Hey guys! I tried to make it longer this time, and I planned for it to be longer and better, but I just really wanted to get this chapter out since I haven't updated in so long. Well sorry it's rubbish, hopefully you'll like it anyway!

Marceline was fine.

More than fine, actually. Everyday was a new adventure, the world was new. More discoveries to be made, more adventures to be had everyday.

still alone

Her hair was wet and sprinkled with sand, the backs of Goldfish Beasts fresh on the soles of her shoes. How nice it was to return to her home in the trees, even if only for a short time.

all alone in the trees

She thrust open the squeaky door, step into the dark, dusty treehouse. She fumbled through the dark, kicking off her shoes and humming a tune. Marceline tossed her bag blindly and heard it land with a thump.

"Oof."

She quickly snapped her fingers to light all the candles in the room and to illuminate her intruder. Oh, whoever broke into her house was gonna get it…

that was the first time he showed up looking for her

There he stood, short, blue, and nothing at all like the way she liked to remember.

"Marceline! I've been waiting for you to get back!"

What could she do, but stand there, mouth agape, everything she was thinking about saying evaporating into thin air.

it had been so long

All the memories shoved under the rug with the dirt and dust, where no one dared to look.

All the sadness folded neatly in the corner, a stack so tall it was ready to topple over with a single tap.

All the anger fallen behind the fridge, lying in silence with the dead bugs, but still alive and waiting.

But now he had to come along and drag everything back out into the open.

But Marceline was actually glad to see him.

"Simon…" She hesitated, but then pulled the blue man into a tight hug. "You finally came around."

"What-mon?" The Ice King responded confusedly.

Apparently, he hadn't come around.

"Don't you remember you?"

"Well, yes, of course I'm me, silly girl."

"But you totally forgot about being you."

"What?"

Marceline sighs heavily, sinking down into an armchair. It's plaid and dirty but it's not like she cares about quality furniture these days. She picks at a stray thread while choosing her next words carefully. Anger has crept out from behind the fridge and is about to pounce.

"Don't you remember being Simon Petrikov, destined to be the next great scientist? Don't you remember finding the enchiridion, greatest discovery made in 20 years? Don't you remember Betty, the love of your life? Your princess? How could you forget all that? How could you forget me, all alone in the city ruins? How could you forget the way you saved my life? All the times we had together? How could you forget all these important things? How could you forget something so important? I know I'll never forget. I'll never forget how you were the one who gave me my best friend, Hambo. I'll never forget the way you carried me on your shoulders when I got tired of walking. I'll never forget the way you promised to always be there for me, I'll never forget how you broke that promise. I wish I could forget, instead of sitting here, yelling at someone who doesn't even remember their own name!" Marceline shouts bitterly, tears screaming inside her eyes.

"What are you even rambling on about, you psycho?" The Ice King laughs. "You're nuts!" He laughs some more. "You're so nuts, you belong on a Sundae!" He can't stop laughing, his own joke was just too funny to him. He rolls on the ground laughing and laughing.

Here sits a bitter teenage vampire. There are memories pulled out from under the rug, a piled of sadness toppled over, anger cowering back behind the fridge, and a blue man laughing on the floor.

before the war, someone would have locked him up.

"Please, get out of my house." Marceline chokes on her words.

"But, Marcy, I just wanted you to sing a song for me." The Ice King frowns, getting up from the floor.

She lashes out. "Just get out of my house you crazy old man!" She gets up from the chair and steps closer to him, her eyes sad but her hands strong.

"Don't ever come back to see me here again!" Marceline warns after shoving him out the door. "I mean it." She growls and slams the door in his face, locking it with a click.

Marceline closes her eyes and leans her back against the door. She sinks down to the floor and pushes her hair back in pain and frustration. At last, letting the screaming tears slide gently down her cheeks.

A note slides under the door.

Marceline,

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bother you this much. Or make you upset. Please forgive me.

-Ice King

Marceline lets out a sob and tears the note to shreds. She never wants to read it again.