This chapter is pretty long. It does have some flashback in it too. There is going to be a good amount of drama in this one.
Thank you to TheEvil4ssHole, oddperson, Yosni, DragoncatKHfan, and TheRandomSekihanFan for your reviews on chapter twenty.
At quarter to seven Ford knocked on Bill's door. Receiving no reply he unlocked the door and stepped inside.
Bill was sound asleep with his face towards the door. Ford crept over to the bed. His hand hovered over the sleeping form of his previous enemy. Bill looked so innocent while he slept. The steady breathing lifted a stray curl with every exhale.
The rosy cheeks were too much to resist. Ford gently stroked the other man's face. Bill's breathing hitched and he leaned into the source of warmth.
Ford chuckled. He stared at Bill and reminded himself that each day Bill showed progress. It gave him hope that perhaps his growing infatuation wasn't folly.
The gray-haired man leaned over and gently shaked the blond. Bill mumbled something and turned on his other side. Ford shook him harder.
Bill rolled over and met Ford with a glare.
"You better have a good reason for waking me so early," Bill growled.
Ford crossed his arms. "Well if you'd rather stay here," he said.
Bill suddenly remembered the plans for the day. A smile replaced his scowl and he jumped out of bed, fully energized.
Ford instructed him to shower and get dressed while he loaded their suitcases in the rental car. Both men were ready well before eight.
Ford greeted his brother who was just waking up. Holding a coffee cup with one hand and scratching his back with the other Stan bid them farewell.
Ford stepped into the driver's seat while Bill climbed in the passenger. The blond whipped his seatbelt around his tiny frame. Ford smiled, but said nothing.
It took almost twenty minutes for them to leave the town of Gravity Falls. Bill smirked at the sign that advertised the town that had held him captive. Just for good look he took hold of Ford's hand as they passed the town boarder.
Once they were free from that town Bill threw his arms in the air and shouted. Ford nearly veered off the road. He turned to scold his companion, but the look of glee on the blond's face was too precious for him to say anything that would remove it.
Ford frowned. He reminded himself that it was still Bill Cipher. Although he had formed a relationship with the creature, it was dangerous to trust him fully.
The next two hours contained of Ford driving while Bill looked out the window at all the new sights. For the most part the trees weren't any different from Gravity Falls, but the fact remained that he was finally somewhere else.
Ford had found a station that played the tunes from his youth. It almost broke his heart as he relived the memories from the seventies and early eighties with each song. He then felt a pang of anger towards Stan when a song that was released after 1982 played. He lamented the thirty years of life that had been stolen from him. From what he heard from the older generation in town, the eighties in his dimension were a great time to be alive.
Ford knew it was unfair to continue to blame Stan for something that happened so long ago. The two had forgiven each other. Still, every once in a while he couldn't help but be pained by nostalgia for something he was robbed from remembering.
Yet the fact remained that he was the one who had trusted and invited Bill into his body and his dimension. Stan had been careless, yes, but he was the one who built the portal in the first place.
Those brown eyes landed on the passenger. Bill looked out the window with a carefree expression on his face. Ford wondered if the lyrics of that time did anything for Bill. He turned his attention back to the road with the realization that Bill had been around for centuries of human music. He looked at Bill out of the corner of his eye as he thought about classical music probably bringing up memories of the people he tricked in the olden days.
Ford smiled. He may have given Bill access to his world, but he was also the one to ensure that the dream demon never harmed another living soul again.
Stan arrived on the scene with the rest of the survivors just as Ford had requested. Six had piled into Stan's car and another ten in Soos' truck. Most of the supernatural creatures chose to walk, or ride on the backs of some of the larger ones.
Everyone stared at the amount of destruction from where the fearamid fell. All the surrounding buildings had received just as much damage from all of the chaos. Stan looked over at his brother, curious to what he planned to do.
Stan caught sight of the twins and he ran towards them with open arms. Dipper and Mabel threw themselves against their great-uncle's sides. He wrapped the both of them tightly in an embrace he swore to never end.
Several of the others greeted their loved ones.
Manly Dan gasped at his unconscious daughter draped over the shoulders of her ex-boyfriend and her good friend. He shoved Robbie and Thompson aside and cuddled the redheaded teen against his chest. Wendy's eyelids fluttered. She stirred in her father's arms. Dan hugged her tightly and let tears flow down his cheeks, not caring who all witnessed.
"They did it," Soos said quietly.
"Where's that triangle?" Manly Dan shouted and raised an ax.
