#pennyxmaru

[frollo-owo]

I swear they are always sitting on this bench together,,

[hipfoxin]

need more pennyxmaru, emilyxsandy and haleyxleah in my life

also, what are their ship names?

[katedoesfics]

Stardew Valley: Request

Penny x Maru

Maru was surprised to see Penny reading on the bench. She sat beside her.

“Hi, Maru,” Penny said, smiling behind her book.

“No kids today?” Maru asked. She thought for sure Penny would be in class with them.

“They’re at the farm today. The farmer offered to teach them about growing crops.”

“That sounds fun.”

“Gives me a break,” Penny said, turning back to her book.

“You guys seem close.”

“Hm?”

“You and the farmer.”

Penny met her gaze and blushed. “Just friends.”

Maru smirked. “Yeah. That’s how it always starts.”

“We’re just friends!”

Maru shrugged. “If you say so.” She leaned back against the bench and hugged her knees to her chest. The spring sun was warm on her face.

After a moment of sitting in silence, Maru stood and stretched.

“Well, I won’t bother you,” she said. “I was just passing through.”

Penny shrugged. “We’re friends. You never bother me.”

“I have stuff to do, anyway. See you later?”

Penny smiled. “Same time, same place?”

“Obviously.”

*****

It was late when Sebastian finally emerged from his bedroom. Maru sat at the kitchen table, her head in her hands.

“What are you doing up?” he said as he searched the fridge for something to eat.

Maru shrugged. “Couldn’t sleep.”

Sebastian sat across from her. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Maru said simply.

“Something.”

“I don’t want to talk to you about it,” Maru hissed.

Sebastian rolled his eyes. “Whatever.” He stood up, but Maru stopped him.

“What…” she hesitated, forming her words carefully. “What do you do if you like someone?”

Sebastian smirked. “You like the farmer?”

“No,” she said quickly. “Ugh. No. Forget it.”

“I’m telling Demetrius.”

“Sebastian! Don’t you dare!”

“Then tell me who it is.”

“You’re an ass.”

Sebastian shrugged. “I don’t care enough anyway.” He turned to leave, then paused. “Get a bouquet from Pierre,” he suggested before leaving the house.

*****

Maru stared at the selections of bouquets from behind the counter at Pierre’s. They were all so extravagant and beautiful. It all seemed too much. And expensive. Maru sighed.

“Anything you need?” Pierre asked her.

Maru shook her head. “No,” she said. “Not today.”

She decided to go simpler. Poppies were Penny’s favorite, and Maru knew just where to get a couple.

With poppies in hand, Maru waited under the big tree where her and Penny always sat. She knew Penny was teaching the kids, but she would probably show up later in the afternoon.

And just as she expected, Penny did, with her book in hand. Penny watched her feet as she walked, playing with the edges of her dress. She looked up at Maru and smiled. “Hi.”

Maru hesitated, blushing. “Hi.”

Penny’s eyes went to the poppies in her hand. “Those are pretty. What are they for?”

Maru shrugged. “I just had some. I knew you liked them.” She gave them to Penny.

Penny took them carefully and put them to her nose. She smiled as she breathed in their scent. “Thanks.”

They sat together on the bench. Penny spun the flowers between her fingers.

“Do you want to get dinner tonight?” Maru said quickly.

Penny met her gaze, quiet for a moment.

“I mean. I’m just kind of hungry. And something smells good at Gus’s.”

“Yes,” Penny said, nodding. “Yeah. Let’s get something to eat. I’m starving.”