I may have got carried away with Pokemon Go but I did have fun. Also sorry I'm a little late with this one, it was hard.

Also, don't get mad at the "trash talk", I'm a proud member of Team Instinct and I have friends in Valor and Mystic.

Nino and pretty much everyone else knew Marinette and Adrien were close friends. Best of friends. They hung out as much as Adrien's schedule allowed it, they had inner jokes no one else would understand, they were inseparable in that sense. Nino had asked him before if they were dating which earned him a blank stare from Adrien and 'we are just good friends'.

That was, of course, months ago. Nino was no blind boy and he could see clear as day that line was not going to work again, not from the way his best bud would look at Marinette every now and then. He had his suspicion confirmed when Adrien confided him his revelation of feelings towards the girl and the nervousness that was just dealing with romantic intentions towards someone you considered very special.

Nino knew that wouldn't ruin their friendship. That those two were stronger than anything else.

But that Monday, Nino was beyond shocked when he saw Marinette arrive at school and downright glare at Adrien like a sworn enemy destined to die in the battlefield.

Not only that, but they were also dressed way different than usual. Marinette, the fashion aspirer she was, was dressed in black leggings and a red skirt with orange swirls that made her look as if she was on fire (he kind of thought that hunger games girl) and a bright red blazer with a white shirt underneath.

Adrien on the other hand? Nino had to wonder if the boy changed in school because there was no way his father would let him walk around in what he was wearing. The brightest, gaudiest yellow sweatshirt with white sleeves and black jeans that were literally clinging to Adrien's calves. Not to mention the brightest orange sneakers with little lightning bolts and yes, they would light up when Adrien took a step.

What in the world was going on?

"Agreste," she said, her tone sending Nino shivers of fear, but Adrien didn't relent. The boy was giving her a smile, but not his model smile, more like a feral, kind of like a hunter looking at their prey. Was Nino in a dream? Was this a video prank? Were they filming something and he was unaware of it?

"Dupain-Cheng," he heard Adrien say with a tone of irony if that could be possible, and Marinette just threw him another glare and continued on her way to the class, Adrien moving to the locker room instead.

Nino turned to look at Alya. Alya who was also part of what had just happened.

"Did they… have a fight?"

"No?" Alya scrolled down her phone, maybe she had missed a text or notification or something that would give her a clue of what was going on, yet nothing showed up "I don't, Marinette was fine with Adrien yesterday,"

"So was Adrien" Nino scratched his neck "we were chatting and he was excited to go check out André's ice cream this week with her and us."

Ah right, the magic ice cream. The one where teenage lore (which you should take seriously at all costs) say that if you eat it together with the person you love you'll be together forever. Nino hadn't had the chance to try it out, since André was, again, like an urban legend.

More of a trending thing since he showed up at random spots and you had to pinpoint through social media where he was just to get his ice cream.

"We need to find out what is going on then," Alya put her phone away "or this triple date will be a problem."

They split, each going with their respective closer friend, but when Nino caught up with Adrien he was as if nothing had happened! He was talking with Kim about the Olympic eliminations with his usual smile, not the 'I will hunt you down' one that Nino saw a few moments ago.

Maybe Nino was still sleeping.

"What in the world…"

Alya had the same luck. She went inside the classroom but instead of an angry Marinette, she saw her friend happily humming on her seat, sketching something before the rest of their classmates joined.

"The hell?"

"Oh hey, Alya!" Marinette smiled "did you bring your part of the research we had to do?"

"I-yes I have them here…" Alya vaguely pointed at her bag "say… did something interesting happened yesterday?"

"Hm? Well I had some time with my parents, I worked on the class schedule management for this month and oh!" she showed her the sketchbook "I'm trying to come up with ideas to where to put this logo, I cannot sell them because that would be copyright infringement but I really want to add it to my wardrobe, I'm thinking a bag or a beanie…"

Alya was about to take a closer look at the page when Nino and Adrien showed up to the classroom, their mood taking a complete 180º. She saw, in full detail, Marinette's face turning hard as steel, her posture straight and looking down not at the boys, but at Adrien, who in return looked up at her with a grin that made Alya think he had just committed a crime and got away with it.

Not only that but the rest of their class had caught up on the change of mood, some staring at them while others were whispering in trying to find out what had just happened. Nino looked at his girlfriend and shook his head, failure in his attempt to find out what was going on between them, while Alya was dying to just directly ask.

Luck was apparently on her side when Chloe of all people, arrived to class, looked at Adrien, then Marinette, and just rolled her eyes on her way to her seat.

