I walk back to my apartment alone, stuck inside my own head.
What happened today?
Could Adrien really be Chat Noir?
Why did I get butterflies when he kissed my hand? He's done it plenty of times, what makes today any different from those?
I enter my apartment, surprised at how quiet it is. It would appear I'm the first one back. I dump my stuff on the table and climb out the window to the fire escape. I climb to the roof, embracing the cold, hoping it will clear my head.
I go to the edge of the roof and lean on the railing. The moon is full, and casts a romantic glint on the city lights of Paris. It's as if it's mocking me, a beautiful view, in a romantic city and a full moon, with no one to share it with.
I put my head in my hands and take a deep breath, welcoming the chill entering my bones.
"You look troubled," I lift my head as I recognize the voice, but I don't look at him.
"It's nothing," I say, glancing at Adri-wait Chat Noir? I could have sworn that was Adrien's voice, unless…
No. I shouldn't try to figure it out. We are not supposed to know each other's identities, it would only put us in danger, not to mention our loved ones too.
Chat Noir looks me over from where he is crouched on the railing, studying me. He steps off the railing and walks over to stand beside me, "It doesn't look like nothing."
I lower my head, "You'd think it's stupid."
"Try me."
I look into his beautiful green eyes, falling. I swallow, before asking, "Have-have you ever been in love with two people at the same time?"
"Yes," he answers simply.
"What did you do?" I ask, my eyes searching his, desperately trying to find any kind of solution he could offer.
He gives a soft laugh, "Still trying to figure that out."
"You mean, there's someone else besides Ladybug?" I ask, my stomach doing a weird flip, what if it's too late for Ladybug? What if I've missed my chance with Chat Noir completely? What if he loves the other girl more? But still...what about Adrien? How do I choose?
All these thoughts fly through my mind within seconds, before I realize Chat Noir is speaking, "I don't think I'll ever stop loving her, even if she loves someone else, there will always be a part of my heart that will belong to her."
The sincerity in his voice weakens my knees and I am thankful for the railing I lean on.
"What about the other girl?" I venture to ask.
He quickly looks away from me, "I-" He stutters, glancing at me from the corner of his eyes then looking away again, "I'd rather not say...besides it might lead you to figuring out my secret identity, and I wouldn't want to anger my Ladybug."
Good Kitty.
"What about you," he asks, nudging me slightly, "Care to enlighten me about your love life?"
I pause, contemplating whether or not to tell him about Adrien. I certainly couldn't tell him about the other boy, who so happens to be standing right besides me.
"C'mon, you know about my girl problems, tell me about your guy problems." His smile is gentle, yet playful. "Maybe I could help you."
I give in to that smile, "Okay, fine," I say growing a little red, I look down at my feet, "Adrien, his name's Adrien, he's sort of like my Ladybug."
I gather my courage and face him, watching his expression. His eyes have gone wide and his mouth drops open before he catches himself and snaps it shut.
"What?" The word comes out as a breathy laugh.
"Adrien Agreste?" he finally manages to get out.
"Yes," I say, suddenly wanting to hide my face. Silence settles for a moment, before I ask, "What's wrong?"
"I-," He looks at me before bowing his head, "I've got to get back to patrol," he sighs and makes to walk away.
"Oh, okay," I say, a little disappointed. Did I say something that offended him?
Disappointment must have shown on my face because he reaches out and places a hand on mine. I suddenly feel really warm. He lifts my chin up to meet his green gaze with his other hand and gives me a soft smile, "Anyone would be lucky to have you Marinette, never forget that."
My breath escapes me, and then he is letting me go, letting cold air back in. Before jumping from the roof, Chat Noir turns to me over his shoulder, "Thanks for letting me talk to you, good luck with your two loves."
"You too, Chat Noir." I say, offering a smile
He just winks and then he is gone, disappearing into the city's lights.
My shoulders slump, I'm even more confused than ever. I put my face into my hands, and stand like that until the cold makes me shiver. It feels even colder without Chat Noir here. Finally, I make my way back inside.
Chat Noir/ Adrien POV
Marinette's in love with me?
I replay through my memories of Marinette, all the quiet moments we've spent together. The way she'd stammer, the constant blushing, Alya and Nino always pushing us into things together.
How could I have been so blind?
I fling myself from building to building, not really paying attention to what is going on around me, or where I am.
What do I do?
Marinette, the second girl I am learning that I have feelings for, likes me too? In the way I love Ladybug?
But there is still Ladybug. Ladybug, the first girl I have ever loved. The girl I have never given up on, no matter what other girl comes my way, until just recently when out of nowhere Marinette became more than a friend.
I'll always love Ladybug, but she still loves someone else. Marinette though, I may actually have a chance with her, still...
I've gone in a circle. My apartment is only a couple blocks down. I come to a landing on a random roof and crouch, breathless. I'm sure Ladybug wouldn't mind if I cut patrol short, how would she know anyway?
The hum of the tv spills into the hall between Marinette's and my apartment, the sound coming from mine. I turn the keys and open the door to find a familiar scene: Nino and Alya cuddled up together, watching whatever it is they watch.
They glance at me as I walk in, and give a look that says, Tuesday is date night, leave us alone.
I shrug my shoulders and lift my hands in a mock surrender, as if to say Okay, okay, I'm going.
Have fun with Marinette. Alya shoots back.
I roll my eyes and close the door behind me. That is just another one of those things I was too dumb to notice before.
I take a deep breath before I open the door to Marinette's apartment. Just play it cool, like you don't know anything, I tell myself.
"Have fun with your lovebird," Plagg says from within my shirt, "Although I still don't understand why you would need a girl in your life when there's camembert-"
"What about Tikki? Isn't she your Sugarcube?" I tease, knowing it'll shut him up from him teasing me.
He scrunches his nose and narrows his eyes, but doesn't say another word. He only disappears back into my shirt.
I smile smugly to myself, then enter Marinette's apartment.
Marinette is curled up on the couch, her sketchbook in her lap, her brow narrowed in concentration.
My chest clenches, and for a second, I just stand there watching as she draws.
I go the fridge pulling the ice cream tub out and scooping two bowls. I walk over to her and only then does she notice me, so lost in her own world. Her bluebell eyes light at the sight of the bowl in my hand, and she takes it.
I sit down on the couch besides her, looking at the drawing on the paper, she quickly closes it shut, bashful.
"What?" I ask, "I doubt there is a single drawing in that book that I wouldn't think is amazing." I say, putting the spoon to my mouth, the chocolate melts on my tongue.
I see her savoring the same flavor, and can't help but smile.
"Yeah, I guess, but still." Marinette's cheeks grow a little red, and I decide not to push.
"Sooo, what should we watch?" I ask, changing the subject.
"Uhhh, I don't really care, what do you want to watch?" She asks me.
"I don't know either, that's why I asked you," I say with a laugh.
Twenty-eight minutes, four arguments, and two more bowls of ice cream later:
"I still don't know why I agreed to watch this" Marinette mutters from my right.
"How about because you trust me when I say it's the best movie ever?" I answer her with a grin.
She rolls her eyes, but smiles.
For a second I hesitate, then I try to as smoothly as I can drape my arm over her shoulder.
She stiffens for a second, and both hers and my cheeks warm, but then she collapses into me. She rests her head on my shoulder.
My heart clenches and turns within my chest.
Of all I've done in my life, falling in love with two people at the same time is by far the worst, because how in the world am I going to choose?