The rest joined in a chorus of yells. Ford could see the crowd growing restless. Bill shuddered and leaned against Ford.
"He's been defeated!" Ford shouted over the noise. The conversation gradually halted and all eyes landed on the author. Ford moved to the center of the rubble so everyone could see him. "We took care of him and his minions."
"I want proof!" Bud Gleeful shouted.
The rest of the crowd yelled in agreement.
"How do we know he's really gone?" Sherrif Blubbs added.
Bill shook. With Ford no longer there to shelter him, he was left exposed to the citizens' mercies. He looked out at the hundreds of people he had terrorized and tried to kill. When Ford pointed him out he knew it would only be seconds until they slaughtered him.
Ford called Stan over.
Bill smiled at the crowd. If they wanted to torture and kill him, he knew he was powerless to stop them, though he would try to take as many down with him as he could. Once they finally subdued him, he wouldn't die a coward's death. He wouldn't beg, or cry, or even run. He opened his arms, awaiting his deserved fate. He would accept it with a huge grin. No one would rob him of that.
Stan handed over the memory gun. Ford adjusted the settings on the side of the tool in order to expand the ray. He typed in "Bill Cipher" and "Weirdmageddon."
"What's he doing?" Wendy asked Dipper.
"He's going to erase everyone's memories of all this," the boy answered.
"What?" Pacifica cried. She gripped Dipper's hand. "He can't do this."
"It'll only make things worse if we don't," Dipper tried to explain.
"The town will riot," Mabel added.
"They're my memories!" Pacifica yelled. Her eyes filled with tears. "It's my choice." She wept into her hands. "They're not the best, but I don't want to forget."
Dipper looked over at Mabel who shrugged. He put a hand on Pacifica's shoulder. The blonde girl looked up.
"You know you won't be able to talk to anyone about any of this, ever again," Dipper said.
Pacifica smiled. "I understand," she said.
The Pines family along with Soos, Wendy, and Pacifica moved out of the way. Ford readied the memory gun and aimed it at the townspeople. In a flash everyone except those who were willingly spared had forgotten everything that had happened over the past five days.
There were panicked murmurs from everyone.
"May I have your attention, everyone!" Ford yelled over the noise. Once again everyone looked in his direction. "A category seven earthquake has damaged the town. The evacuation has been successful. Please check to make sure everyone is present."
Everyone believed the story and checked to make sure their loved ones were by their side. Half the population flooded to the hospital just to be checked over, while the other half went to examine the damage.
Ford returned to the man he would be forever bonded to.
"You...you didn't sell me out," Bill said.
Ford glared at the new human. "Don't make me regret it," he spat.
Stan, Dipper, and Mabel made their way over to Ford and Bill.
"Grunkle Ford, that was genius!" Dipper shouted and hugged him.
The twelve-year-olds smiled up at him. Ford turned to see the frowning face of his twin.
Stan gripped Ford's shoulders. "Stanford, you reckless, dangerous know-it-all," he grumbled. He stopped and let his glare speak for him. Stan sighed, "You're a fool if you think I'm gonna lose you again."
Stan pulled his brother in for a long overdue hug. Ford was speechless. He closed his eyes and embraced his twin. Mabel squealed and hugged her own brother. Ford felt Stan shake. He would never admit to crying, so Ford wouldn't mention it.
When they finally parted Stan took a good look at the slender blond standing next to his brother.
"Who's this?" the elderly man asked while scrutinizing the stranger.
"Our new resident," Ford announced. The other three Pines stared at him with open mouths. "I'll explain later," Ford said.
Stan shook his head then motioned for his family to follow. Bill stood behind, staring at the man who had bonded him to such a pathetic form.
Ford turned to Bill. "Come," he ordered not waiting for a reply. When Bill refused to budge, Ford grabbed him by the wrist and dragged him to the car.
"Where are we going?" Bill finally asked when he was shoved into the backseat.
"Your new home," Ford said and slammed the door.
Ford looked over at Bill who still stared out the window. In hindsight he probably shouldn't have been so cold with Bill on his first day. Of course, given what Bill had just tried to do, he was lucky Ford didn't kill him on the spot.
Stan had wanted him to end Bill. Everyone in town would've treated him as a hero, and he wouldn't have had to come up with that plan to rid everyone's minds of the horrific events. Still, Ford had protested that Bill was now human and the act would be actual murder. Though a part of him wondered if maybe the real reason stemmed from something more.
Bill shifted and leaned against the back of the chair. He folded his arms underneath his head then turned to face Ford.
"Just like old times," he said.
