Y'all ready for some angst?

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Her laugh was sweet. Sweet like cotton candy at a carnival, or an ice cream cone. Sweet like the macarons she loved to bake so much. Sweet like the strawberry lip gloss she was wearing, which he only knew because she had put some on him. Her laugh was sweet, but it wasn't for him.

"You have to be joking! There is no way that Jagged Stone gives his pet crocodile a bubble bath."

"I'm serious, Marinette! I even helped him out a few times." Luka said, grinning.

"I'm so glad that you're back, Luka, really."

Adrien watched helplessly as she leaned over and squeezed his arm.

"Thank you. Tour with my dad was amazing, but I would be lying if I said I'm not glad to be back."

"You promise that you're going to tell me all about it?"

"Of course I will Ma-Ma-Marinette."

Irrational anger rose up in the blond as he watched the guitarist say the nickname with ease. He was the one with endearing nicknames for Marinette! He was the one who was there for her when Luka went off on tour and ended their relationship! He was the one who should be sitting next to her, his arm around her, not Luka!

But... that wasn't the case. Luka was back and Adrien's time with Marinette was over. He knew it wouldn't be forever, but he had still hoped. He had wished, foolishly, that when the time came, Marinette would choose him.

It was obvious that fantasy was just that. A fantasy. Something that would never happen no matter how much he wanted it to. 

Marinette had made her choice. Now it was time for Adrien to step back and respect that. He had handled it with Ladybug, and now he would do the same with Marinette. After all, her friendship meant so much to him. There was no way that he would risk losing it over feelings.

"So, does that mean that you'll take me to the new drive-in?" Marinette smirked and Adrien felt the pit in his stomach worsen.

"Sure thing."

There was nothing he could do but watch as the woman she loved got back together with her first boyfriend. He supposed it was true what they all said, first loves never disappear. Add that onto the fact they broke up because of not wanting to do a long distance relationship instead of one or both of them losing feelings and it was pretty obvious that this was going to happen.

"Great! There's a showing of Crocodile Heart on Friday at 21:00, will that work for you?"

"You don't want to see something different? We've probably seen that movie a hundred times already." Luka chuckled.

Of course. How could Adrien forget?

That was the movie Luka and Marinette saw on their first date. Now they would be seeing it again as a new couple. How romantic.

"But I've never seen it at a drive-in before."

"Touche, I'll pick you up at 20:45, okay?"

"Sounds great!" Marinette gave him a smile that made Adrien's heart ache.

That was the smile she used to give him. If only he had realized his feelings for her sooner! If only one of her many confessions had worked out! If only she had told him about her crush on him before she got over him! If only, if only, if only. 

No, it would only be more hurtful to think about the hypotheticals.

"So, what have you been up to, Adrien?" 

He looked up from his half eaten meal to meet Luka's gaze.

"Oh you know, same old same old."

"Don't say that! Adrien is now getting a physics degree." Marinette said, her voice full of pride.

"Oh, nice. Do you have any idea what you'd want to do with it?"

"Well, I think I'd like to become a teacher." Adrien said nervously.

"That makes sense, you were always good at teaching Juleka how to model. It would suit you well."

"Thanks."

"I meant to call and ask earlier, but I didn't know how you would feel about talking about it..." Luka trailed off, trying to phrase his question. Adrien already knew what he was about to say.

"What about my dad? Yeah, he's an a-hole. Nothing new there." He rolled his eyes.

Hawkmoth's defeat had been a few months prior, and Adrien would be lying if he said he was over it, but there was no way he was letting Luka know just how hard the news had shook him. He already felt intimidated enough by the man, with his cool dyed hair and rock star career. It was no wonder Marinette chose him over Adrien. 

"Still, I'm sure it must have shaken you." Luka said, giving him a look of sympathy that Adrien despised. He had gotten more than enough sympathy.

In fact, that was part of the reason he had insisted he and Ladybug held back on their identity reveal. He didn't want her to suddenly treat him like a kitten left out in the rain, too.

"Yeah, it did, but he's in jail now and it would do me no good to focus on the past. I've moved forward and I'm looking ahead." Adrien shrugged, sipping his smoothie in an attempt to seem nonchalant.

Marinette shot him a look.

She knew better than anyone that he had not moved forward. His breakdown just the night before had proved that. Now that they lived in the same apartment complex, she helped him through a lot of his issues. Her and his therapist had done more for him than they would ever know. 

"That's very mature of you, Adrien."

"So! What are you looking forward to the most now that you're back?" Marinette asked, effectively changing the subject.

Thank the Lord for that, Adrien really despised talking about his dad.

"I definitely missed the food. American stuff can be great, but the delicacy of French food cannot be rivaled."

"Is it true that everything is fried over there?" Marinette asked. 

"Yep. Fried corn, fried potatoes, fried ice cream, you name it." Luka winked.

Marinette scrunched up her nose in a way that made Adrien's heart go pitter-patter.

"I don't see how you can stand that stuff."

"It's a gift!" 

