Pointdexter: A Swooning Over Stan-fiction

Chapter Thirty-Eight: Prude

Alice pulled Dipper and Mabel tight to her, closing her eyes as they hugged her back, their skinny arms latching onto her like koala cubs.

"Promise you'll write when you get home," Alice told them as she pulled back, her hands resting on each of their shoulders. "And tell me everything about the rest of your school year."

"We will," Dipper promised, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "We'll write every week and we'll tell you everything."

"And you have to write back, and send snacks," Mabel insisted, her eyes watery.

"I will," Alice smiled sadly, her hands running over their cheeks. "We'll see you in the summer, and stay out of trouble, alright?"

"We will," They intoned in unison, their voices small. Dipper hesitated before speaking up again, his voice barely above a whisper. "We'll miss you, Alice."

"I'll miss you too," Alice assured him, standing and releasing the twins as the bus driver grumbled at the wheel. She shot him a glare, her hands resting a top of Dipper and Mabel's heads. Ford's hand settled on her shoulder, and when Alice glanced up at him, she saw a similar look of sadness on his face.

"It's going to be hard without them, isn't it?" He whispered to her, his gaze fixed on the twins. Alice could only nod, reluctantly retracting her hands and shoving them in her pockets.

"Alright you two," She started, sucking in a breath. "We'll see you in the summer, and when you get back, I promise I'll take you to see the Luminiferous Cranes."

"You promise?" Mabel asked, her voice hopeful despite her watery eyes.

"And you'll tell us about them, right?" Dipper added, wiping his face.

"I'll send my notes and plan a day for it," Alice promised, her lips tight and the twins gathered their bags and troped toward the bus. The twins nodded somberly, hurrying onto the bus, backpacks bouncing behind them as they shouted their final goodbyes.

Alice watched, her arms crossed over her chest as the bus began to pull away, Ford's hand squeezing her shoulder. Dipper and Mabel waved at the pair and they stood there until the bus disappeared from sight.

It was bittersweet, watching the twins leave and knowing that she'd have to wait until summer to see them again. Knowing that Ford and Stan would be leaving for the sea just after New Year was harder, especially after Alice had gotten used to having everyone around again.

"I'm going to miss them," Alice whispered, rubbing her arms self-soothingly.

"I know, I will too," Ford reassured her, his arm wrapping around Alice's shoulder and pulling her to his side. "It's going to feel empty without them."

"It's going to be harder when you and Stan leave," Alice added, her lips pressing together as she stared longly down the road. "I just got you all back and now? You're leaving again."

The grip Ford had on her shoulder tightened.

"I know," He replied, his voice low and slightly choked. "I don't want to leave either... but the research, the journals-"

He paused, his voice trailing off as he searched for the right words.

"I'd never ask you to give it up," Alice said firmly, despite the sadness choking her.

"I know you wouldn't," He replied softly, his hand rubbing soothing circles at the base of her back. "And that's one of the many reasons I love you." 

He paused for a moment, the warmth of his hand leaving her back as he stepped back. Alice turned, starting slightly when his eyes met hers.