Two weeks passed and nothing too majorly bad happened to him. Dipper's learned that the men that were threatening him directly went through... let say not a good time. He at first was a little angry and scared that it was how Bill was taking care of his debt, but only receive a "What were you expecting? This is a criminal group, not the police". He guesses the man was right, but still it doesn't mean he had to agree on the method.
After that, he might have been followed once or twice, but he was meeting with William and after that he was fine. He even managed to tell the cousin mobster his worries about his family, the man telling him he would see what they could do.
Overall, he was really relieved that nothing bad had happened to him nor his family, even when going out with Bill. Even if he guess there weren't many people ready to attack the man directly.
He had passed, strangely, a lot of time with the mobster, either it being in his house or taking him out to eat. He was also nearly every early night at the bar, looking at everyone preparing to open and staying maybe an hour or two before heading back, knowing his sister would worry otherwise.
The only day he didn't go with their deal was when his great-uncle was finally back from Gravity Falls. He did try to warn the man at least the day before and the mobster said it was fine, after all, he shouldn't forget about family either. Of course, never mentioning anything about Bill when Ford asked how things were going for him.
"Dipper, why are you dressing so nicely?" asked her sister with an amused smile, not used to see him dress well, even less to go out. "Just going to join a friend somewhere" he responds, working on his tie, not sure if he should say all.
Bill had suggested for him to come at the Golden Paradise so he could have a good time and play some card, not putting in actual money. He wasn't sure, but Bill told him he needed to relax from time to time and that working too much on his book without doing anything else wasn't good. He guesses he was right, though he also accepted because he wanted to pass some time with the mobster in his element.
"This is so vague, come on tell me, where are you going?" she asked, sitting on her brother's bed. Dipper bite the inside of his cheek, thinking about it a little, before going for the truth, not wanting to lie. "To the Golden Paradise".
This seems to shock her, as she didn't immediately respond, before going to him, grabbing his shoulder. "Wait, you got a guest card?" she asked surprised, not seeing from where this was coming from. Dipper simply shrugged, before she asks to come with him. He wasn't sure, but couldn't resist long.
"Okay, but don't take forever to prepare or I'm going without you" he said, going to get his coat and notebook, making sure he still had the card Bill gave him. As promised, Mabel didn't take too long, she was surprisingly really fast to get prepared correctly.
She was surprised when she saw William waiting for them again, the man a little surprise to see the author's sister, but polity offered a smile. "Good evening miss Pines" smiled William "I see you are joining us out tonight?" he asked. She smiled, still unsure of what relationship her brother seems to have with this man, doubting he actually was his editorial assistant. But he seemed like a fine gentleman, so it was most likely fine, right? "Yes, I couldn't believe Dipper was able to go to the Golden Paradise and never told me".
William restrained himself to jokingly say it wasn't really the only things he might be hiding, as he had soon caught up on how easily the younger one could get anxious over being found by his family. Though bringing his sister was probably not the smartest choice, but maybe refusing her wasn't either.
After some better presentation, they went in the car and drove to the Golden Paradise, Will saying he would be back later as he needed to make sure everything was fine elsewhere. This left Mabel a little puzzled as to where was "elsewhere", Dipper just nodding saying it was fine.
He then went at the door, showing the card, not really knowing if he was supposed to say anything. His answer came when recognition passes through the eyes visible in the slot, remembering Dipper's face easily. The man then opened the door "Welcome mister Pines" he smiled, letting Mabel in, understanding quickly she was with him.
Mabel was close to her brother as they were going down the stair, stopping him near the bottom. "Dip... how many time have you came for the guy at the door to know your name?" she asked, not expecting for her twin to be going out in speakeasies that much, even less this one. She only got a tense laugh and a vague respond of "one or two times" before he was going for the door.
They went at the bar, Dipper showing the man the card like Bill had said, as he didn't remember seeing this man before. The bartender smiled, before asking them what they wanted and that it would be on the house. Mabel looked at his brother in disbelieve after she gave her order.
Dipper totally missed it as he was now facing the rest of the speakeasy, trying to figure out where was Bill. His research was cut short when he saw a blond head coming at them, clearly confused as to what they were doing in there.
"How did you get in?" asked Pacifica, glancing from a twin to the other. "Dipper got himself a card" smiled Mabel, a mixture of confusion and amusement in her voice "It even got us some free drink".
Pacifica frowned, a little confused. What was she even talking about? She found back her own little card, showing it to them. "This one?". "No... Dipper's one is black".
