Strange (A Gravity Falls AU)

Chapter 8: Fear

True to his word Fidds took Stanford's book to the publishers, a few weeks later and Stanford was awoken to a knock on the door. The postman smiled from the sunlit porch as Stanford opened the door and blinked bleary eyed at him, tying up his dressing gown and rubbing the sleep from his eyes as his brain slugged along "Morning, sorry its early, you have a package" the hairy-armed man said, gently nudging the box on the ground with his foot and passing him a clipboard. Stanford signed it and thanked him, giving the man a weird glance as he walked away, whistling happily

Is the postman a werewolf? Or just really hairy? he thought as he heaved the box in to the shack.

Billy and Thaddeus jumped around excitedly in the living room, already up "What is it!?" Billy asked as he reached for the box that Stanford lugged onto the table. Stanford gently tapped his fingers away "Patience Billy, let me open it first" he said, grabbing his pocketknife from the little drawer in the table.

Thaddeus's eye widened at the sharp metal as it was brought down on the packing tape. He made a strangled whine and sat down, clutching his soft toy tightly and shaking. He was so scared, but he couldn't for the life of him figure out why. Stanley noticed his distress and came over, kneeling on the carpet "Bud? Are you okay?" he asked, picking him up off the floor. Thaddeus hugged him tightly "The knife, its scary Uncle Stanley" he said, pointing to the pocket knife. Stanford gulped and quickly put the knife back, out of sight, back in the drawer. Stan hugged the petrified demon "It's okay, it won't hurt you" Stan said soothingly, Thaddeus made a whimper noise "I know..."

Billy ignored his brother, far too excited about the box, he stretched up and opened the box himself, peering in "Books?" Billy questioned as he noticed the stack inside the bubble wrap enclosure, Stanford smiled "My books, the one I was working on, remember?" Stanford asked, taking one out, Billy nodded "Yup" Billy said with a grin.

Stanford handed the thick book to Billy's outstretched arms, the heavy novel made his legs wobble, and he sat down, the book tumbling to the floor in front of him. Unfazed by the fact he almost got squished, he opened it up.

"Hey brother! Its us! And Father and a bunch of words and pictures and drawings, oh this is awesome! Come look!" Billy said. Thaddeus sniffed and got down out of Stanley's arms, coming over to see. He sat down next to Billy with a small 'oof'

"It is awesome!" Thaddeus said, as he saw all the artwork of him and Billy.

Stanley nudged Fords arm "That should keep them occupied for a few seconds" Stanley said, a smirk on his face, the two demons would get bored eventually and then it would be on to something else. Ford chuckled nervously, the knife incident still in mind, hoping for his sake that Thaddeus didn't and would never remember the cruel death Fiddleford had subjected him to.

~

Dinner time and Ford had decided on finger foods until he could replace the knives and forks with plastic cutlery, or wooden ones, he wasn't to sure yet. Dipper and Mabel were still unaware of what had happened to Thaddeus, and were quite surprised at the lack of cutlery, but that was forgotten because "PIZZA!" Mabel yelled happily, grabbing a few slices and digging in.

Ford split one slice in half and gave one each to his sons, Billy dipping his in his ink, while Thaddeus just swallowed his whole, letting out a small burp and giggling at the noise. Stan chucked "Did you even chew that?" he asked as he took apart his own slice, taking bites of the torn off pieces.

Thaddeus shook his head "Billy used to do the same thing, he once ate the entire garden hose without chewing it, slurped it up like a noodle, shocked me good, I forgot about the washing and had to check to make sure he was okay" Stanford said, Stan gaped "He didn't! He couldn't have! Where did it go? I mean, he's so small!" Stan asked in disbelief, Billy giggled "The void!" he said wiggling his little fingers and narrowing his eye evilly. Stanford laughed "That's a good one kiddo," Stan said, Billy did his eye grin.