Summary: Lance And Jio, Complete Opposites, Find Themselves Bound By Marriage Into An Unexpected Family.
Summary: Lance and Jio, complete opposites, find themselves bound by marriage into an unexpected family. Over drinks, they share stories of how their wives nearly killed them upon first meeting. What starts as mockery slowly turns into understanding, whether they like it or not, they’re brothers now.
A/N: I don’t know what came over me when I wrote this. Seriously. Lance and Jio in the same room, willingly? That’s basically a sign of the apocalypse. But somehow, these two disasters ended up as family, and now they have to deal with it. I imagine it’s as painful for them as it is entertaining for us. Anyway, enjoy the chaos!
The quiet hum of the evening settled over the valley, the golden hues of the sunset stretching long shadows over the land. The world seemed to breathe in this tranquil moment, the rustling of leaves filling the spaces between silence, the distant calls of nocturnal creatures stirring to life. Jio had always found solace in such stillness. It was in these quiet hours that he thrived, slipping into the unseen corners of the world where no one could reach him. Solitude had been both a shield and a weapon, a constant companion in a life built on shadows.
And yet, solitude was a fleeting luxury these days because a certain combat mage was here.
Jio had never been particularly fond of company, and the arrival of Lance into his life did little to change that. Unfortunately, life had its own plans. Whether he liked it or not, the man was now his brother-in-law. At first, their relationship could be described as awkward at best, tense at worst. It wasn’t that either of them had anything against the other, not exactly. But their lives had shifted in ways neither of them had anticipated.
For Jio, it was the fact that Lance, an outsider to the world he lived in, had been sharp enough to see right through him. That had been unsettling. The moment they first met, Jio had been cloaked in illusion, his elven heritage hidden beneath a spell designed to fool even the most skilled of magic users but it hadn’t fooled Lance. The adventurer had taken one look at him, his eyes shimmering with the unmistakable glint of understanding and smirked.
“You know.” Lance had said, arms folded across his chest, “It’s a good spell. Really well-crafted but I can see right through it.”
The ninja assassin had spent years perfecting his ability to go unnoticed, had barely resisted the urge to scowl. As for the mage, he had taken this as an invitation to start asking questions.
The elf had quickly learned that Lance was persistent, annoyingly so. He was not only intrigued by Jio’s lineage but also by his profession, while the Cult of the Lady with the Red Tail was shrouded in secrecy, whispers of their existence had reached the ears of adventurers, mages and guilds alike. Assassins, criminals, ghosts in the night, call them what you will but few truly understood the reality of their work.
Lance, being the ever-diplomatic combat mage that he was, approached Jio with an odd mixture of curiosity and caution. It wasn’t that he feared him, not exactly. But as a key figure in The First Slash Clan, he knew better than to trust blindly. Their interactions had remained strained for some time, both men studying each other like opposing chess pieces. Jio, introverted and secretive, had no interest in entertaining an inquisitive brother-in-law. Lance, on the other hand, saw the elfman as an enigma, one he was determined to unravel.
Which was exactly why they were here now, sitting across from one another in the dim glow of a quiet evening, caught in an unusual yet oddly comfortable silence.
It had started as an accident. Jio had been sharpening his katana in the courtyard when Lance had strolled in, carrying a bottle of wine and two glasses as if he owned the place.
“Mind if I join you?” he’d asked, already sitting down before Jio had the chance to refuse.
Jio sighed. “You already have.”
Lance chuckled, pouring the wine. “Figured it’s about time we had a real conversation, just the two of us.”
The ninja eyed him warily. “Is that so?”
“You’re my brother-in-law. Might as well get to know each other.” Lance leaned back, swirling the wine in his glass. His gaze flickered with something unreadable, amusement layered over a deeper sense of intrigue. “How long were you going to keep pretending to be human?”
Jio exhaled sharply through his nose. So this was where they were starting.
“I don’t know what you mean.” His voice was deliberately flat, dismissive, but he knew it would do little to deter Lance.
The man merely chuckled. “Oh, come on. You really think an illusion spell would fool me? I saw through that the first time we met.” He tilted his head, watching Jio carefully, as if waiting for him to confirm it.
Jio’s grip tightened slightly on the hilt of his katana, the weight of the blade a familiar comfort. Few had ever seen through his illusions so easily, let alone with such casual certainty. It was unsettling.
The mage sensing the tension, lifted a hand in mock surrender. “Relax. I don’t have a problem with elves.” His gaze darkened slightly, his voice losing its usual teasing tone. “Just surprised, is all. Your kind is supposed to be extinct. Imagine my shock when I find out my brother-in-law is walking proof that isn’t the case.”
Jio finally turned to look at him, studying him in silence. He could see the questions forming behind Lance’s eyes, an unspoken list of inquiries waiting to be voiced. He knew this conversation wouldn’t end here.
“I assume you have a dozen questions.”
Lance’s grin was immediate, almost triumphant. “At least a dozen but I doubt you’ll answer half of them.”
“You’re right.”
Rather than deterring him, the answer only seemed to amuse Lance further. He let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head as if unsurprised. The conversation lapsed into silence, the wind carrying the distant sounds of the forest. Jio was no stranger to tense silences, the kind thick with unspoken threats, the heavy anticipation of a fight waiting to break out. But this… this wasn’t quite like that. There was curiosity, certainly, but no hostility. And for all his persistence, Lance wasn’t pressing him, wasn’t demanding answers. He was simply there, waiting. Offering conversation as an invitation rather than an order.
Jio could appreciate that.
Lance shifted, glancing at him again. “Alright, let’s start simple.” His voice was light, but there was a knowing edge to it, as if he had already anticipated Jio’s reluctance. “How did you meet Cerise?”
Jio exhaled, reluctant but not entirely unwilling to answer. It was only fair, he supposed. They were bound by their relationships to the farm sisters, whether they liked it or not.
“She wandered into Ridge Forest,” he said at last. “Too close to the barrier.”
Lance hummed thoughtfully. “And?”
Jio’s gaze flickered toward the horizon, memories surfacing unbidden.
The night air in Ridge Forest was thick with the scent of damp earth and pine, the hush of the wilderness disturbed only by the distant hoot of an owl. Jio moved soundlessly through the undergrowth, his senses sharp as he patrolled the forest’s edge. It was a quiet night, undisturbed by intruders until a flicker of movement caught his eye.
Someone was there.
A lone traveler, cloaked and hooded, moving steadily along the path. At a glance, she seemed unremarkable just another wanderer passing through the forest under the cover of night. Perhaps a lost adventurer, someone who had strayed too far from familiar roads. He had seen many like her before, drawn by the mystique of Ridge Forest without realizing its dangers.
With a quiet sigh, Jio stepped forward, letting his presence be known as he materialized before her in a blur of motion. His voice was calm, controlled. “You shouldn’t be here—!”
The dagger came fast.
Instinct flared, and Jio twisted just in time to avoid the blade as it whistled past his face, embedding itself in the bark of a tree behind him with a sharp thunk. The sheer force of the throw sent vibrations through the wood. A fraction slower and the blade would have found his skull instead.
His eyes widened slightly. Well. That would’ve been unpleasant.
Before he could react, the woman lunged.
Jio barely managed to block the incoming strike, catching her wrist before her fist could connect with his jaw. His grip tightened, and for the first time in a long while, he found himself genuinely surprised. This wasn’t a panicked traveler flailing in fear, this was an experienced fighter, attacking on pure instinct.
“Are you insane?” he snapped.
The woman halted, her posture shifting as she took in the situation. Her gaze flickered to the dagger buried deep in the tree, then back to him. With a quiet sigh, she relaxed her stance, rolling her shoulders back.
“That was a mistake.” Her voice was steady, unapologetic but not dismissive. “Didn’t expect someone to appear out of nowhere.”
Jio studied her for a moment before releasing his grip. “You nearly took my head off.” His tone was even, but there was a dry edge to it.
She huffed softly, rubbing her wrist where he had grabbed her. “If I meant to, I wouldn’t have missed.”
Jio’s expression remained unreadable, but there was a glint of something in his eyes, calculation, perhaps a hint of amusement. Now that he was this close, her hood had slipped slightly, revealing more of her face. His gaze flickered to her eyes, twilight-hued orbs with an amethyst glow, striking even in the dim moonlight. There was no hesitation in them, only sharp focus.
Long strands of beige-blond hair spilled from beneath the hood, brushing against her shoulders. She had the kind of beauty that was easy to overlook at a distance, but up close, it was impossible to ignore, the elegant lines of her face, the confidence in the way she carried herself. Something about her now felt off, as if he had gravely miscalculated her identity.
Recognition flickered in his mind. He had seen this resemblance before, faint but unmistakable.
“You must be the granddaughter.”
The woman blinked. “What?”
“The old farmer.” he clarified. “The one who passed years ago. You’re one of her granddaughters, aren’t you?”
Something unreadable passed across her face before she straightened, the tension in her shoulders still present but tempered.
“I’m Cerise.”
Jio regarded her for a long moment before giving a slight nod. “Jio.”
That night, suspicion had lingered between them like an unspoken challenge. The way she moved, the way she had thrown that dagger, it was clear she wasn’t just some ordinary farmer.
Jio exhaled, his voice barely above a murmur. “She nearly killed me.”
Lance barked out a laugh. “Sounds about right.”
Jio cast him a glare but said nothing. Silence stretched between them for a moment before he glanced at Lance. “And you? How did you meet Rosemary?”
Lance chuckled, setting his glass down. “Oh, our first meeting was… unexpected.”
Jio narrowed his eyes. “Go on.”
Lance leaned forward slightly. “I first met Rosemary at the summit of Mount Kohldur. She had just finished the climb, she looked exhausted but determined.”
The heat of the forge wrapped around Lance like an old friend, the rhythmic clang of metal against metal filling the cavernous chamber. Mount Kohldur’s peak was not for the weak, its treacherous ascent tested even the most hardened adventurers. And inside the volcano, the dangers only multiplied. Monsters lurked in the shadows, the air was thick with the scent of molten rock, and the forge itself pulsed with ancient power. But for those who made it this far, the rewards were unmatched.
