A/N: Sorry for the REALLY late update! I got busy and kinda forgot about all my re-write work. Sorry guys.

On a side note though, I just noticed that All Because of Ice-cream abbreviated is ABOI... I am now referring to it as ABOI! Yep, ABOI is now the name, you cannot sway me!

But aside from my new discovery, I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who's popped back up for this. Your support is really appreciated and I'm glad you guys are returning for another wild ride (hopefully I can fit in a few surprises so this won't be so predictable). I'm re-reading/editing as we speak!

Also, welcome new readers! Glad to have you here for the ride too! I'm a little behind in recent Miraculous goings on, so excuse my out-dated theories, info and such. (Right now the UK makes it so hard to stay up to date). I'll try to catch up. But hopefully you all enjoy this too. ABOI will always be one of my precious book-children, especially as it was one of my first works on here.

That's all from me now,

D.L.D

P.S - I know I said that was all, but I just wanted to add that Adrien is not ENTIRELY oblivious in this fic. Cause that would take away the fun in this. (Although I do love me some dense Adrien).

Chapter Two: Andre

Marinette

For an hour, the group searched around the bustling landscape of Paris for Andre's latest whereabouts. Countless buses, trains and pathways had been taken, the group even splitting into pairs at one point when they were uncertain as to where Andre could possibly be. However, thanks to a very detailed post from a young couple online, Alya was soon able to herd the group toward the Seine, saying that their elusive ice-cream vendor was located on one of the many bridges crossing it.

True to Alya's word, Andre was there, scooping ice-cream and singing his song. As if he were a jolly mascot to his own ice-cream brand, Andre was a rather pudgy man, not overly so but more of a round and jovial pudge. Upon his head sat a navy beret, matching with his navy apron, and tied around his neck was a red necktie. Always, you would spot him with a smile and a spring in his step, bad moods being a rare and often foreign thing for him.

Delighted faces of awe and wonder surrounded the joyful vendor, young and old people alike enjoying their frozen treats or simply listening to him sing his tune. From their expressions alone, you could tell that he truly was talented at what he did - a diamond in the rough.

"Ah, Alya and Nino!" Andre beams, ceasing his scooping as he spots the approaching group. His eyes light up at the sight of Marinette and Adrien, excited at the prospect of a new challenge to attempt. He always loved new customers. "Oh, and I see you've brought some friends. And they are?"

"Adrien and Marinette," Alya smiled proudly as she not-so-subtly pushed the two forward. "We thought it would be nice to let them try your ice-cream together."

Immediately, the glimmer in Andre's eyes grew, a mysterious look passing over his features. "Oh, I see," He nodded, humming a little. "I'll get started on them as soon as I do you two's usual."

Happily getting on with his job, Andre then began to feverishly scoop different coloured scoops of ice-cream, blending them splendidly together into a wonderfully unique sundae. As he did, he muttered snippets of thoughts and musings, talking of physical features and personalities and hobbies. Soon enough, he was passing Alya and Nino their ice-cream, gifting them with two plastic spoons to enjoy it with.

"Thanks, dude," Nino tips his hat to Andre, both him and Alya disappearing further down the bridge. Their closeness was not missed by many, especially since their elbows bumped as their spoke in lowered tones and pointed toward a particular spot, vacant of many watching eyes.

At their departure, Andre sniffs, shedding tears of pride. "It never gets old watching happy couples eat my ice-cream!" He then turns to Marinette and Adrien. "And what do you desire, my two newest customers?"

"Well..." Marinette hummed in thought, adorably tapping her chin. She eventually smiled. "Surprise me!"

"One surprise coming up!" Andre grinned, once again feverishly getting to work. As he chattered away about more features, traits and hobbies, he scooped up some peach and mint ice-cream, topping it off with a perfect glace cherry and dark chocolate chips. Finalizing it was a small passage about loyalty, kindness and dedication, hinting at those being the main three things that defined the person behind the ice-cream.

Grinning as he finished up, Andre then gave Marinette her ice-cream. "Enjoy!"

"Thank you..." She breathes, shakily taking the ice-cream. She could feel her heart pounding in her ears, her lungs taking in shaky breath after shaky breath.

