Chapter 1 – Falling for You...Literally
Marinette's POV:
Okay. Deep breath.
It's just a date.
A completely normal, not-life-threatening, not-end-of-the-world date.
With Adrien Agreste. My boyfriend. Who asked me out. Willingly. With his face. And his arms. And his unfair jawline.
"Why do my knees feel like overcooked noodles?" I whisper, pacing in circles around my room as Tikki floats nearby, clearly exhausted by my nervous breakdown number... five? Seven? I lost count.
"Because you've been spiraling for the last twenty minutes," she says, crossing her tiny arms.
"You're just going out for ice cream, Marinette, not getting married."
"That's exactly it!" I whisper-shriek.
"Ice cream with Adrien. At André's. The romantic soulmate prophecy ice cream place! What if he asks for chocolate and I get mint and it means we're soul-incompatible? What if he changes his mind about me mid-scoop?"
Tikki sighs.
"Then you eat the ice cream and move on, preferably without fainting on the sidewalk."
I shoot her a betrayed look.
"You are so emotionally unsupportive."
"Because you've tried on the same shirt three times."
Fair point.
After a quick fashion debate with myself, I settle on something cute-but-casual.
A light pink puff-sleeved top that makes my collarbones look kinda nice, tucked into high-waisted blue jeans that hug me just right. I throw on my favorite cherry earrings and my white sneakers because romantic date or not, I still need to run if a random akuma appears.
God, being a superhero really ruins outfit planning.
I glance at the time.
Shit. I'm late.
Of course I'm late. Because why wouldn't I be?
"We'll be late, Tikki!" I shout, grabbing my bag and bolting down the stairs.
"I hope adrien's not waiting for me alone at André's!"
I'm halfway down the last step when my foot catches the edge of the rug.
Oh no.
The world tilts. My arms flail. My soul leaves my body.
And just when I prepare to meet my death by hardwood floor, something—someone—catches me mid-fall.
Hard chest. Strong arms. Warm hands. Oh no oh no oh no—
I look up into those stupidly green eyes and nearly combust.
"Hey Marinette"
Adrien says casually, holding me like I weigh nothing, like he didn't just witness me eat gravity in slow motion.
"I thought I should pick you up." He smiles.
Oh.
Oh my god.
My brain completely short-circuits. The only thing functioning is my heartbeat, and even that's freaking out.
He's holding me so close. His fingers are gripping my waist. My face is inches from his, so close I can smell his stupid nice cologne—something warm and completely illegal.
I try to speak but all that comes out is
"...huh?"
"Adrien's been waiting for you half an hour, sweetie," My mom says gently, but I can hear the amusement in her voice. I want to sink into the floor and never emerge.
"I—oh my God," I gasp, scrambling to get my feet under me as Adrien gently helps me up but doesn't let go right away.
"I'm so sorry! Adrien, you should've called me—I didn't mean to make you wait—"
He just smiles, brushing some imaginary dust off my sleeve like I didn't just full-body slam into him.
"No problem, Marinette. Your mom gave me some really tasty croissants while I waited," he says, voice warm and easy.
"Totally worth it."
Someone please bury me alive.
"I—I'm glad," I stammer, face burning.
"That you, um... that the croissants were good."
Real smooth, Dupain-Cheng.
--
A few minutes later, we're walking side by side down the street, the warm afternoon sun casting soft golden light over everything. I swear Adrien glows like some celestial being beside me.
My heart still hasn't recovered from the fall. Or the holding. Or the way he said "pick you up" like it didn't just wreck my entire nervous system.
We're heading to André's ice cream cart. The legendary love ice cream. My stomach is tangled in a thousand nervous butterflies.
What if this date changes everything?
What if it makes things perfect?
Or what if I accidentally sneeze ice cream on him and he never looks at me the same again?
…God, I wish we bought Alya and Nino with us.