These events are a depiction of both story lines of ANWL and HMDS Cute but take place in the layout of the former. I do not own the characters or main plot and some of the events are copied word-for-word from the game; however, most of the wording used and storytelling is my own.

Possible Jill x Marlin / Jill x bachelors

...

Chapter One: Timing

Summer 14th, Year 2

It really wasn't necessary to get the chicken feed right then and there. She could have simply let her chickens scavenge for bugs outside in the rain the next day. They probably would have been just fine, but... she just felt too guilty when it came to her animals. Perhaps this was the feeling of the new-found responsibility she uncovered in herself when she gained the ranch in her late father's will. Or, perhaps, it was the thick awareness that the lives of her animals relied in her hands in a way nothing had ever relied on her before. What ever it was, it was characterized by a terrible twinge in her chest- which drove her to frantically finish all of her chores and high-tail-it all the way to Mineral Town to pick up a large bag of chicken feed before tomorrow... in mid-summer. She had promptly, and painstakingly, finished with the crops and animals at a record breaking time of eight in the morning and just now, at five o'clock in the evening, was she was finally making her way back to Forget-Me-Not-Valley, bag of feed in arms.

'My timing is off,' was the reason, she realized, for most all of her problems on the ranch. She passed the path to the mines when she looked up at the drooping sun in the sky and wiped away the sweat on her brow with the sleeve of her shirt.

She had been in this town for a year and a half, but she was still getting used to the subtleties, and attention to detail, and planning that it really took to run a ranch. Or maybe she was just a bit distracted these days.

That cord struck a note in her mind when she nearly bumped into a dark-haired farmer, who had just stepped out of his sister's house.

...

"Vesta, I'm going to the bar," Marlin alerted his older sister with a bland expression as he reached the doorway. She was in the kitchen rinsing the dishes from dinner in the sink. Normally, he would offer her help, but it was she who urged him to leave the house "every once in a while" to unwind from work. Truthfully, she'd practically shooed him out. He settled on the local Blue Bar as his Monday night routine and, although she didn't condone his growing drinking habits, Vesta didn't impede him from taking the time for himself.

"Okay!" Vesta called back, "Just be careful on your way home," she added with a stricter tone.

"Sure," Marlin mumbled sourly as he stepped outside and closed the door behind him. He shoved his hands into his pockets. Sometimes he hated the way she treated him: as though he were still her kid brother. He was twenty-seven years old... twenty-seven and tired of the not-so-carefully concealed looks of concern she and Celia gave him from time to time: Looks which had lately become more frequent...

With both individuals lost so deep in thought, it was with no surprise, except their own, that they nearly bumped into each other.

"Oh... It's you," Marlin was the first one to speak. He was bit surprised at how close they were to crashing into each other, but otherwise his expression remained stoic as usual.

"Hey Marlin," Jill replied comfortably with a smile, freeing herself from her previous thoughts. Even in her current situation, she was actually glad to see Marlin. It had been a few days, and she began to wonder how he was doing. Despite popular belief, Jill had befriended Marlin quite easily; the popular belief, of course, being the skepticism that anyone could become friends with Marlin easily at all. Lightly put by Jill herself: Marlin was a grump. He hardly acknowledged her in their first interactions, let alone said hi. But little by little, with some thoughtful gifts given and many late night bar conversations later, they both warmed up to each other. Now, it was safe to say that they rather enjoyed each others' company mutually. More than that, he was probably one of the closest friends she had here in this little village of a town.

The only current problem regarding Marlin was that she could only give him half of her focus. The other portion of her thoughts were on the large feed bag which threatened to slip from her grasp. Her fingers had decided on the worst time possible to grow stiff and numb from the strain. Jill attempted to fix the issue by simply wrapping her arms tight around the center of the bag to take some weight from her hands. However, this only made her stance more awkward and struggle apparent.

"How's it going?" She asked, attempting to sound relaxed as she ungracefully groped at the bag.

"Fine, but..." he responded, his attention also focused on Jill's trembling hands. "...you look like you could use some help."

As if on cue, the feed in the bag shifted its weight downwards through her arms, and gravity took care of the rest. The bag hit the ground with a thump, and a tiny cloud of dirt puffed out from under it. A flush of color lit up Jill's face from embarrassment. She quickly bent down and scooped up the bag in her arms once again.

"N-no," she answered and attempted to laugh off the awkwardness she felt. "Ha...I'm fine."

