With Halloween almost here, I thought it would be fun to have a cute little Summerween story with young Ford and Fiddleford. This takes place in June of 1980.


It was a sweltering summer afternoon. Ford wiped at his sweating brow with the back of his hand for what felt like the hundredth time. Perhaps he should have taken Fiddleford's advice and let the younger man install an air conditioning unit in the laboratory.

However, comfort wasn't a luxury they could afford at the moment when more parts and equipment were needed for their ultimate project. The small fan blowing on him did little to remove the humidity from the enclosed room. While sweat soaked him, Ford decided he would at least have Fiddleford repair the large fan. At the very least his muse would be pleased with the progress.

Footsteps echoed from upstairs. The young scientist didn't need to worry as only one other human had access to the laboratory. Were it one of the other creatures they encountered (save for the shapeshifter) they wouldn't enter the scientists' home so politely. If by chance it was another human being, all of his research was locked in the lab that they couldn't access without the password, and they had nothing of value in the first floor.

Ford turned away from his work. He pulled an already damp handkerchief from his pants pocket and dabbed at the sweat on his face and neck. Realizing he hadn't eaten since he woke six hours prior, he figured he could go see what groceries Fiddleford brought home from the store.

Fiddleford turned at the sound of a second being in the kitchen. It was one of the few times Fiddleford had seen his research partner without his jacket or vest. The tie untied dangled on either side of his neck.

In one hand Fiddleford held two bags of parts needed for the portal. The smaller man handed the larger one the plastic bags. In his right hand Fiddleford struggled with a decent sized watermelon. Watermelons always went on sell during the month of June for the upcoming holiday. For Ford it simply meant he could buy the tasty fruit for a cheaper price.

"Stanford, do ya know what time a year it is?" Fiddleford asked with his back to the other man. "It's Summerween!" he exclaimed. Fiddleford turned with wide eyes to share the news with the other man who was visibly amused with his reaction. "They celebrate Halloween twice a year in this town."

Ford chuckled at his friend's recent discovery. Throughout his years in Gravity Falls he noticed the strange custom, but never paid it any attention. He hadn't celebrated Halloween since he turned seventeen. While the holiday had been a fun annual break from reality, he didn't see any reason to partake in the activities without Stanley by his side.

"I thought it was odd, but I don't know, it makes sense as weird as this place is," Fiddleford commented while storing the food that needed to be kept cold in the refrigerator.

Once the last item was set in the fridge, Fiddleford turned to face Ford with a huge smile. He picked up the watermelon then looked the other man directly in the eyes. Ford already knew McGucket's question before he asked. He wore the same expression of so many others about to engage in the spooky summer fun.

"I thought, maybe we can take a break from werkin' this one night, an' go experience Summerween," Fiddleford said. He noticed the unchanged look on his friend's face. Not wanting to disappoint him, or that thing he knew Ford worked with, although he never spoke of him no matter how much he asked. "It's just one night." He folded his hands in front of him. "At the very least I wanna make a jack-o-melon."

The way he spoke mixed with the innocent smile and the dimples on his cheeks reminded Ford of a child experiencing a favorite holiday for the first time.

"We-we can still use the insides fer food," Fiddleford explained. He smiled down at the melon. "It would be fun."

Ford smiled. He nodded at his research assistant. Deciding that Bill wouldn't be angry if he extended his break a little longer. In December they celebrated a small Christmas inside the shack, and for Valentine's Day Fiddleford went home to spend a week with his family. Since then it had been mostly work, so it wouldn't hurt to indulge in a little fun.

Ford sat down in the chair across from Fiddleford. The smaller man handed Ford a knife and he kept the smaller one for himself. Ford cut out the opening on top. The two gathered the fruit from the inside and placed it in a bowl for later. Ford then let Fiddleford design the face.

Fiddleford trembled as he approached the gutted melon. The knife in hand brought back memories of carving pumpkins with his grandpa and older brother. With his tongue slightly out of his mouth McGucket carved the first of the eyes. He pushed the green triangle inside and it thumped against the hollowed out shell. He repeated the action for the second eye and the nose.

With the bottom half of the face empty Fiddleford stepped back. "I never was good at mouths, and yer a better drawer than me."

Ford understood. He sat down in the chair and hunched his back so that his eyes were level with the bottom of the watermelon. Carefully he slid the smaller knife into the shell then forced it back out. Fiddleford shuddered with a racing heart at the knife carving out the perfect blend of a mischievous, yet harmless grin.

Fiddleford stood next to Ford who sat with crossed arms admiring his work. Fiddleford slightly leaned on Ford's shoulder.

"It's perfect," McGucket said.

Ford walked out to the front porch with his assistant in tow. Ford bent down to place the carved jack-o-melon on the top step, overlooking the forest.

"Maybe it'll protect us from the beasts out there," Fiddleford said.

Ford chuckled. Although he doubted, he wouldn't count anything out in that town.

The two scientists walked back inside to enjoy a quick meal before they headed back into the lab to continue their work on the portal.


I hope you all enjoyed some sweet fluff with these two nerds. There will be one more chapter to come. Bill was only mentioned in this chapter, but he will make an appearance in the next.