A/N: This update is proudly sponsored by the global quarantine that's currently trapped me at home and stolen my job and education. Thank you everyone who's fav'd and followed in the past months 3

...Your comments give me life.

"With your young coming soon, I thought it would be wise to prepare for their arrival."

"Keith stopped in his tracks and stared in awe at the room where Allura had led them. Shelves of soft blankets and odd looking stuffed animals lined one of the walls. The other half of the room was packed with elegant, stylized furniture. Keith was no expert on babies, but he was pretty sure he spotted a crib and several versions of a baby stroller tucked away in the clutter.

"My father arranged to have infant supplies stored on the Castle for those who were with young since young werent' always... expected. He ensured that the Castle had ample toys and necessities for those who were in need, particularly the poor or destitute we encountered on our journeys."

Keith was vaguely aware of what Allura was implying, but the idea was still too mind-boggling for him. Was Allura actually offering something nice to him? Why was she trying to be nice? Keith hated the hot slivers of suspicion niggling at his chest. He should feel ashamed for the level of distrust that lingered in his spirit!

"Keith, I realize that I've been quite wretched to you on many occasions." Her face softened. "I'd like... to start over if you're willing. I want to assist you in any way I can. Please... allow me?"

Keith stared hard at Allura's painfully earnest features and felt his paranoia go up in smoke like fat on the fire. Allura could be harsh and cold with her words and spirit when she felt the situation called for it, but she wasn't a liar.

"I-I... um, thanks?" he stammered. Keith cringed at his astounding level of awkwardness. Why was it so difficult to talk? It was just words!

"Was there anything in particular you wanted for your young?" Swaddlings? Oomphas?

Keith blinked at the alien terms. He knew very little about babies, but he was pretty sure the items she offered weren't actual earth options. Then again, his kits weren't exactly earth babies.

"Um... I don't." His voice trailed off helpless. "I-I don't know how to take care of kits so I don't know what I need," he finally admitted. His eyes were rooted to the floor in shame, unable to meet the look of pitying scorn Allura was no doubt wearing. His gaze jerked up at her light, harmless laughter. She was smiling, but the quirk of her lips wasn't cruel.

"I know very little about the care of young as well. Altean or otherwise. I was not even courting, let alone considering young of my own."

Her face became wistful and twisted with subtle hints of pain.

Keith scuffed his foot against the floor awkwardly and waited for her to continue.

"Perhaps, we can find someone who does know about Galra kits? One of the Blades or Ulaz," she suggested.

Keith scuffed his foot again. Stalling.

He couldn't decide if he really felt better or not.

No, matter," Allura rushed on reassuringly. "For now, we can just look. If anything appeals to you let me know so we can move it to your room for later so you can decide.

The pair began sorting through the cluttered room in companionable silence as they examined the endless supplies.

Keith's attention was lost in a set of white ornate drawers that contained a shocking number of tiny outfits and blankets. Were kits really going to be this small? He held up what looked like a tiny footy sleeper, eyes wide. His kits would be this tiny?!

"That's precious!" Allura cooed from across the room. Keith blushed and quickly stuffed the tiny article of clothing back in the drawer.

"Your little ones will be so tiny and charming. Once we find out their genders, we can plan all their clothing. Maybe some matching?"

Keith cleared his throat and fumbled for an appropriate answer. Ulaz's announcement several days ago was still fresh in his mind. He eyed Allura subtly and debated spilling the news. He opened his mouth and promptly closed it again. No, this could be his secret for just a while longer. He felt like a miser hoarding gold, but he couldn't help himself. His secret was too precious for him to divulge easily.

Allura pawed through the drawers eagerly, laying out sleepers and outfits in an array of lighter pinks and purples with several blues and green thrown into the mix. She added several neutral yellow and tan choices for good measure.

"Look through these if you'd like. They look about the right size. Newborns will be small. We'll have to use the clothing replicator at some point when they outgrow everything."

