Disclaimer: I do not own Adventure Time.

A/N: As for the Ice King's fic, it might be a little bit before that comes up again.

"You really don't have to do this." Although Marceline liked parties, she felt a little embarrasses for this one.

"I know. Though-" The Princess motioned around her, pointing out the obvious festivities. "-it's kind of already done."

"But I didn't do-"

Bubblegum put a finger close enough to the vampire's lips that it did not touch but served to silence her anyway, "Hush and enjoy your party." She playfully scolded, quickly mentioning, "You've been acting strangely ever since yesterday."

Glob, was she?

Had coming closer to naming this feeling already visibly changed how she behaved. Was she so bad at hiding her emotions? Deciding to give in to avoid suspicion, she played it off, "Okay. Guess there's no harm in having a good time."

"Good girl." Bubblegum teased, patting her head. Marceline did not pull away but she tried her hardest to show she did not enjoy the attention, via a stubborn pouted face.

"Princess!" A peppermint man came over to. He regarded Marceline, "Lady Abadeer."

Peppermint Butler, he was the only person outside of the Nightosphere who called her that. Marceline had known the little man ever since she could remember. He was best friends with her father after all. And she could only assume it was somehow his influence that had caused the Lord of Evil to have such a dislike of the sweet princess.

The 'Lady' gave a slight curtsy in greeting.

The little man bowed in response before turning back to his mistress, "You're needed." His words were curt, but enough.

"Oh alright. See you later, Marceline." And like that, she was lead off.

Marceline gave an awkward wave before realizing she was all alone in a party meant to celebrate a new hero, who was apparently her. With a look around her eyes caught two other familiar heroes, walking toward her. She would not be alone for long. And you never know, maybe she would even be able to smooth things over with Jake.

Perhaps he had just needed some spaghetti.

Princess Bubblegum had spent longer than expected traveling between guests. For a while after the princess and queen had parted, she had kept an eye on her. After only minutes it seemed as though she had gotten involved joking with Finn and Jake, causing a slight havoc in their wake.

Normally she would have been upset to see her party in such chaos but this time was different. A relief washed over her to see the Vampire having fun.

After what seemed like hours, Bubblegum had finally spoken with the last guest. Blue eyes scanned the room again only to find the trio nowhere in site. Assuming they had gone out for a bit of fresh air Bubblegum decided to check the garden area.

That was, however, until something caught her eye. She saw the lanky shadow of one of her friends walking just down a hall. It seemed to disappear as it passed behind the corner.

Excusing herself, Bubblegum went to follow her.

Once in that hall, out of the sigh of the guests, the princess stretched. Such functions were always so tiring. Hopefully meeting with and talking to Marceline would wake her up, make the evening worth the strain.

Not seeing the vampire anywhere Bubblegum followed the passageway, peaking into every public room. She was nowhere to be found. The princess finally reached the last door, her own, and opened it.

And there she was, with back turned, attention drawn to a shelve of books. Though it seems she heard the door and felt the presence, her back stayed turned. Maybe she was expecting Bubblegum to follow her?

With a sigh of relief that the other woman had chosen to stay, Bubblegum questioned, "So you do read other things than notes."

"On occasion." Smooth was the response and so was the simple and strangely elegant wave of her gray hand. With it, the lights in the pink room went pitch black, leaving a stark contrast of the pink.

The uncalled for action confused the princess but she disregarded it, After all, she had never feared the dark. And there was a much more pressing matter, "Did you like the party? It seems like you had fun with Finn and Jake earlier." Blue eyes, hopeful awaiting an answer.

Instead she heard nothing.

Like the time from within the cave, Bubblegum felt the other draw unusually close to her step by step. But unlike last time there was no shyness, no apprehension, and no time to think before lips met her own.

And for once, the candy princess found she was unable to think.

What was right and wrong mixing and she decided that the lips pressed against her were far too gentle.

Pink and gray intertwined in the dark and the princess made sure the kiss was reciprocated to the fullest, deepening the kiss with the now smirking lips before her.

It did not stay this way for long as the vampire strayed from those lips, finding a new target of affection, a vain pulsing with candied sweet blood.

On a rare occasion Marceline had drunk from her skin. But, "Wasn't there plenty of red for you at the party?" Something despite it all made Bubblegum question, a sign her mind was restarting.

"There was…" She seemed to think, "-but I would much rather taste you~"

Bubblegum felt her cheeks prickle and she was automatically glad it was dark, "That's a horrible pickup line."

"Ah but it seems like it's worked." Marceline pointed out, teeth grazing tender skin.

Bubblegum was not afraid because she was sure Marceline would never hurt her.

Well Marceline wouldn't really be doing something like this either ...

"Why?" Pink lips breathed out. Something was beginning to not make sense.

Well it hadn't from the very beginning of this encounter but…

The explanation the princess received did not put her at any more ease, "A thank you."

The moment those words left her lips, pink hands gently pushed Marceline away, sad eyes are what the vampire was met with, "For what? I think we're more than even by now."

"But Bonnibel, you gave your shirt for Hambo." As though this was the only response necessary, Marceline closed the gap between them again, mumbling into her neck, "I'm not dense enough to not know what such an action must mean."

Bubblegum smiled, Marceline had figured it out.

The Princess knew the knowledge of her sacrifice for Hambo would be a strong key to unlocking anyone's understanding of just how much the undead girl meant to her.

Pulling back slightly, Bubblegum pressed one warm forehead with another, "I never said you were dense." Bodies still parted Bubblegum made sure to lean forward slowly and seductively.

The Marceline smile, she knew she had the princess. Pink lips took great care to whisper in pointed gray ones, "But I never told a soul what I gave up for Hambo."

Without warning Bubblegum brought her leg up, kneeing the intruder in the stomach and pushing them down to the ground for good measure the moment they doubled over in pain.

The illusion dismissed leaving "Maja". Bubblegum hissed in anger and disgusted. She wasted no time before sprinting for a pair of scissors that sat on her nearby desk, a defense to hold the unforgivable woman at bay.

Unfortunately, her pink body froze half way there.

"You forget I'm a witch there, your highness?"

Actually, for a moment I did. The immobilized girl admitted to herself alone. She had not given up just yet.

If Maja though she had won so soon, she had another thing coming.