Apprentice {Gravity Falls}

You Are What You Eat

Requested by: Madieiguess Thank you for the request. Tw: This story will talk about eating disorders and  semi-abusive parents

Ford grimaced seeing his broken machine in his personal lab. It wasn't Dipper's fault for breaking it; it must've been terrifying seeing him shaking hands with Bill. The man could still remember Dipper's shaking voice: "Why were you really scanning my thoughts?" "Are you Bill right now!"

The elder shook his head, he wasn't here to reminisce. He was working on a project with Dipper and the two concluded they would need a liquid metal - mercury. Ford was sure he had some in a vial or beaker in the lab and was determined to find it.

As Ford was looking, he noticed something next to his machine. Upon closer inspection, he realized what it was. Dipper's thoughts. He programmed the machine the print out thoughts if needed. The switch must've been left on when he tried to scan Dipper's.

Ford peeked through it. He couldn't help but chuckle at "WENDY WENDY WENDY" and gave a heartfelt smile at "I can't believe I'm with the author." What past Dipper didn't know was that he was now the author's apprentice. Hell, Dipper was practically his son at this point.

But, as Ford was going through the paper something stuck out to him. Something... pretty concerning. The thought read "I'm kind of hungry, but could also not eat,"

Ford starred at it for a second. Maybe he was over thinking this. It's not like his thoughts said he didn't want to eat. Still, that odd feeling didn't go away. He'd have to bring this up to Dipper.

*   *   *

"I need to talk with you, my boy,"

Dipper looked up from their project, "Do we not have any mercury?"

Truth be told, Ford completely forgot about looking for the metal. After finding the paper his concern outweighed his focus. Ford shrugged.

"I'm sure we have some somewhere, but I found... Dipper, can I ask you something?"

Dipper frowned, "Sure...? What's going on?"

"Do you have problems eating, my boy?"

Dipper opened his mouth to answer, but then immediately closed it. He seemed to get paler as he refused to meet Ford's gaze, "...No! Wh-why would you think that?"

"Do you remember when I scanned your thoughts?"

Dipper nodded

"The machine printed out your thoughts and-" Ford showed Dipper the paper. Dipper glanced over it and gave a nervous chuckle.

"Oh, well I was only kind of hungry that day. So, I wasn't hungry enough to eat," he tried to explain. Ford frowned. Dipper was already quite nervous and it was obviously a touchy subject for the boy. Still-

Dipper's voice snapped the elder out of his thoughts, "Besides, I rarely see you eat. Actually, now that I think on it, you'll only eat when we're at restaurants or something."

"I just... take nutrition pills instead..." Ford admitted. Now it was Dipper's turn to frown, concerned.

"What? I'm serious!"

"Mhm," Dipper nodded, hesitantly, "That doesn't sound healthy, Grunkle Ford..."

Ford sighed. Outloud, it really didn't sound healthy. Maybe it wasn't as healthy as he thought it was.

"You're right. It's probably not healthy. I used them a lot while I was in the portal, I guess it became a habit instead of actually eating."

Dipper nodded.

"Mason, I didn't mean to upset you. I just... became really concerned when I saw that in my lab. I don't want something to happen to you because you don't take care of yourself."

He nodded again, "It's just... hard sometimes I guess..." The two were silent for a few moments. After Ford didn't speak up, Dipper continued.

"My parents... sometimes they'd make comments about me when I eat..." the boy admitted. "Like, they never said I'm fat or anything like that!" He exclaimed quickly, waving his hands to emphasize,"But... if I'm not hungry enough to finish something they'll say they shouldn't have wasted their money or things similar to that. I just kind of... avoid eating sometimes to be honest."

Ford nodded in thought. Internally, he was outraged. How often did Dipper avoid eating because he was scared of being reprimanded for it?

"Your parents shouldn't have said those things."

Dipper waved him off, "Eh, it's fine. I mean, technically they're right. They shouldn't waste their money if I'm not hungry."

"It's their responsibility to take care of you son, and that includes providing you with basic necessities such as food!" Ford exclaimed.

Dipper shrugged.

"Dipper, if you're hungry, let Stan or I know, okay? Neither of us will get angry at you if you can't eat everything."

"Alright... but you should also eat... and I mean actual food, Grunkle Ford. Not nutrition pills or whatever!"

Ford gave a chuckle, "I think I can manage that."

"Well... I'm kinda hungry..."

Ford smiled, "What do you want to eat?"