[OPEN] "These shallow waters never met what I needed. I'm letting go; a deeper dive."

[mviw]

Who: Ford (mviw) & YOU! | Closed prompts for Fiddleford, Wendy & the kids, tiny!Rick and Frisk, and Bill Cipher
Where: Around Neverland
When: Through the Neverland event + the Aftermath
Rating: PG-13/R for violence, swearing, limb amputation
Summary: Ford tries to protect his best friend, his nephew and niece, his friend's daughter, and his brother. It goes horribly awry. (You could say the casualties are about half his armies.)

(This log is corresponding to the events in THIS log.)

The Story:
[ooc: Prompts are written! Have at it.]

Comments

[mviw]

[Ford's smile grows until it's warm and he looks outright sheepish. It's hard not to when receiving an unexpected, thoughtful gift.]

Most humans don't know a lot of things, but I'm not most humans. I'll make sure to water them regularly.

Besides, Alphys and Fiddleford are building a new arm, so I'm sure I'll be just fine! Fiddleford is a friend from college and a genius engineer. Be nice when you meet him.

[mettatonvevo]

[His smile is sweet Mettaton thinks idly. He leaves the vase alone finally. Perhaps bringing this gift wasn't such a bad idea after all if he likes it so much.]

Ah yes, I heard about Alphys building you a new arm, but I hadn't heard much about this Fiddleford! I'll be sure to be on my best behavior when I meet him, just for you!

[Ford, you are now on the receiving end of a playful wink. It's a light flirtation, but he won't do much past that since Ford is not really in a place where he could feasibly return the sentiments in kind if he wished to.

Though now that makes two things Mettaton is apparently willing to do just for Ford; learn the Scientific Method and be nice to one (1) person.]

[mviw]

[Seeing that wink makes Ford blush just a little. He clears his throat.]

Ah. Yes. Thank you. Fiddleford is-- He's quite the robotics expert so I imagine he'll be interested in meeting you.

[Ford has no earthly idea that Mettaton would learn the scientific method and be nice to one (1) person, but if he did, he'd be flattered.]

[mettatonvevo]

[...maybe he lied about not flirting more past that.]

Oh, I am sure he will be! I am a miracle of engineering, after all. Just like your new arm will be.

[Ford should know that he already did learn it for him, seeing as he announced as such right before locking him in a room with Alphys for an hour or two. But being nice to someone specifically for Ford is new.

Perhaps knowing so much about his troubled past thanks to Genosha has made him softer towards the man than he should be.]

[mviw]

If anyone knows anything about engineering miracles, it'd be him. [High praise from an arrogant genius. He and Mettaton have that in common.]

I hope uh, I hope the event wasn't too hard on you.

[mettatonvevo]

[Mettaton sighs a bit at Ford's words.]

This event was harder than most are, seeing as multiple friends of mine attempted to kill me, but I survived, and that's what counts.

[Despite being pacifists in general, Monsters really can pack a punch when attacking each other.]

[mviw]

Yeesh. I'm sorry to hear that. Stanley was a Lost One and that's how I lost my arm. He didn't take my arm, of course. [Ford is quick to tack on that last bit.]

Rick Sanchez crushed it with a rock and I had to sever it myself. Not fun. Not fun at all.

But! It's over with, and most of us made it... relatively speaking. That's what's important.

[He's stretching the limits of his optimism here.]

[mettatonvevo]

[Mettaton's eyes widen at the details of Ford's limb loss.]

And I thought nearly burning to death because Toriel didn't want to give up Alphys was bad.

[He shakes his head.]

Yes, you're right. We made it. Maybe not in one piece [he grins ruefully at Stanford] but we made it.

[He feels a bit awkward, standing here and doing nothing, so he steps closer to Ford's bed.]

Is there anything you need right now?

[mviw]

Oh. Yikes. [That sounds extremely unpleasant.] Uh, do I need anything? That's kind of you to ask, but I have food, water, and I'm catching up on 21st century films and television in an effort to better understand the culture Dipper and Mabel are living in.

[it's his way of saying he's binge-watching without sacrificing his scholarly demeanor.]

