After hours of resting in this new place, Samuel ends up waking up by himself and spends some time realizing where he is. The fact that the entire experience is something real is still an idea that he has to let sink in his mind.

He notices how the beds by the window being empty. Figures, Dipper and Mabel would be more excited than him, and it'd get the upper hand against their feeling of tiredness. As such, he calmly dresses up before going downstairs and hearing the cheerful chatter of the kitchen.


He more or less silently enters, able to speak up to his friends. "Good morning..."

Dipper speaks up first, fairly upbeat. "Oh hey, Sammy, good morning!"

Mabel immediately asks, very curious and excited. "So, how was your first ever Gravity Falls night?"

Samuel smiles a little, answering. "It was, um... it went well. It was a great rest!"

Stan asks jokingly. "So you weren't disturbed by the many monsters who roam around the shack at night, were you...?"

"W-what...?" Samuel feels very uneasy from this.

"Grunkle Stan!" Mabel frowns.

Stan defends himself. "What? If this little guy wants to live under my roof, he'll have to get used to it!"

Dipper tries to reassure his friend. "He's just joking, pay it not too much mind."

Samuel tries not to mind, he didn't dislike the joke, but his feelings sometimes get the best of him. "It's fine, mr. Stan..."

As an answer to that, he gets "We're gonna live together for a while, save your tongue some effort and just say Stan!"

The phrasing does make Samuel giggle. "Alright, thanks... Stan..."

"That's better..." He turns his back to return to handling the kitchen space, letting the kids together to chat.

As they finish, Dipper and Mabel let Samuel know. "By the way, Grunkle Ford would like to see you in his room."

Mabel adds. "We're not sure why, but remember, there are no worries to be had..."

Samuel nods calmly, believing it, as the two leave.


Having been informed where to go, Samuel gently knocks on the bedroom's door and enters with permission.

"... You wanted to... see me...?" He approaches, a tiny bit uncomfortable, but still trustful.

Ford notifies him to close the door, trying his best to seem reassuring and gentle. "Yes, thank you for coming... I trust that you've had a good night rest? You fell asleep quite quickly yesterday..."

Lead by the normal conversation, he answers respectfully with ease. "Yes, I've slept quite well here... I trust that I'll have a good time in town."

Ford sighs a little to himself before bringing the subject up... "Samuel, I don't want you to get worried, but before you can go outside, I'm gonna have to ask something of you..."

"Um... Sure...?"

He takes a tiny watch-like device out of his pocket. "I would like for you to put this little thing on your wrist. It is nothing to be worried about..."

"Um..." Samuel looks at it, quite shocked because he's never seen anything like that technology before.

Due to the boy's confusion, he quickly explains. "It's in order to ensure that... you know who... can't use his powers through you..."

"Oh, I..." Samuel wants to answer, but he's cut off.

"Are you for real, Sixer?" Bill showed up right behind him when he heard that. "I do everything you want to satisfy you, and you still try to punish me?"

Having expected this reaction, Ford tries his best to keep his composure. "This isn't about punishing you, Cipher... ... Bill... listen... I have near complete trust in you, and it's not about making you suffer... It's about being extra careful for everyone's sake, even if I have no doubts!"

Bill stays quiet to that, facing Ford silently.

"I promise, it's gonna be temporary and short-lived... For a week at most, to reassure everyone who knows about your presence here... After the event we'll have then, he will be able to remove it. You have my word!"

Bill lets out a huge groan of displeasure. "Fine, whatever..." He disappears in order to sulk silently.

Samuel puts the device on his right wrist, which is thankfully small enough to be hidden under his friendship bracelet.

Ford comments. "I don't like putting Bill in this mood, I hope he won't rant on you because of that..."

"It's okay... We've been through worse..."

Ford tries to be comforting, giving a little smile. "You're a rather brave boy, you know?"

"Thanks, Grunkle Ford!" Suddenly, he puts his hands in his mouth out of shock. "I'm so sorry..."

