Chapter 11: Two lovers' Divine... or four? Wait, I'm Confused

                                    

                                          

*%*%
Something fishy is going on, after I had the most amazing kiss with Chat, then a slightly even more amazing kiss with Adrien, both are avoiding me like the plague! Did I do something wrong...?
"Hey, Adrien!" I call from across the school yard. He sees me, but pretends not to. Frustrated, I cross over to him, it's been a week dude! You can't just fuse your lips to mine for an hour than ditch me!!
"Hey, M-Marinette!" Wow he seems more nervous than I used to be. "How's the day? You're so beautiful today!" He stutters. "Er—I mean, How are you? It's a beautiful day today." Umm... okay? Did he just—
I interrupt my thoughts. "Listen, about that night—" 
"Really sorry, Marinette! But I need to go!" He bolts away. Okay, I know models are supposed to be eccentric, but this takes the cake.
"Tiki, what's going on with him?" I whisper.
"I don't know, Marinette, maybe he's avoiding you because he found out you kissed Chat." Oh no.
Oh shit! I'm, I'm the most horrible person in existence!! I-I-I cheated on Chat!!! I basically promised him my heart then ripped it from his hands and shoved it into Adrien's!
I have to talk to Chat!
*%*%
After one of our evening patrols, I try to hurry away, to avoid some awkward conversation with Ladybug, but she stops me.
"Hey, Chat?" Damn. I can't say no to that voice.
"Yeah?" I turn. She's nervously rubbing her wrists and evades my eyes.
"Can I...can I talk to you?" She looks up. Guilt is practically pouring out of her eyes. What's she got to be guilty for...? I'm the one who cheated on her.
Ladybug takes a seat on top of one of the buildings and pats the spot next to her. I nervously sit down, but make sure there's at least 6 inches between us. 
"Chat, is what we have a relationship?" Wow. She wastes no time spearing the elephant in the room.
"N-no? Maybe? I mean, we're really close friends, that have feelings for each other and acted on those feelings. But that doesn't necessarily mean that we're in a relationship... per se." I carefully pick my words.
Ladybug nods. She starts to say something, then seems to change her mind.
"So, we're not exclusive then?" Really? She had to ask that question?
"Um, well... you see... I kinda thought, maybe we were—" In some sort of relationship, is what I would have said.
"I think I know what's going on here." Gulp. She does?
"Y-you do?" She nods.
"You wanted us to be a thing, but were worried that I would just break your heart. That I'd just go back to that other guy..." No! I never thought that! I can't take it any longer! I have to tell her!
"Ladybug, I kissed—"
"I kissed someone!" She burst out. I... I... What? She-she-she kissed someone... else? She, how could she!! I can't beli–no, I deserve this, after all, I did the same thing to her.
"Who-who did you *gulp*, kiss?" I'm scared to hear her answer, if she even gives me one. I mean, we're not technically supposed to know anything about our secret identities. 
She sighs and turns away, pulling my heart along with her.
"You don't have to tell me, you know, I was just curious." I put my hand on her shoulder. Though it hurts like hell, she doesn't need me to shame her.
"No, no, you deserve to know." She looks up. "Promise you won't tell?" I nod.
"I kissed... Adrien Agreste!" She buries her face in her hands. "Chat, I'm so sorry! You didn't deserve this!" She cries. I'd tell her not to worry about anything, but I'm frozen in place. Ladybug... the Ladybug kissed me...? When?..... Then it hits me: Marinette!!
	"Mari–Ladybug!" I grab her shoulders and force her to look at me.
"I–" What should I tell her. That it's fine? That I kissed someone else? That I know who she is? No, there's no way I can let her know that I know that she doesn't know that I know who she is. 
"I haven't been completely true to you either..." I trail off. Her tear-flow stops as she questions me.
"I didn't mean it I swear! I meant to tell her that I loved you, but I guess I have feelings for her, and I... kissed her. I'm sorry!" The words tumble out of my mouth. Part of Ladybug looks relieved, like she is glad that she's not the only one.
"Chat, it's fine," she starts, "but, I think we need to get serious." What does she mean by that...?
She turns and faces the sunset. Her braid (and yes, she changed her hair) blows in the wind,
"We have to choose." Choose, why?? Why do I have to choose! Both the girls I've loved are the same person, how can I possibly... It's like trying to choose which half of your dog you want! The front or the back!!
She looks at me quizzically.
"Oh, you mean now? I have to choose...now?" I squeak. She chuckles.
"Don't worry, kittycat, I think I need a little time to think things through too. So... maybe we shouldn't see each other for a while?" She suggests. I know it's necessary, I have to get away for a while, I wish that wasn't the case...
"I guess we must." I sigh, my ears droop. I can't imagine being separated from her, but I'll have to get used to it.
"Milady?" I dare to break the pending silence. "I won't be able to patrol with you for a while..."
She frowns. "Why not?" Really. Even she should know better than to ask that.
"I-I can't tell you, just that I'll be away for the summer." Her eyes bug out. Ha, get it? Nevermind.
"The whole summer?!?" She stands up, like a storm cloud towering over me.
"Chat?!? Why didn't you tell me sooner!!" I quickly get up.
"I didn't know until just last week!" I try to calm her down.
"Bu-but what if there's an akuma, or a sentimonster, or Shadow Moth finally comes out of hiding?!"
"I'll just power Plagg up and fly back."
"What if you can't get there in time, and all of Paris is destroyed!!" She pulls at her blackberry locks and paces around the roof.
Aahh... she's so cute when she's worried. "Don't worry, that could never happen so long as Paris's most purrfect guardian is watching over it!" Ladybug walks closer to me.
"You're right, I'm sorry, it's just that... you've never been gone for that long. I know I don't tell you this enough but... I need you Chat Noir. You inspire me to be a better Ladybug everyday, the way you are constantly cheery, even in the most dire situations, your fearlessness, your confidence, I couldn't do half the stuff I do if you weren't by my side." My heart stops. Does she really mean all that? She smiles and leans in, but then thinks better of it and pecks me on the cheek.
"See ya in August, Kitty!" She smiles and swings away.