Comforting Dark (BillDip Fanfic)

Chapter 5: Sorry

    Dipper's P.o.V

        After the, admittedly, awkward talk with Stan, Dipper managed to go a week without hearing from Bill.

        Dipper would've been happy if he wasn't getting nightmares almost every night of that week. He knew Bill was trying to be petty and get back at him. Still, he had to live with it. On top of that was Mabel being more obnoxious than usual with her hatred towards him. She had been tripping him, talking about him very loudly behind his back, and all but calling him slurs to his face.

        It was frustrating especially since she acted like a perfect little angel when Stan was around. Sometimes Dipper wished that Bill would come back since even he was kinder lately.

        He was laying in his bed this morning, having just woken up from yet another nightmare. These were getting on his nerves. He was awake before Mabel so he crept quietly across the room and went into the restroom.

        He looked at his tired visage in the mirror. His dark brown eyes had deep eye bags that, when paired with his pale complexion, made him look like a panda. His brown hair was ruffled and a bit greasy but the shower was so loud he was sure he'd wake Mabel if he turned it on. He brushed his thick hair and washed his face with the sink water. Throwing off his dirty clothes he pulled on a blue long-sleeve that had some faint pine tree patterning on the arms. He had found this at a shop and felt it too much of a coincidence to pass up on buying. He pulled on some shorts and his pine tree hat and brushed his teeth.

        He didn't feel any better but at least he didn't look like he just fell off a cliff. Instead he looked like he fell out of bed but it was an improvement. Now that he was ready for the day, at least appearance wise, he quietly went back into the room. He was sure Stan wasn't awake either so he grabbed his wallet before leaving the room. Mabel's snores stopped momentarily after the floorboards creaked making Dipper's heart jump. She went right back to sleep, allowing him to slip out and click the door shut.

        His solution to Mabel's scorn was to avoid her. He did this usually by ducking out of the house before she woke up and eating at Greasy's. It was hard on his wallet but he preferred this then Mabel's constant teasing.

        Stan started texting him when the Shack opened so Dipper would wander until then before going to work. He wondered if Stan did this because he knew he was avoiding Mabel, since before he had never used his phone to text before. Dipper was thankful for that at least.

        Mabel was unavoidable at the Shack unless she was with her friends. Luckily while customers where there she acted like a princess. She didn't talk to him but Dipper was happy with that. By the time work finished Dipper already usually had gone back out the door as he took a nightly walk in the woods.

        At first, Stan was worried that Dipper would get hurt. Of course he didn't say it but Dipper could tell when Stan had given him a flashlight and pepper spray under the pretense that it was overstock. Dipper was happy at the gesture even though he knew he was just trying to avoid showing favoritism.

        Planning on going about this same routine today he creeped downstairs, making sure Stan wasn't up watching Ducktective before going to the front door and pulling on his shoes. Grabbing his keys, Dipper left the Shack and locked the door behind him.

        The sun was just coming up, making the condensation on the grass and leaves shimmer. It was a little cold but he didn't usually care as it warmed up on his walk to town. Stepping off the porch Dipper trekked up the path, his eyes lazily drifting back and forth to keep an eye on the woods on either side of him. Nothing of note happened on his walk up to town, not many people were up yet. He waved at Wendy as she passed by with her family and she waved back with a wink and smile. For some reason Dipper felt less of an attraction to the red head but he guessed he was finally getting over her.

        Reaching Greasy's, Dipper noticed an oddity. Two guys in purple cloaks made eye contact with him and dipped into an alley. Debating following them, he stepped closer to the alley but he decided he really wasn't looking for an adventure today, so he went into the diner instead. Lazy Susan greeted Dipper as he sat down at a booth. The diner was empty except for a man in purple drinking coffee with sunglasses on. It seemed odd that he also happened to be wearing purple but the teen chalked it up to coincidence.

        "Hello Dipper!" Lazy Susan said in her usual way, "You getting the usual?" She asked, posing her pen.

        Dipper nodded and waved at Susan as she spun to walk away, "Thanks, Lazy Susan."

        "Anytime dear!" Susan called back, waddling into the kitchen with his order. Usually he'd just order Blueberry waffles but he'd been ordering coffee ever since the nightmares started.

        As he was waiting for his food, a familiarly grating voice chimed up, making the boy nearly leap out of his skin. Pine Tree. Bill said plainly, his voice lacking it's usual manic glee. Frowning, Dipper took to ignoring the dream triangles voice as he spoke again. Pine Tree, I'm sorry.

        He apologized!? Well with great difficulty but he still did it. Dipper was shocked and thought back, What? I thought the great Bill Cipher never apologized. Receiving an annoyed groan from the dream demon. The food came and Dipper took a sip from the coffee before taking a bite of the waffles. Though really, it's bold to apologize after plaguing me with nightmares all week. Bill sighed, making Dipper smirk, clearly this apologizing thing was more difficult then he thought.

        Seriously kid, you should feel honored that I am even apologizing to you. The demon huffed in annoyance, leading to another silence. Look, I thought it was a funny joke but we clearly disagree.

        You burned my hands! Dipper nearly screamed out loud, slamming his fists on the table painfully, drawing the attention of some of the other patrons. Averting eye contact, Dipper leaned back in the booth, taking his still slightly burned hands to his lap.

        I--I know! That's why I'm apologizing. It was wrong. Bill sputtered out, making the teen's eyes widen slightly. Bill seems genuinely serious about apologizing, this was...new.

        I'll forgive you when you stop giving me nightmares. Dipper offered, unfolding his arms and waving at Susan when she brought him a refill on the coffee he had been sipping throughout his silent conversation. The waffles were hardly touched so he took a few more bites as he waited for Bill to respond.

        Nightmares? Bill asked after a few bites. I haven't been giving you nightmares. This made Dipper still, squinting his eyes in thought.

        Are you joking? Dipper put down the fork. If you haven't then who has?

        I genuinely don't know kid, I wasn't in your mind for the past week. Bill replied honestly, Dipper felt it in his gut that the demon wasn't lying.

        Well...fine if it really wasn't you, then I forgive you, I guess. Dipper thought back reluctantly, finishing up his waffles and coffee as Susan came over with his check. Dipper gave her 20 bucks and she came back with the change. All the while, Bill stayed quiet which worried Dipper slightly that he wasn't going to hear from the triangle for another week. When he stepped out of the diner however Bill spoke up.

        Pinetree watch your six, we're being followed. He said quietly, as though the person behind Dipper could hear. Still, Dipper did have that sense that there was someone following him, yet it could still be a coincidence. He turned right, headed towards the path that led to the Mystery Shack but whoever it was still followed. It's the guy in all purple from the bar. Bill informed him making a chill run up his spine. When they reached the path that led to the Shack the man pushed past Dipper and carried on his way. The teen let out a sigh, glad that it seemed to be a weird coincidence when Bill said something.

        Pine Tree. That guy dropped something.

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