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First kiss
The first time it happened, Adrien was grossly unprepared for it. He might have been scared of hurting Marinette, but he’d never expected that she could get akumatised over this. Why did this matter so much to her anyway? Was it sheer stubbornness or was there something else?
He didn’t have much time to waste wondering about this. He couldn’t just stand there and watch her succumb to his enemy. He needed something positive, fast and strong, as an antidote to her frustration.
He’d already kissed her. He knew that the surge of affection he’d felt had clouded his mind until guilt had managed to overcome it. It might not work long-term, but as a snap solution, it would have to do.
While it had felt wrong not because of the kiss but because of everything surrounding it, he knew that she wasn’t opposed to the idea of kissing him. So he’d have to work with this.
And the thing was that it gave him the reprieve he needed. The distraction was good enough to send the akuma on its way.
Adrien felt guilty but at least it had worked. It was… well, something he’d had to do. If he told himself enough times, maybe he’d believe it. And he’d forget that brief moment of unity when it had felt right, against all better judgement.
He really hoped that this would be the last time he’d have to save Marinette from this.
First order of business was to try and woo her as Adrien. It should have been easy, right? But it wasn’t.
Marinette, the shy and kind classmate, turned out to have a stubborn streak one could see from the moon. He’d seen it that night and he kept seeing it every day.
Before he could even think about going to her, Alya was telling Nino that Marinette was so in love with someone else, she wouldn’t budge. Adrien seemed to be too late, his friend had told him.
Adrien himself couldn’t even be mad because he was that someone else. But what wretched fate was this? What was he supposed to do? All he could do for now was wait.
Second kiss
It turned out that Adrien didn’t have much time to worry about this. He had a lot more pressing issues to deal with.
The moment he saw Marinette’s rigid posture and the horrified expression, he knew. It was all too familiar. Adrien thanked all the gods that he’d seen her on time.
He transformed, just in case he needed to actually fight the akuma, and ran to her.
“Marinette, listen to me.”
It didn’t work. Words could rarely reach a person this close to akumatisation. Adrien knew.
Maybe if he’d had Sass with him, he would have tried different approaches. As it was, he barely had one chance, let alone a second.
He had no way of knowing if it would work again, but he had to try.
So he kissed her.
The way she completely melted into him was almost too much. It was as if she’d waited for this, hoped for it. He wasn’t strong enough to resist this, he realised.
His only consolation was that it worked. When her eyes snapped open, they were no longer clouded by evil voices only she could hear.
She saw him and her face turned red with mortification.
“What happened?” He tried to be gentle, he didn’t want to scare her. He couldn’t let her know just how out of his mind with worry he had been.
“Someone saw us. Me and you. They called me a fangirl. It was… seriously, it hurt more than they could imagine.”
No, she couldn't imagine how much it hurt him to hear this. He had done this to her. Even if he had accused her of the same thing, he knew better now.
“Marinette, I’m sorry. But I already told you why this can’t work.”
“I know. I’m sorry as well. I tried, but.. “
She looked away, clearly disappointed with herself.
His heart couldn’t take it. He cursed the secret identities, the madman who made all this necessary, the constant danger. He was helpless.
“Thank you for saving me.” Marinette said with an embarrassed half-smile. So he gave her one in return.
“Anytime.”
He had saved her and would always do it. This was the only thing that mattered after all.
Third kiss
Adrien’s luck was not on his side. Hell, he didn’t seem to have any luck at all.
The moment he saw Marinette arguing with Lila, Adrien knew. It was right there in the rising tension, in the blaze in her eyes. She was so mad. And such a perfect victim for Monarch.
Lila just turned and walked away, leaving Marinette trembling with rage. And then she went still.
No.
He had to intervene. He couldn’t just watch her be taken. Not to mention that imagining himself having to fight Marinette was almost too painful. He only wasted the second he needed to transform.
“Marinette.”
He didn’t even know why he was trying anymore. She didn’t hear him.
But she sure felt when his lips met hers. It was that perfect moment of equilibrium. Everything was right. Except that it wasn’t
This couldn’t, shouldn’t, keep happening. But Adrien couldn’t deny that it was still the most amazing thing in the world.
“What was it this time?” He sighed after he made sure that the akuma was nowhere near them anymore.
“Lila was saying such bad things about you. I don’t even know how she guessed that it would rankle me. I couldn’t stand it.”
It was again about him. There was no way out. He always hurt her, even when he didn’t do a thing.
“I don’t care what Lila says about me,” he said firmly. It was always lies anyway.
“I know! But.. she doesn’t know even half of it. You’re such an amazing person.”
It was right there. The suggestion that Marinette knew him much better than he could have guessed. It was eerie. But he couldn’t let himself linger on it.
“Thank you,” he gave her a tired smile. He wished that he could let himself enjoy this, the fact that she believed in him so much, that she thought so highly of him. “But I really value your safety more than what anyone can conjure as a lie.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Not your fault. I’m glad that I was here.”
