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Chapter Text

Bill Cipher thought he was free.

As soon as the Axolotl mentioned reincarnation he was elated. Sure he won’t have his powers, but he can make do right? How hard could this new form be? It could be on any planet in the entire multiverse.

Ax was a bit vague on the details, but whatever. The guy is always vague, speaking in riddles. God it’s insufferable! He is done with the Theraprism. He won’t be able to take another therapy session, yapping all about his misdeeds. 

“ Bill, do you regret what you did not just to your dimension but to your family? ”

" I know you say it's a restricted topic, Cipher. But why don’t we touch a bit on the relationship you had with the human Stanford Pines?”

“ Why did you do it, Bill? ” 

THESTATICTHESTATICTHESCREAMINGNOMOMPLEASE-

Heh, like he’s ever done anything wrong! They just don’t understand what it’s like to be Bill Cipher. They never will understand his choices. Let's just carry on, why don’t we?

He sits on the small Theraprism bed in his cell. Why even put a bed? He doesn’t sleep; demons don’t sleep. Ax told him that tomorrow he will wake in his new form and life. And hell, he is definitely ready to leave this shithole.

He made sure to speak with the Axolotl about his dead dimension. Ax says he will keep it safe. I don’t know if I trust him, but it’s all I have.

-

In the dead of one April night, Soos has quite the strange dream.

Soos seems to be broken away from his normal dreams, and he opens his eyes.

He looks up, or rather all around him, and sees a giant Axolotl the size of which he will never comprehend. The creature seems to give off a very calming effect.

“Woah dude.”

A voice radiates through the space, echoing off walls that don’t seem to exist.

Hello there, child.

“Uh respectfully big salamander guy, I’m an adult.”

I have a favor of which I have to ask of you.

Soos just seems pretty mesmerised by the giant creature. “Sure dude! Uh don’t know how I’d be able to help some cool looking creature like you but-” He puffs up his chest. “-I’ll do my best!”

The Axolotl seems to smile

There is someone waiting for you in the woods nearby. Not used to his new form and the environment, I’d like for you to help him. He will certainly not be pleased, but treat him with care. Show him what it’s like to be human, show him what it’s like to be himself.

Blinking rapidly. “Woah, of course man! Uh, am I allowed to learn this guy’s name maybe?”

Bill Cipher.

-

He wakes. 

Delirious with the extreme pain throughout his entire body (?). He can’t even move. He just looks ahead.

Stars.

Mama, is it you?

No response of course, the stars just twinkle overhead.

I’m sorry mama, I just wanted to show you. Show you how beautiful they all are. 

You would’ve understood.

He blacks out, and as he does a shooting star lights up across the night sky.

-

He wakes again, this time very different.

He feels the pain, He feels wrong.

Bill opens his eye(s?) . Bright sunny sky, green pine trees surround him.

He immediately groans. Not quite sure if it's from the pain or the realization that the Axolotl is a slimy little shit. Bill raises his human body up to a sitting pose, trying to use however much strength this puny human body has.

He looks down to his arms. Brown skin, a tail that he can feel connected to his nerves, charred fingertips, with long sharp claws. 

He smirks. God, little Axy made a mistake with those! He could really hurt someone with these! Who should be his first victim? Hmmm. Looking around, also noticing this is the location of where his statue previously was, he sees a small little rodent.

Perfect.

He crawls on all four limbs, slowly approaching the rodent. Ignoring the ache in his bones.

Tail swinging predatorily behind him, he smiles full of sharp teeth.

And.

Pounces.

-

Soos is late. He knows he knows! He was gonna fetch the guy right after, but he got a little.. preoccupied being…scared of the dark woods. Yeah, laugh it up, grown adult scared of the dark.

Whatever, doesn’t matter now! He rushes through the trees, blanket in hand. He was thinking about it last night, there's no way this deity gave the guy clothes. It really is just a human thing to do so, so it must not be an alien custom. Soos thought pretty hard about it all. He also came to the conclusion that logically Bill Cipher must be where the statue is, which he forgot where that was.

He looks around, trees surrounding him all around. Gosh he really doesn’t want to disappoint that odd reptilian deity. Seems like the guy, is he a guy? Whatever, seems like he really knows Bill. And as much as Soos doesn’t like the guy, this god seems to think he can change. Soos has always believed all are capable of change. Maybe even Bill can be.

A yelp of pain interrupts his thoughts; he rushes over to the commotion.

-

So. He did kill the rat. Round of applause for him, thank you very much. Even though it seems his depth perception is not very good, one of his eyes seems to be quite blurry. Anyway.

But , he seemed to forget this stupid human body is currently in extreme pain. Making him actually look at his wounds. Stars above, jeez. He has many large cracks of static across his body, just like his normal form back in the Theraprism. Though they don’t seem to be the cause of his pain oddly enough.

He presses a thumb to one of the cracks.

He yelps in pain. “Fuck.” he speaks, breathing hard.

Snap .

His head swiftly turns to the sound.

Oh shit. Someone is approaching.

He gets ready to attack. But.

The figure rushes through the trees into the small clearing of where Bill’s statue, and him, reside.

Oh.

Question Mark?

“Bill! Or... well. Bill.” The guy says, seemingly excited to see him? Wait. Oh, that fucking slimy SHIT-

Bill narrows his eyes at him, glaring. “There is no way I'm coming with you.”

Question Mark nervously laughs, scratching his head with his free hand. “Uh, well I kinda promised some guy I’d do it soo…”

Bill laughs. “Ha! ‘Some guy’. I like that. Wish Ax was just some guy, then I could actually destroy the guy on a molecular level. And I wouldn’t have been sent to that hellhole.” He mutters the last part under his breath. Eh he would be dead though… whatever.

He blinks. “Oh, so you guys are familiar with each other! I had a feeling by the way he talked about you.” Question Mark nodding as he speaks. “Uh could you cover yourself with this?” He tosses a blanket towards him, Bill just now noticing he hasn’t been quite looking at him the whole time.

Humans are weird.

“But I’m not following you.” Bill goes back to glaring.

Question Mark sighs. “Uh but we’ve got food? And warmth?”

And of course, as the guy says that his stupid human body betrays him by his stomach rumbling.

He bites the inner part of his cheek. A beat.

“Fine.”

Chapter Text

He feels weird. So, when he walked into the shack at first, he was peering around making sure HE wasn’t home quite yet. And don’t even get him started on Stanley. Bill shivers. Eugh, weird human sensation. He didn’t even notice his looking around was so obvious until Question Mark piped up.

“Oh, dude. The older Pines won’t be here for another month so.. Like you don’t have to worry about it.”

Bill’s eyes snapped back to him. “I didn’t say anything.”

He raises his hands in defense. “Sorry man! Just.. uh your hands are shaking.”

Bill blinks owlishly, and looks down at his fidgeting hands. Oh. that's odd. “Oh.” He just crosses his arms and walks without him forwards through the house. He knows where everything is. He did watch over this house for years.

He ignores the rushed steps behind him as he leads himself through, into the living room. Where he pauses in the doorway at the sight of someone he doesn’t know. A woman, lighter brown hair, kind smile. She stands at the sight of him (and Question Mark behind him.).

“Oh, Soos! Is this the person that big amphibian deity told you to get from the woods?”

Bill side-eyes him. “You didn’t tell her?” Whoever this lady is.

Question Mark nervously scratches his head. “Uhh.. sorry Melody. I totally forgot!”

She raises an eyebrow, prompting Bill to respond in place. “Well, here I am, the one and only, Bill Cipher.” He gestures weakly with his arms, pain still radiating throughout his body.

Which prompts her to raise the other eyebrow as well, and then quickly narrows her eyes. “Well, are you going to hurt anyone in this house or take over the world anytime soon?”

“Uh, guess not. Can’t really do so anyway, not in this puny form.” He pauses. “I think.”

She shrugs. “Good enough for me. So how come some deity is vouching for you , hm?”

Bill sighs. “Look, I got a long history with Ax. I’d rather not go over it right now, my organs feel like they’re screaming at me.”

Question Mark next to him seems to be confused at this last statement before he lights back up. “Oh dude! You must be just hungry, who knows how long you were lying in those woods without anything.”

Melody smiles. “Well we are having dinner soon, so you are welcome to join us.” At Bill’s hesitation she continues. “Or. We could just leave you a plate. Though I’m not quite sure if you are allowed to be alone without supervision.”

He scoffs. “I’m not a child, I don’t need any of you humans to watch over me.”

Her expression immediately shifts, unimpressed. “Well, then go hungry.” Melody turning back towards the kitchen doorway.

Bill’s mouth betrays him. “Wait wait! Uh…” Gods, Pathetic. Melody looks back to him with an expectant look on her face. “I. I can join you two.” The words feel incredibly awkward coming out of his mouth. Unfortunately he is desperate. 

It definitely looks like she was expecting this, judging by the smug look. It makes him infuriated. Bill Cipher, reduced to asking an insignificant human for help . Ax must be having a good laugh.

She chuckles a bit. “Good enough, and of course you can join.” Melody seems to have a realization. “Huh, you don’t have any clothes do you?” Looking over the blanket he’s been wearing over his body the whole time.

He frowns. “Well, obviously.”

She turns to look at Soos, who's just been letting his girlfriend (?) take the reins. “Watch over dinner for me, won't you? I’m going to help Bill get some clothes.” He just smiles and walks into the kitchen.

Melody looks at him with a warm smile. “Come, I do think there should be some old clothes somewhere.”

The welcoming look catches him off guard. He doesn’t think anyone has gazed at him in such a way since… 

Mama, I don’t want to take the juice this time. It doesn’t make me feel good.

Oh, Billy. It will be alright, just drink your juice. For your mom, okay?

…He blinks.

“Bill? Did you hear me?” She’s looking at him with some level of confusion and concern.

“Uh.. yeah. Sure, we can do that.” Bill avoids eye contact, the concern in her eyes makes a pit in his chest grow.

-

Bill sits on the living room couch. Melody got him some clothes, a few simple shirts and shorts. He is trying to very pointedly ignore the fact that he recognizes them. That he knows who they belong to. It’s not really working, especially when he can smell his scent on them.

Ew, Bill. Why do you know that!? Disgusting. Gods, why does his face feel hot? Is he dying?

His inner crisis aside, Bill has figured out a few things. So, his pains seem to have no wounds to explain them. He is guessing that it has something to do with his form being torn apart and twisted into something completely different. Also judging by the large static cracks across his body. But, hell, he could be wrong. All he knows is, walking is hard . He swears it wasn’t this difficult when he was inhabiting Sixer’s body.

Well. That was a few decades ago.

Whatever. Stop thinking of him.

He definitely is not ready to see him again. After all the time he spent in the Theraprism he doesn’t think he’ll ever be ready to confront everything. Hell, the therapists there couldn’t even get him to speak about it, even with their insistence. Bill knows Ford hates him, he begrudgingly accepted this a while ago during his sentence.

Maybe there is a part of him that doesn’t understand why Ford wouldn’t want to rule the world with him. To leave behind all of his puny kind. They never did him any good, right? They always shunned him for the differences he had. Maybe there is a part that doesn’t understand why Ford would choose humanity over him . Bill doesn’t think he’ll ever stop thinking about it all.

But you hurt him, didn’t you? You broke his trust. You fed him the lies he wanted to hear, all for your selfish plans. Even when you saw your own flaws, you ignored them. Lied to yourself that it was all for the best. That he would learn to understand. He will always choose them over you.

“Bill?”

He blinks, looking over to where Melody stands. His face feels wet..?

A deeply concerned expression crosses her face. “Bill, are… are you alright?”

Bill’s face twists in confusion. “What? What do you mean?” This makes her look shocked. “I’m fine. Why would I not be?”

Melody sucks in a breath, she crosses the threshold of the living room. She sits next to him on the couch. She seems to be quiet for a minute, with him looking confused over where she sits. 

“Dinner is ready now, would you still like to join us?” She smiles warmly. He still doesn’t understand why she looked at him like that.

“Uh, yeah. What are you having?” He responds, feeling every word he speaks sit heavy and awkward in his mouth.

“Well, just some spaghetti. I assume you are new to the human experience?”

Bill squints at her. “..Yes.”

“Me and Soos can help you.” She pauses. “Actually scratch that. We will help you, whether you like it or not.”

“Sounds threatening, I like your style, lady.”

Melody looks amused. “I don’t really think that is a compliment, but I’ll take it. Come eat.”

He gets up from the couch, pain shooting up from his leg. He ignores it. And joins them.

-

He lies down on the bed in some spare room that they gave to them. Staring up at the ceiling.

Dinner was nice. He does really hate to admit it, but. Melody is kind to him. He doesn’t know how to feel about it. Human emotions are odd, he doesn’t understand them. Why does every feeling make him feel like he’s dying?

It all sucks.

Eating is weird, he almost put the spaghetti in his eye out of habit. Spaghetti is okay, safe, reminds him of blood and guts. Bill has a feeling not all foods will be this way.

Eugh. Everything is just awful.

Welp, sleep can’t be much worse, right? He’s seen thousands of people's mindscapes over his time in the multiverse. He doesn’t have any regrets. So he doesn’t have to worry about anything haunting him in his sleep. Right?

Chapter Text

He opens his eye in his dreams, to see…

“Mama?”

Her triangular body turns to him. In this dream, he isn’t seeing her on a flat plane. “Oh, my sweet Billy!”

His eye fills with tears. “Mama, you.. You’re here! I have so much to tell you. So much to say.. I. I just.” He stops speaking when he finally looks at her, the joy bleeds out of him.

He looks at her.

Her. Empty Eyes.

“What.. What..? Mom?”

“Billy, you. You did this. Why would you do this to us..?”

“Did what, Mom? What.. did I do?”

“This.” She gestures around.

Blue flames lick away at the flat plane in front of him.

The screaming. It's. It's so loud.

ITS. SO. LOUD.

He looks down to his hands. They’re covered in static blood.

He.. did that?

Why? Why did he do it?

NONONOMOMPLEASECOMEBACKmamaIMISSYOUPLEAS-

-

Bill shoots up in his bed, breathing heavy. He can’t breathe. His lungs. Why? Why can’t he breathe? 

His vision is hazy, he can’t see anything. Can’t see anything except for the blood on his hands. His entire body is shaking, he tries to look at his hands again. To make sure it isn’t there. He can’t see. Why can’t he see? He needs to know.

He dry heaves. Oh gods, what is that? He doesn’t know, but the human instinct wins over. He rushes to his feet, ignoring the pains in his legs.

He bursts the bathroom door open and bends himself over the toilet. Emptying last night's dinner out into the bowl. Stars, he doesn’t think he’s ever felt a worse sensation in his life.

He leans his back on the tub behind him, as he holds his stomach. He wants something… someone. But he hasn’t seen her in a trillion years. Bill shuts his eyes tight. He feels water escape his eyes, rolling fast down his cheek.

He breathes deep. This is what his therapists told him, right? Deep breaths, focus on his senses. It’s different as a human, but he tries anyway.

Bill swallows past the lump in his throat, he can taste his vomit. Eugh.. gross. He peels his eyes open. Blurry . Bill wipes at his eyes with the shirt sleeve. He blinks at the flickering lightbulb on the ceiling.

He never wants to sleep again if that is what he will see. He knows his therapists would tell him to face it, to confront these memories. But. He just cannot bear it.

His mom loves him. That's all he needs to remember. The blind Billy song rings in his ears. The juice. The fir- No.

Another deep breath. It’s shaky, but it gets the job done.

He sleeps on the bathroom floor that night. And if Question Mark finds him in the morning sleeping with tear tracks on his face and shuts the door quietly nobody needs to know that, not even him.

-

“Soos and I have found something for you to do.” Melody tells him one morning, about a week later.

He raises an eyebrow.

She continues. “We both can tell you’re bored and instead of trying to break into the lab in the basement-” Bill sheepishly looks away. “-at night, we have a perfect arrangement for you. That benefits both of us.”

“This sure does sound a lot like a deal.” Bill smiles maliciously.

Melody glares at him. “Not a deal. An arrangement Soos has spoken to your friend about as well.”

He raises his eyebrows and cringes at the idea of Ax being a friend. But then he realizes the implication of her words. “ You spoke to the Axolotl?!” Furious, his words are. How dare he speak to some insignificant human instead of facing him himself!

“Not me. Soos did. It seems it had shown itself to him once again in his dreams and gave the order that you must agree to this, as it somewhat relates and sticks to the reason you were sent here in the first place.” Not that Bill would ever admit it, but Melody looks mildly intimidating currently. She has her hands on her hip with a very intent look in her eye as she stares furiously into Bill’s eyes.

Bill groans. “..So, what did Ax order me to do this time?”

Melody smiles. Gods, it’s so weird when she does that. Not the smiling part, but the quick switch up. Terrifying. “The arrangement states that you must work here at the shack-” Bill’s jaw immediately drops, a furious look in his eye. “-ah ah ah! But! You will get paid accordingly and will be allowed to stay here for the foreseeable future.”

His eye twitches. That stupid slimy fuck. He is strangling Ax in his head right now. “..Or?”

“Or you will not be permitted to stay. Look, as much as I-” She cringes.”- do enjoy your presence here. We believe this would be best. You do your fair share, and in return get to stay here. You even get paid fairly!”

Bill knows he literally has no choice here, so as much as he wants to say no out of pure spite and go get himself killed somewhere deep in Gravity Falls’ forests, he can’t. Bill drags his hands over his face and takes a deep deep breath. As to dampen the anger simmering under his skin.

He takes the closest pillow on the couch. And he screams directly into it.

Another deep breath. (And a mildly amused look on Melody’s face)

“Fine.”

Melody claps her hands together. “Wonderful! Soos will teach you the ropes.”

-

Bill regrets everything that led him here. He doesn’t even really know how to shower correctly, at least without eating shit and slipping, how the hell is he meant to do this. He stands in the Mystery Shack gift shop with a broom in his hands. He cannot believe that he has been reduced to this . Question Mark stands before him, giving him the rundown of his work and what will go on.

“So, dude. Basically, your job, at least now, is just easy maintenance stuff. You’ll sweep the floors and restock shelves, and if you do well enough, we will switch you to the checkout. Sounds good?”

He sighs. “Yeah. But-” Bill pauses, cringing already for his next words. “-I… don't know how to use a broom.”

Bill fully expects Question Mark to burst out laughing and berate him for not knowing how to perform such a simple human task, but instead he just face palms himself like he’s the dumb one here. 

“Oh, of course! Sorry, dude. I totally forgot that you probably wouldn’t know all these human chores. I can help you out!”

Bill blinks. “Uh..alright.”

He must’ve caught his anxious energy because he says. “And totally don’t worry about it, tons of humans don’t really use brooms anymore. Ha! And don’t tell Mr. Pines that I told you… But he actually doesn’t know how to sweep the floors either! So, no worries, man!”

Unfortunately, Question Mark’s attempt at comforting him does work. He refuses to admit it. Bill scoffs. “I don’t need you to console me.” He crosses his arms.

Question Mark just smiles, like he knows Bill is lying. 

“Sure, dude. Now come on! I’ll teach you.”

-

Working at the shack isn’t actually too bad. Well, mostly because in his current position he doesn’t have to speak to customers yet. He thinks Melody knows that if they were to switch his job so early he might have an outburst at a random patron. He grumbles to himself while restocking the shelves. He’s not that bad. How bad could it really be if he whispers the time and date of a customer's death to them while they shop.

Melody caught him one time during the gift shop's hours of being open doing so. She was furious with him. Let’s just say he won’t do it again (He is scared of her).

But yeah, whatever. He’s been here about… a week and a half? He thinks that is what Question Mark told him. It’s not too bad. Well, except for sleeping. The two of them don’t really watch him like a hawk as he was expecting when he first came here, it’s... helpful. Doesn’t make him full of that nervous energy that makes him scream and tear his hair out.

Bill is reluctantly grateful for that fact. 

He stretches his body out when he is finished, groaning. Bill walks himself into the kitchen, Melody is there.

“Oh, Bill! Did you finish up and close up the shack?”

“Yup.” He says, stepping on the tip of his toes to snatch a mug from one of the cupboards.

“Wonderful, you know Bill, you've been doing a great job lately. I really am proud of your progre-”

CRASH.

Bill breathes heavily, staring wide eyed at the shattered mug on the floor. “I..I…” His breath slowly picks up speed, without his consent. He can feel his own heartbeat racing.

Fuck fuck fuck! He can’t do this here. Not now.

Melody blinks rapidly at the sight. “Oh, Bill. It’s alright, just broken glass.” She grabs the dustpan from a cabinet. His tail tucks itself tightly against his body.

His legs feel wobbly, and his eyes burn from tears. “I.. didn't mean to do that.” Bill lifts his hands in his field of vision, they violently shake.

Fuck.

Melody pauses, her eyes wide and concerned. “Bill… it really is okay. I will just clean it up and-”

“ FUCK! ” He bangs his shaky fist on the counter. “I can’t.. Why is this happening now..? I just..” Bill is hyperventilating now, no longer in control of his bodily functions. His vision glazes over, and he drops to the floor.

“Bill!”

He is vaguely aware of Melody sitting in front of him, having moved them both away from the glass. His hands pull at his own hair, trying to ground himself. It doesn’t feel like it’s working. Bill can hear a voice..? He. can’t make out words. The sound feels almost.. Blurry? Muffled?

The voice feels calming, even as he can feel tears flowing down his face.

Take a deep breath, Bill. Okay? Come on, do it with me.

Bill can hear instructions. He breathes as deep as he can, he almost chokes when he breathes out.

Good good, Bill. Keep going.

He takes another breath. And as he continues Melody’s voice slowly becomes more clear in his ears, no longer heard as though it’s muffled.

“You’re okay, Bill. Could you take another breath for me?” He follows her words. “Good good.”

As they both continue, he feels his own hands ease in his hair. No longer pulling hard at the strands.

Bill’s vision slowly clears out, and he moves his eyes to her. She smiles, a bit sad looking. “Can you hear me now?”

He swallows the lump in his throat. “..yes.” His voice is quiet from the overexertion. 

Melody sighs. She clearly doesn’t know where to start. Bill doesn’t know if he wants her to acknowledge what just happened. He still can’t quite believe he let himself have such an exposing reaction to both her words and the broken mug.

He hugs his knees, head down. He tries to hide from it.

“Bill, I… I really don’t know what to say. You know it is okay to have reactions like this?”

Bill frowns, he disagrees. Bill Cipher isn’t supposed to act like this. He isn’t supposed to be like this.

“It’s very common for people these days. Mental illness is more accepted in recent years.”

“I’m not mentally ill.” He denies.

She sighs. “There’s nothing wrong with it… You were sent here for a reason, yes? And from some kind of alien mental institute as well.”

“I’m only alive and I was only there because I called in a favor. They didn’t need to fix me. This reincarnation was a mistake. Ax should’ve just cast me out, I shouldn’t be alive.”

Melody sits silently for a minute. “But he didn’t. Look, If it helps… I am glad you are here.”

Bill swiftly turns his head up, finally making eye contact with her. “You don’t mean that. Why the hell would you want me here? I tried to destroy your entire kind!”

She chuckles. “I know, I know. But, you are here to make amends, are you not? So, if anyone will welcome you with open arms, it will be me. How are you meant to start changing if you don’t have someone on your side, huh?”

Bill doesn’t understand.

“You are alright company too. A bit morbid, but you’re fun.” Melody continues.

He swallows. “So.. you want me here?”

She nods. “Yes.”

“Oh..”

Melody stands. “Now, I do have to clean up that glass. Don’t want anybody stepping on it.”

She picks up the abandoned dustpan, bending over and sweeping the shards into the pan. Tossing the remains in the trash. Bill watches this all still a bit shocked. Melody just moves on like the conversation they just had wasn’t a big deal. Like it doesn’t make him just a small bit more willing to actually atone for everything.

Maybe humanity isn’t too bad.

Before Bill leaves the kitchen, she stops him. A hand on his shoulder. “If you ever need to talk, I am free.”

“...Thank you.”

She just smiles. “No need to thank me, Bill.”

Chapter Text

The following week is a lot better. Him and Melody talk a lot more, not any deep conversations, mostly just her telling him stories about her and Question Mark’s relationship. Small talk and explaining the human experience to him.

He thinks he likes her.

When he has a nightmare one day, instead of sleeping on the bathroom floor. He hesitantly enters Melody’s room. They don’t speak, not much at least. She gives him a hug, and he accidentally calls her mom for the first time before falling asleep on the floor.

Embarrassing, he knows. Bill wanted to slam his head against a wall and forget he ever did that, Hell, maybe Sixer’s lab still has a memory gun! But, no, of course he can’t do that. He avoids her for about a day until she just laughs and tells him it is fine. Bill grumbled, face red from the embarrassment.

He gets better at his job. So much so that Melody and Question Mark both agree that he is ready to be a cashier. They tell him that, yes, he still may have to do some chores seeing as apparently Wendy is at college right now, meaning he is the only employee. Well, Question Mark does tours, and Melody usually does the cashier job. It may sound like they must be overrun with customers and that they are understaffed but well… It’s early may. Only the second week of May. No tourists really come at this time of the year, Melody tells him. Sure, they have some townspeople come over every now and then, but they really are just slow lately.

Now, one day Bill is ringing up some lady’s items when Melody comes up to him.

“Uhm, Bill. We need to talk.”

He is immediately worried. “What? What's wrong?”

She cringes. “Uh, just come with me.” She turns to the customer. “Hello, apologies! Someone will be with you shortly.” The woman at the counter grumbles angrily, but doesn’t protest.

Melody walks him into the living room, sitting them both down.

Bill immediately jumps to the worst conclusion. “So, am I getting fired? Are you throwing me out? Look, I know I yelled at that one customer a few days ago but-”

She chuckles. “No no, Bill. You are still staying here. It’s just..” Melody pauses. “You won’t be happy with this information, but. The Pines are coming early this year. Next week, that is.”

His face drops. “W..What? Well, that. That won’t be an issue, right? You told them I'm here, right?” She cringes. “ You told them I’m here, right? ”

Melody sighs. “We didn’t exactly think about it. So, when we did mention it on the phone, they… they were not very happy. They told us immediately that they will be here as soon as possible.”

Bill curls himself up into the couch. “I’m dead.”

“Bill, it’ll be okay.” She rolls her eyes at his dramatics.

“Melody, Sixer will blow my brains out the second he sees me in his home.” When he says it out loud, the idea doesn’t sound too bad.

She chuckles. “Alright alright. All I have to ask of you is to not make a scene, okay? I know you now.”

“But what if I want to.”

“ Bill. ”

He throws his hands up in the air, pouting all the while. “Fine, fine!” 

-

Bill lies awake in bed that night. Stars, he doesn’t know if he is fully ready to see him yet. Hell, he didn’t even really know he was alive until he woke up that one day in the forest by his statue. It had been hundreds of years in the Theraprism, with barely any progress. And he gets here, and suddenly he’s willing to change himself. Melody must be a miracle worker.

Ford knowing he’s here has most likely ruined his entire healing process. It hurts, knowing it’s his fault but… he also didn’t ask to be sent here. Ford was supposed to be able to live out the rest of his life, sailing with his pathetic brother. He was supposed to be free from Bill when he hit that trigger on the memory gun. Ford is probably thinking the same thing he is.

He can see him now. His fists clenched, eyes filled with anger and hate, as he stands on the Stan O’ War II. Bill really wouldn’t blame him if he burned a hole through his brain when he finally got here. He almost wants to bait him into it. Ford could live a happier life that way.

Ugh, you sound so self pitying. He shakes his head.

It doesn’t matter. Bill will just mind his business and continue working, chat with Melody off shift like usual. This doesn’t have to change his normal routine. If Ford wants to talk to him, then so be it. If not, that… will also be okay.

Well… He might try to annoy him. But that’s just standard Bill Cipher. He smirks to himself thinking about it. Hehe. Bill can always count on him to bring some semblance of Bill Cipher out of him. He cringes to himself. Well. Maybe not the torture part. And the murder. And the millions of crimes against the multiverse. Whatever, whatever!

At least he doesn’t have to worry about being all emotional and stupid. He’s been great at keeping his old habits away. Bill is a natural at keeping it in, and no one needs to know about his “issues” . He’ll even start practicing from now on! He’ll shove it so far deep that something has to change within himself.

-

Days pass. Bill pushes through the nightmares, doesn’t confront the feelings, doesn’t mention anything to Melody. When he wakes up breathing hard, and covered in a cold sweat, he just lies back down and stares at the ceiling. He bottles up all the feelings that The Pines arriving come with. Bill keeps working his job, moves on autopilot. 

He must be doing fine, Melody hasn’t noticed anything different. At least he thinks so.

One night, he stands in the bathroom. Staring through his own bright yellow eyes. They glow in the dark of the room. He scans his features, triangular shaped nose, giant static cracks through his left eye. The cracks also glow, but just slightly less than his eyes. He feels animalistic. Almost feral, manic. His eyes are naturally wider than normal.

Looking into his own phosphorescent eyes, he sees him . Himself. Something cracks within himself. The unnatural yellow and black slitted pupils take him back into his old state of mind, reminding him of the chaos that he thrived on as a triangle. The enjoyment he used to feel out of others' pain. Well, he can’t hurt anyone now. There’s only one solution.

On Bill’s left hand, his claws extend themselves. And he drives them hard into his upper right forearm. When he feels the pain, there’s no flinch, no blink. He sees the shimmery static flow from the wound through the mirror.

It makes him feel alive. A part almost awakens within himself. Bill grins, almost giggling . Oh, boy. OH, finally! He can enjoy the pain again. Bill turns his glowing eyes down to the sight of his hand. The one covered in the blood flowing from his right arm.

He stares into the shimmery static. And when it reminds him a little too much of a familiar memory. The stupid memory that plays nonstop in his dreams. It fills him with that beautiful anger that he’s, oh so used to.

STUPID STUPID. WHY WOULD HE CARE ABOUT HIS PUNY DIMENSION? HE LIBERATED THEM. THEY SHOULD’VE BEEN GRATEFUL THAT HE HAD THE GRACE TO FREE THEM FROM SUCH A FLAT WORLD. THOSE FLAT DREAMS.

Bill starts mindlessly stabbing his own arm with the claws again in his anger making the original wound larger. His own thoughts boom with an echo around them. A familiar one.

NOBODY HAS EVER UNDERSTOOD BILL CIPHER. HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE RIGHT ONE. WHO CARES IF A FEW INCONSEQUENTIAL LIFE FORMS DIED IN THE RESULT OF HIS PLANS? COME ON, JUST NATURAL SELECTION. WEIRDMAGGEDON WAS NECESSARY. IT WAS…IT..

In his mindless stabbing, blood flows more and more. At a concerning rate. When he starts to finally feel the effects of blood loss, he turns his eyes slowly to his hand once more.

MAYBE HE CAN…

He snaps his fingers. And…

He feels it. The energy. STARS, IT’S JUST SO INVIGORATING.

The smallest flame lights at the tip of his blood covered finger.  

OH GOD YES.

Then everything blacks out.

-

Melody was having a rather normal few days. Of course, she is worried how Bill is actually taking the news of the Pines coming rather soon. Though, it doesn’t seem to be affecting him. He moves through his work as usual, laughs with her at dinner like usual, rolling his eyes at Soos’ odd personality like usual. But.

