The following day the twins were greeted by a stranger waiting in front of the door, leaning on his car and looking around. When he finally saw the young man coming out of the building he straightens his posture. "Mister Pines?" he asked even if he sounded sure about who he was facing.
Dipper immediately supposed it was the person Bill had asked to come and get him, even if he wasn't expecting for the said person to come this early. He was going to approach the man when he felt Mabel grabbing on his sleeve, looking at him as if asking if he knew this person. "He is... the assistant of my editor" lied the author, offering a small smile as he was adding he just needed to met with his editor and that apparently he had asked his assistant to come and get him.
She didn't seem sure about that but didn't ask further, following him toward the man. "I was sent by Mister-" started the stranger before being cut by Dipper "Mister Brown, I know" smiled the young man, his expression begging him not to ask further. "Yes... Mister Brown" simply confirmed the man.
"So you won't be able to walk me to grunkle Stan shop" commented Mabel, only for Dipper to turn again to the man. "We shouldn't be late if we just drops you on the way" smiled Dipper. He had suggested to walk her just to be sure nothing bad would happen to her, especially since a woman in pants wasn't the most common thing in the world and he was scared something might happen to her for that. Though he guesses she should be fine in such a big city where people were more open-minded about things like this.
"Yes of course" respond the man with a smile, opening the door so both of them could get in before getting behind the wheel himself. Dipper then gave him indication to the store, talking some more for the couple of minutes it would take them. It wasn't a long walk in the first place, so they were able to drop his sister pretty quickly, telling her to have a great day.
Once back on the road the car was silent, Dipper a little uncomfortable with this new man. "I assume this was your sister" said the man to try and make him a little more comfortable "She looks like you a lot". The author offered him a little smile, trying to relax a little "We are twins and even after all this time we look really similar" he admitted. They could both be said to look androgynous even if their style was giving away pretty easily their gender. Well, he was never bothered by the idea of not looking hyper-masculine, even if it has brought jokes and teasing on him in the past. At least his sister didn't seem to have too much problem with that.
"Oh!" suddenly said the stranger "I forgot to introduce myself, how could I forget, My name is William Hyde" introduced the man. "Mason Pines, but I suppose Bill must already have told you" said Dipper to finish the introduction. "It funny how you have the same name has Bill" mention the author with a small smile.
"Yeah, it seems to amuse and confused a lot of people" admitted the man with a gentle laugh "I, for a long time of our childhood, was sure his name was Bill, I too was surprised the learn he was named William" added William. "You two know each other since childhood?" asked Dipper, curious to learn more about the mobster.
"Well, believe it or not, but I am a Cipher too, even though I don't wear the name as I took over my father's name" answered the driver "My mother and his father were never in good term and when each family had us they wanted to name us over our grandfather name" explained William "It only later they learned about each other nephew via other family member telling them, it apparently didn't help them get along better".
Dipper nodded, finding all this pretty intriguing. Such a weird family, though he supposes he couldn't talk with a great uncle trying to understand supernatural things, another one running scam business and parents who left them to grew up in the middle of nowhere with those said great-uncles. Well, he couldn't say they ever lacked anything, the two men were able to raise them pretty well.
"Are you going to come and get me every day?" asked Dipper after some silence, curious about it. After all, he wouldn't want for William to wait hours in front of the building when he was sleeping or out. He would most likely have the cops call on him if he was doing that too often.
"Yes, it what I was asked for, also to make sure nothing happens to you" clarified the man. "But if you pass a lot of time in Bill house you will be safe" he affirmed as he was turning in the driveway of the mansion.
William was out first, opening the door for him, surprising Dipper that was about to do it himself. "Thank you" he said politely, gaining a smile from William. He didn't have to knock this time, William apparently having a key of the place. He was probably there often enough if he had one.
Dipper was firstly greeted by the two dogs, crouching down to pet them, greeting them happily, already used to them. "Should I notice Master of your arrival?" asked the old man from the day before, making Dipper jumped since he didn't saw him coming. "Yes, I'm sure he would yell at me otherwise for not telling him his guest had arrived" respond William. After giving his coat to the old man suggesting he place it for him. Dipper took a quick glance at his watch, it was only nine in the morning and if Bill had passed most of the night out he felt like he shouldn't bother his sleep.
