Chapter Text
The thing is, Matt had been doing just fine until he had got Pidge’s message.
It was Voltron’s first day in negotiations with the Vesi, an ancient race of people who lived in what even the Galra would consider the “Outer Rim” of the universe. Their distant location and lack of exploitable resources meant the planet had remained virtually untouched by the universe’s largest douchebags, but Allura has insisted that they visit Vesux anyway. The Coalition could always use more allies.
Matt had inwardly lamented the idea of trying to convince the Vesi of joining the Coalition. It wasn’t that he had anything against them, in fact, he didn’t know anything about them. But it felt as if every time they visited another planet, they were getting farther and farther away from Earth. It made him feel a bit guilty to admit that he was homesick. But that sadness was momentarily forgotten when they caught sight of Vesux’s sky.
The sky of this planet was nothing short of beautiful. Allura had stood by with a knowing smile while they had admired the greens and yellows swirling above them. She had launched into an explanation about how the chemicals in the atmosphere affected what they saw, but while Pidge, Hunk and Lance had eaten it up, Matt would have to admit that he wasn’t really listening.
Shiro had been standing right next to him, eyes focused on the patterns of colors in the air. Matt hadn’t meant to watch him, but the yellows above had made almost a halo effect on Shiro’s face, and he couldn’t look away. Bathed in pastel yellow, it looked like Shiro was glowing. He looked like an angel that had been grounded on Vesux for the sole purpose of this one moment.
Matt is sure he would have come up with more flowery language to describe his best friend if Pidge hadn’t elbowed him in the ribs. They had wiggled their eyebrows at him suggestively, as if they knew exactly what he was thinking.
God, he hoped they didn’t.
Matt’s crush on Shiro had been going on for years, and he was doing just fine living with that secret alone, thank you very much.
Regardless of his sibling’s steadily increasing teases though, Matt would still come when called. So when Pidge’s whispered message had come through the commlink, he had dropped the Altean physics book he had been reading and immediately picked up.
Matt would rather be caught listening to country music before he admitted it to anyone, but he always kept his commlink close by when they visited new planets. He knew everyone was capable of handling any trouble, but it didn’t stop him from worrying. Ever since he had reunited with Pidge (and effectively become part of this weird space family) he had grown attached to everyone in the castle.
So when he picked up his commlink, he had expected to hear bad news about the negotiations or that someone needed help.
What he didn’t expect was hearing Pidge’s classic snicker come through the line.
“Matt.”
A muffled laugh.
“We’re on our way back to the castle.”
“Okay?” Matt said. “You called in just for that?” He could feel his face scrunch up in confusion.
“Well….” Pidge said, trailing off. Matt would swear on his sibling’s lion he could hear the smirk in their voice.
“The Queen of the Vesi wanted to see the castle up close so she’s traveling with us. Meet us outside of the ship with Coran.”
“Uh, okay. I’ll let Coran know.” Matt replied.
“And Matt?”
“Yeah?”
Another laugh.
“Make it convincing.”
Then the line went dead.
Matt looked back at the commlink like it had insulted his mother. Make it convincing? What the hell was Pidge talking about?
He might almost think that was one of his sibling’s typical pranks, but they knew how important Coalition meetings were. Allura would never forgive them for ruining relationships like this over a laugh.
Matt shrugged to himself. He could handle whatever it was Pidge was hinting at. Years of being out in space had honed his reflexes and years of hiding his crush on Shiro had sharpened his acting. He could do this.
…
Probably.
--
They had only been standing outside the castle for maybe five minutes when the paladins came into view.
Matt straightened himself and did his best to brush off some of the dust that had accumulated on his clothes. He never got sent out to take part in these kinds of missions. Politics was strictly a Paladin sort of thing, and a thin human with no real connection to the lions wasn’t how you convinced aliens to fight a war.
