The Alchemy of Hearts

by beabadeer (orphan_account)

Summary:

A traveling potion merchant arrives in Ooo selling "Heart Elixirs"—a potion to reveal one's true feelings. Princess Bubblegum is skeptical about this and Marceline is an impulsive buyer.

Notes:

First bubbline fanfic of 2025?

Chapter 1: All Hail the Heart Elixir

The sun dipped lower on to the horizon, casting long shadows across the streets of the Candy Kingdom. Something unusual shifted in the air that Princess Bubblegum couldn't really put her finger on. The odd stillness was a feeling she couldn't quite shake, even as she adjusted the glass beakers on her lab table. For the pass few days, a curious rumor had been spreading around Ooo of a traveling merchant. The merchant had appeared and claimed to sell "Heart Elixirs"—potions that could reveal the deepest truths of the heart.

Bonnibel carefully pipetted the liquid into one of the beakers, her mind occupied by her latest experiment. For a moment, the potion crossed her mind and she scoffed. "A potion revealing someone's emotions? Ridiculous," she muttered to herself, shaking her head. She had no patience for any of that pseudoscience blabber, especially when involved with dubious claims. "There's no way that would work in any meaningful way. Emotions aren't something you just bottle up and sell."

Beside her, Marceline stood by the lab window, gazing out with a hint of boredom in her posture. "PB, you're being cynical again," she teased, her voice light and playful. "Maybe the ol' cynic is just afraid of being proven wrong."

Bubblegum shot her a quick look over the rim of her glasses. "I'm not afraid, simply just pragmatic," she replied calmly but firmly. "I've seen and dealt with a lot of phony magic in my life to know that most of it is just a waste of time."

Marceline raised an eyebrow, "Okay, well, I'm not so sure. Maybe I'll check it out. Who knows? It could be fun, and I've been curious 'bout it."

With a slightly exasperated sigh, Bubblegum knew there was no point in trying to change Marceline's mind. "Just don't do anything ridiculous, Marcy. That's all I ask."

Marceline smirked, pushing off from the window. "Relax Bon, it's probably all a scam anyways. But if it's even half as weird as you think it is, I'll at least have a good laugh." she snickered whilst floating over to the door. 

Bubblegum watched her leave, shaking her head in mild disbelief. She could never understand how Marceline could find amusement in such unpredictable situations. But even as she returned to work, Bubblegum felt a faint flutter of unease—something told her that this merchant, this strange stranger, would not be a simple footnote in the history of Ooo.

---

Outside, the potion merchant's stall was nothing short of bizarre. A cluttered array of colorful vial and glass bottles, each containing liquids that swirled with strange, luminous hues, filled the rickety wooden table. The sign above read in big, bold letters: "Heart Elixirs—Unlock the Truth of Your Soul." The merchant himself stood behind the table, dressed in a tattered cloak. His eyes glimmered with an unsettling manner, and a knowing smile tugged at his lips.

"Step right up, friends! Discover the true depths of your heart with a simple drop of my elixir!" he called out, his voice smooth as velvet. "Do you long for the truth of your feelings? Let me guide you." He motioned a hand holding a vial filled with liquid, tinted in a pinkish hue. Marceline approached with skepticism and intrigue.

"I've got to hand it to you, man, you've got some bold marketing. Sooo... tell me, what exactly are you selling?"

The merchant's eyes gleamed with quiet certainty as he gestured to the potions with a free hand laid out before him. "Ah, but that's the real question, isn't it? I offer nothing more than the truth—free of disguise, free of pretense. Each of these elixirs will reveal your deepest feelings, your heart's truest desires. Just a singular sip, and you will see what you've been too afraid to confront."

Marceline furrowed her eyebrows. "Sounds like something you'd read about in one of those old fairy tales. All magic, no substance."

The merchant chuckled, his smile uncomfortably widening. "But isn't that what everyone is really searching for? To know themselves, to know the trust, without the filters of doubt or fear? Don't you want that?"

Marceline hesitated. It was too easy to dismiss it, yet something about the merchant's quiet confidence intrigued her. Maybe he was a fraud, or maybe, just maybe, there was a spark of truth in his words. Her curiousity got the best of her, and before she could stop herself, she fished out a few coins and handed them over. Without a word, the merchant produced another small vial filled a deep red liquid that shot up with a glowing hue—its colors slightly shifting like an aurora. "One sip," he said, handing it over. "That's all it takes."

She eyed the vial, a strange weight settling in her chest. It was ridiculous. She tilted the vial to her lips with reluctance, and drank the entirety of contents in one swift motion.

The instant the liquid touched her tongue, a wave of warmth coursed through her body, with and intensity that made her feel woozy. Her thoughts grew sharp, clear, and suddenly, her emotions seemed to pulse with an unbearable clarity. Her mind was flooded with images—thoughts of Bubblegum, feelings that had been buried for so long, memories that came rushing back with vivid force. The intensity of it all was overwhelming.

