Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Hey! Maybe if we kiss again our memories would come back.”

Chat Noir had been joking when he said it. He was being flirtatious as usual, but the timing couldn’t have been worse. It led to Ladybug talking to him about his flirting. He felt awful and guilty. Afterwards he’d asked her a string a questions about what was okay and what wasn’t. Ladybug clarified that if something made her uncomfortable she’d let him know and he would stop. It made him feel better about the situation. She knew he wouldn’t knowingly cross lines.

Still, he’d really pulled back on the flirting. It wasn’t what his heart wanted, but if they were meant to work out they would eventually right? He still hoped for a future where they were together even if things were very uncertain.

—————-

“Oh my gosh! You actually made it!” Nino hugged his friend as he walked through the door.

Their classmates had planned a Christmas party. Nino was obviously the DJ as his table was set up near the entry. The carols blasted through the house. People were dancing, playing games, and enjoying cookies and pastries. It was like a scene out of a Christmas movie.

“I did!” Adrien hadn’t even bothered asking his father for permission. Despite the fact that there were chaperons he knew Gabriel would never approve. He just left as Chat Noir and hoped people wouldn’t ask too many questions about how his father let him come. “Oh wow! Those cookies look delicious!”

Adrien stuffed a nearby cookie in his mouth to change the subject.

“Of course they are, Marinette’s parents supplied the food!” Nino’s face lit up and he whipped out his phone and started typing frantically. He paused for a second, then read a response that had come back just as quickly.

“Hey, why don’t we go hang out with the girls? They are in the next room and I’ve got the songs lined up for a while.”

“Sounds good.” Adrien swallowed the rest of his cookie. As he walked toward the next room with Nino, his friend stopped a few paces before the entryway leaving Adrien standing there alone. “Uh, Nino? What are you—oof!”

Suddenly, someone was shoved into him.

“Sorry!” Marinette yelped, not even looking up at who’s chest was currently in front of her. She was too busy glaring at her best friend. “Alya! What was that for?"

Alya’s face took on a sly grin and Marinette turned her head upwards. She met green eyes and started apologizing all over again.

“Adrien! I’m so sorry! I-I run into didn’t mean to!” She stammered stepping back a bit as he steadied her. “I-I mean I didn’t mean to run into you!”

“It’s okay Marinette, don’t worry.” He looked at her softly taking in her cute knitted red sweater with white trim. “I really like your sweater. Let me guess, a Marinette original?”

“Y-yes! I just finished It up this afternoon. Thank you!” She blushed.

Alya cleared her throat. “Well, are you two going to do anything about that?”

“About what?” They said in unison.

Nino mirrored his girlfriend’s grin as he pointed above them. “Look up.”

Adrien tilted his head upwards. “That’s mistletoe isn’t it?”

“Mistletoe!?” Marinette squeaked out when she noticed it as well.

He looked back down at her and saw that she was blushing and embarrassed. There was no way he was going to make her more uncomfortable by making her do this.

“Marinette, I know it’s tradition but we don’t have to if you don’t want to.”

“I-If I don’t want to.” Her eyes were wide and he heard Nino gasp. “What? Does that mean you do want to?"

“Well, I um, didn’t exactly think about how I worded that. I just don’t want you to do something if you aren’t comfortable with it.” Adrien rubbed the back of his neck. “But I mean it is a tradition and if you wanted to, I wouldn’t exactly mind. It’s not like it’s a commitment or anything. We don’t have to. I’m sorry. I feel like I’m making you more uncomfortable. I’ve just never kissed under the mistletoe and I’ve seen it in so many movies…”

“I, um, I mean I…” Marinette’s eyes went to his lips.

Alya pulled out her phone and hit record. Adrien heard it and a small laugh escaped his lips.

“We really don’t have to Marinette.”

“I WANT TO!” She said a little too loudly.

“You do?” He felt himself blushing now too and imagined his face was starting to match her sweater. “Really?”

“Y-yes really.” She closed her eyes and stood on her tip toes before she could chicken out.

“Oh. Okay then.” He met her lips.

People say kisses can be mind blowing. What Adrien and Marinette experienced was certainly that. Time stood still. Memories of their battle with Oblivio came rushing back to each of them.

They were in the elevator about to transform back.

