Just a little something that was on my mind. Not sure if I'll continue, but maybe some review will help sway the decision. ;)

Finn the Human had always been restless. Never one to break for long, he always preferred running, jumping, climbing, learning, fixing, adventuring – anything, to doing nothing. Ever since he was young, he and Jake had taken to the land, wherever and whenever. Life was pretty rockin' when your brother could morph into anything and beat the bricks out of almost anyone. Watching Jake had made Finn fearless and thirsty to be a fighter, an explorer, a hero. And he was.

Not today though. Or any day soon. He would be in this bed for the long haul, glob it. He had been told by Doctor Princess that he'd been out for three days. There would be many more to come.

He hadn't felt this fidgety and depressed since he'd broken his legs. At least then he'd had the wheelchair. And hey, maybe part of that restlessness was fear that everyone would disappear again. For good this time. People disappeared forever in times like these. People died.

Oh yes, people died when there was war.

Useless. That's what he was. Angry at himself and the buttknuckle who'd almost sliced him in half. He was supposed to be the Candy Kingdom's Champion; personal Knight and protector of their princess and here he was stuck for glob knows how long in a stupid bed in the middle of the infirmary. It was hard to feel anything aside from disappointment in himself. Bubblegum had been counting on him and he let her down. Nearly slayed by the last thing Finn had ever thought he would face.

Humans.

It started a little over a year ago. They had arrived by the boatload on the shores of the Eastern Caves. A couple thousand. So much for his reign as Last Human. Finn hadn't minded. It was a boring title anyway.

They claimed they were from a land far away from Ooo. Days upon days of travel on their worn, wooden ships. It had been clear from the beginning they feared the land's citizens. Blades and weapons drawn, they advanced inland. When they realized most of the citizens existed - could talk, they were baffled and befuddled. The leaders of the kingdoms took to meeting with them. Where and why had they come?

Claims of their land being taken over. Forced to flee. Stink and rot of radioactivity permeating from them. Even after the royalty gave them land, allowed them to settle, their paranoia was obvious. Hostile even to those who were friendly; audacious demands to the kingdoms. Not all of them were bad. Finn could say that, but the population in general; something was amuck. Something stank. Something familiar. Marceline said it was their nature. Their nature that got them killing themselves off in the first place. Finn smelled Lich.

It didn't take long before their delusionary visions and fear caused them to attack. It seemed like the old, "get them before they get us", routine. Ooo might not have been perfect. Ooo might not always be fair and just, but the kingdoms kept to themselves mostly – were friendly, respectful. They avoided war at all costs. Greed appeared to lay heavy in humans.

It was amazing how much they had gained somewhat of an upper hand, even outnumbered their native citizens. Ooo had never seen a large war though. They didn't know how to deal with it. Half of Ooo's citizens couldn't wield a weapon, let alone move very efficiently. Whoever wasn't made out of edible food, had other dire weaknesses. They doused the oncoming battalion from the fire kingdom with water. They'd stolen every as many counter spells as they could from Wizard city in a pre-emptive strike before they declared war. The Ice Kingdom was attacked with fire, and beasts of the night were ambushed by sunlight.

For such small, weak things, the humans were crafty, cunning and dangerous.

Finn was ashamed to be one.

He knew in his heart the people who mattered and cared about him didn't see him that way. It still nagged at him. The potential he had within his being to be so…nasty. Speaking of said people; he glanced out the window. Dim oranges and purples began to paint the sky. It was getting late. Jake had already been to visit. He was back with Lady and his hooligan kids. Grown as they were, they were all shacking up together as the war treaded on. Jake knew Finn was as safe as he could be at the castle, but feared being separated from his family. Finn understood. There was currently no battle raging outside or in the recently bloodied fields of the grasslands, as a brief respite that would last for an indefinite amount of time had taken place. Though that didn't mean there wasn't more to come. Peppermint Butler had told him this upon his awakening when Finn demanded to know what was going on – where his friends were. Where Bubblegum was.

The Princess and Marceline were attending negotiations. Peppermint said they should be back by sundown. Anxious jitters again. The sun was setting. Finn wished he were there; to have their backs, to be privy to what was going on. To make sure nobody laid a finger upon them. He was alone in the infirmary, as the candy citizens who were wounded could be pieced back together relatively quickly, if they weren't dead.

He buried his hands in his hair. Immobility was insanely frustrating.

Then he heard them.

The faint sound of their voices drawing near. Not the banter he was used to. Hushed and serious. Back and forth; light feminine echoes in the castle corridors. He sighed. They were alive and well. It sounded freaking magical. He couldn't move to bound out of the bed toward them like he wanted. Funny thing about near death experiences; makes a body appreciate all they have. Everyone they have. It took all he had for he and Jake not to crush each other earlier. His wound was far too tender and grievous for that.

Finn could see shadows lit by candles dancing along the outside of the door. They slowed to a stop before he could see them.

