How does one build a boat?

Y/n didn't know how, but she was just going to trust either Soos and McGucket for this one. The whole idea of surprising the older twins with a brand-new boat had come straight from the handyman himself. Soos, bubbling with excitement, roped in everyone he could to help make the plan a reality.

The group split into two teams: one focusing on the clinic, the other on the boat. The tricky part was keeping both brothers away from the dock and around the Mystery Shack, making sure that the surprise stayed under wraps. Y/n planned for the clinic to sit on the forest's edge, close to town but not right in it—making it easily accessible to both townsfolk and creatures. It was also just a short distance from the Shack, keeping everything close-knit.

Y/n watched as Soos enthusiastically laid out his blueprints for the project (or as he called it, Operation Awesome Boat Surprise 3000). She hugged herself, feeling the crisp morning breeze roll in from the lake, adding a chill to the already quiet air. Her gaze drifted over the blue expanse of Gravity Falls' lake, lost in thought.

It had been a week.

One week since the birthday party.

One week since the goodbyes.

One week since the two people who had changed her life left to return to their hometown. She already missed them dearly.

Her fingers moved to the charm on her bracelet, tracing its smooth metal absentmindedly. She found the bracelet on her bedside table with a note beside it, saying that it was from Mabel, who must've placed it before leaving the Shack to go to the bus stop.

She had accidentally noticed the way that she was breathing, and she began grounding herself.

Inhale... exhale. She repeated the rhythm, steadying her thoughts

"Y/n!"

Someone called her name, but it took a bit of time for her to snap out of her thoughts and turn her head towards the voice. It was Soos, who beckoned her over to the group.

Her feet carried her over to where Soos, McGucket, and Manly Dan were standing. She looked down on the blueprints sprawled across the table, but her mind wasn't comprehending. It wasn't because she couldn't understand the plans, she was just feeling out of it.

Everything seemed to be moving way too quickly.

"...What do you think, girlie?"

Hearing the nickname made her smile slightly before chuckling randomly. "It looks good!" she provided an answer, beaming up at Soos. "Did you come up with this?"

"I did!" Soos admitted rather sheepishly. "It actually came to me in a dream, dude. The Stan Twins with an awesome-looking ship! All made by this cool-looking guy."

"I'm guessing that's you?" She mused with a playful smile.

"You know it!" Soos laughed.

Everyone began constructing. Thanks to Manly Dan's supply of wood, and McGucket's wild assortment of tools, they were off to a strong start.

Y/n watched as the others fell into their natural rhythm, Soos directing with his grand vision, McGucket tossing in eccentric modifications here and there, and Dan's strength bringing it all together. She picked up a hammer, deciding to make herself useful, focusing on the steady beat of each nail hammered in.

One nail in, and she was already feeling not up to tackling any tasks right now.

She hung back, keeping an eye on things while everyone pitched in on the boat's construction. Hours of steady work brought them through the first level of the trawler—a sturdy wood-and-steel core coming together fast. McGucket had even wheeled out a strange machine to help shape the yacht's frame. Meanwhile, Soos was busy fitting glass windows for the lower level, beaming as he carefully installed each one.

She let out a low whistle, impressed by how much they'd gotten done so quickly. It was clear Soos was eager to get this project moving. Checking her watch, she saw it was already 12:30 PM. Lazy Susan had stopped by earlier, juggling several bags stuffed with sandwiches. She'd cheerfully announced that a certain blonde had helped prepare them, and Y/n perked up, guessing who that might be.

Just as she was about to head over to check on the clinic, a sharp cry snapped her back to the dock. She looked up to see Soos down on the ground, his face contorted in pain as he clutched his arm. For a second, the group around him froze, looking from one another in shock, unsure of what to do. But Y/n's instincts kicked in, and she pushed through, gently but firmly, to clear some space.

"Give him room, please!" Her voice rang out, calm yet commanding, cutting through the anxious murmurs.

Kneeling beside Soos, she quickly looked over his injury, her training for the clinic already kicking in. She took his hand to reassure him, meeting his panicked gaze. "Soos, just focus on breathing with me, alright? I'm right here."

He was full-on dramatic now, eyes wide as he gasped, "I can see the light! It's right at the end of the tunnel, dude! Ohhh, here I go!"

But as her hand hovered over his injury, a gentle warmth began to flow, soothing the pain. Soos blinked, his face going from fear to shock as he flexed his arm. "Whoa—It still hurts, but less now! How did that happen?"

"I can heal, Soos," she replied with a soft smile, giving his hand a final reassuring squeeze.

