Flanella

Act III: Spend this Night with Me

Back to the Tree Fort, back to the place he called home. The young warrior couldn't believe he had been humiliated once again, always within the limits of the Fire Kingdom. First by Cinnamon Bun —who he now felt that deserved a little respect, instead of being jealous of him all the time—, and just moments ago by Flame Princess herself… Why, was the hero supposed to stay home, away from the many perils of battle while the princess hurried to war on her own? He should be the one struggling to defend her instead, right? He was the man!

Finn sighed. Who was he trying to fool? Flame Princess was right, against an army of enraged fire elementals with their blazing homeland as battlefield, what chance could a feeble human stand? He would probably become a burden for her at some point, no matter how hard he tries, and that was the last thing she needed.

Outside of the Fire Kingdom's borders, the dark blue skies of the night became once again visible. A fresh breeze blew across the grassy plains, sending a cold shiver down the young man's spine. He had already grown used to the heat of Flame Princess' homeland and now, the chilling winds that came from the Ice Kingdom were giving him goose bumps. Thankfully, though, little Flanella was sleeping in his arms as Finn made his way home.

The warmth of her fiery skin against his chest made the unpleasant journey all more tolerable. And the thought of bringing Flame Princess' baby home with him was joyful enough to drive the cold away. It felt like carrying a piece of her heart, Flame Princess' passionate heart.

At last, the Tree Fort stood in the horizon and when Finn climbed the ladder into the living room, his magical brother, who couldn't hide his own nervous grin, welcomed him inside.

"Let me see if I get this straight," Jake mumbled, "You went to that obnoxious ceremony for a lady, and you came back with a baby?"

"Don't start with the mocking, bro!" Finn protested, "It's been a hard day…"

The fatigue was visible on the human's face. Even for someone as distracted as the stretchy dog, it was obvious that his young brother wasn't in the mood to be toyed with. Leaving his cup of hot tea aside, Jake left his seat on the couch and pointed a corner behind Finn's back.

"Watch out for the bat on the ceiling, then!" he warned.

Finn turned to find Marceline, casting off her invisibility cloak as she clutched her body tightly onto the roof.

"Thanks for ruining my scare, Jake!" the Vampire Queen complained.

She let her red boots hit the floor and walked up to the young man. Eight years had passed, and even in that time Finn hadn't grown any taller than the undead bass player. Unfortunately for her, the difference of height wasn't enough to intimidate the now irritated twenty-three year-old man before her, at least not like it used to when he was only twelve.

"Why are you shooting daggers at me, now?" Marceline snapped, crossing her arms. "I haven't done or said anything yet!"

"Could you guys just keep it down? Y'all are gonna wake Flanella up!"

"Flanella?" whispered both the dog and the vampire, exchanging a look of remarkable confusion.

Finn let out a deep sigh, hoping to ease some of his stress. Of all the possible visitors that he wasn't expecting to meet, why did it have to be Marceline the Vampire Queen? As if the situation wasn't embarrassing enough to explain to Jake, now the young hero could only hope that Marceline would be willing to take things seriously.

He chose to take a seat next to his brother, while the vampire floated above them, staring at the small baby girl in curiosity. Finn cautiously shifted his arms, embracing Flanella so that she could continue sleeping comfortably. It caught Marceline's attention to notice how the young man displayed a weary smile as the baby unconsciously gripped his thumb with her tiny hands.

"I suppose…" the queen quietly said, "Things didn't go as expected at CB's funeral, huh?"

"I thought you were best friends with Cinnamon Bun too, Marceline. Why didn't you come with us to his funeral?"

"Please, Finn… I used to be his friend when he was nothing but a fool, you know. Ever since he became a royal knight, hanging out with him stopped being fun." She blew a lock of black hair out of her eyes. "Besides, funerals aren't my thing… The world's already depressing enough..."

"I wish I could flee from everything as easily as you do, Marcy." Finn sighed.

"But, bro, nobody forced you to go there!"

