#he was standing on the doorstep of Marnie’s farm before realizing there’s one thing he didnt get to do that would have made the day perfect

[mymelodyisme]

🥰 Mys threw Shane a surprise birthday party! BUT it wasn’t just any party, no… she threw him a pizza festival. She started planning it the same day he mentioned it to her (year 2?) and went through h the trouble of providing all of the ingredients Gus would need. They spent the WHOLE day before the 20th making pizza pies and the next day Mys kept Shane busy while everyone else set up the festival.

He was so surprised that anyone bothered to care about him at all. He proceeded to have the best birthday of his life.

Activities included: eating every single type of pizza they had to offer (and forcing mys to try them, he’d take a bit and then hold it out to her), a pizza pie eating contest in which Shane was crowned the King of Pizza(Sam came second and the crown was made by Jas and Vincent because they wanted to help 🥺), drinking (Pam spiked the punch and the kids weren’t allowed to have any except for bottled juice), and music!

[eveningstarfarms]

Stardewinter 2019!

A day later than I would’ve preferred but I got dragged out and didn’t get back until late last night so sorry about that! But my gift is for @stardewforest​! I had blast writing this out, I’m just a sucker for Shane and his shyness when it comes to things like feelings. I also want to think @stardewevents​ for letting me participate in this wonderful event! Gift down below:

He desperately didn't want to fuck this up.

It had been almost a year since the new farmer, Mieko, had come to Pelican town and almost a year since she had stepped into Shane's life and changed everything for the better.

He was on a steady streak of sobriety going on for a while now, and the therapy sessions over in Zuzu were going well. Shane was feeling the best he's ever felt in years, and he was truly grateful towards Mieko because of it.

The winter season is one dedicated to gift-giving and together, wasn't it? Even if most of the time Shane found himself playing the scrooge when the holidays rolled around, that didn't mean he always had to. This year he'll play nice, as thanks.

That's what he told himself to make him feel better when he found himself on Mieko's doorstep, a bag of gifts at his hip. Nothing unusual, just some things he remembered Mieko liked, a necklace Jas made and was very adamant about him giving to her, and… a bouquet he picked up at Pierre's. It was the only thing keeping his in a state of hesitation, he'd be lying if he said he regretted buying it.

It wasn't that his feelings weren't genuine, he was scared that Mieko didn't feel the same way. Sure, she could feel for him what he does for her, but she could also not, and he couldn't exactly blame her in that case. When they first met he was a rude jackass with a drinking problem, who'd get feelings for someone like that?

Yoba, he really didn't want to mess this up. 

He'd gladly take being friends and pining after her like a nerd over him being honest and potentially damaging their friendship beyond repair.

It's too bad that fate wouldn't let him chicken out of his mess this time.

"Shane?"

He was startled out of his thoughts by the sound of someone else's voice and he realized that the door to the farmhouse was wide open and a familiar face was standing in its place.

Shane never felt his stomach drop so low nor his heart jump so high into his throat before.

"H-Hey, Mieko! Uh-" He stammered lightly, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand. Yoba, he's too much of a nervous wreck for all of this. "I wasn't your secret friend for the festival yesterday, and Jas, Marnie, and I still wanted to get you something, as thanks for everything you've done for us." The 'for me' goes unsaid, not that he had to, it just rendered him several types of embarrassed to even think of saying it. He held up the bag, holding it out to her warily. "Here."

Woefully, he watched as Mieko took the bag and set it aside, the physical confession unseen, at least for now. She smiled at him, and somehow that eased his anxieties somewhat. She wouldn't react badly, even if some feelings weren't mutual.

"That's so sweet of you all! Thank you."

Shane gave a curt nod, swallowing thickly. He was still so nervous, despite it all. "Don't mention it… I, ah, should get back to the ranch. Almost feeding time for the girls, but y'know, the door's always open for you if you want to drop by and hang out." He spoke quickly, noting how he could see the tail of a little possum wagging outside of the bag. Hopefully, Kusa would turn the flowers into a nice snack before his owner could see.

"Definitely! I love hanging out with you and Jas, I'll come by later today after I finish my chores, sounds good?"

That was too soon for his likings, way too soon, but it's not like he can tell her no, look at that face! He just nodded again, plastering a nervous smile on his face. "Yeah, sounds good. I'll just, ah… get going. I promised Jas I'd make pancakes with her, she'll throw a fit if I'm not there when she wakes up." Partly true, he did have to do that, but Jas was already awake and was fully aware of what he was doing, he just needed an excuse to leave before he had a heart attack on Mieko's doorstep. "So I'll uh… see you later, I guess."

