"Bill, how does it feel to be dubbed as 'the hottest villain of the year' because of the last movie you starred on?"
"You have to admit, I looked hot in that get-up, with the eye patch and everything…like a classy pirate or something," he pointed out to the reporter who asked.
Everyone in the audience laughed, even his co-stars laughed. So did Bill.
"It's all thanks to the costume designers. Well, to answer your question, though I don't like antagonizing these amazing people in real life," he gestured to his co-stars, who nodded. "It feels great, actually. Thank you, whoever that is who started calling me that. It means that I have executed my role well. It makes me very proud," he flashed a sincere smile to the audience.
Dipper had to disagree though. Bill likes antagonizing people, himself and his twin sister Mabel in particular. Little did everyone know, that his cousin Bill was a real prankster. One of his co-stars told the reporters that Bill liked a good laugh and pranks them on set sometimes. So in a way, Dipper's thought was voiced out. He made a mental note to thank the guy later.
Another question was shot to his ever-handsome and famous cousin while he was lost in his thoughts.
"Mr. Cipher, you've got a lot of fans, and I think they would agree with me that they'd like to know," there was a pause before she continued. "How's your love life?"
There was total silence from the audience. Anticipation can be seen on all of their faces. The whole room stopped breathing, waiting for an answer.
Dipper saw for a moment a shimmer in Bill's eyes and the grin he always wore when he's up to something. But his expression quickly changed into that of a lost person's.
"I'm still single. 'Coz there's this one girl. I saw her at a meeting with the fans a few months back. I didn't get to ask her name, because of all the commotion, people swarming in to the building. I've only seen her once but I…" He paused, looked down at his hands, as if thinking of what to say next.
But of course Dipper already knew before Bill even opened his mouth to say it.
"I'm in love with her."
Dipper slaps a hand to his forehead. Stupid Bill.
There was shock in the silence. Seconds later, the bubble of silence bursts and the noise broke out. They all settled down, reporters and fans alike, when told to be quiet. It took a few 'shhh's and 'calm down's before another question was given but this time not to Bill.
Dipper could hear an imaginary Bill in his mind saying, Feed the flame. Feed the flame…Because indeed, he was feeding the flame of rumors. After this press conference, there'd be some kind of Make-Bill-Cipher-meet-his-true-love kind of thing on the internet that will be made by his fans. He could bet on it.
Victory, thought Bill.
Everyone wasn't ready to get home yet, but Bill and his cousin need to. Pines family dinners are not to be missed, especially when Uncle Stan was visiting from his work in Columbia. He and Dipper were inside the moving car now, the driver in front adjusting the volume of the stereo. They were listening to classical.
"That was a joke, wasn't it? What you said to that reporter about your love life?"
"Maybe, maybe not, who knows?" Bill shrugged, but he can't hide the grin on his face.
Dipper knew the answer, but of course, Dipper always had to ask. Typical Dipper, Bill said to himself.
"Uncle Ford will kill you for getting yourself unnecessary attention."
"Uncle Shermie will kill you for not looking after me and preventing that from happening."
Dipper fell silent, thought for a moment and muttered, "They'd still side with me that no one can stop you from doing what you want…"
He winked at him, Dipper just rolled his eyes.
"Yep, no one can stop me from doing what I want. So let's break some fan girl hearts, shall we?"