Apprentice {Gravity Falls}

Sick

Ford starred at Dipper in concern. The boy had barley said a word all morning, which was quite unusual. Dipper loved to talk about his various experiments and the supernatural. If not to Stanley, then it was Wendy and Soos who enjoyed hearing was his apprentice was up to.

"Dipper? Something wrong?" Ford asked after a few moments. Dipper shook his head.

"Jus' tired, that's all-" he grumbled. Ford shrugged it off. Maybe Dipper was just tired. Although, tired was an understatement. Dipper looked as if he hadn't slept it a week.

"Well, want to hear what I have planned for today?" That always got Dipper excited.

Dipper nodded weakly.

Well... almost always...

"After you found that dragon scale, I was able to use it to find the location of this dragon's hoard. However, this isn't just any dragon. The particular dragon scale you found, belonged to a female dragon, which means there's a possibility we could find dragon eggs or dragonets," Ford explained. He didn't notice during his explanation, but Dipper seemed to be starring off into space.

"Dipper? Were you even listening?" He snapped, a bit annoyed. That seemed to get Dipper out of his trance.

"Sorry, Great Uncle Ford-" he apologized, coughing slightly.

Ford frowned, "This isn't like you. You've been begging me to study dragons for a month. It's almost as if you're-" Ford paused and glanced at Dipper. The pale face. The abnormal bags under his eyes. The chills wracking his body. "-under the weather..."

"I'm fine, Grunkle Ford!" Dipper claimed. Yet, his body didn't agree with that sentiment.

"Let's get you back to bed, Dipper," Ford started, but Dipper decided to protest.

"W-wait!" Dipper started, "I know I wasn't paying attention, and that I might have a... small cold, but I really have been looking forward to this!" Dipper exclaimed.

"I don't know if that's a good idea, Dip-"

"Please???" Dipper begged.

Ford sighed, "Don't tell Stanley. If he finds out I took you on a mission while your sick, he'll kill me,"

Dipper's smile widened, "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

*   *   *

"No! I swear it's just a small cold!"

Ford had seen enough. As much as Dipper (and himself) were excited to finally be studying dragons, Dipper just wasn't feeling up to it. About half way there, Ford made the decision to turn back so his apprentice could get some much needed rest. Dipper didn't take this decision lightly.

"But Grunkle Ford- You said we could go study the dragons today," Dipper whined.

"I should've said no in the first place. You're too ill," Ford quipped as he dragged the boy back to the Mystery Shack.

Dipper sighed. As much as he wanted to argue, he was too tired to put up a good fight. The boy was really looking forward to their dragon expedition. A fever just had to ruin it for him. At least Ford would be able to see the dragons. It wouldn't be the same as going on the expedition himself, but it would be the next best thing.

Ford opened the door to the Mystery Shack, "Get to bed," he ruffled Dipper's hair gently.

Dipper trudged up the stairs at a slower than average pace. The moment his bed was in view he collapsed right into it. The boy curled up into a ball ready to fall into a (hopefully) peaceful sleep.

That sleep was interrupted before he was able to close his eyes.

"Dipper?" The door croaked open to reveal Ford, "You're already asleep?" 

"N-no," he coughed out.

Ford sat down on the edge of his bed and combed his fingers through Dipper's hair. He paused and felt Dipper's forehead with the back of his hand. Dipper appreciated the company, but he was starting to wonder about their quest.

"Grunkle Ford-?" He rasped.

"Yes, my boy?"

"Aren't you going to go study those dragons? You've been wanting to study them for so long and now I'm holding you back..." Dipper explained, looking off to the side. He felt guilty about not being able to help Ford; it was his fault Ford was with him instead of out there adventuring.

Ford shook his head, "Dipper? It was you who wanted to study them. Besides, I wouldn't go on a quest without you."

Dipper perked up at this, "Really?"

"Really," Ford confirmed, placing a kiss on Dipper's forehead. Dipper smiled at the small action. The poor boy could barley keep his eyes open as his weakened body was tempted to fall unconscious.

Ford noticed how exhausted Dipper seemed. He tucked the boy into bed and ran his fingers through Dipper's hair one last time, "Get some rest, Dipper."

A/n: Wow! First one-shot! This was not my best work. The idea started off really strong, but over time I lost direction for this! The good news is: if you're a fan of sickfics like I am, I already have another one planned! That's all for now!