Tuesday, May 22nd

It occurred to her that Bonnibel had never visited Marceline at work. Unlike Marceline who could waltz in and enjoy a coffee, peak glances while she worked, and leave at her convenience, Bonnibel had no business in a music shop. She wasn't as if she were musically inept. Music was just a rhythmic representation of math in various forms. It was more that she didn't have the hand-eye coordination that Marceline possessed. Nor the dedication to put time into developing that skill.

It was decided then. She would visit her girlfriend at work.

Though she didn't drive it often, mostly because Marceline insisted on driving around in her hellcat, Bonnibel did indeed have a car. It was a baby blue Hyundai Accent. It was an older 2007 model, expressing scratches and small dents from before she had bought it. The aesthetics didn't matter as much to her and, as Marceline put it, "it has no power". Then again, it wasn't a hellcat. The important part was that it drove and had a working AC unit. That's what mattered most.

Thanks to moving off-campus, her scholarship reimbursement assisted greatly in outright buying the vehicle in March. Before then she mostly walked or hitched a ride from her roommate or Rain. Although after her last drive with her friend, it seemed that it may be better to never ask that of her again. All she could say was, she drove with their knees while applying makeup. It was more than terrifying.

She locked her car as she headed into the store.

She was surprised to see how lively it was on the inside. From the moment she walked in she was bombarded with different sounds of guitars and drums, and a faint piano melody along with whatever music was playing overhead in the speakers. She couldn't help but wonder how Marceline never came home with a headache. With how loud the guitars wailed, the obnoxious terrible beating of amateur drummers, and the sound of chops playing from the piano room it was the perfect mixture for a migraine.

It didn't take long to find her girlfriend, who was planted behind a counter, a wall of unnamed items behind her. From what she guessed, guitar strings and a variety of accessories. Bonnibel only guessed that from what she saw in Marceline's studio. Standing beside her was a thin girl, shorter than Bonnibel by a few inches with bright orange hair pulled back into a ponytail.

She had broader shoulders and cherry red cheeks. From here she was unable to tell if this was a blush, a sunburn, or a natural hue. Her lips were naturally plump wearing a dark shade of red. She even had dimples. By her description alone, she knew this to be Pheobe. Though, Marceline had never described her to be as pretty as she was in person.

The two co-workers were both caught up in a conversation. Marceline leaned comfortably over the counter. Pheobe doing the same. It itched at the pinkette. The distance between them was plenty far, yet not far enough. The sight left a heavy feeling in the bottom of her stomach.

She strode over, attracting the attention of both girls. Marceline held a curious expression, Phoebe most likely thinking she was just another customer.

"Bon?"

"Hey," Bonnibel smiled, admittedly feeling more forced than she'd like to admit.

The redhead noticeably began looking uncomfortable, her eyes searching the air around them for an excuse to leave and avoid Bonnibel. "I should probably help the guy in the MIDI area." She announced. "I'll be back to rebuttal your terrible opinion on Yamahas later."

"Have fun." The rocker turned her attention back to her girlfriend. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

After seeing her interact with Pheobe, someone much prettier than she imagined, she half forgot her reason for coming. Pulling an excuse out of a hat, she settled on, "You needed new guitar strings, right?"

The terrible excuse revealed her intentions immediately, as seen by the raised eyebrow Marceline now wore.

"Oh yeah?" Her girlfriend looked amused, her lips sliding upwards into her usual teasing smirk. "What kind of strings do I use?"

Pop quiz time. "Elixir." Bonnibel stated confidently.

"Size?"

"Er..." She remembered Marceline leaving packages around the extra room. If her memory served her well, it was, "11 to 56?"

Marceline couldn't hide her amusement, the corners of her mouth now at a satisfied grin. "That's for acoustic. Nice try though." She stood up properly and grabbed two thin black boxes from the wall behind her. "I use Ernie Ball 10-46 phosphor bronze coated strings for electric," She set the two boxes beside each other on the counter, pointing at one and glossing over the other one with her finger. "And D'Addario 45-100 nickel wound for bass." She settled back down on the counter, chin resting on her open palm. "But I know you didn't come here for a lecture on strings."

