"Mabel, I really have somewhere to be," Bill insisted.

Mabel was sitting across from him, not seeming to take a hint. "C'mon, let's talk about the newest romance novels. I'm interested in one series in particular, Wolfman Bare Chest." She held up the book.

Bill tried to shuffle away. "I'm just gonna--"

Mabel wrapped an arm around him. "No way out of it!" She smiled, then opened the book. "Chapter One: my name is Gerald, I'm a werewolf, the creature of the night. But I'm also the creature of passion."

Bill internally groaned, wanting the earth to swallow him whole. If he managed to survive this, he was definitely going to murder Will.

Suddenly, an idea dawned on him. "Hey, you know, I think we should include Bill on this," He suggested.

Mabel's face brightened. "You're right, I'll go get him!" Then, she hopped off the bed they were sitting on, and rushed out.

Bill breathed in relief, before standing up as well. He approached the staircase, making sure Mabel wasn't close by, before making a dash into the living room. He still had time to win this. And as though luck struck him, he found Stan Pines sitting at a table.

Bill walked closer to him, the old man was currently polishing the glasses he found. Once the blond neared, he noticed the gloomy look on Stan's face.

"Hey, old fart," Bill said, catching the Guardian's attention.

"Hey there, Will," Stan chuckled. "Just in time, I wanted to talk to you about something. Sit down, please."

Bill hesitated, confused by this. Was Stan going to give Will the key after all? In that case, Bill would have to try harder to sabotage him. So, determinedly, he sat next to Stan.

Stan looked at him for a while, then directed his gaze to the spectacles in his hands. "Seeing you and your brother fight, it kinda reminded me of my relationship with Ford," He said, sadly. "Ruling a realm side by side, can lead to arguments between us on what was good for our land."

Bill regarded him in confusion. What did this have to do with the key?

"Mostly, being the intelligent brother, Ford would run down the decisions," Stan continued. "But, there was one circumstance, where I chose to let in a group of outsiders. The Ciphers."

Bill stared at him, feeling his throat grow dry as he asked the question. "Did you ever...regret your decision?"

Stan heaved a sigh. "No."

"Why?" Bill asked, genuinely confused. "Didn't... Bill destroy your home? Why aren't you mad?"

"Bill may have destroyed our home," Stan started. "But, he was also our friend and felt like a part of our family. In the past, I would never suspected Bill would turn on us. Granted, he wasn't exactly always happy there. Ford was...the least accepting of Demons living in our realm, and that usually got under Bill's skin most of the time."

As far as Bill learnt, Will was his only family. So, it was almost impossible to believe that he had such a strong bond with other people in the past. Dipper mentioned he used to be close friends with the Pines, but he never thought he'd be that close to be considered family by others. The thought made him warm, and sad at the same time.

Why was I such a monster?, Bill thought, miserably.

"I was almost overjoyed when I saw Bill again," Stan admitted. "I thought this was a chance to start over, but of course, others didn't share my point of view. I was afraid that Dipper would kill Bill on the spot, but the two seem to be getting along now."

Bill frowned. "Will he ever forgive me...?"

Stan looked at him strangely, and Bill quickly corrected himself upon realizing what he said. "Bill! Will he ever forgive Bill?"

Stan shrugged, finally placing down the glasses. "It's hard to say. You can't force someone to forgive you, that only makes things worse. Hopefully, Dipper will see that sometimes, people make bad decisions: Bill, Ford, even me, those choices will haunt them more than it haunts him."

The Cipher nodded, processing this. Frankly, Stan was the last person he expected to start a conversation like this. The Guardian was usually a crook, so this came as a surprise.

"Why are you telling me this?" He asked, finally.

"Will, I can see power radiating off you," Stan said, seriously. "You're regaining your magic, aren't you?"

Bill froze, feeling his veins turn to ice. "What--"

"I may be a crook, but I'm also one of the most powerful Guardians there is," Stan said, his voice seemed to hold more authority. "Since your powers are returning, Bill won't be that far behind. Once he regains his full power, I want you to--"

"Do what? Kill him?" Bill snapped, standing up from the table.

"Kid, let me finish--"

"No," Bill breathed, backing away like a caged animal. "I've heard it a thousand times. Everyone wants me--Bill dead! Why is that the only solution for you guys?"

There it went. The steel wall he tried so hard to barrack his emotions, finally broken open. In one way or another, Bill felt like a curse, dragging everyone he cared about down. Dipper and Mabel, Wendy...and Will. He hated it! Why had he been such a monster back then? Bill hated his past self! He hated being his recantation! He hated himself!

