Paladins Forever

by LadyWordsmith

After saving all of existence, the Paladins of Voltron moved on with their lives. Growing up, following their paths, while continuing to serve the galaxy. Time passes, relationships form, science advances, but the mission, as it turns out, is never really over. A series of consecutive post-series VLD stories, heavy on the Team Punk, new missions, and a very special rescue.

3. 3: Juniberry Blossoms & Turtles

Chapter 3: Juniberry Blossoms and the Symbolism of Turtles

In which everyone spends a week at a resort off American Samoa for the purpose of attending the wedding of Pidge and Hunk.

---

September 1st, 2328

There was no airport flight directly to the island that held the Garrett family resort, and it would have been incredibly selfish—and against protocols—to take as many Garrison transports as would have been needed for every wedding party member and guest from the Atlas. So instead, they had flown by normal earth means to Samoa, and caught a ferry boat across to the island. Katie watched the island coming closer as they crossed the waves, taking in the tang of salt air, and the riot of greenery resolving itself into a floral masterpiece lining soft sandy beaches. "It's gorgeous."

Standing beside her, his arm around her shoulders, Hunk grinned. "I told you it would be perfect. When I called Mom last night, she assured me that everything is ready to go. All we have to do is show up, enjoy ourselves, and get married."

"That's all is it?" Katie chuckled. "You make it sound incredibly simple."

"It is, as long as we both say yes."

"You're right. That is pretty simple."

Katie watched the shore come nearer, and the resort come into view. It was a large, beautiful white-washed building with two stories that rambled along the beach. There were some individual huts that looked nicely private further down, and colorful umbrellas dotted the sand. The beach curved, and just down the road she saw a line of shops and storefronts and what proved to be its own small town center, which also appeared to be the location of the docks.

While she didn't see anyone she recognized immediately, she knew that somewhere on the island was all of Hunk's family—including extended members she had never met—her family, and Lance, who had managed to get himself invited into helping with planning. How he had convinced the moms, Katie had no idea.

Guests would be arriving in different groups. Shiro and Curtis were somewhere on the same boat, probably watching the view from their own vantage point. Keith, Acxa, and Krolia would be coming in their own private flight pod, since they were coming in from space. Coran was coming from Altea. Romelle, Nadia, Ina, Veronica, James, and Ryan were all coming from the Atlas, but a little behind them.

They had decided to keep the guest list reasonably small, mostly because if they started including many people outside their closest circle, the list grew rapidly, and Katie really preferred something less giant and momentous. Thankfully, Hunk felt the same. Katie hadn't wanted to have an argument about whether or not to include Shay on the list.

Finally, the ferry docked, and they met up with Shiro and Curtis at the gangplank with their luggage. Within a couple of minutes, they were standing on the dock outside the ferry station.

"Did your mom happen to say who was meeting us?" Katie asked, looking around for a car. She supposed it wasn't that long of a walk to the resort if it came to that. They hadn't packed very much.

Hunk shrugged. "Nope, just that someone would bring a car from the resort." He looked around the small parking lot for a moment. "Oh, wait! Over there." He waved at someone.

Katie turned and saw a woman about their age sitting in a bright red convertible, waving back at Hunk. "Who's that?"

"My cousin Talia. Her father's the one who owns the island."

"Then we should go say hello," Shiro commented.

The four of them picked up their luggage and crossed to the car in question. As they did so, Talia got out and threw her arms around Hunk with the enthusiasm that was typical of his family. "Hunk! It's been so long since I've seen you. Wow, you look great! I'm so happy you decided to have the wedding here."

If she hadn't been family, Katie had to admit she might have been a little jealous. Tall, and curvy but muscular in a dancer-kind-of-way, Talia had long dark curly hair that fell down her back that was almost as long as Allura's had been, and skin darker than Hunk's. She looked like she could be a professional model, or a classic cartoon fairy-tale princess. Even in a pink t-shirt and jean cut offs, she managed to look elegant.

"Talia!" Hunk was hugging her back, and for a moment they exchanged what Katie would have called the usual family pleasantries.

Then Talia turned to her. "And you're Katie. It's so nice to meet you! Welcome to the family." And Katie found herself the recipient of an equally enthusiastic hug, which she returned.

"Thanks!"

"Talia, this is Shiro, and Curtis," Hunk introduced the other two men standing there with them, looking patiently amused.

"A pleasure," Talia beamed at both of them, shaking hands eagerly, but refraining from further hugs. "I've been hearing a lot about all of you this week. Ever since your friend Lance arrived to help with preparations. The place has been buzzing for days. Though it's a good thing you chose an off-season week, because we don't have many other guests this time of year."

She kept up a friendly, running stream of chatter as they all put their suitcases in the small trunk and piled in. Katie up front with Talia, as Shiro, Curtis, and Hunk shared the back.

"So, what do you do?" Katie asked curiously as Talia drove them down a beautiful winding coastal road towards the resort.

"When I'm not helping at the resort?" Talia grinned. "I handle all of the computer systems and meteorological data for the regional weather research station, which is located at the top of our little mountain." She gestured up the hill to her left.

Katie grinned. "Now that I would like to see."

Talia laughed. "Maybe if we have time. You've got a pretty busy week planned, and Aleki has put me in charge of making sure you have everything you actually need or want while you're here, as opposed to trying to anticipate your preferences."

Now that was hospitality. "Well, I do need to pick out a new swimsuit." It had been years since Katie had actually owned one, other than the military regulation one she almost never wore. Somehow, she didn't think anyone would let her get away with wearing it on a tropical paradise during her wedding.

Talia grinned. "I know just the place to take you shopping. We can go later this afternoon if you'd like to wait for the rest of your friends to arrive. We're sending a van to pick them up though."

Katie laughed. "That's probably a good thing." She couldn't imagine cramming all of them into the car, no matter how awesome a car it was. "Sure, we can wait." Why deny her friends the joy of watching her squirm as they voiced opinions on swimwear?

By the time they arrived at the resort, Katie was sure she and Talia were going to be friends. Beyond the island princess exterior, Talia was an intellectual, technically minded woman, and Katie definitely wanted to see the technical systems in the weather research station sometime before she left the island.

She was not at all surprised by the small crowd at the entrance. Her parents and Matt were there, and then a larger group that consisted of pretty much every member of Hunk's family Katie had previously met, and a few she hadn't, though she guessed the oldest man, whose curly hair had gone silver, was Grandpa Hershel.

They couldn't even make it out of the car without a barrage of hugs. Not that Katie really minded. It had been months since they had seen each other, at the shortest. In the case of some of Hunk's relatives, she hadn't seen them in a couple of years.

That didn't keep Hunk's mother from giving her the tightest hug out of all of them. "I can't wait to show you everything," she said, beaming. "I hope you like it."

Katie smiled. "I'm sure it's perfect, really. Planning parties is really not my thing, so it's been a relief to know that someone who knows what they're doing is handling everything."

Hunk's mother's face brightened even more. "Thank you. You know, Colleen and I had a great time working together. It's going to be perfect."

Eventually, they were able to break free from the good wishes and welcomes to at least get their things upstairs and into their rooms. For now, Katie had her own room. She hadn't been about to tell anyone in either family how much time she and Hunk spent in each other's' quarters the past few weeks, especially not her mother. Which seemed silly, given she was twenty-five, but somehow, she had a feeling her mother might be weird about it, even though she doubted anyone else in her family would have cared.
Still, it was a very nice room, on the second story, with a balcony and a gorgeous view of the beach and the ocean. The open windows let in the sunshine and the smell of sand and sea. There was a large vase of fresh flowers sitting in the middle of the table in her room. The bed looked soft, with crisp white linens. The whole place was open and airy.

"Knock knock."

Katie turned, and saw another welcome face standing in the open doorway. "Lance!" She crossed the room, and hugged him tightly. A hug he returned in a not-quite-as-bone-crunching as Matt brotherly fashion. "They said you were around here somewhere."

"Just making sure everything's perfect for my best friends," Lance chuckled. "This place is incredible, and Hunk's family definitely knows how to plan a party."

"And my mom isn't driving everybody crazy?"

"Not at all."

"I have a lot of trouble believing that."

"Paladin's honor," Lance held up his hand like a scout, the other going over his heart. "Though I can't promise she won't drive you crazy because she's your mom. I should probably warn you I heard Hunk's mom telling her stories yesterday about how wonderful being a grandmother is."

"Oh, quiznak." That was not a conversation she wanted to have with her mother who had, up until now, thankfully only posed hinting questions at Matt, and not her. It was possible that she had just given up on Katie even bothering to get married up until the last few months. Of course, with Matt and N-7s recent break-up, she might be fielding all those hints now instead. "Thanks for the warning. Maybe she'll wait a few months before she starts dropping hints."

"Having watched my mom with all of my siblings, you're probably out of luck," Lance admitted. "And you'd think she'd have enough by now, but the last time we were home she was even bugging Veronica about getting married."

Katie knew the rest of Lance's older siblings were all married now, and at least had one kid. "That is not reassuring." Then something else occurred to her. "She doesn't ask you about it, does she?"

Lance shook his head. "No. She knows where my heart is. In fact, when people come over and ask about Allura, she talks about her like she was already part of the family.

It's sweet." He shrugged. "But this trip isn't about me. It's about you two, and I know Allura would be as thrilled as I am that you two have each other."

"You think she'd be surprised?"

"You know, I don't think so," Lance admitted, smiling. "You two were pretty inseparable back then, even when you weren't working on designing, programming, or maintaining some aspect of all that crazy tech we had running around. Every free moment, you were hanging out, goofing off, talking. I mean, that's what best friends do, but I'm pretty sure if you asked anyone who spent any time on the Castle of Lions they'd tell you we all knew you two might end up together some day. Or not, cause sometimes best friends are just best friends, but no, I'm not surprised, and I don't think Allura would have been either. You two are pretty much perfect for each other."

Which left her wondering just how many of her friends had thought they might make a cute couple, back when she had never once spent any time thinking about it. "Well, we can agree on that last part."

"So, what are your plans this afternoon?" Lance asked curiously.

"Hunk's cousin Talia said when everyone else gets here she'd take us back into town and we would do a little shopping. I have to admit, I didn't have much to pack that was appropriate for tropical weather."

"Knowing you, I'm not in the least surprised. Well, you have fun. There's a big dinner planned tonight that should be a really good time. There will be plenty of time tomorrow to show you all the plans."

"You don't want to come along?" Katie asked, grinning. "We're probably buying swimsuits."

"As tempting as it would be to see the ladies of the Atlas trying on swimwear, I'll see all of you on the beach tomorrow. And right now, your mom is waiting for me to help with flower arrangements."

"You are helping with flowers?"

"Of course. The juniberries are loving this weather. It's a lot like home, but making sure they match the local flora can be a bit tricky."

---

By the time Katie got back downstairs, the rest of the Atlas crew who was coming had arrived and stowed their bags, and they were dying to explore the island. So, with Talia as their local guide, Katie, Nadia, Ina, Romelle, and Veronica piled into the sports car, and went back into town. First on the shopping list, as anticipated, swimsuits.

"You're telling me you don't already own a swimsuit?" Katie looked at Nadia skeptically as they strolled down the street towards the store.

"Oh, I have three," Nadia replied with a shrug. "But none of them are tropical island beach swimsuits, and there is no way I am being seen on this beach in Garrison regulation swimwear."

