First I want to preface this post by saying that I adore Ford. He is a wonderful character who has influenced my life in countless ways for the better. All of the things he does in this list a) stem from his own insecurities that he's projecting b) are symptoms of Ford's narcissistic defense mechanisms c) or come from Bill's influence on him. However, just because there are reasons for his actions doesn't excuse them, especially considering just how many there are.
Here's the list of things he does, I'll analyze at the end of the post.
The cubic's cube: I think it is just straight up an absolute jerk move to scramble this thing that's clearly a comfort to him and think it's funny.
Being in shape: It's obvious his comments here are from his own insecurity but on a deeper level it just speaks to how Ford sees him, I think.
Not telling Fidds about Bill: Obviously Bill was feeding him a lot of paranoia but it's the reasoning that he writes down that gets me. It's so condescending.
Something I think that's worth taking note of is the way Ford illustrates both of these instances. He brushes off Fiddleford's concerns multiple times and then Fiddleford pays the price and Ford sees himself as some kind of hero and Fiddleford this helpless victim. It just leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
And then afterwards the way he handles not just Fiddleford's anxiety but the genuine trauma he went through. I know he's an old man, I know that's how he was treated, but Fiddleford is supposed to be his friend.
Specifically their interaction at the diner and Ford's reaction to Fiddleford quitting the project. Fiddleford SELFLESSLY spends untold hours on this thesis for Ford because he cares about him and sees him burning out, even though Ford hasn't been great to him and Fidds has been going through his own hard things - not just with the gremloblin and the Shapeshifter, but things with his family as well. Ford does not match that selfless devotion at all. In fact, he sees it as an insult.
The reason I've been thinking about this is because of Book of Bill and how that's influenced the shipping atmosphere. There's this weird notion that FiddAuthor is a less toxic ship but I think that's absurd. Besides their hug at Weirdmageddon, these journal entries are pretty much all we see of Ford's relationship with Fiddleford and it doesn't paint a pretty picture. Yes Ford is excited to have Fiddleford come to see him, yes Ford has that sweet conversation with him under the stars, but I don't think it's a stretch to say that all the above evidence outweighs hat. At the very least it shouldn't be ignored.
That doesn't mean Ford is a terrible person and we should hate him. I believe strongly in nuance and Ford is a character that requires nuance. I don't think he's an evil person, but I also don't think he should be babied as this perfect wittle guy who can do no wrong either. Both readings do a disservice to him.
Ford clearly had a hard childhood. He's isolated himself his whole life and he's been severely traumatized by Bill. But that doesn't mean that he deserves Fiddleford's forgiveness - Ford wasn't really that kind to him and his actions inadvertently led to the memory gun/Fidds' exposure to Bill. Ultimately it's Fiddleford's choice to make; I wouldn't fault him if he didn't want to ever see Ford again, but I think it's a testament to his goodness that he still cares for Ford as much as he does.
So what do I personally think? Man. I'm just sad we don't know more about Fiddleford McGucket than we do. He's so essential to Bill's defeat and to Ford's past and he's such a cool character but we know so little about him. I want to know what his childhood was like, I want to know how he ended up in Backupsmore, I want to know why he cares about Ford as much as he does, I want to know why things ended so poorly with EmmaMay. But we may never know those things for certain. So with the things we're left... Yeah, I think FiddAuthor is a compelling reading, one that I certainly enjoy. I just worry about the fandom babying Ford.
helping out a friend make a gravity falls dating sim!
- game creator @zombifedphantomdamion + his post with more info about the game
- logo by @call-me-clevy
(have the sketches too cause i think they're cute <3)
I have a personal love of the idea of Ford and Stan being confused for married husbands on the open sea, like people just assume they’re together and they just…go with it 🤭
I love that idea too!! If we put aside the "they literally look the same" aspect they certainly have all the merits to be confused for husbands. Wdym you're travelling across the world together on your tiny boat with a single bed? It's always fun to imagine how would they react (ESPECIALLY in pre-relationship) to the "so how long have you been together" question. I think Stan would panic a bit and get self-conscious ("do we really look like that? am i ogling my brother's ass too obviously??"), but Ford would instantly snatch an opportunity to act all romantic with Stan (in public!! aint that a jackpot). He's saying the corniest shit like "oh, we've known each other since we were kids, but it's only recently I've realized the love of my life was by my side all along" and while people think it's cute Stan is mortified. And of course they don't talk about it back at the boat. It's just a prank, right? A silly joke. Nothing weird was happening, nevermind all that ^_^ Please tell me how do you see it!! You can have all sorts of approaches with an idea like that so I'll be happy to see other people's perspectives (i love stancest fandom sm!!!!!!)
