Flying Lion: This short fic was loosely inspired by this prompt Imagine person A of your OTP being an awful cook and person B being a "master chef" and B teaching A how to do the most basic stuff" and also of my desire to write more fics with this trio. Enjoy :)

Lucario always welcomed friends into his home with open arms. Despite what many - and his fans - thought, Lucario enjoyed having company when possible. Tonight it was planned that Snake and Samus would come over for dinner. A simple occasion done many times prior. They would arrive, have small talk, and Lucario would serve them whatever he'd decided to treat them (on this night it was lamb and schwarma).

But whilst busy with the preparations a thought occured at that moment. He stopped chopping vegetables and turned from his kitchen to the living room where his friends sat. Samus looked at the Pokemon quizickly as he motioned with his paw.

"Why don't you help me with the rice?"

Now though describing a room's temperature dropping in a case of one showing fear or tension is normally an exaggeration, it was in fact the honest truth in this moment. Lucario needn't his aura to detect the sudden chill that arose from Samus' spine. He knew it yet Lucario wasn't sure if he quite believe what he sensed.

Was Samus... scared?

"Oh no. It's fine, I'll just stay here and let the master do their work." Samus waved off though her hand motion was a touch frantic.

"It's fairly simple. You just add water to the rice then put it in the cooker." Lucario watched her carefully. The bounty hunter motioned herself to look away from the kitchen. It couldn't really be true, could it?

"Really. You're the chef, I shouldn't just interfere with your... magic."

"You don't know how to cook, do you?" Snake's voice broke all tension.

For some reason Lucario didn't really think of the bounty hunter as the type to be embarrassed. Either her cool calm personality or how she never broke under pressure in the heat of battle didn't do much to sway that perception. It came as much of a surprise as Samus recoiled, almost looking smaller than her 6'3 height.

"Well... I'm no Lucario but, it's mostly instant diet for me."

Wait... she get's that physique on a instant diet? Now it was Lucario who felt self conscious.

"Look believe it or not but cooking isn't up my alley. Unless you count knowing what to eat in the wild. But even I can manage the simple stuff."

"You may call it simple. I call it difficult."

Samus crossed her arms. Snake sighed then stood up. The bounty hunter eyed the soldier as he beckoned her to follow him. She felt uneasy, pouting still, but stood up and followed Snake to the kitchen. The two carefully avoided Lucario as he had several pots on a lit stove preparing the other courses of their meal. The two now stood at an opposite counter where the aforementioned rice cooker sat.

"It's pretty easy. First you just fill the bowl of rice with water." Snake reached into the cupboard pulling out a bag of the grain. Pulling out his pocket knife he cut the corner of it before handing it to Samus.

The blonde let out a chuckle. Snake raised a brow at Samus while she emptied the rice into a bowl. "Sorry, just, that was so predictable."

"Hardy har. I'm a soldier, I'm always prepared for always carrying my knife. Real funny."

"Funny that you're not allowed on airplanes."

Samus nearly dropped the bowl laughing harder. Snake shot a glare at Lucario, the aura pokemon's back was turned but no doubt he was grinning at his joke.

"Then you just, add your water like so." Snake motioned to the sink. Samus turned the handle filling up the bowl until it was filled just right. She then looked to the cooker which still sat.

"And now?" Snake raised a brow.

"Isn't it obvious? Just put the bowl into the cooker. Then you set it to cook."

Samus looked to the rice in her hand then back to the cooker. Snake couldn't believe something like this would faze her. This was the same woman who exterminated metroids for crying out loud.

Throwing away all hesitation Samus did as instructed. She clasped the cooker shut with a top keeping the rice and water contained. Reaching carefully Samus pulled the knob of the cooker adjusting it as instructed.

Lucario turned around smiling back at Samus. "Good! Now we'll have delicious rice in no time at all!"

Lucario stared at the charred remains of his apartment longingly. The Aura Pokemon had a blanket draped over his shoulders by one of the paramedics but stood still as Fire Crews smothered out what was left of the fire.

Just a few ways away Samus and Snake stood by an ambulance. Both their faces were covered in soot and ash as was their clothes. They two watched in disbelief at the scene.

"So... you can't cook."

"I tried to warn you."

Snake scratched the back of his head. "I mean... it was just rice."

"I know." Samus held her head solemnly.

"I'm more amazed we caused this. We didn't even use any fire."

Samus shot Snake a frown. "Is this your way of consoling me? Because you're terrible at it."

"In my defense, it's why I'm never in a long lasting relationship."

Samus spotted Lucario walking their way. She felt the weight of all that had happened grow heavier. Her heartbeat fastened and felt goosebumps crawl up her skin. Lucario stopped before her then and Samus took her chance.

"I - I am so sorry! I didn't mean to - I mean I - I suck."

Lucario blinked. He tilted his head at the bounty hunter whose eyes were remorseful. Shaking off the blanket Lucario walked past the two.

"Let's get pizza. I'm starving."

"Huh? But I-" Samus tried to interject but was stopped by Lucario. The Pokemon for some reason was smiling.

"You did your best Samus. Don't beat yourself over it. I'm just glad you tried."

Samus shared a look with Snake. The mercenary shrugging as he followed Lucario away. Though she still felt terrible Samus felt like a huge weight was lifted off her shoulders. Without another word she followed after Snake and Lucario leaving the destroyed apartment and legion of fire crew behind.

"I should probably find a new place though."

"Agreed."