I’d say I’m sorry for these, but angst hurts and I’m a writer so well hurting people is my job.
-“You came back. After a year, you came back. But you’re not the person I knew. Not, you’re nothing like them.”
-“You always think it’s about you, don’t you? That you’re the only one who has issues? That the world revolves around you? Let me give you a reality check - these mirrors don’t get broken on their own. The alcohol doesn’t disappear on it’s one. And, trust me, the pills don’t just walk away by themselves.”
-“I…I never told you, did I? That day. I was going to tell you we were finally going to be okay. You could be okay. I could be okay. Then we found you…Passed out, bloody beaten…And now we’re here. You know, they said you should’ve died. It’s a miracle you’re alive. But is it really? When I’m talking to you, but you can’t hear me? I’m talking to a hospital bed, practically.”
-“I was never the one to figure it out. Figure out how to be okay. You were always the the one to figure it out. You’re okay, and I’m not. I always was the family disappointment. I’m sorry, more than you’ll ever know.”
-“I thought you were finally alright. You told me you were finally alright, with a smile on your face. Then you disappeared. So did the pills.”
-“You know what? There’s a damn reason you were never the first choice! You were never the first choice, because you never learned how to shut the Hell up and figure out your place! And, trust me, there’s a damn reason nobody ever went looking for you when you left!”
-“Did you think you could just walk in here like that? Like everything’s fine? You screwed up everything, and you damn well know it. How about you fucking leave? Before I make you.”
-“I…I don’t know what to say. I know I can’t replace her. I know I can’t. But could you at least pretend you give a shit for them? For these kids, who look up to you? They look up to you and all you do is sit on your ass and pout!”
-“Please, please don’t leave me. I don’t know what I’d do…”
“You’d stay the same. Don’t act like you care. I know you’re lying. Again.”
-”Since you’re a fucking liar, I don’t see any reason I shouldn’t walk out this damn door and not come back. Give me one reason you’re worth my time.”
-”You don’t - you don’t understand. I know you’re lying right now. I was the one who found you. Passed out. It was two fucking weeks after the last time I saw you. You don’t care whether you live or die, do you?”
“How does it look?” She turns around for Shiro’s opinion.
“You look– uh, I mean,” he starts again, “it looks nice. The scarf. Do you like it?”
He gazes at her apprehensively, and Allura senses the tension behind his eyes, as if he’s still unsure of the gift or the appropriateness of it. Worry hangs off him, as if he is afraid she will reject it - or him.
She can’t seem to find the words to tell him how much she appreciates the gift, and the thought behind it. Instead, she wraps her arms around his neck and hugs him.
“Thank you,” she whispers.
The sudden movement takes him by surprise, and he hesitates for a moment, his body tense beneath her touch. But then he embraces her carefully, his hands just lightly pressed to her back.
“Thank you for everything,” she goes on. “For keeping me safe all this time.”
She tucks her head into his neck and waits for him to say what he usually says: that it is his duty to guard her and protect her, that he promised her mother he would keep her safe, that he is a soldier and she is his Princess. She stands and waits for him to put the distance back between them. But instead his arms tighten around her, and he exhales against her cheek.
“You know I would do anything for you,” he whispers.
Standing in the circle of his embrace, she believes it. But the admission still catches her by surprise. When she pulls back to look at Shiro, he seems surprised too - as if he did not mean to let the words slip out.
“I know,” she says softly. He stands there with his hands on her waist, his eyes wide and bright, and they look at each other in breathless stillness.
I hope your birthday was wonderful, Berry, and that the next year of your life brings you as much joy and wonder and happiness as you and your fics give to us!
Gotta turn that salt into sugar, I guess! This is from an animatic-ish thing I started working on a couple months ago for Shallura Week before I got too busy?? Oof. Hopefully I can finish it now. I also have another animatic planned and some amvs.
Just some wholesome endgame Shallura with black paladin Shiro! Nice.
In another universe, Allura returns the hand hold and they spend their sleepless nights dancing together on the bridge.
This took awhile, but I think it was well worth it. If you’re able, please reblog and share with anyone who loves Shallura. And tell me your favorite part! Thanks, guys. <3
