#i guess it might come down to like being in the fandom for longer so stuff has happened? | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

songbirdsanctuary · 2 months ago

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Between Chaos and Change

I just finished Gravity Falls and know almost nothing about the fandom but here's a fic anyways, also Bill is my favorite villain ever. ┑(￣Д ￣)┍

Warnings: Nothing notable. I guess Dipper/Bill? If you don't like the ship?

Word count: 30,506.... I think I need to post shorter fics, these are getting longer and longer

Dipper gripped the steering wheel of his slightly beat-up car, eyes flicking between the road and the endless stretch of pine trees around them. The sky was tinged with the soft hues of early morning, a mixture of lavender and pale gold, the sun just beginning to rise over the distant mountains. Beside him, Mabel slept soundly in the passenger seat, her head lolled against the window, her vibrant hair splayed in every direction. Waddles, who had grown even larger in the three years since they last visited Gravity Falls, lay sprawled across her lap, snoring softly. His little hooves occasionally twitched, lost in whatever piggy dream he was having.

The car was loaded with memories and luggage—suitcases full of clothes, snacks, and a couple of Mabel’s “emergency” craft kits. Dipper couldn’t help but chuckle as he glanced in the rearview mirror at the colorful mess in the backseat. The sight reminded him of summers past, of adventures he thought he might never have again. But here they were, heading back to the place where everything had changed for them.

Three years. It felt surreal to think that it had been that long since their last summer in Gravity Falls. Since then, they had kept in touch with Soos, Stan, and Ford, but life had pulled them in different directions. High school consumed most of their time, and though the mysteries of Gravity Falls had never quite left Dipper’s mind, the world outside the small, bizarre town had its own set of challenges. He often wondered if things would still feel the same, or if they had changed so much that even the town's mysteries might seem distant, like a half-remembered dream.

Mabel shifted in her sleep, mumbling something unintelligible before settling back against the window. Dipper smiled softly, the familiar warmth of sibling connection making the long drive feel less tiring. They hadn’t told anyone exactly when they were coming, hoping to surprise Soos. From what they’d heard, the Mystery Shack was still the chaotic, lovable tourist trap it had always been—only now under Soos’s enthusiastic leadership. Stan and Ford had also returned from their globe-spanning adventures, apparently settling back into life in Gravity Falls after who knows how many near-death experiences.

Then there was Soos’ news: he was married to Melody now, which still felt a little unbelievable to Dipper, even though he knew how much Soos adored her. They had been dating for a while, and from the photos Soos had sent, they seemed ridiculously happy. The idea of Soos being a responsible, married adult running the Mystery Shack was strangely comforting to Dipper—like one of the few constants in an ever-changing world.

The car bounced slightly as Dipper turned off the main road and onto the familiar dirt path that wound its way through the thick forest, leading to the Shack. Every bump in the road, every familiar tree, sent waves of nostalgia rushing through him. The scent of pine filled the air, thick and earthy, and the distant sound of birds waking up in the forest created an almost magical ambiance. It was the kind of place that could make you feel like you were stepping into a different world, one where the impossible felt possible.

As the Mystery Shack came into view, nestled among the trees with its creaky old sign still hanging askew, Dipper felt a flutter of excitement and anxiety. What would the summer hold this time? Would there be new mysteries to uncover, or had Gravity Falls quieted down in their absence?

Dipper slowed the car and pulled up to the house, the familiar rickety building looming ahead. The old place hadn’t changed much, though there were a few new decorations here and there—likely Melody’s touch, he thought. The neon "Mystery Shack" sign flickered in the early morning light, casting an eerie yet familiar glow over the clearing.

He parked the car and took a deep breath, resting his hands on the steering wheel for a moment, soaking in the sight before him. “Well, here we are,” he muttered to himself, his heart swelling with a mix of nostalgia and anticipation.

“Mabel,” Dipper leaned over and gently shook his sister’s shoulder. “Hey, Mabel, wake up. We’re here.”

Mabel stirred, blinking groggily as she rubbed her eyes and sat up. Waddles let out a snort of protest, shifting on her lap but not fully waking. “Huh? Already?” she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep. She glanced out the window, her eyes widening as she recognized the place that had been their summer home three years ago. “Dipper… we’re back,” she whispered, a grin spreading across her face.

Dipper smiled, nodding. “Yeah… we’re back.”

Mabel stretched her arms high above her head, yawning as she shook off the last remnants of sleep. “I can’t believe it! We’re really back,” she said, the excitement in her voice barely concealed by her fatigue. She unbuckled her seatbelt and smiled brightly, her eyes sparkling with energy despite the long drive. "Let’s go say hi before we bring in our luggage," she suggested, bouncing slightly in her seat. Her tiredness was no match for the enthusiasm bubbling up inside her; being back in Gravity Falls made her feel alive in a way she hadn’t felt in years.

Dipper nodded, stepping out of the car and closing the door gently, not wanting to wake Waddles just yet. He watched as Mabel nearly skipped toward the front door of the Shack, her excitement contagious. He smiled, shaking his head in amusement, then followed her up the creaky wooden steps that led to the entrance. The porch looked just as they remembered it — the same odd assortment of knickknacks cluttered around, the same worn welcome mat, and even the faint smell of pine and mystery in the air.

Mabel pushed the door open, and the familiar jingle of the bell above it rang out, echoing through the dusty room. Inside, the Mystery Shack looked much the same: cluttered, strange, and wonderfully familiar. Melody was at the counter, busily sorting through receipts and writing in a logbook. She didn’t look up when the bell rang. “Welcome to the Mystery Shack, please enjoy your visit and feel free to browse our-” She stopped mid-sentence when her eyes landed on the two figures standing in the doorway.

Her face lit up with recognition. “Dipper! Mabel!” she exclaimed, a huge smile breaking across her face. She quickly came out from behind the counter, arms wide open. “It’s been forever! You two look so grown up!” Melody pulled them both into a warm hug, practically squeezing the air out of them.

Mabel laughed, hugging Melody back enthusiastically. “We missed you! And Soos! And everything about this place!”

Melody let go and motioned for them to follow her. “Come on, Soos is in the back. He’s going to flip when he sees you two.” She led them through the Shack, her voice filled with excitement. “Things have been wild here, but in a good way. Soos has been doing such an amazing job with the Shack! You won’t believe the new things he’s added.”

Dipper smiled to himself as they followed Melody, glancing around at the various oddities lining the walls and shelves. Everything felt both familiar and new, as if the Mystery Shack had evolved in their absence but still retained its strange charm.

Melody pushed open the door that led to the living room, calling out as they entered. “Soos! Guess who’s here!”

There was the sound of clattering from one of the back rooms, followed by the unmistakable voice of Soos. “Hold on, I just gotta fix this… um, there! Coming!” A moment later, Soos appeared, fiddling with a fake eye patch he had placed over one eye. He straightened it awkwardly before looking up and freezing when he saw Dipper and Mabel standing in the living room. His face broke into an enormous grin. “Guys!”

Soos rushed over and pulled them both into one of his trademark bear hugs, lifting them off the ground slightly. “Dudes! It’s been, like, forever!” he exclaimed, his voice thick with emotion. “You guys haven’t aged a day! Well, except you have, but in a cool way! Mabel, Dipper! Man, it’s so awesome to see you two back here!”

Mabel giggled, hugging Soos back as tightly as she could, while Dipper grinned. "It’s great to see you too, Soos. The Shack looks amazing!”

Soos beamed at the compliment. “Yeah, Melody’s helped out a ton with keeping everything running smoothly. But enough about that, Stan and Ford are gonna freak out when they see you guys!”

As if on cue, there was the unmistakable sound of heavy footsteps approaching from the hall. Stan and Ford appeared from around the corner, mid-conversation about something undoubtedly science-related. Ford was holding some kind of bizarre gadget in his hands, while Stan was wearing his usual gruff expression.

Stanley looked up first, squinting at the two figures standing in the living room. He paused for a second, then his eyes widened in recognition. “Well, I’ll be a three-eyed jackalope! If it isn’t the Pines twins!” His gruff voice softened, and a big grin spread across his face as he stomped over toward them. “You’re taller! I mean, not that much taller, but I’m still impressed.”

Mabel threw her arms around Stan’s waist without hesitation, grinning up at him. “Missed you, Grunkle Stan! Did you guys bring back any cool stuff from your adventures?”

Stan ruffled Mabel’s hair with a fond chuckle. “Oh, you bet we did, kid. We’ve got stories you wouldn’t believe.”

Ford, who had been watching from a few steps behind, finally stepped forward, adjusting his glasses. His face lit up in a rare, genuine smile as he greeted them. “Dipper! Mabel! It’s been too long.” He gave Dipper a firm handshake and Mabel a warm hug, his normally reserved demeanor cracking just slightly. “I was just telling Stan that it feels like Gravity Falls hasn’t been the same without you two around.”

Dipper shook Ford’s hand, feeling a rush of nostalgia. “We missed you both, too. And I can’t wait to hear all about what you’ve been up to!”

Ford chuckled. “Oh, I’m sure you’ll find some of our adventures… familiar.”

Stan clapped his hands together loudly, cutting through the moment. “Alright, alright! Enough of the mushy stuff. Let’s go sit down! We’ve got catching up to do, and I’m sure you kids are starving after that drive. I’ll whip up some of my world-famous nachos!”

Dipper and Mabel exchanged a look and grinned, following the group into the cozy living room. The familiar warmth of the Mystery Shack enveloped them as they settled in, surrounded by friends, family, and the promise of another unforgettable summer in Gravity Falls.

After they caught up with everyone downstairs, Soos and Melody mentioned that the attic was still set up for them, just like old times. Dipper and Mabel grabbed their bags from the car and made their way up the creaky stairs to their old summer sanctuary.

When they reached the attic, the door let out a familiar creak, and Mabel practically bounced into the room. “It’s like nothing’s changed!” she said with a grin, her eyes scanning the space. True to Soos’ word, it looked almost exactly the same as they had left it three years ago, except for a few new posters on the walls and some updated furniture. Waddles trotted in behind her, snuffling around as if he, too, was reminiscing.

Mabel dumped her sweaters in a colorful heap on her bed, sighing happily. “Ah, sweet sweater freedom!” She began rifling through them, but paused, frowning. Most of her old ones were too small now. She picked one up, holding it out in front of her, the vibrant yarn almost mockingly tiny. “Well… guess I grew more than I thought,” she muttered. But then her face brightened. “Good thing I brought my new collection!” With a dramatic flourish, she tossed her new sweaters onto the bed in a rainbow pile, the brightly colored fabric bouncing slightly.

Waddles, who had outgrown his little corner in the attic, was given a whole section of the room by Mabel. She set down a few soft blankets and pillows for him, which he promptly snuggled into, letting out a contented snort. “You’ve got the best spot in the house, Waddles,” she told him with a grin, patting his head.

Meanwhile, Dipper was meticulously unpacking his things on the other side of the room. He placed his journal carefully on the desk, followed by a small stack of books and a couple of framed photos he’d brought with him from home. Everything was neatly organized, in contrast to Mabel’s more chaotic method of settling in.

Mabel flopped down on her bed, leaning back with her hands behind her head, staring up at the wooden beams of the attic ceiling. “I can not wait to see Candy and Grenda… and mmmaaayyybbeee Pacifica…?” Her voice trailed off teasingly, her eyes flicking over to gauge Dipper’s reaction.

Dipper, half-listening as he placed a notebook on his nightstand, gave a nonchalant shrug. “You think she’d be happy to see you?” He wasn’t paying much attention, but when Mabel didn’t respond immediately, he glanced over. Her face was a little red, and she was biting her lip, a thoughtful look in her eyes.

Dipper paused, his brow furrowing as he put two and two together. His eyes widened slightly, realization dawning on him. “Wait a second…” He turned fully to face her, a smirk creeping onto his face. “You like her! How’d I not realize before?”

Mabel’s face flushed a deeper shade of red, and she shot him a glare, her arms crossing defensively over her chest. “No, I do not!” she said, but there was a hint of nervousness in her voice. “You’ve seen how I act around someone I have a crush on!”

Dipper couldn’t help but chuckle. He knew his sister too well to be convinced. “Yeah, but come on, Mabel. The guys you’ve had crushes on before… once you got past their physical looks, did you really like them? I mean, actually love them?”

Mabel hesitated, her eyes flicking down to her lap. She twisted the edge of her blanket between her fingers. “I guess not…” she admitted quietly, her voice softer than before. But then she looked up, her stubbornness flaring again. “But that doesn’t mean I like her!” She threw her arms out in exasperation, as if that would somehow make her point more convincing.

Dipper raised an eyebrow, a small, knowing grin playing on his lips. “You’re blushing,” he pointed out, crossing his arms and leaning against the bedpost, waiting for her to crack.

Mabel opened her mouth to protest, but when she caught sight of her reflection in the small mirror hanging on the wall, she froze. Sure enough, her cheeks were flushed pink, a telltale sign of embarrassment.

She huffed, grabbing a pillow and burying her face in it. “This doesn’t mean anything!” she mumbled, her voice muffled by the pillow. But when she peeked out, her expression was a mix of frustration and uncertainty. “I mean… even if I did like her—which I’m not saying I do—what if she doesn’t feel the same way?”

Dipper’s teasing expression softened, and he walked over, sitting on the edge of her bed. “You guys got along pretty well by the end of that last summer,” he said, his voice more gentle now. “People can change a lot in three years. Maybe she’s changed too. Maybe she’s more open than you think.”

Mabel sighed, letting the pillow fall to her lap. “I don’t know, Dip. It’s different with her. It’s not like my other crushes where I just thought someone was cute.” She paused, looking out the window at the sprawling forest beyond. “Pacifica’s… complicated.”

Dipper nodded. “Yeah, she is. But you like her because she’s complicated. Not in spite of it.”

Mabel stayed quiet for a moment, processing what he said. Finally, she gave a small smile, though there was still a bit of uncertainty in her eyes. “I guess I’ll just have to see how things go,” she murmured, almost to herself.

Dipper patted her shoulder and stood up, going back to organizing his stuff. “That’s all you can do. And hey, I’ll be here to back you up, no matter what happens.”

Mabel smiled a little wider at that. “Thanks, bro.”

“Anytime, sis.”

—

The next morning, Mabel was eager to explore Gravity Falls again. She had her heart set on heading to town, maybe catching up with Candy and Grenda, and seeing what had changed since they’d left. But Dipper had different plans. While Mabel bounced out the front door with her usual energy, Dipper found himself drawn to the forest.

He wasn’t sure why, but there was something pulling him back to where everything had started — where he had found the third journal. The cool morning air filled his lungs as he walked, the familiar pine scent grounding him. The forest seemed both unchanged and different at the same time, as if the passage of time had subtly reshaped its paths. The trees whispered in the breeze, but the echoes of past mysteries hung heavy in the air.

Dipper followed the same route he had taken so many times during that unforgettable summer, his feet carrying him down familiar trails. As he reached the spot where the journal had first been uncovered, he paused. This was the place where it all began — the magic, the danger, the mind-bending chaos.

After a moment of reflection, he decided to venture deeper into the forest. His thoughts drifted to Bill Cipher. Even after Bill’s defeat, Dipper still felt uneasy about the demon’s lingering presence. Bill had been reduced to a statue after the final battle, and though Dipper knew it was foolish, a part of him wanted to see that statue again. Maybe it was for reassurance, to know that Bill was still gone, still trapped. He rationalized it as wanting closure.

The further he walked, the more the forest thickened around him, the canopy overhead dimming the sunlight. The clearing where Bill’s statue had been was close now. But just before he reached it, Dipper heard footsteps behind him — light, deliberate, and approaching fast.

He stopped and turned, his eyes landing on a boy around his age. The stranger had blonde, mid-length hair with a striking black stripe running through it. His skin was pale, but he looked mixed, almost unnaturally so, and his bright amber eyes seemed to glow faintly in the shaded forest. The boy was smiling — a wide, almost too-perfect smile that sent a small shiver down Dipper's spine.

“Um... Hi?” Dipper said cautiously, unsure of who this guy was or why he was out here.

“Hello there,” the boy replied smoothly, his voice eerily calm. Something about the way he spoke put Dipper on edge, though he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

Dipper swallowed, trying to shake off the unease crawling up his neck. “So... uh... who are you?” he asked, trying to keep his voice steady. The last thing he wanted was to come off as nervous, but something about this guy just felt off.

“Billy,” the boy answered, his smile never faltering. It was such a simple response, but there was a strange weight to the way he said it.

Dipper nodded slowly. “Well... I’m Dipper.” He shifted his stance, keeping a wary eye on Billy. “So, what are you doing out here in the woods?” It wasn’t exactly unusual to meet someone out here, but the fact that this guy had just appeared out of nowhere was making Dipper’s instincts scream.

Billy glanced around the forest, his eyes casually sweeping the surroundings. “Just walking around,” he said with a shrug, before turning his gaze back to Dipper, his amber eyes locking onto him with unsettling intensity. “What about you, Pine Tree?”

Dipper’s stomach dropped at the sound of that nickname. Pine Tree. No one had called him that in years — not since Bill Cipher. His hand instinctively went up to touch the brim of his pine tree hat, the same hat he’d worn during that fateful summer. He quickly tried to dismiss the strange familiarity of it. Maybe it was just a weird coincidence, maybe Billy was calling him that because of his hat… but still, something felt wrong.

“Uh, just... taking a walk,” Dipper said, feeling a sudden, overwhelming urge to check on the statue of Bill Cipher. He could almost sense something was wrong now, an invisible tension in the air. Without another word, he hurried into the clearing.

When he reached the spot where Bill’s statue should have been, he froze. The grass was bent and flattened, as if something large had been removed, leaving only a faint outline where the statue had once stood. But the statue itself — Bill’s stone form — was gone.

Dipper’s heart raced. His worst fear, the fear he’d never dared speak aloud, was coming true. Bill wasn’t just gone — something had moved him. And something about Billy felt too close to the truth.

“Looking for something, Pine Tree?”

Dipper felt his blood turn to ice as he heard the voice behind him. He turned around slowly, his mind racing. Billy stood at the edge of the clearing, his smile wider now, his amber eyes gleaming with a mischievous glint. But something about the way Billy looked at him now made it all too clear. That voice, that nickname, the eerily familiar smile… it all clicked.

Dipper took a step back, his breath catching in his throat. “Bill…” he whispered, the name slipping from his lips before he could stop it.

Billy’s grin widened, his amber eyes flashing with a dangerous light. “What gave it away, Pine Tree?” he asked, his voice dripping with amusement.

Dipper’s mind spun as he tried to process what was happening. Bill Cipher — the demon he had thought was gone forever — was standing right in front of him, somehow disguised as a human. He had taken on this new form, blending in, hiding in plain sight.

Dipper’s heart pounded in his chest. He took another step back, his hands shaking. “How are you… how are you back?” he demanded, his voice a mix of fear and anger. “I thought we destroyed you!”

Billy — Bill — chuckled softly, the sound sending chills down Dipper’s spine. “Oh, Pine Tree, you didn’t think it’d be that easy, did you? A demon like me doesn’t just disappear. I’ve been... waiting.” He spread his arms wide, his grin stretching unnaturally. “And now, here I am. Better than ever.”

Dipper’s mind raced, trying to come up with a plan, but he was unarmed, alone, and standing face-to-face with the one being he had hoped never to see again.

