Chapter 7: Fun and the pain
Finn looked about inside the kitchen, if he had to take a guess. A metal stove rests against the far wall in front of him, it's pipes connected to a upward against the planked wall. 'Where does the gas even come from? And why does that picture have a black cord attached to it, is it a hot plate? Coffee maker?' Thought a perplexed Finn as he study the applications. A metal washbasin was to the left of the stove, full of soapy and bubbly water, with a wooden barrel with a showerhead above it. 'Again, how does one control the water, magic?' Finn shook his head. He had no right to question how things work after what he has seen. A seemingly unpractical sink was nowhere near the list of things he hasn't understood, and a lot of things he wished to cleanse from his mind belonged on that list. A long a curved counter stretched across the wall with a closed window, curving half way across the wall to the right next to the meat freezers. A large double door cabinet rest above the freezer, seemingly made of the same wood as the tree. It would also seem that any dry good or jarred preserves were just stacked on top of the multiple tree like growths shooting upward, seemingly just placed around at random. A couch was to the left of him as there was a red cushioned booth with a large circular wooden table, with a door way covered by a red rug or fur pelt next to it with another door way that is next to it.
The aroma of the kitchen wafted up his nose, the phantom scent of countless meals and greased rousing a memory from his head. His mind felt itchy before a flash overlapped all of his senses. He sat around the wooden table with a small rectangular greenish blue robot while Jake was at the oven, cooking something that smelt divine on the stovetop before sitting down a plate of…. Meat and white stuff with yellow centers? 'Was this food? It tasted good, bacon and eggs I think it was called.' It was a fun time as he enjoyed tasty food and good company, laughing at whatever it was that Jake said. 'What was so funny?'
Finn walked towards the table, gliding his filthy bandaged fingers on top it's worn and smooth surface, the feeling of the wood somehow being felt under his bandages. He stopped gliding his fingers as he looked at his hand. Bout time I took these things off, probably would've get in my way somehow. Finn began unwrapping his hands, the bloody cloth fluttering to the ground in a heap. He inspected his scarred and calloused hands, his finger nails sharp with caked blood underneath them. Each digit of his fingers had a fine line like scars, like the limbs were sewn back together. The number of times he lost his limbs was countless during the dream. Two runes in blood red covered the tops of each hand. The rune on his right hand was a multitude of small, faint vertical lines with a thick and jagged line running horizontally across them, the Clawmark rune. His left hand had a curved line running downwards, near the top of three lines that looked like lower case I's, This was the Formless Oedon rune. His palms had a row of white dots from where the beasts fangs pierced his flesh but leaving the runes of his palm unmarred. A eye with lines going down vertically with the pupil being a golden yellow on his right palm, the Blood Rapture rune resides. His left palm held the Moon rune, the red lines were faded, the shape being unrecognizable now in the lighten kitchen.
The sound of Isabela and Jake drew his attention away from his hands. Isabela was quite, but not quite enough to go unnoticed while Jake stretched up and into the center of the kitchen. Jake yelled loud, causing Finn to flinch at the sudden shout, his hands clenching into fists.
"BMO! We're home!" The sound of little feet were heard from behind the fur curtain before it was parted, the sound immediately putting Finn on guard, a small ball of mist floated in his left palm, out of sight of everyone. " Welcome back Jake, Huntress, and…." BMO stared at Finn, trying to figure out this filthy and blood splattered person. Finn stared at it impassively, not making a move as he study the curious little thing. A weight seemed to emanate from Finn, making everyone nervous. Jake switched his eyes between BMO and Finn, not sure what to do while Huntress seemed to be calm and ready, palming a handful of seeds to intervene if Finn were to lash out. Her antlers twitched, sensing that Finn was unsure how to proceed, guarded and tensed. His hands suddenly became very twitchy, mist growing slowly in his palm, breaking between his fingers.
BMO was starting to shake in fear of the stranger in front of her. She was a machine, a robot, which shouldn't feel fear but yet she does. The filthy man before her caused her fear but yet the longer she stares at him, the more he looks like Finn. A scarred and scary Finn. He seemed human, something that was unheard of except for Finn. The man's impassive look soften after staring at BMO for a moment longer, the pressure slowly dispersing as he bent down to his knee, resting his right arm on it, Drawing surprised looks from Jake and Isabela. 'His hand's back?' They both thought, seeing the heavily scarred and tattooed flesh instead of cold metal of his cybernetic arm. His right arm seemed paler than the left, the runes drawing isablea's attention. Her eyes glew as she looked at his hands, trying to see if she could see anything magical or off about the newly regrew limb. She say nothing but a faint glow around his whole body. It wasn't magic in nature, or not any magic she knew of as the mystery of the recently 'rescued' human grew.
