Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Bill! You lied to me! Where does that portal really lead?!" Ford demanded, racing towards his Muse.

"Ho- HO! Looks like Mr.Brainiac finally got smart! Let's just say that when that portal finishes charging up, your dimension's going to learn how to PARTY! Right guys?!" Bill gestured to some glowing eyes behind him in a rift.

Ford grit his teeth. All this for some party?? This was meant to be his grand project. To make something of himself. "I've been wasting my time on some PARTY?!"

"Not SOME party, Sixer. THE party!" Bill cackled as the mindscape warped around them. "A REALITY NOT BOUND BY LAWS AND RULES. WHERE PHYSICS ARE MEANINGLESS AND CHAOS REIGNS SUPREME. TOTAL LIBERATION OF ALL BOUNDARIES AND NORMS!"

Ford found his mouth dry, even in a dream. No social conventions or normal?...

Bill took notice, eye curving at the bottom in a grin. "You'd of course be our guest of honor, Sixer. Making it all happen!"

"Guest of honor?..."

Bill's glow brightened, hearing the anger fade. "You can be one of my henchmaniacs! Ruling right at the top. You were always meant to be more than what you are, Stanford."

Ford frowned, wringing his hands together. "This-........ This is insane-"

"Says who?? Why listen to the rules they set for you. Don't those same rules say you need fixing?" Bill reminded, pulling Stanford's hands apart to splay them out wide.

Ford swallowed again, tense.

"Come on, Sixer. What's holding you back? Is it the country boy-"

"No." Ford huffed, still hurt Fiddleford would quit so easy. Couldn't even be bothered to tell Ford what he saw so the test wasn't in vain.

"Then what's the problem?" Bill shrugged, dropping his hands. "Party with us. One of my freaks who don't have to worry about what anyone thinks- Or." Bill turned his back to Ford, shrugging. "Go home. Turn it off. Shut it down.... And go back to being a nobody."

Before Ford could reply, he awoke. Sitting up in a cold sweat, he glanced around his empty cabin. "Bill??"

Ford's hands shook as he dialed the pay phone. It had been nearly two months since he last saw his muse. Or anyone, frankly.

It's like the whole town was avoiding him.

He supposed that's simply what happened when you were a shut in hermit like himself. Still. It didn't change the fact humans were social by nature, and talking to the tapestry on his walls was getting to him.

"Hello?" A gruff voice answered.

Ford panicked and hung up. Then cursed himself. His skin felt like it was crawling out in the cold. Ford dialed again.

"If this is some prank-"

"Hello, Stanley."

Ford held his breath as the silence rang out. Worried he'd hung up. Or maybe Ford had finally passed out again.

"Pointdexter?" The voice asked, shaking in wavering hopefulness.

"Yeah... It's me. Stanford..... H-... How are you?"

"I'm- I'm good. Great, even!" He lied. "You?"

"Well- I'm in Oregon. Have been for about-.... What year is it?"

Stan snorted at his twin. "Oregon?"

"Research and all.... Have a cabin up here with a spare room.... If you can... spare the trip out."

"Yeah??" Stan answered, unashamed of the excitement in his voice.

"I won't even charge rent." Ford laughed. "If you can maybe help me finish a project of mine in the spare time?"

"Oh, I see." Ford could almost hear the boastful grin in his brother's voice. "Lil' Sixer needs his brother's muscles to get the REAL work done, eh?!"

Ford snorted at that, shaking his head. "Are you flexing at the phone?"

"NO!" He lied.

Ford laughed fully. "Are you going to come help me or not?"

"You drive a hard bargain, Six.... I SUPPOSE I could swing out for a few weeks. Let me grab a pen."

Ford grinned. He'd have a friend again. And he could finish the portal. He'd tried off and on for a few weeks to dismantle it, but he could never bring himself to. He kept thinking over Bill's offer.

He hoped Stanley would understand.

"Okay. So, where am I headed?"

Ford leaned on the wall of the booth, letting the cold soothe his nerves as he told his brother the address.

"See you soon.... I've missed you, you know."

"I know. I'm sorry." Ford sighed. "See you soon."

The line hung quiet for a few seconds before Stanley sighed and hung up.

Ford hung the receiver back up, leaning his head back against the booth. How was he going to explain this? Could he just be honest?

He sighed, slumping down into a ball. It was really cold out.

Ford groaned as he sat up, hands aching. He was on his couch? Ford squinted around, spotting his glasses next to a warm cup of tea and a note. He frowned and put his glasses on, grabbing the post it.

You'll need to take better care of this body. Even I can only do so much against death. △

Ford grinned so wide, it made his face ache. He carefully retrieved his journal, tucking the note into the pages about his muse. Grabbing the tea, he met the eye of the nearest tapestry. "Thank you."

I don't give third chances. Echoed across the back of his mind.

"No more cold feet." Ford promised, raising the tea in a toast. "I have more reliable help arriving soon. Then we'll get back on schedule."

Ford felt warmth flood him before he even took his first sip of the tea.

He'd finally belong, whether anyone liked it or not.

He'd carve out his own place in this horrid world.

Ford sighed, setting his tea down and carefully tracing the scars running from the valley between his pinkie and it's neighbor up to his wrist.

They'd all pay.

Chapter Text

Stanley double checked the address he'd scribbled down, frowning up at the odd dark cabin. He hoped he had the right place. It had the vibe of someone who'd kidnap you if you disturbed them. Especially with the creepy one eyed triangle window staring down at him.

He debated sleeping in his car and coming back in the morning. What if Sixer was in bed? His dash reminding him he was low on fuel kept him from trying. It was far too cold to stay outside.

Stan swallowed the lump in his throat as he approached the door. Hesitantly, he knocked. Leaned back slightly on one foot, ready to run. Or fight.

The silent seconds crept on and Stan tried to ignore the worry that no one would answer, and he'd freeze to death out here. He knocked again, harder. He rummaged thru his pockets, ready to pick the locks.

The door swung open, and Stanley found himself staring down the barrel of a gun.

He stepped back, forgetting he was braced to run at the edge of the porch already. He tumbled down the steps and into the snow with a low groan.

A face leaned over Stanley, grinning down at him. Framed only by the light from the still open door, Stanley could still recognize his mirror staring down at him.

He frowned. Something was... Off. But he couldn't place it.

"Ho, Boy!" The other man laughed. It was Ford's voice for sure, but it felt. Strange. Slightly too high. "Thought for a second there you were- Well. Nevermind!"

Stanley rubbed his sore head, sitting up. "Sixer??"

The face grinned, grabbing his arm and hauling him to his feet. Stanley's frown deepened. Since when could Sixer do that?

"....Are you... bleeding??" Stanley realized when his sleeve was left with a stain.

"Am I?- Oh. Whoops." Ford? Laughed, heading back inside. "Time for that later! It's colder than your father's heart out here!"

Stan's brow crinkled in confusion. ".......How many hours have you been up, Pointdexter? You're bein' real weird."

The man glanced back to Stanley, smiling with a bit too much teeth to be normal. "Oh. He hasn't told you. Interesting! Well. I'll let him handle introductions then!"

"Him?" Stanley was so lost, but followed inside. He ran right for the fireplace, sitting by the warmth.

The other didn't reply, locking the several locks on the door.

"Are those.... necessary?"

"Yes." The voice dropped low, cheeriness gone. Before Stan could question it, it piped back up to the unnatural octave. "Anywho!" He walked over, shaking hands with Stanley. "He was not kidding about you two being spitting images! Wowie!" He paused, yanking Stan's hand upwards to look it over. "Not identical. Good. I prefer my collections to be one of a kinds!"

"What th-" Stanley yanked his hand back. "Are you on drugs or something, Sixer??"

"Hm. Guess he's the smart one for a reason." He laughed, shrugging. "Just make sure he gets back to sleep once he's done saying hello!"

"What does that mean?" Stanley demanded.

The odd caricature of his brother only grinned again, before sitting down at a desk. Mindful enough to rest the head down to not concuss the valuable brain inside.

"....Ford??" Stanley's concern was growing exponentially.

Ford yawned, stretching as he sat back up, papers sticking to his face. "Hm?... Working late again, huh?" He chuckled to himself, peeling the papers off to look them over. "Let's see what was so important-"

Stanley frowned, clearing his throat. "Who are you... talking to??"

Ford froze, hand snapping to the gun on his waist as he sprang to his unsteady, sleep deprived feet. He paused, hand not yet grabbing the weapon, as he registered who he was staring at.

Ford grinned, wide but not like before. "Stanley! You made it!....... Why do you look so worried??"

"..... I think we both need sleep." Stanley sighed, too tired to deal with this. Ford was acting like Ford, that's what mattered.

Ford glanced to the locked door. Who let him in- .... Ah. Ford sighed, rolling his eyes and crossing his arms. "You could have just woken me up."

"......I'm sorry?" Stanley shuffled awkwardly.

"Ah- No, not you- I-" Ford sighed, running a tired hand over his face. "I promise, I'll explain in the morning. But, right now, I think we both need sleep."

Stanley gave a small nod, "Are you okay?"

"I am. I promise."

Stanley nodded again, heading for the couch.

"Oh- I have a bed for you."

"But you just said-"

Ford facepalmed. "I'm sorry. I've been up too long. Please, this way. Do you need to grab your things?"

"In the morning. Too cold right now."

Ford nodded, leading his twin to the spare bedroom.

Stanley chuckled. "Nice place you got here."

"Thank you." Ford smiled. "...You look well."

"You look exhausted."

Ford rolled his eyes, laughing. "Gee. Thanks. See you in the morning, alright?"

Stanley gave a nod, shoving his hands in his pockets to resist hugging him.

Ford clapped a hand on his shoulder, before leaving for his own room.

Stanley frowned as he learned on the door frame, faintly hearing Sixer talking to himself again.

"He probably thinks I'm insan- is this blood?? What were you up doing?? We're trying to get him to see our side, not traumatize him. Can you just let me handle this??"

Stanley held himself, whispering. "Good night, Ford?...." He sighed. Cult? Drugs? Mental breakdown? Stanley wasn't sure. What he did know, however, was that Ford wasn't going to be alone. "......I should've grabbed my clothes at least." He groaned, resigning himself to spending the night in his jeans. It was too cold to sleep in just boxers.

Chapter Text

"There we go." Ford grinned. "All settled in."

Stan chuckled. "I could've carried my own bags in."

"I know, I know." Ford laughed. "Car's a beaut."

"Thanks! Been keepin' her running all by myself. Running a bit on empty at the moment."

Ford nodded, "I'll have to get you a map of the town. I'll cover your gas if you do the grocery shopping. I try to avoid going out."

"That ain't healthy."

"Don't lecture me." Ford scoffed, crossing his arms. "I have my reason.... Just be careful who you talk to in this town, alright?"

Stan raised a brow. "Everythin' okay?"

"It's fine, really. Just some things that come with the research." Ford dismissed.

Stan sighed. "......So... We gonna talk about last night?"

"In time. Breakfast first."

"Sixer-"

"I will tell you. Promise. I just want to make sure you're comfortable first. It's going to be a lot to take in."

"Fine." Stan shook his head, heading for the kitchen. "You got a waffle maker, by chance? I'd kill for some right now."

Ford laughed. "I don't. Never seemed worth the investment."

"Pancake shill." Stan joked, rummaging the fridge to see what was there.

Ford laughed harder, smiling. He's missed him. "I see your commercials, sometimes."

"Yeah??" Stan grinned over his shoulder.

"It's how I saw your number to start with."

Stan beamed proudly, grabbing some eggs and milk. "Pancakes and eggs?"

"Sounds like a plan." Ford grabbed the pan out. "I should have some fruit in there too I think?"

"....This?? Is a fruit?" Stan held up a carton of moldy strawberries.

"........" Ford glanced to his calendar. "Yeesh.... My days have gone off."

"That's what happens when you avoid socializing." Stan ribbed, placing the milk and eggs on the counter and searching for a trash bag to purge the fridge while Ford cooked.

Ford made a point of rolling his eyes as dramatically as he could. "I socialize. Just.... not with people."

"Your hand don't count.~"

Ford's face exploded in heat. "STANLEY."

Stan doubled over in laughter. Only laughing harder when Ford's boot shoved him to the floor.

"As impossible as it may sound!" Ford protested, trying to focus on cooking. "I DO have a friend!"

"Yeah?" Stan wiped the tears from his eyes, sitting up to watch his twin.

"He's just not.... human."

"...What's that mean?" Stan was lost. Did Sixer have a dog or something? He didn't see any pet bowls.

Ford shifted his weight. "It's part of the after food discussion."

"......You're not involved in like.... a gang or somethin' are you, Six?"

"......." Ford considered this. DID Bill count as a gang?....

"Ford??"

Ford sighed. Seems it wouldn't wait after all. "When I graduated college and got my grant, I had to decide what to study from there. Due to my own abnormality-"

"It's not-"

"It is. And I'm-...." Ford glanced to his scarred hand. "I'm becoming okay with that." He smiled to one of the many symbols of Bill around his home. "I'm a freak. Who says that's a bad word?"

Stan snorted, glad to hear his twin had some sort of peace with it finally.

"Due to my own condition, I turned my research to the queer and unknown. Paranormal, supernatural, and the like. Oddities, unexplained by nature. It lead me here, to Gravity Falls. Weirdness and peculiarities seem drawn to this place. Myself included." He laughed.

Stan closed the fridge up, leaning on it to listen.

"While studying the many creatures and quirks here, I stumbled upon a strange cave. It had paintings from long, long ago. Perhaps even before the town itself. They described a being of great power, with near limitless knowledge. I was intrigued, and read the inscription aloud....... Nothing happened at first."

Stan snorted. "Wow. What a let down."

"I thought so as well. However." Ford grinned, glancing to his brother. "When I next fell asleep, something happened. My dreams were replaced by a wondrous place, unbound by logic. And I met. Him."

Stan raised a brow. He always suspected Sixer wasn't really feeling it when he hit on girls.

Ford side eyed. "What's that smirk??"

"Nothing. Nothing. Go on."

Ford scoffed, focusing back on the food. "A being who called himself Bill-"

"Bill?" Stan snickered. "A being of limitless knowledge and his names.... Bill."

"Shut. Up." Ford sighed, rolling his eyes. "Bill Cipher came to me in my dreams, offering me help in my research. He called himself a muse. Said he chooses to inspire one soul every century. And I eagerly accepted his offer. A wit to challenge my own."

Ford smiled fondly down into the pan, seeing if he can shape a pancake into a triangle, just for fun. "My entire world opened up after that. I was uncovering things I never could have dreamed of. Stanley- This world is so much more than we think. Creatures dismissed as myths, real and in the- well most of them aren't flesh but, you get the idea."

Stanley frowned, crossing his arms. So, mental break it seemed.

Ford glanced to him, rolling his eyes. "I'm not going crazy."

"I didn't say nothin'."

"I'm serious, Stanley. He's real. And that's what I need your help with...."

"Dragging your ass to a shrink?"

"NO!" Ford huffed, glaring. "I'm not insane."

"Listen to yourself, Six. You're believing dreams are real-"

"I know he's real. And so do you! You met him, last night."

Stan frowned, straightening up. Sixer was acting funny....

"If I get too consumed in my research, he makes sure I keep my body in working order. Or if we're close to a breakthrough, he'll take over while I sleep, so I can rest and we can keep working. I must have nodded off last night, and he stepped in."

"Wait- You're serious??"

"Of course I am!" Ford smiled proudly. "I've never been more serious in my life, Stanley. My muse can change, EVERYTHING for us. We can have the lives we want- no. Deserve."

"You see why this is hard to believe, right??"

"Of course I do." Ford nodded, setting the food on plates. "I have the incantation written down, You can meet him yourself later."

Stanley gave a slow nod. "Sure...."

Ford beamed, sitting down to eat happily. "We'll get into what we need from you after the hello's, alright?"

"Alright, Ford." Stan sat down, eating. "....I haven't seen you this passionate about something in a while.... It's nice." He smiled. "Seeing you happy again."

Ford nodded eagerly. "It feels like I'm finally alive. Not just existing, but ALIVE."

Stan smiled sincerely at that. Sure. This was still crazy. But, if it made Sixer happy..... Well, how bad could it be?

Chapter Text

Stan shuddered, hairs standing on end, as he followed Ford into.. a shrine? He presumed? What else could it be. Those weird triangle shapes were even more frequent here, all starring down at him from the walls. A golden statue on a pedestal above a rug, with yet another triangle.

He was back to debating if this was drugs or a cult.

Ford grabbed several candles, placing them around the rug. Heading for the book shelf, Ford eagerly retrieved his second journal, searching the pages for his muse's incantation.

"Sixer... what.. IS all this." Stan shoved his hands in his pockets to not show his discomfort. He didn't want to upset Ford.

"This is my meditation room. It helps me strengthen my connection to my muse. And hopefully, will let you establish one as well."

"You got these things like.... ALL over the house."

Ford gave a nod, laying the book down open to the page, before crossing his legs. "They allow him to peek into our world and monitor my progress on our work. Rest assured, your room and the main bathroom don't have any all seeing eyes in them."

Stanley sighed, sitting in front of his brother. "So... what are we doing?"

"You'll need to recite the incantation, and clear your mind-"

"It's always clear." Stan joked, chuckling.

Ford snickered and rolled his eyes. "The candles should ignite. And then, we go about our day until bed. It takes months of building a connection for him to appear outside dreams, at least, in the manner we need him for. Temporary summoning of him works in a pinch, but I'd like for you to be able to commune with him without needing to go thru me."

"..........." Stan raised a brow.

"I am. NOT. Crazy."

"You have a custom golden statue."

Ford's face went beat red. "You know where the door is at any time, Stanley."

Stan raised his hands in surrender. "Okay. Okay. I'll take this serious."

Ford rolled his eyes, bracing his elbows on his knees to meditate.

Stan did his best to copy his twin, having to lean over slightly to read the journal. "You're lucky I'm used to your handwriting, Six."

"It's perfectly legible."

"......Mhm." Stan snickered. "Are these even words- Wait no- This is that, uh... Latin stuff, Ma used to sound fancy on the phone, yeah?"

"Indeed." Ford beamed, cracking an eye open to grin at his twin. Proud of him for recognizing it.

Stanley nodded. It certainly sounded less like mumbo jumbo now.

Triangulum, entangulum.

Vene foris dominus mentium.

Vene foris videntis omnium.

Stan tried to hide how badly his heart just skipped at seeing candles suddenly ignite themselves, and with blue fire. He wanted to tell Ford it worked, but was hesitant to be the first to speak up.

Stan shrank in on himself, even more aware now of all the eyes on them. He would almost swear a few had moved to stare more directly.

Stan glanced back to his twin, and recoiled in shock to see yellow eyes starring back at him. "Sixer??"

"Bit extra, don't you think?" Bill scoffed. After years of talking only to Sixer, the idea of dealing with two humans seemed.... a lot.

Ford gave a shrug. "I'm not a messenger pigeon. If we're going to do this right this time, we need communication. Isn't that the reason you jumped the gun on meeting him last night?"

"It's not like I knew he was coming then."

"And yet you answered the door instead of waking me. Because even you have noticed lying has only bitten us in the ass."

"I'm a busy triangle, Sixer. I can't be babysitting two humans."

"You won't need to. You just won't need to always find me to get work done. It will be more efficient this way."

Bill sighed. His human did have a point. "And you're sure this one won't run?"

"Stanley is many things, but he is not a coward. He can do this. He will do it, for me."

Sixer??

"We'll see you tonight?" Ford checked.

"We'll see." Bill rolled his eye.

"Trust in me, my muse. I won't mess this up again."

"Keep him in line. OR I WILL." Bill warned, eye flashing red.

Ford merely rolled his eyes. "You won't hurt him. Because then you'd lose me. And this will be delayed. What? Another millennia? Who else has carried you this far."

"You've gotten bold in your isolation." Bill laughed, amused. Bill waved, vanishing from sight.

Ford blinked, eyes fading back to brown. "Apologies." Ford frowned to his startled twin. "Got carried away."

"Are you alright??" Stanley frowned. "Your eyes were-"

"Yellow? I told you he's real." Ford shrugged. "I'm alright, I promise."

Stanley gave a nod, watching Ford put up the now snuffed candles. When they went out and how, Stanley didn't notice. This all felt. Much more real. Not crazy. Or drugs.... Probably still a cult. Could it be a cult of one? Was that a thing?

.......Two now. He supposed.

Ford stretched, putting his journal up. "So, grocery run?"

"Yeah... Sounds good." Stanley nodded, trying to shake off his nerves. "We going together?"

"I'd prefer to stay home, actually. I need to finish last night's calculations."

Stan raised a brow, worrying his lip between his teeth. "You're trying to hide the fact there's two of us. Ain't ya?"

"You always were smarter than Pa gave you credit for." Ford laughed. "...Perhaps."

Stan snickered. "Should I wear some gloves when I head into town then?"

"Would you mind?"

"Eh. Playing the ol' Switcheroo game again sounds kinda fun. Long as you're paying for groceries."

Ford grinned and nodded. "Of course."

"Won't my hair give me away?" Stan realized. "Yours is pretty short."

"Right.... Hat?"

"Hat could work." Stanley nodded. "Pretty sure I got a beanie somewhere in my bags. I'll go find it, you get me a map?"

"Sounds like a plan." Ford nodded.

Stanley snickered, heading to his room and jokingly chanting. "Pines! Pines! Pines!"

He grinned wider to hear Ford joining in. Yeah, they can be a cult of two.

Chapter Text

Stan sat on the swing set, rocking slowly as he stared out into the distance, watching a small blip of... something? He couldn't really recall what? Drift farther and farther away. He sighed and glanced to the seat beside him, fractured but holding on.

Stan reached out for it.

He found himself falling. He wondered if this is how shooting stars feel? Tumbling across the sky with no control.

Stan tossed and turned in the nothingness, looking for... anything? Really. Something to grab on to? If he was about to crash?

In the distance, he saw a faint glow. A lone flickering candle, refusing to quit. He ran for it. How could he run while falling? He was no physics expert like-

Stanley froze, the cosmos around him suddenly full of floating objects. Random bits and bobs.

"There he is." Ford chuckled.

Stan spun around, finding Sixer sitting in front of a glowing blue chessboard, across from-

"Wait- The triangles were literal???"

Ford cracked up at that.

Bill snickered. "Were you expecting something more human?"

"I- Don't know! I didn't expect a shape!" Stan defended. "Sheesh, Six I know you like school but isn't dating geometry a bit much?"

Ford's face exploded with heat, laughter choking off. "EXCUSE YOU?!"

Bill only laughed, floating over to Stan and extending a hand. "Bill Cipher! The guy who's going to CHANGE THE WORLD. Literally!"

"..Stanley Pines." Stan shook his head, shaking the hand.

"You didn't have any trouble getting here did you?"

"...I...... Can't remember." Stan frowned.

"Ah! Dreams. Finicky things!" Bill laughed, "Don't worry too hard about it!" Bill returned to the table, continuing the game.

Ford tried to compose himself, using a hand to cover half his face. "Welcome to the Dreamscape, Stanley. Please, pull up a chair, have some tea. Relax a bit."

Stan chuckled, sitting by his twin, a chair appearing as needed. "Neat. Could get used to this."

"Hope so, you'll be visiting a lot." Ford nodded. "Checkmate."

"Another for Sixer!" Bill chuckled. "You really are something!"

Ford's face was too red to go any more red, but he did beam with pride.

"Now! On to business." Bill turned to Stan. "Sixer and I have been working on something BIG." He snapped his fingers, the chairs and everything vanishing as they dropped into a large lab.

Stan jumped, looking around in confusion.

"Welcome to our Lab." Ford smiled. "This is below my cabin, believe it or not."

"Woah?!" Stanley was impressed. "How'd you build all this??"

"I had help. Probably not the intended use of my grant money but-" He shrugged.

Stan snickered, nodding.

"And this." Ford beamed in pride. "Is our portal."

"Portal?..." Stan walked closer, looking it over.

"Bill's not from our world, clearly. And this? This is going to change that. Bridge the gap between dimensions." Ford grinned to his twin.

"Does it... work??"

"It needs some fine tuning but it is hopeful." Ford nodded. "I mostly need help in moving parts, and some extra hands while setting it up. We can walk you thru exactly what we need."

"Sounds easy enough." Stan agreed. "Why come here tho? We aren't exactly a great place for things that are different." He frowned, glancing to Ford's scars- Frowning more to see Ford doesn't have them here.

"We're going to fix that." Bill grinned, eye stretching slightly too wide it made Stan's skin crawl.

Ford grinned as well, staring up at the portal. "We'll rewrite this world to be.... whatever we want it to be, Stanley. Where no one is made to feel bad for being born. And family's don't have to be ripped apart by expectations."

Stan stared at Ford, a flurry of mixed feelings. "That sounds all well and good but..... How?"

Bill chuckled. "Easy! I'm me! I have changed history dozens of times before! We'll just do it again. Better this time, because I'll have my full powers. Life will be a never ending party of weirdness and you boys will have front row tickets!"

"So." Bill turned to Stan, starring him down. "Can we count on you?"

Ford glanced to his twin, face unreadable.

Stan frowned slightly, Ford's expression reminding him of their father's. Waiting for a correct answer.

A world where Sixer would be safe? Cared about? "Yeah. I'm in." Stan agreed.

"Great!" Bill beams. "We'll get back to work on it in the morning then!"

Ford beamed brightly.

Stan smiled softly. He could deal with weird, if it meant his brother finally had a home. And he could be part of it.

Ford began eagerly discussing the portal itself with Bill, how it works and what they need to work on.

Stan listened idly, knowing he probably wouldn't understand most of it, but still trying to anyways. "How were you managing all this before?"

Ford froze a bit. He worried his lip.... He supposed it was safer for Stanley to know, at least, some of the truth. "I had an assistant for awhile. Someone I met in college."

Stan tensed, nervous. "Had?"

"Our first test of activating the portal had some hiccups. He ended up quitting on me." Ford grumbled, pacing. "He refused to hear me out. Listen to reason! He was too busy worrying about every tiny little risk! He couldn't see- His life had been too good to him! He couldn't see why the risks are worth it! What this would mean for everyone! He's a coward, and a traitor! All because-"

"Easy! Easy, Six!" Bill floated over, grabbing Ford's head carefully. Small blue flames flickering from his hands around Ford.

Stanley tensed, seeing a head on fire was usually bad. Before he could jump in, however, Stan watched Ford's eyes half lid in relaxation as his posture slumped a bit.

"Breathe." Bill spoke softly. Or as close as his echoed voice can be. "You'll just muddy your thoughts with that much stress. You have new help now. You don't need him."

Ford gave a slow nod, reaching up to hold one of Bill's hands.

Bill pulled back, turning back to the portal. "We just need to balance the power better for the next test."

"R- right." Ford nodded, fingers gripping at empty air for a moment before he regained his composure. Ford shook his head slightly, before smiling to Stanley. "I'm glad you're here."

Stanley smiled back, nodding. "With us together again?" He chuckled. "What could possibly stop us?"

Ford grinned. "Well said."

Stanley smirked, elbowing his twin slightly, nodding to the odd triangle in front of them, and wiggling his eyebrows.

Ford went red and shoved him away. Mouthing 'Behave!' at him.

Stanley only snickered more. At least Sixer was happy, even if Stan didn't understand it in the slightest.

Chapter Text

Ford sighed as he shoved his hands into his pockets. Crossing town always felt like a high risk mission lately. It was worth it tho. He hoped the part he'd scavenged from the UFO would finally be the key to balancing the power output. He'd have to remember to take Stanley to it one day. Once he had time to guarantee the security system wouldn't be an issue.

Since Stanley joined him, Ford's left the house even less. He preferred to stay home and work. Stanley was better at navigating social expectations anyways.

Some things simply had to be Ford's job, unfortunately. Sections of the area that only Ford knew well enough to find what they needed. Plus, Bill and Stanley both insisted getting some sun and air was good for him.

What bullshit.

He was fine.

"Fordsy?"

Ford went stiff, gritting his teeth. This. Was a major part of why he didn't want to go out.

Ford took a sharp inhale, saying as calmly as he could. "McGucket."

Fids frowned at the formal name. "Ain't seen you out and about in awhile... How're you doin'?"

"I'm perfectly fine." Ford replied, fingernails digging into his palms in his pockets. "Did you need something?"

"I just wanted ta check on you.... I ain't proud of the terms we left on-"

"We?" Ford snorted. "I don't recall giving up like a coward."

Fids' frown tensed, trying not to get upset. "Fords-"

"That's Stanford to you."

Fids worry only grew. "I was just worried about you, ya know. I think you're in way over your head- This project- It's too risky-"

"What would you know about risk." Ford snapped, taking a deep breath to not draw a crowd from shouting.

"Stanford. As your friend. I'm worried about you."

"Friend??" Ford laughed at that.

Fids took a deep breath as well, puffing up a bit in frustration. "Yes. Stanford. Friend! I'm still your friend-"

"I don't need a 'friend', who'd bail on me just because things got a little theoretical."

"Dang it, Ford!" Fids huffed. "Can't you see how dangerous-"

"Can't you see that it's worth it?! There is no progress without risk! You don't find a cure until you take a risk at trial running it!"

"What 'cure'?? Ford- I know you want to prove yourself to your-"

"This has NOTHING to do with him!" Ford shouted at that. Let a crowd come. He didn't care. "This is about changing EVERYTHING for the better! Fixing this broken, corrupt world that drags people like US down! If you were a half decent 'friend', you'd see that!"

Fids' jaw fell open, glaring Ford down. "Excuse you?! I dropped EVERYTHIN' to come help you, 'cause I knew how much doin' your pa proud meant to you! Don't you DARE imply I wasn't a FANTASTIC friend-"

"You're a coward. And I won't let you, or anyone else! Hold me down! I was DESTINED for greatness. And I WILL achieve it. With. Or without. YOU." Ford poked him in the chest.

Fids huffed, slapping the hand away. "Can't you hear yourself, Ford?! You're not well. Please! Let me help you-"

"I don't NEED help. I don't NEED fixing!" Ford shouted, turning away, hands bleeding from how tightly he held his fists. "Go home. Fiddleford. Leave me alone. Go back to your WIFE."

Fids scoffed, crossing his arms. "If YOU were half a friend, you'da remembered she left me...."

Ford spared a glance over his shoulder. "And whose fault is that?"

Fids stared at Ford in shock, heart sinking. How could his old best friend be so... cold. Something had to be wrong. "I ain't givin' up on you, Fordsy."

Ford rolled his eyes, returning his fists to his pockets to hide the blood. "If I catch you on my property. I will shoot you." Ford knew it was an empty threat. He knew he didn't have it in him.

He also knew most sane people, wouldn't risk finding out.

"Morning, Bill." Stanley nodded as he entered the kitchen, glancing to the wall clock. "Er... Afternoon."

Ford's body tsk'd, crossing its arms. "How can you do that??"

"Why would I tell you that? Then you'd hide the Tell." Stan snickered, grabbing a soda.

Bill rolled Ford's eyes, focusing back on the bacon on the stove. "Up late?"

"Sick of Sixer staying up for days straight, so. Trying to see if I can't learn some of this stuff." Stan shrugged. "Don't tell him, he'll worry it means he's not working fast enough."

Bill snickered. He grinned as the grease popped and stung the arms briefly. Not enough to damage, but enough to feel. He loved getting to cook bacon.

"So, why're you here?" Stanley asked, stealing a piece of bacon from the cooked plate.

"Eh. He was stressing out, and it was getting on my nerves. So, he's taking a day off. Boss' orders."

Stanley chuckled at the wording. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, it's nothing." Bill shrugged, smacking Stanley's hand when he reached for more. "Stop it, this is Sixer's."

"Sharing is caring."

"Make your own." Bill scoffed. "Sixer just had a run in with an undesirable. You know how worked up he gets."

Stan frowned at that, glancing to the bandages on Ford's hands. "Someone picking on him??"

"Don't worry about it. I've got it handled."

"Handled how?"

"I just said don't worry about it." Bill glared.

"If someone's pickin' on my brother, I want to know."

Bill grit the teeth. "It's not any of your business."

"Sixer is my-"

Stan yelped, grabbed by his hair before he was even able to notice Bill moving.

Bill twisted the hair in his grip as he yanked Stanley into a partial kneel, looming over him. "I told you. I have it. Handled. Your job, is to move the heavy things, and build the mechanical things. NOT TO QUESTION ME."

Stanley stared at Bill in shock and confusion. Before he could even process this sudden lash out, his hair was released and he stumbled and fell to the floor.

Bill returned to his cooking.

Stan pulled himself back upright, glaring at Bill. "Who the hell do you think you are?!"

"What are you going to do?" Bill snorted. "Hit me? Or... Sixer? Should I say?"

Stanley grit his teeth, knowing he couldn't hurt Bill in any real way. "I don't think Sixer would take kindly to you treatin' me that way-"

"And who's he going to believe?" Bill side eyed him, looking Stan over. "The con artist who has it pretty cushy here, free loading off his brother? Or the one he actually has kept around for years. Hm?"

Stan froze, glare melting into a frown.

"Go ahead." Bill snickered. "Add yourself to his list off backstabbers. See where that lands you. Or. You can shut up, do as your told, and not get in my way."

Stan swallowed his dry mouth, tense. Quietly, he picked his soda back up, swapping the can for one that won't explode on him when he opens it, and heads back to his room.

Bill grinned. "See? You're a smart guy too." Bill praised, sitting down with Sixer's meal. The last thing he needed was Mr.Stubborn storming off to confront some sad Hillbilly out of some dumb self righteous quest for justice. He was only preserving Sixer's desire to keep Stan a secret, after all.

Was that so wrong?

Chapter Text

Despite his best attempts, Stan found getting Ford alone..... difficult. To say the least. He'd been trying for days to talk to Ford about the incident the other night, but never found the right chance. Always overly aware of the many eyes lingering all over the house. What once was a weird quirk of his brother, now left Stan's skin crawling. Knowing the looming eyes were watching him. Listening.

Waiting.

He tried to talk Ford into hikes, or late night strolles, or anything to get him out of the house. Only to be reminded each time they couldn't risk both being in public at once.

So, Stan begrudgingly abandoned trying to talk to Ford alone, and shifted his focus to trying to make sure Ford at least would make it out of whatever this is in one piece.

Stan also made a habit of never being home at the same time as Bill. He even found himself closing off from his brother, talking less, especially about his past or his desires. He wanted the Triangle to know as little about him as possible. Which was easier said than done when the demon had free reign to explore his twin's every thought and memory.

Even still, Stan's main priority was Ford. Which is how he found himself up in the middle of the night, working in the lab with his brother. If he made sure Sixer slept and took care of himself, the demon wouldn't have a reason to show up.

Stanley rubbed his face tiredly, trying to learn and understand the many complex formulas his brother dedicated his time to. They all hurt his head.

"Head to bed, Stanley." Ford chuckled softly. "I can handle this."

"Nope. Not goin' to bed until you do." Stan shrugged, leaning back. "I'm here to help after all."

"You look more ready to set the pages all on fire." Ford rolled his eyes with a grin.

Stan snickered, he had considered it once or twice. "Nah, not gonna repeat middle school chem lab."

Ford cracked up in laughter, covering his face. "I'd forgotten about that incident!"

Stan grinned, leaning over to peek into Ford's current notes. Not that much of it made sense, but he was curious what was more important than sleep. Stan let out a thoughtful noise. Speaking of school lessons... "So. This portal. It's basically a bridge from here to him, yeah?"

Ford glanced to his twin, raising a brow. "I suppose one could classify it that way."

"And a bridge is pretty much only as good as its anchor point on either end, yeah? I mean, not much good in a bridge that dead ends."

"Is there a point to this?"

Stanley shrugged, gesturing towards the top of Ford's calculations. "Then why's that Earth's gravity formula?"

"Why wouldn't it be?" Ford rolled his eyes.

"Well, the portal exists, HERE. It's already anchored on this end, ain't it? So shouldn't you be anchoring it to his world and it's rules and physics? Doesn't all this science mumbo jumbo need to anchor there as well?"

Ford scoffed, brows furrowed as he grabbed clean paper to prove Stanley wrong. "Don't be ridiculous. It's not that..... simple?..." Ford trailed off as he looked things over. COULD that work?? He scribbled frantically.

Stanley grinned, proud of himself. He gave a casual shrug as he saw Ford's eyes light up, knowing he had a new lead, thanks to Stan. "Hanlan's razor or whatever."

Ford let out an exasperated sigh and eye roll. Well aware from the tone Stanley was intentionally trying to annoy him. "Occam's Razor. Stanley."

Stan snickered, grinning. "Is it tho?~"

Ford laughed and shoved his twin away. "....This is still unproven, and I need to get some variables from my muse. Don't get cocky."

Stan shook his head, getting up and snatching Ford's pencil.

"STANLEY?!"

"Sounds like it's bedtime then!"

"I need to redo ALL of my work!"

"But you don't have the numbers. Ergo. Off to sleep with you."

"If I fill out the basics, he can-"

Stan imitated a loud error buzzer. "Wrong answer! Bedtime!"

"You are not my mother." Ford scoffed, trying to snatch the pencil.

Stan took the distraction to snatch Ford's glasses as well.

"STANLEY PINES!"

"Whoops!" Stan cackles, heading for the elevator. "Can't work if you can't see!" He grinned, putting the glasses on to taunt him. ".........Woah.... Holy shit??"

Ford rolled his eyes, following. "I'm aware how blind I am. I don't need your-"

"Has there always been this much detail in everything??"

Ford paused, then grinned. "Stanley... Do you need glasses too???"

"NO?!" Stan shouted, offended. "I'm no nerd?!"

Ford doubled over in laughter. "Wait-.. wait." He tried to catch his breath as he joined Stanley in the lift. "Have you always needed them??"

"I don't need glasses!" Stan insisted, turning red.

Ford laughed harder. "Is that... why you were... bad at school??"

"Can it!" Stan shoved Ford's glasses back at him. He resisted the urge to squint.

Ford held his sides from laughing too hard, wiping tears from his eyes. He finally straightened up and put his glasses back on. "I've missed you, Fiver."

Stan tried to hide his shock.. He'd kinda given up hope on hearing that. ".....Missed you too, Sixer."

Ford smiled, ruffling Stan's hair before heading off to his room for bed.

Ford groaned. "Are you kidding me right now, Stanley?! Can't this wait?!"

"You know i it could, it would. Look. I'll be home in time, okay?? But I GOTTA pay back my favors. I promise, I'll make it back in time." Stan pleaded. He knew losing Ford's avor meant losing Bill's too. And he wasn't sure he wanted to find out what that entailed.

Ford sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. This hardly seemed worth it. Still.... Stanley had done so much for him lately. "I won't wait if you're late."

"Do what you gotta." Stan nodded in understanding. "But I'll be here."

Ford gave a defeated exhale and nodded.

Stan gave his brother an awkward hug before heading for his car. An old cellmate needed a ride to his new second chance home, and Stanley wasn't going to just leave old friends standed. He just needed to keep an eye on the clock.

Stanley checked his watch as he drove home. He would make it. Sure, he sped most the way here, but no one was around to see it. He'd make it home with plenty of time to-

A loud pop followed by the concerning CRUNCH o his car suddenly dropping on one side rang out.

Stanley let out every swear and curse he knew as he tried to bring his car to as safe of a stop as he could.

Barely even remembering to put it in park first, Stanley flew out his door. He stared in confused shock to find both his tires on one side entirely blown. He checked his watch. If he ran, maybe he could make it. He kicked a bit of rubber, and frowned as it made a distinctly not-rubber noise. Kneeling down, Stan retrieved what was left of a bullet from the tire's wall.

Shit.

Stan ran as fast as he could for home.

Ford faced his lab, anxious beyond belief. Stanley was late. Which, in itself, wasn't a surprise. Still, it was upsetting. He KNEW how important today was!

Ford sighed and checked his watch again. He couldn't wait around. He needed to do this now while the power grid was at its lowest so he wouldn't entirely short circuit his house, and the portal with it.

He'd just have to do this alone.

Ford braced himself and set to work turning the portal on. A flurry of anxiety and excitement fueling him on. He'd soon get to meet His Muse.

Soon.

This day was going to be perfect.

Ford's grin grew as he heard the elevator descending behind him. Stanley made it! He turned to greet his twin, only for his blood to run cold, and then boil with rage.

"YOU."

Chapter Text

Fiddleford stared in shock to see Ford in the lab. "How in tarnation did you beat me here..."

"Beat you-" Ford froze, realizing why Stanley was late. What had Fiddleford done?! Ford's blood boiled in rage. "How dare you come back here?!" Ford glanced around for something he could use.

Fids shook of his confusion, it didn't matter right now. "I ain't givin' up on you, Stanford." Fiddleford frowned. "I want to help you!"

"I don't need your 'help'!" Ford scoffed, crossing his arms.

"Yes, you do!" Fids sighed. "I'm not the enemy here, Ford! I'm tryin' to stop you from makin' a mistake you can't come back from!"

Ford laughed bitterly. "My only mistake was not dealing with you sooner!"

"This portal's dangerous, Fordsy!"

"You think I don't know that??" Ford grinned.

"What??" Fids frowned, trying to circle around Ford, keeping a hand on his hip, just in case.

Ford grabbed a wrench, moving himself between Fiddleford and the shut off switch. Frankly, he didn't want to even add one. Stanley voiced concern for a test failing and ripping the portal apart, making them start from scratch. So, Ford gave in and left it in the design. "This portal's going to bring about change this world NEEDS, Fiddleford!"

"It's goin' to bring an apocalypse!"

"That's the price of progress! How's the saying go again? You have to crack a few eggs?" He grinned.

Fids frowned, trying to find any way past the larger man. "Dang it, Fordsy! This ain't right and you know it!"

"Don't you lecture me on what's RIGHT?!" Ford glared, glancing to his scars. "THIS WORLD IS CORRUPT. AND VILE. AND DESERVES TO BE FIXED."

"Fixed?! You're goin' to destroy it!"

"I'M GOING TO MAKE IT BETTER. A WORLD WHERE EVERYONE CAN BELONG. WHERE ABNORMAL IS THE NORMAL AND NO ONE IS LESSER BECAUSE OF THEIR BIRTH!"

"You're going to get hurt!"

"I'M GOING TO BE A GOD!"

Fids frowned, better prepared for the gravity hiccup as they both lifted into the air once more. "I have given up FAR too much for you! I ain't givin' up my world too!" Fids managed to keep his footing as they both fell to the floor once more.

Fids lunged forward, trying to duck under Ford's arms to reach the switch. His vision spotted in pain as he felt the wrench come down on his back.

Fids was dragged to his feet by his hair, Ford glaring down at him. "I can't let you do this, Fordsy. I'm sorry you had a rough life. I'm sorry you got so hurt."

"You can't stop me." Ford grinned, eyes wild.

Fids frowned, unable to see his old friend. Gravity failed once more, lifting the pair up high. This was becoming too frequent. Fiddleford had to stop it. Now.

He glanced up to Ford, to the light halo'd behind him from the portal. Fids frowned. "And I'm mighty sorry I gotta be one to hurt you too." Fids took advantage of not needing to be standing, to kick at Ford's chest with both feet as hard as he could.

Ford's shout of fear was masked by Fid's cry of pain as he slammed back into the ground. He could just barely glimpse Ford's hand reaching out desperately as he was sucked into the portal.

Fids held his side in agony as he forced himself to his feet, stumbling over to the button and slamming it down. He panted as the noise quieted, and the lights dimmed to just the flickering, damaged overheads.

Fid's head snapped up as he heard the click of a gun readying, hand flying to his hip to draw his own gun out. He stared in confusion at the man in the doorway, a spitting copy of Ford.

"You shouldn't have done that."

A gunshot rang out across the lab. A scream, followed by silence.

Ford cried out in pain as he skidded across solid ground. The cry morphing into fear as he felt the ground no longer under his legs. Ford's hands clawed into anything he could, as he came to a halt dangling off the edge of- something?! Ford had no idea what. His hands felt like they were on fire as they clung to the edge of the ground. He could feel it trickling away under his palms, like sand.

Ford tried in vain to drag himself upwards, his arms just not able to yank his weight from such small contact points. Above him, he could just barely make out a dark sky littered with stars. It seemed familiar. The cosmos and sky seemed to blur out right at the edge of the ground below it.

Ford's hands ached from gripping so tightly, but he didn't dare risk letting go.

Ford yelped as a large mass suddenly blocked out both cosmos and void, a large blueish grey hand grabbing him like a doll.

"Well, well, well!" A voice Ford knew instantly called above. "Let's see what we have-"

Ford sat up, trying his best to look presentable as the hand opened, palm up, to display him

"Stanford?!" Bill reeled back a bit, shocked.

Ford's face hurt from how wide he was smiling, staring up at his muse. "...It's really you..."

Bill scowled. "You weren't meant to take it for a joyride!"

"I didn't!" Ford stumbled to his feet, wincing as pain shot thru him. "The portal was working as intended, but... Fiddleford showed up."

Bill's eye flashed red before he forced it back. "He's becoming a real PAIN IN MY SIDE."

Ford walked forward on the large hand, ignoring the pain coursing thru him. It didn't matter right now. Nothing mattered right now. Ford's smile returned, tears brimming in his eyes.

Bill's eye lifted on one side, as much of a raised brow as a one eyed creature could give. "What're you smiling for?! We just got screwed over!"

Ford's smile shifted to a gentle fondness as he reached out, holding Bill's side, just a bit below his eye, like one would cup a cheek. "I finally get to meet you...."

Bill's eye widened slightly. If he had a heart, it'd be racing at the moment. He'd never been held so.. gently. So warmly. It was a foreign experience. Bill found himself reaching up to hold Ford's hand back, unable to stop the movement.

All he ended up holding on to was the chill on his side as the hand suddenly retracted.

Ford turns around, pacing across the hand still holding them both. "We have to contact Stanley! He has my notes, he can get it working again after we deal with McGucket!"

Bill blinked, shaking off the feeling. "We can't until he goes to bed."

"Then what do we do??"

"For now? We wait. And get the hell away from here."

"Here?" Ford glanced to Bill once more.

Bill floated off the hand, speaking to his henchmaniacs "Alright everyone, back to the base! Farther we get from the Edge the better! Zanthar, keep carrying him. He doesn't look in any shape to be walking."

"I'm fine." Ford rolled his eyes. Did Bill not just see him pacing??

"You look pale and ready to pass out, sit your ass down." Bill scoffed, leading the group back.

Ford glanced over the side of the hand, seeing they were currently on an asteroid. However, the edge of it, and of... Everything. Seemed to abruptly stop. Dissolving away. "What is that?"

"There's time for that later, sixer." Bill informed. "Right now, we need to get you fixed up."

Ford sighed. He realized he couldn't feel his palms. No pain, no sensation at all despite how strained his muscles should be right now. He turned his hands over, finding deep wounds across the middle, where they touched the Edge. Surprisingly, no blood. As if the flesh there had simply. Vanished. Taking the blood vessel with them. He was sure that was not good.

Bill glanced back to the now silent human, worried he'd passed out entirely. "Hey. Sixer."

Ford looked up from his palms to his muse, smile returning once more.

"Welcome home."

Chapter Text

Ford groaned, head pulsing as he slowly opened his eyes.

"There he is." Bill chuckled. "Yeesh, humans are fragile! Thought we lost you a few times there."

Ford glanced over, squinting.

Bill rolled his eye and held out Ford's glasses.

Ford slowly sat up, putting them on. "....Am I asle-..... No. That's right.... The portal."

"You passed out on the way here. Guess your adrenaline ran out finally."

Ford lifted his hands, amazed to see the gaps smoothed over. "Impressive work."

"Of course it is!" Bill snickered. "It's ME, Six!"

Ford glanced around, finding himself on a triangle bed. "Bit vain."

"I can throw you back into the Edge."

"Triangle bed is fine." Ford snickered. Still vain tho. "Do you even sleep?"

"Nope! But you sure did make these things look comfy!"

"Where do you even get a bed this shape?"

"You sure ask a lot of questions!" Bill laughed.

Ford shook his head and carefully stood up, wobbling.

Bill made no move to help, merely observing his human. "So. Break it down for me, Six. WHAT the HELL happened??"

Ford stretched, groaning in relief as several joints let out a satisfying pop. "Stanley and I had finally cracked what was holding the portal back. He was late arriving for our test, so I proceeded without him. As the portal was reaching its apex power, Fiddleford entered the lab. He was startled to see I was there 'before' him, leading me to believe he is responsible for Stanley's tardiness. Mistaking him for me."

"Keeping you two separate in public worked then." Bill muses.

Ford gave a nod. "Indeed. He tried again to convince me what I was doing was wrong. I suppose I finally got thru to him that I knew, because he kicked me into the portal."

Bill floated back and forth, pacing. Thinking. "So. He's not aware of Stanley."

"He probably will be soon. If there's one certainty about my brother, he doesn't take kindly to me being picked on. He's no doubt hot on McGucket's trail."

"Do you have your journals on you?"

"I don't keep them on my person when home, no."

"So, they should still be there.... How likely do you think it is for Stanley to understand them?"

"I'm not certain, honestly... He's been learning a lot while with me.... With our guidance here, and assuming the portal stayed in tact after my departure? I think he can handle it."

Bill made a noise to acknowledge he heard. "Go explore. Keep a henchmaniac with you. I need to plan." Bill vanished before Ford could reply.

Ford frowned. He had been hoping to keep by Bill's side. Ford took a few breaths, he may as well take advantage of the situation.

Ford left the room, Bill's bedroom? Private room? Whatever it was. Wandering around the odd maze of a base. He couldn't figure out what shape it was from inside. Perhaps it was fluctuating? That sounded very Bill.

Ford was so lost in thought, he didn't spot the hot pink blur around a corner, crashing directly into something- someone?? Who felt like the bare pavement on a blazing summer day.

"Ah-! My sincerest apologies!" Ford scrambled to back away, fixing his glasses and staring in fascination at the humanoid being who seemed to be made of white hot fire. Looking at her, he was surprised. He'd have assumed her core temperature would be MUCH higher!

"Oh hey, it's the new guy!" She laughed. "You've been out for awhile. Thought you died!"

Ford rolled his eyes. That's twice now he's been told that. "I only had some damage on my hands." Right?

She gave a shrug. "Whatever. Nice to meet you, Newbie. Name's Pyronica."

"Stanford." He nodded, shoving his hands in his pockets. A habit.

"You're the one bustin' us out of this hellhole, yeah?"

"Working on it." He sighed. "What is this place?"

"Nightmare realm." She shrugged, leaning on the wall. "A realm between realms. The gap between dimensions that shouldn't exist."

"Fascinating... And what happened to my hands??"

"That's the Edge. Like I said, shouldn't exist. Ergo. It's actively trying to correct it's existence. The entire place is slowly collapsing in on itself, and erasing from existence."

Ford frowned. "Which is why you need out."

"You ARE smart!" She laughed, nodding. "See why Billy keeps you around. Looker too."

"What??" Ford went as red.

She laughed harder. "Oh! You're fun! But yeah. Try not to touch the edge. It'll erase you with it. And DON'T fall in. Even Billygoat can't save you from that."

"Billygoat??" Ford snickered, composing himself. "Are you allowed to call him that?"

"Don't take things so stiffly." She snorts. "We're all here for a good time. Let loose. There's no rules. Well. Besides not crossing Bill."

Ford snorted. "I'm not sure I can let loose."

She grinned wide. "So what I'm hearing is. PAAAAARTY YIME BOYS!" She shouted as the maze walls pushed and moved.

Ford yelped, trying to keep on his feet.

Pyro only laughed, riding the moving wall like a surfboard. "You gotta learn to roll with it, Stiff!"

The pair were dropped into the main room with a wide variety of strange beings Ford couldn't even imagine up.

"IT'S TIME TO TEACH THE NEWBIE TO PARTY!" Pyro announced. "LET'S THROW A RAGER!"

Ford held his hands up in protest. "I'm really not much of a-"

An odd diamond shaped thing shoved a cup into Ford's hand. "We'll fix that."

Ford glanced to the drink, recognizing it from his birthday. "I suppose Bill did say contacting Stanley might take awhile...."

"Atta boy!" Pyro cheered him on.

Ford took a breath and tried to not worry, taking a sip. He remembered this tasting better. Probably the benefit of dreams.

"Booo!" Pyro goaded. "You can do better than that!"

Ford rolled his eyes at her. As if he could be so easily pressured into acting like an animal. "Perhaps this IS me having fun."

Pyro snickered. "What's the matter, pretty boy? Can't cut loose without Billy near?~"

Ford went red again, chugging the drink if only to avoid looking at her.

The crowd around him cheered eagerly, kicking off the party.

Stanley groaned in agony, prying himself off the floor. He squinted in the dim light, trying to orient himself. He must have hit his head when he hit the floor.

He didn't have time to be concerned for himself.

Stan stumbled his way to the bookshelf, ripping books off as he tried to find them.

Stan slammed his hand against the shelf, feeling it crack more than hearing it. His ears were ringing.

Stan glanced to the portal, smoke gently wafting from it's edges. He was sure it was damaged.

Stan sighed, heading for the elevator. He knew Ford often reread his journals instead of sleeping. Perhaps one escaped the notice of... whoever that was??

Ford had mentioned a traitor. Was that him?

Stan slumped onto the floor of the lift, taking deep breaths to try to steady himself. He needed a doctor. Not that he knew how to explain this.

It took Stan far longer than he liked, but he managed his way to Ford's room. Aware his bullet wound was bleeding again.

Stan sighed in relief to find the red book on the nightstand. He crossed his fingers, hoping it was the one with spells and magic. Maybe Ford knew some sort of healing spell.

Stan dropped onto the bed with a relieved sigh to be off his tired feet. Running for miles HURT.

He grabbed the journal, and frowned. Shit. Book one. He didn't think critters and creatures would be helpful for him. Still, he thumbed thru the tomb anyways.

Stan's breath hitched, pausing to stare at the portal blueprints tucked in the middle. Sure. It was 1/3 of them. But that was SOMETHING.

He could do. SOMETHING.

Stan held the journal close, forcing himself back onto his feet, he stumbled over to the chair by the desk, grabbing Ford's lab coat and curling back up on the bed. Deathgripping the book, and using the coat as a blanket. He'd find a doctor in the morning. He was just too tired to walk any more.

Stan sighed, pressing his back to the wall, and watching the door until sleep consumed him.

Chapter Text

Bill wasn't even surprised to find his crew had gotten Sixer completely. Wasted. It was annoying, however. Given he and Sixer had traitor sized issues to be handling. "You guys don't have to stop partying, but you DO have to hand over the human."

"Awwww, but he's just getting fun!" Amophous Shape groaned.

"Is Billiam!" Ford cheered, slinging an arm around his favorite triangle.

"How much has he had??" Bill snickered.

"One." Pyro shakes her head. "Guess it hits them harder when it's physical."

"YEESH." Bill cackled, grabbing the hand slung around him to keep Ford from wandering off. "Let's get you to bed."

Ford grinned, eyes half lidded. "Will I have company?~"

Bill rolled his eye, shoving Ford onto the floor. "You know what. I'll go talk to Firebird alone."

"Fir. . .What??" Ford blinked confused up at his muse, before grinning wide. "You look nice up there."

Bill snorted. "Maybe only a shot next time not a full drink."

"Yeah..." Pyro gave a nod.

"Alrighty. This isn't going to be fun- For him." Bill laughed, floating lower and grabbing Ford at his temples. Bill extended extra arms to slap away any attempt Ford made at getting grabby. He closed his eye and focused his powers on rewriting Ford's brain chemistry to force him to sober up.

Ford whined in pain. The human mind not generally a fan of disagreeing with the signals the body is sending.

Bill let his human go, sitting on the floor next to him for the moment. "Try not to throw up. It'll make the signals even more messed up."

