Chapter Text
“I can’t believe we’re engaged,” Adam murmured for probably the hundredth time. He played with the ring on his finger before grabbing Shiro’s hand to look at the matching band with wonder. “Takashi, we’re getting married.”
Shiro smiled back at him, letting Adam interlace their fingers before opening his mouth to respond. He was interrupted with a loud sigh coming from the other end of the room, accompanied by a few bangs from the TV as some videogame characters were shot. Adam narrowed his gaze.
“Ugh,” Keith grumbled from the couch “Are you two done?”
“Silence, demon.” Adam scowled at him and Shiro hit his arm.
“Stop calling him that.” His boyfriend – no, fiancée, bitches – scolded him. Adam scowled at Keith and went back to playing with Shiro’s fingers. Keith made a face. “Keith, I’m pretty sure you have homework to do.”
“Come on,” Keith moaned and stopped his videogame to wrinkle his nose “Can I at least use your textbook? I lost mine.”
“Do I look like a fool to you, Kogane?” Shiro snorted “I’m not giving you the teacher’s edition with all the answers. Go suffer.”
“I saw your textbook in the freezer.” Adam added helpfully “I know it may seem like an excellent hiding place because you don’t use it, but those of us that cook are well aware it exists.” He said and Keith rolled his eyes, pouting.
“Whatever. You guys are being gross anyways.” He said and Shiro shifted a bit at the accusation.
“Hey,” He said, voice softening “Finish your work and we can take out the bikes or something.”
Keith paused at this. His eyes drifted over Shiro suspiciously before letting them flick towards the window where he seemed to consider the setting sun with some thought before shrugging and stuffing his hands into his jean pockets - or attempting to anyways. The jeans were too tight to get more than his fingers in. Shiro had to elbow Adam again to stop the comment he knew was coming.
“…Fine,” The teenager relented and disappeared into the kitchen. Adam rolled his eyes.
“You’re such a sucker.” He said and Shiro scoffed.
“Give the kid a break. He has his guardian as a teacher. Imagine living with Iverson while having to take his class,” He shuddered and Adam’s eyes widened before pulling away.
“Takashi… Don’t compare yourself to Iverson. I love you too much to see you tear yourself down like that! Besides, you spoil that kid. Don’t think I don’t see you. Buying him anything he looks at for more than five seconds. Sneaking him into R-rated movies and into restricted areas of the Garrison. You’re terrible.”
“Hey. I stand by my actions.”
“You are using him as an excuse to do childish things again.”
“Adam, we do that shit all the time!” Shiro told him, flicking his boyfriend’s arm. Adam nodded enthusiastically before pausing and wrinkling his nose.
“…I mean. We try to. It isn’t as much fun to sneak into an R-rated movie when you are the correct age to see said movie.” Adam grumbled and crossed his arms “You know what would be really fun? Is if we see if Keith could sneak into the wedding by not inviting him.”
“Adam.”
“Just saying! He doesn’t have to be there. He’ll think it’s boring anyways.”
“Keith is going to the wedding.”
“You’re being really selfish right now,” Adam grumbled, pushing up his glasses while kicking the ground “Can I at least pick the song for our first dance?”
“I’m telling you right now that it isn’t going to be Anaconda,” Shiro warned him “I love Nicki Minaj, but I refuse to twerk in front of your grandfather.”
“That song is from his generation! He would appreciate it…He would also appreciate you twerking, I’m certain.”
“Your grandfather is blind.”
“Then why are you worried about twerking in front of him?” Adam countered and when Shiro continued to stare at him “Fine, fine. Let’s start easy. Big or small wedding?” He asked and Shiro shuddered.
“Small… I’m trying to find an excuse not to invite Iverson. Although, this would be the ultimate opportunity to prove to him I am gay... Why doesn't he believe me?” He murmured, more to himself than Adam. His fiancée patted his arm.
“Same. I’m trying to find a way not to invite my entire family... Well. My grandpa can come. That’s it though…and my childhood nanny.”
“So…So far our guest list includes Keith, your grandpa and Mila?”