Lance had spent the day deep in his craft, the magical flames casting golden light across his work. His hands moved with practiced ease, binding enchantments and forging weapons for his guildmates in The First Slash. The familiar surge of magic hummed through his fingertips as he combined an Iridium Band with a Slime Charmer Ring, the glow of the spell reflecting in his obsidian purple eyes.
He was just about to move on to his next project when the heavy gates of the forge groaned open. The sound reverberated through the chamber, followed by steady, measured footsteps.
Lance frowned. Few ever reached this place, and even fewer had the strength to push open those doors alone. He turned, expecting to see one of his guildmates or a battle-worn adventurer seeking the forge’s power.
Instead, what he saw made him pause.
A woman stood at the entrance, her silhouette framed by the golden glow of the magma pools beyond. Her breath was heavy from the climb, her rose-red hair windswept and untamed. Her clothes now dusted with soot and ash, and the edges of her short cloak were singed, faint wisps of smoke curling from the scorched threads. Her hand hovered near the weapon at her hip, her stance tense like she expected a fight at any moment.
But it wasn’t the battle-worn look that caught his attention. It was her eyes, a striking shade of ocean jade, sharp and wary, scanning the room for threats. And then, just as his gaze flickered over the soft dusting of freckles across her cheeks—
She threw a bomb at him.
Lance barely had time to react. Instinct took over as he flicked his wrist, summoning a protective barrier of shimmering blue light. The bomb struck the shield mid-air, detonating with a fiery burst. Sparks and embers scattered across the chamber, rattling the anvil behind him.
Smoke curled through the air. Silence followed. Then, from beyond the haze, a horrified voice.
“Oh my Yoba—”
Lance blinked as the woman stumbled forward, her wide eyes filled with mortification.
“I—I am so sorry!” she blurted out, hands shooting up in a panicked gesture. “I thought you were a monster! I didn’t—” She groaned, cutting herself off, visibly cringing as she realized what she had just done.
Lance exhaled, then let out a full, genuine laugh that echoed against the stone walls.
The woman froze, clearly thrown off by his reaction.
Grinning, Lance dusted soot from his cloak. “I’ve had a lot of things thrown at me in my lifetime,” he mused, his voice laced with amusement. “But I have to say, this is the first time someone’s greeted me with explosives.”
She let out a strangled groan, pressing her hands to her face. “I swear, I’m not usually this trigger-happy.”
Lance smirked, folding his arms. “No?” He arched a brow. “So, you don’t always attack strangers on sight?”
Dragging a hand down her face, she muttered, “I just—didn’t expect anyone else to be up here. I panicked, okay?”
Lance chuckled, shaking his head. “Well, I suppose I should be honored to have made such an impression.”
She mumbled something under her breath, then straightened, clearing her throat. “Right. Uh. I’m Rosemary.”
Lance’s lips quirked into a knowing smirk. “I know.” At her startled look, he inclined his head. “Marlon spoke quite highly of you, said you were quite proficient with a weapon.” His gaze flickered to the spot where the bomb had nearly incinerated him, amusement dancing in his obsidian-purple eyes. “I see now that he wasn’t exaggerating.”
Rosemary groaned, muttering something about terrible first impressions under her breath.
Lance let out a light chuckle before offering a more formal introduction. “I’m Lance, from The First Slash Clan. We’re a guild of adventurers protecting the Fern Islands.” He studied her for a moment, curiosity flickering in his expression. “Though I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting to meet you under such… explosive circumstances.”
For a moment, they stood there, the tension easing as the embers from the explosion slowly faded into the ever-burning flames of the forge.
Jio, who had been listening with his usual unreadable patience, exhaled slowly and took a deliberate sip of his wine. His forest green eyes studied Lance with a look so measured it bordered on contemplative.
“So...” he finally said, swirling the wine in his glass, “She did try to kill you.”
Lance chuckles, tilting his head slightly. “You sound almost relieved.”
Jio huffed, setting his glass down with a quiet clink. “It just confirms my expectations.” He exhaled again, this time with something dangerously close to amusement curling at the edges of his voice. “Shame. She should’ve aimed better.”
The mage only let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “You wound me, truly.”
Jio took another sip of wine, watching him over the rim of his glass. “Did you look like a monster?”
Lance placed a hand over his heart, feigning offense. “I’d like to think I looked fairly respectable that day.”
Jio didn’t bother hiding the way his lips twitched, but he said nothing.
Lance leaned back against the wooden pillar, stretching out his legs. “Lucky for me, I immediately conjure a barrier. Introduced myself after she throw that bomb.” His smirk softened as his mind drifted back. “She was flustered, obviously. But we ended up sharing a meal. Talking. Laughing.”
Jio shook his head, muttering, “Your wife nearly blew you up.”
Lance arched a brow. “Yours nearly stabbed you through the skull.”
“Fair...”
A pause. Then for the first time all night, the silence between them wasn’t awkward. It was something else, something easier. Lance tilted his head back, gazing at the night sky. The stars stretched above them, shimmering like diamonds scattered across an endless sea of black. He exhaled slowly, then spoke again, this time without the usual teasing tone. Just honesty.
“You know… I may be nosy, but it’s not just about curiosity.” He turned his head, meeting Jio’s gaze with quiet certainty. “Cerise is important to you. Rosemary is important to me. So, like it or not… we’re family now.”
Jio studied him for a long moment, expression unreadable. Then, finally, he inclined his head slightly. “I know...”
Lance smirked, the easy confidence returning to his voice. “And since we’re family, I reserve the right to continue annoying you for the foreseeable future.”
Jio sighed, finishing the rest of his wine. “I should’ve let Cerise’s dagger hit me.”
Lance barked out a laugh, the sound rich with amusement. “Too late for regrets now, brother.”
Jio didn’t respond, but there, right at the corner of his mouth was the ghost of a amusement before he turned away and just like that, something shifted between them.
No longer just two men forced together by circumstance, but family. And despite all the chaos that came with it, perhaps that wasn’t such a bad thing after all.
As the night stretched on and the distant hum of the valley settled around them, they sat in companionable silence, bound by an unspoken understanding.
Both of them had married dangerous women and neither would have it any other way.
More Posts from Himeofshyness and Others
Summary: As a weary and battered Farmer Rosemary finally reached the summit of Mount Kohldur, the last thing she expected was to meet a handsome stranger. His sudden appearance startled her, and she reacted without thinking, chucking a bomb in his direction.
The morning sun glistened over the rolling waves, casting a warm glow over the lush vegetation of Ginger Island. The air was thick with humidity and the distant cries of exotic birds echoed through the trees. Mount Kohldur towered majestically in the distance, its smoking peak shrouded in misty clouds. It was a sight that filled Rosemary with anticipation, but also with a tinge of trepidation.
The climb up the mountain had been gruelling but Rosemary persevered, driven by her thirst for adventure. As she finally made it to the top, she let out a sigh of exhaustion, her body weary but her spirit soaring with accomplishment. However, her moment of triumph was shattered by the sudden appearance of someone infront her.
Startled, Rosemary instinctively grabbed her sword and tossed a bomb, thinking it was just another monster from the volcano dungeons she'd fought earlier. However, the figure swiftly dodged the makeshift explosive and chuckled.
"Whoa! Calm down." the stranger said, approaching her cautiously. "I'm just a friend."
Recognizing that the newcomer was not a threat, Rosemary lowered her sword, feeling a mix of relief and embarrassment. "I'm so sorry!" she apologized, still trying to catch her breath. "I mistook you for a monster. The climb up here was... intense."
The stranger grinned, a warm smile lighting up his face. "Ah, no worries." he said, his voice smooth and confident. "I understand the confusion. The creatures from this place can be quite relentless. But may I say, you've made quite an achievement, scaling this mountain all by yourself. You must be a very ambitious and determined person."
The stranger stepped closer, his movements as fluid as a jungle cat's. "You know, few adventurers have managed to reach the summit of Mount Kohldur." he said, his eyes never leaving hers. "It was once the site of a great dwarf kingdom or so they say. Your achievement is certainly worthy of admiration."
Rosemary felt a flutter in her chest at the sound of his voice, almost like hearing angels somewhere. She tried to regain her composure, though it was hard with him standing so close. "Thank you." she managed to say, her words coming out a bit breathless. "Um, who are you?"
The stranger chuckled, his smile growing wider. "Ah, where are my manners?" he said. "I'm Lance, from The First Slash Clan. We're a guild of adventurers protecting the Fern Islands. Marlon spoke quite highly of you, said you're quite proficient with a weapon."
Rosemary felt a small jolt of surprise. She'd heard of The First Slash Clan, but she never expected to meet one of its members up here, on a remote island. And Marlon had mentioned her? 'To this handsome adventurer?', she suddenly wished she had made a better first impression.
"Oh, I see." she managed to say, trying to sound casual. "It's nice to meet you, Lance."
'Oh great, that was eloquent. Can someone just toss me back down the mountain at this rate?'
Lance's smile didn't waver, seemingly enjoying the effect he had on her. "It's a pleasure to meet you too, Rosemary." he replied. "You're... not quite what I expected. Younger than I thought you'd be, for one."
'Damn it!' "Yeah, I get that a lot." she said with a nervous chuckle. 'Oh man, I'm grinning like a teenage girl meeting her favorite boy band. He's going to think I'm such an idiot.'
Lance chuckled again, a deep, rich sound that sent shivers down Rosemary's spine. "Well, your age doesn't diminish your skill with a weapon. Marlon mentioned you're quite the formidable fighter."
"I, uh, try my best, I suppose." she replied, feeling her cheeks warm up again. 'Great, now I'm blushing like a fool. Thanks for the compliment, Marlon... I think.'
"I look forward to witnessing it for myself." Lance said, his gaze still fixed on her. "But first, you must be famished. Come with me, I'll share my dinner, don't worry, I have plenty for both of us."
'Oh man, he's so smooth. How can he say stuff like that without even blinking?' "Thank you." she said, trying to keep her voice from trembling. "Lead the way."
