Madeline and Malia parted ways once they had entered the Institute. The Bane wandered through the living quarters, passing Isabelle's room. The door was open, but the room was empty.

She continued walking, stopping once she reached Clary's room. The warlock reached out and knocked on the door. A couple of moments passed, before the door opened, revealing Clary who wore a singlet and a pair of fluffy pyjama pants.

"Malia! Hey." Clary smiled. "Hi." Malia smiled back, before Clary stepped aside, "Come in." She insisted, motioning for the Bane to enter her room.

Malia entered the room, looking around. The first time she'd ever been in this bedroom, was after Clary convinced her to come back to the Institute with her and the other Shadowhunters, after she went through Manhattan, destroying everything and releasing demons everywhere. Now she stood here weeks later, with a very different headspace. It wasn't to say that now she was perfect, but she was damn well trying to better herself.

"How was the citadel?" Malia asked, taking a seat on the edge of Clary's bed. The orange haired girl slumped into the spot beside her. "It was really beautiful... not that we got to go inside." She confessed. Malia looked puzzled, "Really?" She asked. Clary nodded sadly.

"But I learnt that I don't have demon blood." The Fray piped up. "Why did you... think that it was a possibility?" Malia asked, confusedly. Clary shrugged, "Jace has demon blood.. I thought I may have too."

Silence fell upon them for a moment before Clary asked, "What did you get up to today?" Malia answered, "I went to an appointment this morning and then afterwards I got pizza with Izzy.. then I went to Paris and did a LOT of shopping." The warlock explained before she giggled.

Before Malia could ask anymore questions or continue her conversation, her yellow cat eyes pierced through, brightly staring at Clary. Quickly, Malia blinked until they disappeared, "Sorry!" She quickly said. "What are you sorry for?" Clary quickly asked, unsurely. Malia bit her lip before she confessed, "My warlock mark can be intimidating.. Sometimes I have some moments where I can't control when they are visible." She explained. Clary's expression softened, before she smiled, "I think your cat eyes are really cool." She answered honestly.

Malia smiled lovingly, before she remembered the question she had been meaning to ask Clary... the one she had asked Isabelle earlier that day. "Uh, Clary?"

"Yeah, Mals?"

"My therapist.. set me a task this week.. to ask those I'm close to, what things they value about me... can I ask you?" The Bane asked. Clary sat up straighter, "Hm.. what do I value about you?" She asked aloud, her tone of voice sounding a little flirty, yet coy.

"I value your courage and your bravery... I mean you literally went to Hell and back!" Clary began, with a laugh. "But I also really admire your loyalty and overall.. the friendship I have with you." She added. "The way you have only known me for a short while yet have stuck by me... It means a lot." Clary explained.

"And I know that people have been really judgy towards you since you've come back to Earth, but I think that you're a really beautiful person, Malia." Clary blurted, before realising she may have rambled, before she blushed slightly. Malia seemed touched by Clary's words. "You really think so?" She asked. Clary nodded, without hesitation, "Yeah.. I do. I'm.... glad you came into my life."

Malia couldn't help but to smile like an idiot after hearing all of this.. was Clary being truthful or just telling her what she wanted to hear? By the look of admiration on the Fairchild's face, she decided to trust that she was being completely honest.

The warlock then did something that she had been debating on doing for quite a while... something she had been fighting with herself over constantly...

She kissed Clary.

It was soft, and gentle. It took Clary by surprise, but she closed her eyes and kissed back, lifting her hand to cup Malia's cheek.

With the realisation of what she was doing, washing over, Malia jerked away, leaving Clary to look surprised. "I..I'm sorry!" Malia blurted, before she got to her feet. "Malia.." Clary stood up, wanting to say something, but she couldn't find the words.

"I need to go.." The Bane said, before she turned to rush out of the bedroom door. "Malia— wait!" Clary blurted, before she raced after the warlock, but she was already gone, having portalled out of the Institute.

☠︎︎

Moments later

Malia stood in her living room, her eyes wide. Her hands trembled as she thought about what'd just happened.. and in her mind, what was going to come.

"Malia?" Magnus and Jace questioned, both entering the living room. "What's wrong?" Magnus asked. "I... I..." She stammered, as the ground started to shake. "What is going on?" Jace asked, whipping out his stele on instinct.

"Malia!?" Magnus raced towards her, as she looked up to him, her hands still trembling, as was the ground... violently. "Magnus— do something!" Jace called out before Magnus put his arms around his distraught sister. "Hey.. hey it's okay." He assured her, before he used magic to make the younger girl fall unconscious.

Malia fell limp in Magnus' arms, and he held her before he turned around and made eye contact with Jace. "What was that?" The Shadowhunter asked, his eyes still wide with shock. Magnus looked like he was trying to find the words to explain, but he also had no idea what brought that on.