Just like before, when she had gotten an ice-cream before the Glaciator incident, the treat resembled her crush, the blonde standing beside her, oblivious to the intense feelings Marinette held within her. All of the muttering about features and traits had been about Adrien; all of Andre's chattering had been talking about him and how he was her soulmate. But, in true Adrien style, he hadn't noticed. Or he acted like he hadn't noticed...

"You know," Andre looked up at the sky, seemingly unknowing of Marinette's suddenly racing heart. "The ice-cream symbolises your soulmate."

"Really?" Marinette nearly dropped the thing, her hands shaking terribly. If this was how Adrien was going to find out about her crush then it was going to be very weird. Very, very weird. So weird that she would have to avoid him forever, finding every excuse to avoid further awkwardness and confrontation.

"Yes, each and every ice-cream I make is unique. Just like every person on this wonderful earth," Andre nods, grinning as he admired his trusty ice-cream scoop. The metal gleamed in the sunlight, silver and bright. "For you, mint represents the colour of his eyes and peach the warm tones of his skin."

Marinette could only stare, wide-eyed, at Andre, completely shocked and paralyzed. It was true; just like last time, when he had almost perfectly nailed Adrien, Andre had once again semi-predicted Marinette's crush. Only, this time Andre didn't entirely recognise her - most likely due to the effects of the akuma and Ladybug fixing its mess. But, naturally, that meant that Adrien, her beloved, oblivious Adrien, could truly be Marinette's soulmate.

But then, when Marinette began to think about it a little more, there was someone else who fit Andre's description. Someone else with deep green eyes and skin the same warm tone of a peach. Adrien wasn't the only person who could be Marinette's soulmate. By technicality, Chat Noir could also fit the prediction...

Damn it.

Turning away, Marinette silently went further down the bridge and leaned against the railing. Aimlessly, her blue eyes stared into the waters of the Seine as she released a heavy sigh. Getting Andre's ice-cream was a terrible move; of course Adrien wouldn't be her soulmate! That was a ridiculous idea, an absurd notion. Plus, with all of the questions floating in the air around Ladybug and Chat Noir, it was rather impossible to ignore the possibility of him being her soulmate, her destined partner.

Yet, Marinette longed to believe that Adrien was truly who her ice-cream represented. Marinette urged herself to see that for once she was not allowing her own bias to cloud her judgement. For once she was right about this. She had to be. Otherwise, she'd just end up facing bitter disappoint once more.

"Hey, what's up with you?" Alya nearly startles the female to death, placing a hand on Marinette's shoulder. "You're not at all your usual, bouncy self."

Alya had noticed. Alya always notices Marinette's misery - even if she was a million miles away Alya would know when Marinette was upset. It was her skill, her asset. Knowing how to comfort Marinette and when to do it was what Alya specialized in. Marinette just wished that her friend wasn't so good at it sometimes.

"Oh, it's nothing!" Marinette grinned, a little too widely, as she shook Alya's hand from her shoulder. Staring back at the Seine, she shovels some cool ice-cream into her mouth. "I'm just thinking about what we're going to do after this."

"Well, we could have a sleepover? Just the two of us," Alya offered, her smile soft and gentle. Not at all teasing. Dropping her voice to a low whisper, the brunette then said. "We can even talk about... things and I can share my latest scoop for the Ladyblog with you. I'm telling you it's a real big lead this time."

Smiling, Marinette nodded, "Sounds like a plan. I'd love to do that."

She then glanced up from the Seine, her eyes immediately noticing the huddled forms of Adrien and Nino. They didn't look distressed, not at all, so they were most likely talking about something casual like what they should do next weekend. They could be making plans, just like herself and Alya. Yet Marinette could shake away the terrible feeling she had settling within her, the terrible dread and worry.

Could the conversation be about her? About how Marinette's ice-cream looked suspiciously similar to Adrien? Or was Adrien too dense to even see that? Did he think it was someone else? Did it look like someone else?

Biting her lip, Marinette tried to preoccupy herself with eating cool, soothing ice-cream instead of thinking. If she kept doing worrying and overthinking, then she'd end up with runny, sticky ice-cream all down her hands. Runny, sticky ice-cream never made anything better.

