Feels Like There's Something Missing.

- Kahlil's POV -

With fast movements, we arrived back at the shack. Mr. Pines told Soos to lock up the shack and make sure no one came in. I was guided through the gift shop, through the hallway, and into the bathroom by Wendy. She told me to sit on the stool of the toilet seat as I did so. She checked the closet before rushing out of the bathroom to get the medkit. Why don't you guys keep your medkit in the bathroom? I sighed and stared out of the bathroom, waiting for her return. She did as she set the box down and closed the door. "Okay. Now we're away, you can tell me what happened." She said, before opening it.

"Well..." I begin before grabbing my shirt. "wait... do I..?"

"We're in the bathroom, Kahlil, no one gonna see the scars." She said softly.

I hesitated for a minute before nodding quietly. I grip my shirt tightly, breathing in and out before taking it off. I winced at the pain from my shoulder as I grumbled. I avoided looking at myself as I watched Wendy sit next to me. "Turn around." She said as I turned my body for her to see the wound. I thought it was on my shoulder like you could see it in the front. Didn't realize it was in the back. She begins treating the wound as I flinch slightly from time to time. "Do you want to tell?"

"... It's nothing that damaging." I said.

"Then...-"

"I did something that might be bad in the future..." I said.

"... Like what?" She asked.

"... I broke Gideon's arms..." I said lowly. I think she stopped working on the wound a bit before continuing.

"Oh." She said, sounding shocked. Soon she was wrapping a bandage around the wound in silence. I think I might have ruined the atmosphere with that. I frowned before beginning to feel worried. I shouldn't be doubting about what I did, should I? No. I shouldn't be. The silence between us lasted up until she was done treating me. I don't blame her if she didn't want to speak after that. "I'll ask if the Pines have a spare shirt for you." She said, picking up the dirty old shirt. I shivered before nodding, hugging myself.

She cleaned up her place and closed the med box before carrying it out of the bathroom. She closed the door as I was left alone. I frowned before glancing at the floor. I looked at the bandage on my hand, viewing it before looking at the other one on my arm. Okay, don't break a gem that could cut your skin afterward. But how could I even stop myself if I assumed that he injured Dipper? Now I know he lied to provoke me. But I think he didn't expect me to break his limbs... I didn't ... expect myself to do that ... I was expecting blood on the ground or ... I'd ... beaten him to death.

I gulped before leaning back on the toilet seat, waiting quietly. I snapped my head over to the door opening, seeing Wendy come in and close the door. She had new clothes in her hands as she walked over and set them on the counter. "Come meet us all in the dining room when you are finished." She said before leaving the bathroom. The door shut as I shrink back a bit. Oh boy, looks like I have some explaining to do. Jeeez, I can't wait to do that. I sighed before getting up. I turned and glanced at the clothes before putting them on. Once I was finished, I picked up the dirty pants and looked disgusted. At least these are more comfortable than this.

I walked over to the door and opened it slowly. I looked out, staring at the empty hallway. I glanced over at the dining room arch, gulping a bit before walking over. I folded the pants as I looked at the group, frowning. "Come in." Wendy called over softly as I did just that. I flinched when one of the older twins stood up, especially when it was the injured one. He appeared angry and glaring at me as I feared from him.

"Relax, Stanley." Ford said.

"Why should I relax? He could-"

"He just escaped from being injured! I'd doubt he went back to get Mabel." He said, cutting his brother off.

"This still pisses me off. That little bastard thinks he can just wound me like that?!" Stanley said, watching him wince at the pain. He soon set back down as his legs were giving up.

"It's not his fault." Ford said before glancing over at me. "Can you tell us what happened and ... if Mabel was there with you?"

"... Gideon and his father have her with the others." I said. I soon realized what I just said. Wait, did I just ... did I just say "father" without hesitation? I looked extremely confused.

"Wait. Father?" I heard Dipper say, turning towards him as he glanced over at me with a "wait, what" look.

"... His father?" Wendy asked, looking at me confused.

"... Y-yeah..." I said quietly, looking around quickly.

"Don't worry, I don't think he's around." Ford said, giving me a small smile.

"Bud Gleeful, huh?" Stan said, making me feel a sight of panic within me. "He's working with his son behind all of this?"

"Apparently so." Ford said, looking down at the table.

