Stanford X You - Tumblr Posts

Imagine Dipper and Mabel wanting to take you out trick or treating, problem is that you don't have a costume. You don't want to disappoint the twins, so you decide to fashion one on extremely short notice.

You had closet cosplayed characters before thanks to your extensive wardrobe, unfortunately right now– there wasn't really a combination that seemed to fit any trendy icon at the moment.

At least when you thought about it globally. In the small town of Gravity Falls Oregon...

The red turtleneck peeking from the corner of your closet seemed to beckon you, tempting with an offer to be worn. Only after pulling it out did the realization properly hit on who you could dress as. You just hoped that it was obvious enough.

Imagine the expression on Ford when he sees you in his signature wear; glasses, coat and all to complete the ensemble. Was your hair gelled?? He was dressed as a wizard, but you were dressed as him? The scientist was a cross between flattered and embarrassed by your brazen behavior.

Mabel seemed to think your choice of cosplay was cute, Dipper figured it was an intuitive choice on short notice, only Stanley seemed to think it was one hell of a comedy show.

Despite the fact he and his brother mostly hung back while you joined Dipper and Mabel collecting candy all over town— Stanford couldn't fight the intrusive curiosity to how you'd look in his clothes. Sure, right now you were dressed as him; but what if you were wearing the real deal?

Was that even an appropriate thought?

His twin didn't stop the mischievously relentless teasing through the whole night. You and Ford were already extremely close, neither of you just made anything official.

Stan even wondered if you guys ever kissed, he knew you both hugged each other often enough— but he wouldn't be surprised if the answer is no. His brother was everything but forward when it came to romance.

The nail in the coffin seemed to be when a cryptid of sorts came after you in the middle of your candy spree with Dipper and Mabel thinking that you were Stanford. Nothing in this family was the epitome of normal, this included.

Sure, the older pair of twins saved all three of you from the Halloween chaos in time— but you couldn't help but find the whole situation hilarious all the same.

Ford was especially clingy when you all got back to the shack, cuddling you on the couch while everyone binged movies and drowned in sweets. You didn't question it, instead falling asleep in his arms in the late of night surrounded by your favorite people.

The author gave you one of his sweaters after that night, you were too busy finding it adorable to question it.

Another collectible for cosplay in your closet you supposed, but one you were more than happy to have.

Wrote a teensy Ford x Reader fic since I've got a much longer one in the works and this idea has been plaguing my mind for a while, hope you guys enjoy!

Crush

(Stanford Pines x Reader)

Stanford Pines meets you one fateful day at the local library and you both hit it off, the rest of the Pines family notices the author’s shift in his behaviours before he even realises anything about his own feelings towards you. It only hits him at some point during a random walk in the forest with you, slow at first but then all at once.

Aka: After meeting enough times, Ford realises he has somehow developed a crush on you and chaos ensues.

Inspired by drabbles I've read from @multi-fandom-imagine, here's an AU I've made with what if Ford had a family. Ford has triplets and yes they are honeymoon babies, I've yet to flesh out the rest of the timeline but a lot of the dates are from @fordtato's theory and posts.

Chances are I'll make xReader drabbles in tandem with this because Ford is a funni man and I am very hooked on him rn, so please give me ideas/situations in my inbox yall THANKS!

I can and will expound on these losers(/pos) if you guys want more, hell I want to get back into RPing too so that'll be fun. But yeah! In the meantime, have Aeschylus, Alexander and Athena!

A little imagine that I've got with Ford and his s/o in this universe is that his s/o is at BMU just like him because of financial struggles but is a similar strain of genius. I can see them having biology classes together since I'd kinda like his s/o to have taken mycology(study of mushrooms and fungi).

Imagine just walking to class with him every now and then, or being lab partners that get everything done before the rest of the class even gets half-way through.

Imagine playfully giving him kisses when he scores higher than you and then taunting him to do the same when you do, it's your "prize" as much as it is his.

Imagine dragging his ass to actually sleep for once and if he's too stubborn you sit in his lap until he yields.

Imagine as a graduation gift as you're walking back towards the dorms, he gets on one knee and actually proposes. He was supposed to do it on stage but chickened out.

Okay yeah that's a couple blurbs from me I should make a whole ass fic for those- aiiiight- XD

Imagine being Ford's lovely wife and mother to triplets, they take after him in so many ways and you couldn't be happier.

Poindexter named the trio, you were too out of it to really have done much and he didn't want to disturb you. Personally you couldn't help but think your husband went too brainiac on even this— but the kids had relatively normal names so you were okay with it.

Aeschylus Maximillian (Lastname)–Pines

Alexander Euler (Lastname)–Pines

Athena Faraday (Lastname)–Pines

Dude really had to name them after scientists or rulers huh-

Especially the eldest of the trio, he takes after the researcher in so many ways it's almost like your husband suddenly spawned a mini-me.

For the first couple months, Sixer constantly had one of his toddlers either in an arm or in direct vicinity when he could. He couldn't stop himself from wanting to be around them in some capacity, always wondering and always worrying if they were okay.

It took a couple months for the both of you to figure out a system that divided his time aptly and everything was well.

Given that Stanford was always so busy with his research and work, the triplets could only really spend their nights with him. Even if he was busy, the pictures and memories formed on those nights with your workaholic lover was more than enough for the time being.

Imagine Stanford's expression when the triplets each say: "Dada" as their first word. This man would break down in sobs, he could take that day off and spoil them.

He's also totally not crying over the fact that his little tykes are also somewhat growing up in just the teensiest manner.

Everything seemed to be going so well, so smoothly, when all out of the blue your husband seemed to grow distracted. The distance wasn't apparent at first, only getting worse and worse when he eventually never had time to spend with the triplets because of a project.