"You sure?" Marlin asked and raised an eyebrow at her, not sounding convinced.

"Yeah, I've got it," she chuckled with a half sincere smile. Her voice sounded confident enough, but as she moved to walk down the dirt trail once more, her knee also betrayed her and buckled under the weight. This time, both the bag and Jill plummeted face-first to the ground.

...

"Thanks, Marlin," Jill muttered for about the third time in the past five minutes as they passed the bridge. They began on the main cobblestone path in the village which led to her ranch. Marlin had slung the bag of chicken feed over his right shoulder, and his arm was thrown lazily over it to hold its place as they walked.

"It's no problem," Marlin rebutted. He didn't mind helping out. One thing he liked about Jill was the way she treated him. She never stopped him from trying to help because she was worried for health (that usually only happen because of her stubbornness to do it herself). Nor did Jill ever mention his sickness, even though she knew of it. She let him do as he pleased, and there were no quick glances of concern or looks sympathy in her eyes. She treated him as though he was like everyone else. Marlin carried the bag with ease, but in this instance, it was Jill's treatment of him which made him feel strong. Jill, however, looked defeated. She had failed her own chore... and was left to sway on beside Marlin with a pink face, scraped knee and small hole in her blue-jean capris.

Marlin could have chuckled at the pitifully defeated look on his walking companion's face, but he did a fair job of only displaying a placid smile. He kept his eyes ahead as she glanced his way with thankful expression. He, too, was almost grateful that Vesta had forced him inside during the heat of the day, otherwise he might have been too exhausted to carry the bag as easily as he did. It was actually a bit heavier than he imagined it would be when he saw it in her arms. It had to be at least fifty pounds... which provoked a sudden question in him.

"What were you doing all way out here with this bag anyway?" He asked with a hint of suspicion. Jill flustered with more embarrassment for a moment before responding.

"Well... you see..." she began hesitantly, a nervous smile playing at her lips. "I ran out of bird feed, and it's supposed to rain tomorrow. I thought about calling Poultry Farm for a delivery, but I remembered that they can only make deliveries on the next business day. And they're closed tomorrow. So... I just went ahead and picked it up from Poultry Farm myself," she admitted as though it were just a casual stroll to Poultry Farm.

It took a moment for Marlin to register her response, but soon an look of incredulity came across his face. Poultry Farm was all the way in the Mineral Town! The south part of Mineral Town, to be pedantic. It was no wonder her limbs gave out. The walk wasn't horrible, but it was time consuming, and there were many hills through the mountains' pass. For her to carry the bag the entire way was astonishing for her size. She was nearly a whole head shorter than him and her figure was rather slim. She was obviously stronger than she looked... or tenacious... or simply hard headed.

Before Marlin could fathom his response to her explanation, Jill piped up again.

"Well, we're here!" she proclaimed as they strolled up to the opening of her ranch, all too eager to change the subject. She figured he must think of her as foolish for forgetting to check her bins ahead of time. Or foolish for traveling all the way to Mineral Town for just some chickens. However, she didn't mention that the journey did give her an excuse to stop by and see her cousin for a bit.

Her cousin Pete's ranch was flourishing; and, to be honest, it made her green with envy. There was no doubt she was proud and happy to see him doing so well, but the competitive side of her was grief stricken that he lived with such a dignified farm and livestock while she simply had a few fields, a handful of cows and sheep, and merely four chickens. She was still grateful for them all, of course. It had taken her a lot of hard work in the past year to start cutting a profit large enough to live off of comfortably. She wasn't hurting money-wise anymore, like in the beginning, and she even had enough spending money to splurge on a nice, new kitchen and an upgrade on her house. But...

As if on cue with her thoughts, her humble little ranch finally came into view, and a fire light up in her eyes. She was determined to do great. She was going to turn her father's old rough piece of land into the masterpiece of self sufficiency it was before. She was determined to catch up to her cousin's success... and then some. Through Jill's eyes, she didn't see just a humble little ranch. She saw the potential of every piece of acreage and the plans she had already made for it. In her mind, she saw her dream come true. Through Marlin's eyes, however, he simply saw a zealous farm girl staring onto her home strangely with a grin on her face.

When they neared the house Jill spun around to Marlin with her arms out expectantly.

"Thanks again, Marlin," she repeated for the fourth time. He was realized he had been counting.

