Disclaimer: I do not own harvest moon. If I did, I'll be filthy rich right now.
Authoress's Note: Okay, this is embarrassing but I'm actually contented with this. This is a two-shot and the next one will be uploaded soon after the exams here. This is dedicated to Moonlit Dreaming and Shimmerleaf. I wanted to write a story for them with a hint of Filipino culture. I just added a teensy part, so try to find it in her. Enjoy! XD
Every time I Hear Your Name.
She was marvelous, almost nothing that even a guy like him have ever dreamed of.
She was now a big pop-star hit and she's only in her 20s. With her sold-out concerts and platinum songs, who wouldn't be able to admire her so greatly? And in the face of reality, he was nothing but worthless garbage compared to a treasured gem like her.
He was a simple fisherman, lazing on the sun and just waiting for the fish to bite up. Whether it was a snapper or bass, he didn't care as long there were fish to catch. And because of this statement, many of her fans had high doubts about her potential husband, especially when she had just returned from her simple life.
In his eyes, he could hardly believe the new blond. Her once perfect straight and brushed hair is now curled in ringlets of gold and black. Her once beautiful topaz eyes, orbs full of joy and excitement, now turned to colorless, dull silver because of numerous uses of contact lenses.
She never wore her classy, ivy dress again. The dress she wore on their first date, first Starry Night, first kiss and many more occasions he can't put down right now. It was her only one, but it was his favorite. Darting around his mind, he regretted persuading her to go back to her career, to the life she desired, to the life she has always manifested in her everyday life.
Everything soon changed after that single choice.
She became more and more stressed with each passing day and more pressure always hits her every time a wave, either small or large, of fans come by. Screaming her name to have an autograph, calling out to her to have their pictures taken with the celebrity or for her to sign their albums, posters, tickets, journals and all the rest that seemed pointless.
He doesn't really understand it at all. Why she, of all people, will be willing to make herself look pathetic on telev-whatever just to earn some money, glory & fame? Heck, she earns more than the island can have in a year or so. It was all much simpler back then.
She was the always the bubbly, cheerful girl that made everyone smile on her way to the beach or to any place she wishes to be. She didn't care what she wore; just her simple dress was more than enough. Lanna just wanted to make herself neater and prettier above all the rest, (although that Lily girl over at the Inn is hotter) , Lanna had the attitude that struck his lonely heart.
Denny never doubted that their relationship would go downward after all the petty fights and bickering they have shared. He was already expecting for her to talk to him about breaking up and saying that they weren't meant to be.
And boy was he wrong.
He regretted that day that stingy woman came to this island and the women looked quite weird in her 'business suit'. Good thing Mark took care of that women's way of stalking his precious Lanna.
He regretted the conversation they struck soon afterwards, the agreement they shared and the deal, that stupid deal, they solemnly made. He regretted signing those papers she gave and accepting all the changes that will come what may. This is for Lanna, he thought.
He only wanted her true happiness. He imagined that if Lanna became a pop star again, her empty heart will become complete and better than ever. He wished to see the joyous giggle she made every time she said his name.
His name…
Was his name her happiness? Then why did she ignore him for days, weeks, months even? She'll show that smile, his favorite smile, whenever she receives his gifts from him, especially when he catches her favorite fish on her birthday. She'll giggle and laugh at his jokes and sometimes she'll fall on the floor laughing. She'll tickle him at his sides and Denny will start chasing her all around the island.
And yet, something in the back of his mind keeps on nagging that Lanna's just toying with him. If so, then why?
Why does he feels this warm fuzzy feeling every time he hugs her, kisses her, calls her 'mine'? He can't face the reality that he just pushed her away from the joy and warmth Lanna felt the whole time when she was on the island.
He did the one thing that completely changed their live. He took away her strongest source of happiness: him. Denny now trembles as he starts to remember all the memories they made on the island. The times they'll play, the times they'll have a date or the just have fun at the beach.
He can still remembering that one lingering memory when Lanna was still starting out fishing. Those were the times where she'll just tease him since she was just a beginner.
"I bet I can beat you in a second!" She mused playing with his rod.
"Oh really? Prove it to me that you can catch fish and not just boots and tin cans." Denny retorted, eyeing her carefully.
"Grrr…Don't doubt my skills!" She snapped.
"Alright, alright. You're just a beginner anyway." He chuckled, expecting another angry look from Lanna.
"Gaah!" She exasperated in an angry and not-gonna-cool-down tone.
"Gosh Lanna." Denny cried," you're so snappy today."
"Ahahaha, right. Maybe it's just because you're being mean." She pouted, crossing her arms.
"Okay. I'm gonna stop right now. Just stop being snappy all of the sudden."
