AN: AU, post season five. Story does reference things that happened from season four on.

In which Matt Holt needs to give Shiro dating tips.

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There were a lot of things Matt Holt couldn't believe:

1) Alteans didn't get brain freezes

2) The castle's coding system wasn't color coded

3) Lance was still alive somehow despite his numerous ill attempts at flirting with all alien populations

But as he walked into the observation deck and saw the Princess and Shiro close together by the controls, he couldn't help but feel a twitch of his eye brow. Shiro's hands weren't touching her - not even an innocent shoulder brush against her arm or something.

He couldn't help the frustrated sound that came out.

Shiro turned around at that. "Hey Matt."

"Ah hey," he managed to get out. "Princess Allura."

Shiro and Allura shared a questioning look. No flirty wink or smile?

"I need to go help Coran with the Castle's engine," Allura swiped her screen down. "We'll have our meeting later."

"Alright Princess," Shiro agreed. "Until then."

As soon as Allura left, Matt rounded on him. "What the heck is wrong with you?!"

Shiro blinked at the fury on Matt's face. "What?"

Matt sputtered a little as too many words wanted out at the same time.

"PFdsf- You-time-alone!"

"..."

Matt grabbed his hair and tugged it in agony. "Why aren't you making a move?!"

Shiro opened his mouth once, closed it, then opened it again.

"Is this about the Princess?"

"YES! Quiznaking yes Shiro! How can you be so oblivious with a body like that?!"

"Wha-"

"Come on Shiro. I saw the way girls would flock to you at the Garrison. You can't tell me you don't see the opportunity Fate has provided you here."

"I had training at the Garrison," Shiro lowly chuckled as he finished closing off the controls Allura had put up. "There really wasn't much time for dating. As for now..." A curious expression passed through his eyes, both wistful and solemn. "'Fate' has given me a lot of things."

That comment calmed Matt down a little. "Not all of it has been bad."

"No," Shiro turned off the last of the screens and then addressed his friend directly. "It hasn't."

"So..." Matt looked at him with a grin, "you mean to tell me Takashi Shirogane has never dated?"

A small smile appeared on Shiro's face. "I didn't say that."

Matt laughed and smacked his arm. "Must have been years ago or else you'd have done something with the Princess already."

The small smile on Shiro's face dropped into a deadpan expression. "Matt -"

"No listen. You've kept my little sister alive this long so I owe you. The dating world's changed since the last decade." Matt ignored the twitch in Shiro's eye as he slung his arm around his shoulder. "Girls this century like a strong man. That hasn't changed. But they do want some romance mixed in that. You can't just go for the strong, silent stereotype for too long or else they'll lose interest."

"This is really unnecessary -"

"You need to flirt a little. A touch of the hand on the elbow, the arm, lower back if you feel like she'd dig that - and I mean some flirting. Don't go full blown like that idiot Lance does. But do enough that you'll leave an impression."

"You and Lance both flirt right off the bat. How are you differen-"

"Finesse Shiro. And timing. We are so different. Enough of that." Matt's grin grew. "Some girls like the bold type. Considering her standing and strength, I think the Princess would appreciate this move. Next time you're arguing just make a move."

"What?"

"Or if she's near a wall," Matt continued on with sparks in his eyes, "just herd her against it, box her in - just lean in and do it! Those lips want to be kissed!"

Shiro slowly blinked at that. "...Are you suggesting I corner a woman that can throw me across a room with one arm?"

"It's a risk you're going to have to take, Shiro sir."

"I think space has addled your brain Matt." Shiro pinched the bridge of his nose. "I need to train."

"Remember what I taught you!"

"I'll try not to," Shiro dryly muttered to himself.

Shiro was finishing warming up when the training door slid open.

He straightened up from his leg stretch as Allura approached. Like him, she had a sleeveless shirt but her training pants were more form fitted. Her light hair was in a puffy pony tail that swished a little as she walked. The sessions started as a way for him to bond with the newest paladin but they quickly realized that they actually made good sparing partners. He didn't have to worry about going too hard and she could really lay out a punch against his metal arm, plus he could take whatever she dealt out.

It was the ideal setup.

She was tightening her last training glove but her face was unreadable as she walked inside. He could feel the hairs along the back of his neck rise for some reason.

"Princess. You're here earlier than I -"

Suddenly he was pushed against the wall. He grunted as he felt the wall give way a little. He wouldn't be surprised if there was an indentation.

"What else did his friend say?"

Shiro paused in answering, instead following her gaze down to the mice. They were squeaking to her in excitement. He gaped a little in realization and could feel a light flush start to build. Darn it Matt! He didn't even say any of those things but he was the one that was going to get it.

"Princess, I would never - "

"Ah yes," there was a playful light in Allura's eyes, "just lean in and do it."

He froze as her face got close. Then he yelped out involuntarily as he was flying through the air. He felt the wind knocked out of him as his back hit the wall. He was blurry eyed as he sat up from being tossed across the room. Allura was standing above him with her hand outstretched for his.

He took it warily. She pulled him up effortlessly.

Then, she tugged the front of his shirt. He stared wide eyed as her mouth pressed onto his and then staggered back as she let go. It had been so brief he would have doubted it happened if it weren't for the lingering sensation on his lips.

"He was right."

"About what?" Shiro asked in a daze before he could control himself.

She gave him a crooked smile. "Those lips wanted to be kissed."

He covered his face with his hand. Quiznaking Matt. Because, if he was being honest, the ridiculous scenario Matt gave him turned out to be a teeny, tiny bit hot.

Just a little.

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AN: I'm going to leave the status as "in progress" so I have somewhere to dump these strange inspirations. XD