"You're BMO little one? You seem very familiar." Finn gently told her, trying to calm her down. 'He sounds like Finn too' BMO thought, growing slightly more at ease as she took a small step forward before looking to Jake.
" He's home BMO."
BMO looked back at the scary stranger, "Finn?" Finn continued to smile at the little robot in front of him, relaxing his body except for his left hand, mist swirling around his fist now. BMO rushed Finn, tackle hugging his knee, squeezing tight. The mist began forming into a large dagger, made of pure silver from the hilt to the tip of its serrated edge. Huntress took a step closer ready to throw the seeds in her hand a single thought ran through her mind 'Don't do it, Don't make me stop you.'
Finn began to feel BMO tremble as she hugged his leg tighter before hearing her cry. His eyes widen as he heard this. Very few would cry for a hunter like him, hoping that he would just die and stay dead. He wanted nothing more than to slumber for eternity at times. Now here he kneels, a machine that acts like a small child, his Huntress taking a step towards him to stop him from doing something he'll regret. More suffering to add to his mind and psyche. ' This machine is like a child isn't it. I was about to end it's life'
A chill ran down his spine as he thought this, feeling sick at the sin he just about committed. Gods, he used to be a hero didn't he? A hero that would help the poor and less fortunate, the one to slay the monster and save the princess! Now here he was, about to stab the little contraption wrapped around his knee, this little, fragile childlike machine. All because it simply ran up to him and hugged him suddenly. Was he really missed this much? Gods, what would happen if he let instinct and reflex guide his hand if someone makes a move towards him? Would he kill them absent mindedly, would he even care at this point? What if he were to harm Jake or, God's forbid, harmed Isablea.
As he listened to the robot cry, a memory, one of many that he tried to lock away in his mind, came crashing into him. It was the incident that made him rip off the title of 'Hero', the incident where everyone began to die.
He was inside of a sewer dressed in the typical dark clothing of a Hunter, the filthy water running around his black boots and long black coat as he traversed the darkness with a little lantern attached to his belt. The celling was dripping moisture on top of his black tricorn hat, keeping the water droplets from falling in his eyes as he kept diligence for any beast he'll come across as he walked past the corpses of the giant rats he has slayed as their blood followed the stream.
The smell was horrible but was somewhat covered by the reddish, black bandana covering the lower half of his face. The only reason he was here was because he needed to get to the Cathedral Ward, the supposed next stop on his quest.
" Daddy, help! Aahhh!" a child screamed further down the sewer, splashing and loud snorting was heard. He started to run now, intending to save the child, but was stopped as a giant rat sprang out from a shadow, crashing into him from the side, slamming him into the filthy water as it scratched at his gold ornamented gauntlet. He jabbed his flintlock pistol into its neck and pulled the trigger. The rat flew off of him and landed with a loud SPLASH, lashing out in its death throws before going still. Finn wasted no time as he sprunged up to his feet and dashed as fast as he could.
"AHHHH!" the child cried and screamed bloody murder before a loud crunching sound filled the sewer. " MAKE IT GO AWAY DADDY, MAKE IT STOP!"
He finally reached the end of the sewer, only to see the back of a giant pig, bigger than any swine has to be it. He saw that's head was down, the child's arm swatted at the things bulbous head hitting it with her small, blood covered fist as she screamed. It lowered its head and the sound Finn heard would haunt him.
CRUNCH! SNAP!
The child's hand slammed into the water and twitched and moved as the pig began to feast on it's kill, the sound of meat being savagely eaten was all Finn could hear now. A blind, agonizing rage filled his being as he watches the pig rustle about and squeal. He rushed the pig, the sound of his feet splashing in the water made it turn it's gore covered snout towards him. Finn's right hand shifted and morphed into a beastly claw before jamming it down the swine's throat! He grabbed and twisted its lungs before ripping his blood soaked hand from its mouth. The pig choked on it's own blood struggling to get a breath as it lowered it's head and attempted to ram into him. He side stepped the beast before jamming his claws into its side before ripping out its large intestines and truly began to tear apart the fallen pig. He could hear a mad voice in his mind screaming at him to make it suffer, rip it to pieces! Cut out this small cancer in this bloody realm!
The pig was nothing more than a giant lump of grounded flesh, blood splashing the walls and covering him from head to toe. The rage inside of him began to subside, before his mind began to process what has happened. That mad voiced screamed in his head, accosting him.' Why weren't you faster! You let the child die like that!' he leaned against the wall, with a vacant look in his eyes before sliding down till he was sitting in the filthy water. He buried his face in his hands as he wailed. He wailed for hours, repeating this thought over and over again.