Something feels off. Something different in his eyes. A dimmer light perhaps?

Maybe he’s not taking care of his hygiene again? It can’t be easy to remember it. She doesn’t remember the last time Bill showered, though. Or… brushed his hair.

Well, that has to be odd. Melody almost feels like she's going crazy, worrying like this when nothing looks wrong with him. She remembers the mug incident like it was yesterday, the fear in his eyes, the way he stumbled to the ground. Melody remembers looking into his eyes when he was huddled up on the floor, seeing nothing . Like he was stuck somewhere, eyes glazed over, looking through her rather than at her. The language he used with her about his mental state. That “there’s nothing wrong with me”. The “they didn’t need to fix me”. He must’ve been repressing these feelings for a long time, and knowing his age, it’s got to be bad.

It still shoots some semblance of fear through her. That it might happen again. Maybe even in a worse fashion. Melody has heard everything about Bill from the Pines family. And her conclusion is that he is a very destructive person. She worries about that part shining through here in his human state. Sure, it may not be as world-ending destructive as before, but she doesn’t want that to transfer to self destruction.

Oh, but what is she even worrying about? He isn’t even showing any signs of it. He must not be having many nightmares either, as Bill hasn’t shown his face again in her room. He’s fine.

Melody breathes out. Nothing to fret about, especially at this hour of night.

She looks over at Soos, sleeping. She smiles. Hm, she needs to use the restroom. There should be no one in there at this hour. Melody pushes herself up tiredly from the bed, standing on her feet.

She pads through the hallway and checks the light under the door of the restroom. Yup, as she thought. Dark, no one is in there. But as her hand grazes the doorknob, she hears a loud-

THUMP.

Melody blinks rapidly at the sound, then the fear kicks in. She bursts through the door, flicking the light on. She looks down at the floor…

And screams in horror.

“Oh.. Oh my god.” She speaks out loud, almost by accident, out of pure shock. Bill is slumped over onto his side, and his arms are covered in his own blood. Sure, it's an odd color, but she can tell immediately what it is. Melody is covering her own mouth as she feels the dread flowing through her whole body.

The sight of Bill would be enough for anyone to faint. The sight will surely haunt her for the rest of her life. The blood is still flowing from the arm, very fresh. A recent wound. Meaning she must have been just seconds too late. Melody can still see breathing, but slow.

She kicks into gear. The scream of hers clearly woke Soos, as when she turns to yell for him, he stands just a few steps away. The door covers the body.

Soos looks worried, waiting for her to speak. She takes a shaky breath. “Soos. You need to call an ambulance. Now. ”

He asks no questions, just runs from the hallway to, she's assuming, a phone.

Melody turns and walks into the bathroom, kneeling down next to him. The tears in her own eyes finally pour over onto her cheeks. She holds his bloody arm, looking at his wounds. Self-inflicted. It hurts her heart.

Oh, Billy. You look so small like this.

She can’t believe she didn’t notice. Sure, she felt it. But she didn’t act. Whatever, she can’t worry about that right now.

Soos opens the door quietly in front of her. “They’ll be here soon.” She can see the small bit of shock at seeing Bill in his eyes.

Melody breathes a sigh of relief at the sound of the news. “Good.”

They don’t speak while they wait.

-

When the paramedics arrive, it feels a bit like a blur to her. They burst into the bathroom, quickly picking Bill’s limp body up, transferring him down the steps of the house. They ask her questions as they load him into the ambulance. Questions about the blood. She doesn’t quite know how to explain it, she tells them it’s a mutation he was born with. They seem suspicious, but they accept it. It’s Gravity Falls, everything is a bit different here.

And, because they aren’t family, Melody and Soos aren’t allowed to ride with him to the hospital. As she watches the ambulance leave, a part of her thinks that she is good as. As far as she knows, Bill has no actual family left.

Melody and Soos load themselves into his truck. She sighs to herself, and Soos puts his hand on hers. A small comfort. It succeeds in making her lips twitch upwards, for just a second.

Even though he clearly has some questions, Soos turns the keys into the slot. The car roars with life.

They drive in heavy silence.

-

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Stars, that sound is making his eardrums explode.

His body feels weak, and he can’t even open his eyes. Bill just lies there, slowly coming to full consciousness. He relies on his sense of hearing. Bill hears a constant beeping sound, obviously. A snoring? Is someone here with him? Huh. He can feel the fact he is lying in the most uncomfortable bed known to man. Something stuck in his left wrist?

He attempts to peel his eye open and gets blinded by the fluorescent lights on the ceiling. Bill groans.

He hears someone stand from a chair, the creak it makes against the floors. “Bill, are you awake?” Melody’s voice.

When he speaks it feels like lead. “...Yeah.”

Bill hears her mumble. “Thank god.” he tries to clear his throat, peeling his eyes open fully.

“Uh, where..am..” Oh. The sight of himself lying in a hospital bed, kicks a small amount of panic in him. He changes the question. “...why am I here ..?”

A furious look passes through Melody’s face, tears bubbling to the surface. “What do you remember last?”

He must be under some level of sedation, his head feels heavy. “I… was in the bathroom. And then…” Bill’s eyes widen as he recalls his episode. He remembers the thoughts that ran through his head, the way he regressed to his old self for a small time. It felt as though he blacked out, even if he was fully aware. He remembers driving his nails clean through his own skin, seeing as his arm became covered in so much of his blood. The familiar static.

Bill doesn’t want to recall this to her, even if he knows that she had to have seen him to bring him here. He feels.. Ashamed of himself. That he let himself fall into that so easily. He was doing so well, wasn’t he? Why did he let the stupid thoughts about Sixer, about Euclydia , get to him?

Melody sits quietly next to him as he processes everything.

“I..I’m sorry you had to see that.” Bill swallows. “I wasn’t thinking.” He feels useless, unable to say anything else.

She sighs. “I’m just glad you are awake. I can’t even bear to think what would’ve happened if I just went back to bed.” Melody looks up at him. “You lost a lot of blood.”

Bill glances at the bandaging on his right arm, he doesn’t speak.

Question Mark comes into the room, the doctors in tow. Clearly having heard of his consciousness. They turn to speak with him.

“Hello there, Mr. Pines.” Bill cringes at the last name, knowing they gave them the name for an obvious reason. Cipher is too familiar to the town. “Good to see you finally awake. We have a few questions for you, if you don’t mind.”

He nods, signaling them to go on.

“Yes, okay. So, we have seen a few patients like you before and we wanted to know if this injury was self inflicted? On purpose?”

It infuriates him that they are allowed to ask such questions. In such a clinical manner no less, no emotion. They don’t give a shit if he lived or died from this. He’s just a statistic for them to jot down.

“Yes.”

“What was your goal?”

The question makes him squirm. Too much, too exposed. He knows the answer. He wanted to feel alive. Feel something. They don’t deserve to know this. Maybe if Melody asked, he would one day answer her, but there’s no way in hell these doctors will get another word out of him.

The doctor before him seems frustrated at the lack of answer, but they click back into the professional mode.

“You know we have programs here that can hel-”

“No.” His voice emits an echo that makes him slightly afraid of himself for a moment. Bill takes a breath. “No.” He doesn’t go back on it. He has been in enough therapy for several lifetimes. They didn’t help him with shit. And no human therapy would be capable of helping. Oh, you destroyed an entire dimension and ruined millions of lifeforms' lives? Okay, you must be crazy. Yeah no.

The doctor seems to back up at the first no. A slightly confused look in their eye, but they seem to read the room. They leave.

“ Do you want to talk about it?” Melody asks when they leave.

He blinks over at her, a guilt sitting deep in his bones. “I..I can’t.”

She smiles. “That’s okay.” Melody continues. “But if you ever , and I mean ever , get close to that state again. You need to come to me or at least tell someone . No buts.” And she waggles her finger at him.

Bill smiles weakly. “You got it, boss.”

Chapter Text

Bill’s wounds heal over the next few days. He gets better, in more ways than one. He no longer moves through the days on autopilot. Melody tries to make him take the next few days off, but he refuses, saying that he needs a distraction. She grumbles about it but lets him. Melody, understandably, watches him like a hawk. She fusses over his every move. He acts like he doesn’t like it, but he really doesn’t mind.

She deserves it after what he made her see. She never should’ve had to see that.

He sits at the dining table in the morning, after replacing his bandages.

Bill stares at the calendar on the wall in front of him. One day.

“You remember what I said, right?” Melody speaks from the stove.

He glances over at her, raising an eyebrow. 

“ No making a scene. ”

Bill smirks. “You should know me by now.”

She huffs, rolling her eyes fondly.

Now, he isn’t going to purposefully make a scene. But, If Sixer starts it, then he has an excuse, right?

-

Ford breathes a sigh from the passenger seat of his brother's car. Looking out at the scenery of Oregon. At a point in his life, he never thought he’d be able to see Earth’s beauty ever again. He truly thought he would be stuck dimension hopping, in the loop of fighting Bill Cipher for the rest of his life. His only goal in the portal was to kill Bill Cipher. Ford guesses he never really did think of what came after.

But, for once in his life, he got lucky. Stanley, his brother who he had assumed he would stay estranged from, as his own ego got in the way of building that relationship back with him. Stanley had spent those 30 years trying to bring him back. That was his goal, and Ford doesn’t think Stan ever thought about what came after either.

As, of course, they immediately got back into old habits with one another. Being stubborn, spiteful, and resentful to one another. 

Ford never stops thinking about that if Weirdmageddon never happened that they might have never mended their relationship. Can’t bring himself to give Bill the credit for it. But of course. Bill was dead. Was supposed to be dead.

He’s a scientist. Ford likes to believe that he could predict matters like this. Because Stanley got his memories back. So, logically, that meant Bill Cipher could’ve lived. But, for once, Ford didn’t think about this. Hell, he was busy with the fear of Stanley losing those memories all over again. Every time he caught Stan looking at him with that unfamiliar look, it struck fear through him. That he could be at fault for causing his brother such distress. That his own brother could look at him and not recognize him.

Fortunately, they moved past that. Stanley, of course, still has his moments. It comes with the effects of the memory gun. So then, they finally got to live out their childhood dreams. Sailing through the Atlantic. The great thing about the Atlantic is that it is famously known for its biggest anomaly: The Bermuda Triangle. Yes, he knows. He must have an odd unconscious obsession with triangles. Anyways, Bermuda is full of anomalous creatures. So, they got to live their dream, and Ford still gets to be a bit of a nerd.

It makes him smile now, thinking of all the adventures they had sailing. Sure, they may have almost gotten thrown overboard several times, but that's unimportant. Stanley flirted with a siren, which is hilarious, and saved him from a Kraken one stormy night. He’ll surely be bragging about that for the rest of their lives.

But. Let’s bring them back to the present. Or, well, let us go back a few weeks. To one night in the Stan O’ War II. 

Ford sits on the deck, watching the stars that night. When Stanley rushes up to him.

“Hey, Six. Soos wants to call us, keep us updated on the shack. You wanna join me?” He holds the phone in his left hand.

He blinks over at him. “Uh, I suppose. There can’t be much going on though, right? It’s not summer quite yet.”

Stan shrugs. “I dunno. He sounded a bit frantic on the phone last time. Must be something, but knowing him, a gnome probably just got stuck in the garage again.”

“Will they be calling now?”

Stan looks back to his phone, reading messages. “Oh! Uh yeah, hold on a sec.”

The phone starts ringing, and he picks up. Putting it on speaker so Ford can hear as well.

“Hey, Soos! You holding down the fort? You better be, I made you the owner for a reason.” 

Ford rolls his eyes at the remark.

“Uh, yeah Mr Pines. Sorry but Melody is here with me this time. She.. has some news?”

“Soos, we’re telling them this together .”

“Right!”

While they have this exchange, Ford and Stan look at each other, both a tad confused and worried. Stan pauses.

“Did you get her pregnant?”

Ford looks at him astonished. “Stanley!”

“Oh no, Mr. Pines. It's not that… It. Melody, can you say it?”

They hear a sigh from the other line, being Melody.

“There’s no good way to explain this to you two. Uhm… Bill Cipher has bee-” Ford’s eyes shoot up at that name. “-n working here at the shack for a while, he’s human and-”

“What.” Ford states. He can hear his breathing pick up. “No, no. You must be confused. Bill Cipher is dead. We made sure of that. I did several rituals and spells to confirm that his existence was null.”

Another sigh on the line. “I don’t quite know how to explain this to you Dr. Pines, but Bill is here. And we hav-”

Ford grabs the phone from Stan’s hands. “I will believe it when I see it. We will be seeing you very soon. As soon as possible.” And he hangs up on her.

He stands from his chair and starts pacing. “There is no way this is true. Bill is dead . He has been dead for three years . Moses, you punched him.” Ford turns to him, gesturing furiously. “You killed him!”

Stanley puts his hand on Ford’s shoulder, sighing deeply. “Six, you gotta calm down.” At the even more furious look, he continues. “Do not get me wrong. I am not happy with this, but this is not a good way to start. This is what he would want, right?”

Ford takes a breath. “You… you are right. Moses, I shouldn’t have hung up so abruptly. That was rude, wasn’t it? You know I’m not good with these ‘social cues’, as the twins say.”

Stanley chuckles. “Yeah, it was. But, trust me, they understand why you did it.”

He sighs in relief.

“We do need to steer back to Oregon now.”

“I know, Six. But how ‘bout I do that, and you get some sleep?”

“...Fine.”

-

And back to the present. You understand now, yes?

Another sigh.

Stanley elbows him. “Ford, it’ll be okay. I’ll rock his shit again and all will be good when the kids come for summer.” He chuckles, still that nervous energy within him.

“I’m just…” He sighs. “Not ready to see that face again. Even when human.”

“Well, if he’s human. That means no powers, right?”

Ford blinks. He supposes Stan is right, if Bill is fully human, he would have zero capacity for his old powers.

He still can’t believe he couldn’t predict this, it makes so much sense that he would end up living. Maybe he wouldn’t expect him to be here in Gravity Falls again, but still.

“We’re about 3 minutes away.” He knows this, as they entered town just a small bit ago.

He looks at the town's buildings. It looks so different than it did 3 years ago. Gravity Falls had to do some serious rebuilding, as a lot of homes, shops, and peoples places of work were destroyed in the chaos of Weirdmageddon. In fact, there are still rifts that he has to clean up from time to time as a result.

They pull into the driveway.

-

Bill spots the familiar car pull in.

Watches them exit the vehicle. His entire body has a visceral reaction to seeing Ford for the first time in hundreds of years, the triangle in him giggles in glee. He doesn’t realize he does it out loud until Melody gives him a look . It has an echo to it as well.

Ford looks good nowadays. He’s always grown into his age well, but wow . Even the anger in Ford’s eyes makes him exhilarated. Bill’s tail swirls around mindlessly. He’s always loved a challenge.

Melody elbows him. “Stop with that look.”

Bill snaps out of his trance, for only a second. “What look?” Still looking at him.

He barely hears a sigh through the fog, and a mumble. “..I should’ve expected this.”

The two twins finally enter.

His smirk stays fully on his face.

Chapter Text

Ford’s eyes lock onto the smirking man several feet from him. greasy blonde and black hair, yellow eyes with slitted pupils, the demonic tail he seems to have, and the employee outfit .

And in seconds he has him against the wall, hands bound by one of Ford’s own, face squished from the wall, and gun to his ear. Ford ignores the shouts of protest from the two behind him. It's all blurred to him when he sees him again.

“ Cipher. ” He hisses furiously.

Even in his assault, the smirk remains on Bill’s face. “ Oh, Sixer. ” and before he can process it, he feels something twirl itself around his arm, hovering over the trigger on his gun. The tail . “Just great to see you, you know? Wouldn’t you just love to pull that trigger?”

Something in him freezes at this, the smirk on his face, tail hovering over the trigger, the almost desperation hidden in the eyes of the man bound before him. He doesn’t know what makes him freeze, he could just shoot him and be done. And before he can react further, Melody steps in.

“ Bill. What did we talk about!” At the look Melody gives him, he frees Bill from his grasp. Bill immediately starts looking guilty.

He groans. “Melody, what could I possibly have done?”

“Not provoke him! And certainly not wishing death just at the chance of it!” Melody crosses her arms and if it wasn’t Bill Cipher they were talking about, he’d say it looks very motherly? “I will find a way to contact that deity that placed you here myself and I'm sure it would love to hear all about this.” Okay what?! Ignoring the huff from Bill.

“Excuse me, what did you just say?” Ford immediately jumps in, ending this.. odd conversation.

Melody turns to him, still clearly a bit frustrated with everything. “Apologies Dr. Pines, this is why we called you and told you about him on the phone.”

Soos rushes forward next to Melody. “Yeah, dude. Bill showed up like… a month ago.” He looks back to Bill, who grumbles and leaves. Soos clears his throat awkwardly. “He’s uh… been dealing with some stuff. Some reptilian god sent him here for redemption.”

Ford pauses at that. “Reptilian god?” He immediately knows who. He cannot quite fathom the idea. The purest deity in the multiverse chose to help him? No way. There has to be some foul play here. And ‘ dealing with some stuff ’? Laughable.

Unbeknownst to Ford’s thoughts, Soos nods enthusiastically. “Yeah! Showed up in some weird vision. Told me to grab him out of the forest. I found him practically feral! Crazy stuff.”

Ford narrows his eyes. “I am going to speak to him.”

Melody immediately cuts in. “No, there's no way Dr. Pines. I’m sorry.”

“I know him better than anyone here, I will speak to him. Apologies Melody but there is no room for discussion here.” Melody looks incredibly displeased but does not object.

- (NEW DAY.)

Bill sighs. If he knew that he had to work a minimum wage job in his resurrection he would’ve refused Ax’s offer. He leans his chin against his hand, tapping the other repeatedly on the table before him. Slow day at the mystery shack. Not a huge surprise, it's only May. He was told by Melody that it is not exactly summer yet.

He was elated to see Sixer yesterday. Mostly by the notion he expected to be wiped from existence by now. Unfortunately that did not happen. Though… now that he thinks about it, Fordsy did seem quite interested by the tail. Hm, maybe he can use that to his advantage. Bill smirks to himself, twirling said tail around.

And speak of the devil. Sixer marches into the gift shop, seemingly with a mission. He spots Bill and immediately walks right up to him, anger in his eyes and something else.

“ Bill. ”

Bill rolls his eye. “Jeez, do you gotta state my name with such dramatics? I have been behaving, no need to lecture me.”

“I beg to disagree on the behaving part.”

Bill leans forward on the gift shop counter. “Okay, fine! I had one mishap when you arrived, but to be fair you had a gun to my head.” He purposely doesn’t mention the many mishaps he had before he arrived.

“And you asked me to shoot you.” Ford narrows his eyes at Bill. “What's that about?”

Bill glares at him. “ None of your business. ”

And before Ford can question him further, a ding sounds from the gift shop’s doors. A woman and her child walk through. Reminding him that he literally works here now. Bill Cipher, feared dream demon across millions of worlds and universes , and he works at a gift shop now for minimum wage (Probably lower now that Stanley is here too).

Gods, now he has to put on his best “ customer service face ” as Melody puts it. He turns back to the counter when the woman approaches, now ignoring Ford. He puts on the fakest smile imaginable. He can’t afford to have an outburst right now, especially in front of Ford. The woman looks angry too.

She stomps up to the counter.

“Hello ma’am, welcome to the Mystery Shack, can i help you wi-” Bill starts, then immediately gets cut off.

“Excuse me, my son here came in earlier and was scammed out of his money! There is no possible way that a snowglobe is 40 dollars!”

Bill grits his teeth, trying to keep calm. Now he doesn’t care or know much about these human monetary values but apparently this must be expensive.

“Ma’am I don’t control prices here, if you want to speak to someone about this, you’d-” The woman huffs angrily. “-have to speak to someone in charge here. Do you know who sold you this item?”

The woman looks to her son, clearly asking for him to go on. You can definitely tell it was not his idea to come back here.

“Uhm, it was some.. eccentric old man? Kept making odd jokes about Vegas, said he fought a Kraken this year?” 

Bill takes a steadying breath, purposefully glaring at Stanford right next to him. The glare seems to snap Ford out of a weird trance, having the nerve to look slightly guilty at this statement. Bill looks back at the two, sighing.

“I’ll get a manager. I’m taking my break anyway.” He seems to mutter the last part under his breath as he leaves the gift shop.

-

Ford is just staring dumbly at where Bill just left. It finally sinking in that he works here. He also did behave. No screaming, no superiority complex showing, just… a bit frustrated. He starts to feel that familiar spark, that pull , when he has something new to investigate. Like an anomaly. 

I mean, obviously Bill can’t be trusted but… he won’t notice if Ford just studied him from afar, maybe getting a few tests in. It’s the least he deserves after all the torture. His new human form seems quite interesting. Many inhuman features, many anomalies . His hand twitches with the urge to start documenting this, but before he can do anything Stanley enters.

He walks through the doors, grumbling. Sees Ford and a look of confusion passes over his face.

“Sixer?”

Ford jumps, snapping out of his trance. It takes a lot to make him jump these days. Stanley raises an eyebrow at him.

“What are you doing here?”

He starts stumbling on his words. Stanley just rolls his eyes.

“Yeah yeah, you were keeping an eye on him, weren’t you?”

Ford frowns. “Yes.”

A sigh. “Thank you, the kids are coming soon next month. Don’t want the demon to start going all crazy world-ending again.”

Before Ford can respond. A clearing of the throat sounds next to him. Oh right, they’re open. Stanley rolls his eyes again and turns to the woman.

Ford takes this chance to find Bill again. He’s got to keep an eye on him, like Stanley said. Maybe even get some answers to a few questions he has.

-

Bill sighs to himself fixing himself up just a simple sandwich. Stupid customers, Bill can’t believe he agreed to this. Even if he really had no choice in the matter. Well, it was definitely easier without Stanley being back. Don’t even get him started on Sixer. He already knows that he’ll be watched with every step in this house. Sure Melody keeps an eye on him too, but it’s about to become insufferable with Ford watching over him. Also he doesn’t actually mind Melody.

Sure, sure. Ford has a good reason for it. He did try to kill his whole family or whatever. But he has been good! Melody did beat some sense into him when he first arrived. He was… a little disrespectful, but he’s better now! Though.. He understands why Ford may never believe in him changing. With his… episode several days ago..

Creak.

He hears down the hall.

And speak of the god-damned devil.

Bill paints a smirk upon his face, and twirls around the second Ford makes it to the doorway.

“Didn’t get a good enough look?” He tilts his head teasingly, twirling his tail.

Now Bill obviously can’t (won't) do the same kind of things he used to do to Ford, the Theraprism wouldn’t be very happy with him. But. If Ford is going to make his life a nightmare for the foreseeable future, might as well repay the favor. He deserved some fun after this last week.

He looks immediately caught off guard that Bill knew he was approaching but twists his face into a scowl.

He doesn’t respond very quickly, just looking over at him. Like he didn’t get a good enough look.

His eyes make a shiver run down his spine.

“You don’t have your powers, right?”

Now it’s Bill's turn to scowl. He doesn’t . Which makes him furious. He can feel the energy thrumming under the surface; he just can’t access it currently. It took a lot out of him last time.

Ford’s lips twitch upwards, as if this wordless response pleases him.

Bill groans, the look on his face makes something in him flutter. Ew, what the hell? “Whatever. What do you want this time?”

Ford says casually. “I need you down in my lab in about 10 minutes.”

Bill raises an eyebrow. “Are you going to stuff me in your cryo chamber or something? And you know I have work, right?”

“I’m sure Soos won’t mind.”

He squints at him, noticing the absence of the response at his first question. “You already told him to cover for me, haven’t you?”

Instead of responding, Ford just turns around walking back down the hall. Halfway down he shouts. “See you in ten minutes.”

Bill rolls his eyes, leaning against the counter behind him. He glances at the untouched sandwich. A sigh. Might as well. 

-

Ford is indeed waiting for him at the vending machine in ten minutes, hands folded behind his back. Never broke that habit, huh. Ford turns at the sound of him entering the gift shop.

“Come.” He turns to the vending machine, inputting the code. (Covering it, clearly he’s changed it since he was made aware of his arrival.)

A roll of the eyes. “Quite the conversationalist.”

“Shut it, get in.”

-

Ford tells him to sit on some metal table as soon as they enter. He complies, but not without suspicion.

He takes his journal out of his coat pocket quietly and sits himself across from Bill.

Bill groans. “Gods, are you going to tell me why you brought me down here or not?”

“I was getting to that.” Ford grimaces. “So, seeing as I am in the place to make demands out of you, I will.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Demands?”

“ Yes. ” Ford grits his teeth. “Seeing as you tried to kill my entire family and tortured me for decades.”

Bill looks sheepishly away. “Okay.. fair enough.”

“I have questions.”

He sighs. “Ask away.”

Ford sits up a bit more, pen in hand with his journal. “So, I heard that The Axolotl sent you here. Why?”

Bill frowns. “How did you…? Whatever. I don’t know the full answer to that. Good ol’ Axy just sent me here. Told me all about my ‘reincarnation’ and decided to be a slimy shit and be vague about the details. Something about redemption. Didn’t know I would be sent here until I was already in this stupid body. ” He starts writing, and at the mention of said body, he looks him up and down.

“I have questions about this human form of yours.” He pauses. “It is human, right?”

Bill shrugs. “In a way. I just have a few alien or animal-like features.”

“I can see that, and I do want to run a few different tests on you.” Ford speaks, looking up and then back down at his journal. “May I examine you?”

Bill blinks, face flushed. “..Examine me?”

“Yes?” He looks confused, turning his eyes back to him.

Bill swallows. “Yeah fine.. What are you even going to do?”

Ford hums. “Just get a closer look and understand how you work.”

Just. Incredible wording, Sixer. Gods, I get he’s a scientist, but can he be a bit more normal about it? No, of course. He's him.

“Okaayy. Well, do you have any more questions?”

“Mm, yes, but they can wait. I would like to get this done sooner than later, so I can run tests.”

Ford gets up from his chair, setting his pen and journal down at his desk. He grabs a small flashlight out of his pocket, walking up to where Bill is sitting on the metal table.

“Hm. So firstly, I can see you have slitted pupils. Unnaturally yellow, but well that’s not really surprising.” Now, Ford is about like two inches away from his face. This man has serious personal space issues, well not that Bill is complaining. Shut it. “Interesting cracks…” He mumbles.

“I’m also about half blind in my left eye.” He supplies.

A hum. “Half? I had assumed by the look of it that you were fully blind.”

“No no, I can still see like… colors through it. But everything is covered in different places with darkness.” Bill tilts his head in thought. “And, very blurry in the places I can see.”

Ford clicks his flashlight on. “Keep your eye open.” He flashes it into the blind eye.

He yelps backwards.

A click. “I see. Quite light sensitive.”

Bill almost pouts . Ford rolls his eyes, dropping the small flashlight into a coat pocket. “Give me your hands.” He lifts his arm up, hesitantly. Ford places his own hand on the back of it, so he can move Bill’s hand around freely. He hopes Ford doesn’t notice the recent scarring, not that he’d really care anyway.

Another hum. “Is this natural? The black flesh.”

“Yes.” Bill takes a deep breath.

“Looks almost charred. Interesting.” His eye lights up when he catches the claws. “Huh. You weren’t lying when you said animal-like.”

Gods, Bill cannot take this. He feels too obedient, compiling with every request. Ford’s eyes scanning every feature, clearing committing it to memory. He feels exposed, and the fact Bill doesn’t mind makes him want to act out. Ruin the moment, or at the very least get Ford’s eyes away .

Bill extends his claws, to maybe scare him. Get in a wordless threat. But Ford just looks even more interested, trapped in his stupid scientific trance. This man is going to kill him.

Ford rubs a thumb across a fang gently, as to not cut his own skin. He hums, intrigued.

Another shiver. Gods, what is this human feeling? Is he dying?

“Are you done yet?” He speaks, a tad breathless (let’s hope Ford didn’t notice), finally snapping him out of it.

Ford blinks. “Oh! Uhm. For now, yes I suppose.” He clears his throat, backing up. A disappointed look crosses his face. He schools his expression back into a neutral one. “You should probably get back to work anyway. Soos can’t cover you forever.”

Bill takes a deep breath, shaking off all previous feelings. “Yeah. Thanks.” The words feel heavy on his tongue. 

He slides off the metal table, making his way to the elevator, when Ford speaks again.

“Don’t think this means I forgive you or trust you again in any matter. If I catch you even a step out of line, you’re dead.”

Bill expected this, he isn’t surprised nor phased by the threat. A part of him wouldn’t mind if he died at the hands of him, only him.

He spins around, facing Ford. “I can promise you that I won’t.” Bill pauses, a smirk sliding onto his face. “Well, that doesn't mean I’ll behave . You know me better than that.”

Ford rolls his eyes, an unimpressed look on his face. “Go.” His arms crossed.

Bill mock salutes. “You got it, Sixer!” He runs into the elevator, tail swirling behind him (definitely not purposefully).

He takes a deep breath when the elevator doors close behind him.

Is it bad that a part of him is happy to see him?

-

Ford breathes, leaning back against his desk. Bill does seem different, apart from his normal traits of personality, he is cooperative. For the most part, that is. Bill still has the normal attitude and teasing comments, although nothing malicious. At least so far. Who knows, he might be playing the long game. Luring Ford back in just to hurt him again. Well, he won’t fall for it. He won’t let himself.

Bill’s response to his threat confuses him. He promises that he won’t step out of line? With Bill, words like promises can be heavy. He’s always been odd about his deals, and well, a promise is a deal, is it not? Ford will hold him to it regardless.

He really wonders what Melody did, to make him like this? No, no. Bill must’ve just fooled her. He’ll observe Bill’s behaviors from now on. Ford has something new to investigate. Sure, it may be his biggest enemy and oldest friend. He looks forward to it, and it has nothing to do with it being Bill. He swears to himself.

Ford takes another deep breath and sits to open his journal. Finally, to write this all down.

May 25th, 

So, It seems that I must have angered some deity or spirit in the multiverse. For Bill Cipher, to return to me again . Bill has returned in a very peculiar form, human. But! This form has many abnormalities!

I approached Bill during his work break, (Yes, I know. Bill Cipher working at the shack? Preposterous!) and demanded he come down into my lab. I had many questions for Bill. Unfortunately, only one of my questions could be answered this time.

The Axolotl, it seems, sent him down to this dimension. For reincarnation and redemption? Ha! Honestly, It is truly laughable to think of Cipher being worthy enough to be reincarnated or redeemed. Bill tells me he doesn’t know why the Axolotl would make this choice, and… he does seem to be truthful here. Actually, funnily enough, I have not detected any lies from Cipher since I was made aware of his arrival. Maybe he is omitting something, he has to be! Especially because of the odd response to my question about why he wanted to be shot. I still don't understand why he reacted as such.

Aside from that, I did get to examine Bill’s new body! Well, not everything I wanted to do. But! I still got to. From my understanding Bill is somewhat blind in his left eye, it must be some specific type of blindness by the way Bill described his vision. I will have to look into it. 