Despite his shame, Ford is actually smiling pleasently. "Oh, it's perfectly fine, I didn't mind at all."

Still, he tries to justify his mistake. "Because I kept hearing Mabel and Dipper call you that, it slipped off my tongue..."

"It's okay, no shame to be had..." Ford touches his shoulder gently. "If you're that close to them, you're basically honorary family to me as well..."

The way it's worded makes Samuel gasps in a reassured manner. He's not sure he'd deserve the title, but hearing it sure allowed him to feel something different and smile softly. "Thank you..." He fiddles a little with his friendship bracelet, keeping the device hidden rather easily.


Later that day, Soos decided to take the responsability of introducing Samuel to the concept of the Mystery Shack. From a good tour of the museum and its phony expositions to the gift shop.

Soos asks him, with strong enthusiasm. "So, what do you think?"

Samuel wants to be positive, even though... "I... liked it? I suppose..." He decides to tell the truth about what's on his mind, however. Seeing Soos' kindness makes him want to be honest. "But... I don't know if I like the idea... Getting visitors and presenting them fake presentations and getting money out of them...? I, um..."

Soos can tell how uncomfortable this makes his new friend, so he's trying to sound reassuring and comforting. "It's not only about that, you know..." He talks with a genuine smile and says what he sees as the truth. "Think about it, those people who pass by are curious. They do seek an attraction and see some special things.

Sure, we don't really do legitimate things, but what's authentic about this place is that we provide them entertainment. Money comes from it because they're satisfied from the experience!"

Samuel considers, still a little conflicted.

"Even if it's all make-believe, they usually spend a great time visiting this place, and give us money because they were happy to! Just like seeing a movie!"

Sammy smiles a bit, feeling reassured by Soos' point of view. After that, he suddenly hears. "And since you're here, you're allowed to take something from the shop, for free!"

"Really...?" Sammy looks up again, curious.

"Yes, it's a tradition to welcome any resident of the house!"

"A tradition? How long as it been going for?"

Soos answers bluntly. "Last year!"

"Uh..." He starts looking around, and he eventually makes his choice. For a reason he's unable to understand, Soos' initial reaction is being a little surprised, but allowing him.

"Thanks for shopping!" Then he adds playfully. "But next time, no mercy with prices!"

Samuel giggles his way out of the gift shop, trying to show his new item to his friends.


He goes to the living room and finds Mabel there with Waddles. "Hey Mabel, how do I look?"

She looks around towards the voice and she finds her friend wearing a white and blue cap with the symbol of a pinetree in it. She tries her best to not giggle as a reaction, but she's not the best at it.

Sammy gets confused. "Okay...? Does that mean I look stupid, or...?" He feels a little hurt, but Mabel is quick to react accordingly.

"Oh no, it's not that! It's because, um... You know what? Let's show Dipper, he's upstairs!" She leads him to the bedroom, where Dipper is reading in peace.


"Come in!", says the boy after he heard the knock. "Hey Mabel, do you need something?"

She answers, excited. "Oh, I definitely need you to give a good look at Samuel!"

"Uh...?" He's not sure he gets it, but then he leaves an honest laugh when he sees his friend with the new hat.

Sammy feels even more hurt. "Hey, what's the deal with you...? Do I really look that dumb with it...?"

Dipper stands up from the bed with a comforting smile. "Of course not! We think it's funny because, well... I've been wearing that exact model of hat for the entire summer last year."

"Wait..." Hearing that causes Samuel to have sudden visual flashbacks of some photos he's seen some months ago. "Oh... I knew it looked a little familiar... But I genuinely couldn't place it..."

Dipper concludes his explanation "And we think it's funny because you liked it without even knowing that! Nothing about yourself looking ridiculous at all!"

Samuel also deduces. "Wait, is that why Bill calls you Pinetree? I thought it was because of your last name! Oh my gosh, I'm so stupid!"

"What, no! I never found it necessary to explain the nickname, for some reason! It's fine..."

He takes the cap off, observing it. "... Do you think I should exchange...? It probably belongs more to you..."

