The Wedding Looms

In the evening, I sat at the dinner table with my friends, Lina, Blaze, Hellcat, Klein, and Landon, trying to enjoy my meal despite the weight of my upcoming wedding to Falcon. They all knew how I felt about it, and they were trying to be supportive.

"Ari, we know this isn't what you wanted," Lina said, her voice filled with empathy. "But we want you to know that we'll be here for you, no matter what. We'll support you every step of the way."

I smiled weakly, feeling a sense of gratitude towards them. "Thanks, guys. That means a lot to me."

Blaze spoke up, his voice filled with encouragement. "Ari, you're strong and capable. You'll get through this, and we'll be right there with you."

Hellcat nodded in agreement. "We'll be your rock, Ari. We won't let you face this alone."

Klein and Landon murmured their agreement, and we continued eating in a comfortable silence.

As dinner came to a close, I stood up, feeling a sense of resignation wash over me. "Thanks, guys. I appreciate your support. I'm going to go get some rest now."

They all nodded, and Lina stood up to hug me. "We'll be here for you, Ari. Always."

I smiled, feeling a sense of comfort, and made my way back to my suite, my mind racing with thoughts of the wedding.

As I lay in bed, my thoughts consumed me, and I eventually drifted off to sleep. But my rest was short-lived, as I was soon plagued by a nightmare. I dreamed that I was killed during the wedding, and Falcon was standing over me, his eyes cold and unfeeling.

I thrashed about in bed, my voice barely above a whisper. "No...please...don't let it happen..."

Falcon, who was in his room next door, heard my voice and immediately got out of bed to check on me. He entered my room quietly and saw me tossing and turning, my sheets drenched in sweat.

He approached me cautiously, not wanting to startle me. As he got closer, he saw the fear in my eyes, and his heart went out to me.

"Ari, shh...it's okay," he whispered, his voice soft and soothing. "I'm here."

He sat down beside me and wrapped his arms around me, holding me close. I didn't wake up, but my thrashing subsided, and I relaxed into his embrace.

Falcon held me for a long time, his eyes fixed on mine, his heart filled with a mix of emotions. He had never felt this way about anyone before, and it scared him.

As he looked at me, he knew that he would do anything to protect me, to keep me safe. He gently brushed a strand of hair out of my face, his fingers grazing my skin.

And then, he leaned down and kissed me on my forehead, his lips soft and gentle. He looked at me with love in his eyes, and for a moment, I was at peace.

As Falcon held me, he eventually fell asleep, his arms still wrapped around me, his heart still filled with love.

After daybreak, I woke up feeling tired and groggy. I didn't remember anything that happened the night before, and I was grateful for that. I got out of bed and began my morning routine, taking a refreshing bath and putting on a beautiful short brown gown. I did my makeup and headed to the dining room, feeling a sense of normalcy wash over me.

As I entered the dining hall, I was greeted by the murmurings of the clan members. Some were sitting with their friends, chatting and laughing, while others were going in and out of the hall. I spotted my friends in the corner and made my way towards them.

Lina shouted my name, and I turned to see them all staring at me with big smiles on their faces. I walked over and sat down in the empty space beside them.

"Hey, guys," I said, greeting them with a smile.

Blaze, always the jokester, spoke up first. "Hey, Ari, we heard you had a wild night with Falcon. Did you finally tame the beast?"

I rolled my eyes, laughing. "Shut up, Blaze. I don't know what you're talking about."

Hellcat chimed in, "Oh, come on, Ari. We heard he was in your room last night. Spill the tea."

I shook my head, trying to remember anything, but my mind was a blank. "I don't know what you're talking about. I don't remember anything."

Lina placed a hand on my arm. "Don't worry, Ari. We're just teasing. We know you're still getting used to all of this."

Klein and Landon joined in, making jokes and teasing me good-naturedly. I laughed and joked with them, feeling a sense of belonging and camaraderie.

