I do not own Gravity Falls or Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.


Prompt: Quiet evenings


Christmas Television

The Pines family were gathered around the television set, watching Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. They were clustered together in the armchair, with Mabel in Stan's lap and Dipper sitting on the armrest next to Ford.

"I can't believe this still airs," Ford marvelled. "This is ancient."

"Yeah, just like you," quipped Stan.

"We're twins, Stanley," said Ford with a roll of his eyes. "Calling me old insults you as well."

"Shut up," was all Stan had to say in response.

"So…no one else is bothered by the fact Hermey is the only one with full eyes and actual hair?" piped up Dipper, furrowing his brow as the star elf appeared on the screen.

Mabel groaned, falling against Stan's side and burrowing her face into his shoulder. "Here he goes again," she mumbled.

"What? It's true!" protested Dipper. "He looks nothing like the other elves!"

His sister peeked at him with exasperation. "Can't we watch Rudolph once without you bringing up your theories?"

"Theories?" asked Stan with an arched eyebrow. "You have theories over a Christmas special?"

"You're surprised?" muttered Mabel, and grinned when her brother shot her an irritated expression.

"Tell us about it," spoke Ford, glancing at his nephew curiously as Rudolph and Hermey finished their musical number.

"Hermey is actually a human who was adopted by elves," said Dipper firmly.

Stan burst into laughter and Dipper flushed, glaring moodily at the television. Sensing that he had hurt his nephew's feelings, Stan ran his fingers affectionately through the boy's hair. "Sorry kiddo, but I think you're the only person who could come up with a theory towards a children's Christmas cartoon."

Dipper pouted. "I can't be the only one who thinks like this."

"How about some elaboration?" urged Ford.

"Well, like I said, Hermey is the only one with actual hair and eyes. He also doesn't have pointy ears and he has a different nose," explained Dipper. "He doesn't act like the other elves, and he doesn't even want to make toys, which is an elf's life. He probably got lost in some snowstorm when he was really young, or maybe he was just abandoned by his parents, and he was found by an elf couple. They adopted him and he was raised as an elf. That's why he doesn't have the urge to construct toys or do other elf things. He's human, and that totally explains where the dentist thing comes from."

Mabel snickered. "That's a whole childhood spent theorizing. Now he's waiting for validation."

"That's certainly interesting," said Ford, lightly rapping his niece on the head, a silent warning to settle down and lay off the teasing. "I don't see why it can't be a possibility."

Appeased by this, Dipper glanced over and poked Stan in the chin. "Well? Do you have any words for me?"

"Yeah." Stan batted his hand away and gave his sides a teasing squeeze, causing Dipper to jump and giggle in surprise. "You're crazy. But I think you just gave me an idea for a new Christmas display in the gift shop."

"Shh!" hissed Mabel, eyes locked on the television. "My favourite part is coming up."

They fell into silence as the prospector made his appearance. As the song started, Mabel snuggled closer to Stan, and Ford set his arms around Dipper, all feeling content on the quiet winter evening.