HAT: Sorry this came out late. It's my birthday and I haven't exactly gotten the chance to be on the computer pretty much all day... yeah- on the bright side the newest episode came out on my birthday! Anyway, enjoy this new story! If Alex Hirsch is reading- thank you for the amazing and not on purpose birthday present!
Disclaimer: I do not own Gravity Falls or it's characters, just the plot.
"Dude, where you been? Both Mr. Pines and the twins went out looking for ya," Soos asks as Pacifica and McGucket enter the gift shop.
"McGucket's," she answers as she takes her boots off and walks with them at hand. "It's a long story."
With that said she trudges into the living room and then to the back door and drops her boots off there before going back into the living room and finding McGucket curled on Stanley's recliner. She decides to just get on the couch and warm back up. She doesn't see Shmebulock anywhere so she can figure that they took him to find her.
Guilt settles in her bones for making her family worry so much. She has no idea how long they've been searching for her and she doesn't know what they'll end up doing when they get back, but whatever it is, she knows that she's not ready for it.
The back door opens and closes with the sound of footsteps.
"Shmebulock!"
Pacifica catches the gnome as he flies into her arms hugs him to keep him form falling. "Hey, miss me?"
"Yeah, we did," Stanley says as he walks in with her phone at hand and the other three trailing behind him.
It doesn't take Mabel long to rush over and smother Pacifica in a long hug, but once that's done she can't bring herself to look at the people that spent the last hour looking for her.
She shies into the couch and looks down at the floor with guilt tugging at her gut. "I'm sorry."
Stanley has an unreadable expression as he gently tosses the phone into her lap while sparing a glance towards McGucket. "What happened?"
The blond casts a glance toward McGucket and then looks toward her guardian. "I saw Dan and he threatened McGucket."
Everyone stiffens and share glances before turning to her.
"What happened?" Dipper asks just as Stanford opens his mouth.
"He came out of nowhere and then he told me something about himself," she says, trying to find his exact words. "He said something about how he wasn't always like this and that he was gonna make me like him just for the fun of it... is it okay if McGucket stays here until this Dan thing blows over?"
Stanley rubs the back of his neck and lets out a sigh. "Yeah... Dipper, you're gonna have to sleep on the couch or something."
Dipper looks ready to argue, but he bites his tongue at seeing Pacifica's pleading look. "Okay, fine."
"Thank you," Pacifica says.
"You won't be saying that long," Stanford says curtly. "You're grounded."
Even Stanley seems to be surprised by this with a raised eyebrow and sideways look to his brother. "I dunno about that, after all, she was only reacting to the situation and trying to make sure that Fiddlesticks was okay."
Stanford glares at his brother. "She was reckless and didn't think. No going out, you're stuck in your room during breaks while working at the Shack, no games, no TV, no phone, and no Sammy."
She stares at him in shock at the last two. He knows that the only reason that she's been on her phone so often lately is because she wants t make sure Travis doesn't end up like she did and Sammy is her comfort item- she feels that she'll need him.
"But Uncle-"
"And that's final," he states while taking her phone and walking past her- most likely to take Sammy and her Gamegirl from her room.
She feels a little bit of anger at his unwillingness to listen to her and side with her. She was just doing what she thought was right and that was to get McGucket before Dan got him.
Stanley takes off his fez and runs his hand through his unkempt hair and looks at Pacifica. "Look, he was just worried. Imagine what we were all thinking when Shmebulock came back without you- huh? And when we found your phone in the forest at first... understand?" When she nods he gets up. "I'll try and get him to give you Sammy back."
"Thanks, Papa Stan."
He stands with a grunt and walks deeper into the house after his brother.
Dipper walks over and sits on Pacifica's left side since Mabel is on her right. "You scared us."
"I didn't mean to," she replies earnestly. "I was just worried about McGucket."
"We understand," Mabel assures. "But don't go running off like that next time."
Pacifica smiles slightly. "Okay."
"And if you do, could you choose warmer weather to do it?" Dipper asks with a small smile.