"I concur," Romelle nodded. "Besides, something more colorful and fun seems much more appropriate to this setting."

"What about you Ina?" Katie asked curiously.

The Nordic girl shrugged. "I mostly own deep-water scuba gear. It's not really convenient for the beach."

"I'm just along to offer expert advice," Veronica quipped. "Though I wouldn't mind adding another one to my collection if there's something here, I have to have."

"You have a collection of swimsuits?"

"My family farm is on a Caribbean Island, with beach access."

"You make an excellent point."

Walking in the door, Katie had never seen so many swimsuits in one place. There had to be, literally, hundreds, in every style and color from basic to artistic to might-as-well-be-string.

Suddenly everyone scattered, leaving Katie standing in the middle of racks and racks of swimsuits. She looked around. Everything on the rack next to her was a string bikini. "I'll…be over here," she commented, not sure anyone heard her as she moved towards the one-pieces in the back. Left to her own devices, she had no trouble finding something simple, and functional, in her size. She slipped into the dressing room to try it on.

"You don't get to pick anything without inspection!" she heard Nadia's voice from outside the dressing stall.

With a sigh, Katie stepped out in the simple, black suit.

She was met with a range of expressions, mostly from ho-hum to downright disappointment on Nadia's part. It only took Katie a moment to realize why.
Nadia and Romelle were also already in suits, and while neither were made of shoelaces, they were also colorful, and cut entirely differently. Romelle's was a water-ripple patterned two-piece in shades of blue and violet, run-through with white highlights with a playful ruffle that gave the look of water crashing on a shoreline along the bust. Nadia was trying on a sportier two-piece that looked like something you might play volleyball in, but it was a brilliant tropical red.

"Seriously, Pidge? This is not swim-drills in the Garrison pool. You've got a great body. At least pick something flattering!"

"I like this one," Katie replied, feeling irritated. "What's wrong with it?"

Romelle shrugged. "Nothing really except…it's very functional, isn't it? Aesthetically it just sort of flattens you out and it's very… severe?"

"You look like you belong on a middle-school swim team," Veronica admitted. "It's a lot like the one they made us wear when I was on my middle-school swim team."

"Exactly!" Nadia exclaimed. "We're on this gorgeous tropical island, and you're the bride! We're going to be spending tons of time on the beach. You are wasting a golden opportunity here, to be unattainably gorgeous and make every guy on this island insanely jealous of Hunk who, also, will be looking at you in this swimsuit all week. You're not fighting space battles in it."

All very valid points. Katie knew full well Hunk would tell her to wear whatever she wanted, but it might be nice to surprise him a little.

She also knew she had little eye for earth fashion. She sighed, hoping she was not going to regret this. "Okay, fine. Maybe I could use some help picking something, but there are rules. First, it has to be a one-piece." With all the horsing around and games they were bound to play given how physical the team was, she wasn't about to be worried about part of her clothes falling off. "Secondly, no weird lacing or cut-outs. Third, it's got to come to at least here," she tapped her chest above her breasts. "No crazy plunging necklines. Same thing goes in the back."

Nadia looked more pleased with that turn of events. "All right. There's still a lot to work with here with those guidelines."

Romelle beamed. "I think I saw a few that would look smashing on you." And both women disappeared into the sea of swimwear.

Talia had wisely stayed out of it. She stood there, smiling.

Katie eyed her curiously. "What do you think?"

Talia shrugged. "I think you should wear something that you like, but that also makes you look and feel good. It can't hurt to try on a few before you make a choice. Though, I should tell you, that friend of yours—Lance—did tell me the entire team has bets going as to whether or not you get talked into wearing a bikini."

Now that was an interesting development. Though Katie supposed she shouldn't be surprised. It had probably been Lance's idea. "Do you happen to know who bet which way?" "From what I understand, everyone except for Lance bet against it… even Hunk."

That was definitely the safer bet, but Katie wasn't sure she liked them betting on her like that. "Talia, I saw some two pieces out there with tank-tops…. Which way do you think those would count?"

---

Shopping for intimate apparel had not been on Katie's list of things she really wanted to do in a group, and it turned out to be even more bizarre. After a couple of other clothing stores she found herself standing in a store that was nothing but undergarments and sleep wear… none of which involved soft flannel or pants.

"You cannot wear your normal underwear on your wedding night," Nadia insisted as they stood in a store dedicated to nothing but lingerie. Katie had never seen so much lace—or vibrantly atrocious pink—in her life. "Everything you have is boring white cotton!"

"Who gave you permission to look through my underwear?"

"No one. I've seen your laundry on the Atlas."

Katie sighed. "I'm getting married in a sun-dress. This isn't exactly formal. No one's going to see what I'm wearing under it."

"Untrue!" Veronica held up a silk nightgown between Katie and the mirror, and grinned over her shoulder. "Because this will be the first—and last— thing Hunk sees you in before he sees you naked. And while I am sure he would be perfectly happy to see you practically naked in anything, wouldn't you like to make this fun? Add a little mystique…. Or at least a little color!"

Now was not the time to point out he'd already seen her naked…and she him. Though maybe that was where add a little mystique came in. Did normal guys care about a girl's underwear?

Katie glanced at Romelle and Ina. "Do you have an opinion too?"

"Not really," Romelle replied. "Altean wedding traditions include traditional garments from the foundations up." She glanced around the building. "Though I have to admit, this selection is far more interesting than what they sell at the shop near the Garrison."

Ina just shrugged.

That was oddly reassuring. What was not reassuring was the way Veronica and Nadia were eyeing the lingerie around them.

This time, Talia came to Katie's rescue before anyone could drag her into a dressing room. "You know what. I know my cousin pretty well…I think I've got a few ideas. Come with me." She took Katie by the shoulders and led her away until they were out of sight and sound of the others, and into the section of the store that was nearly abandoned, because most of what was in it was functional. "You're starting to look a little shell-shocked."

"No one has cared about my undergarments but me since my mom helped me buy my first bra in middle school," Katie admitted. "I'd really rather find something I like that I can wear more than once. It seems like a lot of fuss for one night." After all, they were going to be together for the rest of their lives.

"So do that. Seriously. Everything in my closet, is from this side of the store, and they've got some really cute stuff, and all of it's as practical and comfortable as it is pretty. I can't afford support that isn't."

Katie looked around at the selection, feeling more confident about finding something over here, where nothing looked like it had come out of a sex-catalog or off a pin-up.

"Okay, I can work with this. But afterwards, can we do something that does not involve clothes?"

Talia chuckled. "Absolutely!"

---

Hunk was waiting for Katie to come down for dinner when he heard a hearty, and unfortunately familiar, shout from behind him. With a groan, he turned around.

"Ha! I knew it was you," Levi grinned as he strode up and embraced Hunk in a bone-crunching hug. As tall as Hunk, and nearly as broad shouldered, if slightly leaner over-all in build type; his older cousin didn't look much different at all than the last time he had seen him several years ago. Grinning, chisel-featured, and nothing but muscles in a tight shirt, khakis, and sunglasses, nestled up in his hair…. Like a model in a surfing magazine. "Lookin' good, little cousin."

"Thanks. You haven't changed a bit."

"Aww, thanks." Levi chuckled as his wife Kaila joined them with their kids, who were both much older than the last time Hunk had seen them. Mara was twelve, and her little brother Sam was ten. "Never thought I'd see the day. Congratulations!"

"Cousin Hunk!" Sam ran forward, tossing himself at Hunk with reckless abandon. With a grin, Hunk caught him and, even as big as he was now, hefted him up into the air right over his head. "Awesome!" he grinned as Hunk spun him around and set him down. "That's even higher than I remember."

Mara, who had loved the same thing when she was younger, had apparently reached the point of middle-school girlhood, when being hefted in the air by her cousin was no longer cool, but she did run up and give him a hug. "Where's your fiancée, Cousin Hunk? Is she pretty?"

Hunk grinned. His cousin might be annoying sometimes, but his kids were great. "She's very pretty."

"It's good to know you think so," Katie's voice came from behind him. A moment later she was standing next to him in a long red-white-and-green floral print skirt and a simple white blouse. "You must be Levi and Kaila," she smiled warmly.

Levi's grin widened and he took Katie's offered hand with a smile. "That I am, and you must be the amazing Katie. It's a pleasure, and welcome to the family."

"Yes, it'll be nice to have someone else to talk to at family dinners," Kaila added with a chuckle as she greeted Pidge with a hug.

Levi turned back to Hunk. "You know you're all your mom talks about when she calls mine right? Her space hero master chef son, marrying his brilliant, space hero fiancée."

Hunk shrugged, a little pleased though. "We can't all be yacht salesmen, Levi."

Levi chuckled and smiled at Katie. "He's kidding. I own SeaCorp."

"The Marine Tech company?" Katie's eyes lit up. "I've seen your deep-trench specs. Your latest prototypes have a lot of promise."

Hunk tried not to groan as his cousin grinned broadly. "Well, it's nice to be appreciated. Ol' Chunk has excellent taste."

"Don't call me that, Levi." Hunk managed not to scowl at his cousin, barely.

Levi did not seem bothered. "What, I can't call my kid cousin by an affectionate nickname anymore?"

"No one has called me that since I was a kid." He had ditched that particular nickname partially in middle-school, and completely when he hit the Garrison. He'd never liked it.
Thankfully, his cousin backed off. Levi's expression softened. "Sorry, Hunk. Old habits die hard. I'm actually very proud of you."

Wow. "Thanks, Levi."

For a moment, they just stood there, then it passed and Levi nodded. "Well, I should go find your mom before she decides that my being late in an insult to the family name and comes hunting me down to make me bleach napkins or something. We'll see you at dinner."

"Yeah, I'll see you there."

When Levi and his family had gone up with their bags, Katie slid one arm into his. "Your cousin is… quite a piece of work."

"When I was little, he was everything I wanted to be," Hunk admitted quietly. "Tall, athletic, smart, popular; he was good at everything he tried. School, no problem. Swim team captain, great surfer, traditional dance… never got in trouble. Well, nothing major. He's the oldest of all of us cousins except for my sister, so he's always been the leader."

"How many years apart are you two exactly?"

"Ten. By the time I was eight he was in college, and working at a boat dealership to pay for it. That's where he met Kaila."

"College, or the boat dealership?" Katie asked with a chuckle.

"Both actually. Her father was looking to buy a new yacht and they were talking boats after class. Next day she brought him in to the dealer and he bought the most expensive boat on the lot. Levi got a hefty commission and a promotion for that one. When he finished his business degree, his boss referred him to a friend…who happened to own SeaCorp. Levi's been with them ever since, and the old owner retired a couple of years ago."

"That's quite a success story," Katie acknowledged.

"Yeah, well, that pretty much sums up Levi." He tried not to sound bitter. "He wasn't a bad older cousin. He just never had much time for me unless I was useful."

"His wife seems nice," Katie said as they started walking out the doors and down towards the beach.

"Kaila's always been nice. Honestly, she spends more time talking to me when they come over than Levi did. I'm also more calming to small babies than Levi is," Hunk admitted with a grin.

"I thought you were afraid of babies. Didn't you tell me once you panicked every time your sister asked you to watch her kids when they were little?"

"To be fair, I was in elementary school then."

"So, you like babies."

Hunk eyed her warily, though he knew she was teasing him. "Yes, as future concept. That is a conversation that is going to need a private room and a strong drink, Pidge."

