(Ford x Reader) Hickory Pines

CH. 11 Split

Stanford POV

The sun rises over the horizon, sending beams of light into my eyes. How long did I sleep? I wonder as I slowly sit up. Y/N is still on their old couch, while I used a spare sleeping bag on the floor next to them. Judging by the sun's position and the time of year, it's about seven in the morning. I usually wake up at six on the dot, so I've slept in.

I glance over at Y/N, who is still asleep as expected. I snicker to myself and tug the makeshift blanket—just their sleeping bag—further over them. I'll let them sleep for a few more minutes. Just a few. We can't wait too long.

I reach into my bag, where I put away the TMI, and turn it on. The magnetic field hums, pointing back toward the woods. I breathe a sigh of relief that it's still operational, then turn it off and set it next to the gnome cap Y/N found. Pushing myself off the floor with the couch for support, I try not to disturb Y/N. My back cracks in protest at my sleeping arrangement on the floor. Ugh, I need a chiropractor.

After the events of the previous night, I think we could both use a pick-me-up! I know an elaborate breakfast isn't an option—everything in Y/N's fridge is likely spoiled, and I don't think it's wise to walk for hours on a full stomach. Instead, I'm on the hunt for something that lasts. I tiptoe to their kitchen to scour the cabinets.

Surely they have some.

It's an author's cliché, after all. I glance back to see Y/N stirring tiredly before falling back asleep. I chuckle softly. Just a little longer, I think. Aha! There it is! Any kind of tea will do, since it rarely spoils. It might lose some flavor over time, but it won't make you ill. Plus, I've heard tannins are good for you. After our somewhat emotional evening, the anti-inflammatory properties should help with early morning allergies. But that's not all; my second ingredient should be around here somewhere.

Where there's tea, there's honey. It wasn't hard to find since I discovered it earlier while looking for the tea. Water is easy to come by; I packed plenty of bottles for our trip and also have my personal canteen. Sometimes being overprepared pays off. Using the water from some spare bottles, two stray mugs I found in Y/N's cabinets, and the surprisingly still functional stovetop, I brew two cups of tea with a spoonful of honey in each. After brewing, it looks like green tea—quite a healthy choice!

Is it weird that I'm proud of Y/N's random tea choice?

I won't dwell on it too much.

With my pinky out, I stride back over to the couch where Y/N is sleeping. By the looks of the sun, I've accidentally given them more than just a few extra minutes. I sigh, knowing there's no way to turn back time now. I place the tea on a nearby table and gently nudge Y/N. "It's morning," I urge. They grumble tiredly, still half-asleep. "Five more minutes..."

I nudge them again. "I've already given you plenty more than five minutes. Get up before your tea gets cold!"

They slump forward, rubbing their eyes and squinting at me. "Tea? We didn't pack tea..."

I nod. "Correct, we didn't. But I saved some of our water and found this in your kitchen. Hot tea on a chilly autumn morning sounds good, right?"

Y/N yawns and stretches, smacking their dry lips before chuckling in amusement. "You brewed my tea?" They scoot over on the couch, giving me a chance to sit somewhere other than the floor. I hand them their mug. "Who else's tea would it be? Just drink it, and I'll dig into my bag for breakfast. We need to be lively before we set off. Just, uh..." I pause, feeling flustered for some reason. "Never mind, just be quick."

Y/N clearly isn't buying it, but they pick up their mug and nudge it toward me in a toast. I sigh and silently toast back. With both hands around their mug, Y/N takes a sip and smiles as the steam hits their face. I lift my glass, putting my pinky out, and take a long, satisfying sip myself. As tempting as it is to sit here and enjoy the tea with a nice chat, I know I have work to do, so I sip quickly. If only we had some lemons to go with it.

After we finish our tea and breakfast, both feeling warmed up, we get up and start rolling and tying our sleeping bags. While cleaning up, I spot Y/N's notebook. I pick it up, running my thumb over the leather cover and the golden lock.

I hand it to Y/N, who stores it in their bag with a sentimental grin. A warm feeling washes over me. I'm glad we came here for my friend. They slip the bag over their shoulders and flash me a knowing glance, signaling it's time to leave.

I wave goodbye to Crackadia, much to Y/N's amusement, but they wave back too, so we're even. We resume our trek through the woods, falling back into our routine of climbing hills, with me waiting for Y/N and asking for directions while following the TMI. We reach the stump with the odd notches and continue down our path. By now, it's ten in the morning, a bit later than I'd hoped, but not too bad.

I offered Y/N the gnome cap to collect the sparkly rocks and trinkets they keep finding. When I asked why, they said looking at them makes them happy. Who am I to deprive them of such simple joy? I— I don't like admitting it, but I think I envy them, or maybe look up to them. After last night, my entire view of them has changed.

They gave up everything—a stable future, their family—to pursue what they love. I relate to that deeply. I didn't realize how accurate I was when I called them dedicated that night in my van, or when I said they were a genius. It was an excited, in-the-moment exclamation, but now I see they're smarter than I am. They'll never recognize it, though. We're not the same kind of smart; I'm still writing reminders for them to drink water instead of coffee. But they know how to let go. They can miss their family without letting it consume them, and that's something I'll never possess.

"Hey, Stanford?" Y/N's voice breaks me from my thoughts. I shake my head and clear my throat. "Yes? What do you need?"

"We've been staring at this split for a while now. Are you alright?" They take a step closer, and I press the map to my chest, stepping back to regain some distance. "Yes, yes, I'm alright," I assure them, glancing back at the two paths. "Alright..." Y/N looks at me skeptically, arms crossed as they also stare at the paths. "Where does the TMI say to go?" They go on their tiptoes for a better look, and I knock the side of the device with the base of my palm.

"I'm not sure," I reply, knocking it again. The device is going haywire, trying to point in two different directions at once.

This complicates things.

"I think we'll have to split up," I say flatly. Y/N unfolds their arms, placing them on their hips. "Are you serious? This is one of my first times out here! I'll get lost!"

I step closer this time, taking their hand and folding it over the compass in my other hand. "Just trust me on this. If you get lost, remember that the lab is to the north. Once you find this split again, wait for me. When it starts to get dark, I'll come back and meet you here."

Slowly, Y/N nods. "Okay, I'll trust you. But don't be surprised if I have to come back immediately."

I shake my head lightly and exhale. "I won't be. We can come back here later if we need to. Remember: if you get lost, go north."

"Got it, north," Y/N affirms as I remove my hand from theirs. They give me a playful thumbs-up before we go our separate ways. I watch them glance back at me now and then until we finally lose sight of each other. A sinking feeling starts to fester in my stomach. I know it was right to send Y/N down the other path.

But why?

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