Pointdexter: A Swooning Over Stan-fiction

Chapter Eight

The forest they had left behind was washed with a silvery glow, gaps between the leaves providing a view of the night sky, along with a long string of stars. A few more steps and the Milky Way came into view, looking as if a tear across the fabric of the sky was coming undone in front of her, Ford seemed to notice her looking.

"See something?" He asked, turning his gaze to the sky. "The pterodactyl doesn't usually come out this late, but being a prehistoric creature, its behavior is rather unpredictable."

"It's just..." She let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. "I haven't seen the Milky Way in a while."

"I've had a couple chances this summer," Ford smiled up at the sky. "It looks stunning over a calm ocean at night."

"It's incredible up here," She smiled, basking in the light of the stars. "Not like the light-polluted excuse we had back home."

"A whole year has passed, yet it feels strange to see a sky I recognize," He sighed, almost satisfied.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Alice asked with a small laugh. Ford jerked slightly as if the words weren't supposed to leave his head, his hand flying to the back of his neck.

"Oh-" He amened quickly. "Travelling. You know. I was in... A different part of the world."

Alice didn't press, letting herself stare up at the sky in comfortable silence. The forest's quiet settled in, along with the distant sound of flowing water. Alice was surprised to find herself glad that Ford had accidentally pulled her here if this was one of the moments she got to experience. She let her gaze flicker to him, and she could have sworn that he was looking at her instead of the sky. When she tipped her head back down, his attention was suddenly elsewhere.

"You'll have to show me the other creatures that live here sometime." Alice started as he began to walk. "I'd love to see more."

She was glad she mentioned it when she did because Ford looked pleasantly surprised to hear it, his chest puffing out with pride.

"Of course," Ford smiled ahead of him. "Maybe we'll even spot the Hide-Behind or tag along with Dipper when he next visits the Multibear."

"The what?" Alice asked, taking long strides until she reached his side. Ford only tapped his temple, grinning at her.

"You'll have to wait until I show you to find out."

"I'm holding you to it-" Alice grinned back at him.

"We have some time left before we return if you're up for another walk." Alice felt her face wrinkle at his words, and Ford seemed to notice because he laughed. "We're not far, I promise. I thought I might answer a few of your questions if you have any."

"I have so many questions," Alice responded, her face clearing as she smiled. "Like, is this how you stay in such great shape?"

"Ha!" Ford barked out, taking a left at a stone marker, toward the sound of the river. Sure enough, it came into view, moonlight illuminating the water as they walked alongside it. "This sort of thing isn't part of my exercise regime."

"Good to know-" Alice said with a shake of her head, pressing past a line of bushes and onto a shoreline. The shoreline expanded into a small, round lake in the center of a clearing, with overhanging flat rocks that could have been used as a diving board in times of emergency. The emergency was that one just had to jump into the lake- Ford led her toward the edge of the lake, where a relatively flat bolder could substitute for a bench. Alice took a seat, Ford settling next to her.

"Alright-" She grinned at him. "You said I had to wait, but- Do I get a preview of what I'd be getting into with all these mystery creatures?"

"Not content to leave them to discover yourself?" Ford chuckled.