I do not own Gravity Falls.
The only prompt repeated from last year, because X is a terrible letter to find words for, never mind Christmas-themed words, ha ha.
Prompt: Xmas
Merry Christmas
When the early morning rays of Christmas sunlight dazzled in the sky, Dipper and Mabel awoke with wide grins. The two hurried down the stairs and divided at the landing to wake up their great-uncles. Mabel tiptoed to the edge of Stan's bed with Waddles trotting after her. She lifted her pig up and set him on the mattress. Waddles cheerfully went up to a snoring Stan and started licking his face.
Spluttering, Stan thrashed off his covers and sat up, scrubbing at his face. He grabbed his glasses from the nightstand table and slapped them on. It took a moment for his vision to clear and his brain to process what was going on. He stared at Mabel and Waddles, who looked at him with innocent expressions.
"This is the second year in row you've given me a wake-up call," he drawled, stretching his arms over his head. "We need to get something straight, kiddo. This isn't gonna become a Christmas tradition."
"I woke you up nice this time," said Mabel, giving Waddles a squeeze. "You got a piggy kiss."
"I don't think I want to ask, but I'm goin' to anyway. What time is it?"
"Eight," replied Mabel. "See, a whole hour later than last year."
"An hour doesn't mean much at my age," grumbled Stan. But he hoisted himself out of bed, swung on a robe, and tucked Waddles under one arm as Mabel grabbed his other hand.
As she dragged him into the living room, Dipper was in the process of waking Ford. "Grunkle Ford, it's Christmas! It's time for presents!"
With a tired yawn, Ford cracked open an eye to regard his nephew. "How do you know you got any presents this year?"
"Well there was a pile underneath the tree last night. Unless the Grinch came in and stole them."
"By Grinch I assume you mean Stan."
"I trying to be nice."
Smiling, Ford climbed out of bed and retrieved a sweater from his dresser, pulling it over his head. "I suppose we better get to those presents before they sprout legs and disappear."
The two joined Stan and Mabel in the living room. The tree cast a warm light, reflecting off of the multiple packages beneath. The snow outside fell in a gentle sheet, and the pajama-clad twins wasted no time in getting into their presents. There was a storm of flying paper and bows, which gathered in piles on the hardwood floor.
New clothes, boots, magazines, romance novels and craft supplies started to surround Mabel. She beamed when she unwrapped a brand new scrapbook, already filled in by her great-uncles, a mix of Stan's uneven handwriting and Ford's precise drawings. It was a collection of pictures from the previous Christmas and this year's, accompanied by written memories from both Stan and Ford. There were a few empty pages near the back to fill for next Christmas.
"This amazing!" she exclaimed.
"We're not as good at it as you are, but we thought you might like it," said Stan gruffly, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Are you kidding? I love it! Thank you!"
Dipper stacked his new books neatly, beside his Ghost Harasser shirt and paranormal investigation DVDs. He unwrapped another present and his eyes widened at what he uncovered. A leather-bound journal exactly like Ford's, with a gold pine tree charm and elegant fountain pen with his name engraved.
"There may not be a lot of supernatural occurrences in Piedmont, but there are anomalies that pop up everywhere at random," said Ford.
"If you're gonna add weird stuff to it in school, try to do in secret," added Stan. "And if you get caught and your parents ask we had nothin' to do with it."
Grinning, Dipper could see the research notes flashing through his mind and he couldn't wait to add them to the first batch of blank pages. "Sweet! Thanks a lot!"
Mabel received a wreath made out of pinecones and sweater and bootie set for Waddles, and Dipper got a professional detective kit with a magnifying glass, walkie talkies, bugs for eavesdropping on people and a silver pen that acted as a recorder. When they finished unwrapping their presents, they picked their way past the paper and Waddles (who was batting the scraps around the floor and chasing after them) to retrieve the presents for their great-uncles.
"Your turn!" declared Mabel.
"About time," said Stan, setting aside his mug of coffee so he could take his presents. "I don't see why you always get to go first."
Dipper shrugged. "It's just the natural order of things. The youngest always get to open theirs first."
"The perks of youth," quipped Ford.
Lifting up the first package, Stan ripped off the paper and flung it aside. He stared down at the necklace box, eyes widening in surprise. "You put crickets in this thing, didn't you?"
"Guess you'll have to open it to find out," returned Ford.
Stan slowly opened the velvet case and Mabel gasped at the glittering diamond chain that was revealed. "Ooh, pretty!"
"I thought you said my list was too extravagant," Stan finally managed to say.
