Chapter 7

The Seventh Smile - the One of Happiness Complete

"I didn't know exactly what I wanted to say. You know I'm not good with words or expressing myself. And I think you wanted us to speak our own vows just because of that. I've thought about all of our time together, the things that brought us together, the adventures we've had, how I've always been able to count on you for everything, how you've been there for me, how I've been there for you, how we've protected each other, how we've fought next to each other, how we've loved each other. I've thought of all of this, seven years of knowing you, over five years of being part of an amazing and unique team, four years of being together. There's been one thing that constantly sticks out in my mind and that's your smiles. I've seen so many different ones over the years and each new one I see makes me love you even more, because you're the most beautiful when you're at your happiest. That's how I've always seen you, this light of joy that came out of nowhere and illuminated my life with that smile. That's the first thing I remember about you, the first thing I saw all those years ago at the Garrison. The first smile, the flirty one you gave me that stunned me so much I couldn't even respond. The second smile, the excited one when you flew Blue for the first time. The third smile, the bonding one when you said we make a good team and smiled your first genuine smile for me, then sent me into confusion when you smirked at me later and I knew you remembered the bonding moment. The fourth smile, the sheepish one when I told you I loved you the first time, even though you were rightfully angry at me, and you said it back. The fifth smile, the reunion smile, the first one I saw of you without the pain of missing your family, when you brought me here to Cuba to meet them. The sixth smile, the he said yes smile, the smile you gave me when you proposed before I had a chance. I can now add a seventh smile, a smile of complete happiness, that I see right now as you look at me with tears in your eyes, as I knew you'd have. Thank you for all the smiles over the years and thank you for all the love you've offered me. I promise to keep you smiling for the rest of our lives."

There was silence as he finished and Lance did reach up to wipe tears away, though that smile of complete happiness shone on his features. "I can't believe you wrote better vows than me," he whispered with a choked laugh. Keith just grinned at him as they both turned to Coran.

"As Earth customs dictate," the Altean said grandly, "Rings are exchanged at this point in the ceremony. In Altea we'd usually have a sparring match, but as the Terrans say, 'when in Rome'. Do you have the rings?"

Hunk handed Lance the silver and ruby ring he had proposed to Keith with, while Shiro handed Keith the silver and sapphire ring of Lance's. Following Coran's instructions, each slipped the ring on the others' hand, repeating after their space Uncle, "As the circle of the ring is never ending, so shall be our love."

"Excellent! Blue and Red, by the powers given to me by this lovely country of Cuba, I now pronounce you married!" Coran stated, beaming at the both of them proudly. "Please, kiss your groom!"

Keith couldn't wait to kiss this new smile of Lance's, this new smile that was more beautiful than all the others, which he couldn't believe possible. He heard Lance chuckle as he leaned in for their first kiss as a married couple, both of their faces flushed with happiness. They were both startled to hear their lions roar, drowning out the shouts and happy cheers of their friends and family. The kiss was short and they turned to face the rather large group of guests that came to celebrate their 'private' ceremony.

The rest of the day was a blur of mixed emotions and scenes that jumbled together as they celebrated long into the night. Cubans knew how to party and the beach sang with a combination of salsa and pop music that kept everyone dancing until the next morning. Years later, whenever Keith tried to recall details of this happy day that went by too fast, only a handful of memories came to the surface. His first glimpse of Lance before the ceremony as they both exited their respective lions to meet at the top of the bluff to walk down to Coran - Lance dressed exactly like him in white linen pants and a blue guayabera shirt while Keith wore a red one; they were both barefooted. Their teammates and Lance's siblings serving as bridesmaids and groomsmen, none 'assigned' to either groom, they just stood where they wanted. Coran, trying to sing an Altean love song that sounded more like a dying whale than a romantic tune. Pidge, uncomfortable in the light linen sun dress of the bridesmaids, avoiding the attentions of Lance's cousin, Alejandro. Lance's Abuelo, arguing reality with a confused Slav. Allura, in a dress similar to Pidge's, captivating Shiro to the point that their leader finally confessed his own love to her. Hunk and Lance, teaching Shay, Rax, and Olia how to dab, much to the delight of Lance's younger cousins to see these aliens dance like they used to dance themselves. Himself, dancing salsa with Lance's Mamá, blushing with pleasure as she kept telling him how happy she was that he was part of the family now and how much she'd grown to love him and think of him as her son.

It was nearly six in the morning when the majority of people had gone home. "I can't believe it's this late," Pidge said, yawning. "Or early?"

"I told you we take partying very seriously here," Lance answered. He didn't even look tired. His eyes were shining, especially whenever his glance landed on his new husband.

Keith, however, did look tired. The beach had been mostly cleared of all the party debris, thanks to Lance's family. "Let's get to the resort, Lance," Keith said. "I'm so ready for bed."

