"Marceline.. are you sure you are okay?"
It was almost weird, how careful Finn was in his question, almost as if he was afraid Marceline was going to flip out and bite his head of if he wasn't careful.
Slowly Marceline nodded. "Yeah." she told. "I.. I got to see him again, that's way more than I could have ever hoped." she told quietly.
She was of course, talking about Simon, had it really been just that? A few hours ago since she had gotten that phone-call.
"Hey Marcy it's me, Simon. I'm back but it seems like my body is docking out on me."
That voice, those words, they had gone straight to Marcelines stomach, all blood had left her head and she had fallen to the floor, head first.
Naturally both Finn and Jake had freaked out and started to yell, Marceline had just felt that empty black hole inside of her, she barely knew what to think, tears were pressing through her closed eyes as she still laid there, on the floor, that voice.. It had sounded so much like him, the sentence, it had been so coherent.
But was it just a dream? How could it be real, how.. Marceline didn't know, all she knew was if there was the tiniest little chance that she for once, could actually help Simon in some way, she at least had to check it out.
That was the hardest thing about seeing the Ice king standing in front of her over the years, being unable to help.
If there had just been one single thing she could have done, some clear instructions of what to do, to make things get better.
Marceline would have done it! No matter what it was, but thus far, there had been nothing, nothing but for her to just sit and watch the Ice king, trapped inside of his own madness.
Sit and watch for hundreds of years, nearly a thousand years, and nothing would change, if any-thing, Simon would just slip that much further away day by day, that was the cruel faith of their long relationship. It was to hard to bear by the end, that is why Marceline had finally left. Just to try and get the resemblence of a life that was her own.
But there he was, Simon, not the way that Marceline remembered him, but the way he had been in those old photos in his scrap book.
He wasn't even slipping, he was right there in front of her, his eyes lightening up in recognition by the sight of her, his rushing steps towards her before he embraced her, and not that awkward kind of embrace Marceline was so used to from him, where neither really knew what to do or how to react.
A Genuine, warm, tight embrace, that of a long lost friend wanting to assure Marceline how good it all was. Or just to be assured himself, that she was for real to, that she really was there. They were together again!
But then he fell together in Marcelines grasp, he was so weak, and coughing to.
"Simon, you're dying!" Marceline exclaimed horriefied.
And then the look, the small smile and warm glimpse in his eye that Simon offered her, it told his entire story, he knew that, but he was fine with it, it was a blessing to him. The existence he had had, was eternal hell, immortality but for the price of sanity, to die, to be at peace, Simon was so ready for it, it seemed. To him it wasn't even sad, it was good.
"I'm sorry hon." Simon then whispered. "It's just how it is to be, humans don't usually life for a thousand years you know." He commented giving her cheek a little playful pinch. "I got to see you again, that makes me happy, and you are even letting me see Betty one last time, if I can do that. I will have no regrets left, none at all." He told. "I've been sad for so long, and now I'm not, so don't be sad for me either, please." He asked holding her hands. "I don't want to continue being the reason you are so sad, you should be happy."
"I know." Marceline sniffed. "I just wish you wouldn't have to go so quick, you just got here!"
"Sorry." Simon whispered, sounding some-where between bemused and a little bit regretful, just a little.
Soon Marceline gave Simon Hambo. Simon was absolutely, the only person in the entire univers, that Marceline would just give her beloved toy to like that, without any question, though as it seemed, ones Simon had it in his hands he realised that to, as he held it looking at it as he swallowed. "You really, really kept it.." he whispered. "For all of this time.. And showered it with so much love."
"Yeah." Marceline nodded.
"Urhm, you do know that.. you wont get him back?" Simon asked in a rather nervous voice. "Is.. is that fine with you?" he asked. "I mean, I'll be dead within the day any-way, Hambo is yours."
"It's fine." Marceline told in a smile. "I want you to have him, I want to help you, just ones. You helped me so much and I have never been.. Please take him and see Betty again." She asked. "Please." She asked.
Slowly Simon took back the teddy-bear, and cradled it, almost like he was the child whom was holding his own beloved toy. "Thank you." He whispered, obviously trying to keep back the lump in his throat. "I know how important this is to you, I just."
