AU - Clary and Jace are brother and sister...but where does it leave them? Where does it leave their love?

"Clary" It's softly spoken, the word whispered like a gentle promise and it sends shivers down my spine but I don't turn around, I just can't, I don't want to have to deal with the consequences.

"Clary." More insistent this time, his voice...he sounds sad?

There's the sound of footsteps and suddenly an arm is gently twisting me around so that I'm facing him, his golden eyes pained.

Jace rarely shows his pain, he tries so hard to hide it but now it's clearly etched across his face, clearly portrayed on every inch of him.

I look away.

"Clary please...why won't you look at me?" I can feel my resolve slipping away but I stubbornly try to grasp at it, my fingers scrambling to cling onto anything, instead I find myself falling into his arms sobbing.

I cling to him, my fingers fisted in his shirt trying to make all this bad stuff go away but it won't, it's just getting worse.

"You're my brother." I whisper softly and Jace makes a soft noise like he's hurt by that label.

"Yes." He whispers back, his arms tighten around me and wrap me in his warm embrace.

"But I'm in love with you."

He tilts his head to meet my gaze and he nods, a quick sharp movement.

"And I'm in love with you." He says quietly, he looks ashamed, broken ... nothing like the Jace I know.

"So where does this leave us?" I ask, tears filling my eyes and he tries to smile but it's a damaged thing, it doesn't reach his eyes.

"In each other's arms, we draw strength from each other and we overcome this, we prove them all wrong."

I chew on my lip before meeting his honey coloured eyes.

"You don't believe it's true?"

He shakes his head, strands of golden hair falling over his face as he does so.

"Of course not."

I nod, agreeing with him.

"Neither do I."

It's silent for a few moments as we hold each other, the only sound made is our soft breathing filling our ears like unfinished sentences, words that are never meant to be spoken.

"You were right," I say quietly and Jace looks at me, interested in what I have to say.

I expect Jace to make a joke about how he's always right but it doesn't come, instead he stands there patiently waiting for me to continue.

"Remember how you said that being loved is being destroyed? It's true."

For the first time today I see a real smile fill Jace's face as he shakes his head.

"That's how you feel because our love is forbidden but Clary it won't be for long, have hope."