She was happy the day was finally over. Despite the fulfilment she felt from helping her people, Flame Princess couldn't help but feel worn down. "Good night CB," she said as she got up from her throne and began to walk to her room.

"Good night, your highness."

As she walked, she couldn't help but fiddle with the orb Finn gave her. Looking back at the events of the day, she felt stupid. He never actually told her how to use it and she was too stunned to ask. I better write down my questions in case it's another two years before he shows up again. Realizing what she had just thought, she pushed it away. Of course it wouldn't be another two years before he comes back. He said he'll try. I don't know why he has been away for so long or what happened to him but I still know him...right?

As she reached her royal chambers she began her evening rituals after placing the orb on her table, starting with the removal of her cumbersome armour. Still, her thoughts wandered. Is...is it my fault? Could I have been a better friend?

She lay in her bed and gazed into the orb. A question escaped her mouth. "What happened to you, Finn?" This was the same question that had haunted her throughout the day.

"Only two years for you but a lifetime for me," she heard a voice say.

She continued to look into the orb as darkness fell upon her vision.

She saw him standing there. Steam rising from the watery remains of the ice kingdom made the act of seeing him a much more difficult task.

#

A train passed right in front of Finn and Jake. They hopped on. Flame Princess simply watched.

#

It was the fire kingdom. She saw herself behind the bars with Finn. Don John seemed to be talking to them. She saw her younger self say something and watched sadness spread on Finn's face. She wished she could know what he was thinking.

#

Finn looked shocked as he looked at the young Flame Princess on the throne with Cinnamon Bun at her side. Wow. Cinnamon Bun? Really? I sure mathed up this time. She heard his voice, but his mouth didn't move.

#

Finn walked through the hot plains of the fire kingdom. Well, I guess them not being worried about my cursed sword should've been my first hint. Maybe I should just be a hero first and save my feelings for those who care about me?

#

He was sitting at the window of the tree house, just looking out the window. Flame Princess couldn't make out any of his thoughts. They all swirled at once and formed a storm.

"Hey, Finn, what do you want for breakfast?"

Finn didn't budge.

"Alright then," Jake said as he walked away. He wore a frown.

"Bacon pancakes," Finn said. When he looked around he realized it was past midnight.

#

A candle burned at the table as Finn sat with the picture frame. Flame Princess recognized the image of her held within the frame. As Finn let out a large sigh, he pulled the picture from its frame and lowered a corner towards the fire. Just when it was about to touch, he pulled back back. "I can't do it," he whispered.

He walked towards the wall. He quickly slipped the image between the boards of the wall and let it fall out of sight. He then walked back to the candle, snuffed out the flame with his fingers and threw it into the drawer of a nearby table.

#

"How often can you see THAT?" Jake laughed as he entered the tree house with Finn.

"See what, Jake?" BMO greeted them.

"Oh man, you should have seen it! Finn was amazing! We were right there, walking through the grass and then–BMO, do you mind making some tea for Finn over here? He's not feeling very well. I'll tell you the story right after."

"Of course, Jake." The little machine hobbled its way to kitchen through all of the junk that lay on the floor.

"Hey man, what's wrong?" he asked Finn as he grabbed the seat beside him on the couch.

"It's nothing, Jake. Really."

"I know you, dude. We both know something is bothering you. Did you want to talk about it?"

"Well, it's just that I feel like something is missing. I can't quite explain it," Finn said as he leaned back on the couch.

"Let's play some BMO to get your mind off it then. Your probably just not relaxing and enjoying life enough. You have been adventuring pretty hard lately."

"Yeah, I guess you're right."

#

"Hey, Peebles, you called?" It was the tone and voice Flame Princess remembered, happy and enthusiastic.

"Hey, Finn, I'm so glad you came. I have something for you," Princess Bubblegum said as she handed a small bottle containing a clear liquid to the human. "I reverse engineered the sample you gave me. It's not quite as potent as the original, but I thought you could find a use for it."