They said their goodnights and gave out hugs, kisses and 'thank you's' to the Voltron team and to Lance's parents and siblings who had stayed to the end. "Come on, mi Vida. Let's get to our lions," Lance said, taking Keith's hand and leading him away from the beach. The staff that had been hired to cater and prepare the reception began turning off the portable lights of the dance area and extinguishing the nearly exhausted bonfires.

The newly married couple climbed the bluff in the false dawn light to their lions, who sat waiting patiently on their haunches for their Paladins.

"Let's climb up on Red's paw," Lance suggested.

"Climb up on his paw?" Keith asked confusedly. "Lance, I just want to get to our room so we can sleep. I'm exhausted."

"I know, mi Alma, I am too. But trust me on this," Lance pleaded.

Keith could rarely ignore Lance when he begged, so he caved and tiredly climbed up on to Red's paw. Lance was ahead of him and had already turned and settled himself on top of the mechanical paw, leaning against Red's leg. He held his arms up and open. "Come here, my husband," he sang, then giggled.

In spite of his general tiredness, Keith couldn't help but feel a thrill to hear Lance call him that. He settled easily into Lance's embrace, wriggling his way to sit between Lance's legs, his back up against Lance's chest. He felt Lance's arms slide around his waist as he leaned back, his head tilting a little to rest against Lance's shoulder. He rested his hands on Lance's hands, which were clasped in front of his stomach.

"Did you have a good wedding, mi Alma?" Lance whispered in his ear.

Keith smiled, pressing his temple against Lance's cheek. "It was the happiest day of my life," he answered, then after a beat, said, "So far."

Lance chuckled, squeezing his husband tightly. "Mine too."

Both of them felt/heard the happy purring coming from their lions. They could tell Red and Blue were proud of and happy for their 'cubs'.

"This is nice, Lance, but what are we doing? I just want to collapse in bed right now. I knew you said it would be a big and long party, but I had no idea it would go all night."

"You'll see, mi Amor, you'll see. Patience yields focus? Or something like that, huh?"

"I can't focus on anything right now. I can barely keep my eyes open," Keith complained mildly. "We partied so long we couldn't have our wedding night."

"Mmm," Lance hummed in his ear. "We will tonight, after a long nap. I promise," he said, caressing Keith a little. Enough to arouse him slightly, though he was too tired to be completely into it.

"I'll hold you to that," Keith murmured.

They stayed like that for about half an hour. Keith ended up dozing for a little while and Lance let him. The wind off the ocean felt amazing, a slight and cool breeze that encouraged Keith's sleepiness. "Keith? Keith?" he heard Lance say in a low tone. "Wake up, mi Amor. Look!"

Keith's eyes fluttered open, stinging from lack of sleep. It was slightly brighter out. Their lions were at the top of a bluff above the beach where their ceremony was. The beach was miles from Veradero on a small island off the coast of Cuba, home to a few of the higher end resorts, one of which they were staying at for a few days. All they could see from their perch on Red's paw was the beach in front of them and the ocean stretching out before them to the horizon.

"What Lance?" Keith asked sleepily, rubbing at his eyes.

"Watch."

There were a few clouds on the horizon, painted in hues of orange, yellow and red. The normally vivid blue water that reminded Keith of Lance's eyes was now a stormy gray color as the waves rolled in. Seabirds dove into the water for their breakfast, their cries loud over the quiet whoosh of the waves and the breeze. The color in the clouds grew more intense as the sun rose. And there it was, the sun peeking over the horizon and making both of them squint at the brightness, which somehow turned the water a darker blue-gray.

The world got brighter as the sun rose higher, and both of the young men sat watching in silence. Lance pulled Keith closer to him, even as Keith snuggled more into the long arms holding so tightly. The sun rose steadily, turning the water even darker as the sky got brighter. Keith felt like it was just them in the world at this quiet moment. The 'purring' in their minds from their lions intensified.

"The first morning of our new life together," Lance said in a soft voice. "I wanted to be awake and share this with you, mi Amor."

Keith smiled. Lance was often romantic, it was one of the aspects Keith loved about him. He was romantic in a way that Keith could never be and always knew the things to say that made Keith's heart feel full. Keith leaned to the side, tilting his head to look up into the face of his husband, who was smiling down at him. Another new smile to add to the list. A thoroughly content and loving smile – a married smile, one that assured Keith that from now on they were in this together until the end.

"I love you, Lance."

"I love you."

Note: Unfortunately same-sex marriage is not legal in Cuba, though there is a huge movement to make it so. If you go by VLD timeline starting in 2016/2017 or so and add the five years in my timeline, hopefully by the time the Paladins return home, it will be legal!