Chapter Text
It was a quiet evening at the Mystery shack. Rain fell softly outside, hitting the roof and washing away the sludge that came from winter, the wooden walls let out occasional creaks when the wind picked up, and occasionally the sounds of rain-loving monsters called out from the woods outside.
The TV’s volume was low as Stan flicked through different channels to find something good to watch. His feet were draped across his twin’s lap while Ford read through some random sci-fi book that Dipper had suggested to him. He was close to finishing it, trying to get it done before the younger set of twins came up for the summer. It was a routine they started when Dipper and Mabel left the first time, after everything went down with Bill. It was an excuse to talk over the phone and check in on one another while they carried on living their lives.
Stan huffed loudly, flipping through channels once more before he groaned and let his head flop back. “There’s nothing to watch anymore! All there is on TV is this reality garbage and what not!”
“Maybe you should learn to enjoy a good book instead?” Ford glanced over at his brother with an eyebrow raised.
Stan rolled his eyes. “As if I’d do something lame like reading .”
Ford opened his mouth to respond when they heard a loud series of knocks, coming from the gift shop’s door. The pair looked at each other in confusion.
“Soos put the closed sign up before he left yesterday, right?” Ford asked.
Stan frowned as he sat up. “I thought so? Pretty sure Melody added an extra sign that they were away on a medical emergency too. That the shop is closed until they get back…”
The knocking started up again, louder and more frantic this time.
“But even if he didn’t…” Stan started.
“Why would someone come at 8 o’ clock at night?” Ford finished.
“Maybe it’s the gnomes again?” Stan asked hopefully, even though his expression revealed he didn’t think that was the case as the knocking picked back up.
Ford stood, grabbing his crossbow from beside the tv. Stan quickly followed suit, grabbing his brass knuckles and slipping them on. The pounding got louder as the pair crept out from the living room and into the empty gift shop.
They each took their place beside the door, Ford holding his crossbow at the ready and Stan with one fist in the air, the other bracing himself to open the door. They looked at each other and Ford gave a nod, then Stan opened the door.
Instead of a monster or a burglar like they expected, they were instead greeted with what appeared to be a young man. His hair was blonde and fluffy with darker hair underneath, though sticking to his head from the rain. His skin was pale, and he was wearing what appeared to be some sort of white religious robe. However, the real shock was the red that was painting his entire front; his robe, his hands, and even his face were stained with blood.
He let out a wheeze in the form of breath and Ford strained to make out the small, “Help me…” he let out before the man collapsed before them. Stan reacted quickly, gathering the man in his arms and pulling him into the shack while Ford quickly scanned their surroundings to make sure no monster was coming after them.
He was about to go back inside when he noticed a hooded figure standing by the edge of the woods. He narrowed his eyes and held up his cross bow as he called, “Who goes there?!”
The figure crept closer and they spoke, voice feminine. “Hello there good sir! Pleasure to see you. I was wondering if you could help me?”
“How so?” Ford questioned.
“You see, the man that just came to your door is my dear brother! He was attacked by a wolf and lost so much blood he started hallucinating before we could get him to the doctor! He started running from us and lost us in the woods. I can take him off your hands again, I am so sorry for this slight inconvenience of your time.”
Ford glanced behind him where Stan was kneeling beside the young man. He managed to get the robe open and was cleaning off the blood on his chest with a wet washcloth. He could make out the cause of the bleeding; three cuts along his chest in the shape of a triangle, and a circular cut in the middle of it. Ford looked closer at the robe and noticed the intricate triangle pattern making it up, some with circles in the middle of them and others with two lines forming an X.
He turned back to the figure and raised an eyebrow. “See, I would believe that if I didn’t know exactly who you are.”
“And who am I?”
“The Cipher cult. You’re the bastards trying to bring Bill back into existence. Who's the man really? A victim of your wrong doings? A sacrifice to the damn dorito that tortured this town three years ago?”
Ford noticed the figure tense and their hands clenched into fists. “You shall not speak ill of our lord! The man is the perfect vessel for all his glory, and you will return him to this instance!”
“Look, I’ve been there in the whole ‘worship’ bullshit and I can tell you firsthand that Bill Cipher is dead. And I’m not letting you hurt anyone else.” He held up his crossbow, aiming it at the figure and closing one eye to better aim. “So if you don’t leave right now, I’ll shoot your heart out. And you should be lucky I’m even letting you have a chance to run at all.”
The person growled. “One day you will see Stanford Pines! Your transgression will not go unnoticed! You will rue the day you crossed us!” Then the figure ran deeper into the woods. Ford rolled his eyes and went back inside, quickly locking the door behind him.
During the time he spent yelling at a cultist, Stan managed to get the poor sacrifice cleaned up and bandaged. The man was out cold, but at least he was noticeably breathing better.
“What the fuck was that about?” Stan asked.
“Cultists of Bill’s. Blubbs told me about them, said they’ve been kidnapping people and trying to summon Bill. They’ve never gone so far as hurting someone though. I’ll have to call him and let him know they’re hanging around the shack…” Ford said thoughtfully, before kneeling beside his brother. “I don’t think we’ll be able to get an ambulance down here in this weather, especially with those freaks hanging around. We’re too far out of town anyways, they’d probably get lost or could even get stuck. He’s not so bad as to need immediate attention as long as we don’t bother the wounds too much… First thing in the morning we’ll bring him to the hospital, I’ll let Blubbs know we’re doing so.”
Stan nodded in agreement. “Where should we put him?”
“Hm… I think we could set something up in the living room… If you don’t mind keeping an eye on him?”
Stan shrugged. “Works for me. But you watch him during the day and take him to the hospital.”
“Will do.” Ford agreed.
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It was the middle of the night when the man woke up.
He was laid carefully in a pile of pillows and blankets, unconscious while Stan slept peacefully in his favorite yellow couch when suddenly the man awoke with a gasp and a yelp. He sat up with a start, looking around frantically.
It was just enough for Stan to wake up soon, after, groaning and rubbing his eyes. “Wha-? Oh shit-” He grabbed his glasses, carefully putting them on and standing up. The man visibly jumped and scrambled away, groaning in pain from the effort. “Kid- Kid calm down, you’ll hurt yourself further-”
“Leave me alone!” The man hissed, pulling himself into a corner farther from Stan and Stan… recognized that voice… How did he know it? The older man didn’t have time to dwell on it, however, when he noticed the fresh round of blood seeping through the bandages on the younger.
“Look, I’m just trying to help you but you’ve got to calm down! You’re going to joustle your wounds further.” Stan huffed, slowly and carefully reaching towards the guy.
The man hissed again, and Stan could just make out him baring his teeth like some sort of feral cat. They were unnaturally sharp, like someone purposefully filed them to look like that. “I said leave me alone! I- I don’t need your help!”
“Stan?” Ford’s voice called from the stairway, “Is everything ok?”
“Cult victim woke up and is freaking out. Help me out Sixer, you’re the voice of reason here,” Stan called back.
Said cult victim scooted further into the corner, more under the table, while Ford came down the stairs. When he saw the poor guy, he gave a soft smile and stood a few feet away from the table. He couldn’t see the guy in this position, but the guy should see him. “Hey there, it's okay. We aren’t apart of that weird cultist-”
“I don’t care! I know who you two are and I know what you’ll do to me! Just leave me to die in peace at least, Sixer!”
That made Ford pause, glancing over at his brother. Stan’s brows were furrowed and Ford could practically see the gears turning in his head. Ford stared at the man under the table for a moment, before lowering himself to the ground and looking head on at the man.
His eyes were bright yellow, pupils thin slits. His unnaturally sharp teeth were still bared and, upon further inspection, Ford noticed the triangular shaped scar around one of his eyes. He could have sworn that wasn’t there before…
Ford’s eyes widened and he scrambled back up, turning to his brother. Upon seeing his twin’s expression, everything suddenly clicked for Stan and he stared back, before chuckling nervously and saying, “I guess those cultists weren’t wrong about that ritual after all?”
Ford’s head whipped back around to the third party. “Bill?!” He exclaimed.
The man- Bill- huffed. “Ding ding ding! Congratulations genius, you discovered who I am!” Under his breath, Bill added, “Damn Axolotl…”
“So, what, you’re just back?! But in a human body?!” Ford yelled, voice irritatedly pitching.
“Guess so! Not that I-” Before he could finish, Bill started violently coughing, holding his stomach as he fell over. “Damn meat sack!”
Stan and Ford looked at each other, dumb founded. Ford was about to speak when Bill’s voice picked up. “Before you two go off worrying about me taking over the universe or some bullshit, I can assure you that ain't happening any time soon. My powers are useless in this body, and frankly I wouldn’t be surprised if they were stripped away entirely. Otherwise I would have fixed this damn form, killed you two where you stood, and tried to take over the world already.”
“And how can we trust you’re telling the truth, damn demon?!” Ford snapped.
“Simple.” Bill held out his hand, causing Ford and Stan to hold their breaths, but all that happened was a small flicker of blue tried to spark up and immediately faded. “I mean, it’s possible that they could come back but I know the power of the Axolotl. Bastard would make sure I 'atone for my sins’ or what not, so he probably took them away.”
“Axolotl?” Stan questioned.
Ford shook his head and grabbed Stan by the arm, stepping away from the bleeding, human form of Bill. “Stanley, what the hell do we do?” He whispered.
“What do you mean what do we do?” Stan whispered back.
“This is Bill Cipher we’re talking to here. The demon that tried to destroy our town 3 years ago.”
“I know damn well who we’re talking to Sixer.”
“So, what should we do?! Kill him, let him bleed out, what? You’re the brawns here!”
Stan blinked in surprise, before sighing. “I don’t know Stanford. He may be that stupid triangle, but he’s also a human right now… It feels wrong to just let him die…”
Ford ran his hands down his face, rubbing at his eyes. “Unless it's some sort of trick to try and gain our sympathy, let us heal him until he gains more power back?”
“I mean, that's possible- But what if it's the opposite? What if him dying causes him to, I don’t know, become apart of the mind- realm- whatever the fuck, and allows him to take over?”
Ford frowned. “You’re right, that’s possible…” Ford flinched when Bill started to aggressively cough again, glancing over in time to see a glob of Bill’s blood mixed with spit fall to the floor.
“Damn it, we’re gonna have to clean that up!” Stan groaned.
“Not my fault I’m bleeding out Fez. If those cultists were smarter, they would have realized that carving into the body they gave me as a form would- Woah, why is the world spinning?” Bill questioned, still laying on the floor. He blinked up at Stan and Ford, wide eyed. His voice slurred when he spoke again. “When did two more of you get here? Did you get duplicating powers?”
He then proceeded to pass out.
It took a moment for the Pines twins to process what happened as they both blankly stared at the limp form.
Eventually, Ford asked, “Is he… dead?”
Stan shook his head. “Can’t be, his chest is moving, see? Just… barely… He needs medical assistance, if we’re going to bother helping him…”
They were silent, neither one making any move toward their old enemy.
Stan’s voice was soft when he spoke, “Let's say he really could gain his power back from dying… Then that means killing him, whether by omission of helping or by physically doing the deed, would result in all the pain the bastard started suddenly coming back…”
Ford nodded in agreement and Stan continued, “And if that isn’t the case, if he could gain his power back while alive… Well, he’ll be really weak for a while… We’d be able to see his powers return before they actually arrive. I mean, you saw what I did… Maybe you could even develop some sort of device that could delay his powers returning even?”
“It’d be best to help him, wouldn’t it? Then we’ll keep him here where we can keep a very close eye on him…” Ford said. Stan nodded and sighed heavily.
“Guess we’re babysitting a demon now, huh?”
Ford chuckled bitterly. “What has our life come to Stanley?”
Chapter 2
Notes:
This chapter is honestly a little boring, but the next one will be more chaotic fun I promise!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
They took him to the hospital shortly after that.
