Chapter Text
The first time Dipper Pines met his mate, he wasn't quite sure what to think. He was 12 when the young Prince was 14, and he looked nothing like he had imagined him to be. His mate was a taller boy with golden hair and a bright blue eye, his other covered by a black and golden eyepatch that remained unknown to Dipper why he was wearing it. Dipper could faintly smell the alpha scent off the boy, knowing he could probably smell the omega hormones off of him. For now, though, his scent only reflected his emotions which, as far as anyone could tell, were just anxiety and annoyance ridden. The alpha prince across the room scrunched his nose, forcing the small crown on his head to tilt at his movements. Dipper only seemed to glance back at him in response to his expressionless stare, crossing his arms over his chest in self-consciousness.
"Your Majesty, this is Dipper Pines of the Pines family from the United States. The Prince's soulmate."
Nemnogo Stranno (or as many affectionately called him, Tad) shifted forward in his throne, getting a better look of the boy that stood before them. His almost-purple eyes studied Dipper after mulling through his mental translation of the English his servant had spoken in. There was no doubt about the evidence he'd seen earlier of their marks, the boy was definitely the Prince's soulmate, but he was an incredible contrast to the younger alpha's normally outgoing personality. He assumed it was due to the boy's anxiety, which was quite potent in the air, from both his trip across seas and his sudden meeting with the royal family, as well as his omega hormones.
"Dipper, it's a pleasure to finally meet you." Tad arose from his seat, gracefully walking down the steps to meet the young boy. Dipper trembled before him, holding down a smile at the thick accent that laced itself with every word the King spoke, taking his lower lip into his mouth as he looked up at the tall man. He sniffled slightly when the man reached his hand out, awaiting for him to take it. Dipper finally obliged, making the King smile. They finally broke apart, leaving Dipper to lean back against his great-uncle once again. He really wished Mabel were here.
The Prince remained at his seat across the room, staring at Dipper in a way that made his hair stand. Was he supposed to be his soulmate? Dipper didn't see any other Prince-like individuals around. Dipper clenched his jaw when the boy made no move to greet him. The King seemed to reflect this, moving to sigh as he turned his attention to his nephew by his throne.
"Are you going to come here and meet your mate?"
The boy only turned his attention from Dipper to Tad for a moment before returning to stare at Dipper yet again. He didn't move, making the King frown before turning back to Dipper.
"I'm afraid he takes a short while to warm up to strangers. Are you hungry?"
"Yes, your Majesty." It was clear Dipper wasn't used to the title, as it rolled uncomfortably off his tongue. The weight of the fact that his own soulmate didn't seem too thrilled to meet him also affecting his voice. Tad only smiled warmly in response.
"Come then. Our servants will get you and your guardian something to eat."
Dipper followed Stan as they followed a suit-clad man out of the throne room. He made a final glance back at the prince, aware the boy still hadn't taken his eye off him. If Dipper was honest, he was relieved to be away from the boy's careful watch. Once they were out of the room and they heard the doors close behind them, Stan and Dipper visibly relaxed, letting out a heavy breath in unison. They turned to each other, wary smiles gracing their lips.
"Well, at least that's done with, 'eh kid?"
Dipper nodded, moving his hand to force his bangs out of his face. His suit felt uncomfortably hot, and he regretted not breaking in his new shoes before they'd arrived in Russia. He could feel his muscles begin to ache from the uncomfortably long plane trip they'd taken, along with the tension that built in his muscles from being in the uncomfortably stiff presence of royalty. They were guided through large hallways, filled lavishly with red carpet and golden accents that made Dipper weary the longer they stayed in the castle. He could sense Stan's tenseness as well, making him a little relieved to know he wasn't the only one uncomfortable with the environment. When they finally arrived to the kitchen, they were greeted with the heavy smell of freshly baked bread and the roasting of meat, making Dipper's stomach growl loudly. Stan laughed, shoving Dipper playfully.
