𝙼𝚢 𝙲𝚛𝚞𝚎𝚕 𝙱𝚎𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚢 ٭ 𝚃𝚊𝚎𝚗𝚗𝚒𝚎 ٭

٭𝟼𝟽٭

It was late at night, and Tzuyu sat at the edge of her window, a cigarette between her fingers. The soft glow of the city lights outside couldn’t chase away the thoughts swirling in her mind. She drew in a slow breath, the smoke curling upward like her unspoken fears. Neither her uncle nor her father knew she smoked. She'd started sneaking cigarettes, stealing one here and there. It wasn’t rebellion it was escape.

Her thoughts wandered to her father, all alone back in China. Was he okay? What if something happened to him? The thought gripped her chest like a vice, and tears began to well in her eyes. She blinked quickly, trying to push them back, but they came anyway.

Suddenly, the soft sound of footsteps echoed outside her room. Her heart skipped a beat. She quickly flicked the cigarette out the window and waved away the lingering smoke with panicked hands. A knock followed, gentle but firm.

“Darling, it’s me,” Jackson’s voice called from the other side.

She sighed, trying to compose herself. "Come in," she said softly.

Jackson stepped into the room, his expression calm but sharp enough to notice the faint scent of smoke hanging in the air. His eyes flicked to the open window and then back to her. "You shouldn’t sit there precious," he said firmly, gesturing to the precarious ledge. "What if you fell?"

Tzuyu hesitated but got down and shut the window without a word. She stood awkwardly by the bed, avoiding his gaze.

“What’s going on?” he asked, his voice softer now. “You look... off. Is something bothering you?”

Tzuyu shook her head, but Jackson wasn’t convinced. He walked over to the bed and sat down, patting his thighs.

“Come here,” he said.

“I’m not a little girl anymore, Uncle Jackson,” she muttered, crossing her arms defensively.

“Fine,” he replied, shrugging lightly. “Then sit next to me. You’re not too grown up for that, are you?”

Reluctantly, she sat down beside him. As soon as she did, Jackson draped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her in slightly. His warmth was comforting, but she still held herself stiffly.

"Talk to me, sweetheart. What's wrong?"

She hesitated, staring at the floor as her lip quivered. Then, in a shaky voice, she admitted, “I’m worried about my dad... What if something happens to him? He’s all alone there.” Her voice broke, and the tears she’d been holding back began to fall.

Jackson’s chest tightened at the sight of her crying. He didn’t often see Tzuyu like this she was always so composed, almost too mature for her age.

“Hey, hey...” he murmured, pulling her closer. “Listen to me. Kun is strong. You know that better than anyone. He’s tough because he has to be for you.”

“But what if-”

“No what ifs.” Jackson interrupted gently. “Do you know how much he loves you? You’re his little girl, Tzuyu. Just the thought of you is probably keeping him going. You’re his anchor, you understand? As long as you’re here, he’ll keep fighting. I promise you that.”

Tzuyu sniffled, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. “You think so?”

“I know so,” Jackson said confidently. “And hey, if you’re ever worried about him, you’ve got me. I’ll always be here, okay? You don’t have to carry all this by yourself.”

She finally looked up at him, her eyes red and watery but filled with gratitude. “Thanks, Uncle Jackson.”

“Anytime, kid,” he replied, ruffling her hair. She swatted his hand away with a small laugh, and the sound brought a smile to his face.