"Ahahaha, yeah. I'm Lanna the Snappy Red!" She giggled with the sense of delight.
"Don't you mean Red Snapper?" Denny corrected.
"Shut up, already!" She fumed her eyes raging with anger.
"Alright I'll stop. Don't worry, ok? I'm here all the way for you, Lanna."
The sweet name that fills his ears with glee, the name sweeter than honey. The one word that touches his soul in many ways, ways that can make him smile any day.
"Lanna".
What a beautiful name to behold!
Only that can make Denny's worries, pressure, mixed emotions gone. The name suits her perfectly. Lanna, the fancy yet simple girl with a bad side. A girl who knows what she deserves and has the heart to help others in need.
Denny now looks down on the small card he's slowly unfolding on the left of his bed, fixing his things on his right. He then glances up his shoulder and sees nothing.
"Oh yeah, I forgot I asked Mark to take care of popper while we were gone." He rubs the back of his back and suddenly remembers the short memories Popper will say when the Blondie was around.
"Denny like Lanna"
"Denny like Lanna"
Let's just hope he doesn't collapse when he hears about Lanna's big change and the big news he has prepared for him. Popper will surely be astounded by it, he may even faint like last time. Denny chuckles at the thought and then his eyes fixed on the small card. He clutches the card tighter, turning his knuckles to a pale shade of white.
He then debates over the matter, weighing if it's right or wrong. Unknowingly, a girl with beautiful blonde hair enters his suite, given by her, with another boy right behind her playing with her dual-colored locks. Denny now then realizes their presence and turns around with an expression of anxiety and discomfort.
"What is it now this time around?" She speaks with a tone of royalty, of majesty, like a queen ruling above all the slaves, nobles, ladies and many more in her own kingdom. She places her hands on her hips and slowly traces the outline of her body. It boldly shows, "I'm bored."
A giggle and soft laughter erupts from the awkward silence as her escort playfully tickles her from behind, his amethyst orbs full of life from Denny's dull onyx ones. Denny tries to maintain his temper as the couple enjoy themselves in their sweet moment of caressing and tickling. The escort's hand reaches up for Lanna's right hip, her weakest spot as Denny mentioned, and playfully presses it with his thumb. Lanna screams in laughter as she quickly slaps his thumb away, making Denny avert his gaze even more from the couple.
"Stop it already!" Lanna muses with the voice she used the opposite of what she said. Their eyes danced through the room, an echo of happiness bouncing of the ceiling and the cream-colored walls. Denny suddenly felt a sharp stab of pain running across his chest. The decision he has just thought over is the most difficult and most painful choice he made that will surely affect their relationship.
"Lanna…" he breathes out, savoring the final moment, the last time he'll say her name, before he plunges in to do his final action in the city. He then stares unto her eyes full of concern and takes her hand one last time, and softly places a kiss on the palm of her hand. He then pulls her close, locking them both in a warm and cozy embrace.
Confusion started entering Lanna's mind, and she soon turned to a deep shade of scarlet as she rested her head on his warm chest for the first time, for the first time in years. She then realizes something that she hasn't observed before.
Why was Denny hugging her at this moment? What was wrong with him? Did she do anything wrong?
Denny soon leaned in close to her face, caressing it gently and then leans in further to Lanna's ear to whisper something important. As he spoke those two words, two words that he mustered up his courage for, he handed her a small piece of paper. It was no smaller than her fist and it was quite rough and dry to touch. Denny wiped away the tears that flowed down Lanna's powdered face, the mascara staining her rosy cheeks filled with blush.
Denny now then turns to her 'replacement lover', staring into his amethyst orbs full of rage yet confused. He bids his farewells and then exits the door, but not without saying a solemn goodbye.
-0-
The purple bandana-ed boy now boards on the S.S. Princess of the Stars. He slowly reminisces on the first time he'd been brave enough to serenade his betrothed's birthday that night.
Bouquet of roses, check. Box of chocolates, check. Love song performance, check. Breath mint, che-, Hey! Where's the breath mint? Oh here it is, check then. Denny now finishes on his final touches as he prepared to leave for the special night. He prepared an old tux he found in his house before they left the island and brought it in case Lanna went to a few parties with him.
Heart thumping to its fastest, he dabbed on some expensive perfume Lanna bought him and then set out for Lanna's mansion right around the next block. Concrete road lined with lawns and freshly-trimmed flowers gave their neighborhood an elegant look that perfectly suited his beloved. As he bounded down the corner, his heart had been beating up tornados inside of him. Drops of sweat slowly slid down his tanned face and he wishes the perfume can make his scent sweet a little longer.
He then stops and now looks in the large mansion, decorated with flowers of different sizes and colors. He greets the gateman and soon enters the house with warm welcomes.
