Chapter Thirty-Eight: Slippery
"I don't really find any of your complaints disconcerting," Gabriel commented calmly, flipping though several papers on his desk. "I don't understand why you're getting yourself worked up. We get these types of objections all the time," he muttered, scribbling notes over several sheets before sliding them over the Henri.
"They're not just idle objections, father," he sneered angrily, his right eye twitching. "Marinette and Chloe have both been victims of harassment during this trip, and if you won't do anything about it, they'll terminate their contracts without hesitation or regret because clearly their safety means nothing to you," he snapped.
He watched the line of his body stiffen before he peered over his glasses, blue eyes turning to pure ice before he stood. "Are you delivering threats to me, Adrien?"
If he had been younger, the tone might have worked. If he weren't standing up for the two women he cared for most in the world, the tone might have worked. However, as it was, he loved Mari more than anyone in the entire universe, and Chloe came in a close second, and their safety would not be jeopardized ever again if he could help it. His father be damned, and he would not back down to some archaic structure of command.
"I will not sit by and let two of the women I care about, intimately, or otherwise, be subjected to the horrors and discomfort they've had to endure to satiate your propaganda," he growled, rising up, using every inch of his six foot one frame to fill the room. Little did he know, the power of his Miraculous, and Plagg's dormant ability, rolled off his shoulders, radiating in nigh tangible waves to lend credit to his words, making the air thick with his threat.
His father's eyes narrowed, and he watched the beads of sweat appear across the man's forehead. "You're entirely sure they've been hurt?"
"On my life," he countered.
"Henri," he whispered, nearly croaking on the singular word. "I want you to go through that list of names I drew up after the incident in London. See if you can find suitable guards for all the ladies on the current tour. As for the allegations my son is leveling against the company, is that private investigator still on the books?"
"S-Sir, I'm unsure if…"
He waved a hand, irritated. "Nevermind. I'll text Nathalie about that. However, Adrien, does that seem fair enough? I can give them protection until the tour is over, and we will look further into the episodes you've brought to my attention, hm?"
The blonde hesitated, but nodded. If his father was willing to provide bodyguards, it was definitely a start. After all, he'd been given one as a boy, and it would prevent them from doing stupid things, especially Chloe, as much as he loved the woman. It would give him peace of mind, and ease his burden a minute amount. Also, if his father was true to his word, then maybe they'd find out who was assaulting Chloe, repeatedly, since the woman was still adamant about keeping such precious details to herself, though, he was sure Luka had some hand in it.
"Yes, thank you," he said firmly, turning away.
"Adrien," his father grunted, pulling him back around with the word. "I'm…proud of how strong you've become," he whispered, almost inaudibly.
The teenager frowned, swallowing, almost taken aback. He wasn't sure how to respond, as his father wasn't one to show affection. It was the closest he'd ever come to a true compliment. "Th-Thank you, dad," he tried awkwardly, nodding. "I'm g-glad I could make you proud," he said honestly.
"I've been proud of you more times than I've admitted," Gabriel said softly, confounding the blonde more.
A rosy color graced his cheeks, but he cleared his throat. "Thanks," he repeated flatly, driving his gaze to the far wall. He was afraid if he gave into the warmth that was suddenly spreading through his chest…the pride…it would shatter at the first splinter of reality. He knew his father was full of disappointment, and he couldn't allow himself to fill with too much hope.
"You can go," he finally responded, and Adrien nodded, swiveling his body stiffly, removing himself from his father's office in the Venice mansion.
***POV Change***
Marinette had felt Adrien's body moving. The loss of his warmth and security was painful and immediate, but she kept her eyes firmly closed. She didn't want to alert him to her awareness, and she didn't want to hinder his plans to do…whatever it is he needed to do. She had been a burden enough.
Chloe, it seemed, was completely dead to the world, snoring softly on her other side, completely content to be wrapped up in a tangle of sheets.
Her lover pressed his soft lips to her forehead, and it took every last inch of her willpower not to respond to the affection as he murmured an 'I love you' against her skin, caressing her softly with his mouth before she heard him disappearing from the room.
