Over 20,000 views now! Woo hoo! Thank you to everyone for reading.

A special thank you to my reviewers: TheEvil4ssHole, Insert Name Here, Imnotaguestanymore, Ella Le Hissy, DiamondLuna2, and Tyrone the Clone for your reviews of the last chapter.

Tyrone the Clone, in response to your review: Thank you so much. That was so in depth. I wanted to keep their relationship as realistic as possible. Bill himself doesn't know where he stands in terms of his evilness.

Insert Name Here, in response to your review: I'm sorry I keep hurting Ford. I hope it's some consolation that Bill did not intend to hurt Ford by dating Chelsea, he only did that to keep in close contact with Pyronica. Stan will have a "talk" with Bill in this chapter.

It was after ten when Ford finally returned from his walk. Stan had considered rallying a search party.

The author slowly closed the door behind him. His boots tracked mud in the gift shop. Stan ignored the mess and decided he would assign Bill to clean it in the morning after it dried and would require heavy scrubbing.

Stan gave his brother a half smile. Ford turned away and headed into the kitchen. He opened the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of water. The cap cracked as the seal was broken. He heard laughter from the living room.

Against his better judgment Ford poked his head into the living room to see Bill sitting on the chair with Chelsea in his lap. Soos had brought in a chair of his own. Soos was in the middle of a story about when he entered a dance off.

Chelsea kissed Bill on the cheek then rested her head on his chest. Bill tightened his hold on her. He planted a kiss on her forehead making her giggle. Ford felt nauseous.

Chelsea pulled out her phone. She turned on the camera and held it up to take a selfie of her and her new boyfriend. She uploaded the photo to her Facebook and Instagram with the caption: Chilling With My Boyfriend!

Ford had to turn away from the scene. Suddenly the healing wound on his chest didn't cause him as much pain.

The twins passed in the kitchen. Ford said a soft goodnight to his brother before heading to the laboratory bedroom. Stan glanced up at the clock on the kitchen wall. With a glare he entered his living room.

"Okay, honey, it's time for you to go," Stan said to Chelsea.

The blonde looked at her boyfriend then back to the co-owner of the shack.

"You heard me, toots, get your butt out of my house," Stan ordered.

"Like rude," Chelsea commented. She flipped her hair then stood.

She placed a hand on either arm rest and leaned over to give Bill one last passionate kiss. She swiftly spun, her hair swatting Stan in the face. She left the shack, slamming the door behind her.

Stan gave Soos a look that told him he wanted to have a private moment with Bill. Soos said goodnight to Bill and his employer then hurried out the back door.

Stan turned, letting his glare fall on Bill. The demon had the audacity to smile at him.

The human grabbed Bill by the front of his shirt and yanked him out of the chair. Bill's grin increased.

"Alright, Cipher, first of all, you don't sit in my chair," Stan bellowed. He shook the demon. Bill's curls swayed in his face. "Second, what the hell was all that about?"

"Whatever do you mean, Fez?" Bill asked.

Stan decked Bill in the face. The demon crumpled on the floor. Stan gritted his teeth at the sound of muffled laughter into the carpet. He lifted his head. At the sight of that smirk, Stan grabbed Bill and punched him in the mouth.

Bill fell backwards. His head smacked the recliner. Bill looked up at the human. Blood leaked from his gums. Bill slowly moved himself to his feet.

Stan grabbed him by the collar and pulled him close. Bill looked at his own reflection in the lenses of the human's glasses.

"I want to know right now, where do you stand with my brother?" Stan asked. His free hand was still formed in a fist.

Bill replied with a shrug. Stan hissed at that smug grin on the blond's face. The elderly man threw one more punch. Bill caught himself on the side of the chair. He looked up at Stan. His right eye started to swell.

"And that crap at the hospital?" Stan asked.

"Oh? You mean that I was happy my friend was alive?" Bill asked. He pulled himself free from Stan's hold.

"Friends?" Stan asked. "That didn't look like just friends."

He scoffed and straightened the wrinkles out of his shirt. "Do you honestly believe I'd have feelings for the man who trapped me in this body?"

Stan was taken back. He's eyes narrowed. "Well then you need to tell him." He swung his arm across his face. "I won't allow you to hurt him anymore."

"Oh, shame on me. Did I hurt poor Fordsy's feelings?" Bill mocked.

Stan clenched his fists. "You're begging me to break open your face."

As he was about to advance Bill held up a finger.

"Careful, Ley, you hurt me too bad and the doctors will start asking questions." He stepped next to Stan and patted him on the shoulder. "How awful it would be for the police to investigate this shack." He folded his hands and squinted his eyes with mock glee. "Oh what fun things they'll find in the basement."

