A/N: Hello! In the spirit of the season I decided to fill my midterm break with a fluffy The Mortal Instruments fic that'll probably last about three chapters that's Halloween themed. I should be doing my collection of essays but let's not think about that and enjoy the story! This takes place after City of Lost Souls but there isn't any real plot progression it's just my favourite Shadowhunters celebrating their favourite holiday in the mundane way for a change.

JacePOV

I run a hand through my hair, frustrated. Now that Maryse and Robert were in Alicante for official Clave business again, the cooking was left to none other than chef extraordinaire Isabelle Lightwood. I could almost hear the future sounds of mine and Alec's retching.

I lope lazily out of my impeccable room. It was unchangingly neat as always, except with the new additions of Clary's drawings pinned at random intervals. I won't deny the majority of them were of me. My girl was the only one who could capture these stunning good looks and for that alone she should be applauded.

I turn one of the Institute's many corners and smack straight into Alec's gangly frame. He wears a similar grimacing expression.

''Shall we take this walk to our undoubted bout of food poisoning together, young sire?'' I ask him, holding out my arm in offering. He smacks my hand away irritably. Clearly gentle satire was not enough to sooth him about eating tonight. I couldn't really blame him.

On approaching the large, gothic kitchen the smell of warm, spicy soup and fresh cheese rolls assaults our senses. Hmm an enticing smell couldn't be right. Alec and I glance at each other as we reflexively grip the handle of our holstered seraph blades.

The usually perishing, dark hall is warm and alight with the soft glow of candles. Perched at the counter was Isabelle, long black hair pinned with a knife as she idly flipped a magazine. Directly opposite her was the best surprise I could have asked for, even better than edible food. Clary sits atop one of the black stools, her hair pulled messily into a bun with curls escaping everywhere while her hand reaches into a brown paper bag with Carriage Clock Bakery scrawled along it. Steaming bowls of soup lay in front of both them.

''Clary.'' I breathe, not quite as masculine as I'd hoped. She glances immediately towards us, her green eyes piercing. Well actually she was only looking at me seeing as Alec had immediately leaped in the direction of the food.

"Hello Jace." She answers me softly, a hesitant smile lighting her face. I hated that, the fact that she was still unsure of my love for her as if I didn't feel the urge to spring towards her every time she arrived at the Institute and never let her go. I had only myself to blame for that but I vowed I would spend the rest of our lives proving my love to her, if she'd have me. What a scary thought.

I want to move towards her but her bright eyes had pinned me like a butterfly and I couldn't think of anything else.

"It's alright Jace. Go to her. No one is going to think you're a pussy for expressing your love to Clary in a disgustingly ostentatious way," Isabelle mutters sarcastically. "Well at least we'll try not to."

A small portion of me wants to come back with a sarcastic comment but the part of me that constantly focused and revolved around Clary wins out and I stride toward her.

I stand, towering over her and almost melt as she glances up at me from under her lashes. I cup her delicate cheek with one hand, the other brushing a fiery curl out of her eye and tucking it behind her ear. She sighs gently, entwining her small arms around my neck.

''You can close your eyes and think of Hong Kong if you wish." I whisper in her ear.

"Never been there either." She mumbles quietly before pulling my mouth down to hers.

The kiss lasts seconds or possibly an eternity. I'm never conscious of time when my mouth is on Clary's, I am only conscious of the fact that I never want it to end.

"I thought you had a family dinner or something?" I ask her once we finally break apart.

"I did," She gasps. "Jocelyn decided it was romantic at the last second and packed me off here with an overnight bag and a flagon of homemade pumpkin soup."

Whoop go Jocelyn.

"Flagon? Who says flagon?'' I raise an eyebrow at her.

"I say flagon," she retorts defensively "and if you have an issue with my flagon, you are more than welcome to a bowlful of Isabelle's chicken curry." She indicates a pot of bubbling, foul smelling liquid. She turns back to me her pale nose crinkled in disgust. She's even attractive when she's grossed out by something. I thought I was the only one who could achieve that.

I can't help but laugh at her though and soon she joins in. This is what I needed, Clary's company. Her arms are still wrapped around me so I just scoop my hand under her jean clad thighs, cradling her against me momentarily before I slide onto the stool I had just extracted her from and balancing her on my knees, one arm wrapped around her waist for both her safety and my pleasure. She blushes furiously and I grin.

''Get me some soup from thy flagon then woman.''

She reaches toward the flask of soup next to Alec, a questioning look in her eyes. He smiles at her, his teeth dotted with smears of vivid orange.

"It's orange? Bright orange?'' I ask, horrified.

"What colour did you expect pumpkin soup to be exactly?" Clary rolls her eyes at me.

"On second thoughts Izzy I think I'll take my chances with the curry.''

"I wouldn't Jace, this soup is amazing.'' Alec garbles at me, his mouth stuffed with cheese bread.

"Don't be such a baby Jace it's soup! I thought you'd jump at the chance not to have to suffer through my cooking for once." Izzy barks at me sorely.

"I'll have some if you'll spoon feed me." I plead to Clary, my nose nuzzling into her shoulder. She laughs and I'm immediately delighted at the vibration of her laughter before she turns in my lap and slaps me upside the head.

"Nice try Jace but even if demonology lessons didn't expressly cover table manners, I'm sure you managed to feed yourself all the years I wasn't around.''

''How do you know I didn't have a queue of fairies, vampires and mundanes alike lining up to feed me?"

She tilts her head to the side as if appraising me.

''Because you're not that good a kisser."

Alec begins to roar with laughter, food spraying everywhere while Isabelle distracts herself from her magazine long enough to stand up and applaud Clary. Traitors.

A/N: I know it's fairly fluffy but I did warn you! This won't be a very long fic but there will be some more chapters so make sure you follow/favourite if you enjoyed it! Hope you liked it and I'd love it if you'd review to let me know what you're thinking!