•Dominick•

The first thing I notice is all the guards.

The second we walk through the door, I immediately notice that there's a guard in practically every corner, each armed with a machine gun or something of that nature. It's also clear that they're each wearing bulletproof vests. I also notice that most of the guards are Vampires and are therefore from the Nightosphere as Ash and I are waved through the metal detectors and semi-aggressively padded down for weapons.

No surprise there; people have been escaping the Nightosphere for as long as I can remember. Though Hunson and Hunsona make it very clear that no one is allowed to leave the Nightosphere, they don't always do a good job of keeping everyone in. There's always someone willing to smuggle someone else out if you know where to look.

I heard that mostly everyone who snuck out of the Nightosphere looks for better lives in Ooo. Here in Ooo, as I've learned, everyone is free to do what they want (as long as it's legal, of course), work where they want, and be who they want—something that no one in the Nightosphere gets to do. It's a dictatorship, and our dictators made it clear that they control us and everything we do.

Some lucky people, however, are able to escape and find refuge here in Ooo. My case was slightly different; although I did technically have to escape, Hunson and Hunsona basically let me, and only because I'm Marshall's friend.

Most people aren't lucky like I was, so they have to leave in secret. And when they do, they come here and start living the life they were never allowed to live in the Nightosphere.

So it's not surprising to see a good amount of the guards here are from the Nightosphere. Honestly, I'm sort of surprised there aren't more people from the Nightosphere in Ooo.

From the looks of Ash, though, I can tell he's feeling differently. I watched his surprised reaction when he noticed we're not the only ones here who are from the Nightosphere.

"These guards...," he mumbles in shock as he looks around the entrance room of the maximum security prison. "Most of them are from the Nightosphere...," His eyes widen, making him look as if he just remembered something. "You know, I noticed on my first day of work that a lot of the people who are in the science program are from the Nightosphere. I was completely shocked and...," His voice trails off as he continues to look around. "How is this possible...?"

I give him a look. "You didn't actually think that Ashley, Mars, Marcy, and us were the only ones that got out, did you?" I do a subtle sweep of the room with my arm. "There are a lot more of us out there. This place is an example."

Ash's eyes widen. "I never knew. I mean, I never saw any of us—except for Ashley, Marshall, and Marceline, of course—in school or anywhere else for that matter," He shakes his head, still in shock. "I had no idea. All this time, and I was completely clueless."

"It's okay. I mean, whenever someone's attempting to escape, they tend to keep that information to themselves. It's not exactly something that's publicly announced," I tell him.

Ash nods and shrugs. "I guess you're right," he says just as we approach the front desk. Then he lets out a sigh. "Okay. Let's get this over with."

I notice his sour mood and give him a little supporting nudge. "Don't worry. We'll be in and out. This is up to you. We can even leave right now if you change your mind. And remember, I'm here if you need me. Just say the word, and we'll go," I say calmly. I want to be there for Ash since he looks nervous and slightly afraid. I mean, I can't blame him; honestly, I'm a bit scared of Ashley. I just want to get this done and over with like Ash does so we can move on and hopefully forget Ashley ever existed. That, and I don't like seeing Ash on edge. For some reason, it dampens my mood when he's feeling bad. It just feels weird, and I don't like it.

Ash gives me a small smile. "Thanks, Dom. That means a lot," Then his smile widens and he chuckles a bit. "Very friendly of you. You're actually pretty okay at this whole friend thing. I'm surprised."

My eyes widen and I scoff playfully. "Well, thanks so much for that stellar compliment. My self-confidence is at an all time high right now."

Ash smirks. "You're quite welcome. I am known to give great compliments," he shoots back with a slight chuckle. I laugh along, glad Ash's mood is a bit better. Honestly, he'll need all the help he can get when we're talking to Ashley the psycho. And the fact that Ashley the psycho is his sister... That has to make this whole thing extra hard on him. I certainly don't envy him right now.

"May I help you?"

Ash and I stop our conversation to see a police officer suddenly standing at the front desk, looking at us like he's waiting for something.

Well, he's probably waiting for you to tell him why you're here, genius.

