Hello! I hope you all are safe from the virus. I heard that it's getting worse in some areas, which is alarming.

There is a warning I want to give for this chapter (Well, a couple warnings, actually. One warning is that there are mentions of blood,) but I don't know how to give the other warning without giving things away. So... Just be warned about this chapter a bit in general! It's not horrible, so if you read the last chapter, I'm sure this will be just fine. And if you didn't, that's okay too. Basically, Bill and Ford are currently down in the laboratory, and Ford stopped him from trying to rid of himself (Bill thinks it would get him his power back, which he wants now that he doesn't think he can fix things with Ford.) just before it happened. There had been a fight on the porch beforehand too, and Ford had said some things he shouldn't have and that he regrets. With everything that has been happening to Bill recently, he has a lot of different emotions and is also having trouble making up his mind on what he wants.

This chapter starts exactly where the last chapter left off.

Here is chapter 44 of "Welcome Home".

"I'm sorry." Ford said. There were so many things Ford could have said, would have said, but he couldn't find the words. This... well, this was a start.

Bill raised an eyebrow at the words. Sorry? What's he sorry for? Bill wondered. He gasped sharply as Ford made a sudden movement, letting go of Bill's wrist and throwing his arms around Bill's neck, pulling him close as he rested his chin atop the demon's shoulder. Bill was beyond confused. One moment, Ford is shouting at him about a variety of different things, and the next he is showing sudden protection for his safety. What was wrong with him?

The scientist kept his hold around Bill, trailing a hand up to the back of Bill's head as he pulled the other man closer. Ford sighed as he swallowed the forming lump in his throat. The fact that he had been moments away from possibly losing Bill was heartbreaking. He knew that it was his fault. His carelessness as of late had nearly caused him a lifetime of regret, which made the entirety of the situation all the harder to fathom.

"I'm so sorry..." Ford apologized in a whispered tone as he squinted his eyes shut. Bill hadn't the slightest idea of how to react to this. To any of this. He turned his head ever so slightly, drawing his eyes over to the elevator. Bill frowned. He had forgotten to stop the elevator and press the button that would have halted it from functioning. He was a bit upset that he had failed to press the button for his plan, however he couldn't help but feel a small feeling of relief that he had forgotten. Bill lifted his arms up slightly, and they dangled in the air for a moment as he pondered the unsureness of if he should return the gesture. After a moment, Bill put his arms around Ford's back hesitantly as they stood in silence.

Near silence.

Bill's mouth opened slightly in confusion as he heard a small sniffle beside him. He raised an eyebrow and heard the other man's trembling breath. "Sixer... Are you crying?" He asked. He had never heard the scientist in such a state. It was unusual, and it only fed his confusion on the situation.

Ford bit his lip at the question. "N-No," He said, a clear lie as far as Bill could tell. Ford had never been good at bluffing. "It's just... allergies." He lied.

Bill doubted this. "Sure, smart guy." He muttered, rolling his eyes.

Ford stayed silent. He blinked back his first forming tear before it could roll down his cheek. He hated being in this state- as he thought it made him seem weak. Bill would have turned his head, though it would be difficult with Ford's head atop his shoulder. Bill just sighed and grabbed Ford's shoulders, gently pushing him away.

"Alright, what's wrong?" Bill asked in a monotone manner, looking at the scientist.

Ford looked down at the floor for a moment. Bill waited patiently for a response, thinking the other would answer. Ford opened his mouth to speak, only to close it. He wasn't sure how to answer the straight forward question when there were so many things rushing through his head. Bill grew impatient after a bit and put one hand on the side of Ford's cheek, the other under his chin, causing Ford to look up and lean into the touch. The two made eye contact, and Bill tilted his head as he awaited a response.

"It's..." Ford began in a mutter, speaking hesitantly. "Knowing that I've been so blind. That my own intentions were getting in the way of realizing how you've been feeling. I guess I have been trying to keep myself away, but I never meant to hurt you." He answered.

Bill hummed. "Really?" He asked in a slightly doubtful tone. "Funny, I thought you didn't care what happened to me. You said so yourself that I-

"I was wrong." Ford stated frankly before Bill could finish his sentence. "I hadn't meant to say something so careless. I would never say such a thing to you. To anyone." He said.

Bill furrowed his brows slightly. "Well it's very reassuring to know that you see me as just another person." He said with an eye roll.

"No, that isn't what I meant. You're putting words into my mouth," Ford stated with a shake of his head.

"Am I? Am I really, Stanford?" Bill asked, putting his hands on his hips and raising his voice. "Because based on what you just said, it sure seems like it." He said. He couldn't tell if his mind and feelings were all jumbled, or if it genuinely did seem that way.

"You have no idea what you're talking about," Ford began. "You have to understand. You're much more important to me than just a stranger, Bill. Don't you see just how important you are? Do... Do you have any idea how much I love you?" He asked, gripping onto Bill's shoulders now.

Bill was taken aback by the sudden confession, if it could be labeled as such. He shrugged Ford's hands off of him and folded his arms. "You have a funny way of showing it." He grumbled.

Ford took the hit. He knew that it was well deserved. "Bill, I know that I've been stubborn-" He began.

