Stardew Fanfic - Blog Posts

Amazing 10/10

I’m rabid for Shane/Elliott art.

Thank you for the sustenance 🙏

Since you guys appreciated my Elliott and Shane sketches.... Have more!!!

Camellia Station

Name: Camellia Station

Fandom: Stardew Valley

Ship: Elliott/Shane

Status: Ongoing

Notes: Chapter 8 preview. Not edited yet.

Read the whole fic on AO3

Someone else was with her and Shane couldn't bear to look at him in anything other than a side glance. Elliott wore a somber smile as he stepped forward and held out his parting gifts. A composition book, not one of the kinds with metal spiral binding, but one stitched together on the inside. The other was a leather-bound copy of some old book that Shane didn't read the title of because he was too embarrassed to be getting gifts at all.

"Thanks. Uhm… super thoughtful," Shane said as he set his bag down, took the books, then rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand.

"My pleasure. I'm… we're all very proud of you, Shane. This path is a thorny one to walk, but you have the strength to see it to the end. I believe that whole-heartedly."

"Fuck's sake," he huffed, eyes stinging.

The past four days already left him feeling like an exposed nerve end. Three days in the clinic to detox and wait out a 72-hour hold, one spent at home so he could pack while his paperwork got approved. Harvey worked quick to make sure there was a bed ready for him at a six week program in Zuzu. Shane suspected the good doctor planned for this well in advance.

Now he stood here, belly full of pancakes Marnie helped Jas make, and had to endure an unexpected going away party. They might be there to actually see him off or they could be there to make sure he didn't walk in front of the train. Maybe both. Probably both.

Emily got the balloons off the basket's handle and pressed it into Shane's open hand. He had to readjust his things, stuffed the books into his bag so he could get out his ticket when the train came. Once that was settled, Emily pulled him into a big bear hug. He froze, stunned for a moment that she was hugging him at all and that she was so damn strong. Then he returned the hug with as much strength as he could muster. Over her shoulder, he met Elliott's eyes and held them for a moment before looking away.

"When did you start lifting steel beams for fun? What the hell?" He asked, wheezing a little for effect.

She pulled away, took a step back and wiped her eyes as she giggled.

"You'd be surprised what carrying kegs around can do for a girl."

Shane picked up his bag, felt the extra weight of his gifts in it. Felt the extra weight of other people's expectations. Or maybe it was their genuine good will? As he looked between the two of them, Shane honestly wasn't sure what was better or worse.

Was he suppose to say something now? Make a speech or cry or gush about how much their support meant? He had no idea how to behave and it didn't look like they did, either. At least he wasn't the only one who wasn't equipped for this kind of thing. The three stood in relative silence, Emily only chiming in now and then with a word of encouragement or a remark about how the fog started to clear up.

Elliott tried to keep up the conversation, but it kept petering out, returning them back to uneasy quiet periodically. But Shane appreciated his effort. He appreciated Emily's, too, but Elliott held more weight in his mind right now. After all the weird shit that went on between them since the Spring, it continued to amaze him that the guy would keep showing up. That Shane kept wanting him to show up.

Faint anxiety stirred in Shane's chest. It occurred to him that Elliott might use Shane's stint in rehab as an excuse to put some distance between them. It was his life, sure, but the thought that Elliott might choose to stop coming around made Shane nervous in a way he couldn't quite understand. It was like the feeling he had right before he got the results from all the x-rays and CT scans when they were trying to figure out if he could play gridball again. Like something bad that he never anticipated was just around the corner.

A train horn sounded in the distance. Almost time.

He decided to see what a little courage might feel like.

White hispanic!Harvey x Mexican!farmer is eating my brain……

Harvey has no tolerance for spice (more he likes the flavor, but not the heat). So farmer learns how to tone down her cooking.

Harvey is tall, that is well known, but it would be funny if his dad was like German or Irish (hence why he’s pale) and that’s why he’s tall and the rest of his family is shorter. (He towers over a 5’ 2” farmer (she beefy as fuck so it’s fine)

Farmer has bad catholic guilt, and she struggles with her faith and wanting to be religious’s Harvey is also caring about it, planning things to help her learn about different religions.

This is littéral eating my brain, like oml I need this… I have NSFW ideas to

[SDV] "The Nightingale"

Give your thanks to anon!

Summary: You didn't expect leaving the life of an assassin to be easy. But upon arriving to Pelican Town to take care of your late grandfather's farm for a time, the dream became more and more tempting by the passing season, especially when a steadily blossoming romance was another factor.

Warning(s): [AU where the Farmer/Reader is an assassin and not a former Joja employee] Jio is a lil' gentler in this fic (still blunt though),❗️Explicit scenes where the Reader kills members of her organization❗️(Nothing too gorey though), Gentle sex, Fade-To-Black One-sided attraction low-key (The reader likes Jio more than Jio likes the reader), Jio still has sex with them out of curiosity though.

Side Note(s): God I love former assassin tropes. I had to take extra time on this one since I was in the mood for writing a bit of a short storyline, but I hope you like it anon!

P.S: Sorry that this may not be *exactly* how you wanted it anon. I had a narrative in mind and I just ran with it 😔

“The life as a Nightingale is one that is to be lived amongst the shadows. From now on, you live only to serve this organization and to never yearn for a life amongst the sun again.” 

The life of a Nightingale was...lonely.

When you were of age, this was the oath you had taken. It was a harsh one but, this life amongst the dark underbellies of society was the only one you had ever known.

Your parents were assassins, from the day of your birth, all you had known was the shadows and the oath they had taken, never once being allowed to think of walking amongst the common population. You weren’t afforded the opportunity to attend regular school and instead attended night school where every student in the school’s population was in a similar situation to yourself, a life where circumstances were…unusual, to say the least. It was hard to make friends, and when you did, you weren’t allowed to keep them. The chance to go on field trips sounded like something out of a fairytale and when you had finally graduated night school, the opportunity to go to college wasn’t afforded to you. 

Combined with the years of learning how to wield different weapon types, to the point where you could find a way to make a weapon out of a mere stick if you so wished. Not to mention learning different killing strategies such as the usage of poison, the use of allergens or other people around you if need be. 

Becoming a Nightingale was a given, and when you swore to abide by the Nightingale’s oath. It was an all too easy choice to make. Since then, you’ve been a walker of the shadows. You had taken out targets from all walks of life, from the humble poor man to elites whose pockets hung so low that you feared it touched the core of the very Earth. Because of this, you’ve dabbled in every type of illegal activity you could think of, some activities taking you places such as underground cities where the “common” law was flipped upside down to gang-run territories where each step you made could have easily been your last. 

Yet each and every single time, you completed your mission professionally and without too much trouble aside from a few new scars lining your body.

You never dared to dream much less think of life outside the realm of the Nightingales. You couldn't dream of a different scenario! One that wasn't rife with death and blood, shadows and silence. Where, instead of a bright moon looming above your head, there was instead a great yellow ball of fire. So, one night, when your leader had called you into their quarters to discuss your next job, you didn't have a mind to think of this job as too different than the other ones you had undertaken until...the location's name was spoken.

"You'll be taking a target known as 'Mr. Qi' located in Pelican Town."

Pelican Town? You had to repeat the name over in your head at least three times to really let it settle in. The name of the location wasn't something that whispered a more nefarious nature, nor did it strike you as a place that was familiar in the realm of drugs, gang activities, or trafficking. No, instead, it struck you as a place where you'd go fishing or maybe even farm a few plants here and there.

"It's a farming town out east. Nothing dangerous there aside from some monsters. You're to research the whereabouts of your target and kill him, he's an elusive bastard."

You cocked your brow. "And what will be my disguise?"

Your leader chuckled gruffly. "Guess."

Your gaze narrowed, racking over your brain for ideas until your jaw dropped slightly. "A farmer?"

"Inconspicuous, there's plenty of farmers there and a new one coming into town won't be unusual." Your leader sighed before they pushed themselves from their desk and went to their bookshelf, your eyes following the way their hands trailed over their collection of books and notebooks before they landed on a single parchment of paper. When the paper was handed to you, you took it with a single nod of thanks before you opened it. "Your late grandfather was a farmer, apparently, he wished to give some land over to you but your parents were against it."

You had heard conversations here and there when you overheard your parents talk late at night. However, all you understood was that your father didn't want you to go into the life of farming, that it was a waste of your potential and talents as another future addition to the Nightingales. Perhaps he was right, you'd never know but...you wouldn't deny that the idea of going to a farming town unnerved you a little. "I can't farm."

"You won't, you'll simply find the target and slit the bastard's throat. You'll return here and then get your payment per the usual. This is no different from your other jobs." You had a mind to argue but the leader's word was law. If they were to say that you needed to throw yourself from a cliff then you wouldn't have a single choice but to obey. But, this farming town was nothing more than that. A farming town.

No danger nor enemies to look over your shoulder for. No having to nearly throw yourself into the arms of death in an effort to get closer to your target or to simply get within better range of killing your target. The objective was simple, pretend to be a farmer and research the whereabouts of this 'Mr. Qi', once you had his blood on your hands and dagger, you'd collect evidence of his death and return back to your home amongst the shadows.

Nothing would be any more different than how things used to be.

"I'll be back soon," Was your eventual answer, stuffing your late grandfather's letter into your pocket. Your leader responded with a stoic nod before he dismissed you with a wave of your hand. "Report to the bus stop tomorrow night, you'll have someone waiting for you. Don't be late."

. . .

From then on...the rest was a blur, strangely enough.

When you had arrived in Pelican Town, under the sun no less. You had a pair of people waiting for you, an older man and a woman. Robin and Lewis, the mayor of the town. They were...friendly, and strange, but...this town was full of nothing but simple townsfolk and farmers. They commented on how they assumed no one would ever take your late grandfather's old farm and that they had bids from all over from people who wanted to take the place for themselves! The farm itself was a mess, with overgrown shrubs, and trees as far as the eye could see.

Creatures and critters made their homes in different spots on the farm too, for the past few days, you had spent time just trying to chase them all out! You weren't accustomed, much less ready for this life at all. It was like throwing a fish onto land and expecting them to excel without any training or adaptation prior. Yet you managed, when the farm was decent to the eye and you had planted a few crops to further sell the look, you then begun the process of looking for your target.

And, as if the world itself were mocking you, you only ran into more issues.

A wizard watched over the valley, the community building was in shambles and you were seeing jumping apples. People bothered you and talked to you at every turn, seeming not to understand that you had a job to do! These townsfolk were hopeless, you wondered how they managed to get on for so long without being dragged into the mud via monsters or their own incompetency yet.

'A mixture of the local wizard and Adventurer's Guild' You thought.

And the Adventurer's Guild...that was a totally different story.

Before you had even realized it, you had been within the town for months. You arrived in spring and suddenly, it was nearing the end of summer, the slight chill in the air already beginning to whistle along to signal the changing of the seasons. A job had never taken you this long, were you off your game? Or had you become busy with boring farm work all of a sudden? Or...perhaps you should stop distracting yourself with the whims and festivities of the townsfolk, however...they were so friendly. Even when you were so cold to them at the beginning, when you first arrived in town, you'd scowl and tell them that you weren't interested in mild chit-chat. Whenever you'd visit the Saloon in an effort to try and obtain more information on your target, people would try to talk to you and get to know you! In return for their efforts? You'd either ignore them or order them to leave you alone.

Now? You were starting to enjoy their conversations.

The way they'd show up at your doorstep with nothing but friendly intentions and gifts. The friendliness was nearly overwhelming, you had friends, for the first time in your entire life. Life amongst the shadows, surrounded by nothing but death and blood...quickly, you were beginning to prefer life under constant daylight and warmth. And your love for the daylight only grew when you had, one day, decided to wander into the forest that grew just outside Ridgeside Village.

It was peaceful and quiet, nothing but birdsong and the sound of a waterfall in the distance. And— "I know you're there." You said when you had stopped in front of a pond to admire the strange fish that only this village's waters contained. The stranger that decided to hide himself in the shadows of the trees...he was shocked, when he heard the news that the grandchild of the late farmer of that abandoned farmstead was coming to the valley. His lady had told him and the others to keep an eye on the newcomer. Yet rumors from Pelican Town, as well as the way you carried yourself the moment you stepped into the Ridge, said that you weren't simply a newcomer who only sought after trying to restore their relative's farmland.

Thus, the ninja decided to answer. "You saw me?" He asked.

"It was easy enough, I'm used to having to pick things out of the darkness." You answered before you turned around, only for your jaw to drop ever so slightly when the stranger had come into the light. Tall, with light brown hair that only seemed to become even lighter when exposed to the rays of the sun. Although a mask covered the lower half of his face, it wasn't hard for you to tell that he was handsome while the rest of his outfit made it clear that he wasn't a normal civilian of either Ridgeside Village or Pelican Town. And that wasn't all— "Your ears...are you an—"

His brow rose, his hand instinctively reaching to cover his ear despite the fact you had already seen the true nature of them. You were capable of sensing that he was watching you, not to mention being able to see the true nature of his ears? His lady was correct in ordering that you were to be observed. "Who are you?" You decided to ask.

"You may call me Jio, farmer. Who are you?"

You could easily tell that there was more to that question than simply inquiring about your name. Information that you weren't willing to give. "You may call me Y/N, I'm new to my grandfather's farm. I'm just here to restore it, nothing more." His head tilted, you were bad at lying. But, for now, he wouldn't pursue the question. It was good enough for now to understand that, while you may have been here to restore your grandfather's farm...that wasn't the entire story.

"You should turn back then, farmer. Beyond this forest, lies the Ridge. There's nothing but danger that no simple farmer such as yourself should see."

Danger? Though it wasn't shocking, you had seen the slimes and shadow people within the mines, you hadn't expected danger to lurk so closely to this village. "I can handle myself." You answered.

"Don't be a fool." He said harshly. "That is unless you don't value your life." And without another word, he disappeared in a puff of grey smoke. Yet, your interest in the elf lingered.

. . .

Having an...infatuation was an unfamiliar thing to you.

Back at your headquarters, there was no one good-looking enough to make you glance back at them twice much less make themselves linger in your mind for as long as that elf who called himself Jio did. All of a sudden, you found your feet unconsciously taking you back to the forest every other day, hoping to either talk to him or simply catch a glimpse of him as if he were some rare firefly! Your brain was torn apart, you wanted to focus on the farm but also on the friends you were making in Pelican Town, you wanted to see Jio again...to explore this weird feeling that was building up inside of your chest but—

The mission.

The mission.

You won't forget about your purpose.

Never once had you left a mission unfinished but...what if...just this once— "No." You scolded yourself one night as you lied down in your bed, staring up at your ceiling while your new cat, a tiny stray that Marnie had brought to your doorstep one day, slept peacefully on your stomach. "Focus Y/N." You continued before you sat up, gently placing your cat aside as you decided to step out of the house for some fresh night air. Perhaps the light of the moon would help you refocus, help you remember that these people of the daylight weren't of your concern. That Jio wasn't your concern, as well as this feeling in your chest! And as you stepped outside, the moon's light immediately soothing your rushing mind whilst the calls of nighttime critters helped you feel more in your element.

You remembered that you hadn't checked your mail.

Yet another thing you had to become familiar with, having a mailbox...where all your personal things were sent to.

It was an odd little system.

Yet...useful, it seemed. Because when you opened the box to check inside of it, all that was contained was a single black letter. You knew immediately what it meant, and the contents of the letter only read— "At the end of fall, one of our own shall visit you. Report your findings to them." And that was all that was in the message. A nervous sweat dripped down your back, you were no closer to finding out more information about your target than you were when you first came to this valley! You had allowed yourself to get distracted, accidentally focusing more on your disguise rather than the importance of your mission. Tonight, with the moon as your witness, you swore to yourself that your tolerance for distraction ended tonight.

You had to remain focused.

Thus, when the next day came around, you didn't allow yourself to speak to anyone. For the entire day it seemed, you had tracked down every possible lead you could think of whether it was scoping out the Wizard's tower in the wee hours of the morning or sometimes even observing the townsfolk during the night, all in the hopes that you'd spot something, anything that looked out of the ordinary.

But you found nothing, nothing aside from accidentally encountering the local drunk when he was in one of his stupors again, and having to waste time taking him home and lightly telling him off that he needed to stop drinking. And when you had laid him outside of Marnie's door, walking back to your farm to call it another failed investigation for tonight, your mind drifted back to Jio and you wondered if he knew anything. Although he didn't strike you as an assassin like you were, you knew that you both shared something in common. A something that unconsciously motivated you to skip walking up to your front door and instead make the short trip to the Ridgeside mountains, praying to whatever god was listening to you at that moment that the elf was around and willing to talk to you.

