omg were back, im sorry for the time xd we've both been so busy aaaa

Hope you enjoy this!

Time was...a very scary thing...Seb could see why Bill got rid of it in Weirdmageddon, he could see why Miz was scared of them growing up, growing old.

Time passed… just SO. Fast. Seb felt like just yesterday the twins were having their 8th birthday party… and now, they were going to turn 11 soon! Three years didn't sound like a lot, but– the twins were so big now! The years seemed to fly by.

Was it because Time Baby no longer existed? Hehehehe, oops! Might be. Seb could still feel Ax's angry glare. Bill was supposed to kill him so Ax didn't have to be angry at his little yellow human. But oh well, it was done.

He remembered when his twins were just little babies, so small in clothes too big for them. He remembered waking up at night when they cried to feed them. Or how careful he had to be when bathing them in their little baby tub. And they were full grown kids now, with their own little lives and likes.

Zach was a champion in gymnastics, his coach adored him. He'd gone to some little competitions here and there and came back with lots of medals! Zoe knew how to play at least 4 instruments, and probably even more that he knew nothing of. Academies wanted her to join their kids' bands…

He remembered Diego as a baby too and his oldest nephew, so young and little, pouting at his new baby brother. Diego was such a promising kid, loving everything he was taught by his encouraging teacher. He was lacking a little in the social department yet, much like Seb's oldest brother, but Stan and Carla were working on it with lots of love. (And Seb knew Diego was still getting magic lessons from Miz. He was getting to be a real little wizard.)

Dillon was such a fine young man now. He left his major (much to Stan's despair), and pursued something more music tech related. From what Seb got from his nephew's explanation… which wasn't much, but he could understand it was related to recording, and sound, for television or radio or concerts.

Maybe Seb was getting too old to get it, but he could see Dillon was happy. He was living with his boyfriend Phillip, who was an excellent doctor now.

Seb remembered when his twin niblings were born too. He was worried for them, for Shermie and Abi… but they did a great job with those two rascals. They had grown up so much, had their own partners...

And they had been in California not so long ago because there was a lot to celebrate. In other words, Dipper and Mabel's college graduation.

Seb was so proud. Tears had been shed for them. It was a bit of a toss up of whether Seb or Shermie were prouder of them. Both cried very loud during both ceremonies, so everyone would say it was a close tie.

The other triplets were there too and when the twins joined their proud family, Ford and Dipper had the tightest hug of them all. Dipper has had this dream since he was 12, as he had confided in him all those years ago, and Ford was so proud to be here, to see him achieve it. Tech school, a degree for working in writing, film and goals to make his own shows.

Being Ford's apprentice? As if! Ford chuckled at the idea. Ford understood now that such a thing would have just interrupted Dipper's growth, and who knew if they'd have been here for this marvelous moment.

"I'm so proud of you, son." Ford whispered, patting Dipper's back. His eyes were glossy, but he would never admit it.

Dipper chuckled wetly and rubbed his tears away. "Thanks, Uncle Ford…"

Man, even the octuplets were not babies anymore, having officially reached four years old. Why was it all happening so fast?!

To make things even more difficult to grasp, Seb was totally blown away when Mabel told him Grenda and Marius were getting married!

"And she-she…" Mabel and Max barely caught Seb when he fainted. "Great, Mabel. You killed him." Max deadpanned.

"I just said she was inviting him too!" Mabel cried. Grenda told Mabel to personally hand him the invitation. When asked why she chose to invite her uncle, she just shrugged, mentioning how he was always nice to her when he lived in town. He also made her 16th birthday dress and her graduation dresses. She appreciated how he didn't tell her she didn't suit a pretty dress, like some other people have told her, instead, he worked on stuff that made her look pretty, and built the perfect thing for her.

"PLUS HE WAS ALWAYS SO HANDSOME!" Grenda added with a laugh.

"See Uncle Seb? Doing good in your life pays off." Mabel brushed his hair as he trembled and sniffled. "Grenda likes you and wants you to make her wedding dress because you were a good guy to her… I think she crushed on you the Summer I met her."

"Oh…"

"And see? You were nice to Max and now he brings you tea after fainting like an old man" Mabel motioned at her fiancé, carefully bringing Seb tea and cookies. Max rolled his eyes fondly.

-.-

Seb had the time of his life designing her dress, he wanted Grenda to look amazing on her big day. Of course he wanted that for anyone who contacted him for personalized clothing, but this was way important! He'd be making clothes for a future Duchess! (His manager had said this was one of the most important moments in his career, and to "PLEASE SEBASTIAN! BEHAVE ONCE YOU'RE THERE!")

He couldn't even believe the Duke kid remembered him from like, maybe the 3 times they saw each other, maybe Mabel was right and being good brought you good things!

Going to Austria with Wanda for a few days was a great distraction too. No kids to watch and they could explore around! He left Zoe and Zach in Stan's place. He'd have preferred if they went to Gravity Falls, but 1. Too many kids, he didn't want Ford losing it, and 2. He'd rather have Zoe not fighting her toddler cousins AND having Ford losing it anyway. Miz would be with them at Stan's place, and Seb himself kept an Eye on them, so it's not like Seb would not see them.

Wanda and Max had a good laugh watching their partners during the trip, niece and uncle squealing and giggling to each other. Dipper and Paz just shook their heads fondly.

Candy had joined the wedding trip too, after all, she and Mabel were maids of honor. Yup, Grenda had both as maids of honor because it was her wedding and she could do whatever she wanted.

It was a really pretty wedding, broadcasted on local Tv and all. Grenda loved her dress and looked beautiful, she felt beautiful. Mabel and Candy just cried a whole ocean (metaphorically) after the loud "I DO!"

A wedding...One of Mabel's friends just got married. They'll be forming families of their own and possibly having babies… Seb still remembered, he saw them as little babies, how come this was happening? They grew up too fast!

