For The Stars

Chapter 14: Space Taco 2.0

But he didn't feel depressed, just stressed and slightly agitated, and a little lonely. Okay, maybe a lot lonely. But that was different than being depressed. Coran had agreed with that point too. Which brought them back to why he'd been kicked out of the training deck: to socialize. The Altean man's suggestion was to spend some quality time with the Humans on board the Castle; maybe he could take comfort in their presence.

But Keith knew what the Humans were like, they would think it was weird if he walked up and hugged Shiro, especially after the way he'd reacted to Allura hugging him. But only Shiro was close enough to him for a hug, maybe Pidge but definitely not Hunk or Lance. They were all friends, better now than ever, but they weren't family. Stars, Keith wanted a hug. He groaned as he walked the empty halls. Shiro would hug him, and Shiro wouldn't think it was weird. He could totally ask for a hug and the Human man would find it normal. After all, how many times had he seen all of the others 'hugging it out'?

"- able to fold space-time, and that was just at an outpost!" He heard Pidge's voice float around the corner, followed by the heavenly scent of freshly baked bread and the distinct aroma of purgin leaf tea.

"Mm, the space taco. It left us too soon." Hunk responded; his words punctuated by the clanging of baking sheets.

"Well, sure. But my point is, imagine how amazing their home base will be!"

"Exactly! It could take on any shape. Like a space jelly donut, or long like a space éclair. Or a space cheese blintz with a cherry sauce on top! Maybe a little dusting of powdered sugar. That's the stars."

"Aww, Hunk! Now I'm hungry for breakfast!" Lance whined. It was mid afternoon and breakfast the last thing on Keith's mind. He rounded the corner, walking into the kitchen and being treated to a sight he really should have expected.

Hunk was wearing a large white apron with a wide blue decorative collar and equally large blue pockets. His dark skin was completely hidden behind a full coating of a slightly blue tinted Altean baking flour that covered the large boy from head to toe. He had a bright yellow mixing bowl cradled in one arm and was pointing a batter-coated whisk at Lance with the other. The Blue Paladin was leaning backwards over the island, his elbows resting on the countertop and his back arched over so that his head fell between his shoulder blades. His feet were crossed on the floor in front of him and his hips were resting against the structure. He was bent nearly in half and Keith was pretty sure Human spines weren't supposed to bend that way – but then again Lance had proven himself to be quite flexible.

Pidge was sitting on a bar stool hunched over their laptop and typing furiously as they kicked their feet freely, too short to reach the foot bar on the stool and waaaay too short to reach the ground. They were subtly making side eye glances at the tray of fresh treats cooling in front of Hunk and Keith guessed it was only a matter of time before they tried to sneak a taste. Shiro was sitting at the table off to the side of the room, a mug of something dark placed in front of him. He had one foot flat on the ground and the other propped open across his lap, both arms were on the table cupping the warm beverage and his eye line was focused on the two boy's interaction. None of them had noticed Keith's arrival.

He leaned in the door frame and watched the young Humans. If they were Galra they would have noticed him by now for sure. Lance was teasing Hunk, repeating his words in a mocking tone and the big guy was starting to get defensive. Keith watched as Pidge took advantage of the distraction to finally swipe a piece of the loaf Hunk had just finished cutting up.

"Um, why am I missing a piece of space-banana bread?" Hunk asked; looking around the room and just missing Pidge shove the last bite into their mouth. "Shiro I swear to god if you took another slice I'll kick you out again!" their Black Paladin gasped in mock horror and Lance burst out laughing.