Frazzled. That was the polite way to describe how Marinette was feeling. Pissed off to high hell would be more accurate however. What was supposed to be the best opportunity of her life was turning out to be the most exasperating part of her day. She was one of the youngest people to ever intern for Chloé and the initial rush of the new job had faded fast. She hated that even though she was picked because of her designs and ambition, they were using her " talents " to go pick up coffee and croissants. And, to add insult to injury, they wanted them from Starbucks instead of a cute local place she happens to be fiercely passionate about.
Today was supposed to be when everything changed there. The designers were choosing an intern to help them with the spring line and everyone thought Marinette was guaranteed that spot. She had gotten barely any sleep in the past month and she poured her heart and soul into those designs but, in the end it didn't even matter. It didn't matter that her designs were by far the best out of all the interns. Her dream died when Chloé Bourgeois threatened to make a phone call to her "daddy" if she didn't get it. That was that.
Marinette's face was still red as she stalked away from the conference room. As she evened her breathing, she tried, and failed, to calm down. It was so insulting! Chloé didn't care about designing, all she cared about was the name. Literally, Chloé said so herself that she only wanted an internship there since it shared her name, and since her dad was the mayor, whatever she wanted, she got. "That stupid, self-entitled, talent-less..." she didn't get to finish her grumbling as she ran into something and fell over with a small shriek. Her failed designs that used to be clutched to her chest, were now slowly settling on the floor around her. Wincing slightly from the impact on the cold ground, Marinette looked up towards what had made her fall. Her heart stopped. And then started again. No matter how many times she saw her crush, now turned co-worker (technically), she never could breathe properly around him. And that was when he was across a room, not even knowing that she's there. Marinette's breathe caught in her throat as he knelt in front of her and started picking up her designs, admiring them as he did.
"I'm so sorry I ran into you!" How is his voice perfect? It was sweeter than any music she had ever heard. "I wasn't paying attention, clearly." Marinette wasn't prepared. His eyes locked onto hers and the green mesmerized her.
Even though her brain had short circuited, her body moved on muscle memory and she stood up as Adrien did. "It's okay! It was my fault! Not yours! You can't do anything wrong! You're perfect and gorgeous and—Ahhh! I'll shut up now." Marinette's face burned as she realized that she just told her crush that he was perfect and gorgeous (kill her know please!). Of course the first time that Marinette talked to him, she had to be a blubbering idiot. Miraculously, he didn't seem fazed by her babbling as he chuckled. Oh god, it was unfair how amazing that sound is. His real laugh must be a million, billion times better.
"It's fine," he said, his eyes still locked on hers. Marinette tried her hardest not to blink so she wouldn't miss a second of his real, non-photo face this close to hers. "Those designs were really good! I managed to get a peek at them, are they yours?"
Marinette looked down at the papers that she had slightly crinkling as she clutched them too hard and winced. Keeping her eyes down and straightening her work she said, "Yeah they're mine. I was hoping to be chosen to work on the spring line but, unfortunately..." She shrugged, letting the silence tell him what happened.
"Oh yeah, I heard that Chloé was chosen. That sucks. From what I've seen of her work and yours I can tell that you deserve the spot. I'm sorry." This is too unfair. The universe must really hate Marinette. It was bad enough that she got looked over for her passion but, having someone else acknowledge that, and that someone being ADRIEN, was too much for her. Of course when she finally got to meet the man of her dreams and future baby daddy, she couldn't be suave and sexy like she always imagined she'd be, no she had to be on the verge of rage tears and an incoherent idiot.
Half-heartedly, Marinette shrugged, "It's ok, I get it. Half of this job is networking and she has more connections than I do."
"Networking shouldn't mean shit when you have raw talent. I've only just met you and I haven't seen a lot of your work but I can already tell that you're super talented and driven! And besides, the only connection Chloé has is her father, who has too much power for anyone's own good and spoils her." Tucking his hands in his pockets Adrien, THE Adrien, asked her, "I know it won't make up for being overlooked but I can try to make your day a bit better by buying you a croissant." Oh dear lord, this can't be happening. Having a crush on the hottest man in Paris was hard enough already. But Marinette always kept herself from insanity when it came to him by imagining that he was mean and, y'know, had faults and therefore, someone she would never want to end up with. But no. He just had to be perfect. In every way. Which means that she was now more in love with him than ever, if that was even possible, and she would never stand a chance, ever. Or so she thought, but now he's asking her out for a croissant?! This could be the story that they tell at their wedding and to their children! How Marinette was having a bitch fit and Adrien felt bad so he, being the sweet cinnamon roll child that he is, wanted to make her feel better. They're gonna fall in love. The universe is beautiful and loves her! Everything is back on track! Marinette decided to stop her daydreaming right there, It's just a pity croissant, the rational part of her brain reminded her. He's not in love with you. Yet. Said the hopeful (bitch) side of her that will be the end of Marinette's sanity. "I know the best place. Starbucks. It's not very original but they are my favorite. I haven't found a better place in all of Paris."
Her daydream faltered slightly. Love and future father of her children or not this would not stand. "I'm sorry, but, you're wrong." Adrien blinked in surprise, as embarrassed as she is to be correcting her crush, this is more important than how cute and perfect Adrien is and if getting him to fall in love with her meant she had to love Starbucks, she wouldn't accept that. "Starbucks is far from the best. Not even close! There's this cute adorable little bakery about ten minutes away that is leaps and bounds better and I will not allow someone as precious as you to love a second rate place." Marinette's face went red as she realized she called him precious but, thankfully, Adrien just smiled. That's a good thing, right? Was it ashe's cute and quirky smile or a she's insane and I need to get away as fast as I can so smile and back away slowly smile?
"And are you the queen of croissants? What gives you a right to claim the knowledge of the best?" He raised an eyebrow at her in a joking, quizzical manner. He's not backing away from her so that's a good sign.
Oh god, was he flirting? Marinette was getting weak knees but held her ground. "I'm not the queen, but my mom definitely is. My parents own the best bakery in Paris so they are the king and queen. And, I am both entitled to my opinion and an expert when it comes to baked goods."
Whatever answer Adrien expected that was not it, surprise briefly flashed through his face before he relaxed into an easy smile. "Well then," he said as he dropped into a bow, "lead the way princess." Marinette melted.