Shiro tries to deny it, but deep deep deeeep down, he knew he already accepted it.

000000000000000000000000000000

Shiro should have done something. It was stupid of him to not do anything when Kolivan left. Now, it looks like the whole universe thinks he is the younger paladins' father.

Just great.

"Aww, come on, Shiro. You have to admit, you sometimes act like our dad." Lance chirped happily at the Black Paladin.

Keith snorts at that. "Try always," he mumbled loud enough for Lance to hear, making the Blue Paladin laugh a bit.

"And you didn't even tell us to stop calling you 'dad' anymore," Pidge added with a grin.

"She's got you there," Hunk commented offhandedly as he looked at the variety of alien ingredients in front of him, eyes focused as if he's dissecting them in his mind.

Both Keith and Lance hummed in agreement beside Shiro, Pidge grinning smugly at that.

Before Shiro could open his mouth to deny her accusations, Pidge let out a high-pitched squeal before darting towards a stall three feet away from their current position.

Shiro sighed tiredly, used to Pidge's random act of disappearance. Keith just shrugged when Lance looked at him in question and followed the Black Paladin towards the youngest, Lance staying behind with Hunk to keep him company.

"Pidge, how many times have I told you about going off on your own in a crowded and foreign place?" Shiro asked once he was standing near the amazed Green Paladin. "And how many times has this been already?"

Pidge straightened herself and turned around to face Shiro. "You told me not to," she answered with a wave of her hand. "And who's counting? Because I surely don't," she said before looking back at the alien gadgets lined neatly in front of her.

Keith who was standing not far but also not near enough with them just watch his surrogate brother sigh in defeat, having no intention to intervene whatsoever. As he observed from the sidelines, he felt a tap on his shoulder and glanced to the side. A green, humanoid alien with white eyeballs was staring at him.

Quirking an eyebrow, Keith looked at the alien in question. "Need something?"

"Are you interested to work for me?" it said, the antennae on his head twitching a little.

Keith blinked once, not able to understand the question. "What?"

"Clearly, you are alone and your looks are a bit different but I am sure you would be able to attract a lot of customers," the antennae twitched again.

"Excuse me?" Keith gaped at the alien.

Clicking his tongue in irritation, he repeated his question. "Clearly you're not intelligent. No matter. I said-"

"Sorry, but he's with me." Shiro cut in immediately, Pidge looking with hostility at the alien beside him.

"Ah, forgive me. I did not realise that he is with a friend. Perhaps you are interested as well?" the alien offered.

Shiro smiled tightly. "I'm sorry, but I must not have made myself clear. I am his father and as such, I will not allow you to take him anywhere else without my permission," Shiro said with a calm voice.

The alien looked shock and was soon dissolved into a stuttering mess as he tried to excuse himself before openly running away from them.

Pidge snorted in satisfaction as she watched the alien run while Shiro turned his attention towards Keith. "You alright?"

Keith nodded in confirmation before crossing his arms in front of his chest. "'I am his father'? God, Shiro. How much obvious are you going to be?" he smirked as Shiro's face slowly turned red.

"I knew you accepted it!" Lance cheered happily, as happy as someone carrying stuff with both hands could be.

"How long were you there?" Keith asked as he took a bag from Hunk, earning a thank you from the Yellow Paladin.

"Long enough to hear what Shiro just said," Lance answered casually, giving a bag from his own pile to Keith with a grateful smile.

"Come on, dad! Let's not keep the princess waiting any longer," the Blue Paladin grinned cheekily as he gestured towards where the castle was located.

Sighing, Shiro ruffled Lance's hair, earning a chuckle from the teen before stepping to the front and lead them back to the castle now known as home.

And as the paladins chattered behind him, Shiro found out that he really didn't mind being known as their father. It still made him feel old though.