Chapter Text
High school had been quite the experience for the Mystery Twins. Not quite as eventful as their summer in the Falls, but it was a close second. Today they would be returning to the place where it all occurred, spending their final summer before they grappled adulthood head on relaxing in the now truly sleepy town of Gravity Falls, Oregon.
Both twins were equally excited to return and reunite with their friends. Dipper was especially excited to see Ford when July rolled around, planning to share what few things had happened throughout previous summers.
As such, it was with bated breath that they waited for Soos to close the Mystery Shack for the night so they could catch up over shitty pizza from that creepy kid's diner.
"So bros, how's it been lately?" Soos asked around a bite of pizza.
Dipper poked at his slice, hoping to god it wouldn't start crawling. "Well, I was our class's valedictorian, and Mabel got into that art institute on a full-ride scholarship."
Mabel's eyes sparkled as she added, "It's nothing compared to Dipper making it into any Ivy League school he wants on a full ride."
Soos nodded, smiling at the twins. "You two've grown up so fast. I can't wait to see what you do in the future."
Dipper thanked him with a slight blush, Mabel giggling and doing so as well.
"Well," Dipper said after a while, pushing back his chair and standing, "I'm going to go play a few of these games. Skeeball sounds amazing after that drive here."
Mabel followed suit, grinning mischievously. "I bet I can beat you," she singsonged.
Dipper rolled his eyes, walking towards the games. "Sure, make it a challenge too," he replied with a slight chuckle.
Mabel pulled out her wallet, getting a ten dollar bill to put in the machine. "Ten games each. Highest total score wins. Loser has to ask for the most embarrassing prize we can afford with our tickets." She stuck out her hand, watching Dipper closely.
Dipper nodded, smirking in the slightest as he took her hand and shook it. "Game on."
~~~
Dipper cursed every deity in existence as he tallied up their current scores. They were tied. They were fucking tied with one ball to each of their names. One last ball. Dipper couldn't screw this up. He inhaled slowly, trying to calm himself. 'Go for the safe bet,' he thought. 'Don't risk the one thousand points. Go for the five hundred.'
He nodded to himself one final time, pulling his arm back and- He let out a sigh of relief as the ball entered the pocket marked "five hundred" in bold red numbers. He turned to make a smug comment to Mabel, only to grow silent as he saw it happen. No. Fucking. Way.
Mabel cheered as one thousand points were added to her score. "In your face Dip! I'm still the alpha twin after all!" She teased with a grin.
Dipper grunted in response, biting his cheek to avoid cursing in the middle of the restaurant. Mabel would pay for this later.
His sister's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "Now, about that deal..." She began with a devious smirk.
~~~
Mabel must have planned this. She had to have done so. There's no way this is actually-
"Sir?"
Dipper focuses on the prize corner employee once more. He then turns his gaze to the creepy marionette next to him instead, placing the ticket count from their earnings on the counter. He shouldn't stare. Make it look like he's perusing the prizes instead.
He can hear the sound of paper crinkling and he slowly looks back at the man before him, taking note of the cascade of blonde bangs, as well as the small black patch tucked behind his ear. The man looks up once more, smiling at Dipper. "What would you like today sir?"
Dipper nearly melted at how smooth his voice was. This man would be the death of him. He looked into the worker's alluring blue eyes, before glancing at the prizes once more. With a bright blush, he said, "I-I'll take the unicorn plush."
The man raised an eyebrow, chuckling as he turned to grab one. "What's the occasion?"
Dipper rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "You could say I lost a bet with my sister."
The employee placed the prize on the counter, smiling in amusement. "I see. Well, here's your unicorn my good sir." He then smoothly added, "May I know the new owner of this lovely steed?"
Dipper nodded, murmuring, "I'm Dipper Pines."
"Well Dipper," the blonde began, leaning against the counter and placing his chin in his hand, "My name is William Stentson, but most people call me Will or Bill."
Dipper cringed internally. "I think I'll call you Will, if you don't mind." He was not going to associate this man with that demon.
Will nodded, smiling in the slightest. He then grabbed the small sheet of paper once more and scribbled on it, passing it and the plush to Dipper. "It was very nice meeting you, and a pleasure exchanging your earnings for this prize. I'll see you around Dipper."
Dipper nodded, taking the items and walking away. He glanced at the small sheet of paper and smiled. He'd have to enter that number in his phone at some point.
~~~
"So, how was the prize corner Dip?" Mabel asked as her twin returned.