It must have been important, whatever the task, if he was willing to leave them unattended for any length of time, but her heart clenched all the same.
Once she heard the door firmly shut, the lock throwing, she popped a bluebell orb open, peering around the softly lit room. It was still early. Maybe five or six in the morning. Mari sat up, holding the blanket against her bare chest, and she frowned, taking in a deep steadying breath.
Her body ached, having enjoyed his abuse the evening prior, and Chloe had been kind enough to…remain unseen most of the time. She'd asked the blonde to rejoin them, but she refused, unyielding, and Adrien seemed content to take his passion out on the bluenette. The thought automatically made her smile, and she was biting her lip without meaning to.
He…didn't think she was tainted. She wasn't a stain. Images still flashed, unwanted, off and on through her mind, but Adrien's compassion, his lust…his need, want, love, heat, desire, pure craving for…just her…drove back…every single doubt…every single time it arose, making the night…nearly perfect. She…writhed beneath him, and nothing…no one…could take that from her. Adrien was hers…she was his. Adrien. Adrien. Adrien.
His intense green eyes kept her grounded. His wandering, soft…strong…possessive hands had memorized every one of her curves, but despite the powerfully dangerous animal beneath his skin…she knew…she was his and he would protect her. She was his mate. There was no other place…in the entire world she would find this measure of safety. This…was home, in his arms…in his heart. This was love…this was…everything.
She smiled. Adrien. "My love," she breathed, closing her eyes. Luka flashed there, just for a moment, but the light in her heart pushed the darkness aside, and tears popped free from her closed lids. "My life."
She pulled free from the bed, making sure not to disturb Chloe, and peeked under the bed. "Tikki," she whispered. "We have something we need to do, now. Spots on," she grunted.
***POV Change***
Adrien frowned at his phone as he stalked back to the room. The text had been sent shortly after he'd left. He wasn't sure how he'd missed it, but he had.
(5:47 a.m.) Mari: I love you too, Adrien. There's something I need to do, so, please forgive me, but I promise I'll be safe. This Lady has a Stallion taking her home to visit our grandfather about a slippery creature. I have some questions. I'll be back as soon as I'm able. Look after Chloe. Scream at me later, please? I love you…I love you? I love you…did I mention…that I love you?
She loved him too? She was awake when he left? Great. That was perfect. It was easy enough to figure out she was going as Ladybug, but taking a Stallion home? The capitalization threw him off for a moment, but he nodded a little. Pegasus was going to bring her to Paris, probably. Home was Paris. Their grandfather? Fu, that was his best guess, since they didn't share a grandfather.
Slippery creature could have been a number of things, but a question that had plagued his own mind since he fought Luka was…whether the man had his Miraculous. The snake Miraculous. She had gone to get information on Luka.
Adrien wanted to be mad that she'd up and left without a word…but she had texted…and she'd been somewhat rational about it…and…he wanted to give her space.
(6:18 a.m.) Adrien: Screaming shall be withheld until further notice, but I want continuous updates on your status. Please? I don't like not seeing you. I worry too much. I love you, very much, Marinette. I trust your judgment, so, do what you need to do, but please, please…please…keep me informed.
He sighed as he sent it, his thumb cascading over the screen before he pushed back into the room, double checking on the blonde still nestled safely in the bed. She was still snoring. Still safe. Still relatively content.
(6:20 a.m.) Mari: I promise to check in, warden! Do you need pictures with the updates?
He let a small smile tug at his lips at the implied playful tone.
(6:20 a.m.) Adrien: Yes, nudes, so I know you're not withholding information or evidence.
(6:24 a.m.) Mari: Media Delivered.
Adrien's eyes widened, and he almost dropped his phone, catching it at the last second before swallowing loudly. He stared, several seconds longer, to assure his mind he was seeing what he thought he was seeing.
