A/N So… another one? Idk whilst I have writing power and ideas I feel like I should barf these ideas onto here quickly. Actually I may be running out of ideas so some suggestions might be helpful (especially if you want a certain ship with some fluff that can involve my lionesses' interference~) but yeah here's some Space Daddy bc I've wrote literally nothing of him so far rip (If this turns out really bad it's because I can't write action scenes help me)

Bonding Time: Shiro Edition

Set during that part in like S2 I think when Shiro needed to bond with his lion and did all that fighting with Zarkon in the Astral Plane and shiz and the fandom wuz like 'let him rest!' and now he's been restin for three seasons so we're like 'bring him back! Ain't no restin now bish!'

You see, Shiro was always, ALWAYS a dog person, he had a German Shepherd he grew up with, an old police dog who'd had an injury so was let off early, which Shiro's family adopted. Dogs were cool and fun and obedient and yappy and annoying but so damn fun. Cats, on the other hand, were much more of a Keith thing, and if Shiro was being honest, he'd never EVER seen the appeal in cats (*LE GASP*) as all they did was lie around in the sun sleeping, scavenge for food, annoy some birds and dogs and, well, annoy everything, probably even the grass, then do some more sleeping. Clearly, he didn't appreciate the feeling of carrying a little chittens in your arms, so small and soft and furry, or the feeling of accomplishment and worth when a cat chooses to sit on your lap, or even the adorable mewls of their species when they cry for snacks. Shiro had never even experienced the glorious healing powers of the legendary purr. Of course, this was probably why Keith and Red were thick as thieves whilst Shiro was still trying to sever Kuro's connection with Zarkon.

He sighed; it was time to face her. The dreaded black lion, rightfully the most intimidating of all the lions. Perhaps her demeanour was a reason as to why he felt it was so hard to bond with her – she acted so cold, giving everything that cold stare that cats do, like all the old memes about cats seeking world domination, but as a lion she should have a nicer side… shouldn't she? Shiro gulped, remembering the time he accidentally knocked the black lion into a wall (hey, even leaders make mistakes) and she hissed – a sound Shiro never imagined would be so horrifying. Other than all this, though, she hadn't actually physically harmed anyone… unless you counted Coran's tales of Ye Olde Paladins, where she'd been rumoured to have slain an entire fleet of space pirates with only the black Bayard.

He shook his head – this was Takashi Shirogane, the man who'd survived Galra prison, the ring, Haggar's torture, facing Zarkon, so he should have no problem bonding with some furry. He didn't brag about these things, but he was quite a lady killer back during his training days at the Garrison. Then again, Kuro didn't seem like the type to appreciate looks. The black lion appreciated leadership and iron will and a strong set of skills and a good sense of understanding. Jesus Christ, she was like his mum or summat. With that revelation in mind, Shiro opened the door into the lions' bay.

"Kuro, may you spare a few minutes?"

She blinked open her purple eyes from her sleep and replied with a curt, "Yes."

Red raised a brow at him, whispering, "Good luck,"

For some reason, that only made him feel more uneasy.

-o-O-o-

They arrived in the training hall. Frankly, Shiro expected to see Keith there, but he was elsewhere, and Shiro felt a little disappointment; he was hoping Keith would give him a few cat facts. He coughed awkwardly, "So, Kuro."

"What, Shiro?" Her response was as dull as his start. Is this, what did Lance call it, a kuudere? Well, the 'dere' was still to be found, and Shiro was determined to find it.

He got straight to the point, "Kuro, I need to bond with you. Zarkon is tracking us through his last bond with you."

At this Kuro narrowed her eyes, "Oh?"

She stepped over to the controls and summoned a katana from the castle. After taking it and gliding her fingers down its edge gracefully, she waved it in Shiro's direction.

She turned to him, usually cool eyes now fiery with passion, "Prove to me you're worthy of being my Paladin."

Shiro narrowed his eyes, nodding, and braced himself to fight. He activated his Galra arm and they both charged at each other. Shiro may be big and strong, but Kuro was nimble and light, and her blade was sharp. She clearly had the advantage, darting around and dodging every attack with ease; Shiro kept up with her, dodging and deflecting her blade as it sliced at him from all angles. At one moment, he grabbed her katana with his energised hand and crushed it, throwing it to the floor. Assuming this had finished the fight, he deactivated his arm and began to walk over to Kuro, but she had other plans. She rugby-tackled him to the ground, twisting him over and around so she had him pinned to the ground, hands behind his back.

The lioness muttered, "Idiot. The battle isn't over until your opponent is down."

Shiro silently cursed; he knew this from fighting in the Galra ring and becoming the Champion, but he thought Kuro would have let him off. For a massive black lion mecha though, she was extremely light. Shiro found that he could throw her off his back with ease, at which she back-flipped over into a crouching position, much like a cat, her tail stuck out behind her. He reactivated his arm, charging back into the fight with a yell. Kuro fought with her claws and fangs, viciously scraping where she could, and he had another revelation: this was a war machine, even in its weakest form. The whole point of this was to see if he could handle the machine without it destroying him, and to do that he'd have to use his brain. He stopped blindly attacking and deflecting and thought more carefully, slowly backing her against the wall. Kuro smirked evilly and sprang up the wall, jumping over so that she was behind him and he was against the wall.

Never mind, plan B this time. He deflected a hand botchily so it scraped his shoulder and Kuro's other claws promptly came sliding through his chest armour and into his skin. Shiro grit his teeth at the pain, but continued – this was all planned. He swiftly lifted his Galra arm and swung it down to hit Kuro's nape and send her unconscious. She stiffened up, then collapsed to the floor. He huffed, gasping for air, very, very glad he was on her side and not on the Galra's.

-o-O-o-

After healing up in the healing pods, Kuro seemed to look at Shiro with a calmer gaze and more respect. She smiled, very slightly. Shiro breathed a big fat sigh of relief – he thought she might try to kill him again for pulling that trick. However, Shiro still felt like he was missing something.

His lion sensed this and coughed, asking shyly, "Umm… There is one more thing I'd really like – I mean, that would help with bonding."

Shiro raised a brow, "Go on."

"Well, Zarkon always used to fuss me, and I'm pretty sure all your other Paladin friends fuss their lions, so…" She felt weird actually asking for a fuss – this wasn't her style. "…If you'd fuss me too?"

Shiro blinked.

What.

He'd never even fussed a normal cat in his life ever before!

Thankfully, Keith just happened to hear their conversation. He raised a brow at Shiro from the doorway and gave him one of those smug Keith looks, at which Shiro gave him one of those unimpressed Shiro looks.

Keith chuckled, "It's easy, Shiro. Just pat her head, tickle her ears, and tickle her chin. Sometimes they like back rubs too – but don't fuss too hard, you have to be light." He spoke like a frickin cat expert who'd written a book and all. Hell, Lance would bet he had written a book. Shiro needed that book.

The mission was a success: after fussing, their bonding was complete.

It totally didn't take a full-on fight with Zarkon in the Astral Plane and Kuro coming to the rescue.

A/N OH MY GOD THAT TURNED OUT BETTER THAN EXPECTED HOLY SHIT. Idk tho I feel like I should be more funny and less serious, but my next one is kinda meant to be serious… oh well. I have a few light-hearted ones planned, so it should be fine. Your opinions are always appreciated!