I've seen the way you look at me when you think I don't notice, Ladybug thinks as she glances at the boy following her, and she can't quite believe that Adrien Agreste is looking at her like that.
Ladybug knows the look on his face, has seen it regularly in the sneaky photos that Alya's taken of her when Marinette hasn't been paying attention to anything but Adrien sitting in front of her, completely oblivious to her gaze.
So it comes as a surprise to Ladybug when she's leading Adrien through the school, searching for somewhere the akuma calling itself Musical won't find him - really, you wouldn't think that being beaten in Paris' Top Teen Crush was that big a deal, but apparently XY takes his poll stats very seriously - and she catches a glimpse of his reflection in one of the windows.
It's not exactly a clear image, but Ladybug would recognise that look anywhere.
It's pure admiration mixed with something else which she can't quite explain, and it's taking everything she has to focus on the issue at hand rather than the look in Adrien's eyes. They move quickly, trying to keep Adrien away from the "fans" that Musical is creating to help him find the teen model. Most of their classmates have already been transformed, joining Musical in his hunt for Adrien after he beat XY for the top spot on the popularity poll.
Right now Ladybug has other things to worry about than how Adrien Agreste is looking at her. She has to get him to safety. She has an akuma to fight, and her partner hasn't shown up yet so she has to do it alone. But damn it, Adrien's so distracting.
They move into a classroom that's already been searched by Musical's fans - Ladybug can tell by the overturned tables - and Ladybug is impressed by how stealthily Adrien moves as he follows her lead. She turns to scan their surroundings, her body tense in case a fan has slipped past them. As she spins around to face Adrien, the look on his face changes in an instant; his smile becomes more polite than adoring, and he raises his eyebrows at her as she observes the room.
"Is everything okay?" Adrien asks, and Ladybug nods in response, her eyes snapping to meet his.
"Yes! Everything's fine," she replies, returning his warm smile. "I think you'll be safe here - I doubt they'll check the same room twice. Hide behind one of the tables until it's safe, okay?"
Adrien nods.
"Sure. Uh, are... are you staying, too?" A soft pink tinge grows on Adrien's cheeks, and Ladybug has to hold back a scream because is she making Adrien blush?
She feels heat rise to her own face, and she waves her hands in front of her as she shakes her head at him.
"No, I've got to go. There's an akuma to fight, after all!" Ladybug gives him a thumbs up, and regrets it immediately. She places her hands on her hips instead, grinning confidently at Adrien as she tries to brush off her actions. "Stay here, and stay safe. I'll be close by in case the akuma comes to find you, but I'm going to look around the school and take the fight to him."
Adrien rubs the back of his neck with one hand, eyes dropping to the floor before looking back up at Ladybug, smiling warmly.
"Of course," Adrien says, face reddening further as he remembers exactly why they're sneaking around classrooms in the now-empty school. "Good luck - not that you'll need it." He winks at her, and Ladybug is incredibly glad that her mask covers the blush growing with every second.
"Thanks! Now, stay out of sight!" She replies, hoping he doesn't notice that her voice is a touch higher than usual.
Ladybug turns away before Adrien can respond, moving towards the closed door. She pulls out her yo-yo as she walks, opening it so that she can look at the black screen which is clear enough to reflect her face. She angles it subtly so she can see Adrien as she leaves, and there it is: The look which can only mean one thing, and melts her heart whilst simultaneously freezing her soul.
She's thrilled that Adrien looks at Ladybug the same way that she looks at Adrien. But it breaks her heart that he doesn't look at Marinette like that.