I do not own Gravity Falls.

Since I have absolutely no idea how the series finale is going to play out, this story may or may not fall in line with the final events of the series. But I'm hoping it ends happy happy happy, and that's what I've gone with.

So this is a Christmas-themed alphabet story, with prompts following the order of the alphabet. There will be one upload a day leading up to Christmas.

I'm excited about this, actually, ha ha. 26 Days of Gravity Falls Christmas, here we go!

Prompt: Antlers

Reindeer Run-In

"You know, I don't get why Grunkle Stan keeps the Mystery Shack open year-round," grumbled Dipper, trudging through the snow with advertising signs loaded in his arms. "It's a seasonal place, for crying out loud."

Mabel glanced over her shoulder, cheeks tinged red with cold and her reindeer antler headband tilting slightly with the motion. "Tourists come throughout the year," she replied. "You know that. Besides, the townspeople always shop there. Of course Grunkle Stan is going to keep it open, especially for Christmas."

Dipper sighed. "I know that. I just wanted to complain."

"Say that then, if you don't want an answer," said Mabel in amusement.

The two thirteen-year-olds were spending winter vacation with their great uncles. They arrived yesterday, and were almost immediately put to work by Stan. As the twins moved through the thick, heavy snow through the forest, pinning signs to trees at certain intervals, Dipper could not help but wonder what would have happened if Ford had forced Stan to transform the gift shop back into a regular room in the house.

But then he quickly felt extremely grateful that the two brothers managed to work out a compromise, because he wasn't sure what Stan would do without his beloved Mystery Shack. He figured it would probably be something much more illegal.

…which was probably a large contributing factor in Ford's eventual agreement to leave the Shack be, with a few stipulations.

"Ooh!"

Mabel's squeal caused him to start in surprise. Squinting ahead, he could see his sister just in front of him, admiring something in the forest. He hurried to catch up to her, skidding slightly in the snow. "Wha-?" he began to say, but stopped when he spotted the source of Mabel's excitement.

A rather large, stocky deer was about a yard away, with tall, strong antlers and a snow-dusted coat. It looked very majestic framed against the snowy landscape.

"It's a reindeer," she breathed, staring at the animal in awe. "Maybe he belongs to Santa. I wonder which one…I'm gonna guess Vixen."

Dipper shook his head in fond exasperation. His sister had an unshakeable belief in Santa Claus, no matter what anyone tried to say otherwise. After their adventures in Gravity Falls, he could no longer dispute her claim that Santa was able to do the impossible things he did because he was magic. He had seen gnomes, unicorns and mythical creatures. He was in no place to say magic didn't exist.

"I say Dasher," he said, playing along. "But I think it's a smart idea if we don't approach it."

"But he's so cute," cooed Mabel, inching closer to the reindeer. "I wonder if he needs help."

"Uh…no. I don't think so."

The animal, after staring at them for a long moment while the twins conversed, suddenly snorted. He stamped at the ground and looked at the duo intently. Dipper clamped a hand on Mabel's shoulder, preventing her from getting any closer.

"Yeah, I definitely don't think it needs any help," he said frantically. "Back away slowly…"

They eased backwards, keeping watchful eyes on the reindeer. But the creature didn't seem willing to let them go, for it gave a challenging snort and lowered its head, hooves stomping into the snow.

"Run!" shrieked Dipper.

Abandoning the rest of their signs, the twins took off, sprinting back towards the Mystery Shack, kicking up clouds of snow as they went.

"It's not flying," panted Mabel, looking over her shoulder at the rapidly-approaching reindeer. "I don't think it's one of Santa's."

"Talk later, run now," wheezed Dipper.

The reindeer was rapidly gaining ground. The Mystery Shack loomed into view and with a burst of energy they made it to the door, stumbling through and slamming it shut behind them.

"Woo! We beat him!" cheered Mabel.

Dipper sunk to the floor, wearily pulling off his jacket and mittens as he did so. He flinched at the heavy thuds that sounded on the wood, the hinges creaking dangerously. "Maybe not."

"What the heck is that noise?"

Stan entered the room and stared at his niece and nephew, who were flushed in the face, and then at his rattling door. "Do I want to know?" he asked warily.

"We met a reindeer, and it followed us home," said Mabel with a smile.

Dipper reached out and plucked Mabel's headband from her head, flicking the felt antlers with a slight frown. "Followed you home, actually."

Stan went over to the window, pulled back the curtain and stared at the bulky animal head-butting his door. He shook his head and let the curtain fall back into place.

"Look, I let you keep the pig, but I draw the line at forest animals."