Dipper's POV:
I look over at the demon, arranging flowers in my garden. It's been a few days since I decided to trust him. Something in the sadness made me trust him I just hope I'm not making a mistake. That deep pain is something we can relate on.
"Pinetree did you want me to hang up the orchids or?" He says, smiling at me.
He snaps me out of my thoughts.
I smile back.
His smile is so welcoming I can't help it.
His hair sparkles in the sun and his eyes look like two pretty gems in the daylight.
I shake my head.
Didn't he ask me something?
"Pinetree?"
"Hm?" I say in response.
He smiles again, drawing me back into those eyes, before I have to tear myself away.
"Want the orchids hung up or planted?" He repeats.
His eyes have no business being prettier than the sun. He also has a flyaway right now, I notice. I wonder if he does. Hmm maybe I can get Paz used to the idea of him, then we can go have fun at the cafe. I wonder if he'd do karaoke? His voice is probably pretty too.
He has no business acting like toast. Maybe I could just casually snatch up his hand in the middle of a conversation. It was soft. I wonder what I did with that blanket we fell asleep on that smells like morning dew, pine, and him. Didn't I put it on the back of the couch? Dang it now I want the blanket.
Bill is good with plants like his brother, both have a natural affinity to nature, Will's magic just responds that way.
He has no business looking like a soft teddy bear with the flowers. He's a butt. I pout.
I zone back in except he moved and is waving his hand in front of my face.
What if I just bit it?
Geez Dipper you need to calm down.
I blink up at him.
"Yes?"
"Orchids go hang or orchids go ground?"
I laugh.
"How about you plant one, and hang up the other one?"
He smiles.
"Mmk sounds like a plan."
He visibly pauses and then asks, "So what's got you zoning out?"
I feel a blush creep up my face.
Forgot he doesn't read my mind without my permission anymore. Forgot he could read minds. He looks so human.
"Uhh nothing."
He smiles, then shrugs at my answer.
"Mmk."
I smile back.
At least he isn't pushy.
Bill's POV:
It's been a few days since Pinetree let me into his life. I'm still in awe that someone so hurt by their past is so forgiving. He has a good heart. That's what drew me to him both times I met him. I deeply regret how I treated him and his family when I lost my brother. His kindness reminds me a little bit of Will, that's what intrigued me at first.
He's brave enough to stand up for what he believes in, even when he has fear running through his veins. He's always curious and open to try new things.
I notice that I only have a few plants left, so I ask where he wants the orchids.
"Pinetree did you want me to hang up the orchids or?" I smile.
He snaps to attention and returns my smile, then returns to his faraway land.
I wonder what he's thinking about? All I can feel is something kind tinted with embarrassment.
But I won't peak. Refuse to break my promise.
I try again.
"Pinetree."
He snaps to attention again and I get a 'hm.'
"Want the orchids hung up or planted?"
I notice him stare into my eyes then go to his faraway land again.
I shake my head and smile.
He's adorable.
I wonder if he ever noticed that his hair looks a little laced with red in the sun.
My little firecracker.
I blush.
Uhh calm down Bill.
I wonder if he'd ever go on a date with me?
Some negative thoughts try to speak to me, but I shut them down.
His eyes are really pretty. They almost look like they have a tree in the center of them where they're darkest, then a lighter brown color surrounding it.
I smile.
His nickname suits him well.
He looks so faraway it looks like he's about to drool.
I walk over and slightly wave a hand in front of his face.
It takes him a minute, but I catch his attention again, him slowly blinking up at me.
"Yes?"
"Orchids go hang or orchids go ground?"
I smile at the way he laughs, probably at my phrasing.
"How about you plant one, and hang up the other one?" He answers.
I smile.
"Mmk sounds like a plan."
I pause for a short moment.
"So, what's got you zoning out?" I ask.
I watch some red tinge his cheeks.
"Uhh nothing."
I smile, then shrug, accepting the answer.
If he doesn't want to tell me I won't push, even if the zoning caught my curiosity.
"Mmk." I smile.
He smiles back.
Dipper's POV:
"Bill it's pouring!" I say, peeking outside through the windows.
"Can't you show me it another day?" I continue.
He smiles, then shakes his head.
"Pinetree I told you this is a once in a lifetime thing. I'm lucky to have seen it twice. It only happens when its raining and want you to see."
"But I'll get wet."
He laughs.
"Pinetree that's never stopped you before."
I narrow my eyes.
He's right.
I just don't wanna do the laundry.
"You don't want to do the laundry, do you? After being in the rain." He says, almost like he read my mind, except I know he didn't.
