"And why exactly do you think this friend of yours deserves an internship?", Gabriel Agreste asked his son, not even glancing up from his desk.
"Because, Father, I've modeled her work before. The pigeon-feather bowler hat? Remember?"
"Ah, yes, indeed I do. Ms. Marinette Dupain-Cheng. I did quite admire her design skills. Unfortunately, I don't have any need for an intern in the design division, seeing as I handle those duties myself", the man spoke as he stood up and put his paperwork into the delivery chute which sent it to Nathalie's office. Adrien's heart slumped at this news, disappointed that he wouldn't be able to keep his promise to Marinette.
"However", Gabriel continued, "I believe she would also be helpful as a consultant during your photoshoots. Her design skills no doubt mean she has a watchful eye for proper positioning."
"You really mean it?!", the blonde teen asked excitedly. His father nodded. "I admire your commitment to your friend, son. Noble intentions like that should be rewarded. I will have Nathalie deliver the news to the Dupain-Cheng residence."
"Oh no!!", Adrien piped up, "Let me do it!! Marinette will be so excited!!"
Before Gabriel could even say anything, his son was already bolting out of his office, down the stairs, and out the front doors.
Marinette was sitting on her bed flipping through the Miraculous Grimoire, all of the Kwamis sitting on her pillow reading along with her. Well, she wasn't reading, per se, she was just pointing to different passages so Tikki could translate.
"Why couldn't they have written this in French?!", the girl groaned as she banged the heavy book against her forehead. Unaware of her holder's sarcasm, Tikki responded matter-of-factly: "Because it was written in Central Asia."
Suddenly, there was a knock on the trapdoor and Marinette's mom's voice came through from the other side. "Marinette! Your friend Adrien is here!! Should I send him up?"
Her heart stopped and her pupils shrank. "N-No, Mom, I'll come down!!! Don't let him come up!!!"
"Let him come up? Okay, sweetheart!! He's on his way!!"
"Oh no no no no no!!", Marinette panicked as she began frantically rushing around her room and taking down all of her photos and posters of Adrien while the Kwamis hid from sight. Luckily, she was able to get the last picture down and safely stowed away before the trapdoor opened and Adrien's head popped up.
"Hi, Marinette. Hope I'm not interrupting anything."
"What?! You?! No, not at all!! I wasn't doing anything, not hiding incriminating evidence or anything like that!!", she responded before giggling nervously with a massive toothy fake smile. Adrien smiled and climbed the rest of the way up. "I have good news. My father gave you the internship, and he wants you to be a consultant on my photoshoots."
"D-does that mean...?"
"You and I will be working together! Isn't that awesome?"
Thumpthumpthumpthumpthumpthump
Marinette squealed with joy and couldn't stop herself from throwing her arms around Adrien. "That's amazing!!" He was taken aback but was quick to return the hug. "I knew you'd be excited." Suddenly, Marinette realized what she was doing and let go of him, much to both of their disappointment. "S-sorry... don't know what came over me." Adrien smiled again and patted her shoulder. "It's fine, I understand. I'm glad we'll be working together, too. I feel like we don't get to hang out as much as our other friends.
There was a blissful silence for a moment as the two of them just stared and smiled at each other, before Adrien blushed and turned away.
"So, I'll tell my father you accepted the offer and everything will be all set. By the way, did you have anything planned for today? I don't have a shoot scheduled until tomorrow so I'm free. We could catch a movie, or maybe grab lunch?"
Ohjeezohjeezohjeez he's asking me out!!! Wait, no he isn't!! Calm down, you blubbering buffoon!!!
"Haha yeah!! Good sounds!! I-I mean s-sounds good!!", she stuttered, "Just gimme a few minutes to get ready, okay?"
Adrien smiled and nodded. "Will do. See you downstairs!"
He turned and walked down before Marinette closed the trapdoor and then laid on top of it, hyperventilating.
"Hanging out with Adrien... working with Adrien... I think I'm gonna pass out."
"Calm down, Marinette!!", Tikki advised, "He's waiting for you!! Get a grip!!"
The girl sat up and rubbed her temples and took deep breaths. "Okay... okay, I'm calm... should I wear something nice or just go as plain old me?"
"Be yourself, Marinette!!", Trixx spoke up.
"Yeah, you got this!!", Roarr growled cutely.
The rest of the Kwamis all cheered their encouragement, and Marinette smiled. "Thanks, guys. You're the best." The magical creatures all gave her a big group hug before she stood up, composed herself, and went downstairs. Adrien was standing at the bakery counter as Mrs. Cheng handed him a brown paper bag full of her delicious croissants.
"Thanks!! These are my favorites!!", he said happily. The woman grinned. "No problem at all, Adrien, I'll have a batch ready for you every day if you want. Since you and Marinette will be spending much more time together she can bring them to your photoshoots."
Once Marinette reached the bottom of the stairs, Adrien turned to her. "Ready to go?"
"Yup!! Ready, willing, and able!!", the bluenette responded confidently. She was shocked when Adrien offered her his arm, but she nevertheless looped hers in it and they walked out of the bakery together.