Leon finally shifted, easing the hold just enough for Kai to slide from his lap.
Kai's legs were unsteady for a moment, but he pushed himself upright, glaring at his father with obvious annoyance. His arms crossed over his chest, posture stiff, like the fight wasn't over—it just took a different form now.
"I'm standing," Kai muttered, voice low but sharp. "You can let go of the whole crushing-pressure thing now."
Leon didn't respond. He simply observed, calm, as if nothing in the world could rattle him.
Kai huffed, his face twisting in irritation as he brushed imaginary dust from his clothes, trying to reclaim some shred of independence.
And then—
Jake was on him.
He didn't say a word. He didn't hesitate. He just stormed across the room, the fire in his presence almost palpable, and threw his arms around Kai in a tight, bruising hug.
Kai froze.
For a split second, he stiffened entirely, eyes wide. He hadn't expected it. Didn't want it. Wasn't ready for it.
"Jake—" he started, squirming slightly, but the hug didn't relent.
"I've missed you, you idiot!" Jake shouted, voice muffled against Kai's shoulder. "Two years! You just disappear, and I'm supposed to be chill about it?"
Kai's expression softened slightly despite himself, but only a little. He pushed lightly at his brother's chest. "I didn't ask for a reunion!"
Jake ignored the protest completely, hugging him tighter. "You think I care? I've been waiting for this!"
Kai let out a long, frustrated breath, his shoulders sagging slightly under the weight of Jake's enthusiasm. He couldn't match it—not now—but a part of him, buried deep beneath the annoyance, acknowledged it.
Leon watched quietly from his chair, hand resting casually on the armrest, blue lightning faintly flickering along his fingertips. He said nothing. He didn't need to.
The energy in the room shifted in small but tangible ways. Tension still lingered, yes—but so did connection.
Kai finally managed a small, resigned sigh, brushing a hand through his hair. "Fine," he muttered. "Happy now?"
Jake pulled back just slightly, smirking, though his blue eyes still burned with energy. "Much," he said simply. "Now maybe you'll stop running off like an idiot next time."
Kai grumbled something unintelligible under his breath but didn't push him away. Not fully.
For the first time in years, Kai felt a small thread of something he hadn't let himself feel in a long time.
Family.
It was complicated.
Frustrating.
And exhausting.
But maybe…
Just maybe… not entirely unbearable.
Leon remained in his chair, expression calm, satisfied. The first steps had been made. The rest of the storm would come in time—but for now, the youngest Asterian son had returned.
And Jake's hug, fierce as it was, reminded everyone of one undeniable truth: no matter how far he ran, he would always be part of this family.
Kai huffed, finally tearing his gaze from his brother. "This is… enough for now," he muttered, voice low, still annoyed, but quieter than before.
Jake just laughed, clapping him on the shoulder. "Yeah, yeah. We'll see how long it lasts."
And for the first time in two years, Kai didn't argue. Kai was glad that he had a family, even though they were intense. He somewhat missed the banters he used to have with Jake, the sparring matches he used to have with Richard and the outings he used to have with Leon.
He secretly missed it all, even though he would never admit it out loud.