(Ford x Reader) Hickory Pines

CH.10 Heart to Heart

Stanford took the time to put on a pair of gloves and wash the dishes we used while I cleaned the table after breakfast. He's scrubbing with a determined vigor I'm used to by now, as it's the closest thing he gets to rushing his actions. "We should probably pack lunches before we go." I remind him, tossing the damp cloth I'm using to the counter next to him. He sets the disc of ceramic in his grip in the drying rack before leaning on the counter to get a better look at me.

He nonchalantly waves a six fingered hand. "Of course," he responds courtly, "lunch, water, jackets, gloves, and a Transmitting Magnetic Interconnector, aka a TMI. I have everything figured out." He assures before flipping the sponge in his hand to the rough scrubbing side as he attacks the skillet with it.

I lean on the counter now as well, since my job is done. I can't help but chuckle. "Of course you do..." I sigh. Despite my badgering tone, I take joy in the soft grin playing his lips at my remark. He scoffs toward me. "Somebody has to."

With a roll of my eyes I convey everything I need to say without words. Deciding not to push further, I hoist myself onto the counter, taking a seat. Stanford eyes me oddly, but accepts my relaxed placement anyways. "Sooo..." I begin, changing the subject, "Why do we need a 'Transmitting Magnetic Interconnector?' "

He sets the skillet into the drying rack and cracks his knuckles. He has a certain glimmer in his eye. The kind of glimmer that says I am going to explain this for far longer than your attention span can handle. I smile politely as he sucks in a deep breath in preparation. And I hold mine, preparing for the TMI about the TMI.

"Well... Gravity Falls is encompassed by a Law of Weirdness Magnetism. You know this. So it's best if we bring a tool along that is able to hone into it! The TMI emits its own magnetic current, and compares the baseline fields around it to find any anomalies, interconnecting the fields with its own. Using this we should be able to trail certain magnetic anomalies back to the source... Within a certain radius of course. Which is why I haven't done this sooner. Honestly, I feel rather dense to've not seen the rock formations sooner, let alone understand—"

Stanford dawdled onward, but I allowed him to, because as always he's passionate about his work. I gave him a small round of applause as he finished his wording; I saw his cheeks go red.

He puffs air from his lips as he clears his throat. On the couch, are two large bags, one blue, one purple. I take my coat from a hook placed on the front door, and he gnabs both of our bags, before tossing me mine. I barely catch it, stumbling a little.

"Stay close to me, it can be dangerous out there.." Stanford says while placing a firm hand on my shoulder. He opens the door before letting me go. I gruffly nod in response and follow him out. I'll never get tired of the view out here. Since autumn has advanced during my stay, the hickory trees around the pine have all changed in color. Stanford flips the TMI from his pocket and turns it on. He then looks at me and hands me...

"A compass?" a quip leaves my mouth as I hold the metal in my hands.

Stanford POV

I squint at my map while following the buzz of my TMI. It's a chilly autumn day, and my fingers ache from the cold, but I can feel I'm close to a revelation. I decided to bring Y/N along, not entirely sure why, but I think I can trust them with this task. Mostly because their job is to hold the compass. They're the designated compass holder, and I consider that very important!

They catch up to me as I stand proudly atop a hill, having reached it long before they did. I watch them huff and puff, grabbing their knees. They glare up at me. "Why can't you ever slow down?" Their warm breath contrasts with the cold air, puffing out in little clouds as I start walking again.