Galaxy Ford (Gender Ambiguous Reader x Stanford Pines)
Pure fluff written for @smutsket!! This was originally started because of her astronomy test, but I got busy with school myself so it’s pretty late and possibly irrelevant oops. Perhaps you can take it as a gift for her getting a good grade on her test!! It’s also not what I originally proposed but I feel there needs to be more fluff in the world. Also, who knows, there’s always the possibility of a sequel. shoutout to @sovonight whose soft Fords inspired how I pictured this as well
A couple notes: this isn’t my first fic but it’s the first one I’ve actually finished and felt good enough to post! (I find it funny I’ve been going crazy over Stan for like 3 years and my first posted fic is about Ford but anyway). I also don’t properly know much about space and I’ve never taken an astronomy class, though I’m interested in both, so this is stuff I could personally remember and Googling basic stuff. And criticism and advice is appreciated! I chose to have Ford be his “current” age here, because it would be more interesting. Okay I think that’s it haha. Hope you enjoy :)
Studying was never fun. Or at least, that’s what you used to think before the particular person you were currently studying with came into your life. Stanford Pines was a lot of things, and a brilliant tutor was one of them- though those two words didn’t quite go together perfectly. Brilliant was a given of course, but Ford seemed to understand things in a different way from you and the subjects came so easily to him, which could lead to a lot of frustration on both sides. Sometimes he even answered the questions you gave him to ask you, himself! Like he was trying to prove how smart he was. As if you didn’t know.
However, as your loving boyfriend (he still reddened at the term) he was happy to help you prepare for exams and delve into the realm of knowledge, though he personally could do with more challenging material. But who better to help you than him? After all, physics were the man’s thing.
“Name the different types of nebulae.”
Smiling, you sat back, relieved that Ford finally gave you the question in a way you were better able to understand instead of complicating it with his own “more accurate” spin on it. He’d been helping you for about three hours now. Papers and books were splayed out around the two of you, and now that you moved from the kitchen table to the carpet of Ford’s room, you were able to stretch your legs.
“Well, the stricter definition of nebulae categorizes them as celestial bodies composed of strictly gas and dust. I know those, but I’m a little iffy on those that aren’t so much classified as nebulae anymore.”
Ford smiled almost proudly. “Go ahead and name those, then.” He shifted the textbook in his lap and pushed up the sleeves of his soft sweater past his elbows. You couldn’t help but glance at his toned arms for a second before he spoke again. “However many you can.”
“Okay, galaxies were considered nebulae….” you mused, taking the pen from the corner of your mouth and instead tapping it as you thought. “ And of course there are dark, emissions, planetary, and reflection nebulae.”
“Very good,” Ford crossed the bullet point off of the list of material to quiz you on. “This particular book also includes globular and open clusters in that category, as well as supernova remnants.”
Your brows furrowed. “What? Really?” You scooted as close to him as possible and peered to where he was pointing at the wall of text. “Shoot, I forgot that…”
“Not to worry, your other book has the classification as you stated,” he turned his head and gave you a look of reassurance. “This textbook, however, is almost as old as me. No wonder the information is different.”
A light laugh escaped the both of you and you rested your head against his shoulder casually, catching a whiff of his calming smell which tempted you to abandon your studies and close your eyes and nuzzle into him instead. Ford sighed and rubbed the back of his head as he muttered, “It’s quite incredible- all the advances and new discoveries I’ve missed. I’ve been to dozens upon dozens of dimensions and learned about more universes than many scholars could even comprehend, yet I feel now that I know so little about my own.” The man sounded a bit dejected. His pride in his knowledge of the universe was somewhat hindered once he realized he’d missed so many discoveries as they happened; you assumed he felt like he should have been there, or even discovered them himself.
“But that just leaves more for you to discover and learn! Technological and scientific advancements, especially ones regarding space, are being made constantly, Ford. NASA itself can hardly keep up,” you laughed and gingerly rubbed his shoulder. “Besides, it’s nice for me to be able to teach you something every once in a while. That’s not pop-culture or internet related, that is.”
“What are those goons at the classification board doing? Pluto is obviously not a planet! They can’t simply change it when no contradicting evidence has been found!”
“Obviously they had to change it back due to backlash. Have to keep the people happy,” you teased.
Ford huffed and muttered “ridiculous”, while looking back over your notes. “You know, I visited a dimension where the Plutonian ruler used Pluto’s planetary status as a means to hide its destruction from his people. It was being destroyed by mining and Pluto began to shrink! The-“ His babbling stopped as he turned to you and his wide grin fell a bit when he saw your wide eyes and confused expression.
“I’m sorry- what?”
“Er, nevermind-“
“No!” you shifted and grabbed his shoulders in excitement, “you have to tell me!”
Ford laughed and brought his hands to your arms. “I’ll elaborate some other time. It’s a long story. And at the moment I believe we still have a few points to address from your study guide…”
You groaned and slumped against him in disappointment, your cheek smooshed into his chest. “Fine… but you have to tell me eventually. That sounds wild.”
“I promise, I will.” He gleamed and pat your head. Ford loved telling you about his less-traumatic ventures while dimension-hopping. Those he could go on about easily- hell, he could even get laughs out of them too! A nice change of pace from the.. darker tales which he would only recall if he had to or wanted to share with someone as close to him as you.
You smiled up at him. “Good. Well then, Einstein, go ahead and quiz me some more,” you sat up and looped your arm though his, “preferably some questions about the physical properties and stuff. I’m kind of worried about those parts.”
“Alright, darling,” You felt a sweet kiss placed on the top of your head before Ford turned his attention back to your textbook and stacks of notes, which still laid skewed on his lap. “In regards to the space-time continuum and the 4th dimension …”
About another hour passed and your attention was starting to wander. You were currently picking at the tiny bits of lint caught on the side of Ford’s sweater. He called your name with a mock-stern tone.
“Hmm?”
“I’m not the one who needs to recite the properties of the logarithmic magnitude scale, dear. Are you paying attention?”
You smiled guiltily, avoiding eye contact. “To be honest, I kind of got distracted by your voice… and I’m a bit studied-out,” your eyes met his finally. “I really do appreciate you reading to me though! Usually it helps me concentrate on what you’re saying but I think I need a break. I’m sorry.”
Ford took your hand in his and gave it a light squeeze. “No need to apologize, darling. You’ve been doing so well! We can be done for today.” He smiled and let go of your hand and removed his glasses, rubbing his tired eyes. “I’m actually quite tired myself. It’s getting late.”
You ran your fingers through Ford’s hair lightly as he replaced his glasses back on his face. “You wanna watch an episode of Cosmos before bed?”
Ford sighed, “I don’t think I can watch the whole thing without falling asleep.“
“The next episode is all about Michael Faraday,” you whispered playfully.
