The story below is based on the characters from Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir. I own nothing of the show. This is purely fictitious and written for the enjoyment of my readers and myself. All rights go to the proper parties.
I focused on their relationship a bit more in this one. I like the idea of Adrien being excited about wearing her design.
Marinette flips through her sketchbook, desperately looking for a usable design, she sits on a bench. Her class has just been given the information that Gabriel Agreste is holding a design competition at their school. He will be coming himself to judge their designs, and even better, Adrien will be the one to model the winning design! Marinette just has to win.
"Derby hat, derby hat, derby hat, derby hat...! I don't have any derby hat designs. I've got top hats, caps, even two-horned hats! Need a beret? I'm your girl. A sombrero? No problem-o. But a derby?! You know what? It won't even matter, 'cause I'll probably make a total fool of myself at the event, most likely trip over my stupid derby and collapse on Mr. Agreste; give him a full-blown concussion and Adrien will hate me! I'll never be a world-renowned fashion designer. MY LIFE IS OVER!" Marinette rants.
Alya rolls her eyes, "All this over a derby hat?" She asks as she takes the sketchbook from Marinette's hand. "Let me see your sketchpad, girl. There must be something in here."
Marinette deflates on herself, "Forget it, I'm a disaster zone. I'll probably mess everything up in the end."
Adrien walks over to the girls sitting on the bench and looks over Alya's shoulder at the sketchbook in her hand. "Wow, Alya," he says as Marinette panics, does an unnatural flip, and then hides behind the bench, "those are some awesome designs. I didn't know you had such mad skills."
"Uh, thanks Adrien, but I can't take the credit. These sick designs belong to Marinette." Alya corrects as Marinette smiles nervously and gives a weak wave to Adrien. Alya continues, smiling, "Off the chain, right?"
Adrien's smile widens. He knew Marinette was talented, but these designs are seriously amazing. He blushes softly as he turns his attention to Marinette, "You're super talented, Marinette. You seriously have a good chance of winning." He says confidently.
He wants her to win so bad. Imagine it, Adrien Agreste wearing a derby hat designed by the amazingly beautiful, talented, and kind Marinette Dupain-Cheng. It would be a dream. He would treasure that derby hat above all his other clothes and accessories. It would be his prized possession.
Marinette stammers a response, "Well, um, yeah! I... like-- um, designs that-- um," she looks to Alya who is attempting to motion signs to Marinette, "go... upwards? Um, while stopping... I mean, uh-- uh, um, thanks?" She finishes as she blushes.
Adrien smiles at her adorable stammering and says, "Sure, and uh-- good luck." He rubs the back of his neck. "Maybe I'll be wearing your derby at father's next photoshoot." He says hopefully.
Adrien makes his way away from the girls. Alya waits for him to leave before saying, "Girl, you gotta get a grip next time. But did you hear? Adrien thinks you're good enough to win!" She and Marinette cheer.
Unknown to the two girls at the bench, Chloe and Sabrina were watching them closely.
Sabrina speaks, "Did you hear how impressed Adrien was with Marinette's desi--"
Chloé interrupts, "Of course I heard! Her? Win the contest? As if. When Adrien sees my design he'll convince his father to award me the winner. Hm!" She huffs.
"I'm sure he will, Chloé. You're a born champion. Your design will blow everyone else's out of the water!" Sabrina hurriedly reassures.
"Yeah, it will. As soon as I can get my hands on the sketchpad!" Chloé schemes.
~Later That Day~
After defeating Mr. Pigeon and finishing her derby hat design, Marinette quickly made her way to the school. Meanwhile, Alya waits for Marinette to arrive, "where is that girl?" She asks to herself, impatiently.
As Alya waits, Nathalie walks up to Mr. Damocles, "Hello, Mr. Damocles, I am Mr. Agreste's executive assistant Nathalie." She says with authority.
Mr. Damocles eyes her, a bit confused, "Hello, miss. Pardon me, but where is Mr. Agreste?"
