Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Luz stood, eyes not moving from the open door of the rickety old shack, her hands shaking as tears started to well and poor down her face.

“N..no. Please.” She closed the door and threw it open, still just an empty room on the other side. “NO!” Slamming the door and pulling it open with all her strength, and... nothing “no...”. With hand still on the handle she fell to her knees sobbing in as the rain finally registered to her. The sound of crying behind her pulled her away from the door, her friends all behind her had been staring at the open door as well. Gus was on his knees, head held in his hand sobbing, Hunter had moved to comfort the youngest member of their group. Willow following along with Hunter and hugging them both. Amity took a tentative step forward towards her before rushing and wrapping Luz is a tight hug.

“Luz...” Amity sniffed and held back her tears, to no effect. The two girls held each other tightly as the rain poored down around them.

They were all so tired, the adrenaline all rushing through them was leaving their systems, and the cold rain was taking it's toll. Luz knew they had to get out of the rain, but she also knew where they could go and that had her almost as afraid as when she was facing Belos. Her mothers house was so close, but that is what was so scary, it was her mother's house, not home. Home had just been closed off to her and her friends, possibly forever. Luz kissed Amity's forehead softly, looking her girlfriend in the eyes and giving her best reassuring smile.

“Come on, I have a place we can go to get dry and warm. My Mom's house isn't to far away.” Standing up she held out a hand for Amity. Tears still in the human's eyes she weakly smiled to her friends. “We can recoup there and...” Luz held back a sob, “and figure out what we can do to get back home.”

The group looked up to her, Amity standing next to her and holding Luz tightly, like she would disappear if the witch didn't hold onto her for dear life. Slowly they all started to follow Luz down the overgrown path, away from the shack and towards what they all hoped was a temporary sanctuary.

Camila was shocked to hear a knock on her door so late in the evening, and especially in this weather. After telling her adopted daughter Vee to hide in her she slowly cracked open the front door to see her long lost daughter, disheveled, bloody, and exhausted. “M-Mija?!”

“Hey Mom... I'm back.”

Camila had dreamt of this moment for so many month, ever since her small adventure with Vee. But never had she thought it would be like this, her daughter followed by four others and all of them looked like they had gone through hell itself just to get to her front door.

“No puedo creer que estés aquí, mi dulce niña. ¡¿Qué sucedió?! ¿Estás bien, quiénes son?” Camila had fell back on her home language and shot out question after question to her daughter as she pulled her into a crushing hug. Luz clenched tightly to her mother, the dam finally breaking for the poor girl as her mother's embrace enveloped her. The warmth and smell of home wafting in from the open front door, made Luz relise how much she really did miss her Mom.

“It's a long story mom. They are my friends... please can we all come in?” Luz answered back, choosing English for the sake of her friends behind her.

“Oh! Yes of course! Let's get you all inside and out of those wet clothes.” Camila turned and shouted, “Vee, it's ok! Come out and help your Sister and her friends get dried off, Nena.” Luz's eyes widened in shock, had her mother really taken Vee in to that degree.

“S-Sister?!”

“Yes, Mija. You have a twin now.” She hugged her daughter again, kissing Luz's forehead and standing up. “Go get my first aid kit from my room, I want to take a look at all of you.” Camila turned to the weary group standing at the threshold of her house. “You all look like you have had such a hard time. I want to make sure everyone is ok. I'll finish prepairing supper, for 5 more, while you all get dry and into some warm clothes.”

Camila's heart was breaking for them all as she looked them over. All of the kids were holding back tears, with scratches all over them, she didn't miss that her own daughter had a bad gash on her eyebrow. Camila had never seen Luz so defeated before, and the purpled haired girl to her side was trying so hard to keep herself composed, but it was clear that she was hanging on by a thread. The girl with the glasses looked so scared and held her arm, Camila made note to take a look a closer look at that. The smallest and what she assumed the youngest didn't seem to bad off on the surface, just a few scratches, but the way the older blond boy was standing over him spoke to more than physical injuries. And that poor boy, arm protectivly around the youngest seemed the worst off, if just going off by his blank stare. She wanted answers, especially the names of who dare do this to these kids, but knew those answers would have to wait. They all needed to get dry, warm and fed. Nothing but comfort for these kids tonight, she thought, a Mother's love is what these kids needed now and nothing in this world or that blasted demon realm would stop her.

