I do not own Gravity Falls.


This is a Christmas-themed alphabet story, with prompts following the order of the alphabet. There will be one upload a day leading up to Christmas.

I'm excited about this, actually, ha ha. 26 Days of Gravity Falls Christmas, here we go!


Prompt: Antlers


Reindeer Run-In

"You know, I don't understand why the Mystery Shack is open year-round," grumbled Dipper, trudging through the snow with his arms wrapped tight around several holiday-themed advertising signs. "It's a seasonal place, for crying out loud."

Mabel glanced over her shoulder, cheeks tinged red with cold and her reindeer antler headband tilting slightly with the motion. "Tourists come throughout the year," she replied. "You know that. Besides, the townspeople always shop there. Of course it's going to be open for Christmas."

Dipper sighed. "I know. I just wanted to complain."

The two were spending the winter holidays in Gravity Falls with Stan and Ford. Their great-uncles arrived in the forest town first, and by the time Dipper and Mabel showed up, Stan and Soos had already transformed the Mystery Shack into a Christmas wonderland. Soos was more than happy to share control of the Shack whenever Stan came back to town, and as such Dipper and Mabel only had enough time to unpack before they were sent into the snow-strewn forest with freshly painted wooden signs.

"Ooh!"

Mabel's squeal caused him to start in surprise. Squinting ahead, he could see his sister just in front of him, admiring something in the distance. He hurried to catch up to her, tripping slightly in the snow. "Wha—?" he began to say, but stopped when he spotted the source of Mabel's excitement.

A rather large, stocky deer was about a yard away, with tall, strong antlers and a snow-dusted coat. It looked very majestic framed against the snowy landscape.

"It's a reindeer," she breathed, staring at the animal in awe. "Maybe he belongs to Santa. I wonder which one…I'm gonna guess Vixen."

Dipper eyed the reindeer, who was very still and staring straight at the teens. "I think we should start backing away very slowly," he whispered.

"But he's so cute," cooed Mabel. "I wonder if he needs help."

"I most definitely don't think he does."

The animal suddenly snorted, causing the twins to quiet. He stamped at the ground and looked at the duo intently. Dipper clamped a hand on Mabel's shoulder and they started to ease backwards, keeping watchful eyes on the reindeer. But the creature didn't seem willing to let them go, for it gave a challenging snort and lowered its head, hooves stomping more furiously into the snow.

"Run!" shrieked Dipper.

Abandoning the rest of their signs, the twins took off, sprinting back towards the Mystery Shack, kicking up clouds of snow as they went.

"It's not flying," panted Mabel, looking over her shoulder at the rapidly-approaching reindeer. "I don't think it's one of Santa's."

"Talk later, run now," wheezed Dipper.

The reindeer was quickly gaining ground. The Mystery Shack loomed into view and with a burst of energy they made it to the door, stumbling through and slamming it shut behind them.

"Woo! We beat him!" cheered Mabel.

Dipper sunk to the floor, wearily pulling off his jacket and mittens as he did so. He flinched at the heavy thuds that sounded on the wood, the hinges creaking dangerously. "Maybe not."

"What the heck is that noise?" Stan entered the room and stared at his niece and nephew, who were flushed in the face, and then at his rattling door. "Do I want to know?" he asked warily.

"We met a reindeer, and it followed us home," said Mabel with a smile.

Dipper reached out and plucked Mabel's headband from her head, flicking the felt antlers with a slight frown. "Followed you home, actually."

Stan went over to the window, pulled back the curtain and stared at the bulky animal head-butting the door. He shook his head and let the curtain fall back into place.

"Look, I let you keep the pig, but I draw the line at reindeers."