Work Text:
Stan loved the heat.
He loved how hot it got in gravity falls, especially when he was hiking. The blazing sun beating down on his old man's skin felt heavenly for some reason. It felt like he was wrapped up in a blanket, constantly being held by his mother with care. Like he was important, that he was needed. Time seemed to agree, it stood the same luscious sky blue that it had been 2 hours ago. As if it were paused and needed something to unpause it—or it could be that it was just super hot. Lovely still.
So when he got his brother Ford to hike with him, he was surprised to say the least…
“Come on Sixer,” Stan called to his brother as he trailed behind again. “You're walkin’ too slow. Again.”
Ford huffed and rolled his eyes. Sweat dripping down his 5 o’clock shadow. Ditching the red sweater he wore a plain red t-shirt, with red shorts. “Your…ha…walking way too fast. Especially in this heat!”
Stan couldn’t suppress the booming laughter that erupted from his chest. He was quite shocked to find out that Ford hated the heat. He remembered when they were kids, how Ford used to bathe in the heat with him. Their skin always looked like cherries whenever they came back from crystal beach.
“After everything you've been through, Sixer, this is the thing that gets to you? A little heat?”
“Shut up…ha. You're enjoying this far too much.”
“What? I can’t enjoy a little sunshine now and again?”
Ford’s eyes twitched, “A little? You think this is a little, Stanley?”
Stan paused, not only to wait on his brother, but at the lowered tone in Ford’s voice. He doesn’t get that often, he’d only hear it if he truly messed up…like that time in the supermarket, but he hadn’t messed up…only joking around. So why—
Ford cleared his throat, ripping Stan from his thoughts.
“How long do we still have?”
“Erm…,” Stan fumbled with the map as Ford whipped some sweat from his forehead.
“We have, I think, 4 miles to go.”
“4 miles…huh. Great.”
“You okay Ford? If you don’t wanna—”
“No, no. I’m alright Stanley. Just, you know, getting tormented by whatever god created this condition…heat.”
“It’s not torment, Sixer. It’s life!” Stan chuckled a little.
“Life…sure. Whatever you make it Stanley. I guess it is just life.”
With a defeated sigh, Ford slowly dragged his body the rest of the way. He didn’t catch the worried look Stan shot him—not that he would’ve carried.
Ford hated the heat. Especially in Gravity Falls.
He always tolerated it as a kid, he could count on one six fingered palm how many times he actually enjoyed the heat. Yet, that all stopped once he arrived in Gravity Falls. Crystal Beach in New Jersey may have had the occasional 80-90 degree weather, but Gravity Falls pushed that to 100-110 daily. The once ocean cool breeze was gone, and replaced with an iron weight forcing itself down on him. Melting him with the sole perhaps on wanting him to collapse.
And on today of all days.
Ford whipped, for the millionth time, sweat from his forehead as he watched Stan. His shirt was missing, only having a white vest as “clothing” and he wore sky blue shorts. He’s never seen his brother so…free. So uninhibited from anything and everything. To Ford, Stan was flying and soaring through the air…like he was on top of the world—no he was the world. He, however, felt more chained to the ground than ever.
Everything heavy inch he took, made that all the more clear. Why the hell didn’t he just stay home? At least he could be weighted down in the weight of his own home. That way no one would have to see him, have to deal with, see him so defeated, so—“FORD!”
Stan’s voice ripped Ford out of his thoughts, almost stumbling, and tripping on a tree branch. He regained his balance and rested against a tree.
“Stan? Sorry…you were saying something?”
Stan slowly walked to him with a worried determined look in his eyes. Ford tensed up, somehow he was sweating even more now, he didn’t want Stan to worry. Or Stan to find out.
“Yeah,” Stan said dangerously close to Ford. “I was. You okay?”
“Yeah…I am. It’s this heat you know. Always weighs me down.”
Stan titleda was his head, backed up and looked at the path ahead. The glare from the sun blocked Ford from seeing Stan’s eyes. Before Ford could speak up, Stan spoke.
“Yeah, it’s heavy even wearing this vest. All the sweat.”
Ford chose his words carefully, “agreed. Even this shirt feels like too much.”
“Like you're carrying a huge load on ya chest?”
Ford hesitated, not wanting to say for certain. Although he was sadly certain that Stan knew something was up. He said nothing.
“Yeah. I get you. Running the shack lately has been exhausting. Trying to push myself to get new things to surprise customers. Everything is not original to people nowadays.
Ford lowered his eyes from Stan, to the ground. “Yet, I’m still pushin’ forward. Ya know. Still waking up in the morning, still getting out of bed. Still looking forward to the future with people who love me by my side.
Ford looked up at Stan, who flashed him a happy smile.
“I’m glad you're one of them. And I’m happy to be that one for you too.”
Ford smiled back, “Without question Stanley. Thanks.”
“Your welcome Ford.”
After 4 hours longer of travelling the brothers finally arrived back to their home, the Mystery Shack. Stan, who had the most honest to god smile on his face ever, and Ford, who could barely stand on his legs anymore, looked over at the shack.
“Hmm, good to be back. Don’t ya think, Ford?”
“Just get me back to my air conditioned bed.”
Ford attempted to take a step forward, but almost slipped on a rouge tree branch. He didn’t reach the ground.
“Whoa, Sixer! I knew you didn’t like the heat, but didn’t think it’d take this much of a toll on ya.”
Ford groaned weakly, “I didn’t bring a bottle of water.”
Stan shook his head and put Ford over his shoulder as he carried him back to the shack.
“Honestly Sixer. What did ya expect a hike was gonna be?”
“I don’t know! It’s impossible that it can ever get this hot.”
“Nah, you're just getting old.”
Stan opened the door to the shack, and gently rested Ford on the chair in front of the TV. He turned on the AC, and watched as a small smile came to Ford’s face.
“Ah, much better.”
“Whatever. I’ll whip you up some cold soda. And a wet rag.”
“Yeah, yeah. Make it as cold as possible.”
Stan shook his head and disappeared in the kitchen. Taking some time to dig through the freezer to find the coldest sodas, and got one for himself and Ford. He forcefully planted it on the counter, feeling the ice shatter, as he wet a rag for Ford. Finishing everything, he returned and handed Ford the rag and cold soda. He sat down next to him.
“Hey, erm, Ford. You didn’t…really hate hiking right?”
Ford pauses, the frozen deliciousness of the soda was inches away from his lips. Yet, the weak tone in Stan’s voice made him colder.
Ford turned to face Stan, whose eyes stared at the floor. “No, no. I loved it. While I personally wouldn’t do it, especially not in that particular weather, I enjoyed hiking with you.”
Stan looked at him, that honest to god smile returned as he took a sip of his cold soda.
“Thanks Ford.”
“Anytime Stanley.”