div class="chapter preface group" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-color: initial; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.5em 3em; padding: 0.643em 0.643em 0px; float: none; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 19.4443px;"
div id="notes" class="notes module" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.643em; position: relative; width: auto; float: none; clear: right; min-height: 5em;"
blockquote class="userstuff" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0.643em; padding: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; word-wrap: break-word;"
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"strongHi! I'm back with another chapter! Warnings for violence and abuse in this one. /strongbr /strongEnjoy!/strong/p
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div class="userstuff module" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 1088.63px; float: none; word-wrap: break-word; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 19.4443px;"
h3 id="work" class="landmark heading" style="border-width: 0px 0px 0.25em; border-bottom-style: double; border-bottom-color: #333333; outline: 0px; font-weight: 500; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0px; font-family: Georgia, serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0.125em; line-height: 0; opacity: 0; height: 0px; clear: both; color: transparent;"Chapter Text/h3
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Ford sputtered and coughed as he began to wake up. Unlike earlier, it was dead silent around him. The deafening roaring sound was gone, replaced by the familiar rustling of the dying leaves on the trees and scattered about on the ground. Looking up, he saw his partner standing there, his eyes shifting around in a nervous state. br /"Wh-what happened?" he groaned as he got back on his feet. br /Fiddleford helped him with regaining his balance, then quietly shushed him and pointed over towards the dying bonfire. The glowing embers shifted about in the wind, springing forth glowing lights like fireflies that quickly vanished. br /"Most of em' got consumed or killed by that slenderman thing. We need to get back to town. I grabbed a book with all of the members' names and identities. We can hand that over to the police and let them take care of the rest. As for this slenderman mystery, quite frankly, I don't want to know anything else. Let's get back to town, but let's be sneaky about it in case there are still dangers about," Fidds whispered, holding Ford's hand as he shivered from the adrenaline rush. Ford blinked a few times before he registered what Fidds said. br /"Wait..you saved me, didn't you?" he asked as they began their way back to town. br /"Yup! That was me. I can't believe I did all that. I think that slenderman and Squalor got sent back to their dimension for now." br /He smiled at Ford while still pulling him along. They managed to make it into town without any trouble and promptly handed the small book over to the sheriff. Within the next few days, they were both on their way back to HQ in D.C./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Agent Pines..would you mind explaining to me how on every assignment now, Agent McGucket ends up seriously injured?" the assistant director's tone was in its usual, close to boiling point anger. br /Fiddleford was about to speak up when Ford interjected, "It's entirely my fault, sir. I wasn't looking out for my partner when I should've been. Please, don't blame McGucket for any of it. I understand if you're thinking about reassignment, but I would rather stay and have McGucket as my partner." br /The assistant director looked back and forth at the two before sighing, "Alright alright. Truth is, together you two are some of my best agents. You get your investigations done rather quickly and successfully. McGucket's reports are informative and you two, for some reason, really draw in the supernatural, which makes you perfect for the x files. I guess, Pines, just look after your partner better. Keep him safe. He's been hurt enough." br /Ford nodded, grinning as he looked over at Fidds. "But don't relax yet. I actually have another investigation for you two to conduct." He handed an x file over to Ford. "Strange occurrences that can't be explained are happening across the country, but they've been concentrated in this one town in New Jersey." br /He indicated the location by pointing to it on a map. Ford's eyes widened as he flipped through the file. br /"Red eyes..strange dreams..an angel..Mothman?" br /"Yes, apparently that's the creature that they think it is. So, I need you two there right away. Dismissed." br /Both barked a "yes sir" then headed out the door. br /Instead of his usual napping on the plane ride, Ford was pouring through the x file. br /"So, Stanford, what's so particularly interesting about this x file?" Fidds asked, attempting to soothe his boredom. br /"Oh, well, I just think it's weird how this is in my hometown," he replied. It took him a few seconds to answer Fidds. br /"Wait, wait, wait..this is in your hometown?" he asked, a bit bewildered. br /"Yeah, which is why I'm a bit worried. In the legends, Mothman is an angel of warning. It warns people of a coming tragedy through cryptic signs, hallucinations, and dreams. I'm not sure what to expect really." br /Fiddleford gently grabbed onto Ford's hand, giving him a reassuring squeeze. "Well, whatever it is, we'll get through it together." br /Ford gave him a small peck on his nose smiling at him. "Thanks..for always being here for me."