Matt is sure that him and Coran look like a very poor welcoming party, but the Queen doesn’t seem to mind. She looks to be in a very enthusiastic conversation with Hunk and Allura, who are leading the group. They’re still far away enough that Matt can study the Queen without looking too obvious. He doesn’t mean to stare, but he’s never seen a Vesi before. By all means, she looked human from the waist up. A slim torso that was covered by what he would call a crop top, and arms similar to his own. Her dark blue hair almost hid the two antenna-like protrusions near her forehead. Past the stomach, her shape turned more into that of a thick blob. Matt would probably compare her lower half to that of a slug; she didn’t have any feet, simply gliding across the ground.
But she seemed to be keeping good pace with the rest of the group. Lance and Pidge were walking slightly behind the trio, and even from this distance Matt can see the grins on their faces. Tucked away in the back, he can just see the black of Shiro’s armor behind the Queen, and he assumes Keith is there too.
This formation is the first indicator to Matt that something is slightly off. Even if he doesn’t realize it, Shiro had a habit of walking ahead of the team. He had done it on Kerberos with Matt too. He always took the first step, as if making sure things were safe for those who followed.
But Matt doesn’t have time to figure out what’s wrong because the group is quickly standing right before him.
Hunk’s conversation with the Queen comes to a halt as Allura directs their attention to Matt and Coran. Matt doesn’t dare look at Pidge’s face in case he messes this up.
Make what convincing?
The Queen looks away from Hunk to take in the view of the castle.
“How fascinating.” She says, a squeak in her voice. “It has been a long time since I have set sights on anything Altean. The craftsmanship is admirable.”
Coran straightens up next to Matt at the compliment, beaming. Allura bows her head, a small smile on her face.
“You are too kind your Majesty.” She replies.
The Queen’s eyes slide down from the ship onto Matt, and he suppresses a shiver. Her eyes are bright yellow, matching the sky, and bore into him like he’s a puzzle to solve.
What had Pidge gotten him into?
“Allow me to introduce our remaining crew, Queen Yerse.”
Allura takes the few steps forward necessary to slot herself between Matt and Coran.
“Coran is my Royal Advisor and the Helmsman of the Castleship. It was his grandfather that originally built it, and he continues to keep it in proper order.”
Coran takes a step forward to bow to the Queen.
“It is an honor to be on Vesux once again your Majesty. It is just as beautiful as I remember it being when I was a lad.” Coran says, a twinkle in his eye.
Queen Yerse laughs at his words, but still makes a return bow to Coran.
Allura turns her body towards Matt.
“Matt is our Science Officer and Communications Specialist. He is the Green Paladin’s older brother.”
Okay, this wasn’t so bad
“He is also the Black Paladin’s husband.”
wait what
WHAT DID ALLURA JUST SAY
Matt can feel all eyes swivel onto him, and he knows that his face is growing redder by the second.
HUSBAND
Allura just introduced ME to the QUEEN OF A PLANET as SHIRO’S HUSBAND
WHAT THE FUCK WHAT THE FUCK WHAT THE FUCK
What Matt wants to do is turn to Allura and ask her to repeat what she just said.
What he wants to do is run to Shiro, shake him, and ask what happened in the city.
What he wants to do is drop kick Pidge into space for not warning him better.
“Make it convincing” WHAT KIND OF WARNING WAS THAT
What Matt ends up doing is taking every ounce of self-control he has to make his body politely step forward and bow to Queen Yerse.
He clears his throat.
“I-It’s an honor to meet you your Majesty.”
All Matt wants to do right now is scream, but apparently that isn’t too obvious on his face, because the Queen bows back. She gives him a warm smile when she stands tall once again.
Stay cool, you can make this work
“And it is an honor to meet a fellow mated pair.”
mATED PAIR
Matt might faint.
“It is a relief for me to see that despite all our differences, there are some cultural notions that are constant throughout the universe.” said Queen Yerse.
From his left, Matt can swear he hears Pidge snicker. He ignores them and allows his gaze to fall on Hunk and Lance on his right. It’s a mistake, because they don’t seem to be doing any better. Hunk has a hand up to cover his smile, and Lance seems like he’s barely holding it together. Matt might even say there are tears in his eyes.
