Several days have passed since I have seen Marceline. Since her return from the Nightosphere, since the pillow fight... since the kiss. As per usual, life in the Candy Kingdom has dragged on. I have spent the days drafting laws and lording over civil matters of the candy people, and nights with my window open almost praying for that cold rush of air that accompanies Marceline's entry. But the days and nights had passed slowly and tediously without sight of my dear vampire friend, and now a week has passed. Before retiring to my bedchambers this evening, I write a simple note to her and hand it off to a Banana Guard with a very specific instruction of pinning it to the door of her house. The note reads simply "Meet me at the stump at midnight tomorrow night. You know the one. B" - the exact same words as the note Marceline had left on my bureau almost a year ago. The note that began our friendship.

Slipping out of my gown and into my pajamas the following night, I quietly sneak out of my bedchambers and through the castle corridors, avoid the guards, and go through a secret door in the castle walls. Nervously I walk the path to the old tree stump, finding it much more easily this time than the first time I had met Marceline here. I sit upon it, going over my plan a thousand times in my mind so that I can be sure that everything goes as planned. In the days I have had alone to think about the preceeding events, I have discovered a lot about myself and my emotions, and how I feel about Marceline and I's friendship. Of course, many many hours of research in the great libraries of the Candy Kingdom have helped me come to the conclusion I have drawn. I sigh, hope that everything goes well, and check my watch – 11:57. Now all I can do is wait...

What feels like an eternity passes before I allow myself to check my watch again – 12:12 and still no Marceline. Discouraged, and honestly a little saddened by her deciding not to show up, I slowly stand and begin to make my way back to the Candy Kingdom. As I reach the end up the clearing, however, something small and solid hits me in the back and falls to the ground with a soft thud. Looking down the see what it was, a completely grey apple rolls to a stop at my foot. Happier than I can imagine, I turn around to see Marceline floating just above the ground on the opposite side of the clearing with a basket of apples in one hand, and her axe bass strapped to her back, pajama clad and (ironically) not wearing any shoes.

"I didn't steal these, if that's what you're thinking."

We smile at each other, both knowing that she definitely stole the apples.

"How are you doin', Bonnie?"

I just continue to smile, and start walking over to where Marceline is floating. Grabbing in hands in a familiar fashion, I pull her down and towards me, surprising both her and myself when our lips touch. We linger in the kiss for a moment, probably due more to the shock of it all than anything else, and I can happily say that the vampire is still there when I open my eyes.

"I am doing much better now."