"Are you sure it's fine? I don't want to bother him if he came back late, he needs to rest" asked Dipper, a little surprised when he heard Will laugh. "Don't worry, he asked me to notify him of your arrival, he can only be pissed at himself for that" explained the man "Have you eat already?" he then asked. "No" admitted Dipper. He wasn't expecting for Will to be there this early, maybe closer to midday, but not this early. He had planned on eating after dropping Mabel to Stan store.
It then, as he was thinking about all this, that he remembered he hadn't brought his typewriter with him, groaning as he was passing a hand on his face. "Is something wrong Mister Pines?" asked William when he heard him, concerned he might not be feeling well. "I forgot my typewriter at home, I only took my bag with me so I could go back on what I did yesterday, I was going to a café since I didn't think you would be there this early so I didn't bring it with me" explained Dipper "And you can call me by my name, I'm going to feel weird if you are always this formal with me" he then suggested, not really used to people being this formal with him.
"Don't worry, I can lend you one" said a voice coming in the kitchen, making both of them jump as Bill didn't make any sound while coming in. The man seemed still half asleep but smiled happily when he saw Dipper. He was already dressed up, even if it was a little more casual than what the author had seen him wearing.
"You could do that?" asked Dipper, happy to hear he wouldn't need to do a trip back to his house to get it. "If I say so" grin the mobster as he was taking place at the small table. "Does Sir want me to prepare breakfast?" asked the butler, Dipper turning to William who was already getting ready to do that. "No I will be fine Mister Kasper, thank you" responded the young man. "Oh, but if Pine Tree is okay with this, you could put his bag in the library and set the typewriter for him" suggested Bill, turning to see what the young Pines was thinking about that. "I'm fine with that" admitted Dipper, giving his bag to the man who then went away.
The author was suddenly pulled to sit on a chair next to Bill, the act surprisingly gentle. "How was your evening yesterday" asked the mobster with a smile, elbow on the table and head leaning on his hand. "Me and Mabel were able to talk about events from our lives, we haven't had the chance to do that in a long time" he answered. "Better than Bill's night then" commented Will in an amused voice.
This comment made Bill groan as if remembering the day before, sarcastically thanking his cousin for reminding him of that in the morning. "What happened?" asked Dipper curious. "Some drunken idiot broke stuff in the Golden Paradise so we need to do reparation in the day, hopefully, it will all be done by tomorrow night, we have a reputation to keep so we can't stay close for too long" explained Bill as his expression soften a little, still visibly annoyed at that event, but keeping it down for the author.
"Anyway dear cousin of mine, please don't bring work subject to the table I just woke up, at least wait until ten" asked Bill as he was watching his cousin cook some eggs and bacon. Dipper saw William taking a glance at his watch, before saying "Sure, I can wait thirty-three minutes" he said. Bill simply scoff at his response, still thanking him after when he finished doing their breakfast.
Dipper was still not believing he was taking breakfast with the head of a criminal organisation and having a nice talk with him. If someone had told him he would end up here a month ago he would have called the person crazy. He was mainly listening to the two men arguing about leaving him more time to wake up until Mister Kasper came polity in again.
"Sir, someone is asking for you on the phone, a certain Mister Cullen, should I tell him to call back later?" He asked. "No, no I'll take it, he was supposed to call three days ago about a job" responded the mobster as he got up to go and get the nearest phone.
Dipper turned back to Will, the man gently smiling as he was passing some bacon under the table to one of the dogs. When he saw Dipper looking at him he held a finger to his mouth to ask him not to tell. The author simply offered him a small, doing as if he saw nothing.
"So William... are you part of the group too?" asked Dipper before finishing some eggs. It one of the question he couldn't get off his mind. He seemed to know a lot about Bill's work and was actually suppose to protect him, so he must be, right? "If it not too much to ask" he then added.
"I guess you could say so" started the man "I came here simply to help him and make sure he wouldn't get killed, I mainly help with some others speakeasies Bill own, they are not as fancy as the Golden Paradise, but they still bring money so he kept them" he explained before realising he was starting to go off the subject. "But I don't often help with other jobs, I guess he doesn't necessarily want to involve me too much, I was surprised when he asked me to protect you" admitted the man "Not that I can't do the job, don't worry about your life" he then laughed.