Lance nodded and began leading the way. As they walked, he spoke casually about the island, its wildlife and history. Rosemary tried to keep up with the conversation, but it was hard to focus with him so close, their shoulders occasionally brushing against each other. His voice was like honey, smooth and soothing, and she found her mind wandering to places she didn't expect.
Soon they reached a small clearing, where Lance had set up a simple camp. There was a fire burning, and several provisions laid out nearby. "Here we are." he said, gesturing to the campfire. "Sit, make yourself comfortable."
Rosemary sat down, trying not to focus on the way her heart raced. 'Get it together, he's just a guy. A very good-looking, charming, smooth-talking guy...'
Lance joined her beside the fire, handing her a bowl of stew. The aroma was mouth-watering, and the warmth from the flames felt soothing on her weary muscles. She took a spoonful, savoring the rich taste as she tried to keep her hands from shaking.
As they ate, the conversation continued, shifting between various topics. Lance seemed genuinely interested in her life back in Pelican Town, and Rosemary found herself opening up more than usual. He was easy to talk to, his questions never feeling like an interrogation, more like earnest curiosity.
The night deepened, the sky now dotted with stars. The fire crackled and flickered, casting dancing shadows on their faces. Rosemary found herself enjoying the peacefulness of the moment, the silence between them not uncomfortable but strangely soothing.
Lance finished his meal and leaned back, looking up at the clear night sky. "It's beautiful, isn't it?", he said, his voice soft. "The stars, the peace of the night."
Rosemary looked up at the canopy of stars above them, feeling a strange sort of peace wash over her. "Yeah." she agreed, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's… mesmerizing, in a way."
The sound of the night insects blending with the crackle of the fire created a soothing background noise. In the firelight, Lance's sharp features were illuminated, making him look even more striking. The silence between them was comfortable, broken only by the occasional crackle from the fire or the distant hoot of an owl.
Lance looked over at Rosemary, watching the way the firelight played across her face. "You know, you're different from most adventurers I've met." he said, breaking the silence.
Rosemary looked over at him, surprised by the sudden comment. "Different how?" she asked, her mind immediately going to her secret.
Lance tilted his head, studying her. "You're... less brash, I guess," he said thoughtfully. "Most adventurers I've met are confident to the point of arrogance. But you... you seem more reserved. More thoughtful."
Rosemary wasn't sure if she should feel flattered or worried. His observations were scarily accurate. "Guess I just have a different approach." she said with a shrug, carefully hiding her uneasiness.
Lance didn't seem convinced but didn't press further, which Rosemary was thankful for. Instead, he changed the topic, asking her about her hobbies back in Pelican Town. The conversation drifted into a lighter territory, and they found themselves laughing about various silly things. The tension from before had slightly lifted.
As the night wore on, Rosemary found herself relaxing in Lance's company. He was not just an attractive man, but intelligent and thoughtful as well. Their banter was easy, flowing from one topic to another smoothly. Every now and then, their eyes would meet, and she'd feel a flutter in her chest, or a blush creeping up her cheeks.
As the night grew later, Rosemary realized she needed to return to Pelican Town. "Thanks for the company.", she said, standing up reluctantly. "But I should get going. My sister Cerise is waiting for me back at our farm."
Lance stood up as well, looking at her with a hint of disappointment. "I see." he said, a small sigh escaping him. "Well, I enjoyed your company. It's... been a long time since I've had such a relaxed evening."
Rosemary felt a pang of guilt at the disappointment in his voice, not wanting to leave yet. But she couldn't stay here forever. "Me too." she said, smiling slightly. "Maybe we'll see each other again sometime?"
Lance returned her smile. "I hope so. You're not easy to forget, Rosemary." he said. He seemed to want to say more, but he just shook his head, a slight smirk playing on his lips.
Rosemary felt a flutter in her chest at his words. "Well… Goodnight then, Lance." she said, turning to go. Her heart felt heavy with a strange mix of excitement and regret.
"Goodnight, Rosemary." Lance called after her. "Take care."
The walk down the mountain was much colder than the walk up. Rosemary wrapped her arms around herself, not just from the cold. Her mind was filled with thoughts, most of which she didn't quite know what to do with. The journey to the docks was short but felt long. Every shadow, every sound of the night made her heart jump. Her thoughts kept going back to Lance, to his smile, to his voice. It was all so confusing, so… unfamiliar.
Reaching the docks, she found the boat that would take her back to Pelican Town. The ride back was a blur; her mind too occupied with thoughts of Lance and the strange evening they'd shared. As the boat docked in Pelican Town, Rosemary walked slowly back to her farm. It was late, and the town was quiet, everyone asleep. A part of her wished she could just stay awake and let the night go on, if it meant delaying the reality of the morning.
Opening the door to her farmhouse, she found Cerise sitting by the fireplace, reading a book.
Cerise looked up, surprised to see Rosemary there. "You're back." she said, setting her book aside. "I was getting worried."
"Yeah." Rosemary replied, trying to sound casual. "I lost track of time, I guess."
She sat down on the couch, her mind still spinning with thoughts of Lance.
Cerise looked at her sister, noticing her distracted state. "So, how was Ginger Island? Did you finally reach the top of that volcano?"
Rosemary nodded, her mind still elsewhere. "Yeah, I made it." she said, looking at the fire. "It was... quite the climb."
Cerise narrowed her eyes, sensing that something was off. "You seem distracted." she said bluntly. "What happened up there?"
Rosemary's eyes widened slightly as she was pulled out of her thoughts. "It's... nothing, really." she said, the words sounding unconvincing even to her own ears. "I met someone, that's all."
Cerise raised an eyebrow. "You met someone?" she repeated, a hint of suspicion in her voice. "Who?"
"His name is Lance," Rosemary answered, her voice almost a whisper. "He's a part of The First Slash Clan. Marlon mentioned me to him, I guess."
Cerise's expression changed from surprise to curiosity. "A member of The First Slash Clan, huh? Interesting. So... did y'all get along?"
"Yeah, yeah, we... we got along fine." Rosemary said quickly, trying to sound casual. "We just had dinner together, talked, that sort of thing..."
"Just that?" Cerise pressed further. "He didn't try anything, did he?"
"No, of course not." Rosemary said, a little too quickly. The image of Lance's smile flashed through her mind, triggering a flutter in her chest. "We just... talked, enjoyed the night, that's all."
Cerise studied her sister for a moment, her sharp eyes not missing the way Rosemary fidgeted in her seat. "Rosemary." she said, her tone suddenly serious. "Are you crushing on this man?"
"What? No! Of course not!" Rosemary protested, her voice a pitch higher than usual. "I just... I just think he's nice, y'know, intelligent, charming... that's all!"
Cerise chuckled, her voice taking a protective tone. "As much as I'm glad to see my sister having her first love life." she said, "Just be careful, okay? I don't care if he's from the First Slash Clan. Remember, I killed a man twice a normal man's size. Don't forget it."
Rosemary found herself sweating slightly, chuckling nervously. She knew Cerise was fiercely protective, and she was under no delusion that her sister wouldn't make good on her threat if needed.
Cerise's eyes were a mixture of warning and humor. "I'm serious, sister. I trust you have good judgment, but I don't like seeing you all flustered over a man. Especially one from a guild of adventurers. They're not exactly known for settling down."
"I know." Rosemary said, a hint of defensiveness in her voice. "It's just... he's different. I can't explain it. When we were up on the mountain top, talking, it was... I don't know, comforting, I guess."
Cerise chuckled, her voice betraying a sense of anticipation. "Well, I'll be the judge of that once I see him." she said.
Rosemary chuckled in response, well aware of her sister's protective instincts. "I know, sis, I know how you are. But anyway, how was your trip to Ridgeside Village?"
Cerise softened at the change of topic. "It was lovely." she said, a hint of fondness in her voice. "So many unique people. I even visited the outskirts of the town. But I stumbled upon this elf guy…"
Rosemary leaned forward slightly, her curiosity piqued. "An elf guy?" she repeated, her mind already picturing an image of the pointy-eared forest-dweller. "What was he like?"
Cerise's face lit up at the memory. "He was all dressed in ninja outfit, his mouth covered but his eyes... they were really something. A striking shade of green, like emeralds." she said, grinning. "Even with the mask covering the lower half of his face, I could tell he was quite handsome. Those sharp, green eyes and the rest of his features that were exposed left no doubt in my mind."
Rosemary smiled, picturing the scene. "Sounds intriguing." she said, her mind drifting to the image of the mysterious elf. "Did you talk to him?"
Cerise nodded. "Yeah, a bit. He was a bit on the quiet side, though. But he was polite. Had this air of mystery around him. I must say I found him quite charming." she admitted, a hint of a smirk playing at her lips. "His name is Jio, and despite being polite, I must say he was quite wary of me. Being a stranger and all. But he sure did pique my interest. Something about him... he seems to have a lot going on under that ninja attire of his."
Rosemary looked intrigued, her mind picturing the mysterious Jio. "A ninja with secrets, eh? Sounds right up your alley." she teased, knowing her sister's affinity for the mysterious types.
Cerise grinned, not denying her sister's point. "Can't help it if intriguing characters catch my eye." she said, her tone nonchalant. "And something tells me Jio is more than just a skilled warrior. There's a depth to him that's hard to ignore."
Rosemary chuckled, amused by her sister's infatuation. "Just be careful, sis. You know how dangerous it can be falling for the mysterious, brooding type."
Cerise mock-rolled her eyes. "Please, I can handle myself." she said, her tone confident. "Besides, who's to say I'm falling? I just find him... interesting, that's all."
Rosemary only chuckled and rolled her eyes. "It's only been a day and already we've encountered two very interesting men." she said, a hint of humor in her voice. "Is this a coincidence or is fate just playing with us?"
Cerise cracked a smile, sharing her sister's amusement. "Who knows?" she said lightly. "But one thing's for sure, our lives are about to get a whole lot more interesting."
The two sisters shared a moment of silent understanding, their minds swirling with new thoughts and feelings. As they went their separate ways for the night. Cerise to her room and Rosemary to hers. They were each lost in their own worlds of dreams, hopes, and questions.