They had been hesitant to do so at first, but when they dragged Bill out from under the table they noticed that his wounds were only getting worse and that they wouldn’t be able to care for them on their own. Thankfully, Ford had already called Sheriff Blubbs, who had warned the hospital ahead of time that they’d be coming by with an attack victim. He also warned them that Stan and Ford were clear of blame since they knew the attacker.
After double checking that the cultists weren’t still around, the twins gathered some of the bloodied blankets and placed them in the back seat of Stan’s car, before not-so-gingerly placing Bill into the pile. Then Ford climbed into the driver’s seat and Stan into the passengers.
Ford decided not to comment on the fact Stan originally wanted Ford to go alone. He knew Stan well enough to know the man wasn’t going to leave his brother alone with an injured demon.
They were silent the entire way to the hospital, which was located in the next town over. Neither of them knew what to say to the other, so Ford merely cranked up the radio to drown any awkward silences. Twice Bill had woken up, muttering something about meat sacks or Axolotls, before passing right back out.
When they finally made it to the facility, Stan gently picked up the man bleeding in his back seat and hurried inside with Ford. Doctors and nurses quickly rushed to Stan, grabbing Bill out of Stan’s arms and bringing him to a room for treatment.
When Stan walked over to his brother, Ford was checking Bill in with the receptionist. “... We’re from Gravity Falls, Sheriff Blubbs said he called in about the man? I didn’t recognize him at first but he woke up once while we were taking care of him so I was able to talk to him just enough to find out more information. His name is William Carlson, I think? If I remember correctly, I don’t think he has any family… He’s always been kind of a recluse and a hermit…”
“That’ll do, Mr. Pines. If you plan on staying, please wait patiently over there while we get him in a more stable position. We’ll look through our records and see if we can contact any family,” The nurse said, gesturing over to the waiting area. Ford gave a nod of thanks and dragged Stan over to a couple of chairs.
He spoke low to his brother, careful to keep others from overhearing, “He won’t have anyone in the system. Plus he’s a part of a Gravity Falls attack, so he’ll need to go back there. We’ll offer to watch over and take care of him as a result.”
Stan nodded. “That way we can keep an eye on him. Got it.”
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It had been hours later. Stan had been slumped in his chair and snoring, while Ford reread the same three magazines over and over again.
The doctor finally walked out. “Mister and Mister Pines?” He called.
Ford quickly nudged Stan, who awoke with a snort, and then followed Ford as he went up to the doctor.
“What’s the damage doc?” Stan asked.
“Well, I can assure you that mister Carlson is stable. We were able to stitch up all wounds we needed to, however…” The doctor paused, as if trying to figure out what to say.
“However…?” Ford prompted.
“However, upon our evaluation we noticed that there was something wrong with his eye… It appeared that a toxic chemical was used along it, and it was slowly corroding his optic nerve and disc, and would have traveled further if we didn’t act immediately. As a result, we had to remove it…”
“You mean he’s missing an eye ?” Stan asked, glancing at Ford with concern written across his face.
“Yes, he is… It will take six to eight weeks to heal, and once it does he can be fitted for a prosthetic if he so chooses.” The doctor stated. “Otherwise, all his other wounds should heal on their own. The stitches we used should be removed within 4 to 14 days, depending on how fast he heals. I would advise his return here to do so, but that is ultimately up to him. We will give him the same information when he wakes.”
Stan and Ford nodded, unsure what to do with the information presented.
“Now this leads me to my next question,” The doctor continued, “It appears William Carlson has no existing family present in our system. Due to the unique and concerning situation at hand, and the Gravity Falls’ police force insistence that you are to be trusted, we advise that mister Carlson should not be left alone… Sheriff Blubbs said he will discuss this with you himself, but due to medical concerns and care instructions I must ask now; Would you two be willing to take in mister Carlson for the time being?”
“Yes, of course,” Ford said immediately.
“For sure,” Stan agreed. “Don’t want some nut jobs trying to hurt the man again. He came to our doorstep asking for help, and us Pines take helping others very seriously.”
“That is good to hear. Would you like to see him now?” The doctor asked.
Stan and Ford nodded.
“I will give you care instructions on the way. Follow me.”
The walk to the room was fairly brief, but the doctor walked slowly in order to explain how to care for “William’s” eye and stitches.
When they got to the room, Ford couldn’t help but flinch at the sight of his enemy and former friend.
Bill was laying in the hospital bed with bandages wrapped around his head, covering the removed eye, and wrapped around his chest. He also must've bruised his ankle in some way, because it was wrapped and rested on the pillow. He was also clearly high on painkillers, looking around the room wide eyed and giggling as if every little thing was funny. When his gaze landed on Stan and Ford, he gave a wave.
Ford shoved down the pang of sympathy he got for the other man, arguing that he only felt it because Bill looked entirely too human at the moment.
“Sheriff Blubbs will be here soon to talk to you two and mister Carlson about the incident. For now, I’ll leave you be.” Then the doctor was gone.
Stan and Ford double checked no one else would overhear their conversations then went over to Bill, each taking a chair on either side of him.
“Woah!” Bill giggled. “Double trouble! I’m surrounded!”
Ford took a deep breath, trying to stay patient. “Bill, are you able to focus or not?”
“Sure am Sixer! The painkillers aren’t actually doing anything to me.” Bill grinned.
Stan raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
“Well, they gave me painkillers and said I might feel tired and loopy but I’m not feeling either. I’m pretending so as not to give myself away! I think it might be a side effect of a demon in a human’s body? I don’t really know, but I definitely feel pain!”
“They probably just didn’t give you a high enough dose, Bill.” Ford deadpanned.
“Oh… well, it doesn't matter! What’cha need to talk about?” Bill asked.
“Alright- Obviously we wouldn’t have brought you here if we wanted you dead-” Ford began.
“Clearly!” Bill interrupted.
Ford ignored him and continued, “-which means we’ve had to fabricate a lie. Something you’re real great at.” His voice was bitter when he said as much, and Bill stayed surprisingly quiet at the accusation. “Your name is William Carlson. I know, unoriginal but it would explain why anyone calls you Bill. I also said you’re a recluse and have no living family. The cultist bitch straight up told me that the body you are in was the ‘perfect vessel’ so that's why they kidnapped you. I’m gonna tell Blubbs too that we’re not entirely sure if the ritual they performed didn’t work, which is part of why we want to take you in.”
“But the other part is that we just want to help out a victim of, well, you.” Stan added.
Bill thought for a moment. “Hm… Ya, sounds pretty believable. I can work with it,” Bill said, “And I assume we’ll discuss actual living arrangements once I’m outta here?”
Ford nodded.
“Great!”
After that, everything went by in a blur. Sheriff Blubbs and his husband, Deputy Durland, came by and got witness reports about the cultist incident from Bill, Stan, and Ford, then asked the Pines twins if they could watch ‘William Carlson’.
“I know it’s unlikely, but even the very threat of Bill existing in that man is enough to make me nervous. I’d rather you two watch him, since you know how to stop Bill before he can get powerful, than to let him stay at the hospital or something.”
Finally, all that was left was a matter of paperwork and then Stan and Ford were off, driving an injured, human, Bill Cipher back to the Mystery Shack.
It was on the way there that Ford’s eyes widened in a sudden realization. “Shit- the twins are coming next week to stay all summer! What are we going to tell them, Stanley?!”
“Calm down poindexter. I’m sure the kids will understand. They’ll know that they have to be cautious.” Stan assured Ford.
“Or they’ll get ridiculously mad and try to kill me and shun you! That’s always an option.” Bill stated, way too cheerfully.
“Bill, you’re not helping. So shush.” Stan twisted in his seat so he could glare at the former triangle.
Bill rolled his eye. “Wow, it’s almost like I’m not trying to be! Who would have guessed?”
“Will both of you shut up. I’m trying to think!” Ford yelled.
Stan rolled his eyes but stayed quiet while Bill merely laughed.
Facing back to his brother, Stan continued after a moment, “We’ll have to tell Soos too, but since he’s busy taking care of his Abuelita and won’t even be around the shack, I don’t think he’ll care.”
“I guess you’re right… Melody and him probably won’t even be back to Gravity Falls for a while… I’m sure everything will be situated by then?” Ford hoped. Stan could tell it wasn’t all that confident, but didn’t comment on it.
They pulled up to the Mystery Shack and got out, Bill wincing and clinging to Ford for support. Sheriff Blubbs and Deputy Durland stood guard, and once everyone was settled they said their goodbyes and drove off.
Finally, the three of them were alone. Bill was settled into his pile of pillows and blankets on the floor, since it was organized for his benefit. Stan took his seat on the couch and Ford sat on the armrest. Stan threw some random action show on the TV
They stayed like that for a while, no one bothering to say anything, until Ford felt his stomach rumble and stood. “I’m going to make us some breakfast… Er… Lunch? Wow, it's already noon? How long were we at the hospital?”
“A while,” Stan replied unhelpfully.
Ford snorted as he walked to the kitchen. “Either way, food is needed. I'll make us some sandwiches, those are easy. Bill, have any preferences?” He called as he entered the other room.
Bill hesitated and called back, “Uh- Is that like chips?”
Stan blinked and stared at the former triangle. “What?”
“Ya know, those triangle crispy things?”
“No, I know what chips are- How the hell do you not know what a sandwich is?”
Ford poked his head into the room. “Do you seriously not know what a sandwich is? You’ve eaten them in my body once. The bread things with something in the middle?”
“Oh! The soft triangle! Ya, I took one bite of that and didn’t know how to actually finish it and ended up just spitting it back out.” Bill stated. The other man just stared at him in total bewilderment.
“You- You- Wha-” Ford blinked rapidly in confusion, before exclaiming, ”Did you ever actually eat anything in my body?!”
“You were in Ford’s body?!” Stan exclaimed as well, at the same time.
Bill flinched. “Okay, the yelling? Not fun, please stop. To answer Fez, yes. Did Sixer never tell you I used to be his muse or what not? Literally we had a whole deal with that. And to answer the other question, no. I usually didn’t. I only did what was apart of the deal, and then fucked with you when you stopped the portal project. I didn’t care to actually learn about human anatomy.”
“What about when you were in Dipper’s body?” Stan questioned.
“Oh, that? Literally only wanted to fuck with him. He made a big mistake in making that deal, completely forgoing all details and forgot to specify what his end of the bargain was before he shook my hand. Total newbie mistake! Wanted to teach him a lesson in dealing with devils, honestly. So, I messed around more with pain than anything. I actually did teach myself to drink like a person from that though!”
“Hold on-” Ford stepped further into the room. “That is a whole lot of information to unpack there. I knew Dipper made a deal with you, but he made it sound like you broke the deal. He just forgot to state an entire part of the deal completely?!”
“Yup!” Bill grinned, popping the p. “Wanted me to unlock one of your little laptops. I showed up the first time saying I could do that, but when I showed up the second time all I said was what I wanted in return and that I could, quote unquote, ‘help him.’ As a result, he just didn’t even say what he wanted in return and ended up letting me use him as a puppet!”
“And then you proceeded to torture his physical body despite being in it and trying to steal my journal?”
“Well- I didn’t expect his body to run out of energy that quickly from my messing around so… Ya!”
Stan shook his head, muttering under his breath, “This is all so fucked up.”
“Alright, well, we’re putting a pin in that shit show for now and I’m gonna actually make some food now- Do… Do you even know how to eat ?”
Bill shrugged. “Probably not.”
Ford sighed and just walked back into the kitchen, preparing the three meals.
This was going to go very wrong, he could feel it.
Notes:
I had to edit this 3 separate times because I noticed mistakes grrr. One such mistake was a paragraph, that I SWORE Google docs deleted from my phone, SUDDENLY CAME BACK?! AS I POSTED THE CHAPTER?! But whatever, its fixed now, we're good.