“How—Why—I…” Dipper stammered, his brain struggling to catch up with what was happening. Every instinct screamed at him to run, but he was rooted to the spot, his mind racing in a chaotic whirl of fear and disbelief. “Why?!” he finally blurted, stumbling backward as if putting more distance between himself and Bill might somehow help him make sense of it all. “How long… how long have you been like this?”

Bill cut him off with a dismissive wave of his hand, that same cocky grin never leaving his face. “Too many questions, Pine Tree, too many questions!” He let out a theatrical sigh, as if all of this were a boring formality. “But fine, I’ll indulge you, for old times’ sake. How long? Oh, I dunno... what’s it been? A day? Two? Doesn’t matter.” He flicked his wrist, as if brushing away the significance of his return. “How did I get out? That’s the fun part. I had to use a lot of power to break free from that pesky statue I was trapped in. You see, I’m mostly powerless now.” He paused, watching Dipper’s reaction with gleeful eyes. “And why am I back? Well, Pine Tree... I was bored! Satisfied now?”

Dipper felt his chest tighten, the panic rising up again. He took another step back, shaking his head as his thoughts scrambled. “N-no! We need to—wait... did you just say ‘mostly powerless’?”

Bill rolled his eyes, an exaggerated motion as though the entire situation was amusing him. “Yes, mostly powerless,” he repeated, twirling a finger in the air. “I can’t do all the fun stuff I used to—no more dreamscapes, no more multiverse-breaking schemes, no more mind-warping reality as we know it. Believe me, it’s frustrating. But don’t worry, Pine Tree, I’m not interested in tearing the world apart anymore. That was the old me.” He smirked, tilting his head slightly, his glowing eyes twinkling with mischief. “Now, I’m just here to... observe.”

Dipper’s heart was still pounding, but something about Bill’s tone made him pause. Observe? That didn’t sound like the chaos-loving, reality-bending demon he had fought against all those years ago. Bill Cipher wasn’t the type to sit back and watch. He always had an agenda—always. “Why should I believe you?” Dipper demanded, his voice shaking. “You’ve lied before. What’s stopping you from pulling the same tricks all over again?”

Bill gave an exaggerated sigh, folding his arms across his chest. “Pine Tree, Pine Tree, Pine Tree… You’re still thinking I’m the same guy I was three years ago. I told you, I’m different now. That last little encounter of ours? It cost me big time. My powers? Practically zilch now. Sure, I can shapeshift, do the occasional parlor trick, but I’m not exactly in the world-domination business anymore.”

Dipper narrowed his eyes, searching for the lie. Bill was too smooth, too charming in a way that made Dipper’s skin crawl. But then again, if Bill really was powerless—or mostly powerless—there wasn’t much he could do, right? Dipper wasn’t ready to let his guard down, but something about Bill’s demeanor had changed. It was less manic, less explosive, and more... restrained.

“What are you really after, Bill?” Dipper asked warily. “You don’t just observe. There’s always something with you.”

Bill smirked, looking at him with something akin to pity. “You’re right, Pine Tree. I don’t just observe... but that’s all I can do for now. No schemes, no deals, no ripping open the fabric of reality—just little old me, wandering around this strange little town of yours. Gravity Falls has always been a place of... intrigue. So many mysteries, so much potential. Now, I get to see it from a whole new perspective.” He stretched his arms out, gesturing to the forest around them. “Think of me as... a tourist! No harm, no foul.”

Dipper's pulse quickened again, but now there was a flicker of curiosity amidst the fear. “You’re telling me you’re just here to watch Gravity Falls? No tricks? No ulterior motive?”

Bill tilted his head, his yellow eyes glinting mischievously. “I’ve got nothing left to gain, Pine Tree. No power to take, no chaos to spread. Right now, I’m just enjoying the sights and sounds of this charming little town. It’s like... semi-retirement.” His grin widened. “Besides, it’s not like anyone would believe you if you told them good ol’ Bill Cipher was back and acting all... normal, would they?”

Dipper hesitated. Bill was right about that—if he went back to the Shack and told everyone Bill was wandering around in a human form, who would believe him? And even if they did, what could they do about it if Bill was as powerless as he claimed? His mind raced, searching for a solution, but none came.

“I’m not letting my guard down, Bill,” Dipper said firmly. “I don’t trust you, and I’ll be watching you. One wrong move, and I’ll figure out a way to stop you again.”

Bill put a hand to his chest, feigning a hurt expression. “Oh, Pine Tree, you wound me! But I understand. I wouldn’t trust me either, if I were you. Go ahead, keep an eye on me! But I promise, I’m not the villain in this story anymore.” He gave Dipper a wink, his eyes glowing briefly before dimming again. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some more observing to do.”

And with that, Bill turned and casually strolled off into the forest, whistling a jaunty tune as he disappeared between the trees. Dipper stood there, heart still pounding, watching him go. His mind was spinning. Bill Cipher was back. But was he really just a powerless observer now? Or was this all part of a new, more insidious plan? Either way, Dipper wasn’t about to let his guard down.

Taking a deep breath, Dipper turned back toward the path to the Mystery Shack. He had to tell the others, no matter how crazy it sounded.

Dipper walked through the forest, his mind a jumble of uncertainty and curiosity. The more he thought about his encounter with Bill—or Billy, as he was calling himself now—the more he questioned if Bill really meant what he said. Maybe he wasn’t the same power-hungry chaos demon anymore. Maybe he really was just bored. Could he leave him alone for now? Could Bill actually be harmless this time? It was a thought that gnawed at Dipper’s mind, though he knew better than to trust it completely.

The day passed, and the twins decided to spend some time outside. Mabel, always full of energy, sat cross-legged on the grass, her knitting needles clicking away as she worked on a colorful sweater. This one was a mix of purple, blue, and pink, and it was meant for Dipper—whether he liked it or not.

Meanwhile, Dipper’s gaze kept wandering to the treeline. Every rustle of the leaves, every distant sound from the woods set him on edge. He wasn’t sure if he was looking for Bill or hoping not to see him at all. Mabel, perceptive as ever, noticed his distraction.

“Dipper? You good?” she asked, pausing her knitting and glancing up at him. Her voice was soft, but there was a hint of concern in her eyes.

Dipper blinked, realizing he had been staring into the distance for too long. “Yeah,” he replied, though his voice sounded uncertain, even to himself. “I just... I think I want to take a walk. Alone.”

Mabel frowned, clearly not buying his excuse, but she nodded. “Alright,” she said, her fingers resuming their rhythmic knitting. “But if something’s bothering you, you know you can tell me, right?”

“Yeah, I know.” Dipper forced a smile before turning and heading toward the woods.

As soon as he was surrounded by trees, his heart began to race again. The memory of seeing Bill yesterday was still fresh in his mind. What if he’s watching me right now? he thought, his eyes darting around the dense foliage. He took a deep breath and tried to shake the paranoia. Maybe if he confronted Bill again, he’d get some clearer answers.

He didn’t have to wait long.

Just as he reached a familiar clearing, a voice echoed from above. “Why do you keep coming out here so much, Pine Tree?”

Dipper jumped, spinning around to see Bill dangling upside down from a branch, hanging by his legs like a bat. The grin on his face was unmistakably Bill’s. It sent a shiver down Dipper’s spine, though he tried not to show it.

“I guess,” Dipper said cautiously, “to keep an eye on you.”

Bill

rolled his eyes, swinging back and forth lazily from the branch. “Oh please, you think I’m that interesting? Look, Pine Tree—if you’re gonna keep ‘keeping an eye on me,’ then how about we actually hang out? I’m bored out of my mind here! Wandering around in the woods gets old real fast.”

Dipper narrowed his eyes. “How do I know I can trust you?” he asked, his voice low and skeptical.

Bill grinned wider, his amber eyes glinting with mischief. “You can’t! And that’s the fun part! You know you’ll never trust me. I’m not gonna waste time trying to prove myself—because, let’s be real, you’re always gonna have your guard up. But hey, I just want to hang out. You’ve got nothing to lose... right?”

Dipper crossed his arms, frowning as he mulled over the offer. The idea of spending time with Bill—whether he was calling himself ‘Billy’ or not—made his stomach twist with unease. But at the same time, the demon-turned-human seemed genuinely different, even if his attitude hadn’t completely changed. He wasn’t making any threats, wasn’t trying to strike any deals. For now, at least, he seemed harmless. And maybe keeping him close is better than letting him wander around on his own...

“Fine,” Dipper said, reluctantly. “But if we’re going to do this, there’s one condition: you can’t call me Pine Tree, and you definitely can’t call Mabel ‘Shooting Star.’ They won’t be as... accepting of you as I am. If you slip up, they’ll figure out who you are.”

Bill nodded, though the glint in his eyes didn’t fade. “Alright, Dipper,” he said, over-enunciating the name as if it were foreign on his tongue. “And Shooting Star is... what’s her name again? Mm-mmmabel?” He exaggerated her name, testing it out.

“Yeah, Mabel,” Dipper replied, still feeling uneasy. “And don’t try anything weird around her.”

Bill floated down from the tree, landing gracefully on his feet and straightening his shirt. “Weird? Me? Never! I’m just here to make a few friends.” His smirk widened, and Dipper resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “Lead the way, Pine—uh, Dipper. Let’s go meet your sister.”

Dipper led Bill back toward the Mystery Shack, his nerves on edge the entire time. Mabel was still outside, sitting on a blanket with her knitting supplies spread around her. Waddles was lounging beside her, snorting occasionally in his sleep.

As they approached, Mabel looked up and waved, a bright smile on her face. “Hey, Dipper! You’re back already? Oh! Who’s this?”

Dipper hesitated for a moment, glancing at Bill. “Uh... Mabel, this is Billy. I ran into him while I was out walking. He’s, uh, new to Gravity Falls.”

Billy—stepped forward, putting on an exaggerated smile. “Hey there, Mabel! Nice to meet you. Dipper here’s been giving me the grand tour of your weird little town.”

Mabel beamed at him, her excitement bubbling over instantly. “A new friend? Awesome! I’m Mabel Pines, and this,” she pointed to the snoring pig beside her, “is Waddles.”

Billy’s eyes flicked toward the pig for a split second before he returned his attention to Mabel. “Nice to meet you, Mabel. And Waddles. Cute pig.”

Mabel’s face lit up even more, oblivious to any tension Dipper was feeling. “I love your hair!” she gushed, pointing at the black stripe in Billy’s blonde hair. “It’s so cool! You should totally hang out with us sometime—there’s so much fun stuff to do here.”

Dipper felt his stomach tighten again as he watched the interaction. Mabel was her usual cheerful self, but Bill—he couldn’t help but wonder what was going on in Bill’s mind. He had agreed not to use their nicknames, but Dipper could tell that part of him was itching to slip up, just to see what would happen.

For now, though, ‘Billy’ was playing it cool.

Billy's amber eyes twinkled with mischief as he leaned in closer to examine the half-finished sweater. "What are you knitting?" he asked, sitting down on the grass beside Mabel.

With a grin, Mabel held up the colorful fabric in progress, the purple, blue, and pink strands tangled around her fingers. "It’s a sweater for Dipper!" she announced proudly, as if it were her magnum opus.

Billy chuckled, his tone dripping with playful sarcasm. "I know blue is a ‘boy color,’ but aren’t pink and purple a bit... girly?" His eyebrows raised, a teasing smirk forming.

Mabel rolled her eyes, clearly unfazed by the comment. "Pfft, I know, but here’s the thing: I learned something about Dipper a few days ago, and now I’m making him a sweater for it!" She sang the last part, her voice full of excitement as she set to work again.

Dipper froze for a moment, shooting his sister a sideways glance. He could feel the heat rising to his cheeks, the flush creeping up his neck as Billy raised a curious eyebrow, locking eyes with him.

"I seeee," Billy drawled, giving Dipper a knowing look that made his stomach drop. There was no way Bill actually knew anything, right?

Dipper’s face burned brighter, and just as he opened his mouth to protest, the door to the Shack creaked open, and Grunkle Ford stepped out into the yard. His expression shifted from casual curiosity to something more tense and guarded when his eyes landed on Billy. Ford's gaze lingered for a moment too long, as if something about the boy didn’t sit quite right with him.

"Oh, greetings," Ford said cautiously, adjusting his glasses as he eyed Billy up and down. "Who are you, exactly?"

Billy tilted his head, a bemused smile forming on his lips. "Billy! And how are you, Six Fingers?"

Dipper’s heart dropped into his stomach as his foot instinctively shot out, kicking Billy in the leg, earning him a quick, startled glance. Did he seriously just call Ford 'Six Fingers'?

Ford tensed, his eyes widening in surprise. There was a brief, loaded silence as Billy quickly raised his hands in mock surrender. "Oops! I mean, I’ve just never seen a human with six fingers before." He shot a quick glance at Dipper, who gave a tiny, almost imperceptible nod, silently telling him to stick to the cover story.

Ford glanced down at his hand, his expression softening ever so slightly as he inspected his six fingers, the once-source of his self-consciousness. "Well, it is unusual, I suppose," he said, though there was a lingering suspicion in his tone. "The name’s Stanford. I haven’t seen you around here before. Did you move here recently?"

Billy nodded, his grin widening. "Yep! Just moved in a day ago. Thought I’d come check out this strange little town."

Ford’s eyes narrowed slightly. There was something about Billy’s demeanor, the way he spoke, that set off alarms in his head, though he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. The energy this boy gave off felt... wrong. Familiar in a way that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. He shook the feeling off for now, deciding it was probably nothing.

"Well, welcome to Gravity Falls," Ford said, though his voice was distant. "If you’ll excuse me, I have some errands to run. But it was... interesting to meet you, Billy."

Billy waved with an exaggerated flourish as Ford turned to leave, his posture still a little stiff. Once he was out of sight, Dipper let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. That was way too close.

“Six Fingers, huh?” Dipper muttered under his breath, glaring at Billy.

Billy smirked. “What can I say? Old habits die hard.”

Meanwhile, Mabel was completely oblivious to the tension that had just passed between them. She finished the last few stitches of the sweater and held it up proudly. "Ta-da! It’s done! You’re gonna love it, Dipper!" she declared, laying it out on the grass for everyone to admire.

Billy glanced at the sweater, then back at Mabel with a twinkle in his eye. "You really outdid yourself, Mabel. Dipper's gonna be the talk of the town in that thing." His tone was light and teasing, but Mabel beamed at the compliment, clearly taking it at face value.

She giggled. “Thanks, Billy! You’re fun—kinda weird, but fun!”

Dipper watched the exchange with growing unease. Of course Mabel liked Billy. Why wouldn’t she? He was charming, quick-witted, and had that same playful energy Mabel thrived on. And for now, Billy seemed content to play along, not letting his true identity slip—at least not yet.

As the afternoon wore on, Billy stuck around, joining Mabel in her arts and crafts projects, much to her delight. They laughed and joked, and Mabel showed off her collection of glitter, yarn, and googly eyes. Billy seemed genuinely amused by her antics, even adding in his own suggestions for "improvements" to her crafts.

Dipper, however, couldn’t shake the feeling of dread gnawing at him. He watched them interact, unable to relax. How long could this charade last before Mabel figured it out? Before Bill slipped up again? And what would happen when she finally realized who Billy really was?

For now, Mabel was clueless, laughing at Billy’s jokes and finding him more entertaining by the minute. But Dipper knew it was only a matter of time before the truth came out, and when it did, he had no idea how Mabel—or anyone else—would handle it.

Time slipped by faster than any of them realized. The sun had long dipped beneath the horizon, and the sky was now inky black, speckled with stars. The air around the Mystery Shack had cooled, a light breeze rustling the nearby trees. Ford had returned home a few hours earlier and, after observing Billy from a distance, had retreated inside. He hadn’t mentioned anything, but Dipper could tell Ford was quietly mulling over the odd energy Billy gave off.

Dipper glanced at his watch—11 PM. He couldn’t help but feel anxious the longer Billy stayed. He’d been subtly keeping an eye on them while Billy and Mabel hung out, chatting and laughing as though they’d known each other forever. It was disconcerting how easily Bill fit in. Mabel hadn’t grown tired of him at all. They’d spent the entire day talking, making crafts, and swapping stories, as if Billy were just another kid from town.

Finally, Dipper cleared his throat, standing a few steps away from where the two sat under the porch light. “It’s getting close to 11. I think you should get home soon, Billy,” he said, trying to keep his voice steady. There was no telling what could happen if Bill overstayed his welcome.

Billy glanced over at him, amber eyes glowing faintly in the dim light, his mischievous grin never faltering. "Well… I guess I-"

Before he could finish, Mabel, full of boundless energy even at this hour, bounced on her feet and interrupted him. “You should sleep over!” she exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement. “We could stay up late, tell ghost stories, or maybe watch one of those cheesy horror movies you mentioned earlier!”

Dipper’s heart leapt in panic. The last thing he needed was for Bill to stay overnight, where he could stir up even more trouble. He sighed, trying to sound firm without coming off as too suspicious. “Mabel, we just met him. Maybe another time, alright?”

Mabel’s face fell slightly, her lips forming a small pout, but she didn’t argue. “Fine… but next time for sure!” She shot Billy an apologetic look, and he simply winked, giving her a playful salute.

“Well, guess I better head out,” Billy said, standing up and stretching his arms above his head. “But hey, today was a blast. See ya around, Mabel, Pi-Dipper,” he added with a nod. There was something in his tone that made Dipper's skin prickle, but he tried to brush it off.

After saying their goodbyes, Dipper and Mabel watched Billy disappear into the woods, his figure fading into the darkness. Dipper let out a small sigh of relief, finally feeling the tension ease from his shoulders. He wasn’t entirely sure if Bill was telling the truth about being "mostly powerless," but for now, it seemed like he was just enjoying himself—no chaos, no destruction. Yet.

Back inside the attic, the twins began getting ready for bed. The familiar coziness of the old room settled around them like a comforting blanket, the soft glow of their bedside lamps casting warm shadows across the walls. Dipper sat on his bed, lost in thought, until something soft hit him in the chest.

He blinked and looked down to see the sweater Mabel had been working on earlier—purple, blue, and pink stripes running across the fabric. Mabel stood nearby, a proud smile on her face. “C’mon, I really want you to try it on!” she insisted, practically bouncing on her toes with excitement. “I think you’ll like it.”

Dipper hesitated for a moment, his fingers brushing against the soft material. He wasn’t used to this kind of attention when it came to his identity—he’d only recently started figuring things out for himself, and even then, he wasn’t exactly open about it. “I… I’ll put it on,” he said softly, “but I might not wear it outside. I’m not… that open about being bisexual yet.”

Mabel’s smile softened, her eyes full of understanding as she walked over and sat beside him. “That’s okay,” she said gently. “You don’t have to wear it outside. I just wanted to make something to show support for my brother.”

Her words hit Dipper harder than he expected. The lump in his throat grew, and for a moment, he couldn’t quite find the right words. Slowly, he slipped the sweater over his head, pulling it down until it rested comfortably against his skin. It was incredibly soft, the kind of fabric that felt like a warm hug. He glanced down at the colors, the pink and purple standing out against the blue in a way that felt… right. It felt like him.

“Thanks, Mabel,” Dipper said, his voice quieter now, but sincere. He looked up at her, meeting her eyes with a small smile. “It’s perfect.”

Mabel beamed, her whole face lighting up. “I knew it! You look amazing, Dipper! Seriously, that sweater is so you.” She clapped her hands together, clearly thrilled that he liked it.

