Chapter Text
“Ack! Wirt, let me go!” Dipper yelled, pounding on his boyfriend’s shoulder. Wirt laughed as he proceeded to spin in a circle, Dipper flailing helplessly in his arms.
“Sorry, sorry,” Wirt apologized, letting go of a very annoyed Dipper. “You’re just so short, it’s adorable!” If it were anyone else, he’d swear he’d never do this or act like this in front of them.
But this was Dipper he was talking about. His very, very short, yet incredibly smart boyfriend of one year.
“I am not!” Dipper protested, throwing his hands up in frustration. He glared at the taller teen. “You’re a jerk.”
“I’m your jerk.” Wirt corrected, before leaning down to press a gentle kiss to the teen’s lips. He let go before murmuring, “And we both know I was just playing around.”
Dipper rolled his eyes, but smiled at his boyfriend lovingly. They held each other’s gaze for a second before a shriek made them avert their attention from each other.
Dipper’s twin sister ran up to them, jumping up and down excitedly. Wirt smiled at her, remembering Dipper and Mabel’s ongoing argument about who was taller -- in the end it was Mabel, by like, half an inch.
She sputtered a bunch a gibberish before Dipper told her to slow down and explain.
“I got the lead role in the play!” She explained, “I’m gonna be the best little mermaid this school’s ever seen!”
“Congrats Mabes!” Dipper congratulated, Wirt nodding along enthusiastically. “You totally deserve that part. You’re great at acting.”
“I know, right—!” She faked a cough. “I mean, thanks.”
The two teen boys laughed. “So you know what this means? You need to celebrate!” Wirt commented and Mabel’s eyes lit up at the thought.
“You’re right!” She agreed. “Celebration tonight at our house!”
“You sure mom and dad will be okay with this?” Dipper questioned, just to be sure.
Mabel rolled her eyes at him and scoffed. “Come on Dip, we’re seventeen! I’m pretty sure they’d be fine with this.” She retorted.
“Okay, okay. I was just asking.” Dipper defended, holding his hands up in defeat.
A loud bell rang, signaling all students to go to homeroom. Mabel smiled as she stuffed a notebook into her backpack. “So it’s settled! Tonight at seven, our place. Don’t forget to invite Jason and Sarah!” She reminded before turning her heel to walk to her homeroom.
Dipper shook his head and smiled, turning back to Wirt. The teen taking out some books from his locker to stuff in his own backpack before slamming the door shut. “See you, babe.” He stood on his tippy toes to give his boyfriend a kiss on the lips.
Wirt returned the kiss before pulling back, a sheepish smile on his face. “So, see you before lunch?”
“Again?” Dipper sighed overdramatically. He bit back a laugh at Wirt’s unsure expression. “Yes, you dummy! See you before lunch.”
--
After five boring hours of constant schoolwork, the bell rang signaling that the last lunch period was starting. Dipper grinned to himself, rushing out of his English class to get to his locker.
When he got there, he quickly shoved his books in and pulled out some extra cash he kept in his backpack. He was halfway to Wirt’s locker when he noticed the teen talking to a rather pretty looking
girl. The girl laughed at something Wirt had said as the boy smiled.
Dipper huffed to himself. This probably wasn’t something he should work himself up about, but he couldn’t deny the slight tingle of jealousy he was feeling.
Dipper glared in the direction of the freckle-faced girl as she continued to converse with Wirt. Dipper decided to hang back a little, mostly to observe the two for any funny business (don’t get him wrong, he completely trusted Wirt. It was the girl he was a bit hesitant about).
Dipper waited, leaning against the wall of lockers behind him. He pouted, watching the way the girl’s blue dress would sway and counting off each second Wirt held her gaze. He tapped his foot impatiently as the two carried on in content, completely unaware of the slowly emptying hallway.
Dipper sighed in relief when the girl nodded her head and turned her heel, walking away from Wirt. He watched as the teen called after her, “See you later Beatrice!”
As she waved back at him and continued to walk away, Dipper stormed up to the Wirt with an irritated look on his face. “Took you two long enough.” He muttered, crossing his arms.
Wirt laughed as Dipper dropped his arms, instinctively grabbing Wirt’s hand and held on to it possessively. The couple walked towards the cafeteria as Dipper demanded Wirt explained.
“Beatrice is a friend of mine,” he said calmly, though Dipper shot him skeptical looks. “We tutor each other, as odd as it sounds. She helps me in history, while I help her in English. She was just telling me that she couldn’t meet with me at the library this weekend because of a family thing. See? Nothing to get jealous over.”
“I-I wasn’t jealous!” Dipper stuttered, but they both knew that was a lie. Wirt chuckled, pressing a kiss to Dipper’s forehead.
“Besides,” he continued. “I would never cheat on you. You’re too cute to leave.” Dipper’s face turned red as he opened his mouth to protest. Wirt cut him off with a laugh as he said, “No but seriously, I’d never leave you. Besides, Beatrice mostly sees me as her favorite sibling.”
Dipper’s face cooled down as he mumbled something under his breath. They quickly bought they’re lunches once they reached the lunch room. Mabel was nowhere to be seen at their usual lunch table. Some of their other friends were already there, chatting about this and that.
“Yo!” Sarah called. “What took you two love birds so long?”
“I bet you five bucks they were making out in the bathroom.” Jason commented as Dipper and Wirt sat down across from the other two.
