Archive of Our Own

"Hangovers"

Keith tried to contain his laughter. He couldn't help the fact that he found his pack having hangovers amusing. It was worth getting in trouble for getting them drunk.

Thace had managed to drag himself to the communications terminal when a call from Lance had come in that morning. Lance couldn't help but snicker a little at Thace's appearance. The Galra looked absolutely ragged with his fur sticking up (like bedhead). Lance had accidentally let it slip about the video Keith had taken and sent to Shiro. Shiro hadn't shown anyone else, but Pidge had learned about the price Shiro gave Keith for buying the alcohol, so the genius tech wiz hacked into Shiro's data pad and copied the video. She promptly watched it and shared it with Hunk and Lance. Thace promptly ended the call without warning and woke Keith up, which ended up waking up Krolia. She had passed out, and Keith had crawled into her arms to sleep.

"Kit, why did you take a video of last night?" Thace asked softly. His head was starting to hurt. He retreated to the nest and cuddled up near his mate.

Before Keith could answer, Krolia starting laughing. "Good job, kit. You got us drunk and now have great blackmail material on every one of us. I wouldn't have even thought about doing that."

A growl that originated from the nest was heard. Thace, Krolia, and Keith turned their heads in that direction to see Kolivan glaring at them. Keith tried to stifle his laughter at his leader. His white strands were done up in multiple tiny little braids as opposed to the one normal braid. The braids were so small there wouldn't be any doubt about who did it. The Blades' fingers were so large there was no way they could have weaved the strands. "Please keep your voices down."

"Sorry, Kolivan," Krolia purred. She climbed back into the nest and gently nuzzled the leader.

A softer, more possessive growl came from behind Kolivan. Krolia peered over Kolivan's shoulder to see Antok, whose tail was wrapped around Kolivan's waist. The growl didn't cease until Krolia backed away from Kolivan.

Krolia couldn't help but giggle. "Easy, Antok. I'm not trying to steal your mate."

"Mom?" Keith whispered. "Can you come here for a minute?"

Krolia climbed out of the nest and walked over to her son. "What is it, kit?"

"What's going on? I was expecting the usual hangover symptoms."

She giggled again. "Oh, kit. You just don't know. Galra have different ways of reacting to alcohol. That's why we don't drink much. Yes, we have the sensitivity to sound and light, but there are behavioral differences too. I get giggly when hungover. Antok is possessive over Kolivan, who is grumpy." At Keith's raised eyebrow, she added, "Moreso than usual."

"What about Thace, Ulaz, and Regris?"

"Regris is the easiest. He just sleeps a lot. Ulaz will be clingy and affectionate to Thace, who has a headache and will be affectionate as well."

"I guess everyone is staying in the nest today."

"Yes."

Keith looked at his mom with a smile on his face. "I will run the base then."

%%%

Keith had underestimated how much work went into running the base. He first stopped by the medical bay. Fortunately, there weren't any hurt Blades, and Keith talked to the other doctors and informed them that Ulaz wasn't coming in that quintant.

Next, he went to the communications room, where he saw Taulol sitting at a terminal. She was the best Blade at hacking and second best at programming (just behind Thace). Keith grinned when he saw her. She was best friends with Krolia, which made her like an aunt to Keith. He hurried over to her and draped himself over her back.

Taulol wasn't surprised when she felt someone draped over her back. There was only one Blade on the base that would do that. She slid the kit over her shoulder, and he dropped into her lap. She nuzzled him, her purple fur tickling him. "Hello, kit."

"Hi, Taulol." Keith nuzzled her back. "Thace won't be available today."

"What did you do, kit?"

"What makes you think I did something?"

"You have always been a menace. So, I repeat, what did you do?"

Keith grinned sheepishly. "I got my pack drunk."

Taulol bit her lip to keep from busting out laughing. "Kit, please tell me you recorded it."

"I did."

"I will do anything to get my claws on the footage."

