I do not own Gravity Falls.
Prompt: North Pole
Santa Experience
"All right," spoke Stan as he and the kids entered the main atrium of the mall. "I'm gonna do some Christmas shopping. I'll meet you runts in the food court in an hour."
"Got it," the two said, and Mabel's eyes were already locked on the North Pole display.
"I think we'll start here," she said cheerfully.
"I figured as much," said Stan in amusement, tugging down her Santa hat playfully. "Have fun. See you in a bit."
He walked off, leaving the twins to their own devices. Grabbing Dipper's hand, she tugged him over to the long line of parents and kids waiting to see Santa Claus, who was sitting in a high-backed red throne. Red ropes separated the people from the North Pole display, and the path was marked out by cranberry-red carpet.
Fake snow filled the white fenced-in area, decorated with multicoloured lights, plastic candy canes, artificial pine trees and a full wooden Santa's sleigh with all eight reindeer. Gifts were overflowing from the sleigh, and there were a few teens dressed as elves moving about, using squeaky stuffies to pacify crying toddlers and taking pictures of children sitting in Santa's lap.
"Think we have enough to get our picture taken?" asked Mabel, digging through her pocket and counting up her cash.
Dipper nodded. "We should. It's only ten dollars, isn't it? Even if we have to pay per person, we're good."
He felt only a bit uncomfortable standing in a line filled with preschool-aged children and their frazzled parents. But Mabel's excited grin was enough for him to swallow his awkwardness and stay put, a sincere smile on his own face.
When they reached Santa's throne, they climbed into Santa's lap, each settling on a knee. "Hi," greeted Mabel happily.
"Twins, eh?" laughed Santa jovially. "What would you two like for Christmas?"
"Books," replied Dipper simply, idly reaching up to adjust his elf hat. "And some puzzles."
"Glitter," added Mabel. "And stickers! And for everyone to have the best Christmas ever!"
"Well now, that's a lovely Christmas wish," said Santa, blue eyes twinkling. "I'll see what I can do."
"Smile!" the teen manning the camera called, and the twins immediately looped their arms around each other, dazzling smiles crossing their faces. A flash went off and the two hopped to the floor. "Merry Christmas," the two chorused.
"Merry Christmas, Dipper and Mabel."
It was only after the twins collected their picture and paid the fee that they realized that they hadn't told the man their names. Dipper looked over his shoulder, eyes wide. "No way. You don't think…?"
Sitting where the fully bearded, bespectacled man once sat was a different Santa, with green eyes and a stomach that was clearly stuffed with padding, though this was not noticed by the excited children.
"He was there," breathed Mabel. "Santa Claus…he was here!"
Dipper stared down at the picture, awed. "Whoa."
"Jack Frost, Christmas fairies, and now Santa Claus," said Mabel gleefully. "This really is turning out to be the best Christmas ever!"
