A/N: Hope you're all doing well! Sorry for the super belated update. I hope there are no errors in this because I can't check it until tomorrow (or later this morning...it is 4:24 AM my time)
Recovery
Chapter 2
Melody watched with amusement as Mabel revealed her latest creation to them, beaming in triumph as Soos and Wendy made exaggerated noises of admiration. The sweater was fuzzy, purple, and read 'Get Well Soon' in yellow letters.
"Now, I know what you're thinking…you want one too. Well, next time you guys get an open spine elusion I'll make you one."
"It's open spine fusion, Mabel. Fusion," Dipper corrected.
"Though, he is good at eluding," Wendy said.
"I'm sure he'll love it, Mabel," Melody said sweetly, making the young girl's grin widen even more.
"Yeah dude. Makes me want to have an open spine thingy too," Soos said.
The sound of a car pulling up caused everyone to look at the door. A few moments later, Ford walked in, appearing slightly frazzled.
"Where's Grunkle Stan?" Mabel asked.
"Oh he's in the car. I'm just double-checking that everything is out of the way so that-"
"We know, we know," Wendy rolled her eyes. "You've told us a million-and-one times. We've kept the place all tidy so the old codger doesn't trip and blow out his back."
"Er…right. Sorry. Soos, where's Stanley's cane?"
Soos reached under the checkout desk and pulled out a polished wooden cane. The head was genuine mahogany carved in the shape of a dinosaur skull that resembled the one serving as a coffee table in the living room.
Dipper stared at it for a moment. "Snazzy."
"Totally badass," Wendy said with a grin.
"I thought it suited him," Soos shrugged. "When he made me Mr. Mystery, the job came with the 8-ball cane. I figured, why not get him a new one that's even cooler than his old one y'know?"
Ford raised his eyebrow at the tacky crutch before saying, "Right…well, I'll be right back."
Soos walked out onto the porch so he could be there if the older twins needed any help whatsoever, also to hand Mr. Pines the cane once necessary.
"Easy…easy now, Stanley," Ford gently instructed as Stan gradually got out of the vehicle.
"I know, Sixer. I got it," he said gruffly, but if the tight grip on Ford's arm was any indication, it was that Stan appreciated as well as needed the help.
The walk across the yard was relatively easy. Rather slow, but easy. It was the stairs that proved to be the most difficult part of the journey.
"Grunkle Stan!" they heard a muffled and excited shout from inside.
"Heh, I'm not even inside yet and she's already shouting at me," Stanley remarked.
Ford was going to respond, but the words were forgotten when Stanley grimaced and let out a groan, followed by him placing his free hand to his lower back.
Soos rushed forward to help, and Stanford asked, "Need to stop?"
"No, no. I'm fine," he said. "It's okay, Soos. Just…just stand there or-or whatever…"
Soos knew the request was a way of saying 'stand there in case I need you' in a way that made it seem like he really would not need his help at all. He also knew that Mr. Pines had to absolutely hate being treated like this so he took a step back to give him space.
It was only when the two were successfully on the porch and Stanley had a firm grip on the walking cane that Ford gave Stanley his space to walk 'freely.' Though, he kept a lingering, watchful eye on him to ensure his brother's safety.
"GRUNKLE STAN!" The excited exclamation from his great niece was even louder once he was inside. "I'm so glad you're home!"
"Yeah, things just haven't been the same without you here ya old man," Wendy said, coming over and ruffling his hair.
Stanley chuckled and gave Mabel a rather weak noogie as she continued to hug him.
"Boy do we have stories to tell you," Dipper said, coming over to stand next to his Grunkle.
"It's only been three days."
"Yes, but this is Gravity Falls," Dipper reminded him.
"That's true. And you are a group of misfits," he replied.
They all laughed in response. They then proceeded to tell him everything that had been happening for the few days he was been absent. By the time fifteen minutes rolled around, Stanford noticed Stan placing his hand on his lower back once again while his eyebrows furrowed further and further into a constant grimace.
"Okay, I think it's time to continue this party in the living room so Stanley can sit in his chair," Stanford said. "I'll go get a pillow and an ice pack." He squeezed his brother's shoulder in reassurance as he passed.
Dipper took Stanley's hand, hoping it would serve as some type of balance, or any form of help for that matter. To his surprise, Stan did not pull away or grunt out that he was fine. Dipper wasn't sure if this was a cause for concern or not.
Once they were in the living room and Stanley was in his chair, Mabel remembered her gift.
"Oh, Grunkle Stan, I forgot! I made you a Get Well sweater!"
Stan did not even have a chance to respond before she dashed out of the room to retrieve it.
"So, how do you feel?" Dipper asked.
"Eh, as good as I can be after being hacked into."
"So…you've been better?"
"Can honestly say I have, kid," he responded tiredly, rubbing at his eyes.
Dipper's face fell further in concern. He was about to ask if he needed anything when his sister ran back into the room.
"Ta-da!" she presented the large, fuzzy sweater.
"That looks amazing, pumpkin," Stan said, mustering up the best non-tired smile possible. "I'll put it on as soon as I can."
Mabel had already known that he would not be able to wear the sweater right away. For now and for the few days that would follow, he would be clad in a plain t-shirt. Something that would be easy to take off. She beamed nonetheless at her great uncle's praise and laid it across his lap like a blanket.
"Alright, I have a pillow and ice pack for your highness," Ford teased.
Stanley scoffed. "I could've gotten them myself."
"Like hell you could've," Ford smirked, knowing Stanley actually appreciated the teasing jabs. They made him feel less like an invalid.
"Mabel! Dipper! We have a huge group coming through here in about five minutes and we need you!" Melody called from the gift shop.
"Coming!" Dipper called. "We'll be back."
"Yeah, then we can watch The Duchess Approves or some other old movie. Don't move," Mabel pointed at him.
"Kid, I couldn't if I wanted to," he responded.
Once the pillow and ice pack were secure, Stanford pulled up a chair and sat with his brother to watch television. They settled on a series based on finding mythical beasts and monsters, to which Stanford found plenty of aggravation as well as satisfaction in refuting the opinions and tall tales. Stanley would tease his brother for being such a nerd, but never got tired of the unremitting commentary.
"Now, see that could have been a werewolf, but the guy before this? I think it's clear that he was either hallucinating or just looking at a wolf," he paused before continuing. "This guy still doesn't seem very reliable though. He said he was conducting experiments and drinking a glass of whiskey before he witnessed the beast."
"Sounds more like he was making meth then smoking it," Stan said.
"Right?" Ford laughed.
A few more minutes passed as well as two more rants from Stanford before Stanley began pushing himself off the chair.
"Woah, woah, hey. Where do you think you're going?" Stanford put his hand on Stan's chest.
"To go get a soda."
"You stay put," Ford ordered, succeeding in gently pushing his brother back on the chair. "And besides, while you're healing you can only drink soy milk shakes or smoothies. It'll help with the healing process."
Stanley groaned, "Yer killin' me, Ford."
Stanford rolled his eyes, but patted his shoulder nonetheless.
"This is the last time I ever get a spinal surgery."
"Better be! I'm not going to have you throwing your back out and go through this whole process all over again."
"Well then let's make a deal. If I end up throwing my back all out of whack, just leave me there on the ground to the crows and vultures," Stanley said.
"Morbid, Stanley. Morbid."
... ... ...
A/N: Tbh, I can't remember if the skull coffee table actually survived Weirdmaggedon. I'm assuming it did.