As the farmhouse settled in silence, the only sound being the crackle of the dying fireplace and the occasional hoot of an owl outside, one thing was certain: their lives were about to take a surprising turn.
𝙵𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚞𝚒𝚝𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝙴𝚗𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜
"𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴."
[SDV] "The Nightingale"
![[SDV] "The Nightingale"](https://64.media.tumblr.com/7d3ddece0e7e940f3c5dbc0111aa20b6/59cf51dd38290465-08/s500x750/d69ba63e8e3cad5526084f659570d68516b1966e.png)
Give your thanks to anon!
Summary: You didn't expect leaving the life of an assassin to be easy. But upon arriving to Pelican Town to take care of your late grandfather's farm for a time, the dream became more and more tempting by the passing season, especially when a steadily blossoming romance was another factor.
Warning(s): [AU where the Farmer/Reader is an assassin and not a former Joja employee] Jio is a lil' gentler in this fic (still blunt though),❗️Explicit scenes where the Reader kills members of her organization❗️(Nothing too gorey though), Gentle sex, Fade-To-Black One-sided attraction low-key (The reader likes Jio more than Jio likes the reader), Jio still has sex with them out of curiosity though.
Side Note(s): God I love former assassin tropes. I had to take extra time on this one since I was in the mood for writing a bit of a short storyline, but I hope you like it anon!
P.S: Sorry that this may not be *exactly* how you wanted it anon. I had a narrative in mind and I just ran with it 😔
![[SDV] "The Nightingale"](https://64.media.tumblr.com/2625cdbf6c955c7d50f78f8ecb751c8a/59cf51dd38290465-ee/s500x750/575e82a24ab174ebcfec1b047b1d1968b16b36b3.png)
“The life as a Nightingale is one that is to be lived amongst the shadows. From now on, you live only to serve this organization and to never yearn for a life amongst the sun again.”
The life of a Nightingale was...lonely.
When you were of age, this was the oath you had taken. It was a harsh one but, this life amongst the dark underbellies of society was the only one you had ever known.
Your parents were assassins, from the day of your birth, all you had known was the shadows and the oath they had taken, never once being allowed to think of walking amongst the common population. You weren’t afforded the opportunity to attend regular school and instead attended night school where every student in the school’s population was in a similar situation to yourself, a life where circumstances were…unusual, to say the least. It was hard to make friends, and when you did, you weren’t allowed to keep them. The chance to go on field trips sounded like something out of a fairytale and when you had finally graduated night school, the opportunity to go to college wasn’t afforded to you.
Combined with the years of learning how to wield different weapon types, to the point where you could find a way to make a weapon out of a mere stick if you so wished. Not to mention learning different killing strategies such as the usage of poison, the use of allergens or other people around you if need be.
Becoming a Nightingale was a given, and when you swore to abide by the Nightingale’s oath. It was an all too easy choice to make. Since then, you’ve been a walker of the shadows. You had taken out targets from all walks of life, from the humble poor man to elites whose pockets hung so low that you feared it touched the core of the very Earth. Because of this, you’ve dabbled in every type of illegal activity you could think of, some activities taking you places such as underground cities where the “common” law was flipped upside down to gang-run territories where each step you made could have easily been your last.
Yet each and every single time, you completed your mission professionally and without too much trouble aside from a few new scars lining your body.
You never dared to dream much less think of life outside the realm of the Nightingales. You couldn't dream of a different scenario! One that wasn't rife with death and blood, shadows and silence. Where, instead of a bright moon looming above your head, there was instead a great yellow ball of fire. So, one night, when your leader had called you into their quarters to discuss your next job, you didn't have a mind to think of this job as too different than the other ones you had undertaken until...the location's name was spoken.
"You'll be taking a target known as 'Mr. Qi' located in Pelican Town."
Pelican Town? You had to repeat the name over in your head at least three times to really let it settle in. The name of the location wasn't something that whispered a more nefarious nature, nor did it strike you as a place that was familiar in the realm of drugs, gang activities, or trafficking. No, instead, it struck you as a place where you'd go fishing or maybe even farm a few plants here and there.
"It's a farming town out east. Nothing dangerous there aside from some monsters. You're to research the whereabouts of your target and kill him, he's an elusive bastard."
You cocked your brow. "And what will be my disguise?"
Your leader chuckled gruffly. "Guess."
Your gaze narrowed, racking over your brain for ideas until your jaw dropped slightly. "A farmer?"
"Inconspicuous, there's plenty of farmers there and a new one coming into town won't be unusual." Your leader sighed before they pushed themselves from their desk and went to their bookshelf, your eyes following the way their hands trailed over their collection of books and notebooks before they landed on a single parchment of paper. When the paper was handed to you, you took it with a single nod of thanks before you opened it. "Your late grandfather was a farmer, apparently, he wished to give some land over to you but your parents were against it."
You had heard conversations here and there when you overheard your parents talk late at night. However, all you understood was that your father didn't want you to go into the life of farming, that it was a waste of your potential and talents as another future addition to the Nightingales. Perhaps he was right, you'd never know but...you wouldn't deny that the idea of going to a farming town unnerved you a little. "I can't farm."
"You won't, you'll simply find the target and slit the bastard's throat. You'll return here and then get your payment per the usual. This is no different from your other jobs." You had a mind to argue but the leader's word was law. If they were to say that you needed to throw yourself from a cliff then you wouldn't have a single choice but to obey. But, this farming town was nothing more than that. A farming town.
No danger nor enemies to look over your shoulder for. No having to nearly throw yourself into the arms of death in an effort to get closer to your target or to simply get within better range of killing your target. The objective was simple, pretend to be a farmer and research the whereabouts of this 'Mr. Qi', once you had his blood on your hands and dagger, you'd collect evidence of his death and return back to your home amongst the shadows.
Nothing would be any more different than how things used to be.
"I'll be back soon," Was your eventual answer, stuffing your late grandfather's letter into your pocket. Your leader responded with a stoic nod before he dismissed you with a wave of your hand. "Report to the bus stop tomorrow night, you'll have someone waiting for you. Don't be late."
. . .
From then on...the rest was a blur, strangely enough.
When you had arrived in Pelican Town, under the sun no less. You had a pair of people waiting for you, an older man and a woman. Robin and Lewis, the mayor of the town. They were...friendly, and strange, but...this town was full of nothing but simple townsfolk and farmers. They commented on how they assumed no one would ever take your late grandfather's old farm and that they had bids from all over from people who wanted to take the place for themselves! The farm itself was a mess, with overgrown shrubs, and trees as far as the eye could see.
Creatures and critters made their homes in different spots on the farm too, for the past few days, you had spent time just trying to chase them all out! You weren't accustomed, much less ready for this life at all. It was like throwing a fish onto land and expecting them to excel without any training or adaptation prior. Yet you managed, when the farm was decent to the eye and you had planted a few crops to further sell the look, you then begun the process of looking for your target.
And, as if the world itself were mocking you, you only ran into more issues.
A wizard watched over the valley, the community building was in shambles and you were seeing jumping apples. People bothered you and talked to you at every turn, seeming not to understand that you had a job to do! These townsfolk were hopeless, you wondered how they managed to get on for so long without being dragged into the mud via monsters or their own incompetency yet.
'A mixture of the local wizard and Adventurer's Guild' You thought.
And the Adventurer's Guild...that was a totally different story.
Before you had even realized it, you had been within the town for months. You arrived in spring and suddenly, it was nearing the end of summer, the slight chill in the air already beginning to whistle along to signal the changing of the seasons. A job had never taken you this long, were you off your game? Or had you become busy with boring farm work all of a sudden? Or...perhaps you should stop distracting yourself with the whims and festivities of the townsfolk, however...they were so friendly. Even when you were so cold to them at the beginning, when you first arrived in town, you'd scowl and tell them that you weren't interested in mild chit-chat. Whenever you'd visit the Saloon in an effort to try and obtain more information on your target, people would try to talk to you and get to know you! In return for their efforts? You'd either ignore them or order them to leave you alone.
Now? You were starting to enjoy their conversations.
The way they'd show up at your doorstep with nothing but friendly intentions and gifts. The friendliness was nearly overwhelming, you had friends, for the first time in your entire life. Life amongst the shadows, surrounded by nothing but death and blood...quickly, you were beginning to prefer life under constant daylight and warmth. And your love for the daylight only grew when you had, one day, decided to wander into the forest that grew just outside Ridgeside Village.
It was peaceful and quiet, nothing but birdsong and the sound of a waterfall in the distance. And— "I know you're there." You said when you had stopped in front of a pond to admire the strange fish that only this village's waters contained. The stranger that decided to hide himself in the shadows of the trees...he was shocked, when he heard the news that the grandchild of the late farmer of that abandoned farmstead was coming to the valley. His lady had told him and the others to keep an eye on the newcomer. Yet rumors from Pelican Town, as well as the way you carried yourself the moment you stepped into the Ridge, said that you weren't simply a newcomer who only sought after trying to restore their relative's farmland.
Thus, the ninja decided to answer. "You saw me?" He asked.
"It was easy enough, I'm used to having to pick things out of the darkness." You answered before you turned around, only for your jaw to drop ever so slightly when the stranger had come into the light. Tall, with light brown hair that only seemed to become even lighter when exposed to the rays of the sun. Although a mask covered the lower half of his face, it wasn't hard for you to tell that he was handsome while the rest of his outfit made it clear that he wasn't a normal civilian of either Ridgeside Village or Pelican Town. And that wasn't all— "Your ears...are you an—"
His brow rose, his hand instinctively reaching to cover his ear despite the fact you had already seen the true nature of them. You were capable of sensing that he was watching you, not to mention being able to see the true nature of his ears? His lady was correct in ordering that you were to be observed. "Who are you?" You decided to ask.
"You may call me Jio, farmer. Who are you?"
You could easily tell that there was more to that question than simply inquiring about your name. Information that you weren't willing to give. "You may call me Y/N, I'm new to my grandfather's farm. I'm just here to restore it, nothing more." His head tilted, you were bad at lying. But, for now, he wouldn't pursue the question. It was good enough for now to understand that, while you may have been here to restore your grandfather's farm...that wasn't the entire story.
