Turning the tables

Chapter 8 - Hush, little pine tree

"Dipper?" A small, questioning voice mumbled from behind me about 2 hours after I had gotten up.
"Over here, Percy," I called quietly as to not wake Bill up again. I heard the pitter-patter of small feet walking over, then coming up the loft stairs. The young boy, wrapped in his Sherlock blanket, crawled into my lap and cuddled up to my chest, his bear held tightly in his arms.
"Hey, buddy. Did you just get up?" I asked softly, Pers nodding sleepily.
"Do you want to just sit here for a while as I work?" I asked, and he once again nodded.

"Okay, kiddo. " I hummed, going back to work while the boy I consider a little brother sat in my lap. A few more hours passed by the time Pers slipped out of my lap, leaving to get into some real clothes and go see his sister. I let him do as he pleased since he's smart and old enough to keep himself out of trouble while I worked.
A light knock on the door could be heard, and Mabel entered the room with a plate of bacon and eggs. I glared a little as she brought it up to my loft.

"You missed breakfast." She said sadly, frowning. I just nodded, continuing my work as she left. I glanced at the plate of food, my stomach growling as I eyed the bacon. I shook my head.
"Just one more paragraph, then I'll eat," I muttered to myself, continuing to write things down in my journal. 

Bill soon got up, yawning and stretching as he looked around. He got out of bed and walked out of my room, mumbling a tired "Hi, Pine tree." As he did so.
I simply continued to write, three more paragraphs already done since the time I said I'd only do one. There was a knock on my door and I looked up as Pacifica entered, holding a gold envelope. "Dipper? I have something for you." She said, taking my loft's stairs two by two. I looked at her, smiling.
"Sure, what is it?" I asked.
She handed me the gold envelope.
"An invitation to my next party, at the end of next week. Pers said he already told you about it, so I might as well give you your formal invitation. It is a formal party, but I'm sure you won't have a problem with it?" She asked hopefully.

"No problem, Pacifica. I'll be there." I promised, giving the girl a quick hug. Perseus came running in, bolting up the stairs.
"Bye, bro! I'll see you soon!" He cheered, hugging me tightly for a moment before returning to Pacifica's side.
"Goodbye, you two, I'll see you soon," I confirmed, the two smiling as they turned to leave.
"Oh! And say goodbye to the other three for me!" I called after them.
"We will!" They called back in unison, permitting me to get back to work. And the best part? They closed the door when they left.

Soon, everyone had left and thankfully the girls cleaned up their mess before they departed. Now it was just Freud, Bill and I left in this big house. I continued my research, only pausing to go to the bathroom and feed or play with Freud.
In all, it was a calm day for everyone, since Bill spent his day watching TV.
By the time it was 9 pm I had written at least 10 paragraphs thanks to my state of hyperfocus and non-stop work. However, this greatly tired me, and I found that by 10 pm I was already ready to go to sleep.
I sighed, looking down at my pages of research, 'Not enough.' My brain told me, and I frowned. I stood up from my chair and made my way downstairs and into the kitchen, where Bill was cooking.

"Hey, Dipper," Bill said, waving from his spot in front of the stove.
"Hey, Bill," I replied, turning on the coffee machine and beginning to make myself a cup. Bill cocked an eyebrow, looking at me skeptically.
"Coffee? At this time?" He questioned, glancing at the clock above the doorway. I nodded. "Yeah, I have work I need to get done," I explained, Bill apparently not happy with my answer. "You've been working all day, Pine tree. take a break." Bill suggested.

"I'm cooking some jambalaya, do you want some?" He asked, grinning. I eyed the food, raising a brow.
"Why are you cooking jambalaya at nearly half-past ten?" I questioned, my stomach growling once more, not going unnoticed by Bill.
"Because I'm hungry, and apparently so are you. Sit down." Bill ordered, albeit hesitantly. "Excuse me?" I asked as I made my coffee, eyeing Bill suspiciously.
"I said sit down, Pine tree. You obviously haven't eaten all day, and I'll be damned if I find you dead in the morning. " Bill huffed more firmly, and I rolled my eyes.

"You're a demon, you've already been damned." I huffed, and Bill frowned unamusedly. I sighed, rolling my eyes.
"Fine, ill sit and eat, but afterwards I'm going back to work." I huffed, Bill finally smiled, chuckling lightly.
"All right, Pine tree, you do that." He hummed, plating the food and placing the plates on the table, leaving the pan and spatula on the stove away from the hot burner. He sat where he usually sits, at the end of the table opposite me.
We began eating, and I couldn't help but smile. The food, as always, is delicious. It tasted even better because I hadn't eaten all day.