Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Three years ago

Stan was watching the party, observing everyone with a bored expression on his face. He had originally hoped to get more dirt on workers of his to keep certain wages low, but all he seemed to be finding is a bunch of stressed out people. Everyone was drinking, complaining about their jobs, normal stuff.

And he couldn't even claim that it was because of him. He had Ford work some magic and make a glamour effect on him, suppose to last for 24 hours and make him 40 years younger. So no fear factor on his part for them to act right, they were just... boring as hell.

Nothing embarrassing or blackmail worthy was occurring and he was considering leaving after finishing his drink. Well, until a pretty brunette with the palest skin he had ever seen came walking over. She was wearing a little crop top with wide straps, white with blue patterns, and some low rise jeans to show off the tone stomach she had. Her arms were muscular, with freckles along her shoulders and a cheap metal bracelet on. "Hey handsome, what are you doing here on your lonesome?.", she started, leaning against the same wall as him. Stan glanced at her, wondering if she was honestly talking to him. When had he ever had someone like her approach him without knowing him?

Alright, maybe he could play along for tonight.

"Not much beautiful, just watching."

Her eyes seemed to sparkle a vibrant green when she turns her head, the light hitting them just right. "Watching huh? You new in town or something?", he laughed at that, shaking his head.

"Not really, no. Just happened to move back is all. What about you?"

"What about me?"

He gestured around, before settling back on her, "Doesn't seem like your type of place. What's a girl like you doing in this little town?" Her eyes shifted to him, her body turning to him full as if opened to the questioning. And before he knew it, they started talking. She was working in one of the factories, learning about the machines and how to fix them right. She had a degree in engineering but liked getting her hands dirty more, she loved old cars and wished she had one to just fix up as a way to wind down. He had he started picking up a southern accent in her voice as he listened to her, drawn in by her charm and the way she held herself as she went on.

It was like magic, without the awful side effects of it.

And he wanted to know more. More of that laugh, more of that smile, more of that cute little brunette in his life than just this moment. "What's your name sweets?"

"Tell me yours first."

He rubbed his neck, trying to think of a name that wouldn't tip her off, "Call me 8-ball." She laughed at that, enjoying the idea of fake names.

"Alright, than you can call me Bunny, 8-ball."

Oh, that fit her perfectly. She was cute like one, seemed a bit on the innocent side, and he bet that he could cage her up for his entertainment alone like one. "Nice to meet you Bunny, hey I have to get going, early shift and all."

She sighed and nodded, those green eyes of hers mesmerizing him. "Yeah, I have one too. Fucking Gleefuls, take the fun out of everything.", not everything he hoped, and was that a touch of disdain he heard?

"Yeah? Seems like you hold a grudge."

"Oh no. If I start you'll be here all night.", he smirks leaning in to her space, smiling as she scotched a little closer. God, she even smelled sweet? 'Not helping your case, pretty bunny.', he thought, fighting with himself to keep in control of his body.

"That wouldn't be so bad for me."

She sighed, rubbing her neck as she looked around the room. Was she debating spilling her guts out to a stranger? Was she on to him? No, no, what was he thinking? Of course she wouldn't be, he had the glamour on and was making small talk. Calm down, and just talk to her like how you've been. "Did I say something wrong?" She looked up at him, shaking her head quickly. "No, no, don't get the wrong idea. I love talking with you, it might be the highlight of tonight, in fact. It's just... any bad mouthing about the Gleefuls could land me in hot water. So, I'm not to eager about... talking of them."

He smirked. Okay, maybe his family had a way of silencing people, ruining their lives and all. But they were competitors, or displeased workers, or even a lawyer or two. This was his Bunny, nothing was gonna happen to her if she spoke her mind. "Trust me, I won't tell a soul."

Glancing around again, she came closer, her breath hitting his chest as she spoke in a hushed tone, "Alright, just a little bit though." She said it like she was making a drug deal instead of talking about someone. She began telling him everything she found wrong with the company, the policies, even went into his family a bit. Though, that didn't really bother him as much as it was more concern for the kids. "Look, all I'm saying is that I think the girl needs someone that isn't going to be a yes man in her life. Someone completely opposite of what she was raised in to basically... shock her to reality."

"Oh yeah, what about her brother?"

"Get him away from Stanford. That's it."

"Really? I would've assumed you liked him.", she scoffed and chugged her drink, tossing the cup into the trash. He listened as she went on a tangent about his brother, how cold he was, how creepy he seemed, how he always seemed to be smiling in interviews as if he was talking to an animal. "He literally has stories about him kidnapping people that he just waves off. Like, everything about the man is just a giant red flag walking."

"So, get the boy away from creepy scientist, got it. What uh, what about the one who owns the factories?"

"Oh, Stanley Gleeful?"

The Gleeful family.

Dangerous, powerful, supernaturally inclined, and wealthy beyond belief. They are everything that people wanted but were scared of. Though, if you asked Velvet, she thought they were just lowlifes. The whole family to her were dirty, low-down, crooks and cruel to boot. She heard all sorts of stories while working in their factories; the twins were monsters, the girl was cold and manipulative, her brother indifferent to everyone around him, the two twin elders though handsome, were mean spirited. The one with the ponytail she was most wary of, though, as any stories involving him were ... graphic to say.

'Just had to save enough to get out of this damn town.', she thought, though there were recent set backs that she had come across.

Her car's back tires popped, making her have to call in that way she could get them replace. Then her apartment got broken into, the guy making out with certain ids of her which made her have to call in again. Then came today, where her apartment is now being fumegated for bed bugs, even though she didn't complain about it and is having to call in again that way she can fix it.

"Velvet, you know this is your third call in.", She sighed, nodding as they guys in hazmat suits raided her home.

"Yes, I know Mack. But you know I wouldn't call in unless shit got fucked on my end. HEY CAREFUL WITH THAT!", she yelled, catching a guy knocking into a lamp of hers. She swears that guy had no clue why he was there.

"No, Velvet, I get that but... it's your third call in in a month."

Oh.

Oh fuck!

"No. No, Mack, you can’t!"

"I have to, girl, you know them Gleefuls. They find out I cover for someone, it's all our hides." She could almost scream, she had completely forgotten about the damn policy. Gleeful enterprises had a policy in place where if you had three call outs in a month, the head of the area came in to talk to you. It was to "ensure" that emplyees could rely on the company when hard times came, working out a schedule that could aid them. In actuality, it was to get rid of people unable to get in anytime the company wanted.

Which would have been fine, if she didn't live in fucking Gravity Falls, where the head of it all was.

"Come on Mack, can you at least give me someti-", she hears the ending call sounds, someone cutting it off as she spoke.

Fuck, fuck, fuck!

"Fucking Gleefuls!", Velvet yelled, snarling as she kicked a trash can over. Sighing, she picked it back up and set it right before looking at her home. She didn't know when they would be finished so that was going to be her first step. She turned, getting the attention of one of the fumigation guys and walking over to him. He was still in his yellow suit, helmet on and everything as he came over. "How long is this gonna be, man, cause I need to sleep some place tonight."

"Oh shouldn't take that long, let's just check your sheet and...", he stopped talking, flipping through papers on a clipboard before turning back to her. She could almost feel the fear he had as he said, "It'll take a week."

"A week?!"

"At the very least, that's if we don't find any other issues. Termites, roaches, mold."

Velvet groaned, her hands rubbing her temples as she came to terms with what the guy said. A week, a fucking week?! Gravity falls doesn't even have a roach motel, where was she gonna sleep for a week?! 'Alright this is just another setback, I can just... use my car as a sleeping place and use the 24-hour gym in town for showers and shit. Not the end of the world, maybe the end of my bad luck streak.', she thought, thanking the man and then heading to her car.