"Thanks PB. I don't know how to thank you." Flame princess didn't understand exactly what was going on or what was inside the bottle, but she understood how thankful Finn was. Until that point, she had never thought of Princess Bubblegum as having a shred of good in her. Yet here she was, helping Finn while Flame Princess had just forgotten about him.

"Oh come on, Finn. You've saved my kingdom countless times. I just wish there was more I could give you to help. Just be careful, Finn. Use it only when you really need it. I'm not sure but it's technically possible that you will grow an immunity to the stuff if you overuse it."

"I won't. Thanks again for everything. This stuff. Teaching me about my people. Saving me. All of the books. Just, everything."

"You're talking like you won't come back when we both know you'll probably be back in a couple of days tops. If you really want to thank me, you can bring me back something to analyze. Good luck Finn." She smiled at the hero.

"Good luck, PB." Those were the last words he said before turning around and walking away through the doors. After he left, Princess Bubblegum turned to face the doors again. Flame Princess could see the concern on her face.

#

Darkness and more darkness is all that could be seen. Despite being made of fire, Flame Princess couldn't see her own hand as she held it in front of her face.

"This will probably end badly for you," an unfamiliar voice said.

"I know," Finn's voice said. She could only hear one thought. Just look at what happened to Billy.

Flame Princess awoke. She was out of breathe. She just sat up, trying to remember every detail of the nightmares that had invaded her sleep. Tightening her fists to stretch revealed that she still held the orb Finn had given her.

"Was...was that part of Finn's past?" she asked herself as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes and tried to wake up. She knew today would be the same as any other since she had taken the throne. Any deviation from that schedule was always bad news; it was always either rebellion or criminal activity like the day before.

A loud knock could be heard at her door. "Your Majesty, it is time to get up. We already have someone waiting to see you."

She groaned. Usually there wasn't anyone there to see her that early. Instead the first flood of people picked up around lunch time. "Coming," she yelled. She got ready as quickly as she could before running to her throne room. "Send them in," she said as she took her seat.

"Good morning, Flame King, Sir Cinnamon Bun. If you don't mind I have a private request for the king," Finn the human said. He looked almost identical to how she remembered him from years ago. This was in no small part due to the characteristic hat and green backpack he wore. She quickly noticed that it made him seem more innocent than the tan backpack and black cloak she remembered from the previous day. It also brought back memories.

Flame Princess guessed that the frown Cinnamon Bun wore came from the fact Finn hadn't bowed to her. She, however, just ignored it. "Leave us, Cinnamon Bun," she said. She waited until he closed the door behind himself. Not wanting to be trapped in formality, Flame Princess stood up from her throne and walked closer to the human. "What is it Finn? I didn't expect you to come visit so early," she said, finishing her sentence in a yawn. She also noticed his eyes didn't have the redness from the day before but instead shone a brilliant blue.

"Unfortunately I haven't only come to visit, Flame King. I have come to ask permission to enter a dungeon within your kingdom. I figured that since I was passing through anyway, you wouldn't mind if I dropped by."

She could tell it was a subtle reference to what he had said the day before. Thanks to that treaty she signed, he didn't need to seek her permission. However, he had said he would try, and here he was trying.

"Very well, you have my permission under one condition."

"Which condition, Flame King?"

"You must take me with you." It will be like old times. Besides, I haven't had a break in months.

"No. Your place is here helping your people. Bringing you into a dungeon would accomplish nothing but put you into unnecessary risk." Truthfully, she expected that answer.

"Finn, please. I was a prisoner of that lamp and now I am a prisoner of this castle. Please let me come with you. Besides, if you came all this way, it must be important."

It took a moment for Finn to respond. "As you asked so it shall be."

Though she had gotten the response she wanted, she couldn't help but feel that something was off. "So I can go with you?" she asked once more, just to make sure.

"Yes."

