#maybe I should have put Harvey from Stardew on here
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doctor-bus · 6 months ago
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Tagged by @fvriva for the 5 favorite characters poll game! :)
Rules: make a poll with five of your all time favorite characters and then tag five people to do the same. See which character is everyone's favorite.
I tag @omaaoc @randomhatthief @oingomyboingos @dollhair @kameotakuwu @lookerdewitt @qt-kt and anyone else who wants to do it (that means you :P)
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studentinpursuitofclouds · 10 months ago
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Here's a silly idea if you wanna try it, no pressure!
How do you think the bachelor's/bachelorette's world react to the Farmer casually mentioning a blue man who leaves notes for them around town as challenges who also keeps cameras around town to watch them?
They do not elaborate, the Farmer just moves on like they talked about the birds lmaooo
Oh, man. I found the idea itself so funny that inspiration immediately kicked my ass 🤣 There's already been more than one mention for Qi and about his weird obsession with Farmer, strange quests and, God forgive me, about "snake milk"... Sheesh 😅
Thank you so much for the ask! ☺️ (hope I translated this correctly. Or feel free to ask again!)
SDV bachelors/ettes react to Farmer, who casually mentioned Mr. Qi:
_________________________________________
"You gotta drink less so you don't see shit." It's unusual to hear Shane say that, but even he doesn't remember drinking so much that he saw some hallucinations like "blue men". He'd let Farmer's words pass his ears and now was beginning to wonder if he should let his dear niece near that weirdo. Challenges, cameras everywhere... yeah sure.
The doctor's instincts hit right away and Harvey will run after Farmer to see if they have a fever. Cameras in the whole Stardew Valley? Dangerous quests in Calico Dessert? Sorry Farmer, but Harvey won't believe it and will insist they go to the clinic for a check up, or at least rest at home. You can’t ignore rest, you know, because it affects both physical and mental health...
"So I'm not the only one who noticed it." Wait, what? How does Sebastian know? "Found a weird note with your name on it when I was in the mines." Hold on, what was a local emo doing in the mines? And why is his arm in bandages? "Hm, let't change the subject, we were talking about blue stranger, weren't we?" Wait a minute, Seb!
Alex probably won't even listen to what the Farmer is saying. "Huh? Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever you say, weirdo." The athlete may not be a genius, but even he can realize that there's no benefit to anyone putting cameras in Pelican Town for, like, what? Fun or whatever? To keep tabs on Farmer? That's stupid. Don't be stupid, Farmer.
"Wait, seriously? Yo, no kidding." With a lifestyle like Farmer's, Sam immediately believed in their words even without the details. However, the interest and desire to organize a quest with his friends to find the "secrets of the Valley" quickly faded away as the skateboarder's stomach rumbled. He would just forget the whole thing later.
Honestly, Elliott is completely confused. How should he react to what his friend Farmer has just said? The writer thinks it's complete nonsense, but because of his manners and his unwillingness to be confrontational or rude, Elliott will simply try to change the subject.
"Absurd", Abigail thought, but somehow the Farmer's words stuck in her mind. Considering that the purple-haired girl was just looking for an excuse to procrastinate duties, her ass began her own adventure of finding cameras. And she found one right away! And a strange note from someone named "Qi"! Wtf, hey Farmer, tell again about that weird blue dude!
"Ok, let's think: why would someone follow you around 24/7 and give you weird tasks?" For some reason, Maru was very much interested in Farmer's casually thrown words, trying to make sense of them. It's unclear, really, where this interest comes from, but maybe the young inventor wants to spend more time with Farmer. Even if the conversation is kinda strange.
Penny did her best to keep her smile from looking too forced. Wishing to remain polite and not to be rude, the red-haired teacher simply thanked Farmer for the conversation and went about her business, trying not to think too much about their words.
"The blue man? Oh, has Clint been drinking that Joja soda again?" No, Emily, that wasn't Clint, and he only turned blue once (and that was probably from worry, not from Joja cola). She would have forgotten about Farmer's words, but she also could swear that Sandy had once mentioned a similar person paying the rent in Oasis. Hmm, maybe Emily should ask again...
When Farmer told Haley about the strange blue man and other oddities, the blonde paused and wondered: if she should really have even listened to the words of a person who just a couple days ago had been rummaging through trash cans and eating raw seaweed? The answer was obvious, and Haley forgot about it as a misunderstanding.
Leah only shakes her head. "Whatever you say, Farmer." She doesn't want to be rude to them, but all this talk of cameras, dangerous quests, and a mysterious man hasn't impressed her one bit. If Farmer keeps this up - they'll always be considered a weirdo.
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admrlthundrbolt · 4 months ago
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Therapy (Harvey x Chubby Reader)
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With the over abundance of monsters cropping up in the mine. Marlon decides that it's time to bring in a capable monster hunter. What will Harvey do when the new strong woman in town needs a helping hand?
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Hey guys, I'm back at it again. Stardew Valley has to be one of my favorite games of all time. I don't even want to think about how many hours I've put into it.
Anywho, I've recently realized how much I love Harvey. It's always refreshing to find a male character that's allowed to be vulnerable. Though Stardew Valley is great at making well rounded characters. So I decided he needed a strong reserved woman to c one into the picture.
I hope you enjoy.
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Rubbing a hand across his face, Marlon let out a heavy sigh. Gus glanced his way and couldn't help but feel sympathetic. The old adventurer really had put in the years taking out monsters. His face always had a shadow of weariness to it. Lately though, it seemed as if the man could barely keep his eyes open.
Bringing him over another mug of beer, he shook his head as the guild keeper reaches for his wallet. “No, this one's on the house.” The man's mouth creased into a frown. “If you really want to repay me, then why not tell me why you look exhausted.”
Laying his arms on the bar counter, he sagged a bit. “That obvious huh?” He wasn't surprised at the knowing look on the bar keeper's face. “The monsters have been more than a handful lately. In fact I've had to call in a reinforcement.” His hands tightened into fist at the admission. It was bad enough to know he was aging out of being an adventurer. Another thing all together to call in for some young blood.
Gus dropped his gaze to the glass he was cleaning. He understood why the man would be annoyed by bringing in help. He was thankful for Emily's help, don't get him wrong. But he could remember the days when he would run laps around any of his customers. There wasn't time to dwell on that though. It was time to comfort his good friend. And maybe get a bit of gossip on the new monster hunter heading to town.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It wasn't long before word had gotten around the valley. Everyone was anticipating their arrival. Would they stay in town or the guild? What was their likes and dislikes? Were they hot? Not knowing that you were already in the valley. Spending nights in the mines and days resting. It wasn't as if you had time for socializing. You were here for a job, simple as that.
That was the plan at least, until Gil got involved. He made it his mission on this particular Friday to badger you out of the guild. “You're young, you should enjoy these years. Why if I had a nickel for every Friday I wish I had gone out, I'd be rich.” He scowled at you from the rocking chair. You knew the truth, that twinkle in his eye. The way his mouth couldn't quite stay down in the corners. He was goading you and having a great time while he was at it.
This continues for the next hour. How his voice can carry through the entire guild was an annoying mystery. Stomping over to the accursed rocking chair that he haunts, you all but snarl. “Will you give me a moment of peace if I go to the Saloon for an hour?” Your expression was more tired than angry. And he used it to his advantage.
“Make it two and I'll leave you alone. For now that is.” That was the best offer you were going to get. Huffing you begrudgingly made your way out. Only for his voice to ring out. “You're not going like that are you?”
Without a glance back you sprinted for the door. Trying to block out his high pitched cackles all the way.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You were going to kill Gil when you got back. These people meant well, at leasted they seemed to. But if you had one more damn drink bought for you, you were going to drown.
Your original plan to grab a beer and sulk in a shadowy corner was already taken. A guy in a patched blue jacket was less than pleased to see you invading his space. After a short introduction and a quicker screw off. You were thrown to the proverbial sharks. Without so much as a floaty in sight. Stuck in a bar stool and surrounded by curious locals was the last place you wanted to be.
The all to helpful waitress, you think her name was Emily. Smiled brightly as she refilled your mug. Your eyes narrowed at the drink, but you gripped the handle all the same. Promising yourself that you would sip this one.
“So you planning to stay around in the Valley? After you finish lending a hand to Marlon that is." She waited eagerly for your answer. With how the bar quieted down, it seemed that she wasn't the only one wanting to know your answer. It wasn't everyday that someone new came to Stardew. Especially someone that was so interesting. A true blue adventurer had come to help with the Monster issue. Who wouldn't be a bit curious about someone like that. Who was so soft, a plush body that covered some serious strength. It was something that was worth a fantasy or two.
You brought the glass to your lips to cover a wince. This seemed to be a question that followed adventurers around. Were you staying, if the answer was no there were always more. Where are you going? What are you doing there? Will you come back? It wasn't that you wanted to push everyone away. It was just for the best that people were kept at a distance. You didn't want to drag anyone into a life like this.
So you gave the same generic answer that got you a bit of peace. “I'm not sure yet. This is a great town though.” You relaxed as understanding smiles passed over the small crowd. Only to blink as the faces started to blur together. Looking up to the clock, you stared at the numbers as they merged. Glancing down at your empty mug, you couldn't help but glare. So much for sipping.
Harvey watched as you slid from your stool. He had seen the look on your face. He has seen it on Shane's many times before. It was always a sad time when the gruff man turned to the bottle rather than a friend.
He hadn't meant to stare at you throughout the night. But you were just so enchantingly different. Your soft and muscled form showing signs of your adventuring past. Scars here and there decorated your gorgeous body. And while you weren't the most talkative person. That didn't mean that the entire saloon wasn't hanging off of your every word. Including the doctor himself.
“Don't stop the good times on my account. But I've got a job to get back too. Need to be well rested and all.” Even as a few disappointed groans sounded out, no one could argue with you. It was important for you to help with the increased monster population. Making your way to the entrance, you focused on not stumbling. Which admittedly gave a odd step to your walk. Something that worried the doctor.
Looking down at his drink he couldn't help fretting over you. It was part of his job to keep the people in town healthy. Especially people who made a living doing such dangerous work. Honestly attractive people that he would love to get to know better.
Glancing down at his watch he was surprised to see that you had left only a short while ago. Well it wouldn't hurt to get some fresh air outside. And if he happened to come across you on say a walk towards the mountains. That wouldn't be so odd now would it. Summoning up his resolve, he left the Saloon. As he turned to head up past the General Store, he came to an abrupt stop. There you were, slupped under the bulletin board. You were holding your head and groaning. Rushing over, he kneeled down in front of you.
“(Y/N), are you ok?” He wanted to check you over. But scaring you was the last thing he needed. A frightened and drunk patient was a lot harder to deal with.
Head jerking up towards the voice, you moaned at how fast the world was spinning. It still didn't stop your hand from drifting to your belt. Until you realize that you had left your weapons at the guild. Which was a good thing. Sharp things and alcohol didn't mesh well together. Squeezing your hands around nothing, you sighed. Squinting up at the man in front if you, you tried to remember his name. He was the town's doctor, wasn't he? Yeah, did this mean you had injured yourself. Closing your eyes you did a quick inventory of your body. This was an important part of any adventurer’s training. Not feeling anything out of the ordinary, beyond the effects of the alcohol.
You looked back at the mustached man. He was pretty handsome. Seemed to take pride in his appearance, if not a bit dorky. But who were you to judge, you had enjoyed many sessions of Solarion Chronicles back in the day. Nodding your head, you winced immediately.
He steadied you and frowned. In the state you were in it would take a lot of effort to get you back to the guild. Chewing his lip he decided to take another chance. “It may not be the most comfortable option. But you're welcome to take one of the clinic beds for the night. No pressure of course.” He waited for your answer with baited breath.
Knowing that nodding would be a bad idea, you said. “I've had worse offers.” Placing a hand on the wall behind you, you braced yourself. Only to have shock corse through you. The doctor had placed his shoulder under your arm. Hoisting you up slowly and gently. Shooting an embarrassed smile in his direction, you made your way next door.
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Your head was pounding before your eyes fluttered open. A queasy feeling lodged in the pit of your stomach. Even the blankets felt too heavy and scratchy upon you skin. It was a suffocating feeling, overwhelming and sickening. It took several moments before you could gather yourself enough to open your eyes.
Taking in the unfamiliar surroundings, you were on high alert. The room smelled sterile and held two beds. Blinding light blared from the ceiling. You blinked several times, trying to adjust to the brightness. Sitting up slowly, you could feel your stomach roll and churn. Bracing yourself, you held back from anything exiting your gut.
Flopping down on your back, you threw your arm over your eyes. Taking a moment to gather yourself. Only to jolt up as a door squeaked open.
“Oh good. I was hoping I wasn't going to wake you.” The man was just as put together as what little you recalled. Though the night before was a bit hazy, you weren't one to get black out. Under any circumstances, keeping your wits was top priority.
Wiping a hand down your face you tried to hold back a grimace. “Yeah. It would have been no problem if you had though. I've definitely inconvenienced you enough.” Slipping off the bed, you pulled yourself together the best you could. Not expecting the man to rush over to you. A worried expression flitting onto his face.
“Are you sure your well enough to go? You were quite out of it last night.” His worrying was equal part endearing and annoying. But that didn't stop him from hovering close to you. He would hate himself if you got hurt in his clinic.
“Nothing some water and aspirin won't fix.” Digging in you pockets you pulled out a beat up wallet. “What do I own you Doc?” You were surprised when he put his hand over your own. You forced yourself to ignore how much you enjoyed his warmth.
Shaking his head, he push your hand down gently. “I wouldn't dream of taking any kind of payment. Consider it neighbors helping each other out. And please just Harvey is fine.” He gave you such a sincere look that it made your heart leap into your throat.
Putting away your wallet, you decided that arguing with a hangover wasn't worth it. Though that didn’t mean that the attractive doctor was going get a favor from you. You weren't the type of person to leave debts unpaid.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harvey wasn't sure how to feel as of late. He was hoping his kind gesture would make a good first impression. But it seemed to have the opposite effect. He had heard of your recent trips to town. While he hadn't seen even a glimpse of you. Not even at the Saloon. He could understand why you might avoid that location though. He didn't want to admit it, but your avoidance had been a blow to his self-esteem. Still he didn't give up hope that you might meet again. Even if was just for a more professional reason.
His downtrodden thoughts seeped away as the clinic door opened. It was time to get back to business. Waiting for a few moments, he started to wonder what could be keeping Maru. Looking through the window of the partition door, he froze. There you were, you were more dazzling than he remembered. It seemed that you had decided to dress more casually today. He couldn't help the way his eyes trailed down your form. Admiring the years of effort you put into your body.
You talked quietly with his nurse and patted a bag resting against your side. He would be more interested in the contents. If only he could rip his gaze from your face. Your soft smile warmed his insides. He could admire your enchanting features for hours. But as you nodded and squeezed the other woman's shoulder. He couldn't help feeling jealous. There wasn't much time to dwell on the rock in the pit of his stomach. Not with you walking his way. Darting towards his office, he tried to calm his racing heart.
Poking your head through the door, you looked around the room. Your eyes pinned him to his chairs as a grin settled on your face. “Hey Doc. You got a minute?”
Glancing at his schedule, he was glad for the moment to gather his thoughts. You were here, in his office, asking for him! Shuffling a few more papers, even though he knew he had no afternoon appointments. He nodded and turned towards you. “I have some spare time. What can I do for you.” His pulse may not be slowing. But he had at least managed to not make a fool of himself.
Stepping into the room, you leaned your hip against his desk. “Look, I know you said that I didn't owe you anything. That didn't sit right with me though. I like to know every debt I have is taken care of. So I asked around.” Pulling a bottle from your bag, you gingerly set it in front of him. “When I heard that you enjoy wine, I knew just the thing.”
He picked up the bottle and couldn't help the smile that took over his features. The label was hand drawn and had well thought out penmanship. It was a bit stain, that only added to the charm to him. He set it down gently and faced you. “This is to much, I can't accept.”
Your face dropped. Scrambling to point out the flaws on the bottle, you said. “No look, the label isn't even on straight. And uh, you can see where I spilled coffee on it too. Plus Gil had to help me brew it. So I didn't even do all of the work. It was the least he could do after all.” Your face flushes a bit as you focused back on the doctor. “Although I guess not everything about that night was bad.”
He took in your ernest expression and the blush crawling across your plump cheeks. While on the one hand it didn't feel right taking such a splendid gift from you. On the other he didn't want to offend you by not taking it. It wasn't that he was ungrateful. But you had asked about his interests and made him something special. Something that you could enjoy yourself, not give to someone you barely knew. This thought sparked a sudden idea. One that he couldn't stop himself from blurting out. “I would enjoy it more in your company.” He watched as the flush traveled down your neck. A look of confusion settled on your face.
“Are you asking me out?” You tried to hide your incredulous tone. It's not that he hadn't been on your mind. That this wasn't the first bottle you made. Deeming the first one as not good enough. As you take in his own appearance. Between his put together yet dorky clothes. The way he puts effort into grooming himself. Pair with his kind and caring ways. You believed you could look past your don't get to close policy.
It was his turn to become flustered. But as he tried to stutter out a friendly response, he had to be honest with himself. You were someone he wanted to spend more time with. And there was a part of him that hoped it could be romantic. Though he would settle for platonic if you prefered it. Gathering his nerve he nodded. “I am…. If your OK with that.”
Stepping forward, you placed a hand on his chest and grinned. “I think I'll take you up on that. I have the rest of the day off. If you're free that is.” You were happy that your feelings weren't one side. Why not make the most of your time here.
Your hand resting against him caused a warmth to travel over him, settling in the tips of his ears. “Yyyeah, of course. I don't have anymore patients this afternoon. I'm sure Maru wouldn't mind ending the work day a bit early.” Poking his head through the partition he was surprised to see her packing things away.
Turning towards him she smiled. “All packed up boss, I'll see you tomorrow.” She started for the door, pausing as he called out.
“How did you know?” He fumbled with his words.
Her smile widened. “Well, after she asked about you. Let's just say I had a feeling. Enjoy your date.” She closed the door and he heard the click of the lock.
