There's just a little bit of suggestive-ish stuff at the beginning of this chapter, but otherwise there's really nothing else to warn for ahead of time except that there's a lot of different emotions packed in here.
Here's chapter 64 of "Welcome Home"!
"You weren't kidding," Bill started. Something was making him question if plans had changed out of embarrassment. He pushed the thought away; it didn't much matter, anyway.
Ford glanced in his direction for a short moment. "What do you mean?" He asked, running a hand under the warm, pouring water.
The blonde shrugged. "I just thought you were bad at lying." He replied.
Ford chuckled at the remark. "You know I am," He said, holding a small, white cap under the faucet. "Its never been my strong suit under pressure." He continued.
"I don't understand how some humans can be so bad at lying," Bill started. He put his arms out in front of him. "It's so easy!" He exclaimed.
Ford gave him a look. "I'm sure that's easy for you to say." He replied before turning his attention back to the water pooling in the tub. Bill looked back at the scientist and couldn't tell if he felt flattered or offended.
"Then there's the ones who don't like it," Bill continued. He pursed his lips. "I have a feeling Shooting Star would fall into that group." He said. "Sometimes."
"Yes, I'm sure she would," Ford muttered. He set the cap down on the side of the tub and stood up straight, looking over at the other. "And then there's you," He started. Bill raised a brow. "You who- quite frankly- can find joy in it." He said.
Bill folded his arms. "Hey, there's nothing wrong with a few... white lies here and there." He said, though his tone made the 'white lies' seem much less small than he intended them to.
Ford scoffed. "You and my brother would get along dangerously well if you tried." He commented. Bill grinned.
"You might be on to something." He said.
"Don't look far into the possibilities." Ford groaned.
Bill laughed at the distress in his tone and put a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, I have you to keep me busy." He said.
"And out of trouble." Ford scoffed. Bill's grin dropped. Ford eyelids fell halfway and he looked at the other in slight amusement. "Don't give me that look, you know I'm right." He said, leaning forward to test the temperature of the water. It felt nice against his hand. He took it out of the water to turn off the faucet, a few small bubbles trailing down towards his fingertips along with the excess water. He looked back at his boyfriend. "Well, I think this is of satisfying temperature." He informed.
Bill copied his action and dipped his hand into the water. He let it sit for a few seconds before bringing his hand up out of the water. He gave a nod, satisfied with the warmth. He turned to face the scientist and put his hands on his shoulders, the water on his right hand soaking into a part of his sweater.
Ford noticed the hands touching him and looked down specifically at the moist one before turning to look back at his boyfriend. His expression showed slight confusion with the gesture.
"Well," The blonde started, "A deal's a deal." He said, looking down at himself before looking back up at the scientist.
Ford caught on quickly, remembering the deal from earlier that morning, and the moment he did a heavy blush formed. His shoulders tensed slightly and he bit his bottom lip, looking away awkwardly.
Bill snorted at his wordless reaction. "Charming," He teased. Ford looked back at him, but said nothing. Bill rolled his eyes and removed his hands from his boyfriend's shoulders, instead moving them to his larger hands and moving them to the sides of his waist. Ford watched the action and for a moment just stared. He gulped.
Bill noticed how hesitant he was. "What's wrong?" He started, less so sincere and more so in a teasing manner. Ford met his gaze for a portion of a second, enough to see the smug look on his face, before looking back down. "Never undressed a partner?" He asked.
"No, It's... not that," Ford dismissed.
Bill tilted his head, wondering if the other was thinking twice. His smug expression disappeared. "You don't have to-"
"No, I-I want to," Ford assured. He blushed a second time at realizing how straightforward his response sounded. "I'm just..." He started, but stopped. He shook away whatever response was trying to form. He looked up at the other. "Are you sure?" He asked gently.
"I offered, didn't I?" Bill blankly replied.
Ford put his hands up slightly. "Just checking." He said, resting them back onto his boyfriend's sides.
Bill hummed and ran a hand through the back of the other man's hair while smiling at the slight fluff his hair offered. "I'm flattered." He cooed.
