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It was late, Stan knew vaguely. It was definitely past the kids' bedtimes, not that they adhered to them at all.
The night was surprisingly cool, for Gravity Falls' summer, a nice breeze blew past, rattling the pine trees and sneaking through the cracks between the Mystery Shack's old wooden boards.
Just a few hours ago, he was ecstatic, couldn't wait to see his brother again. But, after 30 years, all Stan got was a dull pain in his cheek and an ultimatum. At the end of the summer, Stan lost everything he had worked for. His family, his home, his business.
All because he wanted his brother back.
He sipped slowly at a nearly empty soda can, relaxing further into the porch couch.
He thinks he heard a crash somewhere, probably just gnomes or a bear with multiple heads.
He yawned, resting his head in his hand.
A few minutes passed, he watched the quiet night in sad silence. Soon, it'd all go away. God, he wanted to punch Ford back.
''Great Uncle Stan!!'' Dipper yells, opening the front door quicker than Stan thought the kid had enough strength for.
''What happened?'' Stan got up, leaving his Pitt Cola behind on the couch armrest.
Dipper panted at the doorway, finally managing to explain after a good few deep breaths.
'' I- i heard this really loud noise from the basement, it sounded like glass breaking so i went down and there's broken glass on the floor! And i can't find Great Uncle Ford and- i think i saw blood drops on the floor!'' His words came quickly, punctuated by gasping intakes of air.
Stan nodded. ''C'mon, let's go.'' Dipper ran ahead of him, sprinting straight to the underground lab.
The kid immediately pointed to the broken glass on the floor. ''Look! Do- do you think someone.. Or- or something took Great Uncle Ford??'' His voice shook, especially around the stutters.
''Ford probably just dropped some jar and is taking care of the wounds somewhere 'round here.'' Stan looked around the dark lab, he hoped he was right. He noticed that among the shards, small, dead spiders were scattered there too.
''You go back to sleep. I'll look for him.'' He was not at all confident in his abilities to locate Ford, but he didn't want Dipper messing around in the basement.
The kid could get himself hurt without even trying to. Stan knew how easy it was to do just that in Ford's lab, he had a mark to prove it.
''O-ok. But- '' Dipper cut himself off, fidgeting with the edge of his shirt. Hesitantly, he turned and left, breathing still agitated.
Stan sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. He slowly followed the trail of blood, leading him to.. What the hell. Ford, crumpled under a couch, shaking, eyes wide and unfocused, clutching his hands to his chest.
''Ford?'' Stan kneeled down, feeling his bones pop.
His twin showed no reaction, just kept glancing frantically back and forth, in search of what? Stan had no clue. He had never seen Ford behave like this. He was petrified, breathing erratic and uneven, every few breaths tapered off into hurt whimpers and whines.
''Can you hear me?'' Stan spoke a little louder, he was a bit worried about raising his voice. He didn't want to scare Ford somehow.
In response, Ford stared at him, tilting his head to the side. Better than nothing.
''Can you come out from under there?'' Stan didn't expect an answer, still he hoped for one.
Ford just went back to staring ahead, somewhere behind and to the left of Stanley.
Stan looked back, his brother was staring at the broken jar. Maybe he should clean it up? Stan didn't know.
Just as he begun to sit up, a shaky hand shot out from under the couch and wrapped around his wrist. Ford opened his mouth to speak, but all that came out were desperate chirps and clicks.
Stan guessed that meant Ford wanted him near.
''Pointdexter? If yer worried about the spiders, they're dead. Have been for like 20 years.'' He glanced under the couch, Ford was closer to the edge now, still clinging to him.
''I need you to follow me, alright? We're going up so i can bandage those cuts.'' Ford seemed to understand, he slowly crawled out, now wrapping both his arms around Stan's.
''C'mon.'' Stan grumbled, his back protesting as he got up.
Ford clinged to Stan the entire way, through the hallway, inside the elevator, up the stairs, until they reached the bathroom. Stan grabbed the medkit he kept inside the cabinet.
''Gimme yer hands.'' Stan held out his palms, waiting for Ford to place his hands on top.
Hesitantly, he did, palm up. The cut wasn't too deep, Stan was grateful for that. He grabbed the alcohol and gently poured it over the wound, he dried the area with a towel, and quickly bandaged his brother's hand.
Stan did the same with Ford's other hand afterwards.
''Still not talking, huh?'' Ford shamefully lowered his head, shaking it.
''That's fine. I guess.'' Stan shrugged. He really just wanted to sleep now. He wanted to wake up and hear Ford's voice, speaking actual English words.
So, he stood up, directing them both towards the living room. Before Stan had a chance to say anything, Ford had curled up on the armchair and dragged Stan down to sit in the empty space beside him.
''Really?'' Stan didn't believe it. He especially didn't believe it when Ford moved closer to him, laying his head on Stan's lap.
Stan guessed he'd sleep on the armchair tonight.
As he drifted off to slumber, he could swear he heard purring.
Dipper watched the whole ordeal from behind the kitchen table, he couldn't understand what they were saying but he had a pretty clear view of his two Great Uncles falling asleep together.
Mabel is gonna be insufferable when she wakes up and sees them.. Whatever.
He walked up the stairs to his and Mabel's bedroom, crawled into bed and waited for sleep.
Soft sunlight filtered through the triangular window, waking the mystery twins up.
The two rushed downstairs, ready to start their day.
Before they reached the kitchen, Mabel nearly jumped a foot in the air at the sight of Stan and Ford, curled up together on the armchair.
''Dipper!! Look!!'' She scream-whispered, running over.
''Should i duct tape them together??''
''I really don't think you should, Mabel.'' Dipper spoke in a hushed tone.
The boy talked his twin out of duct taping their great uncles together in favor of eating breakfast.
They'd have plenty of time to prank the old men when they were awake, anyways.