Keith

After getting caught up, everyone agreed on going out to eat at Hindoe, Lance's favorite restaurant, because of the ridiculous amount of leftovers you get. Of course we scanned the food for Nova and I first and thankfully everything was a greenlight. Upon his family's request Lance retold nonstop tales of our adventures. Despite having heard and been through all the stories myself I didn't mind listening to Lance babble on. When he told stories his face would light up and his hands were in constant motion, well at least the one he wasn't holding Nova with was. Point being he was extremely cute when he told stories.

Overall I was impressed by the chief's skill, it was almost on par with Hunk. Because of this, I wasn't surprised when Lance mentioned that Hunk used to work here. Little Nova was intrigued with the fire on the stove the same way she is with my own fire when I do tricks for her. The whole meal she happily ate and dropped food all over Lance's lap. It was hilarious to see everyone freak out over Lance and I giving her huge chunks of meat. Lance says for a human baby it would totally be too big, but Galra were born with sharp teeth that could easily cut anything that dared enter their jaws. Honestly it was a blessing and curse. She had a less likely chance of choking on anything but she could bite through my finger if she got a hold of it.

As soon as we got home Lance and Nova were off to the bath to wash off all the food that didn't make it in Nova's mouth, which was most of it. She hasn't learned to take her time with food yet. Instead shoves as much as she can in her mouth resulting in it falling out before she can properly chew it.

While they did that, I decided to take a breather from all the people in the house and stepped out onto the back porch, making quick work of pulling myself up to the roof and turning off the disguise. The night air was refreshing against my fur and it was super nice to finally be able to stretch out my tail after having it wrapped around my waist all day. Red jumped up after me, snuggling up to my side. It didn't take long for one of the McClains to join me. If my nose was right it was Lance's oldest brother, Luis.

He didn't seem to notice me so I did the courteous thing and called out "I'm up here." Of course he jumped, twirling around to face me like I would pounce on him any moment. I rolled my eyes, "Relax, I won't eat you."

He forcefully tried to relax but it wasn't very convincing. "Why are you up there?"

I shrugged, "I like high places."

"Oh."

"Are you here to give me the big brother talk? Lance said at least two of you would."

"Um, I don't really think I could live up to the promise that comes with that talk. You're a highly skilled warrior and I'm a lawyer." He admitted.

I nodded in understanding, even if I didn't know exactly what a lawyer did or was, I assumed it had nothing to do with fighting. "I see, so why did you come out? Did you not know I was here?"

"Truthfully, no. I didn't know you were out here. I was just looking for some place to wrap my head around the day's events. It's been a hectic day." He said staring at my tail.

I bite my lip. "Would you be more comfortable if I put my disguise on?"

He looked shocked, "No, no it's okay. You don't have to. I mean, I have to get used to it sometime, right?"

"It would make things easier."

He laughed, finally seeming to relax, "I actually wanted to thank you for looking out for my little brother. From the stories he's told the whole team would be lost without you."

"He always sells himself short in his stories. Really, it's me who would have been lost without him." I admitted. "Lance showed me that there was so much more to life than the war."

"So he makes sure you don't work all the time and you make sure he doesn't goof around all the time." He laughed.

"Lance knows when to get serious. He tells jokes and appears nonchalant to calm everyone down." I smile at the thought of my mate's bravery. "He puts on a brave face for the sake of others. He's one of the bravest people I know."

"Really? Lance? He used to scream at spiders."

I frowned, "What's a spider?"

"No wonder Lance love's space." He mumbled before explaining, "A spider is like a bug with eight legs. They make webs that flies and small bugs get stuck in then they drink their blood. Some are poisonous but most aren't."

"So Lance is afraid of small creatures that suck blood and could be poisonous? Seems reasonable to me."

"It's not. Spider's can't hurt humans."

"But you said they were poisonous and suck blood."

"Yeah, but not human's blood. At least none around here. Plus it's rare to come across a poisonous spider and even then they tend to run away from us."

"But it is possible to come across one. Krolivan says it is always best to be cautious." I replied.

Luis rolled his eyes, "Even when you do come across a poisonous one they're easy to kill. They're nothing to be scared of."

I had trouble coming up with another defense against that.

"Doesn't seem so brave anymore, huh?"

This made me laugh. "You take on my pack and we'll see who's brave."

"What, like your six pack?"

This made me laugh, "No, that's what Galra call their families. My pack is full of highly trained soldiers. Lance said he thought he was going to die when he asked them if we could get married."

Luis whisled, "I got to hand it to him, he's got some guts when he needs them, but as long as he's scared of spiders he's a scaredy cat to me." I rolled my eyes, knowing I had gotten my point across even if he didn't want to admit it. After a round of comfortable silence Luis admitted, "You're alright, Keith. I wasn't sure about you at first, but now I'm certain. You two are good for each other."

This made me blush. "Um, thank you?"

He smiled before heading in, "Night, Keith." He then stuck his head out again saying "Hurt my my brother and I'll attempt to hurt you." Before running away inside, leaving me to laugh at his antics. Yep, definitely Lance's brother.

After a little more quiet time I walked up to the bedroom to find Lance laying down with Nova. Poor Nova looked exhausted but she was still fighting sleep. Everytime her eyes would close she'd let out a whine before they'd pop back wide open. She never went to sleep until both Lance and I were in bed with her. It was a natural Galra instinct that has been slowly fading over the decaphebes of war and lost, but was still present in the young.

