Chapter the Ninth
"You're a princess," Marceline blurted out.
There was a second of silence that drifted across them, making it all clear that they were all alone in the park and that most of the people in central are now cozying up in their beds while these two were still talking and making confused faces.
Huh? They thought at the same time but for different reasons. The words just wouldn't sink in their heads.
In Bonnibel's case, she didn't know if she misheard what Marceline said or if a ghost was just whispering things in her ear.
On the other hand, Marceline wasn't even sure if that was her own voice. Anyway, she tried to play it cool.
"What I mean is-" Marceline said slowly, thinking hard on what she'll say "- you're a princess... sneaking out of her own palace, trying to find... some... uhm... adventure. Yes, that's it" She ended it with a smile, a rather shaky smile.
Bonnibel laughed out loud. Yes, she was confused but her confusion was the least of her worries. Maybe it was true that when you're past dead tired, you'll laugh even if something was not a bit funny, much less not a joke.
What was she saying again? She thought, still laughing lightly. -that I'm a princess?
That was the moment Marceline's words truly sink in her mind. Bonnibel frowned, now in serious mood. Me? A princess? She didn't speak anymore.
Marceline immediately saw the change. She sighed. "Well, look at the time! It's getting late. I thought you said that you're getting home now right?" Diversion. That's the best thing to do right now, Marceline thought.
Bonnibel checked her digital watch, "Ah yeah." She was thinking that she would just let the weird observation Marceline said pass through since she needed to go home now. It was very late in the night and she knew that she's very tired. No denials could ever change that part.
Bonnibel stood up. Marceline followed the action too.
"Well, don't forget the deal," Bonnibel told Marceline.
The vampire just nodded her head. "So, how are we- are we gonna talk or something?" She couldn't let her go away without any means of communications. Anyway, Marceline was thankful for the deals they'd made. That made her closer to her objective.
She knows something about me. About two months ago. As far as I know, I had an accident about two months ago too. This is far too close to be a coincidence.
"Uhm. Let's just exchange numbers for now," Bonnibel merely suggested.
Marceline smirked. Exchanging numbers on the first day eh? "Well, good idea."
After the exchanged of numbers, Bonnibel and Marceline readied to go to their houses but Bonnibel didn't even wait for Marceline to finish throwing all her foods.
"Goodbye, Marceline. I'll see you when I call you." She said before walking at the direction of the sidewalk.
Call me? "Wait-" Marceline said, still in the middle of picking colorless trashes and things. "-I'll just walk you home." After picking up the things, she dumped it in the plastics bags and threw it in the nearby garbage can and then she snatched the rest of the unexploited plastic bag on the bench; the insides were full of red things she haven't eaten yet. Bonnibel is really generous for giving her so much food to eat.
"No, it's okay. Bye!" Bonnibel waved her hand.
"No I insist," Marceline ran to her.
"No, it's really okay Marceline. I got this."
But Marceline didn't like the idea of this girl walking alone in this part of the city. They were now outside the park and the view just looked like a scene out of a zombie apocalypse movie in which any second from now, monsters would totally creep out.
At least, Marceline had powers over the dead; that assured her.
And so, she followed Bonnibel, completely ignoring the last thing she said about being alright going home alone.
Currently, there were now walking along the sidewalk, the direction they were walking was the way Bonnie used but not the one where Marceline came from. Marceline still didn't know the ways and the roads around central but she was not thinking about that anymore. She would only just fly up high later until she'll see the city outskirts and rush out to go home.
Anyway, she followed Bubblegum, tailing after her.
Bonnibel sighed not a while later. "You know, if you're following me you might as well walk beside me rather than following me as a creepy stalker. People might notice you, you know." She told Marceline looking behind her.
"There are no people."
"There might be guards or enforcement."
Marceline shrugged. "I appreciate the concern Bubs but I don't see anyone." Still, Marceline tagged along and now she was walking beside Bonnibel.
