Thanks for the reviews guys! This story is going in the direction I want it to (thank god) but I'm sure quite how dark I want to make it. Where I want to go may be a little too much, but I'll try it anyway. So, I'm having a hard time with the pronouns here ;_; it's all "she this she that", but when I try to make it something else other than their names, it sounds a little retarded. Whatevs. Thanks again ^_^ See ya next chapter!
Finn and Bubblegum waited outside the apartment complex for Marceline. Bubblegum still hadn't quite figured out why she had offered the stranger her home's guest bedroom; it was an entirely illogical thing for her to do.
"So, Marceline is staying at your place tonight? I didn't think you were that nice PB." Finn stated somewhat absentmindedly.
"Finn, I am quite nice, and furthermore, I believe she is." Bubblegum responded somewhat sternly; she was plenty nice.
"Ah well, here she comes. Thanks PB."
Bubblegum and Finn watched as the older woman pushed open the doors of the complex.
What the heck is that?
Marceline approached the two, smiling and tugging along a suitcase. Her suitcase was of a moderate size and was packed quite full, but that wasn't what caught Bubblegum's attention. Strapped to her back was a massive instrument: a guitar or bass like instrument colored maroon. The base of the instrument resembled a dual sided axe, the silver blades glimmering sinisterly under the last few rays of sunlight.
"S'up guys? I'm ready, told ya I didn't have a lot to pack." Marceline stated casually.
She looked towards Bubblegum, waiting for her to lead the way, and saw the surprised expression painted on the girl's face. She snickered a bit and cocked one of her eye brows.
"Hey, I know I'm hot, but no need to stare." Bubblegum flushed a bit at Marceline's teasing.
"I was not staring at…you. I'm curious as to what that instrument on your back is." Bubblegum attempted to regain her composure.
"Oh, this?" Marceline grabbed the neck of the bass over her shoulder. "This here is my axe-bass. A family heirloom, sort of." She looked toward the ground as the last sentence left her.
"Sort of?" Bubblegum was far too curious to see that the topic had made the dark haired female somewhat uncomfortable.
"Well, um…it was originally an axe that had been passed down in our family for generations. My, uh, Dad, gave it to me. I figured it would be more useful and awesome as an instrument, so I just changed some stuff up and…voila." Marceline's smile faltered a bit.
"Ah well, that's quite interesting." Bubblegum wasn't sure how to continue; she could now see that the other female was somewhat uncomfortable.
"You guys ready? It's getting dark out." Finn looked around as he spoke, as if confirming his observation.
"Yeah." The girls responded in unison.
This has to be the most interesting person I've possibly ever met.
(^0^)
The walk home was quiet, but the silence was a comfortable one. Finn domineered what conversation there was, usually with the girls responding with nods or short answers. Bubblegum noted that Marceline didn't seem to have any problem carrying the axe-bass and pulling the suitcase. She was also aware that Finn didn't offer her any aid.
Perhaps this is the sort of relationship they have; they are close friends. He doesn't even see her as a girl.
That explanation made the most sense. Finn was, after all, a gentleman. If it had been Bubblegum carrying the large instrument and pulling the suitcase, he would have offered his aid immediately. However, this was obviously not the case for Marceline.
Bubblegum also took the time to observe Marceline. She spent quite a bit examining the cascade of darkness that began at her scalp. Despite its length, it appeared that Marceline took great care of her hair. It was smooth, thick, and incredibly shiny.
I want to touch it.
The foreign, almost forbidden thought was gone almost as quickly as it came. Bubblegum didn't even have time to think about it before it was gone. She went on to observe her body. She was tall, probably three inches or so more than herself. She wasn't incredibly curvy; her body appeared quite lean and athletic. Then there was the matter of her eyes.
How in the world did she manage to be born with red eyes? Perhaps they're contacts?
Bubblegum tossed this idea around for a bit before rejecting it. It was also a mystery as to how she was born with hair the same color as bubblegum. Though, she supposed that if her family was named after the sweet treat, her parents, or at least her father, must have possessed the same pink locks. On top of that, Marceline's eye color was incredibly deep. Contacts appear artificial and shallow; Marceline's crimson eyes did not appear even remotely artificial.
