Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Marshall Lee A. is currently eating a muffin in a bakery store named 'Candy Kingdom', one of the most famous Bakery in the capital. Although there is only one and no branch at the moment. The Size of this bakery is equivalent to ten shophouses of the blocks. The bakery also established for only six years. And in six years they manage to expand from a one size shophouse into this large bakery with hundreds of variant patisseries that is baked with fantasy theme category. Their most famous category is the candy kingdom, with cookies, candy, jellybeans with cute edible face and accessories like a game character. Their other category would be Earldom of Lemongrab for sour sweets lover; Ice Kingdom, with varities of ice cream and biscuits in the shape of penguins: Slime Kingdom for chewy patisseries. 

Others will ask why Marshall is interested in this bakery he visit daily. The answer is the owner. The owner of the lovely establishment is Gary, the pink haired guy who is currently bringing a tray over to his table. "Marshall, how's the muffin? Any critics for me to improve my pastry?" The owner of the baker asked and place a mug of free hot cocoa for the regular customer. "It's tasty. But the biscuit taste a little odd. Not bad just odd. New ingredient?" Marshall replied. 

Gary shook his head no. "Nah, I didn't make those biscuits. Fern did. I am thinking about slowly letting my employees manage the bakery so I have time to leave and do much more important stuff." The pink haired guy explained. Marshall look down at his bitten biscuit and then the green haired man tending the cashier. 'Oh, so that explain the taste.' the raven haired man thought. Marshall have been eating the pastries of this bakery almost every morning to the point he can find the slightly odd taste of the pastry in a few bites. To manage this large bakery, Gary hired a few employees to help. There are Fern that usually tend the cashier, Finn, Fern's twin that is rarely seen in the bakery because he mostly inside the kitchen decorating the patisseries, and Stormo the twin's nephew that help around the bakery.

Marshall snap out of his thought, "Wait- You are leaving?! But who will make my free hot cocoa now?" . The raven haired man complained, not as if he would miss the pink haired bakery owner. It will just be strange to not get his hot cocoa precisely made by Gary. That's all. 

Gary rolled his eyes. "Is my hot cocoa that amazing?" He asked sarcasticly. "Yeah. And you haven't answer my question man." Marshall furrowed his eyebrows. 

"Chill. My grandmother wants me to visit her for a month. It's a five hour ride from here to there. So I rather Finn and Fern manage the bakery for me. Than going back and forth to check my own bakery. It's much more efficient that way." Gary explained. From what Marshall know and remember from Gary's story is that Gary have a grandmother named Guinevere who is old and frail, currently living alone with their cousin in another town. 

"When will you leave?" "Two weeks from now. And I'll return a month after departure. I wouldn't do all those hassle if it weren't for Grandmother Guinevere. My grandmother is super old. I don't have the heart to say no to her request." Gary replied while scratching his neck.

"We should hangout before you leave." 

"Sure, but like I said before. I only gonna leave for a month, not forever Marshall." Gary rolled his eyes.

"I know but your pastry will taste nothing like yours for a month." He complained and then saw the blond teen who is mopping the floor not far from them. "No offense to your cousin. His pastry is amazing but I like Gary's better." He added. The teen shook his head and smiled "Nah, it's cool man. We all love the boss's pastry." Stormo said.

The pink haired man shrugged, "You guys are overpraising my pastry. Anyway, you should finish your cocoa before it get cold. I have to bake more dough, the cinnamon bun are out of stock again." The owner of the bakery tsked at the empty tray again. At one hand he is happy that someone loved his cinnamon buns soo much it always out of stock, while on the other hand it also make him go back and forth to bake and restock the tray multiple times. "Yeah.... Flame Princess bought all of it this morning." Stormo explained about the missing buns. 

"All fifty of them?" Gary raise one of his eyebrow.

"Yeah, all fifty in one bag. Said that it will be her snack for her tonight DJ job." Stormo confirmed. Gary sighed and walked to the kitchen. 

