Mint 🪶

A shriek followed by laughter filled the shack and made Ford jump. He stood up from his spot in the kitchen and walked to look into the living room.

Stan had Dipper in his lap and was scribbling away at his stomach. Dipper was squirming and pulling at his arms that were currently pinned against his chest, but wasn’t making a huge effort to get away.

Ford smiled at the sight. Dipper looked so happy. And his giggles certainly brightened up the room and anyone’s mood of whom had heard it. He heard Stanley mention going to a different spot which made Dipper squirm harder and start giggly pleading.

“Nohoho! Gruhunkle Stahahahan!” Dipper’s arms were slowly being raised above his head. Stan seemed to have struck gold when he started tickling under Dipper’s arms. He was surprised Mabel hadn’t come running to see if someone was being murdered at the initial scream Dipper emitted before cackling.

After a little bit more tickling, Stan let the kid go and told him to scram. His arms wrapped around himself, still giggling slightly from the leftover tingles. Ford made sure to not be seen as Dipper got up and made his way upstairs. He walked out and awkwardly coughed before addressing his twin.

“Does he, enjoy that?” Ford asked. Stan looked at him. He could tell it wasn’t just a random question. Ford was still struggling to find ways to bond with the kids in more of a Grunkle type way.

“Oh, yeah. The kid loves it. Would never admit it of course, but Mabel and I get him all the time.” Stan softly smiled at the memories. Dipper was a long time victim to his tickle attacks, but Mabel was on the receiving quite a bit too. He wouldn’t dare mention to Ford how they’ve been able to get him back though.

“Dipper gets really down on himself a lot. Sometimes he needs to just laugh and let loose. Heh. Sounds like another dork I know.” Stan winked at his twin, recalling all those times he used to tickle Ford to death when they were younger. Ford chuckled.

“So, do you think he’d be okay if I tried that with him?” Ford played with his hands behind his back, a nervous stim he developed in childhood.

“Are you kiddin’? All that kid wants to do is bond with you. And I think he’d love it if you tickled him. Don’t tell him I told you though.” Stan gave Ford a light nudge to his arm.

“Heh. Good to know. Thank you, Stanley.” Ford gave him a light nudge back.

“Don’t mention it, pointdextor.”

~

Ford had just finished preparing him and Dipper’s annual game of Dungeons, Dungeons & More Dungeons. They still preferred to play down in the lab, but Mabel gave it a “special touch” and added lots of pillows, blankets, and even some mythical stuffed animals to create a more cozy space.

He had to admit, the pillows and blankets were very nice. Especially since it did tend to get a bit chilly down there. And the stuffed animals would even make appearances as characters in the games. Ford made sure to show his appreciation by playing a game of Calling All Boys: Preteen Addition with her in the new space, which he actually found kinda fun if he was being honest.

Dipper excitedly squeezed his game folder against his chest as he made his way down to the basement. He sported his classic grey shorts and a hand me down graphic tee Wendy game to him, which was a bit too big, but he loved anyway and was really comfortable nonetheless.

“Hi, Great Uncle Ford!” Dipper happily waved as he made it to the game area. Ford said hello back let Dipper make himself comfortable before handing him a can of Pitt Cola. Dipper thanked him, the two opening their cans and clinking before taking a drink.

“So, we left off at the dungeon of horrors.” Ford began to set up the scene. “You start to walk through the cold and dark hallways when suddenly, you’re come across a table with two glowing potions.”

Ford turned on a sparkly led light Mabel supplied them. The room twinkled with blue and orange light, covering the ceiling and walls around them. Dipper awed at the sight, continuing to listen to his Grunkle with curiosity.

“You step forward in front of the table and notice each one has a distinct color. One is blue and one is orange. One of them contains an elixir that will make the drinker feel a mystery sensation depending on the number you roll. The other will give you 20+ HP and guide you to the exit.” Ford brought out two tiny bottles painted orange and blue and set them in front of Dipper’s character.

“Choose wisely my boy. While it’s a 50/50 chance, still think this through.” Ford knew what he was doing. While the answers were rigged, Ford still wanted Dipper to have fun and try and find a solution to the “riddle.”

Dipper was silent for a moment. Quietly thinking about each potion. The colors could indicate the answer, although they never established color codes before in this particular world. Not wanting to take up too much time overthinking, Dipper went with his instinct.

“I choose… to drink the blue potion!” Dipper yelled with determination, rolling his handful of dice onto the game board. The dice rolled, almost in slow motion, as the two watched and waited to see the result of the dice. They all stopped and revealed a number only two points under the required total. Dipper groaned, looking to Ford for him to continue the adventure.

