Undertaken

Cutting Ties / Chapter 49

A/N: this is something I sort of had an idea for. I realize that there are many rules to meeting past/present selves and how it can plunge a world into a black hole, but bear with me. Enjoy! Let me know what you think! Also, after this chapter, I'm probably gonna have to start putting years on my one-shots, since they kind of jump around time periods. Also, I think it would be good to say that this chapter is less of a one-shot and more canon to the storyline I have created. Think of it as chapter 49 of the story, maybe?

     Adrien groaned, leaning forward to rest his chin on the desk at the front of his parlor.

     "Mikki?" Adrien called. He heard a hummed response from the kitchen, letting him know she was listening. "Do you have any power to turn back time and, I don't know, pause it? I mean, I get it, business is changing, people aren't dying as easily with these medical advancements, but, damn, nowadays I'm not getting anything," he said with a sigh. He heard Mikki laugh.

     It was 2011 now, and while they lived through all of the changes that the world had gone through since the 1800s, it still seemed to be sudden changes to Adrien. Mikki stepped out of the kitchen. Her white hair was short now, reaching just above her shoulders. It was a more mature look that she was trying out for the time being. Adrien had also gotten a haircut, but it was still longer than his wife's and often had it pulled back loosely. He just wanted to refrain from looking like a creepy old homeless man following around a gorgeous, young woman (he only needed to have the cops called on him once to realize he definitely needed a different look). He also styled his hair out of his eyes to reveal his face, which also made him look much younger.

     "I don't think I have that much power. Besides, even if I did, how would you get any business at all if time was just paused?" she said. Adrien grumbled.

     "Still. This is ridiculous. And so boring." Mikki smiled and walked over to him, sitting on the edge of the desk and stroking his hair. It amused Mikki just how much he could act like a child at times. The two remained that way for a while.

     Eventually, Mikki's hand stopped and she quieted. Adrien lifted his head to look up at her.

     "Love? Is something wrong?" he asked when he noticed the far away look in her eyes. She blinked and looked down at him.

     "Oh, no, I just... Well, you got me thinking. About the past and present and whatnot," she said.

     "Uh oh, I didn't trigger some philosophical crisis within you again, did I?" Mikki laughed lightly, shaking her head.

     "No, not this time. Though I'll probably come back to that. Anyway, I was just thinking about how different I am now from when you and I first met all those years ago," she said. "I'm not the same person at all."

     "What do you mean? Sure you are. Yeah, you've grown and matured, but you're still you."

     "No, I'm the same body, though I'm not even sure if that's the case anymore. I've gained and lost plenty of weight over the years. I've changed. I don't even go by my given name much anymore. I'm a warlock. My hair is white, my eyes are orange. I'm married." Mikki didn't see it, as she was looking out the window, but Adrien began to worry.

     "Mikki... is that a bad thing?" he asked softly. "Are you unhappy with who you've become? With where you are in life right now?" Mikki turned to look at him, eyes slightly wide. Adrien stood. "I understand so much has happened and changed about, and between, us... and I understand why you might be having second thoughts now-"

     "Whoa, whoa, hold on, Adrien," Mikki said, standing from where she was seated on the desk. "I'm not having second thoughts. Oh, god, I don't think I worded what I said earlier very well... Look, I'm happy with who I am, what I've become, and my life right now. I'm with the man I love and I wouldn't change a damn thing," she assured him, placing her hands on his jaw and offering a small smile. His shoulders slumped as he visibly relaxed.