In My Corner

Part of the Boxing AU

Chapter 11

The next morning, things are a little awkward. They both have the same puffy red eyes and messed up hair, which reminds them of their conversation the night before. It's only until they start teasing each other that Ford feels a semblance of normalcy. He hopes that the newfound knowledge that he has doesn't change the way he acts normally, but it does.

From Ford's perspective, Stan looks happier after his confession and more at ease with himself. His brother has even taken to wearing the eyepatch over his bad eye.

Ford decides to spend more time with Stanley. They watch TV together, workout on occasion (meaning Ford sits on his brother's back while he does push-ups), and sometimes they spend the night on the roof looking at the stars. Even when Ford works, he tries to do it Stan's company.

However, Stan does realize what Ford is up to. Stan puts up with the behavior for a few days before finally convincing Ford to go back to work. Apparently, Stan 'didn't need Ford coddling him for fuck's sake.'

Ford returns to the basement, doing whatever work he can that needs to be done downstairs and can be done without Fiddleford.

Days later, he's coming back up when he hears his brother singing off-tune to the radio. He follows the voice outside to see Stan singing and dancing to the music with his eyes closed.

Ford can't help but laugh.

Stan turned to Ford and continued to sing. "I want to rock with you~" Stan sang, dancing over to Ford. "Sing it with me."

"No, no-"

"Better yet, dance with me!" Stan yanked Ford away from the doorframe so that they have room to dance. Then he began to- actually dance. His brother does a shimmy that Ford can't even hope to replicate and moves easily with the beat of the music.

Ford blinks and can't help but be impressed.

"Come on, Sixer," Stan says with a large grin.

Ford tries to dance along and after a few moments of awkward hip movements and gyrations, he manages to do something resembling a dance. Surprisingly, Stan does not laugh at him, but he does give him a big grin. They continue to dance and do their best moves (which were more goofy than impressive).

At one point, Stan actually grabs Ford and spins him. Laughing, Ford took the chance and did the same, even adding a dip at the end. This makes Stan laugh, making Ford laugh even more, causing them to collapse onto the floor. Somehow, this makes them laugh even harder.

Ford can't remember the last time he's done something so carefree. Sure he's had some fun over the years, but it's strange how even the simplest things with Stan can make him happy. He can't believe how he's lived without Stan for so long, and-

Oh.

-000-

After that day, Ford starts noticing things.

Small things really, inconsequential to him before, but now…

Ford has known Stanley for his whole life. And just like the time with Stan's eye, he's realized that when his twin typically talks, the important details aren't in what Stan says, but in what he doesn't say. Action comes easily to his brother and it shows.

He takes the time to observe his brother. After quite a bit of examination, Ford comes to the conclusion that Stan is.. Stan. He's acting like he's always acted, even before the whole boxing mess started. Underneath his hard exterior, Stanley is kind and caring, and possibly the best person that Ford's met.

At least to Ford he is.

And that's a big deal isn't it?

Ford has never realized how wonderful Stan is, not in the ways that mattered. In fact, he's taken Stan for granted all this time and that's why he's never noticed.

Until now.

So the question on his mind is: What should he do next?

-000-

Ford allowed the next days pass with absolutely no intention of taking action. However, a call from Fiddleford forces Ford to reconsider that notion. Honestly, he's not ready, not ready to talk, to act, to- do anything really. But thinking about sharing Fiddleford with Stanley had filled him with an unexpected resentment.

His reaction was both surprising and telling.

Which is why Ford found himself staring at his brother's door late at night.

Gathering his courage, Ford knocked on the door.

"Come in!" His brother yelled.

Ford slowly opened the door and peaked inside. He almost ran away when he was greeted with the sight of his brother shirtless and only in his boxers. However, Stan was already looking at him and he knew it would be suspicious if he left. Ford swallowed and stepped into the room.

"Did ya need something, Ford?" Stan asked.

Ford's eyes flick down then up and he it takes a large amount of effort to stop himself from blurting out his brother's name in response, when he finally notices why Stan's mostly naked. His brother has taken off the bandages, most of the cuts are healed, except for the one above Stan's eye.

His worry immediately replaces any of the other thoughts that Ford has. "Is your eye, okay?" He asked, coming forward to examine it more closely.

