The five paladins watched Nova as she slumped on the couch.

Hunk was the first to clear his throat. "Well… um… are any of you hungry?" He asked.

The other paladins gave a nod.

"Princess Nova?"

She blinked and met his gaze. "Huh…? Oh… no. I'm alright." As soon as the words left her mouth her stomach gave a growl, causing the others to laugh. She blushed slightly.

"I take that as a yes then." Hunk chuckled. "I don't blame you, ten thousand years is a long time to go without food."

She stood up. "I'll make myself something…" She mumbled. "I'll show you to the kitchen, eh?" She led the way.

Hunk followed.

Lance stared after them. "She's more reserved than Allura, isn't she?"

Shiro thought back to her suggestions whilst they fought Sendak. "She's a great strategist though and is obviously trained in combat."

Keith sighed and put his legs up on the couch. He thought about the look in her eyes when she attacked Shiro. Her golden eye almost resembled that of a lion's.

"She put Keith in his place, that's for sure." Lance snorted.

Keith glared at the blue paladin. "Shut up!"


In the kitchen Nova looked around for something to eat.

"This green goo has a unique taste, doesn't it?" Hunk said, trying to strike up the conversation.

Nova looked to it and pulled a face. "It's okay, I guess. I never cared much for it, much less for Coran's cooking." She pushed a button. "Here it is!"

Hunk looked over her shoulder and stared at the freeze-dried packages of food. "You have food and snacks from Earth?!" He exclaimed.

She frowned and looked at him. "I often requested human food, so the chef got it brought in and freeze dried it so it wouldn't go bad."

Hunk frowned. "How did you know human food was better?"

She gave a small smirk. "My mother was human." She stated. "So naturally I had a taste for it, my dad always had it around."

He stared at her for a moment. "Can I have some of this?"

She nodded. "Of course. But I should restock soon."

"Thank you!" He got to work, making the paladins food.

Nova watched him as he prepared and cooked. "That sure smells good." She noted.

He smiled. "Good job I made enough for you too, princess."

"Please… don't call me that." She boosted herself up to sit on one of the surfaces. "I'd like some though, if it's really alright." She added in a mumble.

He nodded. "Of course, Nova."

She flashed a rare smile towards him. "Thank you, Hunk."

"Guys! Food is served!" Hunk and Nova walked into the common room carrying bowls of steaming ramen.

"That smells so good! I didn't know there was Earth food in the castle!" Lance jumped up and took a bowl from Nova.

Nova held out the last spare bowl she was carrying towards Keith. "Here."

He took the bowl with a stiff nod of thanks.

She sat down between Hunk and Shiro.

"So…" Lance looked up to Nova.

"Hmm?" She met his gaze.

"Your… eye?"

She sighed and swallowed her food. "An old battle injury. It was damaged and I would have been blinded if Altean scientists didn't put a bionic retina device into it. The Altean magic also changed my eye's appearance for some reason." She added, turning her attention back to her food.

"Wow! That's cool… I mean… not cool that you got hurt, but amazing how they were able to do that." Pidge added.

Nova nodded, continuing to eat.

"Were you the last paladin of the Black Lion?" Shiro asked.

She shook her head. "I haven't been able to pilot any of them."

"So how were you able to put the Black Lion into the hanger? Why did it protect you?"

"I have a bond with them sure, but not quite a paladin bond. I told the lion that we needed to hide him in there until it was safe… I guess he thought keeping me safe was a good move too."

Keith watched her as she explained.

"And riding the Black Lion with Shiro, was that a normal thing with the last one?" Pidge asked.

Nova thought for a moment. "No… actually it was the Lion itself that wanted me to. I don't know why, but if anything, I trust their instincts."

"Well I'm glad that you were there." Shiro remarked. "You certainly know where to hit the Galra ships where it hurts."

Nova drained her bowl. "I've had plenty of experience fighting the Galra."

"Surely, you're a little younger than Allura… and a princess, why would they allow you to fight?" Hunk added.

She snorted. "Who said I got permission to do so? I regularly snuck out to join the troops in full battle gear, they never knew it was me."

"Nova couldn't stand waiting and watching as her people went out to war…" Allura walked in. "Don't let her outward appearance fool you, she really has got a loyal and warm heart underneath."

Nova cleared her throat. "I'm gonna clear up the kitchen." She mumbled, feeling heat rise to her cheeks. She took her bowl and headed out.

Allura giggled. "She's cute when she's blushing."

Lance sighed and stood up too. "I'll go and help her out." He collected the bowls from the other paladins.

"You just wanna flirt with her some more." Pidge stated, raising a brow.

Lance smirked. "I dunno what you mean."

Suddenly they heard a crash.

"Quaznack!"

Shiro and Hunk jumped up. "Nova?!"

"I'm fine!" She called, sounding a little pained.

"She's a little clumsy." Allura stated. "She's sharp and agile on the field but when it comes to day to day stuff… she's a total clutz."

"I heard that!" Nova snapped.

Lance followed the sound of her voice and saw her slowly getting up off the ground. "Are you sure that you're alright, Princess?"

She met his gaze and nodded. "Don't worry about me." She straightened up and picked up the bowl and spoon that she dropped. "And don't call me that."

He chuckled. "Here, give me those." He took them from her and entered the kitchen and going to the dishwasher.

"Thank you." She mumbled, grabbing cleaning products and cleaning the surfaces.

"Never thought you'd trip over your own feet."

She didn't meet his gaze.

"You are hurt." He stated, gesturing to the bruising blossoming on her wrist.

"I'll be okay. I'm tough." She finished up cleaning and put the towel onto the heater to dry.

He pressed the on button on the dishwasher and dusted off his hands.

She walked past him back to the common room.

"Have a nice trip?" Allura teased.

"Shush you." Nova snapped half-heartedly.

The others laughed.