A/N: I've always loved Adventure Time, but the other day I read a lot about it's history and such, and found out about the nuclear war and 'the world's been destroyed' apocalypse thing. That really enabled me to see it in a more serious light; I just can't quite look at the show the same anymore. Which isn't really a bad thing, I suppose. And now that I see it in a serious way, I decided to write a story for it. Since I know now that other people see the show the same way, I don't have to worry about trying to be funny. Because, well..I'm not too good at that part. xD
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but my own ideas.
They walked through the dark forest in amiable silence; very close to one another, because the well-worn path was narrow. They didn't touch or brush up against each other, although neither one of them was certain if it was a coincidence, or if the other was making sure of it.
They were surrounded by the sounds of owls hooting and little animals shuffling around, preparing for bedtime, snuggling in with their families. The moon peeked through the trees, giving just enough light to see by but not so much that the magic of the night was shattered. It was cool out, and the sky was filled with millions of glittery stars. There were a few clouds drifting around, but it seemed as if they almost purposely avoided blocking the moon. A gentle breeze blew around the two friends intermittently.
It was a nice night for a walk.
The breeze blew through the trees, whispering to the leaves and blowing Finn's short blonde hair into his eyes. His usual trademark items, the hat and backpack, were at home, with Jake. Jake, the best friend. Jake, who was sound asleep. Jake, who didn't know he was home alone. If he were to wake up, he would see Finn's things at the foot of the bed, and wonder. But Finn had left a note, just in case. He always did.
"Walking with PB, left stuff here, back soon."
His things would have made the walk feel more official, more like hero business. So, he left them. He was comfortable enough here to not need them.
The breeze returned, more forcefully, and he had to brush his hair back with his hands; she noticed. "Finn, why is it that you never wear your hat out here on these walks with me? I've never thought to ask before."
He smiled gently and looked up at her as the breeze stopped. Without it, the world seemed unnaturally quiet. "I'm comfortable here with you, Princess. And here in the woods, alone, no one else can see."
Where did THAT come from? He didn't know, but suddenly felt nervous. What he had said sounded so…so strange to him. Vulnerable. Scared. The fact that he blurted it out to her, without a thought, made him wonder if he perhaps felt for her more strongly than he originally thought.
She blinked in surprise and quickly looked away to hide her reaction to his words. She realized that, aside from Jake, she may be the only one to see him so emotionally exposed. It warmed her heart to realize how he trusted her, and she filled with happiness. Finally, someone she could be close to. A best friend, a little brother. Someone to protect, but who could protect her. Her closest friend.
She didn't know he loved her.
The breeze returned, causing the world to start moving again; it quickly grew stronger, blowing his hair into an adorable mess. It was then that the princess realized her own hair hadn't moved at all. It hung, pink, thick, and motionless. She snuck a glance at his, admiring the individual strands, the shine, the way it caught the light.
Then back to her own hair. A glob. No strands, no reflection, no movement. She let out a small, nearly inaudible sigh. And yet…
He noticed.
"Does it bother you?" He asked suddenly. "That your hair doesn't blow in the wind?"
He was perceptive, and she realized she didn't give him nearly enough credit. He was brighter than she would have said, and he was not a child anymore. Not like before. She put a hand on his shoulder gently, not seeing his face light up and a blush creep along his cheeks. "No longer," she replied. "It's a part of who and what I am. I accept it, because it makes me one of a kind."
And it was the truth; she didn't mind… usually. But at times like these, she did have moments of envy for his hair. She shook the feeling off and smiled at him, and began talking about their usual things. She didn't realize that he wasn't hearing a word she said.
One of a kind.
He understood that, for once, Princess Bubblegum didn't have a clue what she was talking about. Yes, she had bubblegum hair. But she was one of the many Candy People; there were hundreds more. None exactly like her, but the same species, or whatever it was called. He didn't know; he didn't care about the right term. It wouldn't make it any better.
Just like Jake. Other magic dogs were out there – slightly different looking, but essentially the same. And Jake had his parents. Bubblegum had her subjects. Lady Rainicorn had family. Even Marceline and LSP did. And more than just family, they had others. Love them, hate them, or don't even know them – there were others.
Who did Finn have who was the same? Not Susan and her tribe – they were hybrids, like so many others. Not the evil little Penny, who looked so convincing, but wasn't human either. No one even came close…
The night suddenly seemed less calm, less joyful. Not even the company of Princess Bubblegum cheered him anymore. He forgot to be nervous, forgot to be shy, and didn't notice when his arm brushed against hers. His mind was elsewhere, and even his body didn't react. This time there was no blushing.
Even if it were possible, even if the princess returned his feelings, it wouldn't be the same. Even though he'd gotten older, and she stayed 18 (finally returned to her original self after 2 years of research and magic and science, after that awful incident with the Lich King), even if she felt the same, even if a miracle happened…
It wouldn't work. She could never understand him, because no one could. There were many types in the land of Ooo and everyone had someone like them. Except Finn.
Finn, who had no family. Finn, with no last name. Finn, the only human left in existence.
He was absorbed in his own depressed and lonely thoughts, and still didn't hear a word the princess was saying to him. He wished suddenly that the night would end and he could go be alone for awhile. A tear ran down one cheek, alone.
Princess Bubblegum laughed at some joke she had made, and she noticed nothing, and continued talking. She was different. A hybrid, but not unique. She was something special and fun and interesting, but that was normal for the inhabitants of Ooo.
And Finn…well, he was only human.
A/N: R&R, please and thanks :) Let me know about any errors, or if there's anyway you think I could improve of this. And yeah, it's a little dark and Finn is a little angsty. But in his situation, who wouldn't be?
(The way I see it, there was a war on Earth, everyone died but a few, the survivors mutated, and a looonnng time later, BAM! Adventure Time. And Finn's family managed to avoid mutation for all these years, making him the only full human.)
If this gets good feedback, I'll probably continue it; I feel like it could make a good story instead of just a oneshot. And it's so rare that I WANT to continue a fic after one chapter, so I take it as a good sign. Let me know what you think!
-skittyninja
