Chapter Text
“It’s perfect!”
Marinette took a step back, admiring the meticulous display of sweets and treats in front of her.
“Alya is going to love it!” Tikki chirped, eyeing the basket of heart-shaped candy apples, pastries with red and pink fillings and drizzles, and chocolate covered strawberries. It looked absolutely amazing, and made the kwami’s mouth water with temptation. But with a knowing (and warning) look from Marinette, Tikki averted her gaze to abate her sweet tooth.
Marinette reached forward and adjusted a bow on the handle of the basket, noticing it was just slightly out of place. She knew Alya wouldn’t care if the bows on the handle of the basket were tied perfectly or not, as the contents of said basket were the real gift... but she needed to make sure it was going to be truly perfect.
Her best friend only deserved the very best, after all.
She stepped back again after everything was back into place. “Alya should be over in a few minutes,” she said to her kwami, “so make sure you go somewhere where you can see her reaction!”
“For sure!”
“And, for all of your help...”
Marinette pulled a smaller candy apple out of her bag, much to Tikki’s delight. Her indigo eyes went wide with admiration, and it absolutely melted her owner’s heart.
Tikki took the candy and hid where she would be out of sight, but still be able to watch Alya’s reaction.
Marinette put the basket of candies and pastries in a more discreet spot of her room. She wouldn’t even see the surprise coming! Everything was going just as planned.
“Alya is going to love this gift!”
“Marinette is going to love her gift!”
Alya shouted so loudly, that people passing by the bench she and Nino were sitting on were giving her strange looks. But she didn’t care.
Alya gazed down at the box in front of her: a soft pink with a floral design, just like Marinette loved, and full of all different types of her favorite candies from all her favorite one of a kind sweet shops the pair would go to, so it was special just for her.
She would never see this coming.
Nino was eyeing the sweets as well, but Alya put the lid back on and pushed away his approaching hand.
“Just one !” He begged, moving his hand toward the box again. “Please... they look so good—”
Alya cut him off by giving his hand a light swat. “Which is why they’re for Marinette ,” she said, making sure to emphasize her name. “Think of all the things she does for us... for everyone. A box of candies doesn’t even begin to cover it, but she still deserves it.”
Nino slipped an arm around her waist, hugging her from the side, and kissed her cheek. “It’s incredibly thoughtful,” he said into her ear. “I was just teasing when I was trying to snag one.” He kissed her again before checking his watch. “Shouldn’t you get going? She’ll be expecting you in a few minutes.”
Alya slipped the box carefully into her bag, said goodbye to her boyfriend, and headed off down the street to the bakery.
Marinette’s heart practically leapt out of her chest when she heard Alya announce she was coming up, but kept her excitement at bay.
But Alya was greeted with a big hug anyway, as she was still anticipating the surprise she had planned a little too much.
“I have something for you!” Marinette chirped.
Alya was taken aback for a second, but smiled. “You do? I do too, actually, so that’s a nice coinci—”
“Awesome!” She said. “You can give that to me after I give you yours!” She headed back to the corner of her room, but Alya couldn’t see what she was getting.
Oh, no. You’re not showing me up, Dupain-Cheng.
She put her bag down and took the box out gently, happy with its pristine condition.
When she heard Marinette walking over, she turned around, presenting the box to her best friend.
Marinette held the basket out for Alya at the exact same time, her eyes dropping down to the gift in Alya’s hands.
Alya stared at the basket with wide eyes. It was full of all her favorite things that the Dupain-Chengs made for their bakery. And, in true Marinette fashion, it was all arranged so well that it could’ve been mistaken for a professional’s work.
“That’s... it’s... amazing !” Alya threw her arms around her best friend, being careful to not launch the box in her hand across the room. “You didn’t have to do that!”
Marinette pulled out of the hug, taking the box from Alya as she did so. “Oh I didn’t, did I?” She stepped back and opened it with a big goofy grin on her face.
Her smile slowly faded, her mouth and eyes opening wider as she gently rummaged through the candies with her fingers. Each one she touched brought back the memories of going to these shops with her best friend. Her heart warmed with nostalgia.
Marinette put the box down on her desk next to where Alya had set the basket, and immediately pulled her into a hug.
“How did you know I was getting you a gift once you came over?” She asked.
Alya chuckled. “I had no idea, honestly. It was just a happy coincidence.”
As the two began snacking on the contents of their gifts, chatting and chuckling the whole time, Tikki observed them from her hiding place. Unbeknownst to the both of them, the kwami watched with pride and pure adoration.
There could never be, and most likely would never be, a dull or sour moment between these two.