Forgotten Falls. (Gravity Falls AU) {Complete}

Bonding. -

After a little while, Ford had walked back down into the lab. He still felt bad about scaring the kid but, it's done now so maybe he can slowly gain the kid's trust again. At least- he hoped he could. He doubted it though.

Still, he could always hope right? No. No hoping. Ford had to gain the boy's trust. For himself, for Mabel, for Stan, for the town, for the world.

Ford just had to explain why his nephew was screaming to his very panicked niece and all the still shaken up survivors. He explained that after everyone had gone to sleep he thought it would be a good idea to bring the kid upstairs to explore and learn a few things, under his close supervision of course. Unfortunately, after apparently seeing something outside, he thought it was Bill and tried to run outside. Ford knew he couldn't do that since he would die or if Bill really was there, he would take the kid back and they'd never see him again, so he grabbed him and pulled him back into the lab- but he's fine now.

Mabel was happy to hear this news, so happy she just jumped up and hugged her great uncle. She was afraid that there was something horribly wrong! It was so relieving to know everything was okay.

Mabel asked when she'd be able to see him again, to which Ford told her that it'd be a while and that he still needs time alone with him until he gets used to being around other humans like him. The girl understood, even though she wasn't happy about it.

Ford thought about this as he made his way down the stairs and to the elevator, getting in and pressing the button to the third floor, the lab.

Hopefully he'd be able to let Mabel see her brother soon. She's been really anxious to see him again, and he understands why. They're twins. Being a twin himself, he can very much relate to this.

The elevator door opened, Ford was surprised to see the lab light was on. He remembers turning it off to let his nephew sleep better.

When he walked further in, the boy was drawing again- unlike last time Ford thought he'd not take a peek this time. No matter how much he wanted to. The boy needed at least some privacy. He knocked on one of his desks to announce his presence. Pine-Tree jumped, turned over his paper, and stared wide-eyed at the man.

Ford put his hands up in a surrendering way, taking a small step forward and looking at the young one, as if to ask for his permission to move closer.

The boy nodded in approval, still watching him closely. Ford approached closer and closer until he was just a few steps from being arm's length. That's when he stopped, honoring the kid's want for space.

Pine-Tree still watched carefully, not losing eye-contact. Come on, Pine-Tree, you have to gain their trust! Act casual! The kid thought to himself.

"S-So... w-what kinds o-of books do y-you r-read?" Pine-Tree asked. Really?!?! That's the best you got?! You don't even know if he likes to read! Do they have books in this dimension? Surely they do!

Ford was taken aback by the question, he stood in complete shock for a few seconds. He wasn't expecting the kid to ask him such a casual question, being how he was just super tense and nervous. How did that happen?

However and whatever just happened, Ford was going to take advantage of it.

"Oh! I read a variety of books! When I was younger, around your age, I would read books about the paranormal and anomalies, as I got older I started reading books about science, mathematics, history, and even cryptology. What about you, kid? What kind of books do you like to read?" Not only did Ford ask the question back to keep the conversation flowing but he also was very curious as to what kind of books Bill let him read.

Pine-Tree shifted his position on the metal table, he's still nervous but trying to relax himself. "I-I read l-lots of things. I l-love to read! T-There was this one b-book I read a w-while ago c-called 'Dimensions: A guide for kids' I thought it w-was very fascinating." He said.

Ford listened with wide open ears.

"I a-also have read b-books on Gravity and t-the human mind - Bill r-recommended that one t-to me. Also-"

The boy kept going on, telling Ford about his most favorite books, as well as his favorite chapters, characters, and scenes. Even though he didn't know what half of them were, he did know some of what he was talking about due to his time trapped in the Multiverse.

He was able to bond with the kid over books and mysteries. It was quite wonderful! The boy's stuttering even stopped a few times! He was becoming more and more relaxed.

Ford needs to find out more things they can talk about so that possibly he can earn the kid's trust and maybe he can start revealing his past, hopefully. Mabel would love that, everyone would.

"So- I saw you drawing when I came in." Ford said, almost getting cut off by Pine-Tree's eyes widening and him pushing his paper behind him.

"Oh! No- I didn't see it. Don't worry, kid."

Pine-Tree relaxed, hearing that. "Y-Yeah... I love to draw. W-Whenever I was bored or didn't have anything to do I-I would draw in my j-journal. I find it r-relaxing."

Ford chuckled. "I like to draw as well. When I was a bit younger I would draw all sorts of things." He said.

The boy tilted his head. "Like what?"

"Well I used to always draw different creatures I would find all over the place. Even when I was your age I drew a lot." Ford said.

Pine-Tree smiled. "I-I mainly draw what I feel. Back home I would draw pictures of my friends and t-things I saw. I kind of became good at it, because I had nothing else to d-do but draw."

Ford was happy to know that they had some things in common. More to talk about. Maybe Mabel can talk to him sooner than they thought.