Order #3

Keith knew that the universe hated him.

How? Because, if it was up to him, he wouldn't have to get up at 5 o' clock in the morning to get ready to go to some campy bakery that his infuriating, purple boss forced him to go to act like a frickin' spy. If it was up to him, he would have been sleeping and the episode would have ended here.

The End. Go to author's note below.

But, nope, the frickin' universe just frickin' hated him.

As Keith ate his breakfast, he glanced over his phone, staring blankly at the message from his new sickly saccharine boss, Allura, he got yesterday.

Greeting Newest Paladin, Keith [Last Name].

...Oh yeah, I couldn't think of a random last name on the application.

I truly hope this email finds you extraordinarily well. Hunk, is this how you start an email? Not too formal, but courteo- OH, it seems that I'm typing down what I'm saying. Sorry about that.

Couldn't she have just deleted that...

You must have been very eager…

Skip-skip-skip...

After the extensive minute overview of your documents, we at Alluring Delights are absolutely astounded by your impressive experience in culinary dining. We work a bit differently than our competitors

As one may expect.

We serve as an all hands-on deck model. Some days, you may work in the back with Hunk, as our proud Master Pastry Chef, or with Lance, as our...You want me to write what? Master of Moolaaah...How do even spell...Oh look again, I'm typing down my verbal speech. I do need to remember to edit this.

Yet, she never did.

We hope to see early tomorrow morning for your first day, if possible. Your uniform will be prepared when you arrive.

Please no.

Thank you again! I hope you won't regret your decision in choosing Alluring Delights.

Already did, hescrolled through the email once again. Did they say anywhere how much I'm getting paid? He stabbed his fork into his eggs then shoved the contents in his mouth. He could imagine Lotor guffawing upon his throne, sending little servant into a battlefield of nuisance. Keith sighed, Why must I be the only sorta normal looking one?

Beep! Another message.

Oh, I forget the signature. - Allura

The heck. He cut off his phone then felt a wet hand rustling his hair. He didn't bother to look up to know his roommate got out of the shower. Shiro plopped down on a chair across from him. His hair was still dripping wet, terribly wrapped with a towel, as his white and black hair strands were noticeable. He looked way exhausted than Keith was feeling. Noticeable bags under eye and how Shiro positioned himself in the chair, leaning his entire upper weight on his arm.

"You look magnificent," Keith bit. He got up on his feet to grab breakfast he prepared for Shiro from the oven. If Shiro was in charge of cooking, there wouldn't be house still standing.

"Ha, thanks," Shiro took a bite of his toast. "Matt forced us to spend the night, hunting down the missing Space Kitty artifact from the Ruggar's Labyrinth. We failed impressively, but we did level up our stats in the campaign."

Why is he so proud of this? "And, you showered...for once."

"I shower on a regularly basis." Keith only callously glanced toward his direction. "And, I needed to be wide awake to complete today's Daily Tasklist…"

Keith looked at his roommate blankly. He remembered having so much for this respect for this man when he entered his home after his foster kid days. All of that respect exploded and withered.

"So," Shiro placed his eggs between his toasts, "ready for the new job?" He bit into the sandwich.

"Unfortunately."

Shiro laughed. "I still don't understand why you're working this hard. I pay for this house and your education. You barely have any loans left to pay for."

"Yet, you do nothing for a living."

"Keith, I work in the highest prestige astrophysics research lab in the county since the…" Shiro's eyes turned completely cold as thousands of war crime slowly chimed their wars in the lost echoes of his mind.

"Shir—"

"Do you know you that the tiniest bit of space dust entering the atmosphere can damage the lungs? Thus, drinking lactaid every day is preferred," Shiro perked up.

"Didn't you quit?"

"You don't want to miss your bus, Keith," Shiro only smiled. Keith stared at him and sighed.

"You can frickin' leave the house, y'know," Keith muttered, getting up to grab his bag.

"Language, Keith," Shiro sipped his coffee. "You can drive yourself, y'know."

"Suspension..."

"Ah, how can I forget the time you recklessly drove into Ms. Sanda's backyard? Killing all her petunias..."

"It wasn't my fault her yard got in the way of the driveway."

"Yes, blame the immovable plains of grass, Keith."

"You can actually drive me over."

"Climate change is a real thing…"

"Argh!" Keith exasperated. "Y'know what I'm leaving since some there is serious lack of PARENTAL guidance here!"

"You think of me as a father figure, Keith." Shiro placed his hand over his heart.

"BYE…!"

"I love you!" Shiro called out from the kitchen. Keith sharply whipped his head at him.

A murderous death glare faced with massive doe eyes.

"Love you too…" He slammed the door.

I can just hitchhike off to the countryside and start a new life for myself. One with normalcy and hot bikers…not with a bunch of wannabe bakers. I have the accent for it, apparently. Keith had been standing off at a corner adjacent to Alluring Delights. Each millimeter closer to the baker came with a buttload thoughts of regret. What has he done to deserve this punishment, he kept asking himself. He just to trust a purple-skinned prince. Because, why the heck not?

