The end ended up taking them to the town filled with vegetables. Well…vegetable people to be exact. Dipper, Mabel, and Paz were dumbfounded.
"What? How?! What are they?!" Dipper yelled, arms outstretched in amazement.
"That's awfully rude, Dipper." Greg laughed. "They're just people."
"Yeah, Dip, just people." Wirt teased, running ahead.
Dipper couldn't help but smile. Wirt had been in higher spirits the last couple days after their…"dance". If you could call whatever space they were in that. Neither of them acknowledged what had happened that night.
"By the way, does anyone know where we're supposed to be headed to get home?" Paz asked, irritable.
"I'm not sure. Wirt and Greg never let us near where they usually head back to your world." Beatrice cut in, still having that image from a few nights prior in her mind, of Wirt in blood and accepting love from his father. It made her wonder how opposed to his father Wirt actually was. And planting Edelwood? Didn't that make The Beast stronger?
"We'll just ask." Mabel shrugged, running ahead with Wirt and Greg.
"What's the worst he can tell us?" Dipper asked, completely forgetting (or ignoring) how dangerous the brothers could be.
"Why would you say that?" Beatrice asked, exhausted.
Dipper shrugged. "Didn't think about it."
"Whatever, Dip. Let's get those idiots." Paz rolled her eyes, pulling Dipper along.
The longer Dipper gazed and observed Wirt, the more fond he grew. Seeing Wirt help the vegetable people, laughing and playing with Greg and Mabel, even dragging Beatrice into childish antics.
"Dipper! Let's go in the corn maze!" Mabel yelled, pointing to the maze larger than any Dipper had ever seen.
"A-are you sure, Mabel?" He approached his sister, the maze becoming larger as he got closer.
"Scared, Dipper?" Paz joked, wrapping an arm around Mabel's waist.
Dipper began to defend himself, when he felt long arms wrap around his shoulders, a breathy voice by his ear making his hair stand.
"Oh? What's happening now?" Wirt smirked, playing with a loose thread on Dipper's vest.
"Dipper's being a wuss and won't go into the maze." Beatrice smiled deviously.
"I was NOT!" Dipper blushed.
"Then let's split up into teams of two!" Mabel grinned.
"Why two?" Paz asked.
"It'll be fun. Okay, so I say mystery twins pair up, then you guys choose." She waved, but a devious smirk she shared with Greg spoke otherwise.
"I'll go with Beatrice! She still owes me a magic tiger." Greg grabbed Beatrice's hand and began to drag her before anyone could protest.
Mabel did the same, going a different direction than the other two, leaving Wirt and Paz to themselves.
"Well?" Wirt asked, looking over to the pouting princess.
"I don't want to have to deal with Mabel's sad face if we don't at least try, so come on. Your height has to be useful somehow." She grumbled.
"I feel like I should be offended, but I'm not." Wirt replied as they walked into the tall stalks.
A bit later, both Wirt and Paz were getting antsy. Neither had spent much time together alone and both were similar though they denied it.
"I hope Greg is okay. Beatrice will watch him, but she's rather loud and angry." Wirt spoke, not able to take much silence.
"You just baby him. He's almost 10 years old by now, right?" Paz scoffed, getting annoyed. She was tired, hungry, and wanted to be out of whatever place they were in.
"I do not baby him. You wouldn't get it." Wirt bit back.
"Of course I wouldn't. I'm an only child, but I consider Dipper like a brother and he's annoying as fuck." Paz waved her hand.
"He is not." Wirt tsked. "The twins seem to think we're similar, though I don't see it." He added.
"I don't either. I mean, you have a sibling and a father who seems to let you both do your thing. You're not being suffocated by your parents to be perfect down to how your fingers are placed. You so easily got the love from Mabel and Dipper while I had to work for it. I continue to have to work to feel like I belong there." Paz began to get worked up at the reminder of her parents.