Might as well get to that damn meeting now that she can.
~~~~~~~~

Velvet sighed, seeing that damn light on in the owner's office, it taunting her as it spoke. What the hell was she gonna do now?

"Velvet, Velvet!", she heard her manager Mack whisper, his eyes big and his smile wide as he walked over to her. Though if it was a fear response from the owner or genuine joy, she couldn't tell. Maybe it was both, she prayed for both. He gently guided her to the stairwell, keeping that smile on as they got in before dropping it entirely.

Ah, fear, got it.

"Mr. Gleeful is in a good mood today, so you might be in luck. Just explain that you've had a run of bad luck and that it is over now. By the way, how's that tenting thing going?", he kept glancing in the door window, keeping an eye on the owner's office while talking.

Mack was an older fellow, about 40 or so. His hair was graying, his skin tan as wet corkboard, but dressed halfway decent for the salary he was on. He had lived and worked for the Gleffuls since they kicked up their operations in Gravity Falls back in the 80s, and since became head manager of the factory last year. He was a good man, knew what he was doing and how to work with people.

But even the Gleefuls scare good people.

"Worse than ever, they told me a week or longer depending on what they find."

He winced at your words, mouthing ouch as he heard. "Well, maybe Mr. Gleeful will be nice and give you the week off?"

Velvet scoffed, rolling her eyes at his suggestion. "Please, as if he would even-"

The speaker crackled on, the dust from its lack of use being shown as a gruff, rough voice came through. "Mr. Bondsman, please send miss Velvet to my office, I've been waiting long enough."

Velvet felt her body stiffen, the voice on the other end of the speaker sending chills down her spine as it said her name. It felt... icky, creepy even. 'Or maybe that's just cause the damn system is wired to make any voice sound that way.', she thought, Mack leading her through the factory and up to the owner's office. "Just stay calm in there, be nice, courteous, anything besides what you can get like with them Gleefuls."

Velvet just nodded as Mack opened the door, letting her go through before closing it and sending up a prayer to whoever could hear.

She didn't sit right away, taking in the massive office that the man had. It was clean, white walls blue carpet, there was even fancy looking liquor in a bottle next to the desk. The whole room was dark, a bit of light coming in from outside as it settled on some hands. Which just reminded her to look at the man himself that was waiting.

Stanley Gleeful, business man and manager of the telepathy twins. His hair was white, gray in a few spots, his eyes piercing blue like his jewels on his rings, and he was rocking a slight mullet. Not a bad look on him to be honest, was expecting a more mafia or classic bad guy hair style. He was leaning in his chair, looking at her as she stood there, unmoving. His eyes narrowed but a smile on his lips as he sat up, turning to her. 'Shit, I'm gonna die', was her only thought as he looked at her. "Come, have a seat.", he gestured to a seat in front of his desk, which she promptly took.

Chapter Text

The fan above Velvet ran, it's gentle swooshing attempting to alleviate the heat of fear in the room. Unfortunately, Stan Gleeful was far more powerful in that facet than the fan could aid in. They sat there in silence for a few seconds, him looking through a file of her record at the company and her feeling her heart thudding nearly out of her chest. "So, Velvet... Anderson.", he started, leaning back in the luxury chair that looked more comfortable than her plain plastic one, "You've been working here for... oh, five years, impressive." She felt a slight swell of pride in her chest, but quickly squashed it as he looked at her.

"I see that you've never been late, never had a severe write up, never even tried for overtime. I would almost say you are the perfect employee for my company, almost.", he spun the chair to look at her dead on, taking off some reading glasses that she hadn't notice he was wearing before he grabbed them, "Then comes this month. Now, normally when an employee of your record has a sudden change in... ability to show up, I would drug test them. Gravity falls maybe a small town but, I know small towns." He smirked, pushing back and getting up from the chair. He made his way over to a table with the fancy liquor bottle and glasses, turning his back to her before holding a glass up. "Do you drink bourbon?"

"Uh, if offered."

He chuckled at that, pouring two glasses of the decent liquid and handing her one. He commanded his body as her hand grazed his and jolted back in fear, forcing it to not drop the damn glass and grab that hesitant hand. Instead, he smiled as nicely as he could at her and shifted his hand to where he he was holding it from the top, "I promise that the rumors of me biting people's hands are not true." He saw her lips twitch, almost in a smile as she found his words humorous, before grabbing the glass again. He leaned against the desk, directly beside her but still close enough to be a pressure on her as his thoughts spoke 'There we go, little bunny, be at ease with your wolf.'

"Now, where was I?"

"T-the drug test, Mr. Gleeful."

Not too bad, but his first name might sound better spilling from those lips.

"Please, we're in private, you can talk to me informally. My brother is the one that demands the need for titles, pompous prick.", he let that insult slip, but he saw her visibly relax at it. As if hearing him cussing was enough to show her that he was well meaning to her.

"Alright... Stanley?"

Yup, he was sold on it.

"Exactly, now, I decided to double check on things before I insisted on the drug test. Namely cause I like to make sure that I have the rights to accuse before the rebuttal, but also because I read the file fully and nowhere in it had it screamed druggie. Your car repair, the police reports, and today with the surprise fumigation all checked out.", Velvet was wanting to ask how he got access to such private matters but decided it better to not question the very powerful man that could squash her like a bug, "So, I decided to a deep dive into it."

"Oh. Okay, wasn't expecting that." she whispered, taking a sip of the drink finally as it smoothly burning down her throat before warming her belly.

"I've hired someone to look into the issues you've recently been having and well, to put bluntly, they informed me that this looks like an escalation."

"Escalation? But that means-"

"Yes, you're being targeted by someone."

Velvet's whole body stiffened, her head slowly lowering as the words hit her. She was being targeted? By who? What did they want with her? Her mind raced for an answer but no one could come to mind in that moment. She had always been nice to people, helpful even. They all had to be, too much fear of the Gleefuls wrath ran through the town for them to biting at the other's neck. As if reading her mind, Stan coughed, catching her attention once again. "It happens to everyone at least once, though not as severe as what you're experiencing.

"Death threats, maybe a spraypainted message on their car. But yours seems keenly interested in you, specifically in getting you desperate enough to resort to bad decisions.", he crossed his arms, quirking an eyebrow at her, "Tell me, do you have any place to stay for the week while your house is fumigated? Or were you planning on staying inyour car and using that 24-hour gym of mine?"

Fuck.

"Th-the latter, Stanley."

"That's what I thought. Which means that that person was expecting me to not offer my home as an alternative."

That shocked her system, "Wait, wha-"

"Yes, I know. Normally, I wouldn't bother with such things. People can be... messy to attend to. But, I've had reports come in from my other factories out of state. Apparently, this is a pattern of a group of individuals that ends with either my employees being too afraid of each other to get work done, which results in accidents that I have to pay out of pocket for. Or some of the expensive machinery that I personally select for their efficiency being sabotaged beyond repair. I've lost millions due to this, and it's not happening in my town.", he slammed back the bourbon, making Velvet question her tastes in guys.

again.

He leaned in, his voice low and near growling as he spoke, "So you are coming to my house, and you will stay and live there until the fumigation is done and we are positive that you have no other ... encounters of being late." He stood back up straight, his glasses having light reflected on them to black her view of his eyes, "Now finish your drink and get out, before I lose my temper."

He didn't have to tell her twice, as she shot that shit down like cheap tequila before getting up and out of that devil's den. Stan had to laugh at her sad attempts at leaving, before getting up and going to the door, opening it slightly. "Mr. Bondsman, make sure no one disturbs me and give Miss. Anderson the address to the Gleeful manor."

He closed it before the man could speak, locking the door and heading back to his desk. He could already feel the bourbon working, loosening his mental barriers as he felt the thundering in his ears. He eyes the seat she was in, his mind wandering as he imagined her in it again. Hot, bothered, blushing like crazy as she stuttered out his name. He could almost hear her say what he wanted to hear most in that sweet, southern drawl.

"P-please, Stanley..."

Fuck, he needed to see her like that soon. His imagination could only help so much in keeping him at bay before he would do something... rash. He sat back in his chair, pulling out his phone and pressing the call button, "Just a few days more Stanley, then she'll be begging to never leave your side."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Velvet's heart was racing when she left the office, it kept racing as she ran out of the factory to her car, and was still going as she sat there. What the fuck was she going to do? She had a stalker/murderer(?) after her? The owner told her to be at his manor for the time being? And how the fuck did he get all this information so fast?

"What am I thinking, He's a Gleeful. He probably used demons or magic or... the fucking C.I.A. on this shit. Just.. have to stay calm, this is just a ... an increase in bad luck.", Velvet leaned back in her car seat, trying to figure out if she pissed of a god or maybe a witch who cursed her. 'I mean, what else could explain this? Didn't break any mirrors, or walked under any ladders. Urgh, why did it have to be the Gleefucks that I work for?! Pretty sure I coulda worked with the Pines, but no, I had to work with I degree in mind.', her thoughts were so loud she almost didn't catch Mack racing out and calling her name.

Almost.

"Velvet, the hell did you do?!"

She groaned, covering her face with her hands. And now she was gonna have to explain what was happening to Mack? "I did nothing expect piss off some ancient magical being apparently!", she looked over, being met with a look of dread on his face. He quickly wiped it off before shoving a piece of paper into her hand, a hastily written address on it. "Listen, Vels, for whatever reason, you got invited to the manor. Do ya mind telling me what's going on before I have to march up and ... disturb Mr. Gleeful for answers?"

She slumped, her head hitting the steering wheel, "Apparently, my month of bad luck matches what has been occuring to workers in other states, Gleefuck stating that it was a group costing him millions. But mine has esscalated to a dangerous point, meaning-"

"That the Gleefuls have to step in now."

"Eeyup."

Mack shook his head, kicking up dust in frustration. "Well, what's his plan, have you stay at the manor until this is sorted out or what?"

"Until the end of the fumigation.", Mack sharply intook a breath, glancing at the factory before looking at her. Velvet lifted her head, seeing that look in his eyes. "Mack, no. You can't affoard another notice by your apartment manager, you'll get kicked out!"

"I can afford another strike, you can't get stuck in that house!"

"Mack, I can't let you-"

"It would be better to be kicked out than to let you be experimented on."

"Mack, It-"

"Anything would be better than the fucking Gleefuls! Come on Vels, don't tell me you're honestly considering-"

"Mack, it was an order!"

Silence fell over the both of them. The plain truth was said, it was an order from the Gleeful family. Something they both knew was impossible to ignore, unless you had a death wish.

Or worse.

Mack looked at her, his heart was heavy with worry. He knew what an order meant from the Gleefuls, he had one when he was a young man. That order put him on the path he was on tight now, where he was head manager in a well made apartment. But Velvet...

Ever since she began working, he saw her give everything she had. She had come in sick, had come in when the snow was 2 feet deep, had come in even when she never had to just to help the other people. He knew what an order meant from the Gleefuls, and he couldn't say with confidence that she would survive it even with all that.

"I don't give a damn if it was an order, alright? If you need me at all, call me as soon as you can.", Mack whispered before standing straight and walking into the factory.

Velvet slumped back into her car seat with only one thought back into her mind.

'I'm fucked.'

Chapter Text

Velvet stared at the road in front of her, wondering what the hell she was doing.

A few minutes earlier, she was waiting in her car, stretched out and relaxed for the first in a month. She stared at the building, curious as to what Mr. Gleeful was doing in his office. Maybe getting drunk? Or was he actually doing paper work?

Maybe he was just play phone games in there. That's what she would do, just sit in the large, spacious office and play phone games. Maybe even eat fucking cheese puffs, she didn't know, it was a massive rich man's office. Velvet closed her eyes, crossing her arms behind her head as she laid back, "Man, I suck at coming up with ideas to ruin that office."

"You want to ruin my office?"

She screamed, jumping as she sat up and her hands landed hard on the horn of her car. It let out one shot of it's blaring sound before she jerked her hands back to her head, and then slowly looking to the side. Stanley stood there, leaned over with a fist covering his mouth as he tried very hard not to laugh at her. He could barely hold in though, when she looked over at him. "You, pfft... you okay, Miss Ander-ha... Miss Anderson?", he struggled, looking to the side so as to not break character.

Alright, maybe this Gleeful was worth something. She sighed, crossing her arms in front of her, and looking to the side. "Yes, I am quiet fine, Mr. Gleeful. Thank you for asking.", her voice was steady as stone, but he knew she was embarrassed. Her ears liked to turn red at the top when she got like that, and such a lovely shade as well. He had photos of just those ears being red, ones that when he fisted his-

"Shall we get going, sir?"

She was about to turn over the engine when he stopped her hand, grabbing it so hard it hurt. "What do you think you're doing?"

Fuck, fuck, did she fuck up? Was she going to disappear in the factory now only to have her mummified corpse discovered years later? "Uh, following behind you to the manor? In my car?"

He quirked an eyebrow at her, a playful smile decorating his face as he leaned onto the car door, "Uh-huh. Well, I have my driver waiting for the both of us. I can hitch your car to the back of it, but I don't think it would be a comfy ride for you." He let go of her hand, causing her to quickly retract it to her chest. He crossed his arms, her eyes catching the light that gets reflected off its diamond head, letting him see that elusive green he only got to see in dreams.

But Velvet wasn't about to let him convince her to abandon her vehicle, not when it might be her only means of escape.

Plus, he might charge her for leaving her car there.

"I will happily join you in the car.", She watched his eyes twinkle with excitement, which confused her as his face was basically set in stone, "If, you would be willing to hitch my car up to yours, please."

There it fell, with voice rumbling in the back of his throat. Oh, maybe she pushed too far. "I mean, I wouldn't want to bother you to give me a ride into work when I have shifts after all.", she quickly stated, rubbing her neck as she felt the sweat on her palms.

Meanwhile, she just gave Stan a great idea of forcing her to be in his presence longer. "Well, I don't see why not. But I am going to have my people look over the whole car, just to be safe after all." He stood straight, opening the door for her as he smirked. He would call one of his guys, have him put sugar in the gas tank and set fire to the thing just to be safe. Tell her that they had planted a car bomb on her vehicle, activated when they remotely turned on the car. Her eyes glanced over at him right now though, as if trying to read his mind. 'Not likely, little bunny.'

"Trust me, the Gleeful's only employ the very best, like you.", he slyly said as he offered his hand, his eyes glancing over as she blushed lightly with a look of pride. Oh, that was such a cute look on her. Oh, he needed to see that look more on her.

"Alright, I suppose I can afford to be a bit spoiled on my part if you're offering.", she said, taking his hand and sending what felt like a thousand volts through his system with just her touch. He gripped it a little as she rose out of the car, enjoying the feeling of it in his. He nearly pulled her into his arms, snapping out of it as she looked at him, releasing her gently. 'Focus Stanley, at least wait until you're at the fucking manor before trying to get your way.'

"Right this way, Velvet.", he spoke, before pausing a bit. Turning to her, his sly look still on his face as he spoke, "I apologize, I seemed to slip your first name there. I hope you don't mind it."

Velvet, caught off-guard by his use of it, tries to smile to him even though her eyes are as big as an owl's. "Oh, not at all, Mr. Gleeful." His eyes slid over to her, narrowing bit with a tight lip. Oh, did she doing something wrong again?

Wait, why is she worrying about it? It's better to have him indifferent toward her. Any favor toward her from a Gleeful, even Stanley who was surprisingly nice, is just asking for trouble to follow. "Velvet, I said to call me Stanley in private."

Oh, was that all?

"I believe outside next to the factory isn't private, Mr. Gleeful."

Stanley smirked, catching that little bite in her tone to him. He lifted his cane, putting it's diamond top to his chin, as if considering it. Velvet looked at it, questioning herself if she should seek help because of the alluring way it looked. Maybe it was a power thing, a primal idea of those with it are more attractive?

If so, she was so fucked.

His piercing blues slid back over to her, causing a visible stiffening that he enjoyed on her. "I see your point, Velvet, so let's go in" a man popped up beside him, visibly nervous as he opened the car door for him, "where it is."

When the fuck did the car show up?!

It just showed up, like out of air, just appeared right there. Stan smiled, loving the dazzlement he gave you. He knew he chose the right car for today. "Interested in the car? One of the inventions we decided to... hold for personal uses. I'm sure I can get Fiddleford to send the plans to your room while you're with us. He's at the manor now, visiting with my brother."

Stan smirked seeing your eyes light up in recognition at the name. He had investigated your life after all, he knew that even if you despised his family, you were a fan of Mcgucket. His work had progressed engineering into the limelight after all, making it a very favorable field. He knew that would be the final nail for you, as he watched you climb into the car with him following after.

"To the Manor, Mr. Evans, and quickly. My brother is waiting on me." Those words carried alot of weight to them as Velvet watched the man launch himself into the driver seat and started off before she even got her seat belt on. The momentum from the sudde acceleration made her slid right into Stanley's arms. Which made him all the more giddy, as he slotted his arm beside her, settling her into his side.

"Probably should have warned you, Evans tends to have a lead foot when it comes to my brother."

Velvet's heart raced, fear taking ahold as she realized her situation. She isn't just in the same car as Stanley Gleeful, she's basically cozied right up to him to an outsider's eyes. If her mother could see her now, she would cry her little heart out for her baby girl.

Or cheer and tell her to cut his throat.

Either one was a possibility with her. "I am so sorry, Mr... Stanley., I didn't mean to-"

"Velvet, calm down. I already said I'm not gonna bite, and I'm certainly not going to snap at you for something out of your control."

Okay, the stories and the actual person are wildly different right now. Should... should she ask? Well, what would she even ask? Hey Stanley, why the fuck are you so terrifying in anything ever written about but in person are actually super nice?

Well, it wasn't the worst way to ask.

She sat up, looking up at him as she asked, "Um, sir? If you don't mind my question, why is it that you're so... um..."

"Uncharacteristically nice, handsome, gentle?"

"Not scary?"

He had to chuckle at that, pressing a button on his side that slide up a privacy window to the driver, "Plain and simple? I'm always like this, at least to those who respect me or are more... lenient with their morals."

"I guess I'm the first one, right?"

He slide his eyes over to her, quirking an eyebrow with a smile the knew she was lying, "No. But that's not a bad thing.", he leaned back in his seat, recalling the warmth of her body aginst his, relishing in the moment that was not but a few moments ago, "In your eyes, I've done nothing to earn that respect, which is fair. You didn't seem me climb, struggle and fight to get where I am now."

His eyes flickered to hers, those piercing blues of his breaking down that green into with it really was. A dark blue with gold around it's center, all his for the taking. "But maybe during this week, you'll find out. Now, do you listen to blues cause I've been dying for some sad trumpets."

He flicked a switch, some forlorn trumpet starting slow and low before being joined in by other instruments. Cello, saxophone, some bass in the back with drums. It was... soothing, easing the tension in Velvet's spine a bit as she listened. She was never really a blues or jazz fan, no that was her father's love. She would listen to it when she wanted her heart to feel something, a bit somberness or maybe a bit of peace, but she would never choose it for a drive.

Though, as she looked out the window at the scenery flashing by, she thought about why and couldn't find an answer.

Stanley looked at her, smiling as he noticed her being distracted enough to not even notice her leg touching his own. It sent shivers down his spine, knowing that she was willing to let him touch her for even the briefest moments in her subconscious. Why, it made him wander back to that night three years ago.

