Disclamer: I do not own Adventure Time, Marceline and the Scream Queens or the song (Clarity - Zedd feat. Foxes)
A/N: I heard an acoustic version of the song Clarity, the lyrics and piano were just so beautiful and fitting.
"I knew you were trouble."
Marceline had walked gracefully up the set of steps that led to the castle entrance, in the interest of drawing less attention, and this was the welcome she received.
Peppermint Butler was stationed at the door. He gave her a stern look.
Marceline was less than thrilled to see him too, "And so you got my dad to come bother me as revenge? What's your deal?"
They stared each other down.
It did not appear as though there would be a truce.
And after the Butler did not say anything for some time, she stepped past him. Her long fitted crimson gown twirling about her ankles as she walked by.
"I knew you were trouble." The mint repeated, "But it might be more trouble without you."
She pretended to not hear him. But the Peppermint knew she had.
Upon entering, everything seemed so dull. The princess was known for holding very festive parties of all sorts.
This was not to be one of them.
There was an eerily calm feel in the air. The decorations were few and far between and a single piano was being played by a member of The Devil Cake Downers, one of the worst bands in Ooo.
The party guests did not seem to notice this mood and happily partied on.
It did not take long for Marceline to find the Princess among the crowd.
She looked worn down and beaten. Her usual vibrant pink complexion appeared dull. Her eyes puffy, they matched the sleeves of her splendid pink gown.
She looked unwell.
The boy she was sharing this dance with must not have thought so, as he led her through the steps with a certain roughness that came from inexperience.
Half her size, it was comical to see the Hero dance with his Princess. Finn's face looked so serious, as though this dance meant the world to him.
And in all fairness, it did.
Marceline was one for grand entrances. She loved surprise, something inherited, she could not deny. It did not take long before it was decided how to do so.
A slow melody on the piano and Finns arms wrapped around her were what kept the lethargic woman standing.
When had everything become too much for her to handle on her own?
She had been very happy when Finn had graciously offered his services to her as a knight. He was very good at his job and she felt safe.
It was one last thing to think about.
He was a kind boy. After she had heard of Marceline leaving (to Glob knew where) Bubblegum had suggested he live in the tree house, being sure not to mention its previous owner. After all, it was closer to the Candy Kingdom. If anything were to happen he and his brother could be there in no time.
Then there was the matter of his feelings.
She was fully aware of them but had no heart to dismiss them outright. On the other hand, this seemed to make matters worse and she soon found herself falling in ever unfamiliar territory of dealing with emotions.
Even harder, another's emotions.
The piano tempo changed, throwing Finn off. He stepped on her foot.
"Ow"
"Oh my Grod, sorry Princess. The beat changed and I'm not a good dancer to begin with and –"
"It's alright, Finn" Bubblegum smiled down at him.
He looked away embarrassed. In the act, he caught sight of something in the distance and his face contorted to one of surprise, "Hey, that's the-
High dive into frozen waves where the past comes back to life
"- the vampire who took our house." Finn paused.
Fight fear for the selfish pain, it was worth it every time
Turning back to his dance partner, "PB?" Her arms had fallen from around his neck.
Hold still right before we crash 'cause we both know how this ends
She could not, would not, believe it. This was an illusion as all the other Marceline's had been. But-
A clock ticks 'til it breaks your glass and I drown in you again
-if it was, how could Finn see her too?
'Cause you are the piece of me I wish I didn't need
Chasing relentlessly, still fight and I don't know why
Marceline's eyes held fast, unafraid. They focused on a girl 'in the front row'. Singing to the pink girl one of the many songs she had inspired the vampire to create.
If our love is tragedy, why are you my remedy?
If our love's insanity, why are you my clarity?
If our love is tragedy, why are you my remedy?
If our love's insanity, why are you my clarity?
The Devil Cake Downer band member played this part, making each note heavy and passionate, getting into it a little too much. His movements were grandiose and dramatic.
Walk on through a red parade and refuse to make amends
It cuts deep through our ground and makes us forget all common sense
Don't speak as I try to leave 'cause we both know what we'll choose
If you pull then I'll push too deep and I'll fall right back to you
Have you ever wanted to see someone so much, yet at the same time fearing that moment just as much? For in that moment you would be at your weakest. And weak was something you could not be.