Three days later was a disaster for Marshall. During those three days he have no time to visit the bakery, thanks to his father, Hudson Abadeer tasking him to do illegal shits like killing of the rats in their organized crime family. The black haired man groaned just at the thought of it. For being the son and mafioso of the great Don Abadeer. He would have thought that he get more important things to do. For example managing the casino or drugs transaction. But no, he is stuck with killing five rats. That could be easily a job thrown to a new guy. But what could he do? Complain to Don Abadeer? Yeah right, that will just get his ears melted of from all the lecturing of taking care of the family business. Thankfully he worked fast. Four out of five died in three days. The thing about kill without interrogation mission is far the easiest thing you could do in a crime family. And not that time consuming because there's no need to make sure the prisoner is alive. His method is also either bullet on vital organs or good old slit on the throat. The latter option need a lot more energy wasted on fighting. 

Now the last thing to do is to kill the last rat before the information gets to either competitor ears or the federal. While walking on the blocks at literally 11 PM. He saw the bakery be frequent visit is still open. Usually the bakery only open until 8 PM. Today weren't the case and he decided to walk in the dimly lit bakery, to check it out. The lights of the bakery is dimly lit near the cashier. The air conditioner are off and all tables and counters are clean. He see the twins standing near the cashier, already dressed in their jackets and bag, ready to go back home. "Dude, the store already closed three hours ago." Fern frowned at the intruder.

"Sorry. I was curious because there's still light inside the bakery. Might as well check it out for any robbery." Marshall said. 

"Nah. There are lights on because Boss man want us to practice more on baking and decorating the pastry before he left to visit his Grandma." Finn shook his head and a ringtone blarred from his pocket. Finn take out his phone and see a miscall from his mom. "Yeah, we better head home, Fern. If Boss man return, tell him we already went home. I'll chat him just in case. Guard the bakery until then okay?" The blond haired guy said in a rush and speed wak outside with his twin. They didn't wait for the raven haired man answer and left. Marshall was left in the bakery alone under a dimly lit bakery. Marshall weren't worried because he have a gun. As unhinged as it sounded to carry a gun around. It weren't that weird if you deal with dangerous people everyday. That was his excuse. The pink haired man returned to the front side od the bakery and was surprised to see Marshall instead of the twins. "The twins left, Finn said He'll text you about it." The raven haired man said while leaning on the cashier counter. 

"Marshall. Haven't seen you in days. What have you been up to?" Gary crosses his arm above his chest and lean on the cashier counter just next to his friend. The raven haired man shrugged, "Remember the band I told you about Blood Suckers? We've practicing a lot more lately. My friend said there will be upcoming battle of the band soon enough. Hosted by Death himself." The raven haired man lied. 

"Still in a band huh? Does your parents actually allow you to do that instead of getting a job?" Gary asked.

"It's a passion of mine and my mom told me to embrace it. But this year will be last. If I don't get the fame, I will be roped into a working zombie just like you." Marshall told him the extended lie. Is he in a band? Yeah back in highschool and not anymore. He is also technically working for a mafia boss. 

"Lucky you." "You said that as if your family aren't supportive for you to open a bakery shop." Marshall snorted.

Gary stare at the empty pastry displayer. They are cleaned for tomorrow to be filled again with fresh pastries. "Bakery is just a hobby. You know what I really want?" The pink haired man whispered with a sly grin graced on his lips. "Yeah, if you want to tell me about it." The raven haired man replied. He is too focused on the bakery owner to not notice that a stranger has snuck into the bakery under the shadows. 

"I want full control." Gary answered in a whisper, his blue eyes have shiny glimmer in it like a cat promise of mischief. Marshall laughed, "You dork. You already have full control of your bakery. You are the owner." 

