This was one of the ones I wasn't going to upload, but I figured I might as well. The final part of the Christmas themed ones.

It's also the first one I bothered to proofread, so there's that.

The Morning After

Time is a fickle thing. We like to think it progresses linearly. But it can perform an unending stream of 'movements' in all sorts of fashions, and sometimes, on very, very rare moments, it can stop entirely.

One of these moments occurred when Pacifica Northwest descended the stairs of the Pines residence to find Mabel Pines home and sitting at the kitchen table, spoonful of cereal hovering just outside her mouth, frozen as she was seeing her friend coming down the stairs of her home, clad in her brother's t-shirt, and little else.

Yes time certainly did come to a complete standstill as these two met for an unexpected encounter, the only evidence to the contrary being that Pacifica's face began turning an extreme shade of red.

Silence drifted through the room for what seemed like an eternity before either of the two spoke up.

"…Hi." Pacifica finally muttered.

Mabel finally ate the bit of breakfast that she'd been holding just away from her mouth as Pacifica continued a very awkward walk down the stairs.

Pacifica strolled passed a silent Mabel and began pouring herself a cup of coffee. "I thought you said you'd be out with your friends for most of the day." She said, not daring to look at the undoubtedly cheeky expression her friend must have held by now.

"Had to come back early. It's okay though, mom and dad are still out." Mabel said, in an almost suspiciously calm manner. "You know I really like that shirt, Pacifica."

Pacifica hitched slightly, but maintained composure. "Thanks."

"You know, I'm pretty sure Dipper has one exactly like it." Mabel eyes narrowed in faux suspicion. "But, why would you be wearing one of Dipper's shirts? It's not like you didn't have your own clothes on in bed, or anything…"

Pacifica's face took on a look of distress as Mabel eyed her with a knowing glee.

Mabel inhaled deeply, but before she could shout out her audacious claim, Pacifica placed a hand over her mouth.

"Mabel, if we're going to talk about this, we're going to do it quietly."

Mabel giggled behind Pacifica's offending palm, but nodded.

Pacifica retracted her hand slowly, and Mabel was all too quick to dive right in.

"So, how was he?"

Pacifica groaned. "Mabel, I really don't think that's appropriate for discussion."

"He was bad, wasn't he? Too careful?"

Pacifica scoffed. "Hardly. Like, I'm still sore."

Pacifica had wanted to stop herself, but it was too late, and as Mabel wore a giddy expression of astonishment. "Still sore? Did NOT think Dipper had it in him."

Pacifica hung her head in shame. Why did she have to be here?

"Oh don't be such a gloomy Gus about it, Ciffy. We were gonna have this talk eventually. It doesn't have to be a bad thing. I mean, it was special, wasn't it?"

Pacifica thought back to the prior night. Dipper's present, her present. All things considered, it had been perfect.

"Yeah. It was." Pacifica said, fiddling with her magnifying glass pendant.

0000

Something was terribly wrong. Something was missing. The familiar, comforting pressure on his chest was no longer there. Dipper wasn't sure where Pacifica had went, but he felt he wasn't going to get anymore sleep without her in his bed. In fact, he worried he'll never be able to sleep again without memories the previous night surfacing. His face turns red as he briefly reminisces about last night's events.

Getting out of bed finally, he put some trousers on and made his way downstairs. However, in the middle of his descent, he stops, interrupted by the most daunting of sounds.

His sister's voice.

Mabel and Pacifica were talking. Well, laughing right now, but that wasn't exactly better. He listened carefully to the conversation.

"He kept holding my hand, and that sounds kind of sweet, but it made things kinda cumbersome."

"Hehee! That is so cute!"

More laughter came as Dipper became increasingly flustered.

"Okay, Now I have a very personal question, and feel free not to answer."

Pacifica raised an eyebrow. "Okay…"

"What did his face look like when, you know, it happened."

Pacifica's blush consumed her face. "… Can't tell you everything, gotta keep some things for myself."

"Aww" Mabel whined.

"Well, it's nice to know you have some discretion."

Mabel and Pacifica's attention was drawn to the stairs as a very embarrassed Dipper had just come down the stairs.

"Oh my god, how much did you hear?" Pacifica asked immediately, apologetic but too embarrassed to contain her nervous laughter.

"Not much. In fact it kinda bothers me what I don't know you said."

"Nothing important!"

"Believe me, it was impossible to get more than a word out of her, bro."

As Dipper strode into the kitchen Mabel got out from her chair. "I guess I'll give you two some alone time." She said coyly as she made her way up the stairs.

Dipper poured started the coffee maker, and made no sudden reaction when Pacifica's snaked their way around his torso. "It was just girl talk Dipper. I didn't say anything important."

"So what did you tell her?"

"That it felt good, wonderful. That I was nervous. That you were sweet. Basically a repetition of those things."

Dipper smiled. "Alright. Do you mind if I ask you something?"

"Hmm, like what?"

"What did it look like?"

She laughed. "You really wanna know?"

"Yeah, kinda."

Dipper turned to Pacifica and put his hand on her back, pulling her close.

"Hmm. I can't make the face myself. When it happened, and believe me I could tell when it did, your eyes closed shut really tight. And your eyebrows kind of angled like you were sad or hurt. And your mouth was open but pouting at the same time. It was cute, like a puppy who'd just woken up and didn't want to open his eyes yet."

"You make it sound a little emasculating."

"I do that a lot, don't I? Regardless, I can honestly say I look forward to seeing that face again."

"Really? You know, the table's free of clutter at the moment."

"Mister Pines, are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting? Whatever happened to the kid who was too prudent to watch me change into a swimsuit?"

"He's probably in the same place as the girl who'd get embarrassed about holding hands in school."

"Shut up."

The two began kissing, and Dipper lifted Pacifica up and sat her down on the kitchen table. As their lust rose their minds became clouded.

Almost too clouded to notice Dipper's Parents entering the door to find two teenagers aggressively making out in their kitchen.

Never was there a more awkward silence in the Pines household.