"Ma...? Where's Dada?"

The crippling feeling of being unable to explain such a loaded question, instead just tossing back a sad: "He's busy working." And noticing the similarly dejected response from your kid.

Imagine how different it eventually is when only you end up waking on the bed meant for two. Rarely would you find Ford even in your shared room anymore, having made himself home down in his lab.

You didn't know when or what caused him to work like tomorrow didn't exist, Ford never had this insane of a drive to research before. It concerned you all the more that he didn't seem to tell you anything.

It was like both of you weren't even married when he brushed past you with another cup of coffee in his hands before disappearing into the lab again.

Eventually it all imploded, you couldn't take it anymore. You confronted Ford down in his lab and you both had what was likely the worst fight you both ever had in your years, that was when he finally came clean about his project.

Not to mention about his 'muse' to add to it.

You couldn't understand why he even vaguely thought being in cahoots with what for all you knew was some kind of demon was a good idea.

You had an extremely bad feeling about all this.

Imagine Ford with baby fever, he isn't really hit with it at the start as you had both just moved to gravity falls at the time. Despite being engaged fresh out of university, he told himself he was going to take his time with you. The both of you were young and ambitious, you both had plenty of time left.

Compared to him, you were pretty touchy and cuddly since coming to gravity falls. Ford supposed it had a lot to do with the engagement, which you were both still running a high from. It was difficult for him to completely focus on his research when you would randomly butt into his mind, his journals would have drawings or entries on you scattered about and you found that adorable.

You were more excited than him to plan your wedding, but Ford was the one more obsessed over it happening at all. He didn't think he would get to this point, much less with someone to have and hold; cherish through joy and sorrow for the rest of his days.

During one of your little expeditions through the forest(you were collecting fungal specimens to study while your lover was doing who knows what-) you both stumbled across a little kid crying in a clearing. The toddler was most likely only a couple years old and wailing for their parents.

Predictably, your fiancé stood there scratching the back of his neck awkwardly not entirely knowing what to do. Even if he was an older brother, it was only by a short while to a twin. So you figured it made sense that he didn't know what he was doing. Even so, Stanford rarely talked about his brother happily- more like somber or spiteful so you rarely brought it up when talking about relatives.

You weren't so fond of your family yourself, born to a house of multiples on multiples of children- your father's plan was to simply marry you off to someone old and wealthy to leech off that. You already knew how that ended up with your sisters and didn't want to fall into the same situation.

So you studied your ass off, but because your old man didn't want to support you through university- you ended up grasping at straws but at Backupsmore where you met the man who promised you forever. Somehow you felt like it was likely a better outcome than even if things went as planned.

Sure, he was kind of an asshole at the start as your academic rival- but you both learned to get along after a while. Acquaintances became friends and that friendship bloomed into romance, the rest is history.

Imagine the adoring look in Ford's eyes when you managed to gently comfort the child and calm them down. Apparently they had wandered too far from a nearby campsite and got lost, it didn't take long for the both of you to return the toddler to their parents and you ended up with a marigold in your hair as thanks.

It was that moment seeing you with the kid in your arms that Stanford's thoughts suddenly crashed to the side with a loud and adamant needwish to have a family with you. Which just as immediately both flustered and terrified him, most of the developments in your relationship with him happen this way. It's kind of as if this man is hilariously allergic to anything new.

Since that day he started being equally as clingy with you. From hugging you from behind as you cooked the both of you breakfast to practically developing a sixth sense to when you pull away from him in your shared bed. Having a living space heater for a partner was great in the cold months, but during the warmer months you sometimes wanted to kick Stanford out of the bed since you were baking from his warmth.

Sometimes he would catch you staring at some baby items when you both went to the store and that just worsened his already crippling yearning. Unintentionally he ended up making more rooms in the cabin than needed, you were surprised by the amount of space, not to mention you and Ford weren't exactly sure at the time what to use the rooms for. Partially you wondered how Ford was able to build the shack in such a way that the inside seemed much larger than the outside.

He went into a full blown infodump about a time-space anomaly on the land that he kind of abused Dr. Who style to actually make the inside of the house bigger than it actually is.

The touchiness festered and grew over the couple months towards the date of your planned wedding to make things official. It wasn't to say that you both haven't ever had sex, but there was something different about the hunger and electric desire that crackled between the both of you building up to that day.

The couple times you joked about having kids with your fiancé had him stuck between looking worried and turned on. Good thing you were both at home since you didn't exactly know what to make of it before he kissed the daylights out of you.

The wedding was small and quaint, neither of you had ever been one to flamboyantly show off anyway so it was just a ceremony to finalize things, you both opted to just remain in gravity falls for your honeymoon as well since it was just more convenient.

It was mostly friends who came to celebrate, the two of you opting not to invite your families given the less than savory situations you had with them. It really was the best day of your lives, you also had the photographer to thank for capturing the memories so well.

Stanford couldn't even keep his hands off you during the party, always having a hand on the small of your back or around your waist. Likewise, you couldn't stop leaning on him or hanging off his arm. Even during Fiddleford's best man speech, you'd met the man back in BMU and to say he and your fiancé/now husband got along like peas in a pod was an understatement.

You were barely listening to whatever was said though, far too entranced in the man who you were married to as he laughed or grew bashful of the things said about him. Stanford almost jumped out of his skin when he saw the intensity of the desire in your eyes, a flame to light fireworks and you were both sure come midnight explosions were sure to set off.

It didn't come as a surprise to anyone that after a couple weeks you were sick as a dog, puking and getting random bouts of dizziness that had Stanford in a panic since he couldn't pinpoint why. A quick trip to the hospital later and then came the news, you weren't poisoned, injured or dying, you were just pregnant!