"You two are ridiculous!" she took out her pocket mirror to check on her hair "it's a silly game, get over it! Adrikins, you are embarrassing all of us with those sneakers too, no wonder your team gets mocked on constantly!"

And just like that, it was as if a spell had broken, both Marinette and Adrien deflating at once and shouting back at Chloe as if she had offended them.

Which, to be fair, was a possibility but the past weeks' everyone had received a personal apology from the blonde and while slow, they actually saw her trying not to be mean at them. A slow, sloth pace progress but it was better than nothing.

"Excuse me?!"

"This is not only a game!"

"She betrayed me!"

"He betrayed me first!"

"And my sneakers are awesome!"

"No, Adrien, they are a disaster."

Ok, Alya was way more confused now.

"Can someone please, what is going on?" she couldn't take the curiosity anymore, she wanted answers and she wanted them now.

"Ugh, those two are mad at each other because they are on different teams in a silly phone game."

"I thought we were partners! A team!" Adrien pointed at Marinette "you have wounded me by joining, by joining the brutes!"

"I beg your pardon?" Marinette stood up, hand on her chest as if she had been insulted "we look for true strength not brute force you wildlife hooligans!"

"You don't even know what hooligan means!" Adrien snapped "and instinct is vital for survival!"

"So is valor!"

Alya turned to look at Nino, but it was Max who spoke next.

"Actually, mathematically speaking the best team is Mystic, with over 42% of the global population choosing blue and the wisdom philosophy."

Everyone flinched when Adrien and Marinette turned to look at him like Max had just killed someone in front of them. It was then when it dropped on Alya. A phone game? Teams? She pulled out her phone and remembered that she wanted to download it but her memory was so full of photographs and videos she had been postponing to do so.

"Are you guys fighting over Pokemon Go?" she asked, her suspicion confirmed when Marinette and Adrien pulled out their phones at once to show the mentioned game "are… are you serious?"

"Deadset,"

"Completely,"

And just like that, the class started to laugh, Kim falling off his seat from his howling while Alix banged her fist on the desk to control her heaving from how much she was laughing. Alya couldn't help but laugh as well. They thought this was a serious thing, she even thought something had gone wrong in relation to Marinette's feelings towards the blond but it was just… a game.

And they had gotten so into it they were in cosplay too! To class! Alya had been subjected to photograph those two several times in different cosplay (and maybe joining sometimes but no one had to know that part yet) but this was so out of her mind she hadn't connected the dots until now.

Soon enough, Marinette and Adrien joined the laughing, as if they hadn't been looking at the other with all intention to start a fight. Nino was relieved to say the least and gave Adrien a soft punch on the arm, berating him for giving him a small heart attack.

"I thought you hated each other!" Nino was not pouting, but close enough "but I will side with Marinette dude, those sneakers are horrible."

"You say that now but when we get caught in a blackout you'll come to my side" Adrien huffed just as Mme. Bustier arrived, leaving their chatting cut short.

Overall it had been a good average day for them, with the exception that Marinette and Adrien dragged them both as soon as it was lunchtime to the park because there was an incense? And something about bonus something that Nino was not going to invest in investigating.

He knew about app games. He knew about Pokemon. He was not going to submit himself to weakness.

By the time they went back to class Nino had the game installed on his phone.

Come Tuesday they were back to not showing their team in full sight of their wardrobes, but Adrien was so happy for the small yellow pins Marinette made for him he attached it to his bag to wear proudly.

But the important day was Wednesday. They had planned this down, and by 'they' he meant Alya did most of the planning, Nino just watered it down when it became too unrealistic. Mylène and Ivan would tag along, as well as Rose and Juleka, who hadn't had the chance of sharing the ice cream and would make it less awkward for the other two. They would all get ice cream and then just casually leave Adrien and Marinette alone for them to realize they were meant to be because everyone could see it. Adrien liked her and she liked him back, logic said they had no problem in admitting those feelings because they would not be rejected.

What neither Nino nor Alya expected to see was Adrien's fencing partner nor Juleka's brother on the same area where André would be around.

Don't get him wrong. Nino had heard of Kagami, Adrien had talked about her and how she was amazing at fencing, for a moment making Nino question if Adrien had a thing for her (he later realized Adrien was just the type of guy that overshared admiration for anyone, which, fair). But as far as he knew Kagami was a mystery in whether the girl had a thing for Adrien or not. And he had to wonder what was up with Marinette's reaction, seeing as the girl almost hid behind Alya when they spotted Kagami on the other side of the bridge.

"Oh hey Kagami!" Adrien waved at her "what a surprise to see you around here."

