You're a bad person, PB.

Bonnibel stood in front of the television screens, Phoebe's words rolling over and over in her mind. It was a preposterous thought, surely. And yet, here she was, at the command center for her spy network. Over the years she had set up cameras all throughout Ooo to keep watch over anyone and everyone she considered significant.

It had started as a way to keep her people safe and to be able to have eyes everywhere. But slowly it had turned into an inappropriate obsession that she had locked away from the rest of the world. Bonnibel found herself addicted to seeing the secrets of her people, of knowing that they too hid things from the world. For a while it had given her a sense of security, to know she wasn't the only one hiding herself. Only with each secret revealed Bonnibel found she needed more justification for herself.

Phoebe's words had exposed the heavy feeling of doubt in her stomach. And doubt is…an uncomfortable sensation for a woman in her position. She was supposed to be sure, strong, confident in all of her decisions. But how could she be when every time she stepped out to address her people she felt like a phony and a fool? Secrets or no, they were just candy people. Their worst scandal was that they would put an extra sugar cube in their tea in the morning. Bonnibel felt overwhelmed.

"I can't keep doing this," she puffed, dropping into the creaky rolling chair. It wasn't fair to her people or her friends. Finn and Jake didn't deserve someone looking over their shoulders for all of the good they did. And Phoebe was being a fine ruler, despite all of the turmoil in her past.

Bonnibel reached out, a row of thick wires connecting her computers to the monitors. Years of work and data had been collected using these cameras. Sure, there were times she could believe they had helped, but not enough. She gripped three of them, closing her eyes tightly as if she was about to rip off a Band-Aid. Sharply she pulled, electricity sparking as the connection was severed. And then she reached for more, tearing the dozens of wires till the room fell silent, broken only by a chirp from her phone.

The screen gave the room an eerie glow as Bonnibel looked towards it, noticing the familiar name of Marceline flashing on the screen. There it was, her secret staring her in the face. For a time her feelings towards the Vampire Queen had been repressed, shoved into the furthest corners of her mind. But with each text, each shared coffee, every nervous swirl in Bonnibel's stomach the feelings slowly started to push forward. What had truly shattered the barriers had been the day she traded in her most prized possession. She had given the Sky Witch Marceline's shirt just to see the vampire finally happy to have her childhood toy back.

It was then that Bonnibel realized just how much she depended on that shirt. She had worn it religiously. Every night she would wrap her arms around herself, tucking her nose under the collar to breath in the lingering wisps of Marceline. The days she hid it under coats and sweaters were the days she felt most at ease. And now, now she looked at the empty spot in her drawers, trying her best to believe that giving it up was the right thing to do.

Her phone buzzed again to remind her of the message, finally pulling Bonnibel from her seat. Gently she curled a piece of hair around her ear, gripping her phone and squinting at the bright screen.

Movie night Finn & Jake's plc. U in?

A tired smile pulled on Bonnibel's lips as she started to reply. She should get an early night, but with everything that happened today Bonnibel needed some time with friends.

Sounds like fun. Shall we me up at the tree?

The tree, it had started as a sapling several years ago. Marceline had planted it as a halfway marker for her trips to and from the kingdom. A thousand years and she still seemed to have difficulty remembering directions. But now it was a fully-grown oak and as their friendship blossomed the two women used the tree as a place to meet. Sometimes it was before parties or just to sit and chat about their days. Either way it was something only they shared. They'd even scrapped in a cheesy B and M near the base of the trunk.

Perf. C u 5:30.

Bonnibel made her way out the door, firmly locking it with a padlock as she returned to her city streets. She had grown this city from the ground up and yet still couldn't bring herself to fully confide in her citizens. Everything in her said to, to just tell them that their princess was in the process of discovering herself…but she couldn't. Bonnibel feared they wouldn't understand and in turn they might begin to dislike her. That was her greatest fear of all.

