Title: StarryMayBells (Trademark Pending)
Summary: Mabel Pines always designs her own clothes. But when given an opportunity to put her clothes on the runway, designers aren't allowed to model their own outfits. She has a plan though: her twin brother Dipper, who has the same exact body measurements save the lady bits.
A/N: By the by, Dipper and Mabel are 16.
o.o.o.o.o
As much as Dipper loved his twin sister, and was willing to lay down his life for her own more often than not, this might be pushing it a little.
"Come on, Dipper! Please? I'd do it but it's against the rules!"
Dipper sighed. It's true; he's read the contract frontwards and back, searching for any loophole against this stupid rule, but couldn't find anything. Whoever wrote the thing was a genius in legalese, and Dipper had to wonder what happened for such a rule to exist.
"I just don't understand why they're so strict about this," he told Mabel, who frowned in reply.
"I dunno either." She pouted that, while adorable, still portrayed just how frustrated she was at the situation herself. "It's so stupid! I always design and model my own clothes, and yet I can't model since it's against the rules!" Mabel groaned, rolling her eyes as she grabbed the contract containing the rules and regulations she signed in her haste to enter the contest yesterday, and never read until about thirty minutes ago, from her brother. Not even to check the rules for the models of the designers, but to check if she was allowed to insert electrical lighting in her outfits since it was a potential fire hazard. She crushed it in her hand in frustration, before throwing it away and hiding in her sweater.
Dipper sat beside her and placed his hand on his sister's shoulder, massaging in circles to calm her, as he knew she was on the brink of tears.
"But this can make my career as a fashion designer, without even having to go to college for all those connections!" She latched onto Dipper's arm, on her knees as her brother tried to keep standing and shake her off. "Please, Dipper!"
Everyone always made fun of Mabel's designs – he was more into the potential safety risk when she sets them to light up – so she always wore them as a testament to her commitment and dedication to her own brilliant creations. It's been this way for almost seven years, but Dipper knew that this is what she needs if she truly wished to be a fashion designer. And he was sure that Mabel knew it too.
Failing to remain standing, Dipper fell to the floor, with Mabel following after him. They tumbled for a bit, rolling on the floor and getting covered in the excess supply of glitter from Mabel's first outfit, a soft rose pink dress easing into layers of Columbia blue with smidges of yellow and white pastels blended together held together by a small white star that was almost transparent. The dress had silky petal sleeves which faded from Russian violet to soft periwinkle with tiny white rhinestones painstakingly stitched into the upper portion of the sleeves, become scarce as violet became periwinkle. It gave Dipper the impression of dawn, which he was sure Mabel was aiming for.
Still, what's done is done. If Dipper can help Mabel follow her dreams, there was no question what he would do.
As planned, with the pair covered in glitter, soon Dipper was able to see his twin sister's bright, toothy grin. He picked himself up from the ground before offering his hand to his sister, who took it with a joyful smile. He pulled her into a warm hug before pulling back to look her straight in the eyes.
"Mabel," Dipper started slowly. This might not be what Mabel wants to hear, but needs to. "You said it yourself. You want to be a fashion designer. Fashion designers design clothes for other people. This is the perfect opportunity for you to do that." He sighed, resigned to his fate. "Fine. I'll model your dress for tomorrow."
As Mabel predictably jumped and squealed in joy, Dipper had to practically yell to finish saying, "But you need to change your design for the next round I know you will get into, to fit another model besides you or me. Get Candy, or even Grenda if you can manage that much change, but I'm out after the first round."
Mabel stopped jumping and squealing, instead pulling her brother in for a tight, grateful hug. "Thanks, bro-bro," she whispered as Dipper hugged her back just as tightly.
After a few moments, they let each other go and Mabel grinned. "I need to figure out a few things, like your hair and makeup, but don't worry! In a few hours everyone's gonna be super jelly at how amazingly Dipper Pines can rock a StarryMayBells – trademark pending – dress from the Way to Dawn Collection!" She scooped up the dress and before Dipper could let out any protest, Mabel grabbed his wrist and dragged him to her room where all the blush and mascara was waiting.
He groaned, but quickly walked in step with her. He didn't have any doubt in Mabel's skill as a stylist. After all, Mabel was in a league all of her own and made the most of what she had. He was basically Mabel, just with shorter hair and opposite genitalia, so it'll be interesting to see what she could do.