When she admitted she found him attractive and that blush she held when saying it. How later that week, he saw her again, and had his heart won by how hard she worked and how nice she was to the others around her. Though, it was such a shame that there was a fellow who was going to try and win her over.

Maybe if she hadn’t attracted pests, he wouldn't be having to lock her up now.

Chapter Text

It was a drive to the manor, one that Stan may have had the driver (under threat) take the scenic route to. But it worked the way he wanted it to, as Velvet was fast asleep, her head leaned onto his shoulder with her pretty, little, eyes closed. He enjoyed it, with a soft smile cresting his face as he watched her chest slowly rise and fall. He took a strand of her hair that fell, pushing it behind her ear with a gentleness he never knew he had. Then again, what do you do when you have a piece of art in front of you like this?

BUZZ, BUZZ

Stan snarled at the sound, it stirring you slightly as he pulled out his phone. A name lighting up the screen as he answered, "Hello brother."

"Where the hell are you?!"

Stanley yanked the phone away from his ear as Ford shouted into his ear, causing him to roll his eyes. Ford was always on about timings, everyone had to be on time according to a schedule he made in his head with them. Didn't really matter what it was and you rarely ever got more than a chance to explain. Sure, he excused inescapable things with... reluctance, but he would sooner string people up by their guts then buy an excuse that didn't have any facts to back it up.

And no one ever had decent enough proof.

"I'm on the road, Stanford. Driving back to the manor now with... a surprise in tow."

He heard his brother groan, a smirk playing on his own face as he cussed in some alien language. "Stanley, I swear to God, if this is another pet for the kids, I will-"

"It's something for me, Stanford. And you'll like her, she can keep up that McGucket fellow you got.", he stroked your head, thinking about all the things he was going to show you when you got to the house. He wondered if you would be hungry first or maybe you wanted to look at the library filled with blueprints, or maybe you'd liked to-

"Stanley."

Fuck, he knew that voice. Last time he heard it was when he had met Marilyn, though thanks to his brother, she... never came back for another date.

At least, not alive.

"Ford, I swear to God, if you fuck with this one in any way that leaves her dead, I will push you into the nightmare realm with no memory at all."

He heard his brother scoff, before hearing a scream in the background, "Must really like her if you're willing to threaten me." Stanley sighed, rubbing his eyes as he tried to ignore the pleas on the other side of the phone. He really hated when his brother called him while torturing people, it made his stomach sink with dread. Plus what if Velvet woke up and heard it, it would just confirm all her fears and his plan couldn't come to fruition as she would insist on a hotel. He couldn't have that, not when he was this close.

"Listen, we're turning into the manor now. I'll see you in a bit, and stop torturing people while on call!", he hung up the phone, tossing it across the car with frustration just as the driver lowered the privacy screen. Stan could already tell how scared the man was, terrified as he knew he would be blamed for why Stanley was late. "M-Mr. Gleeful, we are home."

"Excellent Evans, and worry not. I'll talk to my brother for you, just... leave the property quickly before he catches you." He nodded, pulling into the spot and parking the car. Stanley smiled, turning his head to Velvet, her sweet face looking up at him in such peaceful rest. He could kiss her awake, move those plush lips against his own, capturing all the sounds that would escape out of her. But he was going to try at being a gentleman for her. "Forgive me, my dear.", he softly spoke, before gently shaking her awake, "Velvet, wake up, we're here."

Her eyes fluttered open, a yawn escaping her lips as she woke up. Though, he caught the sight of her canines, fascinated at how sharp and long they were. 'Oh boy, what did I bring home?', Stan thought as she shifted up, looking around a bit before stiffening up. Velvet recalled the events of the day, her body filling with dread as she realized where she was. Her head slowly looked to him, a tiny yelp escaping her lips. "I-I-I'm so sorry Mr.-Stanley. I didn't mean to-"

"Velvet, Velvet, my dear. Stop your fretting", Stan smirked, enjoying the light shaking she had as he guided her out of the car, "It has been a long day for you and I did choose the most comfy of our cars to bring you home. You taking a nap isn't going to be a problem for me." He smiled that dazzling smile at her, which seemed to ease that tension in her shoulders. 'Good bunny', he thought, guiding her to the doors of the manor. She was shaking, nervous perhaps as he guided her up the steps, being careful to help her.

Okay, she did appreciate him helping her. She had a tendency to trip in the morning when getting ready and it led to her being bruised more than once. But he had no reason to help her, he could have just let her walk by herself. So why help her? 'What am I thinking, he probably just doesn't trust someone half a wake to be able to walk up some steps without crashing down.', Velvet thought, shaking herself out of the fantasy that was playing in her head.

Though, Stan knew she was clumsy in the morning. Had his people check on her home when he saw bruises on her arm in a photo, can't have anyone harming his prized Bunny after all.

Then it would have to get messy, for the person responsible at least.

"So, I do have to warn you. The manor can be a bit... different than other homes.", She watched as he lifted his hand, knocking on the door, "So just... stay quiet for a bit and don't freak out."

"Why would I freak-"

The door opened, and standing there was the worst possible person to see. "Ah, good, you're finally here. I must admit I was surprised that you were so late at arriving home, brother."

Velvet felt her body automatically shift to hide behind Stanley, her eyes big at the most terrifying man in the country, Stanford pines. His hair was long, white and pulled back into a low ponytail. His eyes were seemingly ice white with just a tinge of blue in them, his clothes have dashes of red on the edges, as if he just cleaned it of blood but just missed a few bits. But it was his smile as he looked behind his brother to see her.

It was so wide and disturbing, she wondered if it hurt him or if he just enjoyed freaking people out with how well he could do it.

"Well, so this is the guest Stanley mentioned. How... fascinating of you to come so willingly."

'ALL THE NOPE, HELL TO THE FUCK NO TO THIS MAN!', Velvet's mind screamed as she tightly pressed herself to behind Stanley, not caring if it upset him at this point.

"Stanford, please, your mania is showing again.", Stanley growled, putting his cane in front of her, breaking the eye contact his brother was holding with her. Stanley had a feeling that his brother would be interested in her, she did have an allure to her that was... hard to resist. 'Though, if he finds out about those teeth of hers, he might try and... run experiments on her.', he thought, glaring at his brother as he looked up at him.

Stanford rolled his eyes, standing up right and letting his brother through, but keeping an eye on his new toy as she walked by. She had subtle curves, muscular in her legs as he observed but not enough to easily outrun him or his range if he wanted to... play with her. He decided to summon his chain, grasping it tightly and yanking on it to summon his own pet. Perhaps it would be best for the two to be acquainted now as Stanford had a feeling that little toy of his brother's wouldn't be leaving any time soon.

Chapter Text

Will was cleaning the lab, crying as he went with the mop. He had watched Ford torture the newest stressor to the company, a lawyer that was hired by some activist group, into submission. He didn't even give an inch in testing new devices on the poor woman, claiming that he needed new data as the last one was... defective at best. "Poor dear, barely had a chance against him.", he spoke, floating above the woman's skull with a bit of flesh still attached to it. He examined it, floating a pen on a paper as he wrote down new details he saw.

"It looks like the atom destabilizer at setting 2 square 9 actually loses its effectiveness to cleanly remove the skin entirely from a body. Though, that may have to deal with it being at the cone setting rather than the direct line we... Ford namely uses.", Will monotonously spoke, trying to not get squeamish as he looked at the carcass. He was never good with blood, and it never got easier while being chained to Ford during these tests of his. He swears, Ford got a sick pleasure from hearing the screams alone, and he always noticed that wicked smile he got when the blood started-

"Stop it, William, you're going to make yourself sick again.", Will stated, shaking in place as he swept the skull into a bin labeled for disposal. He looked around the room, smiling a bit as he saw the clean floors and walls. It was hard being a little triangle some days, but other days it was slightly worth it. Well, until Ford yanked on his-

"Ack!"

As if on cue, that accursed chain appeared around bill, yanking him to the door. He knew what it meant, Ford needed him now, and it wasn't up for debate. "C-coming, coming Mr. Gleeful.", he yelled, swiftly teleporting himself into the room near Ford, paitently waiting for whatever order he had for him.

Ford smiled at him, the sort of gentle smile that Will used to love seeing as he thought it meant he was caring. But he now understood what it meant.

'Good, you haven't earned my wrath yet'

"Ah, my muse, good of you to show quickly.", Stanford spoke, raising his hand and gently rubbing the blue triangles side, "I need you to meet someone new, a guest here at the manor."

Oh.

Oh god, not another one.

Stanford, as if reading his mind, glowered at him. Pulling him down to be just at his chin, forcing Will to be lower than him. "Try and be nice, I would hate to have to send you to the Lab for... testing again." His words always shook him to the core, reawakening forgotten memories that Will had buried to survive being his assistant. So he shook, nodding his head as Ford's once harsh look melted into a smile. He gently released him, rubbing his sore side gently as he could, "That's my muse, such a good and obedient cosmic entity for me. Now, go say hello to her, she's right down there."

Will nodded, flying down the entry hall and appearing next to Stanley. "M-Mr. Gleef-"

Stanley glanced over, feeling a pang of sympathy as he saw Will shaking like a leaf and quickly silenced himself. Ford must have done something again to warrant such a look, though Stanley had to worry about why his brother sent his pet. He then peered over at Velvet, smiling a bit as he saw her eyes wide in awe at the inside of his manor. 'I did say not to freak out, so maybe it'll be alright.', he thought, stopping for a bit as Velvet walked a bit forward before noticing the lack of warmth beside her.

She turned and looked toward him, a curious look on her face as she walked back to him. "Velvet my dear, I wish for you to meet a family... friend of mine.", Stanley gently guided Will to in front of him, easing him up with a light touch. He looked up and saw her bright eyes settle on the tiny blue triangle, a bit of remorse echoing in them, "This is William, Will for short. He stays here at the manor with us, so you might as well be acquainted now." Will looked up, curious as to why Stanley was so gentle with him right now. Sure, he was nicer to him compared to the others but, he would still get annoyed at him when he approached him. Then he looked up at Velvet, his eye looking past her physical and into what was hidden.

He was shocked as to see she had a fair amount of Fae blood in her, looked to be Unseelie by his guess. 'If Ford finds out about her... I have to keep quiet about it.', He thought, shakily raising a hand up to her.

Velvet smiled, gently holding a finger out to him to shake, "Nice to meet you, Will. I'm Velvet." Will's eye widen, recognizing her gentle nature was sincere. He might have to study to find out which of the Unseelie she might be related to, as he couldn't recall off the top of his head which would be gentle in nature.

Maybe Banshees?

"Uh, hello M-Miss Velvet. W-welcome to the Gl-Gleeful manor, if you need anything j-just call.", he smiled at her, shaking her finger gently. He pulled back his magic, seeing her physical form once more. She was pretty, her face clear, nice and slightly rounded. He saw that she had callouses on her hands, telling him she knew hard work, and her hair informed him she often was just getting by with essentials. 'Well, when I have time, I can help with what she may need.'

He glanced to at Stanley, seeing a sudden stark resemblance to his brother. His eyes were solely trained on her, his mouth in a slight goofy grin as he watched her movements before they quickly went back to being Stoic as she looked up at him. Oh, Velvet wasn't just a guest, she was an honored guest of Stan's.

Though, Will pieced together that she didn't know that yet.

'She'll need my help, maybe even some others...', he thought, looking back at Velvet.

"I-I must be off now... Ford is doing tests today."

Stanley rolled his eyes, letting the blue triangle fly back to his brother, before turning back to his own prize. "So, where would you like to start fir-"

"Grunkle Stan, I would like to question you about tonight’s proformance."

Fuck!

Stanley turned, glaring at Mason as he rudely interrupts, his head still buried in a book. "Mason, can't you see we have a guest?"

The young Gleeful looked up from the book, his eyes sliding over to Velvet with disinterest before returning to his uncle. "Yes, I see. Is she suppose to be our newest attempt at socializing us with normal people?"

Velvet was shocked to say the least. Sure, she had always thought the kids need more of actual people in their lives that aren't complete psychos, no offense to Stanley. But... she had only ever mentioned it once in public, and as far as she knew, no one would dare to tell the Gleefuls how to raise their kids. Her eyes slide over to Stanley, growing a bit softer at him.

Maybe he's not such a bad guy after all.

"Mason, no, she's here due to unfortunate circumstances. She'll be staying at the manor for the duration until I can get it sorted out."

"Ah, so she is paying to stay here."

"No, she isn't and be mindful, please."

That drew Mason out of his book with a raised eyebrow. His grunkle Stan, willingly helping out someone without a dollar price next to it?

Something was off here.

The young Gleeful looked back at the woman, getting a better look at her this time. She was deathly pale, a bit frazzled by the looks of it and she smelled like oranges. Not a bad choice for her honestly. But what made her stand out to Stanley? He and his sister may have to study her while she was staying here, as this could possibly be a threat against them.

"It's lovely to meet you, Miss..."

"Velvet."

Ah, wait, Velvet. That name had been seen while snooping through Stan's office, though he kept drawing little bunnies next to it. "Nice name, reminds me of the Velveteen rabbit story."

She smiled, her eyes growing wide, "That's actually what my mother named me after. Velveteen."

Yup, she was the rabbit and now Stanley was the wolf. 'Great, another Marilyn, let's see how long she lasts."

Chapter Text

(Image provided as promised in last chapter, and yes, he is wearing the cape/robe thing but took it off once entering the manor, I forgot to mention it)

Soon after, Stan had managed to get Velvet into the kitchen, scaring some of the staff in there with his loud shouting towards the kids. "Mason, go practice! You know you need it after last time, and tell Mabel to come down from her tower!"

Velvet side-eyed him, crossing her arms at his wording. Stan looked over and rolled his eyes, closing the door to the hallway to look at her. He knows he sounded harsh, but those brats never listen to him otherwise. Well, he didn't really care if he was harsh with the brats.

Only that Velvet heard him being so.

"Sorry about that Velvet, normally I don't have to use such... harshness with them." She rolled her own eyes this time, not believing a word he said. She had seen the videos, the reports, she already knew he was basically more of a manager than a guardian to them. Reason why she thought that they needed more of a normal influence on them, let them take a break between business and entertainment world.

Though, she knew that wasn't likely to happen for them just yet. At least, not while under the watch of the patriarchs. "It's alright, Mr. Gleeful. Kids can be... a handful a times, and you already mentioned you had a lot on your plate."

Stan smirked, unbuttoning the top of his collar, and rubbing a hand on his neck, "Yeah, well, I already know you don't believe me on that just yet. Trust me, being around the kids for a week will show you." He looked around the kitchen, glare at the staff as they quickly went back to work, shaking slightly at his presence. He didn't want to hire more people, but Stanford insisted on it, stating that he was... missing his muse's inputs on experiments. Maybe he should dismiss them for the day? Let him and Velvet have some private time together before he settled into his den for the night, fixing the income and budget for this month again.

Though, he should check to see if dinner was made yet before doing it.

He whistled, swiftly catching Velvet's and the head chef's attention. He swiftly moved over, his tall white hat nearly falling off as he arrived next to Stan's side who smiled at him, "Ah, there you are, Earnest. Tell me, has dinner been made yet?"

The man was, in Velvet's eyes, just as cold as Stanford. Though, it was a different cold, more of a military than a... sickening type. He worse thin glasses, his right eye cloudy with a scar that went through his eyebrow to down his upper cheek. Velvet recalled that a few years back, when she first moved to Gravity Falls, there was a story that circulated in the paper about an accident in a kitchen, how it was a medical miracle that the person lived due to the injury being so bloody. 'Guess he pissed the Gleefuls off somehow.', she thought as she stood there, arms crossed and eyes wandering around.

"Yes, Mr. Gleeful. We were just cleaning up and-"

"Don't worry about it, just come back in the morning early to clean it."

The man looked quietly surprised, quirking his eyebrow at Mr. Gleeful before taking a solid look at the woman next to him.

Ah, now it made sense.

"Of course, Mr. Gleeful." The chef turned and shouted to the kitchen, "You heard him, drain the sinks, put up what is dry and get out!"

Never had Velvet seen people move so fast. She blinked and soon the whole kitchen was empty and next to spotless, with only the head chef standing in front of Stanley. He bowed his head, "I shall be off as well sir, unless you need me for", the man side-eyes Velvet, before looking directly at Stanley, a light smile on his face, "anything else?"

Stanley shook his head, smiling back at the man with a pit of concern in his stomach. Maybe he should have cleared out the room before bringing her in, less of a chance of her staying here getting out into the mass. But then again, would anyone try to defy his choice to keep his bunny safe and locked away? He knows they wouldn't dare, it would be a fool's errand to try. "Not for tonight, maybe tomorrow though.", Stan leaned in, whispering as to not alert his cute bunny, "Try and prepare something for just the two of us."

The chef nodded, sending a light wave to the woman as he began to walk away, already having a plan for the next night's meal. Velvet smiled, sending a wave back as a polite gesture, though it seemed to cause Stan's blood to boil. "Velvet!", he harshly said, coughing lightly as she stiffened up, her body freezing in place. There we go, like a proper bunny should be. "Dinner will be out soon but, I believe you mentioned that you partake in bourbon when offered?"

Velvet nodded, inching to the door just in case he was going to snap at her yet again. What did she do to earn that glare in his eyes, all she did was wave after all. Stan smiled though, that gentleness and warmth easing her back into the room, back to him. He took off his coat, draping it on a chair as he went to a cabinet. Popping it open, he pulled out two glasses of the nice crystal and a bottle of some fancy name that he liked. He gestured toward a bar stool, sliding his eyes to her form that slowly climbed to her eyes, "Please, sit, I'd hate to make a lady stand."

She slid herself into the seat, relaxing a bit in it. She watched him, her eyes catching something shining directly under his collar as he moved to the seat next to her. He poured her a glass, handing it to her like he did earlier that day. Velvet gladly accepted it, feeling his fingertips just brushing against her own. She felt a light jolt in her heartrate but she understood now that he wouldn't try to hurt her.

At least not when she had no reason to be the reason for his rage.

"I could almost accuse you of trying to get me drunk, Stan."

"You've eaten today, two drinks about four hours apart isn't going to do anything...", he stopped his train of thought, his glass just about to touch his lips before he turned to her, "You... you did eat today, right?" Velvet blushed, turning her eyes away from him as she was about to take a sip of the very alcoholic drink. She technically hadn't had anything before her home was busted into for the fumigation, but you don't exactly turn down a drink from your boss, much less a Gleeful. It was rude, her mother taught her better than that.

Stan stopped her hand, pulling the drink away from her lips with a stern look.

"Velvet, did you eat today?", he emphasized each word, making sure she understood that this was very serious to him. She didn't need to be drunk tonight, too important of a night for it to occur. But he could already see she was going to try and make an excuse for it.

So he set the glass down, away from her, before getting up and to the fridge where he recalled some leftovers of one of his favorites. "Here, I'll heat this up for ya. You be sure to eat at least some of it before you even think of touching that drink.", he spoke, lifting out a box of some pigs in a blanket. It was... such a mundane thing to have, Velvet had to stifle a chuckle. Not that Stan didn't notice, though he took it more of her chuckling at how caring he was being toward her. Not that she wasn't wrong in seeing it like that, he was acting a bit.. off than what he usually was like. 'Maybe she likes the authentic me more, finds this ... kind of pathetic? No, no, she likes the caring, makes her more at ease, but she sees it as a boss trying to ease their employee, not ... not what I want.', he thought, sighing a bit before looking toward her.

Alright, let's try this.

"Velvet, I... I know this is weird.", his words seem to hit something, her lifting her head to look, eyes focused solely on him. So he kept going, "I mean, I'm Stanley Gleeful, head of Gleeful enterprises and well... respected in certain circles. There's probably a million stories you've heard 'bout me, some of them might have a grain of truth."

