Farah Dowling WRITOBER 2O22

You are exactly where you need to be [FAKE MARRIAGE AU #1]

"I can't believe you are dragging me into this."

"Need I remind you that this was your plan, Farah?" said Ben, arms crossed over his chest as his eyebrows shot up.

"Yes, but I never thought I would be the one executing it!" she retorted, her voice low. They were in the greenhouse, a barrier magically protecting them from intruders, with Farah recently raised from the ferns thanks to Flora and Terra.
"Well, who else? The girls and I have to be at school, or Rosalind will notice. Who else is there?" he asked. "And should I remind you that you are one of, if not the, most powerful fairy alive? Saul is going to need all the help he can get to escape from that prison."

"But I am well known in the magical society, what if someone recognizes me-"

"On Linfea? With your hair down, a fake name and a newly married partner at your arm? I doubt it."

"But-"

"Oh, fine!" cried Ben, throwing up his hands in frustration. "Then come up with another plan that could work. Possibly before Saul gets executed!"

Farah hissed, lowering her head.

"Alright. I'll do it. It's not like we have another choice."

Ben put a hand on her shoulder. "You're the best, Fa."

"I know" she snapped before adding: "Saul is going to owe me a lifetime of drinks if I pull this off."

"I'll be sure to tell him" smiled Ben while writing something on his phone.

"What about my partner? Who is going to play the role?" she sighed, flexing her fingers as if to remind herself she was really in human form. She still got plants feelings sometimes.

"I am still trying to find the right person. Go to the Stone Circle and hide there. Do as you said, teleport yourself on Linfea at midnight and your mission companion will meet you there, at their Stone Circle. If no one accepts I will come and tell you before you leave. You can go hide in Saul's home, I have the keys – and we will formulate a new plan, or wait until someone has the spine to do this."

"Or until Saul is dead" Farah murmured darkly, already standing.

"No negative thoughts" said Ben, controlling his impulse to hug her.

"Right" she whispered, then turned to look him in his eyes. "Hopefully I'll see you when this is done, then."

"Stay alive" he said, grabbing her arm for a second. "And bring him back."

She smiled. "And you take care of the students."

"I will."

A few hours later Farah was stepping out of the linfean Stone Circle, pinching the bridge of her nose in anticipation of the oncoming headache. Doing such strong magic after days as a plant wasn't doing wonders for her energy levels.

She walked around the Circle, looking around and listening to the sounds of the forest. She took a deep breath, listening to the wind in the leaves and, for a melancholic moment, she thought about you. How long since you last saw each other? The last time must have been a formal alumni dinner, a couple of years ago.

While at school you had been her assistant, her best pupil, and one of the most powerful light fairy Alfea had ever seen; by the end of your studies she was sure you had built a solid friendship, something beyond a regular teacher and student relationship. Farah had so wanted to offer you an apprenticeship. But in the end she had decided against it. She had no idea how it happened, but she had fallen in love with you; and it wouldn't have been right for her to be your mentor while she had feelings for you, right?