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Pine supposed there were downsides to having amnesiac barriers. For example, losing items, having no clue why he was standing in the middle of the woods, and finding out college parties were more dangerous than he thought four months after the fact.
There are, however, upsides. For example, he was able to get stickers for Rock, fancy pens for Jupiter, and band merch for Jack, and they get to be surprised on New Year’s Eve.
More presents sit in the back of the car that he doesn’t know the contents of, but he’s sure that they’ll be well-received— Charlotte is great at picking out gifts for others.
They don’t celebrate Christmas in Gravity Falls with gift-giving, as that’s how you get elf infestations. Instead, Christmas is as normal as any other day, and gift-giving occurs on New Year's Eve or the morning after.
As the hours tick on, Pine feels himself beginning to space out, and pulls over the car to let whoever’s next switch in.
Charlotte knocks on the door of the Mystery Shack like lightning knocks on the ground. They stand back, bag slung impatiently over their shoulder.
“Grunkle Staaaan, c’mon!”
There’s grumbling from inside, and they take a moment to remind themself that it’s lighthearted. Then, the door opens up to reveal Stan in all his Stan-ness.
“Well, looky here, if it isn’t Dipper. How was the drive down, you run over any cops?”
“No.” They smile. “But we did bring lots of presents!”
“I love free stuff!”
“I thought everything was free if you weren’t a coward.”
“Well, that’s why I hate yellow oranges. They’re more expensive than normal oranges, and they don’t even taste as good.”
Charlotte laughs. “Well, good thing I’m not a yellow orange then.”
“You’re right, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to have an extra hand in the Mystery Shack during the holiday season.” He places a hand on their shoulder. “Now come inside, you’re letting the penguins in.”
Pine blinks as he surveys the room. Their bag is sitting on a bed— right, they were spending winter break at the Mystery Shack. Someone must’ve gotten all their stuff inside.
Welcome for that, said Charlotte. He pushed back a Thank you and started unpacking.
Clothes went into the closet, books went onto the night stand, the journal remained in the special pocket velcroed on their jeans (thanks, Jupiter), and four plushies (one impulsively bought by Rock, the other three gifts from Mabel).
While he’s carefully setting the plushies in a row at the head of the bed, the door enthusiastically creaks open.
“Bro-bro! Or should I say bro- bros !”
Pine turned around. “Mabel!”
“Hi! I can’t believe you all got here before me, I was going to make Mabel juice as a welcome back gift.” She squeezes him in a hug, suitcase swinging awkwardly around them.
He laughs. “Mabel, I don’t think the body can drink that.”
“Aw, come on, it’s perfectly safe!”
“Mabelll…”
“Anyways,” she said, dropping her suitcase on the floor, “Who’s around?”
“Mostly Pine, but Charlotte’s nearby.” A little spike of happiness went through him— they weren’t out as plural to many people in real life outside of Gravity Falls, so it always boosted their mood when people asked. Even if they’ve always asked since they found out.
“Well hello to you two!” She waves, and he waves back.
New Years this year might not be so bad after all.