Prologue

Mabel Pines stared out the window of the bus, practically jumping in her seat as the Welcome to Gravity Falls sign came into view and was passed, the town up ahead just a mile away. She reached up and tugged the bus window down, sticking her head out like a dog and inhaling deeply. "HELLOOOOOOOO, GRAVITY FALLS!" she shouted at the top of her lungs.

Dipper snorted, tugging her back in before the bus driver decided to blacklist them again. "Every year, Mabel," he said, smiling. "I'm pretty sure Gravity Falls knows your entrance by heart by now."

Mabel plopped back in the seat, beaming. "Still cant hurt to remind 'em that a couple of Pines are about to turn this place up!" she retorted. Dipper reached up to put the window back up, but Mabel batted his hands away. "Leave it down. I like the smell."

"Of what, pines?" he asked, but sat back anyway, enjoying the breeze that wafted in. He closed his eyes, smiling softly as he was greeted with the familiar scent of pine oil and leather. He swore up and down that Gravity Falls smelled like the aftershave that was still stashed away in the Shack, but he didn't really want to sound like a loon, so he never really said as much.

He had a feeling Mabel knew, though. She always kept the window open in the attic whenever they stayed here for the summer.

The bus depot came into view, and he gathered up his carry-on bag, unable to keep the smile of giddiness off his face when he saw the familiar El Diablo in the parking lot. The bus barely came to a stop before Mabel launched herself over Dipper, down the aisle, and out the doors, diving arms-first into her Grunkle's hold.

Stanford caught her, more than prepared by this point, laughing. "You've got to find another greeting, sweetie," he said, hugging her. "Don't know if my body can handle being dive-bombed anymore."

Mabel scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Puh-leeze, you're still, like 90% muscle." She poked his bicep to emphasize her point, then his stomach as an afterthought. "Then again, might wanna hike that down to 85% now…"

Ford ruffled her hair before hugging Dipper tightly. "It's good to see you kids again," he said. "…Sort of missing having to bend down to hug you now. You're both shooting up like weeds!"

Dipper beamed, adjusting his hat. "Hey, better than having to jump just to reach your shoulder," he said, grabbing his bags. "Even better that I'm finally taller than Mabel."

"Laugh it up, broseph," Mabel said, grabbing all of her bags in one go. "I can still bench-press you and then some." She gave his shoulder a playful nudge as she carried her things to the car, putting them into the trunk before ducking into the backseat of the car.

Ford opened the driver's side door, pausing before tossing Dipper the keys. "Want to drive us home, Dipper?" he asked. Dipper stared at the keys almost reverently.

"…you really want me to?" he asked, smiling as he eyed the driver's seat of his Grunkle's prized El Diablo. Ford smiled, walking around to get into the passenger seat.

"You're going to be sixteen at the end of the summer," he replied, getting in and buckling up. "I think you'll be fine." He sat back as Dipper got in the driver's seat and started up the car before driving down the familiar road to their home away from home.