Just a Bit Sweeter

The Truth Spills Out

Marshall waited by the phone, expecting Gumball to call him. It seemed like hours before he finally stood and gave up. There were so many things he could have done to have changed the morning’s turnout, “Lock the door, for one.” He mumbled, slamming the door. For the first time in a while, he was more mad at Cake than he was at Fionna. Marshall was separated from his prince and he hated every moment of it. He sprawled himself across his bed and sighed, wishing he could taste and embrace Gumball again. Marshall was alone and sad, the start of a downwards spiral.

Clothes were sprawled all over his floor, but Marshall was too lazy to clean them up. He had been on his bed for little over two hours, feeling nothing but despair. He felt almost widowed, like Gumball was never going to be with him again. Like their love was dead.

Talk to someone, just someone... Marshall thought, but who to talk to. The girls were completely out of the question, and his ghost friends were straight up homophobes. “Mom...” He said aloud, looking up. Hannah was the only one left who meant even the slightest thing to him that he could talk to. And even if everything failed, it was a risk he was willing to take.

The portal to the Nightosphere was opened as Marshall chanted “Maloso vobiscum et cum spiritum...” He hadn’t seen his mother since she tried to convince him to take over, a job he wasn’t willing to take.

“Marshall Lee.” Hannah said, both surprised and filled with happiness to see her son again. “I didn’t expect you to actually take the message literally, n-not that I’m not glad to see you!” She stood and walked over, her arms held wide. “Marshall...” The king looked up at her, he had felt so much hate for so long but had sort of... simmered down. Marshall wrapped her arms around her, embracing comfort. He felt safe and at peace. “You love me, right...” He asked, resting his head on her shoulder. The two were about the same height, though Marshall was slightly taller. Hannah rubbed his back and looked at him, “Marshall, of course I love you.” She said, leaning back and looking into his eyes. It was the sort of motherly gesture that made Marshall feel at home. “Is something bothering you?” Hannah looked at him, at his broken face, then turned. “Sit down, Marshy, I’ll get us something to drink...”

Two cups of steaming coffee sat on the table in front of the mother and son pair. Hannah picked up hers and took a small drink from it, as did Marshall. “I broke up with Fionna.” He said, then drank more. It was sudden news, making Hannah set down her cup and look at Marshall with confusion. The two had been together for years, there was even a small spec of hope that they would get married. “Things... not working out?” She asked, there was curiosity in her voice. “I guess you could say that.” He responded, slowly nodding. Fionna did cheat on him, but at the same time, he did kiss Gumball. It was kind of hard to say who the victim really was. “And I’m seeing somebody new...” Marshall could feel his face growing hot as he spoke the words, feeling more and more anxious by the second. “Oh, that’s wonderful.” Hannah smiled and took another sip from her drink, “Is she nice?” He could feel his hands begin to shake, and refused to look up from his lap. But he had to say something, speak the truth. Marshall was never going to get anywhere if he didn’t tell at least his mom. He cleared his throat and nervously and swallowed all the saliva that built up inside mouth, then took a deep inhale. “It’s a man, mom, I’m seeing a man.”

So Marshall is gay... Hannah thought as she looked at her son. So much time had gone by and she never once guessed... not even a minor consideration in her head that he could have an interest in the same gender.  “A-And he’s really great, and I really like him...” Marshall said, loudly, his whole body trembling with fear. But it was not fear that his mother saw, but bravery. “Marshall, I...” She paused, not sure what to say. This was her son, her own blood. Different thoughts ran through her head all at once, facts and opinions. “You’re happy.” The mother asked, and looked at him. Her son nodded, still looking down. He couldn’t bring himself to look into her eyes, not at a time like this. Marshall had said it, he felt almost free. Free within walls of fear, which was better than nothing. “I’m proud of you, Marshall. For telling me.” Hannah said, letting out a small smile. “It must have been hard...” Marshall sat still and silent, not uttering a single word. His head was filled with so many emotions of relief and fear that he wasn’t sure what he felt at that moment. She walked over and sat next to him, wrapping her arms around his cold body. “And I want you to know that I support you every step of the way...”

The door to Gumball’s bedroom was shut, leaving the prince standing alone and startled. He felt threatened and intimidated by Fionna, like she was going to uncover and blurt out every secret he held close to him. Gumball could faintly hear Peppermint Maid giving Fionna a “Farewell, mistress!” as always. She shuffled down the hall and opened his door, peering in. “Prince Gumball, everything went alright I assume?” Pepper asked, though he didn’t know what she expected. I could ask her, Gumball thought, I could ask her about gay rights and if we can install any into Aaa... But it didn’t seem realistic. For no one would agree. They all followed the rules of Glob. Man marries woman, man and woman produce children, and so on. “Pepper,” Gumball said, avoiding answering her question, “Please prepare me an early dinner. I wish to eat in my bedroom.” He turned to face his bed, the sheets were messy where Fionna had sat. He strode over and fixed it as Pepper walked out and down the stairs.

Gumball paced around the room, an empty plate that once contained a meal sitting on his desk. He walked over to his window and unlocked it, leaving it open a crack, the fresh air filled his lungs. Staring out across the world he felt... mature. Like he was a new person. Gumball had always felt like a child before, following every little rule with a “Yes please, ma’am” or a “No thank you, sir”. The prince felt like a man, like his own age had truly embraced him. He walked out onto the balcony and leaned against the railings. The winter winds attacked his body, but it wasn’t the worst thing that could happen to him. His life was going downhill, and there was no way back up. Gumball was going to have to go down with Marshall if it tore his royal status into shreds. But he was scared, he wanted to stay the prim and proper prince he was always. Marshall... he had fully taken over his mind. It was all he could think about. Even through the chaos the vampire’s grinning face was fresh in his head.

Maybe it was love.

I hope you enjoyed chapter seven!

If you liked it, leave a vote or a comment, if you didn’t... well... sorry for wasting your time!