"What the junk, GB! What are you doing here?!" shouted Fionna, pulling herself upright and cringing. "Do you know this freak?!"
Prince Gumball rolled his eyes. "Unfortunately. I get the feeling a proper introduction is in order, and then I require an explanation, or I will involve my banana guards." He walked to the bed and gestured towards Marshall Lee. "My dear Fionna, may I present to you Marshall Lee, self-proclaimed Vampire King and Son of the Nightosphere." He turned to Marshall Lee and put a hand on Fionna's shoulder. "And Marshall Lee, this is Fionna the Human, Adventurer." He stepped back and settled himself into a chair, crossing his legs and folding his hands over his knee. He arched his eyebrow expectantly. "Start talking, you two."
Fionna's face colored. "Listen, GB, I was mindin' my own business, exploring this cave and this FREAK just attacked me! He says I hit my head and he brought me here to keep me safe but I don't buy it."
"Oh, please. Like I'd want you here for any other reason?" Marshall Lee scoffed. "She was running around this cave and, yeah, I thought I'd have some fun and freak her out a bit. But I didn't attack her. She passed out and hit her head because I was too much for her to handle and I brought her here because there were some nasty things in that cave. You know me, brother. I don't like little girls around."
Fionna's cheeks flushed even brighter, if that was possible. "W-w-what?! Little girl?!" she spluttered indignantly. "I'm no little girl!" She grabbed for his arm but he stepped out of reach. She crumpled back onto the pillow and crossed her arms, scowling.
The Prince chuckled. "Like an old married couple already. How have the two of you not met before? With your mutual affinity for adventures, I would think your paths would have crossed already." Marshall Lee glared at him. "No, and it's a good thing they hadn't yet. It's saved me a whole ton of annoyance."
Fionna stuck her tongue out at him. "Brat!"
Marshall Lee flashed his fangs in her direction. "Better not stick that out at me again, I might just take it!" he hissed.
Her face, which had just returned to its normal hue, blushed again, and she turned away.
Prince Gumball coughed. "Well... I don't really see an issue here, Marshall Lee. Why did you even call me?"
The vampire sighed. "Ugh, I just thought it would annoy somebody. Apparently not. I guess I'm stuck with her til she's better?"
GB nodded. "I think that's fitting. I'm placing you in charge of her, Marshall Lee. Do not disappoint me. She is a dear friend and a trusted companion."
At this Fionna's face went white and her eyes watered. GB had turned his head and didn't notice, but Marshall Lee did. He took note and filed the information away for later use.
Prince Gumball stood and walked to the door. "In any case, I've got some matters to attend to... Candy Kingdom, you know how it is. I'm sure you two will get along marvelously. Oh, and Fionna. You're looking lovely right now. Anyhow, farewell!" The Prince exited with the swooshing sound of silk pantaloons and the scent of hair product.
Marshall Lee looked up to see Fionna staring at the door. She noticed his glance and shifted her gaze to the blanket in front of her, her face reddening.
"So, Fi. Prince Gumball? Really?"
Her face scrunched up. "I know it's dumb. He's never going to like me. I don't know what's wrong with me."
Marshall Lee sat on the bed beside the girl and patted her arm. "Silly blue. Nothing's wrong with you. He's a pansy. I haven't quite figured out which team he plays for yet, if you know what I mean."
Fionna giggled and ran a hand through her bangs-the only part of her hair she could actually reach the end of. Suddenly she sat up.
"Marshall Lee, I feel nasty. Can I take a shower here?"
The vampire yawned. "I don't see why not. But are you just going to put those same clothes back on? If you want to feel clean you'll have to wash those."
Fionna blushed. "Um, I actually don't have other clothes."
Marshall Lee laughed good-naturedly. "That's okay, little blue. I'm sure we can find something of mine that you can wear until your clothes are clean. The bathroom's over there."
She visibly relaxed and tried to comb out some knots in her hair. Unable to do so, she swung her legs out of Marshall Lee's bed and stumbled over to where he pointed. Her golden hair nearly brushed the floor as she walked, and Marshall Lee got the feeling that, brushed out, it would be too long for her to walk. I wonder if that's why she wears it tucked under her cap? But then why wouldn't she just cut it? he wondered.
"Hey, Fi, if you'll wait a second I'll grab some clothes for you so you can have them in there. I think the towels are clean, too." He rummaged around in a drawer for a minute until he came up with an oversized T-shirt. "Sorry, I don't have any pants that might fit you. But this should be fine."
Fionna mumbled something that must have been an agreement and shuffled into the bathroom, closing and locking the door behind her. Within minutes the sound of humming and running water filled the silence.
The Vampire King threw himself down on the bed and sighed. If he was honest with himself, the thought of that girl in his shower, and later wearing his clothes was oddly exciting. He didn't understand it. It wasn't like Fionna was the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen, although she made the top 10. And Marshall Lee was no virgin, this wasn't some school-boy crush. He didn't know how to describe it. But now he gave more serious thought to his idea from earlier. I could have her if I really wanted.
Especially in her current state, it would likely be easy, he thought. Then he shook his head. Marshall Lee, you do not want to go where those thoughts are going. They aren't good, not a all.
He decided to simply curl up and take a short nap while Fi showered. He'd think more later.
A. N. Not really satisfied with that ending. But whatever. Okay y'all. I think next chapter should heat up quite a bit. Look out.
Always, lub ya - Nada