Ch2- Two truths and a lie.
While Jake sat around the living room playing Beemo, Finn was in the bathroom taking a shower. It was about seven o'clock and the bros were going to plan tomorrow over dinner, and then go to bed. Finn was just stepping out of the shower when the phone rang. "Jake the phone." Finn called out as he towel dried his golden blond hair, which he had kept short. (He found it easier to stuff into his hat that way)
"Yeah, yeah. I hear it." Jake grumbled as he paused the game and stood up. He took his time walking towards the phone and picked it up. "Hello?"
"Hello Jake." Princess Bubblegum greeted joyously as always.
"Oh, hey PB" Jake said looking at Finn with a sly smile as the boy walked out into the living room to see who it was. Finn rolled his eyes and mouthed 'she doesn't like me.'
"Jake, I was wondering if you and Finn would be gracious enough to come visit me at my castle tomorrow."
"Of course Princess." Jake said with a huge smile
"Splendid!" She replied, "Meet me at the candy castle tomorrow at three for a tea party."
"Okay. Later princess." Jake hug up the phone and beamed at Finn
"What she say?" Finn asked acting uninterested
"She wants us to go to a tea party tomorrow." Jake replied with a grin
"Okay." Finn said beginning to walk back, hiding his blushing face from Jake. "Wait? … What time tomorrow?"
"Three. Why?" Jake asked looking at back at Finn
"Okay. We're supposed to jam with Marcy tomorrow at five." Finn said looking away again because there was Jake with his implying smile
"Right." Jake said slyly "Marcy."
"Whatever man." Finn sighed as he walked up the stairs to the kitchen. "What are you making for dinner?"
"I thought I'd teach you how to cook." Jake chuckled as he got up and followed Finn
"Why?" Finn asked confused "You always cook."
"Well, I'm not going to be here forever…" Jake sighed
"Right." Finn looked towards the window and out towards the ice Kingdome
"And the ladies love a man who can cook." Jake teased. Finn rolled his eyes and looked back to Jake who was beginning to take out ingredients for meatloaf.
X
After dinner, the tired heroes went to their room. Tomorrow they would wake up and adventure until three. Then they would get Lady then they would go to PB's castle and chill with her, leave Lady with PB and go jam with Marcy. Finn was determined to get as much time with Jake until Jake picked the date to move with Lady, which would be any day now. The two climbed into their beds and said their goodnights.
*Finn's dream*
"Finn." The woman's voice said joyously "I love my Finn." Laughter was heard around him. Happiness and cheer. In the background, he could hear children giggling. It was dark. His eyelid dropped groggily and there was a smile on his face. "Now, now, children. Finn has to sleep. He needs his sleep." Finn could feel the light caresses on his face as he was rocked back and forth. Finn had not felt such comfort before. Not even Margaret had provided such comfort to him. All of a sudden there was s flash and the screaming began once more. The heat returned, the same voice of the woman now screamed in agony. However, Finn was too far from her now. He opened his mouth to speak but felt and tasted as the salt water entered his mouth.
*Awake*
Finn rose in flash, gasping for air. What was that? Who was that woman? Those children? Why was this happening to him? He was sitting up in his bed when he heard Jake's voice "Are you okay man?" His voice was tired and sleepy; the dog's eyes were still shut.
"Yeah… just a nightmare." Finn said before lying back down.
"Are you okay now?" Jake asked, sleepily
"Yeah man. Go back to sleep." Finn sighed and turned to face the wall. His heartbeat raced.
"Okay man." Jake yawned and instantly fell back to sleep.
Finn looked up to the ceiling of the room. Why was this happening? Finn sighed and closed his eyes, better get some sleep.
*Finn's dream*
There was a serene silence. Then he was picked up and placed in an object. He was carried thought the place. "Cute." The girl said happily. She was a blur to him. A brown and black clad blur.
"Yes, Finn is cute." The male voice said from behind the girl. He was a tall and strong brown and black clad blur.