"You know what?" Bill snapped in a raised voice. "You have been stubborn. You've been morethan stubborn. You've been cruel, ungrateful, in denial, and far from understanding!" He exclaimed with a glare, counting off on his fingers before clenching his fists by his sides.

"I know that-" Ford tried, only to be cut off.

"Not onlythat, but you've made a choice to completely ignore all my attempts on letting me explain myself on a variety of occasions, and you've been on my back about the smallest mistakes every chance you get!" Bill continued, his heart racing in rage. "So I don't know who you think you are doing all of this, only to just suddenly point out that you careabout me?" He seethed. "I'm not convinced, Sixer." He stated with narrowed eyes.

"Bill, please," Ford began. "If you would give me a moment to explain-" He continued, being stopped mid-sentence by the smaller man.

"Explain what? What is there for you to explain?" Bill asked. "Ever since I returned to this shack, what chance have you given me to explain my reasons for anything that I've done? I'll admit- I've done some bad things, but I've made an effort to do what's good. I've made the effort for you, not anyone else. You say that I don't know what the greater good really is, but how would you know that if you haven't taken time to actually listen to my side? To me?" Bill shouted with a glare.

"Bill, I'm sorry." Ford started.

"Oh, oh!" Bill exclaimed, a wide grin suddenly plastered along his face. "Well that fixes everythingthen, doesn't it, Fordsy?" He asked in a sarcastic manner.

"It doesn't." Ford stated, his voice firm. "I know that it doesn't."

Bill hummed at this. "Well if you know that, would you mind letting me tell my side of the story now?" He hoped, looking Ford in the eyes with a pleading look. "Would it be so terrible to just... To just listen?" He asked, his voice soft.

Ford frowned. It was very uncommon for Bill to speak in such a tone. After all of the good points he had just brought attention to, Ford knew that it was only fair for Bill to speak his side of the story.

"Okay," Ford said, nodding his head and looking away. His tone was nearly inaudible. "Okay." He repeated in a murmur.

Bill gave a silent sigh before speaking. "That day... The day when you and Fidds kissed, I came back and saw what had happened. And that's the reason I ran off and ended up living with Karen." He informed.

"I know that." Ford said with a nod of his head. He cringed slightly at the woman's name whom he had seen snuggling up against Bill at the magic festival.

"Well did you know that the reasonI left wasn't because of jealousy?" Bill quizzed, putting his hands on his hips.

Ford shifted slightly. All this time that's all he thought Bill had felt about the situation. And to find out his rational assumption had been incorrect stunned him. "N-no," Ford admitted, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly, a look of unease apparent on his face. This didn't go unnoticed by Bill.

"The reason I left was because I thought you had betrayed my trust." Bill revealed. "Those three months you had spent hanging out with ol' Fiddlesticks, where you kept insistingthat the two of you were only friendsand nothing more, only for me to find out what I thought had been the truth; that you had been hiding it from me all that time." He said in a rather low tone, then added, "I thought you'd been lying to me."

Ford hummed. "I see now how you could have thought that." He muttered, putting his hands behind his back. He chose to ignore the similarities of what Bill had done to him years ago.

The blonde gave a nod before continuing. "You know me. I don't usually take things lightly. So naturally my instinct was revenge. I admit that I shouldn't have done what I did, it was messed up, even for someone like me. But the thought that you, Sixer, the one human I actually thought I could trust in this hellhole of a dimension, betrayed my trust just like that?" Bill continued, snapping his fingers together once before folding his arms and looking away. "It got to me. And I didn't like it." He said with a sigh.

"Bill..." Ford started. "I had no idea that what you did in Crestfallen Cavern was because of this. Had I known you felt that your trust in me was betrayed, we could have talked about it." He pointed out.

"Yeah, well, we didn't." Bill reminded. "My fault, I get it. I could have barged in on the two of ya', but Pine Tree didn't like it when I had done that once when I caught him kissing his pillow." He said with a simple shrug, not bothered by the fact that he had just given away something Dipper had likely wished for him to have kept secret, let alone to the author.

Ford bit back a snicker and looked away. Bill raised an eyebrow. "What?" He asked. "What's so funny?"

"It's nothing," Ford assured. He looked back at the other and adjusted his glasses. "Continue." He encouraged.

"Of course after we came back from the cavern, you were upset." Bill proceeded. "And I don't blame ya'! Honestly, I felt like an idiot after finding out that I was wrong. But regardless of how I was feeling, I tried to talk to you about it, thinking we could get some sort of an understanding going. Ya' know?" He said. "And you didn't want to. You told me that I had to redeem myself before.." Bill continued, stopping slightly.

"Before?" Ford repeated as if it were a question.

"You tell me," Bill said with a shrug. "You never finished your sentence, and you brushed it all off like it was nothing." He said. "But even though youdidn't finish, I had a pretty good idea of what you meant." He stated. "So then I figured, why not do something to redeem myself?" He continued. "I tried a lot of different things, hoping maybe you'd be less upset at me so we could sort things out. I reunited Soos' family by trying to bring his girlfriend back to life. False alarm or not, I tried driving a car, thinking Shooting Star's life was in danger, and... I guess I sacrificed my own for hers by doing that." He said. "I mean, sorry about the car and all, but wouldn't you have done the same thing for the kid?" He asked.