"They're your family now, right? So I don't want to hear it. You get to do the most Human thing possible and CHOOSE your family. You don't have to talk or have anything to do with your rich, snotty parents. Oh, and just because they're nice to us, doesn't mean we have their affection. That could just be politeness." He knew he was being unfair, brushing off part of what she said. Her words were making him bristle.
"Is that not what you and Greg are doing? Trying to mosey your way into the Pines family?" Paz retorted, stepping on a stalk out of frustration.
"No, we're not. Greg likes you guys. It's a good escape, something you should be familiar with." Wirt began to feel the guilt and weight of what he'd done.
"Are you serious?! Stop putting it all on Greg and admit you like them too! I doubt you'd keep flirting with Dipper if you didn't like him at least to some extent." She paused, eyes widening. "Unless…unless it's to prey on him. Is that what you're doing?"
Wirt rolled his eyes at that, despite the temptation lying in her words. "Oh, please. I've had plenty of chances back in your world to prey on him, which is in fact, what my father wants. He thinks it's just a stupid feeling I thought I was capable of, like love or something." He rambled, only realizing after what he'd done. With eyes wide, he looked to her.
Her own were wide as she stared at him in disbelief. "What?"
He took a deep breath. "We are similar, aren't we?" He rubbed his arm, trying to avoid what he'd just said. "I don't have the strict upbringing like you, but it is controlling. Everyone keeps saying to do what's best for Greg, but with a monster for a father and brother, what do you expect I do to protect him? I've tried guarding him from the horrors. I've tried keeping him as far away from my father as I can. There's only so much I'm capable of doing on my own. So, yes, I'm trying to be close to you all so Greg's life isn't full of trauma. So he has people he can rely on and be happy with! So he can BE HUMAN!" his face was full of sorrow, breath shallow.
"Okay…" Paz's brows were furrowed and she looked away guiltily.
"I'm trying… but if they don't want anything to do with us, when we get back, I'll find another way. But I'm not going to if it's only you who has the problem." Wirt finished, walking ahead.
Paz stayed silent after that, unsure how to retort. "Stubborn bastard."
"It shouldn't take them this long." Greg pouted, him, Dipper, Mabel, and Beatrice all having made it out, Greg and Beatrice first with the twins in 2nd place.
"Maybe we shouldn't have left them together." Dipper bit his lip.
"No, they needed to start getting along. I think they'd benefit from each other." Mabel crossed her arms in a victorious pose.
"I wouldn't celebrate yet, Mabel." Beatrice sighed.
"By the Cloud Woman, just move your ass!"
The four of them jumped and turned, seeing Wirt pushing Paz out of the maze. "Watch it! God, you're so pissy! All because you can't admit that-"
"Nonononono! Shush! No more!" Wirt practicality screamed, face a deep red as he tried covering her mouth, at which Paz smacked it away.
Mabel smiled like the Cheshire and looked to Beatrice. Beatrice rolled her eyes. "That's not getting along."
"Wirt! What took you guys so long?" Greg ran up to them, the teens glaring at each other.
"It's not easy getting through a maze with someone who refuses to listen." He snubbed his nose.
"Refuses to listen? You got us into dead ends six times! Of course I'd try my way." Paz pointed a broken nail at him. "And look what happened! This is my natural nail, not fake! This is gonna take forever to grow back!"
"Okay, you two, calm down. We all had a bit of fun and you two seem to be getting along better now." Dipper tried consoling Paz.
"If you could say that." Wirt pouted, looking away.
"By the way, where are we trying to get to?" Paz asked, fiddling with her nails.
Wirt sighed, biting his knuckle as he tried deciding what to tell them. The truth seemed to be the best option for the long run. "To the core of The Unknown. That's where it's easiest to get Greg and I back, but in this case, you all as well."
"To the core?" Dipper asked, picking hay from his clothes.
"Isn't that dangerous, Wirt?" Greg asked, frowning in worry.