"You... you do?" he asked, still processing, but his smile was growing wider by the second. "You can heal?"

She nodded, smiling back. "Now you know why I'm building that clinic, huh?"

He brightened even more, sitting up completely. "Oh! You're gonna be an amazing doctor!"

"She already is," McGucket chimed in with a proud grin, resting a hand on her shoulder.

Around them, everyone looked on with warm smiles, relieved and grateful to see Soos alright. They started heading back to their tasks, murmuring with admiration about how extraordinary and selfless she was. Soos stretched his arm with a big grin, delighted by the full range of motion. "So, should I call you Doctor Y/n now?"

She laughed, cheeks flushed, and waved off the idea. "Nooo, just Y/n!" she giggled, but the title seemed to linger warmly in her thoughts.

***

Back in the Shack, Ford had been busy tracking down the weirdness hot spots all over the world, eyes flitting between the map and the tracker. The room was quiet except for the faint hum of machines and the occasional scribble of a pen as Ford marked another point on the map.

His focus broke only when a distant noise—maybe a creak of the old Shack floorboards—pulled him out of his thoughts. Ford sighed, rubbing his temple as he leaned back in his chair, the weight of responsibility settling heavier than before. But his frown soon lifted at an unexpected sight.

Right there, sitting in the corner of the room, was a curious little creature covered in a familiar plaid pattern. It blinked up at him with wide, playful eyes, clearly unbothered by its strange surroundings. Ford squinted, then adjusted his glasses with a baffled look.

"Well, I'll be..." he muttered to himself, leaning forward as though to confirm the creature was real. A plaidypus. Of course.

The last time he'd come across one, it had been in the middle of a bizarre expedition—half science, half survival. Seeing one here, calmly lounging in the Shack like it belonged, was enough to make him chuckle under his breath. "I haven't seen one of you in decades."

Before he could muse further, a voice broke the silence. "I see you've met Waffles," it chimed coolly from the doorway.

Ford looked up, startled, only to see Y/n leaning casually against the frame, a small smile tugging at her lips, arms crossed as though she'd been watching for a while.

"Met him when I went on that forest walk with the twins," she continued, walking into the room. She knelt beside the plaidypus, who immediately rolled onto its back, wiggling in anticipation of scratches.

"I see," Ford replied, a bemused smile crossing his face as he pushed his glasses up again. He watched as Waffles squirmed happily under Y/n's hand, his little limbs twitching comically with every well-placed scratch.

The two shared a quiet moment, Ford leaning forward to tentatively scratch the plaidypus's head. Waffles immediately kicked his feet again, drawing a quiet chuckle from both of them. For the scientist, it felt strangely grounding—reminiscent of his first wild discoveries, back when every anomaly held a sense of wonder instead of dread.

He glanced at her, noting the subtle but undeniable transformation in her demeanor. The assistant who had once seemed so lost and untethered was now recovering—steadier, lighter, her smile reaching her eyes in a way it hadn't before. It was a sight that brought a rare warmth to Ford's chest, though his ever-active mind couldn't help but pull him into deeper waters.

Ford wasn't one to overlook details, and over the past few weeks—since that event—he had poured himself into understanding her condition. Numerous tests, questions, and observations had followed, each a small attempt to reassure himself that she was truly okay. Her love for bad puns and blueberries, for instance, remained as strong as ever, to his quiet relief.

It was proof that the memory gun's effects were far from permanent, and while that fact brought him a measure of hope, it also weighed him down with an equal, if not greater, sense of dread.

If memories could return, he mused, his hand subconsciously tightening on the arm of his chair, what else might claw its way back as well?

Ford shuddered at the thought. The past was a fragile thing in Gravity Falls—broken pieces that, if stirred the wrong way, could become sharp enough to cut. Would the dark tendrils of pain and fear resurface one day, unbidden? Would the scars buried in her mind reopen, bringing with them memories she'd be better off without?

He sighed, the weight of responsibility pressing harder on his shoulders. Y/n, kneeling next to Waffles, seemed blissfully unaware of the storm brewing behind his calm facade.

Ford forced himself to breathe, to ground himself in the present. For now, she was here. Whole. Healing. Laughing as she tickled the plaidypus, whose little limbs flailed with delight. He'd focus on that—the now, the good—because the future, as always, was as unpredictable as the oddities he spent his life studying.

What was she doing here again? Oh, right. Y/n suddenly remembered her purpose. She'd already managed to convince Stan, and now it was time to rope Ford into her plan.

