“Dipper.”

The voice came from right beside his desk’s chair, and unlike the past few times Dipper had been called he couldn't find any way to ignore it.

He glanced up, a single brow arching as Will set a steaming mug down, carefully pushing aside one or two papers to make room for it.

“Take a break. Y-you need to stretch a little.”

“I’m not thirsty,” The brunette replied flatly, eyes already back on his work and missing the disappointed look that flitted across his lover’s face.

“It’s n...not tea. It’s soup.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Please. Y-you need to go to sleep. You can’t d-do this.”

Will’s voice had reverted back to the soft hesitance of unsurety, but Dipper couldn’t care, didn’t want to make himself care.

Mabel had gone missing.

She’d been missing for almost two days.

Mabel was gone, he should have been more careful, shouldn’t have let her go into the forest alone, should have known, it was his fault she’d--

“I-it’s not your fault-”

Dipper silenced his partner as he threw down his pen and stood up, facing Will with a sharp flash of cyan, “Stay out of my mind, demon.”

Of course he regretted his outburst immediately, jaw clenching at the sight of Will shrinking back a little, at the sight of goodwill eye beginning to water.

“Don’t cry, Will.”

Dipper took one step forwards and Will took one step back, and turned his head away as his lover reached out to hold his shoulders, “I’m sorry. Don’t cry,” Dipper apologized gruffly and Will reached up to grab one of his hands.

“Please go t--to sleep. You’re all out of sorts…”

Of course I am, Dipper wanted to snap out, and he was.

For the past three days he’d been caught up into a flurry, been sending out search parties, joining said search parties, gotten everyone he could think of to be involved somehow, he’d been asking questions and followed every trail of clues he could string together, ever since she’d gone vanished on a simple forest walk.

Dipper would do just short of anything to find his sister and bring her home, he practically had yet only to search the multiverse, he’d go to any extent.

“I don’t care. You know I have to- I have to find her. I need-”

“You’re pushing yourself too hard.”

“I need to find her.”

It wasn’t fair. The mantra repeated itself over and over in his head, it wasn’t fair, he was supposed to be able to live at least one year of his life without something horrible happening, fate wasn’t fair, just for once Dipper would have loved to be able to break down and throw a tantrum, just for once in his life.

But he couldn’t. He had to stay strong, for Mabel’s sake. He had to-

“No, you don’t have to. What you have to do is get some rest so you’ll be able to think again.”

The determination in Will’s tone threw him off guard, but then he was already off guard, and barely had time to protest- much less resist.

Dipper let out a small, surprised grunt as he felt himself grow weightless, barely holding back a shiver at the cold feeling of his soul peeling away from his body. He could only stare in silent confusion for a few seconds while Will- or, Wilson, as Mabel herself had jokingly dubbed them (He hadn’t been too pleased when it had stuck, but that was hardly on his mind) caught himself on the desk’s edge and flexed his fingers slowly, blue eyes glowing a little.

“William!”

“I’m sorry.”

“Put me back--”

“I’m s-sorry,” The demon’s voice sounded odd, splintered when it came from Dipper’s mouth, and he looked sorry, the face melted into miserable desperation and a few fat teardrops as Wilson looked up at the human now trapped in the Mindscape.

He began to gather up the notebooks and papers, carefully using Dipper’s amulet to sort the stacks neatly, and Dipper himself could only watch.

It was a wonder he didn’t lash out then, but the brunette, even through the haze of quiet panic could see how utterly exhausted his own body looked. Mussed hair and dark bruises under his eyes, he’d even shoved a button in his shirt through the wrong hole...Dipper only vaguely remembered getting dressed, come to think of it.

At least the body moved with at least a bit more grace than the first time he’d been forcefully inhabited.

“What are you doing?” Was all Dipper could manage without raising his voice, floating back down to the floor to try and grab Wilson’s wrist though he knew full well it wouldn’t work.

The demon flinched back anyway, holding the pile of research and investigations in his arms.

“I’m taking all this unt-til you go to sleep. I’ve seen humans g-get hurt like this, I’m not letting that happen t-to you.”