"Finn is cute. Finn is loved." The words where from the woman's voice. She seemed to be outside of the environment, her voice an echo. Finn's eyes traveled towards the blue and white clad blur. His eyes hurt so he closed them. He could hear the laughter and joy. The happiness. His heart swelled with longing. "Finn is missed." The woman said. Then the nightmare repeated itself. The screaming began. The blurs distorted. It was now hot again. Then he was thrown into the merciless ocean. Chocking and fearing.
*Awakened*
Finn eyes jerked open and he instantly sat up. His heartbeat pounded. His feet touched the ground and he looked out the window, the sun was just rising. "Finn… man you sure woke up early today." Jake said as he walked into the room with his coffee mug.
"Yeah… we're going adventuring right?" Finn asked with a smile as he began to walk out the room.
"Yeah buddy…" Jake said a little confused at Finn's jumpy attitude.
X
The brothers wandered out the house, searching for an adventure. It was about seven o'clock am and half of Ooo was still asleep. "Where we going bro?" Jake asked Finn as the two walked.
"I don't know man… how about somewhere new?" Finn said breathing in the fresh air. "Un-adventured."
Jake chuckled "I don't think we have time for that." Jake pointed to his new watch "Gotta go get Lady at three."
"Right." Finn sighed. It wasn't enough that she was taking him away; she was also limiting their time together.
"C'mon man, cheer up." Jake smiled "How about… how about we go on an ice king stake out? On the other hand, how about we check out how the goblins are doing? Or what about… what about we check out if choose-goose has any quests we can do?"
"Yeah. Those are totally radical ideas!" Finn happily exclaimed.
"How about you become my meal?" A deep and loud voice said
"Huh?" Finn asked, "Who said that?" Finn took out his sword "Come out here and fight me!"
"Okay." The Cyclops, who tears heal you, rose from his crouching spot.
"You!" Finn exclaimed pointing his sword at him
"Have you been sitting there, waiting for us to pass?" Jake asked a little creped out
"Yes." The Cyclops stated, "I will exact my revenge."
"Revenge this!" Finn said yelling out before running to attack the Cyclops.
"That boy is my hero." Jake smiled and stretched over to help him. "Hold on Finnegan!"
X
Lady Rainicorn stood by the fire pit as she waited for Finn and Jake. They where a couple of minutes late but, when weren't they? "Lady!" She heard Jake's voice as he ran to her. Finn was visibly seen walking along side him. The boy wore no expression on his face as he waked closer to her.
"Hey guys." She smiled
"Hey." Finn mumbled
"Ready to go to Princess?" She asked Jake "Its three now, she's waiting."
"Yeah sorry were late." Jake smiled
"Yeah. Sorry." Finn mumbled
"It's okay." She assured "Climb on Finn." Better to make nice.
"She says to climb on Finn." Jake said as he climbed on his girlfriend's back.
"Can't I just walk?" Finn asked looking away
"We're late." Jake said sensing Finn's problem.
"Whatever." Finn mumbled as he climbed on Lady's back.
"Hold on." She said as she rose into the sky.
Finn tuned out the conversation in front of him as he held on to Lady's back for dear life. He wasn't scared. He knew Jake would save him if he fell…right? Finn shook his head to push away the doubt. Of course, he would. When they arrived at the castle, Princess Bubblegum was already on her back porch sipping tea. "Sorry we're late princess." Finn said as he jumped off Lady before she landed.
"It's alright Finn." She smiled and stood to greet them. "I assumed you would be late." Princess Bubblegum walked down the short three steps and approached them. She kissed Rainicorn's cheek first, petted Jake, and leaned in to hug Finn. Growing up, Finn had always received hugs from Princess Bubblegum. Yet there was something about this hug that felt different. She wrapped her arms around his back, her arms in between his. This was more of an intimate hug than the protective bear hugs he had gotten before. He hugged her back, but due to his now, height advantage his arms hung around her waist and his chin rested on her head. He could feel her smile against his shirt. When Finn looked at Jake's smirking face, he made an embarrassed sound and pulled away from the princess who reluctantly let him go. Finn's face was as red as a tomato.