"You should turn back then, farmer. Beyond this forest, lies the Ridge. There's nothing but danger that no simple farmer such as yourself should see."
Danger? Though it wasn't shocking, you had seen the slimes and shadow people within the mines, you hadn't expected danger to lurk so closely to this village. "I can handle myself." You answered.
"Don't be a fool." He said harshly. "That is unless you don't value your life." And without another word, he disappeared in a puff of grey smoke. Yet, your interest in the elf lingered.
. . .
Having an...infatuation was an unfamiliar thing to you.
Back at your headquarters, there was no one good-looking enough to make you glance back at them twice much less make themselves linger in your mind for as long as that elf who called himself Jio did. All of a sudden, you found your feet unconsciously taking you back to the forest every other day, hoping to either talk to him or simply catch a glimpse of him as if he were some rare firefly! Your brain was torn apart, you wanted to focus on the farm but also on the friends you were making in Pelican Town, you wanted to see Jio again...to explore this weird feeling that was building up inside of your chest but—
The mission.
The mission.
You won't forget about your purpose.
Never once had you left a mission unfinished but...what if...just this once— "No." You scolded yourself one night as you lied down in your bed, staring up at your ceiling while your new cat, a tiny stray that Marnie had brought to your doorstep one day, slept peacefully on your stomach. "Focus Y/N." You continued before you sat up, gently placing your cat aside as you decided to step out of the house for some fresh night air. Perhaps the light of the moon would help you refocus, help you remember that these people of the daylight weren't of your concern. That Jio wasn't your concern, as well as this feeling in your chest! And as you stepped outside, the moon's light immediately soothing your rushing mind whilst the calls of nighttime critters helped you feel more in your element.
You remembered that you hadn't checked your mail.
Yet another thing you had to become familiar with, having a mailbox...where all your personal things were sent to.
It was an odd little system.
Yet...useful, it seemed. Because when you opened the box to check inside of it, all that was contained was a single black letter. You knew immediately what it meant, and the contents of the letter only read— "At the end of fall, one of our own shall visit you. Report your findings to them." And that was all that was in the message. A nervous sweat dripped down your back, you were no closer to finding out more information about your target than you were when you first came to this valley! You had allowed yourself to get distracted, accidentally focusing more on your disguise rather than the importance of your mission. Tonight, with the moon as your witness, you swore to yourself that your tolerance for distraction ended tonight.
You had to remain focused.
Thus, when the next day came around, you didn't allow yourself to speak to anyone. For the entire day it seemed, you had tracked down every possible lead you could think of whether it was scoping out the Wizard's tower in the wee hours of the morning or sometimes even observing the townsfolk during the night, all in the hopes that you'd spot something, anything that looked out of the ordinary.
But you found nothing, nothing aside from accidentally encountering the local drunk when he was in one of his stupors again, and having to waste time taking him home and lightly telling him off that he needed to stop drinking. And when you had laid him outside of Marnie's door, walking back to your farm to call it another failed investigation for tonight, your mind drifted back to Jio and you wondered if he knew anything. Although he didn't strike you as an assassin like you were, you knew that you both shared something in common. A something that unconsciously motivated you to skip walking up to your front door and instead make the short trip to the Ridgeside mountains, praying to whatever god was listening to you at that moment that the elf was around and willing to talk to you.
"Jio?" You softly called out once you had reached the forest.
Nothing, aside from the hooting of owls and crickets that is.
Your eyes narrowed in determination, remembering how he warned you to not venture beyond the forest and into the Ridge. Blindly walking into danger, especially when one had the courtesy of previously warning you about it, was foolish, that much was told to you constantly as you grew up, and from that, you learned to avoid unnecessary danger unless it counted towards you getting farther into your mission. Walking into a dangerous forest in the hopes of finding more information about this 'Mr. Qi' target...you decided that it had to have counted, and thus you made your way deeper into the woodlands. Slowly but surely, the calls of the night began to grow quieter...and quieter...until there was nothing left at all but the sounds of your shoes moving across the grass.
The scent in the air was strange as well.
Like an oncoming thunderstorm mixed with the familiar smell of iron and a little bit of fire smoke. You prepared yourself for a fight, your hand reaching to rest on the hilt of your weapon that you always kept on your person as you started to make your way out of the thick shrubbery and woodlands and out onto a clearing. You slowly scanned your surroundings for anything strange as your steps became slower and more calculated, wary even as you suddenly began to feel as if you were being watched.
Yet when you stopped briefly next to a tree, a snarl was your only warning before something lunged at you. Experienced, you took out your sword and cut the creature down without nary a single bead of sweat rolling down the side of your face, looking down at the slain beast however...you quickly plunged the end of your blade into its chest before it stopped its twitching and—
A sharp clang of metal meeting metal rung out in the otherwise quiet clearing, your eyes meeting a familiar set of green. "Jio?" You gasped, taking your blade away from his own. "Apologies, I didn't—"
"You shouldn't be here," His voice was even more muffled now thanks to his scarf covering the lower half of his face along with that mask of his. "You've ventured beyond the Ridge, the mountain spirit's protection ends here."
Your brow cocked. "I don't need some fairytale's protection, clearly I can handle myself." You tipped your head at the fallen beast. Jio crossed his arms, in his opinion, besting a mere red serpentine beast was indeed impressive but not enough to prove that one was deserving to explore this area further. But, for you, one that had taken down the beast with ease and experience, perhaps...there was something to be gained here. "Maybe," He responded vaguely. "This area holds secrets, perhaps—"
You stopped where the conversation was heading right in its tracks by holding up a hand. "I'm only here because I wanted to find you."
"Me?"
"Do you know anything of a...Mr. Qi? I need to find him."
He briefly heard his lady mention the name of the man, a strange and elusive man whose skin was blue and seemed to be intertwined with the very fabrics of this reality. But...why did you need to find him? "Why?"
"Does it matter why?" You retorted. "Simply tell me where he is."
Jio cocked a brow. Were you secretly an agent of Gabriella? No, maybe not, his lady wouldn't have trusted you if you were, but—you looked panicked. You hid it well enough, for anyone who wasn't trained to pick up the signs of nervousness, you'd appear calm and perhaps even a little bit winded. But, he could tell there was something more underneath the surface. "Tell me why you need to find this Mr. Qi then," You clenched your jaw. "No."
"Then we have nothing to discuss, you should go home. It's dangerous—"
"W-Wait." You said just as the elf turned around to probably disappear in a puff of gray smoke. "I need to find my target—"
Target.
The ninja hung onto the world tightly, that single word telling him more things about you than you probably intended to. That is, if you were even trying to hide it, to begin with, you were strange that was for sure. You were talented with a weapon as if you had been honing your skills for years and could pick him out from the shadows as easily as one would pick out a cloud on a bright day. The story of you being a former Joja employee...he didn't believe one word of it. "—my organization demands it, I must find him." You continued to insist.
"Then you will continue to have no hope here," He sighed. "Even my organization, we do not know where he is. You should give up for the time, tell your organization—"
Your eyes shot open even wider. "No." You firmly said. "They can't no, I'm not supposed to fail. They—" You words began to get choked up in your throat when Jio turned back to you, the harsh and almost commanding look he pierced into you making you snap your mouth closed and stand a little straighter as if you were suddenly placed back into the arms of the shadows, staring at your organization's leader as they scolded you for being reckless or failing at your mission. And failing as a mission? It was not tolerated.
Even now, you could still feel those lashes upon your skin.
And the memory of having to go through such a thing again, humiliated by the stares of your guildmates and your aging parents, disappointed and ashamed as they believed that they had taught you better than that. To be a perfect and willing member of the organization and nothing less— "Y/N." Jio spoke to you, snapping you from your thoughts before you watched him rub the back of his hand against your cheek. You shakily placed a hand to your face, gasping at the fact that you hadn't realized you'd been crying in front of a stranger.
Jio let out a heavy sigh as he crossed his arms. "...You have a chance to get away from your past."
Why was he saying this?
He should have been encouraging you to stay with your organization.
It seemed to be useful, worth it even. They instilled discipline and good skills into you. He was even tempted to go back to his lady and tell her that your organization may have been beneficial to converse with, however...he saw how much this valley seemed to have rubbed off on you. He saw it in your eyes, that your loyalty was crumbling and that a new one was beginning to forge, one that rested in this valley.
"This chance will only present itself once, take it or leave it." Jio continued. "If you are not ready to leave your organization, steel yourself and prepare to face them with the truth that you have not found your quarry." The harshness of his words made beads of sweat begin to prickle your skin and run down the sides of your face, yet, the elf offered little to no reassurance afterward and simply turned away again to disappear in a puff of smoke, leaving you alone with a monster corpse at your side and a whirlwind of thoughts running throughout your head.
To leave or not to leave?
When you looked around you, thought back to Pelican Town and Ridgeside Village...the first thing that came to your mind was the people. Their warmth and acceptance of you, how they made an effort to welcome you into their fold despite how cold you were to them firsthand. You thought of the festivities and holidays, you thought of your late grandfather's farm, and how you had realized that you loved caring for the farm, the crops, the animals, and every single hardship that came with it! Then finally...your mind wandered back to Jio and the crush you harbored for him. You thought about how you wanted to explore this feeling and find out exactly why the elf made your chest warm the way it did, why every time you met his gaze, your heart skipped a beat and you felt like your breath was stolen right from your lungs.
You wanted to see him more, get to know him.
So...you made your decision.
. . .
One that was easier to make than you had expected, of course. To stay in Stardew Valley and attempt to forge a new life away from the shadows of your organization. Although it was easier said than done, as the day to meeting a representative from your organization loomed closer and closer with each passing day, you tried to soothe yourself by thinking of how much you wanted to stay and how you were willing to do anything to achieve that goal.
Even if it cost you your life.