Dipper couldn’t help but smile a little wider, the warmth of the moment sinking in. Despite everything that was going on—Bill, the weirdness, the uncertainty—he was reminded, yet again, of how lucky he was to have a sister like Mabel. She always knew how to make him feel like he wasn’t alone, even when the world got complicated.

As the night grew quieter, they both settled into their beds, the soft sounds of the forest drifting through the open window. For now, the threat of Bill loomed in the background, but at least Dipper had this moment of peace. He glanced over at the sweater draped across his bed, a symbol of his sister’s unwavering support, and let himself relax for the first time that day.

Whatever happened next, at least he wouldn’t face it alone.

A few weeks had passed, and in that time, Bill—still in his human guise as "Billy"—had become a somewhat regular part of their group. Mabel seemed completely at ease around him, but Dipper, despite his efforts, couldn’t shake the unease gnawing at the back of his mind. Bill didn’t seem to be plotting anything, no strange occurrences or sinister schemes had surfaced, but Dipper knew better than to let his guard down. It didn’t matter how "human" Billy acted—he was still Bill Cipher, and Dipper didn’t trust him.

Today, Mabel had mentioned she was bringing someone along with her to hang out, so Dipper and Billy had made their way to a clearing in the forest to wait. Bill was lounging on the blanket Mabel had spread out the last time they hung out, lazily making the arts and crafts supplies float in the air with a wave of his hand. The scissors, glue sticks, and paper spun in slow, lazy circles above him as he grinned mischievously.

“You’re not much for conversation, huh, Pine Tree?” Bill said, his smirk growing as he glanced over at Dipper.

Dipper frowned, feeling the irritation rise in him. “You know… Are you permanently stuck in this human form, or can you just shapeshift into it whenever you want?” He was genuinely curious, but asking the question made him feel a little uneasy. The last thing he wanted was to encourage Bill to go back to his true form.

Bill’s smirk widened, and without missing a beat, he dropped the floating craft supplies onto the ground and stood up. “Oh, you wanna see the real me, Pine Tree?” His voice took on that familiar eerie tone that always sent a shiver down Dipper’s spine. “You only had to ask.”

Dipper’s stomach twisted as Bill’s human form began to shift. His skin turned bright yellow, taking on a rough, brick-like texture, and his once-normal human features melted and warped. His eyes merged into a single, all-seeing eye, and his body began to shrink and transform, his clothes morphing into the flat, black lines of the bow tie that had once adorned his triangular form. In moments, there he was—the floating, yellow triangle Dipper had hoped never to see again.

Bill hovered in the air, spinning slowly as his single eye focused on Dipper. “Better, Pine Tree?” he teased, his voice oozing with smugness. “You think I look cuter like this?~” He gave a little twirl, as if showing off.

Dipper’s face turned red, and he quickly shook his head. “I don’t think you’re cute!” he sputtered, feeling flustered by the sudden shift. “I was just curious about your stupid shape-shifting!”

Bill floated closer, smirking even wider. “Oh, come on, you can admit it~” he teased. “You’re just dying to tell me which form you prefer. This—” He spun in the air again. “Or Billy? I can go back to being your new best buddy if that’s what you want.”

Before Dipper could respond, a voice echoed through the trees, cutting through the strange tension. “Did we have to do this on a muddy day?” The voice was unmistakably Pacifica’s, and Dipper immediately turned to see her stepping into view, followed by Mabel. Pacifica was dressed down in casual clothes—nothing fancy, but still fashionable, with her makeup done perfectly, as always.

“That’s why I said not to wear your fancy clothes,” Mabel was saying, grinning up at her friend. “You always freak out about mud!”

Pacifica rolled her eyes but smiled, clearly used to Mabel’s teasing by now. She turned her gaze toward the clearing, her eyes landing on Dipper and Billy. “Is this that ‘Billy’ person you were telling me about?” she asked, raising an eyebrow as she eyed the mysterious newcomer.

Bill—back in his human form now—gave a dramatic bow. “Yep! Nice to meet you, Llama- I mean, Pacifica!” He caught himself just in time, grinning as he corrected the slip-up. Dipper shot him a warning look, but Bill only winked at him in response.

Pacifica nodded slowly, clearly sizing up ‘Billy’ with a skeptical look before sitting down on the blanket with Mabel. “Well, at least you don’t seem totally weird,” she muttered, though there was still a hint of suspicion in her tone.

Mabel, ever the optimist, didn’t seem to notice Pacifica’s hesitation and immediately started unpacking snacks and crafts. “So, what do you think?” Mabel asked brightly, her excitement practically infectious. “Isn’t Billy fun? He’s got all these cool stories, and he’s super funny!” She nudged Dipper with her elbow, though he was still standing awkwardly to the side, trying to keep his cool.

“Yeah… real funny,” Dipper muttered under his breath, watching Bill carefully as the demon-turned-human sat down across from Pacifica, looking far too comfortable for Dipper’s liking.

Pacifica crossed her arms, her gaze still fixed on Billy. “I guess we’ll see,” she said, her tone less enthusiastic than Mabel’s.

As the afternoon wore on, Bill started picking up on something in the air—something that Dipper had been too preoccupied to notice. Mabel, who had been energetically working on her latest knitting project for Waddles just an hour ago, was now sitting beside Pacifica, her focus completely shifted. Her hands held the half-finished sweater, but her eyes weren’t on her work—they were locked on Pacifica, who was absorbed in folding intricate pieces of origami. Mabel’s face was flushed, her cheeks dusted with a soft, rosy red that was hard to miss. Every time Pacifica glanced up or smiled, Mabel’s expression softened, a small smile creeping across her lips.

Bill, lounging lazily beside Dipper, leaned over and whispered, his voice carrying that familiar slyness. “Hey, Pine Tree.” His voice pulled Dipper out of his thoughts, and he turned to look at Bill, his brow furrowing. Bill’s golden eyes gleamed mischievously as he tilted his head toward Mabel and Pacifica. “Does Shooting Star have a thing for Llama over there? I mean, maybe her face is dyed red, but I’m pretty sure that’s a blush.”

Mabel wasn’t being her usual loud and boisterous self. She wasn’t jumping up to impress Pacifica or throwing herself into over-the-top antics to get attention like she did for other crushes. Instead, she was quieter, almost reserved, her gaze soft as she watched Pacifica’s nimble fingers work on the delicate folds of paper.

Dipper let out a small sigh and nodded slightly. “I’m pretty sure she does,” he muttered, his eyes flicking back to Bill.

Bill smirked, his eyes narrowing as if he was watching an entertaining show. “Interesting… I didn’t think Shooting Star swung that way.” He glanced at Mabel again, a curious glint in his eye. “Guess I was wrong. That’s what makes you humans so fascinating—always full of surprises.”

Dipper glared at him, not liking the tone in Bill’s voice. “Don’t even think about messing with her,” he warned, his voice low and firm. “This is not some game for you to play with.”

Bill held up his hands in mock surrender, though the smirk on his face never wavered. “Relax, Pine Tree, I’m not plotting anything… this time,” he said with a wink. “I just think it’s cute. Little Shooting Star has a crush on Llama, and she’s all shy about it. Who knew she could be subtle?” He laughed softly, clearly amused by the situation.

Dipper’s frown deepened, but he didn’t respond. Instead, he kept his eyes on Mabel and Pacifica, his mind racing. Should he talk to Mabel about it? She hadn’t said anything to him, and knowing Mabel, if she had a crush, she’d normally be loud and proud about it. But this was different. Maybe Mabel didn’t even fully realize it herself yet.

Meanwhile, Pacifica, seemingly oblivious to the subtle tension around her, was carefully creasing the final fold of her origami swan. She glanced up, catching Mabel staring, and smiled. “What do you think? Pretty good, huh?” she asked, holding up the delicate paper bird for Mabel to see.

Mabel blinked, pulled out of her daze, and her blush deepened as she gave a quick nod. “Yeah! It looks amazing!” she said, a little too enthusiastically, her voice just a touch higher than normal. She scooted a little closer, her hands fidgeting with the yarn in her lap. “I can never get the folds right when I try. You’re, like, so good at it.”

Pacifica chuckled softly, clearly pleased with the compliment. “Thanks. I guess it’s just practice. I could show you how, if you want?” she offered, holding out another piece of paper.

Mabel’s eyes lit up at the suggestion, and she eagerly nodded. “Yeah! I’d love that!” she said, setting her knitting aside to take the paper from Pacifica’s hands. Their fingers brushed for a moment, and Mabel froze, her face turning an even deeper shade of red.

Bill snickered under his breath, watching the interaction with amusement. “Oh yeah, she’s got it bad,” he whispered to Dipper, who shot him another warning glare.

Mabel, completely unaware of the exchange between Dipper and Bill, focused on the paper in her hands as Pacifica leaned closer to guide her through the folds. Their heads were inches apart, and Mabel’s heart raced in her chest. She could smell Pacifica’s perfume—a light, floral scent that made her feel dizzy in the best way possible. She tried to focus on the origami, but all she could think about was how close Pacifica was, and how much she wanted to impress her.

“Like this?” Mabel asked, her voice a little shaky as she made the first fold.

Pacifica smiled and nodded. “Exactly. You’ve got it.”

As Mabel continued folding, she snuck glances at Pacifica, her heart doing little flips in her chest. Maybe she hadn’t fully realized it before, but now it was becoming clear. She liked Pacifica—a lot. And for the first time in a long time, Mabel felt nervous. It wasn’t like the silly crushes she’d had before. This felt different. Real.

Dipper watched from the sidelines, feeling a strange mix of emotions. On the one hand, he wanted to be supportive. He loved Mabel more than anything, and if she liked Pacifica, then he’d back her up, no question. But on the other hand, he couldn’t shake the protective older-brother instinct that flared up whenever his sister got close to anyone.

Beside him, Bill chuckled again, clearly enjoying the show. “Ah, young love,” he said, stretching his arms behind his head. “So awkward. So… fragile.”

Dipper rolled his eyes, resisting the urge to snap at Bill again. He’d deal with that later. Right now, his focus was on Mabel—and what, if anything, he should do next.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows through the forest, Dipper finished with the little wooden stick house he had been building. He glanced at the darkening sky and noticed the chill that started creeping into the air. Pacifica seemed to notice too, her posture shifting as she packed away her origami.

“Hmmm, it’s getting late,” Pacifica said, tucking her hair behind her ear. “I might need to head home soon.”

Billy, who had been fiddling with a blob of string and sticks, perked up. “Hey, how about a sleepover?” He suggested, flashing his trademark grin. “Sho—uh, Mabel, didn’t you say we’d have a sleepover sometime? Why not all four of us?”

Mabel's eyes lit up instantly, her face practically glowing with excitement. “Yes! That sounds awesome!” She was already on her feet, her energy contagious. Dipper, however, felt a bit hesitant. The idea of Billy staying over still made him feel a little uneasy, given that he was secretly Bill Cipher. But before Dipper could voice his concerns, Pacifica spoke up.

“You know what? That actually sounds kind of fun. I'll head home and grab some extra clothes,” Pacifica said with a rare, casual smile. “Meet you guys back at the Shack.”

Mabel was practically bouncing off the ground with excitement. “Yes! I can’t wait, it's going to be so much fun!” she exclaimed, clapping her hands.

With that settled, they all packed up their things and made their way back to the Mystery Shack. Once inside, Dipper and Mabel headed toward the living room, where Ford and Stan were lounging.

"Hey, Grunkles!" Mabel called cheerily. “So, we were thinking of having a sleepover tonight with Pacifica and Billy. Is that okay?”

Ford looked up from his book, his brows knitting together in slight concern. His eyes lingered on Billy a moment too long. “Billy, huh? You’re the new kid in town, right?” Stan asked cautiously.

Billy, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed, smiled innocently. “That’s me! Just a harmless, bored guy looking for something fun to do,” he said, but Dipper could see the subtle glint in his eyes.

Ford didn’t look entirely convinced. He closed his book and looked at Dipper for confirmation. Dipper shifted uncomfortably under his gaze but nodded. “Yeah, Grunkle Ford. It’s just a sleepover,” he said, trying to sound casual despite the swirling thoughts in his head. Ford seemed to take the hint, but he still didn’t look entirely at ease.

“Alright, fine. You can have your sleepover, but the door to the attic stays cracked open,” Ford said sternly, clearly not trusting Billy completely.

Stan, who had been half-listening to the conversation, finally chimed in. “Yeah, yeah, just no pranks and no setting anything on fire,” he said, waving his hand. Then, with a sly grin, he added, “And the open-door thing is non-negotiable.”

Mabel flashed a thumbs-up. “Deal!”

A short while later, Pacifica arrived at the Shack, carrying a small overnight bag. She looked a little out of her element, eyeing the rustic interior of the Shack before shrugging it off. “Alright, I’m here. So, where are we sleeping?” she asked, glancing around the attic.

They had already set up a few sleeping bags, but Pacifica frowned when she saw hers. “The floor?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Mabel, ever the problem solver, waved her hand dismissively. “No worries! You can share my bed if you want. It’s a full size, so there’s plenty of room.”

Pacifica hesitated for a second before agreeing, though she didn’t seem thrilled about the idea. “Fine, I guess that works.”

Billy, who had been observing from the side with a mischievous glint in his eyes, chuckled. “Aww, that’s cute,” he teased. Then, with a dramatic hand to his chest, he turned to Dipper with a mock-serious tone. “So, Pine Tree, does that mean you and I will be sharing a bed too?”

Dipper’s face turned beet red, and he waved his hands frantically. “W-what? No! Absolutely not!” he stammered, causing Billy to laugh even harder.

“I’m kidding, I’m kidding! You’re too easy to mess with, Pine Tree,” Billy said, grinning from ear to ear as Dipper’s blush deepened.

Mabel, oblivious to the teasing, had already begun chatting with Pacifica about what movies they should watch later and what snacks they should eat. The room was quickly filled with laughter and chatter, though Dipper couldn’t shake the uneasiness in his stomach. Despite the fun atmosphere, there was still something unnerving about having Bill Cipher—no matter how ‘harmless’ he claimed to be—sleeping just a few feet away.

They all settled into their spots as the evening wound down. Mabel and Pacifica chatted and giggled from Mabel’s bed while Billy casually stretched out in his sleeping bag, making jokes here and there. Dipper found himself lying awake longer than the others, his eyes occasionally drifting toward Billy, who looked relaxed but somehow out of place among the group.

Dipper pulled his blanket up and closed his eyes, trying to push away the lingering doubts. “Maybe things are different now,” he told himself, though he wasn’t entirely sure he believed it.

Dipper blinked groggily as he woke up, rubbing his eyes and trying to adjust to the faint light in the room. It took him a moment to realize something was off. He turned his head slightly and saw Billy—Bill—sitting up, staring blankly at the ceiling while absentmindedly making a bunch of random sweaters float around the room. Some of them were Mabel’s, while others seemed to be conjured out of nowhere.

“Bill, what are you doing?” Dipper muttered, still half-asleep. His voice was groggy but laced with annoyance.

Billy looked over at him and grinned, his glowing amber eyes catching the dim light. “Oh, nothing much, Pine Tree. I don’t need to sleep, remember? Just passing the time ‘til morning.” He paused, his gaze shifting over to Mabel’s bed, where Mabel and Pacifica were sound asleep. A small, amused smile tugged at his lips. “Aw, look at them. All cuddly.”

Dipper turned his head, noticing the two girls as well. Pacifica was sprawled on her back, still managing to look dignified even in her sleep, while Mabel was curled up, her head resting against Pacifica's chest. It was... adorable, Dipper had to admit. But he quickly shifted his attention back to Billy.

“Hm. Don’t mess with them,” he warned, his tone serious but sleepy.

Billy gave a faux-innocent shrug, his grin widening. “Wouldn’t dream of it, Pine Tree.”

Dipper sighed and lay back down, pulling the blanket over his head in an attempt to get comfortable again. But no sooner had he closed his eyes than Billy's voice cut through the silence.

“Hey, Pine Tree, the floor’s chilly,” Billy complained, his voice adopting a whiny tone. “Can I lay in your bed?”

Dipper felt his face heat up, his tired brain struggling to comprehend the question. “What? No!” he sputtered. “If you’re cold, then… I don’t know, shapeshift into a blanket or something!” His heart thumped loudly in his chest as the absurdity of the situation sank in.

He heard the sound of Billy shifting around in his bean bag. “C'mon, pleeease?” Billy practically purred, dragging out the word in that annoyingly smooth voice of his.

Dipper groaned, burying his face deeper into his pillow. His exhaustion was winning over his common sense. “Fine,” he muttered, “Just let me sleep.”

He felt the bed dip slightly as Billy moved, sliding under the blanket beside him. Dipper turned onto his side, putting as much distance as he could between himself and Bill without falling off the edge of the bed. He stared at the wall, trying to ignore the strange energy that Billy always seemed to radiate, even when he was being ‘human.’

As he lay there, though, his curiosity got the better of him. He chanced a glance over his shoulder, and his breath caught for a moment. Bill was lying still, staring up at the ceiling, but Dipper could see his eyes glowing faintly in the dark. They looked... different. His pupils were unnaturally sharp, more pointy and angular than they should’ve been for a human.

“Enjoying the view, Pine Tree?” Bill’s voice came out in a low, teasing whisper, catching Dipper off guard. His smirk was unmistakable, even in the dark.

Dipper immediately turned away, feeling his face burn with embarrassment. “Shut up,” he mumbled, pulling the blanket up to his chin.

“Aw, don’t be like that,” Billy whispered playfully, his voice almost too close for comfort. “You know, I’m really not all that bad once you get used to me.”

“Yeah, well,” Dipper grumbled, keeping his back turned, “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this.”

Billy just chuckled softly, the sound sending an odd shiver down Dipper’s spine. “Suit yourself, Pine Tree.”

The room fell into a tense quiet after that. Dipper’s mind swirled with conflicting thoughts. Despite Bill's teasing and unpredictability, there was something unsettling about being this close to him. Yet, oddly enough, a part of Dipper felt like Bill wasn’t as dangerous as he once was. Maybe he really was powerless... or maybe that was just wishful thinking.

As he tried to push those thoughts aside and focus on sleep, he couldn’t help but wonder what the next morning would bring—whether Billy would keep up this strange façade of being harmless or if something darker was brewing beneath the surface.

More time had passed, and despite his deep-seated mistrust, Dipper began to wonder if Bill really had changed. There were signs—small ones—that suggested a different side to the former dream demon. Bill had been getting better at calling people by their actual names. He no longer referred to Mabel as "Shooting Star" or Ford as "Six Fingers" when they were around. Still, when it was just Dipper, Bill would slide back into his old habits, calling them those names.

It was hard to say exactly when Dipper started to feel more comfortable around Bill. Maybe it was the way Bill always seemed genuinely curious about what the others were doing, or maybe it was the fact that Dipper had spent so much time with him under the guise of "keeping an eye on him." He reasoned that being around Bill was simply a precaution—a necessity, not enjoyment. But that didn’t explain the moments when he found himself relaxing in Bill’s company, even laughing at some of his sarcastic comments.

Recently, Bill had decided to change his appearance again. His blonde hair, once free and chaotic, was now slicked back and tied into a bun, a style that somehow made him even more annoyingly good-looking. Dipper couldn't help but notice—and that only made his internal conflict worse. He didn't have feelings for Bill. He couldn't. Mabel had teased him about it, as she always did, but Dipper knew it wasn’t true. At least, that’s what he kept telling himself.

