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The smell of smoke filled the air inside the candy tavern. It was a breezy night, and still, Simon decided to go for a dirt beer. He sipped his drink as self-doubt took over his mind, while ghosts of his past haunted him.
The events that took place earlier that day made it all harder for him. People talking about his "old stuff" and implying he's become boring since he stopped wearing the cursed crown...
While self-deprecating himself to the barman, Simon was about to order something stronger, with the urge to cover up his sorrow under the haze, when suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Finn.
- Hey Simon don't be so harsh on yourself.
Since when was he listening? either way Simon kept mumbling about how much of a dinosaur he likely was to other people. He felt lonely without Betty. Without common interests, without familiarity, without a caring touch. Finn interrupted him:
- You know, you're not the only human from the 20th century left...
Finn's presence always felt like a breath of fresh air. He dealt with Ice King so many times, and still, he never judged Simon. But that was better, those words softened the sad man. They gave him hope. Maybe he wasn't completely alone in this world after all. He got so shocked, he thought he heard it wrong:
- What? Who are you talking about Finn?
He was curious, exited even. He sat still as his friend told him the news. Finn had recently helped Bubblegum check on an old hospital, where a cure for the zombies was being researched during the mushroom war. They found something unexpected, a "thing" called Hazel. She was asleep in a pod since the beginning of the war, and was now having as many existencial crises as Simon.
- She feels lost Simon. In fact, I came here to ask if you'd like to help her.
Oh. Helping someone... It made him insecure but, maybe it could get him to feel useful, or feel like he redeemed himself somehow. He took a second before replying:
- I guess. Does she have a place to stay?
- She doesn't. She's with Marceline and PB since we found her, but they're not able to make her talk much... I was expecting you could maybe, share you exhibit with her for a while? She doesn't have a job yet, and she is a 20th century human after all.
It seemed acctually great. It kind of made him anxious, but it was good for the exhibit. He was going to tell Finn he'd think about it, when Finn stopped him:
- Amazing. We'll take her to your place this afternoon. Then you can talk to her and see if she likes the idea. You're gonna like her, she is a historian.
It was impossible for him to refuse. Finn threw it all on the fan with a smile. His head was now filled with thoughts.
Simon was a little taken aback by how quickly Finn made all the arrangements, but a little excited nonetheless. He'd been feeling alone, and it was nice to have a friend like Finn that could help him. So why not help someone as well? He was looking forward to having someone else to talk to anyways.
Simon made his way back home, feeling a mix of emotions as he waited for them to arrive. He was actually starting to get scared to let someone in his little lonely world. Specially with so much regret from the past weighting on him.
He took some time hiding the Choose Goose and his Glob altar in the basement, not wanting to seem weird or end up getting questions about it. He wanted a friend, nothing more. And that secret (trying to open a portal to bring Betty back) was a secret he wasn't going to share with anyone.
Right after he finished taping the Goose's talkative beak, the doorbell ringed.
Hazel was an event that brought everyone together. Simon opened the door to find himself facing the smiling faces of Finn, Hazel, and the bubbline couple.
He was so glad to see them, especially Marceline. She never got to call him dad, but he indeed saw her as his daughter. He deeply wished he could have been better to marcy. "She deserved a better father" He'd think.
- Come in everyone, I'll get you all some drinks.
He said inviting them, feeling a little tense, but quickly greeting both Marceline and Bubblegum with a hug as they walked in. He was glad their relationship worked out, and he was thankful for PB for taking care of Marceline and her emocional baggage while he was... you know, Ice King.
Simon poured everyone drinks as they gathered around the dinner table, laughing and enjoying each other's company like usual, eating some of the food Bubblegum brought them.
Despite the family like vibes of the gathering, Hazel felt a little left out. It was okay. They knew each other for hundreds of years right? She listened quietly until the topic came towards her.
"So Hazel, what do you think about Ooo so far?" Finn asked. Hazel thought for bit:
- Well, it's different. I think it's cool that there's candy people and stuff like that but, I don't have anything here. I'd say I have no one if you guys hadn't been so nice...
There was a deadly silence for a few seconds. Everyone wanted to know more about her, but it was clear she was going through a shock and talking about it with them was uncomfortable. Simon interrupted the silence, feeling sorry for her:
- Hey, why don't you come see my LP records? I'm sure you'll find some music you like.
Simon stood up as an invite. Hazel followed right behind him. Finn was still eating dessert, over and over, while the bubbline couple helped each other doing dishes and tidying around. Marceline kept trying to wash the plates while Bubblegum kept trying to ticke her from time to time, stealing a few pecks here and there.
Simon's vynil collection was acctually impressive, specially considering he gathered all that during the apocalypse.
"There are so many good ones" For the first time in 5 days Hazel smiled. There were many of her favorites. "Glad you like them. Pick one, let's play it" Simon insisted.
- Here. The beatles... Cause I think you look like John Lennon.
Hazel said smiling at Simon, making him a bit baffled. "Great. Abbey road..." He said placing it on the record player. The music was nice, it made her a bit more comfortable. and apparently Marcy liked it as well, considering she had dropped cleaning only to start dancing PB around the room. They looked happy.
Simon was glad he seemed to make Hazel a bit more comfortable. He sat on the sofa wondering what to say, as she sat next to him, but not too close. He took the chance to start chatting:
- Finn told me you're a historian, did he tell you I'm an antiquarian?
- Well, I'm more of a history teacher than a historian. I never finished writing my first book.
- Do you have a subject you're more interested in?
- Acctually, I used to study a lot of religion and occultism history. It might be weird I know...