The Northwest's eyes suddenly widen, not believing what she was hearing, grabbing the man by the shoulder. "Wait, how did you get that?" she asked, worried that her friend might have gotten himself in some kind of dangerous situation. "Why? What wrong with it?" asked Mabel, not reassured by her friend action.
"Because those are given by the Gold Demon himself, that's why" she said without turning to her, still looking at the growing anxious Dipper. "So why do you have-" she tried again before being cut by a voice coming from behind the author "Got some problems Pine Tree?".
Pacifica suddenly backed off, standing next to Mabel as she watched the mobster casually pass an arm around Dipper's shoulder. "Oh, if it not the young lady Northwest" smiled the man before turning to Mabel "and I guess you must be little Pine Tree sister, Mabel? He talks about you a lot".
Mabel was looking at the criminal, before looking at her brother who didn't meet her eye. Why was the man so close to his brother and touching him so casually, it was as if they were friend since forever. But overall, she was concerned about her brother's safety around him. But she guesses he must be in good term with the criminal if he gave him a black card? Especially since she suspects they were difficult to get, supposing it was the man favourite. Which was just even more confusing, she didn't mean to be rude, but her brother didn't have really that much renowned to his name.
"I'm sorry, but I will steal your dear brother for the rest of the night" he said, his hand sliding down to the small of his back and gently guiding him, making sure the younger one got his drink with him.
"Oh my god, I'm so screwed Mabel is going to panic and tell our grunkles" suddenly started the author, feeling the gloved hand slowly caressing his hair, shushing him. "Don't worry little Pines, everything is going to be fine, remember we came here so you could relax, not get stressed even more, after all, if she came here too she was bond the find out at some point" tried to reassure the man, gently sitting him at a booth. Dipper looked back at him, still anxious about it, but trying to relax.
He was right, Mabel was often coming here with Pacifica and the young Northwest fiancee, Gideon, of course she would have found out at some point. He sighed, trying to ease his nervousness with his glass of alcohol, supposing it could help him. He instead watched Bill sitting in front of him, holding a deck of card in his hand, shuffling it skillfully, obviously used to it.
"Want to play some Blackjack?" suggested the man, feeling like Dipper might not be really familiar with gambling, or at least not card games that could be played with two players. "I never played" admitted the young man, a little embarrassed about knowing so little. He sometimes had played poker with his family, but it wasn't often and obviously with more than two people.
He was reassured when the man didn't seem to laugh at him not knowing much, his chuckle way more soft and gentle. "I'll just explain the rule to you and after a couple of time you will get the hang of it" he said before starting to explain the rules, making sure the young man was understanding well. Dipper was a little surprised when he realised Bill was right, after a handful of games he was understanding the game more and could play better.
"Anyway, why are you so scared of your family finding out?" asked Bill as he was shuffling the card again, doing some shuffling trick just because he loved how amazed Dipper seemed to be. "Well... for a start you are not some nobody, you are well known and dangerous" started Dipper, unconsciously trying to imitate the movement of his hand with a non-existent deck.
"Not gonna lie, I was a little scared to deal with you at first" admitted Dipper when he heard Bill whisper "Of course" about that first information. "And I don't really need them to know all about how I got myself in dangerous troubles" he added. "Also, one of them particularly don't hold dearly criminal organisations in his heart" he explained, "I don't want him to put himself in danger to help me when I'm already well helped by you".
"It's true, you didn't choose the best gang to engage with, though you had some chance I came to help" said the man with a laugh. "I'm sure if you explain it to your sister she might understand and not tell them, I can always speak with her, it not like I ever harmed you or anything".
And it was true, Bill never even gave the impression he would harm him, even when getting more irritated over something. He was able to presume the man could be violent with other from the bruises and cut he sometimes came back with but never did he tried to harm him. It was a little surprising really, he didn't know why he had such special treatment. But he wasn't going to complain about it, he was actually enjoying his time with the man, even if it meant exposing himself to more danger.
"you seem to really be close to your family" pointed out the man, something he couldn't say he related to. He was never really in good term with his own parents and he apparently had pushed his luck too far once. He stops thinking about it before it was getting too deep in his mind, turning toward the man in front of him who was gently laughing.
"Yeah, me and Mabel always have been together and have always been able to count on each other" respond Dipper as he was finishing his drink, simply looking at the ice cube in it. "We practically grew up with our great-uncles" he then admitted "That's probably why we are closer to them than we are to our parents, they were probably too busy travelling around the world to do research" he guessed with a shrug from his shoulder.
