The trees around Dipper were growing, arching towards the sky, full of memories, things he couldn't forget even if he wanted to. The sights around him as the bus drove into Gravity Falls were getting familiar. So familiar, he thought. He could remember the times he wandered around those mythical forests, enamored by their beauty, by their weirdness, by the comfort it offered. Suddenly it felt like for a moment, just a single moment, all the uncertainty that had been filling his mind during the trip had seemingly faded away. For just a single moment, he felt so…so...
free.
There was on his shoulder. Mabel was looking at him, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. This was it, they were finally here. So many days of their lives for the past 2 years had been spent thinking about this moment. Thinking about this place, and all the memories it held within its forests, within its town.
"Dipper! This is itttt, ohmygosh ohmygosh ohmygosh!"
It was impossible not to be affected by Mabel's excitement. Her energy always had a way of touching people's hearts and minds, even in the most trying times. Dipper had placed both his hands on the window as he stared into the forest. He knew exactly where they were. He smiled. The bus slowed down to a slight roll, then stopped.
The Bus driver called from the front through his speaker, "Here's your stop kids. Gravity Falls."
Mabel practically dove out of her seat, yanking her luggage with her as she ran to the front of the bus with waddles galloping behind her, trying to keep up.
Dipper couldn't help but laugh at this scene. He didn't understand what it was, but it warmed his heart. His laugh was genuine, full of that child-like innocence and naivety, like he was 12 again. He thought to himself, so many sentences, spiraling, circling around in his head.
I'm finally here.
Dipper quickly followed his siter as they rushed out the bus, thanking the driver enthusiastically. Their feet hit the ground, and they froze.
They were at the bus stop, the same one they left from, the same one from 2 years ago. Dipper could see it; he could see himself standing there with his backpack and suitcase. He could see Wendy placing that hat on his head, handing him that letter which hung up his wall for the longest time. Her words echoed in his mind, like he could feel her right behind him.
Read that the next time you miss Gravity Falls….
He looked towards the road and watched the bus slowly drive away, carrying whatever remnants of their home life and memories they made in Piedmont with it. He felt those feelings come back again, like slightly distant memories swirling around in his brain, making him feel so dizzy, so….
lost.
Uncertain.
Incomplete.
He ached for purpose, the purpose of being useful, of doing something that mattered. He wanted to just run out into the trees, baking in their warmth and strange familiarity. He could feel it all around him, how scared he was, how vulnerable he felt. It was like the trees were staring at him, into his soul, judging him, determining whether he could belong here. He wanted to belong here, to fit in, to jump into its familiarity that had been established 2 years ago. But would it be the same?
Will I be the same?
"Dipper come onnnn!" Mabel yanked Dipper towards the path.
He obliged, and followed Mabel, trying to focus on where they were going and what lie ahead, instead of the worries building up in his head. His thoughts were thrown askew, like he could only acknowledge the brief joy he felt when he walked onto the ground for a few seconds, just for it to be replaced by that sense of vagueness. That unfamiliarity, those unresolved grievances lived in the dark corners of his mind, isolated, but always nearby.
Mabel pulled him along the path. It was one that they were extremely familiar with, one they knew exactly where it led, what each stone and spec of dirt looked like, where each root from the trees jutted out. They could recall it with such accuracy, such detail. A familiar place, a familiar person, lost and found memories.
Mabel's excitement was growing, something that was spilling over, something that couldn't be contained by any container. She turned to Dipper with the biggest smile on her face. She noticed Dipper's expression and could tell he was struggling again. But she wanted him to be happy. Gathering up the feelings that resonated inside her, she pushed forward with Dipper, her excitement a contagious weapon, an effective tool.
Dipper and Mabel were getting near the end of the path. The trees started to open more, and they could hear all the familiar sounds. The streams, the crickets, the cicadas. All familiar melodies, stored away in their minds, in their hearts, just waiting to be replayed.
As they walked, they could see younger versions of themselves, galloping along the path with that child-like wonder. Back when they were so carefree, when it was so simple, when they were full of wonder. Coming back from whatever adventure they had that day, battered, sweaty, dirty, but smiling like they couldn't feel more alive. Dipper and Mabel stood and watched these visions, these echoes of their previous summer run in front of them, laughing, joking with each other. They watched them run up ahead and out towards the end of the path.
Dipper began to walk a bit faster, each step carrying the weight of everything he had felt, everything he had been longing to feel for these past 2 years. He wanted this, the solidarity, the life that summer offered, the experiences that this place kept on its walls. Yet at the same time, he felt something, some sort of…
pressure.
It was like a pox, like an infection, like something was inside him, lingering. His desire to reconnect, to resonate with the only place left that he could call home made him feel so complex. His stomach was full of unease, like he was constantly going up and down on a roller coaster. He looked down on his arm, and he could imagine it worn, full of marks. He could feel it across his skin like tiny cuts, these marks, or scars, that Gravity Falls had left on him ever since that summer.