"You caught me. I wanted to tell you about my advising appointment."

Peering over at a clock perched on the wall, an eyebrow raised. "I get off in two hours. You couldn't wait until then?"

"No," Was the obvious answer. "If I hold it in any longer, there's a very good likelihood I may implode."

"Did you get another class with Dr. Stuart?"

She supposed she had rambled on about a really well round professor the last semester. She had stated previously how much she loved speaking with her about lecture topics after class. Either Marceline was a very good listener or Bonnibel really did ramble on about her professors. Just as Bonnibel had somewhat paid attention to her string preference.

"Yes, but that's not why." Marceline waved for her to continue. "I'm on track to be valedictorian."

"Smartypants, I told you you had nothing to worry about"

"I guess all those honors classes paid off."

"I'm proud of you. But...you know that's still a year away from now, right?"

"I'm aware. I was just too excited to wait. I'll probably call home while I wait for you to get off."

"I'm sure your father will be pleasantly surprised to hear from you." She caught herself. "Ah-sorry that was probably rude."

"It's not like I hadn't thought the same." Bonnibel sighed.

The surprise visit to Ohio over the holiday break went much worse than expected. Since her departure she hadn't heard much from her father, her mother called every once and a while, only to apologize a few minutes into their conversation. They would obviously be invited to her graduation, but Bonnibel was unsure what would come of their visit, especially seeing as they were very openly dating and living off-campus together.

Marceline turned the topic quickly, trying not to get into that kind of a discussion at work. Instead, she playfully said, "Just don't overdo it."

"I'm gonna start studying for the GRE. Pretty sure it's required for any graduate application. Also, graduate students get to student teach for tuition reimbursement."

"So I'd be dating a professor."

"A professor's assistant. It wouldn't be nearly as scandalous as you think it would be. We're in completely different departments anyway."

"I can still dream." Marceline noticeably tensed, looking off into the distance. Bonnibel followed her gaze to see a somewhat larger man giving a stink-eye in the rocker's general direction. "Can we finish this when I get off? My manager is giving his usual disapproving look."

"Do you want me to buy the strings while I'm here?"

"Nah, that's just unfair. Plus I can't give you my discount on the clock, so I'll pay for them once I leave."

"I'll word vomit when you come home then."

The ebony-haired girl rolled her eyes. "As if you don't already?" Again, the boss's disapproving look pierced through Marceline. "Okay, okay. Shoo shoo. Don't get me in trouble."

Bonnibel gave a peace sign as she made her way to the exit. "Later."


It was dark nights like this that Bonnibel often found herself lost in a book. Hyper fixation for her often happened after the hours of midnight and beyond. It was well past two in the morning. The quiet night blanketed Bonnibel's vision, comfortably and effortlessly blocking out anything other than the words on the pages in front of her; a GRE study guide.

On a whim, she had ordered a plethora of practice workbooks, enough to fill a library. Being her free day, she decided to begin studying, somehow almost completing one of the cinder blocks that were her books.

A cup was laid considerately onto the desk within Bonnibel's vision, though she found she couldn't give it more than a glance. Her mind was whirring. If someone were to open up her skull, she was sure her brain would be running like a hot PC. Steam would pour out.

Warm lips carefully pressed themselves on her neck, soft hands slowly curling around her shoulders. Warm. Cozy. It was so hard to break her attention, even at the lovely distraction. It wasn't as if she were ignoring her. And Marceline was well aware of that fact. Despite her facade of being constantly annoyed at everyone's actions, Marceline was patient. At least with her.

It was only when Marceline spoke that she was able to tear herself out of the trance she had placed herself in. "Come to bed soon," She says. Her voice gravelly, like rocks tumbling in the back of her throat. This often happened after a day of singing with Keila. Her voice would be hoarse, coarse, and low. She could feel just how tired she was.