"I know, I know. It's just… I had been waiting all this time for a chance to see Flame Princess again, and then Cinnamon Bun gets killed—like—I never wanted this to happen!" he laid his blue eyes on his brother's, trembling in uneasiness. "And the look on FP's face… Man, I never thought I'd ever see so much pain and sadness combined…"

"We are all sorry for her, Finn." Jake admitted, patting his brother's back. "And this wasn't anyone's fault, is that clear?"

The human nodded, glancing down at Flanella.

"What gives? I mean, I get it was an ordeal to see your ex-girlfriend in such an awful state after so long, but what's up with that baby?"

Marceline floated down, scooting between Finn and Jake on the couch, as she waited for an answer. The magical dog turned to the human as well, curiosity taking the best of him. After all, that's what they both wanted to hear in the first place.

Here goes… The hero thought, taking in a deep breath. "This is Flame Princess' daughter, her name is Flanella."

The Vampire Queen stared at Finn then at Jake, and then back at Finn. "You are kidding me… Right?" His silence caused her to grow anxious, "Finn?"

x~x~x~x~x

A fire wolf flying across the ashen night sky was considered one of the strangest and luckiest sights in the Land of Ooo. For its rider, the king of the Fire Kingdom, it had simply lost all of its meaning since Cinnamon Bun's death. Flame Princess focused on the road ahead, trying to ignore her own thoughts. She always hated to travel alone, it was like waking up in the middle of the night; too much time to think.

If there was anything worse than being left alone with her thoughts, left with nothing but her untamed mind, which knew her weaknesses better than her worst enemy, it was to leave her daughter behind. Flame Princess giggled. So she had really grown attached to that little girl? Who knew one day, she would grow to be a mother? Although it didn't happen under the circumstances she once dreamed of, Flame Princess was grateful for it.

Flanella would be fine, she was safe with Finn, and there couldn't be a better guardian in the whole land. Finn… How different he had become from the boy she used to know. At least he now seemed to know what his priorities were. Always kind and compassionate, although a bit reckless still, Flame Princess sensed he had gone through a lot in the last years. Perhaps it was just that he had matured, perhaps he was ready to assume a greater role in her life.

Back there at the castle, he showed so much understanding and care. Instead of freaking out or demanding a cold explanation, the young man chose to listen to her jabbering, offering her comfort and tenderness. He wasn't rude to Flanella either, even though she was another man's child. Instead, he showed her the compassion that she had once fallen in love with. For a moment there, it was like in those days when she used to believe he was a prince. The days of innocence long ago lost, somewhere in time.

"Prince Finn of the Grasslands…" she chuckled at the wind, "Dang it, Finn… Why do you always have to make things so complicated for me?"

No one could say she hadn't tried. She had tried oh so hard to pretend that she didn't care about him anymore. But, with the arrival of sleep every night, she always ended up finding Finn in each of her dreams. And in dormant whispers wet with tears, she continued to call out his name, all through the night... No one knew except for Cinnamon Bun. And only him could understand how much it hurt to be a king. How much it hurt to lay next to the wrong person, day after day, after day…

Flame Princess wiped a tear off her eye and grasped her wolf's ears as she commanded it with a firm voice, "Jake 2, let's descend!"

The flying beast swam down across the starless sky until its paws clutched the unsteady earth. Passing from a smooth glide to an abrupt run, the young king recognized she had once again, fallen prey of her own thoughts. Oh how much she hated to travel alone.

In the distance, her troops' secret base camp awaited. Her arrival mobilized the many eager soldiers that were patiently expecting their king's return. Flame Princess greeted them all and advanced into the General's tent, there she was welcomed by her older sibling.

"Big brother!"

"Dear sister… I apologize for bringing you back to the battlefield so soon, after all, you're still in mourning and—."

"It doesn't matter now…" she harshly replied.

A short embrace was shared between the two siblings as they whispered those words. Much to her concern, Flame Princess couldn't help to notice the cast on her brother's arm along with other many wounds.

"What happened? Water?" she inquired.

"No…" her brother breathed, "Ice… Lots and lots of ice…"

"How come? Have they recruited ice wizards?"