He was questioning himself, feeling out of place, but with that strong desire to reconnect, to find himself, to find his way in this place he has always been so fond of. All these marks, these scars, these feelings left by Gravity Falls, they all were so deep, shaping who he was, and who he would want to be. That thought lingered in his mind, repeating itself. He looked down at the path before him, it was like it had never changed since he left, but it felt entirely foreign at the same time. It was like the map of the path was too old, and they had forgotten the road, now living by its creases instead.
Who do I want to be?
Dipper realized now that his legs were carrying him in a subtle jog, with Mabel behind him laughing, shouting at him, doing her best to catch up with Waddles behind her, doing the best he can with his small legs to stay by her side. He could envision this sight, a stark reminder, a beautiful memory, perfectly reflecting what he had just imagined earlier. Like the 2 sides of a coin, or an image reflecting off the water. He could see it so clearly, how he and Mabel were starting to jog, just like their younger selves did when they walked along this path. And he knew if he looked up at this moment, he would see….
The Shack
It sat there, taking his breath away. He couldn't breathe. Everything he had been thinking about, saying to himself in his mind, just immediately went silent as he stopped.
Mabel panted as she caught up with him. "Dipperrrr! That wasn't fair, you never said anything about…a…."
She stopped right by Dippers side, looking at the shack. She was speechless, completely still, looking at something that felt like it had been preserved, frozen in time.
She didn't know what it was, but her and Dipper immediately dropped their suitcases and backpacks on the ground. No words were shared between them, just excited expressions as they broke out into a run, towards the shack, towards their light. It was proof of their bond as siblings, each of them different, yet the same.
Dipper spoke as he ran. "I thought you told me there was gonna be a reunion outside?" The excitement dripping from his question made Mabel feel ecstatic.
"That's what Wendy texted me! But they might not be here yet?"
She was confused, but couldn't stop that excitement, those feelings coursing through legs from stopping her.
Dipper was running as he glanced at the trees surrounding the shack, feeling as if they held something. They held both beauty and a bit of darkness, a reminder that Gravity Falls is both a sanctuary and a labyrinth. A place full of intense memories, full of impossible challenges.
The smell of the crips pines in the air, the damp dirt, the remnants of morning dew. It filled both their nostrils as they got towards the porch, igniting their memories.
Mabel's were the first to spark, and before she knew it, she was 12 again, trying to find a summer romance, kissing leaf blowers, swinging around the shack with her grappling hook, slamming down Pitt Colas with everyone on the couch standing before her. She was finally here again, and these fond memories, these precious experiences, were washing over her like the summer rain.
They both ran up the steps of the shack, stomping their feet on the wood in its familiarity, the steps creaking echoed, reminding them of what they lived through, of everything that happened that summer.
The door was closed, with a dim light, barely visible through the cracks. They both stopped at the door, uncertain, filled with hesitation. It's been so long. Will it be any different? These thoughts plagued their minds, but they couldn't contain that excitement, that adrenaline of finally being back….
home.
Dipper tried to steady his hand. It was shaking, carrying all the uncertainty and emotional turmoil within him. He placed it on the handle with purpose. Mabel followed, their hands joined, warming up the cold metal handle of the door. They gave each other a knowing look, almost as if they could tell what they were both thinking. They breathed in and out, and then turned the handle, pushing the door open.
They walked in, into the gift shop, its walls plastered with the memories they left behind. All the bobbleheads, hats, graphic tees, stupid little Knick knacks. It was like nothing ever changed. Dipper found himself smiling. He was here, finally here, finally… why is it so dark?
The lights suddenly flickered on, and the room burst with all kinds of colors. There were decorations on the walls, around doorways, small little lights were littered about. It caught the twins by surprise as they both held each other and screamed for a few seconds, until they saw the sight before them.
It was everyone, huddling around the doorway leading into the living room. Wendy was there, leaning on the wall, with a smirk, amused at the twin's reactions. She didn't have her flannel on this time, instead it was a green tank top, with her weathered jeans and boots. The top of her head glistened in the light, on it, Dipper's old hat. It was there, it had always been there, waiting for him to come back.
Soos and Melody stood in the doorway, side by side. Their smiles, so comforting, full of fondness. Soos was wearing his usual get up, his mystery shirt and his cargo shorts, but no hat. What threw the Twins off was how Melody was matching him, same shirt and khaki shorts.
Dipper was taking in everything, practically out of breath from the sight before him. He looked at them all, standing there. His mind wandered, but there were 2 people missing….
Mabel squealed and rushed past him. His eyes followed her and looked by the doorway. He saw them both, stood between Soos and Wendy. Candy and Grenda. They were squealing with Mabel as she ran towards them, practically diving into them, creating a massive group hug. They fell on the floor, tears forming in their eyes, tears full of happiness, full of old and fulfilled promises.
