"Please. Call me 'Bill'."

Dipper was shocked, looking at him incredulously. The corners of his lips fell in distaste, while also hitching up in a sneer. His thickened brows, a dark set of mocha lines, drew downwards with baffled indignation as his mouth fell open just slightly.

He looked at William Angle, expecting him to bust out laughing and admit to pulling his leg. Instead, he met Dipper's gaze with satisfaction and confidence. The bastard.

"That-" Dipper began, eyes slitting into darts. He came close to saying, '-is fucked up.' And, if Chief Blubs weren't still there, rubbing off his sunglasses with a smile, he definitely would have. "Is highly inappropriate."

And it was. In his mind, Dipper rationalized that Mr. Angle was ignorant. He had no idea how serious this case really was! To him, the town's infamous 'Bill Cipher' was some kind of escaped convict. A robber. A rapist. A murderer. Nothing he couldn't handle. Because he was just that good.

But he wasn't, Dipper thought. There was so much more to this than William would ever understand. Bill was a living nightmare. There wasn't any room to joke around about the subject. Because, as far as he was concerned, this situation was in no way funny. If they screwed around with this case, everyone in town, all of his friends- his family and loved ones- were fucked.

"Oh, come on sapling! No need to take it so seriously. Think of it as a friendly nickname! A chummy comradery!" His hand went to roll through the air, conjuring up a casual atmosphere. He pet Dipper's shoulder, only causing him to shy away from the contact.

"It's 'Pines'." His shoulders became angled to William, Dipper's body turned defensively as the look on his face continued to sour. "Call me 'Pines' and I'll call you 'Angle'."

"Well, that doesn't sound very friendly at all!" He pulled a pout, crossing his arms playfully with a mocking expression that reflected Dipper's own. He scoffed, once again taken back by Mr. Angle's childish attitude. Blubs, on the other hand, found the whole thing very entertaining.

"Ha! It doesn't, does it?" He moved from in front of the desk, arm going to pull Dipper in at the side. His body, bunched up against Chief Blubs' stout shoulder, seemed to cringe up. Blubs shook him slightly, giving him a playful squeeze as he continued to chuckle. A moment more, and his wide palm went to pat Dipper's chest with a lighthearted familiarity.

"You'll have to excuse Dipper's mood today. He wasn't expecting a partner." The chief piped in, hands going to his hips as he nudged his head in Pine's direction. He continued to smile, unaware on the full hostility behind their conversation. He saw Dipper's easily. He knew him well enough to identify which buttons not to push. And, saundering in like a black cat, William managed to drum his fingers against every one of them.

So obviously, Dipper was going to fight. He had his tone set with venom, his slender body bulked by the expansion of his chest. He squared his shoulders, making sure the beam of his piercing glare met those black pupils of his. Dipper was pissed the hell off, no doubt about it.

But, being their first meet, Blubs had no idea how aggressively William was fighting back. But, in a different way. He was a special case. Sly and clever, tricky and well-hidden among the average man. It was one thing to bite. It was another to nibble. Have a taste. Trudge over those little nerves of his, prancing around the kid's mind without a care in the world.

He knew the mind better than anyone, and he knew exactly how to piss someone off. It was his specialty! The point wasn't to attack one specific topic. His poor-piss attitude, work space, or simple mannerisms. No. It was to attack each one with the power of suggestion. Like stacking dominos, one block knocking over the next, all it took was a few words that led into a way of thinking.

Something that connected one thought to the next, spiralling them into a negative mindset. Like how he called him 'Sapling.' Something condescending. Submissive. Below him. Not that he out right called him a subordinate, but the name suggested it. And, if he knew Pine Tree's brain, which he did, he knew it was working overtime to analyze every little thing he said.

Which it was.

"Chief Blubs-" Dipper began. Now was the perfect time for him to be cut off.

"Oh, no problem! I can tell he's not used to people like me working on a case with him. I'm sure he's just very intimidated!" There was nothing worse than attacking a man's pride. It took every bone in his body not to burst out in laughter, watching Dipper's eyes get blown wide from the comment.

Dipper surged in place, nose wrinkling as a burning electricity buzzed behind his eyes. He bit his lip painfully hard, hand raised with an accusing finger pointed William's way. Angle's grin seemed to stretch off his cheeks, hearing Dipper's restrained breath huff from his flared nostrils in burning frustration. Dipper paused, trying with all his might to steel himself before the floodgates broke through. A choked growl, shoved down as quickly as it climbed up his throat, made its way to Angle's pleased ears.

