Back To Gravity Falls: Beware the Beast (Multiverse Crossover)

Old Friends/Bookends

Full chapter name: Old Friends/Bookends (and, you know, Gideon)
...

"Why, Dipper Pines, I haven't seen you in... gosh, it's been a few years, hasn't it?" Gideon smiled, no malice showing through in his tone or mannerisms. A nice Gideon seemed more unnerving than the Lil' Gideon from those years ago. He had lost weight, gained some muscle, and traded out the cheesy suit for a short sleeved shirt and blue jeans. He had really grown into his sharp face, even though his face still rounded out at the cheeks where his freckles stood out.

"Uh... What are you doing out here?" Dipper asked, discomfort clear on his face.

"Moved out here, not many people forgave me after... everything." Gideon's voice snagged for a moment but he regained his composure quickly. "I doubt you have either, can't blame you. It's good to see you again, though, Dipper Pines."

Gideon's eyes then caught Norman, who was confused and beside himself with the nuances in the conversation.

"I forgot my manners, I'm sorry. My name is Gideon, I'm a bit infamous around this parts. I, uh, triggered the end of the world..." Gideon's laugh was awkward as he shifted his weight from foot to foot, "Well, the end of Gravity Falls at least. To be frank, I was not a good person then. I was a spoiled brat and got away with a lot more than I should've. Luckily, though, the Pines twins put me in my place."

"There is a lot of understatements in there, Gideon. Why are you out here in the middle of the woods? Seriously?" Dipper asked, glancing over his shoulder to notice a seemingly empty house.

"My parents split up soon after you all left. My mom couldn't stand being around me anymore and my dad didn't really want anything to do with me after I used that spell on him when I was in prison--" Gideon gave out a short laugh at seeing the confused look on Norman's face. "Sorry, I'm letting you boys stand while I'm rattling on."

Gideon got an unsure look in his eyes as he looked between Norman and Dipper, opening the front door to the home. "Would you like to come in?"

Norman glanced at Dipper, who took a deep breath before walking inside. The three sat at a mismatched set of three lounge chairs, sitting in silence for a moment before Norman broke the silence.

"So you two obviously have some animosity here, so what happened?" Norman asked.

"I have no ill-feelings towards the Pineses, not anymore, anyhow. I wanted to kill them once, but I was still a child with no grip on my anger and no positive role models to shape my behavior..."

Gideon chuckled, "I've been seeing a therapist, Dipper, don't give me that face. I really have changed. I mean, I have a job at the Northwest mansion as a landscaping hand and because of them I was able to get this house out here and in exchange for working for them. They took responsibility as my guardians until I can live independently in a year."

"You're serious?" Dipper leaned forward, searching Gideon's face.

"As a heart attack, Pine Tree. Anyway, introduce me, this poor kid is probably hopelessly confused." Gideon turned to Norman (who had long since zoned out since he was excluded from most of the conversation).

"Norman, this is Gideon... It's a long story. Gideon... This is Norman, he's my friend from California."

"So this... 'Weirdmageddon' Dipper and Mabel keeps mentioning, was there seriously a bunch of demons roaming around Gravity Falls?" Norman asked, his curiosity overtaking his decorum.

Gideon's eyebrows shot up, then he exhaled sharply, "They weren't demons, per se. They were more like... inter-dimensional beings. Like, uh, a lump of strong energy that takes the form it wants. I mean, Bill was-"

"Can we not talk about him, please?" Dipper snapped, voice weakened by fear. His fingernails digging unconsciously into the arm of the chair.

"Right, well... The whole thing was a big mess. I kind of started it, or at least was the catalyst. More importantly, though, how's Mabel?"

"Still have a crush on my sister, Lil' Gideon?" Dipper's eyes betrayed a devious lilt when Gideon flushed.

" 'Course not. She was just... Really nice to me back then, despite everything I did. Was wondering how she is." Gideon defended a little too readily, but sincere in his concern.

"She's good, like always... Anyway, have you heard about the animal attacks?" Dipper asked, still holding a nugget of suspicion against Gideon.

Gideon looked genuinely shocked, which took Dipper off-guard, "Has there been another one?"

"If you know about them, why in the hell are you living in the woods alone? Are you crazy?!" Dipper yelled a little too loud, causing Norman to elbow Dipper in the ribs.

"The Northwests offered me a room to stay til it gets taken care of, but I know they'd rather not have me there after Pacifica..."

"Pacifica?"

"She was planning on coming home to visit but she went missing a few months ago, no one knows where she is. She is all but  short of being declared dead."

"Wow," Dipper's breath felt like it rattled in his chest.

"Dipper, the time--" Norman pointed out, pointing to a clock on the wall.

"Right, well, uh... I guess it was good to see you, Gideon." Dipper stood, Norman standing shortly after. "Stay inside."

"Right," Gideon laughed. "I have an axe that doesn't take kindly to trespassers. I'll be fine, Dipper Pines."

"Right." Dipper nodded, leaving as Norman waved an awkward goodbye before running up close behind.

"What in the hell was all that?"

"Long story."

"So you keep saying..." Norman whispered under his breath, shoving his fists in his pockets with childlike irritation.

...

They walked back to the main road and Dipper turned his attention back to Norman after he had finished stewing in his thoughts.

"Why did you want to go that way?"

"I didn't want to I had a feeling I needed to."

"I know I haven't talked to you about Bill... But he is the main reason I have nightmares. I constantly worry he'll come back, that it's not over."

"Gideon made it all sound pretty final," Norman shrugged and tried to sound reassuring. "You have nothing to worry about."

"You mean other than the human-slaughtering Beast running around?" Dipper looked sidelong to Norman who laughed nervously in response, hands up in surrender.

"Other than that, yeah." Norman concluded.