'I'm sorry! If only I was faster!. I'm so globben sorry! Glob, why wasn't I faster!?
The memory hit him worse than any beast could hope to accomplish, making his eyes snap tightly shut, his breathing becoming shaky, almost on the verge of tears. His hair quickly fell past his face, blocking anyone from seeing it at the moment as the rest of his hair slowly whips about. Isabela and Jake took another step towards Finn, moving in to comfort him. Somehow.
Finn gently picked up BMO, acting as if his touch would break her. BMO looked at the hidden face, digital tears rolling down her screen. He softly hugged her, placing her over his shoulder as he stood up and gently rocked back and forth, humming a familiar tune that Jake immediately recognize. This song would seem to calm Finn from time to time if he could remember it. The best he can remember was the tune of it, the lyrics lost to him for such a long time.
He felt BMO calm down, making sniffling sounds. BMO gently patted Finn's back before he put her in front of him, his hair still hiding his face but his breathing returned back to normal. "Welcome home Finn." Finn's hair parted, BMO seeing tired and sad blue and grey eyes. " I'm sorry." he whispered.
"It's ok Finn, I'm just glad you are home. It's past your bath time, go take a bath." BMO playfully ordered. Finn just chuckled at the little robot in his arms before he placed her on the table, placing his satchel next to her. "I'll go do tha-" his stomach loudly growled, cutting him off. He started to laugh at the sudden sound from his stomach, before hearing Isabela's and Jake's stomach's rumble. He laughed even harder at the sudden symphony, causing everyone else to laugh, all of the tension from before gone. Finn looked to Jake, not needing to ask his question as Jake quickly answered.
" The bathroom is where BMO popped out. Go get cleaned up and I'll get started making food, sound good?" asked Jake. Finn nodded, a large grin on his face before he made his way towards the bathroom. Once he was behind the curtain, the sound of water running was heard. Jake looked at Huntress.
" Finn really needs some R&R. Think you can… do something to help him? Maybe see what's going on inside his head? You got this peace and one with the universe mojo going."
"I'll do what I can, but if he doesn't want to share than I won't force it. Not yet any way."
Jake nodded as he began pulling ingrediants out from the meat freezer and pulling other items from around the kitchen as he started the oven and pulled out the knife in the counter. " What do you want to eat Huntress?" he asked her.
She thought for a moment before making her order, " I would like steak, medium rare and a large salad. I think they call it Ceaser salad. Maybe a couple hunks of meat, rare and bloody."
Jake nodded at her order, getting to work as he began to show Huntress his magic! Arms stretched from his body, grabbing bowls and knifes and cutting boards from the cabinet as he began to become a whirlwind in the kitchen. Any limb he had was being used to stir, cook, slice, dice, bake, and knead dough.
Huntress watched Jake work his own form of magic in the kitchen, seemingly become a whole platoon of high quality chiefs, not making a simple, but a feast as he started to lay plate upon plate of food on the dinner table. He began cooking her steak on a buttered cast iron skillet, the aroma making her mouth water. ' That is going to be one good streak.' She was half tempted to swipe a piece of raw and juicy meat to snack on before everything was done.
Jake was lost in his own mind, letting the muse of cooking move his body on it's own. ' Tonight will be a welcome home feast for Finn! I wonder if I should invite anyone else over? Nah, Probably shouldn't with the way he's acting right now. At least we'll have left overs!
As Jake was finishing the last dish to add to the already crowded table, Finn exited the bathroom, drawing Huntress's eyes. Jake turned around, all his hands going back to his body after putting the dirtied knifes and bowls and boards into the wash basin, holding Huntress's platter full of meat and a large bowl of her salad as he turned around to great Finn. Only to nearly drop the platter and bowl as he saw Finn. Completely and utterly nude, saved for the single red towel he was using to dry his damp hair as he made his way to the table where his satchel rests and where BMO decided to investigate. His wet mane was straightened for now as it slowly fluffs up as he continued to dry his hair before laying the towel over his neck. He gently patted BMO on her head before placing her on the booth's cushioned seats before he searched the inside of his seemingly bottomless satchel, the sound of rustiling clothing and metal chinging about was heard as Finn searched.
Isabela looked Finn over from Head to toe as he made his way to the table, her sight lingering down at a certain private area of seventeen year old. He didn't leave anything to the imagination. 'That is another reason why you're such an exceptional Beast Finn.' She thought, a Cheshire grin spreading on her face as she took his whole body in. No longer did he have that softness that his body possessed as he was now lean and agile with no unnecessary muscle to slow his movements down or make him a bigger target. He was hard, his limbs were compact and defined with muscle fit for a true hunter, his muscles flexing as he moved about. The last major change Isabela learned that night was that Finn went through more than the ringer as Jake stated. He has numerous scars around the majority of his pale body, with charred blackened skin here and there on his body.
