Finished typing this up on a plane! Tadah! I'm tired and I don't even know.
Gravity Falls belongs to Alex Hirsch.
Something wasn't right. Panic slowly wrapped itself around his heart like a vice, but he wasn't sure why. The birds were chirping, the light filtering through the trees and window was still soft, Waddles was curled up next to him. Wait. Waddles sleeps with his sister, so why is he here? He rolled over and blinked his eyes a few times to try and focus on the bed across from him. The panic then squeezed his heart for all it was worth, her bed was empty. Mabel wasn't there.
He bolted out of his bed and checked over her bed without touching anything, the covers were thrown aside and her clothes from the previous day were at the end of the bed. She usually changed after he fell asleep so that much was normal, but where was Mabel? Her covers were thrown aside but the bed didn't look awfully messy. Did the gnomes take her? Did something else take her? Could Bill have somehow come back to life? Did he take his sister?
He could feel his breath shortening, his heart hammering in his chest painfully. Telling himself to breathe was harder then usual, it was like a weight was crushing his chest and wouldn't let up. It wasn't impossible that she woke up before him and went to get breakfast, right? He was the one who started yawning first so maybe he had just been more tired. Yeah that's it, right?
Dipper took the stairs two at a time, running full tilt into the small kitchen. Stan was at the stove with a mug of coffee grumbling to himself, but he was the only one in the kitchen. What little hope he had died in him just then. Some sort of noise must have escaped his throat because Stan turned to look at him before grimacing, "Yeesh kid, what's the matter? That sounded like a seal's dieing breath." The man pushed his glasses up and raised a brow waiting for his reply.
Small breaths Dipper, Stan would know where Mabel is, ask him. Instead of his mouth opening to ask his Grunkle where his sister was, he slipped trying to move away from the door. Panic was beginning to rise faster now, curling tighter around his heart. His sister had always been there in the same room as him when he woke for the past forever. Even if she hadnt been right there she was in the bathroom, or in the kitchen. All of a sudden she's gone and he doesn't know what to do. He immediately regretted the distance between them lately, even though she always smiled at him from her homework or knitting, telling him it was okay and she was proud to be his twin when he was doing so well in school, that he was super smart.
Socked feet skidded into the den where relief hit like a tidal wave. There she was. She was safe. That was all that-
His feelings sunk like a rock. Looking over his twin sprawled in Ford's lap he saw her one arm, a large dark bruise around her wrist and just above it there was gauze wrapped around her arm as well. When she shifted slightly the sleeve fell and blocked the view of her injuries, her form curling into Ford's body for warmth. A thud echoed through his ears, but he wasn't sure where the sound had come from. Whatever it was made Ford rouse from his slumber. The older man opened his eyes and looked around lost for a moment before realizing the weight in his lap. Shoving his glasses back up his nose he finally noticed Dipper too, but concern instantly bled into the man's features. "Something the matter my boy?" his voice was still hushed as to not disturb Mabel, one of his arms curling around her to keep her from tumbling onto the floor.
He realized then what the thump had been, he had hit the floor. He stood on shaky knees and shook his head vigorously side to side. "Stan is probably making Stancakes, thought I would let you know," he could tell that Great Uncle Ford saw right through his lie, but Dipper slid out of the room before the man could question him.
He sat at the table and a plate was unceremoniously dropped in front of him, "Not sure what those two were up to last night. Other than wasting my money and electricity watching documentaries and other nonsense. I oughtta sock Sixer for that one later." Following the Stancakes was Mounty Man maple syrup, and a glass of orange juice, he took the glass with a shaky hand and took a sip.
"Our electricity Stanley," the unimpressed voice made Dipper sink in his chair. Hunger forgotten, he used his fork to poke the food on his plate.
"YAY!" Mabel flung herself into the seat across from him and smiled at him. Her smile was contagious, as he felt his panic and fear slowly melt away, "I missed Stancakes!" Her own plate of Stancakes was placed in front of her as well as milk and Sir Syrup table syrup. Making quick work of the syrup cap she drowned the breakfast in syrup, taking a big gulp of milk she also rubbed the milk mustache off her face with the back of her sleeve.
"How? They look terrifying, like the hot-air balloon he thought was a smart idea," he relaxed and smiled at his sister smugly while she just shrugged and shoveled food into her mouth. The Stans argued quietly over coffee to the side about electricity for a bit before Ford shot Stan a withering glare and muttered something too quiet for him to hear.
"All done! Hey Grunkle Ford, want to have some Mabel Juice? I'll even let you study it if you want," Dipper's heart skipped several beats before picking up the pace. When did they get that close? They weren't were they? He normally spent time with Great Uncle Ford.
"Ah, I'll pass for now dear, I need to talk to my brother here for a moment. Excuse us," you would have had to be blind to not see the white-knuckled grip he had on Stan's arm as he led them both out of the kitchen. The younger twins stared at each other perplexed until they heard the muffled sound of raised voices from further in the house.
