Ch. 2: Jake

Another day, another dollar. These words ran through Jake the Dog's mind every morning as he stood there, motivating himself in front of the mirror. Another chance to make memories with his best friends in the world. Without them he'd be nothing.

He was smiling as he stretched down the pole in the middle of the treehouse. He could practically taste the delicious bacon pancakes he was gonna make for Finn. As always, he cleared the table from the previous meal, shaking his head and grumbling, "Finn you boingloing, you didn't even finish yesterday's breakfast!"

A lengthy, shame-filled silence followed this statement. The scent of bacon filled the air, and the sizzle of a pancake griddle harmonized perfectly. When the tension became unbearable, Jake sighed and broke it.

"Come on man... listen, you know I'm not actually mad at you, right? We're bros, forever and always. Even if you sometimes don't appreciate my cooking."

Jake's apology received no forgiveness. It was ok, though, because he knew that Finn was in a tough place. He had been for a while.

"Well, alright then, bro. I'm gonna go hang out with Rainicorn and PB. You should come today, it would be good for you to get out of the house!" Jake's smile was lost on its intended recipient, devolving into a slight frown as he walked towards the door. Maybe tomorrow.

"I'm worried about him, guys. He just sits there, not caring about anyone or anything anymore. I can't get him to eat, can't get him to sleep... what do I do?" Jake's eyes were filled with pain, knowing that his friend was in trouble and he could do nothing about it. Another long silence filled the air. Preebs and Rainicorn tended to be contemplative during his visits, so this didn't surprise him much.

He was sitting in a circle in the Candy Kingdom's throne room. Him and the pair had been meeting in this place at the exact same time every day for the past three months. Even when he was running a bit late, he could count on them to be there on time. Early, even. None of them would dare miss this chance at bonding. At being a family.

Jake tried to liven the place up a bit each time he came. A few books one day, maybe a painting the next. He knew what his friends liked and he wanted to please them in every way he could.

Jake began to inform them of all that had happened in Ooo, all the gossip and all the news. They were a very busy pair, so he knew they counted on him to deliver any important information. An hour or so passed in this way, and then Jake knew he had to go.

Before he left, though, he turned to Lady. These mornings really were his only chance to see her. Too many other social engagements took up his time. He had to visit everybody, had to make sure that their lives were going as well as his was. The thought of her never left his mind, however, even if it wasn't always at the front; he loved her with all his heart, and so he tried to make a point to tell her how he felt every day before he left.

"You and me forever, baby. Till the end of our days."

One last smile was directed at the solemn pair as he exited the chamber. He'd make them smile eventually, he knew it. Maybe tomorrow.

He walked the streets of the Candy Kingdom, knowing that the sounds of the city he missed so dearly were hidden behind closed doors. Even so, he called out to each citizen, asking how their day went and sincerely apologizing for not having more time to talk. Everybody got their chance, because he wouldn't dare to forget even one of them. No one deserved to feel lonely and uncared for.

His favorite part of this walk was always getting to see Marceline. She sat in the branches of a tree, under the shadow of its canopy, day in and day out. He assumed she just went there to think, and Marcy seemed like the type who had a lot to think about.

"Hey Marcy, what are ya thinkin' 'bout today? Smoochin' with your boyfriend?" Jake called, giggling all the while. As always, silence was all she had for him. Good 'ol Marceline. Even if she didn't say it, he knew she enjoyed the time they spent together. If she didn't, why would she keep showing up?

This time the smile didn't leave his face as he walked away. Eventually she'd have to show a modicum of gratitude for the attention he gave her. Maybe tomorrow.

The last part of his day was the only part that truly annoyed him. A journey to the Ice Kingdom was necessary at the end of each and every day, because it was the only way to ensure that his friends were safe from the clutches of the Ice King.

The chill didn't really bother him, though. Snowflakes would lazily drift through the air, falling one by one onto his thick coat. Pretty, and not in the least way inconvenient. It made the trip bearable most of the time.

He could already hear Ice King going at it. Yelling at Gunter to do his job, trying to smooth-talk the princesses, and laughing at his own jokes. This guy was a nuisance, but Jake knew he really was a good guy at heart.

The same scene as always greeted him as he entered Ice King's room. Three princesses, different each day, in the jail cell; the frozen baron seated at his drums, ready to blast out another tune, and a pile of written in books lying on the floor.

"Alright, Ice King, time to give 'em up. You gotta stop stealing the princesses, man!"

A disappointed look crossed his pallid face. "Ya, you're probably right, Jake. Stealing them isn't getting me the romance I need. I just don't know what else to do! They won't even talk to me!"

"That's normal! They're a pretty silent bunch, or at least they are now. Ever since the... you know... everybody's really mellowed out. You gotta respect that, man."

Jake was referring to the terrible earthquake that had occurred a few years back. Him and the Ice King had been on a little journey when it happened, so the latter's protective ice magic was able to save them from its devastation, but it had ravaged the rest of Ooo. Thankfully, Jake was able to rescue everyone. Everyone deserved to be rescued.

"Alright, Jake. Go ahead and take them home. I know they like me, somewhere inside. I just gotta find a way to bring it out of them. Maybe tomorrow."

Jake carefully placed PB back on her throne, right next to Lady. She must have been worried sick to have stayed there all day waiting for her, but he knew he would have done the same thing for Finn. Bros are bros, no matter the cost.

"Alright, you two, I'll be back tomorrow. Same time, same place, can't wait babycakes!"

It was getting dark, so he knew he had to head back and take care of Finn. One last blown kiss, and he was again headed towards the treehouse.

"Dude, your breakfast is gonna get cold if you keep waiting to eat it!"

The exasperation Jake felt was fleeting. He couldn't force Finn to do anything. All he could really do was wait, because he knew that eventually he'd feel well enough to speak to him again. To adventure again. To be Finn again. That earthquake really changed him.

Everyone would forgive him eventually. They'd forgive him for not being there when the earthquake hit, for not doing more to save them. The Candy Kingdom had been rebuilt from the ground up with his own hands, but he knew they resented him for not doing it faster.

He had let them down, and he was determined to make up for his failures. He couldn't afford to lose his friends, his family... he refused to let them leave him, because without them he'd be nothing.

Finally, after his final chores around the house had been finished, Jake the Dog sighed and returned upstairs to his bed. Maybe tomorrow would be the day. Maybe tomorrow would be the day all would be well again. Maybe tomorrow would be the day where he could truly say that he was home again.

Maybe tomorrow.