Farah's Winter Scenario - Owl Quill Tier

I step out of the dilapidated façade of the Warehouse in my best clothing, more than ready for my date with Farah. The chill wind whips around me, trying to tear my coat open and expose more of me to the biting breeze. But I tug it closed to keep the warmth inside. It’s not exactly like I get the chance to dress up fancy often these days so even the brisk weather wasn’t going to put me off.

Farah is already waiting for me outside, pushing herself up from the wall and striding over to me with a grin.

I blink as I take in her attire: a thick black leather jacket with purple embellishments, a fitted violet t-shirt, and a pair of dark jeans. her sturdy knee-high boots leave prints in the light smattering of snow as she crunches her way to me.

Something about her leather-clad look sends a shiver to run through me…and definitely not because of the chill.

She pauses when she spots my reaction and glances down at herself. “What is it?”

I drop my gaze to my own attire, pulling my coat open a little to look at my outfit—an outfit designed to impress rather than whatever it is Farah has planned for us to do.

My gaze flicks back up. “I’m feeling mightily underdressed…”

“No.” Farah waves a hand and shakes her head. “You look like I dreamt you would for tonight.”

I lift a brow, a smile catching my lips. “You’ve been dreaming about me?”

“Babe. You’re the only thing I dream about,” she replies, stepping in close and nuzzling her face into the crook of my neck. Her lips whisper against my throat without quite touching, sending my pulse to throb and beg for attention.

But instead, she slips her hand into mine and tugs me down the path. “Come on. Let’s get this most amazingly romantic date started!”

“You know, when you suggested this date, I kind of assumed it would be somewhere warmer,” I comment, the bitter cold biting at my cheeks as we walk. “Somewhere indoors. Seeing as it’s mid-winter.”

She glances over her shoulder at me. “But that would be predictable. You know I don’t like to do predictable, babe.”

We continue on, my less-than-suitable-shoes for the weather threatening to slip out from under me on the icy grass trackway, before we finally make it through the gate at the wire fence which surrounds the whole of the Warehouse’s grounds.

I shield my eyes for a moment against the blinding sun as it blazes out its rays, as though attempting to burn brighter to stave off the winter. Unfortunately, it fails.

Once we’re in the shelter of the pine trees, something greets me which I had not expected in the slightest.

I stare at the gleaming object before looking to Farah. “Are you serious?”

She nods enthusiastically. “So, so serious.”

My focus shifts back to the motorcycle, silver pipes grasping around the body work of shining purple, streaks of platinum slashed across it in decoration. The handles sit wide, the seats actually look surprisingly plump, and the whole thing looks amazingly shiny.

…And like a potential death trap on the icy roads of Wayhaven.

It’s impossible to contain the smile that lights my expression. My excitement far outweighs my concerns in this moment, that’s for sure.

“Tell me I’m the one who gets to drive it,” I say.

Farah sighs, holding up a key with a leather detailed fob attached to it. “Unfortunately, it’s my name on the insurance. But you do get the very good fortune of sitting behind me and cuddling up close. I even encourage you to let your hands roam.” She winks.

I chuckle. “I suppose that’s a very good consolation prize.”

“I’m guessing you do know how to drive it, right?” I ask as I approach the motorcycle.

Farah hands me a helmet and nods. “Obviously. Adam taught me a few years back. And it’s not far to where we have our actual date set up.” She swings her leg over the vehicle and settles herself, then pats at the seat behind. “Hop on.”

I do so, tugging on my helmet before spreading my legs around her.

Her hands fall onto my outer thighs to tug my legs in tighter around her. “That’s better.”

I smile, knowing she can sense the expression even if she can’t see it behind my helmet. Curling my arms around her waist, I press my chest up against her back, enjoying the warmth that seeps out from her even through the heavy leather jacket.

The engine of the motorcycle rumbles to life like the purr of a panther, vibrating through my entire body and making me clutch onto Farah tighter.

After another look back to check on me, we set off, the motorcycle speeding away across the rough forested track like it’s as soft as tarmac.

-

It’s not long until we hit the road, and it’s then I really enjoy the smoothness of the ride. Farah has full control over the vehicle, so I unwrap my hands and hold them out to the sides as we drive.

