Chapter XI, Sour Castle

The great halls of castle Lemongrab greeted them within it's crude yet perfectly shaped yellow walls. Everything in here was like that, baring the scent of beauty somewhere in between it's sour nature. There were wonders hidden inside those narrow corridors but hardly anyone wanted to experience them. Some had this unique opportunity however, as the two girls with their cat companion stood right before the rulers of this hold in a magnificent yet austere hall. The lemons bared two different colors, as one was dressed in white and the other – in black. It perfectly indicated both their characters and nature.

"Nhhhhh, so as always you come here in your little time of need..." Earl said, looking rather bored. "... with yet another task for me, yet another bothering thing..."

"...and of course, your request shall be considered..." The white one nodded calmly in response and waved nonchalantly at her.

"...yet we have no time for YOU right now..." The one in the dark narrowed his eyebrows.

"...so we're terribly sorry, but it will take at least few days..." He wobbled his head back and forth.

"...as we cannot spare, no, no, cannot spare any moment at this point..." He responded by raising his fist up in the air.

"...we have a lot to do. A LOT."

"Earl...s." The princess stepped forward, looking them straight in the eyes. "This is serious. And I mean it."

"Nghhhhhhhh, no, no time, no!..." The one in black quickly interrupted her. "Could you listen to me at least once? AT LEAST ONCE?"

"We have quite a lot to do here... creator." The one in white responded calmly. Still, it was more of a courtesy from his side, as he too was quite annoyed by their visit. "We have our bidding's you see. We follow your footsteps. And we have a lot of work to do..."

"...A LOT, nnhhhhhhhh!..."

They started to wobble their heads around and ignored her completely. The princess knew she hit a dead end, but was far from giving up just like that. Marceline on the other hand simply laughed on the side, as those two always made her chuckle.

"There must be something that you can do!" Bubblegum shouted. "Don't force me to do something I'll regret." She paused. "If I'll even regret it..."

Lemongrabs gazed at her once again. The one baring the darker outfit looked at her with much disgust, as he shook his head sideways, almost boiling inside. The one in white however smiled slightly, as he apparently thought of something. He was made to be the voice of reason after all.

"...NO, nhhhhh!..."

"...yes..."

"...YES?..." He looked quite surprised, as he assumed his counterpart will state the same.

"...yes."

The two began to stare at each other without a slightest blink. After that, they simply started to poke themselves on their yellow faces. It was hard to tell what was the purpose of that obscure ritual. Finally, after few minutes of awkwardness they reached their consensus, as they turned towards their guests.

"I now understand, yes, yes! There may be an agreement..."

"...Castle Lemongrab is one tremendous wonder, just like it's rulers, however..." He put a lot of pride in those words.

"...we can do even better. We're declaring an official party!" They both began to laugh and vigorously clapped their hands. "The one that will improve our image even further in the eyes of others..."

"...But we're busy, oh so busy with importance..." His tone got sadder, almost like if he wanted to stress how much occupied they are.

"...very important things indeed..."

"Get on with it you two!" Bubblegum screamed once more just to grab their attention. "Or I swear to Glob I'm going to smack you both!"

"Yes..."

"...yes. You see. We, gladly will give you what you want..."

"...tomorrow, after the grand event of our splendorous..." He nodded slightly.

"...in exchange for you two to pose as the dames at our side during the event..." He excitedly clapped his hands. "...you could even consider it as a second reward, being amongst the most noble ones, yes? Either way, with you two on our side...

"...we will look even more tremendous. And you will get what you want sooner, yes?..."

"...yes?"

"Um..." The princess hesitated. "Give us a moment."

The lemons looked at her suspiciously, as she gathered her companions in a circle to discuss this very matter. Something in her head told her that smacking the two and stealing what they need would be far more easier. Still, she tried her best not to give into those thoughts.

"So, you two?" She tapped her foot over the yellow floor. "What do you think?"

"Can't wait!" The vampire chuckled. "We partied together years ago! So, not only we'll get to do that again, but we'll get what we need? I'm in!"

"Thought you'd oppose." The princess shrugged. "I mean, it's official, stock up, probably boring, and..."