"...What.... the hell??" Ford held his head.

"Glad to see you fitting in, Six. But we have a short window open to us. Stanley's asleep."

Ford looked over, alert despite the pain. "Is he okay??"

"Don't know yet. Get to bed so we can go see him."

Ford wobbled, world spinning and dropping as he stood up.

Bill caught him by the arm before he could fall. "Easy there."

"This is the worst hangover of my life."

"Closer to brain chemical constipation than a hangover, so. I bet!"

"Lovely...." Ford sighed.

"Price you pay for getting drunk while there's work to be done!" Bill announced cheerfully, pulling Ford along back to the room.

"Noted..." Ford tried to focus on walking properly. It was hard to tell which foot was which right now. "Can't you just float me here??"

"I could!" Bill answered. Making no move to help.

Ford let out a deep exhale, fighting the urge to shake his head. He didn't want to find out how much worse that'd make this.

Ford had never felt more relief to lie down in a bed in his life. "I just sleep like normal?"

"Yup! I'll do all the heavy lifting!"

Ford gave a slow, careful nod, before getting comfortable.

Bill watched the human curl up in the golden, triangle bed. Allowing himself to muse briefly on how perfect he looked there. A little trophy, right at home in the center of Bill's things.

Bill let himself land just above Ford's head. Connecting two dreams on the same plane was easy. Connecting them here took a bit more effort. Not that it was hard. He was Bill. It just meant he needed more steps. He told himself, at least.

Bill crossed his legs under Ford's head, carding his fingers thru the human's hair.

This was just business. That was all.

Stanley grinned wide to see Ford appear on the beach. He was worried they wouldn't be able to do this anymore when he didn't see the usual empty cosmos they normally floated in.

Ford sighed in relief. Glad Stan's at least still alive. He didn't think Fiddleford would commit murder. But... He also never thought he'd quit.

Stanley raced forward, hugging his brother tight. "You're okay!"

"Relatively speaking." Ford assured, awkwardly patting his brother's back. "Didn't have the softest landing, but I'm alright."

"So... it works??.... WorkED..."

Ford gave a nod. "I'm in the same dimension as Bill-" Ford backed away from Stanley to look around. "Where is he?"

"Sadly, don't got time to figure that out. I'm in a bit of a bind over here."

Ford frowned, attention snapping back to Stanley. "What happened?"

"Well for starters, I was NOT. Late. I was going to make it in plenty of time, when someone shot my tires out."

Ford sighed in relief. "I'm glad it was the car and not you."

"Yeah getting there...."

Ford frowned. "Stanley??"

"I realized someone was probably mistaking me for you, and you mentioned a traitor... So I raced back to the cabin, worried about you bein' there alone. By the time I got there, all I caught was your six fingers vanishin' into the portal with some guy standing there."

"That'd be my ex lab partner." Ford sighed.

"Figured." Stanley nodded. "I think seein' double startled him.... That, or the gun I was aiming did. Either way, he got a shot off first. I'm not doing too hot."

"Stanley?! GO TO A DOCTOR?!" Ford worried, looking his brother over despite knowing his dream self won't show the wound.

"And tell them what, Six?? Gunshot wounds raise questions."

"Just say it was a home intruder-"

"And when the cops come sniffin' around the cabin? What then??"

Ford frowned, pacing. Stanley had a point. Cops near the place wasn't good news.

"I was hoping you knew some magic healing spells or something...." The pacing worried Stanley.

"It wasn't a field I was interested in studying.... An oversight on my part."

Stanley frowned. "So what do I do?..."

Ford hmm'd, snapping his fingers as a thought occurred to him. "You know Northwest Manor? Up on the hill?"

"The stuffy rich bastards?" Stan raised a skeptical brow.

"They owe me a favor. Try to get the son, not the father. Preston hasn't been completely turned heartless last I met him. They should have private doctors who won't ask questions."

"How the hell do you get a favor from people like them??"

"I had to postpone some ghostly curse or other for them. Frankly, I was just excited to handle more ghost work. It was honestly a let down. Seemed like a category one or something." Ford waved his hand dismissively. "No matter. I still got the job done. Bought them at least a couple decades of peace at minimum. So, they owe me."

"You could've asked for money." Stan pointed out.

"I had my grant money. Be glad I didn't, because now you can cash in my debt."

"Fair enough. I'm in no state to walk tho. You got a car I haven't seen?"

"Yes, actually. I did get around before you after all. I believe I left it parked down in the lab."

Stan's brow raised higher. "Where?!"

"There's a hidden door if you send the elevator up empty."

".....WHY."

"...........I didn't want Fiddleford going into the garage and seeing the stolen toxic waste barrels."

Stanley stared his twin down.

".........It's for science-"

"That doesn't make it justified, Sixer."

"I thought we were short on time." Ford deflected.

Stan sighed, laughing. "Okay, I'll get going. But next time we meet here, I want answers on this Ex. And on your end of things."

Ford gave a nod. "And how we're getting back on track. My journals should have my plans-"

"Yeah. I only have one here."

Ford pinched the bridge of his nose, stressed. This was not helping his hangover. ".........We'll figure this out. Go get help for your wound."

Stanley gave a nod. ".....Hey, Ford?"

"Yes?" Ford looked up.

"Is he everything you hoped for?.... Is this all worth it?"

Ford smiled fondly, cheeks tinting a bit pink. "I feel safe here, Stanley."

Stan gave a smile and a nod. "I'll keep your room safe for when you and him come home."

"Take care of yourself, Stanley."

"You two."

The pair shared a sincere sibling hug as the dream faded out.

Stan glared at the sunlight from the window as he came to. It was far too bright for how shit he felt. Stan took a breath and sat up, grabbing a knife from his pocket and slicing up Ford's coat to bandage himself up for the long trip. Ford could get a new one later.

Stanley glanced to the Journal, nervous to leave it unattended. He grabbed one of Ford's exploration bags, tucking the journal inside and heading back down to the lab. His feet and legs did not appreciate walking. He grit his teeth and pushed on. He'd wasted enough time.

Sure enough, as promised, Stanley found an entire garage hidden behind the lab elevator. He whistled at the place. "How the hell did you do all this, Six?- I am talking to myself...." Stanley shook his head.

Finding the keys to the beat up car was easy, as familiar as he was with his twin's organization style. Stan settled into the car, adjusting the mirrors and trying to figure out where the exit to this place even was.

He should've asked Ford more questions.

Stan sighed in relief to find a door opener in the glovebox, and watched in awe as the roof above him split open, giving him a ramp out from the underground garage.

There is NO way Sixer built all this. There's no way he could've asked for help either? Stanley frowned, confused. He was gaining a growing list of questions to ask next time they met.

Stanley drove out of the lab, finding the entrance closing itself up once he drove past it.

Stanley found himself wishing he'd asked Ford WAY more questions from day one. He really knew nothing of what all his brother had been up to, huh?

He briefly worried about driving out in the open. What if that Ex guy came back? Was he in danger?

Surely not? If he wanted Stanley dead, he could've aimed for the head. Why did this guy even have it out for Sixer anyways?

Stan focused on the road. He didn't need to be worrying about any of that right now. He just needed to drive.

The drive to the manor's hill was shorter than the drive up it. Stanley rolled his eyes. Who needed a driveway this long?? Was he seriously about to grovel for help from some stuck up rich idiots??

Maybe he was framing this wrong. He wasn't groveling to them. They OWED him- Well, Ford. Still. It wasn't grovelling. It was making rich fucks have to serve a Bum for once. Yeah. He was in charge here.

What had Ford said? Make sure to talk to the kid? How would he even guarantee that? A servant would probably open the door. He didn't even know a name to ask for. Wait, yes he did. What was it?? Why were dreams so hard to remember?

It was a P right? Parker? No too normal. Priss? HA. That'd be hilarious. Prick?? Should be! Ah, right. Preston. Like a magician- No that's Presto. Close enough.

Stan parked and headed for the front door, banging on it instead of using the doorbell. Hoping to be less obvious that way.

A tired old lady opened the door, giving Stan a stink eye once over. "No handouts-"

"I'm here to see Preston." Stan demanded. "It's urgent."

The lady glanced him over again, judging.

Stanley tried not to fidget, opting instead to flash the Journal, in case it meant anything. Given the Ex stole two of them.

"....One moment." She slammed the door on him.

Stanley rolled his eyes, hoping that worked. He leaned against the rail of the porch, tired and sore. He hoped this kid didn't take long to fetch.

Stanley almost nodded off, startling awake when the door opened once more.

Stanley straightened up, staring in shock at the gentleman in front of him.

"What do you want-..." The man's eyebrow raised slightly as he glanced Stanley over. ".....Stan...ford?"

Stanley tried to regain his composure, not having been prepared for this to be the 'not yet heartless' son. "I need a favor. Time to settle some debts."

Chapter Text

Preston sighed, “You aren’t going to be tracking mud across the floors. Mary just cleaned them. Boots off.”

“If I hunch down to take ‘em off, I’m gonna be trackin’ Blood thru your house.”

Preston clicked his tongue and considered this. He exhaled sharply and knelt down, swatting at one shoe, “Up.”

Stan snickered, holding onto the rail for balance as he lifted his foot. He watched as the rich boy untied his boot and slipped it off. A guy could get used to a sight like this. He put his foot down and smirked.

Preston rolled his eyes. “You are testing my patience, Pines.”

Stan snickered again, lifting his other foot. “Well am I passing?”

Preston cleared his throat to hide his chuckle. Standing up, he shoved the filthy shoes into the Pines’ chest. “Dare I ask how you got in such a state?” He led the stranger into the house.

“No, You daren’t.”

Preston couldn’t stop his laughter from that. He coughed and composed himself, “I presume the stairs are out of the question?”

“Probably.”

He gave a nod, leading Stan to one of the few first floor bedrooms. “You’ll have to wait here then. Try not to stain anything.”

“Whatever you say, Princess.”

Preston glared, going red. “I beg your pardon??”

Stan only grinned back, flopping into a chair.

Preston let out a deep sigh before storming off. 

Stan chuckled, careful to not lean too far back. He wasn’t trying to get the guy in trouble for blood after all. Riling people like him up was just too fun.

Stan modded off fully by the time Preston returned, being gently nudged awake. “Hm?”

“It’ll be an hour wait. Have some water.”

“Oh, thanks.” Stan nodded, taking the bottle and eagerly chugging it.

“You’re going to make yourself sick.”

Stan paused his drinking, “I can handle some water.”

Preston sighed. “......You’re not Stanford. Are you?”

Stan side eyed Preston. If he kept claiming it, would he dig deeper? Would he tell anyone? How big of a threat was he? 

Still. Ford told him to come here. So there had to be some semblance of trust. “.....He’s my twin.”

“I can see that much.” Preston snorted. 

“Far as this town knows, I’m Stanford... for now.”

“Why?”

“That’s between us.”

“I make a point to know who is in my town, Pines. I’d appreciate an answer.”

“YOUR town?” Stan snickered.

“Yes. MY. town. My family founded it.”

“If it’s yours, why ain’t you Mayor?”

Preston rolled his eyes. “Please, as if he really does much around here anyways.... Now stop dodging my questions.”

“Stan is still my name too, and that’s the most you’re getting.” Stan chugged the rest of his water.

Preston watched him, trying to decide what to make of this odd character. “Well.... Are you hungry? We’ll be waiting for a bit.”

“I never say no to free food.”

Preston gave a nod, leaving the room once more.

Stan sighed, grabbing the journal to skim thru, for lack of anything else to do.

Stanley glanced up when he heard the door.

Preston returning with a some fancy looking crackers, cheeses, and meats.

"Ooo." Stan grinned. "Didn't know rich folks enjoyed Cracker Stackers too."

Preston's face scrunched up. "It's a charcuterie board."

"God, you're pretentious. It's a cracker you stack stuff on."

Preston rolled his eyes. "I can leave."

"No, no." Stan snickered. "I'm fine with shar- whateverie."

"Charcuterie." Preston repeated, handing the small tray to Stan.

Stan ate happily. "Stomach don't care which name you call it."

Preston inhaled deeply, deciding this was not worth the debate. "It's safe to say, you'll probably not be up for going home after the doctor is done. However, I cannot have that- ...Vehicle. Out front. I'll have my staff take it back to your cabin, and then drive you home in the morning after Father leaves for work. So long as you don't make noise down here, he'll have no reason to enter this room and find you. Are we clear?"

Stan gave a shrug, handing over the keys. "Whatever floats your boat. Just don't waste my gas."

Preston held back a sigh, taking the keys. "At least your brother was able to maintain polite company."

"I'm bein' plenty polite. I'm just not bein' a complete stiff. Don't rag on me for your pa bein' a dick about who you talk to."

Preston glared. "Who said my Father has anything-"

"Oh, please." Stan sat up, setting the food aside. "You're tucking me away in a room he doesn't enter, hiding my car, and sneaking me out in the morning. You're terrified of what he's goin' to think seein' you given out charity to some scuffed up bum like me."

"I am NOT terrified." Preston protested, going red from being read so easily.

"You can deny it all you want, but I know the type. And I can sniff 'em out from a mile away." Stan shrugged. "You live with a monster long enough, you pick up on the warning signs."

"My father is not a-"

"Can you cut the crap? He ain't here to hear you. And you can't fool me, alright? I grew up with a nutjob who decided one too many drinks was the best excuse to take kitchen shears to his kid's hand when insurance denied to cover a cosmetic surgery. Ain't nothin' you can say that I probably haven't lived or seen happen myself."

Preston frowned, glancing away uncomfortably, holding one elbow.

"Stop me when I stop sounding familiar. A father who's a complete control freak and wants everything done how he wants it, when he wants it. Who tries to maintain a perfect family front in public, and wants nothing to do with you when the door shuts. Type of guy you hide any and all interests that doesn't line up with his view of who you should be from, because you know the moment he finds out, he will do everything in his power to make sure you never even look at it again.

"The kind of guy who you tell bad news to when others are around because you know that'll at least delay his rage long enough for you to get the hell out of dodge. You grew up learning the footsteps of everyone around you, just so you could know when you needed to put the mask back on. Even able to tell his mood by the steps as they near. You find yourself always justifying his actions when confronted, because you know it'll be on your head if someone tells him they have a pisspoor view of him. 'He's just doing what's best for me.' 'He's trying to help me.' There's a million of 'em, and I've heard every single one."

Preston held himself, silent. His face gave Stan all the answers he needed.

"Trust me." Stan reached over, patting his shoulder. "I get it... I grew up with it. You'll be far happier once you start living for you. Not for him."

"It's not that easy." Preston whispered.

"I know that too." Stan nodded. "....If you ever need a breather from it all.... The cabin's pretty much just me now."

Preston glanced over, "Where's Stanford?"

"That's....... complicated."

"Part of why you're Stanford now?"

Stan gave a nod. "Let's leave it at, He's out of country for.... awhile."

Preston gave a small hum of acknowledgement. "....So do you have a job?"

"What?"

"I'm aware he was living off his research money. He made sure I knew that when denying my-" Preston air quoted, "Probably illegally gained wealth."

Stan gave a snicker. God, he loved his brother. "Yeah, we-....... Shit." Stan sighed, realizing what he meant. "No way I'll be able to maintain his stuff for that cash."

"So.... what are you going to do?"

".....I'll figure it out." He shrugged. "Pretty good at that."

Preston gave a nod. "Best of luck."

Stan grabbed the food, resuming eating. "Bro was right. You're not half bad."

"....Thank you?" Preston chuckled, unsure if that was a compliment or a dig.

Stan shrugged, handing back the empty tray. "Your pretentious cracker stacker's are pretty good."

Preston sighed, leaving the room.

Stan frowned, looking over the journal. Getting Ford home might be more work than he expected. Stan flipped the journal open to a page with enough of a gap on it, using the blood stained on his makeshift bandages to finger doodle in a tiny, sloppy Bill. "...Take care of my brother, okay? Don't let him get too stuck in his own head. He worries a lot. He deserves to enjoy life. I'll figure things out over here. Just...." Stan sighed. He was talking to a stupid book. "Make sure he knows he's loved, yeah?" Stan glanced to the door. "Everyone deserves someone in their corner." Stan closed the book, shifting to stare out the window.

It'd sure be nice to have someone in his own corner for once in his life.

Chapter Text

Stanley hoped needing an at home doctor would not become common in his life. He was exhausted and sore all over. At least he wasn't bleeding anymore, so. That was good.

Preston brought him some fancy pajamas, since his clothes had a lot of dirt and blood across them that he did NOT want all over the bed. Stan wasn't going to complain. They WERE pretty comfortable, and when else would he get the chance to just spend a night in luxury comfort.

Said night was spent just reading thru Sixer's research, and trying to brainstorm how to get the other two back.

Stan yawned when a knock woke him up, sitting up slowly.

A butler entered, complete with rolling cart with the breakfast on it. "Good morning, sir."

Stan gave a nod, shifting onto the edge of the bed. "That for me?"

"Of course, sir."

Stan got up carefully, his legs hurt less after spending most of the previous night resting. "Thanks man."

The butler's eyes widened slightly, surprised. "Oh- You're welcome..."

Stan took his food happily, sitting down in the chair to eat happily. "This is great. Did you make this?"

"No, sir. There's a chef."

"Well make sure they know they're a damned good one." Stan nodded, chuckling.

"O-.... Of course, sir." The butler gave a bow and left.

Stan was going to rip into Preston for this later. That guy was way too surprised to get a simple Thanks.

Stan finished eating and carefully got up, getting changed back into his clothes. After spending all night in luxury pajamas, his in-need-of-a-wash clothes felt worse than usual. He sighed to himself. Today would be a day of laundry for sure. Laundry, and calling any and every bank in the area to try to start up a business. He sure hoped Sixer had good credit.

Maybe he'd save up for and invest in some nice clothes. Feeling fancy was fun now and then.

Soon enough, there was another knock. "Time to go, Pines." Preston called out.

Stan made sure he had all of his things, heading out of the room.

"How are you feeling?"

"Better than I did yesterday for sure."

Preston nodded, leading the way to the garage. "Do let your brother know we're even next you see him."

"Will do." Stan chuckled. "What kind of ghost did he even have to come deal with?"

"I can't say."

"Can't or won't?"

"Can't." Preston repeated.

Stan sighed and dropped the topic. "You should thank your staff more, you know. I think I 'bout gave your butler a heart attack just by bein' appreciative."

Preston rolled his eyes.

"I'm serious-"

"I'm aware."

Stan tsk'd. Rich people.

Preston grabbed his keys from a row of several sets. "There's a small step down." He warns.

Stan gave a nod, watching his step as the lights kicked on ahead of them. Stan let out a confused Huh to only see one car, covered up. "I expected you guys to be the type to have several just to show off."

"Spending money on things that you can't effectively show off is pointless." He gave a shrug. "Even when hosting a gala, there'd be no reason to be in the garage. So we keep it only to ones we use, which for the time being means only mine and Father's."

"What about your staff?"

"They have their own parking lot out back."

Stan rolled his eyes. Of course they are kept separate.

Preston ignored him, uncovering his car happily.

Stan's jaw dropped, as did a few of his things. He carefully set the rest down to get a closer look. "Is that a Testarossa??"

Preston beamed, proud. "Yup. You know them?"

"Know it?? I had a poster of this baby up in my last apartment! Well- That one was black not green-"

"Emerald."

"I swear to god, I'm going to kick your ass." Stan laughed, no heat behind his words. "Can I see under the hood??"

Preston gave a nod, happily opening the car up for viewing.

Stan let out a low, impressed whistle. "Holy shit... I never dreamed I'd see a V12 up close." Stan shoved his hands into his pockets to resist touching anything.

Preston chuckled. "Her name's Elise, after my grandmother."

"Sweet." Stan smiled, sincerely. "You ever taken her up to top speed?"

"Not yet. I don't want to overdo it and break her. I do know a few roads about an hour and a half outside town that I've done over 100 on when I need to blow off steam."

"Man! I'd pay to see that." Stanley laughed eagerly.

"....Well...... If you don't have plans today..... We could take her out for a ride."

Stan's eyes lit up as he turned to face Preston, "You serious?!"

Preston gave a nod.

"Oh! I could kiss you!" Stan laughed giddily. "Let's do it!" He raced back to his stuff to gather his things back up, not catching how red Preston turned.

Preston took a deep breath, regaining his composure. "Let me grab my stopwatch, and you can time how fast we get up to speed."

Stanley laughed, full of childlike joy. "Hell yeah!"

Preston popped the trunk before leaving to grab his stopwatch, and calm back down.

Stan glanced over when he returned, "I almost feel bad getting in. Too dirty to ride in something so nice."

Preston laughed. "Just gives me an excuse to spend a day detailing her. Don't stress about it."

Stanley nodded, carefully getting in. "Sixer's never going to believe me!" 

Preston grinned, "Seatbelt."

"Yeah- Right. Right." Stan buckled up, in awe at everything around him.

Preston buckled up, eagerly setting out for the un-monitored back roads. "Just keep your hands and face inside the window. I don't wish to call the doctor back so soon."

"Got it." Stanley's leg bounced from the excitement.

Stanley's face hurt from how much he had been smiling and laughing. Still, his smile persisted as he gathered his things from the trunk. "Best. Day. Of my LIFE."

Preston chuckled. "Glad to hear it. Try not to pull your stitches open, alright?"

Stan gave a nod. "Just laundry and taking it easy."

Preston nodded back, about to head out.

"Hey, Pres."

"Hm?" Preston jumped, not used to having a nickname.

"My offer stands. Come visit any time you need, kay? I won't even mind if you leave your car out front." He winked.

Preston laughed at that. "How generous. I'll keep that in mind. Good luck on the job front." Preston gave a wave out his window.

Stan grinned, taking the chance to give Preston a Firm high five. "Don't be a stranger, princess."

"I will run you over." Preston went red, embarrassed. He fought the urge to shake his hand in pain.

Stan laughed happily, heading inside.

Preston shook his head, driving off. He couldn't decide if the other Pines was insufferable or charming. Could a person be both?

Stan waited until the car was out of sight to move Ford's junker back down into the garage. He decided to tuck the journal into the glove box for now. If the ex didn't know about the garage, he figured it'd be safe in there. He'd need to figure out how to get two spares out to his own junker later, he realized. Probably wouldn't be great to just leave it stranded out there.

He'd also need to figure out what to do about Stanley, or, the identity of him. If he just vanished suddenly, he'd have debt collectors hunting him down forever. That'd make getting a job out here and fixing the portal hard. Part of why he'd be opening a business loan in Sixer's name instead. Stanley would never get approved.

Stan paused as he left the garage, glancing to a gas can.

Well. That'd certainly be one way to get people off his ass. After all, dead men tell no tales.

Chapter Text

"You really need to start meditating like I showed you." Ford chuckled, hugging his brother close. When he didn't hear from him for two weeks, he started to worry. "Your dreams aren't the easiest to find."

Stan chuckled, hugging back. "You doing okay over there?"

Ford gave a nod. "It's certainly never dull. You?"

"......Working on it." Stan sighed, walking down their childhood beach. "My progress is probably going to be a lot slower compared to yours. I'm learnin' all this from scratch. Plus, I'm gonna have to spend my days making money somehow. Your grant money won't last forever."

Ford frowned, it hadn't even occurred to him. "Thinking about getting a job then?"

"Not exactly. I'd be anxious leaving the cabin unattended so often.... I was thinking- You have a lot of space in there-"

Ford side eyed his twin. "In my Home? You mean."

"It'll still be a home when I get you back." Stan assured. "It just... might... also have a store or something being run in half of it-"

"Stanley!"

"Don't Stanley me! I'm doin' the best I can over here!"

"And how, prey tell,  are you going to FUND this business, Stanley?? I certainly don't have that kind of savings lying around."

Stanley gave a shrug and glanced to the side. Ford could've sworn he saw a faint blush, but... No, he had to be imagining it. That's not like Stanley.

Stan shoved his hands in his pockets. "I got some stuff sorted out. Don't worry about it."

"You needing to be vague is worrying me more."

"It's nothing illegal, and nothing that will hurt credit or anything. Honest."

Ford sighed, pinching his nose.

"Look. You want me to get this portal worked on?? That's the cost. I'm not you."

"I know. I know.... Don't wear yourself too thin, Stanley."

"I got this." Stan assured, grinning. "Oh- Pres says you're even now, by the way."

Ford chuckled, relieved. "So he got you a doctor?"

"Yup. All patched up now. He's kinda who got me aware I'd need a job."

Ford froze at that. "He's aware there's two of us??"

"Relax. He doesn't seem like he even has anyone he COULD tell, even if he wanted to. 'Side, he clocked me on it from the moment he saw me. Not sure how, but he did."

Ford let out a hmm, thinking.

"Your turn."

"My turn?" Ford looked up.

"What's the deal? Who shot me?"

Ford let out a deep sigh. "Fiddleford McGucket. He was my college roommate, and a brilliant engineer. When I began the portal project, I realized I was a bit out of my usual field of work. So, I called Fiddleford up for a hand. We were running a test run of the portal, and he got a bit too close. He ended up pulled in. Only halfway, I managed to grab onto a cord he'd been tangled in.

"When I pulled him out, he was babbling incoherent nonsense. He ended up quitting the portal project, and tried to convince me to abandon it as well. I suppose when that didn't work, he decided to stop it himself."

"Why's he so against the portal?" Stan frowned. "What did he see??"

"He never told me." Ford gave a shrug. "But he's scared of the change Bill and I wish to bring about. Change scares the ones who benefit from the current order. Change means they lose their power over us."

Stan snickered, raising a brow.

"I'm serious, Stanley." Ford scoffed, pacing. "Society is built by the weak, with rigid rules and structure, to hold down the strong. They know if they don't break us when we're small, we're topple their empires of shame and cruelty."

Stan's amusement shifted, frowning at his brother. "Hey, I'm no fan of government either, but.... You're kinda worryin' me, Six...."

Ford paused his pacing, glancing to his twin. "I'm just-..... Tired of being told what other people think my worth is. Fiddleford was holding me back. Trying to keep me just average. But I want to be great. I AM Great... I just- ...... I just want to believe it."

Stan frowned, putting an arm across Ford's shoulders.

"I know I'm not making much sense. I apologize. I just get worked up-" Ford took a few deep breaths. "Fiddleford had compiled my study of the Falls into a few papers, without telling me. Wanted me to turn those in as the peak of my career, and not finish the portal. And it just....." Ford wrung his hands together, rubbing the spot he knew a scar should be. "I don't want to fit in to their broken society. I don't want to be almost as great as I can be..... I want to be the one to change the world. Not the one to discover a Plaidypus."

Stan chuckled. "...It's kinda nice. Hearin' you talk so High about yourself for once. Loving yourself BECAUSE you're different. Not Despite it."

Ford gave a smile. "Thank you, Stanley."

Stan nodded, giving his bro a squeeze before letting go. "So.... any ideas where he took the journals? They'd help a lot right now."

Ford gave a shrug. "Either wherever he lives now? Or if he's hiding them, perhaps places I'd never try to go?"

"So, any girl's house in the falls." Stan grinned.

Ford shoved him, bright red. "Asshole!"

Stan cackled proudly, pulling his brother into something between a headlock and a hug. "Ah! You love me!"

"Get off!!!" Ford whined, trying in vain to break free.

Stan laughed more, giving him a noogie before letting him free.

Ford glared, straightening out his clothes and hair.

"So. Learn all the sciencey stuff, run a business, and maybe try to find those other two journals. I can handle this." Stanley nodded.

"Can you?" Ford wasn't so convinced.

"Trust in your BroBro, okay?" Stan grinned. "Bullshitting people is what I do best. And that's all marketing is."

Ford sighed, hoping Stanley was right. "Just- Don't make my home anything TOO embarrassing... okay??"

"You got it." Stan snorted.

"Maybe get a haircut-"

"Hey! Stay in your lane." Stan scoffed.

Ford snickered.

"....Fiddleford's not going to keep being a problem, is he?"

"Honestly?.... I don't know any more." Ford sighed. "I don't think he should be?... There's a lot I can't seem to remember tho."

Stan hmm'd. That didn't sound good. "Well. I'll keep an eye out, I guess. You'll be okay, even if this takes me awhile... Right?"

Ford gave a firm nod. "Of course. Bill has things handled here."

Stan sighed in relief. "Take care of yourself. Okay?"

"You too." Ford hugged his brother close.

Stan clung back. "I miss you, Six."

"I know we'll meet again." Ford smiles. "I believe in you."

Stan smiled back. "Alright. Go back to your boyfriend now."

Ford went red. "STOP THAT! HE'S-  I'M NOT- WE HAVEN'T-"

Stanley doubled over in laughter. "Your denial only proves me right!"

"STANLEY."

Stan wiped tears from his eyes. "See you later, Sixer."

Ford huffed, still red. "See you later, Fiver."

Stan smiled as the dream faded out. He yawned as he sat up, stretching. Getting up to get changed, Stan glanced out the window. He grinned to see Elise parked down below. Step one, get funding for his new business.

Chapter Text

Ford let out a slow exhale of comfort, enjoying the fingers combing thru his hair. He grinned, cracking his eyes open just enough to glance up to the golden glow above him. "How come you don't join us there anymore?"

"I'm there." Bill assured. "Just behind the scenes. Don't want either of your consciousnesses getting lost on the trip."

"Is there any way I could make it easier on you?"

"Don't worry about it, Sixer. It's not difficult or straining, just don't want to mess it up."

Ford gave a slow nod, letting his eyes shut once more. "Stanley seems to have things sorted out over there. Just a matter of time..."

"How much time we talking?"

"I wish I could say... I'd been working on it, with help, for.... what? Two... Three years? Roughly? But that was with help, and several years of college. And having the luxury of total focus on the portal. Stanley's going to need to self learn it all, without help, while running a business.... I'd wager we have at least two decades before it's ready. And that's being generous." Ford spoke carefully, worried how Bill will take the news.

Bill's fingers stilled in Ford's hair as he considered this.

"Muse?"

"Seems we'll need ways to pass the time then. On the grand scheme of things, what's a handful of decades? A blip on my infinite lifespan."

Ford relaxed. "The Edge won't be an issue?"

"Eh, it doesn't move that fast. We'll be fine." Bill assured.

Ford yawned, stretching out. Bill handed Ford his glasses as Ford sat up. "Thank you." Ford smiled, putting them on.

Bill floated up, stretching also. "Well! Seems we have time to kill. What do you want to see first?"

"See?" Ford chuckled, grabbing clothes to change into.

"Well, yeah! There's a whole multiverse out there!"

Ford raised a confused brow. "Then what's the portal for if you can just.... leave?"

"The worlds connected to this dying land are fine for now, but the Edge WILL eventually spread and consume them too. No point having my Weirdmageddon there, just to have to pack up later. I'm looking for a homestead, not a rental!"

Ford chuckled. "Fair enough. How does that work? Why only some?"

Bill shrunk himself down to sit comfortably on Ford's shoulder. "Various reasons! Something or someone has doomed that dimension beyond saving. Or something improperly crossed over and ripped a big gaping hole in the fabric of reality. Sometimes dimensions get forcibly joined to the Nightmare Realm because they pissed the wrong god off! Basically and all worlds connected to this one are Screwed with a capital S in some way or another, so have been sentenced to erasing."

"Sounds.... slow and impractical."

Bill gave a shrug. "Well, it's real annoying when you're an immortal who will have to witness it!"

Ford chuckled. "I suppose so.... Where even can we go then?"

"Lot's of places! Name it! I can probably find something!"

"..........Are there worlds where we've already won??"

"........Yes, but those are a rare exception to my previous statement. We can't go to worlds other me's exist in."

"Why not?" Ford scooped Bill up, tucking him in his coat's breast pocket.

Bill peeked up, arms dangling out of the pocket to hold him up. "Because I'm not very big on sharing! I'd be competition to myself!"

"Fair enough." Ford laughed. "Suppose two Bill's in one world would be too perfect to handle."

Bill laughed proudly, glad the pocket helped hide how pink his aura turned. "Any other ideas?"

".......Is there a world where Dungeons, Dungeons, and More Dungeons is real??"

"You betcha! C'mon nerd! Let's go be adventurers!"

"ONWARD!" Ford cheered happily, heading out with Bill.

One month later.

Stanley yawned, stretching out. He didn't want to get up, too comfortable. Still. Life holds still for no one. Stan allowed himself a few moments to just enjoy the morning, soaking in the feeling of a second warmth curled against him. It was easy enough to forget in the moment how he landed here. To ignore the constant gloom the cabin held.

Stan sighed, gently shifting the weight off his chest and sitting up.

".....Must you go already?" A sleepy voice asked.

Stanley chuckled. "I can't be late to my own grand opening. That's just bad business."

"Bad business but good comfort."

Stan laughed harder at that. "Tempting. However, unless you intend to fill my fridge, I gotta get ready."

"I could. You know."

"And, how would you explain the expenses to your pa?"

His only reply was an irritated groan.

"Mhm." Stan grinned, heading for the closet. "Going to get dressed and see the big event? Or going to hide in my sheets all day?"

"Don't tempt me."

Stan shook his head, grabbing his suit- Well. Ford's- Well. It was his father's, handed down to Ford, now hijacked by Stanley. Did that count as a family heirloom by now? Stan headed for the bathroom to get in a shower.

Today was the make or break it day. The day to prove he could pull this off.

"Are you nervous?"

Stanley glanced to the doorway. "Didn't even knock before enterin', how scandelous.~"

"You're going to do fine, Stan."

Stan gave a shrug, getting the water going. "......What if none of it's interesting enough?"

"Don't sell yourself short."

"It wouldn't be my first rodeo with my art not bein' good enough." Stan sighed.

"Trust me, Stan. You fit right in at this weird little town. They're going to love you."

Stan chuckled softly, hopeful. "They'd be the first."

"I'm sure Six would be offended to hear that. As am I."

"Okay, okay. Third." Stan laughed, feeling better.

Stan looked himself over in the mirror, it felt like looking at a stranger.

"It fits you quite well." Preston chuckled, kissing Stan's cheek.

"........Not sure that's a good thing." Stan sighed. He was sure this suit had seen its fair share of shady deals.

"What's wrong?"

".....This isn't me." He frowned. "Stuffy and formal- I mean. Who even wants to be sold intrigue and wonder by a guy who looks like he's going to a funeral."

"Well, a funeral does fit the Murder Hut theme."

Stan snickered. "....I think I need to do this as me. It's the only way it's going to work. It's how I won you over after all." Stan winked, earning a scoff.

Stan took the suit off, putting back on his favorite hoodie and jeans. "See you this weekend?"

"Of course. Knock them dead, mystery man.~"

Stan grinned, heading off to begin his grand opening.

God, he hoped they'd like him.

He hoped he was enough.

Chapter Text

Stan sighed in relief as he locked the Murder Hut up. It felt like this entire week was a tornado yanking at him. He's pretty sure he had every single person in the town in here at some point during the week.

Well. He didn't have to worry about business, he supposed. He may need employees tho, or he'd never have time for the portal.

Right now, none of that mattered. It was Friday, and he had a date. Stan combed his house, making sure the triangles were all either moved to the lab, or covered. This time was his, and his alone.

Stan checked his watch. He managed to close down with plenty of time to spare. He'd get in a shower, get a nice meal going-

Knock Knock

Stan crept to the window, glancing out. No Elise, so Preston's not early. He groaned. What part of closed did these people not  understand??

Stan stormed over to the door, throwing it open. "Closed means-"

Stan was caught off guard to see some... Weird, old man? With a bandaid in his beard. Stan so did not want to babysit a nursing home escapee right now. He was about to shut the door, when he hesitated. Something... about those glasses were familiar.

"When Gravity Falls and earth becomes sky, fear the beast with just one eye." The man muttered, more to himself than anyone else, scratching at the makeshift cast on his arm.

Stan frowned, tensing. "....Fiddleford?"

The man's eyes snapped towards him, regaining some clarity behind then. "Stanford- .... No... The other one- That's right. Fordsy- Stanford's- I had to- He was- This was-"

"Easy. Eaaasy." Stan frowned, closing the door behind him, as he rubbed the man's back. "You don't look too well."

Stan yelped as his face was suddenly grabbed, dragged down to be eye to eye with this lunatic.

"How much do you know?! Are you in cahoots with the demon!?"

"Demon??" Stan rolled his eyes. "I'm not religiou-"

"This ain't about religion, dang it! This is about the end times!"

Stan slowly pushed Fids back, trying not to hurt him. "Look. I'm just here because my brother asked me for some help moving some stuff for a science project." He'd been practicing for weeks what he'd say if this came up.

"We have to destroy it, before it destroys us!"

"Alright grandpa-"

"YOU'RE NOT LISTENIN' TO ME. WHAT'S WITH PINESES AND NEVER LISTENING."

"All I know is the last time I saw my brother, you were the reason he's gone. Why should I listen to you?! And where's my brother's shit?! I want it back!"

"It's too dangerous. It's all too dangerous." Fiddleford's shaking paused momentarily, as he stared at Stan with perfect clarity. "Dangerous."

"Fiddleford?..." Stan backed away, bumping into the door. Shit.

"I'm sorry, Fordsy- This is for your own good-" Fiddleford's eyes spaced back out as he pulled out an odd gun like device, with a lightbulb on the end.

Stan reached for his hip- Except he had nothing. He can't wear it during work. Too many grabby handed kids. He could shove the man, but he wasn't ready to be charged with murder. "Look, Fiddleford, I don't know what you think is going on. But I'm just trying to keep my brother's memory alive-"

"It'll be okay, Fordsy. I'll fix it." Fids muttered, inputting his target into his device. B I L L C I P H E R

Stan glanced around, debating his options. He really didn't want to hurt this guy. He was clearly unwell. "Why don't we just, go inside and talk. Yeah?"

"Soon." Fids smiled up at nothing. "You'll be you again soon. I just. Gotta clear out them nasty thoughts."

"What-" Stan groaned, falling to his knees as Fids pulled the trigger.

Fids frowned, adjusting his dial. P O R T A-

Fids blinked rapidly in pain as clarity was, literally, briefly knocked back into his mind. He groaned, holding where he got socked in the face, "What in-... Northwest???" He stared up in confusion.

"What the hell did you do to Stanley?!" Preston demanded, glaring down at the weird old man beneath him. Preston's brow furrowed. That device.... He swear he knew it. Had seen it somewhere-

Fids hands shook as he tried to change his dial to today's date.

Preston scoffed, realizing he wasn't getting answers. He slammed his boot down onto the crazy man's face, snatching the gun. He glanced it over. He couldn't recall where he'd seen it. But, somewhere in him, he knew what it did. E V E R Y T H I N G He took aim. "Don't fuck with what's Mine."

Fids slumped over, mind reeling to adjust to the emptiness.

Preston went to Stan, kneeling. "Stan?"

"I'm okay..." Stan groaned.

"What do you remember?"

"...." Stan rubbed his head. "...I own the Murder Hut... I'm trying to rescue my brother..." Stan snickered, glancing up with a raised brow. "What's your's, eh?"

Preston went red. "Oh hush....." He helped Stan back up to his feet. "...What did he erase then? It sounds like everything's there?... Maybe he typo'd."

Stan gave a shrug. "Are we just... leaving him there?"

".........I'll page someone."

Stan gave a nod, unlocking the door.

Preston made sure to lock it behind them as he helped Stan to the couch. "So. What's going on??"

Stan sighed. Preston did just save his ass. ".....My brother was working on some- ...Portal?... Multiverse theory, I think? That man was helping him for awhile, but tucked tail and ran."

"Why?"

"...I don't know." Stan laid down, head aching. "....I've got to repair it to bring him home. I guess the old kook doesn't like that."

Preston grabbed Stan some pain killers and water, sitting on the floor next to him. "You know, I'm here if you need me, Stan."

"....Stanley."

"Hm?" Preston glanced over.

"My name. It's Stanley."

"....Your father named you both Stanley and Stanford?"

"He was not a creative man."

Preston laughed, nodding. "Any way I can help?"

"Not unless you're a theoretical physicist or whatever."

"Can't say I am.... But I may be able to get you some textbooks?"

Stan smiled. "Thanks, Pres." Stan reached over, holding his hand.

Preston rested his head against Stanley's.

"How'd you know how that thing works?"

"...I don't know." Preston sighed. "....Knowing my life? Probably something related to Father."

"So, what now?"

"Know anywhere I can get rid of this thing?" Preston chuckled.

"...I might actually. There's a bottomless pit I've been considering roping off and adding to the tour."

"That may be too dangerous to take people from this town near."

"Yeah, you're probably right." Stan laughed. "...Hey, Pres?"

"Yes, Stanley?"

"I'm glad I'm not alone in this."

Preston smiled, kissing the back of Stan's hand. "Me too."

"....Think Ford's okay out there by himself?"

"If he made do here, I'm sure he can make do wherever he is now. We'll find him."

Chapter Text

Ford let out an excited Woop! as his fireball landed, casting real magic was a thrill.

"Nice aim, Sixer!" Bill cackled, ripping out a goblin's vocal cords with his bare hands.

"Okay, how do I get powers like you all the time?? This is AMAZING."

Bill laughed, not answering that question.

Ford grinned, looting the bandits they just defeated. "I bet if the game was like this back home, I could get even Stanley to play with me."

Bill grinned, eye stretching into an unnatural facsimile of a grin. "That can be arranged, Six!"

"Really?!"

"It's ME. Of course."

Ford beamed more, grabbing Bill's hand and briefly twirling him around, a small dance.

Bill chuckled, letting himself be pulled around.

Ford smiled fondly, keeping hold of Bill's hand, but pausing the half dance. "I'm so glad I met you, My Muse."

Bill took the chance to twirl Ford instead, floating slightly above him. "You're not half bad yourself."

"For a mortal?" Ford snickered.

"Nah.... In general."

"Oh." Ford's face went red at that. Surely, he was reading too much into it. "Thank you."

Bill snickered, enjoying how many colors humans could turn at the smallest of comments. Bill froze, an uncommon sensation echoing around him. The energy equivalent of knowing a room has dimmed slightly, but being unable to see what light went out or why. The subtle drop in a room's temperature, from no clear source.

Ford's smile fell, noticing the sudden shift in his muse. "Bill?"

"We need to get home."

"What's wrong??"

"I don't know." Bill's hand tightened on Ford's, hauling him into the air as they rushed back to the rift joining this world to Bill's dying realm.

Ford tried his best to not shriek in terror at suddenly being air born without warning, clinging tight to Bill.

Bill tried his best to set Ford down gently, he really did. But his mind was elsewhere at the moment.

Ford grit his teeth, trying to hide how much the rough landing ached.

Bill's fire surrounded the room, turning every mirror and window in the Fearamid into windows into Ford's world. Eyes all over town watching, observing, lurking.

Ford looked around, frowning. "...Are these your eyes into my world?"

"Yup-"

"Where are the ones I made then?"

"Trying to figure that out!" Bill huffed, shifting thru all the viewing visages he had. Bill let out a shout of frustration, the mirrors shimmering and shifting, not into viewing worlds, but minds. Various mindscapes, most old and reaching their ends, that he's sank ties into. 

Ford looked around, in awe of Bill's powers. He blinked in shock, head thrumming in pain, as he stared into his own mind.

Bill rolled his eye, grabbing Ford by the hair to force him to look away. "Human minds are not meant to perceive themself, Six."

Ford gave a small nod, keeping his head down. "Sorry."

"DAMNIT!" Bill raged, shattering a couple mirrors.

Ford jumped, staring up at Bill. "What's wrong??"

"I can't find Stanley's mindscape!"

"What??" Ford's heart sank in fear.

"I've lost the connection. I can't reach him!"

"Is-... Is he dead?!"

"No. No I'd have noticed that. Human minds have a tendency to send out a flood of activity on death, even swift ones. A last ditch attempt to keep itself functional. I would've noticed his mindscape collapsing on itself."

"Then, what's going on?"

"I DON'T KNOW!" Bill raged, turning red.

Ford frowned, pacing. He glanced to Bill. "The attic! The attic window is You. I doubt he's managed to displace a whole window."

Bill's fire swarmed the largest window in the room, honing in on the Attic Window.

Ford glanced over, staring out from the window's eye, down on to his yard. Ford walked closer, trying to get a better look at the odd figure laying sprawled out on his yard. ".....Fiddleford??"

Ford stepped back. "No-"

Bill rounded on Ford. "SPIT IT OUT, SIX!"

"I- He made- He has a memory gun. To erase our more troubling adventures from his mind- He told me he destroyed it!"

"AND YOU BELIEVED HIM?!"

"I hadn't been given reason to doubt him back then!"

"What about your journal?? Can that jog Stanley's memories??"

"You were never part of the first one. Maybe if he finds the other two- If he even remembers them-"

Bill let out a shout of rage that made one of Ford's glasses lenses crack. Bill paused, seeing the fear in Ford's eyes. Bill turned his back to Ford, taking deep breaths despite not needing to breath.

Ford frowned, feeling stupid for not destroying the device himself. For not giving Stanley more tools-

"So... What do we do now?"

Ford jumped, staring at Bill in shock. "You're.... asking...... Me??"

"Of course, I am." Bill scoffed, facing Ford, yellow once more. "We're in this together. Aren't we?"

Ford smiled softly, touched by that. He paced, thinking, hand on his chin.

"Six." Bill called over, focused once more on the window.

Ford glanced over.

Bill gestured Ford over, who swiftly stepped over to Bill's side.

The two watched as Stanley and Preston exited the cabin together, Stanley carrying the memory gun. The pair walked out of frame for a few tense minutes, before returning without the device.

"Judging by the direction and walk time... I'd wager Stanley found the bottomless pit at some point." Ford mused out loud.

Preston did his best to pull Fiddleford to his feet, walking him to the fancy green car, while Stanley got the door for him.

Stanley glanced back to the house, pausing to tilt his head slightly at the window. Preston put a concerned hand on his shoulder. Stanley shook his head, glancing back to Preston. The two shared a hug before Preston got in his car and drove off. Stanley ran a frustrated hand thru his hair, before pulling out Ford's journal and flipping thru it.

Ford sighed in relief. "He seems to still know about the journals... Would be useful if we could hear what they discussed-"

"Hey, you're the one who put the window up too high."

"I know, I know." Ford snorted. ".....Stanley must have moved or hid my images of you when he converted the cabin into a business. But given he's still consulting the journal, I think it's a safe bet to say he still remember me.... Given Fiddleford's biggest fear for the portal was You coming thru it? He might have targeted you specifically."

"So. We wait like planned?" Bill sighed. This was getting less and less certain, and he was not a gambling triangle.

"Pretty much... Preston is aware Stanley and I are separate people. I presume that means he knows I'm lost, and Stanley's searching. He'll keep him on the right path." He hoped. "It might set us back another decade, since we can't guide Stanley thru the science. But.... I see no reason to believe the plan has changed."

"Are you sure he can do this, Six?"

"I'm certain. Trust me." ford assured.

Bill gave a nod, tho without a head it looked more like a bow. "I do."

Ford's face turned red once more at that. He glanced to the D,D,&MD Robes he still had on. "....We might be able to lend him a hand, until he can find my other journals and re-summon you."

Bill's eye raised on one side, his impression of raising a brow.

"This world might be void of useful materials.... But the doomed world's connected to it are not. We can build a twin portal, to give Stanley's an easier point to anchor to."

Bill's glow brightened. "I like your thinking, Six! And this time you have a competent assistant!"

Ford smirked, a brow raised at Bill calling himself the assistant.

"........YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN! DON'T BE COCKY." Bill turned red, both in rage and embarrassment.

Ford laughed happily. "Whatever you say.... Assistant."

Bill shouted in rage, floating off to calm down.

Ford giggled to himself, watching Bill leave fondly. His smile slowly fell as he glanced back to the now blank mirror.

He so hoped he was right.

More than that, however. He hoped Stanley was okay. Portal be damned.... He hoped Bill couldn't still read his own mind here.

Chapter Text

"Keep her steady!" A small boy in a red and white stripped shirt cried out, desperately clinging to the bottom of a sail to try to keep it open properly.

"I'm trying!" His twin whined, using the sleeves of his jacket to keep the wheel from hurting his hands.

"Where's the shore?!"

"I don't know?! My glasses are useless in this much rain!"

"Then how are you steering?!"

"I don't know!" He sobbed, scared.

Stripes frowned, glancing to the sail. "I'm coming over there!"

"What about the sails?!"

"They don't matter if we're lost!" He sighed, racing up to take the wheel.

"You'll splinter your hands!" The twin frowned, taking his coat off to lend to his mirror.

Stripes nodded, taking hold of the wheel and trying to spot shore. "I think I see it! We'll be okay-"

The twins shrieked as a wave rocked their boat violently.

"STANLEY!" Glasses cried, plunging into the waves.

"STANFORD!" Stripes- Stanley- tried to go after his brother, finding the wheel's wood had grown around his hands.

"HELP!"

"I'M TRYING! I'M STUCK!"

A beacon of sunlight broke it's way thru the clouds, lighting up a small piece of the sea.

Ford gasped to spot a yellow life vest floating in the water, grabbing hold as tight as he can.

Before Stan could sigh in relief, another wave slammed down.

Stan coughed and gagged, spitting up water. He looked around, frantic, only to find his twin seemingly miles out to see now. "FORD!"

"I'm okay!" Ford assured, voice carrying easily across the waves.

"I can't turn the ship-" Stan frowned. "I'll get help and come back! I promise!"

Ford wriggled his way into the life vest, buckling it tight. He eagerly gave his twin a thumbs up. "I'll meet you halfway, okay?!"

"Got it! Just stay safe, okay??"

"I have-"

"You have what??" Stan frowned, his twin's voice suddenly too far away to hear.

Stan frowned, he could see his twin talking, but he couldn't hear him. "Ford?!"

Ford frowned, realizing the distance was growing. "STANLEY! I LOVE YOU, OKAY?!"

Stan smiled. He didn't need to hear it to know what was said. "I love you too! I'll come get you! I promise!"

Ford gave a nod before laying back, letting his preserver hold him up. It was almost... peaceful. Just drifting in the sea, away from the judgement of shore. "I'll be here..."

Stanley crashed into the sand, boat suddenly disjointed hunks of wood and cloth. He frowned. Guess he'd need a new boat. Stan frowned, picking up the coat from the piles. He sighed, and put it on. "Miss you already..."

Stanley jolted as he was shaken awake. "Eh??"

"Stanley??" Preston frowned, speaking barely above a whisper.

"...Yeah?"

"You sounded like you were having a nightmare... Are you alright??"

Stan sat up, rubbing his eyes to find his face covered in tears and sweat. "....You know how people claim twins have like.... a supernatural connection?"

".....Is it... true?"

"....I had a- dream?... Nightmare? I'm not sure- I was with Sixer... It felt so... real."

"You think it was actually him?"

"I hope it was.... It means he's okay."

Preston smiled softly, rubbing his back. "After everything else we've seen in this town?... Anything's possible."

Stanley smiled, nodding and reaching to his nightstand to grab the journal. "....." Stan's eyes widened. "I'm studyin' the wrong shit."

"Hm?" Preston sat up fully, realizing they weren't going back to bed tonight.

"I don't need to understand this stuff. I just need to know how to build it. Ford's got the rest figured out already. I don't need to crunch the numbers, I just need to figure out the more complicated engineering."

Preston gave a nod, he had no idea about any of this anyways. "Got a plan then?"

"More like a hunch..." Stan nodded, eager to have a plan again. "Gotta find it first tho.."

"Want any help?"

"....Pres... I adore you, I do. But. You would die out exploring the woods."

Preston opened his mouth to protest, raising one finger into the air- One.. manicured finger-..... He shut his mouth.

Stan snickered, stealing a kiss. "Help me by keeping safe, okay? Worrying about one dumb dumb is enough."

Preston scoffed then chuckled. "Deal. But you're not wandering the woods before the sun's up."

"...." Stan glanced to the still dark window. "Right.... Sorry." He chuckled sheepishly, putting the journal up and laying back down.

"Don't be." Preston assured, curling up against Stan's side once more. "I'm just glad to be any help, even if only for nightmares."

Stan held him close. "It's a bigger help than you know."

Ford's breath shuddered as he bolted upright, hands trying to cling to the vest that doesn't exist. Ford blinked down at his empty, larger hands. A dream. Only a dream. Still... it felt so real...

I'll come get you.... Just stay safe.

Ford took deep breaths, trying to calm his full body shakes. Ford fumbled a moment before his fingers found his glasses, putting them on. He glanced to his side, worry softening into a smile to see Bill curled up beside him, eye shut. Seems even if he doesn't need sleep, he still can enjoy it anyways.

Ford reached over, gently running a hand down Bill's nearly unperceivable side.

Bill's eye opened into a squint, realizing it was just Sixer, he let it shut once more. "What are you doing?"

"Admiring you." Ford admitted with a shrug, letting his hand continue to trail down Bill's arm to hold his hand.

Bill's eyelids shifted, ever so slightly, into a smile. He held Ford's hand back, sprouting an extra finger to slot between each of Ford's. ".....You feel distressed."

"Just a dream- I think.."

Bill squinted up at Ford once more. "You think?..."

"...It felt-.... Not quite like your mindscape dreams but-... Lucid, I suppose..."

"Well... My tie to Firebird might be forcibly uprooted but... Perhaps you left your own across the visits."

"Think so??"

Bill gave a lazy shrug. "I keep telling you. You can be far more than just some human."

Ford chuckled softly, scooping Bill up and cradling him in his lap, Ford's chin propped a bit awkwardly on the edge of Bill. Ford watched, amused, as Bill's eye and bow pulled themselves across his form, flipping themselves on to the side facing Ford.

Bill wrapped his limbs around Ford, yawning.

Ford smiled, rubbing the side that was now Bill's back. ".....Muse."

"Mmm. Yeah, Ford?"

"Know anywhere in these worlds to get a tattoo?"

"...A tattoo?" Bill let himself wake fully at that, eye tilting up to stare at Ford- Well. His chin.

"Mhm... Remember that one you suggested?"

"....You know I was fucking with you, right?...It doesn't mean Wise One."

"Oh, I figured that out a few months ago. The language intrigued me."

Bill snorted, pushing back so he could look up at Ford fully, leaning back on his noodley arms. "And what do you THINK it means then?"

Ford smiled fondly. "It means. I'll always find my way back home."

"Wh-" Bill's glow burnt brighter as Ford suddenly leaned forward, only barely shutting his eye in time to not have lips touch his bare eyeball. Bill had no idea what this weird new feeling was... But he wanted to keep it forever.

Ford did his best to ignore every thought in his mind berating himself, insulting himself, and telling him he was ruining everything. He focused instead on grabbing Bill's hands and guiding them to Ford's hair, before wrapping his own arms tight around Bill.

Chapter Text

Ten Years Later...

"I DoN't NeEd tO UnDeRsTaNd iT." Stan mocked to himself, sighing in frustration. "Except I only have a third of the fuckin' blueprints! Thanks Pointdexer!" Stan wasn't mad at Ford, of course. But working off 1/3 of the blueprints, and any trashed notes he could find was... taxing. To say the least. "I'm going to ruin my back getting into all these ports and wires..."

Stan tensed, hearing the elevator moving. He carefully put back the wires he pulled, hand drifting to his hip. He was always armed these days. Fiddleford didn't bother him anymore, but he apparently wasn't the only one who disapproved of Ford's weird antics.

Stan watched as the bottom of the elevator peeked into view- Then stopped... Then went back up. He sighed in relief, packing his notes up. Preston was over. He really should just make the doorbell reach down here. He was too busy rewiring a fried portal to rewire a whole house.

Stan snorted as the elevator descended once more, reaching the bottom just in time to bring Stan topside. Pres' timing was getting better on that. He should just let Preston buy him a pager, or one of those new cell phone things. The idea of being trackable made his skin crawl. This job was making him paranoid.