Keith nodded and began absently folding the clothes as he watched Allura begin searching the shelves. She hunted high and low for several dobashes before settling on a stack of fuzzy blankets. She stacked them next to the growing pile of clothes and went back for an armful of stuffed animals. "Oomphas," she explained with a grin. Every young one must have at least one!"

Keith felt himself begin to grin at the craziness of it all. How quickly and drastically his world was changing. Spinning drunkenly on its axis at an incalculable speed. What was he doing searching for baby things?

"Keith, come look at the bassinets. Which do you like? We can move them to your room."

Keith stared at the rounded cradles dubiously. The idea of stuffing his kits in a bed all alone felt indescribably wrong to him. It would feel too much like abandoning them. No, he wanted to know that they'd always be with him-never farther than an arm's reach

"Um, I dunno ... let me think about it," he stalled.

Allura nodded and moved on to the next baby item. Keith took a final, disgusted look at the bassinets and mentally scratched them off the list. No, his kits would never be stuffed away from him! They were staying in his nest.

"What's this?" he asked several minutes later. Allura frowned quizzically at the odd cloth-like apparatus lying folded on the shelf Keith pointed to. Keith picked it up and began examining it for clues. It seemed more like a scarf-a very strange, oddly-cut scarf.

"I've never seen an Altean use something like this," she admitted after a long examination.

"It's not Altean. It's Galran," a voice suddenly chirped. They turned to find Elli standing in the doorway, Lance at their side. Keith took one look at his friend and didn't bother to stifle his loud laughter. Lance's hair had been transformed into painstaking, impossibly-small corn-rows. Elli was grinning proudly, their arm looped around Lance like a child clutching a doll.

The boy seemed to be trying his best to appear cool and nonchalant, but the tips of his ears were too pink to ignore He patted his hair self-consciously and cleared his throat with a dismissive huff.

"So Keith's going baby-shopping, huh? Did you pick up your diapers yet? God knows how many you're gonna need with three little munchkins."

Keith winced. Oh, yeah... diapers.

"Ah! I think I see some,"Lance announced, pointing to a shelf stacked neatly with white cloth bundles.

" They might be too large. Perhaps the replicator can fabricate a smaller size," Allura mused. She held up the tiny white cloth and eyed it pensively.

"Did you try it on yet?" Elli asked.

"Keith realized he was still holding the strange scarf. The small Blade took the article from him and began carefully wrapping it about his torso in snug, complicated loops. "Your kits rests inside so they're snug against your chest. They can stay with you even when you're on the move. It's best for nursing-easier on your arms and back", Elli assured Keith with a sagely nod.

Keith felt all the blood drain from his face.

"Umm...Nursing? Galra breastfeed. Okay, that's... expected I suppose." Lance was fumbling, eyes wide. He managed to meet Keith's eyes exactly once before quickly jerking them away. Keith didn't blame him. What was he supposed to say when he found out his male, half-alien friend was going to start squirting milk? Keith hadn't even anticipated the possibility of how he'd feed his young. He'd be definitely having words with Ulaz later about this. Very, very private words behind closed doors!

Elli gravitated toward the shelf of stuffed animals. They scooped up a few more and added them to the pile Allura had created.

"Wait! you didn't pick out a rocking chair yet?"

Lance was scooting a large rocker over toward Keith. "How else are you supposed to get them to "sleep?"

Keith smirked and rolled his eyes.

"Hey, I used to babysit... I babysat a lot! Trust me, you do not want to go toe to toe with a crying baby without a good rocking chair!" Lance flopped down on the chair and began rocking contentedly.

"When will their Name Day be?" Elli pressed, their eyes dancing with eagerness.

"Name day?" Keith asked. Elli's face fell slightly at the question. Keith cringed at his pathetic show of ignorance. Who knew how many important Galra traditions he was breaking. Evil warlord aside, the Galran empire was fiercely loyal and traditional in family matters and tradition. No doubt, he had a boat-load of parenting traditions to learn.

