This chapter might be confusing. I split up two conversations so you get to hear them both. The first is between Lemongrab and PB then Esme and Lemonfriend and finally Lemongrab and Lemonfriend. I put mini-titles to signal the change. Hope you enjoy reading trying to be consistent and quick but I also want them to be interesting so I don't know how long they will take. Enjoy!

Lemongrab and PB:
As the wooden door creaked shut, Princess Bubblegum and Lemongrab settled themselves down on opposite sofas. This meant they could face each other and talk. Eye to eye. Lemongrab took a deep breathe in and sighed, trying to find the courage buried within his heart. He completely forgot what he planned to say to PB. Hours of finding the right words to say gone down the drain in 5 seconds.

"Look, I know... I mean I understand if...*sigh*." It was no use. His mind became jumbled. He became incoherent and couldn't get his emotions across to her. "I guess I'm just trying to say I'm so sorry for everything I have done in the past. And I know that a simple apology will never make up for the things I did, but if you try to forgive me I can promise you one thing, I will never ever do anything bad again. Not to the candy people, not to the lemon people and especially not to you and lemonfriend." Lemongrab's words began to fade away, as his lips quivered once more. He looked away from her woeful eyes to composed himself, however when he did he felt a hand being gently places on his. He turned back to PB whose eyes were closed and head facing the floor. She lifted her head to meet his tearful gaze.

"Don't cry again Lemongrab, there's no need for tears." She said with a soft, motherly tone.

"I haven't been crying and I'm not crying now." He uttered.

"I'm not stupid Lemongrab, when I first saw you I knew you had been bawling yours eyes out. They were still puffy and red in places. Frankly, that surprised me to begin with that you, Lemongrab, who never showed any emotion had been crying. So why were you crying?" Asked PB. Lemongrab wondered if he should say anything. He didn't want her to feel like it was their fault, even if it was the words they said that upset him. No, he couldn't do that. Maybe some other time when they are closer. Biting his tongue, he finally replied.

"I'd rather not talk about it. It's in the past anyway, can't change what's happened."

"Are you sure? Getting things off your chest usually helps a lot."

"No, it's fine really." He tried to side track the conversation to stop PB questioning his emotions. "Anyway, we're not here to talk about the past... Well we are, but not that past."

"I suppose." Replied PB. Her voice was quiet and almost even worried. "So, how long did it take for you to get to...? This?" By the way PB gestured with her hands, she meant his physical change. She waved her hands slowly up and down Lemongrab's figure as if she was showing a group of tourists.

"13 months. As soon as I got to the unit, it was learning from day one. Mental training to start with and once I was in the right frame of mind I lost weight and began training my body to become strong and protective." Explained Lemongrab.

"I can tell. I mean... You look totally different. When you walked through the doorway, I hardly recognised you. You body, mind… voice. It's like you're a completely different person." Lemongrab presented her with a kind smile, but not before glancing down at the floor and blushing deeply. He wasn't use to taking compliments yet. But he could. It made him feel warm inside, warmth he never felt before.

"Thanks, you look more grown up than when I last saw you."

"Really, thanks LG." Time quickly ticked by, Lemongrab and PB had been talking a lot and actually had an insightful conversation. She had to swallow her pride and admit that she was wrong. "To be truthful Lemongrab, I didn't believe Esme when she said you had changed, but she told the truth. Yes, it might take time to get back to normal but if you are truthfully different then I will be by your side the whole way." As she finished her sentence, she gave Lemongrab a supportive smile and placing her hand on the side of his arm. She suddenly remembered that he had a thing with people touching him and quickly drew her hand back. He knew why she did this, so he decided to make it clear that he wasn't like that. He held out his arms, inviting her in for a warm hug. His small, sweet smile and sparkly eyes were also encouraging her to step in to the hug. She threw herself in to the hug, taking the opportunity while it was still open. His muscular arms wrapped around her tiny shoulders making her feel cosy and protected. They both squeezed tightly and embraced the hug. When they finally released their grip around each other, they smirked at each other and headed to the door to invite lemonfriend in. As PB opened the door, Esme and lemonfriend were sat on the floor opposite the door. Jumping up from the floor, lemonfriend stepped over to PB.

