Heartless, right?

Chapter Three

The party started a few hours ago, and Dipper is nowhere in sight. Mabel begins asking around, being pointed towards the gift shop. She immediately notices the vending machine out of its place. She sneaks through and checks the elevator, punching the down button. The door opens on the second floor, and she hears Ford and Dipper talking.

"Then, as your apprentice, I am going to stay here." Dipper insists.

"Dipper, it's too dangerous."

"What's too dangerous?" Mabel demands.

The two jump at the sound of her voice.

"There was a meteor shower a while back, and there are a lot of radioactive readings. Grunkle Ford is convinced that it's too dangerous for me to stay." Dipper explains quickly.

Mabel laughs and rolls her eyes, "Aw, Grunkle Ford. We've survived way worse than radioactivity. It's Gravity Falls, what's the worst it could do, turn people into zombies. Been there, done that. Now come on, Soos and Melody have an announcement to make."

"Alright, I'll be up in a few moments." Ford sighs.

Mabel turns to leave, followed by her brother. Only those two nerds would leave a party to argue about science stuff. It's admirable, but she is not about to let her brother spend their birthday week stressing about something as silly as a meteor shower.

●●●●●

Soos and Melody announce her pregnancy, Dipper congratulates the two before stepping outside. Mabel catches him.

"Hey, where do you think you're going?"

"Nowhere, I just- I needed some fresh air."

"Good, there will still be plenty of time to look at your meteors later. This week is going to be fun, and we are going to spend every minute of it together, not running around solving mysteries. I want to have one more week of irresponsibly before we go to college."

"You're right." Dipper admits. "Just promise me something."

"Of course, bro-bro."

Dipper looks at his sister, her hopeful eyes and cheerful smile. He wasn't about to let Bill Cipher take her away again.

"Being Ford's apprentice is gonna be dangerous. If something happens, like radioactivity turning me into a zombie," he smiles sadly at Mabels giggle, "If Grunkle Ford decides that you won't be safe in Gravity Falls, promise that you won't fight him. You'll stay with mom and not do anything that will put you in danger."

"Dipper, what's going on?" The fear in her voice makes Dipper's heart drop.

"Nothing, I'm just planning ahead. I just need to know you'll be okay, especially if something happens to me." Dipper tries to keep himself steady. He can care less if he is standing in the line of fire, but he refuses to let Mabel take the fall for his choices.

"I promise. But I'm not gonna have to worry about keeping it. You are one of the smartest people I know. Whatever happens, you'll find a way out."

Dipper smiles, hugging his sister goodnight. He catches Candy and Grenda before they leave and suggest the girls have Mabel stay at their apartment for the week. Bill is not done with Dipper. That much is obvious based on the uneasy feeling no one other than Ford seems to share. Mabel will be safe on the other side of town.

AN: Today is my first day back to college 😭 anyway thought I'd post another chapter before my inevitable existential dread kicks in.