Dipper showered after Mabel dropped off a bag of clothes including other overnight items. The truck was taken back so he was left to spend another night with the professor. While showering, Dipper hesitated before using the items Bill had used the day before. The smell filled his senses and sent goosebumps down his spine. From the shampoo to the body wash, everything smelt like the blond man that was in the apartment. Heat from the shower started to make his head feel a bit buzzed and his hands slid over his heart. Thoughts of the former demon crowded his mind. To him, it didn't feel right to feel his heart beat so hard for the other. He put them through so much. But if that were true, why couldn't he stop himself from melting into the intoxicating touch and agree to stay over again?
It wasn't long before Dipper pulled himself out of his thoughts and the hot water. He dried and dressed but took a few moments to himself before exiting the bathroom. It was about noon and before he jumped into the shower, Bill had asked about lunch before leaving to pick something up. The brunette sat in the living room to wait for his host to return. He browsed his phone while he waited but soon, he felt himself grow anxious. Waiting for the taller man to return was leaving him feeling like he was lost. He was tempted to surround himself with the other's sweet scent again. Without thinking much of it, the brunette pulled himself to his feet and allowed himself to walk to Bill's room. He used the older man's shampoo and body wash but it didn't feel like it was enough.
The room was still only lightly lit so Dipper opened the blinds and allowed the sun to brighten the entire room. He looked around while sliding to sit in the office chair that was set in front of the desk.
'What am I doing?' he thought to himself, scanning the room until his eyes landed on the bed. While looking around, he pulled his phone out and sent a message to Bill.
Dipper:
12:08 PM
You're such a slowpoke! Bet you miss teleporting, huh?
Dipper pushed himself off of the chair and lied down on the mattress. He snuggled under the blanket and took in the missing man's scent. A pit in his stomach began to grow, feeling as if this was wrong. Hatred towards himself started to grow when he felt his heart race at the memories from that morning.
"What are you doing?" A voice boomed through the room suddenly. Dipper jerked and sat up in the bed quickly, feeling his face grow hot as he looked towards the opened door for the owner of the voice. Andrew was standing in the doorway, glaring daggers at the brunette. The brunette felt scared at the sight of the angry man who stood there, waiting for a response. "Well?" he pressed.
"W-what?" Dipper stuttered, removing himself from Bill's bed.
"You heard me," he growled. "What are you doing? Why are you still here?"
"I-I," Dipper was stumbling with his words, trying to fight the fear that was creeping up in his chest. Andrew suddenly took a step towards the shorter male who barely moved away from the bed. A dark look loomed over the taller man's face and he growled angrily at the frightened boy.
"I told you," he growled, "to stay away. Why aren't you fucking listening?"
Any warmth that was left in Dipper's body was wiped away by the icy cold stare that Andrew was giving him. Before he could respond though, he heard another voice enter the room.
"Get the fuck away from him," Bill's voice was stern and Andrew turned to see the blond man standing in the doorway, glaring daggers at the black-haired man's back. Andrew glared back at the former demon without any fear.
"Make me," he dared. The blond man's hands were in fists as he stared back. "You can't touch me. Watch what you're doing."
"I said," Bill walked towards the two and grabbed Andrew's wrist in a death grip, "Get away from him."
Dipper watched in fear as the blond proceeded to pull and push Andrew away from him and out of the room. Once he was outside, Bill looked back for a moment and closed the door, leaving Dipper in the room. Alone.
Muffles could be heard right outside of the door but it wasn't loud enough for Dipper to hear anything. While temptation wanted to draw the younger male in, fear held him in his spot. Suddenly, the brunette buried himself back into the bed and under the blankets. That's when he felt his tears on his face. When did he start to cry? The answer didn't matter though. All that mattered at that moment was the honey scent around him and the thought of Bill getting the strange 'helper' away from him. Dipper burrowed into himself on the mattress and shoved his face into the soft pillow that Bill had slept on.
Minutes later, he heard a door slam that shook the walls. After a few more quiet moments, Bill's door was opened and Dipper froze. The bed shifted and the brunette felt another body press up against his front. When arms wrapped themselves around him, Dipper rose his head out from the blanket to meet Bill's eyes staring back with concern written in his eyes. Relief crossed over the brunette's features and he allowed himself to relax against the hold.
"Sorry I was slow," Bill's voice was low while he spoke, pulling himself closer to the smaller male.
