I got home from school this afternoon, and had a huge urge to write. So, I used my writing urge productively, and completed another one-shot for you! I hope you like it.

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char2happy: I think that one is one of my better ones. I'm glad you like it.

Green-Chrystall: Yay for nice guys! Thanks for reading.

Karomajutsu: I'm very glad you liked it. Hope you enjoy this one too.

Hope you guys enjoy this one!

Disclaimer: I don't own Harvest Moon.

Hugs and Kisses from Muffy

Words: Hugs and Kisses

Dear Jack,

Twenty-two today! You're getting old, aren't you? Don't worry, I'm just kidding. Hope you have a fantastic day and you get lots of presents.

With love,

Muffy xoxo

Jack read over the letter again, and leaned against the side of his house with a soft sigh and a small smile. He looked at the way that she had signed the letter, with 'xoxo'. That meant hugs and kisses. It was typical for her to sign a letter in that way; she probably signed every letter like that, no matter who it was to. For the past four ears that Jack had lived in Forget-Me-Not-Valley, she had sent him a birthday card and signed it in that same way. Nonetheless, it always made Jack's heart flutter ever so slightly in his chest. How he longed to hold her gently and kiss her. He had fallen for her so quickly. He remembered when he had first met her at the Blue Bar, on his second day of his life in Forget-Me-Not Valley. His first thought was simply, 'She's beautiful'. He thought about the way her blonde hair fell into beautiful wavy locks around her face, and how her green eyes sparkled like emeralds. He realised now that 'beautiful' was a huge understatement. There wasn't a word in the dictionary that could describe how perfect she was. She wasn't only amazingly beautiful; she was cheerful and bubbly, and kind and sweet. And he was in love with her.

They had become friends quickly, and, on Jack's side, that friendship had become a crush. But Jack wasn't the kind of guy who would just go and ask the girl he liked out. Unlike many guys, he was actually afraid of being rejected. Asking her out could turn their friendship into a real relationship, but it could also ruin their friendship altogether. He didn't want to lose her. He was always just too afraid to actually go up there and ask her out.

By the end of his second year of Forget-Me-Not Valley, Jack had realised that this was more than just a crush. This was when he realised that he was head over heels in love with the beautiful, young bartender. Yet he never had the courage to tell her.

The third year of Jack's life at Forget-Me-Not Valley brought him a broken heart. It was a particularly quiet day at the Blue Bar; he and Muffy were alone. She had seemed very absent-minded that day; lost in daydreams and suddenly blushing and smiling every now and again. Unable to ignore it any more, he asked her what was on her mind. She smiled and giggled in that adorable way that made Jack's heart speed up, though after she told him what was on her mind, his heart sunk. Griffin had asked her out, on a proper date. The first thing the young farmer felt was shock, followed by pain. He discovered why it was called 'heartbreak'; it felt like his heart was being torn in two. But, pushing his thoughts and emotions to the back of his mind, he faked a smile and told her that he was happy for her. At least she was happy. He kept reminding himself this. Her happiness was important to him. He'd ignore his feelings about her and just be glad that she was happy, even though she was with Griffin and not with him.

He did notice one thing about her while she was dating Griffin, though: her green eyes didn't sparkle. Yes, she was smiling and laughing and she looked happy, but her eyes didn't sparkle like they had the past couple of years. Or maybe he was only noticing this because he wanted to be with her, and he was secretly hoping that she wasn't happy with Griffin. Perhaps he was only seeing what he wanted to see.

Jack never got over Muffy. He never looked at any of the other girls in the valley and considered asking them out. He never saw anyone in the same way that he saw Muffy. Nonetheless, whenever he saw her he would put on a smile and talk to her like the best friend that she thought of him as.

It was about four months after Griffin and Muffy had started dating, at about nine o'clock at night. Jack was lying on his bed, not tired enough to sleep but too exhausted to do anymore farm work. His dog, Sam, who was sitting at his feet, barked up at him. A few seconds later, Jack worked out why the dog had barked: someone was at the door, knocking. Sighing slightly, Jack opened the door and saw the blonde bartender standing there, cheeks stained with tears. Her eyeliner had smudged and her eyes were red. She immediately threw herself into his arms, crying into his chest. Jack wrapped his arms around her and held her as she cried, letting her sit on the bed and curl up beside him. When she managed to stop the tears from falling down her cheeks, she explained to him that Griffin had broken up with her. He was sweet and everything; he had told her that he just wanted to be friends in the nicest possible way, but it still hurt her. She told him that she felt she would never be good enough for anyone and that no one would ever truly love her. He told her that she would find someone who would love her. He told her that she was nice, and friendly, and pretty, and it would be too easy for her to find someone who truly loved her. He just hoped that he would eventually the courage to tell her that he would.

