Little(s) : Stanley Pines (age : 2 years)
Caretaker(s) : Stanford Pines

Plot : When he hears his brother's cry ring late in the night, some of Ford's old instincts wake up.
Request for : None! It's seemed to be a sweet idea, so I decided to write it! (And I know, you might have seen me going around, making it as my own request... but I kinda wanted to write it myself too, so...)

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The moon shone it's weak light over the Gravity Falls, with all it's unique inhabitants long gone to bed.

Or, more like, almost...

Stanford Filbrick Pines, just recently returned to his home dimension, was back to stuff, he was doing for last 30 years, finding a way to destroy Bill Cipher.

With now being back through the same portal, he built in his late 20's, he found that his return caused a Rift between the worlds. A way for Bill to leave his dimension and enter his.

Now, something burned into him. A hope. A feeling that they would be able to put an end of the demon's tyranny once and for all.

And, after meeting two new members of his family, this hope only grew.

Dipper, his great-nephew, was like a small version of himself, giving good ideas and was just as sucked into the supernatural as himself. Ford only hoped that Dipper would be smarter and wouldn't fall for such easy tricks as he did in his age.

And Dipper's twin? Little Mabel was just a charmer. A sweet girl, able to find good things even in the worst situation. Ford hoped she wouldn't loose this side of her as she grows up. Just one look at the girl reminded Ford of his childhood with his own twin...

Ford sighed, as he thought about his brother, who was sleeping in his room upstairs.

Their relationship were becoming better after the... infinite-sided dice incident... but were still rocky.

Don't get him wrong, Ford loved his brother. He was mad, sure, but he still loved him. They were family, twins, after all. Halves of one being...

But...

Ford sighed, as he walked outside for some fresh air.

Or was, until he stopped, clutching his hand into a fist, looking behind himself with worry in his eyes.

For last hour or so, Ford has been restless, but he couldn't understand why. The nagging feeling of something being wrong didn't want to leave him, no matter how much he ignored or reassured himself that everything was fine.

But still...

The man finally decided to give in, walking over the shack.

The first floor didn't have anything out of normal, besides couple of gnomes stealing some food from fridge (Ford left them be). On second floor, he walked to see the twins, to smile at their peaceful sleep in their beds. Dipper had a book on his chest (the man couldn't help the chuckle over it) and Mabel was cuddling one of her numerous stuffed toys in her sleep.

Content with his little niblings being safe, Ford left their room, before moving next.

The rest of second floor was, relatively, quiet, the only noise coming from the grandfather's clock. Ford thought that worry was just inside of his brain and was about to go back to his study...

Right after he checked on his brother as well.

Slowly, Ford walked closer to door to Stan's room, that still, for some reason, had bunch of "stay out" signs, like on their door, back when they were teens. A soft chuckle left him, as he put his hand on the doorknob, preparing to open it and see his twin just as peaceful as the kids were.

But he stopped by the door as soon as he heard noise insire.

Distress noises... Soft mumblings, sounds of turning...

Ford didn't know if he should come in, or if he wanted to, but it settled when he heard scream from the other side of the door.

Ford broke in his brother's room without hesitation to see a sight that shocked him.

There was his brother. Stan, trashing in his sleep, turning from one side to another, mumbling something in both, English and foreign language, he could assume was Spanish or something similar.

For only a second, Ford stayed on his spot, before walking slowly to his twin, not wanting to scare him more than he already was.

It took about a minute, but after it, two twins were in hand reach to each other and Ford didn't hesitate to gently transfer Stan, still wrapped in his blanket, from his bed into his arms. The position was kind of awkward, considering that they were the same height, but neither twin couldn't care less.

Ford started gently rubbing his brother's back, whispering words of comfort into his hair, as he knew they would be just loud enough to reach his ears.

The scene stretched for minutes later, all before Stan's screams turned into small cries, when his hand got from his blanket, to hold onto his brother's sweater. Ford stayed there, letting him to do so, to get the comfort he needed to fully leave the whatever bad dream he had.

Needless to say the younger twin didn't let go even when he was entirely calmed, still holding onto his brother, like if his life depended on it.

"Oh, Stanley..." Ford sighed gently, running his hand through his brother's hair. "What got you so upset? Was the nightmare that bad?"

Stan didn't reply, just sticking his nose in Ford's sweater, but his brown eyes were locked with his twin's. Ford thought for a second, before an idea came into his head and soft smile on his face.

"Want to sleep with me, hm?"

Stan just sqeezed his hand around Ford. Ford returned the gesture by holding Stan close.

"Will take it like a yes..."

When Ford was about to stand up, Stan let our a small whine, confusing his brother, when they both looked at something.

A small box on top of Stanley's drawer, labeled "Little things". Ford didn't need a second to guess that, whatever was inside, would help Dtan to calm down to sleep again.

Ford held the box under his hand, while carrying his twin to his room. He guessed that, with how scared Stan was, he wouldn't let go of Ford for even a second right now.

I side of his room, Ford, not without a fuss from Stan, settled his brother down for a second, saying "Just have to get another blanket". Ford took off his coat, letting a sigh, when he finally decided to see, what was inside the box, he took with him.

The older twin gasped in shock as soon as he opened it.

Baby things. Some even too big for normal baby to use. But, even with it being out of normal... Ford knew what they were, as he looked over his brother, while Stan tilted his head (as best as he could, at least).

Clingy... doesn't talk... only whines and cries..? Of course! Ford slapped his forehead, as he looked down at his brother in sorrow and, as he felt it, love. How could I miss the signs..?

"Forty years... Oh, Lee..." Ford picked his brother back in his arms, gently cuddling him to his chest. "You're still the same..? You're still my baby brother, hm?"

Ford carefully put his hand on Stan's face and, like if it was called... the younger twin leaned into the touch, turning his face into it. A small gesture, they both did before... that night... Ford wouldn't be surprised if Stan didn't respond it right now, but he did... and he even smiled for a second, when Ford gently strocked his cheek.

Even after so many years... Stan was still his baby brother... only wanting to be held and loved...

And Ford was only able to see it now...

Ford sighed, closing the box again, putting it away, as he laid down, Stan still rested against his chest, and covered them both with a blanket. Stan was still restless, but Ford was as well, searching his memory for something, when he found it.

"Goodnight my angel, time to close your eyes
And save these questions for another day
I think I know what you've been asking me
I think you know what I've been trying to say
I promised I would never leave you
Then you should always know
Wherever you may go, no matter where you are
I never will be far away"

A small smile came onto the researchers face, as he moved his baby brother's hair off his eyes. Greyed... even if greyed, Ford refused to look at Stan as anything else, but his baby brother. It was all, he knew Stan as now. All, he should've known Stan as for all those years.

"Goodnight, my angel, now it's time to sleep
And still so many things I want to say
Remember all the songs you sang for me
When we went sailing on an emerald bay
And like a boat out on the ocean
I'm rocking you to sleep
The water's dark and deep, inside this ancient heart
You'll always be a part of me

Goodnight my angel, now it's time to dream
And dream how wonderful your life will be
Someday your child may cry, and if you sing this lullaby
Then in your heart there will always be a part of me
Someday we'll all be gone
But lullabies go on and on
They never die
That's how you and I will be"

By the time, Ford finished the song, Stan was out like light, snoring on his brother's chest, listening to his heartbeat.

The older twin cracked a smile, watching him, cuddling the mentally young man close, placing a kiss on his forehead.

"Goodnight, Lee..." Ford whispered, closing his eyes as well.

I promise, NOTHING will hurt you ever again...