Chapter Text
Sunlight flooded into Fern’s eyes as he slowly blinked them open. Rays of fire sparking light into his pupils and swirling around them. Morning dew-drops gathered on the angles of his body and clothes, reflecting the same intensity of the sun that his eyes did. He was sitting down, or, more-so leaning onto a tree behind him, the coarse bark would have normally felt awful on his back if it weren’t for the fact that the new grass that he was made out of loved being next to anything in nature. He felt the energy pulsing throughout the inside of the tree.
The first time Fern had ever “felt life” inside of a plant before was the first night he spent on top of his- Finn and Jake’s treehouse. When he laid down on the leaves he immediately sprang up and fumbled around, almost stumbling off of the tree because he felt how the leaves almost merged with his body and he went into flight or fight instinctively. When he tried to lie down again, he uncomfortably groaned as the leaves wrapped around and grew into his back and the bottom of his limbs. He would never admit out loud that it felt good, how he could feel the energy that the tree had inside of it practically healing him both mentally and physically that night.
Right now though, as he was waking up and leaning forward to detach himself from the sprouts that grew into him from the tree behind him, he stood up and immediately felt… different. He looked back at where he was sitting, eyes squinted and confused when he saw nothing there. Wheat-like hair fell over his head and covered his face. He grunted and lifted his right arm to try and push it out of the way. The hair didn’t move. He looked at his right arm and let out a yelp when nothing was there besides a nub. The clothes around it weren’t torn, and the wound wasn’t bleeding.
He momentarily flashed back to when he lost his arm a year or two back, but remembered that he was grass now, and he could probably grow it back like he had rapidly healed other small injuries from when he fought Finn on the beach. It seemed his body was already doing that, the wound was closed up already. He sighed deeply, trying to ground himself. Where was he even? Why was he missing an arm in the first place? He looked around and saw nothing but random forest, but then his eyes landed on a campsite and the purple blob hovering next to the fire with a can of beans half torn apart and attached to a stick.
Amazing.
Fern used his available arm to push his hair all the way back and drag down his hand across his face, exasperated. His pupils narrowed into slits, already irritated with her when she hadn't even said a word. Reluctantly, he lazily walked his way over to the campsite, LSP smirking at him as he sat down and leaned forward towards the fire, his head leaning on his arm as he tried to avoid eye contact until she spoke.
“You’re lucky you know, I saved your tight buns before you got eaten out there,” LSP started, sassily waving her stick of canned beans around until she pointed the contraption at Fern. Fern leaned back, looking at LSP and the beans disgustedly.
“Well? Are you gonna eat or what, bozo?” LSP said, trying to hand the stick to Fern. She prodded his cheek with the back-end of it.
“I don’t eat,” Fern said plainly, monotone.
LSP looked at him weirdly before pulling the stick back, “Ugh, whatever. More breakfast for me anyways.”
A moment of silence passed, Fern staring a bit too long into the fire, unblinking. The orange light glinted off of his glossed over eyes. LSP seemed to notice this, backing up a little before speaking.
“So, who even are you? You look a lot like Finn.” She asked, tilting her head to the side and hesitantly adding that last part.
‘Oh, yeah. I need to reintroduce myself to everyone now,’ He thought. Fern shrunk in on himself, still looking into the fire. He shifted, uneased.
“I…” Fern began, then stopped, feeling his throat close up a little.
“Cat got your ton-”
“I’m Fern.” He said more confidently, interrupting LSP. He looked up from the fire, directly into LSP’s eyes.
LSP took the can of beans off of the stick, wrapping it in a piece of cloth and then tossing it back into her mouth, some of it spilling onto the floor. “Okay… but- like-” She spoke with her mouth full, “I know everyone in this forest, even the wolves. Glob- even the randoms who pass through here I know.”
“....And….?” Fern dragged out after a bit, not understanding.
She finally swallowed, “I’VE NEVER SEEN YOU IN MY LIFE!” She spat out, raising her voice and causing Fern to flinch.
“Well I was kinda just… made two days ago, so chill for a second, alright?” Fern tried to explain, still uncertain on how to elaborate further. LSP crossed her arms and went to float down to sit on the free spot on the log next to him. She leaned closer to him expectantly. Fern sighed, attempting to communicate how exactly he was made.
“Okay, well, you aren’t wrong when you say I look like Finn. I technically am Finn-”
“Wha-” LSP had another mouth full of beans now, only being interrupted when Fern shoved a grass-covered hand over her mouth, silencing her for a moment.