He watched in amusement, waiting for him to snap. He expected him to snap. It would be wonderfully humiliating for the mortal. Disappointment overwhelmed him however as the boy lowered his arm, going to shove it back in his pocket with a grumble. He looked away, still sneering, only to take a breath and calm down. Fast. Soon enough, his features were set with a stale expression of indifference as he looked William dead in the eye.

A cold dullness painted those chestnut orbs, now fixated and maturely aware of something. Something that seemed obvious now. William was messing with him. And, restricting a reaction would be so much less entertaining for him. The guy wasn't being cocky. He knew what he was doing the second Dipper walked in. He was asserting dominance. Dominance that could be won through subjugation, annoyance, and a short temper in front of his boss.

This guy was an ass. And, lucky for him, so was Dipper.

"Not at all. I was just worried about my back, considering you'll be piggybacking on my work." Dipper's lips began to turn upwards, slanted eyes now shining with a playfulness of their own. "I'm not used to prepping noobies, but I'll see if I can dumb down the basics for you."

His eyes met Blubs', viewing the blatant disappointment on his face. Dipper was acting childish. But so was William! Blubs hadn't said anything about Angle's insults, letting them roll over him like water, because they weren't directed at him. Well, in that case, Blubs didn't need to worry about anything. But, Dipper? He knew this meant war.

He braced himself, slowly moving his gaze from the chief, ready to receive some kind of bitter response. Instead, he was shocked to see William... grinning? He remained silent, watching the grin morph into a smile as his hand went to stroke the base of his chin in amusement. He mulled over the statement, humming happily at the fleshling's arrogance.

It was always nice smacking someone off of their high horse, and that cold comment Pine Tree made was meant for just that. The kid was gutsie, Angle admitted. Aggressive and hot headed. But, also level where it counted. He wanted to get the jump on people. He wanted to be in control. Nothing was better than a power-hungry human, and it was almost a shame knowing he was on his hit list.

"You sure are fiesty, kid. I like it!" Those spidery fingers of his came together fondly, clasping each other to be held against his chest. Dipper's shoulders bunched up at the sudden 'clap', lips pulling into a grimace at his response.

He... liked that?

"I think we're gonna make a great team! Don't you agree, Chief?" Mr. Angle shot Blubs a look of elation, of genuine excitement, sensing something to look forward to.

It could be good- no- great partnering up with his old enemy. He'd get a real kick out of watching his little puppet scramble around, prattling on about fickle theories and conspiracies concerning Bill Cipher. It was rare, being so close to the human race. And in such a high position, too! Why couldn't he indulge himself for a while? Watch the meat sacks panic. Search for him. All the while he laughed and taunted them from the shadows. Because he was right under their noses.

The chief seemed to calm down, mistaking his pleased deception as an honest-too-good natured forgiveness. He smiled at the man, writing him off as both charming and trust worthy. He was someone Dipper could take notes from, temperament-wise.

"Huh? Oh! Absolutely! You guys'll be like two peas in a pod! Hehe..." Dipper turned to peer down at his short chief, a look of total astonishment, only for it to fall into one of hopeless annoyance. Blubs was lying through his chubby cheeks if he thought they were actually going to get along.

"Well..." He continued. "I'll let you two get situated, then. It's almost my lunch break." Dipper could have screamed at him. 'What the hell are you doing?! Get back here!' There was no way he wanted to be left alone with that guy. He was a big enough annoyance with the boss around. But, if he was left alone to his own accords, he just knew this man'd be a complete dick. Dipper opened his mouth to complain.

"Okay. Tell Durley I said 'hi'." He raised his hand with a wave, cursing himself as the chief complied and promised to give his husband the greeting. Of course he wasn't going to complain. But, God. He sure as hell wished he was, because as soon as Blubs left the room Angle was a laughing mess.

Dipper glowered at him, watching the man's bouncing shoulders jostle the bow tie around his neck as his hands went to his stomach. Boy, could this guy laugh. It was high, erratically placed with cackles and snorts, as well as that provocative suggestion in his tone. Like he was laughing at him. Which he was.

"Boy, kid! I was almost sure you'd break! You should've seen the look on your face!" He steadied himself, hand going over his mouth as the widest grin crossed his lips. He let out a sigh, trying to calm down, only to blow a raspberry and start himself up again. He wiped away a fake tear, watching Dipper like a comedy show with non-stop knee slappers.

