Work Text:
"De-Aged Regris"
Keith had always been an early riser, even when he went to bed late. Even now, his pack made sure he and Regris went to bed at a reasonable time, seeing as they were both considered kits by their pack. He also found he loved sleeping curled around his brother. Regris was an awesome brother to Keith, showing him a little bit of what kit behavior was like. However, Regris was the complete opposite of Keith. Regris liked to sleep in, where Keith liked to get up early.
Ulaz also got up early. Not only for his job, but also to make sure Keith didn't try to train on an empty or extremely full stomach. It was an early morning like all other mornings until Keith opened his eyes. There curled up with him was a small tailed Galra kit. His little tail was partially curled around Keith's waist like Regris would always do at bed time. Keith stared at the tiny kit. He looked familiar, but as far as Keith knew, there weren't any other kits on the base other than himself and Regris. So, was it possible that this was Regris?
Keith felt Ulaz move against his back and a whisper in his ear. "Are you awake, kit?"
Keith craned his neck back to look at the pale Galra. "Ulaz, I think we have an issue. Look in front of me."
Ulaz peered over Keith, and his eyes widened in surprise. "Regris?"
"So, it is Regris? What happened? Why is he a little kit?"
Ulaz sat up, which upset Antok, who had been sleeping behind the doctor. "Be careful, Ulaz. Some of us do not have to be up yet," he hissed.
"Sorry, Antok, but we have an issue."
"What issue?"
"What's going on?" Thace asked with a yawn.
"Regris is a little kit again," Ulaz replied.
Everyone looked at the little kit who was still cuddled up between Keith and Kolivan. Keith carefully unwrapped Regris's tail from around his waist, causing Regris to whine and roll over in his sleep to bury his face in the fur of the closest pack member. The whine jolted Kolivan awake the instant he heard it. He looked at the little kit trying to go back to sleep. "Regris?"
Regris opened his eyes blearily, rubbing one of them roughly. "Why are we all up so early?" he grumped.
Keith couldn't help himself when he saw his brother looking so adorable. He scooped up Regris and settled him onto his lap. He started petting his headfur like the adults love to do to him. At first, Regris though it was Antok that had picked him up, but when he saw all four elder Galra gathered around, he realized it was his brother. He looked over and instead of seeing Keith's face, Regris was facing his chest. The confused kit looked up and saw his brother's face. Keith could tell Regris hadn't put the pieces together yet. "Regris, you're a little kit again."
"What?" Regris looked down at himself, his tail swishing in alarm. Keith wrapped his arms around his brother, comforting him by nuzzling his head. Regris half-heartedly nuzzled his now older brother back. Regris caught Ulaz's eyes. "What's going to happen now?"
"Well, I'll run some tests and see if we can determine what happened and what can be done to reverse it. After that, it will be time for breakfast and then, a little break before any activity can start." Ulaz slid out of the nest and got dressed in his uniform sans mask. "Come on, kit."
Ulaz held his hands out for Regris to come to him. Keith reluctantly let his brother go. Regris jumped into Ulaz's arms and nuzzled his neck. Ulaz smiled. He missed having a little kit around. Keith eyed the duo. "Ulaz, do you want some help?"
"Only if you want to, kit."
"I want my brother there," Regris piped up.
Keith and Ulaz looked at the little Blade. Keith smiled. "Let me get dressed, and I'll join you."
Keith threw on his casual clothes (black shirt, black pants, red and white boots, red and white jacket, and utility belt) and walked over to his pack members. Regris chirped as Ulaz and Keith walked out of the room.
Ulaz set Regris on an examination bed and left to get his instruments. Keith stood close to his pack brother. When Ulaz returned, he started asking routine questions. "Does anything hurt?"
"No."
"Does anything feel strange?" Ulaz shined a light in Regris's eyes.
"Aside from being smaller than my brother, no."
"What was the last thing you remember before waking up this morning?" Ulaz felt Regris's chest and around his back, checking his ribs.
"Um." Regris thought for a moment, his tail tapping the bed. "Curling up with Keith."
"Before that?"
"I was telling Keith about the survey mission that I just got back from. Kolivan had told me it was a desert planet, but there were these strange flowers everywhere."
"Flowers?" Ulaz looked up at that.
"Yeah. I thought it was strange, because Kolivan's intelligence is never wrong."
"What do they look like?"
"They had blue stems and the orange petals bloom at a downward angle."
"Blue stems and orange petals?" Ulaz sounded like he was faraway.
"Yeah. Ulaz? What's wrong?" Regris looked at the doctor.
"You touched one of the flowers, right? Which part of you touched the petals?"
"My tail brushed one of the flowers when I was observing them."