It wasn't really a guess, he was sure it was the reason. Over the years he had grown a total stranger to his parents, at least things were a little better for Mabel. They were both so often left at the door of the Mystery shack that it was impossible not to see the older twins as better guardian. They sure had some questionable way to raise them sometime, but both twins turned out good, so it couldn't have been this bad.
"So I suppose you are not close to your parents?" he then asks, restarting a game even if neither of them was really paying full attention to it. "I can have a decent conversation and dinner, but they don't really know much about me and neither do I about them, also they weren't really supportive of me being a writer since it doesn't pay enough in their opinion" he said, sounding a little more annoyed at the end of his sentence.
He wasn't dying of starvation or on the edge of being thrown on the street. Sure sometimes he had rougher times, but he never lacked anything vital with his current job. At worst he could just take a job on the side.
"And you?" finally asked Dipper, surprising the man a little, not expecting the question to be turned at him. "What about me?" said Bill, playing it as if he didn't understand what he was asking. "Well... are you in good term with your family? Other than William" asked the author, sounding a little hesitant to ask. The man was never really talking about himself and Dipper was really curious to learn more about him, especially with how much he had already told him over the past two weeks. It was surprising him to realise how little he actually knew about the other man.
Bill was about to try and dismiss the question with a comment or a joke when he saw Dipper jumped a little when a hand placed itself on his shoulder. They both turned to see Will smiling, starting to talk with Dipper as he offered him a drink, asking what happened since once he got in Mabel spotted him immediately and started to ask a lot of questions.
They both missed the annoyed look the mobster was throwing at his cousin for keeping all the young man attention on him, the clicking of his tongue covered by the music playing. Well, it wasn't as if he was owning Dipper's attention, but he still preferred when he was having all of it.
"I didn't tell her about your deal with Bill nor what had happened" said William after Dipper asked him if he answered his sister questions "I figured you'd prefer telling her yourself". "Thank you" respond Dipper, grateful he kept the reason secret for now "Do you want to join our game?" he suggested after.
Will took a quick glance at Bill, drinking his drink as he was keeping an eye on the place. Of course, he saw through him trying to act as if he wasn't annoyed, but he knew him better than that and could have figured out even before. He wasn't blind neither was he deaf. Clearly, the mobster was growing a soft spot for the young author, if it wasn't there at their first meeting. "No" he refused politely with a smile "I'm not very good at gambling and I don't need Bill to steal all my money" laughed the man, telling them both to have a good night.
"You put bet when you play with him?" asked Dipper curious since Bill never mention putting any bet for them. "Of course, it not because he's my cousin that I will go easy with him" laughed the man with a grin. "But you didn't suggest any with me? Is it because I'm a beginner?" he then continue curious. "Mostly, but if you want we can put in bets, though not money, it less funny that way" suggested the man after answering his question.
Dipper didn't seem sure at first, but honestly what bad could be done? Bill wouldn't ruin him with a little bet, could he? He then smiled back at the man, nodding before saying "Let's do that, what's your proposition".
The man seemed to think a little about it, before starting "If I win you come back at my house and sleep with me~" he said in a teasing tone, Dipper was taken aback and not knowing what he was supposed to expect from such a demand. He was a little uneasy at the idea, but then smile, supposing it wasn't that hard to do, it was just sleeping after all. "Fine, but if I win... I want you to read my book and give me your honest opinion" he asked.
He seemed a little unsure of his proposition but went with it anyway. He wasn't really one to doubt his writing much, but he sometime would get really anxious about his story not being good despite what he thought. He would ask Mabel, but it wasn't the kind of story she liked and could focus on. Stan wasn't a big reader and Ford was either too much or not enough in his critique.
And he didn't want to give it right away to his editor since the last book he made had been a little less good than all the one before, even some fan admitted it. He was grateful for having such honest fans telling him, but it wasn't something really helping when they couldn't tell him what was off.
Bill was surprised, a little more used to people asking for him to take them to expensive places since he had the money for it. But he shouldn't have expected such a thing from the young man, not after how many time he rejected his suggestion of going out because he didn't want the man the "waste" his money on him. But he was also feeling good about the idea of being the one helping with his story. "Can sure do, dear" he responded before adding with a somewhat softer smile "You could have asked even without it being a bet you know".
