Friday morning, Dipper stayed home. Apparently he only worked from Monday to Thursday(?). When questioned, he only replied with, 'They don't need any help'. When questioned what exactly was his job at the flesh bag repair shop, he'd reply with, 'None of your business', like most of the answers Bill received from him. And each time, Bill pouted. The demon really hated not knowing what was going on. He's supposed to be the one hiding everything! Not Pine Tree! But he'll figure it out. No matter what. Dipper's mind was like a puzzle. One waiting to be solved. He had solved it before, the only difference is that there is a few more pieces.. and the level.. was insanely high. He'll figure it out. No matter what. Though the demon denied such, that was slowly becoming the reason to stick around. Bill enjoyed games. Good games. Dipper was now one of them.
When the clock hit 5 pm, there came a knock at the door. Dipper quickly reached toward the door to answer it, turning towards Bill before answering, "Be on your best behavior."
"When have I not?" Bill's smile was sly and cheeky. Dipper studied the demon for a moment longer before opening the door. Before Dipper could process who it was, though he already knew, two small children rushed in and tackled Bill to the ground, the tall demon landing with an 'Oaf!'.
"You're still here, Triangle man!" The young female with bouncy curls exclaimed. It was clear, by her voice, that Joanna had returned, and next to her was Alfred.
Bill sucked in a breath after having the air, unexpectedly, knocked out of him before replying to her, "Of course I am! Why would I leave?! You two are the greatest!" he gave them a squeezing hug. Both giggled and squirmed as Dipper watched them play with the dangerous being in their living room. Well.. He was mostly harmless for now, at least. He then turned back to the doorway just as Ricki walked in, holding Angelica's few things. He looked to his ex, who was currently holding Angelica in her arms, her eyes watching Bill. He could see that she was uncertain of this, but he knew very well he could take care of Bill. He wasn't that weak defenceless 12 year old kid from before. He was much more than that, now. He could take care of his own. He could 'take care' of Bill.
"He won't hurt them." Dipper gave a reassuring smile.
"You don't know that." She replied with ice in her voice.
"He wouldn't get a chance. I'd cut off his head before any harm came to them." Physically and mentally. "They'll be fine, Charlotte."
Charlotte's eyes flickered to Dipper for a moment before handing Angelica to him, who shifted into her father's arms quickly, and looked back to Bill.
"I don't want to trust you, Dipper. Not with this. But…" She looked to him again. "If you think they are safe… You never did go against your word."
"And that part of me still stands." he smiled softly. She sighed and waved, turning her back to Dipper, giving a one last quick glance at Bill, worry overshadowing her face, and then she left.
The children were giggly about Bill's stay. They thought of him as a fun uncle… Or their father's boyfriend. They never did have a problem with different relationships and forms of love. But all well knowing their father would deny it, they decided to keep their mouths shut for now. They would have to tell Bill sometime though. Ricki dropped Angelica's things in the room they shared while Dipper set the twin's things in theirs. Even though he had tidied up things, he knew well that they would mess it up again before they left on sunday night.
After some light rough housing with Bill, keeping Angelica out of it, the twins settled down on the couch when their father turned on the T.V to a station called 'Cartoon Network', where 'The Amazing World Of Gumball' was being played. It always reminded him of some kids he knew a few years back, at least by the way they acted. Bill watched the twins drift onto the couch in amazement. "It's like hypnosis." He muttered before, too, drifting on the couch in a hypnotic statement. Dipper couldn't help but chuckle to himself at Bill's actions. Bill was like a kid. How he didn't see it all those years ago, he didn't know. Now it was clear as day. Bill was like a child, drawn in quite easily by silly entertainment. All of this reminded Dipper of when he was younger, when he and Mabel were unstoppable and inseparable. When he thought he was grown, since he was a pre teen, and desperatly tried to stop such 'Childish Acts', but ended up being convinced by Mabel that not even preteens or teens, would grow up untill they hit their middle 20's. But in truth, Dipper still today liked to play childish games. Even as an adult, he was still at heart, a bit of a child.
Chuckling to himself of the fond memories, he headed to the kitchen and began preparing for supper. Dumpling soup was Ricki's favorite and it was her day to pick what she wanted. Thus he pulled out the necessary ingredients and started to put them together. Even in his past relationships, Dipper had always been the cook. Mabel had forced him to take a cooking class in Highschool and in College with her, and he had never expected to like it as much as he did. Though he had never cooked before in his life before then, the teacher, which was sometimes Mabel, said he had a natural gift for picking out and blending the best ingredients together. People always seemed happy when they ate his cooking, so he kept at it. Apparently he was so good, now his kids don't like eating at their mother's, where her boyfriend mostly cooks. He was a very good cook, but according to them, he was better. Must have been because of those classes Mabel forced him to take.