"Jio?" You softly called out once you had reached the forest.

Nothing, aside from the hooting of owls and crickets that is.

Your eyes narrowed in determination, remembering how he warned you to not venture beyond the forest and into the Ridge. Blindly walking into danger, especially when one had the courtesy of previously warning you about it, was foolish, that much was told to you constantly as you grew up, and from that, you learned to avoid unnecessary danger unless it counted towards you getting farther into your mission. Walking into a dangerous forest in the hopes of finding more information about this 'Mr. Qi' target...you decided that it had to have counted, and thus you made your way deeper into the woodlands. Slowly but surely, the calls of the night began to grow quieter...and quieter...until there was nothing left at all but the sounds of your shoes moving across the grass.

The scent in the air was strange as well.

Like an oncoming thunderstorm mixed with the familiar smell of iron and a little bit of fire smoke. You prepared yourself for a fight, your hand reaching to rest on the hilt of your weapon that you always kept on your person as you started to make your way out of the thick shrubbery and woodlands and out onto a clearing. You slowly scanned your surroundings for anything strange as your steps became slower and more calculated, wary even as you suddenly began to feel as if you were being watched.

Yet when you stopped briefly next to a tree, a snarl was your only warning before something lunged at you. Experienced, you took out your sword and cut the creature down without nary a single bead of sweat rolling down the side of your face, looking down at the slain beast however...you quickly plunged the end of your blade into its chest before it stopped its twitching and—

A sharp clang of metal meeting metal rung out in the otherwise quiet clearing, your eyes meeting a familiar set of green. "Jio?" You gasped, taking your blade away from his own. "Apologies, I didn't—"

"You shouldn't be here," His voice was even more muffled now thanks to his scarf covering the lower half of his face along with that mask of his. "You've ventured beyond the Ridge, the mountain spirit's protection ends here."

Your brow cocked. "I don't need some fairytale's protection, clearly I can handle myself." You tipped your head at the fallen beast. Jio crossed his arms, in his opinion, besting a mere red serpentine beast was indeed impressive but not enough to prove that one was deserving to explore this area further. But, for you, one that had taken down the beast with ease and experience, perhaps...there was something to be gained here. "Maybe," He responded vaguely. "This area holds secrets, perhaps—"

You stopped where the conversation was heading right in its tracks by holding up a hand. "I'm only here because I wanted to find you."

"Me?"

"Do you know anything of a...Mr. Qi? I need to find him."

He briefly heard his lady mention the name of the man, a strange and elusive man whose skin was blue and seemed to be intertwined with the very fabrics of this reality. But...why did you need to find him? "Why?"

"Does it matter why?" You retorted. "Simply tell me where he is."

Jio cocked a brow. Were you secretly an agent of Gabriella? No, maybe not, his lady wouldn't have trusted you if you were, but—you looked panicked. You hid it well enough, for anyone who wasn't trained to pick up the signs of nervousness, you'd appear calm and perhaps even a little bit winded. But, he could tell there was something more underneath the surface. "Tell me why you need to find this Mr. Qi then," You clenched your jaw. "No."

"Then we have nothing to discuss, you should go home. It's dangerous—"

"W-Wait." You said just as the elf turned around to probably disappear in a puff of gray smoke. "I need to find my target—"

Target.

The ninja hung onto the world tightly, that single word telling him more things about you than you probably intended to. That is, if you were even trying to hide it, to begin with, you were strange that was for sure. You were talented with a weapon as if you had been honing your skills for years and could pick him out from the shadows as easily as one would pick out a cloud on a bright day. The story of you being a former Joja employee...he didn't believe one word of it. "—my organization demands it, I must find him." You continued to insist.

"Then you will continue to have no hope here," He sighed. "Even my organization, we do not know where he is. You should give up for the time, tell your organization—"

Your eyes shot open even wider. "No." You firmly said. "They can't no, I'm not supposed to fail. They—" You words began to get choked up in your throat when Jio turned back to you, the harsh and almost commanding look he pierced into you making you snap your mouth closed and stand a little straighter as if you were suddenly placed back into the arms of the shadows, staring at your organization's leader as they scolded you for being reckless or failing at your mission. And failing as a mission? It was not tolerated.

Even now, you could still feel those lashes upon your skin.

And the memory of having to go through such a thing again, humiliated by the stares of your guildmates and your aging parents, disappointed and ashamed as they believed that they had taught you better than that. To be a perfect and willing member of the organization and nothing less— "Y/N." Jio spoke to you, snapping you from your thoughts before you watched him rub the back of his hand against your cheek. You shakily placed a hand to your face, gasping at the fact that you hadn't realized you'd been crying in front of a stranger.

Jio let out a heavy sigh as he crossed his arms. "...You have a chance to get away from your past."

Why was he saying this?

He should have been encouraging you to stay with your organization.

It seemed to be useful, worth it even. They instilled discipline and good skills into you. He was even tempted to go back to his lady and tell her that your organization may have been beneficial to converse with, however...he saw how much this valley seemed to have rubbed off on you. He saw it in your eyes, that your loyalty was crumbling and that a new one was beginning to forge, one that rested in this valley.

"This chance will only present itself once, take it or leave it." Jio continued. "If you are not ready to leave your organization, steel yourself and prepare to face them with the truth that you have not found your quarry." The harshness of his words made beads of sweat begin to prickle your skin and run down the sides of your face, yet, the elf offered little to no reassurance afterward and simply turned away again to disappear in a puff of smoke, leaving you alone with a monster corpse at your side and a whirlwind of thoughts running throughout your head.

To leave or not to leave?

When you looked around you, thought back to Pelican Town and Ridgeside Village...the first thing that came to your mind was the people. Their warmth and acceptance of you, how they made an effort to welcome you into their fold despite how cold you were to them firsthand. You thought of the festivities and holidays, you thought of your late grandfather's farm, and how you had realized that you loved caring for the farm, the crops, the animals, and every single hardship that came with it! Then finally...your mind wandered back to Jio and the crush you harbored for him. You thought about how you wanted to explore this feeling and find out exactly why the elf made your chest warm the way it did, why every time you met his gaze, your heart skipped a beat and you felt like your breath was stolen right from your lungs.

You wanted to see him more, get to know him.

So...you made your decision.

. . .

One that was easier to make than you had expected, of course. To stay in Stardew Valley and attempt to forge a new life away from the shadows of your organization. Although it was easier said than done, as the day to meeting a representative from your organization loomed closer and closer with each passing day, you tried to soothe yourself by thinking of how much you wanted to stay and how you were willing to do anything to achieve that goal.

Even if it cost you your life.

Life underneath the sun's warmth was far more welcoming than the coldness of the moon. And you let that line marinate in your mind all the way until the day you were supposed to meet a representative finally dawned upon you. You couldn't get an ounce of work done the entire day, and with the Spirit's Eve festival coming tomorrow night, you had found yourself trying to figure out what costume would fit you best rather than worrying yourself sick over what the representative would do in the face of you preferring your life here in the valley than back home!

You were hoping that they'd be understanding.

Surely they hadn't expected you to dedicate your entire life to the guild...were they? After all, how were you supposed to find love? Marry and have children?

How were you supposed to truly get to know the world around you if you were stuck in one place all the time?

It was madness— "Report your findings." The representative asked you in that same cold voice that all the members of your organization had. A black mask covered their features along with the rest of the equally colored outfit, though, you could almost see that your fellow member appeared to be...confused? Here they were in the typical attire of a Nightingale while you? You had kept on the farming clothes that you had worn throughout the day! It would've been funny had this entire situation, one that was taking place in the Ridge of all places, wasn't so nerve-wracking.

"I..." You trailed off for a moment, trying to figure out last minute if you were going to lie or if you were going to be upfront about what you wanted. "...I haven't found anything."

"Nothing?" They spoke with an even more obvious tilt of their head. "What have you been doing these last few months? Your only priority is to assassinate the target and return home, your disguise as a farmer is only something to fool the locals."

You narrowed your eyes. "I know, " you said. But I like it here." The representative was quiet for a long pause, giving you the courage to continue talking. "I want to stay. I've realized that my position in the organization isn't something that I want to be in for the rest of my life. I'm doing well here. I'm happy."

The representative was silent still.

"My grandfather entrusted his farm to me and I deserve to continue caring for it! The target be damned, I've spoken to other sources here and they said that even they haven't found the man!" The more you spoke, the more insane this all seemed. You were participating in a wild goose chase for a man who probably wasn't even real to begin with! All for an organization that probably knew this and maybe even expected you to fail! Was this a test? To see if you'd be tempted by life outside the shadows or simply want an excuse to get rid of an extra member?

You didn't even know if you truly wanted answers.

Just...anything, anything that may have helped you figure out if your organization truly cared about you—the same one that saw you grow up—and didn't secretly want you dead. Thus, you turned to look back at your representative. "Well? Say something!"

"What is there for me to say? Traitor." Your eyes shot to their hand slowly reaching for the dagger that rested obviously on their hip. In turn, you attempted to reach for your own weapon only...in your ignorance, thinking that your organization would be so understanding, you didn't bring your weapon. And the resulting conflict was bloody as you were forced to think of a hare-brained solution and simply charge yourself at your assilant, gripping the representative's hand and trying to wrestle the dagger away from them.

All the while though, you couldn't help but think about how...all you wanted was a new life.

Certainly not...this, this eventual outcome where you stood over the body of your organization's representative with cuts torn into your shirt and your handy bloodied from constantly having to grip onto the weapon's blade until you finally got the upper hand and managed to slit their throat. "Yoba..." Was the only thing you could whisper to yourself as you looked at the corpse, thoughts of the repercussions you'd face rushing through your mind as well as the question as to how you were going to dispose of the body.

What would you do to defend yourself?

How would you defend yourself? Especially against the wrath of your entire organization!? It was— "So you took control of your fate." Without thinking, you directed the dagger in the direction of the voice, only getting a glimpse of the owner until you felt a presence appear behind you before an arm tightly locked around your neck, yet, not too tight to be deadly. "Calm yourself," You blushed at Jio's voice being so close to your ear.

You huffed. "I'm calm, let me go." Without waiting, you pushed yourself free of the elf, grumbling and mumbling to yourself while Jio simply eyed the corpse before looking at your bloodied and cut-up form. It was interesting to him, seeing you be completely free of that "cleanlier" look you typically had when you massacred as a normal farmer around Pelican town. Tonight, he saw a side of you that no other in this valley would be able to see unless they wished to meet their end on the exact same night.

"You're staring," You said. Jio shook his head. "You're injured, let me help."

You scoffed. "I don't need help, I need to figure out how to get rid of this body..." Perhaps you could go beyond the Ridge and dump the body in the woods there? No one would ever go beyond that point and it was a bonus as well as that the monsters would probably eat the body and effectively get rid of the evidence in the process! Yet Jio was having none of it. "Don't be foolish," He said. "I'll get rid of it, go home and I'll help you with your injuries." And...be it from your wounds beginning to hurt thanks to the adrenaline starting to fade from your body, or the fact that you were tired and stressed from what lay over the horizon from this forbidden killing.

You simply nodded your head and turned on your heels to begin walking back to your farm.

. . .

When you arrived home, the first thing you did was strip yourself of your bloodied clothes before tossing them into a hamper for later and washed as much blood you could from your hands and other small wounds across your body as you could. In the process although, you tried not to think too much about how Jio was coming over to your home for the first time...the two of you didn't know each other that well besides the few interactions you both had, all you knew was that he made you feel warm inside your chest and left you wanting more and more each time you saw a single glimpse of him. It was almost similar to an addiction except...you weren't sure if there was a cure exactly for this other strange feeling you had.

The only clue you had was to touch him.

Even placing a hand on his shoulder would have been enough, and yet...how were you going to do that? "Hello?" You suddenly heard followed along with a few knocks.

"Come in!" You called as loud as you could as you walked back into the living room area, just finishing pulling down a brand new shirt before you sat on the couch. In Jio's arms was a small basket filled with medical supplies, herbs, and potions it seemed as well as enough bandages to cover your entire body it looked like! You chuckled at the sight. "You didn't have to bring so much, I've patched myself up with lesser items." You said softly.

Jio set the supplies down on the nearby table before he sat, already gesturing for you to give him your hand. "Maybe so," He answered. "But, it seemed like this battle that ensued between yourself and your fellow from your guild seemed to have been close." You responded with a confident click of your tongue. You had been caught off guard, that was the only saving grace that the representative had and they still lost in the end! You were perfectly molded and trained to be a weapon for the guild and nothing more, to be taken down by someone who wasn't even on equal footing in terms of skills would have been an insult to your memory.

Still, Jio began to patch you up, pouring tonics over your wounds before pressing green herbs to the cuts and bandaging you up. You took the opportunity to let your eyes roam over the elf's form, a little more slowly now that you had the time to just...look. However, your focus was mostly directed to his hands as you took notice of how they appeared to be a little larger than your own, his fingers long and lithe yet scarred and calloused from possible years of wielding a weapon. Then your eyes dragged up to his emerald eyes, focused on your wounds and bandaging you up rather than looking at you the way you were looking at him. But ever vigilant, Jio wasn't unaware of your stares.

"You're staring." He pointed out bluntly.

You blushed. "Sorry," You quickly said. "I'm just looking at you, can I not?"

Jio's hands paused in their work momentarily as he considered his answer. You were an attractive person, that he would admit to himself but to be so openly admired—it was...unusual. Not new nor unheard of, after all, Daia did the same thing to him each time they trained together but he knew that her telling him he was attractive was born from a place of playfulness rather than something genuine. As for you, however? In this moment...it made him feel warm, in a good way. Not a rush of heat born from annoyance.

"...You may," He said, almost shyly as his eyes briefly snapped to your own before looking back down again and continuing to bandage a cut on your hand.

With his permission, you continued to do so with a little more amusement in your eyes. You were in love with the way that the elf suddenly had the faintest tint of pink on his face, how his eyes seemed to struggle between focusing on what he came here to do or looking you in the eyes as well. And there were so many other tiny quirks that made the feeling in your chest continue to blossom. "...Jio." You spoke, breaking the silence. "Do you...like anyone?"

Once more, he paused. "Like anyone?" He parroted.

You nodded your head yet remained silent, anticipating his answer as his eyes narrowed in thought. "There is...one, that I'm mildly curious about." Your brow rose a little, your heart speeding up out of a sudden hopefulness. "She's fierce in combat, observant, and sharp yet surprisingly shy." Your eyes began to narrow in thought, you almost wanted to ask if he was talking about you but...you didn't want to get your hopes up too suddenly. Once you had mustered up enough courage, however, you opened your mouth. "Do you mean...me?"

He nodded his head. "I do."

You let the revelation hang in the air for a few minutes afterward. The reveal that the both of you had feelings for one another wasn't something out of a storybook nor anything decorated with rose petals and sparkles in the background. It was simply the truth of the matter, a truth that made your heart sing and your face warm while Jio simply looked to the side with his heart beating faster than it normally would! In the cult, it was drilled into his head constantly that love was something that had no priority and shouldn't take priority over any missions that the Lady gave to him and his fellows. But, for this moment at least...even if he didn't know you that well and had only managed to catch mere glimpses of you here and there when you came to the Ridge's forests.

Something about you told him that he should pursue this, just this once.

And that idea alone was only solidified when you scooted closer to him, the elf's eyes widening ever so slightly as his throat felt weirdly dry all of a sudden. "May—May I kiss you?"

It was unlike him to be shy. Blunt and cutthroat was a more appropriate term for the ones who knew him yet, as he slowly nodded his head. He felt like a fawn taking its first steps as he watched your head steadily move to tug his mask down before your lips were upon his own and...they were surprisingly soft. Not that he expected them to be anything else, but they felt like clouds and he could feel every single emotion that you put into the kiss. The nervousness, the tension, and the blossoming care that you held for him, and the only thing he could think about at the moment was how he wanted more.

Something that only grew as you slowly pulled back and smiled at him. "Your lips...they're soft." He whispered, strangely breathless although the kiss hadn't lasted long.

You blushed at the compliment. "T-Thank you, your lips...they're soft too."

Once more, the two of you fell into silence as each of you thought of what to do next. While you both buzzed with the feelings of budding romance, Jio spotted how your thighs clenched together as if your very body was begging for you to do something more.

