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"Dipper…?" a voice called out his name. A voice that the man believed he would never hear again. "Is that really you?"
When he turned to face her, Dipper didn't know what to expect. Thirty years had passed since that day when Pacifica had made the decision to end their…partnership. But they did not part ways without Dipper throwing hurtful words at the woman in a fit of anger. That was his goodbye to the woman who had been by his side and supported his dream of building that damned portal.
The the hurt in her eyes was among the numerous memories that had replayed over and over in the man's mind, filling him with regret and anguish over how badly things were handled.
A part of Dipper actually hoped that he was imagining her voice. That when he'll turn around, there will be no one, and it was just his mind playing tricks on him by bringing up a ghostly memory from the past. But there were no tricks — it was really her. Among the crowd, there stood Pacifica. It was already hard for Dipper to grapple with how old Mabel was, given the last time he had seen her, they were in their thirties. And it felt just as much bittersweet seeing his old partner after so many years.
"P-Pacifica? I-I'm-" the words escaped from Dipper's mouth as his brain tried to think of what to say. He wanted to apologize for what had gone down thirty years ago. Apologize for not taking her concerns seriously and dismissing her warnings. Tell her how he wishes he hadn't called her a coward as she left.
Dipper wanted to let her know how truly he wished he could turn back time and undo all of his past mistakes.
So much was there to say, but Dipper continued to stand awkwardly, mouth agape with no word coming out of it. But before he could make up his mind on what to say, Pacifica ran towards Dipper and pulled him in a hug, much to the man's surprise. Feeling her arms around his waist, and her hair brushing against his cheek, Dipper felt the tenseness leave his body, and the man allowed himself to embrace his old partner once more after such a long time.
"I'm so sorry…" he choked out. Waves of emotions had washed over him and Dipper believed it was the same for Pacifica. "I was terribly wrong about the portal. I-I should've listened." he slowly let go of the woman, gently holding her hands in his. "And the things I said to you…I really regret it-"
"Dipper…" the woman quietly said, "I'm just glad you're back…" she rubbed her teared up eye against her shoulder.
For three decades, his disappearance had haunted Pacifica. When she was told by Mabel that Dipper had left Gravity Falls to study mysteries elsewhere, leaving the cabin in his sister's care, Pacifica didn't accept the story because she genuinely believed Mabel. She only believed her because it was the easiest thing to do.
Despite knowing deep in her heart that her ex-partner suddenly "leaving" the town didn't make sense with how dedicated Dipper was to the project, she said nothing to his sister and went back home. She truly was a coward, in the end.
And even after Dipper was announced dead — an accident at the sea while searching for a sea-monster, according to Mabel, Pacifica still bit her tongue and accepted that he was gone forever. The woman was willing to eat up every lie possible than think of the possibility that Dipper's sudden vanishing might have to do with that stupid portal and the mysterious forces surrounding it.
But like before, Pacifica did nothing, except for trying to put all behind and continue her life, as if nothing happened. As if she never had known Dipper. All she wanted was to forget everything. But no matter how much she pushed everything behind, the memories still came back…and so did Dipper.
The woman turned away from him, letting go of his hand. "You don't have to feel sorry for what you said," she continued, crossing her arms. "You were right. I was being a coward. And I was still one after you got into that portal. And for that, I'm very sorry, Dipper."
"Pacifica…" the man reached for her hand, but the action was interrupted by a loud cough. "Kh-uM, kH-em!" Mabel let out the sound, reminding Dipper and Pacifica that they weren't alone. "As much as I'm happy to see you two reunite." she hapily clasped her hands. Despite the friendly smile, she threw a quick glare at the two. "Finally."
Mabel moitioned at a large triangle-shaped window. Outside of it the fighting-robot Mystery Shack fushion was battling Bill, but even from afar it was clear that the one-eyed demon was winning. "We got HUGE things going on right NOW!! So please," she returned to her friendly, smiling self. "Settle…whatever you two have going on a LOT LATER! Thanks~"
Before Dipper and Pacifica could reply, Mabel shifted her attention to others. "Alright, people! We don't have much time-"
Pacifica glanced over her shoulder, with Dipper following her suit. The sight of madness and despair around the two, was to get a clear image of what their priorities should be at the moment. If they wanted to have heart-to-heart conversation, they first needed to survive the apocalypse.
"So, um…" Pacifica awkwardly plucked the sleeve of her jumper, given to her by Mabel. "Khm…Mr. Pines, I'm glad you're well. I…uhh…I'm-I'm sorry for the sudden hug. I-I don't know what came over me."
"No, no, it's fine," Dipper reassured her, putting his hand at the back of his neck. Pacifica gave him a small smile. "I'm truly happy to see you again. Mr. Pines." she quickly added, as her cheeks reddened.
"Yeah, I-I'm happy to see you too…Mrs. Northwest." Dipper blushed. "So…talk to you later?" he awkwardly smiled. Pacifica let out a weak chuckle. There was a big battle ahead of them. "Yeah...talk to you, later."