"Pretty useless gift if you ask me."

"Just you wait, one of these days I'll cook you a three-course American meal and turn you over to the dark side."

"You're just setting yourself up for failure, Lulu." Marinette crossed her arms.

Adrien's heart ached as they bantered. They were such naturals with each other, laughing and chatting without a second thought. From the witty banter to the casual compliments, Adrien could tell that they were made for each other.

They were... meant to be.

Adrien felt something inside of him shatter.

How could he have not seen it before? They were so alike! From their creative strengths to their emotional weaknesses. They could understand each other perfectly, because their emotions mirrored the others.

God, he was so stupid.

How could he have thought he actually had a future with Marinette? 

He would never be able to be anything more than a friend while her soulmate was in the picture. No matter how much he wished, hoped, pleaded, his bad luck streak would never let him have her.

"We'll see about that. I still think I'll convert you."

"How about a bet then?" Marinette asked slyly.

"Oh?" Luka raised an eyebrow.

"If you managed to convert me, I'll bake you any treat from the bakery you want and ship it to you regularly next time you go on tour."

"And if I can't?"

"Then you have to partner with Adrien and model my designs."

Adrien tried not to hold back a grimace. He would happily model for Marinette, but a day of watching the two of them be so in love did not sound appealing.

"I'll do that bet or not, how about I help you with moving?"

"You're moving?" Adrien asked incredulously. 

Marinette flinched.

"You hadn't told him yet?" Luka asked.

"No, I was waiting for the right time!"

"Wait, where are you moving to?" Adrien's mind whirled with scenarios.

What if she moved in with Luka and went with him the next time he toured? And they would fall even deeper in love with each other and Luka would propose to her and then they would get married! Then Marinette would open up her own fashion line and being as talented as she was, it would be an international hit! And the next time they ever saw each other she would be the incredibly rich Mme. Couffaine and he would just be the lowly Adrien Agreste! A has-been with a super villain dad and just struggling to make ends meet!

"Don't freak out, okay? It's only for a year." Marinette started to say, biting her lip. 

"Marinette, where are you moving too?"

"New York. I got an internship for Audrey and I decided to take it. I'm really sorry for not telling you sooner, the only reason Luka knows is because he heard about it from Jagged because Audrey is now a partner with Jagged and she told him I would be his designer and I'm really, really, sorry." Marinette rushed out.

"It's okay." Adrien plastered a smile on his face.

"Really?"

'No.'

"Yeah! You're pursuing your dreams, that's awesome!"

"Thank you for understanding, Adrien." Marinette leaned across the table and squeezed his arm.

"Of course, Marinette. I wish you the best of luck."

"Marinette, Adrien, Luka? What are you doing here?" A new voice asked.

Adrien swiveled around in his chair, recognizing the owner immediately.

"Kagami!" Marinette grinned, standing up to hug the girl. "I had to pick Luka up from the airport, but my car stopped working so Adrien was kind enough to drive me. Then, we decided to stop here to get lunch, what about you?"

"I just finished my training and thought I could get a smoothie at the place down the block, then I spotted you all." Kagami nodded to the storefront. "Would any of you like to accompany me?"

"I would." Adrien didn't look at Marinette or Luka's faces as he answered.

They would probably appreciate some alone time anyway. It was a win-win. They could be as mushy as they wanted with each other and he could spend some time with another one of his best friends.

"Well, we should get going then."

Adrien nodded, and pulled out some cash to pay for his meal.

"I'll see you later, alright?" He quickly waved his goodbyes and stepped through the gate that the patio had.

"Adrien-." Whatever Marinette was going to say was cut off by Luka reaching for her hand. She sighed. "See you later, thanks for driving me."

"Not a problem." Adrien waved and linked arms with Kagami. "Bye!"

"Good bye, Adrien." Marinette said softly.

"You aren't over him, are you?" Luka asked as soon as the blond was out of earshot.

Marinette collapsed into her seat.

"Not at all. I thought I was! Really! But then I got close to him again and you know the rest."

"So, if you love him, why are you moving across the ocean?"

"Don't you get it Luka?" Marinette chuckled bitterly. "I need to get over him. I have been in love with Adrien Agreste for 6 years, Luka! And not once has he ever seen me as more than a friend." She shook her head. "It's for my own sanity."

"You really think you have to go that far?" 

"What other choice do I have? I've tried to make a move and it didn't work. I tried to date other people and it didn't work. I tried to shut down my brain and all it's crazy fantasies but it didn't work. I even told him about my old crush to get some clarity, but I'm still not over him! Maybe some time apart is exactly what's needed! Then, by the time the internship ends, I'll be 100% over him and ready to support his relationship with Kagami!" Marinette pounded her fist into her hand. It would work, it had to work.

"His relationship with Kagami? I thought they had broken up forever ago." Luka furrowed his brows.

"They did, but then they got back in touch. One would have to be blind to not see the looks they give each other." Marinette rolled her eyes, trying to hide her hurt. 

"I'm sorry." Of course, he saw right through her. He always did.

