Watching the Shooting Star

MTUL: I'm still working on King of Camelot so to pass the time I made some "filler" stories. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters in Gravity Falls. They belong to Alex Hirsch, who is owned by Disney.

"Excuse me Mr. Pines, I will not tolerate sleeping in my class."

"Hey Dipshit, have a good nap?"

"Look! It's the little Dipper. How'd ya sleep this time?"

Dipper was very much aware that he had insomnia. The clear bags under his eyes were evidence of this. Often he would fall asleep during class, getting reprimanded about it later, then be picked on by everyone else about it. No matter how many teases would go his way he wouldn't mind. He was already used to being bullied.

But, another reason he didn't mind was because he was proud. Proud of himself for managing to spend nights cracking cryptograms. Proud of staying up late and recording more information about the secrets and mysteries of the world. And most importantly…

Watching out for Mabel.

They might be back at their home in Piedmont and not in Gravity Falls- where the real danger was- but that didn't mean he wouldn't look out for her.

She might have been born 5 minuets before him, sure she was a millimeter taller than him, but that didn't stop him from taking the role of the older sibling.

Back when they were living in the Mystery Shack he spent nights reading about all the mysteries about Gravity Falls so he could protect Mabel. He knew how she was like; her innocence would get her in a lot of trouble. Dipper made extra care to stockpile information on vampires and werewolf's, knowing Mabel wouldn't give it any thought on how dangerous they actually were.

When he was able to fall asleep, he would wake up with a start and immediately check to see if Mabel was okay. This habit carried over to their parent's house. Not needing to stockpile information he would sneak out to the roof- without his parents knowing- and star gaze instead.

The nice crisp air and the stillness of sound helped him relax, something he wasn't really able to do anymore. Counting stars, searching for constellations, all of it was his way of sleeping.

Once every fortnight or blue moon, he would see a shooting star. He didn't make a wish like most people would; he didn't think it would do him any good. But it did remind him of something. What was it that Bill called Mabel? Shooting Star? Yeah, that did sound about right.

He was the Big Dipper watching over his Shooting Star.

So yes, he was proud of his bags and insomnia and paranoia. It showed that he was a protector.

It showed he would give up his luxuries for his sister.

It showed all the nights he spent worrying.

It showed how much he loves his sister.