AN: some references to past trauma in this chapter but its pretty light.

Hours turned into days turned into a week with no sign of their hero. Princesses began to worry that soon Ice King would revert back to his old ways without the Human around to keep him in check. Banana Guards became jittery when even the smallest threat showed up. Jake and Jermaine were running ragged trying to find their brother.

All the while, Bonnie's suspicion of her traitorous family skyrocketed. Their weapons production had grinded to a halt and soon she discovered that they had begun to build warehouses to stockpile what weapons were already completed. Aunt Lolly stopped appearing publicly and Chicle seemed almost eager to interact with his creator/cousin.

It was all too perfect.

Bubblegum glared her uncle down as he approached with the Green Knight in tow. Just because they had a treaty doesn't mean she had to like him. Marceline hung around, draping herself over Bonnie protectively.

She didn't give him a chance to speak before she announced: "Finn is missing."

Gumbald had the audacity to act surprised. "Oh no, is there anything we can do to help?"

"We have some suspects. We'd like Fe- The Green Knight's help to bring them in." She strode forward and held up the treaty. "You did offer to share military forces."

"I did." Gumbald didn't seem fazed in the slightest. Of course he expected this. But I can't do anything unless I have proof he's holding onto Finn. Or unless we find a body. "My Green Knight will preform Finn's duties until the boy is found. It's a shame though. I was hoping he could tell me more about this modern day Ooo. I haven't had much time to learn about what happened while I was... indisposed."

Bonnie felt her chest clench in fear remembering that day, 800 years ago. She had been so alone in that moment. The family she had tried to build had crumpled before her eyes. Her own ambition, given form, destroying what she had wanted to create. Marceline wrapped her arms around her shoulders again, bringing her back from the terror of the past. She leaned into her friends touch a bit more than would be acceptable under normal circumstances... but damnit, she needed this.

"Thank you, Uncle."

Once the Gumbaldian's left, Bonnie buried her face into Marcy's hair and lost control. "He was so close.."

Marcy scooped her up and held her. For a moment Bonnie let herself imagine if things hadn't gone wrong. If they had been able to work things out all those years ago. If she had her family... would she have had the time to be with Marceline? Could this moment have been sweeter? In that moment she hated Gumbald more than anything for turning her into a crying little girl just by existing.

"Hey, It's gonna be okay. We'll find Finn and then we'll find a way to kick Gumwad's ass." Marceline tilted Bonnie's head up and they made eye contact. "Finn is stubborn, he's not gonna let somebody like him take him down."

Day to day in the palace was rather simple to get used to. Finn was sad that he didn't get to see Fern around that much(even if he found his bright red color slightly intimidating). Family was supposed to spend time together, at least according to Aunt Lolly. Lolly always got really sad when talking about family but she always cheered up once he asked he could help with whatever tasks she was doing. She felt safe.

Nights were a different story.

Dreams of rolling fields and strange creatures plagued him at night. Whispered warnings from a green woman echoed in his thoughts. A door to a vault that hid many secrets, sealed shut with unbreakable chains. In his dreams his right arm was made of grassmetalflesh.

Some nights he felt like he was being pulled around and forced to dance to song he couldn't hear. Others he was a child who couldn't speak and pleaded to be heard while those around him looked down on him, amused by his failures.

He avoided sleeping when he could, instead learning the many passageways between rooms of the palace. His favorite was the one that let him see the stars. Some nights he heard a voice singing in the distance when he was up there.

"How did you get up here?"

Finn's head snapped around to see Fern emerge from the same hidden escape as him. "Are you here to see the stars too?"

"That's not.." Fern stopped and his form shivered a moment. "I heard someone out here, turns out it's just you."

"I don't think she's singing yet. If you stay you might hear her."

Fern stared at him for a while. "Are you listening to a word I'm saying?"

"Shhh, you'll miss it if you keep talking."

The Knight stomped over to him and grabbed his arm. "You're coming back inside with me, you shouldn't be out here." Instead of struggling, Finn simply refused to move, forcing Fern to drag him. His brother kept trying to force him to stand up and walk but he didn't react outside of a stubborn pout. "If you don't stand up I'll throw you down this hole."

"There's nothing to do inside. I want to stay out here."

"No."

Finn wiggled out of Fern's grip and laid back on the ground to stare at the sky. "An Hour."

"NO." He ignored him. "Why are you even out here?"

Finn didn't respond, deciding to listen for the singing.

Come Along With Me

To a town beside the sea

Fern sat next to him, still irritated that he wasn't getting a response.

We can wander through the Forest

and do so as we please.

"Come along with me

to a cliff under the sea

where we'll gaze upon the water

As an everlasting dream." He sang with the voice, his brother apparently unable to hear it.

All of my affections

I give them all to you

maybe by next summer

we won't have changed our tune

Cause we'll want to be

in the town beside the sea

making up new numbers

and loving so merrily

"I want to see that town someday."