Chapter Twenty-Six: Guilty Conscience

Marinette was avoiding his gaze, he was certain, but he couldn't do anything about it. Each time he'd tried to steal a glance of her on the other set where the ladies were currently working together, he'd catch her quickly retreating eyes.

She had just been staring, but she'd jerk each time he'd tried to meet her orbs. Had he done something he wasn't aware of? That couldn't be it. They'd just spoken and parted ways. All the bluenette had done was change her clothes. Luka was with him so, he knew the man hadn't cornered her. So, what could have happened in the brief expanse of time?

"Adrien," Jacques clucked, "it isn't like you to be so distracted. Is something wrong?" The note of concern in the photographer's voice made him wince a little, and he sniffed loudly, smacking his lips, looking at the far wall. He was a professional. He would power through the work, and he would find out was bothering Mari later. He loved her…and he cared…but she didn't seem to be in immediate danger or in destabilized emotional distress. Plus, Luka was with him…so, he felt a little more relaxed she hadn't been cornered.

"Sorry, Jacques, I didn't get a lot of sleep," he said easily, trying for one of his natural grins. It felt a bit forced, but in the end, the man laughed.

"I heard you were with chain-me-up now, did she keep you up late last night," the words were playful and light, but Adrien's eyes widened. He knew that word travelled fast in his world…fashion…fame…but it still took him by surprise, and the expert chortled. "Oh! I think we have a winner!" The professional shook his head, laughing. "Okay, we can work with it. Luka do you think Marinette is cute?"

The musician snorted. "Any fool with eyes can see how incredibly sexy she is," he replied easily, eyes sliding to Adrien.

"Great! Let us do…sexual rivalry!" He clapped his hands excitedly, "The two of you pretend you're competing for Mari!" He repositioned the camera slowly. "Both of you shed the fall sweaters, we can do the shots for those later, strip to your slacks."

Adrien hesitated. "I'll need to visit make-up."

"Oh, wouldn't want those blemishes to show up on the perfect Adrien Agreste," Luka snorted.

The blonde ground his teeth together, hardening his gaze. He growled low in his throat, warning, feral, protective…territorial…completely unplanned and without prompt. Luka quirked a brow, and Adrien managed to clear his throat several times.

"Whatever," he snapped, gripping the jade sweater he donned, shedding it in a single graceful movement.

His stomach and chest were perfectly sculpted, without a single mar or shadow to indicate a disruption in the delicious pattern of desire, however, as he turned to flash his back for the two to view, he felt the immediate charge in the air.

"I c-can….see you and Marinette have been busy, but…what is that?"

Jacques' surprise had him closing his eyes as he pictured the scars in his mind beneath all the fresh scratch marks of their passionate nights. Marinette hadn't really seen his scarring yet because she didn't see his back often, and when she did, make-up had already taken care of things.

"I got caught in an Akuma attack a few years back," he replied honestly. "For whatever reason, it didn't heal right." Four jagged scars curved from his left shoulder blade, in a violent arc, and straight down his spine almost to his tailbone. They were ugly, and they were dark brown with an irregular white edge, but he knew if anyone touched them, it would feel just like smooth skin. They'd healed…just….not completely. He'd been left with a reminder.

"I'm sorry," Jacques immediate whispered, his eyes far too wide, and Adrien knew he was trying to abate the tears.

He just shrugged. The claw marks didn't bother him that much. He'd saved Ladybug from being shredded to ribbons by throwing himself in front of her, using his back as the shield since he'd lost his baton by that point. She hadn't seen the attack coming. His back had been torn apart, and he'd almost died…again…but she defeated the Akuma and fixed everything before he did.

Luka looked far too pleased. "You're not perfect after all," he commented.

"Nobody is," Adrien snapped.

"Would you say the same of your girlfriend?"

He hesitated, tossing his eyes to the floor, stiffening. It was a trick question, and Luka was treating it like a game, but he would not play. "Yes," he said suddenly. "I would. Marinette is far from perfect. However, all the imperfections she's afraid of…the ones that she fears make her less, make me love her more," he snarled, bringing his fierce emerald orbs to meet Luka's unwavering blue ones. "She's beautiful because of her imperfection. I wouldn't give up any of her flaws if my life depended on it, because it defines exactly who she is," he breathed. "The woman I will spend my life with," he whispered hoarsely, but his voice held a deadly edge, warning.

