Dabble in Drabbles 38: Don't Get Cold Feet

I would really love to update quickly, but I hate giving ya'll half-assed stories in the midst of a writer's block made without thought or care so I'm sorry if this is late! My finals are finally done and since it's Christmas break, I've got more time to settle down and write without any distractions.

The series of events is pretty ambiguous so you can interpret it however you like!

Summary: "Don't worry, Nino. I'm blind as a bat without my glasses so you won't be falling for me any time soon."

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters nor the show, just this story.

Glasses

"Darn it!" Alya cursed.

Nino looked up from his phone and took off his headphones. "What's wrong?"

"My glasses fogged up again." Alya grumbled as she stumbled towards her seat, a thin layer of mist covering the lenses. Nino chuckled. He could relate to that.

As she took off her glasses, it took Nino a moment to recover his breath. He knew Alya was gorgeous; who would deny that? But seeing her without the glasses, removing the barrier from her eyes, he could appreciate how big and bright they were.

Realizing he was staring, he quickly turned away before Alya caught on the act. Unfortunately, she did. She grinned slyly and leaned down the table. She said teasingly, "Did your heart skip a beat, Spielberg?"

"A-As if!" Nino said, refusing to look at her lest his flaming cheeks would betray him.

She laughed loudly as she pushed the frame up her nose. "Don't worry, Nino. I'm blind as a bat without my glasses so you won't be falling for me any time soon."

He knew that. But that didn't mean he would get that image of her out of his head anytime soon.

Red

On the first day of school, he met a girl with hair as red as her personality.

No one ever stood up against Chloe before, but she had done it without a second thought. He wasn't very fond of Chloe and he didn't really appreciate what she was doing, tormenting Marinette and all that, but it was the new girl who actually said something about it.

On the first day of school, he met a girl with hair as red as her sense of adventure.

He stared at the screen in horror as he saw her ride the bike towards the crime scene, chasing after a boulder monster. He wanted to shout to her to get out of there, but how could she hear him from the other side of the screen.

On the first day of school, he met a girl with hair as red as the blood rushing through him.

"I'm Nino."

"Alya."

Music

She could hear piano playing from the music room.

Alya paused and peeked through the window. Her eyebrows rose up in surprise and she quickly pulled out her phone, snapping several pictures of her classmate hunching over the large instrument, jotting down notes on the paper in front of him while humming and playing along.

She watched as he sensed someone watching him and grinned mischievously when he spotted her. She looked on with interest as his eyes grew wide and he frantically gathered up the paper in front of him. Before he could leave, she rushed inside and blocked the door.

"What are you trying to hide, Mr. DJ?" Alya asked, her video camera in front of her, reporter senses already running high. This was going to be an interesting scoop. "Don't tell me you composed something for someone. Who's the lucky person? No need to be shy."

"Alya!" Nino snapped. Alya jumped in fright. Nino sighed. "Okay, sorry, I shouldn't have snapped. Just…can you keep this a secret?"

His tone was so serious, she complied. Once seeing her tucking the phone in her pocket, he breathed out a sigh of relief. Her eyes were still burning with curiosity so he gestured to the piano. She grabbed a chair and sat on it as Nino prepped himself in front.

The melody of it was simple, but there was a hint of aching and longing in it. Distinct Chinese melodies interweaved within. Alya couldn't help but feel as though Nino had written this for someone and she had a nagging thought that she might know who it was for.

The piece ended unfinished, just like his confession on a day at the zoo.

Fear

"Why can't you understand a single thing I'm telling you?!"

"You never listen to me!"

"That's 'cause you don't explain anything and expect me to know what you want!"

"I've already told you time and time again!"

"Oh yeah?! Then spit it out!"

"I can't lose you Alya!"

Her name echoed in the music studio as the two young adults in their twenties looked at each other, aggravation written on their face. Alya stared at Nino in shock. He sighed as he took off his hat and messed up his hair. He said hoarsely, "I can't lose you, okay?"

"But-"

"I know." Nino said. "I know reporting is important to you, but can't you think of your family? Can't you think of how others might feel whenever you get caught up on something dangerous? Can't you think how I might feel?"

Alya looked down in guilt. It wasn't often that she got caught up in some danger whenever an akuma attacked, or there were some crimes going on in the city and she had to do a report on that, but it was dangerous just the same.

Nino opened his arms and Alya embraced him; apologies and words of affection whispered in the room.

Snow

WHAM!

Nino landed face first on the snow as Alya's hysteric laughter filled the air. He pulled himself out, a grumpy frown on his face. But seeing her challenging grin, he couldn't help but smile as well.

"Alya Cesaire! You'll pay for this!"

With that, Nino formed a snowball and began throwing it at her, hitting her square on the face. Alya wiped off the snow and began her retaliation. Adrien and Marinette exchanged looks from the sidelines before shrugging their shoulders and joining in on the fun.

An hour later found the four teenagers sitting on the snow, tired from running and having fun. Marinette sneezed and said, "It's starting to get dark. You should all come to the bakery. Papa baked something up for us."

Adrien perked up in delight. He scrambled to his feet and helped Marinette up. "Thanks Marinette!"

"No prowlemb – no problem!" Marinette squeaked, letting him pull her up.

Alya dusted the snow off her jeans and held out her hand to Nino. "C'mon Spielberg. You don't wanna get cold feet now, do you?"

Nino looked at her offered hand and back at her, the setting sun sending her hair aflame. His cheeks burned and he gave a lopsided grin. He accepted her hand and stood up.

"Wouldn't think of it."

And I am back!

Thank you all for reading and sticking up with me! I've made so many delayed promises, haven't I? I'll get to them as soon as possible!

My writing's kinda rough since I haven't written anything for five months, so please bear with me for now. (I should try to write this way and edit things more often. Ideas flow easier in a format like this.)

See ya'll next time and a have a Merry Christmas to you all! Also, good luck with Finals everyone! You can do it!