Vee had grabed all the towels she could carry and hurried back to the living room where all the kids were standing. She had honestly been so excited to see Luz again, she had helped her so much without even being here... well in reflections. But now that she was here she couldn't believe it.

“Here you go... Luz?” Vee had asked softly, worry in the basilisk's eyes at her Sister. But a soft hand on her shoulder stopped her from asking anything further.

“I'm so happy I have a Sister.” Luz pulled the girl in a strong hug and while getting wet, Vee didn't care at all. She hugged her Sister back tightly. “W-we'll catch up after...” Luz's eyes started to water again, she was holding back so much.

“It's ok Luz, here I'll go find some clothes you all can change into. How about you show them to the bathroom to get dry and changed.” Vee smiled to her Sister and hurried up the stairs to get some clothes.

“You never mentioned a Sister.” Willow spoke up, shivering a little as they all stayed together in the living room. Luz turned around and gave them all the best smile she could manage.

“Yeah, I didn't have one before, but... well, long story short, she kindof took my place when I first came to the Boiling Isles. Vee and I will tell you all about it, promise.”

“Mija.” A soft voice came from the kitchen. “Go help Vee get your friends some clothes to change into, I'll help them get dry.” Camila saw her daughter look to her friends and back to her nodding and without taking her eyes off her friends as she climbed the stairs untill she was out of sight. Camila took a towel and handed it to the purple haired girl, who she had noticed had not moved from her daughter's side till now. “I should really introduce myself.” Camila took a knee and brought herself more to the kids levels. “You may already know, I'm Luz's mom, Camila Noceda. You all don't have to worry, you are safe here.” The four children infront of her just stared at her for a moment before the purpled haired girl took the offered towel.

“N-nice to meet you Mrs. Noceda... I'm Amity Blight.” Amity answered back, her voice tired and a little raspy.

“I'm Willow Park, Ma'am.” She could her the pain her the girls voice, as Willow took another offered towel.

“I'm... I'm Gus-Augustus Porter.” The poor boy seems so excited as he took the towel with both hands, but his eyes looked so sad to Camila.

“Hunter... I'm Hunter, thank you... for your hospitality.” Hunter didn't move to take the offered towel from Camila at first, but slowly taking an edge and pulling it slowly from her hand. Now that Camila could get a closer look at him, if her heart wasn't already breaking, the look of Hunter would have done it.

The sound of footsteps rushing down the stairs pulled Camila away from the group, as they all started drying their hair and trying to get warm. Turning to see her two daughters side by side, Camila held a hand to her heart. She gave herself this little bit of happyness seeing them both, together finally after all this time. She had truely grown to see Vee as her own and to see Luz right beside her, it felt like they had always been together and that finally. They were all together. Camila took a long breath, savoring the family moment.

One by one the children were finally dry and clothed in the comfiest clothes the two Sister's could find in their room. Hunter having to have some large oversized shirts that had been stretched out from Luz's cosplay attempts in the past. But now all sat on the couch as Camila knelt infront of them with the first aid kit, looking them all over.

“I know you all may not want to talk tonight about what happened, but whenever any of you want to talk. I'll always available to listen.” Camila said as she put a bandage onto Luz's eyebrow, the rest of the kids having padding and patches on their scratches. Camila moved onto the last, Willow, she had wanted to take a little extra time with her. Noticing the young girl favoring her good arm and lettin the other rest. “But, Willow, I'd like to take a closer look at your arm. Would you be comfortable coming with me to the bathroom so I can take a closer look?” Willow looked nervous and held her ingured arm. Taking a breath, Willow nodded and moved to get off the couch but felt a tug on her clothes from Hunter.

Camila looked between the two and internally sighed that she might have two couples in the house to keep an eye on. Looking towards Hunter, Camila softly spoke looking the poor tired boy in the eyes, “It'll be ok Hunter, I just need better light. If Willow likes you can come to if it makes you both more comfortable.” Camila certainly didn't miss the blushes on the two as they both nodded to the adult. As the three of them moved back deeper into the house, Gus fell onto his side, dead asleep. Luz looked over with a little jealously at the young boy being able to fall asleep so easily. A touch to her hand pulled her attention back to Amity, as her girlfriend wrapped herself to her arm, head resting on Luz's shoulder. Quiet sobs coming from the purple haired witch and Luz couldn't help but pull her into a tight hug, tears starting to well in her eyes again herself. Relief, exhaustion, pain and guilt welling up in the young human as she cried and tried to whisper consoling words to her witch. The sound of rain in the background as the two cried themselves into sleep.

