Watching Miraclebound

For those left behind

Dusk was just beginning to settle across Paris when Andre's ice cream cart magically appeared on the bridge overlooking the Seine. It was only minutes after that that the entire monument was flooded with adults and kids alike, all lining up for the most popular ice cream in France. Everyone sat in bliss, enjoying their cones and Andre's incredible shipping abilities, no one wanting to break the serenity the evening provided.

And that was about the time the two teens barreled headfirst into said stillness, shattering any hope of peace and quiet almost instantaneously.

Leading the charge was a teenage girl with long brown hair and red highlights, dressed in an orange and yellow plaid t-shirt and skinny jeans. Her glasses shimmered in the fading light as she reached the collection of benches first and easily cleared them, vaulting and cartwheeling across behind a couple of tourists before landing gracefully on the other side, arms outstretched in a showy fashion.

Behind her, sprinting as fast as his legs would carry him, a boy mimicked her actions, firmly grasping his hat and steadying his headphones as they bounced uncomfortably against his chest. He copied the girl's actions, but elected for a less boastful action, backflipping the benches and landing awkwardly on the pavement before her, earning an adoring smile, even amongst the confused (and slightly irritated) tourists.

"You two are made for eachother" Wyan smilled at them both

Alya only smiled at Wyan and looked worriedly at Nino

"Too slow again, turtle boy," Alya teased, turning and flipping her hair as she took out her phone for a selfie of her against the Seine--which Nino promptly photobombed. Alya barked out a laugh, spinning around and whacking him hard on the shoulder, earning herself a wounded puppy look. "Oh, come on, that was just a swat! You're fine." She rolled her eyes and started to walk away. "Let's go, Nino, or I won't buy you any ice cream and I'll just eat it all myself."

Nino perked up immediately, hurrying after her, not caring if she thought he was being an absolute dork because he was her dork he knew it. Besides, it was good to see the smile on her face. After what Chloe had done...well, it was rare to see so much pride on the former superheroine's face. And nothing made her happier than showing off her perfectly wonderful, slightly ambiverted, highly compassionate boyfriend. (Not that he was at all biased or anything).

"Ah, Alya! Nino!" Andre called as the two approached, having picked the most opportune time when the lines were short and they were able to go right up. "Welcome back! And what can I get for my favorite lovebirds on this beautiful evening?" His words were tinted with his joyful accent as he threw his arms wide and both Alya and Nino blushed slightly under the attention.

"Oh, you know us, Andre," Nino said, adjusting the brim of his cap and fishing for cash from his pocket. "The uzh, my man."

Andre laughed and set to work while Alya inconspicuously shot Nino daggers through her gaze, causing him to slowly retract his hands from his pockets and smile sheepishly as she pulled out the money. "I told you," she whispered. "I got this one."

"And I told you that I'd pay."

Alya smirked. "Only if you could outrun me in a race. And we've already proven who's superior when it comes to athleticism. So accept your defeat with grace," she added, handing Andre the money, "don't embarrass yourself any further. You know I'd win."

Not with my miraculous, you wouldn't. I bet I could outrun you ten-fold. Nino only smiled, anxiously shoving Wayzz's bracelet further into his pockets and pretending not to hear the tired sigh of his kwami under his cap. He hated not being able to tell Alya the truth, that Marinette--who he'd accidentally discovered was Ladybug--had granted him duel guardianship of the Miracle Box, the most powerful object in the universe--and that that same box was now lying hidden beneath a pile of clothes (much to Wayzz's annoyance, though Nino promised to find a better hiding place later) in his room, and that he'd been given back his miraculous to help defend Paris from Hawkmoth.