"No, don't do that!" Seeing his friend's uncertainty causes Dipper to be more stern. "I don't mind in the slightest that you wanna wear it!"

"It's really cute how you ended up choosing this!", confirms Mabel. "And it looks pretty good on you!" She gives a comforting smile as well.

"Oh, well..." Sammy understands and feels reassured. "I... I guess that's flattering...?" He's not sure what to get from that, but he knows it's something positive, so he does thank his friends an decides to keep it on, at least for now.


Once more, later that day, in early evening, Wendy is awaiting her friends to go out, and so are Dipper and Mabel, if only for the chance to reunite with them sooner than later. However, they all must be careful about Ford's rule: not telling anyone else in town about Bill.

Then they hear the horn of Robbie's car from the gift shop, prompting Wendy to go outside. Dipper and Mabel follow just before Samuel.

"Hey Wendy! Everyone else is waiting for us, you're lucky I even got allowed to pick you up."

Robbie notices the Pines twins as he goes outside to get closer. He does sound a little moody as a first reaction. "Oh, so those two youngsters are back, uh...?"

"Hey, we're teens now!" Mabel claims proudly.

"Yeah..." Dipper frowns, looking like he's angry at him. "Enough with your condescension. Treat us with more respect, you jerk!"

Samuel gets a little scared, but then Robbie just laughs it off genuinely. "It's nice to see you around town again." Then he approaches Dipper in particular. "I can tell you've matured a lot since we first met, shorty... About time!"

Dipper answers with the same friendly sarcasm. "Whatever you say, you goth wannabe!" The two then exchange a playful fist bump before smiling to each other.

Wendy giggles a little to herself. "See, I knew you two would eventually get along! Boys, am I right, Mabel?"

"Yup, so foolishly complicated!" Then she adds. "Oh, and..." She starts looking behind her, but to her surprise...

Samuel made a few steps already, and manages to speak up. "Hi, I'm Samuel... I'm a friend of Dipper and Mabel, and I'm staying around town too... "

Robbie answers by saying. "Oh, another newcomer to the town, uh? Are you gonna attempt to hit on my current girlfriend, like your friend did last year?"

Sammy heats up from concern and embarassment, not knowing what to say. "W-What...? I-I... H-hold on..."

Mabel intervenes gently. "Relax, he's only messing with you!"

Dipper nods as well, being able to tell that this is the case.

Sammy tries to relax after that. "Oh, um... Okay... Something tells me that I should get used to this humor here..."

"Welcome to the town, kiddo!" Robbie abruptly changes topics. " Now let's hurry up, Wendy, the others are surely losing patience right now!"

Wendy goes inside the car and looks at the three outside. "Have a nice evening, you three!"

Dipper and Mabel wave while they leave, and Samuel tries to process the experience, being surprised to have seen this side of Dipper himself.


During the week, Dipper and Mabel decided to do a little stroll around town, and Samuel joined to make himself more familiar with the city's surroundings.

In the middle of it, they suddenly hear a cheerful voice from behind.

"Dipper? Mabel? It is you!"

The two turn around when they hear their names, seeing a young boy.

"I've heard about you coming back, but I didn't have all the details. It's a great thing that I managed to spot you!" Then the boy notices Samuel. "Uh, and who might you be...?"

He answers, formally but without any issue. "I'm Samuel... I'm their friend from their hometown..."

"Now isn't that delightful! Surely those two love having you around on top of being here."

Samuel answers, managing to hold a short conversation. "Yes, they actually are..."

Dipper brings up an uncomfortable question. "I'm sorry, I really do not want to sound rude, but... Have we met before...?"

There's a cheerful laugh as an answer. "Oh, what a jokester." He makes a pose by pointing at his face. "Come on... It's me!"

"Wait..." Mabel observes his stare and starts thinking. Then her eyes open wide when she realizes a few seconds later. "GIDEON?"

"What a great guess!"