"I will give it to you, but you will help me run the base today. I had no idea how hard running the base really is. No wonder Kolivan is so stressed."

Taulol stroked Keith's hair. "Of course I'll help you, kit. You're in luck that Kolivan doesn't have any meetings today."

"How do you know?"

"You're talking to the best hacker on the base. Do you think I haven't hacked the leader's data pad?"

Keith chuckled and rubbed his cheek against Taulol's. "Thank you."

"No need to thank me, kit. You are like my nephew. I adore you, little one." Taulol licked Keith's hair a couple of times before continuing. "Now, here are Kolivan's and Antok's calendars for today. Like I said before there are no meetings. Looks like the only thing you have to do is overseeing the main training hall."

Keith stared at the screen. "Can you send these to my data pad?"

"Of course." Keith slid off Taulol's lap once she sent the calendars to Keith's data pad. "I'll keep an eye on things here, kit, and you watch over the training halls. If I catch you working too hard, I will confine you to your nest. However, right now, you need food. Get some food, and then report to the main training hall."

Keith grinned and dashed out of the communications room. Taulol turned back to her terminal and sent a message to her surrogate sister's data pad, informing her that she was keeping an eye on her kit while he ran the base.

%%%

Keith stashed some protein bars in his utility packs. Every time he grabbed them Thace would inevitably start chuckling, but when Keith asked what was so funny, he would just ruffle Keith's hair without a word. He knew he had to report to the main training hall, but he was going to check on his pack first. Just before he started down the corridor leading to his nest room, his data pad vibrated. He pulled it out and saw he had a message from Taulol, which read 'I thought you would find this useful throughout the quintant. Yes, I am making a recording, and yes, I will send you a copy.'

Keith tapped on the link she sent and grinned. It was a live security camera feed of his pack's nest room. There wasn't anything incriminating yet. Thace and Ulaz were cuddled up together, Krolia was holding Regris as he slept, and Antok was holding Kolivan with his tail wrapped around the leader's waist. Everyone was asleep for the moment. Keith nodded. Sleep was good for them.

He exited out of the feed and headed for the main training hall. He was regularly seen in this training hall as it was the largest and was overseen by Antok. So, when he entered, he was greeted by several Blades.

"Hello, kit."

"Good morning, kit."

"Are you joining us today, Keith?"

"Keith, where is Antok?"

Keith grinned. "Good morning. Antok is not coming today, but I am overseeing the training, and yes, Antok knows what I am doing." Keith added silently to himself, 'Though he may not be happy with me tomorrow.'

A few of the Blades looked doubtful. Antok was a firm believer that kits Keith's age should have plenty of playtime, so that fact that he was letting Keith lead the training didn't sit well with them. However, since the kit wasn't actually training, just watching them, it shouldn't be too bad.

%%%

Keith was bored. He circled the hall as the pairs sparred, giving pointers where needed. He really wanted to train...badly. He right hand itched for a blade to be in it, and it was almost too much to ignore. Fortunately, a break was scheduled in a dobosh, so Keith could seek out some company among the training Blades.

He sat down near a group of Blades and withdrew one of his protein bars. As he was eating it, he heard the good-natured chuckling from the group. "What's so funny?"

"Our apologies, kit. It's humorous that your snack is a common kit snack."

Realization dawned on Keith. "That's why Thace laughs every time he sees me eating one. I thought they were protein bars." Keith shrugged and kept eating. They tasted good, and he wasn't about to quit eating them just because they were a kit snack.

Keith subconsciously leaned against one of the nearby Blades, relishing the contact and comfort as the Blade petted his hair. As much as he wanted to stay there and sleep, he didn't let himself. He could rest after lunch. Training was more important.

After a ten dobosh break, Keith whistled to get everyone's attention. "Break is over. Back to training."

%%%

After lunch, Keith checked on his pack before going to the communications room. He didn't want to bother any of his pack members. He was going to see if Taulol would let him nap with her. He entered the communications room and approached his almost pack member. "Taulol?"

