It was a quiet evening for Stanford Pines. The paranormal researcher needed a moment to himself after the whole Dungeons, Dungeons, and More Dungeons debacle. Despite his family inviting him to watch the season finale of Ducktective with them, Ford insisted that he needed to complete some 'studying' downstairs.

The scientist situated himself in the bedroom, sitting comfortably on the lavender couch with Journal 3 in hand. During the epic brawl with Probabilitor the Annoying and his cronies, Ford was impressed by his family's powerful abilities during the battle. Stan, being the expert con artist and world class gambler he was, cheated his way to victory. Mabel was able to utilize her extraordinary imagination to conjure up powerful weapons for him and Dipper to defeat their adversaries with. Finally, he was most impressed by his nephew Dipper. The paranormal researcher was astounded by the boy's display of bravery, cleverness, and determination on the board game's battlefield. Even at the tender age of twelve, his nephew was already a pro DD and More D player, which Ford was pleasantly surprised by. So the investigator took it upon himself to read the entries Dipper had written.

Ford mentally kicked himself for being quick to dismiss the boy's documentations on the journal as nothing more than a personal diary for venting angst. Instead, the investigator was floored by Dipper's notes and passages on the different monsters he faced. This summer alone, he went up against different adversaries, managed to capture the menacing Gremoblin, and even triumphed over Bill Cipher in Stanley's mindscape. Ford was truly impressed by all of the adventures Dipper and Mabel went on and their achievements. He eagerly read through Dipper's additions to the Journals, which were very informative and interesting. Mabel even made her own notations and colorful illustrations and despite her passages being silly for the most part, they succeeded in making Ford smile.

Ford completed the passage on the Lilputtians who resided at the local mini-golf place. He was completely unaware of their existence and was glad to read his nephew's excerpt on them. As he turned the page, his stomach dropped upon seeing the black and yellow illustration.

It was a drawing of Dipper possessed by Bill, who Mabel nicknamed Bipper. The physical differences were ghastly; with Bill's golden eyeballs and black slits for pupils as well as showcasing his teeth and gums. Ford felt his hands trembling, lightly shaking the journal. The elderly scientist already despised the dream demon for tricking him into creating the portal and for doing considerable damage on his mind and body whenever the triangle possessed him. Ford was going to make that monstrosity pay for hurting his nephew and taking advantage of Ford took a deep breath and continued to read the notations anyhow.

Glancing over to the next page, Ford saw a sloppily written note taped on. As he examined the letter, he felt his stomach drop. Bill used Dipper's body as some kind of play thing, putting the boy's physical form through many different types of pain. Worse yet, the demon was planning on killing Dipper and shaping it as a suicide. The demon even offered to to possess Mabel's body so he could do the same thing to her. His hand formed a tight fist while he read the insidious details in the note. If Ford was able to get his hands on that dream beast, he was going to snap its nonexistent neck within a second!

Even though Bill addressed Dipper and Mabel as 'Pine Tree' and 'Shooting Star', it wasn't hard for Ford to decipher that he was referring to the niblings. Ford was well aware of the symbols on the zodiac wheel and was shocked to learn that Dipper and Mabel wore two of the specific emblems. Perhaps they held some special power that would help eradicate Bill Cipher for good.

A tear escaped his right eye, but Ford roughly wiped it away. He blamed himself for allowing this to happen to his beloved niblings. If only I didn't summon that creature in the first place. Stanford angrily pondered. My niece and nephew would have never endured something so traumatic and terrifying. If Ford were to tell Dipper of his previous affiliation with the dream demon, even going back to when he referred to the monster as his 'friend' and 'muse', the scientist believed that his nephew would never forgive him for what he had done. And who could blame the boy, Ford couldn't even forgive himself for his past folly. The paranormal researcher considered Dipper to be an ally and a friend. The boy was the first person in a long time whom Ford was able to place his trust in, and it would pain the old investigator if his nephew lost faith in him.

The tears kept on flowing, but Ford was too tired to try and fight them off. He was alone in his bedroom, so it wasn't like Stan or the kids would burst through his door. He couldn't let them see him in wallowing in this pathetic state. Ford took off his tan colored trench coat and laid down on the purple sofa, covering the upper half of his body with his wearable shield. He buried his head in the crook of his arm and cried himself to sleep.