Ford immediately fainted upon hearing those words, you still have no idea if it was the overwhelming shock or the joy.

I made askblogs for my AU triplets to RP with people! Go bother them if you want lore or are just bored and want to mess with them HAHAHAHA

So far here's Max: @aeschylusmaximillianpines (I'll add the others after I'm done fixing their blogs!)

I just realized that two of the three triplets use Latin phrases as a sign-off like daddy dearest except for one who just doesn't even bother LOL

Like, Aeschylus carries a journal around with him to jot down notes about his day to day. More like a diary than something for research but it's spliced in there, he signs off with "Vincit qui patitur" which directly translates to: "He who suffers, conquers" which is just another way to say: "He who perseveres is victorious". Literally copied his old man with another flavor of: "Through hardships to the stars" LMFAO

Athena always signs off her prose or writing with her alias, but when she writes academic papers or letters, she signs it with: "Audaces fortuna juvat" otherwise known as "Fortune favors the bold/brave". She's a risk taker unlike Aeschylus so it makes sense that she uses this phrase. It's still funny to me that she even signs off with a Latin phrase to begin with but we ball LOL

Meanwhile Alex doesn't even use sign-offs thinking it's too old fashioned or geeky. He just uses the ordinary letter sign-offs compared to the fancy things his siblings pull.

Of a similar vein, imagine somebody asking you and Ford who your favorite kid is. The answer should be really straightforward right? That they're all your favorites?

Yeah, and that is true for you since you love the triplets all the same. Ford's system for it however is so convoluted it's actually hilarious how saying that all of them are his favorite is true by sheer technicality.

If Aeschylus doesn't randomly bring home some random thing or creature he found in the forest- automatic favorite.

If Alex doesn't come back tracking mud in the cabin after a long day of play- now he's the favorite.

If Athena doesn't burn down the kitchen trying to create something edible- then she's the favorite.

If Aeschylus doesn't return home with any injuries whatsoever, he's once again the favorite-

Then if Alex returns without any random thing or treat he swiped since he has sticky fingers- he's the favorite again!

Pile on Athena not trying to take apart any of her toys? Back to her!

And it switches and switches and switches so often that they all really are his favorites.

You couldn't help but sit down and laugh when he explained everything to you in such great detail one night that you legitimately wondered how long he thought it over for. Stanford couldn't help but pout when you just kept giggling after he explained, he just wanted to make sure the triplets were loved equally and for who they were.

It wasn't a privilege he was granted as a kid after all, as much as he hates that fact.

You both spent that night watching movies and talking about the triplets, thankfully those three were already asleep in their beds at this point and time too.

Now... to figure out how to put your husband in the same restful state as them. Sometimes you don't know which is more difficult between them all to enforce bedtime, Stanford or the kids.

Ford simply rolled his eyes at you when he noticed you giggling again, what could you possibly have found funny now???

I know it's probably shitpost but imagine Ford and his triplets dressing as the different Doctors from Doctor Who- like- it would be so fucking cute- and yes all of them are actually Doctors, they all have PhDs. Literally just imagine them binging the Dr. Who series, somebody's gonna call out some science shit and another is gonna go full theorist like the paranormal and cryptic hunters they all are.

Seriously just imagine seeing Ford one day not wearing a turtleneck, instead sporting a dress shirt(still high-collar no shaz) and a vest, not to mention he's wearing the black trench coat that he came out of the portal with. Man looks like he's about to go to a party in the 20s so you had to stop him and ask why.

"Hun, what are you doing?"

"I'm just passing through-"

Stanford wanted to laugh because of how cutely the confusion rested on your face. Granted, you probably wouldn't have realized who he was dressing up as since his wardrobe wasn't too distinctly different from the character he was referencing.

"Ford? Darling? Are you okay?"

"Nooo- I'm inside a Dalek!"

That reference hit you immediately and Ford couldn't help but start laughing at your befuddled expression. You just shook your head at the man amused as he leaned against the wall in a fit of giggles like the adorable nerd he is. Married to geekazoid with six fingers but hell yeah he was cute. It was an initial worry that your husband wouldn't properly assimilate into how earth is now, but it seems like he's taken well to bits and bobs of media.

Especially Doctor Who.

You wondered which of the kids decided it would be a great idea to introduce the show to him. Dipper was likely, but so were the chaotic triplets.

"Alright, so which Doctor are you supposed to be?"

"The twelfth! I found his character quite interesting and humorous, as well as oddly relatable compared to the other reincarnations."

You couldn't say that wasn't expected, but you definitely didn't predict what was gonna happen next. Not when your eldest son was frozen in the doorway sporting suspenders and a bowtie. Seems like it you found the culprit and it wasn't just your anomaly loving partner dressing up today.

"So... I guess the both of you are going to go cryptid hunting like this?"

"You say that as if it's a bad thing, but honestly ma– it's the best thing there is!"

You shook your head again as the two men laughed. As if that was the end of that chaos, soon after your other two children made an appearance.

"Alexander Euler Pines are you wearing a suit??"

"I mean, what else would I be wearing ma?"

You elbowed Ford when he started snickering, who really was the one who orchestrated all this? Seriously?? Not to mention- you weren't invited! How rude!

"Okay- so who are you supposed to be?"

"Well, that's the question isn't it?"

You facepalmed, causing the three men to just erupt once again in laughter. You looked over at your only daughter and she finally gestured to the other three and explained.

"10, 11, 12, and I'm 13."

"Huh, that explains the printed tee and white coat. Anything else I should know about?"

It was finally your turn to laugh when the lot of them suddenly whipped out the iconic screwdrivers, each of them buzzing with a high-pitched whir. Somehow you felt like it was safe to assume that they actually did have some functionality and it would be safer not to ask.