"Well... If I didn't have my vascular-organ resuscitator, I suppose so." Ford muttered.

Bill gave a long blink at this before continuing. "And about those cookies- I wasn't trying to kill you. Something went wrong." He said, putting a hand into his hair. "I-I must have mixed up the sugar with the salt on accident, it was hard to tell them apart. I was just trying to do something... nice." Bill said, the last word making him cringe slightly as it slipped off his tongue.

Ford hummed. "Well, I'll admit this is all more understandable now that it was explained more thoroughly from your perspective." He said with a slow nod of his head.

"You're still mad, huh?" Bill asked, tilting his head.

"A bit," Ford admitted. He looked at the other man. "But my eyes have opened more now that you've explained your reasoning for doing all of these things. It was a mistake not to hear about everything from you sooner." He said.

Bill narrowed his eyes ever so slightly at Ford, surprised and confused at the response. "...And you don't think I'm lying?" He asked. "Isn't that your first instinct?"

"I see no reason on how or why you could be lying here, Bill." Ford answered. "It all makes too much sense. It adds up correctly. And after seeing your situation..." He continued in a mutter, his eyes being draw down to the dagger on the cold floor. He was quick to look back at Bill before his mind could fill with bad thoughts. "It's too real to be made up." He said.

Bill gave a slow nod to this. Slowly, he bent down to the floor, grabbing the dagger and standing up once more. He looked at Ford with the sharp blade in his left hand. "I do want all my power back though, Stanford. For... well, a while now, I've been thinking that maybe that could be attained if I-" He began, only to stop mid-sentence in surprise when Ford extended his arm and took the dagger from the other, holding it up beside him before throwing it across the room, not paying attention to wherever it landed. The look Ford gave him as he threw the dagger, though, made his throw look gentle and easy.

Bill's eyes widened when he heard a large shatter. He turned his head to see that the portal rooms glass window had been shattered by the weapon. Ford didn't seem to mind and wouldn't take his eyes off Bill. Instead, he put his hands on the blonde's hips. Bill looked back and gasped when Ford pulled him close. He looked up at the scientist with his lips parted, raising an eyebrow. "Wh-?" He tried to question.

"No," Ford said in a firm manner. "Bill Cipher, I won't allow you to take such actions. Not even for what you think might set you free. I don't want you to even consider trying, because I already know it won't work." He revealed.

Bill was taken aback by this. "Wait a minute... what?" He exclaimed.

"If you were, let's say, possessing someone else's body, then if the body were to stop functioning you would get out of it free. But you never made a deal with anyone to get into the one you have now, correct?" He asked.

"Right, but... it's just a body, isn't it?" Bill asked.

Ford shook his head. "It's yours. It belongs to you. Why do you think some people in this town refer to you as 'that one stranger that mysteriously showed up'?" He asked.

"People call me that?" Bill inquired, shifting slightly.

Ford gave a nod. "Have you never noticed so many people whisper to their friends about you in Stan's shop?"

Bill glanced down at himself, then up at Ford. "Of course I have, just look at me!" He exclaimed. "I'm gorgeous for a meatsack." He said.

"Well that... that too." Ford muttered. Bill saw a light blush on the other's face as he looked away, but for once chose to spare him the humiliation of pointing it out. He was too shocked by his other words.

"Man, now I'm really taking that 'you only live once' phrase to heart." Bill said with a short laugh, though it didn't carry humor. He frowned. "I thought it would... It seemed... To think it would actually..." He tried, not having the words. He hung his head and sighed. "I was so stupid." He mumbled.

"No matter what happens, you do have friends here now," Ford reasoned, his thumbs gently stroking the other's hips. "And you won't be alone as long as I'm here with you." He added.

Bill stood silent for a moment, though his lips were slightly parted. "Are you saying that you're... a friend?" He asked.

"If you'll still allow it." Ford replied in a softer manner. He knew that- despite his attempts- his feelings for Bill hadn't changed, but he knew better than to let things go too fast between them. especially if Bill wasn't ready, which Ford was sure that he wasn't.

He glanced at Bill's parted lips. A part of him wished to lean in a bit and claim the other man's warm lips against his own, but no. He was sure that Bill was still upset at him after all his careless actions. If he were to kiss him, Bill would probably grow even more upset and distance himself away from him. He just hoped that Bill didn't know that he was trying to move on, because he was having second thoughts about his plan of doing so. If he still cared for Bill, and he had made false assumptions about several things Bill had done, he saw no need to distance in such a cruel manner. He still felt like kicking himself for being so harsh with Bill recently.

Bill looked at Ford with both shock and longing in his eyes. The way Ford had changed the way he spoke and looked at Bill so suddenly was admittedly a bit strange, however Bill would be lying if he said that he didn't like the gestures. His emotions had been everywhere lately. As though he had grown more fond of the human over time. Bill remembered the one time he had shared a kiss with the scientist, and could still admit that he'd enjoyed it. He even now had a slight, stinging desire to put his hands on Ford's shoulders and just kiss him, if only to relive that warm sensation. Regardless of how much the feeling nagged at him, he ignored it. Bill knew that if he were to pull such a move, Ford would surely scold him for acting on it, and their progress would be severed once more. He knew that Ford was trying to move on from him, after all.

