Love Is The Best Medicine (Stardew Valley Harvey x Reader)

Chapter 22 - Judging A Book By It's Chapters

- Spring, Day 1, Year 2 -

Spring was upon the valley.

The fields and orchards that had remained dormant during the winter months now burst forth with new life. The cheerful sounds of birdsong filled the air, as if they were celebrating the arrival of the new season.

Walking along the familiar paths of the farm, you couldn't help but marvel at the beauty that surrounded you. The trees, once bare and skeletal, now wore a fresh coat of vibrant green leaves, casting dancing shadows upon the ground as the gentle breeze rustled through their branches. The delicate petals of cherry blossoms and tulips adorned the landscape, adding splashes of pink, white, and yellow to the scenery.

Your animals could finally leave their winter pens and explore the fresh of the season. The sight of their eager anticipation and the joyous moos, oinks and bleats filled the air as you swung open the gates, allowing them to venture out into the open fields. The chickens, with their fluffy feathers ruffled by the gentle breeze, happily scratched at the soft earth, pecking at the tender shoots and insects that emerged with the changing season.

You were certain this would be a good year for you. You had everything you needed and more right here before you.

With a sense of excitement and anticipation, you made your way to the clinic to visit your new boyfriend. The spring air was crisp and refreshing, invigorating your senses as you walked along the familiar path towards the heart of Pelican Town.

You swung open the doors, a feeling of warmth inside of you.

You were greeted by the sight of a tall blonde with peachy lipstick giggling with your boyfriend behind the reception desk.

Oh.

You had forgotten about her.

Isabella.

Taking a deep breath, you composed yourself and approached the reception desk, trying to hide any signs of the unease that lingered beneath the surface. As you got closer, you noticed the genuine joy radiating from Harvey's face and how Isabella seemed genuinely amused by whatever he had said.

"Hello," you greeted them, mustering a smile that you hoped concealed your inner turmoil. Harvey glanced your way, smiling.

Isabella's smile faded as her eyes lit up with recognition as she turned to face you as if she had already met you. "Oh, hello! You must be Evangeline," she said, extending her hand in a friendly gesture. "I've heard so much about you. It's so nice to finally meet you."

Sure it is... you said to yourself.

"This is Isabella, Evangeline, Isabella this is my friend, Evangeline." Harvey interjected. You noticed his interesting choice of words."FRIEND!?" You said to yourself, your composure already cracking.

"Harvey has told me sooooo much about you..." She spoke, breaking you out of your haze.

"Nice to meet you. I'm the local farmer." You replied, feeling very reluctant to even continue the conversation.

"Oh right! That's a difficult job, I admire you. You trade glamour for muscles." She smirked. You couldn't help but feel a pang of annoyance at Isabella's comment. However, you took a deep breath and reminded yourself to stay composed and not let her words affect you.

"Thank you," you replied, maintaining a polite tone. "Farming may not be glamorous, but it's fulfilling in its own way. Working the land, tending to animals, and providing for the community bring their own rewards."

Isabella raised an eyebrow, seemingly intrigued by your response. "I suppose you're right," she conceded, a hint of surprise evident in her voice.

Harvey, sensing the tension, interjected with a smile. "Both farming and medical work have their unique challenges and rewards. It's great that we all have different passions and contribute to the community in our own ways." He seemed just as stressed as you were, but you would never let that show.

You nodded, appreciating Harvey's attempt to diffuse the situation. "Absolutely," you agreed, offering a small smile. "Anyways, I only came to check in with my FRIEND here, so I'll be on my way." You shot back, uneasy by this interaction. Harvey sighed, knowing the mistake he had made. The brief encounter with Isabella had left a bitter taste in your mouth, and you couldn't shake off the lingering disappointment. Harvey's sigh hung in the air, a clear indication that he recognised his misstep.

"I should get back to work too." Isabella giggled. "Hope to see you around babes." She spoke, leaving into the back of the clinic. You met eyes with Harvey. You began to walk towards the exit, but before you could step out, Harvey called after you, his voice filled with regret.

"Evangeline, please wait." You could hear the desperation in his voice.

You paused, weighing your options. A part of you wanted to escape the uncomfortable situation and sort through your thoughts alone, but another part knew the importance of addressing the issue head-on. Turning back to face Harvey, you replied, your voice tinged with a mix of frustration and vulnerability.

"Harvey, I appreciate your concern, but right now, I don't want to talk. I'll be fine, don't worry." You replied bluntly, exiting the clinic and not looking back.

You sighed as you left. Your body felt tense.

You didn't want to start the new year off like this, and you certainly didn't want to start your new relationship off in this manner either.

Pushing open the door to Pierres, you strolled down the aisles, taking in the variety of seeds available for spring. After carefully considering your options, you selected an assortment of seeds that would be perfect for your first spring crops. Parsnips, cauliflower, rhubarb and garlic made their way into your basket, along with an array of trellis crops like green beans. You couldn't wait to see these seeds transform into thriving plants, ready to be harvested and enjoyed.

You tilled the farms soil and began to plant your first seeds of the year. It took you back to your first daunting days in the valley, reminding you of the excitement, uncertainty, and the daunting challenges you had faced.

You couldn't help but recall the initial anticipation you felt when you first arrived in this quaint and unfamiliar place. The vast expanse of land waiting to be transformed into a thriving farm was overwhelming. The tasks ahead seemed impossible to complete and you questioned whether you were capable of turning this patch of earth into a prosperous harvest.

But you persevered and succeeded.

Soon the sun set above the valley. You had worked hard and felt pride over what you had achieved. However you couldn't help but feel lost in spite of what had happened earlier at the clinic. The encounter with Isabella at the clinic still lingered in your mind, casting a shadow over your triumphs. The uneasiness in your heart overshadowed the pride you should have felt, and it left you questioning your place in this new chapter of your life. Isabella embodied everything you had hated about the city. Her confident and glamour demeanour matched with the her apparent disregard for the simplicity and authenticity of the rural lifestyle felt all to familiar.

Maybe you were just being insecure.

But what about Harvey? You thought. You still needed to talk to him.

With thoughts of Harvey swirling in your mind, you knew that you needed to have an honest conversation with him. He had been a source of support and understanding in the past, and you hoped that he would be able to provide the same reassurance now. You refused to let this get in-between you already.

You climbed into bed and turned out the bedside light. Milo curled up next to your feet.

"Goodnight buddy." You sighed, giving him a final pat on the head.

Was becoming official a mistake after all?