Author's Note: Please forgive me for not knowing anything about fashion or design. I watched Next in Fashion AFTER I wrote this which btw, was awesome. So wholesome and fun. Can't you just see Marinette being a contestant there?! Adrien maybe being a host? Ugh I die

Marinette was hunched over her computer monitor, tongue sticking out slightly as she carefully maneuvered her mouse over the sketch of a dress on Adobe Illustrator. It was the dress she was wearing right now, one from the upcoming spring line and an aptly chosen rosy pink colour and she was swapping out the white high heels in the sketch with the white sneakers she was wearing to showcase for the collection a more casual, day-time option.

'Marinette,' her desk neighbor, a guy with bright red hair named Nathaniel leaned over to call out her name. They met at the Agreste fashion label, as fellow interns a month ago and had been fast friends ever since.

'One minute!' she replied. 'I know it's almost coffee time.'

But Nathaniel shook his head emphatically. 'Nah-uh, that's not it. Today's the day the boss's son tours our section!'

'Eh,' replied Marinette, turning back to her work and conveying with the monosyllable how uninteresting that was to her.

'We're having the morning tea!'

At that, Marinette's hand stilled over her mouse.

He continued, knowing he had caught her attention, 'Cake. Croissants, muffins, macarons…' he listed.

'Macarons,' Marinette echoed dreamily. 'No, no, I can't! My friend has got me on a keto diet.'

Nathaniel raised an eyebrow at her.

'Shush you, I'm supporting her as a mark of solidarity. It's what friends do.'

'And as a real friend, I'm encouraging you to have a bit of cake.'

She looked up at him, clearly torn.

'Come anyway. Even if you don't have cake. Let's take a break.'

'Oh alright.' Marinette conceded, saving her work and locking her computer deftly. She stretched her arms behind her and got up, following Nathaniel into the staff kitchen.

Caline Bustier was there already, standing in front of the table stacked with food Marinette had her eyes on. Nathaniel wasn't wrong. Cake. Croissants. Muffins and macarons! Marinette stood near the front of the crowd of interns, pulling a subtly resisting Nathaniel along with her and in front of the small crowd of colleagues standing near the door. He was super shy but Marinette was here for one thing and one thing only: food.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket and she fished it out to read a text from Adrien.

I've got a surprise for you today!

Ever since she called him after the… reveal… at the bakery, they'd been texting each other everyday. Nothing too flirtatious, or so she thought. She was still trying to build up trust in him again. Even though her head knew that he didn't mean for her to get hurt over it and understood that he couldn't date. She remembered one particular text conversation -

(But I don't understand. We could've at least been friends afterwards?

I wanted to be more than friends with you, Maribug!)

Since then, they seemed to be toeing this awkward line of… something. It was difficult to navigate. All Marinette knew was that he texted her good morning every morning, goodnight every night and a whole slew of ridiculous puns and memes in between. She replied:

If it's another hamster meme I will distinctly not be surprised.

It's not :) :) :) :)

Another thing about Adrien - he was pretty generous with the smiley faces and the emojis. And the exclamation marks and the nicknames. She put her phone away to better survey the food table and noticed a woman wearing rectangle-framed glasses with a bright red streak in her otherwise dark hair tied into a bun was next to Caline, tapping on an iPad. Marinette had met her before during the interview process to work at Gabriel. Nathalie - Marinette was pretty sure that was her name. From her tight, low bun to her shoes, Nathalie's ensemble was all sharp lines and serious. But she had also found within Nathalie an unsuspecting softness when it came to her workplace and it was that attitude that sealed the deal for Marinette for wanting to work at Gabriel. Sure, it had a name and it would look good on her resume, but if it was a place where the employees looked forward to coming to work everyday and enjoyed spending time with colleagues - a positive work culture like that couldn't be ignored!

When she came to the front, Nathalie looked up at her iPad and straight at Marinette who offered an awkward smile and small wave as greeting. Nathalie smiled back, the barest upturn of her lips before returning back to looking at her iPad.

