You’re Not Welcome Here

Gravity Falls

Word Count: 2,376

Characters: Stanley Pines, Stanford Pines, Bill Cipher

Pairings: None

Hurt/Comfort. Brotherly Love.

Bill comes back as a portion of Stanley’s mind and tries destroying his family. Ford and Stan have to deal with it together.

The sun was beating down brightly on the expanse of the Mystery Shack. Nestled into the battered couch on the porch, pit cola in hand, Stan watched as Dipper and Mabel hurled colorful balloons of water at one another. As the two youths’ laughter filled the air, Stan couldn’t recall a day where he had felt more at peace. Even despite the project looming in the basement, and the mounting excitement from almost being able to bring Stanford back, Stan relished this moment, not knowing if he’d have the luxury of such a peace again. A wistful sigh escaped him as a hand clasped his shoulder.

Stan reflexively turned back to see who had disturbed his moment, and nearly fell from the couch.

“STANFORD?! Y-you…!” Stan clamored, swiftly rising to a stand to face him.

“Woah!” Ford chortled, putting his hands up. “Easy! I guess I shouldn’t sneak up on you, huh.”

Stan blanched, his mind racing. The portal couldn’t have already spit Stanford out could it have? That was impossible, he still had hours before it would be ready to run! His mind was racing for any conceivable of make sense of why his brother was standing in front of him when this visage of his brother spoke.

“Stan? … Are you okay?” Ford said, concern washing over his expression.

“How- How are you back?!” Stan choked out, a sharp pang in the corner of his eyes.

“… Oh… Stanley, do you not remember?” Stanford wrung his hands,

“… I’m sorry… Um… You saved me from the portal about three weeks ago… However, you’ve had a bit of trouble with your memory lately… Could you maybe tell me the latest things you do remember?”

Stan was reeling, this couldn’t be real. He remembered today, today was not a day that Stanford was around, actually, as he recalled, agents would be around the corner of the house to tackle him, and take his precious niece and nephew away. In addition, later in this day, those same agents would try breaking into the basement after his brother had emerged from the portal and punched him square in the jaw. Stan rubbed his face absently, trying to make sense of this predicament he had found himself in.

“Stanley?” Ford called again, ripping Stan away from his internal thoughts, “We can work through this… Just try to remember the last thing you’ve done outside today.”

Stan all at once couldn’t even recall how he’d gotten here. He knew Dipper and Mabel of course, that the Shack was his business and where he lived, his brothers old home, that the kids where here for the summer. But he couldn’t recall the days around him. Which day it was, what yesterday had held. Nothing. He felt his heart speed up. His breath hitched and suddenly couldn’t get enough oxygen. His vision started to waver when he started to sway, his knees about to buckle, he braced himself on the door frame. He heard a vague sound from his brother, before everything stopped.

Stanley heard nothing as color drained from his vision, and suddenly the world righted itself as his mind exploded into clarity. This was the day he had brought Stanford home. The day that both of his great-niece and nephew found out that ‘Stanford Pines’ was not the man they thought he was. Stanford. He remembered the burns on his wrists, ankles, and neck. Screaming after a demon to leave the younger twins alone. Switching places with his brother. Preparing to never come back. Blue flames. A geometrical, one eyed, yellow nightmare. A swift right hook.

Stanley looked around at the frozen scene before him and tried make sense of it. “Am I… Dead?”, Stan muttered to himself. The silence stretched on for a few more moments before he heard a sound that sent a tremble up his spine. A sharp and shrill laughter broke over the area as a bright light amassed itself into a triangular figure with one eye.

“OH I BET YOU WISH FEZ.” Bill cackled.

Stan’s veins turned to ice and fire all at once, his mind crying for vengeance and peace.

Stan was almost positive he and his twin had prevailed over this devil. However, if Stan himself had escaped total erasure from the memory gun, it was sound reasoning to assume that Bill, a being with total mastery of the mindscape might have been able to do that too. He and his brother had still hoped that wasn’t the case, but when had they ever been so lucky? After all, Stan should have been…gone.

Slowly circling Stan, the dream demon chuffed while coming to a halt, hovering over Stanley’s shoulder. “DON’T WORRY! ILL HELP YOU SHUFFLE OFF THAT PESKY MORTAL COIL!”

Stan snapped toward the triangular monster to face him, his blood boiling. “Good luck with that pal, you off me, you off us both!”

Bill was quiet for a fraction of a second before he exploded into laughter again.