“Elena will bitch if we don’t invite her… Also probably Matt since he’s your best friend. Maybe McClain too.”
“McClain?” Shiro blinked. “Why?”
“I’ll be busy getting married. Someone has to annoy Keith.” Adam pointed out “And the kid complains about him enough that I know he’s a good candidate.” He added and Shiro rubbed his eyes.
“Let’s stick with simple decisions. Small wedding?”
“Small wedding.” Adam agreed and kissed his ring “It’s going to be small, not stressful, and simple.” He promised. Stress was bad for Shiro’s rapidly declining health anyways. They needed to keep it simple. Small. “We can handle that.”
“Definitely.”
Flashforward Five years later...
“Eight hundred people are coming?!” Adam yelled and looked in horror at his fiancée “Pidge, what the fuck do you mean eight hundred people are coming?” He yelled.
“Don’t swear at her,” Shiro murmured, but also looked a little alarmed at the number.
“You guys are celebrities. The ex-Black Paladin of Voltron who is now captain of Atlas. Not to mention his fiancée who is not only the child of two very famous people, but is now running the entire Atlas program and the MFE fighters. Not to mention you guys helped saved the world and went on like...A billion talk shows.”
“Yeah. We’re awesome. That doesn’t mean we have to invite eight hundred people to our wedding!”
“Eight hundred and two,” Pidge said, checking her phone “The US president just added herself on the guest list.”
“Are you kidding me? At least tell me we are getting someone cool.”
“The president of the United States isn’t cool? I think the King of England is coming too.”
“King William?” Adam frowned “I didn't realize he was even still alive. Christ. Where are we even holding this wedding? An opera house?” He groaned “This isn’t fair!”
“I’m taking care of that,” Lance called from across the room “It’s going to be outside so the lions can be included… I get the feeling Red might break in if we try to keep him away. Not to mention we know how Black can be when it comes to Shiro.” He said with a roll of his eyes “I’m thinking a football stadium.”
“Ugh,” Adam wrinkled his nose “People are going to be eating popcorn during our vows apparently. Tacky.”
“I’m trying!” Lance scowled “I didn’t die for this.” He added under his breath and Adam pointed at him.
“Your therapist said not to make those kinds of jokes anymore, Alejandro.” He said and Lance made a face before turning back to his computer “At least Hunk is dependable with the food…” He sighed and from the other room came a scream of horror.
“We are not having crab cake at this wedding!” Hunk’s voice yelled “Do I look like a fool? Crab cake? This isn’t the Little Mermaid! We aren’t having flipping Sebastian at the reception! Be serious about this menu or get out of here!” He shouted and there was a pause “Sylvio, your cookie ideas are splendid.”
“Thanks, Mr. Hunk!” A small voice came “UNCLE LANCE! MR. HUNK SAID MY COOKIES ARE GOOD!”
“Good job, Sylvio!” Lance called to his nephew absently “Make sure Mr. Hunk stops yelling at his computer.”
“GOOGLE IS SUGGESTING CRAB CAKES, LANCE!” Hunk shouted “They are a trillion dollar company now! You would think their search engines could come up with better ideas than this!”
"Don't you have Gordon Ramsay on speed dial?" Shiro calmly pointed out "If you need help, just ask him."
"The man is over a hundred now! The only reason he's alive is because they put his conciousness into a robot - I can't bother him unless it is dire." Hunk called back and Pidge rolled her eyes. The situation certainly sounded dire. "LOBSTER! Finally we are being reasonable here...Sylvio, should the cookies be chocolate chip or sugar?"
"Oatmeal raisin!"
"Don't make me fire you, Sylvio."
"....Chocolate chip."
"Where's Allura?" Lance suddenly called "I need to ask her if she can use her magic to seat these people." He said, tapping warily at his laptop. Shiro shrugged, looking unbothered by his absent friend. Pidge yawned.
"She's trying to figure out which news crews are coming."
"News crews?" Adam groaned "Did we consent for this to be televised?"