A family of doctors! Thank goodness nobody owned a TARDIS!

All of them did plan on going hunting like that though, something like a funny little family excursion. Ford offered that you join them but you figured it would be a great time as any for him to reconnect with the three so you declined.

"Stay safe you rascals!"

"We will!"

You smiled at them and waved before Stanford kissed the top of your head prior to exiting the shack to follow his triplets. As if today hadn't already been full of surprises.

"We'll be back in time for dinner, love you!"

And like that he was out the door. You couldn't help the warmth that bloomed in your chest watching the four of them scurry off into the forest to cause who knows what kind of chaos. You didn't mind or worry however, you knew that they'd all be fine.

Genius and oddity are apparently hereditary- and in this family, being ordinary is overrated/j

A slow day with the triplets, I would think that this happens post-weirdmaggedon after all the family drama is (mostly)resorted. No that isn't Ford in the left-hand corner that is Alexander, he just looks like a young ford by default LMAO. I'm testing out different appearances for all three of them to showcase their different temperaments and personalities. I'll be changing Alex's hair at some point in the timeline post-weirdmaggedon since he'd be more interested in his appearance if he's going to fully dedicate himself to business/entrepreneurship.

I also feel like Ford would've found them like this at some point and either got roped into journaling with Alex or playing video games with Athena. Just a lazy day and he's reconnecting with his kids after being away from them for 30 years.

Another point that I think I haven't mentioned enough is how Ford and Reader's relationship is with these three at this point in time. With daddy dearest it's definitely strained, but with mother darling I can't say it's any different.

The reason why Stanford will struggle is self-explanatory, but the reason why there's a struggle with even Reader is because they shift from pretty okay to overprotective helicopter as the kids get older. It's not surprising given the danger of Bill and then the grief of losing Ford that they haven't really processed. But yeah, Reader is pretty overbearing on the kiddos which is why they were so eager to transfer out when they got to university.

These three are close because they know they can only rely on each other, even when they split to go to different universities they still had each other's backs. Unlike the falling out between Stan and Ford, they all act like different people and end up treated as such. Most of their acquaintances don't even know they have siblings, much less are part of a triplet since they rarely talk about them to other people.

Sixer and Reader making amends is going to be a lot of separation anxiety among tears and everything else. I feel like Reader would make him promise to put his family above all else after getting him back and Ford would swear his life on that, especially knowing how much he's lost in the 30 years he was gone.

Stan and Ford having been exposed to the triplets in some capacity I think would also affect how they deal with Dipper and Mabel, Stan not being as reckless and Ford being more accommodating. Granted they're both still very much chaotic and the triplets as Uncles and an Aunt don't fall that far from the family tree- but Dipper and Mabel are still key players into how the family makes amends.

I also think Mabel would be the type to be like- GASP "GRUNKLE STAN NOW WE NEED TO GET YOU A WIFE!" While you and Ford cackle up a storm. Stan is already content being the chaotic uncle that constantly spoils the kids, you and Ford have to play responsible and get him to stop.

Man knows he's a bad influence and dngaf LOLOLOL.

You also reach out to Fiddleford now that he's regained his sanity and mind, so I think everything does eventually come full circle when it comes down to it.

Either way, send requests about art or writing in my inbox guys! Feeling pretty bored so why not XD (Might finish this sketchy with color at some point too so I'll have a proper picture of the trio together)

Oh dear god what have I done, this is hilarious to watch- time to start drawing Fordsy since it seems like it's a resounding yes LMFAO

If you're wondering why I'm asking, it's because I need to decide how I'll handle his expressions in the drawing and his mannerisms in the fic. There's a LOT of differences guys JUST SAYIN.

Watch this man be a flirty sunofabitch in my AU PLS HE KNOWS HE'S HOT SHIT-

Do I dare draw the strip challenge with Ford- I can do it- just do I? HAHAHAHAH OH WOW THIS COFFEE IS GETTING TO ME-

If this gets an overwhelming about of spread and reaction I'll even write a fic drabble to go with it at every step cuz why not? Reblog, Comment, Like, or just @ me like crazy if you wanna see it.

YALL PLS WAHAHAHAHA PICK ONE- we're definitely going down swinging at this point LMFAOOOOO-

For context, this is me asking which Ford do I draw and write for the strip challenge, poll is in my blog's pinned message go vote if you want to LOL

Linkie here too

A fic that has to do with this post I'd made cuz I'm scraping the walls for more FordxReader content. Anyhow- here's the prologue of my fic, DO NOT TAG THIS AS STANCEST. I REPEAT. DO. NOT. TAG. THIS. AS. STANCEST.

I (Learned To) Love You [Stanford Pines x Reader]

Notes: The Stan twins will act slightly different from canon mostly because I’d rather the narrative run smoother and having Ford be arrogant to the detriment of himself or for Stan to be too nonchalant wouldn’t exactly bode well for the idea I’m trying to run with here so you’ll probably notice that shift where one becomes more mindful and the other becomes more selfless. Just a little, I’m kinda basing this off how I’d normally handle conflicts with my brother too; having a sibling really helps when writing sibling dynamics.

Chapter 1: Prologue

Ford is offered a chance to get into West Coast Tech, Stanley reveals a secret and the Pines Twins have a heart to heart.

As the final chime of the school bell rang for the day, students poured out of the classrooms. The halls and lockers buzzing to life amongst the sea of seniors excited for nothing more than to get out and get home. The building felt like a prison to most of those inside it, a monotonous cycle of suffering and redundancy for a relatively poor attempt at standardisation in the name of education. 

