#shunkeith

Luckily, Keith had never needed words.  He slotted himself against Hunk easily, pulling him down so his head rested on Keith's shoulder.  "You're fine," Keith said.  "Everything is fine.  Lance will thank you for the day off, and once everyone comes out of hibernation on Tuesday, they'll all be craving some holiday treats.  Okay?"

"Okay," Hunk replied.  He wrapped his arms around Keith's waist, pulling him flush.  He was warm and solid, surprisingly sturdy and weighty for being so much smaller.  Like a rock in a rushing river, something to hold onto while he waited out the worst of it.  "Thank you."

Soft, dry lips pressed against Hunk's cheek.  "You're welcome.  More than.  That's what I'm here for.  Besides, it's not all bad, right?"

Hunk smiled into Keith's shirt.  "No, not at all.  I don't mind getting to spend an extra day with you two.  How are the hills for sledding, here?"

"They'd be pretty good if we had a sled," Keith replied, laughing softly.  "Maybe we can improvise something. It'll go easier if you can help me convince Shiro to join in."

Pausing, Hunk picked up his head, lips curled.  "Shiro's not a snow day guy?"

Keith rolled his eyes hard.  "You've heard him bitching about the cold, right?  He spent most of his formative years in LA.  He acts like cold weather is personally out to get him."

Huh.  "I heard him complaining about the cold being bad for the bees," Hunk admitted.  "Not bad for him."

"He's being good for you, probably," Keith replied.  "I bet that breaks down tonight, with how cold it's getting."

Well, the negatives were nothing to sneeze at.  Hunk had a lot of sympathy for Shiro's low tolerance.  He'd grown up on warm beaches, and snow had been a complete novelty the first winter he'd been in the city.  Since then, it was more of a bother.  He'd always wanted to enjoy it more, but it was never nice snow downtown.  Within a couple of hours it was a dirty, speckled, slushy mess.  Here, though, it was downright picturesque.

At least, it had been when it was light out enough to see.  Now, not so much.

As if summoned by their conversation, the backdoor opened.  Shiro stepped through, shaking his head hard to get the snow off his hat.  He had on several layers, including a thick winter coat and the hoodie he'd yet to give back to Hunk.  "Brrr.  Eugh.  Okay, the hives are all wrapped up.  That should help them.  They're all sizable and healthy, so they'd probably be alright."

"Whatever makes you feel better," Keith replied.  "So you don't run out at 2 AM again, and then shove your freezing feet in bed."

Shiro just grinned and pulled off his gloves.  "You're so warm, it's your own fault for being such a good heater.  Officially a no-go on heading back, Hunk?"

Nodding, Hunk picked his head up to watch Shiro undress.  "Yeah, at least tomorrow.  We'll see how it is Tuesday.  I might be able to open for the afternoon."

Once he'd shrugged off his outer gear, Shiro settled on the couch next to Hunk and smoothed up and down his back.  "I'm sorry you have to keep the bakery closed.  You alright?"

Hunk smiled back, squeezing Keith tighter.  "I'm better now."

"Good.  Keith makes for a very good stuffed animal, don't you, babe?"  He leaned over and pressed a quick peck to the top of Keith's head.

The flat look Keith shot back made Hunk laugh, pushing away the last dregs of his worry.

Shiro tugged slightly on Hunk's shoulder, until he turned to look at him properly.  Then he pressed a kiss to Hunk's lips, then under both his eyes, and finally his forehead.  "You're just fine," he told him, low and warm.  "And we're glad to keep you here for another day, even if the reason is unfortunate.  Want hot chocolate?"

Pausing, Hunk considered him.  "What kind?"

"Uh," Shiro blinked, as if confused by the question. "The kind with the little marshmallows in the packet?"

Hunk shivered.  "No.  You still have powdered cocoa from when I made those chocolate muffins?"

Shooting Keith a quick glance, Shiro shrugged.  "I haven't touched it, so I assume so."

"Good."  With that, Hunk finally let go of Keith and stood.  "I'll make hot chocolate."

Shiro's expression fell.  "I can make it," he offered instantly.  "You really don't have to, especially when you're the one upset.  I'll pay attention to it, just give me a few minutes to look up a recipe online, alright?"

Softening, Hunk kissed him back.  "No, I want to."  When Shiro opened his mouth again, Hunk put a finger on his lips, stilling him instantly.  "Seriously.  I want something else to focus on.  Hot cocoa will distract me for at least a few minutes.  Just let me."

"Alright," Shiro allowed, visibly relaxing.  "We still have another bag of the kettle corn you like, too.  We can do a quick movie.  Something holiday, since we're getting all this snow?"

Hunk relaxed further and nodded.  "Yeah, I'd like that.  Can I trust you with a bag of microwave popcorn?"

