Dipper was woken up by surprised when his body was leaning too much in front of him, nearly crashing him against his bags. He was also shocked that he fell asleep, quickly looking up to find the zombie. It wasn't hard to do as he hadn't moved from his spot, apparently just looking at him sleep. He wasn't sure if he should feel more creeped out or happy over that information.
He pulled his legs to his chest, placing his head on top of his knees, slowly waking up. Why was he following him? It's not like he had ever known him before all this, so it couldn't be someone he knows. Also, it was so weird that he seems to still have some consciousness, as if he knew what he was doing.
Should he keep him at his side? It was too interesting not to do so and he didn't seem to be a threat either. Also, he did show he could help to keep other zombies away from him, that was always a plus. Though he would absolutely need to keep it a secret from the rest of the group, he would be in deep problem if he told them he was going around carrying a zombie with him.
"Do you want to stay with me?" he asked curiously, looking at the zombie tilting his head again, looking as if analysing the question. Soon after came a grunt with a happy nod from his new companion. "I can't let you go around freely though" he thought to himself, even if he was playing with fire, it didn't mean he wouldn't take precaution.
He got up, not really waiting for him to stand too, knowing he would join him anyway. He went for the pet aisle, feeling a little guilty about the idea he had right now, but it was all he could do. He looked at the dog collars, trying to find something that would be large enough for a human neck. He picked up a yellow one and took it out from its packaging. It was one of those made out of webbing so he could adjust it, using his own neck as reference.
He saw the man rounding the corner, looking at him curiously. Well, he guesses that if he wasn't growling at him, the idea was fine? He then unclicked it from around his own neck, giving it to the blond "Here, put that on, you should be able to do that?" he asked before looking for some leash.
Dipper was always keeping an eye on him, amused at how he was actually capable of putting it around his neck, though he couldn't click it close. He let him try some more, before letting out a sigh, he was really taking too much risk today. He went back to him before gently asking "Hands down, chin up", waiting for him to do that so he could clip it. He placed it correctly around his neck, making sure it wouldn't chock him either.
He stepped back to look at him, "It suit you well" he commented as a joke without thinking, surprising himself. He was even more surprised when a grin seems to draw itself on the zombie's lips. He coughs a little to pass his awkwardness over that weird comment, returning instead at the search of a leash. He picked something made out of webbing again, the packaging saying it was really resistant. Well, he would see for that. He took more than one, just in case it would get worn out.
He then attached the leash to the collar, always asking for the same action, before stepping back with the other end in his hand. "This feels so weird" he commented to himself with a laugh, asking himself what the fuck he was doing. "Sorry for the weird setting, but I got to make sure I will be safe, you can understand that?" he asked, receiving yet again a nod followed with a weird choked laugh.
He clapped his hand together, finally stating he would need to go and put his bags in the cart, so he would need to wait for him here. He got everything into a shopping cart, looking outside to make sure the path was clear. All potential dangers were farther in the parking lot, occupied with fighting over somethings . Good, at least he could take his time to place everything in the cart.
He then got everything out, locking back the store and walking quickly to the cart, securing all his bags at the back with the other things he needed. The zombie was already sitting in when he turned back to him, making him smile. Well, at least he wouldn't have to treat him like an actual dog, he was understanding pretty well what to do. He still attached the leash to the pole of the roof, just to make sure he couldn't bite him. Obviously, his hand were still free, but it was just so he wouldn't feel like he was being too careless.
The way back toward the shack was smoother than the day before, nothing blocking his way, which was pretty good. He did have to stop before reaching his destination, making his new companion follow him on foot. "I can't bring you back at the shack" he explained, "But I can keep you in the small fishing cabin near the river, I often go there to fish some fresh meat and when I need to be alone".
Well, he wouldn't be able to be alone anymore, that's for sure, but it wasn't exactly the same as being with the others. They were always stuck together, they sometimes needed to be alone and just going into another room wasn't enough. Especially when he was getting frustrated over his research not working.