"Your Majesties." Peppermint Butler approached them from the other end of the hall. Finn couldn't hear what they were saying. He bounced impatiently in his bed, fingers shuffling and scratching at his legs in anticipation. He knew they were fine but he needed to see them. Needed to see they were okay after that last fight. Wanted them to know he was alright too. He wanted long hugs with his nose buried in cold, pale skin; rain, wood, the rocks of the caves. Salty like the waves crashing into them. And warm cotton candy – sticky sweet. Hot cinnamon breath in his ear. He wanted his ladies.

Peppermint was still talking to Bubblegum, but finally, Marceline appeared and crossed the threshold. Her face had been blank when she entered, but upon seeing Finn awake, his expression anxious and ecstatic all at the same time, she beamed.

She lifted off the ground, shooting toward him faster than he could register. Her control remained steady; she stopped in midair before colliding as to not hurt him further, and looped her arms around his neck.

"Don't friggin' scare us like that again F-Bomb or I'll end you myself, hear me?"

"Might be more preferable than this bed."

They stayed embraced for a while after that. Content. Happy the other was safe. Finn adored Marceline. She was as bro as a ladybro could get; he could say or ask anything around her. Even fart. When he'd turned sixteen two years ago, she'd offered him advice on anything he needed. Hinting mostly towards girls. She had claimed that although Jake was his best bud, he was still a dude…and a dog. He'd eyed her suspiciously. She slapped him on the back and promised she wouldn't troll him again like she had when he was twelve and tried to ask Bubbs to the movies.

She'd proven sincere in her offer and was always around to facilitate Finn's pubescent curiosity and sheer confusion. Often confusing him even more, to which she would laugh. At first he was embarrassed about some of the junk that came out of his mouth, but Marceline had a way of making light of what he asked – at the same time, answering him honestly. She consistently coated her answers with the perfect amount of humor to make the situation more comfortable. After a short time, it felt just like talking to Jake. He even bashfully remembered the time they were at her place jamming and he balled up enough to ask her for a feel.

"Can I touch your boobs? Just to see what it's like."

She strummed her bass.

"No."

"Not even for a minute?"

"Nah."

"Aw, ok…"

She sighed. "You can touch one. But not both. I recommend the right."

"For a minute?"

"For five seconds."

"Math."

When they pulled apart from their hug, it was to a steadily rising voice, dripping with distain and anger.

"Wretched and vile creatures…"

More curses.

"…they not know I built this kingdom from the ground up?!"

A thud and a crash. The candle shadows disappeared. Darkness in the hall. A corridor bureau flipped, no doubt. She had a habit of doing that.

Finn and Marceline exchanged amused glances.

When Princess Bubblegum walked in, she was seething from head to toe. Gummy hands balled into shaking fists at her sides, lips pursed and eyes that would shoot lasers if she glared any harder.

Upon seeing Finn though, she softened; tension released from her body. Her blue eyes grew wide and soft again. Sour mouth now parted, lips full.

"Finn!"

She didn't get over quite as fast as Marceline, as land dwellers are wont to do, but she hurried, taking care not to injure him as Marceline did when going in for the hug. She was standing, hands in his tousled blonde locks – mindful about keeping his head above chest level, something Finn always noticed she did. Though it was less a concern for her now that he was taller than her while standing. The crook between her neck and shoulder was free game though and he took advantage with a big, unabashed inhalation.

"I thought we'd lost you for good this time." Sweet whispers in his ear, warm and comforting.

"I don't really know how I didn't croak. What happened anyway? How am I actually still kickin'? Jake didn't see," Finn asked as Bubblegum pulled away from him to sit on the bed.

"Marcy saved you," Bubblegum replied; a shy, thankful smile creeping onto her face as she glanced at Marceline, who shuffled a little uncomfortably. She scratched the back of her head.

"Not as well as I'd like to have. Sorry dude."

Finn grinned and lifted his fist to the vampire. "I'm alive thanks to you, lady. Sorry is most definitely not necessary."

She returned the bump.

"What happened to the guy that split me?"

"I ate him."

"Gnarly."

A fanged grin spread across her face. "And the other five guys that were hovering around you. Got a little… carried away I guess." Her eyes trailed away from Finn to meet with Bubblegum's stoic gaze. They spoke something to one another without words that Finn was lost on. He didn't care.

Turning to the princess, he questioned, "Take it your negotiations didn't go too well?"

Bubblegum closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She was wound and stressed and feeling more hopeless as the weeks dredged on. When she opened them again, her gaze was firm and resolute.

"No. They didn't."

Finn crinkled his nose, huffed. The young man was good with his body and a weapon. He's learned to be practical at making decisions, but politics, law and greed he does not comprehend as his older companions do.

"What's gonna happen?"

Bubblegum and Marceline's eyes connected before she addressed Finn's question.

