"There we go…" Mike said as he put the last dish in the box and closed the flaps. Helpy eagerly ran forward with a roll of packing tape and taped the box shut, whistling happily when he was done. Mike chuckled, patted the little robot on the head, and said, "Thanks, little buddy."
Helpy beamed with pride.
"You know you didn't have to help me pack," Vanessa said from the other side of the kitchen where she was sorting through her food pantry and seeing what was still good. "Don't you have your own place to pack up too?"
"Already finished, "Mike replied easily. "So it's no big deal."
"Already!?" Vanessa said in surprise. "Did you just keep things to a minimum since it seems like you always planned to go back to Gravity Falls?"
"I did," Mike confirmed. "And the apartment I rented is fully furnished so I only had my personal belongings to worry about. Plus I have plenty of experience needing to keep things light in case I need to pack up and leave at a moment's notice during my more active years of hunting animatronics."
"Right…" Vanessa said slowly, gaze getting slightly distant. "He mentioned how you were always trying to foil his plans and that I needed to keep an eye out for you for that specific reason…"
"Not surprised," Mike replied quietly, glancing over and noticing Vanessa's dazed look. "How about we take a break and go out for coffee or something? We're basically done with the kitchen and we can start on the other rooms after we get back."
"Huh?" Vanessa blinked, snapping out of her daze. "Oh… uh… sure… a break sounds nice… and there's a coffee shop not too far from here. I'd usually stop by and grab a large cup to take to work."
"Understandable, night shifts could be brutal," Mike chuckled. Too bad Mike didn't have the ability to drink coffee most of the time he had actually worked nightshifts and nowadays he didn't really care for the taste, preferring hot chocolate instead. Turning to Helpy, Mike asked, "Think you can keep working on this stuff while we're gone."
The little bear gave a firm nod and salute. Mike chucked and saluted Helpy back before he and Vanessa left her apartment. It was a fairly pleasant day out with few clouds and a cool breeze. Mike enjoyed the relatively fresh air, though he missed the strong scent of pine that was always present in Gravity Falls, making him all the more glad that he'd be returning there. The coffee shop's drive-through window was packed but inside only had a few patrons, so it was easy for them to place their orders and find a quiet table.
Mike sipped his hot chocolate, savoring the sweetness, while Vanessa just held onto her cup and stared into the depths of it as if hoping her cup of coffee held the answers to the universe. After a few quiet moments, Mike asked, "Something on your mind?"
"Why are you helping me?" Vanessa blurted out in response. "And I don't mean just with the packing thing but with everything. Like I get why you guys freed me from William's control since you were trying to stop him and his schemes… but why are you still helping me? Having me move up to Gravity Falls with you guys and offering me a place to stay… are you just doing that because you want to keep an eye on me?"
"In a sense, yes," Mike began. He was going to say more but Vanessa cut him off.
"I knew it!" Vanessa glowered, gripping her coffee cup tightly. "You think there's something wrong with me, don't you! That William changed me and I can't be trusted!"
"That's not it," Mike said calmly with a sad smile, stopping Vanessa from continuing her rant. "Yes, we want to keep an eye on you but because we care about your wellbeing. You've been through a traumatic experience that's left you questioning your own thoughts and trying to separate what's you and what's left over from the one that had been inside you. Left you wondering if you really are still you or if it's just a lie you're telling yourself…"
Vanessa stared at Mike with wide eyes as she tried to respond. Mike waited patiently and eventually, Vanessa was forced out a barely audible whisper, "How… how did you know all that?"
"I was mind-controlled by William during that night too remember?" Mike reminded, tapping the face plates around his animatronic eye. "And even before that I've had several instants and experiences with possession or mind-altering magics… my family as well… it's kind of unavoidable when messing with the supernatural, especially things like ghosts…"
"That… that makes sense…" Vanessa admitted. With a sigh, she dropped a hand to the table and took her first sip of coffee, saying afterward. "I guess it never really sunk in that you have been chasing William and other things for years and have experience with situations like this…"
"Well you haven't had much time to think about that," Mike assured with a chuckle. "Between suddenly being unpossessed and the aftermath of the Pizzaplex burning, things have only just started to calm down for you."
"True," Vanessa agreed with a snort, taking a longer drink from her cup.
"But back to your original question, that is why we want to help you," Mike replied, finishing up his own drink and setting the cup on the table. "Because we have experienced what you went through and know how hard it is to recover from it, especially on your own. So we want to make sure you have the help you need to get you back on your feet with head on straight."
"Thanks," Vanessa said softly with a small appreciative smile.
"Of course," Mike smiled back, gently placing his hand over hers as a show of understanding and encouragement. "I of all people know how much William can mess with one's head and I refuse to let him and his selfish actions cause any more harm if I can help it. You're not alone in this struggle Vanessa… I'm here for you and I'll help feel whole again."
Like his family had helped him and continues to do so.
Vanessa couldn't speak and simply nodded, a blush rising on her cheeks as she focused on the feeling of Mike's hand on hers. Not wanting to think about why she was reacting like that, Vanessa quickly chugged the rest of her drink and abruptly stood up, quickly saying, "Well we better get back. My junk isn't going to pack itself after all."
"Alright," Mike chuckled, letting Vanessa change the subject. He knew from experience how hard it is to open up like that and how after being vulnerable finding something to distract oneself could be a relief. "Then let's go."
They began heading back to the apartment, Mike talking about some causal stories of his siblings and what Vanessa can expect in Gravity Falls to help lighten the mood. Vanessa didn't really pay attention to the stories, but she appreciated the steady sound of Mike's voice and was grateful she wasn't alone.
A small part of her was starting to really enjoy having Mike looking out for her and hoped he would be around for a long while to come.