Speaking of babies, Soos and Melody had their 3rd and (hopefully) last child (since Soos and Melody sat down and talked about how this was a good number and they didn't want to have any more), Ernesto Bastián Ramirez. Maria and Sabrina were delighted with their new baby brother. The octuplets were also amazed to have yet another child in the household. Since Soos and Ford's kids were all living and growing up in the same house, they were practically siblings.

Seb raised an eyebrow at Soos and Melody "Trying to catch up with Ford and Yun I see."

The two laughed sheepishly. "No, no, this is our last one." Melody tickled the baby's belly.

"If they can!" Abuelita shook her head and Seb burst out laughing as Soos and Melody turned red. "We're good. Three is fine!"

Good thing the house had new space-folded hallways, it'd be impossible to keep these many people in normal rooms. Seb heard Ford had created his own version of compacted spaces, probably a little inspired by a pretty alien girlfriend. But it was all his job, Seb was proud of him… He could keep Soos living with him and not have to spend money rebuilding the entire Shack with him. (Heh, Ford was learning so much from simply observing and studying his partner, he didn't need any Portal at all.)

So many creations, so many things happening and time passed so fast…

-.-

"She's WHAT?!" Mabel cried on her phone's speaker as she talked to her newly wed friend.

"Of ALL GUYS in the world?" Mabel was combing Max's soft hair to braid for him, and he cried as she pulled too hard. "I'm sorry, honey." She said in a soft, kind voice before kissing his cheek. "BUT HIM?" She went back to shouting at her phone.

"YEAH I DON'T KNOW! SHE SAID THEY WERE ALREADY TOGETHER FOR THE WEDDING, BUT WASN'T "OFFICIAL ENOUGH" TO BRING HIM." Grenda scoffed.

"But...but it's GABE! How did we let this happen?"

"Oh shit." Max mumbled in surprise as the tea was being spilled right into his hearing aid.

"I DON'T KNOW! BUT SHE SEEMS HAPPY?!"

Mabel grabbed her phone to stalk Candy's profile. "Hm...you sure it's official and not just fun times? Because there's no -SHE JUST POSTED!" Mabel almost yeeted her phone away.

Grenda and her checked the photo. The first photo with the production designer (specialist, of course, in puppetry). "He looks… almost normal." Mabel admitted as she looked at this adult Gabe.

"Why would he not?" Max asked.

"Because he spoke to his puppets, Maxi! And kissed them!" Mabel couldn't stress this enough. Max just laughed. "I don't understand?"

"Gabe was… like… he loved his puppets more than real people! Candy deserves better in a man! But… I guess maybe Gabe grew up and grew past that?" She certainly hoped so.

Mabel was going to look through Gabe's entire social media to make a judgment call about his character! Max sighed. He didn't fully understand this sort of thing, but Mabel seemed to think it was important? Still, she looked so passionate about it, and he found that endearing.

—-.-

Zoe finished a guitar session with her teacher. The black haired man congratulated her, and because Zoe flourished with positive feedback, she thought he was the best teacher.

"See you on Friday, Mr. Valentino!" She waved at the camera. Remote learning for music wasn't that bad. Sure, she didn't have him there to position her fingers, but Miz could help with that if Zoe really needed it. Zoe once asked why Miz didn't just teach her music herself, and Miz had seemed a little sad,

"Because I know the 'how to' for playing the instruments, but I can't create any music of my own. I can only give Inspiration for improvements to other people's creations." Which Zoe didn't really understand, but apparently it was better to learn from someone who could Create than from Miz who was only capable of Inspiring.

"I told you you can call me Robbie, kid, it's fine… But do you think you can call your Dad? I don't think I'll make it to our next class and we need to reschedule." Robbie told her.

"Oh...why?" Zoe whined.

"Gotta take my wife to the hospital for her check up. She's gonna have a baby."

Zoe squealed loudly, drawing Seb's attention.

"What 's going on?"

"Mr. Robbie will be a dad! He's having a baby!"

Seb gaped at the screen. "...what?"

"Oh-Well, yeah. Tambry's 4 months in. We'll know the sex this Friday."

"Oh my gosh…" Seb ran a hand through his hair. Stitched Heart...what… "C-Congratulations! I take it you-you haven't told your parents. They'd have told everyone in town and Soos would have told me."

"Oh, definitely not!" Robbie grimaced. "Trying to keep them away until the kid's born, so DON'T tell anyone!" Robbie pointed a serious finger at the older man. He loved his parents, but… they were so INTENSE sometimes, and Tambry and him liked their space. And peace.

The call ended and Zoe watched her dad sit down heavily on the couch. "Dad? Why are you upset that Mr. Robbie is having a baby?"

"I'm not upset! I just… He was very young when I first met him, around the octuplets age...and now look at him! And-And you and your brother are growing up so faaast! Stop a little!" He pulled her into a hug and Zoe burst into laughter, kicking and pushing because he was scratching her with his beard.

"Daaaad!"

"Stop growing so faaaaast!" Seb complained.

Miz poked her head around the corner, "My offer is still open." She reminded him. And Seb was almost tempted to consider it. Almost.

"No." Seb rolled his eye.

"Welp. Ok then." Miz shrugged. She could try again some other time.

-—.-

Mabel and Max were visiting her parents. It was still kind of chilly outside despite March was beginning. Climate change and stuff. Max and Abi were laughing and making cookies in the kitchen as Mabel and her dad cuddled on the couch, catching up to what they've been up to. Shermie's phone suddenly rang and he sighed. "Gimme a sec, sweetie." He stood up and pulled out his phone. It was an unknown number...weird. "Hello?"

"Hello, is this Sherman Pines…?" A woman spoke on the other side and the curly brunet frowned confused. "It depends, who's asking?" Mabel looked at him confused.

"It's Peggy Pines, your...cousin." After a silence, she continued. "My mom is your father's sister, Fiona."

Oh.

Filbrick's family.

