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“It’s just so hard to talk to him,” Ladybug whispered, hands covering her face. “I get all tongue-tied and tripped up because he’s so pretty, and so kind, and when he smiles I feel like—”
“Like it’s meant only for you,” Adrien said, heart in his throat.
“Yeah.” She peeked at him through her fingers; cheeks stained red. “It’s like the sun. It’s so bright it almost hurts, but I can’t... I can’t just look away.”
Adrien’s heart ached. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “I know how that feels.”
She sighed, resigned. “I’m sorry for you, too,” she said wistfully.
Outside, the sun peeked through the clouds and a ray of light fell over Ladybug, limning her in gold. The longing washed over him then, vicious like a riptide. I’m sorry, she’d said. If only she knew. In that moment all he wanted to do was tell her.
But—
It’s no use, Adrien reminded himself. She’s in love with someone else, anyways.
Hoarsely, he said, “I hope it turns out well for you, in the end.”
“Thanks, Adrien.” Ladybug smiled at him, tender, and it almost drowned out the heartache.