"What was wrong with him?" Dipper asked while his hands reached and grabbed onto the other's shirt.
"I don't know," a sigh came from the former demon's throat, tightening his hold onto Dipper. "He has no right to talk to you, he knows that."
"But he left us alone before," the brunette commented. "Why is now so different?"
"I wish I knew," Bill stroked his back slowly. "He wouldn't tell me why. I said you were staying with me again and he left."
"Left?" Dipper furrowed his eyebrows, his eyes dancing across Bill's features. "Like to his room? Or the apartment?"
"The apartment," Bill's eyes were soft, staring at him with that same emotion Dipper noticed on Pacifica's birthday. "I don't know when he'll be back."
"I'm just glad he's gone," the brunette's eyes fell a bit, his sight landing on the blond man's lips.
They were slim but still plumped, causing his heart skipped a beat and his stomach began to twist. Realization hit him with their lips only being about a foot away from each other. The urge to lean forward was growing on Dipper quicker when he looked back into Bill's eyes. Dipper noticed the black dot in Bill's iris again, right under the pupil in his left eye. His hands moved to cup the former demon's face with his palm as he moved in a bit. Thoughts of his lips were gone by the time he felt Bill tense up and his eyes were widened a bit in shock. Dipper paused with their noses barely touching.
"Pine Tree?" Bill questioned in a small whisper, voice full of shock and nervousness from the younger male's bold movements. Being closer now, the brunette was able to see that the dot he has noticed before was slightly deformed. Dipper was staring into his eyes intensively.
"Do you have an eye doctor?" he asked bluntly.
"No," the blond haired man pulled away from Dipper's sudden closeness. "I can see fine," his voice was laced with confusion.
"Can you go see one?" Dipper didn't move closer to the man but was still staring directly at his affected eye.
"There's nothing to go for," Bill sat up on the mattress and leaned on his hand for support. "Why?"
"There's something in your eye," he explained, pushing to sit up as well. "I don't know, I saw it when you were at the hospital but I think it's either moving or growing."
Bill shook his head a bit. "Wouldn't the doctors I talked to at the hospital notice that?" he suggested. "It's probably nothing. I never noticed anything in my eyes before."
"Can you please?" Dipper pressed, ignoring what he had just said.
"Why?" the blond asked again.
"I already told you," the brunette pushed the covers off.
"But my vision is fine," he lightly argued. "I don't need to go."
"For me then?" Dipper pressed. Bill stayed silent for a moment before rolling his eyes and removed himself from the bed.
"Remember me asking for your opinion?" Bill asked suddenly. "No? Well, me neither."
"That's not funny," Dipper responded with determination in his voice. The blond sighed and shook his head.
"It's funny when you think about it," the blond sat at the office chair and looked back to the brunette in his bed. "You're acting like-" he quit speaking for a moment and held the bridge of his nose, letting out a slow sigh. "Thanks for your concern. I do not need it. Stop. Don't worry your pretty little head about it."
"You really don't know what it's like to have a friend, huh?" Dipper questioned, feeling a bit frustrated. "When are you going to take me seriously?"
"When you realize what you're doing isn't friendly," Bill accused quickly, letting his hand drop from his face and looking at the brunette. "I mean, it's nice, but not friendly."
Dipper paused, feeling taken aback a bit at the response. "How would you know what a friend is?" he mumbled a bit, crossing his arms defensively.
"I've seen friends," he pressed. "I've been treated well by a good amount of people to know by now if what you're doing is friend-like or not."
"Do you know what it's like to have a best friend, then?" Dipper tried to question, feeling nervous that his actions were being taken the wrong way. But were they? Dipper didn't even know. Again, all he's thinking once again for that day is needing his twin sister.
"That, I'll give you," he shrugged. "I haven't been close though to anyone for them to think that."
"Mabel has had many best friends," Dipper continued to explain. "They look after each other in every aspect. They do each other's hair and make-up. Sometimes they'll let each other borrow clothes. They walk with each other, sometimes Mabel would drive her friends to their home just to make sure they were safe. They also sleep in the same bed and for as long as I shared a room with her, I know her and her friends also cuddled up to each other. Especially during the winter. Any of my friends usually slept on the floor because I don't know if they're cool with cuddling. So," he shrugged a bit and scratched the back of his head. "I kind of consider you to be my best friend."
