"Dinner!" Hunk announced as he popped his head out of the kitchen. Lance nodded from his place in the long hallway before jogging to the door. The Cuban teenager was already in pajamas since Shiro had canceled any training after battles. Lance couldn't help but wonder if that would change due to Keith's kids.

Man, Lance thought. Mullet's kids, who thought I'd see the day.

He couldn't help but be a bit jealous. He loved his large family and loved his role as Tio Lance, but being a father was something bigger. At least the way Lance saw it. Whenever his Papa used to take him out stargazing during long summer nights. it was back when he was too little to go to school with his siblings, but big enough to remember moments like these. His Papa would always put a cigarette in his mouth and lay out a blanket. The grass was always poking Lance's legs and made him itch so they'd take around 10 minutes to find a comfy place.

Then, once they had settled and were on their backs, he'd point out constellations. Leo and Lion, the Big Dipper, every constellation Lance had heard of had come from his Papa's vast knowledge and those rare nights. One night, back when Lance was about to start kindergarten, he had said something Lance still thinks about to his day.

"Mijo, to be a father is like being a king. You rule your children with your best abilities, and as they grow you can't help but feel proud. Being a father is the best job in the world, I'd repeat it in a heartbeat."

Lance's 4-year-old didn't understand, but Lance thinks he does now. He sees the way Keith looks at his daughters. His eyes are soft and anger seems to slip away from him. All tension goes and Keith looks at them with a weird grin. Lance had trouble identifying it until he thought of what his Papa said. He now recognized it as pride.

"Nova, let's not run in the halls!" Keith's voice came from behind him. Nova laughed freely before bumping into Lance's leg. Lance had been standing outside the door the entire time. Zelda was on Keith's hip, clutching the collar of his shirt as her legs curled around his waist. Her legs barely fit all the way around.

Nova stumbled and fell on her butt. She gasped and looked up. Her face was flushed and her eyes were wide.

"Sorry Uncle Lance!" She exclaimed with a lopsided grin. Lance froze, his heart stopping at her words.

Sorry Uncle Lance

Sorry Uncle Lance

Sorry Uncle Lance

"Nova!" Keith scolded lightly. "This is why we don't run in the house- uh, the hallway." He finished awkwardly.

Nova was to her feet and smiling still.

"Sorry, Daddy. Sorry Uncle Lance," She apologized again. There it was again. Uncle Lance.

"Don't sweat it kiddo. Plenty of beautiful ladies have bumped into me before." He said. Nova tilted her head. Her lips were pressed into a thin line as she frowned. Her eyebrows raised up as her nose scrunched.

"Really?" Keith couldn't hold in his laughter at his daughter's single worded question.

"Go on and get seated at the table. I bet Hunk would love to show you all the cool alien food." Keith dismissed any further conversation between them as he set Zelda down. She followed her sister into the dining area that was connected to the kitchen. Keith's knife was nuzzled through the belt loop of his pants. It gleamed in the Castle lighting and Lance tried to imagine him without the knife. He had never seen him use it, but Keith never left anywhere without it. Not even the bathroom.

"I'm sorry, sometimes Nova can get very energetic. Even more than Zelda." Keith chuckled nervously. Lance made his face neutral, not wanting to show any surprise at his apology. A blush rose up his neck. His lips pressed together to keep them from moving. Knowing him, he looked as if he had swallowed a shaved lemon.

"No worries, I get it. I have a big family, there are always some kids smashing into your kneecaps."

"Yeah, but those are family. Not some kids that your teammate had and never told you about before they showed up flying the enemies ship." Keith remarked. Lance snorted and let his face respond again. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips and he stuffed his hands in his pockets. His back was to the wall as he looked back at Keith.

His eyes seemed to bare into him. The endless pools of galaxy-like colors in his eyes momentarily making Lance pause. Keith had always been handsome, no doubt, but Lance wasn't used to being able to stare into his eyes. Keith's stare had yet to waver and Keith bit his lip. Lance tried not to notice and failed.

"I get it, man. But seriously, it makes me feel like I'm at home." Lance blurted out before he could stop himself. Keith looked down at the floor. Absentmindedly, Keith had started to fidget with the handle of his knife. Running his fingers up and down the hilt.

"Um, I know that Nova called you Uncle, so if you don't want her to just tell me. I know it can get weird, especially since you don't know them." Keith was blushing lightly. His eyelashes were long and framed his eyes that darted around the room. He was desperately looking anywhere except at Lance. Lance felt himself hesitate.

"It's alright. It's got a nice ring to it. Uncle Lance," Lance tried to be kind but it came out in more of a joking manner than he wanted it to.

"Oh," Keith said. The hallway was quiet.

"Daddy! Uncle Lance! Dinner is ready!" Zelda shouted.

"That's our cue." Lance grinned.