Perhaps it was rude seeing as the two of you barely knew one another, your newfound romance barely even in the beginning stages yet but, the elf was suddenly curious about what other parts of your body were soft. Thus, he placed a warm hand on your thigh before he started to draw circles into your skin with his thumb. "...Can I kiss you again?" You didn't even consider the question for even a second before you nodded your head, Jio leaning in faster then you previously did, all the while his kiss had a lot more force and desire hidden underneath the surface of it. In your organization, although you were familiar with the concept of sex...it was forbidden to do so unless the intention was to create another member for the organization. Another future assassin was supposed to be the end goal always and never for pleasure. So, the steady heat that you began to feel between your thighs...while unfamiliar, it wasn't unpleasant, only serving to make you easily open your legs to the elf the moment his hands began to gently try to pry them apart so he could slide himself between them.

He parted himself from you. "Have you ever done this before?" Jio asked breathlessly before he started to pepper kisses on your face before he started to begin trailing kisses down to your neck.

A soft moan left your lips. "Ah...n-no..." You whispered as you felt your sex begin to throb more and more in tune with Jio's kisses as well as his hands starting to gently slip up your shirt.

"H-Have you?"

He considered the question for but a moment. "Once." And that's all he would answer upon the matter. You gasped when you felt Jio's hands graze across the undersides of your breasts, his hands simply touching and cupping them in his hands for a few moments before his thumbs started to gently move across your nipples. "Jio..." You breathed, his eyes glued to your expressions as he tried to ignore his own throbbing desire that begged to be free from its confines. He wanted to make sure that you were taken care of and comfortable first, his own desires could wait.

"So warm..." Jio whispered as he lifted your shirt, exposing your pebbled nipples to the chilly air of your living room before his mouth latched onto one of them. You moaned at the feeling, a breathless and soft sound that made Jio groan against your chest as he licked at your chest as if he were savoring a delicacy.

And in his eyes, it was.

The more he lapped your chest, let his hands explore your body, and listened to your moans. The more he began to believe that you were something to be savored and cared for until the very end. However, you could hardly stand to bear through the almost painful throbbing of your sex anymore. "Down there..." You begged quietly into his ear. "H-Hurts..." Jio briefly took his lips away from your breast to focus on where you claimed your pain was, a gentle smirk creeping onto his lips as his hands then traveled to the shorts you wore before he began to try and tug them off. You raised your hips to aid him, your blush only increasing as you were left only in your underwear and the obvious damp spot in the center made Jio hum in quiet amusement. "So wet from only kissing both your lips and your breast?" He poked at the damp spot, your thighs instinctively twitching in response to the unfamiliar touch. "How lewd farmer."

You blushed. "D-Don't tease..." You murmured.

He chuckled. "Allow me to play with you a little longer..." He whispered as his own hand started to reach for his pants, the sound of him unzipping his pants making your eyes shoot to his crotch before your eyes widened to the size of saucers at his length. It was long, with just the right amount of girth and leaking with pre-cum as well as twitching as if it had a heartbeat of its own! The very sight made your mouth water and your cunt suddenly ache to have it inside of you, however...as Jio continued to tease your sex and prod at it as if he were testing a new toy. You did your best to be patient in the face of your crush. "Please..." You found yourself whispering.

Jio chuckled at your begging as he hooked a finger around your underwear and started to pull them down. "Please?" He repeated with a mocking lilt to his voice. "You're begging already? We haven't even done anything yet..." He continued, trails of your slick still connecting you to your underwear even after they had been pulled down to the middle of your thighs.

It was a lewd sight, Jio thought. Your cunt clenched around nothing and seemed to leak even more of its slick now! Your clit was hard and throbbing, one swipe of his finger against it and your breath hitched and nearly stopped completely as if you had been shocked.

"Hurry." You murmured.

"Don't you want me to prepare you?" You shook your head, taking a bold step to wrap your arms around Jio to gently pull him closer to you before you rolled your hips closer to him, trying to entice him to finally fuck you rather than tease you for a second longer.

"I'm fine," You assured him. "Just—please." You whispered. Jio hesitated for only a second longer before he pressed his lips to your own, gently pushing you to lay down on the couch before he lined his cock up to your waiting cunt before he plunged himself in. You hissed quietly at Jio's cockhead beginning to enter you, the steady feeling of feeling so full making you tighten your arms ever so slightly before Jio began to pepper kisses along your face.

"Relax," He said. "Otherwise I won't be able to move."

Easier said than done, you thought.

But...as you stared into his eyes. You found yourself relaxing more and more until Jio let out a soft moan when he was finally settled inside your cunt. The last thing he was going to do now, was let you go, especially if it was anything before the arrival of the sun the following day.

. . .

Jio was unaccustomed to waking up to the sound of birdsong. Usually, the sky was still dark when he woke up for his morning training before he'd set off to perform his patrols for the day. However...after last night's events, he awoke feeling strangely more relaxed and rested than usual, and he expected to see you sleeping soundly beside him until—"Hm?" He hummed sleepily, rubbing his eyes and moving strands of hair from his face when he saw that your side of the bed was empty. You did have a farm to tend to, he applauded your dedication but...he wanted to see you, talk to you more.

It was what inspired him to roll out of bed and find some clothes to put on before he walked outside and...nothing.

No clucking of chickens nor the mooing of cows. Although he saw that the sprinklers had come on and that there was evidence of you being out there due to the footprints on the ground. Something was...off.

As he followed the tracks, your footprints led farther and farther away from your farm and closer to the path to Marnie's Ranch. It was then that another set of tracks joined you before...it stopped.

He tried to steady the sudden worry that began to sneak into his being. You were a fierce combatant as well as a former assassin, surely you wouldn't have been—no. Jio shook his head, Yoba had allowed him a newfound chance at peace, it'd be cruel of him to rip that away from him so suddenly, especially when he had given his everything to you last night and wanted nothing more than to do the same today and all the days afterward! He was willing to face any scolding from his Lady and whatever it took forward to make sure that he was ensured that he continued to see you! And that hope was his sole drive as he quickened his pace through the forest, his eyes wide and scanning for any signs of your person, perhaps you were fishing? Collecting wood or even visiting the Wizard for some reason.

Anything was better than...than the worry that was starting to take over him, especially when he started to see spots of blood.

They led further and further into the woodlands until the elf found himself in the depths of Cindersap Forest.

And, at the river's bank...there you were. Lying in a pool of your own blood that began to seep into the river's waters, turning its crystal clear colors into a murky red whilst a single dagger stabbed into your chest with a note in the center of it.

"A true Nightingale never yearns for a life in the sun. Those who do will be returned to the shadows once more, whether in death or in life."

Summary: Sebastian wakes up in the middle of the night to find his pregnant farmer wife, Aleia, indulging in her latest bizarre craving.

The farmhouse was bathed in moonlight, its wooden beams creaking softly in the stillness of the night. The air outside was crisp, carrying the faint scent of pine and distant ocean waves. Inside, everything was peaceful except for the subtle rustling of blankets and the faint creak of the bed as Aleia carefully slid out from under Sebastian’s arm.

She moved with practiced stealth, her roseate hair swaying as she tiptoed toward the door. But even with her best efforts, Sebastian stirred, his hand instinctively reaching for her in his half-asleep daze. Instead of warmth, he was met with cool, empty sheets. His brows furrowed. Sleepy or not, he knew Aleia was supposed to be there.

Dragging himself up, Sebastian ran a hand through his tousled dark plum hair, exhaling as he rubbed his face. With sluggish movements, he padded barefoot out of the room, eyes scanning the dimly lit hallway. The bathroom light was off. That ruled out his first guess.

Then, faintly, the warm glow of the kitchen flickered under the door.

Sebastian squinted. At this hour?

With quiet steps, he approached, pushing the door open slightly.

There, under the kitchen’s soft golden light, stood Aleia, her eyes gleaming with mischief as she hunched over the counter, caught in the act. Her cheeks were puffed up, stuffed with something. And in her hand? A piece of watermelon.

Sebastian raised an eyebrow. “Cravings again?”

Aleia turned toward him, blinking innocently as she struggled to chew. “Mhm!” she garbled, before finally swallowing. “I needed this.”

Sebastian let out a breathy chuckle, crossing his arms as he leaned against the doorframe. “Watermelon?”

She nodded enthusiastically. “It’s so juicy and sweet.” Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she reached behind her and grabbed—oh dear Yoba!—a jar of mayonnaise.

Sebastian’s expression immediately dropped.

“Oh no.” he muttered, dread settling in. “Not this again.”

Aleia grinned mischievously. “Oh yes.”

Without hesitation, she unscrewed the lid and like it was the most normal thing in the world, tilted the jar back, taking a long sip of mayonnaise like it was a gourmet beverage.

Sebastian visibly recoiled. “ALEIA, WHY?”

She smacked her lips, sighing in contentment. “I dunno, Sebby. It just hits different.”

Sebastian stared at her, absolutely appalled. “You used to do that before pregnancy, and I thought maybe, just maybe, you’d grow out of it. But no. No. The baby is only enabling you.”

Aleia shrugged before nonchalantly dipping her watermelon slice into the mayo and taking a delighted bite.

Sebastian looked personally betrayed. “That’s an abomination.”

Aleia gasped dramatically. “Excuse me? This is peak cuisine.”

“That is sacrilegious.” Sebastian countered.

“Oh, and you’re one to talk?” Aleia huffed, setting down her watermelon and crossing her arms. “You eat cold sashimi straight from the fridge at 2 AM like some kind of gremlin and think I’m the weird one?”

Sebastian opened his mouth to argue but then paused. Damn. She had a point.

“That’s completely different.” he muttered.

Aleia smirked. “Mhm. Keep telling yourself that.”

Sebastian exhaled sharply before stepping closer, slipping his arms around her waist. Despite the culinary war crimes she was committing, he still pressed a soft kiss to her temple. “You are so lucky I love you.” he murmured against her hair.

Aleia giggled, nuzzling into him. “I know.”

Sebastian’s hands found their way to her slightly rounded belly, rubbing slow, soothing circles. “How’s our little night owl?” he asked softly.

Aleia hummed, resting her free hand over his. “Oh, just making sure I never sleep again,” she teased. “Apparently, our kid is a night creature like their dad.”

Sebastian smirked. “At least they take after me in something.”

Aleia rolled her eyes before nudging him playfully. “You’re really clingy, you know that?”

“You like it.”

“…I do.” she admitted with a grin.

Sebastian glanced at the counter. “So, is it just the watermelon or should I prepare myself for something worse?”

Aleia chewed her lip, suddenly looking very guilty.

Sebastian narrowed his eyes. “Aleia… what else did you eat?”

She hesitated before mumbling, “Pickles.”

Sebastian nodded slowly. “Okay, not too bad.”

“With peanut butter.”

His expression dropped. “Oh, no.”

“…And a little bit of hot sauce.”

Sebastian groaned. “Sweetheart, that’s not food.”

Aleia pouted, poking his chest. “Says the guy who hoards pumpkin soup like a dragon and refuses to share.”

Sebastian gasped, placing a hand over his heart in mock offense. “Hey. That soup is sacred.”

Aleia grinned triumphantly before finishing off the last bite of her cursed watermelon. “There. Now I’m good.”

Sebastian sighed, shaking his head. “Alright, come on, weird cravings queen. Let’s get you back to bed before you start dipping pumpkin soup in ranch dressing.”

“…That’s actually not a bad idea.”

Sebastian groaned.

With a laugh, Aleia wrapped her arms around his neck. “You love me.” she teased.

Sebastian kissed her forehead. “That’s the only reason I’m putting up with this.”

Hand in hand, they walked back to their room, the dim glow of the kitchen light fading behind them. As they curled up under the covers, Sebastian wrapped his arms around her again, his warmth chasing away the night’s chill.

“Good night, my love,” he murmured against her hair.

Aleia smiled sleepily, snuggling into his chest. “Night, Sebby.”

The farmhouse settled back into silence, the moonlight casting a soft glow over them. And despite the absolute madness of her cravings, Sebastian knew one thing for certain.

He wouldn’t trade any of this for the world.

Summary: In the early morning, Sebastian wakes Aleia up to show her something special. Despite her sleepiness, she trusts him and follows him, leading to a quiet, tender moment.

The farmhouse was peaceful, an oasis of quiet in the stillness of the early morning. The moon hung low in the sky, its silver light illuminating the landscape outside. Stars scattered across the heavens like diamonds against deep indigo, but inside, the world was tranquil—except for Sebastian.

With a quiet groan, he silenced the alarm, the soft beep cutting through the silence. He rubbed his face, pushing his messy dark purple hair back with a tired hand, glancing over at Aleia. She lay peacefully beside him, her reddish-pink hair cascading over the pillow, lips slightly parted, breathing steadily in her sleep.

A playful smirk tugged at Sebastian’s lips as he stared at her. Waking her up was going to be a challenge. But the idea of sharing this moment with her made his heart race in ways he hadn’t expected.

He slipped out of bed with care, dressing quickly in his jeans and favorite hoodie, the warmth of their bed still lingering on his skin. His leather jacket slid over his shoulders effortlessly, and he approached her side, crouching down to gently shake her shoulder.

“Aleia...” he whispered, his voice soft but insistent.

She groaned, pulling the pillow closer to her face. “No. Five more minutes...”

He chuckled, brushing a lock of her roseate hair from her face. “It’s not five minutes, sweetheart. You need to get up.”

Aleia cracked one eye open, her gaze instantly narrowing at him. “Sebastian... It’s the middle of the night!”

He grinned, crossing his arms. “It’s three in the morning, actually. Time to rise.”

“That’s... Even worse!” she muttered, curling deeper into her pillow. “Why would you wake me up at demon hours?”

Sebastian laughed, leaning down to press a soft kiss to her forehead. “Because I’ve got a surprise for you. Trust me. Get dressed, and meet me outside.”

Before she could protest any further, he stood and walked toward the door, leaving her with little room for argument. Aleia groaned, but despite her protests, she eventually gave in. She slipped on her favorite cozy sweater and jeans, boots clicking on the wooden floor as she stepped outside into the cool night air.

Sebastian waited by his motorcycle, his posture casual, but his eyes alight with a mischievous glint.

“Seriously? A motorcycle?” Aleia raised an eyebrow. “You better have a good reason for dragging me out here at this ungodly hour.”

He tossed her a helmet with a grin. “I’ve got a good reason. Now hop on.”

She sighed dramatically but climbed onto the bike anyway, wrapping her arms around his waist. “If I fall asleep and fall off, that’s on you.” she muttered into his back.

Sebastian chuckled as the engine hummed to life beneath them. “I’d catch you, don’t worry.”

The ride was quiet, the world around them enveloped in darkness. Aleia rested her cheek against his back, letting the wind ruffle her hair. Her exhaustion from being pulled out of bed faded slowly, replaced by the trust she had in him, the trust that had only grown stronger over time.

After what felt like an eternity, he pulled to a stop, and Aleia blinked, looking up at the at the surroundings.

“The Summit?” she asked, her voice thick with grogginess.

Sebastian helped her off the bike, pulling a pair of blankets from the side storage. “Yep. I promise, it’ll be worth it. Come on.”

With his hand firmly in hers, they hiked up the final stretch of the trail, the mountain air growing thinner and colder with each step. But nothing mattered except the space between them—close enough to feel the heat of his hand, to hear the quiet rhythm of their breaths. It was just them, and the world was waiting.

When they reached the peak, Aleia gasped, awestruck by the view that stretched before her. The valley lay below, bathed in the faint light of the approaching dawn, rivers reflecting the stars. The sky itself seemed to be awakening, shifting from dark to lighter shades of purple and orange as the first touch of the sun’s rays began to bleed across the horizon.

Sebastian spread a blanket across the cool ground, patting the space beside him. Aleia sat down beside him, rubbing her arms against the cold. Without hesitation, Sebastian draped his jacket over her shoulders, pulling her into his side.

She exhaled, resting her head on his shoulder. “Okay, I admit it. This is pretty amazing.”

“I told you.” he murmured, his lips curling into a satisfied smile.

Aleia looked up at him, a playful glint in her eyes. “So... You just decided, ‘Hey, let’s wake up my wife in the middle of the night, make her trek up a mountain, and then show her the sunrise’?”

Sebastian gave her a teasing grin. “Pretty much.”

“You’re the worst.” she groaned, nudging him lightly with her shoulder.

“And yet, you married me.” he replied, his voice smooth, full of quiet pride.

She rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress the smile that tugged at her lips. Her hand found his, their fingers lacing together as they both stared at the sky in silence. The world around them was so still, so peaceful, and for the first time in a long while, Aleia felt completely at ease.