This certainly comes as a shock to the twins, but since they left town last year, Gideon's new lifestyle definitely had an impact on his appearance. For starters, he scrapped the very formal fancy clothes for more outdoorsy outfits. He also got a massive haircut with much shorter and messier white hair. His change of lifestyle also got him to lose a lot of his chubbiness, on top of having been through quite a decent growth spurt.

Dipper is close to speechless. "I really couldn't tell it was you... I can barely process it right now..."

Gideon answers. "Oh, it's understandable! Lots of things happened after you left, after all! I've changed a lot of things about myself, and did a lot to try to have a more healthy relationship with my parents. I'm sure it's been a similarly changing time period for you."

Without selling the secret, Dipper answers with some discomfort. "Yeah, some very crazy things happened for us too after we left... Stuff you wouldn't believe..."

Gideon nods and continues by saying. "I've been missing seeing you here!" He can't help but look at Mabel in particular, feeling a little flustered. "I really don't mean to make you uncomfortable, Mabel, but I would really like to spend some time with you, and show you how much I've changed. I think I owe a lot to you for what I've done before..."

Due to her previous experiences, Mabel has some hesitation, but it mostly vanishes when she observes Gideon's growth. It reminds her of the ones she has witnessed from Bill and Alan, and this is enough to bury her concerns. "Probably not right away, but yeah, I'd love for us to hang out at some point during the week!" She takes her cellphone out and goes to give him her number, letting the two boys behind for now.

Samuel whispers to Dipper. "Wait, so this is the guy you told me so much about...? The one who attacked you a few times, tried to steal your home...?"

"Yeah, it was something..." Dipper answers. "I shouldn't be surprised by his change of behavior, given how you know who got an even bigger one, but I struggle to believe it right now."

Samuel then hears Dipper bring up something surprising. "Wait, are you okay with him hanging out with Mabel?"

"Why wouldn't I...? If he's not longer the same kind of person you met last year, I don't have a reason to be worried..."

Dipper answers, a little worried. "Didn't you say that you...? Um..." He goes straightforward. "... felt things for her?"

Sammy is suddenly reminded, a little surprised. "Oh, that... I do think it was just my mind playing tricks on me because of how much I've been missing you two over the last summer... I could never really be sure if these were anything serious because of that. So no, I really wouldn't be bothered if Mabel ends up liking this Gideon guy. As he is now, I mean..."

Dipper leaves out a little smile, happy to see this topic closed, and gently pats his friend's arm as a sign of support.


One day during noon, Dipper and Mabel decided to introduce Samuel to Susan's restaurant for that day's lunch. They got a friendly ride to the place from Soos.

"So this is the place, uh...?" Samuel observes. "It looks interesting..."

"Let's hurry inside, I really gotta use the bathroom..." Dipper says, looking like he really has to go.

"Yeah, me too..." Mabel can't help but move from one foot to the other as she speaks.

"I told you guys that a water drinking contest this morning was a bad idea..." Despite sounding like he's complaining, he knew from the beginning that he wouldn't be able to stop them, and finds the competition idea pretty amusing.

"Get seats for us, okay Sammy?" Mabel asks.

"We might be busy for a little while." Dipper adds, going inside fairly quickly. Both of them get to the bathroom at a fast pace.


This leaves their friend to enter alone, taking notes of his surroundings, and reserving a group of seats while he waits.

Quickly enough, a waitress goes to him. "Hello and welcome to Greasy's Diner! May I take your order?"

Samuel answers, having been told what to do. "Yes, thanks. I'll have a large French fries basket and three steaks." He explains the situation right after. "... My friends are joining me in a few minutes."

With the notes being taken, she goes. "Noted, it'll come as quickly as it can."

"Thanks!" He politely waits for his friends to return, almost jokingly thinking the food would arrive before they do.

"Oh, sweet relief..." Mabel says, gasping as she goes to sit in front of Samuel. "I feel much lighter now..."

Dipper doesn't make any comment, but he certainly feels the same way. Instead, while sitting next to his sister, he asks. "Did you get to order the food, Sammy?"