The problem was, lately, Dipper had started second-guessing everything. He couldn't figure out why he felt so conflicted, or why Bill's presence was becoming harder to ignore. And it wasn’t just because of the slicked-back hair or his perfectly tailored human form. It was the way Bill would glance at him, or the way he'd sit just a little too close, as if daring Dipper to react. Bill was always testing him—pushing his boundaries.

One evening, as Dipper sat in his room, lost in thought and wrestling with his emotions, there was a knock at the door. “Dipper?” Ford’s voice came from the hallway. “Billy stopped by—”

Before Ford could finish his sentence, Billy casually strolled past him, entering the room without waiting for an invitation. He flopped down onto the bed beside Dipper, sitting just a little too close, as always. There was no mistaking the intentional proximity. Bill did it on purpose. Ford hesitated in the doorway for a moment, glancing between them, but then left without saying anything.

“So,” Dipper started, trying to regain control of the situation, “why are you stopping by?”

Bill leaned back, resting on his elbows with that familiar, infuriating grin. "Can’t a guy just want some company? You’re always so suspicious, Pine Tree." He rolled his eyes but then glanced away for a second, his expression dimming just slightly. “But since you asked, I was… bored. Things have been dull without, y'know, infinite power. Kind of sucks being a human and powerless.”

Dipper frowned, caught off guard by the sudden change in Bill's tone. It wasn’t like him to admit vulnerability, even if it was wrapped in sarcasm. As the night went on, Bill continued to drop cryptic hints about how he felt lost. He spoke vaguely about his ‘loss of purpose’ since his power had been stripped away, and how everything in this strange human world felt hollow compared to what he once had.

It was unsettling. For the first time, Dipper saw a glimpse of something other than manipulation in Bill’s eyes. The more Bill talked, the more Dipper found himself wondering if there was more to Bill than just his scheming and mind games. Could it be that he was really feeling lost? Was there an actual person beneath the surface of the trickster demon?

Dipper couldn’t help but wonder if Bill was just toying with his emotions, weaving some new plan to manipulate him. But there was something in Bill's voice tonight—a depth Dipper had never heard before. It made him question whether Bill was still the same villain he once knew, or if maybe—just maybe—there was something more to him than Dipper had ever realized.

"You're really laying it on thick tonight," Dipper said after a long silence, trying to break the tension with a half-hearted joke.

Bill chuckled but didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he looked at Dipper with a softness that made his usual sharp gaze feel almost… human. "You ever wonder what happens to someone like me, if all my power ends up leaving?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "Do I just disappear? Fade away? Maybe that’s why I stick around. I don't want to disappear, Pine Tree."

Dipper stared at him, unsure of how to respond. For the first time, Bill didn’t sound like he was bluffing. There was an undeniable weight to his words, and it left Dipper questioning everything all over again. Was Bill still manipulating him? Or had Dipper been wrong about him this whole time?

“I... Um...” Dipper stammered, his thoughts in a whirl as he stared at Bill, unsure how to respond. Something about Bill’s sudden vulnerability left him feeling conflicted. He hesitated, reaching a hand out tentatively but stopped short of actually hugging him, unsure of what to do next. Bill, of course, noticed the gesture immediately.

Bill sat up slightly, watching Dipper with an unreadable expression before slowly leaning closer. Dipper, with more caution than he expected, wrapped an arm softly around Bill, his heart pounding in his chest. To his surprise, Bill didn’t pull away or make a sarcastic comment. Instead, he seemed to relax, his weight settling as his head gently lolled onto Dipper’s shoulder. For a moment, the world outside their small bubble didn’t exist.

Bill let out a quiet sigh, almost like he couldn’t believe what was happening either. "This feels... shockingly nice," he whispered, his voice so low it barely reached Dipper’s ears. Dipper’s mind raced, torn between disbelief and the odd comfort of the moment. Was this real? Was Bill really letting his guard down?

Before Dipper could even begin to respond, the door creaked open.

"Dipper?" Ford’s voice cut through the stillness, and both Dipper and Bill jumped slightly. Bill, always quick to mask his emotions, slipped out of Dipper’s hold and sat up, though there was still an odd serenity in his demeanor. Ford stood in the doorway, eyebrows raised, clearly sensing something strange had just happened, though he made no immediate comment.

“Uh… could I talk to you for a moment?” Ford asked, his tone even but laced with a subtle urgency. He glanced briefly at Bill before returning his focus to Dipper, making it clear who the conversation was really about.

Dipper shot a glance at Bill, who only gave a slight shrug and leaned back casually, as if unconcerned by whatever Ford had to say. "I'll just wait here, Pine Tree. You know where to find me," he said, his usual nonchalance creeping back into his voice.

Dipper followed Ford out of the room, closing the door behind him. They walked down the hall in silence, the atmosphere thick with tension until they reached the study. Ford shut the door behind them, turning to face Dipper with a seriousness that made Dipper’s stomach tighten.

“Dipper,” Ford began, keeping his voice low, “I need to talk to you about Billy.” The way he said the name made it clear he didn’t entirely believe it. “There’s something off about him. I’ve been observing him these past few weeks, and I can’t shake the feeling that he isn’t what he seems.”

Dipper swallowed, trying to keep his face neutral. He knew this conversation was coming—Ford wasn’t the type to ignore strange behavior, and Bill’s very presence was bound to set off alarm bells for him. But Dipper wasn’t ready to admit the truth. Not yet.

“What do you mean?” Dipper asked, playing innocent.

Ford frowned, pacing a little as he spoke. “I’ve encountered... entities before. Creatures that can mimic humans—sometimes even personalities from other dimensions. Billy has that kind of energy, like something isn’t quite right with him. He could be from a different dimension altogether, posing as a human for reasons we don’t yet understand.”

Dipper’s mind raced. He couldn’t let anything slip about Billy really being Bill Cipher. That was a secret that needed to stay buried. He couldn’t even trust Ford with that information, not now. So he nodded, pretending to think it over. “I get what you’re saying, Grunkle Ford, but… Billy hasn’t done anything suspicious since he got here. He just… seems like a regular guy.”

Ford narrowed his eyes, clearly not convinced. “A regular guy who showed up out of nowhere, with no history or background? Who conveniently knows things he shouldn’t—like the time he commented on my six fingers when we first met. Not to mention the strange aura he gives off. It’s subtle, but it’s there.”

Dipper shifted uncomfortably, knowing Ford wasn’t entirely wrong. Bill had slipped up a few times, but those were mistakes that had gone unnoticed by Mabel and the others. Ford, however, was far too sharp. He always had been. Dipper needed to steer the conversation away from dangerous territory.

“Maybe he’s just eccentric,” Dipper said, trying to sound nonchalant. “I mean, we’ve met weirder people in Gravity Falls, right? Just because he’s a little strange doesn’t mean he’s dangerous.”

Ford sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Dipper, I’m not saying he’s dangerous—at least, not yet. But something doesn’t add up, and I don’t want you or Mabel getting too close to him until we know more about who— or what—he really is. There are too many unknowns here.”

Dipper nodded, doing his best to appear thoughtful, though inside he was battling a storm of emotions. “I’ll be careful, Grunkle Ford. I’ll keep an eye on him.”

Ford looked at him closely, as if trying to read between the lines of what Dipper wasn’t saying. After a moment, he nodded, though his expression remained tight. “Good. Just… be on guard. Gravity Falls is no stranger to deception, and I don’t want you falling into something dangerous.”

With that, Ford turned and left the room, leaving Dipper standing alone, his mind buzzing with anxiety. He’d dodged a bullet this time, but how long could he keep Bill’s true identity hidden? And more importantly—how long could he keep pretending that Bill wasn’t getting under his skin in a way that made him question everything?

Dipper barely had time to brace himself before the door burst open with a loud bang, and Mabel tackled him to the ground with enough force to knock the breath out of him. "Dipper!" she shouted, her voice a mix of excitement and energy as she landed on top of him, pinning him down with her enthusiasm.

"Mabel!" Dipper wheezed, trying to catch his breath while she bounced on top of him. He gently pushed her off, sitting up and rubbing the back of his head. "What... what was that for?"

Mabel's eyes were practically glowing, her grin stretching ear to ear. "I have HUGE news!" she exclaimed, completely ignoring his question as she grabbed his shoulders and shook him. "Guess what, guess what, guess what!!"

Dipper raised an eyebrow, blinking at her. "Uh… you won the lottery?"

"No!" Mabel laughed, shaking her head so hard her hair whipped back and forth. "Way better! I confessed to Pacifica!"

Dipper’s eyes widened. "Wait… what? You… told her?"

Mabel nodded furiously, her cheeks flushing with excitement. "Yup! I told her everything, Dip! All those feelings I've been keeping inside, all that nervousness—it’s finally out! And guess what?" She paused for dramatic effect, her grin somehow widening even more. "She feels the same way!"

Dipper stared at her, processing the information. "Wait, wait. So you and Pacifica are... together now?"

Mabel squealed, bouncing up and down on her knees. "YES! We're officially girlfriends!" Her voice cracked with excitement, and she clasped her hands together. "Oh my gosh, I can't believe it, Dipper! She was so sweet about it, too! She said she liked me for a while but didn’t know how to bring it up! Can you believe that? Pacifica Northwest—the queen of cool—was nervous to tell me she liked me!"

Dipper felt a wave of happiness for his sister, a genuine smile forming on his face despite the whirlwind of emotions he’d been dealing with himself. "Wow, Mabel, that's awesome! I'm so happy for you guys."

"I know!" Mabel beamed, her face glowing with joy. "We were walking back after getting some snacks, and it just felt like the right time, so I took a deep breath and said it! I thought I was going to throw up from nerves, but then she smiled and told me she liked me too!" Mabel hugged herself as if reliving the moment, her excitement palpable. "It was like a scene from one of those cheesy romance movies—only better because it was real!"

Dipper chuckled, rubbing his shoulder where she'd tackled him. "Well, I’m glad it went well. Pacifica seems like a good match for you."

Mabel nodded, her eyes sparkling. "She's great, Dip! I feel like we’re even closer now, and we’re gonna do all kinds of cute couple stuff like stargazing, making friendship bracelets, and maybe even going on a date! Can you imagine? Me, Pacifica? It’s going to be epic!"

Dipper couldn’t help but laugh at her excitement. "Sounds like you two are going to have a lot of fun."

Mabel suddenly gasped, her eyes lighting up again. "Oh! And don’t tell anyone yet, okay? We want to keep it a secret for now—just until we’re ready to tell everyone else." She winked at him, placing a finger to her lips. "It’s our little secret!"

Dipper smiled and nodded. "Got it. My lips are sealed." He was genuinely happy for her, and it was good to see her in such high spirits.

Just then, a voice called from across the room. "What’s all this whispering about, Pine Tree? Secrets, huh?" Billy, lounging casually on Dipper’s bed, had an amused smirk on his face, clearly having overheard part of the conversation.

Dipper shot him a look. "Nothing for you to worry about."

Bill raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "Oh, I’m not worried. Just curious~"

Mabel narrowed her eyes at Billy but grinned. "Nope! Not telling you, Mr. Mystery! This one’s between me and my bro."

Billy chuckled and leaned back against the pillows. "Alright, alright. Keep your secrets. But I’m sure I’ll figure it out eventually~"

Dipper rolled his eyes, but the smile remained on his face. For now, at least, Mabel’s happiness was more than enough to push aside the uncertainty he felt around Billy. Besides, after everything that had just happened, there was no way he was letting Bill Cipher ruin this moment.

More time passed, and Dipper found that Bill had been sticking close to him more often. At first, it made him uncomfortable, but as the days went on, he found himself minding less. It was strange, the way he felt drawn to Bill’s company, even if he didn’t fully trust him. But there was something about having him around that… felt nice.

One warm afternoon, Mabel decided it was the perfect time for a day at the lake, and she had gotten the whole gang together: Grenda, Candy, Pacifica, Dipper, and, of course, Billy. They had packed towels, snacks, and plenty of sunscreen, and by the time they reached the shimmering lake, everyone was buzzing with excitement.

"Come on, slowpokes!" Mabel called, already halfway to the water with Grenda and Candy hot on her heels. She was wearing her neon rainbow swimsuit, practically glowing in the sunlight as she dashed into the water, laughing with joy.

Pacifica followed a bit more cautiously, testing the water with her toes before stepping in, her expression shifting from hesitant to relaxed. "Not bad," she muttered to herself before wading deeper in.

Dipper stood at the shore, adjusting his swim trunks and glancing around. It had been a while since they'd all done something like this together, and he was looking forward to just relaxing. But his thoughts were quickly interrupted when Billy—shirtless—strode confidently past him, a smirk playing on his lips.

Dipper couldn’t help but notice that while Billy wasn’t exactly muscular, he was lean, fit in a subtle way that somehow made him even more infuriatingly good-looking. His skin was smooth, almost glowing in the sunlight, and Dipper could feel his face start to warm up as Billy got closer. He tried to brush it off, but each time Billy moved, Dipper's stomach did a little flip.

"Something wrong, Pine Tree?" Billy asked, his voice playful as he caught Dipper’s glance. He leaned in a little too close, his arm brushing lightly against Dipper’s.

Dipper nearly jumped out of his skin, taking a quick step back. "No! Nothing’s wrong. Just… just stay over there, okay?" He tried to keep his voice steady, but the heat in his face betrayed him.

Billy’s grin widened, clearly enjoying Dipper’s reaction. "Whatever you say~" he replied, but he didn’t exactly make an effort to stay far away. Every now and then, as they swam, he’d brush up against Dipper “by accident,” a smirk on his face each time it happened.

Mabel, oblivious to the tension between her brother and Billy, was splashing around with Grenda and Candy, who were having their own fun. They had built a makeshift floating raft out of pool noodles and were trying to balance on it without tipping over.

Pacifica, meanwhile, was lounging on a large inflatable, enjoying the sun but occasionally looking over at Mabel with a small smile. Dipper could tell that things between them were going well, and a part of him was relieved that Mabel seemed so happy.

As Dipper floated on his back, trying to clear his head, he felt another light bump—Billy, again. Dipper shot him an exasperated look. "Seriously? Can you not?"

Billy chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "What? I’m just swimming, Pine Tree. No need to get so flustered." He swam a bit closer, his voice lowering just enough for Dipper to hear, "Unless... you want me close~"

Dipper's face flushed an even deeper shade of red, and he quickly turned away, swimming toward the others to put some distance between himself and Billy. But even as he tried to focus on the splashing and laughing of the others, he couldn’t shake the strange feeling Billy left him with—a mix of frustration, confusion, and something else he wasn’t quite ready to name.

Billy’s laughter echoed behind him, soft but clear. "I think you like me more than you let on, Pine Tree~"

Dipper muttered under his breath, trying to ignore the comment, but the warmth in his cheeks stayed long after the words faded.

As the sun began to set and the group eventually made their way back to the shore, Dipper couldn’t help but notice how close Billy stayed—always within arm's reach, his presence constant. And no matter how much Dipper tried to focus on anything else, he found his thoughts drifting back to that smug grin, those teasing remarks, and the way his heart seemed to race whenever Billy got a little too close.

Maybe Mabel’s right. Dipper thought to himself, a sense of dread and curiosity mingling in his chest. Maybe I do like him... but I really, really shouldn’t.

After some time, Dipper waded out of the lake, water dripping from his hair and swimsuit as he trudged over to the shore. The sun was beginning to dip lower, casting a warm orange glow over the clearing. He spotted Mabel sitting on a towel, her neon swimsuit still slightly wet as she munched on a chocolate bar. Her legs were stretched out, toes wiggling in the fading sunlight.

She looked up and grinned as he plopped down next to her. “Hey, Dipper!” she said with her usual brightness, her eyes gleaming mischievously as she watched him catch his breath.

Dipper leaned back on his elbows, trying to act casual, but his thoughts were still swirling with the tension from earlier. He felt his face flush, but this time it wasn’t from the sun or exertion. His mind kept replaying Billy’s teasing words and how close he’d been—too close.

Mabel, ever the observant sibling, didn’t let it slip by unnoticed. She leaned toward him, nudging him lightly with her elbow. "Sooo..." she drawled, a knowing grin spreading across her face. "You were looking kinda flustered out there, Dip-Dop. Like, really flustered."

Dipper glanced at her, his brow furrowing. "What? No, I wasn’t! I was just swimming."

Mabel giggled, her grin growing even wider. "Oh, you soooo were!" She popped another piece of chocolate in her mouth, chewing thoughtfully. "Especially when Billy got all up in your space. You were practically a tomato! What’s up with that?" She wiggled her eyebrows dramatically, clearly enjoying herself.

Dipper rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t shake the awkward heat creeping up his neck again. "I was not! He just—he’s annoying, okay? That’s all."

Mabel leaned even closer, lowering her voice in a conspiratorial whisper. "Uh-huh… Sure. Annoying in a 'can’t stop looking at him' way?" She gave him a playful nudge. "You have a crush on him, don’t you?"

Dipper froze, his body going rigid at her words. His mind raced, desperately searching for a way to deny it, to brush it off with a laugh or a sarcastic comment—but nothing came. He could feel Mabel’s eyes boring into him, waiting for a response, but he stayed silent.

The silence, of course, only made Mabel's eyes widen with realization. She gasped, dramatically placing a hand over her mouth. "Oh. My. GOSH!" she squealed, bouncing excitedly. "You do have a crush on him! Dipper Pines, I knew it!"

"Mabel!" Dipper hissed, looking around to make sure no one else had heard her outburst. He tugged on her arm, trying to pull her back down onto the towel. "Would you keep it down?! I do not—"

But Mabel was already scheming, her eyes narrowing as she grinned like a Cheshire cat. She crossed her arms, tapping a finger to her chin as though deep in thought. "Hmm… this is too good. You like Billy!" She poked him in the ribs teasingly. "I mean, he is pretty cute, you know. That hair, those smirks—"

Dipper buried his face in his hands, groaning loudly. "Mabel, stop! It’s not like that!"

"Ohhh, I beg to differ," Mabel said, her voice full of glee. "You’re blushing just thinking about him! I can’t believe I didn’t notice sooner! And here I thought I was the only one who’d end up with a summer romance. But nope, it’s my bro too!" She laughed, clearly delighted by this new discovery.

Dipper could feel his face burning hotter by the second. "I don’t have a crush on him," he muttered again, though even he wasn’t entirely sure if he believed it at this point.

Dipper shot her a glare, but it lacked its usual bite. His heart was pounding in his chest, and he felt like the world was tilting just a little bit out of balance. "I don’t... I mean, it’s not like—"

Mabel’s grin grew wicked as she leaned in closer, practically vibrating with excitement. "You know what this means, right?" she said, her voice dripping with glee. "We’ve gotta set up a situation. Maybe you and Billy should go stargazing tonight. Just the two of you~"

Dipper’s eyes widened in horror. "Mabel, no."

"Oh, yes," Mabel said, nodding eagerly. "We could make it all romantic! I’ll get the blanket, maybe some snacks, and then you can sit under the stars, just you two! You’ll be so close~" She waved her hands dramatically in front of her face, mimicking some kind of dreamy scene. "Who knows? Maybe he’ll even try to hold your hand—"

"MAAABEL!" Dipper’s voice cracked as he practically jumped to his feet, mortified at the thought. "We are not doing that!"