I HAVE TO EDIT IT AGAIN DAMN IT
Chapter Text
Ford came back into the room, handing a plate to Stan and setting another beside Bill before he settled at the table in the living room to eat. Stan and Ford immediately dived into their meal, but Bill stared at his own for a second. He glanced up at Stan, and mimicked how he picked up the sandwich with his hands. “So, what, you just- bite it and swallow?” He asked.
Ford gave him a baffled look, before swallowing his bite and turning in his chair to better face Bill. “You’re actually serious- Bill… You’ve eaten things before, as a triangle not even just possessing people. Do you seriously not know how to eat a sandwich?”
“I don’t actually eat things, Sixer! I can bite with my eye, sure! But it doesn’t work the same as you humans. It mostly just- dissolves immediately and is gone, usually before I actually can swallow.” Bill shrugged.
“You’re- You’re serious?”
“Well, duh brainiac! Sheesh, and you’re supposed to be the smart one.”
“To be fair,” Stan said around a mouthful of sandwich. He swallowed and continued, “We’re not exactly used to your anatomy.”
“Also you describe yourself as straight up omniscient,” Ford added.
Bill rolled his eye. “I am when I have all my power! But I can’t retain those memories in a human form, which is why I don’t really have any power. If this body gained any of my full knowledge and abilities, its brain would explode! Hence why you couldn’t be conscious when I worked, genius.”
“I… Suppose that makes sense…” Ford mused. “Alright, well, here’s how you eat. You’re holding it correctly, keep using both hands until you’re better at this. Okay, you hold it up then take a bite, chew, and swallow. I’ll show you.” Ford did exactly as he described as he took a bite of his sandwich, before chewing and swallowing. “See? Now you try.”
Bill listened to the explanation intently, and when Ford was done he gripped his sandwich a little harder and took a bite. Ford grimaced when Bill proceeded to fully open and close his mouth in order to chew the food, but at least the demon was doing it. After a few seconds of that, Bill swallowed the food. It had still been too much, making the demon cough for a moment but then he grinned. “I did it!” He exclaimed, like a child learning something new. Ford couldn’t help but give a small smile in return.
Bill gained his strength back not long after that, and proceeded to annoy the hell out of Stan and Ford.
It was a struggle to get the former demon to actually take care of himself. Ford constantly had to make the now-human sit down and eat, or to take his medicine and go to bed at a reasonable hour. It didn’t help that Bill shared a room with Ford, which meant the man had to deal with it constantly. ‘It was like raising a stubborn teenager, ' Ford realized with a shock one night.
Then there were the times either of the Pines had to teach Bill about various human tasks. Usually, it was placed upon Ford though Stan did step up occasionally. The weirdest task they had to teach Bill about was going to the bathroom. Thankfully, they only needed to explain the process. Bill was weirded out by it though.
“Wow, that's disgusting! You all really are a bunch of freaks!”
Throughout the day, Bill would rant and rave about anything he felt like; how annoying it was having to eat and drink to live, how weird it was to sleep instead of inflicting the sleeping, criticizing shows for not having enough fighting (which Stan wholeheartedly agreed with), and basically anything under the sun. He talked non-stop constantly throughout the day.
Despite his annoyances, Bill was surprisingly helpful. Despite having bandages and one eye, he was able to take on projects around the shack. He helped Stan fix a pipe that started to leak, assisted Ford in replacing a loose piece of wood on the stairs, and even helped both of them get the attic ready for Dipper and Mabel’s arrival.
A few times, Ford tested Bill’s abilities to make sure his powers weren’t coming back. Thankfully, the most the guy could do was summon a small blue flame, barely enough to cover his finger tips. Ford also ran multiple experiments to confirm Bill wasn’t just messing with him, and everything came back with extremely lower power levels. Bill was true to his word, that he was powerless.
Eventually, they had to go back to the hospital to get Bill’s stitches removed. The doctor marveled at how fast Bill was healing. “You barely even needed stitches it seemed! They helped, certainly, and there are still scars, but I am amazed! And your eye, that's where you really see it! We’d be able to get you suited for a prosthetic now if you want!”
Bill shook his head. “Thank you for the offer doc, but I’m good. I don’t really feel comfortable with the thought of having a prosthetic eye, I’d rather just have an eye patch or bandages.”
“Well, suit yourself! Now let’s finish the rest of the check up…”
Before they knew it, the time came where Dipper and Mabel came rolling into Gravity Falls.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It had been a couple of years since the young Pines twins stayed a full summer in Gravity Falls. After they got back home, they ended up having to tell their parents that Stanley Pines was still alive and had been taking over as Stanford, as well as the fact they almost died several times. They didn’t quite believe the kids about the monsters that roamed Gravity Falls, at first, until Mabel showed them her scrapbook with pictures of everything that went down. Horrified, they had banned Dipper and Mabel from going back. It had taken them begging repeatedly for an entire year before they allowed the twins to stay a week, towards the end of July, with Soos at the Mystery Shack (Stan and Ford hung out for a day, but had a monster to catch near the pacific coast and had to leave the next morning), and it took even more begging for them to relent and let Dipper and Mabel stay another full summer.
It helped that Dipper and Mabel were almost adults, and both took self-defense classes. But, to ease the fear of their parents, they still each brought a knife with them and agreed to take the bus, despite the fact that they could drive.
The pair sat up in their seats and grinned as they passed by the “Welcome to Gravity Falls” sign, gnomes crawling on top of it to wave excitedly at them. The bus rolled to a stop at its designated spot, and they were greeted with the sight of all their friends excitedly waiting for them. Monsters and humans alike, beaming at the town’s youngest heroes. At the forefront was Grunkle Stan, wearing a sweater Mabel made for him that Christmas, despite the fact that it was 70 degrees and sunny.
Mabel and Dipper piled out, Waddles toddling behind them. “Grunkle Stan!” They called in unison, hugging the old man tight. Before they could talk more to him, however, they were swept up in a wave of emotions, hugs, and greetings from everyone they loved.
Wendy came up to Dipper with a nudge and a grin, taking his old ball cap off her head. Dipper grinned back and took her old trapper hat off his. They switched hats before laughing and hugging each other tight. Mabel squealed and hugged Grenda and Candy tight upon seeing her two best friends, Waddles squealing alongside her and jumping up to make them hug him too. Stan let them talk to everyone while he grabbed their luggage to put in his trunk.
Once everyone was done and dispersed, they finally piled into Stan’s rusted old car. Just like when they were younger, the pair sat in the back with Stan up front. He turned in his chair to face them with a grin. “Great to see you kids. Missed you.”
“We missed you too! I can’t wait to tell you all about the self defense classes we’ve been taking!” Mabel beamed.
“Where’s Grunkle Ford?” Dipper asked.
Stan turned back in his seat and started up the car. “Back at the shack, taking care of something. We- uh… Well…” He frowned, starting to pull away from the bus stop. “Something has… come up…” he started slowly, “You kids might not like it, but I promise we have everything under control!”
The twins frowned and glanced at each other and back to Stan. “What happened? Did you guys mess up on a mission or something?” Mabel asked.
Stan shook his head. “No, no, nothing like that. I think… I think it’s best to show you when we get there…”
It didn’t take long for them to get to the shack. The twins and pig quickly climbed out of the car and ran to the shack while Stan grabbed their luggage to bring inside, mumbling something about “unhelpful kids” and “being an old man”.
The twins burst through the door and were greeted to the sight of their great uncle Ford, standing beside the table in the living room of the house. He was talking quietly to a man, whilst also wrapping bandages around the guy’s head and over one of his eyes. The guy was starkly pale, incredibly thin, and had a mop of blonde hair atop his head. The man’s other eye was closed, like he was asleep.
“Grunkle Ford!” The pair called, causing the older gentleman to look over.
Ford grinned, stepping away from the table and holding open his arms. “Kids!” He called. The pair ran to him, engulfing him in a hug as he laughed.
They pulled away and were about to start talking, when Dipper paused and grabbed Mabel’s arm, pulling her a step away from the table.
Ford frowned before turning to look at what Dipper was staring at, and visibly flinched.
The man who was sitting at the table had opened his eye, revealing it to be bright yellow with a long, slitted pupil.
“Shit- Okay, before you freak out please let me explain-!” Ford began.
“Ford- That’s- That’s what happens when Bill is possessing someone-!” Dipper choked. Mabel scooted closer to her brother with wide eyes.
The man snorted then spoke, making the young twins blood run cold, “Hate to burst your bubble kid, but this form isn’t possessed. This is my body.”
Ford groaned and facepalmed. “Bill! That’s not helpful!”
“I literally never said I was trying to be helpful Sixer, we’ve established this,” Bill said.
“ Yes and I remember telling you to shut up and let me talk when the kids got here!” Ford snapped back.
Dipper tensed up and Mabel interrupted their bickering. “That’s- That’s Bill ?! As in, the Bill?!”
Ford sighed and nodded. “Yes, that’s him. But! He’s stuck in this-” Ford gestured to Bill “-form. We’ve already tested to see if he has any of his abilities left. He doesn’t. He’s completely human.”
“But what- how- Why-?!” Dipper stuttered out.
“I think what Dipper is trying to say is, why is he here?! ” Mabel yelled.
Stan walked into the room and over to them. “Cause he came to the door bleeding out and being stalked by cultists,” He said bluntly.
“What?!” The younger twins gasped.
Ford nodded. “The cult I was telling you two about? The one that formed shortly after everything settled down around here? They’ve been kidnapping people. Your parents are aware of that, but I’ve assured her no one even tries to come close to the shack, because they don’t. That is until our resident demon came to the door, chest carved up and with ritual robes on and cried out for help before collapsing.”
“Whatever ritual they did on the former owner of this body worked,” Bill added, tone surprisingly remorseful. “I woke up in the center of whatever it is they did, bleeding out and surrounded by cloaked figures with the statue that made up my former body standing beside me. They started saying something about how I will rule them when I awoke or some shit? Frankly, it was all too much so I freaked out and ran. Stumbled across the shack and I didn’t think, just needed to get away from those creeps.”
“Made a mess of the gift shop,” Stan grumbled and Bill rolled his eye.
Dipper and Mabel stared in shock, trying to process all the information suddenly given to them. Their faces flashes with confusion and worry for a moment, before Dipper grabbed his great uncles and dragged them farther from Bill, Mabel following. Dipper hissed out when he got a safe distance away, “Why didn’t you just kill him when you realized he was Bill?” Bill flinched at the aggression and anger in the young boy’s voice.
Ford raised his hands in a placating gesture. “We thought about it. I wanted to kill him almost immediately.”
“But I realized something,” Stan spoke up. “What if Bill dies and becomes the triangle demon again? We know for certain now that he has no power, but even when we didn’t he was still extremely weak. Hell, he was terrified of us even.”
“I was not terrified! I was threatened!” Bill squawked.
Stan ignored him and carried on, “If Bill is a human right now, who's to say he won’t become fully demon the moment his soul is out of this form? At least this way-”
“We can keep an eye on him and make sure he can’t gain any more power.” Ford finished.
Dipper looked between his great uncles for a moment, then looked over at his sister. The younger twins met eyes, having what could only be described as a silent conversation before Mabel smiled and Dipper sighed in resignation.
“Fine- Okay, I get it- That makes sense. Still, I’m not happy about it! That’s Bill Cipher!” Dipper said.
“We don’t expect you to be alright with this, kid,” Stan said.
“It’s just the best chance we got to keep him under control,” Ford stated. Then the room descended into silence.
“Well!” Bill clapped his hands, startling everyone. “As sickeningly wonderful it is that you all figured that out, my eye and chest are throbbing so I’m going to take some painkillers and go to bed. Wake me up for dinner.” He stood up and headed towards the stairs when Ford stopped him.
The genius had an eyebrow raised at Bill, hand on his chest to keep the younger from leaving. “Bill, it’s noon and you haven’t even had lunch.”
“And?”
“And you should eat something before you decide to sleep for an ungodly amount of hours.” Ford deadpanned.
Bill groaned. “But for the first time since I got here I actually want to sleep! I can wait to eat!”