Tension built between their unrelenting stares as their eyes locked, but his father's voice made both men flinch.

"Am I interrupting a crucial part of the photo process? Because, to me, it looks like we're arguing over inconsequential things."

The blonde inhaled deeply, plastering on the mask of calm he'd adapted over the years of disappointment and hurt. "We were gearing up for a sexual tension shot," he said easily. "It's a pleasure to see you father."

"Oh, interesting idea. Let's get the girls over here then," he replied, gesturing at the other photographer.

Adrien grimaced. He didn't want Mari anywhere near Luka. Great. The three women padded closer, and he had a hard time staying calm when he noticed both the women he cared about keeping their gaze downward. Chloe seemed…depressed. Had she been that way earlier? No, she seemed happy following her spar and her brief rest. He frowned.

"What are those marks," Lila gasped, pointing at his back, and he sighed.

"Got caught in an Akuma attack a few years back. They didn't heal quite right," he repeated.

Gabriel's voice was the one that answered, and the surprise and anger laced in his tone shocked Adrien. "You mean Ladybug's power didn't fix it?"

Marinette gasped, head shooting up, and he cringed more. Fuck. Shit. He closed his eyes. The thought crashed into him like a freight train. Mari had known for awhile about her ability not healing him…because he had told her. He'd been keeping the secret from Ladybug to keep her from worrying for years, when in reality…she'd already known.

She'd been the one who saved him in the alley after a particularly brutal battle. She'd been the one who was there. Why are you spending so much time with Marinette Dupain-Cheng? She was there. She had known…her power had failed her partner…and she had been the one who saved him when his body was still broken that fateful day he almost died…the one that led him to be a stray haunting her balcony every night for the last few years. No wonder Ladybug seemed to linger more and more after battles.

He shook his head. "I guess her p-power doesn't always heal everything," he commented slowly. In reality, it was just him. It was the black cat Miraculous. It was the bad luck. It wasn't just anything, her power worked fine….it was him.

Her eyes shot to the floor again, and he saw the hurt and disappointment cascading over her face. He wanted to surge forward and hold her, but his father's livid gaze rooted him to his spot.

"Why didn't I know about this sooner?"

"Uh, I just have make-up cover them up for my shots. They're flat scars, so it's easy enough…" He really wasn't sure why his father was upset over years old scarring, especially since it clearly hadn't ruined any of his work.

Gabriel's jaw clenched, and he shook his head slowly. "Very well," he bit out gradually. "Let us start this shot," he waved his hand flippantly, stepping back. "I want to try one with each girl, start with Lila."

The blonde suppressed his sigh. The Italian beauty pursed her lips at him, sashaying closer, walking her fingers up his bare chest. "Mi piacerebbe strapparti il resto dei vestiti," she purred throatily, and he automatically grabbed her wrist to move it. However, his father was glaring, and he took a deep breath. Professional.

Instead, he raised her knuckles to his lips, brushing them slowly, watching the flush creep into her cheeks. He grinned, sly, easy, but his reply was calculated. "Sentiti libera di iniziare con Luka." He spun her easily into Luka's body, smirking as the anger flashed in her eyes.

The blue-haired man's eyes widened as he caught the woman gently, but he grinned just as quickly, hands running down her arms. Adrien didn't want to do this. He hated this. It was becoming a daunting task to do shots with the other models. Well, the ones that weren't Chloe or Marinette. Gustave would have been fine, too, and he did stand nearby, but he wasn't actually part of the shoot. He'd just accompanied the group for fun.

"Okay, Adrien," Jacques called. "I need you to pine! Yearn, beg for the lovely mademoiselle!"

"Do you have an issue with Luka's proximity, Lila," Gabriel asked suddenly, startling the blonde.

His emerald orbs slid to his father before he looked back at the pair in front of him. Staring at her shoulders, he could see the tense set in them. "No, sir," she replied as swiftly.

"Good, then, would you mind pulling off your cardigan and hat?"

