A/N: The artist I was originally inspired by drew another picture on this, and so I was inspired AGAIN! haha. If you'd like to see it: [Here]

"You're distracting me," Bubblegum had told her. Finals were stressful, there were papers to write, tests to study for; it was all so overwhelming. Late night adventures and tender kisses, while so very, very desirable, didn't get her the grades she needed. Marceline was only in school because her father had insisted, and she only did enough to get by. Her music was more of a priority. As a singer and songwriter, she didn't feel the same pressure Bubblegum did to succeed in college.

Either way, Bubblegum hadn't meant to say it so insensitively, but that's how it came out and Marceline had only smiled. She seemed a bit pleased with herself. Bubblegum found it... irritating. But after that moment, she hadn't seen Marceline. It had been two weeks and now, as she passed in her second to last final to her teacher, she felt the weight of all those days drag her heart down to her feet. Had she been too callous? Marceline usually played it so cool, so confident, that Bubblegum had a tendency to forget that the woman had a heart that could be wounded. They'd only been seeing each other casually for a few months now. Bubblegum wondered if Marceline would even bother coming back.

As she walked towards the parking lot, her heart skipped a beat. In the spot where their first real conversation had started, with that question about ogling, Marceline lounged comfortably against her red motorcycle. Her eyes were closed and her face was tilted just a bit toward the sky, as if she were soaking in the sun. Bubblegum could feel the rhythm of her heart pick up. At the sound of Bubblegum's approach, heels hitting pavement, Marceline dropped her chin and their gazes locked. Bubblegum was gifted with the confident smile she found so appealing. Marceline said, "Yo," as if she hadn't been absent for two weeks... As if she hadn't been the reason Bubblegum had trouble sleeping... As if she hadn't been missing those late night adventures and tender kisses...

Unable to convey these thoughts, Bubblegum only returned her greeting with a simple, "Hey."

Marceline stood from her bike and made to pass a helmet to Bubblegum. "Are you finished?" She asked.

"No," was Bubblegum's reply as she took the helmet, "I have one more final tomorrow."

Marceline nodded and reached for her own helmet. "I'll take you home then," she said nonchalantly as she pulled it over her head.

The ride home was comfortable, but frustrating for Bubblegum. She was almost content just to hold Marceline from behind. All seemed right again, but she knew that when she got home they would have to part. And why was Marceline seemingly unaffected by not seeing her for two weeks? They'd only been casually going out for a few months but… did she really not care as much as Bubblegum did? Despite the turmoil inside, she allowed herself to enjoy the feel of her cheek against Marceline's shoulder, the press of her chest against Marceline's back, the feel of her arms wrapped tight around Marceline's waist. It would be over soon, sure, so she was certain to revel while it lasted.

As they pulled up along the side of Bubblegum's house, Marceline killed the engine. Bubblegum climbed off the bike and handed over the spare helmet. She gave her thanks, hovering somewhat as she waited for… what? When Marceline only nodded, she turned to walk away, feeling a little emptier, feeling a lot colder without Marceline's warmth.

A clatter against the sidewalk startled her, but before she could look, she was grabbed by her wrist and spun around. Marceline's eyes burned into hers and she noted that Marceline's helmet was spinning to a wobbly halt on the ground. How did she get off the bike so quickly, so soundlessly?

Bubblegum was pulled into an embrace, squeezed tight, pressed into Marceline's jacket; the scent mixture of Marceline's shampoo and the leather jacket was soothing, almost intoxicating. Bubblegum was losing strength in her knees.

"I'm sorry," Marceline breathed into her neck. She could feel the scrape of Marceline's teeth against her skin as she spoke; it made an unfamiliar heat bloom within her. "I tried to stay away until you were done, but-" she paused, inhaling deeply, and finished, "I wanted to see you."

Bubblegum laughed her relief into the jacket and fisted her hands into the leather at Marceline's back, squeezing tight in return. "I thought you weren't coming back," she mumbled into her shoulder, so very pleased.

Marceline twisted unexpectedly, pinning Bubblegum against the side of the motorcycle. Bubblegum's heart leaped. Gazes meeting, Marceline leaned her head towards Bubblegum just a little, just enough to make Bubblegum's breath catch in anticipation. Her hands pressed into the small of Bubblegum's back, as if she were trying to bring Bubblegum closer than she already was. "How could I not?" she said so softy, so intimately, it was practically a husked whisper.

Overcome with sudden happiness, Bubblegum threw her arms around Marceline's neck and crushed their mouths together. She was glad to have the support of the motorcycle behind her because Marceline's kiss felt like it drained the strength from her body. They were both winded, happy mumbles and shy smiles when they finally parted.

Marceline stood straight, taking her weight off Bubblegum and stepped back. She looked just as breathless and giddy as Bubblegum felt. Marceline glanced away, shy, and rubbed a thumb over the corner of her own mouth; a grin was blooming that showed one of the canines Bubblegum was so oddly fond of. "I should let you get to it, huh?" she said, still too self-conscious to meet Bubblegum's eyes. Their fingers entwined, disagreeing with Marceline's suggestion. Bubblegum was pleased to see this side of Marceline, the usually calm, confident façade cracked.

Bubblegum made a spontaneous decision then, and, while still holding Marceline's hand, she picked up the forgotten helmet. "Mm, no," she said, hiding her own shy smile as she tugged Marceline away from the bike.

Bubblegum enjoyed the red heat creeping into Marceline's face as, for the first time, Bubblegum invited her inside.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed! Just so you know, she passed her final. 100%. It helps to relieve stress before those things, y'know? Ohohoho. :3

They had coffee and snuggles along with their idle chat. What were you thinking!?

;D