Ford gave a small smile in return and grabbed the bottom of the yellow shirt, lifting it up off the other. Bill freed his hands to assist. The shirt was lifted and Ford let it fall to the floor beside them.
"That deserves a round of applause." Bill teased.
"Oh please," Ford scoffed, gently running his hands along his sides. The blonde snickered before shivering at the warmth of his hands. In a matter of moments his jeans joined the shirt. Bill looked down at his boxers, then back up at the other. Ford stepped back, cleared his throat, and put his hands behind his back as he wore a flushed face.
"Alright," He started awkwardly, looking over and down at the tub. "There you have it." He mumbled, and Bill had to hold back his snort of laughter. He failed to keep away his smile and took a step towards the scientist. Ford looked back at him and shrunk awkwardly.
Bill snickered in a half-mocking way. He patted the others cheek. "As cute as this is, you're too respectful for your own good." He reminded, and slipped into the tub. Ford looked down at him with slightly furrowed brows.
"What's cute?" He questioned. "And... is that bad?" He asked, softer.
The blonde glanced at him for no more than three seconds before laughing again. Ford scowled at the response.
Bill looked back at him with a grin. "Oh, you're a joy, Sixer." He said. Before the other could reply, Bill continued. "Also, you could come in with me." He said, grabbing a group of bubbles in his hand and squishing them.
Ford stopped. He tensed slightly. "I- What?" He asked. There was a short silence between them.
"I mean, yeah.." He started, getting too focused with the bubbles around him. He looked back at the man. "What's the harm in it?" Bill said.
"Is that what you want?" Ford questioned.
Bill pursed his lips and huffed at the scientist directing the subject towards him. He looked down at the bubbles surrounding his waist and drew a line through them with his finger. "Yeah." He muttered.
Ford couldn't understand why he was surprised the way he was from the answer. He gave a few slow nods to the confession. "Very well, then." He agreed. The blonde turned his head at the response, much quicker than what was probably necessary. Ford noticed his reaction and rolled his eyes, a hint of a smile left behind.
Bill watched as his boyfriend mostly undressed and beamed at his bare chest. Ford balanced a hand onto the side wall of the tub and stepped inside. Bill grinned and wrapped his arms around the others waist, pulling him down into the water. Ford exclaimed in surprise and had a look of horror in his eyes as he'd felt himself being pulled down without a warning. He put his hands down at the bottom of the tub and looked at the other with wide eyes.
"Be careful!" Ford chided. "Are you insane?" He cried out.
"Yes." Bill replied, snaking his arms around the other man's neck and pulling him in for a kiss. Ford groaned, but accepted the affection and let it continue on for a bit. After a moment, he pulled back and sighed, looking back at the blonde.
"That isn't fair." Ford stated.
Bill shrugged. "Neither am I."
Ford rolled his eyes. "Just don't make me have to start walking around with a fragile sticker on my forehead, understood?" He asked with a scowl.
"Oh, don't worry." Bill started, "You've got a while before that." He said.
"Not with you, I don't." The other grumbled. His brows furrowed when he saw Bill's narrowed eyes looking up towards his hair. He raised an eyebrow. "What is it?" He asked.
Bill shook his head slowly. "Nothing, nothing. Just..," He hesitantly started. "Why, is that a speck of dust I see?" He questioned, hesitantly bringing his hand up towards the side of the scientist's head.
Ford scowled. "Oh, quit it!" He chided, smacking his hand away. Bill laughed and tossed his head back. Ford groaned and ran a moist hand through his dry head of hair.
"Hey, if we're poking fun at age, you know I'll have something to say." Bill commented.
The scientist looked down at the other, then back up at his face. "Likewise." He said.
Bill scoffed. "You're just jealous you don't have this." He replied, gesturing his hands down to himself.
Ford hummed, running a hand along the blonde's side. "Don't I?" He questioned.