The kitchen was abuzz with quiet conversation before the door behind her opened and instantly the room fell into a hush. Turning around, she noticed Gabriel walking in. Sleek hair, not a strand out of place and in his customary red and white ensemble. Rooms did tend to fall quiet when the founder and eponymous Gabriel walked through the door - it was something about his presence. But following him was someone she was certainly not expecting. Today, he was dressed in all white - white jeans and a white t-shirt, a monochromatic look on a colour spectrum she was unused to from him. His hair was carefully constructed chaos, instead of its usual side sweeping fringe and neat peaks, it stuck out in all directions. It suited him, she thought.

When he caught her eye, he had the audacity to wink. As he walked past her to the other side of the kitchen he whispered, 'Do you like the surprise?'

She nodded, unwilling to trust her speaking voice from climbing an octave or two.

From her side, Nathaniel nudged her, 'You didn't mention you knew Adrien Agreste?'

She shook her head, trying to snap out of the trance induced by the ray of sunshine that had just entered the room. 'I just knew him as Adrien,' she replied simply.

The morning tea was kind of nice, really. Gabriel, she realised, was a bit like Nathalie. He looked more intimidating than he was. He was just really serious. And Adrien, going through the crowd, mingling with all of the colleagues and, she noticed with amusement, surreptitiously grabbing a macaron to gobble in one bite when his father and Nathalie were engaged in conversation and not looking at him, Adrien was really nice.

When he came around to her, he shook Nathaniel's hand warmly.

'It's nice to meet you, Nathaniel! Welcome to Gabriel. I hope you're settling in ok? At least I know your colleagues are amazing,' Adrien turned his head to nod brightly at Marinette, who promptly turned beet-red.

'It's been a pleasure working at Gabriel, and with Marinette,' replied Nathaniel diplomatically. 'Thanks for taking the time to meet and greet us lowly interns.'

'Not at all! I know you guys have worked super hard to get here, and that the designers you work under work you super hard here as well. We've got to think of the future, what's next for the Gabriel line. The answer lies with you.'

Marinette watched as Nathaniel smiled, totally won over by Adrien's easygoing charisma and praise. She made eye contact with Nathaniel who suddenly excused himself. 'It's been nice to meet you, Adrien! Now I'm pretty sure that cake has my name on it!' He scurried off towards the kitchen table and Adrien laughed.

'It has my name on it too. But alas, it cannot be. Nathalie and Father are in the room, and I've got a modeling job after this.'

'Ah,' replied Marinette. 'This is why you're dressed nicely today.'

'Hey!' he laughed, no real bite behind his exclamation.

'Your hair suits you like this,' she said.

'Why thank you, Marinette.'

'I'm going to a modelling too after this. Get to see what it's like behind the scenes. It's my turn to be rostered in.'

Adrien paused to give her a conspiratorial look. 'Come to the new warehouse, if you can. That's where I'll be.'

He'd be the death of her. She was sure he would be.

Marinette couldn't believe that Adrien, dorky, pun-filled, ball of sunshine, subject of a fast-growing crush Adrien was Adrien Agreste. Since she started at Gabriel, she had been working on women's lines so she hadn't seen his modelling work. But as she walked through the fashion house on her way to the warehouse for the modelling shoot, it was like Adrien was everywhere. There he was, laughing and brandishing perfume in a 2016 framed ad as she passed through the hallway. There he was, holy crap, was he wearing her bowler hat in that catwalk montage? He was the model that modeled her creation, all those years ago? That's why he was funny in her apartment with the plaque wall - he recognised it. She couldn't believe he recognised it. She couldn't believe she didn't recognise him.

How many times could this sunshine boy come unexpectedly into her life without her noticing?

