"Hey, he's here!" Nino pointed down the Pont des Arts bridge, to the elusive ice cream cart.
"Let's go!" Alya smiled, pulling Marinette along after her.
"Bonjour, André." Mylène spoke, stepping up with Ivan.
"Striking young Ivan and dear sweet Mylène! If you aren't still the cutest lovebirds I've seen! Chocolate, praline, and white nougat for you! A special concoction to keep your love true!" André handed them the ice-cream, as Alya and Nino approached next.
"Ah, these two I've never seen. This your first time here with me?"
"Yeah!" The pair laughed, cuddling close. André smiled and scooped out three flavors for the two.
"Coconut, banana, and a touch of passion fruit!"
Behind Alya and Nino, Marinette watched from her spot on the bench.
"Why don't you go and get one, too, Marinette?" Tikki asked, poking her head from Marinette's purse.
"What's the point? Adrien won't be coming." Marinette pouted, still upset over Adrien being stuck at home.
"He might not be here, but that shouldn't stop you from enjoying a yummy ice-cream and a fun night with your friends. And you could give me a taste, too!"
"And how about this young miss?" André's voice made Marinette look up in surprise.
"The pretty one who sighs. I have a flavor just for her! It's sure to make her smile!" The ice cream maker continued.
"Uh... Me?" The blunette couldn't help but stutter as the man approached and held out his hand for her to take.
"What's your name, dear?" André asked, bringing Marinette over to his stand.
"Marinette." André nodded and began scooping the flavors of love he saw in her eyes.
"Peach pink like his lips and mint like his eyes. Eat this, my dear, and your love will materialize!" The man boasted, handing the ice-cream to Marinette.
It took Marinette a moment to process what just happened, but she recovered quick.
"Uh...um. No! I- There's been a mistake! I'm not in love with anyone. And I think I just lost my appetite." She frowned, holding the ice cream back for the man to take.
"Why of course you are, my little one. When there's love burning in one's heart, André knows it from the start. Enjoy your ice-cream, Marinette. I know he'll be here."
Marinette's frown deepened, staring at her ice-cream with a sad look on her face.
"Green eyes like mint... Who could that possibly be?" Ivan spoke behind her, making her panic.
"Thank you, but you've got it all wrong. I don't have a-"
A whistle cuts her off. She turned her head to see someone walking down the bridge towards the ground, wearing the same clothing as Adrien.
"Adrien?" Marinette smiled for a moment but realized it was only someone dressed like the blond model. The girl sighed, but startled when she was accidentally bumped into and dropped the ice-cream. André let out a startled gasp at the sight.
"André's ice-cream has always melted hearts. But the magic will only work if you eat it! I'll make you another one."
"Thanks, but it's really not necessary." Marinette tried again, her mood dropping once more.
"Yes it is, my dear. See here? My ice-cream has brought everyone together. Every famous loving couple in Paris! Edith and Marcel, John and Serge, Olive and Tom! Your loved one is out there! Somewhere! All you need is to believe in the magic of André's ice-cream!"
"You're very nice, André. But I don't have a loved one." Marinette pushed again, getting even more depressed.
"Who has green eyes? You think we know him?"
"Lay off, Ivan. There's no one, okay?" The blunette snapped, sighing before turning to André.
"And I don't think there's something magical about your ice-cream. It's just... ice-cream."
André looked at his ice-cream confused and saddened, while the others watch as Marinette dejectedly walked away. The others finish their own ice cream and follow after their friend, waving goodbye to André.
"But André's ice-cream always melts people's hearts... At least, it used to..." André sunk to the bridge ground, saddened by the turn of events.
Marinette laid down on her bed, completely agonized and distraught.
"What a disaster! I ruined the whole night for all of my friends! I was mean to André! I'm so lame." She groaned, rubbing the heels of her hands into her eyes.
"You're not lame. You just overreacted a little. Just let it go. Tomorrow will be a new day!" Tikki tried, hovering to her holder's left. But Marinette ignored her as she curled into a ball, staring at the tack board on her wall- covered in pictures of Adrien.
"I'll never get to eat ice-cream with Adrien..."
Marinette placed a hand on a photo of Adrien and sighed. Getting up, she climbed up and outside to her balcony. Tikki flew out to watch her a moment before going back inside, deciding to leave her alone.
Raven giggled and stretched, laying back on the blanket Cat had laid out.
The pair had just spent two hours together on the roof, just talking and spending time together. It had been so long since it was just them, and Raven treasured every second of it.
She watched as Cat moved about, blowing out the candles as the pair decided it was getting late and they both needed to get home. As he did, he spotted someone out on her own balcony to the left a bit away.
"Angel- I think there's someone who needs some cheering up." Cat spoke, pointing as Raven stood up and moved to his side. The girl followed his finger to see Marinette standing on her roof, looking rather upset.
"Think she'd like some company?"
"No harm in asking." Cat smiled, extending his hand up carry them over.
Marinette sighed, staring out at the city lights. The sadness welled and sat heavy in her chest, making her long for a hug or some human comfort.
"Hello."
The blunette gasped at the sudden voice, her head whipping over to her right to see two figures standing/crouching on her railing.
"Raven? Cat Noir?"
"Sorry," Cat apologized, sitting on the railing, "we didn't mean to frighten you."
"What are you doing here? Don't you have like superhero-y things to do?"
"We were in the area and you looked like you could use some companionship. Would you mind if we hung out here for a little while?" Raven spoke, hopping down from the metal rail to stand beside Cat. Marinette smiled and nodded at the pair.