There were scars that she knew were inflicted by stabbings, slashes, bite and claw marks that were in varying shape and sizes. A large, white, nasty scar rests open the center of his chest, slightly bigger around than a normal sized fist. The scar looked to her like something was plunged into his chest. On each limb on his body held a scar wrapped completely around, the scar looking more like white lines or thread, like they were used to reattach his limbs.
His right arm was paler than the rest of his pale body somehow, scarred more than the rest of his body. Black vain like scars overlapped his recovered arm, drawing a few looks from everyone.
Jake snapped out of the stupor that was inflicted upon him from Finn's total lack of decency, as he stood naked before everyone. If it was just him and BMO here he wouldn't have had a problem, but for Globs sake, Huntress was here!"Finn! What in Glob's name are you doing?! It's one thing to walk around the house naked with just us, but Huntress is here! Get some clothes on!" Jake yelled as he tried, and failed to form a screen between Huntress and Finn. Huntress would simply poke Jake with a levitating arrow till he moved out of her way.
" I am looking for clothes Jake." Finn informed Jake, his voice no longer as scratchy as it first was, not the least bit embarrassed as he stood in the kitchen naked. He resumed his search in the satchel before a toothy grin grew on his face." Besides" Finn looked at Jake" She doesn't seem to mind. She might want a new shirt though."
Isebela looked down at her exposed midriff and torn and blood-covered shirt before she tore it off. Jake look at her with wide eyes as he gasped at her sudden disrobing. At least she wore a bra, err, bandages? Wraps? Finn got to see more of her uncovered flesh, a blush growing on his face and a little blood going south as he looked her over, noting a few scars on her athletic body that didn't take away her beauty. there was a small scar over her shoulder, a long thin one laying against her side, and a thick small scar on her left hip. She looked at Finn that grin never left her face. " See, I have 'no problem with Finn being nude here. Finn seems to have no complaints either, right Finn?" Her grin grew a little bigger as she saw his reaction.
Finn's blushing face seems to glow now, as he continue to look at her for a heart beat more before adverting his eyes and resumed his task of finding some clothes. Jake took matters into his own hands as he stretched a limb to their bedroom and pulled back a pair of Finn's old attire, blue short-sleeved shirt and shorts, throwing them to Finn who caught them without looking up. He stretched his arm up again and brought a blanket and threw it over Huntress, who glared at the dog as she moved the blanket off her head. Jake would be lying if he wasn't a little afraid of her as she glared at him, making him gulp at the intense gaze.
"Jake. These clothes are kinda small. Got anything larger?"
Finn's old clothes don't were tight on him, looking to be a size to small. His shirt eneded right above his stomach while his shorts were nothing more than short shorts. Now that they were in the bright kitchen Jake could see that Finn has grown. He was now Huntress's height now.
"That's strange, you weren't this tall the day you went missing. I wonder if you didn't hit another growth spurt since you've been missing." Jake looked to Huntress," He wasn't this tall when you found him was he?"
Huntress walked up close to Finn as he stood there, his blush growning brighter on his face as she was almost nose-to-nose to him. He could now look her in the eyes, maybe he was slightly taller now. Jake was right, he has grown slightly taller than when they found him." He definitely grew some. Are you ok Finn, sudden muscle pains?"
Finn nodded, trying to avoid looking down at her chest as he continued to blush at the closeness, her scent filled his nose. She smelt good to him, even if she was still dirty from their time in the woods. "I'm good my Huntress."
'Another mystery to add to the list.' She thought as Finn stepped back and began to resume his search in his satchel, finally finding what he was looking for. In his hand right hand was a pair of boxers and sweat pants as well as a crumbled up white button up shirt. He proceeded to completey undress, much to the dismay of Jake and pleasure to Huntress as she gets to examine this exceptional beast. Finn could feel Isablea's eyes just roaming his body, like a wolf looking over a tantalizing prize.
After Finn put on his clothes on, leaving the shirt mostly unbutton as he stretched his arms over his head. He looked to Jake and cheekily grinned as he spread his arms wide, "Better Jake?" Jake just didn't understand why Finn seemed so immodest now. He understood that if you got it, Flount it but don't go completely nude while with company. He doesn't care if Huntress likes what she sees, they should save it when they were behind closed doors. 'I still haven't told Finn about the higher tiers. No! he's still to young to know!" Jake saw Huntress giving Finn 'THE EYE' with a very large Cheshire grin as she checked him out while Finn snuck glances at her half naked form every now and then, blushing as he does so. Finn is sending the wrong signals to HW, and that look in her eyes ain't changing. Maybe sometime tonight I'll give Finn ' The Talk'. I ain't ready for him to grow up yet.
