Stardew Valley Fanfiction:

'The Farmer Which'

Chapter 26:

They headed back to the valley, it was dark by the time they got home.

"I got to tell ya, it's nice being able to come back after a ride and not have to pull into my mom's house." Sebastian offered a hand to Alice as she got off the bike.

"I bet. Glad to have you on the farm, friend~" She made her way back inside, stretching after the long ride. It had been a good day.

Everything was pretty normal for the next few days. The furniture arrived and the house was starting to feel more like a home. Sebastian had a bed to sleep in and a desk to set up his computer on. They had a sofa to watch the barely functioning television from and Alice had brought home enough pamphlets from the store to browse and get an idea of what to save up for next.

At last it was Friday, and Alice and Sebastian had agreed to head down to the Saloon and meet up with Sam and Abigail as usual. It was the first time Sebastian had really gone into town since the whole fight. The farmer could tell he was a little nervous about it. There was no telling what sort of rumors had spread throughout the week, or how the other villagers felt about the situation.

But still, once 5:00pm hit, Alice changed into casual clothes and walked down to the local bar with the man. She was determined to help him have a good time, regardless of anyone else. When they walked into the bustling saloon, everything seemed to get a little quieter. Clearly the normal patrons were surprised to see them there. They ignored it and walked to the side room where their friends were waiting.

Sam was all grins, glad to see his best friend out and about. "How's farm life, huh?" Nudging Sebastian's ribs. "Does she have you up and moving by 6:00am yet?"

They both snorted at him. "I don't think that's ever going to happen Sam." Alice confessed, turning to Abigail for a hug.

The boys went to play pool, settling into their normal routine. Alice walked with Abigail to the bar to make their order of drinks and dinner.

"Farmer Alice." Gus nodded at her with a kind smile. "Miss Abigail."

"I've told you it's just Abigail; you make me feel so old Gus!" The purple haired woman was smiling too, but she still rolled her eyes at the man.

Alice shushed her. "I like it! At least some people still have manners." She gave a pointed look to Shane who was sitting next to where the girls were standing. She never missed a chance to tease the grump.

"That's the last time I do you any favors." He grunted, talking another swig from his glass of beer.

She rubbed his back apologetically as they ordered their drinks and some for the boys.

"Anything for dinner?" Gus inquired.

Alice looked over at Abigail. "Pizza, Abs?"

"Sounds good to me." She was already trying to juggle her drink along with the boys' back to the side room. Alice ordered a couple pizzas for their group and got up to head back herself. She was stopped by a tugging on her sleeve.

"Hey, farmer, got a sec?" It was Pam, Penny's mother and the local bus driver.

"Sure Pam, what's up?" Alice backtracked over to Pam's seat at the end of the bar.

"Well the whole town is just wondering what's up, ya know?" She was talking in hushed tones. "What happened exactly? Shane won't spill. Not even for a free beer, so we figured it was something major!"

Alice briefly reflected on how sweet that was, for Shane to try and give Sebastian some privacy. Why couldn't he always be like that? He spent a lot of time trying to make everyone think he was rude and irritable, when really he was a big-old-softy~

"It's not that big of a deal Pam. I mean, Sebastian and Demetrius got into it and it got really bad, almost physical, but Shane came over and helped me pack Sebastian up and move him down the road to my spare room in the farm." She tried to keep it from sounding too dramatic. That night had been terrifying in its own way, but it was best to try and move on from it rather than keep bringing up every detail all over again. "He's staying in the new upstairs half of the farmhouse for now until he can save up enough for his own place. He just needed some space from his family, that's all."

Pam looked suspicious, as if she was expecting more somehow.

"What?" Alice asked, seeing her expression.

"So… you're not…. you know?" Pam had gotten even more quiet, leaning in closer to Alice.

"I'm not what?" Alice whispered back, confused what the woman was asking.

"You two aren't… expecting or anything?"

Once it hit the witch what Pam was trying to ask, she burst into laughter. "Are you asking if I'm pregnant?!" She laughed loudly. The whole of the saloon seemed to be listening in to their conversation a little and even her three friends in the back had heard her outburst.

"For the record, I told them you weren't." Shane grumbled quietly beside them.

"That's just the rumor kid." Pam shrugged. "But if you say you aren't then I'll believe ya."

Alice was still trying not to laugh. "I'm not. I'm SOOO not." She clarified. "Is that what Maru is telling people?" She blurted out without thinking. She didn't want to cause trouble, but the question just couldn't be held in. If the local gossip was telling people she was knocked-up, then the local gossip really needed to up their game.

Pam looked a little bashful. "Well… I ain't sure where it started exactly…"

"I didn't think you were Alice!" Emily piped in. "I mean, I would have been able to tell. I have a real knack for those types of things~"

Emily certainly did have a knack for knowing things she shouldn't. Not in a bad way. Just in a strange, unexplainable way.

"We're sharing a house, not a bed." Alice assured the barmaid and company. "But I promise to keep the town updated if that changes." She glances around the room at the townsfolk watching their conversation. They all quickly looked away shamefully, trying to pretend like they weren't all far too interested in her business. "Thanks for asking though Pam." She appreciated the woman's bluntness in having the decency to at least ask Alice herself.

The girl grabbed her drink and walked back to her friends. Sebastian looked mildly irritated after hearing the end of Alice and Pam's conversation.

"Because it couldn't possibly just be that Demetrius is an ass and I wanted nothing to do with him anymore, right?"

"Let it go Seb." Abigail offered. "It's their own dumb fault for believing something so ridiculous." She leaned against Alice as they watched the boy's play. The four chatted and caught up, Alice telling them they should come over and see their new furniture some time. Sam seemed extra excited about visiting.

"I don't think I've ever been over to the farm since mom made me bring over that welcome basket in Spring."

"Maybe when we come over you can help me wash my hair-dye out? I feel like it's starting to legit turn purple, I've kept it in for so long." The girl twirled a strand of hair in her fingertips, muttering about her weird body. "Oh, and my mom wants a pumpkin. We were gonna carve one up for the season if you have extra."

"For sure. I already got one saved for you guys~ I'll get you the prettiest, giant pumpkin from the batch!"

Then Sam complained that he wanted a pumpkin too, to which Sebastian mocked him for being childish and a whole round of playful arguing ensued.

Just as Alice was thinking the evening was starting to feel normal again, the doors to the saloon opened.

Wow, so many comments on the last chapter regarding Damon, lol. I'm glad people seem to like the direction the story is going. I want to keep it interesting without having too much over-the-top drama. Keep it realistic. I want to bring more of the town's people into the spot light too, so let me know which villager is your favorite who hasn't been used in the story much yet and I'll try to fit them in. Send me a message or, even better, leave a review! - Mystical Jelly