Adrien frowned, staring at the autumn outfit she'd been assigned. With her hair and eye color, she really did look lovely. She was wearing black leggings, with brown suede ankle boots. Beneath the mid-thigh length light toffee colored cardigan she was currently shedding, Lila wore a crimson bustier style blouse. The obsidian beret-style cap came off next, and for some reason, Adrien deftly took them, walking them over to his father.

"You're very beautiful," Gabriel commented as he took the garments, and she flushed, but her fingers fidgeted as everyone stared.

Adrien returned by their side. "Thank you," she replied, her confident mask reappearing, and the blonde couldn't help but wonder just how much of a front the woman actually put up.

"If we want to do sexual tension, Lila will have to show more skin," Gabriel said flatly. "Unbutton the front of your blouse three quarters of the way," he instructed.

She froze, and it startled him, forcing him to look at her. "Um," she licked her lips. "I'm not…"

"Wearing anything underneath?" His father finished smoothly as if they weren't talking about her nudity. Just another day, the weather is nice type of tone.

She nodded, actually looking embarrassed. "Sorry."

"We can still work with it," the man said, smirking. "Do you have a problem with letting the men touch you?" She shook her head, no. "Good, unbutton halfway instead, and Adrien," he said slowly, firmly. "Slide your hands up to her ribs and hold her, it'll keep her shirt from opening too far for the shot, and if we do the pose just right, it'll be provocative."

He really disliked his father in that moment, because of the way Lila's triumphant flashed over her face, and the fact Mari still wouldn't look at him. His heart hammered anxiously, and his blood simmered with frustration. "Okay," he bit out, trying to keep his voice even.

Her fingers were already tugging at the buttons, and he could see the swell of her bare breasts with each excited breath she was now heaving, and he grit his teeth, putting his hands on her ribcage, thumbs close to her diaphragm to hold the shirt down against her skin, but his pads brushed her flesh and she shivered, gasping. Adrien looked away.

"Lila, tilt your head to the side more, and Luka put your hands below Adrien's, closer to her hips." He pointed for the man to take a position behind the girl. Luka obeyed seamlessly, grabbing the girl almost possessively, and Adrien felt her body tense.

"Oh, monsieur still has a masterful eye," Jacques breathed.

"Yes," Gabriel murmured. "You both are too close to her body, we're going for rivalry, not threesome, take a step back." They did. "Lila pull your left sleeve down a little, the one closest to the camera, and reach your right hand out and put it against Adrien's cheek. Press the other against Luka's hand."

Her palm flattened against his left cheek, and her fingers caressed his skin slowly, and his jaw tightened. Nobody could see, since that side was away from them, but he fought the urge to smack her hand. She was taking advantage, but it was just his cheek, he would live.

"Luka, you lean a little closer to Lila's face like you're going to give her a kiss, but not too close, but keep your eyes on Adrien, and give us a smirk. Adrien, look at Luka like he's trying to steal the woman you want," Gabriel chuckled.

That gave him pause, and he slid his eyes towards his father. He couldn't have picked worse words, or the worst person to use for this example, because Luka did want to steal the woman he wanted…the woman he loved.

Luka knew it too, and the smile he gave now…the dark satisfying gleam in his eyes, made Adrien's animal rear enough for a faint growl to leak free as their eyes locked.

"That is a very possessive look, Adrien, wonderful!" Gabriel praised, and the camera clicked. "Just a few more, hold it." His father chuckled. "Great work. You three work very well together."

Adrien yanked his hands back to himself, turning away as Lila shifted to button her shirt. "Thank you," he bit out despite the bitterness in his mouth and chest.

"Chloe can go next," Gabriel offered, and the woman made a noise that drew Adrien back around.

"I don't feel well," the girl whispered, holding her stomach.

His father narrowed his eyes, glowering. "Do you expect me to believe you're just now feeling ill? Do you have an issue shooting with Adrien or Luka?"

Chloe shook her head in short jerking motions. "N-No," she breathed, clutching herself tighter and Adrien surged forward just as she fell. "F-Feel sick," she murmured.

"Chlo!?" His emerald orbs widened, and he pressed his lips to her forehead. Her skin was covered in sweat, and she was hot, her eyes far too wide. "Dad, she's burning up," he growled. "She's not in any condition to shoot," he said firmly.

