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He is number 3.
He is number 3 in the way that 1 plus 2 makes 3.
He is the sum of the first two Lemongrabs; parts taken from each, stitched together to make him whole.
He doesn't feel whole sometimes.
On the days where 1 and 2 suddenly don't want to be 3. Where they want to subtract from each other and be individual again. The days where his stitches seem loose somehow.
He very much dislikes those days. He finds it hard to function when 1 and 2 are yelling at him — at each other — to separate ; to tug at the thread holding him together until he unravels.
Today is one of those days.
Usually, he prefers to be alone when 1 and 2 are at it again, but today he hasn't been afforded that luxury.
Finn is hosting his biweekly movie night tonight, and he'd already skipped the last one, and Finn had already invited him, and he'd already told LSP he'd be there, and she'd already told him how proud of him she was for going and—
He didn't want to disappoint.
Even if that’s all he felt like he ever did.
–––
Surprisingly, movie night was going fairly well. There was a pretty big turnout, which meant Lemongrab could get away with being quieter than usual; not that he was ever a chatterbox, even on his good days.
He could just blend into the background, say hi to Finn once, and silently watch a movie for a few hours. Finn would know that he came, and LSP could still be proud of him. No disappointing anyone who— for reasons unknown to himself— makes an effort to make him feel cared for.
They were halfway through the second movie of the trilogy— something about a girl in an arena with a bow? he was only really half paying attention— when 1 decided to rear his head.
TOO MANY PEOPLE. NONE LEMON. WE MUST GO.
Lemongrab shut his eyes tight. Always so loud. Always yelling. Maybe if he ignores him, he'll go back to being quiet.
But like always, 2 has to respond.
but what would LSP think?
finn?
WE SHOULD NOT CARE. THEY DO NOT CARE.
they don't?
They don't?
Lemongrab shakes his head, aggravated.
He hates when they start to influence his thinking. He hates he isn't the only one with access to his brain; that some of the thoughts in his brain aren't his own.
They care, he tells them— himself.
Finn invited us. LSP wanted us to come.
PITY. THEY PITY THE LEMON BOY.
THAT'S ALL.
they shouldn't.
WE DON'T NEED PITY.
we don't deserve pity.
“I'M GOING TO THE BATHROOM,” Lemongrab suddenly announces, a little too loudly.
Thankfully, a little too loudly is the way he normally speaks, and aside from a few nods thrown vaguely in his direction, he is able to leave the room without acknowledgement. No one even notices that he doesn't head in the direction of the bathroom.
So he thinks.
–––
He's been sitting at the base of the treehouse for a few minutes when someone suddenly speaks from beside him.
“You okay?”
He recognizes the voice. LSP.
SHE DOES NOT CARE.
DO NOT RESPOND.
Lemongrab nods.
UNACCEPTABLE
tell her to leave.
we aren't worthy of her pity.
“Just got a little loud is all, dear” he assures her.
LSP nods. “Yeah, I get it. They are playin’ the movie pretty lumpin’ loud. I can tell them to turn it down if you want?”
Lemongrab shakes his head. “No, not up there,” he corrects her, pointing to his head. “Up here.”
“Oh…
Well, I can tell them to turn it the lump down too, if you want.”
Lemongrab smiles weakly. She's good at that— getting him to smile when he doesn't think it even possible. “I… don't think they'd listen to you.”
WE ANSWER TO NO ONE.
“Babe, everyone listens to me. That's what happens when you're hot stuff,” she shrugs, walking the line between confidence and egocentrism.
“Still, they are pretty…” unruly? unlikeable? unmanageable? “Unacceptable.”
LSP frowns. “What are they saying this time? Still lumpin’ spewing that crap about untethering?”
Sometime ago, he'd told her about 1 and 2.
It had taken a lot of coaxing and reassurance and time. Promises she wouldn't hate him no matter what. Promises she wouldn't leave him once she knew how truly, thoroughly, globbed up he was.
To his surprise, she didn't.
she should have.
She'd made good on her promises, and went out of her way to make sure he knew she cared for him.
PRETENDING.
PRETENDING TO CARE.
we should tell her to leave.
she'd be better off.
WE'D BE BETTER OFF.
She's staring.
Oh, right. She'd asked us a question.
“No, not right now.” Not yet.
“Then what are they saying?”
Lemongrab shrugged.
LSP barely suppresses a groan. “LG, babe, how many times have I told you that you can talk to me? That you can tell me anything?”
The corners of his lips turn upwards, as they often did when she was around. “Everyday. Several times a day.”
SHE'S LYING.
CAN'T TALK TO HER.
NOT LEMON.
“And do you think I'm lying to you everyday, several times a day?”
“No.”
“So talk to me babe…”
He's silent for a few moments, then he shrugs, shoulders nearly touching his ears.
“They just keep saying you guys don't want me here. That you guys only talk to me out of pity.”
LSP frowns. “You know they're lumpin’ full of it, right?”
Lemongrab shrugs.
LSP laughs, catching him off guard.
she's laughing at us.
MAKING FUN OF US.
“Let's keep it real babe: I'm probably the most selfish person anyone knows. I don't do anything I don't want to do,” LSP says with a smug smile. “And that certainly includes talking to you. I want to talk to you, LG. I want to be around you.”
Lemongrab was stunned. “I— I guess I'm not used to that.”
“What?”
“Being wanted.”
LSP looks uncharacteristically sad for a moment, before smiling at him. “Well you better get used to it, babe. And fast! Because I'm not going anywhere. And neither is Finn or Jake or Bubblegum. You've always got us, okay?”
we do?
WE DON'T.
Lemongrab nods. “I've got you guys.”
“Do you wanna go home now?”
He shakes his head. “I think I… want to finish the movie.”
LSP smiles, taking his hand. “Thank glob! I HAVE to know if she chooses the hottie or the baker! I am LIVING for the drama.”
–––
By the time they return, the group is on the third movie. No one comments on how long they've been gone. LSP doesn't let go of his hand for the rest of the night.
When it's over, there is pleasant conversation about the series.
A bit about how weird it is to be living past the date the movie is set in, despite it being set “in the future.” A few comments on how thankful they were that it's not how things turned out. A playful jab at how Bubblegum could easily become like the president in the films if she wanted to.
As he's drifting off to sleep later that night, he's comforted by the thought that today is over with. That tomorrow has the potential to not be like today; it can be better. And if it's not, he can always turn to his wonderful girlfriend.
He is number 3.
He is number 3 in the way that 1 plus 2 makes 3.
But that's okay.
After all, 3 is greater than 1 and 2.