Marinette was refreshing.
Adrien never really had a lot of friends when he was younger, and when he became famous it was even harder to make friends. Nice sob story,you're too famous and therefore don't know your real friends. Boo-freaking-hoo. Ever since he became a model people were always trying to use him. They thought his friendship could make them cooler or get them into VIP clubs and bars. Nevermind the fact that Adrien was only 14 when he got discovered and didn't want to go to clubs and instead wanted to play video games. But, no one ever really listened to what he wanted and even though he knew he was being used he allowed it, because it was better than being alone. Suffice to say, there were hardly any people he met that were genuine, and Marinette was one of those people. Normally he'd be jaded and cynical. He'd be thinking that the overlooked intern, who was suddenly getting attention from one of the biggest models in the company, would try to use his pull to get them noticed. But he could just tell Marinette wasn't like that. Sure, she was pissed that she wasn't picked, but even after he complimented her designs she didn't try to subtly hint that he should tell Thomas Astruc, one of the head designers. And even though they've been walking together to her parent's bakery, she hasn't brought it up once. Adrien knew that he could have accepted a ride from his driver to take them, but, selfishly, he wanted as much time as he could get during this interaction, so Adrien told him that they'd be fine. He wasn't sure if this would make them friends, sure it makes them friendly, but not friends in the sense that he could casually ask her to join him for another bite to eat without being awkward.
During the walk they talked about the weather and how nice it was to actually get outside. They've both been working so much, neither of them got much sun these days. Sunlight seemed to seek Marinette out, and everytime it landed on her face she would close her eyes and tilt her head up to get the full effect. Adrien couldn't understand why her freckles and smudged eyeliner were so endearing. She's adorable. So sweet and sincere. She wore her emotions on her sleeves. Sure she had seemed nervous around him and prone to rambling, but she seemed to have quickly gotten over that. She opened her eyes and noticed him staring. Shit. Think of something cool and suave. Don't come off weird. You need more friends and she'd be a perfect friend.
She beat him to it, "Is there a reason why your driver is following us?" Eyes widening in surprise, Adrien started looking around them, searching for Gorilla. She was right. There he was. He drove past them since he couldn't drive at their speed but then turned on the next block, probably to swing around and find them again. "That's the fifth time he's passed us so far." Marinette confirmed his suspicions.
Adrien put his hand on his neck to rub it, like he always did when he was embarrassed, "He's very overprotective. It's one of the only things I let my dad control in my life. I wouldn't mind walking everywhere or taking the subway but my dad is convinced that I will be mugged or kidnapped, so he has a personal driver follow me everywhere." It was embarrassing. Adrien didn't know any other adults who needed such constant babysitting.
Marinette just gave him a little smile, "Only child?" Damn this girl is perceptive!
"Yeah, how'd you guess?"
"I'm an only child too, and if my parents could, they'd also hire me a 24 hour body guard. But instead, they made me take lots of self-defense classes and text them pretty much every hour of the day." Marinette chuckled and Adrien couldn't help but smile. She was very good at making him feel relatively normal. "I love my parents, and I loved those classes! I still take them every couple of months." They turned the corner and Marinette pointed to a little store on the corner. "Here's the bakery! It should be very busy right now, so let's just go inside, get the croissants, and then we can go eat at the park right across the way."
Sure enough, there was a park right across the street. It sounded like the perfect idea. "Sounds like a plan! That walk made me hungry, so let's go!" Adrien started fast walking/running and giggling Marinette started jogging to keep up.
"No fair! I have short legs!" Even though the words were complaining she was laughing and easily keeping the pace.
"All's fair in love and food!" Adrien said as he started running. Despite being a very active individual who goes on runs and works out to keep his physique for his job, Marinette easily beat him. She stopped in front of the door to the bakery, not even panting. Adrien took big breaths when he stopped.
"Since I won, you have to pay!"
"I was gonna pay anyway so…. jokes on you!" Adrien grinned. He was really hungry now, so he went through the doors.
Marinette was right. It was busy. It took them more time to wait in line to get their food then it did to get to the place. "Alright Marinette, this had better be worth it." Marinette blushed when he said her name but Adrien didn't think much of it. People were always blushing around him.
"It will be, but we're not allowed to eat until we're sitting in the park, let's go!" Marinette started for the door, and with a pretend groan he followed.