Gabriel sighed. "Nathalie," he called, and the woman appeared. "Get the young lady back home and ensure she's looked after. Let me know if further action is required."

Adrien tried to help her to her feet, but she stumbled, and he scooped her up instead. "I'll take her," he said. "I'll be right back."

"That's fine," his father replied.

Adrien hissed. "Great, because I wasn't asking permission," he snapped back as he followed Nathalie outside to one of the limos. He laid her down in the back and Nathalie climbed in with her. "Please," he said a little more softly now to the woman. "Make sure she's okay?"

Nathalie nodded. "Of course, Adrien. I wouldn't let anything happen to a friend of yours," she breathed, a small smile touching her lips before the professional calm came back.

"Thank you," he sighed, kissing Chloe's cheek, but she was groaning, curling up. "I'll be back as soon as I can, okay Chlo?"

She groaned again, and muttered. "Keep an eye o-on Mari," she warned, closing her eyes tight, and he just nodded.

"Wish there were two of me," he whispered, rubbing her head gently before exiting. He heard her faint reply before he closed the door, and it made him smile. One is trouble enough.

"Yeah, that's probably true," he muttered to himself as he watched the car drive away. He hoped she was alright.

***POV Change***

As much as she hated seeing Adrien's hands on Lila, she could tell he wasn't enjoying himself. Plus, she had no right to be jealous, did she? She was the one who let Luka kiss her. She was the one that let him nearly dry hump her into a puddle. She was the one who let him put his mouth on her and taste her….she was the weak one.

Chloe made a noise that brought her free from her consuming tumultuous thoughts, and Adrien was suddenly there, catching the woman.

"Chlo!?" Adrien pressed his mouth to their friend's forehead, presumably to check her temperature, and Mari's eyes widened. She hadn't realized Chloe was ill. She seemed fine during their spar. She seemed fine a few minutes ago… "Dad, she's burning up," he grunted. "She's not in any condition to shoot."

Gabriel sighed. "Nathalie, get the young lady back home and ensure she's looked after. Let me know if further action is required."

Marinette took a step forward, but Adrien was focused on the blonde as he tried to help her stand. She fell and he caught her again, picking her up in his arms instead. "I'll take her," he said, and looked at his father. "I'll be right back."

"That's fine."

The hissing reply that left his mouth made the bluenette jump, but she smiled too. At least his protective nature wasn't just saved for her. "Great, because I wasn't asking permission."

She knew Adrien cared about Chloe, but it was nice to see him act just as protective of the woman. She deserved it, after all. She seemed so lost and hurt…she needed a man in her life that was uncomplicated. Someone who just wanted to help her because he cared without any sort of secret agenda. Adrien could help Chloe feel better if anyone could.

"We'll continue, shall we?" Gabriel sounded amused, and her brows shot up. "Mari, stand with Luka, let me have a look."

She grimaced, but moved to do his bidding. He was the boss after all, and Adrien would be back soon. Her sweetheart cold shoulder corset was a burgundy color, the bottom flaring out at the hips into a soft brown, giving it a multi-colored dimension. It was paired with designer dark blue jeans, and black ankle boots. She didn't have a cap, but they'd given her gold and silver metal bracelets and a few necklaces that hung low in her cleavage.

"How does it feel to be surrounded by so many gorgeous women all the time Luka?" Gabriel breathed. "We have another breathtaking beauty in Mari," he whispered.

Lila made a noise, but Luka cut her off. "It's hard," he grinned. "Feels like my heart and hormones are always on edge," he said easily.

Gabriel actually chuckled. "Honesty, I like it. However, we must be professional here. So, Mari, you're good for now, Luka, get on your knees in front of her."

Oh, God. Her heart hammered uncontrollably. This was the worst idea ever. She couldn't do it. An immediate rush of guilt came over her as the musician moved, with what seemed like lingering motions down to his knees, staring up at her with those…heated blue orbs, and she swallowed.

"Put your hands on her hips and push her shirt up just an inch or two Luka, not too much."

His hands were already moving, but her brain and body were frozen. The bluenette couldn't think. She already felt like she'd cheated on Adrien with Luka once, even though they hadn't even been together, and now his hands were on her body again, and he was right there.

