The sun slowly rose above the trees, reflecting its soft light off the dew droplets on the grass below. The wind blew gently, sending leaves and branches to dance along in a graceful motion, like that of waves of an ocean. The serenity of it all would calm even the fastest beating hearts. Despite there being only two within this world of unpredictability; they beat slowly, almost in unison now. Together...as one.

——

Gumball woke up slowly, but who could blame him. His entire body was experiencing a very new sensation. He felt tingly all throughout him; from his head, down to his toes. He knew what this feeling, this wonderful feeling, was.

It was love. The truest kind of it. Every part of him was telling it so. It was the most wonderful feeling in the world to him...

He soon felt movement on his back. It was a pair of arms, and they were tightening their grasp on him. This made him smile. He knew who it was who was holding him so tight; so lovingly...

His wife. His love of his life...

Nicole...

Raising his head, he focused his eyes. There, staring back lazily...was her eyes full of the most brilliant form of sparkles he had ever seen; something that would even outshine the stars...

Their seemingly endless gaze made each of them lose their breath, for they were so fascinated by each other. It was true that as of last night, they were different people; but now, to witness a gaze so beautiful from each-other...was breathtaking.

Nicole caressed his face. Tears started to form in her eyes...

Despite everything she experienced in her life; from the childhood trauma, the abuse, the beatings, the belittlement...everything...she was finally over it all. She finally was at peace; something she thought she would never experience...

Right here, right now; next to someone who not only helped her conquer her demons, but who had set her free. He...loved her. Gumball loved her to his very core. She knew that now. He was there when she had been near her lowest...and he was there, intertwined with her when she reached her highest. He was her everything now, just has she was his. They completed each other, something she now had no regrets whatsoever...

Tears streamed down her face now. Gumball seemed to break from his trance before crawling up her body and wiping them away softly.

"D-do you...regret what we did?" He asked quietly, waiting for her response.

Nicole smiled warmly before pulling him into a gentle kiss.

"No...and I never will." She spoke as she pulled back.

She saw him smile in return, and felt his chest start to warm up as she lowered her hands onto it.

"I must admit...I'm...still a bit tired." Gumball said, slowly lowering himself back onto her chest.

Nicole gladly accepted his body and wrapped him once again in her arms, creating a warm embrace.

"I wouldn't blame you sweetie...so am I..."

"Did I...uh...satisfy you?" He sheepishly asked, causing nicole to snicker before kissing his head and playing with his hair.

"You, mister, certainly did~"

Nicole could make out a faint smile creep up on to his face as he nuzzled into her chest. She knew he was happy hearing that.

"Did I satisfy you, Gummypuss?"

As soon as she spoke that, Gumball felt his cheeks instantly go red. Recalling every detail of last night was...making his whole body tingle ever so slightly more.

He awkwardly shifted before giggling to himself.

"Definitely..."

She smiled. Nicole really didn't need a long answer anyways from him. She knew how he behaved last night. His gaze, his...passion towards her were all the signals she needed to know. She truly could see it in his eyes...

As they laid and simply rested a bit more, Nicole closed her eyes and just took it all in again. It was like she was truly in paradise. This went on for a few minutes until she felt Gumball shuffle a bit.

"Hey...uh...can I ask you something?"

Nicole half came back to reality.

"Sure, go ahead honey."

Gumball was silent for a few seconds before he spoke again.

"Okay...look, since we're married and everything...I gotta know..."

"Know what?"

"Know more about you and Richard..."

This made her instantly break her state of mind and give Gumball her full attention by opening her eyes.

"What about him?" She asked.

Gumball shifted again before speaking up.

"Please don't hate me or anything, it's just...I was curious..."

"About what?" She questioned now with a more serious tone.

Gumball lowered his ears a bit.

"Did...Richard ever...you know..." He trailed off, clenching his hand into a ball on her chest.

"Of course Gumball, we wouldn't have had you or Anais if he-"

"I didn't mean that..." he spoke, growing redder by the minute.

"Then what DID you mean?" Nicole said, slightly raising her voice in frustration.

Gumball cowered a bit and flinched, before letting out a breath of air.