She laughed. "It's okay. Let's worry about getting through the wedding first." Starting a family was not anywhere near the top of her post-wedding list either. "Then we can worry about how to fend off questions from parents about potential future offspring we're not having any time soon."

Hunk relaxed. "Sounds good to me."

---

"And this isn't even as big as the reception?" Katie asked Hunk, as she stared up and down the beach at the swarm of friends and family members hanging out around fire-pits in the sand, over-hung by the sound of a stereo system pumping music and the smell of roasting pork and fruits and vegetables.

The two of them were sitting on the ground by one of the pits, having just gotten plates of food from the instant buffet that seemed to pop up almost out of nowhere.
"Definitely not," Hunk told her with a casual shake of the head. "This is a small party. They haven't broken out the traditional dance music or the big roast. Also, we'll actually use things like the good plates."

Katie looked down at the plastic plate full of fruit and roasted pork perched on her knees. "Good plates would be nice." She was glad she had purposefully left most of the planning up to Hunk's mother, her mother, and apparently Talia—as the manager of all things that involved finesse—had taken over that part while Aleki was running the rest of the resort, which was more extensive than Katie had first realized, since it not only had the beach, but a golf course, an actual swimming pool, horseback riding tours of the rainforest on the mountain, surfing, scuba-diving, rock-climbing, and "beginner" cliff-diving lessons for the particularly foolhardy.

Katie had done enough crazy things in the course of a week as the Green Paladin, and every other week or so on the Atlas, that other than maybe horseback riding through the rainforest, she was content to follow the general schedule and try and stay as relaxed and laid back as possible. There was enough to do. Tomorrow was mostly a day of relaxation, with the wedding rehearsal in the afternoon, followed by what she hoped would be a relaxing evening. It still felt weird to be separated out from the guys, but Talia had assured her that their girls' night would be fun, and something Katie would enjoy, and that Katie almost certainly did not want to be there for the bachelor party that Hunk's cousins and old friends had planned for him.

"One good thing about having it on the island," Talia had joked, "There are no strippers or exotic dancers within three hundred miles."

Katie hadn't even thought about exotic dancers until Talia said something. Still, most of Team Voltron, the male MFE pilots, and her brother, would be off with Hunk. At least Katie had Romelle, Veronica, and the MFE girls, but she was getting tired of this gender-split traditional wedding stuff. At least tomorrow would be everyone together on the beach, and whatever else they decided to do.

"So, what did you do all afternoon?" Katie asked curiously as she dug into her fruit plate. That was one thing she definitely missed in space, really fresh fruit.
Hunk shrugged, and took a large bite out of a papaya. "Hung out with the guys, listened to my mom go on and on to your mom about all my embarrassing childhood memories. She brought albums… it was bad."

"There are baby pictures of you?" Katie perked up. "I need to see these." She was not at all surprised that Hunk's parents had albums full of photographs of their darling son, but Katie had never seen them.

"Ohhhh don't worry. Mom will hunt you down with them before the night is out. She was doing it right in front of the guys…so you'll hear about them all from Lance if she doesn't get to you first." He took another bite. "What did you do?"

"Shopped for… things." Katie refrained from rolling her eyes, but she was sure her patience with the day's earlier activities—or lack thereof—was clear in her tone of voice. "I had to get a new swimsuit. The last one I bought when I was fourteen."

"I'd imagine that'd be a little snug now," Hunk agreed, "In…certain areas."

"And a few inches too short." Katie grinned at him. "I also picked up about a gallon of sunscreen." If she was going to spend several days outdoors—admittedly the most beautiful outdoors she'd ever seen—she did not want to turn into a lobster. She was relieved that none of the tropical pacific plant life set off her allergies which, she had noticed, had actually been minimized by years of using the Altean pods for healing and wandering the cosmos. It was nice to be able to breathe in the smell of flowers without sneezing.

"Good thinking. Sunburn is bad for hugs."

And other things. Katie had managed to focus on the important things the past few weeks—like their missions—and avoid thinking about things that wouldn't be happening again until after the wedding. "That's just what I was thinking."

September 2nd, 2328

Katie was looking forward to spending the morning on the beach with all of her friends. After breakfast, everyone went to change into swimwear. Katie put on her new suit, along with a cool, breezy cover-all she had purchased to help avoid massive sunburn, and a sunhat. She also slathered enough sunscreen on to block a supernova.

When she got to the beach, Talia and Nadia had beaten her there, and were setting up huge beach umbrellas in bright colors. "We take skin protection very seriously here," Talia grinned. "Also, most of your family looks like they'd crisp on a cloudy day."

"That's because we do," Katie chuckled as she laid her beach towel out on the sand under a blue umbrella. "Here, I'll help."

It only took a few minutes to finish, and by the time they had, people were arriving; well young people. Katie noticed that so far, anyone old enough to be their parents was nowhere to be seen.

There was also plenty to do aside from enjoy the scenery. There was a volleyball net, and surfboards, and a variety of other beach games Katie had heard of, but had never seen in person. "Wow, there's a lot to do."

"You sound surprised."

"I was not an outdoorsy kid."

Nadia smirked. "You're not outdoorsy now."

"Hey, space qualifies as the outdoors."

"Well, it's always good to try something new." Talia grinned. "Your friends sure look like they're having fun."

That was true. Lance, Keith, Veronica, and Shiro appeared to be explaining to Acxa, Romelle, and Coran the basics of volleyball which Katie did, in fact, know how to play, mostly thanks to her less-than-loved primary school physical education class. Still, after all the things they had batted around in space, it was a lot easier than combat. Both Romelle and Coran seemed to be picking it up fairly quickly. Ina was listening, though she looked bored. Which probably meant she already knew how to play and was just waiting for the game to start.

Talia was smiling appreciatively. "Are any of your other Paladin friends single? I have friends."

Katie tried not to smirk. While she'd never been attracted to most of her teammates, they were a good looking, fit bunch. Years of hard physical combat did that to people. It wasn't all sitting in a cockpit and steering after all. "Just Lance. Though the fighter pilots are available." There was still one person missing, however. The one she most wanted to see. "Where's Hunk?"

A moment later she heard Hunk's voice, and her brother's, laughing about something, and all three girls turned their heads. Her eyes landed on Hunk, in bright yellow shorts and nothing else, and she felt her whole body flush warm.

I suddenly understand why other girls like watching men on the beach. Even having seen him—all of him—in their quarters, there was something far different seeing muscles rippling under dark skin reflecting the rays of the sun.

Her own small gasp was mirrored by two others—one to either side.

Nadia spoke first. "Wooooow, Pidge. I have to admit, that is a lot of good-looking man. Our uniforms do not do him justice."

"Yeah, yeah it is," Katie nodded. "And no, no they don't." Oh sure, compared to the rest of the Voltron team around him, Hunk was still far bulkier and broader, which was to be expected with his large frame, but there was a lot more definition than the uniforms, or Hunk's usual loose-clothing styles, displayed, particularly in the arms, chest, and legs. Over the past decade it had only become more defined. It was as if someone had taken a clay statue and sculpted it, repurposed clay without removing most of it.

Talia was grinning. "He looks like Uncle Eli back in his dancing days."

Katie blinked. "Hunk's father did traditional dance?"

"A lot of people around here do," Talia explained. "Uncle Eli was great though. Levi's very good, though I don't think he's kept up with it. Not as many of us do anymore as those in Hawaii and some other islands, but dancing is part of all of the island cultures. It's a warrior's training. I'm sure I can find some pictures of Eli and papa back then."

She chuckled. "If you could see Hunk's abs he'd look a lot like my boyfriend."

"Hey," Katie cut in, feeling the slightly irritated urge to come to Hunk's defense. "He looks great."

Talia grinned at her. "He's my cousin. I'm not saying he doesn't look good, just making a comparison. Your opinion is the only one that matters here. Though I'm not sure why you look surprised. He's your fiancé."

Now both women were looking at her, especially Nadia, who had a smirk that spoke volumes.

Katie shrugged, trying to play it down. "To be honest, I've never really paid much attention. I've just always liked him as-is."

She realized both of the other girls were staring at her.

"That is truly adorable," Nadia chuckled. "And so you."

Katie was sure she was blushing as she averted her eyes. "We should join them for volleyball."

"Definitely," Nadia agreed.

Talia nodded. "And you have a bet to destroy."

Katie grinned. Time for a little vengeance. "Yes, yes I do." She took off the hat and the cover-up, leaving them on her blanket, uncovering the swimsuit she had eventually picked out; a green two piece, that was thin-strapped tank-top on top, normal bottom, in a light tropical leaf green. There was only a strip of skin about an inch wide between the two. It felt a lot like exercise wear, and while it did everything her friends had insisted it needed to do, there was no real chance of any part of it coming off—or her popping out of it—even if they got rambunctious in the water or volleyball court.

The impromptu lessons paused as they approached. Lance—who she knew had started the bet—grinned broadly. "Hah! Nice swimsuit there, Pidge."

Katie didn't really care what anyone else though. The thunderstruck look on Hunk's face was worth it. "Thanks, Lance."

Lance nodded and glanced at Hunk. "See, two-piece, I win!"

That shook Hunk out of his apparent reverie. "What? No, the bet was bikini. That's not even close."

"Definitely doesn't count," Keith agreed with a shake of his head.

Katie crossed her arms. "Actually, boys, it's neither. So, I'd say I win. Maybe you'll learn not to make bets about me. You can pay up later… unless you keep money in your swim trunks."

No one challenged the statement, though they did have the decency to look contrite. The other women were grinning.

"No one? All right then, let's play."

---

It turned out to be several vicious games of volleyball, with a variety of different team match-ups: Paladins-and-nonhumans versus MFE pilots and Atlas crew for a couple of games, then they swapped up and played men versus women. Then as people got tired, or took breathers, they subbed in and out in a variety of configurations of smaller games.

Hunk had never been particularly good at beach volleyball, at least not the dashing around part, but he hadn't played in years, and all the physical training as a Cadet, Paladin, and continued crew-member on the Atlas had definitely made him faster and more flexible than he had been. Of course, the best place to put him was right up front by the net, because being one of the tallest people there; he didn't really have to be able to jump too high to block and slam the ball back down on the other side.

Unsurprisingly, the best players on the team were the island natives; his cousin Talia, and Lance and Veronica.

Finally, when everyone was hot, sweaty, and tired, they took to the water, where those who still had energy to burn engaged in races and splash fights, and others—like Hunk—enjoyed the ability to float in the refreshing surf. He closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling of floating in water, which was more relaxing than floating in space.

At least, it was relaxing until he felt hands on his shoulders only a split second before they tipped him down and under!

It only took one strong push to resurface, but Hunk spun, looking for the culprit, only to find Katie floating a few feet away, soaking wet, and laughing. He didn't waste time with a comeback, but instead dove in, striking out towards her, which led to an immediate scramble as she dove into the waves, taking off down-shore.

What ensued was a several minute race that involved him nearly catching up with her, only to have her dodge out of the way, or him barely catching a hold long enough for her to twist out of reach again, then try to grab him, until they were both exhausted and breathless, and dragged themselves back to the beach to collapse on the beach towels Katie had left under the giant umbrellas earlier.

Hunk rolled over on his back and lay there, staring up at the umbrella and the brilliant blue sky above, panting as he slowly regained his breath. "How did I not know you were that good a swimmer?"