She smiled at that, his honesty at least was something of a refresher from the idea she had formed already. Mainly about him just trying to butter her up that way she didn't sue the company for possible damages or mental anguish. He smiled back at her, setting down the box on the counter and pulling out a plate, "But I do care about... those that work under me, at least those who are worth their salt." He couldn't say that he was mainly caring about her in this scenario, though that was exactly what he felt, "What I mean is-"

"You are doing this out of the goodness of your heart? No ulterior motives?", she finished for him, his eyes widening a bit as he relaxed, softening at her gentle tone with him.

"Yeah, something like that."

She chuckled, blushing lightly at his words before looking him directly into his eyes, "Well, aren't I lucky then?"

That, that look right there just sent chills through his body. God, what he wouldn't give for her to look at him like that more? No fear, no worry, nothing of a filter for him, just... bliss. Pure and unfiltered bliss just for his enjoyment alone. He loved the way that look just burned through his barriers and pushed him forward. His hand reaching for her face, before he stopped himself as he saw those eyes shrink inward. 'Right, baby steps, have to.. try to take baby steps.', Regaining control, he instead pulled a fuzzy from her hair, giving her his best practiced smile. Soon, she wouldn't do that, soon she would be in his bed, asking for love, asking for his arms to be wrapped around her, for his lips on hers as they laid their together.

Soon she would know how lucky she was.

Whether she wanted to or not.

Chapter Text

Velvet watched Stan, watched the way he moved, the way he carried himself, trying to piece together in her head what this man really wanted. Sure, offering a safe place to a person when it is found out that your company is the reason they are being targeted is a guaranteed way to make sure you aren't sued. But for it to be your house, and not only that but also to offer food and drink and chances to meet people you had only dreamed about hearing from in a lecture. She started piecing together that this wasn't... exactly normal.

But what was she to do?

This was territory she had never even thought about, much less been in, and suddenly she was dead in the center of it. All she could do was follow Stan's lead, his orders, his gestures. She watched his hands move, reaching up to her face, her eyes widening a bit with the gesture. But, his face fell for a moment, before quickly replacing it with his signature smile as he pulled a bit of fluff from her hair. Was he wanting to touch her face?

Why?

Surely not, he was just disappointed that she was just so reactive to him. No, no man like Stanley Gleeful would feel disappointment in that, they would reveal in it.

Unless it was a reaction he didn't want. 'But then, what did he want?', she thought, watching as he started going on a spiel about the house, what dinner was going to be like, where she was going to be staying. But she was distracted, though she didn't know who wouldn't have been.

He had unbutton his sleeves and rolled them up as he talked, showing off the muscular forearms he had as he threw those little pigs in a blanket onto a plate for her. Was that... was that a tattoo peeking out from under his sleeve? Oh, no one is going to believe her on that... she needed to find out what it was. "Hey, Velvet!"

She jolted back from her daydreaming, sitting up straight and looking at Stan who wore a wolfish grin on his face. He caught her staring at his arms, damn it, he was gonna tease the shit out of her now. Alright, she's been through this before, just gotta ride it out. "What, get distracted by something?", his voice dropped a bit, the slight scratch turning into a growl as he leaned onto those damn arms. Velvet had to admit, when he flexed them a bit just to cause her to blush, that maybe she was into this old man.

Maybe.

"N-no, not at all. I-I was just caught off guard by the... tattoo!", Stan shifted his hand over to his arm, grumbling a bit, "Yeah, I thought you Gleefuls were too... prim and proper for such things."

He chuckled, looking down with a sad smile as he rubbed the area. Velvet saw that it was the bottom of a name, maybe a past girlfriend? Or his mom? She had never heard of their mother before, maybe it was a remembrance tattoo for her. That... that would actually be nice. Sad, but nice.

He finally looked back up at her, smiling lightly at her but his eyes held such a sadness, "This was a... it was a plan of a kid that Ford and I knew, back in Jersey." He lifted up the sleeve, showing that it said 'Stan O' War'. It was a bit faded though, as if he got it years ago for that plan, but it warmed her heart none the less, "We had this plan. Go on a boat after high school, travel the world and discover all the oddities this dimensionhad to offer."

He looked up at her then, coughing and waving his hand in his face. "But that isn't as important now a days, at least not to ... others." Velvet hesitated for a moment, before reaching a hand out and grabbing his, causing his eyes to shift quickly to her hand before looking up at her. She greeted it with empathy, her thumb brushing gently against his skin.

She knew about plans that never came to fruition, stuff made by friends that... never came to be. Hers used to talk about building a business that would be better, that would topple any empire that tried to fuck with them and treat their employees with respect. It's one of the reasons she chose mechanical engineering as her major, figured she should know this stuff before trying to build stuff to be better than the competitions.

But then came college, families, and moving to "better places" for jobs.

Then little contact.

Then them being completely gone.

She had moved to Gravity Falls by then. Fully settled in at the factory for a while when she realized, they weren't going to be completing that dream together after all.

So she knew what made Stan looked so sad as he remembered those days. She knew that pain well, and knew that it takes a while.

"Ugh, This is so sappy."

Velvet jerked her hand back, turning her head to see a girl in a three piece, blue, suit with a skirt instead of pants. She had cold eyes, just as blue as Stanford's were, and a bored expression accompanying them, her brown hair straightened and set with a blue hairband that held a round, blue gem on its side. This was definitely the exact child she had hoped to avoid while she stayed at the manor.

Mabel Gleeful.

"Mabel, come meet Mrs. Anderson. She'll be stayi-"

"Staying with us for a few days while you and Ford sort out the whole issue with the anti-factory group, I know already.", Mabel snarled, walking into the room and going to the fridge, "You seem to forget great uncle Stan that I can already see these things. Then again, when do you ever remember?" She smirked at him with that, pulling out a cola and closing the door to the fridge. She then turned to Velvet, looking her up and down before smiling.

"Interesting, yours is... cloudy. Don't come across those often enough, may have to break out the more physical items.", she turned to Stan again, that bored expression returning, "Anyway, I'll be practicing for tonight's broadcast with my brother, don't bother me unless it's for dinner, which", she turned to her again with a smile.

"I will happily attend. I can only imagine the gasket Ford is gonna blow." She left quickly after that, leaving Velvet and Stan in the kitchen.

Velvet looked toward Stan, seeing that infamous vein popping on the side of his head. 'Oh, fuck, I'm the only one in the room, aren't I?', she worried, stiffening with a whimper when he looked at her. His eyes shifted a bit, before he rubbed the bridge if his nose with a hum, "Velvet, did you know we have a gym here?"

"Uh, no, no I did not."

"Maybe after your snack we can go and tour it. I figured you might like it as you have some muscle growth yourself.", he smiled at her, that popping vein dying down a bit as the microwave started beeping.
_______________

Stan opened the doors, smiling as Velvet looked around ahead of him, checking out all the sports equipment. It was his personal gym, he had it installed when they first built the manor, and had been using it to keep in decent enough shape. Namely when he couldn't get her out of his head for a decent enough sleep. Though now that she was here, that shouldn't be happening as often.

"Like it?"

"Y-yeah, it's really impressive.", he couldn't stop the dirty thought that crossed his mind for a bit. Her being pinned down on one of the benchs, kissing her like crazy while he hiked up her shirt. 'Fuck, focus Lee. Can't let her see you sporting one while in here alone... at least not yet.', he scolded himself, walking closer to her and putting his hand on her shoulder.

"I'll let you use it while here, seeing as it's probably cleaner than the local one. Just make sure you put everything up after using it."

She looked up at him, her eyes glancing between his before pulling away. A twinge happened in his heart but he just turned to her as she stared at him. "Stan, why... why are you being so generous?"

Stan stopped for a second, wondering of how he should answer. But before he could even get the first word, Will opened the doors with tears streaming down his face. "M-mr. Gleeful, i-its time for d-din-diner.", he hiccuped, shaking way worse than he had earlier. Velvet's eyes widen and she reached a hand out to Will, offering it as a safe place.

But Will shrinked back, shaking his head before flying off again. Stan saw how hurt he actually was when he left, flinching as he saw the still burning whip marks on his back. 'Fucking hell, Ford, you can't be so rough with him. What would Vel-'

His thought stopped, looking over at his little bunny and oh, the sight nearly broke him. Her eyes were filled with tears, her hands clasped over her mouth as she stared at where Will was once. She had seen the marks, the static that seemed to escape him as he floated away. She started to slightly shake as she turned to him, and he just grabbed her hand with a somber look. Right, not many knew of Ford's treatment to his ... muse.

"Come, we best... we best get to dinner." He began leading her down the hall, and when they stopped at the door, he turned and wiped her eyes clean of tears, "Don't fret, and push William out of your head for now. He'll... he'll be fine." He wished he was more convincing but even if he wasn't, he got to comfort his little bunny for a little.

Velvet nodded at him, taking a deep breath in and let it out slow, "Alright, I'm ready." Stan smiled, opening the doors for them both and grimacing as he saw his brother at the head with two empty seats beside him, one on the left and one on the right.

"Fuck my luck."

Chapter Text

Velvet took a cautious breath, scantily looking about the room as she took her seat next to Stanford. There was the boy, mason, and his sister, Mabel. Next to her was Will, though he was chained to the chair, barely able to move his hand to grab bits of food. Then next to Stanley was the infamous engineer of the Gleefuls, Filddleford Hardon McGucket! Ah, she nearly grew too excited at the very look at him but quickly caught herself as Stanford glanced at her, a creepy smile pricking at his lips. "Ah, that's right, you're an engineer as well, right Velvet?", he spoke, as servants came by and gave them each their own domed plates. She was surprised when she was given one as well, assuming they wouldn't have even been able to plan for her.

"Ah, yes, I work in the factories but I try to study on my own with ... what's available.", she heard Stanford hum, hopping that it was in approval. The servant's lifted the dome and showed that it was a steak dinner, making Velvet a bit disappointed in seeing it. It's not that she didn't like steak, far from it honestly, just.. she was one of those that randomly tried it rare and loved it like that. Horrible, she knows, and not many people knew that. 'I highly doubt that even the Gleefuls would know anything about that.', she thought, cutting into the meat.

Her eyes widen as she saw that the inside was near red, glancing over to Stanford as he cut into his own. 'No, no, he just met me. There's no way he would know about my taste... right?', she thought, taking the bite into her mouth. It tasted exactly how she liked as well, marinated in a red wine with dried garlic, thyme, basil and olive oil. It was so rich in it's taste, perfectly made for her.

Which scared her even more.

"You enjoying the food?", she heard Stan chortle, causing her eyes to snap to him. A playful look on his face as he stared at her, his hands clasped together. Had he requested it? Okay, so maybe he has similar taste?

She glanced at his plate, seeing that his steak was medium, bordering on well done. Nope, not similar at all! "Uh, yeah, though I'm surprised that they got it right on the first try.", she stated, trying to gauge his reaction. Maybe she was over analyzing, but she could have sworn that his lips twitched, as if he was trying to keep it from growing any wider.

Like he was proud of getting it right.

'O-kay, so, Stan probably called ahead of time and told them to prepare it... exactly the way I liked it... and cooked the way I liked it. Yeah, no this is too weird to be a coincidence.', Velvet thought, glancing at Stanford, who apparently had been staring at her the whole time. "Oh, uh, i-is something wro-"

"So you like it rare?"

Cue internal screaming.

"Oh, uh, yes. I get that that can gross out some people but, It's just so juicy, its hard not to enjoy.", she stated, feeling an increasing pressure with his eyes on her as her southern drawl came out a bit more. It happened when she was stressed out or nervous, she can't stop it from occurring even when she tried. Though, Fiddleford seemed to perk up a bit at it, turning a curious glance at her.

"How fascinating, most consider it too bloody. Glade to see another one that likes it that way in this town.", Stanford raised a piece, showing that his was just like hers before consuming it, "Perhaps... I can show you a few other dishes that may appeal to you while here?"

"She's my guest, brother, and I think that exotic shit you enjoy would turn her stomach.", Stan spoke up, glaring at his brother.

"Oh, and you suddenly speak for her?", Ford put his utensils down, returning the look.

"As a matter of fact, I think I should since she works for me."

"For both of us, she maintains my machines." Ford got up, clasping his hands behind his back.

"In my factory!" Stan shot up, his fist landing on the table with a thud.

"Well then, let's hear it from her. Velvet," Both the men turned to her, "What do you think?"

Should she side with Stan, should she side with Stanford, is she going to die? All those questions and so many more swarmed through her, luckily it was killed off by Mabel, who started chuckling. It broke both of their concentrations on Velvet, letting her breath a bit. "Well, I did say that dinner was going to be interesting, just didn't think that it would be because of a ... piece of meat.", her eyes pierced right through Velvet with those last words.

That's when she finally started piecing it together. But.. but that was ridiculous, right? There was no way that-

"Well, that was a lovely dinner, I'm going to get back to work. Miss Velvet, you are welcome to join me, I'm sure that the Gleefuls wouldn't mind.", Fiddleford came swooping in, saving her. She quickly got up, apologizing and heading out with McGucket as the door closed behind them. She finally started breathing again, leaning against the wall as Fiddleford watched the door, "You okay, girl?"

"Y-yeah, thank you. I don't think I could have answered that question without dying."

"Yeah, I've had that experience a time or two with 'em. Believe me, it's better to just leave em to bicker it out.", he spoke, finally relaxing and looking at her with a smile, his hands on his hips, "Plus, I had to help a fella southern born! What on earth are you doing up here?"

Wow, he was just as nice as she had hoped. "I started working at the factory about 5 years back, wanted to get some experience under my belt before trying my hand at making new stuff.", she stood straight, offering her hand to the man, "Velvet Anderson, sir."

He took her hand, giving it a firm shake, "Hehe, Fiddleford Hardon Mcgucket, miss Anderson. Absolute pleasure to meet a fellow engineer!" He smiled at her and gestured for her to follow him, "I actually do have some work I need to do, though I feel like I need a fresh pair of eyes on it. Care to help me out?"

Her eyes widen in delight, trying to keep the squeal in her throat at bay. "Yes, I would love to!"

She quickly followed after him, excited to just see the master at work... okay, maybe she was fangirling a bit too much. But how could she not?! This was the man who reinvented what it meant to be an engineer and what they did. Hell, the motherfucker makes actually operable monster suits that can do actual things!

It was so cool!

"S-so how long have you been working for the Gleefuls?"

McGucket chuckled and looked beside him at her, "Oh I knew Ford back in college. He and I were dorm mates and then he called me bout thirty years back, said he needed help with building things. Next thing I knew, we proved interdimensional travel plausible, opened up trade routes and all sorts of things. Thank the Lord above too, I was working on personal computers before that call." He stopped at a door, turning the knob and opening it up for her to enter.

"After you, milady!"

Velvet had to smile, rushing into the room and looking about. Blueprints, prototypes, functioning robotic butlers! It was a dream come true! "Holy shit! Is that a robotic dragon?!", she exclaimed racing over to a caged robot dragon that was the size of a kitten that breathed a light spark of flames at her. She couldn't help but find it so cute, waving hi at it.

"Oh that's Festus, he's been a bit temperamental so I suggest being careful around his cage.", Fiddleford came over, sticking his finger in as Festus tried to bite it but relaxed as he got his head rubbed, "He has a cat A.I. personality, plus actual firebreathing, well so long as you feed him woodchips."

"That's so cool! And he's so cute!"

Fiddleford turned with wide eyes, "Would you like to hold him?"

Velvet's eyebrows shot up with her lips as she enthusiasticly nodded. Fiddleford chuckled as he unlocked the cage, and gently scooped up the tiny robot dragon to present her. "Now Festus, be nice to Miss Velvet."

The dragon looked up at her, blowing a bit of smoke at her as it was slid into her. It cautiously tapped her hand, before climbing up her arm and hiding behind her neck. Fiddleford rolled his eyes, trying to get the dragon to come back to him. But he was just met with little roars and light swipes of its hand, "Well. Looks like it imprinted on ya, hope ya don't mind keeping em for me."

"I can keep him!?"

Fiddleford smiled and nodded, jumping a bit as he got a call, "Oh hold on, it's one of the boys. Stay right there while I take this." He smiled and left the room. Soon as closed the room, he groaned with a roll of his eyes, "Damn fucking bitch, can hardly call yourself an engineer if you just fix the damn things. Hello?"

"Fiddles, did you get her the-"

"Yes, I gave her the damn dragon cat. Seriously Stanley, it's a waste of my talents to entertain such floozies."

"Watch your tone, that's my future wife that you're talking about."

Fiddleford rolled his eyes, hearing Stanley say that was disgusting, "Yeah, does she know that?"

"Not yet, but she will soon. Now send her back up here, she needs a full rest for tomorrom."

"Yes oh might Gleeful.", he hung up the phone, kicking the wall and heading back in with a smile plastered on, "Hey sorry to cut it so short, but it looks like Stanley needs ya, can you find your way back?"

Velvet nodded, smiling so wide at him that he swore she would split her face in half. He watched her fly down the hall, petting Festus with a smile as he just grimaced, closing his door.

"Poor girl is gonna get wrecked."

Chapter Text

Stan looked in the mirror, splashing some water in his face as he cleaned the cuts on his face. His hair was messed up and falling in his face, there a severe cut under his eye that was definitely going to need stitches, while the other eye was starting to swell shut. He might even have some lock jaw from Ford's fist colliding with his jaw, which is just great. Ford wasn't pleased at his interruption while talking with Velvet, hell, he might try and punish Fiddleford for taking her out of the room. But he just couldn't stand it, his brother was the genius, the dimension traveler, the one with a damn god on a leash. Velvet was his, only his! No one was going to take his bunny away!

CRACK!

The mirror cracked, it's shards cutting his hand and making him hiss. "Damn it, now I have to-"

"Stan?" He jerked his head to see Velvet with that dragon curled up around her neck and her eyes widen as she saw his face, bruised and cut to hell. She hesitantly walked over, her eyes still wide as she inched closer to him. He could barely hold back a laugh, looking down at the floor as he turned to her. "Don't worry, I'm not gonna snap at you for... looking...", his heart nearly stopped as her hands gently cradled his face, her eyes analyzing over every raised mark, cut and bruise it had with a trembling touch. He knew that she simply meant to be assessing the damage, but God above, did she know what it was doing to his head, his heart? He swears it felt like he just ran a marathon as she gently brushed those fingertips against the cut.

Stan gently pressed her hand further into his cheek, not really caring that it hurt, "Careful, Velvet, I might fall for you if you care too much." Her cheeks flushed a bit at that, her hands quickly jerk down to her side as she looked away from him. He fidgeted with his rings, flinching as they rubbed against his newly opened marks. He couldn't help the light laugh that escaped his lips though as he watched her, "I meant no harm by it, Velvet."

He saw her take a step back, not returning his look. "Mr. McGucket said you called for me?" her voice was wavering, she was trying to ignore what he had said, push it out of her mind. That's fine, it's only been a day and a hell of a one at that. He straightened himself up, sliding his hand through his hair, before giving her his classic business man smile to show everything was fine, "Yeah, I wanted to show you to your room. Figured that would be better than having you wander around just to find the damn place."

Velvet looked up at him, worrying her lower lip as she thought about. She had a way out, Mack had offered to barrel through those gates if things got too sketch for her to even think about staying. And even though she got to meet her idol, him even giving her a gift, (thought it might have been more a thing to calm her down with as she did nearly see one of the infamous and bloody fights of Stanford and Stanley Gleeful), there was the high chance still that she might not even make it out of the manor alive!

Though, risking anyone's life so that she could get the fuck out of here, especially Mack's who already got put through so much because of the Gleefuls. It didn't sit right with her.

So she pulled her best face on, and nodded, feeling as though she made a deal with a devil.