He almost missed the guilt that slipped into his sister's features. "Hey what's up?" he couldn't stop himself before the words came out. Talking without making some kind of plan first was madness, especially when dealing with his sister. He tried to seem casual by pouring syrup onto his own breakfast and taking a small bite.
"I feel like it's my fault they're arguing. I was the one who suggested Grunkle Ford and I watch movies. We both couldn't sleep, it happens," she shrugged glumly.
The words didn't seem right, but they didn't seem like a full blown lie either. Finishing another couple mouthfuls he nodded slightly, "I'm sure they'll come to an understanding, they did spend almost a year trapped on a small boat." A reassuring smile rested on his lips, trying to ease his sister's mood. Her face relaxed into her trademark grin and he felt much better. "I am wondering about your arm though, what happened?" the words fell out if his mouth before he could stop them. Mabel went stiff, freezing in place before she gently touched her injured arm.
"It's nothing Dipping Sauce, just an injury from one of my crafts," that was a very bold lie.
"It's didn't happen at school did it? Did one of the girls bully you again? You really should talk to a teacher about it," he watched his sister for a reaction. She didn't look at him, holding her sleeve tightly in one balled fist.
A firm hand fell on his shoulder, "Leave the girl be, she's clearly still upset. She'll talk to you in time." Ford's voice made him flinch, something seemed off in his voice and he wasn't sure what it was, but he didn't like it. "I already looked at the injuries, it's nothing serious," his great uncle's hand was awfully stiff, but he chalked it up to having slept on a chair all night with Mabel in his lap.
"Alright thanks Great Uncle Ford. I'm glad you took care of Mabel last night," he smiled up at the older man, but he couldn't see past the glare in his lenses.
"Alright well, come along Mabel," Ford held his hand out and Mabel slipped out of her chair and put her hand gently in the six-fingered hand. He ushered his twin out of the kitchen and all Dipper was left with was silence. It ate at him. Ford and Mabel were keeping something from him.
Slowly his thoughts turned inward, was it because he wasn't good enough? He was trying but it never seemed to be good enough for anyone. They always told him he could do better, even though he felt he was doing his best. Now because of this Mabel was hurt and she never told him, he was too busy trying to jam as much knowledge into his brain. What if Mabel never told him anything else ever again?
He found himself curled under the table, breathing coming out fast and shallow. A groan filled his ears, his eyes trained on his knees as he rocked slightly. "Kid," the voice was gruff. "Kid," he was poked with what felt like a stick. "Dipper I can't stay on my knees like this all day. C'mmon," he didn't budge, it was calming under the table.
The table moved and fear wrapped itself around him. Large arms cradled him gently, "Kid, it's okay. Breathe." Wet streaks made their way down his face, he pressed his hands into his face firmly. His breathing wouldn't even and it felt like now that the tears had started, they would never end. Large hands rubbed his back and rocked him, saying absolutely nothing.
"Stan," he pressed his hands harder against his face, "I'm scared." He felt so small, so weak. All he wanted to do was be there for his sister, but now maybe they couldn't be as close because he messed up.
"It's okay kid. It happens to all of us," Stan's gravely voice was soft, his hand never stopping on his back. "I know exactly what it's like to be scared. I'm scared of all sorts of things. The scariest aren't even the monsters I got to punch with Sixer, the scariest monsters are in yer head kid," Dipper could only nodded stiffly. "C'mere," both of Stan's burly arms wrapped around him snugly and he pressed his face into the fabric of Stan's suit jacket.
He still felt miserable, and he still felt scared. "I don't want to feel like this Grunkle Stan. It's awful," his breaths came out in shudders, the tears beginning to slow. "I don't even know why I feel like this," it wasn't a whole lie, but it wasn't the whole truth.
If Stan knew, he didn't say anything about it, "It is awful, but you have us to talk to. When it gets too much just reach out and we'll come help." He shook his head. "Seriously Dipper, even if you don't want to talk about it, we can talk about what's eating at us. Why don't you go clean up and meet me in my office. I can tell you about me, how's that sound kid? Besides looks like Mabel and Sixer are doing god knows what. Let's spend some quality time together, just you and me. Soos can run the Shack," he could feel the deep voice rumble through the man's chest under his hands. This time he nodded his head softly.
"Thanks Grunkle Stan," he smiled weakly as he was set on the ground.
"No problem ki-" Stan stopped and grimaced, "Yeesh kid, go wash your face before you track snot through the house." He dusted off his shoulders, when his hand pulled away from the damp shoulder he stuck his tongue out and gagged slightly.
Dipper smiled a little wider than before, "'Kay." Leaving the kitchen behind he moved towards the bathroom to go see how bad his face looked. The image in the mirror was a mess. Red blotches and tear tracks were on his cheeks. The worst part was snot smeared under his nose and on one side of his face from rubbing his face against Stan's shoulder. Stan was right, he did need to wash his face. He laughed quietly turning on the tap.
Welp I hoped you like it. Stan and depreciation is next up. Let's see if I can stay awake on my flight this time. As always, R&R. Love you guys!