She turned around. "Oh, hello, kit." She held her arms open.

Keith placed himself in her arms, tucking his head under her chin. He started purring softly, nuzzling her neck, and whispered, "May I nap in here?"

The fear of rejection that colored his tone of voice hurt Taulol. Who could have hurt the kit so horribly that he feared being turned away? She kept her tone light and soft. "Of course, kit. You are welcome any time, even in my nest. You are practically family. I would never turn you away. Now, do you want to nap in the nest or do you want to stay in my lap?"

"Here." Keith made himself comfortable in her lap. She carded her claws through his soft hair as he fell asleep, still purring.

It was several vargas before Keith woke up. He was still on Taulol's lap, and she was still working on decrypting messages on the terminal in front of her, but her eyes would flick between her terminal, her data pad, and the kit in her lap. Keith nuzzled Taulol's neck, alerting her to the fact that he was awake. "Good afternoon, kit."

Glad he hadn't slept all afternoon, Keith slid off her lap and stretched. "Hi."

He noticed the live security camera feed was playing on Taulol's data pad. Regris was still sleeping, but the others were awake. Ulaz had his arms wrapped around Thace and was grooming his mate, who was leaning against the pale Galra. Antok was glaring at Krolia, who was unweaving all the tiny braids that Keith had put Kolivan's white strands into and giggling. Since Antok was simply glaring, Kolivan must have asked Krolia to unbraid them since her fingers were the smallest out of the six of them in the nest. Keith snickered.

Taulol looked at her data pad and saw what was going on. She grinned. "So, what's your plan for the afternoon, Keith?"

"Um, I can see if they need help in the med bay." Since Ulaz let Keith help out there, it wouldn't be unusual.

Taulol hummed. "I suppose, but don't forget you are a kit, and you need to play."

"I know." Keith nuzzled Taulol's cheek. "I'll see you later."

"Bye, kit."

Keith walked into the med bay and entered Ulaz's office. He looked around Ulaz's desk to see if a shipment was scheduled for delivery that quintant. He knew Ulaz had it on his data pad but also had it written down on his desk...somewhere.

After several doboshes of searching, he finally found it in the center drawer. His eyes roved over the schedule and saw there was a shipment...in a few doboshes. Keith put the schedule back and waited outside Ulaz's office door.

When the Blade pushed the hovering cases in, Keith approached him. "Ulaz is unavailable. I will sign for him."

The Blade gave Keith the pad. Keith flicked through the screen and checked the shipment to make sure everything was accounted for, which it was. Satisfied, Keith signed the pad and gave it back to the Blade. The Blade left, and Keith started putting all the compounds and equipment away.

Unfortunately, it took all afternoon and some of the evening. In fact, Keith was so focused he didn't realize he missed dinner. He had been kneeling down in Ulaz's office, and the other medical Blades didn't see him.

However, one Blade did notice he was missing; Taulol. She stalked into the med bay and easily located the kit, who was putting away the last of the supplies. He was happy that he was able to finish it. His mood went from happy to confused when he heard a growl from behind him. He turned around and saw Taulol growling at him. He shrank back a little, which was a kit response to an adult growling. "Taulol?"

She came closer, flung him over her shoulder, and carried him to the dining hall. She plopped him down in a chair and put a plate in front of him. "You missed dinner, kit. You are eating, and then, you will go back to the nest. I will be telling your pack about this and the fact that you worked today instead of playing."

Keith ducked his head a little but started eating. Taulol was within her right to tell his pack he wasn't behaving like the kit he was. He knew his pack would be disappointed in him, and that was the worst feeling.

Taulol felt bad that she had to do that. Keith was still considered such a young kit, the way he cuddled up with her for his nap spoke volumes. Very young kits needed a lot of affection. She knew Keith needed to go back to his nest after dinner. His pack was probably worried about him, concerned if he was eating and playing enough.

