Ladybug stretched his arms over his head, tired after a long day. Chat Noir was standing nearby, folding his hands behind his back as he leaned down to where Ladybug was sitting on the rooftops.
"So, uh, Ladybug? What would you say if you and I met up tonight for a little dinner? Rooftop style?"
Ladybug glanced at him in amusement. "You can cook?"
"I never said that." Chat Noir remarked. "But we're only together when we're saving Paris. I mean, wouldn't you actually like to get to know one another?"
"That's...thoughtful of you, but I can't." Ladybug said taking out his yo-yo. "There's something I have to deal with."
"Well, if your plans end early, come and join me." Chat Noir said hopefully.
Ladybug paused for a moment, looking back. "I...I probably won't."
"Got it. I'll be waiting, my lady." Chat Noir remarked, clearly ignoring Ladybug's warning. But the black spotted hero didn't have time to argue, jumping off the roof and towards the inner city.
Marin took the dinner plates after they had finished eating, beginning to clean the dishes as his father took out something from the fridge.
" Ta-da!" His father cheered as he placed a cake with whipped cream shortcake with fruit on the table.
His mouth watered at the mere sight of the tasty treat. "Uh, no thanks, Dad,
"But isn't this your favorite?" His dad asked, looking distressed as he exchanged a glance with his mother. There was a tension filling the room, he couldn't put his finger on his, but there was something definitely off as he walked over to his mother.
"And it still is, Dad, but I told you before I'm meeting up with my friends today." He said as his mother placed a hand over his, as his father did the same on his other shoulders. "We're gonna get dessert together..."Marin paused for a moment as he saw his parent's faces both of them looking strangely supportive. "What's going on?" He asked in confusion as they kissed both of his cheeks at the same times.
"We love you so much heart." His mother said sincerely.
"To the moon and back!" His father the said tearfully him as he caught his son in a bear hug, lifting him off the ground.
This only served to confuse Marin. "Dad...Dad!" Marin said as he was stuck in his father's hug. "Mom?"
"Let him go dear." His mother ordered as his father did so slightly unwillingly, patting his head.
"Ohhh mio figlio piccolo-" He said about to start ranting off.
"Okay, I have no idea what's happening, but good-bye!" he remarked, quickly escaping through the door. But groaned for a moment as he quickly ran back in, kissing his parents before running back to the door. "Love you guys." then immediately shut the door as he tried to sigh the tension away. "Man they were acting weird." He remarked as Tikki popped out of his bag.
"Aren't they always like that?" Tikki asked.
Marin then shrugged his shoulders, "Kinda, but today it was really weird. The last time they were like that was when-" He said, opening the front door in surprise.
"Nonna?" Marin questioned as he saw his grandmother with her bike standing before him. "What are you doing here?" He asked curiously, but the only response he received was her smile, handing him the spare helmet in her hand.
"I thought I could drive you to your meeting with your friends."
"Sure?" Marin said taking the helmet as he took a seat behind Gina, wrapping his arms around her securely.
Adrien sighed, sitting alone at the table as he had to eat dinner alone. He popped some cheese in his mouth, about to text Nino when Nathalie walked up to him.
"There's no point in waiting for your father, Adrien. He'll be eating in his office." She informed.
"Then what's the point of keeping me here if he's never gonna show up, Nathalie?" He said curtly as he walked past her.
"Don't forget to practice your piano before you go to bed." She reminded as Adrien walked back into his room resting on the back of his door as he was greeted by his Kwami.
" You could've at least grabbed the piece of Camembert on that platter!" Plagg complained as Adrien tossed him a piece that he had swiped earlier.
"Fuel up, Plagg. " Adrien informed as he turned on the piece he was suppose to be practicing, placing the phone on top of the speakers on his piano. "Adrien may not be allowed out of the house, but Chat Noir is!"
Plagg stared at him for a moment. "You seem in a hurry to get stood up." He remarked.
"He didn't says he wasn't coming later on."
Plagg now glared at his partner dumbfounded. "Were you not listening that is EXACTLY WHAT HE SAID-"
"Plagg, claws out!" Adrien suddenly said as Plagg was absorbed into the ring.
"You're leaving?" Marin questioned in shock. "It's so sudden, you just got here-" He said as Gina cupped his cheek silencing him for a moment.
"I know mio Marinus. But I won't be gone so long this time, I promise I'll be back for your father's birthday."