Sighing, Marinette ate a solid spoonful of her ice-cream. She'd just have to hope that they weren't talking about ice-cream.

Adrien

Surprise: that's what Adrien had received when Andre handed him an ice-cream that looked suspiciously like a close friend of his. Dark hair, blue eyes, overwhelmingly kind: that sounded a lot like someone he knew. Someone he often worked with. Someone who was absent from today, her identity forever hidden as she refuses to ever share it.

Ladybug. His partner, confidant and one could say secret-sharer. Together they both kept Paris safe and sane, constantly fighting against the great evil known as Hawkmoth and his akumas. Within him, Adrien held a great admiration and respect for Ladybug. Within him, Adrien valued her, a lot.

But how did Andre know that?

Truly that man had some sort of magical aspect to him. Perhaps he was even a fortune teller, a mind reader, because he was just too accurate to even attempt to dismiss and ignore. Everything, even down to his odd mumbling, had been accurate. Correct. All without Adrien telling him even a speck of information about himself or the people he knows. So even if Adrien wanted to deny it all, to say this must be a sort of fluke, he couldn't. It was too coincidental to dismiss.

Frowning, the blonde studied the ice-cream once more, trying to decipher just what else it could mean. Who else it could represent aside from Ladybug; after all, she didn't return a speck of what he felt. She just saw Adrien - Chat Noir - as her partner in fighting crime and a very good companion. Her fellow hero and secret-sharer. Romance was not in the air for them from her perspective. Romance was far from what she felt.

Scanning his brain for anything, something, other than the dark-haired heroine who held his affections, Adrien came to two conclusions: it had to be Ladybug or it was another girl with dark hair and bluebell eyes. But who else did he know who had those traits?

A moment of silent thought overtook him, Adrien pensively taking a bite from his ice-cream. Then, it hit him: Marinette.

Marinette was someone who was extremely kind and well-meaning, always trying to do what she thinks is best for others. She is someone who matches the physical appearance of someone with blue eyes and dark hair. She is also someone who disappears a lot, now that he thinks about it, and is always conveniently there to help or is oddly calm when an akuma is around. She was also someone who noticed when classmates disappeared. Someone who sensed when things were going wrong...

Suddenly, all thoughts and conclusions crashed into one big epiphany, realisation: Marinette was Ladybug. It was the only logical theory that made absolute sense. The only logical conclusion Adrien could come to.

Marinette was Ladybug. That explained a lot about her, made a lot of her actions make more sense. He had always wondered why she was so brash and unamused with Chat Noir's antics and bravado. He'd always wondered why she was spotted close by akuma attacks, always safely out of the way, always willing to help others before evacuating herself. Plus that would explain why she appeared spooked when she'd gotten her ice-cream; she thought it was Chat Noir.

That's when the problem sunk in, the horrible reality to sweet epiphany. While Adrien was admired by Ladybug and Marinette, Marinette wasn't exactly in awe toward Chat Noir. Sure, she respected him and appreciated him, but she never saw him in the same light she saw Adrien within. Adrien was her friend, someone she'd patiently assist and do anything for; Chat Noir was someone she'd help, all the while berating him along the way.

Suddenly, this realisation didn't feel so sweet for Adrien anymore. It felt horrible, terrible.

Maybe Marinette wouldn't like Adrien as much after she finds out he's Chat Noir. Maybe she would dislike him just as much. Maybe she would avoid him until the end of time...

Halfway through his frozen treat, Adrien came back to reality, aware of what he needed to do next. There was only one way to find out how Marinette would react. There was only one way he could do this without bearing yet another deep secret. But before he'd do anything, he needed to visit her as Chat Noir and tell her what he knew. He had never liked the secrets, even though they confided in each other quite a lot.

While the blonde was gathering his thoughts and putting them into a rather vague plan, Nino approached him, looking very concerned. Adrien appeared as if he'd seen a ghost - perhaps even his mother back from wherever she'd disappeared to.

"Dude," Nino broke the silence, his voice filled with questioning. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah," Adrien blinks. He truly was out of touch if he hadn't noticed Nino sneaking up on him. Usually, Adrien could sense when someone was approaching, a perk of being a superhero. "I'm fine. I was just thinking about something."