Bill stayed silent while listening to the younger boy start to ramble. The brunette did notice a shift in demeanor from the other male. Physically, he seemed relaxed a bit while leaning back against the chair but his eyes faltered and were staring at the ground. Dipper walked towards the former demon and he grabbed his shoulders, massaging his fingers against his shoulders lightly. Bill's eyes traveled from the floor up to Dipper's face, his expression unreadable.
"Would you consider me your best friend?" Dipper's voice was soft and full of guilt.
"By your definition?" the blond man smiled a bit. "Of course."
Relief passed through Dipper and he let his hands drop from the other's shoulders. "Good," he pressed his hand on his stomach. "Now, let's go eat. I'm starving."
Lunch was quiet but comfortable. They weren't sitting as close as they were that morning, but Dipper felt content but knew there was possibly a reason behind the taller man's silence. Once they were finished eating, Bill casually walked back into his bedroom with the brunette on his tail.
Once inside, Bill kneeled down and pulled out a long wooden box from under his bed. He leaned with his back against the bed then motioned for Dipper to sit next to him and once he did, the former demon popped the top off and the brunette's eyes went wide.
"Bill," he stared at the contents in the box. The items inside ranged from small glass containers holding small bundles of green, what Dipper was assuming to be marijuana, to small cases of other items. "Are you kidding me?"
Bill chuckled and grabbed one of the smaller cases. "Problem?" he asked, unzipping the case and pulled out a small clean pipe. "I haven't smoked in over a week," he explained. "I only do this on weekends and breaks and as you know, I've been in the hospital for a while."
Dipper thought he would feel uncomfortable but instead, he was more shocked to see Bill willingly showing off his stuff to the younger male. "Are you wanting me to smoke?" he questioned. "Why are you showing me this?"
"We're best friends, right?" Bill raised an eyebrow. "I haven't been able to enjoy this with anyone. You don't have to smoke but are you okay if I do?"
Dipper shrugged and scooted himself closer. "Does it make you weird?" he questioned.
"Only if you don't like hearing conspiracy theories," he chuckled. "I talk a lot."
"That's not different," Dipper smirked. "You won't act differently?"
"Alcohol makes me act different," he commented. "At least if I get drunk it will. This just makes me focused and talkative."
"Then I'm fine with it," he gave in and eyed the glass in his hand. Bill smiled a bit and ruffled Dipper's hair with his free hand. "Can you tell me about it though?"
"About weed?" excitement was hinted in his voice. Dipper nodded. "Of course! You should know everything about it before you even consider trying it, you know."
Bill placed the pipe down and pulled up a few metal rods from the box, placing the top of the box on top of the rods to form a mini table. The glass was neatly placed down on the table and Dipper watched as the blond pulled out the containers that held the plant inside.
"First off," he held the container in front of Dipper. "This is most commonly called flower, tree or bud. It's the most common way that people have smoked for centuries. There are a few different ways to smoke but this is what I feel like is the safest. Most everything else is processed a bit. Of course, it also depends on what you smoke out of." Dipper watched as Bill placed down the items and held up the pipe. "I use pipes the most but I also have a bong. Those are large and I haven't smoked out of a bong in a few years now. In order to keep the glass safe to use is to clean it often though, which can get tedious but worth it."
"What made you start?" he asked curiously. "I mean, you said you quit drugs so what made you want this?
"It's not the same kind of high," he explained and placed the glass down on the wooden table. "Before it was to get away but with this, it helps ground me. It's been keeping me sane after a lot of dumb shit I've gone through. I never lose myself with it, especially because if I smoke too much, I just sleep." While talking, Bill pulled out a circle metal container and opened it to place a few of the so-called 'buds' inside.
"Could you not sleep before?" Dipper watched as the metal lid was placed back on and Bill began turning the top.
"Not for a while after I was found," he admitted. "After I was released from the hospital, I so distorted and afraid of being found again, I couldn't sleep for longer than an hour at a time." He stopped twisting the top and opened the container to reveal a second chamber, showing grounded up the flower in a neat pile. "After my attempt failed, I had to deal with Andrew. At first, I thought he was just a babysitter but after a while, he made me think that he was supposed to be a gift for me. Someone I can lean onto. I didn't believe him, obviously. I refused to talk to him but I knew that now his life was in my hands. I can starve him or I can make him a reason to keep living," he talked while filling up the pipe bowl with the shredded content. "Humans are weak when it comes to feeling compashion for others. All I could think about was, 'how the hell am I going to feed another grown man?' But with having to concentrate my efforts on picking up hours at work, I was able to get past the withdraws. Unfortunately, I still wasn't sleeping. Andrew actually told me to."
