The Typhoon ~Vash x OC AU~

Chapter 12: A Promise

Leilani

Jonas looked up at the sky, the five moons all strung above as millions of stars dotted the night. The fire cracked, glowing a warm brass as it fought the chill evening often brought.

I lay, tucked under my blanket, watching him. Wondering what it was he was thinking.

He did that often. Sat and looked at the sky, watching the stars. He did it most when I was tucked in for the night when he thought I was fast asleep, but I wasn't. I was lying, watching him, curious as to why he was so fascinated with something no one could touch.

No one could reach the stars. So why was he so fixated on them? I didn't understand. Not then. Not at six. Not at ten. Not at sixteen.

But he sat and he looked up at them. And he looked at them as if they were everything to him. And that was when I saw it.

The sadness that lingered at the surface of his chartreuse eyes.

A sadness that I did not know. One that was deep and hidden during the day, but at night, was painful and true. But it was a pain he never did share. Not with me.

Not with anyone.

***

The air in Ship 3 feels so stale and stagnant. It burns my lungs as my chest heaves.

I think I might be sick.

I squeeze my eyes closed, balling my hands into fists as I rest my forehead against the cool wall, hoping to steady the erratic flail of my heart.

My pulse swooshes through my ears with this deafening ring. My head swims and my knees tremble. I think they might buckle at any minute, but I don't care. Let me fall. Let me meet the icy linoleum. Let me crumble.

Let me crash.

"Lei?"

I turn, meeting Vash's eyes. As always, they are deep and warm, but worried and round. He gazes at me with concern. His expression is twisted, and his cheeks are flushed.

"Lei, are you okay?" he asks. His voice is gentle and soft. He takes a step toward me.

Honestly, I almost want to laugh at his question. Am I okay? Am I okay? Absolutely not! Not now that I've just discovered what is most likely the biggest secret my uncle has kept from me. However, instead of lashing out and blurting what's really going through my mind, I just shake my head.

"Nope. Not really." I fidget with my fingers, trying to gather myself but failing.

Vash stands, his gaze remaining on me. "I'm sorry. I know this is a lot to take in."

"Did you know?" I ask quickly, bringing my eyes directly to his. "About Jonas. Did you know about any of this?"

"What?" He knits his brows.

"Did you know?" I repeat. Heat is rising to my cheeks and filling my chest. Bile is threatening to spill.

The confusion in his eyes turns to irritation. "I've been around a long time, Lei, but I've never known Jonas Williams. I haven't even met the man."

The fire welling in my chest ushers me to bite back – to snip and be snide – but just as quickly as it arises, I regain my composure. Exhaling, I release the tension in my shoulders.

"I'm sorry," I huff, massaging my temples. "I wasn't trying to imply anything. I was just... I guess I don't know how to handle all this."

Almost instantly, his features soften, and he releases the breath he had been holding. He comes closer, taking my hands into his. "No. I'm sorry. When you've been around as long as me, you see a lot of things and meet a lot of people. Most that you don't even remember." His hold tightens. "I did see his wanted poster. It was an old one. I won't lie. There was something familiar about him."