Bonnibel scanned over the thoughtful gift of a warm drink that Marceline had set beside her. The wisps of steam coming off it dissipated into the air just inches above the cup. Ah yes. Now she was able to clearly decipher the smell, it was clearly tea. Camomile to be exact. "Are you trying to drug me?"

"You caught me," she whispered softly. Her breath was warm against her skin. Distracting. She wondered if Marceline could tell how wonderful the feeling was. How when she lazily traced circles where her hands laid, it filled her stomach with a burning sensation. Like lava churning. Like weak knees and breaths hitched in the back of her throat. "Come to bed soon."

"I don't want the tea to go to waste."

"Don't take too long."

"I won't."

Marceline left one last kiss on her temple. Bonnie tried to ignore the immediate loneliness that captured her as Marceline's arms left their place around her.

Dog-earing the page in her book, she leaned back into the chair, caressing the tea between both hands. Sipping at the edge of the cup, a thought began about nothing in particular.

When her drink was finished, she placed it in the kitchen sink to clean in the morning. Sleep was inviting her to bed, but she found that she didn't feel even a tinge of drowsiness, even with the night time tea she indulged in.

For a moment she found herself tempted to take a book with her to bed, but went against the instinct at the possibility of a grumpy Marceline finding her awake.

Bonnibel wrapped herself around Marceline, her front pressed against her back. The action felt odd. It was usually Marceline who cradled her, kissing her shoulder when she was unable to fall asleep. If only her girlfriend had not already fallen asleep, she could request the change in position.

"I love you so much." The pinkette whispered into the quiet.

The only reply was the sound of sleep filling the room.

"You know," She went on, feeling as though she could whisper her secrets into Marceline's back. They wouldn't leave the quiet space. "I can't say I've ever been in love before you. There was no one I dated in Ohio. Both high school or university. I just couldn't imagine myself settling down into a domesticated role. To be dependent on someone else. I had convinced myself that I would be fine with you leaving for a week, but I think I'll miss you more than I've ever missed anyone before. It's kind of a scary thought."

"I'll miss you too, Bon." Whispered Marceline, startling the pinkette. "Let's go somewhere after you graduate in December."

"Where?"

"Unsure..." She replied, sleep dripping from her lips.

"Vegas?"

Marceline's chuckled sweetly into the silence. "I have a feeling you'd somehow convince me to elope."

Bonnibel couldn't deny the possibility. Maybe that's something that future Bonnie yearned for. As of this moment, she was content with where they were. Content with falling asleep next to her girlfriend.

Not content with not being held. "Can I at least be little spoon?"

"If you let me sleep, then you can have whatever you want." The ebony-haired girl turned to face Bonnibel, enveloping her in a sleepy hug.

"Top?"

The rocker's low chuckle reminded Bonnibel of a purring cat, quietly affectionate. Only audible if you stayed quiet enough to listen. "Not even in your dreams."


Thursday, May 24th

Going to the lake was a brilliant idea. Though, Bonnie wished she could go boating instead of playing on the shore where she was more than certain she spotted a water snake slither a few feet away from where she stood. A wave rider would also suffice.

"Marceline couldn't make it today?" Lady asked from the lakeshore, making sandcastles with a plastic bucket and shovel. Unlike her usual pastel and colorful get outs, she was wearing a bleach white bikini. Next to her sat Lillian, drink in hand. She wore white a crop top over her purple bikini bottoms.

Bonnibel shook her head, pellets of water dripping from her wet hair onto her shoulders. "She picked up a heavier workload."

"She's been talking about buying a really expensive piece of equipment that apparently her discount couldn't even make a dent on." Jake added before submerging himself completely underwater, Finn flowing his action. They both came up with globs of lake bottom sand in their hands, proceeding to throw them at each other, the globs splattered on impact. Some of it sprayed onto Bonnibel's shoulder.

Bonnibel pouted in their direction, which was not received from the boys, who retreated further into the water.