His thoughts whirled as he realized that she must have heard. Still there were very few things that could take away from the excited thrum coursing through him. Making his way back to the office, he couldn't help the extra pep in his step. Seeing your face perk up as he returned cemented his descion to go with his instincts. Leading you up to his home, he knew this would be a risk worth taking.
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klaprisun · 8 months ago
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One Sunny Day
(Stardew Valley) (Haley x Female Farmer)
Chapter 4
The next morning, the sun starts to gently beam through the curtain-less windows. It was enough to wake me up from my deep sleep. Yesterday wore me out so good that I was able to go straight home from the saloon and fall right to sleep.
I get out of bed and do some morning stretches. Regardless of me going to the gym here and there, my muscles ache pretty bad. I look at my phone to see what time it is. It is about the only thing it's good for in this town.
"6 am?!" I shout.
I have never been up so early on my own. When I have to get up at this time, I usually have to set an alarm.
I reach into my bag to throw on the same set of overalls but a different shirt underneath. This time, it's a dark blue, plaid, long sleeve. I got to the bathroom and splash water on my face. I twist my hair into a loose braid once again, then head out to start working in the field. I make sure to grab the axe on my way out.
I start chopping away all the stray trees scattered in the field. Only the ones that will be in my way once I start planting seeds.
It wasn't long until I was interrupted by an unfamiliar, friendly voice, "Howdy, Mayor Lewis told me you arrived yesterday. I'm Marnie!"
When I turn around, I find a short, plump, older lady approaching me. Braids must be the style here because she is also rocking one.
"Hi Marnie! My name's Danny" I put down my axe to extend my hand out to her. She shakes it firmly.
"I sell livestock and animal care products at my ranch just down that path," Marnie turns to point, "You should swing by sometime. That is, once you get an area set up to put livestock. I'd also be happy if you happen to swing by just because, too."
I give her a friendly smile and nod my head, "Of course! I will try to stop by whenever I pass by."
Marnie returns the smile. "Anyways, If you ever need anything you know where I'm at! I'll let you get back to what you're doing. You seem to have a lot on your hands with this farm," She says as she begins her journey back down the path.
I go back to chopping the trees and clearing up more of the field to the best of my ability.
                                                  🌻 🌻 🌻
Unfortunately, chopping down the rest of the trees turned into a two day job. I didn't even leave the farm those two days. I got so wrapped up in clearing this place up. All I've been eating were the snacks I brought from home.
Those two days were short ones though because I kept going to bed pretty early. Removing the stumps of the trees was a pain. Chopping was the easy part.
However, today I decided I am going to Pierre's to get some groceries and since I finally have the place to my liking, I can get those seeds now. I never did end up doing them Monday.
When I pass by Harvey's clinic and look through the window. Seems pretty empty in there except for one guy with a fantastic mustache and glasses. I assume that'd be Harvey.
I stop to look at the bulletin board that's on Pierre's shop. I look at the calendar with everyone's birthdays on one side, and at the "Help Wanted" side. There doesn't seem to be anything posted there yet.
After continuing the rest of the way to the door of Pierre's store. I grab the handle and yank it. It doesn't open.
"Huh? That's weird. Maybe it's a push door?" I say to myself as I try pushing on the door. It doesn't budge.
I take a step back and scratch my head. I look at all the papers taped to the glass door and finally at the sign on the wall next to the door:
Monday: 9 am - 5 am
Tuesday: 9 am - 5 am
Closed on Wednesdays
Thursday: 9 am- 5 am
Friday: 9 am - 5 am
Saturday: 9 am- 5 am
Sunday: 9 am - 5 am
"Wait, what's today?" I look back at the calendar on the bulletin board.
"Of course it's Wednesday. When I actually need to get something it's closed."
Once, again I take a step back from the store and turn to look around at the town. I decide to go around the corner and up the stone steps. I turn left and I pass by the building Mayor Lewis told me was the Community Centre. I keep walking and find myself standing on one side of a water fountain. It's a pretty big one but I can just make out a playground located a few feet behind it.
I stand around the fountain and admire it for a bit. I stick my hand in the water and swish it around. Suddenly I find myself with both hands playing in the water. I get a little carried away until a familiar voice chimes in from the other side of the fountain
"What do you think you're doing?"
I quickly yank my hands back and out of the fountain. The person poked their head around the center of the fountain so I could see them. Out of everyone who could have caught me doing that it had to be Haley.
"I don't know... The water felt really nice on my hands. They've been pretty beat up the last few days," I hold my hands back out in front of me. I angled them downward so she could see how red and calloused they are. Not that she would care. I notice her face scrunch up in disgust. "I guess I just got carried away. What are you doing here?" I ask her.
"Not that it matters to you, but I tend to come here to think," she looks away from me and turns toward the town, "It's also a great spot to look over at the town and watch everyone go about their day."
Her expression seemed to softened as she looks towards the town.
"And what does a pretty girl like you have to think about?" I question her. I scoot a bit closer to where she is sitting on the edge of the fountain. She is definitely in a vulnerable mood so I decided to try and ease the tension between us.
From where I am sitting, it looked like her face went bright red. It could just be the lighting though. Or maybe I imagined it.
She quickly tucked her beautiful, blonde hair behind her ears and looked towards the other way. Within seconds, she looks back with a scowl and clears her throat to speak.
"It doesn't matter what I think about. I just think, okay?" She abruptly stands and hurriedly walks to the steps that go down the other side of the buildings. Near the path to get to my farm.
I nod my head and look down at my boot I guess I've been dragging around in the dirt the whole time. Suddenly, two little kids run past me with Penny lagging behind. The two kids stop dead in their tracks when they notice I am there.
"Oh, a stranger! My name's Vincent. Momma says not to talk to strangers," The boy in the striped t-shirt says, "but you seem okay."
"...Hi..." Whispers the girl in the purple dress with a cute bow on her head.
"That's Jas. She is a shy one. Until she gets to know you of course," Penny explains when she finally catches up to the kids. "We don't have a school here but I'm doing my best to give and a proper education. They are just super energetic today and won't sit still."
The kids start giggling and take off once again. Penny huffs and continues chasing after them.
I then decide it's about time to go back to the farm. The sun has begun to set, and it is starting to get dark. I notice time really flies in Pelican Town.
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daubigny-stan · 1 year ago
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Best Stardew Valley marriage candidates according to their story arcs
(warning: objective but also my opinion)
So what do I mean by according to their story arcs?
Stardew Valley's NPCs are very well written, with well defined personalities and goals. Here I will be judging if it would be right to marry them according to their goals. Basically, if your farmer married them, would they be fulfilled? Would they be okay with settling in Stardew Valley? Would they like being at a farm?
Note that I am not judging them by how nice or pleasant it would be to marry them, just based on would it be right to marry them.
Yes, get on your knee and pop the question already!
Leah
Now I might be biased because she's my favorite, but she's also the one that makes the most sense. She came to Stardew for the same reasons your farmer did, to escape to rat race and the non-stop grind of city life. She moved there on her own terms and it's shown that she actually enjoys living there. Since she's one of the only NPCs who likes foragable items, I don't think it would be a stretch to say that she would enjoy farming as well. Your beautiful farm could also serve as inspiration for her art. And hey as a bonus, she won't be a starving artist anymore.
Elliot, Harvey
I'm putting these two in the same spot for the same sort of reasons. Their occupations/hobbies don't necessarily tie into nature as well as Leah's does, but I they're up here this high because I think they need partnership. Both of them are canonically a bit older and they live alone. Most of the time, cooped up in their houses. Their jobs have a risk of self isolation, especially Elliot's. And again much like Leah, they came to Stardew because they wanted to. Elliot for what we can assume are similar reasons, Harvey because he just be happened to be posted there (and Stardew needs a doctor).
Penny
Penny is up here because I see her as the traditional sort. Like, I think she would actively try to get hitched. But I don't think she would be comfortable living far away from Stardew. Penny's job teaching the kids shows that she has a lot of love for the valley and its people, she wants to make it a better place. Why not get married to the farmer, who also has an interest in boosting the valley's economy? The reason I'm putting her a bit lower is her relationship with Pam. They do love each other, but they don't have the healthiest relationship. I think Penny should know more about the world rather than using marriage to further herself from her troubled home. There's some potential to have this unbalanced relationship with the farmer as well. Moreover, she also never goes to the bar, maybe because she detests drinking, but maybe because she also isn't old enough.
Ehh? Maybe?
Shane, Hayley
In contrast, Shane and Hayley are in the same spot for different reasons. Shane would probably enjoy being married to the farmer because he himself enjoys farming. You could definitely see him help raise your chickens and ducks. But because of how his story panned out and how he is after getting married (his room is still full of beer cans), I don't know if marriage is the healthiest option for him? I think staying with his family for a bit would be better but when he's a bit more self assured, he could be marriage material down the line.
As for Hayley, I think the marriage part is ok. She starts off immature and getting close to you and being married helps her grow as a person. She tries to help out with the farm and she ends up also contributing to the valley. But I don't know if she should stay in the valley? I think it would be good for her to gain more worldly experience, again like Penny she's never in the Saloon, indicating that she might be a bit young.
Alex, Sam
These two are in the same position, in the middle because I don't really know how to feel about them? In terms of age, I think they're both ok, they are known to enter the Saloon. But they act so young, Alex and Sam come across as highschool boys; Alex being the jock and Sam being the skater. These two guys need a bit of soul searching I guess, maybe marriage is the answer to that, maybe not.
Abigail
Abigail is also someone who needs a bit of soul searching. She has a bit more of a clear path compared to Alex and Sam, she shows potential in magic and adventuring/combat. That can be done in Stardew, in fact it can be enhanced by being with the farmer, but I think her biggest obstacle is her family. The girl should move out, out of Stardew. Caroline is an ok mom, but too traditional. Pierre is a downright sexist father. Their traditional expectations for Abigail (finishing school and helping around the house) are holding her back. I don't think her final goal in life is settling in the valley, I see her as a wandering adventurer.
I don't feel right marrying them
Emily
I think Emily is also someone who has potential and staying in the valley is holding her back. I see her as suffering from eldest daughter syndrome, having to take care of her family and home because her parents put all of the responsibility on to her. She does seem happy and cheerful but if you ask her about her job at the saloon, she'll say "well at least it'll pay the bills." In a way, she's the opposite of Leah, where Leah is a city slicker wanting to live the slow life, Emily deserves more than this provincial life. She should be an up and coming designer in Zuzu or something.
Sebastian
Sebastian is similar to Emily, except he is much more explicit with it. Sebby straight up wants to move out to the city. As a tech guy, I think it's important if not necessary for him to hone his skills by attending school or getting a tech job. With his motorcycle I also see him as someone who doesn't want to stay in one place, let alone settle down. I've consistently gotten to 8 hearts with Sebby but I would just feel bad marrying him.
Maru
Look, I like Maru. She's the only BIPOC character, she's sweet, she's smart. But man do I feel bad marrying her! Someone like her should be studying at Yale, not cooped up in some little valley. I have to admit, Demetrius is kinda right. Maru doesn't need marriage, she should pursue a PhD. It doesn't help that she's pretty young, again, one of the NPCs who never go into the saloon. I think marrying the farmer will actively hinder her goals
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kellycataclysm · 12 days ago
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6, 10, and 19 for the fanfic writer asks pookie 😘
Hello my dear!! Gosh this took me an AGE to get around to! Where have the last few days gone!? Thank you for these asks!
Okay, the word that appears the most in my current draft. I am working on two fics simultaneously right now so I chose the longest one to look at, my very first Shane fic. I am soooo guilty of using the same words over and over and I really wish I wasn’t! In this case, the most commonly used word in the draft I am working on is ‘The’. Not very interesting at all lmao.
What is the longest amount of time I’ve let a draft rest before finishing it? Typically I don’t start drafts properly until I am ready to work on them and complete them. In the beginning they exist as very basic idea dumps. However, there are two drafts staring at me from my laptop. Can I call them drafts? Probably because they are the opening pages of two one-shots and then notes and snippets of ideas and dialogue to weave into the stories. The one that has been staring at me for probably around nine months is my Harvey’s Birthday fic that I began teasing in other fics almost a whole year ago. I really want to write this soon, so after I finish this gift giving season and then maybe put out the penultimate chapter of my long fic, I’ll get to work on it. I’m hoping it will be some of the filthiest, most ‘porn with feelings’ smut I have ever written. When I write it, I really want to take my time, get it right. Sitting next to that is a draft I started probably around April this year, which is my very first HarveyxFarmer smut. It’s spicy angst. Spangst. I just love a little sprinkle of angst here and there. I’ve only ever written my oc before so this one should be fun. These drafts will be completed in the New Year if the muse is kind to me!
The most interesting topic I’ve researched for a fic? This is hard because I guess I write a very real world version of Stardew, so I can’t say there has been anything I would consider super interesting. However, I have been doing some light learning about Tarot cards to add to a fic I am currently writing and that has been pretty interesting, looking at the designs and reading interpretations of what the cards represent. I just hope I get it right. I am also planning a gift for someone special, to write next year, and I have been looking at Harvest festivals, moon festivals, but also my favourite thing has been getting back into a little Shakespeare, looking specifically at Titania, Queen of the Fairies. I hope I can write that story soon as it is for a very good friend.
Thank you so much for these wonderful asks! Hope you have the best day!
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heyiwrotesomethings · 2 years ago
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hello!! im glad to hear that requests are open again :D could i request a stardew fic? reader is the farmer and one day they injure their back or knee while working and end up at the clinic. at the clinic, they're taken care of by their friend maru for a day or two but just as reader is about to get released, maru realizes that they live alone and are still recovering. so maru offers to live with reader while they recover and help take care of the farm. then eventually as reader hers better, it leads to a confession and asking maru to move in :). sorry if this was really long!! thank you and take care!!
Back Pain and Strawberries
Maru (Stardew) x They/Them Reader
A/N: Hi! Ah, it’s been awhile since I’ve been in the valley. It’s good to be back. I hope it’s alright. I feel like a jumped around too much/ didn’t develop the idea enough but I tried my best! Also since it’s Stardew I feel compelled to say I swore in here a bit so look away if that’s troubling to any of you lol. Word Count: 3,478
“Holy Yoba damn it all!”
Well, they finally did it. (Y/n) went too far with their daily work load. Just a few more trees to clear, they had told themself. As if they weren’t chopping down six whole trees with a old, crappy axe after planting and watering a whole new slew of crops for the second half of spring.
They should have been surprised their back held out as long as it had. Going from a desk job with that awful chair to farmer of an overgrown jungle of a plot of land should have been a clue that they needed to start small and not attempt a complete overhaul in only two weeks.
(Y/n) had fallen to their hands and knees from the shock of the pain. They wanted to take the rest of the fall, but getting back up again would be a challenge. They heard the tinkle of a collar paired with light panting and sniffing. It was a long shot, but maybe…
“Go get help, Cashew. Come on, don’t make me crawl to town.”
The dog tilted its head, ears perked, but instead of taking on the role of Lassie, it snuffled the back of (Y/n)’s neck with its wet nose and promptly got distracted by a grasshopper jumping above the wild grasses.
“If I survive this, I’m making Marnie take you back.” The Farmer groaned and rose slowly to their feet while using the treacherous stump of the last tree they cut as leverage.
Then they painstakingly unwedged their axe from the tree’s trunk to use as a makeshift cane. Not great, but it was the best they had.
They slowly made their way into town and thanked the stars for the farm being on the same side of town as the clinic. It was still a bit of a hike of course, but they made it eventually. Yoba, they really needed to invest in a landline.
They struggled with the door, then they finally made it inside. The sweet air conditioning was an instant relief. They really needed to get air conditioning in the farmhouse.
“(Y/n)? What happened?!”
They rose their head as high as they dared. Ah, Maru was working today. They hadn’t even thought about that. She was going to be so mad after telling (Y/n) not to overwork themself too hard when they first moved into Pelican Town.
(Y/n) and Maru had been friends for years. When (Y/n) used to visit their grandpa in the summers growing up, Maru was the first friend they had made and they kept in touch ever since. When they had wrote to Maru about moving into their grandpa’s farm, she had been really excited about getting to see them more often. That excitement had morphed into concern very quickly when she heard how much work (Y/n) was putting on themself.
“Maru, I fucked up.” The Farmer stated plainly.
“That much is obvious. Hang on a minute, Harvey’s in his office.” Maru jumped into action, disappearing into the back of the clinic.
It didn’t take long for Harvey and Maru to appear in the lobby to help (Y/n) into a bed and give them a thorough look over.
“My goodness, you walked all the way here with a herniated disk!” Harvey grimaced. “You’re lucky it didn’t rupture!”
“I can’t believe you! What did I tell you about overworking yourself? If I could hit you right now, I would!” Maru huffed.
“I know, I know! Can you guys fix it?” (Y/n) yelped as their back was poked and prodded.
“With some anti-inflammatories, maybe some ice, and a lot of rest, you should recover in four to six weeks.” Harvey assured while he filled out a prescription form.
“Four to six weeks?!” (Y/n) yelled, “I can’t afford to be out of commission that long!”
“You should have thought about that before- what were you even doing?”
“…Cutting down trees.” (Y/n) answered sheepishly.
Maru slipped her fingers beneath her glasses to rub her face in frustration.
“Trees plural? With that ancient axe?”
“Yup.”
“(Y/n) you drive me absolutely crazy sometimes I hope you know that.” Maru had known (Y/n) since they were six years old. One would think they would have grown out of their reckless behavior by now, but Maru’s dear friend was not so inclined.
“I know! Please stop shaming me! Can we focus on the real issue here that is I can’t work on the farm for the rest of spring and maybe the first week or so of summer? There is so much to do!”
“I’m sorry (Y/n), but there really isn’t anything for it but rest. If you strain yourself you could risk a more serious injury with an even worse recuperation time.” Harvey left little doubt of just how serious he was about resting. “Absolutely no hard labor.”
