Anonymous

57

Communication was good. That was something Bonnie knew for definite. She just didn't want to ruin Marceline's good mood.

That was the justification she'd used all week, to avoid telling Marceline that her dad had threatened her. Bonnie knew she would somehow feel guilty for it, like it was her fault her dad was attempting to threaten Bonnie into complete silence. Bonnie promised herself that she'd tell Marceline at some point – every day, she made the mental note. But then it was Marceline's eighteenth birthday, and there was no way she was going to ruin that.

No. On the contrary, she was going to make it the best birthday ever.

It was a Friday, so when Marceline picked her up that morning, she jumped in the car and greeted her with a kiss and very enthusiastic, "Happy eighteenth birthday, baby!"

Marceline didn't acknowledge the pet name, but her blush was a little deeper than usual. "Thanks, Bon. But it's really not a big deal."

Bonnie blinked. That was the dumbest thing she'd ever heard. "Of course it's a big deal. It's not just your birthday, which is important anyway because you're important. But it's your eighteenth birthday. That's a big deal."

She let the rest go unspoken. It was a big deal because as of today, Hunson Abadeer had zero legal authority over her. As of today, Marceline was officially free.

"Eh, it always gets overshadowed by Halloween, anyway," Marceline shrugged as she started driving them towards school, "That's the problem with having a birthday on a holiday. You can relate, with your birthday landing on the biggest holiday ever."

"Oh, you're a big Star Wars day celebrator, are you?" Bonnie peppered the question with the perfect amount of sarcasm but didn't let Marceline respond. "Well, I think your birthday is more important than Halloween. And you're coming over later, by the way."

Marceline winced. "Can't. Keila already claimed me for a party, and a) I'm not going to be that bitch who ditches her friends for her significant other, and b) unfortunately for you, I've been instructed to bring you. She's dead set on that stupid PowerPuff Girls thing."

"As the birthday girl, we can go wherever you want. You get to be the boss today." Bonnie told her, and when Marceline only frowned, she quickly added, "But only today. Don't let the power go to your head."

It was mostly a joke, but Marceline just snorted. "Wow, is that my present or something?"

"Your present is something else, which I'm going to give to you later," Bonnie said, "So please, try not to get too sozzled tonight."

"Sozzled? Is that British for drunk?" Marceline laughed, but after a few moments, she shrugged. "Nah, I probably won't. Maybe I'll offer to drive, I don't really feel like drinking. Probably a weird thing to say on my eighteenth birthday, but whatever."

Bonnie smiled. "Maybe it means you've matured."

Marceline barked out a laugh like that was the funniest thing she'd ever heard. "Me? Mature? Have you met me, Bonnie? No way."

Regardless of what she'd said, Bonnie had to admit that Marceline was actually rather mature. She joked around and teased but when it came down to it, she had quite a mature outlook on things. Bonnie knew it was probably because she'd had no choice but to grow up fast, which was something she related to.

"Well, you don't have to drink if you're not feeling it," was all Bonnie said in response to that. "What did Simon do for your birthday breakfast?"

"Pancakes with strawberries and cream," Marceline said, "yum. And even though she attempts to surprise me with it every time, I know for a fact Keila's bringing a cake today, so if you want some, make your way to the music room at lunch."