"She did say something about that." Bonnibel lied. She had a sneaking suspicion that she was saving up for something else. It was also possible her sudden surge to work stemmed from her father's previous comment.

Bonnie also scooped up some wet sand from the bottom and threw it in Finn's direction when he came up for air, hitting him on the back of the neck as he was turned around. Finn dropped dramatically into the water, dodging another of Jake's attacks in the process. The lake water splashed in a circular pattern to where he submerged himself.

"Or is wanting more time with Pheobe." Lillian blabbed, from beside Rain. Bonnie didn't want to admit how much Lillian's comment cut to her core. It was as if she knew her insecurity. That must be her superpower. Or she was just seeking to cause drama, which was just as likely as trying to make a hurtful comment.

Today she had been invited out with Rain, Jake, and Finn. As well as Lillian Price. Bonnibel was unsure why they had to bring Lillian along on their trip. Rain had said something along the lines of, 'she's much more fun away from party venues, it just fuels her drunken madness', but that concept was hard to grasp. Lillian was the embodiment of a college party. Loud, rambunxious, morally ambiguous.

Even if Rain's statement were true, Bonnie couldn't see herself being close with her. Not after hitting her or having listened to her constant bombardment of comments about how attracted she was to her girlfriend.

"Don't go putting crazy thoughts into her head," Lady interjected, flicking sand in Lillian's general direction, earning her a huff. "I'm sure Marceline's motives are pure."

"Pure lust." Lillian gave a devious smirk. The same one she always wore when she was about to gossip or start something. "I'm sure they have plenty of getaway spots in the back. 'stocking' instruments."

Bonnibel frowned. "How do you know about that anyway?"

It was hard not to notice Lady's guilty face contortions. "It may have slipped when I was angry drunk."

Bonnibel opened her mouth to get onto her friend, but was stopped by a direct hit in the head with a cold ball of wet sand. It didn't necessarily hurt, but it was annoying how it splattered all over her hair mid-conversation.

"Ah, sorry!" Finn yelped as she turned to glare at him. "But, P-bubs, I wouldn't worry about Pheobe." Finn added. "I haven't met her, but I can guarantee you're a million times better."

Truly, she wanted to believe his words, wanted to believe that she was better suited for Marceline, but it was hard to quell the nagging thoughts of that possibility being false. After all, at some point, he had feelings for Bonnibel. So, that immediately ruled his opinion as bias. The circulating thoughts left an uneasy feeling in the bottom of her stomach, a tenseness in her shoulders, worry in the creases of her eyes.

For now, she took his words, disregarded the bias, and desperately held onto them. She needed it to hold her sanity in place. "Thank you, Finn."

Of course, Rain was the one to catch on to her feelings. She wasn't hiding it well enough. Or she could just see through her. She wasn't sure which was true. "I mean have you heard her ramble on about how in love she is with Bonnie? It's kinda gross." Rain laughed.

"Marceline? Ramble?" Asked a dumbfounded Lillian. She had obviously never heard Marceline ramble on about her thoughts on music theory. Or her hate for it. Or been in the remote vicinity when she's intoxicated. She opened up like a book.

As if picking up on her thought, Raid added, "Drunk Marceline most definitely rambles." She sighed. "Especially about you, Bennett. When you two finally started getting friendly, she jumped from rambling about how annoyed she was to how cute you were." She laughed. "Then to how annoyingly cute you were."

"This is kind of embarrassing." Bonnie admitted. "Let's change the subject."

"Oh!" Lady happily clapped her hands together. "I almost forgot to tell you, I moved in with Jake over the weekend."

"I already knew that." Finn said, unaware that this was news to everyone but him.

Rain shot a look at the youngest group member, giving a clear 'no duh'. "It was a spur of the moment. Half my stuff was over there anyway."

"I'm so happy for you." Bonnibel smiled. "If you need any help moving stuff in or organizing, let me know."

"Now I feel like I need to shack up too." Lillian pouted.

