Author Note: Ah, yes, now we get to my favorite parts..character development. They're so cute…especially the last one…

Trying414, that's probably good it wasn't 'Weave' …everyone seems to be depressed :S : (, but I'm glad you're excited for BOTH! YOU are awesome! I LOVE YOU! Also, yes…Luka…kinda…did take advantage…I didn't want to make it seem 'rapey' (it wasn't, obviously) but he was rather persistent, and she was PRETTY worked up from Adrien…don't worry…Chat….and Adrien will get their turns…I'm sure…*blushes* glad it was hot for you! Was hot for me too …ahem…*clears throat*

Kazaa2182, *squeals a bit with delight before composing herself* Work is important…you…shouldn't ignore it…just to…read my…NO READ IT ALLLLLLLL! O.O I'm A GLUTTON FOR YOUR REVIEWS! *embarrassed* that having been said…there will be plenty of torture and sex…and torture…and mari/Adrien/chat saying stupid crap that should probably be left unsaid, lol.

emjrabbitwolf, wow, I love the fact your reviews are always so long, so thanks so much for that! You might be right about Chloe, we shall see ^_^, and yeah, it's usually the ones who aren't trying who can shine bright! Yeah…Chat might be a little upset with that…bit…we shall see how he reacts when we get there..*shivers* aggressive Chat…*wistful voice* Aggressive…Adrien…also, kwami lectures ARE coming, I promise! Yes, very low blow, and I agree, if it had been more than JUST sexual…she might not have said anything…because she feels a little something for Chat…so, yeah, and yeah…lol if my water bill is bad as it is…I don't want to foot this bill for this fic. Gabriel's a millionaire, right? I'm glad I'm not the only 'over 30' here, so thanks for that ^_^

ENJOY!

Chapter Eight: Closest Friend

Marinette felt like crap. She'd had her chance to be with Chat…and….she'd ruined it. She'd made him feel guilty over her, and her own guilt ate her up all night until she sobbed herself to sleep.

She didn't feel like a superstar today. She wasn't unchained.

Tikki tried to offer soothing words, but the bluenette didn't deserve her comfort. At least on some odd level, Chat craved both sides of her mask, even if it was just her body on this side...and that made it infinitely more worse in her mind that she'd used Ladybug to strike at him.

"Oh, there she is," Lila snickered, and the dread shifted in the bluenette's chest.

She really didn't have the patience for this. "Don't," Marinette said flatly.

"Don't? Don't what?" The Italian girl tittered, crossing her arms. "If I didn't know better, I'd say that sounded like a warning?"

"I guess you're dumber than you look than," she snapped back. "It was. I am no mood for your bullshit, Liar."

Several models sitting nearby gasped, and her smirk faltered, her hands dropping to her sides in angry fists. "What did you call me?"

"You heard me, now, get out of my way," Mari demanded.

"You bitch," Lila swiped to smack her, and the bluenette caught the wrist with deft skill, squeezing enough to flex her hidden strength. The brunette's eyes widened before narrowing.

"If you could keep your mouth closed for longer than two minutes, Lila, you might not get owned by, what did you call her," Chloe took a dramatic pause to think, "Oh, right, Marinette Dupain-Lame." She rolled her eyes, flashing a tabloid that had a picture of her in the bikini shoot…which…was…amazing, since they weren't released yet. It was labeled. 'Marinette Duapin-Bang-able. She groaned, really?

She was in the position with Adrien where he'd been behind her, so incredibly close, and front this angle, it looked like they were kissing, his eyes half-lidded, hand in her hair, oter on her hip. One of his fingers was looped in her bikini string, and her right palm was up behind her head buried in his locks. You could see part of his strong chest, but mostly…..you saw a lot of Marinette skin and cleavage.

Under her horribly gifted moniker on the article it said 'Has She Already Stolen Paris' Number One Bachelor? She cringed, because by that picture, it would certainly look like it.

"Mind your own business, Chloe," Lila snapped back as the mayor's daughter approached calmly. Lila yanked her wrist free, and it was only then, when Mari released it, that she released she'd still been holding on.

"You make everyone's business your own, I'm just returning the favor," she retorted just as swiftly as some of the male models drew closer. Andrew and….Matthew…she thought his name was, were grinning. Probably hoping for a cat fight. She growled under her breath as Victoria shimmied over, too, ringing them in slowly.

"Are you saying I'm nosey?"

