Chapter Text
Months passed and all the while Ford and Fiddleford kept messaging each other, talking about all the things they'd seen or discovered. It was almost exactly like it was before they started a relationship again, and Ford was grateful for that.
The only difference really was the small pet names that would sneak into their conversations. While for Ford flirting and trying to be romantic usually ended up so awkward it was hazardous, Fiddleford's compliments and sweet words mixed effortlessly into their scientific discussion and idle conversation. In fact, often Ford wouldn't even notice them at all if it weren't for Stan's sudden snickering or teasing afterwards.
And much like tonight Ford would glare at his brother till he stopped laughing about Ford being called "Sweet Potata'" and went to another part of the ship, or at least pretended he couldn't hear them.
Fiddleford was still blushing slightly when he continued. "So, err, how far are you fellas from shore now?"
"Roughly a week and a half! Then we just need to dock in Iceland, hop on a plane back to the States, from there hop on a bus and then we'll be back in Gravity Falls!"
"Golly!" He chuckled a little, his hand subconsciously going to stroke his trimmed beard. "These are gonna be the longest weeks then! I really can't wait to see you and your brother again, and of course Dipper and Mabel too!"
"Yeah, I can't believe their parents still trust us enough to take care of them for another summer. And... You don't mind me, Stan and the kids staying with you?"
"Of course not! Have you seen this place, it's so big and empty it'd be a sin not to let you and your nibblings stay here. I reckon there's rooms and whole wings I haven't even stepped into yet! A place like this can use all the guests it can get!"
Stanford smiled, "Well that's good to hear! I know Soos had offered us to stay in the Shack but he's already got a full house with his grandmother, some of his relatives and if I heard correctly, his girlfriend?"
"Yessiree, I met her a while back! Real sweet girl, she and Soos make a great team running the Mystery Shack and all!"
"I'll have to meet her in person then! Has the town changed much? It feels like I've been gone for so long..."
"Naw, these parts have stayed pretty much the same. A few mishaps with ghosts here or there but besides that, Gravity Falls has gone back to its normal, quiet self."
"Normal?" Ford said almost scoffing at the notion.
Fiddleford nodded, smirking back. "At least the parts involving humans. Those woods you love are the weird, wild mess they've always been... But you fellas have been gone for an awfully long time, about a year now?"
"Yes, just a little under a year since we left late august."
"I know I've certainly missed you. You think you can whip up a new engine to get your ship back to land any faster?" He asked teasingly.
Ford laughed lightly at that, "We're going the fastest we can, Fiddleford. And don't worry, I'll be at your doorstep before you know it!"
"Heh, you promise?"
"I promise, Fiddleford!"
~~~
A few days before Ford and Stan were set to return to town, a mysterious bouquet of yellow flowers were delivered to Fiddleford's doorstep.
"Sweet sarsaparilla, Stanford Pines!" Fiddleford breathed, sighing at the nice airy aroma. When Fiddleford read the card it was a mix of jumbled codes. Ford's specialty.
Zh'oo eh edfn lq mxvw d ihz pruh gdbv! L'yh plvvhg brx vr pxfk. L fdq'w zdlw wr vhh brx djdlq lq shuvrq, Ilggohirug!
Brxu vzhhw khduw, VI. S.~
Later that evening, when Fiddleford asked Ford about the bouquet and note, Ford denied having sent him anything of the sort. But the whole time he was smirking and blushing so much that Fiddleford just rolled his eyes at the other.
"Stanford Pines, you may think you're some kind of mastermind but you're a terrible liar."
Ford just kept smiling. "I... I have no idea what you're talking about!"
The flowers themselves ended up in a crystal vase on top of a grand piano in the ballroom, set up on display for all to see.
~~~
After going through the nightmare that was airport security, Stanley and Stanford were finally on their plane heading back to the U.S. Even having done weeks worth of paper work, some more forged then others, their passports and faces were met with lots of scrutiny and were often faced with extended security checks that didn't feel as randomly selected as they were said to be. However they had expected so much. After all, one of them had been banned from ever stepping foot on a plane while the other was technically still considered deceased.
But luckily they were somehow made it through the endless lines of interrogating security guards and invasive scanners and found themselves on their plane what felt like hours later.
It was going to be a long trip so Stan and Ford had been settling down, ready to sleep through most of the trip when one of the flight attendants came up to them shortly after lift off.
"Excuse me," the gentleman asked kindly. "Which one of you is Stanford Pines?"
Stanley almost answered on impulse but Ford quickly sent an elbow to his side. "Yes, I'm Stanford. Is there some sort of problem?"
The attendant shook his head. "No, no. I actually had a special delivery for you, it had been requested for these to be given to you before take-off but you were with security at the time." The attendant handed Stanford a small stack of magazines, as Ford glanced at them he recognized several elite scientific journals as well as a few cryptology magazines mixed in. Just as Stanford went to put the stack away the attendant also handed him a single red rose decorated with a golden ribbon and card. "From, and I quote. 'A Mystery Admirer'."
"Wow." Said Stan sarcastically. "Wonder who it's from, could be anyone."
"Oh and they also ordered some magazines for a Stanley Pines as well. That would be you, right?" The attendant added, handing Stan a rather wide variety of Magazines ranging from 'Gold Chains for Old Men' to 'The Seafarers Collection', and there were several papers on Psychology as well from what Ford could see.
"Aw man! Don't I get a rose too?" Stan asked teasingly while Ford groaned.
"No, sorry there was only one rose delivered. Hope you two enjoy your flight!"
As the flight attendant left to go help a family near the front. Stanford looked over the card. Of course it had been put in code too.
Khb wkhuh Gduolqj! Wkdqnv iru wkh iorzhuv! L nqrz lw zdv brx, brx vfrxqguho! Krsh wkhvh mrxuqdov dqg pdjdclqhv khos nhhs brx dqg brxu eurwkhu exvb iru wkdw orqj ioljkw edfn khuh wr wkh XV ri D. Brx vwdb vdih dqg wdnh fduh!
Oryh brx vzhhw khduw! I.P.
"So, is your nerd trying to one you up or something?" Stan asked, already flipping through one of his magazines on sailing.
"Something like that." Stanford replied, settling back down and rubbing his thumb over the rose's petals. Yep. This was going to feel like a very long flight.
~~~
Finally the moment came. After weeks of waiting and waiting, Stanford and Stanley Pines stepped back into Gravity Falls. Soos, Melody, as well as many people from town were there to welcome them back.
While politely greeting people, Ford kept his eyes out for the familiar sight of his boyfriend. At first he couldn't see him. But then near the tail-end of the crowd he saw Fiddleford. Leaning on a cane, wearing his practically signature green-lenses glasses, with a raccoon trailing behind him and grinning from ear to ear.
And before Ford could even think of stopping himself, he was running past the crowds to Fiddleford, almost picking the other up and hugging him close.
"Welcome home Ford!" Fiddleford said laughing, stretching up and pecking him on the cheek.
Ford smiled back, leaning further in and kissing Fiddleford lightly on the lips.