His forearms appear to be blackened up to a certain point, about halfway. It is truly an interesting feature, the skin looks almost charred. Burned. My hypothesis on this is, that because of Bill’s previous powers of pyrokinesis it transferred to this form? Who knows. And! One of my favorites, the claw-like nails! Now, I do realize now that this could be used for unfavorable acts. It doesn’t matter, I will keep a close eye on him.

(IN AUTHOR’S CODE: “The tail intrigues me, so does his static cracks. The tail seems to react accordingly to his emotions, like a cat almost?”)

The good, and most important thing, is as far as i’m aware, Bill has no powers. He certainly seemed furious at that fact too. It amuses me. At least he won’t be able to harm any of them this way.

Signing out, Stanford Pines

Chapter Text

Okay, Stanley knows his brother. Meaning he knows damn well Ford will take the burden of watching Bill eagerly. Moses, he saw him having some weird nerd moment to himself in the gift shop a week ago when they arrived at the shack. Ford is going to take this as an opportunity. Look, he trusts his brother. But. He doesn’t quite trust this demon. And this is exactly why he is overseeing Bill’s work in the gift shop currently. Just to get an idea of how he acts now.

He squints over at the demon as he speaks to a customer at the checkout counter. Hm. Okay, maybe Stan can use this. Not going to lie, Bill is an incredible liar. Especially to customers. It’s perfect! Okay, okay. He doesn’t like the demon. Especially after spending an entire week with him in his home.

He is very annoying. Like, he does his job and does it well. He should give Soos a pat on the back for that one. But, he cannot stand the cocky attitude, and don’t get him started on the looks he gives Sixer when he’s not looking. Nauseating, I'm telling you.

He wanted to lower the guy's pay when he arrived, but unfortunately, he can’t say no to Soos. And Soos likes him. It’s weird. Both him and Melody just don’t mind Bill. Hell, he’s seen the demon have a genuine smile on his face when speaking to her. It freaked him the hell out.

But, yeah. He can use him for profit. From one con man to another.

He approaches him at the counter, hands on his hips. “Hey, demon.”

Bill rolls his eyes, seemingly unaffected (Stan can see his hands shake). “What’s up, boss ? Giving me more labor for a paycheck lower than legally allowed?”

“You’re not legally a person in the U.S.”

“Neither are you.”

Stanley squints. “I’m legally dead.”

Bill just shrugs. “Same thing.”

He rolls his eyes. “Okay okay, fair enough.” Bill raises an eyebrow, clearing knowing he has a reason to be standing here. Hell, he doesn’t want to spend any more time around the demon than he has to. “First of all, I have a few things I need to make clear to you.”

He sees a slight smile from the demon. “Look, if you’re here to give me some spiel about how you’ll kill me if I hurt any one of you, I’ve already heard all of it from Melody.”

At Stanley's surprised look, not at the sentence, but at the fact Melody gave him this talk, Bill chuckles. “And, no offense, but she's about 10 times more terrifying than you.” 

Stan grumbles. “Okay. That means you understand, yes? That I will beat your ass if called for?”

Bill rolls his eyes. “Yes. Plus, don’t forget Sixer has told me plenty about how he’ll murder me where I stand.”

Stanley barks out a laugh. “Ha! Like he has the guts to actually shoot you.”

He furrows his eyebrows in confusion. “What?” This guy is clueless.

Stan just waves his hand dismissively. “Nothing, kid. Just keep scamming my customers!”

Bill just gives him a suspicious look. “You got it, boss.”

This guy is so harmless it's hilarious. Stanley can tell when someone is putting on a front, and he can smell it all over Bill. The way he carries himself, the desperate stares at Ford, and the way that when he thinks no one is looking his entire face drops into this tired look. He kinda reminds him of someone. Someone he can’t quite put his finger on.

“Do you need anything else?” Bill raises his eyebrows.

“Nope.”

-

Ford pretends he needs fresh air one day as an excuse. He sits out on the front porch, with his journal in hand. And just. Looks through the window overseeing the gift shop. They’re closed today, but Bill is doing inventory and a few chores. So, naturally. Ford uses this chance to observe him without his knowledge. Ford wouldn’t do this on a day they would be open, too many people shuffling in and out of the door next to him.

The window is close enough to him that he can be subtle about this. Bill is currently sweeping the floors, grumbling all the while. Maybe Ford should put a recorder under the cashier counter, so he can hear what Bill says. Is that too weird? No, no. This is normal. Ford is watching him to make sure that Bill isn’t lying when he says that he’s been good lately. He doesn’t trust Melody’s word, sorry Melody.

Hm, the window is cracked open a bit. He can hear Bill.

“Ugh, stupid sweeping. Why the hell doesn’t this shack have a god damn vacuum ? What am I, in the 18th century??” He does kind of have a point. Whatever.

When Bill is finished, he just tosses the broom into the nearest closet. Walking back to his counter to grab a few items out of a box, to restock a couple shelves. He stretches himself out first, moaning quietly. Blinks a bit tiredly and grabs a hair tie from his wrist. He puts his hair up, a few strands from the front falling softly and framing the sides of his face.

Ford starts writing a few thoughts mindlessly onto his journal, still looking at Bill.

June 1st. Normal behavior (If you could call Bill normal in any matter). Complaints about lack of a vacuum. Fair enough. He-

Ford blinks owlishly. He has a natural undercut, a bit overgrown. Hidden by his long hair. Bill already weirdly enough has black roots even though he’s never dyed his hair to Ford’s knowledge, but the underside of his hair is completely black, matching the ‘overgrown’ roots. The black seeps upwards into the blonde.

It.. looks good on him.

Bill quietly restocks. Seemingly at peace. He’s using his odd tail to grab small things, putting them on lower shelves. Like this is a normal routine to him.

How strong is that tail? Ford writes down. He did want to examine it last week, but.. It felt a bit invasive. It would naturally be connected to Bill’s nerves, would it not? For most animals' tails they can be sensitive, it could be similar with him. Possibly sensitive tail? Maybe I could test it at a later date. Obviously if Bill consents to it.

(Unbeknownst to Ford. While he’s busy in his own thoughts, Bill glances out the window. Sees him . Does a double take. He blinks a few times, confused. Shakes it off and continues working anyway.)

-

June 5th. Again, quite normal. I’m beginning to think I might be going insane. I keep waiting for him to break. To yell at a customer. To hurt somebody. But he doesn’t. I suppose I will just take more notes on his human form. I did notice something odd the other day, when Bill was doing chores. Bill dropped a snowglobe, it broke. When it did, Bill’s eye flickered , and he took a few deep breaths before cleaning up the mess. Odd. Why would he react as such? The eye flickering interests me. This could be a sign of dormant powers. I hadn’t even really noticed that Bill’s eye glows until recently. Hm.

-

This work is not for him. Gods, he hates customer service. He can be a good liar when he needs to, but I don’t think old him would be expecting for him to use his skills in this way.  Stanley surprisingly isn’t super bad. Just kind of annoying, but he’d probably say the same for him.

So, Bill is now sitting in the kitchen at about 2 in the morning, about 2 weeks now from when the older twins arrived. Meaning he’s been here for about a month and a half. It hasn’t been as bad as he had expected. He assumed that Ford would shoot his brains out by now and he’d have been wiped from existence. But, it seems Sixer has just been… ignoring him. From a distance.

It’s a bit funny to him. Every so often when he’s on shift, he’ll glance out the corner of his eye and see him just.. Observing him? But, ignoring and avoiding him. He chuckles to himself at the thought of it. Like, he could just ask him again for more tests if that's what his issue is? But, no of course, he is the most stubborn man Bill’s ever known. He would prefer to avoid him but also get information out of him.

Bill rests his head on the table, sighing deeply.

A part of him does wish he could talk to him. Ugh not this again, you sound desperate.

He looks out the kitchen window, watching the stars twinkle overhead. Bill smiles.

Creak.

He blinks. Someone is awake at this hour?

“Oh.”

Bill turns his head to the doorway, to see.. Ford.

Of course, who else would be avoiding sleep like the plague?

“Hey.”

POV SWITCH

Ford really didn’t expect anybody to be awake. Especially him. Moses, of course he shows up like this while he is actively trying to steer clear of him. And, he really isn’t dressed for anyone to see him. A t-shirt and pajama pants, which to many may seem like a normal outfit, but he usually covers himself up.

Bill turns to look at him. “Hey.”

The simple greeting feels odd coming from him, but he supposes it is late at night. Bill must be tired. Ford takes a deep breath.

“Bill.” He nods his name in greeting.

Bill seems to smile at this, holding back a laugh. “You do know that is the first word you’ve spoken to me since the lab?”

The smile on Bill’s face burns itself clear into his head, Ford doesn’t think he’s ever seen such a genuine look on his face before.

He sputters. “Well! I’ve been busy with my work!”

Ford isn’t technically lying saying this, he has been busy with his work. His work being observing Bill and his behaviors.

Bill chuckles. “Sure, sure.”

Ford blinks at the laugh. That… Huh. His chest feels tight, and face hot? Is he sick? No, no. He must be just tired. He has been up all night. Yes, tired, that must be it. 

Bill raises a tired eyebrow at him, and gestures to the chair across from him. “Sit?”

Now, he really shouldn’t. Ford should just leave, not giving Bill the time of day, but… well, he has no real excuse. He steps forward and takes the seat across from him.

Ford raises his eyebrow at the man. “So, why would you be up at this time?”

Bill’s expression shutters slightly at the expression, but he covers it up. “Just guess I can’t sleep. Thought it would be better to sit out here rather than stare at my ceiling all night.” He shrugs.

Ford squints and observes Bill’s state. Bill, heavy bags under his eyes, in a loose t-shirt and high up shorts, his tail dragging on the floor behind him, expression open (most likely by the fact he must be a tad delirious from the lack of sleep) and relaxed. He clearly hasn’t been sleeping for days. That fact tugs at him.

Bill giggles quietly. “And, let me guess, you’re up again because of your work?”

He clears his throat, frowning. “Well, of course. I came in for water, just didn’t expect to find you here.”

“Get your water then. I’m not stopping you.”

Ford hums. “I will, it's just.. Bill, have you been sleeping?”

He frowns, groaning and throwing his head dramatically down onto the table. “Ugh.. what does it matter?” The scene makes his lips twitch upwards.

“Well, in a professional sense, you have a job. Humans cannot function on low hours of sleep. Hindering your ability to do your work.”

Bill rolls his eyes. “You would know all about that, wouldn’t you?”

Ford’s expression flattens. “Yes. You did keep me awake for days and weeks on end trying to make me finish your portal. I am aware of the effects of sleep deprivation.”

Bill winces, and mumbles. “I was talking more about your passion for your work, and how it keeps you up into the late hours of night… not. That.” 

He sighs. Ford feels conflicted. “Bill, we do have to talk about it. I cannot forgive it all and let you live here with no consequences without talking about our history. And what you did to Gravity Falls and the twins not even 3 years ago.”

Bill grumbles into his own arms, head resting on the table with his eyes looking up at Ford. “...3 years ago?”

Ford furrows his brow. “Yes..? Weirdmageddon happened almost a full 3 years ago.”

Bill’s eyes widened slowly, looking past him. “Oh.”

“What? What do you mean ‘Oh’?”

“Ford. It’s been centuries my time.” Bill swallows. “I’ve been in the Theraprism for hundreds of years. I.. I didn’t even really know that you were alive until my arrival.”

Bill shakes his head. “Whatever, that doesn’t matter.. Yes, I know that I need to apologize and atone for it all. I just… it's hard to explain.”

“I’m listening.”

He sighs. “Look, I can admit that destroying humanity isn’t exactly my goal anymore. You don’t have to worry about that. I just.. If I were to apologize I’d want it to mean something. Not just a little meaningless apology and for me to continue ruining lives.” Bill looks directly into his eyes. “I can tell that both of us aren’t quite ready for that.” What Bill doesn’t tell Ford is that he doesn’t fully trust himself yet. After what happened two weeks ago, he can’t let that happen again.

Ford takes this in. Weirdly enough, he trusts these words. He does believe him, and he is made hopeful by the fact Bill says he wants to actually mean it. It makes him almost.. optimistic about the future. Ford has never been one to look on the bright side of things. He agrees with the last statement. Ford doesn’t think he’d be able to forgive him or accept an apology from Bill currently, and Bill is probably trying to come up with the right words for one.

“I believe you, and I agree. I will trust you, for now .” Bill blinks surprisedly. Ford smiles, lightening the mood. “But dont think this means I won’t be making sure you do behave.”

Bill chuckles quietly, his eyes droop more and more with every minute they sit here together. “Yeah yeah, you know me better than that, IQ.”

A thought pops into his head. “Could I.. examine you again? I’ve been…” Bill squints up at him from where his head rests. “..curious. And I never did get to ask everything I wanted to.”

Bill looks amused, he sighs and closes his eyes. “Yeah, sure. At least you’ll get more answers out of me than from when you were staring at me during my shift.”

Ford flushes, eyes wide. “I..I don't know what you’re talking about.”

“Mm..sure. I didn’t..mind anyway.” He mumbles.

And Bill just. Falls asleep. Right there at the table.

Ford takes a deep breath. His face feels hot. Oh well, Bill wouldn’t be happy waking here. He supposes that he will bring Bill to bed.

One problem. He doesn’t know where Bill’s room actually is. Hm. Bill won’t mind if he just takes him to his room, right? He can sleep on the couch bed that Ford used to sleep on, before he got an actual bed. Yes, of course. Ford needs to sleep anyway.

He needs rest, both of them, the twins arrive soon.

Chapter Text

Bill grumbles to himself as he wakes, tossing and turning on his bed. Ugh, his bones are killing him. He blinks past the fog of sleep and is slowly made aware of his surroundings. He.

Wait. Where is he..?

…

..Is this Ford's room?

He rolls onto his side, and finds himself on Sixer’s old couch. He looks around the room, Ford noticeably missing from his own room. His desk is messy with papers strewn about. Bill huffs out a laugh at the sight. Now, why is he here? Bill thinks back, he stayed up, right? 

Then, he encountered Ford in the kitchen late at night. Oh right. He must’ve fallen asleep when they were talking. Gods, he didn’t expect to have such a conversation with him. I mean, he knew they would end up talking about it in some capacity. Bill just didn’t think it would happen in the late hours of the night, while he was avoiding sleep for the fifth time that week. He knows he shouldn’t be doing that, especially after what happened last time. But he swears he won’t lose control like that again. Whatever. Why didn’t Ford bring him to his own room?

And he realizes that Ford definitely does not know where he sleeps at night.

He sits himself up, and as he stretches the door creaks open.

Bill straightens himself, and blinks blearily at Ford’s appearance in the doorway.

Who.. looks red in the face…?

“Sixer?” Bill tilts his head.

Ford snaps out of it. “Uhm.. Good morning, Bill.”

“...Morning?” Bill can tell that it is absolutely the afternoon.

He clears his throat, setting down a mug on his desk. Bill can smell the coffee from here, and he can always tell the state of Ford’s sleep based on what he adds into it. Black coffee when he needs to stay awake desperately for work related matters. Two sugar spoonfuls when in a calmer state of mind, when he gets too jittery with the amount of caffeine that black coffee gives him. And he adds creamer on regular days. Bill realizes he may have observed things in Ford unneeded for portal matters. Whatever.

It’s two sugars.

“I apologize for bringing you to my room.. I am..uh… not aware of where your room is.” Sixer looks weirdly nervous.

Bill tilts his head curiously. “Uh that’s fine. The old mattress isn’t very comfortable anyway, I honestly prefer the couch.” He chuckles awkwardly.

“Old mattress?” He looks confused. “You don’t sleep in an actual bed?”

Bill blinks. “Oh, no. Melody must’ve just not got around to it.” He shrugs. “It doesn’t matter, it's the most I deserve anyway.”

Ford must realize after last night’s conversation that he is allowed to fret about him now, because although there was no apology, there is a somewhat okay energy between the two of them. A truce. So he can worry. Without the inner conflict. Because he seems immediately displeased. 

“That doesn’t seem very comfortable.” He states flatly.

Bill rolls his eyes. “Really, Sixer. It doesn’t matter.”

“No, no. You know what? I insist that you sleep in here until you get a proper bed. You say you prefer the couch bed, yes?” He starts ranting to himself. “It’s perfect, I get to keep an eye on you. Make sure you cross no lines, and you sleep just fine. You very clearly haven’t been sleeping either.”

Bill flushes at the observation of his lack of sleep. He knows it’s obvious, and he knows Ford has been watching him. But, still. And he does understand his need to keep an eye on him still, even after the last conversation they had. There were no apologies, just promises of them. Ford would need to watch him to see these promises true.

But, Sleeping in the same room? 

“Ford.”

He blinks out of his rant, turning his eyes to Bill. “Yes?”

Bill sighs, albeit a bit fondly. “Look, I don’t know if-”

“No, I insist.” Ford pauses, trying to think of another excuse. “And I am in a place to make demands, aren’t I?”

Bill takes a deep breath. Because you have got to be kidding him. He almost forgot how annoying this man can be. “...I suppose you are.” He says, glaring at him. No real heat in it.

Ford grins victoriously to himself. “Perfect! Move your things here, get ready, and meet me downstairs in 15 minutes.” Bill is immediately suspicious, but he lets it slide.

“You realize everything I own is yours , right?”

Ford blinks, looking at the clothes Bill is wearing. Bill watches in real time as Ford realizes he’s been wearing his old college clothing for weeks.

He chokes on his next breath, looking him up and down. Weirdo.

“Oh.” Ford quickly snaps back to normal, blinking rapidly. “Well, get ready anyway. Meet me downstairs.”

Bill rolls his eyes. “Are you going to at least tell me what you want me for?”

“..It’ll be a surprise? Well, at least for 30 minutes into our walk in the woods.” Now, this tells Bill exactly what he needs him for. Nerd adventure. Bill doesn’t really know why he’d need him for this, but whatever.

He sighs. “Alright, IQ.”

Ford looks excited, in the Stanford way of being excited. Trying his best to contain it, but he’s awful at it.

Stupid. (In the fondest way possible).

-

When Bill gets downstairs, he doesn’t see Ford, he assumes he is outside waiting. As he is putting his boots on (not his, Melody found them. Maybe they need to go clothes shopping.) a voice startles him.

“What are you doing?” Stanley.

He jumps, squeaking a bit. When Bill looks at him, he looks extremely amused. He is murdering him with his eyes. Stanley raises an eyebrow, prompting him to finally answer.

“Sixer says he needs me for something. Something being a nerd adventure, don’t kill me for it, it was his idea.” Bill shrugs.

Stan rolls his eyes, walking away while waving his hand dismissively. “Use protection.”

The comment makes his eyebrows furrow. Hell does that even mean? A weapon? Pretty sure none of the Pines would let him even around a knife or gun no matter the situation. Whatever. 

He stands from tying his boots up. Bill hates shoelaces, so impractical. 

“Are you ready now?” 

Bill jumps again, his tail standing rigid behind him. He turns furiously, mostly just embarrassed.

“ Stars above, what is with you Pines?”

Ford’s eyebrows raise, amused. “...Apologies, Bill. I’m assuming you saw Stan?”

“ Yeah, I did. When I told him what I was doing with you the guy told me to ‘ use protection’ , whatever that means.” Bill shrugs, a bit puzzled.

Ford pauses when he says this. A slight flush overcoming his face.

“I mean, like you guys would even let me hold a gun. Funny, right?”

He oddly looks like he is currently contemplating murder as he speaks. “Funny.” For once the look isn’t directed at him.

Ford blinks rapidly and then looks at Bill again with a completely different expression. He is excited again. The hell was that?

“I am assuming you are ready, so come. Let’s go, we have quite the walk today.” He walks out the door, expecting Bill to follow. So, he does.

-

Ford is very excited. He’s recently heard of a kind of flower mimic-like anomaly in the area. It apparently is one-eyed, where the pistil would be. When he learned of this it reminded him a lot of Bill, so naturally he brought him along to observe it.

Key word: Observe. He’s heard of a few odd psychedelic-like or drug-induced effects when it bites people. Again, slightly reminding him of a different one-eyed anomaly he knows. Bill, that is.

He assumes that after closing a weirdness rift nearby, it was left behind in Gravity Falls. Causing it to asexually reproduce other copies of itself for the species to survive. Meaning, it is starting to become a slight problem to a few hikers and other anomalous creatures in the forests. He hopes to observe first and then figure out a way to solve this problem.

But, he wanted to bring Bill along. Bill, who is currently complaining that he is dying in Gravity Falls’ summer heat. Fair. It is June now.

He groans, stopping his walk to wipe his forehead. Bill has his hair tied back so as to not overheat. “Fordsy, please just tell me what we’re out here for or I’m going back to the shack. As much as I would love to almost get killed by some random creature in these woods with you for ‘ the sake of science’ , I’m gonna need some explanation here before I die of the actual heat.”

Ford stops with him, sheepishly looking at him. “...Apologies. I suppose I was just very eager to show you that I forgot to tell you during our walk.” He wordlessly passes Bill one of the waters in his bag.

Bill raises an eyebrow, taking the bottle. “Show me what?”

Ford puffs up his cheeks. “I wanted it to be a surprise.” He fidgets with his hands. “It probably won’t even be that exciting to you anyway.”

Bill rolls his eyes, huffing out a laugh. “Ford, I already had a good idea of what we were doing out here. I wouldn’t have come to see some anomaly with you if I didn’t want to.” He raises his eyebrows. “So, what is it? Or do you want to keep your surprise?”

“...It’s only a couple minutes until we’re there.”

Bill chuckles. “Alright then.”

-

They arrive at the clearing.

Bill looks forward, spotting it right away. Oh. Oh wow. A normal person would probably say they look terrifying, but he loves it. He can tell why Ford wanted to show him. Eyes. One eye, that is.

Ford practically sparkles next to him. “Interesting, right? I was thrilled when I heard of them!” He cringes to himself. “Well, they have been terrorizing the local hikers.. So maybe not that part. But, Well-”

While Ford speaks to himself, probably telling him all about the anomaly or at least the things he’s heard. Bill walks forward slowly, slow enough that Ford doesn’t notice his disappearance in his rant.

One of the flowers spots him, and when the eye makes full eye contact with him. His head feels almost foggy. Bill blinks past it, but something tells him he should come closer to the flower. All implied warnings from Ford vanished from his head. Maybe it’s something about the beauty of it that draws him in. Another eye sees him.

Bill tilts his head at it, and it mimics his movement. Odd. He’s in range of the flower when a voice cuts clear through.

“BILL, wait no don’t get close-” He turns his head to Ford, the expression being very alarmed.

But before he can question, he feels two sharp pain points in his calf. Bill pulls himself away quickly. He sees the teeth vanish behind the flower’s eye. It reminds him of his eye-mouth as a triangle.

“Fuck!” He shouts, from the pain. When he stumbles far enough away he lets himself fall and lean himself against a tree. Ford rushes to help.

“Bill, did you not hear a word I said?” He sounds a bit furious, but mostly worried.

Bill blinks up at him. “Uh. Ford, I think it might have some alluring effect on the mind. Like a siren, but eye contact.” Ford seems interested like that totally makes sense , but he snaps back into worry.

Ford sighs, grabbing bandages from the bag on his back. “I was hoping we wouldn’t have to use these.” He pulls Bill’s pant leg farther up to his thigh, giving himself more space. Ford cringes at the wound.

“...It bit you twice ?” Bill looks down at where he’s talking about.

“Oh. Guess I didn’t notice.”

Ford shuts his eyes tight, pinching his nose. Bill doesn’t get why he’s acting like this, I mean sure he got injured, but it’s just a bite? Ford looks back up at him, purses his lips.

“Bill… are you feeling any different?”

He furrows his brows. “No? Should I be?”

“Fuck.” Ford mumbles under his breath. Making Bill flush a tad, he doesn’t swear often. “That means the effects must be long lasting.. And you got bit twice.” Still talking to himself.

“Effects?” He chuckles nervously. “Now you’ve got me worried, IQ.”

“In my explanation, that you didn’t hear because of the alluring effect, was that it has become a problem with local hikers and anomalous creatures because it has a drug-induced effect when it bites.. and you got bitten twice.” As he speaks he actually bandages the wound, the wounds are close enough to each other he doesn’t have to use up too much of the bandages.

Bill rolls his eyes. “Come on, Fordsy. You think I haven’t done mushrooms or alien LSD before?”

His expression flattens. “I know. But your human body is entirely new to these sensations. Melody told me that you had trouble walking when you first came here. I am assuming this means your reactions to these sensations may end up almost like a childs. Entirely new. You could have a terrible trip; this is what I was worried about.”

Ford makes an incredible point, no wonder he’s the scientist. “...So, do you know when it’ll kick in?”

He sighs. “Very soon, most likely. It may have double the effect because of the two bites.”

Bill giggles, probably the high slowly kicking in. “At least that means I’ll be your lab rat , right? You can document how the mimic bites potency impacts humans, without getting bitten yourself.” He gestures mockingly as he speaks. “Even though I know you like figuring that stuff out that way.” Bill pokes him with his pointer as he says this.

Ford seems a tad amused. “I suppose you are right, but if your high gets any worse you need to tell me.” Then he turns indignant. “And, it’s more effective that way!”

“So, that's why you tasted human blood? Is that why you ate several different kinds of mushrooms from these forests before? Tested the effects of them?”

Ford gets embarrassed. “It was for the sake of-”

“ Science. ” Bill says in unison with Ford, grinning at him. “Yeah, whatever you say, Fordsy.”

“You must be high at this point, you’re insufferable.” He huffs, and looks into his eyes. “Your pupils are blown. A lot .”

Bill giggles. “And it’s only getting worse from here, Sixer.” His tail twirls itself around Ford’s ankle. Bill doesn’t notice he’s done so. A thought pops into his head. “Wait, so why did you seem so excited to show me this flower?”

The action makes Ford pause in his movements. “The eye, and effects when bitten , reminded me of you.”

“Oh, come on, Fordsy. I don’t bite!” That is actually very sweet, even if half of it could be perceived as negative. The tail tightens around Ford’s ankle. 

“I’ve got to get you back to the house, before this gets any worse.”

He pouts. “Do I have to walk?”

Ford sighs. “Usually, I’d tell you to suck it up and walk high. But, you are injured, I don’t want you to fall.”

Bill squints. “Then how are you getting me back?”

“I’m going to hate myself for this later..” He mumbles under his breath, then speaks up. “I’ll carry you.”

“Aww, bridal style, Fordsy?” He teases.

Ford rolls his eyes. “No. You will ride on my back. Much easier, you’d have to wear the backpack full of our supplies though.”

“You sure your back won’t break with me on it, old man?”

“You can stay here in the forest with all of Gravity Falls’ dangerous anomalies, if you want.” He flatly states, starting to stand to his feet.

“Wait wait! I'll take it back!” He scrambles, trying to get him back onto the floor of the forest. The tail pulls at Ford’s ankle with real force, and he almost trips.

Ford laughs, like a full one. Not just a huff of breath. Bill feels like it rumbles through him. Oh. Oh wow. He kind of likes making Ford happy like this. The old Bill Cipher would be furious, The old Bill Cipher would ruin it with a joke about his old torture methods he’d use on Ford. Bill, now, is just in awe of him. That could just be the high talking though.

-

They both make it back, with Bill rambling practically in his ear the whole time. Ford still can’t get the look on Bill’s face out of his head, after he laughed at Bill’s silly frantic movements, Bill kind of just… sat wide-eyed and silent staring at him. Ford swears he saw a look of awe in his eyes. It must just be the heat, he’s going to go crazy at this rate. Not that he was very sane in the first place.

He lets Bill fall off his back onto the couch after they walk through the door, passing the bag to him. Ford just sets it aside.

“So, are you trip sitting me?”

Ford sits next to him, finally getting to relax after the long walk there and back. “Is this some weird slang term that the kids use these days?”

Bill rolls his eyes dramatically. “You’re a scientist, with 12 PhDs . I think you can put together a few context clues . Also you sound extremely old when you say that.”

“I am old.” He feels a bit offended. But he puts together the context clues , as Bill says.

“Not as old as me!!” Bill seems prideful of his age. Ford carefully doesn’t mention that he must now function on a human lifespan.

He hears a creak from the doorway, turns his head. 

“What’re you kids doing?”

Bill's expression sours, frowning.

“Hello, Stan. I uh.. Bill made a slight mistake while we were out.”

“I got a drug-induced bite from an eye flower mimic!” Ford side eyes him.

“ Two bites. And you shouldn’t be proud of that!” Bill sticks his tongue out at him, taking his hair out of the ponytail, it was in previously.

Stanley’s eyebrows raise at this. “Why the hell did you bring him out then?”

“I uh.” He doesn’t really have an explanation that Stan would like. “Thought It’d be fun?” He cringes.

Stanley squints at him. Fuck, he hates when he does that . It means he has a very good idea of what the real answer is, and is confirming it via Ford’s expression. He does his very best to school his face into a neutral expression. He knows it won’t work on him.

“Huh.” He tongues his cheek. “So, do we like the demon now?”

Ford sighs. “I have come to a conclusion that I will trust him, for now . Until we are both ready for an apology. Bill is very different human, and I haven’t detected any lies from him thus far. If he crosses any lines on purpose, our truce will be gone.”

Bill is currently spacing out staring at Ford’s hand gestures, only vaguely aware of his words. Stanley looks between the two of them, really looking. He nods.

“I trust you.”

It makes Ford smile. “Thank you.”

He points at him. “ But. He does something wrong and I’ll beat the shit out of him for ya.”

Bill grumbles next to him, his head practically on his leg now. Having moved positions during their conversation. The tail subconsciously wraps around his ankle again . Why does he have a feeling this will become a normal thing?

“Bill, I would do that if you cross a line purposely.”

“...I’d prefer it to be you.”

Ford blinks confused. “Why would you want to get beat up?”

“That part doesn’t matter.”

What? “What? The beating up? I thought that was the whole point of conversation here?”

Stanley looks like he’s holding in a laugh. Bill grabs the hand closest to him, and stares at his six fingers. And just.. doesn’t explain.

“Ha! He must be extremely high. How bad are the effects?”

Ford turns his eyes to Stan, his hand still held hostage. “Uh, not sure. This was going to be my first time observing the plant. I’ve heard more about hallucinations than just this. I am surprised he hasn’t hallucinated yet.”

“Well, you said two bites, right? Maybe it's like.. A long process because of that. He might hallucinate later .”

Ford winces. “You make a good point.” God, he hopes it won’t be too bad.

“Woah.” Bill mumbles. Still looking at his fingers, bending them slightly with his own. Ford doesn’t think he has ever met anyone else with as much as an affinity for his six fingers than anybody . People still give him weird looks for it and avoid him, and the kids say the world is more accepting of differences nowadays.

He worries how Bill would be seen by the public. His differences are more obvious than Ford’s hands. He can just hide them. Bill can’t.

Stanley coughs awkwardly. Making him realize he has been gazing at Bill for longer than he probably should.

“The kids are coming in a week, right?” He asks, to avoid Stan’s possible questioning.

Stan nods. “Yeah, I’m a bit worried how they’ll take Bill’s appearance here.”

Ford blinks. “You haven’t told them?”