No better time than the present.

"Can you explain," he pressed.

"Name Day is a special ceremony to honor the newborn kits. They receive their names and their guardians."

"Guardians? You mean like god-parents?" Lance asked.

Elli cocked their head quizically in confusion. "Not gods... guardians. They are the next to care for the kits should something happen to their dame or sire. The kits also receive special gifts to show their uniqueness such as future traits you wish them to acquire. Bravery, tenderness, art and beauty."

"What about gender reveal parties? Do Galra do the whole pink cake-blue cake thing?" Lance asked. "He was sitting nonchalantly in the rocker, a stuffed oompha sitting proudly on his lap as he fiddled with its floppy ear.

"Gender reveal?" Elli's confusion had grown.

"Lance, full-blooded Galra are hermaphrodites," Allura reminded him. "Gender is not so distinct or celebrated in Galra culture."

Lance frowned contemplatively at the notion and Keith felt his chest tighten. He already felt like a freak. Would his kits be like him? An odd assortment of body parts and features that never let them fit in anywhere?

No, he chose. His kits would have everything he didn't. He'd see to it with every power he possessed.

"We celebrate presentations," Elli continued contemplatively, as if unsure how much Lance actually understood. "That's not until much later though. Kits don't present as alpha or omega until they're nearing maturity."

"I'm having both," Keith heard himself blurt.

"Three sets of questioning eyes turned and stared hard at Keith. He gave a nervous smile and rubbed at his neck awkwardly.
"I-I'm having two girls and a boy. "Ulaz and Matt took pictures... they said they saw them."

There was a stunned silence.

"Well, there goes the baby reveal," Lance finally muttered with a playful grin. "Congrats, baby mama. You get the best of both worlds." A large grin broke out across his face. "You know what, screw it. I'm getting Hunk to bake a pink and blue cake. Guess what we're having after dinner tonight?"

Keith smirked and stole the oopmha from Lance's lap. The idea of surprising the others with pink and blue cake felt undeniable good. It was so small, yet so huge at the same time. Surprises were so very rarely good in his world. He wasn't about to waste this one.

"Matt eyed his teammate intently and shifted restlessly Black's backseat. The Lion's interior was black and grim save for the gentle glow of the HUD and instrument board. Shiro was utterly silent as he piloted. The absent tapping of his metal prosthetic fingers against Black's controls was practically deafening in the silence. Matt cocked his head knowingly at the subtle tell. To anyone else it was just an idle, pointless quirk. To Matt, however, it screamed volumes.

Matt swallowed hard. Shiro was never nervous-at least he was never vocal about it."Matt could count back only three specific times when he ever remembered Shiro's calm, cool, and collected facade cracking.

They were dark days Matt never wished to revisit even if time travel ever became an official thing. Besides, he'd already settled on visiting Da Vinci, Archimedes, and Einstein (in that order). Yes, he had a time travel bucket list. He was that cool.

Shiro's First Time Cracking: The furious, panicked rant Shiro had indulged in when he'd first found out back at the Garrison just how abused and neglected Keith actually had been-social services and foster care be screwed. (Not that he'd ever let Keith see how horrified he'd been at the realization).

"Second Time: The week before the Kerberos Mission when Shiro's fearless hero mask had finally shattered at the sheer enormity of their responsibility. (Matt had kept his promise to this day and no one knew-or ever would know-the depths of fear and comfort they'd shared back in their tiny Garrison dorm room that night)

"Third Time: Shiro waking up post-vivisection at Matt's side and trying to breath through the nauseating panic and haunting memories of the violating hands that had pawed through his body while he lay awake and helpless.

Matt's teeth gritted together and willed the ugly memories away. He couldn't look back any closer at them. Not when Shiro needed his full and undivided attention. Yes, Shiro was nervous, but he wasn't cracking. That's what mattered and Matt had every confidence in him.