" I'm just going to say this once now and get t out of the way. This is mostly aimed at you Huntress" Jake announced, drawing both Finn's and Huntress's attention as he pointed a finger at her. " No high tier stuff!" Jake's lips stretched and shrunk as they got close to her ear." I haven't told him about the higher tiers yet, so don't be getting any ideas tonight!" he whispered.
Huntress squinted her eyes at him, giving him the stink eye as she heard him, staring him down. Jake began to sweat, growing more nervous by the second as the intensity of her stare began to make him ring his hands in nervousness after he placed the food on the table. " So what your telling me is that you haven't given 'The Talk' with Finn? And I'm going to assume no one else has either?"
Jake nodded quickly, being quiet as Huntress stared him down.
" Even though he's well past the age that he needs to learn about this? Even when technically he's the only human to my knowledge in all of Ooo?"
Jake nodded once more, ringing his hands quicker than before. Grimacing from the look he was getting. He could just feel the disappointment and contempt being beamed at him with her intense eyes!
Huntress took a deep, calming breath, resisting the urge to rip him a new one. maybe an arrow up his nose would be more appropriate . 'Am I really going to teach Finn about the birds and the bees? Eh, doesn't sound to difficult. Could be fun for the both of us.'
Finn listened to the conversation, slightly infuriated that Jake still hasn't taught him about the higher tiers, especially tier 15! What were even these Tier things? 'Wait a minute, are tiers…' " Tiers are about relationship stuff right?"
Huntress gave a quick nod to Finn's question before her stare increased in intensity again, the temptation to shove an arrow up Jake's nose intensifying even more. Was Jake more irresponsible than she thought when it came to Finn's education on something so natural? She might have to give Jake a piece of her mind later on. to deny the knowledge of something so basic and natural was negligence in her eyes.
Finn suddenly snapped his fingers loudly, drawing the two's attention. He gave a devious smile to Isabela, giving her a wink, confused on where he was going with this as he walked in front of Jake with a shit eating grin on his face. " Oooh" Finn said drawled out, " you mean SEX" He punctuated the word loud and clear, earning a grimace from the dog,"I learned about lovemaking. I also learned some interesting… things about women where I was. little tricks really"
Jake gasps in horror as he clapped hs hands to his cheeks. "where did you learn this Finn! Who corrupted my baby brother!?" Finn closed his eyes and smiled wide, flashing his sharp teeth to Jake.
SLAP!
Finn quickly stepped besides Jake, sending his head stretching forward as he slapped the back of his head. Hard. When Jake's head stretched back to his shoulders as Finn's expression never changed. Jake quickly shakes his head before glaring at his brother.
"What the Gl-" SMACK
Jakes head stretched forward again as Finn continued to smile as Jake's head returned again to his shoulders, looking a bit dazed from the hit as he shook his head again and glared at Finn.
" The person who gave me the 'Talk' requested that I, and I quote, 'Knock some sense back into your idiotic brother's skull when you return', while the one who told me ways to… please a women…. Asked me to smack my irresponsable brother upside the head." Finn couldn't help but smile at the memory of Gerham floundering and being embarrassed for the first time Finn has known him and Arianna as she made him feel embarrassed as she told him some little tricks she learned as she laughed at his expression. Little moments like those help made his existence in the dream more bearable, made him feel like a normal human and forget about the present. Maybe he'll share that story over a good drink with everyone. Another thing he learned from the First Hunter was that hunters needed something to get some sort of release from the stresses brought on by the hunt, let alone dealing with that thirst for blood and killing. He developed a few vices himself. Speaking about drinks….
" I don't know about you guys," Finn cheerily said, a gaint smile on his face as he scanned the table loaded with a feast fit for a King, the feeling of drool dribbling down his mouth before whipping it off with his arm as he went to his satchel and reached his arm inside. He pulled out three elegant glass bottles with corks, two holding a amber colored liquid as the third held a dark red and thick substance like watery sludge, " but I think good food needs good drink, don't you agree? Do we have any glasses?"
" Don't tell me you drink now too Finn!"
" Don't worry Jake, I only drink to unwind when I really, REALLY need to. Besides, we got good food, good company, what's wrong with good drink?"
Jake gave a Huntress a sideways glance as he pleaded for help. "Help me out here Huntress! Finn isn't old enough to drink!"