“I need to-”

“I’ll keep looking for her, while you sleep.”

Dipper didn’t want anyone else to look for him, he wanted to look himself, he needed to find her.

“You can’t fall asleep in my body. You’ll be ejected.”

His lip curled in helpless frustration as the pile of research disappeared altogether, knowing he wouldn’t be able to get it back until Will gave it to him.

“I know, that’s why I need you t-to work with me. You’re going to go to bed, and th-then...when you wake up, you’ll eat something. And take a shower.”

“Get out!” Dipper grit his teeth and made as if he was standing on the carpet, eye to eye with the possessed vessel, and glaring as his form sniffled quietly.

“Please cooperate,” Was the last thing Wilson said before the demon let himself be repulsed, giving Dipper barely enough time to reclaim his body.

All the same he crumbled to his knees, wincing a little as the thump echoed even through the plush floor. Dipper pushed himself quickly to his feet, gripping the back of his chair as he faced Will, whose own vessel had flickered back into existence in the very same moment.

“Don’t be mad at me. I’m trying to help you.” The dream demon practically whimpered it out, breath stuttering in his throat.

Dipper stood staring at the floor, for several long seconds until he realized Will was starting to cry harder.

He was crumbling, and so, finally, was the Gleeful’s resolve. Dipper reached out slowly. “Cipher….c’mon, Will...”

“Trust me, please. It will be okay,” Will murmured earnestly. Two steps closed the gap between them, two hands found their way to the male twin’s chest, pushing gently-

“I’ll take care of it. Just-”

He broke off to sniffle a little, “Just trust me.”

And Dipper relented, allowing himself to be lead over to his bed, and they sat down together. He felt his eyes beginning to burn, and shook his head stubbornly, “How am I supposed to fall asleep. Something could happen to her while I’m asleep.”

“It’ll be okay. I’ll find her. She’ll be okay.”

Dipper pressed a hand to his mouth, feeling Will’s cool fingers curl round his neck, his cool words settle as a soothing balm as he laid back.

“I won’t be able to sleep.”

“I can make you, you know that.”

“You could have just sent me to sleep this whole time, then.”

“But you didn’t want me to.”

It somehow only made his chest hurt more, filled with worry for a sister and love to a partner who wouldn’t even betray him for his own good.

But he nodded once, silent permission. He for once let go, and let Will take care of him, a soft sigh pushing past chapped lips before they were pressed against the demon’s.

“I’m sorry for yelling at you.”

He slid off his shoes and helped pull the covers over him.

“I und-derstand. I love you…”

“Love you,” and his world slowly faded to black, filled with a mercifully dreamless sleep.

Will stood, head tilted to the side as he watched Dipper fade into unconsciousness. It never ceased to amaze him how full of love a human could be if only treated right…

He could have stayed there for hours, but he turned away soon after, wiping away his tears on the back of his sleeves.

Will loved the twin’s shows.

Which could have seemed a little odd, if one were to compare the demon’s aura to that of the buzz of stage life, but as quiet and old-fashioned as he could be, he'd always loved them. The dazzle of bright lights against velvet like tent walls and the high, sweeping ceilings that lead into an abyss of darkness where the spotlights never shone, the murmur of a crowd that quieted as performers appeared on stage and frightened gasping as the impossible was made not so impossible before their eyes.

Fear that inevitably and without fail melted away into awestruck fascination. He loved how the airs and vanities of superficial excitement wore away into something more genuine, infectious as the show progressed.

And he loved watching them, he'd always loved watching humans, it had once been his folly, but it had all lead up to this, and Will’s human vessel seemed to want to burst with joy.

The spotlights were almost blinding, the cheering almost deafening, the sea of faces a blur and his smile felt like it would split his face. His hand was warm a little clammy from the heat inside the tent, and from holding so tightly to Dipper’s, but hold he did, he squeezed the human’s hand in his own and let the ecstasy consume him as Mabel, on the other side of her brother, spoke a final few words to the crowds, the final words of the final show for that week.

And then, with a plume of jasmine incensed smoke, a silent command from the Gleeful boy, and the show was over and Will was clinging to his lover’s arm as they made the short trip backstage to the dressing rooms, with a giddy sort of giggle.

