A Marshmallow's Guide to Loving a Complete Idiot (Inanimate Insanity)(Marshple)

30. Agree on Ground Rules

What one would classify as a "lazy morning" outside of the mansion was the norm in the mansion itself, and it was Marsh's favorite thing.

Apple remained cuddled up to her on the bed even well past nine o'clock, snoring gently. Left without one of her books (and with improper lighting to read, anyway), Marsh partook in the rare activity of browsing through the photos on her phone.

There were pictures of random stuff, like pre-show homework assignments. There were some featuring the contestants from during both the first season and second season that she went through quickly, not really wanting to remember those times.

She did still get a chuckle from the pictures Lightbulb had taken when she got access to her phone, though.

Thank goodness Test Tube had a bag of rice handy that day.

'It's been two and a half years since I saw them.' She glanced at the date, and corrected, wait, isn't it almost three by now? Wow, that's crazy. Where does the time go?'

Apple mumbled something in her sleep, squeezing Marsh a bit closer. Marsh stroked Apple's stem, feeling a gentle thrill when she sighed happily in her sleep.

'I wonder if Apple and Bow are all I have left. The others might not forgive me for not saying where I went...'

Her thoughts were broken by a long creaking sound... Then a near-foreign sound.

Footsteps.

'Crap, is that a burglar?!' Marsh tensed up.

There was a horrendous roaring sound; there was a familiar scream, followed by the sound of something heavy falling to the ground.

'Sounds like Bow's taking care of it, but I should probably head over here too...'

Marsh glanced ruefully at Apple before dashing out, leaving her in a heap of blankets. When she charged out into the foyer and peered over the railing of the stairs.

"Ohhh man, I got you good!"

Collapsed under a defunct lamp was none other than...

'Fan?!'

Marsh dashed down the stairs and hastened to lift the lamp off him. "Oh my Marsh, Fan! Are you okay?"

Fan laughed. "I've never been better! I can't believe I finally get to meet the ultimate fan favorite!" He jumped to his feet. "It's such an honor, Bow! I'm so excited I don't even know how to contain it!"

"Yeah, I'm kind of a big deal," Bow said. "You look a lot different in real life."

"And you're even cooler in person than in your Snapchat photos!"

Marsh cut in, "Wait a second, you two know each other?"

Fan's face brightened with recognition as he seemed to notice her. "And I'm so excited to see you too, Marshmallow. We fans have so many questions!"

"But how'd you-"

"The power of social media's pretty amazing," Bow replied, phone in hand. "We've been chatting for months."

Marsh blinked. "Were you disqualified or something? All communications outside the show are, far as I know, completely prohibited. Aren't you way outside the boundaries of the game, too?"

Fan looked at her strangely. "Marshmallow, the show's been over. The finale happened a few months ago."

"What."

"It's been over two years since episode eleven. The finale was so wonderfully dramatic, and the action got so close to you, I'm honestly surprised you had no clue."