AVAVA

(Author's Note)

VAVAV

Still suffering from writer's block, but what the hell right? I'll continue on if I have to. A lot of things have been going on with me. I don't know, maybe it might be just time for me to wrap everything up and just walk away from writing. For some reason I just haven't been feeling... inspired. Anyways, I will finish the stories at least. So please enjoy.

Also I know I said in the last Author's Note, that this chapter would still be transitional. But I lied. I'm a liar. Some ideas occurred that couldn't be rushed. So this chapter will start Uni life, meaning time needs to be accelerated. So it won't just be drabble, it'll be drabble with plot line. Either way, it means it'll be a longer chapter.

And as always, I don't own Gravity Falls. I do own the ideas that are unique to this story. Names and Places are owned by their respective owners.

AVAVA

( Dipper's PoV )

VAVAV

Dinner had been interesting enough. Luckily having listened to Mabel about art, he actually could comment now and then about what the other two were talking about over dinner. Bubbles/Janet seemed to have studied art most of her life, considering she was just starting classes this year. He wondered if he should be helping Mabel learn more about art before her actual class started. It would at least give her a jumping point. Then again, Mabel dove into anything she liked, so maybe she would be fine. If it became a problem, he would help her study.

He felt strange whenever Bubbles/Janet would comment about things he did around the house. Comparing her boyfriend to him all the time. Everyone is different, he would think, knowing that her boyfriend wouldn't be like him. Then again, considering his high school, and every other part of grade school, life he was beaten up, and teased. Yeah, he was sure not like most people, he thought as he washed the dishes. He could hear the two talking in the living room.

"Well Dipper has always been the responsible one." Mabel commented to something Bubbles/Janet said. He hadn't actually been listening to what they were talking about. This only caught his attention because of how close Mabel might be to commenting about them being siblings.

"Yeah, Dipper did mention that you two have known each other a long time. Must be awesome. I mean being in a relationship with someone that you've known for so long." He heard Bubbles/Janet say.

"Yeah. It's like... you know. We get each other, know what we like and don't like. It kinda comes with the territory of being tw..." Dipper had stated moving with the word 'territory', knowing full well that's how she stated it was like being twins.

"Together for as long as we have..." Dipper had just made it. Mabel's face had turned pink, realizing she'd almost said something damaging.

"Even finishing each others sentences. Wow." Bubbles/Janet had started laughing. "And I thought that was just in books and movies."

"What we have here... is special." Mabel continued, obviously now thinking about what she said before she said it. "I mean... Dipper is just great. I wouldn't know what I'd do without him."

"You'd be more wild, and have more fun." Dipper commented sitting next to Mabel.

"You need to tell me your secret girl." Bubbles/Janet repeated again. He'd heard it all through dinner, and it had been mentioned before he started cooking.

"What's your boyfriend like?" Mabel asked. Of course Mabel would ask.

"Oh Adam. He's..." She shrugged, "He's an ass most of the time. See we live in this studio apartment. It was his apartment. And he's not big on the idea of change. And me... well I change a lot of things. Or I like to. We were fine, before living together. You know. But you know what they say..." she laughed softly, "You never know a person, until you live with them. He's a stick in the mud."

"Dipper's a stick in the mud most of the time." Mabel snickered to herself. And he just sighed.

"Actually he seems pretty nice." she stood up and stretched. "Well it's about time for me to get back..."

Bubbles/Janet was interrupted by her cellphone ringing. She said she had to take it, and vanished into the kitchen. Dipper and Mabel waited in the living room. They'd been in the middle of a conversation when Bubbles/Janet's voice raised a bit, though she still seemed to try to keep it quiet.

"What do you think Dip?" Mabel asked quietly.

"I think, it's none of our business unless, she says something to us." He said calmly, it was true. This was Bubbles/Janet's business, and it wasn't their place to meddle in it.

"Sorry about that guys." she'd returned from the kitchen, "I have to go, which I was about to do before I was interrupted. So I'll see you guys again a bit later. Ciao!"