Next to him, propped up on one elbow, Katie was grinning. He felt better that she was also breathing heavily. "Just because it's not my favorite activity doesn't mean the pool on the Atlas isn't where I do some good thinking. Laps are easy to do without having to think about them too much." She shrugged. "It's more my style than weights."

"If you swim on the Atlas, why did the girls drag you into town to go swimsuit shopping?"

Katie snorted. "Because apparently the basic uniform swimsuit isn't acceptable attire in paradise. I think everyone bought a new suit, and Veronica admitted she has an entire collection back home, and she packed at least three."

"Well, I like this one," Hunk admitted. "It suits you." It was very flattering on her lean form, but it didn't flatten or squash the curves she had. Yet it was still very practical, and very Katie.

He got the satisfaction of seeing one of Katie's rare looks of embarrassed pleasure. "You think so? It took way too long to find something, though I think most of that was Nadia trying to push French bikinis on me."

Hunk tried to imagine Katie willingly running around on the beach in something like that…and he really couldn't. "Did you even try it on?" he couldn't help asking curiously.

"Not on your life," she snorted as she sat up and reached for the sunblock. Then she paused, bottle in hand, and looked at him. "Why? Do you think I should have?"

Hunk grinned at her wary expression. "Nope. I mean, I'm sure you'd have looked great but you would have been miserable."

"That's for sure." She opened the sunblock, and started reapplying it to her face, then arms. "Could you get my back?" she asked as she refilled her hands to get her legs.

"Absolutely." Hunk picked up the bottle and squirted a small dab into his hands before rubbing it deftly into the skin of Pidge's upper shoulders and neck. The swimsuit actually covered most of her back. Hunk was meticulous in making sure he covered every inch and didn't miss any spots. The last thing he wanted was for Katie to burn anywhere. He enjoyed the feel of her smooth skin under his fingers and took his time. It was almost a massage as much as rubbing in lotion but she didn't seem to mind. "I think that's everything," he finally said.

"Too bad," Katie chuckled. "I was enjoying that."

"Soon," he murmured softly in her ear before sitting back. In less than forty-eight hours. "And somewhere less public than this beach." Where no one was trying to pretend they weren't watching them, but were probably all secretly thinking they were being adorable. Of course, given this entire trip was about them, it stood to reason they would get more attention than usual.

"Patience is not my greatest virtue."

Hunk chortled. "We've made it this far, and everyone's having a good time. It's not like they get a lot of breaks, or we do, even without some big bad trying to take over the universe."

"True." Katie looked thoughtful for a moment. "All right then. What should we do until dinner?"

There was still plenty of afternoon left. Hunk looked around, and while some of their friends were still splashing in the ocean, or picking up another small game of volleyball, others were also resting in the shade. He doubted they would be allowed to sneak off alone together for a while. "How about a trail ride?" he suggested. "There are some great waterfalls on this island, and the wildlife is pretty comfortable with people, since no one from the resort messes with them."

"That could be fun." Katie looked up at him. "Do they have a horse you can ride?"

Hunk grinned. It was a fair question. "The trail horses they have are all sturdy, mellow animals that are used to people with no idea what they're doing sitting on their backs. Some are bigger or smaller than others, but they have a few big enough to hold locals."

"Great. I'll go ask Talia." Katie kissed his cheek, then stood up and headed across the sand.

Hunk smiled as he watched her go. He wasn't sure if it would ever be safe to tell her how attractive he found her back… but it was a very enjoyable view.

---

Katie enjoyed the rest of the afternoon. The trail ride turned out to be incredibly pleasurable, as they road up and down a well-worn path through the hills and forest, past some gorgeous waterfalls, and Talia pointed out a stunning variety of local birds, and flying fox bats roosting in a tree. There was a much wider assortment of flowering and non-flowering plants that looked fascinating. Katie was put on a quiet, palomino mare who was perfectly content to follow along in line, walking in front of the large chestnut gelding that looked mildly irritated at being Hunk's mount, but didn't care enough to cause any trouble. Many of their friends, though not all, chose to go on the equine tour of the island.

Afterwards, there was a quick clean up and the rehearsal for the following day. Not that it was a complicated ceremony. They had forgone many of the old-fashioned trappings and extra people being in the ceremony because what mattered was that everyone was there at all to be with them on a special occasion. Shiro was officiating, and Hunk had asked Lance to be his best man. Katie had asked Romelle to stand with her as maid of honor. They had forgone long rows of people in expensive outfits, or troublesome small children to carry rings. It helped that no one in the family currently had a troublesome small child.

The music, a romantic lilting instrumental played by an excellent guitarist, was actually from a cut-scene in one of their favorite video games, but Katie hadn't been about to say a word of where it came from to her mother. She had simply given her its official name and composer, and sent sheet music.

After the rehearsal it was time for yet another huge meal-on-the-beach, which seemed to be a common theme, particularly because it was a nice, easy way to feed the entire wedding party. In this case, however, the celebration was all family, even the entertainment, which was really members of Hunk's family enjoying traditional pre-wedding festivities. Apparently, there was dancing for every occasion.

Tonight, there were long tables set up on the huge open porch outside the resort building, so they didn't sink into the sand, and flaming torches for lighting. The musicians who worked at the hotel played, and Talia and several of the other local girls –and a couple of the guys—danced. Katie had to admit, she was very impressed, and it was incredibly clear from the level of skill and physicality involved that they were not amateurs.

The only downside was that mid-party she was separated from Hunk again, because from here, the men and women would be going their separate ways for evening festivities. In fact, as they were sitting there enjoying the last of the music, she saw the guys getting up and heading off into the jungle. "Where are they going?" she asked Talia, who had rejoined them after her dance.

Talia shrugged. "If I know my brother and Levi, they'll be putting Hunk through the traditional family trials."

Well, that sounded interesting. "What do those involve? Is it some kind of cultural tradition?"

"Only in our family," she admitted, shaking her head. "Exactly what kind of trial they run each man through seems to vary by individual, but it's always a challenge that involves a physical challenge, usually facing one of their greatest fears, and then way more drinking than we'll be doing tonight."

Well, that wasn't at all reassuring. Katie hoped Hunk—and the rest of her friends going—was in a position to enjoy tomorrow. She'd be very upset with Aleki and Levi if Hunk was hungover when it came time to say their vows. "Suddenly I'm glad we're not going with them. So," She turned back to Talia. "What are we doing?"

"You'll see. Are you ready to go?"

Katie nodded. "Yeah. Let's do this."

As it turned out, this involved a short night trek up the mountain to the weather station, and the promised tour of all the awesome technology Talia worked with every day, including the improvements made over the past decade as technology arrived on earth from alien planets. Katie was impressed to recognize elements of Olkari, Galra, and Altean technology in the station.

Afterwards, Talia led them back outside, and down a small twisting rock trail that brought them out just below the station, and into a grotto of steaming water. Solar-powered strings of lights lit the entire area like lightning bugs, and through the trees above, stars twinkled. Suddenly, Katie understood why Talia had suggested bringing their swimsuits. "It's a natural hot spring."

"Yep. Biggest, clearest one on the island, and a great spot for private parties."

There were also drinks and snacks already laid out on a large flat rock, so obviously this had been planned from the start.

"This is awesome!" Nadia hooted.

In short order everyone had removed any non-swim clothing and piled in to what proved to indeed be a very large, roomy hot spring, with plenty of room for all of them to lean back against the edge, without their feet touching in the middle, and even a little room to swim if they wanted to move deeper in and further towards the cave. Even with the seven of them in the water.

Relaxing was exactly what Katie wanted to do with her evening and it turned out to be very enjoyable. Talia was full of stories about her cousins as kids, and that meant lots of stories about Hunk, many of which were amusing but thankfully few were embarrassing, probably because of the other people present.

As no one else in the group was married either, no one tried to offer marriage advice, though as the evening got later, and folks got a little tipsy, she did get some rather startling intimacy advice, for which she did not choose to ask frames of reference or actual experience. No one said anything regarding if they knew she and Hunk were already past 'first time' or not, and while it certainly sounded like a couple of them suspected, Katie chose not to bring it up one way or the other. She just hoped Hunk was also enjoying himself.

---

Guess no one ever told Levi I got over my fear of heights. Bad news for him, Hunk thought as he looked down off the edge of the cliff where Atonga's gorge met the ocean, at the point where the gorge was at its widest—nearly twenty feet—and the water was deep. Across the gorge lay the fallen banyon tree that had been there since he was a kid—felled during a hurricane.

He did not have fond memories of Atonga's gorge, or jumping off these cliffs, even though it was something he and all his cousins had done growing up. Or well, they had. Hunk had gone off them once or twice, under extreme duress. Crossing the tree, he had done too, though only with a lot of clinging, crying, and vomit.

That was a long time ago. It was only about eighteen feet from the tree to the water, and he had to admit, it looked much smaller than it had when they were children. It also did not fill him with any immediate dread or urge to throw up what had been a truly delicious meal. He tried not to grin as he approached the log.

Levi was already waiting out in the middle, stripped down to swim trunks and grinning in the bright moonlight. The challenge was simple—wrestling on the log. The winner was whoever stayed on and avoided plummeting into the water below. If the opponent pulled you down with them, you both lost.

The log was wide enough to stand on with both feet, but without room to put a foot wrong, and as long as it had lain there, it was sturdy enough that while it wiggled and vibrated, it didn't roll. Hunk's only momentary concern was whether or not it was still safe, but he suspected Aleki would have tested it. Breaking anything under him with his weight was not something Hunk ever wanted to do again.

Katie would never let him live it down.

"It's time, little cousin," Levi waved him out with a beckoning gesture.

Lance cheered behind him. "You've got this, Buddy!" A scattering of other voices echoed the sentiment.

Hunk pulled off his shirt, kicked off his sandals, and stepped up onto the log, slowly standing to his full height. He had been the same height as his cousin by the time he left for the Galaxy Garrison, but he had always felt like his cousin was bigger, stronger, and unbeatable.

After everything he had faced in the years since then, Levi didn't look nearly as intimidating as Hunk remembered. Not that he was going to underestimate his cousin, but apparently being a savior of the universe had not impressed upon Levi exactly whom he was dealing with.

Hunk walked out to the middle, stopping just out of arms reach of Levi, and steadied himself for combat. It was just like a training simulation, no real risk here of anything more than embarrassment and a good dunking. "Well, I'm here."

Levi nodded. "I see that. Nice to see you did a little growing up in space."

They nodded to each other once, then each crouched slightly, lowering their center of balance, and waited until Aleki shouted, "Go!"

There were two ways to beat an opponent on the log; out-muscle them, or out-think them. Since Levi was no slouch in either department, Hunk knew he was going to have to do a bit of both. Levi left no openings for Hunk to make a grab and lift him—which he was sure he could do if he had to—so when they met, they locked arms first, pushing hard, digging into the bark with their feet, though it had long been worn smooth and slippery by family members doing the same thing for decades of summers and family events.

Mere pushing wasn't going to win this battle, and Levi figured that out quickly, while Hunk had known it wouldn't. He had more mass on his cousin, and he had much better balance than he used to. Levi changed tactics then, and Hunk found himself locked in an arm-wrestling stance with him instead, as they tried to push each other off sideways.
When Hunk was younger, this had always been Levi's win, but it wasn't going to work today. Hunk crouched lower, keeping his center of balance down so Levi couldn't use his size as leverage against him sideways, and he pushed back, slowly, calculating, until he gave a particularly hard shove.

Levi wobbled, and let go, stepping back but without falling off.

