The Mermaid Pendant
Farmer (F) x Harvey
TW: Light alcohol use. Mention of Non-Consent.
Author's Note: This is my first ever fan-fiction. Constructive criticism is very much appreciated. Please enjoy the story!
Chapter 1
She held the mermaid pendant in her hand, carefully examining it. It had seemed like it had taken weeks for the rain to come so she could finally purchase it. Sure, she could have proposed with a ring like they do in the city. It would probably have been ok, considering Kala wasn't originally from Pelican Town. But ever since she had heard about the strange marriage tradition of this sleepy valley she knew that she had to propose like a local. "Now" she thought to herself "All that's left to do is to plan the proposal". The hot air balloon ride was quite something. "It will be difficult to top that," Kala thought.
The next day Kala made her way to the clinic after completing all of her farm work for the day. She was carrying a couple of black coffees with her as usual. She entered the clinic.
"Hi, Maru" she said cheerfully.
"Hi Kala, are you looking for Harvey?" She asked.
"Yeah, is he free right now?"
"Sure, go ahead" Maru replied.
Kala approached Harvey's office, making sure to knock before entering.
"Come in" she heard his voice through the door.
"Hi! do you have a spare 10 minutes to share a coffee with me?" Kala asked.
"Of course, I can always make time for you." Harvey replied.
"Great," Kala said while sitting down and handing the coffee to Harvey.
Kala took a couple of small sips , it had taken her a little while to get used to the taste of unsweetened black coffee but now she actually enjoyed it.
"Um" Kala mumbled
"There is actually something I would like to ask you".
"What is it?" enquired Harvey.
Kala felt a little nervous, but tried to act cool "It's just like asking for a normal date" she kept telling herself.
"Well, how would you like to go for a hike up the mountain this Sunday?" "It would be nice to enjoy the scenery before Summer ends, and I know you were trying to do a bit more exercise, it... it would be nice to do something like this together" Kala was rambling.
Harvey paused for a moment. "Sure, that sounds lovely," he replied.
"Oh! Great! Ok" Kala found it difficult to conceal her smile "I'll pack us a lunch, and if you meet me at my house on Sunday morning. Around 8 AM maybe? We should probably get an early start before it gets too hot". Kala beamed.
"Sounds perfect," Harvey said calmly as they both finished their coffees.
Early that Sunday morning Kala was frantically looking through her wardrobe. "Should I just wear something cute and comfortable? Maybe I should wear something a bit fancier? This will probably be a day to remember" She thought. The time was quickly approaching 8 AM. The packed lunch was ready and waiting in the fridge, the pendant was hidden in her backpack but Kala was still so anxious. Kala glanced at the clock.
"Oh! Gotta hurry, he'll be here any minute!"
She quickly threw on her usual denim dungarees, a white flowy blouse and fixed a ribbon in her hair. At that moment there was a knock on her door.
"I'm coming" Kala shouted.
Kala ran over and opened the door.
"Good morning" Harvey greeted Kala with a beaming smile.
"Good morning!"
Harvey was standing there wearing brown shorts, a light green polo shirt, a sweatband and had quite a large backpack.
"You certainly look ready to hike," Kala commented.
"Haha, yeah I guess you don't see me like this that much.." Harvey said, blushing slightly.
"Come in for a minute, I'm nearly ready. I just need to put the lunch away and put some sunscreen on''.
Kala gestured for Harvey to come in. Despite how long Kala and Harvey had known each other this was the first time Harvey had been inside Kala's house. He cautiously entered and stood in the living room.
"Take a seat, don't be shy," Kala said.
"Thank you"
Harvey sat down on the blue sofa and glanced around the room. Kala placed their packed lunch inside her backpack, quickly checking to make sure the pendant was still there. It was. She gave a quiet sigh of relief. Then she took her sun cream and began applying it to her face.
"I presume you're already wearing sun protection" Kala said to Harvey.
"Yeah, I've got to be careful with this pale skin of mine" Harvey replied with a chuckle.
Once Kala was finished applying her sun cream she placed her backpack on her back with a thud.
"Ok, I'm ready when you are!" She declared.
"Alright, let's go," Harvey said.