After nearly twenty minutes of walking they reached it, Dipper making sure no one was in already. Sure no one was ever really coming here, but he wouldn't take the chance to be discovered because he wasn't careful enough. He yet again tied him, this time to the metallic bed frame. For some odd reason, the bed frame was bolted to the floor, though all the scratches on the floor were suggesting there might have been dogs before, maybe they were also attached here. Thinking like this was making him feel a little guilty to literally treat him like a dog.
"So yeah, you can stay at the bed for now" he said, even though he didn't really have a choice to do so anyway. "I will come back later to take care of you" he assured him, looking around. The place wasn't really big, but they could both live easily inside it when he was also there. There was a small kitchen that he was mostly using to empty the fishes. A table, two chairs, a small dresser and a bed, that was all there was in. He still needed to bring a chest here so he could place his fishing equipment in, instead of letting them on the table.
He told him again he would be back before running back to the golf cart, finishing the distance separating him from the shack. It wasn't long before he was being crushed by his sister hug, asking where he had been. "Sorry, It took me more time than I thought so I stayed at the groceries store, but nothing bad happened I promise" he smiled to her, hugging her back.
He then proceeded to help them all carry the bags in, placing everything in the kitchen correctly. "Why did you got leashes?" asked Pacifica curiously and a little confused. This made Dipper tense, cursing at himself mentally for not bringing them with him at the cabin. "I thought if we needed the webbing it could be useful, I prefer having a little of everything just in case we need it" he lied perfectly, offering a smile. She didn't seem convinced by his lie, but Stan got in the conversation saying it was actually a good idea.
He helped around some more after that, before saying he would go and try some fishing so they would eat something else than can at dinner. He was left alone like this, as Stanley was already working on his car with Wendy's help, Pacifica still not ready to try and touch some fish and Mabel keeping her company. He hid the leashes in a chest with some other things for his new companion he chose to bring with him, telling them to have a good evening and asking for luck from them on his fishing.
So after a couples hours of leaving the zombie alone, he was back, greeting him. "Let wash you, what do you think of that" he asked with a laugh, gaining a happy nod as if it was actually something that would interest the other one. So he went outside with him, helping him get out of his clothes, hesitating for the underwear before taking that off too. They were way too dirty for him to keep and he did bring some clean clothes with him.
He sat him down on a log, placing a towel so it would be more comfortable, coming back soon after with a basin and a sponge. He suspected the zombie couldn't really wash himself correctly, so he went over doing that. He even took care of cut he had, even if the other would say he was wasting valuable bandages if they were to learn about it.
But he was curious if he could heal them. Up until now, he noticed none of them seems to actually decompose themselves, but would keep their injuries without healing them. It was easy to disinfect them and bandage them once he was clean. "You're probably the first one I see with so little damage on" he admits. Unless they were stuck somewhere alone and safe, they would often get in fights or injure themselves. Well, he seemed smart, so he could have easily avoided being injured.
It was awkward taking care of his lower part, but once finished it was over. He helps him put on some clean clothes, happy to see it was big enough. He wasn't that much taller than him, but his oversized hoodie was fine with a t-shirt. Even the jean was fitting. "I know it not the style you must be used to, but it all I have" he commented. His older clothes were more professional looking and fitting he guesses, but he couldn't wear those anymore. He did try to wash his shoes the best he could, telling him he would need to wait for them to dry.
He even tried to place his wet hair in a way that they would dry correctly, but he wasn't sure if it would work. He also hopes zombie couldn't get cold, otherwise, this hadn't been a good idea.
"Fishing time" he smiled once everything was cleaned and placed back where they should be, taking his fishing rode and bait with him. He also took his new friend with him, yet again tying the leash to his makeshift deck at the lake. Sitting next to him and waiting was calming. Something about him was calming.
He was lucky today since he was able to get enough for everyone, even if he kept trying to have some more. Though he gave himself the right to get distracted, fishing in his pocket the wallet he had found earlier, catching the zombie attention. "William Cipher?" he asked, receiving a small growl at the name, making him tense "Okay not William then" he corrected himself, wondering why he seemed to hate his own name.
He jumped when he felt finger brushing against his hand, taking it away quickly before looking back at the man. He was calmly pointing at his hand, waiting for him to let him do something. He hesitates before putting it closer, letting him draw a letter on the back of his hand.
