Adrienette's Dark Turn

Feelings Developed

When Chat Noir returned to his place, he detransformed then flopped upon his bed hopelessly. He wasn't sure what he felt when he leaned in to kiss Marinette. Was it love? He loved Ladybug; What was he even thinking? If Marinette hadn't reminded him of how he loved Ladybug, he just might've kissed her that night.

Confusion filled his mind. He just wasn't sure what to think anymore. Even as Marinette reminded him that kissing her wasn't right, he felt something different, something strange. After the whole shopping trip, he just couldn't get that girl out of his mind.

Was it disappointment he felt when Marinette pulled away from his nearing kiss? Adrien couldn't figure it out. Ladybug was his lady, and he knew it, but Marinette was special. She was his one princess.

Adrien knew his lady never returned his affections, but still, he felt a burning love for her. As for Marinette, he had gotten to know her better these past days, and he felt something kindle in his heart. It wasn't the same for Ladybug; it seemed a different kind of love.

To Adrien, Ladybug was confident, smart, and so brave. She was so serious about her duty. She put in every bit of dedication to save the city she loved the most. Adrien always felt much excitement and amazement as Chat Noir when they ran side-by-side during akuma attacks. Love burned into his heart just being beside her.

What Adrien had learned to see with Marinette, was that she was such a sweet, fun girl. To him, her quirks and imperfections were just perks to her adorably silly personality. All he wanted was to get close to the heart of the shy girl. When they went to the mall together, he saw that there was more to the girl than what she presented to him as a civilian. He saw a totally amazing girl, and he wanted to figure her out more.

Plagg tilted his head in confusion at the lovesick boy.

"Dude, what is wrong with you? You look like you were slapped by Ladybug and you thanked her for it," Plagg furrowed where he should've had eyebrows.

"Plagg, I don't know what to do... Ladybug has my heart, but then there's my princess, Marinette. I almost kissed her! I've never done that before! I've never even come that close to ever kissing a girl!" Adrien ranted, throwing his hands up in confusion, then face planting into his bed.

"Oh, you'd be surprised to know the things you did when you were hit by Kim's hate arrow," Plagg muttered to himself.

"What?!" Adrien asked.

"Nothing... Fine, remember when Dark Cupid hit you with his arrow of hatred?" Plagg asked, rolling his eyes.

"Uh, I know I said mean things to Ladybug! Thanks for the reminder," Adrien groaned in embarrassment towards the reminder of his bad behavior.

"Well, that's not all you did. Ladybug couldn't fix the akuma on her own. She needed your help, but you were under the hate spell," Plagg began to explain.

"I know, I'm a bad partner. What's the main point?" Adrien asked, becoming frustrated with the idea of him becoming so mean toward his lady.

"There was only one way to get you out of the hate spell, Adrien. You paid attention in English class that day; what is the only thing that can completely conquer hate?" Plagg asked him, hoping the realization would soon hit the boy.

"What conquers hate? Love! But wait... What did she do to get me out?" Adrien thought about it.

"She showed you love! It wasn't a hug, but it was a..." Plagg waited for him to realize it.

"No... She kissed me?" Adrien asked, his mouth hanging open in disbelief.

"You and Ladybug kissed!" Plagg hissed.

"Ladybug? Ladybug! Oh my gosh! She kissed me as Chat Noir?! B-But I thought she only liked me as Adrien! I can't believe it. I can't believe it!" Adrien yelled in excitement.

Just as soon as he was about to celebrate, a certain princess made her way into his thoughts.

"But... what about my Marinette? I-I don't even know how I feel about her yet! Do I like her in that way?" Adrien asked himself.

"Would you have tried to kiss her if you didn't think of her as just a friend? You're friends with Nino and you don't accidentally have moments where you lean in and he pulls away. Adrien, I think you have something with Marinette," Plagg spoke with a serious tone.

"You're right, Plagg... I love Ladybug, but... do I really? I don't even know her enough to answer that. I'm her partner, it feels like a dream just being around her. With Marinette, everything feels so real. Maybe Ladybug is a fantasy romance to me... But Marinette... She's so real and down-to-earth. I don't know if she even likes me! She pulled away," Adrien sat up, holding his knees close to his chest.

"She pulled away because she knows you like Ladybug. It's so clear. You're sending the girl mixed signals," Plagg told him.

"Of course I'll always love Ladybug, but maybe the same way she loves me: as a partner. Marinette is the one," Adrien decided, his heart filled with confidence. Plagg smiled, satisfied with his holder's decision.