Stanley rolls his eyes. “No, that is something we have to tell them. And I don’t want them worrying too much before they come.” He shrugs. “They’ve been through enough.”

Ford winces. “I don’t think they’ll be very happy with an abrupt explanation either.”

He feels Bill start nibbling on his fingers, not hard, just some pressure. Ford eyes him, a bit of warning in his eyes. Bill blinks up at him innocently, actively doing it.

A sigh. “Yeah, I know. But we’ll get to that when we do.”

Ford hears him, but he still looks at Bill. Squinting at him as he bites him.

Thought you didn’t bite? He mouths at him, eyebrows raised.

“Thought you didn’t detect any lies?” A whisper, quiet enough Stan can’t hear. With a small grin on his face. 

Ford rolls his eyes, his lips twitching upwards slightly. He knows Bill catches it, so he continues to bite him.

“Ford?” He snaps out of it, looking back at Stan. Who is not paying too much attention to the two of them, he clearly got distracted by the TV. Well, that’s good. He doesn’t know how he’d explain that . It felt like a secret almost. But he doesn't know why it would be.

“Oh, yes. Apologies. We will.” Ford nods at him.

He gives him a suspicious look, like he knew he just missed something. “..Alright. Well, I’ll cook dinner tonight. Any suggestions?”

“I would say spaghetti, but Melody’s is better.” Bill speaks up. Stanley immediately looks offended.

“Hey, I make a great spaghetti!” He points at him, and just almost sees Bill biting Ford.

Bill squints at Stan. “The pig must be well fed.” Stanley jaw drops in offense at the implications. Ford hides his smile.

“Well then! It’s decided, I’m making spaghetti tonight. You will eat your words, demon.” And he storms into the kitchen.

“Bill.” An innocent blink, with a bite.

“You did that on purpose, didn’t you?” Ford is amused.

Bill rolls his eyes. “So, you can detect my lies. Well, not saying Melody’s food is bad. Hers is superior.”

“Is your high wearing off?” His brows furrow. Bill sounds very sound of mind currently.

A bite. “Nah, I think that was the first wave. Lights look brighter right now, and that’s saying something with my light sensitivity.”

Ford tilts his head. “Do you need me to turn the lights down? That sounds painful.”

“No, I'm okay. My left eye feels droopier anyway.” He can see this, and it is an odd look. His eyes were already a bit squinted from the high, but it looks almost like a lazy eye.

“You may start hallucinating soon. With bad trips, they can be scary.”

Bill looks a bit nervous at this. He probably has a memory or two that haunts him, besides his history with Ford, that he worries about seeing. “Well. It’ll be fine. You will stay with me, right?” Another bite, a bit harder, probably from the stress.

He doesn’t mind. “Of course. Do you want me to get Melody if it gets really bad? I’ve heard you are close.”

“Maybe..” He seems caught between yes or no, like seeing or hearing Melody during a hallucination might remind him of something or trigger something.

“You tell me and I’ll get her.”

“Question Mark and her have seemed busy recently though..”

Ford huffs. “From the way she talked to you when I arrived, I am sure she would not mind helping you out.”

“..She does that a lot.” He mumbles, clearly not wanting Ford to catch it, but his words filter through anyway. 

He lets him have it. Even if it brings questions to his head.

“You remember that you sleep in my room now, right? Probably good so I can watch you during this. It will most likely last several hours, even more maybe.”

Bill blinks, and his face goes flush. “Oh. Right.” He nibbles more frantically at his fingers, but he’s sluggish so he kind of just… gets spit all over his hand. He’s. Drooling. Probably a side effect of the psychedelics.

Usually, Ford would be super disgusted by it. The kids call it his ‘sensory issues’? But. Instead he just starts feeling really hot. His whole body. A sharp flutter hitting him in the stomach. The hell is that?

Then, Bill notices his excessive saliva. And gets embarrassed. “I didn’t… mean to do that.”

“It’s a side effect. Common with psychedelics like LSD.” Bill squints up at him.

“How do you know so much about drugs?”

“Well, besides you inhabiting my body and doing acid. Which technically I wasn’t there to experience,” Bill winces at the mention. “I did do mushrooms in college. It was the 70s, Bill.”

“..That actually makes sense.”

Ford huffs out a laugh. “We were stupid though. Fiddleford was high most of the time and asked if I wanted some, so we did not have someone sober watching over us. I’ve had a bad trip before.”

Bill’s expression wilts just a bit at the mention of Fiddleford, but he looks like he wants to know more. “How bad?”

Ford cringes. “So bad Fidds almost had to get someone, which would’ve gotten us caught. And I was afraid of tainting my record.”

He grins. “Aww, perfect Sixer. Never done wrong. He definitely hasn’t committed autocannibalism before, and stole several hundred parts through dimensions for his quantum destabilizer.” Bill pokes his cheek. Ford glares at him, no actual heat in it.

“The first was because I had to.”

“You were curious about the taste of human flesh well before that, IQ.”

Ford glances away sheepishly.

“Do you think I would taste good? Would I be your favorite ? What part of me would you eat?”

The taboo topic almost feels too intimate. But he thinks about it anyway.

“Maybe, maybe not.” Leaves it vague there on purpose. Bill grumbles at him. “Maybe I’d eat your 5th fingers.” As he teases this, he runs a finger up one of those fingers with the hand not held hostage. Bill shivers from his touch, almost violently. And he feels it against his body. “I could bring you back to your normal finger count.”

A couple beats. “..I’d eat your fingers.”

“No, no. You’d miss them too much, wouldn’t you?” Tilting his head teasingly, the volume of his voice lowers. Dipping into the lower register. Not even on purpose.

Bill looks extremely flustered, close to breaking.

“Aren’t they what made me special enough for your plans?” Ford isn’t really fully aware here of what this conversation means . He doesn’t think of the implications that this isn’t just a friendly amount of banter.

Now, he almost misses this. But. Bill whines . Just quiet enough for him to have missed it. His first thought is: Oh, am I hurting him? But he knows on the inside that that was not what that sound meant. He pushes away the thought like it never existed.

When Bill realizes what he did. He stays still, and quiet. Like prey before it runs off or is eaten by its predator. Like he can just ignore that it ever happened. But, before either of them can act on anything a shout sounds from the kitchen.

“Hey! You two, are you still out there?”

Ford takes a breath, and swallows. “Yes, Stanley.” He raises his voice just enough so that Stan can hear him.

“Dinner’s almost ready! Get your asses in here, that demon is gonna regret those words for sure.”

They both stay silent. Until.

“Bill, do you need a moment?”

“ Yes. ” He nods frantically, breathless. Bill lifts his head from Ford’s leg, curling a bit onto himself on the couch. Not like he’s scared or upset though.

Ford stands, his leg asleep a bit from the weight of Bill’s head (and his tail squeezing his ankle the whole time). “Don’t stay here too long. I don’t want you to start hallucinating without me here to help you.”

Bill nods. His pupils are very blown, almost like they were never slitted. Maybe Ford shouldn’t have been teasing him like that right now. He’s high, maybe the comment freaked him out? No, this is Bill. Topics like cannibalism are the things he knows best . Maybe it’s because of the sensory changes, he could’ve been feeling sensations 10 times more than usual. Human sensations are already very likely weird to Bill. He wasn’t born human. He wasn’t taught what they mean and why they happen.

Ford takes another deep breath, and leaves Bill in the living room.

And when Stanley asks what’s wrong after he enters the kitchen, he just says. “It’s nothing, don’t worry.”

-

Holy fuck . He must be having the wildest trip right now. Okay, so. He is still not completely sure that that wasn’t a hallucination. Like. He’s about 80% sure it was real, but of course there’s still that 20%.

Bill is extremely embarrassed. He cannot believe he let himself basically whimper because of Ford’s words. And, Oh , did he love his words. Ford has never been the sanest or the most normal in his life, but Bill can’t believe he indulged in teasing him. About eating him. With Ford’s gravelly voice and playful tone so close. He almost told Ford he could eat his 5th fingers right then and there.

Bill was trying to tease him . He just didn’t expect Ford to bite back. Haha. Bite. 

He enjoyed biting Ford’s fingers. He got to feel evil but in the way that is allowed . At least, he got wordless permission from him. So, he is allowed. Bill giggles to himself, curled up on the couch.

He’ll use that to his advantage.

Also, Ford was dead right. About Bill eating his fingers. He would actually never, even in a hypothetical, it is what makes him so special. And, Oh , is he special . So. When Ford completely called him out word for word . He uh. Couldn’t stop himself. You can’t blame him, okay? He was shaking, had Ford’s soothing words pouring into his ears, and everything he was saying. Stars above, he doesn’t know how he didn’t have a heart attack .

Worst of all, he felt like prey .

Bill Cipher has always been on the opposite side. He is supposed to be the one catching Ford in his spider web. He is supposed to be above people.

So, why did he feel so good being below Ford?  

Chapter Text

They don’t talk about it. In fact, they won’t for a while .

Besides that, Bill enjoyed dinner. It's safe. Familiar. 

Also, he’s definitely starting to hallucinate. The two of them finally get to Ford’s room for the night. He is starting to hear.. whispers? 

Bill sits on the couch bed, bringing his knees up to his chest. Ford looks over at him.

“Are you alright? Starting to see anything unnatural?”

He grumbles. “..I can hear some things, I’m not even sure if it's fake.”

Ford hums. “That’s normal. I will tell you that I am not hearing anything unnatural.”

Bill glares at him. “How does that help me?”

Ford huffs. “So that I can help you tell what is real .”

He blinks, a light flashes out of the corner of his vision. Almost like it came from the window, maybe it did? “Oh, that makes sense.” When he hears a particularly loud whisper from his left ear, he flinches. Ford takes notice.

He tilts his head in thought. “Would it be better if.. you leaned on me? It could help you stay grounded, the feeling.”

Bill did like lying on his leg earlier, making him feel like Ford was there even if he knew that already. Does that make sense? Ugh. “Could I.. put my head in your lap again?”

Ford smiles. “...Sure. Do you want the couch or my bed?”

The idea of the bed makes his head spin, okay maybe he can’t take those feelings right now. 

“Couch.” Ford sits down on his couch bed, crossing his legs to make space for Bill’s head. Bill lies his head down in between Ford’s legs, looking up at him.

“Is that better?”

Bill closes his eyes, and gets comfortable on him. “Mm… maybe.”

Ford chuckles. “Good.”

Bill seems to pause, thinking. “Can you talk? Maybe.. that’ll tune out the whispers.” He doesn’t filter himself, he can’t really do so. Bill in a sound state of mind would never admit what he was hearing or seeing. Well, Bill in a sound state of mind, wouldn’t ever let himself do this .

He can feel the worry from Ford from what he said. “..Hm. Sure, let's see.. Do you want to hear about one of our adventures at sea?” As Ford thinks, and Bill doesn’t think he realizes this, a hand that was resting close to his head starts to.. mindlessly brush through Bill’s hair.

Bill thinks at first that he might not be actually feeling it. That it could be a ‘somatic hallucination’ as he described to him during dinner, but when Bill peels his eyes open he can see it. The feeling gives him a shiver.

He swallows. “..Sure. Tell me one of the ones you almost die in.”

Ford huffs. “That is pretty broad. We were in the Bermuda, there were plenty of creatures trying to kill us.” Bill giggles after a beat.

“..The Bermuda Triangle ?” and when Bill feels a tug on his hair, he laughs again.

“You be quiet.”

“Are you sure you don’t have an issue?”

POV SWITCH.

Bill never fails to drive him crazy. He has a point, but he ignores it. Ford tugs just a little harder.

“ Bill. ”

He looks like he’s holding in a laugh, but he obeys Ford’s words anyway. Weird. Isn’t Bill all defiance? Ugh, he shouldn’t say that too soon.

“Do you want to hear or not?” Bill nods his head, still quiet like he told him.

Ford sighs albeit fondly. “Well, you heard about the Kraken, right?”

A beat.

Bill pokes him, a question. Ford purses his lips. Is.. is Bill asking to speak? That. He doesn’t know how that makes him feel. So, he tests it.

“You can speak.”

“..You know I actually know a lot about the Triangle.” Of course , he refers to it as the Triangle .

Ford rolls his eyes. “Oh, really ? Bill Cipher, a triangle. Knows information about The Bermuda Triangle ? Astonishing.” Bill pokes him harder.

“Hey! I know information humans like you would die for!” This doesn’t surprise him in the slightest, Bill’s been around since long before Earth’s creation.

“Oh, yeah? What happened to those planes then?” Bill bites his inner cheek.

“I uh.. was busy then.”

“Oh, come on. How could you have been busy? Ciphertology wasn’t invented here until the 50s. The plane disappeared in 1945.”

Bill grumbles. “I’ll have you know Ciphertology has technically been around since the tribes were here.”

“Mm, and how did that end up?” Ford mockingly whispers.

Bill groans. “You cannot possibly have also heard of that damn shaman.”

“I’ve heard things. Translated a few cave writings.” He has. Modoc the Wise burned himself alive when he found out of Bill’s true plans. “So sad, huh? Your plans foiled for the first time, and many many times to come.” He mocks Bill, not super maliciously. Just teasing with a few undertones, as he kneads into his scalp.

“...I got so close to it with you..” Ford sighs, and he does hear the sleep in Bill’s voice.

“Yeah, you did.” It is one of his biggest regrets.

Bill frowns, his not sober mind thinking. His eyes are still closed, they have been. “...Sor… Sorry ..”

Ford blinks. He.. apologized. Small, but had meaning, nonetheless. And he knows this one isn’t his final one. Before Ford can even open his mouth, he hears the smallest snore. He turns his eyes down, looking at Bill. He’s curled in on Ford’s lap. Ford keeps his hand in Bill’s hair.

He sighs, but his lips can’t help but twitch up at the sight of him. Ford knows himself a year ago would never let him do this. It’s hard to see the Bill that hurt his family in him nowadays. He has a feeling that Bill is gone now. Changed.

Ford can’t quite fathom it. Conflicted.

He thinks of the Bill Cipher that hurt him, the one who stole his body when he pleased, drove nails through his knuckles, made him stay in hiding those 30 years in the portal, the one who strung him up by chains during Weirdmageddon, shocked him with over 3,000 volts of electricity through his entire body, healing him back to hurt him again. Then the Bill Cipher that he ended up killing, but really that part was all Stanley.

He thinks of this Bill. The one who spent centuries locked up and was dropped here on Earth by a deity that he is weirdly familiar with. The one who is close with Melody, a human he wasn’t even really aware of in Gravity Falls before his death. He thinks of the times he’s observed him during his work shifts, the way he hums to himself peacefully while he does his job. The grumpy looks at rude customers, and when Stan makes an odd comment at him. The Bill who came along with Ford for his adventure willingly, when he already knew what they were doing.

Bill that looked so mesmerized at Ford’s hands earlier today. The Bill that was in awe of him . Sure, that part was mostly the drugs, but maybe some part of it is Bill’s real thoughts.

Wishful thinking perhaps.

But, if Ford’s research has shown anything, it’s that Bill is someone new. Maybe it’s the him he had never let himself be during his eons of causing chaos. Buried deep.

-

Ford is slightly shaken awake hours later, when he feels Bill shaking violently in his lap. He blinks his eyes open blearily.

“Huh..?” He took his glasses off a while ago, but he can still make him out in the dark of his room. Bill is whispering quietly to himself, words he can’t quite make out. He does seem to still be asleep.

Hm. Nightmare, perhaps? Can’t be pleasant with the drugs.

Stanford sighs tiredly, he uses both his arms to pull Bill closer to his chest. He rubs his back slowly. Bill, even in his sleep, seems to feel the warmth. The whispers continue though.

He tries to listen intently, to make out what Bill is saying. Unfortunately, he’s too quiet. The only thing he hears is “No.”, whispered repeatedly a few times over before he becomes unintelligible again.

Ford murmurs words of comfort, tracing circles on Bill’s back. He shivers from Ford’s cold hands in his sleep.

“Mm.. I’m here, Bill.” His voice gravelly and heavy from sleep.

Stanford leans his own head backwards, resting. His back and knees are going to hurt like hell tomorrow.

-

Ring Ring Ring .

“Augh.. you fuckin’ kidding me..” Stanley pushes himself up quickly from the bed, snatching his phone.

Oh, the kids.

He picks up.

“Hey, number one tip for when you two get here. Don’t wake me up this early.” He grumbles.

“Oh, sorry Grunkle Stan!!” A giggle.

Stan sighs. “It’s okay, pumpkin. Why you callin’ me so early for?”

He hears Dipper snatch the phone, Mabel whining. “Hi, Grunkle Stan. Uh.. we forgot to tell you. But…”

“We’ve been on our way!!” Mabel shouts.

Stanley blinks rapidly, all sleep gone immediately. “Wait wait, I thought you kids weren’t coming for another couple days.”

“Mom decided to send us. Mabel was too excited and kept begging her to let us go over, since we usually come on June 1st. So, she sent us on our way early this morning.” Dipper explains.

Stan pulls the phone away from his ear to groan, making sure the kids don’t hear. Of course she did that , springing the kids on them without even telling. He puts the phone back.

“Moses, I’ve gotta tell Ford.”

“We’ll be there in just a few more hours!! We asked the driver!”

He chuckles. “Alright alright. Thanks for the heads up, kids. Even if it was a bit late.”

“Yeahh.. Sorry. I didn’t even want to get up at 4am this morning. ” He complains.

“I’ve been running on Mabel Juice!”

“I can tell, sweetie. Okay, I have to go now. Ford is usually awake by this time, the freak, so I’ll tell him.”

“Melody told me you guys hired someone new at the Mystery Shack!! Who is it? Is it a boy? Is he cute ?”

Stanley winces. Fuck. Yeah, of course she told them that. The responsible one here. “ Uh , guess you’ll have to see when you get here?” Bad bad choice. “But I’m telling you, Mabel. He’s way too old for you. Stick to guys your own age.” 

A groan. “I know that!”

He chuckles. “Bye, kids.”

“Bye, Grunkle Stan!” They say in unison.

He hangs up. 

Fuck. He was expecting at least a few more days to prepare for telling them about Bill. Stan wipes a hand over his face.

Okay, okay. Time to break the news.

He gets up stretching, cracking his back. “I’m getting too old for this.” Stanley snatches his glasses from the counter, putting them on his face.

He pushes his door open, and makes his way to Ford’s room.

-

“Hey, Ford-” He begins to say, opening his brother's door. “-So, the twins called and-” He sees him. And pauses in his steps.

Ford, head leaned back on his old couch, sleeping . With. Bill Cipher curled in his lap. Like a clingy animal. He is also still sleeping, snoring actually.

Okay, Stan did have a pretty good idea of where this thing between his brother and Bill was going. Like, hell, that demon looked at Ford like he hung the stars themself yesterday. Sure yeah, he was higher than a kite, but there’s no look like that that can be just the drugs .

He knows Ford doesn’t know even his own feelings yet. Oh, but Stan knows . He’s known his brother for a long time . Even when they were separated. The one thing Stanley has never seen from him, is him in love. It’s not even close to that yet. It’ll happen eventually though. If he lets himself.

Stanley’s read all of his brother's journals. All he will say is that the history between them runs deeper than just friendship and betrayal. And, judging by the looks Bill gives Ford nowadays , it’s been reciprocated. Maybe even since the fucking beginning.

Who the hell knows. He wants his brother happy, so he’ll let him do it, doesn’t mean he likes thinking about it.

Heh. An idea pops into his head.

-

CLANG. CRASH. BANG BANG BANG.

Bill whines, falling out of Ford’s lap onto the floor. On his knees covering his ears tightly.

“ Stanley! What is your problem?!” He peels his eyes open. Seeing Ford look furiously at Stan, who grins amused.

“You enjoy your beauty sleep?” Bill spots the pots and pans in Stanley’s hands. Oh, fuck this guy .

“ Stanley Pines, I will tear you limb from limb. ” He snarls.

“Not as high as a kite anymore i see.” Stupid grin still on his face.

He does feel a lot clearer minded than before. “Yeah, which means I’m conscious enough to hear and enjoy your screams of pain as you die slowly by my hands.” Bill narrows his eyes at him.

“Ha! Sure , kid.”

Ford grumbles to himself, arms crossed. He looks kind of disheveled, hair sticking up in all places. He speaks up. “What the hell do you want.”

Stanley winces. “Uh. Sorry, Six. The noise was mostly for the demons suffering.”

“ Thanks. ” Bill says, the fury slowly dying down.

He sighs. “Whatever, Stan. I’m guessing you have important information to share? If it had you wake me.”

“Yeah!” Stanley’s smile turns genuine. “The kids are coming a couple days early. Like, today.” He winces. “In a few hours.”

“ What? ” Ford blinks rapidly. “Why didn’t their parents inform us?”

Stan rolls his eyes. “You know them, they just don’t care.”

“I’ve known them for only about 2 years!” Ford picks his glasses up from the couch, placing them on his face. “I thought we’d have more time.”

A wince. “Yeah, I know. Me too, Six.” Stan purses his lips. “And guess who ratted us out to the kids and told them we had a new hire?”

“..Melody.” Gods, he knows her too well. She would absolutely do this. In a way that tells them she’s not happy that the older twins haven’t told them yet.

He looks over at Bill, and nods. “Yup.”

Bill sighs. “Look, you don’t have to worry about me. I’ll be good, quiet, and you two can explain it to them. I’ll just.. hang out with Melody?”

Ford cuts in. “Bill, we do want you to be there. I’m sure they would feel more at ease if they saw how harmless you are.”

Now, he doesn’t like the comment that he’s harmless . I’ll show you harmless, old man. 

Ford practically sees the words all over his face, and corrects himself. While rolling his eyes. “ If they saw that you wouldn’t hurt them. ”

Better.

He hums, happier. “Okay, fine.”

Stanley frowns, thinking. “Mabel might actually like you. This you.”

Ford tilts his head, looking at Bill. “..You have a point. She might punch you first for good measure though.”

Bill winces. “But I’m injured..?”

He looks amused. “Yeah, your calf. Pretty sure she’ll take free rein of anywhere else.”

“Good thing I put her in those boxing lessons.” Stanley says. He can tell this is said on purpose.

Oh, boy. He never thought he’d be afraid of a 15 year old girl. Whatt? Afraid? No, couldn’t be him. You must be thinking of a different one-eyed triangle. His name isn’t Bill. It’s uh… Steve! Yeah, that's right. For sure.

Ford chuckles. “ Bill , you’ll be fine. I’m sure you can take a punch.”

Bill squeaks. “ You are going to let her do it?! ” This isn’t fear. Just.. uh. Yeah, okay he has no excuse.

He looks unimpressed. “It’s the least they deserve, after everything. Don’t you think so?” A tilt of the head.

He has a point.

Bill pouts, he’s still on the floor. Ford rolls his eyes. 

“I need to get ready. Stanley, what time is it?”

“It’s 8am.”

He blinks. “I slept in.”

Stanley scoffs. “Yeah, if you could even call waking up at 8 sleeping in . I don’t even remember the last time you were still asleep at this hour.” 

“Huh.” Ford seems puzzled, but he shakes it off. “Oh well, I need to shower then.” He just walks into his bathroom and shuts the door.

Bill blinks at the door. Ford slept in ? Stars, he never does that. Even if he hasn’t got any sleep the night before. Bill hears a clearing of the throat, and turns to look back at Stan.

His eyes are narrowed. “You hurt him, and you’re a dead man. Am I clear?”

Huh? Where did this come from??

“Uh, yeah?” Bill stands from where he was on the floor.

“You don’t sound too sure of yourself there.” 

“I’m just a bit caught off guard, I guess. Of course I won’t hurt him!”

Stanley’s demeanor goes back to normal, like it didn’t even happen. “I thought so, just wanted to double check.” He purses his lips. “You’re an okay guy nowadays. Don’t make me regret this.”

“Regret what?”

Stanley doesn’t respond, he just leaves the room. Well. That was weird.

He waits patiently for Ford to exit the bathroom. Bill probably needs to take a shower too; he isn’t the best with hygiene. Mostly because of how confusing it is. Why are there so many instructions! He has to brush his hair every day, or it could get matted, and have to get it shaved (which he will never let happen). He has to brush his teeth, or they’ll rot. He has to wear this weird stuff on his armpits, so he doesn’t stink? Change his clothes every day for basically the same reason. BORING! Ugh, being human can be so tedious sometimes.

He’s definitely way better with his motor skills now though. Walking is like a walk in the park! Hah! Bill likes how good he can control his tail now too. It can be useful for work. He hates how it gives him away though. It’s rigid when he’s afraid, twirls around playfully with Ford, and lazy when he’s exhausted. Makes him feel like an animal, the claws surely don’t help that.

He hears the shower stop. Wow, Ford sure is a quick one.

Bill sighs. He hears the door open, and he spins around.

“Wow, you sure take fast-” He blinks his eyes open mid-sentence, and oh. He sees him. “..show..ers.”

Bill did fully expect Ford to be dressed when he exited the bathroom, but uh he didn’t bring clothes in with him. So, Bill’s eyes are graced with Stanford Pines, in just a towel around his waist. And, Oh wow. It sure does not leave anything to the imagination.

Ford acts as though this is completely normal, as he keeps his back facing him. Looking through his dresser. “Bill, you know me. I like to be efficient.” Oh lord , he’s not in the right mind to take that any other way.

He swallows, the smallest bit breathless when he speaks. “Uh yeah..”

All Bill is really focused on is his body. Ford clearly works out still, as his physique is still similar to the last time he saw him like this. He’s got a nice amount of fat though. And hair everywhere . Bill is finding out a lot about his human preferences right now. Scars still are faded all over, but he doesn’t think it looks ugly. If anything, it makes him look hotter. HOT?! WHAT THE HELL IS HE SAYI-    

Bill keeps thinking about what is covered by just a towel. NO, HE'S NOT, A LIE. IT’S ALL A LIE!!!

Ford turns around, his clothes in one hand. Tilts his head and snaps his fingers a few times in Bill’s face. “Bill?”

He blinks rapidly, snapping out of it. “Oh uh. Sorry, what.. did you say?” Bill avoids looking at him at all costs.

“I was just asking you to turn around? I have to put clothes on, and that means the removal of my towel?” Ford is completely oblivious to his thoughts.

“Oh, oh! Yeah, of course, I-” He sounds so awkward right now.

“Bill, you look awfully red. Are you feeling sick?” Ford moves to feel his forehead, but he slaps the hand away. Gods, Bill can’t take the added thing of Ford’s hands.

“I’m fine. It uh.. was hot out yesterday. Maybe I got burnt?” It’s a terrible excuse and he knows it doesn’t work when Ford’s suspicion persists.

“Hm. Okay.” He’s looking him up and down, checking body language. Ford isn’t best at social cues so he studied how to tell what someone may be thinking, like a total loser, and Bill does not like how he’s attempting it on him. Ford didn’t become an expert , but his newness to humanity makes him awful at hiding emotions on occasion.

Instead of letting Ford continue to scan him, he turns around. Obeying his first question. “Okay! Get naked!”

POV SWITCH.

Ford chuckles. “Don’t be so lewd, Bill.” He drops the towel.

“Oh, come on, Fordsy. That’s my job! How ‘bout you stop being such a puritan, huh?” He sees Bill lean forwards, the direction he’s facing, on his tiptoes. As he dresses himself, Ford watches Bill’s tail intently, he has a nervous energy to him, and it is reflected on the tail. Hm, maybe he can test this now.

“Oh, whatever.” He rolls his eyes. Ford pulls his pants up, and speaks. “Can I test a hypothesis of mine?” He leaves it vague on purpose. Oh, come on. He won’t be rough.

Bill tilts his head, most likely confused. “Uh, I guess? How does this involve me?”

Ford steps closer to him, enough that he won’t sense his presence, but close enough to touch. It, as he expected, slows down reflecting the anticipation and confusion in Bill. He thought it would do so.

His lips twitch up. Let a couple beats of silence go by. And he abruptly closes his hand around Bill’s tail. Not with enough force to hurt him, but enough pressure to make him react.

Bill jumps, letting out an odd sound. Like a hiccup. And a shiver from the touch, his hands are cold. 

“ Stanford .” It’s rare for Bill to call him by his full first name. He takes several deep breaths as Ford holds on to it. 

He rubs his thumb slightly, but it brings out a reaction anyway, a squeak. Ford hums. “Is it sensitive? I’ve been curious if it acted in a similar fashion to most animals.”

Bill breaths roughly and coughs out. “ Sensitive? Oh, no. You think the scientist would take a wild guess from my shaking, but I suppose not.”

“I guess it does give me an answer. As do the tails reactions, your subconscious mind seems to connect directly to it.” This statement is immediately confirmed as the top half of the tail wraps around Ford’s hand, keeping it hostage. “Quite interesting.”

Bill can clearly feel the fact that he did that not on purpose, as Ford sees his hands clenched. “... Why do I have a feeling you’ve been wanting to test this for a while..” 

He smiles. “Precisely! It’s definitely one of your most striking features. I wanted to look closer that day in the lab, but thought it might’ve been too invasive.” A beat.

“..Am I allowed to turn?”

Ford blinks. “Oh, yes.”

Bill turns himself back to facing Ford. He’s not wearing a shirt yet, but what does that matter? Bill’s seen his body plenty of times. The tail keeps hold, causing him to step forward. Oh, it is strong.

He looks flushed, and a bit angry. “Do you have to be so obsessed with scientific anomalies?”

“Of course, Bill. It’s my whole life. And your body is full of anomalies!”

Bill sighs, it's shaky. “You know this feels like you’re pushing directly on one of my nerves?”

“Oh.” That sounds.. A bit intense. “I.. uh would let go, but-” He tries to free his hand for example, it wraps harder around his arm. “-I can’t.”

Bill cringes, his face could not look redder right now. Ford purses his lips. “You know, this tells me a lot about your subconscious mind.”

“..Shut up.” The glare Bill directs at Ford holds no heat, so it isn’t as threatening as he might think it looks.

Ford tilts his head. “Could you.. describe the feeling?”

He sighs. “You want to document it.”

A nod.

“It.. feels like you’re lighting all of my sensations on fire. I feel like I'm on ten right now. It’s hard.. to think.” Fascinating. His free hand twitches, wanting to get a pen and write this down. “Doesn’t help that I'm already so new to the human body.”

“To be fair, this is not a human thing. It’s most likely more intense because you are new to both .”

Bill whines, in a childish manner. It still makes last night blink in and out of his head. “Being human sucks. How the hell do you people manage anything ?”

Ford snorts. “You get used to it.”

He pouts, and looks away as he has a thought. “..I have to shower.”

Oh. This situation can’t be ideal. “Uhm.. Is there a way you can pull yourself away then?”

Bill hums thoughtfully. “I can try.” He shuts his eyes tight and strains himself. The tail twitches, like he can only move just a little bit.

It’s an odd sight, about a minute goes by, and Ford has his mouth half open to perhaps suggest a different method when-

Bill’s body glitches . Genuinely glitches itself in and out of existence, like a flicker of the light almost. His eyes widen at the sight.

After it happens, Bill opens his eyes. He looks exhausted . And his eye is radiating light. “Eh, guess.. that didn’t work.”

“Bill, you..” He looks up at Ford’s face of horror. Bill raises an eyebrow, it's lazy from the energy he used. “You glitched in and out. It was.. quick, but noticeable.”

