Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

In an interview, when asked about what Hunk was up to in an upcoming season, the Voltron crew said he was "working on his diplomatic skills." (I think it was Lauren Montgomerry, and maybe about season 6 or 7 but I'm not sure).

And in the moment I was surprised, because I associated diplomacy way more with Allura and Coran, and then Shiro. But it made me realize, Hunk does have diplomatic skills and has been growing in that direction indeed!

The most obvious way Hunk is introduced in diplomatic situations is through food:

Maybe the first diplomatic situation where Hunk plays a role is the scene in "changing of the guard", where he brings the food:

Hunk: Welcome, everyone, welcome! I've prepared a few Earth canapes for our distinguished guests to enjoy while we talk galactic diplomacy.

And when there is the incident where Keith blows up and leaves, Hunk attempts to smooth things over with the diplomats by offering food again, and it seems to work.

We see this skill of using food as a way to help diplomacy in a few occasions. There is that moment in season 8 where he manages to get the Alteans from the Colony to open up by making them Altean cookies. And in the infamous season 8 ending, Hunk is shown catering diplomatic meetings, and we're told that "Hunk created a culinary empire, bringing the universe together, one meal at a time."

And look, I'm far from downplaying the role food can have in bringing people together, but I think Hunk can bring more to diplomacy than just the catering.

I like to think if Hunk would want to lean into his passion for food after the war, it might be more in helping feeding people in the aftermath, in a humanitarian sense. I could see him collaborating with the Blades.

The general idea of Hunk as a diplomat does make sense though. Many of the Hunk's strength (and even some of his "flaws") would be useful in that context!

First off, he is someone who wants to help people. We discussed how meeting Shay and seeing the harm the Galra Empire is doing is what motivated him to stay with Voltron.

But he doesn't like danger or fighting. He does it when he thinks it's the right thing to do, and we saw he can be quite brave, but if there were other ways to help, I think he'd be into it. I bet he doesn't like hurting others, too, even if he does when he has to.

What he really wants is keeping civilians safe and bringing peace!

And Hunk has skills that would be quite fit for a diplomat!

First, while we saw he needed some growth, he's pretty good with people. I discussed in "Hunk: affection, and emotional intelligence" how he became the one who welcomes new people to the team, like Matt, Romelle, Kinkade…

He's also open to other cultures. One of the most obvious examples is when meeting Dayak. He wants to know more about Galra culture in order to collaborate with Lotor, and accepts training with Dayak, even if he just witnessed her using corporeal punishment on Lance. And he goes through with the training in spite of the physical abuse (he does leave early, to Dayak's dismay, but only because he's called in for an urgent mission).

Dayak: I instructed Lotor in the ways of the Galra. The history of our conquests, our customs, battle philosophy, the art of war.

Hunk: Hm, Galra customs, huh? Is that like when you guys say “Vrepit Sa” and stuff? There’s so much we don’t know about you.

Lotor: If you’re interested in our society’s history, you couldn’t find a better teacher than Dayak.

Dayak: What Lotor says is true.

Hunk: Oh, wow. Would you really teach me about the Galra?

Lance: What you wanna know about the Galra for?

Hunk: Well, we’re gonna be working with Lotor to bring peace throughout the empire, right? Just makes sense the more we know about their society, the better.

Dayak: If you are to learn the ways of the Galra, you must be prepared for the most challenging trial you could ever undertake. There will be no turning back. Victory or death.

Hunk: Uh, oh, that’s okay.

Allura: Hunk, you’re a Paladin of Voltron. There is no challenge too great for you.

Hunk: Will I learn what “Vrepit Sa” means?

Dayak: Yes.

Hunk: Let’s do it!

(As a reminder, this is the scene where they meet Dayak: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyIedROAk-k ; in spite of this introduction, Hunk is still willing to work with her.)

And that dedication to learning about Galra culture is what helps him get through to the commanders later in the episode, so that they can repair the Omega Shield and protect the planet and its population from radiation.

What's interesting about the "Altean cookie" moment is that it's not just a "food brings us together" moment. The negotiations are at a standstill, and Hunk finds a common ground by educating himself in the other's culture. The most significant here isn't just that it's food— it could have been an Altean custom, song, anything. It's a show of respect and a way of connecting. But what really helps is how he steers the conversation afterwards:

Tavo: You made this? It reminds me of home.

Hunk: Well, I had a little help from someone born and raised on Altea. A-and I know you don’t wanna talk with them, but Allura and Coran know more about your homeland than anyone alive. They were on Altea until its final day. They both would’ve stayed and died to protect it if Alfor hadn’t sent them away. That’s how much they loved it.

Tavo: I heard Altea was one of the most beautiful places in the universe. Did your Alteans ever tell you about the zyo crystal springs outside of the capital? The stories say those cliffs were more beautiful than all of the stars combined.

Hunk: They never told me about them. But I’m sure they’d love to tell you themselves.

Learning about other cultures is a way to understand each other better and to build bridges between civilizations.

We also saw how Hunk was perceptive, and saw right through Nyma and Rollo. Obviously, seeing through lies and being a good judge on people is a good quality for a diplomat. Hunk also saw right through Keith lashing out in "The Journey Within" and didn't let himself be intimidated despite Keith's aggressive reaction. That requires both the capacity to have a deeper understanding of someone's behavior, and some self-restraint to not respond in the same tone (as the other Paladins all did).

Also, Hunk being cautious and "the voice of reason" would make sense in a diplomatic environment where one must often tread carefully!

Even Hunk's nosiness could be useful in the context of diplomacy: the more information you have, the better you're prepared. And knowing what's coming out of the rumor mill, wether true or false, can be useful.

But also, let's not forget that Hunk is very clever! As an engineer, he's great at problem solving, and his intelligence isn't just technical, we see it many times in other contexts, such as taking the lead and suggesting a strategy to free the Balmera, and in the Omega Shield episode, and understanding how the weblum works so they could collect the sclautriste, or using the frauenhofer lines to find Blue in the first episode (as Matt, who is meant to be pretty clever himself, points out).

His skills for problem solving and elaborating strategies, combined with his people skills, are great tools for diplomacy.

In conclusion: Hunk would be a great diplomat! Even if indeed it's something he had to grow into, and we saw previously how how he gets better at interacting with people during the course of the show!

But Hunk shouldn't be stuck doing the catering, even if I'm sure he's have opinions on what should be served and how! And valuable opinions at that!

Hunk deserves to sit at the negocation table!