A Friend (Stanford Pines x Reader)

Grammar, Stanley

"All right, Ford! Time to switch up the cards!"

A shrill, haunting scream of agony sends chills down your spine, and you grimaced. Your head jerked to the source, and your heart sank even further. Ford was restrained by chains, suspended in the air, and screaming as his body thrashed from electrocution. Immediately, you sprung to your feet. "Wait, wait, no!" You cried. "Stop!"

Suddenly, you fell forward. Cold metal snaked its way around your ankles, holding you immobile. The blue electrical currents ceased as Bill turned his focus to you. Ford sagged forward, panting for air and trembling, but he turned and looked at you with wide, horrified eyes. Smoke smoldered his trench coat, which had grown grey in some areas with burns. His face was red, his eyes were bloodshot, but the fear on his face was undeniable. Bill's goons hooted in delight as the dream demon hovered over to you, clasping his hands behind his back. If he had a mouth, it would have been spread in a huge, malicious grin. The thought sent chills down your spine. You met Ford's eyes. 

"Maybe you won't give me the equation if I hurt you, but if I hurt someone you cared about..." He trailed off, allowing Ford to piece together the rest of the sentence. As soon as he did, he fought wildly in his chains, desperately trying to break free. "No! No, Bill! Up the voltage! Do your worst! I don't care! Just don't touch Y/N!" His voice was hoarse and scratchy, but his plea was loud and echoed off of the walls. The creatures surrounding you cheered again. 

"Do you even hear yourself?" Bill asked. "How pathetic you sound? You humans are so incredibly weak! I don't know if I find it sad or hilarious! But ultimately, the choice is yours." Three more chains clasped themselves around you, two over your wrists, and another around your neck. Without warning, they thrusted upwards, pulling you along with it as a pained gasp escaped your lips. "Give me the equation, or I'll shock her."

"Ford, no!" You called. "Ford, don't do it. It's not worth it. Don't give it to him!" You held his gaze despite how painful it was to do so. Sadness, fear, and defeat swam in his brown eyes. In that moment, you would have given anything to run to him, and he seemed to have the same urge. He yanked on his chains despite how impossible he knew it was. "Y/N! I... I can't let him hurt you!" Ford protested. "This is my fault! I'm the one who should be punished for it!"

Bill placed a hand on his hip. "Well, what do you think, boys?" He turned to look at his cronies. "Another five-hundred bolts? I think the results would be rather shocking! Wait, do you hear that?"

A tyrannosaurus rex knocking down the door and roaring at the top of its lungs was not the miracle you were expecting, but beggars can't be choosers. 

"What! I just fixed that door!" Bill shouted. 

Various clangs, roars, and voices sounded from outside the pyramid. You and Ford exchanged a bewildered look, but you could see the way he sagged forward out of relief. 

"Uh, hey, dudes!" You could make out Soos's shaky voice from the surrounding chaos. "Heh, uh, I just wanted you monster dudes to give us Y/N and Ford back, or we'll have to like... fight and junk?" 

"Guys, really?! You had, like, one job to do here!" Bill rubbed his eye in frustration. Your chains released their hold, and you were lowered to the ground, much more gingerly than you expected. 

Ford's arms wrapped around your waist as soon as your feet met the floor. You clung to him in return, shaking and trying to will away the tears that formed in your eyes. He was warm -- too warm, and his frame shook slightly in your grasp from what you assumed was due to the lingering electricity. "Ford, you need help!" You said, trying to keep your voice level. Ford shook his head and trailed his fingers through your hair. "I'm sorry, Y/N, I'm so, so, sorry, I-"