"My mother has business to attend around the area, told me it would be best to know the surroundings in case of an emergency," she said, looking at the others in the group.

Adrien introduced her to the group, just as Luka approached them as well, as he had just finished his work shift and was heading home, only to be invited along by Rose because of the more people the merrier. And Luka was a nice guy, not in the Nice (tm) kind of way, but he was chill, relaxed and easy to get along with, especially with Adrien who was keen to have more people talk about music with him.

Now Nino knew from the time at the gig that Luka had a thing for Marinette, but the boy didn't make a move on her beyond saying hi and asking about the outfit –because, again, those two were full mode on showing their Pokemon team pride- which led to Kagami also noticing Marinette's outfit and saying that skirt was similar to hers which led to Marinette becoming nervous and Nino was missing several pieces of information to point out what was going on.

The problem happened when they found the ice cream cart, only to see someone throwing a perfect ice cream at probably their partner's face, screaming about unfaithful bastard and betrayal, which, from their experience, meant there would be an akuma soon.

"I think it's best to go somewhere safe," Nino suggested, glad to see the rest agreed, and going to Juleka and Luka's home which was the closest, but he was surprised when Adrien offered to take Kagami back to where her mother would be and Marinette going back home since it was closer.

"Is this a love triangle now?" Nino asked Alya once they were on a safe distance from the others listening.

"As far as I know no," Alya shrugged "I'd have to ask her but I don't think so."

Adrien, on the other hand, was beyond disappointed at the high probabilities of an akuma after that ice cream gathers fiasco. And he was looking forward to it! Magic was a real thing (he should know, he transformed on a daily basis in a superhero) and to have special ice cream with his friends, with Marinette? He was so looking forward to it!

"It's here," Kagami pointed at the bright red car "thank you, Adrien."

"No problem" Adrien offered a small smile "maybe we can try to schedule going again for ice cream? If you want to come that is."

"Hm, I'd have to create a good plan to be around" Kagami opened the car door "Adrien can I ask you a question?"

"Of course,"

"Does Marinette hate me?"

"What? Of course not!"

"Then she still feels nervousness around me, am I correct?"

Adrien didn't know how to answer that one. Because Kagami was right, Marinette still felt some guilt of that fencing day and didn't know how to approach Kagami afterwards. Which, in Adrien's mind, made more sense for them to have a big hang out and sort things out because he knew Marinette and Kagami were destined to be good friends.

And possibly his rival if Adrien mentioned how Kagami would be good for Marinette's team but he was getting off-topic.

"I promise you she doesn't hate you, she's just… nervous of making you feel bad."

"I see," Kagami got into her car "I have no ill intent towards her, but it is up to her whether to act or not, see you, Adrien."

"Yeah," he sighed as the car pulled away. Adrien frowned and looked up, the sky already a little dark. It was a good thing he planned beforehand a perfectly detailed plot to be out so late, without raising suspicions from Nathalie or his father. After all, group projects were a thing, never mind that he had already finished a week ago.

Then again, there was a high chance of an akuma so, might as well start patrol a little early.

Adrien transformed and went through the rooftops, hoping to catch up with his friends for a little while, when he spotted Marinette looking at the skyline from her balcony. She didn't join the others? Or had they all decided to go home instead?

"Marinette?" Chat landed on her balcony rail, looking at Marinette with concern "are you ok?"

"Yeah, just," she sighed "I panicked when I saw Kagami,"

"She noticed," he winced when Marinette covered her face and groaned. Ok, wrong thing to say. "but she doesn't hate you, Mari- "

"But she'll think I don't want to talk to her" Marinette sighed "and today was supposed to be- "

"I take I'm not the only one upset about the cancelled ice cream?" he nudged her shoulder "I really wanted that magic flavor."

'And see if we are meant to be' a part of his head added.

"Do you really believe ice cream is magical?" she smiled a little "well, you know, in the finding your loved one and all."

"I do with all my heart" Chat smiled "and you?"

He looked at Marinette glancing at the moon, her eyes so blue and shiny the moon had to be jealous of their beauty.

"I guess a little" she finally said, "my parents got engaged with one of those and they are still happy and in love."

"Haha! Absolute proof,"

The sudden screams and sirens interrupted him, the akuma both feared showing up as predicted. Well, at least they weren't going to find a reason to sneak out of their friends for this one.

"Shall we?" Chat stood up as Marinette transformed "I don't want to leave him waiting for us."

"Let's solve this one out kitty" Ladybug spun her yo-yo and smiled, both already in synchrony as they went to assess the type of akuma.

