Work Text:
"Recovery"
Keith groaned. His head was pounding. He was laying on his side in a bed. The scent was unmistakably a hospital of some sort. He definitely survived the explosion. Voices reached his ears. They sounded like a news broadcast over a television set. He heard little snippets of the news as he drifted in and out of consciousness. He could tell the other Paladins were alive as well. Since they were all right, their families were with them. Then, he heard a familiar voice on the TV. It was Shiro! Shiro was alive! Then, Keith's heart sank. If Shiro was on TV, then there was no one waiting for Keith to awaken. Tears started gathering in Keith’s eyes, but he willed them away. It wouldn't do any good to cry over being alone again.
He rolled onto his back and slowly opened his eyes. At first, he couldn't see anything but shapes, but he thought there were two shapes in his room. His vision cleared to show Krolia and Kolivan sitting in his room! His mom was wearing a Blade uniform similar to Kolivan's and seated beside his legs. His leader, who looked 100% better than last time Keith saw him, was in a nearby chair and was smiling softly at him.
Keith sat up slowly, and Krolia inched closer. She wrapped her arms around him and buried her nose in his hair, being careful of the bandage wrapped around his head. "Oh, Keith! I thought we had lost you!"
Keith couldn't help the tears that gathered once again in his eyes. He couldn't believe Krolia and Kolivan were there for him. "Mom, I'm so glad to see you and you too, Kolivan."
Kolivan stood up and stepped closer to the two other Blades. He gently placed a hand on Keith's back. "I'm pleased you are recovering, kit."
Keith tilted his head slightly and eyed Kolivan. "Kit? What's that?"
Kolivan raised an eyebrow. "Krolia has not called you a kit?"
"We were a little busy getting to know each other and then saving the universe," Krolia replied before turning to Keith. "Kit is a term for a Galran cub or child. Seeing as Galra have a longer lifespan, you are considered a kit. However, I will not call you that unless you want me to."
Kolivan couldn't help but smile at mother and son. "I will though."
"Kolivan!" Keith and Krolia chorused.
The leader of the Blade of Marmora just smiled and nuzzled Keith's neck. "I am truly pleased that you are alive and recovering." Krolia released her hold on her son, who immediately latched onto Kolivan. "Kit!"
"I am so glad you two were here. Last time I woke up in a hospital, no one was there for me."
Krolia purred to her kit. "When was this?"
"When Dad died."
Kolivan looked distressed at the news. "When did your father pass away, kit?"
Keith felt warm at being called kit and cold at the thought of his dad's death. He hung his head. "He died when I was seven. He was a firefighter and a hero."
Krolia smiled at the mention of Keith's father's job. "That's how he got me out of my ship. He used his axe to get me out before it exploded."
Keith gave a small smile, looking up. "I remember seeing that."
Krolia nuzzled Keith's neck. "I'm glad we spent that time together, kit...I mean, Keith."
Keith nuzzled Krolia back. "You can call me kit, Mom."
Fin