They continued walking and Bubblegum rather enjoyed the companionable silence. Even Marceline appeared to be quite happy just thinking. The only one that might have felt slightly uncomfortable was Finn, who every now and then said whatever he could think of to keep the silence from dragging on too long.
The sun had long since disappeared and the sky was dotted with stars. There was no moon tonight, so the trio relied on the street lamps to guide the way. It didn't take long before they reached Bubblegum's house.
"Holy shit, what are you? What the hell do your parents do? Are they like, lawyers or something?" Marceline stood agape at the entrance to the house.
"My parents passed not long after I was born, though they did leave me quite a significant fortune." Bubblegum answered much like she did to everybody else who guffawed at the mansion-esque abode.
"Oh…ah. Sorry." Marceline looked apologetically to Bubblegum.
"It's not a big deal. I don't remember anything about them. Now then, thank you very much Sir Finn. You have completed your task and escorted me to my home unharmed. Now, for your reward." Bubblegum leaned down and kissed the boy on his cheek.
Finn turned bright red and his first few attempts at speaking failed. Marceline laughed heartily and patted Finn on his shoulder.
"Come on now Finn, what do you say to Bonnibel here?"
"Th-thank you so much! I'll escort you home whenever you want!" And with that, Finn rushed off in the direction of his house.
Both girls stood outside the door, giggling at Finn's antics before Bubblegum settled herself.
"Now then Marceline. I do have a butler, Peppermint. He is quite kind, but I have a feeling he may be a bit wary of you…" Bubblegum trailed off.
She hadn't even taken into consideration how her caretaker would react to Marceline. The well-educated Flame was thing, but taking in a stranger carrying an instrument that could also be a deadly weapon, well that was a different story.
"Dude, you have a butler? What the hell are you? Well, not that it matters. And it's cool, like I said, I won't be staying here for long." Marceline grinned and Bubblegum smiled in return.
"Very well." With that, Bubblegum grabbed the door handle and led Marceline inside.
(^0^)
The three people sat at the large dining table eating what Peppermint had cooked that evening. The meal wasn't entirely spectacular, simple spaghetti with garlic bread as a side. What was strange was the silence that accompanied the meal. Despite the fact that there were more people at the large table than usual, there was most definitely less talking.
One Hour Earlier
When Bubblegum introduced Peppermint and Marceline, she could see the immediate mutual dislike for each other. The short man eyed the woman up and down a number of times before Marceline simply couldn't help herself anymore. Her crude comment regarding his assessment of her made him storm off, though not before welcoming Bubblegum home. He told her dinner would be ready within the hour, though it may take slightly longer since he hadn't been expecting company. Bubblegum had watched him disappear with an apologetic look in her eyes before directing Marceline to the guest bedroom. The room was across the hall from her own and was somehow both plain and elegant. Marceline told her she'd spend a little time in there for a bit to get ready and Bubblegum told her where the dining hall was located and what time to be there.
Present
That was how they ended up in this position. Marceline looked to be somewhat uncomfortable, but she ate her food with passion. Bubblegum picked at her meal and had been so out of it that when Peppermint asked her a question, she jumped.
"How was your day Ms. Bubblegum?"
"Oh! Simply fantastic!" And with that Bubblegum told the day's story, though she strategically omitted the circumstances which led to Marceline staying with them.
Bubblegum saw Marceline smirk as she swirled more spaghetti onto her fork.
She's making fun of that fact that I didn't tell him why she was here. That butt!
"Yo, Mr. Peppermint, this spaghetti is pretty awesome, did you make this?" Marceline looked up at him with both an excited and bemused expression decorating her features.
"Why yes, thank you. We'll be having strawberry shortcake for dessert, let me go prepare it."
Bubblegum watched her faithful butler gather up her own plate – still half full – and leave the room. She didn't complain, he's known her long enough to know when she is and isn't hungry. Bubblegum looked in the direction of Marceline, who was scoffing down her own food. The two sat across from each other and small red projectiles of sauce landed on Bubblegum's end of the table cloth.
"Do you really find the meal that enjoyable? I mean, it was quite good, but you're eating it with such enthusiasm that I'm beginning to wonder if spaghetti isn't actually your favorite meal?" Bubblegum was still speaking to Marceline how she had been taught to speak to strangers and acquaintances as a child.