"Not yet, ya' don't." Bill responded. He grinned. Ford gave him a mock-like grin for part of a second before scowling. Bill snickered at his reaction. The scientist readjusted himself to lean beside his boyfriend, sighing as the warm water encircled his waist. Bill leaned his head atop his shoulder, nuzzling into the crook of his neck. Ford looked down at him and gave a small smile, placing a gentle peck atop his forehead. They took a moment, the room silent, to just relax in the moment. The quiet was nice, their embraces just as much.
Stan had arrived at the typical store he shopped at only a few minutes prior. The sun had risen and the sky turned to its typical daytime hue. He knew the store well, and it didn't take long for him to get the things he needed. Stan retrieved a dozen eggs, a pack of Pitt Cola, and coffee grains. The selections were kept in a plastic basket provided by the store which he held in his hand.
After collecting what was needed, Stan decided to stop by the cookie isle before leaving the store. He often told himself that they could never have too many- just in case.
Stanley eyed the right shelf and narrowed his eyes, trying to choose between two different types of cookie. He shrugged to himself and grabbed one of each. He turned beside him to continue on and jumped back, exclaiming in alarm at seeing someone else there. Lazy Susan stood there beside him with her typical smile.
"Well, what a surprise seeing you here!" She cooed.
Stan scratched the back of his head and looked away. "Uh, yeah. Sure is." He mumbled, quickly feeling an uneasy feeling.
"Is everything okay?" Susan asked.
"Yeah, just didn't see ya' sneakin' up on me there." Stan awkwardly replied.
Susan smiled. "It happens." She replied.
"I bet." Stan mumbled to himself. He looked back at her with a grin. "Oh, hey- uh, good news! We found blondie." He informed.
"Oh, that's wonderful!" Susan said. "Is he alright?"
Stan shrugged. "Better. Ford's been lookin' after him." He added.
"Well, as long as he gets good rest, I suppose." Susan said.
"Oh, that's not an issue." Stanley replied, remembering what he'd seen roughly an hour earlier. He looked at the woman and adjusted his glasses. "Look, toots. I, uh..," He started, pausing for a moment. Susan blushed at the nickname and looked back at him. "I didn't mean for things to go the way they did a couple days ago." He said.
Susan gave him a sympathetic look. "Oh, Stanley. It's alright." She reassured.
"It's not," He responded. "I... feel bad. I was hopin' to make it up to ya'." He said.
Susan processed what he was saying and gave him a smile. "I'm free Saturday night." She informed.
"Saturday, eh?" Stan started. She nodded. "Yeah... yeah. Let's do that, then. You can pick me up." He said. Stan cringed. "Er, I can pick you up. No one picks anyone up. I- uh..." He trailed off.
Susan chuckled. "We'll figure out the details later." She said, flicking his nose. He scrunched his nose at the sensation and looked back at her. She met him with that same innocent smile. "Call me!" She told him, grabbing a box of cookies from off the isle's shelf and walking away.
"Heh... yeah. I can do that." Stan said as she trailed out of earshot. "I can uh... do... that..." He mumbled, furrowing his brows and biting his lip. He cringed to himself and gripped his head of hair with his hand. "I can't do that! I can't do any of this!" He wailed to himself. He once again cursed Mabel's effect of remorseful emotions she'd left on him. This wouldn't go well. He hadn't gone on a date with Susan in around two years. Besides that one time with her, he hadn't gone on a date in a long time.
You messed this one up for yourself. Stan told himself. He sighed deeply, letting his hand run down his face before leaving the isle to go check out.
Bill had gone back into Ford's old room after getting a bath, now fully changed into a fresh set of clothes, his hair still damp. The blonde let the damp towel fall onto the wooden flooring and fell back, spreading his arms out and laying down onto the mattress. His left forearm smacked against the wall. He scowled at the wall as if it had caused him an inconvenience, but opted to put his arms underneath his head, looking up at the ceiling. He sighed and let his eyes gradually shut themselves. He was comfortable like this. Bill let the comfy feeling of the twin mattress surround him.
After a moment his eyes opened, hearing a knock at the door. He stopped laying down and sat up, looking at the door. At hearing no response there was a second knock.
"Bill, are you in there?" He heard his boyfriend ask.
The blonde nodded at the question, but then reminded himself that his response couldn't be noticed from the other side of the door. "Uh, yeah." He awkwardly replied.
