In My Corner

Part 1 of the Boxing AU

Chapter 6

Ford set to work using the grant money to investigate the strange properties of Gravity Falls.

The more he looked, the more abnormal phenomenons he saw. He began to keep journals on his findings. However, he couldn't find out the beginnings of where everything began, so he wanted to build a portal to the source of it's weirdness.

He would need someone brilliant, someone who would be able to design something unworldly, someone whose mind wasn't tied down to conventional sciences…

Ford realized that there was only one person he knew qualified to make this portal. He winced. He would have to ask Fiddleford for help.

The work he was doing in Gravity Falls was fascinating and utterly absorbing, resulting in a isolation of Ford's own making. His work often brought him outside the cabin, making him miss calls and his new address caused problems for the post office.

As a result, Ford wasn't as in touch with his friends and family as he should have been in the last dozen or so months. He didn't know if Fiddleford was still making those 'personal computers,' that he had wanted to. He didn't know whether his mother and father were well. He didn't know if Shermy was becoming a better artist. And he didn't know Stan's rank, something he always knew. He had always kept up with Stan's boxing career.

Until now.

Ford shook his head. He would have to do better in the future. For now, he would call Fiddleford about making that portal. After all, there wasn't too much that could have happened with his old college buddy, right?

-000-

"You're married!" Ford yelled into the phone.

"Divorced now, actually," Fiddleford said nonchalantly. "Don't worry about not coming to the wedding, it wasn't either of our ideas."

"And you have a son!" Ford exclaimed, clutching his head. Apparently a lot could change in a over year!

"Yup, Tate McGucket. Cute as a button, which means he's probably taking after Gina, thank goodness. I can show you pictures later," Fiddleford continued.

"A baby," Ford hissed, disbelief coloring his voice.

"But about the project you mentioned, you say you're trying to build a transuniversal polydimensional meta vortex? Well that's mathematically feasible! I reckon," Fiddleford said. "I'll discuss the new job with Gina and Tate, before I head over."

There was the sound of a receiver clicking. Then the dial tone sounded in Stanford's ear.

Still flabbergasted, Ford didn't even notice that Fiddleford had hung up. After the moment of shock passed, he finally put the phone back on the hook and collapsed into a nearby chair.

Mouth open and eyes staring aimlessly, Ford sat dumbfounded. He had missed his friend's wedding, hell, he had missed his friend getting a divorce. And he had somehow missed out on the fact that Fiddleford had a child!

It was too much for Ford to take in. Had he really been so cut off from the world that he had missed out on so much of his friend's, arguably one of his best friend's, life?

Shakily, Ford finally stood up. He would have to sleep on this new information.

-000-

After sleeping on it, Ford had finally come to terms with what he had learned. He stared guiltily at the phone. While Fiddleford had not sounded angry from Ford's aloofness, and had perhaps even understood it, Ford was worried that his family wouldn't have the same reaction.

What if.. he had missed something?

Ford steeled himself, there was only one way to find out.

He picked up the phone and dialed the number before he could change his mind. The phone rang once, and was picked up, "That'll be two ninety-nine an hour," Gigi Pines said.

"Heh. It's me, Mom," Ford said. Maybe things hadn't changed too much?

His mother gasped. "Stanford? It's been so long! Why don't you call more often, sweetie?" She asked.

"I'm sorry, Mom." Ford said sincerely. He really was sorry. He hadn't realized how much he had missed the people he cared about until now. Just hearing his mother's voice brought back warm memories of his family.

"Well, you should be. Not keeping in touch and going off to study in the woods. I thought I raised you better, Stanford Pines," his mother said.

Despite the lecture, Ford could feel a smile spreading across his face. This certainly wasn't the first, nor would it be the last time he would get chewed out by his mother. The thought was comforting. "I'm sorry again, Mom. It won't happen-"

Ford was suddenly cut off by his mother coughing violently into the phone.

His smile disappeared.

"Mom? Are you okay?" He asked, tentative and very worried.

"I'm fine, sweetheart," she said, flippant. "Must be because it's late in the day."