Bill's whole shook, trying to contain the tears forming by the corner of his eyes. I really hate myself.

"Will," Stan said, in a gentle voice. "Let me finish, knucklehead. Once Bill regains his power, I want you to continue seeing him as your brother."

Bill blinked. "Huh?"

"Bill would be expecting everyone to hate him, once he has demonic magic," The old man pointed out. "I want you to be there for him, he needs at least one person who doesn't see the worst in him."

Bill quickly wiped his eyes, feeling a little embarrassed. "Sure, I can do that," He said, quickly.

"Bill probably feels like he's alone in this," Stan said. "Prove to him, that he's wrong."

Bill nodded, not knowing what else to say at the moment.

"Well, that was something," Stan chuckled. "Since you decided to listen to me this long, I think you deserve this." Then, he handed Bill the key.

Bill stared down at it. "Are you sure?"

"Yep, go crazy with it, or whatever," The old man said.

Bill hesitated, before preparing to walk away. Then, Stan stopped him.

"Don't worry, Will," He told him. "Your secret is safe with me."

"Thank you," Bill smiled, before walking off.

❇❇❇

For a while, Will forgotten about the rivalry he had with Bill, and was trying to figure out what the fudge just happened!

Bill almost kissed Dipper. Dipper used to be in love with Bill. And Will unfortunately happened to stumble into the middle of this mess!

What should he do? Should he tell Bill what Dipper said? But, if Bill was serious about the kiss, would his feelings get hurt if Will told him? Will didn't want to hurt his brother's feelings! But, he had to consider Dipper's feelings too. Dipper didn't seemed to appreciate Bill's advances, given the rejection. So, it was only fair that Will did tell Bill, so that Bill wouldn't be led on. However, what if--

I'M HOPELESS!, His mind screamed.

Will would have to remain silent for now, until he figured this entire thing out. Now, he had to relax, and focus at the task at hand.

"There you are!"

Before Will could react, he was lifted off his feet. He turned to see Mabel. "What are you--"

"Time for fun!" Mabel cheered, lifting him onto her shoulders.

Suddenly reminded of their time on Scuttlebutt Island, Will held onto dear life, as Mabel ran down the hall. At one point, they passed Dipper.

"Help!" Will screamed, before Mabel zipped past.

He saw Dipper turn to him, before Mabel made a turn down the hall. Thankfully, she made it to a complete stop in front of the door to the room, and placed him on the ground. Will gave her a look of confusion, as she opened the door.

"OK, I brought him," Mabel smiled.

Will tensed, when seeing Bill standing in the center of the carpet, Gompers was laying on the sofa nearby. His brother looked dejected, and then held out his hand, revealing the key.

"You win," Bill sighed. "The room is yours."

"You're not gonna fight me for it?" Will questioned, approaching him.

Bill shrugged. "At this point, I don't think it's worth it."

Will looked at him, then at the key. He should feel triumph about now, but all he felt was emptiness. "I have a confession to make," He said. "I never wanted us to have separate rooms."

Bill's gaze darted sideways. "Me either," He murmured, softly.

"Wait, what was that?" Will asked.

"I never wanted to move out," Bill repeated. "I was just upset that you kept hanging out with Mabel and her friends. We always had each other, but now that you're moving on...I feel left behind."

Will frowned. "Oh man, I'm so sorry," He said. "I didn't realize you felt that way. I'll agree to stop having sleepovers... that is, if you want me to come back to the attic?"

"I guess, it wouldn't be the same without your constant whining," Bill teased.

Will nudged him playfully. "Don't forget your smelly laundry."

Bill chuckled. "Jeez, why couldn't we talk things out earlier? It's way more easier than switching bodies."

"Aww, you guys made up," Mabel cooed, then her eyes widened. "Wait...did you say switching bodies?"

"Yeah, they did."

The three turned towards the voice, facing Gompers, who was now standing on the sofa. They were shocked not only because the goat had spoke, but because it sounded familiar.

"Red?" Bill gasped.

"Yep," Wendy sighed, waving Gompers's hoof at them. "I decided to check this place out, and the goat followed me. And then all of a sudden, that weird carpet electrocuted us and then we switched bodies."

"Then, where's Gompers?" Will asked.

"I dunno," She replied. "Probably somewhere chewing some cans or staring at people, doing goat things or whatever."

Mabel looked down at the carpet in amazement. "A carpet did that?"

"Only if you build up static," Bill said, then noticed Mabel shuffling her feet. "Wait, Shooting Star, don't--"

"Zip zap," Mabel smiled, electricity formed around her finger. She poked Bill's nose, but she ended up electrocuting everyone in the room.

