Love Bites!

Experiments

     One thing that Gumball hadn't expect was how hard Marshall took it when he'd said he wanted to be courted. In the past, many years ago, they'd been a thing. In hindsight this was most likely the reason they'd gotten so close again so quickly. Gumball had become more infatuated with his kingdom, trying and failing a handful of times at taking care if it, and soon they'd lost touch. It hurt them both but they were young and in a way neither of them was really ready for commitment.
Now Marshall wanted something more than a couple of stolen kisses. He wouldn't admit it but he was, in an odd way, almost grateful to Gumball's horrid fighting skills for bringing them closer together again.
     Gumball stood in his lab twisting his slender fingers through his plush pink locks of hair. He'd tried to ignore Marshall for the last couple of minutes but his mind kept running back to their conversation a few days prior. Suddenly he felt a chilled finger run down the shell of his ear. Goosebumps littered his blush pink skin as he snapped his head in the direction the touch had come from.
   "Marshall, you've occupied most of my time. I'd actually prefer to get some work done today"
    The vampire leaned in for a kiss, trying to catch him off guard but Gumball pressed his palm to the others lips and push him back. Marshall floated away before his thin lips formed into a fake pout.
   "Let's go out tonight. LSP is having a total rave in the woods and I think you need to loosen up. Come watch me play"
   Gumball rolled his eyes in response. He turned back to his work and thumbed through his notes. "Marshall" His voice came out strained, though soft as not to make it seem like his vampiric king was bothering him. He was, but in a way Gumball liked it. "I wanted to finish what we were working on before. Your mother distracted us enough. As I said you can leave if you are bored just don't terrorize my subjects"
    "So no party" Marshall huffed as he made his way to Gumball's side again.
    "No Marshall, no party's in the woods"
    "Okay. Let's make a deal, we finish the serum but when we get done you're all mine. The lab coats cute an all but I want to see you.. ya know.. out of it" Marshall's eyes widened when he realized how that sounded. Gumball's already pink cheeks bloomed a candy crimson and he stuttered a bit with his reply.
"W-well.. that depends. What did you want to do Mr. Abadeer?" He barely got the words out. Marshall rubbed the back of his head awkwardly and shrugged.
"You know.. stuff.." he cleared his throat before continuing "I'll be able to do more in the sun you know. It'll be easier for us to.. ya know.. go out"
"Oh? You're really taking this courtship seriously"
"I want this to be serious this time Gummy. I'm tired of this on again off again. It's been what? 700? 800 years?" Gumball hasn't expected this type of reaction. He hadn't realized it, but this meant a lot more to Marshall then it had in the past. He never fought for things. He was never grown about it. He always threw fits and acted out. This time was different. There was no more extensive pranks or bothersome antics. Marshall was serious and it took a lot to make Marshall Lee the Vampire King serious.
"This is dirt balls man. I hate getting this goobery about stuff but you just.. make me say it. And think it". This slight irate reaction pulled the prince from his thoughts.
"I'll except your bet" Gumball sighed. Marshall stilled for a moment before crossing his arms.
"Don't worry Gummy I totally wont milk the math out of this. I'm definitely not going to drag you around every single corner of Aaa" The prince rolled his eyes and turned back to clicking his pen and sorting out microscope slides.
"Oh I can't wait, it'll be a joy to spend time with you as it always is Marshall"
The vampire caught the sarcasm and smirked. His perfect little prince never spoke like that. He enjoyed how comfortable Gumball had become in his presence.
"I'm sorry~ I just wanted to experience the sun with you. You are the most important person to me after all" Gumball almost choked on his saliva. His purplish blue orbs widening as his hands stilled in place. "What's wrong sugarplum?"
"Oh y-you! You're doing that on purpose! Let me work you goblin!" He tossed an eraser and it wizzed passed Marshall's head, causing the vampire to chuckle at the attempt.

—

Marshall expected his prince to finish the serum rather quickly, but in truth it took the better part of a week. He'd mentioned something about restarting and recollecting the different samples he'd taken. Marshall failed to listen to the rest. It was science talk and there was nothing fun about that. He was only worried about the end results.
When it came time Marshall found himself almost dejected to know he would be loosing a vital part of what made him a vampire. Nothing exactly critical but only being allowed out at night was his thing. It was almost a personality trait. Gumball was understanding and in the end Marshall took it.
The liquid tasted pretty much like a expired cough drop, with the same feeling menthol feeling. Tingling started on his skin before it began to burn. A worried look furrowed Gumball's brows and he gripped his clipboard firmly. Before Gumball could ask how it felt Marshall's skin began to fade from lifeless blue tinted to a olive touched white with an almost yellow undertone. It was slightly darker then Fiona's but not by much.
"How do you feel?" Gumball spoke softly, his voice laced with concern.
"The.. burning is going away. Oh glob I hope this did more then just change my skin color" They both let out nervous laughs before Gumball glanced toward the curtains.
"If my hypothesis is correct, it should have worked. But.."
"Yeah yeah I know there's only one way to check. Go ahead"
With shaky hands the prince walked to the window. He gripped the crimped red lining around one side of the curtain before shooting another anxious toward the vampire.
"On the count of three?" Marshall's crimson gaze met Gumball's, his eyes soft and reassuring.
"Okay together" he uttered gently.
"One" they spoke in unison.
"Two"
"Three!"