For Dippica Week 2016, Day 2: Temptation

'It's there… waiting.'

Dipper tapped his fingers on the desk impatiently, trying to think of anything but the two objects locked in his desk drawer.

'She'd never know… just one little push to get it out of your system.'

No, that would defeat the entire purpose of this exercise. It wasn't as if Dipper Pines had never lied or cheated, but this time, he couldn't afford to cave.

'This is all ridiculous. Why should you let her change who you are?'

The mystic amulet. The Journal. Things that he hadn't been able to pass a day without using since he first touched them. And now he was expected to just drop them cold turkey.

'Why should you have to 'prove your love'? If she really cared about you, why would she force you to give up something so important to you?'

Pacifica Northwest… of all the things he promised he could do for her- give her power, money, fame, why did she have to ask this of him? It was a cruel test to show that his affection wasn't a trick or some fleeting crush that would fade after he obtained his goal.

'She probably doesn't even want you. She just wants to see how long she can keep you from causing trouble. She doesn't love you. She's manipulating you.'

Of course, Dipper had been guilty of being just as manipulative (if not worse) to many others. But Pacifica… she was different. Not only were his usual tactics ineffective on her, but his goals behind them were changing. He didn't want something out of her, he wanted her.

'You shouldn't let her have this much of a hold on you. No one should dictate what you can and can't do.'

It was infuriating how much of his thoughts had shifted to her since she started interfering in his plans. The Northwest girl already meddled more than enough physically. Let alone his thoughts… and dreams… she had no business weaving her way into his life like that. So why was he so fixed on having her by his side?

'There are easier ways. Love potions, infatuation charms, binding spells. You can have her and all the power you could ever want. Why make this difficult on yourself?'

It was a simple trade off… her undying love and the only side effects being a few gaps in memory or breaking of her will. Yet at the same time he wanted all of her. Not some doll molded to his every whim. As silly as it was, he enjoyed that spark of defiance in her. Her untamable spirit. The person that could stand up against any monster, magic, or menace and fight back despite the fear. That's the person he wanted in his life. He wasn't even angry anymore to see her meddling in his affairs. He welcomed the challenge.

'She'd never have you as you are. You'd have to play by her rules. Obedience training meant for a dog. As if the person you are now is wrong. When have you ever been ashamed of who you are?'

Dipper's fingers brushed through his bangs, neatly combed back to reveal his birthmark. He may put on an act or hide behind a mask, but he'd never let the world look down on him for who he was. Dipper Pines. He was proud of what made him different. He sought after the things that people looked away from in fear. He wanted to learn everything he could about this strange world. And he wouldn't let anyone make him feel small ever again.

'You are a sorcerer. A schemer. A person that doesn't let anything or anyone get in the way of your goals. Why would you let her take that away from you?'

Dipper's fingers reached into his pocket where he held the key to his desires. The old fashion brass key clicked easily within the simple lock. His precious amulet sat atop his trusty Journal. Patiently waiting for him. They were his stability. His power. His strength.

'Without them, who are you?'

His fingers brushed longingly across the spine of the old book. How many years had it been since he was a scared little boy, bullied by those ignorant enough to look down on him? How long ago had he been the world's rag doll, tossed aside for something as simple as curiosity and an odd birthmark? He knew he could be something great. And within these pages, he could feel himself awakening.

'This is who you were meant to be.'

The amulet stirred to life, glowing dimly at his touch. What looked like a simple accessory had given him the power he so desperately yearned for. No one could tell him what to do anymore. He could take charge of his own destiny. He could have control over his own life.

And yet… was this really control?

His fingers moved away from the amulet. Already he yearned for the buzz beneath his fingertips once more. And that was the problem wasn't it? This power had a hold over him. He couldn't even go a day without it. He wore the amulet close to his heart and kept the Journal close to his chest. Never far from his sight. It had much stronger hold on him than Pacifica did.

'At least this grip on you is something within your power. Do you really want to give that control over you to another person? Someone who probably doesn't even care about you?'

With the Journal and amulet, he felt safe. He felt like everything he could ever need was at his fingertips. Better than any security blanket- all the answers he needed in one hand, and all the power he could want in the other. And yet Pacifica asked him to put that aside. And what for?

'Why would you give this up at her command?'

It was something that she seemed to think was so simple. Go without his spells and mystic powers for a week. Yet… it was something normal people lived their entire life without even knowing. How had it become such a crutch for him? He couldn't even go out the door without it. And yet, someone without either magic or power managed to defeat him time and time again. He'd become too reliant on the knowledge of the Journal and the powers of the amulet.

"She wasn't trying to make me suffer or make me choose… She was trying to help me." He realized.

Whether it was because she thought they had become an addiction for him, or she wanted to see what he was like without it, it was a chance for Dipper to break free. A challenge to see who he could be without his greatest weapons. That without the two giving him tunnel vision, perhaps he could see what was truly important.

Dipper shoved the drawer shut, locking it back up. It was somewhat pointless to have the key just sitting in his pocket. But he couldn't just toss it away either.

'You'll be back. This is only day one. And this is only the first barrier she'll put in front of you.'

True, Dipper wasn't ready to go without the two for the rest of his life. He couldn't imagine his world without his spells or seeking out the Journals. And perhaps Pacifica would continue to make things difficult for him. He might not even make it through the week. But he'd take baby steps. For now he could at least step back for a moment and try to see what his life could be without those two precious things. And maybe even find something even more important.