Dipper was surprised by the information. So Will wasn't really working for Bill? He was just helping around? Because he had to be honest, William wasn't really looking like the kind of person to be in a criminal organisation. He was looking like a pretty gentle and sympathetic man. "How did you got in then?"
"He might explain to you the whole story if he wants, it is not my place to tell you everything, but I will cut it short to he had some problem with our family and soon after created his own group, when I heard of that I was scared he would get killed, even if our parents don't like each other, I see him as a brother and couldn't even imagine losing him because he wasn't careful enough" explained the man.
The young man smiled softly, yeah, clearly William wasn't a man of violence and crime, actually knowing that was helping him feel more comfortable with the idea that he would be the one around to protect him.
They then both turn to the door when they saw Bill coming back, this time fully dressed and putting on a coat, clearly going out. "There's a problem I need to take care at one of our warehouse" he announced, sounding annoyed at that "Will when you have the time go check at the Golden Paradise if the repairs are going well" he asked, putting on his top hat "Sorry Pine Tree I can't finish breakfast with you, but I will make sure to keep you company later~" he smiled at him before going for whatever he needed to take care of.
"Well, apparently I will have to leave you too later, making sure everything is going alright, although I doubt they would try to do a bad job for Bill, he's well known for wanting the perfection and nothing less" said William as he was taking their empty plate to clean them.
Dipper bit the inside of his cheek, looking at the man's back. He was really curious all of a sudden about what had happened and he wouldn't be able to work all day, even less staying here alone all day. "Can I come?" he finally asked, sounding hesitant. The other man seemed surprised by the question, looking absently at him as he was thinking about it. "Well, I guess it should be safe enough for me to bring you and I doubt Bill would be angry that I brought you, he would probably have done it himself, he seems to really appreciate you, so yes" responded the man.
Dipper was happy about this, even if he knew he shouldn't let his curiosity drag him too far into all those criminal stuff. He already put enough danger in his life, he didn't need to add more.
Though, the last part of that statement had stuck out to him. Was Bill really appreciating him that much? He mostly had the impression he was letting him in just out of curiosity and because it was their deal. He couldn't see why he would have catches his attention anyway, he was just a not so well know author and clearly didn't have the same class as the mobster.
"For now I will go and do some work since I suppose you won't be going now?" stated the young Pines as he was getting up. "Oh no I wasn't going now, too early for that, I will go and get you before doing so" smiled William.
Then Dipper just went back to the main entrance, doing his best to remember where the library was. At least he had a good memory, remembering pretty well what were the indications given by the gangster. He was happy to find his bag sitting on the desk next to a really nice looking typewriter. It was looking pretty new and probably way more expensive than the one he was using. Well, his was starting to be old, but it was still doing a good job so he wasn't bothering to get a new one.
He sat down again in the comfortable armchair, checking back what he had done the day before, correcting and changing some part, before finally starting to write some new pages. It was crazy how better it was to work in this place, he wasn't bothered by the sound of his neighbours, couldn't hear the people outside on the street. It was so calm, he wasn't used to it, he was used to be able to always having background noises. Maybe it was why he could focus so much on his work because it was so calm and his mind could for once think only about his writing and not just go for some others events happening near him.
He only stopped his work when he heard the door being open and the sound of clawed paw walking towards him. He then saw William wearing his coat, apparently ready to go. Dipper just put down his pen, supposing he could leave his things out without worrying about it. He smiled once next to the man, "You are ready to go?" he asked, taking his coat that he brought him. "I just needed to come and get you" he answered with a chuckle.
They then went for the speakeasy, Dipper less nervous than the last time since he wasn't going there so he could drink. They went through nearly the same action as when Pacifica was the one guiding them, but Will didn't have to show anything, most likely already well known by the man at the door. They went down the dark stairs to the door illuminated by a yellow neon, the bar logo still perfectly plastered on the door.
The young man was surprised by how big the place was. Sure it did look big the first time he came, but now that it wasn't filled with people dancing to the music, drinking and gambling it seemed even bigger.
He then looked at what the damaged seemed to have been. The handrail had been taken down to be replaced by a new one, Dipper supposing it was one of the things that were broken the night before. He could also see on the wall a discolouration where there was one of the decorative mirrors. Though, from where he was, he couldn't tell his the booth had been ripped with the shattered glass. Also, someone seemed to still be washing carefully the floor not far from there.