When Marinette stepped through the doors of the warehouse into a full blown fashion shoot, she stepped into the most beautifully organized chaos she could ever have imagined. As this was not a public facing fashion shoot - the purpose of this one was to capture the upcoming spring line - it was designer and fitter and model and photographer and set design and utter pandemonium. Loud music was blaring as models walked the catwalk in the centre of the warehouse and cameras flashed in the background. Part of her felt overwhelmed by the sensory overload, ready to turn around and retreat back to her little workstation next to Nathaniel and she was about to succumb to that temptation when the sight in front of her rooted her to the spot.

It was Adrien. On the catwalk.

The music pounded a steady rhythm echoed by her heartbeat as his long, languid legs moved in time with the music. His face was all hard angles and seriousness, to match the thudding music, but when he caught her eye, she could've sworn she saw his lips curl into a smile for a split second. But then he reached the top of the catwalk, and effortlessly dropped into poses that the photographers went mad for. With more grace than Marinette knew she had in her entire body, he then turned around and walked back down the runway.

She suddenly knew why liking someone was called a crush. A crush like your heart was being crushed. Like the poor little organ instead of pumping oxygenated blood back through her body was being squeezed at the very sight of him.

She felt like she blinked and he was back on the catwalk again. In a costume change so fast, he was now wearing a black shirt done up with a zipper that was half-undone. And black leather pants reminiscent of a Halloween costume long ago.

A song later and his familiar figure was again in the spotlight, smirk firmly in place as his long limbs sashayed down the runway with ease. Adrien modelling was something else. She didn't realise how similar modeling was to acting until she saw Adrien do it. When the costume was light and bright, Adrien looked radiant, carefree and dreamy. When it was black, he looked serious, sensuous, sexy. And now, in a casual look that was going back to basics, in a white open shirt rolled to his sleeves with blue jeans and orange sneakers totally different to the dilapidated ones she saw when she first met him - he looked like he was going on a first date. Just like the season of spring itself, he looked full of hope.

After the show was done, she found him backstage and grinning widely, he pulled her along to another part of the studio where he was waiting to participate in an individual photoshoot in the last outfit.

'So, what did you think?' he asked.

'It was amazing!' Marinette gushed. 'I loved the variety of outfits that fit under the banner of spring. Spring is all about change and I really enjoyed the thematic elements of the show. And music! It plays such a big part. I never realised…' she trailed off.

Adrien laughed easily in response. 'I'm glad you like it.'

'And you were an amazing model!' she continued. 'I mean, I know you are a professional and all but you looked incredible up there… like you were born for it.'

His hand went to the back of his blonde hair and a pointed cough from the stylist next to him stopped him just in time from wrecking his hairdo of carefully designed chaos.

Vincent, his photographer, then took the opportunity to notice his appearance.

'Adrien! Chop chop!' he wildly gesticulated. Marinette eyes followed his gesturing to an ornately carved bench in front of a green screen.

Ruefully, Adrien made a 'sorry' face at her and went as directed. She peered shyly at the set as once again Adrien the model came out in full force.

'More youthful!' Vincent yelled out and Adrien delivered with a carefree silent laugh, head tossed back and eyes closed with pretend mirth.

'More playful!' demanded Vincent and Adrien's lips closed as he looked into the camera with only the corner of his mouth turned up in a smile while his eyes danced with glee. Then he looked away, just behind the camera as if he had a fun surprise just behind it for you if only you would let him show you.

Marinette didn't realise she had walked even closer until she was practically on the set. She could see the photographs being blown up onto their laptops instantaneously as the photographs were being taken. Her head swiveled as she turned from the miniature screen to the real thing not six feet away.

'More romantic!' was Vincent's next command. Adrien looked perplexed for a second and then stood up from the bench to dip into a dramatic bow, kneeling on one knee to complete the effect. 'Good, good, Adrien.' Vincent muttered as the camera clicked on. 'But not good enough. I need more romance! More love! Like la vie en rose!' Adrien stood up and looked away from the camera, leaning casually with his elbows on the back of the bench. He turned to face the camera and showcased a shy smile. Marinette thought he looked like he was waiting to meet someone for a date. He looked perfect...