"Andrew?" Dipper couldn't believe his ears. "Are you pulling my leg?"
Bill chuckled and shook his head. "If I was pulling your leg, you wouldn't have one anymore," he snickered and accepted Dipper's nose flick. "I mean it, he told me to use that. Sleeping medicine wasn't working. So, I did and knocked out." The blond man dug around the front of the box and pulled out a small, yellow lighter. "I started to smoke on really bad days when I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep. At least, until I moved here. My job made me enjoy my days, even when bad things happened. Now, I reserve it for relaxation on weekends and vacations."
"Have you ever smoked with Andrew?" Dipper questioned.
"Never asked," he shook his head. "Never really wanted to anyways."
Dipper nodded and watched Bill as he brought the mouthpiece up to his mouth and flicked the lighter on, burning some of the green and inhaling. The pipe was taken away from his mouth and placed on the table, Bill slowly letting the cloud of smoke leave his lungs.
"How are you feeling?" he mumbled softly. Bill let out a chuckle.
"Has anyone ever told you," he raised an eyebrow at the younger male, "you ask a lot of questions?"
Dipper pouted and crossed his arms over his chest. "Has anyone ever told you," he emphasized on the work, "you don't ask enough questions?"
"Why would I question anything?" he shrugged, grabbing the pipe. "I have the answers. Even if someone else doesn't know, I know."
Dipper rolled his eyes as the blond took another hit off the pipe. "Forgive me," he waved his hands in front of himself a bit. "I know you know lots of things."
Bill breathed out while snickering, facing Dipper and leaned in so close, their noses were touching. In the deepest voice he can manage, he stated, "Lots of things," he stared at the younger with wide eyes.
Dipper placed his hand on the blond man's face and pushed him back, letting out an amused laugh. "Too close, bro," he remarked.
"Sorry, I don't understand what you're saying" Bill scooted closer and playfully rolled his eyes. "I don't speak bullshit."
"So conceited," he rolled his eyes as Bill took another hit.
"Oh, stop it, you," Bill snickered and raised his shoulders, squirming around a bit like an embarrassed kid.
"Not a compliment," Dipper stuck his tongue out at him, chuckling softly.
"You love it," he took another hit and closed his eyes while holding his breath, leaning back against the bed. Dipper watched, starting to feel a bit intrigued.
"Can I try?" he felt himself ask.
Bill stopped and stared at Dipper with a confused look on his face before letting out the smoke again. "You barely know anything about it," he stated, placing the pipe down.
"I know, but," Dipper scooted a bit closer. "You can be my teacher."
"I don't want you to smoke under peer pressure," Bill explained. "You won't enjoy it if you're being pressured to."
"You haven't asked me or suggested me to," Dipper started to respond. "If anything, it sounds like you're trying to make me not. I think that counts as the opposite of peer pressure."
"Seeing it can be considered it too though," Bill let out a soft sigh and started to place the items back into the box. "I don't want you to unless you actually want to."
"Well," he pressed. "I want to."
Bill stared at Dipper, searching his face for an answer he wasn't asking. Dipper stared back, examining his features.
"Why?" the blond asked softly.
"I want to enjoy it with you," Dipper admitted. "I trust you so if you're smoking that then I believe I'll be okay. You make me feel safe."
Bill sighed softly but nodded, pulling the items back out along with a somewhat cleaned ashtray. The bowl was emptied and refilled within a matter of minutes, Dipper paying close attention. Once he was done, he stood up and left the room quickly. He returned with a glass of water in his hand, placing it in front of the brunette before taking his spot back on the floor.
"I wasn't really expecting you to want to try it," he commented, settling down and picked the glass pipe up.
"Well," Dipper shrugged. "Expect the unexpected."
"But then it'll get boring," Bill smirked and glanced to the brunette, offering the pipe to the other. "I'll light it, just hold this and I'll cover this hole," he explained while helping the younger male position the item properly in his hand. "Breathe slowly. Once you take some in, I'm going to remove my finger and the hole will allow more oxygen in to clear it. You don't have to take it all if it becomes too much just pull away. I have water so if it burns for whatever reason, you will cough so you can drink that to help."