"What the—" she murmured aloud, her heart pounding in her chest. Before she could process was was happening, her mouth betrayed her.

"I've always loved her," she blurted out, her voice sounding foreign to her own ears. "Bonnie, I mean. I've always loved her. I've never known how to say it, never been able to show it... but I truly love her. And it's driving me crazy because I've been so scared. What if she doesn't feel the same? What if I'm just..."

Her voiced trailed off, leaving her standing there in deep shock, barely able to comprehend the flood of truth that had just escaped her lips. She felt a blush that crept up to her face as she realized the full weight of what she had just admitted, her heart racing in an unfamiliar way. She looked at the merchant, but he only watched her with an odd smile.

"Sometimes, the truth is difficult to face, but it always finds a way to the surface," his tone, unsettlingly, soft. "I need to go," Marceline muttered, her voice thick with disbelief. She turned on her heel and hurried back to the lab, hoping she could somehow erase the words that had spilled out.

---

Back in Bubblegum's lab, the princess was focused on her work, not noticing the door swing open. Marceline's entrance was anything but graceful, and Bubblegum glanced up just in time to catch the vampire's uneasy expression. "Hey Bonnie..." Marceline laughed awkwardly.

"What's going on, Marcy?" Bubblegum asked, her tone casual but tinged with concern. "You look... ghostly. Not like in a 'your pale' way, because you are, but like you've just seen a ghost."

Marceline's eyes flicked to Bonnibel and her breath caught in her throat. The words she had unleashed felt like they were still hanging in the air, a storm of emotion she couldn't take back. Her mouth opened to speak, but before she could stop herself, the words tumbled out, raw and unguarded.

"I love you, Peebs," she blurted. "I've always loved you. I've been hiding it for so long, but it's like I can't anymore. I want to kiss you, hold you, and just... be with you, always. But I'm terrified, Bon. I don't know if you'll ever see me the way I see you."

Marceline froze, her ears flattening to the sides of her head. The flood of emotion and truth, now out and about, left her feeling exposed in a way she had never had before. She stood in silence, her face flushed with embarrassment as she met Bonnibel's stunned gaze.

Bubblegum blinked, her heart skipping a beat. This wasn't what she'd expected, not in decades of her lifetime. For a moment, time seemed to stretch as she processed the words that had just tumbled from Marceline's lips.

"Marceline, I—" Bonnibel began, but the words stuck in her throat. What the dip was she supposed to say?

Marceline’s words hung in the air, as if they’d decided to take up permanent residence in the room. She stood there, frozen, her heart pounding so loudly she was convinced Bubblegum could hear it. She wasn’t sure whether to look at her or run screaming in the opposite direction.

The silence between them was awkward, the kind of silence where you could almost hear a tumbleweed roll past. Finally, Marceline couldn’t stand it anymore. “Look, I—” she started, then immediately regretted it. The words were tumbling out faster than she could catch them. “I didn’t mean to just drop that bomb on you, I swear. I mean, I’m not a fan of doing the whole ‘confession of love’ thing, okay? It’s awkward. I didn’t even know I was going to say it! The potion made me do it!” She threw up her hands in exasperation. “I’m blaming the potion for this. It’s all the potion’s fault.”

Bubblegum blinked, her brow furrowed. “Potion? What potion?”

“The one that made me spill my feelings all over the floor like a toddler with a juice box,” Marceline muttered, clearly not as eloquent as she hoped.

“You mean the Heart Elixir?” Bubblegum asked, now eyeing her curiously. “I thought those were just… well, you know, kind of a joke.”

“Well, it wasn’t a joke for me,” Marceline groaned, running a hand through her hair. “I didn’t mean to say it. I’ve been hiding it for, like, a hundred years, and now it’s out there, and I can’t take it back. Great.”

Bubblegum crossed her arms, still processing. “So… you’re saying you’ve been secretly still in love with me? This whole time? And now you’re just telling me because of some stupid potion?”

Marceline let out a nervous laugh. “Yeah. Shocking, right? Who would’ve thought? The cool vampire with the heart of a stone… secretly a romantic sap who’s been carrying a torch for you like an idiot.”

Bubblegum’s lips twitched. “You’re definitely not an idiot. You just… have terrible timing.”

“Tell me about it,” Marceline sighed. “Anyway, I’ve always cared about you more than I’ve let on. But I figured if I said anything, it’d just make things awkward between us. So I kept pretending like I was fine with just being friends, when actually I was lying to myself the whole time. And, well, this stupid potion,” she chuckled bitterly, “it made me say it, and I couldn’t stop it. All these years of pretending I wasn’t in love with you, trying to brush it off, trying to convince myself I didn’t care… but I do. I care about you more than I can say, and I think… I think I always have.”

