I want to take the time here before the story to thank each and every reader. I appreciate the reviews and the pm's. To those that didn't review or pm, I still want to thank you for reading. Without readers, my fanfic wouldn't have a point. So I thank you all for giving it a point. I had planned on this being a one-shot, but with the amount of PM's I got about it continuing, I stayed up late last night and made part 2 and I'm not going to spoil it but there will be more to come. Along with a few other's I'm working on now and again. If you have any ideas or just something you want to see happen in Only a Matter of Time, pm them to me or put them in a review. I'll try to use every one and give due credit. On with the story!
(Dippers PoV)
Just another day in Gravity Falls, Dipper thought happily. It had been about three weeks since The Time Watch, as he started referring to it, had been broken. It had been three days since he had given up on fixing the watch. Him, and Wendy's Mom had sat for hours looking at it, trying to fix it. Neither of them had told Wendy yet who he was yet. But they knew they would some day if they didn't get the watch fixed.
But right now he didn't care too much, he sat out on the porch watching the rain fall from the sky, listened to the soft sound of it hitting the ground. Wendy and her mom hadn't yet woken up. So he sat out there thinking it's not that bad being here. Yes he missed his sister. Mable was more than just his sister, she was his twin, and his best friend. Yes she irritated him and annoyed him to no end. Three weeks without her though, he was starting to feel that something was missing.
There were a few close calls when they almost ran into, Stan or Soos in town. It was decided that no one else would remember him a few years from now. But Stan and Soos, even though one didn't really pay attention to anything but money, and the other was dimwitted, but they spent the most time around him when he visited Gravity Falls, so they must be avoided.
"Whatcha doing out here?" Dipper turned at the sound of the voice, looking at Wendy, her red hair, wildly matted and a complete mess, and she still wore her sleeping pants, and shirt. Even in such a state Dipper couldn't help but think she was still the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen. At least she remembered to take her retainer off, he thought. The second morning, she had came out her hair going in all directions, with this device on her head. When the thought finally penetrated her half asleep mind, she made an odd noise and ran into her room. He hadn't see her again until lunch.
"Just watching and listening to the rain." He had woken up a couple hours ago, not entirely sure why he had woken up, but couldn't fall back asleep, so he got up, dressed himself, very thankful of the clothes he had bought. Even though it had been weeks before, he was still embarrassed about the skirt, at which Wendy and her mom always reminded him when they remembered. "It's very calming isn't it?"
She nodded, and looked back toward the door, It was an unseasonably cool day for summer. Gravity Falls had its own weather patterns, Dipper had always thought that he had something to do with the oddities hidden, and living in the woods. She didn't have to say anything, he knew what she was thinking, or well the goose bumps on her arms told the story. He stood up and followed her in. Mrs. Corduroy was up, in the kitchen making breakfast. He had planned to do that for them since he was awake, but he got distracted by the rain. It took so little to distract him lately. Maybe it was due to, not having much irritation. Wendy had ran off to her room, to brush her hair and get clothing for her morning shower.
"Sorry I had planned to do that this morning, but I got distracted by the rain," Dipper said walking into the kitchen, she just turned and smiled, even though he didn't have the same feelings towards her mother, as he did Wendy, but they had the same face. Having never really met the woman before three weeks ago, he never knew how much Wendy favored her mother.
"It's alright Dipper, any luck with the watch?" he didn't tell her he had stopped trying a few days ago, he didn't want to leave. At least not yet.
"I read though the book, it never mentioned any thing else that will take you through time." But he had told her that before, also mentioned that his book had a '3' printed on it, which always lead him to believe there were 2 more. "If I had the other two, or just one of the other's one of them might have something that could help."
(Wendy's PoV) (Age: 12)
She had dressed after her shower, and lifted the brush to her hair. She had always disliked how her hair was always tangled, and wild. But some reason Dipper liked it, she was sure he didn't know, but she caught him staring at her hair. It made her feel nice, he made her feel nice and pretty.
She meant it when she said no one had ever called her pretty before, aside from her family. She smoothed her hand over the shirt she wore. Straightened her skirt, Wendy never really cared too much about what she wore. Despite the skirts she owned, she considered herself a tomboy. She never cared much for make-up though she had it, her mother thought she needed it, hadn't worn any hair ornaments since her mother stopped making her.
None of the other kids really liked her too much, she was too good at video games, and too competitive to let them win. She was far too interested with movies, to be worry about what others thought about her. But Dipper, he was making her worry how she looked, he didn't care that she beat him at games, normally the others would have called her a cheater and stomped out, he just smiled as if this is what he wanted to do.
