Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Life had not been kind to Stanford Filbrick Gleeful since hsi amd his brother's birth.

If he was being honest with you folk's, Ford liked to think his problems all started since his brother, Stanley, decided to go pro with boxing.

Stanley would unintentionally become the pride and joy of both their parents and the entire town and it wasn't hard his twin brother to see why.

The two brother's were like night and day believe it or not.

Where Ford was an introvert, Stanley was extrovert. 

While Ford was winning science fairs, Stanley was winning state champions. 

Where people avoided Ford like the plague, Stanley was constantly surrounded by their peers and adults alike.

It was all so damn maddening!

It wasn't all that bad If he had to admit it. Ford did have his own strengths that he was greatly proud of too!

He was insanely book smart! His high IQ allowed him to learn at a much more advanced pace compared to his peers and those older than him. He could proudly hold his own in a fight thanks to all the training his brother gave him. Ford even managed to shock the whole town with winnng the state fair and earning the right to take a test to win himself a full ride all payed scholarship to the college of his dream's. 

It just... Wasn't ever enough for his father.

Unless it was Stanley or the newborn baby brother they had. Their fatherhood zero to nonexistent of a relationship with Ford whatsoever. Always belittling all of his hobbies and interest, never really acknowledging any of his achievements,  and the constant disapproving frown was always pushing Ford on edge a stime would tick on.

Ford often liked to think in some other dimensions things were different.  

A dimension where his achievements weren't constantly being undermined or overlooked.

Where he wasn't considered the inferior twin.

A whole different dimension where he wasn't feeling bitter and resentful at his twin brother and all his own accomplishment and achievements. 

And the feelings all came to head the night he finally fought with his father.

It had been a stupid argument to be honest. 

He had successfully won a scholarship to his dream college and was in the middle of showing it to his twin brother and mom. Both surprised but equally proud of him for his accomplishment in earning a ticket to his dream college. It was one of the three top schools that personally selected their students and Ford had been the lucky soul to have passed their test and earned a scholarship as it's winner.

"Alright, way to go Bro!"

"That's my little broght star!"

Ford rembered smiling and nearly tearing up at the love and support both his brother and mother had given him. He had been fill with so much happiness and pride at achieving his dreams and being surrounded by the two most important people on his life.

Only for his dad to purposelly ruin the happy atmosphere with his cruel words and underhanded comment's. 

And that was the straw that broke the camel's back!

They fought, they screamed. Both parties  refusing on backing down and neither cared of the words they spat outta anger and hatred. Word's that they'd never be able to ever take back, and the scremaing and shouting had reached a point where it all came to a head and Ford did the life altering change that would forever haunt him and his family.

Storming outta the house with his suitcase and never looked back.

No matter how much he heard his baby brother and mother crying out for him. Hearing his twin chasing after him. Or even hearing the whatever else his father had to say. It all landed on hurt deaf ears as he boarded the last bus outta town and left.

It would only be once Ford had gotten far away from his family and hometown and was in his new dorm had he finally been able to hear himself thinkand then smack himselffor his foolishness. He knew the argument was stupid and a way for their dad to get him to leave the house, without throwing him out. Knew how his father did actually pay attention to him somewhat, to know Ford would storm out if pushed enough.

And damnit all, it had actually worked!

"Who needs him anyways." He bit out bitterly. "I made it on my own without his love and support. I can just keep on going like that!"

And that he did.

Ford would have many mental fights with himself over his family situation for years to come. It was mainly because he missed his two brothers and mother, more than anything. But the last thing he wanted was to see any sign of his father or see the man and have him be expecting Ford to apologize to him and begging to see his brothers and mother.

Ford's pride wouldn't allow it!

So... He stayed away.

It wasn't easy in the slightest. When.he wasn't studying, Ford found himself always fighting.

Fighting the urge to pick up the phone and call either his mom or brother.

Declining the chance to leave his college campus for the holidays, instead of swallowing his pride to see his twin, baby brother, and their mother.

He even held off on writing any letters either in fear of them being tracked or giving his father any hope of hearing from him.

All the time lost to be with his family, thanks to the burning hunger of wanting to prove everyone back home wrong.

