Chapter 7

Time past for Dipper at the Mystery shack. As he said, he didn't run away from Wendy and Mabel's overwhelming affection. Though Dipper was at all times still on guard.

Like with Wendy's feelings. He knew she cared for him. But whether it was because she loved or pitied him, he wasn't sure still. He just knew that her feelings went beyond that of an old friend.

And Wendy did keep her promise as Dipper decided to test her. He started walking around without a shirt on to see if she would give him the same face as before. But she never did. She grew used to the scars like Mabel.

But every time he took his shirt off it caused a blush from Wendy. The scars started to blend into Dippers skin and be a part of him in her eyes even though they haven't fully healed. Which just made her think about his lean figure. He did after all, beat what Dipper called a manotaur. Whether he caught it off guard or not, Dipper saved Wendy from a disgusting ending. And the act didn't go unnoticed as she tried to figure out just how strong Dipper had gotten over the years.

He really wasn't her little Dipper anymore. He didn't have those noodle arms or baby fat cheeks. He was tall, handsome, and well built. Wendy has been having a harder time not thinking about Dipper and making a fool of herself as she tried to keep the flirting to a minimum. She decided it was best to not completely smother him like Mabel and she first thought. No matter how much she wanted to. There was no quick way of healing Dipper. Time was going to be a figure of the equation either way.

Mabel was glad Dipper was no longer shutting her out like he used to and was trying to be more honest with her about what he was thinking and the problems he was still facing like he used to. But there were still some things Dipper hasn't been able to open up about and hid from the both of them.

Dipper again this morning had dark bags under his eyes. He was constantly drinking the dark bitter water that was called coffee Grunkle Stan offered. Even Stan could tell he wasn't getting enough sleep. But Dipper just kept shrugging off their worry and saying he was fine.

"Dipper we need to talk." Wendy said as she finally got him alone.

"I'm listening…" replied Dipper.

"Listen. It's obvious you aren't getting enough sleep. You told me you were having nightmares before. Are they keeping you up at night?"

Dipper looked away not wanting to answer the question.

"Hey! You said you would be honest with us. It's time to come clean. We know you've been shrugging it off but this is a problem for you."

Dipper gave a heavy sigh. Obviously too tired to fight or think of an excuse. But he knew he had to be honest with Wendy. He promised he would.

"Alright, yes. The nightmares are still occurring and they are keeping me up at night."

"Now answer me honestly. When was the last time you got a full night of sleep?"

"A full night?... Not since the incident."

"Dipper…"

"But at least back then I could try to go back to sleep. Now every night is just a struggle just to get a couple hours of sleep. It's gotten so bad that when I wake up I don't even try to go back to sleep anymore. The nightmares are just getting worse."

"Have you tried medication?" Wendy asked

"Yeah when it first started. But my mind is stubborn. Even with the meds it took an overdose to keep me asleep. It was exhausting because my mind keeps fighting against my body's wishes… Besides…"

Dipper looked at Wendy with a serious face.

"It's still too early to trust me with medication around."

Wendy looked at him sadly.

"Well we can't just do nothing. It's obvious that what you have been doing hasn't helped in your recovery at all. You need a good nights sleep.

"How? My mind can't calm down at night. It's too busy remembering everything that happened and my fears of what could happen. Its all I can think about."

"Are you thinking about it now?" Wendy asks

"No…"

"Then why is that? Why are you so calm during the day and not at night? Its not because the suns up because all your fears can occur during the day not just at night. In fact, the incident happened during the day, though you were in your dim basement."

"Yes I know that…"

"Then why? What's different?"

"I CAN ANSWER THAT!" Mabel shouted bounding out of the shadows.

"Mabel! How long have you been there?!" Dipper asked surprised.

"Since Wendy began talking to you about your sleeping habits. You really think I wouldn't listen in when it came to your well-being?"

Dipper should have known better. But he gave Mabel his full attention when he saw Mabel's sad expression.

