As The portal closed behind him, Marshall sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, wincing at the flicker of blonde tresses that flashed through his mind. Every time he closed his eyes, literally every time, she was there. It was like she had decided to camp out in his head, and she didn't like it when he closed the blinds. She'd come tap tap tappin' into the front of his thoughts and wouldn't leave him alone until he started doing something else. But even then, she was never far away, always in the periphery of his mind's eye.
This couldn't be healthy.

He took the opportunity to glance around the landscape that sprawled uninvitingly in front of him, about as welcoming as the dripping red maw of a blood thirsty monster. Sharp red rock mountains slotted themselves between stalactites falling from an unseen roof like enormous fangs. There were pools of lava flowing between them and various creatures, hooved, winged, demonic and tortured peppered the area. Marshall could see a squat, angular pile of obsidian in the distance, shining brightly in the reflection of the flames bursting off the lava where unfortunate beings burned forever. His mother's home was carved into the other side of the polished mound of rock.
Apparently, this place was as depressing as ever. Pretty metal compared to Aaa, but when you grow up surrounded by destruction, the opposite is actually more shocking. People could actually live without an agenda? Falling asleep to the sound of screaming was weird? Go figure.
Marshall drifted across the pools of lava, tuning out the cries of the monsters that stretched helplessly for his ankles, searching for someone to share in their suffering. He didn't know how his mother would react to him coming home. She was unpredictable at best, fucking psycho at worst. The best thing would be if she just left him alone to sort out his shit. If she got all s-motherly, that would suck so much ass. He didn't need her barging in on him and trying to be a parent to make up for the first three centuries.
However, this was home, even if he hated it. No matter where he went, this was always a place he could come back to, and that held some small level of comfort somehow. Familiarity was a force to be reckoned with.

Marshall skirted the sheer ebony cliff faces and touched down on a small balcony that jutted outwards irregularly, though the surface atop was smooth but slightly lumpy, like someone had poured thick syrup and frozen it before it could settle. Carved into the glass-like rock was an elaborate entrance way, two columns holding up an overhang that sheltered an enormous pair of heavy black doors embossed with a strange silver metal that seemed to shine faintly blue. The door knocker was shaped like a demon's head, the fangs growing out and together to form the handle. There was also a small, thin creature sitting on a rock outside the door, the fact that his brown hat was covering his eyes doing little to disguise the fact he was clearly sleeping. Marshall carefully took off the creature's hat and snickered at his pair of nubby grey horns nestled between thinning blonde curls, then promptly slapped him across the face with the cap.
' Snrk- Gh... W-what? Who're you?' The demon questioned, slightly bewildered. This was the back entrance to the night queen's home, no-one was allowed to enter from this side.
' Hey buddy, If you wanna consult the queen you're gonna have to-'
' Don't you recognise me?' Marshall questioned, a small smirk on his face. He had realised who the guard was the second he saw those laughably small horns. His name was Satnavtakrak (everyone called him Nav) and he had been his mother's watchdog for millenia so that he wouldn't end up in a lava pit instead.
' ...No?' Nav replied, squinting at Marshall for a few seconds. He then reached behind his rock and retrieved a very thick pair of glasses and put them on, blinking as his eyes adjusted.
' Is that- By my own eyes, Marshall-lee? Jeepers! You've grown up a bit, kid. Congrats!' Marshall frowned at him, confused by the closing sentiment, but decided to shake it off. Nav was weird, everybody knew that.
' Yeah, it's been a while Nav. Can you get the door?'
' Sure thing, sure!' Nav replied jovially, bouncing up and tiptoeing over to the door. Nav tiptoed everywhere. He desperately tried to fit in with the real demons, given he was supposed to be a tortured being, and so had taken to wearing fake hooves on his feet. That required him to tiptoe.
He opened one of the great doors and let them inside, magical candles immediately flickering to life in their presence. In someways, even though he didn't really want to acknowledge it, he did take after his mother. Particularly in her sense of aesthetics. Lots of red and black, though she was a little more extravagant then he was, plushy velvet and shiny-shiny rather than faded and lived-in. However, she didn't like light the way he did. It annoyed her.