Why are you my clarity?
Why are you my remedy?
Why are you my clarity?
Why are you my remedy?
Marceline's voice died off. She turned about to thank the pianist, maybe The Downers weren't so bad after all.
The crowd cheered.
Finn did as well, hesitantly, not noticing his dance partner had slipped away.
The Princess inconspicuously walked through the paired dance floor.
Away from the stage, away from Marceline, from the person she had longed to approach for so long.
Even though she had dreamt of meeting again, apologizing, now that the time had arisen the first thing she could think to do was run.
By the time Bubblegum even realize it she found herself in a dark hallway. There was no sound. The thick stone of the castle walls drowned out the noise of the party, that was surly continuing in her absence.
She caught her breath, leaning against that wall.
But her rest was short lived.
It came in a whisper, "Bonnibel?"
The Bubblegum girl snapped her head up. Trying to make sense of the darkness, squinting even though she knew who was in her company.
"Does it really bother you, to not be able to see me?"
'No.'
That had been her answer so long ago. But that was then.
"Yes."
With a wave of a gray arm, all the candles in the hall lit at once.
And everything about the woman in front of her made Bubblegum sure this was no illusion. Her lips trembled, but she stayed strong, "Why did you come back, when I had pushed you away every time?"
"I love you." Simple words meant to symbolize something more complex.
Marceline did not wait for a response before she continued, because she knew she would not get one, "If my feelings bother you I will leave them at your feet to do with as you please." If told, Marceline would gladly respect Bubblegum's wish. Even if it was to never see her again, "But I will not leave you alone, not really." She promised.
There came a point that Bubblegum could no longer look into truth filled red eyes.
Most people would kill for such a vow, but she had no clue what to do with it.
Marceline asked for nothing but gave everything.
The least Bubblegum could do was give her an explanation, a talk that had been well overdue by two years.
Biting her lip to hold back tears that threatened to flow, Bubblegum began, "I rely on my mind, as I was created to do. It helps me find logic and has been a good companion all my life." She paused, perplexed by the notion, "But then I found, sometimes what someone's mind tells them is not what is logical or beneficial in the long run. Some people call it 'thinking with your heart'."
Eyes met, "When you're around. That becomes muddled. I can't tell the two apart."
It was unsafe for her. Not just a new, dangerous.
Bubblegum had a kingdom, as well as the task of protecting a gem. A gem that held the final key to unlock what could possibly be the universe's undoing.
A task she took very seriously.
That was why.
Marceline remained silent, allowing the pink girl to continue saying what she had to, "Unlike the old movies, that you so love to watch, I am not the type to follow my 'heart' blindly and am, even now, terrified to do so."
Landing on the ground with a crisp tap of heal on stone, the vampire reached out to wipe away sugared tears that had begun to fall.
But Bubblegum shifted away, "I'm sorry, it's just- you say you love me, but how do I know?" She tried, "How do I know your feelings won't fade with time, and there will be a lot of it? Is our love the same?"
"I suggest we then make it something you can relate to?"
Bubblegum was interested. She brushed away her own tears that had slowly stopped falling.
"I don't mind if you don't want to put a name to what you feel. Who said there had to be? As you said, there is plenty of time to understand it. And no matter how complicated things may get-"
Marceline could not finish as she was pulled into a tight hug. It was the only thing Bubblegum could think of to silence her, as she was growing embarrassed by the kind words.
Well one of the ways.
Pulled away from the hug, she rested a finger gently on light blue lips. They were frigged to the touch. And Bonnibel would have none of that, drawing closer to slowly replace her finger with something warmer.
The Enchiridion had said, in short, kissing a Princess is not like kissing anyone else. Only a kiss on the mouth will do. But be careful, for it can only end one of two ways.
Love or Death
Whoever wrote this had surely never taken into account its pages being applied to a Princess, who was less than an emotion lord, and her undead Queen.
A/N: If I think of more there may be a sequel or just some cute fluff. But aside from that, done! Thank you so much for reading! ^_^
Till next time~
