Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Dying the second time hurt even more, somehow. You wouldn’t think being punched would hurt more than being burnt to death while bleeding out after your arms were ripped from your body, both by the exact same person, your twin brother…

He wasn’t in the best mindset when he came face to face with the Axolotl once again. “Are you kidding me? That’s- that’s it!? I got a second chance at life and that’s how it ends, are you actually kidding me right now!?”

They let him speak, or yell, for as long as he needed to. “My own brother tried to kill me before he killed everyone on our home dimension, including our parents, now he’s actually killed me. You only saved me that first time so I could take part in this trial for him, right? You must have known he’d kill me again! I’ve lost everything, my arms, my family, my home, it’s not fair! I don’t want to be like this! I don’t want to be a villain, I never wanted anything more than to just live, be alive! I never even got that because I was mistaken for Bill Cipher or even brought in to replace him in his trial that he didn’t even deserve!”

It was times like these that he wished he still had those arms. “But no…no one cares about me, do they? All I’m good for is to be hurt and used, is that why you saved my life? To just come back and let me get hurt later?”

“…that was not my intention, but I apologise for what happened,” they spoke at last. “Please, allow me to make it up to you; I can give you a trial of your own, if you wish.”

“No offence, but the only way you’d make it up to me would be letting me back down there and finishing that little rat off once and for all! I would kill my brother on sight, don’t you understand? Are these trials actually supposed to help? He destroyed everything, killed who knows how many and not just in our dimension and he gets rewarded with a brand new family? That’s not fair!”

“I know, and I’m afraid nothing is fair, Steve, but my offer will be open to you whenever you would like it. In the meantime…I have something else to offer you, but if you wish for an alternative, I will allow it.”

“…is the alternative death? Real death? I don’t want that, not as long as my brother is still alive. I’m not in a position to do a trial like his, but I’m not about to die and let him off so easily either. I’d rather be put in therapy than anything else right now, to be honest.”

Well, he couldn’t do much worse than his brother, right? And letting him free wasn’t an option, while letting him die wasn’t something that they wanted to do. “Very well, then. If that is what you would like, I can make it happen.”

…

Steve didn’t expect to actually be put there, because why would he? Surely they’d just expect him to be just like Bill, that was all he could be, right? Nothing except a nearly identical copy of his troublesome, evil brother.

Couldn’t say he didn’t have the evil part down, at the very least. But the Theraprism staff were alright, even if the treatments weren’t, honestly just as bad as Bill made out in his book, even briefly.

Was it bad that he didn’t even want to be angry anymore? What had that got him in this last trial other than getting killed again? He’d just get himself in even more trouble if he went back out there so soon. He knew it, and the Axolotl must have known it too, somehow.

Stupid freaking salamander…giving Bill Cipher of all people (or demons) a redemption trial was the craziest, most reckless thing he’d ever seen them do. It was bad enough his brother hadn’t even been punished for killing him, never mind their entire dimension and their parents. What about everyone else he’d managed to get his hands on and either drive crazy or kill too?

No! Apparently terrible, evil behaviour is just fine as long as you redeem yourself through killing your brother a second time! Then trying to offer him a trial…for what? Redemption that he wouldn’t even need if not for Bill pushing him like that? Having the nerve to act like he deserved to be happy and move on?

Yeah, Steve was very much not in a good mindset when the Axolotl saved him again, as you can see. At least he was more open in therapy and could see the benefits of it, all while completely hating it but he made the effort! He wanted to take the trial, just without the possibility of immediately lashing out and risking losing before it had even started.

It was better to get that under control if he wanted to get out of here. Being human again would be fun if that was what the Axolotl had planned for him; he loved having arms again, never mind an extra eye! The two possessions he managed to have didn’t last long, one literally driving him out with sugar and the other being too useless and idiotic to really stick with.

Buying his time would make his own trial much more beneficial if he could have the patience to be around his brother for that long. And when the time finally came, the Axolotl visited him again to make the offer again.

“It has come to my understanding that you now feel more ready,” they said. “But I should tell you that your trial will be slightly different than Cipher’s; you must repair your damaged relationship if you wish to pass this trial.”

And oh, did he not like that. “Should’ve told me that at the start…”

“Steve, I know you miss him, deep down. And he misses you too, even if he will not admit it. I only wish to make up for hurting you but if you would rather remain in the Theraprism, that is also an option.”

It was a crappy option either way, but was facing Bill again going to be better than staying here?

Well, he was going to find out. “I’ll take the trial, please.”

“Alright. The rules are mostly the same, but I will allow you to state the reason you are human, just do not harm any of the Pines or your brother, or anyone else. In the end, Bill and I will decide if you have changed. Do you understand?”

That felt slightly unfair, but whatever. “I do.”

“Good. I wish you the best of luck, and I will see you at the end of summer.”

Chapter Text

Bill could honestly say that his life was pretty good now. Following a visit from the Stan Twins in the winter, he and Ford made it official at long last right before the Mystery Twins gave them all a surprise two week visit too.

The Mystery Shack was doing good, thriving under its new management. Soos and Melody were a good pair in a lot of ways, good friends of his now at this point; came in handy when he needed to dye his hair, you know? But he was glad he didn’t have to live alone with his roommate of thirty years having finally stepped foot out of Gravity Falls along with his brother, also known as Bill’s…

What could he call Ford, actually? Too old to be boyfriends but not ready for husband (yet), and partners sounded too close to the old, much more toxic relationship they had. That was something he’d have to figure out in the future, but for now?

For now, he was in a loving relationship with the man and that was enough. Plus it was summer once again, so the two of them were reunited for the next few months until he and Stan would set off again, staying in the new and approved Mystery Shack along with the younger set of twins when they’d be back too.

Bill had came up with the idea of expanding the house with another couple rooms to first of all still fit all the Pines comfortably and second, so Soos’ grandmother would have a room ready for whenever she wanted to move in, or even just stay a few nights. Wendy helped out when she could, even giving a hand in building it and made sure it would stay standing.

You get the picture, right? Everything was going great, he was happy, excited for what this summer would hold and had absolutely no idea what was coming, just like last year! His peace was about to be shattered and he had no idea, none of them did.

…

It was a couple days before Mabel and Dipper were due back in Gravity Falls, the day starting like any other. Bill was the last one up most days, sometimes up before Stan but never before Ford, finding him in the kitchen with coffee ready and waiting.