Ford loves stan so much it’s embarrassing like,,,we get it you want to fuck your brother,,,,,
LITERALLY i cannot stop thinking about how much he wants that motherfucking cookie and has THE WORST POSSIBLE COPE FOR IT
like look at this man. brothers dont look at their brothers like that. hes so hopelessly downbad in every conceivable way
thats not even touching on how despite how he acts, he actually cares SO much about what stan thinks of him. like despite spending 30 years of his life trying to bring his brother back, stan actually plays the hating game WAY harder and more convincingly than ford. which says so god damn much about how stupidly down bad ford is
like is he so SO fucking bothered that stan thinks hes a dangerous know it all? literally tossing and turning at sleep about his regrets about bill, fiddleford and the portal and you get stans voice just booming over this "TRUST NO ONE" which says sm about how he feels about stan not trusting him and how he regrets that too— despite the fact he clearly doesnt trust stan hes upset that stan feels the same
and ugh fucking look at this man. how you gonna threaten to kick this man out when youre cheesing at him at almost any concievable moment. inviting him to play your nerd game with him and your nephew (which btw is funny as hell of him when theyre ON BAD TERMS). when asking where hes been. theres no need to do all that
mind you you literally never catch stan ever smiling at ford after tots and pre-weirdmageddon make up unless hes mocking ford. which is really fucking embarrasisng i hate him so much SJBFSUXJSJJDDU
Just read @sock-lobster latest fic Growing on me and absolutely loved everything about it I couldn’t wait to draw a thing!!
[Commissions] [Colored Sketch] [Buy me a coffee~]
Song: When She Loved Me by Sarah McLachlan / stancest told in lyrics
ive yapped about this before but fave accidental stancest moment in j3 really is how ford yaps about how baffling romance is to him and how he doesnt need anyone (though lets fiddleford knows he appreciated his presence) he then uses talking about beans to write about stan. just so classic ford to think about his brother when romance comes up lmfao
Stancestttttttt! I have the need.. THE NEED FOR FORDYLEEEEE
kiss ‘im hard ‘til he sees stars!!
yesss!! Stancest fic recs please and thank you!
This will probably be a repetitive listing as some other users, but here is a deep-dive into my mindscape and whats been festering and lingering.....you will perceive me n my thoughts....remember my blog is a judgement free zone...i will zap you...
In Progress:
Black Coffee by nenchuumatsu: Not that I'm a sucker for time-period college aus, but I'm a sucker for time period college aus. 3 Chapters so far, but so cute!
Some things I Have Bookmarked:
Tough As Nails / Delicate as a Flower by SixerStanley: Oh, my dearest Clover, who continues to share with me their thoughts for their future writings.....brilliantly written, explores Stan's thoughts and their overall relationship, emotionally wrecking me, and oh so spicy
Allergies by Anonymous: I need this anon to write more. Desperately. I think I read this like, 4 times? I don't know where they are, who they are, but spiritually....in love with them. Modern AU, Stan finding Ford's search history. I'm not saying the rest just read it.
Relax by Smelly Skunk: Modern AU (?) Ford essentially discovers webcamming, and realizes Stan is a part of these chatrooms. Fidds did tell him he has to relax, after all....
Combat Baby, Come Back by foodtruck: In which Stan turns on the portal the same night Ford was pushed in, and he comes back older. GOD!!! they're so in character and Ford's possessiveness...tasty....
Everything You Feel is Good by businessboyjared: Ford observing Stan's...TV pleasures
If you're feeling like you need a little bit of company you met me at the perfect time by HybridOwl: Separated at birth, Ford decides to meet his long lost brother/famous boxer, and there's a...mix-up on why he wants to meet Stan alone.
Cover Me by Felix Hayday: Stan wants payback after the events of “The Stanchurian Candidate” and uses the mind control tie for the day.
The Complete Picture by DejaBoo: five times Stan doesn’t remember he’s in love with Ford and the one time he does.
Not a singular Fic but like...most of devilspedicure work....consumed. injected into my brain.
Things that got me into the ship itself:
What We Used to Be by Fractured Hourglass: Stan learning how to live with Ford once again, emotional constipation, Jimmy Snakes, * sighs and twirls hair *
Thirty Minutes or Less by devilspedicure: remember how i wrote injected into my brain? yea. As OP mentioned, “I need Stan to deliver pizza to Ford now. In the name of the porn tropes.”
Can't Take my Eyes Off of You by wasted_wallflower: Ford puts a magic collar on himself, and Stan tries to help....so tasty 2 me...
Between by Gravity Garbage: Mabel decides to lock Ford and Stan in a closet, and a fight ensues. There's art lingering on here somewhere of this fic.....
This Divide Between You and I by Cellardoors: a ritual of passage, almost.
Sea Burial and Growing on me by Sock Lobster: What I also consider a ritual of passage. Incredible characterization, witty dialogue, and very hot smut.
There's more, but this is all i feel like typing at the moment. Now get outta here !!!!!
I find it incredibly hilarious that there's so much ship discourse in the gravity falls fandom regarding more controversial ships with people arguing shit like "alex hirsch would hate you" meanwhile-
He does not give 2 shits about any shipping discourse, like these are literally his responses to getting asked questions like this, please stop dragging him into this
fiddlestan does genuinely at times just feels like stancest but for cowards
like i think it can be fun but guys…