Fly

Chapter 7: The Picnic

The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over the forest as you, Stan, and the twins prepared for a lakeside picnic. The air was crisp, filled with the scent of pine and the distant chirping of birds. This whole thing was Mabel's not-so-subtle scheme to nudge you and Stanley closer. She had even packed what felt like an entire feast for a simple picnic, determined to make the day perfect.

The twins buzzed around excitedly, setting up the picnic spot with their usual energy. Meanwhile, you and Stan worked side by side, spreading out a large blanket and arranging Mabel's assortment of sandwiches, fruits, and an impressive amount of snacks.

Stan, being his practical self, eyed the tower of food Mabel was unpacking and couldn't resist a jab. "You sure we're not feeding the whole town? Or did you expect us to open up a snack stand on the side?"

Mabel puffed up, unfazed by his teasing. "Just wait until you try my famous double-glittered, sparkled chocolate chip cookies. They'll knock your socks off, Grunkle Stan!"

Stan let out a laugh, crossing his arms. "Socks, huh? Mabel, after this, I'm expecting to be barefoot for life if your cookies are as good as you say."

Everyone laughed as the twins kept chattering about their latest adventures. Eventually, after all the food was set, Mabel and Dipper got restless and decided to explore a nearby trail. "Don't have too much fun without us!" Mabel called over her shoulder as they disappeared into the trees.

And just like that, it was you and Stan, alone in the quiet afternoon. He leaned back against a tree, looking relaxed as ever, and for a moment, you were both content just taking in the peacefulness of the forest. The lake shimmered nearby, reflecting the bright blue sky.

Stan glanced at you and noticed your gaze wandering toward the trees, where a flock of birds flitted from branch to branch. "What's got you so enchanted? You've been staring at those birds like they've got the answers to the universe."

You smiled softly, your eyes following a small group of birds. "I've always loved birds. They're so free, you know? They can go wherever they want, just drifting through the sky."

Stan tilted his head, his expression softening. "Yeah? Never took you for a bird person. Guess that explains why you've always got your head in the clouds," he teased lightly, though his tone held genuine curiosity.

You shrugged, the faintest touch of nostalgia creeping into your voice. "I used to feed them all the time with my sister. It was our little escape—when things got tough, we'd sneak out, toss some bread crumbs, and just... watch them fly."

Stan paused, hearing the change in your tone. "You mentioned a sister before, how is she?"

Your smile faltered, just for a second, before you steadied yourself. "Yeah. I had a sister, so."

Stan's brow furrowed, the playful banter fading. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—"

You waved him off gently. "It's okay. It was a long time ago. But she loved birds too. I guess it just reminds me of her, that sense of freedom."

Stan nodded, giving you space to sit with your thoughts. He knew when to crack a joke and when to keep quiet, and right now, he chose silence. After a beat, he shifted, his voice a little lighter. "Y'know, birds are great and all, but if you're looking for real freedom, I say we skip the wings and go straight for the open road."

You raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his sudden suggestion. "The open road?"

Stan smirked, that familiar mischievous glint in his eye. "Yeah. We ditch this place for a while. You, me, no plans, no strings attached. Just us seeing where the wind takes us. Freedom's not just for the birds, you know."

You laughed, the idea sounding as wild as it was tempting. "And where exactly would we go? Because I've heard you're banned from a lot of places."

Stan leaned in, his grin widening. "Ah, see, that's where it gets fun. We'll go to all the places I haven't been banned from. Yet."

You shook your head, laughing. "I can't believe you're serious."

"Why not? You wanna feel free, right? Let's go find that freedom. And hey, worst case scenario, we get kicked out of a few places. No big deal. We'll make our own rules as we go."

The thought of just taking off, of leaving everything behind for a spontaneous adventure, made your heart race in the best way. "Alright, Stan. Let's do it. Let's plan a getaway."

He raised a brow, clearly impressed. "Now that's the spirit! I knew you had a little rebel in you."

As the day stretched into evening, the two of you fell into a comfortable rhythm, the earlier heaviness lifting. You talked about places you'd always wanted to see, and Stan, true to form, sprinkled in a few far-fetched tales about places he claimed to have "almost" visited.

At some point, the conversation circled back to your sister, but this time, the ache in your chest wasn't as sharp. You told Stan more about her, sharing memories with a fondness you hadn't felt in a while. He listened, offering the occasional quiet comment, his respect for the moment evident.

"She sounds like she would've made a hell of a birdwatcher," he said, a grin tugging at his lips.

You laughed softly, nodding. "Yeah, she would've."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of pink and gold, you found yourself leaning closer to Stan, a warmth settling between the two of you. The air was cool, the day winding down, but something about this moment felt like the beginning of something bigger—a shared adventure, a promise of freedom, and the comfort of knowing you didn't have to face the future alone.

With Stan by your side, maybe flying wasn't such an impossible dream after all.