for @maliburising in the hive mind / masquerade gift exchange !! hope you've had a great summer diana <3
a/n: so some pronouns for the characters:
alya, luka - any pronouns
aurore, zoe - she/they
marinette - they/them preferably but any work
adrien, chloe, kagami - they/them
!! tw: food, mentions of panic, talking to oneself
song title is from 《 never let you go 》 by sofia reyes & slushii
fluff n marriage proposal <3 zoenette gays come get ur juice ‼️
also zoe calls marinette sugar bc of her sweet tooth n mari calls them honey
—
"Hey girl!" Alya waved over at Marinette, who was sprinting over to the rest of them.
In their usual boisterous tone, Chloe lightheartedly said, "What took you so long, Dupain-Cheng?"
Out of breath, they panted heavily. "Sorry I’m late! I had to help decorate a big order today."
Adrien smiled from their spot next to Luka. "It’s alright, Marinette. We haven’t been waiting very long."
Aurore checked her phone. "Andre’s headed to the bank of the Seine. It’s around a two minute walk from here." She led the way, talking with Alya as the rest of them followed. Marinette trailed behind the group with Zoe, and they nervously fidgeted with their hands as they decided what to say.
"So," Marinette started.
"So," Zoe echoed. From their tone, Marinette could tell they were just as nervous.
"So, um, what’s your favorite ice cream flavor?" How Marinette was keeping their composure, they didn’t know.
Zoe said, "Um, I’m not sure. Maybe strawberry, I guess."
They nodded. "Yeah, strawberry's pretty good. Have you had Andre's since you came to Paris?"
Itching the back of their neck, Zoe sheepishly said, "No, not yet. It's pretty well known, from what I've heard."
"He's known as sweetheart's ice cream and is always associating everything with love. I'm sure he'd be glad to meet you," Marinette said. "And his flavor combinations are amazing."
Zoe nodded, but Marinette could still tell they were somewhat nervous. Grabbing Zoe's hand, they gave a light squeeze to comfort them. They smiled back, and Marinette swore they felt their heart melt.
—
"Ah! Marinette!" Andre exclaimed, his Italian accent bold as always. "And who is the lovely lady I have the pleasure of meeting?"
Zoe smiled, enjoying the warm welcome. "Zoe."
"Wonderful to meet you, Zoe. Let's see, stracciatella, mango, and confetti, and for young love that is sure to last, a cherry. Enjoy!"
"Merci, Andre," they replied in unison. They joined their friends sitting by the side of the river bank, talking and enjoying the ice cream.
The sun was gradually setting, and the low hum of the bustling city was starting to fade. The ever rushing Seine even felt as though it was slowing down.
Seeing the smiles exchanged, the laughs shared, Marinette couldn't help but grin. Zoe was laughing at Kagami's failed attempts at jokes, her smile spreading from ear to ear.
And though this was their first date, Marinette felt like it had been forever—and they hoped it would last even longer.
—
It had been a few years since Marinette and Zoe started dating. Naturally, they had their ups and downs—it was more of a roller coaster than a cruise—but Marinette was just as hopelessly in love with her as the day they'd first met, and they couldn't imagine being with anyone as good as her. They loved her, and she loved them, and it was as simple as that.
They could still vividly remember their first kiss, the fireworks that were exploding inside them. Marinette never felt that way with anyone else—the feeling of home, the security she gave them.
zoe my beloved ❤️💕: ice cream @ 7??? if ur free of c
mari the simp 😩😏😳: i should be free around then!!
zoe my beloved ❤️💕: kk, i'll pick u up :) ily <3
mari the simp 😩😏😳: ily2 !!
—
"Hey sugar," Zoe said. They'd given Marinette the nickname a few months ago, and it stuck ever since.
"Hey honey," they replied. "Where are we heading?"
Zoe passed her a helmet. "Andre's in front of the Louvre, c'mon!"
They wore a light blue oversized jacket, with a simple black cami crop top and matching capris. Her hair was in two braids that tied together at the back, the pink highlights as present as ever. Marinette had settled on a short pink off-the-shoulder dress and designer purse, her hair in a ponytail and ribbons.
Revving up the moped, Zoe mounted, Marinette following suit.
With the wind in their hair, holding on tight to Zoe, Marinette truly felt free. They had not a care in the world as they raced against the wind, feeling the calming chill of the air hit their face.
Moped rides with Zoe were always Marinette's favorite—just the two of them, exploring new places.
A small line had formed, making a small wait. Marinette rested his chin on Zoe’s shoulder, looking over to see her photo album on her phone.
Zoe crossed one of Marinette sound asleep, even a slight drool dribbling down.
"You take pictures of me while I’m asleep? Simp."
"You’re such an idiot."
