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'You need more cinnamon,' Farah stated, staring at the pan on the stove. Her latest comment had her specialist roll his eyes. The woman was insufferable.
'I’m sorry, is this your kitchen? Stay out of my mulled wine!' Saul pushed her away, ignoring the little jar of cinnamon floading next to his hands. But Farah was persistent. She let the cinnamon make little stunts in the air right in front of his view.
'Saul, come on.' She put on her sweetest smile, combined with wiggling eyebrows. Seeing her horrible attempts to convince him, he couldn’t help but chuckle.
'You’re unbelievable, fairy.' Shaking his head at his non-existent willpower when it came to her, he opened the jar and put a huge amount of the spice in the mulled wine. She couldn't possibly not be satisfied with the cinnamon bomb his mulled wine has now become.
'Happy now?' Seeing his fake annoyment, Farah tried to nod with a very serious face. After all, christmas was a very important business for her specialist and the mulled wine was his baby. He would never let anyone interfere with "Saul’s homemade special mulled wine for special occasions".
'Why are we friends again?' Saul asked, shaking his head. He had to turn back to the stove to hide his smile when she gasped. Pretending to be deeply hurt she let out a loud sigh. He couldn't fight a small chuckle. That woman was probably the worst actress he’s ever seen in his life.
Farah propped her chin on his shoulder and gently pressed herself against his back. Suddenly, breathing seemed to be a very complex task.
'Because you like me, Saul Silva.' He could feel her breathing against his skin. It took all of his willpower to not turn around and confess the feelings he had for this woman.
She was watching him, waiting for something and he would’ve loved to just tell her how much he really liked her. But she wouldn’t feel the same and losing their friendship was just not worth it. So instead he kept stirring the mulled wine that definitely didn’t need to be stirred but it was a nice distraction nevertheless.
This was so frustrating. The whole evening Farah had been trying to get something out of Saul. Whatever they’ve been doing the whole time, all the embraces that took just a bit too long, the way they seemed to find each other in the most crowded places and his annoying smile that made her knees go weak.
The fairy was running out of ideas. She couldn’t just confess her feelings. What if she was wrong and he didn’t see her that way? Things would be too complicated and she couldn’t lose their friendship. The risk was not worth it.
Lost in her thought, Farah started to draw small circles with her thumb on Saul’s upper arm, not noticing how his breath hitched.
They stood like that for a moment, neither wanting to move away from the other, until Farah’s phone started ringing. She immediately took a step back, as if they were doing something forbidden and took out her phone.
Ben had sent her a text reminding her of decorating the courtyard. Something she had to do every year. The offical reason was that decorating every tree and stone with fairy lights was much less exhausting when one had the abilities of a mind fairy. But Farah suspected that her friend just wanted to keep herself and Saul from causing to much trouble together. After all it was them who had almost set the kitchen on fire in their second year as students at Alfea. After that, they were banned from the kitchen indefinitely. Even now, as heads of the school, they weren’t allowed to enter it without oversight. Farah wasn’t too sad about that. Instead she rather enjoyed decorating the courtyard .
Which is why Farah had already completed the one task she was assigned with on christmas thus having enough time to annoy Saul and finally think of a fitting christmas present for him. Something she hadn’t thought of until now, the man next to her causing to much of a distraction.
It had to be something special, she knew how much these things – the trees, the lights, the whole spirit of Christmas – meant to him.
Suddenly, an idea for the perfect present for Saul began to form in her head. All she had to do, was convince him to go outside with her. She threw a glance at the man standing in front of the stove, focused on the mulled wine he was currently tasting. Getting him to come with her might be rather difficult.
'Hmm, this is heaven,' Saul hummed. His low voice made her heart skip a beat and for some reason she couldn’t take her eyes of his lips that seemed so soft.
'Farah!' a gentle nudge to her side interrupted her thoughts. Goodness, she really had to do something. Running around like a horny teenager certainly wasn’t good for her reputation.
'I’m sorry, Saul. What did you say?' Luckily her specialist was too focused on his beloved beverage to notice her obvious brain malfunction.
'You have to try it,' Saul basically shoved a spoon with mulled wine in Farah’s face. Clearly amused by his excitement, she took a sip. Her eyes fluttered shut immediately and her soft hum directed his focus on those beautiful lips of her. Fucking hell, this woman.
