Gumball's POV

I stare at Marshall lee. It had taken a while but we had finally made it to the castle. When we got here, Peppermint Maid and some of the other citizens had helped carry him to my room. I had already applied the cream and bandaged him up. I smooth back his hair from his face. I should call Fiona and tell her what happened. But...maybe it's best if she doesn't know. I lean back in my chair, sighing. This all feels so familiar. I still remember the first time something like this happened.

~~~

I skipped another rock across the lake. It was a bright sunny day. I sigh. Peppermint Maid had yelled at me for not deciding on a fiancé. The truth was. I hadn't found myself attracted to any of the women that had shown up. They were pretty and al very nice but...I didn't like them. I stand up and begin to walk along the rivers bank. My shoes are becoming slightly muddy but I don't really care. The forest is right next to the lake that runs through Candy Kingdom. I look at the forest and notice a piece of flannel stuck on a bush. I pry it off and inspect it. Where did this come from? I climb over the bush and look around. I notice someone's leg from behind a tree. I creep over and peer behind the tree. I gasp. It's a teenage boy with burns on his arms, neck, and face. I lean over him. He's unconscious. I pull him up but he can't stand. I place my arm under his legs and my other arm on his back. His head lolls to the side and that's when I notice bite marks on his neck. Not just any bite marks. Vampire's. I look at his face. It's then that I realize how pale he is and that he does, in fact, have fangs. I gulp. Vampire or not I wasn't leaving him.

I pick him up. I know a way to the castle through the forest and begin to walk, slowly and carefully. I look down at the teen. His dark, black hair falls over his face. He really is quite attractive.

~~~

I snap out of the flashback, blushing. When I had first found Marshall I had found him rather...attractive. I rub my face. No. Not again. I am not putting myself through those feelings ever again.

"Gumball?"

I look up. Marshall is awake. I bolt up and quickly come to his side.

"Are you okay? Does it hurt?", I ask, panicked.

Marshall smiles. A genuine one, not a weak one or a smug one.

"Heh. This gives me serious deja vu.", he says, rubbing the bandaged side of his face.

"Heh. Yeah...we can take the bandages off in a couple minutes. By then your burns should be fully healed.", I tell him.

"Cool. Hey Gumball. Got anything red here? I'm starving.", Marshall lee says.

"Uh...", I look around and spot a red marker laying on the floor.

I pick it up.

"I can you get something better later.", I say, handing him the marker.

He uncaps it and sucks the red from the marker. Once all color is drained of it he throws it aside.

"It'll do for now.", he says.

"I can take the bandages off now.", I inform him.

He doesn't answer but he puts his arm out for me to un-bandage. I begin to unravel it and i'm glad to see that the burns are completely gone. I have to hold on to Marshall's arm in order to get all the wrapping off. His skin is silky smooth and slightly cold. I blush. No Gumball. Not again. I set his arm down once I'm done and he hands me the other one. I glance at Marshalls face and I'm surprised to see that he is also blushing. I look away, hoping he didn't notice my staring. I unravel the other bandage but as I'm setting his arm down he grabs my hand. I blush but I don't move my hand. Our fingers intertwine and he runs his thumb over the back of my hand. I smile. When we first met...No! I slowly slip my hand out of his, avoiding eye contact. I can't let this happen again. It would just mean trouble for both of us. Marshall lee sits up and I'm now forced to look at his face. I have to in order to undo the bandages. I slip my hand behind his head, searching for the loose end of the bandage. I find it and pull up. Sure enough the bandage begins to unravel. When it's done I'm happy to see Marshall lee is completely healed.

Instinctively, I touch his cheek. He looks at me, blushing. I let my hand fall and gather all the bandages up in my arm.

"I'm gonna go throw this out. I'll come back with some apples for you ok?", I say.

"Cool.", I hear him mutter,

I exit the room and sigh. I can't fall for him again. No matter how much I want to. The last time I did...it ended in heartbreak.