“What’s on the agenda for today?” he’ll ask, sitting at the table, knowing the man will have either some kind of expedition or research to do with the previous journals and his new ones there too.

“I’m not sure yet…there are quite a few things I would like to do, but why don’t you decide?”

“Aw, Fordsy, is this your way of inviting me along? Could just say so if you wanna spend time together, you know~”

Yeah, as if they don’t both sleep in the same bed every night Ford’s home, which he has been for a week now. As if they’d hardly seen each other at all, which couldn’t be further from the truth.

To his credit, Stanford indulged these dramatics every time. “Bill, I would love nothing more than to venture out into the woods with you by my side, if you would be so kind as to join me, please.”

“Can you two get a room? Or go back to your own?” Stanley groaned as he entered, going right for the coffee pot.

“Jealous? You know you had thirty years to claim me for yourself and never made a move!” Bill couldn’t help grinning. “No offence, though, you’d have to really make an effort to win me over.”

“Oh yeah? All Poindexter had to do was talk math for you to like him, right? Doesn’t sound like much of an effort was made there, I think you were doing most of the work.”

“Wow…you wound me, you smartass. Next time you’re both out at sea, I hope you get thrown overboard. Sixer, promise you’ll make it happen.”

“Yes, dear,” the man grinned behind his journal, pen scribbling away.

So this was what it felt like to be truly happy, huh? To be surrounded by people who actually cared and loved you? Bill never thought he’d get that again, especially not from this particular family, but had it now and he’d never let anything bad happen to them…again.

A knock at the front door.

“Hey, can one of you dudes get that?” Soos called from upstairs, getting ready for the Shack to open.

“Not it,” Stan immediately responded.

Ford pretended he hadn’t heard a thing, not moving from behind his journal.

“Ugh…I guess I’ll get it, shall I?” Bill groaned, pushing himself up. “I hope that’s Abuelita, and she can help me lecture you both on being useless around here, I have to do everything my damn self.”

Pure lies because he didn’t even have to make his own coffee, but at the same time, he couldn’t finish it in peace. It better actually be Question Mark’s grandmother behind that door or he was gonna be pissed that his morning routine was disturbed for nothing.

But when he did throw the door open, he instead got the shock of his life at who was standing there.

“Hey, brother! Long time, no see!”

Maybe it was the voice (of course it was), the blue eyes, the hat and tie, maybe the whole combination that tipped him off in just a couple seconds, but he recognised this…

This HUMAN as his brother pretty fast, and his shock turned to anger even faster. Before another word could get out, Bill’s fist was flying into Steve’s jaw.

And that would only be the start.

Chapter Text

When he accepted the offer at last, he thought he was prepared for it. The change of form, having his very own human body, a vessel he couldn’t escape, being stripped of his powers.

He’d watched Bill do it, after all, and he almost made it look easy. You know, if you ignore him having to learn to eat normally, trying not to bite Stanley’s head off and adjusting to a body that aged, physically and mentally.

Plus he’d possessed humans before, remember? He had experience with an extra eye and a couple extra limbs, it wouldn’t be so different than that, would it?

Yes, yes it would be, actually. Borrowing a human body turned out to be a very different experience than having his own, almost falling right on his face the second he woke up and tried to stand. At least he’d been able to keep his outfit, his good old hat and tie, along with a suit to go with them.

His hat was sitting on top of blond curls that went down to his shoulders, his body a lot older than he wished it was but still strong and able to move, so good enough, you know?

Now, he just had to make it to the Mystery Shack and…and he didn’t know where to go from there, if he was honest. How much would Bill let him say?

And it turned out to be barely anything from the way he punched him right in the jaw, sending him flying back and landing in the grass where his brother proceeded to basically jump on him and keep those fists flying.

“What the FUCK are you doing here!?” Bill yelled. He hadn’t changed much in Steve’s opinion, maybe angrier but from what he’d seen in that split second, the grey hair was coming through again and right before he realised his brother was at the door…

He looked happy, at peace, and Steve didn’t know how to feel about that, but there wasn’t time to think when he had to stop fists flying at his face, you know?

“I’m on a trial, now get off me! And watch your language, aren’t there kids here!?”

Bill’s fists were caught in his brother’s hands, so he yelled his response into his face. “Not for another two days, you fucking lying sack of SHIT! How are you here!?”

“I told you! The Axolotl gave me a second chance like they gave you! How do you think I’m a human right now, you idiot!?”

“Alright, alright! Break it up, come on!” Stan sighed as he and Ford approached, able to pull the two apart easily. “You got ‘im, Bill, now quit it!”

Those two didn’t look too different from what Steve could see, definitely happier than last year and that broken bond was slowly being fixed, cracks being sealed, very much the opposite of the two having to be pulled apart.

Yeah, he was seriously regretting taking this trial right about now. Even while being held back, Bill was trying to get another hit in, probably determined to beat him to death based on that crazed look in his eyes.

Let him try, honestly. If Steve could get free he knew he’d be doing the same, just saying ‘screw it’ to this so-called redemption opportunity for the chance to make this asshole feel even a fraction of the pain he’d inflicted on him, on everyone, even on this whole family.

But Stanford had too good of a grip on him to break out of, leaving him wriggling like a cat as Bill did the same with similar lack of luck getting away, the anger gradually fading like it always did before it would rear its head again soon enough but for now, his energy was spent and he gave up, gave in.

“Done?” Stanley asked, as if the answer wasn’t obvious.

“Fuck you,” Bill muttered in response.

“That’s Ford’s job, smartass.”

“Stanley!” the man cried out, wrestling Steve’s arms behind his back with one hand and using the other to punch his laughing brother in the shoulder. “Just…pass me the rope, will you?”

“Ooh, kinky!”

“Bill! That’s enough, both of you!”

Yeah, this was honestly worse than the Theraprism. If he managed to get free, he wouldn’t even be looking for revenge anymore, he’d be aiming for the lake to jump in and get swallowed by the REAL Gobblewonker.

“Aw, don’t be embarrassed, Fordsy,” came a very pleased voice from behind him, two pairs of hands tying his together. “Look…we can talk about it later, okay? You can’t tell me all that knot tying out at sea hasn’t left you a little curious on how well they’d work on a person, huh?”