"Awesome. Let me just change into something more comfortable than this armour," she said as she went through the doors to Cinnamon Bun.

"I'm leaving you in charge until I get back," she said to the candy person. She turned away and headed towards her room before waiting for a response.

Finn stood in the exact same spot as he waited for the Flame King to return.

"Finn," a familiar voice called.

"Yes, Sir Cinnamon Bun?"

"Remember what I said when she looked to you for help."

"That I don't got a chance? Don't worry, my time has come and gone. I blew it."

"She better come back unharmed." Cinnamon Bun glared at Finn before walking over to the throne.

With nothing else to say, Finn just stood, losing himself in his thoughts as his left hand rested on the hilt of his sword.

For the first few minutes that they walked through the volcanic plains of the Fire Kingdom, they walked in silence. This gave Flame Princess some much needed time to think.

"I'm surprised you wanted to come along Flame King. I seem to recall you being bored the last time we went into a dungeon, though it was under better circumstances," the human said, catching the fire elemental off guard.

"It wasn't so bad. I actually had a lot of fun, especially at the end. Besides, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to talk to you again. We have some catching up to do." She looked at the human. However, his eyes were elsewhere. They just surveyed the land. "Finn, could you stop calling me Flame King? I have enough people calling me that back at the castle."

"Sure, FK, as you wish."

"You know what I mean."

He sighed. "Sure, FP."

She thought hearing him use his old nickname for her would make her happier. She would be lying if she said it didn't, but still his tone served to remind her how much Finn had changed from the boy she remembered. "You still owe me an explanation you know."

"An explanation for what?"

"Why didn't you visit in two years? If I didn't want you to visit I'd not have told you to." She didn't need an explanation for why he left without saying goodbye after helping her regain her throne. The dreams she remembered spoke for themselves and made her feel all the sadder.

"Well, Flame...Princess, at first it was too painful and then I was too busy. Besides, I still remember how things went last time we talked." It was easy to tell that he had to force the word "Princess" out.

The memory of her dreams from the night before jumped to the front of her thoughts. "Finn, I'm sorry I didn't try harder to be there for you when you needed it."

Finn didn't allow her to get another sentence in. "You shouldn't be. You had a kingdom to look after. You needed to be there for your people."

"Nothing would've happened if I'd just spared a few hours a month or week for our friendship. If Princess Bubblegum could do it, I could of."

Flame Princess could see that Finn was thinking deeply. "So you used the orb to see what I've been up to?" It was more of a statement than a proper question.

She realized she was cornered. "Yes." It was all she could say as he finally turned his eyes on her.

"I'm impressed you managed to figure out how to use it so quickly, though I wonder if you could've found a more beneficial use for it."

"You don't even smile anymore, Finn. I still remember all the happy memories we had and the happy, fun loving boy you used to be. I miss that boy and want to see my friend happy again. That is a beneficial use." She paused for a moment. "I can see the old you is still there. Why else would you have given me the orb or come to save my people? Why else would you have come to see me today?" She reigned in the anger caused by his comment, but started to realize she may have said too much. More beneficial?!

"Those are bold claims from someone who hasn't seen me in two years." Flame Princess didn't know how to answer, so she just kept silent. However, she felt some hope since he didn't try to refute her claims. "Sorry, that was uncalled for." The hero let out a sigh. "I am what I must be FP. Thanks for trying though. It means a lot." If it wasn't for his monotone voice, it would have been sweet. "Though part of me didn't want to, I could have done more than sending you birthday gifts every year."

"Finn, you never sent me birthday gifts." She was sure of it. She checked every time. Though why that was, even after she said she had no feelings for him, she didn't quite understand. She had her suspicions though.

"You don't remember a small unlabelled box, blue with green ribbon and always having an item inside on a bed of flowers?"

Part of her had always hoped that box was from him but now that she knew, she felt guilty she hadn't done the same. "Why didn't you ever say it was from you?"