Ford rolled his eyes when he passed by one of his peers complaining about a test on his way to his locker. The test in question wasn’t even difficult, by chance you would score something since it was multiple choice! The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead with a signature annoying hum, on designated study breaks Stanford found the low sound the most irritatingly distracting thing to exist. Alas, it was apparently out of the institution’s budget to even get newer functioning light bulbs; not surprising for a public high school.

Hastily, Stanford navigated through the sea of students that crowded out into the halls, his leather shoes clicking against the yellowing tile with every step; even if it was simply drowned out by the noisy chatter of the other students around him. Who even knew the last time these floors were properly cleaned? He dodged a wet floor sign that had been there since last week, a stain had already formed from the puddle that was in the space. It was just his luck that his locker was far enough away that he didn’t need to be near the mouldy sign or disgusting water.

He seriously couldn’t wait to get out of here.

Assignments were no issue, everything his classmates would have to cram tonight he’d completed weeks before. He fiddled with the aluminium combination lock that kept his belongings secure, it wasn’t the sturdiest thing– but it did the job. The metal casing was cool against his palms, every scratch and dent all so prevalent after years of use. When did he start using it… early elementary? It was a surprise it hadn’t given out on him at this point. Ford deftly unlocked it, the catch springing free as he unhooked and pocketed the little thing in the meantime to access the inside of his locker.

Hell week most students called it, a nightmare of nightmares with projects and tests back to back. Stanford saw no difference in the payload, having managed his time and tasks well enough that this week was like no other school week. Perhaps he was just the odd one again, shoving his books into the old locker became an autopilot routine. Being as studious as he is, Stanford rarely had to bring any homework home as he’d have finished it in school; the only exception to that being projects of any kind.

Speaking of projects, the events of earlier today rang clear in his mind like a record on replay.

“Pines twins to the principal’s office. Pines twins to the principal’s office.”

West Coast Institute of Technology… that’s some offer. He didn’t think his project was that incredible to have gotten noticed, but his father did always say he was special. Even if it did irk him in the moment that all that caught the attention of the old geezer was the mention of a possibility at becoming a millionaire. Alongside the excitement from that news also came the anxiety as well, the school seemed like a dream– cutting edge programs, multidimensional paradigm theory, it was the works and then some! Yet, the royal blue brochure sat sandwiched in the pages of his personal common book like a forbidden weight.

This had to be too good to be true, not to mention… What about his promise to Stanley? What about their plans? Sure, he was greedy enough to want his cake and eat it too– but Ford knew in this situation… there was no twisting it for that middle ground. His hand unconsciously tightened around the shoulder strap of his black satchel. 

What now? Did he really have to pick one over the other?

Ford shook his head and glanced out a nearby window. It was still bright out, maybe he could stop by the beach and clear his head before going home. It should do him some good. Home was a place he’d rather be in less and less should there be any opportunities to get out. Maybe he could invite Stanley if his twin wasn’t drowning in whatever projects or essays like the rest of them. Speaking of, where was the guy?

“Hahaha! Hey Sixer! Whatcha thinkin about?”

“AH-”

Stanley almost ended up with a metal door to the face because of that surprise attack, fortunately he managed to dodge just in time. Ford looked at him with wide eyes, a silent question amidst the shock from his brother sneaking up on him. Not that his twin was even remotely phased, he simply returned the confusion with a nonchalant shrug. 

“Hey, I asked a question first. Besides, what’s got you in knots this time? If ya can’t tell, the day’s over Poindexter.”

Ford rolled his eyes before slamming his locker shut, quickly returning the little aluminium bolt then jumbling up the combination. In retrospect, it did little to safeguard his belongings when it came to those that had similar skills to his brother– but it was a deterrent and still gave him some peace of mind whenever it was sitting there on that rusty metal loop to keep the door shut.

“Nothing too important. Anyway- uh, do you want to head down to the beach before home? We’ve still got time.”

Stanley gave him a million dollar grin in response, it was contagious enough that Stanford soon felt the edges of his lips tilting up instinctively to smile back. He rarely had a smile on his face unlike his socially extroverted twin. There were multiple reasons why most didn’t mistake them for each other despite sharing an identical face. Their starkly different behaviours was one of them.

“Sure! Anything beats being cooped up in the pawnshop with our old man anyway, just lemme get my backpack.”

“Alright, I’ll wait outside for you. It’s far too stuffy in here.”

“Says the one wearing a damn sweater vest!”

Ford rolled his eyes amused when his twin barked out a laugh and disappeared into the sea of their peers, a part of him wondered why their lockers were assigned so far apart but quickly dismissed that train of thought. He didn’t need to think about it, frankly he didn’t need to think about a lot of things, he just did. Irritating yes, but there were situations where the painstaking attention to detail was actually useful. This just wasn’t one of those times.

Shoving his hands into his pockets, Stanford bobbed and weaved through the crowd of young adolescents towards the bright red doors of the exit. The stench of sweaty seniors and the acrid sweetness of somebody’s floral cologne assaulted his nose and caused him to cringe. On one hand, it seems like the football team didn’t know what the hell deodorant was; on the other– were they trying to drown themselves in perfume?! There had to be a threshold of which they could tolerate that fragrance, Ford just wondered how insanely high it had to be for it to burn his olfactory nerves that badly.

Or was he simply sensitive to those kinds of fragrances? He had no clue.

At this point, the brunette grew impatient; a frown worming onto his face as he shoved students out of his way to the door and ignored all the odd looks. Not that people hadn’t already graced him with such an expression before; he had his polydactyly to thank for that. 

Ford couldn’t help the relieved slump in his previously rigid posture when he finally managed to step outside the building, there was really nothing that beats leaving that decrepit concrete facility. No more incessantly buzzing lights, no more tacky painted rooms, and definitely no more flooring that threatened to fall at the seams. 