His peers and teacher's. 

His bullies.

His father...

Stanford Filbrick Gleeful vowed to prove them all wrong!

Chapter Text

Time flew by and life had Changed Ford in more ways than one.

Now in his late 20's, the six fingered man wasn't the same self-conscious angsty teen that stormed outta home and never looked back. He had managed to survive the school system once more and came out the victor!

Graduated with 12 PhD's under his belt.

Managed to finally hit the gym and have a body that rivaled his twin's. 

He even managed to own his very own home after being on the waiting list for nearly a whole year.

Life was finally coming up for Stanford Filbrick Gleeful and he couldn'tbe anymore happier than he already was!

"Only wish I could survive solely on beans and canned brown meat." He mumbled as he struggled with getting his keys and heading out the door. "Would definitely save me the trouble of having to socialize."

Ford hated having to go into town. As a child, he'd never really been the socialite liek his brother. Finging true solace and joy, being surrounded by books and learning, than having any form of human interaction or entertaining the notion of making any effort in talking outside of projects or work.

But sadly for him, it was the first of the month and after doing his monthly inventory,  he had to head into town and stock up on his much needed item's once again. 

It's day's like this, he missed his friend Fiddledford, who had always been the one that did the shopping.

Reverse falls was an... Interesting place to settle down and call home.

Ford originally wanted to live somewhere a little bit closer to home, give him a chance to finally reunite with his mother and brother's and make up for all the lost time. Spend what little time he had left with his aging mother and getting to make a bond with his baby brother a d reunite with his twin.

But had at the last minute, ultimately opted out when hearing about the strange anomalies that resided in the sleepy town and wanted to see them all for himself.

That and when he heard his father had been looking for him...

But that's not important!

The town itself was a pretty mellow kind of home, ment for the retired, small families, or those that aren't built for the big city life. It was up in Oregon and was was crawling with supernatural amd mythical creatures he had all read about in his college days and now had his own book's to catalog and keep all of his findings. It was a paradise and dream come true for Ford.

The only problem he had was the social butterfly towns people that alway wanna talk his ears off.

"Hello Mr. Gleeful!"

'Just smile and wave back Ford.' He reminded himself as he gave his best showcase smile at the townsfolk that called out to him. 'Smile and wave.'

"Good to see you finally leave that house on the hill ya living in!"

Ford felt his annoyance growing as he continued on into the only market place like a man on a mission. Grabbing the many necessities an other self care or food wise items he'll need for the next four month's. He didn't wanna have to comeback to the store a week or at the end of the month like last time.

The eyes that followed him was a perfect way to cement his idea.

He understood it to some degree; he was the newcomer that moved up on the hill and kept to himself and never really left his house unless it was an absolute must. It was quite a shock to them when he had first came down from his home, to get food to stock up in his pantries and fill up his fridge. 

He just wasn't all for socializing, or entertaining the notion of playing house with the townsfolk like they were with him. 

"Hey, Mr. Gleeful!"

"Looking good this morning Mr. Gleeful."

"You think you can teach me how to read this weekend Mr. Gleeful?"

'Can't get outta this town faster.' Ford quietly groaned as he paid for his items and practically ran outta the store.

"OOF!"

"OW!"

Never in all his years had anyone managed to knock him down on to his back. 

Oh sure! Ford had been shoved and pushed around by his bullies, but none of them had gotten him on his back like he was right now.

And oh boy was he pissed.

"What the fu -"

And smack right into a much smaller body

"OH MY GOSH, I AM SO SORRY, I HONESTLY DIDN'T SEE YOU WALKING OUT!!!"

For the first time in many, many, many years. Ford was rendered speechless. 

He had originally planned on yelling at the moron that had rammed into him. Chew into them for having ruined his escape and knocking his groceries to the floor and leave them crying or scared outta their mind. But was shocked when coming face to face with the actual person.

It was a small woman.

5ft to be exact. Who looked panicked and resembeld a small rabbit as her whole body shook and ears welled up in her eyes as she tried picking up his fallen groceries and stutter out apologies. 