“HAHAHAHA RIGHT! WELL! HOWS ABOUT THIS INSTEAD!” Bill rose his hand dramatically and snapped as the entire scene transformed.

They were in the Shack this time, Stanford was in his sweater and trench coat, idly sketching something in a notebook while the kids were sprawled out next to him, asleep on the couch. Stanley observed his own form, sleeping as well, nestled into the comfort of his chair. There were party decorations still littering the house, and Mabel’s scrap book perched atop Stan’s lap. Stan gazed on for a moment at the peaceful scene, remembering the party, and how badly he had wished the kids could stay. Thinking of all this peace, and what he had to protect, he snapped to Bill and hissed. “What do ya think you’re doin?!”

Bill bellowed another harsh laugh, “OH WOW STANLEY, YOU’RE DENSE…” Bill shook his form as though he was shaking his head, eye narrowing menacingly. “YOU GOT IN MY WAY STAN PINES… TOOK AWAY WHAT I HAD… SO! IM GOING TO RETURN THE FAVOR!!”

Launching himself at the still sleeping version of Stanley, Bill disappeared into the body. Stanley watched in mute horror as his sleeping self was roused, eyes snapping open to reveal horrible, yellow, cat like eyes. Then, his blood ran cold as he heard that god awful laughter rip from his own mouth.

Stanford turned to “Stanley” and crooked his head. “Are you okay?” Stanford said softly, with an expression to match.

“OF COURSE SIXER” The abomination of Bill and Stanley’s combined form rose, discarding Mabel’s precious book lazily in the chair. “IM DOING PERFECT ACTUALLY”

How could Ford not hear the unearthly tone to ‘his’ voice? Stanley called his twins name, but his words went unheard.

Bill slowly walked over to Stanford before hovering behind him, “SO! WHAT CHA WORKIN’ ON?” He leaned down awkwardly.

Stanford gave a concerned look, but shook the expression from his face. “Um well!” he said smiling, “I’m sketching a route for when we finally get out to sea… I believe we can take this route right here” Stanford said pointing, “However Its not entirely complete.”

“Stanford! Listen to me!” Stan reached for a nearby remote ready to wing it at his twin, however is hand phased right through the object.

Stanley’s form hummed as bill put a forearm on Stanford’s head and leaned there.

“WELL…” Bill mumbled, before pausing for a moment.

“IT’S A SHAME YOU’LL NEVER FINISH IT…“

Swiftly dropping to his- or rather Stanley’s knees, the hand that was resting on Stanford’s head, slammed down, gripping Ford tightly in a chokehold. Using his free hand to add leverage to the attack, bill cranked down harder on Ford’s bandaged neck, a deep sneer on his face.

“GAH” Ford choked. “St-a-n… Wh-a…”

Bill let loose another laugh from Stan’s mouth before leaning into fords ear to speak, “GUESS AGAIN IQ…”

Ford’s eyes widened in horror as he thrashed even harder to escape his clutches. “Wha-d you do- w-with HRRKKGGH”

Wrenching aggressively, Bill tightened down on Fords throat to silence him.

“DON’T SWEAT OL STANLEY! HE SHOULD BE SOMEWHERE! YOU REALLY AUGHT TO WORRY ABOUT YOURSELF SIXER!”

Clawing at the arm crushing his throat, Ford choked breathless sputters of pain. Eyes watering from the intense pressure on his charred throat, his struggles becoming more feeble.

“FORD!!” Stanley called. Launching himself at Bill, he tried to grapple him. However, instead of making contact, he sailed through his body’s occupied form, tumbling to the other side of the room.

“LEAVE HIM ALONE!!!” Stanley bellowed.

Stanley saw the grisly image of his own face turn to him and contort into a grin, while his arms simultaneously cranked down around his twin’s neck.

“HEH, SORRY STANLEY…- “. Bill spat, gleaming at Stan from behind his own eyes.

Time slowed to a crawl. Stan couldn’t catch a breath; his heart wrenched. His lungs constricting as though he could feel the lack of oxygen his twin was suffering. Ford’s face twisted with airless agony.

“HOW ABOUT. WE GIVE OLD FORDSY. A BREAK- “

With a sharp twist, and a hand placed under Ford’s jaw, Bill wrenched his arms sideways.

A loud audible snap echoed through the room as Stanford Pine’s mute and distressed expression rested directly on Stanley as his struggling ceased. His head limped to the side as his whole body went slack.