Bill’s eyes widened at his words. “ I did what? ” It has the slightest echo and makes Ford flinch out of pure instinct.

He hears it, it’s clear when he hunches in on himself. “Fuck. I didn’t think fighting it would do that again.”

“..Again?”

Bill swallows audibly. He looks ashamed, and his subconscious mind must be afraid, because the tail lets go. Hiding. “Please tell me you won’t be mad.”

Ford is cautious, he trusts Bill. But that could always be broken, as he told him. “That depends on what you are going to tell me.”

Bill looks to the floor, his eyes still glowing an unnatural yellow. “..I found out my powers are dormant, but I almost died last time.”

He already had a feeling. From the flicker of light in Bill’s eyes that day when he dropped the snowglobe while working. In fact, it was mostly because of Bill’s cracks. The electric blue static fissures across his skin. Too inhuman to be just another one of his odd features.

The fact Bill says he almost died last time he attempted to use these powers alarms him. What could have possibly occurred? He hasn’t heard any of this from Melody or Soos. Wouldn’t he have to be sent to a hospital? If he was close to death .

Ford sighs. “I already had an inkling.” Bill looks a bit surprised, turning his eyes back up to Ford’s. “I am glad you informed me that you knew this. It.. puts me at ease. That instead of keeping it to yourself, which would break my trust, you told me.”

“Even if that part of me still fears you using these powers against any of my family, I.. I trust that you would not.” When he admits this, he feels a small sense of relief. Like he held it back. The shame that filled him, trusting Bill? The opposite has felt like second nature to him for decades.

So, it’s odd. For him to meet a Bill that could change his mind. Never in his entire life, even when he was wishing it weeks after the first betrayal, did he ever think Bill would change. For him.

He knows it may not be fully influenced by him. He enjoys Melody’s presence, and takes part in human behaviors. Enjoys things apart of human life. But, it has always been the both of them. Their choices all these years are influenced by each other. When he was in awe of Bill, his muse . He hung on every word, followed his plans. Chose to build the portal, for Bill. 

Even when thinking of him once filled Ford with anger. The anger motivated by him, kept him alive in the multiverse. His only goal being to kill him. That he would live to see Bill Cipher’s demise. It’s the reason Ford stands here today. There were plenty of times he almost died, but powered through by pure drive and spite .

And Bill. His choices were influenced by Ford’s, were they not? When he pulled back, Bill tried to pull him back desperately. His misunderstanding of ‘how could Ford not want to rule Earth with him by his side?’ The obsession. Manipulative and toxic, for sure. But caused by Bill’s need for Ford in his ruling. Bill could’ve moved on to any other human. Yet Ford’s existence and his special qualities, pulled Bill to him.

So, for now. For Bill to choose to be someone better. To choose to change.

Ford’s words seem to immediately spring tears to Bill’s eyes. And when he breathes, a weight falls from his shoulders. Like he can’t possibly fathom it.

“..You can even run tests on them.” Bill’s awkward suggestion, his way of trying to please Ford. “I could tell you the powers I’m aware of.”

Ford’s lips twitch up. “Go on, then.” He is curious, anyway.

He immediately looks put on the spot, despite the declaration of being able to tell him.  He blinks away the tears. “Uh, pyrokinesis. I only lit a small flame though; it must be weak. My voice echoes when I'm in a particular state of distress, usually after things like this.” Bill fidgets with his hands. “The glitching is new to me. I don’t think it’s good though. My eyes glow.”

“I can see that.”

Bill blinks, like he didn’t quite realize it was happening right now.

Ford is amused by his mannerisms. “The pyrokinesis interests me. It could be helpful, if not used for bad. I could help you start to control it.”

“...I did like it.” He seems a bit ashamed to admit it. But it makes sense. Bill’s had these powers for most of his life, losing them could be disorienting. “I missed my fire.”

He isn’t sure if he should ask but.. It’s been nagging at him. “You said you almost died when you used these powers for the first time human.” Bill looks like he knows what he will ask. “..Are you willing to tell me what happened?”

Bill purses his lips. “Ask Melody. I’ll tell her I allowed you to know.” He looks directly into his eyes. “But, the only condition is that you don’t worry .”

Ford chuckles. “Bill, you tell me you almost died. And you expect me to not worry?”

He scoffs. “Is worrying all you do these days?” A sigh. “Just.. don’t get weird about it. I don’t need you watching my every step again.” The comment makes him question, but he leaves it.

“Okay. I’ll try.”

Knock.

“Hey, Six. Are you ready yet or what? Feel like you’ve been in there forever.” Stanley. He looks back to him.

“Go shower, Bill. You don’t want Mabel making fun of you. She gets on Dipper and me enough for it.”

Bill rolls his eyes. “If it helps, the smell of you doesn’t bother me.” Then he leaves.

Odd comment. It flatters him nonetheless.

“Ford! Did you fall in the shower? I know we’re getting old, but you’re the one who spent thirty years on survival mode and never let it go. So. It would not be possible for you to-”

Ford chuckles. “Yes, Stanley. I am ready.”

A pause. “Oh, well that’s good. We have about an hour and a half.”

He opens the door to see Stan. “Hm, alright. I’ll make coffee.”

Stanley raises an eyebrow. “Think you should put a shirt on first. Thought you said you were ready ?” Ford blinks. In the entire conversation with Bill, he forgot that he didn’t even put one on.

He clears his throat awkwardly. “Apologies. I.. uh. See you soon.” Ford shuts the door.

He grabs a shirt.

Chapter Text

Ford tells him that he and Stan will go to the bus stop first, without him. Then explain when they get home.

“I’ll call you down when it’s time, okay?” 

He nods. They stand in the hallway next to the front door, connected to the living room.

“We won’t be long, so be ready.”

Bill fidgets with his nails. He does feel a bit nervous; he may not care much about how these kids think about him. But, it’s important to Ford. It’s important to Melody. It’s important to literally everyone that he enjoys time with or tolerates. So, he wants to do things right.

Ford puts a hand on his shoulder, startling him. “Bill, you will be fine. Out of everyone the kids expect me to trust you the least . So, I'm hoping they will at least have some faith in my decision. Stan doesn’t hate you much anymore either.” I guess this makes him feel better. “But don’t be disappointed when they struggle with it. Because I guarantee they will.”

He grumbles. “I won’t be disappointed.”

Ford rolls his eyes. “Also, they will definitely try and watch you at night to make sure you aren’t trying to kill them in their sleep. Good thing you’re in my room now.”

“How is that a good thing? I feel like that wouldn’t stop them.” Bill tilts his head.

“I have a lock, Bill. I’m also a light sleeper, you know this. Also, they don’t know where you sleep.” Ford had to be a light sleeper, for survival.

“Okay, okay! Whatever, go. You’re going to be late.”

Ford smiles amused. “Alright. See you soon.”

He nods. And Ford leaves, catching up to Stan in the car.

Bill breathes out and walks into the living room.

He still can’t quite believe that the conversation between him and Ford happened. Bill fully expected to look back up into his eyes and see them full of hatred. He expected for him to never trust him again. Instead, he trusted him. Was glad he told him. Bill worries, he worries to accidentally fuck it up. He’s done so millions of times in the past. Ruined his life.

Fuck, even Stanley has some sort of faith in him. He feels a determination to prove to not just them, but to himself, that he can be better. Stay that way. Maybe he does want to be good for Ford. He deserves it after all the torture. Melody helped him a lot. Ford would have shot the Bill that dropped in that forest.

Also. He has no comment on the tail situation. Okay, maybe he does. Bill didn’t really know what Ford was going to do when he asked to ‘test a hypothesis’. Fucking nerd used that kind of language in such a bad way. Like, he was standing there in the silence and then suddenly. He felt like he was being electrocuted. Probably let out the most embarrassing noise ever, he couldn’t quite hear himself. He was busy feeling . Stupid thing betrayed him and kept hold of Ford. Bill knows he likes his hands, okay? It’s like his whole thing. We don’t talk about the incident. And all Ford could fucking talk about is some bullshit about his ‘subconscious mind’ and how it may control the way his tail acts. 

Bill was trying to be intimidating and to glare at Ford after he turned back around. But, of course, first of all, his senses were on fire. It was hard to breathe. The second, idiot didn’t put a damn shirt on. He probably looked pathetic trying to glare at the man.

Unfortunately, a lot of this redemption process makes him feel pathetic. He needs chaos to function. It just can’t be evil chaos. He doesn’t really know any other kind. Maybe he’ll find it.

-

They wait at the bus stop. Ford feels more nervous than ever. He worries the kids would hate him for it, even if he knows logically that they would never. He decides to busy himself with his journal, he didn’t get the chance to write about the flower. Maybe Bill’s powers.

Even if I didn't get the chance to properly observe the plant itself or get rid of the issue. I have helpful information on its effects! Bill was an idiot, (I know he couldn’t technically hear me, but still.) and got in biting range of the anomaly, causing him to get bit. By two of them. So, naturally I was worried that this meant it would result in the drug-induced reaction being doubled. I believe I was correct in this statement. Hard to tell, but Bill was truly very high. Very out of it, and made little sense at times. Weirdly bold? And annoying. But really what’s new there? I think I’d be concerned if I witnessed his redemption and he wasn’t still infuriating all the time. 

Bill’s powers. I am curious about them. Now that I trust Bill enough to not hurt my family with said powers, I would love to test them with Bill. See his limits. He tells me that he is only aware of his pyrokinesis and an odd echo effect on his voice? Bill says it’s happened before in only states of stress relating to his abilities. Makes sense why I haven’t seen it happen in other situations. The glitching was quite weird, and it most likely is not a very good sign. Bill is still technically human, the glitch in and out of existence could very well affect his psyche.

The static fissures in his skin make me want to examine them. It could be causing said glitching in some way. I will -

Stanley elbows him, and he startles. “I can see the bus, stop writing about Bill and greet your niblings.”

Ford sputters. Sure, he was writing about Bill, but how would Stan know that?

Stan just stands, peering down the street as the bus slowly pulls up. He grumbles, and puts away his journal, standing. 

The bus hisses as it stops. He can hear an intercom on the inside announcing the destination. The doors open and out races both Mabel and Dipper.

“Grunkle Stan, Grunkle Ford!” Mabel practically attacks Stanley in a hug. Dipper stands behind carrying the bags.

“Mabel! Carry your bags!” He complains.

“But that's what you’re here for, bro bro.” She grins, teasing him. Mabel grabs her bags anyway.

Dipper approaches him. “Hey, Great Uncle Ford! Have you seen any new mysteries yet?”

He chuckles. “My boy, let’s get back home first.” Dipper looks a bit embarrassed.

“Yeah! Don’t ruin the reunion with your nerd things.” Stan grins. Mabel fist bumps him.

“Okay, okay! Let’s goo!!” She’s vibrating with excitement. Stanley told him that she begged their mother to come here, as they didn’t come the day they usually do. Ford can really tell how true it was. He’s glad that even with age, her weirdness and high energy haven’t died down.

“Come on, then.” Stanley says, leading them all back to the car.

-

When they get back to the shack, the kids seem rather eager to just run straight to their rooms. Fair, but he worries about them seeing Bill before they’ve told them. Stanley cuts in for him.

“Hey, kids! Before you run off-” They pause in their movements, staying in the hallway. “-we have to tell you two something important.” He’s using a more serious tone with them, so the two of them immediately look more on edge. Stanley looks to him to continue.

Ford takes a deep breath. “Look, this new hire Melody told you about is..” He winces. “..Someone you may not be very pleased with seeing.”

Stan cuts back in. “And it’s okay if you aren’t okay with it. Because we felt the same when we came back from sailing.” Mabel and Dipper look nervously at each other and back at them.

“..How bad is this person?” Dipper asks. Ford feels like he may have immediately jumped to the correct conclusion, he knows how paranoid he can be. Ford was the same once.

“He’s normal nowadays. He works at the shack now, and I am sure no harm will come to this family.” Mabel seems to catch on.

“Oh..” Dipper looks at Mabel.

“What? Who do you think it is?” Okay, Dipper doesn’t know.

Mabel winces, looking over at him.

Ford sighs. “I’ll get him.” And he leaves to bring Bill down from his room.

When he finally rounds the corner to where his door is, he sees Bill sitting down in front of it. Picking at his skin.

“Bill.” He is startled and whips his head over to where Ford stands.

“Oh, hey.” He avoids his gaze when he asks. “Is it time?”

He sighs. “Yes. I think Mabel caught on when we were being vague about who you might be.”

Bill smiles, it’s nervous. “Will I get punched?”

Ford huffs a laugh. “You’ll be fine either way. Come.” And he helps Bill up.

-

Bill follows Ford down to where they all are, standing behind him. It’s not bad if he’s a human shield for him, right? He takes a deep breath. Bill wishes Melody was here, she’s been staying at Question Mark’s grandmother’s house or something? He assumes that something is going on, so he doesn’t bug her by calling on the old ass home phone in the shack much.

They round the corner, he sees Shooting Star, Pine tree, and Stanley all standing by each other. Maybe he should break the habit of those nicknames. Dipper seems to be questioning Stan anxiously, and he looks on edge by it. Being put on the spot when Stan has to wait a bit more for the two of them to get there. Mabel looks like she’s thinking real hard to herself. She spots them first.

“Oh!” The sound she makes when she spots Bill’s human form. Okay, maybe he won’t get punched. The exclamation alerts Dipper to the area where Bill stands. The boy’s eyes immediately widened with fury. Understandable, Ford was the same. Good thing 15-year-olds can’t have guns. Or he might’ve been finished.

“ Him?!” Dipper looks furiously around at his family. “You let him live here? ”

Ford sighs. “Look, my boy, you have not been here long. He’s undergone a lot of chang-”

“ What?! You’ve gotta be kidding. Are you two brainwashed or something? Is he manipulating you again?” The last question being directed to Ford, making him flinch. The accusations don’t make Bill feel much better, even if they are reasonable assumptions to be made after the shock of Stanley and Ford trusting him in some capacity.

Stanley cuts in. “We are not brainwashed, and trust me the demon would be dead if I caught on to any cheap tricks, but he’s been honest. As much as I hate to defend the guy-” He sighs. “-he’s pretty boring nowadays.”

Excuse me? “Excuse me?” He finally speaks, making the boy slightly flinch. “I’m not boring! I’m great!” Bill can see Ford trying to hold back a smirk.

“Sure, kid. You work a minimum wage job now, how could you get any more boring?” Bill glares, but he doesn’t want to say anything that will make the kids fear him any more. He has a feeling Stan is taking advantage of said thing, to freely make fun of him.

“I got high yesterday! That’s not boring!” Mabel and Dipper seem to snap out of their nervous energy to look very confused and a bit intrigued by this statement. Ford elbows him. Ouch.

“ Don’t say that in front of them!” Oops. Stanley’s expression clearly agrees with Ford.

He crosses his arms, grumbling. Bill realizes now that they are children, he can’t just go talking about illicit substances. He was more focused on trying to say something non-threatening.

“..Sorry.” He manages, frowning. The smaller twins seem a bit puzzled and surprised at the exchange.

“Since when were you on good terms with the triangle?” Mabel questions Ford, not as aggressive as Dipper’s. He blinks at the question.

“For about 3 days. I avoided him for the majority of the time.” Bill tries to hide a smirk at this, failing. Avoided, sure. Stalking him seemed to be no problem though.

“Mhm.” Ford gives him a look of warning, so he’ll shut up. For now, at least.

Bill watches Mabel go through a series of several thoughts, he’s not quite sure what they could be. She looks confused first, then suspicious, then somewhat excited? Weird kid. She’s okay.

Dipper still looks really conflicted. Like he doesn’t really want to believe it. Fair.

Stan gives a sigh. “We are really sorry we did not tell you two when we found out. I didn’t want you to stress before you saw how harmless the guy is.” Harmless . Ugh, why do they keep calling him that.

“Me too. I truly am sorry.” Ford says.

Mabel looks to her brother first, before saying anything. Dipper frowns but ultimately, he says. “It’s okay. I just need some time.”

Ford smiles. “I know.” The kid looks happy because of this.

Mabel just grins. “I forgive you!” She turns her eyes to Bill. “But don’t think you're getting off scot-free, I'm watching you.” Pointing her two fingers to her eyes then to Bill. Ominous. He likes her.

She then runs off, Dipper following.

Bill lets out a huge breath. “Oh my stars, I thought she was going to punch me.”

Stan laughs. “Never say never.”

Ford turns to him. “I will suggest that you spend more time in the living spaces, I hope for it to make the kids more at ease with your presence.” 

He rolls his eyes. “What? You expect me to stay holed up in your room all day?”

Ford bites his inner cheek. “Fair enough.”

“I’m not afraid, Fordsy.” Bill crosses his arms.

“I know that! I was just suggesting-”

“Wait, wait, wait. Bill sleeps in your room , Ford?” Stanley interrupts, he looks extremely confused. “I thought you were just watching him last night?”

Ford winces. “ I was . I just thought it might be more... convenient? Beneficial?”

“Don’t get your panties in a twist, IQ.” He looks aghast, and Bill then speaks directly to Stan. “He thought it would be helpful to watch over me. Making sure I don’t get into any mischief.” He gestures mockingly, repeating basically what Ford used as an excuse to him. 

His eyes squint at the two of them. Suspicion. “..Okay.” A slow nod.

And when Stan leaves, Ford corners him. His arms crossed, eyes narrowed. 

Bill just grins. “What, Fordsy? I helped, did I not?” 

He ignores this point of conversation and changes the subject. “You were good. Except for the small mention of psychedelics.” Bill likes to hear this.

He rolls his eyes dramatically. “I just forgot kids can’t hear that stuff or whatever. Was a little more focused on not threatening Stanley in front of them, thought you would’ve killed me for it.”

“Come on, you’re harmless .” He’s going to kill Stanford Pines. Bill glares at him. He can see the amusement in his eyes.

“I’ll. Show. You. Harmless.” Ford raises an eyebrow, holding back a smirk. “I can be threatening!”

“Go on, then.” He nods down at him.

Oh, boy. Maybe he will .

Bill’s tail moves quickly, wrapping around Ford’s ankle. Tightening and then pulling .

Ford trips, he saves it by landing on one knee. He looks up slowly, and when Bill sees the warning in his expression. He freezes.

Ford smirks. Grabs the tail, and then he pulls.

So. With the shock of the immediate electricity. He doesn’t have time to save himself. Bill falls flat on his face. 

He hears the smallest crunch.

Ouch, his nose burns. And his dignity.

He groans. Hears Ford. “How’s that for threatening?” Smug. Stupid stupid.

A beat. “I think you broke my nose.”

Bill hears a few footsteps approaching.

A gasp. “Oh wow. What’d he do Grunkle Ford?” Mabel. Great.

To her. “Nothing important.” To Bill. “Get up, I’ll see if it’s broken.”

He whines. “Breathing hurts.” He gets up onto his knees though, looking up at him. A pout.

Ford squints. “It’s definitely broken.” ‘ You asked for it’ Bill can see in his eyes.

Blood is flowing down his face. He hums. “I didn’t know your blood was still static.”

Bill rolls his eyes, his face hurts. “I can be your lab rat later. Could you-” Ford raises an eyebrow. “-..please fix my nose?” His voice is slightly nasally.

“It’ll be painful.”

He scoffs. “Not as painful as you pulling me flat on my face! On these wooden floors too!”

Mabel just stands there watching the exchange. She has a weird look on her face.

“Bill, you asked for it .” 

He grumbles. Ford rolls his eyes. “Come. Follow me.”

Mabel watches them walk away together, a grin hidden.

-

Ford orders him to sit on the counter, in the bathroom. Bill’s just been kinda letting his nose bleed everywhere, only because he can tell it’s agitating Ford. He hops up onto the counter, dangling his legs.

Ford grabs a hand towel, wetting it under the sink. “We need to stop the blood first.” He glances out of the corner of his eye at Bill. “You’re bleeding everywhere.”

“Yup!” He feels a bit dizzy too. Ford holds the wet towel to Bill’s nose. 

“Hold it there.” Bill tilts his head, taking the towel from his hands.

“When it stops bleeding, I’ll have to manually place the bones back into place.”

He rolls his eyes. “ You broke my nose.”

“To be fair, I didn’t mean to. My strength from the years in the portal has not faded.”

Hot. “You should teach me.”

Ford blinks. “You want me to teach you? My strength? It’s practically natural impulse at this point.”

“Sure.” Bill sways his legs forwards and back. “Would it not be fun to spar with me?” 

He looks amused. “Bill, no offense, but I'd have you flat on your ass in seconds.”

Hot. “Whatever.” He drags out the word. Maybe he just wanted to hear him say it.

Ford looks at the towel in his hands, humming. “You might be done bleeding.” He moves forward, taking it from Bill.

He puts one hand on Bill’s jaw, the other hovering over his nose. “Are you ready?” Oh wow, now is not the time for him to look at this in a dirty way.

Bill shivers from his touch, nodding.

“It’ll hurt.” He’s glad Ford is honest.

“I know! Just do it.”

He hums, waits till Bill least expects it. Then does it, putting his hands on Bill’s nose and swiftly moving the bones.

Shit. Bill groans from the pain, breathing hard after Ford pulls his hand away. His other hand is still on his jaw .

Tears spring up into his eyes. “Fuck.” He whines, the sound making Ford pull his other hand back. Bill looks up at him when he does so, seeing a particular look in the man’s eyes. He’s thinking about it .

He coughs, pushing any feelings about that matter out of the window, laughing awkwardly. “Sure did hurt.”

Ford hums lowly, an intense look in his eyes. “Good.” He’s sure it is meant to just sound teasing but. Oh wow . He. He feels oddly hot right now. 

POV SWITCH.

Ford is no sadist, alright. He just couldn’t help but feel a little bit of gratification from the sounds of himself inflicting some sort of pain onto Bill. The look in Bill’s eyes, the sounds . He looked pathetic under him. Looks pathetic under him. That's weird, don't say that. Ford is still significantly taller than Bill, even with him perched on the vanity. So, he towers over him.

Bill’s leg brushes against his, from the sheer closeness between the two of them. Bill shivers from the unintentional touch. Hm. He does that a lot.

He coughs. “Uh, Fordsy?” A nervous energy to him, slightly red. So amusing, that Bill can act like he’s so calm, cool, and collected. But he always seems to crumble at the hands of him. Odd, is it not? Bill’s eyes dash to his face and away, like he can’t quite keep eye contact for long.

Ford hums, acts like he wasn’t doing what he just did, and just grabs the bloodied towel where it resides. Next to Bill’s thigh. Backs up from him.

“I’ll need to wash this. Bring me your clothes too, they’re filthy.” Then exits the bathroom.

As he walks down the hall, to the laundry room, he looks down at the hand towel. Hm.

He is a scientist. Ford brings his lips up to the towel, giving it the smallest lick. Honestly, it tastes as he would’ve expected it to. Like sparkling water almost, with a hint of glass.

Interesting, nonetheless.

-

The second Ford leaves the bathroom; he knocks his head back on the wall behind him. Probably the mirror actually. Bill feels like his heart is going a mile a minute. Maybe it’s the blood loss. What is it with this man and making him feel like he’s having an actual heart attack, and then leaving??

He lets himself breathe out of his mouth, heavily. Bill mostly forgets the pain from Ford twisting his literal bones back into place. His body feels hot all over, mainly in his pants. That’s weird. Bill rubs his thighs together subconsciously. When he whines quietly, he is immediately horrified.

What. What was that?

Is he.. Is he experiencing human arousal ?! Oh no, oh no no no.

Bill is. Aroused. Because of a man he does not want to name currently. Out of shame.

He doesn’t even know how to fix this! He wasn’t born human, how the hell does he get rid of it? Why does this feeling feel similar to when he grabs Bill’s tail? Just slightly worse.

Whatever, whatever, whatever. He will just ignore it and pray to the stars that it goes away.

Chapter Text

Mabel giggles when the two men disappear to, presumably a bathroom. Ok, look. She’s not happy that the guy that technically tried to kill them all and possessed Dipper’s body is in the shack. BUT! Grunkle Ford trusts him. That has got to mean something! Maybe a possible redemption arc?! OMG! 

There’s no way her Grunkle would just trust Bill out of nowhere ! Meaning, maybe the guy has undergone some change. I mean, no offense, but also yes offense, the guy didn’t seem that threatening. Dude was shaking like a leaf standing behind Grunkle Ford. Soooo, doesn’t mean that she’s gonna trust him. But she’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.

And WOW! This new human Bill looks GROOVY! Like.. he’d be so perfect for makeovers. Mabel grins at the thought. Anyway, anyway. Back to the original thought.

The looks exchanged between Bill and her Grunkle were.. INTERESTING!! Mabel has been trying forever to get a perfect match for him! And every single time, without fail, it fails. She even tried Fiddleford. Like they had a whole suspicious relationship in the pasttt, that had to mean something was there. But nope! Turns out her other Grunkle has a thing for him. She found out when Mabel had invited Fiddleford over to try and push him to Grunkle Ford, and found him and Grunkle Stan having a conversation. She saw her Grunkle blushing ! Which is still a win in her heart. But Grunkle Ford was beginning to feel like a lost cause. And she never says that!

But now...

The scolding looks, defending him, taking care of him after he broke his nose. The tension! Just. The look ! Come on, you’ve gotta know what she means. The focused and intent look in her Grunkle’s eyes is a clear sign! And don’t think Bill isn’t guilty there either.

It’s perfect!!

Mabel rushes herself out of the hallway, into the living room, almost bumping into Dipper.

“Woah! Mabel, what’s up?” He sounds taken aback at her unusual energy.

She just runs right past him, yelling. “I’ve got a match to make!”

Mabel runs through the halls, up into the attic, where their room is. She already pretty much unpacked everything, so it is out and ready! Her matchmaking scrapbook! It hasn’t seen too much use quite yet.

Just a few cute pics of Melody and Soos. A failed match between some girl and lazy Susan. And a few candids of Grunkle Stan and Fiddleford, but they don’t know that! So, it’s perfect!

She snatches the book, opening to a whole new page.

New match detected! Watch out Gravity Falls for: Bill Cipher and Stanford Pines!

The text is written in yellow and blue markers. She doodles a small picture of the two of them next to it, holding hands.

Mabel grins.

-

The next day,

Bill shoots up from his bed, or well, couch. After a particularly bad dream.

He turns over on his side, grumbling, away from the sight of Ford’s bed. Wait.

Something.. feels off. His lower stomach has a slight ache to it. He feels like…

He takes off the blanket, looking down. And almost screams.

Oh my god. Oh my god. He starts hyperventilating. 

Bill has woken up in a pool of his own blood.

-

Ford sits on the living room couch, with a book and coffee. A normal morning for him. He puts creamer in his coffee on mornings like these. 

The two twins sit on the floor a bit aways from him, bickering. “Mabel! I don’t sound like that!”

Mabel giggles, adopting an awful impression of Dipper. “What do you mean? I’m Dipper, and I'm a huge nerd ! I read the school textbooks for fun .” Dipper pushes at her.

“At least my first summer crush didn’t end up being a mermaid! That got married!” Mabel pushes back at him.

“Mermaids are cool! And your first kiss was the same guy!” Ford blinks from the couch. He doesn’t know how this hasn’t been mentioned. He supposes the boy takes after him.

“Mabel! You said you wouldn’t bring that up ever again!”

She giggles again. “I lied.”

Stanley cuts in from the kitchen doorway. “Ha! I feel like I’ve heard this before.”

Dipper groans. “Mabel.”

“It’s completely normal, Dipper. I’ve had plenty of aliens from different dimensions try and make relations with me.”

Mabel gasps. “No way!” Even Dipper tilts his head in confusion.

“I obviously had little interest in it all, as I was trying to kill Bill at the time.” A half lie. He dabbled in the multiverse.

“Aww.” She sounds disappointed, and goes back to bickering with Dipper.

“Sounds like you have a type.” Stanley whispers to him, suddenly closer. He glares at him.

Stan just grins.

Ford goes back to his book. Stanley goes back into the kitchen, most likely finishing up breakfast.

A few minutes later, as he reads, he hears a sound.

“ Pssstt. ”

He blinks, thinking he is imagining it, and goes back to his book again.

“ Ppssssssst Ford! ” Okay, maybe he isn’t imagining it. Ford turns his head, looking to the hallway behind him.

There Bill stands, peeking out from the side. He looks.. weirdly alarmed.

Ford raises an eyebrow at him, and he gestures frantically for him to come over. He sighs.

Ford gets up, going around the corner to the hallway. The kids don’t notice him leaving in their bickering.

“Ford!” Bill whispers loudly. He is deeply confused.

He raises an eyebrow. “What’s wrong?”

“I…” He looks around. “I think I’m dying.”

Ford blinks rapidly. “What?”

“ I think I am dying, Ford! ” Bill whispers again, more alarmed.

Ford jumps into concern. “What do you mean you think you’re dying? What’s wrong? Are you injured?”

He winces. “I.. think?”

What does that even mean? “Okay.. could you recount your steps this morning? Maybe explain why you think this?”

“I woke up in a pool of my own blood.” Bill grabs his shoulders. “Am I gonna die? Maybe the nose break gave me internal damage!”

Ford looks Bill up and down, scanning for the blood. “Did you change? Where are your bloodied clothes?”

“Well.. It was only my pants and underwear for some reason. But that’s still concerning, right??”

He blinks. Only his pants. A pool of his own blood. No open wound.

“..Bill?”

“What? Do you know what’s wrong? Am I finished?”

Now, Ford does not know this. He hasn’t had a reason to ask . It would be really inappropriate anyway. “Bill, and this may sound invasive and a bit improper to ask, but.. What human reproductive parts do you have?”

Bill blinks. “Fordsy, this feels a bit weird of a question.”

He sighs. “Yes, I know. But the answer dictates the answer to your question.”

Bill tilts his head. “Uhh.. the one with a hole in the front? Or Is that too crude of a description?”

It is a really crude description, but he gets the point. He sighs again. “I need to call Melody.”

“What? Why do you need to call her?”

Ford huffs a laugh. “Because I am not the right person to describe this to you. All I will say is, you’re not dying. I will be back.” He walks away.

“What! No, no. Come back!” Ford chuckles.

-

“Hello, Melody. I have a request to make.”

“Oh, Dr Pines! How is Bill’s stay going? I am sorry we’ve been away.”

“It’s been going pretty okay. I trust him enough now. No need to apologize, we’ve been holding up the fort, as Stan says, while you two have been away.”

A laugh. “Okay. That’s good news. What is it that you needed? ”

“Uhm, So. Bill came to me this morning, quite alarmed might I add, telling me he woke up in a pool of his own blood.”

A beat, and then she bursts into laughter. “Haha! Oh, I’ve missed him. I get your point, I’ll be right over to help.”

“Much thanks to you.”

“No problem, see all of you soon.”

He then hangs up, Bill stands menacingly behind him. Immediately startling him. “Moses, Bill . You scared me.”

“So, what’s wrong with me?” Bill then blinks, a thought coming to him. “Wait, Is Melody coming over?”

Ford nods. “Yes, she is.”

“Oh my stars, Finally!! I thought she might’ve left forever, and I swear she’s the only sane one here.” He laughs.

