"Aaaahhhh!"

Allura's shriek of glee caused everyone on the office floor to stop whatever it was they were doing and turn their heads.

"I can't believe it! He actually did it!" Allura bounced on her toes happily, eyes wide and sparkling and her grin nearly splitting her face in half. "And it's so beautiful, too!"

Katie blushed and looked down as her boss grabbed her hand and closely inspected her ring. "Y-yeah..."

Allura squealed, biting her lip. "I'm a maid, right!? Tell me I'm a maid! I better be a maid, Pidge!"

"You're a maid!" Katie whined, pulling Allura further from the crowd. "I was going to wait to ask, but..." She looked down and fiddled with the hem of her jacket. "I wanted to ask you to be my Maid of Honor."

Allura gasped, standing straight and slapping her hand over her mouth. "Oh, Pidge!" She shrieked giddily and threw her arms around her small friend. "Of course! Yes, yes, yes!"

Katie laughed as she was practically swung around. "Alright, alright! Now can I get back to work?"

"Oh!" Allura pulled back and clapped. "Yes! You should. Tell me once you have a date and tell me when you want to pick dresses, cake, food, drinks, colors, decorations-"

"Okay, I get it." Katie raised her hands to silence Allura. "You're my Maid of Honor, so you are planning everything with me." Allura squeezed and trembled excitedly. "I'll call you when I need you." Allura nodded eagerly and squeaked and squealed to herself as Katie left to return to work.

~

"I hate that you're sick," Katie muttered into her phone as she leaned against the wall in the dance room. "I miss you at work. I have to deal with Lance bugging Keith, Hunk and Coran fussing, and Allura screeching like a banshee every time she sees me."

Shiro chuckled on the other line, then coughed weakly. "Why is she doing that?"

Katie hummed, glancing down at the sparkling ring on her finger. "So far, she's the only one that's seen the ring. Everyone else has yet to notice. Also, I asked Allura to be my Maid of Honor because she practically yelled at me in front of the entire office that I better make her one of my maids." Shiro laughed, then stopped as coughs attacked his throat. "Ugh, you sound awful."

"Thanks, you're so sweet."

Katie giggled, curling a lock of hair around her finger. "I promise that after work I'll come by in my nice, new and fixed car and bring you some gifts to help you feel better."

Shiro hummed. "Yeah? Like a stuffed bear and candy?"

"Grape flavored cough medicine and a thermometer."

"So thoughtful." Katie laughed, practically able to see Shiro shaking his head at her. "Are you going to tell everyone, or let them figure it out."

Katie tapped her chin in thought. "I think... I'll just let them figure it out. Lance's reactions are the best, especially since he's always the last to know." They both chuckled softly.

A comfortable silence wrapped around them, despite the distance between them. Katie smiled, closing her eyes. "Hey, Takashi?" He hummed in question. "I love you."

She couldn't see him, but she knew he was smiling. "I love you, too, Katie."

Katie bit her lip, smiling. "I'll see you soon. Bye."

"Goodbye, Katie."

~

Katie invited herself into Shiro's apartment, several grocery bags dangling from her arms. She shut and locked the door behind her and quietly set the bags down. If Shiro didn't come out to greet her, it meant he was laying down.

So, Katie tip-toe'd down the short hallway and into Shiro's room. She slipped off her shoes and shrugged off her jacket, then crawled into his bed. Katie shuffled under the covers and nuzzled against him.

Shiro hummed and shifted as he woke. "... Katie?" She hummed in response, wrapping her arms around him. Shiro breathed in and out deeply as he rolled onto his side and returned her embrace. "Sorry... I didn't mean to fall asleep."

"It's okay," Katie whispered, closing her eyes and tucking her face in his chest. "I didn't mean to wake you. I was going to let you sleep for at least a few more minutes, maybe fall asleep myself."

Shiro chuckled softly. "I just hope you don't get sick as well."

"I won't," she mused. "I have an amazing immune system. Hardly ever get sick." Katie tilted her head back to look up at him. "But, if I do get sick, that just means you won't have to suffer alone."

Shiro laughed softly, then turned his head to cough away from her. Katie pouted and shuffled up to be level with him. "Your throat sounds awful." She brushed her fingers over his neck and sighed softly. "Your neck is a little swollen and you've got a fever." Katie leaned up and pressed her lips to his hot forehead. "You stay here. I brought ingredients for chicken noodle soup, so no crappy canned soup, and I'll get a glass of water and some ibuprofen for this burn."

Shiro hummed and closed his eyes. "That sounds great, Katie."

Katie smiled and slid off the bed. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

~

"So how's the groom?"

Katie groaned and glared up at Keith. "Really? I'd expect Lance to say something like that, but you?"

Keith shrugged and crossed his arms. "I saw the ring first and I can't exactly ask the man himself. I lost my phone so I can't text or call him."

"Wow." Katie grinned. "You loose that poor thing a lot. Wasn't it expensive?"

"At some point."

Katie laughed softly, leaning back in her chair. "Well, Shiro's doing a lot better. His fever's gone down and his throat doesn't sound like a cheese grater went through it."

Keith groaned, lifting a hand to his neck. "That sounds painful."

"What does?"

Katie tucked her hands behind her back. "Swallowing a cheese grater."

Lance winced and whined. "Ow! That does sound like it really hurts. Hope Shiro gets better. Give him a 'get better' kiss from me."

Keith and Katie both gave their coworker a strange look. "Why not just a 'get better, from Lance'? Why a kiss?"

"Because she can kiss him. I can't."

"But from you?"

"Why not?"