So, it's been almost a week since I updated this one. I wasn't sure what I wanted to happen next. But now I'm pretty sure of what I have planned for the next few chapters.
Thank you to my awesome reviewers: Imnotaguestanymore, Insert Name Here, TheEvil4ssHole, Yosni, Thedarkcatknight, DiamondLuna2, and lolI'mAGuest!
Bill spent most of Saturday studying the writings in the bound journals. The analysis for the healing potion had completed, leaving Ford alone in the lab to try and make a duplicate.
With the paper in hand he looked at the clock on the wall. The scientist sighed, there would be very little sunlight left to begin collecting the ingredients today. He decided he and Bill could start fresh in the morning.
Ford glanced over to where Bill laid on his bed, legs bent at the knees with his calves crossed in the air. Popular songs from the fifties played on a soft volume from his cellphone sitting by his waist. Gold eyes were fixed on the words handwritten in lead.
Bill felt eyes on him. He turned back to see Ford staring.
Bill grinned and asked, "Like what you see?"
Ford's face turned bright red. He pivoted and took a few deep breaths to bring the color of his cheeks back to normal. His ears picked up that grating sound of Bill's laughter. Ford turned back around with a scowl that made Bill laugh even harder.
Ford cleared his throat. Bill turned on his side with one arm propping up his head. Ford had to look away-that pose was way too alluring. He felt his neck heating up at the memory of how he held Bill just yesterday. How their lips met and melted into one.
It was a mistake. That was what he kept telling himself as it kept him from sleep the previous night. Up until three his brain lectured his heart on why it was foolish to indulge in having more than a friendship with Cipher. The sting of the betrayal was the only reason he had not taken it any further.
It was a mistake, but how he desired him. Brown eyes scrutinized the other man's body. How Bill lay carelessly on his side and absently flipped through the notebooks. Bill had to know of how he tortured him. That was how he'd get his revenge.
It was a mistake! Ford took a deep breath and ordered Bill to get off of his bed. The demon looked up at the human whose eyes were shielded by the glare on his glasses.
"I think we should call it a night," Ford stated.
Bill shrugged and closed the notebook. He stretched his arms above his head, arching his back. His slightly toned belly poked out of the bottom of his shirt. He let his arms fall back down and adjusted the t-shirt.
"I'm hungry," Bill said and slipped off the bed. He headed towards the elevator. Halfway there he turned to Ford and asked, "You want anything?"
Ford shook his head. "I'm going to retire early tonight," he replied.
"Look, about yesterday," Bill said. He ran a hand through his hair.
Ford felt his chest tighten. It was the first time either of them acknowledged what happened yesterday morning. He couldn't himself explain what happened.
"I didn't...I don't," Bill tried. He looked away from Ford, but the latter saw the former's face flush as he tried to explain. Despite how cute it was, he wouldn't allow him to suffer for long.
"I think it's best we just forget it and move on," Ford declared.
Bill lowered his arm. He turned to face Ford. The stoic look on the scientist's face proved he meant his words.
Bill nodded then entered the elevator.
The human's arm reached out, but he stopped himself. "Bill, I didn't-" Ford began.
"No, you're correct," Bill replied. He offered the other man a smile. "A mutual mistake is all it was."
The door shut.
Ford sighed as Bill disappeared from view. He looked down at the wrinkled comforter Bill recently occupied. His fingers stroked the spot-still warm.
Ford removed his glasses and laid down on the bed. His cheek pressed against the pillow. He mentally scolded himself for being weak. Had he not sent Bill away, Ford was certain he wouldn't have been able to resist anything Bill possibly initiated.
The next morning Ford woke at eight. A half an hour was spent getting ready before he moved to the kitchen. He started the coffee pot (usually Stan had it made by the time he woke). He poured the steaming beverage into a mug.
Ford never cared for sweeteners. The bitter taste helped him focus on his work, or so he said. He let the warm liquid slide down his throat. How he missed coffee those decades trapped in other dimensions.
