Work Text:
"Bully"
Keith relaxed against his mom as she groomed his hair. His entire pack helped with rebuilding Earth but had taken an early night to spend with Keith. Keith had just been released from the hospital and was given instructions to not overdo it. He was watched closely by not only his pack but his team as well. Once one of the groups decided Keith had done enough, at least one pack member would take Keith back to the nest. More often than not, that member was Krolia. During that time, Keith would tell her stories from his Garrison days, most involving Shiro, Adam, or Lance. Once in awhile, Keith would mention someone by the name of James Griffin. Keith wouldn't say anything bad about him, but his expression would darken slightly at the name. So, Krolia decided to lull Keith into a relaxed state, so that he confessed what he really thought of James.
The rest of the pack crowded around them. Kolivan was snuggled up against Keith, and his mate was behind him with his tail wrapped around their youngest kit's waist. Thace was snuggled against Keith's other side with Ulaz settled behind him, nuzzling Keith's neck. Regris was laying down against his brother's legs, purring to him.
"Kit, can you tell us about James?" Thace asked, nosing Keith's hair, narrowly avoiding Krolia's tongue.
"He doesn't like me. He never did. We went to school together, and he's jealous that Shiro took an interest in me. He made fun of me, and we got into several fights."
Antok's tail tightened around Keith's waist, Thace whimpered softly, and Regris whined. Keith let out a questioning sound. Kolivan rumbled to Keith. "Kit, it sounds like this guy bullied you."
Keith paused before adding, "And still does."
"He still bullies you?" Regris asked.
"Yes."
Kolivan and Thace squeezed Keith, comforting their kit. Krolia wrapped her arms around her kit, purring to him. With his pack crowded around him and his mom purring, Keith was lulled to sleep. Once Keith was deeply asleep, the rest of his pack conversed.
"He was bullied all through school," Ulaz repeated.
"And still is," Antok reminded them.
"This James kid needs a visit from us," Krolia growled.
"But we have to make sure Keith doesn't know what we're doing and not overworking," Regris said.
"We could grab James when Keith helps with the rebuild the next morning. That way we can make sure he will be okay," Thace suggested.
"He will learn how to treat our kit," Kolivan stated.
%%%
The next morning, Keith was both delighted to be working with the Paladins and dismayed that his pack was working in a different location. Krolia wrapped her arms around her kit. "We'll be by at lunchtime, kit."
Kolivan looked at the assembled Paladins. "We are trusting you with our kit's safety. If he overworks himself, you will pay dearly for allowing it."
"Don't worry, Kolivan. We won't let him put himself in harm's way," Shiro promised.
"Good." Kolivan and the rest of the pack left the area, seemingly going to help in another location. The Paladins had no idea that they were hunting James.
%%%
James and the other MFE pilots (and Veronica) were helping with the rebuild across the square. He had no idea that there were six Galra that were headed his way, and there was no warning when the largest of the group picked him up and threw him over his shoulder. The group started walking away while the other MFE pilots were in a state of shock.
Veronica was the one who found her voice first. "Where are you taking him?"
Krolia turned around and saw Veronica looking at her questioningly. She smiled. Veronica was Keith's boyfriend's older sister. "We need to have a little chat with him. We will return him when we are done."
With that said, Krolia rejoined her pack, who had sequestered James in an unused room inside the Garrison. It looked like a classroom, but all the furniture was pushed to one side of the room.
James had backed up but made sure he was still facing the group of six Galra. He knew these six were close to Kogane, so he knew they wouldn't hurt him, but what did they want?
"What do you want?"
The lone female Galra stepped forward. "We are Keith's pack, his family if you will, and we take caring for him very seriously. We just learned that you have been bullying him ever since you met and that you haven't really stopped either."
James scoffed. "Family? Please. He's just an orphan. Everyone knows his father died and his mother abandoned him."
The woman growled at him. "Don't you dare insult my kit in my presence! He is a wonderful, selfless person!"
James took a step back. "Kit?"
The Galra with red markings on his head placed a hand on the woman's arm and answered James's question. "A kit is the term for a young Galra. Keith is Krolia's biological son and is considered a son to the rest of us."
"And a brother to me," the shorter, tailed Galra added.
James took another step back from the Galra. They considered Kogane family and were pissed at his treatment of him. What would they do to him?
"You have two options. Treat Keith civilly or don't interact with him at all. If you don't, and we will find out if you don't, you will not like the consequences," Krolia warned. "You may go back to your team, but don't forget our little chat. Mistreat my kit, and these claws will make sure you won't repeat the mistake."
James skirted around the group of six Galra, giving them a wide berth. He wanted to get away from Kogane's Galra. He did and was very grateful they didn't follow him. He let out a breath he hadn't been aware of that he was holding. He wouldn't admit it to anyone else, but they were scary, especially the lone female in their group. She said she was Kogane's mother, which made him all the more wary of her threat. He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he wasn't paying attention to where he was going and ended up near where the Paladins were helping with the rebuild. They didn't notice him, which suited him just fine, as he eavesdropped on a conversation.
"Keith, what do you think you're doing?" the Blue Paladin, Lance, asked.
Kogane looked up. "What? I'm just helping,"
Lance walked over and put a hand on the other Paladin's cheek. "But you are still injured. You should take a break. Here." Lance gently guided Kogane to sit on a crate and gave him a data pad. "This is a list of needs some of the aliens have requested. Look it over and see if it's reasonable."
Kogane sighed and nuzzled Lance's head. "You win, Lance. After I look over the list, I will call for my pack and take an early day."
Lance smiled. "Good. We all want you to take care of yourself. As your boyfriend, I take that task very seriously."
There was a strange sound that came from Kogane that sounded like a purr as he and Lance hugged. Kogane went through the list as Lance went back to helping with the rebuild. James quickly backed out of there and rejoined his group. He nodded to Veronica and quietly went back to helping. He had a lot to think about, both from what Kogane's family said and from what he witnessed between Kogane and Lance.
Fin