"Are you decent?" He asked.
"Never." Bill responded with a grin.
Ford rolled his eyes and opened the door. The blondes grin made him smile. He too had changed, his hair slightly less damp than Bill's. The blonde watched Ford come towards him. He stood in front of the other and looked down at him. He put a hand under the blonde's chin and gently lifted his face up.
"How are you feeling?" The scientist asked him.
Bill stared back up at him, the warmth of his hand making his features soften. "Better." He answered.
Ford smiled. "Good." He said and leaned down to give him a kiss on the cheek. He sat down beside the demon.
"What about your work?" Bill questioned. He scratched the back of his neck and broke the eye contact by looking away. "You haven't been doing any of that stuff lately." He said.
Ford nodded at his concern about the subject. "A great majority of my work lately has been revolving around you. And, well... when you weren't here," He continued, pausing partway through his sentence. Bill looked back at him. "It just wasn't feasible." Ford finished. "That's all."
Bill hummed. He smirked at him and nudged Ford's side. "So what, you're nursin' me back to health so you can continue your work?" He joked.
"Yes." Ford replied, looking away now.
Bill's eyes widened. He scowled and put both his hands on the other man's face, making him look back at him. "What?" He asked, narrowing his eyes when Ford laughed.
"Oh, come now. You know that's not it." Ford responded, patting one of the two hands on his face. Bill huffed and removed his hands from the scientist. Ford smiled. "But I'm sure we'll get back to some of those things soon enough. When you're better." He added, patting the top of his head.
"But I am better." Bill replied, looking up at him.
Ford offered eye contact in return. "It's not smart to jump into things." He said.
"It isn't jumping into anything." Bill claimed.
"It most certainly is." Stanford argued.
The blonde scowled. "Ford, I'm fine." He stated.
"I'm not taking chances." Ford responded, his eyebrows furrowed. He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed before looking back at his boyfriend. "I understand not wanting to be taken care of so much, but it's important to make sure that you're okay, first." He said.
Bill's features went neutral. "It's not about that," He said. "I'm just worried that all of this has been in the way of you doing what you enjoy. That, or... whatever other stuff you think are too important to ignore." He said.
Ford couldn't help but feel slightly touched by the consideration. He offered the blonde a small smile and put a hand on his shoulder. "As kind as that is, you don't have to worry yourself with that. I think either way, It'll best to wait a bit longer before doing any tests. And besides, even though I have some work to attend to, I've already made you my top priority."
Bill hummed, but otherwise didn't respond. He appreciated Ford's insisting to make sure he was feeling okay even if he did feel fine, despite that feeling still being foreign to him. And he figured the author was right- it probably was better to hold off on tests for a bit. Just as long as they got the best answers that they could in their tests, whenever they would be performed.
"Also..," Ford started again, his tone showing his own distaste for what he had to say. He folded his hands in his lap. "I'm going to go back tomorrow." He informed.
Bill raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, where are you going?" He asked. Ford glanced back at him for a moment. There was a short moment of silence before Bill realized what he was probably talking about. Some color drained from his face and he wasn't sure how to respond. "Tell me you don't mean-"
"And you're not coming with me." Ford told him, giving him a confirming look. Bill scowled.
"What are you going there for?" He demanded.
"They have something that belongs to me." Ford answered. "My laser gun- the one I keep in my holster- they still have it. I'm going back there tomorrow to find it." He said.
"Just- make a new one or something!" Bill suggested. He gripped onto the other's sweater sleeve. "I don't want you going without me." He told him.
Ford grabbed his hand and removed it from his sleeve. "I already said that you're not coming with." He reminded.
"I know the place better." Bill said.
Ford scowled back at him. "I don't care." He responded.
"You should, it's safer." The blonde continued.
"Bill-"
Their hands released. "I have to come with." Bill said.
"You're not coming." Ford bellowed.
"Yes, I am!" He pressed.
"Bill, no." Ford growled.
"Why not?" Bill snapped.
