Heartless, right?

Chapter Twenty Three

Bill sits in the window seat, watching Dipper talk to his sister. He looks so happy everytime they talk. This time he's worried, which is equally endearing.

"How much overtime has she been talking?" The boy asks.

"Too much. I've tried talking to her, but you know how she is. She's more stubborn than you, which is probably where you get it from." Mabel's voice responds.

"I just don't think you should leave her, I can come down-"

"It'll be easier for her to rest, and I talked to Alex, he said that he'll keep an eye on her."

Dipper lights up at the name, and Bill feels a slight tug in his chest. He frowns, what the hell is that about? The kid can be friends with whoever he wants, why should it bother him?

"Alex is back? Why didn't I hear about it?"

"It was gonna be a surprise, but he's gonna call you later so pretend I didn't say anything. And I'll see you tomorrow."

"Bye, and please, get mom in bed." He looks at his phone for a moment before staring at Bill.

The demon quickly acts uninterested, poking the wrinkles in his jeans.

"Is this gonna be a thing?" The boy asks.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Bill shrugs. "More importantly, are abrupt plan changes going to become a thing? Not that I'm complaining, Ford is unbearable alone."

The past week, Ford has found excuse after excuse to keep Dipper out of the fight. The biggest being "he's not ready." Well of course the bastard would think that, the kid is still a weak child to Ford. But he's strong, Bill can see that much, all he needs is the right motivation.

"Then don't be alone with him." Oh, if only it were that easy.

Instead, Bill asks, "How confident are you that you could take on a Phaeloxian?"

Dipper shrugs, "Depends."

Bill wants to reassure him, promise he won't be hurt. But, why? "On what?"

"Is it hand to hand or do they have weapons?"

Bill nods, it's a valid concern. "Most carry weapons."

"Then I'm mostly not confident."

Bill laughs and walk over to the boy, offering his hand. Dipper looks at him skeptical. "I'm not gonna take you into a fight without a weapon, Starboy."

The nickname surprises Dipper as much as Bill, but they both play it off as Dipper takes the demon's hand. The chaos god teleports them to the cabin. Thankfully, he thought ahead and cleaned the walls. It's actually starting to look like a livable space. If an empty building with nothing but weapons and a small bed counts as livable to humans.

Bill gestures toward the wall of weapons and Dipper drops his hand to examine each one. The absence of the boy's warmth once again pulls at Bill's heart.

●●●●●

Dipper doesn't realize he's still holding Bill's hand until he lets go to look at the weapons. He almost misses the warmth.

"Why 'Starboy'?"

Bill hesitates a moment, "Because the stars blessed you, and you have that birthmark." Dipper isn't convinced.

"And why haven't you been getting me to help you and Ford?" He rolls his eyes at the man's surpised expression. "I know you have been hunting, and honestly, I'd prefer you two weren't alone together, ever."

"Trust me, I have no plans on killing anything other than Phaeloxians."

"Actually, I'm worried about Ford trying to kill you." Dipper says, strapping a sheathed dagger around his waist. "The last thing I need is for you two to get into it."

"Well, until I can prove to your uncle that you're ready, then I'm afraid nothing either of us say will do anything. That one suites you."

Dipper stops spinning the sword in his hand. It does feel natural, not too heavy, the perfect length, almost as if it had been made for him.

"Contrary to popular belief, I'm more than capable of taking care of myself."

Bill laughs, "Trust me kid, I know. Stanford on the other hand-"

Dipper turns to ask what's wrong, but the person in the doorway answers that. A tall man, a Phaeloxian, glares at the two of them, his skin gray and sickly, two horns protruding his temples, and  long blood stained fangs. But those features are almost dimmed, like a thin mist is covering him. Bill moves in front of Dipper, quietly snapping his finger.

"That won't work, Cipher. Void is already in the boy's room." The Phaeloxian grins. "You and I have history, stop protecting that murderer and we will consider a fair trial. For old times sake."

"That is an extremely tempting offer, but Chasm's was better. Unless you can top hers I'd suggest you leave."

Dipper grips the sword, trying to figure out what's going on. Bill must have covered him with an invisibility spell, he steps to the side, testing it.

"Chasm was never on your side, we sent her because you were-"

"Close to her? Exactly, how do you think I found out you pieces of shit were after the kid?"

By now Dipper should be in both of their lines of sight, but neither react. He continues to ease toward the door.

"But why kill her? Why kill any of us? Wasn't the whole point of returning to this infernal world killing him?"

"I killed her because she tried to get in my way." Bill fumes, eyes glowing red. "I'm killing all of you because you are all getting in my way. Where I choose to go and what I choose to do is none of your business. So I'm going to give you one last opportunity, take your little boyfriend and get the hell out of here."

Looks like that won't be a problem, Dipper dodges the door just as another strangely faded Phaeloxian runs in.

"He's not there, Rift."

Bill smirks at the Phaeloxians before him, "Unfortunately for you two, my patience and spell has completely worn off. But I'm sure you'll find each other in the afterlife."

The demons turn to see Dipper and he nervously waves as their necks snap towards eachother. He stares at the bodies, watching the mist lift.

"Were they trying to use some sort of disguise spell?"

Bill looks at him in surprise, "Trying?"

"Something was over them, like they were trying to hide that they're demons."

"Of course," Bill grins at Dipper. "Magic originates from the stars, makes sense you'd be able to see through it so easily."

He snaps his fingers, both of them return to Dipper's room. Dipper watches in confusion as Bill studies him, a smile on his face. A book materializes in the demon's hand and he give it to Dipper.

"A spellbook?" Dipper asks, flipping through the pages.

"You've got the stars on your side, kid. Take that to your advantage." Bill says before disappearing.