"How did it go?" He whispered.

"Fine. Nothing bad happened." Replied PB, who had a confident grin on her face. Lemongrab then came through the door frame.

"Do you still want to come in?" Lemonfriend thought for a while before answering. The Princess would have said if something was wrong.

"Of course." he replied. "After you." Lemongrab turned back in to the room and headed back over to the seat that he was in last time; lemonfriend quickly followed and shut the door behind them.

Esme and lemonfriend:
Esme carefully shut the old-fashioned door and looked over to lemonfriend who was sat on the floor resting his back against the ice cold, brick wall. The tunnel was bright enough for Esme to see that he was still in shock, with a hint of distress as well. So she decided to have a talk with him, just like Lemongrab and PB were doing in the concealed room. Casually she wandered over to lemonfriend, who was staring at the floor between his knees. "Mind if I sit next to you? I would like to have a chat with you."
Lemonfriend rose his head to meet her gaze. He didn't reply verbally, instead he gave a friendly smile and nodded his head gently. Esme plonked herself down on the dusty floor and tried to tease out Lemonfriend's emotions about the whole situation. Before she could look at his face properly, he returned to his original posture. She needed to know how he felt, as he had kept quiet ever since she met him 20 minutes ago. "I know this is a shock and that it will be hard to get use to it, but everything will go smoothly if we work towards it." Esme tried to lift his spirit by convincing him the future was bright, but nothing succeeded. "I have to ask this but what do you think about Lemongrab now?" Esme was nervous of the reply, as she recalled what he said earlier.

"Well, he's ... Different" he replied. "But I don't know what his personality is like, as they used to say, don't judge a book by the cover."

"That's very true. However I know Lemongrab and I believe he has changed." Esme's words were cut short once again.

"Do you though?" Snapped Lemonfriend. "Do you know really know him? Or do you only know that version of him?" Esme stared at lemonfriend in bewilderment over his sudden burst. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap." He confessed,

"No, no it's fine, working at a rehab unit we get worse than that." Explained Esme "I understand why you would say that, you've known him for a few years but I only met him 13 months ago." Lemonfriend couldn't resist being nosy and finding out more about them. He met her gaze and began the interrogation.

"What was he like? As in how long did it take to notice change?" Asked lemonfriend.

"Can't lie, he was a handful to start off with. His mental state was in taters, his physical health was horrendous and to top it off he had the attitude of 1000 moody teenagers combined. But after a few months of trying the soft approach, we decided to use psychological therapy to make him see the error of his ways. Not a method I like but it worked." As Esme finished speaking, new questions popped in to Lemonfriend's head. What did they do to change him? Are there side effects? He had to get more answers.

"Psychological therapy? What does that consist of exactly?"

"Well, it is defiantly not one of my favourite methods to use. Usually it is only used on extreme cases like he was. You basically take piece from their past and dramatise them in the hope they discover how their actions make others feel."
Lemonfriend's curiosity grew steadily.

"Why don't you like that method?"

"It's messing with the persons mind, you have no idea if it will work the way you wanted it to or make them worse. Luckily for Lemongrab it worked out precisely how we wanted it to."

"Was that the moment you were talking about earlier?"

"Which one?" Questioned Esme.

"You were telling us what he was like when he realised the wrongs he did. You stopped yourself speaking before you finished." Answered lemonfriend.

"Oh yeah. Yes, that was when we went all out on him. I thought we pushed it too far but the boss said it was for his own good. It worked, but it was a dangerous move."
Worry suddenly crept in to Lemonfriend mind.

"What do you mean by dangerous?"
Esme fell silent for a few moments. She knew she shouldn't be the one to tell.