Kill him now. This was shaping up to be the worst day of his life, the trial had barely even started and he wanted it to be over, he wanted to get the hell out of here.

With an eye roll and a groan, Stanley reached back and yanked him forwards in the direction of the Shack. “Start moving, demon, before they keep talkin’.”

At least he wasn’t the only one sick of it. If he didn’t think trying to make a deal would result in another punch to his jaw, he would have absolutely tried, these were desperate times.

In the space of what, an hour? And he’d had to get used to a human body of his own, having an extra eye and four limbs again, never mind seeing Bill for the first time in a year that actually felt like a thousand (or a million, like last time).

He might have to explain himself again, to them and to whoever might be waiting at the house unless they plan to just shove him in a closet for the next two months, and he might take that over having to face his brother.

This whole thing was very confusing but what he knew for sure? Somewhere far away, the Axolotl was watching this and laughing.

Chapter Text

Despite all his tough talk in his head, once brought inside and down to the basement and tied to a chair, being stared down by his twin brother and his brother’s boyfriend and said boyfriend’s twin brother, Steve didn’t say a whole lot other than the truth.

A mix of muscle, fists and guns were enough to shut his smart mouth up for now and actually state, many more times, that he was here on a fucking trial just like Bill had been. And if they didn’t believe him, then why hadn’t he just used his powers already?

“Bluffing,” his brother had guessed, “so we believe you and let you go just for you to stab us in the back, literally.”

“Where would I get a knife?” came his response along with an eye roll. “I don’t know what else you want me to say…I’m sorry? Or do you want something a bit more honest?”

A great start, wouldn’t you say? Stanford seemed to be thinking that too as he pulled Bill aside, a quick and hushed discussion before the man stepped forward.

“Steve, why exactly would the Axolotl send you here? Is it to gain our forgiveness?” he asked.

“Well, close enough. Forgiveness from…from Bill, that’s why I’m here.”

The burst of laughter felt unnecessary. “WHAT!? Really!? Yeah, good luck with that ‘cause in case you don’t remember, I hate you, and you hate me, remember? I’ve killed you twice now and you just keep coming back, it’s…it fucking sucks, actually. And I can swear only because you’re here right before the kids are, so fuck you.”

So, not the best start, as if any of this had been going well before now. Then the main residents of the Shack came downstairs to see what was going on, but at least they took it better than the others.

“Dudes, it’s just like last summer!” Soos had pointed out.

“Yeah, history always repeats itself,” Bill muttered. “But does that mean we really have to keep him here? I think Axy will get it if we bring him out to the lake and-”

“No,” Melody stepped in, “it’s only fair he gets to stay too, just like you did. And you don’t know if your actions won’t still have consequences, they definitely will with me.”

Ford nodded in agreement, the traitor. “If this is indeed history repeating itself, it wouldn’t hurt to run the same tests on Steve that I did on Bill, just for reassurance purposes of course. With Dipper and Mabel due back soon, I would rather know for certain that this will not be a concern.”

Obviously nearly everyone agreed, to Steve’s relief but Bill’s annoyance. Not even his life partner agreed with him about this, having told him to “calm down” and “not jump to conclusions” like what!? Take a good long look in the mirror there, Sixer!

This was stressing him out and it had barely even started but this summer was supposed to be different, it was supposed to be good, it wasn’t supposed to be like this.

“We can’t hide him from the kids, they’re too smart to not figure it out,” Stan said.

“Really? Took ‘em over a month to find your hidden portal and then all the secrets in your office,” Bill pointed out, not to mention Ford’s bunker.

“Well, you’d know all about hiding your real identity, wouldn’t you?” Steve asked.

If Melody hadn’t already made it clear he wasn’t allowed to kill him, he certainly would have tried again, but at least she didn’t let his scheming brother scot free either.

“That’s enough, you won’t be rude while you’re here; that sounds like the complete opposite of how you should be acting as a guest here.”

“Excuse me, I’m hardly a guest. I’d hope you wouldn’t normally treat them this way, tying me up and forcing me to sleep down here.”

She shrugged. “It’s better than with the fishes. Now, are you going to be quiet or do I have to make you?”

If his brother had one shred of common sense, it was definitely knowing not to mess with Melody. Soos, on the other hand, was much more chill about the situation, a little too chill.

“Come on, dudes, it’s gonna be great! If Bill could change, Steve can too! We just gotta help him.”

“Yeah right, he’s been here less than two hours and all I’m seeing is the same demon who tried to hurt the people I care about, someone who swore he wouldn’t be like me and what did he become? He won’t change.”

“Everyone is capable of change, Bill,” Stanford replied, “I didn’t think so but you proved me wrong. If you can change then why can’t your brother?”

“He’s not my brother…he’s made it clear he doesn’t want to be, and it’s not like I even want him anyway.”

For him, this conversation was over. He turned his back on Steve, going upstairs, leaving him once more.

Chapter Text

Bill had gone upstairs to open up the Shack for the day, awaiting the first busload of tourists to come knocking down the door to look at the ‘wonders and weirdness’ this strange little cabin in the woods had to offer.

When he left the basement, Ford called out and so had Soos, and that was about it. No one followed him, probably too preoccupied with the Very Big Problem they were now stuck with for the summer.

And you know, Steve being alive again was one thing, being human was another but getting a trial like Bill had and only being forgiven by him will get him a pass? That was too much, not even taking into consideration all the worries he had about this, about why it was such a bad idea.

But he was just like him, only they all remembered what he did and tried to do and still said he deserved a fair trial too, like are you serious?

“It’s weird having him here, right? I can’t imagine, but I can tell you’re freaking out a bit.”

Melody, ever the observant (and light on her feet, almost scared the life out of him). “You don’t have to talk about it, we can just set up for the day, but I’m here, any time you want to.”

He lasted longer than he thought, after Soos and Stanley had come up from the basement to either get to work as Mr Mystery or sit in front of the TV and barely move. It might have been because that meant Stanford was down there alone with Steve, making him now resist the urge to race back down there.

“I just keep thinking he is actually going to hurt us, especially the kids. This is gonna sound really bad, but that’s why I took my trial, some kind of messed up revenge plan, I still wanted to hurt them after all that time.”

She nodded. “But you didn’t, you actually protected them, kept them safe. How long did it take for that to change?”

