Chapter 52: The Hideaway

As nighttime approached Gumball led Fionna out of the castle and into the woods. The night was quiet, but just in case of any unwanted guests aside from LSP, PG kept a sword on his belt as he led his bunny. The war had taught him one valuable thing which was, be prepared for any change in plans.

"Hey dude where are we going anyway? We've been walking for a bit". Fionna asked as she looked around her surroundings, following him through the forest.

"We are almost there". The prince said with a smile as he pulled back a large branch in his way. Fionna's jaw dropped as she took in the site before her.

"Whoa". She said as she came forward. Gumball allowed her to approach through the bushes onto the site before him.

"What is this place"? Fionna asked as she looked around. The water in the lake sparkled brilliantly like stars and just overlooking it was a lit up gazebo decorated for the night with a couple bottles of wine and what looked to be containers of food. She turned to PG and looked at him surprised.

"Did you do all this"? She asked blushing a bit. PG smiled at her and shrugged.

"Well technically this was all Cake I just mentioned to her that I had you alone for the night and she did the rest". He said with a wink.

Fionna looked around and put her hands on her hips.

"This is too rad, I'm going to kill her".

Gumball came forward looking around.

"That'd be a sin to do considering she got us a perfect spot for the occasion tonight". Gumball said as he climbed the steps of the Gazebo, taking off his purple jacket and putting it over the side of the railing. He adjusted the rolled up sleeves of his pink button down looking out onto the sparkling water and then up to the sky filled with stars.

"What's the occasion"? Fionna asked as she followed his lead and came up to the gazebo.

"There's a meteor shower tonight, predicted by Simon and PB. It's supposed to be really beautiful and it only happens every one thousand years". PG explained as Fionna leaned over the railing with him looking up at the sky.

Each star she looked at seemed to glow as she eyeballs them as if they were looking at her too. Gumball moved in closer to her, covering her with his body and trapping her between his arms from behind as they stared into the sky. Fionna come smell his sweet scent from behind her as his cheek pressed against hers. Her blush warmed his face as he smiled looked down at her, trapping her tighter.

"Oh look there's a shooting star right there"! Fionna called out.

"Make a wish, you saw it first". Gumball said sweety

"Psh, wishes don't come true unless you have some kind of magic item or know some kind of wish dealing wizard".

Gumball looked at her a little surprised.

"A wish-dealing wizard? So like a mushroom dealer but for wishes"?

"Yea".

"So like what you are telling me is that you've actually encountered a dealer not for the sake of getting hazy but for the purpose of wishes". Gumball asked amused by such a ridiculous idea.

"Well I haven't actually encountered one but it'd be rad if I could". Fionna explained looking PG in the eyes.

Gumball laughed and held her tighter, holding her back into his chest. His scent raced even more through Fionna's nostrils making her heart flutter from feeling his warmth.

"What would you wish for, love"?

Fionna thought for a moment. In her eighteen years of life she had so many questions. Many of which were questions about her parents, where she came from but currently in this moment, her most important question was about her period of memory loss. For the last week it had seemed like people walked on eggshells around her as if they knew something she didn't and it irritated her greatly. It was as if everyone was keeping a handful of secrets from her to keep from upsetting her, especially Marshall.

"I'd wish for the truth". Fionna murmured.

PG huffed a sigh and ran a hand throw his pink, crownless hair.

"I know you must be confused as to what has been happening lately". He admitted as Fionna looked away from him.

"Everyone is hiding something from you, including you. Cake filled me in on what happened in the Nightosphere for the most part but you haven't told me anything and what she told me has pieces of the story missing". Fionna explained, facing Gumball chest to chest. PG mounted his hands on the railing, enclosing Fionna in between them. His tired purple irises looked to her sadly and nodded.

"Ask me whatever needs to be asked. I can't prove that I love you if I don't give you answers you need". He explained with a small smile.

Fionna looked away for a moment thinking of her first question as she pursed her lips.

"What was the situation with Aqua? Cake told me you made an agreement to marry her before our night in the garden. Then you just ended that treaty because apparently when Marshall was possessed in the Nightosphere he told you guys and to my face that you tricked me into falling for you. Apparently I was an option that didn't come with the political nuisances of trade and treaty and hence you could be crowned king quicker. Then it was also said that you threatened war on Flame Prince if he came near me so that I wouldn't choose him instead of you. Tell me that's not true". Fionna asked looked to him with a bit of betrayal in her eyes.