Vincent apparently disagreed. 'No! No! I need it to be perfect!' Vincent stepped away from the camera. 'You there!' he pointed in Marinette's direction and she turned around behind her to see which model he was talking to.

'Yes, you, you silly goose.'

Her eyes widened and she turned a palm to herself, the universal gesture for 'me?' She shook her head slightly.

Vincent ran his eyes along her outfit. 'You're dressed in the new spring line.'

Marinette looked down, having forgotten that she was indeed dressed in Gabriel today. It was something unique to Gabriel, who liked his designers to sample their seasonal clothing lines before they rolled them out to the public. A model would wear it for a moment on the catwalk. A designer would wear it all day, and would move around in it, breathe in it, work in it. Before they released their clothes to the public, they had to make sure themselves that it was okay. Today, Marinette was dressed in a simple rose coloured dress. It had a rectangle neckline, exposing her collarbones and long sleeves that billowed out. The cut of the skirt was short and flared slightly. She was wearing her outfit with white sneakers - a firm believer that comfort and fashion could co-exist. Her sneakers had little pink flowers embroidered into the side of them.

'I'm an intern.' Marinette blurted out.

Vincent shook his head and clucked his tongue. 'Good, go get some experience. This is Adrien Agreste. Son of Gabriel, heir to the fashion empire, teenage heartthrob, young adult role model, blah blah blah. You'll be fine,' he pointed towards the bench and meekly Marinette sat on it.

Adrien laughed. 'Sorry you're getting dragged into it,' he said quietly to her. He was still behind the bench and he leaned forward, resting his hands on her shoulders as she sat down. He pointed towards her legs and gestured for her to neaten her skirt. She complied, fanning out the skirt and suddenly glad that if she was going to go on her first modeling adventure at all, at least she'd be doing it with an expert.

Vincent was soon behind the camera again and clicking away. 'Now, this is romance!' he exclaimed as Adrien leaned over, his limbs draping casually across Marinette's shoulders as he hugged her from behind.

'Is this ok?' he whispered in her ear.

'Y-Yea- huh,' she stammered.

He chuckled softly beside her. 'You're a natural, Marinette.' He brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear.

She gulped. She didn't trust herself to speak.

'Come around, Adrien!' Vincent directed.

Adrien walked around the bench.

'Wait!' said Vincent. 'Go back, I want to see you in motion.'

Adrien took exaggerated steps, somehow keeping the shape of his stride though the speed of it had just about halved.

'You, intern, look at him,' commanded Vincent.

Honestly, it was hard not to. Everything about Adrien was mesmerising to Marinette. His green eyed gaze was warm as he looked back at her and she felt herself blush. She pressed her hands to her warming cheeks in embarrassment and then realised she was probably ruining the shot. When she placed her hands gingerly on her lap, Vincent made a noise of irritation.

'Hands like before, intern. You love this boy. This is your first date. You have admired him from afar for a very long time and for the first time ever, his eyes are only on you. You're embarrassed. You want so much for this to go well, you bought Gabriel's new spring dress for the occasion,' he chuckled to himself lightly at that.

Marinette felt like he was reading her diary. The heat spreading across her face was not an act at all. She tried to school her impression into something model-worthy but that kind of stressed her.

'No no no!' Vincent said, increasing Marinette's stress with each repeated syllable of disapproval. 'Adrien, you make her feel comfortable. Sit beside her.'

Adrien obediently sat beside her.

They performed a little pantomime of an awkward first date. Adrien gesturing to some pretend flowers he was giving her and Marinette smiling shyly behind her hands as she giggled.

'Good, very good.' Vincent approved.

Adrien held his hand out and Marinette surprised herself by grabbing it and interlocking fingers with him.

'Yes!' yelled Vincent, but to be honest, Marinette wasn't really hearing the photographer anymore. She was holding Adrien Agreste's hand. It was so much bigger than her own, and so warm, his skin so smooth. She liked holding his hand very much.

With a cheeky smile that reminded her more of the first time that she met him, when he was still wearing a mask, he lifted her hand to press a soft kiss onto it.

