Gold Dust Woman (Stanford Pines x OC)

3.) Right Side of My Neck

the right side of my neck still smells like you

Celia wakes up with Ford's warm arms wrapped around her for the first time. And he smells nice too. It's a comforting mix of the outdoors and something distinctly him, something that feels safe. She snuggles a bit closer, enjoying the rare moment of peace.

As her eyes slowly flutter open, she feels the rise and fall of Ford's chest behind her. The memories of last night come flooding back, and she can't help but smile to herself. It was fun, spontaneous, and a little bit wild—just how she likes it. But this? Waking up in his arms...this feels different. Special.

She carefully turns around in his arms, now facing him. Ford's still asleep, his face relaxed in a way she hadn't seen before. His glasses are on the nightstand, and without them, he looks softer and more approachable. He's usually so guarded, so wrapped up in his thoughts, but now, he looks like just a man—vulnerable, sweet, and completely at ease.

Careful not to wake him, Celia brushes a lock of hair from his forehead. She pauses, her fingers lingering just above his skin. How did this happen? How did she end up here, in Gravity Falls, in the bed of a man she'd just met, yet somehow feels so drawn to? She's never been one to stay in one place for long, but something about Ford makes her want to stay, at least a little longer.

He begins to stir slowly. His arms tighten around her for a brief moment before he blinks awake, his tired eyes meeting hers. His eyes slightly widen for a moment, not believing this is real and last night really happened. But she's so warm and comfortable and this feels so right.

"Good morning, Ford." She says so softly.

"You stayed." His eyes soften for her.

"Of course I did. Where else would I go?" She giggles and he just completely melts back into her arms.

"Good morning, Celia. I'm glad you did." He says, his voice sincere, and she can tell he means it. His cheeks flush slightly, a mixture of relief and something else—a quiet happiness.

"You're different than anyone else I've ever met." She says quietly, his head resting by her neck as he breathes in the scent of her sweet perfume.

"Different how?" He asks.

"You don't play games. You're real, and you don't try to be anything else. I've met a lot of people who are all smoke and mirrors, especially where I come from. But you...you're something else entirely." She tells him honestly.

"I could say the same about you," He replies. "You're not what I expected."

"Good or bad?" She smiles.

"Good," He says quickly, then adds with a sheepish grin, "Very good."

"I'm sorry if...if last night wasn't- I don't know." She tells him and he shakes his head.

"No, it was incredible." He tells her.

"Thank you for last night, Ford. I haven't felt that good in a long time." She smiles and he turns to mush.

He should normally be working right now, he should've woken up hours earlier. But she is the best distraction he could've asked for. What's one morning off of work?

He feels a new sense of calm for a moment. But only for a moment because then, a pink frog climbs over Celia's hip.

"Celia, don't move," He says quietly as he sits up.

"What? Why? Oh my god, is there a bug on me?" She freezes.

"There's a pink frog on your hip. It could be poisonous." He picks up the newspaper from his nightstand as she looks over at the frog.