Ford smirked, using a remote beside him to turn off the surrounding led string lights, leaving the two surrounded in darkness.

“The lights go out after you drink the mysterious potion.” Ford snuck behind Dipper, using the darkness of the room to his advantage. Dipper yelped and burst into giggles when two six fingered hands started to scribble and squeeze along his sides and ribs.

“Then all of a sudden, a strange sensation overcomes you. One kind of tickly sensation if you will.” Ford chuckled, both at his little remark and his nephew’s giggles. The lights turned back on to reveal a ticklish Dipper.

“Nahahaha! Wahahait! Gahahaha!” Dipper shrieked before falling into loud laughter as Ford moved to his stomach. His arms slammed to his sides as he squirmed. Screw his nerves for being so sensitive!

Ford smiled at his reactions. It was really nice to see the kid let loose and laugh. Especially at his hands. He was worried he wouldn’t be able to form a connection with Dipper and Mabel since he hadn’t been around kids all that much in the last thirty years. But thanks to Stan, he was able to spend time with his family. They were bonding.

“Greheat uhuncle Fohohord!” Dipper laughed and squirmed in his hold. He couldn’t believed this was happening. Ford was seeing him laugh and just be a kid. He was seeing him be so vulnerable. So childlike. So… weak…

Ford couldn’t see him like this. How was he going to prove he was worthy of helping him out on adventures if he could be taken down by a few tickles?! Ford didn’t see him as an apprentice. He saw him as this noodle-armed pre-teen who can’t stop himself from laughing at pokes to his sides.

Dipper started to freak out. He twisted this way and that, shoved at his great uncles hands. He kicked and even tried to throw in a punch. He was getting desperate.

Ford was none the wiser. He thought this was how a kid reacted to tickling. Heck this was how him and Stan used to get when they tickled each other. It wasn’t until he was about to move up under Dipper’s arms like he’d seen Stan do that Dipper knew he had to yell.

“STOP IT! LET GO OF ME!!” Dipper shouted, shocking both Ford and himself. Ford’s hands backed away immediately, his smile fading. Dipper internally screamed at himself. This was horrible, he just yelled at his Great Uncle Ford. He just yelled at the author of the journals…

“I- I’m sorry. I don’t know why-” Dipper’s eyes welled up with tears. His breathing became rapid and his heart raced. He wanted to run away. He wanted to disappear. So he did.

Dipper quickly ran upstairs, game pieces being knocked over and stepped on. Ford tried to reach out and stop him, but found he didn’t know what to say. What could he say? He heard Dipper choke on a sob before he was gone.

~

Dipper slammed the door behind him to his room. Mabel jumped at the sound and turned her head to face her twin. His eyes were red and swelling with tears, his hands trembling and looking as if he were about to break down. Mabel got up from her bed and walked over to him.

“Dipper- Oh my gosh what’s wrong? What happened?!” Mabel reached out to put a hand on his shoulder. And that’s when he actually broke down. He crashed into her in a tight hug and finally let the sobs release themselves from his lungs. He buried his face into her sweater covered shoulder, and cried. He cried long and hard.

Mabel brought him down to the floor with her and held him close. Not letting go until he needed to. She rubbed his back in soothing circles, taking in deep breaths to help Dipper breathe normally again.

“That’s it bro bro. Take deep breaths with me okay? In. And out. Yeah just like that.” After a few minutes, Dipper sighed and pulled away. His hat hung low and his cheeks were still damp. Mabel stood up with him and led him to his bed.

“So, what happened? Do you wanna talk about it?” Mabel calmly asked. Her hand returning to his back. Dipper took in another deep breath, still unable to make eye contact, and told Mabel about what had happened.

“Oh, Dipper. It’s gonna be okay.” Mabel pulled him close into another hug. “You’re just being a silly Billy. He’s our Grunkle. Not just the author. He wouldn’t think you’re weak because you were having fun with your family.” She shook him gently while hugging him making smile for a moment.

“I guess so. I don’t know, Mabel. I just don’t want him to think I can’t handle going on adventures.” Dipper set his head in his hands.

“How am I going to convince him I’m good enough to go on adventures with him if I fall apart at being- ya know... It’s just so embarrassing.” Dipper groaned.

Mabel couldn’t help but chuckle at her brother. He could really be a goober sometimes.

