Rapunzel pt. 2
"Good morning, Father," Dipper greeted as he walked down the stairs. He stretched, yawning a bit due to lack of sleep. His Father was sitting down, reading a scroll of some kind at the table.
"Good morning, Pine Tree. And happy birthday," he got up out of his chair, hugging the boy. He noticed the boy seemed to be buzzing with some kind of excitement. He even started to pull away before his father was ready, Cipher slowly releasing his grip on the boy. "So, are you ready for your birthday breakfast?"
Dipper nodded eagerly, not wanting to talk just yet. Cipher smiled then snapped his fingers, a plate of steaming, hot pancakes appearing on the table. Dipper's smile spread wider than his face. "Thank you Father!" he said as he hugged the man again.
Once again, he pulled away all too quickly. Dipper sat down, beginning to cut the meal into small bits. Cipher sat across from him, drumming his fingers lightly on the table. "So, have you decided what you want for your birthday?"
Dipper swallowed his first bite, face still beaming. "Well, actually, I have this idea." Cipher knew exactly what was about to happen, and it was going to go just according to his plan.
"Go on, my sapling." Cipher played with a bit of magic between his fingers, the same spell Dipper showed Mabel last night.
"You see, I still wish to go outside." Cipher glared at the boy, Dipper slightly shrinking under the gaze. "I think it would be fine if you came with me, and I'm sure the people are nice," he said, trying not to expose the fact someone had come to his tower last night.
Cipher stopped the magic, attention fully on Dipper. "And what would you know about people, Dipper? Didn't I tell you what they were like? What they would do to you."
"I know, but I just want to try it out, even if it's for one night." He looked toward his Father with pleading eyes, wanting just a night to show his father other people were good.
"Now Dipper, today is your day. What if something horrible were to happen on such a special occasion? Going outside will only lead to disaster, and think of how your birthday would be ruined," he said as he reached across the table, stroking the boy's hair behind his ear. As he moved his hand to the boy’s face, he was relieved to see the boy reaching toward it, but afterwards shocked when he brushed it away.
"I know that that may happen, but that's a risk I'm willing to take. Please Father Cipher, just let me-" but he was cut off.
"NO DIPPER! You will never be leaving this tower, ever. Do I make myself clear?" Dipper had fully shrunken into his chair, trying to hide from his Father's rage. Cipher recognized that look, that was the look on his enemies before he crushed them. "Now Dipper, I didn't mean-" but the warlock stopped himself. The boy had stood up, slightly jogging up the stairs.
'He's getting away from you, he's leaving,' Cipher thought. He allowed the boy a little more time to himself before going up the stairs. There was a lump under the sheets, it's had a steady rise and fall to it. "I won't stop you if you want to go out, just know, it's dangerous." The boy slightly lifted his head and Cipher could see the tears in his eyes, but he quickly ducked under the sheets once more.
---
Dipper knew what to do. He'd leave for one night, and then come right back. He needed to experience this, he couldn't wait any longer. Cipher was hoping, hoping that this 18 year project would pay off. All he wanted was a child, a perfect one to call his own that respected each of his wishes. And he thought he had gotten that, molded him to the correct image he wanted, but he was wrong. He had this spark, one that could not be contained without some force.
Dipper planned, stuffing pillows under his sheets and casting a spell on them to make them appear as if they were breathing. Cipher had finished his Pine Tree's gift, all he had to do was give it to him and then cast the spell. This specific spell could only be casted on birthdays and Cipher had already put one on himself. He realized he had to do it this year, young adults were too free-minded and even now Dipper was becoming more disobedient.
Dipper waited until his father came back to his room, like he knew he would, to check on him. He was about to lie to his father, and that fact actually excited him. He waited behind his dresser, watching as Cipher actually believed that lump was him. "Dipper, would you like your present now?" The lump of pillows made a shaking motion where the head would be, and Dipper silently applauded himself.
"Okay, how about I come back later?" The lump then nodded. Dipper had no clue that Cipher knew exactly what was going on. "I'll be in my room if you need anything... I love you Dipper." The real Dipper stood, silently questioning his choice. His Father really cared for him and had been the only one here for him all these years, but he could throw that away all in one night.