"Great!", Stan started walking her out, his hand on her shoulder as he led her out of the bathroom, "You're gonna love it, it's a special room for our long term guests. Top quality sheets, memory foam mattress, Stanford even managed to convince me to shell out a few extra for specially installed equipment like heated floors and such."

'And it's right across from my own room.', he thought, his heart racing at the idea. He never, ever let anyone use that room before, used it as his original study and office. Even when Ford insisted on him using the ground floor one as it was 'specifically designed for his needs' and 'costed so much just to make in magic proofing alone', he stuck with the room across from him.

Then he met her, started thinking of her more, started seeing her at the factory on his visits, started having people tail her like that damn creep in town called Tad Strange. He began adjusting the room to her likes, the color of the walls, the way the furniture looked, even the accessories in it were changed based on whatever whim she had that month.

Luckily, Velvet's tastes were very singular.

She liked simple, elegant designs. Nothing too modern like those techno beds with all the advancements, but something that had storage space and lights for reading or working was perfect. She liked dressers with big mirrors, those swinging egg chairs that were big enough for naps, and lamps that were designed to be more like a lantern tree with mosaic styles.

So, he always made sure she would have what she liked in that room.

With some tweaks that he threw in, just to get her adjusted to their life.

He walked beside her, thinking about how she would like the room when he heard her stomach growl a bit. 'Fuck that's right, she barely had any dinner when I had Fidds take her away.', he thought, leaning over to her with a knowing smile. Her eyes glanced up at him and she paled, covering her stomach to silence its protests. Urgh, she was too cute when she was scared, he had to control his urge to push her into a room and ravage her into submission. "Relax, Velvet, I'll have Will bring up your leftovers, heated up of course.", he whispered, giving her shoulder a squeeze.

"Thank you Stanley."

They soon arrived at her new room, Stan smiling as he opened the door for her. "I hope you don't mind it being a bit more... exotic than other ones.", he watched her eyes light up as she stared at the room, stepping slowly in. He saw her shock turn into a smile, her eyes light up as she looked at everything.

There were Persian rugs, tapestries, a little nesting area with books and incense that she could choose from. Plus, he added lights that could be adjusted by an app, an alarm clock that hooked up to her music list, even a T.V. for streaming her shows. He spent a bit, hurt a bit too as he insisted on some... unseen factors, but for his bunny it was worth it.

"Do you like it?"

She turned to him, and sweet Moses, his heart was sent on fire. "Are you kidding me, this is like my dream bedroom! I swear, it's almost... almost as if...", he watched her mind whirled, contemplating at the factors of how much it was what she wanted. He adjusted one of his rings, and watched as she just shook it off, perhaps chalking it up to lucky chance.

"Yeah, it originally was a spare room but I had someone come in and spruce it up a bit about a week ago. Not much but, I hope it's alright?", he rubbed the back of his neck, looking at her. Velvet nodded at him, smiling a bit as she set the dragon down on the bed and came over to him in the doorway.

"Yes, I really love it. Thank you, Stanley."

He melted right there, his mind slipping from him as he spoke, "Anytime, baby."

Wait.

Fuck!

Her eyes widen and he started back peddling, literally, "Ah oh, boy I must be tired, I should head to bed as well ah... bye." He rushed to his door across the hall, and closing the door behind him. He let out a sigh, closing his eyes and sliding down the damn thing. He blew it, he knew he did. He had a near perfect day, got her all the way here, got her a present, her own room even!

Then he had to open his big mouth and call her baby, like she was already his. I mean she is, just doesn't know it yet. BUT THESE THINGS TAKE TIME!

"God, I just fucked everything up..."

Meanwhile, Velvet stared at his door, that creeping blush coming to her cheeks. "Did he just call me baby?"

Chapter Text

Velvet stared at the ceiling, her mind whirling like the dragon beside her as she thought about what Stan had said last night. At first, she thought it was a slip of the tongue, just something that sometimes happened. She then found the wardrobe filled with clothes that fit her perfectly, shoes that were her exact size, even perfume that she wore. She thought about it more when she changed into a night slip, thinking back to those reports people had done about staying in the Gleeful manor. They all said that Stan was cold, reserved and would glare at them if they tried to approach him without his say so.

There was even one where they said that they had opened a door to a room in the place. Just when they were about to go in, Stan just appeared like a phantom out of the night and chased them out of the house. 'It might have been his office or perhaps his personal room. I wonder what the inside of it looks like if it was his own room.', she thought, watching Fetus wake up and fly away to a corner of the room, laying down and closing it's little eyes.

Velvet thought about it, thinking about what kind of man Stan was. He was gruff, but kind to those he deemed worth it. He had a fondness of cleaner tones for work spaces, so maybe darker colors like dark red or maybe dark brown. Oh, what if it was like a cozy cabin like, fur rugs and a handmade wooden bed.

His bed.

Wait, no, no. She couldn't think of it, he was her boss. A terrifying and older than her boss that was rather sweet and... kinda sexy. Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea to think of him in such a way?

'He did call me baby.'

That thought sent an electric pulse through her, her hand shifting down under the sheets as she thought about what being his would mean. He probably grab her by the hair, dragging her into the room by it. Tossing her on the bed, before crawling on top of her. It would probably creak a bit under his weight, but he sound proofed the room, unless he liked the idea of people hearing ... that coming from his room. He was probably rough with his hands and mouth, trying to claim any skin during it by grabbing, sucking, licking and biting. But that was just his foreplay, that was him teasing his partner to get them ready.

He would fuck like a demon, hard and fast when his girl wanted it but... he had that gentle nature. So he would talk her through it, tease her about how wet she was, how he could feel her clench around him and ask if she wanted him to keep going till she broke, until she came or if she wanted him to fuck her through it and into the next until he was done with her.

And when she did cum, he would keep going, chuckling at her whimpers and moans as her coming pussy shook around his pistoning cock. Saying things like "What's the matter, too sensitive?" Or "Come on, we're going for one more, give me one more."

"Ah~", Velvet moaned, coming undone on her fingers and panting hard.

Soon, cold realization washed over her, as her eyes darted to the door with her hand over her mouth. Fuck, did he hear that? He isn't coming in, maybe he didn't hear anything at all.

And he didn't.

But Stanford on the other hand, with his right hand holding a plate that had her leftover dinner and a dessert further up his arm, did. The man heard it and felt a hunger in him that hadn't stirred since the first time he hit Bill. A sick thrill is what most would call it, he just called it chemicals in the brain reacting together. A wonderful reaction that nearly made him rip the door off, and drag her out of the room, perhaps down to his lab to test to see what other sounds would elicit such a reaction. Pain, pleasure, hunger, thirst, confusion, so many combinations and possibilities. But for right now, he just needed to curb her appetite, not his own.

He composed himself, letting out a weighted breath through his nose before knocking lightly on her door. He couldn't help the chuckle that came to him as he heard her little yelp and scramble to get the door, before Velvet opened it herself with a startled expression. "I swear to God, I wasn't trying to-" Velvet's words ran dry as she looked into those ice blue eyes of Stanford, though they seemed warmer than they had at dinner or when she had first met him. 'Maybe the stress of being in this damn house is getting to me, because warmer is not the thing I should be thinking.', she thought as she struggled to not to shake in fear at the man.

"Wasn't trying to what? Starve?", his words came out smooth, teasing her in a way that was honestly more like a serial killer than just a playful jab. His eyes raked down her body, taking note of the short night slip that seemed to only come down to her mid-thigh and the blanket she draped around her shoulder. It was rather ravishing on her, but he simply smiled at her and gestured, asking silently if he could come in.

Well, the fuck is she suppose to say, no?

She stepped to the side, letting him into the room that he smiled at. Stan always kept it locked and warded, making sure that not even he could breech it if he tried, which he did repeatedly. He liked the look of it, recalling a dimension where it was known as the brothel between planes, though he doubts that Stan has ever even heard or read of it, much less been there. No, his brother probably just studied the damn woman so much that he filled it with whatever she enjoyed in the moment, which looked to be more ancient middle eastern styles and smells. Oh, incense as well, nice touch. 'Can't blame her taste, they were known in ancient times to be the most intelligent and innovative culture.', he thought, spotting an floating egg chair that had twinkling lights intertwined with it's wooden frame.

Velvet hesitated to say anything, trying to cover herself up with the blanket, wrapping it tightly around her shoulders. But she was stuck, any words of protest dying in her throat as Stanford walked through her room, setting the plates of food down on her bed. "You don't have to worry, my dear, I'm not going to do anything. I just came to deliver your dinner and a bit of something that I particularly enjoy.", he removed the cover off the new plate, showing off a souffle with a red tint and an interesting smell. Stanford glanced behind him, smirking as he watched her eyes widen a bit.

'I thought so.'

"Wha-what is it?"

"Blood Orange souffle, a recipe I found in another dimension whose fruit were living beings. I have a couple of their trees in my preservatory, for when I ... crave certain treats.", Stanford spoke, turning to her with a soft and gentle smile. It looked... nice, almost made her forget that he was more than likely going to kill her if she made or said something wrong. He walked near her, lifting his hand to tilt her head up, her widen and frightened eyes looking into his own, "Inform me as to how you enjoy it, I would love a new partner in tasting the odd palate or two."

Velvet slowly walked toward the bed, leaving his touch but not his sight as she gently grabbed the warm souffle cup and fork he had placed beside it. It had a red tint to it like she had first thought, but she now saw bits of the orange pulp. Juicy and acting as warm or hot pools of it's juice, though how Stanford managed to make it not pop or dry out is a miracle. She took another whiff, slightly disturbed at how delicious it smelled. She could smell the citrus and crushed berries in it, but she could also note a more ... meaty and bloody undertone musk to it, making her nervous to taste. But if she didn't, who knows what the man would do to her.

Meanwhile Stanford stood there, delighting in her inner dilemma at the smell and sight of the unusual dessert. It was a difficult thing to produce after all.

First, he had to pick the fruits without becoming nauseous at the screams in his ear, then carefully tear the bleeding skin from them before then plucking out the nestling hearts that laid in its core. He tried those once before, to savory for his taste. But it was worth it for right now, as he loved seeing her bewilderment on her face, and as he adjusted his necktie, hearing her thoughts. 'Oh god, he's watching me, he's watching me. It smells so good, but he's watching me eat it?! Why, he could have waited in the morning.'

"Is something wrong, my dear? Are you nervous perhaps by my presence?", he spoke, stepping a bit closer and leaning on the tall frame of the bed. His eyes pierced through her as she rushed to get a bite into her mouth. She covered her mouth, chewing the steaming food in her mouth, "N-no, no, see I'm... I'm... mmm fuck that's good." She took another bite, testing to see if she did like it or if it was more her stomach arguing with her taste buds.

It was rich, juicy with citrus, and spongy with light bursts of cinnamon and sugar. It tasted like the fall outside, crisp and warm some days with a chilling wind of winter to remind you of what's to come.

"That is amazing, I love the cinnamon!"

"Right? I adjusted the recipe to be more suited to my sweet tooth tendencies, but I was ... concerned that no one else would like to try it. I'm glad that I have at least one test subject for my future food tries.", He spoke, waving his hands about as he began explaining his process. She swears that his eyes went from icy to a melted lake blue for a moment as he talked. It was eye catching but, he took note of her vested interest in his words for a bit more. He smirked as he looked down at her, "What, do I got something on my face, dear?"

Velvet blushed and shook her head quickly, looking away as she regained her senses. Remembered that he was the psychopath that could vaporize her, not a cute nerd who was describing his favorite movie or tv show. "I was just startled, I never knew that anyone knew how to bake such treats here in Gravity falls."

His eyes softened and he boldly stepped closer and sat on the bed, just the two plates separating them, "And if I were to invite you to come and try more 'treats'?"

"... I would have to think about it." He glowered at her words, but she quickly recovered, "I mean, I can't just come up here anytime I wanted. I'm... a worker, I don't live here."

"Well, why don't you? I'm sure Stanley wouldn't min-"

"Wait, whoa whoa, what?"

Stanford tilted his in confusion, causing Velvet to sigh, "Did you just offer for me to move in here... permanently?" He smiled and nodded, clasping his hands together and leaning on them. He didn't see anything wrong with it, fact is he already knew his brother was planning on trying to keep her here. He had seen the way he looked at her after all.

It was like Marylin all over again.

But he could excuse it, Velvet was rather... interesting after all. Plus, him getting close to her would piss his brother off, which was very well worth it. "Why not? You have every reason to. No rent, close to work, good company."

'Wow, this family is disconnected from reality.' Velvet thought, getting up from her seat on the bed.

"I can't just do that, I mean, Mr. Gleeful said I could stay here until the fumigation was over, but that was all! I couldn't just move in cause of a pure whim!"

Of course his idiot of a brother would say that. Probably was trying to keep her all to himself and not share like mother told him to. Unfortunate, he was willing to share until now. Stanford had to stifle a smile as he stood up and walked to her, "Then how about a deal?"

Her breath stopped, her body shakily turning to him with widen eyes, "A... a deal?"

He nodded, offering out his hand to her that enraptured itself in blue flame, "If by the week's end, things are not resolved with your home, you move in here permanently, giving us a chance to... experiment with food more. What do you say?"

"...What's the catch?"

He narrowed his eyes with joy. Yeah, he was stealing her from Stanley, no doubt about it. "The catch is that you can't back out. No crossing fingers, no using your non-dominate hand, no fake names either. It's an all or nothing kind of deal."

"And if I say no?"

"Then I shall inform Stanley of that little... sound you made.", his eyes darkened as her face redden, "I'm sure he would love to hear about how his guest was... moaning his name?"

Velvet swiftly grabbed his hand, the flames engulfing but not burning her, "You've got a deal."

Chapter Text

Stan had known sleepless nights, it was basically routine for him at this point. When his brother called him to come down for an opportunity, sleep evaded him. When they caught ahold of Will and became more famous than those uptight rich kids in Jersey, sleep ran from his grasp. When the twin's parents died and no one wanted to claim them, sleep skipped town for a week. The month of planning for Velvet to be here through albeit drastic circumstances, didn't even try to.

But last night, it was a miracle. It was the first time since he was a teenager where he didn't have to down whiskey and smoke a cigar just to be able to lay down. Perhaps because his sweet little bunny was in the room next to him, sleeping so peacefully and quiet through the night. Perhaps it was because everything was finally going the way he wanted, with no consequences following after him.

OR...

Perhaps it was because he found yet another sleep charm that Mason had made and stashed in his mattress when he wasn't home. He swears, if that boy spent half of his time practicing instead of testing new ways to "help" him and his brother, he would be more talented and famous than his sister is even at her peak. "Still, He's getting better at his charm making. Might sell this one for a grand at least...", Stan sighed, shaking his head as he put the charm back under the mattress. The boy worked hard and with Velvet here, the well rest was appreciated on a greater level than he'll let on.

So he'll keep it there for the time being.

He stretched before reaching over to his nightstand and slide on his rings. His hair turned from the dusty brown to the stark white everyone knew him for, his eyes from the honey brown to the stark blue that struck fear into the hearts of many, and his aches and pains disappeared like they never existed. It was getting harder to take the damn things off, the pain in his back and legs sometimes hurting so bad that he had to immediately put the rings back on to keep from screaming in pain. He had talked to Fiddles about it, who suggested to try and go a a few days without wearing the rings at least every three months. A cleansing and resetting of his body is how the man described it, but he may have to up it from a few days to a whole week now.

"Alright Stan, let's get up and-" He stopped as he heard a far off explosion, a smile cresting his face as he slowly got up and walked toward the door. He slung on a robe, adjusting it to cover him up before jerking the door to see Velvet standing there with wide eyes and gripping the door frame. God, she looked like heaven even when she just woke up. Her hair strewn about with some curling at the edges, her face a little pink and puffy from the sleep she got, and her lips parted as her pretty eyes looked into his own. It was as if she was his own little angel, and God knows how much he loved it.

"Stan, Stanley what was that?" her voice chirped, reality settling back in to his sense as he put together his act.

"I don't know, sounded like it came from the factory.", he reached out a hand, but recalled her eyes the night before. The shock at him calling her baby, the shrinking back when it left his lips, and his hand dropped, "I'll... I'll give the police a call, have them check it out and probably send a notice out to everyone for a late start. Hopefully no one was caught up in it." He smiled and walked down the hall, before turning back to her with a slight blush, "Oh, and I hope you enjoy the new clothes, I didn't have time to send someone to gather yours."

Her eyes brightened, blushing as she shifted herself closer to the door frame, trying to hide herself in the clothes. Stan felt his heart speed up at the very sight, thinking it was down right adorable of her. She nodded her head, thanking him before slipping back into her room and leaving him alone in the hall. His thoughts wandered as Stan imagined him being bold, taking her into his arms and confessing that he really likes her, that he was glad that she accepted his offer to stay here for the time and that he hoped that she would give him a chance. A chance to get past the media's portrayal of him, and get to know him and maybe love him. But he quickly shook it off, denying himself the idea as a whole.

She wouldn't want him, not right now at least and he was willing to wait. Was willing to seize the opportunity when it presented itself, not a minute before. So he went, heading down the stairs and turning off down a hall to his study. The room was expensive, dark wood, plush green rug, even a good old fashion business chair behind a solid wood desk that he commissioned. He pulled out a phone hidden away in the desk, something he kept from his more... less than legal days. Though, now he only kept a couple of numbers in it.

"Soos, is it done already?"

"Yes, sir, Mr. Gleeful. Had the thing rigged up to explode as soon as it hit seven a.m. like you said. But uh... There was some complications with moving it."

Of course there was. "What happened, did you get spotted?"

"No, sir, wasn't spotted, but... We couldn't move the car off to the side like we wanted. It uh, well, it exploded in the road. Highway is closed for repairs due to it."

Fuck, just what was he...

Wait... This may be a blessing from the God himself. Stan just needed to play his cards right, make the right moves and this could end in a very beneficial way. Stan took a deep breath, sitting himself in his leather chair as he spoke his next words, "Soos, this is important. Which direction from the factory was the road damaged at? The way into town, or the way to the manor?"

There was a pause, more than likely dur to Soos having to double check where the manor was, but it was none the less agonizing. "...It looks like it's towards the manor." And the heavens seemingly opened up with glorious light, shining down on Stan with such a blessing that he couldn't even blaspheme it as just a miracle. It was like God himself had set the car on fire and made the damage extensive enough for it to require work on, instead of just Soos. 'Well, his legal name is Jesus, so... maybe it was like the big man making it happen? Nah, not important enough for me to think about it.', his thoughts whirled as he commanded Soos to let Mack know that Velvet would delayed from coming in until the road was repaired, "How long did they say it would take, Soos?"

"Either three days to a week, sir."

Again, that glorious light. Stan spun in his chair, peering into the fireplace across the room and pressing a button on the desk. It came a light and he smiled as it warmed up the room, "Good, thank you for the notice, be safe."

He ended the call, hiding the phone away, before pressing another button on the desk, this time pulling up a little screen that showed the inside of Velvet's room. She was already dressed, getting Fetus feed and into a cage in the room before his hand hovered over the voice button, "Velvet dear, can you come to my study? I have a bit of unfortunate news."

