Bill stared intently at the scene below him. He was studying every movement, every object, every person. But most of all, he was studying Dipper. The boy was huddled up in the far corner of the gift shop, his hat pulled down low and his journal resting on his knees.

Bill had concluded that since Dipper was forced to work by Stan, that he'd have to stay in the shop. So, Dipper would make sure to be in the most secluded part of the room, away from all people and interactions, reading his journal because that was how he calmed down.

And Bill knew why.

Because of what happened last night.

Dipper looked absolutely traumatized. Bill wasn't there to watch him in bed (he had wanted to remove himself from that situation altogether) but he was pretty sure that poor Pine Tree got no sleep.

He was there when he woke up though.

Dipper had woken up with a jolt, most likely from a nightmare. It was probably a nightmare concerning Bill, even though Bill never influenced his mind. That Dipper had done on his own unknowingly. His fear of the demon was so immense that he had catapulted himself into a constant cycle of worry, fear, and paranoia that he just couldn't escape.

Bill floated down to be at eye level with the boy, staring at his shadowed face as his eyes scanned the book.

Dipper would never know that he was there. Bill could sit a foot away all day and never have him notice.

Or at least he thought so.

Dipper looked up slowly, his eyes glancing around the room. Gently, he tucked the book away and stood up.

Bill would've had a heart attack if he was human.

Did he feel his presence? How could he have done that? Bill wasn't even in the physical world!

No, Bill reassured himself, it was just a coincidence that he got up then. It's impossible for him to know I'm here.

But was it?

"I'm not hungry, thanks."

"What? But I thought this was your favorite? I made it just for you!" Mabel exclaimed.

"I'm sorry," Dipper sighed,"I'm just not in the mood to eat."

With that he hung his head low so that his hat covered his face, and left the kitchen.

Mabel frowned. She had spent her whole evening making cinnamon pancakes (because breakfast for dinner is the shit) so that she and her brother could have a good start to their bonding night. She had planned on cuddling up with him on the armchair, resting her head on his chest, with his arms wrapped around her, while watching their favorite movies. She had planned on playing all the dumb games they made up when they were younger.

She had planned on her brother being happy.

What happened to him? I don't remember anything that could've made him like this...

Mabel thought hard. But no matter how hard she thought, she couldn't recall anything in the past few days that could've made Dipper so upset.

She untied her sparkly apron and draped it over a chair, then followed where he had gone. She guessed that he had retreated to the attic, so she slowly tip-toed up the creaky stairs to find him.

Just when she was about to open the door, she heard a sob.

Was that... Dipper? She asked herself.

Of course it was. But I've never heard a sound like that come from him.

She bent over to peer through the keyhole. There on his bed, Dipper was sitting Indian-style with his face in his hands. He shoulders slumped inward, shaking occasionally. He was sniffling lightly, just enough for her to know that he was crying.

"Oh God..." he whimpered.

I have to help him, Mabel told herself.

Slowly, she placed her hand on the knob and turned. She opened the door and stepped in.

As expected, Dipper panicked and tried to cover up his crying.

"There's no use in trying to hide it, Dipper, I know you were crying," she said calmly.

With that Dipper stopped wiping away his tear trails and instead bowed his head in shame. Once again, he covered his face with his hands and sighed.

Mabel approached him. "C'mon, tell me what's wrong."

"No," he replied,"I don't wanna talk about it. It's awful..."

"Well I'd bet it be less awful if you let me help you," Mabel coaxed, sitting down adjacent to him and wrapping an arm around his shivering shoulders.

"No..." He repeated, this time more desperate of a tone.

Mabel sighed and looked down.

What could've happened that made him this upset? So upset that he couldn't even fall onto Mabel for help? He couldn't even say it!

'What happened?' was all Mabel could think.

"Please Dipper. I swear that if you tell me I'll do anything to fix it. But I can't help you if you don't tell me."

With one final shaky breath, Dipper caved.

"It's Bill," he cried.

Oh no. Oh no no no.

"He's back? W-What did he do?" Mabel asked, trying to keep a steady voice.

"Well, he... sent me a dream. I was all alone in the forest, and... I could just feel him surrounding me. I was so terrified- and I started crying right away. When he showed up he said he just wanted to talk, but I know he's up to something. Something bad's gonna happen..."

Mabel prodded,"Is that all?"

"N-No. Then he said he'd go into physical form to talk to me. And then- and then-"

Dipper burst into a new wave a tears before he could finish. He was sobbing uncontrollably now, so much his whole body was heaving.

"And then what?" Mabel asked gently.

"He kissed me."

Mabel drew in a surprised gasp. She didn't think it'd ever come to something like that- but then again, it was Bill they were talking about.

And boy, would he pay for it.

A/N: 'Sup dudes. Long time no see.

Anyway, as usual, my schedule is totally shit packed, and I have limited time for leisure. School and sports and everything else are gonna be the death of me one day...

Well, there is some good news though. I finally got a hold of a laptop. And a scanner. So when I have time to set that up and draw, you'll get to see my art! It'll be on tumblr though, so I guess you'll just have to follow me! ;D

As always, check my profile for more junk, and review!

~Unique Pines