"Care to share?" Nino asked, his interest not at all hidden as he leaned against the bridge's railing. Sure, Adrien could be a pensive guy but not a broody one. Brooding was what his father did; brooding meant that something was making him think way too much. "Stress isn't too good for that head of yours."

"It's nothing big," Adrien shrugged, spooning some of his ice-cream. No matter what, he couldn't let Nino know about what he'd just discovered. He couldn't let Nino know about his secret superhero life - nor that Marinette may be Ladybug. "Honestly it's something I probably need to just sleep on."

"Perhaps it's because of the ice-cream?" Nino pressed, wiggling his brows in a very ridiculous manner.

"The ice-cream?" Adrien echoed.

"Seriously dude, this stuff's meant to show you your soulmate," Nino deadpanned, his expression entirely serious as he looked at his friend. All of the urban legends and myths around Andre's ice-cream was why Alya dragged them around Paris for a couple hours; Alya was determined to finally break the oblivious ice between Marinette and Adrien.

"Really?" Adrien mused, looking at his ice-cream once more. Obviously, it was ridiculous to even entertain such notions. Ice-cream wasn't something mystical nor magical. Yet, being big old romantic he was at heart, Adrien couldn't help but wonder, hope, that this ice-cream was some sort of sign or clue as to who his soulmate was. A clue as to what he should do next after all these cryptic thoughts and epiphanies.

He grins, "I guess I know who my soulmate is then."

"Yes, finally!" Nino whooped, looking way too proud and energetic to be normal. He was like a proud father when his son won a sports game, or a teacher when their student won an award. He looked to be over the moon. Then, as if being turned off by a switch, he nudged Adrien, dropping his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "So," Nino wiggled his brows once more, giving a sly grin, "Which lucky lady do you think it is?"

"Marinette," Adrien didn't see the harm in admitting it. He was never that great at keeping secrets anyway.

"No way!" Nino gasped, definitely way too dramatically, turning to steal a glance at Alya. He then proceeded to pat Adrien on the shoulder, further showing his pride in his best friend. "That's awesome news! You've gotta tell her, Adrien."

"Not yet," He shook his head. Sheepishly, he scratched at the back of his neck. "I've got a few things I need to clear up first."

"Ah, a trail of broken hearts, huh?" Nino raised a knowing brow, aware of the many ladies who adored Adrien Agreste and his blessed model image. Tsking, he shook his head. "Good luck with cleaning that up. But either way it shouldn't be too hard to ask Marinette out. If it helps she's totally crushing on you and Alya's..." A nervous pause as Nino's gaze shifted to Alya. She stood nearby, a menacing look on display as she raised a brow at him. "Oh, Alya's gonna kill me!"

"Nino, how could you! We had a plan!" She seethed, balling her fists at her side. She then turns to Marinette, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I'm so sorry Marinette. Maybe we can meet up tomorrow instead. I'll see you later!"

With that, Alya took off down the bridge, right on Nino's trail. Everyone turned to watch the pair, catching the string of violent curses that left Alya's mouth as she stomped down the bridge, box of baked treats in tow.

That left Marinette and Adrien among the strangers on the bridge, one stunned and the other shaking their head. It seemed the pair would never change - not that they wanted Alya and Nino to change. But sometimes, especially on days like these, their presence did help to buffer the awkwardness that tended to form between Adrien and Marinette. Something the both of them needed direly.

"Looks like our friends are long gone..." Marinette sighed, fishing her phone out of her pocket. At least a dozen texts had gone off in the past ten minutes - all of them from the same sender.

"Yeah but I'm sure they had a good reason for leaving," Adrien offered. At least, he thought, Nino had a good reason to take off like he did. Alya was at her scariest whenever someone had messed with her plans - everyone knew that. To take her fury head-on - well, only a fool would want to face the wrath of Alya Cesaire.

"Looks like I've gotta go," Marinette frowned, tucking her phone back into her pocket. Of course with Alya's departure, the fun of the day also wanted to disappear. "I'll see you later, Adrien."

"See you around, Marinette," Adrien replied, rather confused by her suddenly deflated mood. But he didn't think it was his place to ask her why she'd suddenly seemed so upset. If she wanted to share it with him, she would have already.