I clear my throat and give him a charming smile. "Good day, officer. My friend and I are just looking to visit an inmate here," I tell him cheerily, my smile still on my face. "In fact, you probably know who we are and therefore know who we're visiting. I mean, you should know who we are. We sort of, you know, saved the world. You've probably heard about that, I'm assuming."

The officer's eyes widen. "Ah, yes. I did hear about that; anyone who's anyone heard about that," He gives us a nod. "Thanks for doing that, by the way. Did me a real good solid."

I give him a nod back. "You're very welcome. Now, you've probably already gotten the idea, but we're here to visit a certain witch that tried to help a certain prince take over the world. Being as this establishment is one of the most secure prisons in Ooo—"

"The most secure prison in Ooo," the officer interrupts me with a proud smirk. "No one's ever escaped this place. Why do you think we get the kind of criminals we get? We're the only place that can keep them under lock and key. Our security system is the most advanced one around."

"Excellent. I'd want no other place in charge of holding Ashley the crazy witch. This place seems to be in tip top shape. Good for you," I tell him. "Now, it'd be real swell if my companion here and I could visit her, if visiting is allowed, that is... I suppose we didn't really think about that..."

The officer frowns. "Well, I'm afraid I can't help you there. We already make it a policy to prohibit any visitors. However, since you're two of the Saviors, I'd like to make an exception, but I can't do that either. I would if I could."

Ash blinks. "Why can't you?" he questions, and I give the officer a look, wondering the same thing.

The officer smiles in return. "Well, since you two are asking about Ashley, I think it's fair to assume you don't know. Though, I have to say, I'm kind of surprised you really don't know."

Huh? "Um... know what...?" I ask, my voice trailing off, giving away just how confused I am. What does he mean?

Ash looks just as confused as I am. "Yeah, know what?" he repeats.

The officer clears his throat. "You know, I really thought you knew, being the Saviors, and all," He leans forward towards us. "I can't help you in regards to Ashley because, well, she's not here."

What? "Not here?" I repeat dumbly. Ashley's not here? What does he mean Ashley's not here? Where else would she be?

"What do you mean she's not here?" Ash gapes, voicing my thoughts. "We were told she was sent to a maximum security prison—this maximum security prison!"

"That is what we were told—what we were all told," I say to the officer, backing up Ash's statement.

"You probably were, because she was. Ashley was sent here right after her arrest, as was Flame Prince, who still resides here," the officer says.

I cock my head to the side. "Well, if Flame Head is here, than why isn't Ashley?" I question him.

The officer suddenly looks uncomfortable before he frowns. "I don't think I'm the best person to answer that question. You should ask someone who's more knowledgeable on the topic."

More knowledgeable on the topic? "More knowledgeable? What do you mean by that?"

"Yeah, and if my sister isn't here," Ash says with an eyebrow raised suspiciously, "then where is she?"

The officer just stares before he opens his mouth and tells us exactly where Ashley is.

——————————

Lightening flashes and thunder rumbles as Ash and I are escorted down a hall by one of the many nurses that work here.

Here at Hopkins Asylum for the Criminally Insane, which is where Ashley now resides.

As were we making our over here, it had started pouring rain and before we knew it, Ooo was at the mercy of a thunderstorm. It could've been worse; it could be a knifestorm, which Marshall has informed me about. Apparently, they happen every once in awhile in Ooo and can be dangerous if you're not indoors while they're happening.

Luckily, though, this is just a thunderstorm.

I feel like it sets the perfect mood for Ash and I's trip to Hopkins, which I learned (from a faded, gold plaque out front) has been standing since forever and was named after some guy called Hopkins who was completely nuts and who ended up causing a mass homicide-suicide.

He seems like someone anyone would name an insane asylum after, so no surprise there.

"Ashley," the nurse says, interrupting my train of thought, "was brought here three days ago when it was discovered she wasn't mentally fit for prison. It was made clear that she isn't only a danger to others, but to herself, as well." She continues leading Ash and me down the hall as we follow and look around.

As I look, I notice that the workers here seem to be made up of different people from, what I can tell, different kingdoms of Ooo. Though there are some, I don't see many Nightosphere creatures here; mostly everyone here is from Ooo. I even recognize a banana guard or two from the Candy Kingdom. That, and I also notice that the nurses look more like body guards than actual nurses.