“I should at least be able to water the garden and feed the chickens. Fishing isn’t that physically demanding either, or foraging—“
“Are you even listening to yourself?” Maru massaged her temples with heavy pressure, “You just keep tacking more on.”
“Maru, please. You know how important bringing the farm back to life is to me.” (Y/n) pleaded.
Maru propped one arm above the other, her frowning lips pressed into the side of her fist as she went deep into thought. It’s true, she did know how important the farm was, not only to (Y/n), but to the community as well. There were definitely things that could be held off on, but it would be devastating to have the crops dry up and never mind leaving the chickens to their own devices. She just couldn’t leave (Y/n) to do those things on their own because one thing always left to another with them. If they had someone to help, someone to keep an eye on them and make sure they were actually resting, that would be a compromise Maru could live with.
“Then I’ll stay with you until you get better. I’ll help with the farm and aid in your recovery.”
“Hey, that sounds like a great idea.” Harvey nodded along, happy to hear a favorable solution.
“Maru, would you really?” (Y/n) wouldn’t want to put any extra work on Maru.
She already worked at the clinic, helped her dad with lab work and had her own technological experiments to boot. Hey, it sounded like (Y/n) wasn’t the only one with the tendency to overwork. Theirs just put a more noticeable strain on their body.
“Of course. You’re one of my best friends.” Maru assured. “We’ve been meaning to hang out more anyway.”
“Thank you, Maru!” (Y/n) moved to sit up, but quickly fell back to the cot and sucked in a breath through clenched teeth. “That was a little too sudden I guess,” they lifted their arms instead, “hug me?”
Maru smiled and rolled her eyes before leaning over to give (Y/n) the hug they desired.
Once Harvey set (Y/n) up with a bottle of anti-inflammatories, a back brace and a printed up healing regimen (and the bill), Maru walked them home and set them up on the couch with the TV set to some oracle show.
“I need to go home to tell my parents what’s going on and pack up some stuff. Do not move from this spot.”
“I’ve gotten into enough trouble for today I think,” (Y/n) sighed as they looked over the healing regimen, “safe travels.”
Maru didn’t like seeing (Y/n) look so down. An idea came to mind that she thought might cheer them right up.
“I’ll bring back pizza or something from the saloon and we’ll make this a real sleepover just like old times.”
“I like the sound of that.” (Y/n) looked up at Maru with a familiar grin, “Are you sure it won’t be too out of the way for you?”
“Don’t worry. I’ve got it. You hold up your end of the bargain and I’ll do the same.”
“Yes ma’am.” (Y/n) mock saluted.
Maru shook her head playfully then exited the small farmhouse. She took the back road shortcut to her house and filled everyone in on her plans for the next several weeks. Demetrius was a little on the fence about it, but Robin was fully on board and gave him the push he needed. A quick jaunt through town to pick up some of Gus’ homemade food and Maru was back at the farm only a couple hours after she left.
“Have you been behaving?” She asked as soon as (Y/n) came to help her open the door.
“Haven’t gotten up except to open this door.” (Y/n) said matter-of-factly.
“Good, then you get to eat.” Maru teased, setting the take out on the small table in the corner.
“What kind of nurse are you? Threatening to withhold food from your poor patient?” (Y/n) pouted.
They laughed together and Maru pulled the table up to the couch so they could sit more comfortably and watch tv. Cashew took that as an invitation to sit atop both of them and try to snap at the food that soared over his head.
When it started getting late, they got ready for bed and without even considering the couch, they shared the single bed in the corner of the room. They had shared a bed several times over the years so it wasn’t weird even at the age they were now? Right? No, certainly not! If it was, it would certainly be to awkward to change their minds now. Especially with Cashew jumping up to pin them both to the mattress.
“This place is smaller than I remember.” Maru spoke into the darkness. The quiet of the night left her with no distraction from the heavy beating of her heart.
“Yeah, I never realized what an extreme minimalist grandpa was. I’ve been meaning to talk to your mom about adding on another room.”
“You should. She’s always looking for new projects.”
“Cool.”
The silence fell again and both (Y/n) and Maru stared up at the dark ceiling, afraid to move too much lest they disturb or brush against the other.
This wasn’t awkward at all.
It did help when Cashew wedged between them instead of being draped over them. It gave a little buffer that eventually helped the couple— the two close friends go to sleep.
***
The next morning, Maru woke up alone. No Cashew, and more concerning no (Y/n). She got up and dressed quickly, knocking back the farmhouse door with a loud thud.
“Morning.” (Y/n) greeted from the front step once they had recovered from the sudden noise.
“How long have you been out here? Have you been working?” Maru questioned right away, making (Y/n) laugh and hold out their hands defensively.
“I’ve been up for an hour, I haven’t done a thing but take out Cashew and gaze longingly into the garden, I swear.”
Maru searched (Y/n) for any signs of deception, but found none and relaxed. She nodded and put her hands on her hips.
“Good. What do you want me to do first?”
“We should check in with the chickens first then circle our way back to watering the crops.”
“Sounds good.”
(Y/n) walked Maru down to the coop and showed her where to put the hay and how the chickens liked to be pet before directing her to open the coop hatch the the chickens could go out and enjoy the sun. Then they collected the eggs and headed back in the direction of the farmhouse.
“I’ll put these in the fridge. You can fill up the watering can in that little pond there. I usually refresh Cashew’s water bowl before working my way down the line.”
“Yeah, okay.”
Maru filled the water bowl and worked her way down the rows of crops and had to refill the can no less than three times. (Y/n) came out with a picture of cold lemonade, for which Maru was grateful to have when she was done.
“Did I spy strawberry plants down at the end there?” She asked after taking a few gulps.
“Yeah, Pierre was selling them during the egg hunt and I couldn’t resist buying a whole bunch. I know how much you and your dad like them so I was going to surprise you with a bunch. So, uh, surprise.”
“That is very thoughtful of you. I can’t wait to have some.” Maru’s heart started thudding against her chest again and it wasn’t from watering plants in the sun all morning.
***
Days became weeks and before either of them knew it, (Y/n)’s follow up appointment with Harvey was upon them. He gave (Y/n) the okay to go back to work so long as they didn’t over for it. They could still aggravate their back again if they picked up too much work too soon.
The journey back to the farmhouse was unusually quiet. Both were happy for Harvey’s verdict, but they felt troubled at the same time. They had a routine. Maru didn’t want to leave and not get to see (Y/n) first thing in the morning and last thing at night. As small as the farmhouse was (Y/n) felt like it would feel too big without Maru there.
“Looks like you won’t need me hovering around you anymore, huh?” Maru broke the silence with a weak attempt at a laugh.
“…I guess.” (Y/n) gave her a half smile in return, but then an idea came to mind that had them perk up. “Actually, it shouldn’t take long for the last batch of strawberries to ripen. A couple days at most. It would be nice to enjoy the fruits of your labor fresh from the earth, don’t you think?”
Maru grinned in return.
“You’re right! That would be really neat.”
“Great! Want to watch a movie when we get home?”
“That sounds good. What should we make for dinner?”
Now with an excuse to spend more time together, they carried on as they had for most of that spring.
***
(Y/n) woke up to the sound of rain beating against the roof early the next morning. Slowly, they sat up in bed, withdrawing their arm from around Maru’s waist.
There was no hurry to get up, the chickens could wait and the crops were being watered by Mother Nature, but they felt restless. The strawberries would no doubt be perfect in time for the last day of spring tomorrow and that would mean Maru would leave with the change of the seasons. It made it feel like winter was coming rather than summer.
Early in the week, while (Y/n) had been sifting through the mail and Maru was watering and taking care of some weeds, they came across a flyer from Pierre about giving flowers to a special someone and couldn’t get it out of their head since. Sitting there, they felt antsy. Tomorrow might be the last day before Maru went home. It would be best to ask her then.
They slipped out of the bed and gave Cashew his breakfast to keep him quiet. Then they took an umbrella and headed into town hoping Abigail would sneak them in early to buy a bouquet before they lost their nerve.
They slipped the bouquet into a chest as soon as they got home and had breakfast ready as Maru began to wake.
***
“These are so good.” Maru swore they were the best strawberries she had ever had. Maybe it was some kind of extra satisfaction knowing she helped the plants flourish that made her think that, but she didn’t care. “Dad will be lucky if I even let him have one.”
When she received no answer from the farmer beside her, she turned to look at them and saw they were all fidgety and didn’t appear to be listening.
“Hey,” Maru poked them, making them jump, “what’s up?”
“Oh, nothing. Actually, there was something I wanted to ask you.” (Y/n) forced themself to say. It was only a years long friendship they were attempting to breech into a different territory that could go wrong and then they wouldn’t be the same anymore. Nothing to worry about! Just bite the bullet and say it!
“What is it, (Y/n)?”
Well, that’s the million dollar question, Maru.
“We’ve known each other a long time, right?”
“Uh, yeah.” Maru chuckled a bit at the odd start, but listened intently.
“Yeah, so I just want to say you don’t need to feel pressured to answer me one way or another when I ask you this, I just hope that we can stay friends whatever happens.”
“(Y/n), you’re scaring me a bit with the dancing around. Did you hurt your back again? I swear—“
“No! No, my back is fine. I just wanted to ask if you maybe wanted to, if, if you, I wanted to ask you, if you would like to be my girlfriend.” They cleared their throat and pressed their palms together, legs bouncing on the porch step anxiously as they waited for an answer.
Maru dropped the strawberry she was holding back into the bucket, the cool water within making a little plop sound as the berry fell back in. Maru had dreamed up similar scenarios like this for a couple years now.
“Really? You want me to be your girlfriend?”
“Mhm.”
The farmer pursed their lips and presented Maru with the bouquet they had bought for the occasion. This was a long shot. They always thought Maru was a genius destined for bigger things. They had almost asked Maru out before. They tried during the summer before their grandpa passed away when they were in high school, but they lost their nerve. Then they got that stupid desk job at Joja and they barely stayed in touch. If those feelings still stayed after all that time, they felt like they had to act on them.
Maru lunged forward and wrapped her arms around (Y/n)’s neck and they threw their arms around her in kind, the bouquet rested against Maru’s back. A relieved breath of air left their lungs to be replaced with fresh air that felt better than the last breath they took.
“I would love to. I’m really happy you asked.” Maru squeezed tighter.
“Me too. Ah! Cashew, down!” The couple suddenly found themselves under fire of a very excited, very wet dog, who had just come back from his dip in the pond and wanted in on the hug.
“Ah!” Maru felt water splatter against her arm and tried to shield herself using (Y/n)’s body. (Y/n) tried to hide the flowers between them so they wouldn’t get ruined by the over excited dog.
Cashew rubbed his wet, smelly fur against them as he ran a few tight circles then finally ran off into the tall grass.
“That dog!” (Y/n) huffed, but then Maru started to laugh and they couldn’t help but join in.
“He’s just excited that we’re finally together.” Maru joked, “He’s a good boy, an angel really.”
“I hope you liked living with him thus far because I can’t get rid of him.”
“Is that your way of inviting me to move in with you?”
“I mean, if you think it’s too soon I totally understand.”
“I think we’ve done a lot of waiting. It’s time to do something a little impulsive.” Maru looked behind her at the old farmhouse, “We really need to give this place an upgrade though. I’ll need a place to put all my robotics and my telescope.
“Oh Yoba.” (Y/n) smacked their hand against their face.
“What? What is it?”
“Your parents and Seb! What will they think about this? It was only supposed to be temporary, I feel like your dad might kill me.”
“He’s not going to kill you. If it makes you feel any better, Seb and mom have been teasing me about you for years. They’ll probably be relieved that we finally got together. The strawberries will help dad come around to the idea. Despite how he may act sometimes, he really likes you.”
“You really think it’ll be okay?”
Maru pressed a quick kiss against (Y/n)’s cheek, leaving the scent of strawberries in her wake. Shyly meeting (Y/n)’s eyes, she displayed a peaceful smile.
“I do.”
And it was.
Robin was ecstatic, though she seemed more excited about the prospect of upgrading the house once that was brought up. Sebastian was more quiet about it, but no less happy for his sister. He only wondered why it took so long to happen in the first place. Demetrius looked a little tense when the news hit him, but seeing how happy Maru was (and getting a generous basket of strawberries) he relaxed and even smiled when he watched his daughter take the Farmer’s hand in her own.
Who would have guessed that a slipped disk would have finally brought them to this point?
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amberskywrites · 4 years ago
Text
Comfort With You
Masterpost | AO3 Link | FF.net Link 
Fandom / Genre: Stardew Valley / Hurt/Comfort
Pairing: Harvey/Farmer or Harvey & Farmer (can be seen as romantic or platonic)
Warnings: Talk about death of a major character, and characters becoming depressed while grieving, though both are in reference to a nightmare. Lmk if there's anything I should add!
Summary: Harvey gets a visitor late one stormy night looking for comfort.
Harvey didn’t normally get visitors late at night. In fact, it was rather worrisome when he did get visitors after dark. Visitors after dark typically meant someone was injured or very very sick and needing his immediate attention. After the farmer arrived in town, Harvey had gotten quite a few visits in the very early hours of the morning, when the sun was still far below the horizon, someone often dragging the unconscious body of the farmer back into town.
It had been a while since one of the late night visits, though. The farmer had been more careful lately in the mines - especially the Skull Cavern mines in the desert, which they had many stories to tell Harvey - and had even said this year they were going to focus on some other things, like getting more animals and organizing the farm a bit better.
Tonight, it was storming. It had been all day, and it would be for all of tomorrow. Harvey didn’t have an issue with storms, not unless lightning struck a little too close to the center of town.
On a night like this, Harvey really hadn’t expected any visitors. Really, he thought it’d be quite stupid of anyone to be wandering around in this weather so late.
However, those thoughts from earlier that evening were proved wrong as he was woken up by banging on his front door, loud enough to echo up to him over the steady downpour.
Harvey wasn’t sure he had actually heard anything at first, rubbing his eyes and glancing about the darkened room. There were a few beats when nothing happened, and then the loud and obnoxious knocking started again.
Harvey almost thought about ignoring them, his bed very warm and he was just so comfortable. But then he glanced at the clock and saw it was two in the morning. Eyes widening, Harvey scrambled out of bed, swaying slightly as he grabbed his glasses and booked it towards his door, ignoring the need for water at the moment.
The knocking was much louder downstairs, and the lights upon being flicked on suddenly made his eyes burn, but Harvey ignored it for now. He could deal with the massive headache later.
“Coming!” Harvey called, fumbling with the lock on the door. The knocking ceased, whoever finally settling on waiting, and Harvey threw the door open, expecting some awful sight to greet him or the worried expression of someone needing aid back home.
Harvey froze at the sight before him, though. The farmer, unharmed, but shivering and holding themself tightly, absolutely drenched.
“Wait, what…?”
They swallowed, stepping just a little closer to the clinic, but not yet entering. They never entered without Harvey’s permission, not unless it was urgent.
And that’s what was even more confusing to Harvey - they were here, in this awful weather, for something that wasn’t urgent.
“H-Hey, um, I’m really- really sorry, for coming here so suddenly but can I- can I stay here? For the night?”
Harvey blinked, and the farmer curled in further on themself, shifting from foot to foot. Harvey couldn’t tell if they were nervous, freezing, or both.
Wait- right, freezing! They had to be freezing!
“Yes- Yoba, get in here, before you get yourself sick!” Harvey ushered them inside, ignoring their small squeak when he had grabbed them - not too hard, he just had a firm hold on them - and pulled them through the door. He made sure to lock the door before ushering them to the stairs, not giving them the chance to protest or worry about dripping water on Harvey’s floors.
Before they knew it, Harvey was brewing them both coffee and was digging through his things for something they could wear, something warm and not soaking wet. The farmer watched quietly, having given up on trying to tell Harvey they were fine, he didn’t have to do all this for them. Harvey insisted. He refused to have a dear friend risking their health like this.
He finally found some clothes that would work - they were very soft, but not so soft that it bothered the farmer, who had told him about certain textures making them extremely uncomfortable - and passed them to the farmer, letting them change in the small bathroom he had upstairs. They were still quiet as they left, and Harvey watched the coffee drip into the pot as he waited.
He hadn’t asked why they were here yet. He’d ask soon enough, but right now he was concerned about them catching a cold. Despite what the farmer claimed, Harvey knew they didn’t have a strong immune system. One of the colds they had caught last winter left them sick for a lot longer than it should have.
The coffee machine beeped, and Harvey poured two mugs without thinking. It probably wasn’t a good idea to have coffee right now, but the farmer hadn’t said no - they would have if they really didn’t want it - and Harvey figured he’d need a small energy boost. His room was still rather dark, only lit by a dim lamp on his dresser so they could see at least a little bit.
He waited for them to come back before beginning his drink, and they smiled softly as he handed them theirs. Their wet clothes were left in the bathroom to dry, and Harvey made a mental note to put them in the wash tomorrow.
The farmer sighed as they gulped down the coffee, shoulders finally falling and they slouched a bit, and Harvey was relieved to see them relaxing.
“Thank you,” they mumbled, finishing off their drink far quicker than Harvey. “You didn’t have to do all this.”
Harvey shook his head. “It’s nothing, really. I only wish I could do more.” He nodded towards his bed upon finishing his own mug, taking both of the empty dishes and placing them beside the coffee machine. He could deal with them tomorrow - or rather, later in the day. “Do you want to sit?”
The farmer glanced at the bed, at Harvey, then to the floor before they nodded. They followed Harvey over to it and sat beside him. They both sat on the side of the bed, the farmer hugging themself while Harvey watched them. He wanted to hug them himself, but thought better of it for the time being, in case they weren’t comfortable with that right now.
He did bump his knee lightly against theirs, and it drew the farmer’s eyes away from the floor. Harvey gave them a gentle smile. “Do you want to talk about it, or do you just need someone around right now?”
They shifted a bit, making a small hum in the back of their throat while their lips twitched upwards, just slightly.
“Right now, just the company. Maybe talk about it in a bit.”
“Alright, want to get more comfortable then? Or want me to put on some music?”
“More comfortable…?” They sounded confused.
