Beau stopped them outside the house, both still on the steps as the dawn light began to filter in.
Greg was sleeping inside, having had a break from "training" with Beau. It was now or never to ask Beau about returning to The Unknown.
Beau looked back to Wirt and chuckled before Wirt could say anything.
"Greg has been doing well in his hunt training. Your nurturing him has been beneficial to his growth."
Wirt looked up, unsure where he was getting at with that statement. It felt like a trap though. Wirt sadly bit.
"What are you getting at, Father?"
Wirt's posture stiffened as Beau took his face in his large hands. He held Wirt's face gently.
"Tell me, Wirtham. I've given you time, you could've also done it last night. Why isn't that boy dead?"
Wirt gulped. He had hoped Beau dropped it, but he guessed that was dumb of him to wish. He couldn't turn his head due to the icy hands on his cheeks, but he did avert his gaze.
"I...I tried!" Wirt didn't mean for his voice to come out cracked. He felt the tremble in his hands.
He heard Beau hum and he pulled Wirt into an embrace. Wirt didn't hug back.
"I understand, Wirtham. Hmm."
He felt Beau remove himself and look Wirt in the eye. He knew by the glint in those blue eyes that it was trouble.
"It's nothing but a hormone driven attraction that's staying your hand?"
Beau said it like a statement, but it was a question.
Wirt was about to deny it fully, but, there was that little inkling where he knew it had to be true. Why else would he feel drawn to a person he'd only met a few weeks ago?
Wirt open and closed his mouth, no words escaping. His shoulders sagged.
"You would do ANYTHING for Gregory, correct? Or has that changed?"
Wirt's face contorted into a fang barring snarl and he was in Beau's face quicker than he had in years. It was pure impulse and the moment he smelt the rotten flesh carried on his father's breath, he knew getting so close was a mistake, but he continued, voice shaky as opposed to the shout he was about to raise.
"Don't you dare underestimate my love and loyalty to Greg. I've went this far for him and I'll do what I can to keep him safe."
Before Wirt could continue, Beau bent down enough where he was eye to eye with Wirt. There was amusement in his gaze.
"Then prove it. Do what you have to to rid yourself of this attraction to this Human. Then..." Beau grinned, a rare and unpleasant sight, "Hunt him."
Wirt glared. "What does my attraction to Dipper have to do with Greg's safety? W-why does it MATTER?!"
"It will cloud your judgement, which. Is. Your. Job. Sacrifice the few to eventually save many." Beau's voice held delight despite his tone.
"I TRIED!" Wirt tried not to raise his voice, but it was strained. Why couldn't his father understand?
He saw Beau roll his eyes. A surge of anger coiled in his belly. He opened his mouth, smoke escaping like vapor.
Beau cut him off again. "I understand. Really, I do, my child. So, fuck him or find a surrogate to do as your hormones please. All you have to do is get it out of your system. You're still young, it's bound to happen."
Wirt's jaw would've been on the ground if he wasn't as stunned. "W-w-what?" His voice rose an octave. "Are you-are you fucking insane?! Scratch that, I know you are! This isn't-isn't some fling based on physical attraction!"
Beau crossed his arms, tilting his head. "Is it not? Wirtham, don't fool either of us in saying it's a genuine affection." He observed Wirt's expression and put a hand on Wirt's head, then sliding it to his cheek, "My little child...you've been around Humans too long. You truly believe you can love."
He turned to go into the house, but Wirt wasn't quite ready to believe him.
He grasped Beau's fur cloak. "I am capable of it. I-I love Greg! Yes, that's a sibling-family love. But nonetheless it's love. So don't-"
Beau grasped his hand, yanking Wirt close, his eyes glowing.
Wirt whimpered.
"Simple. Both Gregory and that boy have strong souls. THAT is what you want. So quit thinking you're capable of feeling a Human emotion such as Love. It's a fools errand."
Wirt was shaking, out of anger or sadness, maybe both, he wasn't sure. Some of these emotions were new, especially the ones revolving around Dipper.
"Maybe it can be different with Dip-"
He heard Beau sigh, halting Wirt.
"Do you honestly think, if he knew the truth, he'd want to have ANYTHING to do with you and Gregory? Use your head, boy!"
Beau grasped Wirt's chin roughly, his claws digging in. "You are a danger to him, whether he knows it or not. You are trying to cling to a new feeling that is not real. Quit being a Human, Wirtham. It does not suit you. Remember your job. Your place. Sweet dreams, Wirtham. I have work around noon."