With the fact that both assumed the other didn't wish to give or receive such actions, they just stood still, looking at each other with hidden longing. Ford's hands remained on Bill's hips, whereas Bill kept his hands frozen atop the scientists chest. He liked the warmth and Ford enjoyed the feeling. Neither of the two knew that their desires in the moment were similar. And they did nothing more than the gesture they were sharing now.

"Well..." Bill muttered after a while, pulling away slightly. Ford cleared his throat and took his hands off the other, putting them behind his back instead. Bill turned to look at the elevator, then at Ford. "I guess I should go back upstairs and lay awake until ol' Stano has me work in the morning." He said, pointing his thumb behind him before turning around to walk off.

Ford frowned. He watched Bill take a couple steps away, his heart stinging. By the way Bill looked with his half-lidded eyes and slight eyebags, Ford wasn't sure if the demon would be able to function with another restless night. Before he could stop himself, he took a step forward and put a hand on Bill's shoulder.

"Wait," Ford blurted out suddenly. Bill turned his head to look at the man and raised an eyebrow in confusion. Ford looked back at Bill and opened his mouth to speak, however no words came out. There was a moment of silence, which has gotten awkward quick.

Bill tilted his head. "What?" He asked in a monotone-type voice.

"Please stay," Ford had the strength to request. Asking him such a thing was unfamiliar to him. but his question remained. He saw the confused look Bill gave him. He wasn't sure if it was a look of disgust the other was giving, or his tiredness making his emotions appear different. Ford took his hand off Bill's shoulder and scratched the back of his neck, looking away awkwardly. "I-If you'd like to, that is." He said.

"Stay?" Bill repeated, raising an eyebrow. "Why?" He asked.

"Well," Ford began, taking in a deep breath before speaking. "After what happened today, I need to make things right. If you would like to stay for the night, I'll allow it." He said. "I just... can't afford to lose your company, Bill. I wouldn't want to have to face that. And I'll do everything in my power to fix things between us, if only you'll let me." He added in a firm, yet gentle tone.

Bill just looked at Stanford for a moment. He still wore a look of confusion, even after the explanation had been given. Bill looked over in the direction of the laboratory's bedroom, and back at Ford once more. "Do ya' mean...?" He began in a hesitant manner, speaking as if it were a question.

Ford's cheeks burned red. He looked down at the floor with his hands behind his back, not knowing how to respond to the remark. He felt like an idiot for proposing such a thing. Though he figured perhaps Bill would feel sleep could come easier if he felt safe and had less on his conscience, Ford wondered if it would have been better to just let the man go back upstairs. He wondered if asking something so unusual of Bill was out of line, hence their current situation.

"...I guess so." Bill answered in more of a mutter. He did in fact find it a tad unusual for the human to request something like this, however Bill couldn't find a good reason to deny the opportunity. It was times like these where Bill wished he could read Ford's mind. He wished to know how Ford truly felt about him. Stanford saying that he loved him was one thing, however Bill wasn't sure if he could see the statement as completely truthful after Ford had also called him a monster only an hour earlier. He needed a better sign of where they stood.


Mabel was upstairs in her bedroom, the only light lighting the room being the triangular window. She had rewrapped the sweater she and Bill had created for Ford, however since Ford and Bill had not come out of the laboratory before bedtime, she had to keep it in her room to give to her uncle in the morning. She turned around in her bed, seeing Dipper fast asleep with a blanket overtop him. She gave a small smile at how peaceful her brother seemed. Mabel, however, wasn't filled with that same joy.

Mabel turned back around towards the wall and pulled a pink blanket overtop herself, looking at the wood as she pondered deep thought. The fact that her matchmaking skills had failed her during the attempts to get Ford and Bill together and happy gave her a sad feeling. She began to wonder if she was never a very good matchmaker in the first place. Mabel had tried a variety of things to get the two to express their love, yet nothing has seemed to work. If anything, she had only made things worse. She hadn't meant harm, she just wanted the two to be happy. Mabel was afraid that she had messed all of that up now.

I'm so sorry Bill... Mabel thought to herself. She felt that she was responsible for most of this. She used to think that Bill wasn't the type to fall in love. Sure, she had carried confidence that in time Bill could learn to love those around him, however he had seemed to skip that step for most people.

Mabel felt terrible for messing up Bill's first potential experience of love for a human. She thought that it would have been nice to see Bill happy. Based on things he had gone through before taking his human form, it seemed as if Bill hadn't had anyone who loved him in quite a long time.

"I guess I'm not a good matchmaker after all..." Mabel muttered to herself, snuggling up in her bed and burying half her face in her pillow as a tear rolled down her cheek. She always carried hope, however when both Ford and Bill had tried to deny their feelings for the other, Mabel looked back at that and wondered if neither of them wanted any form of a relationship. How could the love be true if she was forcing it so much?

I'm sorry...


Ford entered the laboratory bedroom after he had put away a couple of things such as papers and pens that had been left out. He had taken his lab coat off before he had come into the room, his maroon turtleneck still being worn. He walked over to see Bill already under the covers, facing away from his side. Ford walked over to the right side of the bed and removed his boots before getting underneath the covers. Ford took off his glasses, placing them on the nightstand. He extended an arm out to turn off the lamp lighting the room until he heard a voice call out to him.