"Hey, Ford," she began, breaking the comfortable silence as she turned to him. Waffles was already sprawled out on his back, completely knocked out from his earlier antics. "I'm inviting you to join me and your brother for a walk in the woods."

Ford raised a brow, glancing skeptically at his scattered papers. "Right now?" he asked, his hand moving to rub the back of his neck. His eyes darted around the room, already calculating how much time this detour would cost him. "What's the occasion? Some sudden burst of activity from the two of you?"

She gave a casual shrug, her expression easygoing as she rose to her feet and extended a hand toward him. "I just think we all deserve a break. It's been a very productive week, hasn't it?"

Ford hesitated for a moment, eyeing her hand before letting out a small sigh. He grasped it and stood up, his movement fluid and effortless. "I suppose you're right," he admitted, his tone softening. His thumb and forefinger grazed his chin in thought. "A bit of fresh air might do us some good."

"Exactly!" Y/n grinned, her enthusiasm contagious. "Come on. I've already got Stan waiting. Let's not keep him too long, or he might start without us."

Operation: "Distract the Stan Twins (I Don't Have A Better Name)" as Soos called it, was officially underway. Y/n dove headfirst into a lively conversation, throwing out random topics she knew would spark the fiery opinions of one—or both—of the twins. It didn't matter what the subject was; whether it was the best way to build a campfire or if gnomes were technically more annoying than leprechauns, the twins always had something to say.

And just as things would start heating up, she'd toss in a well-timed joke, diffusing the debate and drawing out laughter from all three of them. The warmth of their shared chuckles filled the forest air, and for a brief moment, they forgot about everything else.

Dipper and Mabel were gone. The trip was imminent. The clinic's construction was pressing. The boat plan was still a massive undertaking.

But none of that mattered right now.

In unison, they realized just how much they needed this—a simple walk, a hearty laugh, and a break from all the weight on their shoulders. For once, it was enough just to be together.

Y/n slowed her pace for a moment, her eyes wandering to the way the sunlight danced between the trees. Something about the area seemed... odd. The trees were denser here, the air slightly cooler. She could swear the ground felt harder beneath her feet, like stone beneath the thin layer of dirt.

Stan was mid-rant about how leprechauns are nothing but tiny conmen when Ford suddenly stopped walking, his gaze narrowing at something partially hidden by moss.

"What's that?" Ford muttered, stepping off the trail toward a cluster of trees.

Y/n followed his gaze, her brows furrowing as she noticed it too—a glint of something golden peeking through the foliage. She tilted her head, intrigued, and instinctively brushed away the leaves and moss.

Stan caught up with them, groaning. "What now? If this is another one of your cryptid wild goose chases—" He froze as his eyes fell on the figure.

It was unmistakable. The triangular shape. The single eye. The outstretched hand, frozen mid-handshake.

Stan squinted at the eerie triangular figure with a top hat. "Oh, great. That guy. Just when I thought I'd seen the last of him."

Y/n, standing between them, tilted her head, taking in the scene. "Wait... that's Bill? I thought he was... y'know, obliterated?"

"He was," Ford said grimly, stepping closer. He crouched to examine the statue, brushing away moss and dirt to reveal the sharp, angular features of the demon he once feared. "What we're seeing is likely the result of residual energy from his presence in our dimension. His consciousness was destroyed, but his... essence? That's harder to erase."

Stan crossed his arms, glaring at the statue as if it might come alive any second. "You think it's dangerous?"

He meticulously circled the triangular figure, his expression a mix of concentration and skepticism. "I don't detect any dimensional leakage..." he finally announced, his tone slightly relieved. "For now, it seems stable."

She tilted her head at the statue, her lips curling into a mischievous smile. "So, it's just... a hunk of stone now?"

Ford adjusted his glasses, nodding. "Essentially, yes. Without any signs of dimensional energy or residual chaos magic, it's inert."

Y/n grinned and took a step closer. "In that case, how about we take turns kicking it? Just to blow off some steam."

The scientist raised an eyebrow at her, but then shrugged. "I don't see why not. It's harmless, and frankly, I wouldn't mind giving it a good kick myself," he said with a smirk.

Stan perked up immediately, cracking his knuckles. "Now we're talkin'!"

The three took turns landing solid kicks on the statue's base, each impact echoing slightly in the stillness of the forest. Y/n's laughter mixed with the sounds, but Stan wasn't satisfied with just kicks. With a triumphant grin, he suddenly pulled a crowbar from... somewhere.

