Apprentice {Gravity Falls}

TV Troubles

Tw: Panic attack and implied!PTSD

Dipper scrolled through his phone as he listened to the background noise of the television. It was a lazy Saturday and there seemed to be nothing to do. Even the region's anamolies were uninteresting today, as why Ford was flipping through TV channels as opposed to researching or working in his lab.

Dipper was too engrossed in a video to really pay attention to what Ford was watching. That was until-

"Special news cast: affect of Never Mind All That on Gravity Falls citizens,"

Dipper flinched and snapped his head up. However, he wished he didn't as the news reel was showing some images of the apocalypse.

"Alright, that's enough TV for today!"  Ford exclaimed, turning off the machine. Yet, the damage was already done. The picture of the red sky and barren wasteland sent him back to those days where he wasn't sure if he'd ever see his family again. If his family was even alive. If he was going to survive.

"Dipper?"

No response came from the boy. He was too caught up in his thoughts. Weirdmageddon was an event he was starting to move on from. Or at least, he thought he was. The nightmares and bad feelings surrounding the ordeal slowly became less frequent.

When the apocalypse ended, he dealt with nightmares almost every night. Now, there would only be one every few weeks. One random news cast, and Weirdmageddon once again hit him like a truck with memories he'd rather forget.

"Dipper? You're safe here,"

Dipper shook his head. He wasn't safe! He couldn't breathe. Can't breathe! Can't- can't- can't- can't- can't, "-m gonna die. I can't breathe, I'm gonna die!"

"You're not going to die, my boy. You're okay here. You're safe,"

"No! Can't breathe! Can't!" Dipper was hyperventilating as his body wouldn't stop shaking and sweat soaked his shirt. He was going to die.

"Shh, you're okay Mason. What are five things you can see?"

"Wh-what?"

"Five things you can see," Ford repeated.

"M-my phone... the-the c-coffee ta-table... the c-couch... a b-book
...uh... you...." Dipper stuttered, still shaking.

"Good, you're doing good, what are four things you can feel?"

"Uh... the couch... my f-foot on the floor...my phone... y-your hands..." Dipper held Ford's hands a little tighter as he rubbed his thumb over the elder's six fingers.

"Shh, see? You're alright Mason. Three things you can hear,"

"Mm... your voice... air conditioner white noise... Grunkle Stan yelling at a customer..."

Ford couldn't help but give a small chuckle at that, "Two things you can smell,"

"...Pine needles... books..."

"One thing you can taste,"

Dipper paused, "Ah! Blood... must've bit my tonuge."

Ford gave a sad smile, "You're okay Dipper. You're safe here. Nothing will hurt you," he promised, opening his arms. Dipper accepted the gesture and hugged Ford.

"I'm sorry,"

"Shh, you have nothing to apologize for, my boy." Ford rubbed Dipper's back.

"I thought I moved on..." Dipper admitted.

Ford brushed Dipper's hair out of his eyes, "I know, son." He held Dipper a little closer to himself. The two sat in comfortable silence for a few moments.

Finally, Ford spoke, "Are you okay?"

Dipper nodded, "Yeah... I'm fine..."

* * *

Dipper was not fine. A nightmare was the reason he was out of bed at one in the morning. A bad one too. The boy could still hear Bill's cackles as he snapped his family dead one by one. He could still see pools of blood oozing out of the bodys of his family and friends. He felt sick even thinking about it.

The boy couldn't help but feel disappointed in himself. He hadn't had a nightmare about Weirdmageddon in so long. When he did, they weren't as bad as they used to be. Now, he felt like he was back to square one.

This was his motivation as he tiptoed to Ford's room. He'd just... make sure Ford was okay and go back to bed. That's it. He entered Ford's room to see the elder sleeping peacefully. Ford was fine.

But, instead of going back to his room, Dipper walked closer to Ford. He looked so comfortable. Quietly, Dipper crawled in bed next to Ford. He'd just stay for a few minutes. That was all.

"Dipper?" A groggy voice sounded.

Dipper jumped, and glanced up to see Ford was awake.

"Oh my gosh, I'm sorry! I-I'm sorry, I'll leave, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"Dipper," Ford stated, pausing the boy's rant, "It's okay. You can stay if you want."

"I'm sorry... I-I had a nightmare and... I just... wanted to check on you. I'm sorry," Dipper apologized.

"It's alright, my boy," Ford soothed, "No need to apologize," he said, wrapping his arm around Dipper, "Comfortable?"

"Mhm..."

"Alright then, go back to sleep. I won't let anything happen to you, son." After a few moments, Dipper fell back asleep comforted by the weight of Ford's arm and his words.