"No," Shiro hummed, still unbothered. "We did not... Does anybody need any help?" He asked, folding his arms over his chest. The room gave various answers, none of which gave any indication if any help was actually needed. Before Shiro could ask again, Keith walked in.
"I finished cake testing." He said "I swear I tried at least a dozen flavors. Why do you even need a specific cake anyways?" He muttered, rolling his eyes. Adam rolled his eyes right back before answering.
"I'm more concerned with how we are getting enough cake for eight hundred people," He sighed "What are the options?"
"Butter Pecan, Carrot, Chocolate Fudge, SuperMoist Spice, Party Rainbow Chip, Confetti-"
"Wait...What?" Adam interrupted "What bakery calls a wedding cake SuperMoist Spice? Where did you go?" He asked bewildered. Keith stared back at him, brows furrowed a bit as he licked some icing off of his fingers.
"...Food Lion."
"You went to a grocery store?" Adam asked, voice going a bit high "What the Hell did you do? Buy a bunch of Betty Crocker packets and taste the batter?!"
"Well...Yeah."
"LANCE!" He yelled and turned to Shiro to use as a human stress ball. Shiro patted his finacée's shoulder.
"Come on, Keith." Lance said, pushing his laptop away from him "Let's go to a bakery."
"What does a bakery have that Food Lion doesn't?" Keith argued, letting his boyfriend grab his hand and pull him from the room "Adam is such a snob."
"Demon." Adam mumbled. Pidge hummed in acknowledgement, still tapping away at the guest list.
"I'm going to try to make an algorithm to figure out who should be seated with where...." She murmured and Shiro rose an eyebrow at her.
"Maybe get some sleep first," He suggested "We have some time to figure this all out."
"Sure, sure." She said absently "I wonder if I have all the raw data I need to at least make a template... Hey, how do you guys feel about a fight breaking out during the ceremony? Good entertainment or try to avoid?" She asked and Shiro shrugged. Adam pinched the bridge of his nose.
"No fighting unless it is with me." He said and Pidge clicked her tongue.
"So I'll put Keith in the front row-"
"No."
"I have found the warriors for the celebration!"
"The...What?" Allura asked, looking up from where she had just finished conversing with several humans over filming the upcoming union. Krolia gestured her over to where she had listed out several names - some of which with Galran writing and notes scrawled beside them.
"The warriors," She shrugged "I assume human weddings work similarly to the unions between our species?" She frowned. Allura tilted her head. She honestly hadn't thought much of it. Altean unions were very similar to the Galra's due to the fact they had been long-standing allies before the war took place.
"Probably," She reasoned. There seemed to be a lot of overlap between cultures when looking at the big picture. It was just some minor details that differed. "So you think they'll want a warrior fight?"
"Who wouldn't?" Krolia asked and pointed at the paper "I'm thinking we can have the annoying one...Uh, Griffin fight the fun girl."
"Rizavi?"
"Exactly!" Krolia nodded and Allura hummed.
"Maybe we should have him fight Lance's sister too."
"Which one?"
"Oh...Uh. Both?"
"Good idea."
"Hey...Do human weddings have that thing where you send them locks of hair from all the guests to honor their union?" Allura frowned. She wasn't around for her parents wedding, but she had attended quite a few growing up and that had always been a large part of it. Krolia shrugged, touching her own hair absently.
"...Maybe we should ask Pidge for the guest list."
George was tired.
Very. Very. Tired.
He had agreed to watch over his brother's flower shop for the day while he was out visiting his girlfriend. He had thought it would be a nice change of pace from the grocery store, which was always filled with people causing problems and screaming about sales tax. Recently, things had calmed down...but now that the paladins were back he knew it was only a matter of time before someone tried to blow the whole place up.
As it turned out...Florist work was not much better.
"No, no, no. I need anfofea flowers, my boy. They are the only shade that will bring out the love this union is trying to potray."
"Sir... I've never heard of that color in my life." George sighed for what must have been the thousandth time. The man in front of him frowned, pulling at his mustache as he flowered around the shop. "Maybe try something like...I don't know. Purple? Blue? Red? Red is good for people in love." He suggested.
"Red is for blood. War. Never love."