Dipper nodded and held the pipe back for a moment to take a quick sip of the water before returning. The pipe was against his lips once again and he watched as Bill flicked the lighter on. "Breathe in now," he instructed and let the flame touch the flower.
Dipper did as he was told but didn't feel too much in his throat until Bill removed his finger. Heat shot down his throat and it caused him to suddenly turned away and began coughing. Bill placed the pipe and lighter on the table and began patting Dipper's back.
"You okay?" Bill asked, voice full of concerned. Dipper nodded and took a drink of water. Once his coughs calmed down, the brunette smiled sweetly to the other.
"I'm good," he spoke softly, voice rough.
"Do you want to go watch something?" the blond man asked. "You might feel better out there. I can bring some stuff out."
"Yeah," Dipper nodded. "That sounds like a good plan."
Bill moved away and stood up. "Do you need help up?" he asked.
"I'm good," Dipper pushed himself to his feet and began walking to the exit, still holding onto the water. He stopped at the door and glanced back, watching Bill grab an empty case and placing a few items inside. The blond caught up to him and they walked to the living room.
"What do you want to watch?" Dipper asked casually, nearly jumping on the couch.
"Did you have anything in mind?" Bill asked while setting the items on the table and the TV up for Netflix.
"Anything," he shrugged and looked over the items that were sitting on the coffee table. The glasses from the night before were still sitting on the table, causing Dipper to glare at them for a few moments before looking at Bill. "Excuse me?"
Bill looked back at the brunette with a confused expression from his tone. "What?"
"I thought we talked about this," Dipper pointed accusingly at the glasses abandoned on the table. The blond looked at the glasses and grumbled a bit silently before grabbing the dishes and placing them in the sink.
"They weren't empty," Bill mumbled when he sat back down.
"They've been sitting out since last night," Dipper rolled his eyes playfully.
"Want another hit?" he suddenly asked. "Sounds like you could chill pill. I have chill flower though, does that work?"
Dipper chuckled and rolled his eyes. "Yeah," he took a drink of water before grabbing the pipe from the table. "I want to try it this time," he suggested.
Bill shrugged and handed the lighter over. Dipper attempted to take his hit but started having an issue with the lighter. Apparently, his fingers were a little too weak to actually flick the lighter on. Grumbling softly, the brunette tapped the lighter against the blond man's shoulder.
"Need assistance?" Bill smirked at the shorter boy.
"Maybe," Dipper grumbled.
"I'm sorry, what was that?" the blond inched his ear closer to the brunette's mouth.
"Come on, Bill," the shorter man whined. The former demon chuckled and took the lighter from him.
"All I want you to do is ask nicely," he purred, leaning in a bit teasingly.
Dipper coldly reached for Bill's side and proceeded to wiggle his fingers, tickling the blond out of spite. Instantly, the apartment was filled with Bill's laughter. His body slouched into itself in protection and he spun himself a bit on the couch, holding his legs between himself and his tickler. Dipper moved closer and quickly placed the pipe on the table, pushing the older man on his back and continued attacking his sides. He was roaring in laughter and was trying to wiggle free.
"S-Stop!" Bill begged between breaths and laughter.
Dipper was laughing happily with him and stopped for a moment, both hands resting on either side of the blond man's waist. Bill's cheeks were red as he panted heavily under the brunette looking up at him through his squinted eyes. Suddenly, Dipper's heart began pounding hard as he noticed their position. The blond man was lying on the couch with the brunette hovering over him, hands on his sides and in between his legs. Time felt like it had slowed down for a moment and Dipper pushed himself off of the blond, feeling his heart in his ears. Bill stayed in his position for a few moments longer before sitting up. He leaned on his legs and stared at the brunette, who was staring back at him.
"Best friends?" Bill spoke softly, eyes gliding over his face. Dipper looked away and wrapped an arm around himself, trying to fight down the blush that was creeping up his neck.
A nervous wreck now, Dipper pulled his legs on the couch and hugged them closely.
"Sorry," he mumbled, looking away. The blond smirked and ruffled the brunette's hair.
"Come on," he grabbed the pipe and held it to him. "I was giving you shit," he chuckled. "Don't get so embarrassed."
"I-I wasn't…" Dipper trailed off and Bill laughed softly.
"Do you still want to?" he offered the pipe again. Dipper nodded and took the pipe.
"You'll need to use the lighter," he commented before pressing the glass against his lips and covering the hole. Without arguing, Bill assisted with the hit and pulled it out of Dipper's hands early before he had too much. This allowed a smoother air flow that wouldn't hurt.