"Negative. Ice wizards wouldn't stand five minutes in this heat."

"Fudge, Furnius! What are you up to now?" Flame Princess groaned impatiently, biting her thumb's nail.

Her brother placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, sister. We've got Torcho! He's our prisoner! The only problem is that there's no way to make him spill the beans, unless we proceed to use torturing methods…"

"No. Not in my kingdom." She declared, "Much less against our own family, brother."

The older fire elemental nodded in understanding. "I see… Then, you're the only one left who can make him talk. Now, if you excuse me, I'll go ahead and make the proper preparations."

Flame Princess stayed behind, wishing her head would stop throbbing. A Flame Guard approached her seconds later, bowing before her.

"My King, is there something I can offer you before the interrogation?"

"Yeah…" she confessed, almost desperate. "I need my tea."

"Very well, your Highness."

"And please!" the young ruler added hurriedly, "Let it be the strongest one available…! Stupid headache… Stupid thoughts."

x~x~x~x~x

Now they had done it! Flanella was awake and crying, all because Jake and Marceline couldn't contain their own astonishment after Finn told them the little he knew about Flame Princess' daughter. The hero couldn't understand why the look on their faces was irking him so much. Those anxious smirks couldn't disguise the shock and the agitation they truly felt. And Finn couldn't understand either why he felt as if his friends were insulting Flame Princess with their reaction.

Of course they didn't mean it, but he couldn't avoid the feeling, and the discontent showed itself upon the human's glare. Soon the dog and the vampire were forced to catch the silent message and they procured to behave as seriously as they could. Who would know Finn could get so sensitive all of a sudden? Especially over a child he barely knew.

"So…" the Vampire Queen cleared her throat, "Is it true, then?"

The human struggled to calm down Flanella's crying in vain, sighing. "I don't know… I've never felt so confused and frustrated in my life. It's not like, it'd bother me if she was actually a mother now, but the thing is… It does bother me to think that she might have—you guys know what I'm talking about!"

"Flame Princess didn't explain anything to you?" Jake inquired, concerned about his brother's dismay.

"She tried, but the few things she told me only made it worse, and I can't help to think that—well, it's better not to think much about it. I don't wanna start judging her. All I know is that… It is not what it seems… Yeah, that's what she told me…"

Marceline furrowed her brow. "And if it's not what it seems, then what is it?! I think it's pretty obvious, and I'm sorry to say it, but Flame Princess must be ashamed of admitting the truth to you, Finn!"

"What truth?!" the young hero gasped, frowning at the vampire.

Jake shrunk and hid behind a pillow, escaping from the rising arguing.

"That's Cinnamon Bun's kid, alright? Face it, Finn! That's the way things are, life's never fair!" Marceline let her eyes wander off towards the window, staring at the Ice Kingdom in the distance. "If there's one thing I've learned in a thousand years of living… It's that the worse thing you can do to yourself is to live in denial. You gotta accept things as they are…"

Flanella's crying ringed in his ears as Finn clutched her close to his chest. "But… I gotta believe in FP too…" he replied, rocking the baby softly.

"Isn't there any way we could find an answer?" the magical dog whispered, breaking the tension between the queen and the hero.

"Take her to Bonnie." Marceline suggested. "I bet she can tell."

"No way!"

The young man embraced the child protectively, holding her away from the vampire. "PB would do weird stuff to her, she could hurt Flanella! I promised Flame Princess I'd take care of her daughter."

"Fine, have it your way! If you don't want to know the truth, then why suffer about it? I can't hear you weep all night long!" then she muttered to herself, "If ya wanna get three feet up a dragon's butt, listen to what sweethearts whisper to each other: promises and nonsense…! Can't believe I used to be like that!"

The Vampire Queen pushed the window open; ready to glide into the dark skies.

Jake noticed this and hurried to her side. "W-wait, Marcy! Where are you going?"

"Anywhere but here, I can't waste my time babysitting knuckleheads!" she turned to Finn and rolled her eyes, "Good luck with that, Romeo!"