As we ate and chatted, I couldn't help but feel grateful for my friends. They were my rock, my support system in this crazy new world I found myself in.

But little did I know, Falcon was watching me from across the room, a small smile playing on his lips. He was happy to see me laughing and smiling with my friends, and he knew that he had to make things right between us.

After watching me laugh and chat with my friends, Falcon walked back to his office, a smile still plastered on his face. He sat down at his desk and started working on his laptop, trying to focus on the task at hand. But he couldn't shake off the feeling of happiness he had just witnessed. He loved seeing me happy, and he was grateful that I didn't remember what happened the night before.

As he typed away on his laptop, a small smile still played on his lips. He was lost in thought, thinking about me and how much he wanted to make me happy.

Just then, Venom walked into the office, and his eyes widened in surprise. "Well, well, well. Look who's smiling. What's gotten into you, Falcon?"

Falcon looked up from his laptop, his smile disappearing as he saw Venom. "Nothing, Venom. Just working."

Venom chuckled. "Working? With a smile on your face? You must be working on something really enjoyable... like a plan to take over the world."

Falcon raised an eyebrow. "Venom, focus. We have work to do."

Venom walked closer, teasing Falcon. "Oh, come on, Falcon. I've never seen you smile like that before. You must be in love. Is it Ari? Are you finally falling for her?"

Falcon's expression turned cold, his normal mask slipping back into place. "Venom, enough."

Venom held up his hands. "Okay, okay. I get it. You're still the same old Falcon. But I have to say, it was nice seeing you smile. You should do it more often. Maybe I'll even start calling you 'Smiley Falcon'."

Falcon raised an eyebrow. "Venom, don't even think about it."

Venom chuckled. "Too late, Smiley Falcon. It's already stuck in my head."

Falcon sighed. "Venom, focus. We have work to do."

Venom nodded, still grinning. "Fine, fine. But I'm keeping an eye on you, Falcon. I want to see more of that smile. Maybe I'll even try to make you laugh."

Falcon shook his head. "You're impossible, Venom."

Venom chuckled. "That's why you love me, Falcon. Now, let's get to work. But don't think I'm dropping the 'Smiley Falcon' thing. It's too good."

Falcon rolled his eyes, and the two of them started working, with Venom occasionally throwing in a teasing comment to try and get Falcon to smile again.

As they worked, Venom kept glancing over at Falcon, trying to catch him smiling again. Finally, he succeeded, and Falcon's lips curled up slightly.

"Ah ha!" Venom exclaimed. "I knew it! Smiley Falcon is back!"

Falcon shook his head, laughing despite himself. "Venom, you're ridiculous."

Venom grinned. "That's what makes me lovable, Smiley Falcon.”

As they worked, Venom's teasing and Falcon's occasional smiles filled the room with a sense of camaraderie and warmth. It was a rare moment of levity in the midst of their busy lives.

Just then, I walked into the office, looking for Falcon. I had a question about the upcoming wedding, and I knew he would be the only one who could answer it.

As I entered, I was struck by the sight of Falcon and Venom laughing together. It was a rare sight, and one that filled my heart with joy.

Falcon looked up and caught my eye, his smile faltering for a moment before he looked away. I felt a flutter in my chest as I realized he was trying to hide his smile from me.

Venom, on the other hand, grinned at me mischievously. "Ah, Ari! Come join the party. We're having a rare moment of Smiley Falcon."

I laughed and shook my head, feeling a sense of belonging. "I think I'll join the party," I said, walking over to them.

As I approached, Falcon looked up at me, his eyes locked on mine. For a moment, we just stared at each other, the tension between us palpable.

And then, without thinking, Falcon reached out and brushed a strand of hair out of my face. It was a gentle, intimate gesture, and one that left me breathless.

Venom whistled, breaking the spell. "Well, well, well. Looks like Smiley Falcon is smitten."

Falcon's face turned cold, but I just smiled, feeling a sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe, there was a chance for us after all.