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"Mother and Kit"
Keith expertly piloted the Galra fighter back to headquarters with his mom sitting beside him. He couldn't believe it. His first solo mission, and it was to save his mom. Did Kolivan know? He had to, Keith decided. That's why he warned Keith not to use his emotions. He was tired though (and maybe a little under the weather, if he was honest with himself) and yawned as he docked the ship.
"You fly well, kit," his mom complimented.
"Thanks. We have to debrief Kolivan now." Keith stood up.
Krolia followed her son down the ramp. It had been eighteen years since she had seen the base. She couldn't wait to see Thace and Ulaz. Maybe she'd even run into Antok! She was excited to see the older Galra that were like brothers to her. A smile crossed her face.
Keith looked at his mom as they walked into headquarters. There was a smile on her face. He wondered why. Krolia noticed her son staring at her. "What?"
"You're smiling."
"Yes. I can't wait to see Thace, Ulaz, and Antok. Have you met them yet?"
Keith ducked his head slightly. "I have had that honor, but we won't be seeing them."
"Oh? Are they on a mission?"
"No."
Krolia noticed the clipped tone of her son's voice plus the lack of explanation. "They're dead? All three of them?"
"Yes, Krolia. They died on missions," Kolivan answered.
Keith immediately straightened his back before bowing to his leader. "Mission complete, leader."
"Well done, Keith. Relax, kit. It's just family here now," Kolivan replied.
Keith cocked his head. "Family?"
"I apologize for not telling you sooner, kit, but Krolia is my daughter."
"Which makes you my grandfather," Keith finished, catching on.
Krolia walked over to Kolivan. "I missed you, Father. My mission was a success."
Kolivan swept Krolia closer and held her against his chest. "I missed you, daughter."
She pulled back slightly and jabbed her finger into Kolivan's chest armor. "What was the big idea sending my son to get me?"
"Our forces are spread too thin for us to spare anyone else. He had just come from a botched mission and was the only one available," Kolivan admitted.
Krolia nodded and stepped back. She brought Keith to her side. "May we be excused?"
"I would like to speak to Keith in private."
"I refuse to leave my son ever again, Father. If that's unacceptable, we will leave the Blades." Krolia held her head high.
Kolivan didn't doubt his daughter's sincerity or will to follow through. "There's no need for threats, Krolia."
"It's not a threat, but a promise if you try to separate my son from me."
"Very well. However, Keith looks exhausted. Go rest, and we will talk later." Kolivan dismissed his family. He was relieved that they were both alive.
Krolia led her son to her room. She noticed it was as she left it, nest and all. She replaced the blankets and pillows before she pulled her son into the nest. She nuzzled her son's neck, getting him to relax. Krolia held Keith in her arms. She was finally reunited with her son, who had fallen asleep. They were back at headquarters, and she was having some quality time with her son finally. He had so many of her features. His eye color and his hair were very similar to hers. As she gazed at him, he let out a series of coughs. She frowned. She was afraid of that. Keith was sick. She ran a hand through his hair. "Shh, Keith. It's okay."
His eyes opened halfway. There was a glazed quality to them. "Mom?"
She pressed a kiss to his forehead. "Yes, Keith. I'm here. I'm never leaving you again, kit."
Keith snuggled into her arms before coughing again. She wanted to get him some help but didn't know who could help. Just then, there was a knock on the door. Keith coughed again, but Krolia answered, "Come in."
Kolivan entered. He frowned when he heard Keith coughing. "Is he ill?"
Krolia bowed her head to their leader. "I believe so, Father."
He knelt down and placed a hand on Keith's hair. "The Paladins may be able to help him."
"May I contact them?"
%%%
"We're receiving a message with a Blade of Marmora emergency code," Coran announced.
Shiro, Allura, Lance, Hunk, and Pidge all looked towards the view screen, where an unknown Blade member appeared. It was obvious she was holding something in her arms. "Paladins, please. I need your help."