With that he strolled out of the room. Stan listened as the back door opened and shut. He figured Bill was just blowing smoke, but still felt the need to bring that up to Ford in the morning.

The next morning Ford woke early. He hurried out of the house, careful not to wake anyone. He had an agenda to complete before starting his next research project.

The first thing he did was open the container that housed the lava rat. The rodent gingerly made its way out of the unit that had been its holding cell for two months. Its tiny nose wiggled as it approached the opening. Beady eyes stared up at the scientist, then the rat dashed out of the cage.

Ford watched as the creature escaped to freedom. He rarely kept his specimen for long, unless they proved to be too dangerous, or interesting to release back in the wall. There was nothing more that animal could provide him with.

"See how easy it is to let something go," a high-pitched voice said from behind.

Ford jumped to his feet and swiftly turned to see Bill standing behind him with a smile on his face. Ford took a deep breath. Even though close to three months passed since Bill first came to live with them, he occasionally associated that voice with danger.

"Shouldn't you be with your girlfriend?" Ford asked and turned away.

Bill rolled his eyes. "She had to go to work," he answered and kicked a stone.

Ford's heart stung at those words.

"So I'm just here to ease your boredom?" Ford asked.

Bill was taken back by that statement. "No...I thought we were friends." He ran a hand through his hair. "Did I do something to change that?"

Ford sighed. He realized how unfair he had been to Bill. He had misread the signs and let his heart and hopes interpret something that wasn't the truth. He shook his head.

"No, I'm sorry," Ford said. He turned and his smile fell when he finally noticed the bruising on Bill's cheek along with the scab on his bottom lip. "What happened to your face?" he asked.

He held out his hand to inspect, then suddenly stopped. His fingers curved in on themselves. He retracted his arm.

"Your brother," Bill answered.

Ford sighed again. He would have to have a talk with Stan about his way of dealing with problems.

"Shouldn't you be at the Mystery Shack?" Ford asked.

Bill jumped atop a log and walked along it, nearly losing his balance twice. He jumped off the edge and turned to greet the human with a smile.

"Yep," he answered with a laugh. He climbed on top of a boulder. "But I'm not gonna."

Ford chuckled. For once he didn't care that Bill was breaking the rules.

He pushed away any hopeful thoughts. Bill was correct, they were only friends. It was nice to have a friend outside his family. Despite the pain, he preferred having him by his side.

"Do you want to accompany me instead?" Ford asked.

Bill laughed. "Sure would, Sixer."

He jumped down by Ford's side. Ford wanted to do some research on a particular healing crystal hidden within the forest. He explained to Bill that what was left of the healing potion was being analyzed back at the shack, and would take another day to get a result of every ingredient. He figured with all the accidents they've had of late, it would be beneficial to use anything that would keep them from the hospital.

They walked in silence, taking in the noises of nature. The weather was warmer than it had been the last few weeks. It only reminded Ford that winter would be approaching fast. Only one of the worlds he visited in the portal had snow. He looked forward to seeing it again for the first time in ten years. A part of him longed for his youth when he and Stanley enjoyed the snowy winters of New Jersey.

Sometimes he wondered if he should visit his hometown, both he and Stan, just to get closure. He could barely remember what Glass Shard Beach looked like. He wondered if he would even recognize the little boy he used to be.

At last they reached the clearing he remembered. Heavy boots stopped along the edge of the lively brook. Clear, crimson water splashed over rocks. A few drops sprinkled on Ford's pants.

Ford knelt down. He reached his hand into the water and felt along for the smooth edge of the crystal they sought. He plucked a scarlet nugget out of the water. A sunbeam hit the wet stone and shone a red light over Bill's face. Ford smiled as the bruising on his cheek nearly vanished.

"I've never seen it work that fast," Ford commented. He looked down at the stone to see it had lost some of its color and shine.

The stone was placed on the grass. The scientist reached into his pocket and pulled out the binder. He flipped to one of the first pages. Two pages were dedicated to the properties of the healing stone. From what was recorded, the crystal required sunlight to work its magic. It usually took about an hour for minor injuries to heal and close to a day for more critical ones. It sometimes depended on the incident itself.

Bill picked up the crystal. He held it between his fingers. The stone suddenly glowed in his hold. He dropped it back on the ground.

"It has a reaction when it touches you," Ford commented. He brought the bottom of the pen to his lips and thought over various reasons.

"It is magical," Bill suggested. "Maybe it has something to do with my natural magic tendencies."

Ford nodded. "Could be." He looked down at his own hand wondering how he was able to harness its properties.

Ford pulled out a bucket. He and Bill went to work collecting as many of the crystals as they could find. They filled the bucket three quarters of the way before deciding that was enough for the time being. Should they need more, they'd know where to look.