"Shiro, Black's scanners are picking up radioactive markers. We're getting closer to the source of the radiation."

"Is there any way you can tell if it's the core yet?"

"Nope, but I'm not sure what else it could be at this point. We're definitely on the right track. Whatever it is, we're getting close."

"Give me a shout if your readings change."

The pair went back to the silent vigils as Black dove deeper into the inky void. Shiro slowed Black as the tunnel up ahead narrowed sharply. It began to slope steeply downward and wind deeper into the maze of caverns.

Matt gulped as he stared into the on-coming abyss. He wasn't claustrophobic. At least, he hadn't been earlier. That previous little factoid was currently up for strong debate. He'd never been this deep underground before. They were currently thousands of feet deep in the planet now. Why shouldn't he be claustrophobic?

No, don't thing about how deep you are, Matt ordered himself. A narrow, pitch-black cave. A cave with God knows how many savage, unclassified creatures.

"You good Matt?"

Shiro was on to him!

"Yeah, I'm good. So... how deep are we again?"size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont', '

There was a gruff, understanding chuckle from the pilot seat.

"I'll be glad to get out of this hell-hole, too" Shiro admitted.

"Language," Matt muttered lightly with a snicker. "No wonder Pidge has been picking up some interesting phrases. Mom would be horrified."

"For the record, I'm pretty sure she taught herself."

"Is she the one who started the swear jar I saw in the kitchen?"

"No, that was Hunk. He uses the extra GAC's to buy spices and ingredients for recipes whenever we stop for supplies. Allura and Coran don't see the need to spend extra on food supplies since we have the food replicator.

Matt's chuckles grew louder. He'd been wondering how Hunk was managing so much supplies for his intricate culinary creations.

"His swear jar's pretty profitable I imagine then? It was pretty full last time I checked."

Shiro actually turned in his seat to give him a smirk and a tell-tale eyebrow arch. "Everything I don't say during the day, I pay-up at night when everyone's in bed."

Matt's mouth opened for another snide remark, but the words lodged abruptly in his throat. His hand shot up, pointing desperately at the Lion's HUD

Shiro turned back and instinctively yanked the Lion away from the leering gold eye that blinked back. The inertia drove Matt out of his seat as Black banked sharply to the left and raced upward along the cave wall. There was a sudden, jarring crash as something collided violently with their right side. Matt's hands slapped over his ears at the enraged roar that pierced his eardrums. /span/span/p

"Shiro! It's mad!"

"No joke!" Shiro gripped Black's controls and eased them as close to the cave walls as he dared. He turned Black around for a better view of their assailant. The glowing eye stared back at them, disappearing altogether in what could only be a long, languid blink.

"See anything like this before?" "See what? It's just an eye!" Matt shouted. He was crammed up against Shiro's side, staring hard at the screens. "It... it appears to be organic."

"Is there a chance it's non-hostile? We might have just scared it."

"We practically crashed into it!" Matt reminded them.

Shiro's suggestion went up in smoke as a large dark shadow swooped upward.

"Shiro!"

The shadow burst into light, millions of glowing suckers winking into view as the tentacle swiped at the lion.

Shiro rammed Black's controls forward and dove hard before swooping around in a desperate retreat.

Matt winced and held his ears at the shrieking wail that followed them. Through the deafening ringing in his ears, he suddenly realized how loudly his sensors were screaming at him. He dove for the control panels in Black's side and eyed the readings frantically.

"Hey, Shiro?"

"Busy, Matt."

"I found the source of the radioactivity."

"Wait?! What?"

"Godzilla or whatever the fudge is chasing us! My sensors are lighting up like Vegas."

"You're saying our sensors were after this thing all along?"

"Looks like."

Shiro heaved an angry grunt and jerked Black's controls tighter. Matt didn't blame him for being angry. They'd been fed a lie about the missing core. Wild goose chases were a whole lot less fun with an angry radioactive monster chasing you.

