A little clarification before we get going: Stan only mentioned Shermie because of whatever, Shermie had already moved out by then. He's an older brother in this au. (*starts clapping because they did.* oh my gosh thank you, random guest!)
Stan felt awful.
And it wasn't the pain that bothered him. No one was supposed to find out! He should've done better, and now all of them were running out of the only home he'd known, all because he couldn't keep his mouth shut. Stan, Ford, and Ma all snuck very quietly out of the house. Filbrick was assumably in his office, which was the only place he ever seemed to be other than the shop. Always about the money.
Stan saw that Ma didn't leave any stone unturned, she seemed to think of everything, going as far as to raid the cupboards for snacks, which was a little ridiculous in Stan's mind, but it seemed to make sense to her. Ford was the same way, he packed the car, continuously ignoring Stan when he tried to help. That stung a bit, but he knew it was just because Ford didn't want him to hurt himself further.
Stan sighed as he leaned against the side of the StanleyMobile. Both of them seemed so upset when they saw his black and blue torso, and it filled him with guilt. It didn't really hurt all that much, considering. Sure, this was the worst it had ever gotten, and it hurt to breathe, but so what? Now everyone was...was taking care of him and that just felt wrong. Like the natural order of the world had reversed itself.
Something else bothered him too. The way Ma seemed so willing just to drop her own husband like that. That and the way she seemed less remorseful and was more angry than anything else. That was weird. Stan looked up as he heard footsteps from the house and saw both his brother and his Ma coming out carrying the last of whatever they thought they needed. Stan looked away when they walked over, staring at his feet, arms crossed even though it hurt to keep them like that. Ford whispered to him as he put the last of the things in, shutting the trunk of the car.
"Are you ready?" Ford nudge his forearm when he didn't answer. Stan huffed.
"This is ridiculous. Can't we just, I dunno, call the cops?" Stan growled. He didn't like any of this. Where were they even going to stay?! Ford scoffed,
"First off, I never thought you would say that. Secondly, no. Fibrick would just deny it. They might believe us, they might not. We have no proof other than your-your injuries Stanley. Unfortunately, you are 'delinquent' with a reputation for getting into fights. Often. Even if we did pin him for it, there is always bail. Then it would all be out and...that would not be good. Stanley, please, I just want you to be safe." Ford looked up at him with pleading eyes.
"Please, for me?" He begged. Stan stared him down for a moment before giving in with a sigh.
"Fine, just where are we even gonna go? Can't he just follow us?" Stan muttered as he headed toward the driver's seat. Ma glared at him.
"You, young man, are not driving in your state. No- I don't care if it's your car. I am perfectly capable of driving my boys. Now get in." She shot down his argument before it began and Stan, despite his frown, was internally grateful. He was tired. He slid into the backseat instead and Ford followed him, sacrificing the front seat to sit with each other. Ford answered his question after they settled in.
"Strength in numbers. Ma and I already decided we're going to Shermie's. He'll let us stay there after we explain. Dad wouldn't dare try and intimidate all of us. We'll figure the rest out on the way." Ford explained and Stan grunted, unable to think of a reason to disagree. He missed his older brother anyway, they were do for a visit, even if it was under the worst of circumstances.
They quieted for a while, and Ford clasped onto Stan's hand. Whether for his own comfort or Stan's, Stan wasn't sure. After about ten minutes on the road, Stan voiced something that was bothering him.
"Why?" Stan's voice was deep and more like it's usual self, but still filled with strain and confusion. Ford cocked a brow and frowned.
"What?"
Stan looked at Ford than to Ma, who was listening in. "What do you mean, why, Stanley?" She asked, eyes still trained on the road. She was wearing one of her more comfortable dresses and seemed to still be tense from agitation and anger.
Stan looked at her from his seat in the back, staring at her eyes in the rear-view mirror.
"Why'd ya drop your own husband so fast? Why did ya believe me so fast? I didn't think-"
"Oh, Stanley." She interrupted. "I never really loved your Father. He was always emotionless. Our dates were so cliche, I'm pretty sure the only thing he knew about romance was from the newspaper. Which is the only thing he ever reads. I married Fibrick because I needed to. What, with being an only child with no prospects, I mean, I con-people for a living sweat-heart. I wasn't asking for much from life. Filbrick offered a home and I got you three. That's all I needed." She smiled sadly at the mirror before returning her attention to the traffic.
Stan and Ford both stilled. Ma wasn't one to talk about her past like most parents did. She never talked about how she and Filbrick met or anything from her own childhood, really this wasn't too far from what they expected. It was still a little jarring to hear that their own mother had such a lonely life that she would marry a robot for a crappy roof over her head.
She wasn't alone anymore, which was a slight comfort to them both. She deserved better, but they weren't magicians. Stan sighed, satisfied for the moment, although he noticed Ford still looked curious. He fought the need to laugh. (Because doing even that was painful.) Poindexter never seemed to run out of questions.
Shermie's house wasn't too far. As far as they knew, he lived alone in a small house. Not too small, large enough to accommodate them all on Thanksgiving, but it was a little way out of state. They were in for a road trip. Stan let his head fall onto Ford's shoulder and smiled when Ford rested his head on Stan's. They both drifted to sleep slowly. The emotional and physical exhaustion they were both feeling finally catching up with them.
Gigi smiled. Life could throw whatever they wanted at them, but she had peace in her heart to know that they would always have each other to lean on.
Her smile fell and she sighed. Just hold on, it will all work out. Eventually.
Eventually.
I'm...sorry? Was this bad? I'm sorry anyway.
