Day 7 - The Future
The Quantum Abyss gives Krolia a gift.

It had been far too short a time where she had been able to cradle Keith in her arms. Just a tiny, precious pink thing who had every chance for a happy life on Earth.

But only if she left. Only if she led the Galra away from Earth and it's blue lion. Only if she gave them no further reason to look into the planet.

She had held him close, kissed his forehead, left her knife behind for him when he was older. And then she had left everything she loved behind so that she could keep them safe.

Never in her wildest dreams had she ever expected to see her dear son again. And yet there he was, a man grown, 20 years behind him. 20 years without his mother in his life, wondering if she had loved him. Wondering if there had been anyone left out there in the world for him.

But the Quantum Abyss gave them that time back. Keith saw through her eyes and understood, those flashes from their shared past. And she saw the same glimpses of her son and everything he had left behind, a lonely life growing up without a mother or father. One full of hardships, and her heart twisted seeing her child adrift without anyone. The Galra might have a love for battle in their veins, but never would they have let a child be left adrift. If the parents weren't available it was the community who would see that kit thrive. Her eyes darkened with anger the first time she'd seen somebody demand they call him 'mother', only for the next glimpse to be of a moment where he stared up at that same woman, clutching a reddening cheek, eyes angry and defiant.

Krolia's blood boiled, every fierce, protective instinct rising up deadly as any blade. Keith had caught the look in her eye, mouth opening in question. But she had merely shaken her head and set back to her task of building up the fire.

One day she would return to Earth and when she did that woman would discover the fierce retribution of a mother's love.

That list of humans she would love to gut only grew with each new vision. Her anger thrived, and her heart broke a little more each time.

The cave they shared was a poor replacement for the home that should have been theirs back on Earth. But still, Krolia sat there, legs crossed as she sharpened her blade. All her attention was on her son though, her eyes gentle as he cuddled up next to the cosmic wolf who they had somehow adopted out here in the far reaches of the universe. His breathing was slow, the young man resting after a hunting trip upon the whale's back.

Another pulse, a bright flash and the present faded away around her. Krolia let her eyes slip shut, mentally strengthening herself for the next glimpse into a life lost.

A vast desert stretching out in every direction, with the Black Lion perched up on a bluff. The golden rays of the sunset set the desert on fire and there was Keith, alone, sitting upon the lion's head. So many visions found him alone. A heavy scar cut up his cheek, one that did not exist upon his face now and Krolia realized this was her boy's future. He glanced back over his shoulder, a simple, honest smile blossoming on his lips as he leaned back on one hand. And Shiro was there. The same Shiro she had seen in other visions, but this time white-haired and with a new arm of strange design, taking a seat beside him. Between them, hands settled on the surface of Black, their fingers brushed against each other, something tentative and new as they settled in to watch the setting sun.

The vision faded and another pounding flash of light threw her head-first into the next.

Two young men asleep on a couch, a muted screen showcasing a brilliant display of fireworks across from them. Shiro had his arm wrapped around Keith, tugging him close and Keith's head had found its way to Shiro's own shoulder. They slept together, comfortable and safe at each other's side.

Flash.

Keith's grin downright wolfish as he tugged Shiro somewhere out of sight on the corridors of what appeared to be a ship. It was a vessel that Krolia would not recognize for many years. And with Shiro's answering smile, eyes bright, her son's hands finding their way to Shiro's hips as they pressed in close, she was grateful for the next flash that would save her from watching that private scene play out.

Flash.

The vast cosmos spread out in every direction above them as they sat together on a craggy planet. It was a far clearer view of the stars than they'd ever had on Earth. The cosmic wolf was still there, grown so large and resting behind them, the two men settled comfortably back against soft fur. Keith pressed up against Shiro's side as the larger man's human hand pulled the other in close. Keith had his hand raised, pointing upwards towards the starry ocean above. Shiro sat there, enraptured, his eyes only on Keith.

Twin golden bands shone on their fingers, a promise and a vow. Krolia remembered the ring she had found tucked away in a little box back on Earth, hidden at the back of a pantry her love had thought she'd never check.

Krolia opened her eyes to find her son still sleeping there, the wolf small and warm against him. She lifted a hand, wiping the wetness from her cheek, a warmth filling her heart at the simple gift the Quantum Abyss had given her. After all that hardship, all the years of loneliness she would never be able to give him back, she now knew one thing.

He would be happy.

A/N: And that's the entire week! Thank you all for reading and I hope you enjoyed this bit of sheith!