It did help Ladybug clear out her mind as they fought Glaciator. At least until she realized it was more difficult to try and find the akuma when the entire body was ice cream. They needed to get closer to it somehow!

"Any ideas?" Chat frowned from their hiding spot, Ladybug frowning as well while she took a peak. Glaciator was freezing everyone except some people she noticed he left alone. She squinted, looking for hints when she realized the people left unfrozen were all…

Oh

This is it, this is how she was going to die. This was Hawkmoth's win in the end.

"You got something?"

"G-ah!" she jumped, her cheeks bright red "y-yeah, I mean,"

Why, oh why was this a good solution to the situation? She wanted to hide her head like an ostrich, but the city was in danger and this was just to protect the people, right? It's not as if she has to tell him it's real.

No matter how much she wanted that to be.

"It…seems like the best way to approach" she gulped "is if we uh…"

"Yes?"

"We have to pretend to be in love," she mumbled, but Chat's hearing was too good he caught that up, his face turning bright red in return "I know it sounds weird but look" she pointed at the other couples "and we saw why this happened so if we pretend and get close enough we can-"

"Y-yeah that makes sense!" Chat fiddled with his tail "it would get us close enough,"

Ladybug felt her legs rigid as she moved away from their hiding spot, Chat standing next to her, both looking at the akuma. Chat offered his hand but Ladybug took a deep breath and went to hug his arm like she had seen lovers do. It seemed to work as they walked towards it, the akuma confused between firing or not.

Her heart pounded against her chest. This was pretending ok, and when she saw the silhouette of the butterfly she leaned to give Chat a quick peck on the cheek, her cheeks flushed and eyes darting to the side in bashfulness that fooled the akuma long enough for them to try and grab the akumatized object from the pile of ice cream.

Well, Ladybug knew she was just pretending to already be dating, not that she had wanted to do that.

The problem became when they realized they had to get rid of all that ice cream in order to release the akuma.

"Lucky charm!" she summoned her power, a helmet falling in her hands. Ok, she had to admit that while their powers grew stronger (as they could stand the transformation more than five minutes now) sometimes the charms were… too specific for her planning.

"We're going to build a propeller!" she yelled as she ran to the other side, putting together her plan.

"Now give me your belt!" she looked at him, helmet already on her face.

"Again? I'm starting to think you have a thing for it" he chuckled and took it off to hand it to her.

Ladybug was glad she put on the helmet so he wouldn't see how red her face got.

Chat was both surprised and not much of Ladybug's plan working out perfectly, the city back to normal no sooner after that.

"How enchanting!" they were soon engulfed in a hug by André "saved from the cold by a couple of super-love birds!"

"W-wha no,"

"We aren't- "

"I mean- "

Both superheroes were never more grateful of the beeping on their miraculous, running away as fast as possible from the scene.

"I should head home before- "Chat rubbed the back of his neck "see you tomorrow?"

"Y-yeah of course" Ladybug fiddled with her yo-yo "take care ok?"

"Always LB" he offered a small smile and jumped away, the moment he was back on his bed rolling around on it like a lovesick fool.

"All I will say is, you had plenty of opportunities today and you blew it."

"Bite me Plagg" Adrien grumbled into his pillow, only to yelp when sharp teeth poked his hand "hey!"

He frowned at the sight of his kwami snickering and flying away to his stash of cheese.

Adrien sighed and rolled back on his bed, his hand placed on the cheek Ladybug had kissed him. It had been for the akuma, but a part of him wanted it to be real. Then again, Plagg was right, for that to be real he would have to tell her.

But, he remembered Master Fu's words, about the decision they had to make. What if they chose differently? What if that pulled them away? They couldn't take the Butterfly miraculous yet from his father, they didn't even have a plan against that, but when it happened?

What were they going to do after?

He kept those thoughts to himself. They had agreed to discuss it over the next weekend and well, the things he wanted to tell her were starting to pile up.

So sue him if he bribed his bodyguard the next day to take some of that magical ice cream by himself first. Oh, he still wanted to try going with his friends but he was also impatient.

And when André gave him ice cream that reminded him of Ladybug, of Marinette, well, let's say he was a stronger believer of magic. He still would admit a little saltiness towards her choosing Valor with the bright strawberry flavour glaring at him but, nobody was perfect.

Marinette being team Valor won by a lot on my poll so there you go.

Hmm the next I was thinking Frozer so badly but I saw the Gorilla has some good 'let's fool Gabriel Agreste' and I'm like o)-

So no idea which of those two I'll do first.

Anyway, thanks for reading!