Chapter 4: Confessions Pt. 1

A/N: Welcome to what I'm calling the "second arc" of this story. The next few chapters explore their growing relationship as they learn more about each other in the popular style of 5+1 stories. Confessions AKA Five times where they confess something to each other and one time where they confess something to themselves.


February, la quatrième (the third year of collège)

"So, where are we going, and why did you have me make up a picnic basket? You didn't give me a lot of time in advance, so it's mostly sandwiches and pastries from the bakery." Marinette said. In fact, it was just at lunch a few hours ago when Adrien suddenly came to her and told her to bring a picnic basket of food, so that he could take her somewhere after school.

"Do you know what day it is today, Marinette?" Adrien asked. He took the basket from her and led them to the sedan awaiting them.

"Wednesday?"

"Oh, come on! Don't tell me you haven't noticed the decorations around town – around the bakery! It's Valentine's Day, Marinette!" Adrien exclaimed. The shocked look on her face told him that no, Marinette didn't realize what day it was. Well then, what he had planned was sure to surprise her.

"You're taking us somewhere for Valentine's Day? That's so sweet! But… I completely forgot and don't have anything prepared for you!" Marinette slapped her cheeks in disappointment. "Ouch…."

"Hey, it's not your fault for forgetting. Besides, you brought the food, so we're even. Anyway, the only reason I'm so excited for today is because I get to spend Valentine's Day with someone for the first time," Adrien said, rubbing the back of his head and blushing a little. "I wasn't sure if what I had planned was going to happen. But, our tickets were emailed to me this morning, so we're good to go."

Marinette's eyes bugged out. "Tickets? Just where are we going?"

"If I tell you that, it won't be a surprise, now will it?" Adrien smiled. "Besides, you won't have to wait long; we're already here." Marinette was so absorbed in their conversation that she hadn't paid attention to where they were being driven. Ever the gentleman, Adrien stepped out of the car and quickly walked around to open the door for Marinette. She took his offered hand and lifted her head to glance at where they were.

"La Tour Eiffel?" Marinette questioned. "I suppose we're not going to either of the restaurants because we have our own food."

"You are correct - surprise! We're going to have a picnic at the top observation deck!" Adrien grinned. He led the way, and at the attendant, he pulled out his phone to show him the email with the ticket information.

"Thank you. Have a great Valentine's Day, you two!" The worker showed them towards a group of people waiting for the elevator to make its way down from the top observation deck.

After a short stop at the first and second floors, Adrien and Marinette stepped out of the elevator to a beautiful afternoon view of Paris, 276 meters from the ground. The top deck wasn't as crowded as Adrien thought it would be, especially being a Valentine's Day at one of the most famous tourist destinations in Paris. Maybe the Pont des Arts was busier; even though padlocks were banned from being placed on the bridge, it was still a popular spot for couples to visit.

"Wow," Marinette gasped. She ran towards the edge of the tower and leaned on the railing. "It's been so long since I've been up on the Eiffel Tower! Makes me feel like a tourist, being up here and all starry-eyed." She opened up her arms wide, as if to encapsulate the whole horizon within her arms. "But you know, you can't really get a scene like this from just anywhere."

"Agreed." Adrien quickly glanced at the skyline – he had seen it enough during photoshoots up here – and then focused his attention on Marinette. He was happy to see her so giddy and excited, and he knew that he made the right call in having Nathalie ask for express tickets to the Eiffel Tower on such short notice. Adrien didn't like to flaunt his fame or wealth, but it came in handy.

"Hey, let's get this picnic underway!" Adrien said. He set the basket down by the wall and started to unpack. First came out the blanket, and then two bottled drinks and some sandwiches.

Marinette sat down next to Adrien and grabbed a sandwich. She peeled back the plastic and took a large bite. "This is a pretty good sandwich, if I do say so myself!" Marinette winked.

Adrien bumped her shoulder playfully. "Of course, because you made them! They are delicious, though."

They continued to eat in happy silence until Marinette spoke up. "You want to know something about me that no one at school knows about?"

Intrigued, Adrien looked up from his sandwich. "Sure, what's up?"

"I'm still gushing over being here right now, but if you took me up here years ago, I would have freaked," Marinette said.

Marinette had never shown a dislike of crowds (besides the paparazzi who had tried to follow them before), so the fact that this was a touristy spot wasn't the case for a freak out. "What? Why?" Adrien asked.

Marinette took a deep breath. "When I was eight, I used to be so scared of heights. It's quite silly when—"

"When your room has a trapdoor leading to the balcony?" Adrien supplied.

"Exactly that. I would never go up there, and it took me a year or so to find the courage to finally go out there for the first time," Marinette explained. "But now, I can't believe I was so scared. Being up high is amazing – so freeing. It's like my cares are a million miles below. My problems feel so small when I'm up above everyone. My balcony is my favorite place to be now, and you saw all of the furniture and plants up there; I've made the space my own."

"Wow, Marinette. That's some secret! Being afraid of heights is nothing to be ashamed of, but you overcame it, and now it's one of your favorite things. I admire that about you."

"That's sweet of you to say, Adrien." Marinette hummed in appreciation, and the two returned to their food. After spending an hour eating and chatting about random things, they stood shoulder to shoulder at the railing to look out over Paris again. The sun was setting, and soon, the tower would be lit up with bright lights.

Adrien wanted to let Marinette enjoy her time up here, but he promised her parents that he would have their daughter home at a reasonable time. He cleared his throat to catch her attention and pulled out one last thing from the picnic basket. "Before I get you home, I wanted to give you this. You're a great soulmate, Marinette, and an even greater friend, so this is my token of gratitude."

Marinette hesitantly took the velvet box from his hands. She scared herself into thinking this was a marriage proposal – they were so young! – but was reassured after seeing the size of the box and feeling its weight in her hand. Marinette slowly opened the box and gasped in surprise.

A glittering charm bracelet sat on a bed of velvet. Silver beads made up the majority and intermittently, different charms hung from the chain. There was a rainbow, the classic symbol of soulmates. A spool of thread represented her love of sewing and fashion, and a cookie represented her home and her parents. The last charm was silver and showed three cursive letters: MDC.

"Oh my goodness, Adrien! I don't know what to say! I'm… I'm just speechless!" A personalized gift from her soulmate! Marinette felt her eyes starting to tear up.

"Say you'll wear it?" Adrien said, sheepishly.

Marinette nodded enthusiastically. "Of course I will!" She fumbled to get the bracelet out of the box, and Adrien chuckled at her excitement. He plucked the box from her hands and took out the bracelet, putting it back into the picnic basket. Marinette held out her hand for him, and he delicately clasped the bracelet on her wrist. She brought her hand up between them, and the charms made a pleasant tinkling noise, catching the light of the Eiffel Tower with every movement of her arm.

Marinette flung her arms around Adrien's neck and gave him a warm hug, appreciation bursting from her. "Thank you so much, Adrien. You mean so much to me, too, and I'm so glad to have you as my soulmate. I'll always think of you when I wear this. You've given me so much more to love about the Eiffel Tower and heights!"

Adrien smiled into her shoulders and squeezed her tight. He wished this moment would last forever. "Good. I'm glad I can give you more happy memories."

They finally released each other and made their way back down to the ground. On the car ride home, Marinette couldn't help but hope that next Valentine's Day will be equally, if not more, fun and memorable.


A/N: Don't forget to let me know what you think of this, and please look forward to the next part~