“...no less than a week, I’m sure. Probably ‘cause Mabel made me this hoodie and was calling me ‘Grunkle Bill’ in no time, that kid’s truly something special, they both are.”

“But why don’t you think the same could happen with Steve, that history could repeat as you’ve said it’s done so already? I think the same could happen here but only if we work to make it so, and we won’t see improvement without effort, especially from you.”

And he thought this would make him feel better. “I can’t even look at him right now without wanting to hit him, okay? I’m still…so angry.”

“You have every right to be, I know it must be hard to see him again, but it’ll be harder to talk to him if you don’t try soon, alright? It’s your choice.”

The old Bill might think this mortal was full of shit, completely disregard everything she said or whatever, but the new, human Bill saw Melody as a good friend and he did trust her advice.

(Before he and Ford were official, before that special holiday visit, he’d asked her how she knew Soos was the one, and she smiled knowingly.

“I just knew, and I think you do too.”

Such a simple sentence, but all the encouragement he needed to make a move and finally seal the deal.)

…

At 12pm, the Shack closed for an hour so everyone could get lunch. Bill had talked himself into going back downstairs at that time because if Steve was human now, he’d need to eat too along with Stanford, who had not emerged yet and likely wouldn’t without intervention and reminding him that he had to eat too.

When Bill came down, balancing two plates in his hands, he was not at all surprised at seeing Ford working away with Steve’s restraints replaced by handcuffs put around a support beam, much tougher to break through than a wooden chair.

“Lunch time, Sixer. Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on the prisoner.”

“...are you sure? I wouldn’t mind staying or-”

“Relax, I already promised Melody I wouldn’t just let him starve or choke on his food. You can come check on us in ten minutes if you want but we’re all hungry and your food’s upstairs and Stan said he will drag you up if he has to, so go.”

His tone softened when the man approached, managing a smile. “I’ll be fine, I need to talk to him anyway but in private, I promise I won’t do anything stupid.”

“I know, just…be careful.”

Bill sat one of the plates on the floor and slid it over to Steve as he sat down with his own. “You can eat in a minute, don’t ruin it or you won’t get anything.”

He could see his leg move, almost like he was considering it, and resisted the urge to stomp on it. “Did you take the trial because therapy sucks? That’s why I did, among other reasons.”

“...it wasn’t the best,” his brother admitted. “You know I even got a hold of your book, the one you somehow got out of there? It couldn’t prepare me enough for that place, and I was sent after refusing the Axolotl's offer initially.”

The fork in his hand paused on its way to his mouth because what did that mean? “Wait…when did the Axolotl offer you a trial?”

“Right after I died, they appeared and offered it to me but I didn’t want to take it yet so I got put in the Theraprism,” Steve shrugged. “Why?”

(“Is Steve actually gone? Like…dead, gone? And for real this time?”

“Do you want him to be?”

“But he can’t be kept alive, can he? Unless…”

The Axolotl seemed to grin as they understood what he meant. “Unless Steve has been placed in the Theraprism, effective immediately after his defeat? I didn’t think you would want him dead, but I agree that he shouldn’t be left to cause any more bother.”)

Fucking little lying salamander. “...nothing, just wondering why you wouldn’t just take it then and there.”

“Because at the time, I was holding on to a lot of anger and I knew if I came and saw you right away, I probably would’ve done exactly what you did too. Like, I’m still angry, but not enough to just punch you the second I saw you, idiot.”

He could let that slide, just this once. “Fair enough…can we make a truce? I won’t hurt you again as long as you don’t hurt the kids or anyone else, and in return we’ll let you out until they get here, then they can decide if you deserve the same right to freedom.”

It wasn’t the best, but it could be worse. “Can this at least start with you letting me eat?”

“One hand for now, you can be free when Stanford takes the cuffs off.”

“Just say you don’t trust me.”

“Of course I don’t, I thought that was obvious. You think I don’t want to work through this? Not even here a day and expecting changes, fuck my life…”

At least Bill had the decency not to laugh at him when he struggled to remember how humans actually eat, probably remembering when Stanley laughed at him for it. His brother still sat at the other end of the room after freeing his hand but this was progress, right?

Or maybe he was being too optimistic, but at least he wasn’t hungry anymore.

Chapter Text

Those two days flew by and before they knew it, Stan and Ford were going to pick up the kids at the bus stop. Bill was in charge of putting Steve back downstairs, the handcuffs back on and everything.

He might have behaved himself, did as he was told and hardly spoke unless he had to but it didn’t mean his brother trusted him any more than when he arrived, it only proved he wasn’t entirely incapable of shutting up.

“Is this really necessary?” Steve asked. “You really think I’m going to try anything? I can’t believe I’m saying this but Melody scares me enough, never mind your boyfriend and his brother.”

“Ugh…Stanford’s way too old to be my boyfriend, please never call him that again. Anyway, you do realise if the kids don’t want you here, she won’t defend you against them and will let us get rid of you?”

“Nice try, she came down here after you went to bed last night. Worst case scenario, I live with Soos’ grandmother and she makes sure none of you come after me.”

Damn it. “Too nice for her own good…I’m not saying I hope you hurt them, but at the very least prove her wrong someway so you get out of my house.”

“I don’t remember this being your house,” Steve couldn’t help smirking. “Thought you’d be out living on a boat by now, or does your…partner not want to live together yet after what happened the last time?”

Bill was strongly considering punching him again. “Either you shut up willingly or I duct tape your mouth; the kids are enough of a distraction for no one to notice for a good few hours, plus the fact this place is soundproof already, not even Melody would save you.”

“Hit a nerve there, huh? Alright, alright…I’m mostly scared now, though. You could beat me to death in here and no one would hear it- why did I just say that?”

As tempting as that was, it would have to wait for another time, maybe never unless he figured out a loophole. But there were far more important things going on today, two of his favourite people coming back to town.

(It would be a hell of an improvement from the last one who came back)

…

“GRUNKLE BILL!”

“Shooting Star!” he shouted in return, a split second before she almost tackled him to the floor in a hug. “Have you gotten taller again? Never mind your brother, you’re about to beat my height too.”

They’d hardly changed, maybe a bit taller as he’d said but more or less the same pair of troublemakers who loved mysteries, fun and visiting this weird little town where their even weirder family lived.