' So, I'm guessing you're popping back home because-'
' Actually I'm gonna stay for a bit. Like I said, it's been a while. Plus things on the otherside have been pretty crazy lately.' Nav started laughing heartily, and elbowed Marshall's side conspiratorially.
' I'll bet mate, I'll bet. So who- Nah, no spoilers. I'll wait until the official announcement, it can't be more than a few days. Good of you to decide to stay, give your old mumsy some time to get over the shock.' Nav burbled happily, guiding Marshall through the hallways. Marshall ignored Nav's rambling, surprised to discover he didn't recognise some doorways and corridors, or remember paintings that were hanging on the walls. It really had been a long time.
Nav waved Marshall into a corner, still chuckling to himself as he walked over to a grating and peered through. He visibly deflated at what he saw, and walked back over to Marshall pouting.
' Looks like Queen mum's in high demand right now, kiddo. I don't think you'll be able to see her until this evening. And I really wanted to see her face when ya broke the news. Priceless.' Marshall scrunched his eyebrows together.
' What news?' Nav immediately brightened and jerked his eyebrows at Marshall, slapping his forearm (which was the only part of him he could reach).
' Aw c'mon. Fine, I'll play along, though don't think you sneak anything past old Satnavtakrak.'
' Uh.. Sure. Shouldn't you get back to sle- Guarding?' Marshall asked, starting to ghost along a hallway he suddenly recognised. Nav hesitated for a moment then acquiesced, tiptoeing off where they had come from.
' Yeah, I should. Congrats again mate, good on ya!' Marshall stopped and looked after him, even more confused but becoming frustrated when he heard that Nav was still giggling to himself as he clip-clopped down the hall. What the hell was that old loon talking about? His mother should think about getting a new watchdog before her old one became too senile.
Nav had been a constant fixture from the first time his mother brought (dragged) him home after the mushroom wars. He had been enjoying living rough, but she had insisted that the future ruler of the nightosphere (Pfft. As if.) couldn't be a common vagrant. She'd only managed to keep him around for three years before he found one of the secret ways out and escaped again. Through all that time, in attempting to avoid her as much as possible, he had become friends with Nav so that his buddy would let him sneak out whenever he liked. Somehow, his mother never figured out that Nav was the reason he kept getting away, much to both's surprise and relief.

Marshall paused at a fourway intersection between two hallways and inspected each direction for a moment, looking for a familiar spiral staircase he knew would be at the end of one branching off of the current four he was facing. He had had no desire to go back into the room his mother kept him in when he was a really little kid, and so had taken up residence in the rarely used third level of his mother's mansion the first time he came back. The third level used to have stuff like libraries, studies and guest rooms. They had been important back when his mother had first taken control and had to renegotiate agreements with other areas of the underworld, but she had been top dog for centuries so no-one ever really went up there now.
The first hallway he tried didn't show up anything, so he quickly backtracked and soon spotted the familiar, slightly rusty iron staircase tucked away in the back of an unassuming deviation from the main corridor.
Upstairs was eerily silent but surprisingly well kept. The dusty, abandoned feeling he got was purely mental, as like everything else in his mother's irritatingly perfect home, the unused level was still immaculately maintained. Woe betide any unfortunate worker that wasn't Nav who skimped on the job. Lava pits. She'd never run out of those things, or tortured souls who wanted out of them.
Marshall cut a complicated trail through a series of interconnected rooms, then passed through a barely visible doorway next to a fireplace, shutting the door silently behind him. Nobody but himself knew exactly where his room was at home, and he had kept it that way deliberately. But he was still a little apprehensive about turning around and seeing whether that was still the case, because if anybody had been in here he would be monumentally pissed. It was a private sanctuary in a place he fucking hated. Anyone who entered without permission was like an infection on the sanctity of it.
He was really possessive of his stuff.

Marshall sighed in relief and dropped his duffelbag on the slightly twisted black cotton bedcovers, which were rumpled and messy just the way he had left them some four hundred years ago. His midnight black cursed (and glowing faintly blue) electric sat in the corner of the room leaning against a a slightly scratched wooden desk. Other than an inbuilt closet, a window and vents, there was nothing else in the rather small room. Though the walls were absolutely plastered with papers, with anything from writing to intricate pencil sketches covering them.
Sure, he could've repurposed one of the massive, draughty, stately libraries, but those were imposing and impersonal. He liked the small space, preferred it. It reminded him that this wasn't somewhere he should stay and fill up with memories, because as the walls showed it filled up rather fast. It was a temporary stop-over to catch his breath. Forget the last few days.
Last two days.
Fuck's sake. This had gotten real a lot faster than anything he'd ever experienced. He avoided coming home at all costs, but it had really seemed like the only option that would prevent him from doing something he'd regret. He didn't know if he would actually regret having sex with Fionna but depending on her reaction there was a high probability he would. She meant too much to him as a friend (friend?) for him to brush aside the possibilty of really hurting her in the process, much less accidentally killing her. Just the thought of her dying in his arms sent a twinge of real physical pain lancing through his chest. The thought of her in his arms though, sent a twinge of something else. It didn't disturb him as much anymore. He was getting used to how much he constantly wanted her, though denying the urge was still extremely trying.
Marshall-lee lay back on the bed and sighed heavily, suddenly realising he was exhausted. it'd be close to morning in Aaa, but he'd barely slept in the last forty eight hours. Fucking insomnia. Always happened when he was stressed.
Fucking Fionna.
What was it about her that made her so damn irresistible? And why had it only gotten to him now?

