Monthly Bonus Content #3—'Scarf, Lake, Umber' (Felix Autumn Scenario Special)

There’s something about the scent of earth that relaxes my being. Mud is kicked up beneath my boots as I trek through the forest, leaves carpeting the ground in a lake of golden sepia, and I enjoy how idyllic the scene is before me.

The moment turns to perfection as Felix slips his hand into mine.

“So where does this trail lead?” he asks, wrinkling his nose as he looks around at the thick swathe of umber-capped trees. “Uh, does it actually lead anywhere?”

I chuckle and draw him in closer next to me. “It leads back to the warehouse. Eventually. But I thought we ought to make the most of the autumn day with a walk first.”

“Doesn’t matter what type or time of day, as long as I’m with you, babe,” he replies, bringing our hands up to kiss my knuckles.

I arch a brow, barely able to conceal my smile. “That was smooth.”

“You bring it out of me.” He grins.

Another laugh falls from me, disturbing the serenity of the forest, and we fall back into a peaceful silence as we walk on together. Our fingers remain firm twined together, as though the touch isn’t quite enough.

A few moments later, and Felix draws to a stop, eyes fluttering closed as he breathes in the air.

“Are you alright?” I ask.

A smile curves his lips. “I just…Being here, in the middle of all of this, brings back memories. The magic at this time of year is always so special.”

I glance about. “The magic?”

His eyes open and glimmer as they meet my gaze. “The magic that’s everywhere.” His content expression crinkles. “Can’t you feel it?”

“I mean, the moment feels magical, but I think that’s just because I’m with you.”

He snorts and rests a hand on his chest. “Wow. And you called me smooth. That was a hell of a line.” He leans in and pecks a kiss to my lips, smiling bright as he draws back.

Heat rushes through me. “Thanks. But what did you mean before?”

His tongue runs over his lips, distracting me with the thought of just how much an even deeper kiss would warm us both, but shake the thought away as he moves over to a small pile of crisp leaves and bends down.

“Have a look at this.”

I do, crouching down beside him and staring at the leaves.

He picks one up in a delicate touch between his forefinger and thumb before gesturing to me with a hand out.

I place my hand spread up onto his awaiting palm. He rests the leaf on it. I can barely feel it, the weight of it nothing more than a feather.

“Now just feel it,” he instructs with a shrug.

I blink at him. “Feel it?”

He beams a smile, reaching out to smooth his thumbs across my eyelids so as they shut. “Keep your eyes closed and try.”

I breath out a small groan, frowning as I try to do what he says.

The leaf…feels like a leaf.

My body ignites with sudden sparking tingles as Felix’s breath washes warm against my neck, the heat spreading beneath my scarf and all the way down to radiate through my entire body.

“There is magic in the veins of this world. Feel it,” he whispers.

And I do.

His words and warmth echo through me until the leaf feels so much more than just a leaf. Slivers of something run through the skeleton of it, tracing against the skin of my palm like the trail of a lover’s kiss. It’s delicate and fine but also radiates with a power that wants to roar through my blood.

My eyes snap open, and I watch as the leaf glows and dances over my hand.

“Oh nice!” Felix announces.

I gasp, unsure what else to do, and the leaf falls against my hand once again.

“Did I just do magic? Did you just do magic?” I shake my head as excitement and uncertainty whirl together in a heady mix. “Did the leaf do magic?”

Felix laughs. “That last one is the closest.”

We stand together, and I twirl the leaf between my fingers, watching as sunlight highlights the veins within.

“Well, you certainly know how to show your date a magical time,” I say, smirking at him as we begin walking again.

“Only you, babe,” he murmurs, drawing in close and letting out a happy breath. “Only you.”