All characters belong to Pendleton Ward.

"She's no longer safe with you."

"She is. At least, she is much safer with me than she would ever be with you. You act as if you cared for her, but if that's the case, then why did you abandoned her in this world of chaos and destruction?"

The question echoed in the infinitely starry sky. The guttural voice of Abadeer Hunson broke the silence

"Shut up! I will not give you any explanation, Petrikov. I am her father, and if you dare to question my love for Marceline again, I'll make you wish you had died in the war."

"I already wish that. "Simon replied grimly. He could see his breath condensing in the air with every word he said. The cold was returning; he had to hurry up and end that encounter as quickly as possible. Marcy was waiting for him. "But you're right, Abadeer. You don't have to give me explanations, since they would be nothing more than pathetic excuses. Just leave us in peace. Marcy doesn't need you anymore. She doesn't even remember you."

Simon cursed the day Abadeer had appeared before him for the first time, demanding Simon to give Marcy back to him, her 'rightful' father. Simon wished he had ignored him from the start ,and sometimes, when his heart froze completely, he felt the dark desire of killing him.

Abadeer half-closed his eyes, acquiring a terrifying but no emotionless expression.

"Liar. She perfectly remembers who I am. "He muttered scornfully "Your selfishness repulses me, Petrikov. You need Marceline more than she needs you, and you know as well as I do that you will eventually forget her too. If you've forgotten everything else, even your old pathetic life, what makes you think she is an exception? And once you have cast her into your mind's oblivion, what will be of Marceline? . Face it, the only happiness you care about is your own, not my daughter's."

The hidden truth in those words hurt Simon more than he had expected. Why was the truth always so painful? Simon had to use all of his strength to appear nonchalant. He couldn't let Abadeer realize how close he was from fully convincing him.

"Just the empty words of a hypocrite." Simon replied sharply, with his voice and heart starting to crumble.

Abadeer sighed, and for a second, the fury in his eyes transformed into something more. Regret, sadness ,or maybe both.

"True, but they aren't the words of a liar. "He said, watching the silvery moonlight "You're so weak, so fragile. If I wanted to, I could end your trivial existence this moment. Such an easy task it would be... But don't be afraid, because I won't. As much as I despise you, I cannot ignore the fact that you saved my dear Marceline's life. To show you my gratitude, I'll forgive your life. And in change, you will give me back what is mine. My daughter. Don't do it for me, do it for her. "

"No, never!" Sentenced Simon, shaking uncontrollably "Go away! We were so happy before you came into our lives. Go away, leave us alone! Go back to your hell, you demon, for this one has no room for you!"

He didn't remember falling into his knees. Tears were now streaming down his face. The bitter cold had arrived, and if Hunson Abadeer was scared by it, he showed no signs of his fear.

He looked at Simon with a mixture of pity and triumph in his eyes, the last being the most evident.

"Look at you, Simon, and tell me what you see. "Abadeer muttered "Do you think that you, a broken man, can ensure someone else's safety, when it's painfully obvious you can't control yourself? No... Maybe you are not even a man anymore. Just a shadow...a shadow of someone that exists no more."

"It wasn't me... " Simon whispered "The crown ... "

"Now you're the one starting with the pathetic excuses." Abadeer coldly interrupted. A moment later, his voice lost its cruelty, but it remained firmly indifferent "I'll be waiting here tomorrow, from dawn to dusk. In that time, you will return Marceline to me, unharmed. But if you refuse, or try to run away, I'll take Marceline away from you anyway, only that I will murder you first. You decide, Petrikov. "

Abadeer started to disappear, becoming one with the night. Simon watched in horror as he felt how his fate was forever sealed.

"Do it for her, not for you. " Abadeer said before disappearing completely. Simon would never know if those words were meant for him.

Once he was alone again, the reality of his situation hit him with all of its strength.

"Marceline ... " He sobbed, turning his hands into fists. "Oh Betty, what should I do? What am I supposed to do?"

The question remained unanswered.

The dead couldn't hear him. The dead wouldn't answer.

All Simon could do was hug the crown he loved and hated alike.

Its cold was comforting.

But at the same time, it was dangerous and lethal.

He had never seen Marceline so happy. Simon was amazed to see how one person could be so hated by someone and so loved by someone else.

He had told her about ... about that another survivor he had found in the ruins of the city. Simon would take her to meet him the next morning.

"What a thrill! And where is he now? Is he a good guy? Will he be our new friend?"

"I don't know, little one. "Simon answered, honestly unable to answer Marceline's questions. "We'll find out tomorrow. Now it's time to sleep, we've both had a long day."

"All right." Marceline said, unconvinced. Before doing as she was told, she gave Simon a kiss on the cheek, just as she used to do every night before going to sleep. "Good night, Simon. "

Simon thanked the lack of light. Otherwise, Marcy would have seen the tears that clouded his eyes.

"Good night, Marcy. Remember that I love you. Promise me you will never forget it."

Marceline chuckled.

"I promise. I love you too, Simon."

Simon smiled, enjoying that little moment of peace, without letting it be spoiled by the tomorrow's fatal proximity.

That night, Simon didn't sleep at all.

Knowing that the next day would be the last day he would ever see Marcy again seemed more like a nightmare than a reality. Lately, his whole life felt that way.

Instinctively, he embraced the crown close to his chest once more, and allowed his thoughts to freely flow.

"You were right, Abadeer." Simon whispered to himself "I'm just an empty shadow of who I used to be. Marceline ... I know I need to save you. But ... who is going to save me?"

Simon needed to release his feelings; otherwise, he feared they would drive him insane.

The crown was there to comfort him, and he accepted its help with his eyes closed, just as the moonlight from the night began to fade.

This story will be a two-shot.

Thanks for reading!