It was definitely Marinette, by the curve of her lip, and the thick unruly aqua tresses cascading down her body…but, she was naked. Had she been naked, still, when she transformed? Her thick silken strands tastefully covered the more intimate portions of her breasts, but he saw the swell of her ample orbs, and the defined lines of her upper abdomen where the picture cut off. He couldn't see her eyes, but her…smile was mischievous. Where…the hell…had she…
He glowered at the picture, scrutinizing anything in the background, and he realized she was fuckin' naked on a rooftop! She had…dropped transformation…just to tease him…naked on a rooftop.
He shuddered, licking his lips as he texted her back.
(6:29 a.m.) Adrien: You're a horrible, nasty, tease.
(6:32 a.m.) Mari: Are you terribly turned on?
(6:33 a.m.) Adrien: Yes…and you had better hope nobody saw you, Lady exhibitionist. I think thatmight deserve a punishment. :3
Silence, and he grinned, almost triumphant. He was glad she had felt confident enough to send the photo, and of course, there would be no punishment, that would be pushing the limits too fast, but it was fun to tease her.
He stared at Chloe's sleeping form once more and sighed, smiling. He retrieved a piece of cheese from his secret stash and slid it under the bed, only to have greedy hands snatch it from his digits before he could drop it.
"Geez," he muttered, blinking. A soft growling noise ensued, and Adrien's brows shot up. "Problem?" He tried to keep his voice as low as possible as he peered under the bed.
"When the female isn't in the room," he bit out through a mouthful of cheese, green eyes glowing from the underside of the furniture.
The blonde frowned, but nodded gradually. The tone in Plagg's voice didn't leave much room for debate, and if his kwami sounded this angry and serious, it was important. "When she gets up, I'll make sure she showers, or does it have to be right now?"
He snuffled, grunting, shifting away. Adrien supposed that meant it could wait a little while longer, but his frown deepened anyway. Had…he done…
"Did I do something wrong?" He couldn't keep the sudden fear and hurt from leaking into his voice, and he watched the onyx being stiffen.
"Of course not, kitten," he whispered, shaking his overly sized head. "I'm just uneasy, but it isn't anything to do with you," he assured, sighing. "Just…go away before we start crying and braiding each other's hair."
Adrien snorted at the last comment, smiling a little. "Okay, I'll take your word for it." After all, Plagg wasn't one to sugarcoat things for him. If his kwami said he wasn't mad at him, he would believe him. Still, something had happened…and he couldn't be sure what…since…they hadn't even left the room.
***POV Change***
Ladybug grinned at the text. The first thoughts sent waves of pleasure through her, laced with a modicum of panic at possibly being tied up, but she quieted them down.
(6:33 a.m.) Kitty: Yes…and you had better hope nobody saw you, Lady exhibitionist. I think that might deserve a punishment. :3
She stared at the message one last time before dropping through her skylight with deft ease. Getting dressed before transforming would have been a good idea, but at least she could change here.
***One outfit later, and a swing across the city***
"Marinette, I wasn't expecting to see you. I thought you still had a few days left on your trip," Fu commented calmly, ushering her quickly inside.
"I do, but I need some information that couldn't seem to wait," she whispered, croaking as she rubbed her arms. Tikki floated upwards, joining Wayzz in a tight embrace before the two beings floated off towards the Miracle Box.
"Come, let us have some tea," he murmured, gesturing for her to have a seat at the table.
He poured the cups as she nodded. "Thank you, but I really need to know if Luka is in possession of the snake Miraculous," she blurted out brusquely. She watched him falter, and she cringed. "He is, isn't he?"
"Is he misusing his power?"
She sucked in a deep breath, letting it out just as loudly. "I don't know if he's misusing Second Chance, because that would be hard to tell, wouldn't it? However, I can tell you that he…his morality is in serious question."
Fu took a seat gradually, pulling his steaming cup to his lips, allowing the silence to stretch for a few moments before he finally responded. "Tell me."
What had Luka done directly? She couldn't prove he had drugged her, or even raped her, really, but he was definitely abusing Chloe on one level or another, so she'd start there.