"I MEANT...did he ever...satisfy you..."

Nicole paused, before raising her head to gaze down at him. Briefly meeting her gaze, Gumball quickly averted it by looking down.

Letting out a breath of her own, Nicole caught Gumball by surprise as she moved him off her and onto the bed beside her. She then loomed over him and guided his chin so that he faced her again. She was met with worried eyes.

"I-I'm sorry I asked. I just...*sigh* you don't have to answer it if you don't want t-"

"Shhh..."

Nicole shushed him.

"Gumball...as your wife, I promised to be more open with you...and that includes this type of talk...mature talk..."

Gumball continued to listen carefully.

"Gummypuss...Richard, he never...he never satisfied me...in that way."

"R-really?" Gumball asked, now more intrigued.

"Yes. I...um...to put this lightly, did most of the work." Nicole admitted, now feeling red in her own cheeks before averting her gaze.

Gumball placed a hand to her cheek and caressed it.

"I'm...I'm sorry..."

Nicole took her own hand and rested it on his.

"It's fine. I never really...expected him to do so anyway. But I did what I had to do, and he gave me what I wanted in the end...which was Anais...and you."

Gumball rubbed her cheek.

"So, I WAS...really the only one to...to..."

"Yes." She finished, resting her forehead against his. "And for what you did...I can't thank you enough..."

Gumball smiled.

"I guess in that case...in a way...we both were our first."

Nicole smiled too.

"Yeah...I guess you're right..."

Gumball then pulled her into a passionate kiss before looking her in the eyes.

"I'm glad I got to share that experience with you..."

Nicole kissed back.

"I'm glad too...Gummypuss."

She then peppered his neck in sloppy kisses, causing Gumball to illicit a moan of pleasure and wrap his arms around her. She then ran her hands down his chest and body.

Pulling back for air, she blew hot breathes of air by his ear, causing him to slightly shudder.

"I'm also glad I'll be able to spend many more nights with you in a...closer manner."

Gumball regained himself before facing her once more.

"Consider me glad too~"

He hugged her before resting on her chest once more.

He then heard his stomach growl.

Nicole opened one eye and started to giggle.

"Looks like SOMEBODY is hungry~"

Gumball nuzzled her again.

"What can I say? A night like that took a lot outta me, and my body wants to replenish itself..."

Nicole then heard her own stomach growl, only louder.

"It seems like we BOTH need replenishing..."

Gumball wrapped his arms around her form once more before getting off and out of bed. Nicole watched as he stretched his arms above his head and loosen up his body. She figured she might as well do the same.

As she stretched herself a bit in bed, she sat on the bedside and was about to get up when she felt her legs almost give out on her. Quickly, she held onto the bedside for extra support.

Gumball quickly caught onto this, and rushed to her side.

"Nicole! Are you okay?" He asked, concerned.

"I-I'm fine sweetie...it's just...I wasn't expecting that my legs would give out on me so easily." She responded shyly, obviously a bit embarrassed by the whole ordeal.

"What do you mean?" He asked, a bit confused by that statement.

Nicole looked at his innocent expression before growing even redder.

"I mean...uh...I think we went a little...overboard."

It then clicked to Gumball.

"Oh, heh...right. My bad." He said, rubbing the back of his neck.

Nicole eventually gained enough strength to stand up and steady herself before walking. She was then handed her T-Shirt by Gumball as he started to then get dressed a bit.

"I'll...try to keep that in mind."

Nicole put on her T-shirt before she walked closer to him.

"Well...I'm not entirely sure what I exactly classify as 'overboard' yet..." She started as she wrapped her arms around him from behind and rested her chin on top of his head.

"-But I'm sure we can determine that...eventually~"

That last part was making Gumball's face become flustered.

"Why do you always do that?" He asked her, causing her to let out a small purr.

"To tease you~"

"Meanie~" he returned, causing her to giggle cutely before letting him go.

"Alright, honey, let's get some breakfast. I'm hungry. And judging by that rumbling stomach of yours, I'd say you are too. We need fuel. Now."

Gumball gave her a small nod.

"Sure thing, hun."

With that, they made their way downstairs.