Mabel raised her arms, wanting to hear. Shermie frowned and sat down, but still didn't put it on speaker. "Yes, it's Sherman. What do you...want?" He had no other way to ask. The last time he saw her was at 13, a year before knowing Abi was pregnant. Hah, he didn't want to imagine just what this side of the family talked about during family dinners…

Peggy took a deep breath before speaking. "I'm with my mother and my twin brother at the hospital, Sherman. It's...your father, he's fallen ill…"

Shermie frowned a bit more, taken by surprise. This was the last thing he thought she'd tell him. What...His father…? Sick? Well, he wasn't sure what to feel. Filbrick was a complicated subject for everyone.

The guy never really…did anything bad per se to Shermie, in fact, Shermie was probably the one who got the most positive stuff from Filbrick, out of his brothers...but Filbrick had practically disowned him after they found out about the twins, he gave up on Shermie that quick! ...And Filbrick kicked out his older brother! Shermie could never forgive him for that…

But the man, as sad it was, WAS his father…

"He is?" Was the dumb thing he managed to ask.

"He has been pretty sick lately. He was admitted into the hospital a few days ago...Sherman, he wants to see you…"

"Me?"

"Yes, and the triplets…" Peggy muttered. They had all been huge dicks and bitches towards their little cousins growing up. Then...Ford and Stanley died, they had felt terrible, her especially. Then they came back (kidnapped by criminals, made to disappear with a fake body), and they were successful now...and she had lost contact for a long time. They were of course aware of the octuplets, it was all over the news, they knew Sherman's twins were engaged now, and Sebastian's and Stanley's children were almost teens now.

"Your father may not last much longer, Sherman, and he wishes to see his family…" Peggy practically begged.

Shermie didn't know what to say. Seeing his father after 3 decades?! He hadn't left his house on good terms. What about the Stans? Or Seb? What would they think of this? Seb had been so hurt growing up…

"What...if they don't want to see him?" Sherman asked quietly. Peggy could be heard with a sad sigh over the line. As he got on in years, Peggy's family had taken Filbrick in and he had spoken of the things he'd done. The horrible things he'd done to Sebastian. Peggy remembered when she had heard what her cousin had been through. Beaten, starved, refused entry to the house unless he PAID to be allowed in and all those other horrible things… Filbrick had confessed to them all. And they were horrified. Sure, Filbrick had never been kind to his sons, he was strict and cold, and Peggy knew that none of them had ever been kind to Filbrick's sons either, but this was…

When they had asked him WHY, Filbrick had gone quiet. He had no excuse to give them, no justification. Peggy's mom had nearly thrown him out but resisted, because Filbrick obviously felt bad about it. About making his whole family, wife and children, leave him. Peggy knew Filbrick had done horrible things to his own son. (And they as a family never did anything to stop him, because they were assholes and prejudiced against their 'deformed' cousins) But still...he was dying and he wanted to see them. Peggy could see how lonely Filbrick was.

"Please. He's your father. He just wants to see you all one last time. He's sick and he's not doing well…" Peggy begged. Shermie sighed. "I'll ask my brothers. Whether or not they want to come is their decision." he heard Peggy inhale and let out a breath "Thank you."

"Ok...bye." Shermie said softly and the older woman hung up. He stared at the wall, blinking behind his glasses. "Who was it?" Mabel asked curiously. "Is everything ok?"

Abi and Max had just come from the kitchen, and Abi frowned at her husband's worried expression. Shermie hummed. "It was ...a cousin. She said my father is sick."

"Oh. It doesn't matter then." Mabel shrugged and reached for a cookie. Abigail glared at her. "Mabel!" She cried and the younger woman frowned. "What?! He's a bad man! He hurt Uncle Seb all his life! He kicked dad out too! Did you forget that?! Why would you even consider worrying about him!?" The brunette exclaimed loudly. Mabel may have been the sweetest girl, but she had a line. Anyone who hurt her family were a no-go. She'd never heard anything good about Filbrick, never.

"Because he's an old man, and he's dying." Shermie said softly. "I'm just going to ask them if they want to bid their farewells, it'll be totally ok if they don't."

"But Dad!" Mabel complained. "...Will you go?" Shermie pressed a hand to his forehead and sighed. "I hate my dad." He said simply. "He disowned my brother, threw him out onto the streets. But he was always...relatively nicer to me, which I didn't care about, fuck him and all that. He threw ME out over you two, so clearly he didn't give a shit." He straightened up. "But he's still my father."

"You don't owe him anything." Mabel shook her head. "Dad, he didn't care about his own family until now! That-that– he's at the brink of death! He never made any effort to meet us or any of my cousins! He only contacts us NOW?"

"He was stupid." Shermie agreed. "He was a dick and I know it sounds crazy...But he made mistakes, stupid mistakes, Mabel...Anyone can make mistakes, and I think we have given you enough examples of how even when you make one, you face the consequences and try to fix it." The man explained softly.

"So what? He thinks he can fix a lifetime of mistakes on his deathbed?!" Mabel looked down as Max watched with a sad expression. He didn't understand much, but it sure was a sensitive topic for them. "I'd go, Mr. Shermie. " Max nodded at him with a sad look. "I'd return to my town if my parents wanted to see me." He still loved his parents, and missed them dearly. They were still his family, even after the…bad things.

"Don't listen to Max," Mabel grimaced. "He's too nice." ("I can be bad." Max pouted, offended.) "No, you literally can't." Mabel grimaced. Shermie waved a hand to stop this conversation and pointed it out by grabbing a cookie.

"I'm not going to force the triplets to do anything, but they deserve to know, at least, so it can be their choice." Shermie told her before he picked up his phone again. He had some calls to make…

-.-

Stan wasn't sure how to feel. Ford was somewhat indifferent. Seb...was just uncomfortable. "Should we go?" Stan asked his triplets. "Or like…fuck him I guess?"

Ford sighed. "I feel like it would be our duty, as his children. But I don't want to." The two looked over at Seb over the phone, they were facetime-ing. It would come down to him. If Seb didn't want to go then they wouldn't go either.