"Because I'm not losing you again!" Ford shouted back. Bill stopped. He was taken aback by the change of tone. The scientist's eyes matched his voice. Not anger, really. A look of worry. Hurt. He released a shaky sigh. "You have to understand... just how worried for you I was when you were there. I'm not risking any of that again." He said. Bill didn't know how to respond at first. He didn't want the man to worry so much about him, especially when he knew that he was fully capable of defending himself.
After a moment the blonde folded his arms, looking away from him. "Well, what a hypocrite that makes you." He mumbled.
Ford was perplexed by his response. He narrowed his eyes, confusion noticeable. "What?" He tried, his voice slightly failing him.
"You tell me not to worry myself, but look at you." Bill continued.
Ford scowled. "You can't possibly be comparing that," He replied. "Those are two very different things, and you know it." He bellowed.
Bill was silent again. Eventually he sighed. "I know." He mumbled, staring at the pillow laying beside him. "I am flattered that you were worried," He started again, unsure of how to make the right words that matched how he was feeling. "I guess I've just forgotten what that feels like." He admitted, refusing to look at the other. He was never really one to show much emotion, it felt strange. He shook slightly.
Ford somewhat noticed the behavior. "It's because I'm worried for you, for your safety, that I don't want you going." Ford said. "It's dangerous, and it isn't smart." He added.
Bill's glance quickly turned back to the other man, a distressed look easily readable. "What if I want you safe, too?" He cried out, hands balling into fists by his sides. For a moment Ford stopped. The blonde's behavior was much more fragile than he typically showed. Perhaps he hadn't taken what he had pointed out into as much consideration as he should have. He frowned and put a hand on his shoulder.
"I see what you're communicating." Ford started. Bill looked back at him, saying nothing, just waiting for him to continue. the scientist looked away for a short moment before returning to the blonde's eyes. "Perhaps we can... make some sort of compromise on this." He suggested.
"I don't wanna be here when you're there." Bill muttered.
Ford nodded slowly, thinking for a moment. He looked back at him. "I'll get Stan to come with, and he can stay with you outside while I go in." He proposed. "I know I won't be too long, so that shouldn't be an issue." He added.
Bill took the suggestion into account. He pursed his lips. "If you're not out of there within the hour, I'm going inside." He said.
Ford was confident that he would have completed his task in less than an hours time. And if he didn't, he was sure Stan would stop him from going inside after him, anyway. He hummed before nodding again, more sure of himself. "Very well." He agreed.
Bill nodded at the agreement, staying silent. Despite the author's hand still resting on his shoulder, he threw himself towards him, wrapping his arms around the man. It took Ford by surprise, but he accepted the affectionate gesture and pulled him close.
"It's alright." Ford told him.
"I know," Bill said, despite being unsure of his answer. "Let's just.. forget how I got all sentimental." Bill muttered. He received no verbal response, but felt the arms around him tighten.
"It's okay to show your tender emotions once and a while." Ford assured. Bill rolled his eyes at this, but buried his face into the crook of the other man's neck anyway. A common way he showed affection in a subtle way.
"Everything will be back on track soon enough." Ford assured him, running a hand through his damp hair. Bill just nodded.
And there's the end to yet another chapter. At the beginning of the chapter while editing this, I ended up noticing a slight parallel with a moment from an earlier chapter of Bonded's sequel. It may just be me who sees the parallel, but either way it wasn't intentional and is intended to be entirely different.
I'm also annoyed at the Fanfiction app. They updated it roughly a month ago, I believe. So with that update, now when I try to write on a document I have, it messes the words up and duplicates them obnoxiously to where I can't write a sentence without having a screen full of crap I need to delete. It also takes away the smaller elements of chapters like line breaks, bold text, etc. So for now, it's back to writing solely on computer again. It's not too bad, it's just much less convenient for writing. But that's alright.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter, despite it being a bit shorter than usual. There's not too much to cover here except for things that will build up for what's to come. I've been going back and slowly updating the old parts of this story (Chapters 1-4 so far) since I started this story over two years ago and my writing has since then improved.
I have some very interesting things planned- especially for the next few chapters. Stay tuned!