He let a small smile grace his face as he sat down and Mabel pulled out her makeup bag. The people down at Fashionista Fatrielle had no idea what Mabel Pines had in store for them.
o.o.o.o.o
Luckily, Mabel only needed to make minor modifications to her already planned visual for her makeup. All she needed she already had. She didn't want to do much anyway, keeping it au natural,as was part of the theme of the first round. No need to buy different foundation or any other products - being identical twins with basically the same face save for a few defining features did help. He wasn't a fan of the false eyelash extensions or the eyeliner, but fortunately it was minimal.
She had much more difficulty trying to set up Dipper's hair, however. She had much less to work with compared to what she was used to. In the end, she opted to just toss the hat he was so fond of, brush it, and let his hair flow naturally. She kept going back and forth with a solid white headband, and decided to bring it with her since she could just slap it on should she changer her mind and have Dipper go with it. It kept with the au natural theme she went with, like the makeup.
He knows he signed up for this, but for every time Mabel smacks his hand when he unconsciously moves his hand to touch his face, Dipper swears he would never put makeup on for such an extended period of time if he could help it. He wasn't used to putting all this gunk on his face, and hopefully would never have to ever again. But he might ask Mabel for the cover up and foundation, it was nice to have such clear, even skin. Not that eye stuff though, that was really uncomfortable and with their limited timeframe Dipper didn't have time to really adjust to having Mabel stick a pencil basically in his eye.
Was it his turn to go on yet?
"It can't be that bad," Mabel said after she slapped Dipper's hand away for the nth time. "We're not allergic to it, and there's already barely on you. Seriously, Dipper. Self control."
"I'm not used to this!" Dipper exclaimed, constantly blinking his eyes tight as an alternative to scratching them like he's been failing to do for the past fifteen minutes.
"Pines!" A backstage member of the crew called out. "You're on in five!"
Mabel quickly turned and led her brother towards the stage, putting some finishing touches – such as forgoing the headband for the fourth time - as the model goes on before them and her designer gets judged for elimination or continuation to the next round.
As Mabel smoothed out the dress, Dipper's hands twitched by his sides, fidgeting becoming more sporadic as his nerves were finally catching up with him.
The lights were too bright, it was too hot, too many people were running around to make sure the event was running as smoothly as possible, and the room was starting to spin.
Dipper started hyperventilating without intention, and Mabel had to grab his shoulders to keep him from falling to the floor. "Dipper!"
He loves his twin, and wants to help her achieve her dreams. He will if it's within his power to do so, but he was always one to avoid the spotlight. He was more than willing to let Mabel have all the attention for these kinds of things. But on the runway, for only a few moments, all the lights would be on him instead of her. Granted, it's to establish a stepping stone for her dreams and is only for the first round, but he's going to have all the attention.
"Dipper, you gotta calm down."
Not only will Dipper have attention from modeling Mabel's design, but he was pretty sure that the fact that he was a guy modeling a dress might be a problem. Or at the very least will attract even more attention. He didn't mind doing this for Mabel, and he really loved wearing the soft, silky dress if he had to be honest. Still, while it wasn't explicitly stated that a male couldn't model for designers, it didn't say males could either.
"Dipper, listen to me. You gotta take deep breaths."
They didn't notify anyone about their plan. No one knows that there was going to be a male model for a clothing line designed specifically for women the famed Fashionista Fatrielle was known for. Their little amateur contest was more of a publicity stunt than scouting, but there was no denying that their found talent is what kept them in the field for so long. Mabel didn't want to risk the possible disqualification, so they decided it would be better for them to just go and deal with the consequences according to the judges, after seeing Mabel's talent, instead of the sticklers so anal about all those rules that brought them to this in the first place.
And while he believed in Mabel, there was still the small possibility that no one else might. And that - that would just crush everything they were working for.
Suddenly, soft strawberry flavored lips were on top of Dipper's and his eyes widened as Mabel wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace that hid the chaste kiss from prying eyes. He gasped, and had the breath sucked out of him with her tongue teasing the edges of his lips before Mabel let go.
Dazed, Dipper just stared at his sister. As if nothing happened, Mabel exclaimed, "Dipper! It's gonna be fine! You just gotta walk. Walk! It's fashion, baby, you gotta work it and move those hips like crazy." She started swaying her hips, laughing as she did so.
Dipper blinked, now focused. He rolled his eyes at her antics and started, "Mabel, that's not - "
Mabel pushed Dipper forward as the same crewmember came and told them, "Pines, you're on."
A quick back hug, a whispered exchange of "love you, thank you, best of luck", and Dipper Pines representing StarryMayBells – trademark pending - was on.
o.o.o.o.o.o.o
Dipper didn't know true stage fright until this moment. He knew that there was a musical track he needed to walk through; he could hear the flute playing in the background. Mabel had told him to just move as gently as possible first, then take great stride as he made his way towards the judging table.
