From cdpdoodler (Guest): "I was wondering if you could do a piece from the Blinded AU, maybe the first time Dipper meets Bill, or something? (You don't have to do this if you're not familiar with the AU. I just thought it would be cool to see your version of it) Keep writing!"

Absolutely! I know the creator of this AU has already written their version of this meeting, but I'm gonna try a slightly different approach. Enjoy the one-shot!

Sweet Mystery

He had been feeling a little bored lately, in need of some good laughs, so he decided to pay his favorite meatsacks a visit. Nothing too long - maybe just a small trip to give the two a lovely pair of nightmares. Watching them writhe in their sleep was hilarious.

Yet when Bill appeared in the room, he immediately registered three things:

A) this was not the attic in the Mystery Shack

B) there was only one figure who was lying down on a single cot

C) the meatsack had looked up upon the demon's arrival and was now huddled up in fright near the wall.

Something was definitely off.

"What's the matter, Pine Tree?" Bill teased, floating closer. "No sign of Shooting Star in here... Were you not expecting a visit from me?"

"What - ? Wh-Who are you?"

The dream demon studied the maroon robe the brunette wore, and as he noted the symbol on the hood being pulled cautiously off his face, recognition flew through his mind. Oh. So those mind erasers got you good, eh? Actually, this could be pretty useful...

"The name's Bill Cipher! I'm a dream demon - but you would know that if you were able to remember. Looks like you lost a couple of memories; tough luck, kid, haha!"

Pine Tree bit his lip, still seeming unsure of what to do. "We... We know each other?"

"Oh, yeah! I guess you could say we're pals," Bill told the boy, holding back a laugh as he visibly relaxed at the latter lie. "Say, how much do you recall of your past life?"

His brows furrowed as he thought hard. The familiarity caused the triangle to chuckle inwardly.

"Well, I know I'm twelve and I'm in Gravity Falls... But I don't know anything else. Ivan wouldn't tell me anything more."

Of course not, and for that, I am grateful.

Bill floated over to the boy, resting on top of his robe-covered shoulder. "Not to worry, Pine Tree! I'm sure it'll come to you in time!"

"P-Pine Tree? Is that my name?"

"Oh, it's just a little nickname I made up for ya, kid!" He winked at the boy (although it just looked like the demon was blinking due to him only having one eyeball). "Like it?"

"I... It's better than boy, I guess," Pine Tree mumbled, probably not intending for Bill to hear him.

Bill snapped his fingers and the preteen yelped at the brief flash of light near his shoulder where the triangle sat. "What was that?"

"Take a look!"

Wary, Pine Tree pulled on the cloth of the robe so as to see it better and his eyes widened in surprise. A blue pine tree was sewn into the fabric by his shoulder.

"Did you...?"

"Yup! Now you won't ever lose the robe; you'll always know which one is yours."

"I..." Pine Tree glanced at the one-eyed demon, his stance relaxing a little more. "Thanks."

"Don't mention it!"

Pine Tree shifted his weight on the cot and bit his lip. "So, do you know who I was?"

"Of course! I know lots of things!" Bill's eye flashed with different images rapidly, and he snickered at the boy's confused expression. An idea slowly formed in the demon's mind as he watched this, and if he had a mouth, he would be smirking.

"Say... I could help you out, kid. Wanna make a deal?"

Bill, leave the poor kid alone for once.