Sitting there in Greasy's, waiting for some mystery date, the only thing that came to Bill's mind was: Pacifica's been scheming again.

They only had a couple more weeks of summer left. Since Bill's invitation for Dipper to stay with the Pines family, Stan gave up on being angry at him. And seeing how happy his nephew was around the Gleeful boy, he figured it couldn't hurt.

Bill's stomach did acrobatics as he waited, nervously drumming his fingers on the table surface.

Please don't be him, please don't be him, please don't be him!

It was him.

A boy with soft brown hair and eyes, pale skin, a blue T-shirt, and black pants stepped inside. He sported a set of crutches and a blue cast. A turquoise stone dangling from a pocket watch chain hung slightly outside his pockets.

Pacifica, you didn't!

Bill's heart was the only thing racing faster than his mind. Had his cousin really done this to him? Yes. Yes she had. She had set him up on a blind date with his crush.

oOo

As Dipper scanned Greasy's Diner, his gaze caught on the only person seated inside. A blonde boy with tanned skin wearing a light yellow long sleeve T-shirt, black vest, jeans, and yellow-and-white baseball cap.

His stomach churned as he remembered Pacifica's words.

Oh, yeah, you two are practically besties! This person is blonde and wears a lot of yellow. They have a necklace with two charms on it. You can't miss 'em!

He had noticed how she didn't specify gender. Until then, he had been denying himself the wishful thinking that it could be him. I'm sure it's just a coincidence! But standing there now, he had to accept it.

He was head over heels for the Pines boy. From what Pacifica told him, Bill felt the same way. He just had to take the plunge.

oOo

He's walking over! Omigosh, omigosh, omigosh!

Bill took a deep breath to calm his nerves. Relax! He told himself. It's just Dipper. Right, there was nothing to worry about. Just Dipper. Just Dipper. Just Dipper.

"Hi," Bill cringed at his voice crack. He absolutely hated them.

Dipper simply smiled. There was a genuine warmth in that smile, though, that relaxed Bill.

Dipper sat down and rested his head in the palm of his hand.

"Pacifica?" He asked.

"Pacifica." Bill nodded.

They were quiet for a moment. Then Dipper began to laugh, softly but surely. The laugh grew more intense until he was doubled over. The smile on his face was enough to make Bill laugh, too.

"That sneaky Aphrodite girl!" Dipper snorted.

"You're such a dork." Bill giggled.

"Aww, you don't mind."

"You're right, I don't. Now what's so funny?"

"It's just," Dipper wiped a tear from his eye (he laughed that hard!), "This girl's been playing chess."

"Um, Paz hates chess."

"No, I mean… she saw all this from the start. She saw it and began pulling the strings, planning and moving her pieces strategically. She was the player, we were the pawns."

Bill groaned and put his head in his hands. "You know what? Let's forget Pacifica for a bit, okay? The moment my cousin outsmarts me you know the universe is spontaneously combusting somewhere."

Dipper laughed again.

Lazy Susan took their orders. They ate, quietly, talking casually about nothing in particular. They exchanged questions and Bill made a few awful puns because why not?

After they finished, Dipper took a deep breath and set down his fork. The motion was done with a sense of finality Bill didn't think possible.

"Hey, um, while we're here… there's something I should tell you." He said, nervously. Bill noticed he was fingering the turquoise stone on his pocket watch chain the way he sometimes did when he was on edge.

Bill nodded, keeping cool on the outside. But on the inside he was exploding with nerves.

"I, uh, I think I… umm…" Dipper flushed a little.

Bill laughed a little bit and took Dipper's hand.

"I like you too." He said, a knowing smile on his face.

Dipper looked surprised at first, but then a smile crept onto his face. He couldn't help it. Bill was just too happy to not be happy around.

"You know we're playing right into Pacifica's hand, right?" He asked.

"Yeah… and I'm okay with that."

A/N: sorry, but this is where it ends. I might add, like, a sequel chapter or something where Bill's leaving Gravity Falls. Like a bonus scene! Other than that, I'm going to have to say it's completed.

Questions/comments/critiques/concerns are appreciated.

Until next time! Anonymous, signing off.