"Nah. As long as I won't need to kiss a lemon, I'm fine. Or at least no tongue. Besides, a bit of royalty won't hurt, right? And hey." She giggled. "I'll do anything to see you once more on the dance floor, huh?" She smirked viciously. "I still remember that one windy day and you decided to rock it with that short skirt..."

"Marceline..."

"What? I would love to see 'that' again!"

"Well... Um..." She quickly looked at the cat to change that topic." Fluff. Any constructive thoughts?"

"Oh, oh, I get to choose? I'm that important? It warms my heart dear! So, I'd love to stay and eat, and eat and stay, sleep a bit and..." Bubblegum stared him down, so the fiend simply rolled his eyes and sighted. "Why you ask dear if you're gonna be like that?"

"To make you feel important." She chuckled a little. "You like that, don't you?"

"Rude!" He smirked. "Still, two against one."

The Lemons wobbled in anticipation as soon as they turned back to them. It was hard to tell what answer will satisfy them the most, as nothing was certain when dealing with them.

"We decided... mostly... that we do accept your offer." The princess stated openly. But right after that, she muttered to herself silently. "This will end with someone's blood..."

"Ngghhhhh SPLENDID!..."

"...Yes, those are great news!..."

They began to shout in a high pitch voice, as their bodies twitched back and forth. And just now, they realized that alongside the girls, there was also this weird creature, this bizarre looking cat. A being they never saw before and hardly cared about up to this point.

"...And him. What we will do with him brother..." The white one pointed his finger at the fiend. "...we must find a suitable occupation as well..."

"...we can always put him in a cage, yes? Suitable. He would be our domesticated beast!..." The other one quickly joined in this gesture.

"...In the center of everyone's attention!..." The lemon seemed to enjoy that very notion.

"...Right in the middle!..."

"...For everyone to gasp in awe how magnificent beast we conquered." Their eyes widened. "For everyone to see this ferocious being!..."

"...Yes?..."

"...yes."

"Ferocious being you say?" The animal pondered for a while. "Well, I do like attention!"

###

While the one in white took the cat with him, Earl guided the girls through numerous rooms and corridors. Most of them were empty and served no practical purpose, others, had a single baseball glove within them for some unknown reason. No one ever asked about it, as no one ever cared.

"So, um, Earl." The princess finally spoke, as she hardly enjoyed the silence that occurred. "What kind of party are you holding? Always took you two for loners, you know?"

"Nghh... Special party. Many invited. Raspberries, Walnuts." He paused, and nodded to himself. "Many. Need to show the lower ones how royalty lives. Make them see the lemon grace. No questions, no questions." His voice got more and more high pitched. "Enough with questions. Now!"

"Fine." She muttered. "You jerk."

Bubblegum knew it was for the best to leave it at that. She hardly ever had the patience to talk with him anyhow. Marceline on the other hand never missed the opportunity to make fun of someone, as she stared directly at his big, yellow head. He didn't mind that it would seem, even when she began to poke on it vigorously. She found it quite funny – his skin was almost like a jelly. Only a bit too sour. And repulsive.

"Hey, lemon dude." She poked at his head yet again. "Can I ask you something?"

"Ngghhhh, WHAT!?" He screamed at her and then calmly added. "What do you want?"

"Shush." She backed up a bit. "With that attitude? Forget it."

"I do not understand..." He looked at her and blinked a couple of times. "...you wanted something, yes?"

"Nope." She shrugged, as she tried to look indifferent. "Well, yes. But now, I think I'll pass."

"But why you wanted to ASK something. Why ASK if you don't FINISH?" It would seem that the cogs in his yellow head could not proceed that notion. "Why? ANSWER NOW."

"Not too good when talking to ladies, huh?" She chuckled. "I feel sorry for your future companion, whomever that will be. But, you know, there's always some hope even for..."

"I DON'T NEED TO KNOW SUCH THINGS." His face changed color to purple. "THIS TOPIC IS OVER."