"Marinette, right? We've bumped into each other before." Cat clarified, resting an elbow on his bent knees.
"Yeah, a bunch of times. I mean- yes! We have. One time a super villain fell in love with me. Talk about bad luck." Marinette nervously chuckled, turning her gaze to Raven.
"But I've only spoken to you once, Raven. It's really nice to finally actually meet you."
"It's nice to meet you too, Marinette. Ella's told me about you- she's said you're her best friend." Raven smiled gently at the girl, not pointing out the pink tint appearing on the teen's cheeks.
"Sh-she said that?"
"Yep- she's grateful to have a friend like you." Raven patted the girl on her shoulder, leaning against Cat as she pulled her hand back. "So what's got you so down in the dumps tonight?"
Marinette's face morphed back into a frown and she turned her gaze down to the streets.
"I just... I'm just having some bad luck in the love department tonight, that's all." Marinette sighed again, trying not to glance at the two heroes to her left. She could deal with their flirty antics as Ladybug easily, but right now when she's upset? She's not quite sure...
Cat shot Raven a look and motioned his head over to their vacated balcony. The girl followed his nod and gave one of her own, smiling at the sweet idea.
"Hey, come with us." Cat shifted off the railing and smiled, holding out his hand for Marinette to take. The teen stared him and his hand in shock. Raven giggled and hopped up to stand on the railing.
"Don't worry, girlie. He doesn't bite." Marinette giggled too, at the little glare Cat send the feathered heroine, but placed her hand in his.
"Close your eyes and hold on tight, okay?" Marinette did as asked, holding on with her eyes shut and a smile on her lips. Cat picked her up bridal style and leapt over the rooftops to the balcony, Raven alongside the pair.
"Just give me a minute. Both of you." Cat set Marinette down and relit the candles. Raven perched herself on the railing, facing the Seine river as Cat busied himself behind her.
"Alright, you can open your eyes now."
Marinette opened her eyes and couldn't help the gasp in awe. There were candles sitting on the railing, a blanket beneath her feet and rose petals scattered all around.
"Wow! Cat Noir, this is... beautiful!" She smiled wide, moving her gaze over to him but finding he moved; he was now leaning against the metal rail with his head on Raven's shoulder. Marinette watched the pair interact, Raven whispering something down to the feline hero, making him chuckle and nuzzle his head against her cheek.
"You two really are in love, aren't you?" The question left her lips before her brain processed what was being said. Cat blushed at her blunt words while Raven snorted and almost fell from her spot.
"You could call it that." The feathered girl spoke, spinning and stretching her legs out in front of her.
"Cat and I just have this... connection, I guess you could say."
"A pre-destined connection, mon merle~" Cat purred, making Raven swat playfully at his grabby hands.
"It drives Ladybug crazy though. I feel bad sometimes, that we're so close and she's... well... I tried to show her my love with the 'bugaboo' nickname."
"Huh?" Marinette's blue eyes went wide.
"She's our team leader, and I feel bad that she's gotta deal with Cat and me being all chummy. Her and I haven't really had any chances to just... get to know each other as two friends, so I gave her a cute little nickname to, I guess, include her as a friend. I give weird nicknames to people sometimes." Raven explained, seeing the confusion on Marinette's face.
"Like when you kept calling Darkblade 'medieval nut'." Cat remarked, smirking at the memory.
Marinette smiled, her cheeks tinted pink in the joy she felt. Raven was actively trying to be more than just partners- to be genuine friends with Ladybug- and she couldn't help the thud in her chest at the thought that Raven could be just as protective over Ladybug as much as she is with Cat Noir.
"That's so sweet, Raven. I'm sure-" Marinette cut herself off as her eyes drifted to behind the heroes, seeing a giant ice cream man aiming its arms directly at the trio.
"Look out!" She shouted, pointing to the villain. Raven darted forward, grabbing Marinette and shielding her while Cat Noir blocked the shot of ice-cream with his staff. He kept up the defense while Raven collected Marinette in her arms and jumped away.
"Marinette, party pooper, you're looking so sad and surly, but Glaciator will make it all better. Don't you worry!"
"What on Earth is that? Another supervillain in love with you?" Cat asked, poking his head around the edge of the chimney they were hiding behind.
"No! That's André the ice-cream maker!"
"The Sweetheart's Ice-Cream guy? He isn't looking too sweet right now."
"Really, Cat?"
"It's... It's a long story." Marinette mumbled, looking down. Raven eyed the teen in her arms before moving her gaze back to the villain.
"Cat- keep him occupied. I'm gonna take Mari home."
"No problem, angel. Stay safe."
"You too, chaton."
Cat leapt off after Glaciator, as the villain started to sing as he continued to freeze people. Raven stayed out of sight, hopping over the rooftops all the way to Marinette's house.
"Go inside, Mari. Cat and I will deal with him and keep you safe." The feathered heroine smiled at the girl before turning to leap away. Marinette however, reached forward and caught Raven's hand.
"Raven! Thanks for cheering me up. You and Cat Noir both." She smiled at the teen, giving her hand a squeeze. Raven stared at her for a second before returning the grin.
"It was the least we could do." Raven reciprocated the hand squeeze before jumping away. Marinette watched her vanish against the night sky, Tikki zipping up from inside the bedroom.
"Wow, I've never seen such a gentle side of Raven before. That holder is usually so strong-headed and forward- then again, that's how she is anyhow."
"Yeah... I really should make an effort to get to know her, as a friend outside of fighting side-by-side," Marinette decided, smiling at Tikki, "but for now, let's get to work- Tikki, spots on!"