From behind the Queen, there is movement.
Shiro steps forward, paladin armor gleaming in the yellow light. His eyes are locked on Matt, as if he’s trying to tell him everything through just one gaze.
But even thought Matt has known Shiro for years, he can’t fully decipher this look.
Part apologetic, part embarrassed, and part something Matt can’t put his finger on.
Shiro moves past the Queen and places himself on Matt’s left, parallel to Allura.
He carefully slots their hands together.
Matt breaks out into a sweat.
“I’m glad to know that my husband and I can bring you comfort on this your Majesty.” Shiro says with a smile. “My apologies for not telling you earlier in the negotiations. We are never sure as to how… kindly people may be towards us.”
Matt is absolutely lost as to what is happening but Queen Yerse nods, as if what Shiro has said makes sense.
“I understand Black Paladin. Please be rest assured that you are free to be with your mate on Vesux.”
Shiro smiles at the Queen again, and that’s when Matt remembers that he’s supposed to make this look real.
He tightens his grip on Shiro’s hand and smiles at him. Shiro glances at Matt and smiles back.
It’s not hard to pretend to be in love with Shiro when you already are
“But I believe I have seen what I came to see.” Queen Yerse announces. “If you wouldn’t mind Princess Allura, I would like to steal your advisor from you. I am intrigued to hear what he remembers of the Vesux of long ago.”
Coran’s eyes light up at the suggestion.
“Of course, your Majesty!” He exclaims, quickly moving to take Queen Yerse’s arm. “Allow me to walk you back to the city while I tell you tales of my time here!”
The Queen nods kindly at Coran, and Matt feels like maybe this isn’t that bad. Shiro’s hand is a warm weight next to him, and Matt silently admits to himself that this is kind of nice. He can do this for a couple more minutes, and then they can laugh about it once the Queen is gone.
Matt swears he’s jinxed himself because that’s when the Queen turns back around.
“Oh my! I almost forgot. Now that I know there is a mated pair in Voltron, I would like to invite all of you to a Mate Gala. The King and I are hosting it for the planet three days from now.”
For the first time in the last five minutes, Keith makes himself known.
“What is that?” He asks. Matt can tell Keith isn’t really interested, but if it’s for the sake of another ally in the Coalition….
“Mate Gala’s are where mated pairs go to present their mates and help those who are unmated in their venture to become paired. I assure you all that the Vesi are a kind people. Surely you will accept the invitation to the Gala?” she asks, almost pleadingly.
Matt swallows. He’s speaking before he can even stop himself.
“With pleasure, your Majesty.” He says.
what are you doing
“Takashi and I would be honored to attend.”
why are you doing this to yourself
“And I’m sure the rest of the Paladins would as well.”
“That is settled then!” Queen Yerse confirms. “I will see you all in three days’ time.”
She turns around again and allows Coran to take her arm once more.
Coran begins a brisk pace away from the castle and back towards the city. Matt wonders if he knows the shitstorm that’s going to happen once he and the Queen are out of earshot.
Matt counts time pass by the frantic beat of his heart. Everyone around them is quiet, waiting for someone to break the silence.
After what feels like an eternity, Lance is the first to lose it.
“Oh my god Matt your FACE!” He yells, hands flying up to grasp his stomach as he laughs.
To his left, Pidge collapses on the ground, silently wheezing.
“I gotta admit, “Takashi” was a nice touch.” Keith mentions from the back with a smile.
Matt is sure he looks like a tomato.
“WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!” He screams, whipping to look at Allura. With a hand over her mouth, even the Princess seems to find this amusing.
But all Matt can think is how mortifying this is.
From their position on the ground, Pidge makes a move to stand.
“Basically,” They say through bouts of giggles, “Queen Yerse wasn’t going to join the Coalition until Shiro admitted he was hitched.”
To his right, Allura composes herself long enough to continue the explanation.