"B?" he asked, a little confused, trying to find something closer. "Oh! Bill" he smiled, remembering it could be a nickname for William. He yet again receives a small grin from Bill as a response. "Well, happy to meet you Bill Cipher, my name his Dipper Pines" he presented himself with a grin before being surprised by a tug at his fishing rod, pulling and rolling for the fish.
He did a good choice by taking Bill with him. He was all the more curious about this zombie who didn't seem that dead. And Bill seems to appreciate being around him, so it was a win for everyone in this situation.
Once Dipper had enough fish he got up, ready to carry back his prizes. "I even got one for you" he smiled, not sure he would want to eat it. Bill suddenly seemed excited, trying to grab the fish Dipper was holder by the gills. He did try to stop him, but gave up, showing him how to keep it in his hand and asking him not to drop it. This seems to make the blond happy, so he didn't mind letting him do, not like it was for his group anyway, it was for him.
On the way back he was explaining how he was supposed to empty a fish, about how he was so grossed out the first time Stanley showed him how to do that. Really good memories despite how he found it gross at the moment, something he was proud to be skilful at now. Finally, something he was good at doing and that was actually useful for them right now.
He decided to let Bill free in the cabin for now, as he seems curious about what Dipper was doing. At some point the young man was surprised by noises coming from him, turning to see what he was doing. "Dude what are you doing, those are fish guts!" he said, not really stopping him anyway. Well, they were edible, it just that they were always just eating the meat from the fish. Bill yellowish eye just stared at him, clearly not understanding what the fuss was all about before continuing his snack.
It simply made Dipper laugh before he continues what he was doing "I guess I won't have to throw them out for the animals" he simply commented. It was better like this, less predator around his little house and it was making the zombie happy.
He had always been curious. They don't seem to eat because they need to, but just because they wanted to. Sure they could get hungry, but from what he had observed they didn't suffer consequences from not eating, they were just angrier. Well, if giving animal guts to the zombie was enough to keep him happy, he would give him all of them generously.
He placed their fish in a plastic box, waving Bill's fish in front of the zombie. "Wanna eat it raw?" he asks curiously, receiving a shrug before he finally nodded. "It gonna be blue then" he smiled, working on getting the bone out so he wouldn't hurt himself eating it. Once he finished that he just placed it in a plate, helping Bill sit correctly on a chair, watching him eat.
There was nothing elegant in how he was eating, though he had the feeling in other circumstance he would have been. He was finally taking in the other appearance. He was slim and wasn't looking extra muscular, but he felt like he wouldn't have much chance against him if he was really putting strength into it. Now that his hairs were clean and dry he could confirm that they were a light blond, supposing it was natural otherwise he would probably have seen roots? His eyes were a brown-yellowish, a real shame that they were circled by dark circles, they were looking really beautiful. His skin was worst, he was as white as a sheet, sickly white. He was kind of dead, so he imagines it wasn't helping him to look healthy. What was helping is that he wasn't really injured, that was already a plus in his opinion, maybe with determination he could heal him?
Once he was finished he cleaned his hand and face, attaching him at the bed again. "I gotta go or they are going to starve without me" he joked with an amused smile "Can only come back tomorrow since Mabel is going to have a panic attack if I'm not at the shack tonight" he then explains, seeing disappointment passing through Bill's eyes. "Don't worry, I will be back tomorrow and I will bring you stuff to do for when I'm not there, we will figure out what you can do" he promises, this already lifting the mood. "Be a good boy while I'm out" he said, teasing him a little, passing a hand in the blond hair to replace them correctly.
Then he was gone, making sure the door was locked and the blinds closed, even if it would let light in the next morning. He was feeling bad for leaving him alone, but he couldn't neglect his family either. But he couldn't afford to have his family find out, they would be mad at him and would probably hurt Bill too. He was feeling silly for getting this attached to a zombie, but in one day he really did enjoy his time with him, even though he wasn't doing much.
He was being too careless around him, but how could he not when he was acting some normally with him? Sure he couldn't talk back, was looking like a corpse and couldn't do some things he normally would, but it was the closest to normal he had seen.
Yeah... he had to keep this a secret.