Pike has decided that he likes to crawl. He still sticks close to his mother, following him around. Pike still loved when his mother would hold him, but didn't fight it if he was set down. He'd just follow mommy.
Walking was just as fun, though it hurt extra bad when he fell. He refused to walk for a week when he fell on his face after walking for the first time.
He still kept his pacifier and his favorite blanket on him at all times.
The eleven-month-old looked up from playing with his three-year-old sister as his mother stood up.
Pike gasped and pushed himself to his feet, shoving his pacifier into his mouth and clutching his blanket to his chest. He whined and waddled as quickly as he could after Keith.
Keith smiled and waited at the door for him. Pike hummed and grabbed Keith's pants. He waddled quickly beside Keith, holding onto his pants so he wouldn't get left behind. Keith slowed down from his normal pace so the little eleven-month-old could keep up.
Once Pike was done walking, he tugged on Keith's pants. "Mm. Mm."
Keith hummed and stopped to scoop Pike up. Pike quickly grasped and nuzzled into Keith.
"Hi, sweet boy." Keith mused, rubbing Pike's back as he contintinued walking up to the bridge.
Pike looked up as the doors opened. He glanced around, spotting lots of familiar faces.
Uncle Matt, daddy, Vanie, Annie, auntie 'lura, and uncle Shiro.
Lance grinned and waved at Pike. Pike blinked, then threw his face back into Keith's neck. Keith chuckled as Lance pouted.
"I though he was going to warm up to me around this time."
Keith shrugged, standing beside Lance. "I guess he had other plans."
Lance rolled his eyes. He reached over and ruffled Pike's messy hair. Pike didn't react with anything other than a soft hum. "You're just a mama's boy."
Keith leaned on Lance's shoulder, running the tips of his fingers up and down Pike's spine. "What were you guys talking about?"
Kolivan glanced to Allura, then stepped forward once she nodded. "We have a new mission. Lance volunteered to go with Shiro, Aneira, and I. Aneira is coming, too."
The red paladin tilted his head. "Not all of us are going?"
"Too many of us could get caught easier." Lance gestured with his hand towards the holographic map displayed in front of them. "Besides, it'll take maybe a week or so. You hate being away from Pike and Rosie for more than a day."
"Well, so do you." Keith looked up at Lance.
Lance huffed and chuckled amusedly, kissing his cheek. "Yeah, well, Pike likes you more than he'll ever like me. I think he's still traumatized from that last time you had to be in a pod for those few varga. He was practically forced to deal with me."
Keith rolled his eyes. "So, a stealth mission? Are you gathering in formation or clearing a base?"
Kolivan cleared his throat. "Well, uhm... Information gathering. That's mostly what it is. The base is too big for us to take on our own. If we attack, it's set to close a barrier around the entire planet, encasing it in some sort of field. This planet is a big resource for the Galran empire. Their ships, their droids, sentries, weapons, supplies, all of that. Seventy-eight percent of all these resources come from here."
"Oh, wow." Keith breathed out, swaying with Pike. "So you'll have to be entirely extra careful out there, then."
Lance nodded, his hand gently placed on the small of Keith's back. "Yeah. Well, we have about two more days until we have to go. Right?"
Kolivan nodded, deactivating the map. "To gather everything you need, yes."
The blue paladin kissed Keith's head. "Where's Rosie?"
"I left her with Hunk and Pidge."
~
Keith hummed as he was squeezed tightly. "Be safe." Keith sighed, smiling as Lance sweetly pecked his lips.
"I'm safe. Unfortunate things just happen." Lance mused, picking up Rosályn. He grinned as she kissed his cheek. "I'll be safe. Promise."
"Alright." Keith scooped Pike up, tired of the infant tugged on his pants.
Lance returned Rosályn's kiss, smiling as she giggled. "Bye-bye, daddy! Miss you lots already!"
The blue paladin crooned, nuzzling her. "I miss you, too!"
"Bye-bye, dada..." Pike murmured softly, voice muffled by his blanket as he looked shyly up to his father.
Lance smiled brightly. He pet Pike's curly, dark chestnut hair back and gently kissed his forehead. "Bye-bye, little man. I'll miss you, too."
Pike giggled bashfully, throwing his face into Keith's neck.
Both laughed, Rosályn giggling and nuzzling into her father.
Keith leaned forward, pressing his lips to Lance's cheek. "You should get going before Kolivan gets angry."
"He wouldn't ever get mad at me." Lance huffed, but set Rosályn down. "Goodbye, mis queridos y mis bebés."*
Humming, Keith took Rosályn's hand, preventing her from following after Lance. "Bye. I'll see you when you get back."
Lance grinned, walking backwards onto the shuddle.
~
Keith closed his eyes, smiling as Rosályn sang while braiding his hair. Pike sat in the bowl Keith's legs made, making odd, quiet sound effects as he played with his toys.
"Guess what, you two?" Keith mused as Rosályn tied off his braid.
Rosályn crawled around and sat beside Berrie. "What, mommy?"
"Daddy comes home tomorrow." Keith rubbed little circles into Pike's shoulders.
The three-year-old gasped, eyes sparkling. "Daddy!? Yay!" She jumped to her feet, wiggling and giggling.
Keith laughed at her as Pike leaned back, twisting to look up at Keith. "Dada?"
"Yes. Dada." The red paladin chuckled, lashing his arm out and catching Rosályn before she fell off the bed. "Careful, you!" Keith gasped, pulling her into his lap with Pike.
Pike looked up to her as she giggled. Keith nuzzled and squeezed her. "Mommy!'
"My silly girl!"
~
Keith yawned, but was determined to stay awake. He waited with Matthew, Pike and Rosályn fast asleep in their room.
Matthew sighed. "They're late... Hours late..."
The red paladin nodded. "It happens sometimes... But they do need to hurry their asses up."
The freedom fighter burst out laughing, then they both jolted as the bay door opened.
Matthew made sure the door was sealed before watching as the shuddle landed.
Both frowned and tensed at the condition of the ship.
Once the bay door was closed and the green light flashed, Matthew opened the door and they stepped inside.
"Oh shit!" Matthew bolted forward once two figures started limping out.
Aneira crouched slightly, Shiro's arm over her shoulders as she supported him.
Keith ran after him. "Lance! Lance- where is Lance!?" He shouted, chest suddenly tight as he looked inside the shuddle. He winced at the puddle of blood on the floor of the shuddle. "What- what the hell happened?"
Aneira panted softly, letting Matthew take Shiro. "We... Were found as we tried... To escape..." She rasped out, leaning against the shuddle.
"Where is Lance and Kolivan?" Matthew asked firmly, holding Shiro tightly.
Aneira's ears pressed flat against her head and she turned away.
Shiro coughed and shuddered in Matthew's arms, hand pressed hard on his abdomen.
"Th-they... Didn't make it..."
-----
1212 words
A mother-fucker is what I am.
mis queridos y mis bebés. = my dear and my babies.