirk.

 

"I honestly don't know what you are talking about?  I taught him nothing."  Lance chuckled with a sly grin.  "Though he certainly taught me a few things!"

 

Keith blushed a dark red. "Shut up Lance."

 

Lance and Hunk laughed but said nothing else.  Sven rolled his eyes.  "You two are hopeless!"

 

"Enough foolery. Go get your coats and mittens and meet in the main entryway. I expect everyone to be there in five minutes." Grandma said.

 

"YES MA'AM!"  Everyone yelled and took off running as fast as they could to their rooms.  It actually took less than five minutes (more like two) and everyone was dressed and standing in attention in the main entryway.  Lance mumbled something about boot camp, but quickly shut up when Grandma walked into the hallway.

 

"Now we will start with the first song. ' Here we come a wassailing'." Grandma said.

 

"Um...Grandma.  What is wassailing anyway?"  Lance asked nervously, really hoping he wouldn't regret asking.

 

"It's an old English term, to make merry, a festive occasion. In some versions of the song the word wassailing was replaced by the word caroling." Grandma explained.

 

"Oh...I always thought it had something to do with a duck."  Lance mumbled, quickly dodging a swipe from Keith.  "Hey!  I did!"

 

"That's waddling you baka." Keith said.

 

"Waddling...wassailing...sound the same to me."  Lance shrugged, before smiling at Keith.  "But you love me anyway."

 

"And we all wonder why."  Sven snorted.

 

Allura decided to join in the conversation too.  "I was wondering why too."

 

"Because…" Keith thought about it. "Let's just get started caroling."

 

"Gee...I feel so much love here."  Lance snorted but started to sing with the others when Grandma started...just not as loudly so that he wouldn't destroy the others' eardrums.

 

"One reason is you're great in bed." Keith whispered into Lance's ear as they walked along then turned back to the carol book.

 

Lance turned redder than his hat.  He suddenly felt very warm inside too.  "Thanks.  Glad to hear there may be more than one reason too.  Love you too."

 

"I'll make you a list later." Keith grinned at Lance.

 

"Glad at least one person here loves me."  Lance smiled, holding his book up long enough to place a quick kiss on Keith's cheek without anyone looking.

 

Keith just smiled brightly at Lance as he continued to sing.

 

They walked and walked for what felt like countless hours but it really was only about two hours. Everyone, everyone that is except Grandma and Allura, were getting tired and their voices were growing hoarse.

 

Lance sighed as Allura and Grandma paused to look through the book for another song.  He stood behind Keith and wrapped his arms around the man, holding him close and burying his face into the captain's back.  "Can we stop soon?  It is fucking cold!"

 

"There's a coffee shop right over there. Why don't we stop in there for some hot chocolate, Grandma?" Keith suggested.

 

"That's as wonderful idea Kiki." Grandma smiled.

 

Several chuckles followed the nickname, but a quick glare from Keith quickly silenced them.  Lance sighed in relief.  "Thanks Tiger."

 

After finishing the hot chocolates, which was a short break, they were back to caroling once again.

 

Several hours later, Pidge sighed and rubbed his eyes.  "Where does your Grandmother get all her energy, Keith?"

 

"I have no idea." Keith said.

 

Lance smiled smugly.  "Probably the same place as you, Keith.  You just use it differently."

 

Keith blushed slightly. "So I hope I have that much energy when I get that old then."

 

Hunk chuckled.  "Not with way you two go at it."

 

Grandma stopped walking and turned around. "You are supposed to be singing, not talking."

 

"Yes ma'am."  The guys said and quickly started singing again, though both Lance and Keith were bright red in the face...and it wasn't from the cold either.

 

Right before dusk they were finally back at the castle, the five members of the Voltron force collapse tiredly into the rec room chairs as Grandma and Allura sat happily discussing new tortures they could inflict on the boys.

 

"Cold...cold...cold...cold..." Lance muttered as he rubbed his arms, occasionally throwing a few glares at the two women.  "I hate the cold!  That is why I lived in the south!"

 

"When you're a kid the cold ain't so bad." Keith said.

 

Lance snorted and tried to curl up into a tighter ball.  "I didn't like it then either.  I'm a desert rat, not an Eskimo!" 

 

"I'm surprised I still have a voice!"  Pidge coughed, trying to clear his throat.

 

"Don't let Grandma know that or we are in for a night of caroling." Keith whispered urgently.

 

"No way, no how am I going out there again!"  Lance growled softly.  "I enjoy Christmas, but I'm not going to get sick for it!"

 

Sven sighed.  "What else can they do to us?  I'm almost wishing Doom would attack us again so we can rest!"

 

"After the way Grandma laid into him I don't think Lotor will be back for a long time." Keith sighed.

 

"Bummer.  I'm actually starting to miss that blue skinned freak."  Hunk mumbled as he stretched his stiff arms.

 

Keith stood up and stretched. "I don't know about everyone else but I am too exhausted to stay awake a minute long. So goodnight everyone."

 

"Yeah me too." Hunk said, forcing an extra big yawn as he stood up. His yawn made everyone yawn as yawns have a way of being contagious.

 

"Same here." Sven quickly agreed. He was relieved that someone finally came up with a way to get them out of the room and out of any more work Grandma may have planned.

 

"Yeah. I don't think I could stay awake another minute." Pidge mumbled tiredly.