The vampire shrugged and gave up as well, seeing as this is hardly the company she strove for. And they walked further in complete silence. Eventually, when the girls began to think that the host himself strayed too far in his yellow labyrinth, they reached their goal. A small room, at the end of yet another corridor, labeled as 'guest-service'. Rulers of this castle were known for being convenient. And avarice no doubt.

"Your room. Glorious. Never seen wonders." He coughed. "Sleep. Then get ready, yes? Look fancy. You must look fancy. Otherwise, the guests will be displeased."

"Gentleman like always, right Earl?"

"NGGHHHH..."

They started to look around. It was hardly a thing to gaze upon for too long. One wardrobe and one bed, nothing less, nothing more. While Bubblegum began to look inside the wooden contraption, Marceline couldn't help herself but to inspect the thing that bare the most importance – their bed. She started to roll around, and with each creak and squeak it made, she giggled a bit like a little child. While they did that, Earl simply stood by the door and looked aimlessly. It was hard to read something from his eyes. What thoughts processed in that yellow head of his? Were there any at all?

"Earl." The princess finally noticed that he's still around. "We like you and all, but we'll be fine, both with sleeping and dressing up."

"Nghhhh." He looked as if he wanted to shout yet again, but quickly calmed down in a matter of seconds. "Fine. Tomorrow we will come for you. NO RUNNING. Bye."

As he muttered to himself, he finally left. Bubblegum sighted with much relief, finally freeing herself from his presence. Locking the door behind him was like a cherry on top of the cake. And speaking about sweet things, before she could even turn around, cold hands caught her almost instantly and made their little venture all across her body, traveling towards their favorite curves. It was almost as if they felt invited to arouse each and every single inch of her frame, each and every single pink ditch.

"What have we here..." She gasped right into her ear. "You know how much I forced myself to endure that yellow rambling? I waited whole day for you, you know?" The pale girl licked her own lips, as she gently stroked on her companion's pink neck. "Oh and for that..."

"Marceline, what are you..."

"Dressing for tomorrow, my sweet, requires undressing."

"But..."

The little vampire hardly had time for words it would seem, as with a swift swoop she got rid of her lover's pesky shirt that only got in her way. Her lips quickly found their way throughout the princess spine, gently smudging over it's surface, gasping after claiming each inch of her precious skin, moaning after each delightful scent she tasted. Her tongue also did the job exceptionally, raveling around like a warm snake seeking for it's blissful, sweet prey. When the princess had enough of this tease, she finally turned around. That only encouraged her partner even more so it would seem, as she almost instantly ventured towards the dulcet, honeyed hills. As her slick tool once again began it's motion, tangling around the wondrous currants, the princess gasped slightly, yet remained still. The passivity in her lover's movements caught the vampire thinking, as she reached up and looked straight in her eyes, with her two black embers.

"What's wrong Bonnie?" She asked, as she was worried a bit. "Feeling alright?"

"Change of pace."

"Wha?..."

With a swift move, it was Marceline who got pinned closely to the wall. Bubblegum pressed hard, as she began to lick, as she began to smooch, as she left drops of sweet saliva all over her partner's body. She was ferocious, she was wild, she was unbridled. Was it because of the storm in her head, swirling thoughts that only stopped when that little pale fiend was close to her? Was it because of all those days before they reconciled, when she was locked up tight, alone, without anyone to talk to her the way she did? Without anyone to gasp with. Without anyone to touch, to kiss, without that agile body laying next to hers, without someone nabbing on her neck. Did that increased the appetite? Or was it simply because now that they were together, when all the ceremonies were held, when all the words were spoken, she simply could finally afford to do so? She didn't know the answer for that. But being honest, she hardly cared, as she kissed her lover hard, silencing her moans. The vampire hardly wanted to be subdued like that however, as she tangled her slim legs around her pink waist. With each second their bodies pressed, with each slight movement of their frames, Bubblegum simply strove for more. She finally grabbed her lover and tossed her right on the bed, quickly taking her place right at the top.

"Who are you, and where's Bonnie, huh?"

"Why? Want to fill in complains?"

"Oh no. No, no, no. Glob, no."

"Good. I have my... needs today. Care to fulfill them, my knight?"

