The sun was shining, it was a beautiful day, with white fluffy clouds scattered along the sky.

“Nino!” There she was, as gorgeous as ever, her round-rimmed glasses framing her face, her wild hair tamed into an elegant bun over her head. She wore a burgundy dress that suited her tan skinned beautifully, a picnic basket within her slim fingers. “Over here!” She smiled and waved her hand in the air.

“Coming!” Nino picked up his pace, reaching Alya with a smile. He took off his black derby hat, holding it in front of himself politely. He was wearing navy green slacks with a matching vest, a white button up tucked neatly into his trousers. “Sorry to keep you waiting.” He said, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck.

“It’s alright, c’mon.” She motioned her head towards the park gates. Other couples came into view as they entered the park, scattered around the pasture and enjoying their own picnics in the Parisian sun. Nino still couldn’t believe that they were on this date.

“Oh Nino,” Alya sighed, heading towards one of the fountains. “I’m so glad we are finally out on a date.” She spun lightly, her dress floating up as she spun.

“Here, let me take your basket.” Nino offered his hand.

“Thank you.” She smiled softly and handed him the basket, resting her arms on the stone wall that surrounded the fountain and small river that flowed through the park.

“I’m sorry I took so long to ask you out.” Nino went to a patch of grass nearby, right under the cooling shade of a tree. He set the basket down and opened it, pulling out the red and white checkered blanket, spreading it over the grass.

“It’s okay, the past is the past.” She turned and took steps to join him. “As long as we’re here now, it’s no problem, right?” Nino smiled and started to bring out the nicely cut square sandwiches and packed strawberries, when he started to hear scattered screams. He looked around.

Green, scaly, and sharp fangs… Fang?

Alya fell back as the crocodile roared. “What on earth is a crocodile doing in Paris?” Nino questioned as Fang roared once more, smoke coming out of his snout. “Oh, he’s a dragon.”

“I think what you should be asking is, what on Earth is a dragon doing on Earth!” Alya shouted as she shuffled back.

“It’s okay, don’t worry Alya, I’ll save you!” He grabbed the umbrella that Alya was seemingly carrying around the whole time and turned to Fang. “Alright Fang, it’s just you and me!” Nino got in an offensive stance.

Umbrellas can take down dragons, right?

Fang inhaled deeply and blew out flames. Nino scrambled to open the umbrella and the flames started to consume the fabric.

Wrong.

The sound of the projector whirring made Nino startle awake from his daydream. The belt of the projector had snapped, the film got jammed and the image on the screen burnt out.

Nino heard the crowd in the theatre groaning and booing and he quickly searched through his drawers for another belt, when he realized that that was the last belt he had for his projector. However, a lightbulb moment struck and Nino hastily removed his belt and attached it to the wheels. Plucking out the clogged film, he cut three frames and started to turn the wheel, the film picking up once more.

There were scattered claps and cheers as the image was restored and it showed the last scenes of the film ‘Spring Romance’, where the main protagonist and the romantic interest were kissing, a slain dragon right behind them.

Nino Lahiffe, filmer and projectionist at the local cinema. The film finished and he headed down starts to the lobby, when there he saw her. The beautifully tanned angel that worked the box office. Alya Césaire.

Alya was humming a soft tune as she watered her orchids, until there was a loud pop and smoke covered the street and front lobby. She coughed and waved the smoke away, a tall figure coming into sight.

“Théo, is that you?” Théo Barbot, small time deliverer and inventor.

“Good afternoon, you little caramel drop, I’ve got a delivery.” He handed a reel to Alya and she gasped lightly as she looked at the case title.

“Oh, it’s the new Jade Turtle film! You know, Jade Turtle is Nino’s favorite character.” Alya held the reel close to her chest.

“Oh, don’t I know that.” He chuckled, chewing on a lollipop stick. “By the way, where is Nino anyways?” They both turned towards the stairs, a smile forming on Théo’s expression as he spotted Nino at the stop of the staircase. “There’s my boy! Hey Nino, catch!” Nino, who was still belt-less and holding his pants up, stammered to tell Théo to wait as the male tossed the reel like a fucking frisbee. In the end, Nino did catch it, but at what cost? His dignity.

"Oh my!" Alya chuckled.

“Oop, alright, alright little lady, look away, look away.” Théo put a hand up to cover Alya’s eyes. “Indecent man.”

“Alright, alright, I’m not looking, I’m not looking.” She giggled, turning away. Nino quickly pulled his pants up and started down the stairs, his cheeks heated and the reel tucked under is arm.

“Heya Nino, got any plans?” Théo asked, looking down at his flushed friend.

“Well, I’ve got to go to Vincent’s, I need to buy a new belt for my projector.” Nino sighed, adjusting his pants.

“Since when do you put pants on your projector?” Théo snickered and Alya snorted. “Well, how about I give you a ride?”