They decided to put on the new Sabrina the Teenage Witch for the show to watch. During the first episode, Dipper was caught between paying attention to the show or to Bill's lecture about how almost everything is technically wrong compared to real witches he has met in his lifetime. By halfway through the series, Bill had gotten himself a good amount of high and rolled a joint to share with the brunette. Dipper was very lightheaded and dizzy. It felt as if his head was in the clouds but it helped with paying attention to Bill's rambling. Bill had served them both a second Thanksgiving dinner once Dipper started to complain about being hungry. By the end of the season, Dipper was done with both the act of watching something and Bill's corrections. So, he asked to turn the television off to just actually relax.
Dipper shuffled himself to the backdoor and slid into the backyard. The cool air reminded him to get his jacket but with how warm he felt, the cold wasn't rejected. There were two lawn chairs sitting on the porch so he let himself land in one. Within a minute, he was accompanied by Bill who slid himself into the free chair. They both lied back in the chairs and Bill reached out his hand halfway. His eyes were hard on Dipper, watching his every move as the brunette stared at the opened hand. Dipper's eyes fell on Bill's and had his hand fall to his own lap, rejecting the offer. The former demon pouted playfully and gave him the middle finger. Dipper laughed and shook his head, looking up to the sky. There wasn't much of a cover so the sky was shining beautifully in front of them.
"It's so beautiful," he mumbled to no one in particular.
"I found you," Bill pointed and smiled happily. "I can always find you."
"Well," Dipper chuckled. "You really did find me."
Bill's hand fell to his lap and he gave the brunette a sweet smile. "Did get to record your song?"
The mention of school pulled Dipper's brain out of its hazy state. He groaned a bit but nodded to the question.
"I felt embarrassed," he admitted. "I only had 4 hours in the studio then I had to leave it up to the teacher to produce it. I would have been fine if it was you but it's not so I'm worried."
"It should have been done by now," Bill sighed. "They should have passed out the finished products before everyone left."
"They didn't do any of that," Dipper informed him. "They let anyone who already recorded their song leave early."
"So you haven't even heard the finished product yet?" he asked, wanting confirmation.
"I haven't, no," Dipper confirmed. "I don't know about anyone else."
"That just tells me we're going to be behind," he commented. "That or I'm going to have a lot of work to catch up on once I go back."
"Is your break different than mine?" the brunette asked curiously.
"I have to go back a few days early," he responded. "It's nothing big. Just meetings but it'll allow me to catch up." Dipper nodded but shrugged.
"It could be done for all I know," he said.
"Can I hear it?" Bill asked.
"What?" Dipper felt his heart beat a bit, filling his stomach with nervousness.
"Can you sing it for me?" Bill asked again.
"Wh- Wa- Is-," Dipper stuttered, feeling his face grow warm. "Isn't that against the rules?"
"It's not a competition," he explained. "I'm not going to grade it just based off of words. I need the finished product."
"Do you hear a lot of songs before the completed process?" Dipper questioned.
"Duh," Bill gave him a confused expression. "Have you not seen the sessions I have with other students? I help everyone, you're not special."
"Ouch," Dipper held his hand over his heart playfully. "I'm wounded. You wound me."
"Whatever," Bill rolled his eyes and chuckled. "Did you only write one song this whole time?"
"It's not like everyone can spit out a song every week like you," the brunette remarked. "I work better when I'm with someone for things like emotions and love and heartbreak. I don't have much experience. I don't know how you can without any experience."
"You forget," he shook his head, "Tisk, tisk, Pine Tree. You're forgetting who I am."
"Am?" he rose an eyebrow. "You are a poor, adult man living in an unsafe apartment complex with a psychopath as a roommate. You work as an adored professor who claims to be a robot."
"Fine," he sneered at Dipper a bit. "What I was?"
"Oh!" Dipper smirked, laughing a bit. "You mean when you were a psychopathic demon?"
"Smartass," Bill stuck his tongue out at the other. "My point is I have had time to learn how you humans see love."
"How do we 'see' love?" the brunette questioned.
"Let's see," he looked up and tapped his chin with his finger dramatically. "Long walks on the beach, mistletoe and new year kiss, Valentine's Day gifts, surprise proposals, you know, the normal sappy cheesy love shit you humans crave."
