Tiger Eye - Sam (Stardew Valley)

33

Spring 19

Wren had become accustomed to the smell of fish, mostly because Sam smelt like them for the first 20 minutes after he got home everyday. So, as she walked down the dock to Willy's shop, the smell seemed familiar.

She pushed the door open, to see Sam hunched over the front desk, scribbling in a log book. He looked confused, with his eyebrows knit together, biting his lower lip as he was so consumed with the task, he hadn't noticed her yet.

"Hey sailor." She said, snapping his attention to her as he glanced up.

He smiled, slowly standing up straight as she approached, dropping his pencil.

"What are you doing here?" He asked, grabbing the sides of the counter and leaning forward.

Sam had never been a scrawny guy, always just lean, as most tall guys are. But something about the way his arms were now constricted by his T-shirts, the way his shoulders broadened further, how the veins were currently popping out in his hands...

Wren blinked a few times, ignoring her urge to jump over the counter and mount him right there.

"I made you a treat." She smiled, handing him the container she'd brought.

"You're adorable." He smirked, taking it from her and pulling out the brownies she'd baked that morning.

"And..." She said sheepishly, her hands behind her back, batting her eyes slightly, "I have a favor to ask..."

Without dropping his smirk, Sam glared at her, slowly bringing the brownie to his mouth to bite.

"What do you want?"

"I was hoping that my boyfriend, who is so very strong, capable, handy, handsome, smart, sexy, kind-"

"Wren!" He cut her off with a laugh, shaking his head, "Cut the ass kissing. What you like, dear."

"I got a new Tv. Will you mount it tonight?" She said through a giddy smirk.

"Yes. Of course." He laughed slightly.

"...and a bookshelf... will you... build it?"

He shook his head, smiling stupid as he sighed slightly, "I suppose I can do that."

Wren pushed herself to her toes to peck him on the lips over the counter, thanking him profusely.

As she came back down, she glanced to the papers in front of him.

"What are you working on?" she asked, trying to read his writing.

"Oh, I uh... I don't really know yet." He said, to which she gave a puzzled look.

He sighed, grabbing his pencil and turning the page to show her.

"See this?" He pointed the tip of the pencil at a number, "That's what the population of the mountain pond should be. For spring, the only real predators up there are the largemouth bass, and it mostly isn't an issue..."

Sam pulled a grid map out from under his papers, different areas highlighted in different colors. "Except right here." He pointed to the middle of the pond, a space that was all red, "The population is almost 80% lower than the rest of the pond. I... I don't get it. I don't understand how there is this invisible barrier, why they won't go over there. I mean, I tested the shit out that water... if anything, the area that is the most populated is lower quality than this spot, they should be thriving in this area... I don't know. I sent my work to Demetrius to see if I did it wrong, but he said it's always been like that."

He sighed, looking over his work again, a clear frustration, or disbelief, in his eyes.

"You know you live above a library, right?" Wren said after a moment, trying to lighten his mood.