“The Vesi are a people who place a high value on romantic relationships. They prefer all of their leaders to be paired, or “mated”. They see mated leaders as an indicator of the quality of a leader; if you can keep one of the most intimate relationships between you and your partner stable, then you can easily handle commanding armies.”
“Throughout the negotiations, Queen Yerse was heavily hinting that if Shiro didn’t have a partner, then it was going to take weeks to convince them to join the Coalition.”
“Then who was it that suggested me then?” Matt demands. He levels each of the Paladins with a glare. He wouldn’t put it past any of them to think this was a “funny” way to convince the Vesi.
It’s not like they knew about his crush on Shiro. They probably thought it would just be an embarrassing way to tease two of their older teammates.
But now they had a Mate Gala to attend. Which to Matt, sounded like a glorified middle school Valentine’s Day dance.
Next to him, Shiro clears his throat. He looks down at the ground.
“I did.”
Matt’s frustration and anger disappears.
Shiro’s first instinct was to say he was married to me
He thinks he imagines Shiro squeezing his hand.
oh my god we’re still holding hands
“It’s true!” Lance exclaims, head nodding vigorously. “Shiro made this off-handed comment about how ‘his husband Matt’ would love the city, and it was like Queen Yerse became a totally different person!”
“Good thinking Shiro.” Matt says, giving what he hopes is a composed smile. It’s entirely at odds with the emotions whirling around inside him. “You truly sacrifice the most for Voltron, pretending to be married to me of all people.”
Shiro barks out a laugh, some of the tension finally easing off of his shoulders.
Something that Matt thinks might be his heart flutters at the sight.
fuck, im such a goner for him
The basics of the situation now explained, it seems as if Allura has decided they’ve done enough for the day. She turns away from the group and focuses her eyes on the castleship.
“It would be best that we head in for the night.” Allura says. Matt drags his eyes away from Shiro’s face to nod at her.
The rest of the paladins begin to move in, everyone headed towards the castle. Though, not without a few amused glances at Matt’s expense. He sees Keith eye their clasped hands with faint interest.
Shiro turns as well, attention now focused on the team. His hand slips away from Matt’s as he heads toward the castle. Matt tries his best not to miss the warmth of Shiro’s hand.
Pidge slides in next to him in the back of the group with a sly grin on their face.
“So, it looks like we’re attending that Gala in a couple days.” They say innocently, arms behind their back.
Matt doesn’t give them the satisfaction of answering.
“Which means you and Shiro are going to have to act married in front of the population of Vesux.”
A pause.
“Sounds tough. Might be a good idea to practice.”
Matt stops in his tracks.
“Practice?!”
--
Allura thought the idea of practice was a great idea. Because of course she did.
But it was already too late for them to go down that rabbit hole today, so tomorrow had been deemed “Practice Day” for Matt and Shiro. The rest of the Paladins would be joining them, as they all seemed to have their own input on how to be convincing at the Gala, even Keith.
It was as if they had been waiting for this day; their combined knowledge making a “How to Convince Aliens You’re Married to Your Crush and Not Fuck It Up: A How-To Guide for Matthew Holt.”
Matt ended up saying goodnight to everyone rather early. Pidge said they had a new project they wanted to finish by tomorrow and needed Hunk’s help. Keith and Lance had gone to the training deck to get in some simulation practice before bed.
Well, Keith had declared he was going to the training deck. Lance had told him he was going to work himself to exhaustion and followed after the Red Paladin in an argument.
Shiro had quietly ducked out without saying a word to any of them, and Matt couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed.
In retrospect, maybe Matt shouldn’t have freaked out so much after Queen Yerse had left. He didn’t want Shiro to think that this was a burden on Matt or too weird for him to go through with. This was just how Matt naturally reacted to situations. He would freak out in a sense that was comical and then everything would end up okay after the explanations.
He considers that this situation would have been an entirely different beast if anyone but Shiro had suggested they fake the marriage.
This was all that Matt had been thinking about in the hours since everything had begun.