Then, slowly, the sun began to rise. The sky shifted from dusky purples to shades of pink, gold, and fiery orange, bathing the landscape in warmth. Aleia’s breath caught, the beauty of it overwhelming. She couldn’t look away.

“It’s beautiful...” she whispered, her voice soft, as if afraid to disturb the moment.

Sebastian, however, wasn’t looking at the sunrise. His eyes were on her.

“Yeah.” he murmured, his gaze never leaving her face. “It really is.”

Aleia turned to him, her heart skipping at the tenderness in his expression. His deep midnight purple eyes were filled with something she couldn’t quite name, but she could feel it, love, perhaps, or something deeper.

“I meant the sunrise, dork,” she teased, her voice affectionate.

Sebastian smirked, that same playful spark returning to his eyes. “The sunrise is nice,” he said softly, “but you, Aleia… You’re breathtaking.”

She laughed, her cheeks flushing. “Oh my God, that was so cheesy.”

He chuckled, leaning in close, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered, “You love it.”

“…I do.” she admitted with a smile, warmth flooding her chest.

Sebastian cupped her cheek with one hand, his thumb brushing gently over her skin. “I love you, Aleia.”

Her heart soared. She leaned into his touch, her own hand coming to rest on his. “I love you too, Sebby.”

And as the sun continued to rise above them, painting the world in its golden glow, Sebastian leaned in, pressing his lips to hers in a slow, lingering kiss. The world felt like it paused for just a moment—nothing else mattered except for the two of them, together, here, in this perfect slice of time.

When they finally pulled apart, Aleia grinned, resting her forehead against his. “Okay, fine. Waking up early was worth it.”

Sebastian chuckled, holding her closer, the warmth of his embrace making the morning chill feel miles away. “Told you.”

They sat there in comfortable silence, watching as the sun bathed Stardew Valley in golden light, knowing that whatever challenges the future may hold, they would always have each other and moments like this one.

Mod: "Maggs Immersive Sebastian Dialogue and Custom Events Spicy or Sweet" by @maggplays

A/N: Got this idea by my boyfriend's midnight musings. I find it pretty amusing and it inspired me to write this. This is my first post for this year, 2025. Enjoy! 🎉

Summary: Lance couldn't resist the urge to have a late-night chat with his sleep-deprived farmer.

It's currently night time in the Highlands, and after a late-night expedition exploring the cliffs and caves, Rosemary is too tired to go home, so she decides to sleep at her boyfriend's outpost. Lance doesn't mind, at least he gets to spend time with his beloved farmer. As they're going to sleep, the mage can't help but have random thoughts crossing his mind.

"Sweetheart, would you still love me if I were a worm?", Lance quietly asked his sleepy girlfriend.

Rosemary grunted and turned over in his arms, looking at him with her tired turquoise eyes. "What brought this on?", she asked, her voice heavy with sleep. Lance knew why he loved this woman. Instead of complaining about the late hour or ignoring him until he shoved her awake, Rosemary genuinely cared and took his late-night musings seriously - it was just part of who he was.

"I dreamed I was a human.", Lance said with total seriousness. "Like, just a regular human with no magic whatsoever."

"Sounds mundane.", Rosemary mused, trying to stay awake despite her drowsiness. Lance nodded and continued, "It was okay, but then I met you in that dream. And you were different, too. You were a warrior, strong and beautiful. But you wouldn't speak to me, just ignored me completely. It was like you didn't even know who I was."

Rosemary frowned but remained silent, thinking through Lance's words. He could tell she was trying to make sense of his dream-induced thoughts.

Lance took a deep breath and continued. "And the next thing I knew, I was a worm, just wriggling around in the earth. I thought 'How did this happen?' And you know what I realized, Rose?" Lance asked, pulling her even closer to his chest.

Rosemary nodded, her eyelids starting to feel heavier with each passing second, but she knew she needed to stay awake to hear his thoughts. She had learned that Lance's dreams were never really about the literal transformations he experienced but rather about some underlying fear or worry he had within him. And so, she listened.

"It was because you didn't love me as a human.", he revealed, his voice cracking slightly. "And since you didn't love me, there was no way you could ever love me as a worm. You wouldn't even acknowledge me in the dream, no matter how much I tried to talk to you."

Rosemary only rolled her eyes at Lance's revelation. She could see how upset he was and tried to comfort him. "Oh, love..." she began, but Lance cut her off.

"But then I thought, what if we were both worms?", Lance asked, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. Rosemary rolled her eyes again at his persistent questioning. "Then we'd be digging the earth together forever in wormy marriage," she replied, before yawning heavily. "Does that make you feel better, love?"

Lance's face broke into a broad smile, and he nodded. "Yes, I think it does," he said, relieved that he could confide in his girlfriend. "I'm sorry for waking you." he apologized, feeling a little embarrassed. Rosemary gently caressed his cheek, telling him it was okay. "It's alright." she reassured him.

Finally, she couldn't help but ask, "And what about you, love? Would you still love me if I was a worm?"

Lance pretended to think deeply about her question for a few moments, then answered seriously. "Worms are the most detestable creatures on Earth. I could never love you if you were one," he said with disdain.

Rosemary's mouth dropped open in surprise, then she burst into fits of laughter. She playfully hit him with a pillow for his blunt answer. "Don't be so mean, Lance!"

Lance grinned sheepishly, realizing his mistake. "Alright, I admit that was a bit harsh there." he conceded. "But you have to admit, worms are pretty repulsive."

Rosemary couldn't refute his point. They were both exhausted, and their random musings were starting to wear thin. But Lance wasn't quite done yet.

"Seriously, what would you do if we both suddenly woke up as worms?" Lance asked curiously.

Rosemary sighed, resigned to the fact that she wouldn't be getting back to sleep anytime soon. "Well..." she began thoughtfully, "I suppose we'd have to adjust to our new wormy lives together. I bet we could dig tunnels in the earth and make a cozy nest for us."

Lance nodded, somewhat impressed by her practicality, but still found worms repulsive. "And what about us as worms? Would we still... you know." Lance's voice trailed off, unable to articulate the rest of his question.

Rosemary giggled, guessing where his mind was heading. "Lance, we'd be worms. That's not exactly an ideal situation for that kind of activity. But who knows, maybe we'd still manage to find our own wormy way to show affection," she said with a chuckle. "Let's rest now, okay? We can continue these wild thoughts in the morning. I have a feeling you'll be even more ridiculous when you're not sleep-deprived."

Lance chuckled, realizing his tired mind was indeed making the conversation more bizarre. "Yes, you're right, love," he said, hugging her closer. "Let's get some sleep, and we can laugh about all of this in the morning."

Rosemary snuggled up to him and smiled. "Good night, Lance. I love you, regardless of whether you're a mage, a human, or even a worm."

Lance leaned in and kissed her on the forehead. "I love you too, Rosemary. Sleep well."

As the two drifted off to sleep together, wrapped in each other's arms, the conversation shifted from magical transformations to the simplicity of their love, proving that it surpassed all boundaries, be it human or worm.

A/N: Here's another inspired fanfic from Maggs Immersive Sebastian mod, its based on one of its cutscenes. There's even a hint of Sam X OC. Although, I should've post something on Christmas but I was too occupied with my cake business. To compensate for that, I will be sharing fanfictions that are related to Christmas or the Feast of the Winter Star from Stardew Valley. This is a pretty lengthy fanfic. Enjoy!

It's a beautiful morning in winter, and after finishing her daily farming errands, Aleia decides to pay a visit to her friend Sam's place to drop off some packages that Jodi ask for. She knocks on the door and enters, finding Sam strumming his guitar on the couch. The guitarist looks up and smiles when he sees Aleia, putting his guitar aside and standing up to greet her. "Hey! Aleia! What brings you here?" he asks, his voice warm and friendly.

Aleia walks over to him, holding out the packages in her hand. "Just dropping off these for your mom, Jodi." she replies, returning his smile. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

"Nah, not at all." Sam shakes his head. "Come on in, I don't mind the company."

He gestures for her to sit down on one of the chairs and plops back down on the couch. Aleia takes a seat, setting the packages down on the coffee table. She notices that Sam's eyes seem to be studying her a bit more closely than usual, and she wonders what's on his mind.

"Speaking of company." Sam says suddenly, breaking the silence. "Have you heard about the new songs Seb and I have been working on?"

Aleia's curiosity is piqued and she shakes her head. "No, I haven't. I didn't know you guys were working on something new." she replies, her voice tinged with interest.

Sam grins, looking excited. "Yeah, we've been writing like crazy lately." he says, his voice full of pride. "Sebastian has been writing some amazing stuff, and we've got some killer new tunes that we're really proud of."

Aleia raises an eyebrow, intrigued. "Really? That's great." she says, her interest growing. "What kind of stuff has Sebastian been writing?"

"Well, that's the thing." Sam leans back on the couch, a sly look on his face. "It's not the usual stuff he writes. Most of his songs are dark and moody, all about feelings and life. But lately, he's been writing some love songs."

Aleia's eyes widen in surprise. "Sebastian, writing love songs? That's not what I would've expected from him." She can't help but feel a mix of disbelief and curiosity.

"I know, right?" Sam laughs. "That's why I was so surprised when he showed me what he was working on. I've known that guy since we were kids and in all that time, he never even hinted about liking anyone. But now, it's like he's suddenly woken up or something."

Aleia's mind is buzzing with questions, but she tries to keep her expression neutral. "What do you mean?" she asks, her voice light and casual.

"Well..." Sam shrugs, "Seb has always been kind of reserved and quiet, you know? He doesn't talk much, and he keeps to himself. But lately, it, seems like he's more interested in what's going on around town. He's been talking more, mostly about you, actually."

Aleia's heart skips a beat, and she hopes that Sam doesn't notice her reaction. "Me? Why me?" she asks, her voice betraying a hint of surprise and nervousness.

"Hell if I know." Sam says with a shrug. "But I can tell you one thing, Sebastian has never been interested in anyone before now."

Aleia's ears feel warm, a slight blush appearing on her face. She can't help but wonder if Sebastian really feels that way about her, and she's both intrigued and slightly embarrassed by the thought.

Sam continues, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "You should hear some of those songs he's been writing. They're totally sappy, and they all have a certain someone in common."

Aleia's heart beats faster at Sam's words, and she can feel her face getting warmer. She can't believe what she's hearing, but she can't deny the fluttering in her stomach either. She doesn't know how to respond, so she just laughs awkwardly instead.

"I didn't believe it either but" Sam says, his voice dropping lower. "Seb, who's never even hinted about liking anyone before, is suddenly writing sappy songs. It's really something to see. I should say that even though the lyrics are really unusual for Seb, the songs are freaking amazing. There are some crazy swells and breaks in there. So it's pretty hilarious to see him so flustered over you."

Aleia swallows hard, trying to keep her voice steady. "I see." she says, hoping that she doesn't sound too nervous.

Sam grins, enjoying the effect his words are having on her. "I mean, he's really good-looking, right? So it's not like he couldn't get a date, he's just never been interested. But then you came to town."

Aleia can't help but feel a flutter in her stomach at Sam's words. She wonders if it's true, if Sebastian really does feel that way about her. A part of her is flattered, but another part is a little scared of what it all means.

Sam continues, his voice a mix of amusement and teasing. "It's wild to see, my best bro is finally in lo-!"

Suddenly, Sam cuts off and freaks out, "YOU DIDN'T HEAR THAT, I SAID NOTHING! Forget that last part! Seb already hates that I can't keep a secret."

Aleia can't help but chuckle at Sam's reaction, her nervousness momentarily put at ease by his frantic behavior.

"Anyway..." Sam says, quickly recovering his composure. "Come by next Saturday when we're practicing here at my house. Tell me what you think of the new tunes! I bet it'll blow you away."

Aleia smiles, feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation at the thought. She nods, "Sure, I'd really love to hear the new songs."

Just then, Sebastian appears in the doorway, and notices the two, "Oh.. hey, I uh... I can come back later." He starts to turn around, clearly uncomfortable being in the room with them.

Sam grins at Sebastian's appearance. "Huh? Hey Seb, don't leave! C'mon, I was just telling Aleia about some of our new songs, let's play one and see what she thinks!"

Sebastian glares at Sam, obviously annoyed that his friend is being so carefree and candid about his songwriting. He looks over at Aleia, his expression neutral, but his eyes betraying a hint of nervousness.

Aleia gives him a small smile, not wanting him to feel uneasy. "I wouldn't mind hearing one of the new songs." she says, trying to sound nonchalant.

Sebastian hesitates for a moment but then eventually sighs, nodding his head. "Alright, if you really want to hear it." he mutters with a small smile as walk towards to his piano keyboard.

Sam jumps up, picking up his guitar from the couch, "Yeah, let's do this!" He grins at Aleia and Sebastian, clearly eager to get started.

Sebastian takes a seat in front of the piano, adjusting his fingers on the keys. Sam positions himself next to his friend, his guitar ready to start playing. The pair exchange a look, silently communicating their readiness to begin. Sam starts strumming the opening chords and Sebastian follows, his fingers dancing over the keys with practiced ease.

As the music fills the room, Aleia is surprised at just how beautiful it sounds. The melody is captivating and the two instruments weave together perfectly. She can't help but close her eyes, getting lost in the music.

The song continues, the notes growing more intense as the lyrics start to come in. Sebastian's voice is deep and passionate as he sings the words, and Aleia's heart skips a beat at the emotion in his voice.

Aleia opens her eyes, her gaze fixed on Sebastian. His eyes are closed as he sings, a look of concentration and vulnerability on his face. She can't help but feel as though the words are being sung directly to her.

The song continues, the lyrics become more intense and personal, and Aleia can feel her heart racing in her chest. She can't help but notice that the words seem to express a deep longing and admiration for someone special.

The song reaches its climax, and the notes become even more intense. Sebastian's voice rises, full of raw emotion, and the music seems to fill the entire room. As the final notes ring out, the room falls into silence for a moment, and Aleia's heart pounds at the beauty of it all.

Sam glances over at Aleia, a big grin on his face. He's clearly proud of their performance. Sebastian, on the other hand, seems tense, like he's awaiting her reaction.

Aleia is still processing everything she just heard, her heart racing and her mind buzzing. The intensity of the song has left her feeling a mix of emotions. She looks at Sebastian, her eyes meeting his for a moment before she looks away, feeling suddenly shy.

Sam, sensing the tension in the room, breaks the silence first, "So, what'd you think? Pretty great, huh?" Sam asks, his voice a little too cheerful, obviously trying to break the discomfort.

Aleia takes a moment to steady her voice, "It...it was incredible. I-I had no idea that you could write something like that." She glances at Sebastian, who looks relieved, but still a bit on edge.

Sam claps his hands together, clearly satisfied with her reaction. "I told you it was good! Even Seb here can write a good love song when he wants to." he teases, winking at Sebastian, who blushes and rolls his eyes, still a little embarrassed.

"Shut up, Sam." Sebastian grumbles, his face reddening a little but unable to hide the small smile on his face. Aleia watches the interaction, a smile forming on her face as well.

Sam laughs and jabs Sebastian's shoulder playfully, teasing him even more. Aleia can't help but chuckle at their banter. It's clear that the two have a long friendship and a close bond. As the two boys continue to tease and banter back and forth, Aleia takes a few moments to collect her thoughts and steady her racing heart. She has a lot to process after hearing that song, and the emotions it had stirred in her are still coursing through her veins.

Just then, Sebastian suddenly interrupts the lighthearted banter, addressing Sam with a sly grin. "You know, you're one to talk about love songs. When are you going to finally confess to that blonde farmer you've been crushing on?"

Sam's reaction is instant, his face blushing as he scrambles to deny the accusation. "What? No! I don't have a crush on her!" he exclaims, his voice a bit too high pitched.

Aleia's ears perk up as she hears Sebastian mention "blonde farmer." The only farmer with light blond hair that she knows of is her friend, Yvonne. A smirk forms on her face, and she can't resist joining in on the fun.

"Oh really, Sam?" she says, a teasing tone to her voice. "You have a crush on my fellow farmer friend?"

Sam looks panicked, his face turning a deeper shade of red. "No, no, no, it's not like that at all! I mean, she's a really nice person, and also pretty, sweet and very hardworking, but I don't have a crush on her or anything!" he protests, his voice a little too loud.

Sebastian lets out a hearty laugh, enjoying his friend's embarrassment. "Yeah, sure. You just happen to blush every time she's around and stare at her like a lovesick puppy."

Sam glares at Sebastian, clearly annoyed by his friend's relentless teasing. "I do not look at her like that! And I definitely don't blush every time she's around!" he insists, his voice faltering a little.

