Pacifica walked down the halls of the school, soon getting to her locker and surprised to see Dipper wasn't there. Part of her was thankful that he hadn't been waiting for her again, sure to bring up... that again. The other part of her was disappointed though, having gotten used to him leaning against the locker beside hers, looking tired and bored before he saw her coming and his face lighting up, his smile making her feel li- Pacifica shook the thoughts away as she put up her books. Or that sweet concerned look that almost made her give in and let him help her, the feeling she got last night when his lips touc- She ran a hand through her hair, leaning her head against her locker. 'What have I gotten myself into...' She thought before pushing away, shutting the door and moving down the hall to home room.

Dipper skipped meeting Pacifica that morning, thinking he wouldn't exactly be welcome after last night. The day dragged on, feeling like a week rather than a few hours at school. Finally the bell rang and Dipper left as soon as possible, eager to get out of that building. As he started walking towards the bus, Pacifica ran to catch up to him.
"Hey," She said, matching his pace.
"Hey," He said, surprised she was the starting the conversation.
"How was school?" She asked him as they hopped on the bus.
"Um, good," He told her. "Why are you riding the bus."
"I'm coming over to your house," She replied as they sat down.
"Um, Mabel is at a friend's house today," He said.
"I know," She said simply.
"Okay... won't your parents get mad?" He asked her.
"Already took care of that. They don't know," She said, smiling at the accomplishment.
"How... never mind. So, why are you coming over?" He asked, still confused.
She looked down. "Well, I figured that you... uh, deserved to know everything," She said looking up at him. "I mean, I suppose you have most of it figured out, but you deserve to have me actually tell you. You've always been there when I needed you, and honestly, you're probably my closest friend," She finished, putting a bit of an emphasis on 'Friend'.
Dipper stared at her a moment before asking, "Really, you'll tell me?"
She nodded, "Yeah."
"Okay..." He said slowly. "Are you sure?"
"Would you rather me not?" She asked, raising her eyebrows at him.
"No, No. I want you to. I feel like you need to tell someone." As he finished saying that his name was called and Pacifica and he got out of the bus, walking towards the Shack.
They walked upstairs and sat down on the floor, across from each other but fairly close. "So... how do you get your bruises Pacifica?" He asked, not waiting to start, scared she would change her mind.
She hesitated a moment. "My... my parents," She said, quietly, ears watering a bit, but not yet threatening to fall.
"How often?" He asked. It was painful to ask her these but he figured it would be easier than her just saying whatever she thought to say, which probably wouldn't be much.
"I... I don't know, maybe two or three times a month. It only happens when they have big arguments."
"Why?" He asked her, taking a deep breath.
"I'm not totally sure... I guess because different parts of me remind both of them of the other in some way. They don't want to risk accidentally hurting the other and risk having the public see something like a bruise. With me they can be more intentional. Be able to have me cover it up," She answered, looking down.
Dipper swallowed and just watched her a moment, as her face changed between hurt and anger and sadness. "It's just... I don't know, I feel like I deserve it, or its better for the family that it's me, not one of them," She told him, looking back up at him.
Dipper stared at her a moment and quickly pulled her into a hug. "No, don't you dare say that Paz. Nobody, especially you, ever deserves that. If your parents have disagreements they need to deal with between themselves, not take out their anger on you." He said to her, holding her tighter. She winced a bit and he remembered the bruise on her back. "Sorry," He whispered, loosening his hold but keeping her close. Pacifica just sat there a moment in his arms trying to hold back her tears before finally deciding it didn't matter and hugged him back tightly, tears falling fast, getting his shoulder wet. He closed her eyes, lightly rubbing his hand up and down her back, careful not to hurt her. "You okay?" He asked quietly in her ear.
She nodded and pulled away with tear stained cheeks.
He gave her a sad smile. "No you aren't," He said when he saw her.
She laughed a bit and looked at him. "Just because I told you this, doesn't mean you can try and do something. I'll just deny everything. Promise you won't try anything. Please," She said.
He sighed and nodded. "I promise that, for the time being, I won't try anything."
"Good," She told him. "I should go home now." She said and stood up.
Dipper nodded and stood up with her and walked her downstairs. "In return can you promise me something?" He asked as she placed her hand on the doorknob.
She looked over at him, not moving her hand. "What is it?"
"Promise that if anything else happens, you'll tell me. Anytime they do something," He told her.
She nodded. "Yeah, sure. I promise."
"Okay," He said before hugging her again.
Pacifica hugged him back before pulling away after a moment. "Bye Dipper," She said before turning and walking out the door.
Dipper shut the door and paced the room for a while. He'd find a loophole...