I do not own Gravity Falls.
Prompt: Sleigh
Crashing Through the Snow
"Um…Grunkle Stan, are you sure this is a good idea?"
"Sure it is!" exclaimed Stan, not needing to think about it. "This is the perfect hill for sledding. Not too many trees and a nice slope."
Dipper fiddled with the zipper of his coat, eyeing Stan uncertainly as they trekked up the incline of the snowy hill. The Mystery Shack was a spot in the distance, seen clearly through the leafless trees. Mabel and Ford were doing some Christmas baking, leaving their twins to their own devices.
Dipper glanced down the steep hill, feeling a thrill shoot through him as he imagined he and Stan whizzing down it. Perhaps it wasn't the smartest idea for a man in his sixties to go sledding, but Dipper decided it would work out, so long as they didn't crash into any trees.
"Here we are!" declared Stan, dropping the wooden sled at the top of the hill. He stood behind it and stared downwards, an excited gleam in his eyes. "Ready for this, kiddo?"
"Definitely," said Dipper with a grin. "I call shotgun!"
They arranged themselves on the sleigh, which was just big enough to fit them comfortably. Stan gripped the worn rope in his mitten-covered hands, his legs stretched out on either side of Dipper. The boy held on to the man's ankles, heart pumping with adrenaline.
"Hang on, kid. This is going to be a wild ride!"
Stan gave a mighty push with his hand, sending them tipping slowly over the edge. In an instant they were flying down the hill, clouds of snow rising up behind them and the bitter wind slapping them in the face. Dipper let out a shout of joy, a wide smile crossing his face.
Stan gave a delighted cackle. "Ooooohhhhh yeeeeaaaahhhh!"
Dipper spotted something glimmering ahead and he squinted. His eyes flew open and he hollered, "Grunkle Stan! Ice patch dead ahead!"
Stan caught sight of it, but couldn't steer away in time. The metal skids hit the sheet of ice and they spun out of control, whirling in frantic circles. Dipper shrieked in panic, his stomach lurching as the world blurred around them.
They slammed into a tree, the force sending the two sailing off the sleigh and into the snow. Dipper dazedly got to his feet, searching the landscape for his great-uncle. He saw Stan lying in a heap a distance away and he hurried over to his side.
"Grunkle Stan," he cried anxiously, small hands shaking the man insistently. "Are you okay? Did you break something? Do you need your medication?"
"I'm old, kid, not fragile," grunted, Stan, rolling over and lying on his back, staring up at the blue sky. "Ugh. Everything hurts."
"Do you want me to get Grunkle Ford?"
"No, I'll be fine in a sec. Lemme lie here for a bit."
"You're gonna catch a cold," said Dipper with a frown.
Stan grinned slightly. "Who're you, my doctor?" He looped his arms around the boy and pulled him close, lightly digging his knuckles into his scalp. "It's not that cold out today, runt."
Dipper laughed and cuddled close, a smile on his lips. "I don't think we can go again. The sled broke."
"Dang," muttered Stan with a mild frown. "That was Ford's. Eh. Whatever. He'll get over it."
They fell into silence for a bit. Dipper peeked upwards, watching Stan's forehead crease slightly in pain as his joints ached.
"You sure you don't want me to get your medication?"
"Don't make me tickle you, kid."