Life underneath the sun's warmth was far more welcoming than the coldness of the moon. And you let that line marinate in your mind all the way until the day you were supposed to meet a representative finally dawned upon you. You couldn't get an ounce of work done the entire day, and with the Spirit's Eve festival coming tomorrow night, you had found yourself trying to figure out what costume would fit you best rather than worrying yourself sick over what the representative would do in the face of you preferring your life here in the valley than back home!
You were hoping that they'd be understanding.
Surely they hadn't expected you to dedicate your entire life to the guild...were they? After all, how were you supposed to find love? Marry and have children?
How were you supposed to truly get to know the world around you if you were stuck in one place all the time?
It was madness— "Report your findings." The representative asked you in that same cold voice that all the members of your organization had. A black mask covered their features along with the rest of the equally colored outfit, though, you could almost see that your fellow member appeared to be...confused? Here they were in the typical attire of a Nightingale while you? You had kept on the farming clothes that you had worn throughout the day! It would've been funny had this entire situation, one that was taking place in the Ridge of all places, wasn't so nerve-wracking.
"I..." You trailed off for a moment, trying to figure out last minute if you were going to lie or if you were going to be upfront about what you wanted. "...I haven't found anything."
"Nothing?" They spoke with an even more obvious tilt of their head. "What have you been doing these last few months? Your only priority is to assassinate the target and return home, your disguise as a farmer is only something to fool the locals."
You narrowed your eyes. "I know, " you said. But I like it here." The representative was quiet for a long pause, giving you the courage to continue talking. "I want to stay. I've realized that my position in the organization isn't something that I want to be in for the rest of my life. I'm doing well here. I'm happy."
The representative was silent still.
"My grandfather entrusted his farm to me and I deserve to continue caring for it! The target be damned, I've spoken to other sources here and they said that even they haven't found the man!" The more you spoke, the more insane this all seemed. You were participating in a wild goose chase for a man who probably wasn't even real to begin with! All for an organization that probably knew this and maybe even expected you to fail! Was this a test? To see if you'd be tempted by life outside the shadows or simply want an excuse to get rid of an extra member?
You didn't even know if you truly wanted answers.
Just...anything, anything that may have helped you figure out if your organization truly cared about you—the same one that saw you grow up—and didn't secretly want you dead. Thus, you turned to look back at your representative. "Well? Say something!"
"What is there for me to say? Traitor." Your eyes shot to their hand slowly reaching for the dagger that rested obviously on their hip. In turn, you attempted to reach for your own weapon only...in your ignorance, thinking that your organization would be so understanding, you didn't bring your weapon. And the resulting conflict was bloody as you were forced to think of a hare-brained solution and simply charge yourself at your assilant, gripping the representative's hand and trying to wrestle the dagger away from them.
All the while though, you couldn't help but think about how...all you wanted was a new life.
Certainly not...this, this eventual outcome where you stood over the body of your organization's representative with cuts torn into your shirt and your handy bloodied from constantly having to grip onto the weapon's blade until you finally got the upper hand and managed to slit their throat. "Yoba..." Was the only thing you could whisper to yourself as you looked at the corpse, thoughts of the repercussions you'd face rushing through your mind as well as the question as to how you were going to dispose of the body.
What would you do to defend yourself?
How would you defend yourself? Especially against the wrath of your entire organization!? It was— "So you took control of your fate." Without thinking, you directed the dagger in the direction of the voice, only getting a glimpse of the owner until you felt a presence appear behind you before an arm tightly locked around your neck, yet, not too tight to be deadly. "Calm yourself," You blushed at Jio's voice being so close to your ear.
You huffed. "I'm calm, let me go." Without waiting, you pushed yourself free of the elf, grumbling and mumbling to yourself while Jio simply eyed the corpse before looking at your bloodied and cut-up form. It was interesting to him, seeing you be completely free of that "cleanlier" look you typically had when you massacred as a normal farmer around Pelican town. Tonight, he saw a side of you that no other in this valley would be able to see unless they wished to meet their end on the exact same night.
"You're staring," You said. Jio shook his head. "You're injured, let me help."
You scoffed. "I don't need help, I need to figure out how to get rid of this body..." Perhaps you could go beyond the Ridge and dump the body in the woods there? No one would ever go beyond that point and it was a bonus as well as that the monsters would probably eat the body and effectively get rid of the evidence in the process! Yet Jio was having none of it. "Don't be foolish," He said. "I'll get rid of it, go home and I'll help you with your injuries." And...be it from your wounds beginning to hurt thanks to the adrenaline starting to fade from your body, or the fact that you were tired and stressed from what lay over the horizon from this forbidden killing.
You simply nodded your head and turned on your heels to begin walking back to your farm.
. . .
When you arrived home, the first thing you did was strip yourself of your bloodied clothes before tossing them into a hamper for later and washed as much blood you could from your hands and other small wounds across your body as you could. In the process although, you tried not to think too much about how Jio was coming over to your home for the first time...the two of you didn't know each other that well besides the few interactions you both had, all you knew was that he made you feel warm inside your chest and left you wanting more and more each time you saw a single glimpse of him. It was almost similar to an addiction except...you weren't sure if there was a cure exactly for this other strange feeling you had.
The only clue you had was to touch him.
Even placing a hand on his shoulder would have been enough, and yet...how were you going to do that? "Hello?" You suddenly heard followed along with a few knocks.
"Come in!" You called as loud as you could as you walked back into the living room area, just finishing pulling down a brand new shirt before you sat on the couch. In Jio's arms was a small basket filled with medical supplies, herbs, and potions it seemed as well as enough bandages to cover your entire body it looked like! You chuckled at the sight. "You didn't have to bring so much, I've patched myself up with lesser items." You said softly.
Jio set the supplies down on the nearby table before he sat, already gesturing for you to give him your hand. "Maybe so," He answered. "But, it seemed like this battle that ensued between yourself and your fellow from your guild seemed to have been close." You responded with a confident click of your tongue. You had been caught off guard, that was the only saving grace that the representative had and they still lost in the end! You were perfectly molded and trained to be a weapon for the guild and nothing more, to be taken down by someone who wasn't even on equal footing in terms of skills would have been an insult to your memory.
Still, Jio began to patch you up, pouring tonics over your wounds before pressing green herbs to the cuts and bandaging you up. You took the opportunity to let your eyes roam over the elf's form, a little more slowly now that you had the time to just...look. However, your focus was mostly directed to his hands as you took notice of how they appeared to be a little larger than your own, his fingers long and lithe yet scarred and calloused from possible years of wielding a weapon. Then your eyes dragged up to his emerald eyes, focused on your wounds and bandaging you up rather than looking at you the way you were looking at him. But ever vigilant, Jio wasn't unaware of your stares.
"You're staring." He pointed out bluntly.
You blushed. "Sorry," You quickly said. "I'm just looking at you, can I not?"
Jio's hands paused in their work momentarily as he considered his answer. You were an attractive person, that he would admit to himself but to be so openly admired—it was...unusual. Not new nor unheard of, after all, Daia did the same thing to him each time they trained together but he knew that her telling him he was attractive was born from a place of playfulness rather than something genuine. As for you, however? In this moment...it made him feel warm, in a good way. Not a rush of heat born from annoyance.
"...You may," He said, almost shyly as his eyes briefly snapped to your own before looking back down again and continuing to bandage a cut on your hand.
With his permission, you continued to do so with a little more amusement in your eyes. You were in love with the way that the elf suddenly had the faintest tint of pink on his face, how his eyes seemed to struggle between focusing on what he came here to do or looking you in the eyes as well. And there were so many other tiny quirks that made the feeling in your chest continue to blossom. "...Jio." You spoke, breaking the silence. "Do you...like anyone?"
Once more, he paused. "Like anyone?" He parroted.
You nodded your head yet remained silent, anticipating his answer as his eyes narrowed in thought. "There is...one, that I'm mildly curious about." Your brow rose a little, your heart speeding up out of a sudden hopefulness. "She's fierce in combat, observant, and sharp yet surprisingly shy." Your eyes began to narrow in thought, you almost wanted to ask if he was talking about you but...you didn't want to get your hopes up too suddenly. Once you had mustered up enough courage, however, you opened your mouth. "Do you mean...me?"
He nodded his head. "I do."
You let the revelation hang in the air for a few minutes afterward. The reveal that the both of you had feelings for one another wasn't something out of a storybook nor anything decorated with rose petals and sparkles in the background. It was simply the truth of the matter, a truth that made your heart sing and your face warm while Jio simply looked to the side with his heart beating faster than it normally would! In the cult, it was drilled into his head constantly that love was something that had no priority and shouldn't take priority over any missions that the Lady gave to him and his fellows. But, for this moment at least...even if he didn't know you that well and had only managed to catch mere glimpses of you here and there when you came to the Ridge's forests.
Something about you told him that he should pursue this, just this once.
And that idea alone was only solidified when you scooted closer to him, the elf's eyes widening ever so slightly as his throat felt weirdly dry all of a sudden. "May—May I kiss you?"
It was unlike him to be shy. Blunt and cutthroat was a more appropriate term for the ones who knew him yet, as he slowly nodded his head. He felt like a fawn taking its first steps as he watched your head steadily move to tug his mask down before your lips were upon his own and...they were surprisingly soft. Not that he expected them to be anything else, but they felt like clouds and he could feel every single emotion that you put into the kiss. The nervousness, the tension, and the blossoming care that you held for him, and the only thing he could think about at the moment was how he wanted more.
Something that only grew as you slowly pulled back and smiled at him. "Your lips...they're soft." He whispered, strangely breathless although the kiss hadn't lasted long.
You blushed at the compliment. "T-Thank you, your lips...they're soft too."
Once more, the two of you fell into silence as each of you thought of what to do next. While you both buzzed with the feelings of budding romance, Jio spotted how your thighs clenched together as if your very body was begging for you to do something more.