Marshall allowed his fatigued brain to roam freely as he began to drift (literally) into unconsciousness, and was unsurprised when Fionna's soft, purring voice and warm lips against his ear lulled him into sleep, her arms wrapping around his chest from behind and pulling him down into a dream with her.

'Wakey wakey, eggs and bakey, doll.' Fionna squinted blearily, vaguely recognising the seductive voice in her ear but very surprised it was indeed there. She rolled over in her sleeping bag and came face-to face with a slim navy blue cat perched primly on the edge of her bed. The cat blinked familiar green eyes at her then began washing her paws, the picture of elegance.
'Femme?' She mumbled, wrinkling her nose and reflexively closing one eye at the sunshine spilling in through the open window. That had been closed. Obviously, the shapeshifter was somewhat adept at letting herself in.
' You know it.' Femme replied walking over and settling herself on the top of Fionna's hip. She was such a thin cat that Fionna only felt the barest sense of pressure, completely the opposite of Cake. Speaking of which-
' Where's my sister?'
' Oh, she has no idea I'm here, honey. I checked when I came in. Your sister is chasing holographic mice with that cute little videogame box ya got.' Fionna sat up and extracted her arms from the sleeping bag, fabric pooling around her waist as she rubbed her eyes then tapped on her temples gently, waking herself up. Femme gradually morphed back into a person, ending cross-legged at the foot of the bed holding her ankles expectantly.
' Why're you here so early?'
' Cause I got my work cut out with you, babydoll. If I'm gonna turn you into the kinda gal that'll get Marshall's heart beating again, I gotta get right to it, eh? I'm not one to procrastinate.'
' Oh.' Fionna said after a second, before stifling a yawn. She stuck her hand up into her hat to scratch the back of her head, and reluctantly decided that the mass of tangles she was met with sort of dictated she ought to brush her hair.
Femme let out a low whistle as Fionna tugged off her hat and kicked off the sleeping bag around her legs, swinging them over the side before she walked over to her desk in the corner of the room to fetch her hair brush.
' Wow. That's some hair you got there, honey.' Fionna shrugged, sitting back down and starting to drag the bristles through the curly strands.
' Eh. I just can't be bothered to cut it. My hat keeps it out of the way so, why bother?' Femme gestured for the hair brush and after a moment's hesitation, Fionna handed it to her. She hadn't had anybody brush her hair for years. It felt nice, though.
' I'll tell you why- you shouldn't. Marshall would go crazy over this, he's a sucker for girls with long hair. Tell me bub, does he steal your hat a lot?'
' Uh, yeah, actually.'
' Well, now you know why. He prefers brunettes really, but damn. This'll do. I was so surprised when he started dating Ashley until I figured out that this was one of his ticks.'