As he kneaded the bread, someone snuck up behind him. There was no gentle creeks of one of his own trying to scare him. Reaching out with thin lanky arms, sudden large hands grabbed Dipper's waist, earning no jump as expected. "Enough people try that, nowadays it's near impossible to scare me."
A slight pout on Bill's face was obvious, even if he wasn't facing him. Bill thought for a moment before a immense grin split on his drawn on mouth. "But I bet your'e…" He drawled out, his slim fingers making their way onto his stomach and down. Dipper stiffened at this. Shit. Bill's grin grew wider. "...TICKLISH!" Fingers suddenly digging into Dipper's lower stomach before prancing everywhere in that area. Dipper let out a yelp before bursting into laughter. Damn. He knew that area was really sensitive to that sort of stuff. Dipper wiggled around, laughing, as he tried to escape Bill's ticklish cage. Of coarse, flower from the dough went everywhere. Why wouldn't it? Though not much, flour came to rest on their heads and on the floor as Dipper tried to get away from Bill.
"S-St-aph" Dipper managed to wring out, as he was not able to breath. He started to cripple down on the floor before collapsing. Bill let him as the man gasped for air. As soon as Pine Tree would get up, Bill would attack him again, Dipper knew this. That's the kind of demon he was. Kick ya when you're down and defenceless. Such an ass.
Ricki watched from the doorway, as the two adults played their childish game of Tickle War. She could tell Bill hadn't expected what her dad would do next due to his sudden yelp, pay back. She rolled her eyes at the childish scenery and left the two alone but smiled fondly when she knew she wouldn't be seen. Her dad was in such high spirits, laughing so carefree. Usually it was at least a bit stressed. She hadn't heard this in a long time. Maybe the twins were right. Sure, Bill hadn't been here as nearly as long to know, but so far, maybe Bill was a good break for her dad.
A buzz. She unpocketed her phone to see she got a text from Dan;
Dan: Wanna hang out tonight?
Ricki: Nah. Dads making my fav. You know how that goes. Dude. You should come over for dinner. Dad's dumplings are hella ;D
Dan: That sounds fucking awesome. Your so lucky your dad's such a great cook. Just for dinner, ya?
Ricki: Unless you want to stay longer ;)
Dan: Nah, I got homework to do.
Dan: Unless…
Dan: You wanna work on it with me?
Ricki: Yis.
Dan: Alright. I'll be over in 10.
And that was the end of that.
"DAD! Dan's coming over for dinner!" She called, hearing a 'fine' in return.
"I wish she'd ask me first." Dipper muttered as he forced Bill to aid in cleaning the mess they made.
When he bent over, Bill got a fine view, Bill thought to himself before shuddering at the disgusting thought. Disgusting humanish body, Bill thought to himself. It's not that Dipper wasn't attractive, wait… Banish that thought. Banish it now. Fuck. Whats wrong with him? Being active in the human world for a few years was taking a toll on him, but this had never done this before. Whatever. Baniiisshhhhhhh ok. It's gone. He's good now.
Dipper looked too bill and cocked a brow at the demon's intense stare at him, and squirmed under the harsh gaze. "Humm… Bill?"
Bill's serious intense gaze was broken at the mention of his name, "What's up, Pine Tree?"
Dipper made a face before turning back and continued cleaning, "Nothing". Bill shrugged and continued to watch the human work. When Dipper noticed this, Bill was scolded for not helping and was forced to finish cleaning while Dipper cooked.
Another Buzz. Ricki pulled out her cellphone again, seeing she got a text from her mother.
Mom: Do me a favor and keep an eye on Bill.
Ricki: Sounds like a demand too me
Mom: *?
Ricki: Alright
Ricki: But I don't get why ur so worried.
Ricki: Bills…
Ricki: Odd. But nice
Mom: Did your dad tell you anything about him?
Ricki: No
Ricki: But Bill says they're old friends or something, idk.
Mom: Well, Bill is not to be trusted.
Mom: He is just as manipulative as he is charming.
Ricki: idk bout u, but Angie likes him alot. And you know her judgment on ppl is good.
Mom: Angelica likes him?!