 

"I know I won't once I warm up again."  Lance muttered while trying to decide whether to come out of his ball to go to bed.  "Are we still grounded to our own rooms?"

 

"It is still early yet. How can you boys want to go to bed?" Grandma asked.

 

"All that caroling wore us out." Keith said.

 

"I'm not tired at all." Allura boasted.

 

"Must be a girl thing." Hunk mumbled.

 

"Well...I guess if you are all so tired you should go to bed. After all we will be getting up early again tomorrow." Grandma said. "And as for the punishment…"

 

That got the guys attention fast!  Well...except for Lance's.  He already decided that if they were still grounded to their rooms, he was going to sleep in the study next to the fire.  It would be much warmer than alone in his bed!

 

Sven though could care less about who was sleeping in whose room so with a quick goodnight he left the room.

 

"I guess you have learned your lesson. So sleep wherever you want." Grandma smiled.

 

"Thank you." Hunk and Pidge said at the same time. Both had big grins. "Goodnight Grandma." They once again spoke in unison before quickly taking off out the door before Grandma could change her mind.

 

"Looks like they have some energy left after all." Grandma laughed.

 

"Yeah. I think they lied. I think the punishment should be longer." Allura said.

 

"I don't think there's any need for that. As long as they are behaving like good little boys there's no need for punishment." Grandma chuckled.

 

"We did learn our lesson. And we are all terribly sorry for causing so much trouble." Keith smiled.

 

"I know, that's why I am dropping the punishment." Grandma said.

 

"Thank you, Grandma." Keith stepped over and gave his grandma a kiss on the cheek. "Goodnight."

 

Grandma kissed Keith's cheek in return. "Goodnight, Kiki."

 

Lance couldn't help but smile at the exchange.  Those two were really cute together.  Giving his arms one more rub, Lance got up and smiled at Grandma.  "Good night ma'am.  Sleep well."

 

"Stop faking acting like gentleman." Allura grumble.

 

"I think you sound like you are sleepy too. You should go to bed now as well." Grandma smiled.

 

"But I am not sleepy. I want to hear more stories about Keith." Allura said.

 

"You are being a grouchy little girl. That tells me you need to get some sleep. No arguments." Grandma scolded lightly.

 

"Yes Grandma." Allura said as she reluctantly stood up. "Goodnight."

 

Keith just grinned as he walked with Lance to the door. It was good to hear Grandma disciplining the princess...in his opinion the princess needed a lot more of it!

 

Lance was grinning too, though he said nothing.  Knowing his luck, Grandma would hear it!  "I don't know about you, but bed sounds really good right now.  And I can see that driving people to exhaustion runs in the family."

 

"Bed does sound good but bed with you sounds even better." Keith grinned at Lance as they started to walk down the hallway towards their room.

 

"That it does."  Lance smiled at Keith.  "And it sounds much better than sleeping in the study by the fire...which was my backup plan if we had to stay in our own rooms again."

 

"Nice to know I come before a fire." Keith laughed. "Though if you aren't too tired, we could see about making our own fire to get you warmed up."

 

"You are my fire."  Lance chuckled as they paused in front of the door of the captain's room, wrapping his arms around Keith's neck and kissing him lightly.  "But I'd like that.  I'd like that a lot.  I really missed you last night."

 

"So we'll just have to make up for that." Keith grinned mischievously. He opened the door and guided Lance into the room where they had their own fire blazing within moments...a fire that lasted long into the night.

************************************************************************

The next morning they went caroling again, but this time for only half the day...only because Coran needed some of them to help him update some of the castle defense systems.  The others quickly scattered, leaving Keith and Grandma some time alone together.  At that moment they were in Grandma's room, wrapping Christmas presents.

 

Grandma chuckled as she handed Keith a blue ribbon.  "At least you aren't as color blind as your sister Kelly."

 

"She just has no sense of style." Keith laughed.

 

"That is true.  She is still such a tomboy."  Grandma shook her head as she worked on wrapping another package.  "Did you manage to finish all your Christmas shopping?"

 

"Basically. Though it was all done at the same place, one of the few shops that are actually on Arus. Well except for Lance. I got his gift a long time ago." Keith said.

 

Grandma smirked.  "That's good.  And I hope you got him something decent for the others to see.  I know Nanny annoys you, but please don't freak her out on Christmas day."

 

"It's very decent. And very special. I just hope he likes it." Keith said. He picked up a small red velvet box and opened it. Inside was a black hematite dragon, which was both Lance and Keith's Chinese symbol. The dragon was slender and wrapped into an eternity symbol. Its ruby eyes seemed to blaze with fire. "Our names are engraved on the back."

 

"It is absolutely beautiful, Kiki!  He'll love it!"  Grandma smiled warmly.  "And might I add, that you have very good taste!  Thankfully you didn't get your father's!"

 

"I hope Lance agrees." Keith chuckled. "Now what paper to use…and how hard to make it for him to get into it."

 

"I'll leave that for you to decide."  Grandma laughed.  They worked silently for a while before she spoke up again.  "Can I ask you a question, Kiki?"

 

"Of course you can, Grandma." Keith said, not even looking up as he sorted through the wrapping paper.

 

"You really love him, don't you?"

 

"Yes I do." Keith said, without even having to ask who she was referring to. "I know Lance is the one I am destined to spend the rest of my life with. He is my soul mate. And I know he feels the same way."

 

Grandma smiled, obviously relieved.  "I'm happy for you, Kiki.  So I take it I need to tell our family that they will need to start buying gifts for one more."

