The Castle of Lions was unusually quiet, save for the soft sounds of someone giggling in the main lounge.

“Who’s a squishy little paladin, huh?” Hunk cooed, bouncing a very tiny Lance on his hip. The toddler — a curly-haired, bright-eyed, two-year-old version of the usual flirty, loudmouthed Blue Paladin — squealed in delight and kicked his little feet, drooling slightly onto Hunk’s shirt.

“Dude,” Pidge said, peeking over her laptop, “he just drooled into your collar.”

Hunk beamed. “And I would let him do it again.”

“Speak for yourself,” came Keith’s voice, flat and mildly exasperated. He stood nearby, arms crossed, watching the scene with a mixture of confusion and reluctant fondness. “My boyfriend just said ‘ba’ and tried to eat a puzzle piece. I’m not built for this.”

“I think you are,” Shiro offered with a grin, sitting nearby with Allura and Coran. “You’re doing better than I expected.”

“He bit me earlier.”

“You’re dating Lance. That feels… normal,” Pidge deadpanned.

Keith scowled lightly but turned back to the toddler in question. Little Lance had now discovered that Hunk’s jacket zipper was fascinating and was tugging on it with the strength of a very determined toddler. Hunk just let him do it, grinning the whole time.

“He’s actually… kinda cute,” Keith muttered reluctantly.

Pidge snorted. “Kinda?”

Keith knelt beside Hunk and looked at Lance, who turned toward him, blinking with huge, watery blue eyes. He then held out his little arms.

“Keef!” he babbled.

Everyone froze.

Hunk made a soft “aww” sound. Pidge tried not to burst into laughter. Keith looked like someone had slapped him with a warm blanket.

“Did he just—?”

“Yup,” Hunk confirmed. “Said your name. Or… his best try at it.”

Keith hesitated only a second before reaching out and taking Lance carefully from Hunk’s arms. Lance immediately cuddled into Keith’s chest and stuck a thumb in his mouth.

“Great,” Keith sighed, but the way his hand instinctively cradled the tiny boy’s back gave him away. “Now I can’t be mad.”

“You never were,” Pidge whispered to Hunk.

“Don’t ruin the moment,” Hunk whispered back.

Lance was already dozing off against Keith’s shoulder, tiny breaths even and warm. Keith sat down, still holding him, and despite himself, allowed the smallest smile to tug at his lips.

“Just… fix this soon,” he said to no one in particular. “But not too soon.”