My oh my another chapter down! Please comment if you'd like, good or bad it is all helpful! **I do not own Harvest Moon or any of the towns, names, etc etc etc**
It's been almost a month since I sent out the letter to Cliff. I had no idea where he would be, but I did remember him talking about another town he intended on visiting. It was worth a shot to send the letter there and hope he would get it. But now? Well, I was starting to hope he would never see it.
Tonight was one of those nights towards the end of summer when there was a slight chill to the air. Kai was spending a rare day with Popuri after her mother consented to his request to take her out to the beach before he left for the season, so Claire and Gray were on their own for the evening. They decided to make a spot in the field for a fire pit. The afternoon of clearing the space, digging the pit, and dragging in logs to sit on was a long one, but it paid off as they sat staring up at the night sky.
Gray glanced at Claire across the fire, face turned toward the sky, a smile tugging at her lips. In the weeks since the fishing trip he had noticed it happen more, and also that it was genuine. They had sat in silence for so long that it was almost a surprise to hear the sound of Claire's voice.
"I'm really glad you came over today Gray." When she smiled over at him he couldn't help but tug on his cap, he had never really thought his presence anywhere really made much of an impact. "Yeah, I'm glad too." Claire's smile grew wider, reaching to her eyes this time. She looked back up at the stars, and Gray suddenly found himself lost. Something shifted in him as he saw that smile on her face, a smile that he put there. Looking at Claire now, with the moonlight casting a halo on her pale hair, he was hit with the desire to reach out to her. He had known Claire since she had arrived, but right now in this moment he realized he had never really seen her clearly. It hit him hard and he sucked in his breath as he tugged his cap down over his eyes, imagining what would happen if he were to wrap an arm around her in this setting. The thought of her leaning close into his arms, resting his cheek on her hair, it felt like fireworks going off inside of him. Fireworks... "You okay Gray?" His head snapped up at the sound of her voice, "Huh? Oh, yeah. I was just thinking. Would you maybe want to come with me to the fireworks festival this year? Gramps wants me to watch his skill in action and learn something from it."
Claire seemed surprised for a split second, making Gray second guess asking her so blatantly. She seemed to think about it for a minute before answering, "I think that would be nice actually." Claire smiled again, thinking of last years festival. She didn't get the chance to appreciate the fireworks because she was stealing glances at Cliff while listening to Kai talk about his plans in the city. Gray, however, was smiling at the acceptance. He knew she still had feelings for Cliff. Hell, he had even sent him a letter to try and help her out. But after nearly a month there had been no word, which meant that Cliff probably wasn't coming back for Claire. All he knew now was that he wanted this chance, for Claire as well as for himself.
"CLAIRE!" Kai came running onto the farm, barreling through her pineapple field in a way that he would normally find sacrilegious. She braced herself, thinking he was going to slam into her, but he came to a sliding halt a few feet away. The smile on his face was almost manic, "I've got a date for the fireworks tonight! Pop said yes, and her mother put Rick in his damn place on it!" He started laughing like a mad man, running his hands through his hair, unaware that his bandana was tumbling around her field now. It was definitely not the composed Kai that she was used to, but his enthusiasm was contagious and she laughed with him.
"Well that's great news Kai, I'm really glad for you." Kai's smile suddenly dropped as he looked at Claire, "Uhm, you could come along with us of course." Claire smiled wide at him and shook her head. "I'm not going on your date with you Kai, you're a big boy now," she laughed at his confused face, "and I'm going with Gray." His smile returned and he elbowed Claire, "Well look at you! A date with Gray. I wonder what he'll think when you dress up all pretty for him," he chuckled while poking her in the ribs. Claire's face went red at his teasing comments. "I wasn't planning on dressing up, it's just fireworks at the beach." Claire blanched when Kai gave her a pointed look. "Well, maybe he thinks it's more than that. And maybe it's ok for you to enjoy yourself with someone who is actually here. And maaaaaaaybe it's ok for you to be on a date."
She seemed to stare off into the distance as she thought about it. Was this a date? She had certainly considered the possibility of it ever since Gray had asked her two nights ago. The idea that it could be made her nervous and giddy at the same time. Cliff is gone, it's time to move on. She surprised herself with this thought. Though she didn't see it happening, over the last few weeks she had slowly let go of him. "Maybe... maybe I will dress, well nicer than usual at least." Her gaze was still focused in the distance. Kai gave an unnoticed smile, "Well, better get on it then, the festival is starting in a few hours and I'm sure Gray is going to come straight over after he cleans up." Claire nodded, then her eyes widened, "I have no idea what I'm doing Kai." A frown formed on Claire's face and Kai chuckled, "You're letting yourself live Claire. Just go with it, at least for tonight."
The knock on the door came far too soon for Claire. After Kai had left she went right inside and started getting ready. She decided on a plaid shirt and a frilly jean skirt. It wasn't over the top, but it was something she could never wear while working. She was glad that it was also simple. She shook her hands out as she crossed over to the door, letting out a huge breath. When she opened the door her smile faltered, "Damn it." Gray stood wide eyed on her doorstep, in his work clothes. Claire saw Kai in her mind, laughing at her and flashing that smile. Kai had coerced her into dressing up, and now she felt ridiculously overdressed. Gray cleared his throat as he composed himself, "You look really nice Claire." She stepped back from the door, nervously twining her fingers, "Thank you... Uhm, I'm ready to go if you are."
