#and anything that requires me to bend or reach or stoop is off-limits at the moment! (so no driving either lol)

[darkspine10]

Dipcifica - Top & Tail

Top & Tail (4129 words) by darkspine10

Chapters: 1/2 Fandom: Gravity Falls Rating: General (but full version is Explicit) Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Dipper Pines/Pacifica Northwest Additional Tags: College AU, Awkward Sexual Situations, Banter Summary:  Dipper and Pacifica are forced into a tight situation on a college trip. Sharing a narrow single bed, sparks will fly, and both of them will try to overcome the other.

*

For an upcoming extended version, featuring NSFW scenes, see the AO3 version of the fic :)

*

"This cannot be allowed. There must be some mistake."

 Dipper rolled his eyes again. That must be about the twentieth time she’d said it. Pacifica was now pacing back and forth, getting more and more wound up.

 “I mean, how does this happen? The college booked the trip months ago!”

 “I guess there was just a mix-up or something.” He shrugged, knowing it would do little to calm her down. That wasn’t Pacifica’s way of doing things. She’d complain all evening if she thought it would fix a bad outcome.

 “But it’s outrageous! Making us all share rooms, that’s one thing, but this…” She stared unbelievingly at the narrow bed in the middle of the cold hotel room. “It’s barely big enough for one of us! And they expect us to share?! I did not sign up for co-ed roommates.”

 “No, you signed up for skiing and sightseeing, am I right?” He stretched out on the bed, tired from the lengthy flight to Helsinki and wanting nothing more than to end this debate and go to sleep. “If it’s too much trouble you could always sleep on the floor.”

 “Yeah right,” Pacifica shot back, tapping her boot on the solid wood. She pressed down on the mattress, testing the softness. It was decent enough, she supposed, but not nearly big enough to fit the two of them. Not like she was planning on actually going through with that. “Maybe I can go switch rooms or something.”

 Dipper sat up in the bed and faced her. “No offence, Pacifica, but don’t think you’ll get many volunteers.”

 Since leaving for college the rich girl had made few friends. Away from home her family’s influence had no effect, so her cold and domineering nature ended up isolating her from most circles. Dipper was actually one of the few people she cared to hang around with, simply because he was someone familiar. And the generally socially inept Dipper hadn’t complained about having someone talk too, since he too was a self-admitted loner. Pacifica was intelligent, he had to admit, and though they often sparred, they tolerated each other well enough. It was at least brighter company than spending all his time alone or visiting his sister.

 “We sat together on the plane,” he added, trying to explain himself. “I think the professors just assumed we were fine going in the same room.”

 Pacifica, in the process of taking off her expensive high-heeled fur boots, pointed a bare foot daintily at the bed. “Well I am not fine sharing that.”

 “Yeah, I remember you have problems with ‘Shar-ring’,” Dipper enunciated teasingly. He didn’t see what the whole issue was anyway. Shrugging again, he lightly pushed her foot away with one finger, not failing to notice the pink nail polish and recent pedicure. "We can just top and tail. I used to do it with Mabel on trips all the time."

 "Yeah but you're siblings. And weirdly close ones too." She eyed the bed contemptuously, as if she could intimidate into suddenly sprouting a second copy of itself. Exhaling deeply, she finally threw up her arms in defeat. “Fine. Whatever. Now help my unpack the rest of my stuff.”

 “I’m not one of your servants, Northwest. Lug your own case in.”

 “Ugh, you’re trying my patience, Pines.” Dipper didn’t budge, smirking at the fact that she already knew he wasn’t going to move a muscle to help her. She ducked back out into the hallway, then returned dragging a cumbersome, bright pink suitcase on its rollers.

 When she’d originally arrived at the college in the early hours of the morning, where they were waiting for the coach to take them to the airport, she’d astonishingly had four more cases of varying sizes. He’d delighted in watching her agonise over which stuff to leave behind when she found out about the limited cargo space on the flight. It made his single small backpack fell downright spartan in comparison.

 Pacifica finished shifting the case into their room. Her attitude was still sour, as evidence by how she was staring down her nose at him, incensed that she’d had to put in physical effort for once.

 “What do you even keep in that thing?” Dipper asked, with a mixture of highlighting her absurdity and genuine curiosity.

 “I have standards, Pines, you wouldn’t understand. Just cause the only thing you ever bring with you is that dumb journal of yours. And that.” She pointed to his chest, where a bulky polaroid camera hung down from around his neck.

 “What about my camera? My course is all about that after all, you should expect me to actually like photography. I know your concerns are above those of us poor ordinary people but have some common sense.”

 She sidled over to him and examined the camera closely. It was clear she wasn’t impressed, and let it hang back limply. “I think you spend too much time taking snapshots or writing in that book. You need to live in the moment more.”