"Fuck. You." He responded simply, expression both plain and infuriated.

"Ah-ah-ah." Bill wagged a finger at him, still stifling a laugh. He took a breath, wiggling his bow tie between a set of confident hands, before taking a seat behind the desk. Dipper's desk. "Don't want Blubs-y overhearing you, now do we? You sure were unreasonably upset back there... Hey! Maybe that's why they asked me to work with you! You're unstable!"

"And you're a jerk. Move." He made his way to the corner of the desk, hands still in either of his pockets as his brows continued to pinch up and lower.

"Aw, sapling-"

"Move."

"Don't be pushy. What's yours is mine, right?" Dipper frowned, watching Mr. Angle's feet go to kick up on his desk again. He put his hand on the tip of William's shoe, using his index and middle to slide his feet off the desk with a sneer. The man just laughed, going to his pocket before pulling out a rolled cigarette.

"Hey, whoa! No. No smoking." He smiled against the unlit bud, only humming as his eye went to indulge in the ogling of his 'partner.' Pine Tree really was a sight for sore eye when his temper rose. Wonderfully rebellious. Exciting. He made a point not to remove the stick from between his lips.

"Oh? And why not?" William asked innocently.

"It's gross. For real, how do you enjoy that stuff? It smells like death." He grimaced, waving his hand at smoke that wasn't there. Angle only tutted, pulling out a lighter. He assumed the mortal wouldn't take too kindly to him setting the end ablaze with his forefinger. Not that he wouldn't love to see the reaction. He pressed his thumb against the flint roller, raising a brow just to taunt him.

"Angle. No." His teeth were clenched. William's thumb flicked against the metal wheel, striking up a tiny flame. He let the sight linger, waiting for Dipper to protest before he went on lighting his smoke.

"Seriously, stop." He moved closer, only warded off by the possibility of getting physical. He didn't want to wrestle a tiny plastic container out of his hands, in part because it'd look silly. He held his hand out to William, silently ordering him to relinquish the lighter. "You'll set off the fire alarms, you dunce."

"Don't be such a baby. I hear smoking's got some healing properties! This stuff cures everything: Anxiety, Diabetes, Cancer. Why not give it a try? Might even cure your whining!" He leaned in on the flame, letting his cigarette tip catch fire.

It was a self-serving act, one meant more to mock Pine Tree than to actually smoke. He began humming again, this time checking his nails and rubbing them over his clean-pressed shirt.

"Chief Blubs said not to smoke indoors. You wanna get fired?" Not that he would mind kicking him to the curb, but he wanted to see Angle squirm a little first. He could be cynical like that.

"What? You gonna tattle on me? Go ahead! Go crying to daddy~. See what happens."

"Wha-" Dipper began, his voice put off and defensive. Well, when he said it like that... It sounded weird. But, it also sounded childish. Like Dipper was in the wrong. He wasn't though, right? He was just telling on William. No. Not telling on him. Reporting him.

"No. It-... It's not like that. It's because you're breaking the rules! That's all."

"Sure. Sure. I'm breaking the rules. Because, I'm sure in the goodness of your heart, you're only doing what you see fit, right? Not that you'd ever break the rules or anything, right? You're not that kind of person, right? No~! You're just a goodie little two shoes, aintcha? Just doin' what daddy tells ya? Good for you, pal! Good for you! Well, while you're over there, narking to papa Blubs about my sneaking a smoke, I'll be over here in the real world. Because, in the real world, people don't give a shit." William pulled the cigarette from his lips, blowing a thick cloud of smoke at Dipper's face.

He cringed, eyes twitching, irises shrinking as he fanned the steam away with a cough. He watched him shamelessly put his feet back on the desk, the last bit of his self-control slowly crumbling away.

"Angle." His ears perked up, instantly liking Pine Tree's restrained fury, trying his hand at a final warning. That voice was shakingly bleak. Unhinged. So very, very close to taking action. To losing control. To going insane. He'd love to see that.

"Call me 'Bill.'" He responded simply, hand moving to pop the roll right back on his lip. It didn't make it, though. Instead, he was met with an intense force being flung onto him, clambering over his body, fighting to snatch the cigarette from his hands.

