HAT: Yes, I'm doing it. Anyway, the reason this came up was because Stan said, "I even petitioned the government to have this day removed from calendars. Now I'm not allowed on airplanes," in the episode where it's Soos' birthday and I thought, "Awww! Stan actually cares about Soos! I bet he also cares about Wendy, too! Oh, the plot bunnies are attacking!" and so this happened! Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing aside from the plots and any convenient OCs that may come in the future. Onward Aoshima!

Stanford Pines hasn't had children around for a very long time so to have one as a worker was something else. The kid came around at the best time and he shoved him into work without so much as another glance at him. After the first day the child's grandmother came and threatened him to watch after her grandson and Stanford- as expected- promised to save himself from her wrath and now he's starting to realize just how much work that might be to save his hide.

Jesus- or Soos as he insists on being called- sits on the front steps of the Mystery Shack with his sad eyes on the ground and something in his hands. Stanford had never seen the boy as anything, but a happy, overeager puppy- er- child and if he were honest with himself he doesn't like it- and not just because it's bad for business for a sad child to be in the front of the Mystery Shack.

Well, it's in between tours... Stanford thinks, twirling his keys as he does when he's waiting for something- or, most of the time, someone- and left to his thoughts. "Jesus!"

The kid looks up and puts whatever was in his hands in his pocket. "Yes, Mr. Pines? And, I wanna be called Soos."

"Yeah, whatever," grumbles the man as he walks by and feels the money in his pocket. "Wanna go get some ice-cream?"

The boy smiles tentatively before frowning thoughtfully. "What's the catch?"

"The catch is answer before I change my mind," Stanford growls as he stops twirling his keys and holds them firmly in his hand and looks at the child behind him.

The boy wearing the staff shirt grins and rushes to walk beside his boss. The older man ruffles the child's hair and then quickly drops his hand back at his side. It'd been the longest since he's seen his own children as young as this and he decides that maybe he'll do a better job with this one that isn't his.

Heck, even I'd be a better dad than that chump that abandoned him, Stanford thinks, knowing how terrible of a person he can be.

"Gimme one of those," Stanford grumbles, pointing to the double popsicles and pulling out one dollar. He breaks it in half and gives one half to Soos. "Here."

Soos stands there as Stanford starts to eat his and the man pauses, looking at the child whose face is hidden by the shadows of his hair since his head is tilted downward.

"Hey, are you gonna eat that or what?" That's when he hears sniffling. The man starts to panic. "Look, I can get ya something else, don't cry."

"N-no," the boy says, his voice cracking with tears. "I'm just... happy... thank you for being so kind to me."

The man turns and coughs into his fist awkwardly, a light smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Don't mention it... ever... now, c'mon. We've gotta put the "S" back on the sign."

"Yes, sir, Mr. Pines!"

"Finish eating that popsicle on the way."

The child immediately starts eating the popsicle gratefully as he walks beside the owner of the Mystery Shack.

HAT: Yes! Oh, this may seem like random one-shots, but eventually they'll end come together for a plot that will become one!

Dipper: You're really gonna do this? I mean, I've seen all the incomplete stories on your thing. you should really finish one or two of them.

HAT: Not now, Dipper! I'm on a Gravity Falls kick.

Dipper: *sighs* Alright...

HAT: *pokes Dipper's cheek* Do it.

Dipper: No! Stop! You're so immature for someone that's almost an adult!

HAT: Please... I'll be immature even when I'm an "adult" so deal with it and do it. *pokes him again*

Dipper: *frowns and sighs* Fine. *puts on lamb costume and smiles adorably* Pwease revwew.

HAT: Awww!

Dipper: This is so humiliating.

HAT: *rolls eyes* C'mon, I'll get you some bacon.

Dipper: *blinks* You never share your bacon! What's the catch.

HAT: Don't make me change my mind on being generous. *waves to readers* Have a great day... night... rest of your day? You get the point!