"He's being abusive to his girlfriend," she said slowly. "Emotionally, and mentally at the very least. She has signs of physical trauma too, but she refuses to say if it's him or not. On top of that, he has been acting hostile towards Adrien, picking fights on purpose, and…pursuing me even when I've told him no," she said honestly. "It's like he's…looking for trouble, and he just doesn't seem to want to stop." She shivered, shaking her head. "He even went as far as to put me in a position where I felt sort of helpless, and took a little advantage by…uh…pressing into me," she blushed, looking away, embarrassed as she thought of the photo shoot.
Fu made a small noise, but he politely cleared his throat. "I see. Well, my first question is, why would he be more hostile towards Adrien?"
Her face bloomed with brighter shades of crimson, and she squeaked. "Oh, I uh...we…sort of…kind of…" Her ears started to burn with the weight of her embarrassment. "I s-started dating Adrien," she spat out, blinking.
"I see," he chuckled, and she looked at him, surprised. "Did you two finally figure it out?" There was an amused sparkle in his eyes, and she pursed her lips. Of course Fu would know.
"Y-yes," she whispered, nodding.
"Good, but you will have to be extra careful now, and that is a talk the three of us must have together, soon, yes?" Marinette nodded. "That having been said, it would make sense Luka would feel the need to attack your partner if he's trying to court you," he said politely. "If he's being…affected by the snake Miraculous, it goes doubly so. Snakes are quite aggressive in courting females."
She swallowed. "Adrien isn't a pushover, either."
Fu nodded. "Cats are territorial too, and you are his soul mate. That would be a highly imperative situation for him to defend, but he has had longer to acclimate to his Miraculous, so he can also think more...I hope."
Marinette thought about it, trying not to fumble over the term soul mate, and she tilted her head back and forth. "For the most part, I'd say yes, he's been very level headed even through his possessive nature."
The Guardian nodded. "I'm glad to hear it. He has grown a lot since I gave him the Destruction Miraculous. Such a youthful and carefree soul," he chuckled. "However, if what you're saying is right, then perhaps it's best Luka takes a break from his Miraculous. Forgive me for prying, but are you and Adrien engaging in a lot of intimate time together?"
She cringed, staring at the ceiling. "Might have been."
Fu laughed softly. "I only ask because snakes also thrive off the scent of female pheromones, so if he's honed on you, and you're, well," he let the thought linger, and she flushed. She didn't need him to finish.
"I got it," she breathed.
"Is something else bothering you?"
"I'm worried about Chloe," she admitted.
"You gave her back the Bee Miraculous."
"Yes, but she deserved it, and that's not what I meant. Something happened to her…and I'm not sure what. She seems a little broken inside, and I don't know how to fix it. She's still good, and moral, and loving, but there's so much damage and sadness," she whimpered.
"Ah," he said, sighing. "Well, we can only heal what we can see. The wounds inflicted deep down are best mended through time and with one's own willpower and the support of loved ones. The best you can do is continue to be there for her, Marinette. Don't try too hard." He shrugged a little. "Unfortunately, she is the one who will decide when the damage becomes undone. You can't force it or speed it along with your sheer force of will. Chloe must be the one to decide when she is ready. I'm sure though, since she has you on her side, the progress may go faster."
The bluenette felt tears stinging her orbs, but she nodded. "F-Fair enough," she admitted, sniffling. It was hard though, since Chloe had suffered for her, and all Mari wanted to do was heal her in return. If only Miraculous Ladybugs could provide that Miracle.
"I'm sure things will work out."
"Yeah," she sighed, and pulled out her phone. "Smile," she warned, plastering one on her face.
"Wha—? Her phone flashed as she leaned near him, holding up two fingers.
"Just keeping Adrien updated," she giggled at his surprised expression because it wasn't often the Guardian was confused. "Don't worry, I won't let it go viral," she teased.
(7:42 a.m.) Mari: Media Delivered
(7:44 a.m.) Mari: Hanging with Grandpa. Turns out, our slippery friend is indeed packing some special gear. Be careful, please. I love you. He says that his particular breed tend to be overly aggressive in…advances pertaining to primal needs, especially in courting females.
She sighed, going to pocket her phone, but it beeped just as swiftly.