 “Unlike you?”

 “Yes, unlike me,” she replied indignantly. “Architecture is a serious profession, not a distraction like whatever you get up to”

 “Bet you just use it as an excuse to waste time doodling though.” He shook his head. “Anyway, back to the point, I like to travel light. Less junk to weigh me down. Not like I need much, only the bare essentials.”

 “Which I notice doesn’t include any bathroom products.” She wrinkled her nose at him. “Ever heard of personal hygiene?”

 “I don’t like wasting time in the shower, ok? I let the natural cleansing properties of water do the job.”

 Pacifica laughed uproariously at him, and even Dipper had to agree he was reaching somewhat to justify his laziness. “Oh, that’s a good one Pines. You’re borrowing some of my stuff tonight, that’s a requirement.” She unzipped a section of her case and offered it to him. “Take your pick.”

 Bending over to look inside, he saw a selection of dozens of interchangeable bottles. Hair gels, shampoo and conditioner for her long, blonde hair, body wash, she had it all and Dipper couldn’t tell which of any of them he’d need. To avoid looking like a complete fool in front of Pacifica, he just grabbed the first one at random and hoped it would suffice.

 He turned the bottle over in his hand, deciding that since she’d been uncharacteristically generous he should show some courtesy. "I suppose I should go wash. I did kind kinda sweaty on the flight. Especially since it looks like we definitely will be-"

 "Don't say it!"

 "-sleeping together," he finished obliviously.

 Pacifica rubbed her eyelids and tried to avoid her roommate’s gaze. "Ugh, don't say it like that. You make it sound like we’ll be... getting up to stuff"

 "Now you've lost me." He ignored Pacifica and pulled out his phone. Maybe his sister could translate the fancy French written on the bottle of shampoo and tell him what it was. As he was making his way to the en-suite though, he had the realisation of what exactly Pacifica had meant. “Oh, wait a minute! ‘Getting up to stuff’, you mean…“

 “Please shut up.”

 Dipper gave a short, sharp laugh. “You totally meant succumbing to my masculine charms."

 “Puh-lease, Pines. You’re about as manly as an actual block of wood. Like I'd ever stoop to your level."

 "Oh, I wouldn't deign to inconvenience you, Princess." He gave a mock bow, theatrically bending over and unfurling a hand to offer to Pacifica.

 “Don’t call me that!” She slapped the hand away. “This isn’t a joke; I have a reputation to uphold.”

 “And what? If people hear that a Northwest dared to even spend time in the company of a commoner? Shocker.”

 “You are such a dork.” Unfazed by his act, she shook her head and tried to finish her unpacking. “Please let’s just try to act like mature adults. We’ll get through tonight, then tomorrow, then whatever comes next. With a minimum of fuss.”

 “Hey Pacifica?” As she turned her head, she saw him in the doorway of the bathroom, camera raised and aimed right at her face. “Smile and say cheese!” The priceless look of shock and outrage he captured in her eyes made the photo a sure-fire keepsake for his collection. Getting through the rest of the night was certainly going to be an interesting ordeal.

 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Unable to sleep, Dipper tossed over in the bed once again, facing towards Pacifica. Somehow she’d fallen asleep in mere minutes. But for him, the cold air and tight space made it hard for him to relax and drift off. Then there was the problem of his companion.

 As he settled again in position, he tried to minimise his movements. Every time he made the slightest adjustment to the sheets, the rustling sound that resulted was like an atomic bomb going off. He could barely hear Pacifica’s breaths, they were so shallow, but any noise felt like it would wake her up.

 He tried to distract himself, to tell his brain that he was being irrational and to go to sleep. Stop overreacting, she isn’t going to suddenly wake up now, he should just accept the situation and not worry. That only made him focus more on the minute sounds of Pacifica’s breathing.

 He was hyper-aware of anything that might disturb her. Having to endure a rant about disturbing her beauty sleep was the last thing he needed. They had to be up early tomorrow to go with the group on a daytrip to some island in the bay, staying up all night fretting was only going to make him tired and irritable.

 Then he settled on something in the corner of his eye. Poking out of the end of the duvet, Pacifica’s feet were exposed to the air. He noticed her nail polish, and how sharp her toenails were. He had no idea why anyone would care enough to put that much effort into prettying up their feet. Would be a big waste of time in his mind.

 A wicked thought ran through his head. Not sure if it was a smart idea or if he was just too sleep deprived to think straight, he wriggled an arm free of the sheets. One thing he knew about Pacifica was that she was incredibly ticklish. The lightest feather touch could set her off laughing. He could reach out and do it right now.

