Chained (Billdip)

A Change Of Plans

Dipper awoke far too soon for his liking. Not at all would have been much more preferable.

He sighed softly, slinging an arm over his eyes to block out the early morning rays of Gravity Falls. It was far to early for this. For anything, for that matter.

However, as much as Dipper would love to spend his day in the woods, he knew that sooner or later he would have to go back home and face Max. And although later sounded much more tempting, he might as well get it out of the way. At least than he has a 40/60 chance of having a good, less rage inducing day.

Who was he kidding this was going to be a nightmare.

Dipper rose to his feet, brushing the leaves from his hair and clothes before grudgingly trudging back to his shared home. Disappointment settled in his chest like a rock at the prospect of returning.

The door opened with a creak, and just as Dipper predicted, there was a very upset and regretful Max sitting with his head in his hands, right on the couch where he expected him to be. Same posture and everything.

Max looked up as the door closed with a soft clack, a look that settled somewhere between regret and happiness nestled in his eyes. Dipper couldn't help but smile softly as Max gave him a grin.

Damn why did he have to be such an asshole?

Max ran up to Dipper, pulling him into his arms and whispering a thousand apologies in his ear. By now, Dipper had heard them all. But he was exhausted, so he uttered an "I forgive you," and made his way to the fridge.

After crying himself to sleep again he was quite exhausted, and his throat felt parched.

Dipper settled on a bottle of water and turned down the hall to their shared bedroom. Another thing Max had insisted on.

The ringing of a telephone echoed through the house, grabbing Dipper's attention. It was rare they ever got phone calls nowadays, with Gruncle Stan and Ford running the shack, Mable off doing who knows what every day. It was... Kinda nice to hear the phone ring again.

Only Max beat him to it first.

Dipper made his way back to the kitchen, stopping when Max gave him a hardened look. Don't say anything. Dipper nodded, biting back a sigh. Must be Gruncle Stan.

Dipper took the phone as it was offered to him, holding it up to his ear and uttering a small "Hello?".

"Hey, Dipper?"

Dipper was surprised by hearing Great Uncle Ford's voice.

"Yea, it's me. Is something wrong Great Uncle Ford?"

A sigh could be heard over the phone. "Uh, kinda? Bill... He," A pause. "He's back, and he's asking for you. I don't know why, or why I'm even agreeing to the whole thing but we'd like you to come and visit. Besides, it's been a while and we all miss you."

Dipper noticed Max staring at him intently, and faked debating on the option. In reality this was the best offer he'd heard in a long time, and he had to fight to keep his voice level.

"Yea, that sounds great, Uncle Ford. I'll see you soon."

Ford sighed in relief. "Great, see ya soon kid."

After saying goodbye, Dipper hung up the phone and made his way back towards his bedroom, eager to start packing.

A shoulder on his hand stopped him. "So, what's going on Dip?"

Max had always insisted on calling him that, he wasn't sure why. "An old friend came to visit, so Gruncle Stan and Ford want me to visit.

Max seemed displeased. "Old friend?"

Dipper bit back a sigh. "Yea, known him since I was a kid."

"I'm coming with you."

Dipper almost sputtered. "You're- wait, why?"

Max growled, and Dipper felt fear pulse through his veins once again. "Because I fuckin said so. Go get your shit together and I'll drive us there."

Dipper nodded, and recieved a warm smile and kiss on the cheek in return. It took everything in him not to flinch away from Max's sign of affection. Dipper plastered on another smile, quickly making his way to his room and beginning to stuff some clothes and necessary items into a backpack.

Dipper paused, his eyes making there way towards his desk. He really shouldn't, he hadn't done it in a few days but... Dipper shuffled through his desk drawer, bringing out a small plastic case that held one of Dipper's razors. Max thought it was medication for Anxiety.

Dipper had that too, but he didn't need it anymore... At least not recently.

Dipper swiftly finished packing and slung his bag over his shoulders, waiting for Max outside.

☆★☆★☆

The drive home was pleasantly silent, which surprised Dipper. He trained his attention on the passing trees, smiling as he recognized a few landmarks from his childhood. One being a tree that Mable had insisted on "glitter-fi-ing" as she had put it.

As the car pulled into the rural and gravelly driveway of the shack, Dipper opened the car door, slinging his backpack onto his shoulders. He didn't make it three feet from the car when Max snatched up his hand, intertwining their fingers tightly. It may seem like a nice gesture, but there was an underlaying message; Mine.

Dipper kept himself from flinching, stepping up to the door and bringing his hand down on the old wood a few times, signalling his presence.

The door was swung open almost immediatly, a very happy Gruncle Stan meeting his eyes. "Hey kiddo! How've ya been? It's been a while, we've missed you!" Gruncle Stan pulled Dipper into a tight hug, and he couldn't help the very real smile that crossed his face, or the chuckle that escaped his lips as he hugged Stan back.

It had be so long. Too long.

Dipper pointedly ignored Max's now grouchy demeanor, smirking to himself as Gruncle Stan gave him a once over, and a smile that looked all to forced.

Dipper was going to be questioned, wasn't he? Max was going to hurt him later, wasn't he? Dipper already knew the answer.

Dipper felt another smile light up his face as Great Uncle Ford walked into the door, returning a gesture. They settled for a good handshake.

Now, a serious look rested on Ford's face, and Dipper gave him a look. Why was Bill back?

"He's right in here, Dipper. He seems impatient to see you again, though I must say... He is different."

Dipper felt confused. Different? Different how? How could a demon dorito possible be- oh... That's how.

"Pinetree! Long time no see, huh?" Bill certainly was different. As in, "suddenly a human and no longer an illuminati triangle" different. Dipper had to admit, Bill had style.

His hair was long on the top, blonde with frosted tips, and a shorter, darker brown almost black on the underside. His hair hung over his right eye, and he wore a baggy yellow sweater with a - big shocker - thin black triangle outline, illuminati eye and all, right in the center of his chest. He wore a long pair of black skinny jeans and hovered just slightly above the ground.

Dipper jumped as he felt someone grab his hand and intertwine their fingers. Max.

A look flashed briefly across Bill's face, his smile faltering for a moment, but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared.

Dipper has a feeling this is going to be a long conversation.