"I can't say. Asked him, he will tell you if he wants. It's...personal and quite a heavy topic." Stated Esme

"Oh, I see." Lemonfriend glanced down at his hands which were resting on his legs. He began to twiddle his thumbs in anticipation.

"But he has made tonnes of progress since then, you'll see." Esme petted him on the shoulder to comfort him and put his worries to rest. He let out a tiny sigh before another idea sprung to his attention.

"There was something else I wanted to ask you."

"Go on." Esme spoke softly and confidently.

"Earlier on you said that he changed 'for me', but what did you mean by that." Before Esme could reply, the decaying doors latch clicked open and PB walked out of the room. Esme couldn't tell lemonfriend what he wanted, as he was already off the floor, dusting himself down and next to PB. Esme saw Lemongrab behind PB in the door frame and gave him signals to find out how it went. She threw a thumbs-up in to the air so he could see it; he smiled and began to nod his head. Lemonfriend and PB mumbled to each quietly. PB's expression was relaxed for once, giving lemonfriend more confidence to go in to the room, to speak to the man who terrorised him.

Lemongrab & lemonfriend
Lemonfriend focused his eyes on the new man who was steadily walking in front of him towards the sofas. He couldn't help but wonder if this actually WAS Lemongrab or someone who just looked like him, impersonating him like a stick insect would to a stick. Lemonfriend placed himself gently on to the sofa where PB once was. Nerves began to fill his entire body. Stupid situation filled his head. What if Lemongrab was back for revenge? Now he is stronger, lemonfriend would be dominated by him if he attacked him out of the blue. Meanwhile, Lemongrab was also feeling the pressure. He still had no idea what to say. This was the first time he could see lemonfriend properly. He was back to his original self, full faced and had his lower body back. However, along the left side of his face, there were small scars where PB sewed the other half of his face back on. These would heal in time, but whether the memory would was another question. Maybe they were too deep to heal or forget. Every time he looked at his face, he was reminded of what his enraged self did to the person he cared about most in the world. Pushing back the negative thoughts, he tried to start the conversation and find out how he had been.

"So... How have things been while I was away?" You could feel the awkwardness begin to rise higher and higher. Why was it so hard to talk to him?

"They've been fine; I was struggling to cope on my own so that's when we decided to merge kingdoms. It worked out better than we thought. I hope you don't mind." Lemonfriend felt his face heat up with anxiety. He prayed that Lemongrab wouldn't lash out. His wish came true.

"Good idea." Lemonfriend couldn't believe the words that came from Lemongrab's mouth.

"Hugh." This grunt was his only reply, as confusion had taken control of his mind.

"Well, I mean you said you were struggling and two kingdoms together make them stronger than one Kingdom."

"I suppose." All lemonfriend could think about was the shreds of doubt overflowing in his mind. This couldn't have been the real Lemongrab, and if so what did they do to him to make him like this. He remembered his chat with Esme and decided to start interrogating Lemongrab as well.

"Mind if I ask something?" Inquired lemonfriend

"Sure, carry on."

"You have changed dramatically from when I last remember you. What exactly did they do to snap you out of that vicious trance?"

"Well." Replied Lemongrab. "First they helped me get in to the right frame of mind to be a good ruler, and then with the help of Esme, I trained my body and developed fighting skills." Lemonfriend knew there was something else on his mind. His face had a smile painted on, but behind his eyes hid desperation and depression.

"Is that it?" Lemonfriend asked.

"Yeah, that's pretty much it. Why? Do you not believe me?"

"No no, it's nearly impossible to say you didn't do any of that because of your new appearance, but... While I was waiting outside the room with Esme she described a method they used to help you. Psychological therapy. If you don't mind me asking, what was it like?" As he finished his sentence, lemonfriend felt a slight twinge of fear as to what the answer could be.

"Oh that." Lemongrab's words were quiet and he almost sounded hurt.

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to upset you. You don't have to say anything you don't want to."

"Don't worry you didn't upset me. As for the answer..." Lemongrab kept relaying the thought in his head. Should he tell him everything? Or wait?