It was almost painful to look away from her. She was right there, he had just kissed her, again, and it was still as impossible as always. But he did it. Because he had to be the person she believed him to be.
Fourth kiss
Adrien knew that he had to think of a strategy. This was happening too often for his liking. But he never had time to pause to consider the situation and how to react. It was a pretty time sensitive matter after all. A second could mean that he would be too late.
Also, a part of him, a very embarrassing and not noble at all part, wanted this to be the only way. Kissing Marinette was quick and effective. Why not do it? He wanted to do it. Too much, in fact. And this was the problem. Because this was about potential danger, not a romantic rendezvous.
Even if he tried to resist, it was too hard. The moment he saw Marinette clutching her head and muttering something unintelligible to herself, he just took off.
He was worried about Marinette, he wanted to save her and he knew how to do it. There was no point in thinking beyond this.
He transformed without hesitation because he knew that she would be much more responsive to Chat than to Adrien, as much as it hurt to admit this.
When he drew near, he saw that she was crying. She was alone and sad and he couldn’t stand it.
He just pulled her into his arms and crushed his lips with hers. He no longer cared about being careful. This was urgent.
He felt her relax and tried to pull back. But her hands were suddenly in his hair, pulling him closer. Her lips were no longer unresponsive. She was kissing him this time!
“Marinette, please,” he said much too late. He should have acted sooner, but he had been lost in the kiss.
“If this is the only I can have you, so be it,” Marinette gasped, her eyes pleading.
“Please tell me that you didn’t just get almost akumatised on purpose!” It was a horrifying but also a little funny thought.
“No,” she shook her head. Then their eyes met and she blushed the most adorable pink. “I mean, I hoped that you would show up. But only because I felt incredibly sad. I missed you.”
There was something in her eyes. She couldn’t know that she got to see him every day and yet, it looked as if she knew he was nearby and this made it even more unbearable.
“You’re too stubborn,” he chuckled.
He felt relieved and just a bit too happy for his liking. He shouldn’t encourage this, he knew it. And yet, he couldn’t stop helping her. There was no way out of this.
Fifth kiss
It was the first time Adrien wondered if Monarch was targeting Marinette in particular. It was insane how it hadn’t occurred to him before. He probably knew about the not so secret feelings he had for her. All the kisses hadn’t helped to convince him otherwise.
It was insane. Marinette didn’t deserve this. Not to mention that this was another perfect reason why he should stay away from her.
But she was clearly trying to stay away as well. She was certainly trying to do better. It had been some time since the last time he’d have to save her. But it wasn’t enough because it happened again.
The latest Lila mess was too much for her. Poor Marinette.
Lila. Why was Lila always there? Was she in cahoots with Monarch? Adrien couldn’t put it past her. Oh, calamity. It was one more thing to worry about when he was alone, away from danger.
Now, he didn’t have time to wonder too much. He could feel the negative energy crackle in the air, the ripped sketch book in Marinette’s hands turning dark purple.
He tried to be gentle, he did. His hands cradled her face and he wished his heart didn’t betray his excitement.
He shouldn’t be enjoying this, he thought as he kissed her.
This was basically in his line of duty. He’d… he wasn’t sure if he could do this for anyone else, this was the truth.
Kissing Marinette wasn’t an ordeal. It was in no way a duty. He was losing a part of himself with every kiss. He fell harder and deeper each time.
“Again?” She gasped.
All he could give her was a sad smile.
“I’ll always be here to save you.” It was a sad promise, but it was real.
“I’m sorry that you have to do this so often. I don’t know what’s wrong.” she frowned, looking at the pages in her hand. He knew what was wrong. Well, at least a part of it.
“We’ll work it out.”
He’d have to talk about this with Ladybug. Except that telling his partner, who had until recently been the sole object of his affection, that he had quite the track record of saving someone from akumatisation with a kiss wasn’t a talk he wanted to have.
It didn’t help that Ladybug was acting strange around him. There was no other word about it. She was almost too affectionate at times only to suddenly snap out of it. And he wasn’t as strong as he wished he was. He felt torn because Marinette was still unattainable and still completely ignoring Adrien but he also couldn’t force himself to stop hoping. It distracted him from his not so completely gone feelings for Ladybug, but only to an extent.
Oh, what a mess.
Bonus kiss
The next time it happened, Adrien bumped into Marinette. He wasn’t looking for her. But he saw the telltale signs immediately.
At least he was there. He could act. Maybe he wasn’t as unlucky as he thought he was.
He kissed her without hesitation. It worked. As usual. Even if it chipped away at his heart again. Leaving him full of longing for more.
Except that this time when her eyes opened, they widened in alarm.
“Adrien, what are you doing?”
Adrien froze for a second. This couldn’t be happening. He’d forgotten that he wasn’t transformed. He’d just acted.