"What happened to Brad?" Bonnibel asked, genuinely interested in their fiasco of a relationship arc. From what she could remember, they had an on and off relationship. It always seemed a spur of the moment reunion with no plotline or direction. In fact, it didn't seem like a relationship at all. But with that way Lillian goes on about their fights and shallow love, she couldn't help but be convinced otherwise.

"Ugh," Lillian grumbled. "Don't even get me started."

Lady leaned over and whispered, "He called her fat."

Lillian crossed her arms angrily over her chest and pouted childishly. "Like, it's not my fault I'm a curvy woman. He just wants to be with a pencil-thin bitch." She spat.

"I'm sorry, Lillian. You deserve better than that."

"Well, you just got really lucky being with Marceline."

Doesn't Marceline insult her and tell her off fairly often? Well, Marceline insulted Bonnibel too. They were more playful than anything. With Lillian she didn't hold back and it most certainly wasn't playful. "I suppose so."

"Hand me a beer." Lillian practically demanded. "I have to drown my sorrows."

Rain smiled. "You guys should come over after this. I can make parfaits and lemonade to cool off with."

"I don't think I've ever been to your apartment, Jake."

"Well, you've never asked." Jake pouted.

Rain rolled her eyes. "He never invites anyone over because it's so messy."

Jake stopped mid-throw to point a finger at his girlfriend with a deeper pout. "And my neighbors are real hecklers about noise. The woman who lives below me is the stereotypical old lady with a broom. The couple above me puts their kid to bed early every night. Plus, when Finn was in school I tried to put him to bed at a reasonable time."

Finn burst out laughing. "We play video games until three every night."

A thought hit Bonnibel. "Wait, Finn. Didn't you graduate?"

"Friday, yeah."

"What?" Lillian practically screamed. "Why weren't we invited to the graduation?"

Jake shrugged. "It's such a big school they only allowed 2 tickets per graduate. So Lady and I would be the only ones who could attend."

"You still didn't tell us." Lillian huffed, taking another drink from her beer. "Like, we need to celebrate or something."

"I was going to ask if we could go to Disney later in the month, but Marceline said she'd be out of the country." Finn

"She's not leaving until early July." Bonnibel corrected.

"Will you have time for a trip like that?" Lady directed toward Bonnibel.

Seeing as Jake was her manager, she eyed him for an answer. "As long as there's coverage, I don't see why not."

"I'm sure Marceline will be able to join too." Bonnie added in.

"It's a plan, Stan!" Jake pumped a fist into the air excitedly.


Marceline waved to Keila and Guy as she walked in the opposite direction of where she and Phoebe had parked. Keila, who had acquired tickets by her usual connections, gave her extras to Marceline. Her usual partner, Bonnibel had already agreed to a day out with her usual friend group. Unwanting to cut her time prematurely, denied her request to join Marceline at a rock concert. The only available person who could come was Phoebe.

"You sure it was okay to invite me?"

"I'm positive. Bon is real chill about this kind of stuff. I've never seen her jealous about anything before. Except if I pay too much attention to video games, then I have hell to pay." Marceline laughed to herself. "She'll throw the controller if need be."

"If you say so." She singsonged. "I don't want you getting in trouble with your girlfriend because you're hanging around me."

Marceline shrugged, looking into the city skyline above them. The night sky was clear, not that you could see any stars in the city. "She hung out with Braco. And he was a nightmare."

"Similar situation?"

"Yeah, something like that. He was pursuing her for a long while, even while we were dating." She frowned at the memory. "She invited him over for New Years and he made a scene, so...I don't think they've talked since." She turned to face her friend who carried a worried expression in her eyes. "But the circumstance is completely different."

"Good to know. Ah, this is me." She stated as they had stopped at her car, parked in a payed parking lot. If she would have known, Marceline would have given her directions to an unpaid spot. "I'll see you at work on Wednesday. Tell Bonnie I said hi."

"I will. Have a good one."

