Heaven Fell

Ad astra per aspera

The star looked at the sun as the bus drove him into town. He held his new friend's hand and looked at the town he'd ended up in.

Gravity Falls

The irony of that name didn't escape him.

"So, uh, Mabel. How do you propose we find somewhere for me to stay...?" She looked at him, beaming a slightly guilty smile at him.

"Oh, um...I was thinking we don't." She laughed slightly, and pushed her hair behind her ear. "I know this sounds crazy, but in the short time I've known you, I've started thinking of you as a friend..."

He couldn't go yet...Mabel had decided this last night. He was damaged, scared, insecure...

And he was her friend.

She couldn't let this continue.

"So, um, this trip in to town was more to give you the grand tour. I mean, if you're staying here, you're gonna need to learn what's what, and who's who..." he just looked at her blankly. Did she just...invite a stranger to stay with her...permanently?!

He couldn't believe this. Upon the most unlucky moment of his life, he still chanced upon the nicest girl he could possibly imagine. Maybe his time on earth wouldn't be so bad after all...

"Dipper? You okay there...?" She looked at him, her messy long hair covering her eyes.

"I'm more than okay Mabel. Thank you so much." He smiled at her, as genuinely as he could.

She smiled back.

"Oh hey, this is our stop!" Mabel kept to her feet and pressed the stop button. "C'mon Dipper!" He slowly followed her as the bus ground to a halt.

"Okay Mabel. What do you wanna show me?" He grabbed her hand and smiled at her, his messy hair blowing in the summer breeze. She laughed, and started to run,pulling him along by his hand.

"Everything!"

They spent hours wandering town. Mabel introduced him to all her friends, and showed him a few interesting places to 'hang out'. All the time he wore a big, goofy grin on his face.

He couldn't believe this...was this girl really his friend?

As far as fallen stars' lives go, this couldn't be too bad.

When Mabel had finally finished, they began to head back home. "Hey Dipper, wanna walk through the forest instead of getting the bus?"

He smiled at her. "Sure thing!" The forest was dark, but that's exactly what he liked. He wasn't too sure why Mabel was taking him, but he trusted her judgement. Maybe it was quicker?

"Okay, just along here then!" They started through the forest, and the star couldn't help but admire the place for its beauty. He held Mabel's hand tightly as they walked, before Mabel suddenly stopped him.

"Okay, I think we're safe..." she reached into her bag and brought out an old looking book. "I found this a few days ago in the forest. I figured you should have it...everyone here kinda know what to expect, and what's out in the woods. I mean, they don't KNOW, but I guess it's instinct or whatever. But you're new here, and I don't want you to be attacked by gnomes or whatever...trust me, it's not a fun experience!" She chuckled slightly before handing it over. "It told me to trust no one...but whenever we talk, it feels like I've known you all my life. I trust you, Dipper."

The cover was a deep red, and the fabric was worn and tearing. A monocle hung from the spine, seemingly with a slight red stain.

He opened it up.

Inside were illustrations of fantastical creatures, from leprechauns to gremoblins, each page with annotations from a seemingly unknown author. He first page was marked with a single quote in Latin. Ad astra per aspera.

He looked her in the eye, tears stinging him. "So...do you like it?" She laughed slightly, but before she could finish, the fallen star had pulled her into a tight embrace. He held her as close and as tight as possible, and stared at the setting sun as the stars began to shine above him.

"Thank you." He whispered, his voice wavering through the tears. "Thank you so much, Mabel."

"Anytime, Dipper."