"Guys I missed you so muchhh!" Mabel hugged Grenda and Candy as tight as she could.
Dipper looked at the sight fondly. He was glad Mabel got to see her friends. As he was watching this unfold, he felt a tap on his head. He turned to his left and saw her. He was almost as tall as her now, and her hair was majestic as ever, even though it was under his hat. She looked at him, with an amused face.
"Didn't know you could still scream that high man!" Wendy punched his arm playfully.
Dipper looked at her. "Wow, this is actually happening." He deadpanned playfully with a flash of embarrassment.
"Hey, don't be a stranger man, come on!" Wendy opened her arms, beckoning him for a hug.
Dipper was taken aback at first, he hadn't had much physical contact with Wendy since he's known her. But, her smile, how warm and inviting this prospect was, completely drew him in. He rushed towards her, returning the hug. He thought to himself, how warm, how complete he felt like this. It felt like…
home.
His mind stalled while he was hugging her. If he was 12, he would've been freaking out, living a fantasy of his. But he wasn't 12 anymore. Yeah, he was still a little sweaty, and definitely awkward, but he had grown. The marks left behind by Gravity Falls had shaped him into who he is today, and today, he wasn't a 12-year-old who had some dumb, unattainable crush on one of his friends. Today, he Was Dipper Pines, 15 years old, and he finally was here to see his not his former crush, but one of his most value and closest friends.
This… this just feels right, he thought to himself.
He broke the hug, with a big smile on his face. She looked back at him with a smile as well.
"I missed you man."
Dipper soaked this in. For this moment in time, for this memory in his life, everything felt so right, like the missing pieces had finally fallen into place for a moment. He could stare into the water, and it wasn't cloudy anymore, just a bit hazy. He grinned from ear to ear, never happier.
"Yeah. Me too."
They both turned towards Mabel and her little reunion in the corner of the room. Mabel's mind was moving too fast, her mouth unable to keep up with her thoughts.
"Ohmygosh ohmygosh candy you look AMAZING! And Grenda you look so pretty what did you do to your hairrr?"
Grenda and Candy had changed a bit from the last time she had a video call with them. Candy's hair had gotten longer, maintaining its sleek black shine and beauty. Her facial features were more prominent, with her black rim glasses matching the hue of her hair. Her earrings sparkled in the lights of the shack. She wore a green striped sweater and her purple skirt.
Grenda's smile was infectious, spreading to the other 2 as they talked. She wore a pink zip up hoodie, unzipped to show her light pink graphic tee along with her purple shorts. Her hair was up in a ponytail with a bright yellow scrunchie, no doubt from her boyfriend overseas.
They had both changed in various ways, but to Mabel, they were still the same friends she loved so much, that she missed so much.
"I hate to break up the reunion dawgs, but uh, I got something to tell you- WOAH!"
Mabel and Dipper both collided into Soos, pulling him into a hug. Their eyes slightly wet from the happiness they felt.
Dipper spoke up, "Soos come on man! We missed you!"
Mabel piped in as well. "Yeah Soos, you're like the best person ever, there's no way we could forget about you!"
Soos immediately started tearing up in front of everyone.
"Oh man guys, this is hitting me right in the feel's! I missed you dudes too!"
Their hug lasted only a moment, but that one moment felt like eternity in Dipper and Mabels minds. Soos had always been there for them during that summer. Always doing the craziest things, being emotional support, being that one friend, everyone loves. He really was the "Handy Man". Dipper and Mabel missed his presence, they missed everyone's presence This hug, it reminded them of what it meant to have his support doing those crazy days, showing he is more than just a friend, that he is…
family.
They ended he hug, and Dipper continued his thoughts from earlier.
"Anyways, where Grunkle Stan and Great-Uncle Ford?" Dipper's eyes were lit with that child like excitement from years prior, hoping to rekindle the memories that were waiting with his Grunkle's.
Soo's replied with noticeable hesitance. "Well Dog uhm, they're not here. Yet. Hehehe." His laugh, nervous in nature, echoed in the shop, like a record scratch.
Dipper and Mabel froze, too stunned to speak. They looked at Soos, shocked by his words, like he had just pulled the rug out from underneath them.
"Look dudes, I don't know the details, but Mr. Pines told me to call him once you guys got here."
Dipper and Mabel looked at each other, unsure, disappointment on their faces. Dipper could feel it, his mind racing, filling to the brim with scenarios, with that sinking wave of unease caused by their absence. Mabel quickly piped up to lift the mood. She couldn't stand any sadness lingering in the air on the day of their reunion.
"Come on Dipper, they have to have a reason, right? This is Grunkle Stan and Grunkle Ford were talking about!"
She tried to remain positive, throwing up a barrier, a mask to project, so everyone could be happy. She threw on that brave smile, trying to reassure him as well as herself.
Dipper nodded his head; Mabel had a point. Maybe they were just busy?
