Handyman Bill // A new (?) start

Chapter 9 // Unslept night

The next day arrived. This morning was just like any other morning, Melody cooking, the Stan twins reading their newspapers and the pine twins just waking up. But.. there was something missing... or someone-

M: Hey.. where's Bill...?

Aha! There was it, Bill, he is always the first at the table when it comes to breakfast.. and yet, for some strange reason he isn't here.

D: Now that you're saying.. he should've been here by now.

Stanford looked at the twins, then buried his head back in the newspaper. The last time he saw him was last night, right after the.. "confession"... He was still trying to forget that night.

Mabel looked over at Ford, a bit suspiciously.

M: Grunkle Ford! Have you seen Bill? I remember you wandering through the woods last night and him also being there..

Mabel knew that Bill was trying to confess to Stanford last night, hell, it was her plan after all, but she had no idea what happened after that.

F: I uh.. I guess I... saw him- yeah, yeah, that's it-.. but just headed back to the Shack after...

He was obviously lying, God, he didn't know how to lie. Mabel gave him a look.

M: All.. right- I'll go search for him-

Before anyone could say anything anymore she left the kitchen, searching for Bill.

She looked in his room, around the Shack, outside the Shack, but there was no sight of Bill.. where could he be? She suddenly got the idea to check the spot him and Ford had that.. conversation.. last night, she knew he might not be there at all, but hey, it's worth a shot.

Mabel got close to the meeting place, she spotted Bill. He looked tired. There was a finished cigarette pack next to him, him just looking at the ground, seeming like he was thinking about something.. his hair was messy, his eyes a bit red, probably from all the cigs he had smoked.

Mabel became worried, she ran up to him.

M: Oh my- Bill? What are you-

B: Leave me alone Shooting Star.

M: Did you.. stay here... all night..?

B: Maybe yes, maybe not, all I know is that I want you to go. I don't want to talk.

He sounded tired, he looked tired. His tone was a bit harsh, kinda raspy.. and slightly quiet. There was a slight silence before Bill just buried his head in his hands.

B: This was a stupid idea.. a fucking stupid idea... Everything was a mess.. I feel like a fucking fool...

Mabel felt bad. Really bad. It was her idea, she felt like it was her fault.. she sat next to Bill on the rock.

M: I'm sorry.. it was my idea, I should've just left you alone when you told me to-

B: No.. no, it's alright... It's not your fault.

He felt like screaming at her, of course it was her fault! (Or at least that's what he thought) But.. he just couldn't. She was a child. He can't blame her, he can't scream at a literal child. Even the thought of doing so.. kinda hurt him. God, he's going soft... and he hates every bit of it.

B: I needed to know what to expect..

Pause again.

M: Y'know.. I usually do this with Dipper, but you seem like you need it, so... Awkward "sibling" hug..?

She spread her arms to hug Bill. God.. he needed a hug, he needed a hug BAD. He didn't want to admit it. He shouldn't, he shouldn't go soft like this.. but against everything he knew... He quickly went and hugged her, he hugged her tight. He felt like crying a bit, he didn't. That's the last thing he wanted to do.

B: Thanks..

After a few more minutes, they both walked back to the Shack, just in time! Melody finished breakfast! Well, only Soos, Ford and Dipper remained at the table, still eating their food.

Bill saw Ford, Ford saw Bill. Their reactions COMPLETELY different from each other. Bill avoided eye contact as much as he could.. Ford looked worried.

S: Hey dude, you alright?

B: Uh.. yeah, yeah... just- didn't sleep that well, y'know...

He sat at the table, avoiding eye contact with everyone, Mabel sat next to Dipper, across Bill. He started eating. Bill looked and was tired. His eyes red, from the cigs, obviously, but they might be from crying to.. who knows. He let out small coughs while eating.

Ford didn't seem to continue eating his food anymore.. he couldn't. Seeing Bill like that.. he hated him, he made sure Bill knew he hated him, but.. it hurt seeing him so exhausted.. and it was worse while he knew what the reason was.

(Wow, 3 new parts in one day?!? At this point I'm just spoiling y'all.)