Stan tried to not laugh as Preston's head flopped on his shoulder as soon as he stepped out of the hidden elevator. "Uh oh, what'd he do this time?"

Preston tsk'd, "Does this happen that often?"

"Little bit." Stan did laugh now. "I'm also just good at recognizing patterns in behavior. Survival and all."

"Mmmm." Preston nodded, straightening back up and walking with Stan to the living room. Preston flopped across the couch, stressed.

Stan rolled his eyes, so dramatic. He smiled, lifting Preston's feet up to sit down as well. "Seriously tho, what's got you in such a bad mood? I mean- Your father, clearly. But, what?"

Preston sighed, rolling over to stare at the ceiling. "Do you know what Betrothal means?"

If it were anyone else, Stan would be offended at being treated like he doesn't know things. He knew Preston, however, and knew this was Preston recognizing that he lives a different life to normal people, and trying to keep in mind the difference that causes. He wasn't insulting Stanley, he just sincerely did not know if 'common folk' know these things.

Stan gave a nod. "Means you're about to get hitched?"

"Not exactly. It means an engagement has been arranged for you. It used to be with a ceremony, almost a... pre-wedding. Tho, at least in the circles my family runs in, now a days it's mostly just telling anyone and everyone you know about it so they pressure you into following suit."

Stan's joking mood faded, smile falling into a frown. "....You told him no, right??"

"What am I supposed to say, Stanley??" Preston sighed, covering his face with his hands. "Actually, Father, I cannot meet this random woman you've picked for me because I've been seeing a MAN for the past DECADE. I'd be skinned alive!!"

Stan's brow raised.

"....No. Not literally. We aren't barbarians!"

Stan snickered. "Hey. Wouldn't surprise me at this point."

Preston sat up, resting his face in his hands once more, and elbows on his knees.

"Has it been.... I guess- Spread yet?"

"I don't think so?.... I didn't ask many follow up's."

"You could still talk him out of it then?"

"How? Stanley??"

Stan frowned. He had no idea. Despite being around Preston, the formal world still was entirely alien to him.

"So.... you're just- Going to go thru with it?" Stan worried.

Preston gave a shrug, trying not to cry. He had to keep composed. "I don't know what else to do.... Best I can think of is talk him into letting me change who he has picked, and trying to find an eligible lady who'd be okay being just a cover??"

Stan frowned, crossing his arms to hold himself. ".....And when your pa starts expecting heirs?"

"......I don't know." Preston whispered.

"....You really aren't going to tell him no to all this?"

"What am I supposed to say, Stanley??" Preston stared up at him pitifully. "He'd disown me! I'd lose everything! I'd have to-"

"Live here?.... Would that be so bad?"

Preston frowned, sitting up straight. "It's more than that- Stan- He'd make your life hell-"

"I stay up working on things way over my education level to bring my brother home after his ex-whatever tried to erase him. It's already hell!"

"You don't know my father, Stanley!"

"So, that's it then??" Stan snapped.

Preston jumped, having never heard Stan take a tone with him.

"Daddy says jump and you do it? Throwing everything away-"

"I can try to make this-"

"I don't want to!" Stanley stood up, holding himself tighter. "Lying to your Pa is one thing, Pres! But being the hidden side piece while you're publicly married is an entire other! And what about when you have kids? Cause we both know you WILL have to have kids! What then?! You think I'll be able to stick around?! Kids are smarter and nosier than anyone gives them credit for. They WILL notice Dad sneaking around, and they WILL investigate why! I'm not messing a kid up like that, making them find out their dad's a two timer!"

"I'm trying-" Preston stood up.

"NO! You're not!" Stanley sighed, taking deep breaths. ".....I can't-..... I don't WANT to stay your dirty little secret, Pres. If you really can't tell him no then....." Stan gave a defeated shrug. "....I've got better things to worry over."

Preston frowned. "Stanley-"

"Unless your next words are that you'll stop this engagement and be open about us. I don't want to hear it."

Preston frowned. He watched his best friend, his love, carefully. The proud, stubborn idiot who despite everything that happened, still kept checking up on Fiddleford to make sure he was being cared for. Who despite his rocky history with his brother, was still fighting tooth and nail to bring him home.... Who loves him, despite everything Preston is being things he despises.

Preston holds his elbow, eyes downcast, as he remembers his father dragging out receipts for all the money he's secretly borrowed for this Shack, for Stanley. All the threats that if Stanley knew about, he'd stop at nothing to put Auldman in his place. Because that's who he was. A stubborn but caring idiot who'd stop at nothing to look out for those he loves.

No... Preston couldn't tell him why this has suddenly come up now. How much his father already knew. This was for Stan's safety, even if he'd never know it.

"...I'm sorry." Preston sighed. "I do love you-"

"Just not enough." Stan dismissed, brushing past Preston. "I have to get back to work."

Preston frowned, watching Stan leave. "...Good luck to you too, Stanley." Preston sighed, placing his copy of the shack's key on the table before heading back out to Elise.

Preston did his best to maintain his smile during the ceremony, even if the entire day felt like a nightmare. It was everything he would have hated. Lavish, expensive decorations that were just an excuse to flaunt wealth. A venue that renting costed more than buying a house outright. Too many fancy, sickening scents from the perfumes of the elite guests.

He could almost tune it all out. Mentally check out and just let things happen. Almost. Except when it was said and done, and they turned to face the crowd, Preston's entire body went cold. Tucked away in the back row, dressed as if he belonged there, was a familiar brunette.

The moment Preston could find an excuse to break away from the reception, he did. Bolting outside the venue onto the wrap around patio. "What are you doing here??"

"Got invited." Stanley shrugged, holding up the invite.

Preston scowled. It would be like his father to rub salt in the wound. Perhaps seeing if Preston really was in check. ".....I thought you said that suit made you feel like you were attending a funeral."

Stanley gave a shrug. Wasn't he? He felt like it. "You look nice."

Presto sighed, leaning on the rail. "...Thank you."

"You don't look happy tho."

Preston rolled his eyes.

"Guess money can't buy everything." Stan leaned next to him.

"....What do you want, Stanley? Why are you here?"

"Needed out of the house, I guess.... Oh, and I brought you a wedding gift."

"Stanley-"

Stan ignored him, pulling an envelope from his suit.

Preston sighed and took it, glancing inside. "....What... is this?"

"It's everything I owe you for your investment in the Mystery Shack and related upgrades."

"Stanley-"

"Preston?" A voice called, as his new wife came over. "Is everything alright?"

Preston straightened up, mask returning. "Of course, dear."

"Oh- Who is this?" She smiled to Stan.

"This is Stanley. He's..."

Stan internally rolled his eyes. "Old business partner. Just, came to wish him well."

"Nice to meet you." She smiled, holding out a hand. "Priscilla."

Stan shook her hand, giving a nod. "Your gown is lovely."

"Thank you! It's custom made-"

Stan tuned out her gushing on the fabrics and cost, glancing to Preston. A brow ever so slightly raised. This?... This is what he went with?

Preston wouldn't meet his eye.

"Well. As much as I'd love to stay, I'm pretty busy. Just... wanted to swing in, see him off on his new life."

"Oh, of course. Do take care." She smiled, looping her arms under Preston's.

Stanley gave a nod. "...Good luck." He was going to need it. "Hope this is... everything you wanted."

"...You too." Preston nodded back.

Stanley sighed, shoving his hands in his pockets as he left.

He'd been alone before. Was for a good few years before Ford reached out.

Why did it feel so much worse now?

"Leaving so soon?" Auldman called over as Stan passed by.

Stan rolled his eyes. "Don't come cryin' to me when your little ghost problem returns. You deserve everythin' comin to ya, you putz."

Chapter Text

Bill floated down next to Ford, settling into a human like form to stay inconspicuous. The pair were sitting on top of the roof of a business that had been abandoned ages ago.

Ford didn't even try to glance at him, it was futile to try. While looking at him, he could be recognized as an adult man, but if you tried to describe what he looked like, your mind would pull up a blank.

"Figured you might be here again...." Bill glanced out across the beach, watching the two small figures down by the water playing.

Ford gave a nod, leaning against his muse. With his energy spread out across a larger form, he felt cooler to the touch than a human was supposed to. Just another small cue that he wasn't what he seemed.

"What'd they get up to today?"

"They got to meet some sea turtle. Stanley got bit."

Bill snickered. "Surprised it wasn't Stanford, trying to study it."

Ford chuckled, smiling. "....Do you think they'll stay friends in this world?"

"Hard to say. The future is unpredictable at the best of times."

"It's bittersweet... Watching other versions of him and me. Never sure how many of them will meet the same fates."

Bill rubbed his back, blue fire creeping gently up to soothe his worries.

Ford relaxed slightly. "....Think there's a world where we met sooner?.... Before the world chewed us both up."

"Probably." Bill chuckles. "We seem to meet in an overwhelming majority. It'd make sense in one, the timelines lined up better."

"...Think there's one where I was normal?"

"Yeesh!" Bill shuddered. "I sure hope not!"

Ford laughed, glancing to Bill. "Laying it on thick, hun."

"I'm serious! I can't imagine a more boring world!" Bill insisted. "Who wants to be normal, anyways? Thinking because there's billions just like you, that makes you somehow better? Your ego's bad enough as it is."

"WOW!" Ford laughed harder, shoving Bill away.

Bill grinned, glad to see Ford not moping. "Come on, Six. Let's get back before the humans of this world start thinking you're some kind of weirdo for watching these kids all day."

Ford rolled his eyes, standing up. "No one can even see me up here."

"I did!"

"Okay, no one Human." Ford corrected.

Bill snickered, floating once more. "Come on, you've spent your daily limit of mope time."

"I do not 'mope'."

"You've been sitting here looking like a kicked Mogwai."

Ford scoffed, grabbing Bill's hand to join him in the air.

"Any twin dreams lately?" Bill asked, pulling them both back home.

"Not for a few weeks... Any glimpses of him?"

"Not that I've noticed, but I can't watch the viewers all day long."

"Right." Ford sighed. "....Can you change back now?"

Bill snickered, floating backwards to stare at Ford. "What? Don't like my disguises?"

"They're fine." Ford shrugged. "But I'm biased to the form I fell for."

Bill raised a surprised brow at that. "Aren't humans supposed to be predisposed to their own?"

"Maybe ones who grow up being treated like one."

"Fair enough!" Bill laughed, popping like a confetti popper as he returned to his triangle beauty.

Ford smiled, holding his hand tighter.

Bill set Ford down outside the home base.

"Portal work today? Or are we going to try to improve my dream projection?"

"Neither." Bill snorted.

"...Then why did we need to come home?"

Bill just landed, walking inside.

Ford tried not to laugh, seeing Bill walk into of float was always amusing. Ford was convinced Bill did it just to make him smile.

Ford froze to find the inside decorated in streamers, balloons, and science puns.

Bill shrunk down and perched on Ford's shoulder, his favorite spot. "Happy Birthday, Pointdexter!"

Time, of course, didn't move quite the same here as it did back home. So when annual events occurred was mostly up to whenever they remembered their existences. Bill insisted it wasn't random and he could actually keep track. Ford wasn't convinced.

Ford smiled. "Where did all this come from?"

"Don't worry about that." Bill laughed. "We can still work on dreaming a bit later. See if you can't finally take control of a goat or something and go see Stanley that way!"

"I'm no good at possessions."

"Practice makes perfect." Bill insisted.

"I suppose... Doesn't hurt to try at least."

"There's the spirit!" Bill laughed. "Now, let's party and celebrate the best creature to exist besides myself!"

Ford rolled his eyes with a smile. "Now who has an ego?"

"Hey, you're the one who said the L word first."

Ford snickered, "Touche."

Breathe, keep calm. It's going to feel weird. Things might feel like they're wrong or breaking, you're fine. It will pass.

Just breathe. The more you fight it, the worse it feels. Let yourself change. Fill the spaces, and keep breathing.

Ford focused on breathing, even tho that itself felt weird as well. He slowly opened the eyes. Also familiar, also uncomfortably different. He tried to keep calm as Bill's voice faded out. He was alone here. The creature's mind couldn't handle three minds in one form. He had to do this alone.

Ford tried to get a feel for the creature, surprised to only find two legs? They were aiming for the goat, since that one was a favorite for Bill to possess. Guess Ford's mindscape had different ideas. Ford stretched, watching two mostly black wings with white sections closer to the body span out. Avian of some sort?

No wonder he felt so weird. Still. Avians weren't set up TOO terribly different to a human, in terms of how they move.

Ford was quickly proven incorrect as he tripped over the creature's feet. To any onlooker it must seem like there was something severely wrong with this creature as Ford struggled to stand back up.

Ford internally sighed in relief as he finally figured this out, carefully walking forward. If walking was this hard, attempting to fly was out of the question for awhile. Ford glanced around, trying to make sense of the town around him in these new eyes. Everything was so much more colorful than he was used to. Not to mention his field of view was drastically altered.

It took him far longer than he hoped, both due to getting lost, and due to his tiny webbed legs. But, Ford finally found himself outside his old cabin.

Ford let out a deep, heavy sigh in his mind at the giant gaudy sign now mounted on his A-Frame.  Business seemed to be doing well, at least. He hoped that meant Stanley was alright. Ford waddled towards the door, pausing to look at himself in the reflection of a car. Based on the color pattern, and the striking eye, Ford presumed he was a Common Goldeneye, a duck. He'd have to test swimming one day. Floating on the water's surface looked peaceful.

Ford shook his head, heading for the porch. He'd just slip in between customers' legs. No one seemed too concerned to see him waddling about so far.

Ford wandered the gift shop, keeping to the walls to not get stepped on. He supposed it could be worse. The vending machine was clever. It'd be hard for a random customer to get behind it, and it meant Stanley could keep a close eye on who went near it.

Ford glanced around, he supposed with all the weird things sold and displayed around the Shack, a duck wandering around seemed normal in contrast. He shrugged, trying to find his way into the non-business part of the house. Stanley had to be here somewhere.

Ford found himself staring up at a shut door. Guess he would be attempting to fly after all. Ford did his best, jumping and flapping and trying to bite at the door handle.

"Look, Mommy! The duck's trying to open a door!" A kid giggled.

"How cute!"

Ford heard the employee at the counter groan and grab a walkie talkie. "There's an animal inside again, Mr.Pines."

Ford snorted, that would work.

Ford was not prepared to see the door swing open, with Stanley wielding a broom.

Ford squawked in terror, fleeing between Stan's legs.

"WOAH- HEY- NO GET OUT OF THERE!" Stanley slammed the door behind him, giving chase.

Ford bolted for a newspaper, trying to tear it up and spell with the pieces. His attempt was cut short from needing to flee the incoming broom. Damnit, Stanley! Can you calm down for a few seconds?? Ford picked the paper up in his mouth, running for one of the other exits.

Stan followed, opening the door. Relieved the thing left on its own!

Ford huffed, dropping the paper on the back porch and resuming his shredding of the paper.

Stanley

It's Ford

I've missed you.

Happy birthday.

Ford nodded proudly at his clumsily made note. He did his best to scratch and peck at the door, trying to not hurt his host in the process.

Stanley could be heard cursing inside as he stormed for the door, broom still in hand.

Ford let out a noise of sorrow as the door flying open blew his scraps around.

"Get! Go on! Shoo!" Stanley raised the broom high. Not aiming for the duck, just next to it to spook it.

No! Ford panicked, trying to regather his pieces.

"What in the...." Stan slowly lowered the broom, confused by the weird behavior. This... wasn't a normal duck.

Ford frowned, vision blurring. He got too worked up. Lost focus. No, no no. He couldn't lose control now! Stanley was finally listening! He had to fix... He had to...

Ford blinked, back in the nightmare realm. "...Damnit!" Ford groaned.

"What happened??" Bill worried.

"I had it! I made it home! But I lost focus at the last second!!" Ford frowned, hiding his face in his hands, trying not to cry. "I almost..."

"Hey. Hey," Bill held Ford's face gently, tone soft. "Almost, means next time, you'll manage it. Okay?"

"You're right..." He sighed, wiping his eyes. "I'll manage it next time."

Bill rubbed Ford's cheek with his thumbs. "For now, you need rest. That was a lot."

Ford gave a nod, exhaustion slowly creeping up on him. "Thank you, Bill. Today's been a wonderful birthday."

Bill chuckled, pulling his human to his feet. "Only the best for you."

Stan stared in confusion as the duck suddenly tensed, before flying off like a normal duck. How much had he drank today?... Stan watched the duck fade into the sky, slowly glancing back to the mess of paper on his porch.

...Stan knelt down, head slightly tilted, as he flipped a few pieces back over.

Ha py rthBay

Stan's breath caught in his throat, tears stinging his eyes. He dropped the broom as if it had burnt him, feeling dirty holding it. Stan smiled fondly at the bird in the distance. "....Happy Birthday, Six.... Thought I was celebratin' alone...." Stan carefully picked the scraps up to glue down to keep as his present.

Chapter Text

△T-Minus 18 Years△

Ford sat silently on the bed, coat in his hands as he embroidered the back. The one benefit to the multiverse, finding a copy of his favorite coat was easy. His eyes were pointed towards his work, but his mind wandered. Thinking back on memories and journal entries.

"Don't forget what happened to Icarus," he told me as he packed up his things and left.

Ford rolled his eyes at the old comment, even now, years later.

"He didn't flap hard enough." I replied.

He smiled softly. If only Past Him knew how right he was. His refusal to back down didn't drown him as feared. Instead, he flew higher than he ever dared to dream. He had everything he could want, just about. And it was only a matter of time before he reclaimed the rest.

He just had to keep soaring.

Ford didn't even flinch at the light filling the room as Bill materialized beside him. He'd long since grown used to the view of his Sun. The light of his life.

"What are you up to?" Bill asked, settling on top of Ford's head to not restrict his arm movements.

"Putting my old textile skills to new use. Since I don't need to be making tapestries to you here-"

"Still could." Bill offered.

Ford reached up, flicking his arm.

"Rude!" Bill nipped at his fingertip.

Ford laughed, returning his hand to its work. "I decided to add some flair to my coat."

"Love the gold thread. Very ME!"

Ford rolled his eyes, smiling fondly. "That is the intent, yes."

Ford worked quietly, aware of the tiny braids being put into his hair by the bored triangle. When his embroidery was done, Ford happily held it up for his mate to see. A pair of golden wings now stretching across the back of the coat.

"Wings?" Bill chuckled. "Cause the Duck?"

"No?!- ...... Well... I suppose that does fit too." Ford laughed. "It's on the tale of Icarus. Except I did it Better."

Bill cackled, "Love it!" He hopped off Ford's head, returning to his usual size. "Let's see it then!"

Ford got up, pulling the coat on and making sure none of his stitches limited the stretch and give of the fabric.

Bill gave an approving whistle. "Should stick an eye between the wings! Make it weird!"

Ford laughed, nodding. "...Want to learn? You could stitch it for me. Then I'll always have a memento of who I fly to."

"Sure, why not!" Bill shrugged. "Anything for you, Six!"

△T-Minus 13 Years△

"Thank you for the tiara, ma'am." Preston nodded to yet another stuck up elite he couldn't be bothered to remember the name of. 

The entire soiree had been one long slog for Preston. His father and Priscilla's parents had invited pretty much everyone with ties to either family. Which meant a bunch of elderly rich folks Preston had never met- Or at least, never bothered to remember meeting.

Did a newborn really need 20 gowns and 30 tiaras?

It all seemed incredibly-

Preston had to take a deep breath to keep from frowning. Pretentious. He could still clearly hear Stanley's voice snort for the thousandth time.

"Is that everything?" Priscilla smiled, cradling their daughter happily.

Baby showers were usually before the child was born, but their had been delayed until after. Both of their ages gave their family concern if they'd even be able to have a child, so celebrating early seemed doomed to cause embarrassment down the road.

"It seems there is one more gift." Mary assured, holding out a box that was wrapped in gold colored paper. Not gold. Not something in crystals. Nothing with silk or satin. Normal, golden colored paper. It was very out of place.

Preston felt like he was moving thru gelatin as he reached out and took the nicely wrapped, but plain gift.

"Who's it from?" Priscilla frowned.

"It doesn't say." Preston answered honestly. Not that it needed to. He knew who it was from. He didn't know HOW he got it- Preston glanced to his staff, seeing their sincere smiles instead of their practiced ones.

Of course he left an impression on them.

Preston offered the gift to his wife.

"Oh, you take this one, dear." She smiled a bit forcefully.

Too proud to touch the cheap paper. Pretentious. Preston hoped his hands weren't shaking as visibly as he felt, as he unwrapped the box. He carefully lifted out a Llama plush, the price tag still attached as if to assure it wouldn't be thrown out for being cheap. Preston smiled softly at it.

"What is it?" Priscilla asked.

"I'm not certain, but it's certainly soft and made of premium fabrics." Preston gave a shrug. He knew. He also knew they'd never keep it if he said it was a farm animal or anything adjacent. He handed it to the newborn, who coo'd happily.

"Well... Pacifica likes it enough." Priscilla decided, helping the child hold the toy. "Oh! It IS Soft!"

Preston gave a nod, smiling wider. He knew what this meant. Such a nice gift for his child. If anyone ever hurt her, they'd have more than a legal beating coming their way. She was Preston's after all. Which meant to Stanley, she'd be family.

△T-Minus 12 Years△

Stan glanced in his rear view mirror, assuring no other cars were nearby as he pressed harder on the gas. He could not BELIEVE traffic made him late TODAY of all days. Just his luck.

Tho, he guessed being ahead of time would probably stir up old anxiety. So, perhaps this was for the better.

Stan was smart enough to at least slow down once he crossed back into a town. Still, he didn't stick to the speed limit exactly.

"I'm so sorry I'm late!" Stan blurted out as soon as he saw Shermie.

"Just in time, actually." His brother assured. "The first contractions were false alarms. It'll be any minute now."

"Can I... head up?? Or- Is it dad only?"

"If you can stomach to see it, head on in. Seein' my boy come into the world was PLENTY for me. Give a shout when it's safe."

Stan snorted, rushing off to be moral support for Alex and his wife.

"You made it."

"Of course! Traffic was just crazy, but I wouldn't miss this for the world." Stan assured, hugging his nephew close.

"Glad you could... make it." The wife smiled despite her on going pain at the moment.

Stan gave her a small side hug, before sitting down and taking one of her hands, Alex holding the other.

Stan beamed when the doctors finally held up a baby girl. His smile shifted to confusion as the doctors continued on.

"Oh- Did we forget?" Alex chuckled to Stan. "We're having twins."

"Where's this WE?!" His wife demanded.

Stan's jaw fell open, watching the first be cleaned up on the side. Another set of twins?? Stan grinned wide, he didn't even yelp as his hand was crushed in a vice grip. He understood why Shermie waited outside.

Stan frowned, worried, as the second baby was held up. The poor thing looked almost blue. "Is it okay??"

The baby wailed strongly, as newborns do.

Stan sighed in relief. Sounded okay.

Alex held the babies first, his wife not feeling up to it. Stanley got to hold them while Alex went to fetch Shermie and the rest of the family.

Stan smiled fondly, holding his grand nibblings close. "Nice to meet you two. Welcome to the world. It's big, and scary, and hard.... But you have a really good family to help you thru it."

△T-Minus 9 Years△

Ford grinned as his spell charged up. They were once more back in the land of fantasy, one of Ford and Bill's favorite worlds to goof off together in. It'd taken years of visiting, but Ford had finally tracked down the mastermind behind a cult dedicated to eradicating magic.

Ford had grown quite fond of having a world where he could feel as powerful as his beloved, so that simply was not something he could allow to fester.

"Any last words?" Ford grinned, eyes wild. He'd never had a chance to entirely let loose before. To let out any and every impulse his mind had dwelled on over his years of being mistreated.

The leader open his mouth to snark.

"Too bad." Ford shrugged, hurling his fireball right down the leader's throat, burning him from the inside out with the heat of a hundred suns. He glanced around to the few followers Bill had yet to toy with. "Who's next?"

The onlookers scattered in fear and horror.... and to escape the body that was swiftly lighting the rest of the building on fire.

Ford grinned, illusion wings made of stars sprouting from his back as Bill returned to his side. Ford shot a hole into the ceiling, the pair floating out and watching the fire rage below them.

Bill sighed happily, smiling fondly at his unhinged scientist. He'd never looked more beautiful. Bill couldn't help but wonder how he managed to pick such a perfect being to recruit... Befriend, even.

Ford smiled, taking Bill's hands and dancing with him. Their dance draped in the shifting light of the inferno of chaos below them. Several colors bursting from the flames as the magical potions and artifacts in the building also ignited and joined into the destructive display.

Bill's own glow outshone even the flames, highlighting Sixer in gold that suited him quiet wonderfully. "....Stanford."

"Hm?" Ford glanced over, a bit worried by not hearing his pet name. "Yes, Bill?"

"...I want you to marry me."

There was no hiding how red Ford turned in all the light around them. "W- what?"

"I mean- I know it'll be awhile- You'd want Stanley there but- I want you to say you'll marry me. Once we're home. Be mine. Completely."

Ford stared at his muse, his best friend, his lover, with held breath. Waiting for a punchline, or a catch or....

"Will you??" The silence was making Bill nervous. A feeling he did NOT enjoy facing.

"....Of course." Ford smiled fondly, realizing this was sincere. He happily rested his forehead against Bill's. "I already promised you. From now until the end of time."

"I love you." Bill eagerly kissed his favorite being in the universe as the screams below faded out into silence.

△T-Minus 2 Weeks△

Stan groaned as his landline would. not. shut. up. He sighed and picked up. "Yeah?"

"You sound like you just woke up..."

"I did."

"....Stanford it's 3 P.M."

"....I had a long night." He sighed, hangover killing him. He'd stayed up drinking late into the night. Seeing all the families coming in with their newly-free-from-school kids was hard for... a variety of reasons.

"I can call back later..."

"No- You're fine- I SHOULD get up... What's up?"

"I was wondering if you'd be able to take the kids for the summer- or- even just a few weeks??"

Stan frowned, sitting up properly. "I got a lot going on over here-"

"I know, I know! I'm sorry. I just- We just-"

"Hey... Is everything okay?"

"Yeah! Yeah, of course-" Alex sighed. "...Not really."

"Talk to me, c'mon. Uncle Stan's here for you, ya know."

"I know- Dipper-... Things have been.... tense here- And Dipper overheard one of our- uh-..." Alex sighed again, worried about being overheard... again. "Adults don't always agree on things, you know-"

"I thought you two were going to counseling or whatever?"

"We are. It's- Look- We just need time to... sort this out. And I just don't want the kids getting the wrong idea while we get thru this rough patch-"

Stan frowned. "....Yeah, alright. I can take them. Just for the summer, right?"

"Of course. They still have school after all."

"You'll need to figure out how to get them here. I can't be taking off from the shack right now."

"I can do that. Thank you, Stanford! Really! You're a life saver."

Stan snorted. If he was, he wouldn't still be as busy as he is. "Just give me some warning when to expect them."

"I will. Thank you again."

"What's family for?" Stan chuckled. ".....Seriously, are you two doing okay??"

"Yeah. We're great...."

Stan sighed. Was ANYONE happy being married?? Maybe he dodged a bullet.... several times. "Love you, kiddo."

"Love you too, Uncle Stan."

Stan hung up and sighed. Was there even another spare room in this place?.... There was Ford's room- No... Shit, he'd need to hide that. Dipper was curious from what he's heard.

Stan took a deep breath. Hangover be damned, he had a guest room to figure out.... Did he even have a spare bed?.... He'd figure it out. He always does. Stan frowned, picking up the photo of him and Ford at a fair together. He'd need to put all these away before they got here. "......One summer. Then I'll focus again- Besides. I can still work on it while they're here. Kids probably go out and play still. I'll have time... See you in a summer, Sixer." Stanley sighed, rounding up all his photos of Ford and putting them away into a hidden safe in his closet.

This was going to be a long summer.

Chapter Text

Ford flew down onto the side porch happily. Navigating the town on duck eyes had become far easier over the years. It wasn't uncommon for people to see a goat and a duck playing together when the pair could spare the time.

Getting home was of course, their main priority. But, all work and no play makes a very cranky triangle.

Tho, today was just Ford, since he was coming to spend time with Stanley. Ford didn't want Stanley's first re-meeting of Bill to be as a goat. He got teased enough for Bill being a triangle.

Ford pecked at the door happily.

Stanley opened the door, and held it open. "I have a doorbell you know."

Ford waddled inside, shaking his head. If he rang a doorbell, how would Stan know it was him?Pecking was far more informative.

Ford flew up on to the couch, glancing around in confusion. Something seemed... different?

Stan carefully sat down next to his bro. "Been good lately?"

Ford returned his focus to Stan, nodding. He stretched a wing at Stan.

"It's been going." Stan chuckled.

Ford tilted his head, concerned.

"You remember Alex? Shermie's kid?"

Ford rolled his eyes- well, his head in a manner to imply an eye roll.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. Not a fan for that branch of the tree. Well, he needs someone to look after his twins for the summer-"

Ford let out an agitated noise. Seriously, Stanley?! Kids?!

"Hey! I'm still going to be workin' on bringing you home. It's just gonna be a little slower-"

Ford puffed up in irritation. Slower?? It had already been thirty years!

"It's just for one summer, Six!" Stanley insisted. "There's a chance their parents might be getting divorced. Even YOU aren't going to make two kids watch that, are you??"

Ford sighed, feathers flattening back out. He supposed that did sound cruel. But couldn't someone else watch them?? What about Shermie?! Ford pecked gently at Stan's leg.

"I doubt I was Alex's first call, Six. I mean, come on. Middle of nowhere Oregon? I'd be shocked to be the first pick."

Ford huffed, flopping over to show his disapproval.

"Mope all you want, I already said yes."

Ford glared at Stanley. He did NOT mope!

"I put all the pictures of you up for the time bein', since. Everyone still thinks I'm you. They're tucked away somewhere safe. And I'll still be working on the portal when I can. But they need me, Six. They're just kids."

Ford hid his head under his wing. No one protected them just for being kids.

Stan sighed, gently patting Ford's head and neck, best he could. "One summer. Then full focus, I promise."

Ford peeked back out. He still disagreed with this but... What's done is done. He rested his head on Stanley's leg.

"I promise." Stan repeated. "I'm still going to bring you home. And NOT as a goose."

Goose?! Ford puffed up and let out a very cross honk.

Stan cackled in glee, even despite not speaking duck, he know Ford was correcting him.

Ford nipped at Stan's arms, not aiming to actually hurt him.

Stan laughed more, scooping the duck up to disarm him. "Love you too, Six!"

Ford nipped his nose.

"OI!" Stan laughed, dropping him.

Ford ruffled and fell ungracefully back to the floor.

Stan straightened out, worried. "You okay??"

Ford checked himself over and gave a nod. No injury.

Stan sighed in relief, turning the TV on.

Ford flew back up on to the couch, settling in to hang out with Stanley for a bit.

Ford groaned, pulling a pillow over his face to shout into.

"Yeesh!" Bill paused his calculations for this end of the portal, floating over and petting Ford's hair to try to sooth his brain-

Ford swatted the hand away. He didn't want to be calm right now! "I CANNOT believe Stanley!"

Bill jumped at being swatted at, a very rare occurrence- At least from Ford. "Hey, don't take it out on me!"

Ford frowned, sitting up. "Apologies, Love." Ford gently took Bill's hand, kissing the back of it.

Bill inverted his fingers, holding Ford's face. "What's got you so upset?"

"Stanley's babysitting for the summer."

"What?? Why??" Bill was confused. Was business going that badly??

"Shermie's grand kids are apparently being dumped on him. And he said yes?!"

".....Well... Yeah. Of course he did? He's a family man."

"Those brats are NOT family!" Ford raged, getting up to pace.

Bill watched his mate, confusion growing. "Aren't they your brother's kids?"

"On paper!"

"....I don't follow, Six.-"

"I don't talk to Shermie for a REASON!"

"....." Bill's eye contorted, one side raised. "Wasn't he like.... a toddler?.... Last you saw him? How do you have beef with a toddler??"

".....B-" Ford paused his pacing to stare at Bill in bemusement. "...Who taught you the slang definition of Beef??"

Bill snickered, glad that at least knocked some anger out of Sixer. "I picked up on it from the kid you and kid Stan you love to peek in on the timeline of!" He informed proudly.

"..." Ford snorted, shaking his head and sitting back down. "I just- Don't like that-" Ford hesitated, that wording was worse than he intended. "I'm just not invested in the life of my... replacement...."

"Replacement??" Bill stared at Ford.

"Yes??" Ford sighed as if this was the most obvious fact in the world. "Father had already deemed Stanley a lost cause, and his faith in me was.... low. Before the science fair meeting. You think it's a coincidence he waited over a decade to have another child?? He'd clearly discounted us as worthless and was hoping to have a Normal son he could be proud of!"

"......Seriously??" Bill sighed.

"I don't have the slightest interest in how perfect his favorite child is! I kept in contact with Ma, but I do NOT consider my REPLACEMENT family! Nor his kids!"

"You're. RIDICULOUS!" Bill glared at Ford, floating off the bed.

"Excuse you?!"

"Clearly! Shermie AND his kid still see you as a brother if they're reaching out to Stanley-"

"I don't care!-"

"That's why you're ridiculous, Stanford?!" Bill fumed, red creeping onto the edges of his eyes. "Despite you giving them a cold shoulder, they CARE about you! They WANT to be family-"

"WELL I DON'T-"

"BOO HOO! YOUR FATHER'S A PIECE OF SHIT. SO YOU TAKE THAT OUT ON THE ONES WHO AREN'T!?"

Ford reeled back, shocked to be getting scolded.

"Do you have ANY IDEA how LUCKY you are, Stanford?!"

"Lucky?!-"

"Yes! Stanford! LUCKY!! You have a family that LOVES YOU!? WHO WANT YOU IN THEIR LIVES, DESPITE THE HATE YOUR FATHER TRIED TO BEAT INTO THEM. THEY STILL LOVE YOU! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT I WOULD HAVE GIVEN TO HAVE ANY OF MY FAMILY TO HAVE WANTED-" Bill froze, tense. He wasn't supposed to speak on that. He was fine. Home was fine. His family was-

"....Bill?" Ford frowned, standing up and reaching for his muse's hand.

Bill recoiled away, holding himself. "You are..... a brilliant man, Stanford Pines.... But you're a fucking idiot sometimes..... You're starring into the stars but the only part you seem to see is the void between them...."

Ford frowned, sitting back down slowly. "You do.... By the way."

"....Do what?"

"Have a family who wants you. Loves you..... You do now, at least." Ford shrugged, running his fingers over the bands on his fingers. A matching pair of bent infinity symbols, outlining either half of a triangle on his fingers.

Bill sighed, slowly sitting back down by Ford. He didn't know where this rage came from. What was it to him who Ford kept in his life? They were going to take over the world or... something... Did it matter? Bill didn't know. He didn't know a lot of things around Ford. It was scary. But.... it had also been wonderful. All these weird feelings he'd never had a chance to know before.

Bill glanced to his bowtie, the center now adorned with a brown gemstone with golden undertones that reminded Bill of ford's eyes. He'd considered a ring for himself, but with how often he changed shape and/or limb count, he got nervous it'd get lost somehow. He ran a careful hand across his engagement stone. "....My parents-"

Ford glanced over, shocked. He'd never even dared to broach the subject. Bill never seemed fond of discussing it.

"....They loved me. At first... I think- I assume.... Back when I was new perhaps..... But... when it became clear that they couldn't.... fix me."

Ford frowned, instinctively rubbing the scar on his own hand.

"...When it was clear I didn't WANT to be normal..... Filbrick sucked. I've seen it a hundred times over in your memories and your actions. I get that..... But he was ONE person in your life, Six. One...... I killed for a chance at a life like that..... It destroys you. Feeling like you're entirely alone. Unloved, and unwanted. It tears apart every tiny atom of your being until pain is all you can feel anymore-"

Bill reached over, taking Ford's hand. "......You reminded me what it feels like to love again. To dream.... You made the pain stop. And I don't want to watch you get twisted up just like me. Filbrick was horrible.... But your family- Those kids?.... They're not him. You don't need to earn the right to be loved, Stanford Pines.... You ARE."

Ford held on to Bill's hand tight, not feeling the tears streaming down his face until he saw them landing on his rings. Ford pulled his hand back to wipe his face, trying to compose himself.

Bill curled up against his side, arm stretching to wrap around Ford and hold him tight. "......I didn't know this side of me was still alive in here..... I don't want to lose it in you. I don't want to lose what I love about you."

Ford held Bill close, silently.

Bill rubbed his back with a spare arm. He should WANT Ford to want to destroy and hurt everything? That was the plan, wasn't it? They'd take over and rule the world together, everyone suffer. No rules. No limits.

He supposed... no rules also meant no rule that they had to stick to one plan.... He wasn't sure when things had changed, when he stopped wanting destruction and started just wanting joy....

Ford's smile shifted to a gentle fondness as he reached out, holding Bill's side...

Bill supposed it didn't really matter when. He had it now. And he'd give up anything to keep it.

Even his walls.

Bill let himself do something he'd not allowed himself to for eons and eons.

Bill let himself cry in front of someone else.

Ford pulled Bill into his lap, holding him tight. Ford, too, let himself do something he hadn't since he was young. He let himself believe he was loved, unconditionally.

Chapter Text

"You good, Six?" Bill chuckled as Ford started to slump a bit to the side.

"Mmm? Yeah-" Ford sat back up. "Tired."

Bill grinned, resuming cleaning the several bite marks across Ford's shoulders. "What would you do without me, eh?"

"Be bored, probably." Ford snickered.

Bill laughed, bandaging any that seemed a bit deeper than the rest. "I could just heal these up for you, ya know?"

"That's no fun." Ford rolled his eyes, smiling fondly.

Bill finished patching his mate up, stretching and getting comfortable for a nap.

"Love you." Ford smiled, cuddling the triangle close.

"Love you too." Bill paused before he could lay down, gaze distant.

"Bill?" Ford sat back up, concerned.

"...I'm being summoned??"

"...Now?? Seriously??"

Bill sighed, grabbing his bow and hat, "Relax. It's probably just some dumb cave explorer. I'll go scare them a bit, make them decide I'm a risk, and come right back."

Ford sighed. "Alright." He gave Bill a quick kiss. "....It might be Stanley? Maybe he found the other journals?"

"We'll see." Bill shrugged and vanished.

Bill took the moments of his form taking shape to observe the surroundings. Gravity Falls. Did anywhere else even have a way to summon him? Eh. Small matters. Bill glanced to the odd creature below him. He'd seen this thing around occasionally. The car salesman family, he thinks. The faint scent of magic on the child was... new. He'd missed something- Ah. Right. He and Ford had overheard the children discussing this while visiting as animals the other week. Some magic amulet or something. What a loser.

Bill floated down, this should be fast. Creep the kid out and go home to Sixer. "Oh, oh, Gravity Falls! It is good to be back. Name's Bill Cipher, and I take it you're some kind of living ventriloquist dummy?" He laughed to himself. "I'm just kidding, I know who you are, Gideon!"

"W-what are you? H-how do you know my name?!" The child's fear was clear in his face, tone, and mental state. This would be easier than Bill thought.

It was almost boring! He should have a little fun, shouldn't he? "Oh, I know lots of things!" Bill let his powers ring out across his voice as he flashed a dizzying array of images, the fastest way to stress a human brain was to overwhelm it! "LOTS OF THINGS." Bill was almost giddy with joy at how he could feel the human's fear worsen. "Hey! Look what I can do!" Bill announced proudly, deciding to flex his powers and see just how much sway he had in this realm. Bill eagerly pulled the teeth from the mouth of a nearby deer. "Deer teeth! For you, kid!"

Bill laughed in joy at the kid's shriek of fear.

"You're insane!"

"Sure I am! What's your point?" Bill put the teeth back. He didn't want a lecture from Sixer for torturing wildlife, after all. Bill's joy was short lived as the dumb child found some nerve despite the fear. Being difficult, were we??

"Listen to me, demon! I have a job for you."

Bill was officially done with this shit. No human gets to talk to him like this!

"I need you to enter the mind of Stanford Pines and steal the code to his safe!"

Bill laughed before he processed the words, just assuming the demand would be something stupid and not worth his time- "Wait-... Stan.. Pines?" Bill's form flickered memories, powers in overdrive at the moment from the shock. Was he really being given a way into Stan's mind this easy? He'd have to think of some way to not get this child the code. Whatever he wanted it for couldn't be good. Still..... He couldn't reject a way to fix what Specs broke.

"You know what, kid? You've convinced me! I'm sold! I'll help you with this and in return you can help me with something I've been working on! We'll work out the details later!" Bill lied. He had no intention of finishing his side of the deal, so wouldn't need anything back from this brat.

"Deal!" Gideon beamed.

Bill lit his hand on fire, more for show than anything else. "Well! Time to invade Stan's mind!" No WAY was he calling Firebird by Sixer's name. Not even for a con. There was only one Sixer. "This should be fun! Remember: Reality's an illusion the universe is a hologram, but guy, bye!" Bill spewed, trying to keep his mind off of his true intentions so they didn't display across his form. He was relieved to feel the deal take and his magic whisk him off towards his target.

Yeesh! Stanley had really let himself go! Bill glanced to the sleeping man. Grey hair? Was that a fashion statement or a human thing? Eh! Not his problem! He had a mind to link back up to, and a code to not bother finding!

Dipper stared at Soos and Mabel, processing what he'd been told. "Triangle guy?... I feel like I've seen something like this in the journal..." Dipper hmm'd, grabbing out the odd book he'd been reading since he arrived at the falls. There was several pages missing from the journal, long ripped out, and next to one missing page was the one he needed. A half ripped out page that he'd taped back together. On it, a small image of a triangle entering a mind. "I reveal to you the name of the most important creature in Gravity Falls. His name is Bill. The most powerful and ambitious creature I've ever encountered. This master of the mind has been a driving force across most of history."

Mabel frowned in worry as a shadow loomed, sinking over their grunkle. "Grunkle Stan!"

"Doesn't seem that great from here." Soos frowned in worry.

"Dipper, what do we do??" Mabel begged, reaching for the journal.

Dipper skimmed the page, it was quite long and rambling, gushing about the might of the creature. None of this was useful right now.

Mabel took the journal, flipping the page, "Bill has shared with me that humans too can learn this power, with his guidance. For the time being, I can only follow him where he has already left a trail, but in time, I too can learn to traverse the mindscape. To follow Bill into a mind, one must simply recite this incantation."

Dipper groaned. "Uhg, this is just great. I spend all day cleaning sinks and fighting bats for Stan, and now I have to save him from some crazy brain creature??"

"But if we don't do anything, Gideon might steal the shack! Or worse!" Mabel reminded.

Dipper sighed, glancing over the spell. It seemed simple enough. "Fine. Get ready, guys."

Bill tensed as he felt his magic being pulled on again.... That spell- He's only taught that to- Bill's eye widened. The journal. Of course Sixer wrote it down. He writes everything down. But how did- who- That didn't matter right now! He had a job to do, and a job to fail to do!... This could be beneficial, actually.... Whoever was joining him in here must be trying to stop the kid. They could be a good alibi to why he can't do the job, if he just plans this right.... He'd need to make sure these guys coming don't follow him around.... Fear it is! That almost worked last time!

"Remember, everyone, we've got to look out for the triangle guy!"

Oh, come on! He knew they had to know his name from the book! How rude!

Bill materialized near the group to see just what he was dealing with. "Yeah, look out for the triangle guy!"

"It's him! It's the guy!" Soos gasped.

Bill glanced over the trio- You had to be kidding him. You just had to be. Of all the people to be dealing with, it just HAD to be the kids HE was trying to talk Sixer into giving a chance?! Whatever. They'd deal with this when they got home. He'd just explain the misunderstanding! His hands were tied, you see!

Bill focused back in to notice too late to stop it that Shooting Star was charging towards him. He scoffed, expanding himself to let his powers redirect her as safely as possible, checking a pocket watch to make sure he'd spit her back out at the right point and not shoot her into someone else's mind entirely, he redirected her back out the direction she came.

"Gotcha! Wait- What?!"

"Ah. Stan's family, we meet at last!" Bill figured he may as well get introductions over with. He only had limited time! "Question Mark. Shooting Star. Pine Tree." What were the odds so many of the accursed zodiac were all related to his Sixer?? Seriously?? "I had a hunch I might bump into you!" He lied. He needed to seem in control. Bill watched as his finger gun actually blasted off a bit of magic, right thru Pine Tree.... Whoops...

He had forgotten how much stronger and less restricted his magic was in a mindscape. It had been awhile, sue him!

Bill almost felt bad at the kid's screaming, until his sister shoved a hand thru the hole.

"Boop!"

...Yeah. He could see the family resemblance.

"Mabel!" Dipper scolded.

Yeah. He could really see how they were related to Sixer and Firebird.

"What do you want with our uncle's mind anyway?!"

Monologues was SO cliche... But it would put them on the right trail to being his alibi... "Oh, just the code to the old man's safe!" Given the kid's scream at a non issue hole, they probably didn't know how this worked. He'd need to give a nudge. "Inside the shack is a maze of a thousand doors representing your uncle's memories. Behind one of them is a memory of him inputting the code! I just need to find it and Gideon will pay me handsomely!"

"Not if we stop you!"

That was the hope! Still. He couldn't make this too fast. He needed time to leave his mark in this mind again. And keep these kids from seeing any secrets they might get in the way of. "Hah! Fat chance! I'm the master of the mind!" Bill decided to show off a bit, if only to get a gauge on how his powers worked again. His blue flames swirled around him. "I even know what you're thinking right now!"

Bill wished that was a lie. The girl's mind almost hurt to look at. So... bright. and colorful. and LOUD. She'd be easy enough to distract, and the boy didn't seem eager to be here to start. He'd just need to be careful and keep an eye on them.

Okay, the fight against the kids was maybe a little too far. He could admit that. Still. It sure was fun! And he couldn't just suddenly show he was GLAD to be stopped! That'd make them MORE suspicious. Besides! The fight left him good excuses to leave his mark across Stan's mind. And it gave the kids a confidence boost to have 'defeated' him! So, really! He did a GOOD thing!

He hoped he could convince Sixer of that.

He might've just gotten caught up in having fun.

It worked out in the end tho! Didn't it?

Ford glanced over, sitting in the living room playing cards with a few of the maniacs. "I take it that did not go fast?" He chuckled.

"Good news and bad news!" Bill announced cheerfully, glancing at Ford's cards. "Need any help?"

Ford snorted shoving Bill away gently. "I can play my own hand, thanks. Bad news first."

"Pine Tree and Shooting Star might not like me when we first get home."

"...." Ford sighed deeply, taking his glasses off to pinch the bridge of his nose. "What did you do??"

Bill sighed. "That little weirdo who Stanley has beef with-"

"Stop saying Beef."

"Never. Anyway, the little creep must have one of your journals and summoned me to steal a code to Stan's safe-"

"What?!"

"Relax! I didn't give it to him!" Bill assured. "Well. Pine Tree has the other one!"

"What?!" Ford put his cards down, focused entirely on Bill.

"Does this count as a forfeit?" Kryptos beamed.

"Yeah, yeah, sure. You win." Ford dismissed.

"Well that's no fun." The diamond shape sighed, gathering the deck.

"He, Star, and Question Mark followed me into Stan's mind. Good news! I have a connection again! Better news, the trio 'stopped' me from getting the code, so I didn't have to give Gideon SHIT!"

Ford sighed, rubbing his temples. Stressed. "And WHY do the kids not like you??"

"I had to make it look believable, didn't I? We might've had a fun little mindscape battle where I weaponized some of their more minor fears!"

"Bill!?"

"Relax! They 'won' and feel great about themselves, and the shack is safe!"

Ford sighed, processing all this. "....So we have communication again?"

"We will once he goes to bed. AND we can tell him where the journals are!"

Ford gave a nod. "Can we get eyes on the shack?? I want to make sure they're okay."

"Course! One goat-pro coming up!"

"One what??"

"Don't worry about it." Bill laughed, summoning a large movie screen into their living room and taking control over his favorite goat, steering it and it's eyes to the shack.

"See?" Bill gestured to the screen as his 'camera' neared the shack. The family all huddled together outside. "Everything's-"

Ford paled to see a wrecking ball slam into the roof of his beloved home.

"...........Fuck." Bill stared.

Chapter Text

"My HOUSE?!" Ford gripped his hair, stressed out. "I'M GOING TO MURDER A CHILD."

"I love this side of you, hun, but you need to calm down." Bill worried.

"CALM DOWN?! CALM DOWN?!? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MUCH THE WINDOWS ON THAT HOUSE ALONE COSTED ME?!"

"Love how you're worried about the house and not your homeless family." Pyronica snickered, grabbing snacks.

Ford glared at her. "I AM WORRIED ABOUT MANY THINGS!" He turned his glare to Bill. "DO SOMETHING?!"

"Like what, Six? I only can go over there in dreams. And do you see anyone sleeping? Cause I sure don't!"

"THEN I'LL DO IT!" Ford raged, grabbing his candles. "I'LL PECK THE LITTLE GOLF BALL TO PIECES!"

"Woah, woah!" Bill rushed over, grabbing Ford's hands to keep him from picking things up. "You can't go over there like this! You'll rip your mind apart. Possession is NOT a high stress activity."

"I DON'T CARE-"

"Well I DO!" Bill insisted. "Stanford! I get this looks bad-"

"LOOKS?!"

"IS! Bad! But there's NOTHING we can do right now! Let Stanley handle this. Besides, just holding a paper doesn't make the cabin legally his. Stanley can sue his ass-"

"Stanley is a convicted felon on the run who will be arrested if he tries to enter a courthouse."

".............." Bill just slowly pulled Ford back to the couch. "I'm.... sure... it'll work out.... somehow."

"Stop lying." Ford sighed, flopping back onto the couch.

Bill kept hold of one of his hands, trying to help keep him calm.

"Keep eyes on them."

"Yup." Bill assured, already having the goat follow them as they flee the wrecking zone.

Ford sighed, stressed and tired.

Pyronica glanced to the duo, "So... I can eat that one, right? When we go over there?"

"Yes." Both answered in unison.

Ford sighed. "What does he even want with my cabin?... Does he hate Stanley that much?"

"...Well, we know he has a journal.... Did you ever write about your home in there? He may think the others are there."

Ford frowned, concern growing. "What if he finds the portal??"

"...THEN you can peck him to death."

Ford laughed, nodding.

"We are gonna turn this dirty ol' shack into three square miles of Gideon-tertainment. And introducin' our new mascot, Lil' Gideon Jr.!" Gideon announced proudly.

"AN AMUSEMENT PARK?!" Ford raged. "HE WANTS TO REPLACE MY PERSONALLY DESIGNED SANCTUARY WITH A CHEAP FAIR GROUND?! AND HES NOT EVEN A PSYCHIC! MY MA WAS A BETTER PSYCHIC THAN HIM!"

Bill just focused on keeping Ford from getting up and getting himself hurt. "Are you sure you don't want me reaching out when Firebird goes to sleep?"

Ford gave a nod. "He has enough to worry about. He doesn't need to be worrying about me too."

Unable to keep an eye inside the Ramirez house with the goat, Bill instead kept the focus outside the cabin.

"....IS THAT.... IS THAT FIDDLEFORD?!" Ford stared.

"Where??"

"Up on the robot??"

Bill did his best to get a closer view with the goat. "...He has NOT aged well."

"Why is he helping that little idiot??"

"Six. Last we saw him, he looked as empty as a baby."

"Whose side are you on?!"

"The side of keeping you calm." Bill snorted.

Ford sighed, taking deep breaths. "I hate feeling so useless..."

"Trust me. I know." Bill frowned. "You think it's been fun spending eons relying on humans to do things for me?"

"Give us the deed to the Shack, Gideon, or else!" Dipper warned.

"Am I supposed to say, 'Or else what'?" Gideon gestured to his bodyguards.

"Yes, you are supposed to say that! NOW!"

At Mabel's shout, a flood of gnomes swarmed the property, attacking Gideon and his guards.

Ford sat up straighter, intrigued by the gnome onslaught. "How did they- I've never gotten the gnomes to behave!"

Bill laughed. "Those kids sure are something!"

"I am not a girl!" Gideon shrieked.

Jeff went over, rubbing his hand. "Really? But your skin is so soft. You moisturize, or?.."

Ford grinned, only for it to fall as he sees how easy they're defeated. "....Uhg, have the gnomes always been creeps?"

"Yes." Bill snorted.

"Subdue them!" Gideon commanded. The gnomes swarming the kids. "I have to admit, kids. I am impressed by your creativity! How did you ever.."

As Dipper struggles, the journal falls to the ground.

"No! Could it be? Is it?" Gideon ran over, picking the journal up.

"NO." Ford leapt to his feet to see Gideon retrieve Dipper's journal. Ford's journal- It didn't matter right now. "NOW?! CAN I PECK HIM NOW!?"

"You're going to hurt yourself, Six!"

"I CAN'T DO NOTHING."

"You can and you will- Ford. Don't make me have to take extreme measures."

Ford sighed and sat back down, trying not to cry. "Everything we've worked for... It's all going down the drain- I-"

Ford pulled his legs to his chest. "I'm never seeing my family again.... Am I?"

Bill glanced to the side. It was looking pretty bad.

"Sorry to break up the mope fest-" Hectorgon frowned, pointing to the screen.

Ford glanced up to see the robot moving. ".....I don't think I can peck THAT to death."

"No you cannot." Bill was starting to worry. "...Bright side, if that creep comes here? I can incinerate him?"

Ford sighed. "Someone get me a drink."

Pyronica nodded, getting up and going to grab their best stuff. It was never an easy day when the newest Henchmaniac realized their home was doomed too.

Ford buried his face in his hands, trying not to cry. He'd lost everything. His wings were melting.

Bill held him close. He wasn't used to feeling bad for people. He didn't know how to handle it.

"What is going on??" Bill watched in confusion at the robot in the distance, the goat not fast enough to keep up with this.

Ford glanced up. "Probably can't get close enough in time, huh?"

"Nope." Bill sighed.

Ford paced, watching what they can see of the fight. "Why won't he leave the kids alone??- DIPPER?!" Ford paled to watch the small child leap off a cliff. "NO NO- YES?!" Ford grinned, spotting him land on the robot, and it proceed to flail and act weird. "GET HIM DIPPER. MURDER A CHILD!"

"I don't think he's fine with murder like you Six."

"MAKE HIM PAY- WHY ARE THE TOWNSFOLK WORRIED FOR GIDEON?! DID THEY NOT JUST SEE ALL THAT?!"

"They're idiots, Stanford." Bill reminded.

Ford sighed, pausing his pacing to hear Stan's yell approaching. "....STANLEY YOU BEAUTIFUL GENIUS!" Ford grinned wide to hear Stanley rip Gideon's scheme wide open.

"Get him." Tyler sniffled sadly, "Get him."

"HANG THE CHILD!" Ford cheered.

Bill laughed, enjoying watching Ford go a bit insane.

"Just one more thing." Stan announced as he shook Gideon out.

Ford held his breath. "The journal!"

Stanley reached down to grab the cabin's deed, scooping the journal up along with it.

"YES?! YES YES!" Ford beamed. He was so proud of his brother right now. Ford grabbing the drinks, pouring another glass for everyone. "STANLEY DID IT! I NEVER DOUBTED HIM FOR A MOMENT!"

Bill snickered, not commenting on that.

Ford grinned, grabbing the nearest henchmaniac to dance and celebrate happily.

Bill snickered, keeping an eye on the family to make sure things settled down okay. He let go of the goat's mind, hopping into the pig's as the family finally went home after the ordeal.

"Hey, Grunkle Stan, me and Mabel have been talking, And I think there's something we should finally tell you." Dipper glanced to Stanley.