Bonnibel rolled her eyes and ignored the new nickname Marceline made. Sometimes, her friends also called her that but the way Marceline said that... it feels so wrong. So odd. Like there should be a much more perfect name for her.
After that, they easily fell into a comfortable silence.
Marceline then noticed that Bonnibel was growing weary every step, she started noticing this when she heard the labored breathing Bonnibel shows, when Bonnibel's steps grew slower and slower, Marceline became confused where she was until she looked back and saw that Bonnibel was behind her all the time, looking all pale from all the walking.
Marceline couldn't bear it anymore. She walked back and closed the distance between them and faced the other direction with her back facing Bonnibel.
"What are you doing? You're on my way-"
Suddenly, Marceline crouched down. Low enough for Bonnibel to climb.
Bonnibel then knew what Marceline was doing. She was offering her back to her and Bonnibel felt her chest tighten.
"Well? Get on." Marceline said to her.
Marceline was so sure Bonnibel would take her offer but instead she circled around her and continued walking, leaving Marceline with wide eyes, open mouthed and embarrassed.
"Wha- H-hey, you butt! If you died from exhaustion, don't you ever make me - ugh." She stopped her ranting when she saw that Bonnibel continues her walking, making Marceline all aware of her 'not-listening' antics.
Marceline rolled her eyes. What a stubborn princess. She followed after her.
"Look, you can barely walk. You kind of look like you're drunk. You're pale as a vampire. But-" she passed Bubblegum again and crouched down, offering her back "-piggyback riding is awesome." Marceline winked, looking back at her.
"I'm not a child anymore you know and I can walk fine."
Marceline faced Bonnibel and furrowed her brows before sighing deeply. "You're embarrassed." It was a statement and not a question.
Bonnibel wanted to deny it but Marceline spoke first.
"I know you're embarrassed but there's no one here. And I know the human part in you is now dead tired."
Bonnibel looked at Marceline more closely. "How did-?"
"Do you really want me to answer that?" Marceline smirked, cutting Bonnibel in midspeak.
"No."
"Good."
"Well, aren't you going to lower down your back?"
"Well, well, well Bubblegum. I don't know you're that kind of person." Marceline said with so much teasing remark.
Bonnibel shook her head, her mouth curved in a smile and Marceline couldn't help but also smile at that.
For the third time, Marceline offered her back, crouching down so Bonnibel could climb up her back.
When she felt Bubblegum's arms wrapped around her neck, she stood up and immediately grabbed her legs but she tried not to hit the girl with the plastic bags she had been carrying around. Last of all, she pushed the girl a bit further up her back so she could support her legs better.
"Don't you dare speak of anything about my weight." Bonnibel warned her.
Marceline creased her brows. Why? It's not like you're a ton heavy. Did you look yourself in the mirror? You're so slim and fit. And whoa, are you eating your meals enough. My axe bass is heavier than you. These were the words she thought before Bubblegum warned her and so for a respond she only scoffed for an answer and asked her, "Comfortable enough?"
"Mmm, yes. Thank you."
Marceline nodded her head and started to walk. She could feel the cold around her but why does her face feels so warm? She knew of course the answer.
There's someone on my back and I'm all flustered from all the contact. Ahh!
She hated how she admitted and knew all this things. It's not like her to be like this. She stopped all her thoughts when she realized she didn't know where she's going and so she asked Bubblegum.
"Don't worry about that just take this street straight and turn right when you see Capitol Avenue. It's on the far end of the street by the way. When you turn right, walk straight again and that's it."
"Ah. Okay." Marceline said, nodding off since she understood what she'd said. Straight. Capitol Avenue. Turn right. Walk straight again. End.
"Is this alright?" Bonnibel suddenly asked, her voice sounded... vulnerable? Is that the word?
Marceline didn't know what was alright. Me carrying her or other things than that? "What's supposed to be alright?"