It's because of that kiss, she thought to herself. That's what really changed everything! Though she can't say she didn't enjoy it, she did. A little too much in fact, she hadn't been expecting the second one, but she enjoyed that one as well. These feelings were so odd to her, she had crushed before everyone did. But it was never about a person, she liked story characters, or game character. In school other girls had liked boys, they picked on her because she was never interested.
"Wendy," her mother called, snapping her out of her thoughts, and to reality, she didn't know how long she had stood there looking in the mirror, her mind wandering.
"Coming!" she messed with her hair a little more and opened the door, to find her mothering staring at her, a strange look on her face. "What?"
"Nothing, I just haven't seen you pay so much attention to your hair before." She smiled an all too knowing smile, which made Wendy want to scream, "So what are you and Dipper doing today?"
"Just going to the lake, maybe stop at the diner," Wendy followed her mother down the hallway, and into the kitchen. Dipper was already sitting at the table, obviously waiting for everyone to join him. "I'm not sure, it was Dipper's Idea."
Dipper looked up from the table, his eyes lingered on Wendy a moment too long before smiling. "You look very nice Wendy," which made her blush. That's another thing, she thought, what is it about him that makes me feel like this?
"Thank you," she said in a small voice, her mother chuckled somewhere in the kitchen. She scowled in that general direction, and stuck out her tongue.
"So Dipper, where are you two going today?" Wendy's mother asked as she brought breakfast out setting it on the table.
"I was thinking we could go to the lake, maybe sit by the water, or see what washes up." He shrugged slightly looking up at Wendy and grinning. "Maybe hit the arcade and have Wendy beat me in more games."
Once they finished the food, Wendy and Dipper both worked together and washed the dishes. They finished, and hurried out the door, once outside the door Wendy grabbed Dipper's hand. "So where are we really going?" she asked once they were out of earshot of the house.
"There is a place I used… I found that I wanted to show you," Dipper said leading her toward the Mystery Shack.
"Dipper I don't wanna go to the Shack, it's a bunch of weird things, I mean it was cool the first time and the second." She said, Dipper had told her he didn't like the Shack.
"No, it's a little bit in the forest behind the Shack." Dipper said sneaking past Stan and a group of tourist, it didn't take him long to find his little alcove the downed tree was less decayed and the water looked cleaner. "Here it is,"
"Oh wow," she took in the beauty of the place, she didn't think boys would notice things like this, she let him lead her to the downed tree and sat down. Her grip tightened on his hand, as she leaned closer to him. Here's that feeling again, her lips brushed his, her stomach did a flip when his hand touched the side of her face. Not for the first time she wondered if she was the first girl he kissed. Or if he thought about this a lot.
The kiss became deeper, and time seemed to stand still as she revealed in the feelings mingled in her body. She felt his other hand move up her back, and shivered as she felt his fingers moving though her hair. She knew he liked her hair, but he'd never ran his fingers though it. It made her tingle.
Soon they were panting heavily when they broke apart. Dipper sat on the ground, his back leaning against the log. Wendy was going to, but with her skirt, she'd get her legs dirty, she sat on his lap instead, leaning back against him, she worried for a moment he'd tell her to get off, but instead his hand came around either side and lay on her stomach. Felt and heard him sigh in relief, and felt him breath in deeply.
"Your hair smells so sweet." He said, and she turned her head looking at Dipper, she couldn't understand him, wanted to understand why he made her feel like this. She shivered thinking about what he mother had the talk with her. It explained… other things, sadly it didn't explain these feelings, or her stomach flipping when he touched her hand or cheek. And it sure didn't explain why she kept blushing like an idiot.
"Dipper?" she thought about many things, but she had one main thought. She was curious if there were other girls before her, not out of jealousy, she wanted to know if he really cared, it hadn't been very long since their first meeting. She had it all planned out in her head, she only hoped her mouth would follow the plan.
"Hmm?" he sounded as if he had been deep in thought, he finally had noticed she was turned towards him.
"I was, wondering if when you.." How was she supposed to ask this without sounding strange? His brown eyes stared into her green ones, waiting for a question. A question she had planned for however her mind couldn't wrap around it long enough to remember her plan. "have there been other… girls?"
Their eyes still locked, it was her turn to wake. It took a moment until she saw the realization in his eyes. Nervous as to what he would say, she forced herself to break eye contact. She looked out at the small water pound.
"I, well," he didn't sound sure of his thoughts, and that was odd. He seemed to be trying to figure out a way to phrase what he needed to say. "I can say, the only girl I've felt this way… has only been… you."
