With a touch as gentle as the breeze, Keirian ran his fingertips along the nape of his husband’s neck. 

“But we have each other. And we need to make sure Jasper knows we love him and support him, no matter which path he chooses.” 

“When did you become so wise?” Kade sighed, reaching his own fingers up to tug at Keirian’s messily tied bun until silky strands were freed to cascade down Keirian’s back and over his shoulders. 

“I’ve always been wise.” Keirian grinned and leaned in closer to his husband, the distance between their lips practically non-existent. 

“Nah, you used to be a little shit and we both know it.” Kade twirled his fingers into Keirian’s hair. Keirian closed the space between them and bit down on his husband’s lip, who yelped in response. 

“I can still be that little shit if you want me to be,” Keirian growled against his husband's lips.

“You’ve always been what I want you to be,” Kade replied. He laughed against Keirian and mumbled, “That was so cheesy wasn’t it?” 

Keirian hummed and pressed his lips firmly against his husband’s. All worries slipped away the moment Keirian drew Kade in. The only focus was the warmth between them, increased even more when Keirian wrapped his legs around Kade, drawing him closer. Neither man was aware of anything beside one another. 

“I just cleaned this counter…” Kade mumbled against his husband’s sweet kisses that were quickly turning more intense. 

“You can clean it again later.” Keirian emphasized his point by digging his heels into Kade’s back and moving both hands to grip either side of Kade’s face.

The deafening sound of a pan crashing against his spotless kitchen floor jarred Kade out of the reverie of his husband’s sinful kisses. 

Jasper squeaked and spun around to face away from his dads, his face in his hands.

“Oh! I’m sorry!” He felt his cheeks burn in embarrassment. His dads never hid their affection for one another, but Jasper always felt guilty for interrupting any little moment between the two. 

“No need to apologize, son.” Keirian chuckled and hopped off of the counter. He placed one last lingering kiss on Kade’s lips before breaking into a grin. “Your father is in a better mood now. And you two need to talk. I’m going to bed.” 

Jasper was met with a one-armed hug around his head that felt a little too tight for comfort. 

“Dad, you’re squeezing me,” Jasper laughed. His father smelled like the wine from dinner as he leaned over and pressed a kiss against Jasper’s cheek. It was nice to see his dad relaxed once in a while. Keirian worked so hard for the city and for their family, and Jasper was thankful he remembered to loosen up every now and again. 

“I love you, son. If your father gives you too much trouble,” Keirian looked over his shoulder and narrowed his eyes at Kade who had crossed his arms over his chest, “Come get me.” 

Kade rolled his eyes, and Jasper nodded into his father’s hug. 

“You got it, Dad. Love you too.”

As soon as Keirian was out of sight, Kade untied his apron and tossed it onto the counter. 

“Let’s go for a walk, son. The sky is supposed to be incredibly clear tonight. I know how much you enjoy the stars.” 

Jasper agreed immediately with a small smile and a nod as he followed his dad outside. There was a slight sense of unease in the back of Jasper’s mind as to how the conversation between them would go. 

The door closed gently behind them, and Jasper wasted no time in starting the much needed conversation. 

“You’re not still disappointed in me, are you?” Jasper looked down at the ground as they walked a few steps away from the front door, fiddling with the sleeves of his shirt. He slowly looked up at his father who wore a gentle smile.

Kade stopped them in the middle of the lawn and met Jasper’s eyes. 

“You could never disappoint me, Jasper. Your father and I are proud of the man you’ve become.” 

Jasper crossed his arms against his chest and looked up at the clear night sky. There was always a sense of calm that washed over Jasper whenever he was gazing at the stars. It was no different as he stood with his father while figuring out how to voice his concern.

Jasper took a deep breath and looked back into Kade’s deep, green eyes. 

“How can you be so confident? You and Dad were doing so much more by the time you were both my age.” 

Kade let out a small sigh through his nose. Jasper was right, of course, but Kade and Keirian’s situations were vastly different back then. At twenty-one, Keirian had taken over as the governor of Lumen, and he and Kade had been married for four years by the time that event had taken place. Kade was a full-time father to a five year old and had become somewhat of a political advisor, a position that came simply by being married to the governor.

“Is that why you chose to become a knight? Because you feel like you need to keep up with where your father and I were at this age?” Kade raised an eyebrow and rested his hands on his hips. There was a small smirk on his face and a twinkle in his eye. 

Jasper squeezed his biceps as his arms remained crossed. He nodded slowly and sighed. 

“I just want to be able to do so much more. Look at what you were doing for Lumen. And our family.” 

“Jasper, you can’t compare yourself and where you are in life right now to where Dad and I were. Our situation was a very, let’s say unique one. If anything, you have it way more together than we did.”