Starry Night Gift Exchange
// Hello! I see you requested some Gray x Claire! Iāve never wrote them as a couple before, so Iām actually scared of making them too out of character. Also, Iām really nervous because I donāt want to make you upset if you didnāt like the story⦠Then, I wrote one and thought āThis is kind of shortā¦ā so one turned into four. So you get four short stories! ā¦Iām sorry Iām so awkward⦠;_; I hope you enjoy! \
1. Nightmares
It was their first anniversary together.
The bouquet of flowers felt somewhat heavy to her, but perhaps it was just a trick of the mind. The moon drops tickled her nose slightly, occasionally moving in front of her eyes, obscuring her view. That didnāt matter, though. These flowers were a little bit pricy, considering it was Winter and flowers donāt normally bloom. Today, on this cold winter day, was their day.
Their day was the day where only Claire and Gray mattered. Everyone else seemed miniscule in comparison.
As Claire made her way to town square, she felt a sudden wave of nostalgia. In the middle of the square, Gray had proposed. When the stars were out over head, the snow was glistening, and the air was still. They were walking side by side, close enough to feel each otherās heat without touching. Gray was quiet, or, rather he was quieter than usual, prompting Claire to ask if he was okay. Suddenly, he had stopped. He paused for a minute, maybe two before saying how much Claire meant to him. And as he went on, she slowly began to catch wind of what he was going to do. With baited breath, she waited under he offered her the blue feather. Words left her, and she quickly nodded, hugging him tightly in response.
Things were perfect. So, so perfect. Her heart fluttered slightly as she entered time square, then came to an abrupt stop at the couple who were kissing in the middle of it.
And upon closer inspection of this couple, her flowers hit the ground. They didnāt seem to notice her.
Thatās when she left. She turned heel and ran. She cried. She ran and didnāt look back. Her heart was broken. Spilt in two. And she had hoped those two had heard her cries. She wanted them to be as startled and confused as she was when Claire has realized that Gray was with some other girl that she didnāt know. She didnāt understand what she did wrong! She didnāt understand-
The very next moment, Claire is greeted by the startling sensation of arms wrapping around her and pulling her away from the edge of the bed and into a warm embrace. Thatās when she noticed how fast her breathing had become, how fast her heart was beating. Her face nuzzled into his chest, seeking more comfort from her husband. Grayās hand made its way to her hair, gently stroking it
āG-Grayā¦ā She managed out. Her voice cracked.
āShh⦠Itās okay, I got youā¦ā
The young farmer looked up from his chest, and he leaned down enough to plant a quick yet sweet kiss upon her head. His orange blond hair was not in its usual hat, instead messily done. His blue eyes were trying to meet with her own, to let her know that everything is alright.
āWhat day is it?ā She had tentatively asked.
āThe morning of our anniversary.ā
Her fears were slowly subsiding, yet not quite gone. She knew her husband loves her deeply, anyone could see that. Although, she was still scared. She could not remember the girlās face, yet the thought of her husbanding loving another scared her.
āClaireā¦ā When he spoke her name, her heart fluttered. No, heād never hurt her like that. She knew this better than anyone.
Claire felt her eyes begin to flutter, and she pulled herself closer to her husband. Her head rested on his chest, and she listened to his heartās lullaby.
Gray looked down to see if his wife was okay, if maybe she needed a drink or just wanted to talk. Instead, he found that she had fallen back asleep, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. With the softest of smiles, Gray leans down and places one last kiss on her forehead before drifting off to sleep.
Claire didnāt have a nightmare for the rest of the night, because she knew her husband was right there beside her.
2. Proposal
Maybe it wasnāt the way she did it, but perhaps how she did it that threw everyone, including myself, off. Maybe it was the fact that Claire, the happy go lucky farmer was on the roof of Kaiās Shack where heād normally be working if it were Summer. Maybe it was the fact that just made sure the entire town was here to see what she did. All I knew was that she had something important to say, and she was going to say it.
āDo you know why sheās up there, Gray?ā Cliff asked me in a whisper, almost if she could hear him from our position. We were a little far, but close enough to see her determined face. The way her blue eyes were slightly narrowed scared me a little. She only has that look when she has a devious planā¦
āNo ideaā¦ā
Claireās eyes met with mine, and that seemed to make her happier. She cheerfully waved, causing me to go into near panic when she stumbled, losing her balance. Claire held her hands out to the side, but then just kept smiling when she steadied herself. I sighed and shook my head, yet wore I smile even as I did.