Hunk backed off for a second as he re-centered his own balance.

Levi looked surprised.

Hunk grinned, and gave him a small shrug. He was vaguely aware that the crowd behind him was now waiting in absolute silence, not wanting to distract either of the combatants. It felt really good to not be on the losing end of this fight for once. Even if Levi beat him, Hunk had never lasted this long.

He also had no intention of losing to a mere human civilian.

Levi rushed him, clearly planning to hit him mid-chest to stomach and go low, throwing Hunk off balance.

Except Hunk was expecting it and he dropped, crouching on his left leg and striking out with his right, pivoting, and sweeping Levi's legs right out from under him.

Hunk only had a moment to see the stunned expression on his cousin's face as Levi was swept sideways, right off the log, then Hunk was still turning, allowing his trunk to pivot as he reached out with both arms to steady himself… staying on the log. It wasn't a graceful stop, but he was still on top.

Levi hit the water below with a very satisfying splash.

Then the cheering erupted.

Hunk straightened up, and looked down. Levi had bobbed to the surface and was swimming to shore. He grinned.

"All right!" Aleki waved his arms for attention. "Challengers, line up! Anyone else who wants a shot at the current champion of the evening? Anyone here is welcome to participate if you think you've got what it takes."

Hunk managed to keep the smile on his face. He hadn't been warned about this part. He turned around, and stepped to where his cousin had started, and waited.
Three of his other cousins starting forming a line, though none of them particularly worried Hunk as much as Levi had. While they had more recent experience than he did, none of them had the physical training, and he managed to dispatch all three.

Matt, Curtis, and the MFE pilots begged off, though both Lance and Keith were eager to give it a try. In many ways, those were more challenging matches, because both of his Paladin friends were lean, fast, squirrely guys compared to his relatives. It had been a while since he had sparred with either one of them, but it was still fun, and Hunk knew this game better. In the end, both Lance and Keith ended up in the water.

He wasn't ready for his last challenger.

"Shiro?"

Shiro shrugged, grinning as he joined Hunk on the log. "It looks like fun, and who am I to not enjoy a good tradition. Besides, we've never sparred like this before." He looked relaxed, unhurried, unconcerned.

Hunk chuckled. "All right, but don't think I'll go easy on the intergalactic arm-wrestling champion."

"I wouldn't expect you to."

Somehow, relaxed Shiro was more intimidating than smug Levi, but at least Hunk had some idea of what to expect, even though he had never actually beaten Shiro in full combat.

Of course, this was not their normal form of combat. Hunk stuffed down his nerves, and took several calming breaths, but his combat instincts started kicking in anyway.
Which was good, because Shiro knew better than to lock up with him directly. Strong as Shiro was, and even with his robotic arm, Hunk had the advantage in a straight-out shoving match. Instead, Shiro feinted a couple of times, then rushed him, which also turned out to be a feint. Hunk didn't fall for it. He also didn't try to reach out for Shiro, knowing if he did Shiro would have used his weight to pull him forward and off balance.

Apparently, Shiro hadn't expected him to take the bait, because he didn't look surprised, just pleased. He also didn't seem to be in a hurry, as he waited patiently for Hunk to make the next move.

This was no different than any other training session, except that the floor they were on was narrower than Hunk's shoulders, and flanking was not an option.

He was sure Shiro would not fall for the same leg sweep. Shiro also wasn't foolish enough to try to tackle Hunk directly…so what was his strategy?

He was just waiting for Hunk, and he knew he had two choices, if he tried to go high, Shiro would go low. If Hunk went low, Shiro would go high.

Which meant Hunk needed to decide which way Shiro was going before Shiro did, so he closed, rapidly, going low for the waist, and dropped to his knees—

-as Shiro went high, using Hunk's shoulders to vault into the air—

-just like Hunk had anticipated. Grinning, his hands shot up as Shiro's wrists left his shoulders, catching Shiro's wrists, and he leaned back, letting himself fall straight back onto his back on the log, legs falling to either side for balance, as he yanked Shiro out of his jump, and tossed him clear of the log towards the ocean.

He'd done it…. He'd beaten Shiro! Panting, Hunk lay there for a moment, before he sat up, then carefully leaned forward enough to bring his legs back up onto the log.
He was met on the dirt with several pounding hugs.

The trail to the beach below was a short one. They met Levi, his cousins, Lance, Keith, and Shiro down on the shore, where two of his other cousins had been waiting to serve as life guards and emergency care should it be needed.

Levi was sitting on a rock with a towel over his shoulders.

Hunk wasn't sure what reaction to expect from his older cousin, but Levi grinned as he stood and clasped his hand in a strong firm grasp. "That was incredible. Where'd you learn that?"

Hunk grinned. "Pidge likes to try and use my size against me. I picked up a few moves."

"I admit, I did not see that coming," Shiro added as he joined them, slapping Hunk on the shoulder. "Next time, you won't get away with it you know."

"Yeah, I know." Hunk grinned. Still, it felt good to win one every once in a while. Levi nodded. "Well, you can fight like a man. Let's see if you've learned to drink like one."

"I'm pretty sure I could drink you under the table." He didn't recall Levi being much of a drinker, and while he didn't drink a lot himself, he wasn't a lightweight. Mass gave him an advantage there as well. If not as much against his own relatives as other people.

Levi laughed. "Yeah, I know. That's why you're drinking against Aleki."

September 3rd, 2328

Katie went down to breakfast on the morning of her wedding feeling refreshed, well-rested, and only the good-butterflies kind of nervous that came with anticipating something enjoyable. The night before had been mellow, and just what she needed. She only hoped Hunk had somehow managed to have a good time last night.
Her question was answered the moment she walked into the hotel dining room. It was late morning, so the breakfast buffet was out, but the room was mostly empty, save for a table full of Paladins, and Alteans, clearly in various stages of hungover. Except for Romelle, who was smiling beatifically over a cup of tea and what looked like some sort of breakfast crepes. The rest of their friends did not appear to be up yet. Or they had already finished breakfast and gone elsewhere.

Katie went through the line first, finding they did, in fact, have breakfast crepes full of fresh fruit—definitely a plus—the fluffiest eggs she had ever seen, and a weird-but-tasty hot chocolate made with coconut milk.

"Good morning, Romelle," she said as she sat down on the less grumpy side of the table. Then she smiled at everyone else. "Looks like you all had fun last night."
Responses ranged from a variety of grunts, to outright groans. Coran seemed very focused on a cup of coffee. Lance looked like he might have passed out at the table. Keith just looked grumpy, but then that wasn't all that unusual even these days. Shiro, at least, offered her a smile in return, even if he looked like he'd rather be in bed. He had finished coffee and breakfast however, so he couldn't be too bad off. Curtis looked much the same.

Hunk… Katie just shook her head and smiled as he grinned at her, but he didn't speak until he'd swallowed his mouth full of food. "You bet we did. I got to throw my cousin, and these guys, off a cliff… well, sort of."

So at least some of what Talia had guessed had been right. "That's great!"

"It was pretty impressive," Shiro admitted, looking amused. "That part of the night was fun."

"You mean the rest of it wasn't?" Katie tried not to look smug. "Is that why no one else is down here yet?"

"Well, it was at the time," Lance commented without lifting his head. "No one warned us Hunk's cousins have wormholes for livers."

"You know I was the only one being challenged, right?" Hunk commented to Lance, though he was still focused on his plate. Clearly his appetite hadn't suffered from last night. "If you don't have the mass, you really shouldn't try to keep up."

"You're inhuman…" Lance grumbled. "Your whole family."

"Maybe you just can't handle it," Keith suggested snidely.

"Like you were any better," Lance retorted.

Katie just shook her head. It was a good thing nothing like this had ever happened when they were active Paladins. It would have been the worst time for a Voltron emergency.

Katie let the conversation lapse back into silence as she ate. There was a little time before she actually had to be anywhere or doing anything, but she knew that once the pre-ceremony preparation started, she wasn't going to have a moment's peace—or a moment with Hunk—before the ceremony itself. So as soon as she finished eating, she smiled across the table at Hunk. "Do you have a minute?"

"Sure." He stood and followed her out the door.

Outside, she headed away from people, walking down the quieter side of the beach. As they walked, she reached out and took the hand hanging at his side. "Was it really that crazy?" she asked after a few steps.

"Nah." Hunk chuckled. "The first part was actually fun. There's this crazy challenge we used to do when we were kids that involved wrestling on a log over the water until someone fell in."

Katie tried not to stare, but apparently her surprise was evident.

"Yeah, I know," he continued. "I could never do it. I'd be out there with the rest of the guys, and some of the girls, and I couldn't even get all the way out on the log without losing my lunch or crying. I'd be hanging on to the silly thing for dear life, questioning my life choices, and they'd have to drag me off or have an adult come and rescue me. I gave up." He squeezed her hand as they walked. "Even right before I left for the Garrison, I just couldn't do it, but last night… it was nothing. I mean, what's wrestling my cousin on a log when we've taken on Galra warriors, giant space beasts, the destruction of all reality, and Coran's cooking?"

Katie laughed. "Good point. Talia had some guesses as to what they might make you do," she admitted. "I told the girls you'd be awesome. So, you beat Levi and all the other Paladins?" Shiro frankly impressed her most.

"And three of my other cousins, but they weren't much of a challenge." Hunk paused, watching the waves.

"And then you all went and got stupid drunk?"

Hunk's face reddened slightly. "That was a different challenge. I don't think Aleki counted on me not vomiting on that log. They definitely didn't know I don't do that much anymore. So, I had a bit of an advantage there."

"Much better than drinking on an empty stomach," Katie agreed.

Hunk nodded. "I feel a lot better than I expected to this morning…though I'd be lying if I pretended my head wasn't killing me right now…. Just don't tell Lance."

"Why would I want to do a thing like that?"

---

Hunk thought this moment would remain indelibly imprinted in his memory forever. The late afternoon sun was dipping down towards the horizon, turning the sky a million shades of crimson, gold, and pink that danced off the ocean waves. The smell of flowers and fresh salty air and warm sand—with the hint of the roasting pig that was part of tonight's party to come—teased his nose.

A simple ceremony; no high-class expensive venture. No suits and gowns and tiny hors d'oeuvres.

A simple arch, loaded with flowers, a wide expanse of sandy beach, and all their friends and family not from one world, but many.

He felt much more comfortable in the red-and-yellow shirt, covered in plumeria blossoms, with khakis, than he would have stuffed into a tuxedo. His head was clear, and despite the nervous flutters inside, he was excited. Years ago, the idea of marriage had filled him with panic.

Now, it was the most natural and wonderful next step.

There was music, the lyrical strains of an acoustic guitar, but all he really heard was the beating of his heart, and stillness.

Then all was Katie. She was coming, then she was there, in a simple sundress of soft green, scattered in blooms of lavender and purple. Atop her thick, unruly hair, a crown of white and purple tropical flowers, with juniberry blossoms throughout. On her face, a bright smile.

When they took hands, and hearts, Hunk knew he would never let go.

"Friends and family," Shiro's warm voice carried across the sand, "Today we are gathered here together, to celebrate one of the most joyous and wonderful occasions in life, the joining of souls brought together by the strongest bond in the universe; love. And I think all of here know that, truly, you would have to search to the ends of space to find two people as uniquely and perfectly matched, as Katie and Hunk."

A small scatter of chuckles carried to his ears. In front of Hunk, Katie grinned.