“You may be right there.”

Bill scoffs. “Of course I am, I’m alway-” His face twists into a painful expression, making a strained sound. “It's coming, the grim reaper is coming for me.” 

Ford rolls his eyes. “You need to lie down. No, the grim reaper is not coming for you.”

“Don’t tell me what to do!” He grumbles; he’s holding his chest.

“I’m serious, Bill. Go lie down on my bed for all I care. I’ll wash the sheets later.”

Bill whines. “But. I’m fine!”

He flatly looks at him. “Did you not just say you thought you were dying?”

Bill pouts. He’s done with this. Ford walks forward, grabbing Bill’s hand in one, and fast walking to his room. Bill yelps when he does so.

“Slow down!”

He doesn’t slow down. They pass through the living room, which everyone else is in. All eyebrows raise at the sight of Stanford dragging Bill Cipher through the house. Bill is tripping over himself trying to match his pace.

“Stanford!! Slow your ass down!”

“Don’t swear in front of the kids.” All he says in response.

Bill groans at this.

“You’re insufferable!”

“Says you.” He says, exiting the living room. The other members of the Pines family all stare at each other in disbelief when the two of them have left.

They pass through the hallways, finally making it to Ford’s room.

He opens the door, dragging Bill with him. And shoves the man down on the bed.

“Stay here.” Ford practically commands. Bill seems to flush slightly, but listens.

He pushes himself back onto the bed, getting more comfortable.

“Melody should be here soon. You stay here; I have work to do. Will you be alright?”

Bill lies face down on Ford’s bed, voice muffled from his pillows. “Yeah.” Ford smiles.

He hums. “Actually-” Ford takes his phone out of his pocket, a cell phone I know (He still doesn’t understand them fully), and holds it out to Bill. “-Take my phone. Text Stanley if you need me, he’s the only one allowed in the lab. Might even take his, he doesn’t use it either.” Bill lifts his head, eyes sparkling at the device.

He snatches it from Ford’s hands. “..Do you have games?”

A considering hum. “Not sure. Those weird cell phones don’t make sense to me, but I'm sure you can figure it out. All-knowing, are you not?”

“Hell yes I am! Don’t forget it!” Bill immediately turns it on, looking through literally everything.

Ford chuckles. “Okay, I’ll see you later.”

Bill just goes. “Uh huh.” Nodding, while still immersed in the phone.

A small smile on his face, watches him a little longer, and then he leaves.

-

Knock Knock.

“Yeah?” Bill raises his voice. It’s been about 15 minutes since Ford left.

The door opens, Melody stepping through. He jumps up, excited.

“Hello, Bill.” She smiles at his reaction. “I know it’s been a while, and I’ll get to that, but I need to put you through a bit of a lecture if you don’t mind.”

Bill groans, mostly for dramatics, but he has been really wanting to know what the hell is going on with him. Fordsy was vague and dumb, only saying that he doesn’t have to worry about death. UGH! Like that helps! Well… maybe a bit, but whatever !!

“Okay, first things first, are you using anything to catch the blood currently?”

“Uhh. Toilet paper.” He nods. “Like, a lot.”

She chuckles a bit. “Good enough, at least you’re not bleeding all over Dr. Pines’ bed. And we will get to that . Don’t think you’re safe there.”

Bill winces. Oops.

“Anyways, I brought a few things over. Judging by the sound of the phrase Dr. Pines told me you said on the phone, I have heavy flow pads for you.”

He raises an eyebrow. No clue what the fuck that means. Melody sees his confusion, and sighs.

“You know nothing about human reproduction, do you?”

“Nope. Didn’t think it was too important when I was trying to wipe them out, not create more of them.” Another chuckle.

“Okay, so it is referred to as menstruation. Basically, the lining of your uterus sheds every month. Causing you to bleed, and that’s only a simple explanation.” Bill looks at her like this is the most insane thing humanity has ever done.

“Why the hell would they do that? Such a design flaw.” He rolls his eyes.

“Well.. It’s to prepare the body for you to carry children.”

A wince. “Gross.” Like he would want to spawn another him. Well, maybe they’d have fun terrorizing Ford. But, he’d be awful at parenting. 

She rolls her eyes, fondly. “Go put these on, and I’ll tell you why I’ve been gone when you get back, how’s that?”

Bill takes the bag from her swiftly. “Hell yeah!” And runs to the bathroom.

-

This is the most uncomfortable he’s been in his entire life, and he’s been alive for a while. He had trouble figuring out how to put the pad (is that what she said?) on, but he thinks he eventually did it right. Still not 100% sure.

His body feels like it hates him. Stars, he hasn’t even experienced human sickness yet. That’s gonna be hell if this is how he feels.

Bill pulls out Ford’s phone, looking for Stan’s contact. Bill is sitting on the toilet lid. He’s hoping Ford has his phone. He types.

Ford: SIXER.

SIXER!!!!

Stanley Pines: Hello, Bill. I did take Stan’s phone earlier. Is there something you needed?

Ford: NOPE.

Stanley Pines: Will you type in caps lock the entire time?

Ford: YES. 

MELODY IS HERE.

Stanley Pines: Yes, I have been informed. Apologies, Bill. I do have to get back to work.

Ford: UGH. LIKE YOU ACTUALLY HAVE WORK. IT’S PROBABLY JUST ABOUT ME AGAIN.

Ford noticeably does not respond, but he does type for a second, and then stops. Bill smirks, so he’s right . He wonders what he could possibly be researching about him, I mean hasn’t he already done everything? Then he remembers the admittance of his powers to him, and Ford’s mention of helping him. Huh. He really never stops working, does he?

Knock .

“Everything alright, Bill?”

He startles. “Oh! Uh, yeah!” Bill quickly gets up, opening the door to see her. Melody raises an eyebrow, a question. He ignores it, pushing past her, and hopping back onto Ford’s bed. It is really comfortable.

“So! Spill!” He exclaims, smiling. Melody rolls her eyes fondly.

“I have some important news.”

Bill blinks. He waits for her to continue.

She looks away sheepishly. “I probably should be telling all of you this, but well-” Melody whispers comically to him. “-you’re pretty cool too.” Bill rolls his eyes.

“Yeah yeah, give me some real news.”

She chuckles, and then a nervous look again. “So.. I recently found out, soon after the twins arrived, that-” Melody looks a bit excitedly at him, still nervous. “-well.. I’m pregnant.”

Bill blinks. Oh. “Oh.” He scratches his head. “Uh.. I’m probably supposed to get super excited for you, but uh.. not really used to these human customs. That’s cool? I think?”

Melody laughs again. “Honestly, that is the most I expected from you.”

That makes him feel some relief, he was worried she might’ve been disappointed at his lack of reaction. “So how come you haven’t told the Pines?”

She sighs. “Well, I really have no reason not to. I suppose I could tell them today, while I'm here.”

“You should.” He nods.

“You think so?”

Bill shrugs. “I mean, they’d probably be ecstatic, knowing them.”

Melody smiles. “You’re right.”

He scoffs theatrically. “Of course I am.” Melody just rolls her eyes, then looks at him a bit more seriously.

“Bill, and don’t break another cup when I say this, but I am proud of you. Judging solely on what Dr. Pines said briefly about your progress on the phone, I can tell you’ve done a lot of change.”

Bill noticeably ignores eye contact when she says this, he swallows. “Thanks.”

“I am serious, Bill.”

He rolls his eyes. “I know, Melody.” A thought pops into his head. Oh, he should probably mention this to her. “Oh, and.. In light of recent events, you can tell Sixer about what happened a few days before they came here. He was curious, and I have given him permission to ask you.” He very purposefully does not name the event. Melody doesn’t even really know he has his powers either, she only witnessed his voice echoing and she didn’t even mention it to him.

A sad smile appears over her face. “Of course. Would you like me to approach him first? Or wait till he asks?”

“Either is fine.” Bill shrugs.

Melody nods. “I’m glad you are willing to inform him of this. It, again, shows your progress.” He huffs. “ Bill .” She rolls her eyes, fondly.

“You sound like my therapists.” 

“Whatever, Bill.” She then changes her whole energy, and smirks. “So, what’s up with you and Dr. Pines?”

He groans. “Come on! I deserve to know at least a bit .”

“No, you do not- ”

“Oh, yes I do-

Knock. Knock.

And he thanks the stars above. “Yes?” He raises his voice, to whoever is on the other side of the door. Melody looks at him flatly.

The door peeks open, and Ford pokes through. “Uh hello, I was just checking in. Is everything alright?”

Melody raises an eyebrow at Bill. He ignores it pointedly. “Yup!” Bill pouts. “Do you have to be working right now? If it’s just about me, I can help you out.”

Ford steps into the room a bit more, closing his door behind him. Ford looks conflicted. “But aren’t you in pain? I don’t want you to-”

Bill groans. “Come on, Fordsy! I’ll be fine! I’m getting bored looking through your phone.”

Ford huffs a laugh at his last statement. He hums consideringly. “I suppose you can help out. There’s not much more I can do without your assistance anyway.”

“Yes!” He grins.

“Come meet me in front of the vending machine whenever you’re ready.”

Bill scoffs. “You think I got anything going on? I’ll just follow you.”

Melody sits there the whole time, observing the conversation with a suspicious look.

Ford rolls his eyes. “Alright then, I-”

Melody clears her throat, startling both of them. They both look at her, she smiles. “Apologies for interrupting, but there is something I need to speak with you about first, Dr Pines.” Oh gods, now??

“Oh, uh-” He blinks. “-Of course, Melody.” Ford looks to Bill. “You can wait in the living room for me; the kids might be down there.”

Bill stands, moving to the door. “That’s fine, Fordsy. Remember? I’m not scared.”

Ford rolls his eyes, as Bill leaves the room.

He turns to Melody. “Now, what was it you wanted to speak to me about?”

Chapter Text

Bill makes his way down the steps, to the living room. And, as Ford told him, the kids are there. He, at first, stands awkwardly in the doorway. I mean, he doesn’t want to scare them. But then, Mabel looks over to where he stands.

“Oh!” She exclaims. Well, she doesn’t sound very scared of him. Dipper then turns his head at his sister's exclamation, and glares at the sight of him. Eh, he expected that.

Mabel gives him a considering look, and then speaks. “Hello, Bill. Sit.” A bit threatening sounding, but he’ll listen. Bill shrugs, and sits on the couch in front of the two of them.

Dipper gives his sister a look , she ignores it. “I have questions.”

“Uh.. go ahead?” He feels a bit puzzled.

Mabel grins. “So, are you really here to be better?”

Bill nods. “Yup. The Axolotl sent me here for that, and I eventually listened.” Mostly to Melody, not Ax. He wonders briefly what Ax did with the last atom of his dimension.

“Well, that sounds good. If you’re lying in any way about it, I’ll make sure you regret it.” Threatening. She clearly takes after Stanley.

Dipper cuts in. “Me too.”

“I understand, but really, ask Fordsy, I haven’t lied once since he came here.”

Dipper scoffs. “How is that meant to mean it’s the truth? You could be manipulating him.” Bill’s eye twitches at the second accusation of him manipulating Ford.

“If anyone here can tell when I am lying. It’s him.” And it’s true. Ford knows him well . Meaning he can clearly catch a lie from him. But, Bill hasn’t lied to him. Maybe the occasional silly lie, but of course he catches that too. The reason he hasn’t lied since Ford’s appearance is mainly because he knows him. He knows that if Ford sees him being fully truthful, that he is more likely to trust him, and to give Bill an actual chance.

Also, he doesn’t really have a reason to lie much anymore.

Mabel squints, a look on her face. “How are we meant to know that isn’t a lie?” Dipper asks.

Bill chuckles. “Fair enough, kid. But, really, ask him yourself.” He seems to blink at Bill’s easy energy, probably put off by it.

“Oh wow. You don’t seem too bad.” Mabel seems a bit surprised. “Don’t think that means I trust you, but I guess you’re not so bad. You wanna play Monopoly with us?” Dipper looks like he wants to interject, but he doesn’t. Probably for his sister’s sake.

“Uh, I mean sure, but are you sure you want me playing?” Bill is a bit surprised that Mabel so easily accepted his presence here. Sure, she doesn’t trust him, but she doesn’t seem to mind him. It’s only been a day .

Mabel shrugs. “Yeah! Why not?”

“Uh, okay then. I’ll be gone soon though, Ford needs me for something.” She grins at this.

“That’s fine!”

Oh. Well, okay then.

-

“Now, what was it you wanted to speak to me about?”

Melody sighs. “You may want to sit down for this first.”

Oh, it must be serious. He sits, at his desk chair, facing towards her.

“So, Bill tells me he gave permission for you to know what happened about a month and a half ago.” Ah, he understands now. Ford leans a bit forward on his chair, hands in his lap. He really has been wanting to know, as he was very concerned when Bill told him he almost died .

“Ah, yes he did say that. I’ve been very uneasy ever since. He tells me he almost died?”

Another sigh. “Yes, technically he could have died. If not for me.” She shakes her head. “I’m getting ahead of myself. Would you like for me to start at the beginning?”

Ford nods.

“So, I am still not very aware of Bill’s side here. This is all from my point of view, meaning I have no clue what had led to this.” She pauses, and starts her story. “I had been particularly concerned about Bill for many days leading up to this. I felt something was very off about him. But because he wasn’t showing any glaring signs, I had dismissed my feelings as just worrying too much.”

“Then, one night, I had woken up late. About 4 in the morning. I was worrying myself awake about Bill. But, of course, I just dismissed it again. I went to the bathroom that night and..” She swallows, suddenly a bit more difficult for her to continue. “I.. found him. And, apologies for getting graphic but-”

“No, no. It is quite alright. I want to know everything.”

She nods. “Yes, okay. I found him.. with slashes all over his right arm. And a considerable amount of blood surrounding him. Bill had already passed out by the time I came in. In fact, I heard him fall. It’s the reason I came rushing in so fast.” As Melody breathes before she continues. It hits him.

The reality of what she tells him, and even picturing the sight himself brings pain to him.

“It was.. very clearly his own doing. His claws on his left hand were covered in droplets of blood. It made it easy to guess what he had done.” Oh god . “I remember being so so distraught. Called Soos to me right away and told him to call an ambulance. He was probably already shaken awake by my scream.” Melody’s eyes are filled with tears.

A few of his own spring to his eyes. Oh, Bill . What could he have been going through? Bill told him the reason he almost died was because he tried using his powers, but Ford has a feeling that wasn’t quite the whole story. He doesn’t hold it against him, Bill has a right to that privacy.

“Oh, god.”

Melody nods sadly at him. “I know.” She sighs. “We couldn’t ride in the ambulance with him, as we aren’t family. I remember being furious. As far as I know, he doesn’t have blood family.”

Ford nods. “His entire dimension was burned out of existence.” The sound of this makes Melody look sad.

“Well, as far as I’m concerned. I am good enough to be his family.” He smiles, he knows Bill would be happy to hear this, even if he would definitely pretend it doesn’t affect him.

“He does really like you. I haven’t known Bill to be closer to any human he’s not already familiar with, so you must be quite special.” Ford chuckles.

“Well, I know he likes you quite a lot.” He furrows his brows.

“Yes? I mean, he’s already familiar with me. We have quite the history already.” Melody just shakes her head, smiling.

“Well, I am glad Bill felt comfortable enough to let me share this. Even if he couldn’t do so himself.”

Ford nods. “Yes, I agree.” He looks back up at her. “What happened at the hospital? Were the doctors not concerned by his anomalous features?”

Melody shrugs. “They were only mainly concerned by his blood. Seeing as it appears to be static, we just told them it was a mutation.” Ford approves.

“What about his name? Wouldn’t you have to check him in as a human person? I don’t believe they would be very pleased to hear the last name Cipher .”

She chuckles. “Oh, that was solved. Don’t worry. We just told them he was a Pines.”

Ford blinks. “But he looks nothing like any of us? How could that possibly have worked?”

Melody laughs a bit harder. “No, no. Dr. Pines, we told them he was your husband .”

Every possible emotion he was previously feeling is immediately wiped from his brain, any sadness. Gone. He blinks, trying to gather even a single thought.

“Oh, I see.” Ford doesn’t understand why this is making him feel so weird. 

In fact, he is so caught up in these thoughts, he doesn’t catch the smug look on Melody’s face.

-

“Hell yeah!” Bill grins, as he wins his first game of Monopoly. It’s SO easy to cheat.

He’s crossed his legs, sitting on the ground with Mabel and Dipper. They’ve been playing for a bit, since Ford is taking a while. Bill very pointedly ignores why .

Mabel whines. “Ugh, you’re like Grunkle Stan. You always cheat your way to win!”

Bill didn’t think he’d have so much fun playing with two 15-year-olds.

Even Dipper got pretty immersed in the game half-way through. At first he was just glaring at Bill, and scoffing at every word he said. But he eventually started to end up getting along with him. He probably didn’t even really notice his shift in mood.

Bill obviously picked the top hat, obviously . Mabel picking the cat, makes sense. Weirdly enough, Dipper picks the battleship ? He was the bank. And hilariously, Dipper also goes bankrupt first . So, pretty much, the entire game was him and Mabel fighting for the win.

“That’s how you win at life, Star!” The nickname slips out without his notice.

Mabel blinks, but eventually just smiles. Dippers gives his sister an apprehensive look, he seems to end up accepting it.

“So, Bill.” Dipper addresses him. “I have questions of my own.” He seems to have been quite prepared for this. He has a journal of his own. The kid is such a mirror of Ford, it’s hilarious.

“Sure.” Bill shrugs. “Go on, then.”

A spark ignites in the kid’s eyes. “So if you’ve been closer to Grunkle Ford, have you been on any adventures for anomalies? If you’re so all-knowing are you willing to tell me more about the things I have questions about? Are you sure you aren’t trying to kill us al-”

Bill chuckles, cutting him off. “Woah woah. Look, I haven’t been on many ventures into Gravity Falls yet. I don’t think I’ve really left the house much since arriving. And sure, I can try and answer some questions you have, don’t really have much of a reason not to.” Dipper seems pretty disappointed at his first answer, but still reluctantly excited by the second. “And, no . I am not trying to kill any of you. Maybe Stan.” He jokes.

Dipper squints at him. “Okay then.”

“You haven’t been out to the town yet?!” Mabel cuts in.

Bill blinks. “Uh yeah? I mean, I don’t think they’d be very happy to see me. Fordsy doesn’t want a scene.”

The girl dramatically groans. “Do you even have your own clothes ?”

“Nope.” He shrugs. “Melody gave me Sixer’s stuff day one, and I guess she never got around to it.”

Mabel stands immediately like she’s a girl on a mission; she breathes in deep, “GRUNKLE STAN!!” and yells out.

Bill winces from the volume, and he sees Dipper do so as well.

Following Mabel’s yell, a series of several crashes sound from the hall, and out comes Stanley. Upon seeing nothing immediately wrong, he frowns.

“What’s up, pumpkin?”

She grins. “Bill is in desperate need for a trip to the mall!” Uh, well then.

Bill coughs. “Uh, kid. I didn’t say anything about-”

“Nope! You’re going! You owe us after trying to kill us, right?” He feels baffled, and a bit puzzled. How the hell does getting Bill clothes pay them back for his crimes?! Bill’s mouth hangs open in pure confusion.

Stanley looks very similar in emotion to him currently. “Um, sweetie. As much as I would love to do so, you’d have to ask Ford. I’m a bit busy.”

And, for some reason, this makes her even more excited. If possible.

“Perfect!”

I guess the plans Ford and him had will be postponed a bit.

-

Ford finally makes his way down the steps to get Bill. He had to sit with it for a bit, to collect his own thoughts. He doesn’t know how he won’t worry now. He’s seemed pretty okay since his arrival, but how is he supposed to know how Bill is truly feeling? What Melody told him, about it being self-inflicted, Bill’s shame makes a lot more sense. Not that he should be ashamed of it, even he’s had his moments like that before. In his teen years or college, and later in life, in the portal. A part of Ford does understand the feeling, maybe not the parts Bill doesn’t disclose. But, he understands the shame. The guilt. For not the same reasons, yes, but the feeling all the same.

Even in his stubborn feelings about Stan, and how he ‘ruined his entire future’, Ford still felt that guilt creeping in the back of his head. He remembers trying to rationalize it, that Stanley must have deserved being kicked out. He remembers not even believing his own lies. So, of course, during his hardest moments, he ended up breaking too. 

He’s had this conversation with his brother before. They weren’t very good with their communication at the beginning, as they have never been their entire lives. But, eventually they had the uncomfortable conversations. They talked about the low moments. Stanley, when he told him of this, admitted he actually did the same during their years apart. Ford remembers a lot of tears those nights.

Ford knows Bill wouldn’t be very willing to have this kind of conversation with him. He’s only been here a month and a half, he’s not fully healed or redeemed of course.

He’ll let Bill have this privacy for now, and let him come to Ford when ready. That’s the correct choice, right? Yes.

Ford sighs, he turns the hallway into the living room. He stops at the sight.

Mabel is ranting very excitedly to Bill, about.. clothes? She’s gesturing wildly at him, words going a mile a minute. And Bill.. looks quite confused, but also intrigued. Like he doesn’t really understand what she’s saying but is interested, nonetheless. Dipper sits off to the side, not really all that upset about it.

The scene kind of.. warms his heart. He knows the kids have a hard time trusting people ever since Weirdmageddon, but.. It seems Mabel doesn’t mind Bill all that much. Even after only a day and a half. Ford envies her ability to see the good in people so easily. He knows Dipper struggles with it a lot more, and even he doesn’t look super bothered right now. Begrudgingly accepting him.

Ford leans against the doorway, watching Bill. He clears his throat, interrupting.

Mabel and Bill’s heads both snap to where he stands. Mabel’s immediate reaction is jumping up and down, yelling.

“Grunkle Ford! Grunkle Ford! You need to take us to the mall!”

He blinks, now understanding why Bill must be so confused. “Why do you need to go there?”

She groans, like she cannot possibly believe he doesn’t know why. “Because! Bill doesn’t have his own clothes! He can’t wear yours forever !” Ford has the thought that he wouldn’t really mind if Bill did wear his clothes forever, he pushes it away.

“Okay.” He says slowly. “How come Stanley can’t take you?” Ford doesn’t mind taking them, even if he’s a bit disappointed that his plans with Bill will be interrupted.

“He says he’s busy .”

Ford chuckles. “Okay, okay. I can take you two.” He turns his head to Bill, and raises an eyebrow. Were you a part of this decision?

Bill shakes his head, a small smile on his face. Of course. “Well, Bill. Are you feeling well enough to go?” He teases, but mostly is asking for real. He doesn’t know too much about periods, but he wouldn’t want to make Bill go out if he’s in pain.

Bill rolls his eyes. “I’ll be fine.” And before he can question once more, Bill narrows his eyes at him. Catching him before he asks.

Mabel tilts her head. “Why would you not be feeling well?”

He waves her off. “It’s nothing.”

She accepts it, and immediately goes back to her previous energy. “So we can go?”

Ford nods. “Yes, let me find Stanley’s keys. Then we can go.”

Hearing this, she runs into the next room, probably getting ready to go.

He turns to Bill, who looks just slightly overwhelmed by her antics, and smiles. “It’s nice to see you get along with them.”

Bill rolls his eyes. “Yeah, yeah.”

“I’ll meet you in the car.”

-

All three of them load into the car. Bill in the passenger seat with Mabel in the backseat. Ford gives him a look when he gets in. Don’t get him wrong, he loves his grandniece, but she can sometimes be a lot for him. Very social, that’s all he’ll say to explain.

He turns the car on, and starts to pull out.

Bill just looks amused. “So, are you finally letting me leave the shack’s perimeter?” He teases.

Ford sputters. “I wasn’t keeping you here!”

“Mhm, you just didn’t want me making a scene, is that right?” Okay. Well, yes.

Bill can see the answer on his face, and he laughs. Bill turns his head, looking at Mabel. “So, Star. What’s your plan?” The nickname makes Ford pause in his thoughts. It’s quite sweet, for him.

“Clothes shopping! We can go to a few stores and get things you like. No offense, Grunkle Ford, but your stuff isn’t the most stylish.” Ford chuckles.

“You can say that again.” Says Bill.

He huffs, sticking a finger up in the air. “I’ll have you know my clothes were very stylish for the 80s.” Bill immediately grins.

“Oh yeah?”

“Yes.” Ford insists.

He holds back a laugh. “You get a lot of girls back then?” Ford glares over at Bill. This man has seen too much of his life, through his time looking through Ford’s memories. No , he didn’t get girls ! He was too busy with his studies.

Bill just smiles innocently back at him. “So? Did you?” He’s damn lucky that Ford would not shoot him anymore. Infuriating, he’s telling you. He turns a corner.

“Shut up, Bill.”

He giggles. “What? Were you particularly busy?” Ford is close to retracting the statement that he wouldn’t shoot him anymore.

Yes , he was busy. Through all of his years, in this dimension that is, in the 80s, he was busy with him . Ford feels incredibly embarrassed that he ever worshipped the man. A bit baffled that he ever did so, as well. The man, in reality, is extremely pathetic. He prefers the Bill that doesn’t always put on the facade that he’s so perfect and all-knowing.

“Come on! Don’t bully Grunkle Ford, he’s never been good with relationships! I tried to match him up with a lot of people in Gravity Falls.” Ford winces. Thanks Mabel.

“Oh, now I want to hear this.” Bill grins. These two teaming up is a bad idea, he now realizes.

“Yeah! A few were just some nerdy tourists that I thought may have matched Grunkle Ford’s nerd, but those didn’t work out.”

“And why didn’t those work out?” Bill looks at him. Still pretty smug.

Ford grumbles. “..They didn’t sound very interested anymore after I went into a rant about my moth collections. And.. when they disagreed with the existence of the undead and ghosts, I got into.. A bit of an argument with them. I have so much proof of their existence! It’s ridiculous!”

A pause. “Who knows, maybe some ghost will haunt them? Then they’ll believe in ‘em. A few ghosts still owe me favors.” Ford rolls his eyes.

“It is quite alright. I wouldn’t be interested in speaking with anyone that doesn’t believe in the weird here in Gravity Falls anyway.”

“Well, you don’t have to worry about me. I’m full weird!” Ford gives him a smile, looking at him out of the corner of his eye.

He is. It’s probably what draws Ford to Bill so much.

“Then there was Fiddleford!” Bill’s eye noticeably twitches. “Also, it didn't work out. It’s a matchmaker's secret on why!”

Ford blinks. “You were trying to match me with him?”

He genuinely did not notice. He supposes he just thought Mabel was trying to help mend their friendship. Ford has a feeling the reason why it ‘failed’ was because of Stanley’s obvious crush on Fiddleford.

“Yeah!” Mabel winks.

Ford finally turns the car into the mall’s parking lot. “Here we are.”

Mabel cheers, clapping her hands together. “Finally!”

When he stops the car, he turns half way. Looking at both Mabel and Bill. “You need to both stay with me, okay?”

They practically scoff at the same time, it's a bit funny. “You have little faith in us, Fordsy!”

Mabel nods vigorously, agreeing. Ford sighs.

This is going to be a long day.

-

Okay, he wasn’t very on board at first, but now? This is going to be great! Bill finds that Star is most definitely a secret master of chaos, he lives for it. Annoying Sixer is a full-time job, and he’s working hard. Mabel helps.

They are in the uhh… third clothing store, and Mabel jumps around showing Bill things she thinks he’ll like. The first two stores sucked.

“How about these ones?” She hands him a series of different shirts. Firstly, two crop tops (which he loves ), ruffled shirts, and shirts with silly jokes on them or aliens. Bill is immediately in love .

“Oh my stars.”

She smiles. “You like them?”

“ Like them? I love them!” Bill grins. “You’re a natural! Find me pants!” He pauses. “Please?”

Mabel gives him a thumbs up. “Then you can try them on!” She then runs off again.

Bill didn’t really realize how much he missed this kind of stuff until now. Fordsy’s clothes are comfortable, but he likes the part of these that makes him him , you know? His top hat and bow tie was his . He may not want to be that triangle anymore, but he wants to find the newer him that he can be.

As he swings his arms back and forth, he bumps into someone behind him, and he turns around. The random guy sneers at him.

“Watch it, freak.” Bill narrows his eyes at the guy. He’s lucky Bill can’t and isn’t allowed to use his powers for harm . Well, doesn’t mean he can’t threaten him, right?

Bill, for show, extends the claws on both hands. Does it in a way the guy immediately notices. His eyes widen and he walks off.

Bill rolls his eyes.

“How are you two doing?” Ford says, startling him a bit. He went to the bathroom.

Bill looks over at him, and grins. “Good! Star has an eye for this stuff!” He winks.

Now that he really looks at him, he looks a bit nervous. Bill notices his hands hidden in his front pockets, and how he’s looking around them every few seconds, he squints.

Before he responds, Bill speaks. “Ford.”

He blinks, looking down at him. “Huh? What is it?”

Bill bites his inner cheek. This won’t be weird, right? He knows how he gets in social situations, and Bill thought he might’ve broken the habit of hiding his hands. Ford shouldn’t be ashamed of his hands. They’re perfect . If anyone looks at him weird for it, Bill will set them on fire. Ignore the fact he’d definitely pass out and lose his power privileges immediately.

Bill snatches one of Ford’s arms, taking it out of his pocket, and connects his hand with Ford’s. And, like clockwork, he is automatically distracted from all social distress. His eyes widened.

“Why are you hiding them?”

He goes a bit red. “I just.. There are a lot more people here.”

Bill rolls his eyes. “And? Am I hiding my eyes? Or my arms? Or my tail? Hell, even the large scars across my body?” Ford looks embarrassed. 

“...No, you aren’t.”

He grins. “Exactly! If anything, I take all the attention off you.”

Ford rolls his eyes, fondly. “Thank you, Bill.” He sighs. “I am a bit worried about what people may think when they see you.”

Bill shrugs. “It’s whatever. Some guy a few minutes ago called me a freak and looked at me weird,” Ford looks concerned. “But I just flashed my talons at him, and he ran off.”

“..You probably shouldn’t be threatening the general public.”

Now, Bill rolls his eyes. “Oh come on, I didn’t harm him.”

Ford chuckles. 

-

Oh. My. Goodness.

She swears she was only away for a few minutes. Mabel found a few perfect baggy pants, and ripped jeans (he seems like the type), and suddenly she comes back to. Her Grunkle and Bill holding hands!? She sees that look in Grunkle Ford’s eyes again. It does make her really happy. 

Mabel has always wanted her Grunkles to find love. Let’s all ignore the fact this is definitely not even close to the L word yet. 

Bill is swinging their hands back and forth slightly, narrowing his eyes up at him. Her Grunkle just looks amused. It kind of surprises her that he is so calm? Usually, Grunkle Ford gets really stressed out with social situations. So, Mabel tends to check up on him every 20 minutes, to make sure if it means they have to leave or not. But he seems perfectly content.

Wow. She can’t believe she’s going to admit this, but maybe Bill is good for him now. In her Grunkle’s own special way. She doesn’t think any of his previous ‘matches’ had quite the same understanding between them like these two. Oh, maybe she’s getting ahead of herself.

Mabel smiles. She jumps up and down on her tiptoes, and then runs over to them.