āSheās crazy!ā Karen, the daughter of the couple who ran the supermarket yelped. āShe could get herself killed!ā
When everyone had gathered, she shouted loudly.
āOkay! I have an announcement!ā
Mayor Thomas groaned and rubbed his temple with his index and middle finger. I canāt exactly blame him, Claire was rather reckless. That ambition can sometimes get her into trouble. This may end up being one of those timesā¦
āSo, Iāve been working on my farm for the past three years!ā Has it really been three years already? āAnd⦠Most everyone here has treated me like family! Butā¦ā Claireās face was suddenly drained of the confidence for a split second, then it went back to how it was. āIāve finally decided that being alone on the farm was no life for me! I wanted to settle down with the person I love!ā
Oh. Oh.
She was going to propose. On a roof. On the shack in the middle of Fall. In front of everyone. For her sake, I hope the person says yesā¦
Claire was a different girl than the others here. How, Iām actually not quite sure. But I do know this; Iāve fallen for her. I hate admitting that, but itās true. She believed in me, even when my own grandfather didnāt. The day she walked into our store, I knew I did like her. Not to mention, she whipped that old and ratty farm into something that is almost unrecognizable.
I snapped out of my thoughts when I felt Cliff poking my shoulder with his finger. Well, maybe poking is not the correct term. More like stabbed. Thatās when I noticed everyoneās eyes were on me. I looked around in confusion.
āWhat?ā
āGet up here!ā Claire called. I blinked. Wait. Is she going to do what I think she is?
I nodded slowly, trying hard not to get my hopes up just in case Iām simply misunderstanding this. Then again, the evidence is overwhelming.
āGrayā¦ā Claireās voice softens as I climbed onto the roof. āNeed any help?ā
I grunted ānoā in response as I managed to climb onto the room. How can she be so calm up here? The roof feels somewhat weak. Iām just waiting for her to do something and send us through the roof and onto one of the tables inside the restaurant.
āYes Claire?ā I was once again telling myself to not get my hopes up. Though when she filled the distance between us in a few steps and pulled out something blue did I know it was okay to actually get excited.
āWhat do you say?ā Claire held the blue feather, rubbing the edge with her slender fingers. āWould you mind settling down with a farmer?ā
With everyoneās eyes on me, I felt the strong urge to pull my hat over my eyes and ask if we can just go to her place to discuss this. Though, that doesnāt seem like an option.
āDepends, do you just want an apprentice black smith?ā
āIf I didnāt, do you think Iād being on this roof in front of everyone say we should get married?ā Claire retorted with a playful smile on her lips.
I smiled and scooped her off the roof and into my arms, holding her in the bridal position. She yelped loudly, then laughed.
I leaned down and whispered into her ear, āItās a yesā¦ā
Claireās eyes went wide, then she cheered, fist pumping. The town took this as a āyesā, and before I knew it Duke was offering everyone wine on the treat to celebrate our engagement while Doug was offering to hold the reception after the wedding at the inn. I helped her off the roof and I continued carrying Claire like this, even as we walked to her farm. I only let her go when we were inside, sitting down and planning a good day.
āClaire, why did you decided to propose on the roof?ā
Thatās when she looked at me sheepishly.
āUh⦠It honestly didnāt start like that⦠You see, I thought I saw a cat stuck up there and tried to get it down. But then one of the boxes I used to get up there fell and I was stuck⦠After a while, I decided to just pop the question. Everyone was there any way! Lucky for me I had my feather on meā¦ā
I chuckled softly, then leaned forward and planted a gentle kiss on her forehead. She turned red, then looked away stubbornly.
āD-Donāt do that!ā
We planned for a wedding in a week (which I thought was crazy, but Claire persisted that we should. Who am I to say no to her?) and I left shortly afterwards to help spread the news.
Today was quite the dayā¦
End
3. Tears
I think people noticed something was wrong with me. I havenāt exactly been what most would call āhappyā, in a while. Everyone in town has known me as the farmer whose smile rarely ever leaves her face. Yet, after this discovery, my mood has been rather terrible as of late.