She paused, her breath shaky, watching Bubblegum’s face closely for any sign of what she was thinking. “I never knew how to tell you, or if I should, or if it would even matter. I didn’t want to ruin our friendship, you know? But there’s only so long I can keep pretending it’s nothing. The potion… I guess it just brought everything to the surface, and now I can’t take it back.”

Suddenly, Marceline felt it again—something sharp, something bubbling up in her chest like a pressure cooker threatening to explode. She gasped. “Oh no. Not again…” she groaned under her breath.

Her voice broke free, the elixir’s magic seizing control of her tongue once more. “You know, PB, there are moments when I really just want to drag you into my arms and kiss you, but then I chicken out, because I’m too scared of ruining everything and making things weird. But what if I don’t? What if I just wait and never tell you and then we’re both stuck in this weird purgatory of unspoken feelings, just like in all those cheesy romantic movies?” She blinked, realizing what she’d just said.

Bonnibel's eyes went wide, her face a mix of shock and amusement. “Okay, wow. Well, that was certainly… blunt,” she said, raising an eyebrow.

Marceline’s cheeks went bright red. “I swear, I didn’t mean to—this elixir thing is messing with my head! It’s like my brain turns into mush but my mouth chucks out my business.” She threw her hands up in the air dramatically. “Just great.”

Bubblegum bit her lip, stifling a laugh, but her expression softened. “Marcy, I—this is a lot to process, but you’re seriously making this harder for both of us with the whole ‘telling me everything’ thing. I’m just trying to keep up here.”

“I know, I know!” Marceline said, rubbing her temples. “It’s like my feelings are on fire, and I can’t put them out. If you were in my shoes, you’d probably be running for the hills too.”

Bubblegum raised an eyebrow, amusement still dancing in her eyes. “You don’t really make this easy for anyone, do you?”

Marceline gave a half-smile. “Easy? PB, if I wanted easy, I would’ve kept pretending I didn’t feel anything. But then I’d be stuck in a nightmare where I didn’t even know who I was anymore.”

Bonnibel's smile faltered, and she took a slow step toward Marceline, her gaze thoughtful. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but… I’m not just going to run away from this, Marcy. I promise.”

Marceline’s breath caught. For the first time in a long while, she didn’t feel like everything was falling apart. Instead, there was this strange sense of hope blooming in her chest.

And then, of course, the elixir had to make another dramatic appearance.

“Oh, and by the way,” Marceline blurted out, “I kind of really, really like the way your hair looks when you’ve been working in the lab all day. You look super cute when you’re all focused and serious, and I always kind of wondered what it would be like to just mess it up a little bit… maybe with my hands, you know, just to see how you’d react. But I swear, I’m not… I’m not a stalker or anything, it’s just—”

Bubblegum pinched the bridge of her nose, her face red. “Marceline, we need to work on your impulse control.”

Marceline flashed her a toothy grin, her cheeks still blazing. “I blame the potion,” she said again, as though that explained everything.

Bonnibel shook her head, a laugh escaping her lips. “You’re lucky I’ve known you for as long as I have, or I’d think you’d completely lost it.”

Marceline’s face flushed deep red as she realized just how much she’d spilled out. Her brain was still trying to catch up with her mouth, and all she could do was stare at Bubblegum, feeling like the world’s biggest idiot.

“Oh, man,” she muttered to herself, pacing back and forth, her thoughts running wild. “What if I actually do lose it? What if I’ve already lost it? What if I just keep saying all the wrong things? What if—?”

“Marceline,” Bubblegum said, her voice calm but with a hint of concern, “I think you’re overthinking this. You’ve already said it, and—”

But Marceline wasn’t listening. The panic was taking over, and she could feel her anxiety bubbling up like an uncontrollable force. She stopped in her tracks, eyes wide. “What if I just—lose it? Like, really lose it, you know?” She ran her hands through her hair in a frantic mess. “I’ve always been in control! But now—now I can’t even stop talking about my feelings, and the potion’s making it worse, and—”

Suddenly, her pupils dilated. “Oh no. Oh no, no, no. What if I completely lose it and—”

Before Bonnibel could stop her, Marceline’s panic escalated. In the blink of an eye, Marceline was no longer standing there in her human form, but flitting through the air as a small, frantic bat.

Bubblegum blinked, taken completely off guard. “Wait—what?! Marceline?!”

But it was too late. Marceline, in a burst of panic, flew right to the nearest corner of the room and—without any further explanation—crawled her tiny bat wings into a tiny, dark space under a bookshelf. She made herself as small as possible, her little bat body shuddering with embarrassment. “Marceline! Seriously? You’re hiding in a corner? What are you—five?”

