Forged in Lightinging

Author's Note: For those who follow Marvel (The comic books, not the movies),The X-Men characters of Storm and Forge, to me have always been the couple that should have been given in actual chance to make a go of their relationship. In my POV - Storm and Forge seem to be more connected, a deep feeling that is soul to soul. This is my Fan- Fiction imagining of "What if" Storm and Forge were finally given that chance. The characters belong to Marvel; the heart of this story belongs to me.

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She didn't know why, but Storm felt an overwhelming urge to travel.

Not to Wakanda.

To Dallas, Texas.

She told no one. She simply packed a bag, disguised herself, and boarded a plane.

When she arrived, she made her way to Eagle Plaza.

Standing before the tower, she looked up at it in silence.

As she stood there, tears began to stream down her face.

In that moment, she understood why she had come.

The tears soon became quiet sobs.

There had only ever been one man who truly knew her. One man who truly saw her. And she had allowed life's obstacles and setbacks to come between them.

Losing her powers had once felt like the greatest tragedy of her life.

Now she realized it had been a blessing in disguise.

Without them, she had allowed someone to know her—not Storm, the goddess, not the X-Man.

But Ororo Munroe.

She still loved him.

“Don't cry, Ororo.”

She slowly looked up.

Forge stood before her.

Without a word, he stepped closer and gently wrapped his arms around her.

He held her tightly, softly running his fingers through her white hair.

“I love you,” she whispered.

He rested his forehead against hers.

“I love you too.”

· · · ✦ · · ·

Inside, Forge and Storm sat together on the living room sofa.

Nothing was said.

Nothing needed to be said.

After a while, Forge prepared dinner. They ate together, carrying on a quiet conversation. When they finished, they returned to the living room and settled back onto the sofa.

Once again, silence filled the room.

Only the gentle sound of jazz drifting from the stereo accompanied them as they cuddled together.

Finally...

“I've missed you,” she said softly.

“I've missed you too.”

She looked down at her hands.

“I feel like we never truly gave ourselves a chance. We let too many other things come between us.”

Forge nodded.

“I agree.”

Silence settled over them once more.

She rested her head against his shoulder as he held her a little closer.

"I want us to try again," she said. "This time, let's not allow anyone—or anything—to keep us apart. Let's fight for us."

Forge looked into her eyes.

“I almost asked you to marry me once.”

Storm smiled gently.

“Ask me,” she said. “But not as Storm.”

He nodded.

Forge slowly stood before lowering himself onto one knee. Taking both of her hands in his, he smiled warmly.

“Ororo... will you marry me?”

Tears welled in her eyes as a radiant smile spread across her face.

“Yes,” she whispered. “Yes, I will marry you.”

Forge smiled through tears of his own.

He rose to his feet, drew her into his arms, and kissed her.

· · · ✦ · · ·

The ceremony was small.

Just the two of them and a local mutant celebrant.

They exchanged vows and rings.

When they were finally pronounced husband and wife, they shared a long, passionate kiss.

Afterward, they stood together, watching the sun slowly sink below the horizon.

Forge gently took her hand.

“You are the other half of my heart,” he said.

She squeezed his hand and smiled.

“And you are the other half of mine.”

He intertwined his fingers with hers.

“We walk this path together.”

Storm smiled, her eyes shining.

“Yes,” she said. “Together, as one.”