Mabel cackled, clearly enjoying every second of his suffering. "Oh, you’re no fun!" She leaned back on her towel, looking up at the sky with a smirk. "But I am totally scheming something. Just wait, bro. This is going to be epic."

Dipper groaned again, flopping back onto the towel beside her, covering his face with his arm. He had no idea what Mabel was planning, but one thing was for sure: he was in for a long, long summer.

Dipper trudged back to the shack, kicking up dust and trying to ignore the swirling thoughts in his head. His shoulders slumped, and he sighed deeply. Part of him really hoped Mabel would let him be about this whole thing. But he knew his sister far too well—there was no way she'd let it go that easily. He could practically hear her scheming, coming up with some ridiculous plan to embarrass him even more.

—

Hours later, Dipper woke up, staring at the ceiling in the darkness of the attic. He rubbed his tired eyes, the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him. He knew Mabel would go all out with her matchmaking antics, and he wasn’t sure he could handle that kind of attention. Especially not with Bill.

After a few minutes of staring blankly into the shadows, he made a decision. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up, pulling on his hoodie. If he was going to do this, he needed to take control of the situation before Mabel made it ten times worse. He slipped out of the shack, the cool night air wrapping around him as he headed into the woods.

The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the trees. Dipper walked with purpose, crunching over dried leaves and sticks, his heart racing faster with every step. He wasn’t sure what he was going to say, but one thing was clear: confessing now, on his own terms, would be way less embarrassing than letting Mabel get involved.

Eventually, he reached a clearing, the same spot where they’d hung out earlier that day. He sat down on the soft grass, his thoughts swirling around him. How am I supposed to do this? He ran his fingers through his hair, anxiety creeping up his spine. But he knew he couldn’t back out now.

Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed through the clearing. “Pine tree!”

Dipper nearly jumped out of his skin, his heart pounding in his chest as he turned to see Bill standing at the edge of the clearing. He was wearing his usual smirk, the one that was somehow equal parts teasing and charming.

“Why are you out so late? Don’t you humans need sleep or something?” Bill asked, strolling over with a lazy confidence. He raised an eyebrow, studying Dipper with a knowing gleam in his eyes. “Oh, wait. Mabel mentioned something about you getting sleep-deprived when you’ve got a lot on your mind. So, what’s eating you, Pine tree?”

Dipper swallowed hard, trying to steady his nerves. His pulse quickened, but he forced himself to speak before he lost the nerve entirely. “I, uh… I have something to tell you,” he muttered, his voice a little shaky. “Something I’ve been thinking about.”

Bill tilted his head, his interest clearly piqued. “Oh? Do tell,” he said, leaning closer with a grin that made Dipper’s stomach flip.

Dipper shifted awkwardly on the grass, his heart racing as he avoided Bill’s gaze for a moment. He could feel the heat rising in his cheeks, but he had to get the words out. He had to say it, or he’d never stop second-guessing himself.

“I… I think I like you,” Dipper finally blurted out, his voice quiet but steady. He looked up at Bill, his eyes wide with a mixture of fear and anticipation. “Like, really like you. And I know it’s probably weird because you’re… well, you’re you. But I just wanted to tell you before—before Mabel does something crazy and makes it worse.”

For a second, Bill didn’t respond, just staring at Dipper with a curious expression. His yellow eyes glimmered in the moonlight, and Dipper couldn’t tell if he was amused or… something else.

Then, to Dipper’s surprise, Bill’s smirk softened into something more genuine. “Well, well,” Bill said, a light chuckle escaping his lips. “Didn’t see that coming, Pine tree.” He leaned back slightly, folding his arms over his chest as he considered Dipper’s words. “But I gotta say, you humans are full of surprises.”

Dipper’s heart sank for a moment, unsure of where this was going. But before he could spiral into a pit of embarrassment, Bill spoke again, his voice more relaxed, almost gentle. “You know, Pine tree… I kinda like you too,” Bill admitted, his gaze locking with Dipper’s. “You’re fun. A little neurotic, but in a cute way.”

Dipper blinked, taken aback by Bill’s sudden openness. “Wait… really?”

Bill nodded, a sly grin tugging at his lips. “Yeah, really. I mean, who wouldn’t want to hang out with someone who’s constantly trying to figure me out? It’s adorable.” He leaned in closer, his voice lowering to a playful whisper. “So, how about it, Pine tree? Wanna give this boyfriend thing a try?”

Dipper’s face flushed, his mind racing as he processed what Bill had just said. His awkward confession had actually worked. Bill—Bill Cipher—was willing to be his boyfriend. It was almost too surreal to believe.

But then Dipper felt a smile tug at his own lips, a nervous but genuine one. “Yeah,” he said, his voice soft but full of relief. “I think I’d like that.”

Bill’s grin widened, and without missing a beat, he leaned back on the grass, stretching his arms behind his head as if this whole situation was the most casual thing in the world. “Good. ‘Cause I’ve got a lot of time on my hands, Pine tree,” he teased. “And I plan on making this as entertaining as possible.”

Dipper let out a shaky laugh, the tension in his chest finally loosening. He wasn’t sure what the future held, but for the first time in a long while, he felt like maybe—just maybe—things were going to be okay.

Bill’s voice cut through the clearing again. “So, now that your mind is clear, are you sleeping in the woods or heading back to the shack?” He grinned, mischievous as ever. “If you do head back, I wouldn’t mind joining you, Pine tree.”

Dipper hesitated for a second, but the warmth in Bill’s voice—oddly genuine, without the usual sarcasm—made him nod. “Yeah, let’s head back. It’s getting late, anyway.”

Bill jumped to his feet, brushing off some dirt from his jeans with a snap of his fingers, a small spark of light dancing in the air. “Lead the way, Pine tree.”

They walked in comfortable silence through the woods, the moonlight filtering between the trees, casting long shadows. Dipper could hear the distant hoots of owls and the rustle of wind through the branches. Bill, oddly enough, seemed quieter than usual, like he was content with the silence for once. No teasing, no cryptic comments—just a calm presence by Dipper’s side.

By the time they reached the shack, Dipper could feel the exhaustion catching up with him. The cool night air had made him shiver slightly, but he felt better having Bill there, even if it was still a little strange to think of him as a boyfriend.

They slipped inside as quietly as possible, careful not to wake anyone. Dipper led the way up the stairs to the attic, feeling the creaky wooden steps underfoot. He turned to Bill, motioning for him to follow. “Come on, we’ll have to be quiet. Mabel’s a heavy sleeper, but if she wakes up, we’re doomed.”

Bill chuckled softly but nodded, following closely behind.

Once they made it to Dipper’s room, they both slipped into bed, Bill’s usual confidence giving way to something more subdued as he lay down beside Dipper. The room was dark, only a sliver of moonlight slipping through the curtains. The quiet stretched on, and neither of them spoke for a long while.

Dipper shifted under the blanket, turning to glance at Bill, who was laying on his back, eyes fixed on the ceiling. Something about the moment felt calm but charged, like the air was thick with unspoken thoughts. After a few beats of silence, Dipper felt a sudden urge, one he didn’t entirely understand, and he acted on it without thinking too much.

He reached out, his arm finding its way around Bill’s waist, and pulled him into a hug, cuddling up against him. Bill’s body stiffened immediately, like he wasn’t sure how to react. His usual easygoing confidence faltered, and Dipper could feel it—Bill was unsure, hesitant even.

For a moment, neither of them moved, the quiet between them feeling heavier. But then, slowly, Bill seemed to relax in Dipper’s arms. His body loosened, and Dipper could feel him adjust slightly, getting more comfortable in the embrace.

Dipper’s face pressed gently against Bill’s shoulder, his fingers resting lightly on Bill’s side. He hadn’t realized how much he’d wanted this—to be close to someone, to feel that warmth. And even though it was Bill, the former demon, it somehow felt right.

Bill, for his part, seemed to be figuring out the concept of physical contact as they lay there. He was still a little awkward, not quite sure where to put his arms, but after a few moments, he managed to drape one arm loosely around Dipper’s shoulders, though it was tentative, almost like he was afraid to fully commit to the gesture.

“Hey, Pine tree,” Bill’s voice was quieter than usual, more reflective, as though the closeness was making him think too much. “I’ll slip out of here before Shooting star wakes up. I wanna see what kind of crazy scheme she’ll come up with tomorrow.” He smirked, his voice carrying that familiar playful tone again, but there was something softer under it.

Dipper chuckled softly, his breath warm against Bill’s skin. “Yeah, that sounds like Mabel.” He paused, then added, “But for now… let’s just stay like this for a while. If that’s okay?”

Bill didn’t say anything right away, but after a beat, Dipper felt him nod, a small, almost imperceptible gesture. “Yeah, Pine tree. That’s okay.”

And so they lay there, the quiet of the attic wrapping around them, Dipper’s arms still securely around Bill as the night drifted on. For the first time in a long while, Dipper felt like he didn’t have to overthink anything—he could just be. Even with Bill Cipher, of all people, by his side.

. .

Two days had passed since Dipper’s late-night confession to Bill, and things had been surprisingly normal—well, as normal as they could be with Bill Cipher hanging around. He didn’t bring up the confession, and neither did Dipper, though there was an unspoken shift between them. The teasing was still there, but it felt lighter somehow. Bill’s presence, while still annoying at times, was becoming something Dipper found himself looking forward to.

Mabel, however, had other plans. Dipper could tell she had been plotting something since she saw how flustered he had gotten around Billy at the lake. Every now and then, she’d drop hints—little comments, side glances, or suspicious smiles. And now, it seemed, she was ready to set whatever plan she’d concocted into motion.

Dipper was sitting on the couch, flipping through one of Ford’s old journals, when Mabel burst into the living room, full of energy as always. "Hey, Dipper! I’ve got a super fun idea for today!” she chirped, bouncing on her toes.

Dipper raised an eyebrow. “Uh, what is it this time?”

Mabel grinned, practically glowing with excitement. “How about a bonding day? You, me, and Billy! I was thinking we could hang out in the attic, play some games, tell secrets, and eat a ton of snacks! It’ll be amazing!”

Dipper squinted at her, immediately suspicious. “Why the attic? And why so specific?”

Mabel waved her hand dismissively. “Oh, come on! It’s cozy, and we haven’t hung out there in a while! Besides, we gotta make sure the attic is extra nice for the summer.”

Dipper sighed but agreed, figuring it was just another one of Mabel’s hyperactive ideas. “Alright, fine. But if this turns out to be one of your weird schemes—”

“It’s not!” Mabel interrupted, her innocent smile a little too innocent. “Just go up there and get things ready. I’ll bring Billy!”

Dipper reluctantly made his way to the attic. He knew something was up, but he didn’t have the energy to argue. Plus, what could Mabel even be planning? He doubted she’d try anything too ridiculous.

After a few minutes of waiting in the attic, Dipper heard footsteps approaching. Mabel’s voice rang out as she pushed the door open. “Here we are! Billy, Dipper—let the bonding begin!”

Billy, as usual, sauntered into the room with his usual casual confidence, hands in his pockets and a smirk on his face. “Well, well, Pine tree. Guess we’re having a little quality time today, huh?” His golden eyes gleamed with amusement.

Before Dipper could respond, Mabel skipped over to the door. “Okay, you guys have fun! I’ll go get some snacks.” She winked at Dipper, then, in one swift motion, she slammed the attic door shut with a loud click.

Dipper blinked. “Wait—Mabel, what are you—”

He rushed over to the door and jiggled the handle. It didn’t budge.

“Mabel!” he shouted, pounding on the door. “Let us out!”

From the other side of the door, Mabel’s voice chimed in, sounding way too pleased with herself. “Sorry, bro-bro! You and Billy need some alone time! I’ll be back in an hour… or two… maybe three. Have fun!” Her footsteps faded down the stairs, leaving Dipper and Billy locked in the attic.

Dipper’s face flushed with frustration, though there was a hint of embarrassment too. “Ugh, Mabel…” he muttered, leaning his head against the door.

Billy, meanwhile, looked thoroughly amused. He crossed his arms, leaning against the wall with that familiar smirk plastered on his face. “Well, looks like we’re stuck here together, Pine tree. Gotta say, your sister’s got quite the sense of humor.”

Dipper glared at him. “Yeah, hilarious. She’s probably thinking this will, I don’t know, force us to bond or something.”

Billy chuckled, stepping closer. “Maybe that’s exactly what she’s hoping for.” He gave Dipper a playful nudge. “So, got any bonding activities in mind?”

Dipper rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at his lips. “Don’t start.”

Bill shrugged, flopping onto Dipper’s bed and kicking his feet up like he owned the place. “Come on, Pine tree. We’ve got time to kill. Might as well make the best of it.”

Dipper hesitated for a moment but eventually sat down on the edge of the bed, shaking his head. “You know Mabel’s gonna tease me about this for the next year, right?”

Bill’s grin widened. “Oh, I wouldn’t doubt it for a second. But, hey, look at the bright side—we’ve got some uninterrupted time together. Maybe that’s what you secretly wanted, huh?”

Dipper’s face flushed again. He shoved Bill’s leg lightly. “Shut up.”

The teasing continued, but the atmosphere between them was lighter than it had been before. Despite the situation—and Mabel’s meddling—Dipper found himself oddly at ease.

They had been talking for what felt like hours, discussing everything from the weirdness of Gravity Falls to the mysteries Dipper had encountered, when Bill’s grin turned sly. He leaned a little closer to Dipper, his golden eyes gleaming with mischief. “Pine tree, I have an idea,” Bill began, voice low and teasing.

Dipper raised an eyebrow, already feeling a sense of dread. "Oh no... What now?"

Bill chuckled, clearly enjoying how on edge Dipper always seemed to be around him. “How about when Shooting Star opens the door, we look like we’re doing something... intimate, let’s say. But, here’s the kicker—we aren’t. It’s all just a play, get it?”

Dipper’s face immediately turned a deep shade of red. “I- what...?! Bill, that’s—" He stammered, trying to find words to express how ridiculous that sounded.

Bill laughed, a sound that was always half-mocking, half-genuine. “Relax, Pine tree. I don’t mean we actually do anything. It’s just for fun—acting, as you humans like to call it. We give her a little show, freak her out, then we both have a good laugh.”

Dipper swallowed hard, his heart racing. “O-okay, but... What exactly do we—”

Before Dipper could even finish his sentence, Bill moved fast. In one swift motion, he darted toward Dipper, pinning him down on the bed, his hands pressing into Dipper’s shoulders. Their faces were inches apart, and Dipper felt a strange mix of panic and disbelief. Bill’s breath was hot on his neck as he whispered, “She’s coming. I hear her footsteps.”

Dipper froze, unsure of what to do or how to react. His mind screamed at him to push Bill off, but he knew Mabel wouldn’t fall for it if it looked like he was resisting. He forced himself to relax, though his heart was pounding so hard he thought Bill might be able to hear it.

Bill shifted slightly, leaning in closer, almost too close. His lips brushed Dipper’s ear as he whispered, “Play along, Pine tree. It’s just a game.”

Dipper could barely breathe, his whole body tense despite his attempt to look casual. He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, forcing himself to focus. It’s just Bill. It’s just for Mabel. Just pretend.

A second later, the door creaked open.

“Mabel, what—” Dipper’s voice faltered as Mabel stood frozen in the doorway, her eyes wide, taking in the scene before her.

There they were—Bill hovering over Dipper, his body pinning him to the bed, one hand pressed firmly against Dipper’s chest, while Dipper lay underneath, flushed and clearly trying to remain composed. From Mabel’s perspective, it looked exactly like what Bill had intended.

Her mouth dropped open in shock. “Wha—what the heck are you guys doing?!”

Dipper opened his mouth to explain, but Bill beat him to it, grinning wickedly. “Oh, you know, just... bonding.”

Mabel’s face turned bright red, a mix of embarrassment and confusion as she tried to process the scene in front of her. “Dipper! You didn’t— I mean, I didn’t think you guys were—what?!”

Dipper finally managed to push Bill off him, sitting up quickly. “Mabel, it’s not what it looks like! We were just—”

Bill cut in, laughing. “Oh, come on, Mabel! Don’t be so shocked. We were just messing with you.”

Mabel blinked, staring at them both. “Wait... what?”

Bill leaned back against the bedframe, looking entirely too pleased with himself. “You should’ve seen your face. Classic.” He gave Dipper a wink, as if to say, mission accomplished.

Dipper, still trying to cool the heat in his face, glared at Bill. “Yeah, thanks for that,” he muttered, running a hand through his hair.

Mabel stared between them for a moment longer, then realization dawned on her. “Oh my gosh... You guys were messing with me!” She let out an exaggerated groan, slapping a hand to her forehead. “I can’t believe I fell for that!”

Bill grinned wider, clearly enjoying every second of the chaos he’d caused. “Told you it would be fun, Pine tree.”

Dipper gave him a look that said I’m going to get you back for this, but despite his irritation, there was a small part of him that had to admit—Bill had pulled it off perfectly.

Mabel, now over her initial shock, pointed a finger at both of them. “You guys are the worst! I was literally about to plan a whole intervention because I thought something was going on between you two!” She stomped her foot, half-serious, half-laughing.

Dipper groaned, rubbing his temples. “Great, just what I needed—another one of Mabel’s elaborate plans.”

Bill leaned back, hands behind his head, looking thoroughly satisfied. “Hey, at least you learned something today: you’re a pretty good actor, Pine tree.”

Mabel crossed her arms and huffed, though the corners of her mouth twitched up in a grin. “Fine, fine, you got me good. But I’m gonna get you guys back. Just wait.”

As she turned to leave the room, Dipper shot Bill a look, his voice low. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

Bill’s grin didn’t falter. “And yet, you still like having me around, don’t you?” He gave Dipper a playful nudge, that mischievous glint never leaving his eyes.

Dipper huffed, though there was no real bite to his words. “Yeah, yeah… whatever.”

Mabel returned a few minutes later, a slightly exasperated look on her face. She stood in the doorway, hands on her hips, clearly trying to process what had just happened. “So, you’re telling me I tried to get you two together, and instead, you prank me?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Bill, still lounging casually on the bed, burst into laughter. “Oh, Shooting Star, you’re adorable! But here’s the thing: we were already together. Bit late on the matchmaking,” he teased, a grin plastered on his face.

Mabel blinked, her eyes widening in surprise. “Wait... what?” Her gaze darted between the two of them, as if searching for confirmation. “Since when?!”

Dipper rubbed the back of his neck, his face heating up again. “Uh, last night,” he admitted, his voice quiet but steady.

Mabel’s jaw dropped, her usual energetic demeanor momentarily stunned into silence. “You’re kidding, right?!” she exclaimed. “I mean, I knew something was up, but I didn’t think... You two actually got together?!”

Dipper nodded sheepishly, not sure how else to explain it. “Yeah... I guess we did.”

Mabel’s expression shifted from shock to excitement almost instantly. “Oh my gosh, this is so amazing! Why didn’t you tell me earlier?!” She hopped onto the bed beside them, eyes gleaming with curiosity. “So, how did it happen? Who confessed first? What did you say? I need all the details!”

Before Dipper could answer, Bill chimed in with a smirk. “Well, it wasn’t exactly the most romantic confession, if I’m being honest. Pine tree here was all awkward and stuttering, but it was kind of cute.” He shot Dipper a teasing look, which earned him a playful shove.

Dipper rolled his eyes but couldn’t help but smile. “Yeah, okay, I was nervous. It’s not like this is a normal situation, Mabel.”