Somewhere in the human realm...

“Hey bro... what's this red light mean again?” An old man, sipping at a mug looked at the bright, blinking light at a console.

“Is it blinking?!”A yell came back, along with the sound of crashing items.

“Oh yeah, like Christmas.” Heavy steps and panting comes up behind him, the other man looks at the console and then proceeds to hit some keys on the console. A map with lines show on the screen, zooming in over and over again until it gets to a single point over a town name.

“We have to go.”

“What why?! Just cause of some blinking light?” A heavy sigh came from his brother.

“That blinking light means a portal. One with enough power to compare to back then, we need to make sure it gets closed and fast or else...” A booming silence is left hanging on the end of the sentence.

“Right... hard to remember about that sometimes.”

“No Stanely, its alright. Probably safer for you not to remember to much about that time.” A six finger hand pat Stanley on the shoulder. “Go get the van ready, we have to get to,” Stanford looked back at the screen, “Gravesfield, Connecticut.”

Chapter Text

Hunter was uncomfortable, he was usually use to that by now, but sitting on the couch with Gus to his side and Willow's head on his shoulder. He couldn't help but grip tight to Willows shirt as he pulled her closer instinctively. His eyes were locked to the door and he had Flapjack on his shoulder sleeping, his other hand open and ready to call upon his Palisman at a moments notice. He trusted Luz's mother...slightly more than most. She reminded him so much of Darius, she was just more openly kind than the coven head. A sound pulled his attention away from the door and he jerked his head to the side to see Luz, once again awake and holding out her hand with a glyph paper. She was panting, eyes wildly scanning the room until she locked eyes with Hunter.

“You, uh.. you ok?” Hunter asked, he noticed Luz's eyes slowly focusing and her arm lowering, but not letting go of the glyph paper in her hand.

“Nightmare..” She whispered back, her other arm tightening around a sleeping Amity. She slowly looked around to her sleeping friends and sighed, they were all safe and back at her Mother's house. The nightmare she had awoken from had been so real, she gently stretched her body.

“Want to,” Hunter hesitated, not sure of himself but with how much all of them had helped him in the past, he wanted to try to return the favor, “talk about it?”

Luz rested back into the couch and rubbed a thumb along Amity's arm taking strength from her girlfriend beside her, “I was.” She looked back to Hunter, “I was fighting Belos, and he was petrifying me again.”

“Again!” Hunter said a little to loud, Gus squirming in his sleep and digging deeper in between himself and Willow. He spoke again, much quieter, “What do you mean again?”

“B-before you all got there and saved me... He had me, there wasn't anything I could do as he started to petrify my feet. Saying that...” Luz sniffles and wipes her nose with her free arm. “Saying that it was better to put me out of my misery, just because I love the Boiling Isles. That I was deluded and lied to.” Luz lifted up her legs, wiggling her feet. “But this time. In the nightmare. He didn't stop and completed the petrification, and I had to watch all of you fight him.”

Hunter could only stare, did the man he call uncle for so long really hate the Boiling Isles that much. That instead of just leaving when he first had the chance, Bel-Philip... just wanted to end everything Hunter himself had loved. Hunter's eyes watered and he went to Flapjack for comfort, the little bird tweeting awake from its wooden form. Hunter pet the small cardinal along it's head and neck, taking solace that through everything he had done the little Palisman stuck with him. “I'm... I'm sorry Luz. For everything back then... I truly thought he was good. That he could speak to the Titan, that it was all, everything was for the greater good.”

“You... You really don't have much to apologies for.. but thank you.” Luz sunk lower into the couch and felt Amity shift in her sleep against her. Kissing her girlfriend on her forehead, making sure her amor was still sleeping restfully. “You weren't the only one who was fooled into helping him.” She looked down in shame. Hunter for once feels like he actually knows how someone is feeling, the look on Luz is the same as him when thinking of all the missions and mistakes he made being a pawn for Philip.

“I mean, he had almost all the Isle's fooled right?” Hunter spouted, pulling at straws at this point to try and keep the connection.