"This feels familiar," he whispered throatily, and she stiffened. Flashes of his face between her thighs invoked feelings low in her body she really didn't want to feel with his hands on her, but it was a floodgate she was having a hard time closing. She was a weak person. She was horrible…she was…

He gasped, before he growled, and she frowned, looking down. His fingertips lightly cascading over the light nail marks on the flesh of her hips, and she felt a smile creeping over her face. Apparently, Luka didn't like the fact Adrien had left a mark. If only he could see the one on her neck…or ass for that matter.

Some of his confidence slipped, giving way to anger, and her eyes widened. It was almost as if…he…felt entitled to her? Adrien leaving marks on her body…made him..angry because…she belonged to him. That was the vibe she was getting, and she shivered.

"Seems I can't go anywhere for two seconds," Adrien commented slowly, but there was a deadly undertone.

"We saw fit to continue working, or is there a problem with that?" Gabriel asked dryly. He was baiting his son now, and Mari's features pulled into a frown. What was going on?

"I thought we were going for rivalry, father," he retorted just as easily. "How can you accomplish that without an actual rival in the shot?"

She glanced his way, quickly, but he was staring at her, and she tore her gaze away. She didn't deserve him. She didn't deserve to look at him. She was scum. She was weak. She was useless. She couldn't help Chloe…she'd betrayed Adrien…she…had allowed Luka to…

"Quite right, but it's hard not to take advantage of such beauty," Gabriel offered. "I wanted to get more photos with Mari and Luka together, she's stunning with every partner."

She couldn't do it anymore. She yanked free from Luka's firm hands, shaking her head quickly. "I n-need a break!" Her voice was far more shrill than it should have been. "I'm s-sorry!" She ran. She didn't deserve anybody, especially not the man she loved so much….why…why had she been so weak? Now, her weakness was haunting her, tearing apart her insides. Guilt. She had nothing but guilt to keep her company as she slammed the dressing room door behind her, locking it. She hid from the world, but she couldn't hide from her guilt.

AUTHOR NOTES REVIEWS:

Guest, there will be plenty of Lila bashing later, and trust me *winks* I have plenty of tools at my disposal, but thank you for the offer! Keep that meat tenderizer handy in case an Akuma comes your way!

MissyMagenta, well, hello there my new friend! I promise we shall get to the bottom of the Chloe mystery, and there WILL BE BLOOD! And pain….and agony….but we aren't quite there yet. Also, thank you, I generally specialize (or I like to think so) in sparring/sex scenes, because those are the center of my life…lol. I mean…I do A LOT of sparring in reality…and…*blushes* ahem..Thank you very much for your interest in my work! I saw that you also reviewed Weave (I'm moving to the next chapter on that NOW ;) so THANK YOU FOR YOUR REVIEWS!

NazaKaos, Yes, Gustave is kind of a fun quirky little character, however; yeah, she wasn't at her best. Me thinks there will be futures spars though! HAHA! Kwamis *snorts* they're the flies on the wall!

Emjrabbitwolf, Something has definitely triggered Chloe. I'm sure we'll figure out what eventually. Yes, there shall be MORE cat poses, AND….yes…there are more talks coming, I assure you! Also…biting mmmmmmmm *drools* Though I have many other …fetishes…I LOVE BITING (being bitten I mean)

Trying414, Yes…poor Mari. All the guilt…especially since we see so much of it in this chapter : ( and yeah, Luka…really did keep pushing..

Italian Guest, Hello there my friend! Another new name, it's great to see you! Thank you very much, I tend to specialize (as I said in a previous comment) in spar/sex scenes, or at least, I like to think I do, as I have LOTS of experience in both in reality ;) and I WANT A CUDDLY KITTY ADRIEN TOO! …then again…o.o I want….a bitey…possessive…no holding back when he fucks me Adrien too…soooo….*blushes*…

Kazza2182, Yes, don't worry, there was no screaming of "Chat Noir you're so amazing please fuck me harder!' :P I made sure to review the chapter several times before posting to make sure no identities could be revealed. Mostly it was wordless screams, and an Adrien might have been in there…and a 'fuck' or two! I hope you can keep up too! I love seeing your name on the review list! Hope you had fun camping! Yeah…Chloe needs to be fixed…whoever hurt her needs a pounding…I mean….beating *cringes* An ass kicking!