 Maybe it would be satisfying to get some payback for all the teasing earlier? It might be worth it merely to see the look on her face; she did always have the funniest over-the-top reactions. He couldn’t deny the desire to give her the taste of her own medicine. See how she feels when she’s forced awake in the dead of night. After that at least he wouldn’t have to worry about making too much noise.

 Hovering over the sole of a foot, he prepared to apply the gentlest caress possible. His fingers brushed against her skin, then in an instant her entire body shook with a thunderous force. A burst of awkward laughter erupted from her lips as she jerked awake. Dipper chuckled to himself but regretted it moments later.

 Pacifica’s feet shot out, reacting to his tickles. Her lovingly pedicured toenails, sharpened to razors, rammed right into his eye sockets. Dipper cried out in pain and fell backwards out of the bed. “Holy shit! My eyes!”

 Pacifica, finally free of the uncontrollable spasms, flicked on the bedside lamp, and turned an accusing gaze at Dipper, sprawled out on the floor. “What the hell did you just do?!”

 A hand clutched to his face, he muttered, “Still getting over being jabbed by your talons, that’s all.”

 “My what?” She wriggled her toes, then angrily curled them up under the duvet. “You are such a jerk. What did you think would happen?”

 “Hey, at least I made you laugh.” He winked, but the joke went down like a steel balloon under her steely gaze.

 “Get back into bed, dummy. Some of normal people us are trying to sleep.”

 “No way, nuh-uh,” he protested loudly. Jumping to his feet, he pointed to the head of the bead. “I am not sleeping opposite those weapons anymore. I’d like to not go blind, thanks.”

 “Ugh, if you’re gonna be such a baby about it…” Pacifica’s head disappeared under the covers, then there was a noisy rummaging. Her head showed up again at the opposite end of the bed. “You really wanna do this Pines? Cause I can handle your immaturity up close.”

 Cautious, Dipper climbed back into bed, face to face with his upset roommate. He pulled the covers over so both their bodies were snugly pressed together under them.

 “Happy now?”

 “Sure, it’s just a little… tight.” They both blushed at the implication.

 Pacifica’s eyes darted away from his. “Now, go to sleep Pines. And don’t make me regret letting you back in the bed.” Her eyes closed again, preparing to resume whatever dream had been in progress before.

 “Nighty night… Princess,” Dipper couldn’t help but snigger.

 Pacifica let out an angry groan, but kept her eyes resolutely shut. She was trying to get back to sleep but her breathing was heavier than before. Dipper knew she wouldn’t easily fall asleep again while she was annoyed at him. He closed his own eyelids for a moment, but as before couldn’t find a way to peacefully rest.

 A shiver ran up Pacifica’s body. He thought at first he must have accidently skimmed against her, setting off her ticklishness again. But then her body shook again, and he realised it was simply cold. Despite the temperatures outside being so low, and the room providing little insulation, she was only wearing a thin pink sleep shirt and cotton shorts. Her bare legs felt frigid up against him.

 Her bare feet suddenly stood out as a glaring aberration. Realising that she must have left her warmer pyjamas in one of her other cases that she’d had to leave behind, he felt slightly guilty towards her.

 “Hey, psst, Pacifica.” He didn’t get a reply, so lightly tapped her side with a finger.

 “Shh.” She kept her eyes resolutely shut and pulled her pillow over her ears. “Go to sleep, Pines.”

 “I wanted to let you know, you can borrow some of my winter socks if you’re cold. I packed spares, it’s the least I could do for you.”

 “I’m not taking handouts from you, I’m fine as I am,” she said, despite clutching the covers tighter to herself. That was Pacifica’s way, she would rather freeze that concede any weakness.

 Dipper still felt bad about her situation, so tried to come up with another option. “We could huddle together? You know, like penguins, combine our body heat?”

 Pacifica begrudgingly opened her eyes. “Do you want me to smother your face with this pillow?”

 “I was only trying to help,” he muttered irritatedly.

 “Yeah, well don’t. I can look after myself. I’m not some helpless damsel. Now: Go. To. Sleep.”

 She was about to try yet again to close her eyes, but Dipper suddenly blurted out something. “Unless you’re still afraid of getting up to stuff with me?” There was a small red glow on his cheeks, but he had a determined smirk nonetheless. “Face it, you can’t stand the thought of me lying here next to you.”

 “Oh, now it’s personal.” She lined herself up, so she was staring eye to eye with Dipper. “First one to blink loses. We’ll see who chickens out first. That’ll show you which of us is intimidated by the other.”

 “You’re on.” Intending to take her on and win, Dipper adjusted himself so he was comfortable, then stared deep into her sapphire eyes. She did the same, turning her piercing gaze upon his hazel eyes. Locked in opposition, they steeled themselves to outlast the other.

