it's quiet uptown came on in the latter part of writing this chapter that was an interesting way to write

Kassy hummed, lifting up Ulaz to place the star on top of the tree.

"Yayyy! Pretty Christmas!" Ulaz clapped.

"It's not even December, Kassy." Shiro said, sat on the couch with Selena asleep on his chest.

"Who cares? Ulaz wanted the tree up."

"Well, yeah, because mommy said, 'Ulaz, tell daddy you want to put the Christmas tree up.'"

Shiro smiled and shook his head, and Selena stirred. "I know, Lena, isn't your mommy silly?"

Kassy smiled, and glanced out of the window, seeing everyone outside. "Is there a street meeting we weren't called to?"

"Street meeting? Without Space Parents? Blasphemous." Shiro got up, placing Selena in her bassinet, and went outside to check it out. He noticed Lance coming down their driveway.

"Oh, good, they're coming." he said, going back to the group. "Look who's back!"

Lotor stood.

"Oh, no, not this guy." Kassy sighed.

"Bro, I thought you died?" Pidge said. Rora next to her was silent.

"No, actually, I was just in a very deep coma. And... I really wanted to apologise. For everything."

"You manipulated me! And everyone else!" Allura said.

Romelle next to her glared at him. "You killed my brother." for once, she was completely serious. Her change in demeanour had everyone shocked.

Lotor hung his head in shame. "Romelle, please. I'm so sorry. I don't expect your forgiveness - not from any of you. But, seeing as I am unfortunately alive, I felt I owed it to you all. Should you want me to leave... I will."

The group was silent for a moment. Then, Rora spoke. 

"Has anyone ever told you you have incredible bone structure?"

Lotor looked over at her. "Uhhh... no?"

"Well, you do. These cheekbones! They're incredible, I could slice bread on them! And that jawline! Your features are so elven, it really defines its own category! I just know the fashion world would adore a face like that."

"Rora, what are you doing?" Pidge whispered.

"One minute, Pidge. And the height? The shoulders? You perfectly encapsulate the feminine and the masculine. And don't even get me started on that hair! It's like pure silk! The things we could do with you! Now, tilt your head to the side slightly, that's it. Narrow your eyes, and now, part your lips just slightly. Have you face facing the side, and your eyes forward." Rora stepped back. "Now, that's just Vogue-ready!" she looked at him, serious all of a sudden. "You shall earn our forgiveness, so long as you become my personal model."

"Rora-" Shiro hissed, however she a-bu-bu-bu-ed him.

"If he's truly sorry he'll enter the fashion world. Imagine! He's a cover star waiting to happen! Pleeeaaase, Shiro, let me make him a fashion star. Please?"

Shiro sighed. "Look, it's not my choice. I think you should ask Romelle, and Allura."

Romelle looked at Lotor with uncertainty. "Well... he does have good cheekbones. Well... given you don't get within 10 feet of Allura and I, and our child, and you don't speak to us, I suppose you can do what you like."

Allura nodded. "I agree."

"I completely understand. I will respect your boundaries, but just one more time... I am truly sorry."

Romelle teared up. "I cradled my baby brother in my arms as he died, because of you, and all you can say is 'I'm sorry'?"

Allura took Romelle's hand and squeezed it gently. "No matter how sorry you are, this cannot be undone. I doubt Romelle and I will ever be able to forgive you."

Lotor bowed his head. "I understand."

Kassy glanced at him. "You know... nothing you did really ever effected me. But, Romelle... I know how it feels to cradle your sibling and have them die in your presence. And for that reason... I doubt I can forgive you."

"Yeah... look, Rora, all I can say is, be careful." Keith said. "Those cheekbones won't fix anything if he starts his manipulating gaslighting game with you." Keith said.

"I promise that I shall be completely respectful to Rora."

"Yeah, well, you promised alot to me." Romelle let go of Allura's hand, and pointed a finger at him. "You promised my people everything, and we got death. How do you expect us to trust a single word you say?"

Allura took her arm and gently rubbed her shoulder. "Lotor, please stick to your promise. If you hurt Rora..."

"If you even dare lay a finger on Rora, with your manipulative tongue or your actual hands..." Keith walked closer to him. "You will not like what comes to you. Do I make myself clear, Lotor?"

Lance watched in shock as Lotor nodded.

"Jeez, that came from nowhere." he mumbled.

Rora smiled. "I appreciate it guys, but to be honest, I just wanna get started with designing outfits for Lotor. He's my muse now. Lotor, get in my car, bitch, we're getting mojitos."

As the two left, the group turned to Shiro.

"Do you think he's telling the truth?" Lance asked.

"Oh, he totally is." Hunk said. "His eye contact was steady, as was his breathing. Having observed Lotor for some months, I know the signs he's lying. His eyes dart about, his breathing is completely unsteady. He talks for ages, and then breathes in. When he spoke then, it was completely steady. Plus, I get the feeling he's telling the truth, and my judgement has been, like, 100% accurate so far."

The group looked at him in silence for a moment.

"Cooking. He can read people like this, and he does cooking." Lance threw up his arms in defeat. "I'm done."

"Still. I think it's worth being wary of him." Allura said. "Maybe I'm being a bit paranoid. But... why wouldn't I be?"

Romelle nodded. "I don't see why we're even trusting that man at all! He killed my fucking brother! Would we trust the guy who killed Maeve?"

"Look, it's Rora's decision." Shiro said. "Let's let her do what she needs to do. She can leave the situation if she needs to."

"Guys, how is Axca gonna react?" Pidge asked. Everyone was stunned into silence.

***

Romelle climbed into Allura's bed that night.

"Allura?"

"Yes?"

"I miss Bandor." her voice was just a whisper. "Between travelling, the drugs, the alcohol, you, the baby... I didn't realise how much... how much it hurt." Romelle hugged her knees to her chest, becoming tiny, as she broke down into tears. Allura sat up, concerned, and pulled her into a hug.

"Oh, Romelle, don't... don't cry, sweetheart, it's okay."

"It's just... he... he just did all that to our people, to his people! And now he waltzes in and because he's got some sexy cheekbones and silky hair, he's accepted?"Romelle buried her face into Allura's shoulder. "And my brother. I want him here so much. I want to hug him again, and tell him how much I love him. But I can't." she sniffled, before developing into deeper sobs.

Allura rubbed her back, kissing her head. "I know how you feel, Romelle... when my father died, I... I hate the feeling of never seeing him again."

Romelle nodded. "I just want things how they were. When I had a mum and a dad and a brother and we were a family, and I still felt like me."

Allura nodded. "I know, sweetheart, I know." she whispered, running her hands through her long, blonde hair. "But, listen... I cant... I cant comfort you with your brother. I know how it hurts, but... I cant undo that. I wish I could, darling, but I can't. But... you still have a family. Look at me?"

Romelle sniffled, looked up, and nodded. "Yeah?"

"You're going to have a baby soon. You'll be a mum. And all of us love you. Keith, Coran, Kassy, Shiro. Lance, Pidge, Hunk, Shay. Rora. And me. I know we'll never amount to the pain you feel, but... we can help you." Allura took her hand and placed it onto her stomach. "They can help you."

Romelle sniffled, and blinked a few times. "They can?"

"Yes, darling, they can. I know you will be the best mummy to our little one."

Romelle smiled tearfully. "You really think so?"

"I do."

Romelle smiled, and hugged Allura again, before getting into sleeping position.

"Can I use your tummy as a footrest?"

"No you absolutely can not."