HERE'S UR CHAPPIE, FINALLY *pelts Ch 28 @ you* HHAHAHAAH *twirls away*

Bill's POV

I began to think that Shooting Star wasn't going to come out of her room as long as I was here, because for hours she stayed in there and never emerged. I didn't really think about what would happen when the twin's parents came home, but I'd just wing it like the expert I was.

"What should we do tomorrow, Pine Tree? I was thinking something fun to get your mind off this whole situation." I elbowed him gently.

He was now sitting on the couch next to me, the chain around his neck since he made one small attempt to run for it. "I don't care..." He said darkly.

"Sure you do." I ruffled his hair and he swatted my hands away, annoyed. "Oh, I know. We can go to the beach. I know the water's cold here in California, but still. Don't worry, it won't take too long. Magic."

Pine Tree turned his shoulder away from me, not even looking in my direction.

I took off my friendly act, annoyance replacing it. "Kid, if you don't act like your in full commitment in front of other people, those chains aren't going to be the only thing around your throat."

I saw his shoulders tense up and he brought a hand up to where the chain was.

"Did you hear me?" I spat.

"Yes." He retorted.

I suddenly heard a rumbling outside and I looked through the window, seeing two cars pulling up.

"Oh my god, my parents." He began to panic and started hyperventilating.

"Pull yourself together." I ordered him. "You better not blow it or you-know-what!"

I stood him up, making the chains vanish, and pushed him towards the door.

Pine Tree stumbled there, his legs trembling. "Oh man, oh man." He whispered, terrified.

I allowed myself to lye back on the couch and made my phone appear and pretended I was entertaining myself.

There was a knock at the door and I glanced up to see Pine Tree sweating like mad.

"Open it." I instructed him.

"Please, Bill. Don't do this. I'm not allowed to even date yet, let alone guys!" He whispered. "What will they think of me?!"

I shrugged. "Don't know, don't care. Let them in. And get your act together!"

Pine Tree visibly forced himself to put on his best act, but underneath it was pain. He unlocked the door and swung it open. "Hi mom, dad!"

His mom looked surprisingly a lot like Shooting Star, while his dad only had Pine Tree's hair style. "Hey, kiddo." His dad said, hugging him quickly as they walked in, not noticing me.

"How was your day?" His mom asked, smiling.

"Gr-great." He said, stammering. His gaze flicked over to me momentarily.

"You ok, hon? You don't look so well..." His mom commented.

He chuckled nervously. "I assure you, I'm-"

"Who's...that?" His dad asked.

I looked up at them for the first time.

Pine Tree about broke down, but he maintained his act for the sake of himself. "That's Bill my...friend."

I smirked, leaping to my feet. "Aw, don't be so modest, Dipper." I strolled up to him and slung my arm around him and lightly kissed his cheek.

Pine Tree turned bright red and his parent's reactions were priceless.

His dad was gawking, like his eyes had betrayed him and his mom was as white as sheet paper.

His mom cleared her throat. "You didn't tell me...about..." She trailed off, clearly at loss for words.

"Dipper," his dad said, "may I speak with you?"

Pine Tree, who was still red as a cherry, nodded and followed him down. I shot Pine Tree a glance that told him to not mess anything up.

I turned to his mom, smiling. "Hi, I'm Bill." I introduced myself and shook her hand.

She nervously drew her hand away. "Vanessa..." She sounded confused, almost liked she just saw a walking lamp post. "How long...um...-" she shook her head. "How long have you know Dipper?" She asked.

"I actually met him when he was twelve when he went up to Gravity Falls and we recently rendezvoused here in California at the beginning of the summer." I stuffed my hands in my pockets. "Nice place you've got here."

Vanessa backed away slowly. "Thank you- um, Bill?"

I nodded.

"You know he's not allowed to date...right?"

"Oh, really? What a shame. Too late now, am I right?" I chuckled, not caring about how she was reacting.

"I...I can see that."

I sort of zoned out, picturing Pine Tree being forced to defend me. I roughly rubbed my shirt sleeve across my lips. Acting was key, Pine Tree would learn soon enough.

He and his father reentered the room and Pine Tree was sweating, his eyes wide and blank. Pine Tree's dad turned to me.

"I'm Bill." I reintroduced myself.

"Keith." His dad said with negative emotion. "Um, were you aware that-"

"He wasn't allowed to date? I am now." I crossed my arms. "Why?"

Keith glanced to Vanessa in a way that couples do where they exchange a secret conversation in a matter of seconds. "Well, he isn't. That's just it. We want him to wait till he's older so when he does, he makes the right choices."

I acted offended. "Excuse me?"

Keith scratched the back of his head. "Clearly, there's something that we should have been aware of to help him and we weren't there to help him."

I narrowed my gaze at him, a scowl growing on my face. "You saying I'm a mistake?"

"Um, n-no.." Keith swallowed, "Well, kind of. Not really. I'm just saying, Dipper isn't ready for a relationship."

I glared at him. "Sorry to protest, but we aren't breaking up."

Keith blinked, surprised. "What?"

"Your rules are honestly stupid. He obviously loves me if he'd ignore them. For me." I cast a pretend fond look over to him and he glanced away.

Keith took a deep breath. "Dipper, why didn't you tell us about this?"

"'Cause he was scared and embarrassed." I answered for him. "He thought that you'd all be mad and disappointed in him - that you'd put him down. And look what you're doing right now!"

A flash of guilt went across Keith's face. "Is that true, Dipper?"

He nodded, not lifting his head or speaking.

"He didn't tell you about the rules?" Vanessa asked.

"Nope." I sighed. "Come on, don't do this to him. He was terrified enough all ready."

Keith clapped Pine Tree on his shoulder. "We'll talk more about this later, Dipper..." He breathed, "When your...friend leaves."

Pine Tree nodded, his eyes dark and empty.

Vanessa walked up, kissing him lightly on the forehead. "You have no need to be ashamed. We'll talk about it later, baby."

Pine Tree remained mute as his parents left to discuss these matters in their room.

As soon as their door closed, I slid up to him. "I'd say your acting was awful, but I have to give you some credit."

Pine Tree roughly wiped his cheek, remaining inaudible.

"Oh, the silent treatment? I was doing it for my sake. You stuck to the plan at least and that is what matters." I patted his shoulder and he shouldered it away.

I glared at him. "Say something or I'll make you say something." I threatened him.

"My whole family is ashamed of me..." He exhaled softly, a sob caught in his throat. "I-I feel so humiliated...." He lowered his head in his hands as he began crying.

I shrugged. "You pulled it off well. I'll be honest, you blush a lot easier than I expected. We're gonna have to fix that. I mean, if we're gonna show commitment-"

"Bill!" He hissed, looking at me with tear filled eyes, "I've never felt more ashamed my entire life!"

"What do you expect me to do about it?"

His bottom lip trembled as he fought back tears. "Do you even know what it's like to feel ashamed of yourself?!"

I took a moment to think about that. "Hmm, no, I don't think so."

"Well, this is as bad as it can get! You are ruining my life!"

"Precisely." I said.

"Can't you just, for one moment, act sane and human?!" He screamed quietly. "You have no idea how I feel right now..." He began sobbing in his hands.

Somehow, I did trace the smallest amount of regret and guilt. I swallowed, pushing it away. I patted his back. "Sorry it couldn't have, um, gone more smoothly." I growled to myself for saying that. "Good work." I turned around and left him to be by himself for a little bit.

*watches from behind a corner* huehuehue