let it go
"Anna! Anna!" James calls, rounding the corner. He spots the girl sitting against the wall, tears streaming down her face and staining her light purple shirt. He frown and walks over.
James knelt next to the little girl. "Hey Anna. What's wrong?" he asked. She sniffled, wiping her nose. "It- it's my birthday. But-but Mommy and Daddy are gone, Lily is napping, and Steven isn't here. So there's nobody to celebrate with me."
James wiped a tear away from her face with his thumb. "Hey, no, that's not true. I'll celebrate your birthday with you." She sniffled and looked at him with big eyes. "Really?" He nodded, smiling softly. "Yeah. And maybe we can get you a cake too." Her eyes widen. "Really?" He nods. "Really. Birthdays are not for crying, they're for celebrating." He states. He stands and offers her his hand. "Come on. Maybe we can find something else to do." She nods and takes his hand, and he leads her out of the hangar.
Allura, who's seen the whole exchange, feels her heart warm. She pulls out her phone, calling Hunk. "Hey Lura. What's up?" He asks. "Hunk, do you happen to have the things to make a cake?" "Yeah. Why?" "Could you prepare them? I'll get back to you about what flavor." She says. "Sure thing Princess." "Thank you." She says before hanging up.
She runs down the halls to catch up with James and the little girl. "James! Wait up!" She calls when she spots him. "Allura!" he says, turning around. Anna clings to his hand, hiding behind him a bit. He chuckles a bit. "Anna, this is my friend, Princess Allura." She looks up at Allura, brown eyes blown wide with amazement. "She's a princess? You're a princess?" Allura smiles and nods. "That's right. I also fly the blue lion." She gasps. "Whoa. The one that flies around?" Allura nods. "Uh-huh. What's you name?" "Anna." She says quietly. "Today is Anna's birthday. We were just going to find a game to play. Would you like to join us?" James asks. Allura smiles. "That would be lovely." She offers Anna her hand. "Come on. I think there's some games in the lounge." The three continue down the hall, holding hands. "So, Anna, if you could have a birthday cake, what kind would you want?" Allura asks. "Red velvet. Mommy used to make it every year. And whenever Lily eats it, she gets it smeared all over her face." "Where is Lily?" James asks. "Ms. Ronny took her for a nap. Said cause she was growing, she needed a lotta sleep, otherwise she'll be grumpy." "Well maybe by the time we play some games, she'll be awake and won't be so grumpy anymore." James suggests.
They arrive at the lounge, and he pulls out a few water packs, and a juice box, which he hands to Anna. "Allura, where did you say those games were?" She tapped the center table, and a screen glowed to life. "Here. We can play 'Monsters and Mana', or some form of a card game on here. And without all the pieces."
"Did I hear monsters and Mana?" Lance asked, appearing in the doorway. Anna gasped. "I know you! You're another one of Jamie's friends, right?" Another voice chuckles, coming in the other door. "Jamie?" Keith asks with a raised eyebrow. "I thought you hated that name." "That's cause it's my special nickname for him. You can call him something else." Anna tells him. Keith chuckles. "Now who are you?" He asks, leaning on the table. "I'm Anna. It's my birthday, and Jamie and Allura were gonna play a game with me." "Can we play too?" Lance asks. "Sure!" Anna says, smile brightening.
While she's distracted, Allura whips out her phone and sends Hunk a quick text. "Red velvet, for a young girl."
"So, Anna, what's your favorite color? Maybe we can make your character's clothes that color." Lance suggests, showing her the character design pad. "Purple!"
Allura sends another text. "Purple frosting if possible." Hunk replies quickly with a thumbs up emoji.
"No kidding! Purple is my favorite color too!" Keith says. "Really?" He nods. "Mmhm. My favorite person's eyes are that color." Allura watched James blush a bit at his boyfriend's statement, smirking. Even after almost a year, he still got flustered whenever Keith complemented him.
"Is it because Jamie's eyes are that color? You're his husband, right?" Anna asks. Keith and James both turn bright pink. "Uh, no, not yet." Keith says. "Keith!" James whines. "Uh-un, now he's Thunderstorm Darkness." Lance corrects. Keith sighs. "I can't believe I let you and Pidge design my character." James laughs, sitting next to Keith. "Thunderstorm Darkness?" "He used to be super moody around the castle, especially after Mr. Holt left, so we made his character that." James nods, humming. "Can Jamie sit next to me?" Anna asks. "Sure thing kiddo." Keith says.
HE then pulls James into his lap, causing the other to blush furiously. "Keith!" He hissed. Keith chuckled and kissed his cheek. "Guys come on, not in front of the child." Lance goads. "Shut up Pike." Keith says. "Hey! My character has a cool name." Allura smiled and sat on the other side of Anna. "Sure it does. So, Anna, who are you gonna be?"
Anna showed her her tablet. "My name is Melody, and the thingy says I'm a siren who can do magic. What's a siren?" "It's a creature that's voice is magical. It sings a lot." James explains.
He's out of Keith lap now, and s holding his own tablet. "What about you Jamie? What's your person?" "Um, his name is Firestorm, and apparently he's good with a bow and arrow and a sword."
"And you said mine has a weird name." Keith scoffs. "I just did the random character generator. You created yours." James protests. "Stop arguing. We only have so long to play the game." Allura says, tapping on the table's buttons, making the digital forest pop up.
Two hours and several near-death experiences later, the game is over. "That was fun! Can we play again? Anna asked excitedly. "Guess who's awake." Veronica sang, walking into the room. She had a little girl with strawberry blonde hair (like Anna), and a blue onesie. "Lily!" Anna exclaimed, jumping up and running over to her. The little girl yawned and rubbed her eyes. "Lily, do you have something you want to say to Anna?" Veronica asked. "Appy birday!" Lily cheered. "Very good." Veronica cooed. "So, Anna, we got you a little something." Veronica says.
Anna's eyes shone with excitement. "I get presents?" Veronica nodded. "Mhm. Me and Axca picked out something I think you'll like." "Give me Lily." James ordered, extending his arms. Veronica deposited the toddler in his arms before taking Anna's hand and leading her out of the room.
"Hi Jamie." Lily muttered before she yawned. "Aw, is someone tired?" He asked. "Not tired. Jus-" She interrupted herself with a yawn. "Sounds like you're tired Lil." James said. She shook her head, rubbing her eyes. "No. Hungy." "Well let's see if we can't find you something to eat." James said.
He stood and propped her on his hip, going over to the little kitchen area. "Keith, do you know where the grapes went?" He asked. "Second shelf, to the right." "Can you rinse them off real quick?" "Sure thing babe." Keith said, springing up. He got the grapes while James retrieved a sippy cup from somewhere in the cabinets. "Can I have some grapes too?" Lance asked. "You're a big boy. Get your own food." James scolds. "Pleaseee?" Lance whines. Keith throws two grapes at him, one hitting his nose and the other his forehead. "There. You got some grapes." He deadpanned, handing James a small bowl of the fruits.