Shiro gave a sudden yelp and jerked sharply in the pilot seat. One hand shot up to cradle his head.

"What's wrong, Shiro? Talk to me!"

"Black... she's 's like she's in pain.

Shiro's explanation died on his lips as a violent booming blast filled their HUD and Instrument panels flickered slightly before they went completely black. Their lion seemed to hang motionless for a split second before the gut-twisting sensation of free-falling took over.

Matt heard himself scream as they were swallowed by the inky abyss around them.

Keith dumped the massive pile of tiny clothes and blankets on his bed and stood back with secret pride at the sight. Their raid on the Castle's infant supply room was a rousing success according to Allura. Even Elli seemed grudgingly satisfied with the results, although they weren't shy about expressing their displeasure over the lack of Galran representation in the kit supplies. However, with the exception of the cursed bassinets which he'd stubbornly left behind, Keith honestly didn't mind the soft pastels and stylized embellishments. His kits would have what they wouldn't have to do without or subsist with sub-par left-overs. That's what mattered.

"Delivery!" Lance crowed. Keith watched him heave the white, ornate rocking chair through the doorway. Lance pushed it up against the far wall and promptly plopped down, resting his head back in the cradle of his crossed arms.

"This is a sweet chair! I'm actually a little jealous."

Allura entered the room next. The delicate mobile that had caught Keith's interest was resting carefully on the stack of fuzzy blue blankets in her arms. "Where would you like these, Keith?"

He nodded toward his bed and watched Allura gently deposit the items as if they were the most precious object in space.

"If you'd like we can hang this today," she offered, gesturing toward the delicate mobile.

Keith nodded absently. He was carefully examining it, double-checking it had arrived fully intact. He didn't recognize the metal; it looked like a cross between silver, platinum, and bronze. The strings of multi-sized beads dangling between the crescents resembled intricate strands of pearls and crystals. To be honest, the mobile looked more like a priceless museum artifact, not a baby decoration. Keith felt himself blush at just how attached he felt over the useless bobble. There was no practical application for it. Still, the moment Allura and Elli saw him looking at it, they'd both instantly insisted that they add it to Keith's "Kit Stash" as Lance had taken to calling it.

"Where would you like it hung?"

"Um... above my nest I guess," Keith fumbled. Allura nodded and promptly grew several feet until she could reach the celing. Keith blinked back at her. He'd never get used to her shape-shifting. Allura smiled at his surprise and walked over to his nest with the mobile. Several minutes later, it was circling in a slow, glittering arch. Keith could hardly take his eyes off it.

Ellie crashed through the doorway, arms bulging with stuffed oomphas. They heaved a wild gasp and dumped the whole mess on Keith's vacant bed.

"Sorry... too many," they gasped.

Keith looked on with amusement. He never used his bed anymore since Ulaz had made him the nest. Since then, his empty bed was little more than an extra storage spot and free seat. Elli could put what they wanted on it. Now his nest, however... well, that was a different. Nothing was going in the nest without his approval!

"I don't need all the Oomphas," Keith argued, eyeing the tiny smiling faces that peered pack at him from the bed.

Elli merely shot him a sunshiny grin and a knowing wink as they began gathering all the loose diapers from the bed and stacking them into neat piles by size. Together with Lance's help, they managed to stack the diapers, the tiny clothes, and blankets all neatly in Keith's barren closet. He was silently relieved that his room had been so empty before. With the addition of the kit supplies, it was pleasantly full now, but not packed by any means. It was just right.

Elli sprawled out on Keith's bed and watched Allura put the finishing touches on the mobile. Keith crawled into his nest and stared up to assess the finished product. The mobile glimmered down on him, the stars and beads slowly rotating in a lulling circle like a brand new solar system.

"Galra kits don't use mobiles," Elli remarked. "They didn't sound nearly as indignant as earlier over the Altean baby supplies; simply more thoughtful now."It's quit nice," they finally acquiesced.