"Well, how much do you know so far?" inquired Lemongrab.

"Isn't it when you rethink your past but they make it seem worse to get through to you?" Responded lemonfriend.

"Basically, yeah."

"What did they do for you?" Lemongrab was feeling choked up just by thinking about it. While dreaming in to Lemonfriend's eyes he wondered whether he should tell him. Tell him what they showed to him. Maybe it would show him that he has changed for him.

"They showed me a lot. I can remember Esme arguing with her boss to be patient and that I was gunna take some time." Relaxing back on to the sofa he let his head fall back on to the wall, so his gaze was now fixed on the swinging ceiling light. "He didn't listen to her. Do you want the whole truth..? Of what I saw." Lemonfriend thought about it for a few moments and nodded his head. His compassionate eyes were fixed on Lemongrab's expression, looking for signs of distress in case it was too much for him to recall. "It started with my citizens. They made me recall how I treated them and that they suffered under my rule. They would say to me that they were still terrified of me to this day. I began to break, but not enough to satisfy big boss man. So they moved on to PB and people in the candy Kingdom. Basically it was the same kind of stuff being repeated, with the added part of the princess being disappointed and distort by my behaviour. Which was true I guess, still wasn't broken enough for him. The finally situation made me crumble in to bits." Lemongrab paused. Tears were forming in his eyes, which made them sting again. It felt like his heart was being shot over and over again. Soon enough he let out a croaky ending to the story and stared directly in to Lemonfriend's eyes. "They showed me you... And what I did to you. I just..." He couldn't even pull enough will power to stop the tears running down his cheek once more. Instead he said something he should have said ages ago. "I'm sorry... So so sorry... Please forgive me." His words were mumbled and faint, but lemonfriend could still make out what he was saying. His heart began to ache, like it had just been punched. He edged closer to Lemongrab who was leaning forward, facing the floor. He placed his soft hand on the back of his shoulder and began to reassure him. Soothing him with his every touch and stroke. As Lemongrab felt his repetitive motion, he could feel his whole body shiver and heat up. His cheeks flushed pure red. He was almost disappointed when lemonfriend withdrew his hand from his shoulder, his touch made him feel crazy. He already felt addicted to it.
As Lemongrab lifted his head, Lemonfriend's eyes were teary and sympathetic.

"So that's what Esme meant..." Lemongrab was puzzled by the remark made by his crush.

"What was that?" Asked Lemongrab, still choked and mumbled.

"When she got us to see you, she said that you 'had changed yourself... For you.' By which she meant me and PB. I was confused at the time, but now I've heard your side of the tale, it makes sense now. Looking back on us... On me...Made you change. Am I rights?"
He stared in to Lemongrab's watery eyes for a reply. He gave nothing but a simple nod.

"So what happened after that?" Lemongrab wiped away the tears and cleared his throat.

"Like I said, I trained and became better."

"No, I mean after the therapy. Straight after, when you... Cracked."

"You don't want to know." Lemongrab focused his gaze to the floor. He sounded distraught and was filled with woe.

"You can tell me. I won't judge you or discriminate against you." Lemonfriend was trying desperately to discover more, as his curiosity flared. He was on the edge of his seat, awaiting an ending to the intense cliff hanger. As Lemongrab met his gaze once more he could not help noticing the worry hidden behind his soft, wide eyes. So, he gathered his courage and ended the story.

"After that moment, I can remember freaking out to a point where I was hysterical. I thought I was going mad. Esme tried to calm me down, but I got past her and ran to my room, locking myself in the bathroom. That was the only place there were locks." He paused for a moment. Anticipation took control of Lemonfriend as he pounced for an answer.

"Then what?" He curiously asked.

"I was stupid!" Exclaimed Lemongrab "Ok I made a big mistake... The moment took me; I had no idea what to do." His words faded once more. "I hated myself for what I did. You were the first person who could tolerate me and I hurt you. I thought that no one could love me after that. I saw no worth to my life anymore."
Lemonfriend became frightened of the answer. Did he want to hear more? "I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Esme kicking the door in and helping me."

