CHAPTER 1 - Heartbreaker

Disclaimer: I do NOT own rights over Harvest Moon or any of the characters mentioned in this fanfic.

I did make up some of the characters though (like Grayson).

Please forgive any spelling mistakes. My native language is not english, as you can see.

...

The remaining days of spring went by fast and soon enough Fall made it's powerful presence in Forget-Me-Not-Valley. It was time to grow different kinds of crops, and thanks to last season's success Jill was able to acquire some decent income from her hard work.

Thanks to the frequent visits to the Blue Bar the young farmer was also becoming incresingly popular among the villagers. She was an easy going person, so making friends was never really a challenge for this girl. One villager that Jill had become particularly close to was Rock. He was smart enough to apologize to her for his unacceptable behaviour during her first night out at the bar, and Jill had eventually gotten over the whole thing. She did not like holding grudges, anyway.

Rock had asked the brunette to be his date for Muffy and Griffin's wedding that weekend. It was already the middle of the season and the island was covered in leaves of all kinds of shades by now. It was actually the perfect time to hold a wedding, because the scenery was so breathtaking.

Hesitant, Jill had accepted her friend's request to accompany him, mostly because no one else had asked her. Gustafa was taking Nami, Gotz was taking Vesta, Lumina was going with Dr Trent, etc. Apparently everyone had gotten themselves a date for the big night.

The wedding was held at the beach, one of Muffy's most cherished spots on the valley. It was a beautiful night, although it was also kind of chilly outside. Jill wore a black male blazer, borrowed from Rock, which now hid most of her purple and black lacy bridesmaid gown.

Jill stood with Muffy behind a fancy black car. The two girls held hands and looked at eachother, both nervous and excited. Muffy was looking stunning, with her bridal makeup on, a short white dress and her blonde hair held up in a pretty hairstyle.

"You look so beautiful.", Jill said, so happy for her best friend. She helped the blonde put on her short white veil, attaching it to her hair carefully.

"Thank you.", Muffy held the tears back. This was probably the happiest day of her life.

Grayson showed up in a simple black tuxedo. He coughed, catching their attention instantly, then gave the two a soft smile. He offered his arm to the bride charmingly. "Shall we go? Everyone is waiting."

Muffy continued to fight back the wave of emotions inside her, as she let Grayson lead her to the ceremony. Muffy's father was long gone, and when she asked Grayson to walk her to the groom on her wedding day he gladly agreed.

"This is your day.", Jill whispered to her friend, patting her on the shoulder as she passed them by. "Enjoy it!"

...

There ceremony had been wonderful and it was quickly over. Muffy, however, could not stop crying and nearly ruined her entire makeup. She still could not believed she managed to get married to such a wonderful man.

"You need to calm down.", Jill laughed as she wiped her friend's face with a tissue. Both sat at a white plastic table on the sand, and there were several other tables like that scattered across the beach for the guests

"I know..", the bride sobbed, trying to compose herself. "I know. I'm just so damn happy!"

Jill chuckled and took a moment to look around. Rock, her date for the night had been sitting and chit chatting with Gustafa, Nami and Lumina. He wa laughing about something. On the next table, Vesta, Takakura and Gotz discussed the island's next big event. Finally, Jill let her gaze fall upon the furthest table, where a very bored Marlin sat, besides Celia. He was looking very good in his black tuxedo (which he found to be extremely embarassing and uncomfortable, but wore it anyway so it would not piss his sister off), while Celia herself was also very pretty, sporting a salmon pink ruffled dress with a short white cardigan on top. They both were quiet, but the brunette looked like she was content just to be able to be by his side.

"Did he bring Celia to the wedding?", Jill asked casually, pointing towards the two. "Because he doesn't look like he's being good a good date at all."

Muffy chuckled, her tears now dry. "Marlin always brings Celia to these things. He knows she likes to go out every now and then, so he is kind enough to tag along, but it's not like Marlin enjoys all the socializing."

"Really?", Jill mumbled, playing with the straw of her cocktail, which was placed in front of her. She used her other hand to support her chin, which gave the girl an unusual aloof expression.

"I'd say they have some sort of brother and sister thing going on.", the blonde added, shifting her green orbs towards her bridesmaid. "But that's only because Marlin prefers things to stay that way, if you know what I mean."

"Yeah. He told me about that before.", came the distracted response. Jill sipped on her drink, watching as Muffy threw her a dirty look. "...what?"

"You and Marlin sure have been keeping in touch, eh?", the blonde smirked, squeezing Jill's cheek playfully.