"It was. But you always had expensive taste. I thought jewellery would be more personal than a television." Ford smiled slightly. "It's not as meaningful as sailing the world together, but I thought you'd appreciate it all the same."
"Thanks, Ford." Stan clipped the diamond chain around his neck before opening the rest of his presents. He received a new knit hat from Mabel as well as a pair of golden mittens. He studied them in amazement. "Where did you get the material to make these?"
"I made a bargain," said Mabel vaguely. "They're made from unicorn hair, so they should last you for a long time."
"You never cease to amaze me, pumpkin." Stan ruffled her hair affectionately. "Thanks." He carefully set his mittens aside and moved on to the presents Dipper had gotten him. There was a new jacket with his name stitched on the back, a sturdier case for his cell phone and…a package of underwear. Ford burst into laughter as Stan's eyes narrowed. "That's it. I'm taking your presents back."
Dipper grinned as he fended off Stan's playful swats. "I couldn't resist. You would have done the same thing."
"I would have," Stan failed to deny.
Shaking his head in amusement, Ford started to open his presents. He was surprised to uncover a necklace case very similar to the one he had given Stan. Eyeing him with puzzlement, he opened the lid and gasped softly at the gold chain inside, an owl charm with emerald eyes attached to it.
"I guess great minds think alike," quipped Stan. "You were always going on about how you wanted a pet owl as a kid. There weren't any pet stores around here that sell owls, but I thought maybe this would be more practical."
"I love it," said Ford sincerely. "Thank you."
Mabel had made him new sweaters and bought him the latest edition of Dungeons, Dungeons and More Dungeons. Dipper had gotten him a leather satchel to hold his research materials and a new pair of boots to replace his scuffed, torn ones.
"Thank you, kids," said Ford gratefully.
"Yeah, thanks runts. You really take care of us old geezers," added Stan.
"There's one more gift," said Dipper, going over and retrieving a candy-cane striped package from behind the tree. He brought it over to Stan and Ford, saying, "It's from the both of us."
Stan and Ford removed the paper together, revealing a brown postage package. Eyebrow raising, Stan asked, "How did you get this one past us?"
"Nearly got past us too," joked Mabel.
Ford pried open the lid and pushed aside the protective bubble wrap. He lifted out the item inside, and he and Stan spent a moment staring at it in surprise. It was a sleek wooden plaque in the shape of tri-pointed shield. Curling along the border were vines bearing a dozen small leaves, four larger ones bearing their names in golden script. Carved in the center of the shield was an intricate pine tree, with four lions at the base of the tree; two adult lions and two cubs.
One of the adult lions was wearing a fez, the other a pair of spectacles, with six claws on its paws. One of the cubs was wearing a cap with a pine tree and the other a sweater with a shooting star symbol. When a moment passed with silence, Dipper asked hesitantly, "Too cheesy?"
"We got the idea from one of our history units that talked about family crests," added Mabel.
"This is incredible," exclaimed Ford. "How did you do this?"
"Mabel created the design, I helped with some of the details and we found someone who would craft it for us," explained Dipper.
"This'll look great on the boat," declared Stan. He looped an arm around Dipper's shoulders and pulled him in for a hug. "Thanks, runts."
"We love it," said Ford, embracing Mabel.
After a moment, Dipper leaned slightly away from Stan to regard the mess. "Guess we have to clean up."
"You mean you have to clean up," corrected Stan. "Ford and I have a Christmas dinner to start."
Dipper's eyebrow raised. "You've never cooked Christmas dinner before."
"We did a test run on the turkey a week ago. Had a minor mishap, but it won't happen again. You're getting pie and dressing this year."
In what Dipper considered to be a Christmas miracle (with some gracious assistance from Mabel), a feast appeared on the table at six in the evening. The potatoes were slightly overcooked, the dressing a bit dry, the pie a little crumbly, but as far as they were concerned, it was perfect. The turkey turned out great, juicy and flavourful (with all drippings intact).
Stuffed with food and lethargic, the Pines family sat in the armchair, the glow of the Christmas lights washing over them. Mabel was curled up in Stan's lap, her head resting against his chest, arms wound securely around a slumbering Waddles. Dipper leaned against Ford's side, the man's arm wrapped over his shoulders. The television in front of them played a Christmas movie, the volume low.
"Merry Christmas, runts," spoke Stan, lightly brushing a strand away from Mabel's forehead.
Smoothing his fingers through Dipper's hair, Ford repeated affectionately, "Merry Christmas, kids."
"Merry Christmas," returned Dipper happily.
"And to all a good night," added Mabel with a contented smile.
It was the best Christmas ever. At least until the next one.