 

"Yup. Because Lance is here to stay." Keith grinned.

 

"That's great.  And I know your sisters will be excited.  I'm willing to bet all of them will want to come up next year.  Kelly...Laura...Ann...Sarah...Rachel...Nicole..." Grandma started counting off the sisters on her fingers, suddenly stopping in the middle of her second hand.  "Oh and the twins will be sixteen!  They'll be old enough for space travel too!  They will definitely want to come too!  You will have so much fun next year!"

 

"Ummm… I think that may be a little too much for Lance to handle all at once. Actually one at time is a little much to handle most times." Keith said nervously, looking up from the box he was wrapping. He had wrapped the small box in red foil paper. Then he placed it in a larger box that was wrapped in green paper with Santa Claus's on it. That box was wrapped in a larger box that was blue with snowmen. And finally that box was wrapped in a box that was red paper with little reindeer on it. In his hand now was a large bow that was red, green, and white.

 

Grandma laughed, shaking her head in amusement at her grandson's wrapping.  "I don't see anything wrong with it.  You survived.  I'm sure he would too."

 

"Lance is an only child so he's not used to the whole big family thing. So I think little doses are better." Keith looked at the box before placing the bow on the box. "Should I put it in one more box?"

 

"Hmmm...sure.  Why not."

 

Keith grabbed an even bigger box and placed the wrapped box into it. He then grabbed a silvery paper and began to wrap it. "Have to make him work for it. Besides it'll be fun to see him get annoyed at it."

 

Grandma chuckled.  "Does he get annoyed easily?"

 

"After this many boxes he will be." Keith grinned.

 

"Do you like being out here?  Doing what you do?"

 

"Most of the time. I like being able to make a difference in the war. But at times… it's a lot of work and highly dangerous. And I worry about not doing a good enough job to keep everyone safe. But overall I do like it here...I have my friends to help me through those rough times."

 

"I'm grateful to hear that."  Grandma sighed.  "Though I still wish you were closer to home and not doing something so dangerous.  But I do understand why accounting just wasn't your bag."

 

"There was no way I could stay on Earth and be an accountant. All my dreams were to be out amongst the stars, seeing what was out there." Keith grinned.

 

Grandma smiled reassuringly as she patted Keith's shoulder.  "I know.  And so does the rest of the family.  But you can't blame them for wanting you closer."

 

"This isn't permanent. When the war is over Lance and I have talked about finding a place on Earth." Keith said.

 

"That's wonderful!  I'm sure your parents will help you find a place close by!"

 

"It'll probably be something that's close to Lance's family as well though. Some place in between the two. We haven't exactly decided where yet." Keith said.

 

Grandma laughed.  "Well, I won't tell your parents then.  They would probably get you a place next door!"

 

"I don't think I could survive that." Keith chuckled. "Mom would always be over saying how the place wasn't clean enough."

 

"Not sure Lance would be able to handle it either."  Grandma chuckled before playfully swatting Keith on the head with a bow.  "And you could've introduced him before you left for Arus!"

 

"Well… we weren't exactly a couple then. When we first met we weren't even really friends." Keith said.

 

Grandma's right eyebrow jerked up.  "Oh?  Who wouldn't want to be friends with my sweet little Kiki?"

 

"We saw things a little differently. In sometime amongst the arguing about it, we became friends." Keith chuckled at the memory.

 

"Hmm..." Grandma frowned slightly as she turned her attention back to her wrapping.  "Well...he does seem like a good kid."

 

Keith chuckled. "It was as much my fault as it was his that we didn't get along."

 

"Okay.  I'll let that by this time.  He just better not get you into any trouble, Kiki.  You've got more than enough to worry about."

 

"You don't have to worry about that, Grandma." Keith laughed.

 

"Good.  As long as you're happy, I'm happy.  Just let me know if he gives you any trouble.  I'll set him straight for you."  Grandma said firmly with a quick nod of her head.

 

"I have my own ways of making sure he's good." Keith grinned.

 

Grandma smirked knowingly.  "I'm sure you do.  Your mother was very good at keeping your father in line.  Now we need to finish wrapping these presents.  And I want to hear all about what has been going on with your life.  Don't leave out any details!"

 

"You've pretty much heard it all already." Keith sighed.

 

"You still haven't told me everything about your friends.  Or when you and Lance became more than friends.  Or..." Grandma kept chatting on and on about this and this, making Keith wonder if he should just video tape his life and sent it to her instead of writing letters.

 

Hours later all the presents were wrapped and Grandma seemed happy enough with Keith's answers that she finally stopped asking questions...much to Keith's relief. Once the others finished their work for Coran, Grandma told them they had to wrap their presents, and was more then willing to help all of them with the chore.

************************************************************************

Finally it was the morning of Christmas Eve day. And it was the first morning since Grandma arrived that they were actually able to sleep in. After a hearty breakfast of oatmeal, they went outside to go ice skating and build snowmen, going to one of the larger ponds that had a nice flat area all around that would be a perfect place to build snowman.

 

"Why are we building snowmen? I have not made a snowman since I was five." Sven said.

 

"Building snowmen is actually one of the fun things about snow." Keith grinned.

 

"It's a children's thing to do...oh wait I guess that makes it perfect for you." Sven smirked.

 

"Yeah well you are building a snowman to so…" Keith stuck his tongue out at Sven.

 

"I've never made a snowman before." Allura said.