The man was looking at his hands, wanting to bite his finger anxiously but resisting it. He didn't have to do it anymore, he was a freaking adult. He needed chewing gum. "Seb?" Stan asked. "I-I don't know…" And he didn't, which was infuriating. He had...apologized that time when the twins and Miz almost killed him, but...while it helped him to confront him, it hadn't done much to fix what had already been broken. And it wasn't like Filbrick ever tried to mend the bridges he burned.

"Will you go?" Seb asked instead. The Stans had no clear answer for it. Their father hadn't treated them like Seb, and they actually got to do more things to develop their abilities. Filbrick did pay to support them. It would be ungrateful not to visit after all that. But, was material stuff enough to give them any positive feelings towards the man? Not to forget he had scared Stanford as a kid, making him insecure about his appearance. They hadn't been beaten up, but their triplet had. And none of them had gotten off without heavy trauma from Filbrick regardless if they had been physically hit or not.

What were they supposed to do?

""I don't know…"" the Stans chorused.

Seb ran a hand through his face. "I...Maybe we should go?" He said softly, much to the Stans' surprise. "Are you sure?"

"Well, no. Definitely. But, he wants to see us for a reason, maybe he regrets it, maybe he wants to blame us...I don't know, but there's something he has to do, and if we don't...He'll die, knowing he didn't do something important...No one deserves to die like that, worrying…"

"Not even...the person who hurt you?" Stan asked. "Yeah...I guess he doesn't deserve it either...besides, if he dies with pending business, he'll haunt us forever, and I don't want his ghost ass following us around…" Seb tried to joke.

The Stans managed a small smile but sobered quickly. "If you feel like going, we'll go with you, together." Stan declared firmly. "We aren't doing this alone." They all hugged mentally. "We're together now. We're not alone anymore, you're not alone anymore." Seb sighed, smiling at his brothers, wishing he could hug them. "Yeah."

They would face this together, they weren't children anymore, they were grown ass men and they didn't have to be afraid anymore. Even less of a sick old man!

Just like Mabel, their kids didn't take it too well, knowing what they were planning to do. Dillon threatened to tie Stan up to a chair and the twins couldn't believe their dad was willing to face that mean man!

"You are more than insane, dad!" Zoe spat. "You're DUMB!" Wanda glared at her daughter. "Zoe!" She scolded. "Don't forget who you're talking to!" She warned.

"But why should dad do what that butthead wants? He was a bad dad! He hurt dad! And dads shouldn't do that! And he still wants dad to go out of his way to visit him when he's sick?!"

Zoe was so angry tears appeared in her eyes. She learnt about violence and bad family situations when they were in public school and their own homeschool teacher now also taught them this stuff. She was just rightfully pointing out this was against what she learnt. (Also, it was faint, but she did remember that Miz had tried to get her and Zach to take revenge on Filbrick when they were much younger. Too bad they got interrupted.)

Wanda sighed. Truthfully, she didn't want Sebastian going anywhere near Filbrick either but…

"It'll be closure." Wanda sighed. "For both that man, AND your dad." Seb nodded. "There are so many things I still need to say, so many feelings I need to work out…"

"I don't want you to get hurt…" The girl hugged her dad tightly, squeezing her eyes shut against forming tears. "You don't deserve what that meanie put you through...you don't need to do what he wants…"

Seb stroked her hair and crouched to her level. "It's ok, I want to do it, kid. No one is forcing me to do anything. And I'll feel worse if he dies and I didn't get to talk one last time."

Zach looked at his feet before looking up. "I don't like the idea either, but if you want to do it, I'll support you." The boy nodded. Wanda smiled proudly at her baby boy. "Thanks, guys…" Seb stopped and smiled sheepishly. "So, do you want to come?"

"Sure. Why not?" Zoe shrugged. Could even give the man an earlier heart attack if he remembered that summer. It would be fun. As if reading her thoughts, Seb rolled his eye. "You are not scaring or attacking him, though."

""Aw…""

Miz sat quietly, she wouldn't be allowed to go, she was sure. So she just slipped out of the room while her family discussed. They weren't calling her back, so she knew she wasn't wanted for this. Seb was probably still mad about her attempted murder on the man. (Besides, Filbrick was a family thing, and Miz… Wasn't really family in the same way, she wasn't allowed to be involved in this. She wasn't family… Miz went to her room and tried to not let this bother her.)

In Stan's case, Diego volunteered to go as well when his older brother stomped off, upset that his dad was even planning to leave. Diego didn't like his grandfather either, but it was important for his dad and uncles. Kari had been shocked at the news, and after thinking about it for a while, she decided to go as well, if not only to give her sons some support...

And Ford didn't think the octuplets should come. Yun was unhappy with the idea of going (even though as Miz she was kinda annoyed she wasn't invited), but agreed to come if Ford needed her to be there with him. He was grateful for that. "Just, please don't terrify him again." Which got him a roll of the eyes from her. "Me? I haven't even MET him~" she drawled. Ford sighed. "Yun, please?"

She huffed. "Alright. Fine. I won't… antagonize him." Ford patted her blond hair. "Thank you…"

-.-

The hospital wasn't all that busy. Even with their large group they had plenty of room to sit down in the lobby. Ford went up to the desk and asked for the room of Filbrick Pines as his brothers sat down, looking awkward.

They just hoped the trip here was worth it.

They found which room Filbrick was in and Ford met with their cousins, who were waiting for them, just outside. Peggy looked up at the triplets and took a moment to examine them. She really hadn't seen or heard from them since they were teenagers. They were all grown up now. Handsome men, the lot of them. "...Hi." She said awkwardly. What did one say to the cousins that you used to treat like crap and never apologized for?

She winced as she remembered how they had talked about the triplets. About the freaks in the family. Well, they were all successful men in their own fields, with their own families and great recognition and had actually accomplished great things in their lives. Peggy was just an office worker. She made decent money but she wasn't anyone special. She hadn't done anything impressive with her life. Her brother or other cousins hadn't either. And she felt like a failure compared to those that she used to talk shit about.