Waddles had returned with them too, somehow still the same small piggy from last summer, almost like someone was using a certain size-altering crystal on him whenever they had the chance, but that was crazy, right?

Anyway, it was nice to have a reminder of why life didn’t just suck all the time. His favourite kids in the multiverse were back in town, currently both caught up in hugs from essentially everyone else in the Shack, and Bill could let himself believe for a second that everything would be okay, you know?

“Kids, uh, we gotta tell you somethin’ but we don’t want you to freak out,” Stanley then said.

That good mood was nice while it lasted and so was the nice atmosphere, almost immediately shattered when Sixer dropped the actual bombshell and the kids proceeded to pretty much dart upstairs right away.

Bill supposed that while it could have been better, it also could have been a lot worse.

…

So, they were officially freaking out. Mabel had hidden herself away in Sweater Town, rocking back and forth with Waddles at her side while Dipper was pacing, trying to come up with something, anything, to explain why they would let a demon live with them (again).

“How could they let him stay when we all remember what he did? What he tried to do?”

“Maybe they think he can change, like Grunkle Bill,” his sister suggested, pulling the sweater back down. “Why else wouldn’t they have kicked him out? Or what if Bill wants to make up with him?”

“Or maybe he got offered a trial, but that means he’ll be here all summer! I don’t want to stay here if he’s going to be around, do you?”

She didn’t answer right away. “Dipper…what if Steve’s here because he actually wants to change? We don’t know why they let him stay, maybe they’re getting along.”

He seriously doubted that. “I think we would have seen them together if that was the case, but something’s not right here. We need to ask what’s going on.”

You might say it was good timing for Bill to then knock on the door and open it just enough to stick his head in. “Hey, kids…sorry this is how your summer’s started, it’s not been very ideal for me either.”

Mabel deflated at that. “So you haven’t made up with him, Grunkle Bill?”

“Afraid not, Star, that’s why we have him in the basement right now. That and we knew you’d be coming here today, didn’t want the first thing you saw to be him, we wanted to give you a heads up.”

“But why is he here at all?” Dipper asked. “Why are you even letting him stay after what he did?”

“The freaking Axolotl on the pink freaking stairs gave him another chance and now he’s gonna be here for the next two months trying to get me to forgive him, which I’ve already decided isn’t happening-”

“Grunkle Bill!” Mabel gasped. “How can you not forgive him? He’s your brother!”

“Who I have a very complicated history with, remember? I might have started it all those centuries ago but it doesn’t mean I’ll forget how he tried to hurt you. Look, the point is we can just keep him in the basement all summer if you want, he never has to come up once and we’ll bring food down to him. It’s your choice, okay?”

The two looked at each other like they were speaking telepathically, probably trash-talking Bill when he was standing right there, wishing he was still able to infiltrate minds and find out if they could actually do it.

Dipper spoke up first. “Has he been out of the basement before we got here?”

“Melody thought he deserved a chance like I did, soon enough convinced me to let him out and see if he could actually behave himself under supervision, there hasn’t been any incidents yet. I think he’s too intimidated by her to try anything, but I’ll take it.”

“We can’t just leave him down there,” Mabel protested. “It isn’t right, even if he was super evil to us.”

“She’s right,” her brother sighed. “I don’t trust him, but I trust Great Uncle Ford and he trusts you, Grunkle Bill, so I do too. So…do you honestly think Steve can be trusted not to hurt us?”

“We made a truce that I wouldn’t hurt him if he didn’t hurt either of you or anyone else, I trust him enough that he won’t break it and risk not only my wrath but everyone else’s, you know? Running away is always an option but at least take me with you, I don’t really wanna be here with him either.”

“All the more reason we should stay and let him out! I can help you guys out,” Mabel suggested. “You know me, I’m a relationship expert.”

Maybe so, but a relationship broken for literal millions of centuries wasn’t something easily fixed. “So what’s the verdict, Pine Tree? We all know what Star wants but it’s down to you too, all or nothing.”

“...did Great Uncle Ford test him, made sure he doesn’t have any more of his powers?”

“First thing he did after we left him down there to start with, tests all came up negative.”

“Then okay. If anything changes, though, or if he does try hurting us again-”

“He’s gone, just like that,” Bill snapped his fingers.

(Oof, bad idea. Sparked some horrible memories of that one alternate timeline…“all shooting stars fall” and all that…yikes.)

Anyway, so it was settled. Steve was still on a very thin line but Mabel would count this as progress, they were on the right track to forgiveness.

The former demon still didn’t feel right about it all, but it was out of his hands now unless something happened and he hoped nothing would, he hoped that the Axolotl knew what they were doing with this.

He hoped this would still be a good summer.

Chapter Text

Obviously at this point, Wendy was used to changes around the Mystery Shack. Mr Mystery was now Soos, taking over after Stan’s many years, many decades; there was another Mr Pines and he was dating one Bill Cipher, a former demon who was now human and redeemed himself; Bill’s twin brother was here too, a human and trying to get his estranged brother to forgive him.

Man, twins were everywhere, huh? It wouldn’t surprise her if Delouse from Gideon’s old magic show turned out to be Soos’ long lost twin too or something, she was that used to being around them. But it was good to have the ones she knew back at the Shack, the older and younger Pines, she’d missed them.

It was hard to believe she’d only met the kids last summer, it felt like much longer since then and it didn’t help that they were growing up, getting taller, changing. Oh man, she had really missed this time of year.

And you know what, she even missed her old cashier job here too, making the minimum effort and taking much more breaks than she probably should have but Mr Pines never had an issue with it and clearly, neither did Soos.

The only thing that really changed in Wendy’s summer job was being put in charge of Steve, basically having to babysit him even if no one else called it that, keep him out of trouble and all that.

“The kids don’t wanna talk to him right now either and I don’t blame ‘em,” Stan told her. “Bill’s also not good so just make sure he stays away, alright? Melody can take over whenever you want your breaks…all eighteen of ‘em.”

Despite that particular comment, he’d missed her too and they both knew it. Good to know the old man hadn’t changed much, still a grouch even though he looked happier than last year, his brother home for good and his favourite niece and nephew back in town.