He hesitated as if he was trying to figure out what he was going to say. Her gaze shifted from the water back to Dipper. She wasn't the best judge of people, or their expressions, truthful expressions anyways. She didn't feel like she did then others lied to her. "So just me? You've never kissed another girl before?"
"I've never kissed another girl," he looked down, and she couldn't see his eyes. "Well my sister kisses my cheek, against my will. I don't think that's what you mean though."
"No, yeah that doesn't count." She smiled, she felt Dipper move as he checked his watch, which caused her to check her phone. Three missed calls from her Mom. Who else, she though. she had silenced the phone when they arrived here. She got off Dipper's lap and sat on the tree before calling her mother back.
"Wendy, why didn't you answer before?" the voice came through the phone, she didn't sound upset, more concerned. It hadn't occurred to her that something could have happened along the way. But if one of them had gotten hurt, the other would have called surely.
"Sorry, I uh set it down on Dipper's jacket, and I guess we didn't hear it," it wasn't a total lie, she didn't hear it, but she didn't say it was because she silenced it. "I called as soon as I saw I missed a call from you."
"Well, try to keep it on you, you never know when you might need to use it." He mother said, "So, how is your day going? Are you and Dipper having fun?"
"Yeah, it's going good, we are about to go to the arcade," Wendy looked over at Dipper who looked mildly curious about the other half of the conversation, but held his thumbs up in agreement about the arcade. "Might skip the diner though, my stomach feels funny."
"Well maybe if you're not feeling so well you should come home," her mother sounded more concerned now, then she had before.
She knew she shouldn't have said anything. She was sure she wasn't sick, just something she needed to talk with her mom about. But she didn't want Dipper around when she said these things. "No, I'm okay enough to play some games, we might be home a bit sooner than we planned though.
"Okay, be safe Wendy, and try to let him win some," her mother laughed, they both knew how competitive she was, and how letting someone win wouldn't happen a second time, if she even let him win in the first place. "Love you,"
"Love you too Mom," she hung up the phone, and looked at Dipper, "She was just worried, like maybe we fell down a well or something," she rolled her eyes.
"Ah, if your stomach was upset, you could have told me. We could have stayed at your house and I don't know. Watched a movie or something." Her mother had said the same thing, so why didn't she hear it the same. With her mother she assumed she just wanted to keep tabs on her, but When Dipper said the same thing he sounded concerned. Another thing about him that was odd. Maybe people were different in the town he came from.
"Like I told mom, I'm okay enough to play some games," she was alright to play games. She grabbed his hand, and laced her fingers with his. Something that had become common with them, that she hardly noticed doing. "Let go, Loser buys sodas."
"I might as well buy them when we get there then," he sounded sulky, but not really sulky. His smile afterward confirmed her thoughts. Sometimes she wondered where he got money from. He never picked up money his parents sent, or maybe he did. There were times he'd go to the store alone, she didn't even remember ever seeing him call his parents. Which raised another question she hadn't asked yet.
"Um, Dipper, what do your parents think about you being here?" the way he stopped was curious, a sad look in his eyes. Something there she couldn't figure out.
"They… used to come to Gravity Falls when they were younger. It was their idea I stay here. Though the plan wasn't for me to be staying at someone's house. But your mom convinced them," he smiled slightly, but sounded horrified. "When she mentioned I had a… crush on you, my parents seemed to be mostly alright with it. Meaning, when I get home I might have to hear the talk again…"
"Poor Dipper, but better you than me." She laughed, pulling him slightly on their way to the arcade. But that only left another question. "What about your sister, you said you were twins. So do you like look a like?"
"Yeah me and Mable do look alike, well her hair's longer obviously. And wells he wears these sweaters she knits herself," he grimaced, oddly then chuckled, "She's gotten pretty good at knitting them, just she's… well she Mable."
"I don't understand," how could she? She'd never met his sister, but he said it as if she should know. She looked at him, he seemed to have remembered something he had forgotten then continued.
"Well Mable is like… very hyper and goofy," each word he said he looked sadder, maybe he missed his sister. "One has a cat on it, another a shooting star… and one that plugs into a wall and lights up…" she started to ask how she was supposed to walk while plugged into a wall, but.. "I know, I know she didn't think that one through, so she ended up standing next to a socket until she became bored with it. I wonder what she's doing right now."
"Maybe she can come visit before summer is over," she said hopefully, she wasn't sure if it would be alright with her mom. Then again she let Dipper stay the summer without any pleading from her. So maybe it would be a option. But he didn't seem to cheer up.
