A/N: SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS WITHIN. PLEASE READ.
Okay. I delayed this chapter for a while due to lack of reviews on the last one and because my laptop was on lockdown due to mom; just wanted to make sure you all read, but I decided that the story must go on, and that you all have waited long enough. So, first of all, I'd like to say thank you to all who faved and followed this story and to all who stuck with it even through the unintentional hiatus.
I have a special announcement as well, that I meant to say when I came back with Chapter Forty-Three. I took the liberty a few months ago, April to be exact, to make and fix up a work page on TV Tropes for this story. If you type in "A Triangle in the Stars Tropes", you should find it easily.
I also have started uploading it onto Wattpad a few months ago, where it'll eventually have illustrations since my friend had agreed and will be working on supplying the art. She's known as Sideshow-Spottus on dA. :3 Give her a watch and look at her stuff. It's amazing!
Anyway, here's Chapter Forty-Five, y'all! it's still quite tense, but not as emotional as the bombshell that was Chapter Forty-Four. So I hope you enjoy it!
A Triangle in the Stars
Chapter Forty-Five: Trouble is Coming
The unlikely friends stood there hugging in the rain for a while before Steven finally spoke up, smiling, "Alright. Let's get back to the Temple."
Bill let go slightly, and wiped away the tears, "Right."
He turned his hat into an umbrella again, and held it over them, still smiling, and then he proceeded to float back down to the beach. Steven hugged Bill real tight as they descended. The demon chuckled softly, patting the kid on the back, and they soon made it down safely, onto the balcony. He looked across the waves, those nasty, ship-wrecking waves, and freaked out a little on the inside. He could've sworn he'd seen something dark very far away, on the other side of this storm. Steven didn't see it, however, and went back inside.
Gabriel was on the roof, looking out at a patch of sky he had cleared out. Bill shivered a little. And now he was hoping this storm never ended. Because if it did... he didn't want to think about it. Funny to think he was willing to accept death— seeking it even—just a few minutes ago. Now he was afraid to die again. He sent a telepathic message to Gabriel that he came back, and then followed Steven inside. The star decided he would follow them back inside, and let the clouds cover up the blue sky again. But they didn't, not immediately. Slowly, they would.
Bill sighed, and asked Pyronica, taking his thoughts off the two old men who were literally waiting for the right opportunity to come on shore and end him, "The house is okay, right? no one tried breaking in while we were away?"
Like anyone would even try, with the crazy storm and with how remote this place was from town. And Beach City was fairly safe anyway.
"No, no one tried coming in..." Pyronica looked fairly bored, sitting on the couch.
"Oh, good," he sighed of relief. He frowned, and looked around, eventually settling his eye on Steven, and asked what he'd forgotten to ask in the little spell of depression into which he'd been dunked, and that was, "Hey, kid, you okay?"
He nodded. "I'm just tired... you guys really wear me out, you know that?" he chuckled.
Bill chuckled too, but it was mirthless. He almost didn't get that it was a joke, almost let an unneeded apology slip out of his metaphorical mouth. He sighed, "Right. Well, hopefully it won't happen anymore."
And that was a huge "hopefully".
"Eh, it probably will. But we'll work over it, won't we?"
He nodded, smiling a little and disposing of the umbrella, "Sure thing."
Bill checked the clock. It wasn't even midday yet. It was now about two in the afternoon. The demon groaned. Usually time passed so fast when things were being done. But now.. it was almost tormentingly slow. Steven was looking at the clock too, and his eyes went wide, "Oh man... has it really only been a couple of hours? I guess that's what happens when the climax of the story comes through!"
Bill stared at Steven, raising an eyebrow, "Did you just?" and then shook himself. He decided to leave that alone. Now he wanted to do something else. He sighed, "Never mind. Say, can I call your dad real quick?"
"Uh, sure!" Steven nodded.
He held a hand out for the boy's phone. He didn't forget the talk he was going to give him. And, since he couldn't do it in person, he might as well just do it over the phone. Steven dialed his number, and then passed it over to Bill. The phone was already ringing when it was in Bill's hand. The triangle thought about shapeshifting into Pearl this time, or at least mimicking her voice, but he figured Greg would know the Gems were away and immediately think something was off. So he held the phone up to his nonexistent ear, waiting.
