Jonah had always been good at hiding. It was, after all, what he did best—slipping in and out of rooms, conversations, and even lives without leaving so much as a trace. He could be standing right next to someone, and they’d never even notice him. It was a talent he’d honed over the years, a skill that had become second nature.
But there were some places even Jonah couldn’t sneak into, no matter how skilled he was.
Like Asher’s heart.
Leaning against the wall in the base’s common room, Jonah watched as Asher moved around the space with the confident ease of someone who had always known his place in the world. Even when he was exhausted, bruised from battle, or weighed down by the expectations of an entire city, Asher carried himself with a presence that was impossible to ignore. It was a kind of charisma that drew people in, made them believe in him, look up to him.
It was something Jonah had admired for as long as he could remember.
He glanced down at the cup of coffee in his hand, the steam curling up in lazy tendrils. The rest of the team had turned in for the night—Ethan included—leaving just the two of them in the dimly lit room. A comfortable silence settled between them, broken only by the soft hum of the base’s machinery.
Jonah cleared his throat, his gaze shifting back to Asher. “Hey, you got a minute?”
Asher looked up, his blue eyes meeting Jonah’s with a mixture of curiosity and concern. “Yeah, what’s up?” He leaned back against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest. “You look like you’ve got something on your mind.”
“Yeah, I guess I do.” Jonah hesitated, the words catching in his throat. He’d never been good at this sort of thing—opening up, talking about feelings. But there were things he needed to say. Things that had been sitting inside him for far too long.
“I’ve been thinking a lot lately,” Jonah started, his voice quiet but steady. “About… this whole team thing. About where I fit in.” He paused, glancing away. “I know I’m not like the rest of you. I’m not a hero by nature. I didn’t grow up wanting to save the city or fight crime. I didn’t have a mentor, or a legacy, or anyone telling me what I was supposed to be.”
Asher’s brow furrowed, his gaze softening. “Jonah, you know you’re as much a part of this team as any of us. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone.”
“I know,” Jonah murmured, but the knot in his chest didn’t loosen. He shifted, leaning against the wall beside Asher. “But that’s the thing, Ash. I want to prove something. I want to… to mean something to you. To this team.” He let out a soft, self-deprecating laugh. “Sounds stupid, doesn’t it?”
Asher shook his head, his expression earnest. “It’s not stupid. Not at all.” He took a step closer, his voice lowering. “You’re already one of us, Jonah. I trust you. We all do.”
Jonah swallowed hard, his fingers tightening around the coffee cup. “But do you?” The words slipped out before he could stop them, raw and vulnerable in a way that made his heart ache. “Do you really trust me, Asher? Or am I just… another stray you decided to take in?”
Asher’s eyes widened, surprise flashing across his face. “What? No, Jonah—”
“Just hear me out,” Jonah interrupted, shaking his head. “I’m not saying this to make you feel bad or anything. I just… I want you to know that I’m here because I choose to be. Because you’re important to me. Because—” He stopped, his voice faltering for a moment. “Because you’re someone I look up to. Someone I’ve always looked up to.”
Silence hung between them, heavy and charged. Asher’s gaze was searching, his posture tense as if he wasn’t sure how to respond. Jonah shifted uncomfortably under the weight of that stare, his pulse hammering in his ears.
“Look, I know I’m not like Ethan,” Jonah continued, his voice softer now, almost hesitant. “I know I don’t have that same bond with you. And that’s okay. I’m not asking for that. But… I just want you to know that you’re my hero, too. Not just the city’s. Not just some symbol of hope. You, Asher—the person.”
Asher blinked, his expression shifting into something Jonah couldn’t quite read. “Jonah… I had no idea you felt that way.”
“Yeah, well, I’m not exactly great at sharing my feelings,” Jonah muttered, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. “But I thought… I thought you should know. You’re the reason I’m here. You’re the reason I want to be better. To do better.”
For a long moment, Asher just stared at him, his eyes searching Jonah’s face as if trying to piece together everything he was saying. Then, slowly, Asher’s lips curved into a small, genuine smile.
“You know, I’ve always admired you, too,” Asher said softly. The sincerity in his voice made Jonah’s chest tighten. “You’re resourceful, quick-thinking, and brave. You’ve got a strength that most people don’t see—because you hide it so well. But I see it, Jonah. I see you.”
Jonah’s breath caught, a rush of warmth flooding through him at the unexpected words. “You… you do?”
“Yeah, I do.” Asher stepped closer, resting a hand on Jonah’s shoulder. “And I’m glad you’re here. Not just because of what you can do, but because of who you are. You’re not just a thief-turned-hero. You’re my friend. And I’m proud of you, Jonah.”
Jonah swallowed hard, his throat tight. He hadn’t realized how much he’d needed to hear those words until now. It felt like something inside him was finally letting go, releasing the tension he hadn’t even known he was carrying.
“Thanks, Ash,” he whispered, his voice rough with emotion. “That… means a lot.”
Asher’s smile widened, his grip on Jonah’s shoulder tightening briefly before he let go. “Anytime. And just so you know, you don’t have to try so hard to be my favorite.” He winked, the familiar teasing lilt returning to his voice. “You already are.”
Jonah blinked, his mouth falling open slightly in shock. “Wait—what?”
“Yeah, don’t tell Ethan, though. He’d probably pout for a week,” Asher added, his grin turning mischievous.
Jonah let out a startled laugh, the sound bursting out of him before he could stop it. “You’re kidding, right?”
“Maybe.” Asher’s gaze softened, his expression fond. “But seriously, Jonah… you’re more than enough. Just as you are.”
The words settled around Jonah like a warm, comforting blanket, wrapping him in a sense of acceptance and belonging that he hadn’t known he was missing. He looked at Asher, a smile tugging at his lips.
“You really know how to mess with a guy’s head, you know that?” he muttered, though his tone was light, teasing.
Asher shrugged, his grin turning playful. “Hey, what can I say? It’s one of my many talents.”
Jonah shook his head, chuckling softly. “Yeah, well, I guess I’ll have to get used to it.” He glanced at Asher, his gaze steady and sincere. “Thanks, Ash. For everything.”
“Anytime, Jonah,” Asher replied, his voice gentle. “That’s what friends are for.”
And in that quiet, unspoken moment, Jonah felt something shift inside him—something subtle but profound. It wasn’t about being the best or the most powerful or even the most trusted. It was about being seen, being valued… being part of something bigger than himself.
And for the first time in a long time, Jonah knew, without a doubt, that he belonged.
YOU ARE READING
Chasing Shadows
Novela Juvenil"Chasing Shadows" is a tale of darkness, obsession, and unexpected desire. Zane, a calculating villain with a vendetta against the city's beloved hero, Asher, finds his meticulously crafted world disrupted by an unexpected presence-Ethan, the hero's...