That was way to absurd. There's no way he found someone who could help him study about Glob that easily. It all was fitting like a puzzle. There's no way life could be that good.
- That's great, I've done a few researches on the subject myself. Have you-
Finn glanced at Simon, stopping him from starting to talk about Glob and his trauma so early with an already traumatized girl. Simon coughed, and started asking her about her favorite songs instead, to wich Hazel interrupted:
- So what does antiquarian do in the post-apocalypse?
- Well, this whole house in an antiquarium nowadays. People come to visit everyday. I talk about artifacts from the 20th century and older, and about my personal experience during the war.
- I was expecting someone to say nobody needed to work anymore these days. Aparently some things don't change... I gotta find a job
Hazel laughed, feeling acctually kind of desperate.
- You should work here, I could use some help, and maybe you could try writing a book again. I could help, I have a book myself...
- Oh I don't want to disturb you Petrikov. Are you sure about that?
Marceline and Bubblegum were now sitting together in the living room as well. It was their time to support Hazel, and get Simon a friend.
- You should try it, It's like living a normal life back then, while answering questions.
Marceline said. Bubblegum decided to push it a bit further:
- You could start tomorrow even. It's usually a less crowded day.
Hazel wasn't sure if they were trying to help or get rid of her. (They were worried) But she needed a job, and she liked Simon.
- Would that be okay?
She asked him smiling. "Sure" he said relieved. He had been wondering if he'd be able to convince her."Is it fine for you to stay over for a while?" He asked a bit concerned. The bubbline couple explained they would go back to the candy kingdom today.
Hazel thought it was worth a try. She didn't plan on living anywhere else aside from the human city anyway. "As long as I'm not a nuisance to you" She said laughing.
Time went by as they played more and more music. Bubblegum kept telling Simon about the things she learned when going through the experimental hospital where she found Hazel. Cientific stuff...
Marcy and Finn were having a chat about how he acctually helped her get close to PB right at the beginning of their relationship, when Bubblegum started to drift off with her head on her shoulder.
"Bonnie?" She asked. "Guys I think we'll need to go now. Let's have dinner sometime" She said taking PB in her arms and making her way out. Finn followed right behind:
- I'll accompany you guys. I have business on candy kingdom anyways.
- Will you be okay Hazel?
Marcy asked to make sure. "Yeah I'm fine" She felt comfortable there. Simons place was acctually very cozy. "It was a nice evening" Simon thought as they all said their goodbyes, under a hazel sunset.
With everyone gone, Hazel and Simon were left alone. The place was quiet, with only the soft music from the record player filling their ears while the two of them sat quietly, taking in their surroundings and getting a feel for each other's presence. Despite having Betty in mind, Simon couldn't help but be drawn to Hazel noticing her watching him, intrigued, and wanting to know more.
Hazel could see that Simon was a private person. She wanted to avoid being invasive, so she carefully considered what to say before asking Simon in a soft voice:
- Simon, I'm sorry for being blunt, but I was wondering if I could learn a bit more about you? How did you make it alive till now?
- Oh... That's a long story. Basically, I got cursed.
Simon felt a bit scared she would judge him, but he gave her a bit of insight on his past anyway. He told her about surviving the apocalypse with Marcy; The crown; The madness; And now, the regret. He didn't want to talk about grief, so he kept Betty unmentioned.
Hazel could see he felt insecure about telling her all that. So she reassured:
- You know, it might be hard but, I don't judge you. None of this is your fault, and the man I just met... He's pretty cool.
Simon was a bit flustered now. Was that a compliment? He couldn't help but question it. "No way an old man like me can pass as a cool guy" He laughed. "Technically, we're around the same age you know" He hadn't thought of that, she looked younger, since her body had been freezed in time inside that pod.
He suddenly focused on her features. She looked smooth, is what he thought. She was feminine, but not much. There was something about her rectangular glasses and chopped long hair that made her pretty. "We might be the same age, but you look better I must admit"
He didn't think much about his words, but that got Hazel shy. She liked it. "No way, you look like a nerdy smart gentleman with that bow tie" Well he is.
"I am" He confirmed. They both laughed.
A cheesy song started playing now. Leading to the question:
- So, do you have a girlfriend Simon?
- I used to, I guess. I lost her in the war a few years ago. How about you?
That was heavy. Both of their stories were.
- I used to as well. She couldn't deal with the pressure of trying to find a cure for the zombies back then. She overdosed.
Silence filled the air for a while, but not uncomfortably. They were opening up. The sweet song made it seem intimate. Made them crave having love again.
- I don't know about you Simon, but I guess I can't feel bad about it. It wasn't meant to be. Sometimes it isn't, but us humans insist and get hurt.
He could see through that. She loved her ex girlfriend, Liz, but they weren't good for each other, and that was evident. "It feels bad not having someone in this weird world... I'm glad I found you though" She said, not flirting, honestly.
They seemed to both realize there was destiny. There was a bond about to be created between them, and despite all matters, it was inevitable. It could be fatal.
Simon was the one to break the dense atmosphere, talking about the exhibit, and explaining they'd open late the next day, so he could guide her on how to deal with the people and questioning.
Soon he realized she felt sleepy and brought her a blanket. "Do you want to sleep here? I can take the couch instead if you prefer" He talked to himself. She was already asleep when he got back, so he simply covered her.
His insomnia would usually creep in, but he had such a crazy day, it didn't happen this time. The idea of having a roommate kind of made him exited to get better, to seem better. So he drifted off.
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Author note: thanks for reading this first chapter. please comment and vote if you liked it. consider adding it to your library to get the updates soon ♡
Believe me this story can still go very crazy. And there's so many possibilities since fionna and cake is still airing now.