Harvey nodded, patting the bed and making a small gesture towards the messy blanket and pillows. “It’d be a tighter fit than what you’re used to, but if you want we can just relax under here.”
The farmer glanced over the bed again before nodding slowly, untangling their arms from around themself. Soon enough, the two of them were under the blanket and leaning against the headboard of his bed, arms and legs pressed between them so neither would fall off or be squished against the wall. The farmer drummed their fingers on their thigh, biting their lip before glancing at Harvey.
“Hey…”
Harvey hummed softly.
“Can…” they took a deep breath. “Can you hold me? Please?”
He smiled and nodded, opening his arms for them. The farmer released a breath Harvey hadn’t realized they’d been holding, and they relaxed a whole lot more than they had earlier, practically launching themself into Harvey’s embrace.
Harvey held them close, running one hand over their back gently as the other went to cup their head, stroking the nape of their neck. They sighed again, much happier, and snuggled closer to the doctor as though it were possible to be any closer with them essentially laying on him.
They stayed like that for a while in silence, the only noise an occasional creak as one of them shifted on the bed. Harvey drew the blanket a bit higher over them, up to their shoulders, and the farmer almost giggled at the action.
The farmer tucked their head into Harvey’s neck after a good amount of time had passed, the clock showing it was almost three. Their breath tickled his neck as they sighed again, and their grip around Harvey tightened briefly. They eventually shifted a bit, curled on their side atop of Harvey. They brought one hand up to trace random shapes in Harvey’s chest.
��I… I had a really bad nightmare,” they whispered. Harvey couldn’t glance down at them with the way they were tucked against him. “Normally, they’re… I can reason myself out of them, out of breaking down, y’know? But- But this one was different. It felt so real.”
His neck felt damp, and Harvey frowned deeply, tightening his hold on them just that little bit. “D’you want to talk about it?”
The farmer hummed ‘no’ yet still let out a long breath. “But I should.”
He moved his arms so one was draped over their back, and the other was closer to their shoulders, allowing him to rub their arm in an attempt to soothe them. “Take your time.”
They nodded, and took a deep breath. They burrowed closer to Harvey.
“I… I was in Skull Cavern. Really, really deep in it. Past where I had seen Mr. Qi and I think I was well past three hundred floors, which was insane, there can’t be that many floors in that place it has to end somewhere. But… But I kept falling, deeper and deeper into shafts.
“Everything was going fine, more or less. It was going as usual, except for the many floors. And then, I reached this infested floor. Which isn’t too uncommon, but this floor was infested. I- there were so many things on top of me as soon as I had entered, I barely had a chance to even try and fight. I couldn’t even grab a bomb before I was knocked out cold, despite having my best gear.”
Harvey felt their hand grip his shirt, so tight he could imagine their knuckles paling and nails making indents into their palm despite the fabric between fingertips and palm. He tilted his head slightly to rest his cheek against their head, giving their arm a very light squeeze as they began to tense.
“Normally, when I pass out, they leave me alone. I think they just attack conscious things. Which is weird. But- they didn’t. Not this time. I- I watched as they- they-” The farmer took a very deep breath. “.... destroyed me, completely.” They were stiff as a board now in Harvey’s arms, but just as Harvey was about to try and soothe that tension they continued.
“I- I was gone, but not completely. My spirit was still there. Time was weird. I jumped to a few days after, and- Yoba, Harvey it was awful.” His neck felt suddenly more wet, and they began to shake, voice cracking. “I- I saw everyone finding out, saw them break down- Shane drank until he was nearly poisoned, Haley spent days going through photos of us together and completely forgot to do things like eat… Rasmodius was looking through ancient books for anything that could bring me back, but there was nothing- he knew there was nothing besides real dangerous and life threatening magic and he would have probably gone through with it, and then you-” They stopped suddenly, unable to hold back a sob that raked through their entire body.
Harvey pulled them closer, holding them tight to him and they hiccuped and trembled and let tears roll down their cheeks. Harvey was going to ask what he had done, but the farmer was clinging to him as though he would disappear if they let go, and they seemed so distraught Harvey wasn’t sure he wanted to know.
They stopped talking, just crying into Harvey’s neck, and Harvey held them the entire time, stroking their back and arm and neck and head, just anywhere he could reach and try to provide any comfort he could.
Their sobbing eventually quieted down, their breathing still uneven and grip on Harvey never loosening. It had been almost another hour. Harvey very slowly pulled them away from him by the shoulders, just so he could see their face. They sniffled, both hands moving to Harvey’s chest to hold themself up, though they swayed slightly on their unsteady arms.
Harvey gave them the most reassuring look he could, hoping to convey all the love he felt for them in that expression alone. He cupped one of their cheeks, rubbing his thumb along her cheek soothingly. They gave him a small, very weak smile, leaning into his hand. The smile soon turned into a frown.
“I’m sorry,” they mumbled.
Harvey shook his head. “You have nothing to apologize for.”
He let them curl up on his chest again. Harvey began to rub their back again. “I get it if not, but do you want to try and sleep again right here?” He knew they had to be exhausted. A nightmare like that, the trek from their home to the clinic, and then the breakdown… it was definitely draining.
The farmer hummed. “You sure?”
“Yeah. I’m sure.”
“... Alright then.”
They yawned, slowly relaxing in Harvey’s arms once again. They shuffled a little bit around once again, preparing for sleep. Harvey sunk back into his sheets and pressed a soft kiss to the farmer’s head. He could feel them starting to drift off, their breathing slowly evening out. He almost joined them, but staved off his sleep for just a few more moments.
“Hey.”
They hummed quietly after a second of silence.
“You can stay here whenever you want, no matter the time.”
There was another soft hum, and the farmer burrowed closer. “Al’ght, ‘nks…”
Harvey stayed awake until they were softly snoring, and only then did he let himself doze.
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dollfaced-erin · 4 years ago
Text
Not So New Afterall (Sdv Sebastian x F!Reader)
A/n: Hi! Hi!! Rin here again! It’s been quite a while since I’ve written, and this may be one of my last chapters before I got on a hiatus. School’s opening up soon, and I’m a hostel student. Currently, this is my last year, so by the end of this year, I’ll be updating lots more! (And playing alot more Stardew valley hehe)
This chapter may be more Abigail centered, since the friendship between the two is really necessary for the plot.
Ah, one more thing, the clothing choices will be based on a mod in Stardew Valley, cute seasonal clothing for NPC’s
Oh plus, Sebastian’s gonna be that emo jerk, ya hear me? Don’t go coming at me for that please :’)
CHAPTER THREE
It’s been a few weeks since (Y/n) had moved in, and apparently, had been settling in just nicely. Not only was she doing well with the farm, she was starting to get along with the all the villagers of Pelican Town. Especially the bachelors and bachelorettes around her age. 
Namely, Abigail and Sam.
Speaking of the duo, they had been hanging out with (Y/n) whenever she was free. But she seldom was, since she had to maintain her income by doing other work such as fishing, mining for mineral goods and doing odd-jobs for those around the town and they respected her.
Sebastian too hasn’t seen her recently, except during the moments she come to his house to talk to Robin about the farm buildings when he comes out to get lunch (or breakfast, for his case), or when she passes by on her way to the mines when he was taking a smoke. She would always slip in a brief hello and the two would exchange a few words before she was well on her way.
(Y/n) wasn’t always one to take a breather, not when she has so many things to take care of. Harvey apparently told Maru who told Robin, who told Sebastian, who told Sam, who told Abigail that (Y/n) had passed out numerous times from exerting herself too much. So the two put their heads together to get her to relax a little. 
Abigail was staring out into the clear blue stream that flowed beneath the stone bridge she stood on. The fish were swimming happily beneath her and she smiled in delight. Oh how she wished she could be as carefree as the fish. 
“Ah! I got it!” a familiar voice exclaimed from behind her. 
Abigail whipped her head around, her purple locks swaying as she did, as she turned around to see her (h/c) friend with a bamboo pole clutched in her hands. 
“Oh, wow! It’s a big one!” Abigail shrieked in excitement, her green eyes shining with pure joy. “Come on, (Y/n)! You got this!” she cheered, her hands in determined fists as she watched her friend reel in the marine life. 
“Ah!” (Y/n) exclaimed, as she successfully reeled in a silver-grade Shad. 
“You did it!” Abigail cheered childishly. Then, she stopped as her face beamed red. It was quite rare of her to have an outburst like this, she was usually so reserved to people she didn’t really know. 
She glanced at the (s/c) girl next to her, who was quite pleased with her catch. But ever since this girl moved in, she, without a doubt had shared her interests with the said girl, leading to many long and exciting conversations. 
Abigail admits that (Y/n) is a worthy as a cool enough gal to hang out with the gang.
“Yo, (Y/n). Me and the gang are hanging out at the Saloon tonight. You down?” Abigail asked with occasional her city-girl slang. (Y/n)’s head whipped around to face her, her (e/c) eyes gleaming. “You and the gang? You mean Sebastian and Sam?”
Abigail nodded as she let out a slight chuckle. “You bet. It’s some kind of tradition for us, and I thought maybe you should join us sometime,” Abigail invited as she flashed a quirky smile with her pearl white teeth.
She was hoping so bad in her heart that the girl would say yes, she really wanted some girl time with another female after so long with only boys. Agh, that must have sounded so bad, she scolded herself. She was literally gonna die if (Y/n) said no after she had put up that ‘macho’ front.
“If the boys don’t mind me around, sure why not? I could use some sweet free time, with my bestie,” said (Y/n) as she nudged her elbow with the purple-haired lady, a similar teasing smile on her lips. 
“Great! Meetup starts at 5, game starts 30 minutes after,” Abigail said. (Y/n) nods her head, “Thanks, I’ll head on right over after settling my shipments for the day! Can’t go on without making progress on the farm, huh?” 
The two parted, leaving Abigail to look at her reflection one last time in the crystal clear river, before heading off to the game room of the Stardrop Saloon. Her smile was so wide, she got lots of odd stares from her parents, since she was such a cold and shut-out girl, and to see her like this really shocked her parents. 
“Honey, what’s got you in such a mood?” Caroline asked, as she passed her daughter as she lent Evelyn a hand whilst tending the community gardens. “Ah, it’s...it’s nothing, Mom!” Abigail said, her smile immediately morphing into one of shock.
“Is it Sebastian, Robin’s son?” Caroline teased, making Abigail shake her head furiously. “No, Mom! It’s not him!” she protested, her face getting slightly redder. 
“Hmm, then I don’t suppose it’s that charming farmer that hung out with you a moment ago?” the green-haired lady teased once more.
 “Uh-(Y/n)?! No! It’s really not!” Abigail protested more, more aggressively once more, realizing her mom was spot on. The woman laughed lightly at her daughter whilst the young woman stormed off in frustration. 
“I know it’s both of them,” Caroline smiled delightfully. Maybe the farmer’s presence really would bring a good change to the community, and most importantly, to her daughter.
“You said (Y/n) was joining us?” Sam said ecstatically as he plopped down on the red sofa in the corner of the arcade room. Abigail nodded triumphantly, since Sam had been trying to really hard to strike up an interesting conversation between the two before it fades down to awkward silence.
“I’m telling you, she’s this really cool girl type. She won’t let your conversation die down!” Sebastian heard the female tell, as soon as he stepped into the Saloon. 
“Yo, Seb!” Sam greeted, raising a hand, as the male responded similarly, before tucking his hands into his pockets of his hoodie once more. “So, who’s one to not let your story die, huh, Abby?” Sebastian teased, indirectly telling her just how loud she was.
“It’s not that frequent I hear you praising someone so generously,” he said, plopping himself right next to Sam. Abigail huffed and crossed her arms, “Oh, come on, Seb! You know she’s an out-going person,” she said before her expression morphed into one of teasing. 
“Oh, right. You don’t spend much time out of your room to know about the outside,” she teased, making an irk mark appear on Sebastian’s forehead. “Excuse me? I’m working my butt off from programming, mind you,” he said.
“Hey, (Y/n)!” Gus greeted, and a loud hello from Emily.
“It’s rare to see you here, but how’re you doing?” Pierre asked, as the said girl entered their vision. It seems that she had groomed and cleaned herself thoroughly before coming, her (h/c) hair slightly shiny from water, and her bright skin that was earlier much redder from heavy-duty. Her clothes also seemed to have changed from her dirt marred blue pants and black shirt to a white shirt with a light blue jacket and light blue skirt.
“I’m doing great! The seeds I got are sprouting just nicely!” the girl praised, earning a hefty laugh from Pierre.
After greeting those that have called out to her, she made her way over to the trio that had invited her over. “Wow, didn’t know she was this well-known since she’s new and all,” Sebastian muttered.
“Haven’t you heard? Mayor Lewis put (Y/n) in charge of mending the old community center, and everyone’s buzzing about it!” Sam said, quite surprised at his friend’s reaction. “She’s starting to get on great terms with my mom, and Vincent totally likes her,”
Abigail nodded in agreement, “Yeah, Dad has been boasting that (Y/n)’s been preferring our goods over Joja’s,” she said making Sebastian scoff lightly. 
“New and already a people-pleaser?” Sebastian said, quite sour with how easy (Y/n) managed to round everyone’s attention within a small time span.
Sam slapped his back in a friendly way, “Hey, sooner or later you’re gonna have fun with her too,” Sam said. Typical Sam, a cliche optimistic guy.
“I’ll see if she’s a good enough lass to hang around,” he said as he stood up and picked up his personal favourite cue stick. “Let’s see how well she plays pool,” he said, a slight smirk on his face making colour drain from Abigail and Sam’s faces. 
“Hey guys, sorry I’m late! I picked up a few things I wanted to hand out,” the girl said as she racked a hand into a small pouch. (Y/n) then approached Abigail and gestured a hand.
Abigail was legit scared that (Y/n) would put something she hated like...like spiders. But (Y/n) laughed it off and said she wouldn’t stoop that low. The said girl placed a fistful of cold small...things on the pale girl’s hand.
When she released her hand, turns out (Y/n) had placed a fistful of Amethysts in her hand. “I saw this in the mines and thought about your purple hair, do you like it?” she asked.
“Like it? I love it! You’re the absolute best, (Y/n)!” Abigail gushed before the multi-job farmer turned to Sam. 
“I heard from your mom you love this, and I got plenty,” (Y/n) said as she produced a tin of Joja cola and handed it to Sam. “Yo, thanks! I really like this! Thanks a whole bunch, (Y/n)!” 
“And, Sebastian!” she said, as she held her fist behind her back, her other hand fiddling with her pouch. “Don’t think you can be friends with me that easi--” he was cut off by a forceful pull taking his arm and stretching it out, the palm open. 
“Ah, you were already waiting for something?” the girl teased, making the other two snicker as the ravenette’s face turned red and looked away. “N-no,” he stuttered as he felt something warm then cold press into his palm.
He looked back into the open hand, a lovely crystal blue item resting on it, other than the slender body part that held his hand. A frozen tear. Sebastian looked at (Y/n) in disbelief. But the latter just smiled cheekily.
“I reached level 53 in the mines yesterday, and saw this little beauty. Looks like you, don’t you think?” she asked, a playful smirk on her lips as her gaze lingered to her feet. 
Sebastian’s eyebrow lifted, as he expected the girl to continue what she was saying. “Small, and cold, don’t you agree?” she teased as Abigail and Sam burst out laughing. 
Sebastian’s eyebrows furrowed in slight anger but more to amusement and his expression turned into his sour one (y’know, like one of his sprite design). “Sorry, sorry,” (Y/n) laughed. “But no, actually, it just reminded me of you, no lie.”
“Thanks,” Sebastian said, his face reddening as he realized he hadn’t pulled his hand from hers. “I...I really like this. How did you know..?” he trailed off. “Instinct, truthfully. You look like someone who loves things from the mines, am I wrong?”
“Right,” Sebastian said, before picking up another cue stick, handing it to her. “(Y/n). Wanna play a game of pool?” he asked, or more like challenged, as the two cheered slightly in the back. Abigail clutching onto Sam’s sleeve and he clutched her hand in slight panic to (Y/n) answer.
A small smile graced her plump pink lips, as the maiden accepted the stick the male held out for her to take. “I’m not too good at this, but I’ll give it a shot.”
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stellawella97 · 4 years ago
Text
Atelephobia: The Fear of Never Being Good Enough (Shane/Gender Neutral Farmer) - Chapter 1/3
Just posted 1/3 of my first Stardew Valley fanfic!
Read it below or over @ AO3
Summary:
Shane has got 99 problems but never did he think the entire world losing its colour would be one of them.
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It started off as just any other normal day in Shane’s life.
The chickens clucked noisily outside, the cows joining in their song occasionally with their loud chorus of moo’s. None of these sounds woke Shane up in the slightest - he heard them every day and he’d grown so accustomed to the noise, he figured he’d still be able to continue sleeping even if his bedroom floor caved in beneath his bed.
The slightly battered alarm clock sitting on Shane’s bedside table began its shrill ringing at 6:30am sharp. Shane tended to run by a strict ‘5 more minutes’ rule when it came to waking up in the morning however. Refusing to open his eyes till he absolutely had to, Shane managed to turn off the alarm clock by swatting aimlessly with his hand till it met with cold metal and the ringing stopped.
He tried to fall back asleep for those precious extra 5 minutes of peace before he had to leave for his soul-sucking job at JojaMart. However, memories of the night before began to flood back into his mind. Shane had been up in the mountains late at night, drinking again. He faintly remembered seeing the hermit (Linus, was it?) entering his tent, a plastic bag that was stuffed to the brim with what looked like half-eaten food grasped tightly in his hands.
Shane had drunk a couple cans of beer before he decided to enter the mines nearby. It had been dark and full of strange noises neither human nor animal could make but Shane had managed to make it down several floors with a pickaxe he’d found at the mine entrance in his drunken state. As to why he’d chosen to do this, Shane had no idea whatsoever.
He didn’t remember much else except for the sound of a creature speaking in a garbled ancient language, a warm tingling sensation that filled his entire body, and finally the sharp pain that shot through his head as he finally keeled over from the amount of alcohol in his system, smashing his head against the rocky terrain. Oddly enough, his head didn’t hurt at all this morning. Doctor Harvey must’ve patched him up real good this time. Or maybe Marnie had. Who’d even brought him back to the house?
