Voltron: Little Book Of Stories

Cinnamon.

The concrete road echoed his footsteps as he ran along the senile street. The bitter frost of winter had not yet touched the lips of autumn and the sunset's glow reflected off of every western facing window illuminating the street. His pace quickened as he rounded the corner and was confronted by a nutmeg aroma stemming from the shop just three doors down. The door swung open the bell dinging as all eyes fell upon the panting man. "Uh Shiro?" He looked up at the squat woman, she pushed up her iconic circular glasses as she leaned forward. "What's going on buddy?"

"I forgot-" He slammed his palm into the oak table. He had gathered an attentive audience having run in so abruptly, disturbing the unwavering peace that frequented the cafe. For most it had been rather amusing, others found it troublesome.

"You forgot what?" Pidge prompted as he picked his head up desperately. "Oh, please tell me you didn't."

"I did and-"

"And I was like you've already activated my," Lance boasted coming into the shop Keith close behind clearly uncomfortable. "Oh never mind, my point was that we went to my apartment after that."

"Our apartment." Keith replied as the two made their way over to Shiro.

"Yes our apartment."

"I can't believe I slept through that, I mean you always-"

"Ahem! Someone forgot something, I mean Takashi you had one job. One!" Pidge retorted crossing her arms. The shop had now returned to its lackadaisical manner and the four sat down anxiously.

"You know Allura's going kill you." Lance said glancing up from his phone smirking.

"Okay, I've got one black Americano for Katie, a pumpkin spice tea for Keith, vanilla latte for Lance, and lastly chamomile tea and a cinnamon roll for Shiro because you look like you want to cry in a hole right now."  Hunk said as he swung around the table dealing out the drinks. "You guys owe me fifteen eighty five, except for Lance."

"Wait, why doesn't he owe you anything?" Keith asked taking a sip of his tea.

"Because that guy over there bought it for him." Hunk pointed to a strikingly handsome man dressed in all purple. He had a devilish grin pasted on his face as they all turned to look.

"Lance, please tell me that you didn't." Keith turned back to Lance awaiting his reply.

"I may have."

"Oh god." In the meanwhile Shiro had been savoring the cinnamon roll Hunk had delivered. Seemingly in a state of complete intoxication by the food.

"Hey Hunk," Shiro started and Hunk joined them at the table sipping on his own cup of coffee.

"Hmm?"

"Can you make some of these for me, I need a peace offering for Allura." Hunk stopped drinking and almost spit out his coffee.

"You didn't."

"I may have."

"Well you're doomed, but yeah sure, on one condition."

"And what might that be?" Shiro said frowning, he sank further into the chair.

"You have to, um, help me."

"Hunk please. Have you seen me cook!?" The others snickered shaking their heads. It was common knowledge that Shiro could not cook, the previous week having served cereal for a formal dinner with his boss.

"I know, so I will teach you. Come on, I'm about to close up shop anyways." He gestured to the kitchen that laid just beyond splintered doors.

"Wait right now?"

"Yes right now, Katie?"

"You got it." With that Hunk lead Shiro through the back doors leaving Pidge to usher out the last of the customers. As the two headed into the back they were embraced by a sweet silence. They didn't speak for the first few minutes, and just awkwardly and anxiously stood there. Finally Hunk broke the suffocating silence as he pulled out the ingredients landing them with a soft thump on the wooden kitchen island.

"Okay, I'll make the dough and Shiro you can make the filling. It's pretty straightforward, here's the recipe card if you need it." Hunk handed him the weathered paper containing the recipe from his childhood, and with that they whisked away. Pretty soon, as time had passed, the smell of cinnamon and yeast had coated the air.

"Um, so now we need to actually make the rolls. Here I guess I'll show you." Hunk said grabbing the bowl of dough. He took out a glob and started working it with his hands. Then laid it out lathering on a thick layer of the auburn paste before rolling it up. Shiro was attentively watching determined not to make a fool of himself. So carefully he tried to follow Hunk's lead but remained unsuccessful. "It's alright you'll get it. Just keep practicing."

"No, wait." Shiro maneuvered around the table to where Hunk was standing with his right arm out his palm in a piece of dough. Shiro came up from behind and slipped his hands under his and snatched the mound of dough. Unsure what to do in such a position, Hunk's arm hovering about his back, he did what seemed the easiest, he stood up causing Hunk's arm to be draped across his shoulders. Hunk in the meanwhile was suppressing butterflies that had recently filled his stomach. "Done!"

"It's a heart, not a roll, although it's kinda cute."

"I know! That's the point, it's sweet simple and says forgive me." Shiro shrugged slipping out from his spot and began making more hearts.

"Hey, Shiro, whatever did happen to you and Allura?" He froze not expecting a question like this from Hunk.

"Uh, well let's just say that her little boy isn't mine despite me thinking that." The pace had originally started as a slow stir but by now Shiro was whisking almost angrily.

"Oh. I never would have pegged her as someone who would do such a thing. She's always been so-"

"I know, neither did I. Anyways that's not important now, I suppose it's time anyway for me to get on with my life, do something important." The cinnamon filling splattered across the newly remodeled kitchen. You know, cooking while you're angry is never a good combination. The filling now covered most of Hunk's face and Shiro looked at him intensely in fear that his response might be rash. But a smile peeled at his cheeks and he started laughing.

"Usually I'm an organized and efficient baker, but now you've just ruined the peace." With that Hunk grabbed all three pounds of flour and dumped it on top of Shiro and the kitchen became their battle zone. Eggs flew hitting one another and soon the whole kitchen was destroyed. Shiro rounded the island corner out of sight holding a bowl of glaze. Then without warning he tackled Hunk the sticky substance covering both of them. Eventually the laughter died off leaving both of them in yet another awkward position.

"I really do miss her." Shiro sighed burying his face in Hunk's food covered chest.

"I know. But you'll find someone soon." Sweetly he wrapped his arms around Shiro. They laid there for hours, talking ever so often, cuddling into the night.