Wolves

03

Wanted to update again to compensate. Sorry it's kinda short.

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The little town was full of demons hustling about. Being away from the safety walls of the castle reminded (Y/N) she really was in the Nightmare Realm. It shouldn't have been so easy to forget, considering the last time she saw the people, they were cheering on a public execution.

The amount of chaos that unfolded in the streets made (Y/N) wonder if there were any laws besides respecting the royalty. Demons could be in the middle of a fight or trying to steal something from a vendor but see (Y/N) and immediately stop to bow. Those who saw Bill first would either say a cheerful hello or glare daggers at him.

No matter what his greeting, Bill paid no attention. He kept his eyes ahead, smiling from the anticipation of seeing his friends.

(Y/N) gripped onto his hand tightly as he pulled her through the crowd. She was too scared she might lose him if she let go. He made his way through the rowdy company like he was used to it—no, like he missed it.  It was as if being in the midst of all the commotion brought him alive. (Y/N) almost felt guilty for keeping him from his home so long.

"They're sure gonna get a kick outta this!"

"I bet," (Y/N) responded numbly, eyeing a rectangle with four legs tip his hat at her.

"Don't be so nervous! You'll love them!"

(Y/N) doubted that was the case. The last time she'd seen the henchmaniacs, they helped in taking her hostage. Then, all of her friends beat them into the next realm. They doubted they would be on good terms.

"That's the past!" Bill said. "I'd only be worried about Keyhole. Man can he hold a grudge!"

"Not helping," (Y/N) said. "And quit reading my mind."

They arrived at an old grungy shack just seconds later. (Y/N) could hear all the commotion from outside the building. She felt her stomach do flips when she thought of what awaited her inside. She knew as soon as she saw them, she would be reminded of the most unpleasant memories she'd tried to suppress.

"Hey, what're you so scared for?"

"I told you, stop reading my mind."

"I'm not!" He lifted up his hand she was gripping onto. "You're holding so tight your knuckles turned colors. And your hand is all sweaty. It's gross,"

(Y/N) couldn't find it in her to explain. She knew Bill had to do the same thing when facing her friends. But now, she was the bad guy. She had no clue what she was going to walk into. From what she saw from the other citizens of the town, she didn't expect it would be pleasant.

"You really think I'd let something happen to you?" He smiled like he was amused. "Have a little faith!."

Just that once she would let it pass that he invaded her thoughts. "This is scary."

"Sure is, that's the fun!" He opened up the door and walked inside like he owned the place. The way the mood shifted, he could've convinced (Y/N) he did.

Everyone stopped their conversation and turned to him. They were waiting for him to say something, not taking any notice of (Y/N) standing close behind him, holding his arm tightly.

Bill took one look around the place, his smile growing almost frighteningly large. "Oh, It is good to be back!"

The demons cheered at the proclamation, raising up glasses of a thick red liquid. For a moment (Y/N) thought it was blood, but before she could get a good look, she felt the arm she was latched onto disappear.

She panicked and looked around, only to see Bill's triangular form in front of her. He just conjured up his signature top hat and cane before magicking up a bow tie. (Y/N) wished he hadn't changed so she'd still have someone to hid behind, but she was all on her own. She felt her pulse quicken.

"I brought a visitor!" He moved beside her and (Y/N) couldn't even glare at him. All the eyes in the room were trained on her.

A few of them bowed respectfully, but a great majority remained unmoving. Even they didn't care enough for the law to bow.

"What'd you bring her here for?"  (Y/N) recognized the demon who spoke as one who helped bring her in. He looked annoyed at her very presence.

"Yeah, she's why we're back here, anyway!" Protested the pink demon. (Y/N) remembered her name was Pyronica. "All we wanted was to get outta here now look at us. All 'cause of the little Princess that could."

Amidst all the laughter from the tavern occupants, (Y/N) felt herself cursing Elemynn for forcing her to leave. (Y/N)'d never felt more out of place or unwelcome in her life.

She almost apologized, but she wasn't sorry at all. Just because they didn't like their home didn't mean they could destroy hers.

"Hey, I live in her realm, and trust me, it's much better here! She did you guys a favor."

"Why do you stay if it's so bad?"

"It's Bill Cipher you're talking to." Said Hectorgon. "He's planning something. Gotta be!"

"No," Answered Bill, jabbing a finger in (Y/N)'s direction. "I stay 'cause of her."

"She trapped you?" Exclaimed Pyronica.

Bill laughed at the very idea. "No! I like her, and she likes it there. It's easy!"

A demon that resembled a walking pair of dentures bared his teeth in what (Y/N) thought was supposed to be a smile. "You're in love, then!" He said excitedly.

"Sure!" Bill decided.

A chorus of "aww"s came from the demons, taking (Y/N) by surprise.

"He's gone soft," Muttered Keyhole.

Pyronica pushed him. "Don't be so boring!"

"So be nice to her or I will rip you to pieces!" He sounded so cheerful, but his threat greatly contrasted.

(Y/N) wanted to tell him to take it back, "Oh, no, that's—" but before she could, Hectorgon raised his glass full of the suspicious liquid and said:

"To Princess (Y/N)!"

"To Princess (Y/N)!" The pub echoes his refrain before cheering loudly.

"What'd I say?" Bill said, coming close to her. "Everything's fine!"

She allowed herself to smile, feeling relieved as conversations began to pick back up. "Yeah, you were right."

"I got your back, kid." (Y/N) could visualize his smile with just the sound of his voice. "Trust me,"