"You too, Marce."

The drive home wasn't long. The traffic was practically nonexistent at this time. This late the only thing you had to worry about were the cops hidden on the side of the road. With her hellcat, she was practically a big red target.

Marceline was surprised to see Bonnie had yet to be home, her car absent from her spot on the driveway. "Oh," Marceline said to herself, disappointed. As she parked, she pulled out her phone to see a text.

Bonnie: 11:15 I'll be at the library late with Rain and Lillian. Feel free to go to bed without me.

Normally she wouldn't think much of it. Though the phrase 'Go to bed without me' stung. She couldn't recall a night in this new house where they didn't fall asleep together. Bonnie always waited for Marceline to come home from practices or nights out with Keila. Vice versa for when Bonnie was out late studying or with Rain.

Unlocking the door, she realized how messy the two of them had left it. Within thirty minutes, she had started the laundry, washed the dishes, and vacuumed the living room, all the while Timmy had stared at her. She stuck her tongue out at him, not that he would react.

She hummed, falling onto the couch. Timmy snapped up onto his feet at the action, ready to pounce on whoever disturbed his comfort. Marceline patted him on the back in response as if to say 'it was me, dumbass'. I guess I can practice until she gets home.

She moved herself to their spare room, which in reality was her studio of musical instruments. There was a drum set, two guitars, her best electric and acoustic bass and an old upright piano Simon had given her years back. This wasn't even the bulk of her collection, which still resided at Simon's.

She sat herself on the bench, sifting through a few books that laid on the top of the piano.

Satisfied with the piece she pulled, she began playing. At first, her fingers almost didn't want to move synchronously. While playing guitar or bass, you used both hands simultaneously. This wasn't always the case with piano. You had to learn how to separate the two.

She couldn't recall hearing the front door open. Just that from the corner of her eye she could see Bonnibel peak through the crack in the open door. Marceline stopped her playing to look up at her girlfriend. "Hey, babe." She greeted.

"Hey, I don't think I've ever heard you play piano."

"I don't play it as often as I should." She admitted. "But someone in my department needed a pianist to accompany them for a recital."

"You, though?" The question sounded harsher than her girlfriend had probably intended.

"They couldn't afford any of the department pianists. It was more of a favor to them. I kind of owe them one for keeping their mouths shut about a certain incident at a party."

"Oh? Do tell."

"Too embarassing."

"Can you play it for me?"

"The accompaniment?"

"Sure, why not?"

"Not exactly the most interesting piece. Accompaniments are like background tracks...here," She grabbed a book from the pile that laid atop the piano. "I've been brushing up my skills with some of these solos. I think of you when I play this one."

The piece was titled Porz Goret.

It started off with a tune much like a waltz, but less energetic, longing. Quickly, a gentle melody joined in, equally as longing. Then Marceline's hand stretched out, to what Bonnibel would recall as octaves. Her hands moved effortlessly. She could feel the passion as she played. The drive. The yearning.

The tune was elegant, yet brashly calling out as the high notes rang out. The tune was unpredictable. When the listener expected higher, more legato notes as it slowed, the notes would drop sadly. Quietly. Defeated.

All the while, her left hand was consistently playing a string of bass notes. She didn't look up at the pages much, focusing more on the accuracy of the keys she was playing. Although Bonnibel had never heard her play this piece, it was obvious by her lack of concentration on turning the pages, that she had memorized it.

It was amazing how sensitive the dynamics were. How the bass could be quiet as the higher notes would suddenly reach out, grabbing the attention of the listener.

Finally, it returned to the opening line, played slower, and ended on a soft high note.

"It's beautiful," she sighed. "I had no idea you could play like that."

"I am a master of stringed instruments." She boasted, puffing her chest out and giving a cocky grin. "Piano takes a lot more concentration, so I play it less often."

"When's the recital?"

"The one I'm playing for?" Bonnie nodded. "Next Thursday." Marceline answered.

"Can I come?"