Pacifica playfully shoves him. "Shut up."
"Is that fun I hear?!" Stanford calls.
Immediately Pacifica clamps her mouth shut and leans forward to look at the entrance of the hallway.
Several seconds later Pacifica stands up. "I'll go to my room. See you guys at dinner."
"Don't worry, we'll bust you out," Mabel whispers.
Pacifica resists the urge to roll her eyes and instead nods before walking out of the living room. For a moment she wonders why McGucket's been quiet and turns to find him asleep. She puts the recliner back and then walks up the stairs and goes into the attic to start her grounding.
Several minutes of playing with Shmebulock with the laser pointer there's a knock on the door that lasts about a second and not even a second later she's surprised to see Stanford enter with his hands behind his back. As for why he didn't bother hesitating when it comes to opening the door is because he knows that if the kids are getting dressed, they'll shout for them to hold on before he has the chance and the same goes for his brother.
"Hey, Pep," he murmurs and then holds out Sammy.
She resists the urge to snatch the bear and takes it gently. "Thanks."
He stands there awkwardly for a second before he lets out a longer breath than usual through his nose and sits on the foot of the bed. "Listen, Pacifica, I know that your punishment may seem harsh, but I'm only doing that because I care... and because apparently it's illegal to discipline a child the right way." Don't ask, he might do it. "I didn't really listen before, but I was too... emotional to listen to reason... do you know why?"
She shrugs. "Because you value human life?"
He flicks her forehead. "Try again- and really think about it."
She rubs her forehead and looks at him as if to find an answer in the crevices of his face or something.
Why would Stanford- the most levelheaded and indifferent person that she's ever met in life- be emotional? He wasn't phased during any of their misadventures before- like the gnomes, the griffin, and the giant floating baby head (A/N: Remember how I have a lot of time skips? Though if anyone wants to write about those adventures, feel free to, just give credit where credit is due and let me know so I can read)- and she's never really seen him affected by anything. Even after she was attacked by Dan, he was the calmest of the bunch and came up with a plan without seeming fazed aside from throwing himself into research and-
Oh... The memory of his outburst comes back to mind. "Because you care about me..."
He nods. "That's right. You're family. My niece. I was scared that you had died or worse and to find out that you ran off without even thinking about coming to me and Stan really did something to me... kid, you are just as important to me as Mabel and Dipper and Stan. If something happened to you, I don't know what I'd do."
The overwhelming urge to hug him makes her lean forward and wrap her arms around his torso as best as she can and her cheek ends up on his chest. He stiffens at first- probably not used to gentle affectionate physical contact unless it's from Mabel.
"I'm sorry for scaring you."
"You'd better be," he grunts as he relaxes and pats her back before clearing his throat and gently disengaging himself from the hug. "That's enough emotional moments for one day... you're not grounded, but you're definitely getting that Gamegirl and your phone taken away for nearly giving a couple of old men heart attacks."
"I can live with that," she says before offering him the laser pointer. "Wanna play with Shmeb?"
He hesitates before shrugging. "I don't see why not."
The next twenty minutes are spent playing with Shmebulock with the laser pointer and laughing when he can't reach it and then discussing what she discovered from today's interaction with him before Mabel comes in and has them put on makeup (Pacifica all but died laughing at seeing Stanford in makeup) and made it a slumber party... Basically fun for being partially grounded.
HAT: Yay! Everyone's safe and happy... for now.
Dipper: Can't you- y'know- not torture everyone in your stories?
HAT: Then what would be the point of writing?
Mabel: To make people happy?
HAT: Been there, done that. I want to tug at the heart strings!
Dipper: You're merciless.
HAT: Sometimes.
Mabel: Uh-huh.
Dipper & Mabel: Review!
HAT: Group up! *tackles them in a hug* Now, let's go hug Wendy and Soos.
Mabel: Is it me or is she taking the birthday hugs thing too seriously?
Dipper: It's not just you. Let's go make sure she doesn't kill our grunkles by forcing them to hug.
Mabel: Good idea.