"Hey, cut that out!", the brunette squealed, lightly smacking her friend's gloved hand away. "Don't be getting any wrong ideas. I haven't really talked to him since his birthday. I've been busy, and it's not like we are friends or anything."

"What about Rock?", asked a very interested Muffy. "Anything going on with the pretty boy?"

"Muffy!", Jill widened her eyes and scowled. "Stop it! There is nothing going on. I'm not seeing anybody, and I don't plan to anytime soon. I'd rather concentrate on my work than waste my time with silly romances."

"Okay, okay! Sorry!", Muffy grinned, sticking out her tongue.

Rock showed up behind them with a very dizzy Lumina stumbling behind him. She didn't look so good.

"Guys, I'm gonna take off.", he sighed, pointing towards the poor girl. "Lumina is not feeling okay and her date has already gone home. I'll drop her off."

Jill and Muffy nodded, waving as the two left the beach. Griffin arrived shortly after, taking a seat next to his cherished new wife.

"I'm gonna go for a walk.", the brunette smiled, standing up. She walked away slowly, allowing the couple to have some alone time.

...

Jill strolled alone across the beach, noticing it was getting late and most of the guests were gone by now. She felt a shiver run down her spine as she sat down in the sand. Maybe she should have waited until the next day to return that cozy blazer to Rock.

The sound of steps and shifting sand behind her had surprised the young woman, and she turned around to see what it was. Marlin stood there, looking down at her with his alluring blue eyes and his hands on his pockets. He calmly took off his own blazer and tossed it at her.

"Don't be silly. You will catch a cold if you keep wandering around just in that thin dress.", he mumbled, taking a seat next to her.

Jill hesitantly put on his blazer, secretly thankful because she was indeed freezing. She tossed him a confused look when she noticed he was lacking something. More like someone. "Where is Celia?"

"Left with Vesta ten minutes ago.", he replied, now staring aimlessly at the sea in front of them. The moon light reflected upon the dark waters, and the sound of the waves crashing weakly against the sand. The whole scenery soothed his soul, and in response he emanated an unusual peaceful aura.

The brunette felt silent, wondering wondering what to say next. It was never really easy being around Marlin, as he was a man of few words, which often meant she was the one meant to lead their conversations.

"I think it's sweet.", she said abruptly, cutting him off his trance. Jill could tell that now he was looking at her from the corner of his eyes, and that she had his attention. "It's nice of you to take her on those thins even though you'd rather not to. You are a good friend to Celia."

Marlin said nothing. Instead, he chose to nod and look down, his fingers tracing something in the sand.

"I wonder, though...", Jill carried on with her thoughts. There was a certain hint of worry in her voice, and he could tell. "Aren't you afraid you might be leading her on? Even if you mean well."

Marlin frowned, turning his head towards her. She did not look at him though, and preferred to watch the moon instead. Jill was getting too personal again, and he found it ironic how they barely knew eachother, yet she always seemed to make him open up.

"Celia kissed me.", he finally said, his voice low. She blinked and waited for him to carry on with whatever he wanted to share with her.

"She kissed me once. That was two years ago. I told her I was unsure of my feelings about her until it happened, but that had changed things.", Marlin explained, closing his eyes. It was hard for him to talk about this subject, but he barely got the chance to vent.

"How so?", Jill asked, cocking her head towards him. What did he mean by that changed things? Did he feel something else besides friendship for Celia, after all? Jill felt a sickening feeling deep inside her, but she did not really know what it meant, nor did she want to find out for the time being.

"It was clear to me after she did that.", he spoke, furrowing his brows. "I have no romantic feelings for her. The kiss only confirmed my suspicions. I wouldn't know before that, because I always cared about her in a way, but since I've never been in love with anybody it was hard to figure it out."

Jill tilted her head slightly, to the side, watching him with a surprised look. Marlin had never been in love? He must really be a loner kind of guy, she thought. Although Jill herself had never fallen for anybody.. in fact, she had been infatuated at best.

"I usually don't like to explain myself, but I thought I'd make that clear. I don't want anybody thinking me and Celia have something going on because that could stain her reputation.", he added. "I'm not the kind of guy that would lead a girl on, anyway."

She smiled softly at Marlin and got up, shaking the sand off her legs and dress. He looked up at her, quirking a brow inquiringly.

"Mind if I return this tomorrow?", Jill asked, fidgeting at the blazer's collar.

"It's okay. I'm not wearing it again anytime soon, I suppose.", he replied cooly, propping himself up. The two walked away quietly, going towards different directions. It had been a long night and now they needed some rest.

Later that night, Jill fell asleep with the wedding's clothes still on. It felt good to sleep like this. It felt good to fall asleep on his scent.