Gideon

"Wait, so if you were rich, then how did you end up here and with the real Stanford in this weird portal thing?" Pacifica asked, interrupting Grunkle Stan's story.

"I don't know, maybe you should try listening for once." Mabel rolled her eyes at her. Pacifica scowled, and kissed Dipper on the cheek, making Mabel jump back in disgust.

"Okay, let's just continue telling them about everything that happened before this." Ford sighed. "Childhood was fun. We didn't have a lot of friends because everyone was jealous of us-"

"No, it was because our mom got fed up and did hire a hit man for the bullies."

"Okay, yeah, a little bit of that." Ford sighed.

"The fun didn't last long, though. In high school, the differences between us started to grow. I was more of a 'troubled learner', while Ford was the smartie. However, nothing could tear us apart until one day."

Past (3rd Person POV)

"Southeast twins to the principal's office, Southeast twins to the principal's office."

Stanley and Stanford, both in their separate classes for their learning levels, stood up and exited the classroom. They both met in the neat hallway, and as they walked down to the principal's office, Stan struggled to button up the rest of his shirt, as part of his uniform for the private school the twins attended. The teachers didn't mind if he made a dress code violation, but if the principal saw him like that, he would be given detention.

"So, what did you do this time?" Ford asked Stan, as he straightened his tie.

"I don't know what I did." Stan shrugged. "Were you kissing your boyfriend in the hall again?"

Ford blushed. "No! Of course not. The teachers already made it clear how distracting my 'phase' is. I don't get why Anna and John can kiss, though."

"You usually deny he's your boyfriend."

"He's not!" Ford sighed. "Maybe I'm just winning another award or something. Or they want to talk to me about the science fair. My project does have some issues with radioactivity...."

"They called both of us, though." Stan stretched his arms above his head as they walked into the secretary's office, which was in front of the principal's office. 

They were about to enter into the principal's office, when the secretary stopped them.

"The principal only wants to see the gay one."

Ford, looking flustered and frustrated, took a deep breath and went into the office. Stan sat down on a chair outside, and as close to the door as he could so he could hear the conversation.

Inside of the office, was the principal and the twins' parents.

"Have a seat." The principal motioned to the chair in between Ford's parents, and he sat down. "Now, Mr. Southeast, I would like to speak very frankly if I will."

"Very frankly is the only way I speak." 

"You have two sons. One is gay, and one is sitting outside of this room."

Even the principal knows?, Ford looked down at the floor, biting his lip. It was going to be another homophobic chat, wasn't it?

However, the tide changed for him.

"But this one, is also extremely gifted." The principal took a pamphlet out from his desk. "Ford is the best student in this school, and he has a bright future ahead of him."

"What are you saying?" Mrs. Southeast asked.

"I'm saying, your son is a genius!"

"No, the gay part."

"It doesn't matter now." The principal handed the pamphlet to Mr. Southeast. "Anyways, everyone is going bananas over his science fair project! Have you ever heard of West Coast Tech? Best college in the country! The admissions team is coming tomorrow to check out your son's project. Their graduates have achieved many things thought impossible. Your son may even have a shot at a scholarship!"

"I'm impressed." Mr. Southeast said, approvingly. "But what did you say about him being gay?"

"Nothing!" The principal chuckled. "Just a phase."

Ford sighed.

"But what about our free-spirited Stanley?" Mrs. Southeast asked.

"At this point, he may not even graduate. But hey, you'll have someone to take over your spooky illegal stuff." The principal said, like it was nothing. "Stanford is going places, Stanley...well, the only pro of Stanley is he isn't gay."

Outside, Stanley could hear the whole conversation, and took his ear away from the door, then sank down to the floor.

Tears slipped down both of their cheeks.

That night, Ford joined Stan on the old, falling apart swing set by the beach.

"Mom and Dad just talked to me about college." Ford said, sitting down on the adjacent swing. "They said if I 'stayed gay', they wouldn't pay for college. They don't understand being gay at all."

"Then just don't go to college." Stan suggested. "When we finished the Stan O' War, it will be beaches, treasure, and babes. Well, cute guys for you, girls for me."

"I can't pass up an opportunity like this." Ford opened up the pamphlet again, the corners already worn, from him wondering if pretending to be straight would be worth it. "The only reason Mom and Dad haven't kicked me out is because I have a chance at being better than running their petty illegal business. Besides, this college has cutting edge programs and multi-dimensional paradigm theory."

"But you're really going to break up with your boyfriend over this?"

"It doesn't matter." Ford sighed. "I can get over it."

Stan stood up. "I'm going to give them a piece of my mind! You're not going to miss out on our treasure hunting for this stupid bullshit!"

"But Stan-"

"I'm going to go talk to Mom and Dad."

"Stanley, you know they won't listen to you."

"This time, they'll have to."