"Sheesh, Dipper, you make it seem like I don't feed you!"
"Do airplane peanuts count as food?" Dipper playfully jabbed, earning a laugh from the older Pines member.
The servant smiled, introducing the two to the smiling chef that stood before them. She was tall, like many of the people here, but she had a warm smile that reminded Dipper of his mom.
"It's so lovely to meet you, my lord. My name's Alla. I am the head chef for the Royal family."
"Just call me Dipper, please." The boy blushed, rubbing the back of his head nervously. Stan snorted.
"Very well, Dipper. Would you both like some warm cheese rolls?"
Dipper and Stan nodded, drooling slightly when Alla gently placed a plate full of the rolls in front of them. They feasted, grinning at each other as they took a bite of the soft rolls. Dipper could eat just this for the rest of his life. They smiled when they were done, parting with 'thank you's' to the chef as they left the kitchen. The main guard asked for Stan, leaving Dipper with a different guard who remained stoic near him. He cocked his head to the side, curiosity getting the better of him as he began walking down the large corridor. He then noticed a large elaborate door open in front of him and the golden-haired boy walked out, staring at him in mild surprise.
Dipper could get a better look at the boy now, clad in formal Russian Royalty attire. The alpha was clad in a deep red coat that hugged his torso in a way that accented his broad shoulders. A golden rope hung across his chest that matched the glistening color of the crown that rested on his head and he wore dark black slacks that were tucked uniformly into shiny black boots. His golden hair was combed neatly, and his one piercing blue eye met Dipper's dark brown ones in an expression he couldn't read. Dipper's breath caught in his throat as he blushed. Bill remained silent as he walked closer to Dipper, never breaking their eye contact the closer he got. Soon they were only a few inches apart with the Prince finally breaking eye contact to look him up and down. Dipper shifted uncomfortably in his suit as the heavenly scent wafted from the alpha the closer the boy came. The alpha was his height, which comforted Dipper slightly. Though, he still felt incredibly underdressed in front of this famous Russian Prince, feeling anxiety bubble in his stomach the longer the alpha examined him. His sky-blue eye again met his own, before he turned on his heel and left without a word. Dipper watched the boy continue down the hallway, disappearing into a room before he turned to look at the guard who had bowed in the Prince's presence.
That was weird.
Dipper sighed, continuing down the hallway as he attempted to walk off the anxiety that had settled in his stomach. He had decided: he didn't like his soulmate. But Stan had told him that after this, they could go home. Home to shadowy forest lighting and dusty brown dirt. Home to the fresh smell of pine trees and dew that hung in the air. And the warm embraces of his twin sister. He glanced at his watch, pressing his lips into a thin line when he calculated that they still had about an hour left until they could leave for their flight. That was, if the royal family didn't want them to extend their stay. Dipper doubted they'd ask him to remain in their home with the way the Prince treated him, and it was a relief.
"My lord?"
Dipper turned to see a different guard smiling softly at him. He had soft blue eyes and soft black hair, but the way that he smiled at Dipper made him return the gentle smile. Dipper could tell the man was an Alpha, but he held himself as a Beta in a comforting manner.
"I'm sorry for disturbing your thoughts, my lord. But the royal court requests your presence in the throne room again."
Dipper nodded, following the guard that guided him through the castle. The doors opened to reveal Stan standing in the center of the room, an unamused scowl masked with indifference. Dipper briefly wondered what they had talked to Stan about. He walked to Stan's side, hearing the doors close behind him as he looked to see the King and the Prince again sitting in the throne area in the center of the room. Dipper tensed when he realized this was going to be when they were told to either high tail it out or be told that he was to stay for longer observation. He glanced at the alpha again and the boy only stared at him stoically. It bothered Dipper that the boy would constantly stare at him, but never utter a word to indicate just what he was thinking. At least he would be home soon.