Bill cupped his hands into the water and brought it to his lips. Ford was about to stop him, but he wanted to see if the water treated with the healing stone did anything to one who drank it. Of course he would need a non-magical participant to use as a control. He could trick Stan into drinking it, but figured Dipper would be a better choice due to his youth.

The blond wiped away beads of water with his sleeve.

"Y'know, that stuff would've been useful a few days ago," Bill said pointing to the bucket.

"I can't use it and I didn't know you could," Ford replied.

"Then how'd you know what you know?" Bill asked.

Ford put the binder back in his coat pocket. "I watched others who could." Including the witch who told me about the bonding spell, he added silently. She had vividly showed him how to use the crystal, though he could never reproduce the effect.

Bill picked up the bucket.

"Other than summoning you and casting the bonding spell, I never could do magic," Ford said. He took a glance at Bill then back ahead. "Today was probably just a fluke, but I'll need to test it to be sure."

Bill frowned. "Could it have something to do with being bonded to me?" he asked.

"It's a possibility," Ford answered.

Bill looked away from Ford. He felt the urge to toss the crystals over a cliff. He stole a glimpse at the author. He too wondered why Ford suddenly had the ability to do magic. It wasn't something that happened overnight.

He thought over Pyronica's warning. He glared at the other man with the lingering thought that Ford was transferring magic. It would take a long time to use up everything in his store, but he wanted to know if it was being stolen intentionally or without the human's knowledge.

"I was talking to Chips at breakfast," Bill said. Ford cringed at the mention of her name. Bill didn't notice. He swung the bucket and continued, "She wants to get married."

Ford stopped. He grabbed Bill by the shoulders and turned him to face him. Bill almost dropped the bucket.

"I...I'm sorry," Ford said. "What did you say?"

"Chelsea asked me to marry her," Bill repeated.

"Bill, you've been dating her for less than a day," Ford cried.

Bill shrugged.

Ford clutched his forehead. "Bill, you've known her for what, a month?" He shook his head. "This is crazy."

"I haven't given her an answer yet," Bill replied. He pulled away from Ford. "Though I thought you'd be happier."

"I can't," Ford retorted. "I think you're being stupid. This is something you can't rush."

"I like the woman and she needs me," Bill argued. He slung the bucket causing a single crystal to topple out. The sunlight reflected on its surface, activating its magic. The stone sparked and went dull.

"Needs you for what?" Ford inquired.

"She desperately wants to move somewhere better than here and I can't blame her, " Bill answered. He calmed his voice. "But she doesn't have the means to live on her own."

"Oh?" Ford asked. He clenched his fists. "And does she know you can't leave?"

Bill's eyes widened. He had forgotten the second rule of the curse.

"You could release me," Bill suggested.

"Out of the question," Ford argued, slinging his arm across his body to accentuate his point.

"What reason could you have to keep me around?" Bill questioned. The stones in the bucket rattled as he swung it.

"I already told you I don't know how," Ford replied, the agitation growing in his voice.

"Oh yeah?" Bill asked. He moved closer to Ford. "I think you do." He pressed his finger against Ford's shoulder. "I think you do, but for some reason you want me to stay by your side."

He slung the bucket on the ground. The metal container rolled, and all the crystals fell out. The sunlight glimmered over each one. A red glow surrounded the two men. Ford shouted and threw himself on his hands and knees. He reached to find a single stone that had not been activated. Every one he reached for too late. Each of the stones were reduced to basic rocks with a hint of red coloring.

Ford jumped up. "They're ruined!" he yelled. He grabbed Bill by the shoulders. "You ruined them all."

"Good," Bill snarled. He snorted back his snot then spit in Ford's face.

Ford wiped away the mucus-filled saliva with the back of his hand. His eyes narrowed and he felt heat burning his neck. His line of vision fell on Bill stomping away.

Ford rushed ahead and grabbed Bill by the wrist. He turned the demon so that their eyes could meet. Bill cried out in a mix of surprise and pain. Ford never heard the protest.

"Even if I did know how, I'd never set you free," roared Ford.

Bill hissed. "You took my powers and let your brother make me work this meaningless job. Now you want to deny me the right to love?"

"Do you love her?" Ford spat. He pulled Bill towards him. "Or are you so caught up on leaving me, you don't care who it's with."

Bill tried to pull away, but Ford once again proved he was physically stronger.

"Let go of me, Sixer," Bill warned.

"Or you'll do what?" Ford asked. Bill's eyes widened by the other man's tone. For the first time he saw a hint of cruelty in Ford's eyes. "Answer me, Bill," Ford said and tightened his hold on Bill's wrist. "What can you do against me?"

"Stop it! You're hurting me!" Bill howled.

Bill trembled. Ford took three deep breaths. He finally noticed the slight look of fear on Bill's face.