“Let me finish, LS- EUGH!” Fern exclaimed when LSP dragged her tongue across Fern's palm, he pulled his arm back away swiftly, disgusted at first when he looked at his wet hand but he quickly dissolved into laughter as he snorted when he saw LSP’s stupid jokingly proud smirk. His pupils dilated back into their normal size as he finally opened up a bit. His laughter died down into small giggles as he reached towards LSP and smeared his dirtied hand across her arm. As he did so he chuckled out, “This is my only hand right now, what the bunk!”
LSP scoffed with a smile on her face and put down her can of beans, pretending to roll up imaginary sleeves. “Oh, nuh-uh! You’re in for it now, grass boy!” She tried to say threateningly, failing miserably. She pushed Fern off of the log, he tumbled backwards, and with muscle-memory kicking in, he tucked and rolled, afterwards swiftly standing up. He did so unnaturally, ankles bending weirdly and fluidly in the quick motion. He seemed to surprise himself, but he shook it off, and with a playful smile on his face he drew out the Grass Blade, sprouting it from his wrist. It wrapped around itself until it formed a proper hilt for him to grip on. The blade sprouted from the top of the hilt soon after.
“Really?” Fern tested LSP, smirking confidently. LSP winced and giggled.
“Kidding! Kidding…” She said it twice, sweating slightly, almost as if she didn’t truly know if Fern was still joking. She held her hands up in mock-surrender.
Fern saw her uncertainty, and he immediately drew back the sword, letting it unfurl back into his wrist. He sighed, internally scolding himself. His eyes retreated into slits again as he went back over to the log and sat back down, slouching.
LSP let her guard down again. “Sorry, I’ll actually listen this time.” LSP said gently, taking Fern slightly off guard until she added, “Moody,” which made him snicker.
“Alright, so technically, I am actually Finn. Or at least something similar to him… One day, around one or two years ago, Finn’s blood sword broke, so he went to go buy another one to replace it. He bought this weird Grass Sword for like 5 bucks,” Fern drew the Grass Sword again, showing LSP.
“Turned out it was cursed, and it was trying to grow onto him. He ended up accepting the curse and it became a brace-like thing on his wrist. He would summon it for battle that way. A bit later, Finn lost his right arm, kinda like me right now. The Grass Sword was attached to that arm, so it was basically fused into him. That's how he grew his arm back. Skip forward a little, and during one of Finn’s adventures, up in Prismo’s place, there was a weird time-loop cloning thing that happened. Finn was cloned, and once that Clone-Finn interacted with Original Finn, it got turned into a sword. My memories split there. They went from Finn’s childhood and then into a sword just like that. It was weird, ‘cause I was like a sentient sword that Finn would talk to, even though I technically was Finn. Finn got in a fight with Bandit Princess because she stole me, and Finn used the Grass Sword to fight her. He accidentally stabbed me, or at least the sword. Then…” Fern paused awkwardly, almost uncomfortably and turned away.
LSP waited patientally as Fern steadied himself, he was taking deep breaths as he spoke the next part.
“Then, He came. I still don’t know His name, but He’s a demon that the Grassy Wizard tied to the Grass Sword. I was inside the sword, and I saw the grass grow around me. The Demon looked like an octopus spider. Actually, I have His voice. Still manages to freak me out sometimes when I talk and I don’t hear my- Finn’s voice. Anyways, The Demon ended up talking to me for a few weeks, the worst few weeks of my life so far if you ask me. Then, two days ago, Finn was in a fight with one of his friends who turned crazy; Susan. He lost his sword and was banged up pretty bad. His grass arm got steamed and tried to kill Susan, and when Finn stopped it, it detached from the rest of his body and merged with me inside of the sword. That's when my memories as Fern start. I wrestled with Finn, I guess I just got out of the sword and forgot there was another me. Finn and Jake accused me of being a demon and I ran away back to the treehouse. I scared BMO, and trashed the place because I was bunking like- every little thing up. Jake tried to kick me out of the treehouse but Finn wanted me to stay and convinced BMO and Jake to let me. I slept on the top of the tree that night, and then yesterday I woke up and found out I couldn’t eat or breathe. Ended up going on an evil-fighting adventure with Jake in the grasslands. I have some of the Demons memories too, so I remembered when He was tethered to the sword. I kicked the Grassy Wizard’s butt cause he was being a jerk to me when I tried to ask him what I was. Bunged him up so bad Jake made me take him back to the Candy Kingdom for healing. Finn was there playing doctor for the day or something and then I ended up declaring myself as different from Finn and I named myself Fern. Stole Starchy’s motorcycle and rode off. Last thing I know is I’ve lost my arm and I’m here with you.” Fern finally finished his long-winded backstory and looked nervously at LSP, thinking she was about to accuse him of having a demonic identity as well.
