Chapter Text
Stanford Pines was nothing if not prepared. Years of researching the strange and inexplicable had honed his instincts to a razor’s edge. He wasn’t easily taken by surprise, especially not in Gravity Falls, where the bizarre was commonplace.
So when the rumors of a mysterious entity draining the life force of townsfolk reached him, Ford took it as a personal challenge. He had spent weeks piecing together reports, noting the feeding patterns. A succubus. A creature that fed on human energy, typically at night, leaving its victims tired, hollow, and sometimes worse.
However, Ford didn’t just study anomalies—he knew how to deal with them. A ritual here, sacred incantation there, a sanctified trap over here, and an iron will to bind it all together. He was ready to welcome any unexpected visitor.
The clock struck midnight as Ford sat at his desk, his cabin dimly lit by a single oil lamp. There were far more updated methods to light his room, but he had a love for the antique. Outside, the forest was eerily quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves. His notes were meticulously organized, his tools at the ready.
He didn’t have to wait long.
A strange, oppressive chill swept through the room. The oil lamp flickered, and the shadows seemed to stretch unnaturally across the walls.
“Here we go,” Ford muttered, standing and clutching a length of rope infused with sacred symbols—blessed by rituals he’d painstakingly performed over the last week.
The shadows coalesced, swirling into a vaguely human shape. A figure stepped forward, solidifying into a man, his face still covered in shadows as he approached with an air of cocky confidence.
“Good night I hope you are having,” the man drawled, his golden eye glinting in the low light. He adjusted his tie as if he were about to attend a dinner party. “You must be the genius who’s been poking around in my business.”
Ford’s brow furrowed, his grip on the rope tightening. “You’re the one feeding on the townsfolk.”
The man smirked. “Guilty as charged. And you are?”
“Your problem,” Ford shot back, hurling the sanctified rope with practiced precision.
The demon's eyes widened in surprise as the rope coiled around him, glowing faintly as it tightened. He stumbled backward, his form flickering like static on a broken TV. “What the—?!”
“You’ll find that escaping this won’t be easy,” Ford said, stepping closer. “Sacred symbols, blessed bindings—it’s all designed to trap creatures like you. You’re not going anywhere until we have a chat.”
The demon's initial panic dissolved into a laugh, sharp and grating. “Alright, alright, you got me, big guy. No need to gloat.” He tugged against the ropes, testing their strength, but they held firm. “Gotta say, you’re better prepared than most. Usually, people melt and moan just by seeing me, they would die just to touch me but you seem different. What are you, some sort of celibate?”
Ford ignored the taunt, studying the man carefully. There was something familiar about him now that shadows weren't covering his features. The sharp cheekbones, the too-perfect smirk, the glint in his eyes—it all tickled at the edges of Ford’s memory. And then it hit him.
He had seen that face on screen countless times.
Ford’s eyes widened. “You—you’re…” He faltered, his face flushing red. “You’re Bill Cipher?”
The man blinked, his grin faltering for the briefest moment before returning in full force. “In the flesh, sweetheart. What gave it away? My devilish good looks?”
Ford’s mind raced. Bill Cipher wasn’t just any succubus. He was the actor from some films Ford had seen…for research of course. Nothing else.
“You’re…” Ford struggled to find the words. “You’re the adult film actor. The one from the, uh… specialized genre.”
Bill’s grin split into a toothy smirk. “Oh, so you do recognize me. I knew I had fans, but I didn’t expect one to tie me up in his cabin. You want an autograph or something, weirdo?”
Ford’s face burned. “This isn’t about that! I’m trying to stop you from feeding on innocent people.”
“Right, because that’s the only reason and you just happened to be familiar with my films” Bill teased, leaning back casually despite the ropes binding him.
Ford grit his teeth, trying to ignore the jab. “How long have you been here, Cipher? How many people have you drained? Have you killed anyone?”
Bill rolled his eyes. “Ugh, you exorcist types are all the same. I’m not out here draining people dry, okay? I just take a little off the top. Barely noticeable. I have to feed to survive.”
“And what happens if you don’t?” Ford inquired
“I starve, obviously.” Bill shrugged. “Look, I get it, you’re all about protecting the little townsfolk, but I’m not some mindless monster. I have standards. Do you know how much effort it takes to maintain this face?”
Ford crossed his arms, one of his hands still gripping the rope as he considered his options. The sanctified ropes would hold for now, but he couldn’t keep Bill trapped indefinitely. Still, he couldn’t let the demon roam free.
“You need to feed at least once a week, correct?” Ford asked
Bill raised an eyebrow. “What, are you offering yourself as a snack? Gotta say, you’re more dedicated than most of my fans.”
Ford’s jaw tightened. “If feeding off me keeps you from tormenting others, then yes. I’m offering.”
Bill’s grin returned, wider than ever. “Oh, this just keeps getting better. You’re volunteering? You’re either a saint or you’ve got a thing for me. Probably the latter, did I make that much of an impression in my films?”
“It’s not about that!” Ford snapped, his cheeks burning. “It’s about stopping you from hurting anyone else.”
Bill tilted his head, studying Ford with an unreadable expression. “Huh. You’re serious.” He smirked again, his tone turning teasing. “Alright, Stanford. You’ve got yourself a deal. But don’t think I’m doing this out of the goodness of my heart. You just seem so... entertaining.”
Ford ignored the comment, loosening the sanctified ropes. “This isn’t for your benefit, Cipher.”
As the ropes fell away, Bill stretched, rubbing his arms and stretching, making a show out of it. “Whatever you say, Doc. Now, can you let me go home? Some of us have things to do.”
Ford froze. “You… live here?”
Bill smirked. “Of course I do. What, you think I commute to work?”
“You live in Gravity Falls?” Ford asked, being the question more to himself than anyone else.
“Ding, ding, ding! Give the man a prize, although you are quite slow” Bill said, his grin never faltering. “Gravity Falls is where the magic happens, baby. Literally.”
“Well, this has been fun,” Bill said, his tone light and teasing. “But I’ve got places to be, people to see.” He turned toward the shadowy corner but paused, glancing back over his shoulder. “Oh, and one more thing.”
Before Ford could react, Bill closed the distance between them, leaning in close. Ford stiffened as Bill’s lips brushed his ear.
“I’ll be back later,” Bill whispered, his voice a low purr. “I’m still hungry.”
Ford froze, his breath catching as a shiver ran down his spine.
Bill pulled back with a smug grin, patting Ford’s shoulder as if to mockingly reassure him. “Thanks for the chat, Doc. See you soon.”
With a casual wave, he strode towards the shadows in the corner. Just as he reached it, he glanced back, offering a seductive grin.
And with that, he stepped into the shadows, disappearing and leaving Ford standing in stunned silence.
As the cabin grew quiet once more, Ford’s mind reeled. He’d let Bill go. Worse, he’d fallen prey to the succubus’s charms, even if only for a moment.
“Brilliant, Stanford,” he muttered to himself, rubbing his temple. “You just made a deal with a demon. What could possibly go wrong?”