"We have two weeks – both sides – to draw up terms. This meeting was rushed, nearly informal. No one expected anything to get settled. It was a jumping point to see where both sides stood, and to truce the fighting temporarily."

Finn managed to crack a bit of a smile, "Two weeks, that's pretty long, right? That will buy us some time to think of a plan, yeah?"

The princess flashed him a forced smile. He'd always been one to look on the bright side, but things looked grim. Worse than grim. She's not telling him everything and for good reason. No need to excite or panic him in his condition. She's glad he's not asking more.

"Yeah. It's some time," she agreeed. "They didn't want that long at first but I made them aware that each of the kingdoms are a fair distance apart. It will take some time for us to coordinate terms that everyone can agree upon. They've got one main base. They don't have to go far for communication. It will also give us more time to scope them out. I know it goes both ways but they've likely been doing recon on everyone since they got here. I don`t really think it matters."

She looked down with a grimace; mad at herself for not seeing it sooner. For not being able to do anything about it now.

A deep frown settled on Finn's face. Lifting his blanket, he eyed the wound on his left abdomen. Bubblegum took a peek with him to make sure he wasn't bleeding through his bandages.

"Wish I could help," he sulked. "I'm pro ninja at stealth."

He's sad. Genuinely sad at being helpless. Marceline is empathetic. She knows him well enough to know that lying in this bed while his friends fight is near death to him.

"Stealth eh?" she punched his arm lightly, joking. "Didn't you sneak into the Nightosphere with nothing but your jammy jams and a paper plate mask?"

She's awarded with a pearly white, shit eating grin; toothless in some spots. "And it worked!"

"I think it was your political rap that really saved the day."

An un-princess like snort comes out of Bubblegum, replaced immediately with a genuine smile she can't hide. "Wish I was there for that one."

Finn takes that as a cue, mimics the dramatic spinning of turntables with his arms as best as his injured body will allow him and belts out on the fly;

"Them Nightosphere demons didn't have nothin' on me,

I was the baddest little human that they ever did see.

Until a hoard dun came, and cut me down,

Nasty, raiding humans be punkin' our town.

But hear me now, when I'm good to go,

I'll send those jokers packin' to the down below.

I'm out!"

Marceline let out a whistle and a slow clap. Bubblegum was left silent laughing at the end of the bed before composing herself.

"I was wondering how you managed to jack Rap Bear's title," she managed in between catching her breath. "Curiosity sated."

Finn puffed up. He's always proud when he does good; no matter how trivial it is. It's part of the reason they love him.

Bubblegum reached a hand to jostle his knee gently. "And thank you," she told him, sincerely. "I haven't had a good laugh since the cotton candy hit the fan on this whole war business."

"Always at your service, milady."

"I don't doubt that, Finn," she sighed, "but it's getting late and you need your rest."

He pouted. The visit was short. He opened his mouth to argue, but is interrupted.

The pink monarch pointed a regal finger at him, "That's an order, champion."

"He's not the only one that needs sleep," Marceline piped up. She's met with Bubblegum's stern gaze, but no rebuttal.

The princess knew she tended to throw herself into her lab work, experiments and boring royal duties in general when she's stressed. Often missing out on days of sleep, food and sunlight. Signing treaties and writing by-laws - glob, it's like, better than binging on ice cream while doing yoga combined for her.

But this situation is different. This is the entirety of Ooo, and it is at stake. It would do no good to any of the kingdoms or their citizens to have one of their leaders in anything but tip top shape. Peppermint had been consistently on her case about that.

Marceline was tired too, Bubblegum could tell. Her gaze was strong, but she could see the fatigue in the vampire. Her sleep schedule had been all kinds of whack – even gotten hit by sun a few times, not that she can't take a bit of heat, but it's drained her – all of them, really. And respite or not, there's still work to do.

The dark haired girl stood. Bubblegum followed suit. They each bid him goodnight with a hug.

"Y'all gonna come visit tomorrow sometime?" he looked up at them, hopefully. It's lonely in the infirmary. He's the last person that should be there.

Bubblegum frowned. "I have…much to do, Finn, but I'll try."

He's not happy. It showed, but he understands.

"I'll come dude," Marceline said. "I've got shizz to do, and vamps to order around, but I'm friggin' exhausted. Haven't slept in two days; out in the sun all day today. I could use a break while Bonnie does boring correspondence."

Bubblegum didn't argue. For the most lax and carefree monarch she knows, Marceline has been invaluable as an ally in combat, and more importantly, as a friend in personal and emotional support. She wanted nothing more than to have her well rested.

Finn seemed happy with this. "I can dig that. We can chill here for as long as you need. I ain't goin' nowhere."

"Sure thing. Night, Finn."

"Goodnight ladies."

He watched as the two took their leave; Marceline so tired, she walked, instead of floating, alongside the princess. Their footfalls sliding into synchronicity as they walked out the door.