AVAVA

A few days went by, and it was closer to classes starting. They'd found out the apartment they had, had three spaces available to it, since it was a bigger apartment. Normally used for room-mates. So Mabel could have her car. Though when Mabel found out the news, she seemed less than enthusiastic about it, and she seemed pretty down in the dumps. Something that was entirely not his sister. He'd pestered her most of the day about what had gotten her down. But she kept avoiding it. Or just by saying she couldn't tell him. Which of course left him in a foul mood.

"I'm going to pick up lunch. Want anything Mabel?" Dipper asked the sullen Mabel, who was laying on the couch, not paying attention the the television.

"Yeah, grab me a burger from that place if you pass it. The Axe one."

"I'm going by there, so I'll get you one."

"You're the best Bro. Really." Something about her response didn't seem normal. It's the first time she'd said the words. But it was the way she said them that seemed different.

AVAVA

Dipper had just picked up Mabel and his lunch and was driving back towards the apartment, when it started raining. He muttered to himself and hit his windshield wipers. Then he noticed Bubbles/Janet walking down the sidewalk with a guy. Must be her boyfriend.

"Might as well offer them a ride." Something Dipper wouldn't normally do. But he knew Mabel had been hanging around Bubbles/Janet for a while, so he figured he could trust her.

"Hey need a ride?" He called as he pulled next to them and rolled down the window.

"Oh hey... it's not a good..."

"Who the hell is he?" The guy yelled, and was obviously mad.

"This is that guy I told you about. I went to his and his girlfriends apartment the other day." Janet snapped at him. Maybe he'd interrupted an argument.

"So you guys want a ride home?" Dipper asked again, Bubbles/Janet, who had been leaned down looking in the window, had been yanked back hard enough she fell on the ground. And this guy... what was his name. Adam... that was it. Put his head in the window.

"Did I ask you for a ride?" While he looked nothing like the gawky goth teen from Gravity Falls, that's who Dipper associated him with.

"Actually I offered. But now it only applies to her. You. Can walk in the rain." Dipper said putting the car in park. He was used to people pushing him around. But watching him yank his sister's friend back, and onto the wet sidewalk... lit a fire inside him. He sighed knowing this was a bad move... but he knew it was what Mabel would do in this position.

He took off his seat-belt and got out of the car. He deliberately ignored Adam's rantings and threats as he helped Bubbles/Janet up. He helped her to the passenger door, which he pushed Adam out of the way. Which was nothing like he'd normally do. Once she was stunned and seated in the car he closed the door, then faced Adam, who unlike Robbie, didn't tower over him. In fact, they were about the same size.

"Like I said." Dipper's voice was flat, and sounded menacing to his own ears. "You can walk in the rain."

"And where are you going?" Adam's hand gripped the back of his shirt, causing the top buttons of his button up to pop off. It wasn't about the shirt. He didn't care that his shirt buttons popped off. Mabel could fix it. It wasn't about him being touched. It wasn't even he was tired of being pushed around anymore, he thought as he turned around, every bit of strength he had focused into the entire move. He didn't know what it was about until his fist connected with the other male's face, who fell back onto the sidewalk. Dipper watched as the other guy sat there, looking up at him shocked.

"Don't ever hurt my sister's friend." Dipper watched as Adam spit blood out of his mouth. He turned away from him and got into the driver seat. "Where are your things?"

Janet directed him to where the apartment was that held what little bit of belongings she had. She had explained most of her things had been mailed back to her parents house, until she and Adam found a bigger apartment. Didn't happen like she had planned. She didn't argue with him as he pretty much made her grab everything and decided that she'd use the spare bedroom in their apartment. He was the one that didn't want to get involved. It wasn't his business. But he did, and sighed as his phone rang.

"Yeah Mabel?" He asked.

"I was wondering what was taking so long. And when you get back... we need to talk about something." He heard it in her voice... and now he understood what had been bothering her."

"It's about Janet isn't it?" He asked.

"Yeah... Dip, her boyfriend isn't a nice person... So I was thinking..."

"I'll be home soon..." He interrupted... "With Janet."