He looked up at the sky, what was once blue was now painted with magnificently vivid reds and yellows; the sun that accompanied it cast an ethereal golden shine on any of the objects it’s rays were able to strike. It felt like he was in a painting, oddly poetic for a town most people would consider a dump. As a faint breeze tousled his hair, Ford was graced by the vague hints from the salty sea. 

He’d miss this.

Stanford suddenly jolted when a hand slapped his back, quickly whipping around in alarm to see the smiling expression of his twin. His heart felt like it was about to explode against his ribcage, there was no way he was even relatively okay today.

“Woah… Poindexter are you good? You’ve been really jumpy since earlier.”

That question was like a loaded gun with the barrel aimed down on him. As casual as Stan’s tone and body language was– his words indicated otherwise. Stanford took a deep breath and scratched the back of his neck, his panic couldn’t have been that obvious could it?

“I’m fine, ready to go?”

“You betcha, c’mon! We’re wasting daylight!”

Stanford welcomed the slight burn in his lungs and itch in his legs as he ran after his twin, laughing alongside the cheerful Stanley as they ran down the pavement towards the beach where they spent so much time growing up together. He was nowhere near as muscular or fit as his brother was, but that thought barely whisked by in his racing mind. 

“Stan– Hey! H-Hold up!”

“Seriously Sixer? Out of breath already??”

“I’m not as brawny as you! Of course I’m winded!”

Stanley returned a lighthearted laugh, but he did slow down his pace so it was easier on his twin. The crunch of the sand under their shoes and the crash of the waves on the shore painted a cradle of familiarity for the Pines. The two continued to make idle chit-chat as they laughed and walked towards a familiar swing set that might as well be embedded far and deep into their memories like a tattoo. 

A melancholic atmosphere quickly settled over the twins at the sight, a silent but mutual understanding occurring between them about the serious conversation that was already overdue. As they dropped their bags on a nearby rock and sat down on the rickety wooden swings, Stanley stared out at the docked boat they worked so hard to repair. It wasn’t even done but the project seemed like it was inevitably going to be abandoned due to circumstance.

Ford could only awkwardly twiddle his thumbs and stare down at his lap. What could he even say? It’s not like there was really a right answer to his predicament either, he’d have to say goodbye to one or the other. There was no easy way out.

“Look– Ford, I… haven’t exactly been entirely honest to ya.”

That piqued the other’s interest, finally looking up at his twin as his fidgeting also abruptly stopped. Stanley rarely called him by his name, often choosing nicknames of all kinds instead. The man sighed and turned away from the boat to finally look at his brother, as much as he would have loved to say that their childhood dream would still stand true if Ford never got that offer– it wasn’t really the case. Circumstances really didn’t line up for them no matter how you looked at it.

“Even if you didn’t get that offer, I doubt I would’ve really been able to stay either. Dad signed me off to some other family on the west side of the country. Kinda same to where that nerd college will take ya. I’m apparently already engaged to some gal I don’t know and haven’t met. Once we graduate, I’m out of here.”

If it weren’t for the soft crashing of the waves against the sand at low-tide, the silence would’ve been deafening. The tension was already so thick you could cut it with a knife, instead Stanley threw a hammer at it and the whole thing shattered like glass. Broken fragments, withering dreams, it was doomed from the beginning.

Ford was barely comforted by the fact that his twin was pushing him to take that chance for admissions at West Coast Tech, the actions of their father weighed more in the moment right now than whatever potential career or future Stanford was promised.

“When… When did this happen?”

“A couple months ago, I got traded in for some fat stacks. At least now I know I’m at least worth that much to Paw.”

Stanford couldn’t ease the heavy feeling that settled in his gut, as his brother’s attempt at a joke fell flat. There was only one choice for him then. He didn’t know what felt worse. Hands clasping together, the brunette leaned forward and resting his elbows on his knees. Damned if they did, damned if they didn’t.

“And… you’re okay with this?”

“Well, it’s better than nothing. ‘Sides,  I heard the family was rich, I wouldn’t have to lift a finger in my life! Just gotta sit there and keep the wife happy.”

It was a bit unsettling how quickly Stanley seemed to accept the situation, the fact he kept it hidden this well for this long was predictable of the man– but to have fully accepted it just like this hasn’t ever hit harder than it did right here, right now.

“Where are you even going to end up?”

“A town called ‘Gravity Falls’? Apparently it’s in Oregon.”

Well, he’d never heard of that place before. Odd. Ford couldn’t even recall it being mentioned in geography class, much less any map he’s ever looked at. Here he thought he already had a fairly good grasp of locations and the like, apparently not. 

“Hey, don’t give me that look. If you’re that worried I’ll go visit you! Won’t take too long either since we’re both already out west!”

“No– Stan, you’re basically being sold off to some random family in the middle of nowhere! For all you know they could be serial killers or mafia!”

Stanley laughed again, it was starting to get on the other’s nerves how blasé the guy was being in regards to all of this. Seriously, didn’t he care at all? This was something big! They couldn’t be the same after this, not when there would be more obligations among other things that demanded their time.

“You’re thinking too far into it Sixer! I’ll be fine! I’ve already made my peace with it, you should take that chance too. It’s a better shot for your career than whatever they’ve got here.”

“But, you still have so much time left–”

“Stanford.”

Stanley just gave his brother a sorrowful smile, his situation he could make do, the last thing he needed was for his paranoid twin to botch his chances during the unveiling of his project when the recruiters for West Coast Tech arrived out of worry for a situation that neither of them had any power to change. This was as far as he could really go, no use feeling bad over it; better make the most of things instead.

“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about it anymore okay?”

Stanford couldn’t tell in the moment who really was the older twin, crossing his arms in a small huff. So… he was decided with his brother’s blessing; despite the fact it didn’t make any of this easier to swallow. The next time Ford looked at Stanley, the guy had his arms open in an offer for a hug. 