Ford paused his celebrating, focusing back on the screen.

"This is a journal I found in the woods." Dipper handed Stan the journal. "It talks about all the crazy stuff that goes on in Gravity Falls. Gideon nearly destroyed the whole town trying to find it. I don't know what it means, or who wrote it. But, after all we've been through, maybe you should finally know about it.

Ford didn't dare even breathe, watching, tense.

Stan flipped thru the book, confirming the page he needed was still in it. He closed the book up. "I'm glad you showed me this, Dipper... AHAHAHA! Now I know where you've been getting it all from! Spookums and monsters. This kooky book has been filling your head with crazy conspiracies!"

"But it's all real!"

"Haha. You gotta quit readin' this fantasy nonsense for your own good. Although some of these would make great attractions! Can't come up with this stuff! Mind if I borrow this?" Stanley got up to leave with it, before they could stop him.

Ford crossed his fingers. Watching as Stan managed to leave the room with the book. He had all three now. "Yes...YES?!" Ford cheered happily. "That's it!"

Bill dropped his control and screen, worn out from such prolonged magic.

Ford scooped him up eagerly, dancing with him. "BILL! DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS?!"

Bill chuckled, clinging to Sixer's arms. "What's it mean, Six??"

"WE'RE GOING HOME!" Ford cheered happily, kissing Bill.

Bill kissed back before pushing Ford back a bit. "We have work to do then. Don't we?"

"Right. Right?!" Ford looked to their crew. "We need to get our side up and running!"

Bill cackled. "And now that Stanley's got a connection again, he can show us the work we haven't finished re-cracking."

Ford beamed, then faltered. "You look exhausted."

"I'm fine." Bill insisted.

".....Let's spend tonight celebrating and relaxing. We can get to work tomorrow. I doubt Stanley's going to fix it in a single night." Ford cradled his love close, worried for him.

Bill sighed. "....Yeah, alright."

"Thank you." Ford kissed Bill's 'forehead', holding him close. "You should have told me you were wearing yourself thin."

"And have you try to hold magic for hours on end? No way."

Ford chuckled, glancing to their maniacs. "You all party. We're going to go rest for a bit, alright? We're getting out of this joint soon."

The crew all cheered happily, cranking the music up.

Ford carried his triangle off to bed.

"You know they're not going to hang him right? It's not colonial times."

Ford tsk'd. "I know, I know...." Ford went a bit red, embarrassed by how heated he got.

"Wonder where some kid even found your journal." Bill yawned.

Ford gave a shrug. "We can give him nightmares until he tells us once home."

"Mmm... sounds fun." Bill agreed.

Ford tucked Bill into bed, an odd reversal of how the script usually goes. "We'll have everything we wanted soon, Bill."

Bill held Ford's hand tight, pulling him close to curl up against. "I already do."

Chapter Text

Stan glanced around the beach, a bit confused. He paused, glancing himself over. A red hoodie?- Ah, he must be dreaming. He was getting better at recognizing when he was asleep lately. Wasn't his own dream tho. He hadn't dreamed of being young again in a hot minute.

The only one he could think of who'd picture him at this age was- Stan grinned, looking around for who he knew he'd see.

Sure enough, his twin came barreling towards him, tackling him with a hug. Stan laughed happily, crumpling into the sand and holding his twin tight. "You know I'm not thirty any more right, Six?"

Ford snorted, giving him a brief noogie before getting up. "It's not like I've seen you since this look."

"You visit all the time....as a duck... right??" Had Stan been talking to a normal ass duck??

Ford nodded. "Yes, but their vision isn't like ours. I don't know what you look like to human eyes. So, Mullet Stanley is still my clearest memory of you."

"Fair enough." Stan chuckled, getting up. "...Have we been dreaming together since-... Since-..." Stan couldn't seem to remember when it stopped.

"The storm and the Stan O War." Ford confirmed, nodding.

"Someone's in a good mood." Bill laughed as he floated over.

Stan jumped a bit, confused and surprised to see a talking...shape??

Ford's grin only grew as he gave the triangle a happy little spin. "You're even here again?!"

"What can I say? You're abilities are getting sharper. It's a lot easier to bridge the gap now."

Ford laughed happily, turning back to Stan once more."Ah- Right- You two have to remeet."

"Re-..." Stan sighed. "What we couldn't figure out Fiddleford erased-"

"Yup. Stanley, met Bill Cipher, my muse." Ford chuckled.

Stan raised a brow, spotting the glint of gold on Ford's hands, even in dreams. "Seems a bit more."

Ford glanced to his hand and went red. "Ah- Well yes-"

Bill laughed. "Long story short, Specs isn't a fan of mine! Probably intended to get rid of your memory of the portal entirely, but wanted to be sure at the very least I was gone!"

"Why's he hate you?" Stan worried, glancing to Ford.

Bill gave a shrug. "He's a coward who can't see there's no reward without risk! Point being! When he wiped me from your mind, Sixer here lost his way to come talk to you in dreams. Hence why you've suddenly been on your own in this portal duty."

"How's it back?" Stan sighed, this was a lot to take in.

"The annoying child 'pSyChIc'-" Ford mocked, "Tried to summon Bill to steal your safe code. He never got it, but him trying to opened up an opportunity for Bill to leave a mark inside your mind once more."

Stan snorted. "So he has to be invited in like a vampire?"

Bill rolled his eye. "POINT BEING. We're back in business now!"

"Better than before." Ford beamed. "While observing the brat's aftermath, we saw your AMAZING rescue!"

"Yeah?" Stan went red, embarrassed.

Ford nodded eagerly. "We saw- almost everything- the important bits at least! You put that rat in his place, AND got the journals!"

Stan chuckled. "... OH! He's the goat??"

Bill siiiighed.

Ford snickered and nodded. "Animals are easier to posses without permission, so it was our only way of making contact without a mind link."

Stan nodded, relaxing. The past few years making a bit more sense.

Ford beamed, nearly skipping as he tried to burn off some of his excited energy by pacing. "This couldn't be more perfect!! You have the full blueprints now, AND we have connection! OH! Have you looked at them yet? We need them."

"Yeah?" Stan chuckled, shifting the dream to the lab where he had the journals spread out. "Why?"

"We're working on a twin portal where we are." Ford explained, looking the plans over. "In hopes of stabilizing it a bit more. We're trying to bridge the world's the proper way, since we have a bit more than just Bill and I arriving."

"Do I need more beds?" Stan chuckled.

"We'll figure that out once home." Ford shrugged. "See how they adapt to Earth."

"Friends of yours?"

"Something like that." Ford nodded. "A little ragtag group of misfits, all looking for a place to belong."

Stan smiled. "Well, they found the right family for that."

Ford chuckled. He turned back to Stan. "Slick thinking with the Deed. And with the kid- uh- Dipper?"

Stan beamed. "Hey, it's what I do best.... I'll probably give it back to Dipper, means a lot to him. Plus he needs it as much trouble as he gets in."

"I should still have a photocopier around there somewhere." Ford chuckled, "Unless you sold it off?"

"Don't think so. I'll dust it off." He agreed.

Ford pulled Stan close, hugging tight once more. "I am so proud of you! Putting that twerp in his place!"

Stan laughed, beaming. He'd never had someone proud of him. "Yeah?"

"You were amazing!" Ford insisted.

Bill chuckled, "How long do you think we have to finish our end, Firebird?"

"I still gotta be careful how much I'm down here." Stan reminded. "Once I have a date for the next run, I'll.... I dunno..."

"If you stick my triangles back around the house-" Ford shoved him playfully. "We can keep an eye on things and see when it's time ourselves."

"Triangles?" Stan snorted.

"I had tapestries and portraits and carvings of Bill around the place. No idea what You did with them. But, every image of Bill can serve as a peephole into the world for us."

"So hide some Triangles-"

"With eyes." Ford reminds.

"Right. Some fancy triangles around the lab and living room, and you can help keep us safe? Maybe?"

"Can sure try." Bill chuckled. "Or at least warn you when shit's about to go down."

"Got it." Stanley nodded, smiling. "....You'll be home in time to meet the kiddos, Six."

Ford gave a nod. "Seems so...."

"You don't sound as excited?"

"...I'm- ...... Working thru some things about- Family."

Stan gave a nod, he kind of suspected it for awhile. "Well. I can show you some memories while you're here?"

"Sounds nice." Ford agreed, looking to Bill. "Do we have everything?"

Bill gave a thumbs up. "Yup. Got what we need to finish our end."

Stan chuckled, shoving his hands in his pockets. "So, a triangle huh?"

Ford siiighed deeply. "Must we go thru this again??"

"Guess it makes sense." Stan shrugged.

"..Oh?" Ford raised a brow.

"I mean. A triangle and a Square.~" Stan grinned.

Ford deadpanned, sighing and pinching his nose as Stan and Bill both cracked up. Ford shook his head, smiling slightly to see the pair highfive. "Very funny, Stanley."

Stan snickered. "Those better be engagement only, or I'm kicking your ass when you get home."

Ford chuckled, relaxing. "Naturally. Can't have a wedding without my Best Man after all."

Stan grinned mischievously. "Oh, please."

"What?"

"I'd be a Bridesmaid not a Groomsman if I'm standing on your side.~"

Ford went bright red.

Stan cackled and sprinted off, Ford chasing after to try to swat at him.

"STANLEY PINES!"

Stan laughed with glee, how he'd missed his brobro.

Bill laughed, watching the pair chase each other around the half-lab half-beach dream. Is this what Family was meant to feel like? He could get used to it.

Stan laughed as the pair eventually cooled down, flopping into the sand and staring up at the odd sky above them. The dream an even split between Stan's beach scape, and Ford's floating galaxy. "We'll have to fly Ma out."

Ford sat up, a bit shocked. "She's still- ...."

"Well yeah?" Stan laughed, grinning up to his brother. "She's only in her 90's. Life expectancy has gone up quite a bit since you've been gone. Medical advancements and all. She'll probably make it to a hundred at least."

Ford swallowed a lump in his throat, nerves filling him. "...Would she even want to... see me- I mean-"

"Come on, Six." Stan shrugged, "Ma loves us. No matter what."

Ford glanced to Bill, then back to Stan.

Stan rolled his eyes. "She'll take one look at how much you Smile now, and she'll love him too."

"I hope you're right." Ford sighed. "...Is...."

"Nope." Stan didn't even need Ford to ask.

Ford sighed in relief, then filled with guilt at the relief.

"He got what was coming to him."

"Stanley!"

"He did!"

"He's our father-"

"And a shitty one at that!" Stan insisted. "You don't owe him SHIT, Six! Not after what he put us thru!"

"He raised us-"

"Oh WOW! He did the bare fuckin' minimum! We didn't ask to be born. He chose to keep us. That's on HIM. We don't OWE him shit. He chose to sign up for a job, that we never asked him to. And he didn't even do it. The only thing you owe him is a middle finger, and living your best life to show he didn't fuckin' win."

Ford sighed. He still felt awful for being glad he was gone.

Stan reached over, holding his brother's hand, thumb rubbing where the scars should be. "You be as happy as you possibly can with your weird ass boyfriend, and let that piece of shit toss and turn in his miserable grave. We won, Six. We came out okay. Despite his best efforts. He didn't break us."

Ford smiled softly, squeezing Stanley's hand back. "He'd hate seeing what I've become...."

"Good. Anything he'd be proud of would be a miserable existence."

Bill sat in the sand next to Ford, leaning on him. "Being weird is WAY more fun, anyways."

Ford chuckled. "...My life certainly has been more memorable since I came to the Falls."

Stan gave a nod, starring up at the stars. "I wouldn't change our weird little family for the world. Quirks, bumps, bruises, and all."

Ford gave a stiff nod, a new guilt filling him. He'd still never told Stanley the full story. What they'd do.... Bill said the kids already didn't like him from a few mindscape shenanigans. Would they even want him as family if the entire world was chaos?

Bill glanced to Ford, he still had free access to that mind after all.

Bill held Ford's other hand tight, kicking his feet up onto Stanley's head.

Stan snickered but didn't object since they weren't on his face.

Ford glanced to Bill silently. Everything just felt.... Comfortable.

Ford smiled gently. For once, he really did believe he was loved. Scars and all.

Chapter Text

Ford sat up, running his thumb over his scars.

Bill yawned and stretched beside him.

Ford glanced over. "...We need to talk."

Bill snorted. "Way to start a morning, Sixer."

"Bill-"

"I know." Bill assured. "About Weirdmageddon?"

"....I like-.... I don't want to mess up-..." Ford frowned, worried Bill would be upset.

Bill reached over, holding his hand. "I know. Ford."

"....." Ford glanced to him. ".......I don't-..... Want to only know pain."

Bill gave his hand a squeeze. "We can always change our minds and take over in the future...." He said, aware they probably wouldn't.

"....Think the henchmaniacs will understand?"

Bill gave a shrug. "They should just be glad we're giving them a way out of this dying hellhole. If they don't like it, they can deal with Me."

Ford snorted. "......So. We go home and.... just be happy?"

"Sounds like a perfect world to me."

Ford smiled. "Me too.... Let's go get that portal finished."

Bill beamed, floating up. "Now you're speaking my language!"

Ford laughed, getting up.

"That's the last of it." Kryptos announced, closing up the panel.

Ford beamed. "Now we just wait on Stanley."

Bill's glow brightened. "Tonight we celebrate! Soon enough, we'll be home free of this dump!"

The maniacs all cheered, eager to leave.

Bill glanced to their many view portals into the shack. They tended to keep one or two always on, just in case Gideon or someone else tried anything. Ford had been anxious about things going too well. "Well, it look like Stanley's still working on his end for a bit more. Seems we have time for one more joy ride across the multiverse. Where do you want to go? Anywhere you'd like! One last hurrah!"

"Anywhere?" Ford glanced to Bill. He'd had a lot less nerves talking to him about hard things after the last dream.

"You name it." Bill insisted. "It can be our Pre-Honeymoon!" He joked.

Ford laughed. ".....I know.... you don't like discussing it much, but. I really would like to learn more about you...."

Bill tensed.

"I don't buy that there's no other worlds left at all like yours... I want to see one. I want to understand you more."

"....." Bill sighed. ".....Alright."

"Really??" Ford lit up, beaming.

Bill smiled fondly. "Yeah. Let's go see a Euclydia before we go. Just- Don't leave my side there, okay?....."

"Promise." Ford smiled.

"We'll also have to shape shift you a bit or we'll cause a panic. This is going to feel weird."

Ford nodded in understanding. "I trust you."

Bill looked to his crew. "Enjoy yourselves. You've all earned it."

Bill took Ford's hand, heading off with Ford to see about finding one last world to visit.

"That kid still up?" Amophous Shape was impresed, glancing to the peephole.

Pyrnoica gave a nod. "Me and 8Ball are taking bets on how many hours til he just passes out. I'm losing."

"I want in on this. What's the bets?"

"I thought he'd be out by 11, 8ball says he'll make it to 2am."

"Put me down for midnight."

Pyro laughed, nodding.

The crew idly watched as Dipper sat on the roof.

"I. Hate. You. Sound." Dipper yawned, eyes drifting shut.

"BOO!" Pyronica protested as the eyes shut right on 11:32.

"I win! I'm closer!" Amorph cheered.

The peephole shimmered slightly, the faint outline of the dream world shimmering around Dipper as he slipped off to sleep. "There has to be some shortcut or clue. Who would know about secret codes?" The kid mumbled, fast out of it.

The crew all fell silent and straightened up as they watched the barest ghost of an eye pupil appear over the moon, a small glint of a view into Dipper's dreams.

Despite the vision being faint, the voice was clear.

"I THINK I KNOW A GUY."

The crew watched in shock as a ghost of a Bill appeared before the sleeping Dipper. A Bill with a normal bow tie, no gem.

"....Oh, Boss is NOT going to be happy about this." Pyronica frowned.

"Do we go fetch them??" Amorph worried.

"Are you kidding me?? If any of us even PEEK at Bill's homeworld, he'd vaporize us on the spot!"

"If we let Stanford's family get hurt, Ford will vaporize us." Kryptos voiced nervously.

"Guys- Come on." Keyhole spoke up. "We saw these guys do insane things before. The Not-Ford will see something's wrong, and fix this."

Various agreements and "Oh yeah!"s around, the crew settled in to watch this play out.

Stan watched in worry at the kids fighting on stage. At first, he thought this was part of Mabel's weird play. But he saw a weird glint in Dipper's eyes when he pulled his camera out. Something was wrong.

Stan frowned, whispering under his breath one of the spells for Bill from Ford's journals.

Bill froze, glancing to the red square beside him. "Something's wrong- Stan's summoning me?"

Ford frowned, the most he could with only an eye. "Let's go."

Bill nodded, rushing them home, shifting Ford back human on the way.

"What's going on??" Bill demanded as they reached the maniacs all crowding around a view.

"Another Bill noticed the power vaccuum left in the Falls right now." Kryptos informed. "We THOUGHT Stanley could handle it-"

"He is. By calling me." Bill glared, watching as the kids defeated this other Bill.

"This isn't the last you'll hear of me. Big things are coming! You can't stop me!"

Bill's form turned red entirely, filling with rage to see just how hurt the kids looked, especially Dipper. "SOMEONE. FIND. THAT. IMPOSTER. NOW."

The henchmaniacs scattered, racing off to figure out which multiverse that one came from.

Ford frowned and sat down, meditating to try to reach out to Stanley.

"Bit late now. Things seem normal again."

"Sorry, Stanley. We were a bit busy ourselves over here- And don't take that to mean anything weird! Glad the kids are okay."

"What the hell was going on?"

"I'm not sure. We only caught the tail end of it. Seems a force from here noticed Bill not constantly meddling over there, and thought it could creep in on our territory. It won't happen again. We're tracking it down now."

"I should get the kid to a hospital."

"Good luck with that."

"Right..."

"I don't remember anything off hand, but perhaps you can figure something out from my Journals?"

"I'll see what I can do. Good luck on your end."

"Oh. I don't need luck. The beast who touched my kids does."

Stanley's laughter rang thru Ford's mind.

Ford sighed, opening his eyes. "Stanley's looking into a way to fix Dipper up."

Bill took a deeeeep breath, calming back down to yellow. ".....Still want those powers, Six? I think a vacancy's about to open Up."

Ford laughed, nodding.

The other Bill glared as he was tossed into a room with Ford and his Fiance.

Ford grinned. "How fascinating it is to meet a Cipher who's an Idiot."

"You thought we wouldn't notice you in OUR timeline, bub??" Ford's Bill cackled.

The other Bill rolled his eye. "Not my fault you weren't paying attention!"

"Oh. YOU HAVE OUR ATTENTION." Ford's fiance laughed maniacally.

The solo Bill caught a glint of Ford's ring, changing tactics. "Let's let bygones be bygones! You don't want to see a Bill get hurt, do ya, Six??"

Ford frowned. "You're right... I couldn't bear to hurt any version of my muse."

The Bill grinned, this was going to be easy!

Ford kissed his fiance's side, smiling. "Have fun, hun."

"Wait- What??" The imposter paled as Ford left the room, locking the door behind him.

Ford's Bill expanded and contorted, letting his full rage out. "YOU MADE ONE FATAL MISTAKE. YOU MESSED WITH MY KIDS!"

Chapter Text

"Preston, I must say, the guest list for this year's party has so much diversity!" Priscilla praised, excited.

"Yes, a nice mix of millionaires and billionaires." Preston nodded. He couldn't tell anymore if he believed his words or if they were laced with sarcasm. It didn't matter much, since he'd still play the role regardless. He wasn't a fool. He was aware the corner he trapped himself in. He just didn't have it in him to change it. Auldman was gone and was no longer a threat to those Preston cared for. He could change things..... But he didn't.

He didn't know why. Perhaps he thought it was too late for him. That he deserved this painfully forced life.

Perhaps he was scared to acknowledge that Stanley was right, and all of this had been for nothing. He sighed, adjusting the angle of a fork on the table. "Mind the oyster forks. We're not animals."

"Yes sir." The butler fixed the rest of the tableware.

"Now where the devil is-" Priscilla gasped, shocked. "Pacifica!"

Preston startled out of his thoughts, worried something was wrong. He sighed in relief to see his baby girl was just fine, and all dolled up for dinner.

"What did I tell you about that dress? The theme is seafoam green, not LAKE foam green! Go change!"

Preston internally rolled his eyes, she looked fine.

"But- I... I kinda like it-" Pacifica tried to push.

Preston did not feel up to hearing a lecture on why shades matter from his wife. "Mind your mother, Pacifica."

"But-"

Preston went over, straightening out his daughter's hair a bit. "We don't want to embarrass ourselves do we?"

Pacifica sighed. "Apologies, father."

Preston's heart ached to hear the disappointment in her voice. He did his best to give her as gentle a life as he could. But he still had a name to maintain. Life would be easier on her if she'd just behave.

If she didn't remind him of his younger self.

He was protecting her. He swears.

The family all gasped as the silverware began to shake and rattle, a few lifting off the table entirely. Preston held an arm out in front of his child. "Oh no.... It's happening..."

Preston grabbed his daughter's arm as he dove under the table, narrowly avoiding a plate to the face.

"Don't just hide?!" Priscilla scolded, joining him under the table. "Do something?! This is a disaster! The party's in just 24 hours!"

Preston frowned. He knew one person who could handle this. But he knew he never would after how things left off. Preston glanced to his little girl who was shaking as dishes smashed into the wall.... He'd help for her sake.... Or... Perhaps the younger ones. They seemed to always be in the middle of things going on around here. "I think I know just the person.... Pacifica, I'll need you to go fetch the Pines."

"Why?!" She scoffed.

"Listen to your parents." Preston did not want to get into this right now. "Now, get to the limo. I'll try to manage things here."

Pacifica took a breath, steeling her nerves and nodded. "I'm getting changed first. I am NOT being seen by that gross shack."

Preston's lip twitched slightly. He held back his frustration, shielding Pacifica as he rushed her back to her room.

Preston did his best to remember what Stanford had said and done last time he was here to soothe the ghosts. It worked, but not well. He could only calm the spirit for a couple of hours at a time.

He had to wait overnight to send Pacifica to the shack, since he doubted they'd get any help at all if they woke the family up. And then they had to spend the morning un-baricading the exits. The ghost must have been busy while Preston nodded off.

Still, he was relieved to see his little girl return with the younger Pines boy. "Ah, if it isn't the man of the hour!" Preston praised. "Hopefully you can help us with our little.... situation, BEFORE the guests arrive in an hour??" He really hoped.

"I'll do my best." Dipper promised.

Preston sighed in relief, briefly wondering if the kids came unsupervised. "Splendid! Pacifica, take our guest to the 'problem room'... and, uh.... he's not wearing THAT, is he?" Preston worried. He knew the Pines, and knew this would probably take more than an hour. He didn't need his party catching glimpses of someone in casual clothes and spreading rumors.

"I''m on it." Pacifica promised, grabbing Dipper's arm and dragging him away.

Preston sighed, worn out. Still, he needed to look like he had this all together. He had to seem strong. He raised a slight brow at the sight of the trio of girls who ran past him. This was going to be an.... interesting night. Preston grabbed a drink to hide his small smile. He'd missed interesting.

"Northwests!" The younger Pines boy shouted, causing quite a scene.

This was not the interesting he missed.

"You've got some explaining to do!" Dipper accused.

Preston glanced around. He hadn't been trained how to handle this.

"Dipper, you came back!" Pacifica beamed.

Preston's heart ached. She sounded so happy to have a real friend... And to watch it crash and burn like his own.

"You lied to me! All of you did! All you had to do was let the townsfolk into the party and you could've broken the curse!"

Preston glanced away.

"But you made me do your dirty work instead!"

Preston had to salvage this. Had to maintain face. This can't all have been for nothing. He can't have wasted his life for nothing. Wasted his happiness. "We have expectations to maintain, boy. It's not something I'd expect your kind to understand."

"'My kind'??" Dipper scoffed. Dipper faced Pacifica, who was trying her best to go unnoticed. "I was right about you all along. You're just as bad as your parents. Another link in the world's worst chain!"

"I'm sorry-" Pacifica tried to salvage this.

Preston's blood was boiling. NO ONE insulted the ONE joy Preston had left! He stepped between the two, on the defensive. "Enjoy the party." He whispered, a heavy threat behind his words. "It's the last time you and your kind will ever come." Preston grabbed Pacifica's arm, pulling her away from the brat's insults.

Dipper scoffed and stormed off.

Preston knelt down, straightening out his daughter's hair and gown. "Nevermind that boy's words. You. Are a gift. My little princess."

"Yes, father." Pacifica responded, heart not in her words.

Preston frowned, kissing her forehead. "I love you."

"I know... I should- Wash up- For the party." Pacifica ran away from him.

Preston frowned, heart aching.

Preston was barely even present, mentally, for the rest of the party. He just needed to go thru the motions and it'd all be fine. He just needed to finish this. Preston raised a glass in an obligatory toast. "A toast! To our family name-" Preston jumped at the glass suddenly shattering, laughter filling the room. "What?!"

"GENERATIONS LOCKED AWAY, MY REVENGE SHALL HAVE ITS DAY!"

Preston paled. He thought the child-

Preston's mind reeled to focus back in on the present as his party devolved into sheer panic. Everything was falling apart.

Preston jumped at hands gripping his arm, finding his wife clinging to him.

"Preston, what are we going to do?!"

"...Prepare the panic room." Preston decided. He needed to find Pacifica. He had to protect her.

Preston could barely keep track of his own movements as the rushing crowd and staff surged around him. He caught horrifying glimpses of people turning to wood. "Pacifica?!" He called out to the crowd, terrified, as he was pulled into the hidden room by his wife.

"Hey, ugly! Over here! You want me to let in the townsfolk? 'Cause I'll do it! Just change everyone back!"

Preston forced the hand off his arm. That was Pacifica's voice- Preston shoved the panic room door back open, peeking out.

"YOU WISH TO PROVE YOURSELF? PULL THAT LEVER AND OPEN THE GRAND GATE TO THE TOWN! FULFILL YOUR ANCESTORS' PROMISE!" The ghost demanded.

"Pacifica Elise Northwest!" Preston shouted over the screams, voice full of worry. "We can't let the town see us like this?! We have a reputation to uphold!" Preston frowned, he couldn't let her become a laughing stock. Imagine how they'd treat her. "Now come into the panic room. There's enough mini-sandwiches and oxygen to last us both for a full week!"

Priscilla side eyed her husband. Both?? There'd be three down here!

Pacifica frowned, glancing to the wooden statue that once was Dipper Pines. She reaches for the lever-

"Pacifica!" Preston insisted.

"Is her common sense broken?!" Preston heard a fellow elite scoff before turning to wood themself.

Preston hesitated.

"Our family name is broken!" Pacifica stomped her foot. "And I'm going to fix it!"

Preston gave her a nod.

Pacifica grabbed the lever, opening the gate.

"Preston?!" Priscilla scolded.

Preston ignored her, climbing out of the panic room and heading for his little- well.... She didn't seem so little at the moment. Preston pulled Pacifica close, hugging her tight. 

He didn't need to protect her. He needed to listen to her.

"Preston!" Priscilla rushed over, watching the crowd pour in. "The riffraff! They're everywhere!"

Preston glanced over. He missed interesting. "At least this has been a memorable party."

"Have you gone mad?!"

"....No." Preston smiled to Pacifica, ruffling her hair a bit. "....For once, I think I've got it right."

Pacifica beamed happily up at her dad. "Can I go have fun now?"

He nodded, pushing her off gently.

Pacifica ran off to check on the Pines. A little confused by her dad, but hey, she wasn't about to question it.

"I don't even know who you are right now!" Priscilla glared Preston down.

Preston gave a shrug. "You'd have to have ever known me to start with...."

Priscilla gasped, starring at him. "Excuse you?"

Preston didn't know what came over him. He didn't have any wine or champagne to blame. Maybe it was the adrenaline from almost facing certain death. Maybe it was his daughter reminding him to be Human again. Maybe he was just too damned old to care anymore. But, he turned and held out his hand to her. "Nice to meet you, ma'am. I'm Preston Northwest. I'm gay."

"WHAT?!" Priscilla shrieked at him.

Preston headed off to his room. He'd had quite enough of pretending for the night.

Preston knocked gently before peeking into Pacifica's room. "Sweetie?"

Pacifica looked over from her vanity, brushing the many tangles the night had caused. "Yes?"

Preston entered the room, shutting the door behind him. "Did you have fun tonight?"

"....Am I in trouble?"

"No." He laughed, sitting on the edge of her bed. "Not in the slightest."

Pacifica put her brush down and climbed up next to him. "Is everything okay?... Mother sounded... pretty mad earlier."

"Ah- Yes... That was-...." Preston sighed. "I handled something in a very.... childish and poor manner. I wasn't thinking straight.... I haven't been for... a long time."

Pacifica glanced up at him, confused.

".....I used to be like you. When I was young.... Testing the limits of what I could get away with. I hadn't yet been broken down by the world into fitting inside the box I was born in."

"Really?" Pacifica couldn't picture her dad ever breaking the rules. Well- The Northwest ones. "....What happened?"

"My behavior almost costed someone important to me, the thing important to them. And I let my father convince me that conforming and fitting into my box, was the ONLY way to prevent it. I had my own chance to pull a lever on my life.... And I hid instead. Instead of taking that risk."

Pacifica frowned, leaning against his side. "Do you regret it?"

"....Yes and no. I regret the happiness I stole from myself. I regret letting the ones important to me get hurt-.... I don't regret having you." He kissed the top of her head. "You. Have been the single best thing to happen to me as a Northwest."

Pacifica smiled softly. ".....This..... important person. Do you still love her?"

"Ah-" Preston went red, voice strained. "Well- See-....." He sighed. "That's- what has your mother so upset at the moment and... why things-.... Things are going to be changing."

Pacifica sat back, concerned. "Dad?"

".....It's a Him."

"........Oh." Pacficia blinked, processing. "Oh."

Preston sat in tense silence, worried.

"....I guess part of those changes is...a divorce then, huh?"

"Probably so. Yes." He nodded. ".....I'm sorry. I know this can't be easy on you."

"Mother makes me feel bad, anyways." Pacifica blurted out.

"What??" Preston frowned, facing his daughter.

Pacifica covered her mouth, shocked by her own admission.

"Pacifica...." Preston spoke gently, trying to not sound mad.

"...She just-" Pacifica sighs, tugging at her hair a bit. Detangling it with her fingers. "She makes being pretty sound like- It's the most important thing I can do.... But I don't.... want. to be JUST pretty..... I don't want to be a trophy wife- Yeah, I know about that."

Preston sighed, pulling her close and cradling her tight. "Your mother means well-"

"Dad??"

"I'm serious. She's doing what she was raised to believe is right... Like I was. She just- Didn't have someone to save her from herself.... Give her time. She'll come around."

Pacifica sighed, hugging him tight.

Preston hugged back, crying in relief to finally be... free again.

Pacifica squirmed free after a few minutes, going back to her vanity to finish her hair. "So. Who is this super special guy, anyways?"

Preston went red, looking away.

".....Do I know him?" Pacifica glanced at her father thru the mirror.

"....Ah- Well-" Preston stared in shock at the floor. He'd have to tell her eventually.

"......You DO have good taste, still..... Right???" Pacifica turned to face her dad.

I am NOT being seen by that gross shack.

Preston stood up and headed for the door. "Yes, well. I just wanted to check on you. Sweet dreams, goodnight."

"DAD?!"

Preston fled the room. Finding himself running not back to his own, but to the garage. He hesitated. Dare he?...

He glanced down the hall. In one room, was his daughter who he was not about to answer the questions of. In another, his soon to be ex wife who was furious with him.

Preston grabbed his keys.

Chapter Text

Preston sighed to himself as he rested his head on the steering wheel. He'd been parked outside the shack for twenty minutes, unable to bring himself to get out and go knock.

What if he didn't want to see him? What if one of the kids answered the door?

What if no one answered at all and he stood there like an idiot?

Preston frowned to himself. What if Stanley hated him after everything?

Preston glanced to the house once more. He should just go home, deal with Priscilla.

Preston tensed as light poured out of the house suddenly, the door open.

Preston took a deep breath and glanced over, finding Stan leaning on the doorway with his arms crossed.

He hated Preston, he had to. Preston would deserve it. Preston swallowed the lump in his throat and slowly got out of the car.

Stan gave a small nod, speaking quietly, "I'll have to let Six know that curse held back longer than he expected. He only guessed a couple decades, not three."

Preston gave a small chuckle. "Seems so.... Your kids are really something amazing."

"From what they told me, so's yours."

Preston smiled softly at that, relaxing a bit. "No thanks to me..."

"Don't sell yourself short." Stan rolled his eyes. "She sure didn't get it from her Gramps."

Preston snorted. Stan had a point there. He opened his mouth to speak, but just... wasn't sure what to say. What could he say after everything?

"...Want to come in for a bit?" Stan offered, pointing behind him.

Preston jumped a bit at that, startled out of his thoughts. "Is that-.. I mean-... What about your kiddos?"

"They're asleep upstairs." Stan gave a shrug, heading back inside.

Preston felt like his feet weighed more than his car, but still, he forced himself forward. It was different inside the shack, but not to the point of being unfamiliar. It was reassuring.

It was different, but it still felt like home. A bit like Stanley himself.

"Stan-" Preston sighed, finding his voice.

Stan raised a brow at him, pulling out a dinning room chair for Pres before grabbing them each a soda.

Preston sat down, hands clasped together on the table to keep still. Preston stared hard at his hand. He had taken his ring off before he'd even gone to talk to Pacifica. He wasn't even sure where he placed it. He'd just wanted it off. The entire night was a massive blur of emotions.

"I told Priscilla and Pacifica.."

Stan set a soda down next to Preston's hands, nudging him with the cold can. "Yeah?"

"Well-..... I told Pacifica. I more blurted it out harshly AT Priscilla...."

Stan snickered at that, sitting down and cracking open his own soda. "Yeah? Wish I'd been there to see that."

"UHG-" Preston went red, covering his face. "I pray NO ONE took notice of it. I handled tonight in just- all of the worst ways possible."

Stan tried not to laugh, realizing Preston was actually upset right now. "Yeah, well, nearly dying gets the best of most people."

Preston sighed deeply, sitting up a bit to grab the soda can. "I need to talk with Priscilla properly, but.... It's pretty clear we will not be staying together."

Stan frowned, giving a nod. "She going to stay in the manor for Pacifica?"

"I have... no idea. If she does, it's not like I lack the space for her. We'll just need to.... figure it out."

"How'd Pacifica take it?"

"I'm not sure... She seems calm about it, but it's hard to know how much of that is her trying to save face. She did seem to be under the assumption it'll mean Priscilla is leaving when I confirmed we'd be splitting up."

"Time will tell, I Guess." Stan sighed.

Preston lifted his can slightly, a small toast to that, before taking a sip- And promptly fighting the urge to spit it back out, borderline choking on the drink as he forced it down.

Stan doubled over in laughter at that, "Are you ok??"

Preston coughed and wiped his mouth, embarrassed at- everything! "I forgot how Sweet those are??"

Stan only laughed harder, grinning. "Can't handle a soda, princess?"

Preston's face was on fire as he turned even more red, kicking at Stanley under the table. "We don't all consume garbage daily!"

Stanley's laughter only got louder at that. "God, you're still so-"

"Pretentious." Both finished, Stan in laughter, Preston in mockery.

Both smiled softly at the other at that. Some things never changed.

Preston pushed his soda a bit away, uninterested in trying again for the time being. "Pacifica is.... aware I have an interest in someone, and that this interest is why I can't be with her mother any longer."

Stan snorted, raising a brow. "Someone, eh? Do I know him?" He joked, leaning forward.

It was Preston's turn to laugh, smiling wide. "I uh-... chickened out on telling her who tho... She has a pretty.... negative view of the Mystery Shack... I'll tell her- I just-..."

"She's gone thru enough today to have something else keeping her up?" Stan filled in.

Preston gave a nod. "Stanley- I'm sorry. For a lot of things-"

"Oh, save it." Stan shrugged, taking a sip of his drink. "I told you long ago. I get it. It's the same reason Sixer didn't talk Pa into not throwing me out. I'm still here for him, tho."

Preston stared at Stanley at that. Hopeful. But... he didn't dare ask. He still didn't feel he deserved to. "No." Preston looked at Stan fully. "Even if you understand it, you still deserve an apology. I'm sorry for how things ended, Stanley. Even if the end result was still the same, and we still parted ways, I should have handled telling you about it differently. I treated you like some... game piece, to move around as I wished for my own wishes in life. I hadn't even considered how it'd be for you to watch me live a fake life while you were stuck in the shadow. I was cruel, even if I hadn't realized it at the time. And I'm sorry. You didn't deserve that."

Stan swallowed a lump in his own throat, trying to not let his eyes tear up.

"I don't want a life where I fill a role on a board, surrounded by people who praise every little thing I do... I want an interesting life, with people who care about me enough to tell me when I'm being a moron. I want to be real..... I just don't-... I don't know how to do that. I don't know how to just be.... human."

Stan watched Preston's expression carefully. "...You already are tho." He gave a shrug. "You be human by letting yourself mess up. Make the bad choices. Handle nights in the worst way possible. Do things not because you think there's little risk, but because you think it's worth it."

"What if I don't know the risks involved?"

"One way to find them out."

Preston glanced up fully, meeting Stanley's eyes finally. Preston leaned over, and stole a kiss.

Stanley set his drink to the side to grab Preston's face to keep him there.

The pair jolted apart at a creak from the floor above them.

"I suppose I should-" Preston got up to flee to his car, heart racing.

Before he could try, his hand was grabbed and he found himself being pulled further into the shack.

Preston covered his own mouth to not yelp at the sudden pull, glancing behind him enough to catch the kitchen light flicking on.

Preston glanced back towards Stan, in time to see them both duck into a room. "Stanley, what in the-"

Preston found himself pressed back into the door, and everything far, far too warm for comfort.

"I'm real tired of letting things slip away." Stanley gave a shrug, kissing Preston once more.

Preston found himself clinging to Stanley like old times. He knew he'd be in for quite a storm if he didn't come back to the manor until morning.

Eh, let it pour then, he decided. Preston forced one hand to leave Stan's hair, so he could lock the door. He wasn't going anywhere.

Chapter Text

"Dipper?" Mabel yawned, half awake. "Why are you up?"

Dipper say quietly on his bed, sipping silently on a cup of water.

"Dipper?" Mabel sat up, concerned.

"Nightmare." He mumbled, glancing to the window. "....Might still be asleep..."

"What?" Mabel went over, sitting by him.

"Do we still have the memory gun?"

"No???" Mabel was more worried now.

Dipper finished his water, glancing out the window. He could still see that dumb car. ".........." Dipper got up.

"Dipper?? What's going on?" Mabel sighed.

"If I have to deal with this, I'm traumatizing her too."

"Her??"

Dipper nodded at the window, digging thru his things. He's pretty sure he still had a camera here somewhere.

Mabel rubbed her eyes, trying to wake up fully as she trudged over to the window. She squinted out, trying to see in the dark. "....Who's fancy car is-" She was awake. "Why is she here?"

"SHE's not." Dipper grabbed his camera, going over and opening the window to get a clearer photo. "I'm showing this to her tomorrow tho."

"But then-" Mabel paused, gears turning. "Dipper..... What did you see downstairs?"

"Enough to wish we still had the memory gun." He snickered, putting the camera up to print tomorrow.

Mabel squealed. "This means we have a new cousin!"

"Oh. She's going to HATE this." Dipper laughed happily.

Mabel gasped. "I need to make her a welcome to the family sweater!"

Dipper snickered, heading back to bed.

At least he wasn't suffering alone in this weird little town. "Don't stay up too late, Mabel."

"I won't!" She promised.

"And here I thought Grunkle Stan marrying a statue was weird." Dipper sighed.

"There's nothing weird about love Dipper!"

".......Your mind scares me, Mabel."

"Thank you!"

Dipper laughed, curling up for bed. He supposed this was just par for the course in this weird town.

Dipper sat up. "Is THAT why Pacifica has been invited to the Shack Parties?!"

Mabel paused her knitting to stare at Dipper, mouth agape. ".....I'm making two sweaters now. Hers, and a Stepdad sweater."

Dipper doubled over in laughter.

Chapter Text

Preston stretched out, comfortable and content.

Stan chuckled softly, "Mornin."

"Mmm." Preston cracked open an eye. "How dead am I?"

"Probably not very. It's only five in the morning."

"..........Why am I up." Preston sighed, laughing.

Stan snickered.

"Why are YOU up?" Preston sat up, not used to Stan being an early riser.

"It's part of gettin' old I think." Stan shrugged.

Preston rolled his eyes, glancing over the familiar journal Stan was reading- "You found the others??"

"Something like that." Stan gave a nod. "It's mostly getting time to get her built at this point.... Maybe a week. Two? Parts depending."

Preston grinned, happy for his love. "I'll be sure to get you in touch with one of my best lawyers then."

"Lawyers?" Stan set the book aside, confused.

"Stan..... You're legally dead." Preston reminded. "And once he's home you can't BOTH be Stanford."

".....Right." Stan frowned, worried. He didn't plan this far ahead.

"Relax." Preston kissed his cheek before getting up and getting dressed. "There are very few problems, especially legal ones, money cannot fix."

"I can't ask you to fix my problems, Pres."

"You're not." Preston gave a shrug, "I'm offering."

"You have your own stuff to deal with..."

"And this would be a welcome distraction from the hell my life is about to be for the next few weeks."

Stan sighed, worried for him.

Preston glanced over his shoulder at Stan, hesitating to speak. They hadn't so much as talked in well over a decade, but they were also together for so long beforehand.... "When he comes back...." Preston wrinkled his nose at his suit's jacket, crumpled and mistreated so. He'd need to get this ironed when he got home. "He'll probably want his space back......"

Stan sat up a bit, paying attention.

"I know for the time being you have your niece and nephew.... but.... I DO have space...... If you can stand to put up with Priscilla until this is all settled..."

Stan smiled fondly, chuckling. "Ford's probably not coming alone either so. Would probably need any space I can give him..... Your daughter might not be too fond of it."

Preston chuckled. "She'll learn to love you. You have a way of winning people over."

Stan beamed at that, puffing up in pride. ".....Mystery Shack's probably gonna close..." Stan realized. "Ford's going to want his lab back....."

Preston grinned, glancing at Stanley once more. "I'm sure we can come to an... arrangement."

Stan snickered, grinning back. "We'll figure it out once he's home I guess. He may not even like this old cabin after all my upgrades."

"Well, whatever the case ends up." Preston returned to the bed, sitting on the edge and holding Stan's hand. "You know where I'll be."

Stan nodded, stealing a kiss. "Get outta here before my kids get up or neither of us are hearing the end of this."

Preston laughed and got up. "I've missed you, Stanley."

"Missed you too, Princess."

"Annnd you ruined it." Preston sighed dramatically, grinning wide.

Stan stretched out, finally getting up to get dressed himself.

"Best of luck." Preston grabbed his keys.

"I'm gonna need it." Stan chuckled, hiding the journal back away.

Preston checked his phone, frowning at the number of calls. ".....Dead man walking."

"That makes two of us then." Stan joked.

Preston laughed at that, nodding. He opened the door slowly, peeking down the halls and leaving as quietly as he can manage.

Stan headed down to the lab.

Preston sighed as he saw Priscilla waiting for him just inside the house.

"And WHERE have YOU been?"

"Isn't it too early for this?"

"Do you have ANY idea how EMBARRASSING last night was?! And now you're running off all night- Probably ruining your name worse-"

"Aren't you TIRED of this, Priscilla??" Preston sighed, exasperated. "Surely, you can NOT be happy being just-.... a decoration?? To those around you?"

Priscilla glared him down. "We have a reputation-"

"I don't WANT it! And I CERTAINLY don't want it for my daughter! She's MISERABLE in this life-"

"She has everything she could ever want-"

"She doesn't have friends, Priscilla."

"She has those two little friends over constantly-"

"People who hang out with you for what you give them are not friends." Preston headed for his room for a shower.

"What difference does it make-"

"A LOT. PRISCILLA." Preston rounded on her, throwing his hands up in stress. "THIS is why things need to change!"

"We had everything-"

"You are not changing my mind, Priscilla. I tucked tail and gave up once, I will NOT do it again. I want to be HAPPY."

"And what do you expect me to do, hm?? Do you have any idea how bad this makes me look?!"

"Frankly, my dear. I don't give a fuck."

Priscilla's mouth fell open as she stared in Preston in shock.

"I can't. Keep doing this.... I don't care what you do. You're still Pacifica's mother, so if you wish to stick around, you can keep living here. You can keep pretending to be a Northwest. I don't care. It's not like I'm lacking the space. Stay here, live off my money. But you do not get to keep a leash on me. And you do not get to make MY daughter feel like all she has for a future is being some man's pet."

Priscilla stormed off, furious.

Preston sighed. He hoped she'd come around eventually. But, that was up to her. Perhaps once they began socializing with the townsfolk more, she'd learn to enjoy it as well.

"Coffee, sir?" One of the staff wheeled over a cart.

"Yes, please." Preston sighed in relief, pouring himself a cup.

"Of course, sir." They gave a half bow.

Preston headed for his room, but paused. He glanced back to his employee. "...Thank you." Preston smiled.

The staff grinned back. "You're welcome, sir."

Preston grabbed his door handle, grinning slightly to overhear the first start to excitedly whisper to another down the hall.

"Master Stan must be back."

"Oh, how wonderful."

Preston tried to not laugh, entering his room. He'd have to tell Stan he's been missed later.

You should thank your staff more, you know.

He was just like Priscilla, once upon a time. If he could learn to be better, she could too. She just needed someone to guide her there.

Hopefully, he could make her see that. She was still Pacifica's mother after all.

Pacifica. He sighed, he was not looking forward to her questions. But he did need to tell her, before she found out a hard way.

Later.

All of that later.

Right now he needed a burning hot shower, and his coffee.

Chapter Text

Grunkle Stan... I trust you.

Ford held his breath as he watched their portal spark to life, desperately seeking out its other end.

"How do we know its safe?" Pyronica worried.

"Or that its the right place and we aren't going to get turned in." Kryptos pointed out.

"I have faith in Stanley- And in my own work." Ford nodded, crossing his fingers in his pocket.

"We'll go first." Bill assured. "And peek back in to let you know."

"And how do we know you won't leave us here?" Amorph challenged.

Bill rolled his eye. "After everything I've done for you ungrateful lot?? Please."

Ford snickered. "I'll cross alone. You all can trust I won't leave Bill behind."

Bill side eyed him, nervous. "Shouldn't I go first? If it's dangerous-"

"And if it's not, you've already shot yourself in the foot with the kids."

Bill grumbled, annoyed that Ford was right.

"I hope this works." Teeth worried, pointing off into the distance. "This seems to be ripping this world apart faster than usual."

"We'll be okay." Ford promised, having no way of knowing that.

Bill reached over, turning Ford's head to face him and stealing a kiss. "Good luck."

Ford smiled, focusing back on the portal as gravity began to loosen, even in this odd nowhere realm."Keep together! I don't know how long we'll have once we disturb it."

Ford took a deep breath, pulling his goggles down to not be blinded by the portal's light. His human form was still more fragile than his- Were they friends? Ford glanced behind him, to everyone keeping everyone else close... Yeah. His friends. Ford smiled. He made sure his heavier coat and mask were in place, protection for his vulnerable form from the portal. He wasn't trying to get hurt like when he arrived. It was perhaps a bit overboard, but he needed to ensure they'd all cross safely.

Bill gave a nod as the colors settled into the correct hue. "Time to fly, Icarus."

Ford chuckled and stepped thru.

"Wha-... Who is that??" Dipper asked, nervous.

"The author of the journals..." Stanley dusted off carefully, getting up. "My brother."

Ford pulled his mask and goggles off, grinning to finally be home.

Stan stared in shock, looking over a face not yet creased by age, and brown hair with only the starting flecks of silver down the sides.

Ford took half a step back, finally having a true look at his brother. His older, grey haired brother. He finally understood fully why Bill could go days and weeks at a time without visiting him way back when....

"...Guess I see why you still see us in our thirties in your dreams, Six." Stan chuckled awkwardly.

Ford laughed, relaxing. "And here I assumed Duck eyes were just weird..."

"Where's the others?"

"Ah- Right." Ford turned back to the portal, extending his hand back inside to reach for Bill.

Stan helped the kids and Soos back to their feet.

"Others?" Dipper looked between the pair, confusion growing.

"My brother's got a few friends moving in to town as well."

Ford smiled as he felt his hand be held, pulling Bill thru to their side.

"HIM?!" Dipper recoiled, stepping behind Stan.

Stan frowned, glancing to Dipper. "Kid??"

"That's the guy who's been tormenting us all summer!"

Stan's eyes widened, glancing to Ford in worry and unease.

"Okay. ONE." Bill scoffed. "You ran into a triangle TWICE. 'All summer'. Rude."

"Bill-" Ford scolded, raising his hands in a sign of peace. "Look- This is all a big misunderstanding."

Stan pulled Mabel behind him as well, concern growing.

"Stanley?!" Ford scoffed, hurt his brother wasn't as least hearing him out first.

"Why didn't you tell me he'd had a run in with the kids??"

"Stanley?" Dipper glanced to his Grunkle.

"It didn't seem important in the moment! If you'll just let us explain-" Ford tried to assure.

"Explanations later. We don't know that the portals going to hold." Bill reminded, heading back thru to get the rest.

"Right-" Ford sighed. This wasn't going how he hoped.

"KID!" Stan shouted.

Ford whipped around to see Dipper sprinting for the button. "STOP!"

"HE'S BAD NEWS-" Dipper's hand hovered over the button.

"We can explain everything if you just let us get everyone safe first!" Ford begged, glancing between Dipper and the portal. If Dipper moved to press it... he wasn't sure which side he'd stay on.

"Everyone?? More demons?!"

"He's not a- You sound like F-"

Dipper's eyes narrowed. "Fff... as in... Fiddleford McGucket?!"

Ford tensed. "How do you know that name-"

"ARE YOU WHY HE WENT CRAZY!"

"No!- I- ... It's complicated!" Ford frowned, heart racing. If he had to chose a side to be on... He glanced to his glove, able to see the outline of the rings below it. Ford took half a step back, towards the portal. If he had to chose...

"ARE YOU EVIL TOO?!"

Ford tensed. "That's- subjective-"

Dipper's hand twitched, ready to slam down.

"You've trusted my journals this far! Trust me now!" Ford begged.

"HOW DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT?!" Dipper's fear only grew.

Ford sighed in relief as Stan scooped Dipper up and away from the button.

"Not everything is out to get you, kid!" Stan insisted, backing away with the thrashing child.

Ford took his glove off, palms once more discolored and scar covered from the Edge. Bill's magic only having been a temporary fix. "Look- Pine Tree- Dipper-" Ford corrected, realizing the lesser Bill may have tainted that name. Ford held his palm out to be seen. "We just want to be safe. Please."

Stan and Dipper both froze, staring at the injury, worried what could have possibly caused it.

Dipper fell still, not fighting Stan.

Ford sighed in relief, glancing back to the portal. "Come on, Bill.... What's the hold up..."

"How long can this thing hold?" Stanley worried.

"I don't know- It's not ripping the lab apart as bad as it used to which is a plus, but it still distorts gravity-" Ford frowned.

Just as Ford was about to risk going back across, Bill echo'd into his mind. "Zanthar's too big for the portal, and my attempts to shrink him get reverted when he touches it."

Ford swore under his breath, rushing into the main section of his lab to look thru his supplies.

"Sixer??" Stan called over, setting Dipper down.

"One of them's too large. We assumed Bill could shrink him, but the portal overrides Bill's magic."

Dipper bolted, not for the button, but for the elevator.

"Kid?!" Both Stan's shouted in concern and confusion.

"Mabel!" Dipper grabbed his sister's hand on the way.

Mabel grinned, catching on. "GRAPPLING HOOK!" She cheered, using her hook to yank the pair out of the lab."

Ford looked to Stan, bewildered.

Stan gave a shrug. "Guess they have a plan?"

Ford sighed, anxious. Working on it. He thought, praying Bill was listening.

It didn't take long for the pair to come tumbling back down the elevator's chute.

Dipper held out a flashlight to Ford, a crystal tied across the front.

Ford beamed proudly, "The height crystals! Brilliant!-.... What happened to this one??"

"Long story. We swear it works. We used it on Soos." Dipper pointed to the handyman who was just enjoying this show.

Ford gave a nod, pulling his mask and goggles back on and sprinting for the portal.

"Stanford-!" Stan shouted, too late to stop him. He couldn't lose him again. Not after everything. Stan's hand shook in the air, outstretched in a failed attempt to stop Ford.

Dipper frowned, going over and holding his Grunkle's hand.

Stan held Dipper close, pulling Mabel into the hug as well.

Soos glanced to the family.

Stan gave a nod.

Soos beamed and joined the huddle.

Stan sighed in relief as Ford returned once more, Bill by his side. "I'm getting too old for this."

Ford snickered, holding out a hand into the portal to help each of their friends thru. Bill guiding them down the steps as they adjust to Earth's specific gravity.

Stan watched, eyes wide, as each creature stepped thru. Colorful bunch... He's not sure what he was expecting.

Ford glanced around, double checking everyone was thru before going over and turning the portal off himself. Ford let out a deep sigh of relief, collapsing to his knees from the nerves.

Bill floated over, lifting his chin to check on him.

"I'm okay." Ford smiled. "Just tired."

Bill chuckled. "We did good."

Ford gave a nod. "...Welcome home." He joked, pulling Bill close for a kiss.

".........Think we can get McGucket to make a new memory gun NOW?" Dipper whispered to his sister.

"I think they're cute." Mabel giggled, always a sucker for love.

".......I worry for you."

Mabel rolled her eyes, shoving Dipper away.

Stan chuckled, letting the kids go and heading over to his brother.

Ford forced himself to his feet, holding his arms open.

Stan grinned and hugged his brother close, clinging to him.

Ford gripped back just as tight, crying into his brother's shoulder.

Chapter Text

Ford tried his best to not yelp as the house above them rumbled from an impact.

"Ah- Shit- Right." Stan let his brother go. "The government agents..."

"Govern-" Ford sighed. He shouldn't even be surprised. "How many??"

"...A lot?" Stan gave a shrug.

Dipper frowned. "Okay, now I REALLY wish we had the memory gun..."

Mabel gave a nod, for once agreeing.

Ford looked to Bill. ".....You should be unlimited now, right?"

Bill cackled in delight. "Think I should go have a bit of fun?"

"Keep it PG." Ford reminded. "I'm too tired to mop up the porch."

Dipper stared at Ford in several layers of concern. "What??"

"Yeah, yeah." Bill cackled, cracking his knuckles. "Going to need to draw their attention away from the house to start... buy myself time to see how many there are...." Bill adjusted his hat and vanished into thin air.

"Going to leave us bored??" Ford called out, chuckling.

The portal behind them suddenly began to glow, not on but acting as a screen. It's close enough to Bill's shape to count.

Ford found something to rest on and sat down, enjoying the show.

Bill re-materialized, sitting on top of the totem pole outside the shack. Bill tapped his foot along to the music suddenly filling the air. "Today's just so wonderful, I feel like chuckling 
Ha ha ha!"

Stan deadpanned, slowly sitting next to his brother. "Is he... Singing???"

Ford chuckled fondly. "He has a thing for musical theater."

"He's singing.... to the agents..."

"Oh, just trust him."

"Every thing I heard from either of you makes me trust you less."

Ford rolled his eyes.

Bill waved at the agents who were now watching him, confused. Bill materialized a small duck into his hands, petting it. "I feel all fuzzy inside like a duckling-" Bill floated off the pole, crushing the illusion in his hands and turning into into a swarm of tarantulas raining down on the agents. "Full of tarantulas!"