Her question was answered when Bonnibel tucked in her head in the crook of her neck with her chin resting on her shoulders. It almost took every ounce of attempt not to shiver from the action Bubblegum gave her.
"I'm really really sorry Marceline if this isn't okay to you. I'm also sorry that you had to carry me all the way to my house and if-"
"Hey! Why are you apologizing to me?!" Marceline interrupted her. She was not mad at Bubblegum but it irritates her that Bubblegum started spewing out apologies when it's not really her that should be doing all the apologizing.
Bonnibel blinked, she risked a glance towards the vampire and saw that she wasn't looking towards her but on the road. "I, well-"
"Who suggested to piggyback ride you?"
"Uhhm. You?"
"Me." Marceline seconded. "And I'm indebted to you so don't apologize to me because I should be the one apologizing."
Bonnibel was about to protest when Marceline cut her off, again.
"Please. Just- just let me do this." Marceline now looked at her and Bonnibel wasn't sure if the vampire was really blushing in her vision or if her eyes and mind was just playing tricks on her.
"Also -" Marceline laughed as if she remembered something funny in her mind, "-it's not a problem to me if your head's always on my shoulder you know. Besides my back, my shoulder is also open just for you my princess." She ended that with a teasing raise of her eyebrows.
Bonnibel immediately raised her head away from the vampire.
Oh my glob! What did she just say? Me... open... on her back...and shoulder? Bonnibel thought.
She wanted to gag all of the sudden. That is so distasteful!
Marceline was still laughing at the perturbed face Bonnibel was making right after the intended - and you could say brilliant - pun that she just told. But apparently, this is also what made Bonnibel untangle one of her arms that was wrapped on Marceline's neck to smack the head of the said vampire.
"Hey! You know I was joking." Marceline defended, feigning hurt but still lightly laughing.
"Ha! As if you could joke around at a time like this."
"Oh please! I'm a vampire! I'm supposed to be all hype at this time"
"Oh! Would you let me remember how you collapsed on the ground earlier?" Bonnibel challenged, a smile hinting in the corner of her lips, though Marceline couldn't see this.
Marceline laughed shakily. "Oh... That was really a sad moment."
Bonnibel couldn't contain her laugh anymore and Marceline laughed with her.
But their laughs ended just as quickly as their laughs have been made.
Another silence went on for minutes in which nobody dared to break. Because of the silence engulfing them, Marceline couldn't help but notice some details her vampire capabilities picked up in her surroundings; the calm yet cold air that surrounds both of the girls; the trees that slowly swayed in time with the blow of the air; and the moon that follows them in every step she made.
And then she started noticing the things closer to her, well, it's more like she started noticing things on a certain pink-haired girl clinging to her back.
She could feel the heat radiating off from Bubblegum's body. The fine and constant breathing - even though labored - of the pink-haired girl in sync with her breathing (or she tried to breathe just so their breathing was in time to each other.) It calms her when she breathes. Although, it is not necessary for her, she still breathes since it comforts her.
And then, there was Bubblegum's intoxicating smell. Her pinkness. It didn't even bother her how sweet her smell was; how she could hear the rush of blood in her bloodstream, the thumping of her heart deep in her chest, hear the pulse on her wrist, so close to her mouth...
She was fished out of her thoughts when she felt something on her shoulder.
She could feel that Bubblegum was resting her head on her shoulder again. She angled her head to see what the girl was doing. She saw that her head was lowered down and that she couldn't see if her eyes were closed or not or if she was even asleep or not.
Why did I offer to carry her again? Glob! Marcy, she's a freaking ball of pinkness and you just have to carry her around, eh?
She shook her head away from her own thoughts. Anyway, she tried to focus on walking but find it hard. It was just all coming back to her since it's all just becoming so distracting for the said vampire and so she tried to divert her mind out of this.
"It's your human blood," she finally said, breaking the silence.