 

"Neither have I." Pidge said.

 

"Then I will help the two of you with the snowman making matrix." Grandma said to Allura and Pidge.

 

"I'll help Lance." Keith grinned. "Mister Heat Miser doesn't know anything about snow."

 

Lance stuck out his tongue.  "I know a little.  I still liked to play in snow...just not for very long."

 

Allura looked confused.  "Heat Miser?"

 

"Christmas cartoon characters." Keith explained.

 

"Oh."  Though the look on her face made it pretty obvious that Allura still had no clue what they were talking about.

 

Grandma chuckled.  "Don't worry about it, dear.  Just an Earth tradition."

 

"You only want to play in the snow because of the promise I made." Keith whispered into Lance's ear.

 

"Well...that too."  Lance chuckled, smiling slyly at Keith.  "But who wouldn't!"

 

"Well the offer is only good for you." Keith laughed. He gave Lance a quick kiss on the cheek before starting to roll the first ball for the snowman.

 

It didn't take long before everyone was having fun building their snowmen. Laughter filled the air, along with the occasional snowball. Soon three snowmen, or at least three piles of large snowballs sat near the pond.

 

"They don't look like much? What makes them look like a snowman?" Allura asked.

 

"Now you have to give the snowman a face." Grandma said. She grabbed a bag that was filled with odds and ends that were perfect for making a snowman's face.

 

"I think it should be called snowwoman." Allura said.

 

"So give it your boobs." Pidge chuckled.

 

Keith chuckled at the joke. Even Grandma chuckled at the joke. But Allura just stood there looking highly insulted.

 

"Well, as long as no one puts a dick on the snowman." Grandma grinned.  Keith's face darkened with an embarrassed blush, while the others stared at her in shocked silence.

 

"Well...um...what else does this...snowperson need?"  Allura asked, very red in the face.

 

"A magic hat." Keith chuckled.

 

"You mean like Frosty?" Hunk asked. "He's the best snowy character."

 

"I always liked Mister Cold Miser better." Keith said.

 

"Who…are those more cartoon characters?" Allura asked.

 

"Yup." Keith grinned.

 

"Oh… I'd like to see those cartoons." Allura said.

 

"Well I brought a couple of the DVD's with me...Keith's favorite Christmas classics. We can watch them later today." Grandma said.

 

Lance chuckled as Keith turned red in the cheeks.  "Getting a little cold, captain?"

 

"Be nice or I won't make good on my promise." Keith grinned at Lance.

 

"I'm always nice to you."  Lance chuckled as he yanked Keith against him and held him tightly.  "And you look adorable whenever you get flustered."

 

"There's time for that later, boys. Now finish your snowman." Grandma chuckled. "I have a bag here that is full of things we can use to finish the snowmen." Grandma opened up a red velvet bag for everyone to pick out what they wanted for their snowman.

 

"Yes ma'am."  Lance sighed and reluctantly let go of Keith, giving him a quick kiss before he did.  "Since I don't know anything about snow, you pick out the stuff."

 

Keith rolled his eyes and sorted through the bag. He picked out two round, smooth gray stones for the eyes, a carrot for the nose, and a piece of red yarn for the mouth. He placed them on the snowman making a happy face. A couple of branches made his arms, which was what all the snowman's arms were made from.

 

Sven and Hunk's snowman had marbles for eyes, a thimble for a nose, and a piece of copper wire for a mouth.  Allura and Pidge's snowman had eyes of blue stone, a red button nose, and a pink thread for a mouth.

 

Grandma nodded her head in approval.  "Great job!  They looked great.  Now who wants to make snow angels?  I'm sure Kiki would love to show y'all how."

 

"Um…we're going to go skating now." Keith said.

 

"I want to make snow angels, they sound fun!" Allura said excitedly.

 

"Don't be shy, Kiki."  Grandma laughed as she gave Keith a gentle push while the other guys chuckled.  "Don't you remember when you were little you prided yourself in making the best snow angels ever."

 

"If I have to make one, everyone has to make one." Keith growled.

 

Pidge chuckled and shook his head.  "Well, I'm gamed since I've never made one either.  Hunk?"

 

"Alright."  Hunk sighed.  "But the first to make a snide remark about my angel's size is going to get hit."

 

"I'll just watch."  Sven snorted.  The thought of lying down in snow to make an angel sounded ridiculous...not to mention hurt his pride. 

 

Lance shivered as he looked down at the snow.  "Um...I'll pass too.  Playing in the snow is one thing...lying in the snow is something else entirely!"

 

"You have no choice. You are going to make snow angels." Keith knocked Sven down, grinning as the older man glared at him. Then he turned and looked at Lance. "Now for you." His grin widened as he tackled Lance into a snowdrift.

 

"HEY!"  Lance yelped and the next thing he knew, he was covered in snow.  Keith would choose a thick snowdrift!  Not to mention refuse to let him up!  "This is not how you make snow angels!"  Lance glared up at Keith while everyone else burst out laughing.

 

"Yeah but it's a lot more fun." Keith laughed.

 

"I'm afraid that is not quite the way to do it.  But boys will be boys." Grandma shook her head in amusement before turning to Allura.  "Actually you are suppose to lie down in the snow, not crash into it."

 

Keith finally let Lance up. "There is no just telling how to make one.  And I did say everyone." Keith grinned at his Grandma.