“Um.”
“Why did you kiss me?”
“You… looked like you were in distress. I’ve seen something similar with people about to be akumatised in the past. I had to do something,” he said, looking for words that made sense.
“And you knew that kissing me would work?” She didn’t look convinced, not at all.
“No! It was a lucky guess…” He mumbled, a hand nervously rubbing the back of his neck.
I’ve done it enough times, I know it works. No, he couldn’t tell her that.
“Except that I have a feeling that you’re lying,” Marinette said,
“No, why would I?”
There was a flash of something in her eyes. And then she was kissing him. It was the first time it was happening completely without the akuma playing a role since.. Well, too long. It was different.
“It’s you, oh God, it’s you,” she exclaimed when she pulled back, because he was completely frozen on the spot.
“I don’t know what you mean,” he said desperately. She was too smart. Just like his lady. He was really out of luck.
Goodness, he just wanted to kiss her again but this would spell disaster.
“You’re Chat Noir,” she said, crossing her arms. “I would know. I’ve kissed you enough times.”
Her cheeks were read but she looked determined. So stubborn. So cute. So lovely.
“Marinette, no.”
“Don’t try to fool me, kitty. I know you better than anyone else!”
And just like that it turned out that he had been right all along. Ladybug was none other than Marinette.
“M’lady?”
Just when he’d thought that he was out of luck.
“Hey.”
It was right there, in her eyes. It was the same way Ladybug had been looking at him lately. He had been so blind.
“I’ve been kissing you all this time?”
Trust him to get to kiss her after all this time and not to realise it.
“Yes,” she laughed a little.
“You… when did you fall in love with me?” Because this was it, the reason for this whole mess.
“Too late,” she sighed.
“Just when I tried to move on from you with you,” he shook his head. Unbelievable.
“It’s ridiculous, I know.”
He pulled her into his arms, relief making him completely forget about where they were. Then again, it was too late already. She giggled in surprise, but the way her arms tightened around him told him that she felt the same way.
“This is still dangerous,” he realised suddenly, frowning. They knew too much. Belatedly, he remembered to take her somewhere more private.
“Oh, I know. But I’ve been living quite dangerously recently,” Marinette smiled.
“I wanted to talk to you about this. Ladybug you. I think that Monarch is targeting us. He probably knows very well how I feel about you if I’m always willing to kiss his akuma away.”
“You think so? I didn’t even think about it,” she said, clearly impressed.
“I think that Lila might be involved as well.”
“That I can believe,” she snorted.
“I was so worried. I had to stay away from you but couldn’t. And now this.”
“He can’t have me. As long as you’re here to kiss me.”
“Marinette,” he warned her, pretending not to see the amusement in her eyes.
Adrien didn’t mind doing it, not at all. But he might not reach her on time. There were too many possibilities.
“No, sorry, this is not fair. I’ll do better. I’m calling Su-Han. I need those anti akuma chants,” she said, serious again.
“I bring only bad luck and trouble to you.”
“No, kitty. I love you,” she said softly, making him melt. How could he stay away from this? “Whatever we face, we’ll face it together. I’m not scared.”
“But I am, m’lady. I’d never forgive myself if you get hurt because of me.”
“You can’t save me from everything,” she smiled sadly.
“I’ve been trying to do this all this time.”
And he wasn’t going to stop. It was clear that she realised that he wasn’t going to give up because she stopped protesting.
“Do you know what?” She said then. “You no longer need the threat of an akuma to kiss me.”
“Really?”
This was definitely good news. Too good. It was so hard to believe that it was real.
“I’m not a defenceless girl.” Oh, she was stubborn alright.
“You’re telling me this as if I haven’t spent weeks saving you from akumas,” he grinned.
“Shut up and kiss me.”
He wasn’t opposed to the idea. Not at all. This was the best kiss of them all. It was just them, no akumas, no annoying Monarch listening in, no doubt creeping in and preventing him from enjoying this.
“I love you,” he whispered against her lips. It felt so good not to have to run away immediately.
“We will deal with this together,” she vowed.
“It’s you and me against the world, after all.”
“Even when you didn’t know that it was me, this was always true,” she reminded him. She was right.
“I don’t even know why you almost got akumatised just now,” he remembered to say after another kiss.
“It was silly.”
“Tell me.”
“I couldn’t find my homework, ok? I’m a mess. I was worried that I can’t do even one simple thing right.”
“I don’t think that this was a coincidence. But anyway, you have every reason to be upset when you have too many things on your mind.”
“You’re only saying this because you didn’t have to fight akumatised me after all.”
“I don’t even want to imagine this,” he shuddered.
“Yeah, better not.” With her luck on their side, he hoped that they never got to live through that. “I would kick your butt,” she nudged him, her smile playful.
“No doubt about that,” Adrien laughed, happy that they got to see the funny side of this.