"It is, but if we want to get them home, we have to." Wirt looked up, eyes becoming iridescent for a moment. "We have to hurry. It's almost the full moon again."
"Wait. One, how can you tell? Two, it's been 2 weeks? And three, how is it dangerous? Aside from this Beast thing, we've been safe." Paz asked, raising a brow.
Wirt sighed, massaging his shoulder. "One, live in The Unknown long enough, you begin to sync our time with The Other Side's. Two, yes, it has. Your Souls are strong so time doesn't feel as dragging. If they were weaker, or if you didn't have us here, 2 weeks would feel like months. Three, yes, it's dangerous. The Beast and a few other things are why it's dangerous."
"He hasn't been bothering us though. Except that one time." Mabel pointed out.
"That's true. He doesn't care to be out and about without his woods for cover, but he will if we continue to avoid them. Listen." Wirt looked all of them in the eyes. "None of you are safe until I get you out of the woods back in your world."
"Our world?" Dipper began to feel panicked. Not knowing more was making him paranoid. They kept using that word.
"Yes, Dipper, your world. I…" Wirt looked down, guilt making him cross his arms. How was he going to say it without the teens having breakdowns?
"You're all alive, but the other people here…aren't." Greg helped, his grin small.
Their faces said it all. Shock. Horror. Disbelief.
Wirt and Greg didn't blame them.
"Wait. They're ALIVE? How?!" Beatrice yelled, breaking from her own shock.
"Yes. Father sent them here alive. He probably thinks I'll grovel once I realize I'm not powerful enough to send you all back on my own, especially since it's their whole beings. It'll be hard…but I can send you back on my own." 'I hope.' Wirt stared with a fire in his eyes. He meant it too. If he has to sacrifice more of himself, he will. He couldn't hide and cower from his father for forever.
It was amazing having people on your side. It was easier to branch away. He knew from experience.
"Quick question, while you're in the mood to actually answer." Paz snapped out of it, face pale, though she hid her fear well. "Why, exactly, is that-that thing after us?"
Wirt rubbed his knuckles. He didn't want them to know how low he thought the possibilities of getting them all back actually was, now that he thought about it. His father consumed much more powerful Souls than himself. He was stronger, older, less merciful, therefor less hesitant.
Wirt only had Souls he could get when hungry, which he never indulged, and Greg's wavering Soul to work with. He saw WHY his father wanted these teens dead, body and all, in The Unknown. It would be harder for Wirt and Greg to bring them back and if they did lose their light, by giving up and losing hope, he would have their delicious flesh and their strong, bright, beautiful Souls to make into large Edelwood. Possibly larger than Sara. Wirt could fuel Greg's Soul, keeping the curse at bay, for so much longer, but…Paz had been right. Wirt himself liked these Humans.
Maybe splitting his own Soul to save Greg wasn't that bright an idea. He didn't regret it though. Never, if it meant keeping Greg with him.
With Paz clearing her throat and a gentle, hot hand on his arm, Wirt shook his head. "Sorry, lost in my head. This is important in case we get separated. You three listening?" They nodded, worry on their brow. "Good." He took a deep breath, grabbing Dipper's hand. "You can't lose hope. No matter how long or far you feel like you're walking, you can't. If you do, Edelwood will ensnare you, or worse, The Beast will find you, prolonging your death before he can devour your flesh and turn your Souls into Edelwood." He gripped Dipper's hand tight, trying to comfort himself.
"What about you? You're that thing too, right?" Mabel asked, arms wrapped around Paz's waist, probably seeking comfort as well.
"No, he's not!" Greg finally spoke, defending his brother. "He's nothing like The Beast! If he was, you'd all be in said states. Without any of you knowing, Wirt has always been-" he was stopped by Wirt's ashen colored hand covering his mouth. Tears welled in Greg's eyes, hating his brother in pain.
"That's enough, Greg. Thank you, but I don't want to warrant pity." He looked to the teens, who seemed to be calming down, processing everything. "I think that's everything for now. We'll head out in daylight, but for now, let's find something soft to rest in, it's been a long day."
