Freedom To Another Cage [BILLFORD]

Chapter 20: Argument

Everyone was sitting at the table in his usual place, eating his lunch while talking.

Stan was sitting next to Ford, Dipper and Mabel were sitting together, also eating breakfast while joking and talking to each other, and Soos, Melody, and Wendy were also sitting together, also having breakfast and chatting amongst each other.

Bill sat there, listening to everyone else talk, albeit he wasn't actually paying attention.

As everyone continued to chat amongst themselves, Ford subtly glanced over at Bill and noticed how he was simply sitting there, quietly and seemingly not paying attention. He let out a silent sigh, his gaze lingering on him for a few more moments before speaking up, “You’re not having breakfast?”
"Not hungry. I think I had enough grapes to last me a hibernation." He would have- should have laughed. It would've fit. But he didn't.
When Bill didn’t laugh or follow up with a slightly jerky remark as Ford half-expected him to, a hint of confusion and concern washed over him. He tried to keep his tone in a slight, casual tone, despite the concern and worry. “..You feeling okay?”
He didn't answer immediately. Bill looked up from the table and at everyone else who was taking before looking over to Ford. "Yeah.. I'm fine."

Ford paused for a moment, taking the opportunity of Bill paying attention to him to speak again, his firm yet soft tone remaining as he did. “Could I… talk to you for a moment? In private…”
"... Yeah." He said before pushing back and floating up from the chair, going through the house up to their room.

Once Bill had levitated out of his seat and floated up the stairs to the bedroom, Ford took a moment to finish the rest of his lunch before getting up and following after him. Within a few moments, Ford reached the bedroom, slowly opening the door to the room and walking inside, silently closing the door behind him.

"Ford, I need them back." He started breaking down again, although there were not tears yet.

Ford let out a soft sigh as he watched Bill seemingly break down in front of him, as the words he began to speak made his heart ache. He slowly walked towards him in a quiet and careful manner, until he was in front of him before gently speaking up as he took hold of Bill’s hand. “..I know you do, Bill. I know. But you need to heal, first…”
"What? I-I'm fine, I healed myself-"

“I know, physically you’ve healed. But mentally, you’re still fragile and healing.” Ford said as he gently held one of Bill’s hands in his with one hand, while placing his other on Bill’s shoulder. His tone and expression still held the firm, yet gentle feel to them as he continued to speak, trying to help Bill understand. “...You’re still fragile, Bill. You haven’t fully recovered or healed like you think you have.”
"I..." Bill's breathing hitched a few times as he tried to talk. "I will, I just-" He moved his hands to Ford's sweater collar. "- need them back..! A-And we can make that happen!"
“Bill, it doesn’t work that way, and you know it.”
"I know how it works! I-I mean, they may be different, but-"
“Bill, stop. You know we can’t. Not in your current state.”
"What do you mean? I'm not mentally stable enough?! Seriously?!" Bill let go, backing up a bit.
“Bill…You’re not in a good mental state. You’re still fragile, and your mind is not healed yet. I can’t let you get too overwhelmed-”

"I want my child back, Stanford!"

As Ford heard Bill’s response- no, as he yelled at him, a pang of pain, frustration, and guilt washed over his heart. It was a statement that was full of pain and anger and desperation, and one that made his heart break inside. Despite it all, he tried to keep his resolve steady despite how painful it was. “Bill… I know you do, and I want your child back for you too. But you’re not in a good mental state to handle that right now, even you have to know that…!”
"I don't care!" He hissed. "I don't care if I'm 'not in the right state of mind'! I don't care if it 'kills me'! I. Don't. CARE!"

“Bill, I do care! A lot! I don’t want to risk anything happening to you when you’re already this fragile-”

"I'M NOT FRAGILE!"

“Yes, you are…! You are extremely fragile and vulnerable right now, and I can’t risk making you any more so. Especially in your current state-”

"LISTEN! WHY CAN'T ANYONE LISTEN?!" He then changed his mind. "No, you know what?! I'm DONE! I'm not talking to you right now!" Bill then shoved past, slamming the door shut behind him once he left.

-

Long story short, everyone found out and, thankfully, stopped their argument, agreeing to wait a week. Also, Mabel freaked out then cried then freaked out again ("SOMEONE WAS PREGNANT AND NOBODY TOLD ME?!")