Ash blinks as we keep walking, obviously surprised at what the nurse said. "Herself...?" he repeats. His voice then trails off and he goes quiet.

We continue to walk until the nurse stops in front of an elevator and presses the down button. As we now wait for the elevator, she turns to us with a grim expression on her face. "Just days into her life sentence, Ashley was found in a disturbing condition in her cell. She had... she had somehow gotten ahold of a sharp object and slit her wrists with it. An officer on patrol found her in her cell with her slit wrists and blood all over herself, muttering to herself and laughing over and over again. No one's really sure of what she was saying, but one of the officers said he heard the name of one of you Saviors... Marshall, he said it was."

Ash closes his eyes and groans. I shake my head before I sigh. "I knew Ashley was obsessed with him, but this..." I can't finish the sentence.

Ash's eyes open, and he suddenly looks impossibly tired. "Ashley was always obsessed with Marshall. Unhealthily obsessed. And I always knew she had... problems. She's different from everyone else. She's been that way since we were young. I always knew she wasn't mentally stable. But I didn't think she'd do something... like this. Still, though," He lets out a sigh, "it doesn't surprise me that she ended up here; I should have seen it coming."

I put a gentle hand on Ash's shoulder just as the elevator dings and the doors open. "I'm sorry, Ash. I know she's evil and crazy and stuff, but she's your sister. I can't imagine what you must be feeling." Going to prison is one thing, but but being transferred to an insane asylum because you slit your wrists while muttering and laughing to yourself is a completely different thing.

Ash gives me a weak smile as the nurse guides us into the elevator. "It's not your fault. This is Ashley's fault. Every bad thing that's happened has been her fault. You don't have to apologize. You're right; she is evil and crazy, and if this place is her consequence for doing everything she's done, if this is where she needs to be, then so be it. I'm not going to object," he replies before the nurse presses another button and the elevator doors close. We begin to go down.

"Why are we going down?" I ask the nurse. "Weren't we just on the first floor?"

"Yes, but we have to go down to visit Ashley," the nurse answers with a tired look on her face. "All our... um... special cases are down here on this floor—the maximum security floor. It's the only below ground level area we have."

"Of course my sister got placed with the special crazies," Ash says with a roll of his eyes. "That really doesn't surprise me at all."

Once again, the elevator dings and the doors open to reveal the maximum security floor. We exit the elevator and the nurse continues to guide us along. As we walk, Ash and I look around. Doors that probably lead to patients' rooms line the walls, but these aren't ordinary doors; these doors look like the kind of doors that belong in a maximum security prison like one we were just at. These doors are stainless steel with a special padlock that has an electronic keypad next to it that obviously requires a password to allow the door to open. And even then, these doors seem like they'd be really hard to open with how freaking heavy and thick they look. It's like this place is holding wild, rabid animals instead of mentally unstable people.

And, if the stainless steel and electronic padlock aren't overkill enough, there's a guard standing next to each door. Not just guards, but big, tall, and terrifying-looking guards. Not to mention that they all have the most muscles I've ever seen on a person ever. Anyone can tell from their physical appearance to their no nonsense looks on their faces that they definitely mean business.

Just as we near the end of the hall, a loud and earsplitting howl of a scream echos throughout the area. Ash and I immediately stop and turn toward the source of the sound, which is behind one of the doors. Each door has a small square of probably-bulletproof glass that allows the guards to see into each room, which is how we're able to see the crazed woman who emitted the scream. We watch as she thrashes about violently, still screaming, as three male nurses hold her down, pinning her to her bed. A forth nurse holds a syringe, which is probably meds of some sort for the woman who probably refused to take them (without a fight, anyway).

"Come now," The nurse's voice jolts Ash and I out of our trance as we watch the woman. "We're nearly there. Just straight ahead. Try to ignore it." She nods her head slightly in the woman's direction before she promptly turns and continues to walk. Ash and I just stand there for a moment, taking one last look at the woman, before we turn and follow the nurse.

"Well," Ash mumbles low enough so only I can hear him, "isn't this place nice?"

I let out a small, cold snort. "Oh definitely."