"... Me and Mabel met him..." Dipper said. "... I... I ...-"

"Calm down, I don't think we need to have two pines storming around the shack again." Ford said. The brunet nodded, keeping quiet.

"So what now? Do I need to storm up to Bud's porch and beat him up?!" Stan asked, slamming down on the table as it made me jump. I don't ... I don't want to be here. I felt Wendy's hand on my back as she rubbed it.

"It's okay." She whispered to me, glancing at me. I slowly nodded, hugging myself tightly.

"I don't want you going to jail for the wrong reason, Stanley. My only option is to storm into ...- Where are the others ...?" Ford asked me.

"... The warehouse...?" I answered, looking unsure.

"You sure?" He said.

"If you do not know-"

"He's right." Dipper said, cutting Stanley off from going off at me. "A friend of ours sent pictures of a basement sort of that went somewhere under the warehouse."

"If that is true, then we'll head over there soon and rescue her." Ford said.

"And the rest of the missing teens?" Dipper asked.

"I'm not so sure about them." Ford said, causing me to feel rage within me. Excuse me?

"What do you ... mean by that?" Dipper asked, worry and confusion mixed on his facial expression.

"Kid, we're only there to rescue Mabel. We're not going after for the others." Stanley said.

"... But ... that's..."

"Maybe another day when Mabel is out of the way." Ford said. Excuse me? I glared at the two older twins, squeezing my hands into fists.

"... Okay." Dipper said quietly.

"If we are all set, then I'm going to check on the shop and rest some more." Stan said, getting up and storming out of the room. Ford looked at him before glancing at me and Wendy, he noticed my glare as he looked down at the table.

"... We really cannot rescue the others with Mabel?" Wendy asked.

"It will take a lot of planning and knowing what we'll do with the others afterward." Ford said. "I... I'm afraid I cannot-"

"Mabel is going to beg us to rescue them all." Dipper said quietly. "As soon as we get there, she's gonna say it."

"... I'll think about it." Ford said as I ease my glare.

"Please do." Dipper said before the older twin got out of his seat. He soon turned and walked out of the room. After a few seconds, I spotted Soos coming in, having a worried expression.

"We're doing good, Soos, no need to worry." Wendy said. I nodded before getting my sleeve tugged on. I turned to my right, seeing Dipper right beside me.

"Can I borrow him?" He asked.

"Sure." She said before moving her hand from my back.

"Come, Kahlil." He said quietly, leading me to the staircase. We climbed up them and walked over to the room, entering in afterward. I watched him close the door as he turned to look at me with a huggable face.

"I can't-" I went ahead and pulled him into a hug, squeezing him tightly. He wrapped his arms around me, hugging me back. "You're okay. You're okay..."

"Yes, I'm fine. Well and here." I whispered. We stood in silence for a good two minutes before letting each other go. I looked at him as he looked like he was about to cry. "Did my disappearance worry you that much?"

"Yes. It did... I couldn't sleep without having my sister near me at all cost. I was just ... thinking about all the possible ways that they could have done to you. And ... I... I didn't ... I didn't want that happening to you." He said, whimpering slightly as he was wiping away his tears.

"Don't worry, I won't allow myself to go through another one of those experiences again. I can't see myself going through one anyway." I said, smiling softly.

"... Better not..." He said quietly. He soon frowned and looked sad.

"... It's okay, we'll get your sister back, don't worry." I said softly.

"I was hoping ... she would be with you." He said.

"... I wish she was so I could have her with me." I said, a little rage rising within me before it disappears a second later. He slowly walked over to me as he buries his face in my shirt. I sighed before wrapping my arms around him tightly. "You missed me, didn't you?"

"Mhmm..." I heard him say, a slight muffled.

"Well, I am here to keep you from descending into a hole." I said quietly.

"... What if I already did that?" He asked, muffled once more.

"... Did Mabel help you out?" I asked.

"First time she did... the second time ... it was when ... she was kidnapped." He said, gripping my shirt tightly. "... I thought ... I lost my mind..."

"She will be here again, don't worry." I whispered softly, rubbing his back gently.

"... I-I know..." I heard his voice shake.

"Hmmm..." I muttered quietly before looking over at his bed. "Let's sit for a bit." I said, looking back at him.

