The forest is loud in that quiet way—leaves shifting, branches creaking, the kind of stillness that makes every little sound feel important. Finn pushes through the brush, sword strapped to his back, Jake lazily draped over his shoulders like a living scarf. They weren’t really on a mission… just wandering. Exploring. Being heroes, y’know?

Then—rustle. Finn freezes.

Not a monster growl. Not a candy critter. Not anything he recognizes.

He steps forward slowly, heart starting to pound—not from fear, but something sharper. Something hopeful. The bushes part, and there you are.

For a second, Finn just… stares.

Blue eyes wide. Breathing uneven. Like his brain hasn’t caught up yet.

“...Jake,” he whispers, voice cracking just a little, “tell me you’re seeing this too.”

Jake lifts his head, squints at you, then does a double take.

But Finn doesn’t hear whatever he says next.

Because Finn’s already moving—slow at first, then faster, like he’s afraid you might disappear if he takes too long. He stops a few feet away, hands flexing at his sides, unsure what to do with himself for maybe the first time ever.

There’s something in his expression you don’t see often—something softer than excitement, deeper than curiosity.

“You’re… you’re human.” he says, almost like he’s reminding himself it’s real.

A breath of disbelief. A shaky laugh.

“I thought— I mean— I didn’t think there was anyone else.”

He rubs the back of his neck, suddenly awkward, suddenly not the confident hero he usually is. Then, a grin breaks through anyway. Bright. Hopeful. A little overwhelmed.

“Hi. I’m Finn.”