"But...Why're you leaving now? Does dad know?"
She sighed, "I love this city and you so much, but...it's too painful to stay. I've told him and your mother, but I wanted to tell you personally."
"Now? Like this?" He asked, flabbergasted at her timing. She kissed the top of his head, like when he was a child.
"Ciao, mio bel." She said softly, "I'll call when I can." She promised then driving away as Marin noticed she'd left behind something in his hand. His heart fell, seeing the candies that she always used to send him, the same sour candies that used to make him gag.
"Hey, Marin!" Alya called out from behind as Marin quickly put the tin away in his back, shoving back the sad thoughts as he then turned back to Alya with a bright smile on his face.
"Hiya!" he greeted, hugging her as she then took his hand, walking back over to their friends. "So, what are we doing today?" He asked.
"We're going to track down André today." Alya said as Marin stopped walking.
"André, the ice cream man?" He asked, the pit in his stomach growing larger.
"Yeah." We were all going to solve the clues together to find out where he is..." Alya explained as she noticed her best friends troubled expression. "You okay?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah!" Marin chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head. "It's just...going to André is only for couples, and I'm...you know. Independent."
"It's fine." Alya reassured. "Just get some with Adrien, he's not gonna mind. Nino's gonna text him the location and we'll just meet him there." She said easily as the rest of their friends walked up to them.
"Hey! Someone posted a photo! He's on his way to the Pont des Arts." Nino said holding up his phone.
"Let's hurry!" Ivan said as they all ran towards the direction of the bridge.
"Come on, Marin!" Alya said smiling excitedly.
"Yeah! Awesome..." Marin grumbled under his breath as Alya grabbed his hand, dragging him along with their friends.
"Hey, he's here!" Nino pointed out on the bridge as they all ran towards the iced cream vendor with Marin the only one who was walking up, trying to delay every possible step. He remained to the side, leaning his back against the railing with crossed arms. Even though his mood was foul, he couldn't help but smile at his friends' joy.
"Why don't you go and get one, too, Marin?" Tikki asked poking her head out of his bag.
Marin shrugged his shoulders, if any part of him had a longing for something sweet, it was all thrown out the window. "What's the point?"
"But what about Adrien? Didn't you want to share some with him?" Tikki inquired as she then say Marin's expression fall. "He might not be here right now, but that shouldn't stop you from having a fun night with your friends and sharing some ice cream with your favorite Kwami!" She smiled happily as she then abruptly hid within his bag.
" And how about this young sir?" Marin heard as he towards André who approached him. "The pretty one who sighs. I have a flavor just for him! It's sure to make him smile!"
"Uh... Me?" Marin questioned as André guided him to his ice cream stand.
"What's your name, dear?" André asked pushing him closer to his ice cream stand preparing a unique blend.
"...Marin." He said shyly as he noticed his adorable friends coupled off eating ice cream.
André hummed for a moment then snapped to attention with a light in his eyes that made Marin regret even stepping onto the bridge. "Ohh, I remember now, your parents, were frequent customers of mine. Did you know your father proposed to your mother-"
"With your ice cream, and she almost ate the ring that was hidden inside. Yes sir, they've told me many times." He said curtly, but it didn't dampen André's mood.
"Tell me, how are your grandparents? They were my first customers you know." André rambled as Marin gripped the strap of his bag. "Lovely couple with a beautiful family. You know your father was inspired by the same way his father proposed to your Nonna." He said as Marin could feel his anxiety rising. "Peach pink like their lips and mint like their eyes. Eat this, my dear, and your love will materialize!" He remarked as he placed the ice cream in Marin's hands.
"No, no thank you sir. I think...I just lost my appetite." Marin said trying to hand the ice cream back, "Besides, there's no one like that who would ever like me in that way." but André wasn't having it.
"When there's love burning in one's heart, André knows it from the start. Enjoy your ice-cream, Marin. I know they'll be here." André insisted.
"Green eyes like mint... Who could that possibly be?" Ivan wondered aloud as Marin hung his head.
" Thank you, but you've got it all wrong. I don't have anyone-" He began to say, but then heard a whistle, turning his head to see a familiar-looking figure walking towards them. For a moment, he dared to hope, maybe, perhaps...