"Oh man, Bonnibel, this is so much better than what I normally eat. A girl can only survive on ramen noodles for so long. Well, and also I guess that things colored red, like this spaghetti sauce, taste so much better to me than other foods. I guess that's just some weird quirk of mine." Marceline had the decency to speak only when she swallowed her current mouthful, but quickly shoveled more into her eager mouth when she finished speaking.
Bubblegum was stunned, so stunned that after a moment of silence, she broke down into a fit of giggles. The giggles grew louder and pretty soon she was full out laughing. She grabbed her stomach with one hand and put the other to her mouth in some vain attempt to muffle the sound of her laughter. Tears formed in the corners of her eyes and her stomach had begun to hurt before the laughter finally subsided.
It's been forever since I've laughed like that.
She noted this and smiled to herself before blushing. Her companion was staring at her with a curious expression on her face and the end of a noddle hanging out of the corner of her mouth. The sight alone almost made the pink haired woman begin laughing all over again. She stifled whatever sound tried to escape and attempted to recollect herself.
"Wow, sorry for laughing like that. It's just that I believe you are quite possibly the most unique – and strangest individual I've ever met." Bubblegum didn't catch that her formal speech was slipping, but Marceline did.
"Ho ho, what's this Bonnie? Finally dropping the 'prim-and-proper' façade are we?" Marceline smirked and stared straight at Bubblegum.
Bonnie? I haven't been called Bonnie since…wait, have I ever been called Bonnie?
"Well I suppose I am Marceline, after all, you aren't really a stranger anymore." She grinned and stared straight back into Marceline's crimson eyes.
The staring match lasted several moments before both girls began laughing hysterically. The laughing had only just begun to subside when Peppermint returned with the strawberry shortcake.
What in the heck was so funny? Absolutely nothing…
Bubblegum was confused. Genuine laughter was a response that happened when one was entertained or incredibly amused. She couldn't recall anything too incredibly entertaining or amusing about the situation, but both she and Marceline had responded in the same way.
Perhaps Marceline herself was the entertainment…?
Peppermint set the dishes in front of the girls, taking up Marceline's plate, which had been wiped almost clean. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she stared at the dessert.
Oh. It's red.
Bubblegum noted its color just as Marceline dug in. Bubblegum began on her own dish, just with much less vigor. She watched as her companion attacked the innocent cake and shoveled bite after bite into her mouth. She wasn't even sure if Marceline was chewing and it wasn't long before the cake was completely gone. Marceline yawned and stretched out her arms before looking at Bubblegum and smiling.
"Thanks so much for the food, it was terrific." She had the largest, most sincere grin plastered on her face that Bubblegum felt a little embarrassed.
"It was nothing, now, I'm heading off to my room, feel free to do whatever you like so long as you don't annoy Peppermint too much." She returned Marceline's smile before leaving to her room.
(^0^)
Bubblegum got out of the shower and towel dried her hair. She briefly wondered if Marceline was in her room before another, much more important thought invaded her mind.
Glob! I forgot to put towels in her bathroom!
She quickly dressed, throwing on a pink t-shirt and some gray sweats before heading to Marceline's room, towels in hand. When she reached the door, she heard a unique melody coming from inside. It was deep and enchanting; it reminded her of both passion and melancholy.
She actually plays that monstrous instrument?
She listened for a bit longer before knocking on the door. The music stopped and Marceline's voice replaced it, telling her she could come in. Bubblegum stepped inside and noticed that the axe-bass was laid out across Marceline's lap. She felt some vague guilt begin to ball up inside her stomach; she felt that she had interrupted something she shouldn't have.
"I apologize for intruding, but I brought you towels in case you decided to shower this evening." She looked to the ground and spoke quietly.
"Oh it's not really a big deal, I was just practicing anyway. Do you…wanna listen?" Marceline's confidence faded as she asked the last line, as if the question was implying something far more intimate than intended.
Bubblegum stood shocked – again. What was with her guest's sudden shyness? Of course she could never expect to understand anybody in a day, but this woman was one mystery after another.
"Well, why not? I'd love to listen to you play." Bubblegum set the towels down on the nightstand and settled down next to Marceline on the bed.