After explaining what happened he hung up the phone, then helped carry Janet's things to the car. He got in, and turned back towards the cafe. He didn't know what to think about everything that happened. Didn't want to know what ripples would be created due to the pebble he'd tossed in the water. So he needed to do something he knew. Getting lunch for someone.

"I uh, I wanted to say thanks." Janet said once they were back on their way to the apartment. "Not many people would have done anything. I do have just one question though."

"Yeah? What's that?" He asked turning into the parking lot for the apartment.

"What did you mean by, hurting your sister's friend?"

What was he going to say, he wondered as he pulled into his parking space.

AVAVA

( Mabel's PoV )

VAVAV

"So... that's the whole story." Mabel held up her hands after she explained everything. She hadn't planned on hoping her hands up like that... but it was something she could do with them. Strangely enough it was harder telling this complete stranger that her and her brother were a couple, than it had been to tell Wendy. It'd taken a while for Bubbles to answer. So long Dipper told her she could lower her arms now. She hadn't even been aware that her arms were still up.

"Look. I know it might sound strange. But the point is... me and Mabel might have been raised as twins. But we aren't. Not even blood related." Dipper said putting his hand on her shoulder. She loved that Dipper was trying to comfort her. And she hoped that her friend... would still be her friend in a moment.

"It's not that I think it's strange. Hell I wouldn't even care if you were blood related." Mabel looked at her... kinda wishing they'd known her years ago in high school. "I just don't see why you didn't tell me before."

"Oh... well... you see... Dipper?" Mabel looked to her brother for an answer. He knew most of the answers.

"It's like this... See our parents... and friends."

"Except Wendy."

"...Except Wendy, a friend from a long time ago, no one knows about this. Haven't known for a few years. And we just... You don't know how good it feels to just not have to hide it. And we figured, that day at the cafe... if we told you we were siblings. We'd have to keep hiding it."

"So you didn't want to have to lie anymore." Bubbles seemed to think for a while, then just shrugged. "Well I guess that explains how you two know each other so well... so much for your secret. I don't have any brothers, blood related or otherwise."

"So you're not weirded out?"

"As long as I don't hear any moans and groans that sound like 'brother' or 'sister' coming out of your room, I think I can handle myself." Bubbles smirked, and Dipper looked away leaving her to just blush.

"We haven't... you see... Uh Mabel?"

"Uh-uh. You answer this one."

"I answered the last one."

"I explained the whole thing."

"Whoa whoa... so you guys haven't... yet?" Mabel shook her head, while Dipper seemed to find interest in his own shoes. "But you sleep in the same room?" Mabel nodded, and Dipper... he still seemed interested in his shoes.

AVAVA

"Ew Dipper!" Mabel said to herself, as she was cleaning up Dipper's office. A few weeks had passed since Bubbles had come to stay with them. And currently he was picking up more books from a couple of the campus libraries. She was glad Dipper had this room now. Dirty socks and shirts strewn about. She wouldn't even be cleaning it, if she didn't go in search of what smelt like dirty feet.

"What's that smell?" Bubbles asked as she carried in the air freshener like Mabel asked her to. Now she wondered if it would help, or if the fragrance would burst into flame on contact. How could he manage this level of stink in a few weeks?

"Dipper's feet it seems. Or his shirts... or that!" She pointed to a old bowl... of half eaten... something.

"How long had he been cooped up in here?" That was a good question, Mabel thought. It had been at least four days since Dipper had slept in their bed. His classes were much more demanding than her's. Then again she was dealing with art... something interesting to work with, and to study. Dipper... he was unlocking the human mind.

"Way too long." Mabel said flatly. "When he gets home, he's taking a shower. Then he's going to bed. I know he hasn't been in bed for about four days... I don't even know if he's been sleeping."

Mabel gathered up the laundry and encouraged Bubbles to spray the room again before running to throw the clothes into the washer... worried it suffocate her otherwise. She started the load then went back to the office, which smelt a lot better. Without the bowl of old food, and clothing. Dipper must have slept in here... maybe leaning on the desk. She wasn't sure... but he needed to take better care of himself.

"Mabel, I got the soda you wanted. I'll be in my office if you need me." Dipper called as he walked into the office and stared at her. "Oh. You didn't have to clean up in here... but thanks."