"No. Not over the bakery. The bakery is just a hobby Lee." The pink haired man said pressing on the raven haired man's middle name. (Others only know Marshall Lee. As in Lee last name not Marshall Lee Abadeer because that will tie his relation to Don Abadeer).

"I want full control over... well everything. Finance, economy and development. I am not talking about a small scale like my own life or my family. I am talking about our city, the country even." Gary rambled.

"Can you imagine what I could do if I were in charge of the country's tax fund? Infrastructure development is one of them." The pink haired man said with passion. If Gary is trying to sway Marshall's opinion on things, Gary would easily succeed. Because all of his attention are on the owner of the bakery. The warmth atmosphere got interrupted when the raven haired man felt eyes on him, his hand already close to the gun holster. That's when a man suddenly grab Gary from behind the cashier counter and a dirty knife against the owner of the bakery's neck. "Marshall Lee, I loath you and your uncle. Even better, I know I am not gonna last long in the society for the things I commit. So rather than rotting alone. I am taking your friend with me." The man manic laughs echoed in the empty bakery. 

"Jerome. Let go of him. We can negotiate okay?" Marshall said calmly although he is panicking. He is glad that the man is too unfocused to the point all of his words are sort of vague. But the hostage is Gary. He need to do something, fast. "Who's this guy?!" Gary asked while being hold hostage. 

"I'll explain later." Marshall said while staring at the fifth rat that he should have killed but hadn't because he have no idea where the bastard was hiding. If he had known that Jerome will be following him around, he wouldn't have gone to the bakery and risking Gary's life. "Jerome, Jerry, My man. What do you want? We can talk about it. Money? I don't have much right now but you can take it. Just leave the poor bakery man alone." Marshall said. 

"Your car key and wallet, hand it over." The brown haired man demanded. 

"My car key?" Marshall look at the man like he's insane. He just got his car upgraded. "Now." Jerome said and pressing the knife to the bakery owner neck, slicing thinly the skin that the blood start dripping. The pink haired man hissed, wincing but dare not to move any further. Gary rather not risk the insane man anger and get himself killed right where he standing. "Okay, okay Just stop that!" The raven haired man shouted and pat his own pants to find the car key and wallet. "Take it!" Marshall throw both of the item towards the brown haired man. Jerome released (more of dropping) Gary and catch the item. A gunshot ranged and the body of the once criminal went frigid and fallen down to the floor with blood pouring out of his head. 

After shooting his last target, Marshall quickly hide away his gun and kneel down on the floor to check on Gary. "Are you okay?! Geez, you're bleeding a lot! Why are you pressing on it. Doesn't it sting more?" The raven haired man asked with concern. 

"I am trying to stop the bleeding." Gary replied. 

"I am calling 911." Marshall said as he quickly take out his phone to call but the bakery owner block the keypad of his phone screen. "What about him? You just murdered him. They'll throw you in jail, Marshall." Gary said worriedly for the raven haired man safety. 

Marshall frowned, "You are the eye witness, I'll be fine!! I am more worried about you dying. If they want to throw me behind the bars, then let them." and called for help. Ambulance and police cars soon arrived to the bakery.

The paramedics helped Gary to the ambulance while the officer take notes of Gary's and Marshall's story. The two talked, a stranger hold Gary hostage, injured Gary, Marshall tackle the culprit and the culprit accidentally shot himself during the fight.

Safe to say that Marshall avoided from being thrown behind the bars but the bakery will have to be closed for a few days for being a crime scene to be investigated. "You should go home." Gary said when the bed he laid on is pushed into the ambulance. "And leave you in the ward all alone?" Marshall snorted at the idea. 

"It's getting late, your mom will be worried about you." Gary reminded the raven haired man. Unlike Marshall, the bakery owner lived alone in an apartment. Both parents died, and most of his family are in another town. Not going back to the apartment won't be a problem for the lone person. "I can text my mom and stay with you." Marshall suggested. 

