A.n.-You guys! I'm so overwhelmed with the love that this story received on here and A03. You all are AMAZING! I managed to kick out a chapter in 3 and 1/2 days. (That's pretty good considering everything I have going on in my life) If this continues you'll also get a chapter update on Friday or Saturday. I'll have reading suggestion this weekend. I haven't been able to read much over the last couple days between work and everything. I do have a question for you all at the ending note, so PLEASE give me feedback on that.

Chapter 25: I Hope That You Burn

It was one thing to know that the two were the same, but to see the transformation caused the air to evaporate from her lungs. She was drowning in the green eyes that hadn't left her even when releasing his form. It stripped her of everything in a split second, an intimate moment that would resonate with her soul.

Even now she could feel her chest constrict and feet turn to lead. What was the proper etiquette in this scenario? Her vision spun around her, except, of course, him.

"Marinette," he whispered causing the goosebumps to form all over her arms. "Say something."

What did he expect to say? No wonder both men drew her in the way they did, they were the same person. Everything she confided in Adrien, about her doubts and dreams, Chat knew by default. Then...her face paled thinking about the suggestive flirty whispers during the night. How he was able to make her moan and-

"I can't do this," the second emotion to crash over her was a hue of anger. Yes, she happened to love him but- he tricked her. Deceived her for months on end with no indication that he had any intention of telling her. This wasn't the Adrien she knew, he wouldn't even dream about doing something like this, especially to his friends. If she stayed, her emotions would overtake any resemblance of control she maintained and would likely say something she would regret.

Watching her take even one step towards the fire escape ripped something inside him. He couldn't lose her, not unless he did everything he could. Despite the fear pulsing through his body, he couldn't be a coward, not this time. He reached out and took hold despite the burning sensation of his flesh touching hers and pulled her back towards him.

The sound of her hand making contact with his cheek rang through the air. His hand covered the red mark that was forming, although it was his pride that was hurt more than anything.
"Don't touch me."

"Mar," his voice barely escaped his lips. "Can we talk about this? Please?" His voice cracked, but he didn't care how foolish or vulnerable he looked, right now he would do anything if it meant he could turn back the clocks and not cause her this much pain.

"Fine," the harshness in her tone cut into him. "How could you do this? I don't understand. Was this all a game to you? What, you just saw me at the club and thought, I wonder if she is still in love with me?" Tears stung her eyes blurring her vision.

"It's always been you." His voice rose as his frustration built. Adrien knew that shouting wouldn't defuse the situation, it would only stoke the flames, but allowing Marinette to marinate in her insecurities floating about her mind would get them nowhere. "It's always been you," he repeated in a much softer tone. "That night when we ran into each other I thought I was the luckiest guy in the world. The second our eyes locked I knew that I didn't want to leave without asking you out." He let out a sigh of frustration. "I was trying to ask you then Amelie interrupted. She asked me out and immediately I was going to turn her down, but then you said we were just friends. I thought I read the situation wrong, that you didn't feel whatever I did. So yeah, I agreed to one date. If I would have known I never would have said yes." This couldn't be all on him. The blame was shared.

"The first month I tried to forget that night, pushed it to the back of my mind. It was easier since we barely saw each other. I attempted to push down whatever feelings I had for you after we had coffee. Convince myself that you only saw me as a friend so that's all I could feel too. And if I only received your friendship for the rest of my life that would be enough...Then you kissed Chat on top of Notre-Dame." He paused for a brief moment to soak in the memory. "And I didn't think I could be any happier. I was kissing the girl I loved, it didn't matter that it was Chat and not Adrien. I was going to break up with Amelie and confess everything right then and there the night you hid me from her in your closet. But then you told me that Adrien didn't stand a chance that it was already too late. I- I didn't want to lose you."

"You could have at least tried!"

"I poured my heart out to you at your birthday and you stomped on it and said that we can't be together. What else could I have done?

"I-I don't know, you could have told me who you were." Hypocrite, her mind barked. After all, she still hadn't revealed her biggest secret.