"Perhaps what sets them apart, and stands as a testament to the strength of their bond, is that they have already proven they can support each other through the best and worst that life has to offer. This is not the start of a life together, but a moment along the road of what has already been a momentous journey. A journey I have been fortunate enough to witness almost from its inception; watching two young people go from assigned teammates to friends; inseparable in both work and free time. If you've ever seen them working on a project, you know that sometimes it seems as though they're thinking with one mind, perfectly in sync."

The look on Katie's face mirrored Hunk's thought of, most of the time. Then she subtly mouthed double modulation at him, and he almost choked holding back a laugh.
"The depth of their relationship has helped them through some of the most difficult times, facing loss, injury, and even annihilation; yet they persevere. To see that bond deepen even further, is a cause for joy, and I know everyone here wishes you both the best. You've always been stronger together, and while you will face new challenges, I know you can handle them together." Shiro smiled at them both. "So, without any further delay… I believe we should get on with the real reason we're all here. Hunk, is it your desire to share the rest of your life with Katie, singularly, devoted, no matter the challenges you may face?"

His stomach fluttered with joy as much as a moment of nerves. "It is."

"Katie, is it your desire to share the rest of your life with Hunk, singularly, devoted, no matter the challenges you may face?"

While radiant was not a word Hunk would have used to describe Katie very often, that was certainly the only word he had for her expression as she smiled up at him, looking not one bit nervous. "It is."

"Then I believe you have some words for each other."

This was the part where Hunk had no idea what was going to come out of Katie's mouth. They had written their vows to each other privately, choosing to surprise each other. The only thing he knew, was they had agreed that Katie should get to go first. He took her hands in his, looking into her eyes, and grateful he could lose himself in their golden-brown depths instead of worrying about everyone else around them.

Now, for just a moment, she looked a little nervous, but her smile never faltered. "Hunk, I've known you now for a very long time, but, from almost the beginning, I felt drawn to you. Mostly because you were kind, and smart, and you weren't intimidated by my intellect," the smile turned a little smug, and Hunk had to refrain from commenting," But then I discovered just how much we had in common, and how well we worked together. You're my best friend, and my partner. You're brilliant, and being around you makes every day better, and that's not just because you make the best food I've ever tasted. We've already been to hell and the end of the universe and back together, literally. I want to see the rest of it with you, too. I love you, Hunk, and I promise to keep loving you, and taking care of you, and working with you on crazy projects at whatever hours inspiration strikes… and try not to let my stuff eat our quarters. While I am not ever going to give up trying to convince you that double modulation is obviously superior… I can accept that we're not always going to see eye to eye on everything, and I respect you. Our differences are as important as our similarities and I look forward to discovering more about both of us. We have the rest of our lives to find out."

Hunk felt warm all over. "Katie, from very nearly the first time I really started to get to know you, I thought you were cute. I admit, that gave me a few minutes of confusion at one point, but I already knew you were more than that. Your insight, intelligence, loyalty… have always inspired me, and you've always been one of the few people I know who really understands me, and one of the first to accept me just as I am. You've never asked me to be anyone else, and everything I do is better with you around, even when we're just relaxing. I promise to do everything I can to make you happy, and loved. You've never needed a hero, or a rescuer, but I can promise to make you fabulous food, wire our projects, and take care of you when you need me. I love you, and I couldn't be happier than to spend all of my life with you."

Shiro smiled. "Do we have the rings?"

As Katie turned to take the one Romelle held out, Hunk turned and took the one Lance had been holding on to. Lance grinned at him. Then he was looking back at Katie, and the next few moments were a blur of few words, and then the rings were on, and then they were kissing, and around them, the world erupted in cheers.

As the kiss broke, Hunk noticed something unusual that at first, he thought was caused by the blur of tears of joy in his eyes, until he heard a small gasp, and realized he wasn't the only one to notice that, despite the deep red-gold of the setting sun, there was a hue of brilliant, soft blue light emanating from the arch, and the flowers in Katie's hair. Specifically, the juniberry blossoms.

The familiar blue light of Altean magic…. Of Allura's magic. Startled, Hunk couldn't help turning to look at Lance, whose Altean markings were glowing, ever so slightly. Lance shrugged, signifying he had nothing to do with it, and the look of wonder in his eyes said he was just as surprised. There were tears of joy in the corner of Lance's eyes as well. When Hunk turned back around, Katie was just as teary-eyed, but clearly happy, and Romelle looked misty. Hunk didn't look for Coran, but he suspected that every Altean on the beach could probably feel something he could just barely sense… but that all of the Paladins might feel that same subtle feeling that was not quite a presence, but it definitely felt like a blessing.

---

Now this was Katie's idea of a celebration! Aside from a few moving—and sometimes amusing toasts—and a couple of traditional dances, like her father-daughter dance which she would not have given up for anything—it was loud, and informal, and full of joy.

Though she had actually enjoyed the speeches. Her father's pride had made her sniffle. Her brother had made her laugh. Hunk's father had made everyone cheer. Shiro had made her misty-eyed again, and then Lance had managed to make her feel teary and laugh.

She did dance once, of course, with Hunk, though it was nothing complicated, and after that, if she felt like dancing, it was on the crowded sand, with the louder music, and everyone just having fun. Katie knew all eyes were on her tonight anyway, because it was their night, and she just didn't care.

"You know you look amazing, right?" Hunk murmured in her ear when they finally settled at the table to eat what amounted to a wedding feast, that was once again mostly delicious island food, with a few provisions to take into account the preferences of the bride and groom, like the fascinating wedding cake which, while lovely, was actually a peanut-butter cake with cream-cheese frosting, done in tiers and decorated entirely in juniberry flowers and a simple swirling motif of green and yellow icing vines. The smaller groom's cake was his mother's banana cake.

Katie chuckled. "You know this is pretty much how I always look right?" She had talked the girls out of any complicated make-up, though she had let them at least hairspray her head once they had combed and brushed her hair into a semblance of purposeful wave and curl, so it didn't just stick up and out everywhere in its usual casual disarray. The flowers helped with that too. Aside from that—and the most basic nail care—she had fought anything besides minimal, natural-looking basics, convincing them that she should look like herself at her own wedding. Hunk nodded. "That's why you look perfect."

She leaned in closer and he put an arm around her shoulder. "You know once you start giving mushy compliments, you're not allowed to stop."

"I think I can live with that."

"Good, cause I kind of like them. You know, you look pretty handsome yourself tonight."

Now it was Hunk's turn to turn a little red, but he grinned. "I'd be a little worried if you didn't think so."

"Me too."

A camera flash startled her, and Katie turned to see Lance—phone in hand—grinning. "Awww, look at the lovebirds."

"You want to keep that thing in one piece, Lance?" Katie asked sweetly.

He put it down, and came closer. "Don't break it. I had to, you looked really happy and, with the bonfire right behind you, it's a great photo."

"Well, I guess we can let it slide." Katie chuckled as she and Hunk both gave him a hug. "Besides, you do take great photos."

"Lots of practice." Lance hugged them both. "I know I've said this before, but I'm really happy for you two." His smile widened. "And I think, given what happened today, we can be absolutely sure Allura would feel the same."

"So that wasn't you?" Katie couldn't help asking. They had never really discussed the appearance of Altean markings on Lance with Allura's parting kiss, or what had been imparted with them.

Lance shook his head. "Definitely not me, or Romelle, or Coran. I asked. It definitely felt like Allura."

That had been the subtle sense Katie had gotten too, but she had written it off as wishful thinking, or a sweet coincidence. Though it had very definitely been pure Altean magic. "Maybe that was her way of wishing us well." No one could really say what was and was not possible. Allura's sacrifice for the Universe had meant she no longer lived in their reality with them, or any reality, as Katie understood it, but it did not necessarily mean she had fully died. Despite her scientific mind, her years as a Paladin had taught her to understand that there were some things far beyond even theoretical science's abilities to explain or comprehend.

And part of her truly wanted to believe that some part of Allura had been here, on the beach, sharing in their joy.

"I think so," Hunk agreed with her.

"As do I." Lance's smile was just a touch bittersweet. "It's definitely her touch."

---

Finally, Katie and Hunk were allowed to slip away from the festivities, ducking through the darkness towards the honeymoon cottage, one of the huts along the beach where they had been given more private quarters with a beautifully romantic view. Their personal items had been moved earlier by friends and staff, so all they had to do was enjoy themselves.

It was not a large place, but it still seemed spacious since it was mostly one open room aside from the bathroom. It was lit with low, romantic lighting, and had a huge bed.

On the table to one side sat a variety of beverages and fresh fruit to snack on without having to leave, and Katie glimpsed a two-person bathroom through the bathroom door, and a hot tub out the large sliding glass door that led out the other side, away from the hotel. It was surrounded by palm-bushes that made it very private, but a glance out the window showed it had a lovely view of the ocean.

They kissed again just inside the door.

"We did it," Hunk grinned with a giddy expression. "I thought they'd never let us go."

Katie smiled back, feeling flushed all over, her arms wrapped around his neck, her feet barely brushing the ground. "Well, we've made our parents happy, now we can do whatever we want." Not that she had not enjoyed herself immensely, but she was quite happy to finally be alone with Hunk for the first time in days. She had quickly become used to sending hours alone together every day again, like they used to. Being apart had been much more difficult than she had anticipated. "What do we want to do?"

Hunk's face flushed, and Pidge had a feeling his heart was pounding as hard as hers. There was certainly an intensity in his hold on her. "I have an idea."

---

It did not matter that it was not the first time. It was still their first as a married couple, promised to each other for the rest of their lives, witnessed by their family and friends. Without the awkwardness of figuring out how not to crush Katie, Hunk simply lost himself in the enjoyment of having no other duties, pursuits, or responsibilities beyond the pleasure of making sure Katie enjoyed herself. Afterwards, they snuggled together in a bed large enough even he had space to sprawl if he wanted.
Not that he particularly wanted, when he could curl up with Katie at his side, snuggled up against him, without boundaries, without concern for anyone interrupting. He was hers completely, and forever, and she was his. Her lithe form, bare and beautiful, still fascinated him. There was a stark contrast between them when they lay like this; dark and fair, hulking and lean.

Katie edged up a little tighter against his side and kissed his cheek. "Well, that was fun. Much more interesting with more room to play around."

Hunk chuckled. "Yes, yes it was. I had no idea you were that flexible." And he had seen her pull off a lot of interesting moves over the years.

"Honestly… neither did I." Katie's cheeks flushed. She did not seem particularly bothered by that fact though. "I was afraid it was awkward."

Instead, he reached out, pushing a lock of her unruly hair out of her eyes and kissed her slowly. "I would disagree."

"We'll just need to keep practicing." Katie's smile as their lips parted was decidedly impish. "Probably lots of it…though maybe not at this moment," she admitted, wincing slightly.

As tired as he was, Hunk could imagine how sore Katie felt. The limitations of space and the need to be fairly quiet, and time limitations, had kept them from trying anything too daring in the confines of his quarters on the Atlas. After tonight, they were definitely both going to need a breather. "I have an idea. How about we try out that hot tub under the stars?"

"I love that idea," Katie responded enthusiastically. "I could use a nice, relaxing soak. I'll grab a couple of towels and meet you outside."

