Broken

.13.

I felt a bolt of anger rush through me at his words and I narrowed my eyes. "Excuse me?" I couldn't believe what he had just said. "You can't just say all of that shit and then just demand I touch you. That isn't fair, Rhex. I can't handle doing this hot and cold thing anymore. You pushing me away then pulling me back only to push me away again. I'm done with it." I pushed against his chest and he said nothing as he reached around my back, spreading his large hands across it before pulling me close, ignoring my attempts at putting space between us.

"Touch me, Liv, then shut me out. I want to know what you go through when I do it to you." The words were harsh in my ears and I blinked, taking him in. He was serious, if his expression was anything to go by. He loosened his arms and I slowly reached up and traced the scar on his face. He winced. "Don't touch it." I was curious and I wasn't going to let this opportunity pass me by.

"Why?" I smoothed my hand over his cheek, scar included. I liked how his slight stubble scratched my palm. The jagged scar was smooth and I brushed my thumb over it lightly.

"It's disgusting and I know it's hard to look at." The words were filled with self-loathing and I leaned closer, kissing the corner of his mouth that the scar pulled down. I felt him stiffen at the contact but I pulled back to look at his eyes.

"How did you get it?" I shifted my hand so it cupped his cheek, my thumb brushing over the place I had just kissed. His skin was warm and it made my hands and palms zing as my nerves lit up at the contact.

"Explosion in the third section, Delta Quadrant. Zengan suicide bomber. Tore most of my squad to pieces and I was left with this pretty thing and a giant scar on my side." He practically spat the words out and I let my heart ache for him before I dipped my head and kissed down the entire length of it. His muscles didn't loosen and I wrapped my hand around the back of his neck before pulling him to me.

I hugged him tightly, glad that he survived to be with me. I slowly let him go. "War takes away many things, Rhex but it didn't take your life." I let my fingers trace his cheekbones and jaw-line. It was nice to be close to him, to actually touch him. It almost settled something deep inside of me, relaxing it.

"It took away people's ability to look me in the face. They are repulsed by it." There was so much anger emanating from him it was almost oppressive in its heaviness.

"They're foolish then." I cupped his face in my hands and gave him a sad half-smile. "If I could, I would take away this mark and all the negativity that goes with it. I would remove the memories it has because you should never feel like this, Rhex." I traced my finger down the pale line again, mesmerized by the jaggedness that made his face look so severe and unapproachable. He looked dangerous with it and I almost appreciated how harsh it made him.

"I can't take away your scars or your memories, Rhex, but you can let the negativity go." I brushed my fingers across that mark once more. "If they cannot look you in the eyes then they are not worth your time. You protected them and that should not be the thanks you get." I settled slightly in his lap, sitting eye to eye with him.

His gaze was angry and I dropped my hands to his shoulders, letting my fingers dig into his muscles. I massaged at the stiffness I found resting in them before reaching down slowly and grabbing the edge of his shirt.

A large hand snapped out and shackled my wrist in a tight grip. I looked at him tilting my head slightly. "Don't." The word was low and angry and I could feel him withdrawing from the situation and I narrowed my eyes.

"No rules, no judgment, no pushing away, remember?" I watched as he narrowed his eyes as well before he let my wrist go. I tugged up on the hem of his shirt and with a low sound of irritation he pulled it off for me.