A gentle smile made its way to Marceline's mouth and she put the axe-bass' strap around her shoulder once again. When she had the bass in place, she looked up to Bubblegum again, her eyes burning with something that was a mix of passion and excitement.
"Let's get this party started then shall we?" Her voice was somewhat defiant, challenging, and confident and it made Bubblegum grin.
Marceline began playing a slow melody. She closed her eyes and played from memory, letting her fingers move fluidly up and down the bass' neck. They instinctively knew which strings to hold and which frets to be at. The sounds she was producing were flawless.
She's incredibly talented…
Bubblegum was losing herself in the music. She closed her eyes and let her heart slow. She only opened them when Marceline's voice was added to the composition. She gasped – the voice was like dark chocolate, so velvet and smooth and powerful, it was overwhelming. Bubblegum felt her heart speed up as the lyrics became more emotional. She was singing about how her father ate her fries at one point in her life. As simple as it sounded, the lyrics were rich with emotion and Bubblegum knew that whatever prompted her to write this song was something that greatly affected her emotionally. She knew she shouldn't be privy to emotions this strong; she knew she shouldn't be hearing this song. But Marceline had invited herto listen and so she stayed.
When the song ended, Marceline kept her eyes closed, but Bubblegum felt strange staring at Marceline's face, so she diverted her eyes to the bass player's hair. She observed how it curled around Marceline's hips before falling off the edge of the bed. She was so caught up in her observations that she hadn't realized that Marceline had opened her eyes; she jumped when Marceline broke the silence.
"Hey, I know I'm awesome, but you don't need to look away, my awesomeness won't blind you." She attempted to joke around, but there was the unmistakable tremor of anxiety in her voice.
"Oh, you're amazing. Absolutely fantastic, but I wasn't looking away from you, I was just observing your hair." Bubblegum felt blood rush to her face; she just admitted that she was staring at her companion's hair.
"Ah well, thanks I guess. But, uh, why?" Marceline was starting to sound more like herself and it made Bubblegum feel more comfortable.
"It's just so long and dark and how in the world do you keep it so tame?" The pink haired female's mind was throwing whatever popped into it out her mouth, she sounded like a grade-schooler trying to describe their favorite movie.
"Oh well, nothing special really. Also, Princess, I don't know if you've realized it, but your hair is quite long too." Marceline reached over to touch the tips of Bubblegum's hair; which lingered at the small of her back.
Princess…did she just…? Really? The only one to refer to me as Princess is Flame…
Bubblegum was so caught up in trying to comprehend what Marceline had said that she didn't notice the latter's hand reach behind her. When the tips of Marceline's fingers graced the small of her back, small bolts of electricity shot up her spine. Bubblegum's eyes closed for not even a second and she failed to exhale.
What the heck was that? She was only trying to touch my hair so why…?
She wasn't quite sure, but she knew she needed to respond to Marceline. "Ah, thanks. I suppose it is quite long, but in comparison to yours, it's nothing at all." Bubblegum knew she sounded distracted and desperately hoped that Marceline hadn't noticed. "Well, I better go. Your bass playing and voice are simply fantastic. Oh, by the way do you want me to wake you in the morning when I leave for school?"
Marceline hesitated before responding. "Well…nah don't worry about it. I'll go look for a new place to stay and hopefully I'll be out of your hair before too long."
"No, don't worry about, there's no rush. Feel free to stay as long as you like; I'm sure Peppermint will grow used to you." Bubblegum felt a sort of melancholy at the thought of Marceline leaving too soon; perhaps she really was lonely.
"Well then, guess I'll see ya at some time tomorrow, night Bonnie." Marceline waved as Bonnibel left the room.
"Good night Marceline." Bonnibel returned the gesture before returning to her room for the night.
(^0^)
Bubblegum stared at her ceiling. She was tired – that was evident from her incessant yawning. However, her mind was not slowing down. It kept rerunning the day's events, wondering how a dreary day had ended in something so spectacular. She still couldn't quite figure out why she was so fascinated with the other female. She couldn't explain her own behavior and that frightened her, but it also excited her. Something about the unpredictable was especially exciting and, while a part of her was terrified and would much rather understand it all, another part very eagerly awaited the unknown. Bubblegum eventually drifted into a deep sleep and dreamt dreams of a certain red-eyed bass player.