Chapter Text
Bill dug the palms of his hands into his dark blue slacks, teary eyes cast downward to the bathroom’s tile floor. He knew he should leave, this wasn’t healthy, but...neither was running. The twins would find him, kill him probably. No, no they wouldn’t do that. Maybe Mabel, but not Dipper. Dipper wasn’t one to show emotion, but he knew Bill cared about him, there was no way the boy would kill him, he loved Bill back...right?
Bill let out an irritated whimper, absently tracing the bruises along his wrists with a finger. ‘These thoughts are getting you nowhere Bill, just look at you, you’re crying again.’ He wiped at his wet cheeks with the sleeve of his light blue button down and forced his trembling to still. The twins would be home soon, he had to get himself together.
‘If they see me like this I’ll never hear the end of it.’
Bill brushed his blue curls out of his eyes and took a deep breath. The mirror before him did not hold a pretty picture. His face was swollen and red from his crying, white cotton eyepatch askew and nearly falling off. Pastel hair stuck up haphazardly, practically sticking straight up in one spot from when Dipper had decided to use it as a hand hold as he’d been dragged down the hall. The rest of his body hadn’t fared much better. The twins were downright cruel when they were bored and Bill could feel the bruises forming beneath the folds of his shirt.
“Practice” they’d called it. Bill sneered at his reflection, disgusted with the word. The twin’s didn’t need practice, at least not with him. They were skilled fighters, no matter what they used, magic, weapons, fists. Bill had never raised a hand to anyone in his life, he wasn’t on their level, he didn’t measure up. The twins gained nothing from the sparring, ‘it was more of a beating than a sparring match Bill, why can’t you just admit that my gosh’, yet he continued to be their favorite punching bag. Why? ‘You know why, they don’t care abo-.’
“No!,” Bill gasped, squeezing his eyes shut tight, as if that might actually stop his thoughts from completing themselves. They had to care. Dipper had to care. They looked after him, fed him, gave him a place to stay. So yeah, sometimes they got a bit rough with him, but they didn’t mean to right? No, of course they didn’t, they loved him. Dipper loved him.
The demon let out a small chuckle, pressing his forehead against the mirror’s cool glass. He couldn’t get that damn boy out of his head. He knew it was wrong, but he was smitten for sure, apparently his heart had no sense of self preservation.
As if summoned by his thoughts alone, Bill heard the front door open down the hall and two sets of feet clicking into the entryway.
“Bill?” a male voice called out.
“You better not be sulking still,” Mabel huffed.
Dipper shushed her quietly and started down the hall, Bill stepping out of the bathroom to meet him halfway. The taller boy cupped the demon’s face in his hands, leaning in close to examine his tear stained cheeks.
“You were crying again,” he stated simply. His words were flat and Bill flinched. ‘Stupid stupid stupid, you were so wrapped up in your thoughts you didn’t even wash your face off stupid stu-’
Dipper noticed the flinch and sighed, his warm breath ghosting across Bill’s face. “I’m not mad at you Bill, I’m sorry we hurt you, we just wanted to play is all.” The young man’s words were sweet and quiet, calming the demon instantly. Deep down, he knew the apology meant nothing, he’d heard it hundreds of times before, the promises of safety never kept, yet, Bill’s breath still caught in gratitude. He couldn’t help but feel like the man before him actually cared, as if he had meant every word.
Bill leaned into Dipper’s touch, nuzzling against his hand. “I’m sorry I’m so weak,” he whispered. His vision blurred with the threat of fresh tears. If only he were just a bit stronger, just a little less scared, he’d be able to keep up with the man he loved. ‘Why am I so damn pathetic, this is all my fault.’
Dipper gazed down at him with a small, sad smile. The young man's fingers rubbed softly at Bill's face. "That's why we have to keep doing this, it's for you own good. You'll learn, I promise."
Another lie, it had to be, but....he sounded so..sincere. Bill wanted to believe him, wanted to believe that they didn't enjoy his pain, that they were actually trying to help him. But he hesitated, images of every cut, every bruise, every harsh word flashing through his mind at speeds that almost made him dizzy.
Dipper frowned, sensing his unease. He leaned forward, pressing his lips to Bill's. The contact was deceptively gentle. "Trust me Bill," he whispered, pulling back slightly.
The memories stopped tormenting Bill as soon as Dipper's lips hit his. His mind went blank and all he could focus on was the soft sensation and the gentle words. Trust him, trust him. "O-Of course," he stammered, trying to get closer, anything to have Dipper's lips on his again.
The brunette smirked at the demon's reaction. "Good boy," he hummed, kissing him once more.
Bill let out an appreciative whimper as his face flushed pink, whether from the praise or the kiss he wasn't sure. Nor did he really care, not with Dipper's lips pressed firmly against his own.
The taller boy pulled away all too quickly though, but Bill didn't dare grab out after him, not when he had just gained back his favor. Dipper chuckled at the demon's pout. "Come on now Bill, you have show to set up," he said, placing one final kiss to his forehead, "And if you do a good job, I promise you'll go to sleep very happy tonight."
Bill's cheeks burned bright red. "I-uh y-yes," he stuttered, pulling away quickly to follow his new orders. Dipper shot him a dazzling smile, then turned on his heels to return back to Mabel. Bill's gaze lingered on the man's retreating form, then he rushed into his room, small and cramped, to pick up the needed equipment for the twin's show. He slipped the heavy bag over his shoulder and made his way out the front door, headed for the Telepathy Tent.