Ashley hummed as she took her seat at the restaurant. Adrien glanced up at her before turning to the girl in front of him: Marinette. She was staring at the table, somewhat flustered and embarrassed. Ashley grinned, happily looking at them back and forth. She was glad that her uncle had cancelled or else this would not have happened.
"I need to go to the loo," she announced, getting up.
She walked to Adrien's side and whispered something. Marinette stared in confusion. As she was closing her face to Adrien, Plagg took the opportunity to quickly fly into her denim jacket. She flashed a smile to Marinette.
"I won't be long, I promise..." she muttered and made her way towards the toilet.
Turning to Marinette, he said, "I'm really sorry that she dragged you into this..."
Marinette mentally squealed. "O-Oh...it's okay really. She's like a sister to me," she stammered, grinning nervously.
"I hope she didn't ask you to do anything for her or something," Adrien sighed, chuckling to himself, "She can be pretty convincing..."
"Not at all... We just talked about her life..." she drawled, letting out a flustered chuckle. "She's got your eyes..."
Adrien laughed. "She's got my mother's eyes, just like me...and Ladybug."
Marinette smiled when he mentioned the superheroine. She was glad that Ashley told her about it beforehand. She decided to ask him why he admires Ladybug so much. They started talking about her while waiting for Ashley.
Meanwhile, the said girl was in one of the stalls, taking out the camembert cupcake for Plagg. The kwami happily took it, savouring its smell.
"Adrien had never pampered me like this before..." he muttered.
Ashley flashed a smile as she texted to Alya about Marinette and Adrien. She turned back to the kwami after that, watching him gobbling up the cupcake.
"Take it as a thank you...for keeping my beloved cousin company," Ashley said.
"What is with you and that kid?" Plagg asked, sighing.
The orange haired gave out a small smile. "I don't want to talk about it. Anyway, finish up! They must be confused why I'm gone too long."
Plagg swallowed his cupcake with a wide grin. He hid inside Ashley's jacket after that. She started strolling back to the table. Adrien and Marinette smiled when they saw her. The appetizers had been served. They were waiting for Ashley to eat together.
"The menu for tonight is organized by my father... I didn't get to give him my opinion," Adrien explained.
"It's okay..." Marinette muttered, smiling happily, "It's great that I get to eat with you. I mean, with Ashley and you..."
They ate and chatted happily. Ashley listened in as they mostly talked about their school and friends. Marinette was getting used to talking to Adrien and she was glad. She even texted Alya to tell her the good news. When their steaks came, Adrien cut Ashley's into pieces for her. Marinette liked how he treated his cousin. He was very loving even though his cousin could be like Chloe at times: too clingy. He looked like her really loves having her around.
"I'm really sorry. She's always like this around me," Adrien said to her.
"My brother treated me the same way actually," Ashley added, grinning happily.
"Oh, I'm glad. I thought he still likes to pick on you," Marinette replied.
Ashley shook her head. "Not since the incidence..." she whispered to herself.
Plagg heard her. He stared at the girl's face. For a second, she looked really sad and distanced. He suddenly started to worry that she could get akumatized. He knew that he had to discuss this with Adrien. After dinner, Ashley and Adrien sent Marinette home. They got a box of cookies from her parents as a thank you gift. They hesitated to take it but Marinette shoved it into Ashley's hands.
"Thanks for tonight!" she whispered into her ears.
Ashley smiled. "Sure!" she replied.
They went back to the manor after that. They gave the box to Adrien's cook for him to enjoy with the maids. Ashley trotted behind him as they entered his room.
"I need to go on patrol in less than an hour," Adrien said to his cousin.
Ashley was squishing Plagg's cheeks as she listened. The boy shook his head at her behaviour. She told him that she would be waiting for him in his room.
"I can lie for you..." she chirped.
"Stop squishing my face!" Plagg raised his voice, flying away from her grip.
He went to Adrien's side who gave out a smug to him. Plagg groaned at his chosen. Ashley giggled at the two.
"You two really are good friends!" she remarked.
"Yeah, well, without me, he can't transform into Chat Noir to see his Ladybug," Plagg smirked.
Adrien frowned at his kwami. "Plagg, claws out!" he transformed.
Ashley watched as he jumped to the windows. He turned back to her. She went up to him and he patted her head.