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"It was pouring down rain when they arrived in a main city and taking about an hour drive to Glass Shard Beach. They arrived at the motel early, taking some time to settle in and relax. Late afternoon sunlight filtered into the room through the slanted blinds, displaying bars of light all over the floor and up the walls. br /"So, do you wanna start the investigation? We can always start tomorrow if you just want to take it easy," Fiddleford said as he set up his laptop on the desk. br /Ford looked over at him with tired eyes, already beginning to nod off. br /"I'm just going to take a little nap, Fidds. Flights really exhaust me," he yawned as he placed his glasses on the night stand. br /Fiddleford walked over, tucked him in and kissed his forehead. "Sweet dreams." br /He did the same, getting into the other bed and quickly falling asleep, though as his eyes began to close, he could've sworn that he saw two red eyes staring at him from the window and a strange presence in the room./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Ford found himself standing by the side of a road at night. The stars shone brightly above him and a full moon lit up the area in a ghostly glow. The heat and humidity were quite oppressive. As Ford began to walk along the road for reasons he wasn't sure, he could feel his clothes sticking to him like someone had poured warm water over him. He was wondering where he was even walking to when the still air was broken by the revving of heavy engines. Ford turned a curve and saw three trucks packed in a semi circle. People, men specifically, were hottin' and hollerin' about, dancing with fists balled up. As Ford came closer, he heard weak whimpering that escalated into yelps sometimes. At first, Ford thought they were beating a dog from the sounds, but when he spotted the victim, it was a young boy, probably in his teenage years. Ford only watched in horror as they kicked and beat him without mercy. Blood sputtered from the boy's mouth and nose, pooling around his face and hair. He heard unmistakable homophobic slurs spew out of their mouths drunkenly. Finally, after a few more minutes, the attackers tired. They hopped back into their trucks, spitting at the boy before driving off leaving him with only the moon to light his way. The boy sputtered and hacked as he struggled to get on his feet. Ford ran over to him and helped him to his feet. br /"Hey, are you-" he immediately stopped as it was a young Fiddleford he was looking at. His face was battered and bloodied, but he knew it was Fiddleford. Suddenly, everything disappeared in front of him, and he was engulfed in a red light. When he opened his eyes again, he was in a house. He wandered down the hallway a bit and froze when he heard a squeaky voice with a distinct southern accent. br /"Fidds…" he thought. br /He peeked into the bedroom through the crack in the opened door. He saw Fiddleford, still beat up looking, so this must've been not long after the previous incident. A woman sat on the bed with a sympathetic look on her face. br /"She must be his mom," he thought. br /"I just can't go back to school, mom! I just can't do it..not after what's happened. Just homeschool me or something. It's better than going back there where everyone knows I'm a homo now," he sobbed as he paced around the room. br /His mother stood up and hugged him tightly, kissing his forehead. br /"My Fiddleford..if that's what you think is best for your safety, then we'll do it," she hummed and held him close to her, trying to calm him down. br /Ford wanted to see more but was soon engulfed by the red light again. br /"Damaged but not broken," a voice said. br /Something about it didn't sound altogether human. br /"A-are you Mothman?" Ford asked into the red light. br /"Tomorrow, go to where the eyes watch you…" br /"Wait! What does that mean?" br /Ford woke up, practically in a puddle of sweat. He breathed hard as he whipped the covers off of him. Looking over at Fiddleford, he felt a dull ache in his chest. br /"Oh, Fidds…"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Fiddleford's dreams were meticulously guided as well. Fiddleford found himself in a classroom. In front of him were two teenagers. He recognized Ford right away by the glasses. The other must've been Stan. Ford was visibly upset. He gripped onto the paper he was holding so tightly that his knuckles turned white. br /"Look, Stanford..it'll be