"It's okay. Adrien is allowed to love whoever he wants. I want it to be me, of course I do, but his happiness is my priority." She shrugged. "If he's not with me, but he's happy then so be it."

"Marinette..."

"I'll be alright, Luka. I promise."

"Just, if you ever need someone to talk to, don't hesitate to call me."

"I won't."

"After all, I know all about failing to get over someone."

"O-oh?" Marinette's heart skipped a beat. There was no way that he was talking about her, right?

"Yeah, there was this guy who I met at a signing."

"Oh? You want to tell me about him?" She scooted her chair a bit closer, her nerves disappearing.

"Well, he came to a lot of our events and he won this 'spend a day with your favorite rock star' thing and we spent a ton of time together and..." He blushed.

"Do you have a way of contacting him?" Marinette asked.

"Instagram, but I don't see how it could possibly work out."

"Why not? He already travels to go to your events, so you wouldn't have to worry about a long-distance relationship, and I'm assuming he's into guys." Luka nodded. "And as long as he's not seeing anyone else exclusively, I don't see why you can't be an item!"

"Heh, thanks for the pep talk, Marinette."

"Any time, Lulu, any time."

"Look, this was great, but Juleka is anxious to see me, so..."

"Oh, of course! Do you need a ride? I can go get Adrien's keys!"

"Nah, I can walk from here."

"Okay, well, welcome back! And don't worry, this is on me."

"Thanks, Marinette. I'll see you for that drive-in, okay?"

"Alright, see you!"

After Luka left, Marinette paid for the three of them and headed to the smoothie bar where Adrien and Kagami were.

"And he never dared to test me again." Kagami finished saying as Marinette walked in.

"Wow, that's incredible!" Adrien's praise made the fencer's cheeks reddened, her eyes averting his and meeting hers.

"Hello, Marinette, would you like to join us?"

It was like she was fourteen all over again. Her pining for Adrien, him oblivious as Kagami slowly but surely won him over. All three of them hanging out as Adrien and Kagami bantered and Marinette tried not to let it get to her. 

"Sure thing!"

Yeah, just like old times.

If only she had the guts and confessed sooner! If only he had stopped friendzoning her! If only she had gotten closer to him earlier! If only, if only, if only.

"Kagami was just telling me about her last fencing match." Adrien explained as Marinette pulled up a chair. "Your talents still blow me away anytime I hear of them."

"You flatter me, Adrien. It's simply practicing every day and putting your soul into your work. It's nothing much."

"Nothing much? Gami, I think it's amazing how passionate you are about fencing! It's obviously something you really enjoy and you're incredibly good at it, too."

"I have to be. It's my job after all."

"Yeah, but just the fact you've managed to make a living out of what you love is awe-inspiring." Adrien gushed.

"You are talented, too, Adrien. Don't forget that. Not everyone can teach and explain things the way you can."

"Thank you, Kagami."

Marinette tried not to frown as Adrien squeezed her hand. It was the easy affection that came with years of friendship and a heap load of liking each other. The two of them had chemistry and romantic tension sizzled between them. 

"It's only the truth, Adrien. You often don't see how amazing you are." The blush on his cheeks was more than enough to affirm his feelings.

There was no reason for Marinette to ask Adrien how he felt, it was clear as day.

"That means a lot coming from you."

"You know, Adrien, I've been meaning to ask you," Kagami reached down into the bag she had been carrying and pulled out a flyer.

'Oh God, why?' Marinette suddenly regretted the extra pastry as her stomach began to swirl.

"Would you like to accompany me to this lecture? It's about how to teach different fencing techniques and I thought it would be a good combination of both our interests." 

"Ooo! This looks like a ton of fun, I'd love to!" Adrien smiled, looking over the flyer she had handed him.

"Good. I will be picking you up at 16:30 sharp on Wednesday."

"I can't wait."

It was like Marinette wasn't there at all. The two of them had been sucked into their own little world as Marinette sat there, unable to do anything as the boy she loved accepted a date.

A lump formed in her throat.

Of course this would happen. She had called it! Adrien and Kagami had both gone through so much. They could relate to things that Marinette never could. They were like minded people, both of them sharing strengths and weaknesses. They were so alike that they were obviously...

Soulmates.

Adrien and Kagami were soulmates.

There was no way that they weren't. It was so obvious now, looking back on it. Kagami herself had said they were meant to be, but no. Marinette just had to be stubborn and hold out hope. Well, look where that got her!

God, her internship to New York couldn't come fast enough.

'I have to get over them.' Two young adults, intertwined by fate, thought.

If only they had dropped their masks. If only they hadn't been blinded by each other to see the other half. If only they had talked to one another. If only, if only, if only... 

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I did not plan for this to come out the same day as lies, that was just a fun coincidence. Talk about timing! Vote and comment if you'd like! I would love to hear your thoughts on this one-shot. Also, Kagami is not asking Adrien out on a date, Marinette just misinterpreted it. See you tomorrow!                                                                                                                                                                                                                     -Colorado