Bill watched in joy as they scrambled away from his arachnid rain. "And now that I'm here.. Tonight? It's gonna get-" Bill engulfed the bullets fired at him in blue fire, melting them away before they even make contact. "WEIRD."

Bill sighed as a few refocused on trying to break into the shack. He'd need to pick this up a bit!

"Look at these creatures, not enough features! Cats should breath fire, bears should sing choir!" Bill cheered as he conjured illusions of his every chaotic thought. Regaining the focus of the agents fully, who now swarmed to try to capture him.

"Very nice!" Bill praised his singing bear, petting it's head before turning his focus on the totem pole. "Look at this tower under my power!" He beamed, separating each of the creatures out and letting them swarm the agents, further corralling them.

"Look at these people, puny and feeble!" Bill laughed, floating around the group to block their access to the shack. He grew in size until he was nearly the size of the house itself. They weren't getting around this!

"LOOK!" Bill slammed himself down, making a few agents stumble and lose their balance. "I'm just a triangle trying to save. From the delusions society gave you. Gravity's a lie-" Bill floated once more, lifting all the agents with him into the air. "So is the sky! Trust in the all-seeing, all-knowing EYE!" Bill dropped everything back down, the agents now on the side of the house, away from the door entirely.

Bill shrank back to his normal size, picking up a dropped wallet happily, turning it over to show off the pyramid on the back. "Look at this money- Who's that, honey?? Look thruout history, how could you miss me?!" Bill eagerly used the windows of the shack to display the many icons of history he's had made in his image. Bill laughed, pointing to the shack itself. "Seriously, I'm ALL over the place!"

"Look at this weather, I could do better. Mandelbrot rainbows, screaming tornadoes!" Bill sang happily, wielding his weather to group the agents back up for the finale. It was almost cute how they thought they could run away! The tornadoes in question yanking open a few of the doors on their vehicles.

"Look at this loser, drinking coffee-" Bill floated over to one who almost escaped his notice, safe in his car. "Now it's decaf!" Bill laughed happily as the agent spewed his drink back out. Bill yanked him into the crowd as well.

"Look at these people, calling me evil!" Bill floated above the crowd, all eyes trained solely on him. "Right back at ya, now you're all captured!"

Collars of blue light latched onto each agent, forcing each one to their knees as Bill hijacked their minds. Once all linked, Bill's 'bricks' began to flash with various memories from them all, sorting thru how much they knew about Stanford and the Falls. "Now everything you know has disappeared." Bill's magic worked swiftly, altering, cutting, and reorganizing them all at once. They made it easier by mostly all being the same!

"It's gonna get. Weeeeird~"

Bill took a bow, collars vanishing, as the agents all passed out to 'reboot' mentally. Bill reappeared next to his fiance. "They're going to need an explanation to leave."

"On it." Ford nodded, going to his desk to grab anything half official looking.

"Did you just- mass erase memories??" Dipper was horrified.

Bill gave a shrug. "Hey, those bozos make it easy! They're basically all brainwashed by their jobs anyways. It's waaaay easier to hack into an already cracked system! Your government did all the hard work for me."

Dipper didn't know whether to be relieved, or more scared. "Are they okay??"

"They'll be fine! Just a bit of amnesia!"

Ford tucked his papers under his arm, opening a hidden panel in the wall to grab a counterfeit badge.

"Uh-" Stan blinked, unaware those were even there.

Ford ignored him, heading for the elevator. Bill floated over to lift him topside. "We'll have to fix that later." Ford sighed.

Ford went outside, arriving just in time as the Agents came too, dazed and confused.

"What? Where am I? Why am I standing in front of some sort of goofy fun knick-knack house?" Asked the one Ford assumed was in charge.

Ford briefly flashed his badge before tucking it away and looking thru his 'report'. "Stand down, gentlemen! I've been sent with the latest intel from Washington. According to this very real report, the power surges in Gravity Falls were actually due to radiation from an unreported meteor shower. A total embarrassment for your whole department. Luckily I'm here to take this mess off your hands, but I'll need of all your... floppy disks, and 8-tracks...right?" Ford did his best to sound confident, but hesitated towards the end. He wasn't even fully sure how long he'd been gone.

"Uh, everything about this case is contained on this drive." The agent informed. His partner holding it out.

Ford was almost ashamed of how easy this was. If this was his country's finest... Was Weirdmageddon REALLY a bad idea?- "Well, what are you waiting for, a kiss on the cheek? Get out of here before I have your butts court-martialed!"

Ford watched, relieved, as they all scrambled to get out of his town. Ford holds the drive up. Bill happily appears and takes it, igniting it in flames.

Ford shook his head. "Pathetic. The entire lot of them."

"Works in our favor." Bill reminded.

Ford nodded, heading back to the elevator to get it functioning again.

"So...." Dipper glanced around their very odd group once everyone was safely in the living room. "....I have a couple billion questions??"

Ford sighed, nodding. "I did promise an explanation."

"I'll order us some take out... I don't think I have enough in the kitchen for this many-.... Do your friends... eat??"

Ford chuckled, "They can make do with whatever."

Stan nodded, heading to the far side of the room to order some pizzas.

Ford sat down, holding Bill in his lap. "You did amazing."

"Of course I did!" Bill beamed happily, holding Ford's hand.

Mabel bounced over. "If he has rings, where's yours??"

Bill laughed, pointing to the stone on his tie. "I can't do rings for a variety of reasons, so I have this!"

"Ooo! It's very pretty!" Mabel sat by the pair. "I'm Mabel!"

Ford smiled, "You can call me Ford."

"So- Wait. YOU'RE Stanford?" Dipper checked. "Then... who's-" He pointed Stan's direction.

Ford laughed. "I'm Stanford, yes. And the one you know is Stanley."

"So... why did we think he was Stanford??"

"........That is... also a long story."

"Are any of your stories not long?"

Ford didn't answer that.

Dipper sighed, sitting by Mabel and waving awkwardly to the various creatures around them.

Pyronica grinned, pointing behind her at Stan. "So he's real cute-"

"Don't eat my brother- or any humans- Pyro."

"You're no fun." She sighed dramatically before giggling.

"What??" Dipper stared at Ford in concern.

"Don't be judgemental."

"She wants to EAT Grunkle Stan!"

"She wants to eat everyone. Calm down. She has self control. And if she doesn't, Bill has fire." Ford threatens.

Pyro raises her hands in surrender. "No eating anything that moves!"

Ford raised a brow.

She siiighed. "NOR human corpses!"

"Thank you." Ford nodded.

Dipper grabbed Mabel's hand and scooted them a bit away from Ford.

Ford pulled out his journals, flipping thru them. "You've added to my journals??"

Dipper paled, nervous. "We didn't think we'd ever- I mean- It was covered in dust and cobwebs when I found it-"

Ford skimmed the pages, expression softening. "....A real adventurer, eh?- Leafblower??? Is it that simple??"

Dipper sighed in relief.

Mabel beamed. "I figured that one out!"

"Impressive." Ford nodded, reading thru the new entries with intrigue.

"We even fought a category ten." Dipper offered. "Should be towards the end.."

Ford flipped eagerly to it, "Really?? And you survived??"

"Thanks to our future cousin." Mabel giggled.

"...Cousin??" Ford glanced over to them.

"GRUNKLE STAN'S IN LOOOOOOVE!" Mabel announced happily and loudly.

Stan rolled his eyes and put a finger to his lips. He was on the phone!

Ford laughed, "Oh?? With wh-" Ford stared, finding the page and spotting the name Northwest. "....STANLEY??"

Stan left the room entirely, not dealing with this just yet.

Chapter Text

Stan took a deep breath, bracing himself as he returned to the main room. "Pizzas are probably gonna take an hour or so, given they gotta make a lot. I told them not to worry about rushing it. Figure we need the time anyways."

Ford stared his brother down. "Preston Northwest. Really, Stanley??"

"Oi, don't 'Really, Stanley' me! You're cuddled up to a shape."

"The Northwests are. The. Worst." Ford sighed, exasperated. "And I've said that to Auldman's face!"

Mabel grinned, nudging her brother.

Dipper snickered quietly.

"Pres isn't. You said it yourself, he's not heartless like his folks-"

"Just because they hadn't yet beat any humanity out of him, does not make him a good person! The Northwest NAME is built on making profit at the expense of people like US!"

"Preston's different." Stan gave a shrug, flopping into his usual chair. "Look. You'll get to see for yourself soon enough. He's gonna use his name to straighten out our identity mess for us."

Ford groaned, taking off his glasses to pinch his nose. "I do NOT want to owe a Northwest a favor, Stanley!"

"You won't. Not everything's a transaction. He just wants to help."

"He's. A. NORTHWEST! Rich people barely even count as human!"

".........I repeat. Cuddled up to. A. Shape. You're literally not even WITH a human."

"What else do you expect when I-" Ford clamped his mouth shut, shifting his hand off his nose to cover his mouth.

Stanley's expression softened, reaching over to pat his brother's arm. "Give him a chance. For me.... Okay?"

Ford took several deep breaths, burying thoughts and emotions he'd thought faded away thirty years ago.

Bill placed his hands over Ford's, blue fire gently coating their hands as Bill forced Ford's mind to calm down.

Ford rested his forehead on the top of Bill's hat, breathing less tense.

Ford sat back up, putting his glasses back on. "Fine.... I'll meet the brat."

Stan snickered, rolling his eyes. It was a start.

Bill glanced to Stanley, then to the kids. Bill snickered, using his abilities to briefly connect his and the elder twins minds. "So when you told Six you had some 'stuff' sorted out to fund this shack??"

Stan rolled his eyes, getting up to grab a soda. "And what of it??"

"Stanley??" Even in the mind, Stan could hear the slightly laughter behind Ford's words, more brotherly ribbing than actually judging him.

"Hey. If it works it works. Least this time it was my idea not someone else's."

Ford tried his best to not crack up visibly, hiding his face once more in Bill's hat. "I presume your business venture is how this all started then?"

"Pretty much. A means to an end that turned way more serious than I planned. Not that I'm complaining." Stanley handed Ford and Bill each a soda as he returned.

Ford took it, muttering a quick thanks and sipping it to further prevent his laughter.

Stan plopped a soda on each of the kids as well, before flopping back into his chair. "If any of uh-... You all-" He gestured vaguely to Bill's friends, "Want a drink, help yourselves."

"Right. Introductions." Ford chuckled. "Let's start with the smaller group." He turned to the kids. "You said... Mabel?"

"Yup!" She cheered happily, "And this is Dipper!"

Stan smiled, "And that's our handyman and store's best employee- basically family now- Soos."

Ford gave a nod, trying to keep note of these names.He chuckled softly to see Soos almost be brought to tears to be called family. "Believe it or not, and I can see why you wouldn't, I'm Stanley's twin brother, Stanford."

"If you're twins, why do you look so much younger??" Dipper blurted out, question time was NOW. "And why haven't we heard about you? And why was-"

"Easy, kid! Easy!" Ford laughed. "We'll get to that. As for my age.... I guess the realm I was in moves slower?"

"Eh-" Bill gave a shrug. "How long a day is doesn't really affect how fast your cells corrupt and die- Age. It's probably a bit my fault. All those times I've healed you up must've also slowed down how fast your body naturally decomposes itself."

"Fascinating..." Ford chuckled. "Wonder if we could research that..."

"Could get some rats. I know you've got a soft spot for rats!" Bill beamed.

Ford grinned, nodding. "Tho. We'll need these ones Alive." He teased, earning concerned stares from his family. "....Inside joke......"

".......Still concerned." Stan snickered.

Ford sighed, gesturing to his friends and introducing each of them.

".....Do we have... space for them all?" Stan realized, counting them up.

"I got that covered, don't worry." Bill laughed.

Ford chuckled, nodding. "We've been discussing that, actually... The cabin- shack- whatever it is now." Ford sighed, still somewhat mourning his old home.

"Look- If you want me to shut the shack down-"

"No need." Ford held up his hand. "Even if I did in theory close this down, and reclaim it as my old cabin. People would still keep coming by to see what once was. What's done is done, and I DID give the okay for it."

"So... What's the plan then?..."

"Well. I've grown quite used to the place Bill and I had in the other realm. It was one he conjured up with his own powers. We'll probably remake that here. It will require closing the shack for a little while, since I intend to retrieve my lab from below first. And we'll need to fill in the space with dirt, or another basement structure. But after that?.... I'd say it's been in good hands so far. Don't fix what's not broke and all that."

Stanley beamed. "Really?? You're gonna let me keep her??"

Ford gave a nod. "Tho. I do ask you leave the windows in tact, or at least have them properly removed so I can keep them. They were rather pricey."

Stan nodded. "Course."

"Until we can accomplish all of that. We'll just set up bunks in the lab. It's large enough for my friends to fit, temporarily."

"I know who can get us that many airbeds and cots." Stan grinned.

"Still not on board with that." Ford laughed, shaking his head.

Dipper glanced to Ford. "Wait- so- If-.... If Grunkle Ford wrote the journals... And you're with him-" He pointed to Bill. "....Why'd you need the journal so badly??"

"What?" Bill looked over.

"When I called out for you two." Stanley sat up a bit straighter, wanting an answer on why the kid seemed to think that was Bill's fault.

"Oh- The incident." Ford sighed.

"Ohh. Yeah. That wasn't me." Bill gave a shrug. "Well- THIS me."

"What?" Dipper was so lost.

"Have you heard of multiverse theory? Separate timelines? Things like that?" Ford checked.

Dipper's eyes widened. "That's real??"

"Of course it's real. There's thousands of versions of each of us, with thousands of different personalities and lives. It's most common to run into ones similar to yourself, however. Similar worlds tend to be in similar relative areas of space and time. Which, unfortunately, means most Bill's with access to our world are in a similar situation to my own. Looking for any and every chance possible to leave their own world."

Bill rolled his eyes. "I've been around this dimension, in one way or other, for a very long time. While Fordsy was in my realm, however, I stopped peeking in here as much since I didn't need to. I knew what I needed was being handled. Another Bill took notice of my lack of oversight, and tried to pull a fast one on all of us."

".....And why should I trust you're not just lying like when you- he?? said he'd help me with the laptop."

"Believe what you want, kid." Bill shrugged. "But trust that if I was the one who jacked you up like that, Stanley would NOT be letting me sit in the same room as you."

Stan snickered, nodding. "Once I realized you kids weren't fighting for the performance, and you seemed actually hurt, I was trying to reach out to Bill to help you. I didn't know at the time it was another Bill, but. I know it wasn't this one."

"So... where's the... mean one? Now?" Mabel asked.

"Dead." Ford and Bill both said, voices cold.

Ford shrugged at the tense silence that followed. "As for the other time you met Bill-" He nodded to his fiance.

Bill snorted. "Ah, right. Stan's mind. See, when in the other realm, my only connection to this one is thru the mind's of those who let me in. Stanley had previously let me in, but some memory gun shenanigans ripped my link right out. Which wasn't great for getting Sixer home. So when that annoying Pentagram brat summoned me, asking me to enter Stan's mind, I had to take the chance. I never intended to give him the code, I just needed in so I could place my link back down."

"Then why fight us?" Dipper side eyed. That chest hole still gave him nightmares.

"I told you, I'm ancient. And if I've learned one thing about this world, you don't make enemies with humans with magic. I needed a good excuse to fail to not get Gideon suspicious of me. You kids were a pretty convenient excuse! I just got a bit carried away having fun again... And kinda... forgot how powerful I am in the mindscape. That place doesn't work like out here does, even for me."

Dipper considered this quietly, it did seem to make sense. It didn't make the terror go away tho.  "So.... how come we never knew about you, Grunkle Ford?"

Ford sighed deeply. "A series of mistakes in my life, mostly... Ones Stanley paid the price for most."

Dipper scooted a bit closer, intrigued.

"The real catalyst for both of our paths in life began back in highschool." Ford leaned back, staring at the ceiling. "My senior year Science Fair."

Chapter Text

Ford sighed, he tried to not think on the past when he could. It mostly only hurt him. "I had built what was intended to be a perpetual motion machine for the Science Fair. It won first prize by a landslide- Not that that's saying much given the people in my home town."

Stan snickered, nodding. "Sixer's IQ put everyone to shame."

"IQ is actually a pretty misused and meaningless metric given the wide array of fields and styles of study and testing-"

"Love your lectures, hun, but you're going to get side tracked." Bill stopped Ford before he could get going. He's heard this rant far too many times, he's aware if Sixer gets going, there is no off.

"Ah- Right." Ford went red, chuckling. "My project was impressive enough, the talk captured the attention of one of the most prestigious colleges in my fields of study. West Coast Tech. If I could get in there, my career as a world renowned scientist was practically guaranteed-"

"As would Pa bein' able to mooch off Ford's riches." Stan chimed in, as they'd need to context for later. "Your great grandpa was no pile of sugar. He was pleased by very, very little. Least of all me and Six-"

"Six and me." Ford corrected, earning the pit from Stan's soda being chucked at him.

"Can it!" Stan laughed. "Point being. We felt like we had to earn his approval constantly. And he wasn't handin' that out easy."

Ford sighed, nodding. "Still.... he was impressed when our principal informed him West Coast was sending representatives to see my work, and possibly earn a scholarship. It seemed my life was finally in my favor...."

Stan frowned, glancing away. "Until I ruined it."

"What?? No- Stanley-" Ford sighed.

"I did. If I hadn't hit that table-"

"Did you or did you not tell me when you left, you swear you saw it moving again."

"Yeah, but-"

"I should have made sure it was alright. I knew I had bullies, and I knew it was important-"

"And whatever came loose was probably my fault. If I'd told you right when I got home what happened-"

"It was my project, Stanley. I should have kept an eye on it."

"Okay, I'm getting real lost here!" Mabel announced to end the bickering.

"Look- I didn't take hearing Ford might leave real well. I was young and stupid and didn't care how big the opportunity was, all I was hearin' is that I'd be alone. I ended up sneakin' into the school. Mostly 'cause it was one of the few places I could go without worry of Pa happening to catch me. My angry wandering landed me over by Ford's machine. In a burst of anger, I slammed a hand on the table, and a bit fell off and started to smoke. I panicked, and tried to fix it. Thought I did. Thing was still spinning after all. So..... I didn't tell Ford I touched it. I just went home, and went to bed."

"Some point over the night, it must have gave out entirely. When I revealed it to the representatives, it was as still as a rock." Ford sighed, holding Bill closer. "They wouldn't give me a chance to troubleshoot it, they just left. I discovered a bag of Stanley's favorite snack near my table, and assumed-"

"Rightly-"

"ASSUMED off VERY LITTLE evidence at the time. That Stanley had sabotaged me. I stormed home, and in my own fit of blind rage, began to yell at him without checking first that we were alone."

"Pa overheard that I ruined Ford's chance, and..." Stan swallowed a bit, the man still scared him a bit, even in death. "He was madder than I'd ever seen him."

Ford frowned, seeing his confident and bold brother shut down, even a little bit. "Pa threw him out without even a second thought. He didn't even let him pack. He quite literally threw him onto the street, and slammed the door on him."

"Ma packed me a quick bag, but.. I didn't even have a job. I was only 17. I only even had a car cause Gramps left it to me in his will, given I had helped him restore it over a few breaks."

Ford looked away, starring at the floor. "I didn't do a damned thing to stop Pa either."

"Stop him?? Six, what could you have POSSIBLY done?!"

"Not just close the window and leave you out there! You were begging for my help!"

"Of course I was, we were both dumb teenagers! Don't mean I blame you for walkin' away?? Who knows what that lunatic would've done if you'd tried to argue with him!"

"I could've talked him into letting you back inside! I could've explained how I wired it wrong- Or told him I forgot to check it! I could've said SOMETHING!"

"And he would've beaten you black and blue, Ford!"

Dipper and Mabel both paled, clinging to each other. The idea of a parent hurting their own kid that badly completely unimaginable to them both.

"I still should have TRIED! We were all each other had!"

"If you had tried to argue with him that YOU lost him the millions not me-" Stanley glanced to Ford's hand, the scars across the back ever present, decades later. "..........We already know what he woulda done, Six...."

Ford shoved his hands in his pockets on instinct. "It's my fault both our lives were ruined-"

"Like hell it is!" Stanley stood up. "I was bein' selfish!"

"I was being careless!" Ford snapped back.

"Sounds like the fault's with neither of you, dudes." Soos piped up, trying to ease the situation. The kids were trembling. "If anyone's to blame, it's your deadbeat dad."

Both elder twins paused their shouting match to stare at Soos.

"The only one overreacting was him." Soos shrugged. "You both had reasons to be mad. But.... no dad should just toss a kid aside..... Ya know?"

Stan frowned. Here he is bitching about his Pa when Soos' wasn't even around....

Ford sighed, rubbing his face. "....Regardless- I ended up going to Backupsmore after it all. The pressure to make something of myself was higher than ever. I knew I had to devote my every waking second to being worth all the hassle-"

Bill and Stan both glanced to Ford in worry at his wording.

"I busted my ass to go from undergrad to PhD three years ahead  of schedule, and secured a hefty grant for research. And then, I was left to decide what to study with it. My whole life, I'd been teased for my six fingers, but that got my thinking about anomalies – things that were odd, unusual, statistically improbable. And according to my investigations, there was one place with a higher concentration of these things than anywhere else. Gravity Falls."

"Meanwhile, I was basically disowned from the family entirely." Stan gave his brother a moment to collect himself. "I still wanted to be in it tho, ya know?.... So. I tried to cut a big break. If I could become successful, Pa would let me come home. I just needed to find my niche. I sold and shilled anything and everything, going anywhere I could to hunt down my shining moment. It...uh.... Never really panned out."

Ford held Bill's hand, smiling softly. "It took no time at all for me to discover this town is chalk FULL of anomalies. I began to document them all in a journal-"

"The journals!" Dipper cheered in excitement, sending soda splattering across the wall as he threw his hands up in joy. Dipper went red to find everyone starring at him. "Sorry....... Just got- excited.... Journals- ..... Go on."

"I began to keep a journal-" Ford ignored Dipper's noises of excitement. "The more I studied, the more I found. And the more questions they gave me. Where did it all COME from?? Why HERE?? What did it all MEAN?!" Ford sighed. "I hit a dead end. The pieces were all there, and I just could not figure them out.... In my frantic attempts to solve this town, I became more bold in where I'd journey. Until one day, I found a cave full of strange drawings-"

"We probably need to remove those-" Bill realized.

"Yeaaah.... Tomorrow." Ford nodded. "The cave depicted a being of immense knowledge and power. There was an incantation with them, that I read out loud. But nothing seemed to happen... Until I ended up taking an afternoon nap." Ford grinned. "And in my dreams, I met Bill. He told me he was a muse, who chose one mind every century to inspire."

Dipper raised a brow.

"Yeah, he was full of shit." Ford snickered.

"RUDE!" Bill cackled.

Ford snickered. "At the time, I believed it however. Especially when, with his guidance, my research took off. It wasn't long until I confessed to him my questions about the origin of it all. My desire to find and discover a theory or cause for all of it. He explained to me that he could help. That the weirdness in the falls was leaking in from another world, thru a thin point in the veil between realities. And that I could build a portal to it."

"Why lie?" Dipper side eyed Bill.

"The portal came with great risks, especially back then." Ford half lied himself. "The portal was intended as a way for Bill and his crew to escape their own realm that was actively decaying away, intent on taking them with it. And history had shown Bill time and time again that, when the dangers of the portal became clear, no one deemed them worth the risk to save."

Stanley side eyed his brother slightly. This was not what he was told thirty years ago.... Had something... changed? Stanley glanced to the rings on Ford's hand, and the gem on Bill's tie.... He'd ask when there weren't paranoid and antsy children around if that Revolution of Ford's was still on or not. For now, he sipped his soda to hide any reactions he may have.

"I couldn't build the portal myself, however." Ford sighed in frustration. "Engineering was.... not my major. But.... It WAS my old college roommate's major.... So, I called him up and asked if he'd want to work with me on a scientific breakthrough of unimaginable proportions. Fiddleford McGucket wasted no time rushing out here to assist me."

Dipper sat up straighter, tense.

"We got the portal ready for it's first test run at exceptional speeds. Unfortunately.. My carelessness in double checking things got the better of me once more. A cord had tangled around Fiddleford's leg in one of the gravity fluctuations. He  got dragged halfway into the portal, only kept on our side by me clinging to the other end of the cable. When I managed to pull him free from it...."

Ford took a moment to breathe, trying to not get upset. "He was talking in tongues, babbling utter nonsense. Whatever he'd seen in that portal was too much for his mind to comprehend. He quit the project, convinced it was more dangerous than it was worth. I confronted Bill about it, and he confessed that the weirdness around us was not from some other dimension, and the portal was self serving. Still.... At some point in working for my Muse, I had become- Particularly fond of him." Ford chuckled, holding up his ring hand. "Clearly."

Mabel giggled happily at that. Love stories were always so sweet.

"But. I still couldn't do it alone. The test had ripped major parts of the portal apart, and I simply wasn't capable of handling it myself. So, I called up Stanley."

Stan smiled. "Free room and food for a bit of heavy lifting, AND I got my best friend back? He didn't need to ask me twice! I hightailed it out here, happy to help with whatever it was."

Ford smiled. "With Stanley's help, we got the portal up and running again in no time......" His smile fell. "Unfortunately. Fiddleford's accident, along with his over use of his memory gun, led him to be completely convinced Bill and the portal were both evil and out to destroy everything and every one. When he noticed the signs of the portal being used again, he rushed over to stop it. In the strife, I ended up shoved thru the portal entirely."

"The bastard shut it down right by the time I got there." Stan huffed. "Ford had tried to keep it quite that I was around, and that we looked pretty well identical to most people, specifically because of that nutjob. So when I barged in, it took the guy by surprise and he shot me. When he bolted for Sixer's journals, I tried to jump him. Being shot makes doing a lot of things pretty difficult. So... he got away with two of the three journals. Still... I had one. And that was something. So, I did my best to try to fix the portal and bring Ford home with it. But, I'm not as book smart as he is. Not back then, at least. I couldn't maintain his grants. ESPECIALLY not with 2/3rds of his research gone. So, I needed to figure out how to make ends meet while I tried to figure out how to save him. With a bit of investment from a friend-"

"A capitalist pig-"

Stanley chucked his soda can at Sixer's head. "Quit it!"

Ford didn't even have a moment to be upset, needing to focus instead on holding Bill down from lashing out.

"DON'T YOU THROW THINGS AT-"

"Easy! Easy, Love!" Ford held his tight, covering Bill's hands with one of his own so Bill couldn't light them on fire. "We're messing around! I'm not hurt!"

Stan raised his hands in surrender. Something deep in his mind bubbling up in long forgotten fear.

Bill huffed, simmering down. "When's that food getting here....."

"Go raid the fridge if you're hangry, dude." Soos got up to go help him find a snack. "Come on. I'll help you look, okay?"

"....Fine." Bill grumbled.

Ford cautiously let his hothead go. "This place is flammable you know."

"...." Bill crossed his arms and pointedly landed on the floor, walking his way to the kitchen.

Ford snickered gently, smiling fondly. His little Drama Angle.

Stan shook his head, shaking off the fear. "Anyways- I started the Shack to get by. But..... Stanley Pines?...... Had a loooot of people with a score to settle that, if they found me, would make saving Ford hard.... And.... Stanford?.... Well... Stanford had a deed to this place and could actually get permits to build on it..... So... I faked Stanley's death, to clear my past, and took up Ford's name, to secure his future."

Ford gave a nod. "I was not fond of the idea at first, but. His logic was sound. And it was my fault he was in my mess in the first place-"

"Don't even start again!" Stan laughed. "I made my bed, I lied in it. Okay?? It worked out in the end anyways. Now we just gotta go talk to Preston's lawyers to get Stanley undead, and you hopefully cleared of several-crimes-I-may-or-may-not-have-commited-in-your-name-and-a-wedding-to-a-statue." Stan said in a hushed rush.

"WHAT?!" Ford leapt to his feet. Right as the doorbell rang.

"OH! PIZZA! BILL THERE'S PIZZA NOW!" Stanley rushed to the door to avoid Ford's fury.

Bill floated back over, munching a block of cheese. "What's got you so cranky?"

"I APPARENTLY need to get a divorce before we can get married thanks to STANLEY."

"........What?" Bill snickered. "To who??"

"Not who! WHAT!" Mabel cheered happily, grabbing out her scrapbook and showing a picture of Goldie.

If looks could kill, Ford would be starring bloody gruesome murder into Stanley's back.

Bill doubled over in laughter.

Chapter Text

Ford sighed, glancing around his old room. Even this had changed.

Stan peeked in, frowning a bit. "Sorry... This kids found it and I couldn't think of an excuse to not let them have it... I moved any experiments I found down into the lab after a small carpet incident- Why?? By the way??"

Ford glanced to Stanley, then away. "Don't worry about it."

"Worry is all I do these days.... Is it ok? The room?"

"It's... fine." Ford gave a nod. "Do you by chance remember where my tapestries are? Or the statue?"

"...The what?"

"Hmm.. Suppose those got erased with Bill.... Hopefully they're still here somewhere. I put a lot of work into them."

Bill chuckled, "If they're nearby, I should still be able to see out of them. As you move stuff around, I can see if any start to see light."

"True." Ford gave a nod, sitting on the bed.

Stan stepped into the room, shutting the door behind him. "You know I got a few questions."

Ford sighed, laying back to stare at the ceiling. "Go on."

"What about all your revolution talk? Wasn't that the whole point of all this?"

"How does THAT stay-.... I suppose I did usually talk about it separate to Bill and before you two met fully..."

Bill took the lead, noticing Ford stalling. "We've had quite a few adventures lately. It's time for some downtime. Earth's not going anywhere, neither are we. We'll give this new generation a chance to fix shit and if they can't- Eh. We can always host Weirdmageddon in a few decades or century or whatever. There's really no rush."

Ford gave a nod and a smile. "Besides, we have a wedding to plan first anyways."

Stan snorted, smiling softly at the pair. "Guess that makes sense... So, just.... Life as normal for now?"

"....Normal...." Ford chuckled. "As if such a thing exists for me... It does sound nice tho."

Stan nodded. "Well. I'll let you two get to your resting and relaxing. Night, Six."

"Stanley." Ford sat up suddenly.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you.... For-....... EVERYTHING. I'm sorry I ate up so much of your life..."

"Don't be." Stan rolled his eyes. "Nothing matters more to me than family. I'd do it all over again even if it takes 40 years next time."

Ford chuckled, going over to give him a hug. "Let's hope there's no second time."

Stan laughed, nodding and holding Ford close.

"Besides." Ford stretched, heading to the dresser to see if anything might still fit. "Not turning your life into a chaotic nightmare is the least I could do after I ruined your life."

"You did NOT. ruin my life!"

"You lived on the streets, Stanley. Doing god knows what to survive- Your first thought for how to make ends meet up here was to who-"

"You did NOT ruin my life." Stanley insisted. "Was it hard? Sure. But this-" He gestured around them. "Is not ruined. I have a home I love, a business, a family, You! The only thing missing is a boat to go sailing on, and I'm pretty sure if I asked I'd have that too. This is exactly the life I've wanted. And I don't care what it took to get here."

"You wanted to live with 13 inter-dimensional creatures half of which want to eat you?"

"That part's a surprise but I'm not against it." Stan laughed.

Ford smiled. "Still-"

"No. You didn't. And I'm not leaving this room til you say it. You did not ruin my life."

"I got you kicked out-"

"Say it!"

"Stanley-"

"We can be here all night, Six."

Ford sighed. "....I did not ruin your life." He said half heartedly.

"Love you, Six." Stan smiled.

Ford smiled back. "Love you, pest."

Stan laughed and headed for his own room.

Ford sighed, rubbing his face in exhaustion.

"Bill for your thoughts?" Bill joked, holding out a one dollar bill.

Ford glanced over. ".....Did you keep the agent's wallet??"

"..........Maybe."

Ford snickered, flopping back in bed once more. "..........Is it wrong I almost......regret this?..."

Bill sat next to him, petting his hair. "Escaping death?"

"No- I just-" Ford sighed for the thousandth time that night. "There's so much to- sort out now- I miss just, living in the fearamid with you and the crew and just, goofing off. Not stressed over legal documents and rich assholes and land ownership."

"It's going to be a lot." Bill agreed. "But it'll be safe. And temporary. The stress at least. We'll get this sorted, and go back to how it was, but better."

"I know. I know." Ford rubbed his face. "I just wasn't prepared for how much of a mess it was here."

"You're not alone." Bill reminded, shifting to hold Ford's head in his lap.

"We ARE bringing the Fearamid back, right?"

"Oh, for sure. It'll be the town's crowning jewel!"

Ford laughed, reaching up to hold Bill's hand.

Bill ran a thumb across Ford's scars, holding his hand tight. "....Earlier..."

Ford sighed once more. More stress. He should've known that wouldn't slip by his Muse.

" 'What else do you expect when I barely count as human myself?' " Bill 'raised a brow', an odd expression on his one eye, but one Ford understood.

Ford gave a shrug, trying to pull his hand away to hide it. Bill wasn't letting go. "I was just caught up in emotions-"

"Is that how you see yourself?"

"Does it matter?" Ford sat up, turning to face Bill. "I'm part of our little group of weirdos now. I fit in better as a Henchmaniac than I ever did as a person-"

"It's just an extra finger, Ford-" Bill tried to reason.

Ford finally managed to yank his hand away, tucking both under his crossed arms to hide them. "It's a sign something's wrong with me-"

"No. It's not." Bill reached over, pushing his thin noodle arms under Ford's to retrieve the hand once more.  "It's an extra bit of you to love, Sixer."

Ford scoffed, looking away. Old, buried guilt and shame bubbling back up.

Bill sighed, letting go and instead floating up a bit to pet Ford's hair once more. "Humans are one of the most complex, varied species in existence. You all come in so many different shades, sizes, colors, setups. So many combinations of features all slotted around in every which way.  And beyond even just that, you all speak different, act different, dress different. Why does this one little variance matter so much when the rest don't?"

Ford tried to search for an answer, an explanation for it. After decades of never even thinking on it, he came up short. Sure, it wasn't genetically common, but he knew enough science to know it occurring didn't hold any danger or sign of illness. Still... He knew it made him different and abnormal. And he knew that was meant to be wrong.

Bill sighed, holding Ford's face for a few moments before letting go and resting back on the bed. "Your father is lucky he's dead. Or I'd make him be the one regretting the fact he was born for ever twisting it up in your mind that any part of you is a mistake."

Ford let out a short, harsh laugh, trying to not tear up as old memories crept back, scars on his mind. "It was hardly just him."

Bill frowned, resting a hand on Ford's knee.

Ford sighed, resting his own hands in his lap to stare down at them. "We all start out so.... innocent. And kind..... And naive." He scoffed. "And then one day, we all just- Wake up. We become cruel and judgemental." He paused, staring at the scars inflicted by his own father. "I guess we learn it from them, the adults. We're all so scared and confused by everything changing In us and Around us, and they use that to teach us what's acceptable and who's not- And we start to lift ourselves up, by tearing everyone else. Down."

Ford frowned, curling into a loose ball. "And then there's people like me. At the bottom. No one below us because we're the least desirable humanity has to offer. And we try-" Ford choked on his words a bit. Feeling Bill's soft hands wipe his eyes and take his glasses off so he didn't bend them.

"We try to figure out WHY. Why us?? What did we do wrong?? If so many people are acting this way, we MUST deserve it so WHY- Is it any surprise then? That we stop seeing ourselves as part of the beasts who put us there? If THAT's what a human is- Why would I WANT to be one?"

Bill sat quietly by him, wrapping an arm tight around his waist. ".....Have I ever told you-" Bill hesitated. He had to keep calm discussing this. Which was not an easy thing for him to do.

Ford glanced up from his ball to look at Bill, listening.

Bill glanced to him, softening to see how vulnerable his favorite human looked. He had to keep him safe. He had to. "My eye? It's a mutation too. Flat world, flat creatures- Flat eyes... Even tho the rest couldn't see that mine stuck out, they could still tell it was different somehow.... I know how it feels. Being at the bottom. Having so many people hate you for something you don't understand what's wrong with it- But- That's why I want you to feel human. The henchmaniac's aren't a species. They all still know who and what they are. I want you to be a Henchmaniac AND a human."

"Why??" Ford scoffed. "We're nothing remarkable compared to all of you."

"..........Sixer I've seen you go 6 days without sleeping, surviving off nutrient pills. You things are incredibly death resistant to a scary degree- Not the point." Bill refocused. "....The people who hurt you- Who made you think different means wrong? They've already taken everything away from you... Don't let them take YOU too. Be human to spite them. Be a better human than they could ever be, so they have to face the ugly truth that their problems aren't with you but themselves. That their 'normal' hands don't make them any better and that fitting into their little boxes can't make them happy."

Bill reached over, holding Ford's hand once more. "Let them be bitter while your life is happier and sweeter than their can ever be."

Ford held Bill's hand tight, smiling gently.

"You're a human. And an amazing one at that. If someone has a problem with it? Well. That's their issue. Not yours. Don't ever apologize for who you are."

"I wish it was that simple." Ford sighed gently.

"I know it's not." Bill leaned on him. "If you can't love yourself... At least be kind to yourself. Because when you're not, you're insulting something I love. And I don't have bad taste."

Ford laughed, pulling Bill into a cuddle. "I can do that much."

"You're a human, Stanford. But you're my favorite human ever. I think that counts for something."

Ford gave a nod, resting his forehead against the top of Bill's shape.

"Hey." Bill spoke softly, bottom of his eye upturning slightly in a smile to see Ford's eyes meet his. "I love you."

"I love you too." Ford smiled, nuzzling. Ford chuckled softly, "Eat your heart out, Icarus. I've not only reached the sun. I get to hold it close, every single day."

Bill laughed happily. "Damn right!"

Chapter Text

Preston rubbed his temple with one hand, the other flipping thru the stack of documents in front of him.

Stan chuckled nervously, shifting from his spot leaning on the wall. "We can always sort this out ourselves...."

"No, no- I said I'd help-" Preston sighed. "I just- was not fully aware how much of a record you two have."

"You do what you gotta to get by." Stan shrugged, anxiety growing.

"What on earth is 'burglebezzlement'??"

"Do you really want an answer to that?..."

".........No." Preston sighed, sitting up and shuffling back to the front of the pile. "Is there any crime you haven't committed??"

"Several." Stan defended. "I'm a delinquent, not a creep."

Preston chuckled at that. "Fair enough... How does one even get up to this much mischief in only a few decades??"

"Carefully." Stan snickered.

"Is all of this just from under my name Stanley??" Ford chuckled, a bit impressed.

Stan gave a shrug. "It took the Shack a bit to really take off. Had to make ends meet in the meantime."

"You could have asked me." Preston reminds.

"I'm stubborn." Stan pushed off the wall, sitting in the chair next to his twin. "I'm sorry-"

"It's fine. Honestly. I'm sure if my family's crimes were documented, we'd outshine you."

Stan grinned. "We could put that to the test. I'm sure my kiddos would have a blast researching it."

"No." Preston rolled his eyes, smiling. "Some of these are downright absurd- I mean, Calendar based terrorism??-"

"I was helping out one of my kiddos-"

"Woodpecker baiting?"

"I didn't know this place took those things so serious, sue me." Stan scoffed.

"Bingo fraud??"

"There was a cash prize."

"Attempted train hijacking??" Preston was startled by that one.

"Uh-" Stanley was equally surprised.

"That one's actually mine." Ford raised his hand a bit.

Stanley stared his twin down, baffled. "What??"

"Don't worry about it-" Ford ignored his stare. "Let's start on the simple end of Stanley getting married to a statue under my name."

"......Is that even legal?" Preston raised a brow.

"I'm sorry, what things are allowed in the Falls?" Ford challenged.

Preston shut his mouth, sorting thru the stack of his documents. "That one's easy to clean up, thankfully. Just fill these out-" He slid a small pile to Ford with a pen.

Ford nodded, sitting up properly to fill them out.

Stan shook his head at his twin.

Preston straightened his stack back out. "Nuclear Waste theft??"

Both twins raised a hand at that one.

Ford glanced to Stanley and chuckled. "Hey, we have one in common."

"That's not a good thing." Preston reminded.

Ford rolled his eyes. "I sure hope Bill's having more fun than we are right now."

Stan snickered, "What? Not having fun walking down memory lane?"

Ford shook his head, focusing on his documents. "How rich ARE you to sweep this all under the rug??"

"You'd be surprised how easily bought government officials can be."

Ford sighed in disappointment, giving Stanley the same expression he used to give when they were kids and their Father was lying to a customer. Then raised a brow. A silent question, Was his apocalypse REALLY a bad idea with the state of things??

Stanley gave a shrug and shook his head. He nodded his head slightly towards the picture of Pacifica on Preston's deck.

Ford sighed. Stan was right. The kids deserved a childhood first. Then he'd start to consider rewriting this awful planet.

Preston raised a confused brow at the silent conversation. "Is that a twin thing or a Stans thing??"

"Yes." The pair said in unison, sharing a laugh.

Preston chuckled, smiling. "It's going to take me a few days to handle all of this. I'll keep you informed."

"Thanks, hun." Stan smiled, leaning across the desk to steal a kiss.

Ford wrinkled his nose, staring hard at the papers to not have to see this.

Preston went bright red, unused to affection where others could see. "S-Stanley!"

Stan laughed, delighted by the response.

"You've only encouraged him now." Ford snorted, amused by the sheer amount of distress in the Northwest's voice.

Preston groaned, grabbing his papers and hiding under his desk entirely.

Stanley laughed more.

Bill sighed, rubbing either side of his eye in frustration. He closed the book and shoved it off the table, floating over the next one to skim thru.

He refused to believe in all of Ford's extensive research that he had ZERO info on Time Baby.

Bill yelped, slamming the book shut and floating them all back into their spots as he heard the elevator moving.

Bill whipped around, expecting to see Ford home early from his and Stanley's meeting. Instead, he saw the two younger twins stepping off the elevator. "What are you two doing down here??"

Dipper raised a brow, suspicious of the tone. "Grunkle Stan asked us to help set up some proper beds down here for your friends. The truck pulled up, and Soos is unloading them."

"Oh.... Right." Bill sighed, trying to relax. He knew he was being jumpy.

"What are YOU doing down here?" Dipper challenged.

"It's my fiance's lab, I'M allowed down here." Bill scoffed, crossing his arms.

Mabel stepped between the two slightly. "Want to help us with the beds?"

"....Sure." Bill shrugged. It could let him burn off some of this nervous energy. Bill floated over, wrapping his magic around the elevator. "I'll move this thing. It'll be faster and less likely to rebreak the fragile cables."

Dipper gave a nod, stepping away to give Bill room to work.

Bill lifted the elevator back up to the top, keeping an eye out thru a carving in the back of it to know when it was full.

"Were you researching something?" Dipper tried to sound casual.

Bill side eyed the small human.

"I mean- You were at the desk, and the books don't seem as dusty as they should for sitting for thirty years."

"Maybe the gravity hiccups shook them off." Bill scoffed.

"If you need help with something, we're preeeeetty much experts!" Mabel beamed.

Bill sighed, frustrated with these two already. What would some children know?? "You mean what you know from Sixer's journals?? The knowledge I helped him find??"

"Hey!" Dipper huffed, offended. "We've added plenty to that thing too! Grunkle Ford even said he was impressed with my additions!"

Bill considered this quietly. He did... Didn't he?.... Bill tapped his foot, thinking. He lowered the lift back down, crossing his arms as the kids unloaded the frames. Bill floated Ford's journal over to himself, opening it from the back to leaf thru the kids' entries into it.

Bill froze, staring at the drawing of the big brat himself. "You've MET Time Baby??"

Dipper glanced over, "Yeah? You know him?"

"Know him?? He's one of the assholes who were tossing people into my dying dimension to rot!"

"......Yikes." Dipper didn't voice his concern over what they did to get tossed there.

Bill sat down, reading the pages carefully.

"The elevator?" Dipper reminded.

Bill idly raised a hand, pushing it back to the top. "What's Globnar?"

"It specifically says to not ask." Dipper sighs.

"Yeah, well, I need to know." Bill glared.

Dipper recoiled, still scared of Bill. Even knowing the one who nearly killed him was a different one, the fear wasn't so easy to remove.

Bill closed his eye, trying to calm down. "Look." He sighed. "The big baby isn't going to be happy when he realizes we're all free. I need to know how I can keep us safe."

"...Does Grunkle Ford know?" Mabel frowned.

"He's stressed enough as it is. I can't put more on him." Bill sighed, flipping thru more of the journal to try to find other answers.

Dipper frowned, sitting down to rest until the next load. "If you swear to tell Grunkle Ford about this... I'll tell you. But he needs to know. He's going to be WAY more stressed when this suddenly crashes down without warning."

"You got a deal kid. And I won't even make you shake on it" Bill laughed.

Dipper snorted, relieved. "Flip back to the bag with a guy in a jumpsuit and a tape measure. This all starts with him."

"Can't you just tell me what Globnar is and not the entire backstory??"

"No. We have time to kill."

Bill siiighed but flipped back to the page. "Huh.... He looks kinda familiar...."

"Well, he's a time traveler, maybe Grunkle Ford had a run in with him."

"Maybe." Bill shrugged.

"Okay, so. It all started with some cheap fair Grunkle Stan was hosting-"

Chapter Text

Ford waited by the door, waiting on Stanley. He just wanted to get back home. There was still so much to plan and sort out. He also was nervous how his friends were adjusting to his world. He wasn't entirely sure how to go about letting them out into the town without their apocalypse.

Gravity Falls was pretty weird. Maybe they could just... exist? And people would get used to it. Could he hope for that much? Was that insane to dream of? He wasn't sure anymore, frankly. So long living in the nightmare realm, existing without a single worry of fitting in 'correctly' had left him struggling to remember the lines and limits he'd devoted his childhood to memorizing.

Ford nearly jumped out of his skin to feel a hand on his shoulder, whipping around to grab whoever dared to-

Stan raised his unheld hand in surrender. "Woah!"

"Sorry!" Ford let his brother's arm go.

"Lost in thoughts?" Stan chuckled, patting Ford's shoulder in comfort this time. "No harm done." He assured.

Ford sighed, holding his chest. "A bit- Sorry-"

"Hey. It's alright. I'm not hurt. And now I know to not sneak up on you." Stan laughed, heading for the car. "When did you learn reflexes??"

"There's a few equally doomed worlds connected to the dying one. We'd go explore sometimes, and a fair few are far more akin to DDMD or video games than our own. So, learning some combat was required."

Stan shook his head, grinning. "Ten years of boxing and you can barely throw a punch. And now you can fight?"

"Finally had a reason to learn, I suppose." Ford laughed.

"Just had to make it nerdy." Stan teased, getting the door for his twin.

Ford gave a nod of thanks. "Hey, I think you'd have fun learning to throw fireballs and raise the dead too-"

"Nope. No more zomibes." Stan siiighed, getting in the car.

"More?" Ford raised a brow. "....He didn't-"

"He did." Stan laughed. "Was pretty much the first thing the kid did when he got that journal back."

Ford sighs, shaking his head with a laugh. "Guess despite being on the more studious side, the kid has your troublesome streak?"

Stan snickered, nodding and placing a stack of documents into the back seat.

"What's with those?"

"Just somethin' I've been wanting to do for awhile. Just... wanted to do it under my own name."

"Do I not get to know?" Ford rolled his eyes.

"Not yet. I wanna talk to his grandma about it first. Make sure I'm not overstepping."

Ford gave a soft hmm of acknowledgement, buckling up. "I'm going to have to relearn how to drive..."

"You can visit other worlds and didn't need to drive in any of them?"

"Bill can fly."

"Touche." Stan chuckled, heading home. "So. Preston's not so bad, eh?"

Ford let out a long, deep sigh of annoyance. "He's certainly no Auldman. I will give him that much. And I SUPPOSE. I do appreciate what he's doing for us. I still have my doubts about him."

Stan shrugged. "Fair enough. He IS being my plus one to your wedding tho."

"I figured....."

"....What is it?"

"I just- Even before- all of this.... I haven't spoken to Sherman in years- Or Ma even......"

"They'll understand." Stan assured. "Besides. They're going to be far more shocked by me being alive than you talking to them."

"....We've really made a mess of things."

"Yup.... What else is new? I think Ma suspects something's up at least."

"How so?"

"She was at my funeral-"

"Good god, Stanley-"

"Oh, can it." Stan laughed.

"...Were YOU at your own funeral??"

"I was curious who'd show up. Anyways- She was upset at first, of course. Felt awful scaring her like that. But, about halfway into the thing, she seemed to be holding back her grin. You know, that one she makes when we got Smart with Pa, an' she knew laughin' would get us in more trouble?"

Ford chuckled fondly, remembering that quite well. "She certainly didn't have a solid pokerface."

"I don't know what she saw or noticed at the funeral, but I'm pretty sure she figured out something was up."

"It'll be interesting to see what's the bigger shock, I suppose. You? Or Bill."

Stan laughed, trying to keep it in check. "Come on, now. I'm drivin' here!"

Ford chuckled.

"I think you lookin' barely middle aged is gonna be the biggest shock to her."

"Right- I keep forgetting about that- It's weird not.... matching."

"Could dye it." Stan laughed.

"I could... Couldn't I?"

"I was jokin'."

"I know." Ford shrugged, starring out the side window at the unfamiliar buildings on familiar streets. "We near anywhere that sells any?"

Stan grinned, switching lanes.

"I cannot BELIEVE Dusk 2 Dawn shut down!" Ford sighed. "I bought nearly EVERYTHING in my daily life there. Mrs.Duskerton gave me her books on learning to embroider!"

"If it's any comfort, the building itself is still there I think? It's fenced off tho."

Ford frowned, disappointed. "I'll have to look up what happened later."

Stan shrugged, parking outside the house.

Ford grabbed his things, heading back inside. "I hope the kids haven't driven Bill entirely insane."

Stan laughed. "Could have brought him with."

"I feel better keeping him close to the crew for now."

"If you're worried about Fiddleford, you don't have to be. When my mind got wiped a bit, things went pretty south on his end.... Not sure the guy even knows your name anymore."

"What??" Ford frowned. Even as angry as he had been, still was even, he'd never wished for that for his old friend.

"The day he came to erase Bill and the portal from me? Was a day Preston was planned to come over. He saw me drop from it, and rushed over to help. In the heat of the moment, not knowing how severe the danger was.... He kinda set the gun to just erase.... Everything."

Ford paled. "Everything?!"

"No one thinks clear when panicked, Ford." Stan reminded. "We've been trying to fix it since. Preston paid for Fids' family to move out here to help take care of him. Been paying for all his medical needs since. Guy's got the basics like motor skills and speech back.... The rest seems........ jumbled."

Ford sighed, worried still. "If it's any comfort. I don't think the scramble is entirely the fault of that day.... I have reasons to suspect he'd used that device on the both of us numerous times over the years. I'm sure without Bill's presence to keep things in check, that left it's own mars across his mindscape."

Stan gave a nod. "Bit of a relief... We can go see him one day, when you get time?"

"I- I'm not sure..... I don't know how I'd react being face to face with him again after.... Everything."

Stan patted his brother's back. "Just let me know, okay?"

"I will." Ford promised.

"We're back!" Stan called out into the house.

Ford flopped onto the couch, exhausted from the day already. Ford's mood lifted to see his favorite shape carrying they kids thru the air. "Having fun?"

"FLYING IS AMAZING!" Mabel cheered, letting out a half laugh, half oof as she was dropped onto the floor.

Dipper carefully let go of Bill, checking on his sister.

Bill curled up in Ford's lap happily. "How'd it go?"

"Long. Very long." Ford sighed. "I'm at least not sworn to a hunk of fake metal anymore."

Bill snickered. "A plus for sure."

"How was here?"

"We got the beds set up downstairs, I even found a few of the tapestries in the garage! We're using them as privacy dividers."

"Clever." Ford chuckled, resting his face against Bill's back.

Bill held his hand. "You okay?"

"Yeah- Yeah. I just- This is still a lot."

"What's all this?" Bill kicked at the bag hanging off Ford's arm.

"Ah- Right." Ford sat up, chuckling. "It's a project I'll need Mabel's help on."

"Me??" Mabel looked over, surprised. She expected the nerds to stick together mostly.

Ford nodded, grabbing the dye from the bag. "Never used this before."

Mabel's face lit up as she sprang to her feet. Ford briefly debated if she was fully human. "MAKEOVERS!"

Ford chuckled, smiling. "...Is that- Okay?"

Bill laughed. "Hey, it's your body. Whatever keeps you happy with it. Just don't ruin how soft it is."

"I am a PROFESSIONAL." Mabel scoffed.

"You've done this before?" Ford smiled.

"NOPE!" Mabel grabbed his hand, trying to drag him off to get started.

Ford yelped, falling off the couch, surprised by her strength. "Okay- Okay! Give me a second-"

Bill cackled in delight at the energy, holding tight to Ford's hand and floating them both.

"BILL?!" Ford yelped.

"ONWARDS!" The menace cheered the child on.

Ford shouted in shock as Mabel ran, dragging the floating Bill and Ford behind her.

"........Oh they're going to be horrible together." Stan laughed happily.

Dipper shook his head. "We're certainly never going to be bored again."

"Nope." Stan ruffled Dipper's hair, skewing his hat.

Chapter Text

"Well?" Ford ran a nervous hand thru his hair. "How's it look?"

Stan grinned, nodding. "Silver's good on us."

Ford chuckled. "It dyed a bit unevenly thanks to the greys I already started to gain..."

"Eh, it looks fine." Stan assured. "Looks intentional."

Ford sighed in relief. "Not sure how long I'll maintain it. That was a lot more work than I expected."

Bill floated over, shrinking and perching on Ford's shoulder. "Once what's mine is yours, you'll be able to shift your looks at will like me."

"Good to know." Ford nuzzled his triangle, best he could.

Bill patted his face fondly. "...I know you've already had a long day-"

Ford sighed, heading for the kitchen.

"But I promised the kids I'd talk to you about something."

Ford grabbed a soda, returning to the living room and flopping onto the couch. "Proceed."

Bill hopped off Ford's shoulder, shifting back to his full size. "We need to plan for Time Baby. It's only a matter of time- Pun NOT intended- before he realizes we've flown the coop, and who I got to do it for me. And he is going. To be. Mad."

Ford took a slow sip of his drink before responding. "Are you not strong enough to just incinerate him?"

"I could, but you can't stop Time. Not forever. He'd reform and come back for us, more cranky than before. And I'd rather not deal with a time tantrum every few thousand years."

Ford gave a nod. "So how do we stop him for good?"

"I- .....don't know." Bill admitted. "The kids, however, have an idea that might at least get him off our backs."

Ford raised a brow.

Dipper grinned. "Globnar."

".....Am I meant to know what that means?" Ford's patience had been running low all day.

"It's futuristic gladiatorial time combat." Dipper explained. "Not entirely sure the full rules and guide to it? We didn't really get a formal explanation. But from what we understand, you can challenge someone to it, and the winner decides the loser's fate, and gains a time wish. One of you could probably challenge Time Baby to it, and when you win, you could demand all of you be pardoned."

Ford considered this, nodding. "Bill could probably-"

"Not a chance." Bill shut down.

"What?" Ford looked over in shock. "But you can do unimaginable things-"

"And knowing that big brat, I'd probably not be allowed to use my powers in that. I'd probably have to compete in my natural state, and these-" Bill gestured to his very narrow legs. "Are not winning any kind of combat."

Ford snickered, trying to picture that.

"Stop it!"

"Sorry, sorry!" Ford laughed, holding his hands up in surrender.