'It’s amazing, Saul. This year you have truly outdone yourself!' His eyes lit up at her compliment and a very proud smile formed on his lips. She was right, this year his mulled wine was nothing but perfect. 'The use of cinnamon is perfectly done,' she added teasingly. Saul’s cocky grin turned into a pout, making Farah burst out laughing. Rolling his eyes dramatically, he couldn’t resist the urge to smile. This woman.
Before his heart eyes could become to obvious he turned around and removed the pan from the heat. At her questioning looks, he explained, 'Now it has to infuse for 43 minutes.' She nodded with an amused chuckle. Saul chose to ignore her muttered 'And they say I’m the perfectionist,' gently hitting her shoulder instead.
'What shall we do now?' he asked. Farah stopped her bad portrayal of being severely injured and beamed at him with that expression that told him she was up to something. Through all their years together it was usually this smile that started all their shenanigans together. After all, this smile was the reason he fell so hard and so willingly for her.
'Why exactly should I decorate the courtyard?' She looked straight into his eyes with the most innocent look she could fake. 'Why bother, noone is going to see it anyway?' She knew how her specialist would react. And she was right. Now it was Saul’s turn to actually be shocked.
'Why bother? Excuse me, I will see them!' He let out a huge sigh and shook his head. 'Unbelievable. What kind of person am I friends with? Who is trying to punish me?' he muttered offended. 'I will come with you to make sure the courtyard is decorated properly.' Farah nodded dutifully, trying to fight a victorious smile. So far, everything went according to her plan. Of course, she had already decorated everything, all she had to do was using her magic to turn on the fairy lights. But Saul didn’t need to know that.
Eyeing her suspiciously, Saul put on his coat. Was this woman trying to annoy him on purpose? Or was she helping Ben stealing his mulled wine recipe? But Farah couldn’t possibly be this cruel. Maybe she just wanted someone to chat with while decorating the trees. Seemed plausible, he was a great entertainer. With one last look at his beloved mulled wine, he went to the door were Farah was waiting for him.
Humming a first world christmas song, the fairy pulled her specialist with her through the corridors.
Alfea was unusually quiet, most students had already left to celebrate christmas with their families. The sky was christal clear, snow glistened on every surface. Farah and Saul walked in comfortable silence next to each other through the snow.
Every touch of her arm sent a shiver down his spine. Concentrating on his steps – and not making a complete fool of himself – he failed to notice the similar effect his touch had on the fairy next to him.
'I like this,' Farah leaned slightly against Saul. He threw her a questioning glance. 'A quiet Alfea? Walking in a winter wonderland? My company?' He suggested with a wink. The fairy beamed at him with sparkling eyes. 'Yes. To everything.'
Saul smiled back at his fairy.
Farah was nervous. A feeling that wasn’t new to her but also nothing she experienced to often. As headmistress she had to speak in front of people, visit the palace and bear the responsibility for her students, but somehow her legs decided that now was the time to get weak. Great!
There, this was the best place to oversee the whole courtyard, the school with it’s few illuminated windows in the background. Perfect. Farah took a deep breath and stopped.
Saul turned around, wondering eyes meeting her. With an amused chuckle, he playfully squinted his eyes. 'Farah Dowling, you’re up to something.' Farah took a step towards him. 'Close your eyes,' she commanded softly. „At your service“ he bowed slightly and closed his eyes.
With a flick of her wrist she turned on the fairy lights decorating every tree and sculpture she could find. Suddenly, a wave of insecurity overcame her. Would he even like it? She took a deep breath. Now it was too late to go back.
'You can open your eyes now.'
When Saul opened his eyes Alfea greeted him, illuminated by the glowing light of hundreds of small lights twinkling in the trees and on every surface. The sight was truly magical. This was his school, his home, and he’s never seen it in such beauty. In this moment the felt so grateful for everything, for Alfea and the peace and especially for the woman who gifted him this moment.
Farah watched him with a smile, the look on her face so full of love, he had to take a shuddering breath to ground himself. She was beyond beautiful, her shimmering brown orbs competing with the sparkling lights around him. Against her, nothing stood a chance.
Without taking his eyes off her he took a step forward, slightly shaking his head in disbelief. 'Astonishing! Beautiful. I-' he was at a loss of words, stammering like a teenager standing in front of his crush. Farah Dowling had that effect on him.
