“I’ll walk with you!” Ryker exclaimed, holding his hand out for his big brother. Jasper released his grip on the sword and clasped his hand around Ryker’s. 

“Only to the edge of our property, Ryker,” Keirian gently reminded the young boy. Ryker had a tendency to test just how serious his fathers were about the rules they laid out. But one rule Ryker always obeyed was to keep on the grounds. It was an easy one to follow, as their property was expansive and had more than enough trees to climb, streams to jump in, and hills to roll down.  

Ryker nodded and tugged on Jasper’s hand. 

“Let’s go!! The sun is almost down.” 

Jasper took one more look at his fathers who stood side by side, holding each other. Kade gave a short nod but didn’t say a word. Even if he wanted to, there was no way Kade would be able to speak without breaking down in tears. 

“Go,” Keirian croaked. “Stay safe. We love you.” 

Jasper nodded back one more time before turning his back to his fathers and allowing Ryker to drag him off. Ryker chattered on about all types of animals Jasper could possibly encounter on the road, swinging his and Jasper’s connected hands to and fro. 

“And if you see a bear, you should play dead because you would never be able to outrun a bear. You’re not that fast.” 

Jasper let out a strained chuckle, but couldn’t help breaking into a smile. 

“I’m fast enough!” Jasper protested, but Ryker scoffed. 

“I’m faster than you are. Daddy is faster than you are, and he’s so much bigger than you!” 

“The faith you have in me is astounding, little brother,” Jasper laughed. 

By the time Jasper and Ryker reached the end of the path that ran from their home to the treeline beyond their property, the sun had fully set. Jasper found a sense of peace looking out at the moonbeams shining down on the trail he had diligently memorized after hours of studying his map. 

Jasper knelt down in front of his little brother, glad to see that Ryker was the only member of his family who wasn’t prepared to cry at his departure. Jasper had no doubt that Ryker would miss him, but his youth and adventurous nature made Ryker more excited at Jasper’s quest than forlorn over his impending absence. 

“Don’t forget to come home,” Ryker said, fixing Jasper with a stern look that seemed almost comical on a child. Jasper huffed out a laugh as he reached out to push Ryker’s wild hair from his face. 

“How could I forget to come home?” 

“You daydream too much. Don’t daydream so much that you forget about us. Oh, and don’t daydream so much that you forget your surroundings and get eaten by a dragon.”

“I thought your lucky coin will keep me from being eaten by dragons.” Jasper raised an eyebrow, watching the gears in Ryker’s head turn. 

“Hmm…that’s right. Okay, then just don’t forget about us.” 

“I could never forget about you,” Jasper said, pulling Ryker into a tight hug. Ryker squirmed for a moment like he usually did when one of them tried to pin the child down for more than a few seconds. Ryker was full of endless energy, but Jasper’s hug wasn’t meant as a tool to wrangle him. Small arms hugged Jasper back, squeezing as hard as possible.

“I mean it about Mango eating your blanket, so you better come back.” 

“I’ll be back, Ryker. And while I’m gone…” Jasper leaned back, breaking the warm embrace between the brothers. “I need you to take care of our dads, okay? They’re very sad and they’re going to need you.” 

“Are you putting me in charge?” Ryker asked, a glimmer in his eye of something Jasper hoped was excitement and not mischievous planning. 

“I didn’t say that…”

“I’m in charge!” Ryker shouted, jumping up and pumping his fist into the air. Jasper grinned at his brother before planting a kiss on top of his head and standing up. 

“I’ll miss you, Ryker. Now go back to the house and get our dads inside or they’ll be standing there forever.”

Ryker nodded and gave Jasper one more quick hug around the middle before turning around and taking off back down the path he and Jasper had just walked. 

“DAD!! DADDY!!” Ryker yelled as he ran as fast as his legs would carry him. “JASPER SAID I’M IN CHARGE!”

Jasper shook his head as he watched Ryker disappear out of sight. 

With a deep breath, Jasper turned around and stepped off of the property of the only home he had ever known, ready to take on the journey ahead.