I'm getting paid a quarter more, he grudgingly tried to walk closer. I've just got to get used to the cutesy design. The bakery was stylized way more pleasant and picturesque than Lotor's. Hues of pink, blue, and yellow choked the entire bakery to death. At least, it doesn't have a stupid statue of their father—Nope… Keith stared point blank at a copper statue of an elfish-looking man, which peeked from the back of the bakery.

He couldn't wait to destroy it like he and Zethrid did with Lotor's.

C'mon. It isn't like I'm stuck here for long. Once I gather enough information this place, Lotor will leave me alone, dancing on his throne like a little boy he is. Keith pushed through the doors. And, no one will expect a—

WHAM! Keith felt himself gasping for air as he currently welded a sharp blade by the handle. He slowly turned to face his failed murderers. It was that annoying cashier, standing with his taller companion.

"See what did I tell you?" the cashier turned back to his friend, disregarding the fact that Keith could have died. "Whatever the knife positions itself against the wall determines fate. But, no…he…" He jerked his finger at Keith. "...showed up and caught it."

"Lance! You could have killed him!" The bigger companion ran over to Keith, clutching both his shoulders with his hands. Personal space had no meaning for him. "I am so so so sorry! Are you okay? No signs of dizziness, fatigue from fright. That was an amazing catch by the way. There is nice air mattress in the lodge…you can lie your head down there."

"No...No…," Keith backed a bit away. "No, thank you." This place is gonna kill me before I can get my paycheck.

"A-Are you sure because I can find a cozy blanket…"

"I'm seriously fine…," Keith said, not feeling so sure about that statement. "I-I'm fine…"

"If you say so, Keith…"

"Hm, you know my name?"

"Do you have amnesia or something?" The cashier shouted. Keith was getting enough from this guy.

"Lance!" His friend alerted him before turning back to Keith. "Oh um, we were at the same middle school together...Fufi Academy?" Keith blanked. "That's fine! We can start fresh!" He smiled. "I'm Hunk. I do the baking here… I know you met Lance, our cashier, a couple of days ago…" Lance barely gave Keith any eye contact.

"Um, it's nice to meet you…both of you two," Keith held up his hand. He decided to ditch all of Ezor's facade suggestions and to be a nicer version of himself. Regardless of how he may die here. Hunk firmly grasped his hand with two of his own.

"Same here!" He smiled again. Keith unconsciously smiled in return.

This is bit of a change…

BOOM! "Coran…Coran, the gorgeous man" crime was heard.

Why.

"This must be the new paladin aboard at last!" A mustachioed man galloped toward Keith. Yes, galloped because Keith knew of no other word to describe his action. "I was thinkin' you were going to be a wee-bit taller, eh?"

"Um…," Keith started.

"Well, he looks surely fitted for the job," he took ahold of Keith's hands, frantically shaking them. "Your resume was astounding. Graduating with aces from the extraordinary Blades of Mamorra Cutlery...Splendid!"

"Didn't that place went out of—"

"Hold up!" Hunk immediately cut off Lance. "You worked alongside with THE Blades of Mamorra! Dude, they're just like legends in the biz!"

"I-It's was nothing big…," Keith muttered.

"Nonsense! By King Florid's treasured unicycle, that is a marvelous feat to accomplish!" He patted Keith firmly on his shoulder. "Ah, Allura was so looking forward to meet you on your first day. But, alas, we ran out of prestige Kaltenecker's milk for our main preorder for tomorrow, and she had to run out."

"Oh…" One less weirdo to worry about.

"Keith, your uniform is in the back and Lance can help with your makeup!"

"My what?"

"If you need anything, these two mighty paladins will lend a helping hand! Now, altogether now!" He placed his hand in middle, followed with Hunk and Lance. Keith slowly and awkwardly put his hand in too. "On the count of three! One...Two...Alluring Delights!"

"...de—lights…," Keith muttered. The man galloped back into his office. Keith heard the strange chant again in the air as the man left: "Coran, Coran...The Gorgeous Man!"

Is it too late to call in—? Hunk interrupted his thoughts with a clap on his back and a heartfelt smile.

"Okay," Hunk began. "We have thirty minutes until opening. Lance will have to get you ready. And, no, Lance, you can't get out it." Lance was already by the exit. "I'll have to do quick examination before we open!" Hunk pulled in Lance to hug the both of them. "Ha, we're gonna be the bestest friends!" Hunk quickly ran outside, leaving the two blessed coworkers.

Keith twiddled his thumbs, realizing how awkward this job is going to be with an enemy on the first day. He had two options on his plate:

1) Act all buddy-buddy as if all is well

2) It started ugly, and it be ugly

"So…," he started. "Are you like my reincarnated boyfriend or something?" Yeah, even though universe may hate Keith, at least, he's going try to toy with it.

Yay! I'm so so late, but at least, it's up now in honor for season 8 and all. There were some subtle (or attempt at being subtle) shipping tease here and there. Were you able to find any?!

And, as always, thank you so much for all your reviews, faves, and follows!