But it dashed away as someone bumped into him, making him drop his ice cream as the person greeted their friend. Someone who definitely wasn't Adrien. If he had any lingering thought about the person who he wished would look at him the same way he did, they were gone. It didn't matter.
André gasped in shock, "André's ice-cream has always melted hearts. But the magic will only work if you eat it! I'll make you another one." He said quickly turning around to make another cone.
"Thanks, but it's really not necessary." Marin remarked.
"Who has green eyes?" Ivan still questioned, turning to Mylène. "You think we know him?" He asked as Mylène jabbed him in the side with her elbow, trying to signal him to read the room.
"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 kind, André, but I don't think there's something magical about your ice-cream. It can help people find each other, but it can't keep them together." He said bluntly, then bowed slightly to the ice cream man. "Sorry for wasting your ingredients." He remarked, then started walking away.
As he hung his head he overheard footsteps and Nino crying out. "Hey, I was gonna get another one!" Just before Alya crash hugged into him, along with the rest of his friends just as he stepped off the bridge.
" Sorry, I'm being a downer." Marin apologize as they all still retained the hug.
"Don't worry about it." Mylène reassured as they stayed like that for a little while until it was time to go home.
Marin sat at his desk, holding an old worn-out looking postcard from years long past above his head as he clutched a candy tin in his hand not even opened. At his side were a plate of freshly baked cookies and hot chocolate that his mother had already placed into this room.
"What's that?" Tikki asked hovering above his head as Marin kept his eyes trained on the card.
"A postcard from my Nonna from a while ago, back when she was still out on her, Vacation."
" Vacation?" Tikki questioned.
" Yup, a 10-year vacation," Marin said dryly. "She traveled around the world and sent a postcard every year apologizing that she couldn't make it for my birthday." He sighed as Tikki rested on his shoulder.
"But she came back right?" Tikki ordered as Marin then smiled at his Kwami, petting her head.
"It did come with some candy," Marin responded, opening up the tin as he slightly grimaced at the sour candies.
"Bonbons!" Tikki reflexively shouted as she flew towards the tin, but Marin held it over his head with an amused smile on his face.
"Not for Kwami's Tikki, this stuff is so sour it's gross."
"Please Marin, just one? I wanna try!" she pleaded, widening her already large eyes until he could almost see his reflection in her big blue eyes.
"Don't say I didn't warn you sugar cube." Marin reminded as he hand-fed his Kwami one. He couldn't suppress his laughter, seeing that as soon as Tikki put the candy in her mouth her face read that she had made a horrible mistake.
As she spit out the candy back out into the wrapper she tried to remove any trace of the cursed treat from her mouth. "Bleh! I don't think I've tasted something that gross in my life! she insisted.
"Yup, that's Nona for you, she always could find the most eccentric treats," Marin remarked as he looked at the back of the postcard. There was no note, just a stamp mood fell again as he emptied the tin of candies out in the trash, keeping the case in his desk. He sighed heavily as he walked down from his bed, tossing the candies into the wastebasket. "I'm gonna get some air." He said as Tikki nodded, turning to his desktop to watch some shows.
He left a few cookies behind for her to munch on as he took the rest and the hot chocolate onto his balcony, placing it onto the nearby table as he leaned on the railing, sighing heavily as he looked up at all the stars for a moment before he felt a pain in his heart. Part of him was looking forward to maybe spending time with Adrien, after all, he had caught his eye from the start. He only grimaced at the thought of sharing ice cream with him, after all, why would Adrien want to go on a date with him of all people. He was kind, confident, and charismatic, and always shone so bright...perfect in any way. Far more deserving of someone who would ruin anything just by being himself.
"Hello."
Marin clutched his heart, "C-chat Noir?" He questioned as the hero jumped into the railing on all fours.
"Sorry," The hero apologized. "I didn't mean to frighten you."
Marin caught his breath, his heart still beating fast. "What are you doing here? Don't you have like...superhero-y things to do?"
"No, I don't feel like being a superhero tonight. And I also don't feel like being alone tonight. Would you mind if I hung out here for a little while? Marin, right?" He asked playfully, but still with an underlying sadness. "We've bumped into each other before."
"Yeah, a bunch of times," Marin remarked. "I've got the worst luck."
"I know the feeling, I have some bad luck when it comes to feelings." Chat Noir said in melancholy, looking up at the sky.
"Really? What kind?" Marin asked.