 

"That is true.  So how about showing what to do next?" Grandma grinned back.  But before Keith could do that, Lance grabbed a handful of snow and shoved it in his hair. 

 

Keith shook his head, sending the bits of snow flying. "You are so going get it." Keith grabbed Lance and shoved him back into the snowdrift. "Everyone go ahead and make snow angels whilst I snow my boyfriend to death." Keith said in a casual tone.

 

Grandma raised an eyebrow as both Keith and Lance began yelling and rolling in the bank, but decided to say nothing.  "How about we move over there and make them?  Could you show Allura and Pidge, Hunk?"

 

"Sure." Hunk agreed quickly.

 

"There is no way I am making a snow angel." Sven said firmly. He was still brushing the snow off his clothes, looking very angry at having been pushed into the snow as he followed them over to a safer location.

 

Keith and Lance didn't seem to notice as they were too busy trying to bury the other under snow.  Somehow, Keith managed to get the upper hand by getting on top of Lance and pinning him down.  "ALRIGHT!"  Lance laughed, holding his hands up over his face as Keith smirked and held a large snowball above him.  "I GIVE UP!  UNCLE!"

 

"Not exactly the name I want to hear you calling me." Keith smirked. "Care to try again lover?"

 

"Okay..." Lance laughed again.  "How about...my beautiful Tiger with eyes that sparkle like stars?"

 

"Sweet talker." Keith chuckled. "But it will do." He tossed the snowball aside and leaned down over Lance. He took Lance's hands into his own as he brought his lips down near to his lover's. Their warm breaths could be seen on the cold air, their breaths mingling into one cloud.

 

"What can I say...you somehow manage to bring out the sweet and sap in me."  Lance chuckled before lifting his head up just enough to press their lips together.

 

Keith held onto the kiss for a long moment. "I guess we should get up, before everyone comes back over here." But he made no effort to move.

 

"Yeah...I guess we should.  Though I rather like it right here..." Lance grinned.  "I love you, Tiger."

 

"And I love you." Keith placed a quick kiss on Lance's lips. "But we have to get up before Grandma comes back over."

 

"That's a scary thought."

 

"Terrifying." Keith chuckled. He reluctantly stood up and offered Lance a hand to help him stand just as the others came back over.

 

"Do you solve your little snow war?" Sven asked.

 

"Yeah. Who won?" Pidge asked.

 

"Well Keith had to have won." Allura grinned.

 

"Actually we called a truce." Keith laughed.

 

"Good.  Now we can go ice skating."  Grandma chuckled at her grandson's snow covered appearance.  "Everyone ready?"

 

Everyone nodded, except for Lance.  He looked a little pale.  "Ice skating?"

 

"I'll help you. I won't let you fall…much." Keith grinned.

 

"Much?  Why does that not fill me with much confidence?"  Lance sighed.

 

Hunk smirked.  "What's the matter?  You chicken, Lance?"

 

Lance snorted and glared at Hunk.  "No!  I'm just worried about the rest of you!  I tend to put people in traction for two months when I get on the ice!"

 

"We'll stay at the far end of the pond." Keith said, noticing everyone else's worried expressions.

 

"I'm not sure that will be enough room."  Sven mumbled, eyeing Lance warily.  Lance just chuckled nervously.

 

"I'll make sure he doesn't run anyone else over. So I'll be the only one that's not safe." Keith laughed.

 

"Sorry, Keith."  Lance mumbled as they all put on their skates.  Even Grandma was going to get out on the ice.

 

"If you break any of my bones, you won't be having sex until they heal." Keith grinned at Lance. He was glad they were far enough away from the others so that such comments would go unheard by everyone else. "How's that for an incentive to be careful?"

 

"Now I really don't want to get on the ice!"

 

"I won't let you fall too much, unless it's going to take me down with you. Because I don't want to bruise up your cute little ass too much."

 

Lance turned bright red.  "Uh...um...damn!  Can't think of a come back for that one!"

 

"HEY!"  Hunk yelled.  "ARE YOU TWO GETTING ON THE ICE OR WHAT?"

 

"Let's just go before he comes over here." Keith chuckled.

 

Keith stood up and helped Lance to his feet, then carefully guiding him out onto the ice. Standing next to him, he wrapped one arm around Lance's waist, holding him in an upright position. Keith began to slowly skate. "Just let your feet slide along the ice."

 

Lance let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.  "Okay.  I can skate...it is the stopping that I suck at!"

 

"Oh? You think you can skate do you?" A mischievous grin spread across Keith's face. "Think you can keep up with me?"

 

"ACK!  NO!"  Lance yelped, quickly grabbing hold of Keith.  "DON'T YOU DARE!"

 

"I don't need to hold on if you can skate. I mean there's no worry about you falling after all." Keith said, still grinning.

 

"I never said I could skate well!"  Lance snorted before taking another deep breath.  "But you don't have to stay with me either."

 

"Gee here I thought I found myself a skating partner. Just teach you how to stop and we'd be a shoe in for an Olympic gold." Keith teased.

 

Lance glared mockingly at Keith.  "You mean a shoe in for last place!  If you want the gold, you probably either want to enter by yourself or get another partner."

 

"I think I'll stick with the partner I have. I need a partner that makes me look cute." Keith laughed before spinning them around a circle.

 

"You don't need a partner for th...HEY!"  Lance yelped as they spun around, somehow managing to stay on his feet.  He gripped even tighter to Keith as he tried to catch his breath.  "You just love scaring the shit out of me, don't you?"

