Marinette clutched her sketchbook, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. “So... uh... nice weather, huh?” she said, cringing internally at how lame it sounded.
Adrien chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, it’s pretty nice. Perfect for getting some fresh air.” He glanced at her sketchbook. “What were you working on? If you don’t mind me asking.”
“Oh! Um, just some ideas for the Winter Ball decorations.” She hesitated, then flipped open the book to show him. “I was thinking of doing something with snowflake patterns for the stage. You know, to match the winter theme.”
Adrien leaned in to look, his face lighting up. “That’s amazing, Marinette! You’re so talented.”
Marinette felt her face heat up, but she tried to play it cool. “Thanks. I just hope it all comes together.”
There was a brief silence, comfortable but charged, until Adrien pointed to one of her sketches. “Is that a snowman wearing sunglasses?”
Marinette blinked and then burst out laughing. “Oh no! That was supposed to be a snowflake, but I guess my hand slipped. Now I can’t unsee it!”
Adrien joined her laughter, the sound ringing out across the park. “It’s kind of cool, actually. Maybe we should put a snowman DJ on stage next to Nino.”
“Oh, I’d love to see his reaction to that,” Marinette said, grinning. “He’d probably roll with it, though. Nino’s up for anything.”
As their laughter subsided, Adrien’s expression softened. “You know, you’re really good at this, Marinette. Not just the drawing, but the way you think about making things special for everyone.”
Marinette’s heart skipped a beat. “Thanks, Adrien. That... means a lot.”
Adrien hesitated for a moment, then smiled. “You’re welcome.”
They walked together toward the edge of the park, the conversation flowing more easily now. Marinette’s nerves started to fade as they joked about the most ridiculous Winter Ball themes they could think of—penguins in tuxedos, an igloo disco, or even a synchronized ice-skating routine for the teachers.
Adrien laughed so hard he nearly tripped over a crack in the pavement, catching himself at the last second. “Okay, okay, no more! My sides hurt!”
“Hey, you’re the one who said Mr. Damocles could do a triple axel!” Marinette teased, her giggles bubbling up again.
Adrien smiled down at her, the warmth in his expression making her heart flutter. “You always know how to make things fun, Marinette.”
They reached the park gate, and Marinette realized how much lighter she felt after their time together. As they said their goodbyes, Adrien waved before heading off, leaving Marinette standing there, a soft smile on her face.
And though neither of them said it aloud, both were thinking the same thing: maybe the Winter Ball was going to be more special than they’d imagined.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As Adrien turned to leave the park, he hesitated midstep. Something in the moment felt too perfect to let slip away. He spun back around, calling out, “Marinette!”
She stopped, her heart skipping as she turned to face him. “Yeah?”
Adrien jogged back toward her, his usual confidence replaced by a slight awkwardness. “Uh, I was just thinking... I mean, since we’re both working on the Winter Ball and everything...”
Marinette tilted her head, a puzzled but hopeful look on her face. “What about it?”
Adrien rubbed the back of his neck, his cheeks tinged pink. “Would you... maybe... want to go to the ball with me?”
For a moment, Marinette stared at him, her brain stuttering as it tried to process what she’d just heard.
“W-With you?” she managed to squeak out.
Adrien nodded, his smile soft and genuine. “Yeah. I mean, if you want to. I just thought it’d be fun, you know, to go together.”
Marinette felt like her feet had left the ground. She was floating, her heart thudding so loudly she was sure he could hear it. “I... I’d love to!”
Adrien’s face lit up, and he let out a relieved laugh. “Really? That’s great! I was kind of nervous you’d say no.”
Marinette blinked, still processing. “Why would I say no?!”
Adrien shrugged with a sheepish grin. “I don’t know. You’re... Marinette. You’re amazing. I guess I just wasn’t sure if you’d want to go with me.”
Marinette’s cheeks burned as she stammered, “You’re.. You’re amazing too!”
They stood there for a moment, both grinning like idiots until Marinette giggled, breaking the tension. “Okay, so... it’s a date?”
Adrien’s smile widened. “Yeah. It’s a date.”
As he walked away this time, Marinette felt like she might explode from happiness. She barely noticed her feet carrying her home, her mind spinning with the realization that Adrien Agreste had just asked her to the Winter Ball.