Perhaps it was rude seeing as the two of you barely knew one another, your newfound romance barely even in the beginning stages yet but, the elf was suddenly curious about what other parts of your body were soft. Thus, he placed a warm hand on your thigh before he started to draw circles into your skin with his thumb. "...Can I kiss you again?" You didn't even consider the question for even a second before you nodded your head, Jio leaning in faster then you previously did, all the while his kiss had a lot more force and desire hidden underneath the surface of it. In your organization, although you were familiar with the concept of sex...it was forbidden to do so unless the intention was to create another member for the organization. Another future assassin was supposed to be the end goal always and never for pleasure. So, the steady heat that you began to feel between your thighs...while unfamiliar, it wasn't unpleasant, only serving to make you easily open your legs to the elf the moment his hands began to gently try to pry them apart so he could slide himself between them.
He parted himself from you. "Have you ever done this before?" Jio asked breathlessly before he started to pepper kisses on your face before he started to begin trailing kisses down to your neck.
A soft moan left your lips. "Ah...n-no..." You whispered as you felt your sex begin to throb more and more in tune with Jio's kisses as well as his hands starting to gently slip up your shirt.
"H-Have you?"
He considered the question for but a moment. "Once." And that's all he would answer upon the matter. You gasped when you felt Jio's hands graze across the undersides of your breasts, his hands simply touching and cupping them in his hands for a few moments before his thumbs started to gently move across your nipples. "Jio..." You breathed, his eyes glued to your expressions as he tried to ignore his own throbbing desire that begged to be free from its confines. He wanted to make sure that you were taken care of and comfortable first, his own desires could wait.
"So warm..." Jio whispered as he lifted your shirt, exposing your pebbled nipples to the chilly air of your living room before his mouth latched onto one of them. You moaned at the feeling, a breathless and soft sound that made Jio groan against your chest as he licked at your chest as if he were savoring a delicacy.
And in his eyes, it was.
The more he lapped your chest, let his hands explore your body, and listened to your moans. The more he began to believe that you were something to be savored and cared for until the very end. However, you could hardly stand to bear through the almost painful throbbing of your sex anymore. "Down there..." You begged quietly into his ear. "H-Hurts..." Jio briefly took his lips away from your breast to focus on where you claimed your pain was, a gentle smirk creeping onto his lips as his hands then traveled to the shorts you wore before he began to try and tug them off. You raised your hips to aid him, your blush only increasing as you were left only in your underwear and the obvious damp spot in the center made Jio hum in quiet amusement. "So wet from only kissing both your lips and your breast?" He poked at the damp spot, your thighs instinctively twitching in response to the unfamiliar touch. "How lewd farmer."
You blushed. "D-Don't tease..." You murmured.
He chuckled. "Allow me to play with you a little longer..." He whispered as his own hand started to reach for his pants, the sound of him unzipping his pants making your eyes shoot to his crotch before your eyes widened to the size of saucers at his length. It was long, with just the right amount of girth and leaking with pre-cum as well as twitching as if it had a heartbeat of its own! The very sight made your mouth water and your cunt suddenly ache to have it inside of you, however...as Jio continued to tease your sex and prod at it as if he were testing a new toy. You did your best to be patient in the face of your crush. "Please..." You found yourself whispering.
Jio chuckled at your begging as he hooked a finger around your underwear and started to pull them down. "Please?" He repeated with a mocking lilt to his voice. "You're begging already? We haven't even done anything yet..." He continued, trails of your slick still connecting you to your underwear even after they had been pulled down to the middle of your thighs.
It was a lewd sight, Jio thought. Your cunt clenched around nothing and seemed to leak even more of its slick now! Your clit was hard and throbbing, one swipe of his finger against it and your breath hitched and nearly stopped completely as if you had been shocked.
"Hurry." You murmured.
"Don't you want me to prepare you?" You shook your head, taking a bold step to wrap your arms around Jio to gently pull him closer to you before you rolled your hips closer to him, trying to entice him to finally fuck you rather than tease you for a second longer.
"I'm fine," You assured him. "Just—please." You whispered. Jio hesitated for only a second longer before he pressed his lips to your own, gently pushing you to lay down on the couch before he lined his cock up to your waiting cunt before he plunged himself in. You hissed quietly at Jio's cockhead beginning to enter you, the steady feeling of feeling so full making you tighten your arms ever so slightly before Jio began to pepper kisses along your face.
"Relax," He said. "Otherwise I won't be able to move."
Easier said than done, you thought.
But...as you stared into his eyes. You found yourself relaxing more and more until Jio let out a soft moan when he was finally settled inside your cunt. The last thing he was going to do now, was let you go, especially if it was anything before the arrival of the sun the following day.
. . .
Jio was unaccustomed to waking up to the sound of birdsong. Usually, the sky was still dark when he woke up for his morning training before he'd set off to perform his patrols for the day. However...after last night's events, he awoke feeling strangely more relaxed and rested than usual, and he expected to see you sleeping soundly beside him until—"Hm?" He hummed sleepily, rubbing his eyes and moving strands of hair from his face when he saw that your side of the bed was empty. You did have a farm to tend to, he applauded your dedication but...he wanted to see you, talk to you more.
It was what inspired him to roll out of bed and find some clothes to put on before he walked outside and...nothing.
No clucking of chickens nor the mooing of cows. Although he saw that the sprinklers had come on and that there was evidence of you being out there due to the footprints on the ground. Something was...off.
As he followed the tracks, your footprints led farther and farther away from your farm and closer to the path to Marnie's Ranch. It was then that another set of tracks joined you before...it stopped.
He tried to steady the sudden worry that began to sneak into his being. You were a fierce combatant as well as a former assassin, surely you wouldn't have been—no. Jio shook his head, Yoba had allowed him a newfound chance at peace, it'd be cruel of him to rip that away from him so suddenly, especially when he had given his everything to you last night and wanted nothing more than to do the same today and all the days afterward! He was willing to face any scolding from his Lady and whatever it took forward to make sure that he was ensured that he continued to see you! And that hope was his sole drive as he quickened his pace through the forest, his eyes wide and scanning for any signs of your person, perhaps you were fishing? Collecting wood or even visiting the Wizard for some reason.
Anything was better than...than the worry that was starting to take over him, especially when he started to see spots of blood.
They led further and further into the woodlands until the elf found himself in the depths of Cindersap Forest.
And, at the river's bank...there you were. Lying in a pool of your own blood that began to seep into the river's waters, turning its crystal clear colors into a murky red whilst a single dagger stabbed into your chest with a note in the center of it.
"A true Nightingale never yearns for a life in the sun. Those who do will be returned to the shadows once more, whether in death or in life."
Hello! (ㆁωㆁ) I'm new here & I notice your blog about your farmers. I really love their designs! If I was wondering if you could make a scenario with any of your Farmers with that one cutscene on SVE were Camilla kidnap us the player just to show the Crimson Badlands. I would like to know how will they react.
And btw I find your username familiar, are you that one wattpad author who writes countryhumans?
Thank you for the ask! (◕ᴗ◕✿) To be honest, your actually the first person who sends a request/ask here in my blog and to answer your question about my username. Yes, I am that author who used to write CH stories, but I went on hiatus from the fandom and pursue different fandoms. I'll probably get back to it and finish the WIPs chapters.
Your ask is really random but this is how I picture this scenario with two of my farmers. Anywho on to the story~
Imagine my farmer Rosemary, who just woke up from bed, still wearing her pajamas. Then out of nowhere, Camilla appears and said "Hey sweetie, I have something to show you, that I know you will find interesting." Before Rosemary gives a reaction, the said witch just grabbed her arm and warps, disappears.
Cerise activates the relic, Lance arrives in under 2 minutes, appearing directly into the farm living room with wide, worried eyes.
Unknown to them, Cerise watch this all and goes into full blown panic mode because some witch just kidnap her sister. Cerise immediately looked through Rosemary's bedside in her room to find a certain object. 6 months ago, Lance gift Rosemary a relic. A relic that is tied to his mana but if it activates, Lance will sense it no matter how far he is. In other words, a relic that can be use if Rosemary is in grave danger. Even though she doesn't need it but Lance is being persistent after the many times the red haired farmer just keep collapsing and getting hurt.
“Cerise–!”
“She kidnapped Rose!”, Cerise trying to stay calm, pointing at the still open front door.
“W-what? Who–”
“That purple witch! What's her name again? Uhm Calisa? Camilla! I saw Camilla kidnapped Rosemary!”
A frightening calm settles over Lance’s face. He marches over to the front door, pulling it shut and locking it, before turning to look at Cerise and walk towards her.
He placed his hands around Cerise's shoulders to calm her down. “Everything's going to be alright, sister-in-law. I will be back in no more than 15 minutes.”
And with that, he fades away.
'Sister-in-law my ass! Your not even married to Rose yet. Jeez.', Cerise thought with a bewilder look. 'You still haven't got my blessings yet'
In just over 10 minutes, three figures appeared in the living room where Cerise, now calm, is drinking her morning tea.
“Rose!” Cerise cried as she puts down her tea and rush towards her stun-looking sister, checking to see if she's alright.
“I see my sense of humour was again in poor taste,”, she says, looking at Cerise. “I did not mean to cause distress.”
Lance is glaring at Camilla, and the witch actually has the grace to look mildly chagrined.
Cerise narrowed her eyes at Camilla from within Rosemary’s arms. The red haired farmer is oddly quiet but the eldest sister can feel the tension in her younger sister's body. "A warning next time."
I know its a bit short. Its been awhile since I last wrote a full story but I hope you enjoy this one.
Thank you for the ask! ( ◜‿◝ )♡
Summary: In the early morning, Sebastian wakes Aleia up to show her something special. Despite her sleepiness, she trusts him and follows him, leading to a quiet, tender moment.
The farmhouse was peaceful, an oasis of quiet in the stillness of the early morning. The moon hung low in the sky, its silver light illuminating the landscape outside. Stars scattered across the heavens like diamonds against deep indigo, but inside, the world was tranquil—except for Sebastian.
With a quiet groan, he silenced the alarm, the soft beep cutting through the silence. He rubbed his face, pushing his messy dark purple hair back with a tired hand, glancing over at Aleia. She lay peacefully beside him, her reddish-pink hair cascading over the pillow, lips slightly parted, breathing steadily in her sleep.
A playful smirk tugged at Sebastian’s lips as he stared at her. Waking her up was going to be a challenge. But the idea of sharing this moment with her made his heart race in ways he hadn’t expected.
