"With this thing, I could probably fix the biggest mistake of my life."
Stan pondered as he stared at the orb in his hands.
After the giant baby helped them defeat the floating Dorito, he was given a time wish. More specifically, the citizens of Gravity Falls decided to give him the Time Wish. He tried giving it to the twins but they refused. Ford was adamant that Stan should have it. Really, the first time he was being generous and people were taking it for granted, yeesh.
What should he do with the damn thing?
'Maybe I could go back in time and stop myself from breaking that machine?' He thought for a minute.
All you ever do is lie and cheat right on your brother's coattails.
'Then again, pops always did say that I'm a screw up. I f I hadn't messed things up then, I probably would have messed things up eventually.'
Why would I want to do anything with the person who sabotaged my entire future?!
'Maybe I could just stop existing."
Listen, dorks, and listen good. You're a six-fingered freak, and you're just a... dumber, sweatier version o' him. And you're lucky you have each other because neither of you will ever make any friends!
'Then again, those bullies would have eaten him alive. Probably lose his thirst for all that supernatural weirdness.'
For once in his life he thought things over, planned them and tried to predict the consequences. Time travel is hard to understand.
What if he disappeared before the science fair? What if some gang he pissed off when he was young tried to take him out? He dismissed the idea completely. Ford would be heartbroken. Call him presumptuous but before the accident Ford still cared about his twin which means that Ford may lose his interest in pursuing his dream school and instead try to live out their dream of sailing the world.
A metaphorical light bulb lit up in his head. His brother couldn't manage all those bullies all on his own, he needed a confidant, someone who will encourage him. And with their father who's not easily impressed? He'll need all the encouragement he could get. Stan needs to push him in the right direction and make sure he doesn't lose his spirit. Once Ford is ready to go to West Coast Tech, he'll just-
Stanley gasped. What will become of him? Did he really have the guts to just forfeit his life? After years of fighting and surviving, he'll just give up like that?
He looked around and saw families being reunited and friends comforting each other. He looked at the twins who were discussing everything with Wendy and Soos. Finally, he looked towards his brother who was conversing with McGucket.
It was not fair.
I'm selfish? I'm selfish, Stanley? How can you say that after costing me my dream school?! I'm giving you a chance to do the first worthwhile thing in your life and you won't even listen!
Then again, maybe he'll finally do something worthwhile for once.
He approached his family slowly.
"Have you thought of what you're going to wish for?"Mabel asked him excitedly.
"Is it money? Is it infinite amounts of gold?" Dipper asked suspiciously.
"I bet it was a slice of infinite pizza!" Soos yelled.
"Yeesh, how old do you think I am?" he asked as he knelt down to the kid's eye level.
"What did you wish for?" Ford asked as he approached them.
"Hold your horses would 'ya? I haven't made the wish yet."
"Do you need help?" Wendy asked playfully. "Nope. 'Mind is made up." he raised his eyebrow at her.
"What are you waiting for!?" Mabel nearly yelled into his ear.
"Yeah Grunkle Stan, the suspense is killing us."
He looked at their eager faces. Maybe he should tell them after all, he won't see them again after this. He looked around the clearing. The citizens of Gravity Falls believe that he is one of the heroes. Being the chief of resistance gave his the respect he sought after decades ago. Was he really going to give all this up? It's arguably better. He and Ford could patch things up, he could use the wish to rebuild the town and he and his twin could-
Okay, Stanley, here's the deal. You can stay here the rest of the summer to watch the kids. I'll stay down in the basement and try to contain any remaining damage. But when the summer's over, you give me my house back, you give me my name back, and this Mystery Shack junk is over forever. You got it?
Who was he kidding? This was for the best. This whole mess wouldn't happen if it weren't for that triangle guy. If he didn't screw things up the damned triangle wouldn't have the chance to get to his brother in the first place.
He gave them his greatest conman smile.
"Let's just say that I can use this to correct one of the biggest mistakes I made."
Wendy and Soos shared similar looks of confusion.
Stanford looked at him with curiosity and something akin to concern.
"Which is?" Dipper asked nervously. He felt anxious.
"Losing millions of dollars!"
Mabel sighed in relief. She was feeling a weird sense of anxiety. She looked at Dipper who confirmed that he felt it too. They were still feeling it.
"How exactly did you almost get millions of dollars, knucklehead?" Stanford asked.
Stan let out a loud bark of laughter.
"Stop being such a stick in the mud Poindexter." His mask letting out a hint of fear.
"Mr. Pines? Are you alright dude?"
He realized belatedly that he begun to stare at the distance, his mask slipping from his face.
"Yeah, m'fine. Just having trouble processing everything all out."
"Stanley, you're worrying me."
He scoffed. "That's a first."
"Grunkle Stan?"
He sighed as he gathered the kids to his arms. He held them a little bit tighter than he usually does.
"Listen Kiddos-"His breath caught in his throat.
I don't want to go.
"Summer's over. I'm gonna miss you so make sure you come back next year capische?"
"Are you kidding? We'll always come back!" Mabel yelled.
"Yeah Grunkle Stan. If anything the jokes on you because we'll annoy you every summer." Dipper added.
"Maybe I should have thought that through. Anyway I think I lost my fez somewhere there, can you too get it?"
"Okay!" The kids dragged Soos and Wendy by the hand to find the missing fez.
Stan rose to his knees with a sigh. He felt his brother come closer to him.
"What was that about?"
"What was what all about?' he asked defensively as he crossed his arms on his chest.
Stanford stared at the back of his brother. He looked tense. It could have been just nerves but Stanley sounded so nervous.
"Listen Stanley-"
"What do you need now poindexter? It's over. Summer's almost over, the kids will leave and you'll have your house back. I'll start packing the moment they get on the bus." Stanley spun around to look at his brother.
"Stanley that's not-"
"What? You're kicking Grunkle Stan out?"
They both turned around and saw the younger twins staring at them with confusion and hurt. Mabel was clutching his fez in her arms.
"Look kid-"
"That doesn't make sense! Weirdmageddon is over, I thought you two would have worked things out by now." the young boy question his uncles. He didn't get it. He and Mable worked things out, why can't do the same?
"It's a little complicated-" Ford started.
"What's so complicated about that? You two are brothers-Twins! Why can't you just talk things through?"
"He was the reason why I couldn't have gone to my dream school!"
"That again? I told you, it was still working when I left."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I don't know!"
"Just stop fighting!" Mabel yelled.
There was a heavy silence. Nobody dared to make a sound.
"Look Ford-" Stanley begun. This is his last chance, might as well make the most of it.
"I'm sorry. Maybe this whole mess wouldn't have started if I didn't ruin your damn project. I just-"
"Have you decided?" Time Baby approached them.
Stan looked at his family and sighed.
"Yep. I want to fix the biggest mistake of my life."
Stanford's eyes widened in realization.
You've caused our family millions!
"No Stanley! Don't do something stupid!"
"Great-uncle Ford?"
"Grunkle Stan?"
"Sorry Kiddos, looks like this is the last time you'll be seeing of me." he paused. " Sorry to break it to ya nerd but you'll have to deal with me for a few more years." He smirked
It faded as he faced Time Baby.
He closed his eyes and thought about his wish.
The first worthwhile thing he'll do that hopefully won't blow up in his face.