okay. He might not even ask about it," Stan tried his best to comfort him. br /"I know he will! It's marked on the calendar that I'm getting my test back today, so he already knows...and soon he'll know that I got a B. What am I going to do, Stanley?" Ford sniffled. His face was full of fear like a shadow had ghosted over it. Fiddleford was about to say something when the scene twisted and morphed in front of him to the inside of an apartment. Young Ford was handing the graded test to his father, the paper shaking in his hand but suddenly stilled by his father's firm hand. Their mother had already pulled Stanley into another room, afraid for what Filbrick might do if he tried to interfere. She held onto Stanley tightly, fearing for her other son. Filbrick's jaw immediately tightened and his sudden grip crinkled up the paper. br /"A B?" he asked in a near growl. "A damn B?" br /His voice echoed through the room like resounding thunder. The test was crinkled up into a ball and promptly threw it on the floor and crushed it under his foot. What followed after was complete silence, silence that stabbed into a soul deeply, save for Ford's whimpering. br /"I-I'm sorry, dad! I tried..I really did.." Ford couldn't find the courage to meet his eyes. "Please, I don't want to have to wear the turtleneck for days on end again." br /He began to back away as he spotted his father grabbing for his belt, a movement he was all too familiar with. He desperately tried to run over to where his brother and mother were but a strong grip on the back of his collar yanked him back, causing him to gag in surprise. Fiddleford so desperately wanted to defend Ford, run over to Filbrick and clock him right in his face, but some force in his dream was keeping him in place. He watched in horror as Ford was thrown into another room, his father slipping off his belt and locking the door behind him. The last thing he remembered was hearing Ford's cries for him to stop before the scene shifted again. He was now in a darkened bedroom. A bunk bed sat over by the window with moonlight filtering into the room, shrouding the room in a faint light. Ford laid on the top bed while Stan was on the bottom one. Ford wore a red sweater and was wrapped up in himself. To Fiddleford, his eyes looked very..sad and far away, broken in a way. Stan appeared equally as distraught. He hugged his pillow close to him, squeezing it in his balled up fists. br /"It'll..it'll be okay, sixer. Soon, we'll have the Stan O' War done, and we can sail away from all...this. I promise," his voice cracked a bit and his lip quivered in an attempt not to break down. Ford pulled the turtleneck over his face more. br /"Yeah, thanks, Stan.." he muttered before turning over. br /"I'm sorry..I wish I could fix this.." Stan buried his face and began softly crying into the pillow, crying for Ford, Ma, and their baby brother, Shermie. br /Fiddleford felt so empty and furious. Furious that Ford and Stan had gone through that abuse. He was surrounded by the red light once more and heard a voice that sounded like some sort of odd electric current. "Discourse and separation, but life is just a circle." br /Fiddleford whipped his head around as if expecting to find someone...or something. br /"Wh-who are ya? Why did you show me that?" br /"It is needed to open your minds and bring the two of you closer. Your partner will need you." br /Fiddleford was about to call out again when he suddenly woke up. Looking over, he saw Ford sitting up, staring wide eyed at him. Fiddleford knew he was giving him the same look. br /"Stanford, I…" br /"I saw what happened to you in high school. Mothman showed me, and I'm..guessing he showed you what happened to me." br /Ford hesitated at first, then got up and sat next to Fidds. Without saying another word, he brought him into a tight hug. Fidds squeaked a bit but promptly hugged Ford back. br /"So, that's what those marks I saw on you were from..I'm...I'm so sorry that happened to you," he cried softly into his shoulder. br /"And I'm sorry for what happened to you. I wanted to deck all of those bastards, but I must say how infinitely proud I am of you for still finishing high school and going onto college."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"They held onto each other for a long time, hours it seemed like even, until they finally parted. Ford kissed him on the lips, slowly and sensually, running his fingers through his hair, wanting him to feel loved. br /"It's only ten o'clock, and I'm wide awake. Wanna get a late night meal?" he looked at Fidds with a loving smile. "I promise I know some of the best places..if they're still open that is," he chuckled, kissing Fidds' lips again. br /Fiddleford blushed a deep red. It was strange. They just saw each other in some of their worst states, but somehow, they felt like their bond was even stronger now. They knew each other's weaknesses and low points, but they truly felt like they were really together and stronger than ever. Outside, a pair of red eyes watched them, knowing that now, it could begin the warnings before the tragedy was upon them./p