---

Maybe there was something to the outdoors after all, Katie thought as she lay back in the hot, bubbling water, leaned her head against the padded sides of the hot tub, and looked up into an endless expanse of stars. The delicate scent of hibiscus and almond flowers danced through the air lightly on the breeze. In the moon light, the air was gentle on her skin, and the constant roll of the waves on the beach repeated soft, and soothing. "I could get used to this."

"Definitely," Hunk grinned as he appeared in the doorway with the bowl of fruit, a bottle of something, and two glasses. "Too bad we can't get a set-up like this on the Atlas."
Katie watched him cross the short space between the door and hot tub.

Hunk stopped, and looked at her strangely.

"What is it?" Katie asked.

"You keep giving me that look."

"What look?"

"Well, I can't decide if you're inspecting me."

Of course, he had noticed. "Admiring, actually," she replied, hoping she did not sound too embarrassed. "I'm allowed to do that, right?"

"Well, yeah," Hunk looked sheepish as he set everything down, and lowered himself into the water. "Ooooh yeah…. that's what I'm talking about," he sighed and sank into the water, which rose several inches. "We definitely need to convince them to let us install one on the Atlas."

"I'm sure we can manage it. We might need it."

"I'm pretty tired out," Hunk admitted as he picked up an orange and peeled it, "And starving."

A feeling of fond amusement rose in her. "You're always starving."

Hunk shrugged, grinning. "Hey, we do a lot of hard work, and tonight… well, that was definitely a workout." He tossed a slice of orange in his mouth. "You want something?"

"Actually, I do," Katie admitted. "What did they leave us?"

Hunk rummaged through the bowl. "There's a guava, a pineapple—we'd need a knife for that though—more oranges, a couple of bananas, and ooh… passionfruit. That sounds appropriate."

She chuckled. "I'll take a banana. So, what are we sharing tonight?" Katie looked curiously at the bottle sitting behind Hunk's head on the edge of the hot tub. "I'd rather not have anything strong." She didn't like drinking too much; it messed with her ability to think straight and access all of her usual mental faculties at will. Tonight, she definitely wanted to remember all of for the rest of her life.

"Neither would I," Hunk assured her. "That's why this is sparkling apple cider. No alcohol." He reached up and back and pulled down the bottle, popping it open and pouring them each a glass before handing one over. "To you, Pidge. I had no idea I'd ever be this happy."

"To both of us," Katie corrected, "because I feel the same way."

September 4th, 2328

Waking up snuggled next to Hunk was not a new experience; waking up snuggled on top of Hunk, with nothing between them and nowhere to go or anyone to interrupt, was completely different and, at least to Katie, in some ways felt more intimate than last night's sexual explorations. After spending nearly an hour soaking, they had dried off and curled up together, and talked until they fell asleep. Even with the nights they had spent together on the Atlas, that was hardly enough to make this feel any less new, or exciting.

Hunk made a very comfortable bed all by himself, and Katie was keenly aware of all sorts of things she had not had the opportunity to really notice and consider before. He was still asleep below her, and beneath her head, below firm pectoral muscles…she could hear his heart thumping away, feel the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed slow, steady; the warmth of his body contrasted pleasantly with the cool of the sheet across her back, and the morning breeze coming in off the ocean.

After years of knowing him, there were no barriers between them; quite literally. No secrets… though Katie still found herself marveling at how she had barely noticed a very dramatic transformation until so recently. Her head and breast rested on the firm, solid muscle, of his upper chest. Hunk's long torso meant that from her ribs down to her thighs rested against the warm cushion of his stomach which was, while still comfortably padded, definitely more toned beneath. Lying directly on top of him, she could feel the core abdominals beneath her, even if they weren't outwardly visible. She had noticed that—as he had told her months before—their much less stressful lives, and the inability to do more than taste anything in his kitchen, along with the end of puberty and continued physical activity needed to keep fit in space, had resulted in a little weight redistribution.

"What are you doing?"

Katie froze, and then turned her head so her chin was resting on his chest. Hunk was awake, and giving her a bemused look. That was when she realized she had been exploring his torso with her hand. Her face felt hot. "Just admiring my husband."

Now they were both a little red. Though embarrassed, Hunk looked pleased. "Well, admiration tickles."

"I could admire you in other ways," she suggested, stretching up enough to brush her lips across his. It was hard to move without elbowing him when lying directly on top. She would have to remember that. The kiss deepened, and she felt her skin flush not just from her face but right down her body, anywhere they touched.

It was Hunk who broke for air first. "Hold on there, eager beaver."

She almost choked. "Don't tell me you're saying no?"

"I'm saying I need fuel," he grinned. "That is, if you want me to keep up with you."

Katie couldn't argue that. "Breakfast first?"

"Definitely. That also means you have to get off me."

Katie rolled slightly until she could push herself up on his chest and slide off without jabbing him somewhere with a knee or elbow. "If you insist."

September 5th, 2328

Hunk looked at himself in the store mirror. "I feel so… exposed."

Behind him, Katie smiled. "It's a t-shirt, Hunk, not a body-suit, and it covers more than your swim trunks."

"Yeah, I don't know. It's different on a beach. It just feels…snug."

"In all the right places," Katie teased him, but gently. The short sleeves hugged his biceps the way all his shirts did—because he had very large, muscular arms- and the shirt was just tight enough it accentuated his pectorals more as well, but not because it clung, just because his chest muscles were more toned and they and his shoulders were actually a little broader than his belly, if not by much. "This is what a proper fit looks like."

"Says the woman who still who wears baggy shirts and cargo shorts."

"At least I own other clothes," Katie pointed out. "Everything you have is so old and stretched out it's hiding how much of a hunk you are."

He grinned self-consciously. "Well, I could get used to a style upgrade." He took her hand and gave it a squeeze.

Katie squeezed back, and looked at the reflection in the mirror. Hunk rarely wore short-sleeves, not that she had ever really paid much attention until they had moved into the romantic phase of their relationship. Maybe it was where they were, but after being surrounded by Hunk's relatives all week, she noticed it. "So, I never thought about it before, but I noticed something…. You're the only adult man in your family I've seen without a traditional tattoo." Many of the women had them as well, but it was literally every single one of the adult men, even if some of them were only really visible in beach-wear.

"Oh, that." Hunk shrugged, but his smile turned sheepish. "That's actually something I've been wanting to talk to you about."

"Really?" He had wanted to talk to her about tattoos?

"Yes, but not here. Let's finish and go someone less public. It's a long explanation."

Intrigued, Katie waited with gnawing curiosity as they finished shopping, paid, and headed back out into the afternoon sunshine. They deposited their bags back at the hotel—there was no reason to walk all the way back to the cottage—and went out again.

Strolling down the beach hand-in-hand with ice cold fruit juice was also a very nice way to spend an afternoon. Hunk led her away from the other beach-goers, until they came to a quiet cove, fed by a small waterfall.

"So, what's with the secrecy?" Katie finally asked as they sat down on the sand, watching the falls, and the birds in the tropical vines and bush around it.

"It's not really a secret," Hunk explained. "It's just that a tattoo is a really big deal… a traditional one anyway. It represents your whole being, your life path, and what matters to you, and there's some ancient status symbols and other things that are considered too, though that's a little less important these days. When I left for the Garrison, I was teenager. I was smart, and I loved to cook, and that's about it."

"The ancients didn't value intelligence or food?" Somehow Katie didn't believe either.

Hunk grinned. "Oh, they did, but intelligence and wisdom usually get tattooed on the face, and somehow I never really wanted that."

"I can understand that."

"Also, cookies are not a traditional Samoan symbol."

"A shame."

"My ancestors were warriors, travelers, protectors, heroes… I wasn't any of those things."

"Says the Yellow Paladin of Voltron who's helped save literally billions of people in thousands of races, and an intergalactically famous Chef whose meals have paved the way for diplomacy and peace all over the multiple galaxies."

"Now." He leaned back against the rocks behind them, and slid his right arm around her shoulders. "When we were assigned to a team at the Garrison, would you have called me any of those things?"

"Not really," she admitted honestly. "But I definitely would now. All of them apply. You're brave, and you protect people, and you're intelligent, and creative. You have a lot of very admirable qualities… some of which I'm just now learning about," she added coyly.

Hunk blushed. "There are traditional symbols for those things too. Though where I'm going with this is, I finally feel like I know who I am, and what it would represent. There's a traditional artist here on the island, and since we don't know when we'll be back next, I wanted to know if you minded at all. It will probably take most of a day, and we're not going to be here all that much longer."

"Why would I mind you honoring an important cultural tradition? Besides, I think you'd look good in ink."

"Well, I'll probably be too sore for much of anything for oh…. a week or two." Hunk chuckled. "It also seemed like a bad way to start a marriage by making a decision like this one without at least getting your opinion."

"See, wisdom." Katie leaned against his shoulder. "This is one of those things I don't get to watch, isn't it?"

"Historically, it used to involve a period of fasting and 'abstaining from the presence of women' for several days first," Hunk nodded seriously, before his grin returned. "Obviously I have no intention of doing either."

"Obviously." One day less in their tropical paradise, but they would have the rest of their lives together. "I definitely think you should do it."

"Then I will."

September 6th, 2328

Katie spent the entire day that Hunk was off getting his tattoo trying to distract herself, but dying of curiosity. As much as Hunk had sounded confident, Katie had found it interesting when his father had asked her—and all of his other closest friends- to write a description of Hunk. The design was chosen by the artist, she found out, based on the personality, life story, and what was important to the recipient. While Hunk would have some opinions, it wasn't like a regular tattoo. Since in ancient times, it would have been the warrior's family who knew about him, Hunk's Voltron and Garrison family obviously knew him best.

At least this time Katie had most of the other Paladins to hang out with, along with the MFE pilots, Romelle, Talia, and her brother. The only one who had gone with Hunk aside from his father, was Shiro.

"I have an idea," Talia grinned as they sat around the lobby, trying to decide what to do. "It's only a half-hour by speed boat back to American Samoa. Why don't I show you around more of the area?"

"A boat ride sounds good," Lance grinned.

"I'm game," Matt agreed.

"Sure," It sounded far more interesting to Katie than hanging around on the beach for another day, and maybe they actually had some indoor sights, or a tech store.

"Great! We have a boat. Meet you at the pier in half an hour."

It was a refreshing ride to the larger island, with the salt spray in their faces and the fresh air. Arriving back in something that resembled civilization was actually very relaxing for Katie, who discovered, quite happily, that they had a mall! A good old, traditional, earth mall. It wasn't a big one, and it was still very touristy, but it was full of a wide variety of stores that aside from the very Polynesian feel of many stores, there was a tech store, where she insisted on spending nearly an hour looking at what was popular here, in case they might have some obscure parts or something new and groundbreaking.

Eventually, she let them drag her away. After that, much of the day was very much what she supposed most people her age and younger had spent doing in malls while she had been studying in her room, and off fighting the Galra. They saw a movie—a terrible romantic comedy, most of the crew seemed to enjoy it.

After lunch in the food court, everyone scattered a bit to look at different things. Which left Katie, Matt, and Talia to peruse the remaining stores at their leisure.

"You know," Talia suggested, grinning at Pidge as they strolled through the mall. "You could always surprise Hunk and get yourself a tattoo."

Katie stopped dead and looked at Talia. "Really?"

"Not a fan?"

"It's not that." Katie shrugged. "I just have no idea what I would get, and wouldn't that be cultural appropriation anyway? I'm not Samoan."

Talia chuckled. "I don't mean anything big or elaborate. They're something personal. It also means you're not limited to traditional symbols."

