Author's Note: The Pines Twins, for the purpose of this story are 15 years old. Robbie and Wendy are 17. Every other character from either Regular Show or Gravity Falls retain their current age from their respective series.

Song used in the chapter: Low Man's Lyric by Metallica. It really is an amazing song even though it's far from Metallica's usual sound.

From his room in the attic of the Mystery Shack, Dipper could hear the unbearably loud music coming from below. Heavy distorted guitars and pounding drums made up most of the noise. Through a small hole in the floor of the room, the obnoxious music drifted in and up through Dipper's ears. He threw on a pair of headphones to try and dampen the noise. It was no use, they only lessened the noise slightly. Dipper frowned, he would not be able to concentrate and read what was in the mysterious Book #3 before him. He had hoped to pass the time reading the book, but it was simply too noisy. He tossed the book across the room where it landed with a thud, then jumped into his bed and covered his ears with his pillow. It still didn't drown out the blaring music.

After a few minutes, the door to Dipper's room was slammed open. Through the door came an elderly man wearing a fez and an oversized pair of thick-framed glasses. He immediately entered the room and shut the door behind him to try and keep as much noise out as possible.

"Hey, sad sack! What are you doing up here? Don't you know there's a concert going on downstairs?" Grunkle Stan spoke in his gruff voice. "I mean, it's not really my kind of music, but I guess that's what the kids are into now."

The music downstairs was coming from none other than the person Dipper despised the most: Robbie. He and his band had rented out the Mystery Shack to play a small concert that night. In Stan's true nature, he naturally accepted the money and let Robbie's band play.

"I wasn't invited, actually..." Dipper sullenly replied.

"Heh heh heh," Stan chuckled " That's rough, kiddo. But seriously, even Mabel, Soos, and Wendy were invited."

At the mention Wendy's name, Dipper's heart skipped a beat. He figured that she would be invited. After all, Robbie was trying to win back her affection because of what happened earlier that day. Wendy and Robbie got into an argument over Robbie not paying enough attention to what Wendy had to say. The last time Dipper saw them together earlier was after they were done yelling at each other when they stormed off in opposite directions. He was sure that they had broken up. Dipper figured that this concert was a desperate attempt by Robbie to get Wendy back together with him.

"Yeah, well... I'm not exactly friendly with that jerk Robbie anyways." Dipper responded a bit bitterly.

"I know what you mean, kid. He's always making doe eyes at Wendy. Then when she's not looking, he shoots you some pretty nasty looks." Stan barked out. "That little prick really gets my blood boiling."

Dipper let out a small smile. So, Grunkle Stan and I actually have something in common? Who would've guessed!

"Heh heh, well I'm gonna stay in here for awhile since this is the quietest room. So, do whatever you were doing before. Don't mind me." Grunkle Stan said bluntly. He flipped on the television and instantly tuned out the rest of the world with mind-numbing cable television.

Dipper's mind drifted back to the book.

I wish I could be reading more of that book right now, but I can't risk Grunkle Stan seeing it. Nobody else can know about it. Besides, they'd think I'm crazy for actually believing in all the paranormal stuff that the book warns about.

Just then, the music downstairs ceased for a split moment. Dipper could hear Robbie addressing the small crowd. Dipper listened through the small hole in the floor.

"Alright everyone, we've got one more song for you guys. It's a cover song of a personal favorite of mine: Low Man's Lyric by none other than the legendary Metallica."

Robbie paused, and the small group of spectators cheered.

"Wendy, babe. This song's for you."

Robbie kicked off the song by playing the intro on his acoustic guitar. Already, Dipper could tell this would be a ballad-type song instead of the harsh metal music they were playing before. It had a twangy, almost southern rock-like sound to it. Very depressing and hopeless sounding. Then as the verse came around, Robbie started to sing. It hit Dipper suddenly that Robbie could actually sing well.

"My eyes seek reality

My fingers seek my veins

There's a dog at your back step

He must come in from the rain

I fall cause I let go

The net below has rot away

So my eyes seek reality

And my fingers seek my veins"

Dipper thought to himself Wow, this dude can actually pull of a decent James Hetfield singing voice.

