Won't Let This Go: Chapter 3
PB's POV
It's been several weeks since I initiated my plan with Marceline, and our fake relationship is in full swing. With our various public appearances in the past few weeks, we have corrupted the tabloids and everything is going as plan. I've declined 406 phone calls from civilians in the Candy Kingdom; Marceline is on an Ooo-wide tour (she brought me along for media purposes), and we have been featured in 16 magazines as of late. I look through all of the magazines we've found in the tour van and they are quite the hilarity. Usually I read the articles out loud with Marceline so we can make fun of them together, but she's rehearsing for her show that's in a few hours.
As I look through the pictures of us in the magazine, I am sent to my memories of those good times.
We were at the Ooo Central Park for some tabloid recognition. I held a parasol over Marceline, who was floating next to me, and myself. I had my gummy hair up in a bun and wore a sheer rose colored dress. Marceline didn't really dress up for the occasion, as per usual, and wore her dark skinny jeans and a t-shirt. As we strolled through the par, she held my hand and led me to an apple tree. I sat down against the tree trunk and watched as Marceline flew to the top of the tree.
"What are you doing?" I ask, smiling.
"I'm getting some food! Damn, I sure am hungry." She shook the tree vigorously, sending apples to fall to the ground. One of them, however, landed straight on my head.
"Oww! Marceline! I am going to kill you for that!" I tried to climb the tree up to get her, but I failed miserably and fell back to the ground. I looked back up at her and scowled. She was laughing at me! Genuinely rolling in the air laughing! How dare she! I stood up and tried to think of another way up there, but she was already floating down, white, colorless apple in hand.
"Now, now, Bonnibel…not in front of the press." She winked and nodded in the direction of two cameramen walking towards us. They came up to us and started asking questions, but Marceline was clearly not in the mood for that. She grabbed the back of my head and kissed me. I smiled a bit and kissed her back, she was very impressive in this realm of attraction. And she learned proper times to use moves like this in front of audiences. Very remarkable work, I'm sure. As I started to close my eyes, I saw Marceline's middle finger go up to the cameramen and a flash.
That picture landed on the front page of Ooo Bi-Weekly with the horrendous headline; "Teen Vamp Strikes Again at Newfound Royal Prey." I laughed a bit too much. Marceline was no vicious creature, especially ones that take hostages, as much as she'd like to believe.
I had to admit, she was doing very well in her work. This plan really shaped her career and her new "soul-sucking" image. Goth metal heads now idolized her, which from what I heard from Marceline, is considered a success. She's also been cranking out a new song everyday. She plays all of them for me at the end of the day, and all of them are equally amazing. It's my favorite time of the day in this hectic tour regime. I can't wait to hear her new song tonight.
Marceline's POV
Fuck, tour is stressful. With the constant hours of rehearsing, playing shows, signing autographs, writing new songs, and making a public relationship out of me and Bonnibel just so this dream can be a reality, it's hard to keep up. I always want to crash and just relax, but I can't. Fast pace fast pace fast pace. I don't need to sleep, but if I did, I would probably be racking 2 hours a night.
But that's okay. I don't need sleep. I'm dead. I don't need much food. I can live forever. I can go on tour like this for a century and be perfectly fine. I'm perfectly fine. Nothing is wrong with me. Oh god, I feel like I'm going to throw up.
This whole situation has clearly taken a toll on me. I haven't been eating much because of how many things I need to do, and I haven't really had fun in some time. The only time I've had to chill out is when I test out my songs on Bonnibel. I probably won't be able to even show her one tonight because I have no motivation to write anything! I've got absolutely nothing to put on the new set list for tomorrows show! I'm starting to regret singing up for any of this.
As I'm tuning my bass for today's show, I try to conceal of all my mental and physical turmoil. However, Ash notices a bit too easily.
"Yo, Marce, are you feeling okay? You look like you're going to be sick!" He looks at me concernedly. He needs me; I have to go on with the show for the band. I nod my head, feeling a bit dizzy and continue to tune my bass.
"Yeah. I'm fine. Just a bit under the weather as of late." I say, not looking at him. He moves around in my peripheral vision and he hands me his red tie.
"Have it." I nod and eat the red from his tie. It is so delicious I can't even comprehend it. I haven't had a real meal like this in too long. I say thanks and give him his newly white tie.
"How long have you been not eating, Marce?" I realize then and there how kind he really was. He genuinely cared about me; I saw it in his faded grey eyes.
"A few days, maybe three. I haven't ben trying, I swear. I'm not anorexic. I just haven't had much time to think lately, let alone eat." I sigh and he looks at me, kindly for a second I think he is going to kiss me. A part of me actually wants him to. But he just stands up and walks to the curtain.
"You ready to perform a great show today?"