\ 0 /

"What are you doing around here so early, Pines?" A grumpy voice asked without even looking up. She knew his footsteps as he walked past the diner's barstools. The sound of expensive leather shoes that no one else in town could afford tapping against the tile was a dead giveaway.

"I just needed a change of pace… and a slightly different morning routine." Dipper answered with a dejected tone. There wasn't as much sarcasm in his tone as usual. He didn't have the energy for it today. Nor did he care for the fuss he knew Pacifica would put up as he slid into the booth to sit across from her.

Pacifica hadn't expected to see him this soon. Had he given up already? But her eyes were locked on his chest. Where the turquoise stone normally hung with its thin eerie glow was a plain silk black tie. So he really was going through with this? The blond tried not to let the thin smile creeping up her lips show.

"Geeze Pines, you still have to dress so formal? Don't you have anything more casual?" Pacifica remarked.

But there was still somewhat of an emptiness to him. He hadn't gotten used to the lack of weight on his chest or within his jacket pocket. That feeling of something being missing or forgotten was constantly buzzing in the back of his mind. He'd look down to see his prized possessions missing, panic for a moment before remembering that he'd left them of his own free will.

"I don't really have much else in the way of a wardrobe." Dipper admitted folding his hands on the table. His fingers were locked, but it was only in an attempt to keep them still. They had the slightest twitch to them, and Dipper had to keep his eyes locked down on his hands trying to focus on keeping them steady.

Saying that Dipper wasn't himself was an understatement. His entire body language seemed out of whack. His cold confidence had been stripped away for someone that looked like they were a wet kitten left on the side of a muddy road. Clearly Pacifica had underestimated the kind of affect her request would have on him.

"Are you feeling alright?" She asked dropping all the banter.

Dipper gave a light nod. "I… I just needed to get out."

Pacifica furrowed her lip. A Dipper with so few words on his tongue wasn't as entertaining as she thought it would be.

"You… you don't have to do this if you don't want to." She finally admitted. It was difficult seeing him like this. Even if he did need to take a step back from all the spells and magic, she didn't want to be the one to force him to take it.

Before Dipper could help it, he felt a sigh escape his lips. The weight of the key in his pocket called out to him. He didn't have to feel so empty anymore. Just to walk out of his home without the things that made him feel whole… it was insane. But it was even crazier to think that those things were needed to make him feel complete.

Dipper shook his head. "No… you're right. I should do this. I can't let it have control over my life. Not just to prove that you're more important… but for me too."

Pacifica had never seen so many cracks in his mask. There wasn't a monster in Gravity Falls that could unhinge Dipper Pines this much. Apparently he faced more demons than the kind that resided in nightmares.

'It's going to be ok.'

'You're going to get through this'

'I'll be there for you'

But the words failed to come to her lips. Words weren't enough. Pacifica's hand reached over to touch Dipper's shoulder. Just the light reminder that he wasn't alone… that he was still worth something without his symbols of power… it meant more than any word. Dipper's shoulders slumped, and his hands shifted flat on the table. He felt so pathetic… and yet it felt like a weight was lifted off of him.

"You're going to need more than a cup of coffee in you to get you out of this funk." Pacifica insisted. Her hand slipped down to his wrist as she brought his arm with her as she stood up out of the booth.

"Your entire wardrobe is off alright- you'll need a new one. You can afford a shopping spree, can't you pretty boy?" Pacifica insisted with a smirk.

Dipper felt the color slowly refill his cheeks as he felt Pacifica's fingers wrapped around his.

"I could afford three Gravity Malls and still have enough to buy something presentable." Dipper retorted, slowly trying to get back into the swing of things.

"And yet you didn't pay anyone enough to tell you that no one in this century wears capes anymore." Pacifica remarked shaking her head. "Guess you'll just need a fashion consultant off the books."

"My wardrobe is hand tailored. But seeing as the stitching on your jacket is a cross stitch when it clearly called for a single stitch, a common range of sizes will have to do until I can call a proper tailor in."

The grin on his face was the kind that made Pacifica want to punch the Pines. But despite the tone, his hands didn't leave hers. This was just his odd way of saying he was grateful for the invitation. And with each snide remark, he seemed to be feeling a bit more like himself.

"Maybe your next lackey can remember to stitch you up a set of clothes you can actually wear outside of a circus ring."

"My, jealous aren't we? I'll just have to make sure to get you something nice to wear as well while we're out. I can't have us being seen together with you having to dig through the bargain bin for scraps. I'm sure we can find something in that heap to make us both look like respectable members of society."

"Yeah, that would be a nice change of pace for you, wouldn't it Pines?"

"I'm always happy to take requests from the audience, Miss Northwest. Now for my next trick, care to watch me make a beautiful young maiden disappear?"

"As long as no real magic is involved." Pacifica said with a chuckle.

"Oh, but it's a very simple trick." Dipper remarked as he bowed his head and brought Pacifica's hand to his lips.

Pacifica turned bright red at the sudden contact. Every head was turned to witness the magician's display. And while it wasn't the show they were expecting, not a single eye could look away. A new celebrity couple was born. Pacifica could do nothing but pull her hand away from Dipper and storm out of the dinner trying to hide how flushed her face was.

Dipper took a bow toward all the dinner patrons. "And voila! She's gone! You've all been a wonderful audience! Don't forget to tip your waitress!"

Magic and mysteries would always have its hold over Dipper Pines. But now, a new bond was forming. One that he might not mind as much having a hold on him.

Author's Note: While this can be read and enjoyed on it's own, I do plan on writing a second additional piece on day 7 of Dippica week, taking place many years later, so stay tuned!