Chapter Text
With everything involving Gideon and zombies and the portal, Stan hadn’t really given Jimmy a second thought once Dipper’s leg had healed up fully. There was no reason to think about old flames when they weren’t around and he had a brother to bring back from the great beyond or whatever.
And now Ford was back. He wanted him gone by the time summer ended, but Ford was back. Stan had finally succeeded at what he had been working on for the last 30 years….
So why did he feel so empty still?
The phone rang, and Stan answered it.
“Pines’ residence.”
“Stan?”
Stan tensed a little bit.
“Hey. What’s up?”
Dipper and Mabel were just a few feet from him, eating their dinner. Ford had yet to come up from downstairs.
“I know I’m not supposed to come around, and I really wouldn’t be if it wasn’t important. Mephistopheles does not play around when it comes to punishment. I need to talk to you.”
“Can you do it over the phone?” Stan asked.
“If that’ll make you feel better, but it’s really not safe enough.”
Stan frowned. This really was important.
“Okay, I’ll meet you there.”
“Biker bar?”
“Yeah.”
“All right. This has to stay between us, that we met. If word gets to Mephistopheles that I violated my deal with your nephew….”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll handle it.”
“See you in thirty.”
“Yeah. Bye.”
Stan then hung up.
“Uh, kids? Your grunkle’s gotta step out for a bit, but I’ll be right back. Mabel, if Ford doesn’t come up for food within the hour, feel free to make as much noise as you want until he does.”
“All right, Grunkle Stan!” Mabel said, looking excited at the prospect of being allowed to make as much noise as she wanted.
Stan headed into town on foot, then arrived at the biker bar.
He got a few weird looks as he entered, but he saw Jimmy way in the back of the bar. He walked straight to him, then sat across from him in the booth.
“All right, spill,” Stan said.
“There’s murmur among all the demons and our higher-ups that the Apocalypse is approaching ahead of schedule. Everyone’s freaked out, and when I overheard Mephistopheles and Lucifer talking about how it would start here in Gravity Falls….”
Stan’s eyes widened.
“Wait, what? The apocalypse? For real?”
Stan has always been a bit paranoid about having enough food, and he covered up that paranoia by saying he was preparing for the Apocalypse. It made people think he was weird instead of sad and pathetic. But he never thought it would actually happen.
“I don’t know the details, or why it’s happening, but I just … I had to warn you,” Jimmy said. “I - I know I’ve never been a good man. And I know I haven’t always treated you right. But I -”
“I know. I get it,” Stan said, not really wanting to hear Jimmy say it. Not anymore. “I know you love me and all that jazz. And … part of me still loves you, too. And … thanks for telling me… . And thanks for risking getting into trouble to tell me….”
Stan felt awkward. He felt like he was 19 again and meeting Jimmy for the first time all over again. A bunch of nerves banded together and a little intimidated and scared, but also wanting to be cool about it.
It spilled out of his mouth before he could stop it.
“Why did you hurt Dipper?”
Jimmy sighed, seeming to have expected this question.
“I … I wasn’t really thinking straight. I had a deadline, and when he offered the deal, it sounded like it would be a lot faster to make him switch places with me than it would be to switch with you.”
“But you really were going to turn me or Dipper into some kind of evil demon henchman.”
“… Yeah. I was.”
“Okay then.”
Stan then got up.
“I’d say see you around, but you probably shouldn’t ever come around again,” Stan said.
“Yeah. Right. Good bye.”
Stan didn’t tell him goodbye. Not really. He walked out of the bar and walked all the way home.
When he got home, he slumped against the door.
He could hear Dipper and Mabel’s footsteps coming towards him, but he couldn’t hold it in any longer.
“Grunkle Stan, how’d your outing g-? Grunkle Stan?” Dipper said.
Stan took his glasses off and covered his eyes, his shoulders shaking.
“Grunkle Stan, are you crying? What happened?” Mabel asked.
Heavier steps indicated Ford had followed them.
“Stanley?”
“Just go away!” Stan snapped. “I’m fine, I just - I need some time alone!”
Dipper and Mabel shrunk back, but the two looked at each other and nodded. Ford noticed the exchange, but didn’t know what to make of it. Ultimately, he didn’t pay it much mind.
“Are you okay? Did something - ?” Ford asked.
“Grunkle Stan, if you really want to be alone, that’s fine, but we haven’t seen you this upset since Jimmy Snakes was around,” Dipper said.
Ford had absolutely no idea what Dipper was talking about, but something seemed to click in Dipper’s brain.
“Jimmy’s not back, is he?” Mabel said, starting to look scared.
“He better not be, we had a deal!” Dipper said.
Stan wiped his face and put his glasses back on and stood up.
“That’s enough from you two! If you finished your dinner, go up to bed!”
“Grunkle Stan, if Jimmy’s back, you have to tell us! I’ll get Mephistopheles to - !”
“You’ve met Mephistopheles!?” Ford said.
“You’re not talking to anybody about what Jimmy may or may not be up to! You’re staying far away from all this supernatural nonsense and going to bed, young man!”
“But Grunkle Stan - !”
Stan then actually physically lifted Dipper off the ground and carried him up the stairs. Mabel followed after, a worried look on her face. Dipper sounded like he was starting to pitch a fit. Ford stared up the stairs, watching them go.
Just who was Jimmy Snakes, what did Mephistopheles have to do with this, and what had happened while he was not here?