~~~~~~~~~

Stanford was in the kitchen, mixing up a new concoction for Velvet to try. It had been so long since he last had someone to try his food, drink and other things, he couldn't help the excitement in his bones! "Alright, so this recipe calls for three drops of troll tears, five pieces of lamb heart and oh, blood of a Greecian demigod. Haven't had to use that in a while.", he spoke, each ingredient dropping into the mixing bowl.

Soon though, his darling, bloodthirsty niece came in, a seemingly sadistic smile planted in her face. "Ah, Mabel, why are you bothering me now?", Stanford sighed, glowering at the girl as she moved herself to sit in a stool chair. She smiled at him, simply crossing her arms as she leaned back in her chair.

Her uncles, albeit incredibly powerful, were more often than not lacking when it came to psychic intelligence. If they had even a quarter of hers or Mason's abilities, Stanford would have probably already picked up that Velvet was awake.

That Stanley was too.

And that he had made to where the woman was stranded here, in the house, with the family to ... "get along" with. But all she did was smile at her uncle, swinging her little feet and acting all cheery for once. "No reason great uncle Ford, I was just wondering about something."

"Oh, and what would that be exactly?"

Mabel slide her eyes over to his recipe book, one filled to the brim with stuff that he tried to feed Mason and her years ago when they first arrived. Some things she liked, like the flesh fruit turnovers or the screaming pies of mallow, but Ford hadn't been able to try the more difficult stuff with anyone.

At least not until now.

"Is Miss Velvet your new treat partner?"

Stanford smiled and nodded, glad something in his actions was sticking "Yes she is, and I plan on making it more of a regular thing for her stay. Why, was she wanting something?" He hoped it was a yes, that would be lovely!

Her coming in and requesting his help, asking him to make her something to eat. Oh, maybe she wanted his advice on something intelligent, he did research that she was a graduate for engineering. Probably wanted his explanation on certain decisions for blueprints, or maybe on papers he had written when he was younger.

That would be so cute of her, might make him slip a hormone accelerant, just to see her get all hot and bothered. Document her reactions, help her through it, get off to it. Ugh, that would put Stanley in his place, teach him to share his new pets with his brother.

Mabel grimaced, hearing her uncle's deranged thoughts in disgust. 'For Christ's sake, you've know her for a day! Get a hold of yourself, you fucking sicko.', she thought before setting another smile on her face, hiding her true thoughts. "Well, she is up right now. She might be hungry before going into work, maybe you could give her something for lunch?"

Stanford smiled, reaching over and patting her head, "Now that sounds like a great idea, Mabel. Go and get your brother up, I'll be making breakfast this morning." Mabel smiled and nodded, hopping off the stool and walking out of the kitchen. She didn't have to wake Mason up, he had already been awake when the explosion sounded off.

Though, when they both triangulated the location, they knew it was Grunkle Stan's doing to keep Velvet here for longer.

"Thank you, Stanley. I'm just going to call my supervisor and let them know about the situation, alright."

Well, well, speak of the devil.

There was Velvet, dressed in sturdy blue overalls with a white wife beater underneath and her hair done in twin braids. But when she closed the door to Stan's study, Mabel felt her heart race in fear and noted the tears in her eyes. She was scared, terrified entirely of the idea of being stuck up here with no way out. 'Well, it would be too easy to just let her be stockholmed by my uncles. Why not give a little ... Aid?', Mabel thought, a cruel glint showing in her eyes before turning to the woman.

"Oh, miss Velvet."

Velvet jumped abit, clearing her eyes of any forming tears before smiling at Mabel. "Oh, miss Gleeful, what are you doing up?"

Mabel smiled, pointing at her Grunkle's door, "I was just about to ask my Grunkle if I could go outside for my morning meditation. Do you want to join me?"

She watched Velvet's eyes widen a bit before a soft smile and a wave of relief came over her. "Thank you, miss, I would love that."

"Please, call me Mabel."

Chapter Text

Stan thought about Velvet, smiling as he leaned back in his chair. She was so cute, so fucking vulnerable around him and it was such an attractive thing. He didn't mean it like a creep, but it felt like she was starting to relax around him. Starting to breath happily in his air and presence, that sorta thing. It made him giddy, happy even as he started to think about all the things they'll soon do together.

He'll take her on dates, fancy places with special meats and dishes for her. He'll dress her in furs and silks, make her look better than the first lady or the richest Hollywood star. And, he'll make sure she knows that he loves her, cares for her every night before they go to bed.

He'll whisper words of confessing into her ear, saying how beautiful she looked or how much she impressed him that day with whatever she handled. Then when they start to fall asleep, he'll say I love you and she'll say it right back.

Ugh, he couldn't wait. He wanted it to happen now, but he was a patient man. He knew these things took time and she was going to be worth every second.

"Finally, I'm starting to dig in, only took a day.", he spoke, chuckling as he felt the fireplace warming up the room. Right, he turned it on, it was starting to get colder outside so it just made sense to. But, he couldn't... stop his eyes... closing...

~~~~~~~~

"Stan~"

His eyes opened, looking into the smiling face of his dear bunny that held such love. 'Ah, this dream, I love this dream~', he thought, feeling his face stretch into a smile that matched hers. "Hey beautiful, what's up?", he charmed, earning a soft giggle and her hand carding through his hair as he laid in her lap.

"You know, I have to go soon."

"Please", he grasped her hand that wasn't in his hair, giving her palm a little kiss, "Stay a while longer."

He shifted around to look at her, but he recalled this dream so many times, he knew it and her by heart. She was wearing a dark blue, velvet dress with white fur around the collar, cuffs, and hem. It was short style and showed off her shoulders, but her hair was tied up so neatly in a bun with two strands hanging down to frame her face. Where they landed always depended on him, but God did he love it when he was in her lap sleeping randomly.

"But I've got to go away.", she whispered, leaning in as he began hearing the song in the background. Ah, so that's the game this time. Alright, Christmas song time.

He winked up at her, a smirk planted in his face, "But baby, it's cold outside."

She laughed, her eyes twinkling as her voice lifted to match the notes, "This evening has been so very nice." He chuckled, lifting his own hand to her cheek, stroking it lovingly with his thumb. Stan loved her voice, though he had never caught her singing (yet), he imagined it just like this.

Sweet, loving, and full of warmth.

"I'll hold your hands, their just like ice.", he muttered, cupping her head gently in his hand. She smiled and sighed, looking down at him with a loving gaze as she leaned in to his touch. She gave it a light kiss that sent electricity through his body, and he sat up a bit.

Her eyes laid heavy in his as he sat up, her next words coming out, "I really did have a nice night with you, Stanley, I just... Well, like the songs says, there'll be talk tomorrow."

"Who cares who talks, all I know is that I have my little bunny all snuggled up to me tonight."

He watched her checks turn red with that, that cute little blush that he so desperately wanted to see in person teasing him. Ugh, he just needed the day with Velvet and he could probably get it in real life. Her hands lifted, landing at the swell of her breast as he towered over her on the couch, "Aren't you embarrassed to be seen with me?"

His eyes were drawn to her hands before slowly drawing up her neck, then her lips and then her eyes again. Those pretty, blue, and green eyes of hers that drew him in years ago and kept him trapped. "Why would I ever be embarrassed about you? You're my precious bunny, my sweetest girl. There ain't nothing in this world that's gonna change that.", he kissed her forehead, his hand snaking around her waist to bring her closer to him.

Stan smiled as she melted into his arms, smelling evergreen in her hair and feeling her shiver against him.

Probably all too eager for where he might take this.

He leaned in, whispering into her ear with a growl, "Besides, I think you might want to try a few things before leaving anyhow, am I right?" He felt her giggle, and her little head turn and look up into his eyes. There was a blush across her face but a lustful look in her eyes, giving him all he needed to know. "C'mere you."

Stan kissed her lips, humming at the sweet taste of sugar and cocoa on her lips as they moved against his. He moved his hand up, unbinding her hair from it's bun and letting it tumble down. Fingers softly scrapped against her scalp, a sigh escaping into his mouth as let out a low chuckle. "What, were you waiting for that?"

"Yes, can you blame me?"

"Not at all, baby."

He kept going, shifting around to where she was straddling his lap, grinding her hot, needy, and clothed cunt on his slacks. Feeling his hard-on thumping against her, causing her to jolt and jump with each pulse as they kept kissing. Hot and heavy and wet, God he just wanted rip it all off and screw her like an animal. "You want it baby? You want me to fuck you and rough you up? Want me to use you?", he growled, planting her hips and thrusting up into her. Her whimpers and gasps, little tears of need spilling from her eyes as she begged.

Yeah, screw being gently.

Stan ripped her off him, pinning her face-down and flipping up her skirt. His hands ripped off her silk underwear, exposing her soaked pussy to him and it made his mouth water at the sight. "Fuck yes baby, all ready for my fingers huh?", he muttered, slipping his thumb to her clit and doing right little circles on it. Her moans and pleadings loud and clear as to what she actually wanted, but he knew how this dream went. How bad it would hurt if he just fucked her with his cock right then, so taking his time with his fingers was a must.

"No, no, fingers first. I don't want to hurt you too bad now."

He slipped one in, then slowly another, twisting and scissoring them in to loosen her up for him. All the while, his precious little bunny moan, and bit into the couch, panting with tears in her eyes that pleaded for him. But he wanted that one look, that look she got in his dreams when she finally climaxed, so he had to work his fingers in her.

Thrusting.

Curling.

Twisting them slow.

Oh, and her begging made it so worth it. "Please, please Stan. Just do it, please, just fuck me already."

"Oh, and why should I waste my Christmas present for you so fast? I want you to enjoy every hour I have for you tonight."

"Hours?"

Oh, she wasn't expecting that. "Yes, hours, I want to love you nice and slowly, have you babbling on my cock for me to pound you as I just slowly thrust. All while circling your clit in a lazy manner, never getting anywhere but close to." She cried with his words, her pussy just dripping down her thighs at the idea alone, even without the help of his fingers. Yeah, he loved taking his time with her in this state, he loved seeing her like this!

Needy, desperate, dripping for him and weeping for it to finish.

In actual want of course, he wasn't a monster.

"So stay there and just take it for me, okay sweetie?"

Velvet's head nodded and he soon continued his ministration on her, hearing her gasp and cry for more, only to be met with kisses on her back and hushing from him.
~~~~~~~~~

Mabel walked into the office, seeing her Grunkle passed out with a lewd expression on his face. Great, he was having another Bunny fantasy again, no wonder Velvet felt terrified about entering the room.