"How are you Princess?" He asked walking towards the table set for four.
"I'm fine Finn." She smiled and walked instep with him. At the table, and out of manners taught to him by Jake, Finn pulled out PB's chair "Thank you Finn." She smiled and sat on the chair.
Finn nodded. "Why did you call for this tea party?" Finn asked looking around her beautiful garden. When he saw the red roses, he made a mental note to pick one for Marceline's consumption.
"Well, I have created the most delicious sandwiches to ever exist and since Cinnamon Buns did not taste it, I have no idea if it so."
"So you invited us to taste them?" Jake asked hopeful
Bubblegum nodded. Finn leaned back into his chair as Peppermint butler and two other candy servants came to serve them. "Thank you." Finn mumbled as the candy butler placed his plate in front of him and served his tea. When the young hero bit into his sandwich, his eyes widened. "Oh. My. Glob!" He looked at PB's expecting smile "This is delicious!"
PB giggled and bit into her own sandwich. After the four had eaten their meal and drank their tea, they leaned back in the porch. The cool spring day and their full stomachs making a siesta seem inviting. "If you'd like to sleep a bit, we have room in the candy Kingdome." Bubblegum smiled. Her invitation was general but she was looking at Finn.
The young hero blushed. "T-thank you princess… b-but me and Jake have stuff to do and…" The hero saw the disappointment on the beautiful candy princess and his heart fell. "Maybe… tomorrow… we could… hang out?" Instantly she smiled
"Wonderful! I have new technology I must test and you can help me with it." Finn nodded and listened as she talked. How could he say no to her? She was just so beautiful and smart. Being near Bubblegum just felt so right.
X
After saying goodbye to the princess and picking Marceline's rose, Finn walked over to where Lady and Jake stood. "Ready to go man?"
"Actually… dude, I have to go to Lady's parents house. They want to talk to me before…you know." Jake smiled sheepishly.
"Oh… okay." The young boy nodded
"Do you need a ride to Marcy's?"
"No. No, I'll make it. Thanks." Finn began to walk away, hearing Jake's sigh and feeling Lady's stare.
Finn began to walk towards Marceline's house. It was a few miles from here and through some old woods. He would never make it by six, it being Five forty five and all. After a couple of miles, Finn stopped walking to rest up. Looking in his pack, he found his canteen empty. "Glob it." Finn sighed angrily. As he looked around, he recognized this part of the forest. There was a clearing near by where a small lake stood. He would get a drink of water, fill up his canteen, and then keep going. As he approached the water, he began to feel it get warmer. Then right by the edge of the water, he saw Flame princess. She was crouching by the bank looking at her reflection. "Aithne?"
"Huh?" She turned back and saw him. Instantly she stood up "What do you want?"
"I was…" He pointed behind him. "I just came to get some water." Finn stuck out his canteen.
"Figures. You stupid water elementals need your liquid." She huffed looking away
After a frustrating day and the pent up aggression towards Lady and Jake, Finn snapped, "Yo, man, I didn't do anything to you. Why are you being so cranky?"
"Excuse me?" FP asked angering "How dare you talk to me like that?"
"I don't care if you're a princess. I am tired of your attitude and you treating everyone like trash. You need to control your anger." Finn stated, not thinking
Flame Princess's temperature rose and some of the plants around her cached flame, just when she was about to talk- to yell she closed her mouth and her temperature began to reduce dramatically. She fell to the ground, sitting, and sighed before her fiery tears flowed "You're right."
"Huh?" Finn was feeling guilty now. No matter how mad he was, he never wanted to hurt her. Finn walked closer to her, sitting by her side without getting too close. "I'm sorry. I was mad. I should've never said that." He sighed
"No… you were right." She wiped her tears and looked down at the closest unburned plant "And to top it off I'm not even a princess now."
