Your feelings are good feelings! Jon and Stephen love each other dearly, but their relationship has Issues that they've never really addressed. And now this journey has shaken up their comfortable routine and thrown them into close quarters with cute shipmates, which is just asking for something to boil over....

(Jon's surprise!kiss here worked as reassurance, but he's walking a fine line with that sort of tactic, and you're right to call it out.)

The happy poly puppy approach certainly has its merits XD

I look forward to your continued thoughts on the Amy-"Stephen"-Tad bonding (and tumbling)! And as for Olivia and Kristen, things will become clear(er) soon enough :D