“Eating is more important right now!” Ford argued. “You need food to build your strength up, the doctor said you’re very underweight!”
“C’mon Sixer, I’ll be fine !” Bill huffed.
Mabel leaned over to Stan while Ford and Bill continued to argue, stage whispering to him, “Have they been like this the entire time?”
Stan sighed and nodded. “Yes. Yes, they have. Every single day.”
Ford did manage to get Bill to eat something before he wandered off to sleep. Dipper was hesitant to let Bill be on his own in the house, but Ford assured him that he’s got alarms set up everywhere in case Bill went somewhere he wasn’t supposed to, or attempted to mess with anything.
The group then decided to whip up some lunch for themselves and soon dived into conversation. Dipper and Mabel told the other pair all the things they did since the last time they saw them, and Stan and Ford told them about the adventures they went on during the year, before they came up for the summer.
In the back of Dipper’s mind, however, he couldn’t help but feel nervous. Despite Stan and Ford’s assurances, he couldn’t help but worry over the fact that Bill Cipher was back… He just hoped that the former-demon-now-human didn’t ruin his summer. They worked hard to keep this family together, he wouldn’t let it all be taken away again.
Chapter Text
“Bill! Kids! Get down here, I need your help!” Stan called, startling Dipper out of a deep sleep.
It had been a couple days since Dipper and Mabel first came to the shack for the summer. Thus far, they have yet to worry about Bill. The man just ignores them for the most part, and the pair do the same to him, only talking if they have to. At most, they’ll have to do chores together. It seemed like this would be another such instance.
Dipper groaned, climbing out of bed and quickly getting dressed, before waking up his sister and heading down stairs. Mabel quickly got dressed and ran after him.
When they got there, Stan was waiting by the front door with Bill right beside him. Dipper raised an eyebrow upon seeing Bill’s outfit, however, as the shorts and t-shirt he was wearing clearly were too big. Probably Ford’s. Not that Dipper cared, he could give less of a shit if Bill was wearing clear hand-me-downs, the bastard didn’t deserve nice things after what he did to them.
“Alright kids,” Stan clapped his hands, which drew Dipper out of his musings as he walked over. He pretended not to notice Bill flinch and scoot away from Mabel and him.
Stan didn’t seem to notice it either as he carried on speaking, leading the trio outside, “Soos is still dealing with his Abuelita being sick, so he asked if I could prepare the shack for opening when he gets back. And by me, that means you!” He stopped walking abruptly, Bill almost running into him, as he spun around to face them.
“Why can’t you just do it?” Mabel groaned.
“Because me and the supposed genius have some other work we’re finishing up downstairs, which also means if something goes wrong you have to deal with it. And don’t come running to us unless something’s burning! Now then! Dipper, you’re going to chop up some logs. I don’t trust Bill with an axe and I doubt he could use one correctly anyways.”
“Understood.”
“Hmm… Mabel, sweetie, you’re going to unload the boxes in the gift shop-“
“On it!”
“And Bill, you’re going to clean the shelves and counters!”
Bill groaned. “Gross, I hate that.”
Dipper rolled his eyes, heading over to the stump they used to cut wood on and grabbing a log as he called back, “Why, cause it doesn’t have enough danger involved?”
Bill rolled his eye, adjusting his black eyepatch (clearly one of Stan’s old ones). “I’ll have you know that chemicals in cleaning materials can actually be much more dangerous than any weapon if you know how to use them!” He quipped. “But I just hate the feeling of the washcloths, mostly.”
Stan’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Really? How come you’ve never mentioned this before?”
Bill shrugged. “You never asked.”
“I-“ Stan sighed and rubbed his hand down his face. “You know what, not even going to respond to that. Now go do the cleaning.”
Bill snickered and darted off, heading towards the gift shop after Mabel.
Dipper set a log down and struck it with the axe, splitting it in two with more force than necessary to let out his frustrations.
He startled when he felt a hand on his shoulder and looked behind him to see Stan standing there with a concerned expression on his face.
Stan’s voice was surprisingly soft when he spoke. “Look, kid, I know you’re upset about Bill being here…”
Dipper scoffed. “That’s an understatement.”
Stan continued, “Bill hurt you kids. More than he ever hurt me. You dealt with his torture at such a young age and I- I can’t do anything to change that… But you understand where I’m coming from, with keeping Bill around, don’t you..?”
Dipper sighed, setting down the axe and turning to face Stan. He rubbed his arm, shrugging his shoulders. “Honestly, not really? I don’t- Grunkle Stan, that demon hurt not just us but the entire town. He tormented Grunkle Ford for years before he ever even got close to powerful and then- then the only way to stop him, we- He-“ Dipper blinked hard when his eyes welled. “I just… I don’t understand the logic behind not offing the guy. After everything he put us through, he deserves to die!” He threw his hands up before letting them drop heavily to his sides.
Stan sighed and thought for a moment, before he spoke, “Dipper… think of it this way. How did Bill mess with people?”
“What?”
“How did Bill mess with people? What did he do to torment and hurt others? Before weirdmageddon.”
“He went into their dreams, the mindscape. It’s how we defeated him, he went into your mindscape and we erased your memories. Why-?”
Stan continued, cutting Dipper off, “Who’s to say Bill won’t go back to the mindscape when he dies? He hasn’t said anything about where he was before now, though to be fair it’s only been a week and a half since he’s been here, but we do know he was trapped somewhere when my memories were erased. The only reason he’s here right now is because a group of cultists decided to give him a form to escape to. He escaped his confinement and is now in an entirely new one, but if he dies how do we know he won’t go to the mindscape and force us right back where we started?”
“He-“ Dipper paused, frown deepening.
Stan was right. How could they know? At least they know Bill is powerless here, at least Ford can watch him… Hell, they already got the demon to do chores for them. But if he died… Where would he end up? They would be right back to square one…
Dipper slumped, nodding. “You’re right… I’m sorry I just-“
“You don’t have to apologize. Again, I understand.” Stan smiled, rubbing the top of Dipper’s head like he was twelve again. “Besides… now we have free labor!” He grinned.
Dipper chuckled and nodded. “That’s true. Thanks Grunkle Stan.”
“Of course. Now, get back to work.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
How can humans stand this?
It had barely been a few minutes since Bill started cleaning, with Mabel unpacking behind him, and already Bill was starting to have a headache from it all.
The texture of the washcloth beneath his hands was rough and dirty, which mixed horribly with the cool wetness that the cleaning spray added to it. The spray itself was also awful; the smell was strong and full of chemicals, making his nose burn and causing his good and bad eye to water. The room was too bright from the sun flowing in and the fixtures above added to it. The room was too spacious and caused the brightness to bounce off everything and blind him. The clutter helped, since many items took in the light or created shadows to cut through, but it was still difficult to handle.
And then there was the noise . Everywhere, constantly, sounds, sounds, sounds -! The buzzing of the lights overhead, the shirk of the spray, the soft scrape of the washcloth, the tapes from the boxes being ripped open or the box itself pounded into. Previously, Bill only had to do quick run throughs of the shop, so he left the lights off and kept it silent. Additionally, other chores had only one or two things that he was able to tolerate, maybe one loud sound and something in his eye, nothing like this. Everything just combined to the point that he felt on the verge of screaming . Seriously, how did humans just- live like this?
But Bill just tried to suffer through. If he could get this done, then he can run off to Ford’s bedroom and hide under the desk like he’s been doing since the kids came. He feels safe there.
It worked, for a bit. But then more noise added to the previous sounds. The thump , thump, from outside where Dipper was chopping wood, the goat and pig screeching back and forth to each other, Ford and Stan down in the basement making all kinds of noise from drilling to banging, and then finally Mabel started to sing quietly under her breath and Bill just snapped.
Bill didn’t understand why he was feeling this way. Why was some simple noises so infuriated? It felt like the sounds were crawling into his brain and banging against his skull. The smells and sights of the room weren’t so bad, but combined with the throbbing in his head? It felt like they were combining together, lighting electricity under his skin, which wrapped around chest and tightened. His eyes, including the bad one, welled with tears and he let out what felt like a growl and a scream combined, before throwing down his washcloth and running out of the gift shop door and into the woods. He just darted out without stopping to question, running until his lungs ached with the effort and his feet hurt before collapsing into the ground.
It was then he finally let out the scream bubbling in his throat and he curled into a fetal position. What’s happening to me? He thought. Why do I feel these- these feelings? What is this? Why do human bodies go through this? This is too much, this is awful-
At least it was quiet here, in the woods. Sure, there was the occasional rush of the wind and birds chirped nearby, but it was nothing compared to back in the gift shop. “Stupid meat sacks…” He muttered.
“Bill…?” Came a voice. Bill opened his eye– when did he close it? --and glanced up at the teenage girl. She was standing a few feet away, with an expression Bill didn’t understand written across her face. She must have followed him here.
“Bill…?” Mabel spoke again.
“Ugh, just leave me alone,” Bill groaned.
Mabel furrowed her brows in annoyance and crossed her arms. “No, I won’t. Not until you tell me what happened back there! You suddenly snarled and just- ran out of the shack for no reason. What happened?”
Bill groaned again and flailed for a second until he was laying on his back and staring up at the bright blue of the sky. After another moment, he reluctantly said, “If you really must know, the lights and the sounds, especially the sounds, in the gift shop were stressing me out. It was all too much, everything was too loud and I… I snapped. I wasn’t thinking, I just knew I needed to get out of there so I ran!”
Mabel’s face leaned into his view with her frown turned to concern. “Bill, that sounds like you were getting overstimulated.”
Bill raised his eyebrow and sat up. “What’s that?”
Mabel plopped down, criss-cross, beside him and thought for a moment. “I’m not quite sure how to explain it, I’ve never experienced it… But basically it’s when you are getting too much information to your senses, or more accurately that your senses feel like they are even if they aren’t. Something like that?”
Bill glanced over at her. “That’s weird. Why do you humans do that?”
Mabel giggled and it made Bill blink in surprise. “Well not all of us do, silly! Every human is different. For example, Soos used to get overstimulated by big crowds. But he got over that when Stan had to retire from…” She frowned. “Well, you know. Anyways… For you, it might be because you’re not used to being in a human body so all the sensory mumbo jumbo isn’t fun.”
“Huh… That- actually makes a lot of sense. Pun intended.” Bill smiled softly. Mabel smiled back and giggled at the pun. Bill didn’t know why, but he liked when she was smiling.
They stayed silent for a while after that. Mabel flopped back and laid beside him, just staring up at the sky. Occasionally, Mabel would point up at a cloud and declare what it looked like. It was nice.
Bill felt weird during this. He felt… tense, in his stomach. Like he made some sort of mistake and now was physically suffering from it… was this guilt ? Was he, Bill Cipher the Dream Demon and destroyer of the Second Dimension, feeling guilty ?
… Yes. He was. It was rather pleasant just sitting here beside Mabel, softly talking. Not only that, but she willingly ran after him after he freaked out and made sure he was okay. She was being nice to him and he… Didn’t deserve that. He knew that. He should be feeling cruel, evil, discarding what she said and threatening her but- But he was human right now and these stupid human emotions made him feel bad for even thinking that.
It made him feel bad for Weirdmagenon.
This is what the Axolotl wanted, Bill realized. He wanted Bill to regret his actions… To realize his mistakes and maybe even fix them… Bill cringed internally. He hated apologizing for his actions. He was an emotionless demon who wanted nothing but death and destruction, why should he feel bad for what he did? It was in his very nature to take what he wanted and use it to his advantage. The Nightmare Realm required it.
But he wasn’t a demon right now. He was human. He was stuck here, with the family he tried to hurt and even kill, and his now-human instincts were screaming at him for doing so.
It’s not like he could do anything if he wanted, so he’d have to embrace the fact that’s what the Axolotl wanted.
Well, hell, if that’s what he’s here to do? Then fuck it. Do it he shall.
Bill sat up suddenly and looked at Mabel like he was about to speak then paused and looked away. How could he even begin…?
