"Come on, we'll get you some dry clothes."
"It doesn't matter. I'll just get them wet again going home."
"Don't be silly. You're not going out in this. S-stay here tonight. There's clothes in the closet. I have to check that the kingdom is ready for this storm."
"Okay, uh, thanks!" she shouted at Bubblegum's retreating back before heading toward the giant staircase to Bubblegum's room. She climbed the steps, hoping she wouldn't be seen. She wasn't sure how a banana guard would react to her wandering the halls.
When she got to Bubblegum's room, she was overwhelmed by the familiar scent. It simultaneously calmed her and made her nervous.
Marceline stared for a moment. The room hand't changed much, though it seemed slightly stiffer, impersonal almost.
Marceline grabbed something dry to sleep in. As she was closing the cabinet door, she noticed the picture pasted there. She heard Bubblegum enter the room sounding tired.
"This was so many years ago. I'm surprised you still keep it up."
"It's a great picture of us."
"I'm glad. I'm glad you still have it." She shut the door and awkwardly went behind the partition to change. "Will the kingdom be okay?"
"It should be. We don't get a lot of storms, but the Gumball Guardians are helping to keep things from getting damaged and the parents will keep kids from getting too scared. We'll be fine."
"Where I come from, we seem to start the storms instead of hiding from them."
When Marceline emerged, Bubblegum had changed too. Marceline looked down and realized Bubblegum would never wear the clothes she had just put on. They were there for Marceline.
"I still haven't found a good replacement for the shirt you gave me. Nothing else feels right. I've had this for a long time and it serves its purpose."
Marceline watched Bubblegum for a moment. She didn't realize anyone could look this good in a plain white shirt.
"It looks good. I thought you didn't wear white. I'm glad you do now. Very glad."
"When I got this shirt, it was red," she said, whipping around to give Marceline a joking glare.
"Whoops," Marceline giggled.
"Let me grab another blanket."
"We can share."
"Marce, you levitate in your sleep. It pulls the blanket right off of me."
Bubblegum retrieved a quilt from her cabinet.
"Thank you, Bonnibel."
"I'm glad you're here."
Marceline spread her arms wide, beckoning Bubblegum to her.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"I left Hambo at home. I need something to cuddle for a bit. Nothing more."
Bubblegum let herself be enveloped in the vampire queen's embrace. MArceline wanted to kiss her head, but resisted. That's not what tonight is about.
"Goodnight, Marceline."
"Goodnight."