I Want You, Simon

Simon Petrikov was tired. Traveling the multiverse trying to save the world of his new adopted daughter and looking for the love of his life who had become a cosmic deity, Simon didn't really know what to do with himself on the regular. He spent all this time being poked and prodded at his work/home, and since having weekly meetings with the Minerva bots, and moving to a more secluded area; he noticed that his restored sense of self didn't cure his loneliness. Maybe it had something to do with him not leaving the house after moving, and not calling anyone? Eh, probably not, right? Everyone has their own issues to deal with, they didn't need to be burdened with his. 

Sitting on his couch finally watching something other than 'Cheers' is where he was when he got a call from his first adopted daughter, Marceline.

    "Simon!" she said in that same warm tone she always used when speaking to him, it always made him smile.

    "Hi Marcy,"

    "So I'm performing at the Candy Tavern tonight, you gotta come see me!"

    "Of course Marcy, I wouldn't miss it for anything!

    "Great, I'll have a surprise for you when you get there!"

    "A surprise? Wait Marcy hold on-"

"K bye Simon, see you there!"

He slunched down onto his couch knowing that whatever she had planned for him was something he was sure would throw him for a loop.

Walking through Ooo was a new experience every time he did it. On this walk, he noticed a butterfly with a happy face on it. It filled him with a sense of comfort, seeing it flutter.

When he arrived, he slipped through the crowd towards the bar and ordered his usual. Of course, he was willing to support Marceline in any way that he could, but he wasn't feeling as social lately. He scans the crowd to see all types of beings, non-humans and humans alike. After all this time, he still felt slightly out of place. Through the busy noise of the packed tavern and the dim lights, Simon was able to focus on the spotlit stage, and the sound of a finger tapping on the mic, center stage.

    "Hello, Candy people! You all know me! I'm Marceline the Vampire Queen"

Many cheers are heard throughout the venue "But for the first time ever, I will be performing with the wonderful and talented Samira!"

Simon's eyes darted over to the woman ascending the stage stairs. Short with long, curly, black hair, brown skin, and...thick. She wore a neon green crop top, with a slightly longer orange crop top underneath, jean shorts, and a black wired necklace.

    "Hi, I'm Samira, you might know me, but I'm here to sing a Pre-Mushroom War song, backed up by the one and only Marceline!" Her voice was rich and smooth, not soft, but with a bit of a raspy quality that made her seem hard, while her words made her feel soft.

Simon's eyes were wide and fixated on this mystery woman.

    "Who is that?"

    "Dude, she just said her name,"

Simon did not respond, only kept his eyes on this woman with a thickness he had never experienced.

"So let's get this started!" Marceline shouted before strumming on her guitar.

An employee removes the mic stand and Samira presses on her necklace and her voice echoes throughout the venue.

Welcome to your life

There's no turning back

Even while we sleep

We will find you

Acting on your best behaviour

Turn your back on Mother Nature

Everybody wants to rule the world

She sways her body to the music and his eyes can't help but follow.

It's my own design

It's my own remorse

Help me to decide

Help me make the

Most of freedom

And of pleasure

Nothing ever lasts forever

Everybody wants to rule the world

Thick, thick, thick. That's all that was running through his mind. He felt his face go hot and his throat fill his collar. He tried loosening it with his finger, but it did not help. What is going on?

There's a room where the light won't find you

Holding hands while the walls come tumbling down

When they do, I'll be right behind you

So glad we've almost made it

So sad they had to fade it

Everybody wants to rule the world

I can't stand this indecision

Married with a lack of vision

Everybody wants to rule the—

Say that you'll never, never, never, never need it

One headline, why believe it?

Everybody wants to rule the world

All for freedom and for pleasure

Nothing ever lasts forever

Everybody Wants to Rule the World

The music fades out slowly and Samira stands center stage with Marceline as they bow together.

"Goodnight y'all!" Marcy shouts at the crowd with another strum of her guitar. Samira waves at the crowd and descends the stairs. Marceline plays her out.

"I love you, Samira!!" Candy people shout "Samira!!"

Samira navigates the crowd, walking closer toward Simon, and he turns his face to hide the red overtaking it. She walks past him, slightly bumping his shoulder and doing a double take towards him that he doesn't notice, and exiting the venue. Simon shivered from the touch. He lifts his head slowly reeling from either the performances or the drinks.

"So what'd you think Simon?" Marcy threw her arm around Simon's shoulders

"Who was that?" He turned toward her and ran his hand through his hair

"Dude," said the same Candy Person from before, "Is this guy listening?"

Marceline laughs "Who, Samira? She's a friend of mine from the Human City. Surprised you've never seen her.  I've been teaching her old songs but this is the first time I've played with her. She's a really great singer, right?"

"Well yeah, but she's so-" he cuts himself off from not knowing what words to say 

Marcy smirks and raises an eyebrow "She's so what Simon?"

He shakes his head, as though to clear it. "Nevermind. I have to go. Great show." He pats Marcy on the back then scurries out the door.

The cool air greets him like an old friend, he basks in it, cleansing himself of the thoughts he'd had just a minute prior. After his fourth or fifth exhale, he felt a slight weight on his shoulder, and as he glanced at it, saw it was the same butterfly from earlier.