Once it arrived at their turn, Andre’s smile widened. "Paris’s sweetest lovebirds, Zoe and Marinette! Will it be your usual for today?"
"As always, Andre."
Having gone there twice a month for the past two years, Andre had easily memorized their order, and was used to their frequent visits. Reaching into the cart, he scooped out the stracciatella, mango, and confetti, as well as their usual double cherries.
"Here you go! Enjoy!"
They echoed their thank you’s, then turned to the area they’d parked the moped.
Despite having the same combination every few weeks, it never seemed to get old. Andre was always so skilled at his combinations—not only were they unique, but anyone could enjoy them no matter how many times they’d had it in the past.
And sharing it with Zoe made it all the better.
"You have a little bit there," Marinette said, gesturing to the corner of her lips.
Zoe tried getting it off, but missed, receiving a sigh from him.
"Here, I’ll get it—" He leaned forward, licking the ice cream off her lips.
When he pulled away, there was a blush on Zoe’s face. They giggled at the state of shock plastered on her face.
"I hate you," Zoe said playfully.
"I love you too," they replied with a cheerful smile.
—
Zoe inhaled, letting all the weight on her shoulders out.
It was now or never.
She fiddled with her fingers, thought over what she would say, and looked at her reflection one more time.
The worst they could say was no, after all.
A shine in the mirror caught her eye. The ring glistened under light, the rightmost diamond giving the brightest glint.
Ring or not, she loved Marinette, and nothing could change that.
Thinking back to their first date, Zoe recalled the smiles exchanged. Even though Adrien and Luka had since broken up, as well as Alya and Aurore, they’d all stayed on good terms. Occasionally, they went on double dates with Chloe and Kagami, and were all able to stay in touch even after college, even though they moved between Paris and Tokyo every few years.
Stop reminiscing on the past, Zoe’s mind nagged.
Regaining herself, they focused on the situation at hand.
Inhale
1
2
3
Exhale
4
5
6
Everything will be alright, their mind assured.
—
"Good evening, sugar," Zoe greeted.
Stay calm stay calm
Marinette cheerily smiled. "Hey honey."
"Ready to go?" Reaching for their hand, Zoe pressed a light kiss to their knuckles. They nodded, and with that, they began their walk to the Eiffel Tower.
—
"The usual, on the house!" Andre exclaimed.
Zoe watched Marinette's expression shift to confusion.
Admittedly, it was a bit odd that Andre had no other customers on a Friday night, and Marinette would probably figure something was up, especially with Andre saying it was free.
"Merci, Andre!" Zoe smiled, swallowing any last bits of fear before the next moment's events.
Despite his confusion, Marinette still said, "Thank you, Andre."
As they shared the sundae, Zoe felt the butterflies in their stomach become more urgent, a chill sent through their bones not because of the ice cream. Their palms started to sweat, and their chest started to feel tight.
"Everything alright?" Marinette took notice, expression worried.
Zoe nodded, trying to hide any feelings of panic.
His face was still skeptical, not completely convinced, but he didn’t continue talking.
"Hey, come on, I have something to show you."
Zoe grabbed Marinette’s hand, leading them to the elevator of the tower.
"What is it? Why are we going to the elevator?"
Booping them on the nose, Zoe winked. "You’ll see."
—
Covering their eyes, with their hands, Marinette slowly walked out the elevator.
She looked over the set up one last time, taking some more deep breaths to calm down. The ring weighed down in her pocket, and she gave herself some assurance before walking over.
"You can open your eyes."
Marinette slowly unfolded their hands, cautiously opening their eyes. As they took in the scene around them, their lips parted in surprise.
Candles and lanterns lit up the area. Rose petals were scattered on the ground, small fairy lights glowing in the dark night like stars in the sky.
"You didn’t have to do all this," Marinette said, expression softening as they looked over at Zoe.
"It’s our tenth anniversary, sugar. Of course you deserve the best."
Marinette looked away, trying to hide their blush.
"You’re the most beautiful, the kindest, most amazing person I’ve ever met. I love you so, so much." They reached for the ring in their pocket, kneeling down on one knee. "Marinette Dupain-Cheng, will you marry me?"
They smiled, wiping away at some of their tears. "Zoe…"
She waited patiently for them to process everything.
"Yes, yes! I love you so much."
Zoe immediately brightened, and they stood up to slide the ring on his finger. The press of Marinette’s lips to hers set off fireworks in her mind. She held them even tighter, never wanting to let go. Their lips collided again and again, both of them wanting the moment to never end.
When they were both smiling so much that they couldn’t help but giggle, Zoe pressed their foreheads together. Marinette’s deep brown eyes looked back at her, twinkling with all the light as the stars in the night sky. They just stayed like that, hugging the other tightly, sound and silence filling the air around them.
Marinette didn’t have to say anything for Zoe to know that they loved her, and she loved them back just as much.