“Bill? You alright?” Mabel asked, sitting up.
Bill looked back at Mabel and took a deep breath then let out in a rush, “I’msorryforeverythingIeverdidtohurtyouandyourfamily!”
Mabel blinked. “What?”
Bill huffed and rubbed a hand down his face and said again, slower, “I’m sorry for everything I ever did to hurt you and your family. I… I know that doesn’t make up for it, but I’m sorry.”
He didn’t look up at Mabel, merely waited. The silence stretched on, causing Bill to squirm. What was she thinking? What would she say?
Then, Mabel stood and Bill looked up at her in confusion. “Wha…?”
“I can’t forgive you for what you did, not on my own. Not yet. You really hurt not just my family, but this town, Bill. However, I am willing to start anew. Let’s pretend this is the first time we’ve ever met okay? Forget all that serious and unhappy junk, let’s start fresh.” She held out her hand with a grin- “Hi! My name is Mabel Pines, I like rainbows, pigs, and sweaters! Nice to meet you!”
Bill slowly stood and took Mabel’s hand in his. He hesitated, then spoke, “Hi… My name is Bill Cipher. I- um… I’m not really sure what to say?”
Mabel giggled and shook their hands. “That’s okay! You haven’t been a human for very long, you probably don’t have any hobbies yet huh?” Bill shook his head. “Then I’ll help you find something you like! Come on, let's finish up the gift shop and then we can test out different things!” She started dragging him after her and he chucked, following her lead.
“Alright, let’s do it. Thanks, Mabel.”
Mabel looked back at Bill and simply grinned.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When Dipper finished chopping up the wood and a couple other chores, the last thing he expected when he walked back into the shack was to see Mabel and Bill laying on their stomachs on the floor in the gift shop- The lights and radio were off for some reason?- talking and occasionally laughing. They had a notebook in front of them with what appeared to be a list of some sorts written across it, glitter pens scattered around them.
“Hmm… Well, we can’t really do horse racing, we don’t have any horses around here…” Mabel hummed.
Bill shook his head in what appeared to be disbelief. “Why would you ride horses? That's even worse than holding them!”
Mabel giggled. “Because it's fun! And back in the day we used to-”
“Mabel?” Dipper interrupted, causing the other two to look back towards him. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Oh, hi Dipper!” Mabel rolled onto her back and sat up. “We’re trying to figure out hobbies for Bill! Right- Huh?” Mabel turned her head to look at Bill but he was already up and gone. “Where’d he go?”
“Don’t know, don’t care.” Dipper crossed his arms. “Why are you hanging out with Bill? That’s dangerous, Mabel.”
Mabel rolled her eyes. “You think I don’t know that Dip-Dop? I’ll be fine!”
“And how do you know that?!”
“Because he’s not the same person! Er- Demon? Former Demon? Whatever! Point is, he’s actually different!”
Dipper scoffed. “Oh ya, right, like I believe that. He’s probably manipulating you into thinking he can be a good person.”
Mabel glared. “I just watched him crying because the room was too loud, Dipper. I have been sitting here chatting with him for the past couple of hours and all he’s done is be completely confused about human culture. If he’s really the all-mighty dream demon than explain that huh?”
“He’s using you to get information so he can take over easier.” Dipper shrugged. “Simple as that.”
Mabel huffed, stomping her foot and crossing her arms. “Well I’m still going to give him a chance!”
“But why Mabel?! Why even bother with him, he’s evil!”
“Because you and I both know what it's like to be isolated, asshole!” Mabel snapped, making Dipper pause. “Yes, he is evil. Yes, he is a demon. But guess what? We’ve met plenty of people who are labeled as such! Grunkle Stan and Ford are downstairs right now, and they are both wanted criminals in completely different places! But just think about it! He’s in a completely new body with all new senses and mannerisms he has to uphold, all against his will! He has no idea what he’s doing anymore, Dipper. His plan failed. We stopped him. Who's to say we can’t do it again? Why would he try? Now, he’s just an alien in a whole new world and he has no idea how to survive without help. Think with your heart every once in a while Dipper. Now I’m going to find Bill.”
Dipper watched as Mabel stormed off back into the house.
This was worse than Dipper thought. ‘
Bill is using sweet, innocent Mabel for… whatever despicable thing he’s planning. It’s brilliant too, because she’s always one to help people she thinks are in need… I have to talk to Ford.’
Notes:
Look, okay, I know this is a little bit rushed with Mabel and Bill friendship- But I just really wanted to self project onto Bill here I'll be real.
I never said Bill acted canon like- He is human after all.
Chapter Text
“Hey Grunkle Stan? Can you turn down the TV? It's a bit too loud.”
“Huh?” Grunkle Stan glanced over at Mabel from his position in his favorite yellow chair. She was sitting by Bill at the table in the living room, looking at him expectantly. “Ya, sure kid.” Stan shrugged and did as asked, before going back to watching his shows.
“Thank you!” Mabel called, then turned back to Bill. “Ok, so, you got it on the needle now watch what I’m doing-” The next item on their list was knitting, which Mabel excitedly was teaching Bill all about. After all, it was her favorite hobby. So far, he seemed really excited about the topic and focused on Mabel’s instructions with a determined look on his face.
Dipper watched sneakily from a hole in the door leading from the gift shop to the living room. He was quiet, trying not to be seen, so he startled when he felt a tap on his shoulder.
“Dipper? What on this Earth are you doing?” Ford asked.
Dipper glanced back at the door to make sure Mabel didn’t hear, then quickly shooed Ford over so that the others certainly couldn’t hear them.
“I’m worried about Mabel.” Dipper stated when the pair got a safe distance away.
Ford’s eyebrows rose. “Why? Is everything alright?”
Dipper frowned, folding his arms behind his back as he paced in front of his great uncle. “She keeps spending time with Bill and it's freaking me out! Since they did chores together a few days ago, the pair have hardly been apart. Unless they are doing chores, sleeping, or going to the bathroom, they are constantly chatting and doing various tasks. I’ve been keeping an eye on them and so far nothing bad has happened but it’s Bill Cipher so he must have some sort of curse on Mabel or he’s manipulating and guilt tripping her or something -!”
Ford chuckled, causing Dipper to pause and look up at his great uncle in confusion. Ford had an amused expression on his face, arms crossed and leaning against the wall. “Dipper, I can assure you that Bill is perfectly harmless.”
“But how do you know that-!”
“Well first off, I have been studying him since he got here and made sure he didn’t have any magic and so far the traces are so low, the most he could do is summon his flames. He can’t even make deals properly, because he’s truly not demonic and deals require demonic energy or an entity of great power. So there’s that.”
Dipper huffed. “Okay, so he’s not using magic. That doesn’t mean he’s not manipulating her!”
Ford nodded. “Alright, you have me there. There’s a real possibility he’s manipulating her. I haven’t paid enough attention to Mabel and him to see if there is some controlling going on, so I’ll keep an eye out okay?”
“Fine… But why aren’t you more worried about this Ford? Out of all of us, I thought you’d be the most panicked about Bill being here!” Dipper crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at his Grunkle. Could Ford be manipulated too? He has been in the past…
Ford looked thoughtful for a moment, before speaking carefully, “I spent a long time with Bill… And even longer studying everything I absolutely could about him, in order to understand not only his power but also his mannerisms… Hell, I even interrogated his best friends. So far? While he’s been here, all I’ve seen has been him just… being him. Yes, he’s still the demon we faced, but he’s also not. He’s more like the man I thought was my friend, than the demon who pretended to be my muse.” Ford rested a hand on his nephew’s shoulder. “I’m still worried, Dipper. I don’t forgive him for what he did and I don’t think I ever will. But I’m not afraid of him anymore, and I truly don’t think he’s out to harm us now. But we’ll keep an eye on your sister with him, okay?”
Dipper sighed deeply and nodded.
Ford patted the younger male’s back and then led Dipper into the living room.
Bill glanced up at the pair and visibly paled. He tried to stand, but Mabel pulled him back down into his chair. He instead sunk into it, looking away from Dipper specifically.
Ford clapped his hands together, causing everyone to look towards him. “Alright everyone!” He exclaimed. “We all need to go run some errands. Stanley and I have a particular item we need to find and Bill needs some actual clothes, I don’t want him to keep using my stuff. So we’re going to have a family outing to the mall.”
Mabel squealed, which made all the men in the room flinch and Bill cover his ears. “I love the mall! Oh, oh! Can I help Bill find some clothes?! I love clothes shopping!”
Ford chuckled. “Yes, you and Dipper can help Bill find some clothes.” Mabel cheered and Dipper let out what could only be a squawk.
“Why do I have to?” Dipper questioned.
Ford looked down to his nephew with an eyebrow raised. “Watching,” He said simply.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The ride to the mall was mostly uneventful, minus Mabel singing along to the radio and chatting away about how the mall was like to Bill. She was in between Dipper and Bill in the backseat, with Stan up front and Ford driving. Dipper pointedly watched the world pass outside the window, while secretly keeping a careful eye on his sister and the demon next to her. Bill simply ignored Dipper and focused solely on Mabel.
When they finally made it to the mall, Ford gestured for the family (and Bill) to gather around. He pulled out a small wad of money and handed it to Dipper. “Here, you hold onto that for purchases… Alright. Dipper, Mabel, you each have your phones? Good. If something happens or you need us, call. Stan and I will go find our thing while you guys go get clothes, we’ll meet back at the food court in four hours. Got it? Good. Also, Bill? Behave.”
Bill gaped in mock offense. “Why, Sixer, I always behave!”
Ford gave him a blank look in response. “That’s a lie and you know it.”
“Well I’ve been good these past few weeks!”
“That’s a lie and you know it.” Ford repeated.
Bill huffed but didn’t argue further, and then they were off. Mabel grabbed Dipper and Bill by the hand and immediately led them to an Old Navy to look around for clothes while Ford and Stan went to find whatever it was they needed.
Upon entering the store, Bill’s eyes widened. “That’s a lot of clothes…” He muttered.
Dipper snorted and Mabel giggled. “Yup! Now come on, your sizes are over here-” Mabel said, leading the boys over to a section of the store. Bill scooted further away from Dipper, practically clinging to Mabel’s hand. It was… rather pathetic really, but Dipper tried not to focus on it and instead tried to process what Mabel just said.
“Wait, how do you know that?” Dipper asked. Mabel just innocently grinned and proceeded to start sorting through the clothes. Dipper decided not to question his sister further and merely watched with his arms crossed as the other two went over every outfit.
It was only a few minutes in when Bill let out a gasp and ran over to a rack, pulling out a yellow shirt that had a plaid-like design on it. It wasn’t quite plaid exactly, more like lines trying to make the appearance of such if anything.
Mabel ran over. “Oh! That looks so cute!”
“It’s yellow…” Bill murmured, eyes focused on the shirt in front of him.
Mabel’s brows furrowed in confusion for a second before she realized. “Of course! You were yellow, yellow clothes are more up your alley! Come on, there’s some more over here and then we can find more in another store!”
They spent the next thirty minutes grabbing all kinds of yellow or black clothing; t-shirts, hoodies, even a few button downs, as well as all sorts of pants, tank-tops, and some pajamas that had triangular patterns (they were blue though). Then they spent the next half an hour trying all the clothes in various combinations. It drove Dipper insane with boredom, so he eventually pulled out his phone and played some games while he waited for them to finish.
Once the pair were finally done, Dipper paid for the clothes and they were off.
“We got a majority of your outfits, and even some pajamas, so we don’t have to desperately go into any stores but if you see anything you like in the windows we’ll stop in! I spend hours with Grenda and Candy just window shopping some days!” Mabel said cheerfully, swinging her arms. Dipper was forced to carry the bags.
“I don’t know Mabel, I think we have enough-” Dipper was cut off by Mabel abruptly shushing him and running over to an expensive looking store with all kinds of suits. Bill was staring at it in shock and awe. The former-triangle looked like he just saw the best thing in the world. Dipper raised an eyebrow at him and when Bill noticed, he visibly shook himself out of his thoughts and ran after Mabel, away from Dipper.