"You are a level beyond nosey. Also, you're cruel, selfish, ma—"

"What….is going on here?" The commanding voice echoed through the large foyer and everyone backed up immediately, putting distance between each other. When she turned, she almost expected to see Gabriel himself, or some other person. Instead, Adrien stalked down the stairs, graceful, deadly…bare muscles rippling beneath his….skin…

G-God…he was only in sweat pants, and they were…ahem, riding low enough for her to get very acquainted with his impressive V line. Her heart was racing, but when her eyes looked up to his, something dark lingered there. Not the fun, lusty dark, but….angry? Sad? Shame? His emerald orbs looked a little pink tinged this morning.

"N-Nothing," she squeaked, feeling her confident anger dissolve under his authority. The dominance radiating from him now was new, foreign, and she was taken aback.

He slid his eyes to her, and one of those pained expressions crossed his face before it was gone. Then he looked between the three of them. "Really? Looks like the start of a fight," he accused.

"Marinette started it," Lila blurted out, and the bluenette rolled her eyes. She couldn't even really deny it. If she'd been more patient or just walked away, it wouldn't have escalated. Her foul mood, her guilt, and her self-loathing had incited the incident.

His eyes skimmed to her, and she muttered unintelligible half apologies, staring at the floor.

"Well, Lila was going to throw the first punch. Plus, you were going to say something bitchy, anyway," Chloe snarled, shoving a perfectly manicured finger into the Italian woman's upper chest, startling her.

"I was not!"

"You were."

"Enough," Adrien growled, the sound reverberating through the room enough to startle everyone, and most of the onlookers made themselves scarce. Her eyes widened, and she stared into his face, realizing he was upset. Had it been the fight?

"I-I'm sorry," she whimpered, shrinking under the weight of his hurt and anger.

His face softened when he gazed her way before he caught sight of the tabloid in Chloe's hand, and his breath hitched, darkening. Was it anger again? She couldn't tell now?

"Get a-away from each other," he ordered. "Lila, they want to do shots around the mansion for the London spread, so make sure everyone is aware," he hesitated. "If I find out anyone has been misinformed or left out, I won't be happy," he bit out, glowering at her.

For once, Lila looked chastised, and she scampered away. "Serves her right," Chloe snorted. Adrien sighed, turning to face the blonde, hands on his hips now. "What?" Her voice squeaked, and Marinette smiled a little. "I'm not sorry Adrikins, so don't give me that look! She's rotten!"

"Chloe," he said firmly, and the blonde stomped her foot.

"No! You can't kill me with your…your soft eyes, dammit!"

Okay, this had gotten…endearing, and….weird…so Marinette took a step back in their distraction, and someone ensnared her wrist with lightning quick reflexes. It reminded her of Chat from the night before, and her treacherous body quaked, a strangled sound stopping at the cusp of her lips.

His grip tightened, his voice clipping out slowly. "Chloe, give us a minute," there was a hesitant pause. "Please," he said more softly, and she heard the blonde's feet retreating without looking.

"S-Sorry," she murmured again. "J-just…had a rough night," she tried to offer.

His grip released her, and her eyes widened, searching out his orbs. He was looking away. "Anything I can help with?"

She opened her mouth before closing it. Could he help? She wanted to talk to someone, but Adrien? Plus, what was she going to say? Chat Noir tried to ravish me to pieces, and I was an idiots and ruined it. Now, I'm not even sure he'll come back so I can apologize? Yeah, that would go over so well.

"Are you o-okay, Marinette?" Luka's voice made her jump further back, and she swallowed loudly.

Adrien's jaw clenched enough for her to watch his muscle twitch. Was he mad she wouldn't confide in him? "I'm f-fine Luka, thanks."

"Okay," he muttered, and the three of them stood in awkward stretching silence before both boys tried to speak at the same time, making her blush.

"Mari I-"

"Listen, Marinette-"

They stopped to look at each other, and she licked her lips. Adrien's biceps flexed, whether consciously or not, it was…tantalizing. She wanted to scrape her nails down those arms, laying kisses across his impressive chest, and her core ached as heat exploded through her pelvis.

Marinette must have made a sound because Adrien's eyes slid her way. "I-I have to go g-guys," she squeaked, feeling her body starting to overheat looking at them. She couldn't handle it. She sprinted.

***POV Change***

Damn Luka for interrupting. He'd wanted to find out if he'd…hurt her in some way. She seemed so upset. He knew Chat hadn't physically hurt her, all of her responses were…so delicious and inviting, but by the end, her rejection and the reminder of his betrayal to his Lady stung deeper than words had the right to wedge.

He just couldn't seem to restrain his bodily reaction to Marinette. It betrayed his heart, but he craved her in a way he couldn't put his finger on. When she was strutting and confident, it beckoned to him in a way that was indescribable, and he was unraveling rapidly so the bluenette could come along and wrap the ribbon around her nimble little finger.