"Yeah, but who will take care of your mom in the morning?" "Fuck. You're right." Marshall replied. He's been so worried about Gary he forgot that he loved alone with his mom in a small house. If he were gone, no one will cook breakfast for his mom or help her around. And she's sick. "Just go home, Marshall. You can visit me tomorrow. It's just a neck injury, I'll be fine." Gary told him. With that the two paramedics that have been standing waiting the two finish talking, finally closed the door of the ambulance. "You'll see your boyfriend tomorrow, Romeo. We have to take him to the hospital." One of the paramedics said and get into the vehicle. 

"He's not my boyfriend." "Yeah, sure." The officer said sarcastically as if the two haven't have PDA in front of the police and paramedics. 

Characters Info!!

- Marshall Lee Abadeer : Mafioso and son of Don Abadeer

The Campbell - Mertens Family

- Finn Campbell - Mertens : The older twin. Long blonde hair tied into a bun under his bear pollar bear theme hat. The pastry artisan of The Candy Kingdom Bakery.

- Fern Campbell - Mertens : The younger twin by a minute. Also long blonde hair but he dyed them green to make it easier for others to tell them apart. Wear his hair in a bun under his grizzly bear theme hat. The cashier and soon to be pastry chef of The Candy Kingdom Bakery.

-Minerva Campbell : a doctor, Finn's and Fern's mother ans the ex-wife of Martin Mertens

- Stormo Campbell : Finn & Fern's nephew from another cousin. Stormo have short blonde hair that he tie in short low ponytail. Help around, have no assigned position yet.

Chapter Text

One would think that Gary, the recently injured and victim of the whole hostage scene just yesterday night would be terrified. But in fact the injured victim is scrolling his tablet while sipping on his fresh coffee. "I would suggest to cut off the coffee until you recovered." The red haired man dressed in suit said. "It's just a scratch, Pep-But. Nothing to worry about." The pink haired man dismissed as he placed the coffee mug on the bed table beside him. Pep-But is the nickname for Gary's butler. Full name are classified but his alias is Peppermint Butler. The loyal butler that's been around since he was a kid. His butler never arrived in his bakery during the day because Gary wanted to keep his local lonely bakery owner persona. 

Today's headline on the official city blog has been last night occurrence. "Close the bakery for three days. Announce it due to my recovery from shock." Gary ordered and hands over the tablet to his butler. He's acting like he's fine. But the gauzes wrapped around his neck tell others the otherwise. "The madam are worried about your condition. And your cousin have been trying to outshine your spot after hearing the ordeal." Peppermint Butler informed.

"Tell Grandmother that it was just a scratch. And let Cousin Chicle have his temporary victory. As soon as Dr. Campbell let me get out of this bed, I will crush that naive ambition of his to dust." Gary stated with a hum. Gary's family is filled with venomous serpents that like to take their own family down. The amount of time his uncle and cousin try to sabotage his path as the mafioso is a lot. Thankfully his old grandmother can protect him under her wings at that time. But she's getting old and frail, he needs to take actions or this scum's of the family will get even bolder in crossing the line. With all the stress of even watching his back around his own blood and flesh family, he wonders if his blonde hair already greying under the pink bubblegum hair dye. 

"Madam also ordered two Gumball Guardians to guard you under the shadows." The butler informed to his boss. Gumball Guardians is what the Mother Gum or Madam Gumwha's trained elite bodyguards. 

Gary frowned, "Tell her to take them back."

"I afraid that I am not allowed to do that. It's the absolute order of Madam Gumhwa." Pep-But explained. 'Well, shit. If the guards are involved then Mother Gum are placing special attention on him right now' the pink haired man thought and not liking that all his movements now will be supervised by his grandmother. All his worries melted when his phone got notification from Marshall Lee, the self proclaimed lead singer and bass player of a small band called Blood Suckers. Now that the think of it, Marshall did have some kind of vampire charm on him. "Huh, maybe I should make a vampire theme pastry..." He muttered. 

