Work Text:
"Grooming"
Keith trudged into headquarters. His mission was an overwhelming success, but he was filthy. He couldn't wait to get a shower and spend the evening in the nest. He would get cuddles from his pack members as they filed into the nest. He especially couldn't wait for cuddles from his mom. Thinking of her made him rub his cheek stripes. They had recently shown up. When he asked Ulaz about their appearance, the doctor had stated since Keith was a hybrid and still a kit, his Galran features would begin to surface, especially now that he had a pack and had begun to give into his kit instincts instead of fighting them.
His hands dropped to his sides when he crossed the threshold of the hangar. His entire pack was there, waiting for him. He grinned, his small fangs gleaming. He enjoyed having them there to greet him after every mission. He was exceedingly grateful that he wasn't injured, even though he knew Ulaz would want to check for himself. He was still grinning when he came close enough for Regris to pull his brother close. "Welcome back, Keith."
"Thanks, Regris. I need to clean up before anything else."
"Of course, kit," Thace replied, grabbing ahold of Keith's wrist and gently pulling him in the direction of the nest with their entire pack following.
Keith was confused. He knew where the shower was, so why was Thace leading him? His confusion was doubled when Thace gave him a very light push into the nest. He needed a shower before cuddles could happen. He opened his mouth to protest when he felt a tongue run across his cheek. He gasped before a purr escaped him. "What's going on?"
The tongue ran across his cheek again, drawing out another purr. Ulaz answered, "You need cleaned up, so we are going to help. Thace has started with your cheek."
"I meant...taking a...shower," Keith said between bouts of loud purring. He almost couldn't continue talking.
Krolia nuzzled his other cheek. "It's okay, kit. There's no need to talk. Let us clean you."
Keith gave into the need to purr constantly as his pack groomed him. He received brief nuzzles before another pack member joined in. He knew that Thace loved to groom his hair but hadn't thought that it was a method of cleaning. His suit was taken off, allowing his pack access to his shoulders and chest. Keith was a purring mess by the time his pack was done grooming him. His ability to talk took a backseat to his Galran instincts. It had happened before and returned shortly after, so he wasn't worried. Besides, there were other ways of communication that didn't require words.
Keith moved his head to locate his brother. He wanted to cuddle him while his mom held him. Krolia was already holding her son, but Regris wasn't in front of him. Keith whined and pawed at Regris who was on the other side of his mom. Krolia noticed what her son wanted, tightened her hold on him, and rolled over so Keith was between her and Regris. Keith nuzzled Regris and resumed purring. Regris wrapped his tail around one of Keith's legs and returned the nuzzles, licking his cheek stripes. Krolia buried her face in her son's hair, nuzzling his head. All around her she could feel the rest of the pack moving to surround Keith. Thace was seated at Keith's head again and continued to groom his hair. Antok slid in behind Regris, his tail wrapping around Keith's waist. Ulaz sat down beside Thace, running his claws through the longer strands of Keith's hair. Kolivan laid down behind Krolia and laid a clawed hand on Keith's shoulder. Keith purred even louder at all the affection.
Fin