Stan rolled his eyes, but let him. "It's fine, the bandages just came off in the shower."

"You should be more careful, Stanley," Ford scolded.

"You offering to wash me every night, Ford?" Stan teased.

Ford could feel himself heat up at that comment. He tries to calm down, after all, it was just Stanley's being his normal teasing self and- how was he not aware of his brother's feelings before if this was normal?! And why did he initiate this conversation when he was suddenly aware of his brother's- everything (again).

"I'm not oblivious, Stan." The words spilled out before Ford could stop them.

The teasing grin on Stan's face slowly slips away. His brother's brows furrow slightly and Ford knows this expression now. It's the look that Stan considers all his options, thinks about all the ways he could get hurt, and recklessly dives into action anyways.

"I never thought that," Stan finally says. He's not smiling anymore and looks more serious than Ford is comfortable with.

Because Ford knows, he knows that they're coming dangerously close to acknowledging what's between them.

"The cooking," Ford starts, "the spending time with each other, the dancing-"

"I thought you said you weren't oblivious," Stanley interrupts.

And that makes Ford take a mental step back. That was the whole point of the conversation, right? To finally end the elaborate dance that they've been doing and bring everything into the open?

"You've always taken care of me, Stan," Ford says softly.

Stan closes his eyes then slowly open them. "Do you want me to go?" He says.

"What?" Ford says incredulously.

"I can, I can leave, Ford," Stanley says again, more gruffly this time.

"Leave?" Ford parrots.

"It's, I'm always doing, wanting, the wrong thing," Stan says. "But, I can leave, Ford, I-"

"No, you haven't done anything wrong, Stan-" But his brother isn't listening to him. Stan is about to brush by him and go out the door and possibly leave him forever- Ford grabs his brother forces him to reposition so that they're face to face.

"I don't want you to leave," Ford says, staring straight into Stan's eyes.

"Really?" Stan asks. The fact that Stan is completely serious when he's asking, makes Ford want to do whatever he can to reassure his brother that he's wanted.

"I don't want you to go, I never want you to go-" Ford stops and feels an oncoming rush of heat. Maybe that was admitting a little too much at once.

Stan takes another look at Ford. He glances down to where Ford is still holding onto him. He shrugs one of Ford's hands off, and Ford almost cries, because what if he had been reading the whole situation wrong this whole time, that Stan was just grateful, nothing more, and now he was going to lose Stan anyways-

But Stan gently threads their hand together and steps closer.

Stan is close enough that Ford can feel the heat between them. He is hyper aware of Stan's other hand coming up to rest at his back and his brother takes another step closer so that they're chest to chest now. He's unable to look away and he wonders if the way Stan looks at him, especially the way he looks now, is the way that Ford has always looked at Stan.

He hopes so.

"I'm going to kiss you now, Ford," Stan says.

Ford leans in at the same time Stan does and their lips meet.

Their first kiss is tentative, just a simple press of their lips, but Stanford can't help think it's more. They've always fallen into place and this time is no different. It's wonderful and perfect, and-

Stanley gently pulls back and presses a soft kiss to his brother's forehead. "That okay?" He mumbles against Ford's skin.

"Yes," Ford says, breathless.

"Then you're overthinking this, Sixer," Stan continues.

Ford buries himself into Stan's shoulder, embarrassed that his brother caught him.

"Take your time, Ford. I'm not going anywhere," Stan says, pressing a kiss to Ford's cheek this time.

Ford feels an incredible rush of emotion at hearing those words. Instead of letting those emotions overwhelm him, he nuzzles into Stan, trying to calm down and organize his thoughts. Stan continues to hold him close, pressing gentle kisses everywhere he can. Ford inhales the scent of his brother's skin and lets himself enjoy the moment.

Although they still haven't put their feelings into words, they just shared something that neither of them can take back. And Ford doesn't want to take their kiss back. Doesn't want to pretend that it didn't happen, that it was insignificant, that it was something to be ashamed of.

Most of all, Ford doesn't want to do anything that might make him lose Stan.

Ford hopes he can show Stan that.