"Sixer?" Bill began, still facing the other direction. Ford raised an eyebrow. He grabbed his glasses and put them back on before turnng around, looking at the other man who had his back turned to him. Ford didn't say anything, however Bill could tell that he had his attention. "I didn't mean to make you worried. I figured that it was what you had wanted and... I just ended up going for it. I wasn't trying to be even more of an issue. I'll leave you alone from now on." He muttered, scooting closer to the edge of the bed.

Ford gave a small frown at the words. Just by taking one look at where Bill was currently laying, he could tell that the demon was bound to fall any moment now.

"You're not an issue, Bill," Ford responded in a calm manner. "But if you move any closer to the edge, you're going to fall off the bed." He said. Ford extended an arm out, wrapping it around Bill's torso and moving him a bit closer, at least to where Bill didn't face the danger of falling into the hard floor. Bill looked down at his waist as he felt himself being pulled slightly, and looked at Ford with a raised eyebrow. Ford cleared his throat awkwardly and looked away. "Sorry." He muttered, extending his arm out once more to shut off the light. Bill grabbed hold of Ford's shoulder before the lamp could be shut off.

Stanford froze for a moment and looked behind him to look at Bill. The blonde looked hesitant to speak, so Ford gave him a minute. Bill looked back at the man and asked, "Can... You leave the light on?"

Ford gave a small chuckle to this. The thought of Bill requesting for the light to stay on reminded him of Stanley when he would ask their Ma to keep the light on in fear of ghosts out to get him back when they were but five years old. Ford gave a nod. "Yes, I can keep it on." He said, taking his hand away from the lamp and instead turning his body towards Bill. "Is there a reason?" He asked out of mere curiosity.

Bill sighed and snuggled his face against his pillow, giving a slight shrug. "I just don't want you to disappear." He said in a whisper, closing his eyes.

Ford gave a warm smile at this. The words replayed in his head, and he was quick to realize just how silly the sentence could sound. He couldn't hold back a snicker that escaped his lips. Bill heard the faint laughter and opened his eyes with a glare.

"What's so funny now?" Bill asked, unamused.

"Nothing, nothing," Ford assured, still chuckling. "You're just cute." He said. His eyes widened in horror the moment He realized what he had just said.

Bill raised an eyebrow. "Cute?" He repeated, almost sounding offended by the way he had repeated the word.

Ford bit his lip and and scrambled to make an attempt to explain. "Wh- Wha-? No, y-you're not cute. I-I mean, you are cu- I... I-It's just a human expression." He tried, giving an awkward smile that was the least bit convincing.

Bill thought nothing of this. He merely shrugged. "Whatever, Sixer. You can save your strange explanations for some other time." He said before putting an arm under his pillow, closing his eyes once more. Ford sighed and mirrored Bill's actions, placing one arm underneath his pillow and laying on his side. The two laid in silence for a couple minutes, neither man saying a word. Bill opened his eyes after a moment and noticed that Ford's glasses were still on his face. Bill scooted a bit closer to Stanford, extending the arm that wasn't under his pillow out to grab his glasses. Ford opened his eyes at this in confusion.

"You forgot to take your glasses off." Bill reminded, taking the glasses off Ford's face. He handed them towards Ford.

"Oh," Ford blurted out. "I suppose I did." He said, folding them and placing them behind him on the nightstand. He turned back to face Bill and adjusted himself to a comfortable position, ending up a bit closer to Bill now. The blonde didn't seem to mind or notice, as his eyes were closed once more. Ford looked at Bill for a moment and noticed a blonde piece of hair dangling over his eyes rather than with the rest of his hair. Ford moved his hand up to Bill's face, taking his index and first middle finger to move the hair away from Bill's eyes, tucking it by the rest of his hair. Bill shifted at the touch and opened his eyes slowly, only to see that Ford's eyes were shut once more.

Bill looked at Ford's hair as it moved slightly along with his slow breaths. Bill was tempted to touch the fluffy, grey hair. He suddenly found the fluff to be irresistible. Bill gave in to his sudden desires and moved his pillow close to Ford's, taking a big move towards Stanford. The two were close now. Bill put a hand up slightly and ran a hand through Ford's hair. The man seemed to notice, though he only opened his eyes for an approximation of two seconds before closing them once more. He figured he would let Bill have his fun.

Bill smiled. It wasn't often that he gave off a true smile, however this was becoming one of those uncommon times. After a bit, Ford pushed Bill's hand out of the way, only to return the gesture and run his fingers through Bill's hair. Bill gave an inaudible sigh and leaned into the touch, scooting a bit closer. Ford and Bill were very close now, however neither seemed to care. They were lost in each other's eyes at this point. Bill took a risky move and wrapped his arms around Ford's neck, leaning in and resting his face atop Ford's shoulder. The scientist wasn't sure how to return the gesture, so he put his arms around Bill's torso and pulled him close, their chests up against each other.

Ford was taken aback when he suddenly felt a strange rubbing feeling on his face. He raised an eyebrow at this. "What are you doing?" He asked.