"...Hey…" Stan said, just as awkwardly, and they shook hands. Peggy looked at her twin and he, also, awkwardly shook hands with his younger cousins. "Um, thanks for coming…" Patrick said softly. "Hello, Kari…" He greeted the old woman and she nodded. "Hello, Patrick…"

Stan put a hand on his mom's shoulder and squeezed gently. Patrick sighed. "Uncle Filbrick's inside...You-you can call us or some nurses if something happens…"

"Right...yes...thanks." Ford coughed awkwardly, feeling Yun's hand on his shoulder helped. He reached up to place his hand over hers, drawing some strength from her presence. He could see Seb doing the same with Wanda and his twins. He took a deep breath. "Alright. Let's go." They entered the hospital room, the steady beeping of the monitor making everything feel surreal. Ford felt short of breath when he saw his father again. Aside from that one brief moment years ago when he had to stop Miz from killing the man, he hadn't had any contact with him.

Filbrick looked...old. Weary and tired and so very, very frail. He laid on the hospital bed, hooked up to multiple machines and breathing softly. The curtains were pulled close, providing more darkness to the room for the old man's sake. There was only one lamp casting a soft light.

Zoe squirmed awkwardly and tried to avoid looking at the man, hiding her face on her mom's arm. She didn't like how the man looked. So weak and fragile. Zach looked up at his dad, chewing his gum faster. They were just kids after all, as much as they liked to act more grown up.

"Father…" Stanford called softly, being the oldest, he was the voice for all his brothers who were short of words at the moment. Filbrick, very slowly, as if not believing what he was hearing, opened his tired dark brown eyes, and stared in both shock and awe at the group standing there.

"S-Stanford…?" He asked with a raspy voice. "You...You came…" He looked at Stanley, same height as his brother and with the same expression, maybe slightly grayer hair, then Shermie, he was younger, his hair was just beginning to go gray, and his eyes were green like his mom's, and...Sebastian...always shorter, small beard...Sebastian…

"Sebastian…" He had been muttering his name during particularly bad fevers, hurting and delusional. But the regret was killing him...

"Hey, Filbrick…" Seb said softly. The use of his name instead of 'dad' or 'father' sent a pang of guilt through the old man. He deserved it. Filbrick breathed deeply, feeling exhausted.

"You-Your eye…" Seb blinked and touched his face. Right. "Oh, I-It's a prosthetic, fake one…"

"You…You look so much like your brothers…" The older man whispered, voice raspy and choking down a little. So much…So much like his brothers…And he never, ever saw that…It was awful… Seb in return just shrugged, eyes looking around the room as if trying to avoid him.

"I didn't think you'd come." Filbrick admitted. They had no reason to honor his last request...he wouldn't have been surprised if they had left him to die without ever seeing them again. He glanced past his sons and his breath caught in his throat.

"Kari…" he whispered. She was old, just as he was, but she was still just as beautiful as she'd always been. His biggest regret was pushing her away because of what he'd done. She'd always loved their children, all of them. The way he treated them had hurt her and once they were all old enough to take care of themselves, she had left. She'd only stayed for their sake. "Kari I'm so sorry…" Filbrick wanted to cry but he refused to let himself. He was still stubborn like that.

"Oh, Filbrick…" The green eyed woman shook her head slowly. And she had loved him so much...she did everything for him, and she allowed much of his behavior to happen, she withstood getting shouted at, watching her sons getting yelled at and hurt, because she thought he would change...And she was wrong. She realized too late. Her love for her kids allowed her to leave, because enough was enough. She was more, and he didn't deserve her...

"I know you are…" It was a rare occasion to see him without glasses, glassy eyes that got red and hurt at the slightest ray of daylight. She was seeing his eyes, and he looked sad, tired and sad. She slowly walked closer to him, as the four brothers stayed with their wives (and kids if they came), staring at them, not knowing what to do. Kari sighed. "There's a lot I want to say to you, but I don't know if that would be considered cruel."

"I-I probably deserve it…" He mumbled and she sighed. "Not probably. You DO deserve it, you caused us lots of pain...and our children, who ended up growing up to be wonderful men and fathers without you...Look at them, the four of your sons have come...and they didn't have any motive to do it. But they're here, Filbrick…" She placed her old hand over his chest, rising and falling slowly.

"I know you're sorry, and I'll never forget what you did...but I've forgiven you...because you gave me my sons, and I'm always grateful for that…" A tear rolled down her cheek, almost making the old man shed one as well. "But you still owe them a talk, because they don't know what you're really feeling, because you need to talk if you want them to even start forgiving you…"

Filbrick sighed. He seemed to sag in the bed. This talk was long overdue. This apology...for the stupid mistake that he had made all those years ago...and the way he had hurt his innocent son because of it. "I doubt you'd believe me...but I really am sorry."

The twins and Diego scoffed softly and their moms smacked their arms.

"I was an idiot...and I-I shouldn't have…" He coughed and the brothers tensed up. "...Ah...I was so stupid...for judging you...S-Stanford…m-my first son…I am sorry...for-for all the things I said to you…"

"You made him think he had to be better than Sebastian to be deserving of respect or dignity." Stan spoke up. "Do you know how much damage that DID to him growing up? And Seb did nothing wrong…" Stan's fist clenched. "Do you have any idea how Ford treated Seb for most of our lives?!" Filbrick laid there and winced. "I'm sorry." Seb and Ford both laid a hand on Stan's shoulders. "It's alright, Fez." Seb said softly. "We got over that."

Filbrick glanced at Kari before sighing softly. "You've grown up to be fine men…all of you…" He said tiredly. He had always thought they were twigs, but they were fine men. "With wives...and your kids…" He lifted his head a bit and saw the blond teens hugging their parents. He remembered them...and a chinese girl...they attacked him with their... powers… he still didn't really understand that part.