“I think that was th-the biggest turnout this week, wasn’t it?”

Will’s stutter was practically non-existent in his elation rosy flush to pale cheeks that accented the breathless laughter, and Dipper nodded, “Mhm. Bet it’s because of you; you're becoming popular.”

The immortal could only flush deeper at this, a pleased hum escaping, though his shoulders hunched in embarrassment, “Y-you think so? I didn’t think they’d…”

He trailed off, with a slight shrug, prompting Dipper to laugh, a silvery chuckle that, in Will’s opinion, looked stunning on his human.

“Of course. My only regret is having to share you with so many people.”

The demon bit his lip to restrain another laugh, then let it out, leaning his head on Dipper’s shoulder as the teen straightened himself out, “Well, now you know how I always felt,” He murmured softly, making Dipper raise an eyebrow, “Touche,” Dipper remarked, turning his head to give a half-instinctive, half apologetic kiss to Will’s forehead, gloved appendage still wrapped snugly round the demon’s own.

“But you’ll have me all to yourself in a bit, love,” Dipper promised, “Only one thing left to take care of...”

He sighed, “Y-yes...you’ll stay with me?”

“Promise.”

Fan greetings had, without a doubt always been the least favorite part of show business for the twins, and Will had once too had misgivings back when all he could do was watch from behind closed curtains as strangers threw themselves all over his mortal, when he could only wait in the shadows with baited breath and wringing hands until the autographs had all been signed and pictures all been taken.

But it had grown better, a little more bearable now he was allowed to stand with them, to hold his constellation's hands and warn those who might get too close away, with sweet smiles and well-placed civilities.

As for those who asked questions about the charming couple, those who stared too long- especially in Will’s direction- well, Dipper was always there for that, and always would be. He’d promised.

The fan meeting was over in the blink of an eye, a perfect flurry of names and pleasantries, and Will watched them all with a child’s curiosity and an immortal’s solemnity, the faces being stored away in his memory for later ruminations. The lights of the tent faded as the sun's rays did over the forest, and they could finally head home, towards the demon's favorite part of each week.

As the gates to the Gleeful manor shut behind them, he could see Dipper's shoulders relax, and the last traces of faux happiness slip away, replaced by measured contentment that grew as his demon slipped an arm around Dipper's waist.

They were, all three of them, lost in thought and comfortably muted, save for a quiet embrace and word of farewell between the siblings as they made it inside and Mabel headed off to sleep.

And then a few final tasks and they could finally lay down together, Dipper pushing aside the covers and letting out a deep sigh as his lover settled down beside him.

He was already tired, Will didn’t even need to notice to know, so he was silent, letting the hazy contentment settle about them as a mantle, a mixture of movement and touch until they were both comfortable.

“Dipper?”

Will nuzzled into his human’s neck with a few, hazy kisses, feeling them returned without hesitation.

“Mmm.”

His eyepatch was gone, resting on the nightstand and the periwinkle glow of clairvoyance matched the dim light from Dipper’s amulet, loosely fastened on a short chain round his neck even before slumber,

“I w-wish you could feel how much I love you. I wish you could feel-”

“I do know.”

He pressed turned his head slightly, pressing the bridge of his nose to the lilting vibration of Dipper’s voice,

“You show me every day. You give it all, and I feel it, and give it back to you.

Nighttime, to the mind of the youngest in the Gleeful family, was probably the most dangerous stretches for the demon to leave the confines of their room.

“Oh, love,” Dipper murmured under his breath, a sigh passing downturned lips as the only way he could release a fraction of the fury burning in his eyes, but of course Will couldn’t hear him.

The demon was heaving, gasping weakly, fighting for breath around the spasms of pain as his body continued to discharge a sickeningly copious amounts blood onto the usually spotless hardwood floors of the dim lit corridor.

It was disgusting, Dipper thought, and he only half meant the blood. Hate bubbled in his chest, towards the man who seemed to think he had as much claim over the demon now as he had so many years ago.