"...You did nearly snap my arm for a jumpscare earlier-" Stan tried to joke.

"What?!" Dipper looked between the two in horror.

"Exaggerating!" Stan assured. "He just grabbed my arm- Point is- You've gotten pretty good at reflexes, and you said you're pretty good at fighting now... You could probably win this thing."

Ford frowned, anxious at the mere thought. "I don't know- Goofing around in a world with healing potions and fireballs is one thing- To do it as just... me?"

Bill rolled his eye. "Why do you always sell yourself short, Six?- Don't answer that. Tossing a fireball doesn't affect the rest of you. Firebird's right. You're probably our best bet."

"What if I fail?"

"Then I'll incinerate him. And we'll prepare better next time."

Ford snorted. "....What does it even entail?"

"A lot..." Dipper sighed. "I''ll make you a full list of what we witnessed."

Ford nodded. "Any idea how much time we have?"

Bill shrugged. "Hard to say. Depends if he's napping or something."

"And the time wish?" Ford looked back to Dipper.

"It's basically whatever you want? It's a paradox free wish to fulfill your desires. We gave ours to Soos so he could wish for his dad back. We'd gotten pretty roughed up in the Globnar, tho, so he just used it to wish for us to be better."

Ford rolled his eyes. That sounded like a waste. They would've healed anyways. "I'd hate to decide something like that on an impulse.... I wonder if I could make some way to contain and store it until we know a proper use for it."

Bill's glow brightened a bit, always eager to invent with his human. "Bet we could figure it out!"

"I'm sure there's lot of things we could modify still out in Crash Site Omega." Stanley grinned. "Could make a bro's day of it- Yes, Bill too."

Ford and Bill both beamed, excited.

"What's Crash Site Omega?" Dipper glanced around.

"Nothing." Both Stans replied.

"Aw, what?? Come on!" Dipper sighed. "I've explored every inch of this town!"

"It's no place for a child." Ford rolled his eyes. "I'd like to be able to send you home to your parents still alive."

"I've faced gnomes, zombies, manotaurs, dinosaurs, and body snatching. I can handle whatever this is."

Ford tsk'd, "I'll think on it." He lied.

"We'll need a way to pad any container we make that will protect and contain the wish's magic." Bill mused aloud. "Especially if we're planning to keep it longterm."

"The only thing to come to mind is Unicorn hair but-"

"UNICORNS?!" Mabel leapt to her feet.

"Don't get excited. Unicorns are.... Frustrating." Ford sighed deeply. "We'd have a better chance breaking into the-" Ford hesitated, side eyeing Dipper. He already was hyper to see the Crash Site. He did NOT need to know about the Paranormal Black Market, if he didn't already. "They're not worth the stress. I'll look into other means-"

"Grunkle Ford! I am literally obsessed with unicorns! My first word was "unicorn," I once made my own unicorn by taping a traffic cone to a horse's head. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE LET ME GO FIND THE UNICORNS!"

Ford sighed, rubbing his temples. "Just- Don't go alone?? Okay?"

"YES!" Mabel beamed, running off to call her friends.

"Is that safe?" Stan worried.

"They're difficult and frustrating, but not dangerous physically. She may come back less happy about them."

"I'll be sure we have comfort ice cream." Stan chuckled. "When do we go to the site then?"

"Let's finish handling our legal work first. I'd hate for him to need us, and be unable to locate us at all."

Stan nodded.

"In the meantime." Bill reached over to hold Ford's hand. "We have a wedding to plan!"

"Is now really the time?? After what you just told us??" Ford worried.

Bill held his hand tighter. "The threat of Time Baby is exactly why now is the only time for this.... If the worst happens and we can't stop him- I mean, we'll win. It's us. But.... In case.... If this goes south somehow? I want my final free moments to be with us as one."

Ford smiled softly, holding Bill's hand tight. "Guess I need to call Ma later then- Or-.... Stan does. I suppose. He'd be the voice they know...."

Stan nodded, chuckling. "We'll figure out what to say together at least."

"Now, for the big topic." Bill said, with heavy seriousness.

Ford frowned, worried there was something WORSE than Time Baby. "What now??"

".........Stanford Cipher, or Bill Pines?"

Ford blinked, staring at Bill, processing the words. Ford grinned, cracking up with laughter.

"I'm serious!!!" Bill huffed. "Or are we being those people who do a hyphen?? Stanford Cipher-Pines? Pines-Cipher??"

Ford pulled his triangle close, nuzzling. "You can take my name away over my dead body, Muse."

"Bill Pines it is then." Bill extended his arms to wrap them around Ford's torso several times.

"Really?" Ford grinned brightly. "You'd be a Pines??"

".......You realize my name is entirely made up anyways, right?"

Ford blinked down at his muse, never having thought on it.

"This is like my 300th language. My name is incomprehensible to human ears, and short circuits your brain into unnatural behavior at trying to process it. Bill Cipher is just a telephone game hand me down of whatever nonsense my first human called me before your language even existed. It holds no significance to me.... Well..... It will now, I guess." Bill laughed. "Bill Pines might be a name I take care of."

Ford smiled fondly, heart and face full of love.

Stan covered Dipper's eyes to shield him from the pair kissing. "Yeesh. Get a room."

Ford pulled back, jokingly glaring at his twin. "This entire house is still Mine until we finish the paperwork. YOU get a room."

Stan laughed, shaking his head and going to check on the business side of things. "Don't traumatize my kids!"

Ford rolled his eyes, smiling and nuzzling Bill. ".....Once I'm connected to your powers.... Think I could learn the Euclydian language?...."

It was Bill's turn to blink up at his mate in shock. "You'd want to?"

"Of course??" Ford chuckled. "After all... We can't let go of what we are, right?.... It's part of you. I want to help preserve it."

The bottom of Bill's eye curved upwards in a grin. "As you wish."

Chapter Text

Ford sat stiff as a board, starring hard at his interlocked hands on the table. The seconds felt like hours as he listened to each ring of the phone. He barely even dared to breathe.

"Hey, Sweetie." Caryn answered on the final ring.

"Hey, Ma." Stan smiled.

Ford covered his mouth to not let out a sob. It had been far too long since he last heard his mother's voice.

Stan reached over, rubbing his back. "How's it been over your way?"

"Pretty good." Caryn assured. "How's Orgeon? Heard ya got the kids out there with ya."

"Mhm. Dipper and Mabel have been keeping me on my toes." Stan laughed.

"Welcome ta my world." Mama sassed.

Stan laughed harder.

Ford grinned, keeping his mouth covered for the time being.

"I got some things I wanna talk to you an' Shermie about. But it's sort of, face to face stuff going on. Plus a big event about to happen out here- I was hoping I could fly the family out here for a few days? Got room in your schedule for that?"

Caryn snorted, "I dunno, sweetie. Might be hard for me to clear room in my very busy career. I mean. Between the Bingo and the golfin' and whatnot..."

Stan laughed happily, shaking his head. "Well, it'll be well worth the trouble if you can. I promise."

"When's this gonna be?"

"I gotta talk to Sherm and Alex first, see what days they can get off. Then I can let you know for sure. Hoping for maybe in two weeks or so?"

"That soon? Tickets out are gonna be a fortune-"

"Don't worry about that." Stan grinned to the phone. "It'll all be covered-"

"Business doing that well??" Pride was clear in her voice.

"Somethin' like that. You'll get a full answer when here, ok?"

"Alright dear. You take care okay?"

"I will. Love ya Ma."

"Love you too. See you soon, Stanley."

Stan and Ford's eye both widened as they stared in shock at the dial tone.

"She knows?!" Ford looked to Stan.

"I don't know?!"

"How long has she known?!"

"I DON'T KNOW!"

"Did she think I was the dead one? Or does she know we're both alive??"

"SIXER. I DON'T KNOW."

Ford stared at the phone for a few more seconds before shaking his head and laughing. "Leave it to Ma..."

Stan chuckled, putting the phone up. "No kiddin'.... I'll call the boys in a bit- I need a drink."

Ford snickered, nodding. "I'll leave you to that. I need to go for a walk."

Stan patted his back, heading for the kitchen.

Bill frowned over at Ford tossing and turning beside him in bed. "Sixer."

Ford sighed, opening an eye.

"I can't hear my own thoughts over yours... Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Ford sat up, putting his glasses back on.

Bill reached a hand out to try to soothe his worries.

Ford got up entirely, pacing the room. "We have Time Baby looming over us at any moment, I'm still trying to figure out how to integrate everyone safely into the town, Ma apparently knows Stanley isn't me? I don't know how much she knows or how, Weddings in general are nightmares to plan, We have no idea if we'll have the capsule ready in time for Globnar, I'm going to have to see Sherman again and try to act normal even tho his existence still feels like a burning coal in my gut! I have no control over anything going on in my life anymore and no way to handle any of it! There's no plan for anything! I just feel so- AAAH!"

Bill watched, wide eyed, as Ford's lid on his emotions broke off entirely. "Hey now. We have a plan. It just isn't on a timeline-"

"I just feel so- so-.... Helpless! I can't do anything!"

Bill shifted his form, a humanoid body with an inverted triangle for a head (If only so his corners wouldn't be stabbing Ford in the cheek.) "Making yourself sleep deprived isn't going to solve any of that. Come back to bed."

Ford glanced over, raising a brow at the form. Bill knew he liked his base form best.

"It's easier to make sure you're sitting still when I'm not half your height." Bill shrugged. "Plus, your body's instincts still prefer full contact."

Ford sighed, heading back to the bed. "I just want to be ready-"

"We will be. We'll go thru this one by one in the morning, alright? Right now, you can't think clearly."

Ford clicked his tongue, knowing Bill was right. Ford curled up against his Muse, resting his head on Bill's chest. There was no heartbeat, of course. But there was a thrum of magic humming throughout the form.

Bill removed Ford's glasses, placing them on the nightstand and petting his hair. "I'm here. You're not dealing with any of this alone."

Ford let out a slow exhale, trying to calm his mind and rest.

Ford groaned, sitting back up after several minutes. "What if the unicorn hair can't pad the wish's magic?? What if we can't even get any at all?? What if all the magic scares Ma?? What if she becomes scared of me like Fiddleford?!"

Bill sighed, popping back into his natural shape. "Sixer-"

"What if I do something stupid when Sherman's here and upset Stanley?! He doesn't even know I'm not happy about that side of the family! What if the kids think I hate them!?"

Bill rolled his eye, taking mental note that despite his hangups about his brother, he has warmed up to the kids. That was a start. Bill glanced to Ford, thinking. He could just soothe the chemicals in Ford's brain, but as worked up as he was? Bill wasn't convinced that'd last. And keeping the brain's balance altered thru an entire night didn't sound safe.

"What if-" Ford's words cut off as the glow beside him vanished. "Bill-" Ford turned, worried he'd scared his muse off. But, no. The triangle was still there.

Bill carefully took off the hat, no longer floating over his head but instead crookedly sat on his higher point. Bill set it and his bow tie aside on the nightstand. He was relieved to see his trick was working, and for at least a bit, Ford's spiral had been derailed by confusion.

Ford stared for a moment, processing the shift. ".....You can turn that off?"

Bill gave half a shrug, glancing down to his hand and flexing it, debating. "I wasn't always magic, you know?"

"...Since this is-.... Just.... Natural Bill?"

"Something like that. Tucking my abilities away into a temporary dormancy. See if that helps your mind calm itself down enough to sleep." Bill let out a soft sigh, nervous. He carefully removed the protective gloves from his charred hands. With his powers, the gloves may as well be a natural skin, able to move, flex, and stretch at his will. Without them? They were just gloves.

Ford watched quietly, shifting a bit closer. He'd had suspicions on Bill's base form, but he never dared to ask.

Bill silently took his boots off as well, placing them and the gloves on the nightstand carefully. He glanced to the side, noticing Ford's silent expression of wonder. His voice spoke without any of the echo or effects, "Watching a world burn comes at a cost."

Ford reached over carefully, holding Bill's hand. "Does it hurt?..."

"Not physically." Bill used their conjoined hands to pull Ford closer. Without his powers, he couldn't bend himself or curve at all to cradle Ford's head. Instead, he laid back flat, holding Ford where his bow tie usually sat, petting his hair idly.

Ford tucked his arms under Bill, above his own head, holding him close. It wasn't particularly soft, but Ford didn't mind it. His mind's only focus soothed to just the knowledge that this was something just for him. Something no one else would ever see or experience.

Bill rolled his eye as low as it could go, starring at the human laying on him. Without his powers, his eye was blurry and damaged once more. The world unfocused and hazy from years of being forced to take things he never once asked for. Bill gently ran his hand across the side of Ford's face.

Despite the haze, Bill could still see his human crystal clear. He couldn't tell if it was due to countless nights studying Ford's every mark, scar, dip, and angle, or if it was due to how close he was curled. He didn't much care for the why. All he knew is his Sixer was as clear as the stars he gazed up at as a child.

It started with a fire, it always did.

Inferno raging around him, taking everything in it's path with it.

Bill sighed. He'd seen this nightmare several thousand times over. Back before he learned to override his need for sleep entirely.

Bill looked around. Why was he back here again? He'd sworn to stop having this nightmare centuries ago. Bill gazed up at the stars above him.

Why did you do it?

Bill sighed, tired. Those words had filled him with so many emotions. Hurt, Anger, Sorrow, Regret. He'd gone thru it all so many times, all he was left with was numb.

Why did you do it?

Bill turned to face his burning parents, the memory of every inch of it was once seared into his mind. Now all he saw was static. It didn't mean anything any more.

Why did you do it?

Bill clenched his fists. A different memory echoed in the back of his mind, briefly. Why us?? What did we do wrong?? If so many people are acting this way, we MUST deserve it so WHY-

"Why did YOU do it?!" Bill accused the shapes he could barely remember beyond their colors. Bill raises a shaky hand to his eye, clutching the side as he fought back the tears. "Why did YOU do this to me??"

Bill's hand jerked slightly, a red string tied around it pulling it away from his eye. Bill frowned, grabbing the string in his other hand, confused. He turned from the blaze behind him, following the odd string.

Bill found himself on the edge of his flat world, the string curved over the edge. Bill leans over as much as he dared, finding the string tied around something below.

Bill squinted past the haze, spotting the string worked into a red noose, wrapped tightly around Ford's neck.

Bill frowned, leaping over the edge to try to help. He found himself floating, unbound by gravity, as he lowered himself down to where Ford swayed in the emptiness.

Bill sighed in relief to see the noose loosen as he neared. He couldn't see clear enough to even try to de-tangle the mess of red. Bill wiped the tears from Ford's eyes.

Ford reached up, holding the hands against his face.

Bill frowned, watching the noose tighten once more from where it was still tied to his hand.

Bill extended an extra set of hands, and cut the string apart entirely. Watching it fall away. Bill tried to let Ford's face go, to set him free from it all.

Ford held on tighter, pulling Bill close. Wings made of the cosmos themselves stretches out behind him, lifting them both out of the emptiness. Above the nothing, above even the fire still burning below. Until all that surrounded them were their stars.

Bill smiled softly, resting his form against Ford's, trusting that they wouldn't fall.

Chapter Text

The first thing Bill became aware of as he woke up was the feeling of fingers tracing over the many cracks and lines across his form. Bill blinked awake, happy to find his favorite face smiling down at him.

"Morning." Ford chuckled.

"Morning." Bill stretched.

Ford carefully scooped Bill up, helping him sit up. "You smooth out your scars with your powers I see."

Bill shrugged. "I don't let people see where I'm fragile-" Bill glanced Ford over. "Usually."

Ford nodded. "Makes sense."

Bill groaned, rubbing his eye. "Dry..."

"I could grab some eyedrops-"

"No!- ... No thank you." Bill sighed. "I don't like things in my eye."

Ford hmm'd. "Damp towel?"

"That sounds nice." Bill agreed.

Ford kissed the top point of him before heading to the bathroom to grab a washcloth.

Bill sighed in relief when Ford carefully laid it across his eye. "Don't expect to see this often. If ever again. It's not an enjoyable state to be in."

"Understandable... Thank you." Ford smiled, touched Bill would put himself in discomfort just to soothe Ford. "Are you alright?"

"Of course." Bill snorted. "It's not like I'm damaging myself like this. It's just, not an easy way to live."

"About on par with me trying to function without glasses?"

"Something like that." Bill adjusted the rag a bit, making sure it could properly curve around his round eye.

Ford grabbed Bill's gloves and boots from the stand. "Do your limbs need moisturizers?"

"What?" Bill lifted the rag a bit to peek out.

"If human skin get damaged, it can have trouble producing the oils it needs to remain healthy. Moisturizers can ease that sometimes. I know you're not human but-"

"......Never tried." He shrugged.

"Want to?"

"....Sure, why not." Bill leaned back to let gravity hold the cloth on his eye. Bill took notice of the bed shifting as Ford left once more.

Ford returned, pulling Bill carefully into his lap so he could lean back on Ford.

Bill relaxed as he felt Ford's hands massage the cream into his arms. He could get used to letting someone else take care of him for sure.

Bill lifted the rag once more to stare in confusion, watching Ford carefully pull his glove back on for him. "You don't have to help-"

"I know." Ford assured, moving carefully to ensure the material doesn't tug on Bill's skin too much. "You do so much for me... I want to return the favor."

Bill glanced up to his human.

Ford simply smiled fondly, working on the other arm.

Bill put the rag back down, letting himself be doted on.

Bill tucked his legs close once his boots were back on, wanting to be curled closer.

".....How does this even stay on?" Ford snickered.

Bill chuckled, having a guess what he was holding. Bill sat up, folding the rag up and squinting to see Ford looking the bow tie over. Bill held his hand out for it.

Ford handed it over. "Seriously... how does that work?"

Bill just shrugged, putting the tie on easily.

"Is it like a piercing?? A magnet?? Does it hold on by just friction in the grooves??"

Bill stretched. "Turning the glow back on. Mind your eyes."

"Not going to tell me??" Ford sighed, glancing away.

"I thought you liked figuring things out." Bill snickered, grabbing the small stone from his hat and reclaiming his powers from it. He tucked it back away, and propped his hat back into it's rightful spot floating above his head. His gloves and boots shifting subtly to resume looking like part of him.

Bill gave a large stretch, letting his limbs extend and his body curve backwards as he returned to his defying of physics.

Ford chuckled, kissing the side of his form.

"Sleep ok?" Bill checked.

"Thanks to you." Ford nodded. "What of our issues are we facing today?"

"I was thinking, what if we have the maniacs help in the Shack for a bit? People won't react as strongly to strange things in a place they're already expecting the strange. Then when they see them in public, maybe it won't be as much of a shock."

Ford hmm'd, nodding. "That could work. They may be startled to see it's not a costume, but they'll at least have personalities to trust in first."

Bill gave a nod. "I'll talk them into it, you run it by Firebird?"

"Sounds like a plan." Ford sighed in relief, smiling.

"I told you. We got this." Bill assured, floating up.

Ford got up, stretching himself. "You go on ahead, I need a shower."

Bill stole a quick kiss, heading off to the lab.

"So. What's the big deal here??" Kryptos demanded as Bill entered the lab alone.

Bill rolled his eye. He knew it'd come up. "The deal is I'm doing whatever the hell I want. And if any of you get in my way, I'll turn you all to dust."

"I thought we were hosting the ultimate party." Pyronica scoffed.

"Plans change."

"You've gone soft." Keyhole accused.

Bill's eye went red. "You ungrateful brats should just be glad I didn't leave you behind to dissolve!"

"We were promised liberation!" Hectorgon scowled. "Not more rules."

Bill gave a shrug. "Don't care! I've got a good thing going here, and if we need to wait 'til a few humans croak from age to let loose, so be it. But NONE OF YOU. Are messing this UP FOR ME! Are we understood?!"

The group cowered in fear as Bill's size enlarged, his sections starting to segment into his monstrous form.

"You're going to play nice and follow the humans' rules, or YOU CAN GO BACK TO THE NIGHTMARE REALM AND DIE." Bill warned. "Weirdmageddon's not entirely off the table. It's just being pushed back a generation or two. Let Pine Tree and Shooting Star kick the bucket, then we'll see how we're all feeling about it. Until then? Sit down. SHUT UP. AND DON'T GET IN MY WAY!"

"Besides." Bill took a few breaths, calming back down into a yellow triangle. "No one's telling you to be human or not be creepy. Just don't eat humans or their pets. Don't kill people. Even humans don't follow all of their laws all the time."

"And why should we take orders from you if you're not holding up your end?" Pyronica side eyed.

"Because. Only those I still give a shit about will get their records with Time Baby pardoned once Fordsy beats him at his own game. A clean slate. No more running. No more worrying when we'll be caught. A total do over..... Don't waste it."

The crew muttered and whispered, shocked such a thing was even possible.

"And how long do we get to be caged down here?" Amorphous Shape sighed.

"That's what I came down here for. We want you all to get to be regular citizens here, without angry mobs attacking you. So we gotta desensitize the humans to you all first. You're all going to work up top in the shack for a few days so their minds can get used to comprehending you. Then you'll be free."

The anxious whispers turned to excitement at getting to see the outside.

"So. Are we all on the same page?"

"....You haven't steered us wrong so far." Kryptos relented. "We'll give it a shot."

"He has a fire extinguisher up there right?" Pyronica checked.

Bill snickered. "Hopefully. I'll warn him you can't help it sometimes. So. Who wants the first shift?"

Most the maniacs all stepped back, not being willing to risk the humans lashing out on them.

Pyronica looked around in a panic to see she was left standing alone. "Hey?!"

"Congrats." Bill snickered. "Your shift begins now. Let's go." Bill headed for the elevator.

Pyronica glared at her crew. "Cowards." She sighed and nervously followed Bill up top. "They don't really form angry mobs do they?"

"Of course not." Bill lied. "Besides. You got me and Sixer looking after you."

Bill floated over to Ford. "All clear?"

Ford gave a nod. "Stanley's warning his employee now." Ford took notice that Pyro's flames were extra erratic. "Breathe. From what Dipper's notes tell me, she's pretty 'chill'."

"I don't do. Chill." The being of fire reminded.

"Then maybe you can learn." Ford nodded to the door.

Pyro sighed, heading into the gift shop.

Wendy glanced up from the counter. "Sick boots."

"........Is sick good?"

"Very good." Wendy chuckled. "Wendy."

"Pyronica."

"If anyone asks to take a picture with or of you? Charge them."

Stan teared up in pride. She's learned so much working here.

"....Don't get weird, man." Wendy sighed. "Ignore him. Come on, I'll show you how the label maker works."

Ford smiled, leaning on Bill as the girls went to work. "This just might work."

"Integration? Check." Bill chuckled. "Family?"

"Check." Stan nodded. "They're flying out this weekend, and will be crashing at Preston's place. Give them time to adjust to everything before the wedding."

Ford sighed in relief, nodding.

Bill smiled, petting Ford's cheek. "We've got this under control. Okay?"

Ford gave another nod. "Thank you."

Stan smiled. "It's what family's for. And ours is pretty big now."

Ford smiled fondly, watching the girls work. His weirdos, and his normal life, meshing together. "If anyone hurts any of them, I'm committing murder."

Stan snickered. "You ain't hearin' any objections from me."

Bill snickered. "Sounds like Time Baby's in for a world of pain during Globnar."

Ford grinned. That he could look forward to.

Chapter Text

Stan grinned wide as the limo neared, eagerly jogging over to it to open the door. "Welcome to Gravity Falls, Ma."

Caryn smiled fondly, carefully getting out of the car.

Stan hugged her close as the driver got her walker out for her.

"Thanks, James." Stan nodded to him.

"Any time, Sir."

Caryn chuckled. "How have you even arranged all this?"

"We'll get to that in a bit."

Caryn nodded. "Now, where's Stanford?" She grinned.

Stan hesitated, glancing to her."How-"

"Your voice hasn't changed since high school. You think I can't recognize my babies??"

Stan glanced away, never having considered that.

"And the only thing I can think of you'd need to tell me in person would be either, A. You're a father. Or, B. Both of you are together again. Given the kids haven't mentioned anything to me, I'm leaning towards B."

"So, you're where Six gets his brain from." Stan laughed, shaking his head. "Get out here, we're busted!"

Ford snickered as he came around the corner.

Caryn teared up in joy. "I better be getting a long explanation on several things."

"Of course." Ford nodded, holding his Ma by her shoulders to look her over for a moment. It'd been so long. "It's why we flew you out first. There's certain things we don't feel are the boys' business."

She nodded, looking her baby over. He certainly wasn't a copy of Stanley anymore. "It's been too long."

"I know... I'm sorry." Ford pulled her close, hugging her tight.

"Easy-" Caryn laughed. "I'm not as tough as I used to be."

"Sorry." Ford laughed, loosening his grip slightly. He buried his face in her shoulder, trying not to fall apart entirely.

Mama rubbed his back. "How have you been?"

"I've been-..... Well. All things considered." He nodded, stepping back but keeping his hands on her arms.

Caryn smiled softly, patting one of his hands. "I'm not going anywhere."

"I know-" He sighed, hugging her once more before stepping away fully. "I've missed you. So much."

"I've missed you too, sweetie." Mama smiled, glancing to the rings on his hand.

Ford chuckled nervously. "Ah- Double busted- Yes, that's the... event? I believe Stanley called it? That we're bringing you all out for..."

Caryn chuckled. "I'm glad I had the inkling to bring a fancy gown then. When do I get to meet the lucky guy?"

Ford's face exploded in color. "I- uh- W-"

"Oh. Please. Stanford." Caryn laughed, shaking her head. "You think I don't know my babies??"

Ford paled slightly, stomach sinking. "Did- I mean- Was I that obvious-"

"Your father would have had to bother paying attention to begin with to notice anything."

Ford sighed in relief, hands tucking into his pockets. Old nervous habits never fully gone. "Well- Uh, yes- He's- He's not quite what you're going to be expecting-"

Caryn's grin widened, knowing. "Not human?"

Ford's face flushed even further, stepping back in shock. "How did you-"

"I repeat. I am your MOTHER." Caryn laughed. "You spent your childhood obsessed with Werewolves and Zombies and Liches. You moved out here to study the abnormal. Frankly, I'd be more shocked if you did get with a human at this point."

"............You are.... remarkably calm about confirmation of the paranormal." Ford laughed nervously.

"You boys would tell me your off hunting a Jersey Devil and I didn't bat an eye. Why are you surprised?"

"........I'm- Just going to go- grab Bill-" Ford sighed, heading inside.

Stan snickered, getting out a camcorder to document this moment.

Caryn shook her head, sitting down on the seat of her walker to wait. "So, when's YOUR wedding?" She teased her other boy.

Stan snickered. "He's still working out his own divorce first."

Caryn's eyes widened slightly as she glanced to Stanley. That one caught her off guard.

Stan didn't reply, nodding to the door. "Ma, meet Bill."

Caryn looked back to the house, eyes widening even further to see- A shape. ".....Admittedly, this is unexpected."

Ford smiled nervously, fighting his urge to run away. "Ma, meet Bill Cipher. Bill, this is my mother Caryn."

Bill took a bow, before extending a hand to shake. "Nice to meet you!"

Caryn slowly reached out, shaking the offered hand. "Hello there..."

Stan snickered. "Thought you were comfortable with the peculiar?"

Ford fidgeted, anxious. "Are you.... upset?... Disappointed?"

"No! No, not at all dear-" Caryn assured. She chuckled, shooting Ford a slight smirk. "I know you like math but, marrying Geometry? Isn't that a bit far?" She teased.

Ford covered his face, groaning at hearing this TWICE.

Stan doubled over in laughter.

"So, YOU'RE where he gets it from." Ford scoffed.

Caryn snickered. "As long as you're happy, I'm happy for you."

Ford relaxed slightly, smiling a bit. "Let's get you inside for story time, alright?"

Caryn nodded, carefully getting back up and following her boys into the house. "This has changed a bit."

Stan chuckled, nodding. "We'll have to give you a tour later." He glanced to the limo driver, "Want a drink before you go?"

"I'm quite alright, thank you. I'll make sure Mary has a room prepared for Mrs.Pines. When should we expect you?"

"We'll swing by in time for dinner."

"Very good."

Stan gave the driver a fistbump before following his family inside.

Stan grinned, getting pictures of the younger twins happily burying their great grandma with hugs. "Your dad and gramps aren't arriving until tomorrow." Stan warned the kiddos.

Dipper glanced over. "Is Mom coming?"

"She'll be here for the wedding, but denied the week stay..."

Dipper gave a nod. It was something at least.

Caryn covered the young faces in kisses. "Have you two had a fun summer?"

"I got to fight zombies with music!" Mabel cheered.

"And I've seen real dinosaurs!" Dipper nodded.

Caryn laughs, nodding. "At least you're out of the house a bit."

Ford smiled. "There's a lot more to meet but, we'll get to that. Can I get you a drink? Food?"

"Some tea would be nice."

Ford nodded, heading for the kitchen.

Bill shrank himself down to about a foot tall, sitting on the table. "If you ever want a bit of mobility back, I can probably help with that!"

Caryn snickered. "That's sweet, but I'm quite alright with my aging."

"Suit yourself." Bill shrugged.

"So.. what Are you?"

"That's an excellent question!" Bill laughed.

".....Am I not getting an answer?"

"Don't have one to give! I'm just Bill!"

"Fair enough." She laughed.

Ford returned with the tea, sitting across the table from his mom. "We'll give you the same run down we gave the twins, if that's alright?"

Mama nodded, taking her drink. "What kind is this?"

"Oh-" Ford chuckled a bit nervously. "It's from another dimension actually...."

Caryn let out a soft huh, glancing to the drink. Then slowly up to her baby boy, noticeably younger than his twin. ".....I'm not going to like most of this. Am I?"

"Probably not... At least you know it ends happy." Ford offered.

Caryn gave a nod and took a slow sip of the odd drink. "I'm listening."

Chapter Text

"And... now we're here... Trying to... make things work." Ford chuckled. He left out the Time Baby concern, that wasn't her problemn Leaving the story off with how they got the agents to leave.

Caryn nodded slowly, taking all of this in. "....I am.. So proud of you boys."

"Really?" Ford was surprised by this.

"You're both so dedicated and take such good care of each other." She smiled fondly.

Ford chuckled. "Stanley never let me down."

Stan beamed in pride. "Even if it took me awhile."

"Hey. I didn't get to the point I could figure all that out overnight myself." Ford reminded.

Caryn nodded. "You both are amazing boys. I'm glad you're BOTH home and safe now."

Ford chuckled, nodding happily. "We have a few things to work out here still. But... The future's looking bright."

"Now." Caryn smiled sweetly to Bill, leaning over into his face. "I don't like hearin' how much you lied to my baby. But I am glad you've had a change of heart. However. If you EVER hurt my baby-" Caryn's threat was cut off by a firm hand on her shoulder. Not tight enough to hurt, but enough to be worrying. Caryn looked over in shock to find Stanford scowling down at her.

"Do. Not. Threaten my Muse." Ford said, voice cold.

Caryn backed away, a bit shocked by the sudden shift in her usually gentle and pacifist child.

Ford let her go to scoop Bill up and cuddle him.

"Yeaah." Stan whispered to his mom. "They're a bit over protective of each other..."

Caryn gave a slow nod, whispering barely above a breath. "Is that... healthy?..."

"I don't think we could stop them even if it's not."

Caryn gave another quiet nod.

Ford glanced to his family, oblivious to the tension he put into the air. "Let me round everyone up and you can meet my other wordly friends, yeah?"

"Sounds good sweetie." Caryn forced a nervous smile.

Bill shrank down, tucking into Ford's breast pocket as Ford left the room.

Caryn glanced nervously to Stan. "Is Ford in... danger?"

"I don't think so. And, no one else is either... As.. long as you don't become a threat to either of them." Stan sighed. ".....I think they went thru a lot in the other world. Ford's good at fighting now too. Just, steer away from threats, even joking ones, and they're perfectly normal."

Caryn sighed, worried for her baby. "He's never hurt my baby, has he?"

"Not that I'm aware of." Stan shrugged.

Caryn relaxed a bit at that. "........I just worry- That expression-"

"Don't even go there." Stan shook his head. "He's nothing like our useless father. Even in his over protectiveness. I don't believe he'd ever actually hurt us. He just knows how to put on a show now."

Caryn nodded, relieved to hear that. If anyone knew Ford, it'd be his partner in crime. "Are they happy?"

"Very. I've never seen Ford smile so much. He's all confident and proud now."

Caryn smiled. "Good for him."

Stan nodded, checking on his mom's shoulder. "You're probably still going to bruise... He's gonna feel like shit."

"I'll keep it covered." She assured. "It's just part of getting old. Sleeping wrong leaves bruises."

Stan snorted. "You sure you don't want Bill fixing you up?"

"I have lived longer than I ever expected to. I don't need to drag it out. I've done my time, I've lived my experiences. And I finally get to see you both reunited and happy. I've seen everything I needed from life."

Stan gave a nod. "Fair enough."

Ford and Bill returned after a few minutes, their gaggle of weirdos trailing in behind them.

Caryn looked around the rag tag group of misfits. "Surprised you haven't met some sort of Mothman yet, as much as you begged to go see those exhibits in the zoo."

Ford snickered. "There is actually a Moth Man in the Falls. I used to spend Halloween with him, to keep him from wandering into town thanks to all the Jack-O-Lanterns."

Caryn chuckled, smiling fondly. "Only you."

Ford grinned, introducing each of his crew.

Preston smiled as he watched Stan help his mother out of the limo."I hope the ride up was smooth. We had the driveway repaved a few weeks ago."

Caryn nodded. "It was a delight. You have a lovely yard."

"Thank you." Preston smiled, giving her a bow. "Preston Northwest, an honor to meet you."

"Caryn Pines." She smiled. "But you can just call me Ma given you're with my Stanley."

Preston chuckled, going a bit red. "I see that cat's already out of the bag..."

Stan shrugged, kissing his cheek and grinning at the squeak it earned him. "Had to explain where Ford's been for thirty years, and how he's back. And you're a big part of that."

"I see-" Preston tried to compose himself. "I'll show you to your room after Dinner. It should be ready any minute now."

Caryn nodded, "Thank you, dear."

Preston lead their large group in to the dining room. "Do your uh-....." Preston regarded the inhuman things following Ford and Bill inside. "...Friends? ..... Eat human food? Or... need anything special?"

"Pyronica needs a metal cup, not a glass, otherwise they're all happy with whatever." Ford assured.

Preston nodded, texting the information to his chef. "All of these are crammed into that little shack?..."

"The lab below's bigger than you'd think." Ford shrugged.

"I could offer rooms-"

"We're not big on being separated." Bill shot down. "Not in a foreign world."

"Understandable." Preston nodded. "The offer stands if you need it."

"Thank you, Preston." Ford felt weird saying such a thing. Still. He told Stan he'd be nice.

Preston pulled out a chair for Caryn. "Is this seat alright, ma'am?"

"Thank you." Caryn chuckled, sitting down. "A real gentleman. Maybe Stanley will finally learn manners." She teased.

Stan laughed happily, sitting on one side of his Ma, Ford on the other. "Or maybe I'll teach him like an animal."

Preston let out a disgruntled noise at the thought, sitting next to Stan. "Heathen."

Stan laughed happily. "Guilty."

Ford snickered, shaking his head.

Pacifica beamed as she came down for dinner. "Oh! Right. I forgot you guys were coming over." She happily took a seat between the younger twins. "Are you staying after dinner?"

"Probably for a bit, while our Grunkles help Grammie settle in." Mabel nodded.

"You guys want to check out my new VR console after dinner?"

"Hell yeah?!" Dipper cheered, excited.

Preston smiled, glad to see Pacifica have friends, and ones she can be herself with at that.

Stan smiled just as fondly, recognizing the simple gown she wore as one he'd given as a gift on her birthdays. Even while apart from Pres, he'd always kept an eye on them. They were still family to him. He wondered if she or Preston even realized where the gifts came from, or if they got some many they never even questioned it.

Pacifica glanced over to her dad. "Do I need to take mom some dinner?"

Preston sighed. "I'm not certain... She seemed calm when I told her the Pines were joining us for once? She's still not talking to me however."

Pacifica sighed.

Caryn glanced between the pair. "Can I pry?..."

Preston gave a nod to Stan.

Stan looked to his mom. "Priscilla was Preston's arranged Beard by his father. The reveal of him not being entirely into the relationship went down a bit messy, and it's been rough waters since then. We're all trying to make things work but..."

Caryn frowned. "She's too heartbroken?"

"We were never in love." Preston admitted. "We barely even know the other. She's just-..... We were raised believing life worked one way."

Caryn considered this, grabbing her walker. "May I try talking to her?"

"....." Preston glanced to Stan again.

Stan shrugged.

Preston glanced to Pacifica.

Pacifica got up. "I'll take you to her room."

"Thank you, sweetie." Caryn smiled, walking off with her.

"...........Is it too early to start drinking?" Preston sighed.

"Yes." Stanley and Ford both scolded.

Preston poured himself some water for the time being. He didn't even protest letting Stanley hold him despite the crowd.

Chapter Text

Caryn knocked before letting herself in. "Pardon the intrusion dear..."

Priscilla looked up from her mirror, brushing out her hair. Dressed too nice to be staff...

"I'm Caryn Pines."

Priscilla scoffed, focusing back on her beauty routine. "You can leave."

Caryn perched herself on the large bed, glancing around the half empty room. "There's a lovely dinner waiting downstairs."

"You are dismissed."

Caryn snickered. "Cute, dear. But I'm not one of your leashed pets."

"What do you want??" Priscilla turned to glare at the woman.

Caryn patted next to her on the bed. "To talk."

"I have nothing to say to you or your kind."

"Then listen. Do you have anything better to do?"

Priscilla sighed, going over and sitting next to her.

"I'm not here to tell you to be happy about any of this. I get it."

"What could you POSSIBLY understand-"

"Please." Caryn scoffed. "I'm a woman from the shit years as well. You think I WANTED to stay with a man who'd try to cut off his own child's finger?"

Priscilla froze, staring at Caryn.

"He terrified me. But... What could I do?? What little money I earned went into his accounts. I couldn't get any sort of real job without his permission. If I was divorced, I'd be a pariah in town. There's no other choice for women but to find a man who will be the least dangerous for us, and stay."

Priscilla looked away, hiding slightly in her hair.

"But... the world's changed a lot since then." Caryn shrugged. "We don't need to be a baby factory for a man to have a chance at a life anymore. And it's- It's scary. It is." Caryn nodded. "Trying to be something you've always been told you can't be. Trying to sort out what parts of it all are YOU. And what was him. I get it...."

"I don't WANT a different life. I have everything I ever needed-"

"But did you have what you WANTED."

"I don't have wants-"

"Everyone wants for things. It's part of being human." Caryn chuckled. "What was so great about this life?"

"Everything?? This room alone is probably worth more than your entire existence."

"....And is he kicking you out?"

"Well- .... No..."

"Are you cut off from the wealth?"

Priscilla didn't answer.

"....Have you lost anything? Besides the need to pretend to enjoy being an object he shows off?"

Caryn looked over, finding Priscilla holding herself.

Caryn frowned, reaching out to hold her hand. "You still have a home. And security. Preston clearly still wants you around, just. Not sexually. You're free to do what you want now. With a family who still love you...... Don't take that for granted, okay?... Not everyone gets to have that."

Caryn carefully got up. "Personally? I wish Filbrick had been kind enough to set me free. Before my family was ripped to pieces by it. We're trying to pick the pieces back up now. Trying to be loved again..... And you're welcome to be a part of that. It's messy. And not always by the book. Certainly not always high class.... But it's real. And it's warm. And we will love you regardless of who or what you are. Even if it's imperfect."

Priscilla stood up quietly, heading for the door. "I'll walk you back down to dinner."

Preston glanced over, trying to mask his surprise to see Priscilla out of the room.

Caryn sat back down between her boys, smiling. "This all smells divine. Can we dig in?"

"Of course. Help yourselves." Preston nodded.

Priscilla glanced around the table, staring in shock at the- things! in her home.

Bill gave a wave. "Pretty sure humans consider staring rude."

Priscilla went red, glancing away, and spotting her daughter. Priscilla froze.

Pacifica was talking with the younger Pines twins happily. Smiling.

Priscilla wasn't sure she'd ever seen her smile quite like that before. She glanced to Caryn, who was happily talking with Preston already about the gardens outside.

Priscilla sighed, and slowly took a seat at the table, smiling a little to see her daughter smile her way for a moment.

Bill glanced over to her. "Can we get you anything? Table's pretty big."

"I wouldn't mind some of the roast at the end there..." She felt utterly ridiculous talking to a yellow pendant.

Bill glanced over, floating the dish over to her. "There ya go!"

Priscilla let out a slight shriek at the magic, reminded of the haunting just a short while back.

Preston was out of his chair in seconds and by her side, holding her hand. "He's not a ghost. Promise. He's more on par with the Gleefuls."

Priscilla took deep breaths, trying to regain her composure and calm down.

Preston kept a hand on hers, and an arm around her shoulder until then.

"Sorry- Should have warned you." Ford apologized. "Are you alright?"

Priscilla gave a small nod. "Of course... I shouldn't make a scene...."

"Nonsense." Stan scoffed, shaking his head. "You almost DIED. Anyone would have issues from that. I'm surprised and concerned my kids handle it so well."

"I have nightmares nightly." Dipper shrugged.

"..........Signing you up for therapy when you get home." Caryn sighed in concern.

"They're never going to believe me." Dipper snorted, eating his food as if this were a normal conversation.

Ford glanced to Preston. "Perhaps wine isn't the worst idea."

Preston gave a nod to Stanley, unwilling to leave Priscilla's side for the moment.

Stan nodded back, heading for the kitchen as if he owned the place.

".......How often-.... has he been here?" Priscilla slowly glanced to Preston.

Pres gave a shrug. "I knew him..... a bit over a decade? Before Father interfered. We spent more time at his place than here for... obvious reasons. But, he'd come up when Father was away on business trips."

Priscilla gave a quiet nod, hesitantly grabbing the still floating food to scoop some onto her plate.

To Bill's credit, he passed it down the line like a human would to put it back. Trying his best to not set her off again.

"Jesse recommended this one." Stan informed, bringing over a bottle.

Priscilla glanced over, anxiety easing to see the familiar bottle. "That's from my 18th birthday. I wasn't aware we had any left."

Stan gave a nod. "Want it poured for you or?"

"I'm.... not sure how to open it." Priscilla realized. Everything was always done for her.

Stan shrugged, opening it slowly to show her how it worked, before carefully pouring her a glass. "Are you okay?... I know this is a lot."

Priscilla glanced between the two men tending to her, despite how cold she's been. She gave a slow nod. "I'm alright."

Preston gave a sigh of relief, giving her a brief squeeze before treeing to his seat to pour himself a glass as well.

Priscilla glanced around the table once more as she took a slow sip of her drink. No one was laughing, or staring, despite her outburst. Everyone seemed..... happy.

Priscilla caught Caryn's glancing at her, and gave a soft smile, lifting her glass to her.

Caryn smiled back, grabbing her own to return the silent toast.

"Hey, mom?"

Priscilla jumped slightly, not used to being referred to so casually. "Yes?.."

"Can we go to the spa tomorrow? Together?"

Priscilla smiled fondly at her daughter. "That sounds lovely dear....." She hesitated, glancing over to the side a bit. "...Why don't we bring Caryn and- Uh-"

"Mabel." The strange child with cat earrings informed her happily.

"Yes-.... Mabel.. With us?"

"Can we??" Pacifica beamed, excited.

Prisicilla's hesitation softened once more. "Of course. It'll be a girls day."

Pacifica and Mabel highfived eagerly.

Priscilla glanced to Preston, smiling.

Pres smiled back with a nod. The Pines won everyone over eventually.

"Can-........." A nervous voice spoke up.

Priscilla glanced around, spotting a bright pink...creature. covered in fire seemingly.

".......Can we join?.... The girls' day?" Pyronica gestured to herself and Amorphous shape.

Priscilla stared a moment. A bit concerned. ".....Spas usually involve lots of water.... Is that.... Alright?"

Pyronica nodded. "I can turn the flames off for a bit."

"....Well-..... Alright then." Priscilla nodded. At least it'd take the attention off herself for sure.

The two girls beamed, excited.

Ford smiled fondly, glad to see his crew being welcomed.

Chapter Text

Stan grinned and waved to Sherman. "There he is! What took you so long? Me an' Alex were about to start taking bets!"

Shermie rolled his eyes. "My bag was the last off the plane. Sue me."

"Sued." Stan laughed, hugging his bro tight.

Shermie chuckled, patting his back. "You're getting old."

"Wow. Rude." Stan snickered, taking his bags and loading them into the car.

"Hey, dad." Alex smiled. "Flight okay?"

"Went great." The pair hugged.

Stan opened a door for them. "I'm sure you're eager to stretch your legs but, we gotta get on the road if we want to be back before Ma heads to the spa."

The group all piled into the car happily.

"It's good to see you again, Stanford." Shermie chuckled, leaning forward from the backseat to look to him and Alex.

"....Yeahh...... Yeah about that-" Stan laughed nervously as he started to drive.

Alex raised a brow. "About.... What?"

"........Do you boys remember the name Stanley Pines?......." Stan kept his eyes on the road, anxious.

"....Ma told me about him.... Pa didn't let me go to the funeral..." Shermie frowned. "I uh-.... I never mentioned him to Alex... I didn't know- I mean- I'd never really met......"

".....Yeah you have." Stan strained out. He could feel both sets of eyes boring into his skull. Stan cleared his throat awkwardly. "The death of Stanley Pines might have been.... a tiny.... little.... small lie?..... And I may or may not... be he....."

The car fell uncomfortably silent and tense for several minutes.

Shermie was the first to break it. "So...... Where's Stanford?"

"Now?... Home.... He's waiting for us at the Mystery Shack....... For the past thirty years?....." Stan waited until he came to a red light. "He's been in another dimension."

".............That's not funny." Sherman sighed.

Stan put the car in park to look Shermie in the eye. "I'm not joking."

Alex stared in shock. Processing the fact his kids are not with who he thought.

Stan sighed and resumed driving. "I was the one who went to Stanley's funeral. And the kids' birth. And I'm pretty much the only one Alex has ever known, I think. Unless Sixer visited before he reached out to me."

Shermie slowly shook his head. "He pretty much only ever talked to Ma..."

"It's a very long story, and I don't think Six wants EVERYONE knowing every tiny detail." Stan sighed. "The short of it? Ford managed to contact a being not from this world. Some stuff went down, and about thirty years ago, Ford got lost in that other world. I've been working on bringing him home, which is why I was so stubborn about rarely leaving here. It worked. He's home now. And we are clearing up a billion messes this has all caused."

The car filled with silence again, less tension this time.

"Ford's going thru a lot right now adjusting to being home. So, I didn't want him having to deal with this announcement again. Hence, coming alone to get you both."

"....You expect us to believe aliens and other worlds exist??" Alex sighed, worrying that his children were in the care of this clearly senile old man.

"Frankly. Science doesn't care what you believe in. Things exist, whether you acknowledge them or not. I'm just warning you ahead of time they do, because you're about to see a lot of proof. And I think they're all getting pretty sick and tired of being gawked at."

"...They?" Shermie spoke up.

"The reason Fordsy an' me are dragging everyone out here is because Sixer went and got himself engaged to the creature he met. And we're having their wedding soon. I am warning you point blank up front, do not threaten, insult, or otherwise offend Sixer's fiance or Sixer can and will beat your asses up. He does. not. care."

Shermie snorted. "Stanford Pines? Beat someone up?...."

"I'm serious, Sherm. He's not the Ford you remember anymore. And if he takes one thing lethally serious, it's protecting his husband."

"Husband??" Shermie gasped.

"Oh, get with the times, Dad." Alex sighed. "That's been a thing for years."

"I know that! I just- I didn't realize-"

"What is with everyone acting so weird?" Stan rolled his eyes.

"You're not at ALL surprised Ford is-.... You know?"

"No. Sherman, I don't know??" Stan sighed. "I think the fact his boy's a triangle is a hell of a lot more shocking than the fact the thing claims to be a guy. Guys are hot. So what?? Everyone knows this."

Stan could once more feel eyes on him. "What?? What is it now??"

"Uncle Stan, are you into men?" Alex chuckled.

"Isn't everyone?? People are hot." Stan scoffed.

"....No... Not everyone." Alex informed. "I've.... never found a man attractive."

".......Maybe YOU'RE the weird one." Stan shrugged.

Alex laughed, raising his hands in surrender. "Hey. Maybe so."

"I'm sorry... Did you say he's a triangle???" Shermie piped up from the back.

"Huh? Oh yeah- It's a bit odd. You get used to it. Floating yellow triangle in a tophat and bow tie."

"................Are you drunk?" Shermie worried.

"No." Stan scoffed, offended. "I don't drive under the influence- Anymore..."

"Anymore??" Alex turned to him.

"I haven't long before the kids were born! No one's in danger from me driving." Stan assured.

"You sound like you're on hard drugs." Shermie agreed.

"I am not! On drugs!" Stan groaned. "I will have you know I have been clean and clear for 35 years!"

"........I should have sent the kids to a summer camp." Alex sighed.

"Hey! I have taken GREAT care of those two!" Stan defended. "I'm not crazy! I'm not high. I'm not lying!"

"You do hear why this sounds insane, right??" Shermie worried.

"Look. I know it's a lot to take in. Trust me. When Six first dragged me up here, I thought he was in a cult. It turns out life's just a LOT stranger than we thought it was. Okay??- Look- You'll see the proof soon enough. As soon as you meet Bill, you'll see I'm not crazy."

"Bill?" Alex snorted. "Some strange talking triangle from another world is named Bill??"

Stan groaned, stepping on the gas a bit. "I should NOT have done this conversation in a car...."

Shermie sighed, trying to sort thru all of this. He was still convinced Stan was unwell. "....Are you doing okay?...."

"I'm doing great." Stan shrugged. "My twin's home, my family's all together again, and I have my boyfriend back-"

"BOYFRIEND!?" Both shouted in shock.

Cops be damned. Stan pressed down on the gas a bit more, going as fast as he knew he could safely control. "Should NOT have done this in a car..."

"We're back!" Stan called into the house, stressed beyond belief. He'd stopped answering the 500 questions an hour ago. "Get out here and prove me right!"

Bill walked over, on human legs, with a human face and ginger hair tied up into a ponytail. "Alex! Sherman! A delight to meet you both. I'm Bill."

Stan facepalmed. "You fucking asshole-"

Alex and Shermie both glanced to the distinctly not-a-triangle man, then to Stan. Concern growing.

"SIXER YOUR BRAT IS MAKING ME LOOK SENILE AND INSANE!" Stan called out.

Ford came over, confused. "What are you- .......Bill, what the hell is that." Ford joined his brother in a facepalm.

Bill laughed happily, glowing all over as he shrank back into a triangle. "Just having a little fun!"

Ford sighed, shaking his head. "Must you turn every single reunion I have with a brother I haven't seen in years into some chaotic, confusing spectacle???"

"Yes!" Bill cheered, kissing him on the cheek.

Shermie's jaw fell open.

Alex stared, confused and a little scared. "He's really a triangle-"

"I told you!" Stan huffed.

"You're really Stanley..." Shermie looked to his brother.

"I TOLD YOU!" Stanley huffed.

Ford stared at Sherman, tense.

Bill winced, glancing to Ford. "Sixer?? Your mind is very loud right now- ... Six??"

Shermie smiled gently, waving. "Hey, Ford...."

Ford's fist clenched and unclenched, throat tightening.

Bill covered the sides of himself near his eye. He didn't have ears, but he picked up the motion of it from Sixer over the years. "Stanford??"

"Hey- Are you okay?" Stan reached out for his increasingly pale brother.

Ford ran.

Chapter Text

"Stanford?!" Stan yelped in surprise, being hit by the door as Ford fled the area. "Where is he going??"

"I don't know-" Bill groaned, opening up viewing portals around them around town, trying to spot Ford in one.

"Can't you fly after him??"

"And run into trees?? I'm tangible out here! Give me a minute."

"Is Uncle Stanford okay??" Alex worried.

"I have no idea." Stan frowned.

Bill tensed, aware why he was running. He didn't think that needed to be aired out right now. First he needed to figure out where Ford was running to.

Bill sighed in relief as one of his tree eyes caught a glimpse of Ford. ".....I'm not certain, but I think he's heading for the cave he met me in." Bill shrank down, perching on Stan's shoulder. "You run. I'll guide."

Stan gave a nod, glancing to his boys. "Just uh- .... Stay here? Okay? Help yourselves to the kitchen or something."

"Are you sure?" Shermie frowned.

"I doubt he's gonna talk to a crowd. I've got this." Stan promised.

Shermie and Alex nodded, heading to the kitchen to wait on both boys to return.

Stan took off after Ford, trying his best to keep up with Bill's directions on where to go.

Stan panted as he slowed to a stop.

Ford sat curled up in a corner, shaking from silent sobs.

Bill floated over, shifting back to his proper size to hold Ford close. "Sixer?"

Ford choked out between sobs. "He looks just like Ma- Why does HE get to look like Ma?! Why do I have to stare at- To see- Why am I the one cursed to look like him when he never even wanted us?!"

Stan frowned, kneeling beside his brother. "Six?... You're not making any sense..."

Bill flinched, worried Ford would clam up entirely around Stan.

The emotions were already pouring, and Ford couldn't stop them if he tried. "What right does Sherman have to look like Ma when we're stuck looking like monsters!?"

Stan frowned, sitting fully and rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

"He really is the preferred child- even by fate-"

"Preferred child??" Stan snickered, confused.

"Of course he is!" Ford uncurled enough to glare, face heartbroken. "He's the normal, useful child Pa always wanted! As soon as he had that BRAT he didn't need either of us anymore! His perfect golden son- He just wanted to cut his losses and replace us!"

Stan shook his head. "I'm pretty sure they just thought Ma was too old and got careless...."

Ford recoiled at the implication of that sentence, shocked momentarily out of his pain.

Stan shrugged. "I'm right and you know it. Besides. I severely doubt Pa saw ANY of us as golden children... Sherm may not have a birth anomaly, or be as much of a trouble maker as I was, but he brought Pa his own fair share of 'shame'. Least, by Pa's standards. He's still in contact with us for a reason after all."

Ford sniffled, trying to calm down and listen.

Bill reached a hand out hesitantly.

Ford nodded, letting Bill hold his temples and soothe the chemical slurry wracking his brain.

"If it's any comfort..." Bill spoke gently. "I physically do not perceive the world how you do. I'm not sure how similar you two look to Fildick-"

"Stop that." Ford laughed weakly.

"But. For my eye? You look nothing alike. He's all murky and grey and dull. You're browns and reds and golden oranges. A kaleidoscope of Autumnal colors."

Ford tilted his head slightly. ".....You see us in colors?"

"You all have an Aura like me. Mine's just on a spectrum you humans can see, because I think it's fun.... Because I wish people could see the way I do- Have since I was little."

Ford reached up, holding one of Bill's hands. "I'm sorry... I'm making a mess of today."

"Don't apologize for needing help." Stan held his brother in a one armed hug. "I just wish you told me sooner so we could've prepared better."

"I see how you look at those kids- Talk about them all-.... I didn't think you'd take hearing I hate Sherman well."

"It's.... painful. Sure.... But, frankly?... I get it. There's been occasional days when I was little, I wondered if my life would've been easier if I wasn't a twin. Like when Pa tried to sell me..."

Ford frowned, hugging his brother tight.

"They're passing moods tho. I would never be happy in a world without you." Stan ruffled his brother's hair. "We all have bad moods and thoughts. Especially with a life as shit as we had. That messes you up."

Ford sighed.

"....We can send him home." Stan offered.

Ford sat up straight, frowning. "I couldn't-"

"This is your wedding, Ford. If he makes you miserable, he doesn't need to be there."