It didn't matter anymore...nothing mattered…It was done. He couldn't change what happened. "What are your names…?" He asked the blond kids, his...grandkids…They didn't speak, so Seb answered. "This is Zoe and Zach, they're turning 11 next month."

"I'm Diego...I'm turning 11 in November…" The younger kid dared to speak up by himself and his mom proudly squeezed his shoulder. Filbrick nodded to show he heard and coughed a bit more. He glanced at his youngest son, standing with his wife. "Sherman…I haven't seen you since you were their age…"

"...not since I was 15, actually." The green eyed man corrected lightly and Filbrick sighed. "I shouldn't have…" He trailed off, finding no excuse to give. He had simply cut his youngest son out of his life just like that, for a mistake. He made mistakes too but he was too stubborn and stupid…

"It's ok, we managed…" Shermie nodded, not coldly, but not friendly either, his face was really neutral right now. "What-What are their names? Of your kids?" The old man asked softly. "Mabel and Mason." Dipper was a family name, it was special, Filbrick didn't get to hear it. "And they're not kids… they've graduated college and are working now."

"Already…" Filbrick breathed. And he never got to meet them, watch them grow up...would never get the chance to do so...he's made sure of that by kicking his son out, for kicking all of them out of his life.

Stanford's wife (?), a scowling woman with dark skin and blond hair, was hugging one of his arms as she stared with blue eyes. "And...eight children…" He shook his head slowly, without any emotion on his face but sadness. "I...I was aware there were once...quadruplets...in the family...One of them was your great...great grandfather...So, I am not THAT impressed you made more…you have good swimmers." He nodded.

Ford opened his mouth, hearing the tweens snickering softly, but closed it, deciding it wasn't worth it. "R-right…" He sighed. Yun wasn't quite scowling anymore but she wasn't happy either. Ford sighed and hugged her close. "Well, it's...an experience. Being a parent." Ford managed to say politely.

Zoe covered her mouth and Zach looked away. "Damn, sick burn…" The girl whispered as fire flicked in her palm for a second. She bet it was unintentional though.

The man on the bed sighed tiredly. "Take care of them...please, don't leave them...don't-don't-" He started coughing loudly, heaving, the monitor beeped a bit faster. The coughing fit stopped though, to their relief (disappointment?). They didn't want the man dying on them like that...they might get accused of killing him...

"Get...closer...please…" Filbrick gasped. "I can't...see very well anymore." Kari was the first one to move. She stood closer to the tired man, whose hand moved to hold her's, if not for love, then as some sort of comfort. The woman was holding back tears. Shermie was next, putting his hands in his pants' pockets, very indifferent at the matter of hand. Ford and Stan didn't approach just yet…Stan turned to look at his youngest triplet.

Seb stared, muscles tense as he looked at the old man's face. He stepped back one step, then another. He shook his head, and unable to blink, he quickly left the room. Wanda looked at Ford for a second before grabbing the kids (Zach, Zoe and Diego) and following him.

Ford and Stan shared a look, triplet connection, maybe? before they too left the room to go find Seb. Ford wasn't really feeling like staying anyway. Stan hadn't spoken to him yet, but checking on his brothers was more important.

"I've said what I did, I don't owe you more than that." Ford said before he could leave the room. He didn't wait for Filbrick's response before heading out, and Yun followed him, feeling how tense he was.

Filbrick's old wrinkled face grimaced in despair. "No…no come back…please…" He barely managed a whisper before coughing again. It hurt, but he… couldn't blame them. Even so, he wanted… he just wanted to at least say his last words to the rest of his sons.

Shermie noticed his hand shaking, as if trying to raise it. He scoffed. "I know my brothers…they'll not come back." He adjusted his glasses as he snorted. "I mean, why would they?" He basically growled. "I'm surprised they even agreed to come in the first place." The youngest one of the Pines brothers and his wife were the only one inside the room with his parents, cold green eyes staring at the man on the bed.

Filbrick struggled to speak, knowing that Shermie was right.

"You...You four...are my sons…thinking otherwise was just stupid." Even if the triplets weren't here,he would still acknowledge them, he HAD to, after everything he did,after rejecting Sebastian for so long…this didn't even matter anymore. "The...the pawnshop...is full of crap…" He managed a small smile. "But you're free to do what-whatever you want with it…" He wrote it in his will. And everything he saved was for them.

He had worried and cared about the wrong things all his life… He pushed away Sebastian, with the excuse that he lost them millions by ruining Stanford's chances for a good college. Not only did that decision lose Sebastian, but Stan and Shermie as well. And even Stanford had never cared enough to look back once he left home.

Who cared about that saved money when you were alone on your deathbed? His kids came to at least see his pathetic face because he was lucky enough that they were kind people (a true miracle considering they had a scumbag like him for a father, obviously Kari did something right when raising them), they could have refused like Shermie said and they would've been in their right to do so…

Shermie gritted his teeth. "The-The pawnshop?" he repeated, almost as if thinking he didn't hear correctly. "We don't want any of your crap!" He shouted, getting more exalted with each second. "We don't need anything from you!"

Shermie was shaking, and Abi was trying to keep him calm with a soft hand over his shoulder. Shermie stood up though, and she couldn't reach him anymore. "This isn't going to fix anything, you know?! What do you think will happen now? That we will cry and mourn for you in your funeral?! You don't mean anything to me, or my brothers…" Shermie hated himself as his breathing got heavier and tears clouded his vision. He was filled with such a mix of emotions right now.

"Yo-you're not my dad…You never played with me, and when you did, you got angry at me for 'forcing' you to do stuff…I just wanted a father…You-Abi's dad had a more impact on me than you…! And he wanted to kill me for getting his daughter pregnant! He taught me to be a man! You were never there to teach me that! He taught me how to be a father!"

Kari was quiet, shedding tears as she squeezed her ex husband's hand, more for her own comfort than for his. She just couldn't help but be reminded of how much she failed them as well. Filbrick was trembling, but doing everything in his power to keep eye contact and listen.

