Kaz hadn't thought about how far he'd come since he'd arrived in this place. In letting go of the pain that had held tight to his heart, in living his life without revenge being his main and driving force. He'd gotten his revenge, and it had been time to move on for a long time. He just hadn't known how.

He wouldn't ever be thankful for being kidnapped and dragged away from all of their hardwork but he would forever be thankful for how things had changed for himself and those he cared about the most.

So while he tenses when Jesper envelopes him in that hug, there's no flinching and no pulling away. Just the sudden press of the cane into Jesper's back as Kaz hugs him tight. He hasn't given up hope, but they've found so much between them that the thought of losing Jesper now was more than he thought he could bear.

"No," he murmurs softly, shaking his head gently.

But then one gloved hand cups the back of Jesper's back, drawing him in as Kaz leans up and into a kiss that he himself initiates. Tender and still learning but not tentative, not in the least as his lips part against Jesper's.