——

About an hour had passed now. For the both of them, that meal seemed to be the happiest one in a VERY long time. They couldn't get enough of each other. Their gazes, playful banter back and forth, and a few lovely touches were helping keep things interesting. It also seemed like Gumball had grown an affection for wrapping his arms around Nicole's waist while she was preparing the food. They truly were basically inseparable.

Nicole picked up her mug and took a sip, all while maintaining a sultry look at Gumball.

"Am I REALLY that good looking? You've been staring at me nonstop you know." He spoke, flicking his tail at her.

Setting her mug down, she rested her chin on top of her now locked fingers.

"You really are..."

Gumball rolled his eyes a bit before sitting back in his chair, admiring her in return.

"I must admit, I think I'm far from being the prettiest person in this room. You might need a mirror."

Nicole flicked her tail back at him.

"You really do flatter me..."

"Consider it a natural gift." He replied, deciding to get up and collect their plates.

Nicole closed her eyes and let out a happy sigh. She loved this little banter they shared.

"Hey, you wanna go for a walk? Looks sunny enough outside."

Nicole opened her eyes and turned to face him, smiling all the way.

"I'd love to~ let's go."

"Wonderful!" He said, taking a few 'happy steps' after hearing that.

Shaking her head and laughing to herself, Nicole finished her drink before getting up.

——

The pair walked down their street, barefoot this time, holding hands the whole time.

"Wanna walk through the park?" Nicole offered, swinging their arms a bit.

Gumball seemed to think for a moment before before letting out a small breath.

"Alright..."

Nicole stopped their arm swinging.

"Hey, you know, if you don't want to go there, we don't have to go. I would...understand why."

Gumball turned to face her now, and stopped them.

"Nicole, now that I think about it...I really think I DO want to go back there. I feel like...it would bring me closure, in a way..."

"Really?" She asked.

"Really."

Nicole gave him a warm smile before wrapping him in a tight hug.

"Let's go bring you closure then. Let's bring both of us closure."

Gumball pulled back enough to look into her eyes.

"You mean it?" He asked sincerely.

Her smile broadened.

"Of course."

——

The two arrived at the park again, just where they usually step into the grass from the road. Such a simple divided piece that to them, seemed to mean much more.

Alright Gummypuss, let's do this...together.

Gumball nodded, and took her hand, before looking towards the park again.

The wind blew behind them, almost pushing them forward, as if it had a mind of its own, urging them to fulfill such a task.

With a final deep breath, Gumball took a step into the lush green grass with Nicole. It somewhat tickled his feet as it made contact.

"Wow..." He said, looking towards Nicole.

"What is it?" She asked, showing a hint of concern on her face.

"That was...easier then I thought it would be." He mentioned, now planting both is feet into the grass.

Nicole seemed relieved now hearing that and followed suit with her other foot. She then pulled him close and hugged him, running her hand through his scalp.

"I'm so proud of you..."

Gumball reveled in this feeling. He couldn't get enough of it.

"Thank you...truly." He said, tightening his grasp on her and closing his eyes.

After all the pain they had gone through in this place, he was glad he finally could move on from it. Now, he would remember this place as not where he just got rejected, but where he returned with his new wife; the love of his life...

A smile creeped up on his face as he then pulled back and pulled her into a deep, passionate kiss. This made Nicole's mind fly with imaginary sparks as it seemed to tickle her brain.

After a few panting breathes when they separated, Gumball took her hand and pulled her along as they walked.

"Come on~, let's go to the hill then."

Nicole gave him a playful look before letting go of his hand and running past him.

"I'll race you there!" She called out, causing Gumball to pick up his pace and bolt towards her, laughing all the way.

"Hey, not fair! You got a head start!"

"Then consider it a good challenge to reach my speed!" She returned, making Gumball sprint faster.

'Ha! You want a challenge...then I'll give you a challenge!'

He felt like he was running as fast as he could and he was now quickly catching up to Nicole with rapid speed. With a grin, he finally passed her, somewhat laughing as he did so.

