What Is This Feeling? ~ BillDip

Everything's Gonna Be Alright

Bill's POV

A soft rainfall tapped on the windows of Dipper's car, but there was no other sound. Ever since I spoke Stan's name, Dipper has been quite reserved. It was, however, very peaceful, listening to the sounds of the rain and the other cars.

But finally, a trembling voice shattered the silence. "I just wanted to warn you...Stan's been on life-support for this whole week ever since the incident and is asleep most of the time. And even if he's awake, it's mostly just nods and smiles. He registers what we say, but can't do much more than that."

And again, there was silence.

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We pulled up to the large and shimmering building. The rain had quickened its downpour to the point of seeming more sad than beautiful. When we got inside, tiny droplets fell in front of my face, and I couldn't help but smile.

My focus wandered around the room to see that everything was white. Clean, sparkling white. All the people were dressed in white, all the walls, and floors gleaming. It was a whole different world. The air was different, too. It was fresh and clean, but it had a sort of sting to it when it hit your tongue. Like a prick of a needle, sent to warn you of something to come. A clear and flat voice interrupted my thoughts, "What can I help you with?"

"Yes, we're here to visit Stanley Pines. I'm his great-nephew." Dipper turned a lazy finger in my direction, "He's with me."

"Alright. Good timing, I believe he just finished dinner and meds. Visiting hours end at 8, so you have an hour. No getting on the bed, no sudden movements, no loud noises, and if he starts to fall asleep, don't try to keep him awake. If any of you need anything, there's a large red button on the bed remote that calls his nurse. His room is on floor-"

"Yes, I know, I've visited him before. Thank you." Dipper grabbed my hand, and we made our way to Stan's room. So many people passed through those halls, either in the same white clothes, or black ones. Those in black were all so sad, so I gave them a smile, hoping to cheer them up even a little. It worked with one, but not for long.

Anyway, we finally made it to Stan's room. I was surprised to see him talking with a nurse. When Dipper and I walked in, the two of them stopped. "Hello, Dipper. Who's this?" Stan asked.

"You don't remember him?"

"Nope. Should I?"

"His symptoms have been getting worse. I'm just as surprised as you that he's awake." The nurse interrupted them. "We were just talking about that. There are some things that I would like to discuss with you, Dipper. You can stay and reintroduce yourself, I suppose. Be warned, his memory is not the best." She and Dipper left, leaving me with Stan. We stared around the room in the thick silence, the only sound the beep assuring Stan's life.

"So, what's your name, son?" His words took me by surprise.

"Bill Cipher. I... We were close a few years back. I left for a while and I'm back thanks to you. I wanted to come and thank you." I left it at that, not wanting to remind him of the terrible truth.

"Oh, you're too kind! I'm sure it was nothing, whatever it was. Remembering as much as I do, I don't think I'm all that exciting. But, please, take a seat. Let's get to know each other a little better, better, better." He smiled casually and motioned towards a seat in the corner.

I sat down quietly, not knowing whether or not that was normal.

"Well, I'll tell you all that I remember. It's not much, so it won't take long. I remember my twin brother, Ford. How close we were, our dream to travel. Then... Some blank spots, until I was much older and living with my brother and Dipper and Mabel peacefully. Some other things happened, and I was out at sea with Ford. It was storming, storming, storming. And...That's all I know." He struggled with that last part, wincing in pain. You could almost see the aching in his head, trying to remember. He brushed it off, however, and said that it was my turn.

"Well, I have a similar story. I don't remember anything before a certain point. Just fire, really. But when I woke up, I was with Dipper, Mabel, and Ford. And you. You were the first one I saw when I woke up. You were so kind and caring. You taught me how to smile again. But recently, I've been told I used to be some sort of monster. That I killed, and tormented, and hated. I can't forgive myself. I hate it. I can't accept it. I wish there was something I could do. I-"

He cut me off before I could get too lost in my thoughts. "Whoa there, buddy. Slow down. Everything's gonna be all right." A teardrop fell on my lap, and I realized I was crying. "Let me tell you something. I can't remember most of my life, just because of something that happened. But Ford has been telling me about my life in hopes that I remember. He tells me about times where I would punch and hurt people that I didn't get along with. That I would lie my way out of any situation. That doesn't exactly sound like a saint to me, but I'm okay with that. Because what I remember, I remember for a reason. All I know are the good parts of my life. Maybe this is the universe trying to help me change and become better. Out of sight, out of mind. And the same goes for you, too. You don't remember anything except us. Whatever diety is up there, they're trying to help you down a better path. Sure, I have a bit of a potty mouth with the nurse. Sure, I have a knack for lying. But I'm trying to be better, and that's all that matters, matters, matters."

I paused for a moment and stared at him in awe. Stan was truly an amazing man. "Thank you..." I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around him, not wanting to ever let go, but Dipper and the nurse walked in shortly after.

"I'm sorry for taking up your time. Press the call button if you need anything." The nurse walked off and left the three of us alone.

"Hey, Grunkle Stan. How are you?" Dipper asked solemnly.

"I'm great! Feeling better than I have been. Got a bit of a kick now, I just wish the nurse would let me walk around a bit, bit, bit."

"And that's exactly why you shouldn't." He snapped back.

"What?"

"You're repeating words. You've forgotten most of your life. Hell, you won't even respond to your own nurse by name because you can no longer make new memories! Your symptoms are getting worse. Just because you feel better doesn't mean you are. I'm worried about you. With your severe head trauma, every night means a higher chance of you dying in your sleep from internal bleeding. Please, lie back down."

"Take a deep breath, Dipper. Calm down. I am safe, I'm not going to die. The doctors are taking good care of me. I trust them, and so should you. Take a seat next to Bill." Dipper seemed to ease up, but not by much. When he sat down next to me, I grabbed his hand and rested my head on his shoulder.

"I just...I care for you too much to let you die. I want-I need you to come home, Stan. I don't think I could go on for very long without you."

"Oh, stop it. You have Ford and Mabel, and now Bill. You've got plenty of people to help you through this. Everything's going to be just fine. I-"

"Visiting hours will be over in 5 minutes."

"You should go, Dipper. It's getting late. Go home and put on a fun movie. Smile and laugh for me. If I die, I wouldn't want tears at my funeral. Tell everyone I love and miss them." Stan gave a big smile and finally lied back down.

I stood up and offered my hand, but Dipper shrugged it off and walked out with his head down. When we got to the car, the rain had started to storm. It seemed as though the sky was crying just as much as my heart was.

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The next morning, we received a phone call. Stan Pines was dead.

(Hey, comment down below what you want to see next! I ran out of ideas all of the sudden...)