"let's call them." Dipper stated curtly.
He desperately wanted, in fact needed to know why they weren't here. Such important figures in his life, both carrying valuable cargo, the precious memories and love that they had for him. It was something he needed right now, to stay grounded, to help him get rid of the unease and anxiety he felt when he thought about how different things already were.
Soos started dialing Stan's number on his phone. The room sat in a measurable silence as it rang. Then it picked up, an old, familiar voice resonated through the other side.
"There you are Soos, I've been waiting for you to call me back."
Before Soos could even reply, Mabel was holding onto his arm, practically shouting at the phone. Dipper followed suite, both in unison.
"Grunkle Stan!"
He laughed through the phone. "There they are! What have you two knuckleheads been up to, huh?"
Mabel replied, "Grunkle Stan where are you? You're being a big meanie butt by not being here!"
Dipper stood by her side, talking into the phone as well, eager.
"Yeah, what's going on? Is something up? Maybe an anomaly you guys found? Something weird!" Dipper couldn't hide his excitement. He wanted to talk to Ford about his trip, he wanted to feel that adventure, hear those stories from his grunkle's mouth.
Stan sighed on the other side of the phone, a bit apprehensive with his reply.
"Look kids, I'm not sure about all the details, but some of Ford's gizmo-doohickeys are acting up and he needs to calibrate it or whatever. And apparently there's some readings nearby that he 'needs' to check out. A bunch of nerd baloney."
Ford could be heard through the phone, he seemed to be in the background, approaching Stan.
"This is more than just 'nerd stuff' Stanley! This could be something big." Ford's voice had reached the phone at this point, loud and clear.
"Great-Uncle Ford!" Dipper couldn't hide the excitement in his voice, he finally was talking to Ford, a hero, his hero.
"Ah Dipper! How have you been my boy? I apologize for not being able to respond to your emails! Traveling the seas has left me busy, and without any stable connections."
Dipper soaked this in. He hadn't really thought about the implications traveling out to sea would bring. How do you even get any data over there?
"It's okay Grunkle Ford I understand. What did you guys find though!"
There was a brief pause over the phone before Ford responded.
"To be frank with you Dipper, we have found countless… interesting anomalies during our travels. But these readings I'm picking up are quite peculiar. Something, well something weird!"
Dipper could imagine it in vivid detail. In his mind's eye, he pictured Ford, scanning the horizon with his futuristic gadgets, while Stan laughed, daring whatever creature lurked below the waves. That thrill—the feeling of being part of something extraordinary—he wanted it so much it ached. He felt so overwhelmed, felt so much….
envy.
He couldn't help but feel disappointed by their lack of appearance. They were important to their Grunkles, and he knew that. He knew Mabel knew that, but when he looked over at her face, it seemed like she was taking this rather hard.
Dipper understood the urgency though. Some anomalies Ford would mention whenever he had a chance to message Dipper back sounded incredibly dangerous. So, he couldn't really blame them for wanting to go investigate whatever it was that they had detected. A part of him, that small part of him, wishes he was there with them, basking in that adventure, in that thrill, high on that sense of purpose he would get, by doing something that mattered.
Grunkle Stan could sense ethe apprehension on the other side of the phone. He spoke to fill in the gaps.
"Now I know this isn't the best thing to hear right now, and it wasn't something me and sixer decided lightly. We miss you two numbskulls, and we'll try to get back as soon as possible."
Mabel grabbed the phone. "We miss you to Grunkle Stan!"
"I know pumpkin, we should only be gone for about a week, maybe two, tops?"
Ford replied, "Correct. We shouldn't be gone too long Mabel don't worry."
"We'll be waiting for you!" Dipper said this, though he couldn't help but feel that uneasy, dark pit form in his stomach. It already had felt like things had shifted too much and they had just got back. He needed the stability they offered. Because he knew things wouldn't be entirely the same without them.
Ford spoke up, urgency in his voice. "Sorry kids, me and Stanley have to go now, I need to do some calibrations since were getting close to the source. You two try not to cause too much trouble while were gone. And don't worry, we'll back before you know it. I'll make sure to take some notes about whatever we discover Dipper!"
Dipper smiled at this. "Thanks Great-Uncle Ford."
They all said their goodbyes as Soos hung up. The room sat in a different kind of silence, one that was filled with a slight sense of sadness and disappointment. Mabel seemed to be taking their grunkles absence the hardest, Grenda and Candy consoling her in the background.
"It will be okay Mabel. They won't be gone for too long." Candy put a hand on her shoulder.
"Yeah, they'll be back before you know it!" Grenda reassured her.
Mabel smiled at them, thankful for their support. She had gone so long without them; without the friendship and completeness they offered. I really missed this, she thought. She needed to look elsewhere, and put on that brave smile again, blindly looking forward, trying to ignore this pain in her chest.