Ford glanced over at Bill then returned his attention to the road.
Bill put his feet up on the dashboard.
"You, me, and Fiddlebrains riding along to find new anomalies," Bill said. He snickered then added, "Remember that time we drove to Nevada and you two got so drunk you-"
"Bill!" Ford interrupted. "You-you weren't there. How do you-?"
"Oh, I was there, Sixer," Bill said with a smug grin. He tapped the side of Ford's head. "I was a quiet passenger, but I was there."
Ford sighed. He had forgotten that he had once given Bill full access to his mind.
"I wish you were still a quiet passenger," Ford muttered under his breath.
"I heard that," said Bill.
Ford chuckled.
Bill glanced out the window and frowned. "That's the seventh billboard I've seen for canned vegetables." He turned to the scientist. "What's so special about vegetables that they need advertisements?" He returned his gaze to the window. "Gross peas and gross carrots. Corn's not bad, but why does it need to be advertised?
Ford looked over at the nearest mile marker and sighed. Bill still ranted on about canned vegetables.
"Just ignore him," Ford said to himself. "Just ignore him."
The next half hour consisted of Ford enduring Bill complain that he was hungry fifteen times, comment about something on the side of the road every two miles, and having to stop him from throwing every item he could get his hands on out the window. Bill had threatened to urinate on the seat if he didn't get to a bathroom within the next five minutes. Not wanting to find out if the demon bluffed, Ford pulled off onto an exit and parked the car at the first gas station he came across.
Bill wasted no time exiting the car and running inside the convenience store. Ford filled the car with gas. Five minutes passed without any sign of Bill. Ford decided to find Bill before he did something that would end up landing the both of them in trouble.
The doorbell rang when he walked inside. The cashier and two customers looked in his direction before returning to their business.
"Sixer!" Bill called when he spotted his travel companion. Bill ran up with eight packages of candy in his hand. "Can I get this, please? Please? I want candy, Sixer."
Ford ignored him and walked over to the cooler of sodas. Bill followed and continued to pester him.
"I want candy," Bill said. "Please. Sixer, I'm hungry. You didn't let me eat breakfast before we left. I don't want those nasty snacks you packed. Can I get candy? Please? I want candy. Sixer, I know you can hear me."
Ford continued to walk away from Bill without saying a word. The other customers stared. One had to hold a hand over his mouth to keep Ford from seeing his laughter.
"Sixer!" Bill shouted and stomped his foot. "I want can-"
Ford turned sharply. "Bill, shut up!" he snapped.
Bill's face displayed total shock.
Ford sighed. "You may pick two," he said so as not to have to apologize for losing his temper.
Bill dropped the candy bags as he wrapped his arms around Ford's neck. The author felt his face glowing red and tried to push Bill from him. He could hear muffled laughter from the others in the store.
With the snacks purchased the two stepped back into the car. Bill ripped open the package of M&Ms. A few scattered on the floor. He positioned the open slit above his face and let the candies rain into his mouth.
Ford sighed. He still had a while to go before they reached their destination.
Bill stayed quiet as long as he had something to munch on. Once the contents in bag of Skittles along with the M&Ms had been consumed he resumed conversation. Ford regretted not buying the extra candy.
Ford endured two hours of Bill's mouth. Halfway into the first one he turned up the volume on the radio. Bill was too wrapped up in what he said that he never even noticed. Classic rock proved to be a good break from Bill's voice.
An hour later Ford stopped at a fast food restaurant for lunch. Bill picked at the chicken nuggets (he flat out refused to order a cheeseburger-Stan's burgers had ruined the food for him), but ate all of his fries and soda. Not too long after eating the not too nutritious meal, the early arrival caught up with Bill and he fell asleep.
Ford turned down the radio and let out a sigh of relief. He made sure to drive slowly and carefully so as not to accidentally wake the other man.
A large green sign welcomed the two to the state of Washington. It would only be about another two hours until they reached Alicia Remington's residence.
Into the second hour Bill woke up. He stretched and adjusted his stiff neck. He looked over at Ford who appeared placid. Bill just smiled. He looked out the window. The scenery was still the same.
Instead of meeting with some woman who made a living off of instructing humans how to capture his species, he wished they could detour and spend the rest of the afternoon hiking through the forest, looking for the unexplained, just as they used to back when Ford trusted him.
Ford smiled when he saw their exit approaching. He switched to the right lane and took the ramp that led to Rockaway Lake.
Everything in the town looked old and elegant. The sky was gray that matched the light fog slowing their progress.
