What You Don't Know Can't Hurt You

28

The reception venue was packed. Mason could hear laughter and chatter all around him. Bill was to his right, and Cole was at his left. Empty dinner plates sat in front of everyone. Mason looked around at everyone's smiling faces, surprised to find a smile of his own.

He looked at Bill, and wasn't surprised to find him looking back. Bill leaned over and kissed him. "You doing okay?"

"I think so, yeah." Mason took Bill's hand.

"You think so?" Bill repeated, smiling.

"Yeah. I'm just... I don't know. Happy? Nervous? Excited? All three at once?"

Bill chuckled. "Everything is going to be okay." He glanced over Mason at Cole, who was talking to Mabel. "Do you want to tell him now?"

Mason thought for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah. I do."

Allen appeared in front of the couple, grinning. "Congratulations, you two!"

Mason smiled back. "Thanks, Allen."

Bill looked at him. "Is everything ready over there?"

Allen nodded. "Yep. We finalized it an hour ago. All that's left to do is crown Mason."

Mason stared at Bill. "Crown me?"

Bill nodded. "We're married now, and I'm the king of dream demons. That makes you one, too."

Mason looked at him, then at Allen. "I don't know if I'm even ready for that-"

"Don't worry about a thing, Mason." Allen smiled at him. "Bill, Will, and Jill have most of the work split between them. All that's left for you to do is host dinner parties and talk to the public."

Mason looked back at Bill. "I thought we were going to live in Gravity Falls."

Bill squeezed Mason's hand. "We can, and we will. Trust me, it's not hard to rule the Mindscape and pose as a regular human at the same time. I've done it all these years, I'm sure you can, too."

"It won't be that bad." Allen said. "And I'll be there to help you. Okay?"

Mason took a deep breath, nodding. "Okay."

Allen looked at Bill. "I have to go back. Sorry I couldn't stay for longer."

Bill nodded. "It's fine. You have a busy life, and we understand." Allen waved at the couple, then disappeared.

Mason ran his fingers through his hair. "I can't believe I'm going to be a king."

"Hey, you're already one." Bill smirked. "You're my king."

Mason blushed. "Stop it."

Mason felt someone poke his shoulder, and turned to see Cole looking at him. "Hey... can I talk to you?"

Mason nodded. "Sure." He looked back at Bill. "I'll be right back."

Mason followed Cole out of the dining hall and into the entrance of the building, which was empty. Cole fidgeted with his hands. "I don't really know how to say this."

Mason smiled. "It's okay. Don't be nervous."

Cole nodded, taking a deep breath. "Right. Okay. So... Bill promised me he'd try to get me adopted, right?"

Mason nodded. "Right."

"But... he hasn't said anything about it to me. I... I'm starting to get worried. I don't want Madison growing up with no parents. And I don't know if I could take care of her by myself, even though I like to think so."

Mason took a breath, thinking carefully about what he was going to say. "I guess it's now or never. Cole, the reason why Bill hasn't said anything is... well, we talked about it, and decided that we weren't going to get you adopted."

Cole stared at him. "What? But... but why?"

Mason smiled at him. "Because we already think of you two as our children."

Tears filled Cole's eyes. "You mean..?"

Mason nodded, kneeling down to get eye level with him. "I do. Cole, do you want to stay with Bill and I?"

Cole began to cry, and he smiled, nodding. "Yes, I really do." He hugged Mason tightly, who smiled as he hugged him back. "Thank you, Mason. For giving me a family again."

Mason giggled as he pulled away. "There's no need to thank me. I wanted to right after you told me what happened to your parents."

Cole wiped his cheeks. "I just... thank you."

"Don't thank me- thank Bill. He's the one who spoke up about it."

"Really?"

"Yeah! He said you grew on him, and he wanted to keep you around."

Cole grinned. "I can't believe it, though. I can't say it enough- thank you. Thank you both."

Mason giggled again. "You're welcome, Cole." He watched as Cole raced away back into the dining room.

"I think we're going to like having him with us."

Mason turned around to face Bill, smirking. "How long have you been there?"

Bill shrugged. "The whole time." He took Mason's hands and pulled him close. He moved one of his hands to Mason's back. "May I have this dance?"

Mason giggled as he placed his free hand on Bill's shoulder. "I think this is something we do in front of everyone."

"Can't I just get a moment of peace with my husband?" Bill led Mason into a slow waltz. "So. Why didn't you tell me you were wearing a dress?"

"I wanted to surprise you. Do you like it?"

"I absolutely love it. You look beautiful in it. Did Mabel make it?"

"She did, but I came up with the design."

"So that's why you haven't been letting me see your sketchbook!"

Mason giggled. "You finally caught on?"

Bill smiled at him. "It was a good surprise." He kissed Mason softly. "I love you, and I can't wait to spend eternity together."

Mason smiled back, stepping closer and resting his chin on Bill's shoulder. "I love you too, Bill."