Cipher read the boy's thoughts, glad he felt guilt. This was all a test, if the boy did not go out it would prove he did not need to be contained even more than now. Maybe he would even give him a bit more freedom. But if he left, Cipher would need to watch him day and night. From the thoughts he heard, he believed the second option was more likely to happen.
Dipper heard the sheets rustle, and then the door to his Father's room shut. He came out from behind the dresser, slowly exiting the room while still holding his large pile of hair. He tiptoed down the steps, eventually getting to the window. He opened it, looking into the distance and seeing a girl on a horse. She looked confused, like the impossible had happened.
Dipper began waving, but the girl for some reason still did not see him. Well, if he was going to leave now would be the time. He looped his hair around the flower holder, making sure he had enough to jump. He looked to the ground, it seemed so far yet felt so close. And so he jumped, his hair working like a fireman's pole. He felt like a bird, flying and about to swoop down on his prey. But he realized he had to stop, so he grabbed his hair and he froze right before he hit the ground.
He stopped right then, feeling the ground beneath him. It wasn't hard and cold like inside, but soft and plush. He read about this stuff, it was called grass. He slowly stood, enjoying the new feeling. He began running, loving the exhilarating feeling. There was no space to run in the tower, but out here there seemed to be an endless amount of room.
Cipher was watching from the window, memories of a young Dipper going through his head. When the boy first walked, his first word, his first book. This was a new memory, he was experiencing the outside for the first time. At first he was happy, seeing his child this ecstatic, but he realized that Dipper was actually running away. And from the looks of it, he wouldn't even care if he never returned. Cipher banished the thought, sending his magic to Mabel’s horse. The animal began to get antsy, and while Mabel wanted to stay there really was nothing there. She rode off, leaving Dipper running to no one.
“Wait, Mabel!” he said, calling her name. But she was too far, off to search other parts of the forest for the mysterious tower. Dipper stopped, completely befuddled on why she didn't wait for him.
“She can't see us Dipper,” said Father Cipher as he appeared behind Dipper. The boy jumped and turned, shocked to see his Father could use such magic as teleporting.
“What do you mean?” the boy asked. His Father was acting weird lately and he didn't know why.
“There is a spell on the tower, anyone searching for the lost prince of the kingdom cannot see it and its inhabitants.” Dipper froze, utterly confused. The dots weren’t connecting, but then he thought about it. That girl looked exactly like him, and she was a princess. What if they were- “Yes, that is your sister.” Cipher was also reading his mind, that wasn't as new.
“But, that means-” but Cipher interrupted him again.
“Yes, you are a prince. And technically next in line for the throne of the kingdom.” He walked past the boy, his outfit glowing eerily in the moonlight. “Trust me, ruling a place like that isn't all what it seems. So many duties, a specific way they want you to act, so many people just crowding you.” The man stopped walking, turning back to Dipper. “Wouldn't you hate that?”
Dipper couldn't believe what he was hearing, and from one of the only people that he has ever known. “So, why aren't I living in the castle if I'm a prince? Who are my real parents? Who are you?”
“When you were first born, I made a deal with your parents, now the king and queen of the kingdom. To reassure the birth of both their children, I asked for something.”
“Me, you asked for me. And, they just gave me up like that?” Dipper could not believe what he was hearing, his so called parents so easily doing that. Cipher didn't want to tell him the specifics of the deal, that might have caused some issues.
“I'm sorry you had to find out this way, Dipper.” He approached the boy with open arms, but the younger backed away. “You must believe me, I've loved you just as much as a blood father would have loved his son.” The boy still said nothing, tears starting to prick his eyes.
Cipher didn't know what to do, he'd never thought it would come to this. So he began singing, the song that always calmed the boy’s nerves. “Don't you know what's out there in the world?” He was now in front of the boy, towering over him with his height. Dipper’s birthmark was glowing, he wished he could stop it. “Someone has to shield you from the world.” Cipher moved his cape to encircle him and the boy, about to teleport them back to the tower. “Stay with me.” He was about to brush his fingers on the boy’s check, but just as he was about to touch it Dipper grabbed his hand, stopping the illumination.
“No. You've kept me in that tower for far too long. Real father or not, I don't want to stay here anymore.” The boy moved out of the cape, walking towards the woods.
“Now Pine Tree, I don't know if you realize this but I can always force you to stay with me.” The boy turned around, seeing the man’s maniacal smile. “Although, we could make a deal.”