In response, Nathalie holds up the tablet in her hands, showing Gabriel Agreste on the screen. "I'm here," he says.
Mr. Damocles responds, a bit taken back, "Ah, uh, hello Mr. Agreste. Welcome to our school."
Gabriel ignores him as Nathalie turns the tablet towards Adrien, whom was standing with Mr. Damocles, nervously waiting for Marinette to arrive.
"Adrien, take Nathalie around." Gabriel commands.
Adrien nods his head and follows orders, leading Nathalie and Mr. Damocles around.
Chloé watches Adrien and the group around him and exclaims, "Ah, there's Mr. Agreste! He's coming this way." She finishes as the group view Juleka and Rose's hat.
Mr. Damocles speaks as they continue their tour around, "As you'll see, Mr. Agreste, our students have poured their hearts and souls into their projects."
Meanwhile, Marinette rushes in, carrying her box to the stand by Alya. She lets out a sigh of relief, as does Adrien, who watched her arrive from where he stands with the group.
"Where have you been?! You got your hat?" Alya questions urgently.
Marinette smiles, "Yep, here." She takes off the lid to her her box. Alya marvels at it before her expression darkens. "what?" Marinette asks, concerned.
"But, it's the same as Chloé's." Alya says confused.
"What?!" Marinette yells as the judges walk to see Chloé and Sabrina's hat.
"Uh, hi Mr. Agreste. I'm Chloé Bourgeois. You know my father, André Bourgeois, the mayor?" Chloé greets smugly.
"Ugh, that thieving little brat!" Chloé exclaims, frustrated.
"Do you want me to take care of it?" Alya asks.
"I think I can handle this." MArinette says confidently.
The judges make their way to Marinette's hat. Gabriel eyes it skeptically.
"Hm, turn the tablet back to Ms. Bourgeois' hat." Nathalie obliges. "Is this a joke?" He asks annoyed.
"No fair! Marinette copied my design! It's scandalous, how could you do that?" Chloé cries.
Marinette remains calm and explains, "I apologize for the situation Mr. Agreste, but I can prove that this derby hat is MY original design."
Gabriel looks to Marinette and obliges. "Go ahead."
Adrien watches in nervous anticipation as Marinette explains, "Um, everything on my derby hat is hand-made-- from the embroidery, to the weaving of the band, to the stitching of the brim." Chloé recoils as Marinette continues, "All done by myself. And last, there's a special design element that only the true designer knows about: I signed mine." She says as she tips her hat to show the stitched signature."
Chloé knocks over her derby hat stand, revealing Marinette's signature. She runs out crying, "Daddy!"
Gabriel looks to Marinette, impressed, "Very exquisite creation. You definitely have the laboring hands of a hat maker, miss..."
"Marinette." Adrien says proudly as he places his hand on her shoulder. He's confident she has won the contest, if not for the show of professionalism she just did, but for the amazing hat she created. If only it wasn't made of feathers.
"Congratulations on your demonstration, Miss Marinette. You're the winner." Gabriel states.
Marinette looks to Alya and gasps. She bows, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
Adrien smiles at her proudly as his father speaks, "Adrien will wear your derby on our next advertising campaign."
Adrien places his hands over Marinette's as she hands over the hat. They both blush as Marinette gasps at the contact.
"Awesome job, Marinette." He says, completely overwhelmed with pride for her.
He begins to put the derby hat on his head before sneezing loudly. He sniffs and wipes his nose with his hand, "Uh-- sorry, I'm allergic to feathers." He sneezes once again.
Marinette looks surprised before she smiles, "Gesundheit!"
Adrien sneezes again, "Thanks." He says before walking away. Completely embarrassed by his sneezing. He was so excited to wear the hat, but now he has to wait until they can replace the feathers with fake ones. He sighs in disappointment, but smiles again at Marinette's hat in his hand. She really is amazing.
