Old fools (Stanford pines x Reader)

Chapter 6

A/N: bullying mentioned in this chapter be warned pookies <3

Also this chapter is preeeetty long, hope you enjoy :]

"DWEEB?!"

Everyone in the diner turns to look at you, but at that moment you really don't care. Stanford glances at you when a wave of recognition flashes in his eyes.

"...Fool?" He stands up, multiple emotions playing in his eyes; his brown, old eyes.

The man and two kids who were sitting along with him give you confused glances. You look at them and your gaze falls to the man with the golden chain. What the hell? He looks exactly like Stanford!! Except.. bulkier and.. is that throw up on his shirt or sweat?
Nevermind all that, you look back at Stanford as he walks in your direction.

"I-I never thought I'd see you again um–" he starts but you cut him off "I uh– look I'd love to chat but I see you have company and I don't want to intrude so uhh–" you get cut off by a little hand patting your arm, you look down and see the little girl from the table. "Hi! I'm Mabel, quick question! how do you know my grunkle Ford?! Are you some spicy ex-partner or a magical wizard from another dimension to swear revenge on him for eating your muffins?" She smiled "uhh.. definitely the wizard" you decided to play along with her so you can avoid Ford's persistent eye contact. Mabel gasps as she yells "GRUNKLE FORD!! How could you?!" Ford looks at Mabel and laughs awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head "I must've uh.. been quite hungry." He stated, dropping his gaze. "If you'd allow me, Mabel, I'd like to grab this 'wizard' so I could properly apologize"

Mabel looks at Ford suspiciously then smiles "you rascal, have at them!" She walks back to her table, leaving Ford and I in our continued awkward silence.

"Could we maybe head outside for a bit?" He starts. It took you a bit to grasp his question before nodding and heading outside.

You sat on a nearby bench, still sitting in awkward silence. You sigh and look at him with a sad smile.

"You look like shit" you laughed slightly, he let out of a breathy chuckle, replying quickly with a snarky remark: "well, you don't look any better either" you both laugh as you look down. "You're still as delightful as I remember though" he looks at you, smiling gently.

"Yeah well, other than my aching, old, withering, body. My mind stayed in the right place" you replied and he chuckled. "Well I wish I could say the same for myself" he looks down.

You patted his shoulder gently, his attention drawn back to you. "How about we meet up tomorrow morning for a coffee? So we can catch up on everything's that happened in the past.. ugh- forty-one years? I'd hate to pull you away from your.. I'm gonna take a wild guess here and assume they're your family." He nods as he gets up, putting a hand out to help you up as well. You gratefully take it and get back on your feet.

"Yes they're my family, my brother Shermie's grandkids to be exact" you gasp and take his hands excitedly "holy shit, how's Shermie?! It's been forever!" Ford looks at your combined hands and you pull away quickly "sorry, nasty habit" you chuckle sheepishly, earning a smile from Ford "No problem. Shermie has been doing great, better than me and.. my twin brother Stanley who I never mentioned back in our college years.." he scratched the back of his head.

You let out a breathy chuckle and flick his glasses. "You can tell me all about it tomorrow. Now go back to your family, dweeb" he readjusted his glasses and gave you a soft smile, nodding slowly. "Ten in the morning sharp smarty pants, be late and I'll slip some cancerous cells in your coffee" you said jokingly, but he looked kinda shocked and terrified. "Oh calm your neurodivergent head dweeb I'm joking" he rubs the bridge of his nose and laughs "of course, I forgot your jokes always consisted of fake threats, my personal favourite was when you swore world domination If I lost your blue pen" you laugh loudly as you recall the moment.