"There you go, Pidge," Matt elbowed her. "You could get a microchip."

"Very funny."

"It's not for everyone," Talia shrugged, clearly not thinking it a big deal. "And even today not everyone goes for the full traditional tattoo. They can get very elaborate. As you've seen, mine are smaller."

Katie nodded. She had noticed that Talia had more than one. She had an arm band on one side that looked traditional, and a beautiful swirling one that ran from behind her ear down her neck that reminded Katie of feathers, or water. They were lovely, and not all that distracting. None of the ones she had seen on the locals were. Of course, she surmised, it would be much more obvious on her pale skin.

Still, what would she get?

And why was she considering it?

"I know that look," Matt chuckled. "You've got her thinking now."

She was, and it was weird, though Katie couldn't deny she had mused over the idea—not seriously—since Hunk had broached the subject. It would be a reminder of the amazing week they had here, and something he would likely appreciate, even if he never would have thought of it or suggested it himself. Which meant it would definitely be a surprise… and very permanent.

Of course, they had just gotten married, which was also pretty permanent.

Katie realized they had stopped walking, and that they were outside a tattoo parlor.

Talia was smiling at her. "So… do we go in and take a look?"

---

"We leave you alone for five minutes, young lady, and you've got a tattoo?" Lance exclaimed as they walked back to the pier.

Katie couldn't help laughing as Lance tried to look mad…and failed. "You were off shopping for two hours. Besides, my actual big brother thought it was an excellent idea."

Matt shrugged. "You're a big girl. I figure you can make your own decisions."

"When do we get to see this masterpiece?" Nadia asked eagerly. "I'm kind of jealous. Are tattoos even regulation?"

Katie shook her head. The wrapping over the little tattoo that ran from behind her ear partway down her neck covered the artwork, and her hair covered most of the wrapping. "It is as long as it's not distracting. This one will be under my hair most of the time. Hunk gets to see it first. Until then, I'll just leave it up to your wonderfully overactive imagination."

"Is that safe?" Keith asked, smirking.

Katie shrugged. "Well, if Lance blows a brain stem it's not really my problem."

"Hey!"

---

They arrived back at the resort in the late afternoon. While everyone scattered to put away their purchases Katie went to find out when Hunk would be back. They had said all day and apparently, they really meant it. Of course, she was anticipating a large tattoo, but she could only wonder how much skin this was going to cover—or how much pain Hunk was going to be in when they were done.

Their things had been moved back to the hotel for them. With the resort season opening, rooms were now at a premium, and the cottages were in high demand. That was fine with her. Now all of her things, and Hunks, were in the room she had occupied before the wedding.

Katie decided to wait there for Hunk, and relax. Leaving the waterproof wrapping on her tattoo—and still wondering a little at how crazy she might have been for getting it—she took a shower, and then pulled out her computer and checked to see if she had any interesting messages from anyone out in space during the several days she had been almost entirely without technological access. There were several, though none of them were of pressing importance. Katie responded to a professor at the University with whom she had been corresponding about their theories of quantum entanglement, which had some very interesting takes that differed from the human theories.

By the time she finished, her hair had dried. Katie pulled out the mid-length white pants and a simple light green–and-white floral cotton blouse in the closet, one of several casual outfits that seemed to have appeared in her wardrobe courtesy of her own shopping, Hunk's sister, and her mother. Once she was dressed, she carefully removed the coverings from her new tattoo, and pulled her hair back enough to look at it in the mirror.

There, behind her left ear, now lived a small Samoan turtle design, uncolored inside, but done in a medium green instead of black. From the turtle, in the same green, was a swirling pattern, with spaces between them, that looked like slender fronds. The only details that were colored in were two almond blossoms, shaded subtly in with white, with the pink and green in the center, that seemed to ride the flow. She hadn't dared use black ink. It would have been too stark against her skin, and the green seemed appropriate. Green, growing, moving, like her lion, and flowing like the universe.

"And here I thought I was the one surprising you."

Katie froze, and turned to look at the door.

Hunk must have come in without her noticing, because the door was already closed behind him. He stood there, grinning. Pidge could not see the whole of his side, but she knew that underneath the loose red shirt he wore, was most of what was likely a very complex and beautiful work of art. His wrappings were clear, and she could see just a bit at the neck, and most of his right arm was solidly wrapped, down to just past the elbow. He crossed the room, and gently lifted back her hair with his right hand.

Katie tried to read his expression, but it wasn't an easy one. Contemplative, maybe pleased? At least he was smiling. "I… we were on the big island and… I don't know. Talia suggested it, and even Matt thought it was a good idea, and after all the talking we did the other day about meanings and symbolism—"

"It's beautiful." Hunk let her hair fall, and kissed her. "It fits you."

"Thank you." She grinned. "So, do I get to see yours?"

"After dinner," Hunk promised. "I'll have to strip almost naked for you to see the whole thing."

"Wow." So, it was as big as she had suspected. "How far does it extend?"

Hunk gestured with his right hand, indicating where she could see the wrapping up along his neck down his arm, across to mid-chest, and then partway down his left thigh. "Apparently when you say traditional, they really go for the whole thing."

"That's what you wanted, isn't it?"

"Yes, and it's amazing. I promise." Hunk grinned. "Though right now I sort of feel like a shark nibbled my entire left half."

"Please tell me they didn't use a traditional shark tooth." Katie could not imagine that was very sanitary.

Hunk shook his head. "Nah. While the place looks like an old tribal hut, that's just for the tourists he sees most of the time to make a living. The equipment was completely modern and sterile."

Well, that was a relief. "I'm glad you're happy with it. I can't wait to see what it looks like up close."

"Oh, you'll get to," he promised. "You can see most of it just fine through the wrapping, but you'll get to help me unwrap and clean this whole thing later."

"I don't mind." Pidge assured him. "I promise to only snuggle your right side for the next few days."

"I appreciate it. Now we should get down to dinner. I haven't eaten since breakfast."

Katie followed him to the door. "You let them work through lunch?"

"They were working on my stomach at the time."

---

Dinner in the hotel dining room was lively. Katie's parents and Matt were heading home the next morning, and everyone assigned to the Atlas would be leaving as well. There was plenty to do before the next mission. So, while some guests had left, their families and friends still took up two long tables in the dining room.

Unsurprisingly, the talk of most of their table was Hunk's new tattoo, though much of it was speculation by Lance, and admiration for the part of his arm they could actually see. There were plenty of questions. Lance didn't seem to believe that Hunk hadn't cried or whimpered through the entire ordeal.

Shiro fielded that one with a shrug. "I'm telling you, he didn't."

"Nope, not my son," Hunk's father chuckled from just a few seats down. "It's definitely some of old Lagi's best work, and he's been doing this for over fifty years."

Hunk was certainly never going to forget a single line of it; not ever. He had never held still for that long, or allowed someone to prick him that many times.

Katie sat on his right, and he could see her new tattoo peeking out through her hair. He had never expected that, but he had to admit, it was pretty perfect. She didn't even know how perfect. Though she might, when she saw his later.

Dinner ran long, and Hunk began to get antsy. The numbing gel had worn off of most of his body, and he was definitely feeling it. Not that he was willing to pull Katie away from her family before she was ready. She was deep in conversation with her parents for a large part of the meal, and her brother, and a couple of her cousins who had come for the ceremony.

After dinner was no quicker. The first fireworks show of the season over the ocean was tonight, and so he found himself lounging out in a beach chair, grateful that only up on the shoulder did the tattoo really overlap onto his back. Around him and Katie, their closest friends all sat, and family, and he had to admit that watching the show—as simple and low-tech as earth fireworks were—was more special than any spectacle he had seen in space.

It was late when they finally made it back to the room, and Hunk was briefly disappointed that tonight would not be as intimate as the few short days since the wedding had been. There would be plenty of others though, he reminded himself. Their whole lives, and today's long—and painful—experience was, in its own way, a familial rite of passage. While it was no longer a requirement, and there were plenty of people who no longer followed the ancient traditions, he could not remember seeing his father prouder or happier—except the day Hunk had been accepted to the Galaxy Garrison—than when Hunk had told him he wanted to get his tattoo.

That did not, however, keep them from a long, passionate kiss.

"Is it too late for a tour?" Katie teased, touching his left hand, but carefully not touching the tattoo that began a few inches above it.

"Not at all." Hunk was more than ready to strip down to a comfortable pair of shorts. "Though we should wash yours first."

Carefully washing Katie's tattoo was a simple process. Hunk worked as gently as he could, and Katie assured him he had a very light touch, even when she winced a little.

Only then did they begin the process of explaining everything that now covered a large portion of his body. To his surprise, Katie recognized most of the motifs in the swirling, deeply patterned life-story now permanently etched in his skin. He supposed he shouldn't be surprised, the list of traditional Samoan tattoo elements was not long, though the variety of patterns was larger. So, he let her look, grinning as she examined every inch from up on the side of his neck—which he had been promised as acceptable as 'head' without touching the face—and down to the piece that crossed his left pectoral, and the shoulder piece, where she paused. He tried not to chuckle.

"This pattern here…" she held her finger very carefully over the point of his shoulder. "This looks like a lion!"

Hunk nodded. "He was able to work the pieces into the face of a lion." There, where a warrior was marked, was the symbol of the vehicle of his transformation. The abstract, patterned swirls, without defying tradition, expertly created a lion's face in the spaces between. Around it, a circle of enata, represented the Paladins and those who worked closely with them—his chosen family, and spear heads; their fight for the freedom of the galaxy.

The whole piece was a work of art; heavy in turtles, waves, shark teeth, and spear heads. It was truly a masterpiece he felt awed and honored to wear. It spoke of his growth into a better man; his persistence, and creativity, and his desire for peace, and love of his family; his physical strength.

And it spoke of his deep feelings for Katie, and his hope for their future.

Katie worked her way down his side, eventually reaching the piece that covered part of his abdomen and thigh. He knew she had found elements that were new to her, or surprises, by the way she paused. "That's interesting."

"What is?" he grinned.

"A couple of things, actually," she admitted. "Talia gave me a run down on these, but she didn't mention what these shells mean here, or what it means when you put the turtle all the way down here." She motioned to the beautiful, detailed turtle swimming up his thigh. "Though it's a beautiful turtle," she added. "I though they symbolized intelligence…wisdom… health and peace."

"They do," Hunk nodded. "And the meanings vary a little depending on which Polynesian culture you're looking at…and where you place it on the body." He reached out and took her hand. "The shells say I'm married and the turtle is…also a symbol of fertility."

He knew Katie got it when her fair skin went bright red, and her other hand involuntarily raised towards her ear. "Oh."

"Don't freak out. Turtles show up in a lot of tattoos. No one's going to think anything of it." He was just thankful that his would be almost always hidden under his boxers, or swim trunks, unless he was naked, and the only person who would see him in that position regularly was Katie. "Though I'd kill to know who suggested that as a particular blessing… I bet it was my dad's idea."

Katie's face was still red. "I hope so."

It was time to move on. "So, you like it?" He tried not to sound nervous. It wasn't like he was going to have it removed.

She nodded. "It's incredible… it's almost like it just grew there. I mean, not like it really could but—"

"I get it." He grinned. "Now I've been waiting all night to be alone with you and I'm not about to waste it. As long as you don't mind swapping to my right side for an evening, I think I can handle some snuggling."

Katie stretched languidly before shifting positions. "Snuggling sounds just my speed."