He took a deep breath to calm his nerves, and slowly made his way down the runway. Lots of bright flashes from various angles, including above him, made him wish he wore the scrapped sunglasses because it was really hard to see anything. At least he was able to wear solid white flats and no heels - unlike what he's seen on other models.
"Since the theme of the first round called for nature, I thought of humble beginnings," Mabel explained as Dipper looked straight ahead, gaining more momentum as his sister explained the thought process of her design from paper to the actual outfit that Dipper was modeling for them. Soon enough, he was only a few steps away from the three judges.
He recognized the blonde on the left, Pacifica Northwest, the one who recommended Mabel for the contest. Although considering the whole not telling her that Mabel couldn't model her design, the Pines twins weren't too keen with her at the moment. But Mabel will forever be grateful for the opportunity.
On the left was Tad Strange, the one behind this charity/publicity event. Not much was known as far as Dipper remembered when Mabel explained this judge, but he was more into the accessory department.
And in the middle was the man who ran the whole shindig, the founder and CEO of Fashionista Fatrielle, the elusive Bill Cipher. Who, for the first time since its conception, is a judge for this instance of Amateur Hour.
Just great.
As the music died down and Dipper was on the platform directly in front of the judges, Mabel took the spot next to him and curled his arm with her own. Mabel continued, "As the sun rises to change dusk to dawn, it gently makes itself known gradually throughout the rest of the day." She cleared her throat, not allowing for her own nerves to get the best of her.
"As I start my journey into the world of fashion design, let my journey be like the sun. Slow and gentle at first, than a presence known everywhere that provides warmth and happiness to all. I'm Mabel Pines, and I call this design 'Way to Dawn'. Thank you."
She lowered the microphone, to absolute silence. Dipper could feel Mabel stabbing her palm with her painted fingernails, but wasn't able to comfort her while waiting criticism from the judges and her being on the separate platform from the runway for the designer.
Finally, someone broke the silence. Unfortunately, it was possibly the worst person to do so.
"Oh my stars and garters, is that Dipper Pines, the inferior male twin brother of the lovely Mabel Pines, in a dress?"
As shocked gasps irrupted throughout the convention center, more camera flashes flooded their view of vision as various reporters tried to take the face of the model instead of the dress along with – now revealed his – twin sister designer. Mabel jumped off her platform and tried to shield her brother from the flashes to no avail.
Bill stood up rubbing his temples. "Who let that boy in here?"
Dipper tried to shelter himself from everyone's eyes, covering his face with his arms. One of his greatest fears was coming true: to get more attention than Mabel in her field of expertise. He wanted to shine in his passions while Mabel thrived in hers. He could feel another panic attack coming on, but now wasn't the time. Mabel was also freaking out, he could tell from how tightlipped she was, but again: Now wasn't the time.
"Gideon!" Mabel jumped up from her place on the floor to shield her brother from all the cameras. She let out a few poses as the camera snapped her visage instead of Dipper's and started laughing. After only a few pictures, however, the moment was gone and she turned deadly serious. She pointed her finger at the accused. "You're under a restraining order! Not allowed within a hundred yards of us! I suggest you leave now before security takes you back to prison."
Why did Gideon have to be here of all places? Gideon Gleeful, a spoiled rich kid who thought he could buy his way into Mabel's heart, tried to take over the fashion industry once he heard of Mabel's love for her clothes. While money can take people to many places, it cannot take already multi-billionaire Bill Cipher away from his company, or Mabel's passion for fashion.
Gideon sighed happily, starstruck by Mabel speaking to him even though she is only able to speak to him about the court order if he was in violation of it. Dipper just rolled his eyes. As always, what she told him went over his head. The boy who has caused the Pines twins so many problems in the past simply blew her a kiss. "Is worth it, ma chère. I miss you so." He winked. Mabel dodged, disgusted.
Gideon ignored that. "Although I'm rooting for you, my precious peach dumpling, it's against the rules for males to model dresses and other products that would much better on you." He sighed, shrugging before turning to the Judges Table. "If only I were in charge, this wouldn't be a problem for you, my water chestnut."
Mabel repressed the shiver that Dipper did for her instead. She was about to explode, he could tell. He took hold of his sister's shoulder, whispering in her ear before she could retort. "Keep your focus on the judges. Gideon doesn't matter right now. This is your moment, don't let him take it away."
Mabel paused, finger faltering, as she gently exhaled the breath she was holding. She turned back to the Judges Table, as poised as a cool cucumber. "I apologize for that interruption," she said with a slight bow of her head.
Pacifica shook her head, checking the rulebook while Bill waved his hand and Gideon was escorted out of the premises, kicking and screaming about Mabel.
