I do not own 'Gravity Falls'

Coping

Stan looked at the child as she stood in front of the portal. When they told her it would take time to make proper repairs and get the required items to fix and fuel the machine, she said five words.

"I'll wait right here then."

Since she made that statement, she proved herself a girl of her word. She hadn't budged from that spot once in the four days that Dipper and Co. have been gone. Not an inch. She didn't even sleep.

He brought food down, but he wasn't sure that she was actually eating it. The pig never seemed hungry, so that was the first warning sign. That, and she never moved to use the restroom. A unsettling thought occurred. If the pig's eating the food, where is he going to do his business, he never leaves her side! He preferred not knowing.

No choice. He thought. Going to have to use that silver tongue of mine.

"Mabel." He began.

"I'm not moving." She stated too calmly. "You can't make me!"

"And I'm not going to try." He spoke softly. "But what you're doing is unhealthy to yourself, I know-"

"No you don't!"

"Yes I do!" He snapped back before calming himself. "I told you, I was without my brother too! And I was there when he was taken away, I went with him! Remember the newspapers you two went through, I was there!" He stopped his yelling and gave a tired sigh. "Then we were separated again, I was free while he had to stay there." He looked the child in the eyes. "Thirty years of what you feel now Mabel, it never goes away. All you can do is distract yourself like I did."

"...So what should I do?"

"Take care of yourself, for his sake." Stan advised. "He'll be trying to get home to his sister, more than anything. Don't let him see a shell of her."

"...Fine." She whispered.

Stan gave a sad sigh as he watched the girl leave. I still got it.

Usually he was proud of his silver tongue, it had gotten him out of a lot of sticky situations...that it had gotten him into, but that's not the point. The point is, he felt like he was manipulating the girl. His gruff exterior aside, he sincerely cared for the twins.

The elderly man suddenly heard a sniffling sound. He turned to see Soos crying into a tissue and Wendy nodding approvingly.

"That was beautiful Mr. Pines!" Soos cried.

"How long have you two been there!?" He asked, hoping they hadn't seen his...emotion.

"Long enough to know you aren't as cold as you'd like us to believe." Wendy answered.

"I-!" He began angrily, only to pause and take a look at the two.

He had a tough time showing his sincere emotions, but these two didn't. Wendy, who was up to date on the situation, had three brothers. Though they couldn't understand the bond of a twin, they were still siblings. Soos...was a man-child, he...understood children.

Stan stood straight and looked at the two.

"I have a job for you two."

"So let me get this straight." Wendy began, still confused. "Mr. Pines wants to pay us to watch Mabel?"

"Yup." Soos answered. "He knows we would have done this for free, right?"

She was having a bit of a hard time believing it herself, and she was there! Mr. Pines was the cheapest man she knew, he only hired her because she was willing to work for less than minimal. She was technically underage. But free money for something she would have done for free, come on!

"It's how he shows he cares." Mabel answered.

The two jumped when they heard the girl speak. They hadn't heard her approach, they thought she was in her room or something.

Mabel continued walking pass them, as if she hadn't nearly gave them a heart attack. She made her way up the stair to the attic where she...did what she did. The two gave each other a quick glance before following her up.

"What'cha playing dude?" Soos asked.

They noticed that Mabel was coloring with her stuffed toys around a table, plus Waddles. Though there was one exception, Bear-O, Mabel's toy...bear?

"Prejudice." She answered without looking up. "It's like coloring, except we exclude Bear-O because he's a freak!" The pig then gave a squeal of joy. "That's right Waddles, he knows it!"

Soos and Wendy shared a look that showed they were uncomfortable. What kind of game was prejudice? They preferred not knowing.

"C-Can I hold it?" Soos asked, feeling sorry for the toy.

"That kinda defeats the purpose of the game." Mabel answered.

"Soos, can you give us a minute?" Wendy asked. "I want to talk to Mabel, woman to woman."

The man child nodded and left, with Bear-O in tow.

Before Wendy could even open her mouth, Mabel spoke up.

"You don't have to worry about me." She stated. "I know you all care, but I'm not suicidal or anything."

Not suicidal, but...off. Wendy thought.

"No one thinks you're suicidal." Wendy stated.

"Then why did Stan pay you to keep an eye on me?" Mabel asked.

"You said it yourself, it's how he shows care." She answered. "Look Mabel, I understand-"

"No you don't." Mabel cut in. "You have brother's, but Dipper is my twin. He's a part of me, we shared a room in the wound before we were even born. We loved each other before we knew what love was, even mom and dad are second. We-" Whatever she was going to say was cut off by her attempt to conceal her tears.

"Look, I don't understand the twin thing and never will." Wendy admitted. "But I have three younger brothers that I have to watch out for, three reckless brothers who always want to prove that they're men. So, as one big sis to another, love and care for him all you want, but don't let it get to you or you'll drive yourself crazy with worry." Wendy advised. "Please Mabel, with all my heart I ask you...go take a shower."

Mabel looked at the tall girl in surprise. Of all things she expected her to say, that was the most unexpected. The tween couldn't help but start chuckling at the randomness before turning into full out laughter.

Got her. Wendy thought.

"Fine, I'll stop moping."

"And take a shower?" Wendy pleaded.

"Fine."

Standing in one spot for four days in the same sweater in a old, secret basement wasn't an ideal way to smell like roses.

She turned towards the stair, heading to the shower. Then there was a knock at the door.

"I'll get it!" Mabel shouted, almost with her usual since of cheer.

Answering the door she, as well as everyone there were shocked at the visitor.

Mr. and Mrs. Northwest.

"Hello." The man spoke. "We've come for our daughter."

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Also, check out my new Gravity Falls fic, 'The Author's Apprentice.'