Chapter Text
My arms ached as I swung my sword down through another undead skull. Ugh, how the hell did those two do this all day everyday? Must’ve been magic or something.
“And that’s the last of them,” Finn said, wiping some goo from his face, Jake walking up to him.
I gave out a breath of relief and sat down. “Glob that was tiring. Must’ve been like, at least 100 of them!”
Finn and Jake joined me to sit on the grass, out of breath and tired as we looked up at the sky, the sun setting in the distance. I’d like to think that no words had to be said. I might not have been as close with the two as they were to each other, but we were still close.
I had met Finn and Jake roughly five years ago, when we met in a dungeon by chance. A lot had happened since then. Many adventures, hardships, parties, trials. Anything you could think of! My veins were rarely free from the adrenaline rush. And like with all rushes, when the high fades, the low leaves you tired and drained.
I closed my eyes and felt my body relax, my sword on the ground near me. Glob I was tired. Perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to rest a little.
“Hey, get up!”
“Hnnnk!” I snorted as I shot up, eyes wide. I looked around, taking a second to process before seeing Finn and Jake now standing.
“You can get some rest after we report back to the princess. I know you’re tired, and don’t really like her,” Finn scratched the back of his neck “but it’s proper protocol.”
With a sigh I stood up. We didn’t need to exchange any more words. They knew. I knew.
We trekked back to the kingdom, through the gates of the walls, down the peanut brittle paths and into the palace of sugar. Princess Bubblegum wasn’t there waiting to greet us. She was probably busy in her lab. Instead, waiting for us, was Peppermint butler. A dapper little fellow that always has a freaky aura around him.
“Finn, Jake, [Name],” he smiled, giving the three of us a little bow. “I’m glad it seems you’ve been successful in your mission. I’ll take you up to her highness now. There’s no doubt she’ll want to hear of your success.”
Up and up the winding stairs we climbed, climbing one of the palace towers to find ourselves in one of Bubblegum’s laboratories. There she is, in all her pink sugary glory, hunched over a lab bench with a white coat on, hair tied back with licorice.
“Princess,” the butler called out, “Finn and Jake have returned.”
She turned around, having set down whatever she was working on. With a gloved hand she lifted up her goggles onto the top of her head. “Hey you three! I’m glad to see the mission went well.”
Bubblegum walked forward to us, I assume trying to be in a better position for conversation.
“I really can’t thank you enough,” she took one of Finn’s hands. I bit my tongue at the action. “You really do so much for me and my kingdom, and I apologize for having to rely on you so often.”
Finn gave a nervous chuckle, his cheeks heating up. I couldn’t help but clench my fists at his reaction. It seems Jake noticed my behavior, giving me a puzzled look that turned into a shit eating grin. I knew whatever he was thinking was definitely the wrong idea. I had to end this, now.
Clearing my throat I spoke up. “Well Princess, we have completed your mission for us. As it is getting quite late, I believe it’s best we take our leave.”
Bubblegum let go of Finn’s hand, taking a step back. Her eyes widened. “Oh, are you sure? I haven’t even properly rewarded you yet, and the candy people would want to cele-”
“Your thanks is reward enough,” I interrupted her, placing a sickly sweet smile on my face, pushing down the disgust and rage that boiled in my stomach, “besides, if we celebrated every time we helped the kingdom, why, the party would never end!”
If I had been paying attention, maybe I would’ve noticed the look Finn and Jake gave each other. Perhaps I would’ve seen the knowing look on Bubblegum’s face. Perhaps I would’ve seen Peppermint Butler look away, candy lips sucked in. Perhaps…I would have hid my emotions better.
“Alright,” she sighed, a small smile on her face, “you’re right [Name]. I won’t hold you guys any longer. Please have a safe trip back.”
Just as quickly as we came, we left. I had barely let a conversation start before I shut it down. I just couldn’t stand to be near her any longer. Now past the walls of the kingdom, the drawbridge raised behind us, Finn turned to me.
“What the glob man! What is your problem,” he raised his arms in dramatic movement, “we literally just got in and you made a scene.”
“Aww lighten up Finn,” Jake chuckled before elbowing me, “jealousy makes folks do crazy things.”
At that, my eyes widened and my brows furrowed. “I’m not jealous.”
“Uh huh,” Jake said, entirely unconvinced, “and those that aren’t jealous act the way you did.”
“You are coming over and finally explaining this Princess biz to us [Name]. It’s like this everytime you see Princess Bubblegum.”
I sighed, knowing that it was pointless to argue. Finn and Jake were right, I don’t act properly whenever I’m around her. Anger hidden behind pretty words and semi-proper protocol. Defeated, I followed them to their treehouse without a word.
When we got to the treehouse, they took an hour to set up things. Making snacks and hot chocolate and building up a pile of pillows and blankets in the living room. This was our ritual anytime I’d come over to spend the night. It’s nice to know that as upset at me they might be, it’s not bad enough to offset tradition.
We all cozied ourselves in the living room, BMO running around, excited for the sleepover.
Finn cleared his throat, “what’s going on [Name]? Talk to me.”
“Yeah,” Jake chimed in, “we’re your bros. Bros can tell eachother anything.”
I couldn’t help but sigh. I’ve caused them quite a bit of trouble in the past. I guess they do deserve and answer for my disdain of the princess.
“You’re not gonna like it….”
The two only shrugged, looking at me expectantly. I felt sweat drip from my brow as I pulled my legs in. I couldn’t look at them in the eyes.
“I’m not 100% sure,” that’s a lie, “I just can’t stand to be in the same room as her. She makes me so angry, with how she acts. Almost like it’s….not real?”
I sigh and hang my head in defeat, “Bubblegum has alteriar motives, and I don’t like how she drags you guys into it. I don’t like how she leads you along with false hope Finn….”
The silence was loud, buzzing in my eardrums. I couldn’t look up. What were they thinking about me? Oh glob would we no longer be friends!? Are we-
I felt some arms around my shoulders, not to hard since I sat in the middle. I gingerly looked up, unaware of the tears spilling from my eyes.
“You’re thinking to hard man,” Finn said, a soft look on his face.
“Yeah,” Jake grinned, “it’s just how Bubblegum bubblegums. No need to worry about it.”
I chuckled, sniffling as I wiped the tears from my face. “Heh, maybe you’re right guys. I’m just overthinking it. Maybe I am jealous, worried that miss Bonibel Bubbkegum will take you guys from me. You want tell anyone right?”
Their swear to secrecy did little to calm the ache in my gut. I don’t think they’d understand my thinking. PB is a close friend of theirs, and they’ve known her longer than me. No matter, I’ll drop the subject.
“We’ll it’s been a long day, we should get some rest,” Finn said.
“I second that.”
Jake stretched his arm, turning off the lamp. “Goodnight.”