"Ha HA! Looks like I'm really getting good at thi-"

Just then, he felt his left foot hit a dip in the soil and he lost his balance and fell forward. In what seemed like only a split second, he went from running happily in the lead, to tumbling onto the grass below in a very clumsy and chaotic fashion. Eventually, his body came to a stop, face first, on the ground below.

"Owwwww..." he groaned, slowly picking his face off the grass, feeling a sharp pain on his forehead.

"Gumball!" He heard Nicole cry behind him.

After seeing her beloved trip and fall spectacularly into the ground, she felt her instincts kick in and slowed down and stopped by his side, ready to provide aid.

Nicole pulled his head towards her to examine him. She saw a small scrape on his forehead that was bleeding a bit. Quickly, she used her shirt to dab at it a bit before checking the rest of him. Besides the now prominent grass stains everywhere on him...he seemed fine.

"How do you feel sweetie?" She asked him, brushing his hair to the side a bit.

"I'm fine, really, I just...wasn't expecting I would tumble like that."

Nicole softly chuckled.

"Of course you didn't, silly goose. But still, you should be more careful."

"Come on...you know I had to take the risk. I didn't want to lose."

"Oh...you like to take risks huh?" She asked, now starting to add a layer of sultry undertones to her voice.

Gumball looked into her eyes and placed his hands on the sides of her cheeks.

"Yeah. I think I do...especially to get even with you."

She played flicked him so the her tail.

"Oh stop it~" she said, rolling her eyes.

Gumball leaned in closer.

"You know...despite taking such a risk, and failing quite miserably...I think I'd like to take another risk."

"Oh?~ is that so?~ what type of risk?" She questioned cutely, leaning in closer too.

"Well, you see, I think me going in for a kiss from you would be risky right now...but I think it might work. It might even take my pain away~"

"Why don't you try it then, mister?~"

With that, the pair soon locked lips, fighting for dominance between each other. Gumball deepened the kiss, all while dropping his hands from her cheek to down her sides, caressing her form. Nicole moaned cutely from this, before pushing him back down into the grass below them, getting the upper hand. Pulling back, she kissed the side of his face before trailing down his neck. She knew he loved that just by the way he held her back. Sure, he certainly wasn't as 'vocal' as her, but his heavy breaths here and now were delicious sounds to her ears.

Once she ran out of neck, she rose up from her downwards path and kissed his wound on his forehead softly, hoping her saliva would help, even a tiny bit. As she glanced down at it again, she saw it was almost completely healed. Due to it not being very deep, she had somewhat expected it to heal fast, but it seemed to beat her expectations a bit; not that she was complaining.

"Hopefully that did the trick...does it still hurt?"

"It...doesn't. Looks like your methods worked." He said happily.

"You mean the risks you took to achieve that?"

Gumball rubbed the back of his neck.

"I guess so..."

Nicole and him both then shared a small laugh between them before she helped him get back up on his feet.

"Well, stains aside, I guess we reached the hill." He mentioned, causing Nicole to look ahead.

He was right. Despite everything that happened, they had made it; and judging by Gumball's quick pouty movement, she knew he was THIS close to winning against her.

'So close...' She thought, smiling to herself before walking beside him.

"Well, it seemed like I won the race to the hill..."

Gumball lowered his ears a bit.

"Yeah, it seems so. And without injury."

Nicole rubbed his back.

"Hey, don't feel bad. After all, it was all in good fun. Why don't we make it up to the top...together."

"Really?" He asked, feeling somewhat surprised by that.

"Of course silly! Honey, after all we've been through, we ought to work together more, not against each other."

"...says the one who started this race." He mumbled, before feeling a small swat from her tail on the back of his head.

"Ow! Meanie~ okay okay, let's go together..."

Nicole smiled before leaning down and kissing his head.

"Wonderful~"

Taking each other's hands, the duo walked slowly up the hill, being slightly more careful on where they step, hoping they don't have a repeat offense.

They soon reached the top of the hill, observing the beautiful scenery once again.

The sunlight shimmered between the leaves of the tree as a single leaf fell from its branches. It fluttered down slowly. It blew with the slight breeze towards the couple. Nicole was the first to notice the leaf before Gumball did. They both suddenly reached out for it, before catching it between their hands. They both smiled at such a lucky motion. Bringing their hands down, they opened them and looked at it in their palms.

