Rule 1 – (Don't) Avoid Public Areas

Hunk paced nervously in front of the altean tech that acted as their space-oven, chewing his lip and stealing glances at the device every couple of second. He resisted the urge to keep opening the space-oven to check on his creation, he knew it would only make them come out wrong.

The timer gave a small 'ting' and Hunk all but threw himself at the device, throwing open the door and pulling out the tray with his already gloved hands. The smell of warm almost-chocolate-chip cookies filled the kitchen and Hunk had to stop himself letting out a squeal of delight.

It had been 3 weeks since they had found the chocolate-like substance on one of the planets they had been visiting. The Paladins had gone all but mad when one of the aliens had placed a tray of the brown treats in front of them, devouring the entire tray in a matter of seconds. It had tasted almost exactly like chocolate, the only difference between it and chocolate being that this didn't have the same sweetness (Hunk insisted it could be rectified with the addition of sugar). Once the rulers had seen the Paladins delight over their food the queens of the planet had offered them a large supply and rights to return and collect more whenever they wished. They called it 'a sign of the developing bond between their planet and the Voltron Alliance' but the Paladins all had a suspicion Allura and her curiosity had something to do with it.

Hunk had since mastered his 'not-quite-chocolate milkshake' recipe, 'his damn-near-chocolate mousse' recipe and his "I Can't Believe It's Not Hot Chocolate' recipe (2 guesses on which Paladins had helped him name them). Hunk had, however, yet to masker his chocolate-chip cookies. Finding space alternatives for cookie dough ingredients was proving to be a challenge. He had offered up the space equivalent of oatmeal and chocolate cookies and instantly had the rage of Pidge and Lance turned on him full force. Hunk silently agreed with them, oatmeal cookies weren't the real thing.

Now, after 3 weeks of trying to make cookies that didn't have even a single space-oat in the recipe, it appeared Hunk had done it! The smell wafting through the kitchen certainly gave that impression anyway. Hunk had been wrong before though, getting his hopes up before taking a bite of his creation and finding it tasked like shoe leather to his perfect palate. He threw that batch out without another look, even he wasn't willing to try and eat more than a mouthful.

Hunk waited impatiently for his new batch to cool, hoping on hope that they came out correctly. It had been a tough week for all of them, tensions had been running high due to Allura increasing the amount of training they were doing, so the team could use a pick-me-up.

As soon as the cookies were cool enough for him to pick up he tried one, burning his mouth on the still slightly melted not-chocolate, but not caring. He had done it! He had mastered the art of making Space-Chocolate cookies! They were perfect!

He scrambled to gather all of the cookies into a container to take to the others, they had to taste them whilst they were fresh! Hunk bee-lined for the common room, almost tripping on his feet in a rush to get there.

His thoughts of sharing his tasty treats with his team were shattered, however, when the automatic dorms opened into the common room. The container of cookies was promptly dropped to the floor as his hands instead went to cover his mouth. Because there, on one of the sunken couches, was Keith and Lance.

That alone wouldn't be a big shock, if it wasn't for the position they were in it would seem near-enough normal. But no. The way they were sat made the situation completely foreign and very, very confusing.

Keith was sat with his legs curled on the couch next to him, pressed into Lance's side with his body twisted to face the blue paladin. One of his arms was wrapped around Lance's neck whist his other hand was gripping Lance's shirt, pulling the other boy closer (even though it was pretty much impossible for them to get any closer in Hunk's opinion). The blue paladin was returning the gesture by twisting his body to face Keith, his arms wrapped around the red paladin's waist. And, they were kissing. Or, they had been before the sound of Hunks tub of cookies hitting the ground made them snap their attention to the door.

In one fluid motion the two paladins were separated, faces flushed and both trying to stutter out sentences that weren't quite making it past their lips. Hunk just stared, eyes wide, cookies forgotten on the floor.

"Well, uh, I, uh… didn't mean to interrupt. I'll just…" Hunk spun on his heels, doing a full 180 turn before hurrying back through the automatic doors, mind racing.

"H-Hunk! Buddy wait!" Scrambling could be heard before the doors slid shut behind him but Hunk continued to walk.

What the hell had he just witness?

…

"H-Hunk! Buddy wait!" Lance scrambled to climb over the back of the couch, rushing to the door with Keith hot on his heels. Lance stopped and turned to his boyfriend as the door wooshed open "Let me handle this?" Keith gave a reluctant nod, retreating back to the couch "Ah, uh… no..." Lance interrupted, receiving a questioning look from Keith "My room?" Lance asked, flushing slightly and scratching the back of his neck.

Keith smirked, giving a small scoff "Really?"

Lance flushed further "Yeah?"

"Alright then." Keith muttered, smile playing on his lips.

Once Keith had left through one of the other doors Lance resumed his Hunk hunt. He retrieved the box of broken… were those… cookies?! Okay, no. Not important! One thing at a time Lance! He retrieved the box from the floor and ran after his best friend, catching up to his speed-walking friend halfway to the kitchen.

"Hunk!" Hunk didn't stop walking, facing straight ahead as he kept up his pace "Hunk! Wait!"

Hunk stopped but still didn't turn to face his best friend. Lance let out a frustrated sigh, slipping past his friend so he could face him "Hunk, buddy? You okay?"

"Y-yeah, sure, why wouldn't I be okay? I've just seen my best friend making out with his rival on a couch in the middle of a flying castle in space. I'm better than okay, I've come to the realisation my entire existence for the last, however long it's been, has been one giant fever dream."

"Hunk, dude, calm down." Lance scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, biting his lip and dropping all eye contact with his friend "It's… complicated. I can't really explain it…" Lance risked a glance up.

Hunk's eyes had softened slightly and he opened his mouth to talk but Lance held up a hand to silence him.

"We're, you know, official. Before you ask. Have been for a while… we're not really ready to tell people yet? We're kind of enjoying having something… private?" Lance bit his lip, looking away again "So… if you could… like…"

"Not tell anyone?" Hunk cut across.

Lance nodded.

"Of course I won't! It's not my place!" Hunk stated, eyes widening.

"I wasn't accusing you dude! I just… needed to make sure…"

Hunk gently placed a hand on Lance's shoulder, smiling at him "Are you happy with him?" Hunk asked, tone gentle.

Lance nodded eagerly, not even trying to stop a smile from overtaking his face "Yeah!"

"I'm glad." Hunk smiled back and Lance finally felt his shoulders relax and the tension that had been in his muscles vanished.

"Oh!" Lance's eyes widened as he quickly held the box out towards Hunk "I forgot! I grabbed these off the floor. They're a little broken but, hey! You made cookies! Are they good?"

"Would I be bringing them to you for a taste if they weren't?" Hunk grinned, puffing out his chest with pride as he took the container "Want to help me gather the others for some cookies and milk?"

Lance felt the heat return to his face and raised a hand to scratch his cheek, suddenly finding interest in the floor "I… uh, actually…" Lance pointed his thumb over his shoulder, sneaking a glance at Hunk.

Hunk looked baffled for a second before realisation suddenly crossed his face and he also lost the ability to maintain eye contact "Uh, right yeah. Other plans I guess…." He kept his eyes locked on the area where the ceiling met the wall "What should I tell the others? If they ask?"

Lance gave a small laugh, devious smirk appearing on his face "None of you have questioned our absence before now."

"DUDE!" Hunk yelled, letting go of the container with one hand to cover his face "TMI!"

"Sorry dude. Gotta fly!" And like that Lance turned on his heels and ran towards his room, satisfied his best friend would keep the secret "Save us some cookies for later yeah?" He called over his shoulder.