Bill held the directions in his hand and instructed the driver where to turn. They approached Hazelnut Drive and Ford turned left. They followed the road all the way to its end.
They were met with a two story, late nineteenth century house. There were a few minor wears, but for the most part the building was in good condition. The lawn was neat and decorated with an assortment of flora in all colors.
Ford parked the car over on the side then he and Bill made their way to the iron gate. Ford pressed the button on the callbox. Bill suddenly felt cold. Ford was aware they were an hour early, but hoped they would still be allowed the courtesy of entry.
After explaining his reason for visiting, the gate opened. Bill's nerves started dancing. He wrapped his arms around him in a futile attempt to block out the cold.
With his hands behind his back Ford stepped ahead. Bill was more hesitant. He looked around then hurried to catch up with his companion. He felt a pain rising in his stomach. Bill latched onto Ford's arm with both of his. Ford turned to the blond to see a look of dread on his face.
"Bill," he said quietly.
"I changed my mind, I don't want to be here," Bill hurriedly whispered.
"This isn't like you," Ford said.
Bill shuddered and leaned closer to Ford. "Please, I'll go wait in the car," he pleaded.
They stopped in front of the porch. The heavy doors opened giving the two access.
Ford took two steps. He heard silence from his right and turned to see Bill still standing in the pathway. The demon shook and his eyes lined with tears.
"Bill," Ford said. He descended one step and extended his arm. "Let's go."
Bill shut his eyes and shook his head.
"Bill," Ford tried again.
Once more Bill shook his head.
Ford stepped beside Bill and took hold of Bill's hand.
"Please don't make me go in there," Bill whispered.
"Is there a problem?" a voice called from the doorway.
Ford spun around while keeping his hold on Bill's hand.
At the top of the porch was a woman in her forties. Her graying brown hair was braided and the plait tied in a bun. She wore a knee-length green dress that matched her eyes.
"Stanford Pines, I assume," she said.
Ford tightened his hold on Bill's hand and pulled him along.
"Mrs. Remington?" he asked. The woman nodded. Ford looked to Bill then back to Alicia. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but there's something wrong..."
"You're early," she said ignoring the man's concerns. She made her way down the stairs and greeted her visitors.
Ford shook her hand. "Mrs. Remington, I'm thrilled to meet you, but-"
He was interrupted when the woman met eyes with the smaller man.
"This must be Bill," Alicia said and held her hand out to the mentioned.
Bill recoiled and hid behind Ford. The scientist winced at how tightly Bill gripped his hand.
"What's wrong with him?" Ford asked Alicia.
The woman chuckled then turned. "Oh dear, I forgot to welcome you," she said. She chanted and within seconds the pain in Bill's body reduced. With a smile she looked at the demon, "I'm sorry for making you feel so uncomfortable."
Ford stared with a gaping mouth.
Bill whispered, "Her magic is strong."
Alicia chuckled again. She beckoned for her guests to follow. Bill inserted his hand into Ford's and the two stayed close to their hostess.
"I can't be too careful," Alicia explained as the three entered the house. "Some aren't too happy with my research and I have a ward to keep certain beings..." she glanced over at Bill. "From entering."
The hallway was lined with maroon carpet. On the golden walls were paintings mostly from the early and mid twentieth century. They stopped in front of a white door.
Alicia turned to face her guests. "Bluntly, no demon can enter unless I welcome them in."
"So that's what you did outside?" Ford asked.
Alicia nodded. She turned and motioned for her guests to enter the drawing room. A fireplace blazed next to the three arranged chairs with an end table between the main chair and the other two. Alicia sat in a comfortable, white chair, an antique from the Edwardian period. Ford and Bill sat down across from her.
"I'll get straight to the point, Mr. Pines," Alicia said.
"Please, call me Ford," he replied.
"Mr. Pines," she repeated. Her gaze fell on Bill. "I take it you captured...Bill...with the use of my book."
"Actually, no ma'am," Ford said. Alicia's eyes slightly widened. He cleared his throat then said, "I was given the spell by a witch I came by on accident. Thirty years ago."
"I see," Alicia said. "At the very least did you bring my book with you?"
Ford nodded. He reached into his coat pocket and produced the hardback. He handed it to Mrs. Remington. Her smile vanished as she looked over the cover. She flipped through the pages then heavily closed it. The middle-aged woman stood and walked over to the fireplace. She tossed the book to the flames.
Ford and Bill both stood. Alicia picked up the firepoker and prodded at the crisping pages. The room soon smelt of cinders. With a smile she placed the metal rod back on its stand then returned to her chair.