"Nice catch." Gumball said.

"You too~" she returned, causing they both to giggle.

Gumball couldn't help but stare deeper at the leaf. It's lovely green color combined with its small vein-like supports spread across it was so intriguing to him.

"You like it?"

Gumball shifted his attention to Nicole.

"Oh, sorry...yeah I do. Something about it is just...so beautiful."

Nicole raised her hand out of the way and let the leaf fall into his. She then used both her hands to close his own around it in his palm.

"Then it's yours."

"R-really?" He asked, feeling her warm hands around his.

"Yes. It seems like it catches your interest more."

Gumball smiled before nodding.

"Thank you..."

He then pulled his hands gently back and looked at it between his palms once more before placing it in his pocket. He then hugged Nicole.

"You're welcome sweetie. Always." She said, hugging him tighter.

The wind danced around them with a small whirl and whistle, making them happy to be in each others arms. They soon walked over to the big tree and sat down together by its trunk, overlooking the vast woods and blue sky.

Resting his head on Nicole, Gumball, sighed cutely. Nicole was amused by this and pulled him in close. This lasted several minutes, as they both took it all in; this continued until Gumball spoke up.

"Hey Nicole...do you...think we were wrong?"

Nicole opened her eyes.

"Wrong about what?"

Gumball let out a somewhat deep breath before looking out towards the woods.

"I mean...what if we were wrong about home?"

Nicole gave him a puzzled look.

"How so?"

"What if...HERE was home. Not our place in Elmore. I remember hearing from Mr. Small, my guidance counselor in middle school saying that...that home is what you make it to be. That home can be...anything. It can be a house, a field, a country...even friends and-...and family..."

Nicole pulled his attention to her now as she faced him.

"Are you saying...you could call this place...our TRUE home?"

Gumball looked at her stoically for a few seconds before taking her hands in his.

"As long as I'm with you, I'd consider anyplace 'home'."

Nicole felt...touched. From her hands...to her heart deep within. The way Gumball had said that to her was...so sincere. He meant it. He ACTUALLY meant it. She could see it in his eyes.

"Gumball..."

Pulling their foreheads together, she closed her eyes.

"I've always felt at home with you..." She started, putting a hand on his chest. "And I think that will never change. If you wish to make this place our TRUE home...with me by your side...then it shall be my home too. OUR home. Together..."

Gumball opened his eyes slightly and pulled her into a very soft and sensual kiss before pulling back.

"Then this place...is home."

Nicole saw a tear run down his cheek. She slowly wiped it away before pulling him into a hug.

"I love you Gummypuss..." she said, nuzzling him sweetly.

"I love you too, Gummybear..." he replied, returning the favor.

They both embraced for quite some time before pulling back and locking lips, each giving their form of passion to each other in the most sensual way.

The sun cascaded the pair in shimmering light, only broken by the leaves above them, as they danced with the wind. A spectacle that would seem so ordinary to many, but at that moment, for them, to hear and feel the combination of so many elements was almost euphoric. It was such an indescribable feeling that resonated between them.

Gumball pulled back and looked at her lovingly and with heavy breathing. Nicole did the same. They drew their tails together and intertwined them. Locking their hands together too, they both simply basked in each others company. Unfaltering love; It was such a wonderful feeling...

Finally...after everything they've been through...finally...they were home.

Home...

Home...

Home...

—————Epilogue—————

The steady sounds of machinery and computer hums were present all around the darkened room within. They soon were interrupted by the sounds of a keyboard being rapidly typed on.

"Come on...I'm so close."

The big screen above the computer suddenly flashed a large notification and flashed bold letters reading "Location found".

"I did it...I DID IT!" The mysterious voice shouted, quickly getting up from the computer and rushing over to a large machine and turning it on. The room then was flooded with the loud buzzing of moving parts, like that of an engine roaring to life.

The figure then sat back at the computer and started typing in commands before zooming in on a set of algorithms before them on the display screen above.

A locking sound could be heard before silence...then a ping. Then another.

2 Signatures detected

"Finally..." It said.

"I've found you..."

—————THE END—————