Between Mysteries And Heartbeats (Stanford Pines x Reader)

Chapter One: The Chicken or The Egg?

"Welcome to Gravity Falls."

The sign passes by your window, and a smile tugs at your lips. It's been years since you last drove through this town. Back then, you were just a kid—another curious tourist with wide eyes and an overactive imagination. But even after all this time, the place never left you. Those strange dreams you had here, vivid and surreal, have lingered in the back of your mind ever since. There's always been something about this town that pulled at you, and now, finally, you're answering the call. You're moving in for good.

You glance at the map on your dashboard. The destination? A small, forgotten shack deep in the woods. It's not the dream home you once envisioned—it's not even close. But hey, who can afford real estate in Canada these days? This little cottage, nestled far from the town center, is what your budget could stretch to. You haven't seen it in person, only in some grainy old pictures, but you have faith. Hidden beneath the grime, there's a charm, a potential just waiting to be uncovered. Sure, it's isolated, but not entirely—there's a neighbor nearby. A small comfort, really.

As the miles melt away, your excitement grows. The trees blur by, tall and ancient, while the occasional bird darts between the branches. what is that a woodpecker? It disappears into the underbrush before you can be sure, and you chuckle softly, pressing onward.

The hum of the U-Haul behind you is familiar by now. Ten hours on the road has made it less awkward, and you're grateful for that. You glance back at your passengers. A large crate, home to your five chickens, sits snugly in the back, the birds clucking away, seemingly as eager as you are. Merlin, your Irish wolfhound, takes up most of the remaining space, sprawled out and snoozing peacefully, his massive frame rising and falling with each breath. You've stopped a few times to let him stretch, though the chickens have had to settle for food and water during those brief breaks. Guilt twinges in your chest, so you raise your voice over the music, assuring them that they'll be free to roam soon enough.

Your property includes a small shed, which you plan to renovate into a chicken coop. It'll take some work to secure it properly, but for now, it'll have to do. You're ready for the challenge.

Just before reaching the town center, you veer off onto a narrow, winding road. It's one of those paths that looks like it's seen better days—cracked, overgrown, but still navigable. It doesn't take long to spot the mailbox bearing your new address, tucked beneath the shade of towering trees. Your neighbor's mailbox stands just a little farther down the road. You pull into the driveway, your heart skipping a beat as your new home comes into view.

There it is. Your little cabin.

It's... a bit rougher than you imagined. Leaves and dirt cling to the roof, dust coating every inch of the wood. The front porch looks like it's on its last legs, one of the windows is shattered, and the pictures your realtor had shown you clearly hadn't captured the years of neglect.

Disappointment flickers for a moment, but you brush it aside. You knew this place would need work. Rolling up your sleeves, you mentally add a few more tasks to your growing list: covering up the broken window and figuring out whether that porch can be saved or if it'll need to be rebuilt entirely. Maybe you can ask your neighbor for some help once you settle in.

With a deep breath, you step out of the car. The air is crisp, and the silence of the woods wraps around you like a warm blanket. This is your new beginning. It might be a fixer-upper, but it's yours.

And you wouldn't have it any other way.

You stepped out of the car and stretched, the crisp forest air filling your lungs. Merlin bounded out right after you, his excitement palpable as he darted around, nose to the ground, investigating every scent the woods had to offer. He ran in circles, pausing occasionally to listen to the rustling leaves, before calming down, his tail wagging lazily as he stood by your side.