“I’m not five!” came the muffled, annoyed reply. “I’m just… I’m just too embarrassed! You don’t understand! I said way too much and now my emotions are out of control and I’m…”

“A bat?” Bubblegum offered with a grin.

Marceline shuffled out her head from her hiding spot. “And I’m not coming out until I’ve thought of a better way to apologize for… all this.”

Bonnibel giggled, kneeling down and peeked under the bookshelf. “Okay, okay, I’ll admit it, this is kind of adorable. But come on, Marcy. You don’t need to hide. I’m not mad at you. I don’t think you’ve lost it or anything.”

Marceline sighed dramatically from the shadows and slumped down. “That’s easy for you to say. You’re not the one who just blurted out all their deepest secrets like some kind of emotional wreck.”

“I think you’re just being a little too hard on yourself,” Bubblegum said softly. Marceline peeked one little bat eye out from the corner, her ear flicking. “So, you’re not… totally horrified by me right now?”

“No, I’m not horrified.” Bubblegum smiled warmly. “But you are being ridiculous. You can’t just turn into a bat and hide every time something gets tough.”

“Well, I can’t exactly turn into a puppy, can I?” Marceline quipped, her voice still muffled.

“You could always try,” Bubblegum teased.

Marceline’s bat form wobbled slightly, as though embarrassed. “I mean, I guess I could stay in here forever…”

Bubblegum sighed dramatically, still grinning. “Come on, you. Out of there. I promise, nothing’s going to get worse. You can’t just live in this little corner of shame forever. We’re friends, remember?”

Marceline hesitated for a moment, before letting out a tiny, resigned sigh. “Ugh, fine,” she grumbled, flapping her wings and crawling out from her little space. As she dusted herself off and finally faced her. She slowly turned back into her vampiric form and pursed her lips

Bubblegum raised an eyebrow, still amused. “I still can't believe that potion worked.”

Marceline shrugged, still embarrassed but relieved. “Well, you never know—also sometimes I wish that I could cuddle you all the time—" She slammed a hand over mouth and shied away onto Bonnibel's lab chair, stuffing her face into the cushion. Bonnibel sighed, "We really need to find a cure, stat."

She placed her hand onto the vampire's shoulder, "Just show me where the merchant is, I need a word with him."

"M'kay..."

Chapter 2: Sorcery

“Bonnie?” the vampire says. Bonnibel hummed as she prepped her things into the brown satchel. “I think I’m inlov—“ Marceline slaps herself mid sentence, “Sorry. What I was trying to say is, what if the elixir includes some sort of magic sorcery?” she wiggled her fingers. 

Bonnibel sighs as she clicked her bag. “The elixir is clearly taking a toll on you, and all I want is to reverse the effects.”

They both walk towards the exit.

The Candy Kingdom gates creaked open as Bubblegum adjusted the strap of her satchel. Marceline floated beside her, her arms crossed.

“Bet he’d be thrilled that we’re not going to let this go.” Marceline broke the silence.

Bubblegum frowned. “We don’t have a choice. He’s the only one who knows enough about those elixirs to help reverse their effects. Besides, this is bigger than just us now. If those potions keep spreading…”

Marceline let out a low whistle. “Yeah, yeah. Total kingdom meltdown. I get it.”

Before Bubblegum could respond, Peppermint Butler came rushing toward them, his small hands clutching a pouch and a neatly folded piece of parchment.

“Princess! Wait!” he called out, panting as he came to a stop.

Bubblegum turned, her expression softening slightly. “Peppermint Butler? What is it? We need to leave now if we’re going to reach the merchant before he packs up for the night.”

Peppermint Butler held up the pouch first. “I thought you might need these, Princess. It’s a small kit—basic protective charms, just in case things go awry. And…” He hesitated, glancing nervously at Marceline. “…a grounding salve for emotions affected by magic. I thought it might help.”

Marceline’s eyebrows raised, her gaze flicking to Bubblegum. “You’ve got your assistants making potions now? Thought you were all about the science.”

Bubblegum huffed, grabbing the pouch. “It’s precautionary. I don’t believe in relying on magic, but given the circumstances, it can’t hurt to have a backup.” She glanced down at the parchment Peppermint Butler was holding. “What’s that?”

“It’s a record of everything we’ve observed about the elixirs so far,” Peppermint Butler said, handing it to her. “If the merchant tries to lie or dodge your questions, you might need leverage.”

Bubblegum nodded, tucking the parchment into her satchel. “Good thinking, Peppermint Butler.”

Peppermint Butler then turned his attention to Marceline, his expression serious. “And you… I can sense the elixir’s magic still growing. It’s volatile. Be careful, Marceline. It’s possible that—”

“I know,” Marceline cut him off, her voice low but firm. “It’s not like I can forget it’s there.”

