I could only stare at the final book. Thoughts of touching it physically hurt and I couldn't bring myself to relive the days that were logged between it's covers. His murder and my deal. That damned High Priest took him from me and left me alone to suffer the loss of him. My brother, my love, my Citlali.

I fell to my knees before the pedestal. I remembered the day the news was brought to me as if it were just hours ago. We were supposed to meet in the gardens to gather fruit with the orphans of the temple. I was studying the history in the walls of the palace as I waited. One of the priestesses was causing a commotion and the servants she came across tried to soothe her.
She had fallen at my feet, tears pouring from her face when she looked up at me. When she sputtered out her words before breaking down into inconsolable sobbing, I had taken off toward the temple. The people were huddled at the steps and speaking their wonders. The children of the temple were either confused or in tears.
When I had reached where the priestesses had gathered, they all parted and I could see him. All of them were in tears, even the High Priestess herself, but none offered words of comfort as I stepped toward the body.
His eyes stared off into an unknown world, his body was still and cold, one hand laid over his body while the other was stretched out as if he was reaching for something. I took his extended hand into mine and laid my forehead against his murmuring incoherent words that even I couldn't understand. I remember hearing Uncle demand the for the murder to found and brought before him.
I had picked him up into my arms and laid him on the altar before the pale metal icon of our goddess. I had promised her nights after Citlali proclaimed his affections that I would give her anything to keep him safe. Gods didn't exist, I remember bellowing, Only mortals and their demons.
I didn't leave the alter that day and no one made me leave it. I didn't leave that night either. That's where I met Tad and made a deal. To be able to meet my Citlali again I would be his little brother. I killed myself to see Citlali again.

"Feeling better?" The voice of the bastard who locked me in my room for this. I didn't need to be told I was crying, I could see the glittering drops of gold on the floor.

"Why did you put me through this again?" I asked only staring at the foot of the pedestal.

"To remind you, while I give you chances to make him yours, that you need to remember he isn't the actual person." He explained like every time I asked. "He isn't Citlali the priest, Bill, he is Mason 'Dipper' Pines. He may look like the boy you loved, he may even be clever like him, but he is not him."

He was right, I knew, he reminded me every time that he was right. He was worried too. For me, for Pinetree, and for the balance.

"I can't give you back the life you had," he began. "It's far to late for that. But I can give chances and this chance is no longer mine to give." I heard him sigh before he continued. "You initially frightened and angered him but even you saw how he was warming up to you. Now you just frighten and confuse him, you have to start from scratch again to get there. What will you do, Bill?"

Right now, I just wanted to be left to suffer again. But I had to answer the question.
Vacation sounds nice. Getting away to some cozy villa. Greece was a favorite spot, personally. Warm and sunny.

"Bill." Tad called my name quietly. "What will you do?"

My head hurts, I wanted to go back to the darkness of my room. Vacation was a good idea. Pinetree could relax too. Maybe if I brought along the rest of them . . .

I stood up again, a little hunched over but I was up, and walked past Tad back to my room. I didn't look back to see if he followed, I just wanted to go back to bed.
A trip to Greece seemed like a good idea. I knew the area well enough from one of Pinetree's past lives. Maybe I should tell him a bit of history. Our history. The thought had me giggling as I landed into the engulfing comfort.

"I can't wait." I murmured to the darkness.

Morning came and I felt something was off immediately. Are the locks on my door gone?
I opened my eyes and saw cleanliness. My room was back to it's usual glamour and glitter. My bed and furniture was bleeding out stuffing and the bed curtains weren't torn. The door to my memories was again hidden by my wardrobe. It was all the same but somehow different.

Sir, Dani's voice whispered in my mind. Mr. Strange and the rest of the council await you in the meeting room.

A meeting? This early?

I looked down at the space beside me, half expecting to find Pinetree sleeping there only to find the spot cold and empty.

I got out of bed, snapping myself some casual clothing, and combed my fingers through my hair. "Please let this be good." I begged the empty room as I grabbed my cane and hat then leaving the room.

The conversations silenced as I walked in, composed and cleaned up on the outside but I would kill for something alcoholic and demonically strong.

"How are you feeling?" Sock asked in his charming and childish way.

"Calm." I answered honestly. "I guess the stress was building up."

Tom chuckled. "I can understand that."

I quirked a smile at him. "I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused."

The two just shook it off with their hands.

"We aren't the ones you need to apologize to." Tom reminded with a pointed finger. "We aren't the ones you terrified into a fever that could have killed him." He aimed the still pointed finger off to the side.

I looked over half curiously and half guilty. Pinetree was leaning against the far wall, Marco and Jonathan scurried away from him as my gaze swept their direction. Everything of my being zoned in on him. His scent of pines and books, the sound of his rapid heartbeat, the sight of his everything. From my distance I could already feel his soft flesh under my touch, hear his bitter words. His eyes looked up and met mine, Tad was right, he wasn't Citlali, close but no. His eyes held knowledge and hurt, a kind of coldness that was all the same alluring. A frost I wanted to melt.

I found myself approaching him, slowly and with caution. I only stopped a few feet in front of him. It was against my nature to even think of apologizing but I know my wrong doings.

Pinetree.

I saw him tense. I was surprised myself. The disconnection was gone.

I'm sorry, Pinetree.

His eyes widened but his mouth stayed shut. I could only wait and damn I didn't want to.

Moments later I found myself on my back with a light ache in my jaw. Pinetree.... Punched me?

"Who in this hell are you?" I heard him demand. I looked to the other demons in the room, they were upside down from my perspective. Tom was snickering with Marco and Jonathan while Sock was silently laughing. Tad just looked impressed.

I, myself, was just stunned.

I slowly sat up, rubbing my jaw where his fist connected. I met with his glare steadily.

Pinetree was in a stance I recognized Marco showing to Tom. Does he realize what he's doing?

"Is it really that surprising that I apologized?" I asked.

Pinetree quirked a brow at me. There was my answer.

"Alright, understood." I said, standing up and dusting myself off. "Well then that leaves..." I hooked the curve of my cane through his collar and pulled him along behind me as I left the room.