Ford frowned.

"...Do you want me to send him home?"

"......I-" Ford frowned, thinking silently. "...No...."

Stan nodded. "Then we got to figure this out. Because I don't want you being upset on your wedding day."

Ford sighed, curling back into his ball and pulling his sweater up to hide inside it.

Stan grinned, remembering Mabel doing the same thing occasionally. "....Do you want me to talk to Sherman?"

"No!" Ford whined. "NO! I-...." Ford sighed, staring at his hands inside the sweater. "...I don't want any one else feeling bad for being born."

Stan rubbed his back. "Just... try to remember, he chose our side, yeah? He still talks to us, wants us around. So, whatever Pa tried to train into him didn't work. He still chose us.... Maybe that's why he looks like Ma more. He still smiles."

Ford sighed slowly, running a hand across the scar on the other. "It's just not fair..."

"I know." Stan agreed. "I jumpscare myself in the mirror sometimes in my business suit."

Ford chuckled softly, picturing that. "I'll have to make sure to wear a button up and slacks not a suit for my wedding then."

Stan laughed, nodding. "Probably for the best. You could always go back to the sweatervest look."

"Uhg- No." Ford laughed, uncurling from sweater town slowly and wiping his face. "I looked like a dork."

"Uh- You ARE a dork." Stan snickered.

Ford rolled his eyes, shoving him.

"Let me at least warn Shermie you're still recovering from Pa's bullcrap. He doesn't need details. But he'll at least know any weirdness from you is Pa's fault, not his. Okay?"

Ford considered this and nodded. "I can live with that."

Stan got up, helping Ford to his feet. "Are you ok?"

"....Not really." Ford sighed. "...I will be." He smiled to both of his boys.

Stan smiled, nodding.

Bill perched himself on Ford's shoulder, nuzzling his cheek. "I'm here for you if you need to shit talk in your thoughts."

Ford laughed, shaking his head. "I'll keep that in mind?"

Stan smiled, glancing to the murals on the wall. He walked over slowly, running his hand over a symbol that looked an awful lot like the one on his business hat. "What's this?"

"I'm not sure." Ford shrugged. "I've never really figured that out."

Stan looked it over. Mabel's favorite sweater. Dipper's hat. Soos' Shirt. Sixer's Journals... Stan shook his head. "Do I even want to know?"

"Probably not!" Bill laughed. "Just know your brother summoned something that mural specifically warns to never summon."

Stan just let out a deep sigh. "I wish I was even surprised anymore."

Ford scoffed. "Are we going home or judging my choices?"

"Both." Stan laughed, following his brother out of the cave. "Who would've ever thought I'D be the good twin??"

"I'd trip you, but I don't want you to break a hip, grandpa." Ford scoffed, smirking.

Stan wheezed in laughter. "Says the one trying to copy my good looks!"

Ford rolled his eyes, smiling. Maybe a second brother wasn't the worst thing in the world, if they could gang up on Stanley.

Bill snickered at Ford's thoughts. He'd need to come back here and scrub those walls later.

Chapter Text

Stan peeked into the kitchen, relieved to see Alex and Shermie just having a soda and leftovers together.

Shermie glanced over. "Is he... alright?"

Stan gave a nod, stepping closer to keep his voice low. "You remember what Pa was like, yeah?"

Shermie gave a slow nod.

"Ford's just-.... Still working thru a lot of stuff because of him. So, if he's a bit weird, just be patient with him. Yeah?"

Shermie nodded firmly.

Alex frowned. "Was grandfather really that bad?"

"Let's just say if he were alive and tried to talk to your kids, I'd beat him to death with my own bare hands." Stan said, voice calm, even, and serious.

Alex paled a bit.

"Just be a bit easy on Ford. He's having to rebuild how he views a lot of things."

"Shall we give this another go?" Shermie asked.

Stan nodded. The boys followed him into the living room.

Ford tried to keep calm, holding on to Bill's hand tight.

Shermie smiled, walking over and holding out a hand. "It's good to see you again, Stanford."

"You look well, Sherman." Ford shook his hand.

"You know everyone calls me Shermie still, right?"

Ford gave an awkward shrug. "Is Sherman a problem?"

"Nah, it's alright. Just making sure."

Ford nodded.

Alex smiled, holding out his hand. "Nice to properly meet you, Uncle Ford."

"....Alex? Right?" Ford shook his hand as well.

Alex nodded happily. "This was certainly.... not what I expected."

Ford snickered. "Yeah, we get that a lot."

"Right- Sorry."

Ford shrugged. "Kids know you're here yet?"

"Are they home? It's awfully quiet." Alex laughed.

Ford chuckled back. "They may be down in the lab. I'll go check."

"Lab?" Alex blinked.

"....You gave them a rundown, yes?"

Stan shrugged. "Told them you were in another world for a hot minute. Not necessarily how."

"Fair enough- Well, yes. I'm a scientist. I have a lab- Two actually- Oh, shit. I should check on Shifty."

"Shifty?" Shermie raised a brow.

"........Don't worry about it." Ford headed off to go down to the lab.

".........My kids ARE safe here? Right?" Alex slowly looked over to Stan.

Stan was saved from needing to answer by a horn outside. He glanced out the window. "Ma's here!"

"Stanley." Alex stared, worried.

Stan ignored him, heading outside to greet Preston. "No driver today?"

"Wanted to meet them too." Pres chuckled, kissing Stan's cheek.

Stan nodded happily, stealing a brief proper kiss and grinning at how red it made Pres. He was going to get him used to affection eventually. "Their bags are still in my car, if you wanna take those back to get them settled in."

Preston nodded, heading over to Stan's car.

Priscilla got out to stretch her legs for a moment.

Stan helped Caryn out, "They're in the living room."

"Thank you sweetie." Caryn hugged her baby, heading inside happily.

Stan glanced to Priscilla. "You don't drive?"

"I'm a Northwest. I don't need to, homewrecker."

Stan grinned, amused by the sass. "He was mine first, Barbie Doll."

Priscilla glared at him.

Both resumed nice and friendly expressions as Preston returned, Stan getting the trunk for him.

Priscilla rolled her eyes, getting back in the car to wait.

"She's a joy." Stan whispered.

Preston snorted, shaking his head. "Preaching to the choir."

Stan chuckled. "She fine out here until we're done?..."

"She has AC." Preston shrugged. "If she gets sick of it, SHE IS WELCOME INSIDE." Preston raised his voice a bit, to be sure he's heard.

Stan snickered, heading inside. Stan smiled, watching the twins pile onto their dad while excitedly talking to all 3 of the guests.

Ford glanced over to Stan, smiling just as wide.

Stan chuckled, scooping Mabel up. "Alright! You'll have time to chit chat later. You girls have a spa appointment remember??"

"Right!" Mabel leaped down. "One second!" She sprinted back off to her room.

Alex and Stan both shared knowing grins.

Ford raised a brow at them. "What?"

"Sweaters." Both chorused together.

"Everyone gets at LEAST one." Alex laughed.

"....I haven't..." Ford worried.

"Guarantee she's trying to invent a pattern to make you and Bill matching ones. Give her time- Or she's saving it for a wedding gift." Stan shrugged.

Ford relaxed at that. That sounded logical.

Sure enough, the flying comet sprinted back downstairs, green and mint sweaters in hand. "I MADE GIFTS!" Mabel announced happily, shoving the green sweater into Preston's hands.

Preston chuckled, looking over the forest embroidery along the bottom. "How wonderful." He leaned slightly to Stan to whisper. "How does she know my size."

"She just does...." Stan laughed. "Go on. Try it on."

Preston glanced around the room, at all the eyes on him. Expecting. Waiting. He took a deep breath and pulled the garment on, trying to ignore how much it did not mesh well with his more refined outfit. At least he could take solace in the fact Priscilla would be subjected to the same fate. "...It's surprisingly comfortable for being the middle of summer...."

Ford and Mabel shared a high five. Bill using his tapestries to let Pyronica and Amorph know it's time to go.

Caryn got in a few more hugs and kisses before heading for the car with the other girls.

Preston side eyed Stan. "This goes with nothing I own."

Stan grinned. "Guess I gotta make you buy a comfy wardrobe then, eh?"

Preston sighed. "Only if I can doll you up on occasions."

"I wear a suit to work, I ain't against that."

Preston glanced Stan over, trying to picture him formal. Preston promptly shut that train of thought down and left.

"So. That's how you afforded several plane tickets." Shermie snickered. "You have a sugar daddy-"

The house erupted in Chaos over Sherman's choice of words.

Chapter Text

A few days later...

Ford groaned as he skidded across the ground once more. He panted, waiting for things to stop spinning before he dared to roll onto his back.

Yet another of Bill's human disguises leaned over him, staring at him disappointed. The one eye in the face moving behind the skull from one socket to the other to glance Ford over fully. Bill sighed, holding a four fingered hand out towards Ford.

Ford sighed, letting Bill yank him to his feet.

Bill shook his head, letting his golden locks down to fix and adjust the ponytail Mabel had given him. "You're going to have to do a lot better than that, Sixer. Time Baby's soldiers will be even better trained than me."

"It's just-" Ford sighed. "You know I have trouble striking at you, Bill..."

"That's exactly why I'm training you. We have no idea what tricks or games they might pull on us. You can't hesitate."

"I know.. I know... Give me five and we'll go again."

Bill nodded, running his hands over Ford's injuries to heal them. "You can't hurt me. Not in a way I'd mind."

"It still feels wrong..."

Bill hmm'd softly. ".............I have an...... unconventional idea. But it might be too far- But if I warn you, it won't have the same affect."

Ford considered this, grabbing a water from the nearby cooler. ".....I trust you."

Bill nodded, kissing his cheek. "I'll be back then....." Bill headed inside the house.

Ford sighed, sitting down.

"So.... what exactly are you doing this for?" Shermie worried, sitting next to Ford.

Ford sighed, chugging the water to delay answering until his voice felt steady. "Bill's got several beings who are less than happy with him. And one such one is almost as strong as Bill himself. We're hoping to challenge him to a sort of duel to get him off our backs."

Shermie nodded. "Weren't you in boxing?"

".........On paper." Ford snickered. "....I was mostly a bench warmer."

"Fair enough." Sherm chuckled. "I'm not one to talk. I'd probably do worse than you."

Ford grinned, a bit proud of that fact. "Yeah, well. It takes a lot to get as great as I am in life- And even more to get to Bill's level, apparently."

"So, he can shapeshift?"

"Pretty much? It's more that he has a comprehensive understanding of the laws of the universe and how to manipulate him."

"Wouldn't it be easier on you all if he was just.... a human here?"

Ford snorted. "There is no Easy for people like us- But... Yes, it would probably be more palatable to the average person.... But it'd also be fake. And I am so very tired of faking things."

Shermie gave a nod. "I guess that makes sense.... What's he base his looks off of? Or does he make them up?"

"Bit of both." Ford shrugged. "People he's known or met, or features he enjoyed. His first version wasn't him shifting at all, merely tricking your mind into believing it sees something. A bit like someone you meet in a dream, where you know there's a human but- You can't remember how to describe him? He's been goofing around with it since. Mostly in case he needs one for emergencies."

"Which one's your favorite?"

"None." Ford shook his head. "I prefer him as he is. Even when he's wearing a human face, I still tend to picture him as himself. Humanity and I have a..... strained. Relationship. So.... I'm not very attached to his human bodies."

Shermie made a noise of acknowledgement. "I'm sorry- I'm being nosy- I just.... Trying to understand, ya know?"

Ford gave a nod. "I'm a scientist, Sherman. Trying to understand is all I ever do."

Shermie laughed loudly at that, nodding. Ford took note that Sherman's laugh sounded far closer to their Father's than their Mother's. A small victory to Ford's ears. He didn't totally win the genetic lottery.

"My turn to be nosy?" Ford slightly glanced over.

"Shoot." Sherm nodded, cracking open a soda.

"....I know.... Stanley arranged for everyone to be out here for the weekend. So.... Where's Alex's mother?"

Sherman gave a slow shrug, and a slow sip. "No clue. I uh-" Sherm sighed. "......The last time I heard from her was the note in Alex's stroller when he was left on our doorstep. Pa was....... Furious with me."

"Oh." Ford whispered softly. "I'm sorry-"

"Ah, don't be." Shermie waved him off. "It's old news, and I figured you'd ask eventually. Ma and I did the best we could with Alex and he's had his own- Hiccups in life like me but.... I think he came out okay."

Ford gave a nod. "He's done a pretty good job with his kids. So.... You taught him something right."

Shermie smiled. "Thanks, Ford."

Ford smiled, relaxing a bit. He still had his hesitations, but he had to admit, Sherman wasn't as bad as he thought.

The pair gave a matching nod and grunt of acknowledgment as Alex sat with them.

Shermie glanced to Ford. "You keeping any traditions in your wedding?"

"Debating it." Ford sighed. "Not really religious, and a bit- Detached from Father's side of things but... I know Ma would love to see it- And Bill would love an excuse to break something, even if it's just a cup- The chair dance is out, half of everyone attending can't physically lift me. And I'm not willing to try it."

Alex snickered, trying to picture Stan and the kids lifting Ford up high. "It'd make for one hell of a photo."

"Not a chance." Ford scoffed, laughing. Ford sat up a bit straighter as a voice echoed in his mind.

Nearly ready. If you want me to stop, say it in here.

Ford glanced around. "Seems back to it- Bill's trying something to get me to fight but won't tell me what...."

Shermie snickered. "Good luck?..."

Stand at the start and close your eyes so I can warn your spectators.

Ford's heart sank. He didn't like hearing they'd need warning. He did as instructed.

Bill approached from behind, grabbing Alex and Shermie's heads to prevent them from turning around. "It's just me. But it won't look like it. Just, be cool. Okay?"

Both boys nodded best they could while held.

Shermie yelped in surprise and fear as Bill crossed in front of them and over to Ford.

Ford tensed, having a sinking suspicion on what Bill's plan is.

Bill took a deep breath, maintaining an emotionless expression. "Tell me when to stop, Six."

".......I trust you." Ford repeated.

"Then open your eyes, and fight."

Ford took a deep breath. He opened his eyes and stared into his Father's cold face. He barely had time to process before the fight from before resumed.

Ford found himself hesitating to strike back even more than before, years of being trained to never fight back against Filbrick returning.

One particular kick to his side sending him to the ground once more. Ford groaned, glancing up and seeing Sherman frowning at them in worry.

Ford's blood boiled. He sprang to his feet, swinging hard for his father's face. Everything around Ford blurred as his body moved on autopilot, lashing out the way it had begged to for decades.

STOP.

Ford froze as the yell rang across his mind, teetering, one foot raised in the air, ready to stomp on the nose below it.

The tanned, freckle covered nose of one of Bill's many other looks.

Ford recoiled, falling backwards onto his rear.

Bill sat up, no sign of injury on him. He grinned wide, almost literally ear to ear, always bending his human forms in unnatural ways. "HOLY SHRIMP, STANFORD?!"

"I'm so sorry-" Ford begged.

"SORRY?!" Bill sprang to his feet, dragging Ford up with him. "That was amazing?! You pull that out in Globnar and we are winning for SURE!" Bill turned back triangle to give Ford a proper kiss.

Ford pushed him back, worried. "Are you okay??"

"I told you. You can't hurt me." Bill promised, letting Ford look him over for any sign of something wrong.

Ford sighed in relief, holding Bill close.

Bill hugged back. "Hey. I'm okay. And we've made progress!"

Ford shook his head, chuckling. "Except I'm not going to be doing Globnar against him..."

"So? You know you can do it now. And you now have proof I'll be fine. We're getting there."

Ford nodded, sitting back down for more water.

"Please never do that again..." Shermie begged.

Bill snickered. "I shouldn't need to."

Ford shook his head with a smile.

"WE DID IT!" Mabel cheered as she and her friends ran for Ford. All covered in rainbow liquid and tufts of colorful hair. and several scrapes and bruises.

"MABEL?!" Alex leapt to his feet, terrified.

Ford laughed. "What did you do??"

"Turns out. UNICORNS SUCK."

"I warned you."

"SO WE BEAT THEM UP!" Mabel cheered, holding out the unicorn hair.

Ford laughed more, taking it. "Mabel, you little miracle worker! This is perfect!"

"We also got some unicorn blood, and tears, and eyelashes!" Grenda announced.

Ford snickered, nodding to Bill who collected samples of each for further study.

Alex turned on Ford, glaring. "Did you know this would happen?!"

"I didn't expect them to kick the horses' pretentious butts, but I was aware she'd probably dislike them after-"

"YOU SENT MY CHILD INTO DANGER?!"

"She's fine-"

"FINE?! SHE'S INJURED, STANFORD."

"She'll heal."

"Uh-" Mabel frowned, not wanting to cause a fight. "Dad- I'm fine- Really-"

"See?" Ford nodded. "She's fine! This is nothing she can't handle-"

"She's a child!" Alex insisted.

"She's perfectly capable of defending herself-"

"SHE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO, STANFORD?! ARE MY CHILDREN EVEN SAFE HERE?!"

"Of course they are-"

"THEY AREN'T?! MABEL'S COVERED IN BRUISES, YOU'RE OVER HERE PRACTICING TO FIGHT-"

"Globnar's really not that bad-" Mabel tried to defend.

"YOU'VE GONE THRU WHAT HE'S TRAINING FOR??" Alex worried.

"She and Dipper have done REMARKABLE things-"

"THEY'RE CHILDREN!" Alex turned to Ford once more, glaring.

"They're not fragile! They can and have handled far worse than this-"

"I SENT MY KIDS OUT HERE TO PROTECT THEM, NOT FOR YOU AND STANLEY TO ENDANGER THEIR LIVES!"

"Will you stop selling them short?? They're far more competent than you're giving them credit for-"

"I DON'T THINK YOU KNOW WHAT SAFE IS, STANFORD! QUITE FRANKLY, I'M NOT CONVINCED YOU'RE EVEN SANE OR SAFE YOURSELF!"

"I beg your pardon?!"

Mabel frowned, hugging herself and backing away.

"I am taking my kids HOME. Where they were SAFE-"

Ford scoffed, crossing his arms. "No where in this world is SAFE, Alex-"

"It's safer than with YOU!"

"Safe from WHAT?! Hm?! Safe from unicorns and gnomes? Sure! Probably! Safe from pain and heartache?? NO WHERE like that exists! At least here they're learning how to handle it, instead of hiding away from anything scary or dangerous!"

"HANDLE IT?! DIPPER NEEDS THERAPY FOR ALL THIS SHIT THIS PLACE HAS PUT HIM THRU. MABEL IS COVERED. IN INJURIES-"

"They're just. BRUISES. Kids get them ALL THE TIME! From PLAYING! That's the problem with people like YOU."

"Like ME?!" Alex puffed up.

"Yes! You stuck up pricks who don't have to TRY in life because you actually fit in! You think your world's this wonderful place but it's NOT! You know what she learned today meeting those stupid horses?? TO STAND UP TO BULLIES. To defend herself! You know what she gets being here?? To be herself! To not feel like she has to limit her creativity or weird ideas. All of you normal people are exactly the same! You think you can hide away from the peculiar and scary like ME. Like Dipper, who YOU'VE raised to feel like he has to wear a hat all the time or heaven forbid someone see he has a birthmark!"

"HOW DARE- I LOVE MY KIDS-"

"AND THAT WON'T CHANGE HOW THE REST OF THE WORLD WILL CHEW THEM UP AND SPIT THEM OUT IF THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO FACE THE HARD THINGS IN LIFE!" Ford puffed up, glaring down at his nephew. "You can take them back home, but you cannot take from their minds the things they've seen and learned here, and the freedom to exist they've been shown. You CANNOT protect them from the world! But you can prepare them for it. Or.... you can stick to the same conformist garbage you believe is safe, and teach them to be scared of the strange. Of themselves."

"CAN BOTH OF YOU SHUT UP?!" Bill shouted.

Both boys vaulted, turning to see Bill human once more so he can cradle a silently crying Mabel in his arms.

Alex frowned. "Sweetie?"

Ford frowned, shrinking in on himself.

"I just wanted to help...." Mabel muttered, clinging to Bill.

"You did." Bill assured, rubbing her back. "Can you BOYS take your screaming match AWAY from the kid??"

Ford rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Sorry, Mabel..."

Alex sighed. "Let's get you cleaned up-" Alex reached for her.

Bill stepped away from him. "You. Have done enough." Bill headed inside with Mabel and the other girls, slamming the door.

Ford sighed.

Alex rubbed his elbow, unsure what to do.

Ford sighed, grabbing his coat from besides the cooler and pulling out his third journal, placing the bookmark at the start of Dipper's pages. He handed it to Alex. "The world is scary and dangerous.... But.... You have some pretty amazing kids.... Maybe get to know them before you decide they're in need of protecting."

Alex took the book slowly, opening it. He smiled softly to see his boy's handwriting.

Ford headed off for the garage entrance to his lab to put the unicorn hair to use while Bill comforted Mabel.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Krytpos pulled up a chair next to Ford.

"....Think Stanley would be upset with me if we DID hold Weirdmageddon?"

"I think he was already fine with it when he decided to bring you home. But I don't think that's why you're upset."

Ford sighed, carefully placing the unicorn hair around the capsule they've been building. ".........The kids will go home in a few weeks..... And I'm wondering if they'd be better off if they forgot this summer ever happened. I mean- Dipper has nightmares- Mabel's going to miss her friends- They'll be going back to a world that won't understand them anymore...."

"Do they have to?"

"...Have to what?"

"Go back?... I mean... We're moving back into the Fearamid soon. Stanley's probably moving in with his boyfriend. You guys already aren't sure what to do with the shack....."

"...Alex would never want to stay here. He hates this place."

"And you hated Sherman for a few days there... Maybe he just needs time."

"The kids probably have friends back home..."

"Could leave it up to their choice."

Ford sighed.

"........We could always hold them hostage in the basement.~"

Ford sputtered, snickered, and cracked up at that. "NO!"

Kryptos snickered. "I'm JUST voicing the options here."

Ford shook his head, smiling. "....Wedding first. Then we'll figure that out."

"Speaking of. Officiant?~"

"No.~" Ford rolled his eyes. "We're not having one. It's not anything legally binding anyways. Our laws don't recognize Triangles as a species."

"YET!" Hectorgon shouted over.

"...WHAT does THAT mean?!" Ford laughed at his friends.

"PICTURE IT! PRESIDENT HECTORGON, 20-WHATEVER YEAR IT IS!"

Ford shoved his work away to double over in laughter.

Chapter Text

Upstairs.

Ford sighed at the voice in his head. "Two minutes, in the middle of something I literally cannot put down."

1. 2. 3. 4-

"Are you serious??"

The more you talk to me, the less time you have to wrap it up.

Ford rolled his eyes, chuckling and focusing on getting to a stopping point. Ford rolled his eyes at the alarm ringing in his mind when two minutes finished. He carefully put his tools down and headed upstairs. "I get it! I get it!" Ford sighed in relief to hear the alarm stop.

Ford tensed slightly to find he'd been summoned to a family meeting. The twins, Shermie, Alex, Caryn, and Stan all sitting around the living room.

Bill glanced over. "Park it, mister."

Ford snickered, shaking his head at Bill and sitting down. He glanced to Alex, smiling slightly to find him still reading the journal.

Ford glanced to Mabel. "...ARE you okay?"

Mabel nodded. "Just a few scrapes. I said no to Grunkle Bill healing them since..."

Ford snickered, nodding. "Fair enough."

Alex bookmarked his page, looking up fully. "....You two really have done a lot huh?"

Dipper nodded. "It's been.... Fun. Mostly. I mean, scary too but..... It's felt pretty worth it. Uncovering it all."

"I actually sent them home awhile back." Stan chuckled.

Alex looked over, surprised. "You did??"

"Some little brat managed to kick us out of the shack and it was looking bad. I didn't think we'd be able to fix it, so I put them on a bus home. Little ankle biters escaped the bus, kicked the brat's butt, and we all got to come home."

"....Why didn't I know about this?"

"I was going to call you once they made it outside town. I was a bit worried they'd run away and sending them home would get delayed, and didn't think you needed the extra stress." Stan shrugged.

Alex sighed, picking the book back up to skim it a bit more. "...I just don't feel like they're safe here- Nothing I've seen seems- I just-"

Bill hmm'd, "What if we could SHOW you the proof?"

"Show me?" Alex glanced over.

Bill grinned, holding his hand out to Dipper. "Want to show off your summer kid? I can project it on the walls!"

Dipper recoiled from the hand slightly.

"....Right." Bill sighed. He wish he hadn't killed the imposter, so he could keep torturing it.

Dipper glanced to Mabel, bandaid'd up and safe. He took a deep breath and reached out, shaking the hand. "Okay."

Bill jumped slightly, surprised. Kid was braver than he thought. Bill held his other hand out to Mabel, who shook it eagerly.

The family watched as various clips and moments from the summer lit up the walls around them. Gnomes, and Zombies. Lilliputtians and Dinosaurs. Even bits of Globnar, mostly being displayed for Ford's preparations.

Mabel giggled. "Dipper even kissed a merman!"

"It was CPR!" Dipper groaned. "You wanted to kiss a guy who makes out with sock puppets!"

Mabel groaned at the memory, hiding in her sweater.

Ford straightened up, focusing on one scene. "Is that Mrs.Duskerton??"

"Well. Shit." Stan snickered. "...Least you can go visit them if they're ghosts?"

"...Maybe." Ford nodded.

Dipper glanced over. "They died of heart attacks from modern music."

".........Fascinating." Ford had no idea what to make of this knowledge.

Bill dropped the magic, withdrawing himself from both the kids' minds entirely. He didn't want to hear their thoughts constantly like Ford's.

Alex glanced to Mabel. "You sure have made quite the impact here..."

Mabel beamed. "My friends are the best!" Her smile faltered, remembering part of the fight. "....I.... I'll have to... make them the best sweaters ever possible before we... leave for home."

Dipper frowned. "...Right... I'm going to miss the woods.... And being able to walk myself places."

Alex sighed to himself. He'd need to discuss it with their mother over the weekend.... "Let's just see how summer goes for now... Okay?"

Both twins looked over in hopeful surprise.

"See how it goes for... what?" Dipper asked.

Alex only got up, ruffling both of their hair.

"Alex." Ford sighed.

Alex paused, glancing over.

"...I'm sorry. For shouting at you... I should've checked on her before gushing about Unicorns."

Alex gave a nod. "At least she's okay."

Ford nodded back.

"Can I keep this a bit longer?" Alex held up the book.

Ford sighed. He should know better than for anyone or anything in this world to apologize for disliking Ford's existence. "Sure." Ford got up. "Are we done, love?"

Bill gave a shrug. "Mabel? All settled?"

Mabel nodded, giving both Ford and her dad a tight hug.

Ford hugged back. "The hair is PERFECT. By the way. I'm making great progress."

Mabel beamed, happy to hear it. "I should call the girls up. Let them know everything's okay."

Alex nodded, kissing her forehead. "Try not to get into danger again?"

".........." Mabel gave no such promise, running off for the phone.

Ford chuckled, returning to his lab, Bill perching on his shoulder. "Did you know Hectorgon wants to run for president???"

Bill cackled. "Sounds fun."

"I'm not sure that's even legal."

"Eh. He'll find a way!"

Ford laughed, shaking his head.

Dipper stretched. "Can I use the TV?"

Stan nodded, passing him the remote. "Ducktective on?"

"Bit early in the day."

"....I should make Sixer watch it." Stan snickered, remembering hanging out with Duckford.

"He'd be into a kid's show?"

"Probably not. But, he'd get a kick out of an inside joke we have."

Dipper nodded. "I think the next episode is next week. So we have until then to catch him up."

Stan laughed, nodding.

Shermie followed Alex outside, sitting by him. "What's on your mind?"

"....I sent the kids here to get some fresh air, and to not hear their folks bickering like children..... But I've never seen them quite so active and bright.... Maybe being out here would be good for all of us- I can't decide that on my own tho."

"Certainly would make holidays easier if you're all in one place." Shermie chuckled.

Alex gave a nod. "What if they're not safe here?...."

"....Alex." Sherm snorted. "Look at US. Me especially..... Sometimes you just have to go thru the hard things in life."

".....What if they're not ready?"

"That's what you're here for. To catch them when they fall."

Alex gave a silent nod. "Now if only I could figure out how to help catch Dipper..."

Shermie gave a shrug. "As traveled as Ford sounds.... I bet he or Bill know someone who won't think this is all insane."

Alex scoffed, rolling his eyes. "He hardly seems to have stable opinions."

"He's just more used to all this. He HAS been up here since before you were born. He probably knows a thing or two."

Alex sighed, flipping thru Ford's pages in the book... The third book.... Okay. Yeah. He probably knew his stuff.

Shermie chuckled. "Take it from the guy who tried it and failed spectacularly. Sheltering a kid TOO much is just as bad as not looking after them at all sometimes."

"You did not FAIL." Alex scoffed.

Sherm snickered and shrugged. "I'm just saying. Don't forget to let them breathe, yeah?"

Alex nodded, skimming a few pages. "....Any idea who F is?"

"Beats me. We were never very close as brothers.... Frankly, I'm surprised I was invited out here at all. Glad I was tho. I wouldn't trade this family for the world."

Alex smiled at that. ".....What does this even say- Who taught him to write like this??"

Shermie laughed, glancing over. "Oh- ..... Wow. That's-....... That's probably intentional so Pa can't read it actually. I remembering Ma had to read Ford's postcards to him, back before he stopped sending any."

"Your father sound horrifying..." Alex shook his head.

Shermie laughed harder at that. "You're not wrong, kiddo."

"...Guess in comparison, Uncle Ford came out pretty tame, huh?"

"They both did." Shermie smiled fondly. "Probably thanks to Ma."

Alex leaned on his dad as he flipped back to Dipper's adventures to continue reading. "....I wouldn't trade this family for anything either. Even Uncle Ford."

Shermie rolled his eyes, smiling.

Chapter Text

Ford sighed, nervously combing his hair for the hundredth time that morning. He sighed, adjusting his dress shirt. His mind was fairly silent, Bill for once not a presence in the back of it.

He hated it.

He felt alone again.

Ford jumped, startled by a knock on the door. "Come in.."

Stan peeked in. "Ready?"

Ford glanced to the mirror, adjusting his hair again.

Stan shook his head. "What are you so nervous about?"

"THIS??"

"You already know he's obsessed with you, Six."

"I know- I know-" He sighed. "What if he gets.... bored?..."

"You've spent three decades with him. If he was going to, he would've by now."

"I just don't want him to regret this... To make a mistake-"

"Having you around is never a mistake, Ford."

Ford sighed, fixing his hair once more.

"Enough primping. Let's go."

".......I never thought I'd get to have a day like today..... What if I mess it up?"

"Then we'll laugh together and get thru it."

Ford nodded. "Alright...."

"Come on. Everyone's waiting."

Ford took a deep breath, following Stanley outside.

Stan patted his back. "Knock them dead, Pointdexter." Stan gave Ford a hug before heading for his seat.

Ford took a deep breath, swallowing his nerves.

Stan nodded to Mabel, who happily put on some gentle instrumentals.

Ford resisted the impulse to hide his hands in his pockets, instead clasping them together in front of himself as he walked down one of the two aisles splitting the circle of chairs and friends around them.

He had considered walking with Caryn or Stanley, but he didn't want to make Bill feel left out. He'd told Bill he simply didn't want to have to pick between them.

Ford's nerves softened a bit as he saw Bill approaching from the opposite aisle.

Bill's usual bow tie was replaced with a subtle glittery one, Mabel's doing no doubt. A small bit of black tulle was tied around the base of his hat, dangling off to the side in some imitation of a veil. It reminded Ford more of a Halloween Witch Hat lacing. He didn't mind, it suited Bill. Bill's black accessories were contrasted by his white suit jacket, a custom collaboration between Caryn and Mabel, using old pieces from Caryn's own wedding gown, and some fabric Mabel and Dipper hand painted to look like the Cosmos from the Mindscape used as an inner lining. The stunning pattern visible on the coat tails hanging down behind Bill.

Bill resisted the urge to poke back into Ford's mind to shower him in praise. He promised he'd keep the mind link off until the reception. Some human tradition or other about the two parties not seeing the other until the ceremony. Bill floated slowly down the aisle, enjoying using the time to take in Stanford in his golden dress shirt, with a white handkerchief in the breast pocket. A scrap from Mrs.Pines' wedding gown, he remembered Stanley telling him. The black pants were from Ford's portal outfit, he noticed. They managed to not look out of place despite the formal setting. No doubt helped by the fact his human could easily pull just about anything off.

Ford tried to not chuckle and roll his eyes at spotting his mother already crying in the front row.

The pair finally met in the middle, taking each other's hands without hesitation. Ford took a moment to admire the unconventional Chuppah above them. Instead of a flat 'roof', Wendy's family had built them one that was shaped like the tip of a pyramid, to better suit the home they intended to manifest once Ford could help Bill with it. The peak draped carefully in a woven blanket of pine branches and Amaryllis flowers.

Ford relaxed with a soft sigh, looking back to Bill. "When we first met, I had long since forgotten how to want things for myself. My every moment was focused on doing things to earn approval from people whose love came at far too high of a cost-" Ford smirked.

Bill snickered, fighting the urge to sing the song he knew Ford was referencing.

"I studied relentlessly, in order to prove I had a reason to be here. And then I met you.  And you reignited a fire in me that I'd long since snuffed out to survive. One that called out to find more from life than what I was told to be. I knew it once, when I was young, with Stanley. Our desire to leave Jersey, see the world, and exist however we wanted to exist. It suffocated out under the weight of my father. And while I continued to pursue to Odd and Strange, it was still only to get him to his goal in life, not my own."

Ford held Bill's hands tighter, pulling him in a little closer. "You wanted me to explore and study, not for grants or riches, but because you saw how it made me shine. My research shifted, not from what I could do to earn a living, but to what I wanted to study, because it made me excited. And then we met, face to face, and could explore together entirely. And I remembered how to Live. To do things, just to do them. Because it sounds fun. Or interesting. And I will never let that light be snuffed out again. You've taught me to stand on my own. Not hide behind Stanley for protection, or shut down to be allowed to exist. But to be myself, and fight to stay that way."

Ford took a moment to kiss the back of Bill's hand, unable to resist. "For that, I owe you everything. And I give you every ounce of love I have to give. From now until the end of time- And beyond."

Bill pulled a hand free to hold Ford's cheek fondly. "When we first met, I had long since forgotten how to love at all. The definition of love I was raised on was fractured and broken from the start. Light had long since been replaced by pain, and the worry that any moment of kindness was only a warning of pain. My light had been snuffed out by my own hand, to avoid being seen. To avoid being hurt."

"And then I met you." Bill let go of Ford's face to hold his hand once more. "And you showed me a definition of love I'd never known. One bright and innocent, asking nothing in return but my company. You never once asked me to change. It had never even crossed your mind as something to want. Even when that kindness was met with a bitter cold, when I grew scared of how close you were getting, your warmth persisted. You melted the carefully crafted shields I formed around myself, and you reached out into the darkness to hold on to me. You saved me from myself, Stanford. For that, I owe you... many apologies to start- The initial pretense behind our meetings were deceit and lies. And even once that came to light, you persisted. And so I give you every part of me. The good, the bad, the broken. And I will love you, from now until the end of Existence."

The pair slowly let go of the other as Stanley approached, holding an ornate box. He opened it to reveal a simple golden blade.

Ford took it, careful to not touch the sharp edge.

Bill held his hand out, palm up, to Stanford.

Ford swallowed his nerves, ignoring his mind as he carefully carved an infinity into Bill's palm, trying not to press any harder than necessary to draw blood. Ford wiped the blade off on the inner lining of the box, before holding out his own palm.

Bill took the blade in his clean hand. Stan reached out, steadying Ford's hand for Bill.

Bill carved a matching infinity carefully and quickly, before placing the blade back in the box.

Stanley closed the box, placing down a golden bag with a glass cup for later, before returning to his seat.

Ford and Bill pressed their infinities together, fingers intertwining.

A blue flame surrounded their hands.

Bill's eye upturned on the bottom in a smile. "I am yours, and you are mine. Our lives, intertwined. Our blood, shared. And with it, my fire, now yours. So we may forever go on as one. enO eb su tel, ltoloxA eht yB."

The fire from their hands lifted, spiraling around the pair as a light peeked from between their joined hands. The fire grazed across Ford's scars on his hand and over the rest of him, covering each scar in golden stars and speckles. As it grazed over Bill, it left matching Hazel stars freckled just below Bill's eye.

The fire returned once more to their hands, before fading out.

Ford smiled, rubbing his thumb across Bill's new markings.

Bill placed his hand over Ford's, holding it to his 'face'. "How do you feel?"

"......A bit nauseous."

"Reasonable." Bill laughed. "Let's wrap this up and get you sitting down."

Ford nodded, using his foot to scoot the glass between them.

Bill let himself float closer to the ground, and then the pair stomped the glass together.

Ford beamed brightly as the crowd around them cheered.

"Mazel tov!"

Ford took Bill's hand once more as the pair headed back to the Mystery Shack, to Ford's room. Their family and friends would shift the decor outside and set out a feast for the reception in the meantime.

On a tray by the bed was a plate of cookies in varying states of perfectly done and burnt, each made by a different henchmaniac using Caryn's recipes. Ford chuckled. They'd give them a try in a bit.

For now, Ford sat on the bed, cuddling Bill close to spend a few minutes with just the two of them. "I love you. So much more than you can ever imagine."

Bill chuckled. "I've been in your head, Stanford. I promise, I know how much. I love you too."

Ford laughed, nuzzling him. "How's it feel, Bill Pines?"

"Better than I could have dreamed." Bill kissed Ford happily.

Chapter Text

Bill turned his glow off for a bit, knowing this time was meant to be special for newlyweds. "..." Bill sighed. "I need to tell you something- And I should have done it before this- I just-.... You're trying to fix things with Alex and Sherman- I just..."

Ford met Bill's eye, listening.

Bill sighed. "....Before the portal was done-" Bill frowned slightly. He was going to ruin everything. He couldn't find the words, so turned his powers back on to simply show Ford the memories from back then, of how he treated Stanley.

Ford frowned, concerned. "....No wonder he started to become avoidant.... I thought he simply wasn't used to living together again."

"......I should have told you before we got married-"

"It wouldn't have changed anything." Ford took Bill's hand. "I still love you."

"I'm awful."

"...You WERE.... But so was I at times... We've both gotten better, and will continue to improve."

"You're not mad?"

"Oh. I'm mad. But, not at you. Just.... at life. At what put us in these positions. But not you." Ford promised, kissing Bill's hand. "We do need to fix his memories later, whatever the results end up."

Bill gave a slow nod. "Alright..."

"I could use the practice repairing minds anyways...." Ford chuckled nervously.

Bill 'raised a brow' at Ford. "Practice?"

"...Look- I'm not fond of him either after everything-"

Bill groaned.

"I'm not going to go back to being super close to him. We've both done... too much to... go back how we were. Lines were crossed that neither of us can take back..... But no one deserves to be and have Nothing, Bill.... I owe it to him to fix that much."

Bill leaned on Ford. "Fine. But I'm not going to be happy about it."

Ford snickered, nuzzling him. "Thank you."

Bill turned his powers off once more. "He's lucky I love you and that you still have some morals."

Ford laughed, shaking his head. "...May I?" He gestured to Bill's limbs.

Bill relaxed. "Yeah... It was nice last time."

Ford got up, fetching the moisturizer before pulling Bill into his lap. He carefully pulled the boots and gloves off, staring in awe to see, much like Ford himself, Bill's scar covered limbs were also covered in stars. The hazel stars on the black charred limbs made them look like the night sky itself. "Beautiful...."

Bill held a hand up to look at it, confused. "Oh-..... They're almost.... pretty. like this."

"They're breathtaking." Ford promised, leaning around Bill to kiss the hand.

Bill was glad this form couldn't blush.

Ford smiled, gently massaging the cream into the limbs, covering Bill in kisses as he went.

Once Bill was properly tended to, Ford wiped his hands off and grabbed the cookies. "We'll have to guess who made which one."

Bill snickered. "We're going to cause fights with that."

"Maybe... It'd be fun tho."

Bill snickered, trying a bite of the most edible looking one. "These are great."

Ford nodded. "Ma knows amazing recipes."

Bill curled close, holding Ford's ring hand happily as they shared their treats.

Ford laughed as they returned to the party, his mother rushing over to cover them both in kisses.

"Ready to celebrate?" Caryn beamed.

Both nodded happily.

"Hit it, Shooting Star!" Bill cheered.

Mabel eagerly put on a custom playlist for the pair.

La-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la

Ford happily took Bill's hand, pulling him into the center of the crowd of family and friends.

Ford grinned, singing along with the song. "I've been all over the world
Looking for you."

Bill grinned, spinning Ford around before pulling him into the air to dance free of gravity. "I'm known for taking what I think I deserve. And you're overdue." He dipped Ford eagerly.

Ford tried not to giggle too hard, letting Bill go to learn to float on his own.

Bill watched his husband flail slightly before finding his balance.

And if you listen, you can hear me through the radio
In that bright white noise

Ford grinned, bowing to Bill. "What I been missin' in my life, what I been dreamin' of."

Bill took his hand once more, dancing happily.

You'll be that girl, you'll be that girl
You'll be

Everything you want, so let me get up there
I'm the baddest, baby, in the atmosphere
Tell me what you want so we can do just what you like

The pair landed once more in the center, dancing with their friends happily while singing their hearts out. "You make me feel that La-la-la-la-la. You make me feel so La-la-la-la-la You make me feel that La-la-la-la-la You make me feel so La-la-la-la-la You, you make me feel, oh"

Ford and Bill happily headed for the cake, taking a small break from dancing after overusing his new powers made Ford throw up.

"Is it wrong I want to use our bloodknife for the cake?" Bill laughed.

"Probably...." Ford snickered. "....We'll just be sure to only used it on the parts we eat, and use a normal one for the rest of the cake."

"YES!" Bill cheered, zipping off to fetch the box.

Ford smiled, shaking his head at his husband. His husband. Husband. That would never get old to think.

Pyronica helped Preston bring over the large cake, a detailed recreation of the woods and the many oddities within it. With the focal point, of course, being Ford's A-Frame Cabin, the way it looked before Stanley took it over.

Ford teared up in joy to see his old home. "It's perfect."

Stan beamed. "Better be. I spent hours instructing how it needed to look."

Bill returned with the slightly blood stained blade. "We're cutting into the cabin, yeah?"

Ford nodded, holding the blade with Bill.

Preston readied a camera, getting a few up close shots of the pair slicing into the cake, and their expressions to find the inside is a Red Velvet with a few cavities in it to allow the cake to bleed.

The pair laughed in absolute delight at the surprise.

As the sun began to lower and showered the woods in the golden hues of dusk, the party continued on in full swing.

Bill and Ford having once more taken to the dance floor to show off their favorite multidimensional song, rescued from their memories thru a mix of magic and science.

Except for one big difference
This you is not shit scared to-

Hit the dancefloor, Cha Cha Cha
Salsa, Rumba
Tango, Mambo
Fandango caliente!
Spacetime, gravity
Champagne, reality
Move to the beat of the Transcendental Cha Cha Cha

Stan smiled, sipping a drink while taking a breather. "He's certainly opened up a lot more."

Caryn smiled, nodding, seated next to her baby. "Never thought I'd see him dancing so carefree, even with all eyes on him."

"It's a far cry from the wallflower he was back during prom for sure. It's nice."

"It is." Caryn leaned on her son. "It's like we're finally meeting the real Ford, for the first time."

"Can't wait to get to know the honest him." Stan laughed. "....Probably a bit too old to go sailing now tho..."

"Knowing those two?... They'll find a way to still make it happen."

Stan grinned at that. His eyes widened a bit to see Ford coming towards him. "Ohhh no, sir. You don't want to see this gut dancing to something so upbeat!"

Ford laughed, grabbing his brother despite the protests.

(Blink!) Now you're made of cotton candy
(Blink!) Now you're back in the club-

"A little less scared to shake your rump." Ford teased, dancing with his brother.

Stan laughed, trying to keep up with Ford's movements. "I don't even know this dance!"

"There is no dance! Just have fun!" Ford insisted.

Bill laughed, turning the awkward shuffle into a trio dance. "Now you can see what we see! Now that you've been where we've been!"
Ford grinned, stepping back to let the kids join in on the family fun as well. "The music's always playing, from the start 'till end of time."

"It's always playing in your mind. Don't let it twist up your inside!" Bill happily made the kids float, so they could be on level with their Grunkles.

We can't stop the band from jamming in every reality
They're playing rock, they're playing trance
They're playing a string symphony

Ford laughed, gesturing for Pacifica and Preston to join the goofy fun.

The pair happily joined in with the group. Ford did his best to mimic Bill and allow Pacifica temporary floating as well, grinning to get it right on his first try. He was very familiar with flying with Bill after all.

But this is the only time in existence that we ever know so far
That the song has sounded anything like a Cha Chaaaaaa!

The music cut off suddenly, the boombox crushed under the boot of a Time Agent as the area was suddenly surrounded.

Chapter Text

Stan grabbed Pacifica and pulled her behind him, grabbing his brass knuckles from his pocket.

Ford stepped in front of Dipper and Mabel, reaching for his gun and swearing under his breath for not bringing it. He didn't expect to need it AT HIS WEDDING. "I knew it'd go wrong!"

"What is with these JERKS and crashing parties?!" Mabel huffed.

Bill turned red.

"Honey?" Ford glanced to him.

Time Baby appeared last, confronting them himself.

Bill expanded in size, segmenting apart as extra limbs extended.

Ford stared up in awe and adoration at the red horrifying pyramid towering above them.

Stan pulled the twins behind him as well, backing the kids away from Bill.

"THIS WEDDING. IS RSVP O̴̞̪̽N̶̯̈͒L̵̻͐Y̶̥̰͒̐!!" Bill raged, swiping one of his hands at the nearest agents. "KEEP AWAY FROM MY FAMILY!"

Ford grinned up at his muse. "This is the hottest thing I've ever seen..."

"Dude." Soos looked over, concerned on a number of reasons.

Ford went red, clearing his throat and snapping back to reality. He carefully placed a hand on Bill's leg. "The plan, hun?"

Bill snarled at being touched, snatching up whatever pathetic creature dared to- He blinked, the golden burning pupil shifting to a calmer white at seeing Sixer.

Bill placed Ford back down before shrinking down, still bright angry red, but back to his normal shape at least.

Ford held his hand, nodding.

Bill sighed, nodding back.

Ford let Bill go, approaching Time Baby. He yelped slightly to find himself airborne without warning, lifted by the Baby's powers to be eye level with its massive head.

"Stanford Pines. The man destined for nothing."

Ford rolled his eyes. "Destiny is a load of crap. I make my own future."

Time Baby glanced around him, raising a brow at Bill. "....You could do so much better."

Ford glared, crossing his arms.

Time Baby dropped Ford to the ground, an agent rushing over to cuff him. "Bill Cipher! And followers. You are under Time Arrest!"

"Really overselling the time thing." Ford rolled his eyes. "You don't need to put 'Time' in front of everything."

Bill snickered, holding a hand up to his henchmaniacs to wait. "Also. It's Pines now, thanks. Get it right."

Ford straightened out, focusing and staring Time Baby down. "Time Baby!"

The infant glared down at Ford.

"On behalf of Bill, and all of OUR friends, I challenge YOU to Globnar."

"ME?!" The baby gasped.

"Don't worry-" Ford said in mocking sweetness. "I'll let you chose one of your men to play on your behalf. I'd rather not have your giant head in my way."

"YOU CHALLENGE THE MASTER OF TIME-"

"Yes. I just said that." Ford rolled his eyes. "I know you're a baby, but come on. Pay attention. When I win, I want all of our records cleared and for you to leave us alone!"

Time Baby laughed. "You stand no chance against my soldiers."

"Then you should have no problem with my challenge."

"VERY WELL!" The baby announced. "One match for EACH of your 'friends'!"

Ford tensed slightly. That's be 13 different events. He could do this. He had to. "Deal."

"Six-" Bill looked over, concerned. Before he could say more, bubbles surrounded Bill and each Henchmaniac, dragging them above Time Baby as a mobile.

"BILL!" Ford frowned, floating to go grab him.

"YOU WILL GET EACH BACK AS YOU EARN THEM!" Time Baby swatted Ford out of the air.

"SIXER!" Stan ran over, checking on his brother.

"I'm fine." Ford assured, getting up.

"You will compete in your natural state." Time Baby informed, the chain on the handcuffs breaking. Leaving Ford with power-blocking bracelets instead of cuffs.

Ford sighed, at least they were right to expect that much.

"STANFORD??" Pyro whined, freaking out in her bubble.

Ford's head snapped up, frowning. "She won't run, but let her out of there! She can't handle being bound- Please! She won't leave!"

The Baby stared Ford down a moment, before glancing to the frantic and terrified creature in question.

"PLEASE!" Ford begged.

Time Baby scoffed, clapping his hands. Pyronica's Bubble shifted into a platform instead.

"Just keep close to Bill!" Ford instructed her. "I'll fix this!"

Pyro nodded, holding herself and huddling as close to Bill's bubble as her platform would allow.

Time Baby clapped once more, the woods and party gone. The crowd now sat in a large glowing stadium, with Ford and a time agent in the center.

Ford took a deep breath. He had to win this.

"LET THE GAMES, BEGIN!" Time Baby announced.

Bill sighed, vision blurry and un-powered inside this time bubble. "How bad is it, Pyro?? I can't see very well right now."

"He's going strong." Pyronica promised. "It's a maze right now. Smart as he is, he'll have this done in no time."

"Has he fought yet?"

"A couple times. He did great. Probably fueled by anger of their timing."

"Good. He fights better when mad." Bill sighed. "How's the kids??"

"They look scared and nervous, but they're with Stanley and his family."

"...Pyronica."

"Yeah, boss?"

"If he can't finish this-"

"He will-"

"Listen to me. If he can't. Get everyone to Jhes, okay? Open the portal and find her. She'll keep you all safe."

"The traitor??"

"She's upset with me. Not you all. Just- Promise me you'll take care of each other. Okay?"

"....Promise, Bill.... But he can do this. Have a little faith."

"Faith's never gotten me anything in life."

Ford panted, taking the brief moments between rounds to catch his breath. Of course, he got none of the calmer challenges the kids got. Time Baby wanted him to fail after all. No board games or food competitions for him. It'd been nonstop running, or fighting, or both. Sure, he wasn't as old as Stanley. But he was hardly a spry young adult anymore either. His knees were going to hate him for weeks after this.

Still. The only one left was Bill. The rest were huddled close to his family in the stands, anxious and worried for him.

Ford took a deep breath, standing up straight. He was so close.

Ford yelped as the ground shook, shifting for the final event. 

"CAPTURE THE FLAG." Time Baby announced, the time wish appearing in the center of the field.

More running. And jumping. And probably fighting. Ford sighed, adjusting his glasses.He was taking the longest nap of his LIFE later.

Ford focused his thoughts only on the Time Wish, ignoring the screaming fire in his legs. The field was constantly shifting and changing at they ran. Ford was convinced it was targeting him. He wouldn't put it past a baby to cheat.

Ford grinned, the base of the hill the Wish sat atop in view. Just a little more-

Ford yelped, barely stopping in time as the ground exploded with fire ahead of him, shifting the field once more.

When the fire cleared, Ford stared in horror to find a large chasm now stood between him and the center of the arena. He spared a moment to glare at the cheating baby, only to find the Agent who he shoved into a carnivorous plant was fine, albeit covered in Plant Gunk.

Ford glanced over the chasm. He was running out of time. Ford frowned, glancing to Bill sitting in a bubble, a rattle now that there weren't enough to be a mobile.

Ford's frown softened, remembering what Bill once told him.

You things are incredibly death resistant to a scary degree-

Ford glanced back to the chasm, backing away from it. Remembering how much of a running start Dipper took when leaping at that child's robot.

Ford ran as fast as his legs would allow him to, pushing off the edge of the chasm.

"STANFORD!" Bill shrieked in worry and fear.

Chapter Text

"FORD!" Stan shouted in fear as Ford vanished into the chasm, the kids having to hold him back from running after his brother.

They didn't have to hold long, as a metal claw soared from the darkness, burying itself into the ground on its decent back down.

The twins beamed to each other."GRAPPLING HOOK!" They cheered in unison.

Ford grunted as he slammed into the edge of the chasm, feeling one of his glasses lens shatter against his face. Jaw clenched, Ford hauled his way up to the top, ignoring the screaming pain in his shoulder.

If there was one thing he was good at running on, it was pure adrenaline. Ford grinned to hear his crowd cheering as he hauled himself over the edge. Ford took a moment to gather his bearings, wiping the blood from his eyebrow.

A thud nearby alerted Ford to his opponent catching up. Ford glanced over, frowning to see the guy teetering from a poor landing. Ford reached out, grabbing the man by the arm. "Careful there! I doubt he'd care if you fell."

"Ah- Thank-"

Ford didn't bother waiting on pleasantries, yanking the grappling hook free from the dirt and tangling the agent in the rope before shoving him away from the edge. He had a game to win after all.

Ford held his injured arm close and sprinted up the hill. Forget his knees, his shoulder was going to hate him for months.

Ford grunted as his jaw hit the dirt, feet yanked out from under him. He should not have left the other person with the grappling hook.

"Oh come on!" Mabel frowned. "He just saved your butt!"

"This isn't a movie, kid." Stan sighed. "Kindness doesn't get paid back."

Ford groaned, sitting up. Everything was spinning. Ford wiped his face again. Ford watched the black uniform sprint past him. Ford stared. He'd possessed a duck without Bill's powers. Bill did say government agents were basically brainwashed anyways. These guys didn't seem too far off. Mindlessly obeying whatever the big baby said.

"Come on, Grunkle Ford, get up?!" Dipper worried.

Pyronica glanced around, trying to decide their exit.

Ford closed his eyes and focused. Ford breathed evenly, hoping this worked still. "Magister Mentis ostium pulsat. Mentem super re mea tu es regere."

The crowd fell silent, tense, watching the Time Agent reach the top of the hill, reaching out. And freezing up.

"What's going on??" Mabel held her brother tight, scared for their Grunkles.

Stan grinned. "He's using his wings."

"...What?" Dipper glanced to Stan.

"....Tell you later." Stan laughed, ruffling his hat and turning him back towards the action.

Ford glanced back to himself thru the agent's eyes. That looked like a lot of blood- Heads were also just known for bleeding worse than they need to. He glanced to the crowd, snorting to see Stan grinning. He's smarter than he gives himself credit for. He glanced to Time Baby, scowling in rage down at the match.

"FINISH IT!"

He couldn't tell?... He is NOT as smart as he gives himself credit for. He dragged this out long enough.

Ford closed the eyes. Sleep.

Ford opened his own eyes in time to watch the body at the top of the hill suddenly drop, rolling down the hill in a deep sleep. Ford stood up and walked over to the Time Wish. He stared Time Baby in the eye. "I WIN." He announced, grabbing the wish.

Ford flinched from the light of the arena vanishing, depositing everyone back in the woods.

Dipper ran for the house to grab the Wish Container.

Time Baby glared down at Ford.

"I won. Let him go."

"You cheated-"

"I've been able to do that long before I gained any of Bill's powers." Ford informed. "Been visiting Stanley with them for years."

"NO!" Time Baby raged, turning red in the face. "YOU DON'T GET TO WIN-"

Ford tensed as he was grabbed in the baby's powers once more. "WE HAD A DEAL."

"The deal is-"

Ford and Time Baby both flinched away from a blinding light between them.

Ford blinked the spots from his eyes, glancing up to see a massive Axolotl with a blue tail floating above them.