Peppermint Butler hesitated before holding up a small charm—a polished stone on a string. “This is a stabilizing charm. If you start to feel… overwhelmed… wear it. It won’t fix things, but it might help you keep control.”

Marceline stared at the charm for a moment, then snatched it from his hand. “Thanks, Pep. I guess.” She stuffed it into her pocket, avoiding Bubblegum’s gaze.

The Princess cleared her throat, her voice brisk. “We need to go. The merchant won’t wait forever.”

Peppermint Butler gave a short bow. “Be safe, Princess. And you too, Marceline. Remember, you’re not dealing with an ordinary potion maker. This merchant knows what he’s doing.”

Marceline smirked, her fangs glinting. “Good. I like a challenge.”

As they turned to leave, the gates shut behind them. Bubblegum adjusted her satchel again, her expression thoughtful.

“Wasn’t expecting you to take that charm,” she said, glancing sideways at Marceline.

Marceline shrugged, her tone nonchalant. “What, you think I like going crazy in front of you? If it helps keep me from embarrassing myself again, I’ll take it.”

Bubblegum’s lips twitched into a faint smile, but she didn’t say anything. Marceline floated a little ahead, her form casting a long shadow on the dirt path as they moved toward the horizon.

Marceline and Bubblegum stood side by side, their gazes fixed on the marketplace with noise haggling, laughter, and creaking of swaying signs.

Bubblegum and Marceline had barely made it halfway to the merchant’s stall when they heard the unmistakable, high-pitched screech of Lumpy Space Princess echoing through the marketplace.

“Oh glob, not her,” Marceline muttered, stopping mid-air.

“Something’s definitely wrong,” Bubblegum said, quickening her pace toward the source of the commotion.

As they rounded a corner, they found LSP in the middle of the market square, a small, empty vial clutched in her lumpy hand. Her eyes were wide and starry, her expression somewhere between ecstatic and completely unhinged. She was waving her arms wildly, drawing a crowd of curious onlookers.

“BRAD!” LSP shrieked, her voice cracking as she twirled dramatically. “Oh my glob, I’ve always loved you! Why didn’t I see it before?!”

Marceline stifled a laugh, but her shoulders shook. “What did she get into this time?” Bonnibel groaned.

“BRAD! WHERE ARE YOU?” LSP continued, flinging herself toward a nearby fountain. She peered into the water as if expecting Brad to appear from the depths. “Don’t hide from me, you hunk of perfection!”

Bubblegum stepped forward cautiously. “LSP, did you drink one of the merchant’s potions?”

LSP whipped around, her voice lowering to a dramatic whisper. “Oh, hey, Peebs. What are you doing here? Wait—did you see Brad?!”

Bubblegum folded her arms. “LSP, focus. What happened?”

LSP groaned loudly, throwing her arms up. “Ugh, fine. I was just, like, walking through the market, minding my own business, when this super-hot guy with a hood was like, ‘Hey, wanna know who your true love is?’ And I was like, ‘Duh.’ Then he gave me this little bottle and said it would confirm it. So I drank it, and now I’m just… oh my glob, I’m so inlove with Brad!”

Marceline floated closer, grinning. “So, uh… what about Lemongrab?”

“Who?” LSP blinked, her face blank.

“Your boyfriend?” Bubblegum prompted.

LSP gasped so loudly it startled a passing Cinnamon Bun. “WHAT? I would never date that sour-faced creep! Brad is my everything now. He’s, like, the sun and the stars and—” She paused, squinting suspiciously. “Wait. Are you guys trying to steal him from me?”

Bubblegum sighed. “LSP, the potion is messing with your mind. We’re not trying to steal Brad. We’re trying to fix this.”

“Fix what?” LSP snapped. “There’s nothing to fix! I’m finally seeing the truth! Brad is my destiny, and nothing you say will change that!”

“This is amazing. Can we keep her like this?” Marceline chuckled.

Bubblegum shot her a look. “No.”

Before anyone could say another word, LSP dramatically flung herself onto the ground. “Brad! If you’re listening, I’ll wait for you forever! Or, like, at least until dinner time!”

Bubblegum knelt beside her, her voice softening. “LSP, we’re going to the merchant now. He might be able to reverse the potion. Just… stay calm, okay?”

LSP sat up, her eyes narrowing. “Calm? Peebs, how can I stay calm when my Brad-shaped soulmate could be anywhere?!” She suddenly lunged toward Marceline, grabbing her collar. “You’re a vampire! You can fly! Go find him!”

Marceline blinked, startled, before breaking into laughter. “Yeah, sure. I’ll get right on that.”

Bubblegum pulled LSP away, her patience wearing thin. “LSP, you’re coming with us. We’re sorting this out now.”

LSP groaned but stood up, dusting herself off dramatically. “Fine, but only because I don’t trust you guys not to mess it up. And if we find Brad, don’t even look at him. He’s mine.”