"I'm sorry bro-bro… I know I haven't been there for you, when you have the nightmares. Even though I knew you were having them and was sleeping in the same room as you. I was never awake or able to keep myself up to help you…"

"It's ok… I've known how deeply you've fallen asleep since we were kids." Dipper replied.

"No! It's not ok. Dipper you shouldn't have to deal with the nightmares yourself. Which brings me to an answer on how to help you relax and to answer why you are so calm during the day."

"What is it?" Wendy asked as Dipper went for a sip of his coffee unamused. Most of Mabel's ideas were highly unreliable.

"The answer is simple and always the same when it comes to Dipper." Mabel eagerly announced.

Mabel then pointed at Wendy. "It's you!"

"What?!" Wendy yelled blushing.

Dipper spat out and choked on his coffee, also unable to hide a light red hue from his cheeks.

"Of course silly? He was never this calm during the day at home until he moved to gravity falls where you've been visiting every day at the Mystery Shack to help with his recovery. It's obvious."

"Even if that was true, how is knowing that going to give me a good night sleep?" Dipper argued.

"Simple! We just have Wendy live at the Mystery Shack for now on and sleep with you!"

Dipper knew he shouldn't have tried to take another sip of coffee. But here he was choking again to Mabel's so called revelation.

"You can't be serious! That's your plan! Because it sounds to me like you're still trying to play matchmaker!" Dipper objected.

"So my plan will kill two birds with one stone. There's nothing wrong with that! The chances of you getting a good sleep will be higher and it will also bring you two closer together." Mabel said cheerfully as Wendy was blushing red in the background of the two twins arguing.

"Besides, there are many other issues with doing this! One being that I doubt Mr. Corduroy would allow her to sleep anywhere besides home, and if he found out she was sleeping with me, he would tear me a new one! Two, like you're ever going to convince Grunkle Stan to allow two teens to be able to sleep in the same bed in the first place! Three, being that I'm not going to let you force Wendy into sleeping with me in that small, cramped and dirty bed of mine!" Dipper argued.

"And who says that will calm me in the first place! My mind is racing just thinking about it! Having Wendy next to me will probably keep me up at night more than the nightmares!"

With Mabels giddy grin, Dipper realized what he just admitted and didn't dare look over at Wendy next to him. Covering Wendy's face was a blush as red as her hair.

"So what you are saying is, that Wendy makes your mind race when she's close to you? I wonder what you would be possibly thinking in that situation Dipper." Mabel said knowingly.

A slight blush tinted Dippers face as well.

"A-Anyways. Wendy sleeping with me is totally-"

"I'll do it..."

Everything stopped and Dipper had to do a double take looking at a somewhat confident Wendy which confused him in this embarrassing situation.

"Y..Y-You'll what?"

"I'll start living and sleeping with you as of today." Wendy said calmly.

"You can't be serious?"

"I am.. Dipper if there is the slightest chance this will help you get even a little better.. I'm going to do it."

"B-But your father-"

"My dad has no business in who I sleep with- I MEAN WHERE I SLEEP! " Wendy shouted with a blush.

D-Despite how much he thinks he has control over me, I guess its time to give him a rude awakening of how much his little girl has grown up. You leave him to me.

"What about Stan! There's no way-"

"HEY GRUNKLE STAN? DO YOU HAVE ANY OBJECTIONS TO DIPPER AND WENDY SLEEPING TOGETHER FOR NOW ON?" Mabel called out into the shack.

"YOU KIDDING ME! WHAT KIND OF COOL GRUNKLE WOULKD I BE IF I WAS TO COCK BLOCK MY OWN NEPHEW! JUST MAKE SURE HE WEARS PROTECTION!" Grunkle Stan called out from somewhere in the Mystery Shack.

"IT'S NOT LIKE THAT!" Dipper shouted with a flush face as well as Wendy.

"I can already tell this was a great idea! Dipper hasn't had this much energy in a while!" Mabel commented out loud.