Lance had once inquired if I had the same problem. If that was the reason why I trained hard all day was so that when I went to bed I'd be so exhausted I'd fall right to sleep. Of course with his beautiful eyes I couldn't lie to him. I told him the sad truth that I did miss sleeping with my pack and did have trouble sleeping, but I'd be fine. Adult Galra wouldn't die without the warmth and safety that group sleeping provides, like the young. We were just not as comfortable or as well rested as usual. Lance never let me sleep alone after that night. I smiled at the thought. I'd never been so happy that someone didn't listen to me because, even if I'd never admit it, sleeping with Lance did help me sleep. He's always been so thoughtful and protective.

"Okay Kit, you can sleep now." I said crawling into bed and kissing her forehead. "Goodnight."

She yawned, then murmured some gibberish that we assumed meant goodnight.

"Goodnight sweetheart." Lance replied. "Now go to sleep. We have a big day tomorrow." Almost as if on command her little eyes fell shut.

Lance chuckled, "Couldn't sleep without mom."

I smirked, "Maybe so, but she'd be worse if you were the one gone. Everyone knows she's a daddy's girl."

"I'm sorry babe, I'm irresistible. I can't help it. It's a curse really."

I soft punched his shoulder, "Shut up" before scooching in closer, sandwiching Nova between us. My cute baby nuzzled my chest to receive a nice smothering squeeze. God I would kill and die for this child.

"So what do you think of my family?" Lance asked.

"They seem like a good pack. I like them."

Lance smiled. "I'm glad… They really took the news better than I thought."

"How did you expect them to take it?"

"Well, I thought they'd freak out a little more at the fact that you're an alien. When I was little none of them were on my side when I claimed that aliens were real."

I shrugged, "Maybe they were just too shocked to see you. Maybe they haven't fully processed everything yet? Or they think this is a dream and tomorrow they will freak out?"

"Maybe...I also was pretty sure Mama was going to be really mad that we had Nova before we were married. She always made such a big deal out of it when I was a kid."

"I can understand that. You said marriage is like bonding? I'm sure she just wanted to make sure you had a kid with someone you'd stay with and that would stay with you. I bet she can tell that we're made for each other. That I'd never leave you."

"That makes sense." He paused for a moment. "I'd never leave you either, Baby."

"You better not." I smirked, and whispered in his ear. "Cause if you ever tried I'd hunt you down and then I'd have to punish you."

Lance visibility shivered. "Dios, Keith that's either really sexy or really concerning."

I shrugged, "Galra mate for life, I told you this."

He leaned over and kissed my forehead. "Don't worry, Babe. I couldn't dream of leaving the two most important people in my life." His thumb rubbed my cheek causing me to purr. "I love you so much, Keith. I don't know what I would do without you."

"I love you too, Lance. More than words can say." I replied. We layed for a moment soaking in each other's company and love. Our little family was safe and relaxed.

"I had a talk with Luis outside." I said.

Lance sat up on his elbow. "Really? What did you guys talk about?"

I shrugged. "I think he tried to give me the brother talk you were telling me about." Lance laughed quietly so he wouldn't wake Nova. "Yeah, and we talked about you being scared of spiders?"

Lance frowned adorably. "Spiders are scary creepy crawlies, Keith!"

It was my turn to laugh. "Luis said they were nearly harmless and easy to kill."

"That doesn't change the fact that they are creepy and scary!"

I stared at him in amusement and he gazed back with a cute frown. I bit my lip before admitting. "I could tell I freaked him out a little without the disguise but he was real polite about it."

Lance brushed his thumb over my cheek again, gazing at me like I was something to be treasured. "That's good. I told you they wouldn't mind. It just takes some time to get used to seeing an alien."

I shrugged. "I don't mind. It's kinda nice not getting hateful stares for once."

Lance frowned and pulled me in for a kiss. "I've missed seeing your cute ears and beautiful skin. And of course your super handy dandy tail. You should never feel bad for the way you look. You're beautiful, Keith." He then gave me a deep kiss.

Once the kiss broke I frowned, "You're still the only one who thinks that. Everyone else sees me as a monster."

"That's not because of anything you did. They're just being racist. Or in my family's case, have never seen a Galra before."

"I know but I still can't help but wish I was human instead, sometimes."

"Look here, Babe." He said sternly. "I wouldn't have you any other way. I miss my purple Keithy cat when he's not around or not looking like himself."

His words, like always, seemed to put a safety blanket around me, melting away all my doubts and worries. Over the years many have insulted and attempted to attack me and every single time Lance stood up for me everytime. With Lance nearby I knew no one would dare harm me. I was safe and loved here in our makeshift nest. Content to rest by his side I hummed, "Yeah?"

"Of course, the ears are cute, Babe… and your tail is sexy."

"Really? You think so?" I asked, flicking his tail over to Lance's hip and dragging it down his thigh, causing him to moan.

"So very much. I never want to see you covering them up unless you absolutely have to."

I bit my lip. "You're sure your family won't be freaked?"

Lance pulled me even closer "They'll get used to it."

"I don't-"

"Aggghhhh!" Nova babbled, interrupting me. Lance and I shared a look before laughing.

I leaned in and kissed her on the head. "Okay, baby we'll be quiet and let you sleep."

"We will?" Lance inquired jokingly.

Nova's reply was to smack her hand over his mouth. Of course we laughed again at our daughters antics before settling in to sleep.