Huntress looked at the bottles in Finn's hand, curious what they were like, especially the red one. She didn't drink often, only during certain holidays and on special occasions. " Tonight's a special occasion, I think we can drink from the bottles if we don't need ice." She walked up to Finn as he handed her the bottle with amber liquid before taking the dark red bottle into his left hand, offering the other amber drink towards Jake. Jake rolled his eyes, knowing he wasn't going to win this argument before taking the offered bottle, turning his hand into a cork opener and popping the cork. Huntress and Finn both opened theirs with their teeth before spitting them out. The amber liquid had a fruity fragrance and both Jake and Huntress enjoyed the taste, Jake taking a couple more drinks. Finn's drink smelt metallic, the smell of alcohol strong coming from the bottle as he took a deep drink of his, letting out a content sigh from action.
"Tonight, we drink and be merry!" Finn announced with happy go lucky smile on his face. He and Isablea went to the booth, bumping shoulders as they scooted in, neither moving away as they sat down. Jake grabbed a small stoll from under the counter as he sat down in front of the two with BMO sitting down on the tables edge.
Jake moved Huntress's plate in front of her and as he went to grab a plate for Finn he heard a loud crunch and chewing. He turned around to see with a large piece of meat being held by it's equally large bone in Finn's hand as he was halfway through the monstrous size of meat. The meat didn't last ten seconds as Finn savagely tore into it, bits of the bone showing signs of sharp teeth biting into it. Finn quickly darted his free hand out to a pile of fruit, grabbing a red shiny apple before taking another large bit. He savored the taste of the fruit, moaning in pleasure from the taste before he started to ravage the apple.
Huntress was little better, Skewering her steak with her knife and stabbing her salad with her fork as she shoved the food into her mouth managing to not choke from eating so fast. She enjoyed her steak greatly, humming in approval as the juices began to dribble down her chin.
The two ate savagely, like starved wolfs. The two would hand one another food, offering bigger portions to the other as they handed servings to each other. They were engrossed in the food but still seemed conscious of the other, making sure the other had food even with feast in front of them. Jake quickly loaded up his plate so that he wouldn't go with food tonight. The whole table of food didn't last even fifteen minutes before all the food was gone, leaving dirty dishes on the table. Jake stretched and moved all the dishes into the sudsy water of the basin, letting them soak and dealing with them tomorrow as he was reaching the bottom of his bottle and started to become drowsy as he let out a loud yawn.
" I think I'm going to bed. Remember, no high tier stuff you love birds, so keep it in your pants. Heh heh." Jake scooped up BMO and stretched upwards to the bedroom, leaving Finn and Huntress alone. Finn rolled his eyes, smiling at his brother's antics while Huntress looked at him with annoyance
Huntress was leaning more into Finn now sigh in content as she nursing her second bottle that Finn pulled form his satchel as Finn was working on his… what number was he on anyway? Quite a few bottles rested on his side of the table, the smell of metal and alcohol in was in the air but was surprisingly tamed. Huntress didn't mind, seemingly more relaxed now, as she looked downward in thought. 'She definitely seems softer from what I remembered, she wasn't this touchy with me before outside of the woods.' Finn thought. Finn was enjoying the feeling of her leaning on him, nursing his own bottle as he quietly tapped his fingers on his pant leg. It's has been a very long time since he has felt this truly relaxed and content. No worries, no voice in his head or from the beast inside, and no longer seeing things that may or may not be there. He truly enjoyed this peace and quiet.
He noticed that Huntress seemed conflicted from the way her eyes would shift minusculy back and forth, a faint scent of stress came from her. She was usually so sure in her decisions, never hesitating as she commits. She was a quick thinker, proactive and never seems to falter when she commits to something. The last time Finn saw her this conflicted was…. Something about attracting forces?
"Coin for your thoughts?" Finn quietly asked her, causing her to take a deep breath before letting it out slowly through her nose as she sat up straight, no longer resting against him. She swirls the half empty bottle in her hand, looking a bit flustered. Never noticed how cute she was when she blush, thought Finn as he studied her face, taking every detail in. She no longer seemed relaxed, sporting a serious expression, slightly tensed as she kept looking down. Maybe I should've kept my mouth shut.
"I'm sorry" her voice was little better than a whisper as she continued to look at the bottle in her hand, swishing the continents around and around.
Finn wasn't sure he heard that right, the beast just silently cackled in the back of his head. Why was she sorry? She hasn't done anything bad to him, hasn't harmed him, and was actually helping him greatly by simply giving him her company.
" Why are you apologizing for Isabela?" Finn asked quietly to not disturb Jake and BMO , "you didn't do anything wrong to me, gods know you haven't hurt me, and you've been something akin to a guiding light for me! You've been helping me more than you can realize."
