Two Halves of the Same Heart (FIOLEE)

In Which Fionna encounters a griffin

*Fionna's POV*

We ended up staying there for a few more days. Marshall and Cake seemed to be on better terms, but I still kept an eye on them. Mochro seemed unperturbed by it, but the kids were definitely interested. 
I eventually gave Mochro Gumball's letter, and there was an uneasy peace for a while. 

Then it was time for us to leave. 
"Cake, it's the full--" 
"I know." She said shortly. 
Mochro patted her shoulder, and she leaned into him. 
I sighed. "But I can help!" 

"It's not something that you should have to deal with. I'll be fine." Cake waved me off. "Besides, your demon's presence isn't exactly helpful anyway." 
I pulled her into a hug. "Stay safe." 
"I'm not a wolf." She hugged me back though, and I could tell she was smiling. "Go on, you should get a head start." 

I nodded, and we said our goodbyes. 
When we were out of earshot, Marshall said, "Why is it such a big deal if it's a full moon?" 
"My sister's a were-cat. You know that." 
"Yeah, but why...? I mean, it's not like she's a were-wolf, running around killing livestock and scaring people." 

"First, it hurts her. Second, it... changes her a bit. She's not a full on wolf, you're right, but she's not as human either. I've never really seen her like that..." I trailed off, shaking my head. "But I try to help."
"You live down the mountain though." He pointed out. 
"Yeah... Cake used to live with me. Then she and Mochro met, and... yeah." I shrugged. 

"Huh. Well, this sounds like it's going to trail off into silence--" 
"What about your family?" I interrupted. 
He was silent for a minute, before he narrowed his eyes and said firmly, "We don't talk about that." 
"Wha-- you met my sister!" 
"And her five children, and her soulmate. What's your point?" 

"You could at least tell me if your family is alive or dead." 
He shot me a long look. "My father is wholly and completely dead. My mother is undead, so both. We don't talk about my mother, and I don't have that much information about my father. Ergo, topic change. You know what would be less awkward? Talking about all the relationships we've ever had." 

"I'm sorry." 
"Don't be. Let's see, there was Ashley, Gumball, Jenna, who am I forgetting?" 
"Marshall, we're not going to talk about how many people you've tier 15'd." 
He sighed. "But we're not going to talk about my family either." 
"Fine. Your childhood?" 

"Ha, no." 
"Your dreams?" 
"Mm... sure. I just want a small family that I can trust --and doesn't include my mother--, and accepts me wholly. I... that's enough, right?" 
"Oh, Marshall." I pulled him into a long hug, and he stiffly returned it. "Of course it is." 

"Heh... y'sure?" He pulled me closer, burying his face in my hair. "Seems like a dream is supposed to be a big, grand thing... but I just want a home, and that's you, isn't it?" 
"Y-yeah. I guess it is." 
"You guess?" 

"I never really thought of it that way." I admitted. "You were just supposed to be this partner of mine, someone who would come out and help me the way Cake used to. I never..." I trailed off, knowing I was only going to repeat myself. 
"Well... our expectations aren't going against each other." He mused. "You'll be my home and I'll be your partner." 

I grinned. "Sounds good. So... don't be sad, okay?" 
He chuckled. "I'll try. Don't die on me, okay?" 

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Later when we set up camp (well, Marshall set up), I went hunting. 
I had my eye on a young rabbit, and I had already set up a snare to catch some. I was mostly looking for something else to tide us over until break... that was not a rabbit. 

I stopped suddenly as I heard huge, thudding footsteps. A head peeked out of the brush, before I was knocked onto my back by something clawed swiping at me. Blood oozed out of my stomach, because I had stupidly left my armor back at the camp. 

I had my sword though, and I'd face this... thing. 
The griffin raised itself onto its hind legs and let out a monstrous cry, before crashing down again. 
I rolled out of the way just in time, and got to my feet, trying to ignore the blood pouring out of me. 
It turned to face me, and I rushed it, stabbing it in the side of the chest. 
It let out another cry, and I yanked on my sword. It wouldn't budge. 

The griffin kicked me away with its forefeet, and I went sprawling. Panting, I raised myself onto my knees, then my feet. I began to circle it, before darting forward and making another attempt to pull out my sword. 
This time, it gave way, and both the sword and I went tumbling to the ground. 
The griffin, bleeding heavily, began to near me. 

I picked up my sword and drove it through the griffin one more time. With a strangled squawk, it died. 

It felt like a fire was slowly beginning to burn inside of my body, and my sword felt so heavy. My vision began to fade, and while I still controlled myself, I sat down, and tried to call for Marshall. 
I couldn't get out more than a strangled yelp, and then my hearing went out. And then there was nothing. 

When I came to, my head was in Marshall's lap, and part of his shirt was missing. I felt the heat of a fire very close by, and he looked more anxious than I'd ever seen him-- including when he was about to die. 
"Marshall?" 
He nodded once, relief flooding his face. "You're lucky I'm super impatient. Did you hit your head?" 
"I don't think so... I'm just a little bruised up." I smiled, trying to sit up. 

He wrapped an arm around my waist to support me. "Are you hungry?" 
"Not really." I admitted, leaning against his shoulder. 
"Eat anyway. It'll help you." 

"What do we have?" 
"Griffin." He replied. "Since you couldn't keep yourself from killing it, we have to eat it before the carcass draws something bigger and nastier." 
"I didn't go looking for a fight." 
He sighed, before running a hand through my hair. "Good, because at least there's that. At least you're back. I was scared, okay? I was terrified that you were going to bleed to death and that would be it. No more Fi." 

"What would you have done?" I asked. 
"Go bother Death." He answered instantly, before handing me a piece of griffin on a tin plate one of us had been carrying in our packs. "If that didn't work, go find whoever got your soul and bother them. Might have tried to beg my mom to resurrect you if that didn't work." 

"I thought you didn't like your mom." 
"I like you, and it balances out." 

I smiled. "Yes, it does."