No other words said, Marinette soon walked off, adjusting the strap of her bag as she disappeared out of sight. For as long as he could, Adrien watched her depart, knowing that once she left he too would have to follow suit. That was something he wanted to prolong - going back home. At home, there wasn't much to do. Most of the time, he spent his days flicking through channels, occasionally spotting a glimpse of his father, before eating dinner alone. Again.

"So," Plagg popped out of his pocket, a mischievous grin on his feline face. "You finally figured it out, kid. Took you long enough."

"Yeah, yeah," Adrien smiled, rolling his eyes at the kwami. Even though Plagg was a pain in the ass sometimes, he could have his nicer moments. But only a certain times.

"Seriously though, Tikki and I were gonna start betting," The kwami laughed, shaking his head. Green eyes flickered to Adrien's face, filled with a teasing edge. "We were even going to tempt fate and force you both to confess."

"Very funny Plagg," Adrien sighed, ignoring the kwami's more snarky side. That was just how he was. Plus, it served as great company within the lonely expanse of his massive home. "By the way, why didn't you say anything? And who is Tikki?"

"Oh you have so much to learn, kid," Plagg cackled, disappearing back into Adrien's pocket. "If you want to know, just talk to her. I'm sure she'll give you what you want."

Pursing his lips, Adrien considered the kwami's suggestion. Bickering about this would get them nowhere - nor would going to Master Fu or trying any other alternative. All of it would just lead back to square one. The only person who held all the answers he wanted to know, all of the truths shrouded in deep mystery, was Marinette - Ladybug. She was the one person who could give Adrien every answer he sought to know. All he had to do was ask.

'Guess Chat Noir is paying her a visit then,' Adrien thought as he pulled out his phone. It was time to get some concrete answers.

Adrien

Later that night, Adrien lay on his bed, feeling deflated as he stared at the ceiling. Yet again, his father didn't bother to stray away from his mountains of work to see his only son - in person - and he was forced to eat dinner. Alone. Yet again. As if that was anything new to him. It's been like that for the past year.

If only his mother didn't disappear a year ago, maybe things would be different around here. Better. Adrien released a bitter sigh. Yeah, if only...

"Come on, kid," Plagg groused, trying to rouse him. Tiny limbs nudged at Adrien's arm. "What's gotten into you? Don't you wanna go and get some answers?"

"Yes," Adrien answered. He shook his head. "But- "

"So let's go!" Plagg exclaimed, incredulous at the self-pity party Adrien was throwing for himself at the moment. Immersing yourself in sadness only led to it increasing. A lot. What he needed to do was get out, have a good time, and get all of this off his chest. A trip to Marinette's was often the perfect dose of all three remedies. Often she was one of the few things that could shake Adrien out of his mopey moments.

'Plus who knows,' Plagg thought to himself. 'This might be much more beneficial for them both.'

Only, his thoughts were cut short by Adrien triggering his transformation, the kwami sucked into the ring on his holder's finger. Within seconds Adrien was replaced with Chat Noir, ready to head out into the gloomy streets of Paris in search of Marinette.

"Hopefully I don't regret this," Adrien breathed as he slipped out of bedroom, bounding along the rooftops of the city.

Usually, he wouldn't think twice about going to visit Marinette. In the past, he could talk to her, communicate with her, without feeling as if he had to feel self-conscious or silly. Marinette was always there; Marinette always supported him. No matter what. However, it was hard to remember that when he needed to talk her about... well her own secret-keeping. Especially if she was Ladybug. Ladybug tended to be extremely protective of her secrets.

Easily, Chat Noir cleared a large jump between two rooftops, launching himself from a towering radio station to a smaller school rooftop. Not long now and he would be on her rooftop, knocking on the window leading to her room. Once he was there, that's when all of the easy stuff would be over.

A shudder passes over Chat Noir's spine. If Marinette was Ladybug, then he really did need to talk with her. There was a lot they needed to clear, even if it put his neck on the line - which she would gladly sacrifice.

Nevertheless, despite the risks, Chat Noir continued on his way. Hopefully, soon he would know the truth.