Aleia can't help but find the whole situation amusing, especially with Sam's vehement denials. She glances at Sebastian, who is still chuckling at his friend's discomfort. Despite Sam's protests, the emo seems unconvinced. He raises an eyebrow at his friend, a sly smile on his face. "Right, right. You just happened to know her favorite food, her favorite color, and every detail about her that only a boyfriend would know, but you don't have a crush on her."

Sam's cheeks turn even more red, and he looks like he's about to explode from embarrassment. "I...I just pay attention, that's all. Anyone could figure that stuff out if they spent enough time with her." he mumbles, avoiding eye contact.

As if on cue, there's a knock on the door, and everyone turns to look. Yvonne, who just so happens to be the farmer with blond hair, is standing at the entrance with a puzzled expression on her face.

Sam, who is still trying to calm his reddened face, stammers out a greeting. "H-Hey Y-Yvonne. W-What brings you here?"

Yvonne notices Sam's flushed cheeks and gives him a concerned look. "Are you feeling okay, Sam? You look like you're running a fever." she says, taking a step closer to him.

Sebastian tries to hide a smirk, finding the whole situation amusing, while Aleia bites her lip to hold back a laugh.

Sam quickly shakes his head, trying to brush off Yvonne's worry. "No, no, I'm fine. Just...a little warm, that's all." he replies, his voice cracking a bit.

Yvonne isn't convinced and reaches up to feel his forehead. "You sure? You feel a bit hot to me." she says, still looking concerned.

The room is filled with an awkward silence as Sebastian and Aleia try to stifle their giggles, watching Sam's flustered state. The guitarist tries to maintain his composure, but he can feel his heart racing as Yvonne's hand touches his forehead. He clears his throat, his voice slightly higher pitched than usual. "Really, I'm fine. Just... got a little distracted, that's all."

Yvonne studies him for a moment more before withdrawing her hand. "Okay, if you say so. But if you start feeling unwell, be sure to take care of yourself."

Sebastian can't resist poking fun at his friend once more, "Yeah, maybe you should rest. You do look pretty flushed. Must be those 'distractions' you've been having lately." he teases, glancing at Aleia with a smirk.

Sam shoots a glare at Sebastian, his face still red. "Shut up, Seb. I'm fine, okay? Just ignore this idiot." he says, gesturing towards Sebastian.

Yvonne looks back and forth between the two boys, clearly puzzled by their banter. She turns to Aleia, who has been silently watching the whole scene unfold. Aleia gives her a small smile, trying to hide her amusement. "Don't worry about them. They're always like this. Just ignore their teasing and they'll stop eventually." she reassures.

Yvonne nods in understanding, "Alright, I'll take your word for it." Then she shifts the topic to the reason she came here in the first place. "Anyway, I've been searching for you, Aleia. I need some help with my flowers. I'm planning to put them in my floral kegs, but I'm not sure which ones are edible. Can you give me a hand?"

Aleia snaps out of her amusement and turns her attention to Yvonne. "Of course, I'd be happy to help. Just show me what flowers you have and I'll let you know which ones are safe to put in your floral kegs." she says, her previous amusement replaced by attentiveness.

Yvonne smiles, clearly relieved to have found someone who can assist her. "Thanks, Aleia. I really appreciate it." Then she grabs Aleia's hand and waves goodbye to the two boys. "We'll be going now. Thanks for your time, guys."

Sebastian waves back, while Sam gives the girls a nod, still recovering from his earlier embarrassment.

As the two girls exit Sam's house and walk towards the farm, Aleia glances over at Yvonne. "So, you're planning to make flower-infused drinks with your flowers? That's a creative idea."

Yvonne nods, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Yeah, I thought it would be a nice way to add a bit of flair to my homemade drinks. But I'm not sure which ones are edible and safe, so I need your help to figure out which flowers are okay to use."

Aleia nods, her knowledge kicking in. "Sure, no problem. I know a few things about which flowers are edible and which ones aren't. We can go through your collection and figure it out together."

As they arrive at Rosewood Farm and start sorting through the flowers, Aleia's mind goes back to the song Sebastian had sung earlier. The passionate lyrics and the intensity in his voice had left an impression on her. She can't help but blush a little as she recalls it.

Noticing Aleia's slight flush and lost expression, Yvonne gives her a puzzled look. "Are you okay? You seem distracted." she asks with a hint of worry.

Aleia snaps out of her thoughts and glances at Yvonne, quickly trying to compose herself. "Oh, I'm fine. Just got lost in thought for a moment." she replies, her voice slightly unsteady.

Yvonne eyes her skeptically, clearly not fully convinced by the explanation. "You sure? You seem a bit flustered." she states, a small smirk forming on her lips.

Aleia sighs, realizing that Yvonne isn't going to easily drop the subject. She shrugs nonchalantly and feigns a smirk. "I'm fine, really. Must be the warm weather. Let's get back to the flower picking, shall we?"

Yvonne chuckles a little, still a bit suspicious, but decides to let it go for now. "Alright, if you say so. But I'm no fool, I know there's something on your mind."

The two girls return to their work, focusing on the task at hand. Aleia tries her best to push the thoughts of that song and Sebastian out of her head, but the melody and the emotions it had stirred within her linger in the corners of her mind.

Despite her efforts, Aleia's thoughts continue to wander back to the song and Sebastian throughout the flower sorting process. No matter how much she tries to focus on the task at hand, her mind keeps returning to the sound of the piano and the intense emotions that the words of the lyrics had stirred within her.

Eventually, the two girls finish sorting through the flowers, and Aleia bids Yvonne farewell. As she turns to leave, her mind is still filled with the memories of the song and the way it had touched her heart.

Here are some screenshots:

Mod: "Maggs Immersive Sebastian Dialogue and Custom Events Spicy or Sweet" by @maggplays

Summary: Cerise is overwhelmed by a flashback of her traumatic past, until Jio who is visiting her at the farmhouse, tries to snap her out of it. However, in a reflexive response, Cerise grabs a knife and throws it at him.

The rain poured down in heavy sheets, mixing with the dirt into a thick, slippery mud that covered her small, bare feet. Cerise huddled in the shadows of an alley, shivering in the cold night air. Her eyes darted around in the dark, searching for any signs of danger. In her arms, she held her little sister, Rosemary, barely five years old and crying softly in the storm. Memories assaulted her mind, but she pushed them aside, needing to focus on the here and now.

Cerise's ears strained to hear any sound over the noise of the rain. She knew she needed to escape, to find shelter somewhere. But every path she could take led her and her sister into danger. The sound of voices and footsteps came from the main street and Cerise knew she had to act fast.

Without conscious thought, she started running, clutching Rosemary tightly to her chest. The cold rain turned the world around her into a blur, but she forced herself to run faster, her mind focused only on one thing: keeping her sister safe.

In the chaos, her bare foot landed on a sharp stone, but she barely registered the pain, only the fear that gripped her heart. The voices behind her were growing louder, their footsteps coming closer. They were getting closer...

Finally, she spotted a narrow alleyway leading off to the side. Cerise darted into it, stumbling a bit as her foot throbbed with pain. She took several quick turns down various alleys, desperately trying to throw off any pursuers who may be following them.

She stopped for a moment, her back against the wall and tried to control her ragged breathing. Her entire body trembled with cold and fear. She looked down at her sister in her arms, who was still crying quietly and tried to offer a soothing smile.

"It's going to be okay." she whispered hoarsely to Rosemary, hoping she sounded more convincing than she felt. "We'll find someplace safe soon. No one is going to hurt you, I promise."

But even as she spoke the words, doubt edged into her mind, her own words of courage feeling hollow in the face of the danger they were in. As she listened intently for the distant voices, her thoughts darted back to the events that led to this moment...

Suddenly, a noise drew Cerise's attention back to the present. Footsteps were approaching, coming from the direction she and Rosemary had come from. Holding her breath, Cerise flattened herself against the wall, her heart racing. The footsteps grew closer, accompanied by murmuring voices.

Cerise's grip on Rosemary tightened, her eyes fixed on the mouth of the alley. She dared not turn and run, fearing the sound of her footsteps would alert their pursuers to their location. She felt helpless, her mind racing for a solution that wouldn't put her sister in more danger.

The footsteps stopped at the foot of the alley, just outside of sight. The murmuring voices grew louder, and Cerise made out a few words that sent chills down her spine.

The footsteps started again, closing in on Cerise's hiding spot, and she realized too late that they'd been discovered. Before she could react, strong hands grabbed her, pulling her and Rosemary away from the wall. A scream ripped from her throat as she struggled to get free.

The men held her tightly, their grips bruising on her arms. She cried out, but the sound was lost in the driving rain.

"Cerise! Snap out of it!"

Jio's voice shattered the dark memories that had consumed Cerise, jolting her back to reality. Instinctively, she flung a knife she'd been holding onto the cutting board, aimed straight at him. The blade went straight through the air, but Jio dodged it just in time, narrowly avoiding a serious injury. The knife nicked his cheek instead, drawing a line of blood down his skin.

"Are you okay?" Jio asked, his voice calm and steady despite the steady trickle of blood on his face. Cerise's eyes widened in shock, realizing what she had done. But before she could say anything, Jio raised a hand to stop her. "It's just a small cut." he reassured her. "I'm fine."

Cerise shook her head, refusing to let the matter drop. "No, we need to clean it up first. It's still bleeding." she insisted. But before Jio could protest, Cerise had already turned on her heel and walked away to grab the first aid kit.

When she returned, first aid kit in hand, Cerise found Jio still standing in the same spot. His expression was guarded, but there was a flicker of something else in his eyes, some emotion that Cerise couldn't quite place.

Cerise began to clean the cut on Jio's cheek, she could feel the tension between them. But neither of them spoke, the silent only broken by the occasional hiss from Jio as Cerise applied the antiseptic to the wound.

As Cerise tended to his wound, Jio's attention was momentarily distracted by her physical appearance. Her eyes, a deep shade of purple as if they held the secrets of the night sky, contrasted beautifully with her soft, beige hair that was reminiscent of a gentle sandy hue, and Jio found himself sneaking glances at her face. Suddenly, conscious of his staring, he shook his head and focused on the present.

Jio cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "You know, you have some great aim." he said, trying to keep his tone light. "I could've sworn you aimed that knife right at my nose earlier."

Cerise chuckled softly, still focused on her task. "I guess I got lucky." she replied, continuing to clean the cut. "Although, I wasn't really aiming for your nose. I was just—" Her voice trailed off as she paused, her expression clouding over momentarily.

Jio picked up on her sudden change in demeanor and frowned. "Just what?" he pressed, his eyes studying her face carefully.

Cerise hesitated, her hand stilling on Jio's cheek. "It's nothing." she said after a moment, her voice sounding almost forced. "I just got lost in thought, that's all." She dabbed a cotton ball with antiseptic and resumed cleaning the cut.

Jio wasn't convinced. He could see that something was clearly bothering her, but he also knew that pushing too hard would only make her clam up. So he waited, letting the silence stretch out as she finished cleaning the wound.

Once she was done, Cerise put down the cotton ball and reached for a bandage. She applied it carefully over the cut, her fingers lingering on his skin for a few seconds longer than necessary. Jio couldn't help but notice, his heart quickening slightly at the touch.

As she finished, Cerise stepped back, her eyes avoiding his. Jio could tell that she was trying to distance herself, trying to hide from him. But he wasn't about to let her get away with such a weak explanation. He reached out and gently touched her chin, turning her face towards him. Her gaze met his, and he could see the mixture of emotions swirling in her eyes. "What's going on, Cerise?" he asked quietly.

Cerise hesitated for a moment, her eyes searching his face. Jio could see the struggle on her expression, the silent battle between the need to confide in someone and the desire to keep her secrets hidden. He waited, his thumb tracing small, soothing circles on her jaw.

Finally, she let out a sigh, her shoulders sagging with the weight of her burdens. "It's just... complicated." she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "There are things about me, that I'm not ready to talk about yet. Not even to you."

Jio stared at her with understanding and empathy in his eyes, holding her hand gently. He tried to convey through his touch that she could trust him, that he was someone she could confide in.

Cerise shook her head, "You remember what I said about us moving here to Grandma's farm to start a new life?" she asked. "That is true, but there's more to it than that. The reason why we had to leave our old lives behind is..."

She paused, her expression darkening as she struggled to continue. Jio gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, encouraging her to go on.

After a deep breath, Cerise continued, her voice tinged with bitterness. "The environment we used to live in was dangerous and toxic." she admitted. "It was a miserable place, and we both knew we couldn't stay any longer. I couldn't let Rosemary grow up in that hellhole, and I had to keep us both safe."

Jio nodded, his expression grave as he listened intently.

"So, I made a plan.", Cerise continued, her voice firm. "A plan to escape and make a fresh start somewhere new. It took years of planning, working in secret, all while doing my best to stay sane and keep Rosemary safe."

She paused briefly, memories of the struggle they had endured flashing in her mind.

Then, Jio gently rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb, wanting to offer her some comfort. "Cerise..." he said softly. "You don't have to tell me the details if you're not ready yet. I just want you to know that I'm here for you, whatever you need."

Cerise glanced down at their joined hands, then back up at him. She could see the genuine concern and understanding in his eyes, and it warmed her heart a little.

She gave him a small, bittersweet smile. "Thanks," she murmured. "I just... I need a little more time before I can talk about it. But I want you to know that I do trust you, Jio."

Jio's heart swelled with both emotions. It was both painful and exhilarating to know that she trusted him, but it also hurt to see her struggling to share her burden. All he wanted to do was to take her pain away, but he knew that these things couldn't be rushed.

"Take all the time you need," he replied, squeezing her hand gently. "I'm not going anywhere. I'll be here whenever you're ready."

Cerise let out a shaky breath, the weight of her secrets feeling a little lighter with Jio's reassurance. She nodded slightly, appreciating his patience and understanding.

Then she let out a small chuckle, trying to shake off the heavy atmosphere. "Right." she said, looking back at the forgotten chocolate project. "Let's finish up. Can't leave them to make themselves, can we?"

Jio couldn't help but sneak a glance at her face as she spoke, his eyes taking in the gentle slope of her nose, the curve of her lips, and the warmth in her eyes. Even in the midst of her pain, she was undeniably beautiful to him.

Cerise continued working on the chocolates, her hands moving with a gentle, practiced ease as she prepared the molds and filled them with the still-warm chocolate mixture. Jio watched her from his seat, his gaze lingering on her face and hands, admiring the way she worked. The concentration in her expression, the skillful precision of her movements, the way she bit her lip in focus... All of these things only made her more enchanting to him.

He wished he could help her but he also knew that his rough hands were ill-suited for this kind of delicate work, so he settled for admiring her from a distance, content just to watch and be near her. The room was quiet except for the gentle clinking of spoons and the soft sounds of stirring, and Jio found himself completely captivated by her presence.

As the hours passed and the chocolates were finally completed, he reluctantly broke the silence. "Looks like they're done." he said, rising from his seat.

Cerise smiled at him, wiping her hands on a towel. "Yeah, they are," she said. "Now, they just need to cool and set before we can taste them."

After the chocolates were set aside to cool, Jio found his thoughts drifting back to their conversation earlier in the day. The way she had opened up just a little, the sorrow and pain in her eyes when she spoke about her past...

Jio had been initially suspicious of Cerise when she first arrived in town, but now, after hearing her story, his suspicions had quieted somewhat. He still didn't know the full details of her past, but the fact that she had trusted him enough to share any part of it had shifted something within him.

'Whatever it is she's hiding.', he thought to himself,

Jio looked over at Cerise, who was cleaning up the mess from their chocolate-making session. Her expression was distant, lost in thought, and Jio wondered how much more there was to her story that he didn't know.

But for now, he would be patient. He would let her set the pace and share what she was ready to share.

He stood up and approached her, a small smile on his face. "Need any help with that?" he asked, gesturing to the spilled sugar and dirty bowls scattered across the counter.

Cerise looked up at Jio, a grateful smile spreading across her face. "Thanks." she said, stepping aside to let him help. Together they cleaned up the mess, working silently side by side. There was a comfortable familiarity in the simplicity of the task, and Jio found himself enjoying the closeness he felt to Cerise in this moment.

As they finished tidying up, Jio brushed a stray lock of hair away from Cerise's face, his fingers lingering on her cheek for just a second longer than necessary.

"All done." he said softly, his gaze on her face. She met his eyes, her expression soft and open, and for a moment, they just stood there, mere inches apart, caught in a private moment that felt both vulnerable and electrifying.