"You're the one that's important to me Simon." Marceline smiled. "Now hurry, say hallo to Betty!"
Simon smiled as well, obviously trying not to cry, touched by the blunt confession.
No one had quite anticipated that Betty would throw herself through the wormhole like that, Simon was horrified, obviously he had never ever anticipated that either, all he wanted was to see her again and possible say good-bye not… this.
The sheer horror had been obvious in his eyes, Betty was there and Simon had to leave now! Leave not only one girl, but two, all alone!
As Betty brought up the crown Simon stumbled back, the fright in his eyes suddenly risen by a hundred fold.
"No! I can't do it! I don't want to be the ice king any-more!" he cried. Yes, Simon much rather wanted to die, than being trapped inside of the ice kings prison again. You could see the confusion and anquish in his face, he didn't want to just leave Betty in this new strange world she couldn't know any-thing about, but neither did he want to be the ice king, he was ready for his peace, he didn't want as much as a second more in mad land! .. would he really rather want to die? It seemed like it, he was giving up!
And suddenly Marceline became selfish, yes, having to deal with the ice king every-day, knowing what he had ones been had been so hard, there had been times she had wished that he would have really died instead of that poor, not quite there not quite gone existence, it had been like eternal limbo but.. if there was a chance like Betty had just said.
Then.. Marceline wanted to explore it! If Simon died there wouldn't be a way to do even that any-more!
Betty had that exact same look in her eyes, and you could see, that was what made Simon give in, not because he wished to take that option, but because he couldn't deny Betty her wishes, even if it meant she were going to see what he had become… it was all for her. He would do any-thing for Betty. Even let her fight for him.
So typically Simon, he never had been able to resist a girl whom was pleading at him with her eyes. He was all about helping the people around him, no matter how ridicoules or miniscule the task. He would just do it, because he was Simon! That was how good it was.
It was so unfair, that out of all people in the entire world, he was the one, whom by pure chance had been inflicted by the curse of the crown, it had taken away his entire life.
His loved ones, his dreams, his sanity even his memories.
It was so unfair!
If any-one deserved to life a full life, surrounded by loved ones and happy memories, it was Simon!
And Marceline would be dammed if she wouldn't make sure that was exactly what he was going to get!
And they had to do it soon, now Betty was here, humans didn't life for that long like vampires, silently Marcelin swore, she would find a way, and find it soon, so Simon and Betty could be together, have their family and grow old together while loving each other!
Marceline wanted that to be her gift to him, no matter what it took!
"So, you're sure you're okay?" Finn asked as they had finally reached Marcelins gave.
"Uhu." Marcelin nodded, and then blinked as she realised she had to wipe away a tear.
"You know, you just met and lost your best friend all over again." Finn commented in a blink. "It's okay if you're upset."
"It's okay, I'm not really upset." Marceline sniffed. "I just need to be alone." She stated. Knowing full well, that when she said some-thing like that, she really would be left alone, Fin and Jake knew her well enough to not go against such a direct order.
"Okay man, what-ever you say." Finn told, though he still looked just a little hesitant.
"And if you ever need some-thing, you know where to call." Jake commented in a blink.
"Thanks guys." Marceline nodded in a small smile, before she leaped and floated up to her own house, ones inside though she hurried locking the door, and then ran to the living room where she sank up against the wall, and then slowly glided down to sitting position, holding her legs, trying to get a hold on all these emotions.
Simon was still alive inside of Ice king, that was good right? Even if he was all ready back at his old game of kidnapping princesses, the muscle princess having been the latest "victim"
Every-thing the Ice King did seemed to be in some way connected to Simon, while he still had his sanity, he had never stopped looking for Betty, just wanting to apologies to her and see her one last time.
And now when he didn't even know who Betty was, but there was some-thing he needed to do, he went for all princess's instead.
Marceline had ones, tried to move all around the place, all over the world, just to get away from the Ice King, but he would always find her sooner or later, suddenly standing on her door step without even knowing what he was doing there.
Never had he harmed her or as much as attempted to kidnap her, it was just like he had a need to figure out where Marcelin was, he was drawn to her without even knowing why.
But Marcelin knew why, it was because he was actually Simon, it was because he cared for her!
Right? … Right?