“Shut up Funderberker.” Wirt shot back, though he looked more amused than annoyed. “But really, a public school bathroom? If anything we would be making out in—“
“Okay, enough of that.” Dipper cut in, face red as ever while the other three laughed. “Where’s Mabel?”
“She went to tell some of her other friends the great news.” Sarah replied as she leaned over the table to steal Wirt’s bag of chips. Wirt let her, knowing that resistance was futile.
“Oh.” Dipper picked at his food as he looked around the rather small cafeteria. “So you guys are coming to the celebration tonight at our place?”
“Of course!” Sarah and Jason replied in unison. “But it’s not like we could say no. Mabel was begging us before we even answered.” Sarah commented, rolling her eyes jokingly.
Dipper hummed in response as he started eating his lunch. The four chatted as they waited for Mabel to return.
She did, at some point during the period. She ran up to them, dragging along with her a rather tall and lanky boy with deep blue eyes and hair that stuck up on its own accord.
The group of four turned their attention to the short brunette and the tall teen approaching the table. Dipper could barely hear the boy mumbling something to her along the lines of “Do I have to? I mean it’s not that big of a deal—“
“Not that big of a deal!? Of course it is!” Mabel exclaimed as she stopped in front of the group. “Hey guys, guess who’s playing prince Eric in the little mermaid!” She prompted, motioning to the teen besides her.
“Let me guess…” Wirt answered. “Is it Norman?” He asked in a fake surprised tone, pointing to the teen. Mabel nodded excitedly. “That’s what I thought. Hey Norm.” He greeted.
“Hey Wirt,” Norman replied, sighing.
Mabel looked shocked as she said, “You two know each other?”
“He’s my neighbor.” Wirt said casually and Norman nodded in confirmation. Mabel nodded, a long “oh” escaping her lips before continuing.
“Well, anyways, Norman’s going to playing the other lead role! Can you believe it!?” She exclaimed enthusiastically as everyone at the table congratulated the teen. “See? And you said you wanted no one to know.” She said pointedly to him.
“I still don’t,” Norman replied.
“Well why not?” Sarah questioned, finishing up Wirt’s bag of chips.
“Because people think theatre kids are weird. Especially if you’re a guy trying out for a play. I still don’t get how that makes you weird or ‘girly’…” Norman muttered, folding his arms.
“That’s stupid!” Mabel pouted, her face scrunching up. “Theatre isn’t weird! It’s fun!”
“I guess people don’t know how to be fun then.” Jason commented making Mabel, Sarah, and Wirt laugh.
While the three were caught up in their own conversation, Dipper turned to Norman. “Even if that’s true, there’s no harm in being a little weird.”
Norman dropped his arms when he acknowledged Dipper was speaking to him. He didn’t even realize Dipper was there when Mabel originally dragged him over to their table. He shot Dipper a hesitant look. “Why’s that?”
“’Cause being normal is totally boring! I mean, c’mon, have you ever met a cool totally normal person?” Dipper smiled at him, and Norman felt his heart pound in his chest.
That smile, those reassuring words Dipper was saying to him… Why did it make him feel all warm inside? Why did it make his face go red, why did he feel all sweaty and awkward? Why did he suddenly feel too nervous to look him directly in the eye?
He averted his eyes yet smiled. “I-I know… But that doesn’t stop people from teasing me about it, though”
“Hey Norm?” Mabel spoke up, getting his attention quickly. “You should come over at our place tonight. We’re celebrating in honor of getting the best roles!”
“A-are you sure? I mean, I don’t even know where you live and I don’t even have a ride—”
“Don’t worry about it. I think you’re forgetting about a certain someone with a certain driver’s license, who is also your neighbor.” Wirt said, offering a smile.
“Yeah! See? Now you have a ride.” Mabel said pointedly, but Norman still looked hesitant. “Oh pretty please? Please, please, please?” Mabel shot him her famous puppy dog pouty face that no one could ever say no to.
“I—“
Norman tried to decline, but he just couldn’t with that face she was giving him. He sighed. “Alright, alright, I’ll go.”
Mabel squealed, just as the bell rang. Students started filing out of the cafeteria around the group. “Yay! Okay, well I’ve got to get going. My next class is on the other side of the school. See you guys! And don’t forget about tonight!” She ran off excitedly, disappearing into the crowd of people.
“See you guys tonight.” Sarah said, picking up her backpack and walking towards the opposite exist of the cafeteria. Jason followed in her footsteps, after saying his goodbyes to the remaining three.
“Later Norman! It was nice meeting you.” Dipper said, sending him that genuine smile once more that made Norman’s heart start beating again.
“Y-yeah.” He stuttered out, taking in Dipper’s beautiful dark brown eyes.
“Later Norm,” Wirt commented giving him a wave of his hand before walking towards the now less dense crowd of people at the exist. Dipper looked back at him and grinned before continuing his way with Wirt through the crowd.
Norman felt his heart flutter and a warmness flood through him. Why was he feeling this all of a sudden? What did it mean? Why now, why here? What was Dipper doing to him!?
Oh but he knew exactly what Dipper was doing to him… Or what he was doing to himself, he supposed.
He had fallen in love with Dipper Pines, after only knowing him for what? Five minutes?
And one thing was for sure; he had absolutely fucked himself over.