Uncertainty - Stanford Pines x Reader (female)

Chapter 14

I decided to start the following day with a hearty breakfast. I entered the kitchen, finding it blissfully empty, and began preparing some pancakes. The scent of cooking batter and fresh coffee soon filled the air.

Just as I flipped the last pancake on the skillet, I heard footsteps approaching the kitchen. I looked over my shoulder and saw Ford entering, looking a bit disheveled and rubbing his eyes.

"Good morning.", I greeted him, smiling at his sleepy appearance. "Hungry?"
Ford let out a groggy grunt that I assumed was a 'yes'. He took a seat at the table and watched me as I plated the pancakes and brought them over to him.
"You're up early.", he commented, taking a sip of the coffee I had poured for him.

I shrugged, sitting down across from him with my own plate of pancakes. "Couldn't sleep anymore. Figured I might as well do something productive."
I watched as Ford started to dig into his breakfast, a hint of surprise on his face. "These are delicious, Y/N."

I laughed, feeling a warmth spread through my chest at his sincere compliment. "Thanks. Pancakes are one of my specialties, I guess."
I cut a piece of pancake and popped it into my mouth, chewing thoughtfully.

The silence that fell between us was comfortable, broken only by the sound of our utensils clinking against the plates. I observed Ford as he ate, noting the dark circles under his eyes that seemed to be a permanent feature at this point.

"You look tired.", I remarked, trying not to sound too concerned. "Didn't sleep well last night?"
Ford sighed, pushing his now-empty plate away. "Insomnia's become a regular unwelcome guest lately. It's been tough to get any decent rest."

I frowned, feeling a mix of sympathy and worry. Insomnia was no joke; I had dealt with bouts of it myself in the past.
"Have you tried any of the usual remedies? Like chamomile tea or a warm bath before bed?"

Ford shook his head. "I've tried everything, trust me. Nothing seems to work."
I noticed the tension in his shoulders, the furrow in his brow. He was carrying a lot of stress and worry, and it was taking a toll on his health.

I reached across the table and placed a hand on his arm. "Maybe you should consider taking a break, Ford. You can't keep going on like this forever. You'll burn yourself out."

Ford looked at my hand on his arm, seeming slightly taken aback by my touch. He let out a weary sigh, pulling his arm back.
"It's not that simple, Y/N.", he said, running a hand through his messy hair. "There's a lot riding on my work right now. People's lives, the future... I can't just take a break."

I studied his expression, seeing the frustration and determination etched into his features. I understood his dedication to his work, I truly did. But I couldn't ignore the toll it was taking on him.
"Ford, you're a brilliant scientist, no doubt about that.", I said gently. "But brilliance alone won't solve anything if you're exhausted and run ragged. You need to take care of yourself, too."

Ford shook his head again, a hint of impatience in his tone.
"You don't understand, Y/N. This isn't just about some scientific research. This is... so much bigger than that."

I arched an eyebrow, sensing the weight in his words. It seemed like he was keeping something significant from me.
"Bigger how?", I asked, leaning slightly forward in my seat.

Ford looked at me, his expression becoming guarded. It was as if he were debating whether to confide in me or not.
"It's... complicated.", he finally said, evasively. "There are things I can't discuss, even with you. Trust me, it's for the best."

I narrowed my eyes at his cryptic response. It was frustrating that he would shut me out like that when I was only trying to help.
"Why can't you trust me with this, Ford?", I asked, trying to keep the hurt out of my voice.