How Does Forever Sound?

"I had a dream," the vampire husked, fluttering out from the covers, her naked body catching strands of moonlight.

"Oh? I didn't know vampires could dream," Bubblegum mused with a smirk.

"We can." At such closeness, the princess could all but taste the disquiet soaking
Marceline's voice. Cold fingers snaked around her forearm, pulling it away from her literature.

"What was it about?" she offered, humoring her bed-mate.

"Bonni, I'm old—like, really really old."

"Yes, one could agree, but surely some hundred years later you're not just beginning to realize this."

"No, of course not. I just…I've seen a lot."

"As have I. I am a monarch of a kingdom whose people are nearly always under threat of being eaten."

"Bonni," the vampire addressed once more. "I…I dreamt that you died."

Silence trailed her words. Knives in the dark. The candle's glow left flickers on Marceline's face—stripes and coils, serpentine shadows.

Bubblegum exhaled and put her hand to Marceline's face. As soon as her palm brushed against her cheek, it was seized. The weak illumination revealed the worry smoldering in the woman's eyes.

"You're really that worried about me disappearing?" Marceline leaned into the princess' palm. "Honestly, Marceline."

"I don't want to lose you. I'm a thousand years old, Bonni. Things don't last like they should."

"You'll never lose me. Now, come to bed. Read this chapter with me—it's very interesting."

"Doesn't it bother you to be mortal like it bothers me?"

"How does an immortal worry to such lengths about death? I like to occupy myself with other thoughts like flowers and birds and the tender caress of my silver-skinned chamber-mate."

"You're so stupid," Marceline chuckled.

"And so are you," she retorted, throwing the other into an embrace. "We can be stupid together."

"But…how long?" Marceline whispered, running her fingers against the princess' arm.

"You needn't worry about time. Remember, I don't age normally. In theory, you and I could stay like this forever. How does forever sound?"

Marceline smiled and kissed Bubblegum's cheek, running her tongue across the other's lip. "I guess that could work."