I smile, slightly shaking my head.
"Got me there Bill." I reply.
He smiles back.
"How about I show you if I promise to wash stuff for you when we get back?" He says.
I think about it.
Exaggerate the contemplating expression on my face too.
"Well it only happens once in a lifetime. I dunno..." I joke.
He lightly swats my arm.
I laugh.
"Yes Bill I'll go." I say.
His face lights up.
"But are you sure you know how to work a washing machine?" I ask, thinking about it.
"Pretty sure Pinetree. Part of spying on people involves laundry at some point." He replies, smiling.
"Watching is different than doing. But we'll see, sherlock." I joke.
He laughs then smiles.
Why's his smile so pretty?
I smile back, unable to help it.
"You ready? We might have to run so we don't miss it." He asks me.
I look up at him.
"Yeah sure Bill." I smile.
He smiles back.
He opens the door for me and I walk out, hearing it shut behind me.
"Might have to hold my hand. Sometimes I run a little too fast." He says.
I don't allow the blush to rise, although I feel it trying to.
I've gotten better at controlling it.
"I'm sure I can keep up." I say shyly, although I make sure to keep the shyness out of my tone.
He looks a little disappointed.
I roll my eyes, then smile.
"Fine. If you think it'll get us there faster."
I offer him my hand.
He smiles and gently takes my hand.
"I do." He states.
I roll my eyes again.
"Ready?" He asks me.
I smile.
"Yeah. Cmon old man we ain't got all day." I joke.
He lightly swats my arm.
I laugh.
He smiles.
I see him do the running feet pose, so I copy him.
Then I start running.
-Time skip-
I start to get out of breath.
I swear we've ran through the whole forest and I'm dripping wet.
"Billlll." I whine.
He slides to a stop and I stumble to one too.
"Yes Pinetree?" He asks me, with a slight concerned look.
"Are we almost there? I'm soaked and something over three miles is a little much when I haven't ran in a while." I ask, a small pant audible.
He gives me a sheepish look.
"Sorry Pinetree." He says.
He slightly waves his hand and I feel dry and notice as he becomes dry too.
"You coulda done that the whole time?" I smile, slightly shaking my head.
He looks sheepish again.
"Yeah I kinda forgot. Just don't want you to miss it."
He does my awkward arm, like the one I've almost grown out of.
I lightly swat it.
"Quit I forgive you, ya rectangle."
He smiles, then laughs.
"Rectangle??"
I smile back.
"Mhm. Or would you rather I called you an ass?"
He lightly swats my arm.
I laugh.
"Hey how 'bout you give me a piggyback ride?" I suggest.
I notice some blush appear on his face and I slightly tilt my head.
"What? I'm lazy and you're the energetic demon here." I say.
He rolls his eyes.
"Get on my back then Pinetree. It's only a little further up." He smiles.
He assumes pick up position.
I laugh.
"I don't care. Don't feel like walking and wanna see whatever it is. So you can tote me. You'll live."
I get on his back and he stands up.
I feel a flick on my arm as he readjusts to hold me better.
I lightly swat his shoulder, before holding on better.
He starts up running, doing a small jog.
I don't bounce surprisingly.
'Must be his magic.' I surmise.
He really wasn't kidding.
It was only like a half a mile further.
'Oh well.' I mentally laugh.
I see an array of vines in the shape of a door, with some pretty flowers growing from them.
He gently moves them out of the way with his hands for a moment and we pass through.
Whatever I was expecting, it wasn't something this beautiful.
There's a waterfall on the right that sounds like music notes as water touches water.
A big wide open field of some type of closed flowers I've never seen before, that glow with some unknown beauty.
There's a solar eclipse that happens right before my eyes, but Bill assured me this type of eclipse was different than the ones that I'm used to, and wouldn't hurt my eyes at all.
The sky goes black and everything goes dark.
Then as if in sync to some dance to the piper, all of the flowers open at once and fireflies of every color fly out to light up the sky, like some type of tiny living rainbow stars. Well except for one in the very center.
Day shifts to night, and the sun doesn't come back out.
I see two moons in the sky and some vague stars in the distance, but the fireflies are somehow brighter.
Musical tones fill the air as the lightning bugs seem to do some sort of dance to it.
I just now notice that it stopped raining and hasn't since we passed the vines.
I watch as small wildlife all dart out from under the trees and gather as if to some type of ceremony.
"Bill is this some type of ceremony?" I ask him quietly.
He slightly nods, which he's lucky I see.