“Bill!” He turns at the sound of her voice. “Found some great ones for you! How do you like them?” She shows the pants she got for him. Bill leans in to look closer.

Mabel, because she’s the master of observation, notices her Grunkle try to pull his hand away, but apparently Bill keeps hold with an amount of strength she knows he doesn’t have.

Bill hums. “Oh, yeah. These would look great with the tops you picked. You are really good at this! Don’t think I’d find anything if it was me looking.” She smiles. It’s a bit odd to hear him say such nice things to her.

Then Mabel jumps up and down. “Try them on!”

“Alright.” He shrugs, taking the items of clothing from Mabel’s hands. Bill holds all of it on one arm, and proceeds to drag Ford with him. She hears him huff.

-

Ford leans back onto the wall next to the changing room that Bill resides in. Bill practically forgot that he was holding his hand up until he was about to enter it.

The gesture was.. oddly sweet. He was admittedly getting pretty antsy being surrounded by so many strangers. Especially with his walk to and back from the bathroom. He originally went to get away for a bit, but it didn’t help. Ford didn’t realize how easy it was for him to fall back into his habit of hiding his hands, it’s always been a struggle.

He also didn’t realize Bill would notice so quickly, after only a few seconds from him coming back, he seemed to spot it right away.

The distraction.. did work.

While trapped in his thoughts, he vaguely hears Bill talking to Mabel through the door. They seemed to get along very quickly. Though, he has a feeling she doesn’t fully trust him yet, which he does approve of. Even if he does trust Bill. Mabel has always been great at seeing the good in people.

“Fordsy!” Ford blinks, snapping back to attention. “Are you ready? I’m gonna shock you so well with my good looks!”

He huffs a laugh. And out comes Bill, and Ford’s concentration is broken immediately. He’s wearing one of the ruffled shirts and dress pants, and he seems to have tied back his hair nicely. Bill has his hands on his hips; a proud grin plastered over his face.

Mabel gasps. “Oh my!”

POV SWITCH

Bill smiles even wider. He is loving this, and when he turns his head to see Fordsy’s reaction. He stops short. He’s… looking very hard at him. Eyes narrowed, focus broken, looking up and down Bill’s frame. Oh.

Oh god, not this again. Well. He doesn’t think he’s ever been so glad Mabel is also here; it keeps Bill’s thoughts a lot more PG this time around.

Doesn’t stop him from getting flustered. Bill sighs, and snaps his fingers in Ford’s face. Tilting his head with his eyebrows raised, as he comes back into focus. He blinks a few times, having the nerve to look ashamed. Bill mentally rolls his eyes. Is he seriously being the responsible one here?

Ford clears his throat. “You look nice.”

Now, he actually rolls his eyes. Oh really? “Thank you.”

After this, he proceeds to try on a few more of the pieces of clothing Mabel picked out. She seems to agree with him that she chose well. Secretly, behind Ford’s back, Mabel winks at him while slipping a dress onto the counter while it’s all being scanned. Oh. Well, he’s not complaining.

Bill notices Ford wince at the prices.

They make their way to the food court after. They would leave, but Mabel insists she wants to go there. Oh well.

Mabel proceeds to run off to some restaurant with Ford’s card. The two of them hang back.

He sighs. “You need to stop doing that.” Bill’s brave enough to acknowledge it this time.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Bill glares at him, and sees the twitch in Ford’s lips. He wishes so hard that he could read his mind like before. It would definitely make his life much easier right now.

He heaves a sigh. 

“So, are you still feeling alright?” asks Ford.

Hm. Bill has been feeling some discomfort in his lower stomach for the last ten minutes (and his nose still has a slight burn to it from the nose break), but he’ll live. At least, for now. The second they get home he may just collapse on Sixer’s bed.

Bill bites his cheek. “Eh. I’ll probably be miserable when we get back to the shack, but for now, I’ll live.” Ford chuckles.

“That’s good.” He pauses. “Not the part where you’re miserable.”

Bill grins. “Oh, but I thought you thrived on my misery these days?”

“Only when you are being infuriating.” He huffs a laugh.

“So, always?” Ford side eyes him.

“I suppose, yeah.” Bill laughs.

He’s about to continue talking when suddenly he feels a sharp feeling, someone's hand. Bill knows it’s not Ford because he can see his hands in his own field of vision. So, in the split second of this occurring, and now that he’s sure it’s not Ford, he automatically kicks backwards. In pure instinct.

He hears a thump, and a groan shortly after.

Ford blinks, having seen the motion, and looks behind Bill. He also turns around, furiously.

And. It’s the same guy from before .

“Are you kidding me ?!” Exclaims Bill. He’s pissed off. This guy had the nerve to call him a freak, which he doesn’t even take as an insult (he prides himself on it), and he pulls on his fucking tail? Like an actual weirdo , and not in a good way.

Ford’s eyes widened, whispers to him. “Bill, your eyes.” 

Oh. Well, fuck. He doesn’t know how to turn that shit off. He conveys this with his face, Ford seems to understand.

“ This is that prick from earlier.” Do I get permission to be a dick?  

He purses his lips. “Yes.” No powers, you know this.

Bill rolls his eyes. “I’d fucking pass out anyway, you know this .”

The man before them looks extremely confused at the interaction. Distracting him from possible escape, perfect. So perfect.

Don’t get us kicked out by security . Ford expresses with an exhausted fond look.

Bill sticks his tongue out. You know me better than that .

-

Mabel finally gets her food. Gosh, that took way too long. She probably shouldn’t leave two unsocialized people by themselves for that long. Even if they do get along. 

She grabs her bag of food, flashing a smile at the worker, and runs off. 

And. As she pads her way back to where Bill and Grunkle Ford were last, she starts to hear… screaming? Oh, a very familiar scream. Oh, well that’s definitely not good.

She speeds up.

The sight Mabel is greeted by when she finally gets close enough to see them is.. Interesting. Bill is gesturing around furiously while screaming (she notices just the slightest echo), the man before him looks terrified , and her Grunkle is just… standing off to the side with his arms crossed. It seems like he approves of this, so uh.. she’s not sure how to take this?

As she gets closer, she can make out actual words (even if they were already very loud). She sees the crowd of people around the three of them staring with a huge amount of concern, and sees someone whisper to another, and the other person runs off. That can’t be good.

“ WHY IN THE ACTUAL HELL WOULD YOU THINK THAT IS A NORMAL AND OKAY THING TO DO?! YOU’RE LUCKY I CAN’T BURST EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOUR ORGANS ONE BY ONE AND WATCH AS YOU SCREAM IN AGONY . I’D DISFIGURE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOUR LIMBS, AND NOT EVEN YOUR OWN MOTHER WILL RECOGNIZE YOU AFTER I’M DONE WITH YOU. DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM? ” Bill’s voice echoes loudly. It booms across the large space.

Oh. Well, that is quite violent. Uh. It certainly makes a part of Mabel unsure if Bill has changed. Ford elbows him after his last statement, snapping him back to reality. And as Bill quickly turns his head to Ford, Mabel catches the sight of his eyes . They glow brightly. Oh?

She sees Bill wince at Ford, and she’s close enough now. “Uh-” They turn quickly to the sound of her voice; both look extremely guilty. “-I think someone called security.”

Ford gives Bill a look , and he throws his hands up. “What the hell! You said I could do this!”

“Only if you didn’t get security called.”

Bill rolls his eyes. “And I told you . You know me better than that .”

He purses his lips.

Mabel looks around her, spots a security officer. She proceeds to whisper very loud. “Guys.” They look at her, then where she's looking, and winces again.

“If we run, very quietly , they won’t notice, right?” says Bill.

Ford sighs. “I really did not want to get kicked out again.” He starts to very quickly walk towards the exit, the two of them follow.

“I was justified in this!”

-

Bill grumbles in the back seat to himself, having lost passenger seat privileges. Come on! He lost a bit of control there at the end, but whatever. That guy deserved it. He hears Ford sigh from the front, turning out of the parking lot.

“Bill.”

Another grumble.

“Bill. I just don’t want people knowing who you are. It could have serious ramifications on everyone. You should know this.”

…He has a point. He works at the shack, people could actually recognize him. It’s a small ass town, they’re going to notice some guy screaming with a too familiar echo. Fuck.

“..I’m sorry, you’re right.”

Seeing Ford smile through the rearview mirror strikes him somewhere in his chest. Oh. That's… that's weird.

Mabel next to him interrupts his train of thought. “Bill, how come your eyes are glowing?”

Bill blinks. They’re still glowing? He turns to face her. “Uh. Just a weird defect kid, no need to worry about it.” A white lie.

Chapter Text

Bill trudges through the house when they get back, leaving Fordsy and Mabel behind in the living room. He’s definitely going to pass out the second he makes it to their room. Sure, he technically didn’t use his powers, but maybe even the small stuff affects him? Eh, it’s probably just the menstruation or whatever the hell Melody said it was. His lower stomach definitely hates him right now.

Let’s just all hope there will be no dreams involved in his sleep tonight.

Ugh, he definitely has to get back to work tomorrow too. Bill has been away for too many days, and he’ll get an earful from Stanley if he doesn’t start back up soon. 

He hums to himself, opening his door. Work doesn’t sound too bad, at least not the customer service part. But he’s pretty sure that Wendy girl will be back very soon. So, maybe he’ll get to do more of his favorites. It’s pretty peaceful restocking. People leave him alone, and he has a nice system to it.

Bill falls onto the bed, snatching Ford’s phone again. The only games he could find were some loser puzzles, but he’ll play them anyway. He refuses to admit they’re fun. Bill wanted to find something interesting on his phone, but unfortunately he forgets just how boring Ford can be. Especially when it comes to human technology. So, he couldn’t find anything that he could tease Ford about. Ugh.

Bill bites his cheek, playing something called “sudoku”? He immediately clicked on the hardest level, he isn’t stupid. He can do it, easy. Bill swears he can. He just has to.. Uh. Remember human numbers again. He’s tired enough his brain can’t quite process them correctly.

His eyelids feel heavy. Bill whines to himself. He can stay awake, he just has to…

-

Ford watches Bill drag his feet slowly towards, he’s assuming, their room. He must be tired. Can’t blame him, Ford certainly cannot take being in social settings for that long. He’ll leave him to it.

He did admittedly have some fun though. Bill was surprisingly good at distracting him from that suffocating feeling he gets from being out. 

“Hey, Six.” Stanley’s voice snaps him back to reality.

“Hm?”

“How come you guys almost got kicked out?”

Ford winces. “Well.. Let’s just say there was an individual there that was very much of an ass to Bill. Which I allowed him to be in turn, also an asshole.” His brother blinks a bit at his use of swears.

“Was it at least justified?” A raised eyebrow.

He nods. “Very much so. Called him a ‘freak’ and decided to be quite invasive for no reason later on.” Stanley cringes.

“Gross. Okay, anyway, Melody and Soos are in the other room. They say they have news.”

Ford huffs a laugh. “Well, let’s hope it’s not like the news before.”

Stanley gives him a look. “You like him now.”

“He’s still infuriating.”

He rolls his eyes. “Well, I’ve got a feeling that just comes with the guy.”

“Tell me about it.” Seriously.

-

Melody and Soos sit next to each other on the couch, while the family stand in front of them. They are all quite confused. I mean, they have been gone for a bit, even if it isn’t much to the kids so far. 

“Okay so, I have some important news for you all.” Melody starts. “The something that came up not long after you two arrived.” She addresses Stan and him. Oh, well he was wondering why she had been so scarce in the house lately.

She smiles, turning to Soos, prompting him to continue. The man is practically in tears. Um, hoping they’re happy ones. He sniffles. “Melody’s pregnant!”

Mabel immediately starts squealing. “ Oh my goodness , oh my goodness. Really?!”

Melody chuckles, nodding. “Yes.”

She proceeds to start pacing in a circle, rambling under her breath. Probably name ideas or excitement over meeting this future child.

Ford turns his head to his brother and pauses. Stanley is frozen. He would laugh but it's a tad concerning. He puts a hand on his shoulder, and he startles.

“You alright?” Ford asks, amused.

“Soos is having a child.”

He huffs. “ Melody is having a child, but yes he is the father.”

Stanley rubs a hand over his face, and Ford catches the small sight of him tearing up. “I need a moment.”

Not that Ford would ever admit it, but Stanley’s love for his family warms his heart. And, yes, Soos is definitely family to his brother. He heard that Stan hired him when he was 12. Which, first of all, concerns him how much child labor he partakes in. But also, as far as he is concerned, Soos doesn’t have a father? So, maybe he was a big part in his childhood. Oh, maybe he’s just assuming. 

“Mr. Pines.. Aren’t you excited?” Soos addresses his brother nervously, and like lightwork he snaps into action.

Stan clears his throat. “Uh. I guess that’s great, yeah. Proud of you. Becoming a man or whatever.” Even with what most would see as dismissive, the small amount of words, it still brings Soos to tears. Again.

The man proceeds to attack hug Stanley.

“Oof.” His brother lets out, and Ford can see the shine in his eyes.

Ford turns to Melody, with a polite smile. “That’s great news, congratulations.”

She smiles back.

Dipper nervously speaks up. “Uh, yeah that’s great! What’s it going to be?”

Mabel immediately stops her pacing, snapping her head to Melody. Awaiting the answer.

She hums. “Well.. It’s quite early to tell-” Mabel pouts. “-but, the doctors seem to think a girl so far. It is what we want too, but we’d be okay with whatever they end up being.”

“ A girl?! ” Both Mabel and Stan speak at the same time. Mabel with extreme excitement, and his brother sounds even closer to tears than before. Happy ones though, he thinks.

“Oh alright then.” The boy shrugs.

“What names are you thinking? I can help if you want, my first ideas are-” Mabel, speaking at a speed unknown to man, proceeds to ramble names at Melody. Ford cannot even decipher, through how fast she is talking, what names they are.

Melody chuckles, interrupting the girls rambling. “We don’t have a name yet, but I’m up for suggestions if you’d like.”

Stanley clears his throat, still looking teary eyed. “I’m making dinner.” He quickly walks to the kitchen.

Ford stops him halfway. “I think I’m just going to go to bed.”

He blinks. “Oh okay. I’ll save you a plate.”

Ford nods, thankful.

-

Ford finally goes to retire to his room for the night. He loves his family, trust him, but everything can be a bit exhausting at times. They understand it, and don’t blame him for it. He’s been like this all his life. It’s not uncommon for him to skip dinners, especially for his work.

He sighs, opening his door. Crosses the threshold, taking his sweater and shirt off for the night. He sleeps like that. Never been an issue, because he wakes up well before Bill. Not that he thinks Bill would care very much. Speaking of Bill, he turns his head to the couch bed, fully expecting to see him lying there. Oh. Empty. He furrows his brows. Ford thought he was going to sleep?

While he wonders where Bill could have possibly gone, he hears a small snore. Ford blinks.

He turns his head to his own bed, and almost laughs at the sight. Bill on his side, mouth open snoring, with Ford’s phone left next to his hand. He looks like he clearly had been trying to stay awake, snooping or playing on his cell phone, and couldn’t stay awake. Quite amusing.

One problem though. He’s.. not sure how he’s meant to go to sleep.

Ford walks up to the side Bill’s on, and he pushes the hair up out of Bill’s face. Ford’s lips twitch when there’s the slightest hiccup in his snoring.

“Bill.” He whispers. Not even a twitch.

Ford sighs. “ Bill .”

In his completely unconscious state, somehow , Bill seems to recognize Ford’s hand, and he leans his head up into it. But he’s still fully asleep. In fact, when Ford moves to maybe pick up Bill, to take him off and bring him to his actual “bed”. Bill proceeds to turn over, back facing Ford, his hand falling away from Bill’s forehead. And, one of his favorite features that Bill has, his tail sleepily wraps around his arm.

He’s not too favorable of it currently. Especially because, somehow , the thing has an incredible amount of hidden strength. Ford sighs, resigned. Well. He’ll have to make do.

With his free hand, he rolls Bill further away on the bed, making space for himself. The demon doesn’t stir. Wow, he’s a surprisingly deep sleeper. The opposite of him.

He sighs. Ford takes his cell phone, and puts it on his side table. Getting onto the bed, groaning. He’s getting too old. He moves onto his back, and watches the rise and fall of Bill’s chest out of the corner of his eye.

Ford mindlessly brushes his fingers over his tail, as his hand is still held hostage, and he feels and sees Bill’s unconscious body shiver. Why does Bill do that so much? He supposes he could look into that more, but it feels odd, no? Whatever, whatever. Shivering is a natural human response, and there’s nothing odd about the fact he only does it with him.

Whatever, maybe he’ll conduct his own experiment in the future. Pushing that thought away, Ford continues to feel at the rough texture, curiously. Exploring. It feels almost scale-like, even though there are none. Spiky in places.

He pauses his movements when he has a thought. Is this too much? Bill didn’t seem very happy about that other guy doing this. Ford is immediately interrupted by Bill attempting to flip himself back over, ultimately landing a quarter of the way onto him .

Ford grunts at the sudden weight. He rolls his eyes. Well, he sure is getting comfortable . He just sighs. He needs to sleep.

Ford closes his eyes.

And a few beats later, he hears a mumble. He almost doesn’t catch it.

“...Sixer..” Bill murmurs, asleep . He shifts, and seems to accidentally lock his leg around Ford’s.

And Ford’s brain jumps all over the place. Is he dreaming of him, or can he just sense him? Can Bill even dream? Why is he getting worked up about this in the first place..? 

Ford doesn’t sleep much that night.

-

Bill wakes up in the morning, but he’s so comfortable he just kind of. Stays there, still half asleep. Mm, why’s it so warm? His sleepy head pushes away the thought with a simple: Well, it is summer .

Bill stretches a bit, wrapping his free hand around the pillow again, humming happily. He just burrows his head in closer. Wow, Bill doesn’t think he’s ever slept this nice. He doesn’t remember having any nightmares like usual either.

Though, even with how nice the couch bed is, he doesn’t remember it being this nice . And, his brain betraying him, presents him with a thought. I slept this nice that night when I was high, with Fordsy (Ignoring the part where pots and pans woke him up). Wait. What?

His head clears, and he realizes exactly where he is. The pillow that he spoke about. Yeah, not a pillow. Don’t think most pillows have chest hair. Bill peels his eyes open hesitantly, seeing that he is lying on Ford. Oh god. He thanks the stars above that the man is still asleep, because he doesn’t think he’d be able to live with that embarrassment. Bill would just curl up and die, he thinks.

And when he finally actually fully registers the fact the man is shirtless , he almost yelps backwards. He covers his mouth. Instead of accidentally waking Ford and embarrassing himself, he slowly slides out of the bed. Falling onto the floor as quietly as he possibly can.

One of these days, you are going to have to process what these feelings mean, Bill.

Shut up, brain. He rubs a hand over his face, feeling the heat radiate off of it. Bill escapes to the bathroom, stumbling all the while.

He stares at himself in the mirror. Shame fills him. This isn’t how Bill Cipher is supposed to be . Bill shakes the thought off, and throws water on his face. Takes a breath.

Work. Yes, work. He has work. Doing that sounds 100% better than thinking any harder about any of this. Yup.

When he leaves the bathroom, he starts heading to the door. And freezes when he hears Ford speak.

“...Bill..?” Bill turns his head very slowly to him, and breathes the biggest sigh of relief when he sees him still asleep.

So he leaves the room. 

Bill is not thinking even a little bit about the fact Sixer just whispered his name in his sleep. Nope, he’s not. In fact, he’s pushing that thought so far away. Putting it right next to all the other things he is avoiding.

-

Mabel sits at the dining table, with her scrapbook. She needs to update it, especially after yesterday’s events. She smiles, starting to write.

UPDATE #1. OMG. You would not believe what happened yesterday! This match is definitely developing fast! Okay, okay. So, I caught them holding hands ! WOW! Also, I feel like I need to note this, but Grunkle Ford was definitely giving Bill a weird look when he was trying on the new clothes. Bill seemed to notice it immediately too! Snapped his fingers in his face. Looks like this has happened beforeeee!!!! 

She doodles Bill in his cool outfit, just for fun.

“Hey, Mabel.” Mabel looks up at Melody. “What are you writing about?” She smiles.

Mabel leans in, and whispers conspiratorially. “You won’t tell, right?” Melody laughs.

“Of course.”

Mabel grins. “I’m matchmaking!”

She raises an eyebrow. “Stanley and Fiddleford again?”

Mabel shakes her head, smile still on her face. “Nope! A new one! I am still working on those two though.”

Melody narrows her eyes, like she has a feeling on who it is. “Mabel, you can’t interfere too much here. They need to figure it out by themselves, especially with their history.”

She groans. “I won’t interfere! I’m just subtly pushing them together! It’s a slow process!”

Melody smiles again. “Okay, good. Well, I’m glad you are at least semi-okay with Bill’s presence here. I helped him a lot during the beginning.”

Mabel blinks. “Really?”

She nods. “He was a total, and don’t tell your Grunkles I said this, but he was a total asshole at the start.” Mabel giggles. “Bill refused a lot of our help at first. He avoided sleep and even tried breaking into the basement at night. Never worked of course, he could barely walk.” Melody laughs, thinking about it.

Oh wow. I mean, it does make sense. The triangle wouldn’t have magically became a bit of a better person the second he was dropped here. Mabel’s curious about it. She’s pretty sure even her Grunkles weren’t around when he must’ve been getting better. Had to be quite the shock, I mean, It was for her too.

“I can help!”

Melody smiles. “I’m sure Bill wouldn’t mind. Did you three have fun at the mall?”

Mabel winces. “Well, yes . But Bill had a bit of a moment at the end.” She raises an eyebrow, prompting Mabel to continue. “He screamed at this guy, who apparently pulled on his tail, and got a little carried away at the end.”

Melody raises both eyebrows. “Oh wow. Sounds like he was justified in it though.”

A creak sounds from the doorway. “Hell yeah I was.” Speaks Bill, clearly tired. Mabel whips her head around.

“Hey, Bill!”

“Good morning, Bill.” Melody smiles at him, his lips twitch.

“Talking about me? I know, I’m just so much more interesting than your boring human lives.” Melody whacks his arm. “Ouch! I was just joking !”

She grins. “I know.” Bill looks at her flatly.

He then sits down at the table. “Whatever. Well, I think I’m going back to work today. Stanley’ll have my head if I don’t. When’s that Wendy girl coming back? Why am I your only real employee?” Bill complains.

Mabel pipes up. “Oh, Wendy? I think she’s coming back later today actually! You can meet her!” She winces. “Well, re -meet her. In a nicer manner.”

Bill just rolls his eyes, a small grin on his face. “Yeah, whatever.” He looks down at the scrapbook in front of Mabel. OH NO. She quickly flips the page, changing it to one about her quest for Grunkle Stan and Fiddleford. Bill gives her a suspicious look. “..So, what’s the book for?”

“Matchmaking! I was just looking over some ideas for Grunkle Stan and Fiddleford!” Melody gives her an amused look behind Bill’s back, dropping a coffee in front of him.

Bill chuckles. “Well, as long as I don’t have to see the guy. Sure, it sounds fun.” Huh, weird specific hatred. He doesn’t hate any other of the townsfolk. She thinks. “Hard to imagine Stan actually getting someone.”

“Hey! My Grunkle tries his best!” He just laughs again. Mabel rolls her eyes. “Whatever, how’d you sleep, Bill? You seem tired.” Bill blinks.

“Oh, I slept great.” He takes a sip of the coffee.

A thought pops into her head. “Hey, Bill?” She tilts her head. “Where do you sleep? Do you have a specific room, or something?” She was really wondering about this. She and Dipper tried to find his room the first night to make sure he wasn’t doing anything bad, but they failed in that.

Bill proceeds to choke on his coffee. “Oh, I-” Cough “-I uh, do have a-” Cough Cough “-room!” He holds his chest, and Melody pats his back, with a.. smirk on her face. Bill recovers, and just gives Mabel a grin, full of teeth. “Yupp! I have a room. It’s just.. uh a secret! Yeah.”

She feels like she should be suspicious of this. The only and the most obvious lie he’s told since she came here. A weird lie too. Does he just sleep outside or something, and he’s lying about having a room? No, that can’t be true. Bill came from her Grunkles side of the house. He must have a room nearby, that makes more sense.

“Okayy.”

Melody leans in to whisper to Bill, a smug look on her face. Bill immediately slaps her away.

“Stop it!”

Melody laughs, dodging it. “But Bill -”

“No, we are not talking about this here -” Bill pauses his words, head snapping to the doorway.

Huh? Why is he looking there? No one is standing there.

Mabel can see Melody smirk again. Bill narrows his eyes.

And as if on cue.

Creak .

“Good morning.” Her Grunkle Ford walks through. Mabel gives Bill a baffled look. Like, what?

He avoids all eye contact, and just thumps his head onto the table.

Grunkle Ford does his usual routine, grabbing his coffee and putting in whatever things he usually does. Mabel feels like it changes sometimes. Weird to her, because her Grunkle has always seemed like the type to have a certain way to things. 

“Hi, Grunkle Ford!” He blinks and looks over to her.

“Oh hello, Mabel. How did you sleep? Did you have fun brainstorming names with Melody last night? Apologies I never joined for dinner.”

“It’s okay, Grunkle Stan saved you a plate! I had so much fun, and I slept like.. well, a baby!” 

He chuckles at the small joke.

“Did you sleep okay then?” She asks.

He winces. “Oh well, I slept fine.”

POV SWITCH: BILL

Bill Cipher is going to have a stroke. Right here, right now. He’ll figure out how to trigger it. Somehow. He hates that he just knows Ford is lying when he says that, without even seeing his face. Because, from here, he can smell his black coffee. Why do you know his coffee schedule? So fucking pathetic! Ugh. He KNOWS, okay?

He smacks his head up and down onto the table in frustration. At himself.

“Oh, Bill.” Fuck. Okay, he noticed him.

“..What.” He groans.

A beat. “Are you alright? Do you need pain medication? Is it those cramps?” Bill wants to kill this man.

He intended on avoiding him for the rest of the day, like Bill does when something embarrassing happens, but of course. How could he forget Ford’s need to follow him everywhere ? Even if he did succeed in avoiding the man, he’d probably just do the weird stalking again.

“I’m fine.” He swears to all the stars above, if this man says-

“..Are you sure?”

Trust him, the urge to bash his own head through this table right now is strong .

“Bill, I’ve done some reading and-” OH MY FUCKING GOD. “-You know that this can have hormonal effects on you, right? Even if you’re not feeling pain, you could still be experiencing mood swings-”

Bill pauses every angry thought. Fuck. Okay. Maybe the nerd has a point. 

Mabel speaks up. “You have a period, Bill?” He’s more willing to talk to the kid.

Bill finally moves his head up, not raising it from the table, but resting it there. “Uh, yeah. Ax must hate me or something. Wouldn’t blame him. If anything, the most plausible reason for it is that he doesn’t know human biology and just slapped whatever parts on me he felt like.” He shrugs.

The girl blinks. “So, are you like.. transgender then?”

Now, he blinks. “I don’t know what that word means.” I mean, he knows what the prefix means, and he can probably put the pieces together. He just doesn’t care to.

Her jaw drops, and she slams her palms on the table. “Oh my goodness. I have so much to teach you!” He hears Ford chuckle.

“Basically, you aren’t the gender that your body is! Well, maybe that’s too simple of an explanation..” Mabel pauses, thinking to herself. “I have to get Dipper!” She jumps up, running from the room.

“I don’t think she knows that you aren’t exactly male either.” Bill hears Ford say, he raises his head and turns to him. Sure, he’ll talk to him now.

“Why would I identify with human genders? I’m not human.” He asks, confused.

Ford huffs a laugh. “Well, I think she mostly just forgets. I swear I’ve explained the complex number of genders in the multiverse to her before.”

Bill rolls his eyes. “Hell, I don’t even really remember mine. A trillion years ago, I was born. Like, come on!”

He tilts his head. “I don’t think you ever explained how that worked in your dimension.”

Bill mentally flinches at the mention of his dimension, and at the feeling of forgetting. He doesn’t even think he remembers. SOMETIMES HE CAN'T REMEMBER HER FACE-

He swallows. “Oh uh, yeah. So many genders, don’t even think I remember them all!” A fake laugh. Ford furrows his brows at the quick shift in mood, and gives him a look like he’s going to ask him about this later. He knows he isn’t ready for that.

The booming sound of Mabel’s footsteps interrupts the conversation, and they both turn their heads to the sight of Mabel dragging an exhausted Dipper behind her.

“Mabel, why the hell did you wake me up this early?!” 

Ford clears his throat, and the boy’s eyes snap to him.

“Oh, uh I’m sorry, Grunkle Ford! I swear I don’t talk like that usually-” He’s frantic.

Bill rolls his eyes. “Oh, whatever! Say fuck, who cares?” Ford glares at him with no heat in his eyes. He winces. “Uhh.. I mean… Don’t!”

Mabel interrupts. “This is important!” She says to Dipper, he raises an eyebrow. “Okay, okay. Bill has a period!” Straight to the point. Bill still doesn’t understand why this is a topic of discussion with the kid.

The boy blinks. The information slowly processes through his brain, and when it does, he immediately looks at Bill with a small amount of interest in his eyes. “Really?”

“Uhh.. Yeah?”

The kid gives him a look of curiosity, slightly closed off though. He still doesn’t like Bill.

“Oh. Well, I would say me too , but I haven’t had one in about a year.” Wait what? He’s immediately super confused, Dipper sees the look. “Uh. I was born with a girl's body too.”

How the fuck did Bill not know this?? 

Ford watches the interaction, a small smile on his face. He knew this too? Well, he’d have to, right? They had 2 and a half years after Weirdmageddon. 

“Oh. Okay?” He admits that he is definitely still confused.

“I’m a guy now.” Dipper pauses. “Well, I always was but.. Whatever. You should probably do your own research. You wouldn’t identify with a human gender anyway, right?” At least the nerd one of the small twins gets it.

“Yup. I’m not human, so why would I?” Bill rolls his eyes at the thought. He does have a question though. “Uh, why does this even have a term? Is this not normal for you humans? No one in the Nightmare Realm gave a-” Another look from Ford. “-... crap?”

He winces. “Uh, yeah no. Not exactly very normal to society, even these days.” Humans are too far behind in these concepts. He mentally rolls his eyes.

Bill stands. “This is too much to think about this early.” He drops his empty cup in the sink, and starts washing it. “I have work to do.”

The kids seem to get that this conversation is over, and they run to the living room.

A beat.

“Oh, Bill?”

He glances over at Ford. “What?”

The man purses his lips. “I know you have work, but would you be willing to come to the basement during your lunch break again? We never did get the chance yesterday.”

Bill shrugs. “Sure, I’d love to be your lab rat for the millionth time.”

“You’ve only been down there once!” Ford sputters.

He smirks, and finishes washing the cup. “Yeah, sure. But haven’t I been the only anomaly you’ve written about in the last few weeks?”

“...I wrote about the flower mimic.”

This man. “Still related to me, was it not?” A grin on Bill’s face, as he twirls his tail around Ford’s hand, trailing it slowly off of him as he walks away. Hearing dead silence behind him. He happily walks off to get ready for work.

