Little Dipper

Birthday

"It sure was nice of you to let her have the party here." Bill said to Preston as everyone gathered into the Northwest Manor ballroom.

"Yes, well...she IS practically family." Preston said, sighing as he saw someone put fingerprints on his priceless artifacts. "It was too soon to put everything back in place, clearly."

"Bill!" Dipper ran over, grinning up at him. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling great!" Bill flexed both arms and then winced. "Ow, ow, ow...'cept for this wound Pyronica gave me."

"Why hasn't it healed yet?" Preston asked. "That was days ago. Every other wound you sustained has healed."

"Gideon says it's a curse. Can't be removed 'cept by the curser." Dipper said, shaking his head.

"Ah, curses..." Preston cringed.

"Eh, it's mostly annoying." Bill shrugged. "Hey, Pine Tree, let's go see if it's time for cake yet."

"Yay!" Dipper cheered.

Bill scooped him up in his arms and let him climb up and on his shoulders as he walked over to the banquet. "Hey, Shooting Star! Hey, Gideon!"

"Bill, how are you feeling?" Gideon asked.

"I'm doing alright. Is it time for cake, yet?" Bill grinned.

"Bill, eat some real food first." Mabel grinned, gesturing to the table.

Bill noticed her other hand was still in a cast. "...Tad couldn't fix it?"

"Nn-nn. He said that he's not capable of magically fixing bones." Mabel shrugged.

"Alright, let me see that." Bill reached out and touched her arm. Mabel gasped as the pain went away and then Bill moved her arm back and forth. "See? All fixed. Now, I think the birthday girl should get a dance, hm?" He nudged her towards Gideon.

"May I have this dance?" Gideon asked offering her his arm.

Mabel giggled and took his arm, walking away with him.

"They should take plenty of time together." Dipper said softly. "We're...going home tomorrow."

"Already?" Bill asked.

"Uh-huh. Our round-trip ticket says." Dipper nodded. "Mom and dad are waiting."

Bill lifted him off his shoulders and turned him to look at him. "It feels...such a short time."

"Let's make the most of it." Dipper smiled. "May I have this dance?"

Bill chuckled. "I dunno, it's kind of crowded in here."

"Then we'll go to the garden." Dipper hugged him tightly. "Please?"

Bill nodded. "Well...alright."

They went out to the garden, the sun shining down cheerfully on them. Bill set Dipper down and watched as he went to look at the fountain. Was he really going to lose him tomorrow? But, he'd only just gotten out of treatment...it didn't feel right. He'd never been so far from Dipper before – at least the tourist attractions were in the same state.

"Bill?" Dipper looked over at him.

"Hm?" Bill asked.

"Come here." Dipper beckoned him over.

Bill walked over to him and knelt next to him. "What's up?"

Dipper took his hands in his, singing softly. " Take my hand. Take a breath. Pull me close and take one step. " He looked up at Bill as they started to sway together. " Keep your eyes locked to mine, and let the music be your guide. "

"Won't you promise me... " Bill sang softly, recognizing the song from a show Mabel and Dipper had watched with him.

"Now, won't you promise me that you'll never forget to keep dancing wherever we go next? " Dipper asked, Bill joining in at the last three lines.

Bill lifted Dipper into his arms and stood up, standing to dance with him around the garden as they sang together. "It's like catching lightning, the chances of finding someone like you. It's one in a million, the chances of feeling the way we do. " Bill hopped over a little stream, taking to the air as they continued dancing. " And with every step together, we just keep on getting better. "

"So, can I have this dance? " Dipper sang.

"Can I have this dance? " Bill echoed.

"Can I have this dance? " They sang in unison.

They flew above the mansion, high in the air, and drifted towards the woods. " Take my hand, I'll take the lead. " Bill sang, spinning with Dipper. "And every turn will be safe with me. " He dipped him, making Dipper giggle. "Don't be afraid...afraid to fall. You know I'll catch you through it all! "

He gently released Dipper and let him fall a couple feet before he swooped down under him and caught him in his arms again. "And you can't keep us apart-- "

"Even a thousand miles can't keep us apart! " Dipper chimed.

"'Cause my heart is wherever you are! " They sang in unison, spinning together again.

"It's like catching lightning, the chances of finding someone like you. " They sang together, flying over the city now. "It's one in a million, the chances of feeling the way we do. " They passed over the woods again, weaving through the air. " And with every step together, we just keep on getting better. "

"So, can I have this dance? " Dipper sang.

"Can I have this dance? " Bill echoed again.

"Can I have this dance? " They sang together.

They saw the UFO and landed, now dancing on top of it.

Dipper gestured to the mountains. "Ohh, no mountain's too high and no-- "

"Ocean's too wide! " Bill chimed in, then they sang together again. " Cause together or not, our dance won't stop." They touched each other's head, smiling happily.

"Let it rain! " Dipper sang.

"Let it pour!" Bill chimed in.

"What we have is worth fighting for!" They sang in unison again. "You know, I believe that we were meant to be!"

"Yeeeeah!" Dipper sang, holding the note as Bill continued singing.

"It's like catching lightning, the chances of finding someone like you." Bill hugged him tightly.

"It's one in a million, the chances of feeling the way we do." Dipper clung to him tightly.

"And with every step together, we just keep on getting better!" They sang in unison, now back to spinning together.

"So, can I have this dance?" Bill asked softly.

"Can I have this dance?" Dipper smiled.

"Can I have this da-a-a-ance?" They sang in unison as Bill lifted them into the air again.

"Can I have this dance?" They finished together, holding each other tightly.

Bill's phone rang and he pulled it out. "Hello?"

"You might want to get back here with the birthday boy." Pacifica said. "We all saw you two fly off together."

"Heh, sorry. Yeah, we're coming back. See you soon." Bill hung up and flew back to the Northwest Manor.

"Bill Cipher."

Bill jolted in place and stopped to look behind him. He was surprised to see to see Time Baby floating behind him. "...Your Honor?"

"You have demonstrated that you have changed significantly for the better. I hereby wipe clean your record. You are no longer a criminal." Time Baby said, clapping his hands together.

"Really?" Bill smiled. "So, the Wanted posters...?"

"Gone." Time Baby nodded. "Continue to work with Tad Strange, and keep yourself out of the world of crime. You are a good person, Bill Cipher."

"Thank you, Your Honor." Bill bowed, dipping Dipper as he did.

"And now, I must have a nap." Time Baby flew off and disappeared into a portal, leaving behind no trace he was there.

"...Right. The party." Bill nodded and flew the rest of the way to the Manor.