Samuel nods. A few minutes later, after friendly chats, they hear "order up!" and Samuel sees the waitress from before. As she gets closer to put the food down, she gets to be seen by the twins, and they are quite surprised.

"What in the...?" Mabel exclaims in shock.

Recognizing the voice and manner of speech, the waitress sees the other two costumers in a huge surprise. "It's... Dipper, Mabel! I didn't think you'd be here so soon..."

"Pacifica, is that you?" Dipper wipes his eyes in disbelief. "What are you doing here...?"

Pacifica, who's currently wearing a very formal restaurant attire, explains the situation while trying to remain focused and professionnal.

"I got a part-time job here thanks to Susan. I took the decision to be more independent from my parents and get some money of my own! Not that I'm desperate, but... Anyway..."

"Wow, that's, uh..." Dipper isn't sure what to say, for the simple reason that he struggles to process this in his head. He wouldn't want to let out something insensitive, and he feels like Mabel would tease him if he says anything a little too supportive.

"That's amazing, Pacifica!" Mabel exclaims.

She changes the subject quickly enough. "I certainly didn't expect you two to be the friends this guy was waiting for... Did you meet him along the way?"

"Oh no..." Samuel answers genuinely, without too much unease. "I've been friends with these two for years now... I'm Samuel, it's nice to meet you..."

Dipper and Mabel look at each other in silence, noticing a small evolution in Sammy's behavior these past days, but don't say anything aloud in front of him.

"I gotta get back to work, but I can tell you about my shifts if you want to hang out these next weeks." Pacifica adds, a little more to herself. "... It's great to see you again..."

Dipper has heard right, but he questions it anyway. "Did you say something...?"

Pacifica gets a little embarrassed and answers in denial "I said it's great my job isn't a pain... As in, I have a good time doing it." She returns to sound as professional as she can before she leaves. "Please enjoy your meal."

This leaves the trio to indeed appreciate the food they got, while the twins remind Samuel about their encounters with Pacifica the previous summer and how different she was from now.


During the entirety of the first week, Samuel is feeling more and more at home during his early stay. Sure, it helps a lot that Dipper and Mabel are alongside him to make him confident enough. But he's being welcomed quite well by everyone around town, and he's extremely thankful to be able to be experiencing this.

He also got to be introduced to some of the paranormal around town, even after months of basically having a demon roomate, he still gets to discover a few surprising things. As he tends to bring his notebook during these expeditions, he tends to draw what he sees to make some memories.

Speaking of, through the whole week, Bill hasn't been showing himself at all. As the idea of a big event for him is getting closer and closer, he's attempting to make sure that his fears and concerns don't get the best of him and lead him to attempt something rash. Sometimes he pictures the worst and quickly ponders: "Maybe Sixer's device was a good call in the end...".

He only makes himself seen during nighttime, when the shack is silent and everyone is resting. He's staying silent himself when he looks at Samuel, Dipper and Mabel sleep nicely in the attic turned bedroom. But he also tends to do something else...

At least once by night, he sneaks out and finds his way into Ford's room, respectfully floating close enough to him. He silently observes the man resting, having flashbacks of everything bad that he caused for him and the consequences.

Sure, if you asked Bill then, he would've gone "Hey, it's not my fault if he was foolish enough to trust me!" or "It's not my fault if his brother and himself couldn't get along and caused these fights!" And maybe he would pull an arrogant defense like that if he was asked today.

But in this situation, Bill can only stare and be silent, trying to get used to the sight, ensuring that nothing would be an obstacle to this sleep... He often spend a good amount of time sitting by his side, his eye never moving away, relishing in witnessing Ford's peaceful rest...

In spite of his concerns, Bill tries his best to be positive about what Ford is attempting to accomplish soon...


Author notes: Interestingly, this chapter took a little while to make, despite the fact that I've always had a clear vision as to how to make these encounters happen. I'm not too sure why that is, aside from possibly not wanting to progress towards the end.

Been a little ship-teasy at times, but mainly because I believe it felt a little natural.

You can expect big things to come soon...

Thanks for reading!