Keith smiled and laid back to watch the mobile spin.

"Am I missing else," he asked, fighting the urge to close his eyes. His nest was soft and welcoming and he still felt warm pride for collecting so much for his kits. Satisfaction was an amazing feeling.

Elli gave a smug grin. "You still need more changing supplies."

"He's got loads of diapers already though," Lance argued, gesturing to the packed closet.

Elli gave a loud chortle. "That stock will be gone before he blinks." They arched an eyebrow and cocked their head in contemplation. "How well do the Altean replicators work? I suppose they could fabricate enough nappies to meet the kits' needs."

"They will be sufficient, I assure you," Allura returned with a regal sniff.

Elli didn't seem particularly impressed with Allura's assurance.

"I will see about supplying you the kit salve and powder from the Colony," they promised Keith.

"I believe we have pleanty of cream and powder. Let me check in the infirmary-"

"The skin of newborn kits is extremely sensitive. Any recipe other than Galran would no doubt irritate them and cause rash."

"Wait, Galra have their own diaper cream and baby powder recipes?" Lance was grinning in a mixture of laughter and amazement.

Elli was nonplussed.

Keith appreciated the impressive show of amicability on Allura's part. Any other day in the past, she would have already royally tore into anyone who insinuated anything other than Altean was best.

He watched Allura take a quiet, fortifying breath at Elli's domineering. Keith was familiar enough with the sweet, but pushy Blade. They were a well-known caretaker at the base for good reason. Still, to anyone not used to their formidable personality, Elli challenging to say the least.

Allura exhaled and swallowed back the insulted retort she'd no doubt been preparing. Keith shot her a grateful smile. She caught the look and the corners of her eyes crinkled warmly at the private look they'd shared.

"Keith, have you considered... selecting new clothing? Items that would fit you more comfortably? Your clothing should be as pleasant as possible-it will make your carrying far easier."

Keith chose to ignore the hot blush seeping across his face at Elli's not-so-subtle hint. He felt his ears lower slightly as he abruptly realized how poorly his clothing actually fit. He'd been getting by with leaving his pants unbuttoned and simply hiding his awkward new shape within the baggy folds of Shiro's loose t-shirts. They hung down far enough to sufficiently cover his bulging stomach and unbuttoned pants. Still...

He looked like a mess, not an expectant parent.

Allura's hand was suddenly in his own. "I can show you how to operate the replicators," she assured him. "You can make whatever type of clothing you'd like."

"We have plenty of clothing at the nearest Blade base. No Galra dam should have to wear foreign clothing. Keith would be more comfortable in traditional Galra wear. I can even send to the Colony for custom tailored maternity items."

"The replicator has all of Keith's sizes already. It should all fit him perfectly."

Keith stood blinking at the verbal tennis match. What had he done to deserve this much attention?

Lance was leaning against the wall, grinning fiendishly at the scene.

"Keith, Lance, Allura!"

"The voice screaming over the Castle's comms was frantic. Pidge never sounded like that. Was that even Pidge?

"Get to the bridge NOW. It's Shiro and Matt."

Allura and Elli instantly took the lead. Keith started to run, but stopped at the hot flare of pain in his hips. He tried to speed up, but the pain kept him trapped at a struggling jog. He glared hotly and cursed his body. Lance slowed and fell into step beside him with an understanding smile.

"Take your time. We'll get there."

"Shut up and run. Just get to the Bridge!" Keith gritted his teeth against the grinding in his pelvis.

"Listen, I just want to warn you that you've officially lost all your emo-broody rights."

"What are you talking about?"

"Dude, did you see Allura and Elli? They were going at it like two mother-in-laws. You've officially won the most attention in the galaxy."

Keith blinked.

Lance snorted. "I cannot wait until the munchkins arrive. This is going to be epic! Allura and Elli are going to mother you and the kits to death!"