[ Paranormal Pull ] - Stanford Pines x Reader

Safety in Oregon (Ch. 1)

Gravity Falls had become a safe haven to you, as had the Pines family and their close friends Wendy and Soos. You came here to live in the middle of the woods, far away from your family as possible. It hurt to say they were bad people; to your ancestors, your family was your life. However, thanks to the modernization of all reservations on the east coast, a good majority of these native reservations were crammed full of drug addicts and liars. It brought you deep shame to think that such a rich culture could be soiled by technology and ignorance.

Mabel and you were close. She often asked to learn new words, sometimes rude ones so she could diss her bullies at school in secret code. You obliged, but you two had made a promise to never let your name leave her mouth if the situation came to be that she was asked where she learned such a difficult language. Or, bits and pieces, really.

Stan wanted to look uninterested, and he often succeeded. However, when you went talking about legends with Ford, he always listened, even if he pretended not to. The man also had a thing for your infamous white-corn cakes and bacon with a healthy coating of homemade maple syrup. Really though, everyone loved it, but when you spent the night with the Pines, Stan practically begged for that in the morning. Not long after, you caught on and brought the ingredients every time you went.

Dipper was also close to you. In reality, if the youngest Pines twins could say they had a second mother away from home, it was you. When Mabel wasn't taking charge in the question asking, he often wondered if you had any personal cryptid or ghost stories (which you surely did), or even a short legend to retell. Unlike Mabel, however, he taught himself words and researched Iroquois history to impress you. To his delight, this absolutely pleased you! You loved the kids and their never-satisfied curiosity.

Then there was Ford. You couldn't deny that you were absolutely smitten by this man. His curiosity, albeit tamer than the young ones', was very charming. You were like his personal assistant in a way. You lived not far from the Pines' home, perhaps a good 10-minute walk through the woods. It wasn't uncommon for him to come knocking on your door asking for advice on either a project or monster hunting. You, given your heritage, knew many things on demons, ghosts, and goblins through childhood stories. This, combined with your strange internal magnet for strange occurrences and even the good creature here and there, you two were an unstoppable team.

This being said, that's why the Pines, Wendy, and Soos are all gathered around a campfire in your front yard, all scaring the crap out of one another with urban legends and cheesy stories. You had opted out in storytelling for this evening due to the fact your old blood German Shepherd Freeway had decided he wanted to dig up your vegetable garden. While the six of them talked some yards away, you tended to your garden the best you could with the remaining sunlight. You worked and worked, eventually tuning out of whatever they were speaking for a good hour. That was until you heard what sounded like someone saying "skin-walker". You froze, heart sinking. Now with the small amounts of fading sun nearly gone, you had no reason to continue regardless. You stood up immediately and quickly walked over to the sitting, chatting group.

"Don't say that!" You barked nonspecifically. Everyone looked up at you with confusion before you continued.

"No matter the circumstance, we are NOT to speak of those creatures by name. Do we all understand? If we need to say it, we call them "skin witch", okay?" Your sudden outburst seemed to have frightened a good majority of the group. Feeling a pang of guilt, you exhaled sadly and took a seat on the log with Ford.

"Listen, skin-witch is what I've always called them merely because even saying its name in Navajo tongue can attract their attention. Sorry, guys."

"It's okay, (Y/N)! We really had no idea. Thank you for the warning." Stan comforted. The group nodded in agreement.

"You came pretty fast though, dude! Are they really that dangerous?" Soos leaned forward in anticipation, which soon was repeated by everyone besides Ford since him leaning forward would have him leaning on you. They were really expecting a story about this thing? Oh dear.