The Shop Of Our Dreams

The desert sun was gentle that morning, casting a soft golden light over the half-finished shop. I stood in what would soon be the main workspace, grease already on my hands from helping adjust a support beam. Colossus was right beside me, sleeves rolled up, sweat glistening on his forehead as he held the heavy beam steady with one massive arm while I tightened the bolts. “You don’t have to do the heavy lifting today,” I teased, glancing up at him. “You’re supposed to be the big scary enforcer, not my personal construction crew.” He looked down at me with that soft, crooked smile that always made my stomach flutter. “I’m exactly where I want to be,” he said, voice low and warm. “Watching my future wife build her dream with her own two hands? There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” He set t