Whispers--Shadowhunters(2)

XI

I am out of gifs now, so they won't be up here from now on. :( sorry for that and for posting after months.

                                                    Chapter Eleven-- Of Lies and Perceptions.

Olivia slowly and reluctantly broke the hug, but didn't move away from his grip. Jace didn't move back either. He couldn't move back, not now, not from her. ''Olivia.....whatever it is, whatever you need, I am here. Always,'' he spoke softly and looked deep into her bi-colored eyes, his soft and gentle gaze bringing her the calm she needed.

''I know,'' she whispered and held out her hand to him. He placed his hand in her's without a second of hesitation and, for a second, both forgot about the world. For a second, all they could think about was how his hand, a rough hand, a hand that was lined with scars of old wounds, a hand that had handled all kinds of weapons, was fitting perfectly in her soft and smooth hand.

He gently interlaced their fingers and Olivia suddenly thought whether this man, who was always so gentle and patient and caring with her, was the same man who was known for his fighting skills.

Why? she wanted to ask him, why are you so warm to me, Jace? Why so caring towards me? Will you still be like this once you know about the growing darkness inside me?

Jace sighed and gently tightened his grip on her soft fingers. She smiled warmly at him and, like always, managed to calm the storm that was going on within him. He sighed and let out a breath as she gently rubbed her thumb on his bruised knuckles--he hadn't used his stele on them because he, well, he hadn't gotten the chance to look at his wounds, let alone heal them-- and let his muscles relax under her soft touch.

Stop, his mind warned, stop.

''I can't,'' he whispered, but it was low, low even for Olivia's wolf ears. She, unaware of what was doing, slowly started running her fingers up his arm, feeling the curves of his runes under her skin and being extremely careful not put to pressure on his still wounded arm.

Jace closed his eyes and sighed. Her touch was calming, a relief from the chaos that was going around them, and god he wanted her to keep going. He wanted her to touch every part of his skin, he wanted her to....he wanted her to come closer to him, close enough for him to hug her tightly and tell her that her pain, which was so painfully visible in her eyes, was his too. He wanted to bare his soul to her, and he wanted to listen to her talk about her worries.

Olivia continued to gently run her fingers up his arm, unaware of the effect she had on Jace, and had the sudden urge to softly press her lips against his still fresh wounds, hoping that they could take away some of his pain. ''Do they hurt?'' she asked, gently running her fingers over an open deep scratch.

''No,'' he spoke slowly, watching as her hand continued its journey up his arm, ''No, not right now,'' he added and hissed as a sudden stinging sensation erupted in his arm. Gasping at the sudden jolt, he blinked in surprise and then flinched as a dull, but sharp pain began at the back of his head.

Olivia saw him flinch and frowned in concern but then gasped in surprise as she saw his runes glowing a bright gold color under her touch. ''Oh god.'' she breathed out and looked up at him, only to see that he was breathing heavily and his eyes were slowly closing.

Jace blinked, trying to fight this sudden drowsiness off.

''Jace,'' Olivia's voice, panicked yet calm, reached his ears, breaking through the darkness that had started to surround his vision. ''Jace, I know it's difficult. But stay awake, okay? Stay awake, hey,'' she lightly patted his cheek when she saw him almost closing his eyes and then gasped in shock as soon as his eyes slowly locked with hers.