"I'll be back by midnight. I still have school tomorrow," he said.
Ashley nodded. "I'll be waiting..." she beamed.
Chat jumped away to go meet his partner. She was waiting for him at the bridge near the Notre-Dame de Paris. She smiled when he jumped to her side. He greeted her like he would always do, a kiss on the back of her right hand.
"Milady..." he spoke.
"Hey, kitty," Ladybug greeted him like usual.
"Sorry, I'm a little late. Someone was keeping me away from my beloved," he teased.
Ladybug chuckled. "That someone is really good at keeping you on the leash then."
"But not as good as you," he winked.
Ladybug smiled before heaving a sigh. She looked up to the sky. Chat could feel the tension in the air. He knew that something was troubling his lady. He placed a hand on her shoulder. She replied with a small smile.
"Chat...we've been doing this job for almost two years now..." she started.
"Yeah, I guess..." Chat replied, blinking in confusion. Where was she getting to? He wondered.
"Then, can I confess something?" she suddenly asked.
"What is it, Milady? You know I'm always ready to listen," Chat asked, scratching his head.
Ladybug turned her back to him. She was hesitating. She didn't want anyone to know but she thought it'd be good to tell someone.
"I think…I think I'm falling for someone," she mumbled.
Chat heard her, though. He bit his lower lip, trying hard not to be taken aback. She turned back to look at him. He gave out an assured grin like always.
"Who's the lucky guy?" he asked, but he was actually dying to know.
"Ummm…I can't really say," Ladybug hesitated again.
"Would you like me to help you out or not, Milady?" Chat forced himself to be happy for her.
"Umm…it's Adrien Agreste!" she blurted.
Chat was surprised to hear the name. For a moment, he was actually glad that Chat Noir and Adrien are the same people. Then again, he can't tell anyone his true identity. How will he help his lady this time around? Not to mention the guy she likes is him all along. Can he still act all flirty around her? He needed his cousin's help on this matter.
"O-Oh, I never thought it'd be him," Chat chuckled nervously.
"Don't tell me you're jealous," Ladybug teased him.
"N-Not at all, Milady," Chat scratched his head, smiling, "I mean, I'm happy for you. I'm sure he likes you too."
"Really? You're not going to warn him to stay away from me, are you?" Ladybug inched her face closer to Chat.
Chat rolled his eyes anxiously. He hoped that she couldn't read his mind. Ladybug laughed at Chat's reaction. She already knew that he has a crush on her. She was happy that he respects her enough not to go overboard with his tricks.
"I don't really think you'd be a great help, but I'll take you up on that…" she said, winking, "Well, let's finish our patrol and go back to our 'hideouts'!"
She jumped onto the roof of a building. Chat followed suit. He looked away sadly, knowing well that Ashley would laugh at what had happened.
Ashley fell off the sofa, holding out her stomach. She was tearing up from laughing so much. Plagg grinned towards his chosen.
"I can't believe she likes you!" Ashley exclaimed.
"Yeah, very funny," Adrien sighed.
He went to change into his pyjamas in his bathroom. Ashley turned to Plagg who shrugged. She took a deep breath, sitting back on the sofa.
"Say, how long are you staying?" Plagg suddenly asked.
"Until Adrien's birthday, which is in five days," Ashley replied, playing around with Adrien's phone.
"That's nice. We can have a party together," Adrien said from the bathroom.
Ashley nodded. "So, are you planning to tell Ladybug who you are?" she asked.
"No way am I letting you!" Plagg exclaimed angrily.
Ashley's phone suddenly rang. She said goodnight to the two of them before exiting Adrien's room. She answered the call.
"Father?" she said.
At that moment, Adrien lied down in bed, thinking about what Ladybug had said. He didn't realize that she would fall for him, not his alter-ego. He knew how he is every girls' dream much to his dismay. He sighed, trying to get some sleep.
"Kid, we need to talk," Plagg spoke.
"Can it wait tomorrow…? I need my sleep," Adrien muttered, planting his face in his pillow.
"Fine. Good night," the kwami replied, shaking his head.
So LB finally confessed that she is in love with Adrien, but...to Chat Noir? Now I'm off to my next plot.
Anyway, thank you for reading, as always. Tell me what you think, kay?