"You think you mean something to the triplets either? A man Seb met on THE STREET, a complete STRANGER had been a better dad to him than you ever were! You know the twins don't call YOU a grandfather? You know the twins think of HIM when they think of a grandfather? That they still visit his grave with love and care? Neither of our kids will EVER call you that! You gave us a last name and-and a family…a good family…the best actually." Shermie managed to smile despite everything. "But then…nothing else… you were nothing to me. You MEAN nothing to us!"

Shermies' tears finally fell down his cheeks, green eyes glossy with the glistening tears. "I had to watch my brother being kicked out…Dragged by his hair when he was a KID! He begged and cried and PLEADED for you to STOP! To listen to him! He even called you DAD! And you rejected him! And THREW him OUT!" Shermie was panting hard.

Shermie didn't really talk much about his childhood to anyone. He didn't like thinking about it, he felt like a whining baby, he had no right to complain…when his brothers had it much worse, but right now, things were just coming out, and he couldn't stop it…he didn't want to stop it…

He usually thought of his childhood as a very short one due to becoming a dad as a teenager, and when he did think of it, most pieces of it were sad: hiding with his brothers from screams, crying because his brothers were the source of said screams, or playing alone, slowly dwelling in his own anger, because his older brothers never bothered coming back to see him after they graduated, because his father destroyed the fragile threads holding their broken family together, because he was too young to understand his brothers couldn't have done anything to stop it from happening.

"I watched my brother run away…Terrified, drenched in cold water, wanting to go somewhere he was actually safe from YOU, and you pulled me and held me back…He left me because of you!" Shermie screamed.

"You'll never be more than our torturer and a nightmare to my brothers and I! And you deserve to die knowing that!" Shermie sobbed.

The old man, who'd been trying to keep the last of the dignity he had left, simply broke. He was crying and coughing, but nodding, agreeing. He deserved this…but at least, the boys were kind enough to-to grant him his wish of seeing them one last time…

Kari and Abi had wet eyes, looking like they were about to cry. At the end, the youngest Pines, —the one that was usually ignored growing up, by even his mom sometimes, that was overshadowed by his older brothers, the triplets, the ones that, in one way or another, were very well known—was the only one capable of facing his father, the most painful wound he inflicted on him, the one that could say the things he came to say, held for so many years.

The monitor beeped and spiked.

—-.—-

Outside the room, Seb pulled at his hair as he tried to get his breathing under control. "I-I-I can't…"

Wanda nudged the twins and Diego. "Can you go to that cafeteria we saw and buy dad a tea?" The twins knew mom wanted them out, but a sweet tea will help him. They nodded and left for the cafeteria with Diego.

Seb couldn't do it. He… he wanted to go in and tell Filbrick off for everything– there were so many things he wanted to say, to scream, to vent, to– let it all out at that man. But he just… couldn't. It was so hard. It was so hard to feel so many emotions at once. He was scared, he was angry and confused. He couldn't process anything, couldn't get his words in order.

Even just being in the room with that man… Seb had held himself together the best he could, but he just couldn't do it anymore. He was afraid he was going to have a meltdown. So he stayed out here, unable to say anything. Unwilling to hear anything Filbrick had to say.

Wanda shushed gently and kissed his hand.

"Why do I feel like this? Why?! I've DREAMED about this day for years! Since I was a baby! I should be HAPPY? Why do I feel so confused?" He growled, wanting to punch everything around him.

"Emotions are hard, love…" Wanda kissed his hand. "You even came here, that was so brave of you."

"I saw him before…I feel like a coward now."

"Of course not…That time in New Jersey you were also so brave and back then, it wasn't his deathbed, and you only had to get the twins out."

The blonde woman wrapped her arms around him. "It's ok…"

"I-I need some time first…I will talk to him, I will…I need to…But my brain is going crazy right now." He ran a hand through his curls.

"It's ok, my love, I'm here." Wanda let him lean on her shoulder as he breathed in and out. Wanda had been thinking about what to do in this situation. The death of an abusive parent wasn't easy for anyone. She didn't know how she'd react if her bio father suddenly wanted to see her. Fuck that guy…

Stan looked helplessly between Seb and Ford. He wanted to ask them to go back in, so they could at least tell Filbrick all the things they wanted to say, but neither of his triplets looked like they were ready for that. His wife squeezed his muscled arm and nodded in the direction of the room, but the middle triplet shook his head. They promised they'd do it together…He could just wait until they get their shit together.

—

Ford was feeling conflicted.

"I should be in there for his last requests." He muttered, his pacing was getting so intense now. "But I don't want to. I don't want him to just get off by apologizing and I don't want to be there–"

"And it's fine to feel that way." Yun assured him. She was glad they left the room, she didn't want to be around Filbrick. Especially not when his dying self was so… (Yun grimaced, not good vibes in there.)

"But...isn't it wrong to not love my own father? He's family." Ford asked quietly. Yun thought about it for a while. "Other people, or societal norms shouldn't dictate how you're allowed to feel. Family is important, but only if they're actually FAMILY and not just blood relatives or birthers. Love shouldn't be given for blood's sake, but for your heart's sake. It's not wrong to be unable to love your father, he has done nothing to deserve it."

Yun rubbed his arm comfortingly. "This is confusing." The scientist mumbled.

"Humans are confusing, and way over complicated." The demon smiled a bit. "Only you can tell how you feel, and it's not wrong or right, ok? It's just feelings." She caressed his cheek. He leaned in to the touch. "Do you wanna leave now?" Yun asked softly.

"I...Alright…" He nodded. The two moved to leave, when a loud beeping sounded from inside the room and a bunch of nurses rushed inside.

The triplets' eyes widened, hearing the noise down the hall. They kinda rushed back into the room, following the nurses. Seb heard the commotion last, distracted by the kids coming back with snacks. He smiled at them before frowning at it. Wanda said she'd stay with the kids, so he stood up and rushed to try and get back to the room. He'd wandered off pretty far while having his mini-meltdown.