Mabel giggled, leaning in closer. “I knew you had a soft spot for him, Dipper. I could just tell by the way you’d get all flustered when he was around. And Billy, you’ve been acting all clingy lately. It was just a matter of time before something happened.”

Bill winked at her. “What can I say? Pine tree’s growing on me.”

Just as Mabel was about to launch into more questions, Ford's voice echoed from the hallway. “Dipper? I overheard something about you and... Billy?”

Dipper froze, his heart skipping a beat. Ford. Of course. The last thing he needed was Ford prying into this, especially since he still didn’t know the truth about Billy’s real identity.

Bill straightened up, his playful demeanor slipping slightly as he stood. “Well, that’s my cue to leave, Pine tree. Don’t want to deal with the serious talk.” He gave Dipper a quick nod and strolled out of the room, hands in his pockets like he didn’t have a care in the world.

Ford stepped in just as Bill was leaving, watching him carefully as he passed by. Once the door shut behind him, Ford turned his full attention to Dipper, his brow furrowed in concern.

"Dipper," he began, his voice soft but serious, "is there something I should know about your relationship with Billy? You’ve been spending a lot of time together lately.”

Dipper felt a lump form in his throat, trying to keep his expression neutral. “Uh, yeah... we’re kind of... dating now.”

Ford’s eyes narrowed slightly, though not in anger—more in confusion. “I see,” he said slowly, as if processing the information. “It’s just... Billy is an unknown variable, Dipper. We don’t know where he came from, his history, or what his true intentions might be. He could be from another dimension or—” Ford paused, as though considering the weight of his next words, “—he could be something else entirely.”

Dipper’s stomach twisted at the implication, but he quickly masked his unease. “I know you’re worried, but he’s... he’s not a threat, Ford. I promise. He’s just... different.”

Ford crossed his arms, still skeptical. “You seem convinced of that. But I’m not so sure. Billy’s behavior, his knowledge of things he shouldn’t know, it’s all... concerning. I don’t want to see you get hurt or manipulated.”

Dipper sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I get it, Ford. I really do. But I trust him. He’s changed.”

Ford’s eyes softened a little, but the concern remained. “Just be careful, Dipper. Relationships—especially with people we don’t fully understand—can be complicated. If anything feels off, don’t hesitate to come to me. I’ll always have your back.”

Dipper nodded, grateful for Ford’s support, even if he couldn’t be completely honest with him. “Thanks, Ford. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Ford gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder before leaving the room, and Dipper sat back on the bed, exhaling deeply. He knew that keeping Bill’s secret was risky, but for now, he had to trust that things would work out.

About a month had passed, and things had settled into a strange sort of normalcy at the Mystery Shack. Bill, now almost always in his human guise as Billy, had become a regular part of their lives, particularly Dipper’s. Despite Ford’s lingering suspicions, Dipper seemed happy, and Mabel had grown used to teasing them both. Yet, Ford could never fully shake the uneasy feeling in his gut.

It was late one night when Ford was taking a solitary walk through the woods, thinking through one of his experiments, when he saw something strange up ahead in a small clearing. He approached cautiously, his senses heightened as he squinted through the trees.

That’s when he saw it.

A floating, glowing triangle hovered in the air for just a brief second. Its single eye blinked, scanning the surroundings as if caught off guard. Ford’s breath hitched in his throat. His pulse raced. There was no mistaking it—Bill Cipher.

Before Ford could even fully process what he was seeing, the form flickered and shifted, morphing rapidly into the human figure of Billy, standing casually with his hands in his pockets. He looked around, a faint smirk forming on his lips as though nothing had happened, his posture relaxed.

Ford, hidden behind a nearby tree, stumbled backward slightly, but the sound must’ve alerted Bill, because he turned to face him. The two locked eyes.

For a moment, neither spoke. Ford’s mind raced, trying to make sense of what he had just witnessed. Bill raised an eyebrow, then plastered on a charming grin, stepping toward Ford as if the sudden shift in forms hadn’t occurred. “Ah, Six-Fingers,” he said, his voice smooth and disarming, “out for a late-night stroll, huh?”

Ford took a sharp breath, quickly gathering himself as he stepped into the clearing. His eyes narrowed, his heart pounding in his chest. “Don’t play dumb with me, Bill.” He spat the name like venom, his suspicions now confirmed. “I saw you. You reverted back.”

Bill’s smile faltered for a split second but quickly reformed. He tilted his head, feigning innocence. “Reverted? I’m not sure what you mean. Maybe you’re seeing things, old man. It is pretty dark out here.”

But Ford wasn’t buying it. His hands clenched into fists, and he stepped closer, his voice low and seething. “I know what I saw. You’re not Billy... You’re Bill Cipher. You think you can just waltz in here, fool everyone, and manipulate my family?”

Bill’s grin shifted, becoming sharper, more predatory. “Oh come on, Ford. Why so serious? Maybe I am Bill, maybe I’m not. Does it really matter? I’ve been on my best behavior, haven’t I?”

Ford’s mind raced with memories of the nightmare he had faced years ago—the chaos and destruction Bill had nearly unleashed. And now, that same creature was cozying up to Dipper, manipulating him just like Ford had feared.

He took a deep breath, trying to keep his composure, but inside, he was panicking. “Dipper,” Ford muttered, more to himself than to Bill. His chest tightened. He had to protect Dipper. What has Bill been doing to him?

Bill chuckled softly, a sinister glint in his eyes as if he could sense Ford’s fear. “Oh, Dipper’s fine,” he said, waving his hand dismissively. “In fact, he’s more than fine. We’re pretty close now. And he’s not as naive as you think.” Bill’s voice dropped, becoming almost taunting. “He chose me, Ford.”

Ford’s blood ran cold at Bill’s words. He clenched his jaw, his mind racing. “You stay away from him,” he growled, stepping even closer, the protective edge in his voice unmistakable. “I don’t care what kind of game you’re playing, but if you hurt him—”

“Hurt him?” Bill interrupted, his tone dripping with amusement. “I wouldn’t dream of it. You’ve got it all wrong, Ford. I care about Pine Tree. I mean, sure, I might be a former chaos god, but even I can... change.”

Ford’s eyes narrowed, his suspicion deepening. Bill’s words didn’t make sense, not for a being as twisted and manipulative as him. “Change?” Ford scoffed. “You don’t change, Bill. You manipulate. You corrupt.”

Bill shrugged, leaning against a nearby tree, his expression casual yet calculating. “People can surprise you. Maybe even triangles.” He grinned. “But you’re right to be wary. I’m not your average house guest.”

Ford shook his head, unwilling to let Bill worm his way out of this. “You’re not staying here, Bill. I’ll figure out how to expose you for what you are.”

Bill straightened up, his grin fading slightly as he met Ford’s glare head-on. “Good luck with that, Six-Fingers. I’m playing by different rules now.” His tone was eerily calm, even as a sense of threat lingered beneath the surface.

Ford stood there, his heart heavy with dread. He couldn’t let Bill stay close to Dipper, not without warning him first. He’d have to tread carefully, though. If Dipper was truly attached to Bill, this wouldn’t be easy.

Bill’s grin returned as he saw the turmoil in Ford’s eyes. “Well, it’s been fun catching up, but I’ll let you stew in your paranoia. See you around, Ford.” With that, he gave a mocking wave and turned, strolling off into the woods with an air of smug confidence.

As soon as Bill was gone, Ford stood frozen, his mind racing. Dipper had to know the truth—but how would he convince him without causing even more harm?

Ford turned back toward the shack, his steps quickening with urgency. He couldn’t afford to wait any longer. The confrontation was coming, and he had to protect Dipper before it was too late.

Ford raced through the forest, heart pounding in his chest as he made his way back to the Mystery Shack. His mind was spinning. He couldn't believe what he'd just seen. Bill Cipher—here, in human form, playing nice all this time. Dipper was in danger. The whole family was in danger. He had to tell them—had to warn them before it was too late.

Bursting through the door of the Shack, Ford shouted, “Everyone! Get in here, now!” His voice echoed with urgency, startling Stan, who was lounging in his chair, and Soos, who had been fixing something nearby.

“What the heck, Ford?” Stan grumbled, standing up. “What’s got you so wound up?”

Soos looked over with a concerned expression. “Uh, dude? You look like you’ve seen a ghost or something.”

Ford ignored them both, turning toward the twins’ room and banging on the door. “Dipper! Mabel! You need to hear this!”

The door creaked open, and Dipper stepped out, Mabel close behind, both of them looking confused and worried by the intensity on Ford’s face. “What’s going on, Ford?” Dipper asked cautiously.

Ford took a deep breath, glancing at all of them before finally blurting it out. “It’s Bill. He’s back—he’s been here this whole time, disguised as that ‘Billy’ character!”

Mabel’s face drained of color. “W-What? Billy? No—he can’t be Bill!” Her voice trembled, her hands gripping her sweater. “He’s been… he’s been nice! He’s my friend.”

Stan’s eyes widened in shock, but his expression quickly hardened. “That little punk? I knew there was something off about him! You’re saying he’s Bill Cipher?” Stan spat, anger building.

Soos blinked, jaw dropping slightly. “Whoa. That’s, like… super bad, right?”

Ford nodded sharply. “I saw him tonight, in the forest. He reverted to his true form for just a second—a floating triangle. There’s no doubt about it. That demon has been right under our noses, pretending to be ‘Billy’.”

Mabel looked shaken, but it was Dipper’s reaction that caught everyone’s attention. He stood there, his face growing pale as guilt flashed across his features. “I… I already knew,” Dipper admitted, his voice soft.

Ford’s eyes widened. “You what?” He took a step toward Dipper, disbelief and anger clear in his tone.

Dipper swallowed hard, glancing at Mabel, Stan, and Soos, who all looked at him with varying levels of shock and confusion. “I’ve known for months,” he said quietly. “Billy is Bill. He told me when I first met him.”

Mabel gasped, taking a step back as her eyes filled with tears. “Dipper, you knew? And you didn’t tell me? You let me be friends with him?!”

Ford clenched his fists, his voice trembling with anger. “You’ve been hiding this from us for months? Dipper, do you have any idea what kind of danger you’ve put us all in? Bill Cipher is a manipulative monster! You’ve seen what he’s capable of.”

Dipper’s heart pounded in his chest. He felt the weight of the room pressing in on him, the judgment from everyone. But he couldn’t keep quiet now. “I know what he did before,” he said, his voice growing stronger. “I remember everything, Ford. But Bill hasn’t done anything harmful since he’s been back. He’s different. He told me he’s trying to change.”

Ford scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief. “Trying to change? He’s a demon! He’s been manipulating you this whole time, Dipper. That’s what he does. You can’t trust a word he says!”

Stan, who had been silent up until now, crossed his arms, his face tight with anger. “Kid, I know you like to see the good in people, but Bill isn’t ‘people.’ He’s dangerous. He nearly wiped us all out once before. You can’t seriously believe he’s turned over a new leaf.”

Mabel, still stunned, whispered, “I thought Billy was my friend... How could you let me hang out with him, knowing who he really is?”

Dipper’s chest tightened with guilt, but he held his ground. “Because I wanted to give him a chance. I’ve been keeping an eye on him this whole time. If he’d done anything, I’d have stopped him. But he hasn’t. He’s been... normal. Even helpful sometimes.”

Ford took a step forward, his eyes blazing with anger. “Dipper, you’re too close to this. Bill is playing you. He’s waiting for the right moment to strike, and you’re giving him exactly what he wants—your trust. He’s dangerous, and we need to deal with him before he hurts anyone.”

The room fell into tense silence. Dipper’s heart raced, his mind spinning as he looked at each of them. He knew how they felt, knew how dangerous Bill could be. But he also knew what he’d seen over the past months—Bill, while still obnoxious and arrogant, had shown moments of vulnerability, of real change. Dipper wasn’t sure what to believe anymore.

“I’m not saying we should just ignore what he did in the past,” Dipper said, his voice tight with emotion. “But people—*things*—can change, right? Bill hasn’t done anything since he came back. Maybe he’s telling the truth.”

Ford’s voice was low, his tone like ice. “And maybe you’re underestimating the greatest manipulator in the multiverse.”

The tension in the room was suffocating. Everyone was waiting for Dipper’s response, and he felt torn between his own beliefs and the trust he had in his family.

Dipper took a deep breath. “I’m not saying we should let our guard down. But I think we need to consider the possibility that Bill isn’t the same as before. I don’t want to rush into something we’llregret.”

Ford stared at him, disbelief and frustration clear on his face. “You’re playing with fire, Dipper. I hope you know what you’re doing.”

Stan sighed heavily, rubbing the back of his neck. “Well, if we’re gonna deal with him, we need a plan. Whether he’s changed or not, I’m not letting that demon walk around free without a leash.”

Mabel, still shaken, wiped her eyes and stood by Dipper’s side, though she still looked confused and hurt. “I just… I need time to process this. Billy—or Bill, whoever he is—I don’t know what to think.”

Soos nodded, trying to be the voice of calm. “Maybe we can all take a step back, dudes. Like, figure out a plan that doesn’t make things worse?”

Ford sighed deeply, his shoulders sagging under the weight of his worry. “We’ll figure something out. But mark my words—Bill Cipher is not to be trusted.”

Dipper sat on his bed, staring blankly at the wall of the shared room he and Mabel had always called their own. His mind was racing, thoughts a chaotic mess as he replayed the confrontation with Ford and the others over and over in his head. His chest felt tight with guilt and uncertainty. Bill was still out there, but the tension between him and his family was weighing even heavier on him.

The door creaked open, and Mabel stepped inside, her face hard to read. She stood in the doorway for a moment, clearly gathering herself before speaking.

"Dipper," she said, her voice quiet but trembling slightly, "we need to talk."

Dipper nodded, sitting up straighter on the bed. He had been expecting this. He could sense her emotions had been building since Ford’s revelation. "Yeah, I know. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I just—”

“You lied to me!” Mabel cut him off, her voice suddenly sharp. Her eyes shimmered with emotion, and she took a step closer, arms crossed. “You let me hang out with him, let me think Billy was just some cool new guy, and the whole time you knew he was Bill Cipher! The guy who almost ruined everything!”

“I didn’t lie to you, Mabel!” Dipper protested, standing up now, his own frustration bubbling up. “I just… I didn’t tell you right away because I wanted to give him a chance. I didn’t think he was going to hurt anyone! He hasn’t!”

“You didn’t think?” Mabel’s voice cracked, and tears welled in her eyes. “Dipper, he’s a Bill! He tricked us before, and now you’re falling for it all over again! How could you trust him? How could you let me trust him?”

Dipper felt his heart clench at the pain in her voice, but he couldn’t back down. “Because he hasn’t done anything wrong this time, Mabel! I’ve been watching him. He’s been different. I thought maybe, just maybe, he really has changed. What was I supposed to do, lock him up and pretend he didn’t exist?”

“Yes!” Mabel shouted, a tear slipping down her cheek. “Or at least tell me! I had a right to know!”

“Mabel, I was trying to protect you!” Dipper’s voice rose now, defensive. “I didn’t want you to freak out. I didn’t want you to feel scared of him.”

“Well, you failed!” she shot back, her voice cracking as more tears spilled from her eyes. “You kept something huge from me, Dipper. We’re supposed to be a team! You always tell me stuff. You’re the one person I trust more than anyone in the world, and now… I don’t even know if I can trust you anymore.”

Dipper felt like he’d been punched in the gut. Her words cut deep, and for a moment, he couldn’t find anything to say. Mabel’s hands were trembling, and her breath hitched with suppressed sobs.

“Mabel…” Dipper’s voice softened. He took a step toward her, reaching out instinctively to comfort her, but she stepped back, shaking her head.

“I don’t want your apologies right now,” she whispered, her voice thick with tears. “I just… I can’t do this. I thought I could, but I can’t. It hurts too much. You hurt me, Dipper.”

Her words were like a knife twisting in his heart. “Mabel, please… I didn’t mean to hurt you. I thought I was doing the right thing. I don’t want you to feel like this.”

Mabel wiped her eyes angrily, her body trembling with emotion. “I need space. I need to be away from all of this—away from you and Billy and… just everything.”

Dipper’s face fell. “What are you saying?”

“I’m going to Pacifica’s for a while,” Mabel said, her voice firm despite the tears. “I need to clear my head. I need to be with someone I can trust right now.”

Dipper’s heart sank even further. He wanted to stop her, wanted to say something that would make everything okay again, but he knew there wasn’t anything he could say to fix this right now. “Mabel… I’m sorry,” was all he could manage, his voice barely above a whisper.

Mabel didn’t respond. She turned on her heel and walked toward the door, wiping away her tears as she went. Just before she left the room, she glanced back at Dipper, her expression a mixture of pain and disappointment. “I’ll be back later.”

And then she was gone, leaving Dipper alone in the room, the silence suffocating as the weight of what had just happened settled over him.

Dipper lay in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. His mind was still spinning from the fight with Mabel, the hurt in her voice echoing in his head. He felt like he had messed up everything, and now his own sister didn’t trust him. The guilt was overwhelming, a tight knot in his chest making it hard to breathe.

Suddenly, a familiar flicker of yellow light caught his eye, and before he could react, Bill appeared in the room, floating just above the floor. He wore his usual human guise, but there was a concerned look on his face, which was rare for Bill.

“Pine Tree,” Bill said, softly, floating down to sit beside Dipper on the bed. “What’s got you all twisted up in knots? You look like someone kicked your puppy.”

Dipper sighed, not really in the mood to explain, but knowing Bill wasn’t going to leave him alone until he did. “I had a fight with Mabel,” he mumbled, his voice heavy with exhaustion. “I messed up, Bill. She’s mad at me… and I don’t know how to fix it.”

Bill’s eyes flickered with something Dipper couldn’t quite read, but then he leaned down and pulled Dipper into a hug. It wasn’t something Bill usually did, and Dipper was caught off guard by how natural it felt. Despite everything, the warmth of Bill’s arms around him was comforting.

“Well, you know, I’m not great with emotions, but hey, I’m here, aren’t I?” Bill said, his voice uncharacteristically soft. “She’ll come around, Pine Tree. You just need to give her time.”

Before Dipper could respond, the door to the room burst open. Stan, who had been coming to check on Dipper after everything that had happened, froze in the doorway when he saw Bill holding his nephew. His face twisted into a look of pure alarm and rage.

“What the heck is going on here?” Stan shouted, rushing forward and grabbing Dipper by the arm, yanking him away from Bill. “Get away from him, you demon!”

Bill’s face shifted to indignation, his usual smirk replaced by a sharp glare. “Hey, old man, I was comforting him, not doing whatever creepy thing you’re imagining!”

“Yeah, right,” Stan growled, his grip tightening on Dipper as he pulled him protectively behind him. “You’re a demon. I’m sure you were doing something to him when I came in.”

Dipper, still dazed from being pulled away so quickly, stumbled but managed to steady himself. “Stan, stop! He wasn’t doing anything. I-I was upset about Mabel, and he was just… comforting me.”

Stan didn’t seem to be convinced. “Ford! Get in here!” he yelled over his shoulder.

In a matter of seconds, Ford rushed into the room, armed with one of his weapons, ready to deal with the situation. His eyes immediately locked on Bill, and his grip on the weapon tightened.

“Dipper, get away from him,” Ford commanded, his voice tense.