Ulaz grabbed Regris's tail and examined it. Fortunately, there was no trace of the petals or pollen left on his tail. Ulaz sighed in relief. "That flower has not been in bloom since the Empire began. It has rejuvenating properties for Galra. Fortunately, the properties only last one quintant. Kolivan will need to be informed about the flower's reemergence. For now, Regris, you are excused from missions for the day. Seeing as you are physically a kit, you will have kit instincts and behavioral responses. You will behave like a little kit. You will need one of us with you at all times today. Who would you like?"
"Keith."
After Regris's examination was over, the little kit climbed up Keith's back and sat on his brother's shoulders. Keith immediately held onto Regris's legs, so the now younger kit couldn't fall. Regris buried his face in Keith's messy hair, soothed by his brother's scent. Being the younger brother was weird, but on the bright side, he could give in to his kit instincts and play and nap all day. He purred as he thought of playing with Keith all day.
Keith smiled as he carried Regris down to the mess hall. He didn't know he had the instincts of a big brother until now. Regris was just so adorable that Keith couldn't help but dote on him. Keith felt Regris's purr as the kit had his face buried in his hair. When they reached the mess hall, Keith rubbed one of Regris's legs. "Hey, buddy. What do you want to eat?"
Regris picked up his head and looked at the choices. It was the usual spread. He shrugged his shoulders before laying his head back down on Keith's hair. "What ever you pick for me is fine. I'm not picky."
Keith picked up two plates and piled food on the plates, making sure there was a variety of foods. As he was making his way down the table, a large Blade bumped Keith by accident, causing Regris to almost fall off. Regris curled his tail around Keith's bicep to keep from falling, and Keith let out an irritated hiss as he held onto Regris's legs. The large Blade was startled to hear such a protective sound from the youngest Blade. Then, he saw the little one on his shoulders.
"My apologies. I didn't see the little one."
"Be more aware of your surroundings then," Keith huffed.
Thace came up behind the kits. "Here, Keith. Do you want me to take the kit or the plates?"
"The plates please. My brother doesn't want to let go," Keith rubbed Regris's legs. Regris buried his face in Keith's hair again and let out a whimper. Keith left the line and sat down with his pack. He carefully unwrapped Regris's tail from his arm and lifted the kit off of his shoulders and onto his lap. He nuzzled his slightly shaking brother and purred to him. "It's okay. You're safe. I've got you."
Regris reached up and nuzzled Keith's neck with a whimper. Keith rubbed his back in soothing little circles and kept purring to him until Thace arrived with the plates of food. Keith gently nudged Regris's head with his until the kit turned around and saw the food. He sat down on Keith's lap as the older kit pulled the plate closer so his brother could reach. The two kits were so absorbed with each other and the food that they drowned out all other conversations even the ones closest to them.
The other Blades had noticed the exchange between the newest Blade and one of their most accomplished members. It wasn't everyday that someone hissed, let alone it be the member that didn't look Galra. It was then that they noticed the tiny kit riding on his shoulders. Their leaders' pack had another kit?
"Leader, is that a new kit?"
"No. That's Regris. There was a minor incident on the last mission he went on. However, it is temporary and will only last the quintant," Kolivan answered.
"He's adorable!"
"I wouldn't get too close. The other kit is very protective of him."
"The two of them together are so sweet."
"Do not bother the kits," Ulaz warned.
"Yes, sir." The Galra that had gathered around the highest ranking Blades dispersed pretty quickly after the warning.
Kolivan, Antok, Ulaz, and Thace watched their two kits interacting. Today was going to be very interesting. With Regris behaving like a little kit, would Keith give in to his kit instincts or would his big brother instincts win out? The adults decided they would check on the kits throughout the day.
After breakfast, Keith carried Regris back to the nest to allow their stomachs to settle. Regris laid on Keith's back while the older kit laid down in the nest. Regris yawned and snuggled further into Keith's back. Keith's eyebrows raised dramatically. Was Regris tired already? Keith knew that the younger the kit the more they nap, but seeing it first hand was different from hearing about it. It seemed like Regris had decided that he was going to nap on his brother's back. Well, that was one way to make sure Keith wasn't going anywhere. When Regris started softly purring, Keith knew he was stuck. There was no way he was going to do anything while there was a sleeping kit on his back. He closed his eyes. He might as well take a small nap as well. It wouldn't do good if his energy flagged while watching his possibly energetic brother. Keith drifted off to sleep, softly purring as well.
Ulaz was the first one to check on the kits. He was only mildly surprised to see both of them asleep. He figured neither of them knew the little incident in the mess hall had their adrenaline levels up, and when those levels dropped, it caused them to tire out. The positioning was adorable though. Ulaz pulled out his tablet and took a few pictures. He shared them with the other pack members. He even sent them to Keith's and Regris's tablets. Ulaz left the room and went towards the med bay to start his workday.