She shook her head, snarling now still looking at the bottle in her hands. " If I was such a great help to you than I could've stop whatever did this to you," she looked up at him, right in his eyes as she gently poked one of his scars on his chest, " if I would've known that you've been missing sooner, you wouldn't have that look in your eyes like a Wizard holding on to his sanity!" She grew quite when she made her last statement, pulling her finger away from the scar before looking back down." If I were such a great help to you as you said I am, I wouldn't have had you save my life back there. You were always willing to help me and here I'm not able to repay the favor. I owe you one, no, no, twice now."
"You don't owe me anything Isabela. You're one, if not the Hardest and strongest person I have ever met, and that is saying something. Besides," Finn gave her a little smile, " I'm still me though, just a little…. just a…." Finn went quite as thoughts raged in his head by the beast within. Just a blood thirsty beast! A monster that let's everything die around him! A failure of a broken hero who couldn't even save a little girl from a giant piggy! Finn's clenched his teeth as he looked down at his bottle resting in his hand, trying not to show any emotion as the voice rode his mind. He mustn't have done such a good job as he felt Isablea's left hand grasp his scarred right hand. she began to slowly rub the regrown appendage, feeling the little black veins and scar tissue, not minding the sensation she felt as she continued upward his arm.
" Your still Finn. A exceptional beast with great hair. I'll be lying if I wasn't concerned about you, something that I don't normally feel for most other people before I met you. You may have changed but you're still Finn and" she gently moved her hand up his arm, feeling the scars that her hand runs across, gliding over his shoulder and rested on the center chest. Where his heart was, " I know you still love me, these antlers of mine pick up these types of things. Unless you lick all the pretty ladies you see?" She asked as she gave Finn a large cocky grin, the blush seeming to spread slightly.
Finn gave a embarrassed laugh as he blushed from her question, making Isabela smile from hearing him laugh as he laid his hand against her's. " You've had no idea. I longed for you in the dream, even if my mind was so misty and murky it was a struggle to remember.
" What is this dream you mention?"
Finn's face took a pained expression, his eyes gaining a dulled look to them. Isabela didn't like this look Finn had. Isabela removed her hand from Finn as he clenched his teeth and his hair started to whip about. He breathed in deeply, he breathed out, his eyes seemingly looking back into a horrid memory. his eyes held pain, anger, sadness, regret.
" That dream was nothing more than Hell! I tore it apart after I found the source of it. Hopefully it's rotting and festering till its nothing but an empty husk! It was so horrible " He snarled, clenching his hands hard enough to crack the bottle in his hand." That place was nothing more than a warped and cruel place that was ravaged by a plagued brought on by foolishness and the unknown. No one was safe!"
Finn's eyes started to water, glowing white tears began to form." I couldn't save anyone. No man, women, or child was sparred from the horrors and abominations that roamed those streets. No matter what I did, no matter how many times I died and came back stronger," the bottle in Finn's hand clattered the floor, slowly lowering his face into his torn and callused palms. "it was never enough!" Finn cried. Isabela patiently listened, letting Finn share at his own pace, letting him decided when he wants to stop the conversation.
"Isabela" Finn quietly spoke, an occasional sob escaping his thoat," have you ever seen a mother tear apart her own child? They would rip them from their strollers and would tear them apart with their hands and teeth. I hear the wails every time I walk past those strollers. Those blood covered strollers, left there in the streets." The glowing tears fell freely to the floor, streaking down his arms and pants. He was fighting the sobs from escaping his throat, shaking from the bottled emotions that he has carried for so long. That's when he felt arms wrapped around him and tightened, squeezing a warm body against his, the smell of flowers invading his nose. He finally broke, letting it all out when he finally, finally felt that warm and comforting embrace.
Isabela held Finn tight, doing whatever she could to help him. She gently patted his back, making sure to keep her grip on him firm, but not enough to squeez him to tightly. she won't lie, she was out of her element. She wasn't use to handling this, but Finn needed her. She could hear thunder roar out in the distance, a promise of a heavy storm. 'Not like I'm leaving Finn anytime soon . He helped me out plenty in the past and I am not going to leave his like this. It's different from the typical madness I've dealt with, but I can still help him through this episode. the forests calmed down and everything is as they should be.
"I've seen children brutally murdered by their turned parents. I've tried to stop afflicted mobs from killing anybody still sane and unturned, but they were to many to stop the massacres. I've been burned tied to the stake, stabbed and slashed to death, been bludgeoned by hammers and giants, and torn apart limb form limb." Finn was sobbing now, wraking with sobs as he continued. Isabela listened frowning as she continued to listen, doing what she could to comfort him. "I've unknowingly sent people to be experimented on when I thought they would be safe. I was so close to saving a little girl from dying but I wasn't fast enough. If only I was a little faster…."
after he got the last of the tears out of his system, He took a shaky breath as he removed his hands from his face, drying his face, the tears no longer glowing and turning transparent like regular tears. He felt numb. He felt tired. He felt so very, very tired.