“No, wait!” Dipper stepped between Bill and his great-uncles, holding his hands out defensively. “He’s not doing anything! Bill’s weak, his powers are almost completely gone. He hasn’t hurt anyone!”

Stan and Ford exchanged skeptical glances, but Ford kept his weapon raised. “Dipper, you don’t understand. Bill is manipulative, dangerous. He could be tricking you.”

Dipper’s heart pounded in his chest. “I know that! But I’m not being tricked. He’s not the same as before. He’s been—” He hesitated, feeling the weight of his next words. “He’s been helping me. I’m not saying I trust him completely, but… he’s different now.”

Ford’s eyes narrowed, and he approached slowly, his eyes flickering between Dipper and Bill. “We can’t take that risk, Dipper. We have to be cautious.”

Stan pointed accusingly at Bill. “You’re telling me this guy, who almost destroyed the world, is just hanging around for fun? I don’t buy it.”

Dipper shook his head, desperate to make them understand. “I swear, he hasn’t done anything. He was just comforting me because I fought with Mabel.”

Ford’s eyes softened slightly, and he lowered his weapon, stepping closer to Dipper. “Are you hurt?” he asked, his voice softer now, filled with concern.

Dipper shook his head again. “No, I’m fine. He didn’t hurt me. He didn’t do anything.”

Ford still looked uneasy, but he reached out and gently inspected Dipper, checking for any signs of injury. He even lifted Dipper’s arms and patted him down, his face tense with worry. But when he found nothing, his shoulders relaxed slightly.

“All right,” Ford finally said, stepping back. “But Bill needs to leave. We can’t take chances.”

Bill, still sitting on the edge of the bed, rolled his eyes dramatically. “Oh, fine, fine. I get it. The paranoid family doesn’t trust me. Shocking.” He stood up, brushing himself off before glancing back at Dipper with a half-smile. “I’ll see you later, Pine Tree.”

He winked and disappeared in a flicker of light, leaving the room in tense silence.

Ford let out a breath and placed a hand on Dipper’s shoulder. “Dipper, I don’t know what you’re thinking, but this is dangerous. You can’t get close to him.”

Dipper nodded slowly, though the knot in his chest hadn’t disappeared. “I know, Ford. I’ll be careful.”

Stan grumbled something under his breath before stepping back toward the door. “Just don’t do anything stupid, kid.”

As Stan left the room, Ford gave Dipper one last concerned look before following. “Get some sleep, Dipper. We’ll talk more in the morning.”

Dipper nodded again, watching as Ford closed the door softly behind him. He crawled back into bed, his heart still racing from the confrontation. He felt drained, emotionally and physically, but the one thing he couldn’t shake was the lingering warmth from Bill’s hug—something that, against all odds, had brought him a strange sense of comfort.

The next morning, Bill appeared at the Mystery Shack again, his usual smirk plastered on his face as he casually strolled inside. He had barely made it through the door when Mabel, who had been waiting, intercepted him. Her arms were crossed, her expression a mix of suspicion and frustration. She had been stewing ever since finding out that her brother had been hiding Bill’s true identity.

“Well, well, well,” Mabel said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “If it isn’t Billy, or should I say, Bill Cipher.”

Bill raised an eyebrow, not at all surprised by the confrontation. “Ah, Shooting Star! Still as quick as ever, I see.” He leaned against the doorframe, that ever-present smugness lingering. “What can I do for you?”

“Cut the act,” Mabel snapped. “Why are you really here? You don’t just change from trying to destroy everything to hanging out with my brother for fun. What’s your angle?”

Dipper appeared behind Mabel, looking uncomfortable but determined to stand by his sister’s side. He knew they needed answers. Ford and Stan were both nearby too, watching the situation unfold with cautious, piercing gazes.

Realizing there was no point in dodging the question any longer, Bill’s smirk faltered. He sighed, a rare sign of actual seriousness crossing his features. “Fine. You want the truth? Here it is.”

He stood up straighter, his expression becoming more thoughtful than usual, but there was still that glint of unpredictability in his eye. “Look, I’m not the all-powerful being I used to be. After the whole ‘weirdness apocalypse’ fiasco, I lost a lot of my power to get out of being trapped in stone. I’m still Bill, sure, but I’m not the reality-bending god I used to be. My abilities were… severely stripped back after I was defeated. I’m stuck without most of my power and I can’t do much about it.”

Ford narrowed his eyes, stepping closer. “Why should we believe you? You’re a trickster and a liar by nature.”

Bill shrugged. “True. But here’s the thing, old man—I don’t have to be lying. I don’t really care about the things you humans call guilt or morality. But, I’ve lost interest in my old plans. Destroying everything gets boring after a while, and what’s the point when you’ve got no power to do it anyway?”

“So what do you want now?” Mabel demanded, her eyes narrowing. “What’s your new ‘game,’ Bill?”

He chuckled lightly. “You’re not wrong. I do like games. But this time, the stakes are a little different.” His tone shifted, a hint of curiosity in his voice. “Humans are fascinating, you know that? You’ve got emotions—wild, messy things that drive you to do all sorts of things. It’s… intriguing. I’ve been spending time around Pine Tree because I want to understand what that’s like.”

“Emotions?” Mabel repeated, crossing her arms tighter. “You expect us to believe you’re hanging out with Dipper because you’re curious about feelings?”

Bill rolled his eyes. “Yeah, I know how it sounds, but I’m not looking to conquer dimensions anymore. I want to learn. Human experiences, emotions, all of it. And I’ve figured out that the destructive chaos I was into before? Not really my style anymore.”

Ford exchanged a skeptical glance with Stan. “And we’re supposed to just… let you stay here? What’s stopping you from turning on us the second you get your powers back?”

Bill spread his hands, almost like he was offering himself up for judgment. “What powers? Look at me! I don’t even know if I’ll get them back!” he repeated, gesturing to his human form. “Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t pull off the kind of stunts I used to. Sure, I’ve got a bit of chaos left in me, but nowhere near what I had before.”

The room was silent for a moment, everyone processing what Bill had said. Dipper glanced at Mabel, then at Ford and Stan, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew Bill better than anyone here, and despite everything, he believed him—or at least, believed that Bill had no immediate plans for destruction.

“Okay,” Stan finally said, breaking the silence. “So what’s the plan? Are we just supposed to let Bill stay here, hang out, and hope he doesn’t try to do anything?”

Ford stepped forward, his voice grave. “If he’s telling the truth about his diminished powers, that might buy us some time. But we can’t just trust him.”

“Of course not,” Stan grumbled, still glaring at Bill. “The second he steps out of line, we’re taking him down.”

Bill laughed lightly. “Aw, I love how you guys always assume the worst. Makes me feel right at home.”

Ford, ignoring Bill’s comment, turned to the rest of the group. “Here’s what I propose. Bill can stay in Gravity Falls, but only under strict conditions. He stays in his human form, and he doesn’t cause any trouble—no manipulation, no chaos, no games.”

“And we keep an eye on him,” Stan added firmly. “If he tries anything, we’re ready.”

Dipper nodded slowly. “That sounds fair. But… Bill, if you really want to stick around, you need to prove you’re not the same as before. You can’t just expect us to trust you right away.”

Bill gave a slow, exaggerated bow. “Oh, Pine Tree, trust me, I know. I’m not exactly Mr. Popular here. But fine, deal. I’ll keep the chaos to a minimum.”

Ford didn’t look entirely convinced, but he nodded in agreement. “We’ll monitor him closely. Any sign of trouble, and we take immediate action.”

Mabel, still looking unsure but sensing the tension lifting, finally let out a sigh. “Okay, but Bill, if you hurt Dipper or anyone here, you’ll regret it.”

Bill placed a hand over his heart, mock sincerity in his voice. “Wouldn’t dream of it, Shooting Star. I’m on my best behavior.”

And with that, the precarious deal was struck. Bill could stay, but he’d be under constant watch, and the second he showed any signs of reverting to his old self, the Pines family would be ready.

In the days that followed, the group tried to adjust to this new, bizarre reality of having Bill Cipher — or “Billy” as they sometimes still called him — as a part of their lives. It wasn’t easy.

Dipper, ever the optimist, held onto the hope that Bill had truly changed. He spent the most time with Bill, well, as much as he was able to, cautiously watching for any signs of manipulation but finding himself wanting to believe that the demon was genuine in his desire to experience human life. Bill’s odd sense of humor and cryptic advice often left Dipper second-guessing everything, but they also shared a strange camaraderie, one that Dipper hadn’t fully expected. He tried to keep the peace between Bill and the rest of the family, though it was exhausting at times.

Mabel, on the other hand, was torn. She liked Billy, the human persona who was funny, playful, and sometimes even helpful. But every time she looked at him, she couldn’t shake the thought that he was still Bill Cipher, the demon who had once tried to destroy her world. She didn’t want to admit it, but deep down, the whole situation made her feel uneasy. How could she let herself enjoy his company when she knew what he was capable of? She tried to keep her distance, but sometimes she’d catch herself laughing at one of his bizarre jokes, or asking him for advice when things with Pacifica got complicated. It confused her, and the conflict between her instincts and her feelings gnawed at her.

Ford was, as expected, always suspicious. He had made it clear from the beginning that he didn’t trust Bill — not one bit. Ford worked day and night in his lab, building new devices to monitor Bill’s energy levels, hoping to detect any fluctuations that might signal a return of his lost powers. He rarely let Bill out of his sight, studying him intently during every interaction, looking for any sign that Bill’s true motives were far darker than they appeared.

Stan, ever the gruff enforcer, took on the role of keeping Bill in check. He wasn’t as scientifically inclined as Ford, but he didn’t need to be. Stan was ready to throw Bill out on his face the moment he stepped out of line. “I’ll believe he’s changed when pigs fly,” Stan would mutter whenever Bill would wander in, making himself at home in the shack. But despite his bluster, Stan kept a sharp eye on Bill, ensuring he never got too comfortable.

Life had become a strange balancing act. The Pines family was constantly on edge, trying to maintain a sense of normalcy while the presence of their former enemy lurked among them. Bill, of course, was fully aware of the tension he caused, and he played into it with his usual flair. He had a knack for inserting himself into the group’s daily activities, his chaotic energy always making things unpredictable.

During a particularly lazy afternoon, the group sat together in the living room. Bill was lounging on the couch, Dipper beside him, flipping through a book of cryptozoology. Mabel was nearby, attempting to craft something while keeping a cautious eye on Bill. Stan was reading a newspaper, and Ford was tinkering with one of his new devices in the corner.

“Pine Tree, you might want to check out the chapter on dream-based creatures,” Bill said, glancing over at Dipper. “Might give you some insight into your sleep troubles. Or, y’know, drive you insane. Either way, fun read!”

Dipper raised an eyebrow. “I’ll take that under advisement,” he said, a bit dryly, but he couldn’t help a small smile. Bill’s advice, however cryptic, sometimes turned out to be useful — in ways that didn’t always make sense until later.

Mabel glanced over. “So, uh, Billy… I know you don’t sleep but are you able to still, like, dream? Or is that not a thing for you?” she asked, trying to keep her tone casual despite her lingering discomfort.

Bill grinned at her. “Oh, I dream, Shooting Star. But let’s just say my dreams are… on another level. Cosmic, you might call them. Reality-warping, mind-bending, oh-so-fun visions of chaos. But these days?” He waved his hand dismissively. “They’re more like reruns. Not as much oomph in watching chaos without all that power.”

Mabel shivered slightly. “That’s… comforting,” she muttered, then went back to her crafting.

Ford watched the interaction closely, his eyes narrowing. “I’ll remind you, Cipher,” he said, his voice low, “that you’re under constant surveillance. One slip, and we won’t hesitate to act.”

Bill gave a mock salute. “Oh, I know, Sixer. Don’t worry your big ol’ brain about me. I’m just here for the human experience, after all. You can monitor me all you like.”

Despite the uneasy atmosphere, Bill continued to worm his way into the group’s routine. He wasn’t exactly a model citizen, but he hadn’t done anything dangerous, at least not yet. He’d offer strange pieces of advice to Dipper — often cryptic or half-maddening — but occasionally helpful in solving a problem. He’d tease Mabel about her past summer crushes, though there was a certain respect in how he didn’t cross the line. And even Stan, as much as he disliked Bill, found himself begrudgingly allowing Bill to stick around during poker nights, if only to keep him where they could see him.

Ford, though, remained ever suspicious. He spent countless hours pouring over his data, trying to predict if and when Bill’s power might return. Despite Bill’s claims of being weakened, Ford could never shake the feeling that they were all part of a long, elaborate game.

Bill, meanwhile, continued to ride the line between ally and enigma, keeping everyone just uneasy enough. He was a wild card — charming, unnerving, and impossible to fully predict. Whether he was truly harmless now, or simply biding his time, remained a question no one could yet answer.

One night, Dipper wandered out to the lake, seeking solitude. The moon cast a silvery glow on the water, and the soft rustling of the trees provided a rare sense of calm. It had been a while since he had any real alone time, away from the constant surveillance, the questions, the tension in the shack. He slipped off his shoes and socks, letting his feet dangle in the cool water, the ripples spreading outward in small, concentric circles. The cool air felt refreshing against his skin, and for a moment, he closed his eyes, breathing in the quiet night air.

“Pine Tree?” Bill’s familiar voice broke the silence, but Dipper didn’t turn to look. He didn’t have to. He knew that tone, the way Bill spoke his nickname, laced with something almost affectionate.

“Hey, Bill,” Dipper replied softly, not moving from his spot.

Bill appeared beside him, plopping down next to Dipper with an ease that made it seem like he belonged there. He placed a hand on Dipper’s shoulder, rubbing it gently in an attempt to soothe him. It was rare for Bill to be so quiet and calm, but in moments like this, Dipper could sense the subtle shift in him. Maybe it was his way of trying to be a partner in his own strange way.

“Man, feels like ages since we were actually alone,” Bill murmured, his voice softer than usual, lacking its usual sharp edge. “Did you come here to take a breather?”

Dipper didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he rested his head on Bill’s shoulder, the warmth from Bill’s body mixing with the cool air of the night. There was something comforting about the weight of Bill’s arm around him, something he hadn’t expected when they first got together. Bill wasn’t just a source of chaos anymore; he was a strange form of comfort, a presence Dipper had grown used to.

Bill didn’t speak either. He just wrapped his arm more securely around Dipper, holding him close, as if offering him silent reassurance. It was so unlike the old Bill — the chaotic demon who thrived on manipulation and destruction. This Bill, though still unpredictable, seemed to understand Dipper in ways that even his family didn’t.

After a while, Bill broke the silence again. “I get that your family’s trying to ‘protect’ you,” he said, making air quotes with his fingers. “Keeping an eye on me, keeping you away from me. But it’s gotta be taking a toll on you, right? You look… stressed or something. What do you humans call it? Anxiety? Tension?” He paused for a moment, then added, “You want me to do something about it? Maybe mess with their heads a little, make them chill out?”

Dipper let out a small laugh, one that was more tired than amused. “Yeah, I wish it were that easy. I get why they’re so on edge, though. I mean, it is you, Bill. They just don’t trust you, and I don’t think they ever will. But… I wish they’d ease up a little. I just want more time with you. Uninterrupted.”

Bill shifted slightly, his grip on Dipper tightening just a bit. Dipper could feel the weight of Bill’s gaze on him, even though he kept his eyes on the water. “I never thought my first relationship would be like this,” Dipper admitted, his voice quieter now.

Bill let out a low chuckle, but there was no mockery in it. “Yeah, you and me both, Pine Tree. Never thought I’d be in a ‘relationship’ at all. Especially not with a human.”

Dipper pressed his head harder into Bill’s shoulder, the reality of it all sinking in. It was weird, unconventional, and downright dangerous, but it was his reality now. Bill’s presence, as strange as it was, had become something Dipper needed — not in the way he needed his family or friends, but in a way that felt just as important. There was something in Bill’s chaos that made Dipper feel… seen, understood.

“Do you ever… think this could get better?” Dipper asked softly, almost hesitantly. He wasn’t sure why he asked. Maybe it was the late hour, or the vulnerability that came with being alone with Bill under the stars. “Like, do you think we’ll ever get past this point where my family isn’t constantly breathing down our necks?”

Bill tilted his head, pondering the question for a moment. “Who knows, Pine Tree. Humans are unpredictable. But…” He smirked, his voice dipping into that familiar mischievous tone. “I wouldn’t mind sticking around to see what happens. Maybe they’ll come around. Maybe they won’t. Either way, we’ll figure it out. Together.”

Dipper smiled faintly, feeling some of the weight lift off his shoulders, even if just a little. “Yeah. Together.”

Dipper slowly lifted his head from Bill’s shoulder and turned to meet his gaze, his heart racing in his chest. Bill still wore that casual, smug expression — though it was softer now, more subdued. There was something different in his eyes tonight, something Dipper couldn’t quite place. He hadn’t realized it before, but as Bill smiled slightly, his lips curling up just a bit, Dipper noticed the sharp points of Bill’s fangs. They weren’t overly prominent, but they were there, just peeking out when he grinned. It sent a shiver through him, reminding him that no matter how human Bill looked, he was still something otherworldly.

Dipper hesitated for a second, his thoughts swirling, unsure of what he was about to do. But then, he took a deep breath and leaned in. His lips gently pressed against Bill’s in a tentative, cautious kiss. It was soft, hesitant — a quiet exploration of something new. He didn’t know how Bill would react, but he felt like he needed to do it.

Bill stiffened for a moment, his body going rigid with surprise. His initial reaction was almost comical, his eyes widening in shock. But then, just as quickly, he relaxed, his body melting into Dipper’s. He let out a small, almost inaudible sigh before his hands moved, cautiously wrapping around Dipper. One hand rested on Dipper’s back, the other moved to the back of his head, fingers threading gently through his hair. There was something tentative in the way Bill touched him, as if he was unsure of his movements but willing to follow Dipper's lead.

The kiss deepened as Bill grew more confident, his lips pressing a bit more firmly against Dipper’s. Dipper felt the slight shift — Bill’s careful hesitation giving way to something more assured. It was still gentle, but now there was a warmth behind it, an emotion that Dipper couldn’t quite identify. His heart fluttered, his thoughts becoming a hazy blur as Bill’s touch grounded him in the moment.

Dipper’s hands found their way to Bill’s chest, resting there for support as the kiss lingered. Time seemed to stretch out, the quiet sounds of the forest and the lake fading into the background. It was just the two of them, caught in this strange, intimate moment that neither of them had expected.

When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathing a little heavier. Dipper opened his eyes, searching Bill’s face for a reaction. Bill looked as if he was processing something deeply, his golden eyes blinking as if trying to make sense of what had just happened. His usual smirk was gone, replaced by a look of genuine surprise and, oddly enough, contentment.

Bill let out a low chuckle, but it wasn’t his usual mocking laugh. It was softer, almost... uncertain. “Well, that felt... odd,” he admitted, his voice unusually quiet. He tilted his head, his gaze flickering over Dipper’s face as if trying to understand the new sensations running through him. “But... really nice. Yeah, that was nice.”

Dipper couldn’t help but smile, his nerves slowly settling. Bill’s reaction wasn’t what he expected — it was better. There was no teasing, no smug remarks. Just a strange, quiet honesty that made Dipper feel closer to him than ever before.

“Yeah,” Dipper whispered, his voice still shaky from the adrenaline. “It was.”

