space, stars, and the aliens in between

Krolia sighed, gently threading her fingers through Keith’s short hair, his head resting on her lap. “You miss home, don’t you?”Keith nodded, eyes wet with unshed tears. “Space is scary.“It is,” Krolia admitted, “but it’s also beautiful. Why don’t you give it a chance before you try to run away on another ship? Please? For me?”Keith wiped his tears away, nodding with determination. “Okay. I’ll do it for you, momma.”[or: the au in which young Keith goes back up to space with his mother to the Blade of Marmora, finds a new family, grows up, and falls in love, all in that order.]