“Oh no, you take on too many detours.” Nino rose his hand in thanks and Théo groaned. “I have to be here in time for the premier.”

“Aw, c’mon! With my little ‘Miraculous Ladybug’, I can get you back in no time.” There was a small clang and three turned to see Théo’s truck rolling away. “Oh no, Ladybug!” Théo ran after his truck, leaving Nino and Alya alone.

Nino cleared his throat lightly, catching Alya’s attention. “Hey Alya, I was wondering.”

“Yes?” She asked, tucking some hair behind her ear.

“Well, I was wondering, are you… Uh, will I be seeing you later?”

“For the premier?” She asked. He nodded. “Of course, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

“Yes, it’s going to be very exciting.” He chuckled nervously. They stood there for a couple awkward seconds, Nino bringing the reel under his chin, ready to hide. “Also Alya, I was wondering,” he fidgeted in his spot. “You see, well, I was wondering if you, if you can, would you be able to…” Her eyes shimmered in the sunlight and he could have melted right then and there.

“Sure, I’d love to.” She replied. Nino blinked and stammered.

“O-Oh, really?” She smiled.

“Sure, I wouldn’t mind taking your reel back to your room.” She offered to take the reel off of his hands. His jaw dropped slightly.

“O-Oh. Oh! R-Right, yes.” He cleared his throat lightly and he handed her the reel. “Thank you, Alya.” Their fingers brushed as she took the wheel and he nearly lost his grip on it.

“Anything else, Nino?” She asked, expectantly.

“Oh, well, now that you mention it, there is one thing.”

She brightened. “Yes?”

“Well-“

“Nino!” Théo called from across the street. “C’mon, I’ve got various deliveries to make and I’m on a time crunch! You can woo Miss Caramel Drop at a later time!” Nino’s face heated up and he ran his hand down his face as he muttered his goodbye to Alya.

Nino quickly made his way to Théo’s truck, climbing in and watching as Alya waved them goodbye with a smile on her face as they drove off.

“Thanks a lot, Théo.”

“You’re quite welcome, my friend.” He remained silent for a moment, casting a glance over at Nino. “Why are you thanking me?”

“I was talking to Alya and you interrupted me and ruined everything!” Nino crossed his arms and pouted. Théo gasped, taking a longer look at Nino.

“Oh! You have the hots for Alya! Have you asked her out yet?”

“No.” Nino mumbled.

“And why not?” He asked, incredulous.

“Well, I was going to but you interrupted me-“ Théo groaned.

“Why haven’t you asked her out before?”

Nino patted at his arm with his finger. “Well, you see, whenever I’m with her, I get so distracted, I get so tongue tied, because,” he sighed dreamily. “She’s as beautiful as an Egyptian goddess.”

Théo chuckled mockingly. “My little Nino is in love.” He reached to tug on Nino’s cheek and the truck swerved slightly, making Nino screech and try to straighten the wheel. With all the commotion of the swerving and trying to straighten the truck, Nino’s face rubbed into Théo’s jacket.

“Jeez, your jacket is really itchy,” he mumbled, rubbing at his cheek while Théo returned his hands to the wheel. “What is that, straw?” He asked, touching Théo’s sleeve.

“Straw?” He repeated, scoffing in an offended manner. “I’ll have you know that I paid a lot of money for this to be straw.” He huffed, tugging his sleeve from Nino's hold roughly.

“Sorry.” Nino mumbled.

“Anyways, why haven’t you asked Alya out before?” Théo asked again. Nino stammered to reply.

“It’s not as easy as you think!”

Théo rolled his eyes. “Nino, it really is as easy as I think.” Nino narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms again.

“Oh yeah? Well, what would you do?” Théo gave him a smug look. “The decent way.” Nino continued, which made Théo chuckle.

“Write her a letter. Tell her how you feel and arrange a date. All you got to do is add a little love to it and you’ll be golden.”

“Do you know anything about love?” Nino blurted. He wasn’t supposed to ask out loud, but of all the years he’s known Théo, he’s seen him flirt and trying to impress girls, but he’s never seen him in an actual relationship – he was curious.

“Don’t you know what they say about me, Nino?”

“What’s that?”

“’When Théo is on the prowl, the kitty cats meow’.” Nino thought on Théo’s words, humming thoughtfully.

“I’ve never heard that before,” Théo gave a scoff. “But I will admit, it did rhyme.” Nino nodded.

“I’ll tell you what Nino, it did more than just rhyme – it’s the truth!” Théo stopped in a town square, right in front of a flower shop, right across from Vincent’s photography shop.

“I’ll be right back!” Nino called, crossing the street.

“Don’t take too long, buddy! I’ve got other…” Théo’s voice trailed off as he spotted a piece of eye candy. Mireille Caquet, local florist. “You know what, take your time, no rush!”