"Maybe, I'm not sure if she can." He said, then he smiled and lead her into the arcade. Playing the games took her mind off of the conversation. Usually took her mind off everything. She enjoyed each game they played, both waiting for one game to be open, Fight Fighters, both enjoyed the game very much. It wasn't long before it was time for them to head back to the house, once outside, Dipper's phone beeped and he looked down at it. "Um hey, you can go on back to the house, since you're not feeling so well. I have some things I have to do, I'll meet you there soon. Tell your mom not to worry I'll be there soon."
Wendy nodded and waved, before starting to walk back home. She wished she could have gone with Dipper, but this gave a good opportunity to talk to her mother about things before Dipper returned. She ran down the path she normally took when alone, not the driveway, but a little foot path through the woods that would end right next to her house.
When she opened the door, and went in, her mother came out of the kitchen, and saw her close the door, "What happened to Dipper? Did something happen?"
"No he had some things that he had to do." Her mother seemed to be relieved that it was nothing more serious than that, "But since he is out, there are dome things that I wanted to ask about."
"Yeah sure, what did you want to talk about dear?" her mother asked, sitting down at the table, motioning for her to join her.
"Well, mom we had that… talk… NO I don't want to hear it again, "She added when her mother's eyebrow rose. "I was just curious, you mentioned things… but nothing about feelings."
"Feelings? What kind of feelings, Sweetie?" great, this was going to be harder than she expected… But she pushed on.
"Well when… Dipper kissed me again today," she blushed at the mention of it… the blush was another part while she was here. "When he holds my hand, or touched my face or hair, I get this weird feeling in my stomach."
"Ahh so you didn't really miss my calls," he mother gave her a all knowing look. Busted. "Anyways, that's normal when you are close to someone you like. Your stomach feels that way when you are nervous. Nervous you'll do something wrong. I'm sure t the same time you feel happy as well right?"
Wendy nodded at this, so it was because she liked Dipper. She sighed and relief Good, there isn't anything wrong with me, she thought. Then voiced what had been bothering her for a few days, "I thought something was wrong with me."
"I did too," her mother said and chuckled softly, walking into the kitchen. Wendy was surprised by those words. Aren't mother's supposed to be supportive? "I mean, you never really started noticing boys, normally girls start liking boys well before boys notice them. I thought maybe you were never going to like boys." Her mother brought out a tray of cookies she had made, which Wendy had no problem taking one. "Was there anything else?"
"Well, my face gets hot a lot, when he says nice things to me, or says my hair smells good," her mother just chuckled again, obviously ecstatic she finally gets to have this talk.
"Yeah, embarrassing right? Not much you can do about it though." She sighed and smiled, maybe she was thinking about the past. "You like him, he likes you, and so he says things to show he likes you. Even if he doesn't realize it yet. Though I'm sure Dipper realizes it."
(Dipper's PoV)
Dipper went to the little coffee place that they had in town, and paid for a soda and for some time on a computer. Since he realized he was stuck in the past he knew he'd need on thing that he wouldn't be able to get otherwise. Money, he figured out how to invest his money in companies that he knew would pick up. He knew which game brands would sell better, since he knew games and knew which ones he had to wait to be restocked. So while it might be 'cheating' he invested money into those companies. Never too much to arouse any suspicion, but in the three weeks he'd been here he'd more than tripled the money he had.
He had the funds transferred to a pre-paid card he had bought, which wasn't easy to find here in Gravity Falls, but he managed to. Maybe he could get Wendy's mom to open a bank account for him, that way he'd have better access to it. But I still need a way home, Dipper thought. He didn't want to leave but every day that passed was another day closer to coming face to face with himself. Well honestly he didn't remember meeting himself, so he must make it back home… The again Wendy didn't remember him coming back, so many he never did. Time travel is confusing, he thought.
He walked up to the counter and paid for a few pastries, figuring Wendy and her mother would enjoy them. And walked out the door, he hadn't gone far before he spotted Robbie, who unfortunately was staring right at him. Dipper tried to ignore the glaring eyes of the boy as he started walking towards the path that would lead him to Wendy's house, and there for safety. Don't run Dipper, he said to himself. He'll chase you if you run. He turned around the building, and waited and waited. Once Dipper looked around the edge he didn't see Robbie. Maybe he had given up.
He turned back and started walking towards the path, when Robbie came around the other side of the building. Jesus, doesn't this guy know when to quit, he asked himself. "If it isn't Dip-Stick, I thought I warned you about being around Wendy. I told you she's mine."
"She doesn't belong to anyone Robbie, least of all to you." Dipper said, he didn't yell though he wanted to. Wendy had mentioned that Robbie had friends, last thing he wanted was for them to hear.
"I told you to leave her alone." Robbie walked towards him, moving completely away from the corner, he carried what looked like a large stick in his hand. "And you didn't listen… I went easy on you before. And what happened? Wendy's mom called the police and three weeks I was grounded. When I come out, my friends tell me that they've seen you all over the place together."
