Regular Falls: A Regular Show and Gravity Falls Crossover

|Chapter 8|

                                          A week had passed since the incident and the recovery of Mordecai and Rigby's friendship. Things were still tentative between the two. They both subconsciously stayed clear of touchy subjects, and tried to just have some light chats.

                        It wasn't the same.

                                   Things between them were definitely more stressed then they'd ever been, and it was bothering Rigby. As much as he'd been upset about everything that Mordecai had said and done, Rigby needed his best friend more than ever. 

                                                Mordecai was also aware of the stress, but he was trying to avoid it. He knew he'd been a little bit unfair to Rigby, and it hurt, so he didn't want to deal with it. In his mind, he needed Rigby to be a bit more helpful to him. Sure, Rigby had lost a lot, but this new situation was hard on Mordecai as well, and he did not need to deal with Rigby's selfish and childish behavior right now. 

                         These things were left unsaid, even though the two were both aware of it. They were just afraid to have the talk, because they both knew they didn't need another fight. Things were hard enough for everyone else without having to deal with them.

                                                                        Rigby especially felt bad. He knew that Benson still blamed him for sending them into this whole new situation in Gravity Falls. Rigby was starting to become convince that it was his fault. After all, he could've been more mature and stopped Mordecai from attempting to do that stupid stunt. 

                    Rigby was fully aware of what Mordecai was leaving unsaid, and he was trying. He was aware that he did have selfish tendencies, and that Mordecai was more mature than him. After all, how many times had Rigby gotten the park crew, or himself, into a dangerous situation because of some idiotic choice he'd made? 

                                       He tortured himself at night with all the memories of things he'd done, or things he should've done. Rigby had himself convinced that Mordecai had been right. He was a selfish, immature jerk who got his friends into a terrible situation.  

                                                          The others had noticed a change in Rigby after the fight. Rigby tended to zone out at work, methodically stocking things in the giftshop, or doing whatever task needed doing. He usually nowadays had a neutral look at everything, whereas before, he would joke around and laugh a lot. Rigby was quiet, and it's something that Benson never expected.

                                                 It was on a day such as this that Benson decided to attempt a talk with Rigby. He walked into the gift shop, and found Rigby with that clouded and focused look on his face, and stepped in front of him.

                                                            "Rigby." Benson said sharply to break him out of his daze.

                         "Wha-oh. Hi Benson." Rigby greeted, trying to put a little enthusiasm in his voice, but failing. 

                                          "We need to talk. Come with me." Benson told him.

                 "But what about restocking the supplies?" Rigby asked, confused.

                                                                            "Forget that. As your boss, I am commanding you to follow me." Benson explained, a little more harshly then he would've liked, but it worked. Rigby followed as they walked to the manager's office that Benson and Stan were temporarily sharing.

                                     Rigby sat down across from Benson, and Benson cleared his throat.

                                                                                            "What's up?" Rigby questioned. 

                                           "Rigby, I'm concerned about you. You seem...distant nowadays. At work, and in private. Are you okay?" Benson asked, genuine concern written on his face.

                                                               Benson watched Rigby's composure falter for a moment before Rigby steeled himself again. Benson wasn't that much of a emotional guy, and he didn't show emotion that much, but he was extremely worried about Rigby. Rigby was the type of person who thrived on being with friends, and letting his emotions go. It was weird, and sad, to see him so closed off from the friends he'd once shared every little emotion or thought with.

                                                            "Y-yes. I'm good, thanks for asking." Rigby replied. Benson noticed how robotic it sounded, and his sympathy grew. He'd been there before when he was about Rigby's age. Albeit, he wasn't that much older than Rigby, but when he had been twenty-three, it had been a struggle for him as well. Friends started changing, and he'd lost a big part of himself through all of that. Benson didn't want Rigby to have that happen to him. 

                      Rigby was such a normally cheerful and playful person. He didn't deserve to lose a part of himself like this. Benson didn't want Rigby to end up regretting everything like Benson did. 

                                          "I don't know if I quite believe you, Rigby." Benson admitted with a sigh. Before Rigby could say anything in protest, he quickly moved on to his point. "I'm going to give you the day off, Rigby. Go have fun, play with the kids, do something that makes you happy, okay?" Benson said sternly.

                                                      "Thanks, Benson. I appreciate it." Rigby told Benson, meaning it.

                   "It's nothing. Now go and enjoy yourself." Benson ordered, a slight smile forming on his face.

                                   Rigby walked out of the office, and went to the stairs. He knew that Dipper and Mabels room was up there, and he kind of wanted to see what they  were doing. After all, Rigby had quite the idea now of what these kids could be up to. That's why he wanted to make sure that if there was something going on, he could be there to help protect them.

                                                   'Not that I'd be much help. Mordecai and the others at the park can shove me around like it's nothing.' Rigby couldn't help but think. Shaking it off, he walked up the stairs and knocked on the door. 

                              Dipper opened the door, and smiled when he saw Rigby.

                                                                 "Hey, what're you doing up here? Aren't you supposed to be at work today?" Dipper asked, confused, but happy.

                                            "I got the day off, dude." Rigby confessed, snuffing down a small grin. He couldn't help it, he loved hanging out with these kids. They were the most extraordinary kids he'd ever met.

                                                                                       "That's awesome, man! Mabel and I were just about to head out. Why don't you come?" Dipper suggested.

                                                                             "Okay!" Rigby accepted the offer, the smile coming out.

                                                     Maybe Benson was right. Maybe he did need a day off to feel a little bit better. Things couldn't be all bad, right? 

                                 All the same, he was excited as he headed out on this adventure.