Mabel Pines looked out of the bus window, anticipation building in her stomach like when she had too much Smile-Dip. It had been fifteen years since she was in the 'little town just west of weird'. Fifteen years without seeing a weird sight outside the window, and knowing it wasn't just a trick of the light! She was going back to Gravity Falls for three months of the summer, and maybe even permanently. The long bus ride from Portland to Oregon was the same as it was years ago, but without Dipper by her side, it felt ten times more boring.
She was leaning on the window, watching the forest blur past her when Mabel got a phone call. Checking the screen, she was greeted by a picture she took at her parents Christmas party from a few years ago. Mabel sported a pair of colourful flats, more bracelets and wristbands than a tacky gift-shop and one of her trademark sweaters (this one had a picture of a ripped Father Christmas with a horses body, labelled 'Santaur') that was lit up brighter than the tree the twins stood in front of. Next to her was a man laughing like a drain at the silly face she was making. The young man was about two heads taller than her, and had a rough beard of deep brown, and wore a navy blue formal vest over a white shirt. The small birthmark the looked like the big dipper subtly peeked out from behind a Christmas hat, cementing the figure as Dipper Pines. The photo accurately showed how both of the twins' fashion senses had developed yet also stayed the same over the years.
The self-proclaimed 'Mystery Twins' hadn't seen each other for the past five years, with Mabel going to business school (her handmade sweater business had been blowing up (who knew people wanted clothing with more sparkles than a gnome's barf?)), and Dipper had gone abroad to Europe to study all the weird and wonderful stuff over there. Both of them had grown up in the years since their first summer, both physically and emotionally. Dipper was actually social now, which was a welcome change from normal tactic of being incredibly awkward (unless he was in mortal danger, then he apparently becomes a beacon of self-confidence), a change which was even more apparent in his new day-job. While Mabel was being 'fiscally responsible by owning her own... unique business' or whatever that means, Dipper had opted to follow in his Great-Uncle Stan's footsteps and supported his adventuring by fooling a crowd. Yes, Dipper Pines, the kid who couldn't hold a single persons attention for more than five seconds a had become a magician, and could now keep crowds enraptured in his travelling show, Mason Mystic, a name which Mabel found endlessly hilarious. Yes, the two twins had certainly split path wise, but were as close as ever.
Mabel frantically broke out of her reverie, raced to pick up the call, and managed to hit the accept button just as the call tone ended. Letting out a long sigh, Mabel listened to the message Dipper had left for her.
"Hey Mabes, just calling to let you know my flight was delayed, 'cause of bad weather or something. Gonna be around a day late into town. Don't worry, I'll be there soon." Mabel's brow furrowed, and she was left sitting in her seat with a pensive look on her face. She had been looking forward to seeing her brother all week, and now she had to wait even longer. Dipper also was staying in Gravity Falls for a few months, but needed to get back to the UK (his chosen adventure ground) and his fiancé, Rebecca. Mabel had talked to Rebecca on occasion, Christmas times and video calls, and thought she seemed nice enough for Dipper. And when she heard about the engagement, Mabel hadn't stopped squealing for a week. Dipper was absolutely gaga for this girl. This, combined with how the weather between Oregon and New York, Dippers flight path, was completely clear (Global warming is good for something at least, Mabel thought) made her think that her bro-bro was leaving certain details out about his life.
But before she could go all Duck-tective on her brothers personal life, the bus slowly ground to a halt outside a raggedy old bus stop at the side of a forest. Mabel scampered down the bus and burst out of the doors with all of the grace of a elephant covered in glitter. She may have been 28 now, but she was still the same kid that visited this magical place 15 years ago with her twin.
First Fanfiction! Please read and review if you have anything to say, constructive or not
JKB-D