Suddenly, the peaceful moment was shattered by the sound of the front door banging open, followed by a cheerful cry from Rosemary. "I'm home!"

Jio nearly jumped out of his skin at her loud entrance, while Cerise just chuckled and headed towards the living room to greet her younger sister.

"Hey, welcome back." Cerise said as she approached Rosemary, ruffling her hair affectionately.

Rosemary, oblivious to the tension she had just interrupted, beamed up at her older sister, holding out a basket filled with freshly harvested crops. "Look what I got today!"

Jio had followed them into the living room, his irritation at the interruption mingled with a grudging fondness for the young girl. He leaned against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest. Rosemary proudly showed off the contents of her basket, it was filled with a variety of monster crops, each one more vibrant and thriving than the last.

"I collected a bunch of monster crop seeds from the Highlands." she explained, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "This is my first harvest! I'm gonna take some back to give to Lance for his research."

Jio's irritation at the interruption faded slightly as he listened to Rosemary's enthusiasm. The girl had a natural talent for farming, and her dedication to the land was admirable. He found himself softening just a little.

Cerise smiled at her sister's excitement, sharing in her sense of accomplishment. "That's great, Rosemary." she said, patting her on the head. "I'm sure Lance will be thrilled to get these samples."

Rosemary beamed at the praise, her cheeks flushed with happiness. "I hope so! I want to help him as much as I can."

Jio is leaning against the wall, couldn't help a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. The girl's enthusiasm was infectious, even if she had interrupted a very... interesting moment between him and Cerise.

With Rosemary still chattering about her successful harvest, Cerise looked over at Jio and gave him a knowing glance. She mouthed an apology for the interruption, her expression sheepish and apologetic.

Jio shrugged in response, his irritation fading. He could hardly stay mad when Rosemary was so excited, and he was secretly glad for the distraction. Maybe it was a good thing that the moment between him and Cerise had been interrupted... for now, at least.

𝙲𝚑𝚘𝚌𝚘𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙲𝚘𝚗𝚏𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎𝚜

"𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘺 𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭."

Wtf why haven't I notice this??? Holy shit! That one is hot! 😳 I'm actually the anon who did the request. Thank you for writing them. 😏👌✨

I don't know if anyone has requested this, but can you write a smut about the Farmer wearing an outfit that is based from their partner's professions. Like Lance, seeing Farmer in a sexy adventurer outfit, Jio seeing Farmer in ninja gear outfit. Then there's Magnus seeing Farmer in a beautiful but tempting witch outfit. 🤭😏

Summary: Lance and Jio's Reactions To Seeing Their Spouse In A Sexy Version of Their Uniforms.

Warning(s): Fluff(kinda?), 18+ Suggestiveness, Blatant favoritism on Jio's part ngl, Established relationship in both.

Side note(s): I don't think you will ever understand anon how happy this request made me, I'm not even lying to you. The way I could go on a horny rant about Jio, I FUCKING LOVE THAT ELF MAN.

Then again, I just love elves in general-

MINORS AND AGELESS BLOGS DNI

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ

[Ridgeside Valley] Jio

Your mimic of his outfit would amuse him.

With everything that goes on inside of the cult (the forces of Gabriella, constant danger etc.). There's not a lot of room for play.

So his partner dressing up in a sexy version of his outfit? Don't get me wrong, he's rearranging your guts later on but assuming the both of you aren't alone...he's definitely flirting with you and generally being wholesome.

♡ - When you had suggested that you come with him to provide a little help on his missions today. He was skeptical.

Although he understood you were more than capable of handling yourself in the midst of battle. The forces of Gabriella were nothing to scoff at, as you already knew during your involvement when you helped cleanse the Ridge.

But...as the two of you were patrolling the outer edges of the Ridge, allowing you two to finally have a more peaceful moment to yourselves, it was then that Jio allowed himself to actually look over the..."outfit" you decided to wear today as you accompanied him. And stating that your clothing was an outfit was him being polite! As you explained to him, you wanted to wear a "sexified" version of his usual gear that he wore when he patrolled.

He didn't speak on it at the time as time was crucial.

But now?

He was beginning to wish that he had said something then. Even if it was to state that he would prefer you to wear something wen the two of you were in a more private area.

Finally, the elf let out a sigh. "Must you torture me like this, my star?"

Your chuckled as you looked over at your husband, his cheeks slightly tinted red along with his ears. It seemed that your timer to see how long his patience would hold strong was finally beginning to tick away. "What do you mean?"

"Your outfit."

You tilted your head to the side in faux confusion. "What's wrong with my outfit? You didn't say anything about it this morning!" You gasped, much to your husband's frustration as he decided to look forward once more in an effort to ignore the familiar warmth beginning to grow in his pants. "I know I didn't but now," He took a breath before continuing. "Don't you think it's a little revealing?"

A smirk began to creep steadily onto your face. "There's no one here~"

Jio rolled his eyes at your shift in voice. He wasn't a fool, he knew exactly what you were trying to do. Rile him up and make him forgo his mission, although he enjoyed your games as well as making you work to try and convince him that it was worth "taking a break" and releasing any stresses and pent-up needs inside of you against a tree somewhere.

Typically such games were played at the end of a mission.

Not in the middle.

So, the elf sighed as he simply responded by walking faster. "You'll have to try harder than that if you wish to break my will."

"Oh come on, don't act like my outfit doesn't make you want to take a little break."

"You need to stop hanging around Daia."

Jio chuckled quietly to himself at your silence. He hit the nail on the head on where this idea of yours came from. "But don't fret, my love. I never said the outfit wasn't doing anything to me." He said as he came to a stop.

And, as you did the same, Jio turned to loop an arm around your waist before he pulled you towards him, briefly tugging down his mask to press a heated yet chaste kiss against your lips. One that left you breathless and yearning for more, even more so as Jio made his yearning obvious to you by pressing himself closer to your body where you felt his steadily growing hardness.

Despite being married for nearly two years now, you still blushed as if this were the first time he acted this way around you. "J-Jio..." You gulped.

"When we get home, I'll demonstrate more thoroughly what your little outfit does to me, my love." And just before you could even lean in for another kiss, one that you prayed could hold you over until then. Jio laughed in your face as he quickly put distance in between the both of you, serving to effectively deny you both of his kiss and his warmth.

And when you pouted, he only offered you a fleeting smirk before he pulled his mask up with a soft chuckle. "Patience, the game of waiting makes everything so much sweeter in the end...right?"

[SDV Expanded] Lance

I think he’d be in a similar situation as Jio. He thinks it’s funny but would probably take things a step further.

Here’s the vision: You’re a lone adventurer on Ginger Island and you get lost. Miraculously, Lance appears and offers to help you find your way! (How generous of him) but there’s a catch. You have to service him in return.

Of course though because Lance is such a gentleman, he’d make sure your services wouldn’t be performed anywhere dangerous or where you two would risk getting caught <3.

♡ - You had been walking for hours throughout Ginger Island. After recently accepting a commission from Marlon about there being an angrier-than-normal fire spirit here, you had decided to take on the job and get some extra gold in your pocket in the process! But...you almost felt stupid, you had been to Ginger Island many times prior, to the point where you were capable of walking here and there in your sleep you thought!

So why were you lost?

"Didn't I pass near this emerald bird twice already...?" You murmured to yourself once you found yourself circling back to the same long-legged green bird, the animal giving you a curious stare before deciding to sit down.

You had a mind to do the same until you heard a rustle in the tree line, causing you to place a hand on the sheath of your sword whilst the bird immediately flew off. You sucked in a breath, remembering that the commission explained that the fire spirit was a bit more antsy than the usual ones, was this one it? A bead of sweat started to roll down the side of your face, your adrenaline spiking until...you breathed a sigh of relief.

"Lance!" You smiled at the sight of your spouse as you rushed up to him with a beaming smile, throwing your hands around him despite his slightly singed form. "What are you doing here? And why-"

"Fire spirits, I spotted a larger one. Quite aggressive but nothing I wasn't capable of handling." As he pressed a kiss to your head, hugging you tightly to his form, his brow rose as he spotted your outfit. It was like his own but...it revealed more skin? Instead of long brown pants, you wore brown shorts that clasped tightly to your skin as well as a white shirt that had a long v-neck that exposed more of your breasts than normal.

You even had a blue cape!

"Your outfit, are you trying to copy me?" He teased.

You stuck out your tongue playfully. "What if I am?" You did a little twirl.

"I'd say that you picked a fine time to copy me, seeing as you're trying to complete a commission."

Although you wouldn't admit that you somewhat agreed with him (after all, taking on the commission was a last-minute thing you decided to do as an excuse to visit the lava cave). You didn't miss the part of your husband's sentence when he mentioned he had killed a larger-than-normal fire spirit! That meant that your commission had been completed without you having to even touch the cave, and for good riddance too.

You were still lost.

But, you assumed you could play around a little. "Well, I don't think I'll be doing much commission completing if I remain lost on this island." You sighed dramatically. "Unlessss some noble adventurer was to help me?"

Lance smirked as he caught onto your words. "What's in it for me?" His hand started to travel down from the dip in your back, lower and lower until he reached your barely covered behind.

"What do you want?" You responded with a suggestive raise of your brow, your hand trailing down to hook a finger over the waistband of his pants.

"I'm certain you'll find something to do, maybe...one that involves servicing your poor injured husband?"

You had just the remedy.

I’m crying fanfiction is incredible

Just came across AI-generated work in the Stardew Valley section on AO3 for the first time. This author’s only two published fics used it.

It disappoints me, honestly. This person is missing the part of the process where all you wanna do smash your screen into tiny little pieces and swear off writing ever again but working through that until you excitedly share it online! It’s all so important to experience, even if you think it’s shitty in the end, because it means at least you did it. It means you feel more connected to it and you’re strengthening your skill! You can only get better!

If you think your story is done but still not up to your standards, post it anyway! Someone will love it and it might help you break from that mindset you’re in.

Write fan fiction, have fun, it’s not that deep :)

MY FAVORITE STARDEW VALLEY FICS — PART 1

NOTES: This is part 1 of what I’m sure will be a lot more lists of my favorites! Some of these fics have been included in my monthly recommendations. I’m literally always reading something if I’m not actually playing the game. But how do I tell people that I am an avid reader, just not in the traditional sense?

WILTING — devastating

[Sam/Sebastian, Angst, Mental Health Issues, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Breaking Up & Making Up, Hopeful Ending]

Sam breaks up with Sebastian, he tells himself that this is the healthiest thing that he could do for the two of them. He tells himself that he’s okay with the new life he’s built for himself. He tells himself a million and one things and yet he can’t make himself believe his own lies.

FULL HOMO + LIGHT ME UP SERIES — lily_alphonse, @lily-alphonse

[Sam/Sebastian, Smut, Fluff, Friends to Lovers, Mild Hurt/Comfort, Love Confessions, Mutual Pining]

Sam and Sebastian's friendship is the most important thing in the world to them. For years they've skated this line, neither willing to ruin what they have in case the other doesn't feel the same.

LOVE FROM THE OTHER SIDE — changeishard, @changeishard

[Elliott/Penny, Angst, Fluff, Smut, Romance, AU - Gods and Goddesses, Inspired by Ancient Greek Religion & Lore]

Sam was desperate. He knew his band, Goblin Destroyer, was good, but they haven't been able to get it off the ground yet. They had quit their day jobs to focus on this, and Sam felt like it was his responsibility to make them famous. So he would make a deal. He could part with his soul. It wasn't a huge price to pay for their success. Sam deserved it. Seb and Abby deserved it, too. But the devil wasn't interested in his soul. He wanted Sam's wife. Or, an AU where Elliott is a God who takes Penny to his realm as part of Sam's bargain.

YOU REALLY GOT ME — softwisp, @realmalewife

[Sam/Sebastian, Friends to Lovers, Masturbation, Drug Use, Anal Sex, Voice Actor Sebastian]

Sam has started losing his mind recently. He can’t tell what exactly it is, the shift in weather.. the time of year. Even the slightest breeze sets his skin aflame. It has nothing to do with his best friend. Even if his dark eyes and plump lips swarm his thoughts and dreams. He’s been lying awake at night, in a cold sweat, unable to sleep. His days start to blur together, he’s not acting like himself. He doesn’t know what he’s doing. He needs to fix it. Maybe something online can help?

KENT HELP FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU — insominia

[Kent/Female Player, Cheating, Infidelity, Unhappy Marriage, Hurt/Comfort, Smut, Fluff, Secret Relationship, Slow Burn]

When Kent returns from the war, a different man from the one who went out, he doesn't expect his life to turn upside down upon meeting the valley's new resident and farmer, Reyna.

SOMETIMES, LOVE CALLS TWICE (SERIES) — raewrotethat

[Elliott/Sam/Sebastian, Smut, Threesome, Fluff, Polyamory, Daddy Kink, Love Confessions, Porn With Feelings, Idiots in love]

The three of them attempt to have sex without feelings. They are very unsuccessful.

IN YOUR EYES — Mouse_213, @the-mouse-wife

[Sam/Sebastian, Enemies to Lovers, Sex Worker Sebastian, Slow Burn, Hurt/Comfort, Dom/Sub, Kinky, Porn With Feelings]

Sebastian is a spiky, cold loner who dislikes 99% of the people he meets. With the exception of his best friend Abigail, Seb doesn’t seem to care much at all about his peers. Distracting himself from his angst, Seb throws all of his energy into his secret job as a cam model, where he can find the praise and encouragement he needs from anonymous subscribers on the internet to keep him going. But it’s getting difficult to fight the burnout from working so much, and Seb is getting tired. To make matters worse, Abigail’s been hanging out with the one person Seb hates the most- the warm, talkative, and brash Sam.

CONTRAST & COLOR — Mouse_213, @the-mouse-wife

[Sam/Sebastian, Enemies to Lovers, Slow Burn, Fluff, Smut, Angst, AU - College/University, Drug Abuse, Toxic Relationships]

Seb is a moody painting major whose only interest, besides art and hanging out with his favorite lesbian Leah, is finding new and interesting ways to escape sobriety. Sam is a cheerful photography major whose chatty demeanor has earned him many friends, through the years, and even more people who try to take advantage of his kindness. ...And they were roommates!

FIRE WALK WITH ME + OBSIDIAN AND RUBY (SERIES) — HibiscusTea9, @hibiscustea9

[Elliott/Sebastian, Romance, Slow Burn, Smut, Angst, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Coming Out, Murder Mystery]

On a cold, rainy night in early spring, two lost souls accidentally touch. What happens next is something neither expected.

MORE, ENOUGH — kinkratonthestreets

[Sam/Sebastian, Domestic Fluff, Smut, Angst, Established Relationship, Weight Gain, Feedism, Belly Kink, Body Worship, Past Suicide Attempt]

Married life has been treating Sam and Sebastian well: they’re settling into the city, their careers are growing, and Sam’s made a lot of progress learning to cook real food for the two of them (as Sebastian can attest). They’ve got a good thing going. But when Sam gets back from going on tour, Sebastian’s looking exhausted and run-down, and Sam can tell he’s lost weight. What if he’s getting bad again?

IF I FELL — darningdreams

[Elliott/Sebastian, Future Fic, Angst, Slice of Life, Awkward Romance, Family Fluff, Happy Ending]

Ten years ago, someone came to fix up the old farm outside Pelican Town. She ran around handing out presents, attending festivals, and flirting with whomever seemed interested… which was most decidedly not Sebastian. He had Sam, after all, and the perfect pairing of sun and moon moved to Zuzu City not long after the farmer married the eccentric writer who lived on the beach. Now, Sebastian is making ends meet working at a coffee shop near the university district, thoroughly jaded by life and love. He only goes home for holidays when he knows Maru and his ex aren’t going to be there. The old farm sits empty again, re-abandoned after a few years. Sometimes he wonders what happened to the family that formed there as he drives back to his depressingly tiny apartment in Zuzu City. He never expected he’d actually find out, or find himself falling in love again.

NOTES, BOOKS, AND NOTESBOOKS — WingsofFae

[Harvey/Elliott, Romance, Pining, Poetry]

In which two grown-ass men fangirl for each other.

PAST REGRETS — WingsofFae

[Harvey/Elliott, Romance, Fake/Pretend Relationship, Picnics, Stars, Maru is a plot device]

Harvey is doing his best to be a professional, respectable adult. But hey, what can you do? Some men are too pretty to forget.

DOWN, BOY — beastinabasket, @duncanlesbianism

[Elliott/Female Reader, Smut, Light BDSM, Femdom, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Praise Kink, Submissive Top Elliott]

Whenever Elliott's day had been particularly hard, he unknowingly turned into a sad puppy.

