Chapter Text
"So, did you get his number?" Allura and Shay were sprawled on the floor in comfortable pyjamas while they gossiped. Shay was talking about her evening with Hunk, looking a tad flustered.
"Yeah, I did actually."
"Oh my gosh! He's a really sweet guy I promise you." Allura squealed, eyes lit up in excitement.
"I kinda got that impression from him." Shay said bashfully. She sighed and added "I wonder what Rax will think of him."
Allura frowned. "To be perfectly honest, Rax's opinion shouldn't matter. So long as you like Hunk, Rax will warm up to him."
"I don't even know if we'll end up dating!" Shay stuttered out, blushing. Allura giggled.
"I never said anything about dating ~." She teased, poking Shay's darkened cheeks lightly. Shay gave her a light shove, laughing along with her.
"Maybe at some point we will." Shay murmured quietly, entertaining the thought of her and Hunk together.
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At the Balmera household, the majority of the household were asleep except for Rax. He was lost in his thoughts while he sat in his room.
To tell the truth, Rax wasn't too enthusiastic at the prospect of Shay not being home. It wasn't that he didn't like Allura. She was one of his oldest friends even if they didn't always get along. It was the fact Rax didn't like not knowing what Shay got up to. He was always protective of her, especially when they were younger, but it seemed Shay was making a conscious effort to hide what she did when he wasn't around. Rax could understand why. She needed to live her own life and he got that he wasn't in charge of her. It was just the concern that he never knew what she got up to or who she was with. Rax just wanted to look after his sister the best he could. He knew Shay wouldn't get involved with anything dangerous (he was certain of that) but he was aware that sometimes you could never be sure of the people you get involved with.
Very aware.
Even so, brooding and fretting wouldn't get him anywhere so Rax decided to focus instead on turning in. He had a job to go to and his boss would definitely not be impressed if he was sluggish and exhausted while he worked. He gave a defeated sigh as he crawled under his covers and flicked off his bedside light.
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The drive home in Keith's car was filled with the warble of a song from the radio while Lance and Keith began chattering away with Hunk chiming in occasionally but being quiet for the most part. Lance was currently attempting to sway Keith in their debate about the supernatural.
"Babe, ghosts definitely exist."
"Lance-" Keith began, scoffing slightly.
"Hear me out! You know those TV shows where those ghost hunters go in to those haunted places?"
"I guess?" Keith said with a smirk, humouring his boyfriend in his ramblings.
"Well, spooky stuff happens all the time on them! Ghosts are caught on camera."
"You do know most of the 'spooky stuff' isn't real, right? They're gimmicks to keep people watching."
"Alright wise guy, what about mediums? They speak to the dead!" Lance declared proudly. He shot Keith a smug look for extra measure to which Keith laughed.
"Again, those are gimmicks. Lance, if you want a real conspiracy, check out the moon landing."
"Keith, you and I both know that was faked. Hey Hunk, back me up here. Ghosts are real!"
Hunk gave a noise of agreement but it was obvious he wasn't paying attention to the conversation, given how his eyes were glazed over and his face was scrunched in thought.
"You okay back there, buddy?" Lance asked as he turned around in the front passenger seat.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Hunk muttered.
"Are you sure? You're being really quiet." Keith added, briefly giving him a concerned look in the rear view mirror.
"Just thinking."
Lance's face suddenly lit up and he gave Hunk a sly smile, gripping the seat tightly. "Oh, I know what's up."
"Do tell." Keith remarked dryly but with a small bit of intrigue. Lance lightly swatted his boyfriend's arm.
"Hunk is still thinking about Shay~." He then singsonged, making Hunk blush darkly.
"Well, I was thinking of texting her but I have no idea what to say. Like I know to put hello but what comes after that?" Hunk then admitted, chewing the inside of his cheek nervously.
"Well, the first thing you do after a hello is tell the person who you are so that they don't think some random stranger somehow got their number." Lance advised.
"But Shay and I are strangers..."
"Acquaintances, actually. You've met and gotten to know her a little, right?"
"I guess so..." Hunk said with a small shrug. Lance then grinned in excitement.
"Great! After that, you could possibly arrange to hang out with her at some point. Not as a date or anything but just to get to know her."
"Just be yourself, Hunk." Keith added, wanting to help too. Lance rolled his eyes at the slight cliché but chose not to comment on it.
"You can do it!" He added instead. Hunk steeled himself and withdrew his phone from his pocket. Nervously, he tapped out a message that he hoped Shay was respond to.
Hey, this is Hunk from Allura's party :D [Sent at 11:54]
It took Shay a minute to reply.
Hey Hunk :D How did you find the party?[Sent at 11:55]
It was great! What about you? [Sent at 11:55]
Hunk looked at the pair in the front seats and said "I think it's going well. It's a bit awkward though..."
"All first time text conversations are." Keith replied, turning in to their street. He switched off the radio and began to park the car.
"Trust us, we know." Lance joked, sending a wink in Keith's direction who laughed.
Parked, the car rumbled to a stop and the three of them got out. "Welp, we'll see you soon Hunk. Hope everything turns out well with Shay!" Lance called over his shoulder as he and his boyfriend walked to their house. Hunk gave a wave and a small smile before heading to his own.
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An excited shriek erupted from Allura when Shay's phone lit up with a text. "That'll be Hunk!" She declared, shoving the phone in to her friend's hands.
"You seem very sure of that..." Shay remarked, smiling at her enthusiasm. Allura shrugged.
"Instinct." She responded simply. As if on cue, it turned out Allura was right for there was Hunk's message, sat there and waiting to be read.
Hey, this is Hunk from Allura's party :D [Sent at 11:54]
Hey Hunk :D How did you find the party?[Sent at 11:55] Shay sent her reply as quickly as she could, grinning as Allura giggled.
It was great! What about you? [Sent at 11:55]
"Ask him on a date!" Allura urged. Shay gave a yelp and hid her face.
"What?! No!" She whined in embarrassment. Allura chuckled.
"Fine. Tell him I've invited him to hang out with us. Tomorrow."
Allura wants to know if you want to hang out with us tomorrow? :) [Sent at 11:56]
Shay glanced at Allura and asked "Do you think he'll want to come?"
Allura didn't get to reply as Hunk text Shay back almost immediately.
Sure! When and where are we meeting? [Sent at 11:57pm]
"He wants to know when and where we're meeting him?"
"Do you remember where the café is?" Allura asked. Shay thought for a moment, recalling the hours the pair has spent chatting in the small but quaint café around the corner from the train station near Allura's. The café was a small one but the tea cakes there were amazing so it was definitely a firm choice for a meeting place. Besides, it might impress Hunk. Shay then nodded and texted Hunk again.
There's a café by the train station near Allura's. We can meet there at 10:00? [Sent 11:58]
Great! I'll see you tomorrow then! :D [Sent at 1:58]
Shay could hardly believe she was seeing Hunk again so soon. Her heart gave an excited jolt. "Thanks, Allura." She murmured, slightly in a daze.
"You're welcome! Now then, what's this I heard about a promotion?"
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