Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto or Adventure time.

IX: Friends

They spent an hour on the serum. A task that would've taken much longer if Pineapple was absent. They finished quickly not only because they split the work but also because Pineapple came up with even quicker ways to get it done.

She couldn't tell if the laziness was a good or bad thing now.

He suggested she get the samples in four places, for every measurement of the preservative. So, in case one failed, she wouldn't need to mix again. By the time they were done, they had four samples of the serum ready to go.

Pineapple rubbed his eye. "We good?"

Bubblegum looked at the four, green, each within their very own injectors. A smile lit up her face and she gave double thumbs up.

"Absolutely."

He yawned. "Anything else?"

"Let's call it a day."

She stashed away the samples and hung up her lab coat. It must've kept her warm because now, in her black tee shirt, she shivered, and her arms turned a paler pink. Didn't even notice how cold it was up until this point.

"It's late and cold outside. We'll test it later, okay?" she said.

"I'd rather stay inside but good luck with it."

Eh? She blinked. "W-What?"

"I'd, uh, rather stay inside..."

Heard him the first time, didn't think he'd repeat it, though.

"Of... Of course."

She wasn't upset, she just found it odd he refused to hang out. Most would jump at that opportunity. Or at least pretend to. Plus, that was one thing she couldn't test inside the castle. Too bad, Pineapple was great help and company.

"It's fine I'll... I'll ask someone else."

Finn wouldn't say no, she'd ask him.

Pineapple nodded.

Bubblegum pulled the packs of cigarettes out of her coat and into her shorts. She refused before he asked. It was a one-time thing.

They cleaned up and shut the lights. It got chillier once they stepped outside the lab, the scent of lemon filled the hallway towards the steps and it almost made her cough.

Bubblegum shook her head and told him he didn't have to empty the freshener but he replied it was better to be safe than sorry which she couldn't deny.

She sighed into her palms, failing to steady her hands as she fiddled with a bunch of keys to lock the lab door. Pineapple took it and asked her to hold his blanket while he locked the door. She gladly held onto it. Took him about two minutes to find the right key. She couldn't blame him, it still took her a bit to remember and differentiate the keys and she owned the place.

He locked it twice and handed her the bunch but never asked for the blanket. She felt her features thin into a flat expression as she squeezed the blanket. He'd tricked her into taking it without complaint. Agh, Pineapple was really really good at avoiding arguments.

They climbed the steps, their footsteps echoed along with the breeze. She watched him with glances. With his face ahead and hands in his pockets, he seemed unapproachable.

After this, he'd probably hole himself up again. Who knows when next she'd get the chance to see him? Much less speak with him. She couldn't always keep asking Princess...

"Hey... Pineapple."

He hummed.

"Wanna be friends?"

He paused as if considering it and when she thought to take it back, he responded.

"We aren't?"

"I..." She didn't expect that one. "I...I guess it's official now."

"Do I sign?"

"It's not a contract." She chortled.

"Sounded like one."

Bubblegum scoffed and skipped ahead of him then climbed the steps backward with confidence only the owner of the place could possess.

"Not everyone gets a princess as a friend, you know," she said matter-of-factly. He could count himself lucky.

Yet, he remained unfazed. It even seemed like Pineapple was more impressed she could climb the steps backward than her being a Princess.

"I guess you're right," he said.

"And a scientist, and a mathematician and a phy—"

"Thank you."

Bubblegum tilted her head. "For what?"

"Everything." Her steps slowed until she stopped. Then Pineapple patted her shoulder, smiled, and told her, again, "good job."

Bubblegum told herself she wouldn't accept it until he was fine. Now, she could. Yeah, she'd take it. She did... a pretty good job given the situation. And even better, Pineapple thought so too.

But, of all the times he could thank her, he chose now. Gee, what kind of bad timing was that? Perhaps it was a good thing, it was late and dark and he wouldn't see her fail to fight a smile. Bubblegum found she couldn't stop, so, she didn't bother. She couldn't explain how she felt but she liked it.

"I... Ah... How do I reply to that?"

"You don't." Pineapple yawned. "Just accept it."

"Fine," she said, climbing up top to meet him. "Then you'll accept the super-duper big hug." Bubblegum spread her arms wide open.

He walked past her.

She huffed.

They arrived at the top floor, padding down the hallway.

"You'll... come to the party, right?" Bubblegum asked.

"You'll hear me out?"

Oh... that.

"Only if you come." She crossed her arms and looked away. "Plus, I... I said I would, didn't I?"

"Ah, you remembered?"

Bubblegum slowly nodded. Never forgot actually. She would—could never forget an agreement. An agreement she made especially. She planned to hear him out but also planned to remain close-minded on the matter.

But that aside. She'd be glad if he met Finn. Bet Finn would like that too.

"You'll... show up, right?"

"Sure."

She gave him a look, arms crossed.

"Huh... You don't seem to believe—"

"Promise," she demanded. She could trust him. Just not how lazy he could get.

Pineapple shook his head, humored, thought it was a joke until he realized her face was nothing but serious.

He sighed. "I promise."

"No, you have to royal promise."

Pineapple squinted, and a brief look of confusion crossed him.

"It's different, just do it."