Marlin handed over the bag wordlessly.

"So, you're going to the bar, huh?" She mentioned once she had the bag firmly in her arms. She knew well of his routine.

"Yeah," Marlin shrugged. It was Monday after all. "Are you?" He asked dully, placing his hands in his pockets.

Jill smiled. "You know... I wasn't thinking about it up until now... but after today..." she shook her head; a tired chuckle left her lips. "I think I need a drink."

Marlin smirked knowingly. He knew what that felt like.

"I'll see you there," Jill confirmed with a laugh as she turned and headed to the chicken coop. Marlin watched her for a moment as her dog ran up in an attempt to play with her. She cooed something incoherent and then humored him by breaking out into a playful jog, the bag bouncing in her arms.

Marlin turned to go with wonderment at how the hell she had so much energy everyday. His shoes met the cobblestone path, and he still couldn't get it out of his mind. He couldn't remember a time when he recovered so quickly after being exhausted... Maybe only during his adolescence, but not since the sickness: which had taken most all of his young adult hood from him.

As Marlin neared the bar, he looked up at the sun which began to set over the rolling waves of the beach down below the hill. It was then that he pointedly shook the depressing thoughts from his head. A drink would take his mind off it all.

...

Jill finally stepped into the bar with a refreshing sigh. It was a relief just to be in the dim lighted atmosphere and take a breather away from the hardships of her masterpiece in waiting.

By the time she arrived, Muffy was having a light-heartened conversation with Marlin, who was seated across the bar, and Griffin was listening with a laugh. Jill smiled when she noticed that Griffin was already mixing her favorite drink before she sat on her stool beside Marlin. Muffy welcomed Jill inside with a genuinely excited expression upon seeing her friend, and Griffin set the cool drink down in front of her. Marlin grew quiet and took a swig of his own drink. Jill sat down and smiled at her full glass, before tiredly looking up at the bar owner with the most grateful expression.

"Thanks, Griffin." She felt like she had been saying that word a lot today. The bar owner chuckled at her meek expression in the same way Marlin had almost earlier.

"Been a rough day?" He asked knowingly. That was the diagnosis of most the people to whom he prescribed his remedies.

"Yeah... you could say that," Jill chuckled wholeheartedly. She could already feel the stress of the day melting off her shoulders as she took the first sip of Griffin's concoction, and especially now that she had surrounded herself with these warm and familiar acquaintances. Suddenly, the day didn't seem so bad, and her exhaustion, instead, turned into a comforting tiredness: as though she had just lied her head to her pillow after a long day. Jill began into reach into her pocket to pay for the drink, but Griffin interrupted her.

"Don't worry, Jill," he assured her, as he wiped out a glass with a dry towel." This one's already been taken care of." Griffin winked and nudged his head in Marlin's direction. Marlin reacted to being given up by ignoring the gesture and taking another drink from his glass. Jill looked over to Marlin with mock indignation.

"You do know you're just making me owe you more now, right?" She joked with a smirk, implying that she fully intended to pay him back for his trouble. Marlin shrugged her off.

"I know you're good for it," he answered with certainty and a definite tone which dictated that his were the final words of the faux argument... for now, Jill resolved.

Muffy took her chance to start a new conversation about the news and gossip she heard around town. This conversation topic led to a story about a certain related pair of pyrotechnicians who accidentally set off some explosive substance in their home today. They weren't harmed, thankfully, but they were left with much damage control to conduct; it was unanimously decided that this was the reason they weren't drinking in the bar tonight.

Jill didn't mind Patrick and Kassey's usually Monday night presence at the bar: if fact she usually found them quite fun and entertaining. But tonight... Tonight she was enjoying this very intimate and jovial calmness.

Marlin was thinking a similar thought to Jill's as the four of them joked and talked on-wards into the evening. Eventually, even Griffin and Muffy partook the the elixir this night: Griffin poured himself and Muffy a glass and passed a line about 'being among good friends' as the two bartenders toasted. Jill giggled at their imitative aristocratic gesture, but Marlin was still consumed by the words of friendship as their conversations gently flowed on.

Marlin had never really considered himself as having many friends, save for his sister and Celia. However, if he were to claim any as his friends, it would have to be these three characters giggling and laughing before him. They each had admirable and unique traits about them, which he had come to understand more over the years.

