The grand ballroom buzzed with excitement, but as Finn and June entered, an air of awkward tension followed them. The vibrant lighting reflected off their polished outfits, drawing a few curious stares. Finn looked dashing yet visibly uneasy in his black suit, while June radiated earthy elegance in her shimmering green gown, the golden skull on her head adding a regal touch. They held hands as they navigated the crowd.
Princess Bubblegum was the first to approach, dressed in a flowing pink gown that sparkled faintly in the chandelier's light. She was accompanied by Lumpy Space Princess and Slime Princess, both decked out for the occasion. Bubblegum smiled warmly, her diplomatic grace in full effect.
"Finn, June! You both look... amazing," she said, though her sharp eyes flickered briefly between them, picking up on the subtle awkwardness. "I wasn't sure you'd make it."
"Yeah, uh, thanks, Bubblegum," Finn said, his voice slightly strained. "The place looks incredible. You really outdid yourself."
June smiled politely, her grip on Finn's hand tightening slightly. "It's beautiful, Princess. I've never seen anything like it." Her tone was genuine, but there was an edge to her words, as if she were trying a little too hard to focus on the setting rather than something unsaid.
Lumpy Space Princess cut in, fanning herself dramatically. "Oh my glob, Finn! You, like, actually look decent for once. But June? Girl, you're killing it. How are you even keeping it together with him? I'd be, like, so over it."
Finn chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his neck. "Uh, thanks, LSP, I guess?"
June gave a small, amused smile. "He's holding up well enough," she said, glancing sideways at Finn. "Though he does have a way of keeping things... interesting."
Just then, the ballroom doors swung open, and in walked Flame Princess, arm in arm with Cinnamon Bun. Flame Princess was a striking vision in her fiery red and gold gown, her hair braided elegantly with golden threads that shimmered like flames. Cinnamon Bun, dressed in a tailored crimson and orange suit, exuded a surprising air of confidence that seemed to have grown since their relationship began.
"Finn!" Cinnamon Bun called, his voice cheerful and carrying across the room. "Wow, you're looking sharp!"
"Thanks, Bun," Finn replied, waving. "You too. Lookin' good."
As they approached, Flame Princess's expression was neutral but sharp, her amber eyes narrowing slightly. "Finn," she said smoothly, her voice carrying a hint of tension, "It's been a while. I hope you're not... revealing any secrets tonight." Her gaze flicked to June, her tone calm but tinged with something unreadable.
Finn blinked, caught off guard. "Uh... no? I mean, no secrets here," he stammered, looking at June as if seeking backup.
June's smile didn't falter, but there was a flicker of understanding in her eyes. "No secrets from me, at least," she said lightly, her tone warm yet subtly pointed. "It's nice to finally meet you, Flame Princess. Finn's told me a lot about you."
Flame Princess smiled faintly, the tension in her demeanor easing slightly. "Likewise. It's good to see you're both doing well."
Cinnamon Bun, blissfully oblivious to the undercurrent, chimed in with a beaming smile. "We've been practicing dancing! Flame Princess says I'm getting really good. I think we're going to light up the floor tonight. Literally, if we're not careful!"
Flame Princess rolled her eyes but allowed a small smile. "Don't encourage him," she said, though her tone was affectionate. "He's been working hard, though."
Lumpy Space Princess took the opportunity to interject, breaking the moment. "Ugh, this is so much drama or whatever. Can we talk about how June looks like a jungle goddess or something? Like, Finn, seriously, how are you even keeping it together?"
Finn's face turned bright red, and he mumbled, "LSP, not helping."
June laughed softly, squeezing his hand. "Don't worry, Finn. You're doing just fine. Though you do have a way of keeping everyone on their toes." Her voice held a teasing warmth.
Princess Bubblegum watched the interaction with a knowing smile. "Well, it's always interesting when Finn's around," she said diplomatically. "But the waltz is about to start. Why don't you all head to the floor? It's a chance to leave the awkwardness behind and just enjoy yourselves."
Flame Princess nodded and glanced at Cinnamon Bun. "Shall we?"
Cinnamon Bun grinned, offering his hand with a flourish. "Let's do it!"
As the fiery couple moved toward the dance floor, Bubblegum turned to Finn and June. "Go on, you two. Have fun. And Finn—try not to overthink everything for once."
Finn chuckled awkwardly but nodded. "Yeah, yeah. We'll be fine." He turned to June, offering his hand. "Shall we, princess?"
June's eyes sparkled with humor and warmth as she took his hand. "Lead the way my hero."