“These are incredible, I didn’t know clothes could be so interesting,” Bill said.
“Of course they can be silly! Have you seen my sweaters? Come on, everyone needs at least one good suit, let's see if we can find anything for you and maybe something for Dippin Dots over there.”
“I have a suit Mabel.” Dipper deadpanned.
“That old thing has seen better days, you need better stuff!” Mabel complained.
The pair continued to argue about the suit and Bill decided to ignore them in favor of looking around. He really didn’t like being close to Dipper anyways, so any excuse to avoid him was welcome. The shop wasn’t very big, but there were a lot of options and Bill had no clue where to start, so he focused on colors; he knew he liked yellow, so he found anything with yellow. Nothing quite caught his eye. They were nice, they just didn’t… feel right.
He decided to focus on size next, having figured it out thanks to Mabel earlier, and eventually stumbled upon a black tailcoat vest. He pulled it out of the rack and examined it.
It was quite nice, really. The material was soft and smooth, it was a nice black color and the tail coat would roughly reach his knees…It looked like something pyronica would’ve made him wear.
“If only this was yellow…” He muttered.
He jumped when Mabel’s voice spoke up, “You could always customize it if you want something yellow along it.”
“You can customize clothing?” Bill wondered.
Mabel giggled and nodded. “Of course, silly! People customize and even make their clothing all the time, like my sweaters.”
“Wait- You made your sweaters?!” Bill gasped, genuinely shocked.
“Of course! Remember how I was showing you knitting? That’s how I made them! See?” She showed Bill her sleeve and he marveled at the fact.
Dipper–when did Dipper walk over? He really doesn’t like Dipper being this close–snorted. “You can’t be serious. Aren’t you omniscient or something?” Bill really didn’t want to go over this again, he already talked to Stanford about it.
Bill rolled his eye and muttered. “You sound like Sixer.” He spoke quietly so only the twins could hear, “Yes, I am, but not right now. If this body even had a trace of my original body’s omniscience, it would not be able to handle it. Probably would go mad at best, genuinely have my brain explode at worst. That’s not an exaggeration. But as a result, I only have my memories of being in my actual body. None of the knowledge aside from the basics of breathing, speaking, and thinking. It’s why I didn’t even know how to eat originally.”
Dippe stared at him for a long moment, like he couldn’t believe the words Bill was speaking (he probably couldn’t) but looked away and dropped the topic.
Mabel quickly spoke up, “Anyways- Yes, I make my sweaters. And yes, you can customize clothing.”
“Huh…” Bill looked down at the tailcoat a moment longer. He really shouldn’t get it, but they said he could so… Fuck it. He can do what he wants after all, he’s Bill Cipher.
They end up getting him a pair of dress pants to go with it, he knows they got a nice button down to wear under it, and then he stumbles upon bow ties and top hats. Feeling nostalgic for the form he once had, he grabbed them. Dipper also found a suit, apparently, because there was certainly an extra one when they checked out. Not that Bill cared, he didn’t care about Dipper at all.
The rest of the trip went by in a bit of a blur; they got fabrics, paints, and sewing materials to customize the suit (as well as glitter). Eventually they found themselves at the front of the mall where Stanford and Stanley Pines stood- had it really been that long already? Bill didn’t recall it being that long.
“Everyone alright?” Ford asked.
Dipper nodded and Mabel gave a “Yup!”
Ford looked expectantly at Bill, who had been staring off in the distance. Bill frowned in confusion. “What?”
“Making sure you’re alright,” Ford stated. Bill blinked.
“Ya, fine.” Ford seemed to accept that answer and then they were back in the car.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Bill?” Ford’s voice called before the door opened and light trickled into the darkened room.
It was much later after the mall trip and Bill was sitting on the old mattress that Ford gave him for a bed (Ford took the couch thing that was already in the room) curled up in the corner with a blanket wrapped around him. Ford frowned upon seeing the figure, who was just… staring off into space.
Bill barely seemed to register Ford walking into the room, barely flinched when the lights were turned on. He was just… zoned out, eye on the wall but not really seeing it. The eyepatch of his was on the floor beside him, as if he was about to go to bed. It was nearly midnight, but Bill was merely sitting there, not asleep like Ford expected him to be.
Ford’s frown deepened. He shouldn’t be worried, really. This was Bill Cipher after all. This was the demon that took over the town, tried to hurt the kids, tricked Ford…
Was Stanford’s best friend. His muse. And now, a human under Ford’s care.
Bill reminded Ford of back then, when he thought Bill was a good person. Bill was brilliant, knew so much, but was also clueless about humanity sometimes and Ford taught him what he knew in exchange for helping him. Even when he knew Bill was manipulating him, Ford also knew those moments were genuine. He was almost childish now, in a way. Needing to be taught instead of just… knowing.
Ford should hate the demon, should want him dead. But he cares too much for those inexperienced and younger than him.
Ford walked over and sat next to Bill on the mattress. Bill didn’t even seem to notice. His eye was practically blanked out, barely registering what was happening around him.
“Bill?” Ford said softly. No response. “Bill? Can you hear me?” He waved his hand in front of Bill’s face and that's when Bill blinked and looked over at Ford. His eye was watery, like it finally realized it had been open for too long.
“Hm? M’ord?” Bill hummed.
“Hey… You okay?” Ford asked. He kept his voice low, gentle, like when he coaxes Stan or the kids out of nightmares.
BIll nodded slightly, his eye going hazy and blank again. Ford snapped his fingers in front of Bill, causing him to flinch but at least return focus again.
“Bill, you’re dissociating. Come on, speak to me,” Ford said.
“I’m- I’m fine, Ford… What’s dis… dis… what did you call it?” Bill asked, much more in his mind now.
“Dissociating. It's when you lose touch with the world around you and get kinda… zoned out? I guess? But what it is doesn’t matter, it’s why you got into that state that does. What’s going on Bill?”
Bill shrugged and looked away. “Like I said, Ford, I’m fine.”
Gods, he sounds like a depressed teenager, Ford thought. Does that make me his like- dad? No, no, that's a weird thought. Focus on Bill, Stanford.
“Clearly you’re not. What happened at the mall?” Ford pressed.
Bill sighed heavily and flopped back onto the mattress. He was silent for a long moment, and Ford was about to push again, when Bill spoke, “I don’t even know!” He freed his blanket covered hands and threw them into the air. “We were fine , really! The most I didn’t like was being around Dipper because my stupid now-human emotions kept screaming everytime I looked at him, but nothing was problematic! Then we found the suits and- and I was staring at this tailcoat, talked to Dipper about not being omniscient and suddenly everything felt… Distant? Different? Like I wasn’t fully there.”
Tears formed in Bill’s eye but he ignored them and continued on like he couldn’t stop, “Then I saw the bow tie and top hat and it got even worse because my brain started pointing out how I wasn’t in my actual body anymore, pointed out all my failures, everything I ever did wrong, basically screaming at me, and once I finally got to the room everything just shut down and I- I don’t know-” Bill’s voice cracked and he stopped.
Hesitantly and carefully, Ford laid down beside Bill. He was careful not to touch the other as he pillowed his hands under his head, he didn’t need to evade Bill’s personal space, he simply wanted to keep at eye level with the other.
Ford thought through his next words carefully. “It sounds like… the trip made you start thinking about your previous life… which ended up causing some really distressed feelings. Instead of stopping the thoughts, to keep from dwelling your brain… shut down. Decided you didn’t need to think about all of it, but it… didn’t know how to do so without a whole system reboot.”
Bill huffed. “I hate that, that’s stupid. Why do human brains do that?”
“Not all do,” Ford said gently. “All human brains are different. But based on this and what Mabel told me happened in the woods, as well as some of the other details I’ve learned about you over the past couple of weeks, it sounds like you are neurodivergent in some way. I don’t think it's autism, but you definitely have a noise sensitivity and are quite possibly depressed too.”
“Why would I be depressed? I’m Bill Cipher, I don’t get sad.” Bill turned over to his side, mirroring Ford’s pose. The tears that had gathered in his bad eye started leaking from the socket.
“That’s a lie, but depression isn’t just about being sad Bill. Frankly though, you’d be a hell of a candidate for being depressed…”
Bill frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Ford opened, then closed his mouth once, then opened it again, “Don’t take this the wrong way, I’m not trying to be mean, genuinely. But you’ve… Well, you’re going through a lot right now. Suddenly you’re a powerless human after being the most powerful demon known to the multiverse. That’s a lot of baggage to take on at once for any magical being. What’s more, you are living with what’s essentially your enemies. You… You hurt us. Badly. Your emotions are taking that and guilting you for it, something you’re not used to and really can’t handle.” The more Ford spoke, the more he realized the information for himself. “You also did some pretty awful things before you got to Gravity Falls, such as…” He hesitated.
“Such as destroying the only home I knew,” Bill finished for him in a whisper, picking at a spot in the mattress so he didn’t have to look at Ford.
“Ya… As a result of all that weighing on your mind? Depression is bound to have some play, or at least something similar.”
Silence followed the statement.
Bill looked at Ford suddenly with a sad look to his eye. I’m sorry!” He blurted.
Ford blinked.
“I’m… I’m sorry, Stanford… For everything…” Bill looked away but continued, “For using you, betraying you… For hurting your family… I know my words are meaningless but I just- I’m sorry…” His voice dropped to barely audible, but Ford knew.
Ford rested a hand on Bill’s shoulder, which made the other look at him again. There were tears gathered again, occasionally slipping down his face. “I know,” He said, “I know you’re sorry. That doesn’t change anything though, not yet.” Bill nodded. “However… I’m willing to give you a chance, Bill… So far you’ve done nothing but be, well, a non-demonic Bill Cipher.”
A small smile tugged at Ford’s lips. “You’re kinda like how you were back in the day, when you were my friend. I can’t trust you, not after everything, but I can at least accept that you’re back in my life now. That you’re not a threat, you’re a friend again. Okay?”
Tears started flowing freely from Bill’s eye and socket. “Really? Just like that?” Ford nodded. “I-” Bill’s voice cracked and he shoved his face into the mattress.
Carefully, Ford wrapped an arm around Bill and pulled him closer. Despite once being a terrifying and all-powerful demon, he looked small like this. Fragile. A sick part of Ford’s mind was glad, thinking the demon deserved it. But the rest only felt sympathy and pity.
Bill clung to Ford’s shirt and turned to bury his head in Ford’s chest. “You shouldn’t- You don’t need to-” Then Bill let out a sob, and Ford simply held him while cried.
This was the demonic monstrosity that took over Gravity Falls. This was the demon that nearly destroyed their reality as they knew it.
It was at this moment that Ford truly didn’t believe Bill was capable of doing that anymore.
Notes:
Honestly this chapter was supposed to solely be filler, but then the end suddenly got very emotional for like- no other reason than Ford and Bill bonding-
But I hope you enjoyed regardless! Enjoy the fluff while it lasts ;3
Chapter Text
It’s been nearly a month since Dipper and Mabel started staying in Gravity Falls, visiting their friends and going on adventures. A month since Stan told them they had some news. A month has passed since Bill was suddenly thrust back into their lives, and Dipper still didn’t like or trust the ex-triangle one bit.
Sure, Bill hadn’t done anything in that month (unless you include the time Mabel and him pranked Grunkle Stan with glitter, but that was pretty funny so Dipper didn’t count it), and sure he stayed at the shack with Grunkle Stan and Ford whenever the twins were out and about, and sure, Bill avoided Dipper like the plague, but the man was still the former demon that terrorized his town. It would take something extreme for Dipper to even consider liking Bill, let alone trust him.
