CHAPTER 15: Dreams and Decisions

"Well, that's weird. We didn't have to use this." Ladybug held up the spotted car jack, confused since she had always needed her Lucky Charm for some reason or another. "What does it mean?"

"Well, I guess that only means we rock as a team!" Chat strode forward to get the akuma's bracelet, only to be pulled back by his tail when the T-Rex's large jaws snapped at him. Woah, that was a close one!

"I know what to do," His Lady's voice rang out determinedly, and she suddenly sprinted towards the dinosaur.

"Ladybug!" What is she doing?! Adrien watched in disbelief as she jumped- literally jumped- into the akuma's mouth.

"NO!"

No no no no no! It was like time had slowed down, even though his heart was pumping twice as fast. This can't be happening. He angrily extended his baton, twirling it around aggressively, even as the despair threatened to overwhelm him. "You're so gonna pay for this!"

A spark of hope fluttered though him when the T-Rex's mouth started to open, only to be utterly squashed at what he heard next.

"CHAT!" Ladybug's scream tore at his very soul. He stared in shock as she struggled to lift the jaws of the T-Rex with one of her hands. "HELP ME!"

Do something! He screamed at himself. Save her!

With horror, he watched as the T-Rex opened its mouth even further, only for it to slam its mouth closed with a sickening squelch. A bloody hand, wrapped in red and black, fell to the ground.

NOOOOOOOO!

Adrien jolted awake with a start, his heart pounding and sweat covering his body. Overcome with emotion, he breathed in and out in heavy bursts. The familiar sight of his alarm clock, upon becoming aware of his surroundings, served to ground him to reality.

She's okay, it was just a dream. She's okay, it was just a dream. He continued to repeat the mantra to himself, clutching at one of his pillows until the terror running through his veins vanished. When he felt mostly calm, he opened his eyes again, only to actually register the hour on his alarm clock this time: 5:37am. It was about twenty minutes until he had to get up.

Adrien ran a hand through his hair and sighed, knowing he wouldn't get any more sleep. He ignored the flashbacks to his dream, trying to think about anything else instead as he continued to lie in bed. He couldn't help letting his mind remain on Ladybug though…

Her victorious grin as they pounded their fists together after a fight…

When she rolled her eyes and groaned at his puns, fighting off a smile…

Her beauty as she soared through the air on her yoyo string, him following close behind…

The inspiration he felt that first time she stood up to Hawkmoth with resolute determination…

The gears turning in her mind as she worked out a plan to defeat the akuma…

Yesterday, as they were hiding from the akuma, how wonderful she had smelled...

A tingle ran down his spine as he lingered on that last one. Even though the air freshener had masked her scent somewhat, he was still able to catch a whiff of vanilla and something else that was distinctly Ladybug. He sighed, this time in longing, allowing himself to indulge in his thoughts for a bit longer as his nightmare was almost forgotten about.

Unfortunately, his alarm interrupted his blissful state. Scowling, Adrien leaned over to slam his hand down on it and turn off the offending noise. He turned to lie on his back, picking up a pillow and pressing it to his face in an effort to avoid the world. He did not want to get up.

He heard a yawn come from the other side of the room. 3…2…1…

"Adrien! Time to get up! I need my cheese!"

The teen simply ignored his cat-god friend, staying in his comfortable position for a moment before forcing himself to get out of bed. As he padded over to the mini fridge to grab the cheese, a thought struck him.

"Plagg, cats have an enhanced sense of smell, right?"

His kwami gave an amused huff from where he had landed on Adrien's desk. "Dumb question, kid. But why are you asking?"

"Well, when I sniffed Ladybug yesterday she smelled like-"

"Wait, you sniffed Ladybug?"

Adrien blushed at his kwami's insinuating tone. "It's not as weird as it sounds! Anyway-"

"Kid, it is just as weird as it sounds, and unless you are about to tell me that she smelled like perfectly aged camembert, nothing will stop me from laughing at you. Actually, we're just going to assume that whatever you were planning to say next was ridiculously sappy and I'll just start laughing now."

The kwami's cackling rang about the room, and Adrien pouted, wishing Plagg would actually take him seriously. "I was just going to say that she smelled like cookies," he retorted.

"Well, you were in a bakery. Marinette's bakery, to be exact."

Adrien combed a hand through his hair in annoyance at what his kwami was implying. "Plagg, I told you already. Marinette's just a friend. And-" Adrien cut off, unsure if he wanted to say what was on his mind.

"And?"

"And… I think I love Ladybug."

Saying it aloud only confirmed it further for Adrien, as he had been pondering his feelings for the spotted heroine ever since the akuma yesterday. His dream this morning only served to remind him just how utterly terrified he was to lose her, and not just because she was the only one that could restore the city after an akuma attack. He considered her one of his best friends, his partner, someone he desperately needed in his life. After yesterday, he was no longer afraid to admit that he was still had feelings for her, even after his heart was put through the ringer from the recent "false-soulmate-alarm" with Marinette.

"Bleh!" Plagg stuck out his tongue in an exaggerated grimace at Adrien's admission, before flying up to steal the camembert wheel the teen had in his hand. "You know, I didn't expect you to do a literal one-eighty in just a few hours. Swapping out Lovebird #2 for Lovebird #1, again?"

Adrien scoffed. "Stop it, Plagg. You know I've loved Ladybug from the beginning."

"Yeah, right. And Marinette was just a passing fancy."

Slightly irritated, Adrien turned towards his bathroom to get ready for the day. "Whatever, Plagg. Just eat your cheese."

"Gladly," Plagg huffed, taking a large bite of his wheel and flying over to his trash bin.

The minutes passed as Adrien went through his skincare routine and styled his hair. Plagg finished off his cheese, now in a better mood after eating his favorite delicacy. The kwami floated over to the open bathroom door, deciding to speak what was on his mind.

"You know, kid, the chances of Ladybug being your soulmate are even less than Marinette being your soulmate." Unless Marinette is Ladybug… Plagg couldn't help but add on in his head, remembering his theory from the previous day.

"Why do you say that?"

"I'm just saying. You've been so focused on soulmates recently…"

"Well, I've kind of given up on the idea of ever finding mine, so it doesn't matter if Ladybug isn't my soulmate."

Plagg sighed, aware of the bitterness creeping into his chosen's tone. "What about Marinette?"

"What about her?" Plagg gave him a look, and Adrien was silent for a moment as he struggled with his inner feelings. "She's just a friend. I… I love Ladybug, so she has to just be a friend. Plus, Nino has a crush on her, and I can't just abandon him."

"Denial isn't just a river in Egypt, kid." Plagg murmured, shaking his head in disbelief. "Okay. Do what you want. I'm done with all this lovey-dovey crap." He flew back into Adrien's room and proceeded to raid the mini fridge again.

The teen sighed as he pulled a final hair into place, going over his mental checklist for the day. 1) Don't forget to print off the French History research essay before going to school. 2) Make new plans to help Nino talk to Marinette. 3) If an akuma comes, deal with it quickly, but also flirt with Ladybug. 4) Small photoshoot this afternoon after fencing. Oh, and 5) treat Marinette like a friend.

Adrien walked out of his room feeling more prepared to face life than he had in weeks.

A/N: Brief interlude back to #oblivious #indenial #sunshinechild Adrien before we continue on with some more DJ Wifi.

Also, I can't help but laugh evilly at the first part of this chapter; literally every time I read it I get a dumb giddy smile on my face. Sorry if I gave you a heart attack with that one. ;) *cackles*

As always, thanks for reading!

Starlin's Ghost

*Edited 11/25/19*