Wrote a little something based off this AU prompt.
There was a knock on his door.
Ford paused, considering. He certainly wasnât expecting anyone, seeing as heâd just moved into his newly finished house today and was currently unpacking. Perhaps it was a neighbour coming to welcoming him to the town? Except no. Ford didnât really have neighbours, seeing how far up a dirt road his house was from everyone else.
Frankly, he had no idea who could be knocking at his door. The mystery lit a burning curiosity in him, and Ford found himself making his way through piles of unpacked boxes to the front door. He wiped his sweaty palms on his pants before grabbing the handle and pulling it open to revealâ
âHeya, Ford.â Stan gave him a lopsided grin and a friendly wave. He had a bulging duffle-bag slung over one shoulder, and behind him his car was parked right next to Fordâs.
Ford gaped, stunned beyond words.
Stan wasted no time in shouldering past him and walking into the house like he owned it, looking around curiously. âSo these are our new digs, huh?â
âHuh?â Ford echoed, lost.
âWow, you sure have a lot of stuff here,â Stan continued as if he hadnât heard anything, wandering further down the hall. âHave you claimed a bedroom yet or do I get first pick?â
Ford stuttered. âI⊠Youâ! What?â
His mind was still trying to wrap around the idea that his estranged twin brother, who he had not seen nor spoken to in years, had suddenly just shown up at his door out of nowhere. Why was Stan here? How had he known Ford was here? Ford hadnât even given anyone his new phone number or address yet!
Ford flinched as a light pain registered between his eyebrows. He rubbed the spot with a grumble, eyeing Stan who was now right in front of him, hand still raised as if to flick Fordâs forehead again.
âI asked if you wanted to order pizza,â Stan said. âSince weâre still in the middle of unpacking and all, itâll be easier to order something than cook tonight. Doesnât have to be pizza, though. Any takeout works for me, Iâm not picky.â
Ford wondered if this was how students who couldnât keep up with their teachers felt. He was so incredibly lost right now. What was even happening?
Stan rolled his eyes. âTakeout, Ford. You can pick the place.â
âNo, thatâs not what Iââ
Stan was walking away from him. At some point heâd dropped the duffle-bag somewhere, and was now opening random boxes and poking through Fordâs things.
Ford found his shock quickly burned away by irritation. âHey! Stop touching my stuff!â
He stomped after his brother and yanked a pair of binoculars from Stanâs hands.
âHaha, what do you have those for? Peeping on the ladies?â Stan teased.
âBirdwatching,â Ford corrected him flatly.
Stan blew a raspberry and made a gaging sound. âNerd!â
Ford was going to hit him.
âWhy are you in my house?â he snapped, angrily jabbing Stan in the chest. âWhat are you even doing here? We havenât spoken in years and you decide to just show up uninvited and let yourself in?â
Stan snorted. âI didnât let myself in, you opened the door for me.â
âWell then Iâll open it again for you to get out!â Ford yelled.
âYeesh, chill out, Six. I know you havenât slept in thirty-six hours, but you donât gotta take it out on me.â
âWhaâIâŠâ Ford hadnât slept in about thirty-six hours, it was true. But⊠âHow did you know that?â
Stan just clapped him on the shoulder with a friendly smile. âCause Iâm your brother, duh. Now, do you got a local phonebook, or what? I wanna see what our takeout options are.â
Ford shook his head as if he could get all his scrambled brains back into place. Then he marched after Stan, who had once again taken off through the house, presumably in search of a phonebook.
âThere is no âourâ!â Ford shouted after him. âWhat kind of audacity do you even have to just come in here like nothing happened and demand dinner?! Iâll have you know you are trespassing on my private property and I demand you leave. Now!â
Ford hadnât often allowed himself to wonder what it might be like when he and Stan saw each other for the first time since the science fair incident. When he did allow it, he usually imagined Stan finally maturing enough to contact him and apologize for what heâd done. Never in his wildest dreams had he pictured Stan just waltzing back into his life like nothing had happened.
Ford blinked. âWhat?â
âI said no,â Stan repeated casually. âIâm not leaving.â
Ford sputtered angrily. âYou canât justâ! Go home, Stanley!â
Stan looked at him as if Ford was being ridiculous. âI am home.â
âYou donât live here!â Ford was certain his face was fully red from how furious he was.
âUmm, I think youâll find all my stuff in one of the bedrooms, so Iâm pretty sure I do,â Stan laughed.
Ford made a noise akin to a boiling kettle. âIf you donât leave right now, I am going to call the police!â
âSure thing, Sixer.â Stan walked away from him yet again, calling back, âAnd hey, if you do, ask them their opinion on the best takeout places in town, okay? I wanna try something good tonight!â
Ford could only scream wordlessly in rage and confusion as his brother made himself at home.