The Ex Best Friend

He released my hand and pushed it into the pocket of his jeans. "Yup, it's me; nice to see you Fifi." He muttered as he flashed me one of his smirks I used to see so often. At the sight of it, my confusion from his being here changed into anger. How dare he just up and walk out of my life for two years just to waltz back into it expecting things to be the same?!

I narrowed my eyes at him. "It's Fionna." I snapped. I pulled my skirt up to my thighs; making Marshall's eyebrows pull up so far they were hidden under the dark hair that fell over his forehead, and jammed the pouch I'd been holding back into the bag strapped to my leg. I kept my skirt where it was as I stomped off back into the house; the lifted skirt allowing me to take bigger steps.

The moment I stepped into my room; I slammed the door, making sure Marshall couldn't come in after me. Purring made me look to the drawer where Cake usually slept. I held my hand to my chest and sighed in relief when I saw that she was still asleep. It took a lot to wake Cake; but when something did, she would turn into a giant fur monster filled with grumpiness.

I slipped out of my dress and draped it over the end of my bed, running my fingers over the charred bottom of the skirt. "What happened there?" I jumped when I heard that deep voice from above me. I looked up and glared again.

"Who do you think? He tried to do the same thing to you, two years ago." I replied. I kept my eyes trained on the empty ceiling above me as Marshall slowly appeared. He'd been using his vampire invisibility before, so I hadn't noticed he was in here with me.

"Ah, the heart breaker," He said, pretending to look thoughtful as his hand came up to cup his chin. I crossed my arms.

"He hurt me, but you broke my heart." I said; my tone cold. His hand dropped at my words.

He looked at me with sadness in those dark eyes of his as he said, "Fifi, I never meant to hurt you."

I glared at him. "What did you think would happen when you left? You could have given me a reason, or told me you were leaving, or just said goodbye! And, like I said before, it's Fionna!" I growled.

He grabbed my shoulders and pulled me to him. Before I could react, his arms were wrapped tightly around me. "I'm so sorry, Fifi. I shouldn't have done that, but there's nothing I can do to take those two years back." He said as he rested his chin on the top of my head. After all this time, I was still a head shorter than him.

I stiffened at his words. He just apologised to me; the freaking king of all darkness and evil just apologised to me, a human. I took a few seconds just to take that in. He pulled back and flashed me a smirk; though I could still see regret flash in his eyes. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"What?" I demanded. His arms lowered to my waist.

"Nice outfit." He muttered as his eyes ran up and down my body; his smirk widening when he saw the blood that rushed into my cheeks at his comment.

I pushed him away and covered my chest. "Stop that, you pervert!" I said, as I grabbed an oversized t-shirt from my bed post and pulled it on. He just watched as I pulled on a pair of boxer shorts and later followed me when I walked back down into the kitchen. "Do you want some strawberries?" I asked as I peeked my head into the fridge; remembering that strawberries had always been his favourite red food.

He nodded and just leaned on the counter as I grabbed a bowl of them. I pulled the rest of my birthday cake from the fridge as well; suddenly craving some chocolate. He quietly watched as I cut a piece and followed me into the living room. I settled in on the couch and took a bite of my cake. He just floated awkwardly beside me. I pushed the bowl of strawberries into his hands and pulled him down so that he was seated beside me.

"So, start explaining." I commanded, as I took another bite of my cake; looking everywhere except him. He placed the bowl of fruit on the coffee table and took both my hands in his cold ones.

"Look at me Fifi." He said softly. When I didn't respond he grasped my hands tighter. "Please." He begged. The sadness in his voice made me respond. I hesitantly pulled my gaze up until my blue orbs met his dark ones. "I'm so, so, so sorry I left the way I did. I was a huge butt guy for just leaving like that but I had to go deal with something in the Nightosphere. I hadn't even fully healed at the time; it hurt like crazy."

"So, it took you two years to finally come to check on me?" I asked; my tone still cold.

"No, it took two years to actually get that problem solved." He replied.

"What was the problem?" I was really curious at this point.

