WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Adventure Time: Distant Lands - Obsidian, now streaming on HBO Max.
Adventure Time: Distant Lands is the unexpected continuation of the fan-favorite series Adventure Time that aims to follow the other citizens of the Land of Ooo as they embark on adventures of their own, placing the main characters of Jake the Dog and Finn Mertens on the sideline. While the first entry in the spin-off series saw BMO travel to an alien planet to help save a civilization, the second part, Obsidian, showed a relationship that fans of the show have been clamoring for.
Princess Bonnibel Bubblegum and Marceline were an odd couple from the start of the series. Their conflicting styles, aesthetics and general attitude towards life made them seem like complete opposites. However, it was Season 3's "What Was Missing" that opened the floodgates and poured out a mystery unlike any the show had provided before.
"What Was Missing" had a simple premise. The Door Lord stole objects that held sentimental value to the main cast and locked himself behind a door that would only open with a song from a genuine band. Marceline and Bubblegum get into a massive fight which prompts Marceline to sing a ballad straight from the heart, one that almost opened the door. The song was intense, heavy and catchy, but more importantly, the lyrics gave birth to the "Bubbline" ship. The episode ends with everyone's stuff being given back, including a rock shirt assumed to be Marceline's which actually belongs to Bubblegum, given to her by Marceline years prior. This small gesture threw fandom into a tizzy, creating the groundwork for a relationship that many assumed will never be.
Thankfully, the origins of the shirt were revealed in Obsidian. A young Bubblegum was at Marceline's concert where the performer was wearing the shirt. During the performance, Marceline took it off and threw it into the crowd, where it landed on Bubblegum, who blushed. While little is known about the events of their relationship after that, Obsidian sadly showed audiences the end of it. During a battle with a dragon, the two women got into a fight. Marceline then sang a song detailing her frustration towards the Princess, which officially ended their relationship once and for all. It wouldn't be until the finale of the original series, "Come Along With Me," that Marceline and Bubblegum made up.
While Adventure Time fans were content with a confirmation of the relationship, they were saddened that they could not see it flourish to its maximum potential. Fortunately, Obsidian provided fans with a look at domesticated Bubbline, building furniture together, caring for each other and being happier than they ever were during the events of Adventure Time.
Created by Pendleton Ward, Adventure Time: Distant Lands is available exclusively on HBO Max.