Right. That explained why George was still single.
"What color is for love then?"
"Anfofea!"
"We don't have that color here!" He groaned "Maybe... Try a certain type of flower. Roses?"
"Roses?" The man asked, looking thoroughly offended. "What are roses?" He asked and when George gestured to the large display case, gasped. "Horrible! You sell those weeds? And people buy them?" He asked and walked around the store, scowling. George sank a bit lower behind the counter. Maybe he should consider a job that didn't involve talking to people. Perhaps... Carpentry. Writing. A mortician.
"Lilies?" He suggested and pointed at another display. The man tilted his head consideringly before sighing.
"No, no. They don't look as though they have been blessed by a Polventoof."
George didn't ask. He didn't want to know.
"What exactly is this event?" He tried instead "Are you trying to get someone to like you? A engagement? Wedding?"
"Yes! A wedding indeed. For a good friend of mine, Takashi Shirogane and his lovely fiancée Adam Frasier. Do you know of them?" The man asked, accidentally knocking over a vase of daisies as he spoke. George closed his eyes.
Why could he not escape these people?
"Come on... It's going to be fun!" Lance tried as they walked down the street. Keith shrugged, seemingly unconvinced as he kicked the sidewalk and looked up at the sky. Lance bit his lip. “Maybe after this we can take a break and visit some coalition members?” He asked “I think some of them wanted to come to the wedding anyways.”
“Sure,” Keith murmured. Lance frowned. Out of all of them, Keith’s adjustment back to Earth was going the roughest. Space was a bit like a drug for him at this point. He would sometimes wake up in the middle of the night and just take Black out. Sometimes he would even disappear for days.
Lance was not a fan of it.
Sure, he understood. Keith didn’t quite belong with humans - he never really fit in on Earth - so it made sense that he would find comfort among other planets and stars.
But like. A heads up would be cool. Or maybe a text. A handwritten letter. Something that gave a clear sign of ‘hey Lance, not dead’ you know? Was he asking for too much?
Sighing, he stuffed his hands in his pockets. Fine. Whatever. It wasn’t like he expected Keith to turn into Prince Charming when they started dating anyways. The guy would always annoy him no matter what label they slapped on it.
With that in mind...he went to the part of their relationship that he knew best.
”I bet I can eat more cake than you.”
”....that’s a stupid bet.”
”Yeah, because you know you can’t beat me. I understand.”
“No. It’s literally just stupid.”
”Okay, mullet. We’ll just say you were too scared to face me in a cake eating contest and leave it at that.” He hummed and felt Keith’s eyes narrow “I'm sure people expect that sort of thing anyways. Pidge does say you've become kind of whipped since we started dating." He added casually, knowing just the right words to get a hint of yellow in Keith's eyes.
"I am not."
"Uh huh," Lance hummed "I mean, I surely don't mind-"
"Winner gets to pick out the cake." Keith interrupted and Lance hid a grin of success. "Meaning if I win then we just grab some packets at Food Lion and be done with it."
Fuck. Adam was going to kill him.
"...who are you?" Pidge frowned as she stopped typing to tilt her head the intruder. The lady in front of her stared, not replying as she placed down her bag and looked around the room. Pidge was about to snap out her question again when a second person entered.
"Are we in the right place? No? Yes? There is a small child here so I can't be sure," The man said as a way of greeting. The woman didn't respond to him, but turned at his appearance, offering what Pidge could only describe as a sarcastic smile.
"I'm not a child." She offered and the pair turned to her "And I still don't know who you are?"
The man chuckled, shaking his head as if he said something funny and Pidge debated screaming for Hunk to help her because this man was clearly some kind of crazy psycho. Where were Adam and Shiro? She looked around for the pair, but they looked to have disappeared. Typical. Pursing her lips, she sighed, digging around her stuff to find her bayard.
"I was hoping we would get set-up in a hotel or something - then again, I'm not sure he knows we're coming. Did you send someone to tell him?" The man rambled as the lady made herself at home in one of the armchairs "No matter, I could perhaps call in some favors and get us somewhere more..." He trailed off, looking around Adam's apartment before dropping the sentence altogether "What do you think, love?" He asked. Before there was time for an answer, Pidge held up her bayard.