They then shook hand over that agreement, before starting a new game, the first one to win five times. That is how they restarted to play, this time playing more seriously than before. Dipper was so caught up by their little game that he wasn't noticing how the two women were watching him from afar, as if to make sure he was doing alright. He even missed the couples of times Gideon passed them, not too close from the booth in fear of catching the Gold Demon attention, but close enough to see what they were doing.
In the end, Dipper had lost, keeping in the little pout he wanted to have. Well, he guesses he should probably have expected that. The idea of sleeping with the man was making him feel a little uncomfortable, not sure as if the man was meaning more than what he was saying with all the flirt he did with him. No, it was probably just what it meant, sleeping and no more, otherwise, he would have made it clear to him.
He was surprised to see the man suddenly standing up, smiling down at him as he was offering a hand to guide him out of the booth. "Let have a drink in my victory" smirk the man, clearly delighted by his win. Dipper took the hand, standing up to follow him. "But if it is still good with you, I would love to help you with your book" said Bill, bending over a little so he could whisper in the younger man ear.
Dipper was startled, brushing a hand on his ear and blushing hard as he was turning towards the laughing mobster. He still followed him, feeling somehow really happy to know he would read what he did for his book and help him better it even if he lost the bet.
They then passed most of the night drinking and talking, Bill even convincing him once to come and dance with him. Dipper would sometime drift off to William when influential people were coming to talk with the mobster, no comfortable enough to stay. But Bill was always quick to get back to him, stealing him away from the calm conversation he would have with Will.
As time was going on, the older one seemed to forget what personal space was, often keeping the author close to him or touching him to make sure he was still close by him. At some point Dipper suggested to get back home, the man starting to be a little too drunk for him to handle. "What a good idea" smiled the man, looking for something in his pocket before dropping some keys in his hands "You can drive though, I doubt I can".
Dipper was a little surprise, he was letting him drive his expensive car? Really? He understood it wasn't a joke when Bill didn't dismiss the idea with a joke nor took back his key, instead he looped an arm around the author waist, guiding him to go out.
They were stopped by Mabel coming out from the crowd and gently grabbing her brother arm, looking unsure. "Sorry my lady~" smiled the man, still keeping Dipper close to him "But I will be bringing your dear brother with me" he said and clearly not as an option. "I can ask if William could drive you home?" suggested Dipper to his sister with a small smile, before hearing Pacifica telling him she was going to do so. Well, at least he wouldn't have to worry about Mabel, she would be safe with their friend.
Both girls gave him a last concerned look as they were going to the exit, Bill dangerously close to the author. But Dipper didn't look as if he was forced to do so or too uncomfortable about it either, making them wonder when they grew this close to one another without them noticing.
They were soon in the car, Bill finally letting go of him as he never took away his arm from his waist and where his hand was sitting comfortably on Dipper's hip. Driving such an expensive car was making Dipper a little anxious, though there weren't many cars on the road at this hour of the night so it wasn't as bad.
He started to relax only when he could hear the man humming the same old tune he always was humming when they were staying in silence for too long. Dipper gave him a quick glance, seeing him comfortably sitting on the banquet, eyes close. Was he staying this defenceless around everyone when drunk or was he staying like this just because it was the young man? Well, as defenceless as he seemed, Dipper wouldn't even try something bad if he wanted, feeling the repercussion wouldn't be good.
He was tempted to hum along with the man, knowing part of the melody by now with how many time he heard it, but didn't in the end. It would be a shame to break the soothing song with his own unsure humming. He was nearly sad when they finally arrived at the mansion since it meant he would stop.
"Home sweet home~" smiled the man as they were entering, bending over a little to greet the dogs who were running towards them. Dipper helped the man take off his coat, giving it to the older man that came to greet them and ask if they needed something. "No Kasper we will be fine, you can go to sleep" smiled the mobster before the servant politely went away.
Dipper was soon pulled by Bill to follow him, his hand really low on his back, as he was guiding him to his room. He was again starting to get a little nervous, not sure what to think of all this. They entered the large bedroom, the young man still surprised by how big the bed was, especially for one person.
With no hesitation, Bill started to take off his clothes, trying to place them semi-cleanly on the back of a chair. He was soon bare chest, turning towards Dipper who hadn't moved from near the door, his expression softening a little. He calmly walks towards the younger man, a bare hand brushing through the brown lock. "I won't force you Pine Tree, if you don't feel comfortable sleeping here I can prepare a room for you" he suggested, Dipper surprised by how gently he sounded compared to his more energetic self of earlier.