"Didn't have to? Those socks would have killed us if I didn't. And you're not coming in here. You are going to march yourself into the bathroom and take a shower. Then you are going to come to bed." Mabel started pushing him towards the their bedroom.

"But I need..." Dipper started to protest.

"You need actual sleep Dip... and clean air to breathe... jeez Dip." She said actually looking at him in the light of the bathroom. He had dark circles under his eyes, which were bloodshot. "You look like death. Look... You'll study better if you are rested... and clean. So Scoot!" She pushed him into their bathroom.

Their room was mostly clean, and she assumed that was due to Dipper mainly being in his study. Dipper knew better than to do this to himself. He was supposed to be the smart one in the couple. He knew he shouldn't stay up all the time and study. His brain would give out or something.

Mabel walked into the living room and ordered their dinner. She hadn't learned how to cook all that well just yet, and she wasn't sure if Bubbles knew anything about cooking, and it didn't seem polite to ask, so ordering would be the best option for now, since Dipper seemed over worked.

"So Dipper's in the shower?" Bubbles asked as she came out of her room.

"Yeah, I'm gonna order something for dinner. I know it's a bit early, but I want him to get some kind of rest." She sat down the phone, then poured some of the soda that Dipper had gone out to get for her.

"I've been meaning to ask... but I didn't want to seem rude. Neither of you guys work, so what's with the big apartment, and furnishing everything?"

"I'm not exactly sure what our parents do, I know they are lawyers for some big company. They are always away from home... so it's kinda just been mostly me and Dip for a long time. But they are paying for everything, until we find jobs. Which they told us not to rush. To focus on classes and studying."

"Wow. My parents just seemed to be happy to have me out of the house. Seemed pretty happy when I got a scholarship here." Bubbles just shrugged. Mabel couldn't imagine her parents not wanting her or Dipper around. And she couldn't imagine Dipper being like what she heard Adam was like. Bubbles seemed to have a rough life, and she seemed to have lead a pretty privileged one. "But at least they were around. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to not have them around all the time."

"It wasn't so bad." And it was true... it wasn't all that bad. She had Dipper around, and Dipper had her. So even if their parents were away a lot, they were never really alone. "I mean I had Dipper. Speaking of which... Dipper don't even think about going into that study."

"I wasn't going in there to study... I was getting something. Who's the psychic one now?" Dipper called from the hallway. She had to admit... she didn't know how she knew Dipper had made a bee-line for the study, but she had known. Maybe they both had their psychic moments.

AVAVA

Once Dipper had eaten, she dragged him back into their room. Since he was already in his pajama bottoms and a t-shirt she pushed him in bed. She showered, then changed into her sleepwear. Which consisted of a pair of sleeping shorts and a t-shirt. She walked out drying her hair, and looked towards Dipper. He seemed to be fighting just to stay awake.

"Ready for bed Broseph?" She asked tossing the damp towel into the hamper in the corner, before sitting on the bed.

"I should study." He muttered but made no move to get up.

"No you should be sleeping." she turned off her lamp next to the bed, and Dipper followed suit. "Besides... you're supposed to be my boyfriend."

"What does that have to do with me studying?" he asked, but wrapped his arms around her.

"Studying? Nothing... but making me sleep alone in this big bed? Well that's not something a boyfriend would do Broseph."

"I'm sorry Mabs. I'm just trying to make sure I do well." he murmured into the back of her neck, he didn't sound like he'd be awake for much longer.

"Didn't you say that your Professor was impressed with how much you knew? Told you, he didn't think anyone else in the class knew half as much as you did?" Dipper's only response was a nod, and a mumbled 'yes'. "Then I think you don't have to work so hard. You need to relax more. Yes this is a big and important step in our lives. But... Dip... Dipper? Are you listening?"

She chuckled as she listened to his rhythmic breathing. No he wasn't listening, he was fast asleep. Finally with him sleeping. She felt herself relax for the first time in four days. She'd missed Dipper's warmth in bed. Though with him back, she closed her eyes and let sleep claim her.