He knew plenty of sexy women, incredibly attractive women, and he found them attractive, he was, human after all, and he wasn't opposed to having a look, but Mari made him want to do more than look. It's like something in her called to him, ushering him in like a ship from the storm…or perhaps, it was a ship to the cliffs, bound for wreckage.

He leaned back in his chair a little, trying to distract his mind, clear it, from the tumoltous thoughts, waiting for the photographer to get set up on the lawn. He was alone at his patio table, but the girls, aside from Lila, had gathered together to titter recklessly a few tables behind him. The guys weren't sitting, they were on the basketball court trying to one up each other. He'd been invited of course, but his disposition didn't make for good sportsmanship.

"Adrien is totally fuckable," a girl's voice said a bit too loudly, and he automatically blushed, swiveling his head in that direction before they burst into laughter. They…they were talking about him? His Chat hearing was incredibly, and he'd have heard them no problem, but as Adiren it wasn't as honed. However, he did have an edge over every human on the planet. If he wasn't focusing, he could drown out most things like a normal person, but now he wanted to know…what they were saying..

"Of course he is! He has been for years." Another girl said. It was, Victoria, he thought?

"What do you think, Marinette?"

His eyes widened, and his cheeks burned.

"I d-d-d-don't want to talk a-about him when h-he's right there," she hissed almost beyond his hearing.

His heart fell. Okay, well, he could respect that…despite being disappointed.

"Another one of Paris' hotties? Chat Noir," one of the foreign girls said. "You guys are so lucky you get to see that fine piece of ass in action."

"It's not his ass I'm interested in," They all giggled incessantly. "His leather doesn't leave much to the imagination."

"N-No, it doesn't," Mari commented, and he held his breath, leaning further back in his chair.

"Oh, a guy Mari will talk about. Have you dreamed of those leather whips and chains too?" Something was funny because they were silent and then burst into laughter again. Mari was probably blushing furiously.

"I d-don't think there's whips involved," she squeaked. True. Whips didn't seem functional.

"I bet he's a sweetheart in bed," Victoria sighed wistfully. "He's always so considerate and leaping in danger for people."

"Booorrr-innng," another girl said. "He's a great hero, but I think he's a freak in the bedroom. Probably does the chains, whips, call me 'daddy' and let me dominate the fuck outta you."

His eyes widened. Okay, that…was a bit much, and his face was enflamed. He…didn't…want to be called daddy, that was fur sure. Though, tying Mari up and teasing her body for hours sounded fun….having her at his mercy…He swallowed a moan, shaking his head to clear the intrusive image.

"G-Guess we'll never know, huh?" Mari said, her voice bordering on….sad? Regretful. He frowned. Was she upset because she'd pushed him away last night?

"Oh, c'mon, you haven't even offered a speculation! At least play along…he's not here, so you have no excuses, Dupain-Chain-me-up." They all burst into laughter again, and the bluenette squealed.

He stifled his snort. Chat was here…in spirit anyway.

"O-Okay," she sighed. "I think he can probably have a gentle considerate side, but," Her pause was killing him….he wanted to hear her say it…wanted to listen to her tone…he wanted to see if he could smell her response as heavy as he was breathing and his heart was pounding…He knew it was a stretch, but damned if he wasn't going to fuckin' try.

"I think he might have an aggressive a-animal side that will pin you to the nearest wall, lift you up, and fuck you senseless," she gasped, and he heard the pleasure in her voice.

"Wow," the girls chorused. "Don't stop there…I like your idea better…."

Yes…by all means…keep going…even though I'm about to explode in my pants thinking about it…because that's exactly what I wanted to do to you last night.

"Then, w-when he's done unwinding your willpower, he'll take you to the bed, throw you down, pin your wrists…and…and…drive into you with…all that lust and dark …d-desire until you're a writhing mess beneath him…t-tugging on that thick golden hair, holding on f-for dear…life…until…"

His cock was aching, his heart was racing, and he was leaking precum into his pants when the smell hit him. The problem? It was a cocktail of potent sexualized aroma…because all the women were aroused…which was the only reason he could scent it. His gasping groan was loud, but his body jerked…and his chair fell over.

***POV Change***

Her cheeks were dark scarlet, and her thighs were squeezed so tightly together that her knees were trembling, her lips spilling away without meaning to. "…t-tugging on that thick golden hair, holding on f-for dear…life…until…" She opened her mouth, a moan escaping, but she heard Adrien gasp, and then he was on the concrete, groaning.

Everybody rushed to his side. Every girl was vying to be by his side, but Marinette's superior strength had her kneeling by his side, touching his chest, and cheek gently. "Oh, God, Adrien are you alright?"

His body twitched under her hand, and his face got that annoying pained expression again…the one he kept getting when she was near. "G-God, anybody but you right now, Mari," he blurted, gasping, eyes wide, as he cradled the back of his head.