Adrien saw Ladybug detransform into Marinette.

Marinette saw Chat Noir detransform into Adrien.

They had been so confused without their memories. They didn’t know the rules and had no idea that they weren’t supposed to know each other’s identities. What happened next made both of their hearts flutter. It was far too easy for them to just assume they were a couple. The rest of the memories of that day rushed in, ending with a kiss.
———

Alya had pushed record on her phone watching the awkward scene unfold in front of her. If this was Marinette and Adrien’s first kiss she wanted to capture it. What she didn’t expect was for their kiss to be so short. As soon as their lips touched, both of them jumped back as if they had shocked each other.

“Wow. Guess there’s a lot of static electricity in that sweater of yours Marinette.” She tried to ease the tension as her two friends stared at each other with fierce blushes and wide eyes.

“Did you?” Adrien started.

“Are you really?” Marinette tried at the same time.

“We should—“ He began again.

“Find somewhere to talk?” She finished his sentence.

Nino and Alya locked eyes but neither of them seemed to have an answer for what they were witnessing.

————

In a hallway away from the party, Adrien and Marinette sat facing each other with their backs against opposite walls. Neither had said anything as they both processed the memories that had returned. Finally, Adrien spoke.

“I’m so sorry.”

“What?” Of all the things he could have said, she didn’t expect that.

“We lost our memories and I just thought we were a couple. Especially now, knowing you wanted me to lay off on the flirting and everything. You probably think I’m a creep or something. I-“

“Seriously?!” Marinette cut him off and glared at him. “I thought we were a couple too! I had absolutely no trouble believing it. It felt natural to me.” She caught her words. “I-I mean… it wasn’t that hard to believe. You’re a great guy!”

“Oh.” He wasn’t sure how to respond to that. The past few weeks he’d been trying to keep things more professional as Chat Noir… he thought she’d be angry with him again. But she was right. BOTH of them had assumed they were a couple.

“All this time, if the identity rule hadn’t been in the way, we probably would have—“ Marinette stopped herself.

“Okay, I’m usually the one who’s not a fan of the identity rule. What are you talking about?” Adrien sighed. “I’m completely confused. Paris thought we were a couple because of a photo of a kiss we didn’t remember. Turns out we kissed because we thought we WERE a couple. Because of that photo you wanted me to not flirt with you anymore. So I stopped and I tried to get over you. I failed miserably, by the way, and now it’s even harder because you’re YOU.”

“Adrien?”

“I’ve kind of suspected you were Ladybug before.” His gaze shifted to the floor.

Marinette gasped. There was no way this was happening.

“I knew the girl under the mask had to be incredible, amazing, talented, brilliant, creative…” He lifted his eyes to meet hers again. “This makes so much sense. You’re Ladybug. Of course you are!”

His soft smile was going to be the death of her. It shifted away to soon into a pained expression.

“But, gosh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound so forward.” He cleared his throat before starting to ramble. “You really are amazing Marinette, but I don’t want to make you uncomfortable. Especially, since there’s another boy that you like. More than anything I just want you to be happy. You’re my friend and my partner and I cherish that so much. Uh, anyway have you told him yet?”

“Stop.” Marinette couldn’t help the nervous laugh that escaped her lips. “You’re really trying to change the subject to the other boy? That’s funny! I’m usually the one rambling and tripping over my words with you. Do you ever wonder why that is?”

“I’ve wondered that a lot, actually. Sometimes, I think it’s because you don’t like me.” He confessed.

“Don’t like you?!” She felt the need to make things very clear. “You ridiculous cat! You’ve got it completely wrong! Remember when I practiced my confession to the boy? I told you I misjudged him at first. Then I realized how kind and amazing he was. I’ve wanted to tell him for so long, but my brain freezes! I stumble over my words and I can never get it out!”

“M’lady?”

Marinette’s blush intensified on her cheeks upon hearing Adrien call her that, but then again he had many times before. Adrien is Chat Noir and she’d told Chat Noir to not flirt so much. She had seen another side of Chat lately too and was falling for him. Marinette just wanted to love him and be loved by him and just get past the overcomplicated mess.