“You’re alright,” Dipper tried, tilting his head downwards to stare at his demon, but the only response Will gave was to turn his head a little more into the human’s chest, eye clenched as tightly shut as when Dipper had found him curled up in the hallway outside the mahogany double doors of Stanford’s office.

Oh, it hadn’t hurt to see that. Dipper couldn’t say he felt anything for the sight of red staining his lover’s body, the sight of blood he’d long since grown numb to, it was the way Will had flinched away at the softest touch, and how he'd been trying around the tears and through vampire's wine running from his mouth to apologize and the desperate look in his eye when he'd realized who it was and reached out for his human that made Dipper so

Angry.

And now his brows knit together, in the silent symphony that plays only in the eyes of the repressed,

“You'll be okay, Will. Sshh-- hush, it's all over.”

How he wished he could say this was new, but it was not.

It was a constant and painful reminder of just whose house they lived in, whose rule they were subject to as long as Stanford was alive and Dipper hated the very thought of it with every fiber of his being that wasn't too busy loving Will to care.

Blue hair matted with streaks of ugly reddish brown, the demon's left eye bleeding all over again. He'd gone limp in Dipper's arms save for a hitching breath and the head that was still pressing itself into the crook of his arm, the fatigue of terror taking it's toll already on Will's human vessel.

“Will, don't fall asleep. Listen to me. Stay with me, just a little bit longer, you're alright.”

With malicious thoughts and whispered comfort, Dipper found the trip through the winding maze of hallways over faster that he'd remembered, and he stepped into his room, ignoring a slight bit of a sneer as hardwood turned to carpet and began to soak up dripping burgundy.

He stepped into his bathroom, and set Will down on the counter, reaching--

Will refused to let go of him.

Dipper's throat seized up slightly as his lover let out a quiet whimper, his hands shaking as they lifted, faintly stained by careless wrath, and hooked themselves into the foldss of his cape. Will wouldn't let go of him, and so Dipper couldn't let go either.

He fumbled with the door, closing it with his foot behind him and sliding to the ground against it.

Dipper took a few, deep breaths to keep himself composed, then let out a soft growl.

Dignity could wait a while.

He maneuvered himself to sit cross-legged, sitting Will in his lap and letting the slightest amount of blue energy surround the two of them to make it easier, having to ignore the fact that Will only shuddered at the use of magic.

“It's okay. You're okay. It's only me,” he cooed into Will's ear, letting out a quiet breath as the fingers tightened into the creases of his clothing.

Dipper scooted across the floor to the cabinet under the sink, letting go with one arm to swing the door open and take out a first aid kit.

He was using one hand and a concentration of his powers, moving slowly and steadily, so as not to jostle broken skin and contusions, bleeding lacerations and bruised on bouquets of harebell and amaranthus.

He could heal most of it with his magic, but he needed to make sure the wounds were clean before he closed the skin over them.

Will whispered something into the fabric of his cloak, and turned his face to the side, cringing away from the rancid odor of peroxide.

“It’s alright. It’ll only sting for a little. You’ll feel better soon.”

He had to be firm, had to be calm, had to push Will back so he could assess the abuse and begin to help, letting his forehead press against his asterism.

It could have been better, it could have been worse.

That was all Dipper allowed himself to make of the matter before he set about his task, chanting out a soothing rhythm of assurance and apology, his shoulders and jawline tense until the pain ebbed out of Will’s expression, as relief in the form of cyan magic worked its way into the blue haired figure.

“I jus-st wa-anted some books,” Will sniffled softly, leaning a his head into the offered hand.

Dipper didn’t know what he was talking about, but he didn’t need to. “You weren’t doing anything wrong.”

“I wanted...s-some books fo-or us to read, toge...together,” Will’s lower lip began to quiver again, and his lover quickly swiped a thumb across his cheek, “B-but he was in the library, and, a-and-”

“It’s going to be okay, shh-”

“I don’t want this.”

“I promise it will change,” Dipper vowed quietly, rubbing circles into a tearstained cheek, “One day I’ll free you, one day we’ll be able to leave, or...”

Will nodded slowly and leaned forwards to cling to the other, to cling to his hope. He didn’t want to answer.