GUYS I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING. GAH.
By the time Marshall made it back to his cave, the sun was beginning to rise. It didn't make any difference to him—it's not like he could really spend any time outside during the day, anyway. He slithered upstairs and hovered above his bed to try and rest a bit. He was exhausted from the excitement of the guardian and all that flying with a passenger wasn't something he was used to. He was relieved to finally get some sleep.
But sleep didn't come. Instead his brain did bad things like wander. It wandered around Aah. It briefly went to Fionna and her bravery and her honesty, but it didn't stay and it didn't bring that keen longing that it usually did. There was admiration, no doubt. There was happiness associated with her, but it wasn't the desperate flirtatious attraction that usually plagued his mind. Instead it took him somewhere else. It took him to Gumball. The stuffed up, overly sweet, cutsey-wootsey science geek.
He wondered if Gumball was going to be able to get enough sleep before having to perform princely duties or if he could just order some prince vacation day. He worried if he had kept him out too late and that his sleep deprivation would cause him to make poor decisions. He worried about the prince's health in general.
And then he realized that this was crazy. He was Marshall Lee the Vampire King. What does he care if some dork doesn't get his beauty sleep? He was unscrupulous and inherently evil. He didn't care about anyone and that's just how he liked it. Over attachments to something so… innocent—so lawful good—was far from his style.
But he couldn't stop himself. What was Gumball thinking about? What would he show him next time?
Marshall tossed and turned in the air trying to shake the thoughts away and eventually gave up trying to get rest. He sat down at his desk and tried to come up with lyrics. He plugged in his bass and started playing some simple walking bass lines.
He didn't want to sing about Gumball. Really, he wanted to get him out of his head. It was doing… weird things to him. Things that Marshall was afraid to admit that he liked. He was feeling. And not like when he would hang out with Fionna—it was different. He needed to worry about Gumball because he sure as hell couldn't take care of himself. Fionna could take care of herself, but Gumball needed him there.
His song came out as simple la's and ooh's.
He was none too pleased.
"La da da da I'm gonna bury you in the ground." Marshall floated by effortlessly by. "La da da da I'm gonna bury you in my sound." He plucked the strings on his bass and he flew right up to Gumball so that their noses were nearly touching, "I'm gonna drink the red from your pretty pink face." And that sent Gumball's heart into a tizzy, "I'm gonna-"
Without thinking, the prince pulled the Marshall's face to his own in a rough kiss cutting off the music. The vampire melted into the kiss and hooked his arms around Gumball's neck. They melted together perfectly.
Gumball was woken by Peppermint Maid pulling open the curtains and a harsh stream of light falling onto his face. He woke startled and confused. Why in the world would he dream that!?
"Good morning your highness. Hurry, get up." Peppermint Maid said, "We are running late this morning so we only have 20 minutes for your royal fitting. Then after that we have to hurry to the Scientific Society of Candy—"
"What time is it?" Gumball groaned and pulled the blankets over his head.
Peppermint Maid went to Gumball's closet and began pulling out a suit for the day, "It's almost eight in the morning, sir. I let you sleep in because of the Biannual Gumball Ball last night." She placed the clothing on the foot of his bed and picked up his cloak off the floor, "I would have let you rest longer but with your birthday coming up, we need to see the suits Licorice Tailor designed."
Gumball sat up and rubbed his eyes. He had only managed three hours or so of sleep. But no matter! He had done worse while staying up to perform science experiments and his duties as prince shall not wait. He stood slowly, his mind reeling and the imprint of the dream kiss still fresh in his mind.
"We will be waiting for you down stairs." She said and bustled out of the room.
The candy prince rolled out of bed and stared out to his balcony. It was going to be a long day, he could tell. But it would be worth it when he got to see Marshall again—no nono! That's not what he should be thinking! He shouldn't be looking forward to see Marshall! Marshall is chaotic evil at best. He's bad news and a prince should not want to see bad news.
But he really can't help himself.
Gumball's day was mundane and long. The fitting went fine, the speech was fine, even when he had some down time he was bored, though. His mind was elsewhere. His mind was with mirrored ponds and reckless vampires.
Even as he sat down to perform some experiments, he was unfocused. One drop too many and his whole lab was filled with smoke.
"May I ask what happened?" Peppermint said, staring at the black smoke billowing out from the door.