Some-times it was so hard to tell, Marcelin sniffed. Stupid tears why was she even crying?
It's not like any-thing had even changed, things were just like they had been the day before yesterday they.. suddenly the door bell rang.
Annoyed Marcelin lifted her head as she hissed. "Finn! I told you I wanted to be alone!" she hissed.
Ones again the door bell rang, and Marcelin groaned. "URGH!" as she stood up and stomped towards the door. "FINN! GET THE HELL AWAY FROM…" she began as she opened the door wide, but stopped as she was faced with not Finn, but a very wide-eyed blue skinned, pointy nosed, white haired, Ice King.
Wide-eyed the two looked at each other, there was complete and utter silence.
Before suddenly the Ice King stretched out his arms, holding an object in his hands which his stretched towards Marcelin in as stretched arms as possible. "Here!" he exclaimed, not for a moment taking his wide eyes away from Marcelin.
Marcelin blinked, then looked at the object the snow king was holding in his two blue hands, and Marcelin blinked again, it was.. A teddy bear. It kind of looked like Hambo, but it obviously wasn't, this Teddy bear was brand new, it had regular black eyes instead of the buttons, and it was purple not pink. Marcelin blinked as she looked at it, then looked up at the Ice King. "Erh.." she hesitated. "You're.. giving me a teddy-bear?" she asked.
"I DON'T KNOW!" The Ice king exclaimed, holding up the teddy bear in the exact same way. "I couldn't sleep! If I give it to you I will be able to sleep again, I think..." He frowned deeply confused lowering the teddy bear. "Where was I?" he asked in a blink. "HERE!" he then exclaimed holding up the teddy bear again. "TAKE IT!"
Stunned Marceline looked at the ice king, then at the Teddy bear, then suddenly she sniffed, then a smile cracked through on her face. "Oh Simon." She sniffed, wiping away her tears. "You didn't have to replace Hambo at all, no need for you to loose sleep over it! I was okay with giving him to you, thank you." She then whispered finally taking the Teddy. "I like him a lot." She told looking at the teddy in her hands.
Confused the Ice King looked at Marceline. "Huh?" he asked.
Defeated Marcelin shook her head, but held the teddy bear close, it was not the fact that this was a replacement Teddy at all, it was the fact that some-how Simon had managed to think so far as to give it to her, some-thing inside of him had felt bad about taking Hambo and wanted to make it up to her, which was so typically Simon! that was the thing that meant the world, and at last Marceline couldn't help it but stepping forward and give the Ice King a warm hug as she cried.
The Ice King though, just stood stiff as a board deeply confused over this show-case of affection. "Erh.." he blinked. Then slowly reached his arms around Marcelin and returned the hug, padding her on the back, before Marcelin let go, smiling as she wiped her cheek with the back of her hand.
"So how are you feeling Simon?" Marcelin asked.
"Si-who what now?" The Ice King asked in a blink.
"I'm sorry, Ice King, how are you feeling, you had a pretty rough day yesterday." Marcelin pointed out.
"As if I know any of that, I don't remember it." The Ice king pouted. "And apparently there was this chick who saved me, oh how I would have loved to thank her." He sighed deeply. "It's funny, when I think about her I get all funny inside, hihihihi!" he giggled loudly, holding his two hands against his cheeks. "And I don't even know what she looked like, isn't that weird?" he asked. "She's even gone kablooi, but I still get that funny feeling! I don't know what it is!" he exclaimed.
"Hope maybe?" Marcelin asked.
"huh?" The Ice king asked looking confused at Marcelin.
"Every-thing has seemed so bleak and meaningless for such a long time. Like, it's just an eternal dark tunnel with no end, no matter how far you walk." Marcelin then commented. "But now it seems like, things can get better, it can be turned around, there just might be a light by the end of that tunnel. And that feels good."
"WOAH! That' exactly it! How did you know?" The Ice king asked wondering.
"Call it a hunch." Marceline shrugged. "Hey you want to come inside, I should have some grape juice and pasta with tomato sauce."
"Oooh, can I?" The Ice King asked wide-eyed. "I WOULD LOVE TO!" he exclaimed all giddy like jumping up and down on the spot. "Hey! Maybe we can play a song together again! I really liked it when we did that! It was fun!"
