AN: Special thanks to fellow author sonicthehedgehog240 for helping me develop a new pairing between Marcy and Furnius. Your review from Ch53 has been taken to heart, and now the idea has become a reality. And without further ado, on to the story!
Three days later after leaving Ooo, Betty and her friends reached the other side of the world.
"You seem like you're in a good mood today," Betty commented as she flew beside Marceline with a magic carpet.
The vampire stared blissfully into the distance until she shook her head out of her trance, "Oh, I am? I mean, I am!" She amended with false confidence.
Phoebe arched an eyebrow in question as she was mounted on the fire wolf Jake 2, while Ice King remained focused on flying in formation.
"I recognize that look," Betty continued with a mischievous grin. "You have a friend back home? A special friend?"
"Please," Marcy waved dismissively with a nervous chuckle. "I'm just glad that we're able to find this temple faster! You know with the ice crown guiding us and all-"
"You could look me in the eye right now with the most serious expression in the world," Betty interrupted with her smirk still present, "And I still wouldn't believe you."
Marcy remained adamant and said, "Aw come on, you're still gonna call me out on it?"
"I would know," Betty stated, "Because I used to have that look after I met Simon. And besides, would you really be so flustered if that were not to be the case?"
The vampire fidgeted with herself momentarily to come up with a response, but ultimately sighed in resignation. "Ok, fine," she admitted. "There is someone. The fact is we've been seeing each other for a few months in secret. And right before I left to join up with you and the others, we shared our first kiss." She blushed at the memory.
"Who might that be if you don't mind me asking," Betty inquired.
Marceline thought for a brief moment as she gauged the distance between her and Phoebe before answering in a hushed voice, "..It's Furnius, mom. As in the acting leader of the United Civilizations and Fire Kingdom."
Betty nodded at the disclosure and then asked, "Is it what you want?"
"I haven't felt like this in a long time," Marcy admitted. "I mean, I could have easily comforted him like anyone else in his time of grief and remained distant, but instead I stuck around longer than I should have. I felt like we were able to understand each other after all the mess we've gone through and a part of me believed somehow, deep down he felt the same." She changed into a serious expression, "I thought it was a phase, that it would be temporary. But when I look at him, I see something that gives me the strength and inspiration to overlook the hardships I endured over the centuries."
"That being?"
"A future," Marcy thoughtfully answered. "I want to move on and actually grow up for once. I want fulfillment, happiness, and closure and not be stuck in an endless loop with the mind of a messed up kid. Immortality has made me feel knowledgeable knowing how the world works, but after a while it becomes tiresome. In the end, while everything changes around me, I stay the same like this, like a punchline to a bad joke."
"I'm sorry," Betty comforted. "You shouldn't have to go through something like that, let alone say something just as much."
"Nothing I can do will ever change where I'm at now," Marcy said in acceptance. "But there is a bright side to consider. If there is a way to bring Simon back from all those years living in madness, then maybe there just might be something similar to make me mortal as well." She sighed, "But for now, I will use my curse to my advantage. There might be an enemy we have yet to run into, and I'll need to use everything at my disposal for the time being."
"I'll still be at your side though," Betty reminded. "Even after Simon is restored, you're going to need someone to bail you out if something goes wrong."
"Betty, please," Marcy implored. "I can't have you or Simon risk your lives after the fact. I would never forgive myself if something happened..." She stopped as tears were building up.
Betty placed a hand on the vampire's shoulder from the side and comforted, "Simon and I may not be your biological parents, but we do want what's best for you. Even though you're more than able to make your own decisions, Simon and I will still look after you. I will not sit around idly in content and neither would he. The thing is, all three of us," she motioned to herself, the vampire, and Ice King, "We go together, no matter what."
"I'm grateful to have grown up with two parents," Marcy said wiping a stray tear. "And I'm even more grateful to have another set, thank you."
"You are always going to be like a daughter to me in my eyes," Betty affirmed. "Same thing goes for Simon."
"Alright," the vampire nodded as she composed herself.
"If there is one thing you should do in the meantime however," Betty advised as she changed the subject, "is to tell Phoebe about your ties with Furnius. Have her be aware at the very least so it doesn't seem like you're going behind her back."
"Easier said than done," Marcy commented.
"It'll help in the long run," Betty encouraged. "You'll save yourself from all the drama if she finds out on her own through other means. Better she hears it from you first than from someone else."
"I'll.. keep that in mind," the vampire said hesitantly.
The group continued their long flight towards the vast meadow landscape in silence. Once they arrived at their destination, they began to set up camp at the landscape border and retire for the night.