"Thanks girls. Now when do we start the sleepover!" They all smiled mischievously at each other, their plans and ideas spilling from their mouths as they convened in a circle.
Dipper looked at the group, anndd this is going to be fun, he thought to himself sarcastically. He turned to Soos.
"Don't worry dawg, I'll show you two to your room soon. You're gonna love it dude."
"Thanks, Soos."
The next hour or two was spent talking to everyone, reliving the memories that once flooded the shack's halls every day. Soos and Melody had been able to keep the business afloat thanks to Melodies' craftiness and way around numbers. Some of the attractions Soos had come up with were a bit… weird (A baby man face shaped like a baby man?), which was something that struck the twins as odd since the shack was weird within itself. How could he make something weirder? Well… he was Soos after all.
Melody talked about her share of her odd run ins with the local wildlife, and apparently, the new gnome that frequented the shacks kitchen, seriously, how did he keep breaking in? Candy had been excelling in school as usual, and had taken up playing the piano, which Mabel begged for Candy to teach her. Grenda recalled the numerous vacations she had with her boyfriend out on the other side of the world. He was quite needy, Mabel thought.
Eventually, Soos led the twins to the attic, that room upstairs. As they walked up the steps, the familiar walls, the same old sounds of the steps creaking below their feet, the peeling wallpaper sparkled at them. It was all the same, stained with the memories left behind from that summer 2 years ago. They could remember the zombies that walked up the stairs, the countless times they raced down the steps, seeing who could get to breakfast first, the times when they tripped down them (Dipper didn't miss those memories at all).
They stood before the door, Mabel opening it with pure excitement as she walked in. Dipper looked in awe, still the same.
"Yeah, I tried to keep it nice and clean until you guys came back. Didn't change much either."
Dipper asked, "Even the mattresses are the same?"
Soos replied, "Absolutely! Oh, but I did clean them, hehe."
Dipper looked at his bed, the ship painting still there, his mattress with that same dent, those comfortable but itchy sheets, folded and tucked in neatly. The slight smell of the old wood filled his nose, making him think about those sleepless nights, trying to decode whatever messages lie in Ford's journal.
Mabel looked at her side of the room, the lamp sitting on the nightstand, her bed pristine, its mattress lopsided, still missing one of its springs. She could see the chips in the walls and in the corner of her bed frame, reminding her of the times her and Dipper would play mini golf in here. The times she would have those chaotic sleep overs with Grenda and Candy, playing those dumb board games about boys or having those chaotic pillow fights.
They both gazed at the sight before them, filled with that nostalgia, like they had finally waited long enough to open that time capsule that contained every single memory they once called their own.
They both thought, it's like I never left. Still the same, still…. home
Mabel immediately started throwing her belongings on her bed, humming to herself in high spirits. Dipper walked to his bed, unsure, and stood still. Despite this warmness, this open book that Dipper was reading, despite these wonderful and timeless dust particles that filled the room, his thoughts wandered back to that desolate, that dark, isolated corner of his mind. He told himself…
But I know it's different.
I am different.
Pacifica grabbed a chipped coffee cup from across the counter, the small splash of spilled coffee soaking into her sleeve. Working at Greasy's Diner had become part of her routine, though nothing about the place felt routine at all. Each clang of the kitchen bell or hollered order reminded her of how far she'd come from the Northwest estate—yet, somehow, she felt more herself here than she ever had in those grand, empty halls.
The kitchen bell rang again, and for a second, the sound echoed in her mind, reshaping itself into a memory of her life back at the estate. She felt a knot tighten in her stomach, a sick feeling rising as she remembered how that bell used to make her feel—paralyzed, like a deer caught in headlights, forced to obey without question, her will stripped away. She gripped the counter edge, grounding herself. The chipped coffee cup in her hand, rough and worn, was her anchor back to this new reality, to a place where she could make her own choices, however small they seemed.
She walked down to the table, smiling on the outside, but dizzy on the inside. He desperately held on to this reality, this new life that she was trying to build for herself. So far ahead, yet that Northwest lifestyle was always close, always near. She could feel its habits, its snarky comments, its snobby moods leaching off her back, ready to show itself to others, no matter how hard she tried to push it away.
She set down the coffee cup in front of the customer, replying with a bright smile. It was routine, something to do, like an escape.
"Thank you sweetie!"
She smiled at this person, feeling like a shell. Their kids looking at her with wonder, awe struck by her beauty. A beauty that felt fake, that felt like a terrible lie no one knew the truth about.
"Of course!" That was all she could say back, like she was on autopilot.
She walked away, feeling a sense of emptiness, but determined to hold onto this new life, this thing she has been building for herself, despite the lingering echoes of her past.
As the last customers filtered out of the diner, she found herself drawn to the windows, where the sky was painted with shades of orange and gold, the sunset piercing through the trees. She felt something stir within her—a sense of wonder, a quiet reminder that there was more to reach for, something real and vast and true, beyond the lies of beauty or family name. Maybe, just maybe, there was a life out there worth fighting for—one that she could truly call her own.