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div id="notes" class="notes module" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.643em; position: relative; width: auto; float: none; clear: right; min-height: 5em;"
blockquote class="userstuff" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0.643em; padding: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; word-wrap: break-word;"
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"strongHi! I'm back with another chapter! Warnings for violence and abuse in this one. /strongbr /strongEnjoy!/strong/p
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div class="userstuff module" style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 1088.63px; float: none; word-wrap: break-word; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 19.4443px;"
h3 id="work" class="landmark heading" style="border-width: 0px 0px 0.25em; border-bottom-style: double; border-bottom-color: #333333; outline: 0px; font-weight: 500; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0px; font-family: Georgia, serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0.125em; line-height: 0; opacity: 0; height: 0px; clear: both; color: transparent;"Chapter Text/h3
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Ford sputtered and coughed as he began to wake up. Unlike earlier, it was dead silent around him. The deafening roaring sound was gone, replaced by the familiar rustling of the dying leaves on the trees and scattered about on the ground. Looking up, he saw his partner standing there, his eyes shifting around in a nervous state. br /"Wh-what happened?" he groaned as he got back on his feet. br /Fiddleford helped him with regaining his balance, then quietly shushed him and pointed over towards the dying bonfire. The glowing embers shifted about in the wind, springing forth glowing lights like fireflies that quickly vanished. br /"Most of em' got consumed or killed by that slenderman thing. We need to get back to town. I grabbed a book with all of the members' names and identities. We can hand that over to the police and let them take care of the rest. As for this slenderman mystery, quite frankly, I don't want to know anything else. Let's get back to town, but let's be sneaky about it in case there are still dangers about," Fidds whispered, holding Ford's hand as he shivered from the adrenaline rush. Ford blinked a few times before he registered what Fidds said. br /"Wait..you saved me, didn't you?" he asked as they began their way back to town. br /"Yup! That was me. I can't believe I did all that. I think that slenderman and Squalor got sent back to their dimension for now." br /He smiled at Ford while still pulling him along. They managed to make it into town without any trouble and promptly handed the small book over to the sheriff. Within the next few days, they were both on their way back to HQ in D.C./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;""Agent Pines..would you mind explaining to me how on every assignment now, Agent McGucket ends up seriously injured?" the assistant director's tone was in its usual, close to boiling point anger. br /Fiddleford was about to speak up when Ford interjected, "It's entirely my fault, sir. I wasn't looking out for my partner when I should've been. Please, don't blame McGucket for any of it. I understand if you're thinking about reassignment, but I would rather stay and have McGucket as my partner." br /The assistant director looked back and forth at the two before sighing, "Alright alright. Truth is, together you two are some of my best agents. You get your investigations done rather quickly and successfully. McGucket's reports are informative and you two, for some reason, really draw in the supernatural, which makes you perfect for the x files. I guess, Pines, just look after your partner better. Keep him safe. He's been hurt enough." br /Ford nodded, grinning as he looked over at Fidds. "But don't relax yet. I actually have another investigation for you two to conduct." He handed an x file over to Ford. "Strange occurrences that can't be explained are happening across the country, but they've been concentrated in this one town in New Jersey." br /He indicated the location by pointing to it on a map. Ford's eyes widened as he flipped through the file. br /"Red eyes..strange dreams..an angel..Mothman?" br /"Yes, apparently that's the creature that they think it is. So, I need you two there right away. Dismissed." br /Both barked a "yes sir" then headed out the door. br /Instead of his usual napping on the plane ride, Ford was pouring through the x file. br /"So, Stanford, what's so particularly interesting about this x file?" Fidds asked, attempting to soothe his boredom. br /"Oh, well, I just think it's weird how this is in my hometown," he replied. It took him a few seconds to answer Fidds. br /"Wait, wait, wait..this is in your hometown?" he asked, a bit bewildered. br /"Yeah, which is why I'm a bit worried. In the legends, Mothman is an angel of warning. It warns people of a coming tragedy through cryptic signs, hallucinations, and dreams. I'm not sure what to expect really." br /Fiddleford gently grabbed onto Ford's hand, giving him a reassuring squeeze. "Well, whatever it is, we'll get through it together." br /Ford gave him a small peck on his nose smiling at him. "Thanks..for always being here for me."