I do not own Gravity Falls.
Prompt: Lights
A Festive Fiasco
"You're going to fall."
Stan snorted derisively, glancing briefly down at his brother, who was holding the ladder. "I'm not going to fall."
Ford arched an eyebrow, watching as Stan climbed carefully onto the peak of the roof, white Christmas lights trailing behind him. "It's slippery up there."
"Thank you, Poindexter. I hadn't noticed with all this snow lying around."
Stan inched along the peak, hooking up the lights as he went. Ford was tempted to go up and help, but was unsure if the ladder would stay steady without someone holding it. He loosely held a spool of lights around his arm, which he would feed to Stan when he needed more.
Stan gripped the shingles as he moved along the edge of the roof. His boot caught on a patch of ice and he lost his balance, smacking his chin. "Ow."
"Geez, Stan, be careful," admonished Ford, a concerned frown curling across his lips. "Do you want me to come up there and do it? I'm sure I have a harness somewhere—"
"I'm fine," cut in Stan, slightly exasperated. "Seriously, it's Christmas lights. Who uses a harness to put up Christmas lights?"
"You should," muttered Ford, keeping watchful eyes on his brother as he started to move again.
"Hey, I was thinking I would take the kids up to the mall sometime this week," spoke Stan as he worked, rhythmically snapping the lights into place. "Do some Christmas shopping. I think they've got a North Pole set up there. I think Mabel would get a kick out of it."
"Sounds good."
"You're not coming."
Ford frowned, affronted. "Why not?"
"I can't get your present if you're coming with us."
"You don't have to get me anything."
Stan peered over the edge of the roof. "This is your first Christmas in too long. You're getting presents. Deal with it."
"Well, what do you want for Christmas, then?"
"Money."
Ford rolled his eyes at the typical answer. "How about something a little more meaningful?"
"I'm sure you'll figure something out," replied Stan, edging his way down the other side of the peak. "But if you get stuck, seriously, I want moneeeeeey!"
Ford let go of the ladder as his brother sailed down the peak and off the roof, landing in the snow below with a pained holler.
"Stanley!" he exclaimed, rushing over to where his brother lay still in a mound of snow. "Are you all right?"
"Fine," groaned Stan, gingerly sitting up and rubbing his aching back. "Ow. You know what, I think I want a visit to the chiropractor for Christmas."
Ford laughed in relief and extended a hand, bringing him to his feet. "I think I can manage that one," he joked.
Stan glanced up towards the roof, where the lights were hanging off the edge and trailing across the snowy ground. He suddenly had no desire to climb back up to finish the job, especially not with the throbbing pain in his lower back.
"Do you want me to do the rest?"
"Yes," muttered Stan grudgingly.
Ford clapped him on the shoulder before striding for the ladder. As his brother held it, he started to climb up. Before he stepped onto the roof he looked down with a smirk. "I told you you were going to fall."
Stan scowled. "Shut up, Poindexter."