He can tease too.

-

Bill gets to have his peaceful time restocking the gift shop before opening hours. He’s happy about returning to work.. until they open.

Bill immediately notices the shift. The Mystery Shack is suddenly much busier than it was in the last month. And of course he’s the only cashier today. Lovely.

Also, for some reason, even though Soos technically owns the shack now, Stan still does tours sometimes. Bill was kind of hoping Soos would manage the shack today, as he doesn’t mind him as much, but of course he’s not. So, Bill has to sit through Stanley’s annoying commentary in his ear. All day.

He hands the man in front of him the items he bought. “Is that all for you today, sir?” Bill asks. The man pauses, giving him an odd look.

“Are you that guy that got kicked out of the mall yesterday?” Fuck. Of course. Small town bullshit.

“Nope. Sorry, sir. I wasn’t even there yesterday.” He lies easily, the man falls for it.

“Ah, apologies then. Thanks.” He leaves, and Bill sits and waits for the next customer.

He leans back on his chair, picking at his scars. It’s a habit. He tends to accidentally make them bleed again a little. Don’t tell Melody.

“You probably shouldn’t do that.” Bill proceeds to almost fall back off his chair.

He holds his chest. “Stars above, kid. Don’t do that.”

Mabel smiles. “Sorry! What’s with the scars? Did you get injured?”

Bill wishes he didn’t have to lie here. He knows he isn’t supposed to, but he lies easily anyway. “Oh, just got a bit hurt on an adventure with Fordsy. Don’t worry about it.” He waves dismissively.

“Oh alright!” It stings a part of him that she believes it, but it also brings him relief. The kid doesn’t need to know how he really got them.

“What brings you here, Star?”

Mabel smiles at the nickname. “Just wanted to see you work. Weird to see the guy who tried to kill me have to deal with a customer service job.” Fair. “Also, Wendy is arriving soon!”

Bill blinks. “Oh, really?” She nods. “Finally! I hate being the only cashier you guys have. Speaking to patrons is exhausting .”

She giggles. “Has anybody ever yelled at you? Did you lose your cool?”

“Oh yeah . Day after Fordsy arrived too. I unfortunately couldn’t lose my cool because the nerd was watching me, and screaming at a customer a day after he came back would not have made me look very good.”

“Sounds like you had a hard time.”

A smile appears on his face without him knowing. “Yeah, Melody did well though. I used to whisper the date of people's deaths into their ears when they pissed me off on my shift. Melody yelled at me for it.” He chuckles to himself.

“Does that mean you have your powers? If you knew that?” She tilts her head, a bit nervous.

He, again, lies easily. He’s pretty sure Ford wouldn’t want them to know yet anyway. Too early. “Nope. Told them a random time.” Now, that last part isn’t a lie. He didn’t really have access to his powers yet. Bill doesn’t even know if he has that part of his abilities. Would be nice. His Ciphervoyance.

“Oh, alright!” Mabel’s phone buzzes, and she pulls it out. Looking at it, she gasps and jumps in excitement. “Wendy is here! I gotta get Dipper, hold on!” She runs off.

Huh. Well then.

A customer approaches, and he moves to help them. 

“Hello, just this.” The small girl drops a handful of things on the counter. Bill scans each of them. “Wow, you look weird.”

“You’re in Gravity Falls, kid. Welcome to the weird.” Scanning the last item. “Your total is $64.59. Do you have the money?” She slaps a card down.

“Yup.” He takes the card, swiping it on the reader. A ding sounds from gift shop doors; he tunes it out naturally.

“Okay, kid. You’re good to go.” Bill hands the card back to her. The girl runs out.

He turns his attention to the new presence in the room. Oh.

“Soos didn’t tell me about a new hire. Who the hell are you?” She raises an eyebrow.

What is with the people in this house and not warning these people beforehand??

Bill winces. “Uh-”

Mabel and Dipper bounding into the room interrupts him. “Wendy!” The older girl turns to the twins with a grin.

“Hey, you guys!” They both attack hug her, and then pull back.

“How’s college? What are the professors like? How are the classes?” Dipper jumps into questions. Wendy chuckles.

“Nerd.” The boy sheepishly looks away. “So, who the hell is this guy?” She points at Bill.

The twins look at each other nervously. “Oh, that’s just.. uh…” Mabel attempting to think of a lie.

“That’s Bill.” Dipper states. Straight to it. Alright then.

Wendy’s eyes widen, and twitch. “Bill. Bill? As in the Bill?”

He rolls his eyes. “Yes.”

Before Bill can even finish the word, the girl proceeds to punch him. Directly in the face.

“ Fuck! ” He puts a hand over his eye. He attempts to look through his left, blinking through spots of nothing and the blur of colors. “You fucking asshole ! You punched me in my only good eye!” Bill knows Wendy’s reaction is technically perfectly justified, but Bill tends to react emotions first.

“And you tried to kill everyone! Why the hell are you even here?! ” He can tell the girl also reacts emotions first. Fitting.

Bill can’t even really see right now. He groans, from the pain and frustration. “Kids! Words, please !”

He hears the twins scramble for an explanation. 

“Uh, he’s here for redemption!” Mabel.

“Some god sent him here!” Dipper.

“He’s been actually good so far! I swear!” Mabel again.

“Sounds like a whole lot of bullshit to me.” Wendy says, clearly pissed.

He hears Dipper groan. “Okay, even if I don’t want to admit it, I have seen him being normal. As normal as Bill can be. We swear.” Bill can hear the suspicion radiating off the older girl.

Creak .

Ford?

“What the hell is going on in here?” Ford. Rare to hear him swear around the kids.

Bill speaks. “She punched my good eye .” He doesn’t even really know if he’s looking in the right direction. Ugh, he probably has a black eye. A, what? Nineteen year old girl? Gave him a black eye.

“He tried to kill us basically two summers ago! Aren’t you the one who hates him? Surely you agree with me here!”

A sigh. Ford.

“..How am I meant to continue my shift now.” Bill mumbles.

“You work here?”

He frowns, bemused. “Did you not literally see me helping a customer?”

“Enough.” Ford cuts in. “Wendy, I will have Stan explain this to you.” He hears the older girl sputter. “Bill, come with me.”

Bill groans, shutting his blind eye. What’s even the point, really? “I can’t even see you!”

A hand grabs his free one. He’s covering his good eye, it hurts . “Oh.”

It’s oddly comforting to feel Ford’s presence like this. Blindly.

Ford speaks to the twins. “Go bring her to Stanley.” Bill hears footsteps lead away from the room.

A beat. “Are we alone now?”

“Yes, Bill.” He hears the smile in his voice, and he begins to lead him somewhere. Briefly stopping in his steps, most likely inputting the vending machine’s code.

Bill groans. “Fucker punched my only good eye. How the fuck am I going to see anything?”

“To be fair, she isn’t necessarily wrong in her reaction.” Bill pouts. He knows. “But, yes, you will be okay. I am mostly hoping she did no real damage to your eye, if she didn’t then you should be able to open your eye probably by tomorrow.” He leads Bill down.. stairs?

“I hate this.”

Ford rubs the back of Bill’s hand with his thumb, and he shivers. Gods, he wishes he could see the man. The fact he’s touching him though makes him feel a lot better though. To be blind, and lost in the void of nothingness is his biggest fear. One of them, at least.

His eye swells with pain. Ouch. He knows he tried to kill her, but did she really have to hit him that hard ?

They pause in movement, and he hears the whir of the elevator start. “Bringing me to your evil lair, Fordsy?” He teases.

“Oh, yes.” He speaks lowly, joking with Bill. “I intend to put you through all my sinful and nefarious scientist experiments.” Oh. Oh wow. Okay. Is it weird to say that has a bigger effect on him blind? The fact he can’t see Sixer’s expression eats at him.

Bill chuckles nervously. “Would you really do that to a blind man?”

A hum. “Mm, but you aren’t man. Sounds more morally correct that way, no?” The purposeful grammatical change. You aren’t man . Not because of his gender , but because he isn’t human .

He shivers. Way harder to distract himself when he can’t see, weirdly enough. Harder to school his own expressions when he isn’t sure how he’s supposed to react based on Ford’s reactions. All that surrounds him is Ford’s voice. To a blind person, that would be all they know.

“Yeah, yeah. You really are the mad scientist type.” Bill almost rolls his eyes, stopping himself before he does. Would that hurt? He doesn’t want to take the chance.

He can practically feel the indignant energy in the air. Poor Fordsy doesn’t like being called out on his immoral practices in science. Let’s be honest with ourselves, Sixer.

Bill smirks at the silence.

“Quiet.” He hears the elevator open.

“I didn’t say anything, IQ.” A grin.

He basically hears the eye roll. “Infuriating, you are.”

“Aww, you’re too sweet!” Ford pulls him out of the elevator.

Bringing him blindly through the room. “I’m going to lift you, is that okay?”

“Uh, sure? Why?” He picks him up, sitting Bill on, what seems to be, a metal table. Very reminiscent of the second day Sixer was here. Here in the lab.

“Easier with you being eye level.” Ford squeezes his hand once, letting go. Bill immediately becomes slightly frantic.

“Uh, Ford?”

“Mm?”

He swallows. “Can you just talk?”

A beat.

“Sure.” A pause. “Hm, how about a bit of a game? I know you like those.”

Bill nods, realizes Ford may be turned away, and speaks instead. “I do. What’s the game?”

A hum. “How about I ask you a question, and you ask me one in return? I never got all my answers that day.” Referring to the last time they were here. “You can ask me about my adventures at sea.. Or anything else you’d like. Build the trust between us. How’s that?” A hand pulling away the one he has covering the eye, and a sudden cold sensation. The feeling startles him slightly, making his blind eye jolt open. He kind of forgot it was closed in the first place.

Ford holds the ice on his eye, moving one of his legs with his free hand. So he can stand between them. Oh wow. He can really only vaguely see the man through his blind eye, the dim light of the lab not helping much (even with his light sensitivity he’d probably prefer some light), he can make out the gray of Ford’s hair and his pale skin.  

Anyway, back to what he said.

Huh. Okay, fair enough then. He shrugs. “Sure. You first then?”

Another hum, much much closer than before. “Yes.” A beat, probably him thinking of a question. “You said you were sent by The Axolotl, yes? How come you seem so familiar with him?”

Oof. Now that’s quite the question. Bill chews on his inner cheek. “That’s honestly really complicated. And involves a lot of information I’ve never shared with anyone.”

“If you could explain in a few words?”

“Um.” A pause. “Let’s just say.. I’ve known the guy since before I entered the Nightmare Realm.” It’s honestly all he’s willing to share. He’s avoided thinking of his dimension for weeks, and it should stay that way. Especially after last time.

A slightly disappointed hum, but interested, nonetheless. You will have to face it, Bill. Lest the trust break. Bill swallows when the thought shoves itself into his head. An unnatural voice it speaks in. “I suppose it’s your turn now.”

Bill squints in thought, pain swelling in his right eye. “Uhm…” He grins as something comes to him. “So, you have fun with those idiots Star set you up with? Tell me all about it!”

An annoyed sigh, Bill giggles. “..Most of them weren’t too bad, besides the ones I’ve already mentioned. I went along with it, for Mabel. Though..” A small beat, and Bill swears he can sort of see a shift in the man’s expression. He could be totally wrong though. “..Maybe I was interested in some of them.” Okay. Pause. What? 

Bill scoffs. “Why would you be? Humans are so boring!”

He chuckles. “ Thanks , and I don’t necessarily disagree with you there. I’ve had plenty of time in the multiverse. It was definitely more interesting there.” Bill is not a fan of the implications of that statement. He was never aware of any sort of flings Ford had during those decades. An old urge to put those who touched Ford in flames rises in him.

“But anyway, I was more so interested in having the human connection. Never got it much, even in my years before Gravity Falls.” Oh. Well, now he feels a bit insignificant to him.

“Oh.”

“Mhm, now my turn.” His stance clearly shifts, as the man rests a free hand on Bill’s left thigh for balance. Oh, my stars, too close too close. “In one of our conversations, you mentioned a place called the ‘Theraprism’. Could you explain it to me?”

“ Well . It’s sort of in the name. It was therapy, mandated by Ax after I had invoked him. A place outside of time. Incredibly boring.” Half lying there. Sure, it was boring, but Bill’s sure the number of outbursts and the times the staff there had to sedate him were entertaining enough.

A displeased noise. “Bill.” Ugh, he forgot .

He groans. “Sorry, habit. It was.. draining . White walls, white ceilings. The staff spoke in stiff sentences. Most therapists quit after seeing me for too long. Different kinds of practices. Arts and crafts hour.” It’s a simpler explanation, but no longer a lie.

Ford huffs a laugh. “Arts and crafts?”

“Shut up. It was torture , i’m telling you.”

“Can you really not handle paper and a few crayons? Mabel would be thrilled to hear this, she would probably pull you into one of her projects just for the fun of it.”

“Gods, no . Sounds like hell.”

Another laugh. “Sounds a lot healthier than most things they could’ve been doing. Mental health institutions here aren’t known for being very helpful.” 

Bill huffs. “Well, they weren’t very helpful either. Did I not tell you there were hundreds of years with no progress? They should be paying Melody .”

A thoughtful hum. “Melody really helped you a lot?”

He purses his lips. “That’s another question.” Purposefully ignores answering it.

POV SWITCH

So guarded. Well, again, Ford supposes he will let him be for now. 

He sighs, looking down at Bill. He almost looks as though he’s looking into space, but it only looks like that because of his blind eye. Half blind, that is. Bill can most likely only barely make him out, especially in the low light.

Is it odd that he enjoys being able to stare at him unabashedly? Even when he was watching Bill secretly during his work shifts for his research , Bill knew then. But there’s no way for him to watch Ford stare now.

He notices that the ice has melted quite a bit now. He’s probably safe to take it off now, Ford will do this again in a few hours. “Hold on, Bill.” He gently takes the ice bag away from his eye.

Squeezes his thigh before stepping back to put the ice back in his small freezer.

“Oh uhm. Keep talking.” The familiar statement nags at him. Makes him curious, but he puts that away for now.

“Hm, does this mean I may ask another question?” He drops the ice into the box, letting it refreeze.

Bill grumbles. “Fine.”

Ford pauses. He’s been having this question since yesterday morning, not sure if he should ask. “Can I.. ask you a question you may be less willing to answer?” He sees Bill visibly tense across the room, so he closes the freezer, and comes back up to him.

“That depends.” So closed off he doesn’t even teasingly ask ‘ Is that another question?’

Ford sighs, taking one of Bill’s hands. It makes some of the tension bleed out of him, but he still remains guarded. “So, Melody told me her side.” Bill goes still. “I.. I want to know what really happened.”

He swallows. “..That’s not a question.”

“Would you be willing to tell me what really happened?”

Bill’s other hand, he watches his fist clench. “Why do you even need to know? Everything that Melody told you is what happened. That’s that.”

Ford sighs. He wants to see even the bad parts. He really does. He expected this, too. He knows Bill. He knows Bill hasn’t fully gone through all the ‘healing’ and ‘redemption’ he may make himself think he has. “Bill, you’ve seen my life.”

Ford sees his brows furrow slightly, like he doesn’t know where he’s going with this.

“My teenage years. My college years.” He sees the small realization. “Bill, this kind of thing isn’t new to me. You may have not been inside my head during my time in the portal either, but I once resorted to this then too.” Ford sees Bill swallow.

“It’s not like that.”

“Like what?”

“I.. I didn’t do it because I was sad. I just. I felt so numb.. I just needed to feel-” Ford notices the exact second Bill’s eye glazes over, and it snaps him into action. Bill chokes on his next breath. “I- I could see me- In the mirror-”

“Bill. Bill .” Fuck fuck . Ford squeezes his hand, grabbing his face between both of his hands. Bill coughs, trying to breathe. Slowly losing himself.

“I could hear me . I- I liked it .” The confession, which he can tell came from deep within, fills him with confusion. Still focused on attempting to pull Bill from this. He’s not of sound mind, he isn’t meaning to share this. “ I liked it, because I could feel something . I- I felt.. No, I could feel the joy. The exhilaration from the- the pain . I- I finally felt it. I spoke to me .” He’s hyperventilating, only barely managing to get through each sentence.

Bill’s words confuse him so much it breaks his focus.

“What?”

Bill’s eye snaps to him, full of tears, still glazed over. Still not in control. “Me. Me . I spoke to me . I was him .”

Ford’s eyes widened, understanding dawning on him. Him.

Logically, he knows this is completely normal in the process of redeeming oneself. Logically, he knows that this process isn’t linear. Logically, he should understand this. But, that part of him, the part of him that so easily hates Bill, breaks for a moment. And a sharp wave of distrust washes over him.

He swallows, shaking it off. “Bill, please . You need to breathe.” Think , Ford. Think . He’s not exactly super accustomed to this version of him. It’s hard, to think of a way to bring him back down to earth.

The words practically fly past his ears, doesn’t process them. Shaking off the hand that holds his. Bill begins to.. pick at his arms? When Ford turns his eyes to where he’s doing so, he freezes. He honestly doesn’t know how he hasn’t noticed them before. Large, jagged scars across his upper right arm.

Ford takes the hand that begins to pick at the scars, lifting it away. “Bill. Please, take a breath. Can you do that for me?” His own eyes begin to sting with tears. Bill attempts to pull out of his grip, but he holds strong. Ford grabs the other hand, holding them between his own.

“Bill, can you feel my hands? My fingers?” Bill blinks owlishly. “Count them, for me.” Somehow, he seems to hear him. Still breathing hard, he feels at Ford’s hands, as he is unable to see them.

“..One… two..” 

“Good. Keep going.”

“Four… five..” And when he gets to his sixth finger, he blinks with confusion. Bill pets desperately at his fingers. “..Six?”

Ford smiles, tears pulling at his eyes. “Yes, good. So good.”

Bill shivers, and when he does, he seems to blink himself back into awareness.

He stills under his touch, and his expression instantly closes itself off. More so than before.

Bill swallows. “..Get out.” Fury hidden under the words.

When Ford hears it, he steps back. Confusion filling him. “What? But you can’t stay down here! You can’t see anything!”

“And that’s exactly why I’m not the one leaving. Get out .” His eyes are cast down.

“Bill, I-”

“ Get out! Go! ”

Ford takes another step back.

And he quietly leaves.

Chapter Text

Bill doesn’t sleep that night. He doesn’t do anything really.

He’s blind. So, instead of attempting to make his way into the upstairs, he lies down. On his side, on the metal table he’d placed him onto. Staring into the void.

He’d never admit it, to anyone, but, in the darkness of the basement, he cries.

The numbness soon follows.

Shame has always been a familiar feeling for Bill Cipher, even before he was dropped here. He felt that same shame, back with his mother. Billy just needed to take his medicine, then he would be normal again. His mom begged him to so desperately, and Billy began to feel ashamed of his eye. With his father, the shame filled his entire triangular body. His father talked so hatefully of him, of his defect . Of, what it had appeared as to all of Euclydia , his lies . His lies of the up he spoke of.

And when he finally broke, wanting to just show them, the ‘Euclydian massacre’ happened.

Not only shame filled him that day. Regret followed.

So, Bill Cipher is eerily familiar with shame. He burns with it, and after what he just let himself do, he feels like he’s down to ashes at this point.

He admitted one of his biggest faults since arriving here, to him . Bill feels that shame intensely now, the admission that he enjoyed feeling the old intimate excitement from inflicting pain on himself. He had enjoyed seeing that Bill in him, at least at the time. Trust him, when he finally woke again in the hospital room that all familiar shame hit him once again.

Ford will never trust him again. I mean, he must’ve broken it the second those words left his mouth. Bill had no control over himself in the moment, he felt like he was speaking to no one. Not really aware of Ford’s presence after he lost himself. Admitting his darkest thoughts.

He doesn’t need him anyway.

He shakes in the silence of the room, a part of him wishing for that all familiar touch. He’s lost in the void, the only thing slightly grounding him being the cold metal of the table. He feels like he did back in Euclydia . Small, helpless, and blind . At least after they made him take his medicine.

Bill puts his nails into his palms, the small sting giving him the relief. That he’s here .

Finally, after what must be several hours later, he doesn’t know, his right eye stops swelling enough he’s able to open it enough to see.

He looks blankly through the room, barely processing the items scattered across desks and bookshelves through the fog in his brain.

Even though he’s technically fully able to leave now, because he can see, he can’t move.

He curls in on himself.

Bill doesn’t know what time it is. He can’t even use the outside as a means to tell, because he’s in the basement. There are no windows.

The cold seeps into his body.

He hears a ding from the elevator, making him startle. Bill’s body stills completely. Like an animal.

Is he back? No, no. He wouldn’t want to see him again after that.

He hears footsteps, and a sigh.

“Oh, Bill.”

Melody’s voice brings tears back to his eyes, he still refuses to look at her. Bill hears her sit herself next to him on the table, by where his feet lay.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Repeating her words from the hospital.

He can’t get his mouth to move, exhausted. So, he just makes a vague noise. She seems to understand anyway.

Melody lays a hand on his ankle, the small touch bringing him comfort. “Do you know how long you’ve been down here?”

Another noise. No .

“You’ve been down here since about 3pm, which was 12 hours ago.”

What?

“Oh.” He sluggishly responds, his mouth barely moving.

She hums. “Yeah. A certain someone seemed quite distressed when I saw him. I had asked him where you’d gone about an hour or so ago when I saw him up in the kitchen, and he was very frightened by the fact that meant you'd still been down here.”

A displeased noise. He doesn’t care what he thinks .

“I won’t press you for answers right now, promise. I’m just worried about you, Bill.”

He knows that. She shouldn’t have to be. She’s pregnant right now, she has her own unborn child to worry about, not Bill.

“I can practically hear your thoughts, Bill. Stop that. I care for you, and I won’t stop it even if you protest the very idea.”

He grumbles.

“..I’m assuming you fought.”

Something along those lines. Ugh, he hates that he can’t speak.

He stretches his hands out, giving Melody grabby hands, asking. She raises an eyebrow dubiously. Bill points at a paper on one of his desks, and she seems to understand.

Melody gets up, grabbing him paper and a pen. He frowns at the pen, feeling almost stubborn enough to not use it, because it’s his .

But he scribbles words on the page anyway.

Stop asking questions I can’t answer.

She huffs. “Okay, well. Sorry then. Would you like to communicate this way?”

He nods at her, still lying down, but now on his back.

I’ll tell you what happened later. I’m too exhausted for that right now.

“That’s fine, Bill. I told you. I won’t press you for answers.”

He rolls his eyes angrily. At least she won’t.

Melody catches the look, frowning. But she changes the subject anyway.

“Would you like me to bring you upstairs?”

Bill clearly makes a face, because she chuckles faintly. He starts writing words down.

Don’t want to move. Correction: can’t move. Also I don’t want to see anyone.

“Alright then. I’ll stay down here with you.” He furrows his brows. “I don’t want you alone with your thoughts, especially after last time.” Bill winces sluggishly.

You can talk. About stuff. I don’t like the silence.

She smiles. “Okay, would you like to hear about Mabel’s name ideas for the baby?”

Bill nods, shrugging. Well, as much as he can shrug.

“Alright. Well, we seem to think it will be a girl so far. Mabel was very happy about that, and started rattling off names at a speed unknown to man.” She chuckles faintly. “When she finally slowed down at dinner, she told me some of her favorites.”

He listens, eyes staring up at the ceiling.

“She’s one of the ones obsessed with the unusual baby names. Many old women names too. Meredith was one she said.” Ew, Bill does not approve. “Willow was cute too, but I didn’t really feel it. She suggested a few names relating more so to Soos’ Mexican background, popular ones, like Maria, Ramona, and Esmeralda . Which, no offense to that last one, but it is definitely too extra for me.” She laughs.

Bill agrees.

Melody then rambles on for about another 30 minutes, with him listening intently.

His body slowly calms down.

“And Stanley suggested Caryn, their mother’s name, which I found very sweet, but I don’t think I wanted it very much-”

“Scalene was my mother’s name.” It just slips out.

Melody pauses, processing the very meaning behind his words. And she smiles. “Beautiful name.” His eyes sting. “I hope she was as loving to you as you deserved.”

Tears spill out onto his face. “She tried her best.” He chokes on the tears, and the weight that leaves his body after these two sentences leave his mouth could scale an entire dimension. After avoiding even thinking about his dead dimension for a month, he finally feels an inch of relief.

And she really did try her best too.

Melody doesn’t even ask any other questions, she just smiles at him, and moves on. “Do you have any particular suggestions?”

He thinks. “Hypatia. One of the first female astronomers and philosophers in Egypt. I think I met her once.” He always loved the stars. And the name isn’t a bad one, if you ignore his previous torment towards the ancient Egyptians for failing the portal. He chuckles faintly. “Though you probably shouldn’t give a half-white child an Egyptian name.”

“It’s sweet anyway. If you have any more ideas, let me know. I’ll take your opinion into account.” Oh. Oh wow. She actually cares about his opinion. For naming her future child .

They both fall into silence.

After about a minute, Melody speaks up. “Would you like for me to bring you anything when I go up to get you a blanket?”

“I.. uh. Might need more of those pad things. And… could you bring me uh.. Ford’s phone?” It’s the first time he even really thinks of the man’s name in the last 11 hours. “He doesn’t use it, I just want.. something to look at.”

She looks a bit confused. “I can just give you my phone, Bill.”

Bill wants his phone. Not hers. “..Just, when you steal it, do it quietly.”

Melody huffs a laugh. “Okay, fine. I’m pretty sure I saw him leave it in the kitchen anyway.” She stands from the table. “I’ll be back, I promise.”

He rolls his eyes. “I know.” Bill silently appreciates the promise anyway.

-

Days pass. With him still ignoring Ford.

The first day, after when it happened, was kind of nice. Well, not the overwhelming feeling of dread and shame. But Melody helped distract him, she stayed in the basement with him. Chatted idly with him, played board games with him. It was nice.

Unfortunately, she is pregnant . Meaning she has her own issues to deal with, and had to leave the day after. She apologized profusely, telling him to call her on the home phone. Bill doesn’t tell her he doesn’t even know how to use the damn thing.

The second day after, he finally came upstairs (after Melody left). Searching around the house like a hawk for the man, making sure he doesn’t see him. Dipper, who was in the living room watching him do it the entire time, informed him that Ford was out for the day. Some nerd adventure. Yeah, he’s fine. Ford doesn’t care. If he’s so easily leaving the house for his anomalies.

When Bill asked him. “Why aren’t you with him?”

He responded with a shrug. “Not sure. I asked to come, but he seemed to be acting a bit weird and said he wanted to be alone. Weird, right ?” The last word said with intention. Bill ignores it.

The boy asked him. “Why are you all out of sorts?” Always looking for answers, reminds him of someone else. Bill just says it’s his period, and Dipper looks at him suspiciously, but eventually just lets him lie.

When he goes to eat something, all he can stomach through the shame is a cup of water and a small sandwich. And even that makes him feel kind of nauseous.

His eye hurts.

He sees Wendy again, working the shift he should be working right now. The girl, at first glares at him, but seeing his pathetic expression and his stance, even she looks like she pities him. It makes him more shameful.

“Uh, I would tell you to get the fuck out, but you look like you’ve been ran over by a train.” She awkwardly looks around. “I can’t believe I’m asking you this, but, are you like.. okay, dude?”

Bill winces, still sluggish. He doesn’t answer her, and just leaves her alone.

And then he hears Ford come home later that day.

Bill, because he can’t exactly go to the room he sleeps in, hides in Melody and Soos’ room. They’re out, so technically he’s free to do so. They wouldn’t care anyway.

He looks through Ford’s phone again while sitting on the floor, looking through his blurry attempts at pictures, and even playing the loser puzzle games makes him want to cry again. So, he puts that away.

He exhales, exhausted. Bill leans his head back on the bed behind him.

Being alone isn’t good for him. Like this. His brain jumps into hyperdrive and likes to tell him all sorts of things. A little annoying voice in his head, with that familiar echo, speaks to him. Tells him he should be furious with Ford. That Ford pushed for answers from him. That he had no right to ask.

If he is honest. He is a bit angry at Ford. On pure instinct.

Bill doesn’t go to sadness first. The anger reacts first. The fire of his anger, the flames lick up his body. Anger is Bill Cipher’s thing. The first resort.

Well, unless he panics, like he did.

Maybe the Theraprism did change him a little bit. He remembers being better with the denial.

Whatever.

..It’s Stanford’s birthday today.

Then the third day after , that was when every feeling really hit him. He couldn’t even look himself in the mirror, for the fear that he may do it again. See him again.

And his biggest regrets play through his mind, over and over again.

Mabel found him first that day, with worry painting her features. He was having another panic attack on the floor of the bathroom, and she burst through the door.

Bill doesn’t think he’ll forget the shock on her face. He was supposed to keep up appearances, be the easy-going, and joking, former demon. He didn’t want any of the kids to see him like this. It’s the sole reason he lied to her about the scars.

Instead of shouting for help, which he was terrified for, she quietly shut the door behind her. And sat right down in front of him.

“..Bill?”

He tries to swallow his tears, pull them back, but he ultimately fails. They spill over, without his permission. Bill hides his face in his knees.

“Bill, I haven’t seen you in days . What happened? Did something happen with Grunkle Ford? He hasn’t shown himself much ei-”

“I don’t want to talk about him.” He chokes through a sob.

She stops her line of questioning, and looks saddened by his response. But she lets him have it, and just starts rambling, something about her friends, to fill the silence. And probably to stop his panic attack.

Then she pulls out her matchmaking book, when his breathing evens out. “Do you want to trade ideas?” Mabel asks hesitantly. She’s clearly trying her best, even if this isn’t really an activity he may be interested in.

“Sure, kid.” He says anyway.

It was nice. He mostly just sat there while Mabel talked about her planning for a few matches. First some talk about Stanley and Fiddleford again, which honestly the things she tells him about Stan’s crush on the man surprise him. She then tells him that she’s been trying to get Lazy Susan a match for a while , and that every man she goes out with mostly sucks. She says. “Well, she’s definitely too out of their league anyway!”

It brings the first laugh out of him since Melody was here, even if the laugh was just a huff of breath. Mabel looks happy that she was able to do it, and goes silent again, like she wants to ask a question.

“Go on, Star. Out with it.” He says.

“...Are you ignoring Grunkle Ford?”

Bill winces at the question. “Don’t worry about it. Everything is fine.” He can tell she knows he’s lying to her, but instead of being angry, she mostly looks sad about it.

Is it bad that he would prefer the anger?

Now, finally. The fourth day after. A lot happens this day.

Firstly, he wakes. In Melody and Soos’ room, of course. He’s made it his home for these last few days, and it's a mess, reflecting his mental state. He hasn’t even showered since. Not taken care of himself either

This morning, he’s so out of it. So much so, that he forgets that Ford may see him when he goes down for food. So, it happens like this.

Bill walks sluggishly down the steps of the shack, making his way to the kitchen. He isn’t thinking. When he walks through the living room, he barely notices the kids’ presence. Mabel looking concerned again when he sees him. Even Dipper looks disturbed by it all.

When they see just where he’s walking to, both of their eyes widen. They speak up at the same time.

“ Wait, don’t go in there, Bill! ”