Clary never thought she would be back.

She was standing outside of the institute gates, Isabelle slightly in front of her and Ariana attached to her hand like superglue. Clary looked over at her daughter, her heart hammering in her chest. Ariana looked utterly entranced by the looming building in front of her. Clary herself was more shocked by the fact that she could see the building. Yes, she had always known that her daughter had the sight (her parents were both Angel-blooded), but it was still a shock to see her standing there like she too had once done so many years ago.

The institute gate creaked open slowly, Isabelle turned around to face Clary and Ariana with a strange look on her faces.

"Are you ready to go in?" Isabelle asked. Clary could have sworn she sounded a little uncertain, like she was committing some sort of hideous crime.

"No time like the present", Clary replied. She prayed that her voice sounded neutral.

They made their way up the path to the front door, their footsteps echoing across the weedy carpet. It was all coming back to her now, the smell and air around the institute carried so many memories. Memories of a time long ago when she would paint on the steps, a golden boy next to her watching over her intently as she did.

[]

"It's been ages since you've painted properly", Jace said, his breath tickling her ear.

They were sat on the institute steps, Clary with chalks in her hands and a paper pad balanced expertly on her lap. Jace was leaning gently over her shoulder, his golden chipped eyes focused on the task in front of him.

"I haven't had much time I guess."

"Being a Shadowhunter is pretty much a full-time occupation", Jace agreed, his hands fiddling with Clary's hair.

"That's true, but babysitting you is really my full-time job", Clary mused, twisting slightly to be able to look at him properly.

Jace lightly poked her arm, his face in mock hurt.

"Watch it Fray", he said, his eyes sparkling.

She turned back to her work. It was supposed to be a picture of an orange orchard but to her it looked like some sort of potato plant. She sighed, frustrated.

"You can do both", Jace suddenly said, his voice now serious.

"What do you mean?"

"I know you think it's impossible to fight and paint. Like the two worlds don't mix. But they do. Maybe not for every Shadowhunter, but you are not just anyone. You are Clary Fray. I guess what I am trying to say is you are special enough, and talented enough, to do both."

A silence fell between them as Clary stared at him. She was completely wordless, her lips parted in an 'o' expression.

Jace flushed, but his gaze remained fixed on her, his eyes searching her face.

"Did I say something wrong-", he started but he couldn't finish as Clary leant forward and pressed her mouth firmly on his. For a split second, his lips were unyielding, as he was caught so off guard. But then, they softened, and his arms came up around her waist and over her back. She clung to him more tightly, trying to tell him with the press of her mouth that she loved him, that she needed him, that she was so grateful for him. She knew what it took for him to be vulnerable; his childhood and been so full of torment and misery. So when he said things like that to her, it made her feel as if together they could repair each other.

Together they could make a life together, one not full of darkness, but instead full of light.

His hands slid down her waist, and she was lost in the sensations that spiraled through her nerves and blood. She had no idea what might have happened next when a voice from behind startled her.

"Canoodling on the institute steps I see. And they say love is dead."

She leant a little to the side, her arms still around Jace, to see Magnus standing at the entrance of the institute, basked in a heavenly like light. He was grinning at them like a cat, his eyes dancing mysteriously.

"Love could never be dead whilst the world still has me in it", Jace replied happily. Clary could tell despite his calm manner that he had been startled too. She looked down to hide her red face, and at the same time cursed her pale skin for always being so revealing.

"Anyways, what are you doing here?" Jace said in an accusatory fashion. Clary knew he hated being interrupted whilst doing important things, and she also knew that he viewed kissing her as an exceptionally important matter that should not be disrupted.

"I was seeing Alec of course. It is customary to leave after seeing someone, and I would have liked to use these steps to do so", Magnus replied whilst examining his spectacular nails. They were bright green and orange with diamonds and sapphires.

"May I suggest", Magnus continued, "That bedrooms are a fantastic place to conduct such activities."

Clary wanted the ground to swallow her whole.

"I could tell you the same", Jace grumbled, but he was grinning all the same. He got up, offering his hand to Clary who took it gratefully.

Magnus gave them a little wave, his face still a picture of mere satisfaction.

Clary knew for a fact that he and Alec would probably never let them live this one down.

[]

"Are you coming?" Isabella asked, her voice abruptly stopping Clary's memory. It had left her feeling utterly hollow, and she again wondered if she had made the right decision to even come back to a place so full of ghosts.

"Come on mama, this place is amazing!" Ariana said, tugging Clary's hand up the steps.

They walked in silence through the door and down the winding corridors. Clary didn't think she could have made conversation if she tried. The air in her lungs suddenly felt dry and cold, her legs were moving mechanically after Isabelle, and her eyes sorely stung. Every painting, ever chair, every window brought to her some sort of painful memory of a time where life had been so much simpler. They turned into the biggest communal space. It slightly stunned Clary that it hadn't changed since she had left. There were still the same dark red velvet chairs, the golden blue carpet and high white walls.

"Woah", Ariana said, her voice shocked for entirely different reasons. Clary couldn't blame her; it was a very different standard to their two-bedroom apartment. Even Sebastian's house was nowhere near as grand as the institute. Clary guessed nothing could ever truly compare to the beauty of the institute.

She felt a tap on her left arm, and looked down to see her daughter staring up at her with big gold eyes.

"Mama, I really really really need the bathroom."

Clary turned to Isabella, suddenly unsure of what to say. She felt entirely like a guest in someone's house who had outstayed their welcome, even though they had only been in the institute less than five minutes.

"I'll take her, can't have you both wondering around", Isabelle said decisively.

Clary was about to complain when she stopped herself. She would have to get used to other people helping with Ariana, as it seemed that it would just be her, Isabelle, Alec and maybe their parents who would be staying. Clary remembered that during this time of year very few outsiders came to stay at the institute, and the quietness inside itself told her she was right.

"OK, thanks", Clary said simply, forcing a tight smile onto her face.

Isabelle looked at her oddly, her eyebrows slightly raised.

"Stay here. Don't move until we get back."

She was gone before Clary could question her as to why that would be at all necessary. Again, Clary found a sense of hopelessness rising in her chest. She began to move slowly around the room, her hands aimlessly touching the walls and the objects. There was the picture of an Angel, the other one of a bright blue cow (which she recalled Magnus had brought one Christmas for Jace) and even more on the other side of the room. She turned, ready to make her way to look at them (hoping that this act would calm or distract her racing nerves) when her foot hit something hard. She cried out momentarily in pain, and accidentally hit some sort of plate. It crashed to the floor in a heap of dust and broken china, sending rattles through the floorboards.

Clary sucked in a deep breath, wondering how on earth she would explain this mess to Isabelle. She began looking around for some sort of equipment to clear it up with (or at least attempt to), when she heard a sound of someone's footsteps walking quickly to the room.

She straightened herself up as the heavy door opened.

"Listen Isabelle it was a complete accident I swear-", but she couldn't continue. The words died in her mouth as she realised who it was standing at the door.

[]

Eeeeek another cliffhanger! But as I promised there was a Clace flashback so don't kill me!
I hope you are all staying safe and well :)

Also, I have missed writing with Magnus so much. He is just amazing. So there will definitely be more of him and Alec in the story!

See you on the next update!

Heartshade