Suddenly, the nurse stops at a door at the end of the hall. We watch as she grips the knob and turns it, opening the door and motioning for us to go inside. This door is unlike the others down here; it looks like a normal door and it doesn't require a password to open it.

"Here you are. This is where visitors go to... well, visit. Go right on in. Ashley will be with you momentarily; I've informed her nurses that she has visitors," The nurse starts to leave before she stops. "Oh, and there's no need to be concerned about your safety; you and Ashley will be separated by bulletproof glass and she will most definitely be restrained," She turns to Ash. "Your sister can't hurt anyone ever again, including you and your friend, so there's no need to worry."

Ash gives her a small, grateful smile. "That's good to know. Thank you."

The nurse gives a smile back before she exits the room, closing the door behind herself.

Ash and I turn away from the door and eye the whole room, which looks like it's cut in half by a wall of glass. The bulletproof glass the nurse mentioned. On our side of the room is a long table with chairs facing the glass, and on the other side of the room—the patient's side—is the other half of the same table and one chair which has leather straps on the the arms. Restraints.

That, clearly, is where Ashley is going to sit; at the table across from us behind bulletproof glass, restrained to a chair.

Ash and I take one more look around the small room before we silently and awkwardly sit down in the chairs at our side of the table. Then we proceed to just sit there and stare straight ahead at the other half of the room, waiting for Ashley to make her appearance.

After about a minute of awkward and nervous waiting, Ash suddenly lets out a deep breath, and I look over to see him clenching his fists. He's obviously more nervous than I am.

I hesitate for a second before I lean over and take Ash's hand in my own. He stops staring and looks straight at me. "What?"

"You're nervous. I can tell," I reply with a smile. "It's okay. It'll be okay. She's completely restrained and can't hurt you anymore. Now, I don't know what she did to you, but I can tell it wasn't at all pleasant, whatever it was. So, I just want to let you know that she can't hurt you again. And that I'm right here with you, if that helps. It's a part of friendship, you know," I send him what I hope is a comforting look. "Being there for your friends."

Ash sits there for a moment before he smiles. "Thanks."

I keep smiling. "You're welcome."

Ash and I just sit there, smiling at each other, until the sound of a door opening is heard. It came from the other half of the room. I let go of Ash's hand before we both immediately look to the sound's origin, but the door on the other side of the room is closed. A door nearby must have opened.

"Keep moving and don't drag your feet. You've got visitors."

A snort. "I don't get visitors."

"Yeah, well, now you do. Though I suggest you don't get used to it."

Then the door to the other half of the room opens, revealing none other than Ashley herself.

Ash and I's eyes widen at her appearance. We haven't seen her since we defeated her butt after she tried to take over the world, and she's certainly changed since then.

Now, her once long, perfectly styled hair is tangled and messy, looking like all that was done to care for it was having a hairbrush carelessly run through it, which is probably what happened. Her face is very pale and there are dark circles under her eyes, obviously from lack of sleep. Her eyes look slightly bloodshot, probably from the toll that being locked up in an asylum has taken on her.

And (the change that really made me stare) she's wearing a straight jacket. A real, honest-to-God, straight jacket. The kind psychopaths wear.

Well, it's been proven that Ashley is definitely mentally unstable, so the fact that she's restrained in such fashion makes sense. I guess that means she won't be needing the chair's arm restraints.

A nurse has an arm wrapped around her shoulders as he escorts her into her half of the room. Once they're inside, he walks her over to her chair and her side of the table. Then he sits her down in the chair, takes some restraints from the back of the chair that I hadn't noticed were there, belts Ashley to the chair with them, gives Ash and me a nod of acknowledgement, before he turns around and leaves the room, closing the door behind himself.

After he leaves, I look into Ashley's side of the room and notice a security camera in an upper corner opposite from Ashley. I turn around and also notice another security camera on our side of the room in the upper corner opposite Ash and me.

It's clear that they're going to be watching the whole conversation, beginning to end, probably monitoring Ashley in case she... snaps or something.

Which, if we're being real here, seems entirely possible. Especially considering the state she's in now.

And when her gaze meets ours, the possibility that she could snap seems even more likely.

She already looked rough when we saw her walk in, but up close, I can really see her stay here hasn't been at all pleasant.