Bill’s fingers stayed where they were, gently resting on the back of Dipper’s head, as if he wasn’t quite ready to let go. Dipper leaned back against him, the two of them sitting in a comfortable silence by the lake, their breathing eventually falling into sync.

Whatever this was between them, it was complicated, confusing, and probably dangerous. But at that moment, it felt right.

“Pine tree.”

Dipper blinked his eyes open slowly, his brain foggy from sleep. It was day. He squinted against the sunlight filtering through the trees and froze when he realized he wasn’t in his bed, but still at the lake. Worse yet, he was still wrapped up in Bill’s arms. He stiffened, the sudden reality of the situation crashing over him. He’d fallen asleep — in Bill’s arms.

“You fell asleep, Pine tree,” Bill said, his voice lazy, like he had all the time in the world. “And I think Shooting Star and Six Fingers are looking for you. I keep hearing them.” Dipper could hear the faint sound of voices calling out in the distance, though they were still far enough away. He groaned and closed his eyes, willing the world to just stop for a second.

“I really don’t want to deal with them,” Dipper muttered, feeling his face heat up with embarrassment. Falling asleep by the lake with Bill was one thing, but getting caught? That was something else entirely.

Bill chuckled, the sound low and amused. “Yeah, I bet. But you know they won’t let up. It’s only a matter of time before they stumble upon us.”

Dipper sighed deeply and laid back down, his head resting in the crook of Bill’s arm. He knew he should probably get up, face the music, but part of him wanted to stay there just a little longer. This — being with Bill like this — it felt weirdly comfortable, even if the rest of his family would flip out if they found them. Bill stayed sitting up, watching Dipper with a half-smile, not saying anything for once.

The peaceful moment, however, didn’t last.

“Dipper!”

The voice was close — too close. Dipper bolted upright just as Ford came into view, his eyes narrowing instantly as he took in the sight of Dipper sitting by the lake with Bill, still tangled up in his arms. His expression darkened, suspicion immediately flaring in his eyes.

“Dipper, what the hell is going on here?” Ford’s voice was sharp, his eyes darting between them before locking onto Bill with an intensity that made the air around them feel heavier. “Did you take him into the forest? What did you do to him?”

Dipper’s heart leapt into his throat. He opened his mouth to explain, but Bill was faster. With a dramatic sigh, Bill loosened his grip on Dipper and stood, stretching his arms above his head like this was the most casual situation in the world. “Relax, Six Fingers,” he said with a smirk. “I didn’t drag him out here or anything. I just saw Pine Tree wandering off last night, and I followed him. You know, making sure he didn’t get himself into trouble.”

Ford wasn’t convinced. His fists clenched at his sides, and the distrust radiating from him was palpable. “You expect me to believe you just followed him? You, Bill Cipher, who’s tried to destroy this world before? What exactly did you do to him while you were here?”

Bill raised his hands in mock surrender, his golden eyes flashing mischievously. “Whoa, easy there, Fordsy. I didn’t do anything to your precious little Pine Tree. He was already tired when I found him, so we talked for a bit, and then he conked out. I could’ve left him here, but I’m not as heartless as you think I am.” He glanced over at Dipper, a softer, almost affectionate look crossing his face. “He was fine, just needed some peace and quiet. Something you, Stan, and Shooting Star might want to talk to him about instead of blaming me for every little thing.”

Ford stepped closer, his eyes scanning Dipper, searching for any sign of injury, any excuse to confront Bill further. Dipper stood up, quickly brushing the dirt off his clothes, his heart hammering in his chest. He knew he had to calm Ford down before things escalated. “Ford, I swear, it’s fine,” Dipper said quickly, stepping between them. “I went to the lake on my own. Bill just... found me, I guess. He didn’t do anything. We just talked. And then, I fell asleep.”

Ford’s eyes narrowed, still suspicious, but he didn’t push Bill any further. Instead, his attention shifted to Dipper, concern mixing with his frustration. “Are you sure, Dipper? You know how dangerous Bill can be. You can’t just... trust him.”

“I know,” Dipper said, rubbing the back of his neck. “But I’m fine. Really.”

Stan came up behind Ford, having just arrived, his face set in a grim frown. “What the heck’s going on here? I knew you were up to something, kid,” Stan said, glaring directly at Bill. “When I walked in on you the other night, I knew something was off.”

Dipper shook his head, stepping even closer to Bill as if to shield him from the rising tension. “Stan, I promise, Bill was just... comforting me.”

Bill, who had been oddly quiet during the exchange, rolled his eyes but didn’t argue. He stood just behind Dipper, looking more annoyed than anything. “Look, old man,” Bill finally said, his voice dripping with mock exasperation. “I’m not interested in starting any drama. I’m just trying to get by in this boring human form. I don’t have my old powers, and I haven’t hurt your precious Pine Tree. So how about you chill out?”

Stan wasn’t having any of it. “Yeah, right. You’re still the same sneaky demon, and I’m not letting my guard down around you.”

Ford, however, took a step back, still watching Dipper with a mix of worry and frustration. He sighed. “We’ll talk more later, Dipper. For now... just get back to the shack. You need rest.” His eyes flicked to Bill, still wary, before turning back to Dipper. “And we’ll figure this out.”

Dipper nodded, feeling the weight of the moment, knowing things weren’t going to get easier any time soon. But for now, he needed to get some space, to think. Without another word, he started walking back toward the shack, Bill following silently behind, the tension between them all thick in the air.

When they got back to the Shack, Dipper felt the familiar heaviness of tension in the air. He knew that if he tried to talk to anyone right now, it would only lead to more questions, more accusations. He wasn’t in the mood for another confrontation. Instead, he quietly retreated to a small corner of the living room with his book, hoping to lose himself in the pages for a little while, even if the words weren’t sinking in.

There was a narrow space between where he sat and the wall, a tiny gap where Bill could just about fit. Not caring about keeping up appearances now, Bill casually sauntered over and slid in behind Dipper. Normally, around the others, Bill and Dipper tried not to show too much affection, knowing it would only draw more ire and concern from everyone. But now, with Ford and Stan busy in the kitchen and the room relatively quiet, Bill settled himself comfortably behind Dipper.

Bill rested his head on Dipper’s shoulder, his golden hair brushing against Dipper’s cheek. Without saying a word, Bill’s hands slipped around Dipper’s waist, holding him securely but gently. The simple act of being close to Bill calmed Dipper in ways he didn’t fully understand. It made everything feel... easier, less overwhelming, like they were the only two people in the world for a brief moment.

The quiet between them stretched on for a while, both of them content to just exist together. Dipper’s eyes drifted over the words in his book, though his focus was more on Bill’s steady breathing against his back. There was something almost peaceful about it — no tricks, no chaos, just... comfort.

But the silence didn’t last forever.

Mabel, who had been sitting across the room watching them for some time, finally got up and moved to sit next to the two. She hesitated for a moment, clearly unsure of what to say. She wrapped her arms around her knees, staring down at the floor before finally speaking.

“So...,” Mabel began, her voice soft but uncertain. “Did you really change?” She looked up at Bill, her eyes searching for something, some sort of sign that everything would be okay. “I mean, you’re Bill Cipher, the same guy who tried to take over the world. And now you’re... here. Acting all normal. How do we know this isn’t just some long game you’re playing?”

Bill’s grip on Dipper’s waist loosened a bit, his usual smug smile faltering for just a moment. He glanced at Dipper, almost as if to ask permission before he answered. Dipper gave him a small nod, signaling it was okay to talk.

With a sigh, Bill leaned his head back against the wall, eyes half-lidded as if he were bored by the question, though there was an underlying seriousness in his tone. “Look, Shooting Star, I’ve already said it before — I’m not the same all-powerful entity I used to be. Do I miss being able to snap my fingers and reshape reality? Sure. But I’ve got different... interests now.” He gave a small, almost wistful chuckle. “Believe it or not, this human thing? It’s actually kinda fascinating.”

Mabel’s brow furrowed, clearly not satisfied with the answer. “Fascinating? That’s it? So you’re just experimenting with us? That’s why you’re hanging around Dipper?”

“No,” Dipper cut in, turning to face Mabel. His voice was steady but firm, as if he had been preparing for this conversation. “It’s not like that, Mabel. I’ve known who he is for a while, and I’ve spent time with him because... because he’s different now.” He paused, searching for the right words. “I’m not saying he’s a completely changed person — or, well, demon — but I’ve seen parts of him that I don’t think anyone else has.”

Mabel stared at Dipper, her eyes wide with disbelief. “But Dipper, he’s Bill Cipher. How can you see anything good in him after everything that happened? After everything he did?”

Dipper sighed, closing his book and setting it aside. “I know. I know who he is, and I know what he’s done. But he’s not just that anymore. I’ve seen him when he’s vulnerable, when he’s... confused about how humans work, about how emotions work. He’s learning, Mabel. He’s not the same person who wanted to destroy everything.”

Bill raised an eyebrow at that, a wry grin forming on his face. “Gee, Pine Tree, didn’t know you thought of me so fondly.”

Mabel, still unconvinced, looked between them, her voice small but pained. “But what if you’re wrong? What if this is just a trick and he’s still playing you? What if you get hurt?”

Dipper turned fully to face Mabel, his eyes softening as he reached out to take her hand. “I know it’s hard to believe, Mabel. And I get why you’re scared. But I don’t think Bill’s tricking me. I’ve seen him when there’s no one else around, when there’s nothing for him to gain. He’s... trying. In his own weird way. And I’m giving him a chance because, deep down, I believe people — or demons — can change.”

Bill was quiet, uncharacteristically so, as he watched the exchange. Mabel chewed her bottom lip, clearly torn. “I just don’t want to lose you, Dipper,” she whispered. “I don’t want him to take you away.”

Dipper squeezed her hand gently. “You’re not going to lose me, Mabel. I’m still your brother. And I’m still the same Dipper. This is just... something I need to figure out.”

Mabel nodded slowly, though it was clear the doubt still lingered in her mind. “Okay,” she whispered. “But I’m still going to keep an eye on you two. Just in case.” She shot Bill a look, one that was equal parts suspicion and curiosity.

Bill smirked. “Wouldn’t expect anything less, Shooting Star.”

As the conversation wound down, the room fell into an uneasy silence, the tension still hanging in the air. Mabel, after a few moments, leaned her head on Dipper’s shoulder. It wasn’t perfect, and the trust wasn’t there yet, but it was a start.

Later that night, as Dipper and Mabel were getting ready for bed, there was a gentle knock on the door. Dipper looked up, and sure enough, Bill slipped into the room without hesitation. Ever since last night, Dipper had noticed that Bill had been unusually close to him all day. Not that he minded, but it was like Bill was more... present. There was something different, a shift in the way Bill interacted with him — softer, maybe even a little more careful.

As Dipper finished pulling on his pajama shirt and climbed into bed, he wasn’t surprised when Bill followed, sliding in right beside him. He had gotten used to Bill's presence, and even though they usually kept their closeness under wraps, Mabel was right there. Dipper hesitated for a moment, glancing over at his sister, but to his surprise, Mabel just gave them a small, knowing smile. She didn’t say a word, but that smile was enough. It was her quiet way of showing that she was trying to accept this new reality, even if it still felt strange to her.

Dipper settled back against the pillows, and Bill wasted no time in wrapping his arms around him, pulling him close like he’d been waiting for this all day. The warmth of Bill's body was comforting, and the way Bill’s hands rested gently on Dipper’s back made him feel secure, grounded.

As the room grew quieter, with only the sound of the wind rustling through the trees outside, Dipper felt a shiver run down his spine when Bill began to trail soft kisses along the side of his neck. Bill’s lips were warm, and each kiss felt deliberate, as if he was savoring the moment. Dipper's breath hitched, and he instinctively rolled over to face Bill, their noses just barely brushing.

“You really like kisses, huh?” Dipper murmured, his voice low and teasing, though there was a warmth in his eyes.

Bill chuckled softly, his golden eyes glinting mischievously in the dim light. “I guess I do,” he replied, his tone smug but affectionate. “But come on, Pine Tree, admit it. You like it too. You wouldn’t be here, wrapped up in me, if you didn’t.”

Dipper’s cheeks flushed slightly, but he couldn’t deny the truth. He gave Bill a sheepish smile, then leaned in closer, resting his forehead against Bill’s. “Okay, fine. I do,” he admitted quietly. “I guess... I like this, being close to you. It’s just—” he paused, trying to find the right words. “It’s different, you know? But in a good way.”

Bill smirked, his fingers gently tracing along Dipper’s spine, sending another small shiver through him. “Different, huh? I’ll take that as a compliment. You’re not exactly used to being this close to a cosmic entity, are you?”

Dipper snorted softly, rolling his eyes. “Yeah, not exactly the relationship I imagined when I thought about dating.”

Bill raised an eyebrow, his smile widening. “Come on, Pine Tree, admit it — dating the most powerful demon in existence has its perks.” His tone was playful, but there was an underlying sincerity there, like he was testing the waters, gauging how Dipper felt about all of this.

Dipper looked at him for a long moment, his expression softening. “I don’t care about the power, Bill,” he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. “I just... I care about you. I don’t know how else to say it.”

For a brief second, Bill’s playful demeanor faltered, replaced by something more genuine, more vulnerable. He blinked, almost as if he hadn’t expected Dipper to say something like that. But then, his smirk returned, though it was softer now. “You’re too good for me, Pine Tree,” he muttered, pressing another soft kiss to Dipper’s forehead.

Dipper chuckled, his heart warming at the gesture. “Maybe,” he teased back. “But you’re stuck with me now.”

They lay there for a while longer, wrapped up in each other. Bill’s fingers absentmindedly traced patterns along Dipper’s back, and Dipper closed his eyes, letting himself relax into the warmth and safety of Bill’s embrace. For the first time in a long while, it felt like things were settling, like they could have this moment without the world crashing down around them.

Eventually, Dipper felt the soft rhythm of Bill’s breathing slow, signaling that he was drifting off. Dipper glanced over at Mabel, who had long since turned away, curled up under her blankets. He smiled to himself, thankful for the small sign of acceptance she had given him earlier. Maybe things weren’t perfect, but they were getting there.

With a contented sigh, Dipper rested his head against Bill’s chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. “Goodnight, Bill,” he whispered softly, knowing full well that the demon probably wouldn’t sleep much. But it didn’t matter. Bill was here, and for now, that was enough.

“Goodnight, Pine Tree,” Bill murmured in response, his voice barely audible, but there was a warmth in it that made Dipper feel safe. And as the night stretched on, Dipper allowed himself to drift into sleep, comforted by the steady presence of the demon he never thought he could trust, but who had somehow become the one he felt safest with.

In the morning, Dipper woke up feeling a little more resolved. The weight of everything — Bill, his family’s constant worry, the strain of trying to balance it all — had been pressing down on him for weeks. As much as he appreciated how much Stan and Ford cared, their constant supervision and suspicions were starting to wear him down. He needed to talk to them, to explain how all of this was affecting him.

After breakfast, Dipper found Stan and Ford in the living room. They were talking in low voices, likely about their latest surveillance plan for Bill, judging by Ford’s scribbles on a notepad. Dipper’s stomach churned with anxiety, but he knew he couldn’t keep avoiding the conversation. He took a deep breath and walked up to them, feeling Bill’s eyes on him from across the room but trying to push the distraction aside.

“Hey, can we talk?” Dipper asked, his voice firm but nervous.

Stan looked up first, raising an eyebrow, while Ford glanced over his notes before setting them down with a sigh. “What’s on your mind, kid?” Stan asked, his voice gruff but not unkind.

Dipper shuffled his feet before sitting down across from them, trying to gather his thoughts. “It’s about... everything,” he started slowly. “About Bill. About you guys constantly watching over me, breathing down my neck, like you’re waiting for something bad to happen.”

Ford’s brow furrowed, and Stan exchanged a glance with him. “We’re just trying to protect you, Dipper. You know what Bill’s capable of,” Ford said cautiously, his tone defensive.

“I know,” Dipper said, nodding. “But it’s not helping. If anything, it’s making things worse. I feel like I can’t breathe. I’m always on edge, and I’m starting to feel like I’m being pulled in two different directions. You guys want me to stay away from Bill, but I don’t want to. I can’t.”

Stan’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn’t interrupt, sensing there was more Dipper needed to get out.

“I know who Bill is. I know what he’s done,” Dipper continued, his voice growing steadier. “But I also know who he is now. He’s not the same as before. He’s... different.” He glanced briefly at Bill, who remained leaning against the far wall, arms crossed but unusually quiet. “I’m not saying he’s perfect, and yeah, I get why you don’t trust him. But I do. At least, I’m trying to.”

Ford leaned forward, his face etched with concern. “Dipper, it’s not that simple. Bill Cipher is dangerous. Just because he seems different now doesn’t erase everything he’s done. You can’t expect us to sit back and do nothing.”

Dipper sighed, rubbing his face in frustration. “I’m not asking you to do nothing. I’m just asking for some space. I need time to figure things out without you guys constantly looking over my shoulder, waiting for something to go wrong. It’s stressing me out, and I need a break from it. I need time to actually be near Bill without feeling like I’m betraying you or making a mistake.”

Stan let out a long sigh, scratching the back of his neck. “Kid, we’re just trying to keep you safe. You know how I feel about that guy,” he said, nodding in Bill’s direction. “But... I get it. This whole situation’s been tough on you.”

Ford was less convinced, his expression still tight with worry. “Dipper, I’m concerned. What if Bill is just playing the long game, manipulating you without you realizing it?”

Dipper met Ford’s gaze head-on, determination in his eyes. “I’ll tell you if I think anything’s wrong. I’m not blind to who Bill is, and I promise I’ll be careful. But I need to handle this in my own way. You both have to trust me on this.”

There was a long silence as Ford and Stan exchanged another look, their concern palpable. Ford opened his mouth to argue again, but Stan held up a hand, stopping him.

“All right, kid,” Stan finally said, his tone reluctant but understanding. “We’ll back off. Give you some space. But,” he added firmly, “if you even think Bill’s up to something, you tell us immediately. No hesitating. Got it?”

Dipper nodded gratefully, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. “I will. I promise.”

Ford still looked conflicted, but after a moment, he sighed in resignation. “Fine,” he muttered. “But don’t think we’re going to stop keeping an eye on him entirely. We’ll give you more space, Dipper, but we’re not going to pretend everything’s okay.”

“That’s all I’m asking for,” Dipper said softly.

As the conversation came to a close, Bill finally spoke from the other side of the room, his voice carrying a teasing edge. “Wow, Pine Tree, didn’t know you’d defend me so passionately. I’m touched.”

Dipper rolled his eyes, though there was a small smile tugging at his lips. “Don’t push your luck, Bill.”

Stan shook his head, muttering under his breath as he walked out of the room. “This better not bite us in the ass...”

Ford lingered a moment longer, giving Dipper one last serious look. “Be careful, Dipper,” he said quietly. “I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“I will,” Dipper promised, and Ford finally left, though Dipper knew the tension wasn’t completely gone.

As the room emptied, Dipper leaned back in his chair, feeling the weight of the conversation settle. Bill sauntered over, smirking as he plopped down next to Dipper. “Well, that went better than expected. You actually got them to ease up. Impressive, Pine Tree.”

Dipper shot him a look. “Yeah, well, don’t make me regret it.”

Bill laughed, his eyes gleaming. “No promises.”

#gravity falls #gravity falls fanfiction #bill cipher #dipper pines #mabel pines #bill x dipper #mabel x pacifica

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