“Ha, right. Only our small group knowing the truth, and we still end up stopping him.” It was an empty laugh and statement. They had all hoped that the Collector had stopped the draining spell in time, and since Hunter seemed 'relatively' fine then that gave them all hope for their friends and family. Eda coming to the forefront of her mind. “I just wish I knew how Eda is doing, if she is ok.”

“We saw her..” Hunter spoke, sharing a concerned look towards the human. Who was now sitting right up, supporting the purple hairs witch's body with her arm.

“When!?” Luz whispered/yelled.

“On our way to you, we passed the platform where all the Coven Heads were and... they didn't look good, any of them.” Hunter hugged Flapjack to his chest. “The Owl Lady... Eda, was with them... they were alive but.. they didn't look good.”

“Do you think.. they're ok?”

“I really hope so... they are all the strongest witches on the Isles right? If I survived... as a, you know what, then yeah... I hope so.” Hunter leaned back and let his head lie back further on the cushions.

“You're right... if anyone could survive that draining spell.. they all could.” Luz decided it best to push the Collector and King out of her mind. The kind of power that the kid had, if he even was a kid like her, was to much for anyone. Even if all the Coven Heads came together, she didn't think they would even stand a chance. When she gets back to Eda, they will come up with something to save King, just like always.

Both Hunter and Luz lied back in the quiet rainstorm, holding onto their reasons to keep fighting and both kept an eye on the door, glyph and Palisman not far from either's reach until they couldn't fight sleep any longer.

A light shaking is the first thing Luz is aware of, her eyes slowly blinking awake, barely. Everything is still unfocused and she is in a haze from her lack of sleep the night before, but she can still make out her cotton candy haired goddess was the one shaking her. Amity's mouth was moving, though Luz couldn't understand what she was saying, and in her haze she lifted a hand up and cupped Amity's cheek “Mi Amor.” Luz lazily says and pulls herself up and kisses Amity's lips. Amity's whole face turns red and she is stiff as a board at first, but she doesn't pull away, instead she melts into the soft embrace, kissing her girlfriend back.

Camila, sitting at the dining table was watching Amity shaking her sleepy daughter awake was suddenly stunned and then cursing under her breath of not having her phone at the ready for such a cute moment. Determined to capture as many moments as she could of her daughter and her witch girlfriend. She has blank spots ready for them beside Vee's photos in her photo album.

“Mrs Camila?” Gus's voice breaks her gaze from her daughter and to the other young witches in her kitchen.

“Oh, Gus, just Camila is fine dear. You need anything?”

“Um, just a few questions.” Camila gave the young boy a nod, “Where is the frost demon that keeps your.. refrig-ator cold?” Camila had thought it was adorable how Gus was so interested in the most mundane things in her life. But since he was from a whole different world, she had to imagine her Luz was just like him in the Demon Realm.

“Oh, that's because we don't have demons in there, or anywhere. The refrigerator and all these devices you see plugged into the wall use, electricity. Through wires and cables we can power almost everything in here.” Camila couldn't help but smile warmly at him as Gus looked up with eyes full of wonder and started to go up to each appliance looking for a cable that goes into the wall for each one. “Now don't stick anything in the sockets in the wall, Gus. That's really dangerous and you will get really hurt.” Gus gives her a strong nod of her head, showing he clearly understands and continues his exploring.

Willow who was sitting at the table was smiling at her kissing friends and chuckling at Gus and his never ending amazement of all things human. Her right arm was wrapped in bandages and she smiled to Camila, “Thank you again.. for helping with my arm. I didn't know my arm was this hurt.”

“No need to thank me dear, and it wasn't to bad, it looks just look like a sprain, nothing broken at least, but better safe than sorry.” The mother smiled at Willow and looked at the empty plate, “How was your first human meal?”

“Oh it was delicious! A little odd, but still very good Ma'am.”

“Well I'm certain I would find the food over there a little odd myself. But I'm glad you enjoyed it.”

The two of them continued a little bit of small talk, Willow mentioning the house plants and asked if she could experiment a little and use her magic on them which she hesitantly agrees, as long as Willow is careful. The others start to file in and sit at the table, Vee and Luz sitting beside each other and Amity as close as she can get to Luz. Gus and Hunter were on their second plate of eggs and sausage, with Willow chatting with them all.