The next day, Ford walked upstairs and approached the living room where found Dipper happily reading his Sibling Bros. novel. The boy was deeply invested in the story as his eyes were glued to the pages of the book. Ford almost couldn't bring himself to walk any closer towards his nephew. He inadvertently put Dipper through so much pain and suffering. The paranormal investigator felt as though he didn't deserve to be in the same room as his clever and courageous nephew.

However, Dipper noticed Ford's presence and greeted him. "Good morning great uncle Ford!"

Ford looked up to see his boy kindly smiling at him. The scientist was consumed with nervousness and dread. How could he even talk to him after discovering that Bill had tormented Dipper in the worst way possible? He opened his mouth to speak with his nephew, but was unable utter a single word due to his anxiety.

Dipper immediately took notice of his relative's distress and got up from the armchair. "What's wrong?"

The old scientist didn't respond to his nephew's gentle inquiry. He believed that if he told Dipper about reading the most recent entry on Bill Cipher as well as his previous affiliation with the demon, his boy would lose his trust in his great uncle and would only see him as a fool. Instead of giving Dipper a verbal answer, he rushed towards his nephew and enveloped him in a protective embrace. Ford held onto his boy for dear life, afraid that Bill would somehow whisk him away from his grasp.

Dipper didn't know how to react to his great uncle's sudden gesture. Ford didn't seem like the kind of person who was all touchy-feely when it came to displaying affection. Throughout the summer, Dipper imagined the author of the journals to be this larger-than-life superhuman who, to a certain extent, fearlessly conducted his investigations. But upon seeing how dismayed and worried his great uncle Ford was, Dipper realized that the man he looked up to for so long was only human. And Dipper was completely okay with that.

The boy gently returned the hug by wrapping his arms around Ford's large frame. "If you don't want to talk about it now, I understand." Dipper whispered. "But when you're ready, you'll have me, Mabel, Stan and even Soos to confide with."

This curious twelve-year-old boy was not mocking him, but was comforting him by soothing his pain away through tender words and felt two tears roll down his cheeks. He couldn't let his nephew see him like this, as a weak old man. He took off his glasses and buried his head in Dipper's vest, attempting to dry his eyes. Ford, however, was stunned when he felt a small hand softly patting his back in consolation. It had been so long since the researcher received any form of physical compassion. It was at this moment he realized how truly blessed he was to have a relative this loving and understanding.

"Dipper! I need your help with something!"

Both Ford and Dipper broke from their hug upon hearing the youthful call. Ford hastily slapped his glasses back on his face before Dipper had a look at him. It was only seconds later that Mabel and Waddles arrived in the living room. The gregarious girl was holding two of her famous sweaters. But upon seeing the downtrodden expressions on their faces, her smile vanished as she dropped the articles of clothing onto the carpeted floor.

"Is everything okay guys?" She softly inquired, her voice melting with concern for her brother and newly acquired Grunkle.

Ford was admittedly startled by his niece's appearance. However, he was touched to learn that she deeply cared about her family, wanting to ensure that they were alright. The researcher stretched out his right arm, inviting Mabel to join the hug.

"Come here sweetheart." He gently called to her.

Mabel did not hesitate to respond as she tightly embraced her Grunkle. Mabel didn't press the issue further, but instead clung herself onto the old researcher. Waddles followed his owner and gently nudged against the old man. Dipper went back to hugging his great uncle, wrapping his arm under the man's trench coat and softly rubbing his back in small circles. Ford was touched that his niece and nephew provided him with physical comfort. The scientist held his niblings close in his protective hold. Ford would not allow Bill to take the young twins away from him. If that demon came back to deliver his wrath on the younger twins, the monster was going to have to fight against Ford, and he was more than willing to inflict pain on the beastly creature.

"You're gonna be okay Grunkle Ford." Mabel said. Ford broke from his musings as he heard his niece speak to him. "No matter how bad things get, you'll always have us." She soothed.

Ford took her words seriously as he held the niblings tighter. "Yes...yes I do."