"What the lump, Lee?" I exclaimed, rubbing my arm. That was the second time Marshall had grabbed my arm to stop me. "Why do you keep stopping me?"
"Will you shhhhsh?" Marshall hissed, glaring at me with his fangs bared. My eyebrows rose and I stopped, only for fear that he might take my colour.
"What is it?" I whispered, glancing around.
Marshall leaned in real close to me and uttered in my ear, "I think we're being followed…" The hot breath and cool lips touching my skin sent shivers down my spine.
My violet eyes widened and I looked around hastily, only to have Marshall hiss in my ear. Another shiver. "Don't look around, moron!" I froze.
"Sorry, sorry," I uttered, my voice higher than usual. Man, my voice sounds like a girl's. How embarrassing.
But Marshall didn't laugh, or even move, as he stood uncomfortably close to me, a hand gripping my arm again. Then suddenly, he relaxed, and sidestepped from me quickly. "It's just Peppermint Maid," he said softly, cheeks blushing from embarrassment of his own.
I turned and smiled at Peppermint Maid. "What are you doing out here following us, PM?"
"Prince Gumball, I saw you leaving with Marshall Lee, and I wanted to make sure you were okay," Peppermint Maid said in her small voice. I chastised myself-and Marshall-for ever being scared. But Peppermint Maid was going to ruin my plan.
"Peppermint Maid, I am all right out here, so you may go back to the palace now." I smiled at her, trying to reassure her, all the while begging with my mind for her to turn back and leave Marshall and me to our devices.
To my relief, Peppermint Maid nodded and- after giving Marshall an odd look- turned and toddled off in the direction she came from.
"There now, see, Gummy? There was no reason for you to get scared," Marshall grinned.
I frowned. "I wasn't afraid, Lee, that was you!" I countered, stepping a little bit toward him.
"Don't be silly, Gummy, you really think I would be scared? I'm over a thousand years old! While you're what, sixteen? Seventeen?" I could tell Marshall was sizing me up, and while it wasn't exactly making me uncomfortable, he did make me seem smaller than I was.
"Eighteen! I'm eighteen, and I'll thank you to remember that!" I cried, indignant.
Marshall snorted. "Eighteen. Exactly my point. Why would a thousand year old vampire be scared and a wimpy, eighteen year old candy prince not be?" His hands went to his hips.
I watched those hands, blushing a bit. "That doesn't change the fact that you were and I wasn't."
"If you weren't, then why the blush? Hmmm, Gummy?"
My eyes immediately snapped up to Marshall's face, and my blush spread. I didn't answer, and instead brushed past him and started walking again.
Marshall's hand shot out, though, and cut me off mid chest. He floated leisurely to face me and pressed his nose to mine. "The blush, Gummy…."
Suffice to say my face lit up like a cherry again. Marshall inhaled, like he scented a sweet flower. And I suppose he had in a way. My cheeks enflamed more and the urge to kiss him was overwhelming. "Because this." I gave in, tilting my head to catch Marshall's lips with my own. I took a small step forward, and in response Marshall floated back. I suppose it was from shock? I hoped so. To counter that, I reached up and took the grey and red plaid lapel of Marshall's shirt in my fingers. I tried my step again, and it resulted in having to adjust my nose. My fingers strained in the awkward grip of Marshall's shirt, and I ended the kiss, our lips gently parting. My eyes widened at Marshall's blush, and it made me want to kiss him again.
"What wa"- was all Marshall got out before our lips touched again; this time a little more demandingly. I gave him no time to question, and no time to retreat. Our lips pressed firmly together, and I parted my own to slide my tongue across Marshall's still-cool lower one. He shuddered- whether from pleasure or horror- and gave me entry. My tongue slipped past Marshall's teeth, and we both adjusted our heads in sync. His hands came to rest on my chest, in fists, pinky side down. As soon as our tongues touched, I felt Marshall's own cheeks heat up, indicating a blush. My fingers twisted in his collar, as the other hand jumped up to the back of Marshall's neck, brushing against his hair. I dug my fingers into his neck, eliciting a slight gasp from him. Our saliva mixed as our tongues danced together, both fighting to get behind the other's teeth. I gained entry, and immediately my senses were assaulted by the taste of strawberries. I withheld my own gasp of pleasure and continued tonguing the floating vampire king. My tongue scraped against a fang as we separated, both trying to control breaths.
Marshall shook my hands off of his shirtfront. He floated some ways away from me and landed, shakily it seemed. Leaning against a tree trunk, he wiped his mouth.
I stepped toward him, licking my lips and holding out empty hands. "L-Lee? I"-
"Don't." Marshall said harshly.
I stopped. "I'm not sorry, Lee." I said bluntly. I stepped toward Marshall again.
"Stop, Gumball." Still leaning one arm on the tree, he held out his other in a stop-like motion. "If you come any closer, I won't be able to stop." Marshall didn't look at me, but even with his hair hanging in his face, even with his shoulders slumped and head low, I could tell that he was blushing like mad.