I do not own Gravity Falls.

Prompt: Mittens

The Perfect Pair of Mittens

Curled up in the chair, feet tucked under her, Mabel's eyes were trained on her novel. She was distracted from her imaginative realm when Stan lumbered into the room. He shot his niece an apologetic glance, extending a pair of dark red mittens, the tears and holes visible.

"Sorry, sweetie. I wore out another set."

She was unbothered, for she knew Stan used her knitted mittens constantly when he was out sailing in cold climates. "That's okay. I can make you another pair."

"Your mittens the warmest, but I don't want you to keep making them when they're just going to get ruined."

"I don't mind," insisted Mabel, unfurling from her position and getting to her sock-clad feet. "I like knitting, and I like knitting for you."

Smiling at that, Stan moved over to ruffle her hair affectionately. "Well, it saves me a couple of bucks, and the craftsmanship is much superior. Thanks, kiddo."

Stan left to take a shower and Mabel hurried up to the attic. She reached under her bed and pulled out a plastic tub of knitting supplies. Waddles, who had been napping on top of the covers, stirred and made a curious noise. He peeked over the edge to see what his owner was doing and Mabel patted his head.

"I'm on a mission, Waddles." She shifted through the multiple spools of wool, brow furrowing. "Grunkle Stan needs a new pair of mittens. But I don't think my regular wool is going to cut it. They only last a couple of months. I need to find something that'll be durable against rough weather elements, battles with sea creatures and hard labour."

After a moment of thought, she decided she would have to go in search of a stronger material. She went back downstairs, her pet pig scampering behind her. She shrugged on her winter attire and put a bright red hat and matching booties on Waddles to keep him warm. She then attached a leash and the pair made their way outside.

One of the many odd happenings of Gravity Falls was that it never seemed to stop snowing during the winter season. There was constantly mounds of snow on the ground and snowflakes fluttering through the grey sky at varying levels of strength, the snow never amounted to an overwhelming or dangerous amount, yet it also never ceased.

Winter magic, Mabel decided, was her favourite.

She made it into town and went towards the local craft shop, where there were festive colours of yarn and wool displayed in the window. She paused to regard them, and a moment later a voice spoke from behind her.

"What are ya makin' this time, Mabel?"

Mabel turned to glance over her shoulder and smiled brightly at the sight of McGucket. "A pair of mittens for Grunkle Stan. I'm trying to find something that won't wear out so easily."

"Have you ever tried unicorn hair?"

When she made it past her initial grimace at the mention of unicorns, Mabel repeated, "Unicorn hair? No, I haven't."

"Unicorn hair has magical properties. In fact, they are some of the most magical creatures in existence. It's why their hair was one of the few things able to repel Bill's powers. If you get enough hair to knit a pair of mittens, I'm sure they'll last forever."

"Gee, I didn't know that." Mabel mulled it over before saying gratefully, "That's really helpful information. Thanks, McGucket."

"I'm glad I could be a service. Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas!" Mabel waved as he departed. Glancing down at Waddles, she said, "It's going to be a pain getting those unicorns to give me enough hair for what I want to do."

While the unicorns of Gravity Falls were no longer hostile towards her, they were still…well, unicorns. Asking them for a favour was a difficult, teeth-pulling task. She tried to think of another method to get what she wanted, and another grimaced pulled across her face as she came upon an idea.

The gnomes were almost as difficult as the unicorns, stubborn, obnoxious and annoying. But they lived up to their deals so long as they received what they desired in return. They also knew how to get everything and anything magical in Gravity Falls. They would be her best bet to get the unicorn hair.

"Well. This is going to be…interesting."

…

Trekking through the snow-blanketed forest with Waddles by her side, Mabel cupped her hands around her mouth. "Jeff! Jeff, I know you're out there somewhere! Get your little butt over here!" After a pause, she added, "Please!"

Her voice echoed through the silent air, and she waited only a moment before the bushes to her left started shaking before Jeff burst from the leaves, a squirrel draped around his neck. "Well, well, have you finally seen the light and awesomeness that is Jeff and wish to become his queen?"

Mabel snorted. "You wish."

Undaunted, Jeff shrugged. "Didn't think so. A gnome can hope, though. So why are you hollering my name?"

"I need a favour."

Jeff's bushy eyebrow flew upwards with intrigue. "And what might that be?"

"Unicorn hair. Enough of it to make a pair of mittens. Human-sized mittens. I don't suppose you have a way of getting it?"

"No. But I don't have to. We already have a stock of unicorn hair."

Hope blossomed in Mabel's chest. "Can I have some?"

"Depends. What do you have to give me?"

Pursing her lips and bracing herself for the ridiculous request that might come, she asked, "What do you want?"

"Dinner."

It was not as terrible as she had been expecting. Regarding the leader of the gnomes warily, she pressed, "Just dinner, as friends, with no weird stuff or an attempt to make me gnome queen."

"Fine. But you're paying."

"Deal," agreed Mabel.

"Sweet."

Grinning now, Jeff instructed Mabel to wait and disappeared into the trees. About twenty minutes later he returned, two gnomes trailing behind him carrying a spool of glittery, silky golden hair. Mabel smiled brightly and accepted it, removing one of her gloves so she could feel the texture against bare flesh.

"It's beautiful. How do you get this stuff?"

Jeff eyed her. "Do you really want to know?"

"Uh…actually, no. I'd rather not be scarred for life." She ignored Jeff's resulting sneer and added gratefully, "Thanks. Really. For not making me jump through hoops to get it."

"Hey, I'm expecting a full five-course feast with dessert and entertainment. You skimp out on me and we're gonna have a problem."

"Right," said Mabel with a roll of her eyes. "Well, we're gonna have to postpone those dinner plans until after Christmas. Hope you can wait until Boxing Day."

"I'll be at your place at six, then. Don't keep me waiting."

Mabel stuck her tongue out at him before saying, "Merry Christmas!" and skipping off through the trees with her pig.

One of Jeff's gnome companions glanced at him in disappointment. "Dinner? You could have asked for anything and you ask for dinner?"

Jeff shrugged. "Eh. I can annoy and frustrate her any time I want. It's not the last favour she'll ask for. I'll get her next time. Even I can't be a jerk on Christmas. Now hurry up and carry me home. I need more squirrel scarves to keep me warm."