"I, uh, royal promise."

A slight breeze whizzed past them and it put Bubblegum at ease.

"Excellent." Bubblegum clasped her hands together, pointing at him. "You can never break a royal promise, got it?"

He hummed.

"I'm serious," she said. "Never ever whatsoever."

"Mhm," he said, ignorant of the gravity of what he'd uttered.

He probably just said it so she wouldn't press the matter any further. On the inside, she let herself snicker... a bit too evilly.

"Speaking of which..." he started.

"Yes?"

"How... big is it, the party?"

"Just the kingdom and some friends." She looked at him. "That's... fine, right?"

It wasn't hard to tell that Pineapple disliked crowds. Probably why he opted to remain holed up. So, she was careful about the size of the party, he might not—

"Some?" he asked. "Why not all?"

She blinked. "So it wouldn't be too much of a hassle?"

"Well, it wouldn't be a party if it wasn't a hassle." He stretched a bit. "Plus, it's your party. You'd want as many friends there," he said. "So, go ahead, why stop at some? Invite all."

Bubblegum slowly nodded. If it was okay, then, so be it. The more the merrier anyway.

Pineapple pondered something, hand under his chin as he hummed. She smiled, glad he was showing a bit of interest in the party. It piqued her curiosity but whatever the reason was, she was happy about it—

"Your friends, they're all princesses too, right?"

What?

Maybe she needed the moment of dead quiet that surrounded them. Bubblegum blinked, putting the pieces together in her head. The sudden interest made a lot of sense now. Her head turned towards him.

Pineapple arched a brow at her, a bit confused. She gave him some time to reflect on what he'd said and when he did, he blinked and sniffed a deep, long breath, pressing a fist against his lips, as if he too had just realized his poor choice of words.

She forced a smile. Ah, so, he was that kind of person.

Pineapple sighed and as she opened her mouth, he raised a hand to cut her off. As if he knew what she was about to accuse him of.

"It's nothing like that," he said.

She felt her smile twitch. Like what? That he was only interested in the party to get with one of her princess friends? Tsk, tsk, Pineapple. How shallow, how perverse, how inconsiderate, how... blind.

She gave the chance to explain himself. Depending on his answer, she'd know whether or not to limit the invite list. If he was a pervert then it was best to protect her friends from such a person.

"Look, it's poor phrasing, I didn't mean it like that," he said.

"What did you mean then?"

"Of course, if they're all princesses, then it means it's a formal party, right?" He sighed and she nodded. "They're all your friends so it may not seem so formal to you but I was asking so I could at least dress and act the part."

Oh... Her features slowly eased up. Guessed that made sense. She didn't think about it like that and had unconsciously painted him in the worst light possible.

"Just... don't want to cause any kind of problem for you, is all."

Her eyes widened, she tensed up all of a sudden and waved a hand in defense. Something about the way he said it made her want to correct him.

"Wh-Why?" She waved a hand in dismissal. "Geez. You shouldn't worry about things like that."

Pineapple only shrugged, as if it couldn't be helped. A frown crawled up to her face and before she could say anything else, they arrived at her bedroom door. With just a single statement, he'd succeeded in plummeting her mood.

Staring at her door, she realized this was the fourth in a long time she was sleeping in her room. And all those times, Pineapple had something to do with it. Sigh. Maybe he was becoming a bad influence on her.

Pineapple thanked her for holding onto his blanket and took it back. She tried not to roll her eyes. How clever. She shook her head and pushed open her door.

A waft of cool, scented air billowed through their clothes. Made even Pineapple shiver and he had on a blanket. She tsked, Peppermint butler must've forgotten to shut the aircon after cleaning. Now, compared to everywhere else, even the hallway, her room was like a freezer.

She turned to Pineapple who proceeded to ask the most ridiculous question all of a sudden.

"Huh, is your air-conditioner on?"

"No, the breeze from the storm outside must've slipped in." She jammed a thumb out one of the hallway windows, at the quiet, starry, dry night. It... came out a bit more venomous than she bargained for.

Pineapple nodded, accepting the jab. "Alright."

Served him right. What an odd, out-of-nowhere, and painfully obvious question.

"See you, then," he said.

He was about to leave when she called.

He hummed. Turning to her.

"I'm... really glad you're doing fine." She gave her warmest smile. "If you're troubled, I'll spare time, come talk to me directly, okay?"

She looked right at him, even though he didn't meet her eye. But, instead of welcoming her offer, he just chuckled and playfully dismissed it;

"You're a princess. I'm sure you have enough problems as is," he said. "Don't stress too much."

She opened her mouth and closed it, numerous times and in the end, she couldn't say anything. Bubblegum looked away from him—at her feet—her cheeks felt a bit warm as she softly bit her bottom lip.

Honestly, she'd be surprised if he ever came to her for anything. She put up the offer knowing he wouldn't but hoping he would.

"Get some sleep." He half waved and was on his way.

She watched him walk into his room and shut the door. Such an odd and enigmatic fellow. He'd been here for more than a week and she still knew nothing about him. It'd be hard to get anything out of him as he was an expert at dodging questions.

Bubblegum shook her head and stepped into her room, shutting the door behind her.