WHAT'S THIS!? i'M ACTUALLY POSTING FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FOREVER?! WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!?

Seriously though, I'm sorry for the wait. 'Rona's really been affecting my mental health and I've just felt so awfully uninspired and stumped. Thank you for being nice about it though, and I love hearing from you guys.

I think I'll post next week or so.

Thank you all for the great year.

Love,

AJ (AcrylicAvocado)

Steven

Lars is going to visit in a week or so, which will be fun. I think he and Wendy will get along.

I'm trying to distract myself, I don't want to think right now. Bill's been bothering me for a couple days now. When I'm awake he won't shut up, and my dreams have been nothing but nightmares. I'm so tired, and so close to breaking down again, but I can't. I won't let myself do that again.

I just want some rest, without thought. I don't even want normal dreams, I just want a blank, static. Is that too much to ask for? Probably. I don't think I'll ever get to rest.

"If we fused, you could rest your mind and leave me in charge." Stop. "Wow. Someone's crabby. I'm not lying. I bother you in the day because I'm bored and that's what I do best, and I leave your dreams alone at night. Those nightmares are all you."

That's nice Bill… I hope he can hear the sarcasm in my tone, because it's there.

"Just trying to help the both of us, Universe." Thanks I guess. Y'know, I don't mind having you in my head all that much. I guess it gives me someone to talk to.

"Well I'm obviously being too nice then." Instead of making fun of me like I thought he would, Bill stays quiet and doesn't bother me anymore. I wasn't lying (I wonder if he could tell if I was), I really don't mind having someone to talk to.

"I could interfere with your dreams if you wanted…" He says after several minutes. Could you? "Yeah I could. You're gonna drop dead at this point, and I wouldn't have anywhere else to live." I- thank you. "Shut it, Universe."

I finish up in the shop and lock up. The Pines and Soos went to the pool today and I stayed behind. They usually stay really late at the pool, so I have the house to myself for a while.
I step into the shower for and only plan on staying there for a few minutes. Shampoo gets in my eye and I hiss, scrubbing quickly.

When I step out of the shower I wrap a towel around my waist and stand in front of the mirror. I look tired (there's dark circles under my eyes).

The Pines offered to take me to the pool but I'm fine staying here, and I always feel like people are staring. I look at the huge scars on my back. They're still a little raw even though it's been months.

I've always had scars from my little adventures growing up, those never bothered me. I have stretch marks on my hips, but I've never been bothered by those either, they're natural.

But these new scars take up almost all of my back and people never directly ask questions, they just stare.

"You should put lotion or something on your scars." Bill trills. What? "They bother you. They itch and burn." I internally sigh, because he's right. Alright. I grab the lotion and reach the scars I can and put my pants back on before walking out. I haven't put my shirt on yet because I really need to let my scars breath and be exposed to air.

"Hello Steven." I nearly jump out of my skin when Ford greets me. He's sitting at the kitchen table sipping on coffee. Sometimes I forget that he lives here too.

"Hey." I force a smile and reach into the fridge for one of the smoothies I made earlier.

"Steven, do you mind if I ask a question?" He looks up over the paper he's reading.

"Uh, depends." I stand in the doorway for an easy escape.

"How'd you get the scars on your back?" Wow he just outright said it. Ok.

"Long story short, I turned myself inside-out. I'd really rather not talk about the details."

"Of course, I'm sorry if it's a sensitive subject." He looks back to the paper and I retreat back to my room.

I'm asleep a moment after my head hits the pillow. I didn't even have a chance to drink my smoothie.

I feel like I'm laying on sand. It's warm against my skin, and the sun licks my skin without burning. The soft sound of water meeting the beach hums in the background. I feel so peaceful. This is better than static…

Thanks.

"Don't mention it."

Dipper

When we get home it's just past eleven at night. We went to the diner for dinner and that was fun.

"Steven's sleeping," Ford says as a welcome, "Try not to wake him alright?" He looks directly at Mabel, "He looks more tired than Dipper with a new mystery novel." I feel my face turn pink. Once I stayed up for 5 days straight until I passed out repainting the mystery shack sign. That was like… A week or two ago.

"Hey Ford," I sit down at the table after the others have left, "Do you think I should ask Steven about Bill? I mean… You saw his eyes too." Ford sighs and sets down his coffee cup.

"He might talk to you more than he would talk to me… I'm worried that he's letting Bill get to him, like what Bill did to me. He might start making deals with the devil before we can warn him."

I nod and head down the hall, just to see if maybe Steven woke up. I know that he suffers from nightmares.

I knock lightly and when I look through the door my stomach drops. He's sitting up, his eyes glowing yellow. His pupils are cat-like slits.

"Hey Pine Tree." A voice I know too well coos at me.

"How did you-" I raise my voice but Bill holds a hand up to Stevens lips.

"Shhhhhh…" His eyes are narrowed, "I'm only doing this so he can rest. Tell a soul and I'll end your entire bloodline."

"Why would you help Steven?" I clench my fists, "And how is taking over his body helping him? You only did terrible things when you took over me!" I say in a hushed voice.

"I've grown attached to him." He crosses his legs and inspects his nails. "Shooting Star is right. He needs a haircut." He leans over and grabs a pen and writes "Get a haircut moron. -Bill" on his palm.

"Why shouldn't I tell Ford? We beat you once. We can do it again."

"I can give you information about gems that Steven won't talk about. He tells me everything." He grins wickedly and something twists in my stomach. Steven didn't want to share but… I need answers. Not gritty details… Just answers.