Work Text:
Ford had been waiting for this. It was summer once again, which only meant one thing. Mabel and Dipper were coming back to the Falls!
Ford and Stan had specifically come home from sea so they could be there while the twins visited. They had just picked up the two from the bus stop and were currently in the car listening to the radio as they drove to the shack.
’-And now, we come to you with the latest “Top 40 Hits”!’
A disembodied voice announced from the little black box embedded in the car’s dashboard.
The second it came on, Ford cringed.
’Disco girl! Coming throughhhhhh~!’
Dipper wiggled excitedly in the backseat. Mabel poked him playfully.
’It’s your song Dipper!’
He laughed, far less self-conscious than he was last summer. As the tempo climbed back up for the chorus, the boy started to sing along.
’Stan… Could we change the station? Please…?’
Ford almost begged his brother, preemptively reaching out to turn the little dial. Stan slapped his brother’s hand away.
’What? They’re in the Top 40 for a reason. Maybe you should just listen?’
‘Stan-‘
’Whats wrong Grunkle Ford? BABBA’s an amazing band!’
The six-fingered man turned away from them, looking out the window.
’I hate BABBA. I…’
He remembered it. The taste of the alcohol on his tongue… The slurred speech… The upbeat music and sloppy singing… and a charming muse.
Dipper stopped singing, rubbing the back of his neck.
’T-That’s ok… We don’t have to listen to it.’
If looks could kill, Ford would be dead three times over under Stan’s glare.
‘No Dipper, if you like a band, you have every right to listen to it. Ford here’s just being a grouch.’
Ford knew he was meant to support Dipper, after all, he was the boy’s idol. He had a lot of influence over the kid, but… He couldn’t STAND the memories that came with BABBA’s songs.
Ford curled in on himself, tucking his legs into his sweater, a coping mechanism he learnt from Mabel.
’Oh come on Sixer, you aren’t gonna have a fit over a pop song, are you?’
Mabel reached over into the front seat, patting Ford’s shoulder.
’This isn’t about the song, is it?’
’No I-‘
He sighed. Lying to his family had only led them to bad situations, that would only get worse if he continued to hide.
‘It’s the song me and Bill used to sing to. I… don’t want to remember that time.’
Ford could feel the emotions from the past begin to rise in his chest.
‘God, I miss him…’
Ford mumbled, mainly to himself, but his niece heard it either way. Mabel gasped.
’Turn off the radio! Right now Grunkle Stan!’
Stan tilted his head, utterly confused by the sudden urgency. But, he did as she told him to nonetheless.
’It’s ok Grunkle Ford, I know how much songs can remind you of your ex. It’s an awful feeling.’
Ford turned a vibrant shade of red.
’B-Bill’s not my-‘
’Sh-Sh-Shhhhh.’
Mabel hushed him quickly, shaking her head.
’I know a messy situationship when I see one Grunkle Ford. TRUST me.’
He sighed, knowing there was no argument to win here.
His nephew was sitting silently in the back, unsure what to do to console or help Ford. Dipper quietly decided right there to use his headphones when he wanted to listen to his BABBA songs over the summer. It would be better that way.