Apprentice {Gravity Falls}

First Day

"So... Poindexter's apprentice, huh?" Stan asked. Dipper nodded tiredly as he ate his pancakes (or "Stancakes" as Stan called them).

"He offered it originally before we left, but, well..." Dipper trailed off. He gave it up for Mabel. He gave a lot up for Mabel. His family was right; he really wasn't happy.

Stan nodded, "No need to continue, Dip. I have an idea how it turned out." Stan ate his pancakes as Dipper looked down. He noticed Dipper's sad demeanor.

"What's wrong?"

"Somehow... I feel like it's my fault. I don't think I did anything wrong but..." Dipper trailed off.

"Guilt tripping is a form of manipulation," a new voice explained. Stan and Dipper turned around to see Ford enter the room.

Stan smirked, "See? Even Sixer agrees! And he has nerd facts to back it up!"

"Begging, blackmail, guilt tripping, all forms of toxic relationships and manipulation. All things he, I mean she did, correct?" Ford asked. Dipper nodded.

"I guess...yeah... he?" Dipper questioned. Ford looked down.

"I know from experience, these types of relationships are hard to get out of. It feels like it's your fault, only because the abuser tells you it is. It's especially hard when it's your own sibling. Luckily, I don't have experience with that," Ford paused and ruffled Stan's hair, to which Stan rolled his eyes, "but to summarize, I understand, Dipper."

Dipper smiled sadly at Ford. Although he didn't want to imagine his hero in a toxic relationship, he had an idea who the abuser was. At least he had someone who understood.

"Dip, I actually wanted to ask you something," Stan spoke. Dipper looked at him.

"How many friends do you have in Piedmont?"

Dipper shrugged, "Uh... well I have Mabel...and... uh..." he trailed off. "I... I guess only Mabel."

"How many friends do you have here, in Gravity Falls?" Stan asked.

"Well, there's Wendy and Soos, maybe Pacifica. I used to hang out with Wendy's group, but we're more acquaintances than friends." Dipper paused, seeing how much happier he was in Gravity Falls than Piedmont.

"I... I think I was guilt tripped into giving up the apprenticeship..." Dipper realized.

Ford placed his hand on Dipper's shoulder, "Not anymore," he smiled. Dipper smiled back.

"Speaking of which, what do you have planned for today? Raiding the UFO base? Discovering new anomalies? Grunkle Ford, can we go dragon hunting?" Dipper exclaimed, excited. Ford chuckled.

"Not today Dipper. I have some paper work we have to fill out," Ford explained. Stan shot him a confused look, to which Ford winked. Dipper didn't notice this.

"Oh... but we will do that kind of stuff, right? I'm not gonna be like... locked up in the basement, right?" Dipper wondered.

Ford shook his head, "Where'd you ever get that idea? I didn't write the journals from a broom closet," he chuckled.

Dipper answered Ford's question, "Mabel..."

"Oh... Well, it's just for today, really. And, whatever you're thinking, I can assure you we're doing something different. It's not that type of paper work!" Ford explained. Dipper smiled in relief.

*   *   *

"So, where's all this paperwork? Is it like, because I'm not in regular school anymore, or-" he trailed off.

"It's not that type of paperwork. Your parents got that all taken care of before you left California," Ford explained.

"How...how long were they planning... this?"

"About two weeks," Ford explained, "At least, that's when Stan and I received their email."

"I'm surprised you guys were supportive of their decision. I feel like siblings splitting up would be the last thing you guys would want," Dipper admitted.

"It was kind of hard to argue against them. Especially when I've been manipulated like that before," Ford explained, to which Dipper nodded.

Ford lead Dipper into his private study. However, this time it looked more comfortable. There was a table and two chairs and-

"Dungeons, Dungeons, and more Dungeons? That's what we're doing today?" Dipper asked. Ford smiled and nodded.

"That's a relief. I mean, I'm sure filling out paper work wouldn't be too bad but..." he trailed off.

"There's still some work, but my understanding is you don't mind making graphs and character sheets," Ford smiled.

"Yeah. This... this is nice," Dipper sighed. In Piedmont the only person who would play Dungeons, Dungeons, and more Dungeons with him was his mom; even then the opportunity was rare since his mom worked often. Now, Grunkle Ford could play with him. Not just for fun, but as part of his apprenticeship. It was going to be a good year!

Meanwhile in Piedmont, Mabel was recieving counseling to help her overcome her codependency and toxic behavioral traits.