 They’d often played this kind of game before, competing in minor ways to annoy each other. Seeing who could answer the most study questions in a set time or dinging the other if they were ever late to classes. Pacifica’s competitive streak was a mile-wide, drilled into her by her parents’ mandate to always overachieve, while Dipper didn’t like to tolerate her smug superiority complex. That meant that on average the pair usually ended up drawing in their small victories.

 Dipper realised he’d been staring at her eyes for some time now. Neither of them had budged yet. Though his eyes stayed wide open, they drifted somewhat from Pacifica’s as he started to waver slightly. As his gaze fell upon the copious amounts of dark purple eyeshadow she wore, his thoughts started to drift too.

 Who wears makeup to bed? Like her neatly kept toes, what was the point if nobody would see her this way? Her was hair though, that was one aspect of her appearance she seemed to have lost control off, messily sprawled out. It was a rare glimpse at seeing her in a halfway dishevelled state.

 A whiff of her shampoo floated past him, carrying the strong, sweet scent of champagne and roses. Hyper-awareness of his surroundings returned, but this time it was more about Pacifica than his own movements. They were so close together; they could even feel each other's breaths intermingling in the small space between them.

 Wheels turned slowly in Mason’s mind. Perhaps it was the tiredness from the flight and being kept up all night, but he felt like he was running in slow motion. But as he stared and stared at Pacifica’s face he became more and more captivated by what he saw.

 This was ridiculous. It was Pacifica Northwest for crying out loud. The most self-centred person he’d ever met. A pampered sorority brat who constantly argued with him. Now though, in the dim light, an odd sensation rose in his chest. A sensation of desire. He had the urge to lean forwards, to bridge the minute gap between them…

 Maybe he was drunk off her hair or something like that. That could be the only explanation for why he was suddenly overwhelming drawn to the girl lying opposite.

 “What’s the matter Pines? Losing your nerve?”

 Shit. It was like she’d read his mind, easily figuring out his mood had changed. He couldn’t hide the crimson blush flooding across his cheeks or the thin layer of sweat starting to form. She raised a single eyebrow to express her insight, making him crumble like tissue paper.

 “I- uh- that is to say-“ He gulped, hoping she’d think he’d given up and would declare herself the winner of the little contest. Anything to get her out of his head. Deep breaths, Dipper, he forced himself to remember. “I was just distracted by something, ok?”

 “Oh.” Instead of the expected reaction, she too blushed now, though as with all things kept a better level of composure. Actually I was kind of distracted too.” This caught him off guard. What about him could she possibly be interested in? Then he saw her gaze wander upwards and he understood.

 “This?” He lifted his hair out of his forehead, slowly exposing his unique birthmark. The strange arrangement of spots that perfectly formed the constellation of Big Dipper. He sighed and rolled his eyes. “What, you think it’s weird or funny? Go ahead, make some petty remark, I can take it.”

 Pacifica frowned, thought not in an angry way. More like he was interpreting her wrong. “I’ve never really got a good look up close at it before, that’s all. May I?” She reached forward to touch his forehead, hesitating when he recoiled slightly. He didn’t have far to go in the cramped bed though, not if he didn’t want to fall out again.

 Relenting, he held up his hands. “I guess you can have a quick look. Why though? It’s just a rare thing I have, nothing special.”

 “I don’t think that.” Her hand delicately moved his hair aside. For second she halted, then he allowed her to continue and she stroked her fingers across the birthmark. Her touch was electric, sending chills down his body. No-one had ever gotten close enough to actually feel the birthmark. “It gave you your nickname,” Pacifica added, “that’s gotta count for something. ”

 Normally he hated when people noticed or talked about his birthmark. They would either react in horror or have a sort of morbid curiosity. Either way it marked him as a freak. Never before had anyone been genuinely curious and sensitive about in this way.

 It surprised him coming from Pacifica of all people. Sensitivity wasn’t her usual style. Maybe she knew something about intimacy and vulnerability though. In her daily life she put up a façade to most of the world, a mask that rarely slipped. Yet he knew underneath there were things she didn’t like sharing. Like keeping her videogaming habit to herself or getting embarrassed if people heard her singing. Safeguards to prevent her parents’ from discovering anything they deemed ‘improper’, most likely.

 He wondered why this was happening. Why she was acting more caring towards him, and why he didn’t mind having her enter his most sacrosanct personal space. Pacifica wasn’t the sort of the person who was easy to like. She was snooty and elitist and cold at times.

 She had flaws in her personality that people steered away from. Her biting wit, which he often clashed with, her competitive drive. To him those aspects didn’t seem so bad right now. They just showed that she was a quick thinker, somebody confident in her abilities and unwilling to back down. Qualities he admired.