Marceline yawned under the tree, looking down at her phone as it twisted comfortably around her wrist. 5:39, the princess was late. Not that it surprised the vampire. Bonnibel, despite her best efforts, often got distracted on her way to things. No big. She had started to act a little…weird, though. Marceline couldn't really put her finger on what it was but it was like the woman had started to feel closed off around her. Sure, their relationship hadn't started off on the best foot but now they were friends, or pals, or whatever. Was she supposed to ask PB if something was up?

Glob, a thousand years and Marceline shamelessly knew Bonnibel had been her only true girlfriend. In the sense of her being a girl and a friend. Not that Marceline would care if it was the other way. Not saying she wanted that, no, PB and her were just friends. Two good friends that could chat about whatever they wanted. And since Bonnibel was her only friend that was a girl, Marceline didn't want to ruin it with overly complicated emotions.

"Sorry I'm late!" Bonnibel called as she trotted towards the tree, out of breath as she adjusted the shoulder bag across her torso. Marceline shifted from her lounging position, turning towards Bonnibel with a smile.

"Don't worry about it. Compost happens," she let her converse touch the cool grass, tucking her hands deeper into her jacket. The torso was made out of denim material but had grey sweatshirt sleeves and a hood sowed into the inside. "You planning on going somewhere?" Marceline commented, gesturing to Bonnibel's bag as the pair started to make their way towards Finn and Jake's place.

"What?" Bonnibel glanced down; quickly processing what Marceline was referring to and then giving a small giggle and a shake of her head. "Oh, no. I just brought some snacks for the movie. I find Finn, Jake, and LP always hog the popcorn. I packed you some stuff too," she remarked, patting the leather cover before a squeak of a yawn puffed from her mouth.

"Awe, come on, Bon-bon. Don't tell me you're gonna fall asleep in the middle of the movie again. I don't want to have to explain it to you on the walk back." Bonnibel giggled, waving away the sign of exhaustion as they climbed the final hill before Marceline's old home.

"I won't, I won't. It's just been a long day. Besides, what would we even talk about on the way back if you didn't explain the movie to me again?" Bonnibel teased as Marceline gave a hard laugh, kicking a nearby rock with her toe.

"I don't know, we always find things to talk about. Plus I always feel like I'm the one talking."

"Oh…I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"Don't get me wrong," Marceline quickly interjected, the pair stopping at the top of the hill. It over looked the small meadow before Finn and Jake's house. The lights in the living room were on and the every so often shadow drifted across the window. "I don't mind, I just…like hearing about you and all," she admitted, a sheepish expression suddenly drifting over her features.

Bonnibel blushed, blinking at the confession placed before her. Should she say something? Add to it? "I…you…" she paused, looking down at the grass in thought, words leaving the knowledgeable princess.

"Naw, ignore I said anything. Come on, we're gonna be late," Marceline smiled, discarding what she said earlier by trotting ahead of Bonnibel and down the hill. But the princess continued to stand there, looking at Marceline for a moment before slowly following after. Why was she always so hesitant? There were times that Bonnibel felt like Marceline was trying to tell her something, to push her into saying how she truly felt. But every time Bonnibel would ignore it and pretend that the vampire was just being weird like always.

In truth, Marceline didn't really know what she was trying to say. Just something, anything. She liked having PB around, spending time with her and all. But sometimes her mind would wander and wonder about the candy princess. Wonder if there was something more behind her soft giggles and playful swats on her arm. But she could never bring herself to ask.

They were welcomed into the tree house in a wave of chatter from all sorts of friends. Bonnibel was normally the one to jump into the conversation, to laugh it up with friends until six finally hit and B-MO started up the movie. But today she simply gave people a soft smile and then slid into the reading chair she had designated for herself in the early movie club days. She was tired, partially from fighting with Phoebe and partially from her constant bickering thoughts. Maybe she would fall asleep during the movie tonight.

COMMENTS: So here's my new Bonnibel and Marceline adventure. I don't know how many parts it'll be but since fanfic is being fidgety with me submitting so much text in one document I'll be posting these in chapters. Enjoy!