These drabbles are vaguely connected and sequential. Either way, I am way too excited for Shallura Week 2016.

Day One - Discovery

Shiro was afraid of small creatures with multiple legs and wings, it seemed.

"Not afraid," he muttered once he had regained his composure.

Allura laughed behind her right hand. "Then how would you describe your reaction just now?"

To fully explore a planet that the team had come across, the paladins had decided to split up for a wider range of vision. Coran had explained that the planet was full of thick jungles that were impossible to navigate without the help of the native population. The only problem was that the population lived in hidden villages among the trees, and Coran could not establish any contact.

Allura insisted on joining the paladins for diplomatic reasons. Without a word or warning, Allura followed Shiro into his Black Lion. Shiro pointedly ignored Lance's grin and tried to fight his own smile as Allura naturally settled herself into his lion with him.

Not long after arriving, the pair concluded that they would have to exit the lion and continue on foot. Leaving a trail to be able to return, the two started on their way, wandering through the jungle.

Which, in turn, had led them to this situation.

Shiro adjusted his armor and struggled to not look at Allura.

"I was startled," he stated.

"So," Allura teased, "Afriad?"

"Wouldn't you be if that landed on your shoulder?" Shiro frowned and aggressively pointed at the bug flying in the air. It reminded Shiro of a moth, only much larger, almost as big as his face, and with eight legs. Its four dark grey wings shimmered slightly as it flew, and small patterns of lines and circles decorated them.

Allura hummed in thought. Then, she raised her right hand into the air, palm up, as though she were asking for something. Within moments, the bug flew down and landed on her fingertips. Shiro's jaw dropped without his permission.

Using her left hand, Allura pat the top of the bug's head gently. The bug snuggled into her hand with pleasure. With a large grin, Allura looked up at Shiro with sparkling eyes.

A shiver traveled down his spine, and the paladin tried to tell himself that it was because of the creature in her hand.

Suddenly, Allura began to move toward Shiro, holding the bug out to him. With a gasp, Shiro flinched backwards. Before he could gather his dignity, Allura was laughing at him once more.

"Don't," he hissed, heat flooding to his cheeks.

Allura barely bit back her giggles. She moved her hand, and the bug flew off, traveling deep into the jungle. "Don't worry," Allura joked with a smirk, "I won't tell anyone." She winked and brushed by Shiro to continue on their way.

The Black Paladin was left with a thumping heart that may or may not have been because of the bug.

Let Space Parents be Space Nerds 2016