She heard a vibration on the counter near the register. She walked over to it. It was her phone, buzzing on the countertop, her mother's name flashing across the screen. Pacifica clenched her teeth, half tempted to let it go to voicemail. She could already imagine her mother's voice, dripping with barely hidden judgment about her "phase" of working at Greasy's. The mansion was spotless, the gardens perfect, and here she was, miles away, smelling like fries and oil, trying to just be….
free.
She sighed, grabbing her phone and pocketing it. She went under the counter and grabbed her purse, making sure she had her things. For once, she wasn't on the late shift today, so she could go home a bit early. She walked over to Susan who was busy with some small chores, messing with the jukebox.
"Susan, I've done all my chores on my checklist for the day."
Susan turned away from trying to fix the jukebox. She's been struggling with this for a few days, Pacifica thought.
"Thank you Pacificaaa. You can head on home now, I just gotta get this dumb little machine working for tonight!" She opened the back of the jukebox and slammed it with her fist.
Pacifica flinched. "What's going on tonight?"
Susan shrugged, "Just some bingo and music, old people stuff! It should be a lot of fun. There are free pancakes on the line this time."
Pacifica looked at Susan, filled with something, some tight feeling in her chest, in her heart. This morning's episode had been on her mind. How could I treat her like that? After everything she's done for me.
Susan stood up smiled at Pacifica, practically reading her thoughts.
"Everyone has bad day's sweetie. It's okayyyy. If you need to talk to me about anything going on, then I'll be here, fixing this stubborn little music man!"
Those words, carrying so much value, so much weight, echoed in her mind. They were replayed repeatedly, like a broken film reel.
If you need to talk to me about anything going on, then I'll be here….
She thought back to the countless times Susan had helped her, had shown her how to use the friers, how to weigh the tables, clean the coffee machines. It was unheard of for a Northwest to be shown around, to be the student. But Susan didn't judge, she didn't silently hate her, she didn't put Pacifica down, she just happily accepted her. She treated Pacifica like a regular person, someone trying to find their way in life, suffering from a broken family. Pacifica's thoughts went silent for a moment.
Where…. Where has this been all my life?
She shook her head at Susan, who was giving her a confused stare at her sudden silence.
"Thank you, Susan. I'll let you know if I need anything."
As she walked away, she felt some small part of herself feel relief. For once in her life, she didn't say those words on autopilot, she didn't say them as empty, hollow promises, she said them with purpose. Not some obscure mask, or some Northwest defense mechanism. This time, she genuinely meant what she said. She walked out the door.
Outside the diner, the neon "Greasy's" sign buzzed softly, casting a faint glow onto the sidewalk. Pacifica looked down the quiet main street of Gravity Falls, the town she'd never quite felt part of but couldn't pull herself away from. Somewhere, high up on the hill, the looming Northwest mansion watched, cold and distant, as if it knew she didn't belong here among the town's heartbeats and dusty storefronts.
She started thinking about her new Mansion, which stood proudly in the suburbs. She still wasn't sure how her family had been able to quietly acquire their wealth after weirdmageddon, but somehow, a year after that unforgettable apocalypse, there they were. A new mansion, mother and father standing proudly again, laughing at everyone again, treating them like peasants again.
It made her so angry, so annoyed, fed up with this family, this image they had. Part of her wanted her to take pride in her family name, after all, it had a strong presence, once prideful, once powerful. But she couldn't, not like this, not while her parents ran it like this. She could feel the pride she had for her family slowly slipping over the past years. But she couldn't feel like this, she wasn't supposed to feel like this.
My family name is broken, and I'm going to fix it
This echoed in her head, with such finality, a final note of a chorus. She told herself this all those years ago, to the Ghost that haunted them, to him. She should want this. She should have pride in her family, she should have the stride to make the Northwest family great, to make them a respectable and powerful force. But why.
Why do I feel like this?
Despite how much she wanted to fix it all, to have a do-over, to repair all the broken promises and deliberate lies that had been made, she hated it. She found part of herself wanting none of this. She wanted to run away, to distance herself from whatever the Northwest were, to flee as far as she could, never to associate with them again.
She felt that paralyzing fear in her, that pain. The guilt and pain of breaking away from everything she has ever known. Shackles she wanted to be free from but remained unbroken.
I am betraying them.
I am betraying myself….
She waited for one of the servants to come pick her up. This is where the monotony would start again, she thought. That meaningless routine, hollow, strictly on autopilot, walking around like a zombie, Didn't Dipper fight some?
Then it struck her, how could she forget, they are coming back.
She felt nauseous. It's been 2 years since she last saw them. She remembered how much time she spent wrapping their gifts. How much effort and care she put into them. Wait… do they even consider me a friend?