Inside Filbrick's room, there was a flurry of motion. "Everyone please stand back." The nurses forced them to step away from the bed. Kari put her hands over her mouth as Abi gently pulled her back. "Come on, Kari…"

Shermie's eyes went wide and stepped back. They were all ushered out of the room, kinda standing by the door, where Ford and the others arrived and stood in shock.

Kari looked at Yun, gripping her hands together. "I-is he dying?" Kari whispered. Yun nodded, feeling the pull coming from the room as Filbrick's soul struggled. Kari opened her mouth but Yun shook her head, "I'm not going to save him." She said firmly.

Kari hesitated. "Then, can you ease his pain? Please…" She requested. Monster or not, she had loved Filbrick, once upon a time. She didn't want him to die in pain, not even he deserved that.

Yun didn't really want to, but Kari had asked. And so… Yun tilted her head and closed her eyes. She sighed, her powers reaching out. (A part of her abilities she'd almost never used. She was the aspect of Death after all, but she'd been avoiding that part of herself pretty much all her life.) "There, he'll go peacefully." The man's heaving calmed down, and his squeezed eyes relaxed. When everyone thought it had stopped, he took a deep calm breath and the monitor went flat. The present brothers tensed up, letting out a loud gasp from the impact of realizing Filbrick had passed away, and Kari let out a choked sob, Carla hugged her gently.

"We're sorry..." The nurses looked at the men with sad looks.

And that was when Seb made it back to the room, pushing past everyone around the doorway to stare at the still body on the bed.

He was gone…

"No…" Seb blinked, unable to process this. He shook his head slowly. This wasn't happening right now… "No! No,no,no,no!" His hands began trembling as his eye welled up with tears. This wasn't supposed to go like this! He had to talk to him! He had to face him! He had to tell him he wasn't afraid!

"COME BACK!" Seb began crying loudly, actually shocking and surprising everyone in the room. His eye glowed red for a second before he began screaming and lunged at the bed. "COME BACK! YOU-YOU—! AAAAAAAHHHH!" Seb began shaking the man's body, slamming it against the bed and diggins his nails into him, gritted teeth, fangs exposed.

"HOW COULD YOU?! YOU– YOU CAN'T JUST FUCKING DIE BEFORE I GET THE CHANCE TO TALK TO YOU!" Seb raged. It wasn't– this was so stupid! It was so unfair! He HAD to tell him he deserved this! He had to tell him he deserved to die wriggling in his own pity and self-loathing! How– how DARE Filbrick die before Seb could fucking scream at him for everything he'd done– for hurting him! for-for hurting his brothers! Everything he–

The nurses grabbed Seb and struggled to pull him away from the bed. "Sir! Please calm yourself!" "We know this is a lot, but–" "Ack!"

Kari was sobbing into her hands as Stan and Shermie managed to pull their brother back. Not even the hardest hit was gonna bring him back… "He's gone, Seb…" Shermie whispered, still shaken, and they barely caught him when Seb's legs gave up and he crumbled down, crying loudly.

He should have been here…He should have told him what he did…Seb should have told him that he was a terrible father…and caused him so much damage, but he should have been HERE to SHOW Filbrick that he was BETTER than Filbrick was, that…that he was part of the family he always tried to exclude him from, but that Seb LOVED them and will always protect because he had the BEST family…that…

…that Seb would forgive him…

Yun squeezed Ford's hand as he stared at his father's body. "Go to your mother, Fordsie…" Ford went over to hug his mother as Kari cried quietly. Stan and Shermie were with Seb, trying to help him up. Everyone else had gone back to be by Kari.

Wanda eventually was called, and the kids gasped. He-he actually died?! Diego went to hug his dad, even if he had a mean dad, Diego guessed this still hurt, considering dad had never looked his pale before…he also looked sad and angry, but the kid wouldn't ask why. The twins just clung to Seb as he sobbed.

After a while, Seb finally got too tired to cry. Seb just looked down, rubbing at his tears. He didn't know what to do. He had all this… these things inside him… and he… was never going to be able to get any closure for them.

Time was a scary thing indeed…It happened so fast…Seb got distracted…and his father was now gone…

—-.—

The funeral came and went, a formal, somber affair, just like it was expected to be, and the brothers stood silently, thanking those who gave their condolences. They might not have any love for the man, but there was some kind of duty towards him. They didn't give any speeches about him, none of them had anything good to say.

Seb was seen wiping his tears occasionally and he felt so embarrassed when people pitied him, mistaking his angry tears for sad ones…They were kinda sad tears too though…He was just a failure, he felt frustrated and confused.

Filbrick's family were there, and they shared some stories of when he was younger, so there was that much at least. The triplets knew about Frederick by now, so it wasn't a surprise when the Rabbi, and their aunt Fiona, old as she was, stood behind the mic and for the first time, the triplets heard their father's twin being mentioned…

None of them really thought "they'd finally get reunited in Paradise"…

"I don't think they're even in the same places…" Shermie scoffed under his breath, but Ford's eyebrows rose up a little at the comment as he manage to hear him.

Still, everyone was glad when it was over.

They hugged their mom, who was taking Filbrick's death a lot harder than they did, despite everything, she HAD loved him before, she had been totally and utterly in love, a long time ago.

"Thank you for doing this, boys…For at least going to see him one last time…" She kissed their foreheads just like when they were kids. "Thanks…"

Seb smiled to reassure her, even though he didn't feel good at all. His feelings were too complicated to understand.

He… Hadn't gotten closure. And that sucked, but… there was nothing he could do. Filbrick was dead, Seb would never see him again. He was still feeling unsettled and irritated. He wanted to take his mind off it.

So when Ford contacted him a few weeks later and asked for his and Stan's help in testing his newest project, Seb figured that was a great distraction. Any chance to be with his brothers and be distracted was perfect.