Chapter Text
"Keith's Dads"
Keith was scampering around in the training hall playing with a red ball, while his dads watched him. It was rare that all four of his Dads were watching him at the same time, but sometimes a break was necessary, even if Kolivan had to be reminded of that fact often.
Thace and Ulaz had stopped by the space mall recently and picked up toys for their kit. His favorite toy by far was the red ball. However, when he inevitably tired himself out, he would want to be held by one of his dads. When he wanted Antok, Keith would climb onto his back and be held in place by the second-in-command's tail. Thace would cradle him in his arms. Ulaz would have the kit in a sling on his back, Keith's head tucked against his neck. Kolivan would carry him in one arm. Keith's head would be against Kolivan's shoulder and each arm placed on either side of Kolivan's neck. Keith would inevitably grab onto Kolivan's braid either in his sleep or right before he drifted off, forcing the leader to carry him around while he worked or take a break and lie down with him in the nest.
A chirp next to Kolivan's knee caught his attention. He looked down and saw his little kit looking up at him expectantly. Kolivan smiled at him and picked him up. Keith nuzzled Kolivan with a purr before he laid his head on his dad's shoulder, his hand drifting down to wrap around the braid. Kolivan knew the kit had taken a liking to his braid, like it was a security blanket or comfort item, but he couldn't blame him. Keith's liking of his braid wasn't unique. The kit liked a specific feature of each of his Dads; Kolivan's braid, Antok's tail, Thace's ears, and Ulaz's headfur. It was strange, but his dads didn't mind at all. In fact, they indulged their kit a lot. It was instinctual, almost natural for them to let their kit grab these features, especially in his sleep.
Thace, Ulaz, and Antok came over to their leader, the former holding Keith's ball. Ulaz was the one who was physically closest to the kit and nuzzled his head gently against the kit's head, eliciting a louder purr from the sleeping kit. Thace grinned at Kolivan. "He's got a firm grip on your braid again."
"As always," Kolivan replied nonchalantly. "I don't mind."
"Anything for Keith?" Thace asked.
"Anything for Keith," Kolivan agreed.
Fin