LOUD AND PROUD IN YOUR DIRECTION — DakiWaaban

[Sam/Sebastian, Smut, Friends to Lovers, Rough Sex, Mild Cuckolding, Dirty Talk, Dacryphilia]

“Did you…did you really get hard from that?” “Yeah,” Sam says again, somehow even quieter. “Take your pants off.”

POMOGRANATE WINE AND RECYCLED FISHING LINE — Anonymous

[Elliott/Female Reader, Non-Sexual Submission, Light Bondage, Non-Sexual Kink, Soft Dom Elliott]

After they barely make it home from the mines, Elliott soft-doms the farmer into getting more than four hours of sleep.

CLOSE CALL AND CLOSER COMFORTS — SFDoll

[Sam/Female Reader, Hurt Comfort, Angst, Romance, Family Drama, Bathing/Washing, Dom/Sub Undertones, Cockwarming]

After the farmer nearly dies in the Skull Caverns, the farmer and Sam deal with the emotional and physical fallout of that night. Turns out they both need a little comfort and intimacy.

HOT COCOA — Spot_Stan

[Shane/AFAB Reader, Hurt Comfort, Angst, Romance, Injury Recovery, Frostbite, Unplanned Pregnancy, Pregnant Sex, Belly Kink, Breeding Kink]

One sleepless night, Shane goes for a walk in the heavy snow, and comes back home to nurse a frozen farmer back to health.

IT SMELLS LIKE YOU — HarmlessGhosty

[Elliott/Female Reader, Fluff, Storms, Cuddling & Snuggling, Pining, First Kiss, Power Outage, Emotional Hurt/Comfort]

When a tropical storm rolls through Pelican Town, it knocks out the power to every building, including Elliott’s cabin…though he only had one or two light switches in the first place. Problem is, the farmer had been visiting to ensure that he was set for the storm just before it hit. She’s stuck with him while it passes overnight, and she’s terrified of the dark. It’s up to Elliott to find ways to comfort her without stepping over any lines. He needs to be a gentleman. It’s what she deserves.

— PLEASE GO SUPPORT THESE AUTHORS!

I’M GOING INSANE YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP! | There was this Harvey x Fem Reader fic collection called Stubborn Love on AO3 by stripesandpolkadots. They were easily some of my All Time favorites! Unfortunately, the author took them down shortly after completing them (around December 2023, I think?) and that decision has killed me to this day.

If anyone at all has these fics archived, please send them to me. Also, please don’t ever delete your fics! Abandon them, anonymously post them—just please keep them accessible because there might be someone who adores it.

This is probably so dramatic but I really don’t wanna bug the author if I might not have to because I’ve already asked about this lmao. I just wanna reread it dawg. Thanks so much in advance <33

FEBRUARY 2025 FIC RECOMMENDATIONS — STARDEW VALLEY

NOTES: I didn’t read a ton this month! so apologies for the short list. I’m really into Sambastian atm. Also, please feel free to recommend fics, as well as your own!

LIKE YOU DESERVE — megriddle333, @megwritesriddles

[Sebastian/Female Reader, Smut, Friends to Lovers, Filming, Shane Bashing, Dirty Talk]

Reader is left adrift after a disappointing relationship with Shane comes to an equally disappointing end, but Sebastian wants to show them how they deserved to be treated all this time.

STEAL ME AWAY — burekforsatoru, @whatdoidosatoru

[Sebastian/Female Reader, Fluff, Childhood Sweethearts, Mild Sexual Content, Pregnancy, Implied/Referenced Character Death, Childhood Memories]

from a young age, you had a distinct presence in sebastian's life. throughout your childhood, your awkward years, your adulthood... you were always there. always with him, only in different forms.

THERE WILL BE ANOTHER MOMENT WE’LL MEET AGAIN… — Anonymous

[Sam/Sebastian, Implied/Referenced Suicide, Angst, Hurt/No Comfort, Suicide Notes (Voicemail), Ambiguous/Open Ending]

A part of Sam knows it's unrealistic to hope. To think he's just overreacting, that when he gets to his house, Sebastian will be curled up in bed, that Sam will yell at him for making him worry, that at least he'd be okay. But he knows better. alt; Sam isn't too worried when Sebastian disappears in the middle of the Stardew Valley Fair, until he realizes he really, really should be.

PERFECTLY ANNOYING — Annetastic, @annetastic1981a

[Sam/Sebastian, Smut, Love Confessions, Blowjobs, Consensual Sex, Sebastian's Slutty Frog PJs]

Sebastian's best friend Sam has always been slightly annoying with his charisma, charm, and perfect good looks. But the most annoying thing is how Sebastian is in love with him.

WAIT YOUR TURN — hauntedhopefuls

[Sam/Sebastian/Female Reader, Smut, Cuckolding, Dom/Sub Dynamics, Consensual Sex, Degradation, Humiliation]

Sam’s got a kink, a wonderful girlfriend, and a best friend who are willing to help him realize his fantasy of being cucked.

GUYS BEING DUDES — ketchhup

[Sam/Sebastian, Smut, Porn Without Plot, Pining, Mutual Masturbation, Friends to Lovers]

It's not technically sex, and it's definitely not romantic.

LIGHT, CAMERA, ACTION — A_little_snail, @glazedsnail

[Sam/Sebastian/Shane, Smut, Camera, Established Relationship, Blowjob]

Shane has been hired by Sam and Seb for a little project involving his camera.

— PLEASE GO SUPPORT THESE AUTHORS!

Also, feel free to send me suggestions! SFW only please, I’m not comfortable reading anything more than that! :)

I think I wanna try my hand at recording a podfic! I’d try to make it immersive n stuff. If you’d like to volunteer your fic, please let me know!

I think I wanna try my hand at recording a podfic! I’d try to make it immersive n stuff. If you’d like to volunteer your fic, please let me know!

the consequences of desire

Apple Music - Web Player

Read your Mind by Sabrina Carpenter on Apple Music

Song · 2022 · Duration 3:27

restorations // chapter three

read on ao3 here!

on my fifth day in the valley, i opened my mailbox to see a flyer informing me that a mine had opened up on the mountaintop. after grabbing my pickaxe and a few parsnips, i made my way up the mountain to be greeted by an older man with an eyepatch. 

he introduced himself as marlon and warned me about the dangers i’d face below. with the wimpy sword he’d given me to protect myself with, i swallowed my fears and descended. 

i’d already nearly exhausted myself on the third floor. just my luck, i’d supposed. i swung my sword wildly as a bat nearly knocked me off my feet. i reached in my pack for a parsnip, only to find that i’d brought only three with me, all of which i had already eaten. 

gone already? what is wrong with me today? i thought to myself. 

it suddenly occurred to me just how unprepared for the strength and energy that was required for this journey i was, leaving aside the simple fact that i had barely any of the required materials… my pickaxe was far too weak, my sword was falling apart, and i’d only just finished growing my first batch of parsnips (ninety percent of which i’d sold to lewis that morning). 

these are the reasons i gave myself as why it was okay that i’d woken up in Harvey's arms as he carried me out of the mines and into town, maru trailing behind him with a worried look on her face.

i floated in and out of consciousness as we walked past the large house on the mountaintop, past the old, broken down community center, and finally toward the door of the clinic where he readjusted our positions so he could unlock his door. 

i groaned as he cradled me in his arms and saw him look down at me, almost frightened. 

the last thing i remember before everything going dark is making eye contact with the doctor as he walked us across the threshold of his clinic.

–

when i opened my eyes next, i was in a hospital bed with Harvey leaning over me. 

he didn’t notice me open my eyes immediately so i just regarded him for a moment. i think he could feel my eyes on him after a moment because he suddenly remembered himself, his body covering mine in a way far too intimate for a doctor and his patient.

he tensed and i couldn’t help but reach up to touch his shoulder in an attempt to try to get him to relax a bit. he regarded my hand for a minute before meeting my eyes.

with a huffed breath, he whispered “hi. um, you got in an accident today. when maru found you in the mines, it appeared as though you’d been knocked out. by what, we still don’t know. i was able to repair all of your injuries without much trouble. do you have any insurance? i’ll need to bill you for the service.”

he paused for a moment before saying, “you know what? nevermind. let’s worry about that later. how much pain are you in? do you need more penicillin? i can get you some acetaminophen or maybe some benadryl but it’s a little late in the day–”

i was obviously still high as shit from the effects of whatever kind of drug the doctor must’ve put me under because in the middle of his diatribe, i brought up a finger to his lips and shushed him. 

he seemed surprised at first, maybe even a little rattled, but softened almost immediately. “you’re right. i’m sorry, Calliope. i’ve been hovering, and i should give you some time to rest. or, at least, some time to be alone. maru told me that you have plans tonight at the saloon.”

had i not been “up in the clouds,” as it were, i might’ve wondered why the town doctor had asked his colleague if i’d had plans tonight, but as such, i simply said “come with me.”

his eyes had wandered to where my fingers had landed following their personal space invasion but snapped back to mine as he processed my words.

“n-no. i.. i couldn’t. i wouldn’t want to intrude on you four. and.. i wouldn’t feel comfortable. the old man in the corner… you’d feel obligated to include me in conversation and it’d make you miserable,” he said, taking a step away from the bed, and, suddenly, the room temperature dropped noticeably.

“wait,” i said, sitting up (and immediately wincing), “it’s not going to be like that. i promise. plus, it won’t be four of us and you. sebastian’s not coming. something about a looming deadline. it’ll be me, sam, and abby. and you. hopefully. and i need someone else there so that i don’t get caught third wheeling! they haven’t admitted it… but there’s something going on there, i just know it…” 

as i conspired about a budding relationship between two of my neighbors, i turned my head and began chewing on my fingernails, a habit i’d picked up as an anxious eight-year-old and hadn’t been able to kick since. i had, however, not done it in public since fifteen. 

when i finally realized that i was, of course, not alone, i immediately pulled my fingers out of my mouth and felt my face get hot with embarrassment. i couldn’t look him in the eyes as i mumbled an apology.

his mouth parted in a small smile before saying, “don’t be. i think it’s cute.”

my eyes widened, my head snapping over to him again. “what?” i said. 

it seemed the doctor, too, was rendered speechless. he swallowed before pausing, as if to make up an excuse. finally, he said, “well! you are all patched up and free to go. let me know if you need anything else from me, Calliope.”

before i could reply, he turned on his heel and practically ran out of the room. 

minutes later, i walked out into the waiting room of the small clinic, after gathering my things and ensuring i looked decent enough for the outside world. Harvey was there, and appeared to be busying himself with various papers. 

i didn’t manage to catch his eye, but before walking out, i repeated my offer to him.

“just think about it,” i finally said. without a look back, i left the clinic, still in pain, definitely exhausted, and scared as hell that i might just fall in love after all.

the consequences of desire

chapter two - adjustments (read it on ao3 here!)

i woke up the next morning to the sound of one quiet knock and three louder knocks at my door. from my bed in the corner, i heard two voices - one: timid and unsure, the other: enthusiastic and confident. i knew immediately that these must be the two friends i’d already heard so much about, whether from lewis (who has a strong dislike for the blond boy), or robin (mother of the raven-haired boy). 

to keep them from waiting much longer, i dragged myself out of bed and answered the door.

“hello?” i said, still wiping the sleep from my eyes. 

the blond smiled brightly as he introduced himself, “hi! i’m sam. this is sebastian. we’re your neighbors! i know it’s only your fourth day in town, but we haven’t met yet, and we wanted to introduce ourselves!”

the other man stood next to him, reddening more and more as his friend rambled on about his family, his job, and the younger people in town. eventually, sam stopped and gestured for sebastian to say something to me. 

“h-hi,” he stuttered out, “welcome to the most claustrophobic place north of the gem sea.” 

sam punched his friend as i chuckled. “most claustrophobic, huh? i take it you’re not a huge fan of the valley..”

he shook his head in response.

i smiled before saying “well, i can’t say that i blame you. i sure didn’t think that i’d be out here farming for a living before last fall!” 

he gives me a small smile showing off his snake bite piercings and all i can think is that lydia would love this man. there’s not much i miss about the city, but, yoba, did i seriously consider stuffing lydia in a suitcase and bringing her with me. i smile absently.

the two men must be able to see i’m preoccupied because they take their leave but not before inviting me to the saloon on friday night. i thank them for the invitation and tell them that i’ll be there.

as they walk down my porch steps and off in separate directions, i linger a moment longer before getting ready for the day.

–

that morning is spent mostly watering and clearing more space for crops to cultivate. i’d finally gotten my hands on a solid number of cauliflower seeds which i was itching to grow. 

as i planted nearly four dozen cauliflowers, my mind wandered back to Harvey… how had he known i’d been avoiding him? why didn’t that make him less inclined to get to know me? what kind of person avoids the local doctor? what was Harvey doing right now? was he thinking about me? would it be so terrible if he were? what would i say if he appeared at this very moment while my dirt-covered overalls sagged with the weight of these damned cauliflower seeds?

it didn’t matter what i would have said, though, because he didn’t come. i didn’t see him again for three days. 

and, when i saw him three days later, it was while drifting in and out of consciousness as he carried me to the clinic.

hope u enjoyed <3333 see y'all next chapter ;)

meet the oc

k I really gotta write a final BUT b4 I go here's Calliope's intro for u >:) luv u byeeeee

ok so i’ve just planned out the first seven chapters of tcod so i hope yall r ready 😭😭😭 THERE WILL BE ANGST!!!!!

the consequences of desire

Apple Music - Web Player

Some Place Else by MorMor on Apple Music

Song · 2019 · Duration 3:34

read it on ao3 here!

i moved to the valley in the spring. it was so full of life, and nothing like i remembered it. the people i met were kind - for the most part. this is exactly what i was looking for, i thought to myself. 

as i meandered around on my first day in town, i caught sight of him. clad in a forest green blazer and an orange… no, bronze tie, he sat on a bench in the park by the old, battered community center. i was tempted to approach him, but i didn’t dare. 

it’s true that i fall in love easily. my mother used to say i must have been blessed by aphrodite. it sounds great to fall in love like that, but the other part, the part no one considers, is the falling out of love. to feel my heart break over and over again was torture, so, before moving to the valley, i’d decided to lock my heart away, to keep her safe from harm.

so yes, i decided not to approach him out of a fear that i’d fall just as naturally as breathing. 

and it was easy, at first, to avoid him. he keeps weird hours, the doctor. so when i’d finally visited the saloon, on the first rainy day in the spring of my first year, the mayor asked me if i’d met everyone in town yet, i’d simply said no. i’d been busy. he’d understood, of course, but when he had asked me who i hadn’t met yet, i’d told him only to have him escort me to where he was sitting at the bar, sleeves rolled up, hair disheveled, and nursing a half-full glass of red wine.

“i’ll let the two of you get to know each other,” the mayor said with a smile before returning to the rancher sitting patiently at his table. 

i caught the attention of the barmaid and said “i’ll have what he’s having!” emily smiled and nodded before walking away. 

when i finally looked over at him, the doctor was already looking at me. watching me. he looked like he was running some calculations in his head.

i blushed before saying “what? do i have something in my teeth? oh, yoba, that’s so embarrassing!” 

he laughed quietly before shaking his head and saying “no. no. nothing like that. i was just trying to figure out why you hadn’t introduced yourself to me yet.”

my eyes widened and i stuttered out “i-i.. i’ve been busy! lots to do on that farm. i’m sure you’ve seen it. it’s hideous!” i paused and sighed before saying weakly, “no. no, not hideous. but. um. i’ve been busy. really.” 

“oh. okay. well, good, then. i was a bit worried you were avoiding me–oh my. how rude of me. i haven’t even asked your name yet. do forgive me, please,” he said before looking down at his glass.

i flushed before saying “um, i’m Calliope. it means ‘beautifully-voiced,’ but my singing is about as impressive as my farm is right now… anyways, my friends all call me calli. you can call me whichever you prefer!” i smiled, slightly embarrassed of how i’d just rambled on about my name’s etymology to the man who had figured out that i was avoiding him. “um.. what’s your name, doctor?”