"Every 100 years a new fairy is born here. They are a really rare type that's name almost translates to 'enchant' in human English. They protect the wildlife and help control the seasons. We aren't quite in the fairy realm but this is where they apparently are always born. This is sort of the passageway to it. When a fairy is born they choose their identity. Their outfit changes to match their personality. I think it's beautiful. Humans are the only species with the audacity to try and gender everything. That doesn't happen in the fairy realm." He replies quietly.
I smile.
"I think that's amazing." I say.
I pause.
"So how long does it take for the flower to open?" I ask.
"However long the fairy needs. Sometimes they are really shy."
"Well I can't wait to meet them." I smile.
I watch the bigger wildlife gather by the trees.
The music makes me want to dance a little.
It's really tempting.
The fireflies seem to do a waltz.
I smile at the blue and yellow ones dancing.
"Bill, what if I wanted to dance?"
He still.
"I'd dance with you Pinetree."
"In a dress?"
I feel him flick my arm.
"Of course."
"Can we dance a little? Maybe we can help encourage the fairy to come out if they feel that there are creatures here that won't judge."
He gently sets me down and turns to me with a smile.
"I'd be glad to help them. You ok with me levitating a little bit? Don't want to hurt the flowers if we move a little closer."
"Yes Bill that's fine. Wouldn't want to hurt them either." I smile.
"Alright." He gently grabs my hand and levitates in the air some.
I'm not off balance surprisingly. Still feel the ground beneath me somehow, even in the air.
"You mentioned a dress?" He asks.
"Yeah..." I do my arm.
"Alright I know just the color." He smiles.
I relax.
He waves his hand and I feel my clothes change into something longer and soft.
I look down at it and smile.
It's 'Pinetree Blue' as Bill calls it.
It's nothing fancy, a simple silky blue dress.
I love it.
I smile.
Bill puts a finger under my chin to have me look up.
"Hm?"
He smiles.
"Dipper you're my best friend. I won't ever judge you on your clothing or how you want your hair. I'm gonna tell you if you're being an ass though." He says seriously, joking at the end.
I smile.
I noticed a small look of pain somewhere in that first sentence. Not quite sure what that's about.
'Friend' feels a little off somehow but I don't know why.
He starts moving, so I snap out of it and move with him, swaying to the beautiful music.
I stare into his eyes.
It's so easy to get lost in them. Their beauty and pain tells a story.
I notice how one eye looks darker than the other.
He spins me a little closer, nearer the fireflies.
I don't know how long we were like that, staring into each other's eyes, but I hear the music start to slow down and watch as the fireflies slowly come to a stop.
Bill stops a few seconds after they do and he holds me in an embrace instead.
He's like a big teddy bear.
I wonder if they're ready to come out.
I feel Bill gently take my hand and I blush.
No need to hide it when he can't see anyways.
The music starts up again, playing a different, soothing tune.
Everyone here seems to watch in anticipation but it could just be me.
I watch as the iridescent flower slowly starts to open.
I smile.
It takes them a few minutes.
I see a small flash of light and then they fly out.
Their appearance looks like both stereotypes, but neither at the same time.
I think they're beautiful.
They have long black hair almost reaching their tiny ankles.
They're wearing a dark red dress with a light colored flannel overtop.
I feel a small nudge on my mind.
I let him in.
"They also get to see an array of clothing from everywhere and get to choose what they would like to wear. But they also don't have to wear anything either. It's personal preference and modesty is allowed, but they also believe all bodies are beautiful and if they wish to not cover them, they think that's beautiful too."
I nod and smile.
They also have some dark colored pants and those chunky socks that look like boots.
I like their style.
They seem to hover there shyly before speaking, but all I hear is musical tones.
Bill seems to understand.
"They are introducing themselves. They say their name is Rowan Embers, and they want to be called either their name or 'they/them' when talking or referring to them. They said they liked that from the humans. They seem really nice. They're passing on a speech I heard from the last ruler since it's tradition, promising to take care of the land they've been entrusted and basically saying no one will be judged here and it's a safe haven here. They also say that they just want to be treated like a normal person and that they don't want anyone to bow. They say that everyone here is just as special as them. And now they're addressing everyone individually."
I watch as they talk to all the creatures, flitting around, and they even talk to the big wildlife in the trees.
Then they flirt back and look up at me.
I hear a few musical tones and look to Bill for help.
"They just said 'hello young human. What's your name?' Want me to give you fairy speech temporarily?"Bill says.
"Please. I don't want to seem rude."
"Oh please Pinetree. I can tell they know that you don't understand." He laughs.
I look at them, suddenly able to understand.
I hear the tail end of 'oh I forgot humans can't understand'.
"Hello Rowan. My name is Dipper." I smile.