Mom: omg, no.
Ricki: Bill calls her Angel for some reason. Tho I guess that's a common nick.
Mom: Nuh uh. I refuse. Keep Angelica away from him.
Ricki: Mom.
Ricki: Your over reacting.
Ricki: Bill's fine. I can feel it. I'll keep an eye on him if it makes you feel any better, like you asked.
Mom: …
Mom: Can't really force you to do anything. Fine.
Mom: Love you, honey.
Ricki: Love you too, mom.
Ricki went to the living room to check on the twins, who were still mindlessly watching T.V. She sat down next to them and waited for Dan.
They all had a nice Dinner with their two guests, Dan and Bill, who Dipper refused to call a guest and more like an 'intruder'. Bill was cracking jokes half the time, making one of the twins, or Dipper, choke on their food, whether it be because of laughter, or surprise. Dan seemed to like Bill a lot, given how he aided the continuation of horrid jokes that were so bad, they all couldn't help but laugh anyways. Bill hardly touched his food, given the few nibbles he had in his dumplings just to try them. Bill commented on how they were the best he's ever had, and then followed that with a comment saying he rarely eats anyways, and he usually ignores the flavor. Dan and Ricki gave him a look and wondered if he liked to starve himself and if they should worry. But when looking to Dipper, who seemed unfazed by this, they ignored it thinking it probably was alright.
Dan and Ricki retreated to Ricki's room to study and played some heavy metal tunes. Bill gritted his teeth, "That sounds horrible."
"It's their thing." Dipper replied, washing the dishes that were left. "What music do you like?"
"Pine Tree, i'm hurt. I'd thought you'd know me by now." Bill put a hand to his chest and pouted.
"Lemme guess. Nails on chalkboard, horrific banshee screeching, the screams of all that are crushed by your might?" Dipper listed off noises.
"While those are all great to listen to, I also favor a bit of the classics. Like Mosarch, for example. 20's are alright too, I suppose. Of course there are others, but those are not of this world." Bill corrected, and Dipper took things too note. Bill liked 20's. Who knew?
Silence.
More Silence.
"So..." Silence broken. "... Unicorn." It was Bill who broke it.
"What about her?" Dipper didn't bother to look up.
"She's pretty old for someone in their thirties."
"She's not mine." Dipper said flattly.
Bill blinked. "Were you two still together when she was born."
"Yes."
"Oh. Wow. That really sucks, Pine Tree. Humans are so not persistent." Bill frowned, hardly feeling bad for him.
"Well… It happens. So… Nothing I could do." The 'could' seemed to linger in the air, Bill seeming too study it.
"Could?" Bill repeated. "You mean you can do something now? To change it?" Bill waited for a reply, but none came. Bill smiled. Dipper let a piece of information slip, 'could' means before, which means he has the ability to change it. And thinking of the subject, if it happened again, it means he had the ability to force it too not happen. Maybe Bill was over thinking it, but he felt like he hit the nail on the head. Somehow, this had to do with why Dipper was capable of such a strong barrier, which limited Bill to the bare minimum. Bill watched Dipper finishing his work, seeming slightly in thought as he did so. He seemed very guarded while Bill was near, but he hardly showed it.
Bill decided to change the subject a bit, "Are the twins and Angel your's then?"
"Yes." Was Dipper's only reply. Bill gave a lopsided frown at the lack of response as the man dried his hands off with a dish towel.
"Got any other meat bag you want to mate with?" Bill tried again.
"What?" Dipper looked to him like he was mad. His
brain processed Bill's words, translating them like another language. 'Got anyone you like?' is what Bill had meant. Dipper chewed on his lip for a moment while in thought. He didn't like anyone that he could remember. Well. He had sex every now and then, a friend with benefits thing. "No."
Bill was actually about to elaborate what he meant, but Dipper seemed too get it. "Really?" Bill pressed.
"I mean, Luci is a real hottie, and his wife is gorgeous too, but they aren't looking for a third party to join their weird relationship. And besides, I don't just ask all my crushes too go out with me. Specially when I crush easy."
"Luci?" Now where has he heard that name before?
"Lucifer"
A devil's name. How wonderful. Im sure that meat bag is fun to hand with. "Any crushes like back in the day with Red?"
"What? No. Nothing like that. That was-" Dipper gave out a chuckle at the memory of him crushing hard on his friend, Wendy, and getting absolutely nowhere with it. "That was dumb."
"Glad we can agree on something, Pine Tree."