Just as he was beginning to wonder if he was actually found with trousers on this time, Shane heard the sound of the front door slamming shut. Marnie must have gone out to feed the animals. Shane was just about to roll over onto his side to continue his reminiscing when it began to dawn on him that he’d probably been in bed for more than just 5 minutes.
Shane quickly sat up in bed and grabbed the alarm clock. It was now 7:10am! He couldn’t risk Morris docking his pay again this month - he had to get to JojaMart quick. He jumped out of bed and had just put his leg through a pair of jeans when he noticed that it’d turned from blue to gray. When had that happened? He remembered wearing this exact pair of jeans just two days ago and he certainly hadn’t ever bought gray ones before.
It was then that he realized - everything had turned gray from his walls, to the cushion placed in front of the television set, to the alarm clock, and even his own skin.
I’ve finally done it, haven’t I? I died in those fucking mines last night and now, I’m in some kind of Hell?
The thought ran through Shane’s mind as he spun around, inspecting everything in his room for any sign of colour. This was to no avail. Even his favourite pair of boxers was gray with slightly darker gray hearts dotting it. In a moment of pure desperation, Shane decided to pinch himself as hard as he could on his arm in an attempt to find out if he was in fact still alive. He was.
Rubbing the sore patch of skin on his arm, Shane decided that he didn’t have time to waste standing here and waiting to see if the world around him would get its colour back. If he was still alive, he needed to get to work pronto. He quickly pulled on his ratty, old JojaMart jacket that still did its job and ran out of the house, only just remembering to shut his bedroom door behind him because he just didn’t think he could deal with Marnie yelling at him again about the mess of empty beer cans and pizza boxes in there.
Shane ran through town, almost knocking over Abigail who had just left Pierre’s General Store with a flute in her hands. It worried him to no end that even her usually bright purple of her hair (She must dye it, right?) was now a dull gray, but Shane had no time to be stressing about that now. He’d just have to wait till during his break or after work.
Once he’d arrived at JojaMart, Shane immediately went to the employees office to clock in and change into the uniform. He took a moment to glance at his reflection in the mirror and sighed as he noted that the usually bright blue uniform was just as unflattering as always in a gray shade. He walked out onto the shop floor and began stocking the shelves, determined to just get through the day now.
However, he must’ve done something to offend Yoba because Shane’s shift did not go well at all. He’d first managed to trip over his own feet and crashed straight into the display of limited edition shrimp-flavoured Joja Cola that he’d been hard at work stacking up for over an hour. As Shane was stomping angrily back onto the shop floor with a bucket of soapy water and a mop in his hands, he’d then bumped into Pam who’d screamed in rage when she discovered her brand-new jumpsuit was now soaked. Even though he’d apologized profusely to Pam, Shane still had to sit through an hour and a half of Morris’s lectures as well as had his paycheck docked for the day to reimburse Pam for the damages.
Just as he thought his day couldn’t get any worse however, Shane was just about to clock out for his lunch break when Morris asked him to help Sam unload the delivery trucks that had just arrived with a new shipment of powdered butter, gluten pucks and Carbo Cones. This meant he had to endure almost an hour’s worth of listening to Sam go on and on about how awesome some indie band in Grampleton was - which on some days, was fine. Just not today, for Yoba’s sake. Instead of putting up a fuss however (Morris wouldn’t care anyway), Shane simply gritted his teeth and headed out to the back of JojaMart.
It wasn’t till 2pm that Shane finally managed to clock out for his break. He flopped down onto a seat at a small round metal table in the employee’s break room and stared at the silently humming vending machine in the corner of the room. The vending machine sold only JojaMart products, all of them disgusting and overly sweet - Shane had tried each one. At first, he wondered to himself ‘Wasn’t that vending machine blue before?” before it dawned on him for the second time that day that he hadn’t been able to see colours all day. As crazy as it sounded, he’d just been so distracted with work that he hadn’t had time to notice.
Shane leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms, biting his lower lip in concentration. How had this happened? Had something happened to him in the mines? Maybe he should pay Doctor Harvey a visit after work, he would know what to do.
“Knock knock!,” a familiar voice suddenly came from the direction of the door. Shane, who had been staring blankly at a spot on the table, looked up to see who had managed to sneak into the break room in surprise but flinched almost immediately, bringing a hand up to shield his eyes from the sudden burst of colour amongst the gray. Once his eyes had adjusted, Shane saw that the voice belonged to the new farmer that had recently moved into the farm out of the town. They were now standing by the door, their hands clasped behind their back.
He must’ve been staring at the farmer for just a moment too long because they’d then asked “Shane? Are you okay? with an eyebrow raised questioningly. Shane cleared his throat and stood up from his chair, moving to stand in front of the vending machine. It was hard to tell what he was looking at when all the cans were the same gray colour, but he pretended to be deciding which drink he was going to buy to buy himself some time. His heart was beating so fast in his chest, Shane began to wonder if he was about to pass out.
Why’s the farmer the only one who’s in colour? Why of all people has it got to be them?!
Just as he thought of something smart to say, Shane heard the sound of the break room door opening again. He spun around to find the farmer already halfway out the door. However, the farmer noticed at the last moment that Shane had finally turned around and was now looking at them. They hesitated for a moment before saying with a shy smile tracing their lips “I’ve gotta go now but...I’ll be stopping by the Stardrop Saloon tomorrow night, I hope I’ll see you there there?”
“I-I’ll see you there!,” Shane blurted out, feeling his cheeks begin to heat up. The farmer flashed him a warm smile before shutting the door behind them. Shane fell back into his seat and buried his face in his hands, mentally screaming at himself for two main reasons. One, he had sounded way too excited at the prospect of seeing the farmer again. Two, had the farmer just subtly invited him on a date? And did he just...agree to it? What was going on today?!
Not once did he stop to wonder why the farmer hadn’t turned gray like everything else, himself included.
Shane managed to breeze through the second half of his shift at JojaMart without any further mishaps, and had made it all the way back home with his head high up in the clouds. He popped a frozen pizza he’d stolen from JojaMart’s freezers into the oven and entered his bedroom, kicking his shoes off at the door.
He was just wondering if people still brought their date flowers in these modern days when he noticed a small slip of paper that was being held in place beneath a small stone that was smooth to the touch. Written on the paper in a barely legible script were the words ‘Lost your ability to see colour, huh? If you want it back, meet me at the mines tonight at 11pm’.
Shane looked around his room and decided to check the windows. They were locked. Whoever had delivered this note must’ve come in from the front door but Marnie who had been home all day would have said something to him if someone had come looking for him. She hadn’t though, so they must have snuck in without her seeing. Now he knew how they got in, there was still one question left unanswered:
Who sent me this note?
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Author Notes:
Part 2 will be up sometime later this week so stay tuned for that.
If you'd like my work and would like to support me, please consider donating to my Ko-fi @ https://ko-fi.com/stellawella97 where I am offering custom fanfic commissions for a cup of coffee! It'd really help me out. Thank you <3
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astraeal · 4 years ago
Text
Commission for @aciddial! I had a lot of fun writing this; hope you enjoy! Read on AO3 here. 
Stardew Valley, and all characters therein, belongs to concernedape.
Leah’s washing her freshly picked blackberries when the birdsong falls silent. Her days are measured by the ebbing and flowing of flora, fauna, and the babbles of the river, and though it’s growing darker, the birds should still be singing. She flicks the water off her hands, drying them against her shirt as she goes to the window.
The sky is darker than it should be for an autumn evening, but rain is common as the seasons begin to change in the valley; less than the thunderstorms of summer, but still something worth celebrating. Perhaps the rain will push out a couple more mushrooms and berries before winter’s chill sets in; that, Leah can get behind.
Rough sketches, surplus canvases and paints, inventory sheets of supplies, and scattered, dulled tools, resting between miniature scale replicas of future projects cover her only table. She’d rather sit and eat than have to wade back into her workspace. Then again, her cabin is so small, the whole structure could be considered her workspace. She likes to think that she keeps her bed free from her work, but even then she makes exceptions to sketch her dreams from time to time, so.
Perhaps not.
She finishes cleaning the berries, setting some aside in the jars the Farmer had kindly given to her, the rest sprinkling on her evening salad. She perches on her stool, the plate held aloft in her hand as she begins her dinner. As she chews over the fall fresh berries, her mind wanders through the pathway of small cabins and creatives who live inside them, and naturally, she begins to think about Elliott.
He insists that he’s fine down in his little beachside shack, but that doesn’t stop her from offering for him to stay with her every autumn and winter. There are some comforts the forest offers that the beach does not, just as there are comforts her cabin offers that Elliott does not. He treats his piano with better care than he treats himself, despite Leah’s best efforts to improve her friend’s state of living.
Sure, Willy doesn’t mind allowing Elliott’s use the bait & tackle shop’s outhouse, and his electricity bill is nonexistent because there’s simply no lights in the shack. But when Leah points out that maybe those things aren’t exactly good, Elliott refuses to see reason. It’s a point of independence and pride, she knows; they both were running away from naysayers when they each came to Pelican Town.
She still feels that relief whenever she sees him walk into the saloon, that balm of finding another artistic spirit in a place of salt-of-the-earth folk. Of course, there are dreamers elsewhere, but aside from Sebastian and Abigail’s infrequent character art commissions, Elliott is the only person with whom she can talk about her craft.
And right now, she’s in her cozy woodland cabin, eating a foraged salad by the fire, and he’s probably freezing his ass off in his drafty shack. She’s talked with Harvey; she knows Elliott goes to the clinic more often than not in the colder months, and beer doesn’t keep a cold away like mead, according to Willy.
She presses a blackberry to the roof of her mouth with her tongue, feeling it slowly crack apart and turn to sweet, seedy mush. Tomorrow, she resolves; tomorrow she’ll talk to him and make him seriously consider moving in for this winter. Even the community center is well under way; perhaps he could temporarily move in there, and take advantage of a proper fireplace instead of a firepit.
Leah clears her plate to the sink, already planning where she could unroll her extra cot if need be. If she did the work ahead of time, maybe Elliott would take advantage of what she was offering. Maybe, just maybe, she could make him dinner, bring him up to the cottage and have him coincidentally stay while the storm rages on.
Yeah; that’ll be what she does.
♢♢♢
She wakes up to a loud cracking sound outside her cabin, and the sound of something large crashing to the ground. Then, the white noise rushing in her ears registers as rain, the ominous rumble of thunder coming from somewhere to the north. Her cabin is dark, save for the firelight, but even that has dwindled down.
Leah swings herself out of bed, first tending to the fire to coax it back up to full brightness, feeding more logs into the heat. As the cabin glows warmer and brighter, she turns to look around. Nothing seems out of place inside, so she goes to the window, pressing her nose to the glass and looking into the darkness.
Two pine trees closer to the river bank have been struck by lightning, split down the middle, still slightly steaming in the rain. She knows she’s lucky they hadn’t caught fire; the forest could have gone up in flames and she could have been stuck in her very flammable, very toxic-if-lit-ablaze cabin full of art supplies and paint. Still, those weren’t small trees, and while she mourns the loss of two of the older companions she’d had since moving to Pelican Town, she also recognizes the severity of the storm. To be able to strike down such trees, old and strong as they were, required no shortage of lightning and chance.
Again, her thoughts drift to Elliott, in his own drafty, cold cabin, surrounded by much flimsier palm trees. If one of them was struck, the tree could easily fall onto his cabin – or worse, fall onto Elliott himself.
She grabs her galoshes and stuffs her braid into a knit hat, dressing quickly. She doesn’t know what time it is, but if the storm woke her up, then it must’ve woken Elliott. He’s a light sleeper, always has been, and she mentally kicks herself for not heading to the Saloon the night prior, not being able to check in with him.
Before she leaves, she pulls out two thick knit sweaters and sweatpants, as warm and neutral as she can. Much of her and Elliott’s personal taste in fashion overlaps, a fact she’s grateful for, but he can be particular regarding loungewear. Better to be safe than sorry.
Armed with a flashlight and a long waterproof jacket, Leah heads out into the storm. Marnie’s cows are all boarded up in the barn, and the path to town is clear of any debris, though Leah’s footsteps squelch deep into the mud. She moves quickly, running parallel to Willow Lane, skirting between the fence line of the sewer entrance and the trees. The river swells with rain water, and she slips a couple times but never completely falls.
The street lamps at the entrance to the beach have halos around them, the light smeared across the buckets of rain pouring down. She jogs into the soaked sand, and from there on every step becomes twice as difficult. She’s has to be particular with how she moves, taking it one step at a time, fighting towards the door of Elliott’s cabin.
His windows are dark, and she feels horrible for letting him continually choose this version of his independence. The stone pathway does little to give her reprieve from the muddy sand, but it gives her just enough to get to the doorway and knock. A loud crack of thunder sounds from over the ocean, the sky briefly bathing her in white light.
She knocks loudly, even as she opens the door, announcing herself. “Elliott! It’s Leah!”
She shines the flashlight around the cabin. Her cubist artwork still hangs on the wall above the piano. But the table that usually resides in the corner has been pulled into the center of the cabin, with a bucket in the corner catching a rather impressive stream of water. The bed itself has been pulled away from the wall, towards the front of the cabin, and huddled in that bed is where Elliott sits, a book held to his chest.
“Leah darling! What are you doing here?”
Leah closes the door, leaning against it. The movement drags the spotlight of the flashlight across the floor, and it’s then that she sees water bubbling up between the panels. “Elliott, your house is filling with water.” Her voice is somehow calm, despite the freezing rain she had to run through to get here, and the predicament her friend keeps putting himself in. “Your house is filling with water and you’re not even at the Saloon?”
“It’s 2am, I left there hours ago.” He at least manages to look a little ashamed. “I didn’t think the storm was going to be as bad as it was.”
“The Farmer told us the weather was going to be getting worse.”
“The Farmer lives between the forest and the mountains, it’s a completely different biome than here on the coast.” Elliott presents his words with a flick of his hand, yet the ambivalence is undermined by the congestion in his nose and the slight tremble in his fingers.
“Oh, did Demetrius tell you that?” Leah rhetorically asks as she walks over, bringing Elliott’s boots from where they had been discarded by the front door. “Come on; you’re spending the night at my place.”
Elliott blinks in surprise. “Leah, that’s…you really don’t have to do that. I’m quite fine here on my own. And I can’t leave without my manuscript.”
“El,” Leah murmurs, holding the boots out to him. She aims the flashlight at the ceiling, the light cascading down around the both of them, giving them enough to see in the pale white light. “You have the story in your mind. You can bring it with you, if you really need to, but I’m not leaving you here, alone, with–”
Her words are covered by the loud crack of thunder. Pointedly, she gestures around the leaky cabin.
She sees a bit of that classic Elliott pride in his eyes, the squaring of his shoulders. He’s older than her, yet she consistently takes on the leading role, the more grounded approach, because she can’t fully lose herself in make believe worlds. Her work is in reality, and the reality of this situation is that she can’t walk away and leave him here alone.
But the next rumble of thunder in the distance lets them both know that this storm isn’t going to pass overnight; it will likely be here until tomorrow, leaving them in much the same predicament. Leah gives him another withering look, and two minutes later the duo make their way back to the forest.
As they pass over the bridge, Leah can hear the water sucking at the lower side of the stone structure. She watches as it spills over, and can hear the soft wheeze with each of Elliott’s breaths as they walk back to the forest. It’s slight for now, but she can only imagine it’ll get worse with time. Harvey will have something to say about it, that’s for sure.
Together, the two arrive, rain soaked and nearly blinded by the darkness, to Leah’s cabin. She pushes the door open, ushering Elliott inside first, then following herself. “Take whatever you want from the bed,” she says, tiredly gesturing to the bed, flinging some water off her hand in the process.
The two kick their boots off and lay their jackets on the coat rack. Leah watches as Elliott carefully spreads the manuscript pages – only slightly crumpled – onto the darkened WIP table. She peels off her wet jeans and socks, casting them in front of the fire to dry out little by little, picking her way to the bed. She takes her hair out of its soaked braid, her hat also needing to dry.
“If you’re hungry, I can whip us up some tea with elderberry syrup,” she offers, brushing her hair out.
Elliott comes over, clumsily putting his hair up into a bun and taking the softer, baggier pair of joggers from the bed. “Thanks,” he murmurs, his voice a little hoarse.
Leah politely looks away when Elliott takes his shirt off, but she is relieved to see a bare back, meaning his binder isn’t on. He tends to keep it on far past the guidelines for expected use, but that’s an argument she’s too tired to have right now. When they’re both dressed in warmer, dry clothes, she pulls back the sheets on her bed and gestures for Elliott to get in.
“What? I can’t possibly put you out of your own bed.”
She points more emphatically at the sheets. “I have a cot I can use, but you need a warm bed. In.”
He throws a pout at her, but which she returns by sticking her tongue out. She feels better – better that he’s good enough to be teasing her, and better that he’s getting in the bed and following her directions with minimal complaining. She goes to the small array of kitchen appliances she has tucked against the wall, and begins to prepare some elderberry syrup tea. Something to warm them both, and she notes the soft sniffles Elliott keeps giving off.
“Do you want something to eat?” she softly asks, the sound of the rain cocooning them in relative safety. Thunder booms every so often, but it’s not as close now, perhaps moving more towards the mountains, or simply a break in the storm.
There’s no response.
She turns to look, and sees him curled up on his side, the blankets pulled so only his eyes are visible, watching her. She furrows her brows a little, though she smiles in response, and softly prompts, “El?”
He hums a little, and she can tell he’s smiling from below the blankets. “Uh huh?”
“I asked if you wanted something to eat. I have some tom kha soup, if you want. With crab.” She watches as his brows furrow a little – now he’s confused.
“I thought you didn’t eat meat.” Leah’s vegetarian, but that doesn’t mean she can’t stock her friend’s favorites.
She simply shrugs. “Yeah, but you do.” At his resulting silence, she blushes a little more, turning back to stir the heating syrup. “What?”