The golden bulldog proceeded to close the window after Marceline left. It was indeed a cold night. At least the arguing was over now, and the silence reigned all over the adventurers' home once again. Not even the baby's crying was echoing on the walls. Finn had left the room.

Jake sighed as he sat down back on the couch, back to his cup of tea.

Upstairs in his bedroom, the young man found himself cradling the tiny fire elemental in his arms. She slowly turned her crying into weak sobs as the golden of her eyes faded back to sleep. Although it hurt to admit it, Marceline was right. If he didn't want to know the truth, then why suffer for it? He should be more concerned about Flame Princess now. Would she be safe there? Would her soldiers know how to defend her from danger? Would she come back to him, safe and sound?

The worst scenery he could think of flashed across his mind. What if Flanella were to lose her mother as well? No. Flame Princess was strong enough to find her way out of battle. Finn trusted she wouldn't risk her life if it weren't necessary.

"It will be fine, Flanella…" he whispered, repeating the same for himself. "Your mom will be alright."

"Oh! A baby!" Beemo's voice cheered at Finn's side, "That's a cute baby you've got there, Finn! Will she stay for the night here?"

The human smiled at the video game console, which seemed to be the first person happy to meet Flanella; instead of just jumping away in disconcertment like everyone else —including himself— did at her sight.

"Yeah, I'm taking care of her for a while."

"Yay! Baby!" Beemo exclaimed, clapping in excitement.

"Hush, BMO…! We don't wanna wake her up again…!" Finn chuckled, patting the robot's head. "You know what would be awesome?"

"What Finn?"

The human lay down Flame Princess' girl on one of the many fluffy pelts that covered his bed. A long complicated day had at last come to an end, and as Finn changed his formal attires for a pair of comfortable pajama pants and an old shirt, it seemed like a miracle to finally be at home.

"Would you play that song I used to love when I was three?"

Beemo agreed enthusiastically, for it loved that song as well. The soothing chords of the lullaby soon filled the silence of the night. Exhausted as he was, Finn gratefully laid his head down, feeling how his new baby friend snuggled by his shoulder. Her sleepy face lay right in front of his half-open eyes. He could only wonder who she really was… What did she mean to him?

Even if he wasn't responsible for that child being born, would it be right to think of her as a daughter? Finn drifted into sleep, clinging onto her tiny pudgy hand. If only Flame Princess could be there as well. If only she could spend that night with him.

Would she answer that question for him?

When Jake arrived and found the tender scene before him, the old dog grinned and blew off the candlelight. Poor Finn, how come that fire girl could still mess him up like that? He laughed then, acknowledging it was his fault that Finn and Flame Princess had met in the first place.

"It seems it's your turn to be a dad, huh?" Jake yawned, "You have no idea how lucky you are."

x~x~x~x~x

How come she was alone again? Flame Princess asked herself as she rested in her tent. Her brother insisted on sending her to bed after she failed to make Torcho speak. Her own soldiers were now pressuring her to consent torture as a last desperate alternative, but she simply couldn't allow it.

Tomorrow maybe, when the night gives way to the day, perhaps it would all be different. Perhaps she wouldn't feel so guilty about all the separate paths her life had taken. It might be that, with a new dawn, she would stop blaming herself for Cinnamon Bun's fate, and for leaving her fragile baby behind.

Maybe tomorrow she would forgive herself for not telling Finn the truth when she had the chance. To think that, even if she was against torture, she had dared to abandon that poor young man at the feet of uncertainty. If he did love her as he claimed, then the mystery she left unsolved must be tormenting him through the night.

It was past midnight now, and yet she couldn't conceive a single dream that would let her rest. Ten minutes with him had been more than enough to scare her nightmares away that afternoon. How much she had missed him... If she asked for ten minutes more, would Glob listen and bring her wish to life? Just ten more minutes in his arms after eight years of separation, would that be too much to ask?

She tossed and turned, struggling to keep her eyes closed. The heat of the battle awaited her in the morn, and more sleepless nights were yet to come.

And all she wished for were ten more minutes by his side.

"If only you could spend this night with me, Finn…"

Perhaps she didn't deserve him after all.