✓ | Hushed Whispers ⋆ Will Herondale [2]

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT: TRUSTING

◤I can't tell you much, just please know that I am doing this for us. Everything I am doing is for us.◢

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CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT: TRUSTING

"I am all yours now, Celine."

Marie shook her head in amusement as Will cascaded down the stone stairs of the Institute, dressed in new, clean clothes. He wore his usual dark trousers, pairing them with a white shirt and a coat over it. A long cut ran below his right eye, creasing slightly as he smirked at the brunette girl.

Much like himself, Marie had her thick coat on, preparing to face the chilly weather of London. A matching dark hat rested on top of her head. "Shall we head out, then?"

Will nodded confidently, offering his arm to Marie. With a gentle smile, Marie accepted Will's gesture, exiting the Institute.

Their steps were slow, enjoying the few moments of peace they managed to snatch away for themselves. With Jem and Tessa away and Charlotte busy with her own problems, the two were left to figure their way around. Marie supposed she was lucky enough that Will agreed to accompany her on a short walk the moment she offered; he was usually the one to avoid company and navigate his way around.

With bodies close to each other and intertwined hands, they allowed their gazes to linger on the people who passed them in a hurry, heads tucked beneath their hats. Marie felt oddly comfortable in Will's presence, considering everything that happened between them.

The thought of them kissing each other and confessing their deepest feelings burned vividly in her mind, making her insides turn fuzzy and warm. The image of them clinging onto each other and their lips barely touching danced before her eyes, their promises echoing in the back of her head.

She had never felt like that before. Nobody was capable of making her feel as if her entire body had been set on fire, each touch of theirs raising the temperature even more. Will's intense gaze made her melt in his arms, but contrary to their previous moments, that time - Will didn't let her go. Instead, he begged her to stay.

"We haven't done this in a while," Will tilted his head to the side, his blue eyes meeting Marie's hazel ones. Despite being tired, he still managed to make Marie's knees buckle. And if somehow his dazzling midnight blue gaze wasn't enough, Will's charming smile surely was. "Walking around London, I mean. Just the two of us."

It was the truth. Considering how busy their lives were, especially as of lately, the pair hadn't spent much time alone. Their days were filled with endless tasks and constant worrying about Mortmain that they couldn't afford taking a break. However, that day, the pair decided to break the rules and steal a few short hours to themselves.

"I know," Marie nodded, her gaze drifting off to the Thames. The river flowed steadily, allowing several boats to cross it. Cold wind nibbled on her cheeks, bringing a gentle flush of color to her cheeks. "Almost feels foreign, doesn't it?"

She felt Will's eyes on her, but didn't dare turn to meet them. Noticing this, Will sighed and brought his free hand over Marie's palm, offering her a gentle squeeze. "Can I be honest with you?"

Will's question caught her by surprise. For some reason, as of lately, Will had disposed of his teasing behavior whenever he was around her. She didn't know if that was good. While they still bickered with each other on occasions, she noticed the change in the Herondale boy, as if his walls were crumbling.