The first thing he took notice was her soft baby blue eye's. Ford felt his heart began hammering against his ribcage as he allowed himself to look at those soft expressive doe like eyes.

He then let his eyes wander to take in her other features.

Long pale blue hair that was put in a high pony-tail and framed perfectly around her small heart-shaped face and the larg glasses she wore. Soft full lips, long lashes, and milky light brown skin as far as he could see, which wasn't enough at all, thanks to the large turtleneck she wore.

She resembled a porcelain doll.

And Ford was memorized. 

"Uh sir?"

"H-huh!?" Ford mentally slapped himself at his stupidity as he snapped back into reality and focused back on to the beauty before him. "Yes miss?"

The little beauty blinked a couple of times before smiling and letting out a couple of giggles before speaking again.

This time, Ford paid attention! 

"I was apologizing for knocking nto you and causing your stuff to fall." She then motioned to the large bag in her hands and smiled apologetically this time. "Please accept this large bag as an apology? It's taken all of your groceries and is wash machine washable!" 

Ford was genuinely shocked upon seeing the said bag. It was enormous and literally had all his groceries perfectly stacked in. The bag showed no signs of leaking or breaking and further impressed Ford with, despite hiw small she was, her strength she was currently displaying as she smiled up at him.

It took him a good 30 minutes to realize he was just standing there like a boob and mentally slapped himself before finally talking. 

"It's quite alright, and thank you for the bag. He was proud of himself for managing to speak all calm and collected while his insides were feeling the cursed butterflies. I've never seen anything like it.

He watched as the blue haired beauty before him, brighten up even brighter as she spoke up again. 

"Thank you! I actually made it myself!"

Ford was even more impressed. 

"My name is Stanford Gleeful, but I take it you might already know that by now from the other townsfolk." 

He hadn't ment to sound arrogant when introducing himself to her, honest! He was just so use to everyone in town already knowing and calling him either by his first name or last, with familiarity,  as though they  personally knew him.

Only to be shocked with the confused look the little beauty gave him as she tilted her head and her eyes now held panic and confusion in them.

"Am... I suppose to know you?" She asked before pouting and apologizing again as she turend her head down and shyly admitted. "This is my first time back in town, thanks to my food rations finally dwindling. I don't really come outta my house unless I have to..."

Ford immediately sprang into action. 

"I just moved here myself!" He feign innocents to as to appear more friendly. "I just gotten so use to everyone here making a huge fuss and having some form of information on me since moving here."

He patted himself on the back when he saw the little beauty's face being filled with understanding and answer back.

"Ah. I see then." Before sticking her hand out and giggling once more. "My name is Willow,  but the townsfolk all call me Will. Welcome to Revese fall's then Mr. Gleeful."

Ford immediately took the smaller hand into his own and inwardly relished in the feeling of how perfectly smooth and well fit Will's hand felt in his much larger one.

"The please is all mine my dear."

Ford couldn't shake off the feeling of being on cloud nine even if he wanted to. He had officially had the best day of his life!

He didn't return home like he had originally planned. Instead,  he walked all around the town with Will as she either introduced him to some of the more mellow townsfolk, or showed him the library and many other more calming areas to get away from it all.

Their day was filled with talking and sweet laughter until Will had gotten a phone call and saw the time.

Talking to Will had brought a light that Ford hadn't felt in such a long time. She was witty, sweet, eager to listen and a bit shy when sharing her own thought's. Ford had genuinely lost track of time today and was brought back down to earth when Will's phone went off and she was ambushed by what he assumed to being her friends, die to the many voices on the other side. 

He didn't know why that annoyed him to know Will had friends though...

"Guess that's my cue to head back home before my friends send out a search party and think you abducted me." Will had laughed nervously  before turning up to Ford and smiling sweetly. "I truly enjoyed today and hope to hear from you again. I'd love to hear more about your college days!"

He swore with his six fingered hand on a stack of bible books, it was that smile she gave him, was what made him lose even more of his senses and blurt out. 

"Will you have dinner with me this Friday!"

And now he came back to his home with the goofy smile stuck on his face all because she said yes!

"I got a date!" He cheered.