Suddenly, the Bane had an idea. "I'll be back... probably in a few hours." He said, before he opened a portal, and still carrying his sister, stepped through it. Jace just looked at the spot where he had just seen the warlocks standing before he shrugged, "Uh. Okay."

☠︎︎

A while later

Malia's eyes fluttered open, and she sat up confusedly, to see that she was by a long, beautiful river. She sat up, and looked around, before her eyes met Magnus, who was walking over with two takeaway cups in his hands.

"Mags, where are we?" Malia asked confusedly, before he handed her one of the cups. Blindly, she took a sip of the beverage and her eyes widened in recognition and delight when she realised that it was her all time favourite drink. Vietnamese Coffee.

"Are we in Vietnam?!" The warlock blurted, her mouth full of the condensed milk and coffee. Magnus chuckled, before he took a seat beside her, and sipped on his drink. "You tell me." The older Bane grinned.

Malia looked around, seeing canoes rowing down the river, some covered in lanterns. Her eyes then averted to the various shop fronts, and close by streets, with lanterns hung everywhere.

"We're in Hoi An! The city of lanterns!" She blurted, recognising this, as one of her most cherished places, she had visited as a kid. "You took me here when I was little." Malia then added. Magnus nodded, "I did... I found out this was where you were from, and I had to show you. Hoi An is a very beautiful place." Magnus said, with a smile.

Malia relaxed, placing her cup down, "Oh my god.. before I was put to sleep I was... nearly destroying the building." She realised, as her eyes widened. "Is this why you.. took me here?" Magnus shrugged, "I guess so. I could tell that you needed to get away.. you were really stressed out. So I brought you to a place that is much more relaxing." He declared.

Malia took a sip of her drink, "I nearly destroyed Brooklyn..." She trailed off. "Because I kissed Clary." Magnus blinked in surprise, "You kissed Clary!?" He asked, with more of a playful smile. "Yes. And I shouldn't have." Malia replied, struggling to meet Magnus' eyes. "Why? It's clear that you both really like eachother.."

Silence fell upon the Bane siblings for a moment, as Malia tried to gather her thoughts. She didn't want to overwhelm herself and cause another earthquake. She inhaled deeply, before she exhaled. "Have I ever told you... about Avery?"

Magnus shook his head, not recognising the name. "He was a member of the fae folk... that I fell in love with, in Edom." Malia began. "We were just two lost souls vibing in a hell dimension... we found eachother. Our father, he doesn't like when we fall in love... because he believes that a partner will hold us back. That it's a waste of potential..." She trailed off. "I tried to keep Avery a secret from him. After all, he was the only thing keeping me sane.. living with Dad was so awful."

"One day, our father was out and not supposed to return to our house until the following morning.. so I took this as an opportunity to invite Avery over. Dad came home early, caught us in my bed and wanted to kill him." Malia continued. She paused for a moment, her hands trembling. Magnus reached out, and placed his hand on top of hers gently.

"Our father would have killed Avery in the most brutal way possible.. I just knew it'd be slow and so painful. So I took matters into my own hands." Malia managed to say, as Magnus' eyes widened in sudden realisation. "I killed him." She reluctantly confessed. "And after that... I started to become this monster."

Tears threatened to fall from the younger Bane's eyes. Magnus removed his hand from on top of Malia's and threw it around her shoulder, giving her an attempted embrace, from their seated positions.

"Malia.. I'm so sorry that happened to you." Magnus spoke, with genuine sympathy in his voice. "As hard as it is, you and I both know you did Avery a favour. Asmodeus would have gone as far as to devote his life to finding and killing that seelie." He sighed. "But I know, that doesn't make it easier."

Malia sighed heavily, nodding as tears fell. "I'm working through it... but I can't... I can't love Clary, Magnus. No matter how much I am totally falling for her." She managed to say. "Why? Why not?" Magnus asked, softly. "Because. I am cursed. Those that I love, die." Malia answered. "Our father is going to do everything in his power... to make sure of that."

Magnus shook his head, "No... you're not cursed. You're far from it." He insisted. "It might feel like that, with these horrible past events you have suffered through and the pressure Asmodeus has and will put on you... but he isn't leaving Edom. You and I are going to do everything we can, to make sure of that.." The older Bane said. Malia had a small smile on her lips, as she felt the slightest bit of relief from hearing that. "And speaking from experience... love is worth fighting for. I hope you will realise that again." Magnus spoke softly.

Malia took a sip from her drink before she spoke, "Let's go check out the markets.. I wanna get some souvenirs." She decided. Magnus chuckled before the warlocks both got to their feet. Now standing, Malia looked up at her older brother, before she lurched forward and hugged him. Magnus seemed taken by surprise, but hugged her back, with a genuine smile.

Then she said the words that he hadn't heard from her in decades.. words he thought he may never hear again from the younger Bane again.

"I love you, Magnus."

Magnus couldn't contain his smile, and genuinely thought he might tear up, before he said back, his voice full of relief and joy. "I love you too, Malia."