Horns & Talons

Chapter Three

-Athena's POV-

I smiled, glancing at Dick from across the isle. He patted Wally on the shoulder. It warmed me deep down to see them together. Dick and Wally had been best friends for what seemed like forever. The true Dynamic Duo was definitely the shaggy haired trapeze kid and the annoyingly funny ginger.

Sighing, Wally's shoulders shook. His hands were blurs as he repeatedly twiddled his fingers at light speed. I giggled silently to myself. Who knew Wally West would be this nervous on his wedding day?

After an eternity of secret glances at Dick, the music started. I snapped my head forward. Stepping down the isle, a real life angel emerged. Artemis had styled her blond hair into an intricate up-do where her veil rested gently. Her skin, which was a gorgeous golden tan, contrasted with the innocent white of her dress. Green emeralds lined the top, waist, and creeped up the bottom of the gown. White lace cinched her waist and covered the top, cascading down until eventually fading out to a brilliant white fabric. Her dress trailed behind her for about a foot, following behind her like a delicate tail. 

I, along with everyone else, gasped upon seeing her. As she walked, she kept her head angled down. She walked alone. I was proud of her. Sportsmaster had reached out and threatened Artemis, but she had ultimately decided to walk herself down the isle. 

My eyes darted to the grinning groom. Wally's face seemed like it was about one more muscle away from splitting in half. Although his eyes were squinty from his 1000 watt smile, I could see little tears gathering in his eyes. Finally, his hands had stilled. 

Artemis stood beside Wally. She glanced to the side at Wally, who was still grinning like an idiot. She rolled her eyes, but I could see the unsurpassed joy in her face. Looking over at me, I gave her a little thumbs up. In return, she nodded solemnly.

The ceremony was relatively short. Neither Wally nor Artemis wanted a ceremony in the first place, but both sides of the family insisted. I tried to keep my focus on the unification in front of me, but I was finding it hard to pay attention.

As soon as Wally had calmed down, a pair of piercing blue eyes locked onto me. Dick was staring at me through the whole wedding. I glanced at him and glared, trying to get him to watch the ceremony. He would just smile wider and wink at me. No matter where I looked, I could feel his eyes still watching me. Eventually, I just gave up and met his loving eyes.

I felt really guilty when I completely tuned out the vows. With the rings on and the ceremony complete, the newly weds walked down the isle. I approached Dick, grabbing his bicep. As we followed behind Wally and Artemis, Dick leaned over to whisper in my ear.

"Your dress will look better," he said, gently kissing my ear as he talked.

I rolled my eyes. "I will never be caught dead in a wedding dress." 

He looked at me, grinning. "Athena Thomas, I would give my life to make you my wife."

"Calm down, poet. Let's talk about this later," I replied, stopping once we got to the hotel. Dick grabbed my hand and pulled me against his body. He stared down at me. Moving my hair behind my ear, Dick leaned down and pressed his lips gently to mine. I melted into him.

Once they had changed, the newly weds came back out just as the sun had gone down. Wally had changed into a pair of nice pants and an orange dress shirt. Artemis wore a short green cocktail dress with her hair cascading down her back in a ponytail. They walked out, hand in hand, grinning like mad. 

When she approached me, I did the unexpected. I smashed her body against mine in a bone-breaking hug. "Congratulations!" I said, spinning her around. She smiled.