Uncertainty - Stanford Pines x Reader (female)

Chapter 16

Hey folks! Quick heads-up: I've managed to sprain both my thumbs. Yup, both of them. Turns out, typing and writing are now my arch-nemeses. So, updates on the next chapters are going to be slower than usual. Please bear with me. I'm actually using speech-to-text to write this, and let me tell you, it is frustrating. But fear not, I'm giving it my best shot!
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I descended the rickety steps to Ford's hidden laboratory, the Journal clutched tightly in my hands. As I cautiously entered the lab, my eyes fell upon him. He looked up from his work, his expression going from surprise to concern as he saw what I held. "You have my journal.", he said, his voice low and firm, more of a statement than a question.

I held it up almost sheepishly, my voice soft. "You left it in the kitchen.", I explained, stepping further into the lab, the silence of the room feeling heavier now, a tangible thing.

Ford's gaze stayed fixed on the Journal as if it were a ticking time bomb. "You didn't read it, did you?", he asked, his voice sharp with a hint of accusatory.

I shook my head, a pang of guilt stirring in my gut. "No, I... I only wanted to give it back to you.", I said truthfully, my fingers clenching tighter around it.

The tension in Ford's shoulders eased slightly, but his eyes stayed guarded. He held out a hand, beckoning me to give him the Journal.
I walked over and handed it to him, our fingers brushing for a brief moment. As he took it, his gaze flickered over the pages, then back to me.

"You weren't tempted?", he asked, his eyes searching mine. There was a hint of vulnerability in his voice, a hint of doubt.

I almost lied, almost said no, but the lie stuck in my throat. "Yes.", I finally admitted, my voice a mere whisper. "I was tempted. But I didn't. I respect your privacy."

Ford looked at me for a long moment, his eyes studying my face as if searching for a hint of deception. But he must have found none, because eventually, he sighed. "Good.", he said simply, the word holding both relief and an undertone of warning.

A beat of silence passed between us, the only sound the low hum of the lab equipment. I fidgeted under Ford's gaze, feeling as if I had been given some kind of test, one that I had only just passed.

"You should probably go back upstairs.", he said abruptly, his eyes already turning back to his work. "It's late."

"You should get some rest.", I blurted out, the words slipping past my lips before I could stop them.

Ford's fingers paused over his work, his eyes turning back to me. "I don't need rest.", he said, a hint of defensiveness in his tone.
"Everyone needs rest, you more than most.", I countered, my voice firmer now. "I-", I started, but before I could finish, Ford cut me off. "You don't need to worry about me.", he said firmly, his tone shutting down any further argument. I bit my lip, the words I wanted to say dying on my tongue. I knew from his expression that any continued discussion would be futile.

As the silence settled over us once again, I resigned myself to defeat. "Alright.", I said quietly. "I'll leave you to your work."

Ford gave a brief, terse nod. "Good.", he said, his voice almost dismissive as he turned back to his work. I lingered a moment longer, the sight of him already engrossed in his work again making something inside me deflate.

"Good night.", I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper as I turned to leave. I knew he wouldn't respond, that he was already lost in his own world again, the words of a concerned friend not even a ripple on the surface of his single-minded focus.

But as I walked away, I couldn't help but glance back, a last look at him sitting alone in the dimly lit lab, a lone figure buried in his work, hidden secrets, and self-imposed solitude.