"None of your business Robbie," Dipper said stepping back, "Now can I go." He knew it wouldn't be that simple. Robbie was always a selfish guy, always just had to have what he wanted. It seemed it wasn't a trait the developed as a teen. He was just a spoiled brat to the core.
"It is my business," He raised the stick pointing it at Dipper, walking closer. Dipper turned to run, and didn't get more than two steps before he felt the stick hit across the back of his head. He tripped, and landed on the box of pastries he had bought. Though his mind wasn't on the pastries, it was too occupied fighting for consciousness. Dipper managed to get up on his hands and knees.
"You're a prick, Rob-" he felt the stick hit and break across his back, and he fell to the ground again. His mind fought harder and harder to stay active. But it was a task proving difficult. Would Wendy's mom find him again? He hurt too much to think about it.
"I…" he felt something make contact with his leg, "told you," he felt it again, Wendy said he should defend himself. He tried to get up again, and something across his back again, he laid on the ground everything blurred for a moment he stared straight ahead. "to leave her," he kicked him so hard in the side he rolled over, his eyes stared straight up, "…alone." Dipper saw it coming, and couldn't find the strength to move, he couldn't keep conscience, his last thought was that maybe it would be better, he wouldn't feel the next blow. He gave up and let the darkness take him.
His mind returned to him, he opened his eyes. It was dark where he was, where was he? He could barely see, everything was blurry, at first he thought he was in his room, "Mable?" it hurt to talk, he could hardly breath, he waited for an answer, a snore, anything. His vision started to return slightly, he wasn't looking at the ceiling to his room. He saw stars, he was outside, how did he… then he started to remember. The watch, Wendy, Robbie breaking the watch. Then his last encounter with the little blond boy, ending him up here.
Guess Wendy or her mom didn't come looking, he thought. He wasn't sure how long he'd been there. No one came behind this building often, it was abandoned. Maybe they were happy to be rid of him, no couldn't be Wendy liked him. This Wendy really liked him… Oh yeah then where is she, he asked himself. He took a ragged breath, his body hurt he felt the darkness coming again, and like before he accepted it.
Voices, scared voices hit his ears. He opened his eyes and everything was blurry. Blurry vision was getting very old. His mouth opened, something was in his mouth. He felt his body shake, then those voices again. One of them was telling someone to be careful. Two more voices blending together that he couldn't quite understand. He reached up slowly, to his mouth he felt a tube, and he wrapped his hand around the tube and pulled. His was very disoriented, but he heard those voices again, someone telling him to stop. He wouldn't listen, he pulled again it moved, he gaged as he pulled the tube free.
He coughed, breathed in deep on his own. He tried to turn his head only to find he couldn't. Was his neck broken? No, he thought, I wouldn't be able to move my arms. "Where?" his throat hurt, and it still hurt to breath.
Voices all spoke at once, he couldn't see who any of them belonged to, then a blurry face appeared over his, it was Wendy's mom. "You're in a ambulance, it looked and looked for you, finally we found you. Did Robbie do this?"
He tried to nod, but whatever kept his head from moving, stopped him from nodding, "Yes. Stick. Head." He found it simpler to talk in single words, so his chest didn't hurt.
"Can you tell me your name, son?" another voice he didn't know asked. He ignored the voice, his hand reached out towards where Wendy's mom was. He felt a hand grab his holding it. It was too big to be Wendy's. He realized during this pain he missed his Mom.
"Wendy?" a tear ran down his cheek, he missed his family. But Wendy was the only one here besides her mom that he really knew here.
"Son, can you tell me your name." Dipper glared at the voice, hadn't Wendy's mom told the man his name. Maybe he was an idiot.
"Leave him alone, if he knows what happened, and knows my daughter name his mind is fine." Wendy's mom snapped, and then he felt her hand squeeze his, "Wendy will come to the hospital later." Hospital, it must be serious, very serious.
The knowledge Wendy wasn't seeing him like this, cause him to break down. Tears streamed down his face as he cried. He tried to bring his other hand up to wipe his face, his shoulder moved and he felt a hand push his arm back down.
"No Dipper, don't," her face was serious, what was wrong with his arm? "It'll be alright, you'll be alright just rest." He didn't want to rest, he had rested long enough by force. But he didn't have a choice, her soothing voice murmuring to him assuring him that he would be alright. "It'll be alright, shh." The his mind drifted away again.
He was on a soft bed, was it his? Was he back in bed at Wendy's and all of this was a horrible dream? He went to sit up… nope his chest was sore. And he had a splitting headache. At least he could breathe better. And he could move his head, which was another plus.
