Stay a Little Longer (6th extension)
“I’m gonna mess up the vows,” he said for the tenth time, pacing the length of the room.
“You know them by heart,” Keith insisted. “You’ll be fine. We’re gonna be right there with you.”
Shiro didn’t look too sure.
“At the end of the day, lad, you love him, and he loves you,” Coran said. “You’re gonna go home married to him when the day is out. Isn’t that what matters?”
Shiro smiled, still nervous, but his confidence was building. “Yeah, it is.”
“Then let’s walk you down that aisle,” Coran said cheerily.
“Great,” Keith said with a clap. “I’ll get everyone in position, before he gets nervous again.”
Shiro jabbed Keith playfully before the sound of people scurrying around was heard from outside the dressing room. The guests were seated, and Pidge was doing the last round of finishing touches.
Just then, Krolia peered her head through the doorway looking frantic.
“Coran! There you are!”
“Is something wrong, Mom?” Keith asked as he stepped aside for her.
“I just need Coran really quick,” Krolia said, pulling Kolivan into the room. “He’s the only person alive that can figure this out.”
“Apologies,” Kolivan said. “I haven’t worn dress robes in a very long time. I forgot—um, I’m not sure where this goes.” He held up a piece of fabric.
“Shouldn’t be a problem,” Coran smiled. As he took Kolivan in, he noticed that his outfit did look incomplete. Coran hadn’t laid eyes on a traditional Galran dress robe in a very long time, but he remembered them well from all the balls he attended in Daibazaal.
“Are we ready in here?” Pidge asked from the door, seeming to have just appeared there.
“I’ll be just a tick,” Coran said. “Shiro, go wait for me outside, I won’t be long.”
“Krolia, please follow me,” Pidge said, exiting as quickly as she came. Krolia raised an eyebrow at Keith.
“It’s better if you do as she says,” Keith said gravely. With that, the only people left in the dressing room were Coran and Kolivan.
“This would be your military marker,” Coran explained, taking the scarf from Kolivan’s hand. “It indicated your loyalty to the Daibazaal crown. It goes around your neck, under your collar.”
“But I’m not loyal to the crown,” Kolivan pulled his neck away from Coran’s hands.
“It stopped meaning that a long time ago. By the time Altea was wiped from the star system it was just a fashionable accessory. Young boys that were not in the military would wear them. Could you take off your coat? It’s easier to wrap around then.”
Kolivan shrugged off his coat just enough to ease access to his neck and stayed silent for a tick. “Funny thing. Youth.” He vaguely gestured around them.
Coran nodded, concentrating on the knot of the scarf. “I remember being young and in love and all of that. It’s a sweet, silly thing.”
“That it is,” Kolivan had a small smile on his lips, his eyes were far away. It made Coran curious to know what he was remembering. With a light tone he added, “It’s also stupid.”
A surprised laugh escaped Coran. Kolivan’s smile grew wider. “Yes, it is,” Coran chuckled, fixing Kolivan’s collar. “You’re all set.”
Kolivan shrugged his coat back on. “Thank you, Coranic.”
“N-no problem,” Coran stuttered, flustered and confused by the name. Kolivan took a bow and exited the dressing room.
1st extension | 5th extension
Check out the Worlds Apart series for a look at Lance and Keith’s story!