Adrien’s heart felt like it would beat out of his chest. How was it possible for him to love Ladybug even more than he did before? Yet, finding out she was Marinette did just that. He could practically see the gears in her brain turning. It was the same expression she made as she figured out her Lucky Charm, only this time she was also blushing. He was the puzzle, their current situation was the problem and she was trying to solve it.

“You know, I’ve been thinking…” She tapped her chin. “I’ve actually kind of missed Chat Noir’s flirting.”

He just stared at her. Where was she going with this?

Marinette could hardly believe her own confidence. However, her partner and the boy she loved was a conflicted mess in front of her. If there’s one thing Marinette liked doing it was finding solutions. This was a problem she absolutely had a way to solve.

“So, Buttercup.” She paused to let the name sink in. “I’m just letting you know, I really don’t mind the flirting."


“You need to tell me if I just heard you wrong.” Adrien held his breath. “I’m Buttercup?"

Marinette nodded suddenly feeling more shy.

All of the tension left his body. He melted from his sitting position against the wall to laying on his back. It was such a fluid, cat-like motion that it only helped Marinette see the two boys as one. A boisterous laugh of complete relief and joy erupted from him. There were tears in his eyes.

“I’m—“ He tried to get out between chuckles, “—the other boy.”

Her laughter rang out with his.

Plagg flew out of Adrien’s pocket and looked at Marinette. “That’s the happiest I’ve ever seen him!” The kwami smiled softly at her and Marinette could see how much he cared for his holder. “I think he loves you as much as I do Camembert.”

“You two were bound to find out eventually.” Tikki appeared and nuzzled Marinette’s face. “I’m glad it’s such a happy time."

Marinette sat beside Adrien on the floor watching her silly partner, friend, and hopefully more lay there. His happiness was contagious even though she had plenty of her own. Adrien caught his breath and looked her in the eyes.

“Marinette,” He reached out his hand and she grabbed it. “I love you.”

Her other hand wiped a tear from her eye. “I love you too, Chaton.”

The way he continued laying on the floor almost convinced her that he actually had melted in front of her. Then his expression changed. It was so familiar, but she hadn’t seen it in a while and certainly not while he was Adrien.

It was Chat’s flirty, ridiculous grin with a mischievous look in his eyes. This time it was on Adrien’s face.

“So, I was right about kissing again bringing our lost memories back.”

Marinette let go of his hand and huffed.

“And in those memories our chemistry was so purr-fect that we just thought we were a couple even when we weren’t. So, deep down, even YOU could see we were made for each other! I knew it!”

“I’m never going to live this down am I?”

“Nope. So, what’s next for us m’lady?”

“Well, if you get your butt up off the floor maybe we can find out.”

“I’m not sure I can. I think you made me so happy I melted.”

Standing up and dusting off her jeans, Marinette shrugged. “That’s too bad then. I wanted to go back to the mistletoe.”

Like magic, Adrien was suddenly standing up beside her. She giggled.

————————————

Alya and Nino were kissing under the mistletoe when they returned. Marinette snapped a picture with her phone,

Nino looked at Adrien. “Oh! You guys are back. Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, we just really needed to talk about some things.” Adrien responded.

“Marinette? Adrien?” Alya raised an eyebrow in concern. “Have you two been crying? Your eyes are all red.”

“Oh, I didn’t think about that.” Marinette quickly went to assure her friend. “They were happy tears.”

She grabbed Adrien’s hand and squeezed it.

“The happiest.” He added.

“Although, I think we need a do-over with the mistletoe.” Marinette giggled as Alya and Nino’s eyes widened at her boldness. The two stepped back.

“I agree.” Adrien dipped Marinette right under the mistletoe as if they had been dancing.

She laughed at his antics until his lips met hers and they kissed a real kiss. Adrien and Marinette kissed for all of their classmates to see. This time they didn’t rush to pull away. There were no akumas, no spells to be broken, just them, some mistletoe and Alya recording.

————————-

"That kiss was a little dramatic, don’t you think?” Marinette asked a bit later as they were sipping hot cocoa. “Not that I’m complaining.”

“Please, you know I’m a hopeless romantic!” His smile was brighter than the Christmas lights. “You know who I am.”

“You know who I am.” He said it again with a content sigh.

Marinette couldn’t help it, she wrapped him in her arms him tightly.

“We found each other, I’m not letting you go, Kitty.”

He hugged her back.