"It's fine, Miss Pines, I feel I am also part to blame in that interruption," the man in charge said, and Dipper could have sworn that if that voice was directed to him he would have fallen to his knees. Mabel seemed to be good though. It wasn't easy on both of them to see that bastard, but Gideon had provided a great concentration booster for her to focus on the task at hand. She turned to him with a small smile on her face mirroring his own.
"However," Tad interjected as those smiles flipped to frowns. "We cannot deny that Mr. Gleeful brought up a very good point about this presentation." He sighed, clearly unhappy. "The rules do not allow for males to model for this competition."
"Excuse me," interrupted Pacifica. "Technically speaking, in the rules, it doesn't state that males are not able to model." She looked back in the rulebook. "It… it just assumes all the models will be female and identifies them with feminine pronouns." She sighed. "This wouldn't be a problem if the designers were allowed to model their own dresses, you know."
"That may be true, but we have rules for a reason." Tad looked sad as he placed down the rulebook. "I'm sorry, Miss Pines, but you are -"
"Hold on for a moment." Bill raised his hand and stood up.
There was something familiar about the man to Dipper, but he couldn't place his finger on it. The man continued, "Maybe Miss Pines designed for her outfit specifically to be worn by her twin brother." Mabel opened her mouth to tell the truth, but Bill wouldn't let her. "Perhaps her brother really wanted to model her designs for women, because he doesn't see a problem wearing dresses or wearing make up or other such issues that females have been told to do by society's standards in order to look beautiful.
"Mr. Pines." Dipper almost jumped when he realized he was being spoken to by the figure that Mabel was trying to impress with his outfit. "Do you enjoy wearing your sister's designs?"
"M-Me?" Dipper chanced a glance at Mabel who didn't know what to say as well. He was on his own, and decided to answer honestly. "Um, I, uh, I love my sister's designs. She uses this really nice material so the dress is really comfortable to wear."
"Silk," Mabel whispered as both Pines waited for the man's verdict.
Bill continued, "If Mr. Pines wasn't forced against his will to design, which I severely doubt his lovely sister would do, then clearly he wanted to be here."
She widened her eyes as she realized where Bill was going with this. "A movement," she breathlessly whispered her brother. "He's making it sound like it's a movement for cross-dressing."
Dipper widened his eyes in response but didn't have a chance to reply as Bill finished, "It might not be in the rules, but I will allow for this. All genders should be able to wear whatever they decide to make themselves more beautiful in their own eyes and others should they decide for that. Please see me afterwards to discuss your unique situation."
"So, Mabel's definitely moving on to the next round?" Pacifica asked with Tad looking at Bill for confirmation of what was basically already established.
Bill nodded. "Good thing you guys decided to do that with me here." He laughed as he got up to leave. "Is that it? Any more designers?"
Tad pulled up the clipboard. "We have about seven more -"
Bill picked up the blazer he had behind his chair. "I saw what they had prepared. They're not going to be as impressive as these two lovely twins were. They can go."
"But sir, we only have Miss Pines - "
"Doesn't matter. Miss Pines was the best, no one will ever get in unless they top what she did, and they won't." He pointed at the Pines, still in shock of what was happening. "You two, come with me."
Both twins looked at each other for a moment before holding hands and following Mr. Cipher out of the room, with everyone still gobsmacked of what just happened and camera flashes fading behind them.
o.o.o.o.o.o.o
The twins said nothing as they followed Bill upstairs to his office on the 33rd floor. Mabel was shaking, and Dipper was doing his best to nonverbally reassure her that everything was going to be okay. He didn't have any doubt that what just happened was going to be all over the news concerning the entertainment industry with the sheer amount of pictures that was taken as soon as it was revealed that Mabel was going to be the only person continuing onto the next round. It was supposed to be a competition, so with Mabel as the only contestant it was going to be a problem. The press can be vicious vultures as they already experienced via Gideon.
As they entered Bill's office, even Dipper was impressed by the grandeur of it all. So much gold, everything was gold. Bill liked to flaunt his wealth apparently. Or maybe he just really liked gold.
Bill gestured for the two to take a seat as he took his place on his throne. Literally a throne of gold that could not be possibly comfortable in any way. Dipper was uncomfortable watching him sit.
"Miss Pines."
"Y-yes?" Mabel cleared her throat. "Mr. Cipher, sir, I just wanted to thank you for the opportunity –"
"We all know that Pacifica invited you just last night and you didn't have any time to modify an outfit for another model beside yourself after working all night. Correct me if I'm wrong."
