Fly

Chapter 3: The Matchmaker

"Hey, you know my niece and nephew are coming tomorrow," Stanley announced as you brushed the dust off the floor of the Mystery Shack.

"Really? I'm so excited to meet them! I've heard a lot about them from Soos. It sounds like they're a lot of fun—especially Mabel."

"They sure are," he laughed. "They always make my head spin with their shenanigans, but I love those kids and would do anything for them." His face softened with genuine affection when he talked about them, and you couldn't help but find it endearing. Seeing this softer side of Stan warmed your heart.

"I hope they'll like me," you said, overthinking aloud.

"They will, kid, they will," he reassured with a smile, and you couldn't help but smile back.

The day finally arrived, and to make a good first impression, you decided to bake cookies for Mabel and Dipper. As you busied yourself in the kitchen, you heard the rumble of a bus stopping outside—the twins had arrived.

"Grunkle Stan, I MISS YOUUU!" Mabel shouted as she ran full-speed and launched herself at him.

"I missed you too, kid! How've you been, Dipper? I see you're getting more manly every time I see you," Stan teased.

"You think so? I'm getting taller, you know. I'm even taller than Mabel now!"

"Hey! I'm still taller than you!" Mabel shot back.

"Yeah, yeah, but your height's gonna stop while I keep growing, thanks to puberty. And you. Can't. Do. Anything. About. It." Dipper smirked, getting right in Mabel's face.

"Alright, knock it off, you two!" Stan chuckled. "Let's get inside before I hear any more screeching about height arguments." He grabbed their bags and led them in.

As they entered, Mabel sniffed the air. "Whoa, what's that smell? Smells delicious, Grunkle Stan! Did you bake something?"

"Not me. Someone's been baking cookies for you two. Go on, check out the kitchen."

Curious, the twins made their way to the kitchen, where they found you carefully decorating the last batch of cookies.

"Oh, hi there! You must be Mabel and Dipper! I'm y/n. Grab a seat—I'm just finishing up the cookies," you said, turning back to the oven to put the last batch.

Mabel's eyes sparkled with mischief as she whispered to Dipper, "Wow, Dipper, she's really pretty! I think I just found a new candidate for 'Operation Grunkle Stan: Girlfriend Finder'!"

Dipper raised an eyebrow. "You really think Stan's gonna go for that?"

"I'm not just thinking—I'm knowing," Mabel said with a determined grin. "And I'm gonna make it happen!"

Stan popped his head in the kitchen. "Hey there, toots. Are you good? Need any help?"

"No, I'm pretty much done. Oh, and there's your coffee," you said, placing a plate of cookies on the table. You brushed off his affectionate remark, finding it rather endearing in a cute sort of way.

Mabel immediately grabbed a cookie and took a bite. "IT'S SO GOOOOD"

"Wow, these are delicious! Are you sure you're not a witch fattening us up to eat later?" Stanley said while eating the cookies.

You laughed. "Very funny, Stan. Why would I fatten you up when I could just eat you right here, right now?" You winked, realizing a second too late how that sounded. Stan's jaw dropped, and you saw his face turn red. You quickly tried to cover it up by laughing. "I'm just kidding!"

"Haha, you're a funny kid," Stan chuckled awkwardly, his ears still flushed.

Mabel, who had been observing the whole exchange with great interest, suddenly had a lightbulb moment. She smiled ear to ear, plotting an "exceptional" plan in her head.