Oh. She felt…hurt? Angry? Embarrassed? She was sticking with angry, though. "Oh, fine," she bit out, standing in a huff, and he looked up at her, cringing, tearing his gaze away.

Her anger wavered a little when she realized he could see up the flowing dress skirt they'd outfitted her with at this angle, but she scoffed, stomping away. Fine, he didn't want her near him, she wouldn't come near him unless she had to! He was probably fine anyway….if he didn't want her help, she wouldn't offer it.

***That Evening***

She stared at the video again, shaking her head. She almost didn't recognize herself going down the runway. They'd completed their first international show to promote some of the new outfits, and she'd been told, several times, not to forget her lip bite at the end. Apparently, it was a 'signature' now.

The crowd had gone wild, and she'd managed to keep her face perfectly poised in that mask of seduction and heat. How had she done it? She licked her lips smoothing her hands over her bare creamy thighs as she sat at the barstool, sipping at her third glass of champagne.

Her hair was pulled up in a bun, but thick trailing curls tickled her face and back, giving her a slight messy look to go with her 'style'. She just let them do their thing, and she enjoyed those few minutes on the runway when she could pretend she was an amazing superstar. She was confident, strong, self-assured, and she just didn't give a fuck….for like…two whole minutes. She was allowed to walk four outfits, so eight minutes. Now, she was back to Marinette status.

Her sequined dress was actually kind of itchy, clinging to her in every possible sense of the word, and it was blood red, matching the heels she was loathing at the moment. Hence, sitting, instead of up and gallivanting with the other women, who were on the prowl around the after party for sexy men, or so she'd heard.

"Snooze," Chloe's voice said softly, and the bluenette slid her gaze sideways. The blonde's hair was in a sideways looping dutch braid and her dress was royal blue to match her gorgeous eyes. It rode almost as high as Mari's, and she suspected Chloe was far more uncomfortable than she let on because she saw the discreet stray of the woman's digits to the high hem.

"That exciting, huh?" She smiled, tossing back the rest of her bubbling drink, coughing a little as she set the stemmed glass on the wooden surface.

"Like watching the maids clean at the hotel," she muttered, tossing herself into the seat next to the bluenette. She put her purse on the table, growling. "We need something stronger than that," she nodded at her drink and signaled the bartender. "You a whiskey, vodka, gin, or rum gal?" The blonde smiled, and Marinette flushed.

"Uh…?"

"Oh, right, I'm speaking to the virtuous one," she sighed, and gave her a look. "No offense," she muttered. "Time to live a little though, after all, 'Chain-me-up' is a pretty wicked nickname," she tried playfully, and Marinette actually laughed, her shoulders easing.

"Um, rum? I'll t-try the rum I guess," she said slyly. "Never thought we'd be here if you asked me five years ago," she admitted.

Chloe offered an easy shrug. "Glad to know I can surprise. Honestly, holding all that petulant anger just…" she deflated a little. "Made me feel so lonely. Sabrina was great, but even she had had enough after awhile. Plus, Ladybug put a lot of faith into me. It made me feel…"

"Trusted? Worthy?" She blurted out, gasping. "S-sorry."

Chloe shook her head, giving a tight smile. "You're fine. Yeah, worthy is fine. I didn't want to disappoint them and…I've never had that feeling in my life other than with my mother. Except with her, it was kind of toxic because the only way she approved was when I was snapping at people," she sighed. "When I didn't care what people thought, I could pretend I had this hard shell around me, but then Sabrina slowly helped me realize…Ladybug slowly helped me realize…it wasn't a hard shell," she breathed as the bartender came over. "Two doubles, rum, top shelf," she said firmly, and he scurried away.

Marinette wanted to say something, but the mayor's daughter continued. "It wasn't a hard shell, it was a suffocating cage that kept me from having a life…friends…happiness."

The bluenette surged forward without meaning to, wrapping her arms around the startled woman, who gave a nervous chuckle before brushing her off gently but firmly. "Still don't want all your affection or anything," she said, and Mari grinned.

"Of course not," she replied almost too happily.

Their drinks came, and Chloe raised her glass. "Keep your throat open when you toss it back, it'll help. I'm sure you're good at that, Dupain-Chain-me-up," she winked throwing her drink back with ease, slamming the glass on the counter with ease.

She flushed at the implication, and her mouth flapped, but she stared at the twinkle in Chloe's eyes. The challenge…the playfulness. Okay. I'm a sexy superstar, and Chloe is my closest friend right now. Unchained. She reached down into the pit of her gut, and a smirk spread over her face, making the blonde's smile shine so much brighter when she realized that Marinette Dupain-Cheng…was going to play.

She tossed the shot back into her mouth.