Stunned speechless, Dipper confirmed for his older sister. "Y-yeah, we didn't mean for it to be a whole movement for crossdressing." As Bill nodded, crossed his arms and leant back on the throne that looked uncomfortable to sit on with his eyes on Dipper all the while, Dipper repressed a shudder and added, "Though it goes without saying it's a great topic to work for equality in the fashion industry."
Bill eyed Dipper, still in Mabel's dress design, from top to bottom. Dipper had to repress another shudder. Slowly, he said, "That's what everyone else will think. But we all know better."
Suddenly, he turned towards Mabel. "Alright, Miss Pines. You're the only contestant for our Amateur Hour at Fashionista Fatrielle because I made it so. You have your brother to thank for that. Let's see how well you can do with Mr. Pines here as your model for the duration of the competition."
Mabel bit her lip and looked nervously at Dipper, who blinked. "Wait, what?"
Bill continued, taking out some paper and a pen, "Since you're the only contestant, this will be your launching line. I'll give you a theme, and you're free to interpret what it means. Whatever creates the best outfit your brother will be modeling." He scribbled a few things down and handed it to Dipper, eyes on him and never on Mabel. "Miss Pines started with dawn, no? Let's keep with the day theme."
Still speechless, Dipper had to answer for his sister. "Yes, sir, thank you for the opportunity," he said as he took the offered paper with instructions and key dates for the two other rounds.
Bill kept his eyes on Dipper all the while, and this time Mabel shivered since Dipper couldn't. "See you two soon, Pine Tree and Shooting Star." He waved them away and the two politely headed out like the building was only slightly on fire. Dipper would have bet all the gold that Bill would have stayed with all his gold should the building actually be on fire.
Enough about that gold. Dipper looked at the list. The line would be for the next two days, as was expected since it was the original plan of the competition. Except now Mabel has no competition and it was exclusively for her 'Times of Day' line. "Only two more rounds, that's not bad. You could do this." He turned to her with a small smile on his face.
"B-but, Dipper…" Mabel faltered. She kept her mouth shut, head down and bit her lower lip.
Dipper took hold of his sister's hand and escorted her towards the car. After the two were safely inside with the doors locked, he turned towards her, both hands on her shoulders. "Mabel, what's wrong?"
"Dipper…" She sighed before looking up to him. "You didn't want to model after this round, and now you have to for me to continue. You're going to become the face of a movement that means absolutely nothing to us."
Mabel was close to tears, tugging on her sweater anxiously. Dipper wanted to interrupt but decided to let his sister finish.
"Don't get me wrong, Dipper. I do believe that men should wear dresses like how women wear pants, but that's not why we did this. We did this because I couldn't get another model in time, not for cross-dressing rights." She was starting to become hysteric. "We're lying to the general public, Dipper. They're going to look up to us but we don't deserve that. I don't deserve to win this spot because you're modeling a female clothing line." Mabel slid deep into her sweater. "We shouldn't do this. I can't do this."
Dipper placed his hand on Mabel's back, making soft circles as Mabel trembled with the feeling of trying her best not to cry. "Mabel." She refused to leave her sweater. "Mabel, please. I need you to leave Sweater Town to talk to me. As your model for at least two other shows, I think my opinion matters here, doesn't it?"
Mabel slowly rose above the turtleneck, red eyes on her brother. Dipper made a small smile as he continued to rub circles on her back. "I know the situation isn't the most ideal, and that we really shouldn't take advantage of this since we're being dishonest." He sighed. "But really, I'm on board with this. I really do love your designs, Mabel. Though some might be too girly for me, perhaps they're the right amount of girly for others. I like wearing your clothes, Mabel, and only don't because people would disapprove. I'm glad that we can try to fix this right off the bat."
"We're making fashion history," Mabel whispered, slowly rising out of her turtleneck.
Dipper continued, "I do believe in what Bill said, and what the press will publish about today. Even if it isn't what we initially planned, I don't mind working with this."
Mabel smiled softly. "You really don't mind wearing my designs, Dipper? Outside of the house?"
Dipper shook his head. "I only wear them at home because of the potential of public ridicule. And I might gain some during this, but it's worth it. This is your dream, Mabel, and I want to be with you, supporting you, every step of the way." He pulled her in for a hug, Mabel welcoming it with open arms.
She sniffled, grabbing a tissue from her bag and wiped her face. "Thanks, bro-bro, that means so much to me." She giggled, and held out her right hand as she swore, "I promise to be the costume designer for your paranormal show about ghosts, vampires, whatever supernatural thing you need."
Dipper grinned as he started the car. "I may just keep you to that."
o.o.o.o.o.o.o
A/N: Thanks for reading!
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