"Of course you can, though I'm only playing for 5 minutes."

"You seem so enthusiastic when you play. I want to see the fire you have in your eyes on stage."

"Fire, huh?" She looked down at the piano, unconsciously smiling. "I guess seeing the way Pheobe plays made me really pumped up." Marceline's first clenched in excitement. "I want to be the best musician I can so I can teach others everything I've learned. Cross-training only improves your skills on your main instrument, so-"

She turned to Bonnibel with a wide smile, ready to enthusiastically continue with her speech, when she saw the fallen expression her girlfriend held. She avoided her gaze, disappointed, biting her bottom lip as if that would prevent her from crying.

"Bon, are you okay?"

"Um..." She clasped her hands in her lap and took a breath. "Do you ever wish you were with someone like Pheobe? Who challenges you musically? Inspires you like that..."

Marceline's mind went blank, unable to comprehend what she was saying. Why was she upset? Was it because she brought up Pheobe? What about her brought this up?

Wait...was this jealousy?

"No." She shook her head, attempting to clear the dense air with awkward laughter. "I don't wish I was with anyone else but you." Unconvinced, that's how Bonnibel looked. So she continued. "I don't need someone who's musical. You inspire me in other ways."

"Really?"

"Of course you do. You challenged me to open up, to stand my ground in situations where I feel like I should cower. When we went out with my dad, you showed me that I was allowed to leave terrible situations. That I don't have to stay and put up with abuse or tyranny."

"I'm sorry. I feel stupid for feeling this way."

"Jealousy is pretty normal."

"When Braco was around, you wanted to punch him, right?"

Yes, Marceline's feelings stemmed from jealousy at first, but it turned toward anger as her and Bonnie's relationship blossomed. Very aware of their relationship, he continued to weasel his way into her life romantically. He intentionally tried to get between them, tried to anger her. He fed her negative thoughts, bringing out the worst in Marceline. It was more than wanting to punch him. It was hate. Bonnie wasn't necessarily wrong though. "Er, yeah." Her head quirked to the side in thought. "I guess you could say that."

"I don't want to punch her. So I can't be jealous."

"Jealousy doesn't necessarily mean you want to punch the other person. That's just how I interpreted my feelings. I also have more violent reactions than you do."

"Not really. I punched Lillian that one time."

"Which was well deserved, in my opinion." Marceline scooted closer to her girlfriend, wrapping a loving arm around her waist, pressing her forehead on the top of her shoulder. "Tell me what you're feeling."

Bonnie required a moment to collect her thoughts. They stayed like that for a moment. Marceline waited patiently, focusing on Bonnibel's unsteady breathing. "It left a sour taste in my mouth to see the way you two were talking."

"When you visited me at work?"

"Yeah," She swallowed. "To see you smiling all goofy like you were. That stupid Abadeer smirk. The teasing nature in your voice."

Abadeer smirk? The term reminded her of her brother's panty-dropping grin that itched at her spine. It felt dirty and annoying. Is that how she sees me? Putting the thought aside for another time, she squeezed her girlfriend in her arms, as if that would release the tension in the room. "I tease everyone. I mean have you seen the way Keila and I talk to each other?"

"It just felt different." Bonnibel stood, shrugging off her girlfriend's contact, walking a few feet away, and leaned against the white bedroom wall. "You know that butterfly feeling when you're around someone you love?"

"Yeah, I do." She wanted to say, 'you make me feel that way all the time', but felt it was an inappropriate time to add that in.

"It was kind of like that, except it hurt. It felt nasty. It made me want to vomit." She covered her mouth, as if reliving the experience. "I hate it. I hate it so much."

"I'm sorry. I had no idea you felt that way. I thought you didn't mind if I was still friends with her."

"I thought I didn't care until I saw her. Saw the way you interacted." She covered her face in her hands. "She's really pretty, Marceline." She slid down the wall into a sitting position on the floor and wrapped her arms around her knees, head down. Her voice was muffled as she continued. "And apparently a really talented pianist. I can't deny that you would be a good match."

