Misguided Adventures and Magical Attachments (Completed)

Chapter 51

When they reached the top of the ladder, Dipper had to squint from the colorful daylight and let his eyes adjust. He smiled, glancing around the forest, half-expecting to see magical glass shards scattered about or something of the sort. The rift was still contained, everything quite the same as they left it. Ford wasn't in the direct vicinity. He glanced back at Bill. "How long will this take, do you think?"

The older male shrugged, guessing, "Not much longer than an hour or so. Ford wouldn't lie this time. Not with everything he cares about at stake."

"He won't," Dipper confirmed, striding towards the cliffs. He peered at the shapes moving at its bottom, where the earth jutted out somewhere within the shroud of trees. "Hey. That could be them."

"That better be," said the blond, taking a stance next to him. They would do this together. Side-by-side they would enjoy the barrier coming down.

I . . . Oh! There he is! Dipper remarked, catching sight of his great uncle along with a few of the demons. Should we stay hidden?

Bill nodded in response, pulling the other behind a clump of bushes.

Dipper crouched down as well, intently scrutinizing the others. Paci-fire was with them. The teen's stomach churned uncomfortably. He had to bite his lip to avoid thinking about how much pain he'd been in not a moment before.

Bill hugged Dipper closer to his body, feeling his disturbance through their connection. Shh. It's over. I've got you.

He rested his head on his boyfriend's shoulder, cheeks warm. Love you, Bill. Dipper stared out through the bush, watching Ford examine the cliffside.

Leaning comfortingly against the teen, Bill flushed, insides fluttering with happiness. I love you too.

"Hey, do you smell something sweet?" Kryptos piped, looking at Teeth. "I wouldn't know because I don't have a nose."

"I can't smell either, but my sweet tooth senses something highly sugary." Teeth turned towards the trees to their left side, opposite the cliff.

The one-armed monstrosity rolled over in skeptical speculation, having eavesdropped. "Do you think it will . . . uh, well . . . How do I word this properly?"

"Get in your eye?" The rhombus suggested with a guffaw.

"Actually, I was going to say 'in my mouth', but, you know, that works too."

"They're basically the same thing," Teeth responded plainly.

Kryptos gave a cheerful spin. "Let's ditch these losers and find out!"

"Me too!" Paci-fire joined in, pumping his unholy baby fists. "I need to break something and gnaw its remains for no apparent reason at all!"

"Hey, hey, hey," the head responded indignantly. "I'm the one who gets to put it in my mouth."

Bill? They're talking about us, aren't they? Dipper gave an awkward, terrified grin.

The former triangle watched in indecisive interest. Well . . . wanna try some magic? You can turn us invisible if we need to be.

Teeth and Keyhole neared the bush.

I have the feeling that their senses are keener than that, Dipper replied, inching away. But uh . . . we should probably find a different spot before they find us.

Stealthily, Bill took Dipper's arm and teleported him behind a set of trees further to the side. It was far enough that the approaching demons wouldn't see them immediately.