Mabel and Bill were at the living room table and working his new suit (every time they thought it was done, there was always something to be added) and Dipper sat on the floor with his back against the skull coffee table, in order to keep an eye on them. He wrote down notes and details he found about Bill in his journal, where he put all his research. It was something he started right before leaving Gravity Falls at thirteen, inspired by his Great Uncle Ford’s journal of course, and he made sure to write down any little thing about Bill that could even hint at him still being the triangle he knew.
Stan and Ford were sitting together on the couch behind him. Stan’s legs were practically draped over Ford as he watched TV and sipped a Pitt Cola, while the older twin worked on some sort of project on his laptop. Even with Bill there, they seemed quite content.
“Hey Bill?” Mabel’s voice broke the silence, “Have you ever dated anyone?”
“Why would you care to ask that?” Dipper asked.
“I’m curious!” Mabel defended.
Bill thought then, confidently, said, “Well, I dated Ford.”
“You what?!” Mabel squealed.
“You what?!” Dipper shrieked.
“We what?!” Ford yelped and Stan spit his sip of Pitt Cola at the TV.
Bill covered his ears. “Okay, OW, first off! And second off, yes! We dated!”
Ford closed his laptop. “No we did not, Bill!”
“Yes we did Sixer!” Bill’s eyebrows furrowed.
“What the hell do you think dating is?!”
“It's when two people have an incredibly close bond, are practically devoted to each other, and spend all their time together, isn’t it? That’s what we did!” Bill looked entirely too confused for this to be him messing with them, holy shit .
Stan dissolved into laughter and Mabel tried to stifle her giggles and was failing. Dipper’s jaw was dropped.
Ford sighed heavily and pinched the bridge of his nose. “That is not all there is to it, Bill. What we had was entirely platonic. If anything, I was a one man cult towards you.”
“But isn’t that literally just-”
“NO!” Ford groaned, face red. “Dating happens when both parties agree to, well, date! They have a conversation, and usually people date because they are romantically involved with each other, platonic dating is a rarity but again has to have the agreement there. We did not do that Bill, we just happened to be really close. That does not mean we were dating.”
“Huh… Okay!” Bill shrugged and went back to his project. Mabel tried to calm down and went back to helping him.
Ford sighed heavily and shoved his brother off his lap for laughing, which made Stan shriek and just barely save his pitt cola from spilling. Ford stood and nudged Dipper lightly until the younger looked up. “Can I talk with you for a bit?”
They walked out into the gift shop and Ford spoke while punching in the code to the vending machine. “I know you’re worried about Mabel, but you really need to stop stalking Bill. He’s come two me three separate times in the past two days complaining how every time he tries to leave you alone, you just follow him and stare like he’s going to bite your sister’s head off.” Ford pulled open the door and gestured for Dipper to follow.
Dipper frowned and stepped into the stairwell. “But Great Uncle Ford-”
“I know, I know-” Ford walked down the stairs with Dipper close behind- “But seriously Dipper. Don’t think I haven’t noticed how the only time you can relax is when Bill is secure in my room with me. Mabel and Stan have both told me how you don’t eat when Bill is around, you barely sleep because you keep getting nightmares of him, hardly leave Mabel alone with Bill unless Stan or I am there too.” They walked up to the elevator and Ford punched in the code, gesturing Dipper inside when it opened and joining him.
He grabbed Dipper by the shoulder, making the teenaged boy look up at his Great Uncle. “Dipper… You’re worrying yourself sick… You’re reminding me of how I was, way back when I was paranoid of him. I don’t want to see you turn into that…”
Dipper sighed and shrugged Ford’s hand off him. Looking away, he said, “But I can’t help it. This is Bill Cipher we’re talking about here. When he possessed my body, I was scared for weeks after. If I hadn’t gotten Mabel’s attention, if she hadn’t decided to step up and get him out of my body, he could have destroyed the journal and come back far earlier. For months after he was defeated, I kept thinking he was going to suddenly appear in my dreams and torment me, that he was going to take over my body again and use it to, I don’t know, kill Mabel or my parents. I kept having nightmares about being trapped in the bubble with Mabel, Soos, and Wendy, unable to escape. I-I kept-” Dipper glanced at his uncle again and Ford saw the tears in his eyes- “I kept seeing you, frozen golden in front of me, unable to do anything to stop him… And I dreamt of Stan, with no memories of who I was or what he did to save us… Stanford, he terrifies me…”
Ford stayed silent as the elevator opened up to his lab. He rested his hand along Dipper’s back and led him deeper into the space. Stan and him had revamped it since Dipper had last been there; they took out the wall connected to the portal’s machinery and had completely opened the space up. One wall was all storage of objects and artifacts Stan and Ford collected on their adventures, the other wall full of machinery and test tubes, with Ford’s research desk moved over to be beside them. Lastly, on the back wall ahead of them, was what looked to be an operating table with a strange flat platform beside it connected to the giant computer system Ford originally used to try and block Bill from Dipper’s mind.
Ford led Dipper towards the table. Off to the side on a rack were various tools and cords hanging off of it. At the very top there was some sort of metallic circle, like a robotic collar. Ford picked it up and turned to Dipper. “You have every right to be terrified of Bill, Dipper. Every right to be as angry as possible at him. I don’t blame you for it. But I also know that you are hurting yourself further, and nothing is going to change for either of you if you keep being so afraid of him all the time. That's why I’m giving you this.” Ford held out the collar to Dipper, who raised an eyebrow in turn.
Carefully taking it from his great uncle, Dipper asked, “What is this?”
“It's a power inhibitor.” Ford stated. “Essentially, any magical being who wears it, is completely powerless. It won’t kill them, won’t hurt them, but it will keep their magic completely at bay and unable to be used. Part of why I have been keeping an eye on Bill’s powers and spending so much time down here, is because I was working on that. It is completed, I have tested it several times and have achieved positive results every time thus far and it hasn’t caused any harm to anyone. I only plan on using it for emergencies, in case Bill’s abilities somehow spike and could threaten us or even if those abilities start hurting Bill himself, which is possible if he’s to be believed. Stan suggested the idea back when Bill first came here.”
Dipper started at the contraption in front of him. “How do you use it?”
Ford showed him how the device unlatched and re-latched (it was simple, really, but complicated enough that Bill could not do it on his own without looking at it) and explains the mechanics behind it. When he was done, Dipper looked at his Great uncle with furrowed eyebrows. “And… Why are you giving it to me exactly?” He wondered hesitantly.
“Because as long as you have this device on you, you will always have a way to stop Bill. He can’t do anything to you with this on him, not like how he used to. It is not a cure all by any means, but it might provide you some comfort especially while-” Ford paused, frowning. “I… haven’t told you about that yet, didn’t I…”
Dipper frowned. “About what?”
Ford closed his eyes and sighed. “Something came up last night so now Stanley and I have some business to run in the next town over. We’ll be gone for a couple of days, which means you kids will be left alone with Bill. I already called Wendy to let her know you’ll be gone with the, quote unquote, ‘cult victim’, because I still haven’t told her that he is in fact Bill, and she says she’ll stop by a few times to ensure everything is alright.”
Dipper paled. “When are you leaving?”
“This evening.” Ford’s voice was gentle but Dipper still clung to his Great Uncle’s sleeve like he was twelve again.
“Do you have to..?” His voice shook, but he didn’t care.
Ford wrapped his other arm around Dipper’s shoulders. “Yes, but we won’t be long. You’ll be alright. Hence why I gave you that,” he nodded his head towards the collar, “and why I have Wendy checking in. Plus I have made sure everything is stocked, our numbers are in your phones, and if anything happens we will drop everything and head back right away. I promise. You’ll be okay.”
Dipper knew that. He logically would be fine, given the fail safes and tools at their disposal, but the illogical part of his brain screamed that Stan and Ford can’t leave, that they are all his has to protect him and Mabel from Bill.
But the other part of his brain reminded him that the twins defeated Bill before. They could do it again, should something happen. If something even happens.
Reluctantly, Dipper nodded. “We’ll be okay.”
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Bill didn’t like this one bit..
“It’ll only be a couple days but you all better behave, got it? Try not to murder each other.” Ford told them while Stan packed his and Ford’s suitcases into their car. “That being said, Dipper is in charge in case something goes wrong.” Of course Ford had Dipper in charge, why wouldn’t he? But that also meant that Bill was going to have to be near him and whenever he was his emotions went… weird. Like they did earlier, before Mabel and him talked, except even worse.
It didn’t help that Ford also dragged Bill to the side and said, “I’m trusting you to watch over and protect those kids, got it? I know nothing bad has happened since we got you, but you never know. Just keep them safe for me. Can you do that?”
Bill had agreed, of course. Despite being the demon that nearly killed the Pines family, his now-human emotions ensured that a hair wouldn’t be dented on the twins’ heads. He wouldn’t let Ford down, not when they were finally starting to warm up to each other and become friends again. But it didn’t mean he had to be happy about it.
Especially not now, barely the next day, when he woke up and stumbled down the stairs to see Mabel and Dipper arguing in the kitchen.
Bill decided to ignore them as he slipped into the living room. Plopping down into the couch, he decided to quietly turn on the TV with low volume and surfed through channels. As a result, he easily eavesdropped on Dipper and Mabel’s conversation.
“Dipper, seriously! He hasn’t even done anything!” Came Mabel’s voice. So they were talking about Bill then. Great.
“But that doesn’t mean he couldn’t! Maybe he was waiting until he got the two of us alone, maybe he wanted to make sure Stan and Ford were out of the picture!”
“Come on, stop being ridiculous. That’s stupid! Sure Stan and Ford are strong, but so are we. We know what we’re doing. Hell, the other week I easily tackled him to the ground and he knew I was coming!”
“I don’t care! It’s Bill fucking Cipher, Mabel! This device can ensure we’re safe no matter what,” Ah, so Ford gave Dipper that inhibitor he was building, “and it doesn’t hurt him at all! I’d feel better with this on him while our Great Uncles are gone rather than off him until they get back”
“I happen to like spending time with Bill, he actually listens to what I have to say, about my hobbies and projects, and he’s actually really interesting to talk to when you have the chance!” Don’t cry Bill, gods, it’s not like she’s saying that to your face-
“But what if he’s-”
“I can protect myself, Dipper! Stop acting like you need to save me all the time, we aren’t twelve again!” Maybe Bill should interrupt them, Mabel sounds really mad…
“Mabel, I just don’t trust him!”
“But don’t you trust me ?!” Mabel’s voice cracked. Shit- “Can’t you trust me to defend myself?! I’m not weak, Dipper!”
“Mabel- C’mon, Mabel, don’t cry- Mabel!”
Bill saw a flash of brown as Mabel flung open the front door and ran out, with Dipper following her trail. Should he leave them alone? Go after them? Bill’s never been a mediator before, maybe his presence would just be worse. But maybe he-
Bill’s thoughts were harshly interrupted when he suddenly heard them scream.
Notes:
:)
Chapter 7
Notes:
Here it is, the last Chapter!
Thank you guys so much for following along this story, I hope you enjoyed it!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Bill bolted outside just in time to see Mabel and Dipper grabbed by a pair of cloaked figures and dragged into the woods.
Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!
Bill stared after them, eyes wide and unsure what to do. He had to protect them, had to go after them- Whether he liked it or not, the Pines were becoming his family, the Mystery Shack was practically his home now. Regardless of his promise to Ford, he couldn’t let anything bad happen to those kids. He couldn’t let them get hurt or he’d never forgive himself, Bill had to go, now !
But those were the cultists, Bill realized. They were after him. They wanted their ‘ruler’ to return… He had to be cautious about this, make it clear this is where their reign will end while also ensuring they know who he is…
Bill eyed his tailcoat, currently hung on the coat rack with his top hat and bowtie. If these cultists expected him to be the great and mighty Bill Cipher, he might as well look the part.
Quickly shrugging on the tailcoat and placing the top hat on his head, he clipped on the already-made bow tie and adjusted his eyepatch.
