Work Text:
"Family"
Acxa stared at the little family gathered in the cemetery. The Galran woman was kneeling at a tombstone, the Paladin in a strange orange and white uniform stood a small distance away with his hand on her shoulder, and his wolf was standing even further back than his master.
A hand on her shoulder startled her more than it should have. Her head whipped around, and she was surprised to see a Galra standing close to her.
"You should join them."
Acxa turned her head to look back at the family before stubbornly looking away. "I don't want to intrude."
"It's not an intrusion if you're family."
"They don't recognize me."
"Keith may not, but Krolia does. She told me she met up with her daughter but didn't say anything because it wasn't her place to tell the Paladins."
Acxa looked up into Kolivan's face in disbelief. "She was waiting for me to say something?"
"Yes, daughter. I was."
Acxa looked up but was surprised again to just see Krolia standing close. Keith was still standing at the grave but with his hand on the tombstone. She could see his mouth moving but couldn't hear any words. She turned her attention back to her mom, who was closer now. Acxa couldn't wait any longer. She launched herself at her mom and clung to her. Krolia held her daughter and purred to her, nuzzling her head.
Suddenly, there was a weight on her back. She could tell it was her brother. There wasn't anyone else she knew who was that small that would hug her. "Hi, Acxa."
"Hello, brother." She heard Keith purr to her and not stiffen at all. "Mom told you, didn't she?"
"Yes, she did. Before she came over here."
"Whose grave were you visiting?"
Keith gave a little whimper. "Dad's."
"Kit, come here," Kolivan said.
Keith released his hold on his sister and stood in front of his leader. "Yes, sir?"
Kolivan gave him a gentle smile and swept him closer, holding him against his chest and rumbling to him. "Easy, kit. I know it's been deca-phoebes, but the pain is still fresh for you. You need affection, and as pack, I can help."
Keith hesitantly nuzzled Kolivan's chest and was pleased when he felt his leader nuzzle him back, a purr rising in his throat.
Kolivan was surprised to suddenly have both of Krolia's kits in his arms. He looked down at them before lifting his head to see where their mother was. She was walking towards them with a smile on her face. She laid her head against Kolivan's shoulder and petted Keith's hair.
"I'm glad that both of my kits are here and that they like you."
Kolivan softly nuzzled Acxa first and then Keith. "I am quite fond of them...and you. I was distressed when I heard that you and Keith had disappeared and no one had seen or heard from you in three deca-phoebes."
Krolia purred to Kolivan. "It's all right now. We are alive and here."
"Mom?"
Krolia looked at Keith, who had a mischievous smile on his face. "What is it, my kit?"
"Do you like Kolivan?"
Krolia sputtered in disbelief. "W-What are you talking about?"
Acxa turned to look at her mother and gasped. "You do! Keith, look at her face. She's blushing!"
Keith looked at their mother's face and saw her cheeks were a darker purple than normal. He grinned even wider. "You're right." He turned to look at Kolivan. "Do you like Mom?"
Kolivan stared at his youngest Blade and lightly thwapped him on the top of his head. "Do not try to play matchmaker, kit."
Fin