Greg picked up. "Hey, Steven! are you almost here?" he sounded anxious.
"Actually, no," a different voice answered. Bill sighed, "I'm a new friend of his, or, roommate, and I brought him back home. What possessed you to tell him to go to the car wash in such a mess?"
He remained as calm as possible, staring out the window now. It was still storming, even though the lightning and thunder seemed to have vanished for a while.
"Well... it's... it's important. Can you give Steven the phone?" Greg was fidgeting, nervous.
He nodded, "Sure thing," and handed the phone back to the kid, frowning softly.
Steven took it. "Dad?"
"Steven, you have to get over here. It's really important. And please tell your friend to stay there..." he said.
"Wait, dad, what is this about? can you please tell me?" Steven asked, biting his lip.
Bill listened intently to this, staring at the boy now. He had a feeling it was about the boat he'd seen...
"Here, you try talking to him," Greg handed the phone to someone else. There was a short pause before...
"Steven, you need to come to It's A Wash before the storm settles," Connie said.
"But why? I don't understand... why can't I stay here?" he asked, frowning, staring out the window.
"It's not safe for you over there," Connie sighed. "Please just come over here... I'll be waiting," she hung up.
Bill frowned. That wasn't the only time Steven got locked out of the loop by his friends and family, he noted. Heck, he himself had done so too. And he honestly wasn't surprised Connie was there too, what with the hostility she exhibited despite having read his life's story. He sighed eventually, rubbing at his top point, "Yeesh... tough luck, eh, kid?"
"I just wish they'd tell me what was going on..." he sighed.
The demon glanced at Pyronica, who still looked bored, trying to decide whether she should say it or not. He was still thinking on it, even as he offered with a sigh, "Well, since they want you to go so badly, I guess you should. I'll walk you until at least a yard or so away from it... or maybe a little more..."
He wanted the boy safe too. Even though Steven could indeed take care of himself. Even if it meant he died. But he didn't want to die at the same time. However, the boy's safety took top priority.
"No, I'm staying here for sure. I don't want to leave you alone, Bill. Not that I don't trust you... but I've got a shield. You know what I mean?"
He smiled slightly, "Yeah, I know what you mean. Thanks."
He felt rather anxious on the inside though. Something big was going to happen as soon as this storm passed on. And Steven would be caught in the middle of it. Again.
"Don't worry about it," Steven smiled, but he, too, was worried about what would happen. He was sure something horrible would happen—and had the idea he could prevent it, if he was just at the right place, at the right time.
"Alright, kid," Bill then glanced out at the storm again. He wondered what Greg and Connie were doing. They were probably worried sick. He sighed, and then sent another telepathic message to Gabriel to come back inside. Gabriel finally did, thunder striking behind him when he opened the door. He looked really wet.
Bill looked at his adopted brother and sighed again, Gabe... it's not safe for you or Pyronica here. Not anymore.
Gabriel's eye widened as he stared at the triangle, I'm not leaving unless you do. I'm not going to lose you again.
You're gonna have to though... at least until the Stans leave... he rubbed at his eye. This was difficult for him. Just when they were starting to get along again.
No... I won't do that to you, Bill. I won't let you disappear again, Gabriel looked about to cry.
Steven raised an eyebrow, unsure what was happening.
Whatever happens, happens.. he went up to Gabriel and hugged him. Just like old times.
Yeah. I'm not abandoning you again. It's only been a day... can't it last a little longer? he hugged right back, sniffling.
"Is someone going to tell me what's going on...?" asked Steven, not wanting to interrupt but curiosity prodding him. He was technically a dead cat.
..I guess you're right, and then he glanced at his friend. He decided to tell, but was vague about it, "Something big is going to happen the moment that storm fades. Something is waiting out there. To get me. I didn't want Gabriel or Pyronica to get got too."
"Don't worry, Bill. I'll be here to protect you!" he got out his phone. "Hey, Connie? no, I'm not on my way. Listen, I need you to come over to the Temple for a sleepover." But that wasn't his true plan.