"I knew this would come in handy," he declared, gripping the end of the tool with the confidence of a man on a mission.

She blinked in surprise, her hands instinctively going to her hips. "Where did that even come from—"

"Here goes!" Stan interrupted, cutting off her question entirely as he swung the crowbar at the statue's side with a satisfying clang. 

"This is for messing with my pumpkin's mind, you pointy little jerk!" he bellowed, punctuating each word with a heavy whack.

A few small chips of stone fell to the ground as Stan took another crack at it, his grin widening. Y/n couldn't help but cheer from the sidelines.

Ford, standing a few feet away with his arms crossed, shook his head with a good-natured sigh. "I can't believe I'm letting this happen," he muttered, though there was a faint smile on his face as he watched his brother enthusiastically whack at the still statue.

He felt his assistant leaning towards him with a smirk. "C'mon, admit it, you're having fun."

He chuckled softly, glancing at her. "Perhaps just a little."

Eventually, Y/n noticed the sky shifting into shades of gold and amber, signaling the sun's descent. It was time. Time to reveal their progress. She took a deep breath and turned to the twins, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Alright, you two. Come with me. No questions."

Stan and Ford exchanged puzzled glances, silently trying to gauge if the other had any clue about what she was up to. But neither of them knew. Begrudgingly, they followed her lead without argument— though the silence between them was laced with curiosity.

The walk was peaceful at first, the kind of quiet where everything feels in its place. That peace, however, was promptly shattered when Y/n pulled out blindfolds.

Stan recoiled immediately. "Oh, no. Nope. Not again. Last time someone surprised me like this, it involved glitter, glue, and my great niece yelling 'trust fall'!" His arms crossed defiantly.

Ford, less dramatic but no less wary, fiddled with his fingers nervously, "Y/n, is this truly necessary?"

"It is," she said firmly, her hands on her hips. "Trust me. You'll love it."

Stan groaned loudly as the blindfold was tied around his eyes. "I am not enjoying this, just so you know!"

Ford hesitated but eventually let her guide his hands to the cloth. "I hope this isn't anything... reckless," he muttered, clearly uneasy.

"Oh, ye of little faith," she teased as she took both of their hands, gently pulling them forward.

As they walked, Stan sniffed the air loudly with his big nose, using his other senses. "Wait a second. I smell... sniff — salt water. Are we at the dock?"

"There are more people here," Ford said, picking up on faint rustling and muffled chatter nearby. "This isn't just your doing, is it, Y/n?"

She didn't answer, only smiled to herself as she led them forward. Finally, after a few more steps, she stopped. "Alright! Take off your blindfolds in three... two... one!"

Both twins pulled the fabric from their eyes in unison, blinking against the soft glow of the setting sun.

"SURPRISE!!!"

The shout came from what seemed like half the town, gathered around the dock with excited faces. But what truly stole the show was what stood at the center of it all— a brand new boat.

The vessel gleamed in the waning sunlight, its fresh paint vibrant and its design sturdy yet elegant. The older twins stared, mouths agape, as their eyes took in every detail; the polished deck, the banner in between poles that read "To New Adventures!" painted by Soos and Wendy, and the smiling neighbors and friends.

Stan was the first to break the silence. "You— you all built this?"

Y/n glanced around at the crowd before rubbing the back of her neck sheepishly. "Even I'm surprised this got done in a day! You guys!" She spun to face the gathered townsfolk. "I thought we were just going to show them the progress! How did this happen!"

McGucket merely shrugged, as if it was no big deal. "Oh, this was nothin' compared to the Shacktron," he said with a wave of his hand.

"Guess everything gets done faster when everyone pitches in," Wendy added with a smirk, leaning casually against the boat.

"The only thing missing is your final touch, dudes!" Soos said, stepping forward and presenting a bucket of white paint and two brushes with a proud grin.

Before Stan or Ford could fully comprehend what was happening, Y/n grabbed both of them by the arms and began dragging them closer to the boat. The older twins exchanged bewildered looks, but once they got closer to the trawler, their expressions softened into admiration. The craftsmanship, the details— it was incredible.

Just as they were getting lost in the details, one of McGucket's mechanical contraptions whirred to life. Without warning, the two were scooped and gently lifted into the air, paintbrushes in hand, and positioned right at the front of the boat.

"Go on!" Y/n called from below with a wide grin. "Make it official!"

Stan and Ford glanced at each other, a quiet understanding passing between them. With matching smiles, they dipped their brushes into the paint and, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, carefully wrote the name:

Stan O'War II.

***

merry christmas!

kimmiepines