Under Heaven (Miraculous Ladybug)

Chapter 9: Two People On a Bench

    Adrien was happy that the photographer and his assistant didn't notice him slip away. He figured that since his classmate was right over there that he would go hang out with them for a bit.

"Hey Marinette!" He said with a little too much enthusiasm.

"Hi A-Adrien." Marinette mentally cursed herself.

Adrien smiled and scratched the back of his neck.

"May I sit down?" He asked gesturing to the open space of bench beside her.

She nodded and he took a seat. He looked over to her and found that she was looking at him.

"So what's up?" He asked.

"Oh just working on some designs. H-How about you?" She asked.

"Oh just doing some modelling." He said.

She bit her lip. This was awkward and they both knew it.

"I like your sweater" he said.

She blushed and glanced at it before turning to him.

"T-thanks I l-like y-you. I mean! I t-think your s-sweater I-is nice too."

Adrien laughed. He wasn't even wearing a sweater but it was obvious she panicked and it was adorable.

"Thanks! So you said you were working on some designs right?"

She nodded.

"Can I see them?" He asked.

Marinette was a little hesitant about this. She didn't usually show off her designs but she couldn't say no to him.

"S-sure." She said.

He came closer to her, enough so that their knees touched. Marinette opened to the design of her hoodie. She bit her lip and glanced at Adrien and saw that he was grinning like an idiot. Adrien loved the design. It reminded him of when he was Chat Noir and how he'd go hang out with her.

"That's amazing Marinette!" He said.

She blushed before turning to the one she was working on when he came over. It was a black long-sleeved t-shirt that the same paw print that was on Chat Noirs ring.

"That one is amazing too!" He said.

"Those are the only ones I've done today. "She said.

He looked at her and she met his gaze.

"You're really good Marinette." He whispered to her.

A small smile bloomed across her face.

"Thank you." She said.

For once she didn't stutter over her words.

"So Marinette, I was thinking, you and I should hang out sometime. I mean, we're hanging out now but pretty soon I'll have to go back over there. So can I get your number." He asked.

"S-sure." She replied.

He smiled and pulled out his phone and she told him her number. He tried texting her to see if it would work and they both smiled when it did. Sadly, the interaction was over after that cause the photographer finally stopped arguing with his assistant and saw that Adrien was gone. He waved goodbye to Marinette and walked back over. Marinette leaned back and sighed. She smiled to herself before gathering up her things and heading home for the day.

Once she was back in her room, Tikki flew out of her purse and was smiling widely.

"Oh Marinette, you must be over the moon!" Tikki exclaimed.

Marinette was grinning widely. Tikki flew into Marinettes shoulder as she sat in front of her computer and stared at the images of Adrien she used as her background. She sighed and bit her lip. Adrien wanted to hang out with her. It was like a dream come true.

Adrien was fighting the urge to roll his eyes at this new photographer. The other one was done with him so the new guy shows up and starts throwing demands. He was glad Marinette had left cause some of these poses were weird and embarrassing. One involved him crouching down low and stroking his hand on the tree behind him and smiling. He really wanted to see this guys photographing licence cause so far, this seemed like a cruel joke. Adrien was relieved when they said it was time for break.

Marinette groaned. At this point in time, her parents had to go do a delivery so she had to manage the shop. She sighed as she rested her elbows on the counter and closed her eyes.

"Marinette, it's not gonna be that bad." Reassured Tikki.

They both knew that was a lie. Marinette hated working the front, let alone when she was the only one working. It increased the risk of her seeing someone she knew and her being embarrassed. She prayed her parents would come back soon.

On his break, Adrien decided to head down to the bakery Marinettes parents owned. He loved the stuff they had there and her parents were always so nice. Although Natalie insisted he drove there, he decided to walk instead. After all, the longer this took the more time in between starting to model again. He opened up the door to the shop and smiled when he saw Marinette.

Marinette wanted to scream. Out of all people to come into the store, it had to be Adrien. Tikki his and Marinette stood up straight and smiled.

"Hey Marinette!" He said.

"H-hello." She said.

"W-what would you like to order today?" She said.

"Got any recommendations?" He asked.

She walked over to the glass case with the food and stood across from where Adrien was.

"Well the scones here are great and so are the macaroons. One of my personal favourites here are the cookies but then again, I'm kind of biased since my parents do own the place," she said.

"Did you make any of these?" He asked.

She was taken aback by this question. No one has ever asked that cause it doesn't really matter.

"U-uh yeah! I made the chocolate croissants..." She said.

He smiled.

"Great I'll take a chocolate croissant!" He said.

She nodded and grabbed tongs and a paper bag. She brought his croissant over to him.

"How much will that be?" He asked.

"I-it's on the house." She said.

"No no, tell me how much."

"N-no really, it's on the house. "

He smiled at her and thanked her. Once he had left the store, Tikki came out of her hiding place and grinned at Marinette. Marinette couldn't stop smiling.