Shane Oneshots (Stardew Valley)

I. Polaroid Picture (Shane)

Shane sat on the dock, kicking his feet peacefully in the cold river, beer cans littering the space around him. His shoes were discarded in the grass, long forgotten; his tattered blue Joja-Mart hoodie lay next to them. Shane studied the Polaroid picture in his hand, his thumb stroking over the soft plastic. It was his most beloved possession, even above his beer. The photo was a candid of him and the farmer in the saloon, both sporting the most genuine smiles as they laughed at something Shane had said. Her hand rested delicately on his bicep, and he could've sworn he could still feel the warmth from it. Marnie had taken the photo; and despite the fact that he'd acted offended, he couldn't thank her enough for preserving the moment forever.

Gripping the photo tighter, Shane tried to bite back the tears that sprung to his eyes at the idea that he was falling in love with her. He couldn't handle being in love again. Even though it was almost entirely too obvious that he and the farmer had a "thing" for each other; she fell before he did, showing up to Marnie's far more frequently than necessary. But the man simply couldn't resist the charm of the farmer, jumping to help her with any task she seemed to struggle with in the slightest. It wasn't uncommon for her to wake up and find that Shane had chopped up some of the stubborn stumps cluttering the farm for her, or to find that he had milked the cows and fed the chickens. Shane was always more than happy to help tend to the chickens- she had even allowed him to name one.

He hadn't realized how cold he was until he felt the soft fleece of a blanket being draped around his shoulders, followed by two small arms wrapping around him. The smell of detergent and plums hit him- it was the farmer- and before he knew it, he was leaning back into her frame. Letting his eyes close, he sunk into her warmth. Her arms felt like home.

The farmer ran her fingers through his messy hair as his head fell back against her shoulder. He smelled like booze, but it wasn't as bad as it had been several times before. "Why are you out here all alone?"

"Maybe I was hopin' you'd come find me." Shane let out a laugh, but there was a sentiment behind it. He meant the words. But he didn't necessarily want her to know that. But the farmer was smart, smarter than she was given credit for- she wouldn't let something like that slip by unnoticed. When he finally opened his eyes, he found that she was already staring.

Shane knew that he was drunk. He could feel it down in his bones. But something about seeing her in the moonlight, with the backdrop of the water and the rustling of the forest, was the most sobering sight he thought he'd ever see. Where was Marnie with her camera when you needed her?

The farmer tucked the blanket tighter around his shoulders before shoving some cans out of the way to make room for her to sit on his right side. A gentle silence washed over the pair as they both watched the river flow under the stars. Shane reached into his cooler to offer her a beer, which she accepted gratefully. She had no doubt that he'd swiped it from Joja-Mart. The two drank, the occasional joke peppered in, but mostly just enjoying the company. Shane couldn't help but sneak the occasional glance over at the beautiful farmer.

As the night grew colder, Shane was quick to notice that she was beginning to shiver; she was only wearing her shirt, overalls, and a light sweater. So he reached behind them for his Joja-Mart hoodie and offered it to her. Her eyes were wide. If she was seen wearing it, it would brand her as Shane's. Not that she was complaining. But is that really what he wanted? Shane wasn't the most public person... Before she could continue to think, she slipped it on.

The familiar smell soothed her, and Shane could tell. He grinned to himself as she reveled in the softness of the hoodie, pulling the hood up over her head and doing her best to bury herself in the fabric. He admired how she could be so excited over the smallest things, and he couldn't lie that seeing her in his clothing definitely affected him in ways he hadn't expected.

"C'mere, doll," he said, his voice soft yet wonderfully rough as he lifted his arm for her. She eagerly leaned into his side, her head fitting perfectly in the crook of his arm. He'd wanted to hold her like this since the first evening they spent together in the saloon so long ago, and he couldn't get over the fact that he finally had the chance. Now that he had her, he couldn't imagine ever letting her go.

"Will you come home with me?"

The farmer's soft voice cut through the peaceful silence, and Shane wasn't sure he'd heard her correctly. She wanted him to go home with her? Of all the handsome men and beautiful women in town, she'd chosen him. The town alcoholic, the lowlife Joja-Mart worker who lived with his aunt and brushed off any attempt at friendship with anyone else.

Her eyes wandered over him as she waited for his response. Shane shoved away the self-doubt and answered with a quiet, "I'd love to."

The farmer pushed herself to her feet and held out her hand to help Shane up. He accepted it gratefully, giving her a smile before going to slip his shoes back on. As he was working with the laces, his fingers cold and his mind uncoordinated, the farmer hoisted the cooler over her shoulder. They met at the end of the dock, Shane's hand held out gingerly. She laced her fingers with his without a second thought.

As they walked through Cindersnap to get back to the farm, they talked. Nothing important, but the little conversation meant the world to both of them. They joked about anything and everything before the soft glow of the porch light illuminated the space ahead of them.

"Can I tell you something?" She asked, pushing the door shut with her hip as Shane set the blanket and cooler on the table. He hummed in response, so she continued, "I've been in love with you since I moved here."

The silence that washed over the room was unsettling, unlike the silence at the dock. Shane froze, his back turned to her, his hands flat on the table as he leaned over it, his head low. The farmer was surprised to realize that she didn't regret her words. She was in love with Shane, and she would scream it from the rooftops. She was in love with his stubble, with his humor, with his insecurities, with his mind, with his depression. Everything about him felt like home.

"You don't mean that." Shane's voice shook, dangerously close to breaking. Turning his head to look over his shoulder at her, she realized that his lip quivered, "You can't mean that."

"Shane..." The farmer came up behind him, wrapping her arms around his middle and pressing her forehead against his back. He rejoiced at the sound of her voice, hating the way his heart jumped into his throat. Shane was absolutely smitten by her. There was no turning back now. He allowed her to hold him for a few minutes, the feeling of her hands flat on his stomach helping to ground him. "Shane, look at me."

He hesitated for a moment before turning around and meeting her eyes. The sight of her beautiful eyes full of tears, tears that he caused, broke his heart. And suddenly, he couldn't keep quiet anymore. Shane leaned down to press his forehead against hers, whispering, "I love you, too."

The farmer's dainty hands grabbed at his sides, desperately trying to make sure she wasn't dreaming. Shane didn't realize he was crying until she pulled back to wipe the tears away. Marnie would have a field day if she knew he was crying over the girl, after months of him denying any sort of attraction to her.

Shane's laugh broke the silence, and she pulled back to see what was so funny. Reaching into his pocket, he held out the Polaroid. The woman took it and studied it for a moment. "Where did you get this?"

"Marnie took it!" he continued to laugh, and soon, the farmer was laughing, too. "The night at the saloon. Darlin', I've been in love with you since day one!"

Flushing pink, the farmer simply took his hand and pulled him in for a kiss before ushering him towards her bedroom.

"Would you like to stay the night?"

"I'd love to."