She had to consider this. She had recently just started talking to the pines near the end of that summer. After that golf game with Mabel and her excursion with Dipper in her old Mansion, she saw a new side of them. So open, so inviting, so kind. They were full of adventure, and even though it felt entirely foreign to her, she had slowly warmed up to them.
She wished her parents would have let her see them when they left. She remembered laying in her bed, staring at the time at her phone, imagining the exact time they left, walking on that bus, not knowing when they would come back.
This started to make her reminisce about all the experiences she had with them. That golf game with Mabel. She had been so angry at her, not because Mabel had made fun of her, but because deep down she was right about her. Just another stereotypical rich girl, a spoiled brat who put everyone around her down in the dirt to make herself feel better. This made her sick. Mabel was such a bright person, maybe a bit too energetic, but a pure ball of sunshine. Even when they teamed up to try and escape all those little trolls, she still had to try and put Mabel down with some snarky comment.
And Dipper. He was an odd one, but extremely smart. Somehow able to come up with a solution for whatever was thrown at him. Always carrying that weird journal around. That nerdy vest, dorky hat with those shorts. He really was a nerd. Even when he tried to help her with the ghost, he seemed to be geeking out. But that night, she saw a soft side of him. One she knew he kind of had, but he wasn't just a dumb nerd. He was funny, and when the world needed him, he would be there.
She remembered the flashlight flickering on and off in that dark room, the reminders of her family's sins staring at her, laughing at her, mocking her. Then his presence, the place of his right hand on her shoulder. Those soft, kind words coming out of his mouth.
It's not too late….
She found herself pulling out her phone and opening her conversation with Mabel. She tapped on the picture she sent earlier, staring at it, staring at him.
That time at the manor wasn't their first rodeo either. She remembered when she got that wrinkle, something that scared her at the time, threatening her youth, her mask, the image she needed to keep up with. She felt her face grow hot in deep rooted shame. How shameless she could be to try and trick him, just so she could use his journal without permission. So careless, so self-centered. And worst of all, she got Mabel's face stolen. It was all her fault once again, that Northwest habit, seemingly taking control of her, forcing her to make such irrational decisions.
She clenched her teeth; it didn't stop there. She imagined herself with Dipper, back in the underground town, the crawlspace is what he called it right? Such a nerd. Covered in trash, arguing with him just because she saw some dumb pills, believing they could fix her problems. How naïve she was, how stubborn, how pathetic. She lowered her phone ashamed.
But then another memory surface of later that day. They were in that giant knapsack, and she was spilling out all the emotions she had bottled up that week to him. That image, that mask, was something she needed, because without it, she….
wasn't sure who I really am….
It made her want to laugh how this thought, so young and old, was still so true now. That's all she had ever known. That image that had been ingrained in her since she was a kid. Everything her parents had reinforced into her. Then she could see it, she could hear it, Dipper. That look he gave her, so genuine, his eyes, so deep with truth and sincerity that she wanted to dive into them.
I think I see the real side of you Pacifica, and you're more than just a pretty face….
She found herself staring at her phone again, looking at his face in the picture. His features had gotten more prominent, filled out. That dorky smile, that curly hair, still full as ever. She could feel the warmth of those words as she looked at him. It made her feel something she hadn't really felt before. Something new. No one ever really talked to her like that, being brutally honest but encouraging her, telling her she wasn't a bad person, treating her like she was someone real. She liked that.
She looked at his face again, tracing her eyes along his jawline, up past his ear and to his curly hair, a rich chocolate brown, covering his forehead, his head wasn't that big after all. Then, she found her way to his eyes. So dark, filled with wonder, kind of lost. His words echoed again, and she could see the warmth in his eyes, wanting to dive into them again.
He looked so inviting, and kind of cu-
The honk of the horn interrupted Pacifica's train of thought, causing her to get flustered.
The servant rolled down the window, "Are you okay miss?"
Pacifica was startled, a blush forming in her cheeks. No way did she just think Dipper Pines was…
Attractive?
….
Oh my god what is happening to me?
"Yes, I'm okay, the horn just caught me off guard."
She stepped to the back and entered the car. She mentally prepared herself for the boring and hollow monotony she would soon be thrown back into once she got back to her estate.
But there was something else lingering, something that was laying on top of those scared and guilty thoughts from earlier. Him
She looked at her phone again, unable to take her eyes off him. What is it about him? She kept asking herself this, unable to answer exactly why. She was enarmed, invited by his gaze, filled with the memories she had with him, how he consoled her, how he made her feel better. But why? Would he even look at me the same way?
Before she knew it, she was home. The car pulled into the garage, a servant waiting by the door to let her out. He opened the door smiling, helping her out of her seat. She walked into the house, feeling as empty as usual. Such grand rooms, big Tv's, fancy plants and paintings for what? Just to have them?
She started walking up the steps in the foyer when she heard that familiar, icy voice, causing her to freeze in place.
