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Mabel had been in Gravity Falls for less than 2 hours and she was already making a run to the craft store. It was small, not nearly as big as the one in Piedmont. But for Gravity Falls, it would do.
Mabel hadn’t grown out of her creativity and exuberance, just her oversized sweater. She’d refined her taste, certainly not to a level Pacifica Northwest would approve of, but for a Pines she was tasteful.
The Grunkles had invited Mabel to Gravity Falls some 15 odd years after the twins’ first trip and Mabel had jumped at the chance. Dipper was busy between his scientific discoveries, more school (somehow), and whatever else kept him from being easy to reach. They spoke to each other regularly, but Mabel found they were drifting too far apart.
Soos was still running the Mystery shack, now under the surveillance of Stan. The Grunkles had returned from their trip aboard the Stan o’ War closer than ever and bought a house together to fulfill the role of crazy old coots in a crazy old town in the middle of nowhere(along with McGucket of course).
What Mabel didn’t expect to change after all the years was the people. But low and behold, there was Gideon Gleeful, laughing with Melody outside Lazy Susan’s Diner. It was as bizarre as seeing Dipper flunk math. Yet Mabel couldn’t help but smile. She truly had liked Gideon, enjoyed his company, before he tried to kill Dipper and summoned Bill. Along with a whole slew of other misdemeanors.
Gideon waved to Melody as they headed in opposite directions. Meaning now he was headed towards Mabel. It was, at that point, that she in a full mode of panic, turned around and started walking. Craft store forgotten, she absolutely did not want to run into Gideon. Mabel had liked him before, and she was just thinking about how nice it was that people seemed to have forgiven him, but all she could think about is how awkward it would be. Mabel was more extroverted than introverted, and Dipper’s social anxiety made her look like a social pro, but Mabel could not handle seeing Gideon right now. Nope.
Mabel’s eyes darted back and forth, trying to find a place to hide from Gideon. She resisted the urge to glance behind her, and she measured her steps carefully as not to arouse suspicion. She knew she was being dramatic of course, she was a self proclaimed drama-queen.
Spotting an open door, she darted into the store. Which happened to be a joke shop. Still, she smiled at the cashier at the front and made her way into the store, pretending to be interested. She was committed to this, especially when she heard footsteps come into the store right after her. Mabel hoped that it wasn’t Gideon, but she couldn’t give herself away now.
“Well, well, well. Is that Mabel Pines I see?” A voice came from behind her, someone had recognized her. Now wasn’t the best time, but Mabel put on her polite smile.
Taking a deep breath she turned around to greet whoever was behind her, to find it was Gideon.
“Oh, hey! Gideon, it’s you! I didn’t recognize your voice!” Mabel said, startled.
“Yeah, puberty kind of hit me like a truck.” That it had. Mabel hadn’t been able to see him that well earlier. But now that she had a close up she could tell he was taller than her and had grown broad shoulders. He’d really filled out too, not long and lanky like her brother. “You don’t look too bad yourself” Mabel was snapped out of her visual tour of his body by his new rough voice.
“Oh, thank you. I do the best I can.” Mabel responded.
“To be honest, I’m surprised to see you in a cheap joke shop. Would’ve expected you in Joann Fabrics or Micheal’s.”
“Could say the same about you. Unless you developed a sense of humor along with that jawline.” Gideon chuckled at that. Holy catfish, was Mabel actually flirting with Gideon? Gideon Gleeful? The Gideon that tried to kill her brother and marry her not 20 years ago? “Did I hear you say Micheal’s? I didn’t think Gravity Falls would have such a fancy store.”
“Oh, we don’t. I’m still surprised you’re not in one though. Why are you here, Mabel Pines?” Gideon asked.
“Oh you know, the Grunkles missed me I guess.” Mabel said and turned around. Finding herself eyes to eyes with a pair of glasses with extendable eyeballs. She picked them off the rack for examination and promptly decided that she needed them. She then headed towards the checkout counter, flashing another, more sincere, smile towards the cashier.
“Are you seriously buying that?” Gideon asked, following her.
“Of course I am. What? Don’t think they’d look good on me?’ Mabel asked.
“Oh no, I’m sure they’ll look great on y-”
“That’ll be $3.75” The tired cashier interrupted Gideon. Mabel scrambled to get the money from her breakfast purse. As soon as she’d paid for the glasses and thanked the rude cashier she strutted out of the store, Gideon trailing behind her.
“So…” She started as they reached the curb, “It was nice seeing you again.”
“Yeah, it was great seeing you.” Gideon said, but as Mabel waved and started to walk away he realized he didn’t want Mabel to walk away just yet.
“Wait! Mabel!” He yelled after her. “What if I showed you around town? I know you’ll love the new craft shop…?” Gideon watched Mabel turn around, expecting a ‘no way’ and ‘get lost, loser’, but instead got a smile.
“I thought you’d never ask.” Mabel walked back to him, still smiling. “Lead the way, I must spread my chaos.”
“ Yes, together we shall rule the town, then the world!” Gideon said in his most sinister voice. After a second what Gideon said sunk in and Mabel whipped her head around.
“What? No!” Mabel was ready to punch him in the face and call Sheriff Blubs but Gideon’s smile wasn’t an evil smirk. It was one of mirth.
“I got you good!” Gideon laughed, and at Mabel’s huff and disapproving look, he reassured her. “It was a joke I promise!”