With everyone soon to rise Ford took the liberty of making breakfast. Bacon and eggs with toast and strawberry jam.
Stan entered the kitchen, not bothering to dress. His shop didn't open for another two hours. He scratched his side and watched his brother fix the plates.
"Will Soos be joining us?" Ford asked and handed a plate to his twin.
"He has the day off," Stan replied. He brought the plate to the table and glared at how delicious everything looked. He poked the eggs with his fork before taking a bite. He scowled at his brother-cooking was supposed to be his thing.
A few minutes later Bill sauntered into the kitchen. His hair was still damp from the shower. He was dressed in black jeans and a tank top.
"Morning, Sixer," Bill greeted and picked up the plate prepared for him. He sat down next to the man he was bonded to.
Stan noticed Ford shift, but stayed quiet.
The three ate in silence. Bill and Ford kept making glances at the other.
"I'll need you to help me get the ingredients for the potion," Ford said then took a bite of bacon.
"No can do, Sixer," Bill said before downing half the cup of orange juice. He licked away the tangy, sweet liquid from his top lip. "I promised Chips I'd hang out with her."
Ford flinched at that woman's name.
"I thought you broke up with her," Ford finally said.
"Why?" Bill asked while crunching toast. "She hasn't done anything to make me want to break it off."
"You said you didn't love her," Ford reminded.
"So?" Bill asked. A piece of food splattered from his mouth onto Ford's chin. "Love doesn't necessarily need to be a precursor to a relationship."
Ford slammed his mug down on the table. "Bill, I..." Ford stopped himself. He took a deep breath and shook his head. "I don't know why I bother with you."
Bill shrugged. Having finished half his breakfast, he found himself to be full. He tossed the rest in the trash.
The blond stepped behind Ford and whispered in his ear, "It's nothing, remember."
Ford slightly gasped. He turned his face to watch Bill head to his room. He muttered a quick farewell to the Pines twins as he exited the kitchen. He emerged a few seconds later with the messenger bag over his shoulder. He waved and stepped out the door.
When they heard Bill's feet descend the stairs Stan turned to Ford.
"Okay, Poindexter, what's going on now?" Stan asked.
"Nothing," Ford irately replied.
Stan finished the rest of his coffee then put the mug back on the table. "Oh no, there's something. You think I can't feel the tension in the air?"
Ford sighed. He removed his glasses then placed his palms over his face. He slid his hands down the placed the spectacles back over his face.
"I made a mistake a few days ago," Ford confessed. "I started it. It was my fault. And I gave way for false hope."
Stan stared at the other man. "It's not everyday you admit you're wrong, must be somethin' serious."
"I had a moment of stupidity," Ford answered. He no longer had an appetite. The crumbs were tossed in the trash and the dishes in the sink. He headed for the door then turned, "Stanley, I'd appreciate it if you didn't beat him up over this."
"So you found out?" Stan asked. He rubbed the back of his head. "I ain't makin' any promises."
"Stanley, I'm a grown man. I can fight my own battles," said Ford.
With that he he opened the door and stepped outside to begin collecting the necessary ingredients. Too often he sought out a scapegoat for his problems, but this time there was no one to blame but himself.
Bill arrived at Chelsea's apartment building. He knocked on the door twice then stepped back against the railing. The door opened to show the body of his girlfriend, yet the eyes belonged to the other dream demon.
"Morning, sweet Pyra," Bill greeted with a bow of his head.
She stepped aside to allow him entrance. Bill didn't need to be asked twice. He pulled off his shoes by the door as Chelsea had asked him to do in the past.
Pyronica shut the door. Bill leaned over to kiss her on the cheek. Pyronica pushed his face away. She stared at him with her arms crossed.
"Oh, what did I do now?" Bill asked.
"Just what were you doing kissing Pines?" Pyronica asked.
Bill sighed and threw the bag on the table.
"I don't know what happened, Pyra, it happened so fast," Bill explained.
"It looks like you were enjoying yourself," the female said.