 

"Nope. But I do like you holding me tight." Keith grinned.

 

"Cheap trick, Keith."  Lance mumbled but didn't let go as they continued skating around.

 

Grandma chuckled as she skated over to them.  "How's it going, Kiki?"

 

"A few more hours of practice and we should be able to win a gold." Keith chuckled.

 

"I see."  Grandma laughed as Lance's legs spread a little too far apart and he nearly fell.  "Might take a little longer than that though."

 

"No shit."  Lance mumbled as he struggled to get his balance back.  On land and in air, he was graceful...on ice was a completely different story!

 

"Not at all. We already got the spin down. Maybe we should try for the throw…"

 

"NO!  DON'T EVEN THINK IT!"  Lance growled and held even tighter to Keith.

 

Grandma laughed.  "I don't blame you, Lance.  Keith tried that with his sister Kelly when they were little.  He nearly threw her into a tree!  Then she tried to kill him by trying to pound him into the ice."

 

"That is not really encouraging."  Lance chuckled nervously.

 

"I don't know why she got so mad. I missed the tree. And it's not like I was trying to get her stuck in a tree." Keith grinned.

 

"You're really scaring me...you know that?"  Lance paled slightly. 

 

"Well there's no trees here for you to get stuck in. I think we should try a nice simple toss." Keith smirked.

 

"No no no no no no no no no!"  Lance rambled before turning fearful eyes at Grandma.  "Grandma!"

 

"Well how about some speed skating then?" Keith grinned.

 

Lance paled even more.  "No!  I told you I don't know how to stop!"

 

"You'll stop when you hit the snow." Keith laughed.

 

"What the hell are you on?"  Lance gasped as he stared up at Keith's face before looking at Grandma.  "Has he flipped?"

 

"No. I'd say my little Kiki has finally started to relax a bit today." Grandma smiled warmly.

 

"Then the entire family is insane!"  Lance said nervously, closing his eyes.  Then he took a deep breath, his voice squeaking a little.  "Well, if you can't beat them...join them.  Okay..."

 

"We'll race from here to the other end…through the others then back here…if you don't crash before then." Keith chuckled.

 

"Be nice, Keith. You know how to skate far better then Lance.  A race really isn't fair."  Grandma grinned.

 

"Okay so we'll just go speeding down past the others." Keith said.

 

"I think the guys wanted me to stay away from them."  Lance chuckled weakly, finally letting go of Keith.

 

"Well they need to learn that they can't always get what they want. Besides it'll be fun." Keith grinned. "Don't tell me you don't want to do this just as much as I do."

 

"Skate with them, yes...speed skating, I don't know."  Lance grinned, feeling a little more confident as he slowly moved along the ice.  "Let me just get used to this, okay?"

 

"Where's your sense of adventure?" Keith asked.

 

"It's still there, just buried."  Lance grinned.  "It'll come out after I skate around for a little bit."

 

"It's easy." Keith grinned. Without another word he sped down the ice to where the others where skating.  He did a figure eight around them and then skated backwards for a ways before coming to a stop near the group.

 

"Oh you are such a good skater. We should skate together." Allura smiled.

 

"Think you could keep up?" Keith asked, with a small mischievous smile.

 

"Of course I could. I am a perfect skater." Allura said boastfully.

 

"So let's do a few laps and see how good you are." Keith said.

 

Lance watched as Keith talked to Allura.  "Do you know what he is up to, Grandma?"

 

"Up to some kind of mischief no doubt." Grandma sighed, shaking her head.

 

"So first lap we will race down to the other end where Grandma and Lance are. Then we'll do a spin and come back to here. The next lap you can decided what we do." Keith said.

 

"That sounds like so much fun." Allura said. She was already planning all the close contact figure skating moves she could think of.

 

"Anyone else care to race?" Keith asked.

 

"Hell no. I'm not even sure I want to be on the ice with you with the way you're acting." Sven said.

 

"Not a chance." Pidge said quickly.

 

"Like they said." Hunk added.

 

"Alright then." Keith looked at Allura. "Let's race."

 

Allura nodded and they raced down the ice, Keith easily taking a substantial lead over Allura. He reached the end and slowed right down to do a spin on one leg, his other leg straight out...only instead of taking off for the other end, he stopped. Allura reached the end but not noticing Keith had stopped and still determined to win the race, she didn't slow down. She reached the end of the pond and tried to do a graceful spin. Only her spin was anything but graceful and she spun off the end of the pond, landing on her butt in a snow bank.

 

Everyone burst out laughing...even Grandma!  Finally she sobered up enough to skate over and see how the princess was, though she still had a huge grin on her face.  "Are you alright, dear?"  Grandma asked, trying very hard not to chuckle.

 

"It's not fair!" Allura wailed, pounding her fists into the snow.

 

"What's not fair?  You just took that spin a little too fast."  Grandma shook her head as she helped the princess up.  "Why don't you try again?"

 

"I didn't take the spin to fast. I was doing perfectly." Allura said, tears swelling up in her big blue eyes. "I wanted to show Keith how good I am. To do just what he wanted."

 

"Actually she did." Keith whispered to Lance.

 

Lance had to cover his mouth with his hands so that no one would hear him laughing.  Grandma sighed.  "If you did it perfectly, then why did you crash into the snow?"

 

"Because Lance messed up the ice before I came down here with his lack of skating abilities." Allura said. "It's all his fault I fell."

