Chapter 24

Matt and Ethan were at the park waiting for the others to arrive. They wanted to do normal kid stuff for once while things were going smootly for the time being. A couple days have passed and the Dark Master has not made a move against them, nor Devin for that matter. However, for Ethan, everything felt easy and somewhat complicated. Then there's that unbearable itch in his eyes. It always occured before something was about to happen. He noticed this when they were much younger and it was something Ethan kept to himself.

"You look worried." said Matt.

"I'm just thinking too much that's all." replied Ethan.

"No kidding man. Eversince you arrived, you have been in on the action." said Matt.

"I know right? Everything is so messed up. How did you put up with all of this?' asked Ethan.

"I don't know. I'm still figuring that out." said Matt.

In a moment, Shinji, Owen and Lucy arrived with a bag full of snacks.

"You lazy bums. Where are the napkins you promised us?" asked Shinji.

"Hold your horses dude, I got them." said Matt as he showed them a pack of napkins.

"So what's the plan again?" asked Lucy.

"We just hang out or do something. Or, we could go on a hike." said Matt.

"That sounds terribly boring." said Ethan.

"Terribly? Since when did you start using fancy words?" asked Owen.

"I'm a gangsta. I speak street language." said Ethan patting Owen's shoulder.

"Are you sure we should all be doing this? The DM is still out there and we are not sure what's next. For all we know, he could make more nanites or worse." said Lucy.

"Don't worry Lucy. The DM can't do anyting now. He's like Bill. It takes them time to cook up a new plan." said Matt.

"If you say so." said Lucy smiling at Matt with a blush.

"I know! We could do like a boot camp of some sort!" cried Ethan.

"You mean like they do in the army?" asked Owen.

"Well think about. We all work out, look buff as bulls, and we can fight against that nasty man!" said Ethan with a smile.

"Work outs? That's your thing. My thing is to play basketball or soccer." said Shinji.

"That is technically a workout dude." said Ethan.

Matt's phone began to ring and he took a quick peek. "Hey guys, something kinda came up back home. I'm so sorry. Hang out and do something fun." said Matt.

"Why, what's wrong?" asked Shinji.

"It's my brother. He needs me." said Matt.

Everyone in the group knew what that meant.

"Is he okay? Did he fall or hit himself?" asked Owen.

"I don't know. He didn't say anything. I'm sorry guys. I really need to go. He needs me. I'll catch up with you guys later." said Matt.

"Give us a call if you need anything." said Lucy.

"Wait! It's dangerous for Matt to by himself. I know this is our town, but bad things happen everywhere." said Shinji.

"I volunteer." said Lucy quickly.

"What? But how will you get back?" asked Shinji.

"It's okay boys. You guys can do some fun stuff without me. After all, Ethan still needs to get to know you two." said Lucy.

"She's right. I don't mind spending time with you two bozos." said Ethan as he put his arms on each of the boy's shoulders.

"Give us a call if something happens. Okay." said Owen.

Matt nodded and he and Lucy quickly walked away.

"Now, what shall we do for fun? Got any nice places in town?" asked Ethan.

"Well... there is a place. Manly Dan goes there. It's a bar." said Shinji.

"Aren't we a little too young for that?" asked Owen.

"What? Matt's older brother and sister got in when they were twelve." said Shinji.

"Seriously? What for?!" asked Owen.

"Wow! Matt never told me that." said Ethan.

"I don't remember. Matt has told me a ton of stuff, but I lose track of their stories. They had more fun than we do now." said Shinji.

"Yeah, I feel like this is the beginning of a soap opera." said Ethan.

"Just one problem. My Dad goes there. And if he spots us... wait! I forgot. Today is Tuesday! He's at work. No worries." said Owen in a panicky voice.

"You okay man?" asked Ethan.

"I have never broken the law before. It's a first." said Owen.

"What? Oh please dude, my family has broken the law for years! My Grandparents had to cross the border years ago." said Ethan.

"But that's different man. They did it for a better life." said Shinji.

"I wish. But it didn't happen that way. My Dad left my Grandparents when he was about my age, and ... it's a sob story. What are we waiting for?" asked Ethan.

"Right! I guess we can put on disguises." said Owen.

"Dipper and Mabel didn't wear costumes when they got inside the bar." said Shinji.

"They were crazy!" cried Owen.

"Who were they again? Oh yeah! Matt's foster family. Man I need to learn names quickly." said Ethan.

"You'll learn and catch up quickly guys." said Shinji as the boys walked back with their snacks and napkins.

Matt and Lucy were walking slowly towards the shack. They didn't want to be over confident. However, the slower they walked, the more time Matt had with Lucy. This was one of the rare times when he was alone with her.

"So... thanks for walking with me." said Matt.

"Yeah. Gravity Falls is a dangerous place if your not too careful." said Lucy.

They stood silent for a little bit until Matt spoke again. He didn't want to blow it.

"What's it like living with Shinji?" asked Matt.

"He's fun to be around. Since he is now my brother, we argue, we bicker, and then in the end, we end up forgiving eachother." said Lucy.

"Like a brother and sister should." said Matt.

"Living with people who are not your blood family is wierd at first, but eventually, you grow to love them. Shinji has been sweet to me. How about you? How does it fee to live with the Pines?" asked Lucy.

"It's a long story." said Matt.

"Tell me. I already told you what happened to me in the past with my father and DM. I hardly know anything about you." said Lucy.

"Well... it started when things went south for my blood family..." And Matt told Lucy the whole story. He recounted his tragic life at home, the death of his older brother Marcos, and how the Pines welcomed him in their family. He told her about their adventures against the Bogey Man, The North Wind, Bill Cipher, and most of their encounters with the unknown.

"... after the North Wind incident, we all have had our guard up and we have been keeping a close watch on our town ever since." said Matt.

"No wonder none of this scares you. Your a veteran when it comes to the weird and supernatural." said Lucy.

"Oh no, I do get scared. I just never show it." said Matt.

"I think that's nice that you have a family that loves you. Tyrone sounds like the man of my dreams." said Lucy.

"Sorry. He's taken." said Matt with a smile.

"Bummer." said Lucy chuckling.

"I love Tyrone a lot. He's as close to me as Marcos ever was. I sometimes feel like Marcos led me to him. I don't know. What do you think?" asked Matt.

"I don't believe in life after death, but I do believe in a powerful force of good. Whatever that was, it guided you to a safe place." said Lucy.

They then arrived at the shack and Matt looked at the door.

"Take care of him." said Lucy.

"Thanks I will." said Matt with a smile. Lucy smiled back and walked back to the trees.

"Want to come in. It's dangerous for you to be out." said Matt.

"But I don't want to... you know..." Lucy wasn't sure.

"It's okay. I'll the guys to pick you up." said Matt.

Lucy accepted the offer. "Okay. Sure!" said Lucy.