Bill listened, letting go of his brother. He wondered if he should go get Connie if she agreed. And that was a big "if". She already didn't like him. He could tell.
"Steven, a sleepover?" she asked, a little freaked out. "What has Bill been doing to you...?"
"Nothing, Connie! it's just that... well... it's hard to leave him alone, if you know what I mean," he sighed.
Connie took it the wrong way, "Well, you won't have to worry about him anymore once the storm clears up."
Steven's eyes widened, "What do you mean...?"
The demon tensed up. He hated being reminded of the elder Pines twins, but it was going to happen eventually. They were waiting.
"Steven, we both know that Bill isn't exactly innocent. He's got blood on his hands, and... some people really want to make sure he doesn't do anything more," Connie explained, trying to put it as gently as she could.
"Connie... he's changed. He's not a bad guy anymore! he was just... a little misguided," he looked down.
The triangle kept listening, and then looked askance. He felt really bad. Extremely bad. For all he'd done. But he'd changed, like Steven said. He really had. That was why he was feeling bad. Because he changed; he wasn't psychopathic anymore—at least not by much. And he certainly wasn't evil anymore. And he could finally admit it. He whispered an apology under his breath.
"Steven, I don't think you understand who you're dealing with. Bill Cipher is a trickster, and he will do anything to get under your skin. It wouldn't be the first time it happened to someone..."
The boy looked over at the dorito, considering what Connie said, "Can you just... can you just trust me? I know he's changed. There's so much proof. You just need to come see it for yourself." Steven would have asked where she had gotten her information if he wasn't so focused on defending Bill.
The aforementioned triangle almost started crying, tears welling up in his eye. He felt Steven's belief in him faltering, even if it was only for a second. And, boy, did it feel horrible. There was some silence. Before...
"Alright, Steven. I'll be there in a couple of minutes," she sighed.
Steven proceeded with his question, "But who told you Bill was a—" and she hung up. Troubled, he put the phone back in his pocket. He looked at Bill, biting his lip. He wanted to ask what Connie meant—"It wouldn't be the first time."
The demon sighed, and replied despite having no verbal prompt, "She's right, you know, kid... I was a trickster... a manipulator... a liar... you experienced it firsthand, twice even... and I'm sorry."
He thought back on the people he managed to pull along. Steven's mother, Sapphire, Ford, Dipper, and many others. And he tried this on Sadie, Wendy, Connie and Steven himself. All to cause chaos and further his plans. And sometimes just for kicks, to see them all squirm. He shuddered. He hated that now. He wished he could take it all back.
"You don't have to apologize, Bill. I understand why you did it. What matters is that you're not now. Connie will realize that. So will whoever's coming for you. They... they have to," Steven affirmed, making a fist and pounding it into his palm.
"I.. I hope so.. I really do... I want to show the world I changed..." he looked down for a while. Steven nodded. Bill then looked over at Gabriel and Pyronica and sent a message for them to go hide someplace. Gabriel hid by making himself virtually two-dimensional, and sliding between Steven's bed and the floor. Pyronica turned invisible.
The demon rubbed his top point, glancing at the door, "Should I go get Connie? help her over here?"
Steven shrugged, "Sure. Just don't get yourself into any trouble..."
Bill nodded, "I won't, kid. I promised."
And he levitated up to the door, opened it, and ventured out into the storm again. And then he thought of something. He'd gotten some of his powers back. Maybe teleportation was one of them. He checked, and found that it was, and grinned. The triangle then glowed a bright light and vanished, making his way to where Connie was.
A/N: WHAM. You'll understand why I said that when you get to this point. XP Of course, because you read it. XP Ace had Steven, Gabriel, Pyronica, Greg and Connie, and I had Bill. OOONE IS THE LONELIEST NUMBER THAT YOU'LL EVER S - nah, I'm still okay with this. XD I hope you enjoyed this, and the next one will be out next Thursday or Saturday. :3 Leave a lengthy review. Ace and I love those. X3
P.S.: Also, I noticed that some of the earlier chapters, like Chapter One, for some reason are not or no longer aligned left. Since my documents are gone, it'll be slower trying to fix all that. But count on it to be done. Whenever. xD