#is this moment stan's first death? is it the 3rd? the 10th? the 50th? who knows

[hellsquills]

Frankenstan AU where Ford successfully brings back Stan. His brother is alive again and he couldn't be happier. Stan is actually here! Finally! He's ready to work things out, as soon as they deal with Bill.

Speaking of Bill... He hasn't been around in a few days since the revival. Ford knows that Bill hasn't possessed him recently; even though he can't remember what he does when Bill is in control, he can sense when his body has been used against his will. And that feeling hasn't been there in almost a week.

Ford doesn't understand. But most importantly, he doesn't understand Stan. He's alive and mostly healthy. His body has stitches all over, but his organs are functional. Save for some small details, he's himself again. So why is he acting so unlike him? He hides, he murmurs instead of speaking up, he's sneaky and careful and he stares at the walls for too long sometimes. He's jumpy and silent, and avoids looking at him almost constantly.

There's only one explanation. That is not his brother.

"I'll make it right this time. I promise, Stan," he says, and he pulls the trigger.

(Or: Ford's paranoia + Bill's subtle but constant influence on him makes Ford believe that Stan's demeanor has changed so much not because of what he's gone through in the past decade, but because Bill is somehow inside of him. He's determined to get his "real" brother back, and he won't stop until Bill is unable to enter Stan's body. No matter how many tries it takes.)