"Dipper Pines." Dipper turned his attention to the King who smiled warmly at him. "I formally ask that you-"
Dipper listened carefully. Would he go home? He didn't hate Russia, but he missed home terribly. This country had a bitter air to it, which wasn't bad in the slightest, but nothing compared to his home in Gravity Falls. And the thought of being here without Stan or Mabel made him even more uncomfortable and anxious. He hadn't packed for longer than two week's stay. He clenched his jaw as the King continued.
"Remain here for the rest of the month."
"What?" Dipper blurted, eyes widened in shock. Stan nudged him, clearing his throat in warning as Dipper blushed in embarrassment. "I'm sorry, your Majesty. Could you please repeat that?"
"I'm formally inviting you to stay here for just a week longer." Tad chuckled, eyes crinkling in amusement at the boy's reaction. Stan turned to Dipper, eyebrows raised in a way that the boy would normally have found funny, but it just added to his anxiety.
"I-I'm honored, your majesty." Dipper finally stated. He could feel his hands shaking and he looked at the Prince who only tilted his head slightly.
"Great! I'll have Alexander show you to your room when you're ready." Tad raised his jewelry-clad hand, and Dipper smiled when the same guard who had guided him here had stepped forward. "And Stanley Pines, I will have the guard take you to the airport when it is time for you to go."
Dipper and Stanley bowed slightly before turning to leave the throne room when the King had dismissed them. The younger alpha silently watched them leave, and Dipper thought he'd seen a faint smile on the boy's lips. Alexander waited until the two had left the room before closing the doors behind them, finally turning his attention to the Pines family.
"I can take you both to a room while you wait for your great-uncles departure, your lordship."
Dipper nodded, following Stan as they were led to another elaborately decorated room. Dipper frowned slightly after the guard had left them. He turned to Stanley who had returned his expression.
"Hey, kid. It's gonna be okay."
Dipper didn't realize he had been holding back tears until they were rolling down his cheeks, forcing him to let out a pathetic whimper as he ran to embrace Stan. The man wrapped his arms around the boy in response, patting his back reassuringly.
"It's only for a week. Besides, we're all gonna celebrate your birthday when ya get back. You'll be a big ol' thirteen year old, ready to make mistakes and break some laws." This earned a sniffling giggle from the younger Pines boy. "When you get home we'll go all out. I'll even buy regular Pitt soda instead of the diet one. How does that sound?" Dipper sniffled, nodding as he smiled. Stan lifted a hand to ruffle his hair playfully. "Don't get into too much trouble here, alright? Your parents will blame me if you make any horrible decisions. Something about me being a bad influence? Who knows."
Dipper was fully laughing now, wiping his tears away with the back of his hand. His heart was still heavy, but lighter with Stan's words. Light silence filled the room before Dipper broke it.
"Stan, I just don't understand. I thought he didn't like me. He never even spoke to me.
"Well, kid, sometimes it's not like the movies where soulmates run across the room and hug each other. Only Hollywood could pull that sappy stuff off. Besides, he probably has a reputation to uphold, or something like that. Clearly he likes you enough to want you to stay a little longer." Stan placed the hand that was in Dipper's hair on his shoulder instead, giving him his signature smirk. "Just remember what I taught ya."
"Just because I'm an omega don't mean I have to act like it." They both stated in unison.
"Good, kid." Stan patted his back roughly before turning to see the door open.
"My apologies for interrupting. The car is ready for your departure outside. I can take you to the entrance if you're ready." Alexander smiled warmly.
Stan turned back to Dipper after nodding in response.
"You're an alpha on the inside, kid. Don't you forget it. Stay strong and I'll see you in a week, alright?"
Dipper nodded, frowning slightly when Stan ruffled his hair again before turning to leave.
"Please stay here, my lord. I will be back for you shortly."
He just watched sadly as the man disappeared around the corner, leaving him to stand awkwardly in the empty room. He glanced around nervously. He tried not to let anxiety eat him up as time passed by, pacing the floor as his heart began to race. He was panicking. The soulmate mark on his upper arm began to itch, and he scratched it absentmindedly.