With effort he managed to sit up on the edge of the bed. He was in a hospital room, it looked like the ones in the movies, a bed, bunch of blinking machines. A little counter with a sink, two doors, one leading to a bathroom… the simple knowledge caused him to realize he had to go to the bathroom. He got up, he legs were woozy, but he managed to walk slowly to the bathroom. He relieved himself, flushed and looked in the mirror.
His face didn't look as bad as the first time on his head, and on his right arm. Then he heard a door close in his room, "Dipper?"
He pulled his robe tight behind him, and slowly walked out. Wendy's mom was looking at the bed, and turned quickly when the bathroom door closed. She stared at him, and hurried over and helped him back over to the bed.
"You had me worried there for a moment." She said. She looked tired. She walked over and pulled the chair over next to the bed, and sat in it sighing. "You're pretty tough, you know, up and about already. I didn't expect to see you up for a while."
"What happened?" he asked, he knew what happened to him, but he was more curious about what happened after. He could tell she understood.
"Well once we got here, they checked you out to see how you were. They stitched up the back of your head. Then x-rayed your chest, and arm. Nothing's broken, you're just badly bruised. They said your back looked like you were hit with something." She reached out and took his hand, squeezed it softly
"A big stick, only hit me twice. Broke it on my back." He said, he looked down sighed, then looked back up at her. "I thought… I woke up once before you showed up… I didn't think you or Wendy came looking for me. It was night, and I didn't know how long I had been there." Tears started running down his cheek, obviously ashamed.
"It's alright, we did look for you, and we just didn't find you. We didn't know where to look." She said moving over to the bed putting an arm around him, "Wendy even took me to that place you took her, thinking you might have ben sitting there." She looked around making sure they were still alone. "At first I thought you might have found some way home. But then I realized you wouldn't have just left Wendy like that."
"No," he sniffed loudly and leaned against her, he didn't have his mother so she was all he had. "I wouldn't have. I didn't want to, and I don't want to leave this Wendy. But I'm starting to miss home." He started crying.
She pulled him into a soft hug, and rubbed his back softly, she knew about the bruised that he had on it. "I know Sweetie, I know. I figured you would sooner or later. Wendy told me you were missing your sister too."
He cried more leaning against her, when a nurse walked into the room, and tsked. Dipper glared at her, "You're supposed to be in bed resting."
"I've been resting for a whole day. And I needed to pee. Unless you wanted me to pee in the bed." The nurse looked accosted.
"Two days Dipper, you've been asleep for two days not one." She said, and Dipper looked at the lady and shrugged. And watched the nurse walk out.
"So when do I get to leave here?" he asked, looking up at him, the real question was where was Wendy, but since she wasn't here he figured there was a reason.
"Well since you woke up and seem to be moving about on your own, you should be able to leave either today or tomorrow." She smiled and stood up walking to the door. "Lay down, I'll go get Wendy, They let her in before when you were sleeping. But she… well she reacted badly when you wouldn't wake up so… let me go and get her… I'll try to keep her from leaping on you,"
Dipper didn't lie down like she asked, he didn't feel like laying down. He wanted to sit, he was afraid if he laid down he'd go back to sleep. Then Wendy's mom returned, at first he thought she was alone, until Wendy peeked around the corner. He wasn't sure what she expected to see.
"Dipper?" tears welled up in the girls eyes, he smiled getting up, and winced. Wendy's mother moved and he raised his hand, when he stood he held out his arms to Wendy. He expected her to run, expected her to grab him and squeeze him. He wasn't sure what to think when she walked up to him slowly, and gently put her arms around him. He appreciated it, but it shook him how scared she was. "I didn't know you'd be walking this soon, they said they didn't know if you'd wake up." She started sobbing.
"He's a tough one Sweetie, a magnet for fights with Robbie it seems, but he's tough." Her mother said softly, then walked up and put her hand on Dipper's shoulder. "Wendy, have you slept at all? No, you didn't I know because every time I woke up you were up peeking in his door. See if you can get him to lay down again while I go fill out these papers. And get some rest."
When she walked out the door, Wendy looked at Dipper, he rocked back, something protective in those eyes, and she moved him to the bed. He laid down on the bed and figured, what's good for the goose and good for the gander, he moved over and looked at her. The bed was big enough for them both to lie in. "You too, your mom said you haven't slept in two days." He heard two thuds on the tile floor, he realized they were her shoes. Then she crawled up into the bed, and stay hesitantly close to the edge.