He slipped out of bed with care, dressing quickly in his jeans and favorite hoodie, the warmth of their bed still lingering on his skin. His leather jacket slid over his shoulders effortlessly, and he approached her side, crouching down to gently shake her shoulder.
“Aleia...” he whispered, his voice soft but insistent.
She groaned, pulling the pillow closer to her face. “No. Five more minutes...”
He chuckled, brushing a lock of her roseate hair from her face. “It’s not five minutes, sweetheart. You need to get up.”
Aleia cracked one eye open, her gaze instantly narrowing at him. “Sebastian... It’s the middle of the night!”
He grinned, crossing his arms. “It’s three in the morning, actually. Time to rise.”
“That’s... Even worse!” she muttered, curling deeper into her pillow. “Why would you wake me up at demon hours?”
Sebastian laughed, leaning down to press a soft kiss to her forehead. “Because I’ve got a surprise for you. Trust me. Get dressed, and meet me outside.”
Before she could protest any further, he stood and walked toward the door, leaving her with little room for argument. Aleia groaned, but despite her protests, she eventually gave in. She slipped on her favorite cozy sweater and jeans, boots clicking on the wooden floor as she stepped outside into the cool night air.
Sebastian waited by his motorcycle, his posture casual, but his eyes alight with a mischievous glint.
“Seriously? A motorcycle?” Aleia raised an eyebrow. “You better have a good reason for dragging me out here at this ungodly hour.”
He tossed her a helmet with a grin. “I’ve got a good reason. Now hop on.”
She sighed dramatically but climbed onto the bike anyway, wrapping her arms around his waist. “If I fall asleep and fall off, that’s on you.” she muttered into his back.
Sebastian chuckled as the engine hummed to life beneath them. “I’d catch you, don’t worry.”
The ride was quiet, the world around them enveloped in darkness. Aleia rested her cheek against his back, letting the wind ruffle her hair. Her exhaustion from being pulled out of bed faded slowly, replaced by the trust she had in him, the trust that had only grown stronger over time.
After what felt like an eternity, he pulled to a stop, and Aleia blinked, looking up at the at the surroundings.
“The Summit?” she asked, her voice thick with grogginess.
Sebastian helped her off the bike, pulling a pair of blankets from the side storage. “Yep. I promise, it’ll be worth it. Come on.”
With his hand firmly in hers, they hiked up the final stretch of the trail, the mountain air growing thinner and colder with each step. But nothing mattered except the space between them—close enough to feel the heat of his hand, to hear the quiet rhythm of their breaths. It was just them, and the world was waiting.
When they reached the peak, Aleia gasped, awestruck by the view that stretched before her. The valley lay below, bathed in the faint light of the approaching dawn, rivers reflecting the stars. The sky itself seemed to be awakening, shifting from dark to lighter shades of purple and orange as the first touch of the sun’s rays began to bleed across the horizon.
Sebastian spread a blanket across the cool ground, patting the space beside him. Aleia sat down beside him, rubbing her arms against the cold. Without hesitation, Sebastian draped his jacket over her shoulders, pulling her into his side.
She exhaled, resting her head on his shoulder. “Okay, I admit it. This is pretty amazing.”
“I told you.” he murmured, his lips curling into a satisfied smile.
Aleia looked up at him, a playful glint in her eyes. “So... You just decided, ‘Hey, let’s wake up my wife in the middle of the night, make her trek up a mountain, and then show her the sunrise’?”
Sebastian gave her a teasing grin. “Pretty much.”
“You’re the worst.” she groaned, nudging him lightly with her shoulder.
“And yet, you married me.” he replied, his voice smooth, full of quiet pride.
She rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress the smile that tugged at her lips. Her hand found his, their fingers lacing together as they both stared at the sky in silence. The world around them was so still, so peaceful, and for the first time in a long while, Aleia felt completely at ease.
Then, slowly, the sun began to rise. The sky shifted from dusky purples to shades of pink, gold, and fiery orange, bathing the landscape in warmth. Aleia’s breath caught, the beauty of it overwhelming. She couldn’t look away.
“It’s beautiful...” she whispered, her voice soft, as if afraid to disturb the moment.
Sebastian, however, wasn’t looking at the sunrise. His eyes were on her.
“Yeah.” he murmured, his gaze never leaving her face. “It really is.”
Aleia turned to him, her heart skipping at the tenderness in his expression. His deep midnight purple eyes were filled with something she couldn’t quite name, but she could feel it, love, perhaps, or something deeper.
“I meant the sunrise, dork,” she teased, her voice affectionate.
Sebastian smirked, that same playful spark returning to his eyes. “The sunrise is nice,” he said softly, “but you, Aleia… You’re breathtaking.”
She laughed, her cheeks flushing. “Oh my God, that was so cheesy.”
He chuckled, leaning in close, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered, “You love it.”
“…I do.” she admitted with a smile, warmth flooding her chest.
Sebastian cupped her cheek with one hand, his thumb brushing gently over her skin. “I love you, Aleia.”
Her heart soared. She leaned into his touch, her own hand coming to rest on his. “I love you too, Sebby.”
And as the sun continued to rise above them, painting the world in its golden glow, Sebastian leaned in, pressing his lips to hers in a slow, lingering kiss. The world felt like it paused for just a moment—nothing else mattered except for the two of them, together, here, in this perfect slice of time.
When they finally pulled apart, Aleia grinned, resting her forehead against his. “Okay, fine. Waking up early was worth it.”
Sebastian chuckled, holding her closer, the warmth of his embrace making the morning chill feel miles away. “Told you.”
They sat there in comfortable silence, watching as the sun bathed Stardew Valley in golden light, knowing that whatever challenges the future may hold, they would always have each other and moments like this one.
Mod: "Maggs Immersive Sebastian Dialogue and Custom Events Spicy or Sweet" by @maggplays
As far as I remember, in the Stardew Valley Expanded mod, the area located in the backwoods serves as the entrance to the 'Enchanted Grove' or 'Nexus.' Maybe its preventing you to add another area because that area is reserved for that area in SVE, if you download the mod. Hope you find a way to have that skatepark stays in the next update! Ngl I like the design and I hope my farmer can also interact with it. ✨
After days of careful planning and construction, with the assistance of Robin, Yvonne successfully completed building the skatepark that Sam has always dreamt of. While initially created to fulfill her husband's dream, this project ended up being a valuable asset for the town, where children can experience fun and exploration while adding a new structure to Pelican Town.
(P.S. Thanks Maggs, for helping me trigger this cutscene. 😭😍)
Mod:"Maggs Immersive Sam Romance Dialogue and Events (x)Spicy or Sweet 1.6" by @maggplays
After days of careful planning and construction, with the assistance of Robin, Yvonne successfully completed building the skatepark that Sam has always dreamt of. While initially created to fulfill her husband's dream, this project ended up being a valuable asset for the town, where children can experience fun and exploration while adding a new structure to Pelican Town.
(P.S. Thanks Maggs, for helping me trigger this cutscene. 😭😍)
Mod:"Maggs Immersive Sam Romance Dialogue and Events (x)Spicy or Sweet 1.6" by @maggplays
After 3 Years
After years of sudden interest, declarations of love, budding romance, passionate moments and a series of misunderstandings, the decision was made. He turned to her and asked the question, "Will you marry me?" The shock of the sudden question overcame her, tears streamed down her face, then she hugged him, "Yes..."
Finally! Finishing the dating phase with Sebastian. Now I'm on the road to get those marriage heart events with him and my farmer.
JUST FOUND OUT THIS INTERESTING IMMERSIVE DIALOGUE/CUSTOM EVENTS MOD ABOUT OUR BOY, SEBASTIAN! 💜
Sooo I saw this mod from Nexus, been trying to find some new immersive Sebastian mods since the previous one I download got a bit stale for me (especially I read all the dialogues) and I do not want to divorce this fine emo specimen. So I keep searching till I found this mod, "Maggs Immersive Sebastian Dialogue and Custom Events Spicy or Sweet" by MaggPlays.
(Here's an example of the mod's cutscene with Sebastian walking with my farmer, Aleia to get her home safely after some few night drinks, I think?)
(During the walk, they were almost near the farm until Sebby here decides to confess his feelings and thinks tha Aleia will forget about it the next day.)
After reading the mod's description, its best to play this mod at the start of Year 1 to fully experience the love journey with Sebastian, and its even better if you marry him in Year 3. All those event scenes are so satisfying to watch. Even his vanilla heart events are even altered. Ngl the way he acted is just so CUTE! The mod really made me love Sebby more. (And not divorcing him for Sterling *cough*)
But I can't use my farmer OC, Aleia. Since she's already married to Sebastian and is now on Year 5, not gonna risk and use Cheats Menu to go time traveling. So I made a new save file and have the same identity as Aleia.
Awww look at him! Taking my Farmer Aleia, on a beach picnic date.
When you think you've finally settled on the NPC you want to marry, but then you meet another interesting character and suddenly want to pursue them too. You’re curious about their story, but your heart won’t let you divorce your current spouse—so you start a new save file. Then another. Each one with a different farmer OC, each with their own love interest and story. Before you know it, you've built an entire farming game world where your OCs coexist. And now, every time you find another NPC attractive, you have to create yet another OC, complete with a backstory, personality, and design… until it becomes a full-blown creative headache. 😵
This rat is still calling me an "idiot" in my own native language. After every favor you requested you're still calling me that! ಠ益ಠ
"Bobo" means idiot in Filipino
And now you request something for your wife. Yipeee! ( ╹▽╹ )
You're lucky you're cute. (눈‸눈)
Now I wonder what he gave me. ┐(￣ヘ￣)┌
Oooooh a Jungle Tank! Imma add frogs here for my love Sebby. I guess this gift is worth it after all. Thanks, Mr. Raccoon but I'm still pissed for the insult. ಠ◡ಠ
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🇵🇭||20+||SDV&FOMWriter||Hobbyist||She/Her ✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧ 🌺 Multifandom🌺 2nd acc: https://www.tumblr.com/ojoshai?source=share
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