Mabel had already surmised that she wasn't normal, the fact that she could feel a predator from the room gave it strictly away. But she rolled her eyes, strolled over to Stan's desk, popping open a drawer, and got the keys for the garden.

Stan's hand dropped, slightly touching hers and she caught a glimpse of whatever dream he was having, making her gag in reaction.

"Fucking pervert.", she spoke, slamming the drawer close and swiftly exiting the room, hoping that the meditation techniques would erase what she saw.

Chapter Text

Stanford watched as Mabel and Velvet sat outside, meditating and breathing. He often did this when his niece invited someone to join her in training, call it foresight on his part as she had a tendency to throw things when interrupted in any way, shape or form. Though, he also wanted to make sure that his niece was sticking to the training regiment he specifically designed.

He was stickler for such things after all.

As Mabel's had her moving objects slowly from one side of the garden to the other, he watched as Velvet was doing simple breathing and concentration techniques. A beginner's step of course, something he had insisted that Mabel start with to hone in on certain things to... Wait...

Was... was the girl asleep?

That...that might be more accurate as Stanford twisted his bowtie and saw that her heart and mind were in a steady beat, like that of a resting person. He chuckled as he realized, watching as Mabel soon caught on and turned her attention to her. Oh, is she angry at her? Stanford furrowed his brows as he noted that his niece wasn't furious, but more smiling toward the sleeping Velvet. What was she planning now?

He studied her movements, watching as his niece proceeded to pull out her tools of the trade. Scrying pendants, tarot cards and also chakra gems that she once used on people when she was about ten. She fidgets with her headband, her eyes glowing blue as she began.

"Grunkle Ford!"

Stanford swiftly acted, nearly slamming Mason into a wall as he grabbed his shirt. Mason, as calm as he ever is, just relaxed and sighed. He probably shouldn't have yelled, but he had tried to get his attention other ways but he just wasn't listening. Doesn't matter right now, he had things to ask and should find out if he can ask him. "Apologies, Grunkle Ford, I was just calling to ask your advice on something... Were you busy with something?"

The man sighed, releasing the boy's shirt and standing back to his full height, rubbing his eyes. "Yes, I was observing your sister as she trained outside with Velvet, though she paused for a... reading on her." Mason watched, confusion written on his face.

"She's doing her clairvoyance and aura readings. Strange though, normally only other telepaths can block... Ah, I see. How fascinating.", he spoke, pulling out his book and writing down in his new observation. Though, his words echoed in Stanford's head, ringing as his eyes soon re-trained on Velvet. A telepath? No, she didn't feel like one, maybe more of an empath? Or perhaps she was able to do retro cognition?

His mind whirled with the possibilities, his heart racing as he pieces together what they could do together. Oh, what a wonderful addition she could be to them. A tasting partner and a new trainee to test regiments on. Or maybe her blood was mixed with something, ugh now that would be lovely. Maybe he should bring her to the lab, do some minor testing of her blood and such.

'You just got a lot more interesting, little bunny.', he thought, walking off toward his lab.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mabel studied her results on Velvet, double-checking her readings and smirked as she looked at the woman. According to her tools, she was something of a dormant clairvoyant, one that was more emotional based than sight. So she'll get bad feelings, sense things of interest and other things that should aid her in making decisions. Maybe even predict the deaths of others.

Well, at least she would have if she wasn't dormant. Most she'll get right now is a sense of someone with hidden intentions but not strongly. Which is probably why she is getting closer to her Uncles without really getting a bad feeling.

Though she did wonder how she gotten to be dormant. Must have been something big to have caused it to happen as well, seeing as she couldn't even piece together why she was here within the first day. Mabel sighed and looked at Velvet, her sleeping form slightly stirring as the cold air outside started to whip around them a bit. 'So, miss Anderson, what can I do to aid you and add a little chaos...', Mabel thought, clasping her hands together as she watched.

She could release a smidge of her abilities, have her sense a bit of emotions and such with others. Basic things really, though she would have to work on her own to steer it in the right direction. Otherwise, her mind might start divulging into madness and tear her apart.

Though, she could make it to where she gets flashes of it. Just minor bursts here and there, make it to where she is forced to ask what is happening. Yes, yes, that's what she'll do, just to add a bit of fun to her daily life. She adjusted her headband again, sinking into her metaphysical being as she began to work on the barrier in Velvet's head. She poked small holes, not even big enough to seep it out as a constant stream, just a dribble. A perfect amount for her to start, hopefully.

She stepped back into the physical, smiling as she watched Velvet wake up a bit. "Hey, you okay, miss Velvet?"

Mabel watched as Velvet shook her head, rubbing her eyes before turning to her. Then her eyes widen, rubbing her eyes again and then look at her once more. "Uh ... I think I'm good, probably just low energy due to hunger or something."

"Oh, I think my Grunkle Ford is preparing something. He should be done by now since we've been out here about an hour and a half."

Velvet's eyes grew wide, check her phone and whistling, "Oh, wow, I didn't even realize", she got up quickly, offering her hand to Mabel to help her up. She huffed, summoning her magic to urge her up and onto her feet. She didn't need any help from one so... Normal in being.

"Come on, uncle Ford will be waiting."

"Will... Will your other uncle be joining us as well?"

Mabel glanced over, rolling her eyes as she saw that blush on her cheeks. Great, Stan has already sunk into her, though that might have occured before this whole plan of her uncle's began. "Normally no, but due to ... Certain circumstances, he might today. Why, are you curious about him?" Mabel began walking, heading toward the house.

Velvet sighed, following behind as they went. "I suppose ... I don't know, maybe I'm just overthinking it, but... What is your uncle like normally with people?"

She laughed at that, turning to Velvet, "Normally, he would have you stay in the smallest room in the house and charge you for it when it came to circumstances like this. Not put you in an exclusive room that only he and who he allows to have access to, that he spent a fortune on to make it to ... Your..." She stopped, seeing Velvet's face redden even further with each truth.

Oh.

Oh she never knew!

Oh this is even better than she hoped!

"Did you... Did you not notice the way he looks at you?"

Velvet shook her head, covering her mouth as she looked up, "I mean, he was always gentle when speaking with me but, I just thought he was being careful and making sure he didn't get a lawsuit on his hands." Mabel shook her head, gesturing toward the house.

"To speak plainly, my uncle has had the hots for you for... A while to be honest. Never mentioned you, but my brother and I like to snoop through his office."

Mabel watched as she looked horrified, then flattered, then began stuttering like crazy as she pieced it together. "But why would he... But then he... But if he did... Oh god, was this all a trap to get me here?! Oh and to think I was gonna... THAT SLIME BALL!" Oh, rage, that's a rather unexpected reaction. Though, from the readings she got, Velvet despises any form of manipulation that was for ill tent. Didn't matter if it was in a pure train of thought, to her it was just like leading a person to their execution while saying it will give them freedom. Poor Stan never would have stood a chance if she found out after they got together. She would have eaten him alive, or more like leave him in the middle of the night.

Either way, he was fucked.

"Where is Stan?!", Velvet yelled, boldness and anger coloring her voice as she looked at Mabel.

But she just held up her hand, smiling in a gentle and calm way with evil intent running behind her eyes, "Velvet, I get that my uncle has caused some severe wrong doing to you. But flying off the handle at him wouldn't be getting back at him. If anything, it might just make him desperate enough to try something... drastic." Hearing the woman sigh, she lowered her hand and gestured toward the house, "That's why I have a proposal for you to get back at him, though... It might be a bit scary."

Velvet looked at the girl, trying to see through her words for ill intent. And while she did feel it, she also knew that Mabel was right. Stan would go to drastic measures, and to him, what he has done until now wasn't even causing him to sweat. No, no, she wanted to make him sweat, to make him worry, to make him scared of actually fucking up and ruining all of this.

She did like Stan, she admits it. She liked the fact that he is sweet, that he is fond of old memories, that he likes the more simple tastes, that he was willing to shell out so much money just to make her comfortable. But this needed a punishment, one that fitted the crime to a T.

"Alright, Mabel, what do you got for me?"

Chapter Text

It was a horrible plan. Terrible in every way possible, but... It was going to get back at Stan in the best way. Mabel had suggested that Velvet spent more time with Stanford, really lean into being the tasting partner and possible conversationalist to him. "Maybe throw in a flirt or two here and there for the fun of it.", Mabel stated, brushing out her hair of leaves and twigs.

Velvet's eyes widen at her words, thinking about the absurdity of it. "Flirting with the most dangerous man on the planet? I think that's something they'll put on my grave stone." She heard the girl burst out a laugh, smiling a surprisingly nice smile at her words. Though it had been a day, Mabel had become more at ease with Velvet. But that could be because she saw her more as entertainment than someone to rely on, but it was still a thing.

An improvement to be sure.

That's why she was in the main bedroom of the twins after all. That and Mabel wanted to try something with her.

"True, but it will get under Stan's skin faster."

"... Fair, but what if your other uncle starts..."

Mabel turned to her with a smirk and a wave of a makeup brush, "If he does, then what harm is there? You'll have two of the most powerful men in the country wrapped around your finger. Most would see that as a blessing."

A blessing? Who would think that this was a-

I'm always like this, at least to those who respect me or are more... lenient with their morals

Velvet hesitated with her thoughts, thinking back to that moment in the car with Stanley. He considered her lenient, laxed with her moral path. While yes, she did sometimes bend the rules to make it easier for herself at times, it wasn't like that everyday. Only when she had to like when her landlord was being extremely scummy with a woman so she called the housing department about certain things he was doing, or with that one lady at work who was constantly trying to get other people in trouble. She just super glued a history she had on her office phone into the wall, letting everyone know that she was more interested in setting up beauty appointments than actually putting orders like she was supposed to.

... Maybe she should reevaluate how she handles things. "Hey, are you listening?!", Velvet heard Mabel growl, turning to her quickly. Right, right, in a room with a Gleeful.

"Relax Mabel, she was just thinking about her past."

Velvet turned, seeing Mason in the doorway and that same journal in hand that she had seen yesterday. He stepped in, walking over to his sister and whispering something to her. Something that made her eyes twinkle and her smile widen just like her Grunkle. "Really now?"

She turned to Velvet, her eyes still holding that twinkle as that smile latched onto her. "Well, well, well. Looks like we have a special opportunity here."

Velvet glanced between the two, and while Mason gave a sympathetic look in his eyes, she felt like an injured gazelle with Mabel's. She wanted to run but couldn't, literally as the girl grabbed her make-up kit and headband, solidifying her to the seat with whatever magic she summoned. "Wait, wait, think this through!"

Mabel giggled as she cracked open her case, "Oh I am."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Stanley was in the halls, heading to the kitchen with a lightness in his step. For the first time, he felt like joining his family for breakfast, for the banter and terrible attempts of socializing between them. All for the sake of seeing his little bunny with those big blue and gold eyes, maybe looking towards him for a break or a reprieve from everything.

He would give it to her, in his office or maybe in the garage, have her fix up a present he wasn't going to show her until weeks later. But they had time now, multiple days together that could be used to grow their budding relationship. Oh and how he need it to grow, he wanted to finally kiss her, hold her, love on her in ways she had never known!

Teach her all about how well he could be to her.

Stan smirked to himself as he pushed open the doors to the kitchen, only to find his brother there with a concentrated look on his face. He was mixing a concoction of something in a bowl, it slightly glowing and sending out little fireworks from it. 'Great, now I have to deal with him.', he rubbed his eyes, moving around the kitchen and finding things to aid him in making breakfast for his-

"I would advise against that, Stanley. I'm having miss Velvet entertain me with a new recipe I found, I just hope the substitutes I found for it are good enough.", Stan felt his blood boil, swiftly turning to his brother in a slight rage. His brother stood up, setting the spoon he was using to the side and looked at his brother with a smirk. It pissed him off, seeing that look on his face when talking about his Velvet, his bunny!

"The hell do you mean, Pointdexter?!"

He heard his brother chuckle, as he adjusted his collar with a look in his eye. The same look that told him that it was a bad idea to intervene as something caught his attention. "Oh you know, I want to test a recipe with her, maybe talk to her about her... Family and such."

Fuck, he found out something about Velvet. Stan could only sweat as the dread thoughts came to him about what Ford might do to her. He could barely handle it when he took out Marilyn, how would he recover if he lost his little bunny! "Ford, I swear to Moses, don't you dare hurt that girl!"

Ford scoffed, crossing his arms and sneering at Stan. Like he would let good, live research material go to waste. No, he wanted Velvet to live and stay in the manor for as long as possible, as it was so rare to find such good company now a days. Especially ones that were so willing to try interdimensional food over tea and talk about such things. 'I bet she would be glued to me as I rambled on about the quantum mechanics of the multiverse. Maybe I should try that today!', he thought as his eyes widen in delight and triumph.

Alright, so maybe it wasn't just about the research, but he hardly had anyone to talk to about this stuff. And no, he didn't count Fiddleford as any conversation they had was about work now a days. Man, wouldn't even accept a normal souffle from him, and it was a normal this dimension souffle!

"Don't worry, meathead. I have no intention of doing such a thing to her, she's far too bright of an asset to lose to my experiments... For now at least." Stanford couldn't suppress the chuckle he had as he watched his brother fume a bit more, "Plus, where would I find someone who's willing to entertain me and my recipes? It's not like any of you are ever wanting to try new things."

"That's because half the time, you make stuff with disgusting ingredients! I can still feel the necrotic lizard tongue in my throat at times!" Stanley rubbed his neck, getting that creeping feeling in his throat again, like he summoned the damn thing back to it's resting place. He was about to make another remark but the doors busted open with Mason, who looked like he just ran a marathon through a a batting field.

