Crimson Tree – Part XXI
Bubblegum found herself pacing around her room, around the bed, across the tile floor, brushing past the cabinets and only pausing a little at her work desk. Papers still littered its surface, with the occasional ink spills dotting and smudging its way across the polished wood. A single stack remains of documents, awaits its pending signatures and reviews – but the Princess does not attend to them.
Turning so that her hip rests against the desk side, she folds her arms across her chest and steadies herself in quiet contemplation. Propping herself as she leans against the table, she watches the open windows leading to the balcony. She had not yet closed them, not yet. But, she had however, made sure to drag with as much strength as she could gather: Marceline's axe.
It had taken quite the effort to pull across the floor of the balcony form one edge to the outer window pane. It took even more than strain to pull it above the height distancing itself between the wall that held the windows. But she had done it.
It now rested at the foot of her bed – yet again, struggle helped her prop it up against the mattress border.
She spends what seems to be hours watching the window and then occasionally shifts her glance back to the weapon. Sleep does not seem to visit her, nor hints her of tiring eyes or the deepening of the night. The silence blessed enough to leave her wondering in serenity, is broken sooner than expected; the axe's owner comes to rest at the inner part of the open window pane. Her tough leather boots 'click' as her feet touch glassy tiles.
"Hello, Marceline," the Princess begins, her expression vapid but her tone slightly warm.
The vampire shifts her eyes uneasily from the axe she'd just noticed at the bed to the monarch before her. "Hey, Bonnibelle." Involuntarily, she sweeps with her eyes; the younger monarch from head to toe. Guilty bites prick at her face as she notices the red axe, yet again. Even after everything I said…
They watch each other for a while, not too long, just enough for the younger monarch of the two to gather her words and form a little speech – one that is to the point.
"Though it has taken much vigour on my behalf to admit so, I am deeply sorry if I ever offended or upset you in our previous… conversation. I also ask your forgiveness for not understanding why you could not comprehend my idea or theology about our dilemma." Moving her eyes from the direct contact that had started to buzz between them, she concludes, "You are free to leave the palace whenever – not that restrictions were placed on you- but I am in no longer a state of upsetting you."
Marceline's eyes widen for a while, before smouldering back into the depths of her sockets. A cave of shock, maybe even questioning authority, coating its way onto her face.
"The Ice Queen is free to rest and receive medical treatment at the kingdom till she is… well again and ready to leave at her wish," the Princess adds, remembering the still 'asleep' monarch in the infirmary – now guarded and under special supervision.
"Bonni, I-" Marceline clears her throat, pushing down the pride stacks that try to force her words to mumbles. "I'm sorry for what I said, for not accepting what you said."
The other party listens and takes in the repentance, no rejection uttered. The vampire sighs, it had taken much more that she expected to apologize, not, when hadn't done so for the last couple thousand years.
Her voice strengthened, though, as she brought it back to a serious manner, saying, "And besides, I took a vow to protect you and your kingdom - I do not back out of what I vow".
The Princess moved her lips upward, smiling at the honesty pouring out in the vampire's words. So truthful, serious; not like the usual mocking playful atmosphere she claimed over conversation. So charming.
Returning the smile with a little more enthusiasm, Marceline falters, "that is, only if you wish that I remain by your side".
"I wouldn't have it any other way, Marceline," the Princess accepts, deepening her smile – so genuine that it snakes velvet blushes across the vampire's face.
They both move forward at the same time, the queen clasping her arms around Bubblegum's middle and Bubblegum sliding her hands onto Marceline's back. A thick embrace lifts the former sparkle of tension, soothes out the raging blood at their heads and lifts out the uneasy air that crowded their stomachs. Warmth spread from the Princess' touch through to the vampire's chilled skin, bringing a sense of heat – a sense of comfort.
Marceline breaks the embrace a fraction, as she slips a hand between the faces, lifting up Bubblegum's chin. Their gazes meet, but the taller monarch sears through with her powerful look right into the Princess' eyes. Words are not said, yet conversation seems to be exchanged in that one glance.
Before the queen initiates her next move, the Princess brings their lips together first. The surge of heat growing in the vampire's body – and now face – blossoming into flowers of passion. Bubblegum shivers as Marceline's tongue lightly brushes against her lower lip, asking permission, the vampire's eyes flicker open as well. The Princess parts her lips, acceptance, more than given. She tightens her hold on the queen as the latter's tongue brushes against hers, the chemicals of her alchemist mind flying into the oblivion of ecstasy.
She smells of roses. The vampire determines, not that she had she been as fond of their scent as their succulent red taste. Maybe, the princess was as fond of roses as she appeared to be in the portrait, maybe she was interested in the elements of beauty that the flower intrigued people with.
Moving back to place a last kiss on the younger monarch's forehead, Marceline grins satisfied with her reinstatement as bodyguard and as her mind drones on her new title for the princess.
My beautiful Bonnibelle.