"Would that really make a difference?" Her body turned ridged when he took a couple steps forward invading her bubble. It would have meant more for an apology if he would have told her, but even if he did; it would have broken her heart all the same.

"Did you mean it when you said over the summer that you were going to break up with her?" She needed to know. Maybe somehow his answer would take the sting out of the betrayal.

"I did," he breathed as he rested his forehead on hers. "I meant what I said, only one girl owns this heart." He stared into her eyes and his heart skipped a beat. She was allowing him to touch her, that must be a step in the right direction.

"Then why are you marrying her?" His breath hitched at the question. He was stuck in his own catch-22, despite wanting to make the right decision, either way, she would get hurt. If he told her about the blackmail she would never allow him to make that sacrifice and he would never be able to forgive himself. Judging by how she was accepting the news that he shared an identity with Chat Noir it would spur them into another round of fighting. If he didn't tell her, then they might not talk for a while (as unbearable as a thought) but eventually, they would find each other again and hopefully be able to be at least acquaintances.

"It's complicated," he wouldn't drag her into this. He'll accept Alya's help to find his loophole. Immediately she stepped back and his body ached for the closeness that he was denied.

"That's not an answer. Until you can give me one this conversation is over." He couldn't. It may have been selfish making sure Marinette got the life she deserved, but he had come so far and wasted so much time.

"I'm sorry," He croaked but she turned away. He didn't know what to expect when they had this conversation, but he knew he wanted her to yell. Her silence scared him. He was watching her internalize this fight and that would only make things worse.

"Chat, there are things that an apology can't just fix instantly. I need time." This conversation was already torturing enough, the balance inside her tilted between emotions. What she needed was to process everything and then talk it out with Alya.

"But-" Adrien stumbled back a couple feet clearly taken back. Maybe he had the impression that once he came clean she would forgive him. But he didn't, she reminded herself. As much as he said he tried to tell her so many times, the fact of the matter was, he didn't. She caught him red-handed and he was supposed to get off free when her feeling and emotions were left in shambles? How was that fair?

"Don't you get it? I'm trying so hard not to hate you right now." Hate. The word rang clearly through the air sinking into their skin. She watched as his eyes widened, and ears dropped downwards.

"You don't mean that." This pitted feeling wasn't her fault. She told him to leave it and he insisted that they continue.

"Goodbye Adrien." She slipped down the fire escape avoiding eye contact with the blonde. It wasn't until she reached her window and realized that it was already locked. She had no choice but to climb the rest of the way down to the alley below. The second her feet hit the ground the buckled and she had to use the wall as support not to fall on the ground. Not that she would mind much at this point being scattered amongst the trash. She couldn't stop the string of tears flooding down her cheeks, so she stilled herself and cried. She cried as if the act itself released all the pain that was balled up inside her. She wanted to forgive him, but she couldn't.

While she knew the fight placed a wedge between the two of them, however, she could still feel a pair of eyes watching her take the short walk back to the apartment. Even if he had no regard for anything else, he still made sure she was safe. Marinette couldn't tell if her body had run out of tears to produce, either way, she could flop down on her bed and instantly fall asleep from emotional exhaustion. Despite everything else in her winding down, her mind was still swirling.

Maybe she didn't handle the conversation in the best manner, but didn't she have grounds to be upset? He tricked and used her and would have kept doing so till he got caught. That wasn't the Adrien she knew, that she had fallen for (regardless of his alternate persona). The worst part was, despite being angry, she missed him. She wanted to curl up with her black cat and be held till this hurt vanished. Her last words echoed in her ears, and instantly she cringed. Hate rolled off her tongue far too easily and as angry as she was, it wasn't the correct word to use. She could never actually hate her partner.

Marinette climbed the stairs to her apartment slowly allowing her mind to wander, but her body stopped when she noticed there was a person in front of her door. She watched him pace, a letter in his hand.