As he held her in his arms, letting her cry into his chest, he made a silent promise that he would never let anyone hurt her like this again. And he couldn't help but think that despite the fact that her make-up was smudged and her face was red, she was still the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

Jack sighed and read over the letter again. He had known her for four years, and had been in love with her for half of that. He had to tell her. She and Griffin had broken up over a year ago, yet he still hadn't found the courage to tell her. I will, he told him self determinedly. I will tell her tonight.

So, that night, as usual, Jack went to the Blue Bar as soon as it had opened. Muffy was there dusting off one of the shelves. She turned around as she heard the familiar bell that rang every time someone entered the bar. "Oh, hi, Jack!" she said cheerfully. "I didn't realise it was opening time already."

"She's been here cleaning for half the day," said Griffin, walking out of the back room at that exact moment in time. After the break-up, and the initial pain that Muffy had felt, the two had gone back to being just friends. Jack could see that they were still a little awkward, a little uncomfortable around each other, but they tried hard not to let it show and continued like they had before they had started dating.

It certainly looked like Muffy had been working hard for a while. She was a little red in the face, and a few locks of her usually perfect hair had come loose from the headband that held it back. She tucked one of these locks behind her ear.

"Maybe you should come take a break…" Jack said casually, really hoping that this would be a good excuse to get Muffy out of the bar. "If it's okay with Griffin, that is." He looked expectantly, almost pleadingly, at Griffin, who gave a quick nod of permission.

"That's a good idea," he said. "You need a break, Muffy. Why don't you and Jack hang out tonight? I'll take care of the bar."

"Oh, but I can stay…" began Muffy, but Griffin all but cut her off.

"But nothing. Go out; have some fun."

"Well… if you're sure," said Muffy. As Griffin nodded his head, she smiled. "Thank you."

"Come," said Jack softly, holding out his hand. She slipped her hand into his, and he led her out of the bar. She didn't drop his hand once they were outside, which made a content smile appear on the farmer's face. He slowly curled his fingers through hers, enjoying the feel of her hand in his.

"Do you want to go to the beach?" he asked her. "It's very beautiful at night, and very relaxing."

Muffy nodded, smiling. "Let's go."

The two walked hand in hand to the beach, dropping each others hands once they arrived. Muffy gazed out into the deep blue ocean, clearly thinking about how beautiful it was. Jack faced the ocean as well, but he was glancing at her out of the corner of his eye and thinking about how beautiful she looked in the midnight. The moon seemed to give her blonde hair silver highlights, and it fell around her pale face. And, he noticed, her green eyes sparkled again.

She caught him looking at her, which made his cheeks turn slightly pink. She turned to face him, and looked at the ground for a second before bringing her eyes up to his. "I wanted to tell you something…"

"Oh, I wanted to say something t-" began Jack, but she cut him off.

"Me first, okay?" At the nod of his head, she continued. "You've been my best friend for a long time. You know that, right? You've always been there for me, including when Griffin broke up with me and I felt that I would never find anyone. I've been thinking a lot lately, and I think, well, I, um…" She tripped over her words slightly, and then mumbled, "I think I might be in love with you."

Jack's heart sped up and he wasn't sure if he heard what she had actually said, or if he was just hearing what he wanted, what he dreamed of hearing. "Um, what?" he said, wanting to know for sure if he had heard right.

"I said I think I might be in love with you," Muffy repeated, a little louder, dropping eye contact. She shook her head. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything. I hope I haven't ruined our friend-"

Jack cut her off this time, pulling her into his arms. "I know I'm in love with you," he whispered.

Muffy was silent for several seconds. "Really?" she whispered, a tear rolling down her cheek. Not of sadness, but of joy. He felt, because he held her against him, her heartbeat speed up like his was, and a smile grew on his face.

"Really," he confirmed softly, pulling back slightly so he could see her face. "I love you, Muffy." He tucked a loose lock of her hair out of her face, and leaned down to gently press his lips against hers. She responded immediately, gently cupping his cheek and kissing him back. This was the best birthday present in the word. Hugs and kisses from Muffy.