"I'm not that bad!"  Shiro's bottom lip stuck out in an exaggerated pout.  "You press the button on the machine, I can handle that."

Laughing, Hunk shook his head and stepped into the kitchen.

He had to admit, Hunk adored the set up here.  It might not have all of Hunk's equipment, and the appliances were nearly two decades old.  But everything in here was solid and a little old fashioned, built to withstand the ages.  Everything was made out of warm woods, scratched and dented and well-loved.

Smoothing his hand over the counter, Hunk started to open cabinets to pull out the right supplies, as he began to heat up the milk.

Just by the door, he heard Keith let out a yelp.  "Shiro!"

"What?"

"Your hand is freezing.  Both of them, but literally for one of them."

There was a long pause. "Oh, right."  The clatter of Shiro removing his prosthetic was almost soothing.  It was like hearing someone brush their teeth from the bedroom.  Comfortingly domestic, in a slightly intimate way.  "Better?"

"Still cold, but better."

Shiro wandered into the kitchen next.  Hunk's hoodie gaped loosely on his right side, and he gave a tiny wave with the stump.  At first, he'd been self-conscious of it, but there was only so many times they could sleep in the same bed without it before it became too normal.  With practiced ease, he moved to the pantry and ripped the popcorn packaging open with his teeth.  Then he tossed it into the microwave and it the popcorn setting.  "Ta-da."

Brows up, Hunk smiled. "Don't congratulate yourself yet.  It hasn't cooked yet, it can still burn."

"That was only once."  Despite his playful complaining, Shiro plastered himself to Hunk's back, hooking his chin over a shoulder to watch.  "The cocoa powder stuff is what's in the packets we have?"

"And a lot of sugar," Hunk replied.  "It's better when you can add a little dark chocolate.  I'll bring some next time.  For now, a dash of vanilla and a little nutmeg will do."

Humming, Shiro pressed his nose into Hunk's neck.  There was still a chill to his skin from being outside too long.  "Sounds good to me," Shiro replied.  He didn't move.

Hunk smiled at his pot.  "Are you only here because I'm warm and Keith is complaining?"

"No," Shiro replied, drawing the word out.  "Keith complaining doesn't stop me.  I pick you because I want to snuggle you."  He paused.  "And the oven is warm."

"There it is."

"But mostly because I love you."

Hunk smiled softly, the words churning warmly in his stomach as if he'd already chugged the hot chocolate.  "I love you too."

Shiro pressed a kiss to Hunk's jaw.  "Good.  'Cause coming all the way out here just for sex would be a lot of work on your part."

"I don't just do it for sex," Hunk shot back.  "I also do it for your honey."

Letting out a bark of laughter, Shiro pressed their cheeks together.  "I bet you do.  You want some sugar."

Hunk grinned, turning around to kiss him properly.  "Oh, that's a pretty good one!"

"It's not bad, yeah."  Shiro beamed at him, eyes warm and molten.  But the shrill alarm of the microwave made him jump.  "Oh, right.  That."  He wandered over and pulled it out of the microwave, holding it so the steam could vent.  "If I open the paper part with my teeth, will you be grossed out?"

"I'm a chef, so no.  I taste from the spoon I cook with, sometimes."

Shiro paused.  "You do?  That's kind of gross."  He considered.  "Does that mean we're technically kissing when I eat your food?"

Shrugging, Hunk turned back to the hot chocolate.  "I suppose so.  Does this mean you never taste anything you're cooking?  That explains too much."

Making a soft, wounded noise, Shiro put down the bag so he could get out a bowl, then took hold of one tab with his teeth to yank it open.  "You're very mean.  You seem all nice and sweet but you're secretly ruthless."

Hunk smiled back.  "That's me.  What movie did you guys pick out?"

"Uh-"  Shiro perked, eyes bright.  "Actually, you can help with that.  We've been arguing about this all week.  The Grinch - class animated version or the terrible Jim Carrey abomination?"

"I suspect this question wording might be biased."

Shiro stuck his nose in the air.  "My polling is all completely fact based.  I don't ask leading questions, just make sure you have full knowledge going in."

Considering him, Hunk tapped his finger on the counter.  "Live action.  Just because you're trying to push me."

"Hunk!"  Shiro groaned, dismayed.

"Told you!" Keith's voice floated back, purely smug.

Hunk laughed, openly amused at them both.  With a last check of the cocoa, he poured some into three mugs, and let the rest stay in the pot on the stove.  If they needed more, they could warm it back up.  "Ready?"

"Yeah, ready."  Shiro held up the popcorn as proof.  

Settling in on the couch, with Keith pressed smug and warm in one side, and Shiro a playfully sulking teddy bear on the other, Hunk settled in.

Between the two of them, he really didn't need the hot cocoa to stay warm.