Just a Bit Sweeter

Learning to Let Go

“So tonight?” Gumball smiled as he walked Marshall to the door. He nodded and smiled, wrapping an arm around him. “It’s a date, I’ll pick you up.” He said happily. Many of the castle staff turned their heads in the couple’s direction. They don’t matter, he thought as he hugged Gumball closely. “You sure you wouldn’t like me to walk you home?” The prince asked, and his king simply shook his head. “It’s raining, Gumball, I wouldn’t want you to catch cold.” My king, Gumball thought with a dreamy sigh. Marshall leaned in for a quick kiss, then waved and left. The prince simply couldn’t stop smiling, he felt complete. Marshall was his other half, and they were finally together. “Prince Gumball!” Pepper shrieked, walking at a brisk pace towards him. She must be simply furious, Gumball thought as he sneaked in a grin, Marshall and I weren’t exactly silent... “May I ask what exactly you and master Lee were participating in last night!” She said, rather loudly too. He could tell she wasn’t exactly pleased to be calling Marshall ‘Master’. If it were up to her, he’d be considered scum and be ordered to leave the castle immediately. Honestly, Gumball spoke. “Marshall and I had sexual intercourse, Pepper. I do believe I am a man now and I can make my own decisions.” He said, rather firmly. She seemed baffled by his gift of truth. “You are a prince!” Peppermint Maid shrieked, raising her delicate arms in the air. “You are not to be having p-premarital sex!” Every guard could hear her lecturing, hell, every living creature in Aaa could hear her. She treats me like I’m a child, Gumball thought with a frown, and I’m not... “Peppermint Maid, I’m nineteen. I think I can make my own choices without you bothering me!” This is it, he thought, I need to take control of my life. “Now, stop bothering me.”

He’s going insane, the maid thought as she stormed down the hall, we’re losing our perfect prince! He had always been so nice and innocent, the most action he got was a polite peck on the cheek after a date. But now... Pepper walked into the room, the sheets were still a mess. She took a deep breath, and began to clean. The room smelt musky and the scent of Marshall’s heavy cologne was everywhere—On the bed, in the washroom, and even on the walls.
“Pepper,” Gumball said as he walked into the room, Lord beside him. “Lord and I are going out to help with the townsfolk, please iron and set out my best suit.” He smiled, and still looked as innocent as his younger self. Peppermint Maid nodded, slowly, and went back to her cleaning as the two walked out of the room and headed into the village.

“I’m proud of you.” Lord said silently, tapping his hooves. They walked, side by side, down the wet pavement road. Gumball stepped in a puddle, making him giggle. Childhood memories of splashing around in the collections of water filled his mind. Candy people turned their heads and gave different expressions. Some gave a look of disgust and looked away, and others beamed and had bright eyes as they saw the prince and his best friend. Some smiled and waved, normally. Then again, some didn’t hear of the news. “You did what was right.” He turned and looked at Gumball, looking sober as always. “Thank you, Lord.” He said and smiled slightly, then it was silent again. The prince bent down and picked up a piece of trash, and placed it in the bag Lord was carrying. “Do you think I made the right choice?” Gumball finally spoke, glancing at Lord Monochromicorn. “Do you think that Marshall really is the one for me?” Lord swished his tail, spraying water on the passing residents. “My prince, you’re the only one who can answer that.”
They had been together around three months now, give or take a few weeks or days... but it felt like so much longer. It was buried in the back of his mind, but Gumball had always found Marshall a bit attractive. The way he flicked his sexy hair, the bad boy style of his clothes, and his rich, deep voice... In fact, Gumball had developed a little crush almost a month before. Of course, he denied it. Being the “straight” prince he was. But the day Marshall and him had been alone was life changing. And the following night, don’t even get him started on that... Gumball really did feel like he wanted to be with his king forever.

After almost two hours of work, the happy prince headed back to the castle to prepare for their date. As per his command, Pepper had set out his best suit. He was clean, dressed, and looked his best. It was the most effort he had ever put into his appearance, even more than the time he was officially dubbed ‘prince’, his eighteenth birthday. “When are you leaving, sir.” Pepper sighed, walking into his room with a light snack. “In an hour.” Gumball responded, taking the tea and cookies she had brought to him. Nodding, she left. He sighed... Gumball was well aware she didn’t like this relationship, or sexual decision, at all. But she put up with it...
I’ve loved him for so many years, Pepper thought to herself as she walked through the halls, I took his mother’s place when she left and nurtured him from youth to adulthood. I have to let go, now... he’s found someone who brings him happiness. Marshall Lee wouldn’t have been my choice, she sighed and pondered as she glanced at the portraits cloaking the walls, I would rather he have chosen a nice girl with great child bearing abilities, so he could always have a family surrounding him... But that naughty king of his seems to be giving him what he needs. She knew. Pepper knew it was her time to leave him in the hands of another, even though it pained her to see him go... The candy maid pulled out her feather duster and began to clean the shelves, letting the hobby swallow her whole and expose her no more to the reality she was bound to face. Clean, clean, my baby is fading... Clean, clean, my baby boy is leaving... Clean... Clean... my baby boy has already gone...

The clock on the wall chimed, signaling the eighteenth hour. Pepper collected herself, wiping away her tears, and stood up. There was a knock, echoing around the halls of the castle. Marshall was here, right on time. He had been waiting outside for thirty minutes, too excited to stay at home any longer.
“Welcome, master Marshall...” Pepper whispered, opening the door for him. He actually looked nice, finally fixed up for once. Marshall’s black hair was brushed and out of his face, showing his dark empty eyes, and he was wearing a suit. He owns a suit? She thought as he looked around. He must have bought it for this occasion... The king was fidgety, and shifted a lot. She could tell he hated being in such an elegant attire. But he did it for him, he did it for Gumball... “Prince Gumball will be out momentarily.” Pepper said, glancing at him. Could this possibly be the same king who rough-housed the prince only last night? Is this the vampire who crashed movie night with a pack of wolves, then took off with his partner in crime? This is the vampire who changed my little boy’s life...?

He is the man who showed Gumball how to love, and how to live. Marshall Lee is the one... who would do anything for his love.

Pepper drew a deep breath, and walked over to him. She tugged his sleeve, and he glanced down. “Yeah?” Marshall spoke in a deep tone, turning to face her. She looked at him, examining every detail of his face and expression, then said in a simple yet shaky tone...
“Marshall Lee, I give you my blessing.”

Shh, it's okay Pepper, you're just filled with emotion...
 Yes this is still actually a thing. I'm going to continue writing Just a Bit Sweeter for a while, and I hope you stick around and enjoy.
Next chapter's the big date, so stAY TUNED YOU LITTLE SAILORS. THE SHIP ISN'T DONE SAILING YET.
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