With a wave of her hand she ordered the others to sit. The two men exchanged glances, but followed her command. Alicia crossed one leg over the other.
"Back in ninety-nine, my research assistant published that thing without my permission," Alicia explained. "Fortunately it was never a best-seller." She smiled at Ford. "I was ecstatic when you contacted me about finding a copy." She stared at the ashes that was once her own writing. "From the looks of it, it wasn't checked out too often." Her smile fell. "But that doesn't mean it wasn't read more often."
"That book was the only lead I had to understanding this spell," Ford said pointing to Bill. "That witch didn't give me too many details other than the limited distance gap." He took a glimpse at the blond then added, "But I've noticed other things..."
Ford was interrupted when the door to the drawing room opened. A tall, built man appearing to be in his thirties entered carrying a silver tray with a teapot and four cups. He sat it down on the table then leaned over to kiss Alicia on the lips.
She chuckled then turned to the guests. "Mr. Pines, this is my husband-"
"Victor Remington," Bill finished and stood to his feet.
Both Ford and Alicia were stunned into silence.
Victor laughed. "Bill Cipher," he said. He grinned then added, "I'd never forget that voice."
"You two know each other?" Ford asked.
"Know?" Victor asked with a smile. He placed his hands on his wife's shoulders while he stared at Bill. "Me and Bill go back centuries."
"Until you suddenly disappeared," said Bill. "Couldn't say I wasn't pleased."
"I got captured and imprisoned in human form," Victor revealed. He kissed his wife on the cheek. "I can't complain though." He looked into her eyes and said, "A life with Alicia is better than a meaningless existence in our decaying world."
"I don't recall you ever mentioning Bill," Alicia said.
Victor laughed. "Why would I want to relive bad memories?" he asked. The dark-haired man smirked at Bill. "This guy," he held his palm out towards Bill. "He was so full of ambition. He reveled in being so powerful."
Victor moved forward and pushed Bill in the chest. The blond stumbled backwards, caught only by the side of his chair.
"Victor," Alicia scolded.
Victor tilted his head to the side. He stared at Bill with a toothy smile.
"More powerful than the rest of us," Victor taunted. "He was going to conquer this dimension." He smirked as Bill shakily regained his balance. "Sure I tried first and failed. But no one ever expected me to succeed. But Bill..." Victor shook his head.
Victor pushed Bill again. There was nothing to block him that time and he tumbled to the floor.
"That's enough," Ford said and stood in front of Bill.
"Look at the all-powerful Bill Cipher now," Victor said with a mock bow. "Powerless and insignificant." His grin increased. "Just what you always said about me."
"Victor Remington," Alicia chastised. She moved in front of her husband. "These are our guests."
Victor looked from Bill to Ford. He smiled at the author.
"You must be a powerful wizard in order to capture Bill," he mused.
Bill's eyes widened.
Ford lifted an eyebrow. "Not exactly," Ford replied. "I'm not trained in magic."
Bill felt his heart sink. His body burned and he found himself unable to speak.
The sound Bill most dreaded echoed in the room. Behind his hand Victor snickered. He hunched over and he erupted in full laughter.
"This is too perfect," Victor said in between cackles. "Bill-Bill Cipher." He doubled over. "The demon so powerful and feared." His words ceased from increasing laughs. He struggled to catch his breath. He inhaled deeply and stood. His eyes glistened. "Captured by an average human." He clapped Ford on the shoulder. "You have made my night," he said to the author.
Tears prickled at the sides of Bill's eyes.
"Is that true?" a voice called as the door opened.
Two more ex-demons captured and reformed by Alicia's spell entered. One was male and the other female. They both gawked at the sight of the human form of one who had once been so powerful and revered in their dimension. Soon they joined Victor in his laughter.
Bill hurried to his feet. His breathing slowed and deepened. He couldn't force himself to look at Ford.
"You haven't told him the worst part," Victor said to Ford. He looked at Alicia then his stare landed back on Bill. "It's only a matter of time until the spell wears off."
Ford gasped.
Victor's grin increased. "By then you'll be permanently human. So fitting."
The dam broke and tears poured down Bill's face. The blond pushed through the door and ran down the corridor. The others' laughter echoed through the hallway. Bill threw open the exit door and ran down the stairs. He hurried through the gate, passed the car, and off of the Remington property.
Bill stopped when he reached the dead end. He stepped into the damp grass and hurried into the forest. Bill stopped when his legs could no longer function. He leaned against an oak tree and wept. It was the first time in centuries he allowed himself to truly cry.