Kala led the way up the mountain path. The light shimmered through the leaves of the trees similar to how the sun reflects off of a pool of calm water. The cicadas in the distance gently hummed and the birds sang sweetly. A gentle breeze rustled through the foliage and danced around Kala's ponytail. It was altogether a beautiful late-summer's day. After several minutes of hiking Kala could hear Harvey's breath become louder and his footsteps became slower. Kala turned to him and smiled.
"How're you doing back there? Keeping up?"
Harvey's face was bright pink and beads of sweat were forming on his forehead. Harvey let out a heavy sigh.
"Yeah, just about managing." He paused "I've still got a long way to work on my fitness though, could we slow down a little?"
"Of course!" Kala slowed her pace and walked side-by-side with him.
They had been walking for a couple of hours now and the summer heat was really beginning to intensify.
"I think we're nearly at the summit," Kala said eagerly.
"I…*pant*… can't …*pant*… wait…" replied Harvey.
Kala picked up her pace a little, making her way to the next clearing. She stopped suddenly.
"We're here, we're here!" She jumped up and down excitedly. "The view is amazing!" Kala exclaimed.
Harvey hiked up as quickly as he could, panting the entire way. When he had caught his breath he looked up and took in the view.
"Wow" he whispered.
The mountains appeared to go on forever with Zuzu city nestled neatly in the valley. It looked so small from this distance.
"So? Shall we stop here and eat?" Kala asked.
"Yeah, I definitely need a break," Harvey replied.
Kala took out a picnic blanket from her bag and carefully placed it on the ground. Harvey sat down and began gulping water from his backpack. Kala removed a few boxes from her bag and began opening them to reveal some tasty-looking sandwiches, cherry tomatoes and various other cutely-cut veggies and fruits.
"Ok, let's eat," She said enthusiastically.
"Looks delicious" Harvey smiled.
The lunch went down well.
"That was wonderful as usual," Harvey said. Kala blushed.
"Thank you,"
"Um, actually, I also brought some wine, if you'd like," Kala rummaged around in her backpack and produced a bottle with a clearly homemade label. "It's starfruit wine, I've been producing it all summer, it's meant to be delicious!"
"Oh! That does look good!" Harvey said with a glimmer in his eyes "…but, I'm not sure about drinking it now, maybe later, after the walk?"
"Oh, yeah, sure,"
Kala looked a little disappointed but returned the bottle to her bag. They sat in silence for a little while. Kala couldn't stop herself from tapping her fingers nervously. Her heart was pounding. She slipped her hand inside her backpack to check for the pendant. She felt around but could not find it. Kala started to panic a little. She picked up the bag and began digging through it furiously, still no luck.
"Is everything alright?" Asked Harvey, concerned by the worry on Kala's face.
"Um, … uhh," Kala wasn't sure if she should be honest or try to pretend everything was ok. "Well, I think I've lost something," she confessed.
"Oh, what have you lost? Let me help you look for it,"
"Um! Actually it's ok! I'll look for it myself," Kala replied sharply, a mixture of anxiety and embarrassment on her face. "How could I lose something so important, I'm such an idiot," She thought to herself.
"Ok then," Harvey said, looking confused and slightly hurt.
Kala's eyes darted quickly around the area. Then she saw it, glinting in the sun on the edge of their picnic blanket. Relief washed over her. Harvey's eyes were drawn to where she was looking. He squinted. He couldn't quite make it out at first, but then he realised what he was looking at. "Oh!" He exclaimed and picked it up. He hadn't seen a mermaid pendant in person before but he could tell exactly what it was by the stories he had heard.
"Is.. is this what you were looking for?" He couldn't quite believe it.
"Ye.. yes!" Kala stuttered and blushed deeply.
Harvey looked stunned.
"W.. wait. You realise what this means here, right?"
"Yes of course!" Kala said, slightly annoyed.
"…and, you were planning on giving it to me today?" Harvey asked, still not quite able to accept what was happening.
"Yes! Harvey, you're smart, kind, hard-working and always there for me. I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you,"
Harvey's eyes were glistening.
"I… I'm not sure what to say. But, I accept!" Harvey leaned in to embrace Kala. He squeezed her tightly.
"It's hard to believe someone like you would want to marry someone like me," He said.
"What do you mean? You're so wonderful, I was so nervous that you might decline," Kala had tears in her eyes. "How about that wine now, huh?" She said while wiping her face.
"Well, I guess one glass won't hurt" He chuckled.