Little Dipper

See You Next Summer

The next morning was a solemn one. Gideon and Mabel sat together, speaking quietly to each other and holding hands. Dipper and Bill sat together, Dipper in Bill's lap, as Bill silently counted the seconds until the Speedy Beaver pulled up to the stop.

"That's the last bag." Stan walked over with Ford and set down their begs. "Hey, are you gonna take your pig?"

"I don't know if mom would let us." Mabel admitted. "Besides, Gompers is staying and I'd hate to break up a happy couple."

"That's still unnatural." Bill commented.

"Love doesn't have to be natural." Mabel said, looking at him. "Love is...well, it can't be explained. It's magical."

Gideon decided not to remind her that the Love God had been responsible for their union and instead kissed her cheek. "Mabel, darlin', I'm gonna miss your wisdom around here."

Soos walked over with Wendy and Robbie. "Y-You'll be back next year, right?" Soos asked.

"Maybe I'll teach you to play guitar, once you have hands big enough." Robbie rubbed Dipper's head.

"Don't you worry, we'll keep Bill company for you." Wendy grinned.

Dipper nodded, then turned around in Bill's lap to hug him. "I'll miss you."

"Hey, the year will pass by before you know it. Besides, we're connected. Remember?" Bill tapped his head. "Any time you wanna talk to me, just open your mind and think of me."

Dipper nodded. "I'm gonna be a third-grader soon." He smiled a bit. "Lots of harder stuff to learn!"

"I'll gladly tutor you." Bill grinned at him.

The bus came down the road and Mabel got up, reluctantly letting go of Gideon's hand so she could get her bags. To her surprise, Stan and Ford already had them. "I can get those..."

"We've got 'em, don't worry. No need to rush." Stan knelt down and hugged her. "I'll miss you, kiddo. And, don't worry, we'll take care of your pig."

The bus pulled up and the doors opened. Bill set Dipper down and walked him to the door. Stan and Ford put the bags in the compartment and then walked over to give the two of them one last hug before they climbed up into the bus.

"Wait..." Mabel looked at Gideon. "One more thing."

Stan and Ford let her go and she went to Gideon, taking his hands and kissing him gently on the lips. Gideon turned a pleasant shade of pink and then reciprocated before they sadly had to break it off and he walked her to the bus.

"See you next summer." Gideon said softly.

Mabel nodded. "Yeah."

"Oh, here. I got everyone that couldn't make it today to sign this card for you." Wendy handed over an envelope. "I almost forgot about it."

"We'll keep in contact, send you pictures and stuff." Mabel promised.

"See you next summer!" Dipper said, waving to them all with tears slipping down his cheeks.

"Kids, we gotta go." The driver said sympathetically. "I'm on a schedule..."

"Alright." Mabel nodded and climbed up, then looked out at them one more time. "Hey, Bill. Make sure Daisy's a good girl, okay?"

"No problem." Bill gave a thumbs-up.

Mabel nodded and then led Dipper to their seats. As soon as they sat down, the doors closed and the bus started to move. Mabel and Dipper waved to everyone as they went down the road, until they couldn't see them anymore.

–

Bill watched them go and then started to run after them. Surprised, Ford ran after him, both of them chasing the bus until Bill hit the barrier and stumbled back into Ford. "See you...Pine Tree..." Bill reached out to touch the barrier sadly.

Ford placed a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, come on. We'll see them next year."

Bill nodded, then turned to him. "It's still...hard."

"Well, do you think a distraction might help?" Ford grinned.

"A distraction?" Bill asked.

"Is Dipper listening?" Ford asked.

"Nope. Kid's fallen asleep." Bill shook his head.

"Good. I've been thinking...I never did go to the Multiverse with you. And Stan wants to build a boat still. What do you say to rebuilding the portal and building ourselves a spaceship to go through it?"

Bill's eyes lit up. "That...that sounds amazing! Why didn't you bring it up earlier?"

"Because I want it to be a surprise for the kids." Ford brought his finger up to his lips in a "it's a secret" motion. "Come on, let's go tell Stan. Privately."

Bill grinned. "Cosmos, this is going to be great!"

Ford nodded, taking Bill's hand and leading him back down the road. It would take a while, but he would be able to show Bill and Stan everything he'd seen in the Multiverse. He was looking forward to this.

The End....or is it?