Currently it was the equivalent of 11 pm in the castle, and he was drying off after taking a shower. The water spraying on his back had been some help in easing the tension of his muscles, but it soon returned after he dried off.
If Lance or Pidge or even Keith of all people had been the one to tell Queen Yerse about Matt, he would have reacted differently.
But it had been Shiro, with his soft words and quiet conviction that said he was the one who did it. Of all the people Shiro could have picked, he picked Matt. And from Shiro’s perspective, Matt had freaked out.
Not good.
It wasn’t that he had meant to offend Shiro. And thinking back, Matt didn’t think he did anything that outright said he was. Offended, that is.
Since all the shit that had happened in space, Matt had become a little rougher around the edges. If this had happened before Kerberos he might have found it a little more funny and hammed it up around Shiro, calling him pet names and hugging him.
But that was a version of Matt that hadn’t been crushing on the Black Paladin for years or been messed with in space. That made a universe of difference.
Matt stepped out of the communal shower area and began the trek back to his room.
He continued thinking as he walked down the long, silent halls of the castle.
The problem was that once he had gotten over the shock of pretending to be married to Shiro, it felt like a role that he was all too suited for. Other than maybe Keith, who was an exception because he was literally Shiro’s brother, who in the castle knew Shiro better than him? They spent months living next door to each other in the Garrison and had become best friends. Then they had both been picked for Kerberos and it was like the mission had been the signature on a blood pact. They were basically inseparable leading up to the mission, sleeping over in each other’s rooms and staying up late telling stories to one another. And that was when Matt had to fuck it all up by looking at Shiro one day and thinking, I think I’m in love with him.
Despite what Pidge had thought of him at the time, Matt could be professional. So he shoved those feelings down deep and never let them shine through because he couldn’t jeopardize the mission with his crush. They went on the mission and it had gone to shit and the rest would end up being in a history book on Earth someday.
“Takashi Shirogane, the Black Paladin, would gain his Galra arm when he fought in the Galra gladiator fights. He would sacrifice himself to protect Matthew Holt, a useless comms specialist that was too much of a weakling to do anything other than watch his best friend get dragged into the stadium to fight fucking aliens.”
Woah, self-hatred coming in strong tonight
Matt knew that the problem with this fake marriage to Shiro was that no matter how hard he tried, he was going to like it too much. He was going to get this taste of what Shiro was like outside of being friends, and he would go crazy knowing he can’t have what he wanted. He was sure that Shiro would notice how easily Matt could call him pet names and stand too close, cause it’s what he’s been wanting to do for forever. And Shiro would be too kind, and not say anything about it, and then after the next three days were over, they’d never go back to the way things were before and it would be Matt’s fault and –
Matt stopped walking. He took a deep breath.
He had to stop that line of thinking before it got too out of control. Even if that might be a possible outcome, he didn’t know for sure.
Besides…
Matt allowed himself to smile.
Even after knowing him for so long, Shiro still had the ability to surprise him. Maybe they’d end up alright in the end, even if the days immediately after the Gala were going to be torture.
Matt turned the corner, heading towards his room. But before he could get too close, a figure moved from where they were leaning outside his door.
“Hey Shiro.” Matt said, hoping his voice didn’t give away his sudden nervousness. This was the first time they’d been alone since this whole thing had started.
“Hi Matt.” Shiro said, arms crossed over his chest. He was still dressed in his day clothes. Was he planning on sleeping tonight?
“I don’t mean to keep you up, but I wanted to talk you about today.”
“Sure.” Matt replied. He gestured towards his front door.
“Do you want to come in or…?”
“No, I’m good. This won’t take too long, so you can still get your beauty sleep Matt.”
Matt watched as Shiro’s mouth turned into a teasing smile as he said those last words. Matt laughed, feeling lighter all of a sudden.
This part of their friendship would never change.
Matt leaned one arm against the wall, posing himself like the models he used to see in his mom’s magazines.
“What are you talking about Shiro? These good looks don’t come from sleep, they’re au naturale.”
