Reunited (A Miraculous Ladybug Romance)

23: Dreams

Okay, so I am going to pull an Incredibles 2 and just apologize. It takes a long time to come up with an idea and to get the wording right. Not only do I have to find time to work on this myself, but I also have to work with my amazing beta readers. With the end of school, going on vacation, and watching two kids it's hard to find quality time to just sit and write. And then there's the whole issue of doubting myself, attempting to rewrite the entire story, and beginning a one shot in a time of little inspiration. But... I promised myself and my readers that I would finish this. I will finish this. Would I love to go back and rewrite it? Absolutely. But right now, I have to work with what I have.

So.... enjoy. I put a lot of time and effort into this chapter, and the next one, is already a pretty good distance along.

6/23/18

Chapter 23: Dreams

Everything was dark. It was quiet and empty; nothing seemed to be around. Adrien stumbled in the blackness, aimlessly wandering, trying to find a way out. His legs shook with each step, and his eyelids drooped with fatigue: this path was endless...

As always, a dim shape appeared in the distance. Adrien sighed. The girl with the pigtails ever remained out of his reach: a distant memory that could never be regained. For years, Adrien had run, desperately trying to get to her, but it had always been in vain. Over time, his frantic scramble slowed to sprinting, then to a jog, eventually ending in a slow walk.

Adrien dragged along, shoulders slumped, eyes fixed upon the ground; nothing ever changed - any and all amount of effort was simply a waste. With an exaggerated moan, he halted, conceding to the fact that he would never make any progress and flopped, limbs jingling loosely, tiredly on the ground.

He closed his eyes, ready for it all to end. A gentle breeze licked his skin as he leaned back against his hands, hair dancing peacefully in the wind, taking in a deep breath. A familiar scent lingering in the air.

Ladybug! He gasped and his heart nearly lept out of his chest.

It had been too long since he had smelled this scent - this familiar, welcoming, and beautiful scent. He stood, hope once again flowing through his veins, and his body quickly became covered in a cold, nervous sweat.

One step.

Adrien faltered. This isn't real.

Two steps. This...

Three steps. Isn't...

Adrien took off in a full sprint.

Heartbeat pounding, Adrien couldn't help but to smile. The image was getting larger and the scent much more profound. What changed? Adrien thought, as he began to make out the slightest bit of color. Why didn't the dream remain the same?

Just as he had always expected, the girl's hair was a bluish black and her body was covered in red form fitting leather.

It had been so long.

Way too long since he had looked into his Lady's face.

In an act of final desperation, he called out her name, never expecting any sort of reaction.

The figure jolted, startled, and began to turn. Adrien paused, trembling in anticipation. Once again he would get to lay eyes upon his best friend.

As she turned, Adrien noticed that she did not was not wearing a mask. His knees gave out beneath him, because even from a distance she looked exactly like...

"Marinette," a kind voice called out along with a hollow knocking sound. The dream swiftly vanished and Adrien opened his eyes only to find that the sudden light made his head pound.