"If you lay over there you might fall off if you fall asleep," she looked at him, her green eyes wide with fear he reached out and touched her arm, "Your not going to break me, promise." She moved closer, and he huffed and closed the distance putting his arm under her head.
"You didn't listen to me," her voice was very soft, and he barely heard her. He wasn't sure what she meant. But he wanted to know what he didn't listen to. "I told you to defend yourself."
"I listened, I even thought about it," he said leaning his head on her head, his lips brushed her forehead, "But her hit me in the back of the head, every time I tried to get up, he stopped me." He looked down her laid on her side curled up against him, her eyes were closed. "You awake?"
"Mmmph, as long as you tried." She murmured sleepily. "I was so scared Dipper, Since you came here, I have felt so many things that confuse me." She breathed in deeply, then exhaled, her breath shuddered.
"Wendy?" he asked, and didn't get an answer, he smiled wrapped his other arm around her, as her mother walked in. And she smiled softly looking at the sight, she came over and sat on the chair. She looked over at Dipper. "I got her to sleep."
"I see, she just needed to be sure you were okay," she said, she wiped her eye before a tear rolled down. "I am happy that you came here Dipper. At first I thought it was a romantic gesture doing what you did to be with Wendy. Then it started making me think it was a selfish reason. Now, it's still romantic, but now I'm glad it happened. I didn't know if she'd ever feel this way about someone. I mean I know you both are still young. And usually guys would just have their way and leave." She laughed at the thought. "But considering what you went through to be with her, I don't have to worry about that with you."
"I wouldn't do that to Wendy, I like being near her." Dipper said softly as he ran his hand over her hair very softly.
"She likes being near you too, she told me." She smiled, and had a thoughtful look on her face, "At least one of you isn't clueless about this stuff."
"Any idea on when I can leave?" he said and yawned, then looked over at Wendy's mom, who just looked at him as if he was crazy.
"They said you could leave as soon as you are feeling better. Nothing is broken, but those stitches will have to come out in a couple weeks."
"So I can leave now? That's great!" Wendy's mom stared at him, making him feel like he had done something wrong. "What?"
"You were hurt badly, spent the most part of two days unconscious. And as soon as you wake up you want wait to go, why?" She sat up in the chair looking at him, he could tell that she wanted him to stay put.
"Hospitals freak me out. Now that I'm not in so much pain, I won't be able to sleep here." He looked down at Wendy, who didn't seem to have that issue, drooling on his arm. Why did he think that was cute?
"Alright, we brought you some clothing from home, they ended up cutting yours of you incase you had a neck injury." She said pointing to a drawer, she stepped out the room, and Dipper got up, and wobbled to where his clothing was. He opened the drawer and laughed. They are my clothes; at least it's not a skirt again. He dropped his robe and pulled on his boxers then his pants. He pulled his shirt over his head, the movement of his arms over his head made him sink to his knees, in pain.
"Dipper!" unfortunately, it seemed Wendy saw him hit the ground in pain, he turned his head and looked back at a wide-eyed Wendy staring at him.
"Shh, don't tell your Mom please… she'll tell the doctors, and they'll make me stay. And I don't want to stay." Dipper walked over to the bed, and held her hand. "Look I promise I'm alright, I'm still sore, and still hurt, and I will for a while. I'd rather be back at your house."
"You're alright?" he nodded and she seemed to relax some, and he and Wendy walked out of the room. Some doctors and nurses looked at him in shock. Some of them had seen him arrive. Some where there when they thought he wouldn't wake up.
Wendy's mom had just signed the paperwork for his release. She walked over and put her hand on Wendy's shoulder, and the other on Dippers. "Let's go home." The word left his heart sore, but he was sure they didn't notice. Luckily no other nurses or doctors stared at him, it was kinda unsettling.
They walked out into the parking lot, and he breathed in deeply, wincing but still he breathed in the fresh air, the sterile smell of the hospital leaving his nose. It was close to dark. Much better, he thought. He opened the front door for Wendy to get in, and crawled in next to her, closing the door. He rolled down the window, the air was chilly unseasonably so. Then again that was no different for Gravity Falls. Then he realized something… "Do one of you have my wallet?"
"I do," Wendy's mom said and he sighed in relief, "I got it after they took off your pants, told them I'd rather have it, rather then chance it getting lost by accident."
Dipper was relieved, he leaned against the door, and closed his eyes. He didn't think that he was tired after sleeping for so long. But the last thing he felt was Wendy leaning against him. He awoke when he heard his name. "Wendy, Dipper… wake up." Dipper woke up first, his arm wet from Wendy drooling on him.
"Mmm?" Dipper was groggy, he turned to Wendy's mom, then he looked out the window he wasn't at Wendy's house, "Where are we?"