The orchestra played a soft, lilting tune as Finn and June swayed gently in the middle of the ballroom. Finn's hand rested on her waist, and she placed hers lightly on his shoulder. They moved together, their steps almost perfectly in sync, surrounded by other couples lost in the music.
For a while, neither of them spoke, letting the rhythm fill the space between them. But June eventually broke the silence, her voice soft and filled with curiosity. "So… back there with Flame Princess. What was that about? She seemed a little... tense."
Finn hesitated, his gaze lowering as if the polished floor might offer some clarity. He sighed deeply, the sound carrying the weight of lingering regret. "It's… it's about something I did. Back when Flame Princess and I were together."
June tilted her head slightly, her expression gentle but urging him to continue. "Go on," she said, her tone encouraging.
Finn looked at her, his blue eyes tinged with guilt. "There was this fight. Flame Princess and the Ice King were battling, and I thought… I thought it would be a good idea to make them write notes about how they felt. About each other. I guess I thought it'd fix everything. But it didn't. It just made things worse. I ended up revealing stuff about Flame Princess that I shouldn't have. It was... it was stupid of me."
His grip on her hand tightened slightly, and he shook his head. "I hurt her, and I didn't even realize how much until later. Seeing her now, happy with Cinnamon Bun, it just reminds me of how badly I handled things. She deserved better."
June's expression softened as she watched him. She could see the genuine regret in his eyes, the weight of his mistakes still lingering even after all this time. Before Finn could say anything else, June leaned in and kissed his nose gently, her lips warm and soft against his skin.
Finn blinked, startled by the unexpected gesture, and looked at her with wide eyes. "June?"
June smiled, her green eyes sparkling with a mix of warmth and mischief. "Finn, everyone makes mistakes. What matters is that you've learned from them. And honestly? You're too hard on yourself sometimes."
Finn's face softened, his earlier guilt giving way to a small, grateful smile. "Thanks, June. You always know what to say."
She chuckled, her hand brushing against his shoulder as they swayed. "It's a talent, I guess. Now, stop overthinking and focus on this dance. You're doing great."
Finn nodded, his smile growing as he let her words sink in. "Alright. I'll try."
As the orchestra swelled for the final notes of the slow dance, Finn and June moved effortlessly across the floor, their steps now fully in sync. The other couples around them began to slow, and with a graceful turn, Finn and June came to a stop in the center of the dance floor. Their gazes met, and for a brief moment, it felt as though they were the only two people in the room.
The music faded, and the ballroom erupted into applause. Finn blinked, startled by the sound, and glanced around to see the crowd clapping enthusiastically. Even Lumpy Space Princess was clapping—though her dramatic eye-roll suggested she wouldn't admit she was impressed.
"You two were great!" Princess Bubblegum called from her spot by the staircase, her smile genuine.
June grinned at Finn, her cheeks still flushed from the dance. "Not bad for a hero who claimed he might step on my toes," she teased, her voice soft.
Finn chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "Guess I got lucky with my partner."
As the applause died down and the next song began to play, Finn offered his arm to June. "Want to take a break? We've earned it."
June nodded, taking his arm with a playful smile. "Let's find a spot to sit before Lumpy Space Princess demands another encore."
The two made their way to the edge of the ballroom, where tables adorned with candy-inspired centerpieces offered a place to rest. They chose a spot near the back, away from the busiest parts of the room, and sat down. The chairs were plush and comfortable, a welcome relief after the energy of the dance.
Finn leaned back slightly, letting out a contented sigh. "Man, that was something. I didn't think I'd actually have fun at a fancy event like this."
June chuckled, adjusting the golden skull atop her head. "You just needed a little push. And you did great out there."
He glanced at her, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Thanks, June. For... everything tonight."
She reached across the table and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "Always, Finn."
After spending some time at the table, Finn and June exchanged a knowing glance. The ballroom's lively energy was still in full swing, but something about the cool night air beckoned them. Quietly excusing themselves, they slipped out of the grand hall, hand in hand, into the peaceful Candy Kingdom gardens.
The world outside was a stark contrast to the bright, bustling ballroom. The soft chirping of crickets filled the air, and a gentle breeze carried the faint scent of blooming flowers. The night sky stretched endlessly above them, studded with stars that shimmered like diamonds against the inky black.
Finn led June to a small hill just beyond the palace grounds. It was covered in soft grass and offered an unobstructed view of the sky. "This looks like a good spot," Finn said, his voice quiet but cheerful.
June smiled, her green eyes reflecting the starlight. "Perfect," she agreed.