Gumball bowed his head and released her, putting his hands in his pockets.

"Look, its true and it's not".

At this reveal, Fionna turned her back to him, and started walking off the gazebo. Gumball immediately went after her calling to her.

"Fionna, you asked me for the truth and I can't possibly give it to you if you are walking away"!

"Why are you telling me all of this now, why couldn't you a week ago"!

"You were recovering! If you let me give you my side and you still don't want to go through with this fine but let me tell you my side before you start listening to everyone else but me like you always do"! He screamed.

This statement caught Fionna's attention. She blinked a couple times at him, surprised that he believed she brushed him off so often. Fionna folded her arms and stood her ground, prepared to listen.

"Hit me with it". She said seriously as Gumball huffed a sigh coming down the steps.

He walked towards her, keeping a friendly distance but came close enough to look her in the eye.

"Ok, listen. Here's what happened. The court paired Aqua and I together because she had a great military and I had great resources in the candy kingdom especially medically speaking. They paired us and I was willing to marry but then I realized that…I didn't enjoy spending time with her like I did with you especially just as friends. Then I saw you at the party and something in me made me want you. It was like an awakening for me because Fionna, I've always felt a certain way about you but I tried to conceal it. I thought if Marshall knew he'd expose me and you'd quit your job as my guardian if you didn't feel the same". Gumball looked away a bit ashamed as he thought about the times Fionna would light up when Marshall Lee would appear. It was a look of excitement that he barely witnessed with her.

"Let's be honest, when it comes to me and Marshall….what do I have to offer you? A kingdom? Yea that's cool except you basically run it anyway as our heroine. Until you trained me, I was an uncoordinated, pathetic, wimp, always in need of my beautiful blonde kickass guardian to come rescue me". Gumball picked up a rock from the ground and curved his back, throwing it with frustration and letting it skip. As it bounced along the water he continued.

"I had nothing going into the competition but then I started working with you and I had this crazy idea that I had a chance even if I wasn't some guitar stringing, suave vampire. I was sharing an interest with you". Gumball explained.

Fionna looked away, feeling a bit guilty. This was partially her fault that she would ditch Gumball for Marshall. Putting herself in his place, she realized that she would feel pretty awful about this kind of situation too.

"So I cut it off with Aqua and decided to pursue you, I thought that since I cared for you so much, I could get you to feel the same way for me. Yes, it was selfish and I should've let you go about this on your own instead of putting pressure on you with the engagement ring but time was racing and I didn't want anyone but you. So I hoped that you'd see the light in marrying me because I care for you and so does the kingdom". His hand reached out to touch hers gently.

She let it remain limply in his as she looked into his eyes, fact checking the truth.

"But flame prince".

"He hurt you, Fionna. He hurt you really badly and I couldn't bear to see you get hurt again. I set him up with Flame Princess because I thought they'd be good for each other and on top of that the two fire kingdoms could have an alliance".

Fionna looked at him a bit disheartened.

"How could you"? She asked with a small crack in her voice as she gently tried to take her hand away from him.

Gumball enclosed it with his other hand looking deep into her eyes.

"Fionna look what he allowed to happen to Flame Princess….she's dead…..she's dead because he didn't love her enough to go to war with us. And if he really loved you he would've fought for you…but he didn't. Look what that says about him as a person and a king". PG pointed out. Fionna looked away allowing a single tear to fall from her cheek. The site broke Gumball's heart.

"Fionna, why are you crying"? He asked gently, wiping away her tear.

Fionna wiped herself on her sleeve and took a deep breath.

"Flame Princess is dead because of me. This whole shit storm has been my fault. I sacrificed myself for the candy kingdom and this thing happened". Gumball caressed her cheek. His fingers gently lifted the underside of her chin, forcing her to look into his eyes.

"Hey now, you aren't the only one who risked the kingdom. I was prepared to die myself in the war to get you back. If I had the opportunity to save you and die myself I would've done it if it came down to it". Gumball explained sincerely.

"But..but why, that awful king of Ooo would be king". Fionna correctly.

Gumball shook his head.

"In my will I asked for a democracy among my people if I were to pass and you were to live. King of Ooo got bubblegum impeached this way so I figured if I asked for this, it would need to be carried out and hence, the people would follow you as Queen".

