To the Nights in the Hold of Stone (BillDip)

Deal for the Devil's Heart(24)

Bill POV

Pacing when Ford was experimenting on Dipper was the only way I could keep my physical form from exploding. Dipper goes really quiet, getting lost somewhere else in his mind to escape. I found myself rambling to fill the air and to give him something else to think about. Sometimes I'd read to him books from different universes that just barely translate to English. But other times, like now, I'd recite passages from his favorite human books, stories I memorized because of him.

And now, with the world before me, whither should I bend my steps? I resolved to go far from the scene of my misfortunes;

I paced the throne room floor. In the last few days I've done laps of the whole fearamid or circles around my office but nothing worked quite like going back and forth in front of the open doors of the fearamid. Over looking Gravity Falls and the shimmer of that fucking force field.

It's 'fly'. It was hoarse with concentration and pain but it was still his voice and it still brought a smile to my face.

I'm sorry? I asked, pausing my recitation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.

'I resolved to fly far from the scene of my misfortunes; but to me, hated and despised, every country must be equally horrible.' is the actual quote. He finished the quote, broken and wilted but he got all the way through it. Dipper stopped trying to explain to me what Ford was doing on his end, instead when he did speak to me it would be slow and strained but I'd wait for him to get there. Doing my fucking best to not imagine what I couldn't see.

You're right, I'm sorry. Shall I continue?

Yes.

I smiled, feeling a little lighter on my feet, Ok. 'At length the thought of you crossed my mind.' I fell easily back into the story, tempted to close my eyes and picture it as I could feel him try to calm down. Recklessly I hoped my steady beating heart or timed breathing was helping.

I got through the two more chapters before Dipper let me know Ford left, and because I know it helps, I did another chapter.

Bill? Dipper interjected as I came to the end. He didn't wait for me to say anything, he knows I'm here, Something wrong, I didn't- I can't hear Wendy anymore. I'm really worried about her.

He did that alot, he worried about her when he should be worrying more about himself. I don't understand how he can think of anyone other than himself in this situation. Please don't worry about someone else right now.

Can you ask Ana? If- I mean maybe she knows something? Bill please.

His plea was the fastest way to break me. It did every time. The way his voice shook over the words, falling off at the end. Of course, I will. Because I would do anything for him.

Yeah, ok. He sounded relieved, Ok, um so my Grunkles have been fighting more. Like a lot more. I overheard them, I think yesterday, Stan is going back to the Shack today for something- I'm just not sure what that something is.

Wait. He's coming back into Gravity Falls? That old Fool! I laughed deep in my chest, with serious hope for the first time in the last few days.

I heard the door slam after Ford left me.

I'm going to meet him there! I was already halfway through the halls leading to Ana's rooms.

Don't leave me, Mabel should be here soon.

I would never, I'll be here the whole time. I didn't bother knocking on the door, Ana was laying on her back in the center of her bed, staring up at the ceiling. "Get up. We are going back to the shack."