'You’re not looking,' her teasing voice made his heart beat twice as fast. She was flirting with him. But the fairy wasn’t the only one who could play that game.
'I am,' his answer was simple and the implication behind it honest. They were stepping on dangerous territory, but it was too late. Neither of them could go back now. Too long have they been dancing aroung eachother, avoiding the invisible line drawn between them to protect what they valued the most – their friendship.
'Do you like it?' Hope shining in her eyes.
'I love it.' His voice nothing more than a whisper. Farah’s smile grew wider. With newfound courage. He took another step forward, their faces now only centimeters apart.
'More than anything. I can’t think of anything that could make me happier.' His voice was thick with emotions left unsaid.
The look in his eyes made her knees go weak. Without thinking too much about the consequences, she kissed his cheek before pulling him in a tight embrace. Saul immediately wrapped his arms around her slender waist and buried his face in the crook of her neck. Closing her eyes, she could feel his breath tickling her skin. Her specialist smelled like christmas. Somehow one of her hands found it’s way into his neck, slightly scratching his scalp with her fingernails. Saul’s pulse doubled and his breathing became shallow. Noticing what she had done subconsciously, Farah wanted to pull back before embarassing herself further but her specialist pressed a featherlight kiss to her skin. Now it was her heart that was beating faster.
Slowly leaning back, she was overwhelmed by the look of pure love on his face. Certain he had the same feelings for her she had for him, Farah raised her hands, cradling his face with her fingers. 'Saul.' her voice a whisper through the night, searching in his eyes the answer to her unspoken question. His nod was all the confirmation she needed. Farah leaned into him and after all the years of longing, their lips finally met.
No fireworks, no butterflies, but she hadn’t expected anything like that. Instead, kissing Saul was like sitting in front of a fireplace on a cold winter night. Warmth spread through her limbs, a tickling sensation were their bodies touched. He tasted like mulled wine and his embrace felt like home.
Never breaking apart for more than a few seconds, they kissed again and again, every kiss sweater and more passionate than the other. Neither of them could get enough.
When the need for oxigen became impossible to ignore, they had to pull apart reluctantly. Both out of breath and with flushed cheeks, smiling widely like teenagers. Farah let out a shuddering breath, her body relaxed in her specialist’s arms. Pulling her closer, Saul pressed his forehead against hers. For a moment they just stood there, enjoying the comfortable silence settled between them.
Farah leaned back slightly. Looking into her specialist’s eyes, the nervousness about what she was going to do vanished. She was sure. Now or never.
'I love you.' it felt like a weight had been lifted from her chest. 'You have my whole heart, Saul Silva.' For a moment he seemed speechless than the corners of his mouth curled up, turning into a dazzling smile. If it wasn’t for him holding her, Farah’s legs would have given up already. She could see her specialist taking a deep breath. Saul turned his head slightly, kissing the palm of her hand. The stubble on his jaw tickled her skin.
'Farah Dowling, I don’t have the right words to tell you how much I love you. But I gave you my heart a long time ago.' At his words, her chest tighened with joy. By the gods, she loved this man. How could anyone hold so much happyness inside?
Saul took the chance and kissed her again, leaving a trail of featherlight kisses on her jaw. Giggling, Farah slung her arms around his neck and threw her head back, giving him the chance to press his lips gently to the skin between her neck and her collarbones. He could feel her pulse under his lips.
Humming softly, his fairy cupped his face in her hands, guiding it so he could see her hazel eyes again. 'You’re such a softie,' she teased, chuckling at the pout on his face.
'Only for you, Farah,' he answered with a seductive voice.
The fairy pulled him into another kiss. Gods how much he loved this woman.
'Oi, lovebirds!' a loud voice interrupted them. Farah pulled back slowly, turning around to see their oldest friend Ben standing a few meters away.
'Would you please honor us with your presence at dinner? We are starving!' The smile on his face could light up a whole town. 'And please tell my daughter she owes me 20 bucks' With a wink he walked back to the school. The fairy let out a sigh, Ben was certainly going to be super annoying at dinner.
Saul nuzzled his face against her temple, pressing a soft kiss on her cheek. „This is going to be fun“ he mumbled sarcastically against her skin. Farah smiled at him. At least she had her specialist with her.
With a deep breath she straightened her coat and held her hand out to Saul. 'Come with me?' Saul took her hand.
'Always.'