Elliott remains silent, but she hears the soft rustle of sheets. “That’s really very kind of you, Leah. Thank you.”
She feels her cheeks flame a little, then reaches down into the basket of jars. She pulls out the jar of soup and a pot, clicking the flame on the stove and pouring the soup inside to heat up. “Y-yeah, anytime.”
It’s now that she remembers exactly why it would be so difficult for her to have Elliott permanently in her space. If not for their quite different versions of productivity and rhythms of living, there’s also the unmitigated crush that had blossomed over the course of their friendship. She knows he’s aware of her rocky foundations with romance, especially as it intersects with her art career – she’s told Elliott the story of Kel more than once, sometimes after one too many beers at the Saloon. But Elliott was never anything but supportive, and he always made sure to respect her boundaries when it came to romance.
She knows that he’s currently working on some romance novel, though, and that part of that had to do with the Farmer’s influence. Then again, she’s currently working on pieces for the town art show, also at the Farmer’s influence. Maybe they’re all a little starstruck with the newcomer, or maybe the Farmer just makes for good inspiration. Muses come in all shapes and sizes, and the Farmer’s never been anything but helpful.
They’re the reason Leah has leftover tom kha soup in the first place.
She has a spoon in each hand, stirring the pots in circles, before the syrup reveals itself as ready. Her electric kettle has the water primed and ready, and she drizzles the syrup at the bottom of the cups before tossing in some mint tea and pouring the water over it. The rest, she’ll cool to keep on hand as actual syrup, but the freshly made syrup – or sauce, as it really is in this form – is good to go now.
Taking the cups over to the bed, she hands one to the newly resurfaced Elliott. He looks much softer and safer here, tucked in her bed, the sweater a little tight on his arms but still comfortable nonetheless. He takes the cup with gentle, ink stained fingers, green eyes watching her with something she can’t quite name.
“Drink that and tell me how you feel in the morning,” she says, feeling her words slip quietly out of her mouth.
He nods, and she sees his soft freckles across the bridge of his nose, usually long dormant as the shorter days come about in the colder months of the year. “I have some inkling.” The words seem to puzzle him, and Leah tilts her head a little as he hurriedly takes a sip.
What could that mean?
“Let me get the soup. I’ll be the one eating it, it’s the least I can do.” There’s a darkened splotch on his upper lip, leftover from some elderberry syrup. She wants to reach up and wipe the syrup away, but she instead takes a sip of her own tea, nodding in gratefulness. Her legs ache from the struggle through mud and sand, and she hasn’t sat down since they arrived back home.
Isn’t that a thought? To call this a home in regards to them both.
She sits on the bed next to him, watching the fire dance in the brick enclosure. “You could move in here full time,” she offers, her mouth working without full permission from her brain. “Thoreau ran off to the woods for two years, two months, and two days. Think of the beach cabin as a summer home.”
“Thoreau wasn’t writing what I want to write. But I appreciate the comparison.” He laughs a little into his cup, fidgeting with his earring with one hand.
“Just, please think about it. I mean, what is the cabin going to look like when this storm ends? And winter’s coming, all of that’s going to freeze over, and you’re far enough from Harvey’s that going to an appointment is a whole ordeal, and…Look, Elliott, I just don’t feel comfortable letting you stay there.”
Elliott sighs. “…I’ll stay for the next couple days. At least until I can get the water out of my house.”
“And fix it so that the water stops coming into your house. I mean, do you know how unsafe that is?” Leah is aware that she’s perhaps ranting a little, but she feels it’s deserved.
“Yes, darling, I know. It’s all I can afford though, since no one in this town is moving out anytime soon.” He hops out of the bed, going over to address the soup. Wordlessly, she follows, handing him the only bowl she has in her possession. Enough living materials for one, not two, but she would be willing to make the choices to purchase more for him. She’d be willing to make that space in her life and fill it with Elliott, if only he would let her.
Once his soup is poured, she joins him back on the bed, sitting cross legged and clutching her tea. “You pay nothing to live there; I’m sure there’s gotta be room somewhere. Maybe there’s some apartments above Pierre’s? You know he’d love another way to make a quick buck.”
Elliott laughs, sipping the soup directly from the bowl. “Maybe, darling.” He sounds a little cleared up, and Leah hopes that trend continues. Nothing against Elliott, but she knows he can be a bit of a baby when he’s sick. Not that she finds it endearing or anything, or appointed herself Pelican Town’s resident Sick-Elliott-Caretaker despite knowing this. Nothing like that.
“I just, you know. If you don’t want to come here. I know that my sculpting can be kind of loud, and I know you need quiet to work, and there’s not a whole lot of places in town.” She tugs a little at the sweater by her wrist, suddenly shy.
“I…wouldn’t mind living with you, Leah. I’m sure we could come up with an arrangement to suit both of our styles of work.”  He’s also blushing, but Leah attributes that to the heat in the cabin. Surely, that just means the warm soup is working its magic.
She nods, and the conversation quietly dies. Rain continues to pummel the roof and siding of the house, but thankfully no more trees fall. They finish their tea, and Elliott finishes his soup, and they’re faced with the exhausting prospect of pulling out a cot and making it with pillows.
“Or you could just sleep in here,” Elliott offers, patting the sheets next to him. “I would sleep better knowing I’ve not displaced you for longer than this storm required.”
Leah rubs her eye, looking at the warm inviting sheets – and man within them – and the empty space where she knows her cot could go. “Would…you be comfortable with that?”
Elliott nods. “I trust you.”
That alone makes Leah’s heart race a double time, and she heads over to the bed. She slips between the sheets, nose to nose with her closest friend, feeling safe in the rain. Just in case he catches anything, she knows she shouldn’t be so close to him. But it’s comfortable, and the moment he slings an arm over her waist she’s out like a light, exhaustion finally catching up with her.
♢♢♢
She wakes with Elliott’s arm still around her, her back pressed to his front, and the rain continuing down. It’s less now than it was in the middle of the night, and she hopes that means the damage to the town is going to be less than the forest. Still, she can hear the rushing of the river, still overly full of rain water, and she knows it’s going to be a while before she feels safe taking her sketching supplies to the pier to draw lake life.
Leah yawns, stretching out a little, feeling her muscles yelling at her for having the audacity to go for a midnight sprint through the rain. Elliott tugs her closer, and she remembers that he hasn’t actually left the bed, nor her house, nor her person. She freezes, eyes wide, staring across her cabin at the whorls in the wood.
Elliott is still asleep, breaths deep and even. She knows that there’s a possibility that he wakes up, shy and embarrassed, about them being so pressed together. Even still, there’s only one bed, and it’s a small bed at that, so maybe they can both be forgiven this moment of weakness. She closes her eyes, resting again in this warm embrace.
She’s unsure of how long passes before she wakes up again, this time because Elliott himself is waking up. He rolls away from her, his shoulder hitting the wall if the dull thud is anything to go by, resulting in a sleepy grumble.
Staying still, Leah waits to see how Elliott responds to their morning position. True to the romantic man he is, he reaches over and resumes holding her closer to him. She feels him sigh, his breath moving over her hair, followed by a soft, “Good morning, darling.”
“Good morning,” she replies, wondering how he knew she was awake. His resulting startle tells her that he did not, in fact, know she was awake. Which meant he wasn’t saying that for her benefit at all.
Interesting.
“How’d you sleep?” he asks, still holding her close to him.
“Good; how about you?”
“Oh, wonderful, thanks. Haven’t been this warm since before the Moonlight Jellies arrived.” She can feel his smile through the words, and it makes her laugh a little bit to herself.
“Well, stick around here and you’ll be as toasty as you like.”
There’s a moment of quiet, and then a soft response. “I’d like that.”
Leah blushes, biting her lower lip. “I can get us some breakfast, if you’d like. It’s not too late, I don’t think.”
“That would be nice.” Elliott turns with a stretch, back cracking a little. “I suppose I should see what the damage is at home.”
The dip in his tone makes Leah feel guilty. Of course her first priority was to get Elliott to a safe place, but after that, what of what he had to leave behind? He claimed to do well in his self-imposed minimalist lifestyle, but to Leah, that meant what little he had was very important. It was something he couldn’t deal without, if he’s to be believed.
“I’m sorry,” she says quietly. “Why don’t we –”
A sneeze interrupts her, and she starts, hopping out of bed. The movement makes her muscles protest, and she winces a little, rubbing a hand down her thighs. “We’ll go to Harvey’s first. Then breakfast, and then…the beach? It’s still raining, so it might not be…done.”
It referring to the slow damage done to the beachside shack. She doesn’t want to be impolite, but she doesn’t want to sugarcoat how bad it could be. She doesn’t think she’ll ever get the image of water bubbling up between the floorboards out of her head.
“Sure,” Elliott says, his breathing a little raspier than before. He clears his throat, brows furrowed, the magic of the morning seeming to fade away. “Yeah, let’s see what he has to say.”
Harvey, of course, was happy to see them both, then contrite at his happiness as if they’d accuse him of being pleased with their misfortune. Luckily, Elliott didn’t seem to have anything serious, besides a growing cold. He sent them home with some medicine, tucked away in a little waxy paper bag folded over, and prescription for rest and hydration. Nothing to do but wait it out, he’d said, and Leah had bitten the inside of her cheek.
Of course.
“Well that sucks,” Elliott mutters as they leave the clinic. The Saloon isn’t open yet, and Leah doesn’t feel great bringing Elliott to a bar first thing in the morning.
“Yeah. Sorry about the sickness, but it could have been worse if you’d stayed.”
Elliott shakes his head. “Not that, darling. That I could have gotten you sick is the real drawback here. I do my best work when left to my own devices, but I know how you like to travel around Pelican Town, gaining inspiration from whatever you can find. I’d hate to be in the way of that.”
Leah frowns a little, biting her lower lip. “Well…thank you.” It’s still strange to have someone care for her when she’s so used to doing the caring for others. It’s not that Elliott is immature, far from; it’s just that he has grand, romantic notions that often leave him far from reality, and that means he acts a little less like one would expect. Then again, only Harvey and Shane seem to be in Elliott’s same age bracket, and each of them is so different from the other, Leah doesn’t know how they begin to compare.
“Here, why don’t we do this? You head home, and I’ll restock on some groceries and healthy stuff. When you’re feeling better, we’ll handle the, uh, Beach Situation.” She gives him a warm, crooked smile, and she’s not imagining the way his face flushes a little, independent of the low grade fever he’s running.
“That could take days, though. Leah, I don’t want to –”
“Please.” She puts her hand on his forearm, ignoring the little look Jodi gives her as she and Sam walk towards Joja Mart. “For me? You’re not going anywhere else for the time being, I won’t let you.”
Elliott raises an eyebrow. “Oh, you won’t let me?”
“Yeah, I won’t let you.” The challenge comes with a bit of familiar sass, and she raises a brow in turn. “There’s nowhere else to go, El, please.”
He sighs. “Fine, fine. You win.” And then a warm smile. “I’ll be waiting.”
♢♢♢
Elliott remains with Leah for four days. It takes two before he starts personally feeling better, but it takes another day before the beach is dry enough for either of them to consider going through the sand. Elliott’s important belongings are salvageable, though bigger pieces like the bed and tables need severe rebuilding to make them serviceable again. The mold and rot creeping up the piano’s legs, however, nearly drives Elliott to tears.
Leah comforts him, passing along contact information she had from when she still lived with Kel in the city and had debated a career in music. It would take a couple months, but the piano could be good as new in no time.
On the fourth day, Elliott and Leah sit in the cozy woodland cabin, each quietly working. Elliott had crafted a space for himself at the table, back to the open windows, writing whatever additional scenes had come together in his feverish state. Leah stations herself at the easel, broad strokes bringing to life a vivid autumnal woodland scene. These quiet moments shared together have the opportunity to become something more profound.
Leah finishes putting the touch on the sunlight coming through the young buck’s antlers before she finally pulls back. “El? Do you wanna go to the fair?” she asks, stretching back and feeling her body thank her after so long of remaining in one position.
Elliott grunts in response, and she looks over her shoulder, seeing him clearly still in the midst of working. She sets her brush down on the paper towel, getting up and going over to him. “Elliott.”
“Huh?” He looks up, brows furrowed, flyaways swaying with the movement of his head. “What’s wrong, darling?”
“The fair. It’s starting soon. Do you want to go?” She comes up beside him, one hand in her pocket of her paint splattered jeans, the other on the table.
“Oh. I’d like that, sure.” He gives her a warm smile, hastily grouping the pages back together. “Sorry about not hearing you. I had a new idea for a story.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes; it takes place in an enchanted forest, where the weather is broken. Snow comes up from the ground, lakes and rivers collect at the bottom of tree branches – very Dalí meets Escher. But there’s one woman who moves forward through time, while the rest of the world moves backwards, and she meets a man who moves only through space but not through time. So everything happens at the same time for him, though he can go to different places to experience other perspectives. And they have to work together to put the forest back to rights, but they each have to rely on the other because while she can see the future, he can see the immediate changes and ripple effects, and they have to communicate that with the other while being completely unable to see what the other can. It’s an exercise in communication, trust, and romance.”
This is the farthest from her understanding as an artist, though she does understand the artistic references. “Wow. That sounds…interesting.”
He gives her a look as he laces his boots up. “…Yeah.” The look on his face is somewhat confused. Or maybe something else.
“What?”
He blushes. “Nothing. Let’s go?”
“No, hey, wait.” She steps between him and the door, looking up at him. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to say that it’s a bad premise or anything. I think it’s really cool, it’s just…what are you calling it so far?”
“Sunken Shores,” he murmurs, and she has a small realization, that’s more of an altering of her perspective. Something that was always just slightly to the left, just slightly out of reach, now slotting into the proper place.
“…Really?” That’s not what she means to say, and she watches how his expression shutters. “I mean – Elliott, is that inspired by, uh…”
The pain in his expression shifts a little. “You really didn’t know?”
“I…” There’s no way that she’s going to be able to duck out of this conversation. “I didn’t want to get my hopes up.”
“Get your hopes up,” he repeats in a whisper, as if completely unsure that she actually means that. “Why…you..oh.”
She blushes. “Yeah, oh.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“I was going to! But then you were here, and then you were sick, and I didn’t want to make things weird while you were houseless. And you really seemed to like living here, and I didn’t want to say something and make you uncomfortable. You’re my best friend, El. I didn’t want to ruin that.” She starts out defiant, voice raised a little in a panic, but it falls to a whisper by the end of it.
“Oh.” He rolls his lips, green eyes looking askance, before searching her face. “I mean, I’ve liked you for quite a while. I knew how things ended with Kel, though, and I didn’t want to press where you were, you know…still healing.”
She winces a little at the mention of her ex. “Yeah…she did a number on me, huh?” A beat, and then, “I’m better. Than I was. And I appreciate that, and…I…do you, um, want to…?”
Elliott blinks for a moment. “Do I want to what?”
Leah’s face flushes, her entire body heating. “Do you want to go out? Maybe?”
He tilts his head, giving her a warm smile. “What do you think going to the fair is?”
“Oh!” The noise is involuntary, a mere vocalization of a series of exclamation points. She’s flustered, and it only gets worse when Elliott takes another step, further into her personal space. He puts his fingertips beneath her chin, delicately tipping her chin upwards so they can lock eyes.
“A gentleman has no reason to withhold his love from the public,” he murmurs, “yet he should also never kiss and tell. So I find myself at odds, with how to proceed.’
This can’t be happening to her. The most romantic man in Pelican Town can’t be asking her in his roundabout way if she wants to kiss. She nods, barely adding pressure to the fingertips at her jaw, not breaking away from his gaze. “I wouldn’t mind,” she whispers.
Despite his obvious charm, Leah knows he’s never really been with anyone for a long period of time. Part of that was due to his discomfort with his perception before coming out, even to himself; once that veil had been lifted, and Elliott established a new relationship with himself, his confidence grew, and with it, his attractiveness. But he’s still new to all of this, and Leah wants to gently push him along, but all of those thoughts of remaining careful melt away the moment his lips touch hers.
She feels herself wrap her arms over his shoulders, pulling him closer to her, going up on her tiptoes and humming into the kiss. It feels electric, like the storm that had forced the two of them together, yet by some miracle they’re able to keep it semi-chaste. When they part, their gazes remain on the other’s mouth, as if waiting for permission for a second kiss. It comes easily, Leah softly pressed against the wood of the doorway, Elliott now cradling her face between his large, writer’s hands, softly tasting the morning coffee from each other’s mouths.
When Elliott pulls back for the second time, Leah realizes they’re both panting. “Maybe…that was overdue,” she says softly, and Elliott laughs.
“One could say that.” He tucks a stray piece of hair behind her ear, and gives her a fond look that is familiar – one he gave her from between her sheets on the night of the storm. “Come. Let’s go get some of Gus’ specialty barbecue. And, perhaps, some of Farmer’s wine for the lady.”
Leah hugs him, pressing her face to his chest. They have so much more to talk about – the logistics of Elliott’s winter move, affording the piano repair, how Elliott will work in the cabin when Leah does her winter sculpting, when they should make the relationship public, among other things – but for right now she’s content to be here, in her cabin, much less lonely than either of them had been before.
“Sure. Let’s hit up the fair.” And so they do.
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yukalatte · 5 years ago
Text
Slip Off
He knew it was just a slip off, hell even he warned him yesterday that if he got cranky or moody it wasn't because of him, it was just who he was. He understood, so there should've be no problem.
But he knew he was really done fucked up this time.
It was a normal Friday, first week on Spring. Woke up at 6, made him breakfast (omelet this time), morning kiss and started the day. Friday was also Shane's favorite day because finally he could go to saloon for enjoying Friday night, among other things of course. It wasn't like he didn't enjoy Rick's farm. He awfully loved it. The calmness within the forest with gently feeling of wind blowing through his skin and faint sound of cows and chickens, eating happily outside their barn and coop.
If there were any perfect pictures of heaven, he bet this was one of them.
