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“See ya later, Chat.” Ladybug waved and shot off her yo-yo, bounding away without bothering to glance in her partner’s direction. She knew he’d find his way home though she felt a little guilty in leaving him, but she’d promised to meet some friends for ice cream. She couldn’t keep them waiting.
A few minutes later, she came to an abrupt halt as Andre’s cart proved closer than she realized. Too late for her to hide and transform back either as her friends noted her presence and waved in greeting.
Unsure what to do, she approached them with some caution, hoping Alya wouldn’t demand an interview. She scanned the small crowd for a familiar mop of blond hair. She sighed when she didn’t see him.
“Hey, Ladybug, what brings you by?” Nino asked as he licked the cone he’d gotten.
“Oh, uh, just wanted something sweet after that last akuma, you know?” She took a step toward the cart when something pulled her attention away.
A smile grew across her lips as a familiar voice called out for her.
“Well, well, Adrien Agreste, you made it just in time,” Alya called out. “A few seconds later and you would’ve missed ice cream with our local superheroine.”
Adrien’s gaze caught hers as he matched her smile and a soft blush formed on his cheeks. When he processed what Alya had said, he muttered, “Now, that would’ve been a real shame.”
This time, Marinette worked to hide her blush, busying herself with Andre as he scooped out the perfect blending of flavors for her cone.
She gasped as she saw the flavors he chose, so closely matching the young man coming to stand beside her. She could only hope he wouldn’t notice or at least make the connection. She couldn’t have him guessing who she was under the mask or have Alya realize she had feelings for Adrien. It would only make things awkward for him.
“Thank you, Andre. This looks delicious.” She took the cone and quickly moved several paces away before the Ladyblogger could catch sight of the concoction.
“Hey, Ladybug, wait up.” Adrien’s hand caught her shoulder, stilling her. He turned back to their friends and said, “I’ll catch up, okay? I need to talk to LB a minute.”
She looked at him expectantly, waiting as he received his cone from Andre. She had to work at composing herself once she spotted her colors making up his flavors. She hadn’t a clue why Andre would believe they’d be perfect together. As much as she loved Adrien, she knew how complicated this was for them. It wasn’t like they could hang out on a regular basis with her secret identity to protect and all.
“Bye-bye, my little lovebirds,” Andre sang out.
Alone, Marinette kept glancing at Adrien, wondering what he could want to talk to her about. She hadn’t really sought him out as Ladybug and knew he rarely spoke of their few interactions with their friends.
“I, um, I wanted to say thank you for saving me.” He broke the silence though he kept his eyes on his cone.
“It was nothing. You handled yourself pretty well against that akuma.”
“Yeah, well, if I hadn’t been so stupid, that akuma wouldn’t have existed.”
Marinette stopped walking, her hand on his arm slowing him as well.
“It wasn’t your fault, Adrien. I promise. It’s Hawk Moth’s. He should know better than to use someone’s emotions against them. Okay?”
Adrien nodded though he didn’t look convinced.
Not wanting him to risk becoming an akuma as well, she asked, “What is it? You can tell me, you know?”
He met her eyes briefly but broke contact as his blush returned full force.
“I wish I could like someone as sweet as she was, but I can’t. My heart is already set on someone else. I feel bad though because I never meant for my rejection to do that.”
“Oh,” she whispered. Her mind whirled with the possibilities as Adrien’s words slammed hard into her middle. She hadn’t considered he had feelings for someone else, always hoping he’d one day see her as a girlfriend potential. Her dreams, she knew, had come to a painful end. “I’m sure she’ll survive, Adrien. You’re a great guy, but there are other great guys out there. Maybe one of them will even be perfect for her.”
He smiled at her then as he agreed. “Yeah, maybe. Anyways, thanks, Ladybug. I hope one day I can return the favor.”
“Yeah, sure, maybe.”
He took a step away from her as his limo came into view.
She knew their time would soon come to an end, but she almost wished it wouldn’t.
He surprised her though as he turned back to her and asked, “Hey, LB, would you maybe care to have dinner with me sometime?”
She thought she nodded, but she couldn’t be sure.