He was embarrassed to admit that Robbie was pretty talented musically. Almost spellbound by the song, he resumed listening.

"The trash fire is warm

But nowhere safe from the storm

And I can't bear to see

What I've let me be

So wicked and worn"

Dipper couldn't believe that this was the same kid who, since the beginning of the show, was growling and singing whinily into the microphone. He really hoped that Wendy wouldn't like the song. Just so that he could maybe have a chance with her instead of that jerk Robbie.

"So as I write to you

Of what is done and to do

Maybe you'll understand

And won't cry for this man

Cause low man is due

Please forgive me"

Dipper waited for the rest of the hauntingly beautiful song to finish. Then heard Robbie speak once more.

"Thanks again, everyone! We're Robbie V. and the Tombstones!"

It took awhile for the band to pack up and for the crowd of people watching to disperse. Dipper raced to the big window in the bedroom that overlooked the entrance to the Mystery Shack. From there he could see all the people leaving. Then he spotted the two people that he was looking for: Wendy and Robbie. He couldn't make out what they were saying, but they were having a conversation while standing awkwardly near each other. Dipper's heart raced as he looked on for signs that Wendy would dump Robbie. But all his hopes were dashed when he saw them embrace in a hug. They then walked off into the night holding hands.

Numbly, Dipper walked back over to his bed and sat down. He was fighting back tears, but his eyes were beginning to water. All he could do was replay that memory over and over in his head, hoping to remember it in a way where Wendy rejected Robbie. But he knew what the harsh reality was.

At that instant, Stan, who had dozed off for awhile, rousted himself from his nap. He got up, rubbed the sleep from his eyes and looked to see his great nephew with his head buried in his pillow.

Oh Christ... What's the boy's problem now? Stan thought cynically.

Stan just then noticed that the music had stopped. That concert must be over.

He looked out the window to see if there were any people still hanging around outside. Then Stan saw why Dipper was such a mess. He saw Robbie and Wendy holding hands, walking away from the Mystery Shack.

Damn, that poor kid just can't catch a break. Stan thought solemnly.

He wanted to cheer Dipper up but he just didn't know how to go about it. Sure, he could weave a tapestry of deceitful claims and half-truths to sucker tourists into buying useless trinkets from the Mystery Shack. But when it came to actual human emotions and dealing with others sincerely, that's where he didn't have a clue.

"Hey, kid..." Stan began awkwardly "Um... Come on, now. We already established that you're a man! And men don't cry, right?"

Stan tried to make light of the situation but it evoked no response from Dipper. He still laid down on the bed, head under pillow, tears streaming silently down his face. It was then that he got up and walked over to Dipper. He reached out a hand and placed it gently on Dipper's shoulder.

"Look, Dipper." Stan began. Suddenly, Dipper's head shot up from under the pillow. Stan never really referred to Dipper by his real name unless he was being absolutely serious. "I know it hurts to lose someone you love, but you just have to move on and keep your head up high. Trust me, I've been through this sort of thing many times before. It'll all work out for you eventually because you're a pretty special kid."

Dipper couldn't believe that his great uncle was being so honest with him. It was a rare moment that Stan ever showed such seriousness and caring. Dipper found himself wrapping Stan in a hug. "Thanks, Grunkle Stan." he said quietly.

Stan was shocked at the sudden gesture of affection, but he reciprocated the hug and replied "Don't mention it, kiddo."

Then it both hit them: this was an extremely awkward situation for the both of them. They both jumped back, breaking the embrace. They both eyed each other, red faced and embarrassed.

"Never speak of this again?" Stan said bluntly.

"Right, right." Dipper replied immediately.

And with that, Stan exited the room and shut the door behind him. In a way, he was happy that he helped out his great nephew. But another thought came into his mind, he was embarrassed that he actually let slip any semblance of basic human emotion.

Ugh, I must be getting soft in my old age...