Hey guys! First Miraculous fanfiction here. Originally it was going to be a harvest ball and Marinette would design her own gown but... I like the direction I chose better.
I don't own Miraculous Ladybug but I wish I did!
For once Marinette was worried, even with Alya, Nino and even Adrien's support, she still felt like a nervous wreck. Rustling could be heard and her eyes scanned the room, Tikki popped up from a pile of papers and fabric scraps. The little kwami smiled at Marinette, understanding in those deep blue, ageless eyes. "You'll be fine," her tiny voice soothed. The little being flew up and snuggled her cheek warmly, "It's for the fall isn't it? Why not look at pictures from other countries fall trees for inspiration?"
"Why did I agree to do this?" her hands cradled her head, fingers pushing midnight locks from her face.
"For the chance to wear your design next to Adrien Agreste, who would also be wearing your design? If I recall, Mr. Gabriel Agreste liked your derby hat! You have a decent shot at this!" her little kwami immediately started shifting through papers on her floor, holding up design after design.
Marinette groaned, first she had to submit the designs before she could even be chosen as a qualifier for Mr. Agreste to even look at her handiwork. She took her kwami's advice and rolled over to computer. Opening up an image search engine, she softly typed 'Fall trees' and hit enter. Slack jawed she scrolled through the pages in wonder. Of course she had seen the trees change colours and lose their leaves, but never had she seen so much variety of colour.
Some trees were bright crimson, others a dark almost burgundy red. The oranges were also varied, from ripe orange to a deep yellow orange. Her favorites were the trees that still had some green, or leaves that were more than one colour. Without realizing her hand quickly began sketching as she marveled at the contrast of red against blue.
Sabine stuck her head out the trap door to her daughter's room. "Honey, it's time to go to bed, you don't want to be late again do you?" her concerned voice brought Marinette out of her trance.
"Y-yes, thank you maman," she blinked looking at the two images on the paper before her. They were perfect, just needed colour. "I just want to colour these designs so I can submit it tomorrow," she turned in her chair to smile at her mom. Returning the smile her mother nodded softly and proudly before heading back down the stairs, shutting the door behind her. Marinette quickly began to colour and shade her designs smiling all the while.
Who knew that eyes would hurt this much? It was like the sun had a vendetta against her, searing her eyes into little slits. The sound of a vehicle pulling up made her jump off the stairs as she watched the angel among men close the door to his ride. She sighed, Adrien was the only human who could exude such perfection as he smiled and waved at fellow classmates. As Adrien drew closer he greeted her, "Good morning Marinette!"
Immediately her brain seized, "Good you! I mean you're good, I mean, the morning is good!" Following her verbal vomiting she groaned. She held out the manila envelope to the god amongst men.
He smiled at her, gently taking the envelope and opening it, inside he could see designs, fabric squares stapled to the sheets and little sticky notes with her meticulous handwriting on it. He closed the envelope and turned it over in hand, slowly furrow in his eyebrows before chuckling slightly, "Do you always forget to sign your work?"
Her heart dropped into her stomach, this wasn't the first time, and it wouldn't be the last. "Mail! She was going to mail it Adrien, her contact information would be on the envelope, it wouldn't be good of her to cut in front would it?" Alya swooped in to save the day. She nodded as her best friend took the envelope and looked inside. A whistle formed, "Girl this is amazing! If you keep designing stuff like this, you might even be able to take Gabriel Agreste off his fashion throne."
Adrien nodded, "When that day comes I would be happy to model for you." The blonde waved before going into the school.
Alya nudged her ribs, "Hear that girl? He also thinks it'll happen."
Marinette was speechless her crush offered to model for her. Her face was pink as she hugged her designs to her chest.
Alya was talking about the Ladyblog as they exited the school, Marinette smiled at her friends enthusiasm.
A hand on her shoulder stopped her mid stride, "Hey Marinette, you busy right now? I told my father about your design you were going to enter, and that you already won the Derby hat competition. He wants to meet you and see your design." Marinette froze under that warm hand, his voice rumbling through her.
Turning and shaking her head no she didn't dare speak, "So you're free?" This time he was answered with a nod, "Perfect, my chauffeur will be here to pick us up soon." She nodded staring into his bright green eyes.