"Sure." Marcelin smiled bemused stepping aside so the Ice King could get inside. "Jam session it is!"
"Hey do you know you're holding a teddy-bear?" The Ice king asked pointing at the Teddy bear he had just given to Marceline while he stepped in. "I didn't take you for the type at all!"
"Usually I am not into that kind of stuff no, but this one is very special to me." Marcelin told. "Because a very special friend gave it to me."
"Woah! I would sure like to meet that friend one day! He sounds swell!" The Ice king exclaimed, walking towards the living room. Then continued ranting. "Then maybe he'll be my friend to! I love having friends! That also makes me feel so funny inside my tummy! It tickles!"
"Yeah.. yeah he is rather swell." Marcelin smiled looking after the back of the Ice King. "If he weren't, there wouldn't be so many people looking out for him you dork! I'm so glad you are starting to realise, just how many people that loves you Simon."
"Hey are you coming or what?" The Ice kings voice sounded in the direction of the kitchen. "You promised me grape juice! I want my grape juice!"
And Marceline rolled her eyes. "Coming!" she yelled rushing towards the kitchen before the ice king levelled the entire place to the ground with his ice powers out of dumb frustration.
"Simon.." A tiny little seven year old Marceline whispered as she sat in the lap of an older man, whom had his arms wrapped around her, as he desperately tried to shield her from the cold icy wind, finding its way through the holes in the car wreckage where the two had tried to find shielder from the storm.
"Yes sweety." Simon responded.
"Aren't you cold to?" Marceline asked. "You hair is kind of wet."
"Don't worry about it, I haven't felt cold for a very long time." Simon told in a light smile. "Now that I think about it, I haven't even been ill or sick for years. I guess the crown is doing more than just keeping me alive, it's keeping me healthy to."
"I still hate it." Marceline pouted.
Simon exhaled. "I know sweet-heart I know, it scares me to." He admitted ruffling up her hair. "It scares me how dependent I am on it, but there you have it, beggers can't be chooser, and I wont let any-thing happen to you. I swear to it."
"But.. what if you slip away, as in.. what if you don't come back?" Marceline whispered.
"Well, hopefully we wont have to worry about that for a while yet." Simon smiled a little defeated. "All though.. Marcy, erhm.. if.. if that time comes, I erh." He swallowed. "I mean."
Wide-eyed Marceline looked up at the older man, with those adorable big questioning eyes no one could say no to, and yet they were also slightly desperate.
Simon sighed deeply. "When it happens, I want you to run." He told. "Run away from me, find yourself a better life, do what you must to stay alive so you can be happy one day."
"When? What do you mean when? You wont will you Simon?" Marceline asked. "You can't! You can't go like that!"
"Urgh, Marcy, it's to late for me all-ready, I'm a lost cause." Simon groaned rubbing his forehead with his slender hands. "I'm so grateful I found you! You've given me time, just a little more time before.. before." He swallowed deeply. "Being alone sure is the sure way to be driven insane that much faster." He whispered embracing Marceline, holding her tight. "I'm so sorry for what I am going to put you through, I want you to leave me when it comes to that, don't let your life be controlled by an insane old man okay? I know this is hard for you to understand, there is so much you've all-ready seen you shouldn't have in your age, and now this."
"it's okay Simon, you saved me." Marceline told. "One day, I would really like to save you. Wouldn't that be really cool?" she asked.
"But sweetie you all-ready did, don't you know that?" Simon asked a little bemused. "Every-day I get to spend as Simon, is all because of you! Isn't that some-thing?" he asked in a warm smile.
"I still want to safe you one day Simon, that would be so cool!" Marceline exclaimed.
And nearly a thousand years after, as an old vampire Marceline was sucking the red out of her grape juice, shared with the Ice king, whom was completely oblivious to her at that moment to fascinated with his straw. She silently swore inside of her mind and mentally crossed her heart.
I will save you Simon! You showed me it's possible, you are in there! The new teddy you gave me, it's proof! It's you! You are in there!
Just hold on a little bit longer Simon, just a little bit, you will get your happily ever after, I swear!
AN; That's what friends are for, is a song written by Stevie Wonder.