My father. I have never associated myself with him. Heād hurt my mom and I, saying the most horrible of words to us. I always hated him. My mother never left him, and Iām honestly not sure why. She claimed how she would always love him, even as she was covered in those bruises. When I first moved into my old apartment, my mother was in a car crash and thatās when I fully disconnected with my father. We had no reason to speak, for the woman who desperately wanted us to be a happy family for once. For the most part, we never talked. And I didnāt mind.
Until a week ago.
Gray spotted me walking slowly to the clinic, to try and ask Elli for any medicine for my frequent headaches. He tried to call me over, but I just ignored him. I really wasnāt in the mood to socialize with anyone, even⦠Even the person who I like so muchā¦
He seemed to ignore my āgood away Iām horribly upsetā indications and hints, because he could up to me fairly.
āClaire, you havenāt really been outside of your farm. Where on earth have you been for the past week?ā Gray asked, and I huffed. He scowled slightly, or I think he did. I wasnāt facing him, but I could see him from the corner of my eye. āThatās not an answer.ā
āSo?ā I growl. āItās good enough.ā
He seemed put off, but eventually walked away.
After I received the medicine from Elli (āOne pill whenever your head hurts. No more, no less.ā) I got home and collapsed on my bed. Getting up was really hard now. Especially when I had so much work to do. At this point, I was just so exhausted at all times.
Sleep almost claimed me until I heard a knock at my door. I groaned, pulling the pillow over my head thinking that if I ignore it, itāll go away, whoever it is. I thought they had for a minute, until I heard the click of my front door unlocking. I sat up startled. Who the heck was breaking into my house? I quickly got up and held my pillow as if it were a weapon. Note to self, keep something that would work more as a weapon than a pillow.
Gray walked inside, showing me the spare key to answer the question of how he got in here. It was normally in my dog Kingās dog house, but he never goes in there so I thought it was a good place to hide it. Gray is the only one Iāve told where itās location was.
āWe need to talk,ā Gray said sternly.
Isnāt that what people say before they break up?
āAre you okay? Be honest.ā
āIām fine.ā Well, that wasnāt really a lie. I mean, I donāt have a temperature or any broken bones. My money isnāt running low either. I can still pay for for lunch and dinner and seeds. Food for the animals⦠Emotionally, oh boy. I was a wreck.
His eyes narrowed slightly, before he took a seat beside me on my bed.
āClaire, Iām really worried about you. Please, please tell me so I can help you,ā Gray mumbled softly. Itās almost as if he thinks someone can hear us.
āā¦I donāt knowā¦ā I sighed, finally giving in. āItās just⦠Have I ever told you about my father?ā
He shook his head ānoā. I laughed rather dryly.
āI figured. My father was a hateful man⦠Heād hurt mom and me. We would cower from him. If his food was too hot, itād be thrown on the ground. He wasnāt always like that, though. It started when I was born. Or at least, thatās what my mom had told me. I guess he was expecting a son? Iāll never know. As soon as my mom died in that accident, then I made sure Iād never have to see or talk to him again.ā
āOkay⦠Is that why youāre upset, though? Did he try to talk to you lately?ā Gray pressed on. I shook my head.
āNo, itās not like that⦠Okay, maybe it is⦠I donāt know!ā I exclaimed. I bring my hands up to my head. āI donāt know why I feel so sad! He died. Some illness, the doctors donāt know what it was. I should be happy! Happy that heās finally out of my life! That Iāll never get tormented again! And yet⦠Yet I feel soā¦ā I removed my hands from my head and clenched them tightly. āā¦So sadā¦ā
I began to sob, but I donāt know why. Why on earth am I crying over him?
Gray gently held me, coaxing me with soft and sweet words in an attempt to calm me down.
āGray⦠I donāt get it! W-Why am I crying so much over himā¦?ā
He paused for a second, then sighed.
āBecause weāre humans. We all have emotions and they tend to overpower each other. So while you may hate him, you may also feel sad or lonely. Sad because although you hated him, he was your father and lonely because⦠He was all you had leftā¦ā
This made me cry harder, resulting in me clinging to Gray harder for more comfort. More support.
We spent hours there. Or who knows, it may of just been a few minutes. I couldnāt really tell, considering I was so overwhelmed. I had finally managed to calm down, and although it still I, Iām glad I let it out like that.
