I've opened up the rabbit hole in my brain for Ford and Mabel interactions because of the comments on my last post with @sharksfrommars so now I need to write a little drabble with them for my au.
Drabble underneath more.
A sharp gasp made it's way to Ford's ears followed by a quick short "Oh my gosh". He looks up from what he'd been reading to be face to face with Mabel staring directly at him with bright, wide eyes.
A feeling of self-consciousness and worry makes it way through him. Had he done something odd without realising it? He's readjusting to human social norms and getting used to the ones in this time, after all.
"Oh my gosh! Grunkle Ford!" Mabel squeals, putting her hands on her cheeks and looking at him with pure, admittedly adorable, excitement.
Furrowing his brows, Ford tries to think what he could've done subconsciously that would've caused excitement, this much at that, within his great niece. Before he can even think of how to phrase his question to Mabel on what's excited her so, she continues to talk.
"Are you married, Grunkle Ford? Is that a wedding ring? That looks like a wedding ring. Why didn't you tell us you were married!?"
Oh. That was what it was. Ford felt a slight tightness build in his chest and rise to envelope his throat, too. It's only been a week since Ford had been torn from his home by the opening of the portal, something he doesn't think he could ever forgive Stanley for, but it feels like it's been a lifetime since he's seen his husband and daughter.
The pain feels almost unbearable at times, to accept that he'll never see his family again. He's been torn away from them and is probably as good as dead in their eyes.
But... this is Mabel who's asking about it. She's just an innocent, curious, young girl and for her he can steel himself to talk about his husband at least. Not his daughter, that pain cuts much too deep to talk about yet. Maybe that pain will cut too deep for forever.
Taking a deep breath, he looks down at the wedding ring that his husband had so lovingly made for him by hand, having wanted to do something human for Ford in the aquatic world they called home.
"His name, my husband that is, is Nimyrlov," He starts, looking into Mabel's eagerly excited eyes.