Marshall Lee opened the door for the prince, bowing as he did so. "Come in, sir," he said, gesturing with his hand to the inside of his house, smiling playfully. Prince Gumball jumped off of Lord Monochromicorn, who was already grazing on the small lawn in front of the vampire's house. He slowly made his way inside, thanking Marshall with a curt nod. "Um, nice house," the candy prince said, sitting on the large red couch that sat on the left side of the living room. “It’s not as….dirty as I imagined it would be.” Marshall raised an eyebrow, a small smirk creeping across his pale face as he floated over to his guest. “Oh really? Is it because I’m a ‘revolting’ monster?” The vampire landed beside Prince Gumball, crossing his legs.
“Kind of. Anything from the Nitosphere is some sort of monster; they’re usually dirty and not very polite. I was expecting for your home to be dirty and disgusting, like the Nitosphere.” answered Prince Gumball, scooting slightly away from the vampire who was getting awfully close. Marshall Lee sighed. “I don’t understand why you hate me so much, Gummy. I try to be nice…most of the time.” He pointed out, leaning back into the couch. The candy prince stood up and turned to look at Marshall. “Maybe I just don’t like you,” he growled, “maybe you aren’t the kind of guy I would actually want to hang out with.”
“Well, maybe I’m just your problem!” hissed Marshall Lee, baring his teeth. He flew up from where he was sitting; hovering high above the candy prince. “Honestly, Marshall, what else did you expect?” Prince Gumball snapped, glaring at him. “I have royal duties to attend to almost every day. I don’t think I would skip important business just for you.” The candy prince stood on the tip of his toes, getting as close as possible to the furious vampire. “Well,” Marshall Lee frowned, staring coldly at Prince Gumball. He took a deep breath and began to sing, his voice still quivering with anger.
“Sorry I don't treat you like a god,
Is that what you want me to do?
Sorry I don't treat you like you're perfect,
like all your little loyal subjects do.
Sorry I'm not made of sugar,
Am I not sweet enough for you?
Is that why you always avoid me?
That must be such an inconvenience to you.
Well, I'm just your problem.
I'm just your problem.
It's like I'm not even a person, am I?
I'm just your problem.
Well, I shouldn't have to justify what I do.
I shouldn't have to prove anything to you.
I'm sorry that I exist;
I forget what landed me on your black list.
But I shouldn't have to be the one that makes up with you.
So, why do I want to? Why do I want to?”
Prince Gumball took a few steps back, looking up at Marshall with wide eyes. The vampire floated down and landed promptly in front of the prince. “I’m just your problem, Bonnibeau, so deal with it.” Shaking his head, the candy prince’s eyebrows furrowed once more. “That was distasteful,” he said, shoving Marshall Lee away, “I can’t believe I came here in the first place. It is time for me to leave.” Marshall Lee grabbed Prince Gumball’s shirt collar with a strong grip as he whirled around to leave the house. “C’mon, Gumball, you’ve only been here for ten minutes. You’re being such a gumwad.” Prince Gumball shook Marshall’s hand off, but remained where he was standing instead of continuing on his way.
He turned and looked the vampire right in the eyes. “Fine, I’ll stay.” Biting his lip and crossing his arms against his chest, the candy prince trudged past Marshall Lee and sat back on the couch. Prince Gumball forced a smile as he settled down in the cushions. “So, what are we going to do?” Marshall looked at Prince Gumball and shrugged. “Don’t know, but I have an idea.” Gumball watched as Marshall Lee sat next to him. “And what could that be?” An awkward veil of silence settled upon the two. “Well, I forgot about the party that Lumpy Space Prince was throwing tonight. It’s in the woods. Do you want to come?” Marshall asked the prince, breaking the silence.
Prince Gumball bowed his head and looked at his hands. “I guess so,” he replied, “but I will be joining the more…polite partygoers. I mustn’t go in this condition, though. Please, come back with me to the Candy Castle so I can prepare myself for this festivity.” Marshall Lee rolled his eyes and stood up. He held out his hand, hoping the prince would take it this time. “Okay, your majesty,” he said sarcastically, “shall I take you to your ride?” Gumball frowned, hesitating, but slid his hand into Marshall’s after a few seconds of thought. “Thank you.” He said as he stood up. Marshall Lee nodded and made his way toward the door.
……………..
“Oh my glob, you guys! Marshall Lee and Prince Gumball are here!” cried a familiar voice. Lumpy Space Prince waved his arms from the other side of the clearing at the two new arrivals. Prince Gumball scanned the area, looking for anybody to hang out with; since he didn’t feel comfortable being by Marshall’s side all day. Finally, he found friendly faces. Fionna and her sidekick Cake were standing in the corner, talking. He waited around the vampire for a few moments before slinking away to join his friends. “So, Fionna and Cake, how was your mission?” He asked, smiling at the two. “It was fun. The ice queen wasn’t that good at hiding. She just froze Turtle Prince in a giant ice boulder-thingy. It was kinda hard to miss.” Fionna explained, brushing some hair away from her face. “So,” she continued, “what are you doing with Marshall? I thought you guys hated each other.” Prince Gumball glanced at Marshall Lee from the corner of his eye. “I don’t know,” he admitted, shaking his head, “he would not leave me alone unless I accepted his….offer to ‘hang out’ with him.”
The candy prince pressed his lips together in a slight grimace. Honestly, he didn’t know what to think of Marshall. “Of course I don’t like him. He interrupts my royal business all of the time, and he steals many of the pastries that I take time to bake.” Fionna rolled her eyes in response. “Marshall is a pretty cool guy once you get to know him, why can’t you just accept that he is trying to be your friend?”
“Well, he doesn’t show his offer on friendship in a good way. He thinks that he can just sneak in past my guards and surprise me in my castle, including my bedroom without anybody caring.” Prince Gumball pointed out, a scowl tugging at his lips. “It is not pleasant. If he was more courteous of my privacy, than maybe I would consider being his friend.” Fionna and Cake smiled. “I know you want to be his friend,” Cake teased, “you want to be his bestest friend in the whole land of Aaa.” The candy prince laughed at the thought. He put his hand on his forehead and shook his head, smiling. “I highly doubt our ‘friendship’ will ever come to that, Fionna and Cake, that’s for sure.”
……………..
About an hour passed and it was time to leave the party. Prince Gumball stayed by Fionna’s side; walking slowly to the edge of the woods. “Have a nice night, Fionna and Cake, see you soon.” He called, smiling as he began to walk in the other direction. Lord Monochromicorn was waiting just a few feet away. Prince Gumball stroked the monochromicorn’s muzzle before leaping onto his back. “Onward!” he hollered. The long black unicorn leapt up into the sky and galloped effortlessly to the Candy Castle.
Prince Gumball opened the waffle window doors to his bedroom as quietly as he could; making sure anyone nearby would not hear him. He carefully stepped inside his room, making his way to his dresser. Prince Gumball undressed, slipping on clean pajama pants and a T-shirt. He cautiously opened the door to his room, wincing a little; for a loud creaking sound echoed down the long hallway. Prince Gumball tiptoed to his bathroom which wasn't too far away. The pink prince quickly brushed his teeth and powdered himself before he returned to his room to sleep.