“Like what?” He was nervous, this was his freedom on the line.
“If you can find your way out of the woods by sunrise, I'll take you to the castle and make sure you get the throne.” The boy thought, thinking it sounded reasonable enough. “But, if you fail, you will have to stay with me forever, and do whatever I say.”
“So just like before?” said the boy as he crossed his arms.
The warlock smiled. “Well yes, basically. What do you say?” he said as he held out his hand.
Dipper looked at it, not sure what to do. Then he took the hand. “Deal.”
“Excellent. You better start now, the woods are large and very hard to see in at night. Oh, and if you ever call my name, the deal will end because it proves you still need me. I wish you the best of luck, you'll need it!” The man took his cape, twisting it around his form. He disappeared and while Dipper knew he was gone, he could still feel eyes on him.
‘Just like at home,’ he thought to himself. With that, he took off in the opposite direction of the tower. The woods were strange, so many trees that in the darkness seemed to be alive. The ground felt weird in some places, Dipper not being able to see what was below him scared him. When the moonlight did show, it only shinned on the tower which somehow kept appearing. This was all a trick, he knew it, he just couldn't find a way to stop it.
He began to feel drowsy, running for so long and not getting anywhere. His long hair dragged behind him, slowing him down. He tripped many times, sometimes into piles of leaves and other times into mud. He could hear the animals, their growls and screeches in the night.
Dipper finally thought he was getting somewhere, he hadn't seen the tower for what felt like an hour. But once again he tripped, putting his elbows to the ground to lighten the impact. That’s when he heard an animal behind him. It's breathing was heavy, all Dipper could make out was the dark outline and its piercing yellow eyes. He scooted backwards on his bum, but that caused the beast to growl.
He saw it, ready to charge at him so he braced himself. “Father!” he called, the growl of the beast stopping. It was replaced by a tiny whimper, and as Dipper moved his hands he saw it backing away. He didn't know why, until he felt a warm presence behind him.
“I'm right here Pine Tree, you’re safe. Now and forever.” Just as the warlock was about to scoop him up, Dipper stood.
“No, I don't want to go back!” And with that, Dipper took off running. He ran straight, not caring what direction he was going in, only knowing he couldn't stay with that man.
“Oh Pine Tree, we had a deal…” he heard echoing around the woods. “And I've come to collect my end of the bargain.” He appeared in front of the boy’s path, Dipper stopping so fast he almost fell once again. The boy turned, ready to run, but he was tugged back by something, and he screamed at the pain he felt. “Do you really want to know why I've kept your hair so long, Pine Tree?” Dipper felt that tugging again, bringing him closer to Cipher.
“So you'll never be able to run away, ever.” The boy had been fully tugged into Cipher’s arms, the man holding him there. “It's like a little trail for me to follow. Something that will slow you down long enough for me to catch you.” The warlock snapped his fingers, the boy instantly falling asleep in his grasp. And so Cipher picked up the boy, using his cape to make them disappear, just like that night.
---
Dipper awoke in his room the next morning, still feeling somewhat drowsy. He felt something strange on his neck, and when he looked down at it, he saw a blue pine tree necklace. He thought about last night, the memories finally coming back to him and hitting him like a ton of bricks. He looked towards the door to his room, finding it strange to no longer be the sheets but an actual wooden door. He moved his bed sheets aside, going to the door, happy to find it unlocked.
He slowly began to walk down the stairs, feeling like a child in a world that was too big for him. The main room was dark, no windows open but a few candles lit. “Pine Tree, please come down here,” he heard his father say. Dipper froze, scared out of his wits to face the man. “Come on Pine Tree, we don't have all day.”
‘What could we possibly be doing today? We never do anything,’ Dipper thought to himself.
“I heard that, young man,” Cipher said, tone strict. Dipper speed up more, getting to the bottom of the staircase. His father was sitting in his golden chair, looking very tired. “Did you sleep well?” he asked, putting a smile on his face.
Dipper continued watching him, eventually answering with a, “Fine, thank you.”
Cipher nodded. “Good, good… Do you remember everything from last night?” Dipper looked to him, nodding a bit. “Of course you do. Well, come over here. I've got to explain a few things to you.” Dipper slowly approached, standing beside the warlock. “You may bring over a chair if you'd like, or sit by my feet.” Dipper looked to him, deciding he may needed something to cry on and going down to lay his head on his father’s lap.