Bubblegum didn’t respond, simply dragging LSP along as they continued toward the merchant’s stall.

"Welp… Anyways! That's the guy," Marceline muttered, pointing towards the familiar stall draped in purple fabric. Bonnibel let go of LSP, her eyes narrowing. "Let's get this over with. And no outbursts, okay? We need information and a drop of the potion, not threats."

Marceline rolled her eyes but nodded. "Fine. No promises if he starts acting smug, though."

The merchant was getting ready to pack up and flee, though there were still multicolored liquids that cluttered some parts of the stall's floor. Bubblegum stepped forward, her voice sharp. "Are you the one selling these heart elixirs?"

The merchant flinched at the sudden interaction. He didn't look up at first, instead grabbed and swirled a bright red potion in his hand. "Ah, another seeker. Tell me, Princess, what truth does your heart crave to know?"

Bonnibel bristled. "I don't 'crave' anything. Your potions are causing chaos within my kingdom, and I need to know how to reverse their effects before things spiral any further." She motioned her hand to weirdly acting Lumpy Space Princess. "LSP is literally going bonkers for Brad—they broke up a long time ago! Not to mention, her and Lemongrab did have a… thing going on." Marceline crosses her arms.

The merchant's head tilted slightly. "The heart is unpredictable, Your Highness. My elixirs simply lay bare what is already within. Is that truly such a crime?"

Marceline stepped forward, her voice cold. "Stop dodging the question. What's in these potions? Why are they messing with people's heads?" her hand balls up into a fist. The merchant finally looked up, his expression unreadable. "Ah, you," he said, his tone laced with intrigue. "The elixir clings to you still. Tell me, has it brought clarity to your soul, or only confusion?"

Marceline's eyes flashed a deep green, her fingers twitching. He's right, she could definitely feel the weight of the elixir still lingering. She forced herself to steady her voice. "I'm not here to talk about me. Just tell us how to fix it."

The merchant's lips curled into a faint smile and softly chuckled. Before Bonnibel could protest, Marceline's form already began to shift. Her body stretched and contorted, shadows swirling around her as she transformed into her giant wolf form. The ground shook slightly as she landed on all fours, towering over Bubblegum. A large paw reached out towards the merchant, grabbing him by the cloak with a singular claw. Her tail lightly swayed and let out a low growl that, surprisingly, could be heard hundreds of miles away. Bubblegum lifted her head up and frowned. "You have been anything but helpful. Tell me what we need and your name."

With a light grip, Marceline held the merchant. The roughness of her paw pads made the merchant uncomfortably shift around, but without any luck he huffed. He turned his head  away, “Your Highness, I’m not that easy to pry into.” he smirked. “I ought to give you ideas and hints, not a full answer. Takes out the fun, hm?”

Marceline frowned, not getting a full answer left a bitter taste in her mouth. They’re not here for any mind games, and they’re certainly not here for fun. “Marcy, I think we should spare him.” a voice echoed from below.  She laid her eyes down on Bonnibel, “Why do you say?”

”Because, dummy, he has all the secrets that we need! Maybe we could dissect his brain.”

The merchant shot up, eyes widening. “Oh no you don’t.”

”Then what’s your name, mystery dude?” a faint voice from behind asked. “Jake?” Marceline questioned, she looked behind her and gave off her toothy grin. “Hey Finn and Jake,”

The human boy from below adjusted his hat. “Marcy, PB, what’s going on?”

”I’ll explain later, just get some information out of this guy!” Bubblegum shouted. “Okay man, you need to spill.”

”Ugh, okay. My name is Aldrin…” he grumbled. A stifle of laughter appeared and was quickly shushed, “Haha, very funny.” he rolled his eyes. Aldrin shimmies an arm out and points to the purple book lying on his stall’s desk. “That’s my book,” he laughs. “I just won’t translate it for you.”

The princess clapped and called the banana guards, Marceline handed the merchant to them and watched as they flee. A barely perceptible scream could be heard, but the sounds of the crowds drowned it out. “Sorry, got a little bit carried away. He was irking me.”

”Don’t sweat it, princess. I’m sure he’ll cave in soon enough.” Finn slid a hand onto the strap of his backpack.

Marceline shrunk back into her normal form and shrugged her shoulders. “I would’ve done the same. And hey—PB, I hope you know that you’ve helped me a ton. Thank you.”

Bonnibel blushed and nodded.

Notes:

Thank you for reading this chapter!

Chapter 3: Failed Charm

Notes:

Not sure what I cooked up here, probably something burnt

The vampire was unusually quiet, staring at the purple book Aldrin had mentioned. Her brow furrowed, lips pressed together in deep thought.