He turned and waited for Wirt to make his choice.
Wirt let out a choked noise but got close and clung to the fur cloak, putting his face in it, head against Beau's back.
Hook. Line. Sinker.
"I'm sorry, Father. Please forgive me. This is a new feeling. One I don't understand. Please, before you go in, give me your lantern. I have to take Greg for his medicine."
Beau didn't even glance behind him.
"No. You can wait till the full moon, as punishment. But...to forgive you, I won't force Gregory to train while he's becoming weak. There'd be no point to it. He'd become a burden."
Wirt wanted to scream. "That's a month away! Father..."
Beau sighed. "Then do what you must, but I'll be holding on to the lantern."
Beau then left inside, leaving Wirt to follow suit.
For a week, Wirt was gathering the juvenile Edelwood and grinding them as best he could without the mill. The process took longer, was more difficult to get correct for just a small amount of oil. It hadn't helped he wasn't sure if it'd work. But he had to try, just enough to get to The Unknown at the end of the month time limit.
It was infuriating! He could get he and Greg back if Beau wouldn't have kept them busy so long. But he knew...Wirt knew his father wanted him to need his lantern to get back.
Why? Was the question.
Greg had been energetic as he could, or at least tried, until he got his bouts of faintness.
Early morning the week after, 2 weeks out of his month time limit, had Greg sitting in Wirt's lap, his shirt off, letting out a huge yawn.
"I don't like the medicine, Wirt. It stinks. And it hurts for awhile."
Wirt sighed, looking at Greg's back and opening the Edelwood container that held the medicine.
"I know, Greg. But if you're good, like you usually are, we'll visit the Pines family today. It's been awhile hasn't it?"
His voice was soft and he wanted to see Greg in high spirits again. He wanted to...no.
'Remember what Beau told you.'
Wirt put a good amount on his fingers, the medicine thick. He hoped this worked or else he'd have to fight Beau for the lantern.
He hated the scent as well, but for other reasons than Greg.
He put the thick black medicine from the back of Greg's skull, at the base, all the way down his spine to just above the dimples on his lower back. He tried layering it as thick as he could.
It had taken a few seconds, but then Greg hissed out, his body going tense as he tried holding back his pain, tears welling and falling.
Wirt ran a hand through his hair to comfort him. The black veins began to subside. Greg's skin began to look healthier. It was working.
"It's okay, Greg. The medicine is working. You're doing so good! You can do it. Just...a bit...longer."
The medicine melted faster than Wirt liked. Actually that was a concern because it shouldn't have melted. He wiped some away at the spine and checked. 'Some.' He thought with very little relief.
When it looked like it wasn't going to work more, Wirt took the rag he'd use and wiped up the thick black medicine.
"It didn't work all that well, Greg. I'm sorry."
Through gasps, Greg turned his head, "W-why not?" His body trembled from the force he was making himself relax.
Wirt sighed. "Because it wasn't from The Unknown. It was from here." 'They weren't even mature trees.'
Greg began to relax as the remaining medicine was absorbed by his flesh. He looked to Wirt, who was helping him get his shirt back on.
"Beau said we couldn't, didn't he? Why can't we see Unky and Beatrice?"
Wirt made sure Greg was looking well enough before he decided to answer. His skin did look healthier, not to his normal hue but that was to be expected. His eyes glinted more and the bags underneath weren't as bad.
"Beau said wait till the full moon. The lantern is strongest that day. I know you miss them, but we both had to be in our best shape if we didn't want to use his lantern. Or else you would've went on to see The Cloud City."
There was one other, 3rd way, they could, but Wirt had only ever done it once and it was an emergency that he doesn't think he could replicate easily.
Nor would he want to.
Greg nodded. "I'm sorry."
Wirt scrambled to hold on to Greg tightly, shushing him repeatedly.
"No, no, no, Greg. It's not your fault. NONE of this is your fault. None of it. I'll find a way, okay? Now...let's go see the Pines family. I-uh- know you wanted to show Mabel and Paz some new magic tricks you know?"
Greg wiped away his tears but looked at Wirt with a wide grin. "I wanted to show them my bow!"
Wirt's eyes widened comically. "A BOW?! Since when?!"
Greg looked away guiltily. "Beau said not to tell you. He thought I'd have better aim with a bow. It's been a few months now, aside from that Hunt."
