Chapter 7: Better or Worse


The hot sun was setting closer to the horizon as the Valentine's Day prep party were cleaning up. Their princess sat nervously at an abandoned picnic table awaiting for the final hour. She watched her party planners pick up leftover streamers and torn ribbons. She was uneasy and impatient; even though she had less than a hour left, it was unbearable to wait. She huffed and saw Peppermint Butler walking up to her. His smile was genuine and guaranteed.

"Princess, it's almost time for hero Finn's picnic. Shall you be going soon?" He asked.

"Honestly, Pepper, I don't feel like going." She replied, "It's been a long day."

"But my princess, you agreed to go about a week ago, yes?" His question was true; unfortunately, as much as the truth hurt her, she didn't want to admit it.

"I will still go. For Finn's sake." She quoted. As she looked off into the sun, it was sitting on the horizon then. The blue night was approaching and her thoughts on Marshall Lee soon had overcome her mind.

Marshall Lee is probably still mad at me. I shouldn't have been so horrible. I guess I won't get a chance to apologize if I don't know where he is either. She thought. Maybe it's for the best. A carriage came towards her and she took notice by standing to her feet. The candy horses stopped pass her and the door opened. It was Cinnamon Bun who then stepped out.

"The carriage await you, Princess." He greeted to her with a bow. She nodded in acceptance.

"Thanks, Cinnamon." She looked at Peppermint Butler, "I'll see you later tonight. Thank you again." The little peppermint smiled and waved good-bye. She entered the gingerbread carriage and sat down on the gumdrop seats. She sat alone and lost in thought again as the carriage began to take off.


"Glob dammit, why is this stupid festival so far anyway?" Marshall Lee huffed to himself as he flew as fast as he could. The evening sky was fair and less cloudy than he anticipated. The sun's rays hit him warmly as he soared closer to the Candy Kingdom. The view of the Candy Castle was mere sights away. "I hope I make it in time."

The thoughts of Princess Bubblegum greeting him the first time he arrived came to him immediately. He frowned and tried to shake it off, yet it didn't work. The thoughts came again and then how they spent their day together in the Candy Garden, joking and chatting with each other. He exhaled heavily as he soon saw the Candy Kingdom moments away from him.


Princess Bubblegum arrived at the location of Finn and Flame Princess's picnic. The sun had finally set and the night sky was starry and clear. Outside the carriage window, Bubblegum saw candles lit on tree stumps and a checkered-patterned blanket on the ground. She exhaled and had exit the carriage once it stopped. As she stepped out, she saw Finn and Flame Princess talking to each other while holding hands. The hurt in her chest began to ache.

"Hey guys." She greeted nervously. "I hope you guys didn't start without me." She gulped as the two saw her.

"No problem, PB." Finn said, "We wouldn't begin without our guest." His reassurance didn't make her feel any less easy. As she sat down on the blanket, the couple got closer together.

"I hope you don't mind I made a fourth sandwich." Flame Princess offered her, "I thought you'd be accompanied by someone with you." The implication that Princess Bubblegum had a date hit Bubblegum hard. She frowned lightly and took the sandwich.

"It's no worries. I figured I'd just come by myself since I didn't know I could bring someone."

"Nonsense. It's cool and all." Finn said. The three ate while the sky sparkled. Princess Bubblegum couldn't take her eyes off of Finn as he ate and smiled at Flame Princess. To think she was his new damsel in distress left her feeling angst and replaced. The hurt had sank in further. It's a shame that maybe Marshall Lee could have joined me. Oh, why would I think that? He didn't even want to come to yesterday's party; he only came to see his sister. Why am I even thinking this? Bubblegum thought as she finished her sandwich.

"So, how are things going between you guys? If you don't mind me asking." Princess Bubblegum asked.

"Great! By the way, the Valentine's Day Festival was fun! I wish it lasted longer. Maybe we could of had our picnic there instead of out here." Flame Princess said.

"Nah, being out here is great especially with you Flame Princess." Finn flirted and wrapped his arms around the redhead. Bubblegum shook the nerves off by looking away. She couldn't help but look over to the hills from across the countryside.