The walk to the beach eased the tensions Claire was feeling, and as soon as the sand touched her feet she felt even more relaxed. Yes she was in a skirt, and yes she had fallen for Kai's trick, but tonight was already looking like a good one even before the fireworks started. Claire had brought a blanket for them to sit on and decided to set it up on the pier for the best view of the show. Kai walked over with Popuri, their hands intertwined and both sporting huge grins. Claire couldn't help but be happy for her friends, finally able to be together if only for the festival.
"Yo! I made a little snack basket for you guys, whoa Claire, you're looking nice for your date tonight!" Claire went red and Grays cap was tugged farther down his face as they stood nervously. Kai and Popuri fell into a giggle fit at this. Kai handed over one of the two baskets he was carrying and moved a bit down the pier to setup his own space for his date. Popuri beamed at Claire and hugged her before leaving, whispering, "Don't let him get to you, you look so cute!". Claire watched as they sat on their blanket together, Kai sliding an arm around Popuri and her cuddling into his side, their contented smiles visible even in the dusk.
Gray eyed Claire as they sat down, noting the foot of space between them. "So. Claire. You think Kai would still want to be friends if I shoved him off the pier in the middle of his date?" Claire's eyes widened as she turned to Gray and she couldn't help but laugh. Gray pulled the basket over and peered inside at the snacks Kai had put together for them. "Well, maybe I'll hold off on that one, looks like he put together a little of everything from his shop for us." They sat and ate while the sky darkened, talking about the fireworks show to come and making a plan to hike up Mother's Hill the following week.
The fireworks started and the crowd "ooh'd" and "aah'd" at the spectacular color bursts. Gray was focused on Claire and the look of joy on her face. She was smiling again, and this time her teeth were even showing. He noticed that she was sitting closer, her arms wrapped around herself. Then he noticed Kai staring at him pointedly as he took out a jacket and wrapped it around Popuri. Gray clumsily took off his own, and when he draped it around Claire's shoulders she grasped the edges and gave him a smile, the blush noticeable on her cheeks.
As the fireworks went on Gray only knew the look on her face, enjoying the moments she would glance at him with a smile on her face at the bigger explosions. When Claire leaned over and put her head on his shoulder he felt like he would stop breathing. He knew the finale of the show was coming soon, but he didn't want the moment to end. He reached out and put his arm around her and looked up as the fireworks came to a crescendo. Claire turned to him and he almost didn't hear her whisper "It's beautiful." He looked down into her face and thought he heard trumpets going off in his head. Her smiling face began to turn back to the fireworks and he made a decision. He reached out and touched her face, lightly pulling it back to look at him, and he kissed her.
Gray leaned away from her, seeing her wide eyes staring back at him, and dropped his gaze to the floor, "I... I'm sorry. I just di-" His words were cut short from the shock of Claire's fingers grazing his cheek. He braced himself for her rejection, and found none present when she leaned in and kissed him this time. It felt like a lifetime had passed when they separated. With their faces only inches apart they sat staring at each other in the dark, unaware that everyone was stretching and collecting their things to head home for the night already.
When they had gathered their things to leave, Kai came over to grab his basket, "Good summer huh?" he said as he winked at the pair. They both blushed and stole smiling glances at each other, turning to walk back from the pier. "Hey Kai, are you leaving early?" Claire's face looked confused as she saw the boat that normally took him away. "Hmm? No, I'm uh, actually thinking of staying a little later this year," he said with a hit of a smile as he glanced towards Popuri at the edge of the beach, "I'll stop in and let 'em know so they're not waiting on me." Kai veered off to the small boat and jumped onto the deck. Gray's brows furrowed as he watched "Did they pull in during the fireworks?" Claire nodded, "I think I heard the horn go off somewhere there, yeah."
Kai came off the boat minutes later, his eyes wide. "You guys go on without me, got a problem to take care of." Claire hugged him and started walking down the pier, only Gray saw the worried look on his face as he shook his head in his direction and waved him off.
All of that was forgotten though in the walk back to Claire's farm. Gray was almost too nervous to touch Claire again, his lips still seemed to tingle from the kiss they had shared on the pier. He noticed that she was smiling the entire walk back, a walk that lasted longer than normal for the pair. Claire felt as if she were floating and all her heavy burdens were gone. They walked close to each other and talked about the fireworks, work, Kai staying later this year, and their hike in a few days. When they reached Claire's door they were both smiling and laughing. "Thank you for walking me home Gray, and for.. uhm, well for the great night honestly." Claire's face went slightly pink and Gray pulled his cap down with a smile. "Yeah, it was a great date," he eyed Claire for any corrections, "and I actually have something for you too. I made it, so it's probably not the best, but I'm pretty proud of it." He reached in his pocket with one hand and then for Claire's hand with the other. "I wasn't sure if you liked jewelry, I don't ever see you wearing any, but I thought maybe you would like this." He cupped her hand and placed a small charm and its chain into her palm. The stone was blue, the same deep shade as Grays eyes, and hung from the silver chain delicately. "You made this... for me?" He nodded slowly, a small smile reaching the corners of his lips. Clair put the necklace and the stone rested just below her collarbone. Then Gray pulled something else from his pocket that looked like a flashlight. "It's a mini UV light," He held up the stone to the light, " The stone is Benitoite, so it'll glow." He turned the light off and she could see the faint glow coming from the charm. "Now you don't have to worry about being in the dark," he whispered with a smile.
Claire felt like she could cry in that moment. Gray was reaching out to her in a way that it felt like no one could. "Gray... I can't even... I love it." She reached towards him and suddenly her face was etched with shock and disbelief. Gray saw tears well up in her eyes and turned to see what was causing it: a figure standing near the gate post entrance with a bag slung over his shoulder and a ponytail tossing in the night breeze.
Claire whispered, "Cliff..."