Author's Note: Hello, AngelRosemary here. This story takes place after the events of my other story, "Sweet Tooth." I greatly appreciate everyone who left a review on my previous story. For those of you who haven't read "Sweet Tooth," you don't necessarily need to have read it to understand this story. It basically just explains how Princess Bubblegum and Marceline came to be better friends. However, there may be a cameo of my two OC's from "Sweet Tooth." Other than that, though, there shouldn't be any confusion.

This story focuses primarily on the friendship of Princess Bubblegum and Marceline and a love triangle between Princess Bubblegum, Marceline, and Finn. It takes place before Flame Princess came into the picture. With no further ado, enjoy. (And don't forget to review! )

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Adventure Time with Finn and Jake. It is owned by Pendleton Ward.

"Ready for the time of your life, Bonnie?"

"Please, Marceline."

Marceline hovered next to Princess Bubblegum as they traveled. She turned to face the Princess.

"C'mon, Bonnibelle, this is the hottest Candy Bar in the Candy Kingdom. Can't you loosen up just a little?"

Princess Bubblegum shook her head furiously. "No way. I'm a Princess. I must be a proper example for my people. I'm investigating this place undercover and shutting it down. That's all."

Marceline rolled her eyes and blew a stray strand of hair from her face. "Whatever, Your Highness. I have to give you credit, no one should be able to recognize you in that get-up."

Princess Bubblegum was indeed dressed unusually. She wore black boots, torn, black skinny jeans, a black leather jacket over her "Sweet Tooth" t-shirt that Marceline had once gotten her at a concert for her birthday, and a black motorcycle helmet. Of course Marceline knew where the t-shirt had come from, but she couldn't help wondering where the Princess had obtained the remainder of her ensemble.

Marceline had done things like this a lot with Princess Bubblegum lately. Their relationship had definitely improved. Still, this didn't stop the Princess from, in Marceline's opinion, occasionally being a stick in the mud.

Suddenly, Marceline heard footsteps coming from behind. She turned to see none other than her little friend, Finn the Human (along with Jake the dog), running in her direction and waving his hands.

"Hey guys! Err, girls," Finn panted excitedly.

"Hey, hero. Hey, Jake," Marceline greeted.

"Hey," Jake grunted.

"What's up, guys?" Princess Bubblegum asked.

"We just got back from most mathematical adventure ever! The amoeba queen used her incredible shrinking powers on us, and we had to fight her germ warriors, and one of them was a hedgehog with two heads, and…and…" Finn paused to take a few breaths. He sighed happily and turned his attention to the two girls. "So…what're you two up to?"

Marceline motioned with her hand. "Oh…just, you know, nothing."

Finn mimicked Marceline's hand motion. "Can we do 'nothing' with you?"

The Princess cut in, "Oh, no, sorry, strict royal business. Monarchs only."

Jake indicated Princess Bubblegum's attire. "So, you're going to a royal biker convention?"

The Princess' ears turned a slightly darker shade of pink. "What, no! Look, we're going to investigate The Candy Bar undercover. Finn is too young to get in."

Finn's face fell. Then he made a stubborn expression and crossed his arms. "Oh. I see. I'm…too young."

Jake winced, and then tugged at one of Finn's shirt sleeves. "C'mon, buddy, let's go home. Your Finn cakes are still in the fridge."

Finn turned his back to Princess Bubblegum. "Yeah. O.k."

Jake pulled Finn away, looking accusingly over his shoulder at the Princess. Marceline and Princess Bubblegum continued on their way. The Princess hung her head slightly, guilt prevalent on her face.

Marceline stared at Princess Bubblegum's expression. She looked away and rubbed the back of her neck. "Look, Princess, I know that you're trying really hard to not be a pedo, but do you have to be so rough on Finn?"

The Princess sighed. "I know. I've tried countless times to let him down gently, but he just seems to take that as 'Not now, but maybe later.' I have to firmer if I'm going to get the message across."

Marceline nodded slightly. She understood what Princess Bubblegum meant, but she still couldn't help feeling sorry for Finn. "He's so innocent. He just wants someone to love."

Marceline looked up suddenly, realizing that they had reached their destination. "Alright, Bonnie, play it cool." They approached the entrance. Out of the corner of her eye, Marceline thought that she caught a glimpse of a shadow in the nearby alley.

"Name?" the cookie security guard asked gruffly.

"Black Licorice," Princess Bubblegum responded.

"You're free to enter." The guard stepped out of the Princess' way.

Princess Bubblegum started toward the door. She looked back to Marceline, who was staring at where she thought she'd seen a shadow. "Are you coming?"

Marceline glanced at the Princess, and then continued staring at the spot. "You can go ahead. I'll catch up with you later." Princess Bubblegum hesitated, but she stepped through the entrance anyway.

Marceline walked slowly around the corner, her eyes darting back and forth. Her hands twitched, ready to strangle the monster that she felt certain was hidden nearby. Suddenly, a dark shape loomed behind her. She hissed and lunged at the creature. It dodged her easily, letting loose a hearty laugh. "Now, is that any way to greet your father?"

Marceline picked herself up off the ground, groaning. "Dad, you almost gave me a heart attack!"

Hudson Abadeer came into the moon light. "Please, honey, you know very well that no member of our family has a heart."

Marceline scoffed. "Whatever. What are you doing here anyway? I thought that Finn and I left you in the Nightosphere."

Marceline's father twitched slightly at the mention of Finn. However, he recovered quickly. "I thought I'd take a break and walk among the living for a while. Even the lord of evil has to take a vacation some time."

Marceline folded her arms across her chest. "Yeah, o.k., but what are you actually doing here? I'm really not in the mood to stop you from sucking souls. I'm kind of having a girls' night with Bonnibelle."

Hudson Abadeer opened his cape to reveal dozens of wristwatches attached inside. "They're enchanted watches that keep the wearer suspended for eternity in a moment in time. I'm selling them. It's a great prank. I give someone a watch, and they just freeze forever." He chuckled to himself as he closed his cape. He looked at Marceline, a smirk on his lips. "Sooo… you and Princess Pinkie, huh?"

Marceline turned a darker red than should have been possible. "DAD!"

Marceline's father just laughed and said, "I'm only yanking your chain, dear. Go on, have fun on your 'date' that I'm sure is 'totally not a date, daddy.'" The last part he said in a girly, whiny voice, attempting to mimic Marceline. She just growled and stared at her shoes while Hudson took off into the night.

Marceline made her way back to the Candy Bar entrance. "I can't believe that he'd say that. What a sicko," she muttered to herself.

"Hey Marceline," the cookie guard said, without even looking up from his list.

"Hey Bill," Marceline murmured back.

Marceline flew over the crowd, searching for the Princess. She finally spotted her, surprisingly, sitting at the bar. She landed on the stool next to her. "Looks like you decided to listen to me after all."

Princess Bubblegum looked up from her drink and rolled her eyes slightly. "Don't get too excited, Marcy. It's just orange juice."

Marceline shrugged. "It's a start. Hey, Hank!" She indicated the bartender. "Get me an agent orange." Hank nodded and went to the back.

"How's you investigation going?" Marceline asked.

"Well, I've only been here for about fifteen minutes, and I've already spotted thirty two health code violations. This place definitely has to go," the Princess said very matter-of-factly.

Marceline smirked mischievously. "I don't know, Princess. You might just change your mind by the end of the night."

Princess Bubblegum blew a raspberry. She turned in her chair so she could look at the peeling, moldy wall. "I seriously doubt that."

"We'll see." Marceline casually poured about half of her alcoholic drink into the Princess' orange juice glass. "Now the fun really begins."