He was about to leave when he spotted the knife Stan used to cut down tough rope or sometimes whittled too sharp wood. It was sitting on the outside couch, sheathed. Bill grabbed it, yanking the sheath off and then ran into the woods.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was easy enough to find them. The cultists were in a circle surrounding Bill’s old form, now a statue with overgrown vines and moss covering it. With only one good eye, he could barely make out Dipper and Mabel leaning against the statue. Both of them had their legs tied together and their hands tied behind their backs. They were also gagged, with their shirts cut open to reveal their chests and stomachs.
What must have been the leader was kneeling in front of Dipper, holding a knife. They were drawing a triangle shape into their skin. Dipper was crying out in pain, a sound muffled by the gag, and Mabel was full on sobbing behind him. Oh hell no-
Bill was hidden behind the trees. His blood felt like it was boiling under his skin and his heartbeat was much faster than it should have been, wanting nothing more than to kill every last cultist in this group. But he waited. If he bursts in too soon and tries to kill them now they may not realize who he is and try to kill all three of them.
After finishing the marks, the leader stood and faced their group. “My friends! Exactly a month ago, we summoned our great and powerful leader, Bill Cipher, and gifted him a brand new vessel so that he could take over our boring and miserable world once more! However, on that very night he was stolen away from us and taken into the family that first destroyed him all those years ago. We have been watching him, ensuring that he is indeed our beloved ruler, but the cursed family has been tainting his mind!
“But that all changes today. Today, we shall summon our triangular leader once more and create a fun, chaotic, world! And it starts with these two, a part of the family that drove our ruler away from us. These sacrifices will ensure his freedom, and with the right spell will grant him more power. Now, let us begin!”
One by one the cultists fell to their knees and raised their arms to the sky letting out a chant, the same one Gideon had used to summon him years ago. The leader grabbed Mabel, who screamed and struggled against them, and forced her to lay on her back next to the statue, holding her in place by kneeling against her stomach. The leader raised the knife high with both hands clasped against it. “Tonight- we shall-!”
Before they could say or do anything else, Bill darted out from the woods, shoved past the kneeling cultists, and grabbed the leader’s wrists.
Bill’s vision was tinted blue and he could feel his eye practically burning. His boiling blood rose to the surface as he tugged the leader away from Mabel and Dipper, kicking the knife out of their hand and away from any other cultist. A wave of pure power flowed through him as his other hand gestured and a circle of blue fire surrounded the twins, keeping them safe from the cultists around them.
The forest was completely silent, save for the relieved cries of the twins and the heavy breathing of Bill. Then, the leader gasped. “Our lord, you look-!”
“I am not your ‘lord’,” Bill growled out, voice somehow reverberating around them.
The cultists began to whisper amongst themselves in confusion. The leader knelt in front of him and sounded baffled when she replied, “But- We are the ones who have given you a form once more! We have devoted ourselves to you since the moment you disappeared and we have done nothing but worship you!”
Bill laughed, voice high pitched and cruel, making everyone wince. He knocked the leader flat to the ground and placed a foot on their chest to keep them in place. “Wow! You meatsacks really are stupid, aren’t you?! Did you really think I wanted to return? That I wanted you to ‘devote’ yourself to me?! That I wanted you to kill for me?!”
Bill shook his head with a wide grin splayed across his face as he looked around at the cultists. “Did you really think I wanted to be some stupid flesh sack like you? Really? Did you ever stop to think, to consider, that maybe, just maybe I was content in my prison?”
Bill remembers his ‘prison’. It was within the remains of his old universe, the one he was born in and destroyed in an effort to escape a dull life. It was the last place he ever had a family and a true home. That's why he was forced to remain there, a constant reminder of his mistakes. He hated it there. The loneliness had been eating him alive. Not that he’d tell the cultists that.
“But no, you decided to bring me back! But hey! That was fine, because I happened to stumble upon them!” He gestured to Dipper and Mabel, safe within the circle of fire. Mabel had grabbed the discarded cultist knife and was trying to break her brother from his bonds. “And guess what they did? They gave me a home! They treated me well, despite everything I did!”
These were the kids that Bill Cipher tried to hurt three years ago. He tried to tear their family apart, tried to destroy the world as they knew it and maybe even kill them. Bill had tried so hard to create the perfect home for himself, to create a new family as a way to grieve the one he destroyed. The Pines family made him angry, made him want to ruin their lives simply because they were happy together. Because they had what he destroyed… ‘ I mean, who would risk everything for their dumb sibling? ’
Despite what he had done, Stan still suggested they let him live. Ford still decided to help Bill learn to be human. Mabel still reached out and offered friendship. They still welcomed him into their family, slowly but surely.
Then there was Dipper. Seeing Dipper so utterly terrified of Bill made the former-demon’s heart clench in anguish for the boy. He felt an overwhelming amount of guilt and regret because he did this to Dipper… Bill nearly destroyed the kid’s life, he had every right to hate Bill. He made the tough and selfless hero become a shell out of fear, simply by just being there. It hurt Bill to see Dipper so scared, so traumatized by Bill’s actions, by his jealousy. He nearly destroyed the family Dipper worked so hard to keep safe, and that trauma still affects him to this day-
One of the cultists piped up which drew Bill from his thoughts, “But aren’t they-”
Bill whirled around to face them. “ Do not interrupt me! ” He boomed. Everyone went dead silent again. He turned back to the leader. He was able to get a good look at them now, a young woman with long and bushy brown hair and green eyes. He was fairly sure that he knew the woman, but at the moment it didn’t matter.
“They took care of me, even went as far as to attempt to be my friend. And yet-” Bill leaned right into the leader’s face, brandishing his own knife. “And yet you tried to kill them… But guess what? Those kids are under my protection now.”
He turned to look at the twins. They managed to remove their ropes and gags, eyes wide. Dipper, the sturdy Pinetree, had tucked his sister behind him and was holding the knife out defensively. Mabel, the bright Shooting Star, was clinging to her brother with her eyes shining with tears and fear.
Bill’s anger only flared higher. How dare they make Pinetree and Shooting star cry, how dare they hurt them, or even lay a hand on what belongs to him . They will pay for this. But first… His expression softened. “Dipper, Mabel? Close your eyes.” He told them gently.
“Bill- What are you-?” Mabel choked out.
Bill gave her a soft smile in return. “I’ll take care of them. Close your eyes and don’t open them until I tell you, okay? You’re safe now. I got you. I promise.”
Dipper looked Bill right in the eye, face displaying the internal debate within. Then he gave Bill a nod and closed his eyes, Mabel following his lead and pressing closer to Dipper.
More power flowed through Bill as his eye burned brighter, turning his attention back to the leader as he raised his knife high. His voice boomed again. “ Let this be a lesson to you all! Do NOT mess with the Pines Family, or you’ll have to face me. ”
Bill Cipher ruined his chance at family, and he almost destroyed the Pines’ chance too out of jealousy and grief. He vowed not to let anyone hurt their family again.
He plunged the knife straight into the cult leader’s heart.
The cultists screamed as he stood, and he sent out a wave of more fire. It circled the clearing, preventing them from leaving. It didn’t hurt the plant life around them, but those who tried to escape fell to the ground screaming as they burned. Bill yanked the knife from the leader’s chest as his heart rate settled. Then he turned to the twins, walking easily through the fire around them.
He set his knife aside and gently set a hand on each of their shoulders. They flinched but relaxed when they heard his voice, back to normal, “Let's get out of here. Keep your eyes closed, okay?”
They nodded and he helped them stand, picking the knife up from the ground and pressing the handle into Mabel’s hand. “Take it. Then each of you will have one just in case.”
Bill wrapped an arm around each of their shoulders and pulled them close. Neither resisted, rather tucked even further into his sides, as he led them through both sets of fire (it didn’t hurt them, he would never let the fire hurt them) and towards the Mystery Shack, ignoring the screams fading behind them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bill’s spike in power completely faded by the time they made it back into the Mystery Shack, but that was fine. Bill took the knives from them, setting them on the table for evidence sake. He fussed over them afterwards; getting them something to drink, tending to their injuries, getting them clean shirts to wear, even tucking them into the couch and wrapping a blanket around them. After ensuring they were okay, he grabbed the phone and quickly called Ford to get Stan and him to come home as fast as possible.
“The cultist showed up and kidnapped Dipper and Mabel, but they’re safe now. I- I think we’ll need to do some more testing though, because I certainly was able to use some power back there- Oh, also I killed a handful of people but many are alive so we should probably-”
“We’ll handle it when we get back,” Ford cut in. “We’re on our way now. None of you leave the shack unless you absolutely have to.”
When Bill returned to the living room, Mabel and Dipper were holding each other close and flicking through channels on the TV. Bill tugged off his top hat and bowtie, setting them by the knives, as well as the tailcoat which he draped across the back of a chair. Then he slumped into it, carefully giving Dipper and Mabel space.
Dipper looked over. “What are you doing all the way over there? Get over here.”
Bill blinked in surprise. “You guys just dealt with a highly traumatic experience and I-”
“Was the one to save us and ensure we were alright?” Mabel butted in.
“... I was gonna say just murdered some people, but that works too,” Bill snorted.
Dipper rolled his eyes. “Bill, if you don't get your ass over here, where it's comfortable, we’re going over there and clinging to you until you move somewhere better. Now get over here.”
Bill stood and walked over to them as they scooted a part and set the blanket aside. The pair quickly grabbed him when he drew near and tugged him onto the couch. Mabel practically crawled into his lap and Dipper tucked himself under Bill’s arm and into his side, both clinging to him tight. He pulled the blanket over them and wrapped his arms around them just as tight in return.
After a moment, Dipper looked up at Bill. “Thank you… For saving us…” He murmured.
Bill shook his head. “Don’t. You don’t need to thank me.” Dipper opened his mouth but Bill continued before he could speak, “Dipper I’m sorry for everything I did to you kids and your great uncles. I’m sorry for scaring you, manipulating you, hurting you, everything. I’m sorry. I should have said that much earlier but I was- I was scared to face you. And I know that sorry doesn’t cut what I did, but still. I’m sorry.”
“Bill, you just saved both me and my sister. You could have easily let them kill us, probably get power in return since their summoning spell worked, but you didn’t. Instead you saved us and not just that but you made sure we didn’t witness you hurt anyone either, because you didn’t want to add on more trauma… I can’t forgive you for what you did in the past, but your actions now?” Dipper gave Bill a small smile. “Those are what matters. And what you did back there… I’m willing to at least try and maybe start a better relationship, start anew like you and Mabel did.” Bill smiled back.
They descended into comfortable silence, with the TV quietly playing some sort of cartoon in the background. Bill rested his chin atop Mabel’s head and she giggled suddenly. “You know what I just realized?”
“Hm?” Dipper hummed, watching the screen.
“Bill is kind of like our big brother now.” Mabel giggled again.
Bill raised an eyebrow. “How so?”
“Well, big siblings will do anything for their younger siblings even if they don’t always get along. We don’t always get along, but you came to defend us and were ready to tear the world apart once you got there! Then you basically mother henned us afterwards!” Mabel grinned.
Dipper smirked. “She does have a point. Plus Great Uncle Ford practically treats you like his son now, let’s be real.”
Bill paused. “... Oh gods I’m the older sibling-”
Dipper and Mabel dissolved into laughter and Bill soon joined them.
Things were going to be rocky between them and there was still so much to be said and done, but sitting in the Mystery Shack with Dipper and Mabel in his arms?
Bill felt like he finally had a home and a family again.
Notes:
And that's the fic!
It has been a long while since I've sat down and not just wrote but also completed a fanfic.
There is probably more I could've done, small changes to show more of Bill's turmoil or of the Pines Family's paranoia, but overall I am incredibly happy with how this turned out. It is definitely unbetaed, maybe a bit all over the place and entirely self-indulgent, but hey. What good fic doesn't break character a bit?I hope you guys enjoyed reading this like I did writing.
Hopefully I'll see you next time!Noah Out
Yanala on Chapter 2 Tue 08 Mar 2022 08:58PM UTC
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