"I was afraid you'd try to thank me and we'd be forced to talk. Like I said, painful memories. Besides, I never made for very good conversation before and I don't now, though for different reasons." His hand touched the hilt of his sword as he said so, though she couldn't tell if it was subconsciously or not. She thought through everything he had said.

Noticing that something was wrong, Finn changed the subject. "FP, why don't you tell me about what you've been up to these last few years?"

As they walked the remaining distance to the dungeon, she told him about all of the bureaucratic matters she had to handle as well as the rebellions that had taken place. Finn seemed interested in those matters, asking numerous detailed questions, some of which Flame Princess never even considered. Still, she was happy to have this time with the human. In the back of her head, sad memories of how their relationship had ended pooled.

"There it is," Finn said pointing to the large mound in the middle. "You'll need to be careful. There are often all kinds of bad things this close to the border. You know like bandits and creatures. The usual stuff."

As they approached a flame person could be seen at the side of the mound, poking it with his sword. As soon as he heard Finn and Flame Princess approaching, he turned around and pointed his sword. Finally getting a good look at the two, he settled his sword on Finn. "Give me all your stuff!" he yelled.

When Flame Princess looked over to Finn, she could see he had no such intention. "Go home while you still can," he said. He did not reach for his sword. "Always bandits wherever I go," Finn muttered under his breathe.

The bandit began to laugh. When he looked at Finn's expression though, the laugh quickly disappeared. Still, he strained a smile before speaking. "One more chance kid. Hey, beautiful, wouldn't you like to come with me instead of your ugly boyfriend there when everything is over?"

She felt her cheeks blush at the idea of Finn being her boyfriend again and hoped that if Finn was looking at her, he didn't misunderstand the blushing as a sign she was considering the fire elemental's offer.

Finn didn't need to say anything. She could instantly recognize the look he gave her. He's already trying to protect me. He walked towards the sword wielding fire elemental, seemingly without a care in the world.

As the sword was about to fall on Finn from above, Finn stepped forward, catching the fire elemental's arms. He then quickly disarmed and tripped his opponent. As the defeated rose, Finn held the blade with his right hand and presented the hilt to his opponent. "Care to try again?"

She wished she could do something to help, but she was sure she would just end up getting in Finn's way. All she could do was watch.

The sword was quickly snatched up and the fight continued. Though the fire elemental threw a stab towards the human, Finn expertly preformed a dodge and then further pushed the sword away from himself with his palm on its flat. From this position, Finn once again disarmed and tripped his opponent. Once again, as he got up, Finn presented him with his sword. "Care to try again?"

"No," the fire elemental said, taking his sword as he began walking away.

"Retire. The next guy might not be so nice," Finn called after him as he walked back to Flame Princess. He waited until he was far out of view before walking up to the stone side of the mound.

"That was stupid. You should have used your sword Finn. You could have gotten hurt." Concern shone through her voice.

"It wouldn't have mattered if I had a stick, a sword or just myself. I am the weapon. I am the sword and the sword is me," Finn said as he got back to the task at hand.

He quickly found what he was looking for. Three fist size dimples lay at eye level on the otherwise perfectly flat surface, arranged in a triangle shape. After drawing his sword, Finn tapped the left most dimple with the pommel of his sword. A small spark leaped off the sword and into the dimple, burning away a section and revealing a keyhole. Wasting no time, Finn pulled a strange looking key that seemed to be made of some kind of bone and put it into the keyhole. As he turned it, the entire door turned into light. Quickly, he pulled out the key.

"I would say ladies first but there are probably traps," Finn told Flame Princess. He walked through the door, and she followed right behind.

Well, I decided to continue it. I hope it lives up to any expectations you guys may have had and that you enjoy it. As it stands, it looks like it'll end up being quite a bit longer than originally planned. However, It'll probably take a couple of weeks to get the next part, so I hope you don't mind waiting.

Also, thanks for the reads. Your encouragement and comments definitely contributed to me continuing this piece.