Falling in Lust

Chapter 5 - You're in my Personal Space Bubble

Any negative feelings Chloe might have had from Marinette wasting her perfume were gone, replaced with utter shock. She could only gape, for the first time in her life at a loss for words. Kagami wrapped her arms around Marinette, pretty much devouring her face.

A strange feeling swam in her gut. She recognized it, but she'd never admit to herself what it was. Instead, she marched forward and grabbed Kagami's shoulder, yanking her away from Marinette who breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thanks," she muttered, taking a step back. Chloe could see her eye shadow was smeared on her face. How long had Kagami been at it?

"What's going on?" Chloe demanded, holding a squirming Kagami who had tears running down her cheeks. She wished she could control herself, but she simply needed Marinette.

Marinette scowled. "You tell me! This all happened because of your perfume!" she snapped, pointing an accusing finger. She knew it was her fault, but she terribly shaken, and anger was the best way to make her forget that fact.

"You broke it," Chloe reminded her. "And I don't know what's in it. I don't even know what it smells like! It didn't smell good, did it?"

Marinette shrugged. "I didn't smell anything. But when it broke there was this strange red fog, and everyone started jumping on me."

"You think they're in there doing that to each other?" Chloe asked, scared to enter. But she was a host, and a good one at that. She needed to tend to her guests. She reached for the handle, maintaining a strong grasp on Kagami with her other arm.

"Wait!" Marinette exclaimed. She lifted her brow expectantly. "What?"

"I-I don't want you to go crazy too," she muttered, shuffling her feet uncomfortably. It was weird enough to have Lila kissing her, not to mention Kagami. It might kill her if Chloe fell victim to the perfume too.

Chloe rolled her eyes. "Don't worry. I don't think I could ever be in love with you."

Inside the room, everyone was still sitting on the floor, looking about frantically. They were all thinking about Marinette but debating whether or not they should find her.

"Does anyone else feel... weird?" Adrien asked with a nervous laugh, trying to be as diplomatic as possible.

"If by 'weird' you mean strongly attracted to the baker girl, then yes," Felix grunted, sulking. He hung his head, staring at the floor bitterly.

"This can't be happening!" Lila cried, looking for some sympathy. "I can't like Marinette! She hates me."

"I have a girlfriend," Adrien pointed out. His eyes widened and he glanced around the room. "Oh no! Where's Kagami?"

"Outside with Marinette," Felix informed him, feeling himself harden at the mere mention of her name. Adrien sighed dreamily, daydreaming about Marinette and completely forgetting her girlfriend.

"Well, I for one feel fine," Luka chimed in. "Just a little more... er... hormonal than usual."

"Of course, you feel fine, Luka," Lila snapped, too frazzled to keep up a consistent pretense. "You're already in love with her. I hate Marinette."

Bluebell eyes and long soft hair flashed in her mind's eye. Rosy cheeks and pale skin. Pink plump lips. Button nose...

Lila despised Marinette, but she really wanted to be sitting on her lap right now. "Argh!" she growled in frustration. No one seemed to notice her, lost in their own thoughts.

Chloe pushed open the door and all heads snapped up. Everyone's eyes widened and pupils dilated severely. Adrien's mouth hung open and he found himself unable to tear his eyes away from the divine sight of Marinette. How had he never noticed before? She was beautiful.

Felix bit his lip, wanting her so badly it hurt. Lila squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the image. Luka stared at Marinette shamelessly.

"Oh no," Marinette whispered under her breath inaudibly.

Felix was the first to snap. He jolted up abruptly and marched straight for Marinette. He swept her up in his arms and kissed her lips. She pursed them, trying to deter his efforts. He long to make her mouth open, to have her inviting his touch instead of denying it.

"Marinette..." It was Adrien's voice as he came up beside her, gently kissing up her arm. It was exactly how she'd expected him to kiss, kindly, almost politely. Chloe's arm went limp from shock as she stood gaping at the spectacle before her. Kagami seized the opportunity and snaked her arms around Marinette, planting hungry kisses on the back of her neck.

Lila attempted to shove the others out of the way, eager to get her hands on the blue haired hero. She shoved Kagami, who barely budged, and attempted to insert herself between Kagami and Felix.

"Chloe! Help me!" Marinette shouted, trying to shove her way out of the center. Luka stood off to the side, admiring her with his eyes and patiently awaiting his turn.

"One sec-" Chloe dashed out of the room and Marinette thought she'd burst into tears. This was terrifying, and Chloe just left her alone to deal with it by herself. How could she? She struggled to break free and only Adrien seemed to let up a little.

But then Chloe returned, armed with a fly swatter and her purse. She smacked them until they finally, reluctantly, pulled away from the petrified Marinette. Butler Jean entered the room and with him he brought a stack of blindfolds.

"Everyone put these on and don't even think about moving!" Chloe commanded, swing the flyswatter through the air to reinforce her point. Everyone reluctantly complied, sitting on the couches and tying them securely around their faces.

"Thank you, Chloe," Marinette said in relief, wiping her bangs off her forehead to have them fall right back down again. Her hands were trembling, and she feared she would fall down, heels or not.

Everyone started at the sound of her voice. "You probably shouldn't talk," Luka said calmly, the only one who seemed to be handling the situation well. "It seems even your voice has a powerful effect."

"Shut up," Felix growled, unwilling to acknowledge his weakness.

Marinette nodded, then remembered they couldn't see it. She slapped her forehead. She needed to get out of here. Maybe it would wear off in time.

She brought her lips next to Chloe's ear so the others wouldn't hear and whispered quietly, "I'm going to the roof. I can't stay here."

Chloe looked concern, which was an expression that definitely seemed out of place on her face. "You can use one of the guest rooms," she offered.

Marinette nodded, swallowing against the rising lump in her throat.

"Room 369 is open," Chloe told her. Marinette nodded again before backing out of the room and hurtling down the hallway.

Little did she know, they'd all been listening and knew exactly what room she was staying in.