Keith and Lance decided against showing their friends their suits vaguely off of Lance saying "I want it to be a surprise when we walk in looking like new money.", with his signature wink. Keith just shrugged.

" As long as I don't have to pose. "

The week passed, and they worked hard on their current shoots. Keith eventually got sleep that weekend, and Lance was busy helping Hunk ask Shay out. To go on their first date.

They were dating now, but Shay had "wondered aloud" why they hadn't had an actual date. Hunk hadn't stopped thinking about it, worried he wasn't living up to her expectations of a boyfriend.

"What if she dumps me? How could I be so stupid and not take her out?" Hunk asked Lance, running his hands through his hair, disraught.

"She's not gonna dump you dude. Your perfect. You guys are perfect. Together. Alright?" Lance tried to reassure his friend. Hunk vaguely nodded. " Just take her out. Somewhere special. "

"Yeah, yeah ok. Uh." He looked at Lance confused. " Where? "

Lance turned pink. "Dude, I dunno. She's your girl. Not mine."

" Right, right. " Hunk tapped his knee. "Somewhere special..."

" What's she into? "

"Flowers. Plants. Earth." Hunk said without hesitation. Lance smiled.

" Alright, so choose somewhere that has those things. "

Hunk stared at his hands for a minute. Then he snapped his head up, smiling. "The arboretum!"

Lance clapped. "Bingo."

So now, here was Hunk, at his family's restaurant on a Friday. It was half past one, and ten minutes until he would need to leave to pick up Shay.

"Why are you so nervous?" His cousin Lina asked. Her strong build and choppy dark hair gave her a shocking resemblance to Hunk. She was one of his best friends.

Hunk stood in the kitchen, in his white button up and khakis. His hair was combed out and his Mama had forced him to leave his headband at home.

He squirmed as his family tried to calm him.

"I don't know! I just- I don't want to disappoint her." He looked at his feet.

"Ah, my ray of sunshine" Hunk's grandmother caressed his cheek. "You are going to make this girl very very happy, she's already the luckiest girl in the world."

Hunk blushed and smiled. "Thanks Mima."

"You've been pining after each other for so long, that I'm sure she is just as nervous as you." Lina added. " So cute. "

Hunk laughed. "Maybe..."

" But whatever you're feeling, it's going to disappear when you see her. " Hunk's older brother Bruno spoke. "Trust me. It'll just be you and her."

" Ooooo. " Cooed Hunk's twin nephews Lorenzo and Isaac. They snickered.

Hunk smiled. "Thanks. All of you. I'm sorry I'm such a pain."

" Noo, just the opposite! " Hunk's mother said.

"Now go, don't leave her waiting." Janie said, Hunk's sister with her waist length honey hair.

" And treat her well. Like I raised you son. " Hunk's dad called with a wink.

"You act like I'm getting married." Hunk chuckled as he left the kitchen. Once he had left Lina chuckled.

" It won't be long. "
...

Shay stood outside of the small house she shared with her brother in a plain cotton dress. But it was enough to make Hunk's heart stop.

"Hey." He said breathlessly as he grabbed for her hand.

" Hi. " she squeezed his hand. "You look nice."

" So do you! " he said, smiling uncontrollably. Bruno had been right. All that mattered was her smile.

The drive to the arboretum was filled with back and forth questions about work and how the other was feeling. Shay listened patiently as Hunk ranted about the endless recipes he was perfecting and recreating for the restaurant, and how he was worried about Shiro and Matt.

"They did seem so close at the water park." Shay observed. " What do you think of that? "

Hunk shrugged. "I honestly don't know."

No one really did.

Shay's work was going well. She worked as a waitress for a rival restaurant of Hunk's, and the two always joked about her stealing intel for him.

"I'm doing ok too. I'm actually more than okay." She said smiling at Hunk. " I'm really really good. "

Hunk felt his heart flutter. "Me too."

The arboretum was huge. Stationed in downtown Fairfield, Hunk could see the rolling fields and meadows from the parking lot. They were in for a lot of walking.

Shay's eyes were closed. Hunk had told her the destination was a secret, and she had gone along with it. As he led her to the main lobby, she couldn't help but bubble with excitement.

"It's gonna be outside isn't it?" She tried to guess.

" Maybe.. " Hunk smiled. He led her into the main office of the arboretum where a scraggly man sat behind the desk. Hunk left his name and money, signing in for an hour of observing.

The cobblestone walkway led them to the entrance of the arboretum, an arch of braided vines, blood red roses and orchids intertwined.

Hunk kept one hand around Shay's waist, and one over her eyes as he led her to it. He let go. "Okay, open."

She blinked her eyes repeatedly before turning in a full 360 to get a sense of where she was. Upon spotting the arch, her mouth dropped open.

"Oh wow, it's so beautiful!" She gasped, delicately brushing the petal of a rose with her fingertips. She smiled sweetly to herself among the flowers, sunkissed.

Hunk smiled. "Yeah. It is."

She embraced him and pecked his lips. "Thank you so much. It means a lot."

Hunk smiled. "You deserve it."

"Come on." She chuckled. " There's so much to see!"

Hunk wasn't big on nature but he couldn't say the arboretum wasn't one of the most beautiful places he'd ever been.

Hills upon rolling hills of tall sunflowers that seemed to grin at the couple.

Meadows of poppies, blushing red. Oaks and willows, dancing in the breeze. Roses of all different colors and shades, lined up, row upon row like a silent army. Foxgloves and Lavender, purple and bright.