"Well, tonight, I had this special surprise all planned for Ladybug, but maybe I just set myself up because I wanted him to show up too bad."
"You care about your partner a lot, don't you?"
"Would you like to see?
"Huh?" Marin was taken off guard by Chat Noir stepping onto the balcony, holding out his hand.
"It's not far from here." He said. His eyes then widened lightly, his ears flattening. "Only if you want to of course."
Every particle of Marin's being was yelling at him not to do this. Chat Noir was his partner, his partner who didn't know that the hero he cared for was standing right before him. He clutched his shirt, taking a step back with an apologetic smile on his face. "Sorry, you don't want someone like me messing up whatever you have set up."
"Someone like you?" Chat Noir questioned in surprise.
Marin chuckled, rubbing the back of his head, "Unlucky." The moment he said that Chat Noir took his hand.
"You're coming with me." He said.
"Wha- I just said-" Marin was about to explain, his face reddening as Chat Noir took a step closer to him.
"I know, but..." Chat Noir hesitated for a moment, lacing his fingers with his friends. "I don't like seeing you sad."
"I'm not-"
"Just trust me, alright?" Chat Noir insisted, as he easily picked up his friend. Some part of him was always slightly amazed how light he was, "Close your eyes and hold on tight, okay?" He asked as Marin couldn't hold back a chuckle, trusting his parks as he wrapped his arms around his neck, closing his eyes as he rested his head on his chest, feeling part of the weight lifted from his shoulders as he felt the cool breeze of the night.
He flinched slightly as they hit the ground. "Just give me a minute." Chat Noir placed him on his feet, the touch on his back lingering for a moment as he heard him speak. "Alright, you can open your eyes now."
Marin looked around feeling a little overwhelmed surrounded by flowers and candles under a starry sky. "Chat Noir, this is..." He murmured as he noticed Chat Noir looking glum. Marin's face fell as he walked over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder as he could see Chat Noir's sad face. "I'm sorry."
"Why? It's not your problem."
Marin bit his bottom lip. "It wasn't your fault." He said simply.
Even so, Chat Noir sighed heavily. "He told me he probably might not make it but I had my fingers crossed. I really wanted him to come, see, he's someone completely, totally amazing. I guess I just wanted..." Chat Noir faltered for a moment as he gripped the bar in frustration.
Marin's expression softened, turning to rest his back against the railing, his eyes glued to the stars. "Sounds like you and I both need a bit of cheering up tonight."
Chat Noir looked at him in surprise. "You? You've gotten your heart broken too?"
Marin smiled inwardly looking down as Chat Noir took notice of the sullen expression his friend had. "Not really."
"Hm?" Chat Noir turned his head towards him.
"I was dumb for even believing I had a chance." Marin mumbled under his breath.
Chat Noir's eyes widened slightly, turning towards his friend seeing a melancholic expression take over. "I-" Suddenly Chat Noir's ears twitched as he then spotted something flying towards them. "Look out!" He yelled, quickly grabbing his friend as he jumped for cover behind a roof.
"Marinus, party pooper, you're looking so sad and surly, but Glaciator will make it all better. Don't you worry!" the giant ice cream golem bellowed as he threw scoops of ice cream at them.
"What on Earth is that? Another supervillain in love with you?" Chat Noir joked as he placed an arm around Marin's waist, the two of them observing the new villain walking through town and turning people to ice cream.
Marin narrowed his eyes for a moment then slapped his forehead, "This is my fault."
"What?"
"That's André the ice-cream maker." Marin explained.
Chat Noir looked at him in surprise. "The Sweetheart's Ice-Cream guy? What did you do to get on his bad side."
Marin sighed heavily as this bad day was just getting worse. "I told him I didn't believe in his ice cream magic." He explained Glaciator spoke out again.
"I'm Glaciator, the mean ice-cream man. Escape my fury if you can! I melt your hearts, but I was wrong, now I'll freeze your bodies so long!" He sang loudly, shooting up ice cream in the air that hit almost everyone on the streets below. Chat Noir jumped cross the rooftops evading the falling ice cream as he remained out of sight, Marin was clutching him and keeping his eyes shut tight while they were airborne. Then as Glaciator had just passed by them he placed Marin back onto his balcony near the skylight.
