*feedback screech* Oof! Sorry. Welcome back yet again. And I thought I was obsessed with fanfiction. I understand that this story has insofar been pretty slow, but I warned you of that so if you're still here I take that as a sign that you don't mind too horribly much. I apologize for the delay, between work and other commitments I've been rather busy. I'd like to thank "TheReturnToTheFalls" for pointing out the change in dynamic. I've revised the chapter to be more appropriate with what I wanted the theme of this story to be.

Before we begin, I'd like to share with you a poem.

You hear it said all the time, that love is patient and love is kind.
And though that holds a grain of truth, my words I hope you listen to.

We are humans by and by, more fickle than the jeweler's eye.

We get upset and we get mad, we get jealous and we get sad.
It isn't that we're bad at heart, nay most of us are far from such.
We carry pain and misery because we simply care too much.

So if your lover shows a side they've locked away and held behind.
Remember always in your heart that love is patient and love is kind.

Enjoy the story.

Chapter 4:

A Sprout Breaking Through the Ice

The twins were on their way back to Gravity Falls. The bus ride was a long and arduous journey but they had plenty of supplies to last them till they arrived. Their father had made sure Dipper's bag was filled with trail mix, granola bars, and a map of all the bus stops in case anything went wrong. Their mother, conversely, made sure Mabel had plenty of icing and sprinkles, plus playing cards if they got bored. They were halfway through a game of Texas Hold'em when they spotted the border sign of Gravity Falls.

Mabel started bouncing up and down, causing all the playing cards and the pennies they had been using to keep score to fly everywhere. "Finally! No more boring card games!"

Dipper made an annoyed face, "Card games aren't boring! And speaking of card games help me pick these up." He reached down and started playing a reluctant game of fifty-two card pick up.

"Yeah, yeah, brobro." Mabel started collecting pennies and putting them back in their sandwich baggie. "Y'know Dips, the party is tomorrow. It's gonna be the perfect chance for you to make your move, so if you're in need of any advice I'm here for you." Mabel looked at Dipper wiggling her eyebrows. She hadn't let him live down the one time he ever referred to Pacifica as 'cute.'

"What move?" He asked, knowing precisely what she was getting at.

She spread her hands wide as if it was obvious. "You, Pacifica, match made?"

"Don't start on this again, Mabel. I don't like Pacifica like that. I called her cute one time, that doesn't automatically mean I'm in love with her. You're cute! Candy's cute! Waddles is cute!" Dipper said, pointing at the pig who was politely sleeping in the other seat. "It's just a word!"

Mabel looked shocked for a moment before quickly taking out a pen and paper. She narrated what she wrote aloud, "Possible Dipper shipping: Pacifica, Candy, Waddles… Anyone else I should know about?" She asked elbowing him in the side.

"Come on Mabel, can we have one day where you don't butt into my love life?" He asked, exasperated.

"You and I both know that's impossible, brobro."

He sighed. It wasn't that he didn't like Pacifica, he just didn't know if he necessarily did. She had been cute on occasion, but he wasn't about to let looks fuel his emotions. He knew that Pacifica had made a decision to change and that it was him who inspired her to do so, but it had been months since they last saw her. He had no idea how she would be now. She could've gone back to being mean for all he knew. And besides that, she was on an entirely different level than he was. He had just gotten over the fact that he and Wendy couldn't be together because of their age. Pacifica was different. No amount of rebellion would make her parents approve of him.

The idea of seeing her at the party just made it worse. He didn't even know if he liked her but he was already convinced it couldn't work even if he did.

I should just give it up. At least if I never try I can never be rejected, huh? Gosh that sounds so lame.

Dipper kept these thoughts secret from Mabel. He knew if she found out how much he thought about it she would make the teasing even worse. It was bad enough she reminded him every day about how he needed to 'take life by the horns and get a girlfriend,' he didn't need her actively trying to push one on him.

He looked over at Mabel who was covertly writing in her diary.

Oh no.

Just as a wave of dread washed over him the bus pulled up to their final stop in front of the Mystery Shack.

"Kids!" Stan shouted, lifting the two in a bear hug. "Man is it good to see you again."

Stan dropped them and went back to the shack to let Soos and Melody know the kids had arrived. Ford shook both of their hands and said, "Welcome back, children. Stan and I have many great discoveries to share with you both, but I'll save it for dinner time." Just as he finished his sentence the shack door slammed open and Soos barrelled towards them. He picked the two up and spun them around.

"S-Soos! It's great to see you too man." Dipper choked out trying to get free. Soos didn't let up his affectionate assault and continued spinning and hugging. After a minute of doing this, however, he got dizzy and fell backwards, the children sprawled out on either side of him.

"Ah man, dudes. Am I glad to see you again." Soos laughed out, sitting forward.

"We're glad to see you too Soos. Where's Melody?" Mabel asked, excited to get to know her more and maybe share in some girl talk.

They all heard the sound of Stan being scolded and turned to see him walking out of the shack rubbing his wrist. Behind him came Melody holding a tray of cookies. She walked up to greet the kids and offered them the tray.

"Sorry, Mr. Pines, but Soos put a lot of work into these and they're supposed to be for Dipper and Mabel. Whatever they don't eat you can have."

Stan looked at the woman and protested, "You haven't lived with these kids like I have! They'll eat you outta house and home! Come on, one isn't gonna hurt!" He reached down to pick a cookie off the tray but was batted away by Melody once again.

"Stanley," Ford began scolding his brother, "this isn't our home anymore. We are guests and we are to listen to what Melody tells us."

Stan stared his brother down before finally deflating and walking back to the shack. "Fine! But I'm sitting in my old chair and watching TV whenever I want. I may not be the king of this castle anymore but I still have standards!" He yelled back, leaving the group behind to deal with the luggage.

Everyone laughed. Time may have passed but Stan was still the same old Stan. It made the twins happy to see that not much had changed since they were gone. With Soos' help they carried their luggage back up to their old attic bedroom. Winter was in full swing, but thankfully Ford had spent some time working on the shack and it was now properly insulated from the frost.

Everyone spent the rest of the night catching up. The shack's business was doing well, Stan and Ford had many tales of danger and daring do, and Mabel got to have some girl time with Melody. Eventually they had all tired out and decided to hit the sack. Mabel and Dipper had climbed into their respective beds and shut off the light, but before he could fall asleep Dipper turned over and spoke up.

"Mabel?"

"Yeah?"

"You aren't planning anything stupid for the party are you?"

"What would make you think that, oh brother of mine?"

"That's what I was worried about."

He turned over and fought hard to get some sleep. The party was tomorrow and he'd cross that bridge when he came to it. Worst case scenario he can blame any fiasco on Mabel and run away.