Isabela gently pulled him against her, laying him against her lap. He looked so tired and exhausted as she ran her fingers through his hair, the strands no longer whipping about, seeming to calm at her touch. He has never felt this tired before. The past never hit him this hard, even when he did slept, tormented in his unconscious mind. I don't have anything to distract me now, no goal, no fights to survive. Is this what Gehram went though whenever he slept, trapped with his own failures and mistakes?
The storm finally hit the treehouse, the rain hammered the window and tree's walls as lighting flashed outside. Finn laid on her lap, just feeling exhausted. Her lap did feel comfortable and her hand running through his hair was soothing as her arm was resting on his laying form. He looked up and noticed that Huntress was tired herself. He went to get up, but was met with resistance from Isabela's arm, keeping him lying down. he didn't put up any fight as he Isabela gently rub his hair.
"It's funny. I've been fighting the urge to sleep for so long and now I feel like I can sleep for a couple years." Finn chuckled, the exhaustion plain to hear in his voice. He felt her continued to rub her fingers through his hair, making him more and more tired as his own eyes began to feel heavy.
"I'm not leaving Finn, try to rest."
"Shouldn't we move to something more comfortable for the both of us? There's a couch over there."
" I'm fine, just sleep."
" ok my huntress. Maybe I'll finaly see the sun rise." Finn sleepy replied. He snuggled deeper into her lap and yawned, hearing the sound of her heart beating calmly, her breathing calm. A part of him was unnerved by this sudden calmness, expecting something to bust through the window or through the wall to leap upon him and tear him apart with sharp fang and claws.
Hes paranoid to a fault now but maybe, just maybe he can try to rest his broken mind and beaten body and see the sun rise. He slowly closed his eyes, Isabela easing him into sleep as she rubbed his head. He prayed that his sleep will be dreamless before unconsciousness finally claimed his.
Isabela watched Finn fall asleep, watching his chest rise and fall easily. She didn't dare to move as he finally slept, even if she was growing tired. Her mind was racing to much now for her to sleep, so she used this quiet time to think. Jimorgan's words suddenly came to mind as she watched Finn sleep. "Life is short and can be lonesome for the strong"
She has faced many a great beast, had her own amount of close calls with death surviving only by the skin of her teeth. She knew more than anyone that life could be taken in a flash, one wrong step, one wrong move would mean the end. Right now Finn was hard and strong but right now it was plain to see that he was holding himself from falling apart completely do to will. His body needed rest and his she could sense he had more demons in his head to fight. A part of her wanted to shapeshift into a log, a habit she developed once she learned how to shape shift when she was alone in the wild. who would go after a log? Another part wanted her to stay like this and comfort Finn, be in a more vulnerable position just to comfort Finn. Her eyes trailed the countless scars on his body.
'Scars show off that a beast has survived against the odds before it. Something that has proven to be deadly and respected, a survivor and not something to be taken lightly,' She thought as she continued to rub his golden locks, feeling the hairs gently wrapper around her hand and fingers. On top of that, I owe you even if you say that I don't. You saved my life. You're harder than me, yet your struggling with so much more than you let on. I need to get stronger if I want to repay you. I wonder if you would be happy if we were to becoming a hunting duo' A quite chuckle escaped her lips, a single pink flower blooming on top of her wooden antler as she slowly began to relax herself. She placed her hand on the wooden wall as wood morphed in front of the window like slats and growing a blanket of leaves fall around them like a blanket. She continued to stare at Finn, a small smile on her face in the now dark kitchen.
'I may not know much about romance, but even I can't deny that you attract me. Maybe I'll see where it goes. Perhaps you and I could become….'
Authors Notes
Hey everyone, sorry this chapter took this long. I was torn about how I wanted to continue, having a crossroads of sorts if I should have Finn meet Marceline now or wait down the line. I have decided that the reunion between the two will be… violent. Maybe one sided, maybe not. Who would win anyway? A seasoned and powerful hunter or the vampire queen
And yes, Gerham did give Finn the talk! might make a gag chapter bout that.
I kind of like the Idea that Finn and Huntress hanged out throughout the show, where she likes him more and more but just was kinda iffy about the whole dating thing but slowly, slowly coming around the idea and being more flirty.
Tell me what you guys think and I'll try to stay focused on the next chapter and figure out where to go from here. I have some ideas but the hard part is committing to what to go with.