Moving these from my tumblr to fanfiction because why not.
Gravity Falls isn't mine, nor is the idea of the Transcendence AU, I just like to write.
Mabel starting school in Gravity Falls was, well, surprisingly normal. Most of the residents there knew of her and her brother and what they did, so when she was up in front of the class, introducing herself for the first time, no one blinked twice when she pointed to the empty space next to her to introduce Dipper as well. She seemed to fit right in, quickly falling to a regulated pattern at school.
Lunches she almost always spent with Candy and Grenda, they were, after all, her best friends. It wasn't uncommon to see the three of them together either, chatting away while Mabel, every so often, turned to the empty space next to her that people knew was where Dipper was, and bring him into the conversation too. Asking things like "how's Dipper?" would result in her saying "He says he's fine and wants to know how you've been." Of course this mostly stuck to her friends.
After all this was school, and that meant that it was still common for rumors to float around and people to talk or keep their distance. Luckily for Mabel, it wasn't as bad as when she was still living at home with her parents. Of course, as per usual, the people to talk the most were the "Popular" kids. The group Pacifica usually sat at.
"She's doing it again."
"God its creepy."
"Like, I know her brothers there or, whatever, but still. Can't he just like, make himself appear so it doesn't look weird?"
Pacifica looked between her friends but chose not to speak, oddly enough. Personally She found this constant conversation between her friends rather dull. After all it was the same thing almost everyday. Sure, she got a kick out of making fun of the uncool kids as much as the next rich gal, but this was definitely getting boring.
Not that she would say it out loud.
"Too much effort or something," Pacifica forced a grin on her face and giggled smugly, "Some demon, am I right?" When her friends burst into laughter, she joined them-
Only to have her salad suddenly flip up and into her face. She shrieked in shock and then sputtered as she quickly pushed the lettuce leaves off her face. Giggling from across the cafeteria caught her attention and she glared in the direction of Mabel and her group of friends.
Mabel shrunk into her seat a little, but still grinned before giving a small wave over in Pacifica's direction.
"Dipper says sorry!" She yelled over at her, and Pacifica's glare increased. Like hell he did! As if confirming her thought, her drink suddenly found itself tipped over her head, sweet sugary pop sticking to her hair.
Pacifica shrieked again, slamming her fists on the table while her friends scrambled to find some napkins to dry her off, which Pacifica just pushed aside, storming towards the cafeteria exit to find the bathroom. She paused for a moment to turn back to Mabel and her friends.
"Like hell he is!" She snapped before spinning on her heals and leaving, her friends hot on her heals.
The next few days were spent with Mabel trying to apologize to Pacifica, and every time Pacifica stopped to actually, maybe, listen to what she had to say, Dipper would find a way to mess with her. Whether it was pulling her hair, knocking her books from her arms, grabbing her bag and running off with it (seriously, running after a flying bag during lunch hours in a crowded hall was not in her to-do list), whatever it was, Dipper did it.
Though despite how pissed off she was at him for doing such a thing, she couldn't help but notice that Mabel seemed to be getting upset with her brother as well. Perhaps She wasn't in cahoots with her brother in these pranks. Still there was no way for Pacifica to really know, and with her friends constantly hovering around and making sure Mabel stayed away from her it was just really difficult to find out.
Finally she settled for a classic, slipping a note into Mabels bag asking to meet with her behind the school during lunch time. It was easy enough to ditch her friends, she'd done it often enough, just excused herself to the bathroom and that was it.
She didn't have to wait long behind the school when Mabel appeared, grinning widely at her. Pacifica forced herself not to roll her eyes at the girls enthusiasm. It wasn't like they were friends, she had no reason to be excited to see her.
"Pacifica! I'm so glad you asked to meet me, what did you want to talk about? Did you want to hang out later? Oh, oh, did you want to go for ice cream?! I could totally go for Ice cream-"
"Yeah, sure whatever," Pacifica interrupted, this time actually rolling her eyes. Examining her nails she spoke up again, "So what, is Dipper here too or did he actually let you come meet me alone."
"Oh, no, he's here," Mabel grinned, "I hope you don't mind. I promise he wont pull any pranks on you this time." She sent a pointed glare to the empty space to her left so Pacifica could only assume that's where Dipper was currently floating. Sighing she rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"Well, whatever." hands on her hip she looked down for a moment and...what was it she wanted to talk to Mabel about again. Mabel just stood there in front of her, ever present smile and blinking.
"Okay so...first things first, You're really not responsible for any of the stuff your brothers been pulling on me?" Best get that out of the way first. Mabels eyes widened and she quickly shook her head.
"Nuh uh!" She protested, "I mean, sure we didn't exactly get along during the summer...you know...before..." Mabel trailed off and Pacifica herself felt a little uneasy about that particular topic. It had recently started being referred to as the Transcendence but those in Gravity Falls, especially the ones who had been involved or new people who were involved, still had a hard time calling it that.
"Anyway," Mabel continued, smiling up at Pacifica, "I just, you know...I still think we can possible get along-don't give me that look Dipper!" Pacifica snorted a laugh and rolled her eyes. She knew what Mabel was referring too, their little Mini golf tournament. If she were to be honest, she felt the same.
Of course being friends with the girl who was directly involved in the...Incident...who's brother was now a Demon would seriously put a blow in her Social Status so she was not about to do that.
"Not sure what your brother said, but I can kind of guess he doesn't think so and honestly," Pacifica rolled her eyes, "As much as it pains me to say it, I agree with him."
Mabel's smile dropped and Pacifica felt a small weight settle in her stomach-guilt? oh god did she feel guilt?! That's a new one. The feeling increased as Mabel forced a smile back onto her face, though it didn't reach her eyes.
"O-Oh. Well that's okay I mean...we can still talk, right-"
"God, what is wrong with you?!" Pacifica snapped out of no where, causing Mabel to jump in surprise before blinking in confusion.
"Pacifica...?"
"Why do you do this?!" Pacifica continued, frustration building inside her. This whole time she spoke with Mabel she could tell something was wrong but couldn't place her finger on it but seeing Mabel force a smile, the pieces just fell into place.
"You have been through so goddamn much! And you just smile and pretend it's okay, that everything is all fine and dandy, sunshine and rainbows! I can't say I know whatever the hell happened back home to bring you back to Gravity Falls but I do know you've been acting weirder than usual and-" Pacifica paused to groan loudly before looking at Mabel, almost desperately.
"Why won't you just cry?!" She asked, "Why wont you let yourself be upset and just let it out?!"
There was a long moment of silence between them and distantly Pacifica heard the bell ring, signalling the end of lunch break. She didn't move however, and neither did Mabel who stood there, staring at Pacifica in shock.
After a moment she saw Mabel swallow before a single tear slid down the side of her face. Mabel took a shaky breath before speaking, her voice cracked.
"B-because...I have to...to be strong...for Dipper..." She whispered, "Because...because he has no one else...to lean on any more-" A sob choked out at the end of her sentence and she looked down, swatting at the air halfheartedly before rubbing at her eyes with the sleeves of her sweater.
Pacifica stood there for a moment, not sure what to do. What do you do when someone cries in front of you? How do you comfort them? Especially when, technically, its your fault. She shifted awkwardly, (and if she could see Dipper all she'd see was an angry glare sent her way) before walking over to Mabel.
Hesitantly she reached up and pulled Mabel in for a hug. That's what you do right? Hug them? It helps, doesn't it? Mabel stiffened at the contact, and for a moment Pacifica felt like she should probably let go...until Mabel reached around her and clung to her tightly.
And she cried.