promises of a delphinium [Dipper x Pacifica]

Chapter Thirteen - Revelations

He had never been so absolutely obliterated. 

Turns out, playing video games in the solitude of your secret bunker during rare moments of spare time doesn't compare to someone who practically lives with spare time.

"Hey, I have stuff to do too!" Pacifica had argued. It didn't matter. Nothing mattered after she beat him every single time. Twenty-seven rounds straight.

"One more," Dipper says, gripping the controller as if his life depends on it.

"That's enough, Dip." 

"Northwest. One more." 

"Girl..." she trails off, glancing at him with a look that screams disappointed mother. "Give it up. I'm better than you. Face it."

Dipper leans in, turns her head towards him, and holds up one finger. "One. Just one more."

She smirks. "We've had eight 'one more's."

"This is the last."

"...And three 'this is the last's."

"Northwest..." His voice cracks slightly, a desperate whine slipping through. She nearly caves because oh my god that's so freaking cute??

"Dipper, no! Come on. We'll play your game another time." She's already setting down her controller, when—

He freezes, sucking in a sharp breath.

Pacifica's eyes widen, eyebrows raised in realization. "Ah." She lets the sound hang, playful as ever. "You just realized you let that slip, didn't you?"

His lighthearted expression vanishes, replaced by a glare. "Northwest, if you tell anyone—"

"Yap, yap, yap," she interrupts, rolling her eyes and patting his shoulder dismissively. "Oh no, Dipper Gleeful plays g-g-games?! The world is in PIECES."

She throws him a teasing smile, but it fades when she notices his gaze has dropped to the ground. His nails are digging into his palms, shoulders trembling slightly. Her expression shifts into something softer, "Hey, I was just kidding, I'm sorry. I won't tell, okay? I promise." She reassures him, resting her hands on his. She wasn't sure why the thought of people knowing he played games was so terrifying to him, but the two were from completely different worlds. There are just some things she wouldn't understand yet, she figures. She just has to be there for him nevertheless.

He lets her hands stay there for a while before swatting them away and grunting in acknowledgement. No insults or a glare? He's learning. She can't help but be a little proud.

"Anyway," she changes the subject, leaning back with a grin, "I think we made good progress today. You had fun, didn't you?"

He shrugs. He was well aware that he wasn't good at hiding it this time around. He had just forgotten - he hadn't played video games with someone in so long. But he'd die before admitting that.

"I know you did and you're too shy to admit it." What the fuck- "But that's okay. I won't force you. That's the beauty of friendship. Come on, up top, dip dip!" She grins, holding her hand up. As expected, he simply shoots her a look and doesn't gesture to move. "We'll get those someday."

His glare remains, but there's no heat behind it anymore. He's blinking slowly now, his exhaustion creeping in after being up so early. Seeing him like this—quiet, tired, but calm—it hits her. Cute. He's just so damn cute. When did that happen?

"Northwest?" His voice breaks her thoughts.

"Pacifica."

He cocks his head, confused. Cute, cute, cute.