[Ford knows. About that first part. He's not expecting it to be simple. Heck, complicated is about the best he can expect -- it's certainly better than simple because it's just hate.
He looks at Stan with frank adoration when Stan says he'd drop everything for him and the kids. It feels -- it feels really good to have that kind of support.]
I feel the same. But just because family comes first doesn't mean other people aren't important.
If Bill graduates first, and you decide you want to stick around for Rhys -- I'll stay.
[No bugs. What matters to Stan is important to Ford, too. Stan sacrificed so much for him, and compared to that? Ford can give some of his time back.]
[Ford has had years to process things, but Stan? He's had a few months, and most of it's been on the barge. Most of his life has been spent alone, without that kind of support, so it's still a weirdly pleasant surprise when it's offered so unconditionally.]
Wha-- Really? But this place is terrible!
[Not that he thinks Ford would ever leave him here, but the fact that he would be willing to stay while Stan finished getting Rhys to graduate kind of stuns him. He still can't help wondering why the hell Ford would want to do that for him, even after they'd made up.
...But then he remembers where they are and what's going on, and he laughs to cut some of his own tension away. He already has confirmation Ford's telling the truth.]
Heh. Guess that's a stupid question right now, huh? Unless you're hiding something in there better than I was.
[Stan grins and gestures to his mouth, clearly kidding around now.]
[Stan wouldn't expect anything less from Mabel, and frankly if she didn't throw them a party he'd do it himself.
He laughs and shoves Ford when he opens his mouth up, like they're little kids again, and the relief just rolls off of him.]
I might not even need it, y'know! Maybe I'll pull some sorta miracle and get him graduated before Bill! But, uh.
[He hesitates. Not so much because he's trying not to lie, but because the truth is embarrassing and he's not sure this flood will let him downplay it as much as he wants.]
[Fuck the Authority and what they think. He and Stan are going to make it work. SINCERE SIBLING HUG.]
Hah. I'm way ahead of this flood. I got out of the habit of lying -- except by omission, about a few subjects that're nobody's business -- ages ago. One too many truth-revealing floods for comfort.
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He looks at Stan with frank adoration when Stan says he'd drop everything for him and the kids. It feels -- it feels really good to have that kind of support.]
I feel the same. But just because family comes first doesn't mean other people aren't important.
If Bill graduates first, and you decide you want to stick around for Rhys -- I'll stay.
[No bugs. What matters to Stan is important to Ford, too. Stan sacrificed so much for him, and compared to that? Ford can give some of his time back.]
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Wha-- Really? But this place is terrible!
[Not that he thinks Ford would ever leave him here, but the fact that he would be willing to stay while Stan finished getting Rhys to graduate kind of stuns him. He still can't help wondering why the hell Ford would want to do that for him, even after they'd made up.
...But then he remembers where they are and what's going on, and he laughs to cut some of his own tension away. He already has confirmation Ford's telling the truth.]
Heh. Guess that's a stupid question right now, huh? Unless you're hiding something in there better than I was.
[Stan grins and gestures to his mouth, clearly kidding around now.]
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Aaaah.
[no bugs!]
Ha ha.
As long as I know I'll go where the kids are if I disappear, I'll stay as long as you need.
After all, it's Barge time. It doesn't count! And after that, there's the thirty more years Bill gave us. We've got plenty of time.
[It looks like they're gonna celebrate a hundredth birthday together. Mabel, most likely, will outdo herself.]
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He laughs and shoves Ford when he opens his mouth up, like they're little kids again, and the relief just rolls off of him.]
I might not even need it, y'know! Maybe I'll pull some sorta miracle and get him graduated before Bill! But, uh.
[He hesitates. Not so much because he's trying not to lie, but because the truth is embarrassing and he's not sure this flood will let him downplay it as much as he wants.]
...Thanks.
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[....oops, oh heck, there's something in his throat. Ford crushes it in his teeth, spits it out, and coughs uncomfortably.]
--at least, as long as we have any say in the matter.
[A pause. There. No bugs.]
Sheesh. Can't I express what I want to happen without being reminded of the parts of my life I can't control?!
[Fuck you, Authority.]
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[But hey, at least he's in good company.]
This place can shove it with its stupid bugs though. Wherever we go, we go together!
[He's fully expecting that cricket, and spits it out easily when it happens. Fuck you, Authority.]
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Hah. I'm way ahead of this flood. I got out of the habit of lying -- except by omission, about a few subjects that're nobody's business -- ages ago. One too many truth-revealing floods for comfort.