"I was wrong about you. You're not a princess, you're a tyrant! How dare you keep me from the food that you promised will change my life! This has got to be some form of torture!" It was so easy, joking with Marinette. She had a great sense of humor and always had a response ready.
"Treason! Blasphemy! I should take away your croissants right now! You clearly don't deserve them since you doubt me!" Her eyes shone brightly as she reached for the bag.
"Not a chance, tyrant!" Adrien raised the bag above his head, so she couldn't reach it.
Marinette giggled and jumped twice trying to grab it but she came no where close. "Let's just go so that you can eat your words once you've tasted my parents' food." For the third time, Marinette started to reach for his hand automatically, stopped once she remembered that it was Adrien and then instead straightened her purse on her shoulder. She must be the kind of friend who enjoys casual touches. Adrien wished that she would grab his hand so he could experience that kind of friendly, casual touch that he's only seen but never experienced. But he understood, they were still just strangers after all.
They sat down in a secluded bench that was partially shaded from the sun. It was the perfect spot. After settling in, Marinette finally accepted her croissant, but she didn't take a bite yet, she seemed to be waiting for him, as if to make sure that he'll like the food. Not wanting to disappoint Marinette, or keep her waiting, he took a bite. Oh was he wrong. Starbucks didn't compare to this. Heaven didn't compare to how good this croissant tasted. Is that chocolate? Adrien was in love. He looked over at Marinette and she was grinning.
"I told you." She said, not able to keep the smile off her face. But it wasn't triumphant smile, it was a genuine one, as if she was just happy that he was happy. His chest tightened a bit, as if his heart got a bit bigger.
"I will never doubt you again!" Adrien said before taking another bite. He leaned his head back and sighed happily. "You deserve the title of princess. And queen. And empress. And goddess. This is the best thing I've ever had in my life." Marinette tried to keep it in, but she erupted into laughter. Adrien loved that sound. "In fact, that's not enough. You deserve more. You deserve loyal servants." Adrien stood up and started shouting to everyone passing by, "EVERYONE, THIS WONDERFUL WOMAN HERE IS A GODDESS AMONG US AND DESERVES OUR RESPECT! WITH PROPER TRIBUTE, SHE WILL BLESS YOUR HOUSEHOLD WITH PASTRIES FROM THE HEAVENS ABOVE!"
Laughing, Marinette grabbed Adrien's hand and started tugging him, trying to get him to sit down. "Oh my god, you are such a nerd! Stop it!" Her words were harsh but he knew she didn't full-heartedly mean it because she was beaming.
"You're right." Adrien said turning to her, "those mere mortals are not good enough for you. Please, allow me to be your loyal knight and servant for eternity." Adrien grabbed her hand and dropped to one knee in front of her, "knight me with your croissant for the whole world to see, so that I may be in your service."
Giggling, Marinette took her croissant and with her free hand, touched Adrien's shoulders with it, "With this croissant, I do dub thee, Sir Knight Adrien, my forever loyal servant and friend" Adrien's heart warmed at the word "friend" He kissed her hand and looked up at her eyes.
"I look forward to that eternity, my goddess." With a final bow, he got up and sat down next to her again. Which unfortunately meant he needed his hand back, since he had grabbed her right hand and he was sitting on her left side. Marinette still hadn't had a bite of her croissant so Adrien decided he should shut up for a bit so she could eat.
They sat together in comfortable silence, people-watching as they ate. Adrien finished his before Marinette was half-way through, but that was no surprise, he had had a head start. Marinette swallowed the bite in her mouth and asked him, "Are you okay if I ask you some personal questions? I don't want you to think that I'm invading your privacy, so if you're not comfortable sharing, it's ok." Damn this girl is thoughtful.
He looked down at Marinette and smiled, "I'd love to answer some questions! I can't promise they'll be exciting answers though."
Marinette nodded, "How did you get into fashion? I was curious. Everyone has their own story and I've never heard yours." That's true. He never told magazine interviews this story because he always felt a bit pathetic, but he found himself wanting to tell Marinette.
"Well, I kinda stumbled onto it. I never really was the type of person to care what I was wearing growing up. I just picked something comfy and rolled with it. And then one day when I was 14, I was out with my friend and someone stopped me on the street. They told me they were a talent scout and were looking for younger models to work junior sections and they gave me a card. Nino was proud of me, but pissed. He always said that I was the beauty to his beast. He never wanted to model but he liked to joke that he was hurt by not getting an offer." Adrien found himself chuckling at the memory of Nino grabbing the business card out of his hand and sprinted away, claiming he was gonna "beautify himself" and then become a model instead.
