Work Text:
"Neglected"
Keith knew he was too old to be this much of a mess, but he couldn't help it. He was curled up in his pack's nest, whining and sobbing. Tears were slipping down his cheeks, and he made no move to stop them. His entire pack had gone on a mission, and Keith was left by himself for three quintants. Oh sure, there was someone watching him, but cuddles weren't offered. So, Keith had been without affection for the entire time his pack was gone. His kit instincts had taken control a few vargas ago, and he had begun calling for his pack.
%%%
Kolivan, Antok, Thace, and Ulaz disliked the fact that they had to leave their kit behind while they were on a mission. Not that they wanted him on the mission with them! No, it was more the fact that all four of them had to leave. Their kit was left with a fellow Blade, who assured them that their kit was in good hands. So, when they heard their kit calling for them, they were confused. Nonetheless, they hurried to their nest and saw their seven deca-phoebe old kit curled up in their nest, whining and sobbing. They quickly entered the nest, approaching their kit carefully. His head shot up at their approach, his black headfur a mess and his purple eyes puffy. He held his arms out to them and whined again. Kolivan was the one to reach him first and pulled him into his lap with the other three pack members crowded around.
Kolivan ran his claws through the kit's headfur. "It's all right, kit. We're here."
Antok wrapped his tail around Keith's waist. "We've got you, kit."
Thace nuzzled his kit's neck, purring to him. Ulaz rubbed their kit's back. "You're safe, kit."
Surrounded by and being doted on by his pack did wonders for Keith's instincts. He was very content lying in Kolivan's arms. His tears and whines stopped a dobosh after he was picked up. After a little while, he began to nuzzle Thace back, purring to his whole pack.
"What happened, kit? What had you so distressed your instincts took over?" Ulaz asked, still rubbing Keith's back.
"I was alone for the whole time you were gone."
"Alone? Where was Major Veluk?"
"He checked on me, but I didn't get to cuddle with him. It was a long three quintants, but I'm so glad you are back!" Keith snuggled further into Kolivan's arms, happy that his pack was back.
The four Blades were not happy. Their kit was hurt by a fellow Blade. Whether it was intentional or not didn't matter. They would not stand for it. It took several vargas for even one member of the pack to slip away. However, Kolivan was stuck. Their kit apparently decided that the best way to keep their leader with him was to have a death grip on his braid. Kolivan wasn't even able to move his head much due to Keith's grip. They couldn't even pry the kit's fingers away from the braid, and they didn't want to use too much pressure as his fingers were more fragile than their claws. Fortunately, the organization's members were used to taking orders from Antok when Kolivan was unavailable. Thus, Antok was the one who had to leave the nest. At least, the kit was sleeping soundly now, and Antok needed an outlet for his anger.
He slipped out of the nest and into the hallway. The door closed behind him, and he allowed his icy demeanor to show. He was only warm and caring to his pack mates, especially their kit. To all the other Blades, Antok was silent, cold, and deadly. It didn't take long for him to find Major Veluk. He was in the mess hall, just finishing the late meal.
"I see you have returned, sir. I was just about to go check on the kit-" Veluk was cut off when Antok slammed him into the floor, twisting his arms behind him and pinning him with a knee.
"You were supposed to be caring for the kit, not merely checking on him. He needs affection just like any other kit."
"He was fine. His mixed heritage should have canceled out any Galran kit needs," Veluk wheezed as his breath was being forced out of him by Antok's weight.
Antok leaned down so his face mask was near Veluk's ear. "That is not the case. You hurt my pack's kit. You are confined to your quarters until Kolivan decides your fate. He will be the one to deliver your punishment; however, a distraught kit is clinging to him."
"Antok?"
Antok's head shot up at the sound of Keith's voice. Standing there next to the rest of his pack was the kit in question. Kolivan's hand was on one of his shoulders, and Ulaz's was on the other one. Thace had a hand on the back of his neck (comforting, not tight). Keith's eyes were still a little red and puffy, but he looked better. Antok released Veluk, stood up, and went over to their kit. He ruffled his headfur. "Kit."
Keith reached out to him, and Antok scooped up his kit and took him out of the mess hall, leaving Veluk in the capable hands of his pack. Thace grabbed Veluk by the back of the uniform. "Let's go."
They marched him to the training hall. Ulaz wasn't one for physical violence. He was merely there to ensure Veluk didn't die and to make sure there was something for Antok to deal with when he got to him. Ulaz settled against the wall and watched Thace and Kolivan fight Veluk with their blades. His two pack members were incredible fighters without their blades; with them, they were frightening. It was a good two vargas before Veluk had fallen to their blades. He wasn't dead, but by the time Antok was finished with him, he would wish he was.
The pack left the training hall and headed back to their nest. The scene that greeted them was heart warming. Keith was nuzzling his face against Antok's neck, purring, and Antok was scenting their kit, his tail wrapped around his waist. The rest of the pack joined them, adding their own scents to their kit as well. Keith may not be able to smell it, but the entire base will know that Keith was their kit by scent alone.
Fin