About two days had gone by. We had planned a big party for tomorrow to celebrate (y/n)'s return, and everyone in the town was coming.

She was overjoyed to see everyone again, especially all of us, and did everything she could around the shack to try and thank us. Not that she needed to, she was just that type of person.

Right now, we were both on the couch watching a movie, with her snuggled against my neck as I rested my head on hers. We had been trying to be as calm and lazy as possible, with all that's happened this year, we earned it.

We were home..

We were safe..

She was safe..

Not too long into the movie, I heard a soft snore against my ear. (y/n) had fallen asleep, and I couldn't blame her for being tired, she had been doing so much lately.

With a small chuckle, I paused the movie and gently picked her up in my arms, heading up to her bedroom. Once there, I carefully placed her on the bed, turning on the air conditioner, and placing the blanket over her. Normally I'd stay with her, but right now I wasn't tired.

Having her back now..? If all felt surreal..

I was so happy, yet.. I couldn't fully relax.. Something else kept nagging at me that this whole thing hadn't ended..

Maybe it was the thought that Bill wasn't fully gone, and that I knew nothing was stopping him from returning after finding out (y/n) was gone. She and I had already talked to Ford about all that, and he was already working on something to help.

Still.. it worried me.

I didn't want (y/n) to go through such a thing again..

...

I shouldn't think about it..

Feeling my stomach rumble a bit, I headed back downstairs to get myself some cereal. I needed to stop stressing over this, worrying too much would be bad for everyone.

She was back now, that's all that matters.

However, as I grabbed a bowl the cabinet, I felt a sharp shock of pain rush up my arm, forcing me to drop it. Hissing in pain, I gripped my wrist against my chest, soon noticing the bowl had broken into pieces.

"Sh-shit, Mabel made this one, she's gonna kill me if she finds out.." Letting out a sigh of admitted defeat, I reached down to try and pick up as many broken pieces as I could.

And that's when I saw it..

My eyes widened when I noticed my wrist. Right under my hand was small gray dot, with dull and ashy skin surrounding it. It felt raspy and a bit itchy, and when I tried to grab anything, it'd hurt badly!

"What the hell..?!"

I didn't understand why I had or what could've happened, I don't remember getting hurt before this, not on my wrist!

And for something so small to hurt so much too..

With a deep breath, I kneeled down, managing to grab all the pieces of the broken bowl as I could with my healthy arm, placing it all in a bag so I could tell Mabel later. Then I took another bowl, served myself the cereal, and ate.

I tried not to focus on my injury too much as I did, I could just ask Ford about about later, and I didn't wanna bother anyone else either.

Hopefully it wasn't anything too serious..

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There was a look of worry on Ford's face as he checked my wrist over and over again with several different tests.

After every test, he only got more and more serious, which made me feel even more uneasy than I already was. Just what exactly was causing my injury? Why did I have it? Where did I get it?

After a few more minutes of silence, Ford finally walked over to talk. "Dipper, when you were escaping the Mindscape with Mabel and (y/n), you went through the forest of decay, correct?"

"Yeah."

"You had to cross the river?"

I nodded, feeling my blood run cold as I started to understand what he was hinting at.

"(y/n) warned the both of you to be extra careful with that river, I assume. And by the looks of it, you took that very seriously, but.." His expression fell a little more. "I'm afraid it wasn't enough for you.."

"You.. you're saying that a tiny drop of water caused this..?"

"I'm afraid so.."

"What exactly can this do to me..?"

He stayed silent for a bit, then let out a sigh. "It was only a droplet, therefore you still have some time, but.. I'm afraid this injury will end up spreading up your arm until it covers you whole, and cause your body to decay into dust."

"W-what?!" My eyes widen, skin pale and blood cold, feeling my hands starting to tremble as the realization finally dawned on me.

I was dying..!

I was going to die because of this..!!

"I-is- is there any way to fix this?!"

"Not that I know of.. But maybe (y/n) knows something."

"She's already been through so much, I-I can't just-!"

"It's the only option we have right now.."

I had no reply to that, I knew he was right.. I thought our troubles would let us rest for at least a little longer, but I couldn't have been more wrong..

"... alright.. thanks, Grunkle Ford.. I'll ask right away.."

He nodded in reply, trying his best to mask his fear with his usual seriousness as I left the basement, heading to (y/n)'s room.

As I turned the corner, I was just about to run into her, both of us backing away a little startled. She, however, smiled a little at the sight of me. "Oh, Pine, there you are!"

When I have no reply, he eyes quickly scanned my face, and her smiled faded into something of worry. "Is something wrong..?"

"(y/n), I.. ... w-we need to talk..."

Thanks for reading!!! 'Till next time!!!

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