Disclaimer: I do not own Adventure Time

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"Are you sure there isn't anything you want to talk about Finn?" asked Doctor Princess as she observed the human knowing full well that something was wrong. She had been summoned earlier in the evening and by no means was she going to say no to the person who had helped her so often in the past.

"I told you, I'm fine, I just want another check up is all," said Finn brushing it off to the side nonchalantly.

"You are aware that this would be the fourth check up that would take away even more time from the party downstairs that is being held in your honour," said Doctor Princess as she put her hands on her hips. "You should be down there having fun."

Indeed, darkness had settled over the land and occupants from every corner had flocked to the Candy Kingdom and were currently in the middle of some heavy duty festivities. While there would be a handful of people wondering where Finn was most people would guess that the man was conversing with a few of the hundreds if not thousands of people in attendance. Plus there was the dance floor that Marceline was currently playing to so people's attention was sure to be split between chatting and showing their moves.

Finn opted not to reply to his companion's words, choosing to look out the window at where both Goliad and Stormo were still locked in their psychic showdown, the two creations of science never having moved a muscle this entire time. "I understand if you don't want to talk about it," said Doctor Princess as she packed up her utensils. "Keeping all these emotions bottled inside for too long though can be poisonous to your health. You should spend some time tonight downstairs socialising considering all of these people came here to see you. I'll see you again soon Finn and hopefully you'll be willing to open up a little more then."

Finn once again was silent as Doctor Princess left the room leaving him in isolation. He pushed himself up from the bed he had been sitting on for the examination and paced around the room, running his fingers through his hair as he did so. Standing in front of a mirror he looked at his reflection, at what he had become. The people downstairs would likely only know him because he stood out so much, being the only human and all but he couldn't help but feel they didn't really know him beyond that. Sure when he was still a child taking on all sorts of adventures it was clear to see who he was both inside and out. Now however he didn't even know who he was deep down anymore.

The door opened behind him yet he didn't stir from his spot as somebody else came to join him in the room. Adjusting where he was looking in the mirror he was able to see who was walking towards him. "Hey princess," he said not bothering to turn around.

"Finn," said Princess Bubblegum softly, as if raising her voice too loud would be too bring the wrath of the world upon her. "Are you okay?"

Finn internally groaned wondering why everybody seemed to ask him the exact same question that he simply didn't want to answer. "I'm fine," he said as he turned around to face the pink haired princess. Now that they were alone he wondered just what his former crush saw in him. She of course looked the same as she always did although she had had her hair done for the occasion, her pink locks wrapped around one another in a long extensive ponytail probably in an attempt to make her look younger than what she really was. Even though she had broken his heart many years earlier, Finn couldn't help but still feel some manner of affection for the princess but he had always doubted that she would ever feel the same way about him.

"Finn, come sit," said Princess Bubblegum as she took a seat on the bed and patted a spot next to her, inviting him to get closer. It was obvious that something was bothering him and she hoped that she would be able to help some way or another, get him to open up just a little bit.

"I'm fine standing," said Finn unknowingly shooting Bubblegum's idea down.

"Okay then," said PB as she laced her fingers as she placed her hands upon her lap. "Is there a reason why you're up here by yourself? Jake was looking for you."

"I'm sure there were plenty of people looking for me," said Finn uninterested. "I just don't see what the big deal is; I mean all I did was come back."

"Finn, we were worried about you, all of us were," said PB emphasising the fact that she wasn't the only one worried. "You'd always been there for us and now we all want to be there for you."

"Look, it's nice that you all care," said Finn as he scratched at the scarred over wound where his arm once was. "The thing is though I grew up a lot when I was away, I became self reliant and while I sometimes wondered how you guys were doing here without me more often than not I was so focused on the task ahead I didn't think about you guys."

The pink haired princess rose from her seated position, closing the gap between the two of them slightly as he continued. "I discovered a different part of myself out there, someone I never thought I'd be when I was growing up. By the time I realised however it was too late to go back."

"Finn," said Bubblegum softly.

"Princess, with all due respect, I won't be attending the party downstairs tonight," announced Finn. "In time, I'll meet up with everyone whether they are in need of my help or I simply wander upon them. Tonight however, they will not be seeing me."

"Very well," said Princess Bubblegum understanding what Finn was saying. "I shall go downstairs and inform everyone that you have become ill and are unable to attend. Shall I send them away or are they free to continue partying; it's not often that everyone gets together like this after all."

"They can do as they wish," said Finn disinterested as he turned towards the window.

"I see," said the princess as she turned around. "You are free to stay here as long as you wish."

Finn paid no attention as the woman left the room leaving him to his thoughts. Throwing a cautionary glance over his shoulder to see that he truly was alone, Finn put his one hand on the windowsill and propelled himself into the darkness of the night. Bubblegum would return later in the evening with a plate of food contemplating that Finn would be hungry. To find nobody there however made her completely surprised.

...

"What, he not hungry?" asked Jake as Princess Bubblegum returned to the hall where the party had been held. A great number of the guests had left during the course of the evening leaving only a handful of Finn's closest friends wondering about the human's health.

"He's not there," said Bubblegum solemnly.

"WHAT!"

"Eodi geuneun doel su iss-eulkka?"

"I don't know Lady," said PB.

"Well why aren't we out there looking for him?" asked Marceline as if it was the most obvious thing.

"I think he just needs some time alone to get his thoughts together," said Bubblegum. "Considering how long he spent alone it makes sense that this may have not been as smooth a transition as we thought it would have been. Finn's changed a lot over the last few years and I'm not really sure if it's for the better."

Flame Princess contemplated what her friend was saying as well as how Finn had acted earlier in the day when they had raided Magic City. She had been the one to spend the most time with him in a one on one scenario and even she could see that the Finn she once crushed on had changed considerably. The question was though whether or not they could somehow get Finn to act the same as he had before. "What if we force him into a heroic situation?" she said causing all eyes to look onto her. "Like fake a hostage situation or something."

"That could work," said Marceline. "Although wouldn't it be risky considering we don't really know how he'd react. I mean Finn's still Finn, he's going to come help no matter what but how is he going to go about it. I think we can agree that he isn't simply going to go in all guns blazing like he used to."

"Also I don't know if he even has a weapon at the moment," added Jake. "Also considering he doesn't have his uhh...sword wielding hand, does he even know how to fight."

"That could be it," said Bubblegum as she slammed one fist into an opposing palm. "The reason he's down is because he doesn't believe that he can fight to protect us anymore. He was so used to use relying on him that now he believes he would be nothing more than a burden."

"Uli neun eotteohgehaeyahabnikka?" asked Lady.

Princess Bubblegum smiled as she made her declaration. "We're going to hold a tournament!"

...

Hope you enjoyed.