"That's really cool how you were just discovered. I didn't think that that actually happens! What did your parents think of the offer?"
"Truth be told I didn't tell them right away. My dad was, and is, very overprotective and he never would've allowed me to do something like this. He barely let me do anything at all. I was homeschooled for my entire education and the only social time I got was in the activities my mom had signed me up for. Chinese, fencing, piano. Which aren't very social activities at all, so I was very bad at interacting with people at a young age." Marinette laughed with while they both imagined a small, awkward Adrien. "I called the company, and snuck out of the house the day of my first audition. When I got the part, I told my mom first. I knew that she would be proud of me and would help me get my father to agree. Together we eventually wore him down. He tried to tell me that putting my face on magazines, ads, and commercials would just made me a target of the Paris low-lifes and that he'd seen it all the time as a cop. Modeling was the best. Still is. It made me independent and it was finally something that I was doing for myself. It made me feel free." Adrien's voice got softer as he continued, "My dad always disapproved. He said it wasn't a real job and that I should become a cop like him. After my mom disappeared he became worse. He said that if I didn't quit modeling and get a real job that he'd disown me." Adrien always hated this part of the story. Even though it was years ago, it still hurt. Marinette put her hand on his arm and he found himself comforted by the touch. "By that time I had enough money saved up and was old enough, so I moved out. I didn't want to be controlled anymore. I moved into Nino's crapbox apartment for a bit until the both of us moved into a nicer place together."
"I'm sorry about what happened with your parents." Adrien blinked away the tears that were forming in his eyes and gave her an appreciative smile. "I'm glad that you have a good friend like Nino."
"Thank you. And me too. I don't know where I'd be without him."
"I live with my best friend too. Together we have this pretty nice place." Adrien was glad that she was changing the subject. Plus, he didn't feel like talking much so he just listened to her. "I honestly don't know how we found such an amazing place. It has huge windows, a big living room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a nice modern kitchen, and a balcony. We only moved in a couple months ago, so it still doesn't quite feel like home. That's also why my parents are extra worried. They're not used to me being gone yet so I visit a lot.
"That sounds like a great apartment. So," Adrien turned to Marinette and she looked up expectantly, "you know my story, but I don't know yours! How did the princess get into fashion?"
"Well if you must know, I guess I'll tell you." She said with an over dramatic sigh. "As long as I can remember I've always been into designing and clothes. My mom has this story that she loves to tell people though and it's my favorite. When I was little, about three or four, my parents and I were supposed to go to this nice dinner. No one really remembers what the dinner was for, but that's not important. We all had to dress up and I had two favorite dresses, and I couldn't decide which one to wear. Apparently it was this huge ordeal. My parents told me I could only choose one, but little me was having none of that. So when I was alone in my room, I got a pair of scissors and tape and cut my favorite parts of the first dress off."
"You didn't! Why did you even have scissors!"
Laughing, Marinette replied, "I don't know! No one knows how I got them, but that's exactly what I did, I cut up one of the dresses! About five minutes after my parents left me in the room to decide, they came back in and there I was taping the pieces of the first dress onto the second one. I always was a designer."
"Oh my god, that is just precious! I can't believe you actually did that!"
"We have the pictures to prove it! My mom was so amused with what I was doing, thankfully, she found it cute. She brought out her sewing kit and sewed my two dresses together to my design, while showing and explaining to me what she was doing. I've been sewing my own clothes ever since and designing my own stuff once I got more creative. I saved up money from working in the bakery for all the supplies and materials. Luckily, my parents have always been supportive of my dream, for birthdays and holidays I would get fashion magazines for inspiration and beautiful cloth that was too expensive to buy a lot of."
"That is the cutest story I think I have ever heard! I'm so glad that you're working on something you're so passionate about, and I hope that minor setbacks, like the one today, won't stop you. The world needs passionate people like you in it."
"That is one of the sweetest things I've ever heard." Marinette was blushing, and the longer Adrien looked at her, the hotter he could feel his face getting. "We should probably be getting back now."
Adrien looked at his watch. She was right. Even though they get a good break for lunch, the two of them had unknowingly spent more time together then they could. Standing up, Adrien reached out his hand to her, "I'm ready when you are, princess."
Marinette took his hand, "Then let's get going, my knight."
Adrien could tell that they were going to be good friends.