Dipper waved her off, focusing on a slip of paper and his phone. After a moment he pocketed the device and set a pink unicorn in front of Mabel as he sat down. "Fine. Did what I had to." He was honestly trying to hide his smile. Mabel would tease him if she knew. She always did when he found someone he liked.
Mabel looked closely at him. "Were they a guy or a girl?" She finally asked.
Dipper groaned softly and hid his face behind his hands.
"Ooh~ Must've been a really cute one then." Mabel was all smiles now, poking Dipper's forehead. "So?"
"A guy," Dipper murmured. "He gave me his number." Dipper steeled himself for the incoming questions. This would not be fun. It never was.
Mabel was trying not to squeal at this point. "What's he look like? Is he gay or bi? Maybe even pan? Ooh, would he do polyamory? Maybe he has a thing for twins! Think he would-"
Dipper cut her off with a hiss of her name. He was absolutely mortified. They just returned to Gravity Falls and already she was pulling this. And in front of Soos no less! He peeked through his fingers at said man, only to find him fighting off laughter at how passionate Mabel was about this subject.
Soos stood up with a smile and a chuckle. "Listen dudes, I'm going to leave you to do your thing here. Don't get in trouble or anything, and Mabel," he turned to her, "take it easy on your brother. He did drive you both." With that, the handyman left the eatery, leaving Dipper to deal with his twin alone. There went his last hope.
"Listen Mabel, I don't know. I just met him, and I'd really like to maybe start as friends with him. Go from there. Y'know?" Dipper finally lowered his hands as he spoke, looking his sister in the eye. "Just, try not to scare him if we do hang out at all, okay?"
Mabel nodded, a small grin still gracing her features. She calmly reached a hand forward and took Dipper's into her own. "Alright bro. If he hurts you though, let me know."
Dipper sighed in defeat. "I will Mabel. Doubt he'll do much to try and harm me though."
A voice sounded from behind Dipper, and he stiffened as the chair next to him was moved. "Please tell me I didn't take interest in a committed man. And I do hope it's alright if I sit with you two."
Mabel smiled cheekily, looking at the newcomer. "Nah, Dip is my twin bro. And of course you can sit here. It's a free country, right?" She removed her hand from Dipper's and held it towards the man. "Mabel's the name, fun's my game!" She said cheerily.
Will took her hand and kissed the top of it, smirking as she blushed. "Charmed. My name is William, but please, call me Will. It's how your brother knows me at least."
Mabel flicked her gaze towards Dipper as she retracted her hand, as if to ask, 'Is this guy for real?' Dipper only shrugged in response.
Will was all smiles and turned to Dipper. "I wish I could have come directly over here with you. I'm sure I missed quite the conversation if your sister is this excitable."
Dipper blushed faintly, nodding. "With her it's always an adventure." He then asked, "So, are you on break or something then?"
Will shook his head. "No, my shift ended a bit after your claiming of the majestic unicorn."
Oh god, that smug look was making Dipper melt a little on the inside. 'Keep it together. Just don't stutter when you talk. Don't stutter.' "That's g-good." 'Fuck. Shit.' Dipper bit his lip, turning to look at Mabel instead, hoping she could help him out of the hole he was digging for himself.
Instead, Mabel winked at him and stood, saying, "I'm going to head back to the Shack. I'm sure Waddles is getting lonely without me there." With that, she walked away, leaving Dipper to fend for himself against the charm of the blonde.
Dipper could hear the scraping of the chair's legs as Will scooted closer to him. He turned back to the man and smiled nervously.
Will returned the smile in kind. "So Dipper, I must ask, do you fancy me?"
Dipper definitely did not squeak at the question. He couldn't squeak in front of such a suave guy that was basically flirting with him, the nerd, of all people.
And yet, he must have if Will's chuckle was anything to go by. "I'll take that as a yes then," he stated smoothly. "If that's the case, would you care to go to the diner with me to grab a bite?"
Dipper was frozen in place at this point. He willed his body to move, his lips to form any coherent words. After a few seconds he finally managed a high-pitched, "Sure," reminiscent of his twelve-year-old voice.
Will stood, grabbing Dipper's hand and pulling him into an upright position as well. "Splendid. Let us be off then."
After a few more moments of commanding his body to move, Dipper regained enough control to start walking alongside Will. 'How did I manage this one?' He thought, stealing a glance at the blonde. A small smile formed. 'Damn I got lucky.' And with that they were off to Lazy Susan's.