"I'm giving you one more chance to tell me who the fuck you are before I barbeque you." She announced. Two pair of eyes snapped to her.
"Are you threatening us?"
"Did you not hear me you little-"
"Dad? Mom...?"
Ohhhhhhh. Okay. That made sense.
"Adam!" The man yelled, probably shaking the entire house "Just the man we were looking for! I would recommend you hire better help. This young man was threatening us a moment ago."
"I'm not hired help!"
"She's a girl." Adam supplied. There was a bang and the kitchen door opened again.
"Hi Isabella. Marcus." Shiro said, nodding as he entered the room. He looked nervously at Pidge before eying the bayard in her hand "I didn't know you were coming."
"Me neither," Adam muttered "What are you doing here?"
"We're here for the wedding of course!" Marcus chuckled "Why would we miss such an event?"
"Takashi said you missed my funeral," Adam pointed out "I didn't think you would mind missing my wedding."
"Of course we missed your funeral! Funerals are hardly any fun," Marcus sighed, shaking his head "No...Life at those things. Ha! Perhaps not the best joke. Anyways, you ended up alive anyhow so I don't see why that would matter much." He added, clapping Adam on the shoulder "Tell me, are you inviting any aliens to this thing? I have a few action movies coming up and was wondering-"
"Uh...Actually," Adam said "Funny story. There is-" He started, but was cut off by Isabella saying something to him in Spanish. Pidge tilted her head. She had been around Lance long enough to pick up a few basic words. She got the feeling whatever Isabella was saying wasn't terribly nice. Adam sighed and replied before gesturing subtly towards Shiro. Marcus blinked, seemingly just realizing he had entered the room.
"Takashi! That arm is amazing. Do you mind if-"
"Nope!" Adam interrupted "We are not using my fiancée's arm as a movie prop, dad." He said and Isabella snorted, crossing her arms before glowering a bit a Shiro. Interesting. Shiro shuffled a bit under the weight of her glare and Pidge narrowed her eyes. Oh Hell no. She brought out her phone and discreetly sent out a text. There was one person in the world that she knew would defend Takashi Shirogane until she died...And would gladly fight Isabella over the rudeness if needed.
"It wouldn't be a prop, Adam! More of a-"
"Help."
The door slammed open and Pidge sighed. Lance and Keith walked in, both a bit green in the face with their nose wrinkled and slightly hunched over. Adam stared at them and sighed. Shiro's eye widened a bit and he took a few steps towards them, trying to steady the pair of idiots that Pidge was forced to call her friends.
"What happened?" Shiro asked, feeling the side of their faces.
"I did it for you," Lance whispered "So much...Cake. Oh. Hola Isabella!" He chimed in weakly and Adam's mom straightened a bit before saying something in Spanish. Lance replied and for the first time, Pidge saw a geniune smile grace her lips.
"Ah, Alejandro. You've grown." She said in accented English "I hear you are dating Keith now. How are you, nieto?" She asked, turning to Keith. Adam sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Mama, I've told you a thousand times that Keith is not my child. Stop calling him grandson."
"Is that what that means?" Keith muttered, leaning heavily on Lance "I thought she's just been calling me neat for years."
"I'm going to throw up." Lance announced and slid a card across the table "There's the name of the bakery and the cake flavor. I'm going to go die again now."
"Your therapist said-" Adam began, but was cut off by Lance throwing a shoe at him.
"Leave me alone!" He whined and collapsed on the couch. Keith opted to just lie on the floor and groan.
"Takashi...What have you done to these children?" Isabella frowned. "You are killing them now? Hm? Killing them with cake?"
"I don't think it is Shiro's fault," Pidge piped up "Your grandchildren are dumbasses."
"They aren't my children!"
"Those are some very large flower crowns."
Romelle looked up from her current knot to smile at Shiro as he approached where she was sitting in the middle of the park. The place was practically empty aside from a few walkers with with dogs. He eased down next to her and picked a few flowers up to help.