Then she gives Ash and me a smile that sends chills down my spine, and from the looks on Ash's face, sends chills down his also.

"Well hello, brother," Ashley croaks tauntingly. "I have been eagerly awaiting a visit from my only living relative. What took you so long to visit your dear sister?" Her eyes drift towards me. "And what is Dominick 'Horndog' Harrington doing here?"

I blink. Horndog? Seriously? "Wow. Like I haven't heard that one before."

Ashley smirks weakly, and it's then I notice the new wrinkles that now cover her face. She looks like she's aged a hundred millenniums since the last time I saw her. "Honestly, that doesn't surprise me at all," she shoots back.

"Hey," Ash cuts through our spat. "Stop. Leave him alone, Ashley. This is between you and me."

Ashley looks from me to Ash. "Oh really? Then why, pray tell, is he here?" she questions, cocking her head towards me.

Ash is quiet for a moment before he says, "For moral support. It's one of the things friends do for each other; it's part of friendship. Not that you know what that's like, of course."

Ashley scoffs. "You're actually friends with him? Really?" She narrows her eyes back at Ash. "I'd think you'd only hang around this man-slut just so you could look at him all the time."

What? I give both Ashley and Ash a look. "Uh, what is that supposed to mean?" I ask, confused by Ashley's comment. She thought Ash would only hang around me to LOOK at me?

Ashley smirks. "You don't know? Honestly, it's obvious. I've known for awhile now," Her smirk turns to a look of disgust as she eyes her brother. "His kind aren't hard to recognize."

His kind?

I look to Ash for a response.

I don't get one. He avoids my gaze, but I notice the embarrassed shade of red that starts at his neck and covers his cheeks. Ashley continues to glare.

My eyes widen. Is Ashley implying that Ash is—

"We're getting off topic," Ash suddenly speaks up, cutting off my train of thought as the blush on his face is beginning to die down. "We came here for a reason, Ashley, and it sure as hell wasn't to exchange friendlies with you."

Ashley stops glaring and simply eyes her twin. "Then why exactly are you here? I'm sure you've heard I don't get a lot of visitors considering the fact that I'm not exactly popular at the moment." Attempting to take over the world and enslave millions isn't something that would make someone popular.

I bite back the comment that is crawling up my throat before I swallow. "We're here for answers. Specifically for him." I nod my head at Ash.

Ashley scoffs again. "Answers? You're here for answers? Answers regarding what?" she questions.

"Oh, just regarding how you treated Ash here like shit," I reply coolly as I jab my thumb at Ash, who does his best to look his sister in the eye.

Ashley snorts now. "Seriously? That's why you're here? For me to give you answers as to why I treated Ash the way I did? You came all the way here to visit me for that?" she asks us, sounding unimpressed and unfazed at how I had just called her out.

I narrow my eyes. "Did I stutter?" I snap. "Yes, that's why we're here. I literally just told you. We're here for answers. So, you're going to give them. Plain and simple."

"And why do you need these answers?"

I roll my eyes. "For closure, obviously," I say in response. Why else would someone want answers about something like this? It's not like it can be rationalized.

Ashley smirks again. "Oh. Little Ash wants closure," she says in a mocking tone of voice. "How amusing. What makes you think you'll ever get closure? You're a fucked up guy, Ash. We both know that."

This time Ash glares at his twin. "Yes, and I have you to thank for that. If it wasn't for you, well, who knows? I sure as hell don't, and neither does everyone else you messed up," he snaps, and I can tell he's really trying to control his temper.

Ashley just continues to smirk, and all I want to do is slap that smug look right off her face, and that's all Ash looks like he wants to do also. But, we're separated by a wall of bulletproof glass, therefore that isn't going to happen. So Ashley keeps on smiling like the psycho cat that ate the poor, defenseless canary. "What can I say? People piss me off, and so they get what's coming to them. And you, dear brother, pissed me off every day of our lives. Besides, if everyone else I messed up didn't cross me, then maybe I would have spared their pathetic lives," She chuckles before she lets out a sigh. "But, who knows? We never will." Then she chuckles again, only this time it turns into crazed laughter, like messing people up was the most hilarious thing ever.

Psycho. Psycho. Psycho.