Once Keith was finished, she accompanied him to his nest. It wasn't that she thought he wouldn't go back but that she wanted to see her surrogate sister. Before Keith opened the door to the nest room, Taulol pulled Keith close to her chest. She stroked his hair. "I still love you, kit. Nothing could change that. You are family."

Keith closed his eyes and relaxed against his aunt's chest, purring softly. "Thank you."

"Let's go in. Oh, and kit, don't tell your pack about the security footage. I am still going to send it to you."

Keith grinned and stepped back. "I still have to send you the video I took."

Taulol grinned at Keith, and they quietly entered the nest room. To their surprise, everyone was awake and seemed to be better. Keith approached the nest and gave a soft chirp, asking if he was forgiven.

Krolia rumbled to her kit and opened her arms to him. Keith entered the nest and dove into his mom's arms. She nuzzled him. "Of course you're forgiven for getting us drunk and recording us."

"Well, it's good that he's forgiven for that, because he going to be in trouble when I tell you what he did today," Taulol spoke up.

Kolivan patted the nest, indicating she should join them. She hesitantly climbed in and sat down next to Thace and Ulaz, who asked, "What did our stubborn kit do?"

"He didn't play at all, did too much work, and almost missed a meal. He did take a long nap though."

Kolivan, Antok, Thace, Ulaz, and Krolia growled at the admission. Regris was silent. He was disappointed in his brother but knew he didn't have to voice his displeasure. Keith curled into himself as if trying to get away from the growling.

"Why?" was the single question Thace asked.

Keith whimpered but answered, "I was caught up with trying to help around the base. The med bay received a large shipment of supplies today. I was putting them away and lost track of time."

"I understand it was an honest mistake, but you shouldn't have been working that much, kit," Kolivan said. "Tomorrow, you will not be allowed to train. You will stay in the nest unless it is time to eat or play."

"For now, though, come here, kit. We missed you." Antok gestured for Keith to come to him.

Keith went over to Antok, who scooped his kit into his lap and wrapped his tail around his waist. The six other Galra gathered around Antok and Keith. Thace purred to him, while Ulaz bent down and gave him little cheek licks. Regris's tail curled around one of Keith's legs, and Kolivan rubbed Keith's back, causing the kit to purr. Krolia leaned over and groomed her kit's hair. Taulol scooted close to the kit and nuzzled Keith's neck. Keith closed his eyes, enjoying the attention from his pack. He missed being around them. It wasn't much longer before Keith actually fell asleep.

He was gently laid down in the nest. Regris wrapped his tail around one of Keith's legs again and curled around him. Krolia laid on Keith's other side, nuzzling Keith's neck. Thace sat down near Keith's head and started grooming his hair. Ulaz sat down next to his mate, running his claws through the longer strands of Keith's hair. Antok slid in beside Regris, his tail wrapping around Keith's waist. Kolivan settled behind Krolia and laid a clawed hand on Keith's shoulder.

Taulol sat by Keith's feet. "Krolia, why does Keith fear being turned away? When he came by the communications room where I was, he was scared to ask if he could nap there."

Krolia lifted her head. "I had left Keith on Earth with his father. I didn't learn until I was reunited with him that his father died when he was only seven. He was sent to an orphanage, which is where kits go when they don't have any known family. He was taken in by other families that tried to raise him, but they ended up giving him back to the orphanage. His fear stems from being given up on and returned to the orphanage for many deca-phoebes."

"How many?"

"I don't know exactly, but it was a lot. Keith doesn't like to talk about it. I don't push him to share, because it hurts him."

"I don't doubt it. Kits need affection. It seems he didn't get any after his father died." Taulol looked at the sleeping Keith. "Poor kit. He doesn't understand he can just be a kit. He doesn't have to go on missions."

"He loves to go on missions. He splits his time between us and the Paladins. He doesn't like being idle," Ulaz corrected. "He does act like a kit most of the time. Sometimes he needs a push in the right direction, and that's what we give him."

Fin