He goes to kiss Stan again, and Stan eagerly kisses him back. This time, Ford allows himself to completely concentrate only on his brother. Stan makes it easy for him and he gets swept away in how this makes him feel complete.

-000-

Ford wakes up slowly.

It's a rarity for him, his mind will usually wake up faster than his body which kickstarts him into action. Mind over matter and all that. But today, he allows himself to gradually come to awareness. He's warm, comfortable, and safe.

Someone snores next to him.

He tries to sit up, but the other person holding him, and it's Stanley, of course it's Stanley, clings to him tighter. Ford's curled into Stanley, head pillowed in the crook of Stan's arm.

Perhaps it is a good thing that his twin has prevented him from leaving. It gives Ford the time to mull over their actions from last night, not that anything had happened. Besides the kissing (and even that memory leaves Ford a bit flushed), Ford remembers the two of them staying up for hours simply looking into each other's eyes (yes, with the occasional kissing), before finally falling asleep.

Ford remembers the tender look that Stan gave him through the whole night and melts. Calmed down, Ford finally lets himself relax and enjoy being in Stan's arms.

Stan continues snoring.

But, since it doesn't look like Stan is about to wake up anytime soon, Ford can take the time to drink in the sight of his brother. Despite his brother's death grip, Ford manages to wiggle himself so he's propped up and on top of his brother.

It's interesting, observing him in his sleep. Stan is a dynamic person. Even when still, he's always ready to spring into action. Seeing Stan with his body relaxed and loose, is a treat for Ford.

And now they're more than what they were before. Instead of just looking, Ford should take the chance to.. touch, as well.

Ford flushes and can feel himself turn red. Thank goodness his brother is asleep and unaware of his thoughts.

Slowly, Ford pulls himself up to plant a soft kiss on Stan's forehead.

Stan doesn't wake up.

Emboldened, Ford starts to gently run one hand along Stan's body. First, he runs his hand appreciatively against Stan's abs. Not only is it a pleasing feature of Stan's, they're also a symbol of his brother's hard work and also represent the memories Ford has of them working together.

After a few moments of appreciating them, Ford slowly moves his hand up Stan's side. He pauses, then skirts around Stan's nipple (he isn't quite ready to touch them yet), skimming his fingers along the collarbone then runs his hand in between his pecs. There is a light smattering of hair there and Ford finds himself oddly drawn to it. Stan has more hair on his chest than Ford does, and it's strangely appealing. He spends a few moments just running his hand through the hair on Stan's chest. Following the hair, Ford let's his hand go down Stan's chest, along his abs, hitting his happy trail, then-

He stops.

Suddenly self-conscious, Ford brings his hand back higher and to Stan's side, rubbing the skin there. After a moment to collect himself, Ford continues his exploration. He brings his hand against Stan's side, counting each rib individually.

He's startled when Stan shifts closer.

"That tickles." Stan says, voice rough with sleep, and most definitely awake.

"Sorry if I woke you," Ford whispers.

"Is fine," Stan mumbles with a smile.

Ford tries to pull his hand away, but Stan doesn't let him. Stan grabs Ford's hand and presses it against his chest, right over his heart. Then Stan slowly brings Ford a little closer so he can plant a sleepy kiss against his brother's forehead. When Stan finishes the kiss, instead of pulling back, he presses his forehead against Ford's own.

Having his brother like this, half asleep, with a dopey smile, and bad morning breath, Ford can't imagine wanting anything else in his mornings. The thought brings part of their conversation to mind, a conversation that they didn't quite get to finish.

"Hey, Stan?"

"Yeah?"

"You don't have to leave, if you don't want to. I don't want you to leave."

"I don't want to leave, either. And I won't, for as long as you'll have me, Ford."

"You want to stay forever?"

"Forever it is."

Author's Ramblings (September 17, 2015) -

And this first part is finished! I hope you enjoyed the last chapter and I hope it was a good conclusion for the first part of this fic. Yes, I have a sequel (several sequels) in the works. I wanted to separate this part, which is just the beginning for these two.

However, I will be taking a break from this universe to work on some of the other Gravity Falls fics I have in mind (and I have quite a few in mind). If you enjoy Stancest, then have I got some stories for you.

Feel free to leave a review and tell me what you would like to hear about in the sequel.