He enjoyed seeing Rick working with his farm. The farm was surprisingly tidy and organized. There were sections of fruit trees, fish ponds with...questionable fish species (Rick insisted those fish were legal, at least), and huge section for barn and coop area surrounded by iron fences so the animals wouldn't wander too far. Shane remembered going to this place out of curiosity before Rick came and even he didn't know this used to be a farm. Should he gave Rick props for his hardwork and effort to renovate this farm. Never thought that a stranger from city, came to unknown village for living a new life as a farmer. Such thing was ridiculous to be thought, but here he was, looking at the fruition of Rick's hardwork.
And to think that he chose Shane than the others. His Rick was full of surprise indeed.
“I'm going out today, alright?” Rick only smiled and kissed him on the lips before storming to his farm. Shane put the omelet inside microwave while prepared himself before going to Pierre's, cheeks still tinged with blush. Get a grip, old man! He did this every morning for godsake!
Oh how far they would become, Shane thought. From strangers who shunned each other (mostly from Shane, obviously) to partners for life. He probably couldn't get away from shock remembering at the end of Fall last year, Rick barged into Marnie's house and straight up went at him with mermaid pendant on his hand. Shane, with frozen pizza on his hands, also went frozen (that was bad). His life was full of surprise after Rick came into his life, being a boyfriend even after witnessing his pathetic breakdown several times, and now became his husband that loved kissing him as often as he could. And that happened within Rick's first year as a villager of Stardew Valley.
Damn his husband was full of surprise indeed.
After buying stuff from Pierre's, Shane straight up went to saloon, order cans of Joja Cola and one beer, and played Prairie King. Eventhough he promised that he wouldn't drink anymore, but he admitted to his husband that he finally breached his breakpoint and couldn't live without the bitterness from fresh poured beer. Rick only sighed and kissed him on the cheek.
"Just don't drink too much, okay?" he said while kissing him, down south this time.
Rick occasionally gave Shane homemade mead or pale ale. He liked it but nothing beat the saloon beer of course.
Shaking his head, Shane started arranging his cans and glass within his reach and started playing. At least playing game could repress his alcohol addiction, if just a little.
Just a normal Friday.
Until it was not.
"GOD FUCKING DAMNIT!!"
Shane slammed the machine as his character evaporated on the screen. He lost, so fucking much. He couldn't even get 5th level. That fortune teller on tv was probably right, no blessing today. Out of frustration he went to cashier and order one beer.
And another.
And another.
He went back home, realizing that he ordered 5 more glass of beer. And he didn't care. His mood forced him to. Even the usual gentle night breeze hit cold on his skin. Shane entered the house and saw Rick on the kitchen, tired smile on his face. It was unusual, seeing Rick still awake. Judging by his dirty attire, he surely overworked on the farm and probably dead tired.
I should greeted him, Shane thought.
Maybe giving him nice kiss, he thought as well.
But his eyes focus on behind his back and noticed unwashed dishes and trash scattered around the kitchen floor.
He was not happy.
"Why don't you clean up the house when I'm gone?"
Rick's smile vanished
"You know you could picking up trash when I'm going out."
He had no idea why he said it. It was cruel, he knew it. But his bad mood overshadowed his judgement.
He walked to the sink, hopefully-not-so-violently brushed off Rick's shoulder and working on the dishes. He corrected himself, this was a really, if not the worst, bad Friday. He lost on game, now he did the dishes. Great. He continued doing the dishes and grumpily complained every single unfortunate events he encountered today. He almost didn't recognize the sound from microwave until he checked what was cooked inside.
It was the omelet. Untouched omelet that he made for Rick this morning.
He quickly took a glance at the dishes. Those dishes were the ones he used for making breakfast this morning. And trash that scattered around, eggshells and milk jug that Rick took the day before for breakfast this morning. He remembered that he forgot to put those on the trashcan and just left in on kitchen counter.
His mind went back on Rick's face. Full of dirt and that tired smile. Shane tried to tie those images together.
Oh God.
"What have I done..."
In the end, he couldn't do anything about it. After realized what stupidity had he done, Shane rushed into their bedroom and found Rick already sleeping. His worn clothes were put neatly on laundry basket, as long with his backpack. Shane joined him on their bed, with horror he caused on his husband.
Rick was too focused on his farm work that he forgot to eat his breakfast, went home late, reheating his late breakfast and Shane barged in, reeked with alcohol, and accused him for things that he caused and left his husband starved for a day. Starved because he hadn't touched anything from the fridge and Shane heavily opposed on his husband eating anything outside their kitchen (he still had that fear seeing Rick eating brown carrot raw) and since then he only ate anything Shane or Rick himself cooked.
Horror probably wasn't exaggeration. Too underwhelming, he mind.
Shane's mood for stupid game vanished after realization of his inexcusable behaviour against his husband. He broke his promise today, now he hurt his Rick. His beautiful Rick, who gave him reason to live, who guided him in his darkest time. And now all of his kindness he offered, Shane threw it away. He felt like a shit now.
He remembered telling Rick that he sometimes got in bad mood and slipped off, but it wasn't because of him. Rick, like a sunshine he was, only nodded in understanding.
He could make this as an excuse of having slip off. But the problem was, this slip off was directed to him, and nothing else.
Shane couldn't sleep at that night, his mind rewinding those events of his failure. It was such a strong word for marriage quarrels, but for him there were no better words for things that had he done. He kept looking on Rick's face, sleeping like a baby. He wanted to hug him, adressing how sorry he was for what he had done. But his coward mind wouldn't allow him to.
Tomorrow he would wake up early and made his favorite dish. And built his courage to apologize at him. He held his husband's hand and with those pledges he made in his mind, he went to sleep.
Tomorrow should be fine, he convinced himself.
But of course sometimes it wouldn't go as planned.
Rick was gone.
Shane woke up late and tried to find his husband but he was nowhere to be seen. Did he go to town? Or mountains? Or probably the forest? He searched for him everywhere, but no luck. He hadn't had his breakfast, which made Shane more anxious. Where the fuck was he?
He finally went back to the farm, sitting on his usual spot, waiting for Rick to come home. Rick should be fine, he convinced himself. He heard some villagers telling stories of how Rick went to dangerous places for helping them. He was strong, his Rick was strong.
Everything should be fine.
He felt touch on his shoulders. Shane looked up.
He was hoping to find his husband's face, full of sweat and smelled dirt and grass.
Instead he found Dr. Harvey, and strong smell of medicine.
"Shane, you should come to the clinic."
His mind went blank.
He still remembered at rainy summer, he laid down unconscious on this clinic's bed when Harvey emptied all the alcohol he consumed while having mental breakdown and considered himself to walk off the cliff. If Rick hadn't found him, he rather wouldn't think about it. That memory was the ugliest one, yet he cherished it because he realized that there was someone who cared deeply for him. It opened his eyes and made him move forward to the brighter future.
But never he imagined that the position was reversed in million times.
Harvey informed him that someone found him unconscious inside mountain mines. He was full of cuts and some of them were in worse condition but thankfully it was quickly handled by Harvey. The doctor informed he could go home after he woke up.
Shane half-heard Harvey's information while his main focus was on the body that laid in front of him. His Rick, oh God Rick...
"I'll leave you both alone, call me if he wakes up," Shane only nodded once. And by that, they were both alone.
He looked so frail. Bandages wrapped most of his hands and legs. He only used pants, and bandages were also wrapped around his chest. Some of cuts were also visible on his face. Shane only could look, he desperately wanted to shake him awake and scream at him of what the fuck was he doing, endangering himself like that. Oh how bad he would do that.
But part of him also reminded him of what had he done to him yesterday.
If he wasn't that grumpy or moody, his husband wouldn't get mad at him, or endangered himself in the mines. If he didn't break his promise to control his alcohol intake, he probably could think clearly and wouldn't slip off like yesterday.
If he didn't do those shits yesterday, this thing wouldn't happen to him.
If only he wouldn't be this stupid.
If only...
Shane's traitorous mind wandered around, making mental image on various ways how he would find Rick in emergency room, blood oozing from his body, pale white skin that contradicted with Rick yellowish skin, glowing with touch of sunlight. His cloudy eyes boldly stared at him and his mouth slightly opened, blood trickled at the corner of his lips.
He couldn't. He couldn't bear the thought of him outlive his husband. Their marriage was oh so young, Shane was still at cloud nine enjoying this luxury that he couldn't imagine.
He couldn't lose Rick.
He...
"Shane?"
All of Shane's horrible thoughts froze, his focus shifted to his face. Rick's blue eyes slightly opened, and he posed that goofy smile again. After all of these horrid accidents, he was still able to pull that smile.
What did he deserved to marry such a fine man like Rick?
"Rick..."
"That bad huh? That annoying black thing really did a great job on me this time. Heh, next time I'll shove my mega bomb on it then we'll back in business."
Next time? Fucking next time??
Did he really...
"Are you fucking serious?! What do you mean next time?! You worry the shit outta me and still thinking of next time?!" Shane screamed at him like no tomorrow. How could he say such thing? Did he never think of how he felt if anything happened to Rick?
And he realized who was responsible to put him in this state. And how he put the similar treatment at Rick; never thought of his feelings.
He froze.
"Shane? Dear, what's wrong?"
His bandaged hand tried to touch Shane's face. Shane, felt like a scum and failure, tried to avoid the touch. But he couldn't. He couldn't move from his seat. He was too scared of outcome, too scared to see his mistakes in front of him. He didn't put much devotion to Yoba, but if Yoba existed, he hoped he could turn back time and prevent those events happen. He would greet him as usual, kissed his husband on the cheek and having a nice night. He desperately wanted to do that.
Except he knew he couldn't. Too good to be true.
He felt his chin lifted up, and his eyes met Rick's, his ocean blue eyes stared at him. Warmth pouring through his gaze, so much that Shane couldn't handle it. He was already in his breaking point and all he could do was cry. Rick hurriedly got up from his bed and pulled his husband into his embrace, ignoring the slight pain he felt. Shane kept crying over his shoulder, hugging him back like a lifeline.
"I'm sorry Rick, I'm so sorry..."
"Hush, dear. Nothing to be sorry about," he whispered. Rick's hand worriedly stroked his husband's hair. Shane shook his head, untangle himself from warm embrace and lift his head so they looked straight at each other.
"No, you listen to me Rick, I did this. ALL OF THIS! If I didn't yell at you yesterday you probably still have energy to fight back. You haven't touched your breakfast since yesterday and went to mines. I should be thankful if your condition isn't bad, bu..but what if it gets worse?" Shane felt his composure slipped away, but he couldn't stop his blabbering. "What if no one finds you, wh...what if you've left rot and d...die there? I-I just made you crispy bass, you like those right? It took a fucking shitton of time to catch that slimy sucker for you. I-I thought you would eat it and then I said sorry a...and we got over with it. Bu...but you weren't there. You were...gone."
He felt his fresh tears flowing again, he choked up.
But he couldn't stop, he should say what needed to be said. Fuck with his wet face.
Now or never.
"Y-you could be go-gone, like for real. And I haven't apologized, and you'll le-leave me alone, become a fucking widower. And this happen be-because of me. I didn't treat you right like you treat me. You...you treat me like a fucking princess and what do I do? Going to saloon, drinking like there's no tomorrow, breaking my promise, and yelling at you as if you're ungrateful husband that never helps me in entire of my life, and let my husband starved. I should be the one who get hurt, not you! I should be.."
Shane's lips met Rick's, silencing him up. His husband's lips felt warm, despite he used minimum clothes in this cold room. Slowly Shane melt on their kiss, calming him down. Until he was pulled again into his husband's warm embrace.
"Oh Shane," said Rick, "you worried about last night? I knew you were just slipping off."
Slipped off? No, it wasn't slip off, Shane screamed in his mind.
"And I know what you're thinking, Shane. Your face are readable as a book. It was a slip off. You reeked of alcohol last night, no surprise that you pulled those talks. Besides you warned me before, remember?"
Shane only nodded, but as Rick said, his face showed him that he still conflicted with so many things. Rick continued his explanations.
"And as for skipping my breakfast today, well that was fully on my fault. I forgot there's errand that I haven't finished yet so I just went there without breakfast nor any preparation." He snickered, "that didn't end well, did it?"
Hearing that Rick didn't put blame on him and thinking it was just a slip off made his body relaxed a little. He lifted his face up to met another kiss from his husband.
"Shane, you are not a failure, or piece of garbage. You are Shane, my bundle of joy that I happily married with. A silly pretty man who only knows how to cook from microwave and work harder to change himself for better. I couldn't ask for more"
Shane only responded with burying his face deeper in his shoulder.
"I'm not pretty," he mumbled.
"Yes yes I know, just 6 inch shorter."
"Don't you ever go there, Rick!"
Rick laughed. And behind his hidden face, Shane smiled. At least everything was taken care of.
"Although," Rick continued, "you shouldn't drink too much. Yesterday you reeked, different than usual. I'm worried." Shane only responded with 'I know', but he mentally took his husband's concern seriously. Rick kept saying it wasn't his fault, but he knew one day those slip offs would've be taken seriously and possibly would affected to their life.
He wouldn't let his husband down.
"Should we call Harvey? I think I'm quite healthy enough."
His embrace became tighter. Rick looked down, looking at Shane buried his face even deeper.
"Just...can it wait for 5 minutes? Please, Rick?"
Rick kissed his temple in response and returned his embrace. Shane finally could exhale freely. Everything was fine, as it should've been.
It was just a slip off.
Note 1 : this is inspired from a surprise Shane dialogue that I couldn't find correct line of it. He mentioned that the player should've taken care the trash and cleaning the house while Shane was going out. It caught me off guard, considering his heart was full and his dialogue showed like he was in low heart situation. Weirdly enough, the day before Shane also mention that if he got cranky it was because of his mood, not him.
Note 2 : I name my character Dawson instead, because everytime I saw Shane, I couldn't help myself saying Dawson afterwards. Can't put his name here, I probably will laugh my ass off.
Note 3 : Sorry for mistakes here and there
Note 4 : Harvey is still better fight me
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studentinpursuitofclouds · 1 year ago
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Hello, I see the asks are open! Here is some of this cake I got after killing a slime in the skull cavern: 🍰 just ignore the purple slime on it, I'm sure it's fine. lol. Definitely not a bribe. Anyway.
I made a character recently who adopted a child. Could I ask for some headcannons for how the characters react to the farmer tearing up after their adopted child casually calls them dad/mom for the first time.
For context, their adoption was from before they moved to stardew valley but is still pretty recent and the child has a few abandonment issues so it's a pretty big deal. If it's ok, could I ask for the expanded characters as well?
*Chewing cake* Oh, I thought that purple thing was plum jam. Hmm... *Still chewing the cake* Delicious 😋 Thank you! So, about the question...
I'm not sure, dear anon, exactly which characters you meant, so I did the bachelors/ettes, also added the ones from SVE as well. Thanks for the question! Enjoy!
Hedcanons is written on a situation where the characters know for the situation of the Farmer and their child, that they had adopted the kid before coming to the Valley, and that the child had a sense of abandonment.
SDV/SVE bachelors:
Shane understands more than anyone how much a tsunami of emotions can knock you down at times like this. The day he put Jas to bed and she sleepily called him "Dad" he'll never forget. The girl had already forgotten it, but Shane remembered it forever.
A feeling of abandonment... When Alex's abusive father left him alone with his mother, and later she passed away... It took athlete a long time to shake off the feeling of being unwanted. It's a blessing that he still has his grandparents, and that this child has a loving parent, Farmer.
If you see a little river coming out of nowhere near your feet, just know it's all Elliott's tears. The writer was so touched by the event, its like as if it was his own child calling him father. Elliott doesn't want to get involved right now, but he will congratulate Farmer later.
Sebastian, without noticing it himself, smiled broadly as the crying Farmer hugged their adopted child. Even though he doesn't fully realize how important this is to Farmer, he's genuinely happy for them.
Sam, who in the absence of his father has become not only Vincent's best big brother but now part father figure, truly understands Farmer, even if their situations are a bit different. Every child should have a family and Sammy is glad that this kid have the Farmer in their life.
Humanity is capable of incredible cruelty, but also great compassion and kindness. And Harvey's glasses get a little wet when he witnesses true kindness. He can't put into words how happy he is for this kid and how proud he is of Farmer.
Victor would definitely need a whole box of tissues, maybe two. The fact that the Farmer's foster child could finally feel like a member of the family touched Victor so much that he cried quietly.
The sight of a crying Farmer hugging their kid makes Magnus both smile and feel unbearably sad at the same time. What it's like when a child calls you dad, alas, Magnus will probably never know.
Lance's heart filled with joy when abandoned children found a family again. The adventurer, however, took it upon himself to scold the Farmer if they risked their lives for no good reason, where a child might be left without a family again.
SDV/SVE bachelorettes:
Penny had to cover her face with her hands, for her face was already a little swollen and red from the endless flow of tears. How happy Penny is for them! The girl wishes all the best for this family.
No child should ever feel abandoned, and Leah is very proud of Farmer that even though they were young, they were able to be a great parent to a child. It's not something everyone can do.
As much as Abigail tried to hide her tears, she failed. And you know what? She doesn't care! Even a man with a stone for a heart would shed a tear. The little one deserves a home and a loving family. Hell yeah, Farmer, good job!
Oh, how happy Emily is for them, how happy she is! Happy people and acts of kindness will always overwhelm her with positive emotions. Especially after all the troubles the kid has been through, she is glad child found people who love and care for them.
"Awww" Maru couldn't help gasp in tenderness, and can you blame her when her friend and their child are so happy? She would congratulate Farmer later, she didn't want to distract them right now.
As Haley was about to take a picture of the happy family to give to them later, she stopped herself at the last moment. It seemed to her that it was too personal to take a picture without asking. So Haley would only observe this beautiful scene. Ugh, her tears made her mascara run....
Sophia is about to cry herself to tears. Such a touching moment, she just can't hold back her tears at the sight of her crying friend and how much a child's words mean to Farmer.
Coming out of Jojamart for a break, Claire happened to witness this moment when she saw Farmer standing in the park in the spot where the cashier usually rested. They were crying and cuddling their child. She was very happy for both of them, and decided to rest elsewhere, not wanting to disturb the parent and their kid.
