Disclaimer: I do not own Adventure Time.

Blue eyes met with expectant red ones for a fleeting moment. That was all it took for Bubblegum to become focused and sure.

With a deep breath and one last look to her friends, she spoke, "A long time ago, I made a deal with the Lich."

And all was quiet, including the door.

No one had quite processed the words just yet. Jake had his mouth open and Finn shared a similar expression. Marceline's face hadn't changed and the Princess had no clue whether to take that as a good or bad sign.

In actuality the vampire had already understood the Lich had some role to play, and had assumed whenever he was involved in could never be good.

"What did you… um, wish for?" Finn asked cautiously.

"To live forever. That is, if not killed." The Princess did not hesitate but began to elaborate quickly, "He asked for nothing in return but warned of 'side effects'. It was a small price to pay at the time for what I had believed the benefits would be."

"What were the side effects?" Marceline finally spoke, her words nonjudgmental, genuinely interested or was it worried.

"I can see him. Mostly in others, those who have also had their 'wishes' granted. And the second is not so pleasant. If it were not for my gem, that last barrier, I would have been taken over by him long ago." Bubblegum reflected on how stupid she had been in her youth, a long 800 years ago, "Of course there would be some price, there always is. Nothing comes from nothing, matter never created or destroyed, … its simple science."

"No wonder that crown was so important to you." Jake observed, shaking his head as some of the pieces still began to fall into place. "This whole trip now that I think about it."

Bubblegum nodded, "Without it, I'm just a candy person who made a deal with the most evil person in Ooo. And now that the situation has changed with the Enchiridion, he can come and claim me." And with a horrible afterthought, "I can end up like Billy."

Somewhere along the way the voice became shaky again. The rush of her confession was fading, allowing the fear that was hidden underneath to peak through.

"NO!" Finn spoke out, "We'll help you whatever it is and whenever, you know that." His voice soothed.

Like a balloon built up with pressure that had just let all its air go, the princess too felt week and lowered herself to sit on the dirt ground before her own body gave up underneath her.

Finn felt the urge to go toward Bubblegum but stood where he was as he saw Marceline move in much faster to her side. And something in the back of his mind told him he did not have to worry about the Princess before him.

She had another 'hero' protecting her for now.

With a arm on yellow shoulders, Finn put lead his elder brother away from the scene. The teen caught Marceline's eyes and for a second he couldn't help but smile at the red gaze that met him.

After all, Marceline was still unaware Finn knew the situation. But in his action and smile she was beginning to realize the possibility he did. And not only that, when had he matured? She thought.

The two brothers left them be, discussing with each other what else it could be, the secret that would make the final door open.

Bubblegum did not seem to be fairing any better than before and the Vampire had a hunch, perhaps, "That's not all, is it?"

The pink woman shook her head, eyes downcast. In a comforting gesture Marceline picked her chin up with a cold hand. Somehow she never liked to see Bubblegum looking down. It did not suite her.

Though her face was raised to meet Marceline's own evenly, her eyes actively avoided the other's as she spoke, "Hunson proposed to me … another alternative."

"Dad did?" This shouldn't have surprised her. After all, the dream, she did not want to think of the contents.

Bubblegum eyes finally glanced to look at Marceline, the vampire was now the one with eyes and mind elsewhere.

She hurried to explain, realizing how the last few minutes in front of this door had probably changed all of her closest loved ones opinions of her, "He said, if I could persuade you to … kill him he would promise the Candy Kingdom and myself protection. The kind of protection only the Nightosphere, a land outside of Ooo, could bring. Even aside from protection from the Lich. You see I've gotten too old, and well, I cannot stay a princess forever. It would put the kingdom in all sorts of jeopardy for me to stay as I am now without-".

Marceline had only been half paying attention to the rushed words, "But If I killed him, I would be the one ruling the Nightoshere." Midnight hair fluttering about as the vampire shook her head, "He can't make promises like that."

"I know." Bubblegum agreed, "And I know you don't want to do hurt him or take his kingdom by proxy either."

Their eyes finally found each other again, red refocused on cool blue, as they always tended to do.

"So I couldn't accept such a personal offer."

Something donned on Marceline, but she needed to clarify, "But then, wouldn't such protection for your Kingdom have to come in the form of-"

"-an arranged marriage." Bubblegum finished without hesitation.

"What."

The response held nothing. It was flat and dry. It made the princess uneasy.

This.

This conversation is what she had been most worried about.

"Please don't get the wrong idea." Quickly correcting, "I mean, I would want to marry you. Just not like …this."

Marceline was still silent, her eyes wandering between Bubblegum's own, as though one overflowing pool would tell her something different than the other.

"It happen right after you 'left' for the blood moon and I didn't want you to think that I went searching for you just because … I mean, really I-"

But it was too late. Marceline had already made her conclusion.

The motion was swift and caused Bubblegum's eyes to close under the impact-

-of a pair of lips meshing with her own.

Though it had all happened in an instant to motion was gentle. It's funny how sometimes the most tender things are the ones that leave the biggest mark on us.

"You really are bad at this courting business aren't you." The statement was playful, catching the still shocked Princess off guard.

"Huh?"

"That's not how you ask for someone's hand."

A/N: Truth time! I had no idea where this was headed until a few days ago :P

And it's not over just yet (they still have to get that key).

Thanks for reading~