"I like the stubble." Bill answered with a light chuckle, proceeding to rub his cheek against Ford's. Stanford rolled his eyes, but didn't pull away. He ran slow circles on Bill's back using one hand. Bill moved towards Ford's chin, pushing against it with his own ever so slightly. Their lips unintentionally brushed against each other during the moment, causing both of them to freeze awkwardly. Their noses were touching now, but they both stayed still as they were unsure how the other would react to the accidental gesture.

Ford moved his head to the side a bit after a moment of silence. Bill had assumed that Ford had come closer for a kiss and leaned in to the other man. Ford, however, was surprised that Bill was taking such a move. He returned the affectionate gesture and met Bill's lips with his own, the two shutting their eyes as they shared a long, slow kiss. Bill was surprised that Ford had wanted this nearly as much as he did, whereas Ford was shocked that Bill had still felt the same about him even after the events of that day. They pulled away for a short moment, only to go back for a second kiss that was equally as long as the first. Slow kisses were a bit strange to Bill, being that he was the type that preferred deeper, more consistent kisses. Then again, he was just glad that they shared similar affection.

The third kiss was a bit quicker, only lasting a few seconds. The next was faster, hungrier. In just a matter of moments, t he two began attacking each other's lips with a quick force they both seemed to crave. Bill leaned closer to the other man, only for Stanford to interlock their hands together, pushing back. Bill was taken by surprise when he was pushed slightly, his head hitting his pillow as his back lay flat against the bed. Ford lay atop Bill and looked into the demons eyes. Just one look at Bill showed that his eyes shined with desire. With that, Ford pinned Bill's hands against the bed, teasing the demons bottom lip for a brief moment before kissing the man once more. Bill lifted his chin up in attempt to make the kiss deeper. Ford understood and waited a moment before slipping his tongue in to deepen the kiss.

Bill released a moan at the pleasurable contact and increased his grip on Ford's hands. The scientist slowed slightly after feeling the tight grip, softening his kisses in fear that he had hurt the man. He knew that Bill didn't have much experience with kissing, after all. Bill smirked at how easily Ford had fallen for his trick and wrapped a leg around Ford to catch the man off guard. Ford reacted in a confused manner, all according to plan. He was quick to flip Ford over, Bill gaining dominance now. Ford put both his hands on the back of Bill's head as the other put his arms on Ford's chest. By the emotions they both showed when they kissed, Bill could tell that what was happening was real. He hadn't fallen asleep. Based on the way they kissed, Bill could sense the desperation they both showed. They both wanted this, they were craving it.

After a moment of kissing, Bill pulled away. Ford made a sound of confusion at this and looked at the other man. Bill sat up on his knees and grabbed hold of his shirt. He lifted the garment up and off his torso, tossing it to the floor below him. Ford's eyes widened at this, and Bill made eye contact with him before meeting back with his lips once more.

It was at this moment that Ford realized just what Bill wanted. It was unfortunate that Stanford knew he wouldn't be able to treat his beloved with such intimacy. With the scars Ford wore... He knew that Bill would never look at him the same if his eyes were to look upon them. Ford could feel Bill's hands lifting his sweater up. Ford was quick to pull it back down, winding his fingers together with Bill's as to not make the blonde suspicious. Bill didn't seem to notice and allowed Ford to flip him on his back again.

Bill's arms were laid lazily above his head as he looked at Ford, whom had ceased kissing. The two took a moment to catch their breath, breathing heavily. After a few moments, their breath became steady once more. Hesitantly, Ford put his hands on the sides of Bill's waist just above his hips. He wasn't sure if what he was doing was right, and looked up at Bill in unsureness.

"I-Is this okay?" Ford asked, his hands trembling slightly.

Bill looked down at the man's hands, and back up at Ford. He gave the scientist a nod of consent. Bill arched his back in pure bliss and tilted his head up as he felt the other man's hands crawling up his torso. Ford's hands went up the demon until he reached his face. Ford cupped his cheeks in his hands and lifted Bill's head up slightly, the two sharing a slow kiss once more. Ford had a desperate want to kiss Bill. To kiss him like there would be no 'next time', and no tomorrow. He wanted the other to feel loved if the feelings were true. Ford would have never forgiven himself had he let Bill die. Ford planted kisses along the side of Bill's neck, which the blonde seemed to react well to. Bill tried grabbing Ford's sweater a second time as Ford proceeded to think to himself. For a brief moment he considered letting the demon take the garment off and risk facing the judgement. Ford ignored this thought and gently smacked Bill's hands away. Bill got the hint and wrapped his arms around Ford's neck.

After a bit more time of passionate kisses, Bill and Ford were back on their sides, heads against the pillows as they kissed slow just like they had in the beginning. The two pulled away and looked at each other in pleasure and satisfaction.

"I'm sorry." Bill muttered suddenly.

Ford raised an eyebrow. "Sorry?" He repeated. "Sorry for what?"

Bill could only shrug. "I'm not very good at that kind of thing." He admitted. "So I probably did it wrong." He said.

Ford gave a light chuckle and shook his head. Bill noticed this and raised an eyebrow. "No, Bill," Ford began. "You didn't do anything wrong." He assured.