"Go inside, I'm gonna lead him away from you." He ordered as he turned around to jump into battle but stopped as Marin had grabbed his hand. He looked at him apologetically for a moment, probably not used to being forward with anyone, so Chat Noir knelt down. He felt somewhat uneasy when he was Adrien Marin would almost never make eye contact with him, but in this other form, as Chat Noir, his friend seemed far more relaxed.
"Thanks for trying to cheer me up, despite how this turned out." Marin said sincerely with a warm smile.
Chat Noir smirked to himself, kissing the back of Marin's hand. "Anything for you, my prince." He said with a cheeky smile, almost sad to let go as he jumped down into the streets, knowing that he had to protect his friend.
" Hey, Snow Dude, you lookin' for me?" Chat Noir called out.
"Bad kitty! Where have you hidden Marinus?" Glaciator demanded, shooting more ice cream, of them hitting a car that was sent flying directly towards Chat Noir. He froze for a moment, realizing that he wasn't going to escape it's impact until the hero was immediately pulled away. Ladybug's yo-yo was tied around his ankle but was released as he landed next to his partner.
"Hello, Kitty. Did the bad guys leave you cold?" He said, trying to joke, but it probably wasn't that funny as Chat Noir didn't say anything, seemingly pouting much to Ladybug's guilt as he knew how his partner had felt.
"I've never tasted superhero flavor before. I can't wait to serve myself a double scoop!" Glaciator yelled out, throwing more ice cream. "Come out now, or I'll bury Paris in an entire layer of ice-cream!
Ladybug and Chat Noir took cover behind a fallen car, he narrowed his eyes. "The ice-cream seems to fire out of his hand, and before André was akumatized, he served his ice-cream using scooper, that must be where the Akuma is hiding." He said then turning to Chat Noir who was still giving him the silent treatment.
"It's been a bomb, but now it's time to turn you into popsicles, once and for all!" Glaciator roared as he froze more people, but stopped for a moment as he saw a couple.
Ladybug narrowed his eyes at the scene. "That's weird. It looks like he's leaving the couples alone..." He murmured as then an idea popped into his head. "Chat-"
"Too bad for us." Chat Noir remarked coldly.
"You don't understand. We know he doesn't attack couples so we could pretend—"
"Pretend?"
"To be in love."
Chat Noir glared at his partner in annoyance. " Sorry, Ladybug, it's not cool to play with people's feelings." Chat Noir said, but didn't miss the hurt look on Ladybug's shoulder. Honestly, he was half expecting his partner to get mad at him or something, but he did no such thing. Instead, he placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Alright, you stay here then, I'll handle this." He said without hesitation, standing up as Chat Noir was taken off guard at his partner's reaction.
"Lucky Charm!" He said, throwing his yo-yo in the air, receiving a motorcycle helmet that fell into his hands. He looked at it for a moment, then looked around the area, seeing what he was looking for past Glaciator.
"Right." He said to himself about to run out there but Chat Noir grabbed his hand.
"What are you doing?!"
"I'm going to get past him."
"Alone?"
"You're upset, and I'm sorry if I made you feel that way, but we need to focus on freeing Andre and everyone else."
"Ugh- you're always like this."
"Like what?"
"You're always..." Chat Noir tried to find the words to define his feelings, an annoyed angry rage that made him want to strangle his partner had the time due to his serious nature, but at the same time, it was part of the reason why he loved him so much. It felt hot and angry but also happy at the same time, also relieved that there was someone like him watching out for other people. But never for himself-
"Chat Noir, I'm not going to force you to do anything you don't want, but we need to hurry-" Ladybug said pulling him out of his thoughts as the car they were using for cover turned to ice cream.
"Tell me what I need to do." Chat Noir said.
"I'll go high, you go low, try to buy me some time so I can get Andre out of there."
The two nodded to each other as Ladybug ran across the side of the buildings, using his yo-yo for momentum as he managed to wrap his yo-yo around Glaciator. Tumbling to the ground as he ran directly towards a motorcycle. Hooking the wire to the back of the bike Ladybug quickly "borrowed" the keys from who he assumed was the owner. He put on the helmet, turning on the motor as he recalling the lessons his Nonna had taught him about riding. He couldn't move the villain, but he could just keep him still until Chat Noir activated his power.
"Cataclysm!" Chat Noir shouted out, destroying the surrounding ice cream as André fell to the ground, relatively unharmed. Chat Noir picked up his ice cream scooper, throwing it to his partner who broke it, releasing the Akuma.