"You ass!" Dipper spat, now straddling Mr. Angle in his seat, trying to rip that stick from his fingertips. He heard a laugh as William, quite amused by the act, moved it farther away. He held it to the left of him, then to the right, only to stretch it far above his head as the embers continued to seer. The taunting didn't do much to deter Dipper. Only to fuel him. Like a cat with a laser pointer, wherever he placed the burning red dot, Pine Tree sprang for it.

"A-ha-ha-ha-ha! Reach, smokey! Reach!" He cackled, using his branch-like arms to keep it just out of his grasp. He looked on in satisfaction, coming face-to-chest with the expanse of Dipper's collar bone. Even with everything happening so quickly, William was able to find the time to admire the kid just a little. Stretching past him, knees spread over either side of Angle's hips, and cursing up a storm as he continued to grab for the thin light.

What a brat. A wonderfully rebellious, untamed brat. Something worth his time. Not in a literal sense, but in a humorous one. Messing with him was fun! And, maybe it had something to do with being trapped in stone for years, but he was a lot of fun! More fun than he'd had in forever! Pine Tree was easy on the eyes, no doubt. But it was even better watching something pretty fall to pieces!

Definitely. He wanted this pawn around a little longer. To mess with him. To torture instead of kill. Not physically, but mentally. Push a few buttons. Win a few wars. And, hey! He was quick witted, too! Not like when he was younger, shaking in his shorts and acting so paranoid. In this form, Bill was just another human, and he treated him as such. It was nice! He sure had a way of strutting his stuff when it came to being spit-fire. So, maybe he would chop down the Pine Tree last. Just to keep himself entertained. Just maybe...

Dipper lifted, hands moving to Angle's shoulders for just a moment before elevating himself. It was in reach now, only an inch from his fingers. William's face had been smothered in the soft exposure of his lower stomach, caused by Dipper's continual journey up and above him. William's slow suffocation, coupled with Dipper's persistent grabs, eventually resulted in the cigarette being relinquished to him. He let out a triumphant laugh, taking the thing between his fingers before flicking it on the cement ground.

"Ha!" He said, lips tugging up in a smug smile.

"Attaboy, sapling! You got my cigarette, but... I'm not so sure you've won your seat back." Those teeth went to smile right back at him, sharp canines threatening to pierce his throat. Dipper's head tilted, despite himself, confused by the statement.

"Huh..?" His arms, mindlessly draped over Angle's shoulders, seating himself on his lap, legs spread to place his pert behind on William's upper thighs. He was completely oblivious to his current position, only to feel William's leg bounce him up a single time. All of the sudden, he was completely aware and completely humiliated.

"Whoa, fuck-!" His palms pushed against the man's chest, shoving himself off of him and onto the floor. He didn't care. He rose to his feet and dusted himself off with a frantic look on his face.

"What? First ride?" William cooed smuggly, hand going to fold under his chin.

"Shut up! That- That didn't happen." He straightened his vest, looking anywhere but at his temporary partner. "That wasn't what is was."

"Yeah, I guess not..." He began to smirk. "But, I'm sure they'll draw up whatever conclusion they want in the break room. People come with some wacky conclusions over there, kiddo." He give Dipper a wink. Well, technically a blink. But, with enough derision to substitute a wink. Dipper froze, blanching at the comment.

"You wouldn't." His brows drew down in concern, eyes opening wide. Why would he go around saying something like that had happened?

"Oh, but I would! You see, I'm what people call 'experimental'." Dipper grimaced, hearing the pride drip from his lips. He didn't even have the shame to keep quiet about it. "I don't have a problem letting others know what I get up to."

"But we didn't get up to anything!"

"So what?"

The color drained from his face, looking into that man's single eye. He was serious. For no other fucking reason than to mess with him. To taunt him. To hang something over him and just sort of-... dangle it! He was threatening to lie about him, and on the first fucking day! To top it all off, no one had any reason to believe he was lying either. They didn't know him well enough to know he was a skeeving snake. Dipper ground his teeth together, balling up his fists as his face went red.

"...What do you want..?" William smiled, tapping his finger against his cheek. What did he want? Well, it was easy! World domination. A human throne. Complete chaos.

But, first and foremost, he wanted revenge.

Looking at Dipper with a pleased grin, he leaned up in his seat, elbows going to rest on his knees. He let out a content sigh, holding onto that bit of power it gave him as Pine Tree's irritation sky rocketed.

"What I asked you for the first time." He responded simply. "Call me 'Bill.'"