LSP just sighed and took one last gulp of her can of beans before speaking. “I’m pretty sure I know where that motorcycle is if you wanna get it back.”
“You do? Can we go get it now?” Fern implored LSP, wanting to get his ride back.
LSP nodded. “Yeah, dong-dong. It’s where I found you. I was too lazy to drag you and the motorcycle back to camp. Thanks for yapping long enough so I could finish breakfast.”
Fern stood up excitedly, shaking his fist up and down hurriedly. LSP flew a bit higher, putting some kind of metalwork over the fire and helping it die down a bit.
LSP led Fern through the forest, talking about really anything, but it was mostly LSP complaining about forest-life and her parents. They stopped occasionally to talk to the inhabitants of the area, and specifically this one Squirrel joined the walk to the motorcycle and entered the conversation. Fern was surprisingly invested in the conversations, maybe it was because he was in nature and could soak up more energy. The stroll was surprisingly nice. The only thing of note was when LSP began to gossip about other princesses and rulers.
“Fern, did you know that PB uses cameras to spy on like- everyone? Oh my Glob- that's scary to think about. Is that how she knows like… everything?” LSP pondered, concerned and frightened.
“Honestly? Probably. If you have enough eyes you can see in all directions, right? She probably knows what at least half of Ooo is doing right now.” Fern added, making LSP even more frightened.
“Jeez, Fern! Don’t creep me out further! Let’s lighten the mood. Anyone have a juicy love story or want to spill their crush?” LSP said, making Fern sigh and roll his eyes.
The Squirrel raised his paw. “Oh! Oh! I have a crush on this one chipmunk! Her name is Ms. Chipmunk… she's really pretty… the bad part is I’m way too shy to ask if she has a partner.” The Squirrel explained, lost in thought and blushing lightly.
“You have to have the guts to ask at some point. Last time I tried to get with someone without asking, it turned out he had a girl already and I was like, ‘well can’t I be like- your side dish or something?’ Wrong move, Honey! Kicked me out of his apartment right there! Never saw Allan again. It's so unfair! He was totally into me! He was tryna slump ALL THESE LUMPS!” LSP advised and whined, trying to sound wise but ending up sounding pretty dumb with that example.
“So, what about you, Fern? Got anything going on for you?” LSP prodded, leaning closer to Fern.
“Geez, LSP. I don’t really think so. I’m not even sure if I’m on the market for anything like that right now.” Fern said, wondering if he even was looking for something like a relationship right now. There were definitely some bigger things happening in his life currently, so maybe not.
“Oh, c’mon Fern! Princess Bubblegum?” LSP tried.
Fern shook his head ‘no’ quickly. “Oh no. She’s definitely more of a friend.” He added.
“Huntress Wizard?” She tried again. “I’ve seen her and Finn playing their cute little flutes in these woods before. Pretty sure they’re meant for each other.
Fern was hesitant for a moment, trying to remember who exactly LSP was even talking about. “I don’t think so. I’ve only really seen her once before. I’d have to get to know her more before even considering that.”
“Hmm… Flame Princess?” LSP questioned the final time.
This made Fern stumble for a moment, he could feel himself blushing slightly. “No, that’s… wrong anyways. I already broke up with her as Finn.” Fern was beginning to question himself further within his own thoughts but LSP was quicker.
“Rebound is a thing! You never know!” LSP urged, eliciting a scoff from Fern.
“It wouldn’t even work anyways. She’s fire, I’m grass! I’m pretty sure her and Cinnamon Bun have something going on anyways.” Fern tried to turn away, only blushing deeper as he continued to think about it. Rose buds sprouted on his head, blooming fast as LSP kept talking.
“Flame shield is a thing, and CB and her aren’t even official anyways. It's a perfect time to swoop her off of her feet!” LSP urged more, making Fern bury his face in his remaining hand, flustered that he even reacted in the first place.
“LSP, just… later, okay? Bigger problems to attend to right now than whatever this is.” Fern quickly tried to walk a bit ahead of LSP, lost in his thoughts and stumbling into a bush accidentally.
“Wrong way, love-bug!” LSP teased, making a turn where Fern hadn’t. Fern sighed and ruffled the roses out of his hair, letting them fall to the forest floor.
Fern reluctantly caught up with her, and luckily by now she had already changed topics. Fern stayed wondering about Flame Princess though.
‘It would never in a million years work. I would one-hundred percent burn up if she even tried to hug me. I’m a pale, grassy, demonic weirdo too. Besides,
Phoebe doesn’t even know I exist.’