"Where's Lanna?"
"Up in her room, maybe at the balcony dear sir."
"Perfect."
He ran to the other side of the house and found her there in her beautiful green ivy dress. She didn't wear any make-up and only for tonight did she let her hair fall down easily on her shoulders with none of those expensive and pointless treatments at all. She still hasn't notice him, so he quickly rounded himself on a bush and strummed.
"Is anybody there?" Lanna playfully asked, scanning the area in all directions she could see. A few more strums and Lanna soon got agitated. "If you don't show yourself, I'm gonna leave!" she stomped her foot and waited this time around.
"Oh my dear sweet darling," Denny said in a suave voice, revealing himself from the bush he'd been hiding at. Lanna couldn't help but laugh at the sight of Denny's color clashing outfit.
"If we're old already, hopefully we won't change whenever, wherever this is my desire…" Denny strummed again." Is it still attainable for you to kiss and hug me till we grow old?" Denny now winks at Lanna's eye and now sings with more effort this time.
"Just asking you.
Would you still love me if my hair becomes already white?
When the day comes, your hair will be whiter, too.
We will share our dreams together of what we've gone through."
Deny slows the tune now a bit so that Lanna may embrace the message of the last part about his true feelings.
"We will bring back what has passed,
I will have you remember my promise that my love is always with you
Even though my hair's already white."
With one last strum, Denny threw a rose at Lanna's balcony. After being mesmerized by Denny's serenade, Lanna knew the right thing to do. She jumped off the balcony.
Almost instantly, Lanna landed onto Denny's arms and quickly gave him a satisfying peck. Denny stared down at her joyful eyes, sparkling in the moonlight, and countered with his pleading ones. Lanna now then smiled and held her hand across his face.
"Yes. Yes. YES!" She pounded him to the ground and shouted it as loud as she can, extreme joy overflowing her body. "Yes, Denny." She finally said. "My answer is yes."
Good thing he greeted the lady over at the entrance.
Denny now then realized one thing; he can still play the guitar. Who knew that while he wasn't fishing, he'll actually play an instrument very few people can't even master?
Life has twists and turns and surely, no one ever likes going down the wrong path. But what people don't know is that sometimes, the path leading you downwards is the stairs that guides you upwards. Denny took this all the hard way but he knows that everything is here for a reason.
-0-
Summer 1, 9:00 a.m.
Arrival at the islands.
To Denny's surprise, couples were gathered along the dock waiting for him. He knows he can't blame them, it's been years he last felt the warm breeze coming from the seas, the light rays coming from the sun, and the sweet fragrance of all the flowers blooming in the island. The first to greet was Mark and Chelsea, both ranchers of the island, and they all went by chatting at his place along with the other islanders. That surprised him most since his shack looked far away from old.
To his surprise, Mark got married to Chelsea and their lives couldn't be better. Will and Lily are gonna settle down too at around next week, and Natalie's wedding with Pierre had just been done yesterday. Julia's wedding will be coming after Will's since Elliot didn't really plan on getting married on summer.
Don't blame me! How can you guys even stand the heat?
They all laughed and chatted as Denny explained to them his experience in the city about all those different contraptions buzzing about. He left the part about his reason on leaving and decided it was best for them not to know…yet.
As the couples drifted on into nothing, Denny sailed onto Meadow Island, replaying all the things he has encountered with. He brought along his fishing rod and bait to make his mind cool down.
After boarding the boat, he settled down on a spot just right near the pier. It was still sunset, so maybe there's still hope that he can catch something.
1 Mississippi.
2 Mississippi.
3 Mississippi.
Wondering what's taking all the fish so long? Oh well, just relax and we'll all be fine.
4 Mississi-
A sob erupts.
Denny turns to see a girl with beautiful ebony locks topped with a pink ribbon on her hair, leaving on a boat ride as she wipes her tears with a handkerchief. A gust of wind blows and a picture slips away from her trembling fingers. Without further ado, the boat roars away leaving poor little Sabrina more miserable than ever.
Denny now picks up the photo in his hands, and forces himself not to shed any tears. It was a photo of Lanna, in one of her concerts, with her silver-haired escort. They were in a silent embrace while posing for the camera, and Denny realizes her escort was someone famous after all.
"I love you dear Lanna, but I can't seem to handle that kind of life any more. I'm lifeless and dull, but I'll be normal and be contented here." He whispers.
Lanna… He sighs at the name and soon smiles.
Another gust of wind blows from the south, and the photo slips away from his fingers.
"Take care of her, Vaughn"
~END of PART 1~
Another Note: Some of this was based from Honor. So some parts maybe left out, and I know it's losing substance and is OOC but bare with me here… XD