"They're for the lions. They should look snazzy for the wedding too. I asked Allura if she would enchant them so the flowers stay alive for a couple months!" She informed him brightly and handed him a few to help her "What are you doing here? You didn't bring me another present, did you? You need to stop with that." She warned him and as an answer, Shiro brough out a box and shoved it towards her.
"It's called chocolate," He smiled "You'll like it."
"I'm sure I will," Romelle told him and despite her initial protest at the gift, eagerly dropped the flowers to unwrap it. "Are you going to do this for the rest of your life?" She asked and Shiro shrugged.
"Maybe. If you hadn't found Adam..." He trailed off before shaking his head "He might not be here. He's not the kind of person that says thank you for a lot of things, but I am." He said and looked down at his hands "I don't think there is anything in the world I can get you that will show how grateful I am... So I'll just get you a little bit of everything." He said and Romelle snorted, face stained with chocolate.
"I guess I can't complain too much," She admitted, licking her fingers "But just so you know, Adam is too the kind of person that says thank you... Just as much as you do, actually." She hummed and plopped a few more chocolates in her mouth "Oh my quiznak it is like eating a...a..."
"Adam, thanked you?" Shiro interrupted. Romelle shook her head. She chewed for a few seconds, trying to swallow the massive amount of chocolates that were puffing out her cheeks so she looked a bit like a chipmunk.
"He talks to Black every morning," She said, mouth still full "He thanks her for keeping you alive and offers her blackmail on Keith as payment."
Ah. That sounded more like the man he tragically fell in love with. Romelle choked and Shiro flushed as he realized he had said the words aloud.
"Why aren't you with him now?"
"My future in-laws just arrived," Shiro shuddered "And it is a well-known fact that Isabella would very much like my head on a platter." He sighed and Romelle cocked her head a bit "She honest to God thinks I'm Lucifer himself. One time I walked into the room and she started praying. The woman isn't even religious." He groaned and shook his head "I hope Adam's grandfather and Mila come. They sometimes take my side." He mumbled. Mila was a sweet little woman who had raised Adam when his parents weren't around. She didn't speak English, but she did smile a lot so Shiro figured they were friends.
"What about your family?" Romelle asked him, licking her fingers clean and starting on the flower crowns again "When are they coming?"
Shiro paused. He looked at the Altean. Keith had told him she had lost her family due to Lotor's ambitions. Of course, Keith had practically adopted Romelle anyways. Once, a reporter asked if she had any family and after Romelle forced out the word 'no' Keith had appeared from nowhere to loudly announce she had spent time with them on the back of a space whale and she was his sister and not to ever ask her that question again.
Reporters stopped interviewing her altogether after that.
"My family is already here." He told her gently and knotted at the flowers.
"To clarify...You mean us, right?"
"Yes, Romelle. I mean you."
"Not Isabella?"
"God, no. If she didn't love Keith so much, she would have murdered me long ago."
"Why does she love Keith?"
"I don't know. I think she finds his rage endearing." Shiro sighed. Romelle considered this for a moment before shrugging.
"Don't get me wrong, I love Keith too, but I don't think that would stop me from murder or anything."
"I'm really glad you like me then." Shiro said and Romelle smiled brightly before handing him another flower.
"Hey Keith?"
"Hm?"
"You're Shiro's best man, right?" Lance asked. He had rolled off of the couch in order to join his boyfriend on the ground. Pidge had left to join Hunk in the kitchen and Adam had taken his parents - presumably to a safe location... Lance was a little worried he might be thinking about dropping them off in a shark-infested tank. The cake prevented him from worrying to much about it.
"Yeah. And your Adam's. We've been over this."
"Yeah, yeah. I was just thinking we should probably figure out what we're going to say for the speech."
A pause.
"For the what?"
"Uh. The speech? You know we have to give one, right? ...Keith?"
He sat up and to his slight shock and horror, found Keith holding in tears.
"I fucking hate them so much. I don't deserve this. I should have let Shiro fucking die that fucking asshole-"
"Oh my God, Keith."