Bruised up, his suit was slightly torn, even the make-up he usually uses to cover up his big dipper was getting rubbed off. "Jeez kid, the hell happened to you?", Stan commented, staring as the kid drug himself from the door to a seat at the island.

Next thing that popped through the door was a smiling, but slightly less put together than usual Mabel and Velvet who was... just woah at the moment. Her hair was done in soft curls, her eyes were dusted with a rose pink that faded into a color that Stan could only describe as hot-headed red as it matched her lips. Lips that seemed to secretly sing for him to grab her right there and kiss her long and hard in front of everyone. Claim her as his own, and then leave for his room or hers

And boy did the clothes not help.

Hip hugging jeans, and a black 'body-suit' with a cut out window at her busy and the tops of her hips! It just squeezed her curves all over. He swore his eyes nearly fell out of his head at seeing her like that. "Velvet, my dear! I see Mabel... Helped you into a new look?", Stan heard his brother call, but he ignored his voice entirely as Velvet looked into his with... Fury?

Wait.

"Why yes she did, Doctor Gleeful. I hope it's not ... Too distracting for you."

Wait, was that a...

"Not at all, my dear, and please call me Ford."

Is he actually?!

"Oh, well now I just feel special!"

Is she responding with flirting?!

Stan watched in disbelief as Velvet moved past him, getting closer to Ford than was comfortable, and then picking up a discussion about what he was baking and how he got the materials for it. All the while, she smiled and laughed as he made a joke here, and awed at his tale of collecting the items he was using. Oh god, it was horrible, terrible!

His bunny was cozing up to his brother!

Her eyes darted to him, them narrowing at him as a snarl was out on her face before smiling and nodding at Ford. Suddenly all the pieces fit in his head like a puzzle, she was mad at him. But for what?!

He had been nothing but nice, gentleman like, and caring towards her. He had done nothing to deserve this ire from her, nothing at all! Then he though back, thought about this morning and then glanced at Mabel, who held a sickeningly enjoyed grin. Velvet ran into her, Velvet began talk to her, Velvet knows!

Fuck his luck!

Chapter Text

Ford was overjoyed as Velvet followed him down to his lab. Her eyes growing wide at how expansive it was; clean gray tiles, blue lights and screens, machines whose name he rattled off like nothing when she asked.

Oh he loved, loved, loved it!

She was such a willing participant, a real pliable clay for him to mold, and he loved the questions she had for him.

What was his favorite dimension? Did he have any particular favorites when it came to his studies? Was there ever a time when he doubted himself?

He loved it!

Gave him a real chance to talk to her and divulge things he hadn't been able to seriously discuss before. Plus, he liked the way she looked for their meeting, exposed arms and hips will give him a real chance for excellent samples of blood and skin. "Doctor Ford, what are you staring at?", her voice broke his train of thought, her calling him doctor seeming to send a shiver down his spine. Lord above, it was such a nice thing to hear from her lips, but he had to turn his head from her hips to her eyes.

He actually paid attention to the gentleman lessons his mother put them through.

"Oh, I was just noting how we have a bit of time right now, so I was curious about a few things about you."

Her pretty, little eyes blinked and she tapped her chin, but he knew she was feigning the indifference to his words. After all, Stanford Filibrick Pines being interested in something other than his studies and it being you? Most would drop out of their bodies in fear.

But not this little sliver of interest.

No, no, she was a walking testament to her willingness. Her mind was perhaps whirling with the many possibilities of what he was going to ask, what he was going to do, what was he going to touch on. Maybe she was curious if he was going to touch her, hold her, grip her sides and pull her flush against him. Perhaps she was a romantic in her head, dancing with the idea of him doting on her.

Which he might, who knows?

It was rare for him to considered it. But it was such a nice thing to consider with her in mind for it. 'Please, it's just cause she's my brother's target. To spoil his fun, his prize for all that hard work he put to get her there. Only to find the wrapping was torn.', Ford thought as he finally got her answer.

"Sure, I don't see why not."

"Great!", he went and tapped a sequence into one of his tables, a screen slow coming out and two chairs to appear out of the floor, "I hope you don't mind, I rather like to keep things written down for... Future needs." His eyes slide over to her, a playful smirk on his lips as he watched her.

Her eyes were wide and her stance stiff but she walked over to him anyway, as if she knew that he wouldn't hurt her, not this time at least. When she sat, the enchantment on the chair activated, letting him be able to get the truth from her entirely. "So you worked at the factory for five years?"

"Oh, yes, I was actually using the experience from the mechanical repairs I did to see if I can't make the same machines with cheaper parts.", she paused a bit, her cheeks flushing as her eyes widen in fear. It made him chuckle softly, his hands typing in her answer. Ford knew that already, his brother wasn't the only one who could research such things.

But he liked that about her.

About how she was trying to make it easier and better for those who couldn't afford the million dollar price tag. About how confident she was in reverse engineering their inventions. About how she knew that if the right parts broke in order, she would have the whole puzzle figured out and could replicate it.

It was something worth admiring, even though it was a very backwards and sneaking way to do so. But how could he stay mad at an inspiring little thing? Reminded him of himself when he trapped Will in a contract with him. "Relax my dear, I'm not mad, I rather think that it's clever of you. Now, what do you think of me?"

He watched as she covered her mouth, her eyes wide as she shrunk back into her chair. Oh, she didn't want to say, well it's unfortunate that the enchantment would pushes her to speak anyway. Maybe she thought he was a big, scary, nasty-

"I used to think you were nothing but a psycho but now, I think you might just be lonely."

Well.

That's new.

"Lonely, huh? Why do you think I'm lonely?"

She bit her lip, trying to hold back her answer but it was useless as the words came tumbling out. "You don't have anyone to talk to that doesn't speak to you without fear anymore. There's no one that will be honest and tell you that you're going to far anymore and... You miss it." Her eyes filled with tears, her body shaking as he got up, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, please do-"

"My dear, I'm not going to hurt you! I would never hurt someone for being honest with me. What is science without honest results, what is magic without honest components?", he slid behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders for a surprisingly warm gesture of comfort. It eased her shaking and he saw those little tears fall and dry up without another to follow.

He tilted her head up, her eyes connecting with his and a soft look on his face. He gently with a feather like touch slide down her throat, eyeing her skin as it got goosebumps from it."See? I would never hurt you my dear, breath.", he spoke, his thumb wiping away a tear streak and purposely touch the edge of her lips. It was a ploy, a thought to worm it's way into her head. He sat down opposite of her, knowing her mind was now in conflict with what she knows and what she just experienced.

Is he interested in me? Why be interested in me of all things? No, no, I'm imagining things... But what if?

Her eyes slide up and down him, studying his body entirely, weighing if she really was considering such a pursuit.

Just like he wanted her to. "Alright, Velvet, what about your family? Are they as driven as you?"

She shook her head, a flush on her face again as her subconscious thoughts funneled through, "N-no, they were more encouraging of me to be better than them. Though, I haven't talked to any of them since I was in college. They live in Texas after all, so not a whole lot of time or money to visit them."

Ah, so she's alone out here, good.

Makes it easier to sink his claws in.

"I am so sorry to hear that my dear, perhaps I can convince Stanley to send you there for a week on our dime. Maybe you could take them out as well and burn a needed hole in his pocket.", he chuckled at that, eyeing her as she softly smiled at his humor.

"Well, maybe you could come with if so. Just to make it easier to explain."

He watched her eyes, checking for falsifying intentions and actions behind her words. Yet, there was nothing in them that told him so. 'How fascinating, a flirtation towards me already. Well, why not play the game?', he smirked as he turned toward her, leaning on his hand as his right arm propped him up. "Really? Wouldn't they assume such solicits occuring between us if I did?"

She smirked at him, her eyes becoming sultry and divine as she spoke, "Why, Ford, I would never have assumed that you would entertain such thoughts."

His eyes widen but his smirk turned into a smile. Oh, she knows how to play such games. Alright, Velvet, let's pay chicken, let's see how far you're willing to push this.

"Well, normal no, but I have a various amount of spare time now to entertain it. Plus," he slide his eyes over her, slowly and steady, analyzing each curve and dip her body gave, "I have certain tastes, as I'm sure you're...well aware of."

Her gears were turning now, he could see her calculating as she placed he hand on the swell of her breast with a smile. "Well, doctor Ford, I would almost say you were insinuating that I fit those tastes.", she batted those eyelashes with an fake innocence, one that he wondered was more than just skin deep, "Would I be right, Ford?"

Ford nearly growled, salivating in his mouth as her words battled for his control over himself. Come on, Ford, focus! You are the one in control of this conversation, not her. "Well, you are certainly a welcome sight to my eyes, and your mind can keep up with my own at times. I would say you would be a... candidate, at least.", he leaned forward, a sly look on his face as he closed the distance between them, "Would I be one for you as well?"

Velvet blushed and finally broke eye contact, her curls in her hair barely covering her face as her hand covered her mouth. 'Come on, pretty girl, play the game for me. Give me a little more.', he thought, mentally biting his lips as he waited with baited breath.

Her eyes slide over to his, a spark of something in them as she spoke with such a shyness, "Well, I suppose... if you're offering."

Never has Ford felt so victorious before now, his heart thumping harder than even when he made his deal with Will. It's felt so gratifying to have such a thing!

Sorry Stanley, looks like you lose this round.

Chapter Text

Mason sighed as he shuffled the cards again, doling them out in front of the business man for the third time that night. He hated doing this as it was just a sick gambit for poor saps, but it made easy money and was a good way to hone the skills he had to begin with.

Charms, spells, curses and blessings.

They were all his specialty, and he excelled at them like no other. He even summoned the dead and performed healing miracles like nothing. Which made divination as easy as sin for him.

But it was annoying as hell when others couldn't accept their fates.

"What do you mean I get bought out by my daughter?! I have no wife, therefore no kids!"

"The cards don't lie, Mr. McGruff. Nor does the tea leaves, or the crystal ball you had me get. They say that you get bought out by one you consider a daughter and left alone for all time. Now if you mind, I have eight other readings to do tonight, please leave!", Mason briefly stated, glaring at the 35 year old man. The man yelled in rage before he flipped Mason's table, scattering everything on it.

Luckily, Wendy, Mason's bodyguard, tackled the bastard to the ground and kept him pinned. She glanced at him, grunting as she lifted the guy up, "I'll call the staff to get it set back up, Dips."

"Thank you, Valentino. You're a fucking saint.", Mason's monotone voice spoke, but it was obvious he was pissed. He hated idiots like the man, unable to even accept that they'll never amount to anything in life besides being a stepping stone for someone else. It was worse when they tried to squirm, begging him to see a way to prevent it.

'If it could be prevented, I would have seen two futures, not just one.', he thought, getting up from his seat and heading to a Green room that was set up. He picked up his book that he had left on the table, writing down some new glyphs he saw this time. But he saw a flash, a platinum blond ponytail and a spark of red passing in a hall. He groaned, rolling his eyes at the offending sight.

None of the guards had those colors of in their hair, and he bet no one even knew they were here.

He swears the security that his Grunkle hired are subpar at best. He got up, heading out to the hall and going down the one he saw them go. He looked around, seeing it was one of the southeast's and...

"Gideon Pines. Weren't you banned?"

The pair stopped in the hall, Pacifica turning and standing in front of the scared little boy as a shield. But he had to hold back a cackle as he saw Gideon trying to ball up his fists. Mason chuckled, pulling out his book and gesturing at the two with it, a smile on his face, "How sweet, protecting your cousin, Pac?"

He watched her eyes narrow and her fists tightening. She was a spitfire, in his Grunkle's words. But to him?

She was an obstacle, but she was entertaining at least.

"We're just passing Gleefuck, no reason to come at us." Mason narrowed at the insulting name but paused as he opened his book. Mabel had her entertainment with Velvet and pining their uncle's against each other, what if he had a bit of fun with the girl as well. "Well, you're no concern for me, Southeast, as I have more pressing matter to attend to. Just make sure to steer clear of the newest face of our household, she's a... Mysterious kind."

He chuckled as he saw their eyes widen and start racing down the hall again. 'That's right, be afraid of the harmless bug.'

His feet started leading him back to the Green room, a pep in his step.

But...

Thoughts persisted in his head, ones that annoyed him greatly. What were they doing here to begin with? Who let them in? Were they looking for something?

The questions affected his readings, giving him only partials and vague dilations that he could translate to simple words. Not a lot of happy customers nor was Stan happy with him, telling him to get back home as soon as he was finished.

Mabel really fucked with his mood, pulling her stunt with Velvet, so he didn't even argue with him.

At the end of the night, he was rubbing his eyes and barely remembering how he got home. So, maybe it was a good thing that he left when he did. Especially since it was because of that tree and moral compass he ran into. 'Ugh, fucking southeasts.', Mason thought, shuffling off his vest and sitting at his desk. Drinking some spiced tea Wendy had brought him, he finally could focus on his surroundings again. Books in stacks, scattered papers of math and magic symbols, the ceiling lights being dimmed for him by Wendy. It soothed his tumultuous mind but it didn't drown out the thoughts. No, he knew what would do that but that would mean sneaking into his grunkle's study, and he wasn't tempted to try that tonight. "Thank you, Valentino, that will be all."

"Of course sir, have a good night."

He watched her leave, soon closing the door and leaving him in the dark of his bedroom. He groaned and finished the tea, getting enough energy to pull his decks out and activate his gem. They floated into the air and he had them shuffled about, creating specific readings for what he needed. 'Call on the past, focus on the two subjects in paticular and... there!', he thought, his eyes shooting open and reading the exposed cards.

An entertaining show, a warning given, a life shown and a quest given.

Okay, think Mas, put the events in order.

They came to the show, probably under the threat of that blubbering fat ass of a father that Gideon has. Then they came, watched as Mabel was on the main stage and dazzled them with it. Then they met me in the hall, and I mentioned Velvet, but weren't they afraid?

Yes, but it wasn't for them.

"It was for her.", he spoke, the cards each returning to their respected decks and returning to their boxes to be cleansed. He lit the sage and waved it over the three boxes, softly speaking as he went. But his mind, oh it whirled with how he could twist the two goody-goodies into his plans. But they were interrupted by a knock, and someone entering his room. He turned and saw Velvet, still in that outfit from earlier but it appeared that his uncle took some samples from her as there was now a bandage on her arm and gauze on her hip. Her eyes shined though, meaning that's all he took... this time.

"Miss Velvet, what can I do for you this late?", he spoke, setting down the sage to burn in a circular dish before turning to her.

She brought out a small plate with a slice of... cake?

"I heard you had a hard day, I figured you could use something sweet to brighten it up.", her voice spoke as she came closer, setting the plate down on his desk. Mason watched her closely, studying her movements as she moved. She wasn't hypnotized, she moved too fluidly to be an animontric, and definitely not under a spell as her eyes would be glowing. No, she did this of her free will, and Mason really didn't know how to respond to it. "...why?"

She turned to him, her eyes soft as she saw the first emotion she had witnessed from the boy.

Velvet approached him and set her hand on the boy's shoulder, letting him feel a gently connection from her. "Why not?", she spoke before letting him go and leaving the room, leaving him alone in his thoughts. She was kind, nice to him and his sister even though she had probably heard all the stories about them. But all she could answer with was 'Why not'?

Mason felt a tightness in his chest, it was unpleasant and it made him question things. Looking up, he saw the cake, he saw the reason why he felt this but he knew it wasn't anger. No, it was different, it was like he got plunged into an icy lake and was soaked to the bone with it. He didn't like it, he didn't want it there, how can he get rid of it?!

"I need sleep", he jumped at his voice, it sounding so jumbled in his ears, "I just need to eat the slice and sleep today off. I'll feel better then."

And so he did, trying to bury that cold feeling in his chest that tightened with every thought of his past deeds.