 

"That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard of!"  Grandma snapped and stared at the princess disapprovingly.  "You either apologize right now or go back to the castle!  Christmas time is not the place for rude behavior!  Do you understand young lady?"

 

"Yeah it's not Lance's fault you don't know how to skate." Keith said firmly.

 

"You always take his side. You're so mean." Allura wailed loudly. She hurried off towards were she left her furry pink boots, still wailing as she changed out of the skates.

 

"She watches too much of that Sailor Moon cartoon. It puts some strange ideas into her head." Keith sighed.

 

Grandma shook her head.  "Personally I think she needs a good spanking now and then.  I'll have to talk to Nanny about it."

 

"It doesn't do any good. It only makes her wail louder." Keith grinned.

 

"We'll see.  I'm sure Nanny and I can come up with a few ways to improve her behavior."  Grandma smiled as she winked at Keith.  "I know your mother and I did when it came to you."

 

"I was never bad." Keith said, though he could hardly keep a straight face as he said it.

 

"Sure, Keith.  I so believe that one."  Lance smirked slightly.

 

"You're the one that needs the spanking." Keith said, giving Lance a light swat on the ass. As Lance jerked away and made an attempt to retaliate, he slipped on the ice and fell on his butt, making everyone started laughing again.

 

Lance snorted and crossed his arms over his chest, glaring at Keith.  "What was that about you saying you were never bad?"

 

"Not my fault you fell on your ass." Keith laughed. He skated a safe distance away from Lance before Lance could knock him down.

 

"You've won this time."  Lance snorted as he slowly got up.  "But I'll get you back, I promise."

 

Grandma chuckled and rolled her eyes.  "Come on everyone.  Let's get back to skating!"

 

"Just you try it." Keith grinned. After Grandma skated off, he gave Lance a seductive smile. "Just come and get me, big boy."

 

"Why would I want to do that?"  Lance smirked, finally getting his balance back. 

 

Keith just gave a very seductive grin, beckoning Lance to come with one finger.

 

"You know...I really hate it when you do that."  Lance sighed, knowing there was no way he could refuse as he skated over to the man.  Keith had him hook, line, and sinker...and the captain knew it too! 

 

Keith put his hands on Lance's hips and placed a butterfly kiss on his lover's lips. "Coming to me and catching me are two different things, lovely." With a grin, he pushed away from Lance and began to skate backwards down the ice. "If you want me, you have to get me."

 

"Oh for crying out loud, that's not fair!"  Lance whined, but he was smiling as he skated after the flirting captain.

 

Keith kept skating, always staying just ahead of Lance. He threw the occasional glance over his shoulder just to be sure he didn't run into any of the others.

 

Lance grinned and continued following the captain.  He knew Keith loved this game.  And at least this time Lance didn't have to pretend to not be able to catch Keith...he couldn't in this element!  The others just grinned and continued skating, making sure to stay out of the guys' path.  No telling how this was going to end.

 

"Hey, Lance. Your skate's untied." Keith said.

 

"I am not falling for that one like I did last time!"  Lance snorted.

 

"Can't blame me for trying." Keith grinned.

 

"Nope, I can't."  Lance laughed as he tried to speed up a bit, but Keith easily sped up too.  "You love doing this, don't you?"

 

"I sure do." Keith grinned.  "You don't seem to be doing a good job of catching me. Do you think you could even catch me if I was standing still?"

 

Lance rolled his eyes.  "What do you think on this ice?  Besides I had a hard enough time catching you that first time!  You were so stubborn, you didn't believe me that I was really asking you out!"

 

"You mean because the 'you annoying the hell out of me, wanna go on a date?' pick up line has worked for you before?" Keith asked with a grin.

 

"I wouldn't know, I've never tried it."  Lance laughed, having to slow down a little bit cause he nearly lost his balance.  "You just have a one track mind."

 

Keith snickered at Lance's near lose of balance. "It's the pick up line you tried on me, dipstick."

 

Lance shrugged.  "Well, it was the only way to get you to notice me.  I tried everything else...that line was the last resort.  And it worked, didn't it?"

 

"I don't know. I'll have to get back to you on that one." Keith grinned.

 

"And what was wrong with that?"  Lance snorted as he stopped skating and crossed his arms over his chest, a pout on his face.

 

"Poor Lancey poo." Keith chuckled. He skated over closer to Lance but stayed out of reach as he skated a slow circle around him.

 

Lance glared at Keith.  "You know I hate that."

 

Keith grinned. "I know. So you have to catch me to make me pay for it."

 

Keith began to skate away from Lance, becoming aware that they were now alone on the pond, wondering how the others managed to convince Grandma to leave them there alone. But the thought was fleeting as his thoughts were more focused on Lance. Keith came to a sudden stop near the end of the pond. At the unexpected move Lance slid into Keith, knocking them both backward into the snow, with Lance landing on top of Keith. Keith chuckled as he looked up at Lance, his lips slightly parted and his eyes filled with love and desire.

 

Once the shock of impact wore off, Lance couldn't help but smile as he gazed down at Keith.  "You planned that, didn't you?"

 

"Once I noticed we are alone, yes."

 

"Clever as a fox."  Lance chuckled softly before bending down the rest of the way for a kiss.  Keith reached one hand up and ran his gloved fingers through Lance's hair, pulling him closer and deepening the kiss.