 If she was willing to treat with him with such respect regarding the concealed oddity on his forehead, perhaps he was right to trust her. She'd consented to this sleeping arrangement after all. Despite all the pretentions, under the rough exterior she did consider him an honest friend.

 And what an exterior it was. The upside to her over-indulgences in beauty regimes meant that she had a constant dazzling appearance that often turned heads. The luscious blonde hair, her sultry lips, those sparkling eyes. Though she was tired and unprepared, even now he found her looks so enticing.

 Under the covers, his hand traced the smooth curves of her hips. As with her exploration of his birthmark, she didn’t protest at all. In fact, her hand descended from his birthmark to cup his cheek. The soft smoothness of her skin stood out, frozen as it was.

 The intensity of their close breaths was heightened like never before, as Dipper’s rate stepped up noticeably. His heart was beating faster and he felt nearer to Pacifica now. He fixed his gaze back in her eyes, then asked the obvious question. “What exactly is happening here?”

 A warm smile shone back at him. “I think, maybe… we both lost the staring competition.” Pacifica’s other hand grabbed at his chocolate locks, pulling him across the last, tiny gap separating them. Their heavy breathing was finally interrupted when he pressed his lips forcefully to hers. She seemed surprised by his boldness, but then leant into it, gripping his head close.

 Dipper’s pushed his way further into her mouth, and their two tongues wrestled and danced around each other. At last he came up for air, gasping for only a second before Pacifica leapt at him again. She rolled on top of him, freeing up space in the bed and tightening their budding connection. Dipper’s hands made their way to her hips, supporting her above him.

 Though he deeply desired to continue just as they were, kissing passionately, he had an impulsive idea. “Hold on Paz, just a second.” He laid her back down on her side, then groped in the darkness on his bedside table. She looked at him, concerned why he wanted to stop, then understood when held his polaroid camera aloft. “Smile for me, please?”

 He wanted to capture this moment, this tentative blossoming between them, to keep as a permanent reminder. Pacifica understood that keenly, so snuggled up beside him in view of the lens. A quick flash, and it was done, recorded on celluloid forever.”

 As soon as the flash faded, Pacifica snatched the camera away from him and put it away. “Now, enough of that. Where were we?”

 Side by side, the two previously reluctant roommates returned to exploring their new relationship. It was the start of something, a potential beginning that neither knew where it could lead. With their bodies squeezed up against one another, their hearts aflame, the cold atmosphere of the room would no longer be a problem for either of them.

#gravity falls fanfic #dipper pines #pacifica northwest #College au #Awkward romance #Banter

[rauliskafan]

A Hard Lesson in Vanity: Chapter 5

Authors’ Note: Who wants to go to a dinner party? Natalia has the table set, Rafael’s mind is elsewhere, and several surprises are in store!!! Read on to see how it all plays out!!! @vintagemichelle91 and I look forward to your feedback, and we hope that you enjoy!!!

          “Tell me again exactly why we’re doing this.”

           Bending before the stove to check the chicken and add some seasoning to the red potatoes, Natalia lifted her body slowly and wiped her hands with the nearest dishtowel. Only then did she reach for her husband’s suspenders and pull him to the point where his lips were almost touching hers.

           “Come on now, Atticus,” she soothed. “If you and Ms. Selby are going to work together, you need to be a united front.”

           “Are you implying that I would be anything less than a professional in her presence?” Rafael challenged, to which Natalia smiled and pecked his cheek.

           “A consummate professional,” she assured him, her lips drifting towards his ear. “But it will not be a good look on you if you’re sitting in that second chair with a scowl on your face giving Grumpy Cat a run for her money.”

           “Grumpy… did you just come up with that, hermosa?” he asked with wide eyes.

           “No. Ashtonja is teaching our sweet pea all about spirit animals.”

           “So it was Ashtonja that called me a---”

           “And Violetta said that Grumpy Cat made the most sense for her Papi.”

           Biting her lower lip, Natalia waited for Rafael’s response to their daughter’s absolutely accurate assessment of his current mood.

           “Made the most sense?” he finally echoed, twirling a few strands of Natalia’s honey-colored hair between his long fingers.

           “On the plus side, I see all kinds of memes and maybe even a movie in your future,” Natalia joked. “But no one likes a gloomy Gus.”

           “Thought I was a Grumpy Cat,” he shot back after a quick kiss, and Natalia lovingly looped her arms around his neck.

           “Tonight, I want you to be Prince Charming,” she said.

           “Then cancel this shindig. I’ll sing the girls to sleep, and we can find other things to…”

           His voice trailed off as he nibbled her ear, his hand travelling down her back to squeeze her thigh. For one second seemingly stretching into eternity, Natalia mulled his proposal. Was it too late to call the whole thing off? Send out a million regrets and reschedule for a later date?