Bellamy? What was he doing here? Amelie had stopped trying to set them up ages ago. Especially at this time of night.

"Do you make it a habit to pace outside girl's doors at night?" She felt guilty watching the color drain from his face.

"Ma-Marinette. I didn't think-I mean I didn't know anyone would be awake." She cocked an eyebrow skeptically causing him to get even more flustered.

"Listen, I don't know if Amelie passed on the message to you, but it's not going to work between us...so if you're here because she suggested to win me back, I'm in love with someone else." Marinette couldn't help but notice the sudden uncomfortable feeling floating in the air.

"Could you give Amelie this?" He hesitatingly held out the letter catching her by surprise. He wasn't here for her but...Amelie. Her mind raced she had seen them interacting at her birthday party and around school but never put much stock into it...until now. Could they be…

"What do you want me to tell her?" Her words clung to the roof of her mouth much like when she had too much peanut butter, but the question was essential to get her answers.

"Everything is in the letter. She can't ignore what happened forever." Pulse racing, she reached out and accepted the paper ignoring the fact that it seemed to burn her skin. "Thank you," he whispered and headed straight for the stairwell.

Marinette stood there and stared at the letter as if she concentrated hard enough she would be able to see its contents. The temptation only increased when she flipped it over only to realize it wasn't sealed. Bellamy probably had intended to give it to Amelie himself.

She shouldn't.

But despite knowing what was right, her fingers slid the contents only took a couple lines into the letter till the guilt settled on her chest like a weight. She couldn't unread this if she wanted to. Marinette's eyes tore off the page back to the door of her apartment where her roommate was probably allowing sleep to give sweet dreams of her upcoming wedding.

Meanwhile, Bellamy was in love with Amelie. It was an undeniable conclusion after reading the beginning of the letter. Which would ironically enough place them in the same boat.

She can't ignore what happened forever.

Bellamy's word swirled amongst her own thoughts. Did that mean that she thought? What if…what if Amelie was just as unhappy...Did Amelie cheat on Adrien? The idea left her stomach churning. She couldn't imagine Bellamy writing a letter of this intensity with intent to deliver it at midnight over a small crush, it had to be reciprocated in some fashion.

She shoved the note into her back pocket and turned the key to unlock the apartment. This time, however, she wasn't alone. Amelie was sniffling softly as she was cuddled up on the couch. Marinette racked her brain for what could be the problem. It couldn't have been a fight with Adrien, he was with her. Maybe a disagreement with her parents?

"Amelie, are you ok?" Her roommate immediate used her hands to wipe away what tears had invaded her features.

"It's nothing, don't worry about it." Marinette took a couple steps forward cautiously.

"It doesn't look like nothing." If she was honest she was looking for anything that could distract her from her fright with Adrien. By helping her with whatever problem it might ease the guilt bubbling into her stomach.

"I'm probably just imagining it." Marinette sat down refusing to drop the subject. She reached out and placed her hand on top of Amelie's.

"You know you can tell me anything."

"I think Adrien is cheating on me," her roommate's words stole the breath out of her lungs causing her breath to hitch. Normally she would jump into action reassuring her that couldn't be true, the Adrien she knew would never do that. That he loved her more than anything in the world.

But it wasn't true.

Apparently, Adrien allowed the lines to blur when it came to her. Marinette craved a shower for no other intent than to wash away the grimy feeling of being "the other woman."

"What makes you think so?" Marinette asked. She couldn't very well blurt out that she was the one he was cheating with. Amelie would never forgive her; besides, she had no intention of it never happen ever again.

"He's working late, constantly getting distracted and not listening to me and..." she paused Marinette hesitantly. "We haven't...been together, in months. I would say he's trying to be good until the wedding night but-" she bit her lip. "It's like he isn't even tempted. You spent time with him over the summer, did he act oddly to you?" Marinette didn't know how to answer that without incriminating herself. There were several times were their make-out sessions grew heated and they had to stop despite their bodies begging to continue. The number of nights he left her breathless and extremely hot and bothered only lead to the conclusion that he purposely choosing not to sleep with the sobbing girl sitting across from her.

