In My Corner
Part of the Boxing AU
Chapter 4
It was completely dark out when the boys were heading home. Luckily, it wasn't too far and they stumbled their way back , giggling and cheering the whole way there. Well, Stan was stumbling, one arm slung over his brother's shoulder, while Ford did his best to keep them from falling over.
Stan was still riding the high of the victory, laughing and smiling despite his numerous injuries. Ford constantly scanned Stan's face for any pain, but found none. He laughed along with his brother.
Seconds later, they almost fell over as Stan tripped over another non-existent obstacle.
Ford managed to right themselves before they landed face first. "He sure did a number on you," Ford said. This had to be the fifth time they almost fell over. Ford was tempted to sit Stan down for another check-up, but they were almost home anyways.
"It was worth it," Stan said. Then he threw his head back to laugh..
They teetered, precariously.
After the threat of falling was over, Ford stared at his brother again. "Are you sure you're okay?" Ford asked, worried.
"I'm fine, Ford," Stan said, still sniggering. "You should see the other guy."
"I did see him and he looks less beat up than you, Champ," Ford replied dryly.
"Huh.. Champ, short for champion, eh? Not often you give me a nickname. I like it." Stan declared.
"Champion," Ford snorted. "I'm not sure if that nickname suits a guy that needed help washing his hair after a match."
"Hey!" Stan said indignantly. "I thought we agreed to never mention that again!"
Tightening his grip around Stan's side, Ford made sure that they weren't about to fall over (again). "Come on, Champ" he said, voice affectionate and exasperated, "Let's get you patched up." And Ford can only hope that's the end of the conversation. As much as he wanted to indulge Stanley's good mood, Ford desperately wanted to look over his brother and make sure he's okay. Especially since he was stumbling so much, was it a symptom of something else? He was going to have to pull out some of his old medical textbooks-
Something gently smacked Stanford in the face.
Ford sighed.
"Hey, check it out," Stan said with glee.
"Please get that out of my face, Stanley," Ford said. Perhaps the stumbling was not a sign of some underlying medical problem, but just Stanley being a big goof combined with exhaustion.
Stan took the envelope, but still waved it in front of his twin's face. "I won this," Stan said proudly.
"You're amazing, Stan," Ford said amused, but completely truthful.
"Let's buy something nice for Shermy," Stan declared.
Ford gently hefted Stan up, "You sure, Champ?"
Stan started getting more and more excited at the prospect, "Yeah I'm sure! I mean, yeah, Shermy could probably survive off our hand-me-downs, but kids hate that!"
"I don't think Shermy really cares right now, he's an infant," Ford said.
"Still!" Stan said, trying to wave his arms to punctuate his point. Ford held fast and righted his grip around his brother.
Maybe Stan had a point though, Ford thought. It wouldn't do for Sherman to not be able to cultivate his own self if he was constantly getting their hand-me-downs.
"You could save it for when he gets older and can actually decide what he wants," Ford said, thoughtfully. "But it's your money, Stan-"
"Our money," Stan cut in.
Ford glanced over at his brother. Even in the dim light, he could tell that Stan was serious. He considered arguing, but something told him to just agree.
"...Alright then. Let's get Shermy something nice," Ford said.
Stan chuckled. "We're gonna be the best big brother's ever."
Ford's heart swelled and he turned away before his brother could see the goofy grin on his face. One of them was already the best brother and it wasn't him.
They continued to stumble back home.
-000-
When they arrived at their house, the twins did their best to be quiet. However, there was no need. Their father and mother, who was holding baby Shermy, were awake and waiting for them.
Stan straightened and removed himself from Ford's support.
"Uh, Mom. Dad," Stan said with a nervous chuckle. "Why are you guys still up?"
"Mom! Dad!" Ford started excitedly. "Stan, he-"
Filbrick held a hand up and they fell silent. "I saw the whole thing. Stanley, that fight was horrible. Your form was sloppy, you need to practice your footwork, and don't even get me started on your jabs."
Ford's face fell and his heart clenched. He glanced at his brother, but Stan was emotionless. Ford had to stop himself from shuddering at his brother's blank expression.
Filbrick and Stanley stared at each other.
Filbrick broke the silence.
"You have potential, son," Filbrick admitted.
Gigi Pines took that opportunity to go hug her son. After passing Sherman to Stanford, she threw her arms around Stan. "Oh Stanley, your father and I are so proud of you. You should have seen your father, cursing at the screen and cheering for you."
Stanley's careful expression turned into bewilderment and even Ford couldn't stop his eyebrows from flicking up in surprise.
"Now now, Gigi, Stanley doesn't need you smothering him. He's a man now," Filbrick said gruffly.
The twins' mother tutted at her husband and began to examine her son's face.
"I'm fine, Ma," Stan said. Unfortunately, his injuries were as bad as they looked. He tried to distract her with something else. "Uh, look! Since I won, I got the fight money." He held up the envelope.
"We were thinking of getting something for Shermy," Ford added.
"That's so sweet of you," Gigi cooed, squishing Stan's face in between her hands. Stan kept smiled, trying not to show how painful the treatment was for him.
Ford stepped in, "Uh, I think you better hold Shermy, Ma. I think he misses you."
Ma Pines released Stan and took Sherman into her arms. Seeing how sleepy Shermy looked, she gave a kiss to all her men and went to go put the baby to bed. Once she left, Filbrick took that chance to speak frankly.
"You know, Stanley," both boys focused on their father, "I was thinking about having you stop boxing if it was just a hobby, but it looks like you might have the makings of a good boxer. I'm going to go with you to the gym to help with your training," he declared.
Filbrick went on about the training that he would put Stan through and the things they would have to work on, while Stan looked at his father with hope, and Ford looked at his brother with pride.
-000-
"Ow! Can you be a bit more careful?"
"I could say the same to you. And keep it down? We don't want to wake anyone up."
Stan grumbled, but kept his voice quiet. Ford sighed and kept applying iodine to his brother's wounds. They were back in their room and Ford had immediately sat Stan down so he could check on injuries. They looked horrible and Ford was afraid that Stan was hiding something that he couldn't fix. He would have to take Stan to the hospital tomorrow. But for now, he would work on the things he could help with.
There were some pretty nasty cuts on Stan's face and he was probably going to have two black eyes. Not to mention there were countless bruises marring his brother's skin. Ford had tried to examine the ones on Stan's ribs, but his twin had batted his hand away.
However, despite his unease over seeing his twin's injuries, Ford was so proud of Stan. Stan had won his first match and against a favored fighter to boot! Ford pretended to examine his brother's head, but secretly used it as an opportunity to run his hand through Stan's hair.
Stan was amazing and Ford was so happy that other people could see that too now.
"You can go to your school with no worries, Sixer," Stan whispered.
So caught up in his thoughts, Ford almost didn't hear him.
Almost.
His hand paused.
"I know you were worried about me, but you don't hafta," Stan continued, his tone soft.
Ford could feel himself once again marveling at how truly.. good, Stanley was. Good to him, especially. He started moving his hand through Stan's locks, not even putting up the pretense of examining for head wounds. Ford had long since finished up fixing up what he could. Everything else was extra.
"You're the one with multiple contusions and lacerations, why wouldn't I be worried?" Ford finally said back, his tone mimicking Stan's own
"These are nothing," Stan replied.
Ford didn't reply. He simply continued his ministrations with a smile.
Author's Ramblings - It's the start of the change~
By the way, I wanted to thank everyone who's left a review, it's very much appreciated and I love getting them! They really make putting this story up worth it. Thanks again!