Stan felt everything end right there. The non-existent stomach of his intangible form heaved. His vision faded, as the world halted. He wanted to throw up, or die, or anything. A soft thud drew his attention, his eyes wide with horror he reflexively looked up from where his eyes had found the floor. Bill was now standing in facing him, Stanford a heap on the floor. It barely got through, but a thought surfaced. That damn demon had murdered his brother with HIS own hands… Then discarded Ford on the ground. He… Didn’t even bother to set his body down gently. His brothers body? His head swam again at the thought, as his eyes and body fell. He wanted to scream, be violent, something. But he couldn’t, he was rooted to the ground with the overwhelming loss emanating from his core. He shook, as his ears registered that god awful howl ripping from “his” throat again. Stan didn’t realize the tears rolling down the face of his ethereal visage as he looked up yet again. He saw his own face smile and lean down to him.

“AND JUST WAIT AND SEE WHAT I DO TO THOSE KIDS.”

——

Stanley shot up as a desperate cry ripped past his mouth unhindered.

His body shook as his hands grasped for something to ground him. The darkness swallowed him as he fell to the ground with a hard smack. He heard a noise somewhere in the dark and jumped away from the sound.

“Stanley! Are you alright?!” A gravelly but familiar voice called in the dark. Stan heard a small clamor before he felt hands clasp his shoulders. He shied away from the contact but the person held fast.

“Stan!” He felt wide hands shake him gently. “C-can you tell me what’s wrong?”

Stan discredited the gentle rock for his body’s own deep quake. His eyes bleary swept the room before they rested on the vague figure in front of him. Something warm brushed his cheek and his hand rose automatically. He pulled his hand away from his face and looked down. Something wet coated his fingertips.

“Stanley…?”, The voice whispered.

Stan wiped the moisture that had somehow accumulated in his eyes away, blinking a few times he tried to focus.

Suddenly he felt the weight lift from his shoulders and heard a shuffle before a dim light washed over the room, Stan hissed as the light flooded his eyes. Before he had time to complain, a gentle hand braced his shoulder before adjusting a pair of glasses over his face.

His vision righted and he saw his brother with an expression of deep worry furrowing his brow. Before Stan could speak, Ford probed.

“Do… Do you remember where you are?”

Stan observed the cabin of the boat that they had been bunking in for the past few weeks. The memories broke past the pounding in his head, and hammering in his chest; he was with his brother out at sea. After the kids had gone home, they had cleaned up the damage from that business with the sky vomiting nightmares; after he took down that d-

At that everything came crashing back down on him.

The vivid image of the Shack.

Sunshine, and laughter.

The peace of the living room.

Nerd books, and sleeping children.

The snap of Fords neck under his own muscular arms.

Shrill terrible laughter.

Stan broke.

He lunged at his brother and dug his hands into the back of Ford’s shirt; His hands clamoring for purchase. A choked sob left Stan’s throat as he pulled Ford in tightly, his whole body wracked with tremors. Ford drew in a sharp breath from the sudden embrace.

“Hey…”, the old scientist managed.

Quiet and muffled, a pathetic sound came from the trembling man.

“…J-jus… a… sec.”

A second of silence slipped past before Ford gently wrapped his arms around his brothers shuddering form, pulling him in easily.

—–

Stan didn’t know how long he had sat on the cabins dimly lit floor clinging to his twin. Listening to the rhythmic sound of breath leaving his brother had grounded him, assuring him that Ford was most definitely alive, and right beside him. Finally calmed of his tremors, his breathing even, Stan pulled away from Ford and looked to him intently. Ford’s face clearly displayed the confusion and worry mounting in his mind. Stan looked to him, and spoke somberly.

“Sixer… I think we gotta talk about somethin’…”

Ford gave him an inquiringly owlish look before he asked quietly, “Yes?”

Stan choked back a rising lump in his throat. The thought of his dreams becoming reality sparking terror to mount in his mind.

“I- I think… Bill may still be… around.”

Ford’s eyes grew wide in shock, before his expression fell. His body trembling, he pulled Stan in.

It was Ford’s turn to cling to his brother and not let go.





Yes! I’m finally done! Posting this before I destroy it by over editing. Let me know what you think! Comments, and pointers are always welcome!

Also! Thank you to @villyre​ and to my resident sister for helping me smooth this out a little! I probably wouldn’t have gotten this out here had it not been for you guys!