"You good?" Bonnibel asked gently. Marceline blinked and shook her head slightly, snapping out of her trance. "Yeah. Just thinking. That guy—Aldrin—he’s hiding something."

Bonnibel nodded in agreement. "Obviously. But we’ve got his book now. If we can translate it, we might be able to figure out how to reverse the potion’s effects." Marceline picked up the book and flipped through its worn, yellowed pages. The text inside was written in strange symbols and glyphs that shimmered faintly, like the letters themselves held magic. Her frown deepened. "This language… I’ve seen it before." Bonnibel tilted her head in curiosity. "You have? Where?"

Marceline hesitated before answering. "A long time ago. Back when I was still figuring out my powers. It’s old magic. Dark magic."

Bubblegum’s expression grew serious. "Then we need to tread carefully. If Aldrin’s using dark magic to make these elixirs, the consequences could be worse than we thought." Finn stepped closer, his curiosity evident. "Wait, what kind of magic are we talking about? Like, ‘turn-people-into-frogs’ magic? Or, like, ‘open-a-portal-to-another-dimension’ magic?"

Marceline smirked at him. "Probably a bit of both."

Jake chimed in. "So what’s the plan? We gonna crack that book open and figure out how to stop these potions, or what?"

Bubblegum sighed, rubbing her temples. "It’s not that easy. We need someone who can actually read this language."

Suddenly, Peppermint Butler’s voice piped up from behind them. "I might be able to help."

Everyone turned to see the small but loyal servant approaching. His expression was calm but serious as he stepped forward, hands clasped in front of him. "I’ve studied many ancient texts over the years. If you’ll allow me, I can try to translate the book."

Bonnibel’s eyes lit up with hope. "Peppermint Butler, that would be incredible. Thank you."

Peppermint Butler gave a short, respectful bow. "It’s my duty, Princess. But I must warn you—reading dark magic texts can be dangerous. Sometimes the magic reacts to the reader."

Marceline chuckled. "Sounds fun."

"Let’s avoid unnecessary risks, please." Bubblegum retorts. Peppermint Butler carefully took the book from Marceline’s hands and opened it to the first page. As he muttered an incantation, the symbols on the page shimmered, shifting and rearranging into readable text. Finn leaned over to get a better look. "Whoa. That’s some trippy stuff."

Peppermint Butler nodded, keeping his focus on the text. "Indeed. This book contains recipes for creating different elixirs, each more powerful than the last. But it also talks about something else…"

Bonnibel frowned. "What else?"

Peppermint Butler’s expression darkened. "A curse. It says that each potion comes with a price. The more someone uses the elixirs, the more they lose themselves to the magic. Eventually, they become something else entirely."

Marceline’s hands clenched into fists. "That explains why the potion’s still messing with me. It’s not just a potion—it’s a curse."

Bubblegum placed a hand on Marceline’s arm, her touch gentle. "We’ll figure this out. We’ll find a way to break the curse."

Peppermint Butler continued reading, his brow furrowing with concern. "There’s more. The curse can only be broken by the one who originally created the elixir."

Finn groaned. "Great. So we have to track down that Aldrin guy again?"

Bonnibel shook her head. "Not necessarily. There’s another way. It says here that the curse can be undone by a pure act of love."

Marceline raised an eyebrow. "A pure act of love? What does that even mean?"

Peppermint Butler closed the book and looked thoughtful. "It means that true, selfless love has the power to break dark magic. But it has to be genuine."

Marceline crossed her arms, clearly frustrated. "Well, that’s not exactly helpful. How are we supposed to pull that off?"

Finn scratched the back of his head, a sheepish grin on his face. "I mean… it can’t be that hard, right? People fall in love all the time. We just need to find someone willing to—"

Marceline shot him a glare, cutting him off. "It’s not that simple, Finn. We’re dealing with magic that... twists people’s minds and hearts. You can’t fake something like that." Peppermint Butler cleared his throat, drawing their attention back to him. "I’ll continue translating the book. But in the meantime, you two should prepare yourselves. Dark magic doesn’t give up its hold easily. There will be consequences." he points at both Bonnibel and Marceline.

---

The magic from the elixir pulsed through her veins like a storm she couldn't calm. Her usual demeanor felt stretched thin, and every sound, every scent seemed heightened to a maddening degree. She clenched her fists, her nails biting into her palms. "Get it together," she whispered to herself, her voice a growl.

But the curse wouldn’t let her be.

The air shimmered, and for a moment, the world around her twisted. Familiar faces flickered in and out of her vision—phantoms from her past, blurring into the present. Her father’s cold, distant gaze. Simon’s anguished eyes. And then... Bubblegum. Her heart clenched painfully at the sight of her. Bonnibel’s soft smile. The way her hair caught the light. The warmth in her voice when she said Marceline’s name. Marceline shook her head violently, trying to dispel the image. But it wouldn’t fade. The curse was latching onto her emotions, twisting them, amplifying her longing and fear.