"That doesn't mean I did everything right." Bill said with an eye roll.

"I've had a few experiences with this type of thing and I'm still clueless." Ford said with another chuckle. "I wouldn't stress it too much."

Ford lay atop his back, proping his head up slightly with his pillow and putting a hand underneath his head. Bill hesitantly leaned close to the man, scooting over and putting his arms around the scientists torso. He laid his head atop Ford's chest, releasing a sigh.

"Sixer?" Bill muttered, looking up at the other man. Bill had Ford's attention, and laid his head back on Ford's chest before continuing. "Did you mean it when..." He began hesitantly. He had second thoughts about asking the question, but figured it was for the best that he know. "Did you mean it when you called me a monster?"

Ford's heart stung at the question. He remembered that he had in fact called Bill as such, and regretted yet another one of his few careless words he had spoken to Bill. He felt a wave of guilt at knowing that Bill had truly pondered the question and let it get to him.

Ford wrapped his spare arm around Bill's shirtless torso. Bill looked up at him with a frown on his face, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "No," Ford answered. "I didn't mean it. I'm so sorry for saying you were. You've changed, and all of that was blocked in my mind when we were arguing. I'm sorry for calling you a monster, and I'm sorry for bringing up Weirdmageddon." He said.

Bill gave a slow nod to this. He was convinced that Ford meant his apology, and was sure that the human had only said those things earlier hence the heat of the moment. Bill gave another sigh and buried his face in Ford's clothed chest. They laid in silence for a bit, until another question came to Bill's mind.

"Ford?" Bill addressed. Stanford was taken by surprise that Bill had used a name he didn't often call him, and looked at the other man with a tilted head. "You said something earlier... Something about scars?" Bill reminded.

"What?" Ford blurted out. He didn't remember mentioning his scars. He thought that he had kept that information to himself during the conversation, how could Bill have possibly figured out? "I didn't bring up anything about scars during the argument." He stated.

"Not the argument," Bill said with a shake of his head. "It was... It was..." He muttered, trying to recall. "Huh, I actually don't remember. Weird." He said, snuggling up against Ford.

"Well, now I wonder," Ford began. "Could this be telepathy? Telepathical signals from the mind?" Ford asked, mainly to himself. "Perhaps it could be prediction of the conversation based off future events? Anything could be possible in this situation, it's unfortunate that we can't very well test it. I wonder if it somehow had been..." He continued, until he looked down at Bill. The blonde's eyes were closed, and Ford noticed that Bill was sleeping soundly atop his chest. He was surprised that he had been able to fall asleep so quickly. Then again, Bill was incredibly tired. Ford sighed at this and gave a small smile, shutting his eyes after a bit in hopes of drifting off to sleep. After a couple minutes, Ford too had fallen asleep.

It was strange, the situation Ford was now in. He opened his eyes and looked around to see that he was in the living room. Standing up. How had he gotten here so quickly, and where had he been before? It took him a moment, until past thoughts came flooding back.

"Bill?" Ford called out. He received no answer. "Bill, where are you?" He asked. Still, no answer from the man.

"He's not here..." Ford heard someone call out. The voice was soft and feminine. And... Sad? He looked down by the floor over by the 'Employees only' door to see Mabel there, sobbing. She was in the same position she had been earlier in the day when he had confronted Mabel. Ford wondered if this was reality, and if what had happened earlier had only been a daydream.

"Mabel, sweetie?" Ford addressed, walking over to his niece. He put a hand on the girls shoulder, getting down on one knee. "What's the matter?" He asked.

"I... I tried to save him..." Mabel said. She sharply turned her head around and sobbed a fresh wave of tears at her uncle. Ford gave a look of absolute horror. Not because of the girls tears. No, Ford would be trying to comfort his niece if the situation was different. Mabel's hands were coated with blood, as well as the side of her face. The front of her sweater was soaked in the liquid. She released a short sob before saying, "I-I tried to save him... From you."

Ford was both horrified and confused at the situations unfolding before her eyes. Save him? Save who? Could she potentially be talking about-

Oh no.

"Mabel dear, what is this all about?" Ford questioned in a firm manner.

Mabel scoffed. "Wouldn't you like to know?" She said with a cold glare.

Ford shifted slightly. "Yes, that's why I asked." He said. He found it unusual that his niece spoke in such a tone and knew that something was wrong.

Mabel's glare turned into a frown once more, and before she knew it, she was crying again. Ford didn't know how to comfort the girl. Could he even do so? Regardless, he wasn't sure if Mabel was going to answer his question unless he asked again.

"Mabel," Ford began a second time.

Mabel glared at Stanford once more. Except her eyes weren't normal. Instead, they were red with white slit pupils. Ford's eyes widened at this, and he backed up a bit, standing up now. The figure of Mabel stood up in unison with Ford, staring up into his chocolate brown eyes. Ford had learned to push away severe fear in the multiverse, but this... This was unlike anything he had ever faced before.

"Well, well well!" The figure of Mabel spoke. The voice sounded like Bill, and carried an echo. "You were just begging for this to happen, weren't you?" He asked.

"Bill!" Ford exclaimed, his fists clenching. "What- how- w-why are-" he tried, however he couldn't find that words came easily to him.

