Jasper hummed and recalled the stories his father told him of his quest to Lumen from his original homeland, miles and miles away. Jasper’s biological parents had lost their lives during the trek, and Kade swore on his teenage life that he would raise and protect Jasper as his own. Jasper was truly grateful for the sacrifices Kade made for him, even if he didn’t remember them. Thanks to the loving family Kade had given him, Jasper never wanted for anything. He never knew a time without a parent’s deep love.

Jasper took the sword from his father with the utmost reverence. Holding his father’s sword in his hands felt like holding sacred treasure. Jasper admired the craftsmanship and ran his fingers over the green inlaid vines wrapping around the silver hilt. There was a very slight, pink glow coming off of where Jasper’s hand was holding the handle. 

“Magic?” Jasper tilted his head, not taking his eyes off of the sword itself. 

Keirian nodded, as if Jasper could see him. 

“It’s a connection spell. I have imbued the sword with it as well as three separate objects in this house. One for each of us to have a peace of mind knowing that you are doing just fine. As long as you keep the sword with you, your father, brother, and I will be reminded that you are safe.” 

Jasper finally looked up to meet his father’s gentle, hazel eyes. Keirian smiled softly.

“What if Jasper and his sword get eaten by a dragon? What will happen to the spell?” Ryker asked with genuine curiosity. 

Kade crossed over to his youngest son in a few steps and scooped him up with ease, throwing him over his shoulder. Ryker squealed in delight, kicking his feet in the air. 

“Jasper won’t get eaten by a dragon, you little stinker.” Kade adjusted Ryker to sit on his shoulders. 

“How do you know! You’re not a dragon!” 

“Look at Jasper! Do you think a dragon would want to eat your brother? He’s way too skinny. All bones and no meat.” 

“Also, there are certain breeds of dragons, like Greens, that don’t eat meat at all,” Jasper added, earning two identical blank stares from his father and little brother. Keirian let out a light laugh and rolled his eyes at the ridiculousness that had erupted around him. Jasper carefully sheathed the sword at his side and felt a lump forming in his throat.

Kade set his youngest down and crossed to pick up a neatly wrapped parcel that rested on a side table. He brought the package over and offered it to Jasper, a shy smile on his face. 

“I wanted to send you off with something that reminded you of me. But I’m no mage like your father. I can’t enchant swords and gems.” 

“Dad, you’re amazing,” Jasper gently reminded his father. “Is it okay if I open this now?”

When Kade nodded, Jasper pulled the strings of the professionally wrapped goods and glanced inside. The smell of freshly baked scones and cookies wafted up into Jasper’s nose. Jasper took a deep inhale and let out an audible sigh of happiness. 

“These are my favorites!” Jasper chirped.

Kade knew his son well and knew he needed to give him a swift reminder. 

“Don’t eat them all tonight, Jasper.” 

With a dramatic pout, Jasper agreed with a, “Yes, Dad,” and closed the package back up the best he could. 

“And you say you can’t do magic,” Keirian said to his husband with a nudge and wink. “I’d say your baking is more enchanting than anything I could cook up.” 

“Are you trying to make me feel better, Keirian?” Kade asked. Keirian shrugged slyly and gave his husband a quick peck on the cheek. 

“Wait a minute!” Ryker huffed loudly. “If Dad gave you magic stuff and Daddy gave you snacks, then I need to give you something, too.” 

Jasper smiled and put the package of baked goods into one of the pouches on his belt. 

“Ryker, it’s alright. You don’t–” 

“Too bad! Don’t leave yet. I’ll be right back!” Ryker cut Jasper off mid-sentence and dashed into his room. The younger boy began to make a ruckus in his bedroom, and Jasper could only imagine what sort of “gift” Ryker would procure. 

Kade pulled Jasper into his arms. Jasper wrapped his own around his father’s back and gripped the back of his shirt in his fists. 

“No matter what happens out there, I will always be proud of you, my son.” Kade allowed the tears that had been welling in his eyes to spill over. The heavy realization that this would be the longest period of time he would go without seeing his son hit him like a ton of bricks. Although the quest was only meant to take a few days at most, Kade had an aching in his heart that bubbled up into his throat.

“I love you so much, Jasper,” Kade choked out in a whisper. 

“I love you too, Dad. Thank you,” Jasper whispered back. Kade pressed his forehead against Jasper’s and closed his eyes for a second before releasing his son. It was the first time in twenty-one years that Kade would have to let Jasper out of his sight and the safety of the home he and Keirian had worked so hard to build. Kade diverted his eyes as tears began to fall in earnest and gave his husband a nudge. 

“Your turn. Before I’m incoherent.” 

Keirian swallowed a lump in his throat and immediately took his son into his arms. Jasper laid his head on Keirian’s shoulder and hugged his father back just as fiercely, feeling his own tears well up.

“D-Dad,” Jasper choked out. Jasper fully expected Kade to be a wreck at his departure, but Keirian had always been the more dependable of his two fathers when it came to regulated emotions. Though Keirian was very in tune with his own feelings and quick to display his vulnerable side, he was the core of the family; the pillar upon which Kade, Jasper, and Ryker could always rely. 

If it was rare for Jasper to see Keirian lose his careful composure, it was unheard of for Keirian’s arms to shake as he held his son firmly against his chest.