Camila moved to the kitchen, cleaning up the last of the sausage and putting the leftovers away when she looks over at them all, and she truly can't hold back the tears now, see her two daughters both sitting around a full table of friends. She can tell by the tone of the conversations that they were all trying to distract themselves and dodge certain topics. And looking back outside, at the sunny Saturday morning, Camila thinks to herself that what is a better distraction that a whole new world for them all to explore... within reason of course.

“So, everyone.” Camila interrupts the ongoing conversation of the group. “What do you all think of exploring the town tomorrow? Luz, Vee?” The look on everyone's face told her everything she needed to know, that she had a winner of an idea, since she was suddenly forgotten about by the group of teens.

“Amity, we can go on date! I'll show you around the shops and my favorite spots I went to to read and explore!”

“We can see how humans really live! And watch how they get to work and do, well anything without magic!” Gus was practically floating in his chair with excitement.

“I'd love to see the plants and maybe some sports that humans play. If there's time and opportunity.” Willow smiled, looking toward Hunter. “Maybe humans have something like flyer derby!” Hunter had a red blush reaching his ears.

“I-I'm sure they do, Captain.”

“That is wonderful, but for today I'd love to get to know you all more. I know all of you are probably not ready to talk about what happened,” Solemn heads nodded to her, “So please tell me about your lives back home. What you love to do, school, everything.” She smiled to Luz and Vee. “I'm sure Vee and I would love to hear about Luz's time with you all.” And just like she had never left, her energetic daughter spoke first.

“I'll start, since I'm sure you're wondering what happened and how I even go to the Boiling Isles.” Camila nodding to her human daughter. “Well it all started with an owl digging in our trash....”

At the same time in an beat up RV....

“What do you think about bringing the kids along with us?” Stanley asks, rolling out from under the RV, oil coating his shirt and hands.

“I'd honestly rather keep them far away from anymore interdimensional portals, but it has been so long since we've seen them... How long has it been?” Ford asks as he types away at a keyboard, the console having wires plugged into the RV.

“Little over a year, give or take a few? It really has been to long, and hey, you said your nerd computer says the portal isn't active right?” Stanley joked as he wiped his hands clean and patted his twin brother on the back.

“Ha, can't say your not wrong on this one Stanley.”

“See I have great ideas!”

“Like when you tried to scam that leprechaun out of his pot of gold?”

“Hey, that would have worked if it wasn't for the chocolate coins melting.”

“And the spider lady?”

“Ok that was only the second time I fell for that. Doesn't count.”

“And the...”

“Ok, I get your point poindexter. But you said this one was a good idea, so I'm rolling with it!” And with that Stanley was on the phone calling up the family to talk about Mabel and Dipper.

Ford sighed at his twin, with a wide grin. They had really come a long way since that summer so long ago in Gravity Falls. Looking at his work table at a picture, the twins still young at the age of 12 in the photo. Ford had to think, they would be about 19 now if he was adding the years up correctly, which he was sure he was. He took the picture from his table and took it into the RV, setting it down in the kitchen area. Another adventure with his family, hopefully this time without the life threatening danger.

“Kids says they are all for it, we'll swing by a pick them up on the way out of town.”

“Wonderful Stanley, it'll be great seeing them both again. They must have grown so much.” Ford sat back down at his work desk, pulling up Gravesfield.

“Oh yeah, I'm sure they've turned out just fine. Especially with our influence right bro?” Another pat on the back and a laugh.

“Though I'm sure they parents think otherwise.” The elder twins sharing a loud laugh together, just like when they were kids. Stanley took a look at the screen Ford had pulled up, the sign and building looking vaguely familiar to him. He leaned in closer to the screen. “Something wrong Stanley?”

“This place, I think I've been there before. Years ago, long before I got to Gravity Falls.” Stanley scratched his back as he leaned in and looked at all the photos from around the town on the screen. Ford pulling up a few more of the buildings and shops, “Whoa, that one! Her! Marilyn?”

“Who?” Ford asks, pulling up the picture that his twin pointed out.

“Ex-wife... if you can call being married for a day a marriage. She got me good back then, scammed me right out of my junk I was selling door to door. Don't think I was ever so in love and so angry at woman in my life.”

“Well hopefully she's still in town, a point of contact would help us in our search.”

“If I know that woman..”

“That you knew for a day?”

Stanley humphed away from Ford and as he left the shop, “I'll get the supplies packed up while you do your nerd stuff.” Ford laughing to himself at his computer, plotting the route to the kids and then to Connecticut.