"And boy, am I glad you were!" Bill exclaimed with a grin. He seemed glad, however his (Or, Mabel's, rather) eyes were still red, pure rage behind them. "Thanks to your considerate encouragement, I was able to get back to normal! I've gotta hand it to ya', Ford, you really knew how to set me free, didn't ya'?"

"Set you free?" Ford repeated in a mutter. He raised his voice. "Bill, this isn't what I wanted!" He exclaimed.

"Oh, how right you are, Fordsy!" Bill cooed with a grin. That mischievous grin... Plastered along his nieces face. It was too horrifying. "Back when I was human, your plan all along was to keep me trapped in that pathetic fleshy form. You wanted nothing more than to keep me far away from regaining my full potential! Well, look at me now, Stanford!" Bill exclaimed with a wide grin. The room let out a wave of grey as the demon flew up from out of Mabel's body. Ford gasped and caught Mabel before she could fall onto the wooden floor of the living room. The living room turned back to its original colors, however Bill was still floating in the air. His regular, triangular form present. A form Ford thought he would never have to see again.

"I won't let you harm my family." Ford bellowed, motioning to his niece that currently lay unconscious in his arms.

"Don't you worry about that, Sixer!" Bill said, "I wouldn't hurt a hair on Shooting Stars tiny little head." He assured. "But it's cold of you to request me not harming them when you were the one who harmed me." Bill added.

"What are you talking about?" Ford asked.

"Well, why don't I explain?" Bill said. A black cane appeared, and he spun it around a couple of times before hitting it against the Tv. The television buzzed strangely. Ford carried Mabel bridal style in his arms and gently set her down on the couch. He looked at the screen and blocked his nieces view in case she were to wake up.

Before the Televison screen could play, he was sent to a strange place. Everything was pitch black. His surroundings became a dark grey, and after a bit he could tell that he was inside a dark room. He looked in front of him as a bright spotlight type light shined directly on a scene to where Ford could see Dipper on his knees.

"Dipper?" Ford called out. He rushed over to his nephew in confusion.

"I can't believe it..." Dipper spoke aloud. He turned around to look at Ford. "You killed him." He said.

Ford already knew where this was going. "N-no, Dipper, please listen to me. I didn't-"

"You finally killed him." Dipper continued. His tone of voice was monotone, however he had a hint of relief in his voice.

"Dipper, don't speak like this." Ford commanded in a firm tone. He clenched his fists. "Let it be known that I-"

"When did you do it?" Dipper asked. He stood up and walked over to his uncle. "More importantly... why did you do it?" He wondered.

Ford gave a small glare. "Mason Pines, let me speak-" He tried to no avail.

"I wonder..." Dipper began. "I wonder if this was your plan all along." He said with a simple shrug. "You are the family genius, after all."

"Dipper!" Ford shouted. "Stop this at once!"

"Stop, you say?" A familiar grumbly voice repeated from behind asked. Ford turned around to see a light set above a figure of his brother. Stan adjusted his fez hat and put his one hand on his hip. He held his other hand up and balled it into a fist. On command, the light shining on Stan disappeared. Ford turned around, looking over at the light that had previously been shining on Dipper. Except it was not a figure of his nephew anymore, no.

But rather... A figure of Bill. He was human, just like before. The room around them lit up just a bit more, and Ford could tell that he was in the laboratory now. Bill held the dagger up to his chest and looked at Ford with a grin. In Stanley's voice, Bill said, "I can make it stop." And looked back at the dagger he held close to him, watching as the dagger he held impaled him.

Ford gasped sharply. "Bill!" He whisper-shouted, sitting up a bit. His eyes squinted at the room being dimly lit, yet bright enough For Stanford's eyes to hurt. He looked down at his chest to see Bill still fast asleep, curled up slightly and snuggling against him. He shifted slightly at the sudden movement Ford had made, and stopped after a couple of seconds. Ford sighed in relief at the sight of Bill still there, unharmed and sleeping. In hopes that it would bring comfort to him, Ford put a hand up to Bill's head, running a hand through his blonde hair gently. Bill gave a soft moan at the gentle touch, and buried his face in Ford's chest.

Ford tightened his hold on Bill with the hand that was overtop him in a protective manner. Nothing in the universe was going to take Bill away from him. He wouldn't let it happen. And he wouldn't let anyone or anything hurt him.

Not now, not ever.

I hope you liked this chapter! Originally, it was going to be longer, but if I did that, the chapter would be over 12k words. So instead, I'm ending it here so that I'll have time to write a one shot, and have part of the next chapter already written.

So, there was romance. Heh. Hehe... Um, I'm not sure if it's too M-rated? If you think it's too much, feel free to tell me so that I can either change it a bit or just give this story an M rating. I'll probably go with the first option. And as for the horror, there will be more of that to come. Well, sort of. It's hard to explain. Speaking of explanations, would you like Ford to bring up the dream a bit more in the next chapter, or have him just pass it in his mind as a frightening nightmare? I'm fine with either outcome, I just haven't decided yet.

(Was... was the horror even good? I have no clue. xD)

The next chapter will be the twins' last day in Gravity Falls for their first half of summer before they have to return back to California for the rest of it.

The next chapter will be up next week!