They look surprised but I see something similar to a smile appear on their face.
"I like your name young Dipper."
I smile.
"Thank you. I like your name too. And by the way I think you're beautiful and I'm happy my friend Bill here brought me here to meet you."
They smile again.
"Thank you Dipper. You look beautiful too. That dress is really pretty on you. I felt your decision to wear it before I came out and decided I'd wear one as well. They are rather comfortable."
I smile.
"Thank you. Yours is pretty on you too Rowan. Yeah they are. Oh you did? I'm glad I wore it then." I say, smiling.
They smile back.
"Before I learned that this was a safe place I was hesitant to come out after learning the humans' typical reaction. But then I remembered I'm not human. Plus matching with you helped me fly out faster."
I smile.
"I'm glad I could help Rowan. Bill and I wanted to make you comfortable after I learned fairies can sometimes be very shy."
They smile.
"Want to be my partner in flowers Dipper?"
I tilt my head.
Bill speaks, and I almost forgot he could too.
"They mean friend. That's just the term for friendship they use here."
"Oh. Yes I would love to!" I smile.
I see some sparkles and then I feel something rest upon my head.
I gently touch it and it feels like flowers.
"They take the term literally here. You both get a flower crown." Bill explains.
I smile.
"I'll take care of it promise." I tell them.
They smile back.
"You water them just like any other flower. They are still alive because their stems are like the vines you saw on the way in here. The stems are almost like the vines because they are all attached. Oh and here."
They hand me something.
"It's dried tree sap from my land. You give just a pinch to the flowers every season and they'll rebloom prettier and healthier. That should last you a lifetime, but if you happen to ever need more I can gladly provide it." They say.
I smile.
"Thank you Rowan."
"You're welcome Dipper."
They smile back.
Dipper's POV:
'Dear Journal,
I wonder how love can creep up on you so fast. It's silent and you don't know it's there until your heart doesn't just beat for you anymore. I can't pinpoint just one moment that lead to this feeling. It's more of a collection of tiny moments. Starting with him making amends for something someone else made him think he did. It probably started before that. With his eyes. It's silent. It's deadly. Some even kill for it. The only problem is, I don't know if he feels the same way.
-D'
'Dear Journal,
Something about sharing yourself with another person and being able to be yourself with them, brings you closer together. When I nearly died I saw how far Bill would go to protect me/ anyone he cares about. I'm just happy he saved me from the gore. Those men were despicable. They did a collection of other horrible things and he told me he couldn't let them go unpunished. I don't judge him for it. I'm glad I can say I can bring him out of his darkness. He can with me too. I don't know how I ever doubted that he'd love me back. The small moments were there, my brain just wasn't ready to notice them yet. Even when he was an ass when I decided to trust him and he wouldn't let me go when I tried to exit the premises. When he looked me in my eyes and said he wouldn't judge me for anything, but would call me out if needed. When we left the party cuz I got uncomfortable and we danced in our meadow. When he made me feel comfortable in my Halloween costume that I'd been wanting to wear. He's one of the kindest most accepting people I've ever met- probably will ever meet. I'm glad I gave him a second chance.
-D'
'Dear Journal,
I wish I could say dying was the worst pain I've ever felt. The only thing I could really say in the moment was that I was scared to be alone, but then I felt Bill's presence and I knew I'd be safe when everything went black. Being like him is a gift. Now I can see the world like he does. I'm glad I'm able to help him with his search for his brother, after all the times he's helped me. My gift is kinda perfect for this. I'm so happy to call him mine. So happy he was finally able to trust me enough to share all of him with me. He doesn't hold back anymore and I love that. I don't either, although I can still be shy sometimes. But that's normal. :)
-D'
'Dear Journal,
You don't know what pain is until you can't feel anything but pain and emptiness.
-D'
'Dear Journal,
Pain is emptiness, pain is heartbreak, pain is losing someone that you can't get back...'
-D'
'Dear Journal,
Pain is the first few seconds he didn't recognize me...
-D'
'Dear Journal,
Pain is almost losing him forever...
-D'
'Dear Journal,
Love is holding someone and never giving up on them, never letting go. Love is a promise of that feeling for eternity.
-D'
'Dear Journal,
Love is him, love is family, love is eternity.
-D'
Fin.
A/N:
And this wraps up their story. More if it will be told as it ties into the sequel, but as they say, all good things must come to an end. Thank you for reading（）. The playlist and sequel title will be up sometime soon. Hope you're having a good day(｡･ω･｡) if not *hugs* and also got an ear right here.
(I wonder who'll spot the small spoiler first o.o XD)
-Aris