Blood Stains and Marigolds

》SEVEN《

When Ford had arrived, Stan woke up Dipper, who hadn't really fallen asleep anyway.

"Come on, Ford just got here. He wants you to come down to his lab." Stan said. Dipper nodded and walked with Stan down to Ford's lab.

Once they arrived, they saw Ford flipping through one of his journals, one Dipper hadn't seen before.

"Dipper, are you alright? I'm sorry I wasn't here to help you sooner." Ford said, when he saw them enter. He gestured for Dipper to sit down on the exam table, which Dipper did.

"As good as to be expected I suppose." Dipper responded. Ford frowned but nodded, pulling out a stethoscope to listen to Dipper's breathing and heartbeat.

"So has Stanley explained to you the solution I discovered?" Ford asked, putting the stethoscope away.

"No. He said you would." Dipper said.

Ford sighed and glanced at Stan.

"I'll add anything you miss, but I figured you would explain it better." Stan said. Ford nodded and turned back to Dipper.

"So you are aware of the basics of Hanahaki? Flowers growing in your lungs, unrequited love, and all that?" Ford asked, to which Dipper nodded.

"Well, when Stanley had it, I hypothesized that surgically removing the flowers and roots could keep them from regrowth, it did work...but there was an...unforseen side effect that effected the hypothalamus... more specifically the part of your brain that feels love...after Stanley's surgery...well..." Ford trailed off.

"I can't feel love anymore." Stan said bluntly. Dipper froze.

"At all?"  Dipper asked.

"Not romantic love. I still love my family, but I can't feel romantic love ever again." Stan said.

"Oh...so if I get this surgery I could..." Dipper was unable to finish his sentence.

"You'll be unable to feel romantic love. And...there's more..." Ford trailed off again.

"More?" Dipper asked.

"Well, there's also a chance the surgery could cause you to lose all memory of the person who you are in love with. Since your progression seems to be further along than Stanley's was, or at the very least you seem to be progressing a lot faster than Stanley did, so it is very likely you'll forget all memories of the one you are in love with." Ford explained.

Dipper sat, frozen in place.

Lose all memory of Bill? And the ability to feel love? Dipper thought. He wasn't sure he could do it.

"I...um, need some time to think...if that's alright." Dipper said. Ford nodded.

"I suggest you don't wait too long. If it progresses too far I won't be able to remove them." Ford said, "I suggest taking no more than five days, and do your best to distance yourself from the boy you're in love with." Ford said.

"Ok...thank you Great Uncle Ford." Dipper said. He got up and left Ford's lab.

He hadn't realized where he was walking until he was already there, Mabel's room. He knew he couldn't tell her about this. And even if he wanted to, she wasn't currently home.

Dipper sighed and turned, walking towards the kitchen where he saw Stan making dinner.

"You alright kid?" Stan asked. Dipper shrugged.

"Not really." Dipper admitted, he sat down at the table while Stan made food.

"I'm guessing you have questions. About the surgery?" Stan asked. Dipper nodded.