Flowers in the Valley (Stardew Valley/ ShanexReader)

The Saloon

Along with the gloomy weather, a dark cloud rolled into the saloon. Except it was actually a person. Even though Shane had a scruffy beard and bags under his eyes, I wanted to express my personality for a good first impression...which can be overly joyful sometimes. 

I looked past his run-down appearance and brightened my eyes. Grabbing his gift, I waved for his attention.

"Hey! Shane!" 

He glances over at me as he unzips his jacket.

"Uh...hi?" He looks confused, "Do I know you?"

"No, sorry. I'm the new farmer that moved into the old house down the road."

He slowly nods in response. Yep, definitely not a talker.

"Yeah, so anyway...I saw on the town calendar in front of Pierre's that today was your birthday!" He rolls his eyes and starts to slowly walk away from me. "I just figured I could meet ya and give you a present!"

I hold out the gift bag. Shane reluctantly grabs it with forced smile on his face. It's obvious he's one of those 'doesn't like to celebrate their birthday's' type of person. Definitely not my style, but I don't want to-

"Okay look", Shane snaps, "I understand you want to seem like you're the 'friendly new farmer' or whatever, but I have no interest in getting to know you. I'm not around a lot and I would rather you save your breath trying to talk to me. So why don't you take your beer over there and talk to nice lady Pam."

He trudges to the opposite side of the saloon to get a beer, gift bag in hand. I shake my head in shock.

How could someone be so rude. I don't even know  him. 

"Is being nice such a crime?", I whisper under my breath. 

"Oh yes dear, to him it is."

I look to my right to see Pam sitting there with a cold one in front of her. Her bouncy golden hair almost hits me in the face.

"I wouldn't take what he says too much to heart. He's had it rough growing up, and it's always made him kind of a 'lone wolf' if you know what I mean."

I sigh. "Well that's too bad. I just thought I could give him a birthday present and introduce myself..." I shake my head and let out a laugh. "Guess that wasn't the right move at all."

Pam takes a gulp from her glass. 

"Well darlin' I tell you what, why don't you give the boy some time to know ya and you'll make it easier for him to come to you", she says as she wipes her mouth. "Took him a awhile to warm up to his Aunt after his parents...well, you know..."

Maybe I overlooked him. I guess I never stopped to think about what people are dealing with and how that might affect their attitudes towards others. Come to think of it, people have never done for me either. Maybe that's why I do it.

"I feel like I should apologize-"

Before I could finish my thought to Pam, Shane was already on his way over to me.

Oh, he's coming back. He realized what a jerk he was being.

He stops right in front of me and holds out the jar of pickles, even more annoyed as before.

"Why are you giving me your garbage?", he asks with slight hints of rage.

I shake my head with my lips parted in shock. He slams the jar onto the bar in front of me, mummering that I can have it back. I try to apologize to him, but he charges away from me without hearing a word that comes out of my mouth. After he leaves I feel that sting of hurt feelings that grows within you. 

Oh my word, I think, I feel sorry for anyone who's close to him. And to think, I actually thought he was cute...

I down my beer and shake it off, knowing he luckily isn't the only person I can make friends with in this strange little town. I get up from my stool and tell Pam I'm gonna go mingle with the other residents. I have a slight feeling this will go better than my last interaction. She gives me a thumbs up and takes my glass to try and get the last drops of beer out of it. I should probably keep an eye on her.

I fix my light brown hair to make sure there aren't any loose strands sticking up before I introduce myself to people. I scan the saloon for anyone I haven't met yet. When I first moved here, I became acquainted with Pierre, Jodi, and Pam fairly quickly. Friendly people get along with friendly people, that is if they let them.

After chatting with Gus and Emily, I realize how friendly everyone is. Almost everyone. Emily and I have so much in common, so it's so surprising when she told me who her roommate is. A mean girl name Hayley. I can't imagine how that household works.

Noticing a group of people I've yet to meet, I slowly wiggle my way into their circle. Their chatter slows down as I shyly wave to everyone, still shaken up from the Shane interaction. 

A well-dressed man with glasses and a mustache catches my eye. Looking towards my direction, he reaches his hand out to greet me and it gently grasp it.

"Hi there!", he says in a smooth voice, "Um, my name is Harvey. I'm the town doctor."

I smile and nod, grateful he's at least a nice person.

"Oh hi! My name Lia. It's so nice to meet you!" 

He smiles at me with creases near his eyes. I find myself feeling almost giddy talking to him. Maybe it's the relief that someone sounds happy to talk to me, or maybe it's the way his glasses are a little bit crooked on his face.

We continue talking about ourselves and I become more open with Harvey. Probably the second and third beer taking control. I learn that he lives in an apartment above his clinic and has quite the model plane collection.

"Yeah they're all over my room", he says, a little more red in the face than ten minutes ago. A saloon might not have been the best place to introduce myself to people if they won't even remember it the next day. 

"Hey, do you like coffee?"

I let out a nervous laugh. Thinking he might ask a question I'm not ready for yet, I pretend I can't take a hint.

"Yeah, I do actually. I also love pickles...so much."

He looks a little confused, yet laughs.

"Hey, I mean, me too!"

"You're kidding..."

I begin to tell him my encounter with Shane and the cringe his anger caused me. Harvey makes light of it, which makes me feel better about the whole ordeal. I start laughing with him about it, feeling almost ridiculous I was so distraught about it.

Looking over to my left while still laughing, I see Shane. Just standing there, not drinking his beer. My smile drops as I see his brown eyes glaring back at me. 

Is he mad at me or something?

I tell Harvey I need to use the restroom and he reluctantly nods. I slip away from him and slowly walk towards Shane. He perks up, sets his glass down, and marches out of the saloon.

The hurt feelings start to come back.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

wow that took me a hot second to write. anyways yay another chapter :)

this is such a fun fanfic to write, and yes I did consider marrying Harvey. he's a little indie doctor guy, how adorable :')