"Yeah, just give me a minute." I stand up and quickly run to the bathroom while thousands of thoughts argue in my head. Fuck. Does Ash like me? Do I like Ash? I can't like Ash anymore. We're over. I'm "with" Bonnibel now. Even if it's not real, it's the only thing keeping out careers alive. I hate Bonnibel. Why does she have to ruin everything for me? This is all her fault. I could be having hot jam sessions with Ash but no; I have to keep her little town afraid of me for a little bit. She's so selfish! But she is so kind and beautiful and has done so much for me. She is the reason I am here right now, making money doing what I love.
At some point, one thought wins overall. My body. I lean over the toilet and puke. My legs are shaking; my previous thoughts have been flushed down the toilet like my now exited body fluids. After a minute or two, I get up, clean myself off, and run to the stage, bass in hand.
I nod to Ash to man the curtains and pull a smile.
"It's show time."
PB's POV
I quickly got bored of the tabloids, as humorous as they were, and started reading some of the science magazines I took from home. There was a whole article on Zanoids, which made me do an inner dance of joy. I could, and have, write speeches on Zanoids. Marceline, who looked more tired than usual, interrupted my reading halfway through the juicy Zanoid article.
"Are you okay? You look-" I tried to ask, but she cut me short.
"I'm fine. This tour has just taken a toll on me, alright?" Her voice was sharp, I'm almost positive that her tongue would attack me if she were any more upset.
"I'm sorry. You want to play some of your new songs? Maybe ease the tension?" I was so looking forward to this; I hoped that she would be willing to do it for me. Music seems like a pretty foolproof way of getting Marceline over tour-fever.
"I wish I could. I didn't write anything today. No inspiration." I looked down slightly and nodded. I could tell this wasn't a good time to pry. So I opened to my Zanoid article once again and read.
"We could…we could write a song now. Together." My eyes rose from the magazine slowly. Was this girl serious? I couldn't do anything music related. She should know that from the time I almost broke BMO for the Door Lord.
"Are you kidding?" She laughed and started playing a few chords on her bass.
"Why not? We could write a love song. I could honor it to you at tour or something. A little special something for the tabloids." I smiled a bit and watched her play her beautiful music midair. Even if she is the least graceful person in all of Ooo, she sure makes up for it in her passion.
"Fine. How do we even start?" This is such a new feeling. I'm never new at anything; hell, I haven't been taught since third grade. I've been ahead of everyone in my class ever since I can remember. I've always known how to do things, but music? That is just one thing I could never master. When I look at Marceline playing, though, she is truly in her element. Nobody could teach her how to do anything in this state. She is a floating piece of art.
"Well, I've already got the chords that I'm playing now for our instrumental. Now we need to spit some lyrics. It'll be easy, I promise." I have my doubts, obviously, but I trust her and try my best to give it a shot.
"You set my soul on fire…"
"That's it, toss some more!" She keeps playing, eyes closed. She has this adorable habit of spinning while she plays, so it looks like she's doing somersaults in the air. She tries not to do it during tour, but when she's alone, she just can't handle herself.
"It's not that hard to tell."
"I can take you higher and higher…"
"Yeah, you've got me overwhelmed."
"But I can't escape this feeling, it's definitely new."
"I've tried so hard to hold it down, but I can't do it around…you." At this point, Marceline is flipping and turning in the air, playing so many different notes and quavers on her bass that I don't know how she can keep track of it all and make it sound amazing. I'm laughing and dancing to the music. This is the first time I've let loose all tour. I'm sure it goes the same for Marceline. She has worked so hard through all of this; she really deserved this break.
After an hour or so of hardcore brainstorms, we finally recorded a song. We titled it Flame Soul and it should appear on tomorrow's set list for tour. It turned out much better than I thought it ever would have. And the best part, I wrote a lot of it! Me! The nerd who is too involved in studies to be talented in anything music co-wrote a song! Marceline was so proud of me. To be honest, I'm proud of myself. That's so narcissistic, but it's true! I really like learning new things. It's rare.
Marceline is at her computer, backing some vocals on the song and doing minor edits. She really should take a break. As soon as we finished having fun, she went straight to working on it. Marceline. Working. Since when was Marceline a workaholic, anyway?
I was getting exhausted from the long night, so I decided to hop into bed while Marceline was still working. I never did fall asleep until half an hour later, after Marceline turned off the lights and floated into bed next to me. It was rare that she ever slept, but I could tell she was tremendously tired from her bagged eyes and sluggish ways of moving.
As soon as she tucked herself into bed, I tapped her shoulder.
"Marceline?"
"Wha-" She turned around and before she could respond I kissed her slowly on the lips, my arms slowly wrapping around her waist. She broke away from my lips slightly, a confused or tired look on her face. Probably both.
"But…there isn't any press here. There's no need to do that." I smiled at her reaction and kissed her again.
"I know."
What she thought was just some tired shenanigan was much more than that. I was falling for her all over again.
Hey guys! Another late update! (as per usual) I hope you liked a bit of perspective from PB's side . Stay tuned for more lesbian shenanigans from these two lovely ladies. –Siobhan.