He slid down and leaned against the bark of the tree. He brought his knees up. He leaned forward and let himself cry in his hands.
Ford stopped as he reached the dead end of the street. He looked through the fog for any sign of Bill. Through the quiet he heard a muffled sound. Ford hurried in the direction of the noise. He pushed through the trees and stopped when he saw the pitiful sight before him. His heart broke.
The scientist thought over what he should do. After a few moments of inner deliberation and watching Bill sob, he moved ahead. He stepped on a few crispy leaves, but Bill never heard.
"Bill," Ford said softly and reached out his hand.
Bill shifted away from the touch. Without lifting his face he scooted away from Ford.
"Bill, it's okay," Ford tried again.
Bill lowered his hands and with a tear-stained face glared at Ford. "Is that why you brought me here?" Bill hissed. "To humiliate me?" He sniffled. "Did you get a good laugh out of me, Stanford? Did you?"
Ford backed away at the forceful tone of those last two words.
"Bill, I swear I didn't know," Ford replied. "I just wanted information."
"You expect me to believe that?" Bill asked.
"Look at my face, Bill," Ford pleaded. "You know I can't bluff."
Bill turned his head from Ford and continued to cry. "Don't patronize me," he said in between sobs. He inhaled and pushed out another round of tears. "I...I know you think I deserve this."
Ford pushed away thoughts that agreed with Bill's statement. Now that he saw him in such a state, he couldn't think that way anymore.
"Isn't it hilarious?" Bill wailed. He released another sob. "I tried to destroy the world and now I'm nothing but a pitiful, worthless excuse for a human. Trapped in the very facade of a lifeform I despise."
Ford grabbed Bill's elbows. "It'll be okay, I promise."
"How can it?" Bill asked. Another two tears leaked down his cheeks. "I'm nothing now. A disgusting meatsack that can't even function up to top human standards." He sobbed. "And because of this stupid curse on my finger!" Bill slammed his left pinky against a large rock. He hissed at the pain, it bringing him a small bit of comfort. "I don't want to turn human."
Ford sat there speechless and listened to Bill rant.
The blond leaned forward and coughed. Clear mucus mixed with the tears. He wiped the fluids on his sleeve.
"I don't want to turn human. Please, let me go," Bill begged. "I won't hurt anyone ever again, just release me."
Ford sighed. "I can't."
"Please?" Bill wept. He gripped Ford's shoulders. "Please." He sobbed then added, "I can't stay this way. I ca-can't even protect myself."
Ford lowered his head.
Bill continued, "If your brother wanted to beat me to a bloody pulp he could, and there's nothing I can do to stop him."
"That won't happen," Ford retorted. He grabbed hold of Bill's arms. "I won't let it."
Bill pulled himself free from Ford's grasp. "You didn't do anything to stop it last time."
"I'm sorry," Ford said. Bill looked into Ford's eyes. Perhaps he was blinded by his own tears, but Ford's eyes displayed sincerity. "I'm sorry," he repeated. "For all of this." He pulled Bill against his chest and wrapped his arms around him. "This wasn't what I wanted, I swear." He snuggled Bill's head under his chin. "I'll protect you. I promise."
Bill fought to pull away, but Ford's hold was firm. After the third attempt he collapsed against Ford and cried on his shoulder. He dug his fingers into Ford's back. He sobbed and wiped his tears on Ford's jacket.
Ford kept his hold on Bill. He rubbed his back and softly shushed him while the blond wept. He held him until the wailing reduced to sniffles. Bill cleaned his face on Ford's shoulder.
"I'll take care of you," Ford promised. He swallowed then added, "I'm your friend."
Bill shifted. He pulled himself from Ford's embrace. "What?" he asked.
"I'm your friend," Ford repeated. "Just like before."
Bill leaned against Ford again. Ford hugged him.
Ford realized he was only setting himself up for heartbreak. Bill hadn't earned his trust. Yet he couldn't watch Bill cry anymore.
Despite the shame, Bill clung to his only source of comfort. His one true friend.
What a dramatic chapter ending. That ending was written for TheEvil4ssHole who wanted Bill to have a breakdown.
The chapter was pretty long, but hopefully you all found it interesting.
Well, they're friends now! They've made it back to friendship status. Hey, it's a slow process.
As for the beginning part, I do believe Bill would be an annoying travel companion. If he can't hurt Ford, at the very least he can annoy him.
I'll have more with the Remingtons in the next chapter.