Bill chuckled and said, "I won't lie, Fordsy's a good kisser." He thought for a moment then added, "I wouldn't mind a second round, or a third."
"You are despicable," Pyronica stated with a shake of her head. She grinned. "I'll never understand why this meatsack likes you so much."
"The girl is desperate," Bill said as he walked into the living room. "I thought you'd know that by now." He made himself comfortable on the couch.
"I don't make a hobby of exploring my host's every secret," the female retorted.
Pyronica joined him. She handed him a can of soda then opened one for herself. The female took a long sip of the cherry flavored drink and made a face. She sat it down on the coffee table.
Bill held the can in his hand and crossed his legs. "The point is Sixer gave me his word he'd let me go once I truly loved someone else, or some crap like that."
"If he doesn't trick you into loving him first," Pyronica stated.
Bill stared at her. He dropped the half-filled can on the carpet. The blond cursed at his lost beverage, but ignored the mess; Chelsea could clean it up later.
"I will never love him, Pyronica, I can guarantee that," Bill said with disgust dripping from his words.
Pyronica smiled. "I'm glad to hear that."
Bill finished his drink then tossed the empty can in the trash. He picked up his messenger bag and brought it back to where his friend waited. He opened the satchel and pulled out a few of the journals he stole from the laboratory when Ford wasn't looking.
"Sixer doesn't know about these," Bill said and placed on in the woman's hand. "I haven't had a chance to read these two yet." He indicated with his finger the one Pyronica held and the one in his own hand.
Pyronica opened up the journal and turned to the first page. The date at the top read: January 7, 1954.
"We're going back in time," Pyronica commented.
"The woman was close to one hundred twenty when she died," Bill replied while scanning the third page of his journal. He figured she wouldn't live much longer after her magic left her.
The journal in Bill's hand had been written only a few years before Ford summoned him. It was twenty years after Victor had gone missing. No one bothered to look into where he vanished to. When a demon as unpopular as that one disappeared, the others delight in his absense too much to investigate.
On the tenth page he found something of use.
Friday, July 11, 1975,
My darling Victor grows in power when I transfer others' magic to him. I have been steadily draining the other two bonded to me. I don't wish to take too much, as my immortality relies on keeping them alive, but I do desire a true test of this ability. I have an experiment lined up for tomorrow. If his power grows, then it will likewise pass onto me. Here's hoping.
Bill frowned. He continued on to the next page.
Saturday, July 12, 1975,
Today I began the experiment. My dearest Victor was eager. He's always eager to gain knowledge or strength.
Bill scoffed.
I summoned three weaker demons. They looked so pitiful and disgusting, nothing I could use. I recited the spell and allowed Victor to absorb their life energy. He sucked the sniveling demons dry.
I felt the magic being transferred to me. I never take too much. I want to keep my darling happy. I promised on our wedding day that I would help him attain true power.
Bill shut the journal. He smiled at the woman sitting by his side.
"I may have found something," he said.
Pyronica tossed the boring journal she had been assigned to the side. She looked over the other demon's shoulder to read the two pages that had caught his attention. Her lips curved when she caught on to Bill's plan.
"Do you think Pines will go along with it?" Pyronica asked.
"Sixer doesn't need to know," Bill replied.
"Then who will cast the spell?" she inquired.
"Someone who's eager to know anything about magic," Bill answered with a laugh.
Bill stood and walked back into the kitchen. Pyronica followed him, her arms still crossed. The blond stopped in front of the garden calendar pinned to the wall beside the refrigerator.
It was a long shot. He wasn't even sure how much power he would attain and if any would actually transfer over to the caster. He would need to come up with a good reason for the spellcaster not to let Ford in on their little secret.
He placed his fingertip atop the day's date. He trailed down to the Wednesday the twenty first. He laughed louder.
"Oh, I think I know someone who may help me," he said and tapped the date the boy would arrive.
Bill has another plan and keeping secrets from Ford. Oh how will this work out?