Across the Universe

Part 2

[All standard disclaimers apply.]

"You two do know that you'll have to fly separate Lions, right?" Lance asked as the meeting broke up.

"You do know that you'll be sleeping alone tonight, again, right?" Pidge countered.

Lance glared at the Green Paladin. "That's just cold, Pidge. Hey, wait. Are you two-"

"Goodbye, Lance," Hunk said as he led Pidge off the bridge. He waited until they were back in the corridors before he pulled her closer. "You really shouldn't keep baiting him like that."

"I can't help it. Lance makes it too easy."

"So, what you want to do now? We got a bit of time to kill before we leave for the mission."

"Back to the lab?"

"That...that seems like a really bad idea."

"You're probably right," she said with a sigh. "Cookies?"

"Now you're talking!" He took off in a jog. "Last one there has to do the other's calculations for a week!"

"Not fair!" Pidge cried as she raced after him. "Your legs are longer than mine."

"Enjoying the view from back there?" Hunk taunted.

The two elbowed and shoved each other as they ran to the kitchens. Hunk used his larger bulk to block the doorway so Pidge couldn't enter the room. She tried to dislodge him by tickling him but she couldn't get him to budge.

"Fine. You win," she admitted.

"I'm sorry. I can't hear you."

"Don't make me say it again."

"Sore loser, Pidge?"

"I thought we were going to make cookies."

Hunk grinned. "Right you are. So what do you want to make? Peanut butter? Snickerdoodle?"

"Both?"

He glanced at his watch. "Yeah, I think we can manage to make two batches if we get started soon."

"Well, let's get baking."

scene change scene change scene change scene change scene change

Pidge gave a happy sigh as she bit into a still warm peanut butter cookie. "Hunk, you are amazing."

"I know," he said with a smug grin. "But you're pretty amazing, too."

"Ah, thanks."

"Do I smell cookies?" Hunk and Pidge turned to glance at the doorway where Allura and Lance were standing. "Do you have enough to share?" the princess asked.

"Sure," Hunk answered, gesturing to the tray between him and Pidge. "We made peanut butter and snickerdoodle."

"Smells divine," Allura said. Then she frowned. "What's a snickerdoodle? Is it a type of beast?"

"No, it's just the name for a cookie covered in cinnamon, which is a spice we have back on Earth," Pidge explained.

"I haven't been able to find real cinnamon, being so far from Earth," Hunk said with a shrug. "But I was able to find something similar during my last trip to the space mall."

"Not bad, Hunk," Lance said around a mouthful of cookie.

"Glad you like it."

The four stood around the island of the kitchen, munching on cookies and chatting about happenings around the Castle. Lance and Hunk talked about possibly trying cheese making given their supply of fresh milk. Allura looked a little green as they kept talking but continued to munch on her cookie.

"So this is where you all disappeared," Shiro said as he entered the kitchen. "Cookies?"

"Fresh baked," Hunk confirmed. "We have peanut butter and snickerdoodle."

Shiro took a peanut butter cookie. "I'm usually more of an oatmeal raisin guy."

"Well, that figures," Lance muttered. At Shiro's glare, Lance laughed nervously. "Anyone want another cookie?"

"Nice save," Pidge said as she grabbed another peanut butter cookie.

"Shut it, small fry."

Pidge stuck her tongue out at the Red Lion's pilot.

"Real mature, Pidge," Hunk commented, snatching another cookie.

"What other cookies are there?" Allura asked.

"Gosh, all kinds of cookies, Princess," Hunk said. "There's oatmeal raisin that Shiro likes. Gingerbread that my family always made at the holidays."

"Torticas de Moron," Lance added with a sigh. "My abuela used to make them for me when I was little. The house would smell like limes for days."

"Peanut butter cookies are still the best," Pidge stated.

"Yoku moku. Thin sugar cookies that are rolled in a tube. My aunt would always bring some when she came to visit."

Allura studied the snickerdoodle cookie in her hand. "So many memories from such a small thing."

"Huh, I never thought about it like that," Hunk said, looking at his own cookie.

Shiro's watch beeped. "Okay, team, we gotta go."

They filed out of the kitchen, heading to the Lions.