The group of three continued walking further towards the edge of the forest, Fern not even noticing the way the trees started to appear less and less. He only realized they had gotten to the motorcycle when LSP floated in front of his field of vision.
“HEY! I’m talking to you! You’re bike-thingy is right here!” She yelled at him. He looked over her shoulder and saw that the bike was totaled. It appeared to have knocked down the tree it crashed into as well.
“You never told me it was destroyed.” Fern groaned, looking annoyed at LSP.
“You never told me that you didn’t remember destroying it.” LSP quipped back.
“I… did? I told you after I stole the thing I only remembered waking up at the campsite!” Fern argued back.
While Fern and LSP were busy fighting, the Squirrel had hopped off of LSP’s shoulder and bounded over to the crash-site. He noticed a weirdly shaped pile of grass pinned beneath the vehicle.
“Hey, Fern dude! I think I found your… uhh- thing.” The Squirrel said, interrupting whatever bratty remark LSP was in the middle of saying. Fern side-eyed her as he walked over to the site. He pushed the motorcycle out of the way and stared in surprise at what was revealed.
It was his missing arm. Of course. It wouldn't have just fallen or something. Fern lifted the appendage off of the ground and waved it around, checking for any damage to it. It seemed okay.
“EW! WHAT THE SCANK, FERN!” LSP cried out, disgusted at the sight of Ferns lopped off arm flailing around in the air.
“Joints seem just fine. If not… they’ll- probably heal.” Fern said with uncertainty, not exactly how far his healing powers can go. Honestly, he wasn’t even sure if this next bit would work.
Fern positioned his cut-off right limb to where it was hovering over the nub of his arm. Almost by magic, wooden bone grew out of the wound, connecting the two pieces together. This was followed by vines in the shape of tendons growing atop the wood, then a variety of shrubs and leaves that Fern couldn't name growing onto those that acted as muscle structures. Finally, long blades of grass poked its way out of the mass of greenery, finishing the healing process. It was as if Fern had never lost his arm in the first place.
Fern grinned and waved his newly attached arm around. He tried to summon the Grass Sword from his right arm's wrist and it grew perfectly and instantly like it always had. “LSP did you see that?! I just attached my stinkin’ arm back to me!” He shouted, impressed by his own capabilities. He wondered what else he could possibly do.
LSP had already turned away when Fern was messing with his detached arm, but she remained gagging and leaning over a bush. Fern winced, hissing. He noticed the Squirrel patting LSP’s back and whispering something to her. Fern began to take a few steps back, towards the edge of the forest.
‘I definitely freaked her out with all that creepy-healing junk, huh? Man, I should just get out of her lumps already. I’m no good here.’
Fern pointed his eyes towards the forest floor, hesitating. “Okay… So- I’m just- I’m just gonna go, alright? Sorry for freaking you out-” Fern began to turn away when LSP quickly floated in front of him.
“WAIT!” LSP bellowed in his face, blowing his hair back slightly. Fern, startled, just shuffled to the side and began to make an escape until LSP caught up to him again but put her hands on his shoulders this time. Fern shivered uncomfortably at her touch, shrinking away from her.
“Look, man. I’ve had a lot of fun with you today in the past few hours, even if I don’t really know you and even if you’re kinda creepy and totally weird sometimes. No one really even bothers to visit me anymore, it’s why I always try to find other people. When I saw you and your wacked-out crash I dragged you back here so maybe we could become friends and hang.” LSP admitted, trying to keep a steady tone. “I know that it’s wrong but I’d really like it if you stayed.” LSP increased her pressure on Ferns shoulders, causing him to push her away.
“I- LSP, I’m in a wack-bunk scenario right now. I don’t even know what I am yet. But I do know I enjoyed the time I spent with you too. It’s just- I feel like I need to find myself right now, and I want to do it on my own.” Fern clarified, never looking LSP in the eyes, as if he couldn’t even fathom what he was saying and why.
LSP hovered for a moment, then turned away from him. “Nah, it’s whatevs.” She struggled to say. She paused for a moment. “See you soon though, right?” She wondered, hopeful.
“Yeah.” Fern said without hesitation, smiling. LSP’s eyes grew big and watered slightly.
“REALLY?! OH THANK YOU, FERN!” She exclaimed, overjoyed as she threw Fern up into the air for a second. She caught him shortly after. LSP waved him goodbye as Fern began to journey away, towards the Candy Kingdom.
The Squirrel tapped his foot, slightly annoyed as LSP approached. “Y’know I’m right here.” He said, lighthearted but still carrying some irritated undertone.
“Well it’s not like you count, you’re a Squirrel that lives here. I meant people from the outside.” LSP remarked, casting down a glance at the small rodent. He only groaned in response.