The Typhoon ~Vash x OC AU~

Chapter 33: Fine, Fine

Jonas

It still doesn't feel real.

I have worried and prayed over the last five years, scared to death something would happen to her. Scared that she would get hurt or worse.

And all that time, I wanted to find her. I wanted to seek her out. I would have. I should have. Bad leg be damned, I should have stayed close. But she's okay. She's fine.

A little older. She looks more like Elana, but with Mosby's coloring. Both Daph and Lani favored their father's eyes and hair, while Trevor had Elana's sandy locks and green eyes.

It's hard to believe it's been nineteen years already. Almost two decades since that night. Their screams still haunt my dreams.

I wish I could have saved them.

I take a drink of whiskey. It burns, rolling down my throat like fire until it settles in my belly. A breeze, warm and dry, blows and I inhale. Sand and heat fill my lungs as the suns set, their fiery hues burning the cloudless sky.

It's similar to the sunsets on Earth. Brassy and warm, fiery. But on Earth they were a bit more varied in their colors. Pink, purple, bronze – vivid and wispy with clouds. Of course, I suppose they used to be even better before all the pollution and toxic smog.

Still, it is something that resembles what I used to know. A long time ago, before we ever boarded that ship...

"There you are," Vash says, walking out the front door.

I look up at him from my seat on the porch. Looking at him, my heart still shrivels. He looks so much like Millions Knives. Like his brother, which isn't his fault. Poor guy. He's nice and has a good heart, but damn... Every time I look at him, I see those cold calculated eyes looking back. It's going to take time to disconnect the two.

"We're getting ready to head out," he continues.

My heart clenches. "That time already? Well, I guess you kids have been here longer than planned." I meant to only eat lunch with them, and now the suns are setting. And I suppose neither of them are kids anymore. Him especially. "Greywynn must be ready to fit."

"She is a little fussy," he confesses. "Lei is just changing her diaper before we go."

I nod, "I see."

There is still so much sinking in. Lani being here is only part of the equation. Vash being Millions Knives's brother is another part. Then there's their daughter, Greywynn. My chest swells with pride. I have a great-niece. I thought the day Elana told me I would be an uncle was the best day of my life.

Being a great-uncle feels all that much sweeter.

Vash fidgets, catching my attention. He's an antsy guy, though I guess I can't blame him. Being blamed for his brother's transgressions has probably done a number to him.

"You alright?" I ask, lifting a brow.

He nods, "Yeah. Sorry. I was just thinking."

"Well, what's on your mind?"

I am curious. Getting to know Vash over the last few hours has spurred my intrigue, though I know it is a morbid reason. Why is his brother a murderer while he is this? Quiet, polite, gentle. I can see that.

His eyes bore into mine. "Would you like to visit us tomorrow at Ship 3?"

For a moment, I stop breathing. I haven't stepped foot on that ship since the day Elana and I left it. I've had no desire or reason.

"Well, would you like to visit Lei and Grey, I should say," Vash adds. "I don't have to be present if you don't want."

I knit my brows. "Why wouldn't I want you there?"

Now, he knits his brows, confusion filling his eyes. There's one big difference. He has more emotional expressions than his brother. More than anger and hate and disgust.

"I...don't know," he admits.

I smile. Yeah. He's a good guy. "I'd love to come visit," I say, standing. My knees crack and I cringe as bone grinds bone. Slowly, my posture straightens. "But you don't need to be absent. I enjoy your company, Vash, and I'd like to have it again." I extend my hand. He takes it, smiling as I continue, "Thank you for taking care of Lans, and for being the support she needs. I could never thank you enough."

And I couldn't.

He shakes his head. "I've done nothing special. It's all her. She's strong. You raised her that way."

I chuckle, "I might have raised her, but she was born that way. A fearless little girl, she was."

My mind reels, rolling back to a time that was much more unknown. A time where we were on the run, the road being our home. She had no problem pitching camp in the middle of the desert. No qualms with the relentless dark that stretched. No fear as her tomas galloped through dunes and mounds.

But worms.

Don't mention the worms. She does not like worms.

"Regardless," I continue with a sigh, "I still appreciate you. I feel like I can sleep a little easier knowing that Lans has found someone like you, and I mean that."

A slick coarseness fills my throat as the back of my eyes burn. I swallow it all down. I like Vash and all, but I don't need him seeing me all emotional.

A small smile bends his lips. "Of course, sir." He straightens his posture. "And if it means anything, finding Lei...having her in my life has, well, changed my life." His eyes soften and his jaw sets. "And I want you to know that I am willing to do anything to protect her and Greywynn." He fists his hands. "I will do anything. They are both my world."

And that's it. That is all I need. To see this man proclaim his love for my niece and their daughter. That's it. There is nothing stronger than a love like that – nothing fiercer.

He will protect them. He will do what he needs. Quiet, polite, and gentle, but protective, strong, and selfless. I have nothing to worry about.

I smile, resting a hand on his shoulder. "I have no doubt. And please, just call me Jonas. No need to be formal."

His eyes brighten as he speaks. "Of course. Yes, sir – I mean, Jonas."

I smile, letting my hand fall back to my side and turn as the door opens again. Vash hurries to it, holding it open for Lans as she walks out, holding Greywynn in her arms. The baby's , are furrowed and her red face is pinched. She's definitely over the visit, but both Vash and Lans smile at her.

It only takes one look to tell this little girl is their world. She is their everything. And as I look at Lans, I remember a much, much simpler time when Trevor and Daph squealed with excitement as Elana placed the tiny bundle that was Leilani in my arms and how small she was.

I remember how different it felt to hold her. She was smaller than either of her siblings had been at birth, but even then, she was so much more aware. Her eyes darted everywhere and as she looked up at me, she cooed and babbled. I was instantly wrapped around her more.

She is no longer that tiny baby. She is a grown woman with a baby of her own, and as she looks at me now, I know she'll be just fine.

**Hello, lovelies! Well, this was a new POV. It was Jonas. That was different. But hey, we got to see a little in his head and even saw how he has accepted Vash. All is well! Right? Right? Guess we'll find out. Not gonna lie, writing from Jonas's POV felt very foreign, but my brain did not want to do any other POV. I guess Jonas wanted a turn. We give the characters what they want here! That said...will the characters give us what we want? They do their own thing. I make no promises. Well, that'll do for today. Thank y'all so, so much for all the love and support! Y'all are the bee's knees! Wuv yous!! <3**

-Noel Ross