"N-no it just... It's not something I'm used to and even less with someone like you" he said, looking on the side, wishing he wasn't blushing under the tender attention he was given. Bill was probably like this with everyone he was bringing home.
"Someone like me?" asked the mobster, curious of what Dipper was meaning by this. "Well, someone with influence who is strong and confidant, someone with your elegance and beauty" Dipper cut himself off before he would say something more, surprised by his own word, blushing harder. But it was true, Bill was a beautiful man and Dipper couldn't compare to him.
Bill was pleased by the compliment, his hand slowly going from the soft hair to his cheek, offering a smile to the author, before letting go. "If you were to ask me, you are prettier" wink the man, "and a very intelligent and interesting man" he adds "Power and influence aren't an attractive thing, in my opinion, I appreciate you for who you are".
Dipper wasn't sure if he should be that flustered by being compliment by a man slightly older than him or why he was that happy to hear all this. He seems to think a little, before shaking his head a slightly, showing he wouldn't take another room. "If it fine I don't mind... also I would be lost in such a big bed all alone" he tried to joke to relax, happy to catch the mobster chuckling at it.
Bill happily hummed as he went off to his wardrobe, seeing Dipper get deeper in the room with a little more confidence as before, starting to take off his upper clothes. He went to Bill before hesitantly asking if he could borrow him some pyjamas for the night. "Well of course dear" smiled the man, looking for something that would fit the smaller one better, even if everything was sized for himself.
Only a couple of minutes later they were changed, even if Bill would probably have slept in his underwear if it was just for him. He was a little amused at the clothes being too big on the younger man, making him look just even cuter than Bill normally was finding him.
They were laying on the bed with some distance between them, only lighted by the lamp next to the bed. Dipper saw the man still wearing his eye patch, looking curiously at it. "You sleep with your eye patch?" he asks curiously, seeing the man open back his closed eye. "No, but it normally makes people uncomfortable and I wouldn't want to make you feel like this" he responded.
"What happened?" asked the curious man, sitting up a little so he could have a better look at the criminal. The man seemed to think about weither he should tell him on not, before sighing a little. The memory wasn't really a happy one. "It happened some years ago, there was an explosion near where I was and I receive some shard of glass, I was a little too slow to protect my face, luckily it only damaged one of my eyes".
Dipper listened attentively, biting the inside of his cheek. "Can I take off the eye patch? It must be uncomfortable to sleep and I don't mind" he said with a reassuring smile. He didn't receive any response at first, before seeing the man nod as he was gently patting the place next to him in the bed, saying he could come closer.
Dipper did that, sliding right next to him as he starts to carefully taking off the accessory hiding the damaged eye. He placed it behind him, his hand gently pushing away the strand of hair falling on Bill's face, his fingertip ghosting over old scars around the eye. He could tell easily it was a blind eye just be the look of it, wondering if he could still see some shape with it or if it was totally blind.
Bill was watching his expression, waiting for some kind of disgust or pity to come. But it never did. The author expression was staying curious and soft, full of wonder. It stole a smile from the mobster, as he gently wrapped his arm around Dipper, gaining a small yelp from him, the alcohol yet again making him forget about personal space. It was feeling nice for once to have someone acting like this with him.
Dipper wasn't sure what to do now that he was a prisoner of the man arm, other than blush, the tight grip around him surprisingly reassuring and comforting. Though, he knew that if he was trying to push away the man would let him go. But something in him was telling him to stay like this, after all, it was really nice this way. Maybe the alcohol wasn't helping him think straight right now.
"Does your eye hurt?" he whispered curious, watching the man as he had his eyes close, as if ready to sleep like this. "Not really, the eye patch is the only thing to annoy me some time, but it doesn't hurt" he whispered back, not opening his eyes. The author gently nods at that, somehow happy to hear at least it wasn't hurting. He let some time pass in the comfortable silence of the room. He would have asked more question but figured the mobster must have fallen asleep.
He could have gotten out from the loose grip around his waist but thought against it. It has been a while since the last time he was held by someone, not that anyone other than his sister ever really did that anyway. The feeling of security he was gaining from staying like this was really great and he wouldn't throw this away. He couldn't tell why he was so comfortable around the mobster to do things he wouldn't let anyone do. Well, for now, he was blaming it on alcohol, not wanting the think too hard about it, falling asleep in the warm embrace.