           “No, Atticus,” she said, catching her breath and gently pushing him away. His pout caused her to giggle, and Natalia reached for his face to caress his chin. “But do save a little charm for later. Maybe I’ll even dig up some glass slippers for you.”

           At that his expression shifted, brightened, while Natalia straightened his tie.

           “Ixna on the shoes,” he hummed. “All I want is you in that blue thing with the bows… well… you know where.”

           When he waggled his eyebrows, Natalia swatted him with the dishtowel and ordered him to put on his jacket.

           “Ouch!” he cried, feigning hurt. “Not so rough, hermosa. Not yet anyway.”

           “The jacket, Atticus.”

           “I’m on it.”

           Left alone in the kitchen, Natalia let the dishtowel fall and passed her hands over the paisley pattern of her sundress. Since the twins, her curves, for the most part, had settled back into their proper places. But no matter how many times she joined Ashtonja for yoga or walked Violetta and the twins to the park, there was a bit of a belly that showed no signs of ever bidding her adieu. Her mother said that any woman who had borne three children was never going to look the same.

           And while Rafael’s desire was as potent as ever, would he really want her in the blue thing with the bows when the moment---?

           “Knock, knock!”

           Using her voice instead of her fists, Maggie announced her arrival and quickly entered the townhouse followed by Dodds.

           “Tia Maggie!”

           With Ashtonja on her heels, Violetta raced forward and jumped into the ballerina’s arms.

           “Don’t you look lovely!” Maggie cooed. “Your hair is fantastic!”

           “Ash do it,” Violetta said. “It called a waterfall braid. It very cheap.”

           Taking a step closer, Dodds carefully examined the little girl’s fair locks.

           “Oh… I get it,” he said. “No ribbons required. Very economical.”

           Violetta looked confused, and Maggie playfully slapped her husband’s chest.

           “I think she means chic, Mike,” Maggie said.

           “That’s what I say, Tia Maggie,” Violetta insisted.

           “And it’s absolutely lovely,” Maggie assured her before smiling at Ashtonja. “My compliments to the stylist.”

           The older girl blushed, and Natalia greeted her guests as Rafael emerged from the living room where Hazel and Holly were, thankfully, still napping.

           “Please tell me you didn’t bring a dessert,” Rafael said, scanning the bag under Dodds’ arm.

           “What if I did?” Maggie challenged, pressing her hands to her hips.

           “It’ll have to keep,” Rafael said. “Supposedly we’re doing this to make friends and not start World War Three.” Maggie’s eyes began to blaze, but Dodds quickly reached into the sack to reveal two bottles.

           “Pink Moscato,” the sergeant said. “Sort of a… a dessert wine.”

           “It so pretty!” Violetta exclaimed, clapping her hands together. “I want some!”

           “Oh no, muñequita,” Rafael cautioned. “This is for the grownups.”

           “But, Papi…”

           “Sorry, sweet pea,” Natalia agreed, taking the bottles in hand to chill the wine. “You really wouldn’t like this.”

           “I think I should get to make up mind for myself,” Violetta sulked until Ashtonja took her from Maggie’s arms with a smile.

           “V, it really isn’t that great,” Ashtonja said.

           “How you know, Ash?”

           “Well, I…”

           The girl’s speech stalled as the others looked on, and she tried to laugh her impromptu confession off.

           “It’s really not important,” Ashtonja said. “Don’t you trust me, V?”

           Violetta appeared to ponder the question for a few seconds before firmly nodding her head.

           “Okay,” Violetta said. “Next to Harold you my best friend. And beside, they all get so silly when they drink too much of whatever it is.”

           Now Ashtonja narrowed her eyes, and Rafael suggested peeking in on the twins for the hundredth time until the guest of honor arrived.

           “I’ll give you a hand, Natty,” Maggie offered, and the sisters moved to the kitchen

           “It smells great,” Maggie said. “Looks like you’re pulling out all the stops.”

           “I know that Rafael isn’t happy with the way things are,” Natalia said, closing the oven again. “But this is what it is right now. He needs to make the best of it.”

           “And you need to keep both eyes opened.” Pulling some plates from the cupboard, Natalia looked to her sister.

           “Meaning what?” she asked.

           “Meaning that a certain Ms. Eve Selby doesn’t get it when someone else’s man is off limits.”

           Slack-jawed, Natalia peered over her sister’s shoulder to see Dodds cradling Holly as Rafael helped Violetta sit with Hazel.

           “Mike?” Natalia whispered. “He didn’t mention… did she try to---?”

           “My husband?” Maggie choked out. “Not a chance. If she lays one finger on Mike, I’ll scratch her eyes out.”

           “Before you pirouette and leap away, right?” Natalia teased.