Cipher smiled, stroking the boy’s hair. The boy wanted to pull away, regretting his choice but realizing he couldn't move now. “Well, I gave you your birthday present last night. That necklace you’re wearing.” Dipper held the necklace, looking at it and realizing a kind of magic was coming from it. “There's also a spell I performed with it, so you'll be this age forever.” Dipper looked up to the man, tears in his eyes. “Don't worry, I'll be here with you. I've had the same thing done to me.”
Dipper placed his head in the man’s lap once again, feeling about ready to die. “So, I've decided to go over the terms of our little deal again, just to sort things out.” Dipper didn't look up, Cipher taking this as an okay to continue. “You are to listen to me fully, no questioning my choices and doing everything I say. You are to answer me when I speak to you. Is that clear?” Dipper did not answer, causing Cipher to grab his ear.
“Ow! Y-yes…” Dipper answered. Cipher released his ear.
“Good. Basic rules, no trying to escape. No opening windows without my permission. No going into my room. No magic without my permission. No trying to kill me. No trying to kill yourself. Got it?”
Dipper nodded his head, answering with a quite, “Got it.” Cipher lifted his chin, seeing the boy’s face and wiping away his tears.
“Pine Tree, I mean this when I say this, I love you.” He stroked the boy’s face, this time Dipper not even responding. “You know, I could wipe your memory if you'd like. This awkwardness would fade instantly, and we’d be back to our old, perfect relationship. Would you want that?” Dipper shook his head, looking down to the man’s lap, wishing he could just lay there forever. “How about you go open the window?”
Dipper slowly stood, walking over and opening the wooden window. He looked outside, shocked and amazed to see they were no longer in the woods, but a meadow. He looked below, seeing all kinds of flowers and animals. Dipper looked back to his father, face alight with excitement, until he remembered what the man did. “It's your decision if you want to try and escape or not,” Cipher said. “Just know, your hair will always lead me right to you.” Dipper looked around, trying to find something sharp, then finding a pair of scissors on the table.
Cipher just watched, a bit of amusement in his eyes. Dipper walked over, then picked them up. He brought them up to his hair, about to snip. Cipher watched this happening, seeing how the test was playing out. The hair represented Dipper’s childhood, if he didn't snip it still meant he was child, needing his parent. Dipper’s hands shook, he was about to cut it. Before he could, he dropped them onto the floor. The clang was music to Cipher’s ears, this child was his, now and forever.
Dipper fell onto the floor, crying all his problems away. Cipher got up, going to the boy and pulling him into his lap. He stroked the boy’s face again, this time Dipper grabbing on with both hands. Cipher held him tighter, feeling blessed that his child was once more perfect.
Dipper felt a large difference in his life, the place he once believed was a home was actually his prison. It would be a while before he felt like it was home again. But Cipher didn't care, the boy and him would be alive forever, and forever is enough time to forget something bad. Their relationship was mended, possibly even stronger than their last since Dipper realized Cipher would make sure to never let him see another human again. He tried remembering Mabel, but her voice was like a distant and fuzzy sound. All he had to do to see her was look in the mirror.
After keeping track of Dipper’s thoughts, making sure they were back to normal, Cipher actually allowed Dipper to go outside. The boy was ecstatic, his father giving him a journal to write down his discoveries. Of course Cipher always went with him, making sure he would never go too far. Once Dipper discovered most of the meadow, Cipher made the tower appear in other areas. He always kept a close eye on his Pine Tree, he was still a child after all.
Hundreds of years passed, Cipher and his child living peacefully, never aging a day. At this time, the tower resided in that same meadow they first went to. Cipher’s back was against the tower, Dipper’s head lied in his lap. The boy read a book, smiling contently about a girl with long hair who lived in a tower, one day saved by a prince. Cipher played with the boy’s hair, enjoying the fact it has always been like this.
"Stay with me, The world is dark and wild.” Dipper closed his eyes, listening to the only other voice he knew. It was melodious to him, he didn't care for anything else. “Stay a child while you can be a child.” Cipher looked upon the perfect boy, loving him more than imaginable. “With me." And it was like this until the end of time.