They ended up finding bales of hay to rest in. Wirt gave Paz his fur since she whined about getting hay everywhere. The nights were getting chillier and Wirt could feel his father at the edge of the woods far beyond the town, white eyes staring out hungrily.
He was so tired. He'd been up for far too long but he wasn't sure about sleeping. Looking over to Greg, he had lowered the back of his shirt to check on the golden line, before heading out. The black veins were already spreading again, the curse quicker in The Unknown with Wirt holding back, fighting his nature, causing Greg to burn the Edelwood within faster, though he didn't know it.
"Shouldn't you sleep?"
Wirt jumped, looking behind himself to see Dipper, smiling small at him with a brow arched. "I'm okay."
Dipper snorted. "Clearly you're not. Go sleep. We're safe from The Beast for now right?" He rubbed his knuckles against Wirt's cheek.
Wirt leaned into it, always craving sweet touches. "Yes, we're safe. Going into the woods will be inevitable though. I have to confess, Dip." He saw Dipper sit beside him, close, waiting for Wirt to continue. "I lied when I said he doesn't leave the woods often. I just didn't want to panic you guys more than I had." He couldn't look at Dipper.
"I wondered about that, considering in our world. Hey…" he placed his hand on Wirt's cheek to make him look at him, shocked to find Wirt's eyes iridescent. He gulped. "Why do you still act like we're going to hurt you?"
"You could. I haven't known many people who would genuinely treat me nicely. I'm not saying that to get pity either. I just want to get you all home and to continue raising Greg." Wirt sighed.
"Come on. Let's get sleep." Dipper whispered, standing and pulling Wirt along to lay down. They ended up next to each other with Greg sleeping between them.
"Dipper?" Wirt spoke quietly, making the other look him from under his hat. "I…you have to understand. Greg is my everything."
Dipper smiled lopsidedly, eyes drooping again, caramel eyes bright. "At least warn us, so we can put up a decent fight. I get it. I have a twin remember?" He reached one hand over Greg to grip firmly at Wirt's waist, his thumb rubbing circles slowly. "Sleep."
To fight the lump in his throat, Wirt placed his own hand over Dipper's and sat up enough to pull Greg closer to his chest before laying down again to sleep.
Beatrice peeked an eye at the budding couple, a conflicted look in her eyes before she decided to go back to sleep herself, up in the rafters.
Greg had awoken fully awake, a chill running up his spine. A look to Wirt, who was still curled around him, had him calming. Looking ahead, he saw Dipper, his arm stretched out protectively across them.
Why did Dipper have to be that way? He had to wonder. He warned the idiot and Wirt explained a lot of what they wanted to know, but he still acted like he cared. Wasn't he afraid? Disgusted? Maybe he was a reckless fool.
Greg sighed, trying to wiggle out of their grasp. He needed a walk. His brother needed him most, NOT Dipper.
He snuck out, deciding to walk along the dirt path that weaved through town. The sun was rising, a bright day.
The sound of boots crunching against rocks behind him had him halting and looking. "I thought you were sleeping."
"I'm surprised Wirt didn't wake up. Just making sure you're okay." Dipper replied.
"If he's up too long, he usually falls into a deep sleep. It's going to be hard waking him up." Greg picked at his shirt.
Dipper hummed at that.
Greg looked around, surprised the birds and such weren't waking up by now. "We should head back now though."
"Actually, Greg. Can I ask you something?" Dipper asked, having debated if he should be asking the younger sibling.
"I warned you, didn't I?" He grinned sadly, still not facing Dipper.
Dipper scratched his head. "Which part? I recall you said to go to you for questions."
Greg felt that weird pain and frustration again. Dipper hadn't listened! "I had said to not lure his heart!" He turned on him, making Dipper jump. "If you did what I said, what was that on the ferry?!" His voice rose. It was getting worse, especially with them all in The Unknown. At least back home Wirt could leave them. Could cool his head and instincts. He didn't know how to feel about someone liking Wirt despite what he does.