Anyway, babysitting a former demon didn’t take as much effort as she thought. He sat down on a stool behind the counter, kept to himself, said nothing to no one. If she couldn’t see him out of the corner of her eye, she’d be thinking he never existed and this was Stan’s idea of a prank or something, whatever.

“Dude, are you okay?” she ended up asking. “You’ve been really quiet.”

“Nothing to say,” Steve muttered with a shrug. “I mean…you must know why I’m here if you’re friends with the Pines, right?”

“They’re more like a second family to me, and maybe I want to get along with you if we’re gonna be working together this summer. I’ve already gone through this before with Bill, even if they weren’t as upfront with it like with you, but come on, talk to me.”

There was only so much silence a person could take, and that included a former demon. “Fine…so you’re cool with everyone here, right?”

“Oh yeah, man. Mr Pines was my boss before Soos was, and he and Melody are very sweet, plus the old man’s secretly got a heart that shows a lot more now he’s got his brother back; the kids are probably my favourite people in the world, they’ve had my back and each others, the most unstoppable duo around.”

He wished he hadn’t said anything now. “And what about Bill? Are you friends with him too?”

She just shrugged. “I don’t know him that well, but he’s okay. You obviously think otherwise, right? Have the two of you talked at all since you got here?”

“Barely…I honestly prefer being ignored, it’s better than being punched in the face. And I wasn’t exactly happy to see him either but at least I didn’t immediately jump to violence! I mean…tempted to, but still.”

“Come on, he isn’t so bad, not anymore.”

Steve was tempted to laugh, long and loud and hard, but he held it back and scoffed instead. “Are you serious? I just said he punched me in the face, were you not listening?”

“Yeah, but I know he used to be a lot worse,” Wendy nodded. “A lot more violent and evil, wanted to destroy the universe, manipulative, I’ve heard it all. But neither Mr Pines would let him near the kids if he was still like that, Dipper and Mabel have taken down way scarier things than a demon turned old man, and he’s way too scared of Melody to try anything even if he was still bad.”

It annoyed him how true that was, how basically everyone here, including this redhead with an axe, could easily kick him out if he crossed the line. Or they could do worse, end up sending him back to the Axolotl with every bone in this stupid new body broken where he can say he messed up and paid the price.

“Can I ask you something now?” she then said.

“...what the heck, sure,” he sighed. They’d already started a conversation so there was no point in clamming up again now, right?

“Do you not think people are capable of change?”

Oh, he should’ve seen that one coming. It was easy for them to say they should make up, not knowing the full story or even if they did, not remembering how there was a time when Bill took over this town, turned most of them to stone and terrorised the rest with threats and prison bubbles and whatever else.

The journals were different in this timeline, maybe not Stanford’s earliest entries from his first few years in Gravity Falls but certainly after he was dragged through the portal. Steve didn’t have to even read them to know Weirdmageddon was no longer a part of it, instead his failed attempt to kickstart it before Bill stopped him.

Oh yes…then he’d be called a hero, a changed person who really was good, right? Now his brother was here, most likely the last one to be convinced that he wasn’t the murderous thing he’d been before so Steve would look like the real bad guy for not forgiving him right away but why should he, after everything?

…no wonder he was put in therapy.

Wendy continued when he didn’t answer. “I’m just saying, anyone can change if they want to, you know? And I know you don’t wanna hear this, but your brother has changed for the better.”

She was right, he didn’t wanna hear that. “But…listen up, okay? Nothing is stopping you from changing too, from being a good person at least. Why else would you take that trial offer?”

“...I didn’t think it would be this hard, seeing him again,” he admitted. “It’s been a lot longer for me and I thought I could handle it, but I can’t, it’s too hard. And I’m meant to forgive him when I can barely be in the same room as him?”

“Well, you’re not alone. You’ve got a friend in me, I’ll be in your corner too as long as you don’t hurt anyone, on purpose.”

He shook his head. “You hardly know me.”

“I got you to talk to me, I know enough,” she grinned. "And changing is easier with someone to lean on."

Chapter Text

Bill was in no hurry to talk to his brother, actively looking for excuses to avoid going down to the shop. Mabel asking if he wanted to get his nails painted was both an excuse to stay away from him and an opportunity to hang out with his favourite kid.

Unfortunately, he seemed to have forgotten just one small detail and that was that Shooting Star was apparently the most determined to get the brothers to talk. He would leave if she hadn’t trapped him already with pretty nails, designs of stars painted carefully over them.

(On good days, which he supposed this was too, it didn’t hurt as much to be reminded of what happened. And the stars were just too beautiful to be ignored forever)

“Grunkle Bill, would you do it for me?” she asked, the puppy dog eyes trying to sell it too and you know what, it almost worked.

“Star, I would do literally anything else for you,” he replied honestly. “Torment your brother, track down the Sev’ral Timez members out in the woods, punch another unicorn in the face, find the real Gobblewonker…”

“Talk to your brother?”

“Nope. Never. That is the one thing I will not do, and I’m sorry, but I can’t. And don’t bring your other uncles into this because Steve and I are different, we have a centuries-long feud that makes thirty years look more like half a minute.”

“But don’t you want to be like them? Have a good relationship with your brother?”

She was never going to let this go, was she?

“...I don’t know if I should just let the time run out and not let him fix anything,” he admitted. “I didn’t want him dead, okay, but I sure as heck didn’t want him back here. Why can’t he just stay out of my life?”

“Maybe he wants to fix this too,” Mabel shrugged. “He went to therapy just like you did, he faced consequences for his actions too, right?”

“I suppose…”

“So, there’s a chance he might actually want you in his life again but you won’t know unless you talk to him, right?”

“...I guess.”

“Grunkle Bill, you know I’m right!”

“Ugh…I can’t promise anything, but I will try, only for you.”

She hugged him. “Thank you.”

Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad, especially remembering there were genuinely people in his corner. The very least he could do was try, right?

Chapter Text

Okay, so maybe he chickened out. Maybe he made it to the shop and Steve wasn’t there because he was taking a break with Wendy and Bill decided to use that as an excuse to not have that chat but instead do what Stanford was doing and hide in the basement.

“I’m surprised Pine Tree isn’t here too,” the blond commented as he stepped into the space, seeing only the old man working away by himself.

“Oh, he went out with Soos to find new exhibits for the Shack. How was your manicure?”

“Well, my nail tech got a bit too into my personal life, but otherwise did a stunning job, wouldn't you agree?” he grinned as he held a hand out.