"What?" Finn confused
"My father tried to set me up a noble from the fire Kingdome but I refused. He's furious with me and tried to lock me back up in that infernal lamp… So I ran away." She sighed
"Aithne…" Finn reached out to touch her but even with her lowest temperature, she would give him a second-degree burn. He stopped in mid air and thought. "Let me help you."
"Why would you do that?" She looked over to him, hopeful
"Because you're in need and… it's my job to protect those in need." Finn stated with a smile
"How can you help me?" She asked looking into his eyes
"Here." Finn took out a piece of paper from his bag with an address written on it. "This is the address of my friend Tree Trunks. She lives by the apple orchards. I'm sure she'll give you haven until tomorrow. I'll go get you and together we'll see what we can do about your father. Sounds good?"
Flame princess looked away uncertain. After a while, she sighed "Okay." She read the address a couple times until she memorized it, stood, and began to walk towards Tree Trunk's "Thank you Finn." She mumbled. Finn laid on the grass and sighed. How could he say no to her? She was so passionate and beautiful. She needed him.
X
After awhile of walking, and sulking, Finn arrived at Marceline's cave. He walked in humming and knocked on Marceline's door. "Hey Finnegan." Marceline greeted opening the door wide for him. "I didn't think you were going to show."
Finn sighed "longest walk ever." Finn fell inside exhausted
"What happened with Jake?" Marceline asked floating over to the couch.
"He's moving in with Rainicorn." Finn sat on the ground leaning against the couch. He was tired but that thing was still as uncomfortable as ever.
"Whoa. Heavy." Marceline said as she sunk down next to him. "Why?"
"He thinks I'm old enough now… I think she set the whole thing up." Finn said with eyes closed.
Marceline looked at Finn. The poor guy seemed to be exhausted, not just physically but mentally too. On other circumstances, she would tell him to suck it up, or even play it off with some joke or junk, but this was Jake they were talking about. Finn's compadre for ages, leaving him for a girl. Ouch. Without thinking, Marceline leaned over and hugged him. Finn's eyes flew open with the contact and he stiffened from the shock. A sigh escaped his lips and he relaxed against her. His hands came up around her back. Neither said a word and neither moved. After a few seconds, Marceline pulled away and floated up. Both teens were blushing but neither wanted to look at the other. "Better?"
"Y-yeah." Finn said. He grabbed his pack and took out the rose he picked for her. "Here."
Marceline looked at the rose, her face darkening. "Umm?"
"It's really red… I thought you'd like it." Finn saw her expression "To eat it. I mean." Marceline nodded and smiled. She took the rose. "Marce, do you mind if I leave? I am kinda tired…"
"Naww. It's cool." She smiled "C'mon I'll take you home." Finn nodded.
Outside of the cave, Marceline picked up Finn and took off. In the air, Marceline couldn't help but do some stunts- to cheer him up. She would let go of him but catch him in the end, or loop-de-loop in air. She would giggle as she did so. Her laughter contagious. By the time she dropped- literally dropped- Finn on the tree house roof, they were both hysterically laughing. "Make up jam session tomorrow?" She asked.
"Definitely." He laughed
"And leave the mutt and attitude at home." She winked and began to float away.
Instantly he remembered PB and FP. He already had plans. "Marceline" He said
"Yeah?" She turned back to face him, her hair blowing in the wind and a smirk on her face
"I'll see you tomorrow. Ma lady." He bowed and she laughed at him. He watched as she floated away. How could he say no to her? She was just so beautiful and –ironically- alive.
Finn shook his head and looked up to the moonlighted sky. He sighed fearing sleep would come soon.
A/A/N
Long chapter! I still haven't decided on the pairing… so a little bit of everything. Thanks to all for FP names, but I just liked Aithne a little better. It means fire in Galileic. Hope you continue to read.