Afterwards, they recovered from the shock, and stared down at themselves.

"I have achieved boyhood!" Mabel declared, now in Bill's body.

"That's it, you're officially on another hit list, Shooting Star!" Bill snapped, now in Mabel's body.

"Does anyone else have a slight craving for cans and other material goods?" Will questioned, in Gompers's body.

"Man, you gotta work out more, Will," Wendy said, pinching Will's biceps.

"Everyone, pay attention," Bill said. "At the count of three, we shuffle our feet on the carpet and change back."

The others obeyed, and huddled together, while building up electricity. Bill began to count. "1...2...3!"

However, on the same time he reached the last number, Dipper entered out of nowhere. "What's going on here--"

He was cut short, when electricity flooded the room once more. By the time it was over, everyone's clothes were smoking a little.

"Hey, I'm back in my own body!" Will cheered.

"Can't say the same," Wendy deadpanned, in Mabel's body.

"I'm so fluffy!" Mabel squealed, prancing around the room in Gompers's body.

Bill looked down in horror at himself. "No, no, no..."

"Why?" Dipper groaned, sharing Bill's dismay.

The two had switched bodies.

"This is a nightmare!" Bill yelled. "Your uniform is so itchy and uncomfortable!"

Dipper looked sick, as he frantically felt Bill's midsection. "I can't believe this!" He complained. "I'm in your body...and your body has a surprisingly hard stomach, like wow."

"Stop harassing me, pervert!" Bill snapped, a crimson blush formed in his face.

"Baa! Baa!" Mabel shouted. "Am I doing it right? BAA!"

❇❇❇

Later, after everyone was back to normal. Including Wendy and Gompers, after finding the goat trying to eat a table while in the redhead's body. Afterwards, everyone gathered around the kitchen table, and the Cipher brothers explained everything.

"Wait," Dipper said, blushing madly. "You guys were in each other's bodies?"

"Pretty much," Bill said.

Dipper looked like he wanted to puke, and Will quickly gave him a look of reassurance, that said your secret is safe with me. Dipper seemed to relax, but only by a little bit.

"OK, since that's over," Wendy started. "I'll throw away that carpet. But, who's getting that room?"

"We decided Fez should get it," Bill sighed. "Only because, we can't get rid of him!"

"Yes!" Stan cheered.

"Don't act proud!" Bill snapped at him.

Mabel smiled. "I'm glad we could work this out, and plus, I was a goat just now. I narrow that down to a life accomplishment."

"You have no life, then," Bill deadpanned.

The group chatted some more, before night arrived, and the Pine twins left, along with Wendy. Stan was the only one who remained, and got comfortable in his new room. Meanwhile, Bill and Will were preparing for bed.

Will thought back to earlier, and then mustered up the courage to speak. "Bill, if there's anything bothering you...you know you can always tell me."

Bill froze in the middle of putting his jacket off. Will decided not to mention the conversation with Dipper, all that mattered now, was how his brother was feeling.

"To be honest," Bill said, slowly turning towards him. "There is something bothering me."

Will looked at him intently. Was Bill finally opening up?

"What is it?" He asked.

Bill bit his lips nervously, before saying. "If I was an evil overlord bent on destroying everything...would you still think of me as your brother?"

Will stared. Honestly, he had been expecting to be left unanswered. "Bill, even if you were a pineapple, I'd still think of you as my brother."

"Weird analogy," Bill noted, then smiled softly. "Thanks..."

Will nodded, and before he could stop himself, he asked. "So, what do you think about Dipper?"

Bill turned away. "He's an annoying nerd."

The blue haired boy would've took this as Bill's natural snark, if not for one thing. The blush outlining the blond's ears, told Will everything he needed to know about Bill's view on the Guardian.

Will smiled to himself, then laid down on his bed. "Goodnight, Bill," He said, before closing his eyes.

Bill looked over at him, before he finished dressing. The blond pulled back his covers, and rested his head on his pillow. However, he paused, when he heard soft crinkling underneath him.

Bill shot up, and lifted the pillow. Under it, was a wrinkled piece of paper. It was covered in black scribbles, forming some kind of triangular shape. It almost looked like a blueprint...and Bill had seen it before.

Quickly, he reached for the journal, and cracked it open. He skimmed the pages, before making an abrupt halt at one section. The page in his journal, was extremely similar to the one on paper.

What was going on? Who left this here?

Bill held up the paper, and for some reason, turned it over. His breath caught in his throat, when he read the big letters in red marker:

BEWARE OF BROTHER.