Fionna's ears pricked up at this tidbit of information, and she gleefully realised that Femme was essentially a Marshall infomine. Far from just being able to help her get his attention, she could help her understand why Marshall acted the way he did. Then she'd be able to figure out whether this was even worth it on her own, without the coaching. She could tell her things about Marshall he would never ever tell her on his own.
' Really? Did she used to have long hair?'
' Yeah, down to her butt, like a river of moonlight. Marshall was obsessed with it, lemme tell ya. I think that's really the only physical characteristic she had that he actually found attractive apart from a pretty face. VK's a T and A kinda guy, and Ash didn't have much o' either. He sulked for like, a week when she shaved it all except for that stupid little ponytail.' Fionna frowned, equally confused and curious, because she could feel Femme tugging on her hair.
' T and A?' Femme made an aren't-you-so-precious face at the back of Fionna's head. Such an innocent teenager, my gob. Maybe Marshall really did like that (she had been joking the night befoe). She had always thought he preferred experienced women, but tastes do change over the years. He had been into guys for a little while too, but no way he'd be part of a sassage party now. Virginity was something a lot of men found attractive.
' Tits and ass, sweetheart. Marshall likes his girls curvier than a backcountry road. In that sense, I can see where he's coming from when he-' Femme suddenly remembered she was supposed to be pretending that Marshall wasn't interested in Fionna, and that she had work to do in order to get his attention. If she knew she already had it, then the gig would be up, and Femme couldn't meddle at all. Boo. She was bored, and this was a ready source of entertainment. No sense in letting it go to waste.
' When he...'
' Uh, when he says that the girls around here aren't as voluptuous as the ones down town.'Fionna's face fell slightly. She had thought that maybe Marshall had said something about her to Femme regarding her figure ( she would've preferred it was regarding her personality, but this was Marshall. That was a pipe dream). Because Femme had just told her he probably liked her hair. But if he hadn't even mentioned that to her, then he probably hadn't said anything at all. Femme was right, she did have a lot to do before she secured his attention seriously. She needed to show him she couldn't be played around with, like he had been doing the past few days. Nu-uh. My way or the high way, boy.

' I mean, you have the goods. You're definitely his type, looks-wise at least. But your little shirt and skirt combo doesn't do your figure any favours. Covers up all your best assests.' Femme said. Fionna felt her get up off the bed behind her, then reached around to touch the back of her head. Femme had woven her hair into a long, thick braid, and Fionna pulled it around and looked at it with some surprise.
' Why'd you do this?'
' You should get used to wearing your hair like that, so it's visible outside your hat. It'll look nice, and it's still out of your way.' Fionna tugged her bunny hat on, leaving the braid poking out the bottom. It wasn't that big a change. She could get used to it.
' Um, okay..' Femme stood in front of her for a moment and closed one eye, tipping her head to the side thoughtfully. Fionna blushed and scratched her nose awkwardly, uncomfortable underneath Femme's analytical gaze.
' Yeah, look there's something I need to tell you. Marshall ditched yesterday, he's gone to see his mother.'
' What!?' Fionna cried, jumping up slightly. Femme raised her hands soothingly.
' Calm down, calm down. This is good. Means that you and I have got time to make you a force to be reckoned with without him knowing until you're settled in and got it down pat, yeah girl?' Fionna's mouth twisted to the side unhappily but she nodded as she plopped back down onto the bed. That kind of made sense. But she had wanted Marshall to be around when she knew what to do, so that she could throw a hissy fit at how much of a dick he was, while being sexy at the same time, hopefully confusing him as much as he had been her. Pay back's a real bitch. A hot one.
' Okay.'
' Yeah. And I think I'll work on the package before I work on the contents. 'Cause really, I don't know you well enough to figure out what Marshall likes about you.'
' Wait, he likes me?'
' Well yeah, he wouldn't hang out with you at all if he didn't. And you said he snuck into your bed, right? Doesn't sound like something that would happen with someone he wasn't at least a little interested in.' Femme had to resist reaching over to pinch her cheek at the childish excitement that immediately lit up the adventuress's face. So cute.
' But you know, I can tell you don't just want a roll in the sack. Hell, if you do it with him it'll be your first time, won't it? And getting more than that out of him is what you need my help for, doll.' Fionna gave a a curt determined nod, her sense of adventure welling up inside her. She had made a new friend, and they were going to embark on an adventure together (even if it was a little less physical than hers typically were). Even if she had no clue what may happen over the next few days, she at least new it was going to be fun.
' So where do we start?' She questioned eagerly, and Femme flashed a brief smile, before turning around and flinging open the doors of her wardrobe.

Author's note: Heeeeey, guess what? I'm already like, halfway through the next chapter! This just need a lot of polishing, but the next piece of unrefined story telling is currently being hacked from the crazy mine that is my head. No telling when it'll be cut and set and ready to be presented to your beloved, but hopefully it won't be too long ;) Seeing as Mar and Fionna aren't in the same place anymore, for the most part I'll devote roughly half a chapter to checking up on both of them, except for a couple of key plot points I have planned for both of them where they'll get a whole chapter to themselves, lucky them. Ksenia, the info you've got won't be for maybe two more chappies, so please please please don't rat me out doll!
Until next time :3

-WRA