She knew that Bonnibel was confused even though she was not looking at her. The slightest bit of movement told her that and so she explained more.
"Remember the question earlier? When I said that I know the human part in you is gone."
"Your words were 'is dead tired' " Bonnibel said a muffled voice.
Marceline was about to look at her with her 'Are you kidding with me?' look but she couldn't meet her eyes since her head was still lowered down. And so she moved her shoulders to stir her up.
"Hey! I'm listening." Bonnibel said in her most annoyed yet tired voice. Yes, she was annoyed. Her neck was so stiff and she wanted to ease the pain by placing it on her shoulder. And she was really listening!
Marceline rolled her eyes. "So as I was saying before, I know it because you would have collapsed now if it isn't for your candy blood, right? You would've passed out from exhaustion by now."
"You're creepy. How do you know this kind of things?" She raised her head and gazed far out at the road ahead of them.
Marceline smirked. "I think you know the answer to that, Bubs."
Bonnibel sighed. She was still looking at the road, thinking how far away she was still from her house. "Your nose picked up the metallic tang of my blood."
"Hmm. It's more like I picked up the human part of you, your blood."
"I guess that's what you'll pick up since you're a vampire."
Marceline smiled, amused. "So is that the only human thing about you?"
"Why do care?"
"Curiosity got me"
"... Of course not" Bonnibel finally answered her question but she lowered down her head again. End of discussion. It seems to say.
Marceline bopped her head, understanding the action.
"Last question-" Bonnibel said after the silence.
"Hmm. I didn't know we're playing questions." Marceline said in her teasing voice yet again, interrupting the girl in her words.
"-why are you here?" Her voice was so soft and smooth and so gentle.
Marceline blinked. "Is that your first question?"
Bonnibel didn't answer anymore.
A/N:
Okay, from now on I'll be putting the notes at the end of the chapter so you could read right away.
Thank you again for reading this. To all the favorites, follows, and reviews Wow! You sure know how to make me happy. :D
Anyway, I just have a little bad news... classes will be starting again on the 20th and sooo updates will be slower again... I'm sorry, it's just that I HAVE to be serious when it comes to my school stuff *sniff* (I'm still not ready for school. I want - no - I need another summer)
But still, I will try my best, of course. And so, thank you again and if you have questions please leave a review. If you have something to say or to remind me, message me.
By the way, I posted another Bubbline story the other week, Monotone. Hope you also read that. It's just on my profile, if you wanted to check it out :)
Replies:
Guest that requested the warnings: Ey you're not giving me a hard time. :) And it's okay, I'll just continue the warnings but this time around, I'll just put it when the readers really need a warning. (Thanks for giving examples by the way, that really helped me) I just realized that there are people out there that need warnings like you (And I guess that's why you requested it at the first place. Sorry for not understanding that) Anyway, thank you for having the pleasure of reading this fic and leaving a review and requesting something. XD (Sorry for the long reply)
Guest that read this at 1AM: Hahaha. You just made me laugh at your story. I'm like that too, sometimes. XD. I'm so glad that you find that part funny I actually just write the first thing that comes into my mind so I don't know if it's actually funny or not. Thank you! And alsooo, don't worry, that part is almost on the way. HAHAHA
Guest: Thank you man! I'm so pleased to know that you like my writing even though sometimes I don't like my own writing because it feels not... good and bad and stupid and small and then I stopped writing because I degraded myself... Anyway, thank you again. Sometimes, small reviews like yours make me smile and urge me to write. :)
Guest: Don't worry I will never ever leave this fic. Except of course if I die...
Guest: I'm here already. xD
Wew! You sure are a lot of guests. xD Bye!
P.S. You should all definitely read Unbecoming by Jenny Downham. T.T It's a good book. And Far From You by Tess Sharpe... good mystery there. And Sara Farizan books. And The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom. (I read them all in the past few days and they're all so wonderful)
06/11/16