Ford instantly released Bill. The demon pulled his arm away and rubbed at the burning skin. He looked up to see Ford reaching out for him. Bill pulled away.

"I...I don't know...Bill, I'm sorry," Ford cried. "I'm so sorry."

Bill wouldn't hear. He turned and ran back in the direction of the shack. Perhaps Soos would try to protect him. No, he decided he would run straight to Chelsea's apartment. He remembered that she wouldn't return home until after six. At least he would be safe in a public place. Surely Ford wouldn't hurt him in front of witnesses. Then again, he never saw Ford lose his temper like that before either-not even when he found out about the true reason for the portal.

Something heavy collided with Bill's body. He fell face forward into the grass. He let out a cry at a rock jammed against his belly. He heard panting and looked over his shoulder to see Ford had tackled him to the ground.

"Bill, please," Ford began. "I-I don't know what came over me. I'm so sorry."

"Get off of me," Bill cried. He tried to squirm away.

Ford moved and then helped Bill to his feet. The two stared at each other, both out of breath.

"I know you don't love her," Ford pleaded.

"No, I don't," Bill confessed.

"Then why..."

"It's complicated," Bill interrupted. He swallowed then added, "But she does love me."

"But you don't love her," Ford reminded him. His body shook. "Listen, Bill, if you do love someone truly, I won't deny you that." He felt his heart bursting. "I'm sure someone will-does love you dearly."

Bill glared at him. "Stanford Pines, stop it," he begged. "Just stop." His arms shook. "I don't love you. I will never love you." He shut his eyes and turned away. "You are the last person I will ever, ever love."

Those words felt like a thousand daggers at once. Though he felt it was better that Bill was honest with him.

Bill fell to his knees. "How could I love you?" He gripped at the dirt and cringed at the wet soil collecting under his nails. "You ruined everything for me."

"I know," Ford replied. He took a deep breath. "And I'm not sorry." He moved in front of Bill. The blond looked up at the other man's face to see him glaring. Ford's nostrils flared. "I'm not sorry for saving my family. Or thwarting your plans."

He grabbed the back of Bill's shirt and pulled him to his feet. Bill returned Ford's glare with one of his own.

"I'll never be sorry for that," Ford stated. "I don't care how much you hate me, or for how long."

"I don't love you," Bill said. He looked away. A tear fell down his face. "But I can never hate you." Bill wiped the liquid from his cheek. "I'll never love you. Never, never, nev..."

Bill turned to look at Ford. The man stood by his words, but it was obvious Bill's honest feelings hurt him.

Bill wrapped his arms around Ford. The human quickly returned the gesture. Before either knew what happened their lips locked. They quickly parted. Brown eyes stared into gold ones. They leaned in for a second and deeper kiss. Bill's fingers tangled themselves in Ford's unkempt hair. One hand grasped Bill's shoulder and the other pressed hard against his back.

They broke one second for air, then like magnets locked together once more.

"I'll never love you," Bill whispered.

Ford nodded. The two kissed one final time.

A half hour later the two arrived at the Mystery Shack. Stan turned to greet possible customers and frowned to see Ford entering with Bill in tow.

"You finally decided to show," Stan grumbled at Bill.

The demon shrugged. He hurried off to his room to change for the last half of his shift.

"You two work things out?" Stan asked.

"You can say that," Ford replied.

Stan wasn't interested in the details and Ford was glad. He knew it was a mistake, but not one he could find himself to regret.

"Oh, you got a package," Stan called to his brother. He moved behind the register and pulled out a large and heavy box. The elderly man grunted as he placed it on top of the counter.

Ford wrinkled his brow. There on the side was his address but nothing from the sender. He reached into a pocket and pulled out a small knife. With one hand holding the cardboard he made a perfect stroke down the center. The scientist pulled back the flaps to see a collection of what appeared to be bound journals.

"What's that?" Bill asked as he walked into the gift shop dressed in uniform.

Ford picked up the journal on top. A folded piece of paper fell to his feet. The scientist grabbed the note and opened it. He gasped upon reading the message.

Stanford Pines,

I can't express my gratitude for helping me. Before burning the estate (yes, it was me. Don't worry they were already dead beforehand, probably), I salvaged a few important items. I'm almost fully human, so they'll be of no use to me. Maybe you can find better use of them for your own problems.

Forever Grateful,

Elkim.

Ford put the note down on the counter. He opened the first journal to see it was a collection of discoveries and personal thoughts from Alicia Remington. He skimmed over the first seven pages. Some of the results he already knew from her book and others were new. He shut the notebook.

"Looks like we have some more research to do," Ford said over his shoulder to Bill.

So, nothing really exciting happened in this chapter. I hope you still all enjoyed it anyway.