I think I underestimated Ashley's psychopathicness; she obviously isn't okay upstairs at all. If Ash had to deal with her all this time... well, no wonder he's such a "fucked up guy". I don't blame him—I would be too if I were him.

A couple of seconds pass before Ashley finishes cackling crazily. When she is done, Ash leans forward. "Well? Why did you do the things you did? You must have a reason, right? Ruining my life isn't something you just decided to do on a whim. And that goes for all the other lives you ruined."

Ashley snorts. "Why did I ruin your life? Well, the answer is obvious—you were easy, Ash. You were easy to manipulate and hurt, so it was entertaining to me. I mean, you were so easy it almost wasn't fun," she says before she smirks again. "Almost. So, basically, I did ruin your life on a whim! You were ignorant and pathetic, so making you miserable brought me great joy. I loved it!"

What is wrong with this girl? "You're sick," I state, my eyes narrowed. How could anyone find joy and love in ruining an innocent person's life?

Ashley giggles. "Why, you say that like it's a bad thing!" she says in response and keeps giggling.

"I did nothing to you," Ash says, seething. "None of the people you hurt did anything to you. Yet you tortured and brutally murdered them like it was a game."

"Now, Ash, that's not entirely true," Ashley says in a matter-of-fact tone. "You know very well that a good amount of the people I hurt were scum—scum on the face of this universe that deserved nothing but suffering. Honestly, I did everyone a favor when I ended them. And some of those people did cross me, so they got what was coming to them."

Ash growls. "They were innocent. They hardly did anything to you!"

"They still crossed me. No matter what they did—how big or small it was—they went against me. And I've got show people what happens when they go against me. So I made... examples out of them," Ashley hums, her smirk returning.

"And the people who were innocent? People that did nothing to anyone?" Ash questions.

Ashley smiles and shrugs. "They were fun to mess with. Or they pissed me off. So I had to make examples out of them too. They had to be taught a lesson, just like the ones who crossed me—the ones who betrayed me. No one pisses me off, and absolutely no one betrays me. And, if they do... well," She presses her lips together before giving me a wicked smile. "You should know better than anyone what happens then, Ash; you of all people should know that no one betrays me and gets away with it."

Suddenly, Ash's eyes seem to water. He presses his lips together tightly and looks like he's holding something back. Is he... is he going to cry?

"Y-Yes," he mutters, his voice wavering slightly and his fists now clenched. "I should know better than anyone. And I do. You're... you're right about that." He looks like he's about to have a breakdown.

God... What did Ashley do to him?

Well, whatever it was, it's clearly had a lasting effect on him. Whatever she did to him, it was obviously devastating. And considering that Ash looks like he's about to fall apart, she clearly somehow scarred him for life.

Even though I haven't known Ash for long, the fact that Ashley did something this horrible to him makes me want to punch her lights out. I really don't care that she's a girl at this point.

And she's hurt and cruelly murdered so many people that, frankly, she deserves to get her lights punched out.

Ashley continues to smile her sick smile. "Exactly. You were just so easy to hurt, it became sort of a game to me. You were my weak, pathetic, ignorant brother," she says before she chuckles. "You still are. Just because you have a 'job' as one of Bubblegum and Gumball's lab rats doesn't suddenly make you admirable," She raises an eyebrow at Ash. "Don't think I didn't notice that nerd coat you're wearing. That's the first thing I noticed when I laid my eyes on you; you've suddenly turned into a goody-goody. How cute. You think that by flipping sides that someone will finally accept you and maybe even like you. But that will never happen, because you're a freak, Ash. Deep down, you're just like me."

"I am NOTHING like you," Ash says slowly and seriously.

"No one will ever like you Ash," Ashley says with a sniff, ignoring his comment. "You're an abomination. A freak. A loser. Who would like someone like that? No one, that's who."

"I like him," I speak up. "I genuinely like him, and I definitely like him more than I like you. I don't even like you! If anyone's a freak, it's you! So you don't have any right calling him a freak especially when you're the freak, you freak! You kidnapped Fionna and Breakfast Princess! You tried to take over the world! Honestly, you're probably the freakiest person I've ever known!"

