Summary: When Nino is stuck on a song he’s writing, Alya inspires him and helps him see his way through.
Read it on AO3: DJ Wi-Fi: Pencil
Alya poked her head into Nino’s study to ask if he wanted to watch a movie, and she found him staring at his computer screen, brow furrowed, face scrunched up, balancing a pencil between his nose and his upper lip.
Alya arched an eyebrow. “Not to be the pot calling the kettle black because I’m sure I have weird concentrating faces too…but what are you doing, Babe?”
Nino blinked out of his trance, whipping around to face Alya and losing his grip on the pencil. “Oh. Hey. Al. What’s up?”
“I wanted to see if you felt like watching the new Ultimate Mecha Strike movie. It’s on Netflix now.”
Nino’s nose crinkled up. “Nah. Adrien did some voice work for that, and he told me it was crap.”
She shrugged. “Yeah, I heard it was comically bad. That’s kind of why I wanted to watch it.”
He considered this. “Sometimes it is a lot of fun to grab some popcorn and openly mock a bad movie…but I’m kind of in the middle of something right now. Maybe tomorrow?”
She nodded, coming over to stand at his side and peer curiously at his computer monitor. “Whatcha workin’ on?”
Nino winced, blowing out a sigh. “I’m trying to write a song for Adrien, but I’m having a little trouble.”
“Yeah?” she prompted.
“I’m having a hard time expressing how I feel about him.”
Alya waggled her eyebrows. “Oh? Should I be jealous?”
Nino rolled his eyes and playfully swatted at her. “You know it.”
She cackled as she whipped off his hat and ruffled his hair.
He caught her around the waist and pulled her into his lap, eliciting a yelp and another fit of giggles.
With a wide grin, Alya carefully put the hat back and gave Nino’s nose a smooch.
Smiling from ear to ear, Nino leaned in and pressed his lips to hers for a long, slow exchange.
A minute or two later, they pulled back, and Alya gently stroked his face. “…But seriously. You’re having trouble writing a song for Adrien?”
Nino nodded, a troubled crinkle coming back onto his brow. “He’s having a hard time with, you know, his dad and everything. I just wanted to write something for him to remind him that he’s loved.”
“Awww,” Alya cooed, looping her arms around his neck. “Nino, that’s so sweet. I’m sure that will mean a lot to him.”
“If I ever get it written,” Nino mumbled dejectedly.
“Hey.” She poked his cheek. “No giving up. Giving up is for losers, and I’m not dating a loser. You’ve been stuck before, and you’ve worked through it. You’ll work through it this time too.”
“Maybe,” he sighed, knowing deep down that she was right. He was just in a rut.
“Well, what do you normally do when you hit a block?” she pressed, trying to help him see his way out.
He burst out laughing and almost spilled her onto the floor.
“Sorry!” he spluttered. “I just…usually, I make out with the source of my inspiration. I don’t know if Adrien would be up for that.”
Alya glared, opening her mouth to retort, but then she stopped when she realized something. “I’m the source of your inspiration?”
Nino gave her a dopey smile. “Duh? Not my only source, obviously, but you’re my main one.”
“Aww,” Alya whispered as warmth swelled in her chest. “Babe.”
She leaned in, and their lips met once more for a lazy, self-assured kiss.
When they broke away again, Alya chuckled. “Yeah, maybe don’t make out with Adrien. I don’t know if I want to try to compete with a supermodel for you. Maybe just go play videogames with him or watch anime or ask him to kick your butt at Dance Dance Revolution or something.”
“Al, you’re a genius!” Nino exclaimed, surging forward to give her a tight hug. “May I go hang out with Adrien?”
Alya laughed, shaking her head as she got to her feet. “Go for it. Go spend time with your bro. I’ll be here when you get back.”
He gave the side of her head a quick kiss as he rushed for the door. “You’re the best. Love you!”
“Love you too.” She blew him a kiss, unable to contain a grin at the thought that that dorky, sweet, loving boy was hers.