Bill groaned. Great. Why was THIS guy here??

The Axolotl said nothing, starring down at Time Baby.

Time Baby glared, seeming to understand the silent creature. "YOU KNOW AS WELL AS I HOW DANGEROUS-"

The dark pink gills on the Axolotl's head straightened out and split in half, opening into six large, judging eyes.

Time Baby flinched from the stare, dropping Ford and popping Bill's bubble. "....Bill Ci-"

"AHEM." Bill huffed.

"....Bill Pines, and his followers, are cleared of all charges- BUT. I will be keeping a CLOSE eye out for any further criminal doings! Now... What is your time wish." The baby demanded.

The Axolotl's eyes shut back into gills, pleased.

Dipper sprinted over, holding open the metal box.

Ford smiled, "Thanks, kid." He ruffled Dipper's hat before gently placing the orb in the box, sealing it. "I'm going to be saving it. Actually."

"WHAT-" Time Baby's tantrum halted as the Axolotl moved closer, an inch from the side of his face. ".....We're done here."

With that, the baby, and his agents, vanished back to their own time.

The Axlotl turned to face Bill and Ford.

Bill glared. "....I suppose you're wanting a Thank You or something!"

The Axoltol shrank down, to the size of a common one, and swam thru the air. It nudged Bill's hand up, then Ford's, connecting them and giving the pair a sympathetic stare. An apology of some sort. For what, Ford wasn't entirely certain.

".....Have we met?" Ford asked, something about the expression seeming familiar.

The Axolotl didn't answer, of course. It merely booped it's head against Ford's own.

Ford sighed in relief to feel the pain in his forehead ease, a tiny piece of glass removing itself and falling to the ground. "...Thank you."

Bill sighed. "Yeah, whatever... Thanks, Frills."

The Axolotl swam off towards the sun, job here done.

".....Who was that?" Ford looked to Bill.

"A pain in my ass." Bill scoffed. ".....That dream you had that alerted you to the truth? Yeah. That was his doing."

"Huh.... Guess he's sorry for trying to keep us apart." Ford chuckled, squeezing Bill's hand.

Bill's glare softened.

Ford smiled. "We did it."

"YOU did it." Bill snorted.

"WE did it. I only got thru all of that because of you and the kids. Things you've all shown me."

Bill laughed. "Yeah, okay. Fine. We did it."

Ford smiled, pulling Bill into a relieved kiss.

The kids groaned and looked away.

Stan snickered, not scolding the pair. They earned this one. Stan focused on checking on everyone else, especially Shermie and Alex who aren't used to this amount of chaos.

Ford laughed as Bill split into 3 Bills, each desperately hugging Ford close in relief.

Caryn chuckled, getting a picture for them. "...Guess we have two things to celebrate now?"

Ford laughed, shaking his head. "I need a month long nap."

Mabel hmm'd, thinking. "....We can cover the front of the shack in a sheet and have a movie night!"

"I'll reheat the snacks!" Pyronica announced happily, going to buffet tables. "Huh- It's all still hot."

Bill groaned. "I hate Time Shenanigans."

"We'll get the sheet and projector set up." Stanley promised. "You two relax, okay?"

Ford nodded. "Thank you, Stanley."

Bill guided Ford to a chair, curling up in his lap once seated. "You're insane for that, you know? The jump."

"I know." Ford laughed. "It's why you love me."

"Yeah... Yeah, it is." Bill wrapped his arms around Ford several times, clinging. He was certain he'd lost him.

Ford rubbed his back, pressing his face against the top of bill's form. "You can't get rid of me that easy, Muse."

Bill hid his eye in Ford's chest to hide the fact he was crying quietly.

Ford held him close, happily being his shield. "I think I need new... glasses-" Ford lifted the broken frames up, blinking. He could see pretty fine. He glanced to Bill, whose eye was blurry without powers, and clear with them. "....Do I even need these with my new powers?"

"Keep them anyways. They're nice!" Bill insisted.

Ford laughed. "Alright, alright. I will." Ford promised. He'd put some fake lenses in them later.

For now. He'd just enjoy the fact he had his family, all of them, here with him.

Chapter Text

"Afternoon." Stan snickered, waving to a half awake Ford. "You weren't kidding about that nap, huh?"

"I know my powers and the Axolotl's healed everything but I swear my knees still hurt..." Ford groaned, slumping into the couch. "I'm only up because Bill said I needed to eat."

Stan nodded. "Want me to make you something?"

"He has Ma walking him thru it on the phone. Dipper's making sure nothing catches fire."

Stan laughed. "Fair enough."

"They all go-" Ford fought back a yawn. "Home today, right?"

"Yeah. We're going to Preston's for one final dinner, then heading to the airport."

Ford gave a nod. "The henchmaniacs?"

"Keyhole and Paci-Fire are with Soos in the shop. The rest are cleaning up outside. No one really felt up to it last night, beyond putting the cake up. After you damn near killed yourself assuring all their safety last night, figured cleaning up was the least they could do."

Ford smiled. "They're wonderful..... Alex?"

Stan waved him off. "That's dinner talk."

"Good or bad, Stanley? I'm too exhausted for this."

"I don't know the details either, but... I think good. He seemed a lot less stressed when the limo got him and his wife last night."

Ford sighed in relief. He leaned back, staring at the ceiling and going thru his list of worries. Time Baby? Handled and done with. Integrating his weirdos? Going well. Ma's back and loves him still. He's starting to not hate Sherman, which is a good first step to liking him. The time wish-

Ford sat bolt upright. "The-"

"Mabel put it down in your lab."

Ford sighed in relief. "I'd like to check it's functional but- I can't do that without wasting it. I'll just have to trust our science.."

"Hey. Your science was good enough it allowed me to repair a portal I knew nothing about. I'd say that's a good backing."

Ford gave a nod. "....We need to discuss something with you, later. In private. About your memories."

Stan glanced over. "Good or bad?"

"......" Ford considered this. "Complicated, like our past."

Stan focused back on the TV. "Fair enough."

"It'll also be practice for me to repair Fiddleford's mind."

"...Is that... Safe?"

"....I don't know, honestly.... But it's what's right."

"Blehg. Morals." Stan joked.

Ford laughed. "Blehg indeed."

Ford was not surprised in the least by Caryn fretting over him, and covering him in kisses, upon seeing him again. He can't imagine Globnar was easy for her to watch. "I'm okay. I promise."

Caryn held him tight. "I'm so proud of you."

Ford tensed, eyes wide. Sure. He'd been chasing those words from Filbrick, not Caryn.... But they still felt just as wonderful.

Caryn smiled, holding his face. "You did amazing."

Ford smiled, holding her hands and enjoying the moment. "I'm just... making up for all the times I should have stood up... and didn't." He smiled over to Stan. "Trying to be a bit more like my hero."

"Don't get mushy on me, nerd." Stan scoffed, beaming.

Ford chuckled, pulling out a chair for his Ma at the table.

"So. We're totally going thru with Weirdmageddon once the big baby thaws out and takes over, right?" Bill glanced to Ford. "Because I am NOT living under his rule."

Ford snickered. "Probably. Unless we've evacuated humanity away from his nonsense by then.... I think we've probably thrown the future off anyways."

"Hopefully. I would NOT look good in a jumpsuit!"

Ford rolled his eyes, sitting down. He glanced over to the twins' parents. "I'm... so sorry. That that had to be your first impression of this town... And me..."

Mrs.Pines chuckled. "It's almost a relief to know Mabel's letters weren't an overactive imagination..."

Ford laughed, shrugging.

Alex glanced over, slightly concerned. "Why... did you all need to be pardoned?"

Ford stared his nephew in the eye. "You can't call people monsters their whole lives and then be surprised when they stop trying to be anything else. We all have done what we needed to to survive life, and that's the most you need to know."

"........" Alex grabbed food silently, no further questions.

Ford sighed slightly, realizing he wasn't helping Alex's opinion on anyone. "Look- We have a second chance now. And we're trying to make the most of it. Which means trying to not have people treat us like ticking time bombs constantly. Our past doesn't matter. We might joke about things still, but... All we want right now is to live."

Alex nodded. "I guess I can understand that..... What a strange family we have."

Stan laughed. "Keeps it fun tho."

Alex watched quietly as the twins happily gushed with Ford over Globnar, the bits and tricks he copied from them, the events they had in common. He smiled. His kids seemed so different here. Open and excitable.

"So, what are you going to do with the wish?" Dipper asked.

"I have a few ideas in mind." Ford shrugged. "We'll see how things go tho. None of them are for a few decades, hopefully."

"Awww. We don't get to know?"

Ford shook his head, smiling. "Wishes are meant to be secret until after they come true."

"Fair enough." Dipper shrugged. "What happened at the end?? The dude just... fell over??"

"Oh- That." Ford laughed. "I have been practicing some magic for about.... two decades now?" He glanced to Stan.

Stan shrugged. "Sounds about right."

"Simple possession. It's not a spell easily done. Minds generally don't like being taken over without permission. I've only ever used it on a duck before, to visit Stanley before Bill had access to his mind again. But, as Bill mentioned when we came home- Government agents are basically already brainwashed. Makes it easier to get in."

Dipper stared, in equal parts horror and awe. "You mind controlled the guy??"

"Yup. Then told him to take a nap. He'll be fine... Don't worry. I can't do it to anyone with half a brain. You're all safe-" Ford glanced to Preston. "......Maybe not you." He said with a teasing tone.

Preston laughed, shaking his head. He recognized the tone from the times Stanley teased about his rich-kid-habits, so knew it was light hearted. "Very funny."

Ford snickered, proud of himself.

"Does that mean you can be in Waddles' brain??" Mabel laughed.

"Hmm.... Theoretically, maybe? It seems there's some affinity towards specific creatures tho. Bill has a goat around here he can control easily, but I never could get that to work for me. The duck was the first to co-operate. So, I'm not sure if Swine and I are compatible."

Mabel pressed her forehead to the pig's. "Are WE compatible?!"

Ford laughed, shrugging. "We could teach you later- Ah-" He glanced to Alex, nervous. "If... we get the time..."

Alex sighed, looking to his wife.

She gave a simple nod.

Alex nodded back, looking to his kids. "Your mother and I have been talking... About you two, being here."

Mabel held Waddles closer, nervous.

Dipper tensed, tilting his head to slightly hide behind his hat's brim. Priscilla fussed at him that hats at the table is rude. So now he refuses to take it off.

Alex looked to his kids. "You mother's going to go home to California for now."

Dipper's head snapped up. For now?... Only mom??

"I'm going to stay here, and see about finding a job. Your mother's going to move up here with us once the house in California sells."

Dipper sprang to his feet, slamming his hands on the table and leaning halfway over it. "We're moving here?!"

"PERMANENTLY?!" Mabel beamed.

Alex chuckled. "If that's alright by you two?... I know we have roots in Cali but... I don't think I've ever seen either of you go outdoors this much. I think.... Weirdness is good for you."

The kids both ducked under the table, speed crawling over to tackle their parents in hugs.

Ford beamed, glancing to Preston.

Preston nodded. "He asked to extend his stay, and we're not short on rooms."

"....So... you're not still mad?" Ford glanced to Alex.

Alex peeled Mabel off himself to address Ford properly. "It's... stressful. And I still don't like them getting hurt- But..." Alex glanced to Shermie, smiling. "Trying to tell kids they're not allowed to go or do things... Just makes better sneaks. I'd rather they learn to be-" Alex paused, glancing to Ford. "....Prepared, I guess.... And I don't know any pair better to teach them."

Stan grinned. "Can't promise no bruises or scuffs. But we'll work our hardest to prevent anything beyond that."

"Thank you." Alex sighed in relief.

"I HAVE TO GO TELL THE GIRLS!" Mabel cheered, scooping up Waddles.

"Dinner First!" Came a chorus from Alex, Shermie, Bill, Ford, and Stan.

"..." Mabel returned quietly to her seat. "Right."

Ford laughed, glancing to Preston. ".....I cannot believe I am asking YOU for a favor but...."

Preston glanced over, raising a brow.

"Any chance you know where to purchase tons of dirt?"

".........Dirt?"

"Filling in a basement..."

"Hmm.... I'll see what I can do." Preston nodded. "May I ask... why?"

Ford grinned to Bill, taking his hand. "We have one final thing to cross off our checklist of to-do's."

".............You see how that answers literally nothing, correct?" Preston sighed, pinching his nose.

Stan snickered, patting his back. "Mystery Shack renovations so I don't have like 13 people in my basement."

"I think I'm better off not asking questions."

"Probably." Stan laughed, leaning against Preston's side while he eats.

"So. When's YOUR wedding?" Pacifica sighed.

Stan grinned, raising a brow. "You on board with us now?"

"Uhg. NO." She scoffed dismissively. "I just need to know if my favorite dresses will still be in season or not."

"I could MAKE you a dress!" Mabel cheered.

"EW. PASS." Pacifica groaned. Secretly excited to try.

"It can be our next girls night!" Pyronica cheered.

"You don't even wear clothes!" Pacifica rolled her eyes.

"So?? I can still like MAKING things!"

"DRESS PARTY!" Mabel cheered.

Pacifica let out a long sigh, realizing there was no escape now. She buried her face in her hand to hide her smile.

Chapter Text

"Ready?" Bill glanced to Ford.

Ford gave a nod. "As I can be. Small scale can only do so much."

Bill gave a nod.

Ford glanced to Stan. "Everything secured?"

"Should be." Stan chuckled, recording this.

"Must you??" Ford groaned. "I'm nervous enough."

"Yes, I must."

Ford shook his head, trying to not worry. "Alright. Let's do this."

Bill kissed his cheek. "You've got this. You're a natural."

Ford took a deep breath, holding his hands out in front of him as a bit of a guide. "....Shouldn't you do the harder part?"

"I am. I'm making the whole thing once we get the lab free." Bill reminded.

"Right. Right. Okay-" Ford took another deep breath, letting his magic pool around the Shack. "Woah- It feels like I'm actually holding it..."

"Easy, go slow." Bill reminded.

Ford gave a nod, slowly digging his magic under the house and lifting, keeping an ear out for the contractors to tell him to stop if needed. After the longest minutes of Ford's life, he freed the Shack from the ground, holding her high in the air as one solid piece. ".....Now I just... hold it?"

"We'll be fast." Bill promised, flying over to grab the lab in his own magic, wrenching it free from the ground and moving it carefully out of the way. Bill watched as several teams began to fill the gaping hole with dirt, and then a new foundation for the building. Pyronica and Lava Lamp using their heat to help speed the process up.

Ford sighed in relief as he set the building back down, carefully and slowly to let the teams make sure it settles right.

Bill chuckled. "See? I told you. Now- For the fun part."

Ford laughed, sitting down to rest while he watches his love work.

Bill moved the lab into a clearing a bit away from the shack, farther into the woods this time. Once positioned, Bill began to bend reality to his will, carefully twisting and rearranging the lab to fit better into the top of a pyramid.

Once the lab settles, Bill begins forming the rest of the Fearamid around it, working downwards and leaving the tip missing for the moment.

Ford carefully got back up, pulling the bag of shattered wedding glass from his pocket and floating into the air to join Bill. "We'll also need a staircase or something below it. Not all of our friends and family can fly."

"Yeah yeah. I'm getting to it." Bill laughed.

"Making sure." Ford opened the bag, holding the glass shards out to Bill.

Once the main part of the new Fearamid was settled, Bill set to crafting his and Ford's penthouse suite, using the wedding glass, and some other they spent hours picking out, to craft their main window. A stained glass mosaic of their favorite constellations and cosmos, with the wedding glass serving as the stars.

Ford smiled fondly, putting an arm around Bill. "Even better than before."

Bill chuckled. "It's going to be the talk of the town!"

Ford snickered. "It is pretty impossible to miss."

Bill laughed, moving the portal out from behind the Fearamid, having slipped it out of the lab while working. "What'cha think, Six?.... Enough metal for the stairs?"

Ford tensed, glancing to Bill. "Are you sure?.... What if you get bored of this dimension?"

"With you in it?... Never. But. We can always have fun making a new one if we do. A better one."

Ford smiled, nodding. "Alright."

Bill carefully warped the metal, twisting and warping it into a ramp up to the base of the Fearamid. "Annd, done."

Ford beamed, landing to go check it out with his family.

Stan let out a whistle at the large structure. "So that's your home, eh?"

"Ready for a tour?"

"Sounds fun."

Ford happily showed Stan and the kids around the maze of a structure while the Henchmaniacs all settled back in to their old rooms eagerly.

Once done, Ford glanced to the kids. "Why don't you two go teach the Henchmaniacs Babba songs?"

He smiled to watch the kids run off, excited to have a dance party in the tricked out lounge.

Ford's smile faded slowly, glancing to Stanley.

Stan gave a nod.

Ford, Stan, and Bill headed to one of the lower levels, in case Stanley wanted to leave after.

Ford sat next to his brother on a couch. "Ready then?"

"As I can be.... Just- Don't beat yourself up if I need time after."

Ford nodded. "That's fair."

Bill took Ford's hand, pulling him inside Stanley's mind with him, to show him how to find and repair broken connections and memories.

Ford made sure to keep as neutral as he could while working, not wanting to make Bill feel bad by scowling or frowning out all the harsh memories.

The room was silent and tense when the pair returned to reality.

Ford glancing nervously at Stanley out of the corner of his eye, waiting to see how he'd react.

Bill backed away, giving the pair some space. He sat in a chair, turning his glow off in hopes it'd help Stanley feel safer.

Stan finally sat up, slightly, as he glanced to his brother, then Bill. He'd be lying if he said he could ignore all the new-old memories, and just keep on like before. He could also tell, however, that they were trying to be respectful of this fact. Stan looked to Bill, breaking the silence finally. "Have you hurt my brother before?"

Bill looked over, and spoke calmly, as if he were merely discussing the weather. "In a way he found upsetting? No. I have put his body thru some pain when possessing it. If he minded, he never told me. The way I targeted you, however? No. The worst I did in that regard was isolate him from the world when he didn't join me right away. Him calling you was the solitude finally breaking him."

".............That's- Not exactly good either-"

Bill gave a shrug. "I'm not a good person- I'm not a person but- That's a different topic. I'm not good. I'd still kill you all without a second thought if I felt like it..... But I don't feel like it. Not lately.... Thanks to Sixer."

Stan's mouth tightened into a concerned scowl. At least he was being honest?... That was... something. He supposed.

"I'm hedonistic." Bill said in a matter of fact tone. "I do things simply because they bring me joy. Before, that joy was destroying everything I could get my hands on, and making anyone in my way suffer. Now?.... I've been pretty happy feeling like it matters if I'm even alive to someone. In a few decades? Who knows."

Stan gave a small nod. He certainly understood wanting to feel wanted. "...I'm going to head home...."

"Of course." Ford nodded. "Want me to walk you out?"

"I don't know this place yet, so. Yeah." Stan got up.

Ford stood, leading Stanley out.

Bill floated off to check on the kids, giving Stanley space.

"....We're a mess. Huh?" Stanley chuckled softly.

"Always have been." Ford laughed weakly. "..........I didn't know-"

"I know you didn't, Six. Breathe. We'll be okay."

"I don't want you two to hate each other.."

"You came around to Pres... I'll get used to Bill."

"So... keeping the shack? Or moving in with him?"

"I'll stay in the shack awhile longer. I mean- Don't get me wrong, I'm happy Pres came to his senses but.... We're starting over, pretty much. He can't just- Jump back into my life like I haven't spent decades without him. I'll probably move in with him one day. Leave the Shack to Soos and Melody."

Ford chuckled, smiling. "Not going to let Alex and the kids keep it?"

"Soos deserves it more. Kiddo's put his heart and soul into the place since he was like 12. Besides... I think the kids would have a better time living in a house that isn't a constant reminder of Gideon nearly killing them, or that other Bill, or- Frankly half their summer. At least until they can get a therapist or something. Your weird custom window probably isn't helping Dipper's nightmares."

"It's not weird-"

"I don't even want to know how much money you've spent solely on things shaped like, or covered in images of your husband Six. You quite frankly scare me a bit."

"..........It's not THAT many-"

"Then you shouldn't need anyone else's help grabbing each and every one and getting it the hell out of my home."

Ford snorted. "I'll grab them tomorrow-"

"You'll get the freaky shrine crap out of my house now, Ford."

"....Yup." Ford nodded, following Stanley to the Shack. Stanley doesn't appreciate my interior design. He informed Bill.

Bill cackled in Ford's mind. He just has no taste. I, for one, love your taste in decor.

Ford smiled, rolling his eyes. "....Can we keep the window?..."

"If you pay for the new installation, sure."

Ford grinned. "You, sir, have a deal."

"Uhg- No. Stop- Don't do that."

"Do what?"

"That weird coupley thing where you two start to talk like the other- Don't. You're not a highschooler."

Ford laughed, slinging an arm around Stan's shoulders. "Deal with it. You're stuck with me and all my gross coupley honeymooner behavior."

"I don't want to hear zip from you when I love on Pres." Stan groaned.Stan side eyed at seeing Sixer open his mouth. "And no! That's NOT a deal! Stop that."

Ford doubled over in laughter.

Chapter Text

Ford took a deep breath, stomach flipping in anxiety. He glanced to his side, only to remember he asked to do this alone.

Ford shook his hands out a bit to work off the nerves.

Ford sighed, hand shaking. Knock.

Just knock.

He just needed to-

Ford frowned at the door.

Ford gripped one shoulder, digging his nails into it, hoping the pain would distract from his nerves. Ford raised the other hand, forcing himself to knock.

Ford debated leaving. With his powers, he could be gone without anyone the wiser.

Ford did not leave.

Instead, he watched, tense and anxious, as the door slowly opened.

"What do YOU want?" Tate McGucket asked.

Ford swallowed. The last time he saw a photo of Tate, he was just a small child. "....Tate?"

"I asked ya a question, Pines."

Ford sighed. He shouldn't be surprised Tate hated him. Still, it was irritating. He never even met the kid. "I need to see Fiddleford-"

Tate slammed the door.

Ford groaned, knocking again. "Tate!"

"Ya ain't welcome here, devil worshipper!"

Ford rolled his eyes. "I don't even believe in a physical devil TO worship- Look! I'm just trying to fix things-"

"Ya've done enough! Leave my Pa alone!"

"I can fix his mind!"

The door opened a crack, Tate glaring out at Ford. "An' why should I trust ya??"

"You shouldn't. You have no reason to. You don't know me-"

"Ah know you're why I don't got my pa-"

"I am NOT. Fiddleford's current state is his own doing from his own invention that I didn't approve of." Ford crossed his arms. "You. Do not. Know me. All I want to do is help his memories return. Because no one deserves to have nothing left of themselves."

"He's only like this 'cause a bein' up here with you-"

"And since when was I responsible for his choices??" Ford scowled. "I won't say this had nothing to do with me at all, I'm aware it did. But his actions are his own. I didn't MAKE him come up here. I didn't make him stay. And I sure as hell did not make him come attack my brother who'd been minding his own business. So if you want to point fingers, maybe hold your own father accountable for not sticking around, instead of offloading your anger on to me, AFTER I fix him."

".........He loved you. Ya know." Tate opened the door, stepping aside.

"And why is that my fault?" Ford stepped inside, glancing around.

"Did ya even care?..."

"He was my friend..... One of the few I've ever had. What he saw beyond that is his business. But I did care about him. It's why I trusted him when he told me he destroyed his memory gun."

Tate sighed, holding himself. "He's up in his room. Probably tinkerin' on somethin'."

Ford glanced to Tate. "Which is?..."

"Right- This way." Tate lead Ford into the basement. "He seemed less anxious down underground, so..."

Ford gave a nod. The bunker was Fids' idea to begin with. "He's still in there then. That's good. Means this will actually work." Ford paused as they passed a fireplace, an urn on the mantle.

Tate glanced behind him. "....Stress got ta Ma."

"...My condolences.... Emma was a sweet woman, from what I'd seen of her."

"Ya knew her?"

"Not really. Met her in passing when Fiddleford would take her out on dates. We'd never talked beyond pleasantries."

Tate frowned at that. "...I just don't- Nevermind me."

"Hey. Say whatever you need. I'm in your space."

"...I just don't understand him- If'n he was so infatuated with you- How'd........"

Ford sighed, tucking his hands into his pockets. "I'm sure he loved her just as much. She was safer."

"...Then why'd he stay up here?... Why'd he forget us?..."

"He never forgot you two." Ford chuckled. "That I can promise. He'd talk about you a lot. Had both of your photos on his work desk. I can't speak to why he didn't bring you with him here. Or why he didn't give the same gifts to her. At the time- I didn't even realize why he did them for me. The idea anyone could care for me was- You might as well have tried to convince me the stars were fish. But I do know he did love you both. A lot.... The holiday fight broke him up inside."

Tate sighed, comforted a little to know they weren't entirely forgotten. "In here.... I can't guarantee how he's gonna react ta ya."

"I can handle myself." Ford assured, reaching for the handle.

Tate raised a brow, not that it could be seen behind his hat and hair. "Congrats."

Ford went red, shoving his ring hand back into his pocket and using his other to grab the door.

"What's they got that Pa don't?"

"...." Ford glanced to Tate, baffled. "You were just at my throat for your father's crush and now you're mad I didn't reciprocate it??"

"I ain't mad. An' I just am tryin' understand how we all got here."

Ford rolled his eyes. "My relationships are none of your business, and have nothing to do with Fiddleford or his misguided feelings." With that, Ford let himself into Fiddleford's room. Or... tried to. He only got the door open a few inches before it was jammed by a pile of junk.

"Woop- let me just-" Tate grabbed a broom from beside the door, shoving it behind it and moving the junk aside.

"That's a fire hazard. And an evacuation hazard.... And a trip-"

"We ain't a business or a lab."

"....Still a hazard." Ford sighed, heading into the junk filled room. "You let him live like this??"

"It makes him happy."

"And disemboweling people makes my husband happy but I still don't let him do it."

"What."

"...............Nothing." Ford would need to relearn his social filter. The henchmaniacs would've cracked up at that.

"Nah you can't just say-"

Ford ignored him, exploring the room. "Fiddleford?" He called out.

"INTRUDER!" A shrill voice cried, lunging at Ford.

Ford yelped, fighting his instinct to fling the weight off, worried about harming the old man. He looked frail last Ford got glimpse of him. He sighed in relief as Tate pried his father off Ford's back.

Fiddleford blinked, staring at Ford, slumped in Tate's arms. "Do I know you?...."

"Not anymore." Ford sighed.

Fids laughed. "The lake!!! The Gobblewan- Gobble- Awww it's gone again... You had the lil boat! Them little kiddos!"

"Ah-" Ford frowned. He'd never been mistaken for Stanley before. He shook his head, letting it go. It'd be easier if Fiddleford was calm. "Just- set him down.."

Tate nodded, carefully helping his dad sit on the floor.

Ford reached out, slowly to not startle the borderline-wild-animal of a person in front of him.

Fiddleford frowned, spotting the triangle-like rings. "The.. the- THE END TIMES!" Fiddleford scrambled away, babbling about the end of the world.

"Seriously?!" Ford groaned. "Of all the- HE IS NOT A D-" Ford took deep breaths. This was not helping him get this done with.

Tate glared. "What did you do to him??"

"NOTHING!" Ford groaned. Part of him considered simply leaving. Fiddleford CLEARLY did not want his help- Ford sighed. Oh, how the tables turn. Ford begrudgingly took his rings off, putting them in his pocket. He felt naked not wearing them. "Do you have a- banjo... Maybe I still remember a few chords..."

Tate snorted. "You play?"

"No." Ford rubbed his temples. "But when you hear and watch him play it daily. You pick up a few things."

Tate snickered, digging thru the piles and pulling out a banjo, sitting on what Ford guessed used to be a bed and played carefully.

Ford watched as Fiddleford slowly came back over and sat by Tate.

"You're pretty good at that!" Fids laughed.

"Thanks... My dad taught me."

"We should all have a band together!" Fids cheered.

Ford frowned, heart aching for Tate.

"Sounds fun." Tate sighed, having long grown numb to being forgotten.

Ford approached, slowly.

Fiddleford glanced to him. "...Have we met?"

Ford gave a nod. "We have. Long ago." Ford held out a hand. "We used to be roommates."

Fiddleford reached out, happily shaking his hand. "Well, I'm Fiddleford McGucket!"

Ford briefly debated what to say. It was possible if a triangle set him off, his name would too. "Icarus." Ford glanced to Tate. "Don't worry. This can't burn anything." He warned, hand catching fire as he entered Fiddleford's mind.

Ford glanced around the emptiness. He couldn't even call it void, or blackness. It was just. Empty.

And then the thoughts swarmed. Colors and equations, jumbled information that Ford could both simply Feel but not perceive, and literal ones. Numbers or lines. A storm of thoughts, swirling around him, forming a tornado of thought instead of a mindscape. Thoughts with nowhere to belong to, and nowhere to go.

Ford frowned, trying to make any sense of it all. This was nothing like Bill showed him in Stanley's mind.

Ford took a few breaths. He just needed a starting point. A first stitch.

Something that would've imprinted onto Fiddleford's core itself, not just his basic memories.

Ford reached out towards a familiar shade of green, pulling a key from within it.

Ford dislodged himself from the tornado of thought, reaching the key out into nothing, and opening their old dorm's door.

Chapter Text

Ford watched silently as Fiddleford packed his bags. An odd inbetween of memory and reality. Fiddle's ford was wrinkled and tired, with the eye bags of a man struggling to go on, but his hair and outfit were those from his college days.

Ford walked over, sitting next to Fiddleford on the floor. "You were right, you know."

Fiddleford startled, glancing to Ford with uncertainty. "Pardon?"

"You were right. You always have been."

"....About.. what?... My theory in class?"

"Oh, come on now, Fiddleford. You're smarter than this." Ford frowned to his old friend. "Stronger than this."

"Ah'm sorry, sir. I don't... follow.."

Ford sighed, gesturing to the room around them. "This was before I'd even unpacked my bags, yes?... Why's my bed already made?"

Fiddleford frowned, glancing around the room.

Ford could almost feel Fiddleford's brain trying to start itself back up. To put the pieces together.

"You know this is playing out wrong. You can feel it, can't you? You're smarter than this. How did it go?"

Fiddleford stood slowly, watching the door. "...You dang near kicked the door open, hands so full a bags..." Fiddleford looked to Ford, confused. ".........When did you get so old?"

Ford snickered, shrugging.

"..........Am I asleep?" Fiddleford realized.

"Something like that."

"..........Be just my luck to still be... dreaming of-..... I can't remember your name.... Why can I feel something familiar but not know your name??"

"We'll get there. We have to put the pieces back slowly." Ford stood up. "Come on.... Let's take a walk down memory lane together."

Fiddleford nodded slowly, following Ford out the door. "...I was the first a my family to make it into a fancy college.... I thought maybe I'd bitten off more than I could chew... Then you came along."

Ford chuckled. "We didn't get any sleep that night."

"I don't recall you ever gettin' much sleep any night." Fiddleford lightly elbow'd Ford in the side.

Ford laughed. "It's a waste of time!"

"..........Are you real?" Fiddleford asked, hesitantly.

"Would you believe the answer anyways?"

"........Why can't I remember you?"

"I told you. We're getting there-" Ford chuckled as they stumbled into the school's library. He leaned on a wall, watching Fiddleford and Emma May meet. "I think I was at a lecture this night. You had told me I needed to loosen up and do something fun for once. So I signed up to sit in, for no credit, on an entomology class."

Ford snickered. "Only you would hear 'have fun' and take it to mean take MORE classes."

"It was a class for no academic benefit." Ford reminded.

"That is not any different."

Ford laughed, shrugging.

Fids smiled softly at the memory. "......That's...... Emma May... right?"

Ford nodded. "She became your wife."

".......Really?" Fiddleford glanced to the man beside him, even more confused now by the feelings his face caused.

Ford started walking once more. "Come on. We have a lot of ground to cover."

"How come you won't answer me?.... Did something happen?"

"A lot happened." Ford sighed. "Come on."

Fiddleford sighed, following him. "You're frustratin', ya know that??"

"I'm aware."

Ford watched silently as they packed up their dorm after graduation. Ford barely even remembered that they talked that day, he only remembers reading up on Gravity Falls.Ford listened, for the first time, as a younger Fiddleford tried to invite him to come stay at his family's farm. To take some time off for himself.

Ford frowned, watching as his younger self clapped Fids on the shoulder, promised to write, and walked away without so much as a goodbye.

Fiddleford frowned. "I can't hug myself, can I?"

"You'd phase thru. This isn't tangible. It's your brain's ghosts trying to connect themselves together once more."

"I'm not entirely sure I understand..."

"Let's keep moving."

Fiddleford sighed. "Who are you??"

"You old college roommate."

"A name."

"No." Ford kept moving, watching as Fiddleford got the phone call from Ford, asking him to come out to Oregon.

Fiddleford frowned, an uneasy feeling settling in his gut. ".......Your name ain't gonna be one I like, is it?"

"We're nearly there." Ford sighed, heading for his old cabin.

Fiddleford hugged himself, following quietly. "What if I don't want to remember this??"

"Forgetting helps no one, not even yourself. You can forget the memories, but their scars linger. Even when you can't see them anymore, the scars will linger." Ford rubbed the back of his hand where he knew a scar should be.

Fiddleford sighed.

The pair walked past another set of their younger selves, trying not to watch as Fiddleford erased Ford's memory for the first time.

"...Did I do this to myself?" Fiddleford frowned, holding himself tighter.

"You made the machine that did this, but you did not pull the final trigger." Ford replied calmly.

"I don't want to go down there." Fids frowned, watching Ford punch in the elevator's code.

"We have to."

"I don't want to!"

"This is where it all began, Fiddleford. How we landed here. Why Tate's alone right now. We have to end this at the start."

"Tate....." Fiddleford frowned, memories creeping back. ".... Tater-Tot's here?"

"Not in here. But he's right next to you, outside your mind. Waiting on you to wake up again."

Fids took a deep breath, stepping into the elevator.

Ford followed him down, face unreadable.

"......You look just like your Pappy, face all tight like that..."

Ford grit his teeth, trying to keep his emotions in check. "Please never say that again."

"....I thought-..." Fids frowned, trying to think. "....You always wanted to make him proud, didn't ya?"

"It's.... complicated. Most things with me are."

"...........Ford." Fids looked over.

Ford tensed.

".......You...... how are you...... Are you really here?" Fids asked once more.

Ford watched on silently as he was pushed into the portal. Gritting his teeth and trying not to feel as he watched Stanley get shot. Watched the pair wrestle, as Stanley tried to keep Fiddleford from taking the journals despite his wound.

Ford winced as Stanley's shoulder slammed into the heat exhaust of the control panel, passing out from the pain of it all.

"....There's two a you?" Fids sighed.

"Did I never mention that my twin was identical?...Well- Mostly."

".....Never seemed eager ta talk about him much at all...."

"Right.... Right-" Ford sighed. "Things were different back then....." Ford chuckled softly. "A time when I didn't even talk about Stanley... It's hard to picture now."

"....Stanley and Stanford?" Fiddleford chuckled. "Sure didn't get yer brains from your Pa, huh?"

"Indeed." Ford laughed. "......Do you remember next?"

"........." Fids frowned, glancing to the memory of Stanley. "......I came back to make sure he wouldn't do what you did..."

Ford nodded. "His friend happened to swing by, and caught you. Set the gun to Everything."

Fids let out a low, concerned whistle. "..............Is it wrong I'm more offended my invention CLEARLY don't work as well as I hoped if'n I'm here remembering now??"

Ford doubled over in laughter. "Please don't try to perfect it!"

Fids snickered at that, smiling bittersweetly. "......We ain't friends... Are we?"

Ford's laughter faltered. "....Not really. We were... Once."

"What changed?.... How'd we become this?"

Ford glanced to his hand, scar materializing now that he didn't need to be as cautious. ".....I discovered I liked living for myself more than for my father."

"....The demon-"

"He is NOT. A demon." Ford sighed, exasperated.

Fiddleford frowned. "You didn't see what I saw-"

"He's bad. Okay?? You're right. You always have been. But he's NOT. a demon. He's just-" Ford sighed and slumped down the wall. ".....He's just broken, like me."

"You ain't-"

"I AM. Fiddleford.... Even if you swear I'm not I still FEEL like I am."

Fids sighed, sitting next to him. "So... what?... I'm gonna wake up, and the world's gonna be burnt to the ground?"

"The world's fine.... We've had thirty years to cool off. Might still end it in a few thousand years when an evil time giant baby takes over but- You won't have to worry by that point."

"A what??"

"..........Don't worry about it." Ford sighed. "We WERE going to end the world. And I was aware of that. I wanted it."

"Ford!"

Ford rolled his eyes. "We both went thru a lot. And now we kind of just... want to have a family and be happy. While we still can. While mine's still here."

"..............Are you-" Fids pulled a face, glancing to Ford in concern.

Ford shrugged, letting his rings appear.

Fiddleford tried his best to not show any jealousy or sorrow. "I see..."

"You can go ahead and say whatever you need to. Tate's already given me the third degree about 'leading you on'."

"What?!" Fiddleford went bright red.

Ford gave a casual shrug. "It's been thirty years, Fiddleford... We can be honest. We don't have anything left to lose anyways."

Fids sighed. "....So ya know then?..."

"Finally... I'm sorry I used to be so oblivious. That had to be... vexing."

Fids snickered. "That's an understatement. Not sure you'd have noticed even if the truth hit you with a truck."

Ford laughed. "Probably not..."

".....Would it have mattered? Even if I had told you? If I'd not gone for Emma May?"

"Honestly?... No... Even if I'd known- I never-..... If my father heard I was with a man, I'm pretty sure he would've killed me. And I'm not sure I'm exaggerating."

"But bein' with a triangles fine??" Fids snickered.

"Bill could keep me safe from him. Not that Father's here to even care anymore."

Fids frowned. "I'm sorry for your loss..."

Ford nodded. ".....I'm still not  sure it's set in fully. Or if I'm sad or happy about it."

"..........Did you ever even feel the same?" Fiddleford had to know. Even if it hurt.

"I wish I could give you an answer, but I honestly don't know, Fiddleford. Emotions aren't my strong suit. And love and attraction are the worst of them all. Back then?... The only love I ever knew was transactional. What we had... It didn't fit in to that definition. Which made it confusing."

"Wasn't confusin' enough to keep you from the demon-"

"STOP-" Ford took a deep breath. "His name. Is Bill. Stop calling him a demon."

"What am I supposed ta think, Stanford?? You said it yerself, he was out to destroy our world, and worst of all he dragged you down with him-"

"I joined him because I wanted to Fiddleford. Because I liked being important-"

"You already were important, Ford. To me-"

"It's not the same!"

"You're right. He only treated ya special so he could come hurt us all. I treated ya special 'cause I actually wanted you around!"

"It's not my fault you spent so much time trying to earn the attention of someone who clearly wasn't interested!" Ford huffed, getting up.

"He ain't even human-"

"I'm not even into humans!" Ford blurted out, frustrated.

"...You ARE a human-"

Ford groaned, running his hands down his face.

Fids frowned, realizing they were just repeating their last true conversation. Getting so worked up they shout nasty things they don't mean. "I just- Don't understand, Ford... Why do you want someone who was usin' you-"

"Because he DOES understand-" Ford paced, trying to keep his voice level and calm. "You can't fathom how it feels to be me. And that's nothing against you- We grew up in two entirely different worlds. But he does understand it. And that's what I need. I need to not be alone-"

"You weren't-"

"I was! Fiddleford. I was. You can sit there and say you're there for me, but you can't be. Nothing you say makes me feel better, because it's all empty.  I know you've comforted me before about the teasing and my father but you don't GET it. You're reciting a script for things you don't know how they feel. I don't WANT to be told it's all okay. I don't want to be told I'm not a freak. Because I am-"

Fiddleford opened his mouth to protest.

"I AM. And insisting I'm not just makes it feel worse when I still feel like I am! You can say I'm fine the way I am a thousand times, but the feeling there's something wrong inside me doesn't go away. Telling me I'm fine when I don't feel it only makes me more convinced I'm wrong. Because if I wasn't I wouldn't feel this way. It doesn't just go away because people like you say it should-"

"People like me??"

"Normal. Fiddleford." Ford sighed. "You're too normal for me. You are everything I WISH I was in life and can never be and that HURTS. You're a constant reminder of how broken I am. It's why I can't love people. I can't be interested in you. Because all I will ever see is the life I will never get to know. A view of the world I can never have."

Fiddleford frowned. "Why are you so convinced there's something wrong with-"

"Because there is! Even if it's not a bad thing, it IS still an abnormality. I don't want to be told I'm normal, or not messed up, not broken. Because I am. I know I am.... I just want to be told I'm worth loving as I am. All parts of me. I don't want to be loved despite my abnormalities. I want to be loved with them. Jagged edges and all. Knowing that when they look at me and say 'Wow, you're damaged.' It's not in disgust, or judgement, or pity. It's in solidarity. I chose him, because he's broken. Like me. He knows how it feels, and when he says I'm one of his freaks, it's because that's a good thing. Because it's us saying, 'We're not alone.'"

Fids stared at Ford, mixed between sorrow and relief, to finally hear Ford be honest. "....Like rocks in a tumbler, pummeling each other into something shiny."

Ford paused his pacing, glancing over and smiling fondly. "Something like that... I know you mean well- It's just-...... You can't know how this feels. And I don't want you to ever know it. Because it sucks.... But I can't go forever feeling like I'm the only one who came out this way. Wondering what I did wrong that no one else has."

Fids sighed. "...I'm not sure I understand the difference.... Reckon I don't need to tho. Cause I can still see you're happier now. Don't hunch up as much as ya used to."

Ford chuckled. "...I'm sorry- I'm talking your ear off about myself again-"

"It's alright." Fids promised. ".........I miss bein' your friend. Miss things bein' simple."

"They've never been simple." Ford shrugged. "We could just ignore the hard things easier when they weren't right at our door."

"So... what now?"

Ford shrugged. "Your mind's still patching itself back together."

"I meant for us.... Are we...... friends?"

"I don't know.... Bill and I are a package deal now. So... If you can't get used to him... Not sure it'd work out very well."

Fids gave a short nod. "Just... see where the future takes us, I guess."

Ford nodded back. "Oh- I should warn you- The town has gotten stranger than you remember.... Mostly from all my new friends moving in."

"....New friends?"

".............You'd probably call the whole lot of them demons."

".........I'm gonna just focus on fixin' things with Tatertot." Fids sighed.

"Probably a good call." Ford laughed awkwardly. "I'm sorry... Fiddleford. For- a lot of things..."

"I'm sorry too." Fids smiled bittersweetly. "I didn't realize how much you were hurtin'."

"I didn't want you to." Ford shrugged. "....I'm getting better."

"Good." Fids smiled sincerely at that. "....Don't be a total stranger now, ya hear?"

Ford smiled back, nodding. "We'll be those annoying old people blocking an entire aisle of the store while we talk for an hour."

Fiddleford cackled at that. "Don't you go callin' my Mama out now!"

Ford grinned, relaxing. "I'll let you dream and rest while I finish repairing in here, alright?"

"..........How ARE you doing this?"

"That is awake people talk." Ford laughed, waving as he vanished.

Fiddleford sighed, sitting as the memory faded out, changing to the day Tate was born.

Ford sighed as he let go of Fiddleford's hand, exhausted.

".....Is he okay?" Tate frowned.

Ford nodded. "The damage was extensive, but... He accepted the healing rather well. He should wake up in a few hours, once things settle down."

"Thank you..."

"It's the least I owe him for all I put him thru. I'll get out of your hair now-"

"Not gonna stick around til he's awake?"

"It'll be easier on him if he wakes up with loved ones first. I'll check in on him in a few days, see how he's recovering."

Tate nodded slowly. "Take care, Mr.Pines."

"You too." Ford waved, heading back outside with his hands in his pockets.

Ford wasn't even shocked to find Bill waiting around for him, he just smiled fondly. "Stalker."

"You love it." Bill cackled, draping onto Ford's back like a backpack.

"Think we'd get in trouble for turning some gnomes into bowling pins?"

"With how those little creeps treated the kids?? They'd probably want in on a round or two!"

Ford laughed, heading for home.

Chapter Text

Fiddleford sighed as he sat at the bar. "Any mocktail please." Ford had made it clear to both McGuckets that any substance that impairs brain function could be detrimental to his recovery for a few weeks. Still, Fids needed out of the house. The piles of junk and the pictures of Emma just made him mourn how much he's entirely missed out on.

Fids glanced over to the lady next to him. "You alright?"

"Fine." She sighed, sipping her drink.

"Don't normally see gals in clothes as fancy as yours in here."

"It's not my first choice. I just.... needed somewhere no one I know would find me."

Fids nodded. "I feel that." He lifted his drink in a cheers.

She snorted, lifting her glass.

"You look like life's goin' about as well for you as it has for me."

"My husband left me for a con artist." She admitted, taking a long sip.

Fids gave a nod. "Believe it or not, I sorta know how that feels- I mean- He wasn't mine but- It's complicated." He sighed. "Lost someone I cared about to a nutcase."

She chuckled slightly. "That why you're drinking?"

"Nah. Well- Kinda- I ain't really been... myself. in a very long time. And catchin' up on things has been difficult."

"Who knew I had so much in common with a..."

"A hick?" Fids grinned.

"I wasn't- I mean-"

Fiddleford laughed. "'s alright. I know I ain't the kind of person you fancy types really talk to much."

She sighed, finishing off her drink. "Can't believe this is how low I've come."

"Well.... Ya know what they say about rock bottom?"

She raised a brow at him, not amused.

"Only way left ta go is up." Fids smiled, glancing to the bartender. "Another round for her, my tab."

"I can pay for my own-"

"I know. You probably make more than I've ever seen in my life. But yer also clearly goin' thru it right now. And need a lil' kindness shown your way."

"........Thank.... you...."

Fids snorted, sipping his drink to mask it. "Don't strain yerself now."

She sighed, accepting the new drink. "My ex is currently at a party for his boyfriend's brats. I should... probably be there to be nice-"

"Ah, fuck em."

"I beg your pardon-"

"If ya ain't happy bein' around them bein' together, don't be. If they got a problem with it, that's their business. Ya gotta take care a you."

"We have a daughter still. He wants me to try to get along with them for her sake-"

"Ya can be civil without tagging along to every thing they do an' hurtin' yourself. If they really care, they'll want you to do what makes you happy. An' if they feel they ain't seein' ya enough, they can make the time away from him for it. Take it from a guy who wasted half his life makin' himself miserable to try to keep the peace. Ya only hurt everyone in the end. If ya ain't happy, ya ain't obligated ta stay."

She considered this quietly, sipping her drink. ".....Aren't you.... that guy who builds those massive machines?..."

Fids chuckled, going red. "Busted- Yeah.... Yeah..... I haven't been- I'm not-"

"Crazy anymore?" She chuckled.

"Yeah... That." He nodded, sipping his drink.

"If you can make things like that while insane... I wonder what you can make now."

Fids smiled. "Aw, I ain't got any plans right now. I'm just tryin' ta.... reconnect with my son. Sort my life back out."

"Cheers to that." She lifted her glass to him once more. "One day at a time."

"Cheers." Fids laughed, extending a hand. "Fiddleford McGucket."

"Priscilla." She shook his hand, only hesitating slightly.

"If ya wanted, I could teach ya to build lil' Gizmos and Gadgets too." Fids offered.

"Oh- I... I'd never be able to make things like that.... I'm just... not born for it-"

"That's what people used ta say 'bout me back when I was just a farm boy in the country. Now look at me." He grinned. "Nothin' to it but to do it. Ya can't know til you try."

Pris shook her head, doubtful. "I'm just a pretty face."

Fids snorted, not believing that for a second. "Well. If'n ya ever need somewhere to hide that ain't a cheap bar where ya probably get all kinds a comments, my boy and I live out by the lake. Welcome to come hide out there."

"I'll keep that in mind.... Thank you." Pris smiled.

Fids' face lit up as Footloose came on the jukebox. "Hoo-we! I ain't heard this song in years!" He sprang to his feet, holding out a hand. "Wanna cut a rug fer a bit??"

"Oh- I don't- I've never danced anything.... non-formal....."

"Lucky you! I'm an expert! Wanna learn?"

".....Yes." She decided, getting up. "I would like to learn something new...."

Fids beamed, taking her hand and pulling her to an empty bit of floor.

"Hey, Uncle Ford!" Pacifica called over, running towards him with the twins on her heels.

Ford glanced up from his scrapbooking, a hobby he'd adopted from Mabel of course. "Yes?"

"We found a moth with two different wings! It landed right on me!" Pacifica held up the jar proudly.

Ford beamed, taking it carefully. "Fascinating! A natural bilateral gynandromorph! Do you kids want to help me document this?"

"Of course!" Dipper nodded.

Pacifica beamed, excited. "Can I put my name on it since it landed on me??"

"Well it's not a new species. But I'll let you sign the page in my journal."

"Good enough for me!"

"Where's Bill?" Mabel glanced around. "Our party starts soon."

"He said he had a surprise and flew off." Ford shrugged.

"Should we be scared?" Dipper worried.

".........I have no idea." Ford admitted. "For my birthday, he gave me dead rats.... Which as a scientist, was very interesting."

"As a sane person- Ew??" Pacifica snorted.

Ford laughed, grabbing his journal out. "Let's get this little one documented so we can set it free, alright?"

Bill floated thru town, having stopped in to a craft store to get his gift properly wrapped.

Barely anyone even stared at him anymore. He almost missed the attention. He still got barked at by every dog he passed, which was entertaining.

Bill glanced into the windows of businesses as he passed, 'raising a brow' to see Priscilla and Fiddleford dancing. Interesting. He'd keep that one to himself for the time being. He didn't want the kids to get nosy and scare her off from opening up.

Bill smiled as he arrived back to the woods, watching the birthday party already in full swing.

"Is there supposed to be this much fire??" Preston worried, being physically held from flinching away by Stanley.

"It's a grill. Yes. There's meant to be that much fire."

"This hardly seems safe-"

"Stop being a baby, even the kids can grill a burger."

Bill snickered, rolling his eyes and floating over to Ford.

"You're late." Ford laughed.

"Shush. I was busy getting the best birthday gift in the history of gifts finished."

Ford laughed harder, kissing beside his eye. "The kids are showing Pacifica how a pinata works."

Bill cackled. "Which design did they chose?"

"A unicorn."

Bill laughed more. "Wonderful!" Bill floated over to the kids, watching the small group go wild on a paper unicorn. "Gift time when you kids are done!"

The twins cheered happily, and even louder as Candy finally broke a leg off and candy poured out.

"EAT IT'S GUUUUUTS!" Mabel cheered.

Bill let out a woop! This is why she's his favorite!

"Best Grunkle Ever's gift first!" Bill announced, handing a box to each twin.

Ford laughed, shaking his head.

The twins eagerly tore into the wrapping, each pulling out a crystal bracelet intheir respective colors.

Bill's eye upturned slightly in a smile. "No matter how far apart you two end up in life. You'll always have the other- Tap them."

Mabel happily tapped hers, watching Dipper's light up.

"No recharging or wifi needed." Bill assured.

Dipper grinned, putting his on and watching it shrink to fit. "Awesome??"

Mabel beamed, tapping her bracelet to Dipper's and watching them both glow. "Thanks Grunkle Bill!"

Bill gave a bow happily. "The rest of you can bore them now.~"

Stan rolled his eyes, grinning.

Preston snickered, nodding to Pacifica. "I'm being made to play with fire, can you grab mine?"

Pacifica nodded, fetching her dad's gifts and bringing them open.

The twins' jaws dropped to pull out brand new smart phones.

"Money always wins." Pres teased Bill.

Bill rolled his eye. "Okay, but mine won't break or need replacing."

The group all chuckled, watching the kids eagerly set their phones up with Pacifica's help.

Pacifica skipped over to Stan. "Pa! Let me see yours. I'm gonna send them a good contact photo."

Stan chuckled, handing her his phone.

Bill curled up with Ford while watching the kids eagerly set their devices up.

Wendy snickered. "Welcome to teenagerhood you two. Don't become Tambrys."

Dipper rolled his eyes. "Please, I can handle a phone-"

"He's going to break it in a week." Bill snickered.

"RUDE!"

Mabel laughed. "I give it a few days!"

"MABEL!"

Mabel giggled. "Oh! I know a perfect lock screen!" She pulled Dipper close, getting a picture of them bumping their bracelets together, and splitting it in half. Dipper happily set Mabel as his, and Mabel likewise.

Ford smiled. "You have more to get to you know."

"Right- Right." Dipper laughed. "Thanks Grunkle Preston."

Preston nodded. "Figured Alex could sleep easier if he had a way to check in on you two now and then."

Alex sighed in relief, nodding. "Thank you."

Ford relaxed, watching his chaotic family debate who has to follow that gift up.

A few decades later...

Ford took a deep breath, steadying his mind. "Five more minutes.. please..."

Hectorgon nodded, letting the staff know of the delay once more.

"You doing okay?" Dipper came over, putting an arm around his Grunkle's shoulders.

Ford gave a slow nod. "As I can be.... Is she here yet?"

"Not yet."

"As soon as MJ's school let's out for summer, we're flying back out to Oregon to spend the summer with you, okay?"

"Thank you, Dipper." Ford smiled, hugging his nephew back finally. "I'm sure Mabel's going to be checking in a ton too."

Dipper nodded.

"Where are the kids?"

"MJ's watching Grunkle Bill try to teach Caryn to say Die."

Ford laughed at that, shaking his head. "And you're letting him?"

"She's deaf."

Ford laughed harder at this. "When did you find this out??"

"About a week ago."

Ford shook his head, then smiled to see Mabel finally approaching.

"So sorry!" Mabel ran over, hugging her grunkle tight. "Marius and Grenda's plane got delayed, and my phone died from spending the entire time looking at my old photos-"

"Hey, you're here now. That's what matters." Ford held her tight. "He's probably thrilled to know he's important enough to fly countries for."

Mabel chuckled, nodding.

Ford gave hugs to Grenda and Marius as well. "Thank you for coming."

"Of course." Grenda hugged back. "You guys are family."

Ford gave a nod. "It's time then..."

"We're here if you need us." Mabel gave his hand a squeeze before going to her seat.

Ford took a deep breath and headed for the stage.

Bill floated over once Dipper reclaimed Mason Jr. and Caryn, holding Ford's hand.

Ford smiled, giving it a squeeze before letting go to grab his speech. "We are gathered here today, not to mourn the loss of Stanley Northwest Pines, but to celebrate a life well lived. To honor and remember a hero who saved me from myself, by never giving up. And to cherish the memories of a man who wanted nothing more than to be loved. And loved he is, even in death. Stanley would be... honored. To see a room so full of people who love him that we are actually breaking fire code by being over capacity for this venue-"

The crowd chuckled and snickered.

'Cause when I die, I don't wanna rest in peace
I wanna dance in joy
I wanna dance in the graveyards, the graveyards
And while I'm alive, I don't wanna be alone
Mourning the ones who came before
I wanna dance with them some more
Let's dance in the graveyards
Whoa, let's dance in the graveyards

Ford sighed, shifting his weight as his leg started to go numb.

Bill floated over. "You've been out here all night, Fordsy... Let's go home."

Ford glanced over, wiping the tears from his face. "It feels like I've lost part of mine."

Bill rubbed his back. "If entire dimensions couldn't keep you two apart, death can't either. He wouldn't want you rotting away by a rock."

Ford sighed, knowing he was right. Ford glanced to the headstone, pressing his forehead to it for a final time before standing up. "I love you, Stanley."

Bill gave the stone a pat. "Rest well, Firebird."

"......" Ford wiped his eyes. "....We still have that time wish somewhere, right?"

Bill's eye upturned in a smile.

Chapter Text