"Well we haven't been at the house for two days, there's nothing to eat. Frankly I'm surprised that you haven't said anything about being hungry." His stomach growled in protest, obviously it understood where they were. And she laughed, and laughed harder when Wendy sat up wiping her chin, then blushed and muttered a apology when she realized Dipper's arm was wet with her drool.
Once out of the car he was given his wallet back, they had done so much for him, more than he could ever repay, "I'm paying for dinner tonight. Mainly because I'm starving." He said and walked next to Wendy and held the door open for them both regardless of the strain on his chest. It was a nice change from Greasy's Diner, he realized that his head was still bandaged and he wished he had his hat…
A lady greeted them and showed them to a table, and gave them menus, he looked over it deciding what he wanted. He was still deciding when the other two put their menus down. He decided on what he wanted, and when the waitress returned they ordered and waited for it, during the time Dipper folded his hands together, and then realized that the hospital bracelet was still on his wrist.
He used one of the knives on the table and cut it off. When the waitress returned with their drinks, he asked her if she could throw it away, she nodded and smiled. "So, um how is your head feeling Dipper?" Wendy asked.
"Still hurts some, but I guess considering… it's alright." Dipper smiled at Wendy, who smiled back. He knew Wendy was kind when she was older, he knew that if he was ever hurt, she'd be one of the first people to visit him in the hospital. But he had never thought that she'd actually care. Then again here, they were the same age, and she cared for him. He saw that tonight, saw it in her eyes when she peeked around the corner to see him in the hospital bed. Knew what she expected, and saw how relieved she was when he was sitting.
"We'll you'll get better, like you said?" he nodded, and just then the waitress returned with the food, setting the plates in front of them. He wanted to continue the conversation. But he was too hungry. He started eating as soon as the waitress left. The others followed suit shortly after.
After he finished he leaned back putting his hand's over his stomach and sighed and relief. Wendy giggled, and he felt his face blush. When they where done her paid the check, left a tip and they went home.
At home he was told he wouldn't be able to take a shower until the stitches came out but he could bathe as long as he didn't get the stitches wet. Once he was done cleaning up he put on his boxers and walked out the bathroom. He carried his cloths into the room where he was staying, he put them in a hamper he was given to use. Mrs. Corduroy offered to wash his clothing along with theirs, but he preferred to do it himself. Ever since a incident with Mable and her sewing machine, and bejeweling tool, he preferred to handle his clothing himself.
He turned off the light and crawled into bed, he closed his eyes. He laid there expecting sleep to come swiftly, but it didn't. He heard voices outside the door.
"What are you doing, Wendy?" that was Wendy's mother, obviously Wendy was hovering outside his door.
"I'm just making sure he's alright. And that he is safe." Wendy who sounded defensive, "And I wanted to, I thought if he woke up alone he might be scared after all that's happened.."
He heard her mother sigh, he didn't know what was going on out there, but he had a good idea what the look on her face was like. "Fine… JUST for tonight, don't make a habit of sneaking into his room at night."
Not sure what was going on, he didn't hear anything else, but she walked into the room, she was already wearing her pajamas. He hadn't seen her since they got back home, she must have showered. He could smell her flowery shampoo. He heard her bare feet on the wood moving around his bed. Then felt the bed shift as she got into bed. Then the door opened and Wendy froze looking towards the door.
"Just be careful, he might not act like it but he's still hurt, and try not to wake him. He needs it, and you need rest too for that matter." Then she smiled, "Goodnight Sweetie, sweet dreams."
Her felt Wendy move closer to him, slowly, felt a arm go under the back of his neck, her cheek on his, then her other arm move across his stomach. He sighed as he smelled her scent. "Good night Dipper," she paused… as if thinking about what she wanted to say, "I uh, I love you Dipper." He felt her blush.
He could stay silent, he could have, and he turned his head slightly looking down at her. Wendy froze, then slowly looked up into his brown eyes. He smiled, she looked mortified.
"You were supposed to… I thought you were… Oh Jeez" she stammered other things that he barely paid attention to. Because he had something he wanted to say to.
"I love you too Wendy, I have since the moment I saw you." He kissed her forehead, and buried her burning face in her neck too embarrassed to say anything else. "Since your mom says this is the only time, for now. Lets not waste it embarrassing each other, lets get the rest we need."
Wendy nodded, and snuggled close, now he closed his eyes lacing his fingers with hers, he felt her breath shudder, felt his own heart flip. He was sure Wendy was fast asleep, how could she not be, she hadn't slept in two days, and now had a full stomach. And she was sure he was fine. He left the soft rhythmic sound of her breathing lull him to sleep.