What if one day Stan actually did decide to call Ford, late in the middle of the night knowing he probably wouldn’t pick up but that was okay because despite Stan feeling at his lowest wanting his brothers comfort he was also terrified of having to speak to his brother. Or rather the outcome and what would come afterwards. And if Stan was an honest man— he had to be for once in his life— he was hoping ford wouldn’t answer as to not burden him; hoping he would answer so that he could save him.
So he calls, and the phone rings maybe 5 or six times before an eerily cheery ford picks up, his voice a bit off but perhaps it because of how shitty the phone booth was or perhaps their connection. And for the first time in 8 years Stanley pines talks to his brother. He keeps it short, he misses ford, he misses his family— he fucked up and for the last 8 years his life has been a never ending shitshow and he doesn’t know if he can take it anymore. He wanted to make amends before he finally drove off a cliff or shot himself or took every illegal and legal substances he had in his car.
Then silence. Stan waits with a heavy heart for ford’s response, for any indication that he might still be there why is ford all of a sudden so quiet?
Then he hears laughter, screechy belly deep laughter.
“Is that all Mac? Geez, I’m surprised you didn’t do us all a favor and do it sooner! Did ya think I would care?”
Stan is… well yes shocked because he always had that glimmer of hope that perhaps ford would care-
“Honestly this is a waste of time, why even bother calling? Acting as if I ever cared about you? PATHETIC HAHAHA! You want to know something Stanley?”
Stan’s breathes hitches, something is wrong- that- that CANT be Ford right? Ford isn’t-
“Pa was right. Everyone was right. You’re just the spare parts, the stupid sweatier version of me that no one wanted. You’re suffocating. Always have always will be— and as long as you’re alive you will always be a tumor to the rest of the world. I wish you were never born.”
Tears stream down Stan’s face, “Stanford I’m sorry-“
“Goodbye Stanley, I truly hope this is the last time we ever speak.”
At 25 years old Stanley Caryn Pines is found dead in the drivers seat of his car. Cause of death: overdose. The picture of two young boys, his real ID, and a paper with a phone number are buried nearby.
Ford wakes feeling both refreshed and utterly exhausted. He smacks his lips as he gets up from his bed and walking over to his desk to find the new notes Bill wrote for him. A smile creeps up on his face as he begins a new day ready to work.
Aka an au where Stan calls, bill picks up in fords body pre betrayal, and is the reason Stanley dies. And no ford doesn’t know until WAYYYYYY later.