"Oh. Do tell." She chuckled. "No, wait, don't tell! Just do it."

The princess did just as she asked, leaning towards her closely. And as she looked at that beautiful face, as those two black dots were fixated on her and only on her, striving for attention so hard she almost couldn't bare it, she felt special again. She could only hope that it was both ways. No. Deep inside she knew it was exactly like that. So Bonnibel decided to do the only thing that came into her mind, just to show how special this little vampire is for her. She delicately began to nab on her lover's neck, eventually doing the unexpected – biting her hard on her velvet, delicate skin. Who would have thought, that this soft being had so much severity in her. In response, Marceline's fingernails drove deep into her pink back. She didn't mind that at all, as her grip only tightened. When Bubblegum finally released her from her grasp, the little pale urchin just looked at her, both shocked and in awe.

"Never knew that side of you!" She giggled. "But I already have one mark you know?"

"Not from me."

"Well, if you put it that way..."

The princess progressed further on her neck, as she knew no boundaries today. Small bites and traces of sweet sugar were left behind, as a token of both love and appreciation. But she was the one that had little patience today and she hardly enjoyed the fact that her lover was still dressed up. The clothes were swooped away from the little vampire so fast, that she hardly managed to blink in between. Now it was Bubblegum who admired each curve on her partner's body, each convexity, so delightfully soft, so delightfully pleasant. Just touching her, just smudging her perfect frame was like a greatest reward she could possibly obtain. But, she still craved more. And as she began her fond, dulcet trail, leading from the spicy, round hills, throughout the slim valley, right towards one certain spot. Eventually, her tongue finally fixated around it playfully. Marceline just placed her hand over her lover's pink head, tangling her gummy hair around her slick fingers.

"Now, now, look who's feeling amorous today." The vampire sighted. "Like old times, huh?"

"Not everything was all that grand back then." The princess said, as she wiped her lips right before the main course and simply stood up. "So, let's say... that this surpasses the old times?"

"I don't know..." The vampire smirked flirtatiously. "Can you make it better?"

"Hm. Depends."

"Depends on what?"

"On how close you want me to get." She paused. "To you."

"As close as possible."

Bubblegum was quite sure of herself that day, as she desired to feel her lover in full. And as their legs crossed like a pair of shears, as their bodies trembled like tense strings, the two blooming flowers met in their wondrous touch. Their motions were accompanied by their sights and moans, as they tweeted like two little hummingbirds. How rarely they sang together those cheerful and beautiful tunes, how rarely they could just appreciate each delicate, long smudge. Each thrill made so abruptly. Each stroke proceed with caution. Hard to tell but either way, those moments bare a scent of magic for both of them. The only magic the princess wished to believe in. Their thoughts drifted away, as the worries were left behind, even if it was just a brief sensation. As the past slipped like the grains of sand, only one thing was left to care about. Themselves. Right now, right in this very moment. Their frames fluently moved throughout each other with silent, passionate chords. Their legs raveled tighter with each motion, with each carefully waged move. Their grip tightened with each well proceed thrust, putting more and more pressure. Their mouths were wide opened and they spoke so much without the use of a single word, just by looking at each other. But every show, even the most enjoyable one, has it's end and their performance was no different. With the final screams echoing throughout the room, with the final waves of indescribable heat and pleasure, they felt back on the bed. And they just lied like that, frame by frame, skin to skin, silently staring at each other.

"Will it... will it be that way all the time Bonnie?" She eventually said, still trying to catch breath. In return, she got a kiss that tangled her tongue once again for a brief second.

"I cannot imagine it being different now, Marceline..." The princess said as she removed a flick of hair from her lover's forehead. "I don't want it to be otherwise."

"Good..." She sighed loudly. "I'm... I'm just asking you know? I'm still afraid at times, that either I'll wake up and you won't be here anymore or... or it's just a miraculous jest. Or someone will try to take you from me." She gulped. "And will succeed at that. You know, just my head messing with me."

"Don't worry." The princess smirked. "Never thought I'll say it, but you're thinking way too much."

"Yeah..." The vampire grabbed her hand. "For now then, instead of my head, I'll mess with you a bit more..."