The dark morning light graced the horizon and dimmed the light of the stars. It was growing warmer and the chill inside of Gumball's lungs was thawing. He tapped his pen against his notebook, chewing his lip. This poem was going nowhere.
Neither was his paperwork.
Or his sleep schedule.
He threw his notebook down and turned to stare over the landscape, crossing his arms over the railing and resting his chin on them. He hadn't seen Marshall in three days. And yet he was still left in disarray.
"Forgive me for intruding, your majesty," Peppermint Maid whispered. "But it is time for you to do the monthly rounds." Gumball sighed and stood from the ground.
"Okay, let's get on with it."
Marshall hovered just outside the candy kingdom. What if Gumball didn't want to see him? He ripped his hands through his hair as he paced by the gate. He had done this same thing for two nights now.
"Are you okay, young one?" An old candy with a walking cane questioned as she walked by.
"Young?" Marshall snorted. "I'm a thousand years old!" The candy just smiled and shook her head.
"You didn't answer my question." Marshall sighed and plopped down onto one of the benches lining the street. The candy sat next to him, resting most of her weight against her cane.
" Tell Grandma Taffy what's on your mind." Marshall inhaled deeply and looked towards the stars. What could it hurt?
"I'm on my way to visit with a friend. But I'm not sure if he'll want me to be there. Things have been awkward between us lately." Grandma Taffy tapped her cane against the ground and smacked her very old, dry lips.
"Is he just a friend?" Marshall sighed, rubbing his arms against the nerves and chill.
"I may be in love with him." Marshall refused to make eye contact with her. "But he doesn't know that."
"You haven't told him? Why not?" She dug in her purse and started munching on some tiny snacks.
"Because I-" Marshall stopped. Why hadn't he told him?
"Be honest with yourself, dear."
"Because he's so..." Marshall took a moment to breathe. "Because he's a good person and I'm not."
"Hmm. Would you say you two are close?" Marshall gave a little half laugh and a false smile.
"I guess. We've been friends for a long time." Grandma Taffy smiled.
"You know, when I first met my wife, we were enemies. We both owned barbershops and we were always trying to steal each other's customers. A little competition never hurt anyone. I couldn't have loved her if I believed her to be a bad person. Though at the beginning that's what I thought. She used free lemonade and cupcakes to win customers over. Talk about a dirty trick"
"Was she? A bad person?" Grandma Taffy gave a little laugh.
"Goodness, no. A little too competitive and stubborn, but not bad. My husband thinks that she was a bit of a whirlwind. But, toots if I don't miss that whirlwind." Grandma Taffy fell silent for a moment. Marshall sighed. Maybe he should tell Gumball. What's the worst that can happen?
"You can't be a bad person if you're willing to listen to this old lady ramble on." Marshall gave her a small smile. "You only have so much time. Why waste it worrying?"
"Thank you. I think I will tell him." He stood up and waved goodbye to the candy.
When Marshall finally landed on Gumball's balcony, he was greeted with an unusual sight. Gumball was using his arms as a pillow, his feet curled under him, and he was fast asleep. Marshall pushed some papers aside and sat next to him, gently moving him onto his shoulder so his neck wasn't at such an extreme angle. He didn't dare wake him; who knew how much sleep he had gotten lately?
YOU ARE READING
From Dusk Til Dawn
Fanfiction*I have also posted this on archive so if you find it there, don't worry that was also me* Gumball stared into the night, trying to find some kind of moving shadow, and hoping the one he found would be the one he was looking for. It had been three n...