And Ford took that hand to kiss it with a smile. “I do, my love, very beautiful.”

“Thank you, thank you. Do you mind if I stay for a while?”

“Of course.”

Perfect, an excuse to not have to go back upstairs. This was an ideal way to spend the rest of the day anyway, with the love of his life in the one place he couldn’t see Steve back in anytime soon.

“...so, what do you think?” he still ended up asking. “Of, you know, all of this?”

If only Ford was willing to actually answer. “I think you have been struggling more than anyone else, so how are you?”

Like, seriously? How hard is it to answer a freaking question? This was just like Star trying to get him to go talk to him, a freaking trick to push them together or something, wasn’t it?

Well tough luck, he just wouldn’t answer. All that time in the Theraprism would pay off, he was used to sitting in silence for what, decades at a time? It was a strange construct in there, but he could do this.

He would not be the one to crack, no way. No…

“…I don’t know, worried? Angry? I can’t tell if I want to ignore him for the rest of summer or make an effort so he doesn’t die or whatever. He might not even have the same consequences if this doesn’t go well, maybe he was like a model prisoner, finally realised he doesn’t have to be exactly like me.”

Damn you, Pines family. Making him more open about his stupid feelings and basically undoing all the freaking damage that he ironically got from what was supposed to be therapeutic.

Ford was still working away, but he was clearly paying attention. “Is that what you’re actually worried about? He hasn’t changed and is plotting something against us in an act of revenge because you would do the same?”

“…maybe,” Bill sighed. “Seems like all of you want me to reconcile with him, but given everything I did to him and vice versa, it’s not exactly easy.”

“You know, I thought the same about speaking with you after coming home, and I think you would agree it ended much better than either of us imagined.”

Unbelievable, how he could try and compare them. “Fordsy…you saw how I changed, alright? You saw me make progress and show I was different, but I haven’t seen any of that with Steve. I know I should probably go and actually see him interact with people, but it’s just…it’s hard, okay? Seeing him again.”

The man stood to come to him and took his hands in those six-digit ones. “I know, and I am here for you no matter what you decide.”

He couldn’t help but smile in response. “Thank you.”

As their lips met, he was once again reminded of how not everything was entirely awful.

Chapter Text

It was nice to get out of the house for a bit, and even better to spend some time with Soos after being away for several months. The woods of Gravity Falls still contained all sorts of mysteries bigger than an author’s journal and a secret bunker right beside it that would not be discovered for another month, never mind an alien spaceship or…

Or a former demon turned into a human and sent down to make amends in a trial, twice. Dipper actually liked Bill now, he’d obviously proven to be trustworthy and not the threat he and Steve claimed he once was, but now there was another one.

This summer was really shaping up to be no different than last year, right? At least they actually knew what was going on now, there was no way for this new occupant to hide his identity or any secrets if they knew everything, but…

But maybe he didn’t like knowing that Steve was around, the same demon who tricked Mabel last year and tried to seriously hurt her. They only just found out the full truth during their winter break visit, now Steve was back and in human form but still potentially dangerous!

He’d hoped the two of them could be a united front, tell the Grunkles (including Bill) that sorry but they didn’t want to stay if he was going to be there, trial or not. Then she decided to make it her summer mission to reconcile the (former) demon brothers, apparently completely ignoring what one of them almost did to them, to the universe and-

“Yo, dude! Dipper, you okay?”

Oh yeah. Out with Soos, away from the house, away from Steve. “Yeah…yeah, just fine, fine, you know, just thinking away.”

So convincing, right?

“Aw come on, dude, you can tell your old buddy Soos what’s bothering ya.”

“It’s just…Soos, what do you think of Steve?”

“Huh. Well, I’ve seen old photos of him so I know he’s not a triangle anymore, and he’s got arms which is pretty great. Dude, I can’t even imagine not having arms, can you?”

“No, but I meant more like…do you think he’s a threat? Trying to blend in and get on our good side before he turns on us and tries to kill us? Or rebuild the portal? Something evil we should probably be worried about?”

“I mean…I don’t know, dude. Melody and I spent a lot of time with Bill while Mr Pines and Mr Pines were out at sea, and he ended up telling us a lot about his brother. Like if Steve was up to something, he could always tell, and I think he’s too afraid of Melody to try anyway, heh.”

Dipper sighed. “So am I the only one worried this whole thing might be a trap? That he’s lying to us?”

“Look, dude, I do think he’s trying to be better. I know he’s been helping Wendy with the register and even busted a couple shoplifters, obviously Mabel wants to get to know him…”

No surprise there.

“...but if he does anything, we’ll take care of it. I want you dudes to feel safe here and so does Melody, because you’re our family, okay?”

“Thanks, Soos. Is it alright if we head back to the Shack? Maybe find a new exhibit tomorrow?”

“Sure, dude, don’t even worry about it.”

He still had a hard time believing this wouldn’t end badly, he still wasn’t sure about this whole thing and absolutely still did not trust Steve, not even a little bit…

But he did trust Soos, and Melody, and the Grunkles (still including Bill), and obviously Mabel. He trusted his family and if they believed it would all work out, then maybe it would. They had a funny way of doing just that anyway, right?

Chapter Text

It had been two weeks now since he woke up in the woods in this new body, two weeks since he got punched in the face and interrogated and ultimately given a chance to prove himself and it was…

Well, half and half. He liked Soos, Wendy and Melody for being nice enough and giving him work to do, believing him when he says he wants to be better because he does, it’s just difficult!

He knows aside from Mabel, none of the others like him, especially Bill. The one person he’s meant to reconcile with and he’s been ignored, avoided wherever possible, just no effort made from his side at all.

What was Steve supposed to do with that? If he tried to start the conversation, how did he know it wouldn’t end with getting punched again, and again and again, probably until he was dead? And at the hands of his brother once more in some sick twist of fate, you know?

But Wendy thought he was being ridiculous. “Dude, you know if Bill laid a hand on you, I’d take care of it. Plus Melody would be pissed, Mabel would be upset and Other Mr Pines would probably make him sleep downstairs. And besides, I wouldn’t let him get you anyway, I’d deal with it.”

Yeah, he didn’t doubt that, but he hoped she didn’t mean with the axe. “How am I supposed to pass this thing if he won’t even be in the same room as me?”

