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"Found Family"
Keith was reclined in a nest, and he didn't exactly know how he got there. One dobosh he was climbing out of the pod and the next, he was thrown over the shoulder of his partner, who was named Chessir, and was being carried to the med bay. He sighed as he resigned himself to being carried. The other Blade chuckled. "I know you were going to avoid the med bay. However, Ulaz made me promise that I would make sure you stopped by. It is mandatory for every Blade to get checked over after a mission."
"I know that. I just...haven't had the best track record with doctors. They always want to stick me and ask me uncomfortable questions."
"It is unfortunate to hear that. However, Ulaz is the best medic we could have. He will only ask the necessary information. I doubt you will have to have any blood drawn. I mean, you are allowed on missions. That means your file is complete. So, this is just to make sure you are uninjured."
"If you're not sure I'm hurt, then why are you carrying me like this or rather why are you carrying me at all?"
"My apologies. Your size reminds me of a kit, but I know you aren't one." Chessir set Keith down but kept a clawed hand on his shoulder as if to make sure he didn't run off. "A kit wouldn't have been allowed to take the trials."
"What's a kit?"
"A kit is the term for a Galran child. What do they call them where you're from?"
"On Earth, we call them either child or kid usually. There are a few other things, but they're just little nicknames, and they usually stop when the kid is grown up."
"And what age is that?"
"Eighteen."
"Eighteen what?"
"Eighteen deca-phoebes."
"Eighteen deca-phoebes?! That's still a very young kit!"
"It is? When are Galra not considered kits anymore?"
"Around 200 deca-phoebes."
"Two hundred?! How long do you guys live?"
"A normal life span is 700 deca-phoebes."
"..."
Chessir was unnerved by Keith's silence. "What is the matter?"
"I...just didn't know how long you guys lived." Keith wasn't exactly lying. He was surprised by the average Galra's life span, but also that he realized that the Blades would consider him a kit due to his age. Keith didn't want to panic, but he couldn't see any way to get out of that conversation...unless Ulaz got his file from the castle ship and just didn't look at it. However, that didn't seem likely.
Keith didn't get anymore time to think of a way to get out of the questioning as Chessir guided him into the med bay and over to an unoccupied examination table. Ulaz came over and checked over both Blades, pleased to find no injuries. "Now, Keith. Your medical file is incomplete. I will need to ask you some questions."
Keith tried not to shrink into himself. He attempted to not show his nervousness. "Okay."
"First, full name."
"Keith Akira Kogane."
"Name day."
"What is name day?"
"It's when your parents give you your name."
"Oh. Humans call it birthday. Mine is October 23rd."
"What are these unusual measurements?"
"Oh. October is the 10th month...phoebe of the...deca-phoebe. 23 refers to which quintant of the phoebe it is."
"I will have to do a calculation for that later. For now, we move on. Age?"
Keith flinched. This was the question he was dreading. "Um, do I have to answer that?"
Ulaz paused for a moment. "Why wouldn't you want to answer?"
"Because I am an adult on Earth."
Chessir, who had remained after getting checked over by Ulaz, caught what Keith was not saying but wanted clarification. "Keith, please tell us your age."
"I...am..." Keith whimpered the next word. "Eighteen."
The sensitive ears of the two nearest Blades caught the number. Ulaz paled slightly. "Eighteen as in eighteen deca-phoebes?"
"Yeah." Keith couldn't stop from curling into himself slightly.
Chessir was shocked. The Blade he had been partnered up with was a very young kit, a very young kit who was distressed and alone. He immediately came closer to the kit and stroked his hair.
Seeing as the kit was being comforted, Ulaz messaged the other three members of his pack to come to the med bay, marking it urgent. It didn't take long for Kolivan, Antok, and Thace to arrive. Ulaz quickly filled them in on what he found out, stressing the fact that Keith was a very young kit.
Kolivan's face fell when he realized that he sent a kit through the trials. It was almost unbelievable. Antok was having a similar experience as he had tripped and body slammed the kit when they had first met. Physical assaulting a kit was an unforgivable offense.
Thace hadn't had any real interaction with Keith apart from when they dealt a blow to central command. He looked over at the kit, who was sleeping against Chessir. He walked over to the kit and asked, "May I have the kit? I want to take him to our nest."
Chessir reluctantly released his hold on the kit. "Would I be able to spend more time with him?"
"Of course. We are merely going to offer the kit the chance to join our pack."
Chessir nodded and watched as Thace carried the kit over to their leaders. They briefly conversed before leaving the med bay. The four highest ranked Blades entered their nest room and laid the kit in their nest. They figured that having all four of them crowding him might overwhelm the kit, so Thace stayed close, while the other three settled across the nest. All they had to do was wait for the kit to wake up.
It was another varga before the kit woke up. He shifted his position to a reclining one and looked around, clearly confused. Thace rumbled to him, drawing his attention. "What do you remember, kit?"
Keith blushed at the term. "Ulaz just found out that I am a...kit, but I don't remember coming here."
"You fell asleep in the med bay." Seeing Keith's expression slowly morphing into one of shame, Thace continued, "And that's all right. Kits need more sleep, among other things; things you need to reach your full potential."
"Like what?"
"Sleep as I mentioned, but also more food, chances to play and relax, and most importantly, pack time and affection."
"What is a pack?"
"They are basically family units."
"Oh. I don't have a family."
"Come again, kit? I don't think I heard you correctly," Ulaz spoke up.
"My mother left me when I was a baby, and my father died a few m-phoebes after I turned seven."
"Who raised you then?" Kolivan asked gently, fearing the answer but hoping he was wrong.
"I was in a group home for most of my time, but there were other families that tried to raise me, but they ultimately returned me after a few phoebes."
Antok whined at that statement. Keith lifted his head at the strange noise and cocked his head, a questioning noise leaving him unconsciously. He flinched as he heard the noise. It was one of those weird noises he made when he was younger and almost guaranteed a hit of some sort; it all depended where he was when he made the noise.
Thace petted Keith's hair in an attempt to soothe him, which it did somewhat. "It's all right, kit. Antok was distressed hearing about your upbringing as were the rest of us, and that noise you made is perfectly normal. There is a whole range of noises that Galra make that pre-dates our spoken language. You will never be punished for making those sounds."
"Except for hissing. There should not be any situation you find yourself in that warrant you hissing," Kolivan corrected.
"You guys can hiss?" Keith chuckled weakly. "Lance was right. Galra are like giant, purple space cats."
"I don't know what cats are, but we will take your word on the matter. However, we would you to join our pack," Ulaz responded.
"But I'm not related to any of you."
"Family doesn't have to be related by blood. A found family has as strong a bond as those who are related," Antok mentioned.
Keith shyly met the eyes of the four Blades, one at a time, ending with Thace, who was still sitting next to him. "I would like that very much."
Fin