The happy child and their wonderful parent are sure to be the first gossip Olivia tells her friends. Running a farm and giving a family to an adopted kid is a lot of work and a lot of responsibility, and the woman is genuinely happy for the child and proud of Farmer.
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lewisforpresident2020 · 5 years ago
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4/3/2020: WHOLESOME PT. 2!!! Feast of Winter Star (+ NPC’s Relationships with Farmer Felicia)
Continuing from the last entry, here are more thank yous. Maybe you should have a drinking game whenever the farmer says thank you.
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To the creatives of  Stardew Valley (writer, chef, and sculptor), THANK YOU!!! You make the Valley more vibrant with your creative pursuits whether it’s from writing, cooking, or sculpting. I have always appreciated the arts, and all of you inspired my creative juices. Thank you thank you thank you!!! Thank you Elliott for the book that you wrote; I’m glad that I’m part of the people who inspires you to do your work. No matter what, I believe in you and your writing career. Everyone always start low, and that means the only way is to go up! (Believe me, there was nothing in my farm during the first year in the valley). Thank you, Gus for all the recipes and cooking tips you gave me. Really appreciate that! And thank you Leah for the new wood sculpture. That sculpture really gives off a vibe; showing how you put your effort into the work. I love it, and good luck and best wishes to your sculpting career. I believe that your work of art will come to fruition!
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First and foremost: Kent, thank you for your services. I know coming back from the war can be hard for you, but believe me, everyone in the Valley sees you as a hero. You may think that your family sees you differently, and I would lie if I say that is not true. However, they all still love you and have been missing you ever since you left (Vincent in particular!). It will take time for them and you to adjust. Thank you Jodi for giving me recipes as well, and some things from your garden! Love them. Thank you for the casserole dinner as well. It was very delicious, and I have been missing after that dinner with your family!
Thank you, Sam for being very open with my music taste. Back in the city, sometimes people will react weirdly with my strange music taste, but I’m glad to find someone who can be equally open with knowing about different music genre. Thank you for also being equally feral and wild in the Valley, and it’s awesome to know I have a partner-in-crime when I need it.
Vincent, thank you for being an amazing young boy. One day I need to tell you about your dream for marrying Ms. Penny, but I wouldn’t want to destroy your childhood happiness haha. You are a great kid, and you will do great things in the future. Be a good kid to your parents, and make sure that your dad knows you still love him, okay? :)
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Emily girl, thank you for offering your sewing machine, and now I have less boring clothes to wear. Bless! I’m so happy to meet a very unique person like you, and you are always comfortable expressing yourself. Your love and respect for nature also amazes me, and I’m glad that I met someone like you. Haley, bby <3, thank you for being a great friend and fashion police. Love your sass and honesty! Your photography skills are on fetch, and please help me glo up. Also, I like how you are not afraid of being yourself without judgment, and do what you love without any care in the world. Sometimes, that is the attitude we need in a world full of pressure on our shoulders.
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Thank you for driving the bus to Calico Desert every day, Pam. You can take a day off, sometimes. Honestly, it’s great to see you getting back on your feet after the bus is fixed. Also, please stop scolding Penny. She really cares about you, and I know you care about her too. 
Penny, thank you for being a great teacher for the two children in the Valley. One day if I ever have my own children, I would trust you with their early education. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a guest speaker during the picnic with the kids! Also, if you ever need someone to host a seminar/ become a guest speaker for STEM, feel free to reach out to me as well (but there is Maru, Demetrius, Harvey, and Seb of course. You got choices!)
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Jas, thank you for being the amazing young lady that you are. You are brave, smart, and adventurous, and I can see you do amazing things in the future. In addition, thank you for being the source of happiness for my good friends, Shane, Marnie, and Penny!
Thank you, Marnie for helping me set up with farm animals. Also, thank you for the dog. Percy is the love of my life! He is a good boy, and kinda reckless. But I don’t mind!  Thank you for supplying me with Hay. Appreciate it very much!
Last but not least, thank you Mayor Lewis for being an amazing mayor of the town. Thank you very much for greeting me as I first arrive in the valley. Thank you very much for supporting my farm and my produce. You are one of the people who helps my farm grows through buying my produce and giving me financial support some times. My grandfather would be happy that both of us have such good connection! I wish you (and Marnie) the best! ^_^
- Farmer Felicia
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katedoesfics · 5 years ago
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Stardew Valley: Request
Alex asks Sam to help him propose to the farmer, but things don't exactly go according to plan
Alex stood on the beach, alone, admiring the pendant in his hand, and smiled. He still couldn’t believe that he was doing it - proposing to the farmer. It had to be perfect, just like the farmer. His heart raced in his chest as he imagined all the possible scenarios play out in his head. He had never felt this way before - nervous, excited, and at the same time, at ease. For once in his life, he knew what was in his future, and he would do anything to make it perfect.
He hid the pendant in his pocket, returning to town as Sam zoomed past on his skateboard, almost knocking him backwards.
“Sorry, man,” Sam muttered as he regained his balance.
But Alex’s mind was still on the farmer, his gaze on the ground. “Sure.”
“Earth to Alex?”
Alex looked up and met Sam’s gaze. “What?”
“Are you okay?”
Alex shrugged and smiled. “Yeah.”
“You look like you saw Elliot naked in the ocean. And liked it.”
Alex laughed. “Actually.” He hesitated. “I have a favor to ask you.”
“What is it?”
Alex pulled the pendant carefully out of his pocket. Sam’s eyes widened when he saw it.
“It’s for the farmer.”
Sam crossed his arms and smirked. “What do you want from me?”
“I was thinking of putting it around the farmer’s horse and riding into town.” Alex hesitated. “But I’ve never been on a horse before.”
“And you think I have?”
Alex looked at Sam’s skateboard and shrugged. “The horse moves. The skateboard moves. How different can it be?”
“A horse has a friggen mind of it’s own,” Sam pointed out, dropping the board at his feet. “They’re not even close to the same. That thing will probably throw you off.”
“Then I’ll need someone to get Harvey for me in case I break a leg.”
Sam smiled. “Okay. Yeah. I’d pay money to see that. I’m in.”
*****
Sam and Alex stood at the fence, watching the horse graze in the paddock.
“So,” Sam started. “What do we do now?”
Alex shrugged and whistled, but the horse ignored them.
“It’s not a dog, Alex,” Sam said, rolling his eyes.
“Do you have a better idea?”
Sam shrugged. “What does the farmer do?”
“Just… gets the horse.”
“Okay,” Sam said slowly. “Let’s just… get the horse.”
They both stared at the horse, neither of them moving.
“It likes carrots,” Alex said. He hurried into the barn, grabbing a handful of carrots. Sam took one, climbed over the fence, and approached the horse cautiously, Alex following close behind.
“There’s a good horse,” Sam said quietly, stretching his hand out with the carrot in his palm.
The horse lifted his head and flicked his ears. He watched Sam and Alex and stretched his neck out towards them. Sam stumbled backwards, startled, and the horse threw his head in the air and trotted away.
“You have such a way with animals,” Alex muttered.
“Like you’re doing any better.”
Alex waited until the horse began grazing once more an approached the horse quietly. “Hey, buddy, you know me. I have carrots.”
Again, the horse lifted his head and watched as Alex inched towards him. The horse stretched his neck out towards Alex’s palm and sniffed at the carrot. Alex patted the horse’s neck as he grabbed the carrot from Alex, crunching it happily. Alex took the horse by his halter and let out a sigh of relief.
“Now what?” Sam said.
Alex hesitated and looked around. “Help me get on?”
“Doesn’t it need, like, a saddle, or something? And that thing that goes in it’s mouth?”
“I don’t know how to do all that.” Alex lead the horse towards the fence. “Hold him,” he said to Sam.
Sam grabbed the halter carefully. “Good horse. Don’t eat me.”
Alex rolled his eyes. “It’s not going to eat you.” He climbed the fence and stood on the top board. “Bring him over here.”
Sam circled the horse and attempted to line the creature up next to the fence for Alex. The horse snorted in confusion as Sam tried to manipulate him. He pawed at the ground and finally came to a stop beside the fence, but still just out of Alex’s reach.
“You can’t get him any closer?”
“He’s going to kill me, Alex. See how mad he is?”
The horse sighed and stood still, waiting.
“He looks pissed,” Alex said sarcastically. He straddled the fence and leaned out, putting his hands on the horse’s back, but the horse was just far enough away from his legs.
“Just push yourself on,” Sam suggested.
“Easier said than done,” Alex muttered. He studied his target for a moment, then let his torso rest on the horse’s back. When the horse didn’t move, Alex continued. He shimmied his body across the horse’s back until he lost his footing on the fence and his legs dangled down the horse’s side.
Sam laughed hysterically as Alex attempted to push himself up on the horse.
“Swing your leg over,” he said.
Alex groaned and mumbled under his breath as he tried to pull himself up on to the horse’s back. He swung his legs in an attempt to give him momentum, but only ended up kicking the horse in his rib cage. The horse stepped to the side, trying to get away from Alex’s swinging legs, causing Alex’s grip to slip.
“No, no, no!”
He pulled at the horse’s mane and shimmied himself further up, but the horse continued to move and prance anxiously. He jerked his head out of Sam’s grip and reared back on his hind legs, throwing Alex to the ground. Satisfied, the horse returned to his grazing.
“Are you okay?”
Alex groaned but did not move. He stared up at the sky and blinked.
“Should I get Harvey?”
Alex turned over and pushed himself to his feet. He dusted off his jeans. “No. Stupid horse.”
“Maybe you can do something else.”
Alex shook his head. “No. The farmer loves this horse. This is the one thing I can do right in my life. Help me again.”
Sam didn’t argue - only slightly enjoying Alex’s suffering - and retrieved the horse once more. After another failed attempt, they finally lined the horse up to the fence and Alex easily slid on to the horse’s back.
Alex let out a sigh of relief and patted the horse’s neck. “There. Good horse.”
The horse flicked his ears and sighed.
“The hard part’s out of the way,” Sam said. “So, now what?”
“The farmer should be coming home any minute. I guess I’ll just wait in town.”
“And how are you going to get the horse there?”
Alex hesitated. “I didn’t think about that. Just lead it over there. The farmer uses a rope in the barn and it clips there.” Alex pointed to a ring under the horse’s halter. Sam found the rope and clipped it to where Alex said.
“It’s like a leash,” Sam said, holding the rope in his hands. “Come, boy.” He tugged at the rope and the horse inched lazily forward, hanging his head low.
Sam smiled. “Looks like I’m a natural.”
The horse stopped and proceeded to graze. Alex laughed.
Sam tugged at the rope again, but the horse did not budge. “Come, horse. Come on. Let’s go.” Sam pulled harder, with all his might, but the horse still did not move.
“I think the farmer says walk and gives him a kick.”
“Good luck with that.”
Alex sucked in a nervous breath. “Come on, horse. Walk. Move. Go.” He tapped the horse lightly on the sides with his heels. When the horse did not respond, he kicked harder. He clucked the way he had seen the farmer do, kicking harder until the horse lunged forward, throwing his head in the air.
“Shit!”
Alex grabbed the horse’s mane as it ran across the farm. “No! Stop! Woah!”
The horse ignored the commands, running until it reached the road, just as the farmer walked towards them.
“What the…”
The horse threw his head down, coming to a sudden stop, and Alex fell off, hitting the ground hard.
“Alex!” The farmer ran to him. “What the hell? Are you okay?”
Alex looked up into the farmer’s eyes. He sighed, fished around in his pocket, and pulled out the pendant.
“Alex…”
“I can’t take anymore falling off that damn horse,” Alex muttered. “I tried to make it perfect. Will you just marry me before it kills me?”
“Alex…” The farmer smiled and helped Alex to his feet. The farmer took the pendant from him and hugged him.
“Only if you let me teach you to ride.”
Alex smiled. “Deal.”
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roguetatertot · 6 years ago
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I’ve been playing Stardew Valley lately, and I’ve come to romance all bachelors and bachelorettes in the game. But I can’t decide who I want to marry!!!
My initial plan was to marry Leah, but now that I’ve seen all the candidates’ 10 heart events, I’m in a quandary. I need to break it down for my sanity.
The Bachelors:
Alex
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I avoided him at first, seeing as how he was into Haley. I’m not a fan of the jock attitude, and I’m fairly sure the dude’s never read a book in his life before, but I mean.....he’s pretty damn cute. But I feel like he’s still in high school, and me being in my thirties, I feel kinda creepy if I were to choose him.
Elliot
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The fact that his hair is prettier than mine was the first turn-off. He struck me as pompous at first, up until the Moonlight Jellies came and he conveyed his dismay over how humans treat the oceans poorly. I was like “OKAY there’s more to him than his hair.” The fact that he’s a writer actually turned me off, but his dedication to his craft is commendable. He’s studious, and hey, he can play piano! Not only that, but the dude actually fixed up a rowboat just to take me out on an ocean date! That’s more than any real man has ever done for me lol
Dr Harvey
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SWIPE LEFT ON THAT MUSTACHE. But swipe right on his sweet and caring nature. He’s got his shit together, being a doctor and having his aircraft hobbies. He’s a little dorky, and despite his fear of heights, he hitched up his pants and took me out on a hot air balloon ride (which is something I’ve always wanted to do IRL). But I just can’t get past his sprite!! I really don’t like the way it looks. I mean....LOOK AT IT.
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Sam
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I can’t say that I’m too into the Super Saiyan look. 15-year-old me would’ve loved the Vash-the-Stampede-esque hair, but 34-year-old me doesn’t exactly dig the skateboarding, “I’m in a band”, still-living-with-my-parents-and-kid-brother vibe. The dude had me sneak in through his window and hide in his bed when his mother came into the room for Yoba’s sake! I’m looking for a spouse, not a manchild!
Sebastian
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Oh dear, where do I begin with him. He is an enigma to me. I’m a little too old for his woe-is-me-the-world-sucks bullshit, but I’ll be damned if I don’t find him attractive. I think it’s because he reminds me of Cloud Strife....if Cloud Strife smoked and lived in his mother’s basement, sleeping in until noon. He was actually the last one I maxed out to ten hearts because he was always holed up in his bedroom on the computer all day! I was like GET A JOB.....but come to find out he was actually freelancing that whole time....haha
Shane
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Shane....oh Shane......sigh. He and I got off on the wrong foot immediately. It was his birthday, and I ran into him in the saloon, chugging away next to the fireplace. I had a can of Jojo soda in my inventory, so I gifted that to him, thinking HEY THIS DUDE LOOKS THIRSTY BY THE WAY HE’S GUZZLING THAT BEER. Boy was I wroooong. He hated me for giving him “trash” on his birthday. So after getting to know him, I had a soft spot in my heart for this suicidal alcoholic. But.....I’m not here to be anyone’s keeper, or to fix anyone. He’s getting his shit together slowly, sure, but I’m not so certain he’s husband material. HOWEVER. Look how freaking cute he is with his chicken, Charlie.
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The Bachelorettes:
Abigail
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She was the first person I asked to dance with at the Flower Dance festival, but of course she said no since I had no friendship built up with her. But as I got to know her, I really started to dislike her. Much like Alex and Sam, she strikes me as being in her early teens with her behavior and childish attitude towards her parents so that makes me want to stay far faaaar away from her as a marriage candidate. 
Emily
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I found it especially hilarious that during the Stardew Valley fair, she remarks that she always thought she’d make a good clown, because she sure looks like one to me. I don’t know what it is about her....maybe the pale skin and the red lips with blue hair....but she looks ridiculous to me. I like her carefree disposition, and the camping date we went on was adorable....yet I just can’t get past her design.
Haley
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Beneath that pretty girl vapid exterior lies.....a pretty girl vapid interior. While the photography date with her was cute, I just don’t find substance in her at all. I was hoping for more with her character development by the time we reached 10 stars. I was very disappointed. I do appreciate her passion for photography, though.
Leah
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Ah yes, my girl Leah. She has her shit together more than any other NPC I feel. Here was a woman who lived in a big city with her significant other, but decided to break up due to conflicting goals. She made her way to Stardew Valley, bought her own cottage, and pursued her dream of becoming an artist even though she has trouble paying her bills sometimes. She’s self-sufficient, mature, resourceful, and a go-getter. She is spouse material in my mind. I would totally date her IRL if I could. Plus, she’s a redhead which is an absolute turn-on for me.
Maru
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I have tried so hard to like Maru, but much like Abigail, she strikes me as being in her teens or early twenties or something. I feel like a creeper considering her as a marriage candidate. I love her zany ideas and her dedication, but she’s too childlike for my comfort.
Penny
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Another gorgeous redhead. I’m so conflicted with Ms Penny, because I want to whisk her away from her alcoholic mother and bad home life, and treat her like a queen on my farm, but I can’t shake the feeling that she would be marrying me for all the wrong reasons. There were a few bits of her dialogue here and there that struck me as desperate. Of course I don’t blame her and I think she would make a wonderful wife, but I feel like she should grow as an individual and make her own way in life before becoming anyone’s housewife. I’d hate to see her go from being her mother’s slave, to being tied down with more of the same domesticity. But I mean, if that’s what she truly wants, then who am I to stop her? 
.......YES I REALIZE SHE’S A FICTIONAL CHARACTER. 
I feel like I’ve helped to narrow down my choice through this break down analysis: Bachelors: Harvey or Shane Bachelorettes: Leah or Penny
I find it funny that both Harvey and Leah seem the most put together and stable, while Shane and Penny are sympathy cases/”fixer-uppers.” I think it reflects my current real state of being 34 and tired of dealing with people’s bullshit, of wanting to find someone who’s capable and steady, while also wanting to be that way myself. Then there’s a part of me that I can’t ignore...the truth that I AM a sympathy case currently, but despite that, I also have a sense of wanting to help others as I’ve been helped in my life thus far. 
Who knew this silly little game could be this telling of my own nature? 
.....epiphany aside, I still NEED TO MAKE A CHOICE.
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