That was an offer the brunette didn’t even hesitate to take, holding onto Stan tightly like he would disappear if he let go. Somehow it felt like that regardless, even if they were definitely both still there and still entirely in the situation.

“We can figure something out after you get that admission letter to nerd college.”

“You’re an idiot.”

“I’m your twin, that also makes you an idiot.”

Finally, Stanford allowed himself a soft chuckle; things were still pretty tense– but when wasn’t anything for an overthinker? At this point, he was thankful he still had time with Stanley even if it was limited and winding down. They had until graduation.

“You done with your introspective thing Sixer? We should probably get home before Ma gets ticked off.”

“Oh shut up.”

With Stanley laughing again, it was just like that and they were back to normal. The two picked up their bags and started making their way back home. Thankfully things started to settle into a sense of how they often are, or at least as much as it could get for the Pines Twins when spontaneity was usually an ingredient in their routines.

Fic is also here on Ao3

Continuation to this post since it'll be a multi-chaptered thing and I love world building, also more Stan Twins because I love them and they're funny. Next chapter will be reader's turn because YUHHHHH-

I (Learned To) Love You [Stanford Pines x Reader]

Chapter 2: Chained Freedom

The Stan twins return home and Ford overhears some devastating news, Stanley comforts him and they both hatch a game plan.

The sky was beginning to darken by the time the twins had both decided to begin the trek home. Slinging the black book bag over his shoulder, Ford watched the reds and yellows of the horizon bleed indigos and blues; the sun barely peeked over the edge of the water now. The sight never failed to amaze, the stars and moon beginning to make an appearance as well in the retreating light and advancing darkness.

It felt oddly poetic this time, like the closing of a chapter and the beginning of a new one. Stanford always did have a fondness for the vast expanse of space and it’s heavenly bodies. There was just so much to find, to learn, and his curiosity never was truly satisfied since young.

“I think I’ll miss this.”

“The sunset or the sea? Hopefully not this whole place because it’s a dump!”

Stanley got a light punch to the shoulder from his brother in amused retaliation, of course there wasn’t truly any bite in the action– he returned it with another laugh. Ford playfully rolled his eyes as he began to walk up the beach in the direction to the pawnshop.

“You know what I meant; and hey–”

Stanford looked behind at his twin who raised an eyebrow at him, it was a good thing they were always close; he could only hope it would stay that way despite the circumstances and despite the eventual distance. For a duo that shared faces, it was a bit hilarious in retrospect how jarringly different they were. 

Yet, they coexisted and thrived like no one else.

“Last one home does the dirty laundry!”

“NO WAY!”

Stanley raced after his sibling as they both booked it down the pavement, cheerful laughter from the two brothers ringing the quiet and empty paths with only the dim hue of the glowing streetlamps to guide them. Stanford already had a head start, not that it helped much when it was against his athletic twin. They bantered and joked during the race home, eventually walking through the door to the pawnshop full of smiles and cheer.

Oh if only it would have lasted.

“First Stanley and now Stanford?! What the hell Filbrick?!”

Came their mother’s shrill cry in the kitchen alongside the clattering of what was possibly random cookware; the noise had sobered up the twins from their merriment immediately. What had they just come back to? 

Sharing a look with his brother, Ford looked up the stairway with trepid hesitation. Going up right now would only interrupt their parents, and by the sounds of it they seemed to be at odds again. It’s happened plenty of times over the course of their childhood, but never to the degree that things were being thrown around. It was always just yelling unless they were involved.

Recalling those moments of ‘discipline’ still sent shivers down his spine.

“I needed a guarantee! The boy has promise but I just couldn’t refuse this offer!”

“So you sold him off?! First Stanley and now him! I can’t believe you!”

Stanford couldn’t believe what he was hearing, his stomach dropped to the floor in an instant. His palms grew clammy, clutching the strap of his book bag, the dread was overpowering. It was getting harder to breathe, his lungs burning and not from the exertion earlier; it was like someone up and sat on his chest. Had his father really done this…? What about his dreams? His education? His career? 

It was like in the dean’s office all over again.

Stanley just pulled his brother into a tight hug, attempting to mumble comforting words to snap Ford out of it. Any assurances would be empty at this point in time, he flinched when the loud clattering or pots and pans rang out once more. He’d long since accepted his situation, but for it to happen to Ford? It didn’t make sense.

“It’s just a marriage, besides– we’re lucky that someone actually wants Ford as a husband! Have you seen him?!”

Stanley just tuned his parents out at this point, guiding his brother to sit outside the shop with him so they didn’t have to listen anymore to the screaming and the cursing. As special as his twin was in their father’s eyes, he was still considered a freak because of his hands. It wasn’t ever something Stan could wrap his head around, it didn’t make Ford any less capable or incredible. 

Still, people always had to criticise something.

“Why…? I thought I was good enough…”

“You are Sixer! Don’t even–”

“AND STILL THIS HAPPENED!”

Stanford couldn’t help the panic and the frustration that exploded out of him at that moment, digging his hands into his hair in an attempt to ground himself from the rapid pace he was spiralling. It was hard to focus on any singular thing when everything seemed to crumble and disintegrate right in front of him until nothing was left.

Stanley couldn’t help the pity that swelled in his chest for his brother, saying nothing and only giving the other a tight hug. Graduation was rolling around and time was running out. They really couldn’t catch a break now could they? Not today, not tomorrow, not ever? Was that even possible?

Right now, they really needed a distraction.

“Let’s get outta here. I’m sure Ma won’t mind if we’re a little late to dinner today.”