A few vargas later, Keith woke up to Regris nuzzling his face. He nuzzled him back as he opened his eyes. Regris chirped at Keith, who smiled at him, before he started tickling the younger kit. Regris shrieked and laughed as he squirmed away from the tickling fingers. Regris was perched on the edge of the nest for a tick before he launched himself back at Keith, trying to tickle the older kit. Keith simply held Regris at arm's length, until the sly kit brought up his tail and tickled Keith's side. Keith started laughing and shrieking, thrashing about wildly in an attempt to escape the carefully tickling claws and tail. Even during that, Keith still managed to keep tickling Regris. Neither of them noticed when Thace stopped by and took even more pictures of the two of them playing in the nest. Thace shared the pictures with his pack, but he stayed nearby as it was near lunchtime. He was going to let the two kits eat in the nest to avoid another scene like at breakfast.
Once the two kits were done, they laid in the nest, trying to catch their breaths. Thace entered the room. "Keith, Regris. It's lunchtime, but how would you like to eat here instead of the mess hall?"
Regris let out a little whine. "Can everyone join us?"
Unable to deny the kit, Thace replied, "I will let everyone else know."
The two kits watched as Thace left the room. Regris launched himself into Keith's arms. Keith easily caught his brother. They nuzzled each other until the rest of the pack came in with plates of food. Regris settled himself on Antok's lap for the meal. Keith sat down next to Antok. The other three were facing them, all of them enjoying the quiet meal. Regris would once in awhile sneak food off of Antok's plate when he thought no one was looking.
Lunch passed without much notice. Regris lounged in Antok's lap, while Keith leaned against the large Galra. Antok grinned as he had an idea. He maneuvered his tail to dangle in front of Regris's face. When the young kit reached up to bat at it, he moved it into Keith's field of vision.
Keith saw something dangling in front if his face. He swatted at it. It swung back into his field of vision, and his eyes widened slightly. He raised his hand and batted at it repeatedly.
Antok smirked as Keith and Regris both batted at his tail. He thought that might happen. Kits love to bat at dangling things, and Keith and Regris were kits. He let them bat at his tail during their rest period as it wasn't a strenuous activity. Once the half a varga period was over, Antok moved his tail away from the batting kits. Since he still had their attention, he said, "Keith, why don't you play fight with Regris?"
Regris grinned and jumped onto his brother, climbing onto his shoulders. Keith grinned as well and stood up, making Regris giggle. He carried his brother to the training hall and set him down. The two kits adopted a fighting stance and circled each other, Regris's tail wagging in excitement.
Regris darted forward but at the last dobosh tucked and rolled between Keith's legs. He ended up behind his brother and rolled back up onto his feet. He immediately jumped onto Keith's back and tried to yank him down. Keith grinned and gently flipped his little brother off of his back. Regris scrambled back to his feet.
Keith flung himself at the little Galra, jumping at the last tick, which effectively catapulted him over Regris's shoulders. Keith landed behind the smallest Blade and aimed a kick at his knees, which would have connected if Regris's tail hadn't tripped him, forcing him to land on his back. Keith backward rolled away from the tail's reach and popped to his feet again. The grin on his face was even bigger.
The back and forth play fighting continued on until dinner time. The two kits didn't notice that Kolivan had appeared during their play fight and took pictures that were shared with the pack.
Dinner was once again eaten in the nest. Regris sat in Kolivan's lap, slowly eating. Keith was leaning against Thace, half dozing. Neither of the kits got an afternoon nap, and now, they were suffering for it. Kolivan managed to get Regris to eat most of what was on the plate as Thace did the same with Keith. Once the kits ate a decent amount of food, they laid down in the nest, Regris curled up in Keith's arms. "I'm glad I was the younger brother for the day."
"You taught me a lot about kit instincts. I didn't know I could take multiple naps or request to eat in the nest if there were too many Blades in the mess hall. Play fighting all afternoon was enjoyable too. I thought I would rather be training, but I was wrong," Keith murmured into Regris's headfur.
Thace ran his claws through Keith's hair. "You can do those things, kit, whenever you want to. You don't have to wait for the want to build up into a need before you act on it. We would be delighted if you acted more like the kit you are."
Keith purred at the affection from one of his pack members. Ulaz leaned over and nuzzled both kits. "Get some sleep, kits. You both need an early bedtime since you missed your afternoon nap."
Regris dropped off very quickly, Keith following soon after. The adults of the pack lounged in the nest, watching over their kits until they too fell asleep.
The next morning, Keith cracked an eye open and saw to his delight that Regris was back to normal. He grinned sleepily at his brother being older once again. Remembering what Thace told him last night, Keith snuggled further into Regris's embrace and decided to sleep in for a change.
Regris smiled as he felt his little brother snuggle into his embrace. Him teaching Keith about how real kits act was a good thing and had been fun. Regris wrapped his tail around his brother's waist and went back to sleep.
Fin