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"It was pouring down rain when they arrived in a main city and taking about an hour drive to Glass Shard Beach. They arrived at the motel early, taking some time to settle in and relax. Late afternoon sunlight filtered into the room through the slanted blinds, displaying bars of light all over the floor and up the walls. br /"So, do you wanna start the investigation? We can always start tomorrow if you just want to take it easy," Fiddleford said as he set up his laptop on the desk. br /Ford looked over at him with tired eyes, already beginning to nod off. br /"I'm just going to take a little nap, Fidds. Flights really exhaust me," he yawned as he placed his glasses on the night stand. br /Fiddleford walked over, tucked him in and kissed his forehead. "Sweet dreams." br /He did the same, getting into the other bed and quickly falling asleep, though as his eyes began to close, he could've sworn that he saw two red eyes staring at him from the window and a strange presence in the room./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Ford found himself standing by the side of a road at night. The stars shone brightly above him and a full moon lit up the area in a ghostly glow. The heat and humidity were quite oppressive. As Ford began to walk along the road for reasons he wasn't sure, he could feel his clothes sticking to him like someone had poured warm water over him. He was wondering where he was even walking to when the still air was broken by the revving of heavy engines. Ford turned a curve and saw three trucks packed in a semi circle. People, men specifically, were hottin' and hollerin' about, dancing with fists balled up. As Ford came closer, he heard weak whimpering that escalated into yelps sometimes. At first, Ford thought they were beating a dog from the sounds, but when he spotted the victim, it was a young boy, probably in his teenage years. Ford only watched in horror as they kicked and beat him without mercy. Blood sputtered from the boy's mouth and nose, pooling around his face and hair. He heard unmistakable homophobic slurs spew out of their mouths drunkenly. Finally, after a few more minutes, the attackers tired. They hopped back into their trucks, spitting at the boy before driving off leaving him with only the moon to light his way. The boy sputtered and hacked as he struggled to get on his feet. Ford ran over to him and helped him to his feet. br /"Hey, are you-" he immediately stopped as it was a young Fiddleford he was looking at. His face was battered and bloodied, but he knew it was Fiddleford. Suddenly, everything disappeared in front of him, and he was engulfed in a red light. When he opened his eyes again, he was in a house. He wandered down the hallway a bit and froze when he heard a squeaky voice with a distinct southern accent. br /"Fidds…" he thought. br /He peeked into the bedroom through the crack in the opened door. He saw Fiddleford, still beat up looking, so this must've been not long after the previous incident. A woman sat on the bed with a sympathetic look on her face. br /"She must be his mom," he thought. br /"I just can't go back to school, mom! I just can't do it..not after what's happened. Just homeschool me or something. It's better than going back there where everyone knows I'm a homo now," he sobbed as he paced around the room. br /His mother stood up and hugged him tightly, kissing his forehead. br /"My Fiddleford..if that's what you think is best for your safety, then we'll do it," she hummed and held him close to her, trying to calm him down. br /Ford wanted to see more but was soon engulfed by the red light again. br /"Damaged but not broken," a voice said. br /Something about it didn't sound altogether human. br /"A-are you Mothman?" Ford asked into the red light. br /"Tomorrow, go to where the eyes watch you…" br /"Wait! What does that mean?" br /Ford woke up, practically in a puddle of sweat. He breathed hard as he whipped the covers off of him. Looking over at Fiddleford, he felt a dull ache in his chest. br /"Oh, Fidds…"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"Fiddleford's dreams were meticulously guided as well. Fiddleford found himself in a classroom. In front of him were two teenagers. He recognized Ford right away by the glasses. The other must've been Stan. Ford was visibly upset. He gripped onto the paper he was holding so tightly that his knuckles turned white. br /"Look, Stanford..it'll be okay. He might not even ask about it," Stan tried his best to comfort him. br /"I know he will! It's marked on the calendar that I'm