Marshall happened. Gumball thought. "Just some wrong calculations." He said, but he was lying. His calculations were perfect because his calculations were done earlier that week. He was distracted. He wasn't thinking about science. He was wondering what Marshall would show him that night. He was reliving the terror of the guardian staring into Marshall's eyes.
"Well, let's hope that your calculations get fixed before next week. I'd like to have one celebration that doesn't involve a cleanup crew working through the night." And at that she turned and walked down stairs.
Another candy servant approached the prince, "Prince Gumball, Fionna and Cake have come to see you," He announced before prancing away.
Gumball turned to see the bunny hooded girl and the cream cat down the hall. Fionna waved with a sad smile on her face.
"Hey, no hard feelings about yesterday?" She asked when Gumball approached. "It was pretty lame of me to just take off like that."
Gumball almost laughed. He forgot about that entirely, "It's no problem, Fionna. Don't trouble yourself about it." Honestly, he was actually happy that the previous day's events went down like it did. He found something special that night. Something dangerous. Something he would never admit that he loved.
"Oh thank heavens! That girl was freaking out all night!" Cake said, swatting at Fionna's skirt.
"Cake!" Fionna interjected.
"She thought you hated her or something! I kept telling her to calm her tomatoes, but she just wouldn't listen."
They all laughed and it was all normal again. Everything was normal again.
"But… I did mean what I said." Fionna said. There was insecurity in her voice, "I'm really happy that we're friends, Gumball, but I really don't need a boyfriend or anything. I'm happy where I am."
The sadness returned, though this time it was less crushing. It was like a sad memory, but it didn't matter to him anymore.
"No hard feelings, Fionna." Gumball assured and he really, really meant it. His depression was short lived. It was gone with the ice and his sadness melted into the joy of companionship with Marshall. In regards to Fionna, he couldn't ask for more. "I'm impressed that you are so sure of what you need. It's quite admirable."
Fionna flushed, "Well, gee, Gummy, thanks." She said and playfully punched his arm. Gummy. It made him think of Marshall.
"Anyway, we should probably get going. We decided to stop by on our way to go visit Steven Strong and check out how the fish people are doing," Cake momentarily changed to have gils and fins. She stuck her tongue out in disgust and Fionna elbowed her in the gut, "So I guess I'll see you later?"
Gumball smiled, "Of course. I'll see you later."
The candy prince had managed to sneak a few hours of rest in between his princely duties. By the time the day was fading into night, he felt somewhat well rested.
He sat at his desk reading a book when he heard a tapping on his window. He turned but saw nothing. He knew it was Marshall, but there was a still a chill of fear in his room. Deciding to play along, he continued reading. A soft squeak sounded and when Gumball turned, the door to his balcony was slightly opened. He rolled his eyes and turned back to his book to see Marshall Lee holding it upside down and laying across his desk.
"Evenin' Gumdrop." He said.
Gumball frowned, "May I have my book back, please?" He asked holding out his hand.
Marshall chuckled, "That's no way to get what you want from a dangerous vampire." He sang floating up towards Gumball's high ceiling.
"Marshall Lee…" Gumball warned, "Give me my book."
"What's the magic wooooord?"
Gumball rested his head in his hand and sighed, "I already said please."
Marshall flipped upside down, "That's not the magic word." He said, a bit disappointed, "You didn't think it would be that easy, now did you?"
Gumball's frown deepened, "Are you going to waste our time with a silly game or are we actually going to do something tonight?"
Marshall stuck out his tongue and tried reading the book. "I dunno, Bubba, I kinda like just chillin' around your room. Geeze this book is boring." He tossed it to Gumball who nearly didn't catch it.
"Goodness, Marshall, I'm beginning to wonder why we've started hanging out." Gumball said turning back to his desk and setting the book down.
Distressed, Marshall swept down next to Gumball and rested a hand on his shoulder, "I'm gonna show you something crazy awesome, though. I mean I could just leave you here and go do awesome vampire stuff alone. If you can't handle it that is…" Marshall grinned because he knew he had won.
Gumball rolled his eyes, but he was bubbling with excitement. "Of course I can handle it," He said tilting his nose up and straightening his shoulders.
"Good." Marshall he pulled Gumball into a bridal hold that he was surprisingly getting familiar with already and floated to the balcony, "'Cause I found a sleeping rock giant and I think it's time we wake him up."