Ashley narrows her eyes at me. "You think I don't know that?" She snorts. "Dumbass. I'm fully aware that I'm not normal. The only difference between Ash and me is that he's a pathetic abomination."

I snort. "If you honestly think that, then I really think you should take a look in the mirror, sweetheart; you're no prize, either," I shoot back.

Instead of glaring at me like I expected she would, Ashley merely smirks at me. "That doesn't matter. What matters is that he's a pathetic, no good, unworthy mistake, and he always will be," Her eyes go from me to Ash, staring intensely at him. "What also matters is that he knows that. You wanted an answer for why I treated you like I did? Well, there you have it. Any more questions?"

Ash glares at her once again, but this time more intensely than I've ever seen. He looks like he is about to argue back for a moment, but then his glare softens just a bit and he suddenly stands up. "You know what? I really don't care about what you have to say. What you think shouldn't affect me. I realize that now, and I should have realized that before we came here. I don't need this, and I sure as hell don't need you. I'm done letting you manipulate and take advantage of me. I hope you have fun rotting away in this miserable place for the rest of your immortal life," Then he turns to me, and I stand up too. "Come on, Dom, let's go. I'm done giving her the satisfaction."

I smile at that. "Whatever you say, Ash," I make an exaggerated gesture at the exit. "Let's be off, then. Away from the riffraff." I glance at Ashley briefly after I said that last part, and this time she glares at me. I smile again, glad to have pissed her off.

Moments after we begin to exit, the nurse that had escorted Ashley in here comes back in and grabs her, forcing her to stand before he turns and escorts her out just as Ash opens the door that leads out of this room.

After we leave the asylum altogether, I let out a whistle. "So that happened," I say randomly. Then I nudge Ash as we start back home. "You were brave, though."

Ash gives me a small smile. "Thanks. And thank you for sticking up for me in front of Ashley. You didn't have to do that."

I smile back. "She was in the wrong, and you weren't. Someone had to make sure she knew that," I reply.

"Still. Thank you," Ash says. I give him a nod in return.

"You're welcome."

——————————

We finally arrive at Marshall and Marcy's cave. It's completely pitch black outside, and I'm glad we made it back before we had to travel at this time of night.

Ash agreed to walk me home as we kept discussing our visit with Ashley, and when we approach the front door of the house, I take the key that Marshall had given me and unlock the door before I push it open and we walk inside.

Expecting everyone to be asleep considering the time, I quietly close the door and lock it once Ash and I are inside. Much to my surprise, Marshall and Marceline seem to have forgotten to turn the lights off. Maybe they purposely left them on so, when I got back, I'd be able to find my way to the pullout couch before I crashed. They knew that I'd be tired after work. They're kind of used to it now.

"We can hang in the living room if we're quiet," I whisper to Ash. "I just don't want to wake Mars and Marcy, so let's try to keep it down."

"There's no need to do that."

Ash and I jump in surprise at the voice that suddenly rang out of nowhere. Then we turn to see not only Marshall and Marceline, but also Fionna and Bubblegum as well. It was Marshall that had spoken. Ash and I's eyes widen as the four of them descend down the stairs and come into the living room. I thought for sure they'd all be sound asleep by now! And why are Fionna and PB here this late?

Once they are in the living room with us, Marshall just looks at Ash and me, raising an eyebrow. "So, Dominick, I see that you're hanging with Ash." Something in this tone tells me he's not thrilled with this. He definitely isn't, considering the fact that he told me at the party to steer clear of Ash.

But, honestly, I really don't care. I narrow my eyes slightly, hoping he gets the message. "Yes, I am. And I'm really enjoying myself," I tell him, straightforward. "And I see that you guys clearly aren't sleeping."

"Yeah," Marceline speaks up, "we aren't. We've been waiting for you, Dominick. And, since Ash is here, I guess we can tell you both at once. We were going to have Fionna tell you later, Ash, but this works too."

I just blink at all of them. What's going on?

"What are you talking about?" Ash asks curiously.

"Well," Bubblegum starts, her hands clasped together, "we've all been talking, and we've decided upon something that will change things a bit."

"Um... okay...?" I say, not knowing how else to respond to this. What do they mean by all that? What could they possibly mean?

It is silent for a moment before Fionna speaks up and says something I didn't at all see coming.

