The Stargazer (Shane/Harvey X Reader)

Rainy Day Lunch

Spring.

     Light raindrops trickle in pairs down the windowpanes. The weather isn't entirely dreary with just a light cast of grey on the mid-morning sky. Already the small parsnip garden you planted is sprouting out and welcoming the fresh water to their tiny leaves. You hoped that the rain would be beneficial to you in not killing the plants you had so cautiously sowed. Grandpa would be proud nonetheless to see the small patch you had successfully started.

Warmth from a used mug burned into your hands blissfully as you held it in front of the window. Emily was kind enough to scrounge up some secondhand kitchen supplies in a donation box at the saloon. Right now, a kettle and this mug you were most grateful for.

Already you began to feel at home in this community. It was gradually becoming easier to accept gifts and secondhand bits and bobbles from the locals, eventually you'll be able to return their generosity. Marnie had already come back twice with a fresh bundle of eggs and a small bouquet of flowers from her niece. The duo was beginning to feel like a second family)although unfortunately you had yet to meet Jas). Considerably they were closer than you had been with your own, grandpa was the closest you had to a loving family after your mother had passed away. Now it was back to square one.

Your train of thought is broken by ringing from your ancient relic of a landline. Tea sloshes onto your fingers and causes a slight sting. Frustrated and startled you pick up the corded phone with a bit more energy than necessary.

"Hello?" Your voice is hurried.

The joyous aura is tangible through the line, "(Y/N)! It's Emily! How's your morning been?"

Hearing Emily's voice is warm and calming to you, ridding any lingering thoughts about your neglectful family.

"Oh, good morning. I'm doing good, the plants we got going are loving this rain."

"I'm so happy for them, fresh little guys. I was calling to ask if you'd like to come over for lunch. It'll be us and also Haley and her friend Alex." You note a strange tone lacing Alex's name.

You beam to her offer of company and a chance to finally meet her sister. A few times Emily had spoken of her and the polar opposites of their personalities.

"I'd love to! The rain isn't too bad, I'll head over in a bit."

You have a flashback to your scrimmage with a mud puddle that had led you to owning Harvey's old clothes. Surely you would be more careful walking through the rainy dirt paths today.

Emily's enthusiastic giggles play along in her voice, "I can't wait! I'll see you soon."

You made quick work of tidying up the kitchen from breakfast, an old, scratched frying pan from cooking an egg and a chopping block from slicing some fruit. The small additions to your kitchen supply really helped immensely, you could try weaning yourself off of Gus' indulgent pub food. Though delicious, you worried your new pair of overalls would soon be too small at the rate you had been consuming his rich, hearty home-cooking.

Pulling on galoshes and a hooded jacket you make towards the small garden you had erected to inspect the sproutlings. No counterproductive crows had swooped to snatch out the seeds still attached to fresh sprouts, an outcome of luck with lack of a scarecrow. The tiny green leaves of the parsnips had just begun to sprout tall enough to have a tiny stem. The soft raindrops fell onto them in scale of a tidal wave to their delicate leaves. Your cautious work would soon be payed off.

Back in the farmhouse you packed up Marnie's gifted basket with some more sliced fruit and cans of iced tea to bring to Emily and Haley's house for lunch. It wasn't much, but it made you feel slightly better about your frequent visits to villagers' homes. A little gesture to return the hospitality.