Gumball sat on the shoulder of the giant and clung to the moss growing on its neck to keep from falling off as it swayed to Marshall's singing. Upon waking up after a thousand year nap, the giant was facing pretty serious culture shock and needed some guidance.
"We livin' in a mean time and an aggressive time. A painful time, a time with cynicism rots the vine. In a time where violence blocks the summer shine."
Marshall decided to try and help him out.
Gumball rolled his eyes, "That's not a very accurate description of what Aah is like, Marshall Lee." He called. He rested his head on the neck of the rock giant, "It's not that bad. He's just bitter because he's a vampire."
Marshall stopped playing and stuck his tongue out at Gumball.
"But… What is it like? I am confused." The giant boomed. A flock of crows burst from the nearby trees.
Gumball stood "This is this place filled with so many wonders casting its spell that you are now under. Squirrels in the trees and the cute little bunnies, birds flying free and bees with the honey!" Gumball sang.
Marshall scoffed, "Life's not all lollipops and gumdrops prince sappy pants." Marshall called thrumming a steady beat on his bass. "It's hard. Rough and tumble. Unpredictable." Marshall disappeared and lifted Gumball off of the giant's shoulder.
"AHH! Marshall Lee!" Gumball flailed trying to find something to hold on to.
Marshall laughed and reappeared, "Unexpected." He whispered as they landed on the ground.
Gumball blushed and turned away. "I-It's not all bad, either." He said stepping away from the vampire, "There are some good things. A lot of good things," He stole a glance at Marshall who was blushing for the first time that Gumball ever noticed.
Marshall flew up to the giant again, "Yo! Guy!" the giant turned and met Marshall's gaze, "Go and check out the place for yourself, eh? But avoid the pink parts or else Gummy'll kick yer butt." Gumball called some protest from below, but it was lost.
The giant sat with a thundering crash, "I think… I think I want to stay here for another thousand years or so." He said, "I'm… I'm too confused." He closed his eyes and like that it was as if the two had never woken it up at all.
Marshall landed next to Gumball, "Well that was—"
"Do you really think the world is that bad?" Gumball asked. Marshall gave him a confused look, "What you were singing about earlier. What you said. Did you really mean it?"
Marshall rolled his eyes and scooped Gumball up, "I should probably get you home, shouldn't I?" He mumbled.
As they flew, Gumball tried to organize his feelings. All day Marshall had been plaguing his mind then when he finally sees him again, he's finally at ease, and now that he's going home, he's feeling sadness again. Not to mention they had both been doing a weird flirtatious dance of words around that rock giant. All day he'd try to figure out why they worked together, but maybe there wasn't anything to figure out. Maybe they just worked together. Maybe that was all that mattered. Gumball tightened his grip around Marshall's neck and tried to keep himself from thinking too hard into it. If he thought too much, he might do something stupid.
Marshall dropped Gumball off and perched on the railing. "So, sweet pea…"
Gumball laughed, "What is it with you and horrible pet names?"
Marshal closed his eyes and clasped his hands together, "I just wanna show you how much I love you, Bubba!" He sang. Gumball was thankful that Marshall's eyes were closed and couldn't see how dark his blush was. "Well… I guess goodnight?" He asked, standing. He lingered on the railing, though. Waiting for something to happen. Waiting for Gumball to say something.
"Good night…" Gumball lingered, too. Silently watching Marshall through inquisitive eyes. Observing and waiting.
Both wanted the same thing.
Marshall moved quickly into Gumball's personal space. He placed a cold hand onto his burning cheek and pressed his forehead onto the prince's. "I don't know what I'm doing, sweet pea," He sang, grinning. He closed the space between their lips in a quick chaste kiss. Before Gumball really had time to return it, Marshall was soaring off into the night.
Gumball resolved that kissing Marshall Lee was much better in person than in dreams.
Please give me some direction on what to do. I have no idea what's happening. D:
Also, I'm going to be posting some lovely PG/ML art on my tumblr if you're interested. nooksnifferasshatterson is the thing.
SONGS REFERENCED: Michael Franti and Spearhead: Rock the Nation (Sung by Marshall Lee)
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic/ Fluttershy: What a Wonderful Place (Sung by Gumball)
I couldn't resist making Gumball sing MLP songs. I will not apologize.
Also, you should totes listen to Michael Franti; it's the only hip hop that I really, really enjoy. His lyrics are really intense. Powerful shit.