They sat down on the grass together before lying back to gaze at the stars. The cool ground beneath them contrasted with the warmth they felt from each other's presence. Finn tucked his hands behind his head, his messy blond hair blending with the grass, while June rested her arms at her sides, her dress splayed around her like a soft, green wave.
For a while, neither of them spoke, simply enjoying the serenity of the moment. The stars above twinkled as if performing a private show just for them.
June broke the silence first, her voice soft and thoughtful. "You know, the jungle doesn't have a sky quite like this. Too many trees. But here… it feels endless. Like there's no limit to where you can go."
Finn turned his head slightly to look at her, his blue eyes soft. "Yeah. It's pretty amazing. But honestly, I think tonight has been more about who I'm with than where I am."
June's breath hitched slightly, her cheeks turning pink in the moonlight. She shifted onto her side to face him, her long, wavy hair falling over one shoulder. Slowly, she reached out and caressed his cheek, her touch light and tender. Her thumb brushed against his skin as her gaze locked with his.
"You're something special, Finn," she said softly, her voice carrying a depth of affection. "Brave, kind, and... a little reckless. But it's all part of what makes you, you. And I love that about you."
Finn's cheeks flushed a deeper red than the sky at sunset, and he gave her a bashful smile. "June… I don't even know what to say. I've been on so many adventures, met so many people, but being with you… it's like a different kind of adventure. One that feels... just right."
Her smile widened, and she leaned in slightly, her forehead resting lightly against his. "Then I guess we're on the same page, hero."
Finn chuckled softly, his voice full of warmth. "Guess we are, princess."
Under the vast canopy of stars, June's hand still rested gently on Finn's cheek, her green eyes locked with his blue ones. Finn's heart raced, his thoughts quieted by the warmth in her gaze. Slowly, as if drawn together by an invisible force, their faces inched closer until their lips met in a soft, tender kiss.
The moment was quiet, timeless, and filled with the kind of unspoken affection they'd both carried for one another. The kiss deepened slightly, a shared warmth passing between them before they finally pulled back, their foreheads resting against each other as they both smiled.
"That was... amazing," Finn murmured, his voice still tinged with awe.
June chuckled softly, her cheeks a delicate shade of pink. "It was," she agreed, her fingers brushing against his cheek once more. But then her expression shifted, a note of regret creeping in. "Finn, I… I should go. It's getting late, and I need to check on Liana back at the Jungle Kingdom."
Finn nodded, though he couldn't hide the flicker of disappointment in his eyes. "Yeah, of course. I'll walk you home."
June smiled, grateful for his understanding, and stood, brushing grass from her dress. "You don't have to, Finn. I can make it back on my own."
Finn shook his head, his grin unwavering. "Are you kidding? It's my duty, my lady," he said playfully, bowing slightly and offering his arm.
June laughed softly, her cheeks warming again. "You're impossible," she teased, taking his arm.
They began their walk through the tranquil forest that bordered the Candy Kingdom, the soft rustling of leaves accompanying their steps. As they approached the outskirts of the Jungle Kingdom, June's smile faltered slightly, and she glanced at Finn. "Do you think Liana's okay? I hate leaving her alone for too long."
Finn gave her hand a gentle squeeze as they walked. "Liana's tough, just like her princess. But if anything's wrong, I'm here. It's my job to make sure you and your kingdom are safe."
June stopped walking for a moment, her blush deepening as she looked at him. "You're too sweet, Finn. You always know just what to say."
Finn grinned, taking her hand in his and, without a word, pressed a light kiss to the back of it. "It's easy when it's you, June."
Her breath caught slightly, and she smiled shyly, her heart fluttering at the gesture. Together, they continued walking until the towering gates of the Jungle Kingdom came into view. The massive wooden and vine-covered entrance loomed above them, lit faintly by glowing lanterns.
Finn stopped just before the gates, turning to face her. "Well, here we are," he said, his voice soft.
June stepped closer, her hand resting lightly on his chest. "Thanks for walking me home, Finn. You didn't have to, but… I'm glad you did."
Finn chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Anytime, princess. You know where to find me."
Before stepping inside, June leaned up and kissed his cheek, her smile radiant despite the faint sadness in her eyes. "Goodnight, hero."
Finn watched as she passed through the gates, her figure disappearing into the warm glow of the Jungle Kingdom. He stood there for a moment longer, a soft smile on his face, before turning and heading back toward the Candy Kingdom, the memory of the night lingering in his heart.
Thanks for reading, sorry for slow updates