"Okay." He said quietly. I let him go before leading him over to the bed. I made him sit first before I sat beside him closely. He blinked before glancing down at the floor. I placed my hands in my lap, staring at the bandages. I think we sat in our silence, a sad silence it was. Too depressing for me to handle. "... How did you escape?" I looked over at him as he was staring at my hand bandages before meeting my gaze. I slowly smile before looking away. "... What ... did you do?"

"Well... I might have ... did something horrible to Gideon." I said, snickering.

"Did you kill him?" He asked.

"I wish." I said, frowning. "I broke his arms."

"... You- ... You broke his arms?" He said as I looked over at his shocked expression.

"Yep." I said, perking a smile back on my face.

"...You broke his arms to escape?" He asked.

"Okay. I kinda thought when he said he severely injured one of you and he ... like ... reminded me of that ... I thought ... he injured you. So ... I lost control of myself and went after him." I said.

I watched him slowly smile as he looked away from me. "Damn..."

"Hey, I could have stopped myself if he didn't LIE." I said.

"To be honest, he deserved it." He said.

"He deserved to get his two arms broken? Wow, aren't you a monster." I said jokingly, raising a brow.

"... Do you think the same?" He asked, looking over at me.

"Yes, I do. I'm just messing with you." I said, smiling.

"I know. You love to do so anyway." He said, looking slightly irritated.

"At least I'm trying to change the mood." I said.

"... Can I ask another question?" He asked.

"You just did." I answered.

"Kahlil." He said, glaring at me. I only laughed at his reaction. "Do not be a smart ass right now, this is serious!"

"Okay! Okay. What is your question?" I chuckled.

He narrowed his eyes before he eases his glare. "Did you know how you got there in the first place?"

"Oh... that ... You know, he totally deserves his arms getting broken. He ...- Somehow he got both of my parents under his possession. So... in the first attempt, they tried poisoning me. Though when I notice the sudden change in my mother's speech, I knew something was wrong. I tried leaving but their second attempt at getting me was a success. They put me to sleep... and I feel so sorry for my mother." I answered.

"... That's horrible." He said.

"Yeah... I think that means I cannot go back." I said.

"... That's really fucking horrible." He cursed.

"I get it, Dipper." I said.

"It's really is, he used your parents against you, which is messed up in my opinion." He said, irritation appearing on his face.

"It is." I said, looking down.

"... I can ask my grunkles if they allow you to stay." He offered.

"... Alright." I said quietly. I guess that could be my option for now, until this whole mess is over with.

"I'll go do that now so I won't forget." He said, slowly getting up. I nodded before watching him leave the room. I glanced away and stared at his bed. A smirk slowly appeared on my face. Looks like I have this bed to myself.

- Dipper's POV -

I headed downstairs, walking over to the living room. I spotted Grunkle Stan sitting on the couch before flinching my head over to Grunkle Ford walking back to the basement. "Grunkle Ford!" I said, rushing over to him.

"... What is it, Dipper?"

"Could Kahlil stay here until ... his parents aren't trying to capture him alive?" I asked. I could have worded that another way.

"... Why are they...- Are they under the magician's control?" He asked.

"... Yes. That's ... how he got captured in the first place." I answered.

"Well alright. Then we'll have to fix him a bed. For now ... the couch in the living room is the bed option unless he doesn't mind sleeping on the floor next to your bed." He said.

"I'll see where he wants to sleep at." I said, holding back a smile.

"Alright." He nodded before disappearing into the room. I turned and walked back to the staircase. I climbed up on it and headed over to the shared room, walking in only to halt at the sight. I sighed, annoyance rising within me.

"You're not taking my bed." I said, walking over to Kahlil who was lying on my bed on his side.

"Aww, well I had it for a short time." He said, looking over at me.

"Sit up." I said as he sat up.

"So, what did he say?" He asked as I sat down. Oddly enough, it was warm.

"He said it was fine. Though you have two choices where you can sleep at." I answered.

"What are they?" He asked, tilting his head as he scooted closer to me.

"You can either sleep on the couch downstairs or if you want, sleep on the floor in here." I answered.

"Hmmm... I'd rather sleep with you." He said.

"... I ... I don't know ... if there's room for us on my bed ..." I said, blushing slightly.

"We can test that right now.~" He said.

"... Uhh ... I don't know ... If I want to do that ..." I said, glancing away from him.

"It's not the first time we slept together." He said.

"I know that!" I grumbled.

"Besides, you might need it. Based on how you've been these past days." He said.