getting my test back today, so he already knows...and soon he'll know that I got a B. What am I going to do, Stanley?" Ford sniffled. His face was full of fear like a shadow had ghosted over it. Fiddleford was about to say something when the scene twisted and morphed in front of him to the inside of an apartment. Young Ford was handing the graded test to his father, the paper shaking in his hand but suddenly stilled by his father's firm hand. Their mother had already pulled Stanley into another room, afraid for what Filbrick might do if he tried to interfere. She held onto Stanley tightly, fearing for her other son. Filbrick's jaw immediately tightened and his sudden grip crinkled up the paper. br /"A B?" he asked in a near growl. "A damn B?" br /His voice echoed through the room like resounding thunder. The test was crinkled up into a ball and promptly threw it on the floor and crushed it under his foot. What followed after was complete silence, silence that stabbed into a soul deeply, save for Ford's whimpering. br /"I-I'm sorry, dad! I tried..I really did.." Ford couldn't find the courage to meet his eyes. "Please, I don't want to have to wear the turtleneck for days on end again." br /He began to back away as he spotted his father grabbing for his belt, a movement he was all too familiar with. He desperately tried to run over to where his brother and mother were but a strong grip on the back of his collar yanked him back, causing him to gag in surprise. Fiddleford so desperately wanted to defend Ford, run over to Filbrick and clock him right in his face, but some force in his dream was keeping him in place. He watched in horror as Ford was thrown into another room, his father slipping off his belt and locking the door behind him. The last thing he remembered was hearing Ford's cries for him to stop before the scene shifted again. He was now in a darkened bedroom. A bunk bed sat over by the window with moonlight filtering into the room, shrouding the room in a faint light. Ford laid on the top bed while Stan was on the bottom one. Ford wore a red sweater and was wrapped up in himself. To Fiddleford, his eyes looked very..sad and far away, broken in a way. Stan appeared equally as distraught. He hugged his pillow close to him, squeezing it in his balled up fists. br /"It'll..it'll be okay, sixer. Soon, we'll have the Stan O' War done, and we can sail away from all...this. I promise," his voice cracked a bit and his lip quivered in an attempt not to break down. Ford pulled the turtleneck over his face more. br /"Yeah, thanks, Stan.." he muttered before turning over. br /"I'm sorry..I wish I could fix this.." Stan buried his face and began softly crying into the pillow, crying for Ford, Ma, and their baby brother, Shermie. br /Fiddleford felt so empty and furious. Furious that Ford and Stan had gone through that abuse. He was surrounded by the red light once more and heard a voice that sounded like some sort of odd electric current. "Discourse and separation, but life is just a circle." br /Fiddleford whipped his head around as if expecting to find someone...or something. br /"Wh-who are ya? Why did you show me that?" br /"It is needed to open your minds and bring the two of you closer. Your partner will need you." br /Fiddleford was about to call out again when he suddenly woke up. Looking over, he saw Ford sitting up, staring wide eyed at him. Fiddleford knew he was giving him the same look. br /"Stanford, I…" br /"I saw what happened to you in high school. Mothman showed me, and I'm..guessing he showed you what happened to me." br /Ford hesitated at first, then got up and sat next to Fidds. Without saying another word, he brought him into a tight hug. Fidds squeaked a bit but promptly hugged Ford back. br /"So, that's what those marks I saw on you were from..I'm...I'm so sorry that happened to you," he cried softly into his shoulder. br /"And I'm sorry for what happened to you. I wanted to deck all of those bastards, but I must say how infinitely proud I am of you for still finishing high school and going onto college."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"They held onto each other for a long time, hours it seemed like even, until they finally parted. Ford kissed him on the lips, slowly and sensually, running his fingers through his hair, wanting him to feel loved. br /"It's only ten o'clock, and I'm wide awake. Wanna get a late night meal?" he looked at Fidds with a loving smile. "I promise I know some of the best places..if they're still open that is," he chuckled, kissing Fidds' lips again. br /Fiddleford blushed a deep red. It was strange. They just saw each other in some of their worst states, but somehow, they felt like their bond was even stronger now. They knew each other's weaknesses and low points, but they truly felt like they were really together and stronger than ever. Outside, a pair of red eyes watched them, knowing that now, it could begin the warnings before the tragedy was upon them./p
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