tw; severe depression, fluff, rushed, cursive language, chickens, tons of chickens, broken man, alcoholism, clinical mental health problems, mentions of suic!de.
The city life was never good. Too loud, too much work, too much people, too much two faced people. You always much rather preferred the quietness of a sweet town, like this one.
Once your grandfather died, and you got the farm, you were having mixed feelings. One of the greatest people in your life has died, but you got another chance. A second chance, to start over at life.
You quickly grabbed your stuff and moved as fast as you could, moving into your new home. A little rusty, a little old, the floors were creaky and the bed was old and dusty. But it was yours, all yours.
The town was sweet, beautiful, really. The people who helped you with your stuff, Mayor Lewis and Robin seemed sweet. If everyone else was as kind as them in this town, you surely just found your jackpot forever! This is your new start, your new life.
Going into town once you finished cleaning the farm out a little, you were happy with everything you've done. You spent your day running around, saying hi to your newfound neighbors and town-mates. Mostly everyone you met was nice, the Mayor was incredibly sweet, just greedy. Mrs. Marnie was welcoming, Jodi invited you over for dinner if you needed help, Abigail offered to help in the mines.
Only one person struck out to you. His clothes were torn, and he was wearing a worn out uniform of whatever shitty company he was working out. And you had no idea why- but for some reason, you blushed. You looked at him, and your breath was taken away, you stared like you've seen the most beautiful gem of your life, and you were red.
You swallowed. Gathering all your left confidence to run over, appearantly straight to your new found love at first sight, to introduce yourself and hope this goes well. Waving at him, yelling "Wait!" with the sweetest little smile and out of breath look. You caught up to him, and smiled- "Hi! My name is name--"
"Back off. I don't care who the hell you are." He cut you off, continuing to walk away.
That was a complete disaster.
"Aw man. I'm a fucking loser." You sighed, and looked towards where he left. And what caught your eye, made you even sadder, yelling out, "Can I never ever escape this job?!" Falling to your knees. JoJa mart. Of course they got here before you.
You decided to walk home. There was nothing else left to do, other than wonder about why you fucked up your chance with possibly the cutest guy you've seen. Whatever, he was rude anyway..
But still so adorable.
You weren't gonna give up.
~~
Weeks passed, turned into a month of spring, close to summer, the 20th.
You would be lying if you said didn't have Mayor Lewis and Marnie help you out with your little "Shane" problem. They were helpful and even told you today was his birthday. You knew some things about him by now- his alcoholism, his depression.. His suicide attempts.
And you felt like you fell for him more and more every day. Running to Gus straight at 12:00 PM as soon as he opened, yelling at him practically, "I need a pizza! With a box!" You swallowed, yelling like it was to save your life.
Honestly? The only person oblivious to your little love going on for Shane, was Shane. He had no idea, he didn't care, well he didn't show he did, at least. So when you asked Gus for the Pizza? He already knew why.
He made it for you, and you rushed home. You thanked him with extra money and ran home to decorate the pizza box like your life depended on it. Bows, the box was fully decorated with chicken drawings. And now all you had to do? Was wait for 5 PM.
And that was hard.
As soon as 5:30 PM came, you stepped foot into the Saloon. You swallowed to see Shane at his usual spot, drinking his beer. He didn't seem to care it was his birthday. But as soon as you stepped foot, most eyes were on you. You sighed. Took a deep breath and started stepping closer to the man who was drinking, and on his phone.
You tapped his shoulder with one hand, holding the pizza box with the other.
He harshly turned around, slamming the cup down. "I told you Pam, I don't have any fucking money for yo-" But when he saw you, holding that pizza box, he quieted down. Was that.. For him? The blush on your face says so.
He looked around awkwardly and silently. He swallowed and looked at you in the eyes, and spoke. "..Hello. ..Is.. Is that.." He didn't even dare ask, he didn't know how to react.
"It's- It's for you. I'm- I'm sorry if you don't want it I just- I'm sorry. I just really really wanted to g-give you this. I'm really sorry-" You rambled, but he smiled. He actually smiled at you.
"..Thank you. I love it." He took the box. He looked at the drawings you made, they were silly, but they were cute. He looked at you and spoke.
"Why don't you stay here a little with me?"
..Is this a dream? You hope it isn't a dream. God you hope it isn't a dream at all. You swallowed and sat on the chair next to him. "I'd love to, Shane." And his smile got wider.
~~
He fell hard, and hard in love for you. Tripped so hard he almost broke his teeth, he loved you. He wouldn't admit it to your face, ever, but whenever your birthday came by, he'd be the one buying you the most expensive gifts. He'd be the one being around you.
Everyday felt like a dream for him with you. He wouldn't tell you, not unless you did it first- not unless you confessed to him first. But truly? He's in love. He told you he threw out the pizza box after he ate it- but Jas, his niece let you in on a little secret.
He keeps it in his room, tucked away with his most treasured items, and that includes your pictures together.