"I got all the ice guardians on the lookout," Ice King announced after he used his powers to materialize them with his crown and hands. "That way we can all get our beauty sleep."
"Good work," Betty said before eyeing the whole group, "We'll have breakfast first thing in the morning before we begin. Ice King and I will fly ahead to scout and take point, while the rest cover the rear. We'll keep our comms ready at all times in case we run into any sort of company along the way. Sound like a plan?"
The group nodded collectively.
"Great, goodnight everyone." Betty waved before going to her sleeping bag.
Marceline wrung her wrists nervously and called for Phoebe before the elemental walked away.
"Phoebe," the vampire said nervously. "Can I have a moment?"
The elemental shrugged casually and said, "Sure, whatever you say."
The two walked over to the perimeter of the campsite where their conversation wouldn't disturb the others from sleeping.
"Alright," Phoebe said. "I'm listening."
"I can't really think of any other way to say this," Marceline hesitantly began with a grimace, "so I'll just be straight." She gathered all of her courage and mentally breathed deeply before saying, "I'm dating Furnius." At that, she mentally braced herself.
The elemental blinked with a straight face until the words registered in her head. "Oh, is that it?"
"You're not shocked or outraged or anything?" Marceline asked cautiously, lowering her guard.
"Why would I be?" Phoebe asked. "If you like him and he likes you, then who's for me to say otherwise?"
"Great," Marceline commented to herself in embarrassment. "I should have known I was being afraid over nothing."
"I'm not one to dictate anyone's love life," Phoebe stated with a frown. "Especially with those in my family. Although, now that I think about it." She tapped her chin in thought, "I'm surprised you would be afraid to begin with! Marceline Abadeer, the Vampire Queen trembling at the thought of admitting something so trivial! Let's just forget about slaying monsters and traveling unknown distant lands." She giggled momentarily.
"Okay, okay," Marcy said rolling her eyes. "I was stupid to feel like that! Happy?!"
"Yeah," Phoebe said as she slowly recomposed herself. "I'm happy for both of you, I really am. If you two wish to be serious, I wouldn't mind one bit. But of course, if something happens and I find out you were just pulling his strings or some other nonsense, that's where you and I will have a problem. Got it?" She finished with a hardened gaze.
"That sounds fairly reasonable," the vampire answered with a nod.
Phoebe then softened her expression and said, "Good, just take it easy with him. He can be real shy at times. I appreciate what you told me today and on that note, I'm going to sleep. If this place is heavily guarded as Betty described, I'm going to need all my strength for tomorrow. Night, Marcy." She walked away with a wave.
The vampire returned the gesture but stayed in the same spot for a few more minutes. A huge weight had come off her shoulders from her conversation with Phoebe, and now everything felt relatively good. There was only one thing left do for Marceline however as she pulled out her phone and dialed a number.
"Hello?" Furnius answered.
"Hey dude," Marcy greeted.
"Marceline!" The prince sputtered in surprise as he juggled his phone momentarily with both hands.
"Uh, everything alright?" Marcy asked with a chuckle.
"Yeah, absolutely!" Furious answered clumsily after he caught his phone in place. "I'm just winding down from another day at work. Nothing too big."
"Well, I'm just calling to let you know that I miss you already," the vampire said fondly.
"You do?" Furnius asked as he felt butterflies in his stomach at the mere mention. "Well, I uh, I miss you too." He smiled awkwardly with a blush across his face.
"I also wanted to let you know something," the vampire continued matter of fact. "I told Phoebe about us."
"Oh Grod," the prince paled. "How did she take it?"
"Very good, surprisingly," Marcy admitted, "She actually approves."
Furnius sighed in relief as his colors returned, "So what's next then?"
"I think that's easy to answer," Marcy smiled confidently.
"Are you sure, Marce?" The prince caught on quickly at what she was implying. "Don't you think it's too soon?"
"I have considered it," she answered thoughtfully, "But the fact of the matter is we're better off letting the world know now than to be caught eventually by some random chance. Besides, as much as I enjoyed the secrecy, it was starting to get old real quick."
"I guess that's true," he rubbed his neck. "I mean having ourselves declared as an official couple sounds better anyway. You know with more options to hang out."
"It does, doesn't it?"
"Yeah," he concurred as his mind wandered over to the thought of walking down the streets together with an arm interlocking hers. "If only my brother can see me now. Well, I better go. I'm sure you'll be busy tomorrow."
"What do you say when I get back, we can pick up right where we left off?" Marcy teased. "Does that sound nice?" She added in a seductive voice.
All she could hear then was Furnius stammering in response before hanging up.
