A Human's Touch || BillFord (Gravity Falls)

2nd form // German Folklore

[Ford POV]

When I woke I kept thinking about what Bill said. If he really needs to be here to help me with the journals wouldn't people find me working with a triangle god-being strange? I should probably tell him if he could maybe do something about that. I shiver from the draft coming from the window. I should probably go chop some firewood. I got up and put my work books and coat on, slipping on the gloves McGucket made for me. Its funny, it actually took him five attempts to get it right. I grabbed my hatchet and headed downstairs. McGucket was asleep at the dinning table burried in some research papers and reading materials. He's been working really hard lately, I might as well let him rest. I quietly walked past and made my way out, shutting the door quietly so I wouldn't wake him.
I headed out to the woods and looked for a skinny tree so the logs wouldn't be too heavy to haul back. Once I found one I started chopping. Part way through, I felt as if I was being watched. I thought maybe it was Bill or some other creature like the gnomes, but I don't think they'd be out this time of year. I continued chopping but before I could finish something big and threatening grabbed me right off my feet! I dropped the hatchet from the shock of the action. I quickly found myself tied up in a barrel being carried through the snow, soon realizing I wasn't alone either. There were four frightened children with me, and without a second thought I knew what this was. With how bad the weather's been, I don't know if Fiddleford will even be able to find me out here. damnit, I should've been more careful, how could I have been so stupid!
When the kids woke the being started conversation with us, my folk German was rusty but I could translate pretty well. I decided I'd form a plan. "Listen here kids, if you value your lives follow my exact orders. No more following random candy trails, those type of fairy tales never end well, especially German ones. " The kids all nodded, their faces pink from the cold. "alright, what do you want in order to free us?" I asked. He wanted at least one human to take back to his lair. Of course, I couldn't do that. He started drawing a red pentagram in the snow. On the bright side, it seemed very warm, on the other side it looked like hell. I was just imagining what my obituary would say when a heroic figure came to our aid. He smacked Krampus unconscious with a banjo. Who hell would.. wait.. it's F! My assistant! When me and the kids were freed I embased him. "Fiddleford! I could kiss you!" I hugged him tight. He laughed a little before his face returned sort of glum. The kids were hitting the knocked out Krampus with sticks. "Is everything okay" I let him go. "Yeah.. I went to visit the family actually.. didn't go so well. I forgot to get her a gift and a whole fight started. I just wish things would go back to the way they were.. but maybe not living together will he good for us, and someday she'll.. stop being so bitter to me" he mumbled. I felt awful that he was having such a hard time, especially on the holidays. "Is there anything that could make you feel better?" I suggested. He shrugged. "We could maybe kick the knocked out Krampus if it helps" I suggested. "I just wanna go home" he mumbled, his eyes looked teary and he started to return home. I let him be since I had to get these kids home to their parents anyway. They're not gonna believe what happened at all. Maybe I'll just let the kids talk about Krampus, and once they're gone I'll just tell the adults they got lost playing in the woods or something. I guess that'll do.
I wonder why Bill didn't think to help. He told me he knows everything and he's watching us constantly, but still nowhere to be seen.
I sighed and shrugged it off. "C'mon kids, let's try to find your parents. Do any of you know your address?" They looked at each other and kind of shrugged. I sighed, I can't blame them though. I made the kids hold hands so I could keep track of them and lead them back into the town. I know the townsfolk are about as smart as a door nail but maybe the police will have better luck getting them home than I will. I've never lied to a policeman before though.
Once we got into town I took them to the station and explained my version of the situation. They believed me and had the kids sit and wait. One of them asking them questions like their names and last name. One of the other officers told me I was free to go home. I felt kind of bad leaving them but I wasn't sure what else to do.
I headed home and found Fiddleford in his room, I'm pretty sure he was crying but I pretended not to notice. "Hey, F.. you uh, wanna watch a movie or something?" I suggested, glancing at the small CRT TV on his dresser. He leaned up from his pillow and looked at me, his eyes red. He gave a shakey nod. I sat next to him and opened my arms, indicating if he needed a hug he could have one. He practically clinged to me and I turned on the horror movie channel. I rubbed his back while he continued to sob until it was all out of his system. I just gently patted and rubbed his back the whole time. "it'll be alright, Fiddleford. I'm here for you" I assured him. He leaned his head on my shoulder while holding a pillow in his arms and a blanket draped over him. I know a horror movie usually wouldn't seem 'appropriate' in this situation but Gravity Falls has some really bad channels, a lot of their movies are pretty cheesy so it'll at least be able to make him laugh.

A/N:

They cuddled btw :)