"See you later, Shane!"

They exchange farewells and Shane hightailed it back to the ranch, his heart pounding in his ears as he dashed inside. It didn't help that there were two expectant, awaiting faces watching him as he stood pressed against the front door. Better get that dealt with as soon as possible.

"She didn't see it yet."

"Shane!"

"She has it!" The reassurance didn't stop Marnie from pinching his cheek and scolding him for dragging his feet as much as possible. Yoba, he wished he was dragging his feet, but there was no turning back now.

He was equal parts relieved to have the hard part over and dreading the visit later, but he couldn't say that he regretted it entirely anymore, just very anxious about the aftermath. No matter the turnout, he was sure it would be fine.

His assurance wavered the closer it got to the time Mieko was finished with her chores on the farm and went to roam around town. He felt that similar anxiousness set in whenever someone knocked on the door, only to let out a sightly panicked sigh of relief when it turned out to be just Lewis coming along to check on the business (read: make goo-goo eyes with Marnie when they think they’re subtle about it) or Penny to drop off something Jas forgot after their last tutoring session. This stress was just as bad as him as his drinking habits, he swore.

He had calmed down enough to not freak out internally at every single visitor that came by, but it didn’t stop him from anxiously fidgeting in his room. He had completely lost track of time until he heard someone out in the hall.

“I-Is Shane home?”

Whether it was on unconscious impulse or his own body growing tired of it all and acting without his permission was debatable but all of a sudden he was on his feet and rushing out, taking Marnie and the current visitor off-guard. “... Hey Mieko.”

The next few minutes were a blur for Shane, but suddenly Marine was gone and the two of them were alone, sitting at the table in the kitchen, enveloped in slightly awkward silence.

“So… that bouquet, huh?”

Ah, the ever-dreaded question. Shane swallowed thickly, nodding lightly. “Yeah, I uh-- Uhm…” Okay, he could do it, he just needed to calm down. It’s okay. Just breath. “I… like you, Mieko. A lot. I’m not too good with words, I probably never will be, but I just had to get that out in the air.” He spoke quietly, keeping his eyes to the table. He didn’t think he’d be able to actually get that out, even then he felt ready to pass out after all of that.

It didn’t help the Mieko was silent for an agonizingly long time before she spoke again. "I’m glad you feel like that!”

… What?

Shane whipped his head up, eyes wide and mouth gaping, a stupified expression on his face that made Mieko herself laugh lightly. “What? I’m not allowed to be happy my crush likes me back?"

For a moment Shane thought that he had misheard her, that it was a trick his brain was playing on him, but as he stared and took in her expression he realized that he had heard her just fine. He collapsed back into his seat, heaving out a heavy sigh. "Yeesh… you had a crush on me?" He asked in near disbelief, letting out a nervous bark of laughter. In hindsight, seeing Mieko roll with it in such a chilled out manner, Shane couldn't help but feel like it was stupid of him to agonize over this for as long as he did. Mieko made it look so easy, he'd give her that. "Why me? I'm not exactly the best choice in Pelican town…"

"Even if that was true you're not the worst either. And besides, you're getting better, aren't you? You're trying, Shane. Anyone could see that." Mieko said as she reached out a hand to gently rest on top of Shane's. "I can see that, so give yourself some more credit."

Shane felt his face heat up at Mieko's words, running his free hand through his hair. "I guess you're right. But, ah..." He trailed off, looking to the side. The question was on the tip of his tongue, but even after everything, he was still much too embarrassed to say anything besides a light, "Us…?"

Mieko laughed again, shaking her head. "Us. I, for one, would love to be able to call you my boyfriend, unless you think that’d give you a heart attack."

That drew a laugh from Shane, one free of nervousness or anxiety, "Yeah, but I think I'd die a happy man if Harvey can't bring me back."

They both laughed and smiled, chatting back and forth for a while until Meiko had to leave to tend to the crops she had forgotten to water after her little 'surprise' in the gifts. Shane was left to think about the day, relishing at the end of it all.

This holiday season was a good one.

The next day, when Mieko opened up her mailbox, she’d find a little note that simply said:

’Thanks for making me so happy. -Shane’