Uncertainty - Stanford Pines x Reader (female)

Chapter 29

After our harrowing experience in Mabeland, we collectively agreed to head back to the Mystery Shack before making our next move. We needed a moment to recover and gather ourselves, not to mention assess the situation from a less... chaotic standpoint.

The journey back to the Mystery Shack was a silent one. The weight of what we'd already been through hung over all of us. Mabel, once so vibrantly animated, was unusually quiet. 
Dipper stayed by her side, a supportive arm around her, while Soos and Wendy walked behind us, occasionally stealing glances our way.

We trudged up the hill, our steps weighted with a mix of fatigue and contemplation. Finally, the familiar sight of the Mystery Shack came into view, a stark contrast against the forest backdrop. It was a place that symbolized both refuge and adventure, our home base for countless escapades.

I couldn't shake a growing sense of unease. We had no way of knowing what or who waited for us inside. Mabeland had taught me a hard lesson about underestimating what we faced. Being cautious was suddenly not being paranoid.

We approached the entrance. I paused, glancing at the others. "We don't know what's waiting for us inside.", I warned, my voice barely above a whisper. "Could be nothing, could be another mess."

Mabel clutched Dipper's arm tighter, her unease echoing mine. Soos and Wendy exchanged worried looks.
Dipper's jaw clenched, his eyes flickering with determination. "We've come this far. We can handle whatever awaits." 

Wendy nodded, her hand hovering over her weapon. "Let's just be ready for anything."
Soos nodded as well, the usual cheer in his tone replaced by a grave seriousness. "Yeah, dudes. If there's something bad in there, we'll beat it down."

With shared nods of agreement, we pushed open the door and stepped into the Mystery Shack.
We burst into the Shack, ready for a fight. The sight that greeted us, though, was far from what we had expected.

Stan, backed by a few townsfolk armed with an assortment of makeshift weapons, were stationed near the door, ready to defend their territory. 
However, the moment they saw us, their battle cries changed to ones of surprise and relief. 
Stan, lowering his bat, exclaimed, "Kids! You're back!"
Dipper and Mabel ran up to him, embracing their Grunkle.

Soos immediately launched himself towards Stan, wrapping him in a bone-crushing hug. 
"Mr. Pines! It's really you! I've been hugging strangers to practice for this moment.", Soos blubbered, his eyes tearing up.

Wendy was next, practically flinging herself at Stan from the other side and embracing him with a fierce hug. "We missed you, you old codger!"

Stan, caught in the middle of their affectionate onslaught, couldn't help but chuckle, his gruff exterior softening. "I've missed you knuckleheads, too. It's good to have you back."

However, as he disentangled himself from the hugs, Stan's gaze fell onto me. His eyes, which usually held a sharp, calculating glint, softened somewhat.
"Y/N.", he said, his tone a touch more gentle than usual. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

I let out a shaky breath, the memory of Ford flashing through my mind. "I have, in a way.", I muttered, a chill running down my spine.

Stan closed the distance between us, his eyes studying mine. He reached out, his rough hand gently squeezing my shoulder. 
"What happened, kid?", he questioned, his voice lacking its usual gruffness.

I hesitated, the words sticking in my throat as I met Stan's gaze. "It's... a long story.", I managed to say. 
Stan's eyes flickered with understanding, but he waited, silently urging me to continue.

I took a moment to gather my thoughts, the weight of our situation settling heavily on my shoulders. Finally, I looked up again, meeting Stan's gaze firmly.