"Marshall and I are moving in together," she says with a smile on her face. "We've been thinking about it for awhile, and today we decided to do it."

I smile, glad that they've reached the next step in their relationship and also glad that they didn't give bad news. "That's great, you guys! I'm happy for you. Congratulations," I tell her and Marshall.

They both smile back. "Thanks, Nicky," Marshall says as he wraps an arm around his girlfriend's shoulders. "We're happy about it too."

"Uh, this is good," Ash pipes up, "but I don't see how this has anything to do with us."

"We aren't finished," Fionna tells him. "Marshall will be coming to live with me in the tree house, which means he won't be living here anymore, which means that there will be an empty room with an empty bed that a certain Vampire—who's been stuck sleeping on a pullout couch—could use."

My eyes widen at what she's implying. "Wait, are you saying that Marshall's going to give me his room? I won't have to sleep on that couch anymore?"

Fionna nods and Marshall smiles at me. "Yep, that's exactly what she's saying. Since I'm moving in with Fi, I won't need that room anymore, so I figured I could give it to someone who will need it and does need it. And, since Fionna's bed is bigger than mine and can easily fit two people, I definitely won't need my old bed anymore. Also, in other related news, Finn and Flame Princess have decided to move in together as well. When Fionna and I told Finn about me coming to live with them, Finn got the idea that Flame Princess could come to live with them too. So, he asked her to move into his room with him, and she very enthusiastically said yes. Apparently, she was getting tired of living in her cave alone."

"But that's not all," Marceline suddenly jumps in, wrapping an arm around PB's shoulders with a grin, "because my Bonnibel and I are moving in together too!"

"What?" Ash and I say together in surprise. Is everyone just suddenly moving in together now?

"Really?" I ask.

"Yes, really," Bubblegum answers with a smile of her own. "Like Marshall and Fionna, Marcy and I have been discussing the possibility of moving in together, so today we decided that we will. So, we told Marshall, Fionna, and the others, and they couldn't be happier. Then Marshall and Fionna told us they've been thinking about moving in together also, and that was when we came up with the idea—the possible solution to you and Ash's less than adequate sleeping arrangements."

Huh? Our sleeping arrangements?

"I'll be moving in with Bonnibel, which means I'll be living in the Candy Kingdom palace, which means I won't be living here anymore, which means my bedroom will be empty, which means someone who's been sleeping on the floor of a tree house could maybe use it," Marceline says before she gives Ash a look. Ash's eyes widen as he figures out how this involves him.

"Are you... are you giving me your room...?" Ash asks Marcy, sounding shocked and uncertain. Considering his current "relationship" with Marceline, I can see why he's shocked that she's suddenly offering him her room.

Marceline nods. "As a matter of fact, I am. You've been stuck sleeping on the tree fort's uncomfortable floor, so I naturally figured that you'd probably be more comfortable sleeping on an actual bed."

Ash just looks at her incredulously. "I... I don't know what to say...," He awkwardly presses his lips together before he says, "Th-Thank you, Marceline. I really appreciate this."

In return, Marceline awkwardly smiles. "You're welcome, Ash," she says in response.

Awkward silence fills the room, and no one speaks for a few seconds until someone does.

Mainly me, when I realize what exactly this whole arrangement means. I smirk before I turn to Ash. "You do realize what this really means, don't you Ashy-poo?" I question him.

Ash turns to me before he glares at the nickname I had given him that he hates. "No, not really. But I'm sure you'll enlighten me, Dom."

I keep smirking. "Oh, definitely," I nudge him in the shoulder. "Since I'll be taking Marshall's room, and you'll be taking Marceline's, we're going to be living here. So, one could say that, technically," I lean in towards Ash, "we'll be moving in together."

Complete silence. Once again, awkward silence has fallen like a blanket over us.

Then Ash's eyes widen to the size of saucers and he suddenly pales, as if he's just realized that we'll be living together in Marshall and Marceline's house. Considering the way he looks right now, he probably did just realize it.

Ash grows stiff and stares straight ahead at nothing, looking like he was just told the most horrific thing.

Then, the silence is broken once again as Ash utters only four words, seeming mortified as he says them.

"This can't be happening."