Dipper tried putting up his hands placatingly. "Whoa. Calm down, it's okay." He tried seeing if Greg would let him approach. "I don't know where this came from, but it's okay. I'm not going to hurt him. I promise." He blushed deeply, that last one coming out of nowhere.
Greg scowled. "That's not the problem. One way or another, something's gonna-"
"Jealousy does not become of a man, Gregory." A familiar voice taunted.
Gregory froze, face becoming pale.
Dipper looked too, having been spooked. He saw Dr. Beau Flint, but something was different. He had a cloak similar to Wirt and gnarled antlers that went out the sides of his head, his eyes iridescent and black markings crawling up his neck. Dipper gulped, knowing this was the thing that terrorized him. He took steady steps, putting Greg behind him. "Let's head back, Greg."
Beau hummed. "Let me guess. Wirtham exhausted himself to the point he'd fallen into a deep slumber?"
Greg gulped. "Yes."
Beau laughed. "Child should've taken better care."
The ground began to shake as Edelwood roots began to emerge from beneath them.
Before Dipper could blink, a large branch knocked the wind out of his lungs and tossed him up against the side of a metal troph, hitting his head and vision becoming blurred. He didn't have much time to scold himself for letting his guard down again as he struggled against the branch, the strain causing pain to burst behind his eyes and through his head.
"Beau, don't! Wirt will-" Greg tried crying out, but was stopped short by Beau beginning to approach him, reaching a hand out. Greg whimpered, knowing not to try and run especially when Wirt wasn't there.
Not wanting Greg in danger, Dipper fought against his restraints, his panic and anger fueling his strength. He had to think of a way to keep The Beast from Greg. He was destroying his fingers, clawing at the bark.
"Gregory. I believe you've forgotten your place in my presence by Wirtham being there to protect you. My patience is growing thin." Beau's fingers grasped around Greg's throat.
Greg felt the panic rise. He knew what Beau's grip was capable of.
Dipper's teeth grit as he sucked in a breath, pushing as hard as he could, unaware of his eyes lightening and light cutting through the branch from white veins along his arms. He heard Greg begin to choke and the branch burst, the moment his feet hitting the ground, he ran towards, grabbing the axe he kept in its holster and swinging it at The Beast, not caring if it hit him or not.
It worked, The Beast releasing Greg and backing away, not wanting to be hit.
Mind running fast, Dipper picked up Greg while trying to keep his balance as the roots worked their way towards his ankles. Stomping on some of them, he ran with Greg in his arms as shadows and branches reached out to stop them. Some sliced into his arm so through gritted teeth, balancing Greg with one arm, his body full of adrenaline, he tried using the axe to chop what he could. He ran even as his lungs burned and limbs began to stiffen. He wasn't even aware of which way he was running, he just kept doing so.
"DIPPER! Look out!" Greg screamed through a rough voice, pointing ahead.
Dipper did, his attention previously on behind them. He tried stopping, but it was too late, his feet stumbling on the sudden ledge they didn't know was there, and it began to crumble at his feet. He wasn't able to release Greg in time, so he tried his best to shield him from their impending drop into the river below. His hat flew off as the wind ripped around them, falling making Dipper's heart stop. He covered the back of Greg's head, preparing for impact.
As his back hit the icy water, he forced himself not to gasp and inhale the water as they went deeper.
He felt them bump into slimy rocks and being pulled by the current. Dipper couldn't hold his breath for much longer. With a particularly hard hit of a rock against his shoulder blades, the air was knocked out of him as his lungs burned beyond measure. With blurry vision, he couldn't even tell if Greg was okay, the grip Greg had was loose.
The last thing he felt before passing out, was being caught by something gentle. He couldn't tell what, but afterward, they were being pulled up, back to the surface.