Apprentice {Gravity Falls}

Note to Self

Tw: Suicide mention (It's Bill's note from the journal, so yeah-)

"What's this?" Ford asked out loud, grabbing the crumpled up piece of paper under Stan's desk. Stan had been cleaning the Mystery Shack, and Ford happened to pass by the paper.

"Eh, probably nothing important," Stan replied, exiting the building. That may be true, but of coure, curiosity got the best of the man.

So, without futher stalling, Ford unfolded the paper to see what it said.

Note to self: possessing people is hilarious! To think of all the sensations I've been missing out on - burning, stabbing, drowning. It's like a buffet tray of fun! Once I destroy that journal, I'll enjoy giving this body its grand finale - by throwing it off the water tower! Best of all, people will just think Pine Tree lost his mind and his mental form will wander in the mindscape forever. Want to join him, Shooting Star?

Ford swallowed roughly and his face went pale. He knew Bill had possessed Dipper, but this? This was downright sick.

"You okay, Poindexter?" Stan called, "You look like you've seen a ghost,"

Ford looked at the note again, "...I'm fine..." he mumbled, not sure if he believed himself. He crumped the note in his pocket. He never wanted to see it again!

But... had Dipper seen it? Ford didn't want Dipper to know. To know exactly how far Bill was planning to go with his body. He could imagine the shell-shocked eyes glazing over the note. He could already see Dipper shaking and questioning in a terrified voice if Bill really was gone.

As much as Ford would rather just burn the note or throw it in the bottomless pit, he had to tell Dipper first. The boy deserved to know.

Ford trudged up the stairs to Dipper's room. It took him a few moments to steady himself before knocking on the door.

"Come in,"

Ford opened the door to see Dipper reading. He looked up at the man, "Hey Grunkle Ford. What's up?"

Ford tried to speak but no words came out. He was silent for a few moments. Dipper cocked his head in worry and confusion.

"Grunkle Ford? What's going on?"

"Meet me in the lab," Ford replied, closing the door behind him. He took a deep breath. How was he going to be able to explain this to Dipper?

Guess he had to figure that out.

*   *   *

Dipper was terrified.

He didn't think he'd ever seen Ford so angry before. Although, maybe angry wasn't the right word. He looked like someone he trusted betrayed him. He looked hurt.

Was Ford angry at him? Did he do something wrong? It was true he got into his fair share of mischief, but Ford wouldn't hate him, right?

Right?

He... wasn't quite sure. Ford hated Stan for a mistake that happened thirty years ago. Ford has forgiven Stan since, but that took the literal end of the world.

Ford hates him, doesn't he? He hates him! He'd walk into the lab to find out Ford decided to send him back to California because he did something so horrendous he was never allowed within a 50ft radius of The Mystery Shack.

At least it was fun while it lasted.

*   *   *

Ford glanced up as Dipper walked in. He looked as if he knew what the man was going to say.

"You wanted to see me?" Dipper asked. He was shaking.

Ford nodded, "Dipper, I-" his voice caught. "I'm... I'm so sorry, my boy."

"What's going on?" Dipper's voice cracked.

Ford got on his knees to be eye level with Dipper. "Mason, please understand I'm only showing you this because you deserve to know. I don't want to scare you. I," Ford swallowed, "I care about you a lot."

Dipper nodded, "What's going on?" He sounded like he was about to burst into tears.

Ford sighed and took the note out of his pocket and handed it to Dipper. The boy quickly skimmed over it, and then dropped the paper.

"Mason, I-"

"It's okay, Grunkle Ford," Dipper stated, "I've seen it before,"

"You have?"

Dipper nodded, "Mabel showed me the morning after the whole Sock Opera fiasco."

Ford nodded, "I see. I wasn't sure if you'd seen it before. I wanted to hide it from you, but as much as it hurts, I didn't think that would be fair to you."

Dipper nodded, "So, you're not upset with me?"

Ford looked at Dipper, "Why would you think that?"

Dipper shrugged, "You seemed really upset earlier. I kinda thought it was directed towards me..."

"I was upset earlier," Ford confirmed, "I was upset that Bill Cipher would even think about hurting you!"

"You shouldn't have had to go through that," Ford added, pulling Dipper into a hug.

"It's alright, Grunkle Ford. He's gone. He won't hurt us, or anyone again!"

And Ford knew, Dipper was right.