Miraculous: Tales of Love From Paris' Sweetheart Matchmaker

Ladybug and Cat Noir Part 2: Can Magic Make a Mistake?

"All you need is to believe in the magic of André's ice cream!" ~André Glacier

Marinette flopped down on the chaise in her room and grabbed a pillow to hug.  She had gone straight home after detransforming from her superhero self to her normal self and was now determined to analyze the ice cream flavors.

"What does that extra scoop mean, Tikki?" Marinette asked her red and black spotted ladybug-like kwami anxiously.  In addition to being the source of the power behind her magic transformation into the superhero Ladybug using the Ladybug Miraculous earrings, Tikki was also Marinette's confidante and a very good advice giver.  Tikki flew over to Marinette and landed on the pillow that was in Marinette's arms.

"Marinette, do you really think that the ice cream flavors are worth all this worry? If there is magic involved, I think it would reflect your feelings, not try to steer you toward someone else.  The only important question is do you still love Adrien?" asked the little kwami looking up at her.

"Of course!  He's perfect!" Marinette replied dreamily.

Tikki rolled her eyes.  "You know Adrien is not perfect and perfection isn't possible anyway.  If you love someone, you have to love them despite their imperfections.  You'll end up very disappointed otherwise.  So, do you love Adrien for himself and not because you think he's perfect?" asked Tikki.  The kwami always found it somewhat strange that Marinette could think herself so in love with Adrien, but not be in love with and be so annoyed at times by Adrien's superhero side, Cat Noir.  Of course, Marinette didn't know that Adrien was Cat Noir.  Tikki's thoughts drifted to Cat Noir's black cat-like kwami, Plagg, and her own complicated relationship with him.  Tikki found herself wondering just how she really felt about him, too.  It was definitely complicated.  "And what is perfect anyway?" continued Tikki mostly to herself thinking about all of Plagg's faults- including his stinky cheese obsession- but also how much fun she'd had with him over the thousands of years she'd known him.

Marinette blushed in response to Tikki's question about Adrien.  She didn't want Tikki to think she was just being silly about her crush on Adrien.  "I know he's not really perfect.  What I mean is, he's perfect for me!  We have so many things in common and I just know that if we could spend some time together . . ."  Her thoughts drifted back to the ice cream. 

"The first two scoops were just the same as always describing Adrien's features, but what is the magic doing by adding that extra chocolate scoop?  'Mysterious disguise'!  What does that mean?  Is Adrien hiding something?  Or is the magic telling me I love someone else?  Someone who has the same lips and eyes.  I don't know anyone like that."

Tikki gave Marinette a disbelieving look and Marinette blushed again guiltily.  Tikki personally believed that for some reason the magic of the ice cream was trying to reveal Adrien's superhero secret to Marinette, but it certainly wasn't Tikki's place to say anything more than what Marinette herself said.  It was against the rules. 

And Marinette knew perfectly well who Tikki was referring to though she was trying hard not to admit it.  But, eventually she could no longer ignore Tikki's knowing expression.  "Well, yes, okay, I do know someone who looks like that.  But, the magic is not describing Cat Noir, no matter what it looks like!"  She paused a moment as she thought about Cat.  "I mean, I suppose I sort of love him.  In a way.  As my partner.  Who I rely on and who is there for me when I need him. Who's been there with me and for me since this whole superhero thing started.   And we share something that I can't really share with many other people . . ."  She trailed off as her thoughts started heading places she didn't want to say out loud to anyone, even Tikki.  I can't actually be in love with Cat Noir, though, right?  And I'd know if I was in love!  And besides I love Adrien and Cat Noir is so . . . so . . .!  She tried to find the right words.  Annoying at times!  If you love someone they shouldn't annoy you, right?  Marinette thought about that.  Was that true?  She thought about her parents who she knew loved each other.  But, that certainly didn't keep them from being annoyed with each other at times.