Marinette was never going to wash her hand again.

A soppy look crossed her face but she couldn't help it. She'd been thinking about this boy for weeks now and he was still holding her hand, his beautiful golden skin reflecting the fake sunlight of the set. But then, he suddenly drew his hand away, startling her out of her newfound mission of counting the spikes in his pretty, blonde hair.

'Hey, she doesn't have to do that! I don't want to make her uncomfortable,' he said to Vincent.

Her mind felt like it was wading through cake batter. Hmmm?

Vincent replied to Adrien with an exasperated pfft. 'But the chemistry! You have such chemistry! I've never seen it from you before, Adrien.'

He looked between Vincent and Marinette, completely torn. 'I don't want to make her feel uncomfortable,' he got out.

'I'm not uncomfortable,' Marinette provided.

'Oh,' said Adrien. 'Are you sure?'

'Mhmm,' she nodded happily.

He held both of her hands in his and looked her right in the eye. 'You're definitely sure?'

She nodded again. 'Sure as the seashore.'

He broke into laughter at that and she smiled. Adrien had always had a weakness for wordplay humour. He squeezed her hands and said her name, and the way that all three syllables rolled of his tongue was intoxicating. 'Marinette.'

Then he closed his eyes, leaned forward and kissed her, the barest press of his lips to hers in a soft peck. She was so surprised she forgot to react.

Vincent yelled out, 'Again, Adrien!'

Marinette's eyes widened and again, Adrien kissed her. This time, she was expecting it and managed to close her eyes. His lips lingered longer during this second staged kiss. When they broke apart, he smiled shyly at her.

'Perfect,' announced Vincent. 'Now, that's a wrap.'

There was a hustle and bustle as the photographers, fitters and stylists left the set, Adrien pulling Marinette along with him. As they passed Vincent, Vincent nodded knowingly at both of them.

'I'll tell Nathalie you both did well.'

Marinette was trying to process what Vincent meant when they left the warehouse. Adrien looked at the time, 'Would you like to grab lunch?'

She nodded, suddenly famished.

'Let's go!' he held her hand as they walked through the building.

As they passed the reception area on their way to the elevators, they heard a wolf-whistle from Kim, operations manager, who was sitting at reception in place of Ondine. Adrien seemed to recollect himself and swiftly withdrew his hand. Shyly, Marinette reached for it again.

He looked between Marinette and their hands, currently entwined. The elevator doors shut behind them with just the two of them inside.

'Marinette, I -'

She waited with bated breath.

'Would you…' he began again. With his free hand, he reached for the back of his head, totally messing up his hair.

'I would like to go out with you, Adrien Agreste!' Marinette declared.

He stopped and stared at her incredulously.

She felt like she was going to die. 'Please tell me that was what you were going to ask me. Because I've got feelings for you and I've been feeling for a little while that they might be mutual.' She spoke really fast. 'I know that we agreed to be friends but I was really hoping that maybe we could also be more than friends because Adrien, I love you so -'

Marinette did not get to finish telling Adrien how much she loved him so because at that moment he finished her sentence with a kiss. First it was one kiss, which turned into another one and then another one and Marinette was really glad that the warehouse set floor that they had come from was at the very top of the building when in a distant part of her mind she heard a soft ding, whoosh and a distinct cough.

Gabriel Agreste himself was on the ground floor. Calculating gaze severe as he watched his son and newly hired intern disentangle their lip locked and limb-locked embrace in the cramped elevator.

'Not at work, please.'

He then swept pass them into the elevator they had just vacated, leaving perfectly formed o's on their faces.

'I'll see you at our family dinner tomorrow night, Miss Dupain-Cheng. Nathalie will make the arrangement,' Gabriel said as the elevator doors closed on his serious face.

Adrien turned to Marinette, delighted surprise etched on his face. She turned back, expression radiant. Together, hand in hand, they stepped out of the office building and into the Parisian sunshine.

Author's Note: Just the epilogue to go!