"I wasn't here yesterday, but Bill told me a guy got too drunk and started a fight with someone he might have lost against, someone was thrown on the handrail and broke it and somehow they managed to broke the mirror on the wall" explained William, seeing from the corner of his eye the author turning towards him to ask. "I guess one of them must have cut himself on the glass shard or used it as a weapon since there was blood on the floor too" he added.
Dipper was still surprised by that, but he guessed that people could get violent easily if drunk, especially over matters of money. "It must have been fun to take care of that yesterday" he commented, gaining a little chuckle. "It honestly not that hard to deal with violent costumers, but needing to do repairs is something Bill hates to do" admitted Will.
The author then followed closely by William's side as he was making sure everything was in order and that things should be done for later in the afternoon of tomorrow. Apparently, it made the man happy to hear they could absolutely manage that but even finish earlier since they were able to find a mirror that would do the job.
"How do you do for the railing? They seem to take more than one day to be made" pointed out Dipper. "We are prepared for that kind of event, we have some spared of everything in one of the warehouse" smiled proudly William as it was an idea he suggested. "Otherwise it would take too long some times to order everything to be ready just after a chaotic event".
Dipper nodded, it wasn't a bad idea, it was pretty wise actually, especially since Bill seemed like the kind to not reopen unless everything is back to being perfect. He then followed as he was doing some general inspection of the place, finishing with making sure they wouldn't be out of alcohol soon. Dipper was even able to help a little with that as he was taking note of everything the other was telling him.
"Well, our job is finished now" affirmed the gentle gangster, quickly making sure a couple of Bill's men were still there to make sure no worker would try to pull something on the place. They were back up the dark stairs, Dipper politely greeting goodbye to the man as he was keeping the door open for them.
William suggested getting back, supposing his cousin should be back too and if not that he soon should be. For sure he would want to pass some time with the author, he had heard him complain in the morning before he went to sleep that he hadn't had the time to really talk with Dipper because of his work. He was probably going to correct that today.
Dipper wasn't against it since all his work was still there and he didn't have anywhere else to go for the day anyway. "Do you have an appointment with your editor?" asked Will as they were getting in the car, curious if what Dipper had said earlier was true. "oh, no it was just so Mabel wouldn't worry about me, she doesn't know I got involved with Bill, she would be way too worried about me otherwise" admitted the young man.
She would have freaked out if he had told her he was on his way to the Gold Demon house, clearly, he wouldn't have made it far from his own apartment. He couldn't blame her, he would be just as worried if he ever heard his twin was stuck in the kind of situation he managed to get himself into.
But, he had to be honest, in the last twenty-four hours of knowing Bill everything had gone smoothly. Sure, the comportment of the man toward him was a little special and he hadn't expected that, but overall Bill never showed any sign of wanting to harm him.
Back at the house, they found Bill yet again in his office, this time reading some letter. It was probably not that important since once he saw Dipper was back he starts to clean his desk, a large smile on his face. "Look who's back!" He said as he was standing up to join them "Didn't expect the house to be empty when I got back" he commented.
"I was curious about the work going on at the bar, sorry" said Dipper with a small smile, making Bill laugh. "No need to say sorry, if you are curious I can take you to many interesting places ~" suggested the man "And you obviously are always welcome to the Golden Paradise in running hours" he pointed out.
He then passed them, one of his hand on the small of Dipper's back, gently encouraging him to follow him in direction of the library, leaving William to do whatever he wanted. "Were you going back to work?" asked the mobster before continuing without really leaving him much time to respond "I would love to talk with you, I'm really interested in knowing more about you Pine Tree~" he then admitted with a grin.
It's how they went for a whole evening of talking about Dipper, the author forgetting all about the work he was supposed to be doing there in the first place. Dipper didn't go too much in the details of his past, talking a lot about good memories he had with his sister and great-uncles, what he was passionate about in life and his work. It was so weird for him to have so much attention given to him, he wasn't really used to it, even among his family, as much as they loved him. It was a nice change.
Yeah, it was pretty nice to be able to freely talk like this, even if he didn't manage to learn anything new about the other man.