(7:46 a.m.) Kitty: Good to know. Thanks for the warning. If he thought he was getting his hands on you, he was sadly mistaken. I hope you have a plan on how to obtain his gear.
She frowned at the message, shrugging. She had zero ideas. "Fu, how do we get his Miraculous?"
"I will see if he'll come have a word with me. Pegasus can fetch him. Diplomacy may work. If not, I'll try to warn you ahead of his refusal," he uttered peacefully, pouring himself another cup of tea.
She flinched. "What if he gets violent with you?"
"I will cross that bridge if I arrive there."
"I can't ask you to do that for me! I'll stay, as Ladybug."
He ushered in a large breath, contemplating. "I could not ask you to possibly endanger yourself, Marinette."
"You entrusted me and Adrien to protect Paris, how is this any different? It's just Luka," she countered.
He closed his eyes, releasing a heavy flow of air. "If he is indeed infatuated with you, he may know your scent better than you think. Adrien was fooled for years, but if you had joined together as civilians and he had marked you without knowing your alternate identity, the moment you were together, transformed, he would have smelled through your glamour. I can't take the risk of Luka figuring out your identity if he's that honed in on you," he explained slowly.
The bluenette went rigid, swallowing around the tightness in her throat and chest, mind reeling. Okay, she could get around this. She could still help. "Could we disguise my scent? I could roll around in mud? Garbage? Garlic? Tomato sauce?"
The Guardian actually chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm not sure it could mask the pheromones," he laughed. "Maybe if we keep you at a distance, just as back-up," he relented, and she smiled.
(7:57 a.m.) Mari: Don't be mad…but I'm going to be in…with Grandpa for most of the morning. He's going to try and convince our friend to hand over the gear.
As the seconds spilled into agonizing minutes, she felt her lover's trepidation, even from the hundreds of miles, and she cringed. She knew Adrien was worried. She wanted to reach out and touch him, kiss him, and offer sweet promises, but she couldn't. Instead, her phone finally beeped.
(8:12 a.m) Kitty: I'm not happy with this plan, at all. Please, reconsider?
(8:14 a.m.) Mari: I can't leave Fu to face him alone, just in case he gets violent.
(8:14 a.m.) Kitty: Let me take your place. It makes more sense to let me guard Fu.
It wasn't completely illogical, but she cringed. She didn't want Adrien to face Luka, for several reasons. First of all, she was almost afraid Adrien might kill the man, for one. Not just for what he did to her, but what he might have done for Chloe. Not that the blonde was irrational, but still.
(8:17 a.m.) Mari: Who would watch Chloe and me?
(8:18 a.m.) Kitty: That's completely unfair…
(8:18 a.m.) Mari: Okay, I'll come back, and you can come here and guard Fu, leaving me and Chloe completely unguarded…
Okay, yeah, it was a really low blow, but she wanted to keep him safe, because she knew, deep down, that Luka would be out for his blood too. She didn't want him to get hurt.
(8:20 a.m.) Kitty: God dammit Mari! That's fucking UNFAIR!
She winced, swallowing, throwing her eyes to the floor. It was unfair, and she knew it. However, if it was between her taking a risk, and letting him take a risk, she knew it was no contest. She loved him too much. However, it felt like the firefighter incident all over again.
(8:22 a.m.) Mari: I love you…
There was no response. She didn't really blame him. He was angry. He was sad. He was…what? She sighed, nodding. "I'm staying, Master. Message him." Her phone dinged.
(8:26 a.m.) Kitty: Try to be on time for the fashion event this evening or people might be suspicious of your absence. I wanted to surprise you, but I guess it really doesn't matter now. 6:00. Be safe.
There wasn't an 'I love you' to be returned, and her heart clenched painfully. Well, she supposed, that was the least of her worries…for now.
AUTHOR NOTE:
Sorry if last chapter was disappointing. I went where it felt organic, and although threesomes aren't really my thing, this time I did something a little out of my ordinary scope just to try something different since it felt…right for the story. Sorry everyone, I guess. Thanks. Hope you enjoyed this chapter at least. Thank you for your continued…support. Sorry again…I'm really sorry.