Guilt wallowed in the pit of her stomach remembering parts of her fight with Adrien earlier that night. None of this was making sense, if he had really chosen her then why was he still with Amelie? Unless she wanted to swallow her pride and confront him again, she might never get her answer.

"No," Marinette did her best to keep her voice level. "He's the same Adrien." She cut herself off before completing the phrase with that I know and love , because she wasn't sure if it was true. A person could very well change drastically in the span of a couple years, but if Adrien had changed all that much, would she still have fallen for him the way she did? She was still wrapped around his finger despite her anger, the worst part was she knew it. "Have you tried talking to him about it?"

"I tried, I even offered to postpone the wedding because I thought he was stressed; he even mentioned some girl." Marinette's throat constricted and heat flooded to her face for a couple seconds before she got it under control. Unless Adrien was seeing a third girl, he must have been talking about her. She never wanted to be a fly on the wall more for a conversation. Did that mean that Amelie knew about their relationship?

"What -what did he say?" The strained words hung in the air and Marinette hoped that Amelie was too distraught to notice the shift in her tone.

"He said that he wanted to continue as planned," Amelie responded. The first response to flare within Marinette was anger. It was information like that convinced her Adrien had changed and not for the better. But after the initial shock wore off her mind still mused over the puzzle. Her gut told her there was more to the story.

"And the girl?" Marinette hated to ask, this conversation already caused the room to
start spinning.

"He said that she was happy with her boyfriend, that she was moving on." That had to be her. He was referencing her and Chat and when she told Adrien to move on. "For a brief second, I thought it could be you."

"M-me?" Marinette stuttered. Amelie hummed in approval.

"I've caught the way he looked at you sometimes. But he acted as if he didn't know her that well and you've been happy with Chat Noir for months now, the timeline doesn't fit."

"Was happy," Marinette mumbled. "We-we had a fight and...I'm not sure if we- that there is an us anymore."

"Mar, I'm so sorry. I know how much..." her voice faded out as she reached out to grab her hand and gave a light squeeze. "Do you want to...talk about it?" Marinette could only offer a pathetic smile in return. Talking about it was out of the question.

"I'm okay," she lied forcing what tears gathered and willed them to not roll down her cheek. What she needed was a change in subject. "But uh- on my way home I saw Bellamy." It wasn't Marinette's intent to gage her roommate's reaction, but she got more than she bargained for.

"What?" Amelie was wide-eyed, and the color drained from her face. Marinette figured it best not to mention she saw him right outside their door. She reached in her back pocket and pulled out the letter.

"He...he told me to give you this. That it would explain everything." Amelie snatched it and held it against her chest as it was her life support.

"Amelie…" She hesitated because it wasn't her business to ask but the pit of her stomach would keep turning until she got answers. "Why did Bellamy write you a love letter?" A fresh set of tears stung her friend's face.

"It was supposed to be a one-time thing," Marinette heard softly through the choked sobs.

"Are you in love with him?" Amelie pulled her gaze to meet her blue ones. Marinette's thoughts were littered with moments where her roommate oozed confidence, but this was different. In front of her sat a broken shell of what had been.

"I-I," she couldn't even gather a sentence. Marinette's heart blasted between her ears.

"Do you even love Adrien?" At his name, Amelie's eyes sunk to the ground.

"I don't know."

A.N.- I'm sure you all have a lot of questions...for those who didn't catch the hints for Amelie/Bellamy earlier in the story, I'm sure you were surprised. I wanted to use my Tumblr (rosegardentwilight) more to interact with you all, post previews, do writing prompts for you all once Satisfied is done, or just even interact (I give spoilers lol ). I don't know how many of you use tumblr or what not, or how active you all are on it. Let me know if it is something you all are interested in. Also, let me know what your thoughts are on this chapter, I'm sure you have opinions.