It’s only us on the road at this time in the evening, and the road winds and spreads before us with the promise of freedom. Freezing air floods across me, sinking through my clothing, making me shiver but refreshing my body.

Farah revs the engine, driving forward at speed, careful not to swing too far one way or the other as I close my eyes and simply enjoy being here with her.

Ten minutes later, Farah slows and parks at the side of the road, cutting the engine and twisting around to face me as I tug off my helmet.

“So, was that a good start to the date?” she asks, hope making her expression bright but uncertainty making the smile falter.

I nod, wrapping my arms around her and leaning my chin on her shoulder. “I’m kind of disappointed it’s over already.”

“Well, prepare to be amazed at what I have planned next!” she exclaims, eyes shimmering as her smile widens, her body practically vibrating with excitement.

I chuckle as we dismount, and she places the bike on the stand. “You really have pulled out all the stops for this one.”

She approaches, taking my hands in order to lean close and plant a kiss on the corner of my lips. “You’re worth it, babe.”

Taking my hand, Farah leads me into the forest. Clouds of burning red and gold trail across the wintery sky making it look like the sky is on fire. The dying sun lights our way as we trail onwards.

The barren trees are alight with the flames of the sunset, striking against the wintery blues slowly fading into shadow.

“Is it far?” I ask, ducking under tree branches as she leads the way with purpose.

She glances back with a smile. “Not far.”

I trail behind her, willing to follow wherever she wants to lead me, until finally we come upon a small, secluded area surrounded by foliage twinkling with fairy lights. On top of a fallen log seat is a folded cosy blanket, and in front of that is a ready to light bonfire complete with candles strewn about the space.

“Hold on!” Farah’s hand slips from mine as she rushes forward, snatching a box of matches from her pocket and beginning to light the candles so they flicker as beautifully as the fairy lights, before she finally catches the kindling of the bonfire with a flame.

Heat blooms across the space as the fire crackles to life, but I was already warmed completely through by everything Farah set up for me.

“Farah, this is…” My words stumble as I take in the scene. “Wow. I don’t even know what to say.”

“I was kind of hoping for speechless amazement,” she admits with a chuckle. “So this is really working for me.”

I let out a small laugh. “You certainly achieved it. When did you have time to set all of this up?”

“While you were training,” she replies, encouraging me forward to sit on the log, spreading the blanket across our laps and tucking it—with slow motions—beneath my thighs. “You’ve been constantly at it lately. I just wanted to make sure you had time for a real break.”

I gaze into her eyes, watching as the flames light them up like liquid metal. This set-up for our date may have left me speechless, but it’s the care Farah constantly shows me that leaves me breathless.

Farah’s hand trails up my spine, urging me closer, and I willingly comply.

She is summer. Warm, bright, and fresh. Even in the bleak depths of winter, she can wash the bitter cold away with one kiss. Our lips press together, soft and slow at first, enjoying that initial touch.

It lasts only a moment before heat pours through us, and I deepen the kiss with a moan that Farah captures, coaxing more from me as her tongue skims mine. I return the eager gesture, nipping at her lower lip and sending an excited shiver through her.

Winter’s cold embrace is forgotten for the heat and buzz of this moment.

We only draw away when I need to take a reluctant gasp of breath.

The headiness of the kiss wraps me in a dizzy spell I don’t want to wake from, so I lean into Farah, pressing our foreheads together and let the memory of this sink into me.

Silence doesn’t get a chance to take hold for the rest of the evening. We chat about everything and anything: how training is going, what kinds of dates are our favourites, how we spent previous winters—the talking comes easier than it has with anyone before. As it always does with Farah.

When the fire is nothing more than a glowing pile of warm embers, we stare into it and sigh.

“I suppose we should probably head back,” she suggests.

“The cold is going to catch up with us soon enough,” I reply in agreement.

She stands to begin packing away everything, but I reach for her hand to make her look back. She gazes at me, and even now the sight of her has the realisation of just how much I care for her hit me like a snowball in the chest.

“You were right,” I murmur as my heart thuds erratically in my chest.

Her brows lift. “I was?” She grins. “I mean, I usually am. But what about this time?”

“This was the most amazing and romantic date I’ve ever had,” I reply.

Happiness lights her expression, her eyes glimmering brighter than seems possible in the winter’s dark. “Then just wait until our next one, babe…”