Ford returns that shoulder-punch with one of his own, out of reflex. He doesn't think about it, doesn't even seem to realize he's done it until he feels his fist connect with Stan's jacket. He lets out an awkward laugh, feeling inexplicably embarrassed by the old habit.

"I'll admit, I didn't do myself any favors by setting the bar so high for everyone else." He shakes his head, taking one last drink of his coffee before continuing. "People can't stand academic excellence without an apology."

Granted, he didn't have many friends to lose in the first place. Or really any at all other than Fidds - not that Ford's complaining, mind. He's only ever had one friend in his life, before college, and so having only Fiddleford for company was just fine by him. That was his normal. It didn't matter if the rest of the campus side-eyed him so long as he had at least one person who had his back.