"Are you trying to say that...you tried to take your own life?" Lemonfriend's heart felt twisted at the words coming from his mouth, it was like his heart stopped beating. All he could think about was how helpless Lemongrab must of felt.

"The straight answer is yes. I wouldn't now, but at the time I felt...worthless...unwanted...so thought it would be best for everyone."

"No! How could you think like that?!"

"Well it's true! You were doing fine with PB, the citizens wouldn't have to live in fear of me and I wouldn't have wasted so much of Esme's time."

"But I would have missed you." The reply from lemonfriend made Lemongrab's heart skip a beat. He was completely baffled.

"What do you mean?"

"To be truthful, when you became that brute of a leader, I missed the old version of you that became buried under greed, ignorance and anger. To think what it would be like to never see you again, even in that state, would break me. You were the first person I met properly; of course I would miss you."

"Yet not to long ago you called me a fat bastard and that I haven't changed." As the words slipped out of his mouth, he suddenly realised what he had just blurted out.

"How did you know?" He began to sweat, as his belly tightened and twisted.

"I tried to find Esme and may have accidentally listened in through the door. I discovered that PB was pessimistic about me and that you were still terrified."

"I wasn't terrified!" Snapped lemonfriend. "Just angry and upset. I'm definitely not anymore. I can tell you have changed; it's clear to see."

"But the memory is still bugging you." Lemonfriend froze. He had no idea what to say. Just like Lemongrab at the start of the conversation. He kept relaying the memory in his head, making him quiver with the fear he felt when Lemongrab bit out a large chunk out of his head. Placing his hand on his scars, he faced Lemongrab's apologetic expression.

"..yes.." It was quieter than a whisper, but in the silent, still room it was loud enough to know the response. "Because of what you were."
Lemongrab's hopes of being with him as a couple seemed to slip through his finger on to the stone, cold floor. Gradually draining away. Lemonfriend would never love a person who has mentally scarred them. What was he thinking? They would never be together again. That one incident had a massive effect on the future, probably affecting it forever.

"Do you think you can ever forgive me?" Lemongrab muttered.

"Of course.. In time." The room fell silent again for a few moments before sit was broken by lemonfriend again. "I am glad to have you back in a way. It was weird without you here as you were the only person I lived with in the beginning. Like a piece of me was missing." Lemongrab's spirit was brightened by his compassionate words.

"As did I." They both gave each other a small, sweet smile. Their contact was broken by a knock at the door. PB peered around the door.

"Sorry, but we need to go. We are working with the banana guards."

"Oh no I completely forgot." Voiced lemonfriend. "I'm sorry, but I can't miss another meeting."

"Will you see me again?" At this moment PB broke in to the talk.

"Of course you will, now that you live here." She smirked at him and waited for him to realise her words. Lemongrab's eyes grew wide.

"You mean... You are letting me come back... For good?"

"Yes, I believe you have changed. Esme has ordered for yours and her stuff to be delivered here."

"You're letting Esme stay to?" He couldn't hold back his gradual, growing smile spread from cheek to cheek.

"Yeah, she still needs to finish training you and plus I think she would make a good addition to the kingdom. But know this..." PB stepped forward and pointed at Lemongrab. "Anymore attacks on people or any trouble at all, you will be out of his like a rocket. Got that?" Lemongrab couldn't summon the words to his lips so he just nodded to show he understood. PB lowered her hand and gestured to lemonfriend to follow her.

"See you around I guess." Said lemonfriend.

"Yeah, speak later." Lemongrab couldn't hide the disappointment in his voice. As lemonfriend left, Lemongrab suddenly realised what lemonfriend did to him. He wanted him near him. He wanted to hear his voice again. Feel him again. But his confusing feelings will have to wait as he has a lot of unpacking to do with Esme in their new home.