           “Natty, you know that I can be a bitch when I have to.”

           “Like that first night Rafael and I took you out to dinner.”

           “That was different,” Maggie sighed. “That was misguided angst and not realizing what a wonderful place the world could be.”

           Looking to the living room, she blew Dodds a kiss and chuckled as he helped Holly wave in her direction.

           “But this… this is staking a claim. Amanda could tell you a thing or two---”

           “So that’s what this is about,” Natalia said. “All because she’s making friends with Sonny?”

           “Amanda is devastated!” Maggie said. “How can you just shrug it off like it’s nothing?”

           “I’m not doing that,” Natalia assured her sister as she put the finishing touches on her dinner table and scanned the scene to make sure that it appeared perfect. “But it’s just a little crush.”

           “I still say that she’s trouble,” Maggie said, starting to reach for a piece of bread.

           “No,” Natalia said. “Don’t spoil your dinner.”

           “My diet is the last thing you need to worry about tonight, Natty,” Maggie said when there was a knock at the door.

           “Right now, you watch the spider about to step into your parlor,” she continued. Natalia hushed her sister and met Rafael as he moved to answer the door, and she linked her arm in his.

           “Smile, Atticus,” she reminded him.

           “As I count the seconds until this is over.”

           Opening the door, they saw Eve Selby on the stoop wearing a sleek black cocktail dress, a bright smile…

           …and Carisi on her arm.

           “Hello, there!” Eve crooned leaning forward to kiss Natalia’s cheeks and shake Rafael’s hand. “I hope it’s okay that I brought… a friend.”

           “I… of course,” Natalia said, trying to mask her shock. Carisi kissed her and stepped across the threshold, shedding his overcoat.

           “Sorry to be a party crasher,” Carisi said, waving at Dodds and the girls. “Kind of a last-minute thing.”

           “Don’t be silly, Sonny,” Natalia said, taking his coat and exchanging a quick look with her husband. “You know that you’re always welcome here.”

           “I’m happy to hear that, Natalia,” Eve said, removing her wrap to reveal a plunging neckline as she flipped her dark, wavy hair over her shoulders. “You didn’t have a blind date or something stashed away for me, did you?”

           “I… well no,” Natalia admitted.

           “I figured as much,” Eve said. “This way you have a balanced table.”

           Her smile never faltered as she took Carisi’s arm again, and Maggie inched closer.

           “I heard that,” she said. “Can I be a bitch to her now?”

           “Maggie, please,” Natalia cautioned. “I’m sure that she didn’t mean anything by it.”

           “I think we need to open that Moscato before we even sit down to eat,” Maggie suggested.

           A drink did sound like a decent idea, and Natalia followed her sister back to the kitchen for a sip to calm her nerves, telling herself that she could still get through this dinner and achieve the desired result.

           “Nice, Natalia,” Carisi said, taking a bite of the chicken. “My recipe?”

           “Mine, Sonny,” she said. “But you might have inspired the potatoes.”

           “All in the seasoning,” the detective said, and they shared a smile. Rafael nursed his scotch, and Natalia looked over her shoulder to where Ashtonja and Violetta sat with their plates and Harold at a slightly smaller table. Her heart lifted at the sight of the older girl making the night special for her sweet pea, and the Moscato was more than doing its job when the sound of Eve’s voice turned Natalia’s head back to the table.

           “I don’t see the harm in talking a little shop,” Eve said. Maggie rolled her eyes, but Dodds nodded politely and Carisi’s smile expanded.

           “You’re gonna love this, counselor,” Carisi said to Rafael.

           “Oh?” Rafael asked. “Are you suddenly her second chair?”

           “I… no, Barba,” Carisi assured him. “We were just gabbing on the way here and---”

           “And there shouldn’t be any secrets among friends,” Eve said. “Unless you other gentlemen prefer not to burden your wives with the nitty gritty.”

           Natalia’s grip tightened around the stem of her glass, and she felt Maggie just kick her shin under the table. She shot her a warning glance as Rafael leaned forward in his chair.

           “No secrets here,” he said. “You think you have a grand plan of action for the jury?”

           Eve dabbed the corners of her lip with her napkin and pressed her palms beside her plate.

           “It’s an all too familiar story,” Eve started. “Put the victim’s sexual history on trial. Well Marcia Brown has nothing on Mr. Frost. When I’m done with him, it will be his… sexual exploits sitting with the jury as they head into deliberations.”

           “Just how do you intend on doing that?” Rafael queried. “Prior bad acts aren’t always the easiest things to work into the official transcript.”

           “Won’t be a problem,” Eve said. “The man hasn’t had a true hit in nearly a decade. If I play into that, I guarantee that he’ll spill the spoils of his other… conquests. He’ll want to prove that he can still get something up. Then we just have to sit back and watch the fireworks.”

