It had been about six hours since Dipper disappeared in the portal, and Mabel was losing her mind. The first hour was spent crying, the next frantically reassuring everyone, the next ranting, the next cuddling with Pacifica, the next praying for her brother, and now she was reduced to pacing restlessly back and forth across the room.
He's not dead. Repeated in her head like a mantra, each step accenting the reassuring words. She knew he wasn't dead. He couldn't be. And by her twin sensors, he wasn't even in danger.
He was fine.
Pacifica looked anxiously at her… Girlfriend now? The two didn't really have time to settle the details. She blushed slightly at the idea. She never thought she'd ever actually be able to use the words "Mabel" and "Girlfriend" in the same sentence.
She had pinched herself several times throughout the six hours that passed to make sure that this was real.
It was.
She walked to Mabel and put a hand on her shoulder, effectively stopping her manic pacing, "Hey. He's going to be okay. Dipper's tough," She said.
Mabel nodded, "I know. It's just- I-" She broke off with a small sob, swaying on her feet.
Pacifica quickly caught her girlfriend, and lowered her onto the ground.
"I-I'm sorry," She said.
Pacifica shook her head, "Don't be. I'll go get you some blankets, okay?" She said.
Mabel nodded miserably as she dashed off to get some supplies to make a bed.
She noted that her parents were still God knows where, and felt a twinge of anxiety at the thought of them finding out about her relationship. At best, she would have several of her credit cards cancelled and be grounded for a few weeks, at worst she'd be disowned.
Actually, no. At worst, she'd be forbidden from contacting Mabel. Being disowned would be worlds better than that. After all, Dipper was getting his own place in Piedmont. Maybe she could crash with him for a while.
Her stomach twisted painfully at the mention of Mabel's twin. Despite their… Rather rocky start, Pacifica genuinely liked him. He was a good friend, and she didn't want anything to happen to him, even if she pretended her concern was purely for Mabel's sake.
She shook herself out of her distracting thoughts and grabbed some pillows and blankets. This wasn't about her right now, it was about Mabel. Her problems could wait until her sweetheart was alright.
When she reentered the makeshift portal room, she found Mabel curled up on the floor. Stan and Ford were trying to comfort her, but Pacifica shoved past them with the pillows and blankets.
She made a bed for her girlfriend and gently laid her down in it. She looked significantly more comfortable, while Pacifica gently stroked her hair until she fell asleep.
When she was sure Mabel was sleeping peacefully, she turned to Stan and Ford. To her surprise, they were staring her down, "Uh. What?" She asked, feeling awkward.
Ford fixed his burning glare on her, "Now that Mabel's asleep, what exactly are your intentions with our niece?" He asked.
Pacifica was confused, "Intentions?" She echoed.
"You heard the nerd," Stan said, also glaring at her.
"I've heard about how you used to treat our niblings," Ford said, "Now answer the question,"
Pacifica's face fell at the mention of her past behavior. She had grown so much as a person since those days, and had apologized to Mabel for all of it. But that didn't change the fact that she had been a jerk.
"I know I was kind of the worst back then, and I'm sorry. I can't change the past, but I can promise that I do love Mabel. I always have and I always will. I won't let anything happen to her," She said, for once being completely honest about her feelings instead of employing her tsundere nature as a defense mechanism.
The brothers exchanged a look, and nodded at each other. They seemed to be satisfied with her response, "Good answer," Ford said.
"Remember. Hurt her and you'll have another thing comin' kid," Stan said.
Pacifica nodded, "I understand," She said.
He nodded, "Good," He said.
The two eventually left Mabel and Pacifica alone. As soon as they left, Mabel opened her eyes, "So you really love me, Paz?" She asked, smiling.
Pacifica turned strawberry red, "Wha- Mabel?!" She yelped as the girl sat up. She giggled as Pacifica's face turned an even deeper shade of red, "How- How much did you hear?" She asked.
Mabel's smile widened, "Everything. Don't worry, I think it's cute," She said, "I really love you too," She said.
Pacifica's face heated up even further when Mabel kissed her on the cheek, "M-Mabel…" Was all the embarrassed girl could manage.
Mabel paid her self-consciousness no mind and pulled her closer. The two cuddled for a long time, almost forgetting about the crushing anxiety of their situation.
But no sweet moments ever lasted for the two. For all too soon, Mabel sat bolt upright, her stomach dropping with a unique, instinctual dread.
Her eyes were wide as she stared at Pacifica urgently, "Dipper, he's- Something's wrong!" She cried.
A/N: There's your shamelessly fluffy filler left on a cliffhanger because I am still evil. Only three chapters to go!