All Marceline could think of doing was to wrap her up in her arms, but the smaller girl hardly looked as though she wanted to be held.

Still, she stood and sat herself in front of her girlfriend. The area between them felt more like a canyon than an arm's length apart.

"Even if all of that were true, I don't want to be with Pheobe." The urge to reach out and hold her grew greater, an unbearable amount. Wanting to respect the distance she placed between them, she stayed still. "She may be attractive and a good pianist, but she's not the person I look forward to seeing every day." The rocker settled into a sitting position on the floor, readying herself for the amount of sap that would escape her heart. With how vulnerable her girlfriend was being about her feelings, she felt it was only right to return the favor. "After a tiring shift, there's only one thing I look forward to. When I think of going somewhere new, I don't think of taking her. When I imagine going on a road trip, she's not the person I want sitting in the passenger's seat as I drive. She's not the one I want to tell every insurmountable detail of life to. Nor is she the one I think of on every second of free space in my head throughout the day. That's been you long before I met her, and that feeling will stay long after."

I imagine coming home to a sweet little nerd who stays up way too late to study, who thinks going to museums is the ideal date but also accompanies me to horror movies. Someone who supports me in going on last-minute trips for lessons and required concerts, but misses me all the same. Someone who has enough patience to handle my anger and calls me out or calms me when I let it get out of hand." Bonnibel finally peeked up from behind her knees, revealing thin streams of tears running down her cheeks. It suddenly felt as if there were a large lump in her throat. "You're that person. No one else. Just you."

"Even though I eat weird food combinations and ramble about sciencey things you don't understand?" Her voice was shaky.

"Even when you nag me first thing in the morning for leaving empty milk cartons in the fridge."

"Even when I hyper fixate and ignore you when you talk to me?"

"Even then."

"And when I tease you about being a hipster?"

The rocker laughed through the warm trails now trickling down her face. "Even then I can't help but love you."

"Marceline," she managed before beginning to sob, unfolding herself and practically leaping into Marceline's now open arms for an embrace.

"What can I do to help?" She knew the obvious answer. That she should limit her time with her co-worker, to stop hanging out outside of work.

Instead, Bonnibel ignored the question. "Is this how you felt all that time?"

"Yeah, it was."

"How do I get rid of this feeling?"

She wasn't the right person to ask about this, She hardly handled the Braco situation well. Regardless of his disrespect to her and their relationship, it wasn't as if she acted rationally with his interactions. Or with his presence at all. It was more that she reluctantly tolerated his existence.

"I'm not sure. I didn't really work through those negative feelings against Braco. I handled that all wrong." She admitted. "I just knew I didn't trust him."

"I want to be clear. I trust you, Marceline."

"I know that."

"And the last thing I would want is for you to break off that friendship."

"But?"

"There's no but. I trust you to make the right decisions."

"Like breaking it off?"

"Did you not just hear me say I don't want you to give up friendships for me?"

"I mean I did-"

Bonnibel leaned back from their embrace, her hands still wrapped around the nape of Marceline's neck. "What I was saying is that I know you're smart enough to decide if or when boundaries are crossed that you handle it accordingly. And if you begin developing feelings for someone else, as hard as it'll be, I'd rather you tell me than keep it to yourself."

"I only have eyes for you, love. Plus, I already had that conversation with her. I think we've moved past all of that. She even told me about a recent date she went on."

Bonnie gave a nod. From what Marceline could tell, she seemed relieved. "And if anything changes, you'll tell me, right?"

"Of course I will. Same applies to you, okay?"

"Okay."

Marceline, needing validation that the two of them were okay, leaned in for a kiss. She was met with soft lips lightly coated in tears. At the slight taste, Marceline felt it was only necessary to lighten the mood for her crying girlfriend.

"Just to be sure," Marceline interrupted their kissing. "You don't like Braco, right?"

Bonnie slapped her girlfriend's arm lightly. "Idiot."