And everything smelled so good, and Shay's smile was so bright. It was an overload of Hunk's senses, and he was more than happy.

He was ecstatic.

And the sky couldn't have been bluer. The early September weather was perfect.

Pink orchids, carnations, roses and gladiolus bathed in their own prestigious beauty. Humid greenhouses stretched for miles. Fountains and bird baths with crystal clear water adorned domed plazas. Gazebos and pergolas with couples lounging in the warm sunlight.

By the time Hunk returned back to the main office with Shay, he had learned more about the plants and flowers surrounding them than he could imagine. Shay had so much pent up knowledge and love for the earth, it amazed him. She had so many dreams and aspirations, and so much care.

And the gleam in her eyes that could only be described as perfect is what made Hunk vow to love her until he couldn't love anymore.

He dropped her off at her house, kissing her hand. She blushed uncontrollably.

"I had a great time Hunk. Thanks. For everything." She smiled.

He smiled back. "Your welcome."

They embraced one more time, Shay leaving a soft kiss on Hunk's cheek. He turned to go but stopped himself.

"Shay."

She turned with her eyebrow raised. "Yeah?"

Hunk paused before smiling. "I love you."

She grinned. "I love you too."

And there was no doubt in their minds about it.
...

5:59 p.m

Adam: shiro? Are you able to talk? It's Adam,, in case you deleted my number

6:31 p.m

Shiro: Oh Adam, I'm sorry I didn't reply sooner, I was working.

Shiro: And I didn't delete your number :)

Adam: that's good to hear, and it's fine. How was work?

Shiro: The same exhaustion I put myself through day to day...

Shiro: Good!

Adam: mhm, I bet

Shiro: How was your day?

Adam: v good, thanks for asking :)

Adam: I also had work

Shiro: How was it?

Adam: good! I'm very happy

Adam: I got the invitation to the annual Altean Modeling Party this year :)))

Adam: it will be my third year attending so nothing new heh

Shiro: Oh yeah! Keith was invited too though he doesn't seem so excited...

Adam: hah, he let him know I'm v proud of him

Shiro: Me too :)

Adam: :)

Shiro: So, tell me about yourself.

Shiro: I want to get to know you

Adam: sounds good

Adam: im fascinated with aviation despite my career choice

Shiro: Ok, I've definitely got to show you the Garrison now

Adam: hah it's a date then ;)

Shiro: Whatever you say hah

Adam: k let's ask each other questions

Adam: favorite color?

Shiro: Either black or purple

Adam: mmm interesting

Shiro: Yours?

Adam: that ocean blue, that's by the Caribbean

Shiro: It is gorgeous I agree

Adam: you bet

Shiro: Favorite food?

Adam: hah, I'm a classic hamburger and coke type of guy

Adam: but I wouldn't pass up a milkshake and some fries to go with it

Shiro: That's like a basic diner right there

Adam: i'm a jukebox baby

Shiro: You're so childish

Adam: I think it's pronounced wonderful

Shiro: Sureee

Adam: what's your favorite food?

Shiro: Literally anything my mom used to make me when I was a kid. So a lot of Japanese dishes

Adam: you're japanese?

Adam: actually that makes a lot of sense now

Shiro: Yeah

Adam: so how are you and keith,,, ya know

Adam: sorry if that's rude or overstepping

Shiro: It's fine

Shiro: We are step brothers. My dad married Keith's mom after my mother died

Adam: oh I'm sorry, that was probably really hard

Shiro: It was ok. My dad was always a great guy, and he fell apart when my mom died. Keiths mom, Krolia, really brought him happiness. And she treated me well

Shiro: I miss my mom but I love my family

Adam: that's awesome :)

Shiro: Thanks. What about your family?

Adam: tbh? my parents are homophobic and kicked me out when I was 17 cause I brought a guy home

Adam: but I'm an only child

Shiro: Adam I'm really sorry that must have been horrible. I can't even try to imagine what it would have been like if my parents didn't accept me as gay

Shiro: I'm here if you need someone to vent to or anything like that

Adam: thanks, that means a lot

Adam: wait you're gay??

Shiro: Oh yeah, forgot that detail. Hah, I'm straight as a rainbow and a single pringle

Shiro: I have never said anything so dumb in my life...

Adam: you're good haha

Shiro: Thanks

Shiro: But yeah, I'm very gay

Adam: oh that is very very good to hear

Shiro: Oh?

Adam: anyways thanks for listening to me, you're very kind

Shiro: Yeah no problem

Shiro: Thanks for listening to me

Adam: my pleasure

Adam: I'll put in a good word to Keith about you lmao

Shiro: I'll make sure to do the same

Adam: great

Shiro: Perfect

___________________________________________________________________

I'm gay
Very very good to hear 😏
Oh?

matt: he didn't say no homo!

Lmao I'll stop,,,,

This chapter and the next two will be fillers if my planning is right so hope they're ok! I've just got so many side plots that I need to develop before we continue the klance ok? Love uuuu

(side plots aka lotura, Matt and Shiro, Shiro and Adam, hunay etc.)

Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Some Shay and Hunk fluff for you softies <3 and of course Adam and Shiro had to get to know each other more eventually,,,,

😏

🤦

Thanks for reading! Ily!!! <33333

Qotd: have you ever dyed your hair? If yes, what colors? If no, do you wanna? and if you do what colors would you dye it?

A: I have never but I do want to! and I wanna dye it blue or red cause ya know

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;) hehe