Juuno whined, wincing as he peered out. From where he floated, he could see the ceremony happening by the bakery. A ceremony they should be at!

"Stop looking Juuno," Marinette called out from where she was wiping down the display case, "just stop looking. You're going to stress yourself out."

"We should be there..." Juuno mopes, drooping.

Even Malin showed up.

He was never going to hear the end of it from Vixx.

Marinette stands with a groan, huffing loudly. "You know why we can't. I can't just leave the bakery. We got that secret order coming in. He's going to be here any minute."

"It's bad publicity for Belle Bleue to not show," Juuno lightly scolds.

"Well it can't be helped," Marinette returns, coming over and scooping up the little god. "So stop torturing yourself. Keep at it and I'll have you helping me clean."

Juuno cringes. "Not on my feathers!" the peacock kwami cried, zooming to the floors above, eager to avoid any stray flour that could tarnish him.

Rolling her eyes, Marinette spared a wishful glance to the park before turning and going back to work. She had to be ready after all.

"Where's Belle?" Ladybug grumbled, glaring at the sky, impatiently waiting for the peacock to show.

"Not going to show," Malin pipes in as he joined them, tail curling and wagging about.

Queen Bee sneers, "Did your ugly mug chase her away finally?"

Malin turned to her, smile tight. "I'll have you know she finds me rather handsome."

"Of course," Queen bid, rolling her eyes.

Sighing, Chat told the mayor, "Let's get started, everyone that could make it is here."

"Very well," the mayor bid, coming forward with his ready speech.

As Queen, Ladybug, and Chat stood at attention, Malin jumped onto the statue, slouching against it. He gazed longingly to the bakery, knowing that's where his Bluebird was.

So close.

And yet so far.

And in a sweets filled bakery too.

He'd rather be there than here.

His ear twitched at a near wishful sigh. Looking down, Malin's eyes locked onto someone he recognized as an older student at their school. Theo he thinks his name is. "Something the matter?" Malin asks, startling the boy.

He looked up, brown eyes wide. "M-Malin," Theo stutters, quickly hiding the paper clutched in his hand.

Malin's interest flared. He turned to Theo, ears perked up at attention, tail twitching as he locked onto his prey. "What's up?" he repeats, predatory eyes locked on the paper in the artist's hand.

"I..." Theo trails, cheeks darkening as he blushed. "I, I was excited to see Belle..."

Malin's ears jerked down, only to quickly perk right up. An easy smile echoes it. "You're here to see Belle Bleue?" Malin repeats, leaning forward, tail twitching.

Theo considers the fox warily. Chewing on his candy stick thoughtfully, he confesses, "I, I was hopeful to confess to her."

An agitated fire flared in Malin's eyes. "You were?" he utters lightly.

Theo nods, blushing.

Malin dropped down, slinging his arm around Theo's shoulders and lightly states, "Don't bother. Belle's already set." With a cheeky grin, he tapped his chest, indicating that she was with him.

A dark expression passes Theo's face, and he rips away from Malin, grumbling under his breath.

Malin peers after him, no regret in his being.

He wasn't going to deal with another admirer, not if he could help it.