“I’m surprised YOU are even able to sleep at night in the same building with him after what he did to you, honestly.”

“...yeah, same here,” he admitted.

(Due to having a decent amount of freedom, being allowed outside under supervision and never past the road going into town, Wendy had taken advantage by first arranging a sleepover with Mabel and her two besties, then waiting until they and the rest of the Shack were asleep to take him outside.

Just up to the roof, to see the stars. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been able to do this, to see the beauty of the night sky, more familiar of white walls and fake, glow-in-the-dark replacements that didn’t measure up to the real thing.

Centuries ago, he never even knew they existed until Bill showed them to him, but he couldn’t appreciate the view while he was being torn apart and killed by his own twin.

Under this night sky, he grew emotional at the thought, and of his poor mothers who didn’t get a second chance at life like he did. Steve had cried out to a God he didn’t know even existed, spotting a constellation in that sky and the Axolotl saved his life as a result.

Obviously Wendy knew none of this and was apologetic, saying they could go back inside and never talk about this again. “I mean, just if you want ‘cause…I’m here, man, if you’d rather talk.”

So they did. He told her about Euclydia, how his mom Euclid was the mayor’s daughter and along with his other mom Scalene had raised him and Bill, dealt with his brother’s ‘condition’ the best they could but couldn’t stop him from attempting to kill Steve, mutilating and ending his life, however briefly.

“I was brought back but warned to stay away in case it happened again…and he destroyed everything and everyone else until there was nothing left of our home or our family,” he said, eyes never leaving the sky above them.

He stretched his arms out. “You know I got used to it eventually, not having these anymore. It was a weird sensation becoming human, along with the extra eye…I’ve never gotten used to not having my family anymore.”

Wendy had sighed then. “I feel the same way about my mom, too. Not exactly like yours, but she left when I was ten, just left me and Dad and my brothers like we were nothing, like she didn’t even care. To this day I don’t know where she is or if she’s still alive, Dad took down all the photos with her in them but I still have one in my room…I don’t want to forget her.”

He wiped his eyes with a nod. “Me neither…”)

So what did it matter if Bill was avoiding him? It wasn’t like Steve was in much of a hurry to talk now either, but part of him wanted to. Part of him still longed to have his family again, or whatever was left of it, even if his brother had just found another one and didn’t give a crap about him anymore.

How could he, after last summer? After he tried to kickstart the end of the world, exactly like Bill had done too? The villain who was now on trial, just like him, but did he really deserve to be punished after getting screwed over by the Axolotl who shoved him into that role just so the actual villain could get out of his punishment and put Steve in his place?

Okay, you know what? Never mind. He’d rather face death or whatever was waiting at the end of this than-

“Hey, Steve,” Wendy said, snapping him out of his thoughts and he saw her grin. “Someone wants to talk to you.”

The ‘someone’ was one of the kids and more specifically, Mabel. Bill’s favourite kid wanted to talk to him and he could probably guess what about, but his redhead colleague practically shoved him over so it looked like it was happening anyway.

“Steve,” she had a mischievous smile on her face as she spoke, “I think I can help you.”

He didn’t like the sound of that. “You can?”

“Yep! I’m gonna make you and Bill get along again, even if it takes me all summer!”

Oh, so he was right, he hated the sound of that. But he was also smart enough to know saying anything like that out loud was a death wish. “Sounds…like a great idea!”

But the hug she gave in response was nice.

Chapter Text

That evening, the youngest set of twins in the house were getting ready for bed and discussing how they thought the summer was going so far since it had been just about two weeks into their return to Gravity Falls and already, they’d had some big drama happen without even trying.

“But they’re both refusing to talk to each other! It’s like Grunkle Stan and Grunkle Ford all over again, and you know how that almost ended,” Mabel pointed out. “It’s just so sad…”

“Steve tried to kill you, I haven’t forgotten that and I’m sure Grunkle Bill hasn’t either,” Dipper argued with a sigh. “I still can’t believe you want to help him, you know he could be lying to us.”

“Oh come on, bro-bro, Grunkle Stan would’ve figured it out if he was.”

“That’s right,” the old man nodded as he entered, “doesn’t mean I trust him. He messed with you kids and if he does it again, he’s outta here…sleepin’ with the fishes.”

“But he still has the rest of the summer to prove himself! And I’m going to help!” she nodded, determined in her mission. “Grunkle Bill just needs to talk to him and it will fix everything, I know it!”

Stan knew full well that it wouldn’t, knew about the kinds of mistakes that still haunted you years later, but he couldn’t imagine living with them for centuries like Bill had, and killing? You never forget that, the blood never washes from your hands…

But he also couldn’t imagine doing to Ford what the former demon had done to Steve. He knew what it was like to have to survive on your own, losing your family in the process, even in a different way. The scars ran deep with both of these brothers and it would take time that they might not have to fix it, you know?

Especially if Steve only took the trial offer because it was better than the alternative, just like Bill had done, and only one of them so far had proved they had changed.

He wouldn’t say any of this to the kids however, especially Mabel. She had a big heart and he couldn’t live with himself if he broke it, he knew Bill felt the same way and would make Steve play along too. She wanted to make them talk so they would talk, and Stan could only hope it wouldn’t end in tears or worse, blood.

“Good luck with that, sweetie,” he said instead, pulling her into a hug which she happily returned.

Dipper accepted one too, even though he was still kind of worried about this whole thing and made it known when their Grunkle left. “Mabel…if he tries to make a deal with you-”

“He won’t, you know he won’t. Maybe me and Wendy are the only people to trust him, but that’s enough for me. Maybe a little trust is all he needs.”

Steve was human, powerless, harmless, but her brother had seen the note their Grunkle Bill tried so hard to hide, to get rid of. Dipper had seen it first, that was when he really started to be suspicious of Bill, before the truth came out and then the rest of it later on.

But Dipper had also been there on that stage, watching Steve grin in his sister’s body as he threatened to blow her up, all for a revenge that he didn’t understand yet, too wrapped up in blaming himself for not noticing something was wrong.

If Steve had been out for revenge then, it wasn’t wrong to assume that he might still be looking for it now. But at least now, Dipper had a lot more people to help look out for trouble, and that included Bill.

They were still going to have a good summer, no matter what.