Marshall Lee | 8.47 AM

Can't visit. I have to take care of my mom. She's not feeling well today. Probly gonna visit you tonight. Either that or send you a get well basket. Send me your room address!! >:(

Gareth G. | 8.49 AM

its okay, you don't have to visit or send me a basket man. Thanks for the concern but it's just a scratch. Room 206, 2nd Floor on West Wing.

Marshall Lee | 9.00 AM

Hush. You'll either receive your local Blood Suckers band boy or a get well basket tonight. Now rest. 

The patient snorted. Gary clicked on Marshall's contact name and changed it from Marshall Lee to Vampire King 🦇. The pink haired man was so amused of the change of contact name that he didn't realise that his butler is taking notes of his behaviour. 

Meanwhile, an hour ago. The raven haired young man wake up and stretched his body before getting out of his bed. He wake up early to go downstairs and make breakfast. When that's done he knocked on the bedroom door on the first floor to wake his mom. "Mom, it's time for breakfast." He gently shook her shoulder. The short haired woman wake up and coughed. Marshall helped her sit on the wheelchair. "Marcy, I don't need the wheelchair." The short haired woman frowned, she felt that it's too burdensome to sit on the wheelchair.

Marshall also knows that his mom could stand and walk but not for a long amount of time. She usually cough a lot and it hurts her ribs when she cough while standing. It's also tiring for her to stand or walk for too long. The son in the household felt much more reassured if his mother used the wheelchair. "I know mom, but I don't want you to hurt your rib from coughing." Marshall said softly, hopefully his mom won't argue with him this time. "Fine. But if I feel well enough, I will stand up from this wheelchair." Elise smiled and pinched her son's face. 

Marshall shrugged, "Fair enough." and push the wheelchair to the dining room. "Hope you like it, it's chicken soup, just like how Simon used to make it for me when I got fever." The raven haired young man said, proud of his two cans of chicken soup mastery. 

"Speaking of Simon. How is he and Gunter? I've been too exhausted this past few days, that I haven't touched my phone to contact them." The mother asked her son. 

"Simon and Gunter been busy with ya know... organized crime stuff. Dad's been demanding their work progress a lot lately." Marshall replied. Simon, the old man have been taking care of Marshall since he was a kid, especially whenever Elise couldn't due to her illness. Simon and Gunter are a frequent visitors of the small household. Gunter is Simon's some sort of assistant or partner in crime. He tag along wherever Simon's goes. One word to describe Gunter is chaotic because that man have the impulsive behaviour to destroy things that have glass or made of glass despite already have a young daughter. Gunter still can't control his impulsive actions. Marshall quickly send a text to Gary. The pink haired man immediately replied.

Pink Guy 🍬 | 8.49 AM

its okay, you don't have to visit or send me a basket man. Thanks for the concern but it's just a scratch. Room 206, 2nd Floor on West Wing.

Marshall Lee A. | 9.00 AM

Hush. You'll either receive your local Blood Suckers band boy or a get well basket tonight. Now rest.

The raven haired man place down his phone. By the end of the day the pink haired bakery owner received a get well basket. 

The Gumhwa Family ( Gumwha sounds nicer than Gum)

- Guinevere "Mother Gum" Gumwha : pink hair : Soon retiring mastermind of the Gum operations.

- Gareth/Gary "Gumball" Gumhwa : pink hair : the heir/mafioso also the owner of Candy Kingdom bakery.

- Goliath "Goliad" Gumwha : Cousin : blonde hair 

: Gary's cousin, extremely smart but also lack sympathy.

- Chester "Chicle" Gumwha : Cousin : red hair : - classified -

- Lilith "Lolly" Gumwha : Aunt : blonde hair : - classified -

- George "Gumbald" Gumwha : Uncle : red hair : - classified - 

Note : pink hair is associated as the next heir/heiress.