Alya nudged her, "See you later girl. Don't forget to tell your folks, I'm sure they'll be happy to hear." Her best friend waved and ran off, she was a busy blogger with two little sisters.
Marinette pulled out her phone and quickly dialed the bakery, her father's warm voice answered on the fourth ring. "Papa, I," she searched for her words, "I am going to meet Gabriel Agreste with my designs right now. If I can't make it for dinner I'll call you." Her dad made inaudible sounds that were far too loud, she held the phone from her eat wincing, "I love you Papa, bye bye." By the time her phone was back in her purse, Adrien was holding the limo door open for her.
"After you madame," he bowed slightly with a chuckle. She giggled and slid into the back seat of the vehicle. He followed and shut the door. The ride was silent. The driver was a big guy who seemed to never talk and she couldn't talk to Adrien. Speaking of the handsome boy he was smiling and typing away on his phone.
To say the Agreste manor was huge was an understatement, intimidating on the outside it felt much larger and colder on the inside. Nervously she started fixing her appearance, brushing her bangs from her eyes, adjusting her blazer, before she could tug on the hem of her shirt a warm hand stopped hers, "I'll be right there with you. It'll be fine."
She nodded following the boy to the double doors on the left of the staircase. Knocking he cleared his throat, "Come in," was the response heard faintly through the door.
While Adrien was Gabriel's son, they were different and similar. Cold blue eyes behind designer glasses, thin lips that never smiled, but they had similar body structure, both lean and and maybe even mildly athletic. Cold eyes stared right into her soul, then glanced at the envelope in her hands. Swallowing her nervousness and calling on her inner Ladybug she produced her hand to shake the designers, "Marinette Dupain-Cheng, it's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Agreste."
"Have a seat," the tone of the designer's voice demanded authority, and was cold as ice. The two teens sat down in the chairs across from the designer and he held his hand out.
Marinette handed him the envelope and watched as her idol, the man who inspired her to become a fashion designer looked over her two designs. The man's brow furrowed as he looked over the designs. "Are you sure these are the fabrics you want to use?" the designer was touching the fabrics and looking over her notes.
She cleared her throat slightly, "I'm open to changing them, I only picked fabrics I had on hand for the colour scheme. I only finished this last night."
The designer nodded his approval, "Good, I want you to start working on these immediately, you passed the first round. Congratulations Ms. Dupain-Cheng."
Holding back her squeal of delight she thanked the designer for this chance. "Of course. I trust my son knows where you live? I will be sending him over for measurements. Even if you don't win, I would happily include your design in my fall collection." Her jaw dropped slightly, she had to be dreaming. Again she thanked the designer and she left the room following Adrien.
"Congrats Marinette! I told you you would do just fine!" the blonde model placed his hand on her shoulder smiling.
Instead of melting at his touch she froze. Adrien was coming to her house for measurements. Adrien would undoubtedly see the shrine her wall had turned into. "Thanks Adrien! But your dad was right, I have to make sure I choose the right fabrics. The colour scheme is perfect, I'll have to hit up the fabri-" she cut herself off with a groan.
"What's wrong?" green eyes shifted over his friends features to make sure she was alright.
"I can't afford to go to the fabric store. My parents cut my allowance since my grades dropped slightly," she ran her hand through her bangs. Trying to mental math what little she had saved, maybe she could dye some of the fabrics?
"I can help you with that. Since I'm going to be keeping the outfit right? I'm sure buying you some fabric wouldn't be considered cheating," the teen shrugged his shoulders.
Marinette tapped her bottom lip in thought. It was sort of like a commission. So the client paying for the fabric wouldn't be too unrealistic. "Sure, that sounds fine. But how will I know when you're free or when you're coming over for your measurements?" she would want all the warning she could get.
Adrien held his phone out to his classmate, "Trade numbers?" She gingerly took his phone, the same one she had stolen to get rid of that embarrassing voice mail. She gave him her phone and the two teens added their contact information. Smiling they traded phones back, "Guess I should take you back to your place huh?" She nodded slightly, a small blush on her face.
Thanks for reading guys! I'm already starting the second chapter and I promise it will be great. Cause who doesn't love Tom and Sabine? Please RR&R