 

Lance could practically hear Keith purr around the kiss.  With the warmth growing around him, he barely noticed the cold anymore.  The kiss was long and deep, expressing more than words could ever do.  Finally, Lance pulled away and lightly caress Keith's face.  "So beautiful."

 

"Yes, you most certainly are beautiful. The most beautiful thing I have ever seen." Keith smiled.

 

"More tarnished and beaten up than beautiful."  Lance chuckled before kissing Keith again.  "You, on the other hand, are beautiful...beyond beautiful...on the inside and outside."

 

"I am far from beautiful." Keith smiled at Lance and gently kissed him. "I love you Lance."

 

"I love you more.  And you can't prove that I don't."  Lance chuckled as he wrapped his arms Keith and kissed him deeply again.

 

"I plan on trying though." Keith smiled. "I plan on proving just how much I love you."

 

Lance grinned.  "There's no need, you've already proved it."  He frowned slightly when he glanced up and noticed the sun slowly setting.  "But we probably better go inside.  If you get sick, your grandmother will kill me."

 

"If we go back inside, we won't be able to be alone until we go to bed tonight." Keith said with a sigh.

 

"I know."  Lance sighed too as he moved to lie next to Keith, wrapping his arms around the captain and holding him close.  "But I see nothing wrong in watching the sunset."

 

"We'll watch the sun set and then go back inside. We both could use some hot chocolate then." Keith grinned.

 

"Sounds good."  Lance smiled, hugging Keith tightly.  "Sounds very good."

 

They laid on the cold snow in each other's warm embrace as they watched the sun slowly set beyond the far horizon, the sky becoming nature's canvas painted with shades of red and purple.

**********

When they went back into the castle, everyone else was in the rec room watching Christmas cartoons.  "About time you boys came inside." Grandma said, thrusting a steam cup of hot chocolate into their hands.

 

"Thank you, Grandma."  Lance smiled gratefully, carefully rubbing his hands over the cup to warm them up.  Then he glanced over at the TV.  "So Keith...are these the toons you loved as a kid?"

 

"Yup. Christmas wasn't Christmas without them." Keith grinned.

 

"I don't think I've seen them."  Lance grinned, taking a seat by Sven on the couch.  "How do you like them, Sven?"

 

"The singing is annoying. I hate musicals." Sven growled.

 

"Oh come on, Sven.  Just because they aren't gothic and creepy, doesn't mean they are that bad."  Lance chuckled as Keith sat down next to him. 

 

"Bah humbug." Sven snorted.

 

Pidge and Hunk chuckled from where they sat on another couch nearby.  "I don't know..." Hunk grinned.  "Maybe Sven should watch the Christmas Carol."

 

"More like the Grinch." Keith chuckled.

 

Grandma chuckled and shook her head.  "You boys leave poor Sven alone.  After we watch this show, then I'll read to you."

 

Lance blinked.  "Read to us?"

 

"'T'was the Night Before Christmas', she reads it every year." Keith said.

 

"I've not heard that story in years."  Lance smiled.  "I can't wait to hear it, Grandma."

 

"I'll read it once this is over.  Then it'll be time for you to all hang your stockings and go to bed." Grandma grinned.

 

"Great!"  Pidge grinned as he jumped into Hunk's lap and Hunk wrapped his arms around him.  "Let's sit back and enjoy the show."

 

Once the show was over Grandma sat down with a tattered old book and began to read the story to them. With all the energy she put into the story, everyone...even Sven...enjoyed hearing the old tale. After Grandma had finished reading, she gave them all a red velvet stocking with white trim, their names carefully stitched on with gold thread. They hung their stockings by the chimney with care, all the stockings hanging in a row.

 

Lance grinned as he hung up his stocking.  "Well, that's that.  And these are very nice, Grandma.  Thank you."

 

"Yes, thank you."  Pidge grinned. 

 

"You're welcome. Now run along and get ready for bed." Grandma said.

 

"Yes ma'am."  All the boys said before each hugged her and quickly left.  Lance smiled as he followed Keith to their bedroom.  "She is definitely something else."

 

"That's putting it mildly." Keith chuckled.

 

Lance chuckled.  "I can definitely tell who you take after.  Who else in your family is like you?"

 

"Pretty much everyone. Everyone is about equally insane." Keith laughed.

 

"Oh man!  I definitely don't want to meet your family all at the same time."  Lance laughed as he opened the door to their room.  "Talk about major overload."

 

"You might not be able to escape it next Christmas." Keith smirked. "But we'll worry about that when the time comes. Right now I just want to worry about warming you up."

 

"I don't want to know!"  Lance said quickly as he wrapped his arms around Keith's waist.  "So...what did you have in mind this Christmas Eve?"

 

"This…" Keith grabbed a piece of mistletoe off the dresser.  He held it above Lance's head and kissed him deeply.  "A night of snuggling under the mistletoe."

 

"Sounds wonderful."  Lance smiled, hugging Keith tightly.  "Absolutely wonderful...spending Christmas Eve with the one I love more than anything."

 

"And I love you even more then that." Keith gently kissed Lance before leading him over to the bed.

 

With the door locked from the inside to avoid any intrusions, Keith made good on his promise to warm Lance up after the cold day outside playing in the snow. Their passion and love heated the room hotter then any fire and lasted longer then any flame could. Finally they fell asleep in each other's arm with dreams of the very merry Christmas that awaited them in the morning.

************************************************************************

 

owari  ^_~

 

And......MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!