"It's good to see you at home, Pacifica," her mother said, glancing around the room as though inspecting it for dust. "I was hoping you'd come to your senses soon. That… diner job, surely, it's just a phase?" Pacifica tightened her grip on her purse, swallowing back the urge to retort. To her mother, her job at Greasy's wasn't just beneath a Northwest; it was practically unmentionable. But that diner had become something else—a place where she could breathe. "It's not a phase," she said quietly, more to herself than to her mother.
"What was that?" Her mother asked her authoritatively.
Pacifica froze for a second, then her defenses kicked in, conditioned by muscle memory and repetition.
"Its so I can understand how the commoners work mother. So, when I get older later, I'll know how to deal with them." She breathed out, hoping this would satisfy her mother.
"Splendid Darling! Also, you have a beauty pageant in a week so start prepping your wardrobe with my suggestions."
Pacifica looked at her mother with a smile. "Of course, Mother."
Her mother returned her gaze with a smile. It was wide, so unsettling, so…
cold
"You're a Northwest honey. Don't. Lose." Her mother walked away to her room.
Pacifica was left standing in the foyer, frozen, like an incredibly large, weighted blanket had just been thrown over her, drowning out every other thought she had. More expectations, more things she had to live up to again. She had so many trophies now, what did one more even matter? It's not like she even found it fun anymore. She could look at the shelves and cases full of all the trophies and achievements she had made throughout her life. It was full, glittering with everything she had acquired over the years. But to her, it felt so empty.
She dragged her feet up the stairs, all the way to her room. She quickly undid her apron, and started removing her clothes, cleaning herself up after he shift. I'll get a shower later. She walked into her bathroom, pulling out her wet wipes and makeup remover to start the arduous task of removing her makeup for the day. There she was, looking in the mirror at herself, through that hazy glass wall, peeling away a mask that was falling apart, one she didn't know how to contain, like it was out of control. She sighed, breathing in and out, trying to shake these thoughts from her mind as she finished up.
Once she was done, she threw on some khaki pants and a tank top, tying her hair up so she could have some more mobility. She headed back downstairs, being careful not to take any loud steps to alarm her parents. She located the back door which was right by the kitchen. Walking through the kitchen, Pacifica quickly opened the refrigerator door and took out an apple. She closed it silently, looking around, then slipped through the back door.
The backyard to the estate was nothing to scoff at. It was huge, so big, it seemingly could span the horizon. Perfectly green, squarely trimmed hedges, pristine gardens, colorful and healthy grass. It was almost like a grand pasture; one Pacifica could Imagine herself running around and getting lost in its beauty.
In the far back, there was a small stable. Elegant white wood with birch accents, standing peacefully against the backdrop of the sunset and the trees. The sunset showered the sky in a fading light, so calm, such beauty, she thought. She walked towards it, her sneakers basking in the grass. This was where Pacifica had silently spent a lot of her free time when she had a chance. A way to escape, a way to not worry about the expectations of her family, a way to forget about those glass walls. A way to feel free.
She opened the door, walking inside the stable. It was small, kind of cramped and a little smelly, but so perfect, even though she really didn't like the smell.
She walked over to the corner, where her favorite pony was. It walked over to her, nudging her hand for attention, for some food.
"I know I know; I got something for you sweetie." She fed the pony the apple, gently petting him by the ears, slowly stroking his hair.
Pacifica stroked the pony's mane, feeling his warmth and the gentle trust he placed in her. He nudged her again, leaning his head toward her shoulder, and she laughed, stepping aside to avoid being knocked over. This little creature, this stubborn, affectionate pony, was one of the few things that kept her grounded. He was a reminder of her quieter self, a companion she hadn't realized she needed until her family had lost nearly everything.
When her parents sold most of their old life—along with almost all the animals—he was the only one left, the "lucky" one, her mother had said. He had no name, just like the others, just another asset her parents had been willing to let go. But to her, he was anything but replaceable. Over the years, she'd taken care of him herself, learning how to feed him, brush his mane, even attempting to take him on rides (something she still struggled with). She hadn't known how much he would mean to her, how he'd be one of the few who accepted her exactly as she was.
Looking at him now, she felt something soften within her, like a warmth spreading quietly through her chest. Her mind drifted back to Dipper, to those gentle, dark eyes of his. He looked at her like he saw someone real—someone she barely knew herself. A quiet blush rose on her cheeks as she remembered his face, the kindness in his gaze, his curiosity, and... maybe something more.
She sighed, glancing at the horizon out one of the windows as the sun began its slow descent, casting the stable in soft, warm light. "Sunset," she murmured softly, her fingers trailing along the pony's nose. The word felt right, natural.
"Alright, Sunset," she whispered, smiling as she scratched his ears. "How do you like that? A name just for you."
The pony nickered in response, as if approving, his nose nudging her shoulder again. She let out a small laugh, feeling a warmth she hadn't felt in a long time.
Yeah, just like a Sunset