"We are ready to assist the Blade of Marmora. May we know your name?" Allura answered.
"I am Krolia. I was on a deep cover mission until recently when I was retrieved by a fellow Blade, Keith."
"Where is he?" Shiro asked.
The camera panned back to show Keith in Krolia's arms. His face was flushed, and he let out a couple of coughs. Lance nearly jumped out of his seat. "Keith!"
Keith raised his head slowly at his teammate's voice. "Lance?"
"Hey, buddy. You look like you need some TLC," Lance replied.
Keith coughed again and let out a tiny chuckle. "Yeah. I guess."
Krolia rubbed his back. "May I bring him to you? I don't know how to care for my son after being away for all these years."
"Your son? You're Keith's mom?" Hunk questioned.
"Yes. I'm Keith's mother," Krolia replied. "Please, may we come?"
"Yes. Of course," Shiro responded.
%%%
A Marmora shuttle landed in the hangar. Krolia picked up Keith and carried him out of the shuttle. He curled into her chest. She purred to him as she carried him over to the Paladins, who came to meet them. The one in a green jacket rushed over. "Keith? Buddy?"
Keith let out a whine. Krolia responded with a purr and nuzzled his head. "It's okay, kit. Your friends are here, and I'm not leaving you."
"Mom." Keith buried his face into her chest.
Krolia looked up at the Paladins. "Where do I take him?"
The Princess stepped forward. "We can take him to the infirmary."
Krolia nodded and followed the Paladins, walking next to the largest one. "How do you know Keith?"
"We were with him when he found the Blue Lion. He was our Red Paladin until he left us to join the Blade of Marmora full time."
"So, you're his friends?"
"I think so."
Krolia entered the infirmary and laid Keith on the bed. She stayed near Keith's head, nuzzling his hair, which allowed him to know she was still there. She continually whispered, "It's okay, kit. I'm here. I'm never leaving you again."
"Quiznack! What's that on his face?" Lance exclaimed.
Krolia looked at her son's face and was astonished to see markings similar to hers on his face. They seemed to be a brighter purple, but that could be because of his skin color. She traced one of them, and Keith leaned into her touch with a whine. She sighed in relief as she realized why Keith was ill. He was developing some Galran features, and his hybrid body didn't know how to deal with them manifesting. Krolia leaned down and nuzzled her kit's face. She felt him nuzzle back and heard him softly purr to her. She scooped him up and purred back to him. He curled into her chest, relishing in her proximity.
"What is going on?" Shiro asked.
"What the quiznack? Is Keith turning purple?" Hunk questioned.
"I know why he's ill now. His Galran features are manifesting, and his body doesn't know how to deal with them. He needs constant touch to help deal with the pain of his emerging features." Krolia looked to the Paladins. "Is there a room we could borrow, so I don't have to pilot our shuttle while Keith is like this?"
"Of course!" Coran exclaimed. "Follow me. I'll show you the way!" Krolia carried Keith as she followed the older Altean. He slowed down and walked next to her. He cautiously placed a hand briefly on one of Keith's knees. "He's going to be all right?"
Krolia was touched at the adviser's concern. She smiled at him. "Yes. He will be just fine. He's strong."
"I wonder what features he'll develop."
"I suspect he'll only develop a few and closely resemble me."
Coran nodded and gestured to a door. "This is one of the larger rooms. It has a wider bed, so you'll be able to help Keith."
"Thank you. I appreciate this," Krolia said.
"Think nothing of it. We are allies in this, and Keith is like family to us as well. I'll leave you two to rest." Coran placed a gentle hand on Keith's head. "Get better, number four."
Krolia watched Coran leave before she entered the room. She saw a large bed with lots of blankets. She struggled to create a nest but managed it without putting her son down untill she was done. She laid him down and entered their temporary nest. She nuzzled his hair. "You're fortunate to have such a large family, kit."
Fin