Stanley and Mikan are keeping their eyes on me. [HE SIGHS.] As if I needed caretakers.

[...but... there's a little softness in his eyes that betrays how much he appreciates them both.]

[mettatonvevo]

[Yikes is correct, Stanford. Yikes is correct. He laughs a bit.]

Goodness Ford, you really sound your age when you phrase things like that.

[His own eyes soften at the mention of Mikan. He is terribly fond of the sweet girl.]

I'm sure you're in good hands if Mikan is one of the people taking care of you. No offense to Stan, of course. I just don't know his medical skills.

[Which, he reasons, he probably has none beyond rudimentary common sense. That can be helpful overall in a pinch, but treating the long-term affects of non-medical amputation requires the skilled hands of a Super High School Level Nurse.]

[mviw]

What do you mean I sound my age?! You don't even know how old I AM! [YOU ARE SO RUDE, SIR.] I don't need caretakers because I've been taking care of myself for the last forty years.

Hi, my name is Mettaton, I'm 2 years old and I don't know how to read

[mettatonvevo]

[Ford's outburst is at first surprising, then Mettaton is biting his lip as the man continues on, trying very hard not to snicker.]

I'd say you just revealed a good hint to your age with that statement. Though I do know your age, Stanford. Or at least your approximate one. Did you forget Genosha? I saw your memories. It's not too hard to extrapolate how old you are from them if your years are the same as mine back home.

[To be completely fair, Mettaton forgets about Genosha sometimes. It gets easier as more and more events come by and bring him fresh new horrors to worry about.]

Even if you weren't as old as you are, you do realize that if I go by when I was built, I'm younger than almost everyone here in Wonderland, right? Everyone is old in comparison to me.

[Of course he's older than anyone would think, buuuut Ford doesn't need to know that!]

[mviw]

[Ford bristles like a huffy, tired old owl.] I'm sixty four! And apparently you're very good at acting your own age. If I had two arms, I'd be crossing them right now.

[ 8T ]

[He nags out of love. Really.]

[mettatonvevo]

[Mettaton's grin turns a little wicked in nature as he watches Ford pout.]

A 64 year old man, yelling at a young child robot! How crass!

[He laughs, letting the mirth spill out at last.]

I kid, I kid. But I meant no offense, Ford. Honestly.

[He leans forward and places a gentle, chaste kiss on Ford's cheek. He doesn't linger for any longer than needed and pulls back promptly.]

You can take that as my apology.

[mviw]

Crass? Hmph.

[And then--suddenly--he's kissed.]

Uh. I-- [He blushes crimson red and swallows. Clears his throat.]

Ahh--yes! Apology accepted. Thank you. Yes.

[mettatonvevo]

[Oh no! He's cute when he blushes! Mettaton's smile grows in spite of itself, and he resists the urge to lean forward and kiss him again.]

You are absolutely welcome! Not many people have been blessed with the touch of my lips on them, but I am happy to add you to that short list.

[He really, really shouldn't be flirting with his best friend's best friend, and yet here he is, being the robotic menace he is.]

[mviw]

I-- [he was just kissed by a robot]--uh--[Ford adjusts his glasses and clears his throat. He kind of liked it?]

I uh, I'm happy to--be on that... short... list? I-- I mean--I'm flattered.

[STANFORD. STOP DIGGING.

He is not lucid enough for this.]

[mettatonvevo]

[That was probably the worst thing you could have said, Ford, because Mettaton leans forward and stops so he is about two inches away from his face.]

If you ever, ever want to explore other types of kisses, I am always here to assist. For science, of course.

[He winks, and leans away again.]

That said, you're in no shape for that type of experimentation. I should probably let you rest.

[mviw]

[Ford leans back looking slightly horrified. He is both too high for this and also, not high enough for this.]

Uh.

Thanks.

Uhh.

I'm going to sleep, now. I trust you can see yourself out.

[WHY IS HIS LIFE LIKE THIS]

[mettatonvevo]

[Mettaton laughs, delighted at Ford's reaction. He's just too easy.]

Sleep well, Ford. You deserve it.

[He gives the man a gentle pat on the hand and then he is up and walking to the door, giving the scientist a jaunty wave as he exits.]