āThank you Gray⦠Iām so sorry for acting like thisā¦ā I felt my face heat up slightly. I just cried like a child whoās favorite toy was taken away or destroyed.
āItās okayā¦ā He offered me a small smile while he tipped his hat down slightly. āIām here for you when you need to cry, okay?ā I nodded. āGood. I need to be heading back. Gramps is going to fry my hide when I get backā¦ā
He slowly got up from my bed and made his way to the door before stopping abruptly. He turned around.
āOh, and Claire?ā
āMmhm?ā
āPlease smile⦠I love your smileā¦ā He seemed to get pleasure out of seeing me react how I did, which was hiding my very warm and red face in my hands. I didnāt see him leave, but I knew he was gone by the sound of the door shutting. When he was gone, I hid my face in my pillow.
Dang it Grayā¦
End
4. School
// Quick note, this one is an A.U of them in preschool.Ā : 3 \
Claire tugged slightly at her shirt as they approached the large building. Today was her first day at school. She was very nervous, all things considering she was never away from her mother before. However, she would not cry! She has to be grown up for her mom!
Although, as her mom was saying goodbye, she found it harder and harder to act grown up. Claire begged her mom to stay, and even resorted to cling to her leg. Her mother managed to coax her into staying with her soft and beautiful voice. Claire nodded, then walked over to where the other children were playing. A shy girl with short brown hair offered to play with her, and together they played blocks.
When the lessons came around, Claire found herself somewhat bored. Sheād just doodle on the pages in her little notebook with a picture of a cute drawn cow on the front. When lunch rolled around, she was about to happily munch away on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich when she noticed a little boy sitting all by himself. He wore an oversized baseball cap, but she saw his eyes were blue and his hair an orange blond. He seemed so lonelyā¦
She scooped up her lunch back into its lunch box, she walked over to him and took a spot right next to him.
āHello!ā Claire chirped. āIām Claire!ā
āG-Grayā¦ā He said. His voice was so quiet.
āWhere is your lunch?ā Little did Claire know she had hit a sore spot. He looked down sadly.
āSomeone took it from meā¦ā
His eyes went wide when he saw Claire fuming. Her cheeks were puffed out and her brow was furrowed.
āWho did it? Iāll get it back for you!ā
Shaking slightly, Gray pointed to two rather mean looking boys, happily eating Grayās lunch. She frowned deeply before finding the anger again and storming over.
āWhy did you take his lunch?ā She yelled. Some other kids turned away from the blocks or the ones still eating paused.
āHe didnāt need it!ā The older looking one growled. She wasnāt scared though. They were bullies!
When they instead started to ignore her threats, it got personal. She ran over to the shy girl she had met earlier who was named Elli and grabbed a block from her. Elli gave her a small smile and then a thumbs up. Claire chucked the block at the bullies, and the one she hit began to cry. The teacher took notice quickly, then ran over. The boy pointed his finger at Claire in his messy wailing, and before she really knew it, she was sitting in the corner. She began thinking about her food, which the teacher probably didnāt know she didnāt get to eat.
āUm⦠Heyā¦ā Gray whispered. Claire turned slightly, then gasped. He was holding her sandwich. He handed it to her before scurrying off, making sure he didnāt get caught. She smiled a big smile and happily ate away.
The day goes by somewhat fast, and before she knew it Claire was waiting for her mom to pick her up. She sat by herself on a chair, coloring a farm picture. A little before she finished, she felt something gently poke her shoulder. It was Gray.
āU-Um⦠Heyā¦ā Gray pulled his hat slightly over his eyes. āThank you for⦠You know⦠Helping meā¦ā
āNo problem! If they ever pick on you again, Iāll make sure they get hit with a fire truck!ā Claire exclaimed. The teacher sent her a glare, causing her to squeak and quiet down.
āI hope we can be friends!ā Claire chirped when she saw her mother walking in. She looked dismayed for a second before handing him the coloring book page. āTo commemorate our friendship!ā
He blinked about once or twice, then took the paper delicately in his hands. He watched sadly as she ran up to her mom, grabbing her hand eagerly. Gray overlooked the coloring book page and found himself smiling. He was a quiet boy, and she was a loud girl. Yet, Gray was actually looking forward to becoming her friend.
End
// If you read until here, thank you! I hope they were okay⦠Hope you liked them~ : ) \