“Calliope is a beautiful name. i’m Harvey, the local doctor. although i suppose you figured as much calling me ‘doctor’ and all. um. it’s lovely to finally meet you, calliope.” he smiled at me, and his moustache bristled against his upper lip. not that i noticed. i didn’t notice his moustache or his stocky fingers tracing the rim of his glass or how his forearms looked with his sleeves rolled up.

i didn’t notice even one of those attractive qualities. how could i have when i was captivated by his eyes. the way his thick glasses magnified his eyes just enough that i could see that his eyes weren’t brown, they were amber. amber, my new favorite color.

when i eventually pulled my eyes away, i felt… lonely. but this was the problem, wasn’t it? i couldn’t get to know Harvey because i couldn’t fall in love because i couldn’t get my heart broken again. so, in favor of protecting myself, despite my heart’s desires, i paid for my drink, got up from my stool, and said “good night, doctor.”

i thought i heard a disappointed sigh before he responded “good night, Calliope.”

on my third day in pelican town, i walked home in the rain, alone.

hi everybody!!! new fic alertttt!!! this is coopted from my original harv drabbles so worry not. more of that cutie pie to come ;)

lil Harvey drabble

it's late at night when you arrive at the clinic. harvey's at his desk, which you find peculiar. he's usually quite good about a work-life balance, even if he lives twelve stairs above his workspace. you knock on his door, but before hearing a response, you walk in. he looks... tired. you can see on his face that he's had a hard day. he looks up when you walk in and you see him relax a little.

he says, "just a minute. i've got to finish this report before I can close up for the night."

you nod, and sit down in front of him. you've never noticed how big he is before. he's handsome. a thought you've had before, but never one you'd really spent any time thinking about.

finally, he looks up again. he smiles, but it doesn't reach his eyes. you instinctively reach over and grab his hand in yours. your embarrassment is instantaneous. you attempt to pull your hand away, but he's already intertwined your fingers together.

you look up at him. he's already looking at you. the way he's looking... it takes your breath away. he's handsome.

"i think you're very pretty, doctor," you say, matter-of-factly.

he goes red immediately.

oh shit. "have I made you uncomfortable? I'm so sorry, doctor. i- it was never my intent to do so. please forgive me, i-"

you suddenly look down. he hasn't extricated himself from your hold. you look back up at him, blushing crimson. "doctor?"

"yes?"

you take a deep breath and say, "you're still holding my hand."

he looks down and back up at you again before simply stating "i like holding your hand."

HEHE i hope u like i just write wtv comes to mind SO IG this is it atm >:)

i like to think that ppl come to farmer for comfort or jst to genuinely hangout... requesting sam coming to farmer's house in the middle of the night as he confides in them w hot chocolate / coffee / tea 👉🏻👈🏻

apple cider

pairing: sam x reader

wc: 1.6k

tags: MILD hurt/comfort, pre-relationship, they are friends here!!

synopsis: sticky summer nights always make you feel a little restless.

a/n: its been 2 months with no sam fic!!!! here is my sincere apology hehe. title from apple cider by beabadoobee. this ask is so cute anon mwa mwa

Nothing ever truly rests during the summer; not even during the night.

Fireflies flicker and fly, weaving through the sparse grass beds sprouting from under your porch. The dark is hardly dark, your eyes have adjusted to the sparse light emanating from your dingy porch light. Your cardigan is haphazardly thrown off, draped over the hand-carved trellis. Bare feet meet the grass; damp and cool against your heated skin.

Energy thrums through the air, electrifying it with the undercutting buzz that leaves you wide awake. The season leaves the nights tepid, leaving your skin sticky. 

You can’t sleep; not one bit tuckered out after a whole day toiling the fields. Though your mind is blissfully blank, your hands are preoccupied with bringing your mug to your lips.

The cacophony of crickets chirping echo through the flat farmlands of your property. It’s quiet, peaceful. Yet you are wide-eyed and awake, sipping on  herbal tea—a mixture of herbs from your crop beds—in the hopes you can knock yourself out. 

You are hyper aware of your surroundings, unable to pull yourself into the sleepy state you want. You feel the sheen of sweat drying on your skin, the warm summer breeze tickling the nape of your neck, the sweet smell of almost-ripe melons growing on your farm. The rhythmic sound of trees swaying with the wind.

The odd sound of a twig snapping is enough to pull you out of your reverie. 

Your gaze snaps to the side, past your mailbox and to the dark path leading to town. Eyes adjusted to the dark, you see vague impressions of familiar surroundings. You drag your eyes to and fro, scanning.

A head of blond hair flashes through the otherwise dark veil of night, lamplight catching the brilliant golden hues of it. Doubting your eyes you furrow your brow; squinting your eyes, shifting on the porch steps, aiming to get a clearer look. Your mug is forgotten on your lap.

The figure shifts, tilting their head upwards and towards your direction. Then blue eyes lock with yours, the warm light of your porch lantern illuminating his expression. Recognition dawns on your face—

“Sam?”

Sam stops mid-step, face contorting into shock that outdoes your own. He flails, struggling with his words as to why in the world he’s caught on your farm in the wee hours of the night.

Both of you freeze, staring at each other in silence. Your fingers tighten then loosen around your mug. A tight line is made out of your lips.

“What are you doing?” you ask, tilting your head in confusion.

“It’s not what you think!” he holds his hands up in immediate surrender. “I was walking, and—and, my mind was blank. I just followed the path, I swear.”

You blink, once then twice. “Sam—”

“And–and,” he blabbers, “I guess… your farm was the best bet… The safest.”

That eases the nervous pitter-patter of your heart. It’s rare you get anyone on the farm aside from Lewis this late. You’re relieved, perplexed by his skittish behavior. It goes against what you already know about him. 

Your eyes crinkle whilst you squint up at him, giving him a once-over. Like this, he reminds you of a teenager caught red-handed, eyes practically bulging out of his head with anxiousness.

An amused chuckle slips past your lips before you register it, smiling. “Sam. Can I speak?”

Sam turns back to face you, finally still. It gives you a clearer look at his appearance. Wild flaxen locks are tapered down by the beanie shoved over his head. His shirt is inside out, hanging awkwardly on his frame. He looks like he just rolled out of bed. 

“Oh—oh yeah… my bad.”

A hand goes to pick back up your mug. “You’re good.” You take a sip of your tea. “Plus, I’m not bothered.”

“Oh…” Relief lets his shoulders go lax with a puffed breath. Then he looks back at you, conflicted on his face. “Hang on...You think me walking into your private property is—nothing?”

You snort. “You’re the last person I’d think would be worried about that.”

Sam paces, rocking back and forth on his heels, sporting a grim frown on his face. His gaze drops back down to the path, kicking at the pebbles. You wince internally; he doesn’t seem in good enough shape for jokes. It tugs at your heartstrings, a deep sigh pulled from your mouth and out into the humid air.

“Kidding. But it’s really no biggie.” you wave off. “Come by whenever. I’m always restless during the summer.”

He stares, breathing uneven and nervous. “Seriously?”

You nod, unusually calm in the face of his supposed trespassing. “It’s a me problem. It’s too humid to sleep comfortably. I even get more tired once I wake—”

“No, I mean,” he interjects, eyes wide. “I can come over? Anytime?”

“Yeah,” you shrug, rolling the muscles in your shoulders. “I’d love your company.”

“But what if you’re busy?”

“You’ll have to help me in the fields, then.” you tease, eyes crinkling. “You’ve got good legs for it already.”

A grin cuts through the grim lines of his face, “Are you 100% sure?”

You nod, eagerly. “Mhm.”

“Ah,” he rubs the back of his neck, suddenly sheepish. “That’s good. Super good. I wanted… well, I was kinda hoping to see you too.”

“Well now you’ve seen me.”

“Yeah, I’m glad. But ugh—I dunno, I guess my head’s a little messed up right now.” He runs a hand over his face, a frustrated groan along with it. 

You watch him. There is never a part of him that keeps still, even now. 

Maybe that’s why the words seem to come out so naturally when you’re with Sam. The restlessness—always grasping, bouncing, and shifting. “D’ya wanna come inside? Maybe it could help.”

“Yes, yeah. I want to.” he replies, instantly but then he double takes, checking in with you. “Can I?”

“I invited you too,” you laugh, pulling yourself up. “Calm down Sam, you’re fine.”

“Come in,” you call, pushing open your door. You do not turn and wait for him, traveling through the dark with the familiarity one has only in their own home. 

You hear him pulling off his shoes by the doorway, then the padding of his feet trailing after yours.

Humming, you switch on your lamplight, propping it up on your kitchen table, pulling the chair back for Sam to sit in. You set your mug down on the opposite side.

The cabinet creaks when you swing it open, revealing your countless containers of seasonings and spices collected over the seasons. The rich smell of all of it mingling together wafts through your nose. 

A pack of apple cider bottles stands by the cinnamon sticks, a welcome gift from months ago you haven’t gotten into yet. 

You tilt your head back to glance at him, finding him sitting statue-still in your chair, then turn back to your cabinet.

“I have some apple cider, you want some?”

His eyes snap to yours, “Oh, yeah.”

Nodding, you tiptoe, grasping the glass bottle by the neck from the far end of the cabinet. 

You sit the bottle down on the counter, popping off the cap with the flat edge of a knife. The cider fizzes, bubbling up until the neck then reducing. The sharp fruity scent of carbonation and apple mingles with the humid air. Sam takes it from your outstretched hand with a murmured ‘thanks’.

You sit opposite him. With your legs pulled up to your chest, you wiggle in your seat, leaning your cheek against your knees. Your eyes low as you cradle your own drink in your hands. Sam takes slow sips of the cider, the bubbles painting the edges of his lips then fizzing away. 

It feels natural to watch him like this, like all normal neighborly decorum has flown out the window, making room for this—whatever this silent companionship may bring. 

Curious, you break the veil of silence. “So what brings you here?”

Sam runs his tongue over his bottom lip, catching the stray drop of apple cider by the corner. His gaze goes faraway, eyebrows furrowing automatically without him aware. He’s silent as he thinks over your question, face contorting.

“Just—something at home, I guess. I wanted a breather.”

You swirl the string of your teabag, looking up from under your lashes. “Family stuff?”

“...Yeah, family stuff.”

You hum, voice low. You have a faint idea on what he’s talking about. Sam’s father, Kent, has been having a difficult time adjusting back to civilian life after being discharged—you heard. 

Your eyes track over his form, his shoulder hunched and lower than you’ve ever seen them. Under the low light of your kitchen table, you pinpoint the signs of weariness marking his face—eye bags under his eyes and a perpetual wrinkle in his brow deep enough you see the shadow of it under his mess of hair. 

“You don’t need to tell me if you don’t feel like it,” you simply say. 

You look out the windows, eyes tracking the swirling the flickering lights of lightning bugs outside. Gaze low as you stew in silence. Your fingers tap idly at the table. You feel calmer, sleepier. That persistent buzzing under your skin dissipating into the boneless way you sit. 

There will be more sticky summer nights like these, you’re sure. Maybe he’ll share what’s on his mind then but right now, you’re quite content with the silence. It cradles you like a refreshingly cool gust of air, tapering the heated expanse of your skin. 

“Maybe next time,” Sam murmurs, staring into the steaming cup. “When I come over again.”

A smile unfurls on your lips when he raises his head to look at you. “When you come over again.”

everyone adores you (at least i do)

pairing: sam x reader

wc: 1.1k

tags: CHEEEEESY cheesy cheesy puppy love, mutual pining, sam is PATHETICALLY down bad, pre-relationship, abigail and sebastian mentioned, friends to lovers

synopsis: if it were up to sam, he'd spend every second of everyday at your side.

a/n: in all of my other sam fics, its reader embarrassingly in love with him...he gets a taste of his own medicine here lol!

With vanilla ice cream melting and dripping down your fingertips, coarse sand underneath you and the salty ocean waves lapping at your feet; you are a child again, sitting with your grandpa at the docks, watching as he reeled in a ‘big one’. Filling his bucket with loads and loads of fish.

Those days are far gone now, but the memory remains, as clear as the day you remember it. The feeling is nostalgic, sleepy in the way your senses are dulled by syrupy thick contentment. Beaches at sunset have that effect on you, you suppose. 

“This is fun,” Sam says, tone lacking its boisterous loudness, you almost don’t hear it over the sound of crashing waves. “I had a lot of fun today, farmer.”

Your eyes flicker to him, his green gaze dead-set on the peachy golden sky, the taste of sea salt mingling with sweet ice cream heavy in your tongue. The sea breeze is cold, whipping against your face and running through your hair.

“I did too,” you agree. “Y’know, I don’t get a lot of off time with the farm and stuff. This is a nice change of pace.”

He smiles, that sunshine smile you’ve come to associate with Sam. “I caught you at just the right time then, huh?” 

You shrug, your own smile mirroring his. “Auspicious.” He did.

The sun is setting, the day is coming to a close yet Sam wishes it wouldn’t, silently pleading with any higher being to somehow stretch time. He is barely a religious person, but the weight of his want is enough to transcend his own beliefs. Every second with you barely feels like enough; like sand slipping through his fingers.

One thing’s for certain, Sam isn’t going to just let it end here.

“We should hang out like this again,” Sam says, a little hurriedly, captured all in one breath. Shy and tentative, like a bashful child with a school crush. “Uh, I mean, do you? Wanna? Hang out with me?”

You can barely suppress a delighted chuckle from slipping past your lips, your chest warming with fond affection. “I’d be more than happy to. Yoba knows I need a break or two or I’ll actually explode,” you huff while Sam hums in agreement. “We can even invite Abigail and Sebastian… so can demo that new song for me, I see you all working very hard when I visit sometimes.”

He should be happy to hear that; that you’d be more than happy to spend your precious off time with him out of all people. You and him, him and you, Sam and the farmer. Your name connected to his with ‘and’, it makes him giddy, causes his cheeks pinken and pinken. 

Just the two of you, though. Sure, he loves his friends, Abby and Seb have been with him since day one. But it feels out of place—

(Sam, Sebastian, Abigail and the farmer doesn’t have that ring to it…)

“Yeah, I—I dunno, it’s just…”

The unfiltered truth is stupid, at least to him. Vincent is far too young for some of the things Sam longs to say. There’s a reason Abby and Seb hang out under his nose, he won’t blame them, they have their own secrets he isn’t privy to—too serious, too dull for him.

(And now with you, he thinks you might just be the one he can share his own secrets with. Because even he has his own serious, dull thoughts. Thoughts that he doesn’t want brushed away with a snarky remark or a sarcastic laugh.)

“I kinda like that it’s just the two of us?” 

His voice sounds unsteady, squeaky. Trailing off at the end, lost in the sound of water crashing at your feet. Phrasing his statement into a question that you could deny, that you could easily brush off—because if you did, he would too. 

(It would be a bummer if you did though, but Sam is cool with that, chill with any decision you make. Really, he totally is.)

You grin, bumping your shoulder against his, your ice cream is dripping down, down, down your knuckles. Once your skin meets his, you don’t pull away, you press closer and closer to his side. Leaning your head against his sunburnt shoulder—but he barely registers the sting—and your arm against his own. It’s a pleasant weight, having you against him—grounding and tethering him to you.

“I do too. Like it, I mean. I think I get to see so many other sides to you, Sam. Without the others and all that.”

Sam feels his breath hitch, his cheeks flush even pinker even with the sunburns. “Woah, phew, I mean—awesome… When, when do you think we can meet next?”

You tilt your head, running calculations through your mind. You’re very busy on that farm, he knows; but Sam can’t help but keep his hopes up, you’re fun company. Maybe the best he’s had yet.

“I know I won’t have enough time until my melons are ready for harvesting—and don’t you dare try making a joke about that,” you smile, wide and cheeky. Right as Sam readies an innuendo at the tip of his tongue; it makes his blood pump faster and his breathing stutters at the thought of you knowing him so well. 

“So how about this?” you propose slowly. “We spend one day every month doing all the stuff we wanna do, together. just you and me—fun right? I’ll even sleep a little earlier the night before.”

Sam bites into his ice cream—chocolate and your treat, at your insistence—though he isn’t quite sure if the immediate smile on his lips is due to its sweetness, or yours.

He leans closer into you, resting his head on top of yours, strands of your hair tickling his lips. Lowering his voice into a whisper so only you can hear.

(The secret is that you make Sam want. Want, want, want like he’ll never get sick of it. He hoards these stolen moments with you so greedily yet wants more.)

“…two days, two days each month.”

He feels your body shake with the strength of your laughter, warmth swirls all throughout his body, tingling wherever your body brushes against his own. Sam finds that he likes the feeling, the buzz of it—it’s addicting.

“Yeah, alright then,” you reply, mirth dripping from each and every word. “two days. We have a deal. Better?”

“Yeah,” he turns back to face the water, the ocean spray misting his face. “Yeah, a lot better. That does sound fun.”

Anything sounds fun when it involves you.