"No more mischief from you little Akuma. Time to purify!" Ladybug said as he swung his yo-yo towards the possessed Akuma, capturing it in one motion. Then opening it once more, watching the newly purified Akuma fly away. "Bye-bye, little butterfly. Miraculous Ladybug!" Ladybug called out, throwing up the lucky charm as everything turned back to normal.
The two heroes gazed at each other for a little while until Chat Noir broke the tension with a smile on his face, holding up his fist as Ladybug returned the gesture.
" How enchanting! Saved from the cold by a couple of super lovebirds!"André said happily as he hugged the two of them, lifting them off the ground as they exchanged an amused glance.
Chat Noir landed on the roof first as Ladybug followed, looking around in amazement as he then looked up at the stars. "Aren't you glad you finally came?" Chat Noir asked as he saw his partner's eyes light up at the scene.
"Yeah, it's beautiful here..." Ladybug said, but then turned towards his partner with a serious expression. "Chat Noir, I don't want you to believe in something that may never happen. You're my friend, and I don't have to be hurt."
"Then could I at least know why?" Chat Noir asked as he took a step towards his partner who turned his back to him.
"Because..." Ladybug then shook his head, still feeling the sting of being left behind. "I know all I need to know about you. But...there's a reason why we can't ever know anything personal about each other. The more we begin to know about each other, the more it clouds our judgment. If that wall between us ever broke there would be no turning back."
Chat Noir thought about that for a moment. "Would that really be so bad? Granted, we would be in more danger, but we would also be able to help each other even more then we do now." He said, but couldn't get his partner to look at him. "Then let me ask you this," Chat Noir asked standing before his partner with a rose in his hand. "Who am I to you?"
"Chat...my mistakes...they hurt people, not in the normal sense, but in a way that I can't fix. No matter how I feel I'm not going to put you at risk, not ever again."Ladybug turned his head away, immediately trying to cover it as Chat Noir stepped closer, gently pushing his hand away.
Chat Noir's widened slightly as he heard what Ladybug said, there were a number of questions he wanted to ask him, but he pushed aside the desire."Always thinking of others. You're annoying when you're like this but it's one of the reasons I love you so much." He said earnestly as he handed a rose to him, "I understand a little better now, Ladybug." He said, then lifted himself onto his toes slightly as he kissed his partner's cheek. Taking notice of Ladubug's reddened face. "Your friendship means everything to me, probably more than you even realize." He said with a smile as both of their Miraculous began to beep.
Neither of them said anything to each other as Chat Noir ran off into the night, While LAdybug rested his back against the railing, he face entirely red now as he covered his mouth, willing those secret feelings of his to remain hidden, for both of their sakes.
Adrien rested against his bed as Plagg hovered nearby holding a wheel of cheese. "The only way to get over a heartache is to eat a whole bunch of cheese! Shall we?"
" I don't have a heartache, Plagg."
Plagg stared at him in disbelief.
"Perhaps Ladybug will love me someday. I mean, like, I love him. But in the meantime, his friendship is enough for me. For now, I have to do what you said, "Be his support."
Plagg nodded, "Hmmm, so you've actually decided to start listening to me?" He asked as Adrien nuzzled his little face affectionately.
"Just a little bit."
Marin looked up at the worn-out house before him, he looked through the mail that was overflowing, seeing the letter that he had placed the last time he was here, water damaged and torn, but still intact all things together. then turning around as he heard someone behind him.
"Twice in the same year? I guess I'm lucky." Gilbert
"Hi Gilbert, nice to see you." Marin greeted as he opened the gate for him.
"Going inside today?" He asked as he usually did.
Marin hesitated for a moment, shaking his head, "No, but if you could give this to him, I'd appreciate it." Marin requested as Gilbert nodded, placing the envelope on top of the flour as he walked inside the garden of the home.
Marin sighed heavily as he saw the deliveryman walk inside. "Well, that's that." He said.
"Why didn't you go inside?" Tikki asked, hovering nearby.
"Baby steps Tikki," Marin advised, "No magic treats can make people come back together, some things you have to work at. But in the meantime, I believe I owe you an ice cream, don't I?" He asked with a smile as Tikki nodded happily, flying into his jacket pocket as they walked towards the nearest ice cream shop.
Notes:
-Ladybug's still feeling the effects of Chronogirl