Storm Clouds

Princess Bubblegum woke with a start. A cold sweat greeted her upon waking, and her heart was beating out of time. She could not recall for what reason she felt this sense of dread, but there was something deep in her mind that didn't want to be forgotten. And yet, it was gone before she could discern what she had dreamed.

Getting out of bed slowly, the princess eased herself into a casual dress, nothing too flamboyant. Today was not an important holiday, nor did she have any guests to attend. Today she had a free moment, and she wished to spend it out in the sun.

But the sun didn't feel like venturing out, dark black storm clouds obscuring the sky and threatening rain. Standing on her balcony, Bubblegum felt a cool breeze across her shoulders. With a sigh, the princess resigned herself to a day of clouds and reading. Not that this proposition didn't appeal to the girl; to be sure, reading was one of the young woman's favorite pastimes.

She had just been so excited to stand in the sun and bask in it. There was no heat there, though. With no sun, the world was cold, desolate. For a moment, Bubblegum thought on how Marceline couldn't feel the heat of the sun, having to be constantly in darkness for fear of pain and suffering.

It hit the princess hard. She was with Marceline last night. The feelings came flooding back into her mind, and she had no way to sort them. Bubblegum had never been one to harbor envy for another, but she had felt it then. Not knowing it for what it was, this foreign emotion weighed her down. But what had caused the envy? What clawed at her heart like some evil beast?

Feelings came back to her, but the words weren't coherent. Marceline had said something, right before she fell asleep. The words were comforting, but the princess couldn't recall them.

As if the universe was conspiring somewhere in the heavens, the princess heard a familiar tap of boots on flooring behind her. She turned, and saw the subject of her thoughts standing there. Unprotected in the day.

Princess Bubblegum almost lost it right there. An urge came into her mind to shelter the woman, before she realized the truth. The sun was nowhere to be seen. No threat was present, but the pink girl now couldn't fight down the thoughts in her own head. Why was she so intent on protecting the Vampire Queen? Was she not capable of doing so herself?

"Hello Bonnibel. How are you feeling?" A light smile played across her face, and the princess couldn't think for a moment. Her mind raced, thinking of the previous night. What this woman had said in that midnight hour was lost, gone to her inconvenient memory.

"Hey Marcie. What're you doing here? I didn't expect you back so soon." Not that she minded. In fact, Bubblegum was happy the dark woman was here. She had grown attached to the way they could talk and be together, and she now found there was genuine joy in seeing her friend.

"Oh, you know. It doesn't get like this every day, so I figured I'd make the most of it." Realization was slow, but the princess felt stupid. Of course, she could do whatever she wanted in the day. And yet…she was here. Again.

There was silence for a while as the princess walked into her chambers, sitting on the bed like the previous night. Marceline followed, and sprawled herself across the bottom of the bed. Something fluttered in the princess's chest, not for the first time, but she ignored it.

"So…what's the plan for today then? What do you plan on doing?" Boldly, Princess Bubblegum got over her flutterings by speaking first. Marceline looked away for a moment, something strange in her eyes. As she looked back, she spoke quietly.

"Well I wanted to go somewhere quick, but after that I thought we could hang out some more. Is it cool if I come back in an hour or two?" She was asking permission. Not only was she asking permission, but doing so ahead of time. Bubblegum was confused for a moment, but decided not to question the cryptic woman and her ever changing moods.

"Absolutely! And if you didn't mind, I could go with you wherever it is you're going." She smiled at the woman curled up at the end of her bed. Marceline looked uncomfortable, something that happened once in a blue moon.

"Well, I don't know if you'd want to come with me…I'm just going to go look at something for a little while." Secrets were hidden behind those eyes. The princess was not born yesterday. However, she also knew how to be kind. She wouldn't ask.

"If you don't want me to go with you, that's ok too." Marceline looked at the pink girl before her for a long time. The silence was deafening. Then, she looked away again.

"No, it's ok. Just…just don't ask any questions, ok?" Nodding, the younger girl got up and slipped on some shoes. The vampire was soon at her side. As Bubblegum wrapped her arms around the taller woman for the second time in two days, she felt a sense of comfort wash over her.

They flew off into the day, the darkness of the clouds extending across the entire sky. Even as they traveled far and wide, the clouds were always present. It seemed at any moment the sky could open into a storm, but the princess didn't want to tell Marceline. It could shorten their time in the day together, and she wasn't willing to risk it.

Soon, they once again came to a place. But this was no party. This wasn't even a town. It was a mountain, not unlike the one that held Marceline's vault. It was odd, as Bubblegum found that events were almost repeating themselves. But last night, that was fun. That was enjoyable. Today there was something wrong with the way Marceline held herself. She wasn't excited. Something held her back.

As they landed, the princess let go of her friend. Marceline did not wait for Bubblegum, but instead floated forwards. She was silent, and the shorter girl was nervous. This behavior was strange. Marceline was driven on, but she seemed sad. Could the vampire queen feel sadness?

They moved forward to a rock, which Marceline casually pushed aside. It had to weigh tons, but the woman paid it no heed. Whatever drove her was unwilling to stop. They stepped into a small cave, and instantly Bubblegum felt awe.

This was not like anything Marceline had ever shown her. The place was small, about the size of the average room. It was rocky, but in the center of the cavern there was a small pond. Out of the pond rose a single stone, carved into an obelisk. Upon it was scrawled some text, but the princess could not understand the letters.

Marceline knelt down in front of the stone, and bowed her head. Praying, perhaps? She whispered something, but the princess kept her distance. This was an intimate place, a place that held some significance to her best friend. She wouldn't show disrespect.

After a while, Marceline got back up. She took a large breath in, and then let it go. Turning, she looked at Bubblegum, peace now in her eyes. Whatever this place was, it gave this fierce woman solace.

They left the cavern, Marceline throwing one last look inside before moving the rock back into its place. Princess Bubblegum had given her word not to ask questions, but this now ate at her. What had happened? What was that place? What was inscribed on the stone? Not wishing to anger the vampire, the princess let it go, with much difficulty. Taking a step forward, Bubblegum looked into the sky to forget her questions.

And the rain began to fall.

It fell harder than it had in some time, and it started without warning. With a gasp of surprise, Bubblegum made to go somewhere, anywhere to get out of the rain. Before she could, Marceline had grabbed her wrist. With a look of desperate confusion, the princess almost spoke, but the taller woman spoke before she could get the chance.

"What are you running from? This is the best part of a rainy day." She spoke simply. There was a smile there on her face. No malice, no trickery. She was simply happy. It was strange; the veil was lifted from her friend's face. She saw that face for the first time, again.

Before she could respond, Marceline dragged the young woman into the rain. They spun in the rain, letting it spill down their bodies. When they were thoroughly soaked, the vampire pulled the princess close.

Princess Bubblegum was always questioning the world around her. She was a scientist, through and through. And yet, in this moment, she didn't want to analyze it. She just wanted to experience it.

And the two embraced one another, locking lips, rain cascading around them.