Marvel: The Infinite Crown

{Chapter: 129 - Carol Farris In The City of Emerald Archer}

This wasn't the first time Aiden had carried Carol through the skies, and it certainly wouldn't be the last—but somehow, every time still felt like the first. Her heart fluttered as they soared together, the wind rushing past them in thrilling gusts. No matter how many times she experienced it, being wrapped securely in Aiden's arms while flying was a feeling unlike anything else in the world.

It wasn't like being on a plane, strapped into a metal seat behind a wall of security. No—this was raw and exhilarating. It was freedom. It was intimacy. It was trust.

As the world below blurred into a sea of distant lights and winding roads, Carol nestled closer to him, her fingers tightening around his chest. "So… where are we going, Flyboy?" she asked, a teasing lilt in her voice, her breath warm against his ear.

Aiden chuckled, the sound deep and comforting. "Star City," he replied. As he spoke, the emerald light of the reality ring shimmered around them, bending and shaping into the sleek form of a glowing, high-tech aircraft. Within moments, they were no longer just flying—they were seated side-by-side in the comfort of a hard light-formed private jet.

Carol blinked, looking around in awe. "You turned the ring into… a plane?"

"Of course," Aiden said with a smile, slipping an arm around her shoulders as she leaned in closer. "Just thought you'd like something more relaxing than being carried the whole way."

She smirked, resting her head against his chest. "I love flying with you, but this is kind of romantic too. It's like… we're eloping to somewhere exotic."

He tilted his head with a grin. "Well, I can't promise a honeymoon, but I can promise adventure."

She laughed softly before asking, "So, why Star City? Don't tell me we're just here for sightseeing."

Aiden shook his head. "Nope. I'm here to meet someone. A superhero, actually. There's a mission I need to complete—some things I need to take care of. But I figured if I've only got a week here, I'm spending it with you. As much of it as I can."

Carol's smile faltered just slightly, her fingers fidgeting in her lap. "Only a week, huh…"

He turned his head and gently lifted her chin so her eyes met his. "Hey, a week with you is worth more than a year anywhere else. I wouldn't have brought you if you weren't my priority too."

Her heart swelled at his words. "You always say the perfect thing," she whispered, her voice catching slightly. "You know, most guys can't even commit to a weekend trip. But you… even when you're chasing cosmic threats across galaxies, you still make time for me."

He kissed her temple. "You're not just time well spent, Carol. You're home."

They talked, laughed, and leaned into one another as the plane glided through the clouds like a dream. By the time they arrived over Star City, the sun had begun to dip behind the horizon, casting the city in a soft golden glow. Aiden steered the craft down toward an abandoned field on the city's outskirts and slowly absorbed the construct around them, letting them land gently on the ground.

"Let's find somewhere to stay for the night," Aiden said, lacing his fingers through hers.

Carol gave his hand a squeeze. "Somewhere with a king-sized bed and room service?"

He smirked. "Only the best for my queen."

They soon arrived at one of the city's renowned hotels—an elegant tower with a modern aesthetic and sweeping views of the skyline. Aiden handled the check-in while Carol admired the lobby's decor, and within minutes, they were escorted to a suite that could rival a presidential palace.

Room service delivered their meal within the hour—steaming dishes of seared steak, roasted vegetables, and a bottle of wine. They ate on the balcony under the open sky, sharing stories and smiles with every bite. For once, their world was still.

After their meal, Aiden sprawled lazily on the plush sofa, his legs stretched out while Carol curled up beside him, her head resting on his shoulder. The golden sunlight filtered through the tall windows, casting warm stripes across their bodies. Silence filled the space, not empty or uncomfortable, but peaceful. Intimate.

Then Carol spoke, her voice barely louder than a whisper. "Hey… aren't you supposed to meet that superhero today?"

Aiden shifted slightly, brushing her hair behind her ear before pressing a kiss to her forehead. "There's no rush. I wanted today to be for us. Just you and me—no uniforms, no danger, no deadlines. Just this."

Carol looked up at him, eyes full of emotion. "You'd really put it off… for me?"

He nodded. "You matter more."

She smiled, but there was a gentle insistence in her tone when she replied. "I love you for that, but you're also needed out there. I can wait. I always will. Finish your mission first… and then come back to me."

He looked at her in awe, admiration radiating from his eyes. "You know, I don't say it enough, but… you're my strength, Carol. You're the reason I keep going, the reason I always come back."

She lifted his hand to her lips and kissed his knuckles. "Just come back in one piece. And preferably with dessert."

He laughed and pulled her into a slow, tender kiss. "Deal."

He stood a moment later, brushing himself off and giving her one last glance filled with longing and affection. "I won't be long."

Carol leaned back against the cushions, watching him with a soft smile. "I'll be waiting, hero."

And with that, Aiden stepped out onto the balcony. With a burst of shimmering green light, his silhouette rose into the sky and disappeared into the horizon.

Carol stayed there for a while, her fingers brushing over the place where his hand had just held hers. The hotel suite was quiet now, but her heart was loud with love.

---

The Queen was back in Star City.

After years of being presumed dead, Oliver Queen had finally returned—and the first thing he did was search for the woman he had left behind. Laurel Lance.

To the people of Star City, it might have seemed romantic—like something out of a tragic love story. But to Aiden, who stood across the street with a hot cup of coffee in hand, it was far more complicated than that. Romance wasn't so simple, especially when layered with betrayal, secrets, and trauma.

Laurel was stunning, no doubt about that. She carried herself with strength, intelligence, and a touch of vulnerability that made her stand out in a city full of masks. But Aiden, watching from the shadows, couldn't bring himself to feel much admiration for her—not because she wasn't worthy, but because of the chaos that trailed behind her like perfume.

She had started as Oliver's girlfriend before the Queen's Gambit vanished. During his five-year absence, Laurel found comfort in the arms of his best friend, Tommy Merlyn. The same Tommy who now stood beside Oliver, exchanging tense words in a conversation that was clearly far from pleasant.

Sure, Aiden thought, in her shoes, maybe I would've done the same. But not with my ex's best friend. There's loyalty, and then there's crossing lines.

Still, he didn't hate her for it. He wasn't here to judge—only to watch.

Although in the end she did end up with Oliver, Aiden likes women who are at least loyal but Aiden won't blame if he was in her place he would have done the same, maybe not with his Ex-best friend, but each to their own.

From his vantage point on the corner of a quiet city block, Aiden sipped his coffee, pretending to be just another passerby. But his eyes were sharp, tracking every movement between the reunited trio—Laurel, Oliver, and Tommy—like a hawk. There was tension in the air, sharp and brittle. Laurel was visibly frustrated, her arms crossed tightly as she said something Aiden couldn't hear, her eyes cutting into Oliver like shards of ice.

Oliver stood stiff, lips drawn into a hard line, guilt etched into his face like a scar.

Tommy just watched, his usual cocky grin subdued, clearly knowing he was the odd one out. The third wheel. The ghost in the machine.

*****

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