Disclaimer: I do not own Adventure Time.

A/N: And so the sequel begins. If you haven't read How to Kiss a Princess I don't think it's necessary to read before this one.

This has a bit more Finn in it. But he will not be a main character.

If there is anything anyone wants to see in particular just let me know and I'll try my best to fit it in (in this fic or a separate one).

So far this fic is planned to have 5 chapters (maybe more).

That's all for now. Enjoy ^_^

The night sky was an unnatural shade of burnt orange. No moon was visible, just the residue of light it produced from behind a heavy blanket of smog.

This had been the world Marceline was born into, a world already in ruin.

Her father had seen fit to abandon her in such a world.

That was not true entirely true.

He had left her in the care of one man, Simon Petrikov.

The reason?

Marceline did not need to ask. It was irrelevant to her. The only thing that mattered was that her father, the Lord of Evil, wasn't there.

He had not seen the creatures that had been born out of the mutagenic winter the Great War had created.

He didn't see the fight of a young girl to stay alive as she also tried to keep her companion from loosing himself.

He had not seen anything.

Chaos at that time was in abundance, a smorgasbord for him to feed off of. Perhaps he had thrown his daughter into such a world in hopes she too would learn to embrace the chaos, as he had.

She hadn't.

And it was Simon who had kept her safe from that life.

She owed him more than anyone could know, and that was why, "You don't have to be so mean to him every time. He's harmless."

"Marceline, he was in my bed, trying to lick me of all things."

Bubblegum was just getting ready for bed, when they began to discuss the day's events.

Marceline was relaxing in the air, content. She was happy to see the Princess had finally taken to wearing her shirt from so long ago.

"I've done both of those things and you never complained."

It was true, but, "That's different!" Bubblegum was growing more flustered. How did Marceline not understand what she had to go through with the Ice King's constant advances?

Yes, she knew of Marceline's past with the King. But that certainly did not make it okay for her to excuse his behavior.

"Look isn't there a gentler way you could let him down?" Bubblegum was not very good at 'letting people down easy'. She had unintentionally led her hero on for years before finally deciding enough was enough.

It had not been the first time or the last that she would mishandle an admirer.

"Let him down gently, how exactly?" She turned to face the Vampire with a huff.

Marceline felt herself growing impatient at the pink girl's sudden change in attitude, "How about the truth, that you're dating me?"

"Not again with this! I thought you said it didn't matter if I-."

There was no need to continue.

The spark had been lit.

"But that doesn't make it okay to date random suitors when asked!"

"I don't date!"

They fought often like this on various topics.

Luckily, Bubblegum lived in the highest tower and so no one had ever heard them. She was glad, for after their arguments they would always reconcile. Doing things most Princesses only dared whisper bout to one another behind closed doors.

And in the end, everything always seemed alright.

Their relationship had survived the return of Ash, a mysterious candy person explosion murder case, being attacked by wolves and so much more.

They had even gone their separate ways quite a few times, due to one thing or another.

Only to be pulled back into each others arms.

The only way Bubblegum could think to explain it, if she was ever asked. They were like two objects, tied together by elastic. The farther apart the two were pulled away from one another the harder they would snap back.

But one could not discount the damage that occurred when they collided.

They continued their argument, coming to an impasse.

This is how it always ended, with every little 'fault' being rehashed, but no conclusion to be had, "You know what, I'm done. Do what you want." Marceline floated past.

Bubblegum followed her, trying to get the last word in, "I will! Like I need your approval anyway."

The Queen had recently begun to doubt if their relationship was worth the emotional exhaustion. She had thought she could be patient, as the Princess began to understand her feelings.

But that was 2 years ago.

And with everything they had been though and done. Marceline wouldn't put it past the Princess to one day put her aside for good, as she had done to all of the others who tried to win her affection.

They both stood in the doorway that led out into the hallway.

The scene was familiar, one replay so many times before.

No, things could not go on like this.

Perhaps Marceline had made a mistake. The kind of mistake one had to make before they could really understand it, "Even if this would work itself out and we got back together, I hate always ending and starting things on your terms. And being the one to have to make up with you, you aren't always right."

Bubblegum did not speak. She was not mad at this accusation, knowing well where this was headed.

And part of her agreed or at the very least understood.

"So that's why I don't want to see you again." Marceline laughed a bit at the realization, "I can't even properly break up with you because, I suppose, we weren't even dating to begin with."

Was this serious? It had never been in the past. But something in the Vampire's eyes made the Princess realize it was.

Catching those eyes, Bubblegum's own turned away.

Red eyes held a pain that she knew she was fully responsible for.

In frustration, the Princess had wanted to see this girl fall victim to her venomous words, moments earlier. But now, when she actually saw the damage, she couldn't bare it.

You can't have your cake and eat it too, such a horrifyingly accurate phrase.

Marceline knew why Bubblegum's head had fallen. With a gentle hand she raised it to meet her own.

And like so many times before, they kissed. It was something so familiar and comforting.

A well trained dance, passionate but controlled.

The kiss was free of any bitterness they had just exchanged.

Marceline was first to pull away, but only slightly, watching serenely as blue eyes open.

Taking in everything she could.

They did not move.

Bubblegum spoke within the distance, a whisper. It was all that was needed. Her words notably less hostile, "A kiss is not a very good start 'not seeing each other'."

"It's a kiss goodbye."

Was it really?

Marceline turned away from her. In that moment something became clear to the Candy Kingdom's Princess.

It should have been clear long before.

This goodbye was different from all the other times.

Marceline might, truly, never return. A horrible knot formed in Bubblegum's chest as she watched the vampire float off.

Unbeknownst to them, a renowned human & dog duo had earlier rounded the corner. Only to fall back into the shadows, both trying to make sense of what they had seen.