"Nothing important, just some King stuff I had to deal with." He said as he shrugged. I could see that it was in fact a big deal and I wanted to know. I was already angry at him so his lack of explanation only made it worst. After a few moments of silence; he released my hands and took the pouch out from the bag at my leg. "So, you still haven't opened it after all this time?" He said, trying to change the subject.

I shot up from the couch and stomped over to the sink; slamming my plate into it. I grabbed the remaining cake on the plate and jammed that into my mouth, not bothering to wipe the frosting that splattered all over my face when I did. I chomped down on the chunk angrily and swallowed it so roughly, it hurt my throat.

"You know what Marshall, if you want everything to be alright between us, you have to start explaining. If you want Fifi privileges again, you have to start explaining. If you even want to not get kicked out, you have to start explaining, right now." I said; turning to him as I glared.

His shoulders sagged when he realised he wouldn't escape me without doing what I'd just demanded. "Fine," he patted the area on the couch beside him; indicating that I should sit there.

I gave in and threw myself down onto the couch; making sure to jostle him. I crossed my arms. "Start explaining." I said, irritated by his silence.

He leaned back. "It all started when you left to get extra supplies. I was in so much pain, I almost didn't realise you had left. The moment you did; I got a call from my mother. By then, I was healed enough to actually answer the phone. She told me to get to the Nightosphere as soon as possible and since she didn't like having me there, I knew that it was important, so I left."

"When I got there, it turns out that all the little demons had decided to band up against all the bigger demons. The whole Nightosphere was chaos; everyone was going against everybody else. It was great; but not when every single being in the Nightosphere; home to the worst of the worst, were involved. We tried killing them with the blood mist cloud but not even that could kill them quick enough. We ended up teaming up with the bigger demons and going to war. It took us two years to finally settle it; I just got back from the battle grounds, actually. I thought you'd want to see me as soon as possible." He confessed.

Upon hearing his explanation, my eyes wandered over his body. He was dressed in a black shirt that hugged his muscled torso. My eyes widened as I realised that he was no longer lean; but extremely muscular. His long legs were concealed underneath black cargo pants that would have fallen off his frame two years ago.

I noticed the dozen knifes tucked into the pants pockets. His hair was still as thick and messy as it had always been; parts of it still falling over his dark eyes. My eyes stopped on the long cut that marred the side of his otherwise perfect face. My eyes widened at what I'd just thought; since when did I think he was perfect?! I reached out and ran a finger down the wound. He made no move to stop me although when I pulled my finger back; it was stained red with his blood. I realised right then, that he was telling the truth; the recent wound my proof. No normal weapon could hurt a vampire; but demon claws would certainly be able to inflict that injury.

"You know I would always want to see you Marshall." I grabbed his neck and pulled him to me; squeezing him in a death grip. "You didn't put yourself in too much danger did you?" I asked as I pulled back, my eyes filling with tears at the thought of losing him.

"I wouldn't do that. I couldn't risk not seeing my-." He stopped for a second; furrowing his brows. "Do I have Fifi privileges again?" I smiled and nodded. He grinned back at me. "I couldn't risk not seeing my Fifi again." My heart warmed at his words; my anger melting away. I was definitely not done bugging him about this; so I would definitely bring this up in the future. But for now; seeing as he was bleeding to death on my couch, I would let it go. I left and later returned with a clean, wet cloth, disinfectant and some bandages from the bathroom.

I patted the wound a few times with the cloth and he flinched each time it came into contact with his wound. I put the disinfectant on the cloth and applied that onto the wound quickly. He hissed at the stinging of the medicine on his cut. "Aw, does wittle Marshy's boo boo hurt?" I teased; feeling more at ease with his presence now that he's explained himself.

He glared at me. "Watch out, or I'll run away again!" He threatened. I put on a fake sad face. His smirk immediately disappeared as he reached out to me. I smiled inside; even after changing into this heavily muscular, intimidating person in front of me; he was still so easily fooled. "I didn't mean that Fifi." He said, his face now mimicking mine in a sad expression. I slapped him hard on his uninjured cheek.

"You better not have!" I said, as I giggled at the confused look he gave me.