Shiro likes to hope. Unfortunately, the universe likes to crush said hope.

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Shiro cannot believe it. No, he simply can't, no matter how glaringly obvious the evidence is telling him.

"Hunk... please, please, please tell me that's not what I think it is?" Shiro pleaded, silently hoping that all of this is just a silly dream caused from stress.

Hunk just gave him a sheepish smile. "Um... I can explain?" he said hesitantly.

Shiro sighed and dragged his flesh hand across his face, exasperation starting to bubble up in him. Looking at the mess, Shiro wondered what in the name of everything holy was Hunk doing to cause this.

"Hunk... why does the kitchen looked as if it had just been blasted by Red's fire cannon?" Shiro finally asked, his curiousity winning over his desire to be ignorant.

Lance snorted behind him and Shiro is 95% sure Keith is glaring at Lance. Pidge had gave a low whistle, impressed at the destruction she saw when she walked in.

Hunk shifted on his feet, twiddling with his fingers in a nervous manner. "I was trying to make this new dish I've been wanting to try and... well... I forgot that Altean tech isn't really the same as Earth tech," Hunk explained in embarrassment.

Shiro sighed again, faintly wondering just how many times had he sighed today. If this keeps up, his last words might be a sigh instead of something useful or heroic.

"Hunk, you were the last person I thought that would get into trouble. I expected better from you," Shiro said with another sigh.

"Oh snap! He just used his 'Disappointed Dad' look!" Pidge whispered between Lance and Keith.

"He's in deep trouble." Keith commented lowly, Lance agreeing with him for once. "As much as I love him, Hunk is on his own." Lance added as he looked at his best buddy with a pained look.

Hunk just stood in the middle of the carnage, looking very guilty. "I'm sorry, Shiro. I was wrong in assuming that they were the same as Earth tech," Hunk apologised.

Shiro rested his human hand on Hunk's shoulder and looked at the yellow paladin with a soft smile. "It's alright, Hunk. We all make mistakes. Just remember to ask Coran when you're unsure about something that has to do with something Altean okay?"

Hunk nodded his head, making Shiro smile in satisfaction at him.

"Now, since you had admitted to your mistake and apologised, I won't ban you from the kitchen. But you have to apologise to Coran and Allura and help them fix this up after this, okay?" Shiro asked the teen who responded with a nod and a relieved smile.

"What?!" Pidge screeched from her position, causing both the blue and red paladin to slap their hands on their ears to block that horrible sound. "Why did he get away scott free just like that while I was grounded for a week when I messed with the castle?!" she questioned loudly.

"Uh... need I remind you that while Hunk blew up the kitchen, you blew up the castle." Lance said as he rubbed his ears.

Pidge scoffed at that. "Oh please. I didn't blew up the castle. I only tried to upgrade it!"

"Without permission." Keith added flatly.

"Yeah. At least Hunk has a full permission on using the kitchen. Unlike you," Lance reminded her.

"Why you-!"

"That's enough," Shiro said with a clap of his hands, getting the paladins' attention. "Now that this thing is settled, I suggest all of you to quickly go to the training deck for our daily training. The princess doesn't like it when we arrive late for training."

Everyone except Keith groaned at that.

"I would rather be grounded than do any more training," Pidge grumbled as she made her way towards the dreaded room.

"Me too," Lance mumbled in agreement, following Pidge with Keith not far behind them.

When the others had left, Hunk finally moved, stopping beside Shiro to give the older man a smile. "Sorry about this, Shiro. And thanks."

Shiro just waved dismissively. "Just don't forget to tell them about this," he reminded.

Hunk gave a thumbs up before he turned around and broke into a jog to try and catch up with his fellow paladins.

Standing in the messy kitchen, Shiro allowed himself to feel amused as he eyed the damage around him. "Hunk can really do some damage if he wanted to." he commented.

'Just like how the yellow paladin and his Lion can cause destruction if they wished for it,' Black rumbled in his mind.

Shiro smiled grimly at that. "Yes. But let us hope they won't have to," Shiro said as he made his way towards the training deck.

'Of course, my paladin.' Black purred and sent out a feeling of understanding and reassurance to Shiro, promising him that everything will be alright.