CHAPTER 14 PEOPLE! Enjoy: Stan meets Fidds (fer reals)

It was three days before Stanley woke up again. When he did, he was delusional. He wouldn't stop talking in Spanish. Ford once asked Fiddleford to translate, the first time it happened. (Fiddleford knew several languages, he thought it would be useful if he were to go international with his work.) Fidds had gone pale and refused to answer. Ford didn't bother asking again.

It was a full week before the fever broke. When it did, no one was around. Fiddleford was trying to convince Ford to take Stan to a proper M.D.

" Look Stanferd, it's been a week and with a high-grade fever no less! i'm surprised he's still alive!"

" Don't you think I understand that, Fiddleford? I want to, but I already know that I can't. It would probably make things worse."

" And how on earth do ya figure out tha' one Stanferd?"

" I know my twin. True, it's been ten years, but he'll heal faster where he's comfortable, and he would kill me if he went to a hospital! Look, you have a medical degree, right?"

" I dabbled in it, sure, but even if I were a full blown clinician, I still don't have the proper medical equipment to take care of him properly!"

" Fiddleford, I know your concerned, but it was never really an option. I already discussed it with him before you returned and...let's say it did not go well."

Fiddleford sighed. " Alright Stanferd, we'll do it yer way. But I do not take any responsibility if he, if he dies."

Ford smiled, but it was strained. " I understand that, Fidds. But mark my words, Stan is more stubborn than an angry mule. He wouldn't let something as common as a fever take him out."

Fidds couldn't help but agree. The way Stan rambled on in Spanish, if even a part of it were true, Stan Pines was one tough stubborn man.

The two disbanded and Fidds left to Stan's room while Ford went down to the kitchen. They had been trading duties in shifts and it was Ford's turn to cook that day. Yay for boxed mac and cheese. ( He should really take some cooking lessons.)

Stanley had heard the entire conversation, quite pleased with the way it turned out. Although he wondered why neither of them thought of bringing a doctor to the house. He was glad they didn't though. He didn't really trust doctors anymore...

Stan blinked when the door opened and the room was flooded with light. The light made his headache explode and black dots flew around his vision.

" Stanley? Are you awake?" The voice was soft but unfamiliar. Stan flinched back in reflex. Something cool touched his head and Stan stilled.

" Shh, it's alright. It's Fiddleford. Your brother is in the kitchen. How have you survived his cooking, by the way? It's worse than my mama's. My pa was the chef in our family."

Stan felt the edges of his lips lift into a very small smile. The Fiddleford character was funny. Stan's voice was a whisper when he replied, ( Much to Fiddleford's surprise.)

" He nearly burnt the house down using the toaster when we were little. So it's improving."

" Ah! So the elusive Stan Pines really is awake. And how do you feel Stanley?"

Stan huffed a laugh. " I feel great. For nearly dying."

" Oh, well we don't know tha' fer sure."

" I do." Stan's whispered voice was terrifyingly confident. " I know what it's like ta be on the brink of death, Mr. Friend of Ford's. That was one of the closer ones."

Fidds paled again, what has this man been through? But didn't say anything.

Fiddleford grabbed him by the arm as he moved to sit up. " Woah! Careful now, ya only jus' woke up! Ya need yer rest. And it's Fiddleford. I worked with your brother on a project of his."

Stan shrugged his hand off. " I know. The portal. He told me. And I'm fine. I've been resting for what feels like days. It has been days right?"

With those words Fiddleford forcefully pushed him back down. " Like heck yer fine! Your brother ain't fine and neither are you! Do neither of ya understand the meaning of 'Self-care?

Stan gaped at he little man who forced him down. It wasn't really much of an accomplishment, but Stanley had been forced to rest quite a lot recently. It was starting to confuse him. No one had ever cared this much, not even Ford, until now. Every time he got the cold or flu as a child, Stan remembered Ford telling him to take some medicine and that was it. If he would just take his meds, he would be fine. Now it seemed like he wasn't allowed to do anything.

Fiddleford wasn't sure if he crossed a line or something when Stan gaped at him. " Are ya alright? I didn't hurt ya did I?"

Stan wanted to snort, but refrained. " You, hurt me? I think we both know I'm still capable of killing ya in this state. Not that I want to. Don't get me wrong, ya seem like a great guy, I'm just not used to doing...nothing. Being coddled, I guess? If I wanted to get up and leave the house when I had the flu as a kid, no one would stop me. Now neither of you nerds will let me sit up. Ford's been doing the same thing ta me ever since I showed up. 'Stanley stay. Stanley, don't move. Stanley, rest.' and now I've got a random nerd doing it too."

Fiddleford looked slightly sad at the information he let slip, but smiled. " Well ya sound a lot better. Want me ta grab your brother for ya? I should jus' take over the cookin'. Stanferd is truly the worst cook I ever laid my eyes on."

Stan huffed again and smiled. " Nice ta meet ya Fidds."

" Please, the pleasure's all mine."

Hehe, this story is so pointless. I could keep it up forever! I don't know when it'll end. Maybe I'll just have rico come after them and all three of them will have a ton of realistic and some less realistic adventures together.