Work Text:
"Swear Words"
Keith had been reluctant to spend time with other members of the Blade who weren't members of his pack, but he had found a group of younger Blades that he liked to spend time with. They weren't kits as he was the only kit at headquarters, but they were younger adults. He had, at first, remained quiet and read in their presence. Later on, when he found himself training with one of them in the training hall, her presence was quite pleasant. The next time he showed up nearby, the Blade called to him and invited him to sit. It was then that he learned their names.
Tamit, Vulrn, Morill, and Khaas were pleased to spend time with the kit. They did not have any ulterior motives, but they noticed that he didn't know many Galran words but was interested in learning them. All four Blades had a bad habit of swearing as most younger adult Galra did, but Tamit, the Blade Keith had trained with, was the worst of the bunch. Since they learned that Keith was interested in learning Galran, they figured they would teach him their favorite words.
Keith was lounging in the room he met up with the younger adults, relaxed and softly purring as he was reviewing events from the Paladins. The three males and one female were happy that the kit was there and purring. "Hey, kit."
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"Hey, kit."
Keith looked up and smiled at the four furry Blades. The short, lavender colored furred Tamit sat down next to Keith on his right and briefly glanced down at the data pad in his hands. "What have you got there?"
"Oh, it's an update from the Paladins." Keth looked up at the three still standing males. "Have a seat, guys."
The lilac colored Morill sat on Keith's left with the mauve colored Vulrn, and the orchid colored Khaas sat in front of Keith, who purred a bit louder in response.
"So, kit, we know you're interested in learning Galran, so we thought we'd teach you some."
Keith's eyes lit up. "Really? That'd be great!"
"So, let's see if you can pronounce these, but we'll take it one word at a time." At Keith's nod of understanding, Tamit continued, "Batoaltisjuc."
"Ba...to..." A confused look crossed Keith's face, prompting Tamit to repeat the word.
"Batoaltisjuc."
"Batoal..."
"Batoaltisjuc."
"Batoaltisjuc." When he got the word right, he trilled in triumph.
"Good job, kit."
A growl from the doorway drew their attention. The five occupants of the room looked at who was standing in the doorway.
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"Batoaltisjuc."
Thace sighed. He disliked hearing the newer recruits swearing, but it wasn't his job to stop them. He was going to keep walking until he heard the word get repeated by the very familiar voice of his kit.
"Batoaltisjuc."
The trill following the word confirmed that it was Keith that had uttered the swear. Thace stepped over to the doorway in time to hear Tamit say, "Good job, kit."
Thace couldn't help but growl at the four younger adults and the fact that his kit was being taught Galran swears. Upon hearing him growling, Tamit, Morill, Vulrn, Khaas, and Keith looked up at him.
Keith smiled. "Thace!"
"Kit, come here."
His smiled faded when he heard the tone one of his fathers used. He looked at his friends but ultimately, came over to Thace's side. "What's wrong?"
"Did they tell you what that word meant?"
Keith shook his head. "No. I figured we'd get there once I properly pronounced it."
Thace sighed. He figured as much. "It is a swear word, kit."
Keith's eyes widened in alarm. He knew his pack wouldn't be happy with him learning a swear word. "I didn't know! Please!"
Thace stroked Keith's hair. "I know, kit. As long as you don't repeat that word, you won't be in any trouble." Thace's lips twitched at Keith's exhale. He lifted his eyes to the four young adults still in the room. "You four, however, are in trouble for teaching him a swear word. I never cared for your foul mouths but couldn't really do anything about it. Now, I can. You four will spend an entire quintant in the training hall with Antok." Thace paused here, letting the four moan and groan. "Or you could just tell Kolivan and Antok that you taught their kit a swear word. Your choice."
The four younger Blades knew they had a higher chance of surviving a full quintant of training than if they admitted their action to the two highest ranking Blades, especially since Kolivan and Antok were very protective of their kit. Khaas was the first to find his voice. "We'll take the training, sir."
"I thought so. Don't let anyone find you teaching Keith anymore swear words or the rest of my pack will find out. Now, get out."
The four Blades slunk into the corridor and then ran in the opposite direction that Thace and Keith would be headed in. Thace had to fight the urge to chuckle and wrapped an arm around Keith's shoulders. He led his kit back to the nest room. He laid down in the nest with Keith against his chest.
"Thace, am I truly not in any trouble?"
"No, kit. Like I said, as long as you don't use that word, you won't be in any trouble." Thace dipped his head down and started grooming Keith's hair.
Silence reigned in the nest for several doboshes until Keith asked a question that Thace had hoped he wouldn't.
"What did that word mean anyway?"
Fin