"Yo! Pepper Candy Boy!" The crude vampire hollered out the the Princess's Butler from the skies. "Is Bonnie still here?" The little man shook his head with a frown.

"I'm afraid not. She left just one half an hour ago to Finn's picnic." He answered, "What brings you here?"

"I'm going to apologize...wait, why am I telling you? Which way did she go?" Marshall Lee blurted. The peppermint scratched his head.

"I believe she headed east to the hills." He said, "Although, at this time, she might be on her way back by now. Or she could be running late." Marshall Lee growled and scowled.

"Whatever. I'll find her!" He said as he took off. The butler watched him leave and shook his head.

"What is it with teenagers these days? Doing reckless things without a plan? Back in my day, we had schedules."


The trio finished the meal prepared for the picnic and they were all looking at the night sky. As Flame Princess and Finn found constellations, Bubblegum didn't participate. She stared dazedly at the starry atmosphere. To look at the couple would have caused more hurt in her gut, yet she was on the edge to leaving early. Their love was innocent and new as she reminisced on Finn's past actions. Saving her from the Ice King and helping protect the Candy Kingdom from many dangers left her bereft.

"Look! I found Virgo!" Flame Princess pointed out to Finn. He chuckled and smiled. Their happiness was Bubblegum's downfall. She could feel her heart sink. Why did I even come? She thought, Was it to see Finn or spy on Flame Princess? Or maybe... I just didn't want to be alone tonight. Maybe a week ago, I thought I would spy, but this...this isn't working...

"Excuse me, I need to grab something from my carriage." Princess Bubblegum stood up.

"Okay!" Finn said and continued his conversation with Flame Princess. Bubblegum approached her gingerbread carriage and opened the door. She entered and closed the window curtain, not allowing any starlight to come in. Her pain had sunk in. Her eyes began to tear. She covered her face and began to whimper.

"I knew this was a mistake." She said sulking. Tears fell onto her dress and she couldn't stop them. Suddenly a knock on her carriage appeared. She dried her tears with her arm and swallowed her tears.

"Yes?"

"Hey Bonnie." She gasped when she heard his voice. "May I come in? Finn said you were in here." Princess Bubblegum snuffled.

"It's whatever..." The carriage door opened, revealing Marshall Lee at the door. His face was confused, yet glad that he found her.

"I've been trying to find you for the past hour, woman." He said as he entered and sat down in front of her. He leaned forward to see her face, but realized her expression wasn't cheerful as usual. "Hey...what's wrong?"

"Like you would care." She retorted haste fully.

"If I didn't care, I wouldn't ask." He answered, "Tell me." She gulped as a tear fell, but Marshall Lee caught it. She stayed silent, thinking of ways to talk with a calm composure, yet tears began to fall.

"Look, you know what? I'm sorry for what I said yesterday, but I'm not in the mood to talk it through. Can't you see I'm busy?" She said behind a snuffle. Marshall Lee frowned with empathy.

"Hey Bonnie...I'm...sorry too." Marshall Lee said, "But...I...I...uh..." He couldn't continue while watching her cry. Something was wrong and he didn't know why.

"Bonnie, if it's about yesterday, I'm sorry again!" Marshall Lee insisted, "Please stop crying." The tears continued to fall and Bubblegum faced away from him.

"No, it's not about you. I forgive you." She mumbled, "It's just...it's just...how would you feel if someone you liked fell for someone else so quickly, you couldn't recover from it and all you can do is hide it?" Marshall Lee popped an eyebrow upward.

"Eh...I'd feel terrible, but what..." He stopped and peaked outside to see Finn and Flame Princess chatting. "You don't mean that kid, do you?"

"See? How would you understand?" Princess Bubblegum, "You don't know what it's like..." Marshall Lee frowned away from her. To think her past feelings were riding her thoughts made his body hot. He exhaled and grabbed her hand. She looked up to see his serious face.

"Listen, Bonnie...listen to me."


Author's Note: Life is kicking my butt guys. But I'm doing my best to finish this!