Chapter Text
Acta Sanctorum - Latin, meaning “Deeds of the Saints”
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Prologue: Change
Dipper Pines popped a piece of gum while his left arm pumped a dumbbell and the right scribbled messily in his notebook. His college professor had assigned the project only a week ago, but he was already behind. It’s not like engineering was hard, it was just that he’d chosen physics as his minor and other electives that were unfortunately overloading him. He should’ve known better than to take on the creative art class. And psychology. And jazz band.
It was fine, though. Once he finished this last project and a few other menial things, he’d have the summer off and he and Mabel would be back in Gravity Falls. Then he’d have plenty of time to work more on his journal—of course, based off of Grunkle Ford’s, but his own all the same. He could camp more often like he wanted, and he’d even earn a little money working at the Mystery Shack (Soos was a bit more forgiving than Grunkle Stan). And if that wasn’t enough, he’d at least have more time with his twin, as well.
Being in college while she was still a high schooler was difficult. They’d never been apart for long stretches like these, but with him getting to graduate high school early and enter college on scholarships and grants… It was too good an opportunity to let go—and they didn’t want to end up resentful like their great uncles. So, Dipper had left for Stanford University while Mabel stayed in Piedmont. It truly wasn’t too far away, but Dipper had a lot of work cut out for him every semester. He was in his third already and barely had enough time to call on occasion.
Speak of the devil—Dipper’s eyes flicked to his chirping phone and popped another bubble of gum. Pausing his activities, he picked it up to see Mabel’s text. Facetime Dipstick? I know ur not in class! He rolled his eyes and clicked the video button.
“Hey!” Mabel shouted, smiling from ear to ear with recently brace-less teeth. “What are you doing?”
“Working on a project,” he replied dismissively. “What are you doing?”
Mabel squinted. “Wait—is that—did you get your ears pierced?!”
Dipper cringed inwardly. “Just the one,” he finally relented, tugging on his left ear. “Carsen convinced me. He says it looks good.”
“And you got it double pierced! Jeez, how long has it been since we spoke last? Those look completely healed!” Mabel was donning a shit-eating grin, giggling with either excitement or cunning. He couldn’t tell. She would go tell her friends if she thought it looked dumb.
“Yeah, I got them about two months ago.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I dunno, because you always criticize the way I look?”
“Well, who can blame me when all you wear are black hoodies?”
“Says the girl who only wore sweaters for a whole year.”
Mabel’s mouth screwed into a frown as she stepped back from the camera and displayed her outfit—which was just mid-rise jeans and a rainbow crop top. “Hey, I’ve improved a little, okay? You , on the other hand, have only switched from cargo shorts to pants. Suck on that.”
Dipper rolled his eyes and popped his gum again. “What did you wanna talk about, anyway? I gotta finish up this part of the project, and then I have jazz band.”
“You’re such a nerd,” Mabel snickered. “I wanted to ask if you—we—still plan on going to the Shack this summer.”
“Yeah, why?”
“Weeelllll….”
“Why, Mabel? What’s going on?”
“Ugh, don’t worry, I’m still going! Just… not for the first two weeks…”
Dipper blinked for two, three seconds, frozen in place. And then his eyebrow hiked up in confusion, head tilting. “Really? That’s it?” he asked incredulously. “That’s what you were stressing over?”
Mabel’s mouth dropped, her face twisting into outrage. “That’s it?!” she blurted. “What do you mean, that’s it?! Aren’t you curious about where I’m gonna be? Or upset that we’re gonna be apart for two weeks longer than normal? What—what do you mean, that’s it?!”
“Jesus, relax, Mabel,” Dipper chastised, raising his hands in mock defense. “It’s just two weeks. I’m sure wherever you’re going, it’s gonna be somewhere exciting and fun and sunny, and you’re gonna enjoy yourself. Why would I be worried? You’re just as responsible as I am. Just a little weirder, y’know.” He added a grin at the end to soften the blow.
Mabel stared in shock, completely flabbergasted at his words. “But—”
“Don’t worry, Mabel. Like I said, it’s only two weeks. It’s not like things are gonna change that much.”