At this, Shiro snorted. It sounded a bit undignified, echoing down the hall, but Matt loved it all the same.
“Please, I’ve seen you pull two-day all-nighters when we were back at the Garrison. A significant portion of your looks comes from sleep. You made one of the cadets think you’d broken into the labs because you ‘looked homeless’.”
Matt wrinkles his nose at the memory. It wasn’t his fault the cadet had screamed so loud. He was trying to finish a report on time.
“Alright,” Matt says, sending Shiro a playful glare, “enough with the embarrassing stories of me Shiro, we’d be here all night. What did you want to talk about?”
Shiro grows quiet at the question. He looks down at the floor, avoiding Matt’s gaze.
“I wanted to apologize for today. I ended up backed into a corner during the negotiations, and the first thing that came to my head was to say your name. I know you didn’t exactly sign up for this, but I just—"
“Shiro.” Matt said, stepping closer to him. He looked up at Matt, apologies still on the tip of his tongue. Matt wanted to take Shiro’s hand, but he decided to set it on his left shoulder instead.
“You don’t need to apologize. You always do what’s best for Voltron and the Coalition, and if that means that I have to be Mr. Shirogane or Mr. Holt-Shirogane, we could hyphenate,” Shiro laughed softly. “or whatever, then I will do it.”
Matt made a face at himself, thinking back on earlier.
“I should be the one apologizing to you. I didn’t mean to freak out on you after the Queen left. It was just a lot to take in at once and Pidge’s ability to be cryptid didn’t help with my prep.”
Matt squeezed Shiro’s shoulder before letting go. Just like this afternoon, his hand immediately began to miss Shiro’s warmth.
“Besides,” Matt said, blurting out the words because apparently, he didn’t have a filter around Shiro anymore, “I’d rather be married to you over anyone else in the castle.”
Immediately, he feels his face heat up.
That sounded way too romantic for me to say, fuck
Matt resists the urge to cover his face with his hands. He glances down at the floor before quickly looking back at Shiro. He tries to gauge his reaction, but Shiro seems unphased except for a hint of red on his cheeks. But Matt could be imagining that.
Luckily, Shiro doesn’t comment on his last sentence.
“I guess we’re good then.” he states.
Matt wants to make a comment about how him and Shiro are always going to be good, but he doesn’t.
Shiro uncrosses his arms and holds eye contact with Matt for a couple seconds, looking as if there was more he wanted to say. But he seems to shake himself out of it.
“I’m hoping the team goes easy on us with the whole “marriage practice” thing, but that’s probably wishful thinking huh?” He asks.
Matt cracks a smile.
“Knowing Lance, he’ll actually make us walk down an aisle and get married to make it authentic.” Matt straightens up and puts on his best Princess Bride accent.
“Mawwiage is what bwings us togethew today.”
Shiro laughs loud, and Matt’s smile turns into a full-blown grin.
“Keith is going to be clueless if you pull that tomorrow.” Shiro says with a breathless sigh. Matt shakes his head in mock-disgust.
“That boy hasn’t lived.”
There’s a pause.
“Well,” Shiro starts, moving closer to Matt, “I hope you get some sleep tonight.”
“Yeah, you and me both.” Matt replies, suppressing a yawn. “Thanks for checking in on me dude.”
“Anytime. Goodnight Matt.” Shiro says. He gives Matt’s shoulder a tight clasp, similar to what Matt had done a couple minutes ago. He hopes he’s not imagining the fond look on Shiro’s face as he walks away.
Matt waits till Shiro is halfway down the hall before he mumbles the words.
“Goodnight Takashi.”
He doesn’t know if Shiro hears him.
(Matt doesn’t sleep well that night. He stays up, begging his brain to let him sleep, but it refuses. Instead, he thinks about last names, and if Holt-Shirogane or Shirogane-Holt sounds better.
He wonders if that matters, when he would gladly just take Shirogane as replacement of his own.
That thought keeps him up for another hour.)