The door opened finally, but instead of the tall, dark-haired man he was expecting, the blond-haired Prince took careful steps into the room. His blue eye quickly met with Dipper's, making the younger boy freeze. The Prince closed the door behind him quietly, quietly walking up to the omega. Dipper stared at him, waiting for any change in his stoic expression or verbal explanation. Instead, the young alpha stood in front of him silently. Dipper fidgeted, and his soulmate mark felt even itchier. The alpha leaned forward and took his hand in his own softer ones, making Dipper's heart stop. He swallowed hard, hoping it wasn't as obvious as it felt when his face heated. The Prince only lifted his hand, and gently leaned down to kiss his knuckle.
The kiss itself was so soft and tender that Dipper almost didn't feel it, but his entire being relaxed instantly at the touch. His heart, however, pounded harder in his chest as the boy straightened, still holding onto his hand. He could feel the soulmate mark warm comfortably on his arm.
"Your fear travels through the mark." The boy struggled, his accent thick as he attempted to speak in the obviously foreign language. Dipper frowned.
"I'm sorry."
"No, it is okay. I am the sorry one." Dipper's eyebrows furrowed in confusion and annoyance with himself as he continued to watch the alpha mull over what Dipper assumed was his next translation. "I didn't introduce myself before and that is my fault. I was...scared?"
Dipper nodded slightly in understanding, making the Prince's shoulders relax slightly.
"I am Vil'gel'm Shifr, Royal Prince of Russia, your soulmate and future Alpha." He took a small bow, making Dipper blush further.
The alpha returned to his taller stance, carefully taking Dipper's other hand and holding them both in his own.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, your Highness."
"None of that. Call me...Bill. Please."
"Bill." Dipper smiled. It was so strangely American of a nickname, he knew it had to be on purpose. The alpha seemed amused at Dipper's soft smile at the name, bringing his hand up again for a gentle kiss.
"Please, forgive my...early behavior. I did not wish to hurt you."
Dipper shook his head, his smile growing as his anxiety slowly faded into the back of his mind. He could feel that his face was still heated, but he didn't mind it. Bill let go of one of his hands, but held the other with a gentle grip that made Dipper's heart flutter.
"I can show you around, if you would like?"
"I would like that a lot." Bill grinned, gently tugging Dipper out of the room. He snapped his fingers and a guard walked forward. Bill said something in Russian, earning a curt nod and the guard stood by the door. Dipper really wished he'd asked his other great-uncle, Ford, to teach him some Russian before he came.
They walked around the castle with Bill intertwining their fingers together, explaining with a rough translation the purpose of the different rooms he guided them through. Dipper tried not to laugh at the broken English, instead admiring the harsh accent that betrayed the boy's graceful appearance. They walked around for an hour and Dipper could tell they weren't even remotely done. His opinion had changed of the Russian prince, from that of disdain to one of awe, watching the boy grip his hand tighter when he spoke of certain memories, and how sometimes he would run the pad of his thumb over his hand in a comforting gesture. However, their tour was interrupted suddenly as a guard approached the two, saying something to Bill that earned an eye roll and an annoyed response in Russian. The guard pursed his lips before leaving. Bill turned back to him, grinning as they continued forward.
They continued walking around for another hour until Dipper's stomach growled loudly, making him laugh softly as he rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. Bill's piercing eye looked at his stomach as he stopped suddenly.
"Are you hungry?"
Dipper nodded, giving the boy a nervous smile. Bill only grinned in return, turning the other way to guide them down a familiar hallway. They stopped in front of the kitchen doors, with Bill turning to gently guide him to lean up against the wall.