“Everyone’s a little ticklish Dipper. I bet even Grunkle Ford is a little bit.” She ruffled his hair making Dipper smile and shove at her hand. He was about to comment on her statement when there was a small knock. They both looked up to see their Grunkle Ford.

“May I come in?” Ford asked in a quiet tone. Mabel looked to Dipper before seeing him nod. She gave him a fist bump before standing up and walking out the door. She gave Dipper a thumbs up as she went down the stairs. Dipper looked at Mabel, then at Ford.

“Dipper, I never meant to make you feel uncomfortable.” Ford stepped forward, but stopped when he saw the boy flinch at his advances. “I promise I was only trying to- It was just that I…” He stammered.

Ford took a deep breath and slowly walked over and sat next to Dipper. Dipper didn’t flinch this time or try to move away, but he didn’t move closer either. He didn’t know if he could.

“I was trying to bond with you. I’ve seen how close you are with Stanley. Especially when he gives you that sort of affection. I thought maybe it would bring us closer.” Ford fiddled with his hands on his lap. Dipper was stunned. He was genuinely trying to bond with him. Mabel was right.

“Oh, man. You saw what happened with Grunkle Stan this morning didn’t you?” Dipper covered his face, still unable to make eye contact with his Great Uncle beside him.

“I thought you would think I’m too weak or childish to go on adventures with you. What kind of adventurer would I be if I fall apart like that so easily.” Dipper sighed. Ford felt his heart sink. He gently took his arm and put it around Dipper, his hand resting on Dipper’s shoulder. Dipper let out a small gasp and brought his head back up to look at Ford.

“I never meant to make you feel like you’re weak, Dipper. Because you’re the complete opposite of that. Just because you’re a bit more sensitive than others doesn’t mean you’re not strong. Heck, I think you got your ticklishness from me.” Ford chuckled.

Dipper’s face formed a small smile as his nerves calmed. He let himself be vulnerable again, leaning his head against his Grunkle’s arm. Ford stiffened at first, not wanting to scare Dipper. But he relaxed when he realized what he was saying was working.

“You helped defeat Bill, you’ve saved your sister on multiple occasions, you saved me. You’re so much stronger than you know.” Ford squeezed Dipper’s arm in reassurance.

“You’re aloud to be a kid and let loose around me. You’re a brave and confident adventurer. But you’re also my nephew. And you can be both of those things at the same time. I will never think any less of you for being silly and laughing at a few pokes.” Ford ruffled Dipper’s hair lightly. Ford quickly stopped, however, when he saw tears in Dipper’s eyes.

“Dipper! Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry! Are you-” Ford was interrupted when Dipper sat up and threw himself onto Ford in the tightest hug he could muster.

Dipper continued to cry into Ford’s shoulder. But he also laughed. Overcome with happiness that he couldn’t hold back any longer. It was everything he had needed to hear. Ford laughed along, wrapping his arms around Dipper to complete the hug.

Ford rubbed Dipper’s back until he calmed down. Dipper let go and sat back on the bed. The two awkwardly wiped their eyes and coughed. Both a little unsure about what to say next. Dipper was the one who spoke up first.

“Thank you, Great Uncle Ford. I really needed to hear that.” They both smiled.

“Of course.” Ford answered. Suddenly he let out a low pitched yelp when he felt a quick poke to his side. He turned to look at Dipper who had a mischievous glint in his eye. Kinda reminded him of someone. Ford smirked and brought his hands up into claws.

Dipper squealed and tried to make a run for it. He made it two steps before Ford scooped him up and started scribbling along his sides. He burst into giggles immediately, but his bright smile and arms barely pushing Ford away showed he was having fun.

Ford looked back and turned to gently toss Dipper onto the bed. Dipper giggled at the playfulness, curling into a ball and hugging his still tingling sides.

Ford sat on the bed beside him and lightly pressed his fingers into the boys neck. Dipper kicked out on instinct. His shoulders scrunched up as his heals made a rhythm on the bed.

“Nohohot fahahahair!” Dipper squeaked out amongst his high pitched giggles. The extra fingers were doing a number on the ticklish nerves on his necks and ears.

“Not fair? Oh, I’ll show you not fair.” Ford smirked, unable to hold back another chuckle when Dipper shrieked before falling into a fit of laughter when he felt one hand squeezing away at his left knee while the other snuck its way under his right arm.

“NAHAHAHAHA! GRUHUHUNKLE FOHOHOHORD!!” Ford was right- this wasn’t fair. Two of his worst spots at once! Dipper kicked his free leg as his free hand seemed to not know if it should try and help his knee or under his arm.