Chapter 25:

A Piece of the Past

These jars were filled with various types of spells that were of a different kind than he or Kiera wove. It was nostalgic looking upon them again. He remembered the first time she gave him one of these jars. He was maybe 8-years-old at the time.

It was a small jar filled with various herbs, flowers, and some crystals. She claimed it would "protect him". He believed her and took it home. Put it near to his bed, closest to where he was, as she told him. He believed it would stop his father from beating him and his mother. Not really understanding how it all worked.

Jace's heart ached remembering his reaction when his father still beat on them both. He got angry with Liana. Smashed the jar and everything in front of her. She cried. It was the first time he ever made her cry. "Jace...you absolute fool." He could only berate himself now.

He knew better now that they weren't a miracle. In a way...they did help. He was alive, and his mother, though in a coma, was also alive. He couldn't help but think as he looked upon the jars that perhaps they had something to do with it. Guiding them to the best outcome.

"...Jace?" Liana's voice pushed softly into his thoughts, "Everything alright?"

"Yeah..." Jace smiled gently, "Just thinking on the past. That first jar you gave me..."

"Ah..." Liana set down the tea tray on the table and then walked up beside him, "That was a rough moment for you."

"For me?" Jace couldn't help but look at her as if she was from another reality. For her to say such a thing while it was her who cried just seemed ridiculous to him. Even in such a situation, she didn't blame him. She wasn't angry or anything. She simply thought of his wellbeing.

She was more amazing than he could have ever thought. Always there for him. Even back then, she pulled herself together and never gave up. When he went to apologize, she barely gave it any thought. Just like now, she had said it was a rough time for him.

"Liana..." Jace spoke her name softly, filled with warmth and love.

The light caught her face, haloing it in a soft glow. Her gaze fixated on the jars turned to him. He felt his heart clench itself as he was overwhelmed with emotion. Ever since that day back then, he kept every single jar she ever gave him after that.

"Yeah?" She smiled kindly, looking at him with those clear, beautiful eyes of hers.

In that moment, he wanted to hug her. To hold her and never let go. His body reacted before his mind could catch up. His arms wrapping around her, pulling her in to a warm, tender hug. He did his best to be gentle, but wanted to get his feelings across. The feelings of gratefulness.

"...Thank you," Jace whispered to her, "For everything you've always done for me. Honestly, you really...Just, thank you."

She seemed to relax against him as a single arm wrapped around him, returning the hug with what felt like an even gentler nature than his own. He could feel a weight lift off of him in that moment.

"You're welcome...Now, how about that tea?"

-----

Liana was surprised when Jace showed up at her door. She knew Kiera had something to do with it. A part of her was anxious. She knew now that Jace held feelings for her beyond just that of family. The same feelings she held for him, but now just wasn't the time to reveal it.

There was a lot going on with him right now. So many emotions and thoughts going through his head. It wouldn't be right to take adantage of that, and now there was Selene. Someone who liked him...a lot. That night they stayed up late talking all about Jace.

Liana was more than happy to share. To see someone so enthused and eager to learn about him warmed her heart. Even as she felt a bit of an ache, it was quickly soothed with the genuine nature Selene held within herself. Now, however, Jace was at her door.

She would eventually tell him, but for now she would do what she could. As she always did. Inviting him in, watching him fidget as he ached to do something. She knew he felt the need to repay her. Which is why she didn't put up much of a fight when he loaded up the wash for the dishes.

He needed to relax, and tea was the perfect thing. It was as if the universe guided him here, even if it was Kiera pushing him. Because at this time she was making a calming tea. A tea that would help to relax and ease one's mind. After all, she wasn't exactly immune to stress herself.

She watched him, as she always did. Every movement, every flicker upon his face. She saw the reminiscing, the sadness as he looked upon her Jar Spells. She knew the day he thought back to. It was easy to tell. His guilt gave it away.