"I ...- yeah, maybe you're right." I said. "But I'm still worried about if one of us falls off of the bed if there's no room."

"We might fit if we cuddle closely." He said.

"... Okay..." I said quietly. "... Are you serious about this?"

"Yes. Why would I be joking about sleeping with you?" He asked as I looked over at him.

"... Okay." I said, slowly nodding.

"If you were thinking of the other meaning, screw that part." He said, which made me confused. He widened his eyes at my reaction. "... You don't know the other meaning?"

"... What other ... meaning? What other meaning could "sleeping with" be?" I asked, growing more confused.

"... Well that's surprising ..." He said.

"Are you-"

"Well... people use that meaning for s-x." He said. I completely turned bright red as I glanced away, covering my face. "Hey, hey! You didn't know!"

"Y-yeah but ... I didn't realize I was-"

"It's fine! It's fine." He said, wrapping an arm around me. I huffed before uncovering my face, sitting up as my cheeks were hurting. "Though I'm surprised you don't know that meaning."

"Was I supposed to?" I asked, looking over at him.

"... I don't know ..." He said, shrugging. He winced a bit from his shoulder.

"Well... Okay." I said quietly, looking away from him.

"You know we're not going to do it. We agreed when whenever we are ready, we'll do it." He said.

"I know. It just feels a bit awkward." I said.

"Cuddling your loved one is awkward now? Wow." He said jokingly.

"I didn't- ugh." I said annoyed.

"I mean you're the one who seems to be more agreeable to cuddle rather than the other way." He said.

"I know..." I said quietly.

"So, would you rather now?" He asked.

I glanced outside of the window and over at the clock on my end table. It read 5:08. I looked back up at the sunset skies, glancing over at Kahlil. "... Sure ... Maybe just for a little while before dinner?" I asked.

"Alright, this one can be the test then.~" He said, smirking.

"... Test..." I mumbled, growing annoyed.

"Don't be like that!" He snickered. I grumbled before scooting away to the wall. I moved my legs close to me as I looked over to my pillow. I watched Kahlil begin to lie down on his stomach as he winced a bit.

"Be careful, you don't-"

"Yes I know, Dr. Pines." He said, giving me a look.

"Dr.? I'm not so sure about that one." I said, lying down right next to him.

"Not so sure about becoming a doctor?" He asked, turning his body to lay on his side. He then rested his head on his hand while his elbow held them up.

"I'm not being a Doctor. I want to become a Detective." I said, giving him a look as I rested my head on my arms.

"Ah ... so, Detective Dipper?" He said, smirking.

I bury my face into the sheets of my bed, hiding my smile from him. "... Detective ... Dipper... I'm not ready to be called by that..." I said, my voice muffled by the sheets.

"But you will eventually." He snickered.

"Detective Mason is fine." I said, muffled still.

"But Detective Dipper has a ring to it. Almost as if they start with two Ds." He said. I sighed and lifted my head and stared at him.

"Stop trying to make dirty jokes." I said.

"I- ... Sh-t. I didn't realize that was leading up to one. Damnit." He grumbled.

"Ha." I snickered.

"Oh, you think it's funny?" He said, raising a brow.

"Probably because I beat you before you could have made one." I smirked.

"... Cmere you.~" He said before quickly grabbing me and pulling me close. I tried to escape through it failed when his arms were already wrapped around me. I huffed before laying my head next to his chest. "I don't think you can escape from here.~"

"I'm trapped in your arms, of course, I can't escape!" I said, moving my head back so I could look at him.

"Mhm..." He smirked before kissing my nose. I flinched a bit from the small peak as my cheeks flare faint roses. I shook my head and closed my eyes.

"You love to see me vulnerable, don't you?" I asked quietly.

"Hmmm, not vulnerable..." He said, trailing off as I felt his arms tightly squeeze around me. I repositioned myself closer to him as I lay next to his neck. "Just comfortable enough to hug."

"To hug?" I asked.

"Mhm! I like to hug the sadness out of you." He said.

I smiled brightly, feeling the warmth return on my face. "That's nice..." I mumbled.

"Mhm." He said quietly though that might have been me falling asleep. Apparently, the warmth of our bodies is pulling me out of consciousness. "I'll wake you up when dinner is here." I heard his faded voice before I drift off to sleep.

End of Chapter 66