"Stop saying 'you' as if you're not one of us now," Dipper pointed his finger at the blond man and reached over to flick his nose. "Not all of those are necessary for love. Not everyone even thinks those are romantic."
"Oh?" Bill leaned closer to the other. "And what do you think is romantic? What sweeps you off your feet?"
"Of course you'd want to know," Dipper rolled his eyes and leaned back into the chair. "You're already attached to me."
"So, I already won you over?" he leaned in closer. Dipper's hand was suddenly pinching Bill's nose.
"Nice try," he snickered. "In your dreams."
Bill pulled away while rolling his eyes, letting out a chuckle and looked back up to the sky,
"It's not hard to make songs cheesy is what I mean," he explained. "And once you do experience the emotion, you'll just become a better artist."
Dipper stayed quiet for a few moments before sighing and felt around his pockets for his phone. Once it was out, the young man went through his notes and pulled up the lyrics that were typed in his phone.
"It might sound a little awkward without the music," he mumbled, feeling his heart race a bit at singing his first own song.
"Just think of the rhythm in your head and pretend that you're just practicing alone," Bill leaned his head his arm that was sitting on the armrest.
Dipper closed his eyes and took a deep breath in and out before clearing his throat to sing.
Have I done my best here, or
Will I be here next year, or
Are these my best years yet?
Dipper's eyes were closed as he already memorized the lyrics, just holding the phone gave him a security blanket.
Was looking forward to
Being important but
I'm not important yet
Music began to fill the brunette's mind as he began to sway in rhythm with the song.
If you put this scene on a movie screen
Is it called a happy end?
If the world gets me
Where I'm supposed to be
Will I know I made it then?
It's so hard
He paused for a moment and looked at Bill, who was staring at him intensely.
So can we skip to the good part?
He stopped singing and the blond man smiled sweetly to him, clapping a bit.
"I like it," he commented. "Sounds exactly like you. But honestly?"
Dipper hummed a bit, still feeling shy about singing the song somewhere else other than school.
"This is my good part," Bill's voice was warm and loving, making Dipper's stomach twist and fill with butterflies. His heart began racing harder and the blush on his face was too dark not to be seen.
"B-Bill," he tried to speak, rubbing his face to attempt to cover his blush.
"I mean it," he pressed. "You're the first 'friend' I got, no matter how weirdly you view 'friendship' as."
"It's not weird," Dipper scolded. "You're weird for thinking it's weird."
"Whatever you say, Pine Tree," the former demon chuckled and gave up the argument.
It wasn't long before they were back inside the apartment and heading towards the room for sleep. Bill cleaned the living room completely, making sure to collect every plate as Dipper's sober mind started to return. The brunette was watching with his arms crossed as Bill took the plates to the sink.
The bedroom was cold and Bill began to undress in front of Dipper like the night before. Turning around quickly, Dipper searched for the sweats he wore the night before without thinking of the pajamas Mabel had packed for him. Soon enough, Dipper heard Bill close the blinds then lie on the bed. The brunette chose that time to quickly change into the sweats without leaving the room. He slid into the bed moments later and ran into Bill's bare chest rather quickly. Gasping, the younger male pulled back and shook his head.
"Too close," he commented and balanced on the edge of the bed.
"Oh, come on," Bill whined, grabbing the brunette's arms. "You said you slept great last night."
"You were drinking," Dipper tried. "You didn't know what you were doing, you did it in your sleep."
"Did I though?" he pressed. "Were you really not awake? I swear I felt something touch my head."
"What are you talking about?" the brunette felt himself blush hard at getting caught waking up in his arms and not moving.
"It doesn't matter," Bill shook his head and pulled away from Dipper, settling on the opposite side of the bed. "Sorry."
Dipper stayed still for a moment before scooting a bit closer to fit better. The blond now had his back to him and guilt started to fill his gut. 'What the hell,' he thought to himself, scooting closer to Bill and wrapped his arms around the former demon's waist. He felt the taller man freeze under his touch so he tightened his hold. The taller man's scent was surrounding Dipper's senses once again as he buried his nose into the blond locks.
"I'm sorry," Dipper whispered into Bill's hair.
After a few minutes of silence, Bill turned around wrapped his arms back around the other's arms and back. Dipper had his nose buried in the crook of Bill's neck when he felt himself start to fade into unconsciousness. Before drifting off to sleep, he heard Bill's voice rumble quietly.
"What am I going to do with you, Pine Tree?"