"Marcy?" Bonnibel's voice cut through the haze like a beacon.

Marceline turned, startled to see Bubblegum standing there, concern etched across her face. She looked calm, steady—the exact opposite of what Marceline felt inside.

"You've been out here for a while," Bubblegum said softly. "Is something wrong?"

Marceline looked away, her jaw tight. "Bonnie, this curse—it’s not just some spell to break. It’s messing with everything I feel. It’s making me… see things I shouldn’t. Feel things I shouldn’t."

Bubblegum’s expression softened. "What do you mean?"

Marceline met her gaze, her eyes dark. "I mean, I've always had feelings for you, but I'm not sure if what the elixir is spurting out would be real. I didn't even think about you that way during the pre-elixir shenanigans. I feel like I seriously donked up for the both of us."

The words hung in the air between them, heavy with unspoken emotion.

Bubblegum took a step closer, her voice steady but tender. "Marcy… you think those feelings aren’t real?"

Marceline’s shoulders sagged, the weight of her inner turmoil pressing down on her. "I don’t know. I don’t know what’s real anymore." Bubblegum reached out, gently taking Marceline’s hand. Her touch was warm, grounding. "The curse didn’t create those feelings, Marcy. It’s only revealing what’s already there." Marceline looked down at their joined hands, her heart pounding in her chest. "But what if it’s just the magic talking?"

Bubblegum squeezed her hand gently. "Then we’ll figure that out, too. But right now? I believe in you."

Marceline’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears. For a moment, the curse’s grip loosened, the storm inside her quieting. The warmth of Bubblegum’s hand in hers was like an anchor, pulling her back to herself.

"I don’t deserve you," Marceline whispered.

Bonnibel smiled softly. "You deserve love, Marcy."

As they prepared to move forward, Marceline couldn’t shake a lingering thought. She remembered the reasons they had drifted apart before—the weight of royal duties pulling Bonnibel away, the crushing responsibility that came with her crown. It wasn’t just fate or circumstance; it was Bonnibel’s choices. Choices that put the kingdom first, always. Marceline’s heart twisted painfully. She had hoped, even after all this time, that maybe things could be different. That they could find a way to make it work. But staring at Bonnibel now, she saw the same fierce determination, the same unwavering dedication to duty. It hadn’t changed. It wouldn’t change.

And that realization hit her like a dagger to the heart.

Of course it hadn’t worked out. Bonnibel had responsibilities that would always come before them—before her. That was the truth Marceline had avoided for so long. She had clung to hope, thinking that maybe they could rewrite their story. But now, with the curse looming over them and the kingdom at stake, she saw things clearly.

Her hope, fragile and stubborn, began to crumble.

Marceline forced a smile, her voice steady despite the ache in her chest. "Yeah."

But deep down, she knew that some things were impossible to fix. And maybe, just maybe, this was one of them. She fiddled with the charm that Peppermint Butler had just given her prior. It definitely helped by a tad, but she's still confused with herself. 

A sudden wave of nausea hit her without warning. Her knees buckled, and she collapsed to the ground, clutching her stomach. The elixir’s curse was striking again, and the charm failed her.

"No… not now," she muttered through gritted teeth, her breath coming in ragged gasps.

Her vision blurred as memories surged through her mind—moments from the past, twisted and distorted. The sharp pain in her chest wasn’t from the curse—it was from the realization she had been avoiding.

"She left because she had to," Marceline whispered, her voice cracking. "It wasn’t about me… it was about duty."

The hope she hadn’t even realized she’d been holding onto crumbled. For a fleeting moment, she had believed they could fix everything, that they could go back to how things once were. But now, that illusion shattered.

Her body trembled as the curse tightened its grip, shadows writhing around her like living tendrils. The darkness whispered in her ear, feeding on her despair.

"You’ll never be enough," it hissed. "You were never meant to stay." Tears stung her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.

To Bonnibel's horror, those words crashed down of realization like a train wreck, "Marceline?!" her voice laced with concern as she hurried to her side. "What happened? Are you okay?"

Without hesitation, Bonnibel knelt beside her, wrapping an arm around Marceline’s shoulders. "I won’t let it take you,"

Marceline leaned into her touch, the warmth a stark contrast to the cold, creeping darkness within her. But deep down, a part of her couldn’t shake the doubt. Could love really be enough to break the curse? And if it was, did she still believe in that love after everything they had been through?

Notes:

Honestly, this isn't one of my finest works. I kind of liked this premise so I wanted to share it with you guys! There will definitely be more incoming chapters and I'll add more tags as I gradually go on, but I'm not sure if the schedule will be consistent as I do take college classes that would bombard my free time.

(i hate dual enrollment)