Most days, Kieran wakes up before the sunrise.

He supposes he’s always been like this; early to bed and early to rise. The chill morning air on his skin as he brews a pot of coffee, the orange hue of the sun as it begins to peek over the mountains; he could hardly ask for a more perfect way to start the day.

It’s a certain peace that, just a year ago, he wouldn’t have thought he’d ever find.

In the Northern Sacramento valley, where the hills are green and the winters are relatively mild, he’s happy. Content. A couple months ago, he’d heard somewhere along the grapevine, that Colm O’Driscoll had been hung by the law— which certainly takes a weight off Kieran’s back.

Maybe this is the life he was best suited for all along. Where his biggest worries are remembering to feed the horses and take care of the chickens. Where he can sit on the porch in the afternoons, feeling the warmth of the sun as he listens to his partner read to him.

His partner. He has someone that loves him, that he loves back. Isn’t that wonderful?

“Good morning,” Kieran says, looking up when he hears the footsteps he’s grown so familiar with. “I made coffee. Sorry I didn’t wake you up, I… you just looked so comfortable.”

God. He still feels like a blushing schoolboy with a childish crush whenever he looks at the one he loves. It’s embarrassing, but he’s… grown used to it in only the best way. Maybe it’s the only way he knows how to love— shyly, but still deeply.

“I was gonna do some chores, but… we could eat breakfast together?” He continues, trying not to sound hopeful. It’s not through any fault of theirs that he’s so anxious still. “Or, um… If not, that’s alright too.”