Wirt got a dark look on his face. "Oh really? Why DID you not tell me?"
Greg spoke in a small voice. "He threatened me that..." he cut off.
Wirt still had the dark look but he sighed. He wasn't mad with Greg. That'd make him a hypocrite.
"Come on, Greg. We have a bit to go to make it to the Pines. Go get your bow, I'll be out front. I'm curious as to see how well you actually are on it."
Greg nodded, uncertain since Wirt agreed so readily.
When Greg came out a bit later, he was geared up and had his bow along with his arrows on his back. The bow was large compared to the child holding it.
He saw Wirt's posture tense, his back to Greg, his fists clenched in a tight grip, trying to take deep breaths. "Wirt?"
Greg approached cautiously until he was right next to Wirt.
The elder brother had calmed enough where his shaking became tremors and he looked down to Greg, who jumped suddenly. "Wirt?"
Wirt breathed out his mouth, a thick puff of black smoke escaping. "Yes, Greg?" He ran a hand through his hair, trying to calm down.
Greg grasped one of his hands, the one closest and held it gently, Wirt clenching it to hold his own smaller one.
"Your eyes changed. You okay? I didn't make you mad did I?"
Wirt took some more deep breaths, feeling calmer but when he looked back to Greg, Greg shook his head. "Nope."
Wirt groaned. "I'll have to fetch some sunglasses. As for your question, no Greg. I'm not mad at you." He said softly and Greg believed him.
Greg scrunched his brows. "Why are your eyes like that then?"
Wirt punched the bridge of his nose. "Beau is what happened. I'm not sure myself why my eyes won't turn back. I hope the Pines won't expect me to remove them if my eyes don't return to normal soon."
Greg nodded. "We could say you drank too much."
Wirt froze. "What are you talking about?!" His voice rose a few octaves, making Greg giggle, which calmed Wirt himself down considerably.
Greg tilted his head even though he was still grinning. "But haven't you drank adult drinks before? I know you have! Remember at The Ta-"
Wirt rushed to cover his mouth. "We said never to speak of that again! And-and I didn't know!" Wirt panicked but began to giggle as well. Greg began laughing harder, seeing his brother embarrassed.
The walk was mundane enough with the brothers chatting and regaining the happy atmosphere they usually had.
Only when they reached town, did Wirt realize as he adjusted his sunglasses, "I don't have any of their numbers. I should probably do that, huh? Then we can say when or even set dates. I don't want us presuming they'd be there, you know?"
Greg was humming, in a much better state after even a small amount of medicine. He looked to Wirt, a glint in his eyes. "Yes! Then I can get a phone and plot against my enemies!" He put his fist in the air, striking a pose.
Wirt laughed, "What enemies? Haha, I'd have to ask Beau."
Greg frowned at that, "Boo! I say, boo! He'd never agree." He pouted which made Wirt grin fondly and look to his brother, about to speak.
"Wirt, a tr-" Greg shouted, but it was too late.
There was a pained noise as Wirt's face hit the tree that was in front of him. He pulled away, feeling his blood leave his nose and pain blossom forth from it.
"It's not broken right?" He nasally asked. It hurt like the dickens but he wasn't sure if it was.
Greg shrugged, unsure, and Wirt didn't want to touch it.
"Hey, you guys are here! Feels like it's been forever!" Both brothers looked towards the voice and spotted Mabel. Her hair was up and she looked like she was coming out to water plants, since she was holding a watering can.
Greg grasped Wirt's hand to help lead him as Wirt held his head tilted, both trying to hold and not hold his nose.
Greg spoke for them, even though Wirt waved.
"Hey, Mabel. Yes, we've been busy and I was sick for a bit, but we're here now. I wanted to show you guys my bow. But then, Wirt ran into a tree. Silly brother o' mine." Greg shook his head.
"I am not, Greg. That's rude." Wirt retorted, slightly annoyed on top of the pain.
Mabel came up to try and see, Wirt reluctantly lowering his head, feeling a fresh rush of pain and blood going to his nose.
She made a hissing-like noise. "Oohhh yikes. Yeah, I'm not the bone expert in the family. Dip-Dop's inside. Ask him. Greg can help me real quick and we can pick Paz up from work. Sound good? Then you can show us." Mabel offered.
Greg looked uncertain but Wirt waved him off. "Go have fun. The sooner you go, the sooner you can get back and show us what you got." He spoke nasally even as there was a stream of blood running down his nose and past his lips.