"Quiet, I will be back!" The prince whispered before sneaking through the doors. Dipper giggled and waited, hearing banging in the kitchen and a loud groan, until Bill slipped through the door again with a folded napkin. He smiled a toothy grin at Dipper, making the boy blush slightly as the alpha grabbed his hand again and started down the hallway. Bill glanced around, making the crown slide slightly down his head as they quickly darted into a room. Dipper realized it was the room he'd seen Bill come out of earlier. Bill gently pushed Dipper inside, quickly glancing down the hallway before closing his door. He turned back to Dipper who had taken to walking around the room curiously.
The bed in the center of the room was large and exaggerated, brimming with colorful silt sheets and soft fur blankets. Dipper absently ran his fingers through one of them, registering the fur as rabbit's. He sensed a being beside him and smiled when Bill came into his peripheral. He smiled at him before turning his attention to the ceiling, filled with masterful artwork that he couldn't quite understand the story of. Bill followed his gaze to the ceiling.
"It tells of a great vucari."
Dipper looked at him questioningly and Bill nibbled on his lower lip in thought.
"It is, in your culture, a human that is a wolf?"
"A werewolf?"
Bill nodded, snapping his fingers at the word. Dipper chuckled, looking back at the painting in awe. It was incredibly detailed, but instead of being terrifying it was majestic, surrounded by beautiful clouds and carefully silky ribbon. Bill crawled onto the bed, patting the seat next to him. Dipper obliged, crawling next to the Prince and reveling in the softness of the mattress below him. It almost felt unreal with how squishy and soft it was.
Bill took his hand in between his own larger ones, running his fingers over the top of Dipper's. It made him grin, with the touch being on the verge of ticklish, but remained pleasant as Bill began massaging his wrist and his forearm.
"Can I see it?"
Dipper blinked, shooting Bill a questioning look. Bill cleared his throat.
"The mark?"
Dipper raised his eyebrows in understanding as he shuffled off the bed, out of Bill's grasp. He pulled off his jacket, resting it on the bed beside them as he started unbuttoning his white dress shirt. When that too had come off, Bill's eye immediately shot to his upper arm, eye widened as he quickly jumped off the bed to get a better look. The smile that spread across the Prince's face made Dipper's heart flutter.
"You really are my mate." Bill breathed, eyes glistening at the sight.
Dipper laughed when the prince wrapped his arms around his waist, pulling him in. It faded into a warm smile as Bill rested his forehead against his, and they stood there for a while in warm bliss. Bill began tracing designs into his lower back, making Dipper giggle when they tickled. Everything about this moment was tender, from the scent of Bill taking over the room in a protective and loving manner, to the gently possessive arms around his waist. Dipper closed his eyes and took the moment in.
The gentle touches and soft words throughout the next few days increased the closer Dipper's flight home came. What started as gentle brushes of fingers under the table or in the library turned into hand holding in the hallways and gentle strokes of his cheek by Bill when they were alone. When the day came that Dipper had to leave, it was clear Bill was upset about his departure. He held onto Dipper until the last moment, growling softly at the guards who came too close. Tad gave a reassuring smile as he placed his hand on Bill's shoulder when they stood outside the castle. A guard placed Dipper's belongings into the black car, but Dipper remained in Bill's strong grip.
"Sosna, don't go."
Dipper frowned when Bill pulled him into a tight hug. He wrapped his arms around the Prince, nuzzling his neck. It earned a small whine in his ear when he placed a gentle kiss on the Prince's neck.
"My lord, we must go."
Dipper gently pulled away from Bill.
"I'll be back next summer."
"That's too long."
"I know."
"Will you write me?"
Dipper nodded. He heard the car door open and he turned, happy to see Alexander holding the door for him. He turned back and gently grabbed Bill's hand, kissing it gently before descending the stairs toward the car.
"I will see you next summer, moya sosna."
Dipper smiled, waving before getting into the car. Alexander closed the door and rounded the bumper, hopping into the driver's seat. Bill watched sadly as his omega disappeared in the distance.
A year was a long time to wait.