When she called out to him, it was all but confirmed. She had been upset at the time. Cried because she thought he hated her. It took her mother to explain it to her. He was frustrated and in a bad situation. The abuse he went through couldn't be fixed by her jars.

At least, not like he thought they would. So, he had grown frustrated. Once she understood, she didn't hold any grudge. She only felt a stronger urge to do better. When he apologized to her, it was the first time she really started liking him. He was so genuine and upset over making her cry.

She patiently explained to him about her spells. That they weren't miracles, but could do things given with the right intentions. She knew he kept every single jar she ever gave him after that. He tried to hide it, most likely out of embarrassment, but he wasn't very good at it. He kept them all in his room, hidden behind some books on the shelves.

He put forth a lot of effort to understand her practices. It warmed her heart. It was what first thing that led her to seeing him as something more. He accepted her when others didn't. Way before Kiera. On top of that he was kind, caring, and when his head wasn't up his ass, he was pretty thoughtful. She could only laugh and smile to herself at the thought.

How often he would make up for birthdays missed due to a job in recent years, or because of his father's abuse in the past causing him to miss them. It brought a tender smile to her face. He tried so hard. Now, she stood before him at the cabinet. Thinking back to all those times. "It was simpler, in a way..." She thought to herself.

Of course, thinking on it now, she knew it wasn't so simple. It was just the nostalgia of having just one thing to worry about rather than many. As with all things, memories are often fonder when you look back on them than when they actually happened.

Still, her feelings never changed from back then. They only grew stronger. Before Kiera, Jace protected her. He wasn't strong, but he was always there. With his anger fueling what he lacked in strength. It came to be known not to mess with her, or "Jace the Wild" would come running. She almost giggled thinking back to that nickname. Kids could come up with the most ridiculous things.

"Liana..." Jace called to her softly, breaking her from her thoughts.

"Yeah?" She smiled to him kindly, her heart filled with love.

There was no hesitation in him. As soon as she turned to face him, he acted. It was such a surprise to her as his arms embraced her. Her mind went racing with thoughts. Mainly it was just her freaking out. Her entire face beet red at his sudden action.

"H-He never did this before..." She didn't hate it, but still found herself frozen there. Before she could question it, he spoke. Thanking her for all that she did for him. Though she didn't think she did that much, she heard the genuine gratefulness in his words. "To him...it's a lot." She found herself relaxing, the tension in her body from being suddenly so close to him melting away.

This was him showing a side that she never saw before. One filled with his love and emotions going back years. She warned herself not to take advantage of this. It took all she could muster not to act on her own impulses. "This isn't the time..." Liana knew that right now would only complicate matters.

He was going through a lot, and right now he needed this. So, she would enjoy what she could get for now. Wrapping an arm around him, she held him back tenderly. She felt his warmth and as she took a breath, she smelled the storm upon him.

He always smelled like a storm. Rain, ozone, and a bit of sea breeze. It was a light, pleasant smell despite it normally feeling a bit rough. As if the storm was brewing constantly. Now, there was almost a sense of calm to it. A sense of...smoothness.

She knew there was a turbulence still, but it was reassuring to her. He was on his way to acceptance and healing. All the jars on the shelf were finally manifesting. Jace didn't know it, but each and every single one of them was for him. The cabinet completely full.

Filled with her love and hopes for him. Her intentions and wishes for his good health and fortune. His safety and peace. Putting forth in the cooking she made for him even more intentions. To regain his energy and renew himself. To feel full and ready to take on the day.

Closing her eyes, she composed herself. This was all worth it for a moment like this. Still, her work was still not done, and he had a lot to do for himself. She would help as best as she could, and so as she opened her eyes, she invited him once more for some tea.

-----

Nikushimi

I love moments like these. Just soft and tender. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did writing it.

Also, I hope I explained Jar Spells properly. From what little I know from a very good, old friend of mine, this was the best I could do to explain. It may not be entirely accurate, but for the purpose of this story I hope it works. Thank you for your understanding <3

More chapters to come once they are finished.