Pointdexter: A Swooning Over Stan-fiction

Chapter Twenty-Three

Alice and Ford reached the Shack, still hand in hand, comfortable silence settled between them. Once they reached the door, Ford grinned sheepishly.

"I wanted to say, thank you." Ford smiled at her, turning to face her. "For... for being there for me."

"Ford," Alice smiled back at him, her hand brushing his hair from his face. "I'm happy to listen. I had an amazing time tonight."

She stood at the door to his house like a teenager on a first date. Well... I am, kind of.

"And hopefully," She added, almost hesitantly. "We can have more dates like this."

Ford flushed at the mention of another 'date'. Alice smiled, holding back a giggle.

"I, um, yes-" Ford stammered, his face red even in the dim light. "We shall definitely have to engage in more of these... Dates. With you. And myself. Dating."

Alice smiled as his blush furthered to the tips of his ears. He exhaled, tugging at his collar.

"Well, um-" Ford continued, his hand squeezing hers. "If... If I get to see you smile like that again, then. Then I'd be happy to have more dates."

Alice felt a bashful smile cross her face, and they both laughed. His finger brushed a soft circle over her knuckles, considering their interlaced fingers like it was a dream.

"You..." He breathed out, the words catching in his throat as he looked up to meet her gaze. "You really do smile very... beautifully."

Alice reached her free hand to her face, brushing her hair behind her ear and trying not to tug at the collar of her coat.

"You're too sweet..." She managed to mumble, afraid that her smile might split her face. "And... I think you have a wonderful smile."

Ford chuckled, a hint of bashfulness in his gaze and he lifted their joined hands, placing a gentle kiss on her knuckles. Alice was sure she was going to die.

"Well... Thank you," He smiled, still holding onto her hand. "I don't think I've smiled this much since..."

He paused, his gaze drifting into the distance as he lost himself in thought.

"Well... In a long time."

"Me either," Alice agreed, gently swinging their hands between them. Ford smiled, his eyes fixed on their hands. It felt natural... Tender, even. His eyes flickered back to her face, his expression a mix of nerves and contentment.

"Can I..." He began, hesitating for a moment. "Can I confess something?"

"Of course," Alice said with a nod, her hand still swinging his. "Always."

"I-" He started, his voice steady despite the mix of determination and vulnerability in his eyes. "I've grown to enjoy your company, Alice. More than I have in a long time. You... You make me feel things I thought I'd lost."

Alice felt her heart hammering in her chest, her face tipping up to face him.

"Ford..." She breathed out, a small smile crossing her face. "I haven't... I haven't thought about anything I lost since... Well... It feels like since I arrived here."

 The door suddenly swung open, and in the doorway was Mabel, who looked more than relieved to see the pair. They jumped, Alice trying not to wheeze, their hands still twined together.

"Where did you go?" Mabel cried out. "I gave you dessert and you abandoned me! You sly kids, sneakin' off to go have fun by yourselves. Did you have fun?"

After the shock of Mabel's comically early entrance, Alice managed a smile, glancing over at Ford to find him grinning.

"We certainly did-" Ford answered with a chuckle.

Mabel shrieked, her feet tapping on the porch, "I'm so glad!! Now come inside before you get bitten by mosquitoes!"

Alice chuckled, hearing Dipper shouting from inside the Shack.

"DOES THAT SPELL OUT DATING??"

"What?" Alice and Ford cried out at the same time.

"He's making that up for comedic effect-" Mabel said with a wave of her hand. "They really just look like a cat paw today."

Dipper materialized at the front door, scratching at his arm.

"Yeah-" Dipper grinned. "I did. Y'wanna see the cat paw though?"

Alice turned to Ford, who looked too excited to see the connect the dots of mosquito bites, "We'd love to, Dipper."

"I bet it doesn't have six-toe beans-" Ford challenged with a grin.

"Aaah!!" Mabel screeched. "Toe beans! C'mon Dipper! I wanna see!"

Mabel grabbed Alice's hand, Dipper grabbed Ford, and they were both dragged into the Shack, laughter echoing into the woods around the house. Once settled inside, they found themselves in the familiar, even homely, environment of the Shack. Dipper and Mabel dragged the adults into the living room, giggling the entire way, Dipper pulling up the sleeve of his shirt to reveal the array of mosquito bites that, admittedly, looked like a cat's paw.

Alice leaned into Ford's shoulder as they settled onto the floor, smiling at the chattering twins as they bickered about how many toes the paw had. Ford's arm circled her shoulders, and Alice let out a small sigh, closing her eyes.