Greg nodded, taking Mabel's hand and went with her.
'Good.' Wirt thought. He knew Greg needed some distraction and enjoy himself. Mabel was contagious, as far as Wirt knew, so Greg would be having a blast in no time.
Watching them leave, Wirt opened the door to the Mystery Shack and went inside, glancing around to see if he could spot anyone.
Upon not, he hollered. "Hello? Anyone home? Dipper?"
Nothing.
He went to where he knew the kitchen was and tried removing as much blood as he could. Then he tried out back where he heard wood being chopped. Passing by a mirror he checked his eyes. They were back to charcoal, which was good. Though Wirt wasn't sure why they turned in the first place it why they lasted as long as they did.
He put the glasses in his pocket and opened the back, only to stop as he felt his face heat so bad he could feel it and his pulse quickened.
There, chopping wood, was Dipper. Shirtless and sweating as the summer heat beat down on him. He wore one of Mabel's headbands to keep his hair from his face, his hat not there, probably where his shirt was.
Dipper wasn't ripped by any means but he was...decently fit. The kind you get from running through the woods and chopping things. Maybe fighting things, evidence by Wirt's witness and some scars he saw upon Dipper's body.
Wirt gulped, his mouth feeling dry and tasting blood.
Wirt couldn't bring himself to speak.
Dipper stopped his progress, not seeing Wirt there near the doorway, and began to guzzle the water he had near.
Wirt's gaze locked on his throat, his memory a unhelpful reminder.
Suddenly Dipper's gaze locked with his. Caramel on charcoal. He spit out the water, coughing as he choked.
He set it down and walked over, seeming unbothered, unlike Wirt, about being shirtless.
"W-what are you doing here?" He eyed Wirt's nose, having just noticed. "What happened to your nose?"
Dipper tentatively rose his hand to touch.
Wirt flinched at first, causing Dipper to do the same, thinking he'd hurt Wirt.
Wirt took a deep breath. "I ran...into a tree. M-Mabel said you could check-check if it's not broken."
Dipper nodded, grasping the sides of Wirt's head and gently tilting it to see. Only, he didn't leave his hands there, like Wirt thought. Dipper moved his hands, one of them, to gently run over his nose, most likely feeling for anything broken.
Wirt gasped as that butterfly feeling went to his lower stomach. His brain felt like it was spinning with the amount of care Dipper was taking.
Dipper ran his fingers along the bridge and sides of his nose. There was pain but not as much as the initial impact.
Dipper's breath was felt on his face as he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Not broken. You must've just banged it good. You-uh-wanna come-come in! For- a drink?"
Dipper became nervous after the results on Wirt's nose were fine. The blush covering his face was still a cute sight to Wirt.
Wirt gulped again, but nodded, doing something impulsive and hooking a finger to Dipper's and pulling him inside.
They ping-ponged stories and experiences, Wirt avoiding as many-or even lying- details about his stories, since they involved the darker part of his life.
There was something Wirt realized, as he continued to chat with Dipper. He liked him and not in the way his father said.
His father HAD to be wrong, right?
Yes, he found Dipper very attractive, the muscles, the freckles fitting his skin like stars Wirt wanted to count and connect, but he was unbelievably sweet and dorky and cute.
Part of him, so selfishly, didn't want it to end. He enjoyed just even talking to Dipper. Even the slightest touch, it sent his mind into its fantasy where they could be laying side by side, whispering together under the stars and laughing at dumb things. At mundane things. In his fantasy, Wirt could picture just...playing with Dipper's hairs on the nape of his neck, his head nuzzled under his chin as Dipper would go on and on about...well, Wirt didn't care what the topic could be.
Or maybe they wouldn't speak at all.
He came to it when Dipper was explaining their summer adventures when they were 12. He told the story about the "lamby dance", which Dipper blushed the way through that story.
Wirt would always wonder why it was the "lamby dance" story that got his attention.
In turn, Wirt told him of this dumb song he sang explaining who he and Greg were to a bunch of senile elder folks.
Just like that, they were bouncing stories off and so animatedly to the point they we facing each other on the couch, Dipper holding his head, elbow propped on the back side of the couch, while Wirt spoke mostly with his hand, his other stayed on Dipper's knee, a subconscious action he hadn't realized he was doing. Wirt was none the wiser of the fond smile on Dipper's lips or the content look in his eyes.
Neither even noticed the three spying from a window close by, all with Cheshire grins on their faces.