           Holding her breath, Natalia looked to her husband. Slowly and subtly, his face softened, and he raised his glass.

           “Not bad, Ms. Selby,” he finally said.

           “It’s genius, Barba,” Carisi chimed in.

           “I’d call it clever, Carisi. Let’s leave it at that.”

           “You can change your opinion once we get the conviction,” Eve said. With that she picked up her glass, and she and Rafael clinked crystal as Natalia sank back in her seat and sighed happily.

           “We’ll have to do this again when that happens,” Natalia said.

           “That’s so sweet of you, Natalia,” Eve agreed. “We’ll see.”

           “Mami!”

           Violetta rushed forward and leaped into her mother’s lap.

           “Sorry, Natalia,” Ashtonja said.

           “It’s not a problem,” she assured Ashtonja as she kissed her daughter’s cheek. “What is it, sweet pea?”

           “I want to show them how I tell Hazel and Holly apart.”

           “We do that with ribbons, muñequita,” Rafael said, casting Dodds a quick smirk.

           “That maybe what you do, Papi,” Violetta sighed. “I have a trick. Can I show everyone? Please?”

             Agreeing as she lowered Violetta to the floor, Natalia watched her daughter lead the crowd towards the twins.

           “You need any help?” Rafael asked his wife as she started to pick up the empty plates.

           “No, I want you to keep making nice,” Natalia said, giving him a kiss. “See? She’s really not so bad.”

           “I don’t know if I’d go that---”

           “Just say that I’m right, Atticus,” Natalia teased. “And I’m getting closer to wearing the blue thing for you later on.”

           “So can I cut to the end of this?”

           “I said I’m close,” Natalia said. “But for now, keep the charm going.”

           “Mission received and on my way,” Rafael said, saluting her, the scotch obviously hitting his brain. “And she really isn’t so awful.”

           Content in his realization, Natalia went to the kitchen and began rinsing off the dishes. Even as Eve Selby put on airs and somewhere Rollins was sitting alone and hurt, at least a peace seemed established. Glad to have done that much, Natalia loaded the dishwasher, her mind drifting towards dessert when a shadow stunned her where she stood.

           “Oh! You startled me.”

           “Sorry,” Eve said, sauntering closer. “Are you sure you don’t need a hand?”

           “No,” Natalia said, shaking her head. “Did you see Violetta’s trick?”

           “So scientific,” Eve said with a small laugh. “Apparently Hazel cries whenever the pink hippo appears, but the other little darling is all smiles.”

           “I know,” Natalia said. “Have you figured out that Holly is Violetta’s favorite?”

           “I think she loves them both,” Eve said. “As does your husband.”

           Still smiling, Natalia reached into the refrigerator for a two-tier chocolate cake with vanilla icing.

           “He’s a wonderful father,” Natalia said. “I’m sure that you two will work well together.”

           Eve stayed silent until Natalia looked over her shoulder. For a second, she saw the other ADA’s face flat, but just as quickly her smile returned.

           “Definitely,” Eve said. “My goodness, Natalia. How do you do it? Three little girls… the other one.”

           “Ashtonja’s no trouble. Violetta adores her.”

           “Obviously,” Eve continued. “Plus, this meal… the party… and you almost pull off that sundress. Not an easy feat for someone who just had two babies.”

           Natalia froze, and Eve helped herself to a piece of cake, her smile escalating as she retired to the living room. Suddenly unsteady on her feet, Natalia gripped the edge of the countertop and felt her breath quicken in her chest when another shadow fell over her, and she turned fast to see Rafael walking towards her.

           “Everything okay in here?” he asked.

           “I… it’s fine,” she said, her hands shaking around a cake dish until Rafael lightly took hold of her arms and pressed his lips to the top of her head.

           “Are you sure?” he asked.

           “Yeah,” she said, falling into his hug and leaning back into his chest. “You two really all good now?”

           “I promise, hermosa,” he assured her. “Bet we even get a win with this case because of her plan. And then maybe I get out of that second chair.”

           So even though she was hurt, she would let the rest go. Eve Selby wasn’t the first mean girl that Natalia had encountered in this lifetime. She probably wouldn’t be the last. As much as she wanted to smack the smug expression from the her face, tonight was about mending fences. That mission was accomplished, and Natalia would let her own feelings and fears fall away for the moment.

           But as for the blue thing … it would likely stay buried in the closet along with its bows for the better part of this night.

#raúl esparza #rafael barba #natalia barba #mike dodds #maggie dodds #dominick sonny carisi #violetta barba #ashtonja abreu #a hard lesson series #a hard lesson in vanity #law and order svu #svu fanfiction