For example, Muffy was a gossip at times, but one thing about her that Marlin appreciated was that he'd never once heard her say anything mean or harmful about anyone. Even with all of her stories and tales, she was as soft hearted and as thoughtful of others as could be.

Jill was also kind hearted, but there was something else about her which sparked a feeling of wonder in him. She wasn't simply all soft and cordial around the edges: she had this.. flame. She has this strange spark of electricity or fire running through her that he had never noticed in anyone else before. There was a strong willed ambition that she carried about her being, so bright that it radiated. When he'd listen to her speak of all of her desires, and dreams and wants, some how, he knew they would come true for her. Suddenly, he found himself with hope for his own desires, and dreams and wants. Then, he just knew, if she could make her 'hopes' and 'wants' happen, then he could make his happen too. Her optimism was truly a sight for sore and tired eyes...

Griffin, observing from across the bar, noticed the look Marlin had in his own eyes while watching Jill speak passionately between sips of her drink. Marlin felt the stare and looked back at the bartender for a moment. In return, Griffin flashed him a knowledgeable yet discreet, warm smile.

'And Griffin,' Marlin decided finally about his last friend: Griffin's talent was keeping secrets.

The night had slowly progressed into deeper conversations about dreams, life and love, and finally, they were ending on the topic of the busy city life versus the countrysides. This is where Marlin found his voice to really speak. If there was anything he was passionate talking about, it was the huge difference the country had made on his miserable city life. In the city, his health was much worse, the people were the worst... and even the bars were less than to be desired. Jill had been listening to Marlin with interest. She had never heard him speak so confidently and passionately before. She began to become memorized in the smooth and fluid transitions of his gruff voice.

"...The bars were just stuffy and full of people you didn't know and didn't want to know." Marlin stated, finishing up his description of his life in the city. "It's nothing like the place you have here, Griffin. This is a place where you actually want people to know you, because you know that they actually care to know."

"...Well, thanks for the kind words, Marlin," Griffin smiled to him, then looked to his right. "But it looks like you put Jill to sleep." Griffin and Muffy, who had realized it earlier, now both snickered fondly.

Marlin looked over at Jill and saw that she had her cheek resting on her arm facing him... and was fast asleep. Her bangs fell onto her face and her cheeks were still pink from the alcohol; his cheeks grew pink from the embarrassment.

"I guess I did run on for a bit there," Marlin admitted, rubbing the crick in the back of his neck and just now realizing, himself, how late it must be.

"She must've been worn out," Griffin offered.

"Poor thing..." Muffy thought aloud with earnest sympathy. "She looked exhausted right when she came in!"

Griffin looked to Muffy with intent. "I think it's bout time we turned in ourselves," he said looking back at an unknowing, sleeping Jill, then to Marlin.

"You think you can carry Jill to her home, Marlin?" He asked it, however, he presented more as statement of what would happen, rather than a question to be answered.

It was Marlin's turn to be flustered today and, although it was the root of the problem in the first place, Marlin was grateful Jill was asleep for it.

"C-carry her home?" His face turned more pink than even the alcohol could provide, and he fumbled over his words.

"Well, a bar stool's no place to spend the night," Griffin assured with a laugh.

" ...Sure... I can get her home," he managed to say more smoothly as caught himself from 'tripping' completely. Muffy stifled a laugh as he got up to move his sleeping companion. Griffin simply smiled in his sensible way.

Marlin shook Jill's shoulder lightly, but she seemed to either not notice or not care that anything was happening. He really didn't want to wake her anyway. She had an expression that he could have sworn was contentment, and he thought it was best to let her sleep. Marlin softly slipped a hand behind Jill's back and knelt down to bring his other arm under her knees.

"Upsy-daisy," He mumbled as he stood up straight with Jill in his arms. Her head fell into place against his chest.

Marlin carried her toward the exit. When he got to the door he struggled for a moment with the doorknob, and Muffy and Griffin moved to help him. Fortunately, he maneuvered it open before they could get too far.

"You're sure you can carry her?" Griffin asked one last time from behind the bar.

"Yeah..." Marlin answered, holding the door open with his back. He glanced down at Jill's face. "I've got her."

"Have a good night, Marlin," Griffin smiled.

"Night!" Muffy echoed. "Get home safe!"

Marlin smiled to them before stepping out and letting the door close behind in his wake.

"She's actually... pretty light," he muttered to himself as he peered down at her, walking away from the bar, back onto the cobblestone path.