Fionna's blush great more brilliant. Had Gumball died for her, she would've ruled. The thought both terrified and confused her.

"Why me"?

Gumball smiled at her, running his fingers through her soft hair.

"You were always the best one for the job. I knew I could trust you".

Fionna let out a small smile, allowing PG to squeeze her hand.

"You're my best friend Fi".

"You're mine too".

"No matter what happens, I don't want to lose this". He stated. Fionna looked at him strangely, getting the feeling he was friend zoning her.

"With that said, I'll tell the court tomorrow that Aqua and I will marry if you decline me. It seems only fair since all I've done is pressure you. My fantasy for you to be mine isn't worth losing our friendship and I'm so sorry". He said sincerely, kindness and sadness filled his eyes staring deep into Fionna's soul.

Fionna pursed her lips together looking at him.

Gumball let go of her hand and stuffed it in his pocket nodding with a small smile. Fionna huffed a sigh. The night air chilled her as she warmed her arms shivering

"I'll walk you home if you wish or we can hang out here if you want, let me get you my jacket though you look like you're cold". He said, turning his back halfway to her.

"Ben", Fionna called out. The Prince slowly turned back to her, remembering how she only used his real name for certain occasions.

"Don't marry that nasty water droplet". Fionna said.

Gumball let out a small laugh and shook his head.

"My options are slim, my love, unfortunately".

Fionna looked down at her hand, noticing her ring was gone.

"You know you could've asked me if I wanted to do this or not before taking back my ring". She said a little hurt

Gumball looked at her surprised.

"What? No it's not like that at all". He said reaching around his neck and into his shirt. Fionna watched to see him pull out a shiny piece of gold, held on a chain.

"It got very bloody from the battle so I kept it and cleaned it. I had no intention to ever give this one to Aqua. I had another made, not quite as nice. If you ended up declining, I would be the only one wearing this in essence".

Gumball clutched it in his palm smiling at his secure hand around it.

"It holds something sentimental to me. I feel stronger when I wear it because it holds a part of you". He said with a warm smile.

Fionna brushed her hair back and blushed.

"What if I told you I wanted it back"?

Gumball looked to her surprised, clutching it tight.

"Fionna are you sure"? He asked.

She blushed holding her hands behind her back.

"One condition though". Fionna said winking to the pink prince.

"What's the condition"? Gumball asked looking at her intently as he took off the chain and smiled to her.

Fionna twirled her hair and thought, twisting her mouth to the side.

"I want a real proposal". Gumball opened his mouth to respond when Fionna spoke again.

"Right now". She finished letting out a small laugh. PG shook his head and took the ring off the chain, allowing it to shine in the moonlight.

"I can't believe I'm about to be re-engaged to such a demanding woman". He joked as he came forward with the ring in his hand. Fionna shrugged and watched him kneel in front of her. He held out his hand to take hers gently, joy fillin his eyes. Fionna gave it up to him. He kissed it first before looking up to her, anxiously awaiting to do the honors.

"Fionna Mertins, Heroine of Aaa….will you marry me"? He asked very sincerely, holding the ring to her finger.

"Yes….that would be…algebraic". She said chuckling.

Carefully PG put the ring on her small finger and came to his feet.

Before standing up all the way he wrapped her in his embrace, accidentally forcing her bunny hat to fall off. Fionna returned the hug and rested her cheek on his shoulder, rubbing the back of his shirt. Ben turned his face to her cheek and kissed her tenderly caressing her hair. The sound of soaring in the sky interrupted this moment and forced them to break away from each other.

"What in the world"? Gumball asked as he looked up to the sky with Fionna.

The two of them were surprised to see bright sparks fly across the night sky, appearing like mini rockets or small white party streamers across space. Fionna wrapped her arms around Gumball's waist, hugging him. In return he wrapped his arm around her as the two continued to watch the show quietly. His head rested against hers as he clutched her waist to his lovingly.

"It's your turn to make a wish by the way". Fionna joked turning her head to the prince.

Gumball chuckled and pressed his forehead to hers.

"Mine already came true". He whispered.

He adored seeing the blush on Fionna's cheeks, it was addicting to him and a relief that he could make her want him just like Marshall Lee could. His nose brushed against hers, inviting her into him. The cold of his skin gently touched her cheek advancing her towards him. Her dry lips locked his, forcing a darker pink to form on his cheeks reflecting the coloring of hers.