So I got a great prompt idea from jord477, so this is for you jord477! Warning: Pain and sadness ahead. Tw: hints at parental abuse. ( Not from the mother, of course, filbrick can go crawl in a ditch.)

Middle school: So like thirteen years old? Idk, this timeline I'm writing keeps jumping all over the place.

Ford had been having a great day. He woke up, got to school and managed to go all day without any altercations.

He knew it was too good to last.

He was just too weird. Having wings was hard enough, but being socially inept and having his polydactyl, along with his amazing intellect, just made him the perfect target.

" Hey! Bird Nerd!"

Ford was being cornered in the back of the school. He thought about flying away, but Pa told them not to fly in public, and a beating wasn't the worst Pa could do. Turning around, Ford faced his attackers, heart beating faster than a hummingbird. How appropriate.

" What do you want, Crampelter?" Crampelter sneered at Ford's pathetic attempt at nonchalance.

" Don't talk to me like that, you six fingered flying freak."

Crampelter started forward, his cronies flanking him, and Ford hastily tried to move back, before falling on his but. Not the best day to be physically inferior, Pines.

Ford gulped at Crampelter moved towards him, fists on full display. Ford closed his eyes, tensing for the inevitable pain.

It didn't come.

Ford opened his eyes with a gasp when he heard a grunt of pain, but not from him. Stanley had flown over towards him and landed on Crampelters back.

Crampelter flailed his arms, trying to fling Stan of his back. Stan was holding him in a chokehold, holding on for dear life. Ford saw Crampelters cronies, Jack and Rick, move to help Crampelter.

" Lee! Watch out!" Stanley looked behind him to see the two coming up behind him. Stan swung his body weight towards them, making Crampelter move backward and smash into them. Stan yelled out from the pile of people, still struggling with all three boys.

" Ford, run!"

Ford stayed for a moment, his mind running a million miles an hour. ( Not possible, but whatever.) What were the chances of him actually managing to help? He wasn't nearly good enough at boxing to do anything other than get in Stan's way. No, he should go get help.

" Stanley! I'm gonna go get help!" Ford ran off, still adverse to using his wings, even though Stan did. Ford begged whatever force was out there Pa didn't find out about that.


Stan was exhausted. After Ford left, Rick and Jack managed to hold him down while Crampelter gave him a cliche evil villain speech.

" Thought you could beat us, Birdbrain? That's hilarious. A little freak like you, thinking he could be the superhero and save his freak brother. At least your brother has something going for him! You really do have the brain of a bird."

Stan spat at him with as much menace as a thirteen your old could muster.

Crampelter sidestepped and he missed. Sneering, the bully held him by his throat. " Oh, your gonna pay for that."


Ford ran, and ran, but by the time he managed to find anyone who actually cared about what he was saying, it was too late. Ford returned to find his brother and the bullies missing. Where did they go? Ford tried to reason through his worry. Maybe Stan won and went home? Ford tried not to think about the other options...that Stan was missing because...no, that didn't happen. Stan's fine. Running back to the house, Ford prayed once again to...whatever that Stan would be at home.

Ford burst into the pawn shop, panting for breath. Looking around briefly, Ford thanked his lucky stars no one was there. Running upstairs, Ford went straight for there bedroom.

" Stanley!"

Stanley looked up from his bed. He grinned. " Hey, Poindexter! Glad you could make it."

Ford took a moment to examine his brother. He was laying in bed, blanket over him, concealing his wings, reading a comic. His face looked a little scratched up, but nothing serious. Ford sighed in relief. ( There was nothing suspicious about being under a blanket, after all.) " Stanley, you really scared me there. I thought you had gotten hurt, or worse! What if Crampelter killed you or somethin' Stanley?! And if word gets out about what you did..." Ford's voice trailed off. They both knew what he was talking about.

Stan shrugged. " What? That I flew? I couldn't leave you hangin' bro! He was gonna hit you!"

Ford sighed, this time in agitation. " I know that Stanley, but I don't want you getting hurt because of me!"

Stanley frowned. " It wasn't your fault Crampelter is a jerk. Look, I'm fine! Anyways, I don't think Pops is gonna find out. My face is always scruffed up anyway. Kinda be suspicious if it wasn't, actually."

Ford gave a small laugh. " True, but you promise me your okay?"

Stan looked him straight in the eye, grinning. " Promise."

Stanley was always a great liar.


Okay, so this story is gonna be a two-parter! Sorry, not sorry. Watch out for the update!

Stan: I can see this happening.

Ford *glares at Stan accusingly*: What?

Stan: Uh, nothing.

Ford: Don't lie to me, Stanley.

Stan: I lie to you all the time Ford.

Ford: WHAT?

Stan: ... Okay, So I might have nearly died from that brand you burnt on my back. I kept it from you for the same reason the story Stan kept his injuries from story Ford. I didn't want ya to worry, plus it was years ago. And if you really want the truth, I nearly died out of the streets too. I wasn't actually a traveling salesman, that's stupid. I can't believe you bought that actually.

Ford: ...

Stan: ...

Ford: I'm going to kill you.

Stan *nervous laughter*: What?

Ford: I change my mind, I'm going to baby you since you can't seem to handle that, it's a more fit punishment.

Stan: I swear to you Sixer if you dare...

Please review! Hope you enjoyed.