Alternate Ending (BillDip)

- 8 -

     Mabel didn't react. She didn't blink, she didn't gasp, she didn't cry or yell or scream. She just stood there, confused.

  "I know you must think this is weird and wrong and--"

      "Family meeting," Mabel whispered, looking straight at Dipper. She pulled his hand and led him into the guest bedroom, shutting the rest of the world out. Bill was left alone with Dallas, who was thoroughly confused.

     Dipper and Mabel sat on the soft bed, and Mabel took his shaking hand. "You know...I truly want you to be happy, Dipper. Ever since you moved to this remote cabin in the woods, I wished you would find happiness in whatever form that takes. But him..."

      Dipper gripped her hand tighter. "The end of summer, the day before we went back home, I visited Bill. He was defenseless and weak. We didn't speak. I visited him each summer until he was released from prison. I didn't know this was going to happen. I hated him. But he is sorry for all he did. I understand that now. I... hoped you might understand too," Dipper tried to explain.

    "But... he tried to kill us! More than once. He tried to kill Ford and Stan, Soos and Pacifica...Wendy... He possessed you! He used Ford to unleash havoc on Gravity Falls! Doesn't that mean anything to you?" Mabel exclaimed, releasing Dipper's hand and covering her heart.

     Dipper looked at his sister. "I love him."

     Mabel looked back, eyes wide and mouth hanging open. "...You love him?"     

     "I love him. More than anything. I thought I would always be alone; who would want to be with someone that goes on dangerous missions, often for numerous days at a time? He does. He wants me," he stated. Dipper began tearing up, and he looked away to conceal his emotion.

     Mabel was speechless. How could this have happened? She wanted to blame it on herself. Maybe if they had been closer in high school, maybe if she hadn't gone so far away for college, maybe if she bothered to call once in a while this wouldn't have happened. However, it did happen, and now she had to make a decision. Could she truly be okay with the fact that her brother, the one thing in her life that made her feel endless joy, had fallen in love with a not-so-omnipotent demon?

     Mabel sighed heavily, taking Dipper's hand once more and looking at him. His eyes were glossy from tears, and his lips trembled. "I want you to be happy. If Bill makes you happy, then fine. I'll support it."

~

When the twins rejoined the two men standing in the hall, Bill and Dallas were speaking about Dallas' career, his education, his family... They got along very well, which surprised Mabel. Bill fled to Dipper's side trying to read his expression. He glanced at the demon clinging to his side, flashed a small smile, then looked to his sister.

     Mabel looked at Bill. The monstrosity that once threatened to kill her was reduced to a man who was only slightly taller than her and had no real supernatural powers. She found it almost funny; the playing ground was finally even.

     "Dipper, are you planning on feeding us while we're here?" Mabel finally asked with a grin.

     "Of course. Come on," Dipper replied, nudging at his boyfriend who was still clinging helplessly to him. "Are you going to help me or talk with my sister?"

     The two headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner while Mabel and her boyfriend sat on the couch, probably talking about Bill and what had happened in the past. His reactions were no comfort to Dipper, and although Dallas got along well with Bill, he feared that would change. He redirected his attention to Bill, who was scrubbing potatoes over the kitchen sink.

     He wrapped his arms around the demon from behind, resting his chin on Bill's tense shoulder. "Things are going much smoother than expected," Dipper breathed a sigh of relief.

     Bill's face turned pink, "Yes, they are."

     "I'll be honest: I expected Mabel to be okay with us. I just...I'm more concerned about Stan and Ford than anything else," Dipper explained, squeezing the demon's midsection.

     Bill smiled, "I'm sure ol' Sixer will be pleased to know that I'm having sexual relations with his nephew."

     Dipper chuckled, "You aren't truly going to tell them that, are you?"

     Bill didn't answer, which made Dipper worry. Dipper walked to the side of his demon and glared at him. "You can't tell people we're...together like that. You know that right?"

     Bill laughed loudly, "Of course I know that! I may be new to this human stuff, but I'm not an imbecile!" Bill leaned in and kissed his forehead. "Don't worry so much, okay?"

     Dipper hugged him. Things were finally going as planned.