Mid way through the walk he thought a bit different.

"Huff... huff..."

This is far though... He realized, nearly taking back his last statement.

...

Muffy smiled up to Griffin with awe after Marlin exited. Griffin began cleaning the two empty glasses in front of him, when he glanced sideways seeing Muffy staring at him with a marveling expression. She was beginning to think of him as a 'Love Guru' of sorts. Not only had he talked her through her own break ups, but now he was going as far as setting people up.

"Hm?" He questioned her look as he set down the cleaned glass.

"Griffin!" Muffy chuckled as she scolded. "I know what you're doing. I thought you said you didn't meddle in things like that?" Griffin smiled. He picked up his drink once again.

"I'm not meddlin'," he answered. "But it doesn't hurt to give a little push here and there," he smiled to her as he brought the drink to his mouth and finished it off.

Muffy shook her head. "You never cease to surprise me, you know," she giggled and began towards the rooms.

"Night, Muffy," he chuckled.

"Good night, Griffin," she reproved.

...

Marlin had finally arrived at the ranch with relief. He stalled at her door, pondering for a second on how he would get in; Jill's small beagle and black kitten brushed up against his legs excitedly wondering the same thing for themselves. He tried at the door for the hell of it, and, to his amazement, it opened. He gaped into the dark doorway with surprise, as both animals rushed forward into the house. Did she never lock her door? Ever? It brought up a whole new set of feelings and questions in him about her living alone.

Marlin moved slowly into the house: as it was very dark and he had only ever seen the inside from the doorway before now. He managed to find the bed and lied her down. He tucked her in and made a point not to linger any longer than he needed. He knew that he wasn't doing anything wrong by simply taking her home, but he didn't want cross the line, wherever it maybe, for man in a house belonging to a sleeping woman.

Marlin closed her door quietly behind him; then he thought better and turned around to lock the door behind him as well. He made his way back to the main street, but just as before, he again became trapped inside his mind. He could feel the warmth of her body against his arms and chest beginning to fade away: it felt cold... and wrong. He crossed his arms trying to make the emptiness go away, but it didn't help. He hated this feeling. It used to be like this with Celia. Their hands or arms would touch accidentally, and it left a lingering warmth: yet the cold that came later lasted for much longer. However, slowly within the past year, he realized, he felt for Celia less and less. Now, he looked at her with a dulled, uninteresting vision, instead of the rose colored one he had before. Of course, he still found her attractive, and he still loved her, but something was different than before. He would do anything for her, but only to the extent that he would do anything for Vesta. She became his family... but when did that happen? When did the warmth he felt for Celia cease and this new warmth begin?

He tried to remember the first time Jill touched him. It was a year ago, and it was raining outside, which meant he was left alone working indoors in the shop. Jill came in looking to buy seeds, but Vesta was outside with the crops. She asked why he was alone, and that was the first time he told her about his sickness. Then Celia came in and she refused his help with the crops once again. He was furious; he felt pitied, and he felt weak.

Jill placed a gentle hand on his arm. She told him, "A large part of being sick is mental. You can't get better if you don't stay positive. So, cheer up." She smiled to him with unfamiliar sincerity, and suddenly, he wasn't angry anymore.

Celia came in again. She had made a mistake. She never would have needed his help in the first place. Marlin laughed. Jill was right: it ended up being useless to be angry in the first place. When Jill left shortly after, he still felt an assuring warmth over him: a warmth which had originated from a single spot on his arm.

'So that was it, wasn't it?' He realized, as the view of his sister's farm appeared over the bridge. She had grown on him from the beginning and he had hardly realized it. Now, he wished he hadn't. He wished he had stayed blinded. If he hadn't run into her before going to the bar, he never would have invited her. They wouldn't have drunken so much, and he wouldn't have carried her home. He wouldn't of had to face this feeling: this new ache which rose in his chest upon leaving her house and this lump which entangled his throat when he thought of her sleeping face...

But, of course, he knew it well: he had always been cursed with having very poor timing.

...

This was a chapter based on a comic I began and never finished years ago. I would like to go on and make a full story, but after putting so much time into one chapter, I realize how long that might take now, haha. Either way, I had fun writing, which is the main point, isn't it? If I end up getting a lot of feedback to continue, I may try to pump out these chapters sooner. But for now, this slow, little story is just for me.

Thanks for reading.