Ford just let his brother drag him around at that point, his thoughts nothing short of a jumbled mess that he couldn’t make heads or tails of. Everything he’d hoped, dreamed of, worked for, practically gone; just like that. 

His hands balled into fists, sorrow bled into frustration– to anger, his life hadn’t even started and his wings were already clipped. Even if he did get farther from here, there was no telling how much distance that would even be. Chances are… not that much. All because of a girl he’d never met, to a family who gave his greedy old man a fat check.

Someone who effectively ruined his life without even being in it!

The loud chime of a pinball machine snapped Ford out of whatever destructive and resentful trainwreck his thoughts were heading towards, hastily looking around himself to find that he was in an arcade. The bright lights and equally obnoxious noises were irritating but distracting, better than nothing the young adolescent supposed.

It didn’t take too long for him to find Stanley by the pinball machines equally frustrated but not for the same reasons. Ford crossed his arms with a blank expression as he watched his brother curse at the machine for who knows what reason, it wasn’t a game that was particularly interesting to him; especially given how much of it was based on chance and not skill.

“What? I was this close to getting the high score!”

“Would you mind explaining why we’re randomly here?”

“Here or home, pick your poison Sixer.”

Stanford didn’t have a retort to that and chose to ignore his twin’s sarcastic tone, both of them were clearly on edge and irate; even if it wasn’t directly at each other. He silently moved to stand next to the machine and actually observe what was going on inside it as his brother put another quarter in to play the game.

The flashing lights were no short of obnoxious as they lit up and flashed at random moments. Ford cringed as another bumper danced in neon hues, at this point the game might as well come with a warning for epilepsy. Stanley didn’t seem to mind however, happily cheering every now and again when the metal pinball would repeatedly raise his score by bumping into more of the obstacles set for it. 

What kind of mind-numbing nonsense was this?

“Stop glaring at the machine, would ya? You’re going to kill my lucky streak!”

Stan narrowed his eyes at his brother when he made an incoherent but disgruntled noise, seriously? Couldn’t he lighten up for even a little while? It would do both of them some degree of good if he just stopped being a hardass when anything pissed him off.

“Look, nothing’s happened yet so could you stop acting like it’s the end of the world already?”

“Not yet, my world hasn’t ended yet. But it’s getting there, holy Moses it’s getting there!”

Ford couldn’t help the sarcasm that flooded off him in droves, there was nobody angrier at his situation than he was so this couldn’t be helped. The brunette was speeding through the five stages of grief at this point for something that had yet to happen, a situation that he also acknowledged he knew very little about as well.

His twin didn’t appreciate the attitude however, returning a deep and annoyed frown at the comment.

“It’s not that bad, the family’s gotta be loaded for Paw to have agreed. You wouldn’t have to work, you’d be loaded once you’re hitched!”

Sadly, that wasn’t the right response either and Ford just grew more irritated; his hands gesticulating wildly and preventing Stan from shoving more quarters into the machine so they could seriously talk. For once, the loud noise around them was a good thing. Otherwise who knows what kind of trouble they would be stirring from this argument.

“Stan, I like working? I like studying? I want to have a notable career and get my name out there?? I can’t do that if I’m tied down like a trophy husband!”

“Oh come on, it’s not like whoever your fiance is would chain you down like a dog.”

“You don’t know that! I don’t know that! For all I know they picked me because I’m like one of those exotic pets that you put on display! Then it’s just: ‘Oh this is my husband, he has six fingers–’ and I’m supposed to be okay with that?!”

Ford got a punch to the shoulder from Stanley for that comment, he knew he deserved it– but that didn’t really placate the man. It wasn’t helping that he was directing his anger at anything and everything aside from the real cause of it. He grumbled out somewhat of an apology before leaning against the side of the machine just as Stanley continued to play.

“It’s not over yet. You still have that project right? If you get admitted into West Coast Tech there’s no way Paw would stop you.”

“Stan, who knows when or where I’ll end up because of the arrangement? Would it even matter if I got in anymore?”

Stanley was genuinely considering giving his twin a good wallop by now, letting out a tired sigh and just focusing on the pinball machine and his game. The scores didn’t matter, the game didn’t really matter, he just needed something to distract his growing irritation and not vent it towards Stanford; even if the latter wasn’t really doing the same.

Ford wasn’t entirely fond of the arcade anyway, too much was going on in too little space; but a distraction was a distraction.

“You have a way out. Maybe take that chance instead of always thinking that only the worst will happen.”

It was only when his twin gestured to the pinball’s plunger that Stanford noticed his apprehension dying down. He always pinned himself to be cynical and nihilistic but there was always a point it would cross into pessimism; an intersection of sorts. The issue was getting out of it.

The machine once again rang a tune to play another round, the plunger’s knob flashing in reds and yellows as Stanley beckoned him to pull it back. The game itself was all about chances, navigating risk and doing what you could amidst the uncertainty. Was this intentional?

Ha, and everyone calls him dramatic.

“You brought me here on purpose.”

“Huh? I’ve got no clue what you’re on about”

Ford rolled his eyes and pulled on the knob, launching the metal pinball into whatever sporadic path his luck drove it to all around the machine. He couldn’t tell if his brother really meant to make the correlation or if it was just a coincidence, either way– he lucked out. 

As Stanley cheered at seeing the highscore rack up on the machine’s leaderboard, his twin was busy already formulating a plan. They didn’t need to tell their old man that they knew what was going on, and frankly it was probably for the best that they feigned ignorance if it wasn’t something he was planning to tell them. It would be fine if things got rough, they had each other to rely on anyway. 

It was always them against the world wasn’t it?

“Hey Poindexter, wanna try beating the top one on this?”

“Sure, it couldn't hurt.”

So it begins, game freaking on!

Fic is also here on Ao3