"Late in the-" Ford looked to his watch. It was only two in the afternoon! Even on the east coast it would only be five. "Mom-"

"Mommy's going to be taking an early night, sugar. I love you, mwah." And she was gone. There was some rustling and someone else took up the phone.

"Hello? This is Sherman Pines."

"Shermy, thank god, what's wrong with Mom? Why was she coughing? Has she been to the doctor? What's been going on-"

"Stanford." Ford shut up. "Why are you calling us?" His brother asked, deadly serious.

"Why? What do you…" Ford trailed off. "I wanted to call…"

There was a rush of static as Sherman sighed. "No, I didn't mean ta- it's fine Ford. I was just wanted to make sure nothing was wrong with you. After all, you haven't called in over.. a year."

Ford could feel the guilt from earlier, threatening to overwhelm him. In some ways this was worse than he had imagined, because it was actually happening. He cursed himself for being so self-absorbed in his research. "No, no, everything's fine," Ford tried to say reassuringly. "I, I realized I hadn't been keeping in touch and…"

"And you decided to get in touch?" Shermy supplied helpfully.

"Yes," Ford said.

"...Okay." Ford let out a sigh of relief. "I'm glad you called," Shermy said.

"Really? Why" Ford couldn't help but ask.

"Does a brother have to have a reason for wanting to hear from family?" Sherman asked.

Ford's heart swelled. "No, he doesn't."

And so they talked. At first, it was awkward. It hadn't been too long, but it had been long enough that Ford could recognize that Sherman was older and very mature for his age. That and Ford was probably out of practice with socializing with others.

But after a bit, the conversation managed to flow. Shermy talked about his art and his writing, and how he was winning awards. Ford talked about his research and the strange things that happened in Gravity Falls. They talked about their family, and then they reached the topic of Stan.

"So, how is Stan?" Ford asked. The conversation had lifted his mood and he imagined it would be nice reconnect with his other brother.

"Stan's," Shermy hesitated, "Doing pretty swell. He and Dad are actually at the gym right now. They probably won't be back for awhile. Stan's got some really important matches lined up."

Ford chuckled. "I heard he's undefeated."

Shermy gave a bit of a forced chuckled. Ford didn't notice. "Uh, yeah. In fact, the press gave him a nickname. They call him, Stanley 'Bloody Knuckles' Pines."

"Wow. That sounds impressive," Ford said.

"Yeah," Shermy said quietly.

They both trailed off into silence. Ford was imagining his twin as the boxing champion he was meant to be. And with a flashy nickname to boot, Stanley was probably proud of that one.

"Well, it's getting late Ford," Shermy said, breaking Ford out of his reverie.

"Oh? Okay, um.."

"You should call more often, it was great catching up," Shermy said.

"Yes! I mean, of course. I'll do my best to call more, Shermy," Ford promised.

"I'll hold you to that, Ford," his brother said.

-000-

Fiddleford moves to Gravity Falls and they work on the portal together. Ford thinks it's one of the best ideas he's had in awhile, because working with someone else is wonderful. He had forgotten what it was like to be able to share his ideas and be understood, and he thought Fiddleford felt the same.

They became close friends again. Many sleepless nights were spent on the portal, but there were just as many nights, if not more, playing Dungeons, Dungeons, and More Dungeons, sharing a meal, and talking.

All the while, Ford made sure to call home more often and he gave Shermy his new address. He began to receive packages and he treasured every one of them.

However, he didn't get to talk to Stan as much as he wanted to. His twin was incredibly busy preparing for his next match, apparently against someone of great renown. But Ford didn't worry. He had faith that Stanley would win the match. After the match, they could reconnect.

Two months after Ford had gotten back in touch with Sherman, Stanley Pines won one of the most important boxing matches of his life.

The day after his win, Stanley disappeared.

Author's Ramblings -

(Edited) Quick timeline thing, I don't have an exact date for the timeline, bu I imagine almost two years have passed, from the time that Ford has graduated/Ford is living in Gravity Falls/Ford has not gotten in touch with everyone. That makes the twins 28 and Shermy is about 11.

And thanks again for all the support!